A tip...

After returning from a weekend of blue sky and sunshine its REALLY hard to come home to snow and ice. I just hate it.... I thought it would be a good time to share this little tip (more on my trip to follow)...



Because I like wearing my cute shoes (or have to because my jeans would be too long without them)...

Because it there is too much snow and ice around here...

Because my driveway is steep and could kill you...

I love these you can get them here REI
These babies can actually keep you standing on ice on a hill. They are amazing. You will not be disapointed.

The greatest show on earth and Tuesday's Tip...

Last week we did an annual trip to the circus. The kids were over the moon about going and did not leave disappointed.

My kids with cousins and a few friends who used our extra tickets (it was a lot of kids).

I, however, could have done without nacho cheese in my hair thanks to the drunks sitting behind us.

Tuesday's Tip...
Some one I love was recently told she had an irregular lump found during her mammogram . It was located where they could not do a needle biopsy so she underwent surgery last Monday to have it removed. It was very small and caught early. The doctor said it did not look malignant. Unfortunately when the pathology came back last Wednesday it was Cancer. We were all so shocked and sad for her. She underwent surgery again today (poor thing) and they were able to confirm good news in that it had not spread to any lymph nodes. We are hopeful and grateful this was caught early. But I know she has been through a lot and still has treatment ahead. I share all this for one reason though. Please get yourself and the women you love to get their mammograms done and when they/ you do insist on a digital mammogram one (its new) it makes a difference. None of this would have been seen this early if she had no been gone in on time (the lump would never have been felt where its located so exams were useless for her) and it was not visible on a regular machine. The best treatment for Cancer is early detection. I feel grateful for this being found early. It really wakes you up when those you Love get sick.

Back to school tradition...

When Lindsey started Kindergarten ourlife was in chaos. The twins had been born one week before school started and they were small and fragile in the NICU. My life was not really great. Lindsey's first day of Kindergarten got lost a bit in the shuffle, although I remember forcing myself to be the one to take her on her first day. I also remember the agony and pain I experienced having just had twins via c-section etc... It was a hard time. When Lindsey started first grade I started a tradition. I wanted to make going back to school something special. When I was young my mom was not really into back to school shopping. I think that there is something to be said about getting new stuff and getting prepared and excited for back to school. After all it can be a bit intimidating so I believe in doing all you can to make it a positive experience. So when Lindsey began first grade I began taking her shopping and to lunch. Just her and I. Just fun. Last year Jacob had a chance to do it too because he started kindergarten. This year I took Lindsey to dinner and shopping. Jacob went on his own too and picked Subway for his lunch. This doesn't have to be expensive either. Just pick a pair of shoes and spend some time together. Talk about school. Let them have a special moment. I highly recommend it.

School starts Monday. I cannot believe how fast the summer has gone. Some days I wish summer lasted forever and some days I am counting the minutes. It's been a lot more of the latter this week so I guess its good that Monday is the day!

*I have had a few people mention they missed my comments and were checking in on me. I assure you I am here and well. Just going a little nuts. No time. Life will improve greatly in the next weeks. I am glad I was missed, sorry!

Tuesday's Tip...

When I bake I could not live without this:


It makes for quick clean up and it just cooks cookies better. I highly recommend it. I do not mean to give a false impression, I do not bake all the time! I don't have the self discipline to not eat everything!

Tuesday's Tip- Hair Blogs

I grabbed some shots of the kids before church yesterday. You can learn more about fun hair do's too at Jenn's blog here http://itsmylife-jenn.blogspot.com/. I have loved her hair tips. I also like to look here too http://shedoeshair.blogspot.com/.



Update:
I am not sure why its making it look like I had more pictures posted. Blogger can be very bad sometimes. It shows nothing so I cannot edit it.

Tuesday's Tip...

Aquafina Flavorsplash water

I love the stuff.
Calorie free.
Light taste.
Nice change from just plain water.
Love grape.

Midnight Madness and Tuesdays's Tip...

I had a plan for this morning that involved getting up at 5am. That did not happen at all. Last night I was awoken to loud noises of giggling and lights. I wiped the sleep from my eyes and try to focus on the clock it was pitch black. The clock read 3:40am. I stumbled out of bed only to find the twins light on and them wide awake playing in their room. I very forcefully made them go back to bed. I went back to bed and was asleep in seconds only to be awoken again by the same noises. This time I carried Sydney to her brothers room (screaming and waking the whole house). Then I went back tried to go back to sleep only to hear Hailey out of her bed playing again! Needless to say it was a long night and I did not get up at 5am.

Last week where I live an Amber Alert was issued. A little girl had gone missing. Just 7 yrs old, missing her two front teeth. She did not live near us but it affected all of us when she was found and was dead. Thankfully they caught the guy who did it, a neighbor. All this really got me all worried about the safety of my kids. We do live in a safer area than where this event occurred but nothing is safe enough. So last night for family night we went over safety. One of the things we used was this list. I thought I would share it here so you could also have a starting point to use with your children.

Safety Check-Points for Kids
Most of the people in the world are good and helpful! You cannot tell what a person is like on the inside of the heart and mind by looking at the outside of the body, so you must follow these safety CHECK-POINTS all of the time. CHECK FIRST before you go anywhere with anyone (for any reason at any time)! Check with the adult who is in charge of you at the time. If you cannot check, then the answer is NO! Adults can get help from other adults. You do not need to help anyone find a lost puppy, unload a truck, etc., unless you Check First. Know your full name, address (including state), and telephone number with the area code. Know your parents' names, too. If you are separated in a store, Freeze and Yell your parent's or guardian's first and last name. You may ask a clerk or parent with children to go get help for you, but stay where you are. If anyone tries to move or hurt you, make sure you scream, kick, fight, and yell, “You're not my dad (or mom)!” Use the buddy system; go in groups. You are in charge of your body. No one has the right to touch you or talk about your body in a way that is wrong or that makes you feel uncomfortable. Use the Power NO, and then tell someone. If you find a gun, do not touch it. Get away from it and tell someone. If a friend wants you to touch or hold a gun, use the Power NO. Use the Power NO (and Refusal Skills) for bullies, dares, and drugs, too. When you are home alone, keep the door locked and closed for everyone. Let the phone ring, use caller ID or the answering machine, or work out a system with your parents so that no one realizes you are home alone. When you are on the Internet, keep personal information to yourself! Ask your parents which sites you can visit. Be a Kind and Caring Kid! Use non-violent words and actions. Be a STAR and tell an adult if you think that something is wrong or someone could get hurt. It is not snitching----it is Responsible Reporting! Make good choices!

One of the points here that really struck me that I had never told my kids before was #2. Adults do not need children to help them they can get other adults to help them. It never occurred to me to tell them this before but its totally important. There is no reason any adult should need their help. I always told them to not talk to adults who asked for help but it never occurred to me to explain to them why the need was so absurd.

The parent talking points really encouraged the parent to not use the word stranger. More often than not children think they know people and when you tell them things apply only with strangers it makes them vulnerable. The other issue is that many problems happen within people they think they know or people who know them. It's very important kids know that these things are NOT okay.

Anyway I hope it will help my kids be more aware. I know it has helped me get the conversation going. Make today a great one!

Tuesday's Tip...

Yesterday I received a pie as a Thank you! It also had a nice thoughtful card. It made my day. It got me to thinking how many moments I let pass and forget to offer true thanks. It feels so good to be appreciated, to be noticed. I challenge you to find someone in your life to do this for. I am going to do that. I will report back! I think all of us have a need to be noticed and appreciated.

I also wanted to tell all my readers how much I appreciate their kind comments. I look forward to my comments every day. Thank you for leaving them.

Okay sounding very cheesy now...