Thankful

Yes, I am behind on my posts and I know everyone is anxious to see pictures of the 4 cousins together again.  They were quite cute, tons of fun and work.... but among the caos I LOVED every minute.

Thankful.  I have had that subject on my brain for weeks.  I have so much to be thankful for it was hard picking just one thing, so I picked more than one.  (They are not in any order!)

First, I am thankful that everyone in my family is healthy and happy.  That is a HUGE blessing in itself.

Second, based on the past year, I am very thankful for my talented, well educated, witty, and loving husband.  As my grandmother would say, "We made lemonade out of lemons."  Yes, we had to leave our Virginia home and start a new adventure in Milwaukee, but I am eternally grateful for our family being together, a roof over our heads, and a great future.  David, I am really proud of you and of us.   

Third, I am thankful for Kohl's!  They hired David, moved us to Milwaukee and offered us an amazing opportunity!  They are not only a great place to shop, but a great place to work too!

Fourth, I am thankful for the opportunity to step on matchbox cars and plastic dinosaurs, treasure maccaroni & bead necklaces like diamonds, masterpiece marker drawings adorning my fridge,  lots of "i love you mamas" and hugs from little arms, independant minds, swings flying in the sky.... way up so high, scooter races in the driveway, caotic morning routines, and 2 sweet little children of my very own.  Kate and Stephen, everyday you fill my life with joy, laughter, passion, and love and for that I am ETERNALLY THANKFUL.

I love you all and I wish you nothing but blessing this Thanksgiving!

Together Again

This is how we found them, sound asleep holding hands...

(Of course prior to this moment was lots of giggling, sillies, and wiggling.)  

Post Halloween

This is how my kids have dressed the entire week.  I wonder if they will be wearing the same hats at Christmas?

Happy Halloween

I am happy to report that our first Halloween in Wisconsin was without snow.  It was sunny, a little brisk and thank goodness, NO RAIN.  Normally you would hear my speech to my children on how rain is good for Our Mother Earth, but we have seen too much rain.  Instead of beautiful autumn October days, we had lots and lots of rain.  According to natives, October is the last beautiful month in Wisconsin before the snow and bitter cold descends.

At 5 sharp, all the little trick-or-treaters decended upon our neighborhood.  At our house, we had Hannah Montanna, a witch, and a green dinosaur.  Also known as Peyton, Kate, and Stephen.

The kids had a blast, running from house to house and Stephen did his best to keep up with the girls.  I love tha Kate's feet were not even touching the ground in this photo.  At one point Stephen sat down on the ground and proclaimed, "I can't walk."  We did have the wagon, it was full of coats and warm beverages.  As you will notice, the kids did not have on coats, but they were very layered underneath.  (Stephen had 5 layers under his costume, he even looks puffy.)

Kate's costume is very special.... It was the same witch costume I wore when I was her age.  Mom made it for me and I remember wearing it on a few Halloween nights.  I think the last time I wore it was in middle school and I wore it with jeans.  We did add a few new items, a pointy hat care of Madeline Grace, the black & white striped shirt, polka dot tights, and her favorite.... clicketty-clack-shoes.  She really loves the costume and has continued to dress up post Halloween.  She even worn the pointy hat to the grocery store and the park.  She proclaimed that she plans on being a witch next year too.  I love that she loves that costume...  How can she be scary when she looks that cute!

  

The Good Samaritan

I lost my phone the other day.  The last place I remember having it was when I was bucking Stephen into his carseat.  We were on our way to pick up Kate from school.  I got to Kate's school, no phone.  I got home, no phone.  I searched all over the house, even the kids got involved, no phone.  I searched my car with a flashlight, no phone.  We then took a walk around the neighborhood, no phone.

I felt so stupid... who looses their phone!

I love my husband, he can make me feel better in an instant.  I told him when he got home how stupid I felt for loosing my phone and he said, "Erin, why do you feel stupid, people loose their kids, you lost a cell phone."  Yes, child vs. cell phone, no comparison.

Later that evening, I see MY cell phone come up on the caller id.  A nice man is on the phone telling me how he found a cell phone on his bike ride today.  (About 2 miles from our house.)  He found "home" on my phone and called the number.  Yay, a good samaritan!  David went and picked up my phone, it is a little battered considering I think I left it on top of my car while buckling in Stephen.

Scratches and all, I am SO glad to have my phone back.  And, yes it works great!

Bellie Girl

This post is dedicated to the chocolate love of my life, Belle.  I know I focus on my kids, but she is still my baby.  Belle is my dog and she follows me everywhere, yes... even the bathroom.  She sleeps at my feet every night and is constantly by my side.  But the funniest thing lately, is her OBSESSION with MARSHMALLOWS.  She loves them!  She stalks the kids for them when we are outside roasting them.  She will even steal them right off their sticks.  It is really just one of the funniest things she has ever done!

 

Happy Birthday Sam!

Kathleen, Eddie and Sam came for a great visit over David's birthday.  It was great to show them around Milwaukee, but even better for Kate and Stephen to get some cousin time with Sam.  Stephen misses Sam terribly.  He asks to play with him, he also keeps talking about going on a plane... just like Sam.  :(  Sweet and so sad!  I am know he will be thrilled to see him over the holidays.

But, we are missing celebrating the BIG 2 with Sam tomorrow!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM!

We love you and we miss you.  And yes, I can't believe our "babies" are two!

How old am I?

David celebrated his 34th birthday!  Woo Hoo!

That same day Kate counted to 100 at her school all by herself!  Excellent job Kate!

When I arrived at school to pick her up, I noticed her, "I counted to 100" sticker on her sweater.
She then asked me, "Is that how old Daddy is today?"

880

I'm here, 880 miles away from Midlothian, Virginia.  I am here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Don't get me wrong, I really do like it here.  I am very grateful to be here.

My blog is dedicated to my children and our crazy life, but I guess on purpose I have avoided discussing myself.  I have been the picture of optimism throughout this entire transition.  But right now I am sad that I am here and you are there.  I guess what is a really new experience for me is meeting people.  I know that sounds crazy, but when you are used to going about your daily routine and seeing someone you know every day, it is very odd when you don't.  Growing up in the same town for all of my life, it is not unusual to see your neighbor or a high school friend at Ukrop's.  I almost catch myself seeing someone I think I know, and then I realize where I am.

I guess it's the little things, the special moments I have grown accustom to that I miss the most.  It all started last Wednesday with my best friend and sister going to lunch, without me for the first time.  Then Friday our best friend, Jerome, got into medical school after trying for three years and we were not there to drop everything and celebrate, it was hard.  Or Saturday, we weren't there for the 4th annual Pumpkin Patch.  (Even with down pours of rain, I wish I was there with my best friends and my family.)  Today Claire was at DC Children's for a cardiac eco and I am here waiting for the call on how it went.  I am relieved that her heart looks wonderful!  They were able to see an amazing view of her heart, better understand her pressures and determine when her next surgery might be.  It sounds like she may have at least another 6 moths before surgery, which is excellent news!  I just wish I was there.  Too bad I can't teleport!  LOL!  Really, I like being here in Milwaukee, I just wish at times I could be in Virginia too.

I know over time things will fall into place and we have already met some great people.  I guess you know your kids are adjusting when Kate wants to buy "squeaky cheese" at the grocery store.  Don't be scared, it's delicious and I will bring some home with me at Christmas!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

"Cheers Daddy, tomorrow is your birthday! "

(FYI, this photo was taken on Stephen's birthday at the Brewer's game and yes, Stephen's plastic beer bottle was empty at the time.)  

Banana Bread

Most of you knew my grandmother and her FABULOUS banana bread! I grew up on it and love it, but when I went to make it for myself a few years ago I discovered one SMALL detail.... one loaf contained 2 sticks of butter. Ouch, more like, watch out! So, in my attempt to enjoy the best of both worlds, I did a little cooking editing.

Here is the new recipe and I promise it is just as good, if not even better! By the way, I still make it in her pan...

GRANDMA BEV'S BANANA BREAD, revised a little...

1/2 stick of butter

1 cup of sugar

3/4 cup of apple sauce or canned pumpkin

3 eggs

4 ripe bananas

2 cups of whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons of baking soda

1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix wet ingredients together in a bowl and dry ingredients in another. Then combine the two together and add chocolate chips. Place in a 9x13 pan and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. (These are also great as muffins, but cooking time is closer to 20-25 minutes.)

My kids love the banana bread and we make it all the time. Yes, I even let them help...

Kate can now crack an egg by herself, with no shells in the bowl! Stephen, as he says... "Egg, I crush it." And that he does... He gently taps the egg on the counter and then holds the egg in his hand over the bowl and squeezes. Yep, he crushes the egg and is VERY proud of this accomplishment. I try to remain calm, complementary, and move him to the sink to wash his hands. They like to take turns measuring the ingredients and dumping them into the mixer. Peeling and breaking up the ripe bananas is probably the most time consuming and easiest way they help. Even Kate is picking up on the order of baking, after we added the sugar and the butter she said, "Time for the eggs." They really like participating in the kitchen and some may say I am crazy with the mess that might come with it all. But after the comment Kate made yesterday while we were making the banana bread, it is worth the possible mess. She looked right at me in the middle of making it and said, "Momma, life is good."

Yes, Kate it is, life is really good.

Discovery

I love these photos.... We were picking apples when the kids realized that the pumpkin field was right next to the orchard. Kate ran ahead and Stephen followed.... Kate, the sweet big sister, on her own helped her brother through the branches to the field. She has such a BIG heart. I love watching them grow and she sets an amazing example for her brother.

Trees

With all the apple picking around here, Kate has had lots of questions about things that grow with seeds.

My personal favorite:

"Momma, there is a seed in my bread!"

Yes, that is a rye seed.

"Momma, if I plant this seed in the ground, will it grow a bread tree?"

These are moments I am so glad I get to smile and answer the question. Sometimes she even makes me wonder...

Where does the time go?

It has been almost a month since my last post, really? Where does the time go?

Well we have been getting quite a bit done around here. My parents came for a visit and for any of you who know my Mom, if there is a project that needs to get done, she's your woman. So, we ALL got a lot done.... Painted our bedroom and the dinning room, hung curtains and rods in 3 rooms, organized my closet and got out everyone's winter clothes, cleaned and organized the garage and mud room in preparation for all the snow, finished unpacking the boxes in the basement, hung shelves in two rooms, put together a desk in Kate's room and the big project.... cleaning and restoring the wisconsin river rock fireplace. The fireplace looks amazing, and I have yet to take a picture.

We also celebrated an BIG milestone while they were visiting, Kate turned 5! Wow, now where did that time go? Kate is 5.... I am still in somewhat of disbelief. At her request, she wanted a PINK car cake. We also made pink pumpkin cookies with a number 5 in m&ms for her school. She is very proud to be 5 and I am really proud to be her mom. Her teacher told me that she was amazed at Kate's genuine kind heart. She reminds me of the person I want to be.

Nana & Grandpa's Visit to Milwaukee

We are starting to get some very welcomed house guests. We are thrilled to "show-off" the new place we call home. The kids are getting some much enjoyed spoiling from their grandparents. We had a great weekend, I can't believe how fast it went. Here are just a few highlights....