Appetite Crush: The Lake!

Having some serious lake cravings lately.

As spring turns to summer I can't help but think about all the summers spent upon the lake.

Swimming from sun up to sun down most days.

Playing King of the Raft.

Having water races.

Diving contests.

Doing gymnastics in the water.

Surviving the weeds.

Attempting angel dives. My mom was the best at them!

Trying to sink the paddle boat by fitting as many people on as possible.

Wading through the big waves from 1-4pm.

Pretending to drown while hiding out under the blow up raft. {I will kill my kids if they ever do that!}

 Getting leaches.

Eating peanut butter and honey sandwiches.

Spending weeks at a time at grandma and grandpa's.

Being made to wear T shirts while swimming.

Taking the pontoon boat around the lake.

When I met the Hub my senior year of high school I found out he also had a lake cottage.

They had only just started to become a lake family when I met him.

Although his grandparents also lived on the lake year round, they just didn't spend the time up there.

They had a speed boat.

Two waverunners.

And a double decker pontoon!

We spent about three or four complete summers tubing, waterskiing, and swimming in the middle of the lake.

Five years in his parents bought the grandparents old cottage further down the lake.

It somehow just wasn't the same.

So the time spent up there faded.

We would end up being on the lake a couple times a year. If that.

Last year we went up once.

We put the boat in. Cleaned the cottage of spider webs. And never came back.

I miss the lake.

I mostly miss the memories time on a lake can provide.

Now it's about wanting to watch my children have that experience.

The sparkling blue water.

The sound of speed boats hitting the wake.

Feeling the warmth of the pure July sun.

Falling alseep on a boat ride.

Being wrapped in a warm towel.

Sunbathing.

Wave jumping.

Giggling.

And just being happy.

Hoping and droehming I can feed this monster craving soon!

No pictures please. This is going to be UGLY.

We ventured to the grocery today.

It was sunny when we went in, and raining when we came out. Sprinkled the bags with rain since I drove the truck. Lucky me. Or stupid me, however you prefer to look at it.

It usually takes me an hour and a half if I bring the kids.

{shopping by myself almost never happens}

Today was no different.

Except I have been trying to use coupons to get the most for my money.

So we also spent a good hour at my office as I scoured the internet for printables.

We went to Meijer.

I love their produce, and I pretty much know where everything is in the store. It's a good fit. Plus they have digital coupons and Meijer specific coupons which is always nice to be able to stack with.

I think I should also mention that I loathe Walmart.

I would eat my own arm before I shopped at the SUPERCENTER.

I hate everything about it.

Everything.

Anyhow, we strolled the aisles today with much ease.

The kids for the most part cooperated while I grabbed items from the shelves.

Nolan enjoyed running as fast as possible to the end of the aisle if there were only a couple people no one was down it.

And Nev, well she took off her flip flops and was dangling her naked piggies from the cart while she bit into the Organic Golden Delicious apple I gave her as a snack.

I wasn't hungry when we went {which is usually the culprit} but somehow my cart ended up with some junk.

I bought Lofthouse sugar cookies {they were 2/$5 and pink with sprinkles}. They are still unopened on the counter in the kitchen. I did not sneak one on the way home like I thought about.

Smuckers sundae sauces that were 3/$5 {and Edy's ice cream that was NOT on sale}.

Graham crackers {$2}, Hershey's chocolate {4/$10} and giant marshmallows for smores over the coming Memorial Day weekend.

Betty Crocker bribes fruit snacks for the kids {5/$10}. I did not buy ten.

Oh and even some Red white and blue popsicle!

{Did I really just spill all that?!}

I also bought a ton of produce.

A Seedless Watermelon. Pictures to post as Nev and I sit on the back porch over the weekend.

Bing cherries. A summertime staple for me.

Strawberries. And rhubarb! I see a pie in the future! As if we didn't have enough sweeties.

Sweet corn. {6/$1 this week!!!}

Blueberries. {2/$5 for a pint}

Tomatoes. Campari. The hubs fave for dicing, salting and eating.

Broccoli. And veggie ranch dip.

And some frozen Steamers veggies {colorful blends}

Cheese. The laughing cow brand wedges. And some block Kraft colby and cheddar.

Wheat Thins. {3/$5}

Eggs.

Milk.

Bread.

Sour cream.

100% Juices. And some Sparkling Juice because I had a coupon.

You know the usual items.

Do you ever feel guilty for giving into temptations like the above mentioned at the grocery?

I usually don't.

But I kind of felt like as I was unloading it on the counter... that I was setting my kids up for a sugar high in the very near future. 

Oh, and of course myself. Because I am as much of a sugar troll as they are. And lets not forget the hub.

I honestly don't buy them often. Actually it's more like never.

{Which is I suppose the reason for the remorse now.}

But let me just say that I am may not be fathoming/concocting a sundae with neapolitan ice cream, hot fudge, caramel, marshmallow, graham crackers, and crumbled lofthouse sugar cookies for dessert tonight!

Let the animals feast.

Little House on the Prairie.

A week and a half is longer than any normally outdoors animal should be indoors.

And like I said in previous posts, it was starting to make an impression on the nostrils.

Pungent poultry smells radiated through the floor. Or at least it seemed.

We couldn't even turn on the AC since the furnace is in the basement without it smelling in less than three minutes. And since it is only going to be getting hotter outside...

I decided it was time.

The chickens were going to have to go.

Outside.

So that meant that we were going to have to provide them with shelter.

{Among other things.}

So last Thursday I drove up to Shipshewana with the truck, and hauled back a very heavy house for the chickens, with the trailer.

Let's just say it was a long ride back going 50mph on US 33.

I had white knuckles from holding the steering wheel so tightly.

The kids were hushed so momma could concentrate.

And, I minimized phone conversations to a few words of "I'll call you later!" Click.

It was kind of a big deal.

But we made it.

Safe and sound.

Then we dropped that hugely heavy Amish built chicken coop right in the backyard.

The Hub pulled it off the trailer with some chains and the muscle of the neighbor's tractor.

{it was a pretty hot scene that I neglected to take photos of... dang it}

After the house was settled nicely, we hurriedly got the bin from the basement and plucked each one out onto the grass.

They were officially free range poultry.

Both of the kids climbed up inside the house while I sprinkled the pine shavings about and got some fresh water for the chickens. They squeeled as they climbed up on the built in bench seating. It was like a little clubhouse.

Just their size.

And after explaining that we bought the house for the chickens...

Nolan decided he wanted to sleep in it with them.

He was later convinced our house was a better choice after he realized sissy wasn't staying out there with him.

Sweet boy. Such a pure imagination.

Who still needs the care of a warm bed in an insulated, heated/cooled home.

Expect updated stories of our chicken life as the days become weeks and the weeks... months.

Little House on the Prairie :) 

 Nev was too curious about the new house.

 Little Rascal.

 Two weeks old. Growing fast in size and adapting humorous personalities.

 I can still see you.

That chicken was running so fast because he didn't want to be caught. Made Nolan belly laugh.

#4 Attend a Country Concert!!

Giddy up!

Another 30 Before 30 has done bit the dust.

The dust of a cowboy boot!

That's right. I, along with my date {the Hubs} attended my very first country concert!

I kept it a secret from him until the day before because I wasn't sure if

1} he would be overly thrilled about going to something he doesn't really dig.

And, 2} because it was a Secret Date Night courtesy of my momma, who planned to stay over until 11pm to watch our rugrats.

{Thanks again, Ma.}

The concert started at 7pm.

Opening acts were Uncle Kracker and Billy Currington.

We missed both.

I had just gotten a new real estate client on Wednesday and ended up making an offer with them Friday night. {got to go where the money is}

So we ended up at the Coliseum at 9:30pm after deciding that I really wanted to just hear a couple songs... since I had already bought tickets.

Mind you, I nor the Hubs had eaten since around 11:30am. I was beyond starving. And, I know he was too.

But he gracefully said he would go to the concert anyhow, because he heard I was listening to my Chesney CD in the car on the way from the office. {we drove seperately}

Kenny had only been on stage for about 25 minutes when we got to our seats. And I had been getting text updates from his sister that my fave song "Somewhere With You" hadn't been sung yet.

So I was hopeful that in the hour we had before we had to leave to be home by our curfew {remember our sitter til 11pm} that he would serenade me. And the 500,000 other peeps in attendance.

Just as we were looking at each other {and our watches} the opening to my song began to unfold.
Butterflies emerged.

It was like Kenny knew we had to leave.
Even if he didn't, he was going to send us off with my song.

I listened patiently on every verse.  

And, I sang along. Loudly.

And I'm sure very out of tune... even for country.

 

All in all... great little slice of the concert was had.
I was happy I only spent $50 on my tickets since it worked out the way it did.
And that I was able to share that little evening with my love.

 

I hope to do it again sometime soon.

Country concert or the secret date night. {wink}

Follow Me.

This post is for people who read their favorite blogs daily via facebook, twitter, other people's "blog rolls" or maybe just look them up daily but aren't actually following anything.

You know... just lurking in the shadows.

I have had a lot of people tell me that they like reading my blog or a certain blog but don't know how to "follow" or maybe are unsure of what "following" a blog is. So here ya go...

What is Following?

If you have a favorite blog and want to let the author and readers know that you are a fan... you can do that by "following" their blog. 
I think it is a nice way to say we "support" you and what you have to say! 

You do not need to have a blog to follow one. So following isn't just for bloggers, it's also designed to make it easier for readers to keep tabs on their favorite blogs.

Also, you can choose to follow publicly or privately.

So select how you'd like to follow the blog, then click the "Follow this blog" button.

 

It is that simple, you are now a follower of the blog! If you elected to follow the blog publicly, your profile picture will be displayed on the blog with a link to your Blogger profile.

That's it. Just a little FYI for a fantastic Wednesday evening!

If you have a number of blogs you enjoy, go follow them...it will mean a lot to those writing them, a good way to send support their way.

Also, if you follow a blog that you think others would benefit from, you should post about it...share the love. Even if you don't know the author personally, and possibly have never even commented on their blog before....you never know who you will be blessing/ helping!



 

A Three Year Old Overnight...

We are now the proud parents of a three year old boy!

{and NO we did not adopt}

Our dear son turned three as of Monday, May 2 at 11:21pm!

Some things I would like to remember about 2 are as follows:

Turkey, cheese and Miracle Whip have become staples in this house. Often as a request for breakfast.

He fights naps. And requests to stay up late.

He can "do it himself"! Until he can't. Then he will ask for help.

He was potty trained in roughly 5 days.

And we broke the pokey habit by finally just throwing it away one day.
He can talk for hours. Sometimes so much that we have to ask for some quiet time.

He sleeps in our room. Every night.

After I fluff his blanket and say his prayers. And sometimes read a book. For the 7th time in a row.

He gives lip kisses. And bear hugs.

He jumps from three stairs up so I can "catch" him. Or off the end of our bed.

He likes to play games. That require tokens.

He adores candy.

And watching cartoons.

His favorite color is green. And his favorite movie for almost six months was Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Now it's Cars.

He takes a shower sans soap most times because he uses it to wash his cars instead.

He enjoys rolling in mud. And splashing in freezing cold water. Whenever the opportunity presents itself.

He is momma's helper in the kitchen. The garden. And, when I am getting a load of laundry together.

His jeans have a hole in the same knee in nearly every pair.

He wishes he could be Lightning McQueen.

He likes to {foot} race just so he can "win the Piston Cup".

He has two battery operated cars for which he calls "Stachio's". And rides them until the battery is so dead I have to push him back into the garage.

And an "E-hore" {Eeyore} that he sleeps with every night.

He loves his sissy. And will tell her almost everyday.

He likes to tell the shapes of signs as we drive down the highway.

He works at Lowes. And will tell you, if you ask.

He puts his shoes on the wrong feet. Everytime.

He likes to hear "boy songs" {country} when we are driving in the car.
He will laugh uncontrollably at funny words, or if he hears someone toot.

He likes to go swimming. And will attempt to go under all by himself.

He will do random sand angels if he has enough room in a sandbox or playground.

He adores his Memaw. And will often say he is going to stay at her house.

He has an imaginary babysitter named Mrs Brown. That he has never met. And is deathly afraid of being dropped off at her house.

Likes to make mad faces for the camera.

Has an infectious smile. And giggle.

He calls his cousins his friends.
He thinks I am made of money. And therefore, is constantly asking for something to buy.

He likes to go grocery shopping. With his own cart.

He has riden on an airplane. Lived to tell about it. And absolutely loved it.

Has seen the ocean. And swam in it.

Let's me cut his hair. But refuses to let me finish it if I take longer than five minutes. So ends up as a two day process. With a treat. Both times.

He aspires to be just like his dad.

He loves baseball. But has never played a game.

Prefers that I make dinner at Taco Bell or Arby's.

Sleeps with his mouth open when he is in a really deep sleep.

Says he is going to call Santa when I do something he doesn't like.

Likes to do "airplane" by sitting on my feet and being stretched high into the air with my legs. Until I can't move them anymore.

Wants to be a doctor. Or Spiderman.

He asks me to sing "You Are My Sunshine" for him every other week. Then teases me by saying he has taken "my sunshine away". Giggling as I pretend to cry. Then gives it back. Then takes it away again.
He is rowdy. Rambuncious. And full of life.
He loves Jesus.
He sleeps until 7:45am most mornings. And wakes up by jumping out of bed. Literally.

He is amazing.
A blessing.
And someone I am fortunate enough to be able to stay home with everyday.


I love you more everyday, Nolan.
And look forward to the many adventures, challenges and memories your third year has in store!
Happy Birthday!

Love, Mom

Cluck You!

Yup. You are reading that right.

Our chickens have arrived! 

And, they are tiny.

It was Nolan's birthday yesterday {look for a seperate post on that to come later today}, so I was glad they made their appearance as an extra special present to him.

He simply adores them. And Nev does too, just from a greater distance.

He helped get their food ready by pouring the entire bag of pellets into their feeder.

Helped spread the pine shavings on the cardboard bottom of their bin as a fluffy bedding.

And he picked each one up out of the tiny packing box {instinctively} into their temporary home in the basement. At first he was dropping them in from about a foot off the ground, but then became more gentle as he got all 29 of them out. 

Then we {all three of us} just sat there for like an hour 35 minutes just watching them. They naturally dipped their beaks into the water and started pecking the bottom of the bin to look for their food.

It was pretty amazing.

They will have to stay inside for about a week and a half because

1} we don't have their chicken house out in the backyard yet because it has been so wet from all the rain.

and 2} because temperatures are still too cold to have them be outdoors.

So they are in the basement.

And it kind of smells like a used barn down there already. Day 1.

Can't imagine in 7-10 more days what the upstairs might begin to reek of. {yuck}

But if it makes for some tame, healthy pullets and cockerels {baby hens and roosters}, then who cares!

It will air out. Because they aren't loosely running around down there. They are contained.

Will update as they grow with us.
Because I am sure we will have many stories like last night.
 After we came home from Chuck E Cheese we found Nolan had crept down the stairs and was holding a "black one" {his favorite ones} and giving it kisses on it's head. Then he plopped him back in the bin and got another one. Gave it kisses too. Then he would just put it back.
Then he would scoop up a bit of their food and sprinkle it gently into a pile on the side of their bin.
He didn't know I was watching until I softly asked him from the doorway what he was doing.
"Taking care of the chicky's." he said.
He also said he wanted them all to sleep in his bed!

Cracked me up.
And warmed my heart.

I think we will have very tentative caretakers of the chickens. No doubt.


Until next time...