Just Another Day in Paradise

We're baaaaack. Returning to 'normal' after vacation is hard. It's not returning to the schedule that's hard. It's that I miss my Honey! Last night I started getting sad. I knew I was going to miss Ben today.

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Ben is blessed to be able to use a company truck for his job. Before we left on vacation we dropped it off at work. Today we had to drop him off at work and as we're all getting in Penny (our Burban) the song below was playing. It's funny. I'd heard this song before, (it's actually one of my long, lost, favorites-I'd given up hope on hearing it on the radio again) but the combination of being sad about not seeing Ben all day long and holding onto his hand as we drove him to work.....the song just had more meaning this morning. My life is truly paradise!

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The kids screaming, phone ringing

Dog barking at the mailman bringing

That stack of bills - overdue

Good morning baby, how are you?

Got a half hour, quick shower

Take a drink of milk but the milk's gone sour

My funny face makes you laugh

Twist the top on and I put it back

There goes the washing machine

Baby, don't kick it. I promise I'll fix it

Long about a million other things

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Well, it's ok.

It's so nice

It's just another day in paradise

Well, there's no place that

I'd rather be

Well, it's two hearts

And one dream

I wouldn't trade it for anything

And I ask the Lord every night

For just another day in paradise

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Friday, you're late

Guess we'll never make our dinner date

At the restaurant you start to cry

Baby, we'll just improvise

Well, plan B looks like

Dominoes' pizza in the candle light

Then we'll tippy toe to our room

Make a little love that's overdue

But somebody had a bad dream

Mama and daddy

Can me and my teddy

Come in to sleep in between?

-

Phil Vassar

his link

youtube video of the song

Vacation Days

I love vacations. Not just the ones when you go someplace out of the ordinary, but the at home vacations. Staying at home without reasons, to me, is the best! Phones turned off, no place to be, not sick; just home hangin' out. This is living! Yes, I am a home body. =)
A few things have happened this week and are worthy to mention....

**Zach and Joey have both learned to really snap. They are now in the process of teaching Sam. Zach gave Sam a 'lesson' this morning. I wish I was up to watch. Sam woke up at 5.45. =) I didn't get up until 8. Thank God for the Disney channel. After all, this is vacation.

**Our 4 yr. old digital camera is busted. Cannon has been little help via online, so, now we get to spend some time on the phone. I've heard if we can stick out this waiting process, we'll be thankful. This whole situation has opened my eyes to what we so often are dependant on. When was the last time I left the house without my cell phone? Boy if I do, I end up turning around and racing around the house trying to find it, like it's some life saving device or something. And with the camera broken, I stress out that I'll miss out on taking a really cute photo of the kids. I was seriously stressed this a.m. Seriously. Maybe this just means I have even bigger issues than I thought.....

**Kids are amazing. Not just mine, but all kids (mine are just my favorite in the whole world). They are so smart and learn new things so-o fast!
The boys were doing their job charts (dishes, taking out trash...etc.) and Ben was supervising. I was coming down stairs and was telling the boys as I went that they also needed to finish their bedroom charts (make bed, brush teeth....). Ben stopped me and said "They're in the middle of a surprise. They're doing all of Esther's jobs for her." How sweet! When they had completed her entire chart they went up to finish they're rooms and I asked Ben if he'd put them up to it, but no, he said. They'd just decided on their own to bless her. As a show of her gratitude, she kissed each boy on his forehead. *sigh* I'll have to remind them of this day in a few days when they're at odds with each other. For right now, though, I'm glad I see eternal fruit in them. Is there a better way to set up treasure in heaven than to teach these children eternal truths? NO WAY! It still amazes me that even though I'm messed up, God gave me kids to mess up, er, I mean, train up. It's humbling to see this godliness exhibited in my children and that these kids aren't more messed up than they are just proves God is so good and faithful.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory int the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen!" Ephesians 3:20+21

Who's Pedro? Vote for Katy!

Yup, you guested it, I'm running for president of the United States! I'm kidding you know. Although, I would be a great choice. I would be the vote for those who don't like the other three choices. The lesser of the evils, if you will.

I'm so super sick of all this political crap, from both sides. And I did say c-r-a-p. Ugggg. ENOUGH!

What's up with my camera? Have the 70's revisited? This looks like an old photo from my mom's album. I hope it wasn't damaged during the long drive on Friday. He, he, he.

Pass Me Another Oreo!

I can count on one hand how many sweets I've had since March 3rd. Yes, I remember the date. I was trying to shed a few stubborn lb's before my 10 yr. ann. But while on the actual trip, there was an infinite green light on everything with additives and SUGAR! YEA! My Mom asked what she could get for us for our anniversary. I could only think of.....OREO'S! I haven't had any for about a year, no joking here. So, before we left on our trip to Sunriver, my mom dropped off the cookies. We kissed the kid's g'bye around 5, dropped off Ben's work truck and we were off! Destination......FREEDOM, PEACE AND QUIET!

We took a route that we'd never before, but one that Google estimated would be quicker. DOUBLE YEA! About a hour and a half into our drive we started noticing snow on the side of the road (in the ditch). About 1/2 mile after that, there was snow in the road. IN THE ROAD! It was 78 degrees for heaven's sake! Then finally, we were completely blockaded by the everlasting-snowy-road. Ben got out and tried to see were the snow ended. As far as he could see, there was snow in the road and about a foot deep. The sign said we were 10 miles from Detroit lake (about 1/2 way to our destination). Since we borrowed Nadine's car (Ben's Mom) we didn't have 4x4....this road was our enemy. It won.

We turned around (Ben is a champion snow driver....I never-in-a-million-years could have gotten us out.) and headed in the opposite direction of our destination. Bummer. Let's open the Oreo's, I say. We decide to watch out for any roads that may lead us in the right direction. Glory! There is one about 4 miles down the road. Once we start to climb, we are hampered once again. This time my a fallen tree (about 15 minutes up the road). Pass me another Oreo, I say, yet again.

At this point we've been driving about 3 hours and thinking, where were the 'closed road' signs to re-direct us? We turn around again and find, yet another road promising our hearts desire.....SUNRIVER! We follow this road (much better maintained than the last two) and our hope was gradually revived. We'd come about 3/4 of the way on this new road (about 20 miles) when we come upon a metal 'road closed' blockade. Pass me another Oreo please....er...maybe ten.

Once we were re-directed this last time, we decide (with frustrated hearts) to go unswervingly to the start of this terrible road, and start over. Uggg. Pass the Oreo's! I told Ben that I felt like I'd gained 5lb's (I'd just eaten 6, but they do start to weigh one down).

We found our rental at five minutes to midnight. What should have taken, at most, four hours, took seven. Our knees were sore, our necks ached, but we were on vacation! Glorious vacation. Did I mention our rental had a hot tub? Ahhhhhh! We were in in every night!

It was hot on Sat. we road our bikes, I got what I thought was heat rash (discovered on our never-ending drive the day before) but found out later it was a virus treatable with antihistamine.

Sunday we couldn't sleep in(we were both excited for the day's events) and woke up at 5.30, watched the sun rise and drank our coffee. Ben golfed a complete game and I was pampered at the spa, a 50 min., deep-tissue massage. Could life get any better? Maybe only if I could enjoy a glass of wine in a hot tub watching the stars? Oh yea! I did that too!

Monday we watched some movies. We left early this a.m. and took the reliable route home.

What a fun time away. Thank you Lord! I have but one question......when's then next vacation? =D

I'm two days early

**I forgot to mention, below**
Ben and I will be married for ten years this Friday. T-E-N YEARS! It sounds way longer than it's actually felt.

I was thinking today about Ben and my relationship. I honestly don't think that any other man could have stayed married to me. (I have too many quirks to list....and they just hang around and often times....get worse!) He basically taught me how to communicate and juggle bills. =) All within the first year of marriage. He's my best friend. My Love. A modern day Knight-in-shinning armor. He's the most handsome man I've ever laid eyes on. It has been a privilege to share his name and life.

Ben, you are amazing. You are my hero.

I am blessed, I am blessed

From when I rise up in the morning

'Till I lay my head to rest

I feel you near me, you sooth me when I'm weary

Oh Lord, for all the worst and all the best

I am blessed

By, Rachel Lampa

**We are going away! This weather is supposed to be......HOT! No kids, nice weather, husband all to myself......paradise.** If you're interested, this is last years anniversary post...

Happy Mother's Day

to you!, that is , if you're a Mom. We do one of the hardest and, at the same time, most fulfilling jobs in the world.

I am blessed and thankful to be a Mom. I remember as a kid, when asked what I wanted to be, I'd always say.....A MOM! (although I initially wanted e-i-g-h-t children =) It has always been my dream. God is so-o good to grant me this dream.

This is a picture of one of my gifts. I wore it this morning, even through church. Cute, huh? Cuter still is the heart that gave it!

Pain in the Butt

As you know, Ben and I have been training with a professional trainer. I can honestly say that I've never been in this much consistent, physical pain in my life. I didn't even feel this bad when I was pregnant with the Twins. I was 6 years younger then, I think that has a lot to do with it. Anyway....
I worked out....HARD this past Tuesday and by the end of the day I was taking Advil for my achy muscles. I woke up Wed. even more stiff and sore, but I seemed to loosen up as the morning wore on. Then, by about 3pm, I was fighting a bad headache and was cold and got all sore and stiff again. I just thought I had worked out to hard. Wednesdays are busy for us. We get home from school by 4 and have to finish homework, eat and leave for church by 6.20. For us that's cutting it close. I was just feeling miserable by the time Ben got home. It hurt to have anyone touch me. I was experiencing these weird, painful twinges in my head and limbs. It was scary at first, until I took my temperature. I had fever. No youth group for me. I slept o.k. that night and took two 2 hour naps yesterday, then , as if by magic, at 5pm all the pain was gone! Thinking it all through, I realized I'd woken up with pretty bad headaches for about a week before I had a fever....yuck. Through this whole weird flu, I never felt even a teency nauseous. That was a blessing!
I can tell you, even though my case wasn't terrible (I still drove the kids to/from school), It is soooooo nice to be back to normal!

My arm is scorched,

but I'm loving it! With all the driving I do, my left arm gets quite a bit of sun exposure. Especially yesterday! I l-o-v-e-d it! I knew my arm was getting too much sun, but I didn't care. I was just soaking it all up. My brain was telling me "Move your arm.....it's too hot.....you'll get a burn." I just told it to be quiet! Thank you Lord for a beautiful day.

One update I forgot to mention......drum roll. The Twins learned how to, wholly and completely, ride their two wheel bikes. Oh yeah, and Joey's tooth is loose. I'm mourning. He's the last one to have firsts. The first tooth lost, ends here. I've seriously been teary about it. They (the Twins)now tie their own shoes too....and occasionally will make their own lunch. The ending of the firsts is beginning. My babies are all gone. I feel like sometimes I didn't hold them enough, like I was (and there were times I truly was) enduring through certain stages. *wailing* I MISS MY BABIES! I need to change the subject, I can't see through my blurry eyes to type. I am not remembering all the sleep deprivation, or stinky pants, but all the good stuff. Yet, I'd do it all again in a heart beat. What of changing the subject.......?

Thankfully, I have friends with whom I can spend time with that do have (or will have :) babies I can cuddle. There is my comfort! What weird creatures mother's are. =) (present company included!)

Where oh where has....

the sunshine gone? Like an old friend, I miss it! I was trying to find something about the weather to be thankful for. All I could think of was, yesterdays sunshine!

You know you're busy when....

there's about five posts sill stuck in my brain and on my camera that I'd (until last night) forgotten about. Between youth group stuff (meetings and fundraisers), school and homework (I'm talking about the kids here. I'll probably go back to school in the next couple of years though.), unpacking.....still, killing mice and ants (okay, I'm technically not doing the killing, but you get the drift), and taking care of the house......no wonder some posts slipped my mind.

Get ready for some randomness (if that's even a word).....

Essy was reading this morning. She told me that she wasn't very excite to start on her new library book (I'd picked it out for her), but she started it anyway. Low and behold, she loves it. Then she said "The cover didn't look so fun. That's why I wasn't too excited to read it. I guess I can't judge a book by it's cover!". Where she heard that phrase I'm not sure. She's also started to fix her own hair, and doing a great job too.

Ben (the kids helped) worked so hard and built a fabulous deck.......in 4 hours! Then we put our cragslist gazebo over it. He accomplished this all for under $80. Way to go, Babe! Now we just need to set up our pool and we can say "Summer here we come!"

Our budding scientist, Sam, is always asking to pull out the microscope and examine things he finds interesting (bugs, bark, feathers, grass, food-you name it he wants to examine it).

And these lovely looking things are our mouse traps. My amazingly girly girl was ecstatic about this whole process. In fact, she's so interested, she used her recess time on Wed. to check all the traps. It was a reward to her!

Lastly, the kids have been playing the game of marbles. They love it! They get these ideas all on their own, but I love it too!

It's supposed to be a beautifully, sunny week-end! HALLELUJAH!