M.I.A.

It's been so long since my last post I almost forgot my blog name! OK...maybe not that long, but seriously where the heck have I been? I've actually been quite busy and not just the mom of 3 kids ages 3 and under with a full time job outside of the home kindof busy.  We have actually been out and about doing things. It's kindof crazy cause we are typically homebodies, well actually Dave is the homebody and I usually end up having to drag him along to any extra activities. But, I have wanted to blog in the brief moments of spare time that I have had and really had a lot on my mind, but didn't know where to begin. That's not exactly true either, I could have started anywhere as my mind doesn't seem to stop lately, but didn't want to go on and on about stuff that I'm sure most really don't want to read about. To make it short and to the point, I will just say that I deal with chronic neck pain from 3 bulged discs and a condition called Spasmodic Torticollis and it's really thrown a wrench into much of my happiness. Thus, I've been trying to find answers to help me deal with this condition that is essentially starting to effect many aspects of my life. I think I am on the right path to finding those answers, but getting there takes time.

Now back to the other business of my life. We recently took a trip to the "hotel, motel, Holiday Inn. Say whaaat?" <-- Remember that song??? Oh if you don't, you're missing out ; )  Anyways, we went there for a full weekend to spend time at the water park. My dad, Patti, Aunt Kelly, Uncle Kirk, Holly, and Tyler met us there on Saturday ( a few weekends ago). We picked Ethan up on the way there so he could be there the whole weekend too. It was a lot of fun, especially for the kids! The area for little kids is perfect and there were lots of life guards to put our mind at a bit more ease. The water could have been warmer, but other than that it was a great time.

Last weekend was Memorial Day weekend and it was packed full. We had friends over that we haven't seen in almost 4 years and then on Saturday we went to a bbq and bonfire. I forgot how relaxing sitting in front of the heat, staring at the the hypnotizing flames, and listening to the crackles of it can be. And not to forget the taste of sweet and sticky smores! It was wonderful! I can't wait till the next bonfire!

Then last Sunday, we got to bring the kiddos to my friend Larry's farm where he gave us a tour that I don't think they will ever forget! My favorite parts were probably watching Lilah and Mason hold the ducks and also them trying to milk a goat. It was so cute to see! Oh and Larry gave us some rhubarb to plant. Cannot wait to make rhubarb goodies!

Yesterday we went to visit my grandma. She is just so cute! She reminds me so much of my precious late Great grandma Manthey. Her hairs is grown quite a bit since the last time I saw her and is so puffy. I love it! She gets to eat regular food now instead of pureed crap or shall I say "garbage" as she refers to it! Actually she let us know that she didn't like her lunch yesterday either. When my mom asked her what she had for lunch she said "junk." Oh how I love her honesty! She's just this sweet tiny lady. Some of my favorite memories of her are:

Painting her nails and picking a color out of the drawer full of nail polish.

Admiring her long nails as I sat on her lap.

Helping her make ginger snaps. She would let me dip them in the sugar bowl before putting them on a pan.

Going to the flee market and on the ride back she would have these sayings like "lady bug, lady bug, fly away home. Your house is on fire. Your kids might burn." I know it sounds like a strange saying, but we got a kick out of it.

Her and Holly coming into the spare bedroom where I slept and waking me up saying, "sleepy head, sleepy head, time to wake up!"

Helping her in her large garden.

Watching Price Is Right and Wheel of Fortune with her.

I also remember she watched Judge Wapner and when my parents went to court for their divorce, I wanted to watch it cause I thought they might be on the show!

I miss those days and the times when grandma was able to do so much more with us. You know when we went to visit her yesterday she said, "I'm going to be buried at St. John's cemetery. I have my plot picked out and already paid for." My mom told her not to rush any of that. It sure makes you wonder why she said that. I love her so much and wish her all the happiness she can have while here with us!



I must say that my baby has been busy babbling away and even slipping the words "dada dada" out. I can't be certain if this is an intentional word for her, but as much as I don't want to admit, it is cute! Dada is always the first word to be spoken, I swear. She's also rolling around from tummy to back and vise versa quite a bit. She's loving her gerber baby food and has made it to 16 lbs! Her personality is is showing more and more. Mason can make her laugh with little to no effort and she has a connection with him unlike any other. Very fun to watch!

Lilah is still quite the little mama and Dave has caught her sneaking a chair up to the kitchen sink bright and early in the morning to "make" Brinlee a bottle. He said one morning Brinlee was holding a bottle that had more formula in it than water from Miss Lilah. When questioning Lilah about this, she said ever so simply, "Brinlee's hungry." Can't help but laugh...