The little stuff

Evan gave me his first real hug this week. The smoosh our faces together, tiny littly baby arms tight around my neck, never wanting him to let go kind of hug. It was great. He hasn't done it since, but that once was nice enough. I don't remember how or why, but honestly I don't care. This kid isn't one that enjoys being held a lot, he doesn't cuddle, he doesn't really ever stop except to sleep. So, that one hug to show me how much he loves me was great. He has been going through a bit of a separation anxiety when I leave lately. So, I guess he shows me that he cares that way also. But, the hug was sweet and unexpected and I totally loved his sticky little arms around my neck and his drooly little kiss on my cheek. Before you know it, my little boy won't want to do that....

We had a great weekend. We stayed around town, which was much needed as the past 4 or so weekends we were gone. It was fairly low key: a lot of errands were run, yardwork, playing outside, picking up worms, Sunday School, etc. I was hoping to go to the zoo to see the farm babies, but the weather didn't cooperate much for that.

I did make a decision that I am going to start grad school this fall; if I get accepted that is. I made my appointment to take my GMAT later this month and am currently filling out the ap and going through all the paperwork for St. Thomas. It should be good. I am a bit apprehensive about juggling everything, but overall, I am excited. Plus, if I can't handle it, I can always stop. I definitely won't be rushing it as it may take me 5 years to complete it, but that is okay. The good thing is now I have a deadline to get my other projects done. I need deadlines... I thrive on deadlines. So, I can guarantee that my blogbook will now be done this summer, as will some organization in my house and some other projects I have been putting off. Because, basically, I won't have time this fall to do them. :-)

Emma and Evan are both doing well. They have been outside all the time, which is great. Emma celebrates the big 4 soon - I cannot believe how fast the time flies. I hurt my knee a bit running this afternoon and she instantly put on the "mom" roll and wanted me to sit down, to stretch, and to maybe put some ice on my "dear old knee". Then, of course, she compared my slight knee injury to her owie on her finger which she thinks will feel better after a good stretch too :-) Evan is still trying to say more words or maybe I just understand what he wants better now. His blanket is "bee" and his Nuk or pacifier is "No" along with all the other words. He can point to his diaper when it is messy and say "poo" so we know when he needs to be changed. Plus, he can point out all the Pixar "Cars" characters in his book. He was supposed to be napping when Tim was mowing the lawn today, but instead he was yelling "wide" (or "ride" for us that speak Evan) in his crib and wouldn't sleep. So, I brought him downstairs to rock him a bit, but he scurried off my lap and then proceeded to run from one window to the next to keep "Da" in his sights at all times. yes, he finally got a ride.

Work has been stressing me out a bit lately, so that stinks. Tim is still trying to find something new. So, on the work-front, we haven't been doing too well. But overall, no complaints.

Weekend at the cabin

We had a wonderful weekend at the cabin. Tim got home early on Friday from work and off we went, stopping at the Dalles Restauarant in St. Croix Falls first for supper. It was great food, inexpensive, and they had beer. So, all in all, it was good. We made it up to the cabin around 8ish or so and the kids are always so excited to get there. I remember when Emma was little, she would clap when she saw us pull into the driveway. Evan doesn't clap, but instantly starts yelling "Papa! Papa!" as he is pretty sure his beloved Papa is going to be there. They both run around the cabin, playing with toys they haven't played with for awhile, and burn up some of that energy they gained from riding in the car for 2 hours. I am sure in a few weeks when it is warm, they will both sprint to the beach to go in the lake. Emma used to do that also. She would head down to the beach and run to the lake. Sometimes with clothes on, sometimes she would try to strip them off first. Ahh - summer! Cannot wait!!

We had a pretty low-key weekend. We put the dock in, took out the paddleboat, played on the beach, had a birthday party for my father-in-law, and just relaxed. It doesn't get much better than that.

stuff

Well, I can't say I really know too much, but wanted to post some pictures from Easter. Real exciting, I know :-)

We have been good. I was in Milwaukee this past weekend visiting family and friends and that was awesome. I had an awesome Italian dinner, saw a fun Comedy show and had quality time visiting family. It was a nice get-away for me and Tim had a great time with the kids. They played outside a lot and even made it to Sunday School.

Honestly, we have been pretty low-key as of late, which has been nice. We play outside at night, go for lawnmower rides, draw chalk outside, bubbles, etc. Emma has been a bit of a bear at night. She has been fighting naps and we have been paying for it at night. She still needs naps, but her little mind doesn't think so. Evan is good, still climbing all over and talking more. New words as of late: Baby, Emma, Cookie, Treat.

Here are pics:

Goofy Evan


The Golden Egg


Emma with a Car's book


Evan finding his basket


Evan's basket:


Easter eggs


Loving Easter!


Evan's new swinging style


The Easter Egg Hunt


All the kids


Find the eggs

Easter

What a whirl-wind of a week. Luckily for us, in between our sad times, we had Easter. The kids had a GREAT Easter. We made it back from the cabin last Saturday night in time to kiss the kids good night and for us to prepare for the Easter Bunny. While Tim and I didn't get a chance to dye Easter Eggs with the kids this year, our helpful family had a great time helping Emma and Evan out with that this year.

On Easter morning, the kids slept pretty well. I cannot remember offhand which one woke up first, but they were both excited to come down and find the eggs and basket which the Easter Bunny had left. Emma found one egg right away on the stairs and once Evan saw that there was some candy or trinket inside, he could not wait to find one on his own. Emma was running around trying to find all the eggs she could and Evan was content eating some jellybeans out of the egg he found. Emma's basket was hidden behind the couch and the Easter Bunny brought her some Princess and the Frog Polly Pockets and a pretty Princess & the Frog outfit. Evan's basket was hidden behind a chair and his had some Disney Cars stuff. He got a Lightning McQueen car and book.

After the eggs and baskets were found we ate some yummy eggs and pecan caramel rolls and I got the kids ready for Church. Man-oh-man was church packed. Emma did really well in there, Evan, not so much! Luckily there was "toddler hall" where all the mis-behaving kids went to release some pent-up energy. After church, we went over to the neighbors for our Easter Brunch, had nap time, and then the little kids went outside to search for eggs. 48 eggs were hidden, 47 eggs were found.

all-in-all, it was a great holiday. Tim and I are both happy to be back home and are ready to get back in our routine. I am heading off to Milwaukee this weekend to visit family and friends, then I guess the routine will start.

Today, Kristen and I had the second annual spring hot-dog roast. We made Wyoming Whopper cookies first and then headed out to find sticks and logs for the fire. The kids had a great time picking up sticks and riding in the wagon, while Kristen was hanging onto the handle while riding on the lawnmower which I was driving. Did you catch that?! :-) All three kids enjoyed the beautiful weather outside and played on the swingset while Kristen and I tried to keep the fire going. We had enough of a fire to roast hotdogs and make smores, but didn't have much after that. The kids weren't too interested in eating anyway and it was quickly becoming naptime.

I hope everyone had a great holiday! I will post pictures soon.

Quiet Acceptance

It has been one of those weeks when Tuesday runs into Wednesday, Wednesday is then Thursday night and while you swear it is Friday, it is actually Saturday and you are exhausted. Words jumbled, can't think straight, fall down on your ass tired.

We received one of those calls on Wednesday night that people dread. Tim's Mom was rushed to the hospital and it wasn't looking good. Not a lot was known, tests had to be run, but still, it wasn't looking good. We went to the hospital Thursday after my parents came to get the kids and we went.. in droves. All of the family went to be by her side. Tests and more tests, nurses and doctors with half explanations, but more-over the fear of not-knowing and the unfailing hope that she would pull through and all would be okay. In the end, it wasn't okay. She passed away last night at the hospital.

Rosalie was a quiet woman. A very caring, gentle, wonderful woman. She accepted me faithfully as the much younger woman that was going to make her son happy. While she could have made comments, made things incredibly difficult, she quietly accepted the fact that Tim and I were together, very much in love, and oddly very well suited for each other. She loved our children whole-heartedly and while she couldn't always get down to play with them, she always commented on Emma's beautiful dresses or her wacky outfits and knew just what to say so Emma would flash her the biggest smile. Then Evan, aka Dennis the Menace, came along and I think he reminded her of what her son used to be: the little blond boy with big blue eyes and spirited nature. She loved to watch them both and would often come every Sunday after church to our cabin so she could be an active part of their life.

When the time came, we all knew the right thing to do, her children and husband knew what she wanted. It was with quiet acceptance, a thing she taught those that loved her, that all support was to be removed and she was surrounded by everyone that loved her. As apprehensive as I was to be in her room, it was a beautiful and wonderful thing. We shared memories, laughed at stories and celebrated her. It really couldn't have been any better.

So, here is to Rosalie Jean Heuer Mueller. A woman that lived a long life and gave me the best gift of all, her son.

She will be greatly missed but very fondly remembered.