Holiday

As the holiday approaches the anxiety approaches too. Do I have the same amount of presents for both kids, did I remember to buy for everybody, was the present I bought the most perfect present, will they like it and accept it? This year is different in many ways: I'm not worried about what the recipient thinks about their present because it's the thought that counts right--that's what I've been taught anyway. Yes I bought them all what I think they would like and not some unusable gift. Yes I will have the same amount of presents for both kids to avoid conflict and jealousy that morning.

My main focus this year as it is every year is not the presents so much it's the reason. We all know the real reason for this season to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. I've felt blessed this year to have limited illness, ailments, deaths in my family or any of my friends. I'm aware of people in our own community that have had to go through tough times this year whether it be illness, ailments, deaths, financial problems or what have you. I try to every year take a name from the giving tree at church. This program is rewarding none the less. We have chosen to buy presents this year for a nine year old boy in our community that if it wasn't for us would have nothing to open on Christmas morning. He is getting a CD player alarm clock and a new pair of pants and a new shirt. I know where the sales are!!!

After taking this tag from the tree, we have been notified by our Ministry Coordinator of this family that just moved into the community that isn't attached with any church at this time. This family consists of a mother, father and four girls ranging from 2-12. This family also will have nothing to give their children this holiday. I have taken it upon myself to provide for each child in this family as well. Not much just enough to show this family that this community cares about the less fortunate. Our church is providing this family with a Christmas dinner from the food pantry and some of the congregation and other community members are providing gifts. Please remember the reason for the season and remember to thank the Lord for all your blessings. Take time this season to sit back and enjoy family, friends, good meals, warm houses, good company, watch the children, listen to the elderly stories, and most of all for yourself.

Hannah Montana

So the concert was October 21, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. This was Melissa's first time driving downtwon Minneapolis. It was quite an adventure and after almost rear ending a car from Iowa we parked and safely made our way to the Target Center. We got there and had to wait outside for about 25 minutes and then the doors opened and then the screaming girls began. We got to our seats and sat down just as the Jonas Brothers opened up the evening with their performance. During the two concerts Anissa went with Bailey to stand in the merchandise line and Kelsie had to go use the facility and get a beverage. We then returned to our seats with somebody sitting in our seats so after much confusion by the other lady she left our area and found her own seats. It was time........ Hannah Montana was finally going to take the stage: what would she sing first, what would she wear, were questions these young girls were just waiting on the edge of their seats to find out. She finally came on stage and sang some songs and then changed and sang and changed and sang and changed. Between her being Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus she changed six times. She brought back the Jonas Brothers back on stage to help her get through some of the outfit changes. The girls had such a good time and only took about 15 minutes in the back of the car before they crashed on the way home. Here are some photos.

Thanks to Becky for the use of her camera. Without it our pictures would never be this good. It sure was a lot of fun watching all the excitement of those fans. I think I had more fun watching them than watching the concerts.

Fun

Well the end of Sept. brought us to our early Christmas from Bill and Sue. A baseball game in Milwaukee. Oh how fun it was!! Most of traveled down Friday night and were joined by Bill and Sue on Saturday. Off to the game we went and enjoyed by all and then Chad Ellingboe was nice enough to come to our hotel to catch up on anything new. Joe thought that was pretty nice of him!! (I'm unable to upload pictures at this time)

This weekend brings us some fun!! We were invited to Dean Monicken's fall party where we will get to hear Round 2 play (I love to watch my cousin Aaron play), have some beverages, and good company. Sunday brings us to the Hannah Montana concert that Kelsie and Bailey are looking forward to. I'm a little nervous as far as getting there and out of there; wish me luck.

Next weekend is the Halloween party at the Woodville Legion; don't miss this party!! It will be one you won't forget.

Adventure

This weekend brings our family on a new adventure. We are receiving our "early" Christmas present from Bill and Sue. Our family along with Bill and Sue and Luke, Becky and Landon are all traveling to Milwaukee for the Brewer game on Saturday. We leave Friday when all are done with work so the kids aren't in the car all weekend and tired and bored from sitting. We will also look up Chad Ellingboe while we are in Milwaukee as we haven't seen him in so long. Chad and Joe have been to a Brewers game before so this is something new for Kelsie and me. We don't have any Brewer attire so we will have to stick out like a soar thumb.

Next week brings us to Homecoming!! Note the new background change for this wonderful and fun occasion. Joe has asked Adam Helgeson to borrow his old Varsity Jersey and guessed what they found it and he can borrow it. He's going to be tickled pink when he hears the news that he gets to borrow his cousin's jersey. Joe loves football and as they all do wants to be pro. I keep telling him he has to keep his grades up there for that. So far this year he's doing very well with that!!

What a beautiful day we are having today as I look out the window and watch those darn box elder bugs climb all over the window. But looking out the window seeing the beautiful sun and God's creation means I'm alive as there have been so many tragic deaths lately to young people and I'm blessed for each day. Have a blessed weekend!!

Routine

The routines have now begun since school has started. School during the day that's full of structure and education. Saturdays bring us to Joe's football practice/scrimmage in the morning. Sunday we are back in the swing of things with our Rally Sunday School. The weeknights will soon bring us dance class for Kelsie (two weeks) and Melissa (in October). Joe will start his final year of piano lessons next Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. come December we are back on with wrestling. It's nice to have structure and routines in our lives isn't it?!!

We have returned from our wonderful vacation with the Peterson's after spending Friday through Sunday in Duluth. Even though it was foggy on Saturday and a little cooler that brought less crabby children as Sunday was hot and the kids got crabby fast. Saturday we did some window shopping, saw boats depart, took a sightseeing boat tour, took a tour of the William Irvin ship, did a ton of walking and returned to the pool for some pool, hot tub and sauna time. Sunday we woke and went down by the lake one more time to get some clear pictures since it was so foggy Saturday and one more shopping adventure and then off to the zoo. After the zoo, we took the Wisconsin side home and stopped at the Mikla's camper and visited a bit with them and off for home we were. It was the most fun vacation we have had lately; everybody got along, a lot of laughing was done and everybody got to see what they wanted to see time permitting that is.

This weekend is just for the Adults on the Nawrocki side to go 4-wheeling up to Paul and Judy's cabin. Thank you to the ones watching our kids so we can have some alone time. I'm riding on the back of one since I have never really drove one of them for much distance alone so better safe than sorry; especially since it's not my machine. Have a great weekend everybody.

School Approaches

The kids are excited to return to school. Kelsie will return as a first grader and Joe as a sixth grader. Joe will participate in the junior high wrestling program this year, which means he had to have his first sports physical this summer. Kelsie will also return to dance class next month as well as Melissa. That's right I am taking an adult hip hop classs; how fun will this be?!! All the school supplies are bought except the indoor shoes. They each got an outfit from us as well as Grandma Sue so they should be set until winter. Kelsie gets to walk to school this year with the assistance from her brother as that is where he catches his bus for Viking. The girls are calling for Joe already as I'm sure will continue throughout the year. Kelsie wants to return to school so she can see all her friends she didn't see this summer. Social butterfly will make a ton of new friends in first grade I'm sure.

Another Door has opened

This past week has been pretty hard for us and I was way stressed out. Life was giving us a stressful moment and I thought we had fallen so far down we would never get out of this mess. The power of prayer and trying to see the positive side of life has come through again. "When one door closes another door opens" is the famous phrase this week. I hope this door leads us down some straight pathways and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you to all who have listened and helped us get through this opened door.

So tonight is Kelsie's last T-ball game and Joe's last baseball game was last week. It will be so nice to come home after work and not have to rush off somewhere. We can actually have some "real" family time.

Joe went to the allergist last week and found out he has the early stages of asthma and he wasn't too happy about that. His allergist suggested the allergy shots at his age to try and elimate all symptoms of allergies and asthma to the point of not having to need medication anymore. Joe has decided that is the route he wants to take so he will receive his first shot next Wednesday.

Have a great week to everybody!!

Another Fair Here and Gone

Well this past weekend was so much hard work, dedication, emotions and fun all wrapped into four days. Joe along with help from his parents and many other friends and family have worked so hard in getting all his projects ready for fair; from photography, woodworking, legos and four beef animals. We thank all who helped get these projects completed and the formal thanks are coming. Joe and Mom and Kelsie had a hard time saying goodbye to Chip (photo left) the steer that went on the auction. It was bought by First Bank of Baldwin. Joe went home with good ribbons. He got a red on his steer, three blues on the calf, heifer and cow he showed, a champion on the cow/calf pair, reserve champion on the heifer, a blue in showmanship, two blues and a red in photography, a blue on his legos and a blue on his woodworking.



Kelsie had a great time the three days she was at the fair. She couldn't get enough of riding those ponies. She also had a good time helping with barn duty. You think she would not want to get dirty but boy was she fifthly!! So another year has been completed and now he has his money to buy another steer for next year. He thinks next year when he sells his steer at auction he might buy a steer and a heifer and keep adding to his own herd of beef animals. Chad and I tell him if he keeps with it he may have a nice college account started.

Fair

We now approach the week of the fair. Some projects aren't done yet, reminds me of when I was in 4-H. The county has a raffle with some awesome prizes so they can renovate the fairgrounds. Below are the details for the raffle and to contact me immediately if you would like to purchase them.

St Croix County Fairplex
Renovations for Generations
Improving, renovating and building the community through the St Croix County Fairplex
A “master plan” has been developed by the Fairpark Group for renovating and improving the St Croix County Fairplex. This multi-year project will further the goals of safety and attractiveness of the Fairplex for years to come. Funds from the raffle will go towards the construction of new, year-round buildings to benefit organizations in and around St Croix County.

$10 each or 3 for $25

PRIZES with your support, you could win: a two year/12000 mile per year car lease courtesy of Bernard’s Northtown, two round trip tickets courtesy of Sun Country Airlines, a boat and trailer courtesy of Warner’s Dock International or a John Deere lawn tractor courtesy of Polfus Implement.
Drawing will take place Sunday July 22 at 1pm during the Talent Show
(Need not be present to win)
YOUR PURCHASE WILL ALSO GET YOU DISCOUNTS AT THE FOLLOWING VENDORS DURING THE FAIR:
St Croix County, Beekeepers Association, Farm Bureau, and the
St. Croix County 4-H Food Stand Contact me ASAP

Dance

Dancing; yep that is what our family was doing all week and weekend long. Kelsie danced to Stupid Cupid and Do You Love Me one was tap and the other jazz. She has such a good time. Chad participated this year with Kelsie in the Dads and Dolls portion of the recital. I think he also enjoyed himself. What a special gift he gave Kelsie in creating this bond and memory for her. Stephanie, one of the teachers told us that they are having a Mom dance next year; I can't wait!! Have a good week; I know I will-- less running this week.

Accomplished

Well we are officially in our new home. We have all but two boxes to unpack that we intend to give our attention to sometime soon. The busy summer schedule has commenced with baseball, t-ball, getting ready for the big dance recital, and 4-H softball. At times this busy schedule can be a bit stressful and sometimes I ask myself why I let my children be so involved. I've come to realize I'd rather have kids involved than kids that have idle minds and those minds wonder and sometimes don't make good decisions. This weekend brings us to June Bug Days; this town festivity I usually don't participate in as much as Syttende Mai but this year will be different. Not because we live there but because wrestling is having a food stand we will be working at; so come have a pork chop, steak, rib or pickle on a stick. Of course there will be the parade that yes both kids are participating in. That afternoon Kelsie gets to go with Grandma to a birthday party for Brandon and Joe gets to attend his first boy/girl party to celebrate the end of the school year at a girls house. Friday I start the weekend off by going to the McGraw/Hill concert; should be a ton of fun!! Have a great weekend

Fun Fun Fun

Joe is grouped with his buddies as they prepare to do their Fun Run (Joe in the center). He had a good time and was fortunate enough to be watched by his Dad and Aunt Becky. Thanks to Becky for the pictures!!

Kelsie got to dress up like a little Norwegian and march and dance in the parade with some fellow kindergarten classmates. She actually was in the parade three times; kindergarten, wrestling and dance class. She was tired at the end of the day.

Joe was allowed to hang out with friends after school Friday at the local carnival and he even had two friends from the above picture spend the night. Kelsie also got a friend to spend the night Friday. Chad and I were brave enough to even take two kids that will be two in August. All was going well until one of them woke up at 11:30 pm and was waking everybody up in the house. She went home with grandma about 12:00 and then an hour later we got woken up again by the other child's parent. Saturday I was lacking sleep but that wasn't going to stop me from going out.

Saturday Kelsie and I with Kelli Lorentz went to the cornation as it's our tradition to go together and we joke around that when Kelsie runs that LP Landscape is going to be her sponser. Then after that we dropped the kids off at Grandma and Steve's house and Mom and Dad went out. Man did I have fun!!!!!!! We went to the tent and then to PD and then to the Cubby Hole and then to Katie and Krista's (neighbors) and then home. We then went to bed about 4:00 a.m. and then up again at 9:00 to get the kids and get the house ready because we had guests over for supper.

Another Syttende Mai has come and gone; what fun we have when it's here!!

Syttende Mai

I can't believe it's that time of year again. We just love our Syttende Mai celebration!! Tonight (Thursday) Joe has ball practice at Steven's park so I think it's going to be hard for those kids to concentrate on ball when the carnival is right there.

Joe is in fifth grade and doing his first Fun Run Friday afternoon. He's very excited about that but not as excited as he will be once school gets out and he gets to hang out down there and be cool with a group of his friends. He has his first official "date" with his girlfriend Jordy who is in sixth grade after school. Friday Kelsie gets to dance with her dance class at the Syttende Mai Talent Show at 7:00 pm at Viking Middle School.

Saturday brings us to the wonderful parade Woodville has. Both Joe and Kelsie are in the parade this year. Joe with wrestling float of course and Kelsie will be in her little Norwegian outfit with the Kindergartners. Then she gets to come back and ride the wrestling float too.

Don't forget to buy a hamburger at the hamburger stand and support Harmony Hill 4-H club!!

Have fun and there's room at our house to stay if anybody gets to out of control and needs to stay in town and walk to our place!!!!! Take advantage because next year we won't be there to walk home.

Weather

Can you believe this wonderful weather we are having?!! I hope this weather continues until next week(end) for Syttende Mai. I'm very fortunate to have walking paths in the woods behind my employment. I went walking back there during my lunch hour and saw the most beautiful deer I have ever seen. Now I'm not a hunter so I don't see deer that close very often and if I do see them close they are dead by the hunters or road kill on the side of the road.

Joe was raising money for his Syttende Mai Fun Run this past week and he was able to raise $146.00 that will go towards the United Way Food Distribution, Millpond Park, Summer Rec programming and the renovation of the Baldwin swimming pool. He just wanted to raise $25.00 so he could get the morning off school that day. I told him if he wants the pool to open he best keep on raising money so he did.

Kelsie is getting excited for her dance recital. They get to perform one of her dances at the Syttende Mai Variety Show on Friday night. If you can't make it to her recital, that would be a great way to see her dance. Have a great rest of the week and weekend.

Schedule

As I was just starting to enjoy only having to be one place at night during the week that has all suddenly taken a turn. We received a call last night that Joe's baseball practice started; yep last night. May is now here and brings our family a hectic schedule; dance and Syttende Mai practice for Kelsie, play practice and baseball practice for Joe, t-ball and baseball games come June and July. It appears Friday and the weekend is our family time to focus on each other. I follow my brother's nurse Deb's blog; who recently lost her husband, and she said take time to have a face to face talk with your spouse; I could see this be very beneficial to have with your children as well. With all of the bad decisions our children could make we need to keep those lines of communication open. So I need to take time out of our schedule to shut that television off and talk to my spouse and those wonderful children of ours to keep those lines open and I hope all of you do as well. Have a great day and rest of the week. We are doing some more moving this weekend and clean up. Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the nice weather!!

Finally!!!

Well if you haven't heard we have sold our trailer. We have to be out of there by June 1st so we are slowly packing things and moving them over to Baldwin. We will be in Baldwin for the next year or two and then hopefully back to Woodville in the country or just out of village limits when we can get into a "real" house. Many of my good neighbors have left and are leaving and I don't want to deal with some of the people that are now living on our road let alone who might buy the others on our road for sale. I know I don't want to be there this summer, especially if Taylor is living at his mothers!!! Have a wonderful weekend all

Forget?

If you have forgotten about the wonderful opportunity to order Pampered Chef, it's not too late. The book party has now been extended to April 26th. If you need a book, let me know or you can check out their website. Thanks

Dance

It's that time of year again when Kelsie gets to perform everything she's learned all year at her dance class and have a dance rectial. This year because the studio's have grown they have added another recital time. Most of you know that Kelsie and Chad are also doing Dads -n- Dolls; Chad also gets to perform in the dance recital all three nights. The days of performance are Thursday, June 14th at 6:30 pm; Friday, June 15th at 6:30 pm; and Saturday, June 16th at 4:00 pm. All performances are at the River Falls High School Auditorium. Tickets are $8.00 a piece and they go on sale May 8th at the Baldwin Studio and for two other dates. Shows will not sell out until May 11th so to make it fair to both studios. Thursday will consist of all kids dancing except Baldwin's little girls. Friday consists of all kids dancing except River Fall's little girls. Saturday consists of every dance class at both studio's dancing. Kelsie is dancing all three nights. As soon as you know what night you would like, let me know and get to me the ticket money so I can get your first preference for tickets. I'm guessing Saturday is going to be the one everybody wants to go to, except for a few of you I know can't make that night, but you might want to think of an alternate night in case ticket sales are limited on the 8th. I need all ticket money by the 8th as I can't afford to buy all the tickets and get reimbursed for them. Kelsie loves having people come watch her and yell for her when she's dancing and I'm sure Chad wouldn't mind either.

Party

So I'm helping Katie out by having a book party this month. She needed to have eight shows this month but I didn't want to do an in home show because I'm trying to keep it clean and orderly for all those showings we are having; not. So anyway if there is anything you need from Pampered Chef let me know by April 19th. Thanks

So Joe finished his season with a bang. He came out with second place and he was in a pinning move a few times with a wrestler that he was able to get out of. He's excited for next year already now.

Kelsie got her dance costume the other week for the dance recital and it is so cute. It's red with some feathers and silver hearts on it. She gets to wear feathers in her hair again this year and two gloves for her arms.

Wrap

So wrestling is all wrapped up this weekend with the home tournament at BWHS. Wrestling starts approximately 10:30 for any of you that want to come watch. Hopefully Joe will go out with a bang this tournament!! The week has come to an end once again and this weekend brings us to wrestling, Kelsie singing at 8:30 service for Palm Sunday, and hopefully some more packing. Our ad goes back into the paper next week for three weeks so all say a prayer for us that we can sell that place and get out of dodge;Thanks!! Have a great weekend all and enjoy all of this rain that is much needed for all of the remaining farmers.

Gifts

Joe is struggling with wrestling this year and I'm wondering if he truly loves the sport as I have grown to love. I have tried talking to him about this extra curricular activity with him but he reassures me he likes to wrestle. The last few tournaments he hasn't really shown an effort in his matches and the outcome reflects the same. I have told him if he's fallen out of love with the sport, wants to take a year off, or wants to be done entirely that that is okay with his dad and me we can accept the fact he may not want to wrestle anymore. I'm not sure if it's just a phase he's going through or what!! We know someone has to lose and we are okay with that it's the effort we would like to see to come back to win or to lose by a few points that we would like Joe to show us. Maybe this year he doesn't have the gift to wrestle hard or he isn't motivated to wrestle this year; time will tell I guess.
What a wonderful gift we received this weekend with this awesome weather. The kids took full advantage of the warm weather both Saturday and Sunday as most of the day was spent outside. Kelsie was able to spend time with Grandma Julie and Steve on Friday night she loved that change of pace. Bonding is good for both of them.
We have begun our moving of personal property over to Matt's house that we are going to share as Joe was threatened by a 13 year old Saturday with a knife. Joe told the Woodville Officer and the knife has since been confinscated but Joe and us included have now found another reason to move!!
I'm beginning to love this gift of warm weather!! I went for 1 1/2 mile walk during lunch today and plan to finish the other 1/2 mile during my afternoon break. As we walked into work this morning Becky pointed out the flowers were starting to poke through the ground and what more of a sign of spring do you need than that. Happy Day All!!!!

Weekend

Sunday was a big success considering all we had planned that day. Joe's first communion was good; Joe's face when he took that drink of wine was pretty comical. He said he's taking the grape juice next time. The party went well and then off to 4-H which the kids enjoyed and then Chad and Kelsie were off to dance class. This weekend brings us to yet another wrestling tournament if Joe decides he wants to go. Toward the end of the season he gets a little burnt out and doesn't want to participate as much. He only has two weeks of practice and two tournaments left so I think he'll make it. Kelsie is wearing her new outfit Marilyn bought her to school today; she searched high and low to find it this morning until she found it in the dryer. Man that outfit is hard to keep clean; gotta love those white clothes. It is truly so darn cute on her; (I'm not too favoring am I?) It's back to running this week to practices and dance class; last week doing no running really threw me off!! Tomorrow is the big day at work when all the participants of Biggest Loser weigh in to see who the winner is. It won't be me I'm sure but I did lose 10 pounds. I just need to stay motivated and get up in the morning to work out to get the rest of this weight off.

Zipper

Some of you know that lately I'm not afraid to say what's on my mind. Most of the time I keep it shut until I have time to cool down and then I address the problem. So this past weekend an area coach said something hurtful about Joe during one of his wrestling matches at regionals when he was sitting two people down from me. So this comment was eating me up so I wrote a letter to the wrestling club in a very professional manner and I guess I stirred up some feathers because two of the three parents from this club that I work with addressed me about it. I guess sometimes you just need to zip it and let it go. We will see how exactly the wrestling board deals with it and responds to my concern. This weekend brings us another wrestling tournament in Glenwood City and then a mini get together at the Mikla's. It's home early for us that night because Joe has his first communion on Sunday with a dinner afterwards. The kids have 4-H Sunday too at the bowling aisle at 2:00 that I forgot about when planning the dinner. I must be getting a little forgettful in my old age too. Then at 3:30 Chad and Kelsie get to head out to do their Dads and Dolls dancing class. What a nice treat; Marilyn and Aaron along with my two kids stopped by my work for a quick visit on their way home from the MOA. Kelsie became a rock star at Libby Lu today with new clothes from Limited Too; so so cute!!!! Joe kept talking about the rides and the shotting range. I'm sure there is more to tell but they needed to let me get back to work so they left. Have a great weekend all and chat again next week!!

Weekend

Well this weekend Joe attended regionals in River Falls. He lost his first match to a girl from Hudson by one point that he previously beat at the Hudson tournament so he was a little disappointed. His next match he was pinned fairly quickly so there is no State wrestling for him this year. He took it very well considering and just noted, "There is always next year" Kelsie hung out with Grandma Sue Saturday because she had the cold crud and didn't feel up to going so thanks to Grandma Sue!! Sunday was Sunday School and Joe's second class of communion classes. He will have his first communion next Sunday and he's looking forward to that. Chad got the ice shack off the ice on Sunday. He wanted to take Joe but I wouldn't let Joe go on the ice. I went to a concert on Sunday at the Myth Night Club to watch Scissor Sisters. It was kind of a culture shock but it sure was a good time!! The band was awesome and wonderful performers. I took Monday off to spend time with the kids on their first day of Spring Break. It sure was nice!!

Anticipation

This weekend is the big weekend for youth wrestling. Joe will be attending Regionals in River Falls this Saturday morning until he gets done. It's done by double elimination so two loses and he doesn't make it to State. He needs to place first or second to make it to State again this year. Pray for his best performance on that day. It's going to be a little more tough this year than it was last year as he is in 5th grade wrestling in the 5th -6th grade bracket. I'll let you know on Monday how well he did. He complained of his heel hurting again yesterday and when I told him he has regionals this weekend it didn't hurt so bad anymore so hopefully he's not in a ton of pain Saturday.

Time Spent Together

So Friday I used some PTO and spent time with the kids. We dug a tunnel or I should say I dug most of the tunnel for them. We went sledding down the hill and shoveled and played outside together. Saturday I took them bowling in Baldwin and then to the Dairy Queen. We rented some movies Saturday night; Barnyard and Nacho Libre. Joe got pretty emotional during Barnyard which really took me by surprise. I tried to reasure him that the movie gets funnier and his reply was, "It's just so sad when things die and this part of the movie sucks". We got through it and watched the rest of the movie. Then Joe and I watched Nacho Libre as Kelsie fell asleep on the couch and it wasn't very good at all!! I wouldn't recommend it. All in all it was a good weekend except for the issues Chad and I just can't seem to see eye to eye on but I won't bore you with those details. Have a good week!!

Safe Travels

Well if those meterologists are right and we receive yet another big snow storm stay safe. Get those shovels and plows ready; hope you didn't put them away. I will be very nervous traveling into work but I'll keep telling myself just take it slow and you should be alright. I will have you all in my prayers for safe travel this week!!! My kids are excited for more snow as it may mean no school. SAFE TRAVELS!!!!!

Survival

So hopefully you all survived the huge winter storm we received this past weekend and aren't as sore as I am today. Kelsie wanted to go to Sunday School and there was no way I was getting out of my driveway with my car with all the snow behind me so out I got to go out and shovel. Chad went out the night before and he obviously couldn't come out and help me so as I get almost done with the entire driveway he comes out and decides maybe it would be a good idea to get his Dad's snowplower. So he left as I continued to shovel because we all know how sidetracked he gets. I received three passes of help from a neighbor's plow on his four wheeler but the majority of it was done by hand by me oh and Kelsie. It was good exercise but I'm sure sore today. We stayed inside for the majority of the weekend. Joe had a friend over Friday night and Kelsie had a birthday party on Saturday. Joe had one Saturday too but was cancelled due to the weather. I had a Tupperware party on Saturday and Tastefully Simple party on Sunday but both were cancelled due to the weather. So we rented movies both Friday and Saturday night and the three of us spent time together indoors for the majority of it. Chad and Kelsie still had Dads and Dolls so off to River Falls they went to start learning yet another song for the recital. Have a wonderful day and evening. I have parent teacher conferences tonight at both schools; I hope I hear nothing but positive remarks.

Comfort

So if anybody lives in Hudson or will be in the area from 10am to 2pm the jail is holding a bake sale for Connor Dykes. They have a ton of stuff, raffles, massages for $1.00 a minute, pop and coffee. I did my part and bought some cookies for the family and brownies for my co-workers. My cute little daughter Kelsie made the front page of the Balwin Paper this week. She was taking her first bite into some cookie burgers that made in school. She was very excited to see herself in the paper and made Dad go buy a paper Wednesday morning before school so she could see it. I asked her for her autograph but she had no clue what I was talking about. I told her what that meant and she gladly gave me her autograph. Hope you all are having a wonderful day. I find comfort in my day knowing I helped out the Dykes family even though we are struggling ourselves.

Weekend

So our weekend was a good one overall. Saturday was pretty uneventful, Chad did some errands but the kids and I stayed home. Chad was nice enough to go get us a movie for the evening except he and Kelsie fell asleep right away and Joe and I shut it off because it was way stupid. Don't rent Running with Scissors!! Sunday Joe wrestled in Spring Valley brining home third place. Hid good friend Bryce got injured and got checked out to determine he badly bruised his shoulder. His friends Brody and Ben both brought home second. Way to go wrestlers!! Joe had a tough first match and lost by points, the second match he got pinned and the third match he won!! He complained his heal hurt so yesterday on my day off I took him to the clinic after school. He has torn his achilles tendon so he's out of wrestling, phy.ed, and other physical activities for awhile. Sunday Kelsie and Chad had their first Dads-n-Dolls dance practice. They learned one of the three songs they will learn for the recital. The first song they learned was Macho Man. Kelsie gave me a sneak peak on some of the dance moves and it looks pretty cute!! Monday I had the day all to myself. I did much needed cleaning and got the laundry caught up. Did some more packing of items that are just going into storage during our moving adventures. Tonight we will only be watching the boys at wrestling practice and turn in the donations I got yesterday from local businesses for the wrestling club. Kelsie has just her dance class tonight as well so Joe will have to sit and watch her dance this week.

At Last

Well at last we made it to FRIDAY!! Our title explains it all; Monday Joe thought it would be great to bring home a ton of homework from Spelling, English and Math. We made it through English and Math before Joe needed to do some piano practice. Tuesday is always a fun night; I have something for Joe to eat at 5:00 so it can digest and I get home with Kelsie at 5:30 so she can eat something quick before we run off for wrestling practice at 6:00. We drop off Joe at practice and watch him for a half hour until we have to bring Kelsie to dance class. I have another parent drop Joe off at dance and wait with me as he gets done with practice 15 minutes before Kelsie is done with dance class. Wednesday Joe brings home more homework this time we finished his Spelling and did more Math. It also brings more piano practice for Joe. Thursday we only have wrestling practice so we went early this week to watch the PreK through second grade practice. To think that is where Joe started seems so surreal. It sure was fun to watch them wrestle around on the mat; well except when they were crying. Tonight we get to go to the Varsity Girls basketball game because Kelsie is performing her basketball knowledge at half time. Saturday morning bright and early is basketball for Kelsie for an hour and then I suppose we'll go home and clean as my house has truly been neglected. Sunday we travel to Spring Valley for Joe so he can attend their wrestling tournament. The highlight of Sunday brings us to when Kelsie and Chad get to travel to River Falls. Chad is going to participate in Dads and Dolls this year through Kelsie's dance studio. Chad and Kelsie along with other Dads and Girls will perform at each of the three dance rectials in June. Hope you can come watch them dance away. This year's theme is Disco Fever. I can't wait to watch this one. Well hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I'm fortunate to have Monday off so until Tuesday; Melissa

Prayer Chain

My cousin Tobie Anderson has a daughter Alex who was diagnosed with Polyarticular Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis in June of 2003. Alex has to give herself shots to ease the pain. Annually they walk for a cure; please check out the link to obtain more information about Alex or to make a pledge.

Also, I used to work with Ruth Spencer in the Clerk of Court Office. Her little six-week old grandson, Connor Dykes, has been diagnosed with Infant Congenital Glioblastoma. He is the fourth baby in the world to be diagnosed with this type of cancer. He also has a Caringbridge website as well as the link posted on my blog.

Please pray for a cure for both of the above named individuals when you are doing your daily prayers.

Who Needs Valentine's Day

So I have recently been impacted by one of my brother's nurses that recently lost her husband. As she was in the Hallmark store she witness two gentlemen cracking jokes about buying cards and gifts. She turned to one and told him to go home and write her a love letter. He replied that there wasn't enough time. She told him that was exactly her point and that her and her husband ran out of time as she buried him last week. Who says we have to take one day out of the year to show our significant others and our children that we love them. Shouldn't we do that everyday? I have decided that in the future there will be no more Valentine's presents (my kids may not like that idea) we don't need to buy our loved ones gifts to show our love. We should show our love everyday!! Sure go ahead and make them their favorite meal, write them a letter, do something extra for them you wouldn't normally do. Those are my thoughts for the day; hug and kiss your loved ones today because they may not be here tomorrow.

Melissa