Slacker

Man, I have really been bad about posting this week. When I first started this blog I wanted to try and post something everyday. I don't think that I have done that even once.

This last week was kind of the same ol stuff. Work, kids, the usual. It was rainy and cool, which seemed more like spring than 80 degrees. The yard grass/weeds took off and in the last few days our tulips have popped. Travis mowed and Ray weed eated tonight, the first time of the season. The grass doesnt look half bad when it is mowed. It's starting to fill in, but still have bare spots.

Clint and Ashley and the kids were at mom and dad's after church Sunday for lunch. Then they and Saige headed to UB's to stay the night and had doctor appointments in KC today. Mom and dad kept the other 3. We went back over last night and all walked to Big Well Park to play, then they came over tonight and played at Sunset Park and at our house. I love my house. My favorite thing is having the park right across the street.

 My two had their first exposure to the Wizard of Oz yesterday. Amelia was mesmerized by the munchkins and witch.

Kids in the tub...

 The duck was in time out for biting.

We are getting ready to leave for NCECA in Seattle. We will go to Wichita tomorrow night after work and fly out wednesday morning at 6:30. I am sooo excited to go, but not looking forward to 50 degrees and rain and I know I am going to miss my babies terribly. Five days is a long time! Travis bought both of our parents webcams to be able to skype while we are gone. It will be a great trip, and much needed get away for Travis and I and I am excited to spend some time with Hollie. Coffee, beer, ceramics, seafood...pictures to come!

Spring Has Sprung

It was a beautiful week, in the 80s. I love this time of year. Everything has really popped this week and started greening up with the warmer weather. We have played at the park several days in a row. Amelia figured out yesterday that she could take her shoes off and climb back up the spiral slide. Truman just wants to eat rocks.

Cousin Carol was here early in the week and the kids enjoyed spending time with her. Amelia crawled up in her lap and wanted to read books.

Yesterday Tanner and Levi came for the day and we had supper (fried chicken and masked potatoes!) at mom's house. MY MOM IS AN AMAZING LADY.PERIOD. Ashley and the kids came up late afternoon. Dad took the big kids out for a ride in the pickup and to play at Sunset Park. Ashley and I visited "the pharmacy" to get some refreshments and had the 2nd round kids at the house. When dad got back with the big kids, they were playing outside. Amelia and Judd discovered putting their feed into the pond. Mom and I were just talking about it the other day, that it's only a matter of time before their are kiddos in the pond. There were both soaked, it was pretty cute.

 

My back still hurts. I went to the chiropractor again on Friday. He took xrays and my hips are uneven and two spaces between vertabrae are pinched. I go back tomorrow afternoon and hopefully will start feeling some better. I hate not feeling like I can do the stuff I want to and hurt. I feel like I am being a wuss, so enough bitching.

 

One more down

Damn Ramsey would be proud, we paid off the Torrent today. Since taking the financial peace class a year ago, we have accomplished several things he recommends such as knocking out debt and we have term life insurance. Feels good to have one less payment each month.

I am down in the back. My lower back has been achy for the last week or so but nothing bad. Today I could hardly bend over so I paid Randy a visit. He cracked, pulled, prodded and twisted me and said I have a slipped disc. I'm hurting and in bed as I type this. Hopefully I'll be better tomorrow, its hard to pick up the kiddos.

Amelia's word for the day was snuggles. She got in bed with me before 6 this morning and wanted snuggles. So cute.

Welcome Back George

It all started with mom making some killer homemade pastrami. George Foreman, the grill not the boxer, has made its way onto our kitchen counter for the first time in years. Over the last few days we have had some AHMAZING sammies, first reubens for me with plenty of kraut and pastrami and blue cheese for Travis, then tonight Turkey, bacon and avocado. I got some ciabatta rolls the other day in Dodge and they are so good.

And now, something about the kiddos. We had a good weekend being home. Amelia has started calling dad Bob the last couple of days and she'll turn around and point and say 'you stop it' sometimes when I tell her to quit doing something. Oh, it's soooo sassy. Her vocabulary has really expanded the last weekend. It seems like she's talking in full sentences. Truman isn't saying anything, but I think he sort of shakes his head for yes, it's a whole body shake really.

Talking Politics (not really)

Senator Pat Roberts and his wife were in town today for a quick tour. We started at the Commons then got on the Maverick bus and did a quick lap around town. The only other stop we got out at was the well. There were quite a few locals there and as we drove by different buildings, the representatives went to the front to tell them about it. I love my dad, I don't see him as a politician, he's just good with people. He is such a good ambassador for our town. I am biased, but I think I would still feel this way even if I wasn't related to the guy.

 I was going through the pictures on my phone and found a few I had forgotten about from the last couple of weeks.

Love Me Some Crazy Prints

Because of my lack of organization, I had to go to Dodge today to get new Social Security cards for the kiddos. I have been putting it off for months, but I wanted to get our taxes done and I didn't know Tru's number. So, while I was in the big city (ha ha) I went to El WalMart and Hobby Lobby. I bought these fabrics to continue my new hobby/distraction. I think I am going to use all 4 prints together to make a dress for Amelia. I should finish the quilt I started and should make some pots, but whatever, it's all being creative.

I forgot I took some pictures of Saige and Truman last Saturday when Ashley was at mom's with the kiddos.

Biter

We've got a biter. We've had one for awhile, then she went away, and now she's back. I am not sure what has sparked this in her, but we've got to make it stop. She bit a kid last week at daycare pretty bad, and tonight while her and Truman were in the tub, she bit his thumb. Just randomly, she took his hand and bit him. She ended up with a red handprint on her bare, wet buttcheek and went to bed without her bear and blanket. This is the first time we've taken something away like that and she always wants her bear and blanket for comfort especially at bedtime. I figured I was in for a long battle tonight with her and I was feeling up for it. She stood at her door and screamed for awhile, and I took her back to her bed a couple of times, but she finally just laid down and fell asleep. I hope I've gotten through to her that biting is not cool. Guess we'll see tomorrow...

A Deep Subject

The Big Well project is really moving along. I went over this morning to check it out and it is AH-MAZING! They got all of the windows put in over the last 2 days, the drywall is being finished, stairs repainted and more. I can't believe that it's finally coming together. After literally years of work and waiting, we are just a couple months away! Today the exhibit curators are here to do audio interviews with locals about their experiences with the well, tornado, Greensburg, etc. I sat in on a few of them and after 5 years, I still got goosebumps listening to people's "tornado" stories. I am so excited to see how visitor's will react to the gallery exhibits. My hope is that people will leave with the emotion and feelings of hardship, hard work, hope, pride and inspiration.

Yesterday I went up on the grain elevator to get an updated picture of town to use for promotion. Every year in May since the tornado I have gone up to take pictures and it's always breathtaking to see the progress since the last time I was there. I went up this time all by myself, Alan A. just let me go. It was a beautiful but windy afternoon. Of course, I got up there and my camera died after 2 pictures, but luckily I had my phone to take pics too.

And, newsflash, in case you didn't know, the interwebs are frickin awesome! I have a photo of the 1 millionth visitors to the Big Well in 1956 and I thought "how cool would it be to track them down?!" Well, I might have! It's a family of 4, mom and dad with 2 little kids in the picture. I have found the daughter and will try to contact her tomorrow. How cool would it be if they'd come to the grand opening!