Curly Sue...

Sophie asked me to put curlers in her hair today....and I was so excited because it's like pulling teeth to get her to let me touch her hair! She looked so cute with them in... but got annoyed that I got out the camera, as you can see in the second picture.

I know you are looking for an after picture but I will explain why there isn't one. I took the curlers out and she looked SO cute so I told her to go look in the mirror. After she saw herself this was the conversation.

Me: Don't you look beautiful?

Sophie: No! I hate it! Make it look the way it looked before! I hate it!

Me: It looks beautiful.. you look so grown up.

Sophie: I'm not grown up mom, I'm little... get the curls out!

Me: I'm not going to wash them out Sophie, we just washed your hair. It looks so cute, can I take a picture?

Sophie: (yelling)... NO!! NO PICTURES!! I hate it..(as if I hadn't understood her the first two times)

I gave up on the photo at that point but she didn't say anything else about "hating" her hair because I told her she looked like Annie and Shirley Temple.

Flag Football....

Isaac and Jake are playing flag football right now.. Their team had an awesome game in the rain last Saturday and won 38-0! It was a great game. Isaac is really liking it. Not quite as much as tackle but he is having a blast and has improved SO much!

Jake....... ummmm... not so much. It's not that he isn't good or that he hates it, he would just rather be doing other things. He is such a ball of energy! I think this will be his last football season and we will try something else next. He's thinking maybe gymnastics.. Anything to help get some of that energy out!

Photo Blog

For those of you that don't know already.... I have been working on a photography blog and finally have it finished. I guess I shouldn't say it's finished because it will always be a work in progress as I will continue to add pictures but take a look if you are interested.

Here is the link... http://www.risspics.blogspot.com/

Spring Fever

The flowers that Jay planted this weekend!

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain

Our family LOVES Spring! We love going outside together and planting new flowers in our garden, pulling weeds, the smell of freshly mowed lawn... etc. Basically just everything that comes along with Spring. When I woke up this morning, I could hear birds chirping outside and we definitely got Spring fever.... I have been sick for a couple of days with a cold along with the sore throat, sore body, sore everything so I have been pretty useless this weekend. Jay has been such a huge help, letting Sophie order him around, planting flowers, weeding the garden, mowing the lawn etc... Thanks sweetie for being so helpful this weekend and allowing me to rest. It's so nice to be able to look out the window and see them. Something about flowers just makes me happy!

Just a thought....

My mom sent me this in an email today and with things going on in my life I felt like I should share it. I'm not an overly emotional person (at least I don't think I am) but this just really hit home with me.

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.
_______________________________________________________________

I know that in my life I have crossed paths with certain people for a reason and I have learned so many valuable lessons... good and bad. I hope that in my lifetime I am able to bring something positive to the lives of others, even if it's just a laugh... But hopefully it will be something more significant!

Random Ramblings..

Sophie has been feeling sick... It started Saturday night during the night...(isn't that when it always happens?) as soon as you lay your head on your pillow and close your eyes ready to drift off into a peaceful, dream filled sleep... you hear a cough that sounds like a bark followed by loud crying... That's how it happened.

Thus began a week of sick Sophie... She was miserable all day Sunday, with two full hours of screaming in the middle of the day after not taking a nap because in her words...."I can't close my eyes because they just keep popping open".... (she gave me a visual demonstration.) She felt hot to me but since all of our thermometers are broken because Sophie and Jake assume that when they see something in our home that beeps it must mean it's a toy, I was unable to take her temperature. Using my Mommy instincts, I felt her head and knew she had a fever so after some kicking and screaming, I got her to take some Ibuprofen. After the medicine kicked in she seemed to be feeling a ton better! Woohoo... Until Sunday night just as I was falling asleep again it started all over!

Monday.... Sophie had her 3 year well checkup so I was so relieved to have the Doctor look at her... Aside from the normal well child stuff he does... the conversation went like this...

Me: So Sophie's been complaining that she feels "yucky"... and when I ask what hurts she says her ears and I'm pretty sure she's had a fever for two days.... (meanwhile Sophie is perfectly happy... smiling... and talking to the Doctor as if nothing in the world has been bugging her)

Doctor(while looking at me skeptically and after checking her ears and nose): Yep she has a cold.

Me: Thank you captain obvious! Now could you just prescribe something for her so that I... er I mean she can sleep through the night? Just kidding... I didn't say this but I wanted to!

Doctor: Keep an eye on her and bring her back in if she complains about her ears or has a fever...

So Jay, Sophie and I get in the car and it is like a switch is flipped.... Sophie immediately starts crying and complaining that she feels "yucky again"!!! I so wanted to run her back into the Doctor's office and say... see I told you!! But I restrained myself... since because she didn't have an ear infection or strep..I knew there was nothing they could do anyway.. I just really wanted him to know I wasn't just making it up because I thought... Hey.. You know what... I'm a little bored today...I think I'll pull a fast one on the pediatrician while we are there and tell him Sophie is sick and see if he believes me.

Anyway- I know this is beginning to get kind of long so... Monday night was a nightmare (no sleep, fever, lots of crying -- Sophie and me.)

Tuesday went about the same and by Wednesday we were both zombies from lack of sleep so I gave in and made another doctors appointment... I could feel Jay rolling his eyes at me over the phone when he called from the car on his way home from work and I informed him that I was taking her to the doctor AGAIN....

We took her in and her fever was 102.3 and she had an ear infection! I knew it!! Woohoo!! (not that I'm happy she had an ear infection) but I am happy to know that I am not crazy and that there was something that could be done to help all of us sleep through the night!! Sophie slept pretty well last night and this morning is so much happier than she has been all week so the second doctor's appointment was definitely worth it!

I guess the moral to the story is... well I don't really have a moral but I had to share this experience because I love saying... I told you so.. Ask Jay.

Fancy Nancy Party....

Ok .... Here are the pictures of Sophie's birthday party... Let me first say that the most important parts of the party are the people that were here and we had such a good time but I didn't get any big group shots... I don't know why, I guess I was just a little out of my mind but if I try to post each individual picture of everyone at the party there will be a ton! Thanks everyone that was here! Jon and MaryBeth brought the most delicious pork barbacoa (sp?) nachos!! Delicious! And Mom and Dad brought the cutest petit fours and eclairs! Perfect for Sophie's fancy party! My Dad also drew a big picture of Sophie and a bunch of crowns so that the kids could play pin the crown on the princess. It was wonderful and the kids had a blast! Thanks everyone for helping us make it such a special party for Sophie!! And for all of you that couldn't be here, we missed you!! So here are the pictures..

Fancy Sophie in her "glamorous sunglasses"

Sophie wouldn't pose for me to save her life... which is not the usual for her but this is all I could get.

About to blow out her candles.

She did it!!

She loved having everyone's attention focused on her and loved the Happy Birthday song!

We had Fancy Nancy plates, napkins, and cups and Jay bought these adorable "fancy" silver platters from the dollar store! They were really cute!

Eclairs from Grandma and Grandpa! They were beautiful and DELICIOUS!!

Petit Fours from Grandma and Grandpa... again.... beautiful and DELICIOUS and very fancy!

The loot... Sophie got some really great gifts! She was in heaven! Everyone knows her so well and knows exactly what she loves! Thank You!

Table and balloons... I wish I could've photographed the whole room. It was so cute. Grandpa Jim and Jay hung crepe paper and it looked so cute!! Sophie was very excited when she saw it all!

The cake! I was so excited for Sophie to see this and she was really excited but as soon as she took a bite she spit it right back out on the plate! She "hated" the pink icing!

Chocolate covered strawberries... Ooh La La!

Sandwiches that don't taste the same without "frilly" toothpicks!

It's official....

Sophie is 3!!!

Our beautiful baby girl Sophie was born on April 11, 2006 weighing in at 6lbs 6oz... We all fell in love the moment we saw her with her big green eyes and sweet demeanor! It's hard to believe she is 3 years old today! But what a great three years it has been... Sophie is a ball of joy in our house since the day she was born.. Always dancing, singing and running around like a whirlwind! She is so creative, so dramatic and so loving. Her favorite things right now are Fancy Nancy and anything dress-up! She is ALL girl... loves wearing dresses and posing for pictures.. and she is always handing out hugs and kisses! We are so lucky to have her!
Happy 3rd Birthday Sophie Ellen!! We love you so much!

XOXOXO Mom, Dad, Ike and Jake

Quick update....

It is spring break for the kids this week and the boys are in Mexico with their Dad!! I can't believe how much I miss them! I'm sure they are having a blast... soaking up the sun, eating as much as they want, swimming, snorkeling etc... so I'm trying not to feel sorry for myself! They will be home on Saturday! Woohoo! It can't come fast enough...I really can't wait to kiss their faces (which I'm sure they will really be happy about... not) and ask them about their trip!

Jay's Dad is coming on friday for Sophie's birthday and Easter weekend so we are looking forward to that and Sophie is looking forward to having tea parties with "Grandpa Jim"...

Sophie's big "Fancy Nancy" party is on Saturday and she is so excited. She wakes up every morning asking if today is her birthday... but she takes it really well when I say no and when I tell her how many days she says ok but then asks again the next morning.

She has really been in to Fancy Nancy lately and loves everything "fancy"... What a girl! Sophie Jay and I all dressed up last night with her "jewelry" and walked around saying "darling" and drinking our water with our pinkies out! It was a sight!! Jodi came to the door and Sophie said, "hello darling"... What a doll she is! I look at her every day and still can't believe she is mine!

How lucky I am to have such great kids that teach me so much every day about enjoying the simple things, being patient and loving unconditionally! They are the best and I am so lucky to be their Mom!

Here is a copy of Sophie's birthday party invitation that I made.... I will post pictures after the big "event"!!

I made a tutu!!

Sophie wanted something fancy to wear to her "Fancy Nancy" birthday party on Saturday so I decided to attempt making a tutu! I went to Wal-Mart last night at 9pm bought tulle (which by the way is super cheap.. $1.47 a yard) and by 10:30 this morning I had a tutu and I also got a decent night of sleep... My point is... it was really easy and I think it turned out really cute. We had to bribe Sophie to put it on because I think she was a little frightened by the poofiness (is that even a word?)... Anyway here it is....

Ten not so interesting things about me.....

I stole this from another blog and thought it was kind of cool to find out things you may not know about someone so here goes... I'm tagging the people that actually read my blog that have a blog so there are about 4 or 5 of you out there and I will be checking your blogs to make sure you do it! Just kidding.. Don't do it if you don't want to, I will still love you.



1. I am 100% terrified of clowns.... of any kind. My big brother took a stuffed clown that I had when I was about 4 and hid under my bed with it until I was almost asleep and then reached up over the side of the bed and pulled me under with it...(this was after I had snuck in the room with the older kids one night and watched Poltergeist). I'm told I went into shock but I'm not really sure because I think I block out the memory.. But still afraid of clowns...



2. Jay thinks I am extremely quirky... to a fault. I just think I'm eccentric?? Maybe quirky is a better word. It drives him insane because if I don't have things a certain way, I literally can't function... and if I think about something that I need to do as I'm falling asleep.. I can't sleep until I get up and write it down. I know... I'm a freak!



3. I'm really stubborn and have a hard time admitting when I am wrong and will fight tooth and nail to get people to see things my way. I'm really working on this one because Jay is the same way and that makes things a little hard because we can't both always be right.. (even though I usually am... wink wink..)



4. I once made a chocolate cake with orange icing and ate 3/4 of it by myself! I have an excuse though... I was pregnant! So it's ok to endulge on really fattening things that are horrible for you right? Ok maybe not.



5. I am a Christmas fanatic!! If anyone read my Christmas post, you would understand. I look forward all year to listening to Christmas music.



6. My husband is my best friend in the world... I honestly think he was made for me because he puts up with all of my "quirky" behavior and he does it most of the time with a smile. I fall more in love with him every day and feel so unbelievably lucky to be able to wake up every morning to his face.



7. I laugh at really inappropriate times... and sometimes I cry over really stupid things.. (not often but be careful what you say to me because I might laugh hysterically or just start crying).. Just call me Sybil.



8. I honestly love my Mother-in-law... and I'm not just saying that because she reads this :)... I really feel so lucky to have her in my life and when she leaves after a visit I bawl my eyes out.



9. I am extremely protective of my kids and have a really hard time stepping back and letting them make mistakes! I wish I could just put them in a bubble until they are 25... ok maybe 30 is a little more realistic..



10. I am really easily entertained... I once looked at a funny t-shirt website for an hour and laughed until I cried.

That's me in a nutshell... Did I scare you all away?