He's of the colour of the nutmeg. And of the heat of the ginger.... he is pure air and fire; and the dull elements of earth and water never appear in him, but only in patient stillness while his rider mounts him; he is indeed a horse, and all other jades you may call beasts. ~William Shakespeare, Henry V

Saturday, December 29, 2007

CHRISTMAS

Our Christmas trip to Minneapolis was a lot of fun. My mother, Cassidy, Jessie, and I rolled into my sister's place around 11 o'clock Thursday night. A lot later than we wanted to get there. The girls took naps in the car so it took a bit for them to wind down and fall asleep, but it eventually happened. On Friday, Cassidy had her hair appoint with Michael at The Chair. My sister took pics because we were hoping to get a good pic to put in the paper for Cassidy's donation to Locks of Love. Unfortunately, Cassidy is screaming her head off in all of the pics so none of them will be making the paper. She likes her haircut now, but it did take her a while to get used to it. My sister and I also got a lot of shopping in before Cassidy's hair cut that day, which was good. Saturday and Sunday it snowed A LOT and the only one's who got shopping done over the weekend were my brother, Mike, and my dad. Monday, we went to my sisters church for Christmas Eve mass. The church just got done with a huge remodeling makeover and it's very pretty on the inside. My sister is a cantor in the church choir, and the choir is AMAZING!! They even have professional musicians. After church, we went back to my sisters place and had supper. After supper we let the girls open up their gifts because my sister had to be back at the church to sing for another mass. After my sister got back around midnight, the rest of us opened up all of our gifts. I got my white comfortor and bed skirt from my sister and an under cupboard AM/FM radio with CD player. The girls got a lot of toys and clothing. That was pretty much our Christmas.

Aunty Lynnette's Christmas tree.

Cassie sporting her new haircut while working on Nana's Sudoku puzzles.

Aunty Lynnette reading a book to Jessie.

Cassidy proudly displaying her MANY Christmas packages.

The girls helping mommy with some of the gifts.

Jessie playing with her Fisher Price Learning DJ from Uncle Mike.

Jessie checking out her Leap Frog ABC fridge magnets.

Cassie with her Webzink kitty from Uncle Mike.


The Christmas mess in Aunty Lynnette's living room.

Monday, December 17, 2007

JESSIE'S FIRST OUTDOOR ADVENTURE IN SNOW

Today, Jessie got to really experience snow first hand. It was so beautiful outside today that I bundled myself and the girls up in our snow outfits and we headed out the door to play. Cassidy loved stomping around and making snow angels. Jessie pretty much just ate snow the whole time we were out there. She didn't move around a whole lot. I didn't blame her. When you are dressed up looking like the Michelin tire man, falling over and trying to get back up would be the pits. We were outside for a little over an hour. The girls really enjoyed it, so did I.

Jessie eating snow off her glove. She did that the entire time she was outside.

Jessie being very cute.

Cassidy sitting on top of the huge snow pile next to the garage.

Cassidy making one of the very many snow angels she made in the yard.

CHRISTMAS PICS

Here are some photos of our early Christmas with Darren's parents courtesy of my mother-in-law. They turned out very good.


Auntie Missy and Cassidy.


Auntie Missy and Jessie.

Cassidy with Jessie's baby doll.

A cute smile from Jessie.

Cassidy and Great Grandpa Marvin.

Cassidy opening up a gift.

Jessie with Cassidy's pony.


Sleeping Daddy and Jessie Ann

Saturday, December 15, 2007

AN EARLY CHRISTMAS

The girls and I went up to Darren's parents place for an early Christmas. We arrived around 11 a.m. We had a wonderful dinner of ham, A' gratin potatoes, and green bean casserole. After dinner, we opened up gifts. The girls and I got a lot of really nice stuff from Deb and Dave. I got a pajama set, the Garth Brooks Ultimate Hits CD, The Breakup DVD, and his sister gave me this VERY pretty Montana Silversmith jewelry set. Cassidy got a sleeping bag that has Disney princesses on it, clothing, Walter the Farting Dog book, Chutes and Ladders game, and her daddy got her a My First Pony set and a really neat Tinkerbell locket necklace with a ring. Jessie also got a sleeping bag with fairies on it, clothing, Leap Frog Learn and Groove Drum, and daddy got her some necklaces and a baby doll. Later on, Darren and his father went outside to fix the front mud flaps on my car which had come loose from the bottom of the car and were rubbing against the tires. I really appreciated that because my father has been busy and I didn't want to worry about the mud flaps when we leave for Minneapolis on Thursday. All things considered, I had a really wonderful time at his parents. It was nice to see everyone and it was great to talk with his sister for a while. Even Darren's grandfather, Marvin Hanson, was at the house visiting for a bit. Like a dork, I forgot my camera and didn't get any pictures. Deb is going to send me some, so as soon as I get them, I will post them.

Things are going pretty steady otherwise. I am always busy with homework, the girls, and every day-to-day details. I have had people come to the house and drop off gifts for the girls for Christmas which has been amazing, and a relief knowing that they are going to have a few things for Christmas. I also had my own Christmas blessing early this week, which made me weep and very grateful at the same time. I cannot say enough to all of my friends and family who have been helping me these past three months. YOU ARE THE BEST!

Friday, December 07, 2007

NOT MUCH GOING ON

The girls and I went to town on Wednesday to deposit Darren's paycheck. Rainy had the entire day off, so she and her daughter met up with us at Wal-Mart. I was able to get some Christmas shopping done for the girls. After all our shopping, we had a quick bit to eat at McDonald's and then the girls and I headed up to the clinic to get our flu shots. I don't want any of us to be sick like we were last weekend. I did find a little time to get my Christmas cards off in the mail. I know that there are a few of you that may not get one. That is because I misplaced addresses. Feel free to send me my addresses via email if you want to make sure you get one.

Tonight I am going to try and get some presents wrapped. I still need to decide which I am going to use as Santa gifts. My house needs to be cleaned up a bit and I have homework to finish up. All my instructors were nice enough to give me a 3 week extension on all my assignments, so if I don't get them all in by the 14 I will still have some time. I want to get as much done as possible before we leave for Minneapolis on the 20th.

My mom is doing well. She is slowly ambling her way around her house. I am sure it is going to be a while before she is feeling really good. My dad started work trucking for a company out of Fargo. I think they are starting him out on short trips so he won't be gone from the house for very long when he is on the road.

Anyone want a cat? My cat has started taking the liberty of pooping next to my bed instead of going outside. She is really starting to make me mad. I have noticed too that she is getting a lump on the side of her belly. I am thinking of taking her to the vet for a checkup. Maybe that has something to do with the potty problem.

Other than these, my life has been pretty boring and simple. I haven't been doing much because it's been cold, I want to give my mother some peace while she heals, and the Christmas season is bringing me down without Darren here.

Monday, December 03, 2007

GO ELF YOURSELF

Okay, so I stole this from Aprils blog, but it was so fricken hilarious that I couldn't help myself. Scary thing is, my friends and I do occasionally act like this. This is for you, my friends!!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1157019850

Saturday, December 01, 2007

MY MOM AND SICK JESSIE

I was going to go see my mother today, but the winter snow halted our plans. I didn't want to venture out with the girls and have vehicle problems or get stuck in Devils Lake because of the nonstop snowfall. I did call my mom a few times today though. She is still doing well and fells better than she did this time yesterday. The Foley catheter came out and her bladder has been voiding completely. She has even gotten up and walked around a couple of times. It sounds like the doctor plans to discharge mom on Monday.

I am in for a very long night. Little Jessie is sick. She started throwing up around 6 p.m. this evening. I have done at least 3 loads of laundry since then. I feel terrible for her. When she get sick, she is sick for days before she gets better. It's not a 12 hour bug like Cassidy gets. She is sitting quietly in her crib right now. She falls asleep every once in a while but then she wakes up and starts to cough, then Cassidy will come and get me to let me know that Jessie got sick again. I am really missing Darren at this moment too. When the girls were sick, he would take the dirty clothing after I changed them, wash them out, put the dirty clothes into the washing machine, and then he would even cleanup the floor, furniture, or whatever else she managed to hit with vomit while I took care of her. Sometimes, he would even run to the bedroom and grab clean nighties for me while the kids were throwing up. I loved it when he would help me like that. It made things a lot easier for me. I didn't have to worry about the "extra" stuff and I could just tend to the sick girls.

I am hoping that Jessie gets better tomorrow after breakfast. It is Santa Day in Leeds tomorrow. I wanted to take the girls so they could go have some fun since they have been in the house lately. I also wanted to get their picture with Santa again this year to have a picture of them in my Christmas cards. Oh well, if she is still sick we will not be going to Santa Day or going to see my mom in the hospital since we didn't get up there today. Darren called the other day and said he is planning to come home tomorrow to visit the girls too. With everything going on I don't know what I am going to be doing or where we are going to be. However, it would be nice if he did come when Jessie was still sick to help me take care of her so I can catch a little break. I will have to see how it all works out tomorrow morning.
 


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