Girls Weekend

This past weekend the girls in my family were able to get away for a little girls weekend. It was nice to be able to relax and spend some time with one another.

Janelle's house was our "hotel."

Mom, Joy and I went up Thursday night.



We spent the day on Friday shopping. I found some books that I want to get for the kids!! ;)

I know I always like to know the WHY in life.



We found a really cute purse and jewelry shop. I think we all walked away with something we liked.




We also found a resale shop. Although I think the prices in this resale shop were ridiculous!!! I would never spend $50 for a pair of jeans that someone else already owned!! CRAZY!!!

Thankfully the girls decided to keep the hats at the store!! ;)



After we got bored with shopping we took a walk by the Lake. It was getting quite warm out by then.



So we cooled ourselves off in a little fountain! I never thought I would see my Mom "dancing" in a fountain!!



We found a little Public Market that was really neat.



When we got back to Janelle's we enjoyed the pool while we waited for Joanna and Jessica to get there.

We had fun jumping in the pool. I don't know if I have seen my Mom laugh that hard in a long time.



Saturday morning. Before we got ready...... and yes.....they will kill me for this picture.



I thought this was a funny picture. Joanna mentioned how she downsized from her big compact to her little one for the weekend. Mom said that she did to and proceeded to show us her "downsize"!!



All ready to go!!



We drove into Milwaukee for a day of sightseeing.



We went to the Pabst Mansion which was very interesting to go through. I would recommend it. Although I don't think it's a place for kids.

We got yelled at right after this picture was taken. I guess you can't take pictures. No one told us that!!



After the Mansion we went for a late lunch. We went to a local diner around the block from the mansion. I think we enjoyed the Juke Box the best. I just wished it would play the song you actually picked!!






We then decided it would be best to go shopping. So we walked the 3rd ward and just enjoyed each other's company.




On the way home we called Jonathan and Melanie. It was good to talk to them for a while. I can't wait for them to come visit later this year.

We did a lot of laughing this weekend which is always good for the soul. It was time well spent with my Mom and Sisters, even though I missed my little family at home.

Thanks Janelle for opening your home to all of us crazy sisters. At least you know we come by our craziness honestly!! ;)

Brother did call me and leave me a wonderful little voicemail telling me that he missed me and was hoping that I was having a safe trip. It melted my heart to hear from him.

Brother so far hasn't forgiven me about Rick. And he says that he never will!! ;)

While the kids are away the parents will play......

The very 1st thing I did was......
I wasn't about to try and find bugs for this all week.



Brother, you will thank me for it 1 day......
I hope
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I have really enjoyed the quietness this week. It is a welcome change.

I have been able to spend some extra time this week really digging into and enjoying the word of God and reveling in his forgiveness and Love.

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I have fallen in love with the song by Sanctus Real....Lead Me. I heart the 2nd verse. It brought me to tears the other day. What a great reminder of who is watching us, and needing us to be at our best.

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Hunny is working nights now. It's a change and just a new schedule to get used to.
In the fall, we won't see each other. :(

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Today, we actually did it. We broke our bed. Let's just leave it at that.

So we went to a local antique store to see if they had a bed frame. They didn't. But they did have some other things that we left at the store.......



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I am amazed at how clean our house can stay when we don't have 2 kids around to destroy everything. Seriously!!! I now realize.....that it ISN'T my fault!!!!

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I made cookies and banana bread this week. There is still some on the counter. That would have never happened with the kids around.

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I was able to sit and talk with a friend who I haven't talked to in a long time! Miss you Sarah!!

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When I was bored of being alone last night, I went to my Mom's house and she was able to spoil me! Rasberry cheesecake from Culvers's!!!!!! YUMMO!!!

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I do miss the kids. I will see something and want to show it to the kids. I can't wait to see them and to hear all about their time with Grandma and Grandpa.

So what's so hard about 10 kids anyway.

Warning......Picture overload

Yesterday, I had to prove to a couple of my friends that having so many kids wasn't such a big deal. I mean once you've had 1, what's 9 more right?!?!

I thought that the best place to prove this was in the liquid babysitter.

When I woke up for the day at the crack of dawn, it was overcast and looked like it could rain at any moment. I started praying that the Lord would hold off the rain until later that afternoon so the kids could swim.

I think my 1st failure in this feat was asking my sister Joy to help me. But I thought that safety won out in the whole....I have to beat you attitude. ;) I thought it would be better to have another set of eyes and hands with so many kids in the water.

By 9 in the morning the kids were already bored to death and wondering when they could get in the water.

I figured why not. So in they went at 9:00.





Ei Yi Yi....the jumping. I think there was contest after contest after contest of jumping into the pool.

Even Carl and Nora got into the act. I was so proud that they overcame their fear and did it!!






I was so thankful for the Lord's guidance. For some reason, I thought the girls should check their sugar around 10:00. Thankfully I did b/c Dada's sugar was in the 60's but Kate's sugar was 24. Yes, you read that right.....it was 24. She was acting fine, and no symptoms, but 24 is a scary #.



Later on it was lunch time. The kids were so hungry, I think we ate around 11:00.



I had brought our tent so they could play if they got bored with the pool. so the girls all ate in the tent. It was their "hut."



Then it was Popsicle time.

I think that Tancy's #1 looks funny in this picture!





I LoVe Nora's look on her face here!!





Time for more swimming......



Nap time for Josie!! :(

I tried to tell her that MOMMY was MAKING me do it.

That didn't exactly matter to her. She still wanted to be out with the kids.

She only fought sleep for a minute and was soon on dreamland!!






As the afternoon wore on the kids started getting a little tired. The kids got along great all day. Their was only a couple tears.



Like I said, I was so thankful that Joy was able to help me. It was just comforting to know that I had an extra set of hands if I needed them. And hey, who doesn't like to spend the day by the pool!!



Oh yes, the jumping continued all day.



Even Joy got into it!!



After work, Daddy came over to swim. It was so hot and humid that day that I'm sure that jumping into that pool was such a relief.



Hunny was immediately attacked by the kids wanting him to throw them into the water. I don't think he had a moments rest the whole time he was in the water. But I don't think he minded it a bit!!

Especially when Nora asked in her adorable little voice....but not too high!! :)



By 4:20, we had 2 simultaneous meltdowns. I still don't quite know why Josie was crying. Maybe she was just sympathetically crying for Carl, who we think either got a cut on his foot or a bee sting. We still aren't for sure.

But there I sat holding them both. Until it rained. At 4:30. Right when their Mom came to pick them up.

The Lord answered my prayer. It didn't rain until everyone was ready to go home. THANK YOU LORD!!!



So to all those just dying to know if I survived. Yes I did.

Just barely........and after sleeping 12 straight hours last night I feel as good as new!!!

Oh, BTW, I think I will stick with just 2!! ;)

Rick the toad Part 1