No Room to Sleep!

The girls decided to sleep with their stuffed animals the other night. I mean all of their stuffed animals! There were, perhaps, a few forgotten in a closet, but most of them made it into the heap. For several days, the girls slept with barely enough room to move. Funny thing is, I remember doing the exact same thing when I was little. We lived on my grandma and grandpa's farm until I was in the 3rd grade. Yup, I used to be a farm girl. Anywho, I remember the heat going out in our house one winter. I was so worried that all my stuffed animals would get cold that I piled them all into bed with me.

I guess when the weather is cold, it's nice to have someone or something to snuggle with!

The Polar Express

Tis the season for extra practices, Christmas shows and programs. Friday, Taya had an extra dance practice to get ready for her winter dance show. Following practice, we went to Beauty and the Beast Jr. at the Sauk Rapids Community Center. It was a really good play. The girls got autographs from all of the actors and actresses after the performance and got their picture taken with Belle!! They were so excited! Saturday morning was practice for the girls' Sunday School Christmas program. Taya is one of the narrators and Chloe is singing Christmas songs with her Sunday School class. Then, on Sunday, the girls had their winter dance show "The Polar Express" at the Sauk Rapids High school. Taya and Chloe danced to the routines they have been practicing all fall and they both danced in the finale. It was so much fun to see them in their costumes. They worked so hard and did such a great job! I played Christmas songs on the piano (well, actually the keyboard) prior to all three dance shows. It was fun because I love to play and don't get a chance to very often. We even found time amidst all the chaos to put up and decorate the Christmas tree. We took Christmas pictures for our Chirstmas cards on Monday and I finished my annual Chirstmas letter. Why is there always so much to do? I can't believe that Christmas is in less than two weeks!!!!

Kids say the darndest things!

On our way over to Tracy's earlier in the week, we drove by a house with a huge inflatable snow globe with 3 snowmen inside. Now, no offense to anyone that loves inflatable snow globes, but I prefer my decorating to be a little more reserved. Anyways, the girls have always wanted to festoon the yard with moving santas, giant inflatable snow globes, and plastic reindeer and I have always said, in a nice way, that we're not going to put those items up in the yard to decorate for Christmas.

Chloe sees this awesome snow globe and oohs and aahs! Then, quietly, I hear her talking to Taya in the back seat of the van. "I'm not saying that mom isn't a good mom because mom is a good mom, but I wish she would let us put up cool decorations for Christmas!"

Corey and I laughed for 20 minutes...You can't win them all I guess.

I am Thankful for...

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! We went to Corey's grandma's and had a feast. Nanny Pearl is 88 years old and still manages to put on a spread that puts most peope to shame! We had turkey, ham, homemade meatballs, homemade stuffing & mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, rolls, banana cream pie, pumpkin pie, lemon meringue pie, lefse, cranberry relish, the list goes on and on.....The girls, as usual, had a blast playing with their cousins and I got to snuggle with my 3-month old nephew!

It has been a beautiful November!!! Can you believe that it hasn't snowed once this whole month? As we head toward Christmas and the stress of that holiday, I just wanted to take a minute to reflect on what I'm thankful for...

I am thankful I have a wonderful husband that I've been married to for 13 years and love more today than when we first met! (And, I just have to throw this in here, I am thankful for Edward Cullen and the Twilight books and movies! I am thankful that my husband is understanding and doesn't mind if I think a young, sparkly vampire is incredibly good looking)...Love ya babe!
I am thankful I have two beautiful, healthy, smart girls that are full of life....
I am thankful for my family who always supports me in everything I do and will do anything to help me out.... (I couldn't do it without you guys!)
I am thankful I have such awesome, funny, caring friends... you guys make me laugh and make me feel loved...
I am thankful that I have a job that I love and get to take care of precious little babies who are sick and help them get home to their families. What could be better?....
I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to go back to school. Even though I complain about the workload, I realize not everyone is able to pursue their dreams...
I am thankful that I get to help my friend Tracy bring home her sweet little girl from Russia that she is going to adopt. We worked on setting up an on-line auction last night to raise money to bring her Russian princess home. It is so much work and I admire her so much. I don't think I could do it. Her little Russian princess will be going to such a good home and have such a wonderful life. I am thankful I will get to be a part of that... To check out her on-line auction go to lovingonlera.blogspot.com
I am thankful that we went on such a wonderful vacation in March to San Diego. Sitting next to Taya on a small boat out in the Pacific Ocean trying to touch the dolphins that were swimming beside our boat is something I will never forget...
I am thankful I got to be with my mom when she died and that I held her hand during her last moments on earth and was able to tell her that I loved her...

Now, on to the wonder and magic of Christmas!!!

Like mother, like daughter, like daughter!

Well, it's been a big weekend. Friday at 12:01am was the premiere of New Moon--the second in a series of vampire movies based on four books written by Stephanie Meyer. Why am I so worried about my kids growing up? I'm 35 years old and can still act like a teenager with the best of them. Corey and I went to the re-release of Twilight and then saw New Moon at 12:01am. All told, we were at the theater for 7 hours. It was so worth it! Dreamy vampires and hunky werewolves, what more could a girl want? Then after a little sleep we decided to see New Moon again. Corey, my dad, my sister, the girls, and I met up with a friend of mine from work and her hubby to see it again at 5p the same day. It was just as fabulous the second time. Yes, I am a Twlight Mom!!!!!! Taya and I wore our matching "I Love Vampire" t-shirts. Then, Chloe told me in a very sad voice, "Mom, I don't have a vampire shirt." So, I borrowed her an "I Dreamed of Edward Cullen" t-shirt and we were good to go.

I must admit, about half of my new wardrobe is vampire/Twilight/Edward related. One of these days I'll end up on What Not To Wear for being the 40 year old that won't stop dressing like a teenager! EEK!

To top the weekend off and since the weather was so nice, we decided to try to put up some x-mas lights. Yup, that's me on the roof freaking out trying to string x-mas light at the tippy top of the house. Just a walk in the park for someone who already has the second most dangerous job in the world. Yup, I recently heard that the job of flight nurse is right behind crab fishing as world's most dangerous! For some reason, while I was on the roof, Corey kept asking me if my life insurance was up-to-date. Now why would he care about that?

Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving! We are heading to Corey's grandma's on Thursday for turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie!! YUM!

I don't want them to grow up!

I am really having a hard time with Chloe starting school. A much harder time then when Taya started school. I suppose it's because Chloe is my baby. When they're both in school and I'm home, I wander around my empty house and feel pretty sad that neither one of my girls is home with me. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I really do enjoy the peace and quiet and not having to listen to them fight. I think that's one of the reasons I like to stay so busy. I get lonely when I have nothing to do and no one to talk to and the house is quiet. But, I don't want them to grow up! I don't want them to become sassy teenagers that are embarassed to be seen with their mom. I want to keep them little and cute and needing me forever. But, life goes on and time goes on and there is nothing I can do about it. So, for right now, I'll treasure the moments that I have with them and enjoy them at whatever stage they are at.

They are still little girls though. Evidence of that is Chloe's continued fascination with dolls. I really like the fact that Chloe still plays with dolls. I am constantly picking up dolls that are wrapped in blankets from every corner of the house. She sets them in a row and reads to them and plays house with them. I sit and watch her and just laugh. Maybe Chloe still is my baby. At least for now!

Wow! Between school, work, and the kids and their activities, I have been so busy I haven't had time to do much blogging. I like to stay busy, but lately it's been ridiculous. I realize that most of it is my own "fault" as my hubby and friends are constantly pointing out to me. I sometimes (okay-most of the time) don't know when to say enough. But, I accept that about myself and continue to march on and get done what I need to get done. It helps me to plan some fun activities to look forward to. I look at it as a reward for all my hard work. Corey, the girls and I are going to Thumper Pond over New Years with a friend of mine from work and her family. Thumper Pond is a huge indoor water park. The girls can't wait and I'm excitied to go too! Corey and I are also planning a trip to the Riviera Maya in Mexico in February with a bunch of friends from work. Corey and I haven't been on vacation together in about 4 years. It will be a much needed break from reality and a chance to get away from the cold and snow.

This fall, I'm taking a Health Informatics class through the grad school at the University of Minnesota. I'm working on finishing my Master's degree in Nursing. It's not my favorite class, but I'm getting through it and am about halfway done. The class is mostly on-line and I have to go to the Cities to campus twice during the semester. We have weekly discussion assignments and four large projects we need to complete throughout the semester. When I'm not doing stuff for school, I'm working on various projects for work.

Sadly, Corey's grandmother (his dad's mom) recently passed away the end of October. We went "up north" for the funeral. His dad was in town from Pheonix so we got to spend some time with Papa Mike. Several days later, my nephew (Corey's sister's little boy), Gavin, was baptized. Corey and I (along with three other family members) were his godparents. He is such a cutie. Two friends of mine from work have sons named Gavin so we have to refer to them as Big G, Little G, and Baby G so we know who we're talking about. Baby G is such a cutie and he is really getting to be smiley and fun. The girls love to hold him and play with him.

For Halloween, we did our traditional annual pumpkin carving. Each of the girls picks out their own pumpkin and a pattern they want to carve on their pumpkin. They love pulling out the pumpkin guts although I usually end up helping them finish their carvings. Taya is getting good and was able to carve her pumpkin almostly completely on her own. Then, the girls and I dressed up like vampires and we went trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. It was cold, but not entirely miserable. The girls made a haul in candy. There is one house at the neighborhood across the pond that goes all out for Haloween and has a graveyard in the front yard and all kinds of scary monsters in the garage. Chloe was really scared to go up to this house, but took my hand and went because she wanted the candy. Afterwards, she was so proud that she had gone to the "scary" house.

My good friend Jordy recently celebrated her 50th birthday. For many years, I worked as a PCA in the nursing home in the town where I grew up. I met Jordy when she started working there. In fact, I trained her in. I'm trying to think how many years ago that was--at least 15 years I'm sure. Even though Jordy and I don't talk all the time, we have remained in contact and remained close friends throughout the years. We have been through loss and heartache and joy and celebrations! I can always count on her. It was really fun to see her and also many of my old friends that I used to work with that I hadn't seen in years! The girls enjoyed dancing to the live polka band and I enjoyed seeing and catching up with my old friends.