Grand - Friday

Well it is the first, non official day at Grand.

Mommy got up and went and help set up for Grand. She called us and said she was ready to go. So Stephanie, Mommy and I headed to lunch. We went to the Mud Hut, a local coffee shop. Talk about wonderful!!!

Then we hit the mall. We had fun shopping and I got a MAC makeover! Ever since Abra was here I have wanted to get MAC make up and I was able to get some more. I got 3 eye shadows and a compact. It was great.

Then we went back to the hotel and went swimming. Well some of us did. Mommy ended up napping on the pool chair after she was done swimming.

Then we went back and got cleaned up and headed to get SUSHI! Mommy and I have been dreaming of sushi. So we went. Stephanie went with us, she tried a piece but did not like it. She got terriaki. Mommy and I pigged out on sushi.

Then we went back to the hotel and called it a night.

Busy Busy Thursday

Well the girls and I packed up the van for Grand Assembly and headed to church. I started the last run of the news letter and got ready for VBS.

WE had our closing program, which went great. The puppet show was WONDERFUL! Catherine was so funny singing.

We left church and Catherine went with Pop's and Tony took Anna. And Mommy and I hit the road. We stopped and picked up Stephanie and we were Springfield bound. We made one stop to go potty and get gas. We made it to Springfield in like 3 hours and 15 minutes. It was wonderful!!!

We got our room and went to sleep!! HELLO GRAND!!

VBS Wed 6/22

Well today was like a normal day in the life of VBS. We have a good turn out and we had fun. We continued to work on our pupets...I hope it all goes well.

Tuesday = busy

Well we got up and got the girls ready and headed to church. Made a stop at Donut King for breakfast for the girls.

Went over the newsletter stuff at church and it went good.

Then we came home so I could finish the newsletter....2 hours later it was done!! Then I remembered I wanted to copy the article about the camp out and send it to Trish and Doni to read and well the file would not open. It blew chunks. As did the auto back up it makes. So needless to say I was mad!! So I finally bit the bullet and charges the $336 to my credit card for the new version of Corel Draw 12. It will be here by 10:30 am on Wed. So I typed all the articles in word so they can go ahead and be proofed.

Pop's came and got Catherine and they went ice skating. So Anna and I packed up and ran to Wal-mart to get the old changed and pick up more stuff for VBS.

Then it was off to church. We met Kristin who was going watch the girls while I went to my Dr. appointment. My Appointment was ok. I gained 3 pounds this month, which made me soo MAD. At home I showed I lost 2 pounds but I guess being fully dressed w/shoes and in the afternoon the Dr's scale showed different. My Blood pressure was 118 over 78 which is good, I figured it would be high with all the stress today. The babies heart rate was 140 and the fundus height was 26.

Raced back to church with a stop to get an outfit for Catherine, because I forgot shorts for her, since she was dressed in her warm clothes from ice skating. Once at church got Catherine changed and ate dinner.

Then it was BBS class time. Class went great!! I was so surprised how much the youth seemed to like making the sock puppets, I was scared they would think that it was dumb but they had a blast!

Long Monday

Well Monday was a long day!!

I ended with a young person over my house who was very upset about the person they are dating. So we talked for a long time and then headed to Church for VBS. We made a stop for Snow cones on the way. I feel so bad for this young person, I know that they have to learn for themselves and yet you just want to shake them and say "This is not the only person in the world". It breaks my heart to see them hurting and such.

Got Tony ready for VBS and then I was off to Rainbow.

We had Pledge's and my girls did sooooo good!!! They both had all their parts memorized, I was so happy. Sure beats last year when we had the State Pledge Sister who was no ready when we showed up at Grand Assembly.

Then the Pledge's went down and worked on their bags for Grand. I have the girls decorate their own bag for Grand and then I bring them home and fill them with lots of fun stuff and treats and give them back to them when we get to Grand.

Then it was Rainbow time. So I did a quick change into my formal and we were off and running. Initiation went wonderful, the best the girls have done in a LONG time. We Initiated one girl and it was all good. I did Religion and other then flipping some words around I did fine. Then we had elections and then Stephanie's outgoing. By the time people got done eating and we locked up it was 11 pm.

I know for sure I have a cold because my throat is hurting less and I am getting VERY congested.

Talk about a long day!!!!

Happy Monday!

Well it is Monday and the week is in full swing.

I finally have my part memorized for Grand!!!! It pause a lot still but I have it down, just have to polish it up so it can flow. Although the part is so bad I dunno if it will ever flow. LOL

I woke up this morning with my throat still hurting, but I am think it is a cold. Becuase my nose is stuffed up and running. Plus there are no bumps in my throat, and let's keep it that way!!

Today I have to:
-bake brownies for Pledge's
-prepare for Pledge's
-Get my formal ready for Rainbow
-Get stuff together for VBS
-Iron
-Got to church to help set up for VBS
-Go to Pledge's
-Go to Rainbow
-Iron
-Mop the kitchen floor
and more

Happy Father's Day

Well today is Father's Day. We got up and did our normal church thing. It went good.

Then we headed to Stephen's Apple Farm for lunch. Oh my gosh the food was to die for. The girls were very well behaved. Both Pops and Tony got cards and it was a great time.

Then we headed to the plant so I could look up some history info on the Assembly to make new history sheets for the Scrapebook. We found exactly what we wanted and I just have to update them when I type them.

We then came home and put Anna down for more of a nap. And I started updating the history and got it done. I found that there have been 140 Worthy Advisors since NKC started in 1951 and stuff like that.

Then it was VBS time. So we got the girls packed up and headed to church. Tony and I set up the youth room and got ready. We ate dinner at church, and met a very nice girl, Sara (with no H) and her mom. Then it was class time. We had 7 youth in our class which is wonderful, have to see if that continues. 2 of the youth come from no church and are talking about coming to ours!! 1 of the youth is from a cooperating church and 4 of the youth are from our church. See our VBS is done with three church as a group, this year our church is hosting.

After VBS Tony went to work to do a project that had to be done after hours (which is fine with us that is OVERTIME!). The girls and I came home. Anna was asleep so we put her right to bed. Catherine said she was not tired but she went ahead and took her shower and then climbed in her bed and went right to sleep - and she said she was not tired! Then I got busy on work. I got the July calendar ready for youth, got the newsletter as ready as it can be, and got stuff ready for pledges.

Finally Tony got home at 10 pm.

Oh after we came home from lunch my throat started hurting. NOT GOOD! My biggest fear is strep, becuase our neighboor's little girl who plays with Catherine has strep. I hope my throat stops hurting.

Saturday

Well we got up early and hit Indepence Center...I needed pantyhose. So we went and I found three pairs. Then we went to Gordmen's and I found more stuff for my Secrete Sister! Then we went to the hardwear store and hobby lobby and then to the grocery store.

Then we came home. I worked on getting some stuff done around the house and it was time to head to church. We had our Dream Team meeting and it was good. We have been working on the Vision statement for the church and we think we have it done. So now it goes on to Ad-Board and we shall see how it goes from there.

Then I ran to J.C. Penny's to get panties, I saw them on Friday but decided I want them so I went back. They are soo cool, so girly....so me. Then I went to the shoe departement again to look for more shoes, becuase they are on sale in the store but not if I order them on-line. So I got another pair of shoes and ordered a third. So I am finally all set for shoes!! See all of my dress shoes are pre-Catherine and most of them don't fit anymore, I went through and tried all my shoes on and if they were too small I threw them out.

Came home and we ate BBQ Ribs we had been cooking all afternoon. They were wonderful!!!

New Hair!

Well today was my hair cut or at least I thought it was a hair cut. My mom came to watch the girls while I went to get my hair cut. I got there and Jenn who does my hair said to me "now we are going to highlight our hair right". I looked at her and said "no not this time." Then she looked at me and said "No we are going to highlight your hair today". I said to her "no I think I will pass." Then she said to me "your mom paid for your hair to get highlight so we are going to highlight your hair, do you have time." I was floored to say the least. I said "I guess I have time, since my mom is watching the girls and so if she paid for it, she must plan on me being gone a while." So we highlight my hair.

I love the way my hair looks..it is soo light and easy to take care of, which is what I wanted.


After my hair I came home and we all left for our girls day out. First stop was lunch. We found a new place to eat!! It is a Malaysan resturaunt. OH IT WAS SOOO GOOD!!

We left there and hit the stores to find shoes! We went to DSW (no luck), Famouse Footwear (no luck), Jones Store (mommy found a pair), another Famouse Footwear (no luck), Payless (no luck), and then J.C. Penny (I found pair). So we finally found shoes!!!

We left there and went for snowcones, because after all it is snowcone season!

Then we came home and found Tony cutting the grass. What a productive and wonderful day.

Monday

Happy Happy Monday! Well this morning was funny...I woke up and jumped out of bed, thinking I over slept. But I was just fine. So I got my shower and started getting dressed, when Catherine woke up. She got ready and we got Anna ready and headed to church. Via a stop for donuts. I always take Catherine out for donuts or something if we have to be at church for a meeting, it is my treat since I am sure being at a meeting is not her idea of fun. And it is my way of saying Thank you for her being such a good girl and her getting ready so I won't be late.

We got to church and I went to our staff meeting. It is funny I have been soo stressed out about church the past few weeks that I was almost dreading this meeting, I figured it was either going to go great or it was going to be terrible. The past few meetings I have left thinking "what on earth am I doing working of a church". So needless to say I will be honest, I was not looking forward to this meeting. I was ready to go give my info and just sit and say nothing. As normal I had all my info typed up and ready to go, I do this so it is easier for me to have my stuff in order, and also because of Anna, it is hard to flip through papers with a 10 month old messing around. Other then being loud at times Anna did pretty good, she even fell one time and did not get made, which I was surprised. The meeting went good and when asked how the meeting was by someone (a person who is very down on the church right now) I said to them "honestly it was great." I think taking these past 2 weeks to only do what has to be done and taking a lot of family and me time is just want I needed. Although the youth room is getting messy because of it, but that is ok, I will make time to go clean it up one of these days. Seeing as we are moving I should just start packing it up is what I should do. hmmm maybe one evening or afternoon when the girls have Tony to watch them or something like that.

The girls and I came home, and we put sleepy Anna to bed. That was 11:30 pm and right now at 2:15 pm she is still sleeping. She was getting so tired while we were at church. She is a creature of habit and between 11-noon she is ready for a nap.

I made my eggs for UMW tonight, and you know what I only broke 1...count them 1 egg. Each time I try to make eggs I get better and better!

I will admit when it comes to the diet I am not doing so good today. I ate an apple fritter for breakfast and a decaf latte. But I have not eaten any lunch to make up for it, so that is good I guess.

I ordered a dress from Penny's so I hope it fits and gets here soon. The only other thing I need for Grand is shoes, none of my shoes fit right, they are all pre Catherine and my feet grew when I was preggy with Catherine. So this Friday I am off to find dress shoes for Grand. Also I have to get my part down for Grand. Good old Sister of Wifehood that is me! LOL

Sunday

Wow what a day. It was a Sunday as usually, well sorta. We woke up with exactly 30 minutes to get ready and out the door. That ment very fast showers, and getting the girls ready. We did it all in 35 minutes flat!

Church was good. The sermon was about Laughing, which is something we all need to do from time to time.

Then Catherine was supose to go with Pop's ice skating but she threw a royal fit. So we just came home at lunch and told her it was quiet time she HAD to take a nap. And boy did she, I went to check on her and she was out like a light and snoring away!

When she woke up she was in such a great mood!!

Pops and my mom came by to look at the Chimney and Pop's saw nothing wrong, so we have no idea why we have a leak, but we do.

Then it was time to head to church. We got to church and the youth started coming. We have 5 youth show up and we headed out to Indepence Center. We broke up into two groups. I had Kristin and Jennifer, and of course my two girls. WE went around looking in stores. Kristin found a really pretty top and she even found me socks that I had to get! They are bright pink with Monkey's on them. So the Sponkey Monkey still lives on. (Sponkey Monkey is my nick name from Youth '99 when I was hyper the entire trip and alway wide awake! There is even a sponkey monkey card in a frame on my desk at church). As 6 pm came the storms hit. We ended up running in the rain to the car and van. It is funny almost every time the youth want to go on a mall run it storms when it is time to leave. LOL

We got back to church and Kristin found she left the windows down on her car...so it was soaked. She got some towls and she headed home. I hope her car has had a chance to dry out.

The rest of us went the youth room and talked about the fact that this week is our lawn mowning week. So as of now we will cut the grass Thursday at 10 am unless it is raining, in which case we will cut it Saturday at 10 am.

The youth came up with a target game they love. So they played it for a while and we called it a night.

Busy busy Saturday - But a good one!

Oh my gosh I am soo tired and so worn out.

We left the house and went to three stores looking for dresses for me. NO LUCK.

Then we headed to Tony's Company's Summer party. The food was ok..it was Mexican bar..so I went as light as possible. Then we went and bowled. This was Catherine's first time bowling. She had so much fun. Then Catherine and Tony went and played laser tag. I dunno if she liked it that much or not, she said she did. Then Catherine and I played mini golf. Then it was time for the party to end.

So we left the Incred-A-Bowl and went to the Great Mall of the Great Plans to look for dresses. Second Store we went to we had luck! I tried on 6 dresses, 3 looked good, so we bought 2 of them. So at least I have something I can wear at Grand Assembly. I went to the Carter store and finally found Catherine some night gowns. She has decided she does not like to wear pj's she wants night gowns and I have been looking everywhere for them. Finally I had success!

From there we were going to head to the Greek Festival but both girls fell asleep in the van so we headed to the store to get milk and dinner and came home.

Needless to say we are all very tired and I am really sore from all the walking, but it is good for me.

Dress Shopping and Girls Day out

Well today was our Girls day out. My mom came over at about 10:30 am and I had cappuccino ready for her. We finished getting the girls ready and headed out on our shopping day. Goal to find clothes for Grand Assembly, this year you can not wear anything that has black, brown, or gray. I own two skirts one is gray and one is brown, I own three dresses that fit great, two have black and one is Navy. I have been trying on clothes I have right and left and coming up with very little that fit my fat body. A lot of my dresses are pre-Catherine and just don't fit right especially without my body suit on...and wearing my body suit is not an options at this point. So that is a our goal, along with picking up some stuff for the girls.

First stop Talbot's. Mommy was able to find one out fit that looks so wonderful and so youthful on her!

We then went to Coldwater Creek. I found two skirts, one looked TERRIBLE....talk about showing off my big butt, so that was a BIG FAT NO. The other skirt you wore with this polo. It all fit but it was not flattering in the least...made any roll I have show up just that much more. The sales lady was so nice, she was like "you really need a one piece dress, and we don't have any in the store. But she gave me three catalogs to take home and look at to see if I can find stuff to order.

Then we were Overland Park bound. As we left my mom said, what should be do for lunch. I looked at her and said we basically both said "GYROS!" So we headed to Mr. Gyros for lunch. Catherine loves Greek food as much as my mom and I do. It was so cool because my mom was looking at a picture as we left and she said "You have been there". See my biological dad was stationed in Athens, Greece when I was born. So I have been to all these places in Greece and Europe, I just don't remember them.

So then it was off to Oak Park Mall...via a detour because we were talking so much we missed the road we wanted (we wanted 95th street and we got to 110th before we realized our mistake). So first we hit J.C. Penny since we both have seen stuff on their web site we loved, but the selection in the store was TERRIBLE! So we went to kids department to look for a slip for Catherine. The smallest slip they had was size 6, she wears a size 4. So we looked at other clothes. Anna needed some tops to wear under jumpers (for some reason I have tons of 12 month jumpers for her). We found tops for Anna, a dress for Anna, and a shorts and top set for Catherine. Then the best part I found matching dresses for the girls. Ever since Anna was born I have wanted matching dresses for the girls, I have made two dresses so far for the, but for the first time I was able to buy matching dresses!!! The best part was it was all 50% off!!

So then we went down to Jones store.....via a stop at Lane Briant (crapola there too). Jones Store was just as bad as Penny's. Then we went to Norstroms and no luck there. But I did find a 1/2 slip for Catherine in a size 4!!!!! Then my mom and I went and looked at Mac make-up. I needed foundation and have been wanting to try Mac...so I DID!!

Then we went to a couple of other stores with only luck at Bath and Body Works, got girlie stuff!!

Then Anna took her first ride on a carousel with big sissy. They each road on a horse and I helped hold Anna up. She liked it I think...she was just looking around.

Then we got a drink and hit the road home.

The girls did really good for all the running and stuff.

So even though the goal of dresses was not accomplished we had a great day!

Final thought on dresses. The best ones I saw were size 14....well I wear between a size 20 and 22. I have decided that I need to back down to a smaller size. So no more caffeine, very low carbs etc. I was able to loose weight when I was preggy with Anna and I can do it again!

Silly contractors!!

Well with all the storms we found that our chimney is leaking again!! So I got on the phone with the contractors. FUN FUN.

It will be interesting to see if they show up and fix it and if so when.

Day at the plant

Today Catherine went with Pop's to look at items for an auction. They had a blast.

Anna and I went down to the plant at 2:30 pm to give an orientation, it went great!! The guy spoke English!!!!!

Then I had to finish filling out an accident form from 6/2 that was not done right. It is the first form for the year, which is WONDERFUL! The lady hit a button on a straightening fixture and left her finger on the part so the fixture closed up on her finger. All it did was bruise and she got a small cut from trying to pull her finger out while the fixture was on it. She even told me to put on the form, the reason for the accent "Being stupid." So after finishing her paperwork I had to fill out the OSHA paperwork so it is on file and everything. The best part is it does not go to work comp or anything. So I am happy about that.

Then I was asked to get a guy fork lift certified. So I got his handbook ready and gave it to his supervisor as well as his written and driving test papers. So we shall see.

Catherine and Pop's returned to the plant and we headed home.

I called Kristin on my way home and she met us at home. Tony fixed dinner and Kristin and I were going to work on crocheting, but she had to run to pick up stuff for college...so she left her crocheting her at the house.

Rainbow Monday

Well today was Rainbow Monday. After a normal day at home with the girls I got ready for Rainbow.

Rainbow was good but very long. First it was late starting...then they had to do balloting. But all went well.

Following the meeting the girls worked on figuring out what kind of cover they want on their scrapbook. They came up with a wonderful design, very detailed and intricate but wonderful. So they are going to come over on the 15th to put it together.

I took one of the Rainbow girls home on my way home. Stopped at Hy-Vee to get more milk, we are going through a gallon every 2 days now!! So I turned in our milk bottles and got two more. We are now buying Shatto milk and the biggest size they sell it in is 1/2 gallons. It is milk from cows who are not given hormones...you have never tasted such wonderful milk!

Happy Sunday - Busy Sunday

Well it was Sunday. The day started off weird at church, good but weird. I did the children's sermon and it went good, although the kids did not talk much, well all but Catherine, but she always talks.

From there we came home and I got ready for Rainbow.

Right before I was ready to head to Rainbow, Pop's called and said bring Catherine they were going Ice Skating. So her and I got in the van went to the Lodge via a stop at Starbucks to get coffee for my mom and I and chocolate milk for Catherine.

Got the Lodge for the Rainbow Girls to work on their scrapbook. They did 99% of it. It was good because one of the girls was there real early and we have not talked in ages and we got a chance to talk. She really opened up about stuff going on in her life and it was good.

Following scrapbook it was Parent's Day at the lodge. This was a presentation to the parents by all the youth organization. The Rainbow girls were up first, and we did the rose talk. It went good. Then the Job's did a song in sign language, which is like their trademark. Then the DeMolay did their flower talk. It was then 4:30 pm and I had to get over to church to get ready for youth group. So I missed the last few things that went on, oh darn!

Got set up for youth group and all was ready. People started coming and we went up to the sanctuary and watched a DVD thing on "Avoiding God, and what God wants". Then we went outside and played two games, then we came in and finished our bible study from the DVD. Then it was time to go. It is odd for things to take up the entire 2 hours and not drag and for now like the 3 time in a row we filled the time. I was very happy!!!

While at youth group the youth said they want to do a Mall run so that is what we will be doing next week.

More Ivy

Well Tony helped me hang the ivy I bought, and you know what it only goes about 1/2 way around the kitchen. So we all headed back to Old Time Pottery to get more ivy.

We got home and hung it up and it looks fabulous!!!

Girls day out

Well today was our girls day out. See my mom does not work on Friday so we have tried to get back into our girls day out. So I met my mom in Pleasant Valley and we headed to Independance.

We went to Old Time Pottery and had a blast. What a cool store!! I got grape English ivy to go in the kitchen. I am so excited.

From there we went to Toys R Us to look for paper dolls for Catherine. Well I found at least they do not carry them. But we found magnet dolls, like paper dolls but all made of magnets. So that is what we got. Then we hit a Piazzas looking for a Boostia purse, no luck. Then to Gordmen's, again no luck.

From there we headed to the plant to drop my mom off with Pop's who was working on a project for the farm. So we looked at his progress...then we headed home.

It was a great day!!!

Anna's frst accident :(

Well Anna had her first accident. Last night we ran to church so I could get my pay check. Then we went by Kristin's house to drop off a lap top bag we found for her new lap top. Then went to Hobby Lobby to tell her the bag was at her house, and for me to shop. LOL Well we got to Hobby Lobby and we were parked so close to this car I could barely get out. I got my big fat self out of the van and went to get Anna. I got her out and went to shut the sliding door and shut it right on her poor little foot and ankle. I dunno who cried more her or me. I just stood there next to a lap post balling and her balling. I kept telling her how sorry I was. (now I know what my mom felt like when she shut a car door on my foot in middle school). We ran into Hobby Lobby and did our thing and went home. On the way home Anna fell asleep so we put her to bed. She woke up about an hour latter screaming and her poor foot was sooo swollen. So we packed up and went to Children's Mercy Northland. They x-rayed her foot and all is well. Said she does have swelling but nothing is broken. That we can give her Tylenol if she appears to be in pain (they gave her some while we were there) and to put frozen peas on it if she will let us. So we came home and all crashed.

This morning her foot is bruised but she is moving and wiggling and standing on it so it must not hurt that bad. Man to I feel like the crappiest mother in the world though.