An Iowa Mom

Spoiled, Loved Or Pure Defeat - #10

Well, it's obvious the floor has been completed.  As you can see the girls find it to be quite the dance floor.  I asked them to stop running and dancing around repeatedly, but they didn't listen.  Of course.  I'll never admit it, but after the 14th time of asking them to stop, I secretly fantasized about one of them falling off the edge into the grass ... just so I could stick my tongue out with my fingers waving from my ears and yell, "I TOLD YOU SO!!!"

Before my fantasy could become reality, those efficient workers we hired had a stinkin' railing up.  How dare they?  Since when does anything actually get done before I WANT it to.

Looks pretty good though, doesn't it?  I suppose their forgiven.  Well, maybe not forgiven, as they did RUIN my dream of rubbing something in my girls faces, but I decided we'd go ahead and pay them ...

... when the job is done.  Which it's not quite finished, but there is only one more step.

For all photos, click here.

A Miracle Has Actually Happened

I'm not kidding.  I am getting ready to tell you something that many of you will not believe.  Well, you may believe it, but you shouldn't ... or at the very least you should be surprised ... because this crap NEVER happens.

Are you ready?  Are you bracing yourself?  Ya know what?  You should probably just go ahead and sit down. 

Okay.

Here goes.

Big Daddy and I ....

went out of town this weekend.

The whole weekend.

BY OURSELVES!

Which is the equivalent of NO STINKIN' KIDS!

None.

Zero.

Zilch.

Nada.

Gosh, I almost don't believe it myself ... but I was there.  So I know it happened.  Unless I was dreaming ...

No.  I know I was really there.  I have a suitcase full of dirty clothes here to prove it.

This is only the second time in our eleven years of marriage that we've gone somewhere ... just the two of us.  We've gone on a few trips without the kids, but we always went with other couples, never just US!  And this weekend we did.

It was just a weekend trip to Minneapolis, but it was nice.  On Friday night we had a company party for Big Daddy's work.  It was very fun and we both had a great time.  I had never met a lot of his co-workers in the MN office, so now having faces to put with names is fabulous.

On Saturday we headed to the Mall Of America since I've never been there.  It was awesome.  We didn't do a lot of the stuff the mall has to offer because I'm really wanting to bring the kids back and experience it with them.  At about 11am we found ourselves enjoying football games, along with wings ... and beer (a bloody mary for Big Daddy) at Hooters.  You all know I LOVE LOVE LOVE Hooters.  Then we walked.  And walked.  And walked.  It was a lot of fun.  Afterward, we headed back to the hotel and scanned the local yellow pages for places nearby that we could hit.

We made our way to three, having a drink at the first two and dinner at the last.  Then, being the great, awesome party-goers that we are ... we headed back to the hotel and flipped on the Saturday night football game, flopped into bed and were both asleep by nine.

And we loved every minute of it.

And now that I'm home, sitting in the middle of chaos with the kids screaming and running about, I realize just how much.

A Glimpse Into The Future

Okay.  I really don't know what to say about this.  Last night Big Daddy went up to check on the girls before we retired for the evening. 

HA! 'retired for the evening'. 

Who the hell do I think I am? 

Because I'm not someone who would 'retire for the evening'.

But ... I have a feeling ...

that maybe ... just maybe ...

Emily will be.

Take a look at this.

Yeah ... this is what Big Daddy found ...

before our exhausted asses fell into bed.

We are so screwed for the next 13 years, aren't we?

It's Hard Being So Popular

This afternoon there was a fly zooming around our house and I couldn't make contact with it using my fly swatter to save my own ass.  I'm sure it was comical watching me try.  But, that little fu ... fly escaped my wacks every single stinkin' time.

So, I did what any tired, cranky mother would do.

I gave up.

The thing could take up residency here if it wanted ... and invite his whole extended family.

I just no longer cared.

However, if they decided to move on in ... I'm sure they'd be anxious to move on out in a jiffy once they got a taste of life around here.

That is so beside the point.  What I'm wanting to share with you is ...

A few minutes later I join Molly in the living room to check my email.  She kept waving her hands around her face and then finally she sighed ...

"Aaahh, that pesky fly.  He keeps flying around me because he wants me to play with him.   And I just don't want to play right now." 

And then let out the biggest groan I've ever heard in my life. 

Yes, THE BIGGEST.

I'm sure she rolled her eyes too, but her back was to me so I can't be sure.

Heaven forbid she be bothered ...

by the fly ...

who wants to play with her.

What a brat.

And that's the point I was trying to make.

Spoiled, Loved Or Pure Defeat - #9

So ... the frame is up.  Do you know how hard it is for one to walk on the small support beams and frame of a deck?

Well.  It is.  At least for me.  Even with absolutely no alcohol involved.  Really.  Let's just say that I would never have scored a 10 on the balance beam if I were a gymnast.  Actually, I'd probably do better if I were drinking ...

Really.

That being said, we decided we'd go ahead and lay the remaining lumber and create a floor.  After all, we wouldn't want me to fall and break leg, therefore me needing a cast causing me not be able to enjoy this whole ensemble that I spent so much time and effort badgering Big Daddy for ... now would we?

And don't get me wrong.  By "WE" I mean "THEY" because Big Daddy and I are too stupid to do anything like this.  I mean, I can tell you what I want when it comes to a deck.  Big Daddy can write the check for it (even though his hand shakes ridiculously while doing so) ... but someone else has to actually build it. 

 

Oh I guess I'm not really being nice.  Big Daddy can do some of it.  He moved the sod and rock, right?  My Big Man!  I am just as proud of my Big Daddy as I am the men who actually built the deck ... because so far, we are VERY pleased!

For all the photos, click here.

Again? Already? Really?

I'm serious.  It CAN NOT be possible that my first born baby girl is having another birthday. 

It Can't.

Can it?

Can she really be FIVE?  Emily?  Already?  Excuse me while I go cry into my ...

Pepsi?

 

Yeah ... I guess it's really true ... you are another year older.  My heavens.

Happy 5th Birthday Big Girl!  I so look forward to the years ahead.

We all love you --- SO MUCH!

Heads Up ...

if you love contests?  Getting something for nothing?  Isn't that the BEST?

If you think so too ...

 

Well then, I've got something for ya. There is a great contest for you over at IowaMoms.net ... if your in the Sioux City, Iowa area.  Ya better get over there and check it out. 

M'Kay?