Garage Sale

We had our neighborhood garage sale this weekend. I was so nervous. I realized that I wasn't just putting our stuff out that nobody uses anymore, but I was putting myself out there for everyone to judge and make fun of right in front of me. I was a tiny bit freaked about that.

I put a posting up on Craigslist hoping that I would get a little business from people that were looking for furniture.

Our neighborhood was hopping over the weekend. EVERYONE was out. Neighbors were coming out of their houses, it was fantastic.

I hardly sold anything. I sold some stuff, yes. But not much. I've decided garage sales are not the venue for selling my furniture, BUT, I met a ton of people, got some great feedback and drummed up some business around the neighborhood. All-in-all I would call it a success.

I got more comments on the state of our garage floor than anything else! People thought it was great! Or they lied and said it was great. Okay, so I sold a few things, now that I'm looking at the picture. Two mirrors (the big white one and one of the oval ones), that table (from IKEA) and the bird cage on the right, The blue dresser that I actually painted white for the person that wanted it, the lamp, the tiny blue chair, the green stool and all those knick-knacks on the dresser. Oh and that little black mirror.

I'm know you all wanted to know all that boring info...I'm documenting our life here, so hang on!

I still have that stinkin' settee that everyone loves but no one wants, the pink chair that gives me hives and baby fever because it's the only pink thing in our entire house, and two white chairs, the cane chair and a new one that are  not pictured! Friends were surprised that everything didn't go right away....I was not. I was told I should get a booth at our town's monthly Artisan Fair. Which would be fun, so we'll see.

Off to paint some furniture....

Dedicated to those that I am praying for...

I was in the shower the other day (nope, haven't had one since) just thinking about life. I'm having trouble deciding how exactly to express my feelings that I had in those moments. So here goes:

We know a lot of people. Each of us has met/been friends with/acquaintances with someone that has had something significant happen to them. It makes me realize how important life is when I hear of someone that has had a traumatic or life changing event happen to them. I by no means mean to diminish the things that happen to each and every person in their life, because the things that happen to a single person or family are significant to them at that moment. I realize that every day. It's just that sometimes I don't understand what our plan is, why things happen to people, and what the real purpose for our time here on earth is. And I wonder how much one person can handle.

So, today, I am sending my prayers to those people that I have been thinking about lately, and have shed many tears for in the last few weeks. I am constantly thinking and praying for those that I have met in my life, close friends, people I haven't heard from in ages, people that I've reconnected with recently and new friends I've made. But, I feel like the past couple of weeks I've been doing even extra thinking and praying! I'm just so amazed at the strength and courage of many of my friends and family.

So, to the following people, know that I am praying extra hard for you and hope that I can have as much strength and courage and heart that each of you possesses.

Dad - your strength amazes me. I miss Mom too.
Alli, Dan, and Jack Lenmark - I am amazed by your courage. My heart goes out to you.
Smiths- May you have an exciting new adventure ahead of you!
Hjelseths - Because our boys are the same age, and you had one heck of a delivery!
Bensons - Praying that both your dads are doing well.
Mahars - I miss you Allison, and I hope that your new little one is letting you rest and you are so very happy.
Grandma - Even though I KNOW you don't read this, I am praying for you.

If any of you would rather me not express how much you have impacted me in the last few weeks, please let me know, I will take your name off my post. Being the people pleaser I am, I wouldn't want to offend any one, or hurt their feelings by drawing attention to them. But, then again, maybe no one will see this, since I have no idea who reads it!

I hope in my life so far I have made an impact, I have touched a soul and if I haven't yet, I hope to do it in the future.

For What I am Grateful...

Today was kind of a rough day, so instead of griping about it, I am going to write some things that I am grateful for:

1. My children, without them I would have to find a job during this tough economic time.
2. Nap-time, without it I would not be able to practice saying "BE QUIET" in 12 different languages.
3. Millie, because without her, Porter would not have learned to say, "NO".
4. Sunscreen. My boys are protected, for the short time that I can control them, from doing the same thing to their skin that I have done to mine.
5. Giving birth without drugs. Had I had an epidural I wouldn't know what serious pain is all about.
6. Birds. They wake me every morning at 4:30. Awesome. Thank you birds.
7. The last three pregnancy pounds that I have to lose. Without them I wouldn't have a weight-loss goal.
8. Facebook. Because of you, I haven't read a serious book in a year. (Twilight excluded.)
9. The Subaru, if we didn't have it we wouldn't have anything to spend our money on.
10. HGTV for helping me realize that there are so many things I would like to do to our house.

Of course, I am grateful for so many things and so glad my family is healthy and happy. Daily I have been reminded of how lucky I am, but some days just suck and that is okay.

Easter

The Easter Bunny came to our house last Sunday and boy did he leave some goodies. It's a good thing that the boys forgot about the candy quickly because I've been eating most of it! Thanks to my friend Jenn for the jelly bean trail idea - it was a big hit! The second the boys stepped out of their door there was a cup and a trail of jelly beans all the way down the stairs and around the house to their Easter Baskets. Jack ate every other jelly bean and we nearly had a trail mix-up, but it was so much fun! We also hid eggs and they had a great time trying to find all the eggs they could. Tom's parents were here for the weekend so they got to see the whole mess! It was quite entertaining.We drove to Madison to have brunch with Tom's grandma and his aunt and uncle. The boys were very well behaved and of course a hit with the seniors.

Then that afternoon we went and flew kites in the backyard. Amazingly both boys flew the kites all by themselves! We must live in the windiest spot in the city, because those kites stayed up forever.

Malted Milk Balls

I've been thinking about my mom a lot lately. Today while at the grocery store, I happened to leave with a bulk candy bag full of malted milk balls.....

Christmas in Fargo

We've been having a great time in Fargo for the past few days. After a very successful 10 hour drive from Oconomowoc, that's right, let me repeat that - 10 hour car ride....2 toddlers, 3 dogs, 3 adults, one of which is pregnant - and a 10 hour drive - we had a very pleasant trip. No fighting, no crying, just lots of movies and maybe a little bit of drugs....nah - no drugs, just excited kids.

Porter and Jack have been the hit of the family and have us constantly laughing. We had dinner at Steve and Kim's (my mom's brother) for a fantastic 5 course meal - that I actually kept down for most of the night - then tonight they came over for a delicious spaghetti dinner as did my mom's sister and her girls. It was great to hear stories and share stories about the boys with them.

We did attempt church on Christmas Eve - Yikes. Porter did a great job, however Jack lost it after all his snacks were gone and I wouldn't let him eat the ones that fell on the floor....

On a side note - Porter finished his medicine and when we get back home he will get his scooter - never be afraid to bribe your kids!

Halloween 2008

So last night our neighborhood did our trick-or-treating. Last night was not Halloween, but whatever.

Here are some pictures of the boys and Rosie dressed up for the night. Lou and Nick came to visit for the day so they got to see them trick-or-treating. We had a great night. Our neighborhood really gets into Halloween, so it was fun!

The last picture is of the boys eating rice krispie treats. They wanted to make them red. So we colored the marshmallows. Tom came home from work on Friday and ate the whole pan.....

Cabin Trip

We spent the past weekend at the cabin with the McKane and Dalager families. 6 adult, 6 kids (all 4 and under) and 2 dogs, plus Ripley the cat who made a few appearances, but otherwise was invisible.

We had a great time, all the kids seem to get along and we only had a few tears. It was great to get together with such great friends.

Here are some photos of the weekend

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from Fargo ND!

It hasn't been above 25 degrees yet, which plays nicely into Kirsten's plan to keep the boys in matching holiday sweaters until New Years Day. Unfortunately it also plays into the Gap and Old Navy's plans as well. So it goes.

Porter is still roaring at people, a hold over from Halloween when he was dressed as a lion. Jack is doing well. He doesn't have any antics to report....well he did eat his home made 'hand turkey on a depressor'.

Rosie and Millie are having fun with Charlie and Jaxon. Pat will be extra busy picking up the back yard this week. Unless he delegates the work to Lindsay....good luck.

If we don't freeze solid we'll blog again soon. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.