Happy birthday to our one and only, Mimi!

My mom's birthday was this past Thursday so we went across the lake today to celebrate with her. It was a lovely day. The boys even played super well together. She had a yum yum chocolate cake

that Aiden and Roman were all over. It had butterflies, a dragon fly, and rocks (chocolate, that is). We laughed for hours and really enjoyed ourselves. I don't get to see them enough; I wish they lived closer.
Aiden eyeing up the cake!

Mimi laughing at her card from the boys

The boys eating "rocks"

Nanny, aka-Mimi's mom or my granny, whom does not willingly take pictures at the young age of eighty-three so I have to steal them:)

Over the river and thru the woods, to grandmother's house we go

This morning, Aiden, Roman, and I went to church together for a little praise and worship. Jude had to work. There, they have a child's church they attend and the rule is, if they are good and get a smiley face report, we stop at the gas station and they get to pick out whatever candy they like for a special treat. One time not too long ago, Roman got a sad face and just dropped to the floor after he saw it when we were picking him up from class. He had to watch his brother's enjoy their snacks that day. Since then, they have all had good reports. Once we got home, we were going to take off to the Northshore to visit MiMi and Nanny. Well, the skies opened up and it poured and poured. After about an hour, I decided to brave it and off we went. Roman and Aiden got their fill of love and attention from grandma and great-grandma the few hours we were there, and then we returned home in time to have dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant with Jude. It was a lovely day.
Roman and Aiden with MiMi

Happy birthday Granny, you 83 year old, you!

Today we celebrated Granny's (aka Nanny) 83rd birthday and it was lovely. I am so thankful to still have my grandma in my life, and my Mom. Those are two of the most amazing, important women to me and I consider myself blessed to still have them both around. They live an hour away, which at times seems just way too far to me, but in reality, they live close. Granny is healthy (definitely for her age) and still ventures out in her car at times, though it's a thought I don't like to think about. She is feisty, funny, and is very caring and giving. I look forward to the many many more years to come with mom and grandma as role models in my life, and my children's!

I live...

in the carpool lane. Yes, this morning I found a way to beat Roman's thunder stealing ways. I parked on the side of the school, left Cullen and Roman in the car while I walked Aiden into class, got back in the car and circled the block to drop Cullen off in front. Aiden needs to be at school by 8:30 and Cullen by 8:50 at the latest. Same school. Aiden needs to be picked up at 3:00 and Cullen at 3:45. See where my problem comes in? There is always a car line! In the afternoon, I end up in the car with Roman for an hour straight, trying to be sweet picking Aiden up early, so he doesn't have to chill in class until Cullen gets out. Eventually though, that will be the plan. Aiden walks in class in the mornings and doesn't look back. He is loving being a big boy. I volunteered at the school today and it was hot in the shed. I invited my mother in law to come and they had a pretty good turnout of volunteers. I got to meet a few moms and plan to do this "Friday Snack Shack" event every other week. I got to see the boys throughout the day also. We were there for four hours. It feels good doing something for the public school. I always felt like the previous private school Cullen attended took a large amount of tuition, and kept on wanting more money. More money, more money, more money! So similar to the past few Sunday church experiences we have had but that is a totally other topic! I understand the needs and all, but there is something about this new school that makes me want to give, give, give. Maybe it is because it is public/tuition free, I really don't know. I just want to be involved.
When evening came, we ate at our favorite Mexican restaurant with Nanny and Paw Paw. The place is always so loud, it drowns out my angelic children's voices and our table of seven fits right in:)
I am not feeling too upbeat these past few days and I am sure it has a lot to do with the latest medical issues I have previously discussed in my blogs. I am hoping that things start to turn around soon. I do not want to get on another med. I am just feeling, overwhelmed, I guess you could say. I need a routine. Granny is not doing so well and I am worried for her. I guess the upcoming week will consist of me driving across the lake a few extra days to stay with her. Please keep my Granny in your prayers.
Oh, and Roman has been super duper sweet. He is loving that we are hanging alone during the day. He is full of kisses, "lub lou's" and all that good stuff. I think we will do just fine on our own for the next two years!

Totally off track

Life lately has had no track. With Brandi, Granny, kids school coming, etc., I feel like their isn't any structure. I cannot wait to have my life back! Today we woke and I knew immediately I needed to get out of the house with the little rats. I hadn't taken them anywhere since Monday and it was Saturday. We decided to hang with Mrs. Amy and be spontaneous. She came over, we all got in the Big Dick and we drove. After much discussion, we chose to drive to the Northshore to visit our friend Mandy. Do you know where spontaneity gets you? Driving for forty five minutes in the pouring rain! OMG! I hate driving in the rain. Hate. We went to the mall to eat and my children spotted the ride-a-toy section immediately. I bribed them to eat lunch and I would take them there after for two rides a piece. I thought I may have a few quarters on me. I lost Ro while eating for a few seconds, found him with relief, put him in his high chair at the table, he screamed, took him to the bathroom for his scolding, and we finished lunch in semi peace. When we were ready for the rides, I had to back track and make myself a liar. The rides were freakin' seventy five cents a piece and I refused to be raped by the ride-owner. After convincing them that they were going to share one ride, we finished shopping the mall and headed to Mandy's. The day was fun and the boys enjoyed playing with all Hannah and Eli's toys. Mandy taught me all about shortening (for baking) and we called it a day.
I am looking forward to a routine again!

My visit with Granny at the hospital

I arrived bright and early this morning at nine thirty to stay with Granny (aka Nanny) for my shift, until five thirty tomorrow evening. Her back surgery went well but she is still in need of a lot of recovery time. This is the first thing to bother me at this hospital, as I think it is a great little hospital. Everyone has been so nice, up until my trip to the nurses station this morning asking to change rooms.
The white thing up top is the blinds in the room. Turn your speakers up real loud for the full effect! lol

After some "discussion" at the nurses station, Granny's nurse came to the room and nicely said they would move her. I do not think I am asking too much.

Happy birthday to the most wonderful woman in the world!

My beautiful mom turned 62 today and we went to the other side of the lake to celebrate with her. We had a forty five minute delay added to our hour trip because there was a spill on the bridge. Traffic was at a stand still, with people hanging out in the road as I convinced my children to stay IN the car, but it was worth the one hour forty five minute drive there. The boys had a blast hanging out with (and on) their Mimi. They blew bubbles on her for a very long time, till she was sticky and wet. Cullen gave her a nice, long massage and tried to give her sixty two birthday spankings but I don't think he ever got up to that BIG number. lol (I am kidding, Mimi.) Granny wrote her the sweetest poem I have ever heard for her birthday. I say that because Granny rarely lets you in to that very deep bottom part of her heart and she did in that poem. We all had tears as she expressed her love for her daughter.














As we were getting ready to leave, Cullen was sitting on my lap and we were horsing around. He said he was going to punch me in the nose and continued to put his fist to my nose and started pushing back slightly. I decided to nibble (bite) him to get him off. (Yes, I get on their level sometimes.) Well, he drops to the floor dramatically screaming and crying. Roman and Aiden were watching the whole thing go down. Once Cullen was on the floor, Roman came over to me and pinched my left arm hard, twice, and then over and over again. Roman was saying "Cullln hurt, crying, Cullln" and pointing. Aiden came up to me and hit me a few times on my right. All I could do was laugh with my mom and grandma because I was getting tag teamed while they defended their brother. Who knew they would be so protective of their big bro'? My mom said if they were any bigger, I would have been in some big trouble. Cullen and I made up and the little ones got over it. It was an eye opening experience!

Hangin' at Nanny's on the 4th of July

Mom's Day in pictures

The love of my life

Granny reading her card

Cullen up to no good

Aiden swinging with Mimi

The boys playing ball with Daddy

Roman doing the birthday thing

Sweetness

My big boy

So handsome

Jude's Mom

My mom has to go to the doctor tomorrow because of a lump on her face, so...no pictures:(

Birthday party=Crawfish boil

We woke up earlier than usual on this beautiful Saturday morning to go to the gym and then find our way to the Parish to celebrate Heidi's birthday. The food was delicious and the boys had a great time. I am glad we could be a part of it.
Heidi and Bob

Nicholas, who wouldn't let me get a good picture

Granny, Mom, Andrea

Roman digging for crystals

Score!

Aunt Heidi lighting smoke bombs in my four year old's hands

He had a blast!

Just look at the happiness on that face

Roman playing with some of Bob's "art"

Ro getting MiMi hugs

Granny in her true form (shame shame for smoking!!)

The weird frog (that looks dead, but isn't)

Country boys

I woke up this morning and decided today would be a great day to go see Mimi and Paw Paw, along with Nanny, out in the country. The weather was gorgeous and the kids were ready to play outdoors. We had such a great day hanging out with the grandprents. Looking forward to doing this again soon.
Nanny, aka Granny

Cullen drawing pictures for Nanny

Paw Paw teaching Ro some game

Mimi breaking out the bubbles

Step 1-dip

Step 2-blow

Step 3-get someone else to do it

One of the twins...Angel or Favor...Mom?

Cullen

Cullen pouting, it's so hard being 9

Family lunch

Aiden giving it another try for Roman

Roman is entertained

Dirty Ro reaching for bubbles

Almost, almost has them, almost