It all started with the silverware drawer

After conquering the silverware drawer yesterday I got the bug. Call it hobby, nervous habit, addiction or just plain Rymanism but I call it fun! Next it was above the fridge, and then it was the computer hutch, which turned into gutting and rearranging the entire living room. After distributing everyone's items into their rooms I just had to attack them as well. Ellie was my BIG helper and Blake just had a blast playing with all the little things I kept finding. Also his drumming station kept him busy too.

If you are wondering, no I did not do this with sweet Viola here. Michelle was sick yesterday and kept her home with her (a true sick mommy's day-with kids). Happy to see Michelle's smile this morning, she looks much better. After a conversation with Jen the other day I realized the difference between having a baby in the house and not. I absolutely adore our sweet baby Viola and love having her during the day... but to all you mommies of three pat your self on the back for taking a shower, getting the dishes done and making dinner. It's just a different world when you aren't hovering over baby to make sure they aren't eating anything off the floor, scheduling vacuuming between naps, or just cuddling up that precious baby. So it's a nice relaxing day to be sitting in my newly arranged chair and ottoman with a cup of coffee and watch these three kids that I am blessed to hang out with all day.
*Reality check...we only blog about the good things sometimes. Life is NOT always this pleasant and I don't always sit and enjoy my kids. But, today I am thankful for my state of mind and state of house. Also, while I was blogging my living room has been dismantled and rearranged into yet another drumming station and a giant ship!

Now here is something I am not good at. I am horrible at planning things like Valentine's day. The kids woke and Ellie was SO excited about Valentine's day...what are we going to do??? Well I had picked up some cookies at gleaners and some strawberries....hmmmm....I can do something with that-right? I told them to sit down at the table because breakfast was a surprise. This is what I scraped together and they LOVED IT!

Then I realized that I had a nerf gun kit I didn't give the kids for Christmas in the garage. I wrapped it up along with a stamp set for Ellie. There's nothing like playing hide-and-seek and shooting each other on a day that celebrates love!

Shawn and Charlie came to play to give poor sick Aunt Mars some peace and quiet. Hope you are feeling better Mars!

Weekend with Daddy

I had the wonderful privilege of going on a women's retreat with ladies from Cornerstone. I will blog more about the awesome time I had later. I knew the kids would have a great time with Daddy and I wasn't worried a bit. What surprised me was there were no tears when I left the house Friday night. The kids love time with Michael but they spend A LOT OF TIME with me so it's always a little sad when I go somewhere. Michael had been planning with them fun things they were going to do together all week. So when it came time for kisses and hugs they said goodbye and went on playing, NO TEARS! That was the best gift ever. I loved seeing smiles on their faces and excitement about time with Michael!

They have been calling me Daddy when they need something and its all about doing everything with him right now. So last night Ellie (Blake fell asleep early) put Blake's spiderman suit on and wrestled Mike and then cut his hair.

The conversation was hysterical.

Sibling Love

Love this weather!

Our trip to the park today...

Lesson Learned

Most of you know that I had a major dental bill a little over a year ago. The horrible thing about it is that Michael and I had been doing the Dave Ramsey thing for a while and had paid off the same amount over two years that I was billed for my one visit. It was A LOT OF MONEY and I cried for days over the whole thing. I felt so horrible that I was bringing us back to square one. I learned my lesson that all dentists don't charge the same amount and that they often (not all but at least mine did) charge for unnecessary things. I have moved past the tears and mostly just cringe now when I think about that bill (that we recently paid off!!!!). So when Michael sent me this video today I BUSTED UP LAUGHING!!! This is SO true and SO funny. This will be Michael making my next appointment.

Super Sunday

The Sea of Galilee explodes!

The kids got a Ziploc bag of blue jello with whip cream (the Sea of Galilee) in Sunday school this morning. Blake was squishing his with repeated reminders from his sister that he had to be gentle. All of a sudden we hear a squirting sploshing noise. Yep Blake just squished the bag so hard it blew right out the bottom. He didn't waist any time, picked up his spoon and started scraping. I could not stop laughing!

Super Bowl Fun
Marlene's first Mt. Dew!
(not for the night - first time ever trying it)
Eric got lots of cuddles from his kids all at once.

Half time show in Ellie's room put on by the kids - IT WAS LOUD!Yummy football cupcakes from Stephanie - Thanks!

Daddy's got the BIG TV and.....
...the eleven kids got the tiny dvd player.

"Shhhh, I can't hear...sorry kids it's turned all the way up."

Time to crash.

Charlie just found a nice blanket and spot on the floor to lay down.

It was fun thanks everyone!