weekend fun!

So Ryan is still out of town...has been for a week...will be for another week. I'll tell you some of the things I miss that he does around the house:

1. Trash...taking it out to the cans and rolling the cans to the curb. I hate it!

2. Dog poop...enough said. Remember Dapper is a 90 pound lab...they have big piles

3. Helping entertain the kids while I do dinner or clean up after dinner. Really just entertaining period!

4. Nighttime routine. We have a good system and it is nice to split the responsibility

5. Filling Dapper's 5 gallon water jug...I spill it everywhere!

6. Buying Dapper's dog food...the bag weighs a freaking ton

7. I actually have to set my own alarm. Usually he gets up, gets in the shower and then comes to wake me...I miss that.


I have realized that Dapper is the one that is snoring. I need to remember to appologise to Ryan for the kicking in the night. It has been Dapper all along.


When Ryan is gone, alot of times I have Hagen sleep with me. If I could I would put Hazel in bed with us too, but that isn't going to work for now. I put him in his sleeping bag on Ryan's side and he stays put. I love waking up to Hagen. It is darling...he hears my alarm and he tickles my arm...kind of like really light scratching. When I open my eyes he smiles so sweetly and just melts me. He gets to watch a show before Hazel wakes up while I shower. I don't let him everynight, but I would if I could. I just don't want to be that creepy mom that has her teenage son sleeping in bed with her! ha!


Hazel has been following Hagen's lead and helping around the house. I will ask him to put his shoes in the shoe box and she gets her's and follows him and they put them away. They both like putting the soap bundles in the dishwasher so they take turns doing so.


This weekend I spent alot of time at my parents! We swam and just hung out for awhile. It was so nice! I wish I could relax more though. When I take it easy on the weekends and I'm away from home I just think about all the things I have to get done before Sunday night...laundry, washing kids school pillows and blankets, grocery shopping, meal planning for the week, etc. I wish I could just let things go, but really those are things that have to be done!


I have a new love...chocolate covered cranberries. I can not get enough. I have been eating very well lately, but these are not helping. If they aren't in the house I won't eat them so I need to just stop buying them! They are SO SOOOO good!!


Tata,

Carrie

Hazel MAY be talking more?!?

So last night we had movie night...me and the kids. I popped popcorn and we laid on the carpet with blankets and pillow pets and watched Monsters vs. Aliens.

When I was popping the popcorn I swear Hazel said something that sounded like Popcorn. Then she was watching the movie chomping on her snack and said Juice...so I hopped up and got her some water, handed it to her and I swear she said thank you!

She is trying...I think this is one of the things that frustrates her into behaving badly at times...she wants us to understand what she is saying. When we don't? The next best thing is to throw ourselves on the ground and kick, then get up and hit someone. I feel for her...I do that sometimes.

Hagen was sick with a fever thing...no strep or anything but his fever went up to 103.5 AFTER Tylenol! Ryan was out of town and I was toying with the idea of bringing his nap mat, the DVD player and nook, and his video games and having him camp out with me at work because I can not take off right now...we are slammed! But my niece Ashlyn said she would babysit him for the day! Thank the lord...I got alot of work done and he rested at home all day with his cousin.

I made him drink so much water yesterday that at midnight he was crying and I went to check on him and he said he wet his bed and he was sorry. "Mom, I was sleeping and woke up and was wet! I'm sorry...I couldn't make it to the potty". Sweet boy felt so bad, I told him no problem...and got him all set up with new PJ's and undies and bedding. I was EXHAUSED (I took Tylenol PM at 10:30) but felt so badly for him...he was disappointed in himself.

Destin is on my mind...and a 10 year wedding anniversary trip to the Lake of the Ozarks WITHOUT the munchkins. I cannot wait...this year is FLYING by to me?!?

Work = great...so busy but love it! Working out = Great...been going 5 days a week for an hour...no AC in the garage style gym and for some weird reason I LOVE it!

OH and huge news. I have not had sonic tea OR sweet and low for over a week! I have switched to iced green tea with lemon and Stevia. This is shocking... I wanted to just at first stop using aspartame (sweet and low), then decided I can brew my own tea, then found out that green tea helps lose weight so I brew my own green tea and take it with me to work! So proud of myself...big change!!

Saw and ex boyfriend at Gattitown on father's day. Hagen wanted to go to "Daddy"town...ha! The song that has been playing in my head since I saw him? "Unanswered prayers"...it was not a good relationship. Lots of emotional abuse there...very possessive and had a temper. Marriage and life is not perfect...it takes work sometimes, but I can honestly say that I am very happy with where my life is. I am so in love with Ryan, I have two beautiful kids that are fun to be around (minus Hazel and her tantrums), I have a great relationship with my parents, my baby brother lives about 2 miles from me and our kids are close, I have a great job and work with some great people, I have friends that know I hate talking on the phone, but when I do call we pick right up where we left off.

Anyway, just feeling very grateful lately...maybe it is the tea? It may have some happy pill effects?? Speaking of, going to doctor today to see if I can come down off one of mine...need to document this happy feeling I have now...may change if we alter the pills! Ha!

Carrie

Hagen's 5th Birthday recap!

I know this post is a bit late as his birthday was almost a month ago, but I wanted to wait until he had his 5 year well visit! Did NOT know that he wouldn't be getting any shots....in fact none til he is 11! Wow! That was a GREAT surprise!

Hagen you are 34.3 pounds, 41 inches tall, and are such a doll!

You made me a mom...for that I am forever so grateful! Not only did you do that but you have been such a good kid. This year seems so big...like bigger than other birthdays. I am so excited for you and your future!

You and I have a special thing we do now before bed. You bring me an easy reader book and we snuggle up in my chair in my bedroom with the lamp and a blanket and you read to me. I love it (but kinda hate it because the books are like 50 pages long...granted there are only a few words on each...but you are still learning so it takes forever...but I will soak it all in because you will not want to snuggle with me for long...especially since I smelled like death warmed over last night).

You love Hazel. She has started to love you back...she now comes and hugs you. I love watching her watch you. She already thinks you are her hero...but you have GOT to watch what you are doing because I'm serious in that she wants to do EVERYTHING you do!

For Father's Day you wanted to take your daddy to "Daddy-town"...AKA Gattitown. So we did...

We had your birthday party at Pump It Up! You had a blast! You had about 15 friends there and got lots of water guns and stuff like that.

Nana got you a bike and Papa/Pia got you a Nook Color. You are moving away from "toys" to electronics. Your Daddy picked out your present from us...it is a shooting game for the Wii. You both love it...in fact you both argue over whose turn it is to play. I have to referee alot!

One thing we have to help you with is growing pains! You have just started to get them so we need to rub lotion on your legs or something to help the blood flow and ease the pain. Your Daddy had these too and so I'm not surprised.

At your doctor appointment you answered all the questions and I just sat there...I could tell the Doctor wanted to see how smart you were. At one point you said, "Actually, blah blah"...the doctor was shocked you said Actually!

I love you...I love you so so much. You are the best and biggest blessing to your Dad and I...
Mama

Hagen graduated pre-K!

Hagen is a graduate. I know it is only Pre-K...but this is a big one!! The age he is at right now is a biggie...or at least it is for me.




He is now going to go to Kindergarten...at a new school...all new people...I mean he only knows LLC as far as school goes so this will be a big change!



Now he will be packing his lunch every day, making sure to get in his seat before the tardy bell (that one will be hard for me too), and grow up to be an upstanding citizen. Yes I believe it starts now...in Kinder. With all the social media nowadays he needs to be looking and paranoid now for what can be brought out about him later "Did you know that president Darney did sldjflskfdjosgjiosidj in Kindergarten?!!" Upstanding citizen coming up!



Pia decided to ask me a question which meant I had to lean over to hear and I completely missed them calling his name and walking across stage. He was the first one called and I wasn't prepared. I will hang it over her head for the rest of her life.



They did a fantastic job at teaching the kids a dance to "Baby you’re a firework" by Katy Perry (I think). It was DAR.LING. Seriously so cute and most of them did all the moves. I was actually quite surprised that there were no criers or runners in the group of 64 kids! I mean, not one! Hagen's teacher Miss Laura is his main teacher. We loved her...she has taught him so much this year! Hopefully in a few more years she will teach Hazel!!



After graduation we went to Chili's and had dinner. He just seemed so big and so excited! He is now in the bigger pre-k class until he starts Kinder. My next post will be about his visit to his new school...





I feel like Hagen really grew alot this year, I mean of course all kids grow in a year. But what I mean is that he is now writing his name so much clearer, knows his address, and is even playing rougher with the guys. I'm not one that wants to raise a bully...that's not what I mean...what I mean is that he use to be the one that was so sensitive and would get his feelings hurt so easily. Now it seems that if guys are playing rougher, he just jumps right and throws a few fists too. Not too rough...but just playing.





Carrie



P.S. One thing to note. Hagen has been asking when we are going to have another baby. I told him we are not going to. He was OK. Then that weekend we hung out in the baby pool outside and Hagen gasped when he saw me in my suit (I did to if we are being honest). He came up to me smiling and poked my belly and said, “I told you there was another baby in there!" Ryan has had some man talks with him about it.



P.S.S. Hagen and Ryan counted his money in his piggy bank. He had about $40 in it. Ryan asked him what he wanted to buy...he could spend it all on one thing, split it between 2 $20 things, or save some. Ryan asked how much an ice cream at Camilla's was (best hand dipped ice cream bars in the world). Ryan told him $4...Hagen said he wanted $8 so he could take me out for ice cream and he wanted to save the rest. I died. I would have just said, "well in that case...I have $40...$4/ice cream...I want 10 ice creams please!"...I was shocked...it was so sweet!

Hagen is 5!!

I'm really kinda in shock that Hagen is 5.  I use to make fun of people saying, "I can't believe my perfect little baby is 5 today!"  Or "My Baby graduated from Pre-K today"...honestly who cares!  BUT, this year it hit me and I understand now that it is a big deal.  Here is a pic of Hagen right before we left the hospital..he was all of 6 pounds 3 ounces I think!

 Hagen, you are such a doll!  Your Daddy and I prayed for you for a long time.  I did not consider myself one that prayed much until I tried to have a baby...I believe in the power of prayer now!  I also think that God's timing in life is planned out for the best.  If we were to have you when I first wanted to get pregnant I would have been stuck at a TERRIBLE job and probably wouldn't feel comfortable to leave.  When you came and were 2 1/2 weeks old I lost my contract and had to look for something else...it ended up that I found the PERFECT thing for a working Mom...God's timing is good Hagen...trust in that.  This picture is of you when you were one...You had just started to KINDA walk.

 We knew we wanted another baby...I mean when you have one that is as great as you who wouldn't.  So we tried again.  But...God's timing wasn't what we wanted...we started trying when you turned one.  It will be another 2 years before we can tell you "You are going to be a big brother"...but when you were older you actually understood and were excited!  Your name is special...your Daddy picked out "Hagen" before we even started trying...I wasn't sure about it.  But after we found out what you were I said I didn't care.  Your Dad named you all by himself...your middle name is your Pap-Pap Darney's name...He would get a big kick out of you that's for sure.  The pic below is when you were 2...

 You are emotional, sweet, sensitive, and are only really rough when you are playing with your Dad.  Otherwise you are gentle.  You Love your sister...so proud of her...you like to show her off to your friends even though she is turning into that bratty little sister...you don't care, you love her still.  We went to your new school last week and you LOVE it!  You met the principal, heard a story, and got to see your new classroom.  When you arrived at the school and were greeted by the teachers and principal you introduced yourself...I was shocked that during story time they would call on kids by pointing at them because they didn't know names...except you...they remembered your name.  Juliette was with you too...both of you are so excited to go to the same school together...I still think it is fate.  :)  You are 3 in the picture below...

 Your best friend by far is your cousin Noah.  You have lots of friends and so does Noah, but when something exciting happens he is the first one you mention to want to tell.  You went on your first hunt/fishing trip with your daddy recently.  I cannot even explain how much fun he had taking you.  He was nervous you wouldn't have fun (and let's be honest, he wouldn't be either) but the two of you had a GREAT time and he can't wait to take you again.  He let you shoot a real gun for the first time (I didn't know about it) and was so proud.  He actually wants to take you fishing for a bit this weekend.  You are 4 in the photo below...

 This year has been big...you are doing well at T-ball too!  It is a step up from t-ball in that the coach pitches and if you are having trouble then they bring the "T" out.  You are also doing swimming lessons and love it!  You need to listen more and not just talk about anything...you like to tell stories!  You are 5 in the picture below...

Your Daddy is out of town and is bummed to miss your actual birthday so I am trying to make it as special for you as I can!  Last night you got to sleep with me...I got to remember you kicking my belly when I was pregnant with you because you kicked me all night.  When you woke up you said your legs hurt and it was probably because you were growing to 5!  I think you have some growing pains going on.  You are spending the day with your Nana and then I will pick you up and we'll go to Papa and Pia's for dinner and Cake.

Last night before bed you were so happy..I asked you what you were thinking about and you said, "I'm so excited to be 5!  I've been waiting so many years for it!  Like...pause...5 whole years!!!"

I love you so much Hagen James...you are such a good person...I can't wait to see what your future holds for you!

Love,
Mama

Mother's Day

Please tell me I'm not the only Mom in the universe that wants to spend Mother's Day alone?  Please?

I woke up and Hagen has drawn me a picture of him and I together and spelled out "Happy Mother's Day".  I absolutely LOVE that he is drawing pictures of people and things I can actually recognize!  The first time I saw a picture of me that he drew I just melted.  I had a circle above my head and I thought it was a halo but it was my hair bun!  Ha!  He calls it my donut hair.

I took the kids to my parents to give Pia her card and picture and to hang out for a bit while Ryan fixed the sprinkler head in the back yard.  Papa and Pia have 2 hawks living in their trees so we spent some time checking out the nests way far up into the trees! When we got home the kids ate and then took naps and so did I! 

Ryan then took the kids to him Mom's house around 3:00 to eat dinner etc.  They didn't get home until about 8:00!  I read (Fifty Shades of Grey) did ONE load of laundry and watched some of The Notebook while eating massive amounts of Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream.  It was SO relaxing...I really enjoyed the time alone.

THEN I get on Facebook and see all the outings everyone had with their kids and I feel like a mean Mom! 

Hagen and I had a conversation about when I officially became a Mom.  I told him that he made me a mom for the first time.  He had that cute little side smile beaming with pride.  I remember the first Mother's Day with Hagen...he was about 1 and was learning to walk...we were hanging out in the front yard.  I will never forget that day!

My first Mother's Day with Hazel Ryan sent me to the Spa!  Hazel has been my shadow...like SERIOUSLY.  she is like a mirror image of me doing exactly what I am doing at all times.  She follows me around like a little baby duck (and she is making animal sounds too so she is quacking).  She does her makeup, brushes her teeth (eats toothpaste), cooks, reads books (of course she doesn't know I'm reading Mama porn), and has even started putting my shoes on and walking around.

I am so lucky to have my babies.  I wanted them for so long it hurt. 

Love,
Carrie

Hagen's 1st hunting trip with DADDY!!!

This past weekend was a biggie.  The whole hunting trip thing really got me in an uproar, but there was a compromise...which in turn was a VERY special thing for Hagen and Ryan.

 Hagen joined Ryan on a Turkey hunting trip.  The excitement for Hagen leading up to the big Man weekend was almost too much for him to handle.  He couldn't wait.  Ryan and I were kinda nervous as to how he would do.  My biggest concern was snakes...they are pretty bad this year!

 Would Hagen be able to sit still and quiet?  Would he crumble at the lack of sleep?  Would he get bored??

 Hagen AND Ryan had a blast!  Hagen caught 44 fish!  He just sat there and casted and caught fish like he had been doing it for years.  Ryan had been practicing with him in the backyard casting (without hooks) and this weekend was the first time he had an actual hook on it.  He was having so much fun!

 In some of the videos that Ryan took you can hear Ryan saying, "reel him in Hagen...that's good buddy...come on, you can do it!" and it almost brought tears to my eyes because you can hear the excitement in Ryan's voice and see the smile and pride on Hagen's face. 

Hagen also shot a real gun for the first time.  It was a 22 rifle.  Ryan picked a spot that was safe if a bullet ricocheted off the water.  It was a valuable moment in learning safety.  I was NOT raised around guns and quite frankly am not comfortable with them.  BUT Ryan has made me open my eyes to things.  People who are not familiar with guns are the unsafe people to be AROUND guns...they don't know the proper safety things.  Hagen was taught to hold a gun, walk with a gun, all with the safety being pounded into his brain.  Also, he learned to aim...then take the safety off right before he shoots. 

I hope this becomes a lifetime of good man weekends for my boys.  They both had a great time and Hagen is still on a hunting high.

Carrie