We're BACK!

We are back from Chicago and getting settled back into every day life. We had a wonderful time and Christmas was just WONDERFUL with my parents and sister, Tori. We left last Monday (a day early) because there was a big storm coming into Chicago. Thank goodness we left when we did because they got about 8 inches of snow on top of the few inches they already had! It made for a great snowman and snowfort though!

We have tons of pictures and lots to update (especially since I checked and I never got HALLOWEEN PICTURES UP!!) So, when I get a few minutes I'll throw some pictures on..

Good, Better, Best I can be

This post is about me as a mom. It will might be boring, but because this blog is also like a journal, I'm posting it anyway. (As a side note: this post was written sometime last week when I was really worried about being a good mom...I still feel this way, but I'm not "freaking out" about it as much :)

I don't really feel like I am a great mom. I am a good mom: I love my kids, snuggle them, bathe them, feed them, take them places, but I don't feel like I am the best mom I can be. For instance, I sleep in until 10a.m. every morning. Don't go calling the authorities...the kids don't usually wake up until 9:30 or so anyway, there is a snack for them on the table and they watch t.v. until I get up. I blame this on the pregnancy. I have been EXHAUSTED lately. The 2nd trimester has made this problem worse, not better..go figure!

After I get up, we sort of rush to get things done before Livi goes to school. We rush to school, dr. appt, going to Livi's class, etc (btw, these dr appts./being in her class are consuming my life lately!! We usually have anywhere from 2-5 appointments a week..no more please!)

Anyway, by the time we get home it is time to start dinner, clean the house, do a bit of laundry and then Luke is home and we do family time.

So, I am calling all moms (and non-moms) out there. What do you do during the day with your kids? I play with them in their rooms occasionally and occasionally make crafts with them, but what DO YOU DO, All day, every day? Ideas please! What are some things I can do on a daily basis?

Birthday highlights

and we also got her the Beauty and the Beast Polly Pocket Set

*Since we are doing BIG friend birthday parties every 4 years...we decided spending time as a family would be a great way to make up for it. HSM:3 was a great movie and SHE LOVED IT! And who could resist Red Robin food..yum!
Saturday night: Movie and McD's (we also walked Crocker Park while it was snowing...beautiful!)

Sunday: Made Livi's favorite food for dinner--pizza

Wednesday: Made cupcakes for her class and went out to eat at Red Robin. Thank you family and friends who called to wish her a happy birthday! Love you!

Hi this is Luke and Katie is teaching me the ways to be a blogger-holic.

Angels

Once upon a time, there was a child ready to be born.

So one day, he asked God: "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there so small and helpless?"

God answered: "Among the many angels, I chose one for you. She will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

"But tell me, here in heaven I don't do anything else but sing and smile. That's enough for me to be happy. And how am I going to understand when people talk to me, if I don't know the language that men talk?"

"Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and, with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

"Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"I've heard that on earth there are bad men. Who will protect me?"

"Your angel will defend you even if it means risking it's own life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

"Your angel will always talk to you about me and will teach you the way for you to come back to me, even though I will always be with you."

At that moment there was much peace in heaven, but voices from earth could already be heard, and the child, in a hurry, asked softly: "Oh God, if I am about to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."


And God answered: "You can call her...mommy."

If you Give a Mom a Muffin...

If you give a mom a muffin
She'll want a cup of coffee (cocoa) to go with it.
She'll pour herself some.
The cocoa will get spilled by her three year old.
She'll wipe it up.

Wiping the floor, she will find some dirty socks.
She'll remember she has to do some laundry.
When she puts the laundry in the washer,
she'll trip over some boots and bump into the freezer.
Bumping into the freezer will remind her she has to plan supper for tonight.

She will get out a pound of hamburger.
She'll look in her cookbook. (101 Things to Make with A Pound of Hamburger)
The cookbook is siting under a pile of mail.
She will see the phone bill which is due tomorrow.
She will look for her checkbook.
The checkbook is in her purse that is being dumped out by her two year old.

She'll smell something funny.
She'll change the two year old.
While she is changing the two year old the phone will ring, of course!
Her five year old will answer it and hang up.
She remembers that she wants to phone a friend to come to cocoa on Friday.

Thinking of cocoa will remind her that she was going to have a cup.
She will pour herself some. And chances are, if she has a cup of cocoa,
Her kids will have eaten the muffin that went with it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIVI!

Our sweet angel is 5 years old today!! I can't believe how fast the time has gone and that it has been 5 whole years!
We have been so blessed to have her in our home and we love her so much!

We love our little blond haired, blue-eyed beauty!

Christmas Tree and Luke

We bought the bigger (pre-lit) tree two years ago when we moved to Kansas City. We thought that the kids needed a tree to decorate ALL by themselves, so we bought the smaller one this year...I came home from Enrichment last Thursday and it was up and I was SO IMPRESSED with the kids! I couldn't stop smiling...traditions are being made.
Luke being a fantastic dad and snuggling the kids. He continues to impress me every day. He works so hard and is such a great dad! We love you luke!
Please dismiss the dirty room :) This is Spencer and Luke cuddling before bed. Spencer LOVES his daddy and I just LOVE the arm around the neck holding on for dear life!

I'm in love!

I thought this was SUCH an appropriate post with all the holiday eating! This scale is amazing! It never tells you how much you weigh, it claps if you lose weight and gives you advice if you have gained! This is a must have in our family....

I entered the Mary Lou's Weigh Platform Giveaway!
Check out Roni’s Weight Loss Blog for more information.