DPP 22 - 23 - 24 - 25

I know the December Photo project is over...but I wasn't around my computer to upload the photos. I always like to finish what I start...so here is the end of the Photo Project. A huge Thank You to Rebecca for the idea and jumpstarting this December Photo Project! I don't recall having this many pictures in my December file on my computer or for any month for that matter! What a great project!

DPP 22- Happy Birthday Daddy!

DPP 23 - The view that I look at without faces of my kids at school. This group of students encompasses Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and low cognition. I absolutely love to teach this group of students how to read, be a good friend, and be their friend.

DPP 24 - A daily view of the boys conversing and playing or should I say Kenner teaching Bubbi everything he knows. I often overhear many things I have told Kenner that are now being told to Bubbi. I love it! Only if you were able to hear this conversation.DPP 25 - Look what Santa brought us...Wiggles and Rubber Ducky and Rubber Chicken.

DPP 21 and DADDY's HOME!

We were able to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus tonight at the Sprague Community Church's Christmas program. Thanks to the Mrs we were able to actually sit and not scream too:)

Choices...today was the first day in 6+ weeks that I was able to sit down and make a choice of what I WOULD like to do versus do what I HAD to get done in order to stay ahead of the game. Reason: Daddy is home! Man alive it is great to have your better half home.

Poor Daddy's car got backed into not even being home 1 1/2 hours yesterday. Daddy had to move his car after that incident and you would have thought the boys were never going to see him again. They were sobbing until Daddy appeared again and then they were EXCITED!!!

Welcome home Love!

DPP 20

Brotherly love! What a great picture of the two cutest boys in the world (I might be biased a bit!)

DPP 19

Last night, I told Kenner it was time for supper. He responded, "Mommy, I can't eat. My hands are tied down." WHAT?!? WHERE did he get this at? He, of course, was pretending...but to pretend you must have seen it somewhere. Where...I don't know.

Bubbi is a crazy man. He is attempting to lean as far as he can without falling or the freezer door opening. Oh the day that his weight overcomes the freezer door...that will be funny for us, but an ouchie for him.

DPP 18 - Do not feed the...humans

Brother wanting, other brother denying. Nothing like real time photographs to capture the essence of brotherly love.

Brother allowed play with one animal, during suppertime. Only to distract Mom so that the entire zoo of animals could come join us at the dinner table. Step One: Feed the animal.

Step 2: Eat OFF the animal.

Step 3: Give the animal something they are suppose to eat while wild. Observe the animal eat it (hoping mommy wouldn't make him eat it after it had touched an animal.)

Observe the all natural Zoo Keeper tending to his flock.
Last step: Bathe the animals. They can NOT go to bed with food all over them!

DPP 17

Walk to School Wednesday-We were able to walk in the gym instead. Our school as a grant project "No Child Left Inside." I brought the boys over and we walked before I took them to school. Fun times.

new look

What do you think of the new blog:) I love the new quote and picture. Snowflakes are like brothers...look how fragile they are single but together they can do much much more!
Enjoy!

Click here for Kenner's Christmas Program Video

I will be putting more pictures and videos on this as they come in. Thanks to all who were able to tape and take pictures. Kenner is in the yellow and I am in the pink:)

DPP 16 (Yes posted already at 6:40 am)

Well, I told myself that I couldn't go another day without putting my pictures up on the blog. I also needed to get a few other things completed before I began another day. So I THOUGHT getting up at 5:00 would give me enough time before I woke up the boys at 6:45. Hmmm about

6:00 am I heard rumbling of feet upstairs. No need to wake the boys up...they did it themselves. How you ask? I was as quiet as a mouse and every other morning in the past three weeks I have had to PRY them from their beds at 7:00 or later. They just couldn't let Mommy be by herself anymore than she needed. Love you boys!

Well here is Kenner showing his brother (who is on my lap) that it SNOWED and there was actual ground cover this morning. What this really equals to is getting to wear their boots today!

Have a great snowy day!

PS I have hit 10,000 hits!! (5,000 are probably mine...but a fun number anyway!)

DPP 15 View from my side of the dinner table

For anyone that has not been invited over for dinner...I thought I would give you a glimpse of what my view of the dinner table looks like. No sitting, food all over, drinks that are rarely full (either all gone by drinking or spilling), and eating...lots of it.

DPP 14

Kenner had his first Christmas program tonight at our church. It was great to be able to help with this Sunday School this quarter and to help with the program. I tried to upload the video on the web...but it took too much time:(

Here is some of our Sunday School members:) Kenner was a bit nervous the whole time and sucked on his hands the whole time...we will work on that:) This in our Sunday School room.

DPP 13

In our missing our Daddy, the boys and I made his favorite homemade spaghetti on Saturday. We had a great day. We were going to go watch Uncle Caleb play in Fairbury...but after taking a

shower I decided the pajamas were the correct form of attire for the evening and the boys and I stayed home and played. It was so refreshing to be able to use my fresh (but frozen) tomatoes and green peppers from my garden. It looks so good in my Pampered Chef cookware:) Yum. This of course was to only practice so that it is perfect for Daddy on Sunday when HE COMES HOME!!

Love our Grandma on the phone and in real

Here is Bubbi and Grandma Carlece. Love my Grandma and my thumb! GO TITANS!

Kenner on his "horse" phone to Grandma to tell her that we were on our way.

DPP 12

Thanks to Don, our old neighbor and great friend, we were able to drive down with him to the Friend/Thayer Central game last Friday night. There were many pictures...so here are my two choices for the DPP and then others are in another post.

How is this for advertisement for the Thayer County Bank. "Don't let the debt eat you this holiday season...look into a loan."

We always put Kenner and Patton's name in the cake walk. Many times it is the same number. Kenner has always won a cake...and Friday was another win. Here he is eating his friend's hamburger cake. I decided to pitch the cake after I found frosting on the couch, TV and my broom stick. I was cleaning up the mess they had made in the living room and in two minutes they had frosting EVERYWHERE.

DDP 11 cont.

Kenner conquering his fear of the "netting." A HUGE THANK YOU to Trevor and Kendra for taking the boys last Thursday to the a living manger, so that I could go and finish up shopping and run errands.

Kenner has never ventured further than the first box in the first box of three in the Runza jungle gym in order to get to where all the big kids play. He has desired, but has gotten scared due to the netting. WAY TO GO KENNER!

Also reporting from here (Runza), Kenner was quite the big brother on Sunday (yes we returned to Runza). Kenner would get on all fours and be a horse, so that he could give his brother Patton a boost. I wished and wished for my camera...but unfortunately the wish fairy didn't grant it and I didn't get any pictures:( Kenner had to help his brother over and over again, because Patton too was scared and would go up three levels and then go down them. I was counting the times Kenner would help his brother without getting frustrated at him. On the third count, I told myself that I had to remember how low Kenner's frustration level was with his brother and how much patience he had with him. Wouldn't you know, the next request of help Kenner said, "Now Bubbi I have helped you 4 times. This is the last time." How funny! He did proceed to help him three more other times:)

DPP 11

View from my rear view mirror. I have been wanting to take this picture every morning I go to school. There are so many things to reflect on in this picture.

1- Having my mirror so that I can see my boys, no not the cars in back of me. This gives me the chance to see all their actions to the songs that we sing (and to make sure they are behaving)

2 - The beautiful landscape and the sun shining on it. Isn't is pretty?

3- Shadow of my car going to work to get to teach other kids how to clearly communicate with others so they can too be heard. (I was going very slow when taking this picture)

full

DPP what?

Hey guys - I technically have stayed in the game with the December Photo Project...but I haven't gotten the chance to sit down with my camera and put them on. Be on the look out tomorrow!

Kenner had his first Christmas pagent tonight. Had he had room in his mouth, he would have had his entire hand in his mouth. Thanks to Aunt Becca, Bob and Marilyn for coming. We missed you Daddy!

Have a great week. I know I sound Bi-polar on this blog, but much of the advice I give on here is for me to hear it myself:)

Have a great week. Live life to the fullest and find the brighest moments of each day to dwell on and leave the bad ones where they happened:)

Rhi

DPP 10

If I don't have Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi, then this is my drink of choice - Koolaid. No neither are very good for you...but I know of some other even worse alternatives. I love to see the red mustaches on the boys' faces when we drink this (which I might add we haven't had since June).

The other picture is a theme I am trying to go with as I approach fun memory times with my boys. The cleaning, paperwork, laundry will always be here, but Kenner and Patton will not always be 2 and 3. So living on this theme (and so I could maybe sleep better), I had the boys sleep with me last night. More to post on that - two words - NO SLEEP. (what was I thinking!)

DPP 9

A little late, but couldn't stop this commitment to take a pic every day during probably the busiest time of the year. So this picture says it all. It is a picture of what I brought from my car on Thursday. Fundraising items in the pink (from Kenner's daycare), Bisquick and waffle maker in the back (breakfast for supper at Aunt Becca's, Kenner asks for Breakfast at Becca's daily), my leftover lunch container and cheese (yes I did remember to bring my lunch - turkey meat and a block of cheese. Nutricious!), purse and misc letters from not checking the mail in 4 days, blanket from our car to be washed...I will leave out the details why it needs to be washed (one clue noses). I didn't bring in my flowers from my sister Becca that day...but just a light at the end of the tunnel for me:)

DPP 8

Thank you Aunt Becca for sending me flowers today at work. A huge suprise and a great upper for my week. I can now look at the chaos at my house and not get even more freaked out...but instead go and smell my flowers and be put back into a thankful place.

I really didn't mean to sound so negative last night. I also don't want anyone to think differently of me. This blog is a way for me to vent to get my feelings out and to also just share my true thoughts of living as a mother to two great boys and a wonderful husband. Life isn't always perfect...but when it is BOY is it GOOD:) When it is not good...it will eventually get better (personal therapy working there:)) Life is a journey, each of us travels it differently. I have just decided to take the world with me as I go:)

Another wonderful stressor of life...plumbing gone wrong and really wrong especially when it is making our NEW DRYWALLED CEILING mushy! UGH. A huge thanks to Bob for coming over to help me figure out the problem...our toilet tank. Water is off and now just waiting to talk with Casey. Ugh!

DPP 7

This is a wall....

that I have hit! (figuratively not literally...aka tired of life)

Casey has never been gone longer than three weeks during the months of Aug to May while I have had two mobile boys, full-time job, sold Pampered Chef, bottled honey for the holidays, and got our house ready for the holidays. It has finally taken its course on me! If you have two seconds left in your time with God this week, please pray for my patience. (you can also pray for my blog friend Shawndra who is having difficulties with her health and the Vest family as they deal with the loss of their mom...as I am writing this I feel very selfish that you would take time to pray for me and not them!)

In the perspective of life, my single parenthood is nothing compared the trials and tribulations of many other people in this world. I have really tried telling myself that several times today, but unfortunately my mind has decided to stick it's negative course. POSITIVE POSITIVE

Here is a positive...the boys went right to bed tonight! Pray that they do that tomorrow!

I hope everyone (including the Svitak's) will have a great week!

DPP 6

The boys and I traveled to Wilber today (after the parade) to watch uncle Caleb play basketball. They unfortunately lost 45-42, but we will get to see them more this season. Good Game Caleb!Don't you like the shadow work on the ball?

Star City Parade

Today was a blast of cold and fun as we sat and watched the Star City Parade! It was just an awesome experience to be able to show my children huge balloons, bands, and cool floats. Thanks to Paula and Jack Sharkey for watching the little guys while I ran and got water or de-watered Kenner:) It was so fun to see not so little Mary dance with the Karen McWilliams (I think that is the name) studio.

DDP 5

A few of my favorite things (thanks for the idea Amanda!): Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi (enough said), the new grinders from Pampered Chef - ahh how nice it is to have freshly ground pepper and salt into my leftovers, my crockpot - I put together my meal in the morning when I have the energy think about cooking and does the cooking for me while I am at work, time on the clock - bathtime which is a time I get things done while laughing at the boys playing in the tub, last but not least the PACI's. Yes yes yes I know they should be gone and they can be in an instant! I need them for my sanity as my reign continues as a single mom. When my hugs, words, and kisses can't be enough, the paci is a cure all. They will be gone as soon as Daddy leaves. We really don't have them that much...only when Mommy needs them to have them!

I had to include this one as well. Another job well done! Stickers on the table and a colored page. How fun!

DPP Photo 4

As I was loading the picture below as my photo of the day...

this is what appeared on my lap (you can even see the uploading sign on my computer screen).

So I am voting that the 2nd picture be my picture of the day. My attempt at taking a break and blogging as a single mother. You try typing while holding two little boys on your lap. I wouldn't think of any other better place to be!

Say many prayers tonight for Eric, Cole, Zach (I believe) and Gracie Vest. Their mother, Stephanie went to be with Jesus last night. You can check out her story on my blog roll. Also pray for my friend Kayla's grandmother who is also close to making the journey. This is just a time in everyone's life to hug one more family member, say one more "I love you" and give one more compliment.

With much love (and not much patience:)) Good night!

DDP 3

Today has been a day of thankfulness.

I was thankful for time by myself this am. I was able to eat an entire bowl of Life cereal, check my DDP friends, and pick up my house this morning before my two boys got up.

I was thankful that my husband worked tirelessly on our kitchen so that I could enjoy a freshly clean, dust-free bowl of cereal to enjoy during my time alone and be able to clean it in a real sink.

I was thankful that my husband (and I) worked so hard to insulate, insulate, insulate our huge garage. I walked into the garage this morning and we were no longer cold!

I was thankful that my husband cleaned (with my help:)) cleaned up our garage before he left so that I could park in the car. PTL for not having to scrap the windshield with my credit card.

I was thankful for two little snow bunnies making new tracks in the snow (the picture for today). Kenner loves his new hat and had to put on a scarf because I had one on! Hillarious! Today was Patton's first independent walk in the snow. How fun is that! It is crazy to think that he was not walking yet a year ago. Oh those were the days (as he is jumping off of furniture with his brother as I am blogging).

I was thankful for my car. It took us to Crete and back without any troubles (My mom's van on the other hand didn't. Thank God that it went bad as she was getting off the interstate).

I was thankful for a babysitter in the city limits of Crete. No more slipping and sliding out in the country.

I was thankful for arriving at school with 10 minutes to spare (7:50) and having to drive 45 the entire way. No way would I have been able to make that time without Stepping Stones in Crete.

I was thankful for my job and patience. I have a renewed sense of patience this week. Let's hope this stays for two more weeks anyway.

I was thankful for two boys playing in the bathtub at 6:00 pm tonight for a 1/2 hour, while I cleaned up the kitchen, vaccuumed, and checked blogs. (I was also thankful for their safety...I went in a few times to see what they were laughing about and they were playing jungle gym with the towel rack...eek!) I know safety police I need to be sitting by them while in the tub, but I was only a matter of 10 feet away from them doing the cleaning:)

I am thankful for coming upon Stephanie Vest's website. She is not doing very well, but the strength and courage I have read through her blog has given me a new outlook on life and relationships. Please pray for her, her family, and her 3 children.

Lastly I am thankful for my ability to be a Godly Mom. I had a very hard decision tonight to go to Awana in Lincoln or stay home. Kenner (and I) love Awana, but I am not sure we could take another bathless, late night in Lincoln. After talking with my friend Kayla, I decided it isn't what I take my kids to to teach them about Jesus. But rather what we do together that counts. We have had some great time tonight being Mommy Kangaroo, Kenner Kangaroo, and Bubbi Kangaroo. I am not not participating in Awana, we will be back. I am just not sure how much more I can add to my plate while Casey is gone. Tonight has been a blessed night hopping from place to place (yes I even hopped from the dining room to the kitchen with a chair...because I was Momma Kangaroo!) and spending some good time while I put them to bed.

I knew it was the right decision when we were praying before supper and I peeked while I was praying and both my boys heads were down, eyes closed, I closed the prayer and both of them said, "Amen" in unison! Amen to that!

Have a great Thursday!

DPP Photo 2

Here is the picture that was suppose to be yesterday's. Ahh the busy hands desiring water!

Here is the official jpg of the project!! Check out Rebecca's website by clicking on Treadway's or the picture below.

I wanted to stay true to my word and this project...so I did take a picture today, but this isn't it. My camera is in the car and I am exhausted. This picture is from Texas Road House Grill (yum yum!) from last Wednesday with my Uncle Craig. Old and young alike love the ability to tear apart the shell of a nut and throw it on the ground! The picture from the fun of the small faucet in the doctor's office, two Dixie cups, and two boys that are 3 and 2. Hope your suspense brings you back for more!

DPP Photo 1

We were able to put up the tree with Daddy here this weekend. I put the boys to bed tonight and cleaned up the house alone (or so I thought). I then remembered that I needed to submit a photo for the DPP project. Hmmm I guess my subject didn't want me to take a picture without anyone in it...Patton must have been sitting in the chair looking at the tree while I picked up the toys in the back room, put food away from dinner, cleaned up the kitchen (all dishes included) and swept the floor. Oh well makes for a cute submission for my first photo.

Bubbi is saying, "Hi tractor!" He has to say this because he wants to pull down all the ornaments, so we trained him to say Hi instead. It works about 50% of the time. Happy Photo Project day!

Addendum to the DDP #1 Photo. After I took the first pictures, I proceeded to put Bubbi back to bed and come back down to check out all the other DDPer's. 1 hour later I heard snoring coming from the other side of the room. No that is not a lump of coal under the tree...it is a snoring Bubbi who refused to go to bed. Funny Patton!