Pictures of some of my flowers

The boys playing in the front yard

My fountain

Pink tulip (open now)

Crocus

Daffodils about to open (they have now)

Okay, so I know a lot about flowers, and I'm the one that planted all of these bulbs... but I can't for the life of me remember what these are! If anyone knows, please let me know. Here are the different stages of its' growth (above, bottom to top). For some reason, it won't let me write above the pics, or put them in the right order, so that'll have to do. haha Anyway, isn't it pretty? The flowers are purple (of course!) and little bells... then the plant grows taller and the flowers are even prettier (but didn't get a pic and the next day we got the snow!).

Pictures of Mama's birthday and the cakes

The good life

Things have been great lately. I'm finally used to not working, and I don't miss it quite so bad (but yes, I do still miss my students!). Several of them email me pretty regularly, though, and it's nice to hear from them. I'm amazed that I've been every bit as busy not working as I was when I worked! I just don't like to have nothing to do, so I stay busy. I've worked a lot in the yard. Sean went to Oklahoma for a week, two weeks ago. I wanted to surprise him and have lots done in the yard. I planted a dwarf bing cherry tree, a plum tree, blackberries, and blueberries in the backyard (Damen and Zane helped; they love to help). Then, I put new mulch around the trees in the front yard and bought the stuff to make a fountain. I also planted two gardenia bushes (they smell sooooooo good) and a lilac bush. The week before, we put grass seed in the backyard and 7 holly bushes in the front. My bulbs that I planted in September (I planted 100 of them) are coming up in the front, too. I have pink tulips and daffodils, crocus, and a few others that are blooming.

Then we got hit with the major snow storm..... I'm hoping my bushes survive. Those stupid gardenia bushes are $25 each! They had only been planted for a week and were still in shock, so I hope that the snow wasn't too much for them. I put plastic over them during the snow, so hopefully that helped. I post pics of a few of my flowers (in the diff stages of growth), and my fountain.

We had fun in the snow. I didn't get to have as much fun as I wanted, because of Zane. I tried to go out in the backyard with him and he got fussy, saying he was hot and he took off his gloves, snowboots and socks! We got 18" of snow and the kid's running around barefoot in it! Geez..... so, needless to say, I had to bring him inside, since I couldn't keep clothes on him. Since he very rarely naps, I didn't get the chance to go back out. Sean built a nice little igloo, though. We all took pics in it. Tristin and Ryan built a really cool igloo, too. I have to go out and take pics of it today, assuming that the sun hasn't melted it. We're supposed to get hit with another snow storm on Monday and Wednesday, too (just in time for Tristin's birthday).

It's hard to believe my oldest will be TEN on Tuesday! Man, time flies... If the weather cooperates, we're going to Cheyenne to hunt candy eggs and then taking a ride in a helicopter for his bday, on April 4. Then we're going back to my sister's for cake and ice cream. I'm making him a Bakugan cake; it's really cool. I'll post pics after his bday of all that fun...

The boys got report cards a few days ago. It was both of their highest grades yet, this year. Tristin got straight As. Ryan got 2 As, 1 B, and 3 Cs....so he's improving. The teacher said he's totally smart enough for fifth grade; he just needs to work on turning homework in more consistently (he's very lazy). The teacher likes him a lot, though, and says he's doing well. Keep in mind, he's only supposed to be in the 3rd grade this year, anyway, but is in the 4th with Tristin because I used to home school them.

Zane's been talking in sentences for a few months now. It's really cute. He's still real beyond busy and ornery, especially when he's tired, but he's sweet, too. He'll be two the end of April. Kid's quite the character and way too smart to be almost two. Damen's wishing it were his birthday coming up next instead of Tristin's. He's starting to grow up, too, and growing out of Thomas. He's wanting to be like the big kids and watching Bakugan and Goosebumps and all of that. He's totally OBSESSED with sharks. He's quite the little helper lately and even cleans his room by himself. He made my mama a bday cake (by himself) last month. I'll post pics of it; he did a GREAT job. He even decorated it himself. Not bad for a three year old!! It looks better than mine. haha He called his "the fudgy, fudgy cake".

Sean's doing well. Supposedly doesn't have to go out of town for work for awhile now. No over time still, but supposedly we'll have some next week (because that's when Tristin's party is, of course). He's still playing hockey on Fridays in Windsor and Sundays in Greeley. He's gotten much better. He's really zippy and is always right up there, fighting for the puck. He's pretty aggressive about it; I wouldn't want to play with him! haha He looks pretty durn sexy out there skating, too, if I do say so myself (and I do!). His muscles have doubled in size since last year and his hair's growing back and getting more blonde to it again. He's pretty yummy.

We're going to Vegas for our anniversary. (Not sure if I mentioned that in my last post). Mama's coming to watch the boys for three nights. We're flying out May 4-7. Meeting up with an old friend from college while I'm there (she happens to be there at the same time). Pretty cool! I'm sure we'll have a blast, but I never leave the boys and that's gonna bug me... but it'll be really good for Sean and I. Never hurts to bond more and get alone time!

I'm enjoying my time off. Boys are on spring break (started Thurs, thanks to the snow). I've been working on scrapbooks again (haven't gotten to do that in a couple of years!). Ryan and Damen made their first ones, today. They did really good! I have pictures from 2000-2004 that I need to get on the computer, fix them, and put them on my website and get them ordered so that I have copies of them, also. I plan on doing that over the next few months, along with the scrapbooks, and making home videos. I made a home video when Zane was brand new and when I was preg with him, but besides that, I haven't done one since 2000 (and we all know how much I video tape!). I seriously have about 10-15 8 mm tapes completely full (maybe more than that), that I have to make into videos. I also want to read a book or two and I want to completely finish writing my novel. I started it around Halloween 2007, but I only wrote on it for two months. I haven't touched it since right before Christmas 2007!! I really want to finish it, but I haven't been motivated or inspired, and I haven't had the time between school, work, and four kids...

I just finished my last class about 4 days ago. I have no more school now until at least January 2010 (whenever I get accepted into the surg tech program and they only accept 12 people, once a year). I plan on taking full advantage of this time to get caught up on everything important like baby books, pics, and videos (and my book). I'm also gonna spend lots of time making crafts with the boys and of course, cooking and baking! I've had more time lately to keep my house clean, so I'm loving that.

I also start babysitting on Monday, for a little extra cash. We have to get as many credit cards paid off as possible because we're refinancing the house either the end of summer this year or the beginning of spring next year. We were going to do it now but our payments would actually go UP because of adding in taxes and insurance (right now we pay those out of pocket). Anyway, I need to get those suckers paid off so that we will be in even better standing next year, and help us that much more. :) Oh, but this week, I babysit an 8 month old and 8 year old (he's on spring break), and after that, just the 8 month old until school's out. Then this summer, I'll watch all three of them- baby, 8 yr old, and 10 yr old. Whatever it takes to get a little extra cash to help out.

Still having to go to the chiropractor each week for my neck. It hasn't gotten much better; it hurts pretty much all the time and is almost impossible to fall asleep at night! I can't complain, though. It could always be worse. I'm thinking of going to Greeley Stampede (me and Sean; my sister's gonna watch the kids for us if we decide to go) to see Kid Rock, July 3. Haven't decided for sure yet, but it'd be fun. I love him!

I have to have a cleaning done on Monday (my teeth), and a root canal afterwards. Then Tues is Tristin's bday and I'm having two fillings done on Wednesday. Then supposedly, all of my cavities will be taken care of.... My insurance will be completely used up and then some (about $1000 out of pocket afterwards). I still have to have 5 crowns put on my teeth, and I need 2 implants, so we'll start working on those next year. Dentists are EXPENSIVE! I wish we'd gotten to go to the dentist more when we were kids, and my teeth wouldn't be so screwed up, but oh well. Also wish I'd had braces as a kid. One less expense! Tristin's supposed to have braces put on any time now and Ry will be needing them this fall, so there's another expense.... just another reason I need extra income! :) Our teeth, alone, take any "extra" that we have and now you know why we need credit cards.....yuck!!

Well, I'm gonna go for now. I have to scrub the couch. Already cleaned the rest of the house, but have neglected that till now. It kills my hands!! (The joy of rheumatoid arthritis). Okay, I'm gonna post some pics and then get back to work! Hope everyone's doing well!! :)

Diaper issues

Well, I'm missin' my job and my students like crazy! It's weird not going to work. Sometimes I just wanna go, but I can't. lol Things have really changed down there, though, and not for the good, so it's for the best. I actually got an email from two different students yesterday, so that was a nice surprise. :)

Sean's gone to Arizona for work. He left yesterday. He'll be gone till Friday. They already want him to go to Oklahoma in two weeks. Wish it was more pay, but at least he's getting spoiled when he goes and he's having fun and getting a break. It's always good for us, too, and we're closer than ever when he comes back. He actually called and talked to me for an hour yesterday! It was nice. He says he wishes I were there with him. We still haven't decided where we're going for our anniversary. We've never been away from the kids. Mom's coming to watch them for a few days so we can go somewhere, so we want to make it somewhere special. There are WAY too many places to choose from! I'm welcoming any suggestions... This will be our first anniversary without kids, and it's our fifth. :)

My sister's going to Mexico for her anniversary and leaving tomorrow. Mom's coming up to watch her kids for 5 days while they're gone. Will be good to see her, so we're excited. We won't see her much, cause she'll be at my sister's, but we'll get to see her for a day or two, maybe.

I should be working on a report about the blood flow in the body and bi-pass surgeries, but I can't concentrate with the boys up and into everything. They're very needy today and Damen's super beyond whiney and grumpy. Zane's just a crackhead. I really wish they'd take a nap so I could get this done. I can't work on it at night 'cause they're up forever at night when Sean's gone; think they're insecure.

The weather's so nice today! It's 70 degrees outside and barely breezy; feels really nice. I could actually wear shorts if I wanted. I'm lovin' it! My flowers are starting to come up in the yard, too. Can't wait to see them all over the yard, and to plant my garden, too. :) I'm also excited for my fruit trees to produce, so that we can have fresh fruit and homemade jam again. I'm thinking about taking up running, but haven't forced myself to get that motivated just yet. I exercise in the shower everyday and chasing the boys around. I'm not sure I'm up for anything more yet. hahaha

I painted the entire upstairs this week. Yesterday I did the hallway and the living room. I love it; it gives it a personal touch and makes it really feel like our home. I painted all of the boys' rooms, too. I have yet to do our room and bathroom and the hallway downstairs. Maybe in a week or two. Sean still has to do the trim in the whole house. We're refinancing (or trying to), and having the appraisal done in a week. Be glad when that whole mess is over and behind us; it's so long and drawn out and a pain in the butt!

Zane won't quit taking his diaper off. I hate this stage. He doesn't quite get the concept of going potty. He'll sit on the toilet but only for about five seconds and then pretends to wipe and gets up. He never goes in the potty chair or even realizes that he's supposed to, I don't think. He wants his diaper off but the kid's too busy and active to sit on the pot long enough to go! It's making me crazy. It's a never ending battle with him to keep his diaper on. Even with clothes on; he just takes them off.

Well, I have to get. He's taken his diaper off four times while I've been writing this. I'm just wanting a break. I'm so sleepy; was up till 2 and had to get up at 6 to get the boys ready for school. I'm too sleepy to have the energy to chase the kid today. He's way too busy, always, esp when he's sleepy. I just want to get this report whipped out and finish cleaning and relax. That's what I get for wanting, huh? Okay, I'll post more later....