I think I'm in a funk....

This winter, my boys have been sick a lot.  When they are well, we go to MOPS every other Monday, and Jake goes to school 2 times a week.  I have been going to the YMCA 2-3 times a week.  I would like it to be 3-4, but life seems to get in the way.  This last 2 weeks, I feel like I have been a complete and utter homebody.  We did go to MOPS Monday, but other than that, I've been here.  I even stayed home from work last weekend.  I woke up Saturday so dizzy that I walked into both a wall and the door.  I couldn't drive to work, so I called in.  It ended up being a Migraine, I haven't had one of those in years. I stayed in bed most of the day. By Sunday night I was feeling much better and ready to get back out into the world. My boys had other ideas.  Monday afternoon, Jake told me "my tummy is sick". He has had it coming out both ends for a few days.  He still isn't up to par. Devon has had several nasty diapers as well too.  I can't take these boys anywhere!  I would love to go somewhere other than here.  Last night I bribed Victoria into watching the boys, so I could go to the Y for 45 min.  It was nice, but didn't quite cure my fix.
Then there is the weather....I love the snow, it is pretty.  If it has to be cold outside, we might as well have snow to make it look nicer.  However.....I view my birthday (Feb, 28th) as the end of winter.  I have always thought "after my birthday is spring!"  I look forward to the park, flowers, in short all things spring. This year this will not be the case!  I have hit my limit.  My seclusion coupled with my imaginary deadline for winter has thrown me into a funk.  I have got to get out of it, but am so far in that I need your help.
I would love ideas on what I can do for fun with the boys when they are well???? I hope next week!

A bittersweet surprise....

I was looking through my wedding photos today.  I was just trying to send Colby one of our wedding pictures that Devon loves to carry around.  It is so sweet watching him point to mommy and daddy!  Anyway, when I was looking through the pictures to find the one I needed to send. I came across a picture of my friend Shawndra and her (then) soon to be husband.  Shawndra passed away last year after a 2 year battle with Colon Cancer.  This is a great picture of Shawndra, it captured her spirit.  This is the way I will always remember her.

Aww Mannnn....

This is why most of the bathroom doors in my house are closed...if not locked....YUCK!!

He just wants to help too...

Devon watches on as daddy and Jake put together a model car.  Devon loves to do everything big brother does. When they were done, Jake made sure to let Devon drive the car as well. I love that about my boys, they get along so well!

Balloons to the rescue!

I don't know about your kids, but mine love balloons! They just love to beat the heck out of them.  Sometimes the best form of entertainment is the cheapest! (Those balloons were given to me at MOPS last week).  Having praised the balloons, they are also a double edge sword!  The boys bang them and bang them, then freak out when they float to the ceiling.  Some of the biggest whining from both boys came from those balloons.  So I decided to save them for the perfect time...like tonight, when the boys were both fighting with each other over some of Jake's new color changer cars.....I whipped out the balloons, and fight was over, bonding over balloons started.  I love it when a plan comes together.....

Oh, P.S.  Yes, Jake does wear that shirt all the time....it is a battle that I refuse to fight.

Olympic Memories

I love the Olympics!  I always have.  I love watching the athletes live out their dreams...corny I know. I love hearing their stories, then watching them win.  Some sports I like more than others, but truly I'll watch them all.
One of the things that I realized this week when watching the games, was that I have great memories that are associated with them.  I guess, they may not all be the greatest story ever told, but memories that are triggered by just seeing those Olympic Rings.

In 1988 the Calgary games closed on my Birthday (they do this year too!!) and I remember watching them in my new Garfield nightgown that my friend Theresa gave me for my birthday....

In the 1994 Lillehammer games,  my college roommate Cori and I got drunk in our dorm room, and watched in outrage as Nancy Kerrigan had her Gold medal stolen from her by a giant pink feathered ostrich also known as Oksauna Baiul.  We even voiced our displeasure in a strongly worded letter to the IOC.....Fortunately we woke up sober the next morning and never sent it.

In the 2002 Salt Lake City games, I remember watching as the 1980 gold medal Hockey team was honored for their 'Miracle on Ice' win over the Soviets. It was the same month as my now husband moved in with Victoria and I.  I remember him asking "if this means we have to watch the Olympics?"  Ummmm, Yes!  He likes, the Olympics, but only wants to watch certain sports. oh, also I colored my hair dark brown that day too.... : )

In the 2006 Torino games, I will always remember how Colby and I had been playing around, having fun being mean to each other...ie snapping each other with towels...etc.  and I sat down to play my DVR'd figure skating when he giggled as he ran upstairs and said....."Sasha Cohn doesn't win......." Arggh, I was mad, yet giggling still.  Of corse when I brought this up to him this week, he conveniently didn't remember doing it....he claims that he would never give away an ending.  Well, he was wrong, he did and it is now one of my Olympic memories.

This year, sadly, I will remember the poor luger who died doing what he loved.  The comercial that made me cry by showing several little kids participating in the Olympic games, then tag lined... "To their moms, they'll always be little kids".I am sure that there will also be some positive memories that come from these 2010 Vancouver games as well....only time will tell.

P.S. I have summer game memories too....but since we are having the winter games, I only listed some of the Winter memories

The cause of Devon's future therapy

If you read my blog this morning, you know Devon was longing to play outside in the snow with Jake.  When Colby got home, he wanted the boys and I to go outside and play while he shoveled the driveway.  I don't have any snow clothes for Devon, other than a coat and boots, so I improvised.....

My mom gave me this snowsuit when I was pregnant with Devon, but before we knew what we were having.  It may be pink, but it fit him.  I giggled, a lot when I looked at him....

Mostly because I can't wait to use this to blackmail him some day......parenthood is so much fun : )

I love you Devon, thanks for making me laugh!!

Give and Take

I love the snow! It is so beautiful, peaceful, and fun....If you are Jake that is.

He was getting on my last nerve this morning.  Running around like a madman, hitting his brother, just all around a pain in the you know what.  So, I took Colby suggestion and sent him outside.  He had a blast for about an hour even.  Great idea.......

Except then there is Devon.  He was having an ok day, and I was sure that once Jake the instigator Miller was outside playing there would be peace inside too.

I was wrong!!!! Devon did almost nothing but whine and stare out the window the entire time he was outside.

I guess on a positive note, they both wore themselves out, so a good nap should be in store for both of them.....and that means me too!!!