The End of the Road...

Today is the final day of the NaBloPoMo challenge. During this challenge, you're required to post everyday about any topic. I had a blast. I'm going to look into more ways that I can stay motivated while posting. While I think I only have a few people looking at my blog, I love to keep a journal that my kids and grand kids can read someday. I've never felt like much of a writer, but I think I could develop into a phenomenal one when I have the time. Next month is December. It's my favorite month of the year and I can't wait to post pictures and tidbits of info on our lives.

Until next month....

My Gorgeous Mady

A walk down memory beach..

This is Mady and I at the beach in 2003. I became pregnant with Marshall this month. We had a great time visiting with my best friend from grade school, Lily. I can't wait to get to Montana to see her and her growing family. :)

I am thankful for...

A Thank You

The below is a thank you from Mr. Nielson on behalf of him and Nie Nie. I pray everyday for their speedy recoveries. They are amazing people!

Pumpkin Pie

Today we enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast in Mady's class room, even Marshall came for some pumpkin pie!!

The princess and I!!

Mady snapped this photo of me eating some honeydew. :)

POKER

I had an awesome night at cards. I should be in the top 20 now and on my way to a shot in Vegas!

Happy 5th Birthday

My baby boy officially turned 5 today. Time has gone by WAY too quickly.

Happy birthday, Marshall. I love you infinity and beyond!

Adios

We're heading out of town to see family to celebrate Marshall's birthday weekend. Have an awesome Saturday all.

Superheroes take over Preschool..

Marshall loved his Spiderman cupcake cake!!

Superheroes took over Marshall's preschool class in honor of his 5th birthday this Sunday. We had a blast celebrating!!

An update on The Neilsons

Click here for the latest on The Neilson's who were in a very serious plane crash in August.

Mom, I'm a pilgrum...

Today was my son's Pilgrim (or Pilgrum) play as he calls it. He was so handsome and did such a good job. I couldn't be prouder. :)

How lucky am I that I got to sit next to such a beautiful little girl?? I was so happy to see them since this week is their week at dad's house.

My pilgrum and I....Seriously, he says it so CUTE!!

Marshall's whole class. They divide in half to learn, but do lots of group activities. We invited all 20 kids to Marshall's party on Saturday. Let's hope they don't all show up or Mommy might go crazy!! :)

He Rocks My Socks!!

He rocks them so much that I walked holes through them trying to find him...

Good Night

I met a new boy.. not really new.. but someone that I hadn't seen in a while.

He's very similar to my prince charming.. only blonde..

I'll tell you about my adventure and walking holes in my socks tomorrow..

Smashing Pumpkins

Today was a bright and sunny day. We enjoyed it by smashing our rotting pumpkins!!

Merry Christmas Alittle Early...

A Moment of Tenderness..

"There is an enduring tenderness in the love of a mother to a son that transcends all other affections of the heart." – Washington Irving , writer

Thinking of you..

To: You

It's amazing how a chance encounter has you entering my thoughts often. A small talk conversation has my mind racing. You're gorgeous, your smile is charming.. I think your eyes may even sparkle. Something right out of a fairy tale...

You have my number.

XOXO

The Age of Innocence

The local rock station was playing at the store we stopped at today. The song Get Stoned by Hinder came on. Here is a snip of the lyrics that were over heard:

"Let's go home and get stoned
We could end up makin love instead of misery
Go home and get stoned."

My almost eight year old first born says, "Why would anyone want to go home and have rocks thrown at them?" I must've looked at her like a confused dog. She then said, "You know, because getting stoned means having rocks thrown at you."

The innocence of children is so amazing.....

Sick Days Bring Appreciation

The last few days have been full of sick kiddos and a very worn out mom. I thought of Stephanie (http://www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/). She posted a blog one day in Nov of 2007, a blog that I thought of very often the last few days. You can read it by clicking here.

If you don't know Stephanie's story and you haven't read her blogs, you're missing out on a very precious and rare gem. At such a young age, she is full of so much love, warmth and fun. She and her husband were in a plane crash in August of this year. She is still in the hospital, but is recovering very well considering the circumstances.

Despite the fact that I was beyond tired, I took the time to cherish the kids, to hold them tighter, to mug them endlessly. (Read Stephanie's blogs to learn about a mug.) Regardless of the messes I cleaned up or the nights I spent awake and cuddled close by, I appreciated every second of it because there are those that aren't as fortunate. I'm sure there's no place Stephanie would rather be right now than cuddled close to her family and her dear Mr. Nielson, even on sick days like these.

Thank you, Veterans....

Veteran’s Day Tribute

When America had an urgent need,
These brave ones raised a hand;
No hesitation held them back;
They were proud to take a stand. They left their friends and family;
They gave up normal life;
To serve their country and their God,
They plowed into the strife. They fought for freedom and for peace
On strange and foreign shores;
Some lost new friends; some lost their lives
In long and brutal wars. Other veterans answered a call
To support the ones who fought;
Their country had requirements for
The essential skills they brought. We salute each and every one of them,
The noble and the brave,
The ones still with us here today,
And those who rest in a grave. So here’s to our country’s heroes;
They’re a cut above the rest;
Let’s give the honor that is due
To our country’s very best.

By Joanna Fuchs

Random Act of Violence???

I awoke this morning to find that someone decided to throw light bulbs at the back of my car while I spent my evening tending to a very sick daughter. I really appreciate that. It's nice to know that while I'm in my warm house, taking care of my loves, being sick myself, someone decided to throw light bulbs at my car. How mature??? The one problem???? I have full coverage insurance, thank goodness!!!

Work at Home Position Vol. 1

ACD Direct is a company that takes pledge calls for PBS. I have worked from them, so I know they are legit. Check them out here: https://www.acddirect.com/

How easy it is...

Amidst the chaos of this world, there are children surrounding us who genuinely just want to enjoy growing up. Amidst the chaos of this world, it's easy for us, as adults, to forget what that carefree time in life felt like. If you take the time to think back, I'm certain most of you will find some of the best days of your life.

Our children are pieces of us. They develop certain mannerisms that we have, say things that we say, do things that we do. Cue the old phrase, "Monkey see, Monkey do." How you live your life now does affect your children. If you let stress conquer you, your kids will feel it. They are such smart creatures. They deserve to have a happy childhood. They deserve to enjoy every minute of it. Don't rob them of that by letting your own unhappiness, your own struggles in life transform you into an unhappy person. Delight yourself with the small things in life. Look around you, your kids bright smiley faces are the only source of happiness that you will ever really need.

When I look at my daughter I see myself...only better.
-- Author Unknown

A child reminds us that playtime is an essential part of our daily routine.
-- Anonymous

Peaceful Slumbers & Happy Birthday Square!!

There was never a child so lovely but his mother was glad to get him to sleep. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson





A little girl is sugar and spice and everything nice - especially when she's taking a nap. ~Author Unknown





HAPPY BIRTHDAY SQUARE!!!

It's 3:30 AM...

I can't sleep. I'm terrified.

The real estate market gets worse every day. This job that I've had the last three years, a job that's allowed me to work from home and adjust my schedule to be at every school function is teetering on the brink of death.

Honestly, I haven't sleep well in weeks. I have great office skills, but finding a job in this economy that's going to be able to pay my bills is going to be hard. Not that I'm not going to bust my butt to find a job, I just don't know if I'll be able to stay in this house.

Where will I stay if I lose my job suddenly? Will I see my kids if that happens? Not that I think Collin would keep them from me, but where will I take them to visit them? They miss me and need me to be there for them.

I'm tired of struggling, but I won't give up. I refuse to give up. Just please pray for us. Pray for work, pray for the kids and pray for strength for me... Please....

Live, Laugh, Bounce......

The fall festival in Medford, OR had a bounce dragon. They kids had a blast. Even though the dragon went half flat after a while, the kids were troopers and played anyways.

The Marshall in action. I wish they would've let me get in there with him so I could've enjoyed this with them. I did ask, they said no. Maybe it's time for a diet for mom??

This is the face that gets me every time. I don't know what it is about it, but it makes me want to pick him up squeeze him.


On a side note, the week on week off custody thing really sucks sometimes. A break is nice for anyone, but seven days is way too long. I go crazy after my first night without them. I find myself finding ways I can see them at their school during dad's weeks. Lately, I haven't been doing that because it's caused both of them to become emotional and then I feel like I ruined their day. Once they see me, there's that glimmer of hope in their eyes that I'm picking them up and then I have to crush that. It just breaks my heart.

I love you both to infinity and beyond.

Dimples

From the moment I saw him, I noticed his dimples. One on each cheek and one on his chin. This is one of his first REAL smiles. He was three months old. I would kiss each cheek and then his chin. I still do... He has the most kissable face!



A very contagious smile...



A very precious smile......



A very handsome smile...


I love you, Marshall!!

Student of the Week

Madysen is student of the week this week.

Today, Mady is taking in her photo collage we worked on last night. I had SOOO many pictures. I think this is a pretty good indicator of how much my beauty has grown since her surprising arrival in Dec of 2000.

Tuesday is sharing day and this is what Mady wants to take for sharing.

Wednesday is student interview day. Her whole class, all 8 of them, will spend an hour interviewing her. I'm going to have to go in and record this. I'm sure there will be some funny answers.

Thursday is the guessing jar day. Mady counted bubble gum and filled a jar. There are 76 pieces. Whoever guesses and gets closest wins a prize from the teacher. I'm offering to give the whole jar of gum to avoid finding it all over my house!!!

Can I just take a moment now to tell you all again how proud I am of my gorgeous daughter? Starting out at 2 lbs 11 oz and 15 in, she quickly grew and never had a set back. Now at 49 inches and 50 lbs, you would never know she had such a rough beginning. She is determined and free spirited much like me.

I love you, Mady.

Dear Prince Charming

Dear Prince Charming,

Since Mady is convinced that you and I are destined to be together, I thought I'd write you to see how life is in the kingdom and find out how much distress your damsel needs to be in before you'll come save her.

Last night as I slept, my dreams were filled with preparing for when you ride in on your white horse, scoop me up and whisk me into the sunset. To be quite honest, I don't care what color your horse is.

You're always faceless in my dreams. Mady isn't quite sure what color your hair is, but assures me it will be flowing and pretty. She also promises me that I'll see a twinkle in your eye and I will know that it's you.

I know the time is not quite right for you to make your appearance yet as I'm so busy, but I eagerly look forward to our happily ever after.

Love your princess-in-training,
Karley

Happy November!!

2008 brought me super heroes!!