2015 Year of Dates: January

Do you ever feel like you and your hubby just don't get as much time together as you like? It seems we are always going somewhere and doing something....but more often than not it is not alone. As our kids get older we get busier every day it seems! I don't want to have my marriage get lost in the shuffle. Ever. 

I have to admit.... I LOVE dating my husband!

Dating when you're married is so much fun. I think many couples forget to do it. It's such an important key to keeping that spark alive through all the seasons. Some of our dates are at home, some are simple, some are expensive...they can be and usually are a mix of anything and everything. We like to have fun together! Being married to my best friend really does have its perks :)

Sadly  have noticed that over the past year our dates are fewer and farther in between. That pulls at my heart strings. I feel that I don't function as well when I don't get enough one on one time with my hubby. So this year for Christmas I decided to do something about it. I wanted to give him the gift of time....hence the Year of Dates. There are a ton of great ideas out there to help you get going on this idea if you want to try too! I was so glad that he loved the idea as much as I did.

Well here it is the END of January and we just got around to finally doing our date this past weekend. We had tried earlier this month and things kept getting in the way. (See what I mean!)

Here is the envelope for this month. Inside is the cute cards for the Bookworm date and some money for coffee and a Madlibs :) 

This link is where I got the idea for this date night! The Bookstore Date

The Dating Divas are pretty fantastic....if you haven't checked them out now is the time! 

So at first glance you think the date is kinda corny...go to a bookstore..okay...but I tell you it is FUN! 

Our first card told us to get a recipe that we would like to cook for our spouse, to find a quiz in a magazine to give each other, and book from our childhood we could read together. 

Here is our recipes...YUM!

They came from these cookbooks. We should have bought them...but we are cheap so we didn't, as you can see the hubby really wanted his picture taken ;)

Finding quizzes in magazines was a bit harder than I had expected. Normally every trashy magazine you pick up has a least one quiz...well not that night! We just decided to get ones that had fun articles we wanted to take a closer look at. This worked out good since we actually did end up finding a quiz inside one of those! This task prompted lots of great conversation ( that's what this is about right?!)

We moved onto learning about where we each wanted to travel too and some joke books too! For some lasting fun we bought a Madlibs to take home and fill in! (maybe we can squeeze in a few mins of laughing here or there!)

We really had a good time! Laughing, sharing, loving, being silly...all great moments that came out of our first month date! Our marriage needs to be more than work, bills, kids, responsibilities, etc.....it needs to be about US. Our love for each other. We started by dating one another many years ago and we were SO different back then. Why not keep dating ....to grow together...to love together...to constantly remind ourselves that dating all those years ago is why there is an US....I am excited to keep getting to know one another....to laugh with and share with this amazing man that God choose for me to date....for Forever.

Pondering Parenthood...

Do you ever have that moment when you question every single one of your parenting abilities? (yeah me either ;) Every once and awhile I feel like I have one of those days when I seem to worry way to much if I am bringing up my four little pumpkins right. Showing them how to be respectful, kind, God-loving, giving and etc...humans...sometimes that kind of burden is so overwhelming. I mean really think about it. We as parents are given quite a task...the "Big guy" sure does have alot of faith is us! I love being a mom and I am always trying to make memories with the kids...teach them good ethics...make sure they know Jesus....and treat everyone right. I guess when you are around lots of other people throughout the days/weeks you can see how so many others are parenting ...the things they probably are doing or aren't doing based on the actions of their children. Of course we can't be judging these others...only observing for we never really know what is going on in those relationships. I do know that I love each and every one of my children with all I have...I try and lead by the best example I can set....and give them the tools to grow up into amazing adults. I suppose so that one day they can reproduce and go through the struggle of wondering if they are being the kind of parent they need to be to raise amazing children..however they will have had amazing examples (me and the hubby in case you weren't getting that)! I heard a million times over...worrying doesn't change anything...it only waste precious time...so with that I am going to assume I am one heck of a parent...take it one day at a time...and give my little ones all the love and support through the years that I can...and pray...pray alot!
Enjoy your coffee! :)

Summer Fun List 2012

Some days I feel as if I have all the time in the world to do the things I want...then others feel as though I have a split second into which I need to cram a list of 100 things! I guess that's the life of a mother of four children trying to keep a house...keep them all alive...and be a good wife to my hubby ;)
I just can't believe that it is already the middle of JULY! I feel like the kids just got out for the summer...how does time keep slipping away from me like that...I mean seriously wasn't it just June 1st?! The kids and I created a "Summer Fun List" that was a organized way of making the most of our summer( I know..I know...I'm a freak...Organized summer!). It seemed like the first few weeks of summer just quickly went before we even got to check (or sticker like crazy) one thing off the fun list. Then I realized if we don't get going we are going to look pathetic...and we can't have that now can we :) SO the list began....
We are starting with 25 items to do on our list...some are bigger...some are smaller...BUT they are all fun and exciting for the kids!
So here it is July 18, and we don't even have half of the list done ( I had originally thought we were doing good before counting for this post)! How is the possible...I may have set the "fun bar" a little too high ;-/
Don't get me wrong...we have done a ton of fun so far this summer and spent lots of exciting family time together. However, I created the list with the intention to finish it....so finish it we will....even if I have to get creative with some of the items left on the list...OR go a few weeks into the start of the new school year ;) It's not like the kids are going to care if we continue to do fun stuff...hello....I am sure they would go along!
So as it looks now we have about a month before school starts and we have 14 things to "sticker off" on the list!! I must mention that one of the items on the list that still needs to be accomplished is {playing in the rain}...however we are in the midwest....in the middle of a drought...so I am thinking this might be a tricky one...my hubby says that even if it sprinkles...for two seconds...we better run outside and call it done! Haha!! (He's a keeper;)
Well...I guess I better get the schedule out...and start making these things happen...time is ticking away...and apparently it ticks rather fast! Enjoy your coffee!

Opening a closed chapter...

Something was tugging at me today to go to my blog and read some old posts...well my life sure must have been busy lately since I haven't posted since the end of 2009! Crazy it doesn't seem like that long at all. I really do enjoy writing...I guess I need to make it a habit instead of a "once in a while" kind of thing! I read a few of my older posts and then one particular one caught my eye. It was entitled "Closing a Chapter." For those of you that haven't read it...that post was written the night before my husband went in for "the big procedure" to prevent us from having anymore kids. I was explaining my thoughts, fears, and hopes about that part of our life closing. Little did I know that about 10 months later...all that changed! God decided that I needed a miracle baby ( or at least that is what I am calling him). I became pregnant again in May 2010 with our 4th child...something we didn't think was even a possibility anymore. At first my reaction was not the best...I was scared, annoyed, a little irritated, and just wondering why. My husbands job is unsteady...we have a house that feels filled to the max already...and it just wasn't in "my" plans at all. It is funny how God doesn't really care what is in OUR plans....they are all about His plans. Just another way He is showing me that. It took me about four months of crying...wondering...and being sick to finally realize how excited I really was about bringing this new life into our world! Now (in the last weeks of pregnancy) I can't wait for this little guy to get here. My heart is overflowing with love and joy that this new season is going to bring to our family. My kids are all so much older now...they are just as, if not more, excited than my husband and I for him to arrive. It's going to be awesome to watch my 7, 5, and almost 4 year old interact with their new brother! They are all so excited in their owns ways. My 7 year old, Rose, is just a little mother hen....she just can't wait for her baby brother to get here...so she can help take care of him. She has such a special heart I know that the baby is going to be blessed with her for a big sister. Then my 5 year old, Robert, is thrilled beyond words to be getting a brother. He is currently out numbered with the two girls. He prayed every single night that the baby was going to be a boy...it was so cute and special. Although at first the baby is not going to be as fun as he is thinking...but he is super excited none the less! And lastly my 4 year old, AnnMarrie, who is consumed with talking about "the baby." It is so part of her world already and he is not even here yet. She loves playing with baby dolls and being "mommy." She wants to hold him, play with him, and just love him! I am SO excited to see her react with him....and I pray that being the youngest child now she doesn't get upset when all the attention is not on her. So many new and exciting changes are ahead for my family. In a few short weeks our family is going from 5 to 6 and I personally can't wait!! Thank you God for blessing me with this miracle baby that I didn't know that I needed! So thankful your plans are always better than mine!

Enjoy your coffee!!

Closing a chapter

I never thought that I would get so emotional when I realized I am no longer going to have anymore kids. My husband and I have three beautiful children now....and will forever. Tomorrow my husband goes in for "the big procedure." I am sitting here thinking....how strange to finally know that this is it. For as many things that suck about being pregnant...I think that the many great things out weigh the bad. I love getting those butterflies in my stomach when I thought that I might be pregnant...and then your brain goes into warp speed trying to imagine the next nine months...I would sit and just be amazed every single time when thinking about what is actually going on inside my body. I am creating life (with the help of Mr. Jo and God of course)...but this is all taking place inside my body. Just sit and think about that for a minute......what a miracle creating human life truly is. I remember the first time I heard my first daughters heart beat...I started crying....knowing that this small blessing was taking place....how Awesome! Everytime I heard the heart beat with all my pregnancies it was so breathtaking...and you just can't help but smile. :) I loved when I could finally feel the baby start to move inside of me....that feeling....is something sent straight from God. It is so sensational...magical...just amazing! I would be pregnant over and over again...just to get to experience that! There is soo much planning and dreaming...and preparing for these new little ones. It's very mind consuming. I had been pregnant some part of every year from 2003 to 2007...I know..crazy...but true. It was so much part of my life for almost four years. On certain days if you had asked I probably would have said I hated being pregnant...but on a general basis I loved it and wouldn't change doing it for one second! I got three beautiful little miracles out of it...and that makes everything worth it. Seeing those babies faces for the very first time....ahhh...true love. I did sure wonder after the first one how I could love another one as much as I loved her....but then number two came along...and he was loved just as much...and so was number three....all in their own ways :) I think every woman should be able to get to enjoy the wonderous adventure of being pregnant...it is for sure in my eyes on of God's greatest gifts. I thought for a long time maybe I would have one more....but am seeing that it just isn't in the plan. With Mr. Jo going tomorrow to sort of put an end to this chapter of our lives...it makes me sad a little bit. Knowing that I will never get to experience any of those things again....however I did get to experience it three times....which is more than I could ask for. I am looking forward to the future...seeing my three children grow into amazing people. So for now I might be a little sad...but sad with a smile...being able to close this chapter....and move onto a new one :)

Enjoy your coffee!!

Blessings

Everyday on this earth is such a blessing. Somedays I think that thought nearly slips from my mind as I get caught up in this "world." God has granted me a wonderful ...blessing filled life and somedays I think I really take it for granted. I could never wake up tomorrow...or the next day..or next. So why is it that people seem to live each day without the thought that there could never be a tomorrow. We need to love the ones around us...make the most of the days we have been given...and Praise the Lord for all the goodness we have! I love seeing God work in my life everyday and renewing my spirit with wonderfully magical things :) Recently in a bible study that Mr. Jo and I are part of we talked about how we can let the thumps (crappy things) in everyday life get us down...and boy in a days hours there sure are alot of thumps! Instead of letting the "thumps" get the best of us...we need to sing God's praises. Praise Him for all the good. Those little thumps...can change our mood...and our spirit ever so quickly...and frankly life is just to short for that! I want to get up each and every morning...knowning that God has granted me a new day...another breath...and smile! Smiling...loving...living....doing God's work. Even when this world wants to get me down I can turn to Him....and He will show me that this is only the world we are living in....there is something so much better that we are looking towards. I should be and want to be singing God's praises everyday! What a awesome thing that He would give his own son's life for ME....I mean really come on people....should we take advantage of

that?! If I gave my own son's life for the good of others I sure hope that it would not be taken lightly. Let's live each day with our whole selves....loving...smiling...and praising GOD! :)

Enjoy your coffee! :)

Blogging...sounds like a good thing to do?!

Okay well I have been not doing this "blogging" thing for quite a while now..but however I have convinced myself that it will be a good thing. I have so much to say sometimes and not always a person to listen to me so here I am. Things in my life have been kind of crazy lately so maybe this is just the outlet that I need!

Most recently I have lost one of my best friends..she was killed by a drunken driver along with her two children in November. Then my husband got laid off. Ugh...could it seriously get any worse. Some day I really don't think so ...BUT then I realize. I have a amazing husband and three wonderful children...they are my life my everything. We are all healthy..and happy for the most part. I have made the decision that I need to be happy! :) Happy is good..right?!?! So many bad things can happen..but that doesn't take away who I am ...or what I want my life to be. I am alive ..really what more could I ask for.

So from here going forward I have made a pledge to myself to be happy....so try and live life and enjoy it! Things are going to make me sad..or angry...or upset..and that's okay...but all I can do is deal with it and move on...right? I wish I could hear someone say right...so I feel like I am making sense..lol! From here going forward I am going to live life and try and not let my emotions get in the way ( well too much I am a girl after all).

Like Forrest Gump says: "Life is like a box of chocolates...you never know what your going to get!"

So whatever you do get...love it...live it...the best you know how :)
Enjoy your coffee!

Help Honor the Jahn Family

Greetings....

Recently I had one of my best friends,Mandy Jahn, and her two kids, Ryan and Kaitlyn, killed in a car accident. Mandy was on her way home from teaching violin lessons and was hit by a drunk driver. This tragic event has made many of us start to see that life is to be cherished and we need to do whatever we can to live everyday to the fullest! I keep thinking that some good needs to come out of this horrible thing that has affected so many lives. It seems that the Christmas season is the best time if any to bless someones life in honor of Many, Ryan and Kaitlyn. Another one of Mandy's close friends has brought to my attention a story of a legally blind little girl that badly needs a new violin. She currently plays but had her violin broken in her home by the kids that her mom babysits for..and her family is not in the position to buy her a new one...as violins are very costly. We are trying to get together some donations to help give this little girl a great Christmas and present her with a new violin. Fortunately we have so far had a great response with people willing to donate. We think we might be getting a violin for free! How amazing is that...God definitely is working here! This violin might not be a good fit we have been told..because if she is a good player she might need another one. However we have realized there are many others that need help this year. We would like to continue to bless others and need your help to do it. There has been a fund set up at Grundy Bank in Morris IL we are putting all donations in there and are going to start giving to less fortunate families in memory of Mandy , Ryan and Kaitlyn. The first $1000 will go to get a new violin for the little girl and we hope that we will be able to get much more and bless many other families this year! There are always people out there that are way worse off than us..and we need to find it in our hearts to bless them any way that we can. I hope that you are able to help in anyway possible. Thank you in advance..and God Bless!
Sara Beland
(Please pass this on to everyone in your address book ....we would love to reach as many people as possible)

For information on how you can donate please email me back.....or you can send donations to me at
147 N Main St
Seneca, IL 61360

Through a childs eyes

Sometimes I think that I don't give kids enough credit. They are smart little buggers and sure do catch on to most things that are going on around them. My oldest daughter, Rose, well she is quite the little conversationer (if that's a word!). We are driving in the car the other day and she says I think that Aunt Tara (my sister who is pregnant) is going to have a girl. I told her that the dr says that it is going to be a boy...she didn't like that response. She was quite sure that her assumption was that it was going to be a girl and that was just how it was. However Rose did come around to accepting the fact that the dr just might be right after all. Then she decides that her and I should think up names that Aunt Tara should use. She says..."hmmmm I think that we should name the baby Dragon." Well..isn't that just the best name for a baby! LOL. Okay you make sure and tell Aunt Tara that this is what she should consider for a name...I am sure she will completely agree with you. Then the conversation proceeds on...but I need give everyone a little history first.. *my sister had a baby last year...and he was very sick..had a heart defect lots of surgeries..and then passed away last august* So the conversation continues with Rose saying "Do you think that this baby will have lots of surgeries like the other baby did..." I told her I sure hope not and that we would pray extra hard for him to be okay. Then she says "I don't think that this baby is going to go with God." Oh my goodness..I couldn't believe that she said that...what an amazing thing for a little girl to say. I told her that she was absolutely correct and that this baby was going to stay with Aunt Tara so he could play with all his cousins. She liked that response alot. This just goes to show you that no matter what the age little kids pick up on everything that is going on around them. Even when you don't think they understand...they get it. I love my little girl to death and sure hope that she is right about my soon to be new nephew...he is not going with God till much later in life...Enjoy your coffee!

A Little Jo Time

Alright well the hubby is still away and I finally get to go out by myself and not with any of my children! I am so excited...yet not sure what to do with myself. There aren't too many times in my life anymore that I get to go do "Jo" things. All of you mothers out there would understand. As I keep adding new kids to my life it gets just that much more complicated :) But I wouldn't change any of it that's for sure! My friend and I are going to see a movie and out to dinner. That means that I can talk with a friend over dinner instead of yelling at each of my three children at different times to stop whatever they are doing. I can order just my food and only my food. I can actually eat my food when it arrives and not ten to fifteen minutes later...after I have cooled and cut everyones food. I can sit and talk as long as I want after I am done eating and not want to shove my food into my mouth and get out the door as fast as I can. Then I can proceed to go to a movie where I will be able to sit for the entire movie and not have to pause it a single time...and get this I will actually be able to hear it without the volume being all the way on high. Although that last one could be rough since I have watched loud TV for soooo long because my hooligans are always making noise not sure if my ears can process soft noises! I am anxiously looking forward to my little friend date and a night out with someone that actually uses big words. I miss my hubby terribly and would rather be going on a date with him...but for now this will do and there will be plenty of other hubby date nights! So if it's been a while for you.....and you are itching to get out...call a babysitter and do it! Enjoy your coffee!

Let's have a freak out!

Sometimes freak outs happen for no reason at all...and then sometimes there is every reason in the book to freak out. I always enjoy a good freak out session(well not really when they are happening..but when its over I like them). It usually makes me feel better. Crying and screaming sometimes brings out the best in me. There have been alot of things on my plate lately and I have a bad habit of just letting them pile up onto each other until they all just topple over. The situation is never good for anyone that might be in the line of fire when the topple begins. I am thankful for my family and friends that have listened to my many freakouts over the years. They might have a different opinion but they should know that they are greatly appreciated. After the freak outs are over I feel a sense of peace...I usually have a good talk with God and all is better. If I would just leave it up to Him in the first place I probably wouldn't need to freak out but would fun would that be. So if you haven't had any good freak out sessions lately and you can feel it all about to topple...go ahead and scream...cry...whatever you need to do to make yourself feel better...it will be worth it in the end. Enjoy your coffee!

An absent husband

So it seems that my hubby is leaving me again. Not in the divorce doesn't love me anymore way...more like the he has to go work somewhere else to make money kind of way! He is going about 3 1/2 hours away to work for about a month. Mr. Jo is due to leave tomorrow afternoon and we are all getting a little nervous about it I think. The time away will be hard for all of us....Rose thinks her daddy is moving....not sure what Robert thinks or if he even has a clue...and as for the baby AnnMarie...there is absolutely no clue! We have had a great week with him home with us...getting in lots of family time. We took the kids to the Field Museum on Saturday. It was alot of fun....the kids lasted a lot longer that I thought they were going to. I am looking forward to getting in a good routine when he is gone. My house for some reason always stays ALOT cleaner when he is not here....odd isn't it?! I will however miss him terribly...and of course the adult interaction daily. After spending a whole day with three kids under the age of 5 I am ready for some adult conversation. I guess the tv and phone will just have to do. I have been offered alot of help if needed in the next month. Which is such a blessing. Most people however probably don't know that I won't ask for help. I have a real issue with asking for things....unless it's my mom! :) She is the one person I can call and have a freak out if needed...thank God for her! I hope the Mr. Jo takes good care of himself and that he comes home safely to us. I can't imagine all those single mothers out there....or the mothers that deal with an absent husband on a constant basis. I could not be one of them. For us this is very out of the ordinary. Bless all of you moms that can do this and do it this on a regular basis...major kudos for all of you. Please keep my husband and our family in your prayers and we journey into this next month....Enjoy your coffee!

20 Reasons Why I haven't blogged...

Okay you can shut your mouth now.....I know it's been a LONG time but I am actually typing a blog. Really I am serious..shut it...go on take your hand and help it close..okay there you go. So I completely feel like a blog virgin it's been soooo long. I could make all kinds of lengthy excuses as to why I haven't blogged since November....oh wait that sounds like a good idea...I think I will do just that!

My Reasons for NOT blogging since November:
1. I am lazy
2. I have three kids under the age of 4
3. I am lazy
4. The holidays kept me really busy
5. I am lazy
6. I have soo much housework to do I felt bad sitting at the computer
7. I am lazy
8. I just forget
9. I am lazy
10. Did I mention that I have three kids, husband, and a dog.....
11. I am lazy
12. I didn't think that anyone read them...so why do it...
13. I am lazy
14. I have been extremely stressed out
15. I am lazy
16. I never make time
17. I am lazy
18. I quit having things to talk about
19. I am lazy
20. I was just being stupid and not prioritizing it into my schedule! :)

If you didn't catch the drift most of my exucses are lame cause I was just being lazy....and not putting much effort into it. So I am going to try to come back...although that's been said before. But I really do enjoy doing this... and come to find out people do read it (I had quite a few people ask..why don't you blog anymore?) so...here's to another try...Enjoy your coffee! :)

Missing Mr. Jo

So...my husband has been officially gone for 7 days...ugh. No...he didn't leave me (don't get all crazy)...he is working in Michigan (and we live in Illinois). It was a wonderful opportunity that he was asked to go and work for two weeks....BUT I must have been delusional when I agreed to it. We have three little kids...all under 4....ahhhh..I am going crazy...well not that I wasn't a little crazy before hand..but it seems to be getting worse. I must admit the first couple of days I think I was physco mommy....my kids would look at me like I had three heads...but I was just getting to overly stressed out about everything. I have however got the hang of it by now...still not easy...but I have been pulling out every piece of patience that I might have. I even ventured out yesterday to...THE MALL...well...I did take a friend with me...and boy was he a big help (thanks)...I got little AnnMarie's pictures taken...you know her six month pics...even though she is almost going to be eight months...but I never said I was on top of things (I'd like to be on top of my husband...but with him in another state I am thinking not a real good possibility). Any who...I think the nights are the worst..I am not used to be alone....and by the end of the day...those patience I have pulled so hard for are almost none existent. I have vowed that after these seven days that I am NEVER going to divorce Mr. Jo...I just can't handle these crazies by myself...lol....but I did inform him that if he ever decided to leave me...he could have full custody....(relax I am just joking....maybe he could just have Robert...okay...geez....I would want them)...he laughed....as a man that is seven days free of home would..with no responsibilities...no dirty diapers...no laundry..no filling sippy cups....no fighting..no screaming.....but then he is missing the good parts as well....no hugs....no priceless smiles...no kisses...no bedtime stories....no playing blocks....but we did call and give him the "i love yous"...and boy did he like that....I think he misses us just as much as we miss him....soon....very soon...he will be home...and then we can get back to normal...(well as normal as this family knows)! Enjoy your coffee!

The hidden computer.....and a busy life...

See what happens when I move the computer into a different room...I don't see it...I don't sit at it...then I don't get on it.....and I don't blog....it's a terrible cycle. I must admit the computer being in a different room has really helped the rest of the house. Someone how though it keeps me from getting on it....even checking my email has become difficult...my online friends seem to think they are being ignored...BUT the plus side of all of this is I am actually getting things done around here....cause I am not being distracted by the computer every fifteen minutes. I have missed you all...I do enjoy blogging as it does give me an outlet for things in my mind..I need all the space in there that I can get. It seems as though we have become a very busy family lately. Trying to fit all of our activities into one week is becoming quite a task. We seem to only have Thursday and Saturday free every week....and boy when those are your only days to either be a family or do other things they fill up fast....actually I don't even like to count Saturdays because they are usually always filled up as well. Between dance, school, small group, church, work for me, work and overtime for Mr. Jo...we have crazy lives. We are loving all the things we are involved in right now in our lives but sometimes it is nice to just sit on the couch and do nothing(which is rarely happening). The days are going by so fast as well lately. These kids of mine just need to stop growing I can't believe that my baby is going to be four next month...and the littlest one just turned seven months...seven months(and she finally got her first tooth)...it feels like I just had her yesterday(considering I am still carrying around her baby weight)....every week feels like a day..and that's just too damn fast. Life is good right now...things are coming together....and we are enjoying each other...the ride is fast....but we are trying to slowly take it all in....I hope to try and continue to blog....I just am going to have to start penciling it in my schedule (tee hee)...Enjoy your coffee!

To My Dearest Husband

Dear Mr Jo,
Today is our 6th anniversary. I know you are shocked that you have survived this long with me...but you have. The past six years have just flown by...it seems as only yesterday that we were dating. I have enjoyed every day with you...and look forward to many more ahead of us. I must say that I need to thank God for blessing me with you. You are a wonderful husband and father...you are strong...yet sensitive..you are everything I need in my life. Granted it isn't always sunshine and roses around here (especially lately) but, its seems as long as we support each other we will get through it. I know that I really couldn't have made it this far without you. It still makes me smile thinking about you....and I hope that never goes away. You are my rock..as I hope that I am yours. You love me for me....and that is such a priceless gift. Giving me strength when I have none left....and making me smile when no one else can. I really do cherish you. It's great knowing that we still can have great fun as well....six years and three kids later we know how to enjoy ourselves. I don't want to ever lose that. We need to remember to always take time for ourselves..and with each other. From the words of a wonderful movie " You had me at hello." I plan on never saying goodbye! I love you more than words can express. Forever and Always.
Mrs. Jo

P.S. Go take some time out today and tell someone you love them....Enjoy your coffee!

My life adjustment...

I think that I must just put this in writing...before it gets bad again..and I don't' believe it.

"Life feels pretty good right now."

Well now that it's said...life will start in a downward spiral into a nothingness! I had a minor...okay major issue about 2 weeks ago. This issue caused me to panic...and truthfully break down completely (to those of you that got the butt end of it...soo sorry)...but it has gotten better. The issue has been solved..well mostly. And we had to get help....but not as much as we were first assuming. Although this little problem caused me to panic..it kind of made me look at my life right now...and readjust my thinking. Which for me was very good..cause I have been in such a negative frame of mind...for many many months now. With the holidays coming..I thought for sure that it was going to get worse. I am stepping back...taking a deep breath...and going forward with my "life on loan"....and focusing on the positive. Realizing that God has a plan for me..and this is just a small bump in my life long road....I am sure there will many more bumps ahead...and it's all going to depends on how I handle them as to how much those bumps are really going to hurt. I am blessed with so many loving people in my life right now to help me work through things...and just be there to listen to me complain...cry..or talk...to those of you many kisses and hugs of appreciation. I think that recently I have stepped back...and looked at life as it is right now...we may be struggling in some senses...but we are blessed in so many more...I cherish that. The days ahead...are only going to be what I make of them...and from now on I choose to make them good. End of story..Enjoy your coffee!

The toys have been conquered!

So I broke down...and cleaned the toy room. The day started with no real intention to clean at all...by cleaning I mean I made all sorts of messes(by trying to organize)...but cleaned some up too. I was supposed to have a friend come over for a play date...so I thought..maybe I should sweep the living room floor as it was looking rather ick....then under the entertainment center caught my eye...there was toys galore...no kidding....cause toys haunt my everyday life. I thought well I have the time..I might as well move it and sweep under there and retrieve all those long lost toys.....and while I am at it..I will move the couch and love seat as well....oh boy did things get busy from there....I was going good...moving things...cleaning under things...(just a side note when looking for new furniture...make sure it sits on the floor and things can't slide under it....things will get lost...for a very very long time)...I grabbed a bin from the toy room(there were obviously empty ones since my children never fill them) and started piling the new found toys into them. After I got done cleaning under things..I grabbed all the toys from the living and dining rooms. Then the issue began...I walked with the full bins to the toy room...and ugh....it was sooo messy...that I could not just set those bins in there (like I wanted to )..and walk away. Soooo being the wonderful wife and mommy that I am...I started to clean...(luckily as this started...our play date conveniently called and cancelled). As I am starting to pick up toys..it's going through my head as to why I should bother...I needed some guidance...some plans as to what to do with the toy drama that is soaking up my life....and my house. So first things first....the play kitchen has to go...it's big..it's dirty...it has crayon all over it (no idea where that came from...Robert!)...so I thought...well I will put it out the curb with a "free" sign attached and see what happens. Although I was sooo not prepared for Rose's reaction...you would of thought that I was chopping off her left arm...the way that she was screaming...crying...sobbing...omg..it was hilarious....I explained to her that we would give it to some other little kids..that really needed it...blah ..blah..blah...(she of course wasn't buying it)...but I am mean(but it did get taken...and she was okay with it ...alot later that is)..so I put it on the curb anyway....(this also allowed to store away ALL the play food..and dishes..etc...*jumping for joy*)...then I had this brilliant idea..that I would ship bags of toys to each of the kids rooms..and separate out the baby toys....boy did that make a HUGE difference in the toy room (not to mention all the crap I threw out)....the room actually looked kind of bare when I was getting close to being done...so being the brilliant person that I am..I thought...why not put the computer desk in there (like it was many moons ago..before our hooligans came along)...and to my benefit removing it from the living room...(ha ha...now Mr. Jo can't ignore me by watching tv and being the computer at the same time)...and the room looks really nice....less toys...so that maybe they will play with them..and toys in their rooms...for when we have no tv time and mommy wants some peace and quiet....and mommy finally might get daddy's full attention in the evenings(ah who am I kididng now he just won't watch tv..and I'll never see him)...I really think everyone will benefit (well maybe not Mr. Jo...but ahhh you can't please them all!)

As a side note though Mr. Jo did take a table I was trying to use as my craft table...although it wasn't working the way I had it....and put it in the empty spot in the living room....he even organized all my scrapbook stuff..into bins ..and drawers....it looks amazing..and the fact that he did that just for me....was very very nice of him....he just might have to be rewarded...but enough about that...Enjoy your coffee!

Just wondering...

Does every mom wonder..."can I make it through this?"..."will they appreciate me when they get older?"..."am I disciplining them correctly?" All of these thoughts keep running through my mind the past couple of weeks. Life around here has been somewhat crazy and stressful and I just can't get these thoughts out of my head. Do other moms have these concerns...am I just crazy....how do other people deal? I know I love my kids...and I know that they love me. It's just been a rough patch lately....three small kids....one boy that is a handful...a baby...and a little girl getting an attitude (from me i assume..damn it!)...any help? I guess lately it's just been hitting a nerve with me...but I am sure that I will be fine...I just wish I could stop questioning myself. Enjoy your coffee!

Our long weekend

So I haven't blogged in a couple of days. I guess I am feeling very ..ummm..blah (sorry that's the only word that is coming to mind). Since we had a long weekend...I am a little thrown off for my week. Considering it's Wednesday and I feel as if it is Tuesday. I guess maybe...since I have nothing better to do today..(well I do ..but who really wants to clean)..I can give you a synopsis of my weekend...it was rather...ehh..umm..boring (i am a mother of three living in the Midwest how exciting could it get plus I wanted to say it was "blah" but I have already used that description)..so since there is nothing better for me to think about writing why not indulge you with the highlights of my life (right..)Here goes nothin:





Friday: Oh yeah...we did nothing. I know shocker. My mother stopped by for a bit...she was off work, but she was on this kick that she needed to be alone...well alone in the sense..she didn't want anyone to go with her for the day (i.e. my children). Which actually I found quite funny. She wasn't working...she wasn't cleaning...she didn't have her grandchildren...she was doing nothing. It was driving her crazy...she looked like a lost puppy. She just wandered around for the day stopping here and there...then going home and not really knowing what to do (you see she is a busy body so this was very funny to witness). By the end of the day she was so annoyed with being alone..(she obviously doesn't have three small children at home anymore to keep her busy)..she says to me "Mrs. Jo, don't EVER let me do that again....this being alone all day stuff...trying to find things to do ...was for the birds." I was laughing sooo hard. After talking with her numerous times that day...my family and I just vegged out and watched the boob tube all night. Very enjoyable.





Saturday: We went and took family pictures. I have a wonderful surrogate mother that is a professional photographer (and may I just say that she is wonderful!). We went to a park...the bugs were horrible...and my kids were only semi cooperating. We did get some nice pics...and some very funny ones. I laugh at some of them..because even though it's not your average everyone smiling looking at the camera pic it captures my family to a tee....here's an example:

As you can see....my son Robert is trying to run away (typical he's always on the go)...Rose is sticking out her tongue...and AnnMarie is off in wonder land playing with the grass. As the parents Mr Jo and I are trying to smile ...even though we know that are children aren't participating. But hey that's us..I wouldn't have it any other way.

Sunday: Well you can see my previous blogs:Broken Car Part1 and Part 2 to hear about Sunday....oh..Sunday the day from hell!

Monday: My sister in law's neighbor was getting rid of a twin bed frame and mattress (conveniently the night before I had told my SIL that I was looking for one)..and she very kindly brought it over to us. Robert has been having lots of tough nights sleeping and we figured that it might have been due to his toddler bed mattress (aka crib mattress) I believe that it was ancient. Mr Jo and I figured that it might be beneficial for Robert to have a new big boy bed so he could sleep through the night (who am I kidding it was so we could sleep through the night). Robert did not like his bed at first he was very upset that "his bed" (meaning the old one ) wasn't there...but that soon changed and now he loves it...and so does his big sister...they have both slept in the bed for the past two nights..and might I add that it has been two nights of pure joy due to that bed Mr. Jo and I have gotten two wonderful nights of sleep..and only sleep! Yea!

Well...that was my weekend...in a nutshell....looking back it was enjoyable ..well mostly anyway...Enjoy your coffee!