ONE comment? really?

All right you losers!  If I badmouth you from henceforth, consider it your own fault!  I will NOT say anything about Bre because she obviously follows direction.  Thanks, Bre!

So, my little girl is sick--yet again.  She went  to the doctor today where she proceeded to flip OUT.  Apparantly she is traumatized from the stranglehold/forced strep test that she endured a couple of weeks ago.  Whoops!  My bad!

But, she survived the visit and came out with a fresh new prescription to knock this strep out of the park.  I hope that she feels better tomorrow because it is so sad to see her feeling lousy.  Poor thing.

I had to babysit tonight as part of my babysitting co-op.  I sat for 3 hours, and in return, someone will sit for me on Thursday night for 3 hours.  Brilliant!  But, the boys that I sat for, while being nice and fairly well-behaved, live in a house with no TV!  What?  I had no idea that my babysitting co-op encompassed houses in the third world!  How do they live??  I was actually forced to TALK to these boys and READ to them and LISTEN when they talked to me.  What kind of crap is that?  Here is one conversation that we had (mind you, the boy is 4)

Me:  When is your birthday?

Boy:  June 19

Me:  Cool!  A summer birthday!

Boy:  Actually, it's the Spring.

Me:  Smartass!

(Ok, maybe I embellished that last bit!)

Who is reading this?

I was having a conversation with my mom today and she mentioned that someone that she was talking to (*cough* *cough* Gadget *cough* *cough*) read my FABULOUS blog on a regular basis.  My reaction?  "Huh?"

So, if you have a second, could you leave me a comment or something?  I would love to know who is reading the insane details of my life.  (Or, maybe I just want to make sure that i don't say something bad about you!  I kid!  I kid!!!)

So, let me know who is out there.  I gotta please my audience!  :)

Hilariousity! (Yes, I know that's not a real word. Shut up.)

I have to talk about my son's new best friend.  It's friggin' hysterical!  His new best friend is a black, Swingline stapler!!   I am not sure where he found it, but it was love at first sight.  (Of course I took the staples out, I can hear you, you know!!)

So, for the last several days, every where that Ben goes, so goes his "sap-pah"!  And don't you try to leave it in the car!  He will scream bloody murder!  Sap-pah goes in the stores, in the shopping cart, to the park and in the bed.  What would we do without sap-pah?

And, I have to mention that Kinsey has a hand-held mixer in her bed right now.  Why are my kids so weird?

The Oscars are over, and so is the weekend

So, after waiting forever to watch the Oscar's, they are now over.  It was a great show and I was thrilled to see Angie Jo get snubbed!  hee hee!  (I am NOT a fan of Angelina Jolie.  She stole my man!!!)

Anyway, it was a good weekend.  Those little kids of mine are heeeeelarious!!  Tonight, Kinsey thought that it would be funny to learn how to gargle.  Who does that?  So, she tried and tried and finally got it right.  But, did you know that if you laugh and gargle at the same time, water shoots all over your face and your little brother?  And, did you know that if you gargle enough, your little brother will try to do it and shoot water all over himself?  Did you know that?

Oh, and give me props....I actually had a sparkling clean kitchen this morning at 10:00!!!  But, sadly, at 10:05 it was covered in Fruity Pebbles, apple slices and pop tarts.  sigh.

Here are a couple of recent pics of the reasons why my kitchen will never be clean...

Ow. Ow! OOOWWWW!

And so it begins....

My experience with a personal trainer.  That's what I wanted for my birthday, and I got it.  Oh boy, did I get it!  I met with her for the first time yesterday and as of this moment, I am in tears at the thought of actually standing up.  Oh the agony!  But, I am hoping that it will be worth it!  I intend to be RIPPED by the time summer rolls around.  But, for now, just let me say that doing squats with a 50 pound bar on your shoulders HURTS!  A LOT!  :(

So, I recently learned that my husband reads this.

Hmmm, I suppose I should apologize if I have made any disparaging remarks and reiterate the rock star status to which he was elevated for my surprise party!  Love ya!!  :)

There is some drama going on in our lives right now, but I am not at liberty to discuss it.  I just like to keep the mystery alive.  (For all of you who are trying to figure it out, NO it's not a baby and NO it's not a divorce.  That's all I'm gonna say!)  Anyway, the drama is certainly making this life resemble a roller coaster.  wheeeeeeeeeee!

So, have I ever talked about my friend Anne?  She is leaving next week to go to the Ukraine to adopt a beautiful little girl named Alina.  Alina has Down Syndrome and she is SO lucky to get to grow up in that house.  Anne already has 3 kids, Noah, Caleb, and Meg, so Alina better watch out!  She better learn to be real tough real fast!  But, I am super happy for this family and I can't wait to meet their new addition!  Lucky Alina should be her name!!

One more thing...

Tomorrow I am going to be hiring a personal trainer.  She is a bad ass.  (I try not to swear a lot in this blog, but this time, it is appropriate!)  She has been kicking my butt at boot camp for almost a year, and I decided to step it up a notch.  Personalize butt kicking!  You would be surprised at how expensive personalized butt kicking can be!  (Therefore I had to wait for a generous birthday gift to make it happen.)  But, I hope to come out of this a better, stonger bad ass than I already am!  Watch out losers!  Not only will I be stronger and tougher, I've notice that I've gotten ballsier in my old age, so do NOT get in my way.  You won't be happy with the results!  (I also expect to start saying "You got served!" and "BooooYA!"  Sounds cool, right?)

Yeah. I'm not going to go to the zoo.

That is all.

3 days down, 1 to go.

So, I am on the last leg of this single mommy weekend.  Doug comes home tomorrow evening.  I am sure that he will want to arrive to a big meal and clean house.  But, the poor man rarely gets what he wants!  He will come home to 2 dirty children and a messy house, but at least everyone will be happy to see him!  

Kinsey and Ben are starting their "wrestling" phase.  (Is that even a phase?)  The good part about it is that they wrestle for a solid hour and then CRASH into bed!  The bad part?  Someone always ends up in tears and eventually will probably end up in the emergency room.  But, I'm willing to take that risk for an early bed time!  Is that bad?

The only thing on my mind tonight is whether I want to take my monkeys to the zoo tomorrow.  Taking them to the zoo.  Alone.  With everyone on earth who doesn't have school tomorrow.  OR, they could wrestle themselves into a frenzy!  what to do, what to do??

Random things on my mind today!

So, today is Valentine's Day and I am alone (meaning no husband, I've always got the kids!), but the last thing that I am is lonely or sad.  I am feeling full of love today, so I thought that I would blurt it all over my blog.  Got protective eyewear?  You might want to put it on!  =)

I love...

1.  Doug.  Lots.  He has been a rock star this last week.  He has filled my heart to overflowing.  I am amazed at how much we still love each other after all of the stuff that we have been through (i.e. babies and shoe/purse addictions!).

2.  My Mom and Dad.  They are amazing.  I am eternally grateful to them for all of the things that they have done and continue to do for me.  Plus, they crack me up, which definitely elevates your status on my love list!

3.  My kiddies.  Kinsey and Ben.  Adorable, precious, brilliant, hilarious.  How did I get so lucky to get these two kids?  Jackpot!

4.  Chrissy.  Best friend EVER!  She is going through a hard time right now, and I would do anything for her.  How on earth she has stayed friends with me for 20 years is beyond me.  You would think that the enormous 1992 hair would have scared her off!

5.  All of my crazy family members.  From my brother in Michigan to the in-laws in Indiana.  I have a beautiful family--and I really love them all!  That NEVER happens!

(Here is where it gets random...)

6.  My crock pot!  I have a strange affection for it.  Without it, my dear husband would have gone hungry many a night!

7.  Gymboree!  Great sales, adorable clothes!  They had me at hello!

8.  SpongeBob!  While I don't necessarily love HIM, I love that Kinsey loves him and it gives me the occasional break.  (Do you think that it is on right now?  Hmmmmmm....)

9.  Shoe sales!   I may or may not have ordered a couple of beauties this weekend.  

10.  Coach purses!  While my purchases are few and far between, I love them dearly!

11.  My neighborhood!  I went out for dinner last night with some friends and they are so nice.  I am very lucky to get to live in this particular house, in this particular neighborhood.  Once again--jackpot!

12.  My boot camp class!  It's friggin' early, but it keeps me sane!

13.  Reality tv!  I don't care which show, I love them all!  (But, Survivor has a special place in my heart.  And the fact that I am going to kick Chrissy's booty in fantasy Survivor is even better!)

14.  Colorado weather!  Where else can you go outside without a coat in 30 degree weather?  Very few places, my friend!

Ok, obviously I could go on and on, but I will spare you.  I just want you to know that I am feeling great today, so let's see how long THAT lasts.  (I would put my money on 24 hours or less!!!!)

Funny....

So, I was reading the aforementioned e-mail from Doug and tears were streaming down my face.  Kinsey said, "what's the matter?"  I said, "Daddy sent me a super sweet e-mail.  He's so nice!"  She replied, "That Daddy!  He's as nice as a sack of peanuts!"

BWAAA HAHAHA!!!!

Happy birthday to meeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

What a wonderful day I am having!  I got to spend last evening with Chrissy, and it was nice to hang out and talk about happy things.  So far today, I have....

1.  Gotten to take a shower in peace!  (Doug brought the kids in to say happy birthday and then took them downstairs!  I can't remember the last time I shaved my legs without an audience!)

2.  Had a deeeeeeelicious cheese omelette served to me just the way I like it--brown on the outside, gooey on the inside.   MMMMMMMM!!!

3.  Got to run to the grocery store and gas station alone!  (I actually got to listen to the radio--who knew that was a luxury?)

4.  Went to my "Hearts for Moms" group at church.  Wonderful speaker and even better treats!

5.  Received the NICEST e-mail from my husband saying the sweetest things.  And NO!  I will NOT share!  ;)

Now, I am going to go color with Kinsey and work on her valentines for school.   What a great day!  I guess 35 isn't so bad!

From happy to sad.

Yesterday, my best friend, Chrissy called me to tell me that her father passed away suddenly.  I am heartbroken for her.  I love her dearly and the fact that she is sad is unbearable.  I know that she reads this blog, so I want it to be a happy place, but the Tarvin family is always in my thoughts and prayers.

BEST. WEEKEND. EVER!!!!!!

I am so shocked to say this, but Doug REALLY came though this weekend!  Holy moly!  He threw me a surprise party on Friday night and it seriously surprised the you-know-what out me!  Seriously!  So, here's how it went down...

He had planned a few weeks ago to take me out on Friday night for my birthday.  I was excited, but I thought that we would go out for dinner and that would be that.  But, was I wrong!  The babysitter arrived, and we left for an unknown destination.  He went to a local Italian restaurant that I like and said that we were going to go there for appetizers before we moved on to the next stop.  I thought that was pretty creative, so I was down with it!

We walked in the door to the restaurant and I said, "Hey, let's just find a table in the bar."  He agreed and I walked down the hallway to the bar and turned left...

SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I couldn't believe it!  Seriously!  sitting at this long table were most of my friends, including on of my best friends and her husband who flew in from Chicago!  I couldn't believe it!  Later he told me that I literally jumped back from the shock!  Here's the list of attendees:

1.  Chrissy

2.  Karrie and John

3.  Mayce

4.  Nina

5.  Sarah

6.  Jenny

7.  Shoshanna and Rob

8.  Suzanne and Steve

9.  Karen and Brian

10.  Carolyn and Jeff

(I hope I'm not forgetting anyone!)

Plus, there were MORE people who were invited, but couldn't attend.  How on earth did I get so lucky to have all of these awesome friends?  Especially Chrissy.  She is seriously the best friend a person could EVER want. EVER!!  I am so lucky to have her in my life!  (excuse me while I go get a tissue!)  She decorated the table, provided the goody bags, and drew a hilarious and not-at-all accurate picture of me for a VERY innapropriate game that I won't go into here.  (But, do I have a story for you someday!!)

Thank you to everyone who came and who wanted to come and who didn't want to come but likes me anyway!  I am very blessed and awed by the wonderful people in my life.  

So, it's my turn....

I've got issues, people.  SERIOUS issues.  I woke up this morning and my stomach was NOT pleased with me.  I even skipped my boot camp class today, so you know that something is afoot.  I have spent the day counting the minutes until bedtime.  Is that a bad thing?  I am down to 60!  

Doug and Kinsey are out on their "date".  It's pretty cute.  They go to University of Northern Colorado basketball games together.  It's their thang.  I like it, because I get a date night with my little man.  But, poor Ben's fancy date consisted of a hot dog, a bath and a movie.  That's all I got.

I will be rallying tomorrow, because Doug is taking me out for my birthday!  (Even though my birthday is a week away, but whatever.)  He lined up a babysitter and said that he was making plans.  As long as these plans consist of something a little quieter than TGIFridays, I am in!

Is the sickness gone?

So, after spending a weekend up to my elbows in vomit and poo,  Doug woke up with the hurls yesterday.  I gotta tell, it ain't pretty!  I am praying that it decides to give me a pass, because I don't think that I can handle the nastiness.  Today was a poo-free and puke-free day, so let's hope it stays that way!  Fingers crossed!!

Today was GORGEOUS yet again.  I took the kids to the park to get the sick/stink off of them, and I think that it worked!  They were both smelling like flowers when they went to bed.  (That could have been the bath, but I am going to give the fresh, mountain air the credit!)

Here's Kinsey's latest venture....she decided to run a restaurant!  We were playing last night and she created a menu for "Holly Natural's Restaurant".  (Of course, she spelled it "HLE  NASHRL", but what can I say?  She's brilliant!!!!)  If I must recommend something, I would have to go with the Steak Dogs and Cherry Soup.  Delish!  ;)

A Ben update....his new word is "WHAAAAAT??"  Imagine this said in a super high-pitch tone.  It is frickin' hilarious!  Tonight, I tried to put on a movie for him and when it started, he said, "WHAAAAAT?  A moo-eeee?  WHAAAT???  Ma?  Ma?  Ma--eeeee!!!  Mo' pockorn peeeeeese!!"  My boy loves his popcorn!!  (Oh, did you not get that from his dialogue?  haha!!")

My daughter--the artist!

Check out this awesome kid!  Yes, I am fully aware that she watches too much SpongeBob, but she drew these pictures and colored them in all by herself!  And she just turned 5!  I am super impressed, but maybe I am biased.  This week, my plan is to find her some art lessons.  I asked her if she wanted to play soccer instead, and I was met with, "Soccer?  Um, no.  I have already played soccer, so I don't need to play it any more."  My kid apparantly masters a skill at first sight, since she "played" soccer once and then cried so much I took her home.

But, I digress--check out her mad art skillz!

Superbowl--Schmuperbowl!

So, how was your Superbowl?  Did you enjoy the game?  How were the commercials?  Did you eat some good food?  Have a drink or two?

Well, whoopdee frickin' do!  

Oh, how was MY Superbowl?  Thanks for asking!  It was eh.  Did you get that?  Eh!  So, I got up and went to the gym.  Followed by the grocery store and Target.  Once I got home, I threw some meat in the crock pot and fed the kids.  After lunch, the kids got a bath and Doug took Kinsey out to run errands (including a haircut--she was gettin' shaggy!)

After that, the day went EXACTLY as I had expected--Doug watched the game, and I threw food at all of the people in my house periodically.  (I know that you are jealous of my culinary skillz!)

So, I heard that it was a good game, but I have no idea.  I do hope that you enjoyed it.  I fully intend to enjoy the Superbowl of 2020.  But, who knows???