our3chicks

Fabalus!!

2011-12-05T07:20:00.000-08:00

Alli made this video over the summer and I left it on my desktop for when I need a pick-me-up. I actually pulled it into the trash before I watched it. Lauren asked if I saw it so I "rescued" it from the trash bin. I think she made this right before we left for the dentist because her tooth was only like that for a day or so. Enjoy this video, I think it is fabalus!!

Fall Fun

2011-11-02T13:49:00.000-07:00

We went up to the lake to rake leaves and hang with my brother and family. The 5 kids did a great job of raking (jumping) in the leaves and the colors were beautiful. I snapped this doozy of a picture out on the deck because the colors behind them were so darn pretty. What do you think?

This is BAD!!

2011-10-24T17:01:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that I haven't updated this blog in like a year...bad mom, bad mom. Let's see what has been happening in this past year..well, summer came and went. It is never long enough but seasons change, right? School has started (10 weeks ago) and I am now strictly teaching 7th grade English. Lauren is in 7th grade, the twins are in first grading and everyone is loving it. Alli and Brooke are in the same class this year and it is working out well. Softball season came and went, started up again (fall ball) and is over this week. The colors are changing and as I write, all 3 girls are at CCD (yuck). The 7th graders are taking a trip to Springfield this Friday and I will be going along. Lauren is not happy about this because "I promised to stay out of her social life"...whatever!!I am doing the yearbook again this year and I have a great group of (mostly) girls who are excited to work on it. Halloween is right around the corner and Alli and Brooke will be a ladybug and a bee and Lauren is going as a polar bear (I was surprised that this costume isn't as slutty as it looked online). This will be the first year that she is going trick or treating without me (sigh). I guess I can't expect her to walk the neighborhood with her mom forever. I have to update the picture ASAP on this thing but I have to get a new camera first. The twins think that my camera is a toy and another one has bitten the dust!

Your nose is growing!

2010-11-16T18:09:00.000-08:00

Tonight at dinner, Alli was having a fit because "someone" drew all over her picture. Of course, the only other little person in the house that is learning about the letter "H" was sitting across from me. "Brooke, did draw all over Alli's picture", I asked. "No, I didn't" was her answer. "Brooke, your nose is growing because you are telling me a lie." After a quick feel she replies, "No, it's not". Of course, I kept up with it because I wasn't going to let her off that easy. I went on to say, "Brooke, your nose is going to be as big as Pinnochio's if you keep it up." Now she's mad and her reply was, "it is not going to get that big"! Ha, caught. Score one for the mom! Just to get her good and angry I said, "look, it's getting bigger as we speak. In order for it to stop, you have to tell the truth". "Fine, fine, I drew on it", she fesses up. I can only hope that the Pinnochio works well into my daughter's 30's. On a different note, Lauren is covered from head to toe in chicken pox...gross! The doctor says that the vaccination has a 5% failure rate. I should have guessed that at least one of my girls would fall into that 5%!!

Happy, Happy Birthday Alli and Brooke!

2010-10-07T13:54:00.000-07:00

Six years ago today, I only had one daughter. I put her on the bus to go to kindergarten and little did I know that by the time she got home she would be a big sister. I went for my normal weekly doctor's appointment. The doc "checked" me and nothing was going on. She told me that my c-section was scheduled for 2 weeks later. I went on my merry way to the hospital for my bi-weekly NST. As I sat there, I felt different. Not crampy, not contraction-like, just different. I told the nurse that something was up a couple of times and each time she looked at that looong tape and said, "nope, nothing is going on. No contractions, no nothing." By the fourth or fifth time of me telling her that something was up, I think she was just over it. She told me that she would ask the doctor in the office to "check" it out. 5 minutes later, I was in a wheel chair, being wheeled off to L & D. In one hour, I went from a 0 to a 6. I knew something was going on. I called Dan (his phone was dead) and then called my mom. Since I had her car (our other one was in the shop), she called my sis-in-law to drop her off at the hospital. I had to call my friend to ask her to find Dan's shop number (no 411 in the hospital). My doctor showed up, we waited, and waited, and waited for Dan to get there and 20 minutes later we were parents to two more gorgeous girls. Our little 5 pounders were as healthy as horses and I was elated! Looking back, I wish that I could have given my only child one last only child hug and tell her that she was going to be a great big sister, but what did I know?So much has changed these last 6 years. Lauren is in middle school, she babysits, and has a cell phone. Alli and Brooke are in kindergarten and are both missing teeth, and have just started riding two-wheelers. Geesh, time sure does fly by when you are having fun. Happy 6th birthday girls...here's to the rest of your lives!!

Happy Birthday Jim!

2010-10-03T17:10:00.001-07:00

Here is that great picture that I talked about in a previous post. I love it. Sending Happy Birthday's up to heaven!

One of Many Firsts

2010-09-30T19:38:00.000-07:00

I haven't updated this blog in quite awhile. I feel guilty for not having Jim's picture be first thing that comes up but I can't stay away. I have been feeling really crappy and sad lately. I think it is because it is getting close to Jim's birthday, the first one that he won't be here to celebrate. It took me years to figure out that his birthday is 10-4. Duh, 10-4 good buddy!! I will never forget that day. The girls' birthday is on the 7th. They will be 6...6 I can't believe it! The week after Jim passed away Alli came up to me and said.."Oh Mommy, this is terrivle" (terrivle...she cracks me up). "What's terrivle" I asked her. "Well, our birthday is after Grampie's and now Grampie will never have another birthday, so will our birthday ever come"? Isn't that cute? It is so cute and so sad at the same time. One of my favorite pictures is hanging on my fridge. It's a picture from last year of Grampie and the twins in front of their birthday cake. The three of them look so happy together. I would have never imagined it would be their last birthday picture that they would take together. I stare at that picture and just look at it. I look at it and can't believe that he is not here. He looks healthy, he always looked healthy and I get so sad and mad. I can't decide to leave it up or take it down. There is this stupid country song that I hear lately and it gets me so depressed. I have to learn to turn it off because I can't stand to feel this way. So, here we go. In a couple of days it will be the first birthday without Jim. One of my friends asked how my mom has been feeling with this day approaching and I honestly don't know. I haven't asked her. I don't want to bring it up, I don't want her to have to talk about the obvious. I'm going to try and scan the picture into the blog so everyone can see the happiness for themselves. I think that after I scan it, I'll put it back on the fridge!

Jim Daly...the best stepdad and Grampie that ever lived

2010-06-12T10:31:00.000-07:00

On June 3rd, my stepfather, Jim Daly very unexpectedly passed away. Jim was the best stepfather and Grampie any family could ask for. I gave the eulogy at church and many people have asked for a copy of it. They have said that they would like to re-read it and thought that I should have a copy for myself. I frequently have computer problems and thought that this would be a safe place for it just in case all of my files go caput! Here it is.

On behalf if my mother and Jim's family, we want to thank you for coming to celebrate Jim's life.

Jimmy, James, Jim, Uncle Jim, and Jimbo were some of the names that he went by, but the name he was most proud of was Grampie.

People have said some wonderful things about Jim these past few days. Here are some things that I have heard:
- he could talk to anybody (and he did)
-he was always smiling
-he was so much fun
-he was the nicest guy
-that man sure could play bags
-he never talked mean about a person, he simply spoke the truth
-Jim was a fine man, he will be missed

You know, Jim was the type of guy that
-Jim was the type if guy who was always willing to help. Not only because he wanted to help, but because he also wanted to supervise the project.
-he'd give you the shirt off of his back, and he'd always be there with a couple of McDonald's cheeseburgers or a cup of Dunkin' Donuts coffee.
-if you ever needed a pile of wood moved or burned, Jim was your guy.
-if you ever needed a four ton bed moved, give Jim a call and he'd be there to help.
-Jim was a great story teller. He could tell and retell and retell a story with such detail. If you've ever heard the words Army, Ft. Riley, the Board of Education, Mr. Mulvihill, Jack Griffin, Jimmy and Bobby Boyce, Wisconsin fishing, a gas powered bike, and Corny Morgan...you know what I'm talking about.

Gene, Joan, Pat, and Maureen, he always spoke highly of you, and he truly loved you.

Jim was never married before my mom and it just goes to show you how much he loved her. He not only married her, but he also inherited my brother and I. Any man that willing opens his bachelor pad to not only a woman but also to her two teenagers must have surely been crazy or crazy in love. I think he was crazy in love.

Jim and I didn't have a close relationship back in those days. He kind of just co-existed. When we passed each other in the house, we'd say hello but that was really it. I was so impressed with Jim when my own father passed away 12 years ago. He was at the wake with us the whole time, went to the funeral and was our rock. I think it was then when I realized how much he loved my brother and I. Our whole relationship changes when Lauren was born. Lauren was the light of his eye. He'd pick her up from daycare, take her out to lunch, and bring her to the park. Lauren, remember when he took you to the golf course for lunch and he was reading the paper when suddenly the fire alarm went off? Remember what his face looked like when he realized that it was YOU that pulled that alarm? He continued to take you out to lunch but you guys never went back to that golf course....hmmmm!

When Dan and I got married I asked Jim to walk me down the aisle. He had the biggest smile on his face, hugged me, and said "absolutely". Thank God for Jim, that is what I've always said.

The love that he had for his grandchildren was amazing. He was born to be a grandfather. The kids had great names for him. Before he was officially "Grampie", he was "Crappy", "Burpee" and "Pee Pee". Can you imagine waiting your whole life to become a grandfather and when you do, you are being called Crappy, Burpee, and PeePee? He didn't care. Jim had his grandchildren and that is all he cared about. Lauren, you were his first grandchild and he loved you with every ounce of his soul. Tommy, he loved spending your Communion Day with you and he loved to watch you play baseball. Jack, Alli, and Brooke, he loved to hand out dollars to you guys, and to watch you run around the lake. And he absolutely loved to drive you five around on the boat.

Scott, you always had a way of calming Jim down or bringing him up. Isn't it amazing what a couple of bottles of Miller Lite can do? You and Jim had a very special bond and relationship. I don't think that mom could have picked a better stepfather for us.

Kate, I will so much you and Jim dancing a reel or a jig. You two certainly could move around a dance floor. Cherish those memories, those are memories that none of us could duplicate.

Dan, Jim loved to talk to you about the military and World War II movies over gallons and gallons of coffee. He loved you more than a son-in-law, he loved you like a son.

Jim had some great friends. Pete and Ron were his best pals. Pete, he loved to help you hang drywall, move furniture, and help you out in the yard. Ron, there is something to be said for your friendship. Not many people have a best friend that differs in age of about 30 years. He could always count on you to start and finish a project with him.

Loretta Dreznes said it best when she wrote to my mom this week and said ... Jim Daly one half of the best examples of a happy marriage. Mom, Jim loved you so much. He'd make sure you were covered at night, made sure your car was running correctly, and always made sure that there was fresh tonic in the house. The trips up to Timmy's cabin, down to Florida, out to Uncle Darrell's dirt, out to San Diego, over to Flint Lake, those are the memories you have to hold on to. You loved to dance with Jim, and someday you two will dance again. Just make sure that it isn't to soon.

We all have different memories of Jim. He was a great guys and he is now looking down on all of us. I came across a short poem that I think embodies Jim's friendship and love for life. Please listen to this carefully because we can all benefit from these three lines:

Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.
Just walk beside me, and be my friend.

God bless you Jim. I love you and you will surely be missed.

There!

2010-05-20T14:31:00.000-07:00

It's official, I got my job back. For a time it was that I would have an ELL position, but my current job (Lit/L.A.) job opened back up. My current job is more work than the other but I LOVE it and all year I have been preparing for next year. Lauren will be coming to my school, but I won't have her in any of my classes. She got placed in Advanced Lit, L.A. (way to go Lo)! In celebration of my re-hire I went to a warehouse book sale and got some great books for a low price..score! Now I'm in the market for a bookcase. I really would like a tall white one that I can decorate with some funky colors. I want to set up a reading area in my classroom complete with a funky shag (lime green) carpet and some bean bags. So, there is only 8 more full days and an hour. I did sign up for this great English as a second language training that starts the week after we get out of school, but I do get paid for it (score again)! I'm doing a happy dance here.

Almost there...Hopefully

2010-05-07T13:34:00.000-07:00

So, I had a job offer in a great district earlier in the week. I really couldn't believe that they picked me! It's good to be wanted. But...I turned it down. Why, you ask? Well, one big reason. There is a 99% chance that I will be re-hired in my current district. Different position, possibly different school, but same district none-the-less. I decided to roll the dice and turn the offer down and hope for the best. I asked the Supt. of my current district if my current position opened up if I could keep it. I love the school, the staff, the location, the hours, and Lauren will be going there next year. Her answer didn't sound like I could get my current job back. I chalked it up to there are a million people in Illinois that can legally teach middle school Lit., but not so many that can teach ELL (where I thought I would be placed). Well....today the Supt. called me today and asked what position I'd like more (Lit., current school or ELL). I didn't even have to take a breath, I want to stay where I am. So....it sounds as if there may be 2 possible job openings that I can take. Isn't that great? I went from no job opportunities to three in a week! I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I know that things can always go crazy. It's good to be wanted..let's hope everything works out!

Cat's Eyes!

2010-05-03T14:46:00.000-07:00

I had to throw this picture on here because I think it is hilarious! The girls know how to take pictures on my computer. Sometimes when I open it, I find random pictures that were just taken. I think this is the craziest picture I've seen in a long time. Do you think that the cat liked getting his picture taken?

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

2010-04-24T13:16:00.000-07:00

It's been three weeks and I am now used to the "ding" of test messages alert from Lauren's phone. She is only down $7 for her bill but I am confident that she will get the other seven by next week... I hear Dan has some mulching in his future and is looking for a helper!! I went on an interview this past week in a district not to far from home. I have a second interview this coming week. Funny thing is that I may not need it. I am about 90% sure that I will have a position in my current district but will talk about that when it is official. I don't want to jinx it. We have been SUPER bust with softball and I love it. It fills my heart to see Lauren excel and love something that was so important to me growing up. We were at her practice the other night and she was pitching to her coach. Her coach was having a hard time hitting off of her so I thought I'd give it a whirl. So, I get out of my chair, put my latte down, and throw a helmet on. Hey, I'm no dummy, it would be a perfect opportunity for Lauren to throw one at me and ...ooops...miss! I have to tell you that Lauren can pitch! She's pretty fast for an eleven year old. But, have no fear, I still got it! Look out if we ever find a mother/daughter team to play on. Until next time...

The Great Cell Phone Debate

2010-04-03T09:17:00.000-07:00

April 2, 2010 is a day that will live in infamy. This is the date when Lauren got her first cell phone. She has been asking for one since she was eight. At eight I told her that we'd talk about it when she turned ten. On her tenth birthday she asked to talk about it. We talked and it was a very short conversation. The conversation kind of went like this... Lauren: I'm ten now, so can I get a cell phone? Me: No! That was it. She still wasn't ready for one. Where is a ten year old going to go that she would need one? Well, fast forward one year and 3 months. She's been going to the park alot. It is the neighborhood hangout for fifth graders. She always asks to bring the twins....uh, alright! Well, I ran into a situation that I was going somewhere and I wanted her to bring my phone, just in case. Well, if I gave her my cell phone, then what was she going to call me on? After all, I wasn't going to be home. Anyway, Dan was NOT happy that she went to the park and I was out. So, We did a little research, went to the store, signed some papers and off we went. I wish that I had a video camera..rats, there's one on her phone, because she was SHAKING with excitement. It was kind of scary to tell you the truth. So, now Lauren is looking for some babysitting jobs because she has to come up with $40 a month to pay her bill. That was the deal and I'm sticking to it. No pay, no phone. Luckily one of my friend's is happy to hire her at least once a month to pay for it. So, if anyone is looking for a babysitter, I know a cheap one! So there you have it, my eleven year old won the great cell phone debate! Now, I need a better phone because the eleven year old has a way better one than I do.

This RIF is a RUINER!

2010-03-24T14:35:00.000-07:00

So my awesome job that I thought I would never in a million years get will be coming to an end in June. Seeing is how the state of Illinois can't pay their debts to their school districts 12,400 teachers will be or have been let go, myself included! I am so pissed about this. This job is awesome, and awesomly close to home. Lauren will be going to my school next year and she told me that she was looking forward to going to the same school where I work. I took a sick day today to get some things in order. I put together all of my paperwork to send to the state to get my ELL certification put on my teaching certificate, updated my resume and cover letter, and searched the school districts that are in my semi-area. I found eight school districts that have openings that I qualify for and will be sitting at my computer for a countless number of hours getting all of my information uploaded to them. After those districts, I'm going to get my application in to other districts that don't have any openings listed just in case something does open up. I HATE this part. I feel like I just did all of this. I did, last March. I can only hope and pray that Dan gets back to work soon. For crying out loud, it's been 13 months and our family and relationship has taken a major hit because of it. I can't help but feel like we're such losers. Come June both of us will be sitting on unemployment and God only knows how much longer Dan will be able to collect. I keep trying to see the light at the end of this tunnel. The only thing that I can come up with is that if I don't get another job (I'm pretty sure I won't...remember that 12,400 number?) the only thing that I can see is that at least I won't miss Alli and Brooke's first day of kindergarten. I keep thinking that it is time to make a career change, but what it would be I don't know. I look back on my life and think about my decisions. The only decision that I can honestly say that I regret is that I went into teaching. I should have been a speech pathologist or x-ray technician, there seems to be a lot of those jobs out there. So, for now, I can only sit at this stupid computer and hope that something works out. That or the state wins the lottery or something. Whatever happened to all of the money that the state was supposed to get from the lottery anyway? Damn Illinois!

Our cat might be on to something!

2010-01-30T15:38:00.001-08:00

Our cat loves to run outside. I swear he knows when we get visitors that it's a free pass to get out. Funny thing is, he never comes back when we try to get him. If you need a laugh, come over to our house when we're trying to get him back into the house. Of course his favorite time to get out is when we are going somewhere for a couple of days. Our next door neighbors just call him and he runs right to them. Our neighbors think that we are the worst pet owners in the hood. But, today a came across a picture. This isn't our cat, but it's our cat's twin. The girls think that it is, in fact, Kitty. I now know where our cat goes for days at a time. He is a cat after my own heart!

A poem for the season!

2009-12-04T15:20:00.000-08:00

I am the Chaplain for my Mom's of Multiples group and wrote this for our December newsletter. I kind of like it so I thought I'd share. Watch out people, I got a new camera last week and will now be updating this blog with pictures.

“Twas the weeks before Christmas, and the kids are in bed,
And mom heads down to the computer instead.
The laundry, the dishes, the lunches can wait,
The internet and I have a much needed date.
Hail ebay, hail Amazon, hail Craigslist too.
I have a credit card, and there’s some damage to do.
Babies, trucks, and ipods galore,
If I had tons of money there would be so much more.
Christmas shopping is upon us again.
Buying the greatest presents means I’m the best mom then.
Of course, that statement isn’t really exact.
Being the best mom is a way bigger task.
Hugs, kisses, cuddles, and scratches,
Those things don’t have much better matches.
So remember when you’re in line for the best of sales,
The time you spend with them is better than mail.
Santa will hopefully bring more than just gifts.
Maybe just maybe he’ll bring one less fit.
And when he doesn’t, take a gulp of air,
Our kids are our treasures and there aren’t any to spare.
I hope you and your families have the merriest of days,
Because the love between you really does pay!

Technologically Challenged!

2009-08-03T21:09:00.000-07:00

O.K. so here's the deal. My computer was dead, got that fixed. Plugged it in in hopes that I could get back to posting but guess what...the monitor didn't work. Waited to get a new monitor but that took forever. Got the new monitor, hooked it up, installed the new printer and viola!! Since I like to post pictures in the blog, I took the camera wherever I went. Guess what, the damn thing was broke. That's o.k., I have a backup digital...guess what...it wasn't working either. Damn the technology (or should I say, damn those twins)! So now, a whole summer has pretty much gone by and I have minimal pictures to prove it. UGH!! So here's the skinny. We've spent a bunch of days at the lake. We've spent a couple weekends in Michigan. We have spent countless numbers of hours at the softball field, and I have spent an infinite number of minutes cleaning the house. I am hoping that a new digital camera will fall from the sky and land in my pretty little hands. Until then, enjoy your last days of summer before the kiddos go back to school. Did I mention that I have a full time teaching gig? Yay me!

I'm not dead....

2009-05-21T05:46:00.000-07:00

My computer has just been in the shop for the last 2 weeks. I'm hoping to get it back today, I dropped off the software days ago so he could get everything reinstalled so I'm hopeful that today will be the day. My lovely aunt let me take her computer table off her hands for her. Perfect timing because our old one needs to be thrown in the garbage ASAP. The twins keep pushing on the top and it toppled over and completely SMASHED the printer. I happily bid on a "new" one from ebay yesterday and won one. That should be her tomorrow. So, I've been lugging my work laptop home with me everyday so I can stay connected ( and apply for jobs)! I didn't want to use it to put any pictures on here just in case something goes wrong with it. Hope all is well with everyone. In other news, I finished up at my small Christian college last week and will be taking my last 2 classes online. These classes are approved by the state of IL, are 5 weeks shorter than the other place, and $600 cheaper!! Yay. I will be finished with the extra certification the 1st week of July instead of the middle of September. Double yay!!

What's That You Say?

2009-04-05T19:29:00.000-07:00

You know the phrase.....kids say the darndest things? Well, mine really say funny things. I should have been writing these down for years because I know that I've let 100's of them go by. Alli cracks me up. Some of my "favorites" by her include the use of "wesmarrow"...that's a combination of "westerday" and "tomorrow", then there's the often used "bwankie" for blankie, and one of my favorites...."goed", oh and that is go-ed. She REALLY cracked me up today when she wanted a treat. Now, I guess I should preface this by telling you that Dan is the treat maker. It kind of drives me nuts because the girls think that they should get a treat every night. I just don't think that it is good practice to indulge the girls in treats after dinner every night. Anyway, Alli comes up to me and says..." Mommy, I'm going to go down-the-stairs (that's another one of her sayings) and ask daddy to make us a treat. You can't make treats because only daddy's make treats and you're not a daddy." Isn't that hilarious? I'm laughing just thinking about her little voice saying it!! I think the real reason why she had to ask Dan is because she already knew the mom's answer!!

Just Dance

2009-03-21T11:22:00.000-07:00

Since Dan has been laid off he's spent lots of time lately with the girls while I am at work. When I got home yesterday this song came on the radio and Brooke started going crazy. It was SO funny. It came on again today so i grabbed my camera as fast as I could, changed the settings and viola, Brooke's (and Alli's) first music video. Look out Dancing with the Stars, we may have a new contender!! This is my first attempt at posting a video so I hope that it works!

Let's Bowl, Let's Bowl, Let's Rock and Roll!

2009-02-16T17:09:00.001-08:00

I've been a bad blogger lately. When I started this I swore that I would update at least once a week if not more. Between working almost everyday, going to school, doing homework, hosting V-Day parties at school and sick kids, I've been just a tad bit busy. The little girls and I went to a birthday party at the bowling alley today and it was so fun. They have never been bowling and I was very impressed at how they did. I think that there will be more bowling outings in our future. Lauren spent the night and day at her friends so she wasn't there to experience it. Thanks to Amanda for having us at the party! Here are some pictures from the day.

Happy 10th birthday Lauren!

2009-01-23T18:28:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that Lauren is 10 years old today. Where has the time gone? I have been so lucky to see my tiny baby grow into such a bueatiful little lady. I've been fortunate to witness her excel in school, on the softball field, and on the slopes. I've listened to her reading her little sisters stories, and I have had the best times teaching her how to swim and play games. She has a real talent for art. Her pictures amaze me. I can't take credit for that, I can hardly draw a stick person. Here are some things all about her:

Name:Lauren Elizabeth

Birthdate: January 24th, 1999

Height: Birth- 21 in. Now- 5 ft.

Weight: Birth- 7 lbs. 12 oz. Now- She wouldn't let me say

Eyes: Blue

Hair: Dark Blonde

Favorites

Color: Pink

Show: Suite Life on Deck

Song: "Tonight" by the Jonas Brothers

Character: Hannah Montana

Sport: Gymnastics

People: Her family

Things: Hershey Kisses, glitter, jewelry

Hobbies: Reading, coloring, play the Wii

I love to see the progression of her growing up. Enjoy, and I hope that you've had the opprotunity to love her as much as we do!

I Wanna be a Rock Star!!

2009-01-19T11:29:00.000-08:00

We are going on day number 5 of no school in this house. I have to say that we are going stir crazy. Usually when I'm bored, I clean. I'm tired of cleaning. The girls play in their room, mess it up, clean it up and then move onto the playroom where, you guessed it, they play, mess it, and after I holler long enough they clean it up. Lauren has been in Colorado since Thursday. The girls have made their way into her room where they've....played, messed, and I cleaned it. Don't tell Lauren though, she'd have a fit. Here are some pictures of the rock stars, wearing their Hannah Montana outfits. They don't like the wig...it's too itchy!

What the HECK happened here?

2009-01-18T16:55:00.000-08:00

This is what you get for playing around, trying to spice the blog up. How in the world do I get rid of this thing? I clicked fast add from the website and this is how it posted. If ANYONE knows how to get rid of those stick families I'd really appreciate the help. UUUUUGGHHHH!

Our 3 Chicks

2009-01-18T15:41:00.001-08:00

Get your own Family Sticker Maker & MySpace Layouts.

De Plane, De Plane

2009-01-15T20:59:00.000-08:00

Now do you get the reason why I'm afraid to fly? I'm sure you've all seen the footage of the plane that went down in the Hudson River today. Of all days for Lauren to fly. Of all days to listen to the radio and hear of a plane crash. Of course I ran to turn the t.v. on. I was (sorry to say) glad to hear it was in New York. God bless that pilot. He truly is a hero in my book. I was watching the news and crying!! I can't imagine the panic that was going on in that plane. See, I'm not a worry wart, these things happen. Thank god everyone is o.k.

She's Leavin' on a Jet Plane...

2009-01-14T20:50:00.000-08:00

Geesh, this working mom thing is a lot of work! I have gotten up at 5:45-6:00 a.m. for the last 2 days. Today I've showered (2 days in a row mind you), gotten the girls up, dressed, fed, packed up, into the car, and off to the babysitter by 7:15, gone to work, picked the girls up from the babysitter, gotten home, went to the store, started a load of laundry, packed Lauren up, made dinner, went to Lauren's gymnastic performance, dropped the family off at home, loaded Lauren's bag into the car, drove her over to my uncles, and finally got home by 9:00 p.m. Believe me when I tell you, I was a total crab ass today. But...... when I got home I checked my email and low and behold we have a SNOW DAY TOMORROW!!! Now, being that I am a part-time employee I don't get paid for the day. That's the bad news. The good news, we have a SNOW DAY! When I say we, since the little girls are in the same school district that I am, they have a SNOW DAY as well. Looks like the showering streak will be broken. Fine with me, I'm saving on water, right? Since I won't have work to distract me, that means that I will be a total nervous wreck the whole day. If you truly know me, you know that I am TERRIFIED to fly. I have really tried not to pass that on to my girls. Lauren will be flying out to go skiing in Colorado with my uncle tomorrow. I'm terrified to fly but I'm even MORE terrified when my family members fly without me. Uncle Bruce has been taking Lauren to Colorado for the last 4 years. She is truly one of the luckiest kids that I know. I SOOOOO appreciate him for giving her great experiences that we most likely never would. FYI, a bunch of us girls took a trip out to Colorado when my friend Jenni was living there. Had a great vacation until some little shit of a kid cut me off as I was flying down a mountain in Keystone, CO and I wiped out. I mean I REALLY wiped out. Busted up my knee pretty bad and haven't been on skis again. So anyway, once I hear that they have arrived safe and sound, it'll be a less stressful day, that is until I start stressing out about avalanches!! O.K., thanks for letting me babble.

It's official!

2009-01-12T08:05:00.000-08:00

So, it is official. I got the job. There are some technical strings attached but I am still very happy about it. My first official day on the job will be tomorrow. First day, first big responsibility. I have to administer some high stakes tests, similar to ISAT's for ELL students. I sure hope that I won't screw it up. I'll update how the first day goes tomorrow.

Life...it is a changin'

2009-01-07T15:49:00.000-08:00

So, good news. I had an interview for a part time English as a Second Language position today. I got the job...I think! Here's the deal, I interviewed with the lady that runs the program, the Assistant Principal (Principal is out on maternity leave) and the girl that I have been observing with. Well, seeing as the Superintendent is on vacation, I couldn't be offically hired. The lady doesn't have the authority to hire. I will have to have a second interview with the Super when she returns. In the meantime I will be placed in the classroom as a sub until I get the full go ahead. So....I start training on some testing programs that I will have to administer and learning the schedule of the students tomorrow. I will be working all day Tues., and Wed., and half a day on Thursdays. Does that sound like I have a job? I hope so. When I have 3 months under my belt I will be waived by the state of my 100 clock hours of observation, that rocks!! The best part about the job will be the experience that I can put on my resume for next year, also rocks!! As long as I have been hollering that I want to go back to work, I'm already starting to freak about it. With my Farm Bureau job (which I will be keeping on Mondays and Fridays), I just told them which days not to schedule me. I didn't have to worry about missing mom moments. Lauren has a show at school next Tuesday that I'm going to have to miss. Good thing she also has the same performance that night. I'm terrified that I'm going to have to miss the little girls Mom's Tea (I think that goes down in May?), I'm going to have to relinquish my room mom job as well. Whenever I attend these during the day school functions I always feel bad for the kids that don't have thier parents there. I feel even worse for the parents that can't be there. I hope that my kids won't miss me. I'm hoping that important future events will be held on Mondays and Fridays, that way I'll be able to be there. Wish me luck that A...I really DO have a job, and B...I won't screw it up!!

Pure Michigan

2009-01-04T14:07:00.000-08:00

We just got home from a fabulous weekend in Grand Haven, Michigan. We went up to Dan's brother's property and had a great time. We went on the ATV's, snowmobiles, and had a couple of great campfires. I have to say that Lauren is quite the off roader. I think the highlight of the weekend was when we got caught by some not so happy man that came out screaming, "Get off my property"! He even jumped into is truck and "escorted" us out to the main road. Of course he witnessed us tearing up his trail when we got the ATV's stuck in the snow...too funny!!

Mmmm.....metal!

2008-12-31T08:51:00.000-08:00

So this is a first in our house, ever. Last night Lauren, Dan, and I were playing Trouble at the dining room table. Alli was sitting next to me and Brooke was bopping around the room. All of a sudden this unfolds:

A:"Mommy, I chew a kerter."

Me:"What babe?"

A: Now freaking, "I chew a kerter."

Me: "What babe?"

Dan: "Alli, did you say you chewed a quarter?"

A: Now sobbing, "yes."

Dan: Jumping up, running around the table, picking Alli up, running over to the couch, looking at the with terror in his eyes, "Oh my God baby!"

A: Screaming, crying.

Dan: Still looking at me with terror on his face, "Well, aren't you going to do something?"

Me: "What's there to do?"

Dan: "Dammit, she swallowed a quarter, do something!" Now he's turning her over, pounding on her back.

Me: "Dan, stop it, don't hit her back for crying out loud!"

Dan: "I've got to get it out."

Alli: Upside down, still crying, "Mommy!"

Me: "Dan put her down! She's screaming and crying, it's already all the way down. You don't want to bring it back up, then it can get stuck!"

Dan: Putting Alli down, "Are you sure, what if it is stuck?"

Me: "It's down, listen to her, she's fine. Alli, why in the world would you put a quarter in your mouth?"

Alli: Still crying, "I don't know."

Me: "Well, you know it comes out when you poop."

Alli: Finally calm, "O.K."

Dan: "Elaine, you're going to have to watch for it."

Me: "Yeah, that MIGHT happen."

So.... I was curious, I had to look this morning. I glanced, not really inspected the package in the toilet, nothing that I could see. I guess we'll chalk that .25 piece up as a loss! I hope Alli learned her lesson. Ahhhh, the joys of motherhood!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

2008-12-24T10:43:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Since I didn't send out Christmas cards this year I hope that you like the pictures I took today in front of the loaded Christmas tree. Good news at our house, after being laid off for 6 weeks, Dan is back to work...yeeeeah!! Looks like my Christmas wish has already come true.

Ho, Ho, Ho!!

2008-12-15T10:12:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we went to my Mom's of Multiples family party. It was held at Governor's State University's Family Development Center. It was a great place. There was a gym where the kids could play with balls, scooters, on the mats, and they had a place to do some crafts. Later we made our way into the other room for some food and drinks. Well, wouldn't you know it but Santa showed up! I love that the girls are no longer afraid of him and they get so excited to see him. Brooke actually pushed me up to him. It was so funny. She kept saying, "Mommy, go, tell him what you want." I'm so glad that we went. It was the first year that we were able to attend.

Sleeping Beauties

2008-12-08T17:01:00.000-08:00

There's something about a sleeping child. I love to look at the girls when they sleep. They look so peaceful and heavenly. Here are some pictures of my sleeping beauties. I guess it is safe to say that Brooke can fall asleep anywhere, even at the kitchen table. I love the other picture because they are leaning on each other and were so comfortable that they fell asleep on each other. I can only wonder if they were like this in the womb. On another note, I'm trying to decide if I should do away with the naps. They are, after all, 4 years old. Lauren had a nap everyday until she went to kindergarten. Since I have to wake the twins up everyday and they have to be out of the house by 8 a.m. they are exhausted by the time they get home from school. They are completely miserable until they sleep. The problem is that when I put them down for a nap, I end up having to put Brooke on the couch and keep Alli in her bed because all they do is play. By the time they fall asleep it is around 1:00 and then I have a heck of a time getting them to bed at night. UUUUGGHH, what's a mother to do? Did I mention that I LOVE nap time?

Let it Snow!

2008-12-01T15:45:00.000-08:00

We had our first snow to speak of of the season and the girls were so excited. Lauren woke up to a blanket of fresh powder outside and she couldn't wait to put her feet in it. Alli and Brooke couldn't wait for Lauren to get home from school so they could run around in it. I forgot how long it takes to get two 4 year old's dressed in snow pants, boots, gloves, hats, and coats but it was worth it. I was sure that as soon as they got outside they would need to come back in to go to the bathroom but it didn't happen. There wasn't enough snow to make a snowman but there was plenty to make snow angels. Not to worry, the season has just begun!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2008-11-28T17:22:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. My Aunt Joyce is always so gracious and has the whole family over for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Yes, she's crazy! It seems as if the older the twins get, the smoother the holidays go. It's nice to get the girls their dinners and be able to sit down and eat mine at the same time. You wouldn't believe how much Alli ate yesterday. I think she ate half the ham! It was little Angel's first Thanksgiving and she handled it like a trooper. Angel, you sure do know how to spit up girl!! She covered the floor, the hutch, and my moms shoes. It was hilarious!! It is now official that the Christmas season is upon us. There are sales galore, Christmas movies on t.v. and people's houses are all lit up. This is when the fun really begins. The girls love to ride around when it's dark so they can look at everything. I love that I have Santa's phone number, seems to make life a bit easier!!

Seeing Double?

2008-11-23T15:17:00.000-08:00

I belong to a great Mother's of Multiple's group that I love. We have lots of outings with the kids and some fun times with just the moms. This year our group has a Christmas tree at Brookfield Zoo. Yesterday we got together to make ornaments and today we met up at the zoo to decorate the tree. I love the garland that we made. Each child had a gingerbread man and we put a picture in it. We then linked each child to their sibling and then to each other to make a long chain. I think it turned out really cute. It's always funny to catch people staring at us when we're out with the kids. People whisper, point and stare and some have to ask if all the kids are twins, or triplets. It was cold out today, but we still spent some time staring at the animals (I guess I know how they feel)! We saw elephants, lions, bears, monkeys and even a baby orangutan. I realized today that the zoo is even better in winter than in the summer. Since most of the animals are housed inside this time of year, you really get to see them up close. We were so close to the giraffes and elephants, I felt like we could almost touch them.

Thank Heaven for Little Girls.....and Moms

2008-11-16T20:54:00.000-08:00

Well, we're not so little anymore but now is the time that we can really have fun with our moms. This past weekend, 5 not so little girls and their moms headed east to Valparasio, IN to spend the night at my mom's lake house. A good time was had by all. We ate, drank, played cards, Charades, Pictionary, Catch Phrase, and ate and drank some more. We did take a field trip down the road to Roadhouse, a local establishment. Usually there are no less than 2o motorcycles parked in the gravel lot, but not last night. We hung out and played some darts while we were there. We love hanging out with our moms and were so happy that our evening came together and was a success. We're already talking about our next get together. Mom, thanks for having us all out. I love you !!

Houston, we have a ...guest author!

2008-11-13T13:27:00.000-08:00

L is so exited about this that she wanted to write her own entry. Enjoy!

Today was so much fun. I went to the Adler Planetarium! I did a bunch of diffrent things. I saw a space movie and saw how people found out what space was, where it was, and how it formed. I also saw a little place where this man's house had a crater go threw his roof and floor. Right next to the story was the crater that hit his house !! Look at the picture of the crater. When we left, I was sad but I was happy that I learned about our solor system. The last thing that I want to tell you is that I got alot of cool pictures. I got a picture of the earth , the Milky Way and much more. Thats what I did at the Adler Planetarium.

Am I sure about this?

2008-11-10T20:42:00.000-08:00

Since I have been a regular reader of 4 of my cousins' blogs, (and a ton of people's who I don't even know)I thought it was time I started my own. What a great way to keep in touch with many friends and family members who live out of town! But..... is this something that I can keep up with? This blog will show how my normal, middle class, midwestern family operates. I would like to think that we are a normal family. We have three beautiful girls. A singleton born in 1999 and a set of twin girls who were born in 2004. O.K. so I guess we aren't exactly an average family but it's all we know! So, ready or not here I go. Since most of this blog will revolve around the girls I guess it is appropriate to start with a picture of them.