I can't be a Stay Home Mom!!!

We've had way too many 'snow days' lately, and I have realized that I can't be a stay home mom!!!  ha.  I love my kids, but man... we get bored when we are stuck inside.  I mean - we tend to be ok on the weekends when we don't have much planned, but during the week - we go crazy!!!  ha. 

Yesterday we had a 'snow day' due to the dangerously cold weather we are having.  The high was negative 10 or something crazy like that.  With the wind chills, it was about negative 40.  UGH.  So we stayed put, which was smart.  But man!!!

I took some pictures of what we tried to do... but then in between the small activities I made the kids do... then it was iPad time/PS4 time... and that seems to just drive me crazy.  There was nothing on TV, so I was bored too.  I got lazy... tired... and crabby!  hah.  It was a hot mess!!  and then by 6pm, we all got silly cuz we literally couldn't stand each other anymore!  It was hilarious. 

I would be perfectly fine if we have no more late starts, early outs, or full snow days!  :)

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Weekend

Friday:
After a fairly short work and school week (cuz of the weather), it was FINALLY Friday night.  ha.  Kayson has started baseball practice on Friday nights now... so we kind of limit ourselves on Friday nights now.  Kind of stinks, but I guess it'll be fine!  Ryan took him to practice... Cora and I stuck around the house, ordered pizza... and that was our quiet night. 

Saturday:
What a busy day!
Basketball at 10... and it was K's last game, and he made it the best one!  It was so fun to watch... and to top it off, he had a great support system!!!  Trish, Greg, Hope, Logan...  Papa Paul!!, Mike & JeanAnn, and then even Jill, Jeff, Linds and Ryan!  I was surprised to see the Watne's, but so thrilled.  Short game, but was fun having them here to see him play.  We all grabbed lunch afterwards at Jethro's.  It was a super nice couple hours. Thankful to all of them. 

After lunch, my family headed their own way...  and then us 4 (and Mike & JeanAnn) headed to Simpson to watch Jenna play.  Another Saturday of basketball!  She did well, and was a great little game.  

Meanwhile at our house - we had our first cleaning service come to our house!!  This is big, for me.  ha.  We've been talking about this for months... would put it off, and then we'd have a couple times of sheer complaining about cleaning and doing a 'deep' clean, we bit the bullet.  And it was worth every dollar.  We will definitely have them back!!!

Saturday night we just hung out at home... 

Sunday:
Church.
We had a meeting afterwards, that we needed to be there for... 

Then home... quick lunch...  and then Cora and I did a few errands.  Groceries and Carter's.  Kayson went over to Hudsen's for a little bit to work on a project together.  Then they went to baseball practice...  Ryan picked them up.  

and that was our day.  Seemed fast!!!

The weather is going to be brutally cold this week... and Ryan is going to be out of town.  I'm already exhausted thinking about it!!!

He did so well!!  and had a great game!

She saw this hat and said "let's go to the beach!!"

Snow days!

Well, central Iowa has gotten hit with snow... finally.  I mean, I hate to say 'finally', cuz I don't really like it - unless we are home and not going anywhere.  But December was so warm, we are finally feeling winter.
 
Tuesday of this week we started getting more snow...  kids were let out early from school.  And then we didn't have school on Wednesday.  So - snow days it was. 
 
We tried to stay busy.  I mean - it's hard.  It's hard for me... it's hard for the kids.  When I have days at home - I just want to lounge, but I can't really do that with the kids - cuz then they want to lounge and be lazy and be on electronics.  SO... I tried REALLY hard to keep them busy... but not going to lie - by Wednesday afternoon, I was done.  I had a headache, and I was tired of being cooped up.  (I'm not normally like that either!)  Anyway... we survived... and we did do some fun things... and played in the snow, and shoveled. 
 

this girl played school a lot!

 

 

GOE Bingo.  He taught me some stuff about states!

 

 

Dress up time!  Fancy Nancy!

 

Building a fort/tunnel with Olivia

 

He's in heaven!

 

 

She helped clean!

 

 

It ended up being a beautiful day - sun out, no wind.

 

Long Weekend

Well, it's been our 3 day weekend (well for me and the kids) - Martin Luther King Jr Day.  
Friday:
We got our first real snow of the season...  The kids actually got out of school early, so I picked them up, and home we went.  We stayed in...  and just hung out.  Pretty boring night!

Saturday:
Basketball first thing Saturday morning.  It wasn't as good as last week's game...  kids were a little off.  Kayson seemed a little off.  But we survived. We headed back home and just hung out.  Ryan did some work at the church... kids played on their electronics... and I cleaned out my closets (and drawers), literally everything.  I took everything out of the drawers and eliminated stuff I don't use/want... and just organized.  Everything came out of the closet too - I mean I haven't done that in YEARS!!!!  It felt so good!!!  Good little project. 

Saturday afternoon we headed to Simpson to watch Jenna play ball.  We hadn't watched her play yet this year, so it was time!  It was a nail biter of a game, fun to watch.  

Sunday:
Church. 
Ryan had a meeting...  kids and I just hung out.  We didn't really do much.  It's so darn cold out, and literally feels cold inside too!  I snuggled in and watched some TV!  

Kayson had baseball practice/hitting...  then that was the extent of our day/night.  

Monday:
I let the kids sleep in a little...  then I took them to BTB for most of the day.  I did some cleaning at home a little...  took my time just hanging out alone (which was great)...  did a few errands... met Nikki for lunch...  and then my day was pretty much over!  

Cora has a little cold... seems a little off, so we are really watching her, soaking her in oils more than I normally do... and she was in bed at 8:10.  

I don't have many pictures...  I have done a terrible job lately!  Those yearly albums I make are going to be bare! 

From last week - Kayson's new jersey from Uncle Blair/Aunt Martina

Cutie patootie - Tap ready with leg warmers for the win!

Playing with dolls... while watching iPad. Typical.

Kids made a fort downstairs, flashlights and all.

Duke (and Uncle Scott) joined us when we watched Jenna play.

Weekend & Celebrating Grandma Ann

Friday:
The week was finally over... seemed to last forever, but of course when I think back, it was like it was yesterday - always goes fast.  We grabbed a bite to eat out Friday night and just fiddled around.  Pretty quiet night. 

Saturday:
Up and at em...  Kayson had a basketball game at 9.  Seemed early, but was nice to get up and going for the day.  Hope and Logan joined us to watch, so that was nice to see them.  They came over after the game...  hung out, and then we grabbed lunch with them.  They went on their way, and we did a few little errands.  

Back home... and we had gotten a good amount of snow overnight, so the kids played outside, which was super fun for them. They played awesome, and for quite awhile... then it came to a halt with one of the neighbor boys not saying something nice to Cora - so she didn't like that... which I don't blame her.  Kids can be mean.  Anyway... we moved on and headed out to go on a family date - movie night!  We went to see "A Dog's Way Home".  Really good movie... really good story line, which was sweet.  We had a nice time... 

Sunday:
We got up and got all packed up for the next couple days...  headed down to Creston.  We had lunch with everyone at Ryan's parents, then we headed down to Diagonal to the church for the family's first viewing/private viewing of Great Grandma Ann.  Man... sure does bring back terrible memories of Mom's funeral.  It was hard... I sat for a long time and just thought about Grandma and Mom... and all the people they touched over their lives.  Great Grandma was 102...  imagine all the things she did, all the people she knew and all the people she loved.  ... and the people that loved her!!!  We visited with family for about an hour, then took a break and went back to Grandma Janis' farm to just chill for a bit. 

Then from 4-6 we went back to the church for the official visitation.  Still hard... but was nice to see some people I hadn't seen in awhile.  My nerves got a little crazy, but then they soon relaxed and I was able to visit a little more...  
Following the visitation, we all went up to a restaurant in town and ate there...  in addition, we celebrated Duke and Tate's birthdays.  Crappy couple days to have birthdays, but they handled it great... good sports.  

Monday:
a busy morning getting everyone out the door... packed up... dressed up... not forgetting anything.  We did it, but man - it gets crazy sometimes.  

The funeral was this morning... and it was beautiful.  Very nice... the Pastor said some very nice words, and they had some moments where she talked a lot about the memories of Grandma... and they were so sweet and funny.  And the tears just fell... and fell.  Man, it was hard.  She was amazing, and I'm so thankful to have known her. 

We had a small moment out at the cemetery (in the snow and cold!), but definitely memorable.  
The church women served us a nice lunch... then back to the farm to hang out for a bit.  

What a couple days...  I'm wiped out.  It's exhausting being on a roller coaster of emotions!!!  It was a great couple days tho... and very blessed to be a part of that family. 

Our first snow of the year... and Kayson LOVED IT!

 

a few got stuck at the cemetery.  Made us giggle.

Smelling the roses.

Anna Linkey (1916-2019)

Ryan's Great-Grandma Ann passed away Wednesday, January 9 at the nursing home in Mt. Ayr. This woman was amazing... at the age of 102, she was still amazing - full of life, had her mind (and honestly her health until just about a couple days ago).  She had so many grandkids and greats - and what's even more awesome - some great-greats.  Our kids were her great-great grandkids and I tell you what, I find that to be the most amazing, biggest blessing that my kids could have.

We've all been a little 'off' since hearing the news...  which is expected.  It's obvious we would never want Grandma to hurt or be in pain... and she wasn't, and we are thankful.  Knowing she lived for so long and was such a sweet woman, makes it so incredibly hard.  She impacted so many lives, whether she knew it or not.  Again with her being our kids' great-great Grandma is alone such an impact.  And Kayson is old enough to understand... and hopefully remember. 

We will be celebrating her life starting Sunday through Monday.  I pray that we all arrive safely and we are able to celebrate the memories we have of her.  I pray she is experiencing a whole new life with Jesus and will continue to watch over us.

We will miss her so much.

Just this past Easter (2018)

When she turned 100!
 

Weekend

Friday:
K's birthday party.
Cora and I hung out at home... and did nothing.  Zilch.  Nada.  And honestly, it was great.  We snuggled on the couch - watched TV/iPad, and snacked.  I was having some anxious feelings about all those boys at the hockey game and staying at our house... so it was best that I just stayed as close to Cora as possible!

Saturday:
Up early.  I mean - early.  YUK.  Even Cora was up early - she was so excited to go 'hang out' with the boys in the basement.  She did pretty well - only got hollered at once.  ha.

The boys played, then we two of them went home, but then Carter stuck around with us and came to Kayson's basketball game.  ... So Kayson is doing that month-long basketball league...  few practices a week, and one game a weekend.  Easy.  But the thing is... it's hard to get to know the kids, but we had decided to do this because it was good for K and gets him some activity this winter. 

Anyway... we did that.  Ryan's parents came to watch too, so that was nice.  I think K will have 'fans' each week, so that's always nice.  We took Carter home... then visited with Ryan's parents for a bit.  Kayson was a hot mess - exhausted, mad, hungry...  oh boy.  We fed him quickly, then he had some quiet time... and then he napped.  It was much needed, and he was so much better after that.

We just hung out Saturday.  I did a few errands, Cora played outside while K napped.  She's been trying out Kayson's bike, so that's fun to see. 

Saturday night we decided to get out of the house and go bowling.  We met up with Jess, Lex and the kids.  2 bowling games and were done.  We probably should have done only one game, but oh well.  It was getting late and we had owly kiddos.  I know I was tired.  But the kids did well at bowling - Kayson actually can hold the ball correctly and bowl fairly straight.  And Cora does good too...  Kind of fun watching them.

Sunday:
Church.
Then we didn't leave the house.  Well... Ryan and Cora went for a walk, so that was super nice.  K was on electronics all day.  And I layed on the couch.  Awesome.

The only pic I have.

Kayson's 10th Birthday Party

Kayson invited 4 of his close friends to his party this year...  Hudsen, Caleb, Blake and Carter.  This year Ryan took them to an Iowa Wild hockey game.  The boys arrived at 6pm, and they were out the door about 6:05.  Soon after, I received a text from Ryan saying "OMG - they don't shut up!!"  Which make me laugh, because Ryan NEVER sends me random stuff like that... and the fact HE gets to do that for several hours - made me laugh even more.  ha.
 
Anyway, the boys had a good time...
 
Blake was dropped off at his house after the game, but Hud, Caleb and Carter came back to the house to sleep over.  They got settled in, did some giggling and watching videos... and then lights were out at about 10:50.  (Earliest for a sleepover for any of those boys I bet!)  They were all asleep by 11, which was super great.  However, 6:15 rolled around - and they were up whispering.  OMG!  Kayson doesn't even get up that early when he has to go to school!  ha.
 
Anyway, it was a great little party - Kayson had fun, and was absolutely exhausted.  He's got great friends, so that's a huge plus.
 

Nap for Kayson

 

Long weekend/Winter Break/New Years Eve

The kids have been on winter break for awhile... they go back to school tomorrow, it's gone super fast in my mind.  Last week (right after Christmas), we all stayed home on Wednesday - we just let the kids hang out and play with their new stuff.  It was a pretty good day. 
Then I went back to work... kids went to BTB and had field trips both days... and Ryan took a few days off.  He never really takes time off, so he did...  plus he's been fighting his terrible cough for weeks.  I think he's finally on the mend.  Unfortunately, I have a terrible head cold now...  probably thanks to him!

Anyway, our weekend has been nice.  We haven't had much going on, which has been great actually.   
Friday:
Kayson had a sleepover with a friend...  his friend Caleb's birthday is in April (middle of baseball season), and couldn't really have a party/sleepover, so they planned one for winter break.  The boys had fun - they attended an Iowa Wolves basketball game.  Ryan, C and I just stayed around home - grabbed a bite to eat and that was it.  This was the start of my head cold.  Bummer. 

Saturday:
I picked K up around 9am... he seemed good, not nearly as tired as some other sleepovers he's been to.  Back home and we just hung out...  laundry, cleaning... and lots of football games on TV.  We did get out of the house for a Target run, but that's about it.  I did some organizing in the basement... tossed some stuff, but again, not much!

Sunday:
Church... we all helped prep for a funeral after church.  It was kind of nice and sweet... the kids were such big helpers.  I loved it. 

And then my head cold hit me super hard. I was wiped out by mid-afternoon and just felt awful.  No energy.  And I was pissed... I hate getting sick, and feel like I rarely do.  Just makes me mad.  It was a low-key day.

Cora played pretty good with her dolls and played school a little too.  It's fun to watch her use her imagination so much.  Ryan and Kayson went up to Jethro's in the afternoon to meet up with a few baseball kids/parents.  I think they had a good time.

Helping Pastor Julie

Monday:
Ryan worked...  but I took the day off cuz the kids didn't have BTB.  And I totally needed another day.  I woke feeling like crap again...  again, just head cold that's starting to drain down my throat.  Which is awesome.  ugh.  Oils have been drenched on me... praying it helps, and I do feel like they've really helped this afternoon. 

Kayson was glued to the PS4.  Cora did a lot of iPad time, but then finally took a break and played Barbies.  She's got such an imagination... I hope that continues!!  I made the kids do a puzzle together too.  ha. 

I did some baking and cooking... as we had Mike, Holly and the boys over for New Years Eve. Even tho I wasn't feeling the best, it ended up being a nice night in.  I always love being home, obviously - and it was nice to have a change of pace for the kids.  They needed something else to do besides electronics!  The kids played well...  the adults played a card game, and literally that was it.  Showalter's left around 10... Cora was in bed at 10:25, me at 10:40.  K and Ryan stayed up.  

The only pic I have... and then a pic Holly took.