Midwest Weather

No matter how long I live here, I think the storm sirens will always unsettle me. So will the dark purplish-green clouds that come with them.

Here's a video from this evening. I don't know that it really does the storm justice; I guess video just can't capture the tension that comes with a big Midwestern thunderstorm. (And subsequent tornado warning.)

Joy - a whole summer of these to look forward to! (Can you sense the sarcasm? I'm layin' it on pretty thick.)

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Just Another Way the Little Man's Keepin' Me Down

This is a real conversation I had with Joshie this morning while I was getting ready for the day. I was in my bathroom and he was standing in the doorway.

Me (singing in my very best Kiss voice and dancing a little): I wanna rock and roll all niiiighhtt, and party every day! I wanna rock and roll all niiiighhtt, and party every day! Doo doo doo doo...

Joshie: No, Mommy. NO.

Me: What?

Joshie (pointing at me, frowning): No rock. NO ROCK.

Me: You don't want to rock and roll all night?

Joshie: No.

Me: Or party every day?

Joshie: NO.

Me: You're totally bringin' me down, dude.

Joshie (as he shakes his head and leaves the room): Down dude. No rock. Noooo...

(Side note: what?! What's wrong with a little rock and roll to get your day started? Don't you sing to yourself in the mirror in the morning? Oh.)

Momma's Boys

If only they were this sweet all the time.

Nah, where would the fun in that be?

I love you, Spencer and Joshua!

Worst. Alarm Clock. Ever.

For the past week we have had the following 6:30am wake-up call:

"Yes, you ordered the bizarro-bird wake-up call? Here it is! Wake up! Wake up! WAKE UP!"

Okay, it doesn't really sound like that. It sounds like this:

*flutter-flutter-peck-peck-peck* *peck-peck-peck-peck-peck-flutter-flutter*

Yes, every morning at 6:30am a demented little bird comes fluttering by our window and pecks at it, as if trying to come in. And then it continues. All day. He doesn't do it constantly, but if you're in the room for any length of time you're likely to see him.

Last Sunday Lance and I had the rare opportunity to both have a nap after church. We were pretty sure that Spencer would come in an bother us, but wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles, he didn't!

But that stupid little bird did. For an hour.

What we need here is a flying cat.

Or a shotgun.

One of the two.

It took a while, but I finally got video of pesky little beast. It was totally Murphy's Law - whenever I got the camera out the bird would fly away and disappear for hours. (Hence the frustration in the first part of the video.) But I finally got him! You can't really hear it that well on the video, but trust me - in real life it sounds like a jackhammer. (At least to those trying to sleep!)

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

More Yard Work

Summer seems to bring a never-ending list of household chores that need to be done. Seriously, I finish one project, and then think of or find two more. Such is the magical life of home-ownership.

But today I finished one of the bigger projects: I finally edged the front flower bed. Huzzah! (Everything is more fun with a Huzzah! thrown in. Try it today.)

I know it doesn't look like much, but it was a lot of work. First I had to edge the whole thing with the shovel. Then I had to take out all the grass that had been creeping into the beds, which took forever! (In fact, there was enough of it that I transplanted some of the sod to the back yard where there were a few bare spots. I felt pretty clever thinking of it. I hope it works. I am the Frankenstein of the botanical world!)

At this point I discovered Josh and Spencer swiping at my day lilies with some metal spikes from the garage. Infanticide was never so close and option as then.

Then I dug the trench for the plastic edging, which is no small feat when you have a four year old who refuses to stand anywhere other than right behind me. (Despite repeated warnings that he would get clonked on the head with the shovel. Which he did. Twice.) I laid the edging, having to shovel much of the dirt again with a spade because someone had wanted to 'help'. Finally, I moved a bunch of rocks from our north yard 'quarry' and lined the bed. (The flower bed where we put the 2 tons of rocks we dug out of the back yard last summer.) ((Now our 'quarry' has a few bare spots, but I am sure they will be filled in this fall when we till the side yards and plant grass. Like I said, never-ending projects.))

I waited this long to edge the beds because I couldn't find any edging that I really liked but within my budget. It was impossible dream. Then I realized that my yard had already provided enough edging (in the form of rocks) for me and five other homes.

So instead of spending around $100 to edge the flowerbeds, I did it for $12.

Sweet.

Bring on the next project!

Self-portrait Tuesday

I'm pooped.

Here's a picture just to prove it.

We did our patriotic duty on Memorial Day by shopping. A lot.

Lance was in charge of buying a new grill because our old one went to the big patio in the sky. (I imagine it frolicking in green pastures with all of its grill friends, as flocks of grilling spatulas and tongs flutter by and the sound and smell of steaks sizzling softly waft by in the breeze. Ahhh...) He bought a pretty stainless steel one, but I'm too tired to take a picture of it. Plus is just started raining. Plus I'm lazy.

I took the boys and trekked down to the Edinburgh outlets with Gigi and her kiddos. (What, you thought we'd spend Memorial Day as a family? Weird.)

It was excellent.

Here's the short-list of the carnage:

Carter's: new t-shirts, hoodies, and jammies for the boys. (Spencer went with the puppy because, in his words, "This doggie won't make me itch!" Josh went with the dinosaur because he is the world's best dinosaur growler.)

Stride Rite: sandals for the boys. The Stride Rite store is one of the main reasons I'm willing to make the 90 minute drive. Both boys have flat feet and so they have to have really supportive shoes. Stride Rite makes really good ones for that, but they're super-expensive normally. The discounts are totally worth the drive! (Plus, the shoes really do last forever, even with very active little boys!)

Eddie Bauer: I fell in love with two bags that were both 50% off their sale price. How could I not buy both? (Lance doesn't understand why bags are so necessary. But that's because he's a boy.) ((I mean, he's a MAN. Sorry hon - you're all the man I could ever want and more!)) Aren't they cute? I'm gonna use the blue one at church, even though it's not big enough for the big 'ol binder I have to haul around now. And the stripey one is reversible, which I think makes it at least 128% cuter!

Eddie Bauer: Oh, I also got two pair crop pants and two shirts - you know, typical summer mom-wear.

Dress Barn: I couldn't help it. I found a really cute black dress that I had to have. Gigi was quick to observe that it's a little dressy for Primary, but you know what? I don't care. I'm totally wearing it. Maybe the kids will think I'm glamorous! (Ha!)

Now which is more telling of my personality - the self-portrait or how I spent my Memorial Day? I thought so.

Zoo

Yesterday we took the boys to the Indianapolis Zoo. It was perfect weather, we went early in the morning, and the boys were well-behaved. Well, for the first hour at least.

Josh was cute as a button. He was enamored with all the animals, and was so articulate about all of their names. Too cute.

And since we had one well-behaved child, Spencer of course had to be rotten. He was too bad. Just really whiny and... four. Oh well, we still had a great time.

At the shark-petting tanks. Only mommy was brave enough to pet them!

Spencer and the Meerkat. Just chillin'. A little bit of illin'.

Look out, mommy! There's a snake behind you!

Josh at the playground. Don't ask me why they have a playground at the zoo, they just do. We played there for a few minutes before the dolphin show. (Maybe that's why they have it!)

Spencer trying to be big and brave and go down the pole.

Still trying to be big and brave...

... nope. Back to to the slide for you! (Maybe next time, Spence!)

Waitin' for the dolphin show. (Josh lurved it - he clapped almost the whole time!)
Josh was amazed by the ostriches. He kept saying "Ooooh! Big bird! A big bird!" I couldn't even get him to turn around for a picture. (It was the same thing with the penguins, the kodiak bear, the baboons...)

Unfortunately, the ostrich wasn't as impressed with Josh.

Cake of the Month - Gourmet Cupcakes

I can't believe I almost forgot to post my cake of the month!

Last week I made Banana Cupcakes with Honey-cinnamon Frosting for some friends of mine who just had their first baby. (Yes, I took them dinner, not just the cupcakes!)

Mmmmm... yes, they were as good as they sound! (If I do say so myself.) I got the recipe out of Martha's Everyday Food May issue. You can find the recipe here.

Okay, so maybe they're not really gourmet. But they're the most gourmet cupcakes I have made in a while, since most of my cupcakes come from a box. Plus, I made the tops all spikey, which is totally gourmet, right?

Missing

MISSING

One black, silver, and green boy tennis shoe.

Answers to the name of "Spencer's other dang tennis shoe".

Last seen in my toddler's hand as he walked like a drunken sailor out of the living after I asked him to put the shoe in his brother's room. (I know, I know. What was I thinking? I kick myself whenever I think of it Spencer would, too, but it's hurts to kick with no shoes on.)

MISSING

Two boxes of bandaids.

Answers to the name of "Those #$#@!!! boxes of bandaids".

Last seen about two months ago as my toddler played with them in my bathroom. (Considering his propensity for putting stuff down the toilet or in the garbage, I really should have thought that through more carefully.)

If found, please let me know a.s.a.p, as I gouged my thumb while gardening the other day and need a new bandaid a couple times a day. (Plus one or two each time for my boys; because if mommy needs a bandaid then they obviously do too!)

MISSING

One mind.

Answers to the name of "Me, myself, and I".

Ran away for a bit after the birth of my first child, but came back.

Last seen shortly before the birth of my second child.

If found, please bring directly to me. DO NOT give to my toddler!

More Fun With Pictures

I love Photoshop.

(Spencer walked in while I was working on these and asked when I was going to put on the crazy hair. It took me a moment to realize that he thought I was making our Halloween picture. All in due time, Spence, all in due time.)

Family Pictures

So, you've probably noticed I've been a little slack in the blogging department lately. Primary kinda took over for 72 hours there, and then last night I started to feel a little... blech. Just worn out, mainly. (That's what happens when your 20 month old doesn't let you sleep. I'm not naming names, Josh, but you had better get those teeth in soon!)

Whatever. You know I wasn't feeling that great because I didn't even want to stay up and play with my new family pictures that I picked up yesterday before bunko. (Ordinarily I would have stayed up all night Photoshopping and ordering!) (Speaking of bunko, I got the high score and won these darling prep bowls. Woo-hoo for me!)

Anywho, I've finally had the time and inclination to go through the fantabuloso family pictures Kayli took of us. (Kayli - you're a rock star! Really. A six month pregnant, picture-takin' rock star.) I still have a bit more Photoshopping to do (you know, to enhance our super model-type looks), but here are some of my favorites.

As Kayli so aptly put it, our Ensign shot.

This photo captures a very rare and precious moment - Josh actually holding someone's hand.

Attractive, no? (But what a fun picture!)

We always look this cheerful when walking through fields.

A cute one of Lance and Spencer. (Look at those muscles!)

More muscles!

I love this one. I just wish you could see Josh's face.

My 'bee boy'.

Lance an I had a few shots taken, just to prove to our posterity that we were married. :)

I think I like this one better. (I'm kinda squinting in the one above.)

Sandwich hug!

Okay, so I have a big frame above my piano that always holds an 8x10 of our family picture. Which one of the following do you think I should put up there?

Picture A

Picture B

Picture C

Picture D

Picture E

New Calling

Well, I was sustained into my new calling today.

And the calling is... (drum roll)...

Primary President!

I really am excited. I know it will be a lot of work, but I think it will also be a lot of fun. At the very least it will be entertaining, because there's nothing more entertaining than a room full of kids. (Primary Proverbs galore!)

I have have the best presidency a girl could ask for: 1st counselor - Gigi R., 2nd counselor - Leila G., and Secretary - Sarah H. I am so excited to work with them!!

And now, back to work. Because of all the turnover in our ward, I am in the midst of replacing eight teachers. Plus getting up to speed on anything and everything Primary. And updating all the stuff I have because my secretary will be out of town for the next two weeks. And learning all the kids' names. And getting ready for our first presidency meeting on Tuesday. And...

Yeah.

Fireman Spencer

Okay, it's been a whole week, but I'm finally getting around to posting some of the pictures I took from Logan's birthday party last week. Gigi, Logan's awesome Mommy, set up a tour of Lafayette Fire Station #9. Spencer was way excited about it and it lived up to all of his expectations and more! (Well, not all. He didn't get to drive the fire truck. But he did get to sit on it, and that's a close second.)

Spencer was pretty impressed with the fireman's gear. And with how far the water could shoot out of the hose. (See him off to go 'help' the firemen practice?)

My cutie-pie fireman!

Spencer especially liked the fire pole.

Josh wasn't invited - by me. (It was during his nap time and I had no desire to deal with a cranky toddler!) But he did get a fire hat from the party, which he wore pretty much non-stop for the next two days.

We Must Be True Locals Now

We had family pictures taken tonight. (By the wonderfully oh-so-very-talented Kayli - I'm sure copies will be showing up on her blog as well as mine in the near future!)

In our family it's a tradition to go out to eat after family pictures. It's my way of bribing the men in my life to wear the clothes I choose and to go along with the 'torture' that is standing close to your family, smiling, and pretending you love them... a.k.a. family pictures. (I don't think it's bad - I think family pictures are fun. But apparently my idea of fun seriously differs from my immediate family.) ((Too bad for them.))

Lance chose where to eat tonight, and boy howdy, what a choice it was!

That's right, the South Street Smokehouse.

Don't let the illustrious exterior fool you.

This is no hoity-toity restaurant. This is a place for locals who are serious about their barbecue. There are no frivolous things like kid-sized cups or green vegetables or friendly customer service. No, this place is all about the BBQ. You stand in line and order from the BBQ Nazi, get your own soda, and then sit at a booth (which, by the way, comes with its own roll of paper towels) as you take in hearty lung fulls of the smoke from the kitchen that lazily descends into the dining area.

As we waited for our order, the boys enjoyed looking at all of the pig paraphernalia around the room. Josh was in hog heaven. They especially loved the big pig statue at the entrance.

The smokehouse carries five different kinds of sauces for you to choose from. (This is approximately five times the number of non-fried, non-butter soaked vegetable options listed on the menu.)

I had the beef brisket sandwich, Lance had the pulled pork, and the boys both had hot dogs. (Kids are weird like that.)

Verdict? Well, I think the sign they have outside says it all.

(p.s. Dad - I think we'll have to take you here when you come out in June. It's your kind of joint!)