I might be a scrooge...

Yeap, I thought Mr. Rider was a scrooge, but I might be one too. My house is decorated and we have an awesome Christmas tree, we have some lights outside that haven't been lit up yet because we need some extension cords, we're going to Silver Dollar City on Sunday, we even have presents under the tree, but I just can't really seem to enjoy the fact that is Christmas time! I've tried playing some of my favorite Christmas music, but nothing...
I was actually thinking that if it wasn't for our kids, we probably wouldn't even have a tree or that many decorations. I hate shopping for people that have it all, it just seems like a waste of money, I would rather give it all to the Children's Home in Costa Rica or some other needy family. I even told my poor son that Santa didn't really exits!!! for crying outloud! We've never told them that Santa brings them presents but I don't want him to ruin Christmas for other kids in school, and apparently he said what I told him to somebody at school because he came back that day and told me "Mom, Santa is real if you believe in him" what was I supposed to say to that! "Yes, sweety you are right". Anyways, I guess maybe growing up, Christmas had such a different meaning for me. It was a celebration, but it was about Jesus. We did get one or 2 presents, but the most exciting part was to take groceries, clothes and some toys to needy families while singing Christian carols. Every Christmas Eve we would get together and read the Christmas story. I do miss my big family more around the Holidays, at least my sister will be here for Christmas this year. Sorry this is kind of a downer blog, but it is kind of sad when you think about how many people actually celebrate Christmas, but don't even know Jesus. What do they celebrate, really? I guess to them it's just the time a year when Santa comes to town.
Well, Ethan has his Christmas program tonite, and what can be better than those Christmas memories...

Cheap or thrifty?

So today we were at Mc Donalds, and the boys wanted to eat inside so we went in. I always get them just one happy meal and they share it, even the toy. So today the lady at the register looked at the boys and asked me "do you want 2 juices?" I told her no, they just share. So she just gave us our food and we went to find a table. She could see us from where she was, and she probably noticed I wasn't eaten (I wouldn't eat at McDonals if my life depended on it!) , I don't know but she must have thought we were so poor that after a few minutes she came to our table with free ice cream cones!!!

So the truth is that we've never gotten 2 happy meals, they just share one.
We never buy kids meals at restaurants, they just eat off of us. It's good for the diet too.
When we go to Andy's we just get them the little sample cones. FREE
Jake's birthday is in November so if he gets too many presents, we take a couple presents and give them to him for Christmas!! He never notices.
We buy our kids 3 presents for Christmas. (That includes the recycled ones)
Ethan wears mostly recycled clothes.
Mmmm, I know there's more, but I can't think of more right now.

Well, at least they've learned to share!!

Happy Birthday mi amor!!

I'm so thankful for such a great husband, and another year we get to spend together, Te amo.

Sexy
Tender and loving
spEcial
Precious
Honorable
Encouraging
fuN Okay, I'm not good at this.

Why have more babies!

Why have another baby when we can play with all these cute babies!

My fun little boys

I wish they would stay this age forever. I wish I could put them in a bubble and protect them from everything that could hurt them. But all I can do is teach them and help them make the right choices. And what a blessing it is to see them make the right choices even when we're not there. And I'm also glad that they're faced with those choices. Little things, like watching the right shows, Jake will immediatly change the channel when a cartoon he's not supposed to watch is on, even though he really wants to see the shows his friends are talking about. I have to say that when Mr. Rider talked to him about being careful about what he sees because it goes to his brain, I didn't think he would understand. But he does, he understands that it is important to protect his heart. Different times we live in, I didn't expect my little 5 year old to ask "what are drugs?" but unfortunately that is something we have to talk about now, because he'll face that choice someday too.

I could only...

If I could only eat anything I wanted, this is what my day would look like
Breakfast at Hemingways (everything on the buffet, except for the catfish, and sausage)
Morning snack (I would probably be too full from breakfast though) asiago cheese bagel
Lunch Springcreek tea room (soup, salad and sandwich)
Dessert cake at the tearoom
Snack Cheese dip from Mexican villa and chips
Dinner Mama's Mac and cheese from Brew Co. and a diet coke :)
And for the grand finale a delicious concrete from Andy's. Mmmmm, I'm salivating.

Unfortunately, I have to exercise my self control, which I have lost a lot lately, so today I had to recommit to eating healthier and better. But if you see my self control wondering around Andys or Panera, please send him back my way, he has the tendency of getting lost.

Winter again!

Yeap, it's getting cold outside, and when I told Ethan that winter is coming he said "What! winter again!" I share that feeling, winter depresses me. I can't think of anything good about winter, except wearing sweaters and I love wearing sweaters, okay maybe hot chocolate sitting by a fire, and not having to mow, but other than that...nothing. This year I probably won't even get to escape for a few weeks of nice warm weather.
Not much new around our household, just a couple of birthdays coming up. I don't know what it is about our kids but when they find a toy they like, that is it, they get obsessed with it. Jake likes MAgic tree house books, and that is all he wants Jack and Annie books. Ethan has quite a collection of trains, and he keeps asking for more. And Mr. Rider, well, all he wants is books!
I'm almost done with "A mom after God's own heart", I really liked it, it has taken me a while to read it but I also have my homework for my BSF Bible study, which I'm really enjoying. Speaking of bible studies, we're starting one at our house, once a month. Stephen hasn't told me what he'll be teaching about but I'm sure it will be awesome.
Well, that's all I can think about, actually I was also thinking that Mr. Rider should vote, it bothers me that he won't exercise his right to vote. I can't vote since I'm not a citizen but I would if I could. So maybe I should email McCain and ask him to give me $600 so I can become a citizen and vote for him! Every vote counts right! Mmmm, that would be a good strategy, there are thousands of LEGAL residents that haven't become citizens because of the expensive fee. So he should give us an incentive to vote for him, just a thought...

Fun times

For my parents last weekend in town, we went to a couple of places I had never been too, it was a bit of a drive but it was fun, first we went to Elephant Rock, which the boys obviously loved, Jake could have spent all day there. Then we went to Saint Louis where we had Cheesecake factory and spent the night. The next day we went to St. Charles, I really liked it, we all had a good time walking around the neat shops. After that, we came back thru the "Wine country", the drive was beautiful, we stopped at a couple of winery's, they are pretty cool. We had the best weather. There are so many little bed & breakfast all over, it would be an awesome get away, specially in the fall.
Changing the subject, my breadmaker broke, I'm not very happy about it. Specially since today is the perfect soup and bread day. And since I feel like baking I have a little surprise for Mr. Rider...

WOW...

Beautiful wedding and so much fun... I love weddings, I always have to fight tears, and for some reason this time I started thinking about the boys getting married, I know it's still a long time away but I started thinking that somewhere, there's 2 little girls that someday will be my daughters in law. I've started praying for them even though I don't really want to think about the boys getting married :(
One more week of free babysitting, great meals, and gardener. It's sad, the boys will miss them a lot too. I can't wait to go back.

So I love Ozark, I love living here, but lately I started to think about how nice it would be to live in the "city", close to everything. I don't really like driving, and lately between soccer games, practices, tennis lessons, Awanas, church, etc. I almost feel like we live in the car. And speaking of too much going on, we want Jake to start music lessons, he loves music class, and we figured it would be good for him. So if anybody knows a good piano teacher let me know.
Enough for today, I have to go outside to enjoy the beautiful weather....

Expensive weekend!!

So last weekend we went over to Lotz and Jenni's for delicious homemade ice cream and some wii. It was our first experience with wii, and of course we loved it. We've never had any kind of video game system except for the old, old nintendo with Mrs. Pacman and Mario, so it was quite different. Mr. Rider and little rider decided that we NEEDED a Wii, but of course to get the whole wii experience we would need a new big screen tv (which we needed to replace any ways since we have the old box 32" if that, tv) but then we would need a new console for the new TV because our old entertaiment center is not big enough. Soooo, it was a costly weekend, let me tell ya.
So, thanks Mr. and Mrs. Coacher for being a bad influence and showing little rider what a REAL Wii was, see he thought he had a wii all along, he got one in a Wendy's happy meal a while ago. But now he knows the truth...

People, people...

So I'm sure we've all said dumb things every once in a while, but we've heard some hall of famers at the Bookstore. Like the lady who thought we had an original Van Gogh at the bookstore, yeah. And yesterday a man came in very excited about McCain's new VP and he was telling me all about her. Then he said, "She's really good, she's against gay marriage, and she hunts so she's for guns, and she's pro abortion, wait..., is pro for or against?" "For" I replied. "Ohh, then she's against".
Hey, at least McCain has a for sure vote there.

6 a week!!!

Yeap, that's the number of hours I get by myself every week. In 5 years I've never had that much time to myself!! So the question now is what am I going to do. Actually my first 3 hours were spent working at the bookstore, so now I only have 3 hours left for this week.
Some of the things on my to do list include
pedicures
haircuts
lunch with friends
bike rides
shopping
refinish cabinets
more shopping
tennis
so many things, so little time...

Adios!

My brother is gone, it's always hard to say good bye. We had a good time, and it's actually the first time in over 15 years that we spend this much time together. He was 15 when I left Costa Rica, and I usually don't see him much when we're there since he's always working or studying. The good news is that in 2 years when he's done with surgery, he plans on coming here, hopefully.
I was thinking today about the huge difference that technology has made. Today I get to see my parents on the computer, my mom calls me whenever she wants on my cell, it really makes us feel like we're not really that far away. Every time I start feeling sorry for myself about being so far from home I think about the missionaries back years ago that didn't have any way of communicating with their loved ones but letters that took even months to reach them and didn't even see them for years. Then I feel better and actually feel very fortunate to be able to see my family as often as I do. But still, it always hurts to say good bye.

A year of firsts

This has been a big summer for Jake, he learned to ride a bike w/o training wheels, he started really swimming, and he started Kindergarten. There were no tears the first day, he was sooo excited I was happy for him. My brother is keeping me busy, every day we have to go somewhere or do something and that isn't that easy in Springfield! We're running out of things to do so I'll take any suggestions. Sunday we'll have a lake day weather permitting and monday big Cardinals game, fun, fun...

Embarrassing moment

So I was thinking today I needed to go to Kohls which brought up a memory I had tried to erase for a long time. Jake has done and said many embarrassing things in his life time (embarrassing for us of course). But this one tops them all. When he was about 2 we went to Kohls with my parents. I was potty training him, so he was wearing underwear, but he had had a little accident so we just took his pullup off. I had been looking around not really paying attention to Jake thinking that my parents were also watching him. He wasn't on a stroller so he had been walking around.
We finally made it to the register and I asked Jake "do you need to go to the bathroom". He said no of course, and a man standing behind me, kindly whispered in my ear "I think he already went and I stepped on it". In disbelief and shocked I just said, "no but he has pullups" before I even finished and realizing what had happened I wanted to scream and cry and hide forever. Jake only had shorts on and at some point he had pooped somewhere in the store and this man stepped on it. I have to say he was so understanding and kind. If I would have stepped on some kids poop I don't think I would have reacted the same.
Any ways, I was soo mortified, and he kept saying "it's ok we have grandkids and we know how it is".
Anyways, I've been very nostalgic lately, our friends had a beautiful baby girl and holding her made me think about how fast they grow. My big boy will soon be going to the big K and I've been looking at pics of him when he was little. This is one of my favorites, if he only would have done this while we were at Kohls!!!

update

So a year later, we have a clean garage!! I didn't think it would ever happen, but it's done! It feels soo good to get things done. My next project is to do something with the landscaping in the front, paint or antique our cabinets (all of them), decorate our bedroom, and kill the japonese bettles, it never ends.
I'm also taking tennis lessons, so far so good, I may be ready for a match soon.
Just a few weeks till my brother gets here, so exciting, but also just 30 days till Jake starts school, so sad. I'll miss him a lot.
I'm reading a Mom after God's own heart by one of my favorite authors Elizabeth George, and helped me make a few really good changes. Anyways, it's a great book.
On a different note, it is now illegal to spank kids in Costa Rica. So I'll have to be really careful from now on, so I don't end up in a Costa Rican jail...

Beautiful wedding

Jenni you are one of the most beautiful brides I've seen!! Everything was amazing (specially the cute minister!) I have to say the music was incredible, loved everything about it, the dancing was awesome, we need to do that more often!

Happy Father's Day!!

"For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment" Gen 18:19

We read this at church today and that is exactly how I feel about Mr. Rider. It is such a blessing to know that my children have a godly father who will counsel them and lead them with wisdom.

Enjoy your day!

just pics

As much as like coming to see my family, I also miss home. As always we had a good time, this time was even better since Mr. Rider joined us for a little while. Jake has been going to Kindergarten here, and he loves it. It´s funny to see all the little girls greet him at the door "hola Jake!". I´m trying to eat all the things I dont get to eat in the States, like plaintain (in your honor Mr. Coacher) and I´ve been catching up on movies, I´ve rented like 10 movies.
I also had the worse scare of my life, Jake and my cousin were riding his horse, and the horse threw them off. Nothing happened, my cousin grabbed Jake and landed on his back so Jake fell on his stomach. But it was very scary, after that we got the oldest horse to ride. Anyways, I´m ready to get back.

So far...

Well, here we are again, enjoying the sunshine, even though my dreams of having a great, clear vision were chushed, we´re having a good time. The doctor said that I wasn´t a good candidate, my cornea is too thin. The funny thing is that just a few months ago I was told in the States that even though my cornea was a little thin they could do it. So what do I do, do I believe the doctor here, who said I had high risk of developing problems down the road or do I let somebody else try...

Besides that, we´ve been busy, went to a big farm where the kids can do just about anything, hold, touch, milk, feed. They loved it. My parents also had a birthday party for Ethan, and me even though I didn´t get anything, not even my picture on the cake!! our birthdays were actually in april but they wanted to do it anyways. At least they put 5 candles on the cake, 3 for Ethan, and 3 and 2 for me.

Then the volcano, we always go there since my parents jungle house is 30 min away, and of course we hit the beautiful hot springs. By the way Costa Rica is competing for 2 spots in the 7 natural wonders of the world you can vote at http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/vote_on_nominees/ one of them is this volcano, is one of the only perfect cones in the world. Any ways, looking forward to the beach, this is an area we´ve never been to, and it was on the forbes list of the top 10 breathtaking beaches. So I´m excited.

no apples in spring

So last week we took a little trip with Mr. Rider to St. Louis, he had a booksale in a little town outside St. Louis so since we were going to be there for a day, I decided to find something fun to do, I googled the place and found an orchard that seemed to have lots of fun things for kids. I left Stephen at the booksale and got on our way, I had told JAke how fun it would be, we could pick our own apples and berries, it was going to be fun and he was excited. As soon as I parked the car I realized, it's april! there's no apples to pick in april!!! (and it wasn't the bare trees that clued me in!) so we stayed for a while and played around. "You'll have to wait till the fall to pick apples" I told JAke. Then we headed to the "best" park in town, a scary experience, twirling gay guys, a hippie coming out of the bushes, and then several black guys with envelopes and beers met at the gazebo.
Anyways, then we went to the City museum, which was awesome, Jake loved it, but Ethan still too little for it. Next day, the zoo and a movie while we waited for Mr. Rider.
On a different note, there are several things I want to do this summer. Every spring I plan to grow my own tomatoes, and peppers and herbs. But somehow it never happens, this year, will be the year. I already got a strawberry pot for my herbs, it's in the garage. But as soon as I get back from CR it will happen, I'll have the best tomatoes too.
Also, I want to learn to play tennis, Mr. Rider doesn't want to teach me, so I need a tennis partner.
And last but not least, I want an organized garage. This will include Mr. Rider too.

my new best friend! Sunscreen...

For years I exposed carelessly to the sun, laying out for hours, I didn't think it could hurt me, after all I had dark skin, no problem, or so I thought. I don't think our parents were as aware of the danger as we are now. I don't ever remember my mom putting a drop of sunscreen on me. And now I'm reaping the consequences I started to get spots on my arms, and legs. So now I wear sunscreen all the time. Neutragena is the best! it's light and feels great.

Spring has finally arrived and with it a lot of work around our house. The dandelions have come back with anger, our yard looks pretty white, and it's not snow. So now we'll have to spend our tax return on weed killer, actually Tru Green. Mr. Rider has started talking about moving already, the mowing is getting to him, and we haven't even opened the pool yet!! But there's no way I'm moving after only a year! I don't think we had any idea of how much work it would be to have 3 plus acres. I can't wait till Jake is old enough to start mowing!
Just a few more weeks for Costa Rica. I'm more excited about my brother coming in august. He's taking a desperately needed vacation. He's the only one that hasn't come yet. My poor brother is doing his surgery residency, he has 3 years left and then another 3 I think for reconstructive surgery. The funny thing is that he is stock in the 90, he has no idea of what goes on, what's in style and what isn't. He barely has time to sleep, my mom has to shop for him!! So I'm excited about going shopping with him to bring him into the 2000's.
Looks like is going to be another rainy day!

Long week

Well, we started our vacation at the beach, Cocoa beach, I would rename it ugly beach. I know I've been spoiled, this was the first time I went to a beach where you could only see buildings on the back and there were soo many people. Ethan stepped on a nail while we were walking on the beach, not good. But the kids enjoyed playing in the sand.
I have to say that I have no desire to ever go back to Disney, I'm really glad we went now because the boys actually enjoyed all the rides, they don't really have that many rides for older kids, Jake actually didn't want to ride some of the kiddie rides like dumbo, and at Disney there's only 2 or 3 rides for older kids.
Epcot was my favorite park, but again not many rides. We did have perfect weather, and we were able to avoid the crowds. I really don't understand why anybody would want to go there on their honeymoon.
So, like Mr.Rider I would rather have a quite and peaceful vacation next, no crowds or running around like crazy.

kindergarten anxiety

Well, I thought that by the time Jake went to kindergarten I would be more than ready, I thought I would be doing carwheels, but instead I'm not ready to let go, I feel my stomach drop when I think about my little boy gone 5 days a week for 7 hours a day. I'm going to miss him a lot, but I know that he's more than ready to go, and I have to let go :( I've started praying a lot though, for a good teacher and protection for him.

The cows are back! this is my favorite view while I do dishes, the cows were on a different field during the winter but now they're back and there's more of them...

Easter

This year didn't feel much like easter at 40 degrees. Last week I told somebody how glad I was that we had made it thru the winter without the boys getting sick, I guess I didn't knock on wood because Jake has had a fever for 5 days, today finally he seems to be better. But we didn't get to go to any easter egg hunts so we just had an indoor one at Stephanie's house. We're going to Orlando in a couple weeks for a family vacation. I've never been to disneyworld so I'm excited and nervous, I don't really know what to expect. On a different note, the moles are taking over our yard, I mean really taking over. So I'm on a mission. I've tried before and failed but I'm determined this time. If you know of any extermination tips let me know. The moles have to die!

Busy week!

Well, at least it has been warm and that it's so awesome. The kids have been playing outside, and it feels great! I have been busy working a little and doing this brutal class at the gym, hopefully it will pay off.
Jake's basketball is over, actually it was over a while ago, but I hadn't posted any pics. He obviously isn't into it. You'll find him laying down on the chairs, he tried part of the time...
He'll start soccer soon and he loves that.
Today, we won't do much, stay home, and maybe go see the new Dr. Seuss movie later.

Dreading...

a snow day...I don't like snow, and I know Jake will want to play outside, which is fine, if he would just play by himself and I could wave thru the window, but then Ethan will want to go out too, and Jake always wants me to go out with him. So I'm not looking forward to playing in the snow.
I'm also returning to the work force, at least for a little while, and only a few hours a week, but I'm excited about it. My ex boss called me to see if I could come back a few hours a week to help them since they have several deadlines to meet, I can come whenever I want to and stay for as long as I can. She had me at deadlines, I'm excited to work (outside the home and get payed!) I'll be editing, proofreading, and doing some layout.
Anyways, what is it about Bebo Norman's voice, it's so comforting or calming to me. I don't know.

well, enjoy the snow day!

Freegans

If you saw the Oprah show yesterday you probably learned the term freegans. I had never heard it before, but I could totally be one. They go thru trash to get groceries not because they don't have money, but as a way to protest against the waste of food and resources. It really wasn't gross at all. Everything they got was pretty much packaged and clean. It really got me thinking about how much we consume, but specially how much I have changed in this area. When I first came here I was literally offended by the amount of food that was just thrown away. I really had a hard time with it, and just the waste in general. I remember arguing with a friend because she had about 30 t shirts and I told her it was ridiculous. After a few years I finally came to terms with it and realized that it wasn't their fault. People have grown up in abundance and really that's all most people know.
I still never throw food away, I just can't. If I have to eat left overs for 3 days I do it. But I can't throw food away when I know that Jake's little friend in Costa Rica, Roberto only gets 2 meals a day if he's lucky. And sometimes he only gets saltine crackers and coffee for breakfast. I have gotten bad about other things like clothes and shoes, and just stuff that we really don't need.
And I don't think that we should be mindful about how much we consume or how much food we throw away just to go against a system or this lifestyle. But because as Christian we should be good stewards not just of our money but everything we have. I've been studying Matthew and it's interesting how even Jesus after feeding the 5,000 and the 4,000 collected the leftovers. He could have multiplied more food for the disciples later, but He chose to save the leftovers!!

Boring day...

Once again we're stuck at home, it has been a boring but restful day. And since I have nothing else to do, (Mr. Rider is on his way to Oklahoma City) I decided to give a detailed account of my day.
Jake came in our room particularly early this morning, right before 7, too early!! So we did what responsible parents do and sent him to watch TV (he had to wait till 7:30 tough).
8:00 I got up to get breakfast ready, the usual eggs and spinach, it's better than it sounds, and bacon.
8:20 I went back to bed. Kids watched more TV.
9:00 I turned the tv on to watch the today show. Mr Rider advised not to get out so the gym was out.
10:30 I finally got up, I started to get hungry so I went to get some cereal and went back to bed. Mr. Rider took a shower and played games with the kids. I watched Ellen at some point.
11:30 I really got up, and got lunch ready, leftover spaghetti pie. Mr. Rider left to Oklahoma.
12:30 I picked the house up a little, but I had done most of my cleaning the day before. So now I didn't have much to do. My scrapbook stuff was staring at me from the table, but I ignored it.
1:30 I decided to pull the plug, I can't stand watching the kids hypnotised by the TV so I turned it off for a while. And I got on the computer to check my mail, weather of course, etc.
2:00 A friend called and I was on the phone for ever, really only 30 minutes.
2:30 I had had it, I need it to take a shower. Much better!
3:00 I thought I could let the kids stay in pj's all day, but I failed. They had a bath.
4:00 We had some strawberries with cream, delicious!
4:30 I felt guilty about not going to the gym and eating too much (I didn't mention some of the other snacks I had) so tried to do some Pilates. The kids piled on top of me, so I couldn't do it.
5:00 I started making some lentil soup with carrots and potatoes, it was really good.
6:00 We ate, and I'm looking forward to a peaceful nite, not so much restful since little rider wants to sleep with me. Mr. Rider will be back tomorrow. I'm hoping for a better day tomorrow, all I'm asking is to be able to get out!!

KC trip

Just a few pics, it was nice to get away for a while, and speaking about getting away, I had a big blessing yesterday. I was looking for tickets to go to Costa Rica, everything I had seen was pretty high so I was starting to get discouraged. I wanted to go before Jake starts school this summer since after that we won't be able to go until next summer. So I checked for tickets out of St. Louis and I was so shocked when I saw $229 to Costa Rica. I had never seen tickets that low. Coincidence...don't think so, I have always prayed that God will provide for us to go see my family and He always has!

Icy days!

Well, after 4 days of no power and not being able to get out, I'm thankful for several things:
1. our family, we stayed with my sister in law who luckly didn't lose power
2. we don't have a lot of trees
3. the kids are alive
4. I never lost it
5. internet

As for Valentine's, our celebration is just getting started, we leave tonite on a romantic getaway with another couple, wait, that didn't sound right, we're going to KC with some friends. There will be some shopping, poker, more shopping, church, lots of eating of course, and maybe a movie. Anyways, it should be fun.

My mom's birthday

Talking about being a good mom, yesterday was my mom's birthday. I wish I could be there to celebrate, she's an amazing woman. At least we're finally able to see each other on the computer. After years of training, she finally learned to use the internet! she's not very tech savvy.
I'm ready for spring, I miss the farmer's market, fresh fruit and veggies.
Mr. Rider and I will be going on a little getaway next weekend, that will be refreshing.
I also started working on the boy's scrapbooks, I decided to do one for Ethan too. I figured if I do one page a year I'll be done by the time they're 21, no, I actually finished 3 pages but now I need a brake. Hopefully, I'll get motivated again soon.

Why I'm not a good mother

I was visiting with a friend the other day, she has 4 kids and homeschools, so her schedule is very busy, but somehow she manages to keep dairies of all her kids and an organized file of their pictures, art, notes, etc. A sense of distress came over me, I don't keep a dairy for my kids, I didn't keep their baby hair, I don't think I wrote any of their firsts, like first tooth, first word, etc, and all the cute things they say. I do remember Ethan started walking at 18 months but that's about it. I think I have some of Jake's old drawings, but I couldn't tell you where. I'm not a keeper, I hate clutter, and I just throw things away. So I came home and video taped my kids for a while, made Jake paint some pics so I could put them in a folder. I did keep Jake's tooth that we had to take out, I hope he's excited about that when he grows up! I started a scrapbook for Jake but it's not finished, and Ethan's, well, I haven't even started one for him! I'm a little depressed I must admit, I never made one of those clay things with their little fingerprints, and now it's too late!!! Jake will be going to Kindergarten soon and now my time with him will be dramatically reduced. I guess, I still have time to do things like that with Ethan. But I want to know does everybody save their little crafts they make at church? What else should I be saving, writing, knowing!!!
I'm finishing their scrapbooks, actually for Ethan I'm just making a photo album, baby steps...

Great weekend!

We had a great day today, I hope everybody got out to enjoy the sun. Church was great, very enlightening lesson, we had lunch at Hinode's (Stephen's favorite place) with Coacher and Mrs. Coacher and then went out to Springfield Lake, for some walking and playing. This summer they'll rent canoes, so I'm looking forward to that. I also can't wait till I can start doing some outdoor riding, I do spinning all the time, but I want to ride outdoors.
We also had our monthly bible study, we're going thru How to study the Bible, everybody enjoys it a lot. I love our Sunday School class!!
Jake had his basketball game saturday, and I doubt that he even touched the ball. Soccer might be his game. I guess we'll give it a while to see. Maybe it was the cheerleaders they have during quarters, I don't know but he was pretty distracted.
I'm also very excited about our warmer temperatures this week. I most admit I'm addicted to the weather news, I check the weather a few times a day online or on the news, I HAVE to know what the weather is going to be like the next day.
Well, that was our weekend

Some of my favorite things...

The pics aren't too good, but these are some of my favorite things
1. A hair product called Karite, it has done wonders for my hair. I found it at Sephora and I love it!
2. A body scrub, I had never used one before and now I'm addicted to them. Great for your skin!!
3. I found this cream at Victoria Secret and I only got it cause it was 75% off, but I love it. It's called bali orchid, smells great for a long time.
4. I had a hard time finding a good product to clean my floor and I finally found it! It's soy bean based and it's a Bellawood, you can only get it at Lumber liquidators, which just came to Springfield, and has great prices on hardwood.
5. If you haven't try this you MUST, you would love it, it's a lip gloss that leaves a minty taste it's great!
6. This is a normal hair drier, nothing special, but compared to my old one, this is incredible, a lot faster and my hair feels better.
7. Clinique's acne solution, it works, it dries those unwanted little pimples pretty fast.
8. I love cookbooks, and this one is one of my favorites, southern foods, simple and delicious!!
9. I didn't take a pic but I love my ipod shuffle, I use it every day at the gym and sometimes around the house while I'm cleaning. I know it's not an ipod nano or ipod phone, but it's exactly what I need, little and it clips so you can't lose it.
10. I have a couple more things but might be rated R so we won't go there.

Ready to go somewhere

I know I just went on a trip, but I'm ready to go somewhere, it doesn't have to be far away, maybe just St. Louis or Kansas City, I just want to change the scenery a little. A trip without the kids would be even better, a weekend get away, maybe for Valentine's. It feels like I do the same thing everyday, gym, bookstore, errands, home.
I did start the BSF bible study, and I really liked it. I was so excited when I got home I finished all the homework for the week! The kids really enjoyed their lessons too. So at least my routine changes once a week. Jake started upward at James River too, it's pretty funny. He's the shortest in his group, he really shouldn't be there till next year, but oh well, he seems to enjoy it.

I love the picture on my header, everytime I look at it, my mind goes back there, it was so peaceful, and relaxing...

Finally!!

I finally learned how to post pics like this, and I did it all by myself (after a few hours!!)

I found a Phoebe

I was at the gym this morning and I saw a running Phoebe, remember Phoebe from Friends running? I wish I had one of those video phones, because it was one of the funniest things I've seen. This lady runs just like Phoebe, maybe a little less flapping of the arms, but pretty close. Anyways, Ethan is officially potty trained!!! I can't express how happy I'm. I don't know what I'm going to do with the extra money we'll have from diapers. It might just pay for my eye surgery, which by the way would cost $4,400 to do here, and $1,000 in Costa Rica, now I know what you're thinking, they probably don't have the same tech and the doctors are not as qualified...but you're wrong!! they have exactly the same technology (the waverun thing) and the doctors are even certified here in the States. My sister just had it done and now she has 20/20 vision. So if u ever consider having the lasik surgery you can go to Costa Rica on vacation have it done and still have money to spare compared to what it would cost here. So now I have another excuse to go to Costa Rica!!!

Happy New Year 2008

We had a good time while we waited for the New Year. We may have Christmas at our house a little earlier this year since Jake keeps begging for me to put up a Christmas tree, we didn't since we came home only a few days before Christmas and he thinks that Santa didn't bring him presents because we didn't have a Christmas tree. We've never done the Santa thing, I'm not a big fan of Santa so we just ignore it, I told Jake that there are a lot of kids around the world that don't have parents or are too poor so Santa takes them presents, hopefully that will be enough or we may have to put a present from Santa under the tree next year, it won't be the best present tough!
Well, now that the holidays are over it seems like we have a lot of winter ahead. At least Jake will play basketball in Upward at James River, that will give us something to do. I'm also excited to start a Bible Study at BSF, I guess it's the book of Matthew, so I'm sure it will be good.
Well, there's a lot of things I'm looking forward this year. So many events!! weddings!!! babys!! so many things. In Costa Rica we have the tradition to kiss and wish everybody good health and blessings for the New Year, we'll spare the kiss but I wish you all good health and blessings in 2008!