Cookies and Milk-I had to write about it; It's my blog title!

Guess what I'm eating right now? Cookies and milk (actually hot chocolate made with milk). I haven't had a snack like this for a really long time. But today Brad made some delicious chocolate chip cookies and since I'm freezing (current temp outside -11 F, feels like -42 F) I made some hot chocolate in my Cocomotion (If you don't have one, check into it) to go with it. It has been one of those days and a sweet snack like this hits the spot. Besides I thought it humorous that I was eating cookies and milk when I just finished posting on my blog which is titled the same as the snack I'm eating. (Sorry, those are the things I find funny.)

I generally have a snack in the late evening. I need to because of my hypoglycemia. If I don't, I wake up in the middle of the night starving and feeling yucky. Generally I eat nuts (pistachios are my current evening snack of choice). But tonight it is cookies and milk.

I'll get back on the wagon tomorrow!

Is it Friday yet?

I'm having one of those moments. I need a weekend to relax and spend some time with Brad. But then I realized it is only TUESDAY. We aren't even close to Friday yet! Maybe I should call a babysitter right now and give me something to look forward to.

Children's Museum

Brad had a Friday off a few weekends ago and so we spent the day in the Twin Cities. Although we have been to the Minnesota Children's Museum at least three times before, we spent over FIVE hours watching the kids play, explore, pretend, create, imagine, climb, and have an all around fun time. It was a great way to spend a freezing cold January afternoon.

The museum had a Sesame Street exhibit which I thought was not very interesting and engaging for the kids. It was a lot of Sesame Street history which included a lot of reading about how Sesame Street was started, the changes over the years, etc. Not much fun, in my opinion, for an exhibit at a children's museum. Since my kids are not familiar with Sesame Street (except for an acquaintance with the main characters - Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie, etc.) they didn't spend too much time there. But we got a few cute pictures. I just love the smile on that baby's face!

Here are my cuties in Big Bird's nest. Ben really enjoyed this and it was a perfect place for him.

Emily and Sam engage in a challenging game of chess. (Sam rarely looks at the camera. This is a typical picture of him.)They have a fabulous room for toddlers called Habitot. Since Emily and Sam are so short, they fit right in in this room. It consisted of areas based on all the habitats in Minnesota with tunnels to crawl through, ladders to climb, and trees to hide in. Part of the exhibit included animal costumes. Sam spent most of the time dressed as a skunk. You can imagine how a little boy would have fun with that.

Here's Ben chewing on some flowers from the pond area. He LOVED being able to get out of the stroller and crawl around and examine things on his level.A favorite spot in the museum is a section called "Our World." There is a store, Korean restaurant (kimchi anyone?), post office, hospital, home, and music area. Who wouldn't want to pretend to deliver mail, take your order, and walk around on crutches (for fun anyway)?The kids were quick to grab an available shopping cart and start filling the basket with groceries. Then they took turns checking everyone out.Here is Emily at the house hanging up the laundry. Sam is following in Grandpa Zee's footsteps and planting flowers.Who could resist jamming to some fun music and watching yourself on TV. Emily's absolute FAVORITE spot at the museum is the Art Center. The Art Center is Emily's idea of heaven. They have all kinds of interesting craft supplies available to make something. It was the first thing she asked about when we told her we were going there. She was really upset when we noticed it was closed until 6:00 pm. But image her JOY and HAPPINESS when we were still there at 6:00 and she was able to create a mosaic tile. She was devastated when she realized we accidentally left it behind. We forgot to pick it up on our way out. At least we captured it on film (or at least part of what she did before I left to go feed Benny).After a long day at the museum, we left with crying kids (it always seems we stay a half hour too long). It was such a cold day that the water bottles and sippy cups we left in the car had frozen solid! We drove to Chili's for dinner, had a great meal, changed the kids into their PJ's, and headed for home.

Great fun and great memories! What was even better, Brad still had Saturday and Sunday off!!!!

What is Your Forecast?

I just check the weather report and it is -3 F but feels like -30 F with the wind chill factor. It has been snowing and blowing all day and we have a blizzard warning in effect right now. We probably have gotten 4 inches of snow but it is hard to tell because it is blowing so hard.

The school district released the kids early but I was teaching preschool and couldn't pick her up from the bus stop. She had to walk up the hill to our house (it wasn't quite as cold as the current conditions but still pretty horrible). She was so cold (but excited that she could help with preschool). At least I had her dressed as warm as possible (snow pants, scarf, mittens, hat, coat with attached hat over the other hat).

Later, I went out to shovel the front walkway because Julie was coming over to pick up Mason, Sam and Emily to play at her house. I was outside about 10 minutes (or less) and my fingers were frozen (despite heavy gloves) and my cheeks were so cold I could hardly feel them when I went inside.

After talking to Julie who just drove to my house in a Ford Explorer, I decided to make it a stay at home day because of the heavy snow and blizzard conditions. I had two visiting teaching appointments scheduled but I was worried about driving in the extreme conditions. So I cancelled everything. Julie stayed a little longer to let the kids play at our house and spared me a drive out in the snow.

I'm such a wuss about driving in snow. I really hate it although I'm better than I used to be. Because it is so cold, I feared that if something happened we would freeze waiting for help. The last thing I want is three kids in the car freezing.

So Emily and Sam are doing art projects, Ben is asleep, and I'm sneaking in a little blogging time while we stay warm in the office with the space heater going full force.

How on earth did the early settlers survive the long, harsh, freezing cold Minnesota winters? I'm grateful for warm houses, hot running water, cars, and the fact that I did not have to can or prepare all the food that I'm eating this winter. Wal-Mart is one mile away but that seems too far in this weather.

Emily and Sam's New Hobby

Emily and Sam have discovered a new hobby-photography. They have learned how to use our camera and have become quite the photographers. I just transferred the pictures from my camera to my computer and I have found a ton of nonsense pictures. They always ask permission but I think they have taken my words "just a few" to extreme. Here a few of the ones that actually turned out and are kind of cute.

Here's one that Sam took. Pretty good huh! Emily LOVES Ben. I was surprised by this one. Emily took a picture of Sam catching some air as he jumped off the couch!
Here's a funny one Emily took. Sam loves to hide in the hamper. It was laundry day so is was unusually empty.
I rarely post pictures of me because I'm usually the one taking them but now that there are two new photographers in the house I had to post one. Emily took this and I thought I would include what my daily life looks like. I'm doing laundry and listening to my headphones (I'm not sure what book I was listening too).

PS - My Book Club Book Isn't Finished

I said I wouldn't blog until my Book Club book (The Woman in White) is finished but I just couldn't wait. I only have 60 or so pages but everyone in the house is asleep and I couldn't resist some uninterrupted time on the computer posting a few pictures and such. I'm sure to have it done by Thursday!

The Plundering Begins

Ben is only 9 1/2 months but he is into everything! I thought that I would have awhile before I had to put locks on the cabinets and keep the doors closed. But no! If he can get into something he happily pulls out everything he can get his chubby little hands on.

The above picture is what I found the other day. I was reading Emily and Sam a story and when we were done I went to find Ben. Somehow the closet door was left open (I'm sure just a crack) and Ben opened it and started pulling things down. The pink bowls are the remains of Emily and Sam's Halloween candy (yes, Halloween candy-a few pieces remain and they don't want to see it go so they are holding onto it). Ben got a hold of a lollipop and is so happy. He really wailed when I took it away from him, cleaned everything up and closed the door (and made sure it was closed this time).

My New Goal

I've set a goal and maybe by posting it on my blog it will make me commit to following through.

Today I taught our Relief Society lesson on President Henry B. Eyring's conference talk O Remember, Remember. In this talk he challenges us to record our experiences so that we can "recognize and remember God's kindness." President Eyring wrote in a journal "a few lines every day for years." He said "I was supposed to record for my children to read, someday in the future, how I had seen the hand of God blessing our family" and so that his "children could have the memory someday when they would need it."

One purpose of my blog was to create a scrapbook/journal of my daily life. I have never been a consistent journal writer and I love to scrapbook but don't have the time anymore. Blogging filled both of those gaps. I have missed blogging over the past month. I miss writing down the thoughts I have had or record what our latest adventures, mishaps, and experiences have been. But now I want to spend more time recording how I have been blessed by God and recognize his hand in my life. In my lesson today I said I would start this new goal by following in the footsteps of Natalie and Leslie and make an effort to post a Grateful Sunday entry every week.

So here is my first consistent Grateful Sunday entry (I say consistent because that means there should be one every week).

• I'm grateful for modern medication especially antibiotics, Tylenol, Advil, and Sudafed. It seems like we have been sick frequently this winter. What would I do without a little help to make the body aches, strep throat, nasal congestion and headaches go away! I'm currently experiencing nasal congestion (again!) and I probably would not have made it to church today without taking some Sudafed and Advil before church to help ease my yucky symptoms.
• I'm grateful for a loving husband. Brad is so helpful. I was able to sleep in and take a nap today AND yesterday. I'm so spoiled!
• I'm grateful Heavenly Father sent me Ben. I am amazed at how much I LOVE this fat, happy baby. Ben is just what I needed for a third baby. He giggles and laughs at everything. He brings such joy into our lives.
• I'm grateful for Emily. This morning as I was finishing my lesson downstairs, I heard Emily helping Sam get ready for church. She was helping him put his shirt on and get buttoned. She is an amazing girl and the best big sister ever!
• I'm grateful for Sam. A few months ago Sam was a challenge. He was so slow at everything and it took him forever to do anything (not because he couldn't do it, but that he was distracted by everything). Now he is almost always the first to jump up and get ready to go when asked. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father gave me the patience to help this little boy get his act together.
• I'm grateful for my calling as Relief Society Instructor. I love this calling. I love that it makes me study the inspired messages given during conference. I just love it!
• I'm grateful for blogs. I love staying in touch with my Texas friends and I hope my Minnesota friends can stay in touch with me after I move.
• I'm grateful for my house. I love the house we bought when we moved to Minnesota. It was our first "house." We probably won't make any money on the sale of this house but it was worth it because I loved living in it.

Okay, just as President Eyring promised in his talk once I got thinking about God's hand in my life, the evidence of what God has done for me has begun to flow and I could go on and on. But I'll stop here because I have a cute picture of Ben to post.

Quick Update

Okay, I finally have a few seconds to blog so I'll make this quick. Ben is plundering at my feet and I have just a minute before he goes to bed. Here is what has happened so far in my life since my last blog (please excuse any grammatical errors due to my haste in writing):

• I came down with strep throat an hour or so after I wrote my last blog. Lost 2 days to couch confinement-too weak and sick to move. Thank heavens for a doctor husband who called in a prescription and even brought it to me on his lunch break (since I was too sick to drag three kids to the pharmacy).
• I only have ONE more day of teaching Sam's preschool. I would already be done but I had to cancel 2 days in a row due to previously mentioned strep throat (Emily had it before me and I had to cancel a day because she was sick). As much as I enjoy teaching preschool, I really need time to get stuff done (see below).
• Brad had Friday - Sunday off. We spent Friday at the Children's Museum and The Cheesecake Factory!!! (I'll post pictures someday).
• We finally cleaned our office!!!!!! I have packed boxes, and boxes, and boxes of stuff away. We moved out 2 storage cabinets and a bookcase and cleared out quite a bit of the closet. It is so nice and clean; I feel like working on a craft project. Oh no, it has all been packed away! No more projects until I move (and then get unpacked and settled-I'll probably never get around to them:-(
• I met with our realtor today (after spending the morning frantically cleaning, dusting, and vacuuming). She is optimistic but says we need to paint the entire main floor, replace the carpet on the stairs and expand the laminate in the living room (how are we going to do that!!). Oh, and get rid of just about everything. This is my current stress! How on earth am I going to paint with 3 kids around along with everything else!!!!!

Well, Ben is done plundering (he couldn't make too much of a mess because the office is CLEAN!!!! Now I need to read my book club book. I still have 300 pages of The Woman in White to read. It is really good and I have hated not being able to read but I promised myself after our realtor meeting I could finish it.

So farewell until I finish my book.

Where Have I Been Lately?

Maybe you have been wondering if I forgot about my dear blog. Where are the Christmas pictures you ask? What about all those silly Sammy Says posts? Was it just a 2007 thing?

No friends, it is just that I have been extremely busy and totally stressed out. I have been busy as a bee trying to declutter and organize my home. We are moving in June and we are putting our house on the market March 1st. I have so much to do before then!!!! I know there is no way I can keep my house as clean as it needs to be when people come to see it if I don't get rid of most of my stuff.

Generally, I blog at night while the kids are asleep but I have been taking advantage of the kid-free time to sort, pack, and organize. Despite being totally tired of caring for 3 kids (who have been sick on and off since November), I feel the drive to clean this place up and so I have been using my former blogging hours to get organized and cleaned up.

My office has been an embarrassment to me because it is chock full of STUFF! The realtor comes tomorrow at 1:00 pm. and I will have this house looking decent-not perfect-but decent. I have packed up most of my kids toys (I don't think they even miss them); most of my craft supplies; the majority of my closet; and lots of other stuff. Despite all the work I have done, I still feel like I have so much to do. Yesterday we took 7 bags of clothes to Goodwill (7 BAGS-that is pathetic!) and a bunch of other stuff. It feels so good to purge! If I had my way, I would get rid of everything and start over in our next house.

So you ask, "Why are you blogging tonight? Don't you have stuff to do?" Well, yes, but it is Sunday and I'm taking a break. Besides, I'm getting a head cold. I'm all congested and tired and I don't feel like doing anything. So I'm taking it easy so I can get ready for some more hard work in the morning. Pray that Ben cooperates! I have a lot to do before 1:00!