Decisions, Decisions

I hate to admit it but, my brain is in vacation mode. It’s only April, I better snap out of it or it will be a long spring!:) I know it’s mostly because of the weather; I just want to escape somewhere tropical because I’m getting too impatient waiting for the season to change. Still, if you have read my blog long enough, you know by now I am a “planner”. Especially when it comes to taking trips or vacation time. I always want to make a great memory for the boys and I spend hours trying to figure how we can capture the perfect summer for them. When it comes down to it, I am pretty sure they want what every kid wants at their age: endless days of playing with the neighbors, splashing in the backyard kiddie pool, and eating way too many popsicles. In addition to all that fun though, I want to getaway as a family and do something that is uniquely “ours”. My dad was the master when it came to that. We have so many stories of amazing adventures that he and my mom took us on. Looking back I really don’t know how they did it but it seemed like we were always traveling and learning something through our trips. Sometimes it didn’t even matter where we were going, it was all about the fun we had on the journey and the mishaps, highs, and lows along the way.

I can’t imagine topping the trips our family took growing up, but I sure want to try. It’s something I appreciate and will carry with me and I hope to pass that on with Jim and the boys. So for some people it might sound a little odd (and maybe pathetic) that we’ve been planning our vacation for about 4 months now! The funny thing is, the 4 months hasn’t been focused on one place, it’s because we’ve changed our minds about 5 times as to what to do! At first we thought we would take the boys to Hershey, PA and then Gettysburg for Independence Day. On the way out there we could stop in Amish country and have a horse and buggy ride and get a tour of a farm (every kid should see how a working farm operates)! We nixed that eventually (I can’t even remember why now) but thought we might take a “couple’s trip” instead. I am turning 30 this year so Jim thought we should go, just the two of us, to Asheville, NC and stay at the Biltmore. That was short-lived though because we can’t leave the boys out, it just wouldn’t feel right! We’ve tossed around everything from Myrtle Beach to Disney and either the timing isn’t right, or the money isn’t there (Lol)! So now we are back to the drawing board. We have a running list of summer activities, local places, and events we want to attend and even if we accomplish a quarter of that list, it will still be plenty o’ fun. There are some great things to do in Ohio (and many of them free). With the kids still being pretty young, maybe that is our best bet for now. Maybe I need to call my dad and see what he suggests!:)

Great Girls Getaway!

I am so excited for this event! April 11-12 at Kalahari Resort in Sandusky we are going to have some major, FUN female bonding! Several fantastic guests are lined up, including Lisa Welchel (remember Blaire from Facts of Life)?! I will be the emcee for the weekend and I can't wait! This will be the fist time EVER (since becoming a mom) that I've done anything like this. I never leave my kids overnight so it's got to be for a pretty amazing event...and this fits the bill! After a weekend of laughing and getting inspired with other ladies, I think I will be one happy mamma! Jim and the boys are going to join me later in the weekend though, it's a win-win for everyone. You owe it to yourself to rejuvinate every now and then, and this is the perfect avenue to do that! To get your tickets and find out more, click here: God Girls in Motion

Great Day

I hope you had a wonderful Easter celebration! Ours was great from start to finish. The boys woke up, ran downstairs, and discovered their baskets. We had an egg hunt and a nice big sticky-bun breakfast before church. It was such a blessing to have Jim's mom here for the big feast, and both of our families together again. I ate WAY too much and it was the "ohh I shouldn't have done that" kind of stuffed. Not good! Gabriel is on spring break this week and I am so happy to have him home, I just wish it was warmer! It stinks to be stuck inside and I'm going crazy being cooped up (have I mentioned that lately?!).:)

Happy Easter!

Today is Good Friday and then we're into Easter weekend! It came so fast, I just wish the weather would tie-in to the season. I'm really hungry for some sunshine and warmer temps, it's time to come out of hibernation! Today is going to be busy, but beautiful. We have the Stations of the Cross, mass tonight, and then again on Sunday. This is the first time I feel that Gabriel and Grant really understand the true meaning of Easter. They've asked so many questions and it's presented an opportunity to really explain to them the magnitude of the sacrifice Jesus made. EWTN has had some wonderful programs for kids and we practically have it on 24/7! What I've realized though, is how open children are to learning at this stage. Their curiousity has prompted me to do more, give more, and teach them more about our faith. I set out to help them, and in the process I've been blessed myself. Of course it's not just teaching, but LIVING it daily, that's where the rubber hits the road!:)

Well I am off to compete in our "Egg Challnge" with the morning show. Len, Mark, and I are racing in yet another physical challenge. I figured we might as well do this while I'm young and agile right!?:) Have a wonderful, safe, blessed Easter!

Hat Disaster

First I have to show this new mommy and Garrett photo. He's getting so big! My buddy will be 2 in May and he's talking like crazy and doing so much. I am excited about my hair here, I went to Laus Deo last week (see banner ad).:) It's a bit darker which is nice. It's good to have a change. Gina does such a good job of knowing what's complimentary to skin tone, etc.

Today I planned to make Easter hats for the kids. I thought we could just cut out the design and glue some cotton balls on and voila! Simple and easy...right?! Well, have I ever mentioned that I don't have ONE artistic bone in my body?! ha ha. We glued the cotton balls on the ears which weighs them down (floppy ears are cute but that's not what I had in mind)!:) So needless to say, they didn't turn out like I thought but we had fun and laughed about it anyway. Garrett's turned out okay but then he got sick of it and ripped it off. Ahhhh, memories!:) Here are the pics:

Snow Storms and Sewing

What a weekend! The "storm of 2008" hit us hard and we are BURIED in show here in NE Ohio! I personally love it since it happened during the weekend. Our family was tucked safely inside. Usually something pretty major (and not good) has to happen in order for the world to STOP where everyone is gathered together and families are united in the home for an extended time. At least in my experience, that only happens for us when we are sick, or have a death in the family for all of us to just lay low and cancel all of our plans and commitments. So this was such a blessing because we were all in good spirits and good health and could enjoy just hibernating as a family and not leaving the house for almost 48 hours. Jim and the boys built a fantastic, giant snow fort and played with the neighbor kids until their cheeks were red and they couldn't feel their lips! Lol.:) I feel for people who were stranded or who had cancelled flights, etc. For us though, it was the perfect winter storm to enjoy from the safety of our little warm home.:) That being said, I would be happy if that's all the snow we get until next winter. With Daylight Savings time here, I am more than ready for some nice warm Spring sunshine!


I ran across this while looking for craft ideas for the kids. What a creative mom! An artist named Lizette Greco takes her own kids' original drawings of animals, houses and pretty much anything else, and turns them into plush, three-dimensional toys. She'll do it with your kid's art, too. Prices vary based on size and design, but generally start at $400 (ouch)! That is not in our realm of reality but I do like the idea. Here is the link for more info: www.etsy.com
I wish I could sew! This would be so fun to do and surprise the child with their own creation come to life. I knew I should've paid more attention in Home Ec. when we did sewing!

Checking In

Sure enough. As soon as I wrote about everyone else getting sick, I caught the bug! It was rough last week and once again I was grateful my family lives nearby. In addition to Jim making supper, giving the boys a bath, etc, my mom also stepped in to help. I hate just lying around because I feel so helpless, but the extra sleep was a huge boost. Next year we are all getting the flu shot for sure!

I'm starting to get bored with my hair again. I like the length but now I'm looking for a different style. I want curls! I'm looking in to getting a body wave. It would be nice just to wash it and go and have a nice, bouncy look that doesn't take forever to style. I straighten my hair now and it can be tedious and time-consuming. My hair has some natural curl, but not enough to just let it go wild. It's got areas of frizz, wave, and then stick-straight spots...ugh! I'm going Friday to see my friend Gina at Laus Deo in Twinsburg so we'll see what she says.

Today is voting day here in Ohio, I am off to the polls! Have a great day.