Motorcycle Saftey Class

Schaun got the Harley with zero knowledge about how to ride it. So he is taking this class over the weekend. It is Friday, Sat, and Sun. All day long. Yesterday it poured down rain all day. He left here with many layers and the best waterproof things he had, but he still got soaked. Poor guy. He said he still learned a lot. Today, they have some more lessons and they take the driving test. So I hope it all goes well for him. He is hoping that it is just cold and no more rain.

So this class leaves me home alone with the girls all weekend. Yesterday, we went to my mom's house to hang out. I am making mints for my sister's upcoming baby showers. My Aunt gave me the recipe, but it was wrong and it turned out to be a mess. I now have the correct recipe and might try again today. I'm trying to come up with something fun for us to do today. Got nothin so far.

Family Picnic 2006

For the past three years my mom has hosted a family picnic. This is all fine and dandy except for the fact that she insists it be in October. She hates the hot and this is her way to avoid that situation. The last two years, we got lucky and the weather was great. Then today, we woke to puddles and mud. But we all showed up and made the best of the time together.


Photos of my sister in law Kelsie, Bridget sliding into her cousin Kameron, Becca, Noah who had a great time (hehe), and Papa on swing duty with Bridget and Kameron.

I love Fall

I really do love Fall. I love the colors , the activities, the weather, just love it all. Last Friday we went to a pumpkin patch with some friends. It was so fun. Next to Christmas, it is my favorite day all year. Kristin was with us and I got a photo of her and her growing belly. Sunday, Schaun went to the races, so I took the girls to the Renaissance Festival. Another of my favorite things. It is hard to try and take photos and keep 2 toddlers with you, so no photos from there. But we saw some fun shows and ate some yummy food. Becca's eyes were so big, taking in the whole place. She didn't say one word until we walked the whole festival and then she told me she was thirsty. One of the first characters we ran into was this pirate guy. He was friendly, but scared Bridget. I thought she was going to start crying. Then later when we saw another pirate she chatted away with him. I guess she just didn't know what to expect.

Friday night and Saturday morning, I taught my first classes. I loved it. I was so thrilled that people actually finished the project. That was my main goal, to have people leave with a completed book.

weekend events

To kick off the weekend, Schaun brought home a new toy. He is quite the salesman I have to say. He has been wanting this toy for a while, but I didn't think he really really wanted it so. He talked his bosses into it somehow. We now have a motorcycle in our garage. A Harley to be exact. He has no idea how to ride this thing. That is the funniest part. I'm sure there will be more updates on this subject later.

Bridget is taking an Intro to Sports class thru Johnson County Parks and Rec. This is a little soccer class. We all go along for it. Becca doesn't mind not getting to play as long as she can just go she is happy. Bridget is trying really hard. She is so cute with her ponytail, shoes, and shin guards. Becca stayed over at the side and played in the gravel--she was filthy!

I'm worth $165.50

Here is the test of your worth (add up your dollars as you read):
post the amount you are "worth"
Smoked pot-- $10
Got drunk, passed and don't remember the night before-- $20
Went skinny dipping-- $5
Had sex in a pool-- $20
Kissed someone of the same sex-- $10
Cheated on your g/f or b/f -- $10
Cheated on your g/f or b/f with their relative or close friend--$20
done oral-- $5
got oral-- $5
done / got oral in a car while it was moving --$25
prank called the cops-- $5
Stole something-- $10
Stole something worth over more than a hundred dollars--$20
Had sex with someone 10 years older-- $20
Had sex with someone under 21 and you are over 27--$25
Cried yourself to sleep-- $5
Cried during sex--$20
Been in love-- $25
Been in love with two people or more at the same time --$50
Said you love someone but didn't mean it-- $25
Went streaking-- $5
Went streaking in broad daylight --$15
Been arrested-- $5
Spent time in jail --$15
Peed in the pool-- $0.50
Played spin the bottle-- $5
Done something you regret-- $20
Had a crush on your best friend--$5
Had sex with your best friend --$20
Had a crush on someone at work --$5
Had sex with someone you work with at work --$25
Lied to your mate --$5
Lied to your mate about the sex being good --$25

Labor Day Weekend

What a busy busy weekend. I can't complain about anything though. We had fun and had perfect weather. Saturday I took the girls and ran some errands then we met up with Schaun and had lunch at our Chinese buffet. Bridget and Becca both love Chinese. Bridget loves the shrimp, she calles them brains. A little weird and gross but a little funny too. Becca loves it all especially if she can dip it in the sweet and sour sauce--nothing like red broccoli.

Saturday evening Schaun and I had a date night. We had dinner at Abuelos at ZonaRosa--it was yummy. Then we headed over to the Legends Mall. That T-Rex place is the coolest place around. I suggest everybody go visit it. Kids or not because who doesn't like dinosaurs?

Sunday we stayed around the house. Cleaned up the yard a bit. Schaun tried to teach Becca to dribble her mini basketball. Bridget starts a soccer class next Saturday and he was trying to give her a little lesson kicking and NOT using your hands. The no hands part was tough for her.

Then we had my brother and sister in law over for dinner. They have three kids so there was something for everybody to keep busy with. Schaun grilled a dinner of steak, corn, and potatoes--it was delicious!

Today we took the girls to Blackbob park where the cool castle playground is. Then we went for a drive. This is an O'Brien fun event. Not one of mine. I really do not enjoy being in the car and driving for no reason --it is just silly to me. But anyways....we drove out to Hillsdale Lake and Louisburg Cider Mill. At the Lake we found a stable. We pulled up just to let the girls look at the horses and the man there waved at us to get out. So we chatted with him for a while, he gave us a little tour and let Bridget sit on his horse, Rebel. Becca didn't want any part of getting on the horse and kept telling me to get Bridgy down.

It was such a nice weekend. I hate to see it end.

So far it's worth it

That is Bridget's school. She has been for three weeks and has learned so much. I am amazed! She has learned the Pledge of Allegiance, can name all the months of the year, recognizes new letters, and has started to learn how to write her name. That is just a few things, there is so much everyday. They have been studying dinosaurs which seems to be fun, she is happy to tell you all about them.

Then I have poor little Becca. She is so sad when Bridget leaves each morning. She keeps asking who her teacher is and where her friends are. Awwwww, so sad. I hope she really does enjoy pre-school when it's time. She is a duck of a different feather than Bridget. So there is no telling how she will react to things sometimes.

Not much going on around here. My calendar for September is fairly empty. I am looking forward to teaching my first class, but that is not until the 29th. I hope we make it to the Renaissance Festival this year. I really enjoy it out there. And I hope we can go pick apples too. There have not been any apples for picking the last two years, I hope we can do this so Becca can experience it with us. Our visit to the pumpkin patch is sneeking up on us. This is one of my favorite things to do. It is fun, relaxed, outdoors, and makes for fantastic photos!

The heat this summer was just so terrible. I seem to have put my camera away and forgot about it. I think it is cooling off now. So that means there will be new photos to share soon.

Hi! It's me

Hello there! I am posting a picture of myself for my friends that I have not seen in forever. You know, so you don't forget what I look like. Hehe.

Catching up

On Monday Bridget started her new preschool. She is attending Blue Valley Montessori School. It is 5 days a week from 8:30- to 12:45. The school is great. I really think that Bridget will do great in the montessori setting. But this morning, on the THIRD day, this is the conversation:

"Bridget, we need to get you dressed"

"What for mom?"

"So you can go to school"

"Again?"

"Yes, you go everyday, except Sat and Sunday"

"Why"

"So you can go learn new things"

"But I'm going to get tired of that stuff"

Nice. She only went 2 days and she is tired of the stuff already. She hasn't even met the whole class yet because the returning students start on Thursday. I think she will be happier when there are more kids in there with her, right now there are only 7. So we will see.

Other news.

Schaun and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary on August 10. We had a great time. The first reason it was so nice is because it was free. The second reason is what we did.

It was free becuase he managed to get his company to pay for it. They do things like this for him sometimes. They know he is making them more money than anybody else in the company and they do not pay him enough salary for the revenue he generates or for the hours that he puts in.

What we did was stay at the Westin Crown Center for 2 nights. The girls stayed with Stacy (and thankfully that went smooth). We had the "wedding package" which included room service breakfast both days, and the first night we got champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. We had a great room with a great view of downtown and Union Station. We had dinner at the Melting Pot on the Plaza. That was so yummy and so fun! The next night we ate at Harrahs at the Buffet and had all you can eat crab legs. Yum! This was Schaun's idea. He likes to gamble a little. I think it is a waste because I ALWAYS lose. He didn't have much fun because he lost. I bet $20 and left with $25. Whoo hoo!

It was a nice time. And the idea of leaving the girls and having alone time is nice, but in reality I missed them lots!

Finally some new photos

I can't believe it has been so long since I picked up my camera. This heat is really getting to me. Went to visit my gramma today. I have been trying to go over there more. I feel like she is just sitting there doing nothing all the time because it is way too hot for her to be out doing gardening. So we packed some sack lunches and went to visit "big gramma" as the girls call her. I think this is my favorite place to take photos. Well, my favorite place that I actually go to. I'm sure there are actually better places. But you know what I mean.

I love some of the shots I got today. Bridget is so stylish with her boots and dress. I love the reflection in the birdbath. And man! Becca looks sooooo big now. She keeps telling me (about 15 times a day) that she needs a haircut. They are both just so funny.

Good things are happening

I was hired to be a teacher at Scrapbooker's Dream. I'm soooo excited about this! It is not going to make me rich, but I think it will sure be fun.

On August 10, Schaun and I will celebrate our 10 year anniversary. The way things are looking for August, it didn't seem like much celebrating would actually be happening. But here comes more good news. Schaun's bosses give him little "presents" sometimes. This is one of them. We are going to be spending two nights at the Westin Crown Center. We will be dining on the Plaza both nights. I picked the Melting Pot, Schaun is undecided on his pick still.

August seems like it is going to be a tough month in the finance department. We have to start paying for Bridget's preschool. I picked this montessori school for her when Schaun was making a little more than he is now. His checks vary thru the year. I still really want to send her there and believe it is worth the expense, but it will just be a little harder now. And in August our car tags are due. So that is a lot of money going out. But today, I found out that we only have to pay a pro-rated amount of tuition for the school. Not a huge difference, but enough to make things feel a little better.

My dream job

Here is the challenge:
If you could choose any career in the world, what would it be? Forget that you may not have the talent for it.......imagine that you could be the best at any one thing. What would that be? Does it fit with what you thought wanted to do when you were younger (as in: when I grow up I want to be a ........)

I don't remember having anything that I really wanted to be when I grew up. There was a time that I thought being a marine biologist would be great. But living in Missouri seemed to be a problem. I had a few thoughts of being a veterinarian, but decided it would be too hard seeing the sick animals and the whole putting them down thing sort of did that thought in.

The thing I always loved and what I still love is horses. This has always been a constant for me. I took a few riding lessons growing up. I collected Breyer horses and the only use I had for Barbies was for them to ride my toy horses. On my honeymoon I made Schaun go riding a couple times. A few years into our marriage (before kids) I was able to take some consistant lessons. I was so happy at this time. I love every part of being around them. Not just the riding, I also like to groom them. I just like being with them.

So basically anything that had to do with caring for and riding horses would be my thing.

A trip to the dentist

Bridget seems to have a problem staying upright on the hardwood floors. I can remember at least five times now that she has come around the corner and just wiped out. It is always the same, face first, flat on the floor. She always comes up bleeding. Each time I panic. I think. Oh God, please let her teeth still be there. Well, yesterday it happened again. There was a lot of bleeding again. I got her in the bathroom and got a washcloth and tried to figure out where the blood was coming from. Last time she split her bottom lip open. I could tell right away that it wasn't coming from her lip. I thought, oh no, this is it, she knocked it out this time. So I finally get her calm enough to see in her mouth and the teeth are all still there. Whew! Then I notice all the blood is coming from around the gums around her front two teeth. Oh no! I touch them and they wiggle. Oh no! Now I panic some more.

Oh, and at the same time, Becca is crying and screaming her head off because I was using this washcloth to clean Bridget up and Becca didn't get it. She was screaming "Mommy, don't make Bridgy eat the cloth!"

So I am a little freaked out that Bridget's teeth are going to fall out, she is crying, Becca is screaming. I convince Becca to bring me the phone. I call my dentist office. They do not react like this is the emergency that I think it is. I mean, they could hear the screaming, what is wrong with them? So my sister works for a dentist. I call there. Kristin says the dentist will take a look at her, bring her in. We get dressed and drive over to Lee's Summit. Kristin took a a couple x-rays and the dentist checks out her mouth. The teeth are loose, but no apparent damange. He says the teeth should tighten back up in a couple days. Whew! I am so relieved.

I was a cheer leader

First I need to say that in real life there are not all the E's in Cheer Leader. My stitching program did that and I don't know how to fix it.

Second I need to say LOOK at the awful hair cut!!!!!!! I'm sure this is something my mom talked me into. This is an example of mother NOT always knowing what's best.

Third, if you want to know what all the journaling says, here it is:

Hickman Mills High School 1986-1987 My Freshman year I tried out for cheerleader. I really had not thought about doing this, but one of my good friends talked me into it. We had to go through several clinics to learn the cheers and jumps. I really didn’t have my heart set on actually getting picked, so I wasn’t really nervous. During the try-outs you fill out this card requesting the squad you would like to be on along with your second and third choices. Then came hours of watching each girl go up and perform. I have no memory of actually getting up there and doing my routine. When everyone is done the judges take a couple hours to decide and they come back and give the results. When my name was called I was very shocked. Then I learned that I had been called for my first choice and I had picked a varsity squad! The Cougarettes squad was my first choice. They cheered for Volleyball and Wrestling (no outside sports for me). So here I was, no real desire for this, but after I was chosen, I was really thrilled. I was a Freshman and they had just put me on a varsity squad. I just couldn’t believe it. After it was all over, I went to a friend’s house where I called my mom and gave her the results. She couldn’t believe it either. I think she actually asked me if I was sure they calculated it correct. I told her it was correct and I was in. She was really happy for me, just a bit shocked like me.

Saturday fun

This morning the girls requested that we go to visit gramma and big gramma. They call my gramma, Big Gramma instead of Great Gramma. This is something Bridget just said when she learned who people were. And for the record, she is not big--at all. So we went over there and my brother, Kent, was visiting. He took this time to give my girls some flying lessons. Weeee!

Then after nap time and dinner, we went to a nearby playground. Check out that hair on Becca. Does this happen to all sliding kids? I only see it on mine and I think it is hilarious.

Blog challenge {Finding out I was pregnant}

We had been married for five years. I am pretty sure people thought we were not going to have children. I stopped taking my birth control in April 2000. This was scarey for me. I was married and made a decision to stop it, but it was still weird to me. I had been taking it for soooo long. I figured it would take my body a few months to figure out what happened before I got pregnant. It took 1 year and 3 months for it to figure out what I wanted. We didn't tell a single soul that we were trying. But when that month rolled around I knew right way that it had finally happened. I had to wait to take the test because it was too soon for it to work. I bought several tests as I had been taking for them for months at this point. Sam's club had the best deal on them by the way. I took this one and there was the faintest double pink line. I called Schaun at work and told him to come home right away and look at it. He saw it too. We were so excited, but cautiously so. We needed medical verification. So the next morning I went to the doctor and had a blood test and it was all for real after that point. Bridget was born February 26, 2002.

Week in Review

I bought the girls these cute little dresses for the 4th. I never really got the photos I wanted, but they are still adorable. We went to visit my bestest friend Norma and her 2 girls. It has been waaaay toooo long since out last visit. Hope we can get together again soon. Oh! The photo of Norma and me was taken by her five year old daughter Clara. Pretty good huh? We had a ton a bread piling up in my kitchen. So it was time for a trip to feed the ducks. Turns out we fed the geese, not ducks, and we were swarmed by them. Becca thought it was great, but Bridget headed for higher ground atop the slide. It was nice to have Schaun home for the week and to have such great weather!

Once upon a time there lived 2 princesses

Here is my latest Star Scrapbooker creation. Some of the color is a little washed out in the scan. I took me a long time to cut out all those letters! But I am happy with the final result.

July 4th

Today is the 4th of July. I love this holiday. The past two years we have missed out on the fun though. Before kids we spent every 4th at Corporate Woods watching and listening to the bands and eating all the junk food there. The last two years Bridget has been sick on the 4th. I think we are home free this year. To be sure we didn't miss out this year, we went to this golf course last night and watched their display. It was very nice. Not a huge crowd, the heat blew off, and the girls really enjoyed it. Becca was trying to catch the fireworks and Bridget said they were beautiful. The exact quote was "They are so beautiful. They look like Cinderella's fairy godmothers wand sparkles".

Happy 4th to everybody! Be safe!

Fears

The challenge is to tell your fears. I'll give you my top three.

1. My girls being kidnapped. I have a serious case of stranger danger. The Elizabeth Smart case really freaked me out. I cannot sleep if I know the girls windows are even open a crack. I walk the house and check the locks several times a night before bed and periodically thru the day.

2. Driving over bridges over water. If I survive the fall, could I get out? How would I get the girls out of there carseats and out of the water? Would we just sink and suffocate or drown? I really worry about this one.

3. My home burning down. I am a stuff kinda girl. Get the girls out. Get the pets out. Get the scrapbooks.

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