When I Grow UP

We have been on the hunt for a house to rent for the better part of this week. We have had MORE time in the car together. (Just what I wanted :[) It hasn't been too bad but, it is time consuming. This made me laugh the other day and I wanted to share.

Caitlyn is singing in her seat, "Daddy, do I sing good?"
Spencer "You sound great!"
C- "That's good because, when I grow up I am going to be a super-star!"
S- "Whatever makes you happy honey. You will make a great super-star."
Caitlyn starts to sing again, then stops and is quiet for awhile.

C- "So, daddy, what is the point of being a super-star?"

Just Call Me Holly, Holly Homemaker!!

I was going to say I have no idea what has gotten into me, but I realized that it is Spring!! When the weather turns nice my creativity starts to flow. I have no control over myself!! :) So far today I have made some homemade gifts for a bunch of friend that have birthdays all within days/weeks of each other. (haha, no pics until you get them!) Made bread, homemade strawberry jelly, (1st attempt we will see what happens) and finished a bunch of laundry. Yesterday, I mowed all 5 trillion acres of the lawn, mended a dress, and sewed on a few buttons. I also went to Hancock last Saturday because I got a bee in my bonnet to make, get this, pantaloons!, for Caitlyn. Heaven help me!! Then I found out they had all their patterns on sale! Simplicity's were only a dollar and the others were 40% off. So I ended up with a 'few' patterns. Have a mentioned that I have NEVER sewed an article of clothing in my entire life! I can mend, hem but I have not tried actual pattern sewing. Wish me luck!!

Tying Up Loose Ends - Part 2

I had also mentioned a trip from home and wanted to highlight a visit from Spencer's youngest brother, our sister-in-law, and niece, Maggie. They came down the first part of March. I am always excited to have visitors! Unfortunately, I had pictured a more fun visit. I had been really sick the week before and my house had fallen apart. It was not as organized as usual when they came down and that always puts me out of whack. We did get to see the Confederate Cemetery off of exit 97. And we took them to Stone's River Battlefield. Bo is a big Civil War buff (I guess Ben has it in his genes) so we wanted to take advantage of the history of the area. We had also planned to visit either the zoo or the aquarium. It was pretty cold that weekend so the zoo was out. I don't think the kids would have lasted very long. I have been dying to check out the aquarium in Chattanooga. We decided to give it a go. It was doomed before it ever got off the ground. First, we packed a lunch but I needed some paper plates and silverware so we headed to Wal-Mart (GRRR). We get to WM, it is on the way, no big deal, I have forgotten my debit card in my jeans from pumping gas the day before! I am VERY bad at not putting it away, just ask Spencer! He would like to wring my neck sometimes :) So we have to head back home, WM is not that close, it is a good 20-30 minutes away from the house. We were supposed to leave at 9 am so we could be there when it opened, I don't think we left until after 12. I have a recurring nightmare about not being able to get out of - 'just enter whatever here, sometimes it's a box or a tight place or a city or whatever'. I was actually living my nightmare. I was very frustrated.

We are finally on the road and are within site of the aquarium when Cait starts to complain that her stomach hurt. Not 2 seconds later she vomits ALL OVER the van, herself and her booster seat. UGH! Nasty! We pull into a parking lot and proceed with the clean up. It takes awhile and I have no extra clothes for her. (Side note: While at home grabbing my debit card I had a thought to grab extra clothes for her. I ignored it thinking 'Why on Earth would she need extra clothes, she's been potty trained for 2 years now'. Lesson learned!) We have to find a Wal Mart (GRR) to go buy her new clothes. By the time I exit I am feeling so nauseous. I haven't felt that bad since I was pregnant with Matthew. You know, I may be stubborn and spoiled but, I know when I have lost. I throw in the towel and proclaim the trip cancelled. I feel so sick! I felt really guilty too because I know my family came down to have a good time, and I was just not up to it. We get back home and Matt starts to get sick as well. 3 family members down 2 more to go! Bo and Andrea came home a bit later, they stopped at a firework store. Bo, Andrea, Spencer and the kids set those off that night. Of course the kids threw-up and felt better immediately but, I get to just feel like death and not get any relief for 2 days! In those moments I swore I would never get pregnant again! I will never deliberately feel like that again. It was awful! The visit it a blur, I had some sort of 'sick hangover' for the whole thing, from not being over being sick before they came and then from the stomach virus. I promise it isn't always like that here. I just hope they attempt another visit and I can prove how fun I really am. Oh, well, some things just can not be helped!

Tying Up Loose Ends - Part 1

As was looking back at a few posts and remembering that I was supposed to go private, I realized that I had a few loose ends that needed to be dealt with. First, I am not going private just yet. I am pretty sure I was reacting out of shock. Spencer has tightened up our security and I am going to wait and see if anything else weird happens to our blog. Just in case anyone was wondering.

Secondly, I promised a post about a farm expansion. In our elementary school 4-H involvement is mandatory. Ben has has art work at the fair, done projects, and given speeches. The latest to come home was the Sheep Project. Of course, he just HAD to get a sheep. (That enthusiasm hasn't lasted.) I read and re-read the letter and was seriously considering letting him participate. When else would we we able to do that. We are all set up for live stock out here. I want my children to experience all types of different things. I was going over the details one day and realized that even though we could keep a few sheep and were more than able to care for them, how in the world were we going to get them to the various showing and fairs?! I think that a truck and trailer purchase is going above the call of duty for a 4th grade 4-H project. Don't you? I also don't think the sheep would be too fond of being strapped into the extra seat belt in the mini-van. (Every time I picture that I laugh!) So, although I honestly had every intention of turning Benjamin into Farmer Ben, I really don't think it is going to happen. I am actually a little disappointed, go figure!

Happy Birthday To Matthew!!

Matthew Evan Olsen was born at 8:05pm 6 years ago today! Evan was Spencer's grandfather's name. He has very fond memories of him and we knew we wanted to honor him by carrying on his name. His first name was really hard for us. I really liked Noah and Jacob, but nothing seemed right. Honestly, I was driving by a Catholic church one day when I was about 8 months pregnant, St Matthews. It clicked Matthew Evan! It is so amazing that we named him after Spencer's side of the family and he is so much like his dad! Same mannerisms, same sense of humor, same facial expressions, even the same build. I am sure he was up in heaven hamming it up with his namesake. He did take my coloring, poor kid sunburns like his mama!

Dear Matt,
I want you to know how much you are loved. I wanted to have another baby very badly. I needed to heal my heart after I lost your brother. What an enormous job for such a little baby to accomplish. You did a great job. I remember how happy everyone was for us, and for you. It was a huge celebration! I am so glad you came to our family. You have kept me hopping from the day I brought you home. I had to figure out how to juggle 2 little boys. I wondered how women were ever able to have more that one child! I think we caught on eventually! You are my snuggler, I loved that you always wanted me to lay down with you for nap. You would bring me your blanket and binkie and say "pat back, pat back" as you tried to pat your own back, I was worried people would think I spanked you because it looked like you were spanking your butt. I have Monsters Inc memorized because you always wanted to watch it until you fell asleep. You are my runner. Always running away no matter where we were. I knew I was in for it when you would look at me and giggle and then take off as fast as you could. I love your laugh, some children lose that really deep down belly laugh, I still hear yours every once in a while. It is a contagious laugh, I can't help smiling when I hear it. You are so kind, everyone is your friend. I don't think I have ever met a kid as liked as you are. Thanks for coming here to be with me and your dad. We love you! Happy Birthday!

Best Noise Ever

Earlier this evening we were in line at the pharmacy to pick up a prescription for Cait. She had been to see her favorite doctor this morning. The poor thing has bronchitis. (I know! Will my family EVER be well again!) I have been calling her Kyle because she sounds like a raspy man! (Yes, I am a mean mom, and No, not to her face.)

Well, I started to hear the oddest noise coming from behind my seat. This was her 3rd nap today. That alone lets me know she really isn't feeling well. you could knock me down with a feather if I ever got her to take a nap anymore.