So....

....it turns out that not having a washing machine for 5 whole days isn't the worst thing ever. I was visiting with a co-worker yesterday and she told me that she and her husband and two boys have been living in an RV since JUNE because they are currently building a house. While listening to her describe the many challenges associated with her living arrangements, I felt really lame for whining about my microwave and washing machine. I live a great life and I should quit taking everything for granted. Isn't it funny how God teaches us lessons in such subtle ways?!

On another note, Kellan is in Bozeman spending some quality time with his Auntie Ann and Uncle John tonight....and I'm really missing him! I have to say, it's amazingly easier to only have two children to bathe and put to bed....even so, I can't wait to see my middlest kiddo tomorrow evening!

I've been meaning to post the Megan and Kellan's school pictures, but I'm a little technologically challenged and I can't figure out how to use my scanner.....I'll have to try again this weekend....

Oh heck!

Remember when I was whining about my microwave not working a couple months ago? Well, that's nothing compared to not having a washing machine for an entire weekend! Yep, my washing machine is out of commission at the moment....thank goodness my sister only lives 5 minutes away and is gracious enough to let me do some laundry at her house! I have learned an important lesson....the next time a wire is protruding from one of my...ahem....undergarments, I will fix it BEFORE I put it in the laundry!

On another note, today is the last day of fall soccer for 2010! Megan and Kellan have both had a great soccer season, but I think they're ready to move on....to basketball, which starts TOMORROW! We've been really lucky to have been blessed with beautiful weather every Sunday afternoon this season, but I know that can't last forever and it's time for indoor sports.

This weekend as really nice...my favorite twin sister and I redecorated our little den (I'll post some pics later) and we finally planted a tree in our yard! Yes, we've lived here three years and finally managed to plant a tree! It's a beautiful red crabapple tree that will be gorgeous every fall...my kids have been sure to advise me there is NO WAY they will eat any of the apples....but they will be happy to feed them to our horses. They are so generous....at least the horses think so....

Some of My Favorite Blogs

Besides really enjoying my goofy kiddos lately, I have also been enjoying reading some really great blogs....

KellysKorner...http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/...is a blog I look forward to reading almost everyday. She's a southern mother of one (soon to be a mother of two!) who really inspires me to be a good Christian mom to my kids. PLUS, she posts some GREAT recipes!

Another favorite of mine is MckMama...http://mycharmingkids.net/....a blog written by a mother of FIVE who resides in Minnesota. She is a mom who has gone through a lot in her marriage as well as a very scary medical condition with her second youngest kiddo....and she is a fantastic photographer!

One of the first blogs I started reading a couple years ago is about Owen, a little boy who was born with half a heart...http://simmonsfamilyupdate.com/. This blog never fails to remind me of how lucky I am to have three healthy, happy children. Owen has been through a lot in his 2 1/2 years...he is so brave and very charming! Megan and I love reading this blog together and we often pray together for Owen.

Anyway, you've probably noticed all of the blog links on my sidebar....most of them are about parenting, which is my most important and fulfilling job! Sometimes, when I'm in the thick of the daily work associated with raising three seemingly high-maintenance kids, my world can feel kinda small. When I read these blogs, it reminds me of how much I wanted to be a mom....and that I shouldn't take a single second for granted!

Lately....

....I've been pretty entertained by my children. Kellan and Jacksen are currently OBSESSED with Star Wars. I've never been interested in the Star Wars thing so I have absolutely no idea what they're talking about, but they seem to know a lot about it. They have light sabers and they play with them all evening everyday.

Megan has been really into arranging playdates with all of her friends...mostly boys. She keeps mentioning these "crushes" in her class....and I keep telling her that there are no boyfriends and girlfriends in second grade! Actually, now that I think about it, we had this same conversation in Kindergarten and First Grade!

Yesterday I volunteered in Kellan's classroom. As I was leaving, a little girl asked me my name. When I answered, she said "My dad's name is Russ. He leaves piles of clothes all over the place! He never picks up his messes!" I had absolutely no idea how to reply....so funny!

Megan and Kellan have two weeks left of soccer. They have both really improved their skills this season....I have really enjoyed watching their games! Next on our agenda: Y Basketball!

Random Thoughts

I have a lot on my mind today....and I'm thinking it might be therapeutic to blog about it all....so, here goes...

First of all, I'm a little (actually, A LOT) cheesed about the proposed sex-ed curriculum proposed by the Helena School Board. I'm wondering what kind of people think it's appropriate to teach elementary children about sex?! I'm not merely talking about simple anatomy, I'm talking about words like "vagina", which I am certain my sweet little kindergartener would NEVER say in the most inappropriate situation possible. This curriculum also includes discussion of sex, including anal sex, as well as acceptance of gay relationships. While I pride myself on not being a particularly judgemental person, I also pride myself on being an upstanding Christian parent who prefers to teach my children about their bodies and sex and MORALITY....WHEN THEY ARE READY. Not only do I feel offended that the school board is implying that I am either unfit or unwilling to provide this information to my children, I have no interest in putting my children in a situation where they are forced to listen to an adult with whom they have no trusting, caring relationship discuss things that I have told them strangers should NEVER say to them. I am certain that would be embarassing and uncomfortable to my children, and probably most others. Anyway, I think I could go on about this for days, and there's plenty of other stuff on my mind....

....like the job interview I have tomorrow afternoon. No kidding. After almost 20 years with my current employer, I am considering a change. I would still remain in my field....just with a little different focus and a different employer. It's so daunting to think of that kind of change....but I'm also in the mood to shake up my life a bit....so maybe it wouldn't be so bad. I just can't figure out why this idea is so stressful to me. I've always thought I was pretty brave...but maybe I'm just a big weenie after all. I'll keep you posted on that...

....and how well my diet and exercise program is going. A friend of mine recently inspired me to not just exercise to lose weight, but to exercise to get in really good shape...well, and to look hot. I have this thing about my...ahem...rear. I have a goal to have the most firm abs and rear of my life....and I'm finding out it's going to require some serious work and dedication. Don't get me wrong, I'm not overweight and I actually have a flat stomach (which I consider an accomplishment after three children!), but I want to look like those sexy moms you see on TV. You know, those chicks who look ten years younger than they really are and everybody says "You don't look old enough to have kids that age!" Yeah....besides being the nicest, coolest person anybody ever met, I also aspire to be the hottest mom. I'm sure there is something really wrong with admitting that, but it's my blog, right?! And, anyway, after spouting my opinion about the proposed sex ed curriculum, I'm sure I'll be down a few readers anyway!

Whew! All of this therapy is making me crave chocolate ice cream...but I'm drinking ice water instead. Huh. Maybe that's what is really bothering me the most....no chocolate....sigh...

The Weekend

So, I got a taste of single parenting this weekend. Marc spent the weekend at Flathead Lake with some buddies so I was on my own. Naturally, Megan and Kellan were both invited to birthday parties, the boys needed haircuts, my house needed some serious attention, I needed some groceries, and Megan and Kellan both had soccer games. I was kinda stressed about getting all of this done, and my kids must have sensed that because they were perfect little angels all weekend. I keep waiting for them to go back to bickering and whining....so far, so good...

On Friday night we went to Target to do some birthday gift shopping and then we met Grandpa and Grandma McCauley at Pizza Hut for dinner. After dinner I took the boys to Great Clips to get haircuts. We got up pretty early Saturday morning and the kids helped me clean our house. Kellan even cleaned the basement for me! We ate a quick lunch and then I took Kellan to his party and Megan to her party. Jacksen and I came home and finished laundry and took a little rest. Then we picked up Megan, stopped by the store for a few things and joined Grandpa and Grandma McCauley (who had picked up Kellan for me) for dinner. We got home with just enough light outside to feed the horses. This morning we met Aunt Ami and Cody and Morgan for breakfast at the Donut Hole. Cody and Morgan watched the kiddos while Ami and I went grocery shopping. Then the kids and I rushed home to put away groceries, eat a quick lunch and change into soccer gear for the afternoon games. Kellan played at 1:00 and Megan played at 3:30...we had some time to kill in between games to we cooled off with some ice cream at Dairy Queen. We got home at 5:00....the kids took showers while I made dinner....and then, because I felt like I hadn't done enough all weekend, I mowed the lawn. Whew!

And, speaking of soccer games, Megan and Kellan both played awesome today! Kellan scored a hat trick and Megan scored two goals against the toughest team in her league! I am so proud of them!

Well, I am too tired to type anymore....it's only 8:18, but I am going to bed!

Soccer Season

If you're wondering where I've been lately....the answer is Seibel Fields...watching Megan and Kellan play soccer. This year we decided to put Kellan in the Helena Youth Soccer league instead of the YMCA league....mostly because that's the league Megan plays in so they both have games on Sunday afternoons and our Saturday morning are free. We're finding that this is a much more competitive league, which is great for Kellan - he is no longer outscoring his opponents 5 to 0! He had a really great game on Sunday...he scored two goals and blocked a few more! All of the boys were really into the game so it was really exciting to watch.



Megan is playing well, but she's still working on getting into her groove. She isn't quite as into sports the way her brother is, but she does her best and has a good time...and that's what counts, right? Well, not if you ask her! Megan not only inherited my serious lack of athleticism, I guess she inherited my competitive spirt also!