Miracle Worker

This is one of my FAVORITE products. This stuff has removed stains from things that I never thought would come out. The other day Abby came home from school with pants so dirty I thought I may just have to trash them. I ran them through the wash twice without much change. Then I pulled out my secret weapon. I sprayed this all over and let them sit for a bit and washed them again. They came out spotless! I love this stuff. If you have a stain give it a try!

On your marks, get set, go!!!!!

This weekend we signed the kids up for their first big race. It was a 1 mile fun run/walk. We prepared with the kids over the weeks doing several mini races in the neighborhood when the weather was nice. Ethan was funny about the whole thing. Every time we talked about the race he would say how he just wanted to watch and how he did not want to see Lou E. Loon (the Loons mascot) and on and on. He seemed really nervous about the whole thing. Abby and Morgan seemed really excited.

Well race day arrived and the plan was to let Abby run with Charlie and I was going to walk/run with Morgan and Ethan. About 30 seconds into the race Abby was throwing a huge fit and crying. Morgan about 5 minutes into the race was whining for ice cream and saying she was bored. I started to think we had made a mistake signing up for this thing. Then the funniest thing happened.

We hit the half way mark and Ethan out of nowhere took off! It was like someone lit a match under the kid. He ran the rest of the race without stopping. I could see him the whole time but I kept calling his name trying to get him to slow down but he was determined. I was worried that Charlie would not be watching for him at the finish line because he would be looking for me. Sure enough Ethan hit the finish line and Charlie had no idea he had even finished the race. It was all pretty funny that the kid who had no interest in the race had the most fun. I think Ethan has more races in his future! I was so proud of him.

We ran the race with our good friends. I loved this picture of them! It was nice to have another mom to walk with. Let's just say starting an exercise routine when your 9 months prego is not pretty. We both were able to laugh at our out of shape bodies and are determined after I have this kid we are going to get into shape. Right Steph?

This is the kids cooling off after the race. It did not last long though. Ethan got a hold of a muffin with walnuts in it and started to have an allergic reaction and race #2 began. Charlie ran to get the car and I stayed with the kids. Our friends we were with ran to see if there was a first aid station that may have some medicine. That set off a chain of events including an ambulance and someone calling 9-1-1. I quickly informed them that we did not need 9-1-1 or an ambulance! Just then Charlie pulled up. We threw everyone in the car and rushed to the pharmacy got Ethan some medicine and all was back to normal. Let's just say we were all a little tired by the time we got home.

Here is some video of Morgan crossing the finish line!

Hooray!!!!

I just got home from my new doctor and I was so excited I had to blog about it. I just had my first appointment with a new OB/GYN practice even though I am 31 weeks. I had some unexpected things occur at my last office that until that point I thought I was happy at so I decided it was time to make a change but I was very nervous since I am so far along.

Wow! What a blessing...this place was AMAZING!!!! Ok, so I know I am not super picky at this point but they had everything I was looking for.

First, every staff member has always been super friendly and happy. I have been to some great practices before but have run into grouchy nurses and staff members - not here.

Second, I showed up and there was one other woman in the waiting room not 15 like most practices. I filled out my needed paper work and they called me right back. The nurse immediately came in and sat down with me and was so kind and understanding and friendly.

Third, after the nurse was done I waited maybe 5 minutes before my new doctor came in. He was quick and efficient but took a seat after he was done checking the heart rate and stuff and let me ask any questions I had. He had great answers for all of my questions. He was nice and clear to understand and has 3 children of his own and seemed very understanding of our situation. Overall, I really really enjoyed him.

Fourth, my hubby came along to this appointment to check out the new office and he was equally impressed. He really liked the doctor and was impressed with how efficient they were and loved that we did not sit in the waiting room for 45 minutes before my name even got called.

Fifth, and this is the best news I have heard in 7 months......I CAN GET AN EPIDURAL!!!!! Did you hear me?????? I had to ask 2 or 3 times just to make sure I heard him right. Now he did have to give his warnings like well if you are delivering in the elevator you are not going to get one...blah blah blah...but given a normal delivery he assured me he saw no reason why I should not be able to get one! Anyone who is familiar with the back woods hospital out here knows that up to a few months ago an epidural was NEVER given unless you had a c-section so this is BIG news.

I know this is a funny thing to blog about but it is something that has been weighing heavily on my mind and I am so thrilled that it went well. Time will tell if my future visits go as smooth but I am very hopeful that this was a great choice and if anything I wish I would have started at this practice to begin with.

I am on cloud 9 and am anxiously awaiting my friend-the epidural!

3-2-1 blast off !!!

We took the kids to the planetarium over spring break and it was great. There was a nice man there that did a demonstration of a bottle rocket and gave out instructions on how to make your own. Ever since Ethan has been asking to build his rocket. So this morning we tried to find random parts around the house to build it since it was Sunday and we did not want to go out and buy stuff we had to try and make what we had work. So I have posted two videos of our "great" attempt at a bottle rocket. Somehow I think we will need to revisit this little project at a later date!

First fire of 2008

Anyone who knows us knows that we LOVE our fire pit. Well yesterday we finally had nice enough weather to enjoy our first fire and it was wonderful! The kids jumped on the trampoline and we had hot dogs and s'mores and sat around the fire soaking up some sun. I have been waiting for a day like this for a long time.