A pointless story about a snowy hill

Alternate title: if you want to stay married avoid the snowy hill.

Just kidding. Kinda.

So anyway as I mentioned yesterday my parents live at the top of a big hill.  We’ve had a very snowy winter and the road to their house is not only a big hill but it’s snow packed and pretty slippery. Combine that with our van that has really bad tires and you end up with a situation that will test the strongest of marriages.  Or maybe just those married people that are idiots and get all riled up about getting stuck on a snowy hill.

The first time up the hill we got stuck about half way up.  My sister, mom and dad were all behind us in their vehicles. My dad plows by because he was in a 4 wheel drive. Meanwhile the rest of us start slowing trying to back down the hill.  My dad turns around and while we’re still backing down the hill he had gotten in my mom’s car and comes blazing up the hill going about 50 miles an hour. He made it so no one faulted him for driving like a maniac. My mom comes up next, driving the 4 wheel drive and my sister also had gotten to the bottom of the hill and floored it and came past us. She wasn’t going too fast but fast enough to make it up the hill. We finally get to the bottom of the hill and started up again, only to make it up half way before getting stuck again.

By this time the kids were frustrated and cranky. Angel kept saying that she wanted out. I was asking questions of Pat, only trying to educate myself on the process of getting up an icy hill. He viewed my questions as questioning his judgment and was stressed to begin with so was getting just a little snappy. Me, being the patient, understanding wife that I am got snappy right back and I might have just threatened to walk up the hill a couple times before our third try up the hill.

After our third try Pat told me to get out and walk. Seriously.

We were probably 50 yards – give or take 50 yards – from the house. I have no idea how far 50 yards is. But the kids were crying and Pat was about ready to drive us over the cliff. So the best thing for everyone was for me to walk with the kids up to the house.

But then my dad showed up to pull us up the hill but they couldn’t find any place to hook the rope to the van. The kids and I got in with my dad and Pat started backing down the hill again. I’m pretty sure if he didn’t make it up the fourth time he was just going to turn around and go home. I’m pretty sure he was also thinking not so nice things about his wife because just a few hours earlier I had said…

“Honey, can we please go to my parent’s house and surprise my mom? It’ll be SO MUCH FUN!”

The kids and I arrive at my parent’s house and we go in to find everyone standing at the window cheering on Pat. We join in the fun as we look way down the hill trying to figure out where he was. (For those familiar with Chamberlain, my parents live at the top of the hill above Arby’s).

While Pat was backing down the hill another car had come past him and asked if he needed help.

Pat: No, I’m just going to back down to the pavement and see if I can get a good start and make it up.

Old creepy man asking if Pat needed help: I DON’T KNOW WHO YOU ARE!

Pat: Ohhh k.

Old creepy man asking if Pat needed help: WHAT YOU NEED IS STUDDED TIRES!

Pat: Ohhh k.

Old creepy man asking if Pat needed help drives away.

That was probably the funniest thing we’d heard all day.  And it was good for Pat because according to him if he got one more suggestion about how to get up the hill he was going to kill someone (hopefully not his lovely wife) but instead he got a good laugh.

Anyway at the bottom of the hill there’s a four-way intersection and we could see Pat went even farther past that down the road, which was paved. His hope was to get a high enough speed that when he hit the snow/ice on the hill he’d have enough momentum to get up the hill. Of course his other hope was that he didn’t go careening off the side of the road since he was driving like a mad man.

He takes off and actually runs the stop sign (Don’t worry no one was coming. Obviously.) and got up to 50 miles an hour before hitting the snow. Not. A. Problem.

He pulled into my parent’s drive way and we all cheer for him.

And then I say, “HONNNNEEY. Can you run to the grocery store and pick up a few things for me?”

Just kidding. But wouldn’t have that been funny?

Thankfully by the time he made it up the hill we had both cooled off and weren’t crabby at each other anymore. And it’s a good thing because we had a date to get ready for! Which, if you read yesterday’s post, you already know that that’s another story (pointless maybe?) for another day!

How do you wrap up this weekend?

It was a crazy busy weekend. I’ll do my best to wrap it up in as few words as possible.

Hahahahahahahahahahaha that’s funny.

Anyway.

Friday night was family night and I made a sandwich braid thing. Sounds delightful doesn’t it? I had thawed out a loaf of frozen bread dough and rolled it out into a rectangle as thin as I could. I put cheese, ham, green peppers and mushrooms in the middle and then took the sides, which I had cut into strips, and made some sort of braid. It was actually pretty good. We then watched a movie, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. Great movie.

Saturday morning Pat had to go to work for a few hours and while he was gone I decided that I wanted to drive to my parent’s house because my mom was having her very first book signing.

Yes, my mom is a published author. She rocks.

Here she is with the kiddos at her signing.

And a close up of her book. It will be released for distribution the middle of March so keep an eye out!

After the book signing we all went up to my parent’s house. Well we tried to go to my parent’s house.

That my friends, is a story for another day.

Eventually we did make it to my parent’s house and had fun just hanging out. The kids played and enjoyed torturing my sister’s new puppy, Chico.

And then I made Pat color my hair for me. Have I mentioned that my hubby rocks?

We were hoping to go out to a movie Saturday night but my mom had a ticket to a wine tasting dinner big event thing that my sister-in-law and brother were putting on. She didn’t want the ticket to go to waste so asked if we wanted to go and she would stay home and babysit.

And then I asked her if it would be weird if we went to a wine tasting but didn’t drink any wine.

Um, maybe just a little but it also included a nice fancy dinner so we didn’t care if we looked weird.

And that my friends, is another story for another day.

Our plan was to leave Sunday after lunch but the weather started getting icky Sunday morning so we had to leave kinda quick like. Got home. Made lunch. I went to church to do some work and then stopped at the store. Made snacks for the Superbowl. Watched the Superbowl with Pat and my brother Tracy. Scratch that. Sat in the same room as Pat and my brother as they watched the Superbowl and I attempted to supervise the children and tried to prevent them from eating all the snacks and making a mess. Note “attempted” and “tried”. Made supper for kids. Held Angel for 15 minutes – which felt like 45 – while she had a meltdown. Worked on church website. Worked on invites for Princess’s bridal shower. Cleaned up a little. Tired. Ready to crash.

And that my friends, is a partial weekend wrap up. Stay tuned.

Today

Today Angel and I cuddled in bed until 8:00 am. And Caleb slept in too but in his crib. (Normally we’re up by 6:30 am at the latest so that was sleeping in!)

Today I did four loads of laundry. This is a big deal. I normally do laundry on Saturday. All day Saturday.

Today there were a few times when I didn’t know what to do. Do I play with the kids? Do I clean? Do I do something else?

Today I got to eat lunch with Pat and the kids.

Today I made two freezer meals.

Today the kids went down for their afternoon nap around 1:30 pm. I did a load of laundry and then took a nap. I don’t think I was suppose to nap today.

Today I got to listen to Angel and Caleb play and chase each other and run and fight with each other.

Today Angel and Caleb were playing in Angel’s room and they got really quiet. I went in to see what was going on and saw this:

Today I was so thankful for my two miracle babies.

Today I told Angel it was time for a nap and she said, “Just three more seconds.”  I didn’t tell her that I think she meant to say three more minutes.

Today I told  Caleb to not eat food off the floor.

Today I realized I should have cleaned instead of taking a nap.

Today Angel worked on potty training. Every time she sits on the toilet and doesn’t go potty she’ll say, “maybe next time.”

Today my hands really hurt. I think it’s arthritis.

Today I kissed Caleb’s feet and he laughed really loud.

Today me and the kids were dancing. Or so I thought that’s what we were suppose to be doing. Angel looked at me, pointed her finger and said, “NO Mommy. Stop dancing. I dance.”

Today I heard this song:

Today I was reminded that I’m forgiven.

(For those reading on Facebook visit Grasp the Love to view this post directly on my blog.)

Tidbits of awesome

~I started my new schedule at my new job this week which means I don’t have to work tomorrow or Friday!   Unless you call taking care of two kiddos, changing diapers, wiping noses, settling arguments, cleaning house and whatever else the day brings work. I call it AWESOME.

~Of course at about 9:12 am when Caleb is tired and cranky and starts having meltdowns and Angel has had enough of cranky Caleb stealing her toys so starts pushing him and being whiny I’m not sure I will be calling it awesome. On second thought it will probably still be awesome just an exhausting awesome.

~My parents are hopefully coming to visit us tomorrow! Stay away snow – you are not awesome!

~Tonight I said to Angel, “Grama and Papa might be coming to see you tomorrow.” She said, “That would be so cool!” She is awesome.

~Tonight I made brownies. After I put them in the oven me, Angel and Caleb sat on the floor in the kitchen and took turns licking the bowl. It was fun and a memory that will be forever etched in my mind. When the bowl was licked clean I put it in the sink and Caleb had a major meltdown because he wanted more. He thinks chocolate is awesome.

~On Friday we have a Super Bowl party lunch at work. This includes a chili cook-off and Pat is entering for the third year in a row. Two years ago he got first place. Last year his chili was so hot it burnt off everyone’s taste buds. He did not get first place last year. This year he claims he’s going to tone it down a bit. That would be awesome honey.

~I’m kinda sad the first part of American Idol is done – in case you’re not in the AI loop, Hollywood week starts next week. I love watching these first weeks, especially when the yellow ticket winners come out from the judges and are screaming and jumping and their family is screaming and jumping and Ryan is smiling from ear to ear. It’s awesome. And makes me cry every single time.

~I’m not so awesome at math. This is not so awesome because when I was figuring what I’d have to make for me to cut back my hours (for me to be home Thursdays and Fridays) I figured a little wrong and so now instead of making what I thought was $1000 less a year we are going to be making $4000 less a year. Not. so. awesome.

~We serve an awesome God and if we do awesome on our budget I’m hoping we’ll be ok. I’m going to try to just hope and not worry.

~We miss Princess. Nothing awesome about that except just seeing her name makes me remember her awesomeness.

~Heading to bed soon. Need to get rested up for my first four day awesome weekend. Hopefully the first of many.

(For my friends reading this on Facebook visit Grasp the Love to view this post directly on my blog.)

Cold

On the way home from work tonight my teeth chattered and I couldn’t seem to get warm. My muscles ached for warmth and my vehicle groaned after sitting outside for 10 hours. Now I sit here bundled up with two fuzzy blankets eating ice cream.

Spoiled? Check.

Crazy? Check. Check.

Even though I complain about being cold, I am thankful for our home and garage, warm clothes and money to pay the heat bill through the winter. Very thankful.

But still I long for summer. For the warmth of the sunshine on my face. For fun times in the backyard and maybe even a few trips to the swimming pool this year. For not having to bundle up every time we go outside or fight the kids to keep their hats and mittens on. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be home with my kids two days a week. In the winter it’s a good opportunity to color, play hide and seek, watch movies and maybe get a little housework done. But when the summer comes you’ll find us outside. Planting our garden that I’ve been promising myself I’d plant for the past three years. Road trips to my parent’s house at the river which will also include fishing and boat rides and swimming in the river. Bike rides. Going on walks. Jeep rides with the top down. Trips to the library down the street and a stop at the park.

I’m thankful for today and the blessings we have. Especially warm fuzzy blankets and ice cream. But I long for summer.

In Christ alone

I stood in the shower and cried. I was so frustrated. Sick with myself and my selfish ways. Wondering why I always overreact to everything. Wondering if I’ll ever learn how to put his needs before mine.

It felt good to cry it out. We certainly didn’t talk it out. But at least I could admit to God that I was selfish, unloving and pretty much an idiot.

A little bit later we were on our way to church. An argument ensued about how I react when I’m upset. I already felt like nothing. Why did the way we communicate, or not communicate, make me feel so much worse? I told him to just bring me home. I wasn’t about to go to church with a smile on my face.  I told myself that it would be better for me to hide out then be fake.

Angel was upset because we had turned around. She kept saying, “I want to go to church.” What kind of parent am I?  Allowing an argument – one that wasn’t really that big of deal in the scheme of things – to keep me from church.  Finally a few blocks from home I changed my mind.  I’m sure he was tempted to bring me home anyway but he didn’t say anything and we went to church.  We got there a little late. Walked in to the song In Christ Alone.

I felt sick. Sick of myself. Sick of arguing. Sick of always wanting things my way. Sick of only thinking about me.

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and strom

Where was my hope? My light? My strength and my song? As I sang along the tears flowed and I didn’t even care.  I had a Cornerstone, a solid ground. And yet I felt so shaky today.

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand

The heights of His love are overwhelming. The depths of His peace I don’t seem to be able to grasp. He is my Comforter though and I know that it’s through Him alone that all fears and strivings cease.

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on the cross as Jesus died
the wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
here in the death of Christ I live

Every sin on Him was laid. He took every one. How is it possible? The stupid sins I struggle with day in and day out make me want to scream. They seem to bring me to my knees. How is it possible for His love to be so big that He would take on not only all my sin but all the sin of the world. How is it possible to grasp this great love?

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave, He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

I wept as we sang, “Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me”, because today it seemed like it hadn’t lost its grip on me. It felt like sin was gripping me so tight that I couldn’t breath.

But I am His and His is mine and as I lay this sin at the foot of the cross it is gone. Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the pow’r of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘Til He returns, or calls me home
Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand
Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand

Nothing can ever pluck me from His hand. Satan will try. There will be failings. I will be a miserable person, wife and mom. But Jesus commands my destiny.

This is the power of Christ in me. It is mine to claim because of Jesus love and because of His work on the Cross. It’s in Him alone that I can freely leave this day behind me and begin tomorrow anew.

Loved

Out of the mouth of Angel

“He’s my best friend.” (talking to Daddy about Caleb)

—-

“How’s your family?” (She asked me one morning)

—-

Me: “Are you comfy?”

Angel: “I’m comfortable.”

—-

“Mama, you’re a good helper.”

—-

I took Caleb to the bedroom to get his pj’s on. Angel was talking to Aunt Nellie.

Angel: “Is Caleb sick?”

Aunt Nellie: “Yes he is.”

Angel: “We should take him to the doctor!”

—-

Angel: “Holy gosh!”

Me: “Angel! Where did you hear that from?”

Angel: “Holly (Princess).”

—-

“I like your pretty dress.” (She says to me anytime I wear my long coat or a long shirt)

—-

“Allie is a pretty doggy. I love her so much.”

—-

The other day Caleb was suppose to be napping but was talking in his crib. Angel looks at me, rolls her eyes and says, “little brothers!”

—-

“I’m sorry daddy…. what’s your problem anyway?” (After stepping on his foot)

—-

“I love your pretty hair mommy.”

—-

“Your hair looks funny.” (One morning after I had just blow dried my hair) (She’s so fickle)

—-

“That’s a very good idea.” (After Grama Susie told her to draw her a picture of a horsey)

—-

Hearing the garage open.

Angel: “Daddy’s home!”

A  few seconds later: “I love Daddy. I love him alot.”

—-

Angel: “That’s a very good idea.” (After Aunt Nellie told her what she was making for supper)

Aunt Nellie: “Thank you Angel!”

Angel: You’re very welcome Nellie!”

—-

Tonight Caleb was pretty crabby. She came up to him and tried to give him a hug and said, “What’s wrong little buddy?”

—-

And finally. Singing the entire song. (Please excuse the location)

Another new routine

1.  Today was my first day on the new job. It went really good.  Well other than the fact that my brain hurts and I have a major headache. I’m now working for JDS, the same company I worked for before I went to work for our church three years ago. When I worked at JDS before, I was the Asst Manager and Training Manager in the call center but this time around I’m a Customer Service Rep so I can work part-time.

2. I was almost late for my first day. Our alarm goes off at 5:30 am but I fell back to sleep and for some strange reason both kids slept in. So I woke up at 6:30 am and we had to be out the door by 7:30 am. Yikes. But we made it and I’m pretty sure no one even shed a tear.

3.  Today was the first time I’ve clocked in to a timecard system in over 7 years. That was weird.

4. I have a 30 minute lunch. It felt like 6 minutes.

5. I missed my church co-workers today. I really missed staff devotions they have every morning before starting the day.  I’m even more challenged now to keep myself immersed in God’s Word.

6. My husband also works at JDS. I saw him twice today. It was weird. Good weird.

7. At the church we had Mac computers. Really nice Macs. At my new old job I’ll have a Thin Client which is a step down from a PC.  That’s very weird. And not really in a good way.

8. My day consisted of a few hours of training in the morning, listening to phone calls, entering test orders and reading procedures online.  Everyone was so helpful.  I was also asked alot if it was weird to be back.  Well yes, yes it was.

9. Everyone thinks I’m wacko to work three-10 hours days. Yes I am. I’m a wacko in love with my kids.

10. Pat made us a yummy chocolate cake tonight.  (You’re welcome for the random #10 thought.)

A new routine

Today was the first day of me being a part-time stay at home mom. This week is a little different as I’ll be training so I had today off and then will work Tuesday-Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Then come next week I’ll work Monday-Wednesday 8:30 am – 7:00 pm and have Thursday-Sunday off.

This was what my day home looked like today:

5:30 am – Angel awake and at our door. Didn’t she remember that I told her we could sleep in today? Guess not.

6:30 am – Caleb wakes up.

7:00 am – Breakfast. I’m still in my pj’s.

7:15 am – Pat leaves for work. The wife and his two children are not crying or screaming as is usually the case every morning.

7:45 am – Kids are done eating. I clean up. They start playing and fighting with Mr Potato Heads.

8:30 am – Caleb is whiney and clingy. He wants his bottle, which we are trying to wean him from. He’s walking around the house “crying” and saying “mama mama” and “baba baba”.

9:00 am – Caleb down for his nap. Or so I thought.

9:30 am – I look at the clock and it’s only 9:30 am. I’m exhausted.

9:45 am – Caleb decides he doesn’t want to nap. I get him out of his crib but he’s definitely still tired so we rock until he finally gives in and falls asleep.  And then I rock him a little bit longer.

10:00 am – Angel and I “redecorate” the basement. I actually just rearranged the furniture and organized the toys but she likes to call it redecorating. In between redecorating I finish up the laundry. Angel makes pictures with stickers in between telling me that my redecorating looks perfect. At one point I start wearing her sunglasses and she says to me, “Mama you look fabulous.”

11:00 am – Caleb is awake. Hi 5 is on. Dance party with me and two little munchkins.

11:30 am – Lunch time. Beans, cantaloupe, jello, cheese and cottage cheese.

12:00 pm – Yahoo. Daddy’s home for lunch. Oops I forgot to make him something. I’m still getting the hang of this being home thing.

1:00 pm – Nap time for both kiddos.

1:05 pm – Let the house cleaning begin. I finished up the boat load of dishes that had been on my counter for a week. Yes, a week. I’ll be the first to admit I’m the world’s worst house keeper.  The major dishpan hands I had after washing dishes for 45 minutes was totally worth it to get every single dish clean in my house.

2:00 pm – Sat down with my laptop and a bowl of chocolate ice cream. If that was wrong of me I don’t want to be right.

2:15 pm – Back to cleaning. Cleaned the kitchen and dining room and finished laundry.

2:45 pm – Caleb woke up. Again though he didn’t really want to wake up but wanted to rock. So we rocked for a little bit.

3:15 pm – Caleb woke up for good. We went upstairs and woke up Angel. Snack time. Watched a little bit of Dora while I finished up cleaning the kitchen.

3:30 pm – Two crabby kiddos. Fighting over the Mr Potato Heads. Again. Started reading books but Caleb just kept throwing temper tantrums. Not sure why. Maybe because he can.

4:00 pm – Went back downstairs. Maybe a change of scenery will help with the crabby kids. Sure did. Just played and tried to finished organizing the toys.

5:00 pm – Back upstairs to get ready to head out. Pat and I had to go to church to do an In Design training for the church staff and so the kiddos were going to Grama Barb’s. I think after an entire day with Mommy they were very happy to see Grama Barb!

7:30 pm – Home from training. Cuddle and play with the kiddos. Caleb bedtime at 8:30 pm. Angel bedtime at 9:00 pm. It was a great day. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to have more time at home.