One of my favorite things to do is to take the kiddos to the children’s museum. We spend several hours a week there. If you have a local children’s museum, go check it out! I like to go to CMs in every town we visit or vacation in and I’ve found them all to be wholesome and educational. It’s also a great way to meet other momma’s! If you’re a grandparent, it’s a great place to take the grandbabies while mom and dad have a lunch date or whatnot!

Here’s some pics of our favorite local wintertime hangout!

Snakes, snails, puppy dog tails. And mud pies. Lots of mud pies, please.

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The other day I took the babies to the local pool. When we first got there, I needed to use the restroom. I was using the bathroom while Bella and Noah walked around in what I thought was an empty bathroom. Suddenly I hear a woman (very dramatically) squeak, “Shoo! You go away! Go away, please.” I looked under my stall wall and saw Noah smiling from ear to ear while he looked under another woman’s door! He wouldn’t come when I called him either– he just stared at her with a big mischievous grin. I finally got my pants pulled up and got out of the stall, but not a moment before this woman nearly had an aneurysm. Geesh. Where’s her sense of humor!? Peeping Tom’s NEVER came packaged this adorable and sweet before now.
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Jeremy and I applied for a juried craft fair to sell some of our arts and crafts. I didn’t really think we’d get in because it’s a higher end craft fair and they specifically advertise that they aren’t the typical “Grandma Craft Fair”. Well, I really like Grandma craft fairs, whatever that means. And I don’t mind thinking my quilts are a little bit similar to those old fashioned cuddle quilts I see sold in “Grandma Craft Fairs” at the local church’s.

But whatever. I applied and sent in pictures of our stuff and really didn’t think we’d get accepted. But guess what!? We were! And now I’m taking my funky grandma quilts to our first ever craft fair. I’m so stoked! This craft fair is going to be fun and give us lots of experience. It’s coming up at the end of April, so we have lots of work to do to get ready. All of the quilts I was going to make for family might have to wait until May because I need to stock up. This craft fair is going to have a fashion show, live music, and only about 20 vendors. I’m hoping we leave there with enough money to take a little vaycay!

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Oh. And in case you were wondering? I’m still pregnant. And sick. Someone send me some ginger cookies, some Calgon, and a masseuse. Particularly one that looks like Gerard Butler. Please.

Clinton. Obama. Obama. Clinton. Then there’s that McCain guy. And I don’t really care about the whole Republican/Democrat thing– I just want a President who agrees that healthcare, alternative fuel sources, and environment need to be on top of the list (rules out Hillary) and war and oil at the bottom (rules out all of them).

I’m so over this crap. Just get it (the election) over with. It’s not like we (the little guys) have any say anyways. I mean, let’s face it. The whole process is a bunch of smoke and mirrors crap, in my opinion. I wish they (the corporations and oil tycoons) would quit insulting our intelligence by even putting on this whole elaborate show and put the man, or woman, in the White House that they have intended to put in office this whole time. I’m over it. If I had a choice Obama would make it in. But my guess is that if he does make it in, it’s because he’s the “chosen one” (by those Big Wig Powers That Be) and not because we (The Peasants and Peons) really elected him.

I’m a conspiracy theorist. Obviously. I’ll shut up now. I’m probably not making myself sound very intelligent. Paranoid, yes. Intelligent, nope.
So an interesting and silly conversation that took place this week:

Me: Clinton won Ohio. She’s bragging about sharing the ticket with Obama, with her name on top. This all just makes me want to move to France. At least we’d have health care.
Jeremy: Well, you knew they weren’t going to put a black man in office.

Me: You think they would rather have a white woman than a black man?

Jeremy: Before a black man, they will put a green booger in office.

Silly Man. One of the many perks to being married to Jeremy is that he takes nothing too seriously and helps me laugh at myself. I need that.
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Enough about politics. Yuck!

Yesterday I was trying to get Bella ready for an appointment and she wasn’t cooperating with getting dressed. I finally told her that I had some stickers for her if she cooperated and listened but if she didn’t follow directions, she’s have to wait for those stickers. She says, ” Mom. You’re like a wicked stepmother. I’m going to get a new mommy.”

Ughh. My heart still hurts.

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Jeremy is up for a nice promotion at work. There are too many perks, it’s wonderful! It’s almost too good to be true. Better pay, company truck, he’ll be supervising instead of breaking his back… The head honcho is a single guy in his 40’s. Every time I go into the office, he is hanging on some secretary or checking me out like I’m fresh meat. He’s just got a different reality than Jeremy, a family man. Anyways, while he and Jeremy are discussing the promotion, Jeremy mentions how he has a wife, 3 kids, and one on the way. His boss looks at him and says,

“Well you’re screwed, aren’t you?”

Good thing he’s at the top. You wanna have a good man on top–with outstanding morals who knows where his priorities should be. Geesh. Chivalry. I bet he makes him momma proud.

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Oh. And guess what!??? I’M STILL PREGNANT!

Above: Austin’s First Picture– March 5th, 1995

Thirteen years ago today I was blessed with my sweet Austin. He was the best thing that had happened to me in my lifetime, and continues to add to my life in every way. In some of the same ways he did then…

He had this amazing little smile. Actually it was a HUGE smile– his whole face seemed to grin when he was happy. Which was most of the time because he was such a pleasant and sweet baby. He only fussed when he was hungry– he was never one to tantrum or to be disagreeable. He was so easy to please and was just happy to be with me. He still is very much like that– always wanting to make others happy no matter what. He’s observant and caring, affectionate and lovable. He seemed to pop out of the womb with a loving heart and a contagious lovable spirit.

I couldn’t have formed a more wonderful son with my own two hands. I keep thinking it’s too good to be true. But even in this tweenaged awkward stage, he’s amazing and special. He makes the honor roll, does his chores without a fuss, helps with the babies even though I know he wants to run at times, and is always thoughtful and generous. He’s kind and polite to everyone. He makes me so proud and sometimes I can’t believe that we (Jeremy and I) actually raised such an amazing human being when we were growing up right along with him. He’s surely a reflection of us as parents, and that makes my heart smile… Knowing that we have raised someone who is not only going to be successful because he is smart, but more importantly, because he is the kindest spirit I’ve known.

You, Austin, are the apple of my eye. My first born. My special boy. You make me proud and you make my heart gloat. You are going to do amazing things in your life– this much I know. You already have! We love you more than you could possibly know, Sweet Boy (quickly becoming a Young Man). Happy 13th Birthday, My Sweet.

Austin & Me~~ 2 weeks old

Austin enjoying some donuts~~ 9 months old

Austin with his best friend, Kirsten ~~ 22 months old

Austin’s First Birthday:

Austin’s Christening Picture (I’m not Catholic, but Austin’s dad is) ~~ 2 months old

Happy 13th birthday Austin! Hugs & kisses…

I haven’t posted in almost a week! Time flies. I’d like to tell y’all that I was doing something super amazing like bungy jumping off of Victoria Falls or skinny dipping in a Jamaican waterfall. But, alas, I’ve just been nursing a sick little Nooskers and suffering terribly from cabin fever.

Yesterday Jeremy treated me and Austin to a day out. I got to spend the day with Austin in a nearby town, shopping for a few things. We gave Austin $100 for his birthday (which is tomorrow). I bought some really nice fabrics to make some rag quilts. We went to lunch at Taco Bell, which was nice because we got to eat without tantrums or food throwing fights. It was a beautiful day to boot– a whopping 60 degrees and sunshine galore. I loved just being able to have some one on one with Austin. I think he’s the most amazing kid on planet Earth and he makes my heart smile. I’ll make a birthday post to him tomorrow.
The snow is back tonight. I think I want to cry! This winter has been relentless, y’all. We’ve gotten more snow this year than I’ve seen in the 8 years we’ve been here. It’s beautiful, yes, for the first half of winter. But the second half is a little harder to love. I’m so ready for grass and flowers and gardens and sunshine…
I’ve been feeling alright, but am questioning the health of this pregnancy. I’ve not been very sick in a few days and cramping a bit more. I’m not going to assume the worst, but have done this enough times to know when it’s going well and when it’s not. I’m going to stay positive. But, I’ve prepared my heart either way– as much as one can. It’s all just a waiting game for the next few weeks. I’m gaining weight, so I’m going to start going to the gym more consistently. Exercise is healthy for any pregnancy. It’s also good for the thunder thighs! Moreover, it’s a great way to keep my spirits up which is the best thing I can give a pregnancy.
I hope you all are well and I’ll be back to a more regular blog schedule soon!