Eight!!!

My Baby girl is eight today! WoW! When we gave you, your name we had no idea to what extent you would fulfill the depths of its meaning, and all before you even turned 8! You are the “life” of the party every moment of the day! The last eight years have been quite the ride! I expect nothing less in the years to follow.  At first mornings light Zoe, you are my burst of sunshine! Whether I find you on top of the fridge at 18 months old at 2am or walking the roof line to watch the Thunderbirds fly by, my life with you has been nothing short of heart stopping…. I LOVE it! I wouldn’t have it any other way! Because of you I have learned to soak in each and every moment of life.  With you holding my hand the world is full of carefree delightful laughter. Through your eyes I see a fearless abandon for what and who you love. You run toward life's fullest with all that you have giggling the whole way. Caution, to you is only a speed bump it does not paralyze you with fear. May you never lose the beautiful passion that drives you. I love the inquisitive “questions of the day” that you come up with they keep me on my toes. How you come up with the ones you do often leave me stunned and I realize that I underestimate you my punkin pie. You don’t just live life it bubbles out of you in such a contagious way! I cannot wait to see how all of the qualities I love and treasure in you, develop into an amazing woman…..So basically I want to be you when I grow up! J I love you BoZo! Happy 8^th Birthday from your biggest fan!!!

Mouths of Babes

Amia asked me this week to write something "Happy" instead of sad! (She doesnt actually read my post just sees the tears that often come with the writing) As I thought of her simple request I found this old post from a couple years ago. Even though it was at my expense I couldn't help but laugh! So Enjoy!!


I got a shower today! Such a simple statement I never thought would be said with such enthusiasm. The days of soaking every ounce of hot water into my pores have vanished. Most days I am thrilled to just have the stench masked by other “mom” smells, but today I got a whole shower. The icing on the cake would be if I was actually able to accomplish such a feat alone! One would think that privacy could be obtained with children my kid’s ages. Yeah, about that, no matter how early I arise or how late I wait they know what I am seeking and feel compelled to invade and tell me all about their greatest woe. I have taken to showering in the middle of the day in hopes of getting a shower while they are doing something that is important to them therefore conceivably leaving me ALONE. (Sillygirl)

This day was no different; I waited for just the right moment to fulfill my plans and plotted my escape. A shower and a few minutes peace was all I needed for survival. Just about the time I had breathed that self satisfying sigh of accomplishing my goal I heard the cheerful beepity beep beep of my daughters digital camera! Any serenity I might have indulged in disappeared with the dawning of what had just occurred. Not only had I been discovered but now history was being made and there I was in my not so tight fitting birthday suit! (This is one post I am more than happy not to have a photo included)

Trying my best to remain calm and not scar my child for life, I blindly tried to reach for my "precious moment" and delete all evidence!! My poor little girl was crushed and heartbroken by her dripping mother’s reaction. When I politely explained to her that we don’t take pictures of people while they are in the shower, her only reply through tears was….

But mommy, WHY? 

You take pictures of us in the tub, and then put them on facebook……

Ughmmmmm…….
Well…… (CRAP! Is what I was thinking!)
You see…..
What else does a parent say, that has obviously been busted by their own child's inquiring mind?....Oh yes I remember now! As my own mother used to say.......I am the mom thats Why!

I had hoped that one day I would be able to take hard hitting questions like that from my children with humility and grace. Admit to the error in my ways and we would both grow from such an experience.

Today is not that day!

I have tried to think of the best way as parent to make this one of those prized "learning moments"  instead of a future therapy session. The only thing I could come up with was to post the picture she took. But I am too full of pride and common sense to do such a thing. Besides I kinda like the whole returning readers thing. For now, I guess, showers and serenity will have to wait.


In the years since I last posted this her camera has mysteriously vanished ........

It's that time of year! Winter Recital 2011

For those of you that weren't able to be there, here is the Girls Winter Recital. I love seeing their awesomeness blossom as they discover who they are! And since I am here soaking it in can I just say....Where in the world did Zoe's chubby little cheeks and curly ringlets go?

Oh and bear with me, the video of Zoe will eventually flip. I forgot. Sorry.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My Punkn's

These punkn's are my absolute joy in the morning! They provide me with countless smiles and contagious uninhibited laughter every day!

Having 3 girls with completely different personalities lends itself to great moments, like this!

Our take on a family picture this year!

Girls Spring Piano Recital 2010

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

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My NEW tub!

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Originally uploaded by hollandgeoff

OOOOOOH A new tool! Geoff and I both took a weekend CERT class to learn about how to respond in an emergency. It was a great and very informative class. Although I never ever want to put into practice what I learned I do feel so much more confident to field dress a wound than the frantic screaming mimi(sp?) I was before! My response to Amia's fractured wrist last year played a huge part in my required attendance at this class. :(

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He really does not like having his picture taken. He will do his best to ruin my idea of the "perfect shot" and yet he will still come out looking adorable.

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Originally uploaded by hollandgeoff

As a mom I often don many a hat, from the chefs hat to referee. I can think of very few that are actually flattering to wear. When I am scrubbing toilets this is the hat I choose to wear. So that when I catch a glimpse of my self in the mirror what I see is not the maid hat but a true representation of what being a mom is all about! There is no job or hat we put on that can match the treasure of being a mom. Yet sometimes it is all to easy to forget when my daily uniform is more often than not composed of a bandanna and sweats. Its nice to remind myself that although cleaning toilets may not be glamorous I still can be!

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I knew if I avoided the dishes long enough .....who am
I kidding I never imagined this! Let alone the pink gloves.
He is gonna be merciless when He finds out I took his pic and posted it.
Oh well, i think hes pretty great!

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This made me smile.......

This is Geoff and Tim (one of his co-worker's) and this is the second time these two have worn the exact same outfit on the exact same day. No stratigic late night phone calls to see what the other was wearing were involved!

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WoW! Look what came in the mail today!!!

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We 3 are going to Macedonia!

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TIME TO DO THE DISHES!

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I know we live in Kansas and all, but this is not a common occurrence on our street! We live smack dab in the middle of a city of 300,000! No idea what was going on, other than someone decided that our street was the place to take a ride! It was the highlight and bewilderment of our afternoon.

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Originally uploaded by hollandgeoff

Ear Candles! Disgusting and Fascinating all at the same time. We have a contest at our house to see who can alway produce the most ear wax for the candle. The winner gets to have sweet potato pie for supper............yes I'm kidding.......about the pie.

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Mud Cakes!

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Budder and Cutie - Don't leave home without them!

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Gwenn (my niece) and Grampa (my dad) these two are inseparable.