Running Away

There is nothing better then a child and a dog. Taya is feeling so much better and I am pretty sure she is running away- she has her backpack, M & M's, and her dog- what else does a three year old need? Leihua looks happy to be her accomplish as long as Taya will throw her an
M & M every so often.

When I went to bed last night.....

My kitchen looked like this...

This is the outside wall, to the left- through the doorway is the fridge seen in the other picture.

By noon- it looked like this- no cabinets and everything pushed to the side.

Tonight when I go to bed it now looks like this....

Wow- what a difference a day makes! I am very thankful that- while it looks funny- the workers left the fridge and sink in place for now so we can still function.

Taya is feeling better today too. What a great day!

This is how we spent our day...

Taya woke up sick- she has been vomiting all day- I feel for the poor baby. She has gone from the bed to the couch back and forth all day. I am so hoping that she feels a little better tomorrow and can keep something down- even water.

Notice the green puke bucket- I know this is way too much information- but you know I puke too much when I go to the Dollar store just to buy containers for me to puke in when I am sick- but they also come in handy for situations like today.

I wanna go beach!

Taya found her new swim suit and a shovel and came to me saying "I wanna go Beach" so I pried the suit out of her grasp and took a picture of her with her shovel.

Try explaining to a three year old that in a month we are going to Hawaii and she can go to the beach everyday when she wants to go today.

I have been sick most of the weekend- the bruise that the nurse gave me from the IV is HUGE, I look like I tried to kill myself. Who puts an IV in the wrist? My arm is really sore from it- and I am an iv pro- but I am glad to be feeling better.

They put insulation in some of our kitchen today and we ordered the cabinets, I think we picked the flooring and carpet for the kids' rooms- so we are moving right along. The construction guys say they will be done in three weeks- should we have a contest? You and I both know that is not going to happen when they only work half days twice a week!

I read a great saying today that I thought I would share- spoiler alert if you are not a religious fan stop here.

"When you are down to nothing, God is up to something"

We have some windows!

After 3 long weeks of doing nothing on the new kitchen, the wrong windows arriving, and new ones being ordered, and a failed electrical inspection- Jen and I left the house this morning and came home to some windows and a door. The basement windows are still not in- but it is progress and I appreciate that.

The bay window is all wrong- they did not listen to me and what I wanted- but it is in now so I guess I will get used to it right? I am sure some of you are thinking if I don't like it- fix it now- but it is not that easy- they have built this window in already and frankly I don't want any more delays- so I will learn to love it, the cat does. :)

We took Taya to the zoo today- so I will post pictures tomorrow.

Well, today was court

Today was the day that Bryce went to court over his fighting incident. I have not been able to sleep most of the week- but it went well.

There were about 100 people- 20 had the same charges as he did- most got $50 fine, 12 hours of community service, a year probation, and a class about preventing violence.

I spoke with the City Attorney, plead his case and I am happy with the outcome. He did not get a fine- had some court costs- got a deferred sentence and will go to the class.

He was the nicest dressed child there- so many kids wore awful clothes- one Mom came in a tank top and shorts- it amazes me. He was the only child with two parents there.

The other kid was there too- he got a $150 fine, court costs, a year supervised probation, 12 hours of community service, and will also have to take the class.- Oh and he showed up late for court.

I am glad it is behind me and Bryce. I am also leaving you with some other pictures. One of our pups, Teriyaki the kitty, and Bryce dressed up before court.

Ok- the inevitable....

I am sad and proud I guess to say that my son is officially taller then me. For the past year he has stood on his toes in pictures to try his hardest to be taller then his Mom- now he doesn't have to- he is also taller then his best friend.

He has been taller then Jen for awhile- but now I am stepping up to the plate and admitting defeat.

Wow I have a 15 year old!

Bryce turned 15- I cannot believe that I have a 15 year old! We had dinner at pizza hut- and he spent most of the day riding his new dirt bike.

Bryce is not a big cake fan- even as a child he wanted strawberries and cool whip brought to his class instead of cupcakes. This was the first year he wanted me to make him a cake- white cake with German Choc frosting- an interesting combination- but he liked it.

He has not said anything more about his permit- but hopefully he knows me pretty well that I won't give in until he has C's or better.

However, the inevitable has come- I will make you hold out until tomorrow to know what it is....

Just Random Stuff

Not a whole lot going on here in our little town. The kids had 5 days off from school- I swear kids get more breaks from school then I ever remember getting.

The weather has been warm, cold, warm, cold- so that is driving me crazy- I just want it to be warm already.

The windows came in for the new kitchen and they were all wrong- so they had to order new ones- more delays. However, I do think we finally made a cabinet plan for the kitchen, picked colors and counter tops- that was really difficult- so I feel like a huge chunk is out of the way. The electrician has been here all week putting in the million outlets that I want.

My parents came to dinner on Monday. I got a Honey Baked Ham- I love those.

Now I have a question- in the bottom photo Taya and I are on the slide at the park. If you notice on Taya's slide there are bumps molded into the plastic. Now who decided that bumps would feel good on your rear when you are sliding down the slide? These are things that I think about that drive me crazy. Not to mention- if they are such a great idea why don't they put them on both slides? Just wondering.

Happy Easter!

Taya's new kitty Teriyaki says Happy Easter!

We are just hanging out- it is cold here. My parents will be here tomorrow from Maui for dinner. Bryce is riding his dirt bike and I am going to try to get caught up on laundry. I have about 15 loads to do.

We went to go see the Haunting in CT last night- it was interesting. better then I thought it would be.

Hope everyone is able to enjoy some family time today!

My how things change

Growing up- I had parents that would NEVER let us get on a dirt bike, moped, 4-wheeler, motorcycle, motorized anything. I once snuck and rode on a friends moped around the block and I got caught- I was grounded for a month! I am sure they had their reasons- but it instilled a fear in me of anything motorized except a car. I have still never been on a motorcycle.

When we moved to the country I caved and Jen and I bought the kids 4-wheelers- they love them. Then we bought one for us, and soon Bryce got a motorcycle for his birthday. The other boys have gotten bigger and faster 4-wheelers- and then I saw Bryce riding his motorcycle the other day and it is so little under him because he is getting so tall. So I knew it was time.

His birthday is April 19th- so yesterday we went and got him a new dirt bike. He got a YZ250- a few years ago this would mean nothing to me- now I kind of understand it.

Here are some pictures of him on his new bike and one with his best friend on his bike. The smile on his face was sure a great sight to see! Happy early Birthday Bryce- I love you!

Jury Duty

We live in a small town- so we get Jury duty summons all the time- but we never have to go. You call the night before and your number is never called. Well mine was!

So I went to court today- they called 200 jurors and only 53 showed up! We sat around for a few hours- I of course forgot to bring something to read. The lady next to me was napping and the guy to my right talked to anyone who would listen about how much he hates Obama!

They finally moved us into a court room and I am called to be Juror number 3! They ask a million questions- it is funny to watch how hard some people try to get out of jury duty- they him and haw and say things they think will get them excused until finally the judge has enough and lets them go. I will admit I went there this morning thinking I would also not like to have to deal with this. I have better things to do.

As the day went on I softened a little and I heard the excuses of so many people and I figured I am here for the duration- OK no big deal. It was a stalker case, and violation of a restraining order- so it might be interesting. It was on the calendar for 5 days.

The guy is representing himself and looks a like like Charles Manson- but hey I will listen and I can be fair.

Of course once the court found out that I am a therapist at the Domestic Violence shelter I was let go- but I got to spend the whole day watching this process. I will admit it was interesting.

Here is the creepy thing though- I came home and looked up the defendant on the computer- something I can do because I am not a juror. He lives about 1/2 mile from us and he is a 3 time convicted sexual offender. So I am very glad I was not chosen to be on the jury.

On a brighter note- the construction guys came today and put the shingles on the new roof! Yeah we are making sloooooow progress.

My new barn quilt

I really wish I was showing you a picture of my barn- with my barn quilt on it- but I am not. This is the pattern I am hoping to do- it has to be approved by some little old ladies that have nothing better to do then decide if I can hang a cool pattern on my barn. :)

There is really no purpose- but I think it looks cool. It will be 4x4. This barn is in Iowa. Then we will be on some list- for people who are bored and want to come to our county and drive around and look at peoples barns with painted quilts on them.

I know this will be a big surprise- the construction guys have not been here in two weeks.

What a difference a year makes....

Trey has always been bigger then Dylan. They were delivered 3 weeks early because Trey was hogging all the food in the womb- Trey was 7 pounds 6 oz and Dylan was 5 pounds 3 oz. Trey was the size of a full term singleton when he was born. I have gotten used to the difference and Trey is a freak of nature- just really tall for his age. Of course it helps that the donor was 6 foot 8- and I am also tall.

The picture in the wetsuits was taken in May of last year in Maui- the picture below it was taken in March of this year- looks like they have both changed a lot- and Dylan probably won't be catching up anytime soon. Hard to believe they are twins.

It's official

Well it's official we are now a one Excursion family. They totaled it. I am putting on more pictures. We went today to clean it out- and had the guy from Car Toys met us there to take out our $4,000 stereo system. The junkyard man was on us- he told us we could not take the stereo/DVD/navigation system out- I told him I sure as hell can- it is my car- and we put the factory stereo back in it- now you know he had his eye on this system. Who in their right mind would leave a stereo like that in a totalled vehicle? Please!

I am just so happy that this beast of a car did it's job and Jen walked away without a scratch. Build Ford tough. The insurance company was more then fair- and paid us more then we bought it for- so all is fine- except our rates will go up! :)

Bye, bye mirror

look at the smashed in roof