Cancelation

Today was no different than the average mid-winter Saturday... a few things planned for the day but nothing too crazy. It's always nice to have something planned, that way I know that the world is still going around, and maybe I might get a chance to enjoy it.

Our region of the world is quite frigid this time of year so it's never out of the possibilities that the weather will dictate what our lives will be like at any given moment... why would today be any different?!

When I woke this morning the wind was blowing wildly and I could barely see the trees across the street because of the blowing snow. I let the dog out, and 3 minutes later, she can in looking quite aged.. she had gone from her normal dark colors to being completely white with snow! Of course she proceeded to shake all the snow off.. on me! Thanks Annie.

As the morning progressed I checked with the appropriate places, internet, radio, directly calling people, to see if the day was a bust. As it turns out, it is! So, now a jammie day has commenced, and I sit here with little to do. Ben woke up at 8:50 to take Serenity to basketball at 9:00, it was canceled. It's 10:00 now and he has been napping on the couch for 45 minutes now. The 25 minutes of his morning were used to pet the dog, eat a muffin and have some juice. How lucky am I?!

The one event I was looking forward to for a few weeks has also been rescheduled.. No Cookie Lee Jewelry Open House for me today. :(

Dare I say I may even contemplate income taxes as the highlight of my day? Yikes, I've lost it.

Baby Shower...

I've been given the privilege of having a baby shower thrown for me by my step-sisters (thanks ladies). Since this baby will be my last, I'm having a sense of bitter sweetness, in so many ways. At the same time, I'm running into a huge dilemma in preparing for the baby and shower... this will be my 3rd baby boy and, although they aren't born in the same month, I've always thought the clothes could be handed down so I've kept their clothes. (this of course didn't work from Alex to Isaac because Isaac was so small compared to Alex.. 5 lbs 15 oz vs. 9 lbs. 6 oz. -- a hint from God?)

With the upcoming baby shower, I'm struggling with my morals.. do I register for clothes or do I just go with what I have? Do I look at newer and better baby things, like swings, bouncy seats, and other things, even though he'll be the only one to use them? Do I need to waste people's money for the sake of current fashion or newer technology? (yes, I've thought about this many times) So, maybe I'll just register for diapers and wipes.. lots of them! What to do? Help me with this struggle..

Isaac's "18 month" check-up..

With all the sickness we've had lately, I didn't know if Isaac would make it to his long overdue well-baby check-up today or not. Everyone was healthy upon waking this morning so we ventured out into the freezing cold to the doctor.

Everything went well with the visit. Isaac is on schedule developmentally for his age, which is good since he was premature. His stats are as follows: 13% for weight, 31% for height and 80% for head circumference. He had two vaccinations too.. much to his disliking.

Brrr... It's cold inside!

The weather in the midwest is always unpredictable and this week is no different. Yesterday it was a nice 30+ degrees.. today, -15 with -50 wind chill. Of course, living in the midwest means your house is insulated differently, but as we learned this evening, it's always helpful to have heat for your house!

Our power went out around 4:50 pm and unfortunately our house only has electric heat. So, the boys and I hung out in the semi-dark until Ben and Serenity got home and then we all packed up and went out for a long dinner. Before we left, it was estimated that the power would be fixed by 9:30 pm. When we returned from dinner, about 7:50, it was estimated that the issue would be corrected by 10:30. UGG!!

After sitting in th warm van we opted to stay home until 11:00 and if the power wasn't on by then, we would go to a hotel. So, we made the kids wear two pair of jammies and we all camped out in the living room upstairs under piles of blankets. It was soo quiet since the boys were asleep most of the time and there were no noises in the house. About 9:10, the power came on and we moved the kids to their beds... the temp was 57 in the house... brr! My nose was so cold as I sat in the candlelight doing a crossword puzzle that it started to run. It will be so nice to go to bed in our own warm bed tonight.

Ugg.. Men!

Is it just my man or men in general?

Isaac got sick last night.. vomiting everywhere and on both Ben and myself. Ben immediately gets the "eeewww" face and removes his soiled clothes, drops them to the floor and then removes himself from the situation leaving me and my pregnant self to deal with the kid and the mess. (which just so happens to be right next to and under the refrigerator!) This is how the post-vomit experience goes every time at our house. Don't get me wrong, it's not that the whole thing doesn't completely gross me out too, but it is always the woman's job to clean up or does being the mother come into play as well? Oh the woes of life..

Crazy!

Ben had to go out to get the newspaper and Alex insisted that he go with.. The two of them came up with this on their own. Keep in mind that it was 0 out! "but it was only out to the end of the driveway and back." (notice Alex has no shoes OR socks on!)

Ice Maker..

It's hard to imagine wanting ice water with the extreme cold we've been enduring lately, (-20s, with up to -50 wind chill) but, it's something I've always wanted year round. Not to mention our family guests that snicker at the thought of buying ice!

For Christmas I received an ice maker kit from my FIL and it finally worked out for him to come up to install it last weekend. With much frustration and irritation due to leaks, overflowing water, more leaks, not to mention several trips to Lowe's and Menards, he left for home Sunday under the impression that the ice maker was working properly, no leaks!

As it turns out, within a few hours of the in-laws leaving, a drip developed in the back of the refrigerator so we shut off the water and grumbled.

Knowing my FIL, it didn't take long to hear that he planned to return this weekend to complete the job. With his great knowledge of mechanics, he formed a small insert to place in the copper piping to keep the pipe from collapsing, thus eliminating the leak! We thought we were in the free and clear... but as it turns out, nothing could be that simple. Our next challenge arose when I opened the refrigerator and heard the ice maker filling. Odd thought.. After a few hours of contemplating the internet, the manuals, etc.. the electrical problem was fixed and it was a success! ICE at last! Thanks Bruce!