Happy Anniversary B and T!

Just wanted to do a shout out post Brian and Tracy

HAPPY 7th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY! Here is to another wonderful 70 years!!

Define a word...

I thought I would put this out there to see what other people think when they hear a word... I am going to do this once a week for a few weeks.... This week's word is:

COMPASSION

Please leave your response in the comments section

Happy 3rd Birthday Shelby and Avery...

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Wow! Three years old already! I mean seriously….remember when we were children…time used to drag on, but now being a mother myself it seems that I blink and years are gone….

Shelby has come so very far this past year. She has had some obstacles that she has taken full force and fought against full steam ahead and she is now reaping the rewards of her hard work at therapy. You would never know looking at her, the things that she struggles with on a daily basis. We are so proud of her. Rarely do we have to ‘translate’ what she is saying for most people anymore… in fact my dad even was able to completely understand the butt chewing he got on the phone the other day … We have begun potty training with her and honestly, she could care less…oh well each in their own time right? We are going to try and start getting her into a few more activities that get her away from mommy and Avery because we need for her to start being able to deal with stressful situations on her own, rather than coming to either of us to solve her problems for her. She has come so far that Mommy of course is scared to push too hard for fear of a backtrack in her previous progress. When Shelby had her development screening two weeks ago, she was at the top of her age range in everything… this is a HUGE improvement from where she was even 6 months ago (previously 6 months lacking in all development and 12 months lacking in speech), she still struggles in social situations, but that is all part of the SPD that we are helping her through…all in time…but when she gets comfortable look out because this sassy lil mite doesn’t slow down…even in sleep.

Avery has also come a long was this year. She has really blossomed into quite a little girly momma girl… she is the first to point out when she is listening (and when others arent’) and she has got peeing in the potty completely down (pooping…well not yet--- we are hoping the Elmo panties that she is getting for her birthday will be the motivation she needs to finish up). She is also Shelby’s supporter and #1 fan. Avery will gladly stand up for Shelby and defend her, even if Shelby isn’t always that nice to Avery. When she had her development screening she aced everything and is testing at a 43 months of age for everything but her ‘reading’ level (recognizing letters etc). She is getting so excited about getting to go to preschool next year that she talks about it all day long. She is very into imaginative play and loves playing dolls, and Barbies with Delainey.
What an amazing year it has been… here is to many more wonderful memories our darling precious girls! Mommy and Daddy love you so very much!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABIES!!!

Happy Birthday Uncle Michael

We want to take time to wish our special Uncle Happy Birthday.... Uncle Michael shares a birthday with Shelby and Avery.... funny story about that.

When we learned we were having twins our perinatologist told us to prepare for a premature arrival of our twins (because of our history with pregnancy induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia and also just because of the multiple birth) the first words out of my mouth were... "Please not on Michael's birthday".... not because we didn't want our children to share a birthday with Mike but because Delainey already shared a birthday with Chad's grandmother, my cousin, (and now her twin cousins as well) but because Michael's birthday is the day after Christmas....

Guess I should have kept my mouth shut huh?? ha!

Anyways....

Happy Birthday Michael! We love you!!!...

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Dear Me

My family and I are fully aware of the fact that the reason for the season is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.... I believe that the song that plays on our blog probably also shows that....

I believe my 5 year old says it best "Christmas is all about Jesus' birthday... he just gets a much bigger party then the rest of us"....

Define a word...

I thought I would put this out there to see what other people think when they hear a word... I am going to do this once a week for a few weeks.... This week's word is:

FRIENDSHIP

Please leave your response in the comments section :)

Our attempt at a visit to Santa....

Our mission for the day was to go and visit Santa at the mall and get a picture. We started out with everyone super excited…even Shelby. We took baths, washed hair, and got all dressed up nice pretty and handsome. We got to the mall and sadly we had to wait for 20 minutes before the Jolly Ole’ Soul himself arrived.

During this time the anxiety started to spark…even for Delainey. I should have known better than to get there that early but we went early anyways. So by the time Santa showed up the girls were excited but scared at the same time. As you can see from the pictures it took some negotiations but we got some pictures… to bad no one is looking at the camera
Merry Christmas!

3 out of 4 isn't bad....*best one*

ummm yea....

Look at B's lip in this one.... last one Brody was in...

Santa trying to talk to Delainey... *this is one of my favorites...*

Santa trying to get Delainey NOT to continue to cry... Avery can't look anymore and Shelby looks like she is going to throw up.... MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Ha!

PS, sorry if you saw this post before it was finished.... our computer froze last night and apparently posted the message without us knowing :)

Isn't it funny that as parents WE DO THIS to our children... LOL My kids had no real interest in going to see Santa, but we talked it up... ha!

SIGH....

Wow... I can't believe that 'it' is over...

Finals are finished, grades are posted and I can officially say that I am a college graduate. I have earned both my Associate of Arts and also my Associate of Applied Science in Human Services from Bismarck State College.

There are so many emotions going through me right now that I can't even process them all right now.

But long story short..... WOOOOO FREAKING HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Worldwide Candle Lighting

Today is a day of rememberance... today is a day for families who have lost a child to be able to mourn properly without the stigma of having to 'act' like everything is fine and that life is other peoples definition of 'normal'.

For families who have lost a child, their lives will NEVER be 'normal' again. They have to learn to 'deal' with their new lives without their child(ren).

So tonight at 7pm, please light a candle for all the families who have lost a child... and say a little prayer for them all.

So hug your children a little bit tighter tonight and always remember to say I LOVE YOU...

Date Night!!!

Chad and I will be going with our friends for a date night!!! We are both so excited! It has been so long since we have been able to go out with friends and just have a nice time. We will be going out for dinner and then to "The Christmas Story" play that is being put on in town... any of you who know Chad KNOW that the Christmas Story is a main part of our lives during the holidays... we HAVE to watch it over and over again...heck...even the KIDS ask to watch it now :)

Hello... my name is Kristin, and I am the FAT friend.... why can't I be the 'pretty' friend (ok, don't want to be the pretty one), or the funny friend, heck at this point I'd even take the 'crabby' friend over the FAT friend...

This has been something that I have been working on 'saying' out loud for awhile.... several of my friends have gotten healthy (and skinny) in the past few years and I am so happy for them. In fact two of my friends have come so far that everytime I look at them or see them I am in awe of them!

These two friends are also a lot of my inspiration... I keep thinking, if they did it I can too... Right?!?!

Here's hoping that I can get and keep the motivation to get myself healthy...after all 2 more years to 30, and I have PROMISED myself a tummy tuck and a breast reduction/lift for my 30th birthday... just need to lose ALOT of weight first

Week 2 Weightloss Challenge

3.5 pounds down!! Woohoo! I am almost postive that it would have been more, but I ate ALOT of salty foods last night at my moms club mno.

I still haven't been able to hit the gym, but with my daycare child being done at the end of the month I will be hitting the gym hard in 2009. I am going to concentrate mainly on getting my eating in check in the next few weeks, but other than that I don't really have time for much else.

I have decided not to set a goal for next week, because I tend to get discouraged if I don't mke goal... so my goal is to continue with eating healthy and drinking my water...

Good luck everyone!!! Keep you the hard work!!

Twas the Night Before Christmas--- Mom Style

My friend Jeanna posted this on her blog...and well I HAD to steal it :) ENJOY!!!

Twas the Night Before Christmas...Mom Style
© By Catherine Cornell

Twas the night before Christmas,when all through the abode,
Only one creature was stirring,she was cleaning the commode.
The children were sleeping, all snug in their beds,
While visions of X-box 360 and IPODS flipped through their heads.
Dad was snoring in front of the family TV
With a half-constructed bike propped up on his knee.
So only Mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
Which made her sigh, 'Now what's the matter?'
With toilet brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs and saw an old man
All covered with soot, which fell with a shrug
'Oh great,' muttered Mom, 'now I have to clean up the rug.
''Ho! Ho! Ho!' cried Santa, 'I'm glad you're awake---
My gift to you was especially difficult to make.
''Thanks Santa, but all I want is time alone.
''Exactly!' he chuckled, 'so I've made you a clone.''
A clone?' she muttered. 'What good is that?'
Now run along Santa, I've no time to chat.'
Then out walked the clone, the dear mother's twin,
Same hair and same eyes, the same double chin.'
She'll cook and she'll dust, she'll mop every mess,
You'll relax, take it easy, watch the Young and Restless.'
'Fantastic!' mom cheered, 'My dream has come true!
''I'll shop and I'll read and I'll sleep the night through!'
From the room up above, the youngest did fret.
'Mommy come quickly----I'm scared and I'm wet!'The clone replied, 'I'm coming sweetheart.''WOW!' the mom smiled.
'She sure knows her part.'The clone changed the small one and sung him a tune
As she bundled him up in a blanket cocoon.
'You're the best mommy ever---I really love you!'
The clone smiled and said, 'I love you too!'
The real mom frowned and said 'Santa , no deal!
0That's my baby's love that she's trying to steal.'
Smiling wisely Santa said, 'To me it's so clear,Only one loving mother is needed right here.'The mom kissed her child and tucked him in bed,
'Thank you so much, dear Santa, for clearing my head',Knowing time goes too fast ,and it won't be too long,That her children will no longer need her cradle nor song,
The clock on the mantle then began to chime;Santa whispered to the clone,
'It works every time.'And with the clone at his side,
Santa said,' GoodnightMerry Christmas, dear mom, you will be all right!'

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

My best friend's brother and sister-in-law have been waiting for a travel date to go and pick up their son (they are adopting) and they were given it...with less than 7 days notice!! Well they left Saturday and we already have a picture of my friend's brother with his SON!!! We are over the moon happy for them and the emotions are just flooding everyone...even Chad

So Congratulations on being a family C, A and A!!!

Happy Birthday Brody...

I can not believe that our baby boy is one year old already… I mean wow! I know that when we first learned we were pregnant with him that we went through some interesting emotions (we were told after the twins that we shouldn’t have any more biological children because the medical condition I developed during our pregnancy with them can get worse earlier in additional pregnancies), nevermind the complete shell shock of getting pregnant all by ourselves… but we got over the shock and fear very quickly… that was until we learned that our pregnancy was going to be a set of identical twins…then again the few hit me (twelve fold…) and just as we had become ‘ok’ with that and had realized we would now have to drive a small bus, our twin pregnancy was over. Thankfully Brody stuck and now we have the most amazing little boy that any family could ever want.


He is the happiest baby that I have ever known, in fact Chad often says “are you sure he is ours, because that kid is too damn happy to belong in this family”…


He is currently crawling and climbing all over EVERYTHING… he has absolutely no desire to walk and often when we attempt to stand him up, he gently and gracefully sits down… He has developed this ‘delight’ scream that can peel paint, but this is often reserved for when Shelby is showing her little brother just a BIT too much love… He is still a peanut and is under 20lbs and is only 26 ½ inches tall, but what can I say, we grow midgets in this house--- well except for Delainey who is already up to my chest, must have been the formula ;)


He doesn’t have a check up until into January, so I will have to give you a better follow up on that then, but until then this little look into the past year will have to do… enjoy!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL BOY!!! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

Brody hours after birth...12/4/07

First Professional pictures 12/26/07

First smile 1/16/08

Not so sure about the Vikings... February 2008

Favorite onesie from his godparents March 2008

Look at those rolls...seriously April 2008

First sucker with Daddy May 2008

Mommy pretending she can take pictures June 2008

Professional Pictures July 2008

Such a happy baby... August 2008

Brody at Sesame stree Live September 2008

Brody and his 'girl'... October 2008
ANGELA DID IT!!! LOL

I forgot to take a picture of him on Halloween so this was taken 11/04/08 11 months

Isn't Melissa completely talented!!! 12 months

And that my friends is our precious baby boy's first year... it went way to fast.... Time for another one.... oh wait NOT!!!!!!!!!!

Week One of Challenge

Well today is the first weigh in day... all I can say is WOW OUCH and OMFG!!!!



I refuse to type what I weigh right now, it is just disgusting and if I needed anymore motivation I have it that is for certain. I have written my weight in my journal, and hopefully next week I will be able to at least post a weight loss.



I have still not been able to make it to the Y, but at least my eating habits are healthier... in fact I was proud of myself earlier when I resisted the second cup of sugar/creamer laden coffee and grabbed another glass of water.



My goal is to drink at least 120 oz of water each day. I know that it more than the 'suggested' but I can't help but get the comment my perinatologist told me when I was pregnant with Shelby and Avery and having to be admitted (several times) for dehyration and that is you SHOULD drink your body weight in ounces of water each day... NOT pregnant... so I am slowly building up my tolerance... lol Guess peeing all day long is my other punishment for being fat... ha!



Good luck everyone!

Kristin

What a day...

This evening as I was leaving to go to my PC meeting for Delainey's school, I noticed Chad outside by his truck looking rather unhappy... when I came out side I was informed (not so pleasently) that someone had hit Chad's truck....and continued driving.

Not only is Chad's truck now missing the driver's side mirror, but it got pushed a bit as well... there doesn't seem to be any body damange aside from the mirror, but Chad is almost certain there are going to be some 'drive' problems. Since it was dark he didn't want to take to much time to inspect the damage to the drivability, but he is pretty certain... Nice huh??

On a happier note, today was my first day of my holiday weightloss challange. I didn't weigh myself because I want to stay on "Wednesdays" as the group suggests, but I did really well with my eating today and I totally vamped up my water intake.... next step actually MAKING it to the Y... Here's hoping right...

Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans Challenge

My good friend Melissa is a co-author of the blog www.shrinkingjeans.net and I noticed that they had set up a holiday challenge and after having stepped on the scale yesterday I realized that I most certainly need the motivation and support of this group.

I am also planning on going BACK to Weight Watchers after the holidays-- only waiting until then because once the 1st of the year comes around they normally have a no registration fee set up.

So tomorrow starts the challenge... wish me luck! I certainly need it!

Hello...

My name is Kristin and I am a Twilight addict...

Laugh if you must, but I have been completely sucked into this craziness... Remeber awhile back when Avery needed the ER visit for the gash in her forehead? Yep...super mom was reading the Twilight book-- actually I think I was on Eclipse at that point...-- you see I read the entire series in only 5 days... that is over 2, 000 of reading in 5 days... now you see why my kid needed a visit to the ER...

Well anyways... it dawned on me today as I was reading a friend's post to me on facebook that I may possibly have a problem...

You see I went to see the Twilight movie the second night it opened (A friend's foster daughter "needed" ---HEY it's my story... lol-- someone to go with her), and then this past Friday I went with some of my MOMS Club friends, and then today I went with my friend E... well anways back to my story... Melissa made the comment that she knew who to call when her husband comes back to town so she'd have someone to go with...and I actually replied with "HECK YEA CALL ME"....

Seriously people... it is a sickness...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DELAINEY!!!

Delainey less than one day old...this picture was taken our first night in the hospital..




Delainey 1 year...

Delainey -2

Delainey -3

Delainey -4

Delainey -5

I can not believe that my 'baby" girl is 5 years old already. Wow! I can not wrap my mind around that fact just yet... I am hoping that it is because it is still early :)

Delainey had brought so much joy to our lives and from the second she was born I couldn't imagine my life without her. She has brought so much healing and peace to our family...you can't even begin to imagine.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DELAINEY!!! We love you sweetheart!

Things I am thankful for part 5...

last but certainly not least.... I am thankful for my family... ALL OF THEM *yes even my husband ;) *.... My family is my life and they complete me in a way that I never knew that I wanted or needed. My life would have absolutely no meaning without them...

I am also thankful for my extended family and my friends as well. As an only child * I do have 1/2 siblings but was not raised with them etc* I did not understand what it meant to have a sibling, but thanks to Chad being generous enough to share this brothers and their wives with me I understand what family is really about... and honestly it is because of Chad and his relationship with his brothers that I KNEW we had to have more than one child. Obviously there are always tiffs and misunderstandings, but those 'boys' have always come back together in the end and shown me what TRUE family is all about...even if there is some drama involved. THANK YOU BRIAN,TRACY, MICHAEL, and KRISTIE... I am forever thankful for you all.... THANK YOU.

I am thankful that we have found wonderful people who are willing to take care of our children in the event that something would happen to Chad and I. Chad and I know that this couple is the best choice for our children... we KNOW that they already love our children like their own, and we are grateful so very much for the fact that they are willing to take all four so that our children can remain together... They of course will have to purchase a MUCH bigger car... but again... so very thankful for Brian and Tracy! We love you guys more than you will ever know!!

This post could go on forever, so I will cut it short and just say that there is so much that I am thankful for....

Things I am thankful for part 4

MY FREEDOM...

I am so thankful that I live in a country where I can be what I want to be, say what I want to say, and most important believe what I want to believe.

I am also thankful for the men and women who have given their lives for my freedom... Thank you...

Things I am thankful for...part 3

GENEROSITY of others...

In todays world we rarely see this, but when we do it just makes my heart sing with joy. Because of the generosity of others (especially this time of year) people are able to do things that they normally wouldn't, such as have a nice meal, buy their children toys/clothes, spend time with family.

So for that I am thankful!

Things I am thankful for part 2

I am thankful for my children's giggles...

life is so very hectic so often that I hardly can keep my head on straight but the sound of their laughter makes the clouds go away and the world seem so much better....

Things I'm Thankful for...

My good friend Jeanna came up with the idea that with Thanksgiving being this week that she was going to post something each day that she was thankful for... and you know me, when I see an awesome idea I have to borrow it :) So here goes....

I am thankful for my sense of smell....

I know this probably sounds like an odd thing to be thankful for, but honestly... if I didn't have a sense of smell, how would I know how wonderful my children smell fresh out of the tub (Oh... admit it...that is one of your favorite smells)...

Or the smell of my coffee when my husband remembers to turn the pot on when he wakes up...

There are just so many amazing things in this world that come from a sense of smell...

Delainey...

We went to Delainey's teacher's conference last night (it was rescheduled due to the blizzard a few weeks ago) and we are very proud of her. Her teacher is unable to write any 'goals' for her because she has already met all the goals of the Head Start program to be able to go to Kindergarten (she did this last year, but we decided to let her have another year of preschool for social/emotional reasons). The ONLY complaint that the teacher or us had was that Delainey never smiles in pictures that the teacher takes.... Except of course the one above

Way to go Delainey.... We are so Proud of you sweetie pie!!!

53 As a 1930s wife, I am Average Take the test!

Honestly... I am not shocked by this score.... over all as a housewife etc... I SUCK!!! Especially when it comes to some of the questions...

Thanks Pam for making me aware of this quiz! It was fun...

Priceless

Cost of photographer $ Thankfully not what she is REALLY WORTH ---EMILY YOU ROCK THANK YOU!!!
Cost of white shirts for 13 in November $200+
Cost of sanity for parents of 7 kids 4 and under $too much to figure
Seeing the looks on the faces of your parents when they see a picture of their 3 boys, their wives and their 7 grandchildren all in one photo.... PRICELESS!!!

This past weekend we were in the Twin Cities for my father-in-law's 60th birthday.... His gift from us (all the kids) was a family photo session. Mike recieved family photos of each of his boys and their families, a photo of 'just' the grandkids and then a photo of all of us (13 people...WOW). HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!! We love you!!!

Addressing a Comment from a previous post

"Reading your posts makes me wonder WHY you voted for Obama. Are you sure
you're not a Republican??"

This is an interesting statement to me... at first when I say this comment in my in-box (we moderate our comments on our blog so we get to see them prior to their showing up on our blog) and the first words out of my mouth literally were "Ummm... HELLO?!?!"...

First and formost, I guess I am curious to ask this person (who did not sign their name, but I felt that the commnet should be posted--even though we have strict policy RE: ann comments) who ever said that I was a Democrat?? I know plenty of "Republicans" that voted for President-Elect Obama.... how do you know that I am not one of them???

Secondly...what makes you say that you think I am a Republican?

But to set the record straight... I am technically an independent...because frankly, I'm too right to be left and WAY to left to be right... I do not vote party lines, I vote for the canidate that I feel is the best for the job depending on my options... I'll even admit it, I voted for George W. Bush-- the first time... shhhhhhhhhhh don't tell my sister-in-law LOL

I hope that the previous comment poster will respond to my questions... I really do.

Thank you--
Kristin

Happy Birthday Uncle Brian...

The girls have a special message for their favorite
Uncle Brian... this guys certainly hangs the moon
when it comes to these girls--- especially Delainey.

Happy Birthday Brian! We love you and hope you
have a great day!!

Chad, Kristin, Delainey, Shelby, Avery and Brody

Dang Bliazzard...

North Dakota is in the mist of a wonderful Winter Storm...well actually it is pretty much over, we are now just having to deal with the mess of it.... but this storm not only made today be a no school day, it also made it so that my friend Melissa who took our family pictures last week unable to deliver the CD to my house so I could see the pictures.... I think I may just die if she doesn't get the CD to me before she leaves North Dakota on her vacation.....

I of course am just playing with Melissa... she rocks and I just can't wait to share her wonderful photography skills with you!!!

--- thanks again Melissa! I KNOW we have found our NEW FAVORITE photographer... although I am scared now that you are getting so popular... I may not be able to afford you much longer ;)

mini-vent

I know that I am probably going to get a lot of comments on this blog entry (and as long as you leave your name your comments WILL BE POSTED) but since it is my blog I feel that I am allowed to share it... if you don't like what I have to say, either respond or quit reading...your choice!

First and foremost.....YES I voted for Barack Obama...YES I am proud of my vote.... YES if that choice was a bad one, then I will accept responsiblity for my actions (nevermind I am from North Dakota, and ND voted for John McCain with our electorial votes...which means technically my vote didn't count)...but there are a few things that I need to get off my chest... I was hoping to not have to go here, but frankly an inbox full of "I'll pray for you"the past few days pushed me over the edge... while I appreciate the prayers... I am sure that there are other pressing matters that could use your prayers other then the fact that I voted for Barack Obama....

That being said, I am going to lay it all down for you:

The President is just a public figure/face.... he can not do anything without the consent of Congress other than declare war, and even then that is only for 90 days. Gun control is not likely to change because Barack Obama is our President-Elect. Abortion... we have had several Republican Presidents since the passing of Roe vs. Wade, and well... still legal (even if you don't agree with it)...

Both of the topics that I brought up are often referred to as "hot button" issues... and after 3 days of recieving the rants of others on those button issues I have had it, so here is my response... hopefully it is as respectful on 'paper' as it was in my head ;)

First and foremost....Guns and Gun Control... as a parent I believe that there should be rules to being able to obtain a gun and I also think these requirements should be strict. Does this mean that I think people shouldn't be allowed to go hunting... NO, Does this mean that I don't think parents should teach their children gun safety... MOST CERTAIN NOT! I think that those who are responsible enough to take the PROPER measures to get a gun should be allowed to have them....as long as they are careful... It all comes down to this statement GUNS DON'T KILL PEOPLE....PEOPLE DO...I would talk more on this topic but honestly... that is where my knowledge of this subject ends

Secondly...abortion. Personally, I think it is not the best idea for anyone. I do not feel that women go into that choice lightly. I have heard from certain groups that organizations like Planned Parenthood 'target' poor, uneducated women when 'offering' their services because they offer them 'fool prool' birth control and then when they end up pregnant they offer the service of abortion...because apparently Planned Parenthood makes their money off of abortion procedures rather than off of family planning methods... NEWSFLASH.... THE ONLY FOOL PROOF METHOD OF BIRTH CONTROL IS ABSTINENCE PEOPLE!!! Trust me I know...but I am also not going to be so naive to teach my children that abstinence is the only option...pretty sure that Jamie Lynn Spears and Bristol Palin are good examples of that... being where we are at with the world we live in today getting pregnant and having a baby is the LEAST of our children's worries *but that is another blog post*

People need to be responsible for their own actions...if a couple had sex and got pregnant when not 'planning' on it, then THEY (not just SHE) needs to do the research and find out the best solution for their 'problem'... do I think that abortion should be at the top of that list?!?!? Most certainly not... there are plenty of families in our country alone who are waiting to be matched with a child through adoption...(this of course is what I think is the BEST choice), there are of course other options such as keeping the child and raising it her/themselves, and also 'that' other choice that I don't really want to talk about...

There is also another statistic out that about Planned Parenthood and that is that since 1970 they have killed 17 million African American children by means of abortion....when actually Planned Parenthood has performed 50 million abortions (that is a VERY SCARY NUMBER TO ME) over all...shouldn't THAT be the number that our country is worried about?!?! I mean come on people...how is THAT not racism if you are only worried about 'one section' of the population... Was Bill Clintion harassed because the abortion rate among white people when he was first elected to office. (this is the CDC website and therefor shouldn't be bias one way or the other)...

Long story short... what I am saying it all comes down to accountability and responsiblity... Both of which apply to both of the hot topic issues... if you are responsible with guns...then I don't care... and if you are being responsible when it comes to your 'reproduction' then again... this issue doesn't matter to me...

Long story short... YES I VOTED FOR BARACK OBAMA AND I AM PROUD OF IT!!!! I am glad that we live in a country where we are able to vote and more or less have our voices heard... Congratulations everyone on being part of a history making election...it would have been historic as well if the McCain/Palin camp had won as well....

But remember what many of you have told me for the last 8 years...."He is the President, you don't have to like him, but you do have to respect him"... it will be hard for you-- trust me again I know... but you will learn GREAT things out of it...

Thanks-
Kristin

PS, please feel free to post your comments in the comments section or if you'd like to contact me directly you can do so @ kckrumwiede@bis.midco.net THANK YOU!!!

Happy 11 Month birthday sweetie pie....(yesterday)

I can not believe that Brody is already 11 months old.... the time has gone far to fast... I ALMOST could think about another one... (ummm must be a good day LOL).... He is changing so much every day. He is currently 19lbs and 26 1/2 inches.... what can I say... Chad and I make cute LITTLE babies .... lol

His birthday month collage is coming up, I just have to get new battaries for the camera so that I can transfer the pictures from the camera....until then this picture taken by my totally talented friend Melissa will have to do :)

Six by Three Meme....

I have been tagged by Pam So here goes...

Six things I value:
1. my family
2.my friends
3.my freedom
4.my health
5.my faith
6. the ability to be honest...

Six Things I do Not Support:
1. lying
2. judgemental people
3.close mindedness
4.hate
5.two-facedness
6. mean people in general...

Six People I Tag:
1. Angela
2. Melissa
3. Jeanna
4. Dawn
5. Heather
6.Megan-- if if you don't have a blog you can respond in the comments section

YES WE CAN....OH WAIT....WE DID!!!!!

Congratulations to Barack Obama and the country as a whole.....THANK YOU AMERICA!!!

YES WE CAN....YES WE CAN!!!!

This is a SHOUT OUT FOR SOME PEACE ~ ~ THANK YOU HEATHER~~

This blog post was posted on Heather's and I know that she won't mind me borrowing it. Even though Heather and I have never met for real (we met through am adoption message board) she and I are an awful alot alike.... Thanks for letting me borrow your post sweetie!!

Tomorrow is the day. And even in my excitement and awe that our nation is so close to electing this man who has given hope to so many people, I can't let go of the nagging dread of what will follow. More hate, more emails, more false accusations. Threats. Fear. Anger. Hate. I have tried to be respectful throughout this whole process, and keep the tension down from my end, but it is hard not to be defensive. I am not a socialist, and I'm not brainwashed. I won't go through all the reasons why I voted (yep, I wimped out before the big day) for who I did, because I think by now we have all made our choices. I just want anyone who reads this, Democrat, Republican, black, white, stranger, friend, or frenemy to consider that no matter who wins, we have to somehow find a way to come together. We are still neighbors, friends and relatives. I don't mean to be going all kumbaya on y'all... I know that if my chosen candidate doesn't get elected, it will sting. And if he does, it will, in some people's minds, be terrible. For me, I will be dancing in my living room at 3 am, but I know there are many who will be in despair. All I have been hearing for the past 8 years is "you don't have to like our president, but you should respect him". The people who have said that most likely do not support my candidate, so I wonder if that will be the case should he be elected? Does that only apply if the current president is who you chose? If McCain is elected to become our next prez, okay, I will think it sucks. I won't be happy. I may make comments like that he is older than the bendy straw. And if Obama wins, you can make fun of his ears. But I will not go around spreading true hate and anger, I won't. Not even if I think it would feel good. A little sarcasm and snarkiness, maybe, but I won't hate on him. I won't make up stories about him having a love child with Liz Taylor. (Although, click here for that story!)

As if my nagging feeling weren't annoying enough, now I come home from a lovely dinner at my in-laws with more news. My mother in law, who works the polls, bless her, told me that some people are advising parents to keep their kids out of school on Wednesday. It seems that if Obama wins, the black kids are going to go ballistic. And if Obama loses, the black kids are going to go ballistic. Wow. We were both amazed that it's like that here. Some counties aren't letting kids bring book bags to school this week. I'm sorry, I know it's an extremely important time in our history, but really? Is it still this way, really? How very sad.

I guess this is it. Be excited for your candidate. Be disappointed, even pissed off for a while if they don't win. But then get over it and look at our President and say, "Okay, man. I didn't choose you, but here you are. What's it gonna be?" Because spreading hate and anger are not going to do anything positive for our country. They just won't. Think about these people. They all have families that love them, no matter if you agree with them or not. I have heard some scary things in the last few days, and I can't even type it. It makes me sick. I need someone to tell me, from both sides, that you are thinking this way, too. Someone who is not voting with me to meet me halfway and let me know that either way, we are sticking together. I love this country, and I want so much to feel like we are all connected. I don't want to be disillusioned by the negativity that we are facing.

Let's just DO THIS THING.So, who's with me? Anyone?

Happy Birthday Auntie Tracy!!!

Novemeber is the start of the 'birthday' month!
We want to wish Auntie Tracy (ok, so she is the kids
aunt not mine) a Happy Birthday! We love you Tracy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

Happy birthday to me,
Happy birthday to me,
Happy Birthday dear MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Happy Birthday to me!!!!

This year my friend and I are the same age....well unless of course she finally decides to NOT turn 28 again... LOL Although, if she has decided NOT to age....then I feel that it is my responsiblity to celebrate being 27 again so that I can remain the "youngest" of our circle of friends!

Have happy and safe Halloween everyone!!!

PS, thank you all so much for the wonderful birthday cards, emails and messages! You all rock

MVMOMS Club Halloween Party

Here are the kids (and I) in their costumes before we left tonight... Delainey is a witch, Shelby and Avery are Pumpkin Fairies and Brody is himself.... a monkey... LOL

Chad, the kids, and I went to my MVMOMS Club Halloween Party tonight! It was a blast! The kids had soooo much fun, and came home and crashed (in spite of all the candy)... A very special THANK YOU to the wonderful Halloween Party Committee, Kim, Mae, Nicole and Rachel... YOU GALS ROCK!!!

Space heater 1, Avery 0

BEFORE THE ER

AFTER THE ER

Avery and Shelby were having a lot of fun this afternoon, and were chasing each other around the living room...well Shelby tripped (big shock I know) and took Avery out with her.... well Avery went face first into the space heater.... So...Avery is now the proud owner of a war wound and a pretty good shiner... :)

Thanks Dustin for the medical advice today!!

YAY DELAINEY!!!

As many of you know, Delainey was in her third session of swimming lessons, (we took the summer off since we lived at the pool the way it was) and she has PASSED PIKE, and is now an EEL at the YMCA!!! We are so proud of you Lainey Bainey!!!! Way to go pumpkin head!!!! WOOHOO!!!!

min-vent

Awhile a go I joined a group that was is supposed to be a support group. It is a wonderful group of ladies, and I have met so many wonderful friend through the group, but I am really starting to stuggle with even wanting to be a part of the group....

It seems like I let it consume so much of my time and I let this 'support group' (not really lately) get to me on so many aspects of my life. It seems like that no matter what I do I can never make the group as a whole happy and I often end up where I am right now....wanting to run in the complete opposite direction.

I wish that there was an 'easy' way for me to just step back, but because I love to be involved I am almost 'too involved' to step away.... no matter the toll that it is taking on my personal life or sanity.... so as I have learned the past few years...guess I just have to suck it up right....

Prayer requests...

In 2004 I joined an online support board for women who were struggling with TTC, because of this board I formed wonderful friendships with a small group of ladies...these 5 ladies and myself have remained in contact over the years. We have gone on to TTC those babies, and some (all of us in fact) have gone on to have another successful pregnancy as well.
Today I recieved some news that one of these friends is in need of some prayers. I myself do not know the details of the prayer request, but I was informed that this friend is in need of prayers and that is all that matter to me, so please pray for my dear friend and her family....


I also have a very good friend locally, who's family has been going through alot lately... if you could also say a prayer for them, that would be wonderful!!


Thank you-
Kristin

Fall/Winter Tastefully Simple

Delainey and her class...

A few weeks ago, Delainey and her preschool class went to the Pumpkin Patch (as do many of the school children here) and her teachers took some great pictures! This is absolutely MY FAVORITE.... The little boy pushing the cart is Delainey "special friend'.... :) You've got to love young love... LOL..apparently he told her today on the bus, that when he gets his own car he will drive her to school :)

I think I need my head examined...

Those who know me know that I like to keep busy with outside activities (meaning outside of my home) but I think I may have pushed myself to the breaking point. Here is my new 'schedule' of commitments:

Internship roughly 10 hours/week
MOMS Club (board member)
MVMOMS (committee member)
Policy Coucil for Delainey's school (committee member)
Tastefully Simple (roughly 1 party/week)
Full time daycare provider
full time college student.
Never mind all the 'other' stuff that I 'should' be doing around this house....

After looking at that list, no wonder my house looks like a bomb went off in the living room....

wow...

Papa's Pumpkin Patch

We went to Papa's Pumpkin patch with our MOMS Club (not Mother's of Multiples) last week... I was able to get ONE good picture of all four of my kiddos together....and even that was VERY HARD WORK!!!! so this looks like it folks... gone are the days of 'simple' photos...

Brody is 10 months old (belated post)

Hey there everyone!!! Just a little update on the B-Man. He turned 10 months old on Saturday. I can not believe HOW FAST it is going.... I mean seriously where did my baby boy go?? Gone are the days of sitting him down and walking away (not that we did that often with his three VERY helpful big sisters) and knowing he'd be there when we got back. This month has been one of MANY milestones for Brody. He has gotten is first AND second tooth (bottom centers), he has also started like 'real' food. Don't give this boy baby food...he wants to chew dang it!! His favorites are currently oatmeal and cooked carrots (not pureed), he has also started crawling for real as well as pulling himself to a standing position (mostly in his crib), he can get himself ALMOST to a stand position with some of the furniture, but as in our family we have another short one ;)

I can't believe his birthday is just around the corner.... it really does go to fast!!!

I WANT THE TRUTH!!!!

It has been passed around the internet that Obama has said "My Muslim Faith"...well for those of you who want to know the TRUTH...here is that whole section of the interview. Remember people, you need to be the judge of what is the WHOLE TRUTH...even if YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!

HAPPY 10 MONTH BIRTHDAY BRODY!!!

Just a quick shout out post to our precious baby boy, who turned 10 months old today! Look for his picture collage post as soon as I get it done!!!

Don't vote....unless

CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO!!! IT IS COMPLETELY IMPORTANT!!!

http://perezhilton.com/tv/index.php?ptvid=7756ee5463c41

Saturday Night Live....

Correction to An Eye Opener...

An Anonymous commenter (which we do not normally allow on our blog) brought to our attention that I have the wrote 'author' in this post. It seems that while this message has been sent around by email, it has been changed from it's original writer. The original writer is in fact Craig R Smith, and the link to HIS article can be found at http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53028 I apologize for the error in my post and for not fully researching my topic before posting about it....

The Krumwiede Six

PS, please sign your name when leaving a comment anonymously please, we do not allow anonymous comments on the blog because of past problems. Thank you

An emotional cross roads...(a little deep for some)

For years, I have been listening to people talk about being pro-life, pro-choice, pro-abortion. Being me and who I am, I have never thought it was my right to make a choice for someone else what he/she should do... In high school I always talked about how I was pro-choice. My grandmother (a devote Catholic) said that once I became a mother, I would feel different....when my first child was born I didn't feel any different about my 'feelings' on the subject, in fact the birth of our first child made me an even greater advocate for being pro-choice....nor after the birth of my other children did my feelings change of it...I was proud to be pro-choice. In fact my son actually has a t-shirt that says "Now that I'm safe, I'm pro-choice".

But lately I have been reexamining my feelings on this subject... I don't know where I stand 'almost'... I mean the mother in me wants to scream from the mountains tops that they are killing babies, the feminist in me wants to scream "no one should tell another person what to do with their body'.... but it all comes back to that innocent baby... a baby who if placed for adoption would easily have a wonderful and happy home, with loving parents (and possibly siblings). When Chad and I suffered through multiple miscarriages, I mourned those children...they were MY CHILDREN...I was crushed every time that our pregnancy ended...to the point that Chad and I didn't even want to try any longer...the pain was just too great. Month after month it would be the same, joy, excitement and then a few weeks later the grief, the anger, the pain...oh my goodness the pain.

Another thing that I don't understand though is that IF life begins at conception, then why can a hospital tell a mother/father/family that if their child is born prior to a certain gestation, or under a certain weight that there is nothing they can do for that child.... People lose children every day because of these types of 'rulings'... where are the pro-life activists there?!?! You don't seem them picketing the Level III NICUs saying "Let that baby live"....

So that my friends, is your food for thought....

An Eye opener....from Jay Leno

No matter what your political convictions are this is eye opener. Jay Leno wrote this; it's the Jay Leno we don't often see....

'As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark. The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started think ing, 'What are we so unhappy about?' Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year? Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy. Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.
I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an eco nomy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander-in- chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take alook around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it.The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. ;The y didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ' 'general' discharge, an other-than-honorable' discharge or,worst case scenario, a'dishonorable' discharge after a few days in the brig. So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news.Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane! ;Tur n off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'' Jay Leno

Reason to Believe

Choose to Unite

American Prayer...

Another damn recall...

Thanks to a friend to a friend today, I was informed that Brody's crib has been recalled. Thankfully as of this point there have been no injuries reported. BUT... this is going to add some stress to a week/weekend that didn't need any help as now we have to take down Brody's crib, return it to the store and hopefully find another one.... ARGH!!!

Why WOMEN need to vote...

THIS IS MOVING. MANY OF US DON'T KNOW THE WHOLE STORY...LET'S NOT FORGET...... WHY WOMEN SHOULD VOTEThis is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers; they lived only 90 years ago.

Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote

The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed nonetheless for picketing the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote.

(Lucy Burns)

And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of 'obstructing sidewalk traffic'. They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air.

(Dora Lewis)

They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917, when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote. For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms.
(Alice Paul)

When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/suffrage/nwp/prisoners.pdf

So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because--why, xactly? We have carpool duties? We have to get to work? Our vote doesn't matter? It's raining?

Last week, I went to a sparsely attended screening of HBO's new movie 'Iron Jawed Angels'. It is a graphic depiction of the battle these women waged so that I could pull the curtain at the polling booth and have my say. I am ashamed to say I needed the reminder.

All these years later, voter registration is still my passion. But the actual act of voting had become less personal for me, more rote. Frankly, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege. Sometimes it was inconvenient.

My friend Wendy, who is my age and studied women's history, saw the HBO movie, too. When she stopped by my desk to talk about it, she looked angry. She was--with herself. 'One thought kept coming back to me as I watched that movie,' she said. 'What would those women think of the way I use, or don't use, my right to vote? All of us take it for granted now, not just younger women, but those of us who did seek to learn.' The right to vote, she said, had become valuable to her 'all over again.'

HBO released the movie on video and DVD . I wish all history, social studies and government teachers would include the movie in their curriculum I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere else women gather. I realize this isn't our usual idea of socializing, but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think a little shock therapy is in order.

It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn't make her crazy. The doctor admonished the men: 'Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.'

Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know. We need to get out and vote and use this right that was fought so hard for by these very courageous women. Whether you vote democratic, republican or independent party, remember to vote.

HISTORY IS BEING MADE!!!