Happy Leap Day!

Last week, Mommy and Daddy were kind of naughty and took Derrick and me out past our bedtimes to go grocery shopping (don't worry, it was only 830). When we got back to our truck, I looked up in the sky and saw something I don't remember seeing before. I pointed to it and called it "Baby Sun". Mommy thought that was cute and I heard her telling Daddy that she didn't want to tell me it was called a "Moon" because that was cute what I said.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Daddy! He turned 32 yesterday. We made a cake for him, and picked out sprinkles for on top. I took the clear wrapping off the top of the sprinkle bowl and dumped the sprinkles into one nice pile in the middle of the cake. I knew Mommy told me Eve could do it too, so I saved her a few sprinkles, and she dumped them in the corner of the cake :o) He he he. We aren't very good at decorating! Then Daddy said we could help him blow out his candles, so Daddy said on the count of three, but when he said "one" Eve and I blew them all out :o) We aren't very patient you know!

We had so much sugar yesterday, that Eve went to bed at midnight, and I didn't go to bed until 130 in the morning!

Nate called yesterday to see if I had made Ryan a cake yet, we were supposed to touch base on Thursday, but I had forgotten. So turns out Nate also made him a Texas sheet cake! Then Nate said that Josh also made him one! So Ryan had 3 cakes yesterday :o)

Ryan and I are moving the house around tomorrow. Ok, obviously not the house itself, just the interior :o) We decided that we are going to expand our salt water fish and start "breeding" the corals. We started doing this last year, but Derrick decided the fish needed a drink...of milk, and killed all the fish in the tank plus some of the corals didn't grow as well. So, now that he knows fish don't drink milk, we're ready to move on :o) We have a small 20 gallon tank we want to set up in our living room, so we're moving things around a bit. Which is fine with me! I love change. I love moving rooms around. And I'm looking forward to having a salt water tank back in our living room again, it's been almost 2 years since I've had one and I miss it. It's so peaceful to look at.

Happy Birthday, Ryan! I love you very much, I hope you had a wonderful day!

Video

Short video of the kids chasing down spiders.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, GG Peewee! Hope your 83rd Birthday was wonderful! We love you!

Luv,

Dirkie and Evie

Happy Valentine's Day!

I told the kids today that it was Valentine's Day, and asked them, "What do we do on Valentine's Day?" Evie's response was, "G's House!" Derrick's response was, "Gran's House!" I'm like, um I didn't ask WHERE we were going. So I told them we were red on Valentine's Day, so Derrick picked out his red shirt and wanted red pants to match (we settled for a pair of jeans with red stitching) and Evie picked out a pink butterfly shirt. She also LOVES pink gloss for her lips and has been running around all day putting in on her lips, or around that area ;o) They are also asking where there treats are - they've caught on already to if today has a name to it (Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day) that equals presents for them. Luckily Gran sent gifts :o) So Ryan and I don't have to buy any. However, they are asking for candy now. Little stinkers.

I'm trying to pick up a shift tonight - as it is a HUGE money-maker night, but so far no luck. I have one more coworker to ask today, then I might have tonight off. Which isn't horrible, but I'd rather have $200 :o) If I don't get a shift tonight, I'll try to pick some up this weekend, as I think this weekend will still be very busy since V-Day falls so close to it.

Happy Valentine's Day!

ps - Jackie, I had a dream about you last night. Very weird. I love how weird dreams get. I'll have to tell you about it sometime!

Pics - Finally!

So, we measure the kids once a month up on our wall - they get a kick out of it! On the 3rd, Derrick was 45 1/4 inches. We measured him yesterday - he's 46 inches! My not-yet-4-year-old is almost 4 feet tall! Geez kid! That poor boy grew almost a whole inch in one week! His pants he got for Christmas don't fit any more, that was our cue to see if he grew :o) Evie also grew, just enough for her belly to hang out of her shirt like Derrick's now does!

Doc Appt

I had my 2-year-old checkup today. I'm now 34 1/2 inches and 30 pounds. I'm getting to be a tall, skinny girl! Mommy kind of misses my chubbies, but I'm so busy running around I burn all the stuff I eat! I didn't get any shots, but I had some blood drawn. So I got a glitter bandaid and a Scooby Doo sticker. They tried to give me an Elmo sticker, but once I saw Scooby, I made sure they knew I wanted that one! I was a very good girl at the appt, and I made sure to make the ladies giggle. I had to show them how I could jump and jump and jump. Then I jumped off the step stools.

OH! I almost forgot to tell you! G and Papa came for a visit on Saturday for my birthday! I got brand new Dora sheets! I'm a good girl falling asleep now. I like my Dora sheets. And my Dora dolly from Gran. And my Princess hair clips, comb and makeup from Auntie Marcie and GG. I also got some baby ponies from G and Papa. G and Papa also gave me a Dora and Diego puzzle, but Derrick keeps playing with it. I have some new clothes too! My favorite is the Dora shirt of course. I like Dora. Dora, Dora, Dora the Explorer! (I think Mommy is getting annoyed with Dora now he he he)

Well, I'm off to bed. Mommy says "Hi!" to all of you checking in on us. She's been super busy starting work again, but she says she's having fun making lots of $ so we can buy a house with a yard for Derrick and me! I don't think Mommy wanted to work quite this much, like on Friday, she worked in the morning from 11 until 230. Then she went and bought us a pizza for dinner, bcuz she went back to work that night at 4. She thought she'd be done about 8-830 since she was the first one to go home, but she didn't come home until 1130! I was long sleeping by then. After G and Papa left on Saturday, Mommy went back into work a little after 4, and didn't get home until midnight! Mommy didn't plan on that. So she may not be working many nights. She wants to see us sometimes :o) We want to see her too.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to ME! I'm a big girl now! I'm 2! Well, I will be officially 2 in a few minutes, at 5:12pm. Derrick bought me a Carebear coloring book, and some bubbles. We LOVE to play bubbles in the bathtub, that's the only place Mommy lets us play with them. I also got some treats, Derrick picked out some suckers that look like fishies. They taste yummy! I like the red one best. Well, Mommy will post pics later. I didn't cooperate too much with them, sorry. But maybe I'll have a nice pic with me and my cake. I don't think Mommy is doing anything special, which is fine with me, just give me the frosting, I mean cake!

Eve's 2-Year-Pics

Check them out!

http://www.searsportrait.com/

login - kre722@yahoo.com
password - carebear

Only two more days exactly (I'll post this at 5:12pm) and she'll be TWO!

When you get to searsportrait, up in the righthand corner will be a link "View my pictures" - once you go there, about halfway down will be a link to "Already a member?" - that's where you will log in.

I think the time got messed up :o( I thought I timed it right so I could post on Evie's birth time. Oh well!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to our Papa (yesterday)!

Gran sent me my birthday present! See, aren't I cute? It has a cupcake on it! And sprinkles on my collar. I like it. Thanks, Gran!

First Day

My first day went well! It's so boring having to "learn" the restaurant way, when I've served for many, many years before this :o) But I understand they need to do it. I actually took a table :o) Don't think I was supposed to, but I new most of their menu from "studying" it this weekend, so I knew I could wing it. Too bad I didn't get to keep the tip! I go back tomorrow. Not sure Mondays and Wednesdays are going to work out, I can't seem to find a sitter. But that's what I'll work on tonight. Ryan likes to play basketball those days and then work out afterwards, and I don't want him to have to give that up.

Can you believe that Evie will be TWO in one week?!? Wow! She's getting better at talking. Except I still have no idea what she says most of the time :o) So that's something we'll continue to work on.

OH! I also got jury summoned, for the state of Minnesota (Minneapolis). So we'll see how that turns out. I hope I can get a deferment, if I can't get an excuse. I've already been called twice, this will be my third time! But it's so hard with Ryan being overnights, I have no day care, and we only have one vehicle. So this should be interested. I asked if I couldn't get it excused, to get a deferment until Evie was in kindergarten, so I wouldn't have to worry about just dropping my kids off at some strange day care with people I don't know.

Applebee's

So, I had my orientation today at Applebee's - I officially start on Monday! I'm excited, and a little nervous, as I really haven't had a job in quite some time. But I know this will be good for us. Right now I'm scheduled 11-4 M, W, Th and F of this coming week. A little more than what I was expecting, but this is my training week, so I won't say anything. I was hoping for evenings and weekends, so I will be home when the kids are mostly awake. But I just need to make it to May, then the college kids are out of school and hopefully I can do the other shifts if I want to still switch. And when I was getting a tour of the restaurant, Eddie was working - we worked at the Ground Round together! So that was pretty cool. So, tomorrow I'll be shopping - I need solid black shoes (that are comfy to work in for long hours!), black pants, and black shirts. I'm glad black is my color, or I'd look like I was tired every day at work :o) Anyways...

Kids are doing fine. Evie started throwing tantrums again. I'm hoping it's just because of her molars coming in and she's hurting. I'll try to keep her on pain killers (baby versions, of course!) tomorrow, to see if that helps her out at all. She finally let me put my finger where her molars would be coming thru, and she bit down, just like she did when she was a few months old. Derrick is also a little on the crabby side, but he just spent the last two weeks eating us out of house and home, so I'm sure he's growing. My 3 1/2 year old is wearing 6Ts!!! I don't even have the next set of clothes! Hopefully his legs will just grow, then his pants should fit fine. But if his upper body grows also, then I'm in trouble :o)

Oh, we also cleaned out the basement yesterday and today. I took 3 containers of toys up to Once Upon a Child today - and she bought every toy!! I was so excited! Our toy room is only about 1/2 full now. Which is the way I like it - NO ONE SEND NEW TOYS! Alright, off to bed. Have a great weekend everyone!

PRESENTS!

When Mommy took us to McDonald's so we could meet G and Auntie Marcie, we got to open our presents from GG! It was yucky out that day by Christmas when we were supposed to go to her house. I got some really cool trucks and a nice sweatshirt I've already worn, it's very comfy. Evie got a new dolly that she sleeps with, and a princess comb and some hair clips. She was very excited!





Then when we got to G's house, Evie got MORE presents. Auntie Marcie gave Evie her birthday present since she'll be at college on Evie's birthday. Evie liked it just as much as GG's present! It was more princess stuff! Nail polish, and some other neat things. When we met Mommy and Daddy at McDonald's again so we could go home, G forgot to bring our bag with! So our clothes and Evie's presents are at G's house still :o( Silly G!

Email Updates

Ok, so I found a site that you can sign up at and it will let you know when our website is updated (for those of you who don't check it frequently, or for those of you that check it every second and are tired of doing so!). So, check this out...

http://www.blogarithm.com/

Follow the steps. Easy Peasy. It will send out an email the morning after I post.

Or check out the top left corner of the main page, and you can type in your email address there!

Poor Evie

Poor Eve - she's been so sick the last few days :o( She can't lay down for very long, so I'm assuming it's an ear infection. Oh we haven't had to deal with this for 12 months! I think she's getting her 2-year molars in, and cutting teeth has never been easy for her. Derrick and I are at the library, picking out some movies to watch since she just wants to cuddle on the couch. I hope she gets better soon, I don't want to take her in to the doc. But I've started not feeling well, so if I have what she had, I can see why she screams! I hope those teeth come in soon for her, I don't want her getting sick for months until they do!

Two nights ago Eve and I spent 4 hours in the rocking chair. It was the only way she could sleep - if she was upright. Last night wasn't much better, but I was able to keep her in our bed. So, keep her in your prayers so she heals up - I don't know if I can take much more of this!

I also got a call last night that I got the job! I'll be starting hopefully this week if I have my way :o) But one manager said orientation may not be until next week :o( So we'll see. I'm just glad I got it! I'm looking forward to being out of the house for a few hours a day!

Well, better go. I'll upload pics as soon as Mom Z. sends them (from a long time ago!) he he he

Movie

I got to go see my first movie today! G took me to go see the Chipmunk movie! I had fun. And ate popcorn.

Evie's been driving G crazy! She does the same thing to Mommy all the time. She likes to ask the question, "Whatcha doin'?" Then you answer her, and she'll say, "Oh." And then a few seconds later, she asks you again and again and again. Goofy Evie!

Evie Dancing

I've got moooooves - check me out!

2 Down, 1 To Go

I had my second interview today. All went well, I found out which shifts I'll be working, etc. But need to do one more interview with the General Manager before I can be hired. Soooo, on Monday afternoon, I should know when I start :o) I'm excited. But sounds like I will be working mostly M-F lunch hour. Not bad. I'll take it. Just need to find a sitter for M and W so Ryan can go work out as usual. It's such a tough timeslot, hard to find someone, but I'm sure things will work out. Well, I better go get some dinner, then off to church to watch other people's kids so their parents can go out on a date and have free child care :o( I don't have kids, and I have to watch others' kids tonight! I wanted the night off too! Oh well, I'm ok with it. I guess :o)

Good News/Bad News

Alrighty, we'll get the "bad" news out first. Our keyboard doesn't work. So I have to go to the library to use a computer. So no more uploading pics until we get it fixed :o( Sorry! No idea what went wrong, but our computer hasn't worked right since Derrick "cleaned" it for us last year. So it may be time for a new one.

Good news - I called a friend yesterday to help me with a part of an application I was filling out. And she told me to go up to Applebee's right away and talk to the manager that was there. So I left within a few minutes and ran up there. I asked for the manager by name, and when he did come out, he had that look all managers do - "What the heck do you want? I don't want another application blah blah blah." So I introduced myself, shook his hand, and said, "Karly told me you might be looking for a good server." That was it, he was like "KARLY!" Lets sit down. So, thank you, Karly! I filled out a dumb personality questionnaire - 150 questions. Whatever, not that big of a deal, just the same question over and over in different words. But, they were PACKED last night when I went in for my interview. So I told him he was busy and I'll come back later. He liked that - HELLO! I've worked at restaurants for years, last thing you want to do is sit down for an interview when you're packed. So I think that gave me a few brownie points :o) He just had me do the questionnaire and told me to come back today for the rest of the interviewing process. Kelly came up to me and introduced herself as the other day server, so that we could get to know each other, etc. I'm not even hired yet, and everyone was welcoming me in! How cool was that? On my way over, I was praying, telling God nicely :o) that if this was meant to be, to show me right away. And He did. So, it sounds like I have a job - the manager last night said to stop back this afternoon so we can finish everything up and get going. Works for me! Totally proves the old saying, "It's not WHAT you know, it's WHO you know" that will get you places. Well, I should get going. Kids are running around the library somewhere :o) Will update again when I can.

Kids are off to G and Papa's again this weekend, as long as Evie gets rid of her nasty cough that decided to return two days ago. Ryan and I are planning on heading to Omaha again this weekend for a conference. I never really look forward to these very much, but I always know I have such a good time once I'm there :o)

New Year's Resolutions

Oh the old questions..."What are your New Year's Resolutions?"

We have a list of things to accomplish this year. We'll keep you updated on them! We have business goals - which this month is already fantastic! And we are only in the first week of it! We have financial goals. We're following The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. We did this once before to get rid of our credit card debt before Derrick was born. We paid off the last of it the day he was born almost four years ago! Now it's time for the student loans to be done with, and some other miscellaneous loans. So, we'll keep you updated on our progress! Last big goal for the year, we are going to get back to our ideal weights! I don't have a ton to lose, but just need to get most areas tightened up. Ryan has already lost weight and looks awesome! It's like I have a whole new husband already! Can't wait to see him thru the next few months. In August - I may not even recognize him! I'm proud of what he's done so far. Now I just have to watch what I cook so I don't mess things up for him :o) I'll keep you up to date on our inches lost also - you can be our cheering squad! We actually started doing all this before the New Year even started, so in a way, we cheated and started early - oh well! :o)

I've also decided to get a job. It will help in so many ways. I'm not meant to be a full-time mom and only a full-time mom. Especially for their ages. So I'm applying for server positions at local restaurants for a few evenings a week. Or a few day shifts if I can find someone to watch the kids for those few hours. I need to get some sanity back - Ryan mentioned the other day, in a very nice way, that I'm a nicer person to be around when I have a job :o) I could have decked him, but he is right. I get more accomplished at home when I stay busy. And if all I do is play with the kids or just watch them all day, then I get nothing done. But if I had a job to keep me busy, I am more time efficient. At least I was before kids when I had like 3 jobs. So we'll see how this goes! Wish me luck on getting some interviews set up! I talked with Ryan about me getting a full-time position during the day, but I just can't put the kids in day care. It's not worth it to me. Derrick will start preschool again this coming September, and Evie can start in November (I'll probably hold off until January to send her), and that will be enough time away from them. I can't believe my baby is going to be 2 in 3 weeks, and my other baby 4 in just over two months! I'm so enjoying them. Today, Evie sat on my lap, and said, "Momma, you ma fend" - that translates into "Mommy, you're my friend." How precious is that?!? I can't miss out on that by putting them into daycare for a few extra bucks.

Ok, have to tell you this. Sorry for the long entry, should keep you busy for a few minutes :o) Ryan is AWESOME at putting the kids to bed. I don't have the patience nor the will power to fight with them any more. He gets them not only into bed, but to STAY in bed. I listened tonight at how he got them to. Ryan stood at the end of their beds and asked, "What are the rules?" All three of them repeated, "No getting out of bed. No talking. No laughing. (Crap, can't remember the other one!). " Our little soldiers. Ryan's got them all trained so nicely!