Things that make me smile

* Hot coffee with cream
* Pregnant women
* A clean house
* Open windows
* Hot showers
* Date nights
* Snuggling with the kids
* The feeling after a good workout
* Grilled food
* Martinis
* Seeing Ryan smile
* Christmas Eve mass
* Singing in the car
* Sleeping kids
* Helping someone else
* New cars
* Art projects John and Stephen make
* Airplanes
* Bonfires
* Temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees
* Girlfriends
* My family
* The smell of the boys after a bath (Johnson&Johnson gets me every time!)
* Starbucks
* Family outings
* Arizona
* Apple trees
* Being in the Christmas Spirit
* Weekends
* Homemade popcorn
* Weekends at the cabin
* Skiing (it's been a while, but I do really like it!)
* Christmas songs
* Spring flowers
* Thick, heavy quilts
* Hot chocolate
* A clean windshield
* A can of Coke (However! I have been Coke FREE for just over a month!!!)
* Building blocks with the boys
* Walks in the woods
* Long drives with Ryan
* Dreams of our future
* Disney World
* Sandy beaches
* Nachos
* Reaching a goal
* Coupons
* Leaving Target and spending less then $100
* Pictures of babies
* Long hugs
* Thinking it was Thursday and finding out it is Friday
* Home cooked dinners
* Reading books to John
* Trampolines
* Laundry detergent
* Swimming pools
* Girls night out
* Encouragement
* New socks
* Weddings
* Lemonade stands
* Haircuts
* Columbia zip-ups
* Thinking about my childhood
* Trying something new
* December 28th

I took 10 minutes to see what I would come up with! This made me smile! :D

Thank YOU!

I have been meaning to thank all of my readers for a long time now... Today is the day! :)

I have many reasons to thank everyone who faithfully reads about all of the things going on in our busy hectic lives. First, thank you for your interest in our kids, they are clearly the apples of our eyes, and we are glad that they hold a place in your heart too! Thank you for all of your emails, calls, texts, and comments! I love when I get responses to my posts- it makes them feel so worthwhile. :) And, thank you for being a supporter of my Google Ads, it has provided us with a little extra spending cash here and there- Who doesn't love getting paid for something they love to do!? ;)

I have many very faithful readers as close to us as right upstairs (You know who you are!! haha) and as far away as Australia, Ireland, Canada, Russia, Germany, Qatar, and the list goes on! I do track who is reading (yep, I'm watching you!) (for the safety of the kids...) and it brings such a smile to my face when I see friends from school, my mom's group, relatives near and far, friends of relatives and the list goes on, who faithfully come back and take interest in us. My grandma Glennie who lives in Florida has been so great about reading. I look so forward to all of her emails about what she thinks about each post I write. :) Her support and love she sends so often is very appreciated. The comments you all write, even when short, mean so much- that you took the time to respond to what is happening at our house. Thank you.

I started the blog because I have always admired how my mom kept my baby book up so well. It is something my mom is saving for me- such a treasure! I remember on our birthdays, we would read out of our baby book to the rest of the family. The laughs we got, family bonding time we had and the saved memories... priceless. Jana also did such an amazing job keeping journals of Ryan's childhood- he has volumes! When we got married, Jana gave us his books- we spent many many nights reading his journals cover to cover, (especially while I was on bed rest...forever) laughing so hard, with tears running down our faces. We also love our baby books because they always affirms that our parent did everything, during every waking (or sleeping) moment to be sure we were given every opportunity at the best childhoods/lives possible, all we had to to was start reading. To John's baby book.... I am just not a person to sit down and write (pen and paper). I kept putting it off until tomorrow, or thought, is this event worth taking up this whole page?! And, soon enough, his baby book was very empty, I was pregnant with Stephen and life kept getting crazier. After Stephen was born, after we moved and I settled into the new routine of having absolutely NO routine and really just "winging" life I started to blog. :) It was came pretty easy. I (clearly) am no special
writer, I just (clearly) love my family and want to have record of some things we do and memories I find important. I see the blog as a treasure for the boys and one Ryan and I hold very close to our hearts.

When I post, I am happy to know how many relatives I am able to update at the same time- One other reason I started our blog. When we knew we were pregnant with John, the first person we told was my brother Ryan, he was leaving for a study abroad and Ryan Patrick and I really were torn about him not being here for when we told everyone we were expecting and there was no part of us that could wait until he was home! We (eventually) realized that we would have many of our family traveling a ton during the kids' childhood! Ryan did another study abroad in Ireland, Mark to Italy and Greece, Lauren (for a year (!!) to Ireland, Alana and Mark are away at school (St. Olaf and St. John's), Sara, Kelli, and my parents are working fools! ;) and Jana and Steve do a lot of traveling. So, it was time to have a cover all way to update everyone on our life! :) And, so far it has been a great way for me to reach a lot of people doing something I love- writing about our family.

My brother Mark was a key person in the final decision to start this blog, Mark left for a semester abroad when SJ (his godson) was only a couple months old. I knew Mark would be very busy when he was gone, so I wanted it to make an easy way for him to stay connected to Stephen and our family. This blog was born. I was able to see how often Mark was reading (he was the only person I knew at the time in Italy and Greece) and he was reading a TON! I think he usually checked the blog between 10-20 times a week (I think our most faithful reader to date!)! I loved how consistent he was while away- it meant (and still means) so much to me. Mark called last night (as he does from time to time... when he needs a study break!?) to say thank you for writing the blog. It was so special that he called just to say that he loves it and was laughing out loud while reading it. :) He likes that I put the "real" conversations for the boys and all the pictures. Well, thank you Mark, thank you everyone for reading! Glad you like it!

This year, Lauren has been gone for SO SO long- she is in Ireland for the whole year... (brave girl!!!) and she has been a great reader. I love that she knows what is happening here and when we Skype, she is up to date on life at (our) home.
I know Alana is busy at school too, playing college hockey and having a crazy course load, she is able to sneak in a quick read between classes, or while getting ready to turn in for the night. :)

Anyways, I could go on and on and give shout outs to so many readers, but the boys are ready for me to be done on the "puty" (computer).... thank you! Really, it means so much that you read, support our family, (and support my ads!!) ;)

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Ryan, My Super-Husband

This post has very little to do with the fact that I have such a long way to go before I am ever swimsuit ready again, and everything to do with how much support I have from Ryan while trying to be again, someday.  ;)

I had been trying to work out for over a year.  Ryan would help me get everything packed for the gym the night before (put the stroller, diaper bag, snacks for the boys, etc. in the car) and I would spend my days TRYING to work out. Every time I would go it somehow ended in a disaster.  EVERY TIME.  WITH.OUT.FAIL.
I would get there, realize I forgot my shoes or something. (end of work out attempt)
When I remembered everything, I would ALWAYS be paged to the childcare center 20 minutes into my run: CAROLINE PATRICK, REPORT TO THE CHILDCARE IMMEDIATELY! (end of workout)
When I got to the CC, one of them was poopy, had puked, took their clothes off, peed their pants, was LOST etc. (we went home)
OR, if for some reason, I got to finish my work out, the next morning, they both would wake up sick- fevers, runny noses, puking ... you name it.
After really trying to make this work for about 6 weeks. It was the biggest headache.  I was so stressed about the gym, I wasn't getting good workouts in and the boys were not benefiting from the CC.  I called it quits, UNTIL our house sold.
Ryan does understand that making time for me to get to work out is important, and he has been nothing but supportive in any way I have ever asked him to be. Every time.
I came up with a crazy workout plan, and presented it to him to see if he was on board with how much training I wanted to do to get (as close as possible, while still being realistic!) back to my pre-baby self.  It has been consisting of long nights of him home with the boys after working all day.  Oh, and the BIGGIE, it also meant he took this semester off of school!!! 
Ryan has been doing such a wonderful job, I can't stress enough how wonderful it is to go to the gym and be able to put "home-life" on my back burner; not worry about the laundry, who has appointments tomorrow, what phone calls need to be returned etc.  I get to focus on me 4 weeknights a week for what has been turning into 3 hour workouts (not including drive time....) and weekends too --I have been feeling so much more human, been able to clear my mind, and I am loving the time to myself.
Thank you Ryan for being SuperDad and Super Husband!  I don't thank you enough- Thank you for your support, your love and all the long day you put in for me!
You are the best, Pooks! XXOO

Valentine's Day 2012

Ryan and I had a lovely Valentine's day!

Over the weekend, (on Sunday) my parents met Ryan and I and the boys at the MOA.  Ryan and I had some major shopping to do and my parents wanted to take the kids to Lego Land and spend some time with the boys.

Ryan and I are on pins and needles still waiting to see in writing that the house in Woodbury is truly ours.  We are going nutzo! ;) The excitement is eating us alive... in a good way!  Anyways, the house we hope to be living in soon needs ALL new appliances- the last owners took everything but the dishwasher. 
Soooo.... CAN WE SAY A WIFE/MOMMAS/GIRLS dream come true is to get to pick out ALL NEW APPLIANCES?!!  Ok, well, it is surely mine!! I have spent many of hours researching them online, I have been to the stores a couple times to see them in person, read (probably) thousands of reviews, and hunted deals! :) 
We went on Sunday to order them all... Yep, oven/stove, hood, microwave, refrigerator/freezer, disposal, washer, dryer, and water heater.  It was so exciting to pick them out to fit our family, our needs and what we think will work for us for many years to come.  I love them, I think I really do. :)
Ryan was a real trooper, he stood smiling the whole time as I asked all the "dumb" questions, "tried" each one out one last time, and checked online to price match one last time before making final decisions. 

What a Valentine's day! We hope they will be delivered March 24th. Can't wait to use them all!

While Ryan and I were at Sears, my parents had a ball with the boys!  They played at LegoLand for a few hours!! And, when Ryan and I were done and met up with them, both boys were not overly thrilled to see us!
We went and had a little bit of a late lunch at the golden arches and the boys each got an ice cream cone too.  They were both a mess- sticky, tired, and full. :)

John eating his cone! Thanks Gamma! :)



CHEESE! Can we say MESS! ;)


On the actual Valentine's Day...
I was surprised to get a super cute (and of course romantic!) ;) card from Ryan with an arrangement of red roses and other flowers.  That was SO sweet, I thought he had gone way above and beyond at Sears a few days back... I love you Pooks!  You are my best friend, forever and for always - nothing will change that, we make such a great team. 
The boys got Valentine's from Nana and Papa AND a card in the mail from Gamma and Papa.  We are so blessed to have you in our lives. <3

Today was a BIG day!

On this day in history, John started his school career!
He went to visit St. Ambrose 12 days ago and has been back a couple times to drop off forms, pick up paper work etc. and I have had to carry him out of the building each time kicking and crying because he wants to stay and play with his friends, play in the muscle room, sing songs, read books and paaainntt! He has been looking forward to school in the worst way! :) 
He woke up this morning running around the basement very excited, but as the morning went on, the excitement dwindled.  He eat his egg whites, banana and milk as he told me he wanted to stay home with his brother and papa.  : /  He got dressed in his Valentine's outfit of red unders, (haha) red socks, and a red "work shirt" then boys took a few laps of the main level here at home while I taped up John's family picture. (I got a little wallet sized picture of our family, covered it in packing tape (cheapo way to laminate) so he could have his family with him at all times during the day)  As I loaded John up in the car, he was OK going to school.  I fought back the tears the whole way to St. Ambrose- it seemed like such a long drive!!  John called Ryan so Ryan could wish him a great first day of school.  I was surprised at his response when Ryan asked him what he was going to do today, "Me play toys, play with me friends, eat food, sing songs, me read books, lots of things daddy!!!"   As we drove into the parking lot, I went down the mom list, (share, use your manners, remember to go to the bathroom, ask the teachers if you need help....) Then, I said, "John, today I have 2 things I want you to do- 1. Make ONE new friend today.  2. Play with 2 new toys." John was quick to tell me, "Mom! There are lots and lots and lots and lots of friends at school!! AND TOOO many toys! Me play ALL DAY!"  Wonderful- just what I needed to hear! :)
We got to school, and I couldn't wipe his giddy smile off his face! :)  We took a few pictures, and as I went to give him a hug and kiss good-bye, he said, "No time mom! Tooo many toys to play!"
I drove home happy.  I was so excited for him, there is so much to explore and play with, friends to make and relationships to grow, self help skills that will be tested (to the max!) and long naps on school days! :) I am feeling so confident in our decision to send him for the last half of the year. 
When I got home, Papa and Stephen were just coming inside from being outside with Sabo.  SJ and I went downstairs, I cleaned up a bit, did dishes, and made lunch- Stephen played the whole time.  I can't tell you how different it is to only have one kid at home! WOW. I got so much done, I had a lovely lunch with SJ and then we went to walk around the mall and get John new shoes.  It was wonderful to not have to lug a double stroller, gear and a kid under each arm.  (lol- but true!)
We met Ryan at John's school for pick-up.  Ryan was really bummed he couldn't come with for the drop off this morning, but he made it so he had his lunch break at 2 for John's pick-up.  John was so happy to see us! We both got running hugs, kisses, "Me missed you!!" AND a Valentines card from John.  It was great.  Everyone of us felt so happy.  :) 
We got in the car and John ate a half of an apple, a string cheese and passed out. 

John standing at the front welcome desk  (Noah's Ark)
February 14, 2012



Hanging up his bag... clearly we need to get him a backpack still....




John with his teachers-
Ms. Tina, John and Ms. Shannon

 These are the pick-up pictures:

John and his mommy holding the valentine he made for Ryan and I! <3
I just can't get enough of this kid! :)

John and his proud daddy-
It was really special that Ryan came to pick up John at school on his first day.
<3 You are a lucky boy John! <3



I think it is safe to say he liked having the picture of us with him!
He said he played with Stevie at school! :) CUTE.



And this my friends, is what John looked like about 1 minute into our drive home!!!
He was SUPER tired!

Playdate at Tami's

A girlfriend friend of mine just built a dreamy new house in Blaine! I met Tami at ECFE when I had John there, we connected fast- we both had kids the same age, we were adjusting to life as a mom and our living situations were about to change! :) Tami traveled to countries (!!)  with her kids while her house was being built after their town home sold, her hubby stayed here in MN to work and now they are all together living a dream! ;)  Anyways! Another girlfriend, Jackie that I also met at ECFE and I went to Tami's for a play date. 
It was SUPER fun to chat with other moms about life; preschools, potty training, furnishing a home, remodeling (Jackie is about to put a big addition on her house!) etc.  the kids played, had lunch, and decorated cupcakes. 

Nolan, Piper, John, Emma, & Stephen 
(Josh was with his mommy)

Piper squished between the boys! :)

SJ lining up cars



I took this before Tami was ready.... But here is her new kitchen! :D



Stephen and his cupcake with a M&M in his mouth

Emma and her cupcake

Nolan and his cupcake- very proud!! :)



Josh figuring out his cupcake!



John and his cupcake

Thanks Tami for having us over! I love you house and hope to be back again soon! ;)