Happy Birthday Tman

My baby boy is three today! I had big plans of posting cute pictures of when he was born and a current picture, but today ended up being such a fun jam-packed day that I never got to it...but I have lots of birthday pictures! What a cute little boy Tman is! Today was such a fun family day and we all got to make Tman feel so special! He sure took to the attention well! Anyway, I couldn't let the day pass with out posting on his birthday....So...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TMAN!!!! We love you and are so glad you are part of our family!

Backyard Snow Drift

This week the weather warmed up enough that the kids could actually go outside to play in the snow. They were so excited. I think they thought I've just been a boring mom but it has just been way too cold to go out. After getting them settled, I felt comfortable enough just going inside and letting them play. The next thing I know, I look outside just in time to see the second picture. THAT is how big that snow drift is.

Their feet are probably higher than where their heads

SHOULD be if they were on the grass. T-Man was able to easily lean over the

fence and when they were done, they would just slide down the "mountain".

What Am I Thankful For?

Last week got a bit gloomy and dark for our household last week being stuck inside for so long, so I've decided to lighten things up a little. (Maybe it has to do with the sun actually shining today and the weather forecast being alot warmer this week. Seems to make things alot happier for me!)

I'm not a huge New Years resolution person, because I think that resolutions should be made through out the year..not just at the beginning, but since it happens to be January, and I've made a goal, I suppose it would qualify as one. I want to be more positive! I notice that when I start feeling down and most frustrated with life it's because I've been focusing on all the negative. I sure married the right person, because Justin is an amazing example to me of staying positive and not worrying about things that don't matter. He tells me his favorite quote (on a regular basis):

"Don't sweat the small stuff! It' all small stuff"

So today, and hopefully for a while, I'm going to do my best to focus on the positives.

Here's a list of things I'm thankful for today...(why do the lists have to stop after Thanksgiving and Christmas?)

Of course I'm grateful for the basic stuff (a warm beautiful house, food on our table, clothes on our backs, working vehicles, an amazing family, etc.) But here are some more...

I'm grateful that I got to visit with a sweet friend

while I drove her around town this morning.

I'm thankful that the sun is shining and the snow is melting.

I'm thankful that my entire family is healthy and well, and that we get to

bring another sweet baby into it in a few months.

I'm thankful for my friendly fat cat who will love anyone who crosses his path.

I'm thankful for the 'Young Women' program at church, and that I get to work

with such stellar teenage girls who keep their standards high.

I'm grateful for amazing friends and neighbors, and

I'm thankful that I'm motivated to get things done today.

So since I'm motivated now, I better get off the computer and get my rear in gear before the motivation is gone! And remember: "Don't sweat the small stuff! It's all small stuff" (and be a friend...Remind me of this next week if/when this supposed storm hits and burries us in another 18 inches. LOL)

Winter Time Blues

Little has happened in our wonderful lives here in Nebraska. Let me tell you why. Because we can't leave our house on a regular basis! We are enduring a terrible winter. Our first snow storm came December 9th.. Justin and Bug went out and shoveled the drive way by hand (since we don't have a snow blower). Bug had fun that time, because it wasn't bitterly cold and windy by then...

The second storm came a few weeks later...Christmas Eve to be exact. We decided to go over to Justin's parent's house that evening to spend time with them. We brought an overnight bag JUST IN CASE. We needed it.....for three days! We didn't get home until late Saturday evening and thus our family Christmas was postponed until Sunday morning. This is what we came home to on Saturday. The foot prints are from me. The snow went half way up my thigh! (Notice that our porch is completely gone)

Justin's dad had to come over Sunday morning with his snowblower...because there was no way we were doing that by hand if we didn't HAVE to!
The kids got to open their presents right before dad and grandpa went out to tackle the driveway... to summarize, this is what they looked like all morning...

Then, of course, the THIRD storm came last week. We were confined to our house for another three days, since we don't have 4WD (and even then, it wouldn't have mattered). I'm strongly considering leaving this frozen tundra in the near future. Luckily the forecast is calling for a heat wave (30 degrees...opposed to the -30 ALL last week) and lots of the snow should melt....just in time for a predicted FOURTH snow storm that is supposed to hit in a week or so and dump another 18 inches on us! My information is heresay, but SERIOUSLY!!!! ANOTHER STORM????? Where are we going to put the new snow? We don't have room for the snow we already have! Heaven help my sanity...because another week of being snowed in with nothing to do?!?.....not good!

SOOOO in an attempt to lighten my frustration, here are some thought (said to be from Jeff Foxworthy)that I have recently found to be mostly true and applicable to my life here in Nebraska.

Enjoy!

If you have gone from "heat" to "A/C" in the
same day and back again, you live in Nebraska.

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to
fit over a snowsuit, you live in Nebraska.

If driving is better in the winter because the
potholes are filled with snow, you live in Nebraska.

If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter,
winter, still winter and road construction, you live in Nebraska.

If you have more hours on your snow blower than
miles on your car, you live in Nebraska.

If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow
during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Nebraska.

If you find 10 degrees "a little chilly", you
live in Nebraska.

I sure love the place when it's green and warm, but I'm DONE with winter!

Big News

We're having a baby!!!! We're very excited for the new little one to join us in early July 2010! Both Bug and T-Man are very excited for the baby in Mommy's tummy, and both like to poke it when I'm not expecting it. T-Man and I got to hear the baby's heart beat, and both kids seem to be unanimous in wanting a girl. We should know what it is the next time we go in, because we will also be scheduling to see our specialist for an ultrasound. This year will bring LOTS of change. Bring it on!!!