"Dreaming about this day"

Today is the day Hannah has been 'Dreaming about'.

Earlier this year the Minnesota Twins had a game that was cancelled due to rain and today was the make-up game.  Brian decided to take Hannah to the game.  She was SO EXCITED.

"Are there snacks at the game?  And drinks?  Is Joe Mauer going to be there?  Is his mom going to be there?  When do we get to leave?"

They didn't last too long.  Within the first few innings Hannah had eaten a hot dog, sno cone, and ice cream cone.  She ended up in the bathroom-sick. Poor thing.

It was a hot day, she was so exicted and then the junk food- it was like a perfect storm.

Even so, it was a special day and I am thankful that Brian and Hannah got to spend some time together- it was also nice for Hailey and mommy to spend some time together alone. 

Hailey's lunch choice- Wendy's

"Wait mom!  Hannah's calling me!"

It's been way too long

Summers are tricky.
Most of our friends are busy with kids activites everynight, including the weekends, which means we don't get to see them as much- if at all.

Tonight Carter had a scrimmage in Coon Rapids.  We considered bringing the girls there to watch but it was a little sticky out today and I was worried if we all sat outside at the game tonight I would spend most of my night crabbing and yelling at them so we decided to invite Maddie over to swim.

Maddie goes to baseball as much as her parents do so it was nice to offer her a break for a night.

Stacey dropped her off at Chicken Wild (Buffalo Wild Wings) so we could eat.  From there we would bring Maddie home with us.

The girls spent the first 5-10 minutes just looking at each other and giggling.

Then Maddie entertained us with stories of the ways that the kids at A+ tourment the 'staff' (asking them who they kiss and if they make out with their girlfriends, etc).   Quick peek into the future for us as Brian turns to me and asks "Is this what we have to look forward to?!"  Oh, if he only knew :-)

We were serenated on our way home- the girls singing One Direction-"What Makes You Beautiful"

So happy they got to spend some time together today- it's never long enough.

Sunglasses and Hat Day

Last Friday we were sent home with this week's schedule of events at daycare.

• Cora's Day (day this kid gets to bring a special show and tell item)
• Twin's Gear Day
• Teddy Bear and Book Day
• Sunglasses and Hat Day
• Bruce's Day

Today was by far my favorite day!

SO ADORBALE!

Almost time....

It's been awhile since I have had a My-Husband-Is-Pretty-Amazing post.

Definitely due...

It's time for Hailey to graduate to a Big-Girl bed!

Tonight I got home from work and saw Brian's tools out.

I looked on the workbench and saw the plans for a headboard.  YAY!  A few days from now and I should see this come to life!  ha ha ha- I should know better...

I went into the house to change, left to pick up a pizza about 30 minutes later, came home with the pizza to eat, ate dinner, cleaned up from dinner, and came outside to find this!

Looks wonderful honey!

Stay tuned for pictures of the finished product!



MMM...smells like chicken in here

We received a special delivery today!

Hailey walked in the house and said "Mmmmm, it smells like chicken in here!"

Of course Hannah also loves the smell.

Both sets recline and they are very comfortable.

They are much darker than our old set so it will take some getting used to before they feel like they fit in.  My search for pillows and new curtains is on! Times like these I wish I was a better decorator...

"Let's play Kyla"

Kyla was the pre-teen hit at the pool party this weekend.
She LOVES the little kids and spent the whole day with Hailey.  They swam, ate snacks, snuggled.

Today the girls wanted to play 'Kyla'.  This is a take on the very familiar game of Jackie's that they usually play.
Someone is the mom, someone is the dad.  They have babies and drop those babies off at Jackie's each day then the other one picks up the baby.  Jackie must give a full report- did the baby eat good, poop, use the potty chair, any time-outs, etc.

The baby has now been named Kyla.  Hailey likes to be 'Brian' and Hannah prefers to be 'Amy'.

The family asleep after a full day of daycare and work

I LOVE that Hailey can communicate with Hannah now and they can play together

Kyla with Hannah and Hailey at the pool party

*Walk*

While I was running tonight I had this amazing view.

Just as I was getting nervous that I was going to miss it I heard *ding* Walk.

My run was over and I was instructed to walk.  It gave me enough time to get my phone from my armband and snap this picture with my phone.

Nelson's Annual Pool Party

Today was the Nelson's Annual Pool Party.

Fun to watch each year as these kids get bigger and bigger...however, maybe next year we should snap their picture BEFORE they get in the pool :-)

How does the sun do that?!

Hannah is at the age where she asks lots of questions about how things work.

Tonight's question:  How does the sun light up the whole world when the world is so huge?

Hannah:  "How does the sun light up the whole world when the world is so huge?  Is the sun that huger?"

Me:  "Well honey, the sun is very big too but I will show you sometime when we have a flashlight."

So off to the bathroom with a flashlight we went....

Me: "Make a fist with your hand.  Let's pretend this is the world."

Hannah:  "OK (giggling)"

Me:  "Now, if we take the sun (flashlight) and hold it really close to your hand what happens?"

Hannah: "It lights up a little part."

Me:  "That's right!  So, if we want to light up more of your hand what do we have to do?"
Hannah: "Oh, I know!  We have to move it back."

Me:  "Yes!  So let's see. "

We moved the flashlight back and her whole hand started to light up- more giggles.

Me:  "Now, you can see that alot of your hand is lit up.  The world also turns all day long.  So, what do you think happens when this part of your hand turns and now is over on this side?"

Hannah:  "It gets dark and then it's night."



This looks like a good spot

I hate wearing my ring while washing dishes or taking a shower.

When I wash the dishes, I typically place my ring around the paper towel holder.

Looks like someone else thought that looked like a great idea!

31 Things | Day 22, 23, 24

SPOT

This is the half way spot.

When I can first start to see this spot it seems like it is light years away.

When I finally reach this spot I get my second wind and start to feel a sense of accomplishment. There is a bounce in my step and my feet feel lighter.

Its only 1.5 miles away from my house. I realize that is not far but when your goal is to be able to go 3 mileswithout feeling like you are going to die, this spot means I am halfway to feeling really good.

Last year I ran my first 5K. Its also been my one and only 5K but if I say first that means I committing to do more.  The 5K was in August, my sisters and I all ran it together- it was awesome to do something like that with them. It was the first for all 5 of us except for Jennie- she is more seasoned in the running department than the rest of us- but we hung with her pretty good.

 After that life got busy. Since there wasnt a committed-signed-up-for-told-you-I-would-be-there type of event I wasnt putting this as a priority. Weeks would go by and when I would finally get out it wasnt as easy as it had been. A few people would remind me that It only takes a few days before your body gets out of shape again - You shouldnt have stopped running because now it will be hard to get back into it - Now that you did your 5K you dont have to run anymore. I let these comments get to me and started to give into the defeated attitude.

 Weeks turned into months and I could no longer call myself a runner. (not that I was any type of runner but I was running 8-9 miles per week)

 This winter I gained 10 pounds of the 31 one that I had lost last year. I have started the self hate conversations in my mind and I can feel my behavior towards myself and others changing. I am frustrated and disappointed.

 I started running again. Its only been four times this season but I have started again.

I looked back at my blog from last year and wanted to see when it was that I started running. It was June 8^th last year when I started the Couch to 5K program. I immediately felt better. It is now June 7^th.

 Why was I getting so down on myself? Its not too late. I can do this! I already have.

Here are a few of the quotes that I like to keep around to inspire and motivate me:

• No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch
• One of the greatest moments in life is realizing that two weeks ago, your body couldnt do what it just did.
• If you went running when you first thought about it, youd be back by now

WRITE

Anyone that knows me knows these three things

1. I am proud of my blog
2. I love to make lists
3. I love to write on napkins

MY BLOG  |  December 2009.  It started with a challenge from my sister Kari.  “We should do a POD (picture of the day) blog for 2010.”  It has now turned into a way to log my family’s memories.  It has given me a place to document and record the special times, the ordinary times, the conversations we’ve had, the moments we would never remember but still have a responsibility for shaping a piece of who we are.  It keeps our friends and family informed about our lives and it gives me a place to leave something behind for my children and their children.  This is their world through my eyes.

LISTS  |  I love to make lists.  Everyone needs a good brain dump every so often and no better way to take that #2 of the mind than making lists and organizing those lists by category.  I don’t get as much satisfaction crossing things off the list- when the time comes those lists with completed items typically become shorter lists with less to do.  I don’t always make good use of the lists and I want to get better about that.  I used to be able to make a list and just the act of making that list somehow etched the information in my mind so when I went to the store I didn’t need to look at the list I made, I had it memorized.  As I get older that is not the case anymore.  Many times I get home from the store, pull the list from my purse and see that I forgot one or two important items.

NAPKINS  |  I have a habit of writing on napkins.  The girls at work laugh at me daily because of this habit.  We all have ‘our thing’ and this is one of mine.  I love the temporariness of it.  I love the fact that I can write something down on a list and then look at that napkin as I am packing up my things to take home and say to myself “Are you seriously going to put that napkin in your bag?”  Most of the time that is enough motivation for me to quickly complete that item so that napkin can make it’s way to the garbage.  Most of the time.  Don’t judge me.  I love the way the pen glides across the napkin- it’s a different feel than paper- try it.  I dare you.

I have never been a fan of my hand writing and I envy people who can journal directly in their scrapbook albums because they have nice writing.  I need to get better at not typing all of my journaling- I know my children would appreciate seeing my writing and I do think it adds a level of intimacy when the handwriting isn’t perfectly straight and all of the letters aren’t perfectly matched.

Like some people speak Spanglish (mixture of English and Spanish) I write Cursprint (maybe that’s a new word I just made up- mixture of cursive and printing).

I wish I wrote better.  The words always come together better in my head and then when I try to write them down I think they sound silly and unorganized.

I never use spellcheck and hardly re-read what I have written. 



RELATIONSHIP

MY RELATIONSHIPS ARE  |  inspiring, strong, respectful, loving, grateful, changing, cherished, taken for granted, disappointing, fill me with joy, amazing, beginning, upsetting, full of worry, affectionate, sometimes never thought about, thought about too much, avoided, take work, easy, tiring, full of resentment, full of happiness and fond memories, old, happened too fast, took too long to develop, stale and stuck, constantly changing and growing, missed,  full of commitment, needed, IMPORTANT.

I AM  |  a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a granddaughter, an aunt, a coworker, a manager, a colleague, s daughter-in-law, a cousin, a godmother, a sister-in-law, a stranger, me.

WIFE  |  Brian and I have been married for 9 years.  We have lived together for over 12.  We have known each other for 16.  It’s amazing to me that we have had this much time together and I still crave more. 

 MOTHER  |  I love being a mommy.  I am obsessed with my kids.  I want to be with them and talk about them constantly.  I. Can’t. Get. Enough.  I also love having a father around in my children’s lives.  Nothing better than hearing a daddy and his girls play together.

 DAUGHTER  |  I have always gotten along with my parents.  We’ve had our moments but have never been estranged.  I don’t feel like I put enough work into my relationship with my parents.   We have good relationships but I don’t always feel like a daughter.  Then again, what does a grown up daughter feel like?

 SISTER  |  Greatest gift my parents ever gave me was my four sisters.  Kari is three years older,  Jennie is seven years younger, Kim and Kristin (twins) are nine years younger.  I have wonderful relationships with my sisters and I couldn’t imagine life without them.

 FRIEND  |  I think about my friends a lot.  I think about the friends I no longer talk to, I think about the friends that I haven’t seen in months.  It’s hard to grow older and see how your relationships with your friends change.  The term ‘best friend’ changes when you get older.  I have many best friends.  I don’t see any of them enough.  I miss hanging out with my friends like we used to do. 

GRANDDAUGHTER  |  My grandma Bauer is the only living grandparent that I currently have.  She is a very special woman.  She has always been there for us.  I pay extra special attention to this relationship- making sure I call often.  I don’t see her as much as I should or as much as she would like. 

 AUNT  |  I am currently blessed with 4 nephew and one niece.  Agustin (8), Courtney (8), Justin (7), Nicolas (6), Adam (4).  I don’t see any of them enough.

COWORKER  |  I have worked for HealthEast for 15 years and during those years I have worked with people that I have enjoyed working with.  I hope I have left a good impression with many of them as well as a good coworker and someone they were happy to have worked with.

MANAGER  |   I currently manage a team of 5 people.  I have managed before but this time is different.  My employees are salaried and are very project/task driven and responsible.  They don’t need much day to day management but I think that hurts our relationship sometimes because I don’t put much energy into managing them. 

 

COLLEAGUE  |  I sometimes feel alone at work.  I have people that I work with, I have people to talk to but I don’t have many people that do the same work that I do that can act as my colleague.  I miss that feeling of ‘team’.

 

DAUGHTER-IN-LAW  |  I love my in laws.  They have always accepted me and treated me like family.  They are fun to hang out with and I love spending time with them.

 

COUSIN  |  I have a lot of cousins on my dad’s side of the family and although we have never really been too close we have always been family.  I wish we were closer and I wish we had better relationships.

 

GODMOTHER  |  I have two godchildren.  Greta and Agustin.  I am a horrible godmother.  I haven’t done much in their lives to call attention to this special relationship.  That makes me feel bad.

 

SISTER-IN-LAW  |  I have two brother-in-laws and one sister-in-law.  I also have three unmarried sisters so hopefully this number will grow in time.  It warms my heart that I like my in laws.  There are others that aren’t so lucky.  I am pretty lucky.  I am happy that my daughters have uncles.  There is a sense of comfort knowing that my sister is 1000’s of miles away (in Ecuador) and has Andres and his family to take care of her.

 

STRANGER  |  Even though I am a stranger to many I try not to act like a stranger.  I smile at people I pass by.  I hold doors open for others to walk through.  I will fill awkward silences while in elevators, waiting in lines, etc by striking up conversations with anyone that is nearby.

 

ME  |  I wish I had a better relationship with myself.  I talk down to myself and often have internal dialogue with myself that does nothing but harm my soul.  I am way to hard on myself and because of that assume that everyone else feels that way about me too.  It’s unhealthy and is something I wish I could change.  No.  Something I need to change.

31 Things | Day 18, 19, 20, 21

SHOES 

My shoe size is either an 8, 8 ½, or a 9.  Size 9 typically only for flip flops.  Never wore a pair of flip flops until my adult years.  It’s like drinking coffee- everyone tells you you’ll hate it at first but they will grow on you.  Well, they did- they are now my go-to shoes when I am not at work.

 I have a lot of shoes.  Heels, flats, tennis shoes- casual and running, slip ons, flip flops, sandals, and boots.

I typically wear the same ten pair.  I have 9-10 pairs (at least) that I have bought and have never even worn once.  I think it’s time to either put them on or donate them.

My taste in shoes is much broader than my collection.  I love looking at shoes.  I love seeing a pair of shoes and thinking how cute they would look with such-and-such outfit but rarely spend money to purchase new shoes.  That’s one area that I don’t think that I go overboard in however, my husband might disagree.  Remember….lots of shoes, only wear the same ten- many that I have never worn even once.

I will get myself excited to go out and buy shoes but then when I imagine spending the money on them it starts to make me feel uneasy.  Not sure where I get this from and why I act this way. 

 I need to invest in a new pair of black boots.  These days all of the boots are tall- come to middle of calf.  I need something a little taller than ankle but a little lower than mid-calf.  It used to be the only height that you could find but styles are changing and now those (like midrise jeans) are hard to come by.  I have a little trouble changing along with the style.  I think taller boots are absolutely adorable but when I just want to wear them to work under a pair of black dress pants I need something more sleek and lower so I don’t have to invest in knee-high socks for everyday use.

In the spring, fall and winter I wear black boots to work almost every day.  In the summer I have a pair of flats and another pair of black wedge sandals that I wear almost every day.

Hailey-Monster- you LOVE shoes.  Right now you love wearing flip flops most.  You also love wearing your sister’s shoes and the dress up shoes that came in the dress up trunk full of clothes.

Hannah Bean- you take time when you are getting dressed to pick shoes that are ‘just right’ for your mood and your outfit.  Currently we argue every morning about the tall black boots that you want to wear to Jackie’s.  Hard for you to understand that they aren’t made for the sandy park.

LISTEN

I listen for the clickety clack on the hardwood floor and I don’t hear it.

I listen for the dog food hitting Nash’s bowl- the noise that I have heard every morning for the last 12 years and I don’t hear it.

 I listen for Nash licking himself as he lays at the end of our bed and I don’t hear it. 

 I listen to Brian tell me the story of what happened at the puppy ER today, about the tumor that was found and the events that happened the last few moments of Nash’s life.  We will miss you buddy…

 I listen to the sound of the water squirting out of the sprinklers and think about how beautiful our lawn already looks and it’s only June.

I listen to the goal horns, organ music, excitement of the announcers and referee whistles as the NHL season finally comes to an end.  Sports are always on at our house.

 I listen to Dick and Bert as they talk about the new Twins ballpark and the events happening in today’s game.  It’s comforting.  It just feels right listening to them and having them on.  If we aren’t watching the game, you can at least bet it’s providing the background noise.

 I listen to my phone vibrate on the counter.  I am reminded about just how connected we all are.  I reach for my phone and wish I could disconnect.

 

I listen to the sound of my fingers twirling through my hair.  I have done this since I was a young girl.  I prefer the top layers of hair and the top of my head, right at the crown (where my hair parts just right) is my favorite spot.

 I listen to the bathroom fan as I find a minute to myself. 

I listen to the knocks on the door when the girls realize I am hiding out in the bathroom looking for a minute to myself.

I listen to Hailey say things like “Hannah, you best friend ever!”, “Mommy, Hannah no yike (like) me.”, “Dude”, “Mom, you pretty” and I am in awe of how a few months ago we were concerned about whether or not she would be behind in her talking.  She clearly proved us wrong.

I listen to Hannah sing to herself as she walks through the house or cleans her room without being asked. 

I listen to Hannah express her feelings by describing them as “189 (clearly the biggest number ever in her world)”.

I listen to myself cry at night.  Sometimes out of frustration, sometimes out of sadness, sometimes out of joy and amazement.

 

CARRY

My shoulders hurt.

They ache almost every day and I am sure it has something to do with all of the stuff that I lug around.

I almost always carry a purse.  I have a lot of different purses.  Small ones, large ones, medium ones, black ones, red ones, tan ones.  Ones with zippers, ones with pockets.  Some with one strap, some with two.  Some are old and some are new.

In my purse you will always find my cell phone, loose change, keys, a pen, loose receipts, coupons- usually the ones that come in the mail as part of a postcard or flyer, lists- shopping and to do, my checkbook, and my badge for work.  You may also find items that have fallen off one of the kids- headband, pony holder, barrette, sock, or sunglasses- two girls means sometimes you will find multiples of these items.

True story- one time while cleaning out my purse I found a French Fry.

I clean out my purse often but obviously not often enough since it is usually a mess and hard to find things. 

 

Since I am being honest I should probably admit that I enjoy the cleaning-the-purse-ritual.  It’s liberating going through the stuff in there and throwing out most of the items that are swimming around loose and unattended.  The first day of the clean purse is always enjoyable but it never lasts too long.  My purses are usually so big that I find lots of reasons to just throw things in there just to go through them later.  I definitely get this from my mom…

I also carpool with a ‘work bag’.  This bag sits in the passenger seat of my car every day.  It travels with me to and from work.

 Inside of this work bag you will find stuff.  Just random things that apparently don’t have much meaning since days will go by and this bag won’t open.   I think there are notes in there from recent meetings I have attended.   I am sure there are more receipts, more coupons, more loose change and more contraband that was pulled from one of the girls on the way into daycare.

 I never spend a lot of money on any one bag- I like to have options and would get bored with the same old bag each day.

 I want to get better at only carrying the things that I need and keeping my purse more tidy.

 I know my shoulders would appreciate it.

THINK

I’m tired and my head hurts from thinking too much.

Am I making the right decisions and doing the right things? 

Am I raising my kids right?

Are people happy with me? 

Am I doing a good job at work?

Is he/she mad at me?  

 Should I do more of ?

Should I do less of ?    

I wish I was more like . 

I should be . 

Why am I doing when I should be doing ? 

I wonder what is up to?

I should connect with .

We need .

What should we have for supper?  I really should be doing a better job at planning a menu for the week.

How can I be a better mother?

How can I be a better wife?

How can I be a better friend?

Wonder if I am doing anything to motivate others?

I should really be . 

It never stops.

I make lists to try to keep it all straight.

To do lists

Shopping lists

Work project lists

Home project lists

Crafting lists- things I want to make or pages I need to do

Lists of websites I want to browse

People I need to call lists

Ways I want to better myself lists

Meetings I need to schedule lists

Lists of my thoughts and cards I want to send

I wonder how much of this is normal and how many others feel the same way.

I often wish that I could experience a calm mind every once in a while.  Or at least a moment where things waited for their turn and didn’t all just rush in at the same time, overwhelming me with thoughts.

I think it’s time to make a list and set some goals.



I now pronounce you sister and sister

Hannah:  "Hailey, come here quick.  Let's hurry up and do the wedding.  We need to get married so we can have a baby.  If we aren't married that baby is really going to hurt when it comes out  If we are married it doesn't hurt so let's hurry!"

Oh to be young and innocent...

Happy Father's Day!

Two hoops?!  Don't worry....she's got this! (see video below)

Today we hosted a Father's Day BBQ.

Grandpa Dan, Grandpa Denny, Jennie, Kim and Kristin came over for burgers and brats.

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

Mommy's little cheerleader

We have had a little bit of rain lately.

Today it decided to appear as though it would be a beautiful day so seemed like the perfect time to run out to get groceries for our Father's Day picnic tomorrow.

Hannah and I went to Cub first for just a few things before we were going to head to Target.

While we were in Cub we started to see people walking around shopping that were soaking wet.  Not cool....

When we paid and got closer to the door we could see that it was pouring.

We stood outside for a few minutes and waited to see if it was going to clear up.

We were anxious to leave so after talking about it, we decided that Hannah would stay with the bags and I would run and get the car.  The minute my feet hit the water Hannah started in "Go Mommy Go!  Go Mommy Go!  You can do it!"

The rest of the customers waiting along side of her couldn't hold back their smiles.

I got the car, pulled up and she hopped in.  We then decided to offer the older lady standing there a ride to her car.  She was very appreciative (and it was a good thing- she couldn't remember where she parked so we were able to drive her around and scope the place out).

That night when it was time for a bath I told the girls to stay outside with dad while I got things ready (the rain had stopped).  I went in the house and filled the tub. I then cracked 15 glo sticks and threw them in the water.  I turned off the lights and pulled the curtain closed.  You could see the glo coming from behind the curtain.

I called the girls in.  They were instructed to get undressed, grab towels and wait by the door.

I opened the door to reveal their GLO STICK BATH!

They LOVED it!

Look Hannah!

Definition needed for this story

Huh! = the sound you would make if you sucked air in when you were excited to show somone something

Setting the stage- on our way to daycare, Hailey sees something across the street in a parking lot and really wants Hannah to see it

Hailey:  "Look Hannah! (finger point) Huh!,  Look Hannah! (finger point) Huh!, Look Hannah! (finger point) Huh!, Look Hannah! (finger point) Huh!, Look Hannah! (finger point) Huh!, Over there!"

Hannah:  "What do you see buds?"

Hailey:  "Over there Hannah!"

Hannah: "That white tent?"

Hailey: "Yeah!  What is it?"

Hannah:  "Not sure.  Maybe a circus."

Turns out it was just a tent that was set up getting ready to sell fireworks.

A circus would have been more fun for sure!

Hailey Bird

Nothing sweeter than sisters feeding each other sticks of sugar :-)

Make you do a double take

I knew this time would come.  The time when I walked someone in the house and swore that I saw Nash.

Tonight I came back from my run, walked in the house- which was strange not having Nash bark at me on my way up the driveway- and headed into the bedroom to grab my shower supplies.

I was taken back for a minute when I looked down and thought I saw Nash's paw/leg sticking out from behind the closet door.

It was just a sock but for a few minutes I thought he was there.

Weird- sure it won't be the first time we have a moment like that around here.