Baby A Update

Baby A is still alive today (5 days)...she is such a miracle and a blessing to her family and to all of us. From what I hear she has good days and some days she struggles. Please continue to pray for strength and wisdom for all involved! These prayers are being heard and answered and fulfilled by our mighty Savior!

Jeff's Ordained! :) ***edited

Today went really well. Jackson was up early so I sent him to church with Jeff for first service/Sunday school and I nursed Creighton around 8:45 or so and put her back to sleep so I could get ready. She did excellent and stayed asleep till 10:15, which knowing we weren't getting naps till at the earliest 3, I was happy about!

I helped get Jeff and Jackson out the door and then I got showered and dressed and make-up and everything before she made a peep. It was wonderful. I actually spent time on myself this morning and I felt pretty and I.HAD.A.DRESS.ON...unbelievable to those of you who know me best...but yes its true...*(my new "fancy" dress and over-sweater I bought for this occasion...on sale and my new shoes also on sale (total outfit $72)....which after I typed that felt like a lot more than I thought...) Here is a picture of the dress and sweater. *** and now my head too for Kara :)

Here are the shoes that my MIL insisted upon calling my "barbie doll shoes" :/

Anyway, enough about me, this day certainly wasn't about me at all...

The service went well. The elders and Rod and the "interrogation" committee all surrounded both Jeff and I and prayed for about 10 minutes in front of the church. We had LOTS of family and friends in town...for the sake of remembering I am going to list them for our benefit :)

Terrie, Phillip, John, Debbie, GP, Grandma Lewis, Sherri, Randy, Jennifer, Brent, Clay, Lacy, Stephanie, Matt, Jessica, Layne, Bree, (and the 4 Bergs) for 21 *and my mom and dad were there in spirit* (more to come later on this topic)

Then Jeff's small group from the last 4 years: Hollis, Taylor, Chris, Potter, Thomas, Andy, Bradshaw and Jenky (the rest didn't make it but there were 4 more in town for the weekend)

And several friends left their "posts" of volunteering or being in a class to come during the "ceremony" part to be supportive of us! It was a really neat experience.

The reception was really nice and lots of people came by to say hi and congrats to us both...or eat the (really good) food...who knows. :)

Pastor Rod and Cindy and Brittany joined us for lunch at 1. The lunch went well. My kids were starting to get a lot little restless towards the end and VERY ready for naps but all-in-all I was proud of my little troopers (although NEITHER of them ate much or anything except for cake). Everybody had fun (some nice, some funny) stories to tell about Jeff and the conversation was pleasant--which was nice. He got some sweet cards and some gifts and money too! :)

I had my camera there today but because I was "busy" with everything I gave it over to someone to take pictures, but when I got the camera out just now, there was only one and it was of Creighton and Gramma Debbie...so I am waiting on all the pics that Debbie took and I will post those later...

Leap Year Weather INCREDIBLE

Welcome March! We had a fabulous day of Leap Year atleast in our world we did. The weather was A.MAZING! I loved it. WE played outside with Kara and the girls for 2 hours and ate lunch with them. The sun on my skin and body (albeit through clothes) was the single greatest thing for my mood yesterday. IT was unbelievable how good it felt!!!! The kids got dirty and played hard! It was fun and good! Although Creighton (and jax a little too) do NOT know how to leave the fabulous fifth alone! Creighton constantly wants to kiss her and hold her and rock her really fast....that was exhausting and I didn't even do a good job of parenting her away from it....sorry Kara!

Good day! I will welcome this weather all the time!!!! The kids and Jeff are about to go on bike ride...:)

Parent's Night Out

Last night our Mother's Day Out program had what they call Parents Night Out. They do this once a month and it is so awesome. I love it! Its for 4 hours and it is only $10 and the kids get to be with the same teachers that they are with always throughout the week and they play and run them hard! Jackson slept straight till 9:15 and Creighton is STILL sleeping! :)

Jeff and I were given a $100 gift certificate to Jarrett Farms' The Wilmington Restaurant. It was such a special treat, as we wouldn't ever be able to eat there (lets just say we still owed $10 after the certificate and I got the cheapest thing on the menu!) Either way, it was great time with my man and then we rushed to the mall to take back some stuff to Dillards and Gap and catch a movie by 8. We saw Vantage Point. I must say I was dissappointed in the rating (PG-13) because of ALL of the language (even atleast one f-bomb) and LOTS scattered throughout. There was NO sexual/skin content but there was lots of violence too...so I am appauled at what they consider PG-13 now...but seriously with the exception of the Bee Movie that I saw over Thanksgiving with my whole family, I have not been to the theater in years!...so maybe they got a lot more lenient since then. But back to the movie, it was decent but COMPLETELY unbelievable as someone can get shot (atleast once), have several vehicular accidents--one of which he gets smashed between a speeding machtruck and a stone building (in the tiniest of little european cars) and walk away at the end UNSCATHED....so either it was unrealistic or this is a HUGE advertisement for the best and safest little car in the world! :)

Then we went to get the kids straight from the movie and we had 20 minutes to spare, but got them anyway. They were happy and content and gave me HUGE hugs and we came home and went right to bed!

Jeff's Ordination

I am so excited for Jeff this weekend. He is being ordained on Sunday at church during second service. We have 21 family members coming and his small group of now freshmen in college!! It is way exciting day in the lives of the Bergs. God has blessed us immensely and this is only part of it. Thank you Lord for my husband and his calling and his passion. Thank you for allowing Grace to see what I see (and have for so long) and to gather around him in this way.

There is a reception from 12-1 following second service and then there is also a lunch for the family after that! We are all way excited. I got a new fancy dress to wear to church on Sunday too! (it was on sale)...:)

Yeah for Jeff! I am so proud of you Honey

Baby A--prayers are working, more are needed

Baby A wasn't expected to live more than an hour after birth, if that...tomorrow they are all coming home from the hospital. She will be 2 days old tomorrow morning. She is having a feeding tube inserted for nourishment and it also helps her breathing. The diagnosis hasn't changed and there are many unanswered questions and no one knows how long her life will be or what it will consist of, except for the complete love of a family. They think she is beautiful and they are loving her and holding her and spending quality family time together. Just pray for them as the days ahead will be tiring and hard and that they will have the peace and strength and comfort that only God can give. Thank you all for praying and please continue.

Child Drowning Prevention

Last summer Jackson fell in a pool at a friends house and it really really scared me half to death. I posted about it here. We still haven't put him in swim lessons and I know we need to before summer, for both of them. However, Kara sent me this email yesterday with a new "method" of teaching babies and kids to survive in water until someone comes to get them whether they can swim or not...it was incredible. The video was so crazy but that little baby knew what he was doing and it made me feel much better that the dad eventually comes to rescue him (and I pray that he was in the water the ENTIRE time). It was interesting and I wish there was a class near to us, but there isn't....but for those of you who might be in bigger cities, I thought I'd share it with you all!

Random Photo Stop

Jackson put his gloves on to throw the ball with KUK in Enid...he did it all by himself and was very proud :)

here is a picture from their Enid trip at the sheep show (that is their cousin Bree)

We start Creighton really early with Ann Graham Lotz bible studies :) She likes them atleast, or better said, MY AGL study has a lot of scribbles on it :) oh well...i like them

My kids have SO much fun on this slide. They also get more hurt on this slide than anything else (but I kinda figure that is like the rule about 90% of accidents happen within two miles of your home...um...hello...you are 90% of the time WITHIN 2 miles of your home....so that is obvious!)

Here are the fabulous 4 (*fantastic fifth is still too little)...they have lots of fun together and really like being outside...can't wait for spring/summer

One of the youth's mom took this picture at a basketball game and sent it to me! :)

Nitrous and Rascal Flatts

So, today I went to the dentist to get my temporary 3 crown bridge done and to say the least I was not excited. Most people (okay, probably not even most) ONLY go to the dentist twice a year...the fact that I have been in a dentist's office 6 times in the last 10 months and have 2 more visits to go is just absolutely devistating because I absolutely abhor going to the dentist and having ANY.THING. done to my mouth. I just can barely stand it.

To get the tooth pulled I was on vallium and that was incredible! :) But today I was completely HIGH as a kite with the nitrous gas or what I like to call "mr. funny nose" from when I was little. I don't know what the heck that stuff does to the body and certainly hope it isn't harmful to my brain or body, but quite frankly I don't care. (kinda). I was hooked up to that thing for 2 hours and it was marvelous. I had my ear buds (my hubby let me borrow his toy (iphone) for the procedure) so loud that I could only hear the drilling when it went to the next song (and that was KILLER every time!)

I was so lazy I didn't even want to have to hold my mouth open so he put in a biter block and it was perfect. I am the world's worst dental patient alive. I loathe it. I hate it. I would rather do just about anything, however, today wasn't near as bad because of the nitrous and rascal flatts...I think I may have found a viable option to get me to go to the dentist from now on....well I actually hope I won't have to go but for the regular 2 times a year from now on after the next 2 visits.

But you have to try the nitrous stuff! :) It made me happy...as in, if it isn't dangerous I just might have to figure out a way to buy some :) (kinda kidding)....I asked him about it already....I can't

Prayers are needed....

Please pray for my friends and their new baby girl that was born this morning. She is one of the people I was talking about in my compassion post. The day has come. So far baby A is fighting, but the prognosis remains the same and they say her breathing is beginning to struggle. My heart is deeply burdened and hurting. I am praying but I feel helpless. Those that are with them say that God's grace and peace is upon their faces and hearts, which is awesome.

UPDATED: as of 10:45 tonight A was still doing okay and this is so much longer than they expected her to make it....still praying for a miracle/peace for the family

Small tidbit and 2 pics

Saturday night I had a sleep over with two of my small group girls and Brittany. I (hopefully we) had SOOOO much fun. I haven't had a sleep over in a long long long time. We did facial masks, painted toenails, did parafin wax for feet and hands, played board games, watched Disney's Game Plan (a lot cheesy but cute I guess), went out to eat, went to Hastings and caused a scene in the toy isles, among taking LOTS of funny pictures and all sorts of other weird (and girly) things. I didn't sleep much but I had fun and it was so good to be with my girls.

The only down side was when I "burned up" my SIM card in my phone and didn't have a cell for about 2 days. But its fixed now and that is okay! *I might not have your number (again) but I have some of them from Jeff's old phone :)

Creighton and Jackson have both been doing and saying funny things and I have wanted to write about them but at the moment I cannot think of even one! How sad...here is a few pics (totally random) since its been awhile...

As I was waiting for the pics to upload I realized I REALLY hadn't posted many pics lately...and I have a LOT of good ones...so tomorrow or soon I will post more...

briefly...

Long weekend, not much sleep...very tired, but it's been good (and bad).

One great thing that happened today: (a conversation between Jeff and Jackson)

Jeff: is Creighton pretty?
Jackson: yes, Rae Rae pretty like Mommy

Me: melt melt melt!

I'll post tomorrow....

Oh yes and one thing: cell phones are NOT my friend and I officially have a love/hate relationship with them. I "burned" my SIM card and now no longer have a cell phone until I replace it. Lovely!

three day recap

Well my days (and nights) have been much better since my last post, however, I have not had much time to be on the computer. Tuesday I went to bible study and that was good and then we went to the Family Life Center with several other moms/kids. It was fun, but near the time we were to leave anyway, Jackson disobeyed me and we had to leave promptly and it was a crazy and LONG walk to the car. It was so hard for me because I just didn't have the energy (I thought) to deal with it and be as consistent as I know I needed to be AND I didn't want to leave yet! :) But I did what I knew needed to be done and stuck to my guns...and it worked (or atleast made a difference). By the time I actually got him home he was a different kid and was sweet during lunch and took a good nap and we had a good conversation after his nap about him listening to mommy the first time (his initiation). So he definitely remembers and that is a great thing and a good first step. I had to just keep reminding myself I was doing the right thing and to stay tough and "not grow tired and weary of doing what is right." Anyway, then I had my private lessons with Kate and Taylor at the YMCA and that went well and then I headed off to ger ready for my Ladies Nite Out! It was great and there were lots of ladies there this time! Some new faces and the regulars....so fun!

I haven't been sleeping well at all lately, roughly since Thursday night Jeff left last week...so for a full week. I don't know why. But I have taken pills, bought a new pillow, changed the sheets, worked out, not worked out, eaten well, not eaten well...NOTHING seems to help me sleep. I hope tonight will work out for me a little better.

Wednesday I got a ton of errands completed and I also worked out at the Y. I love my step classes...they are such a great workout for me. You can push yourself if you want and when you need to take it down a little bit, you can do that. I love it that there are ladies of all shapes, sizes, ages, abilities, and everything in there. I just love it! I am still sore...my abs are killing me...but I love it!

Wednesday night went really well for me and the small group I love my girls and I love getting to pour into their lives as much as they allow. I look forward to it even though I am exhausted most Wednesday nights (for one reason or another). I love that time with them. It is such a different dynamic than I have been accustomed to with my previous group, but it works and it is good! We talked about influence and being role models and such. I plan to blog about it later because the Lord used it to show me some things too--I just LOVE it when He does that!

Today we have had some good quality family time! Jeff was off work today and there was ICE everywhere outside and so we were trapped inside...but it went surprisingly well. The kids slept in later than normal and I brought Creighton back to our bed at 8 something and she slept in it till past 10! Jackson was up around 9 I think and he and Jeff watched Beauty and the Beast. I stayed in the room with Creighton and caught up on some reading and played my DS (I love that thing).

Then we had dance/music time and it was fun and hilarious and it really wore us ALL out! The kids are hilarious when music comes on! They love to dance and Jackson will catch a few words and try singing along and I just love it! Then out of nowhere he'll say "rock out, [pause] all night" he is so funny.

Then we made pizzas and they were delicous and the kids had fun (Jackson in particular loved eating the pepperonis outof the bag instead of putting them on the pizza!). After lunch we played with cars and then all took a shower together and then went down for naps (me included). Jackson took the longest nap in history. I am not certain of what time it was by the time we went down, but he didn't wake till 10 minutes till 5 and I think it was around 2 when we went down!

After nap I started working on dinner and made a really yummy recipe called Oven Baked Chicken and also Sweet Potato casserole and green beans and pasta! I had fun and Jeff ended up taking the kids to the Y so he could work out and I could finish dinner in peace. The oven went off as they were pulling in the driveway so it was perfect timing. So LOVE the Y and the childcare!

We had dinner and everybody but Creighton loved it but she did nurse constantly all day today (she's teething and not feeling up to par I think). And then tonight she downed a whole bowl of that infant rice cereal that is SO gross...but she acted like she was eating ice cream....cracked me up!

Anyway, thanks for all my comments to my last post...that was way fun...Jeff said it was way too long and no one would ever read it...so I think it doubly funny that it had my most comments EVER! :)

Have a good night all....

What a first night!

Well, I could tell last night that my weekend had "worked" and I was refreshed and feeling like I could conquer the world...(or just two toddlers...which some days feels like the world)...this morning was great. I noticed their whines and such, but no problem, still feeling awesome...they did have school today, which obviously made it easy throughout the day because they were running wild with someone else (and loving it--they don't like leaving!).

After school we played hard for an hour at the park, which was fun...albeit much colder and windy-er than I had anticipated...but fun nonetheless. We quickly ran home and had snacks and I threw on my workout clothes from earlier in the day when I played almost 2 hours of volleyball (fun), and I threw dinner in the oven and ran out the door to go to the YMCA where I am taking a step class that I absolutely love! The kids ran around and played hard in the nursery there while Jeff and I worked out.

We came home to an amazing smelling home and a HOT dinner ready to eat. It was perfect, well besides that my floor and table are NO longer clean whatsoever. But, like I said yesterday, that is just my "normal" and to have it clean and smelling so good was just "fantasy" and certainly not reality by any stretch of the imagination.

Dinner went okay but the kids didn't eat really well, but I thought not a big deal...they did eat something and had a snack earlier...

Well, it pretty much was nuts from that point on (when Daddy left to go to Bible Study)...

We played for a little bit, and then I decided it was time for bath. Bath went decent for the first part, and Jackson was ready to get out to go finish his Veggie Tales movie so I got him out, dried and dressed and sent him on his way (so wonderful that he is so independent with so many things)...and Creighton was NOT ready at all to get out of the tub...so I let her play as the water was draining and I began taking all the toys and the mat out. Thank goodness! She was playing slippin' slide with the tub without any water and was having the time of her life! I was helping her so she wouldn't keep banging her head so hard...but she never cried, just laughed...

Then I was going to wipe her nose but decided to blow mine first (sometimes I do this so she'll be less aprehensive about me wiping hers) and my nose started GUSHING blood...everywhere. I stuck an entire kleenex up there and somehow (seriously I don't know how) it was still DRIPPING outside of the kleenex...

So all over my white bathroom that I just spent 2 days cleaning I am bleeding everywhere and I am trying to get it cleaned up and stopped, or at this point at least slowed down enough to move. As I am leaning over the sink, I hear a toot from Creighton, no big deal, much bigger things to deal with than her toot...well literally I turn around and there is POOP everywhere...she was slippin' and sliding all in it and it was now all over my tub and tub walls (not to mention Creighton) that I had just scrubbed (her too)....So I abandon my nose and I go back to her and try desperately to get her up and cleaned off as my nose is gushing blood ---bright red---everywhere all over the tub, and then she slips again, just as I get all the poop off the tub (thankfully I had all the toys and mat up and there wasn't water in the tub, made for a much easier clean up) and is covered now in poop and blood from head to toe...seriously it was so disgusting! I get her all cleaned off....I think I washed her poor body like 100 times over and over, as in I used half a bottle of Aveno baby wash!

Get her dressed, and my prayers were working as I was panicking prayers up to God for my nose to stop bleeding so I could take care of her...and it did, eventually!

Then we come play and have a good ole time with the slide and the cars. Jackson's movie is over (which by the way he was oblivious to the disaster in the bathroom...thank goodness he wanted to leave, which he NEVER usually does). So I tell them 5 minutes and its time to go read books and we need to start picking up the toys....this is where Jackson begins the torture...he doesn't help pick up ONE toy...so he is not playing with them tomorrow...he throws a fit.

I tell him its time for bed which he thought was more punishment and I tried to explain it was time for bed no matter what. So, then I had to spank him. More crying, more fits. Tell him its time to brush his teeth and more fits....finally he comes and of course I put toothpaste on the wrong toothbrush, more fits. I about choke him to death getting his teeth brushed (unwilling, of course). He throws another fit when we get in his room because I told him he didn't earn a book tonight. Then I give him his blanky and binky and put him in his bed and he proceeds to throw the binky across the room. I told him I was sorry he did that and kissed him goodnight and walked out.

I read Creighton some books all the while Jackson is literally beating his door down. There is a child door safety thing on it so he can't get out if it is closed all the way. Well, he locked his door somehow and broke the child safety thing off the door. But because he had locked the door in the process, then he really couldn't get out....more yelling and crying and screaming and fit throwing (not to mention his light was off, so he was in the dark). Finally he calms down a little bit and begins trying his best to calmly tell me he was sorry and he wanted to listen and he REALLY wanted his binky but couldn't find it. So, I went in to get his binky and calm him down a little more so he'd settle down...he was so tired (and now worn competely out). I put him in his bed and he asked for a book again, but I told him not tonight and he thought about crying but I think he was just too tired. We prayed and he was asleep before I left the room.

So I go back into Creighton's room (we had to come out to get her medicine) to nurse her to sleep and she gets a tickle in her throat and throws up ALL OVER ME and herself and the chair and the carpet ( mind you all things that were recently clean!--with the exception of me). So I take her back to the bathroom and clean her up and she starts dancing immediately...like ah I just needed to get that out! :) She is so funny...although I wasn't laughing then. Change her pajamas and nurse her for a few more minutes and lay her down. I was hoping that she'd fall right asleep but she screamed her head off. I had to go take a shower because I needed not to hear her cries and I was gross (volleyball, step class, dinner, bathtime, nose bleed, poop, and throw up....)

Now I am clean and they are both asleep...whew...what a first night back into mommyhood...but I can still say, life is good, I am so blessed and I still am doing fine (thanks to my weekend away)...:)

Oh yes, and my time with my husband was so sweet last night. I cuddled up next to him and we talked for hours...it was fantastic! He was absolutely precious to me and treated me like a queen and stole my heart again...like he likes to do! He is truly wonderful!

They're baaaack!

I was very excited to see them. I got hugs all around and within 5 minutes my house looked like it did Thursday....(well it's still clean I guess, just not picked up)...

Jeff brought home ALL of his old cars from when he was little, some little people thingys, some micromachines, some big cars and just lots of junk toys....its a good thing I got rid of so many!

The kids were happy to see me and I was happy to see them. They are in their rooms now, Creighton is having a hard time falling asleep, but maybe I think she just stopped crying now...hopefully!

She was SO funny when she realized she could nurse again. We were playing like normal, and then all of a sudden she came up to me and gave this weird look and then its like it snapped! She was all about it and I knew what she wanted immediately! She was so funny and cute! She would suck and then look up at me and grin from ear to ear like she was saying, "mom, this is good, I missed this!" I loved every second of it! She nursed for a few minutes and then played and then I nursed her just a few minutes ago to sleep *well until I laid her down...

All is well...they ate dinner and got it everywhere and took EVERY SINGLE toy Jeff brought home and tossed them all over the living room....part of me was sad, but the other part of me said "welcome back home Courtney"...and I liked it. Life is good people! Life is really good!

On their way...

Today I got up and went to church and it was SO hard to get up this morning. I had to make myself get out of bed! It was a good day though. Jeff and Brittany (both paid youth people) were both gone today and so I got the "job" of acting youth minister...which normallly would have not been a big deal...but I was also acting children's welcome table person! Thanks to my friend Kara for saving me and helping me as I was frantically trying to get everyone in order and what they needed. It was a little crazy, but it was good. I got to have so many conversations with so many different people and that was nice! I didn't get to go to church or to the GYM class that I wanted to poke my head into,but that is okay.

After church I ate at Taco Bueno...(Hannah, you'll have to know it wasn't amazing...but you made me hungry for it)...and then I got busy getting everything ready and finished! It is....all done!

I feel so accomplished. I swept, mopped, and vaccuumed like a mad woman! I got the rest of my clothes hung up and I got Jeff a little gift and card ready for when he walks in the door. I tried to lay down for a little nap afterward, but I just can't fall asleep, even though I am MAD tired! Oh well...I am sure I will sleep well tonight with my man lying next to me. Its crazy how many sounds I hear when he's not here and how many just dissappear because of his presence! I always sleep better with him...and I like that! :)

I miss 'em, I do! I can't wait to see all three of them! I talked to them all on the phone a while ago and they should be here by 7:30 or so. So I think I am going to go make their lunches for tomorrow, do my bible study and such so I can devote all my energy and time into the kids till bed and then to my man afterwards!

Thanks for all of you keeping tabs on me this weekend. It has been fun to share my "story"...I love blogging! And I rekindled my LOVE FOR MUSIC this weekend. It has played nonstop since I completed my itunes specialty list. It is fantastic! I think my neighbors might hate me for playing it so loud at some points...but oh well.

I was looking at my list of genre in my folder and it is very ecletic: alternative, country, hip-hop, religious, rock, soundtracks, movies, 80s, R&B, electronica/dance, and other...

I hope my husband took pictures of the kids, because I have certainly missed having the camera...pics would have been nice to accomodate my posts....but then again, that might have been scary...I bet the kids' pictures will be better!

Last night alone...

The rest of my day was incredibly productive as well! I am so excited and proud of myself. For those of you who don't know me, and even those of you who might, I think tonight was the first time since we moved into the house 3 years ago that I have cleaned like I have. I mean, never, ever before has my house been clean like this...I still have to vaccuum and sweep/mop the kitchen but everything else is done.

I scrubbed the toliets and shower and bath tub and sinks.

I dusted EVERYTHING in the entire house (even the vents and fans and lights and everything)

I sorted all the clothes and socks (this took forever)

I took down ALL of my crosses and hung them in different areas. I hung several new pictures and rearranged most of the old ones. I am ready for my NEW (Christmas present just getting here) family Portrait that will come home with Jeff.
**I went to Hobby Lobby and got new frames for some SWEET pictures that we had taken of the kids over Thanksgiving...that was fun

The house smells good!

I went to the mall tonight too and I found a great sale at Dillards! I got 6 pairs of shoes (one for me, 2 for Jackson and 2 for Creighton , and a present for a baby) for only $65.22. The brands were Merrell, Stride Rite, Converse, Timberland, Kenneth Cole, and Michelle D (I have no idea what Michelle D was but my shoes were originally 70 and I got them for 17)! That was incredibly exciting!

I spent some time with one of my small group girls and that was awesome...we just chatted while she worked (at the mall)...it was good!

I talked to an old camper (Hi, Lauren) for awhile while I was eating dinner and that was great talking with her!

Today was a great day...I am thoroughly exhausted though and I never did take a nap. I purposely didn't have caffiene though today so I hope I sleep well tonight. The kids and my sweet hubby will be home tomorrow and I want to be ready for them! I have to work the nursery tomorrow during second service and since its past 1a I will probably not be making it to first service...oh well...

Ladies (and gents?) this weekend has been fabulous! I can't explain what it has done for my soul, my spirit, my life. It was so rewarding and I even worked really hard at the same time. I love being productive and achieving goals and making lists and getting them completed...I hardly ever do that on my own with the kids/Jeff at home. I hope I will take this energy and be able to do some of this when they return and make it a habit...(seriously some of my "dust bunnies" had legs and were hopping away)....

I learned a bit about myself this weekend and that is always nice too! Relfection time is so good. I didn't read at all, which I thought I was going to but that's okay. I did some studying of scripture and some prayin' and that was nice. I didn't sleep nearly as much as I thought I would...imagine that?!

Going to bed, cause I can tell I am tired...ramble ramble

Caffiene is a killer, but makes for sweet productivity!

Yesterdays 4 really big glasses of Sweet Tea from McAlisters is what helped fuel me to stay up and finish the taxes (minus the EIN numbers I am waiting for). However, I was getting really tired after my post and I laid down and could NOT fall asleep. I tossed around forever and finally at 10 I was up and got out of bed about 10:30. I was bummed, but thought..."hey, who cares, I can nap for as long as want and whenever I want today." I really thought that I would have already napped today but I haven't, instead I have been incredibly prodcuctive.

I have:
1) done tons of laundry
2) finished the dishes and realized that when EVERYTHING is clean, we don't have enough room in our cabinets :)
3) took off all of Creighton's border in her room
4) cleaned out ALL of the toys in the entire house and got rid of 2 huge bags full.
5) packed up all the clothes the kids have grown out of (3 bags full)
6) organized all the toys we ARE keeping (a whole house full)
7) talked to my mom for a while
8) washed and changed the sheets on the kids beds (still have mine to do)
9) thoroughly cleaned the highchair and put it away forever (anyone want/need one...its like brand new now) (tear, how sad, no more baby babies)
10) took out the trash
11) planned the meals for next week and bought the groceries
12) blogged and read blogs
13) checked emails
14) talked to some friends via facebook
15) pumped twice

Seriously, I have only been up 3 and a half hours and I got a heck of a lot done!!!!!! I am so proud of myself...now if I can only convince myself that I REALLY do need to clean out my bathrooms and scrub the floors and dust and vaccuum...its just not happening right now...I think I need a break... :)

I think I might call and check up on my hubby and babies...I do miss them, but I am SOOOOOO enjoying my time alone too.

ps. is anyone else having trouble with not being able to spell check...its been weeks since it has worked for me on my posts and I don't know why....

Taxes

Um...seriously...its 3:45 am....what am I thinking? I don't know....but I am 99.9% finished with my taxes and that is incredible!

I have several things to say....
1) I hope I did them right
2) If number 1 is correct then, yipee! we have a HUGE refund coming
3) Turbo Tax is the WORST program ever...it was so hard to understand and navigate and our refund on TurboTax was like half of what it was in TaxCut
4)TaxCut is where it is at!
5) I loved it...it was easy, smooth, idiot-friendly, and of course, it has a much much higher refund amount! :)
6)and, it is nearly 10$ cheaper than Turbo tax....
7) I have a coupon for TurboTax if you DID already pay for it, I will mail it to you and you can get a $10 cash back (you need to have your receipt (dated)) and this certificate and mail it in....first come first serve...but if you didn't already buy it, DON'T....get TaxCut

Some more of my day....

My pumping schedule has been drastically different than my nursing "schedule" with Creighton, so I hope that when she returns I actually have milk. Its so weird to pump and not get much, because I am so used to pumping and getting SO.MUCH.MILK. Oh well...

Today Brittany and I went to McAlisters for lunch and I ordered my favorite: Beef and Cheddar Spud (goodness it is SO good)...but then the manager lady came behind my cashier lady and said "there are no potatoes for 55 minutes"...I was so excited about eating my potato and that (and of course the sweet tea) were the ONLY reasons I chose to eat at McAlisters again (I had it also on Monday) this week. So, probably because of my look of panic...I have no idea about anything on the menu except that one thing...she offered to buy my meal and reimburse me for my potato that I already paid for...that was awesome...but lets just say that the McAlisters Club Sandwich holds NO candle to the potato in anyway...I was dissappointed, but how dissappointed can you be when it was free....?

Anyway, had good times there and walked around the mall for a little bit....came back home and relaxed for a few hours and worked on my itunes stuff and taxes/email/blogging for a long time. Then realized it was 10pm and I hadn't eaten dinner...so I went to grab some dinner and it was awful (Wendy's) and then I went to walmart...and now its 12:30 and I am home pumping and going to try to finish the taxes...I have to start over because I messed up and can't figure out how to fix it...so hopefully I'll get it right this time...but its looking good for now!

Goodnight everyone...I am thoroughly enjoying my time, although time is getting away from me and I am not accomplishing everything I had hoped....but then I realized I needed to relax...and so I don't care about my "agenda" anymore...its all good!