Livin' Life

Look at the Moon...

2011-06-18T22:48:00.000-07:00

Eight years ago Jamy and I started on a journey that would change us both in ways we never could have imagined. We are celebrating Father's Day today. Today we get to celebrate what an amazing father he has become. Our children are blessed to have a father whose love knows no conditions and has no bounds. I feel blessed to know that my kids will never wonder how much they are loved. Jamy works so hard everyday to make sure they know that he is there and he loves them. There is no better gift you can give your child. I grew up with a father who left no question that his children were his priority. To know that my children will grow up surrounded by that kind of love and security is an amazing blessing.

I am writing this and he is on the other side of the world separated from the kids he loves so much. We have a thing we say about how we can all look at the moon and know that Daddy can see it too from where he is. So tonight, Baby, when you go to bed, look at the moon. We will be here looking and wishing you a very happy Father's Day. We love you and we miss you.

This video is a couple of years old but it always makes Jamy smile and brings back so many great memories of the first few years of our journey. I hope this brings a smile to your face, Jamy. I love you!

2010-06-02T23:25:00.000-07:00

Parenting is a constant balancing act. How do you balance their needs with your needs with the world's needs? How do you balance a house, sports, the job, playtime, worktime and all other time? How do you balance your role as their parent with your role as his spouse? How do you balance your desire to give them the world with the need to teach them that you don't always get what you want and sometimes you have to learn to live with disappointment? Everyday since that day in March seven years ago I wake up in the morning and start my balancing act.

When I was a child there were so many things I wanted. Some I got. Some I didn't. I always remember both of my parents saying, "You may not always have what you want, but you will always have what you need." That was usually followed up with "If there is something you want bad enough you may have to just work for it yourself." Infuriating to a kid who just wants Mom and Dad to buy them the coolest new pair of jeans, but an invaluable lesson to the adult who learned the value of hard work and earning your way.

I think anyone could look at my brother, my sister or me and know that our parents taught us the value of working hard and making sacrifices to achieve the things that really matter. When we graduated high school there was no giant savings account waiting to help us find our way in the world whether that be college or a new house of our own or whatever road we found ourselves following. There was a kiss, a hug, and a new set of luggage. Wise folks those parents of mine.

I knew if college is what I wanted I had to work hard during high school. I had to get the scholarships that would open the doors. Then when I got to college I had to work three jobs to stay there. (I know you are waiting now for the part about walking uphill both ways in a snowstorm. Well, I gottcha here. If you ever lived on Daisy Hill at KU you know you actually do have to walk uphill both ways to get to class!) In spite of that, I learned to value my education. I learned to choose wisely and not be afraid to work hard. I learned what it meant to stand on a hill on a sunny day in May wearing a cap and gown looking down over a stadium filled with people and know that I earned my right to stand there.

I thought that lesson was hard to learn back then. Now I have the task of teaching those values to my children. I have to balance my desire to give them the world with my desire for them to sometimes earn it themselves or even sometimes be disappointed.

I don't know if we are doing it right. I don't even know if we are really doing it well. I just know that Jamy and I are doing our best. Together we work hard at this parenting job of ours. Some days we give too much and some days we don't give enough. Each day we face the joys and the challenges of that day with determination to balance it all in a way that in the end leads to our children learning the value of honesty, hard work, family, and life. I guess we won't truly know how we did until we watch our children trying out this balancing act for themselves as they raise their own children. Maybe as we watch what values they try to pass onto their own kids we will finally know how well we did.

Love, Logic and Law Enforcement

2010-03-15T18:22:00.000-07:00

Abby and Skylar kept running crazy around the house tonight. I kept getting after them, but after a few minutes they would start again. I came out of the kitchen to get after them again when there was a knock at the door. Both girls, of course, ran like crazy to see who was at the door screaming the whole way. It was a policeman. Both of them stopped dead in their tracks and their eyes got huge. I stepped out to talk to him. He only wanted to know who owned the lot behind us, but when I came in I calmly said, "See the police know when you don't listen to Mommy!" Fixed that problem. Neither one ran again. Do you think I can get our local police to stop over occasionally? Love and Logic and Law Enforcement, I may be onto something here.

Must be doing something right with the girls also...

2010-02-12T18:53:00.000-08:00

Abby just told me tonight that she has decided she is going to stop blinking. Of course my response was a very intelligent, "Huh?" She then explained that she was going to stop blinking so that "they" would stop cutting down the rain forest. Again, a very intelligent, "Huh?" from me as I tried to figure out what the heck she was talking about.

It turns out that there was an assembly at school the other day focusing on the rainforest. At some point in the presentation, the speaker told the kids that the rainforest was disappearing at a certain rate in the time it took the kids to blink their eyes. Abby got it in her head that if she just quit blinking her eyes the rain forest would quit disappearing. She then told me that she hoped "they" would realize how important the rainforest is and stop tearing it down.

It took me a little bit to figure out a way to explain to her that it was safe to keep blinking and that she was not solely responsible for the fall of the rainforests.

Isn't it funny how literally their little minds really work?

Raising that boy up right!

2010-02-11T08:12:00.000-08:00

I have a great amount of respect for teachers. Teachers are probably one of the most influential groups of people in the world. Think about your own life and the people who have affected how you think about the world. I bet at least one of the people you are thinking of is a teacher. Teachers can inspire us to do better, be better, grow, question, and appreciate the history of who we are and where we came from. Unfortunately, there are teachers who negatively impact our lives. My hope is that you all have more positive experiences with teachers than negative.

From my own experiences in the classroom and my observations of the world, it seems that many people have begun to lose that respect for teachers. I remember growing up if we got in trouble at school we were going to be in five times as much trouble at home. In the classroom I encounter all sorts of students. The most disturbing are the students who don't care and show very little respect for the teacher. It has always been important to me that my kids treat their teachers with respect. How do you teach them to do that though?

Well, we must be doing something right. Last night as we were filling out Valentine's cards for Weston's preschool party he carefully choose the one he wanted to give to his teacher. Here is the conversation:

W: It has to be special, Mom, 'cuz Mrs. Robert is soooo special.

Me: Well, I am glad you feel that way kiddo. What do you think makes her special?

W: Well, she used to be God. Then she got tired of not being at my school so she decided to be Mrs. Robert. I think if you used to be God then you must be special.

Me(trying not to laugh): What makes you think she used to be God.

W: She knows everything and she is so nice and she cares what I am doing. Isn't that how God is? Mom, did all teachers used to be God?

Me: Well, honey I don't think anyone but God used to be God. God made your teachers though so that makes them pretty special don't you think?

W: Oh, so Mrs. Robert is an angel instead!

That's right, Little Man, good teachers are angels. So to the "angels" who pose as teachers, thank you! The kids really do notice.

A life that matters

2010-01-25T11:06:00.000-08:00

In honor of Brent Rohe.

Last night I lay in bed all curled up listening to my favorite sound. I listened to it for over an hour. No other noises in the house. The kids were all sleeping. Even the cat was quiet. Just me laying there with my head on Jamy's chest listening to the sound of his heart beating.

As far back as I can remember, my favorite place to be is next to him with my head on his chest just listening to his heart beating. Maybe it is because in our family we have learned the hard way that time is precious. Tomorrow can bring changes that will alter your life forever. I have no guarantee as to how many more nights I will have to lay there listening to that beautiful sound.

That doesn't mean you walk around scared of the next day or worrying about what it will bring. In fact, it means just the opposite. It means that you live every day making sure that you grab as much out of it as you can. You take every opportunity you have to tell the people that you love that you love them. You make as many memories as you can in the time you have been given.

The materials things you have don't matter. The materials things you don't have don't matter. What matters is that at the end of your time you can look back and say that you lived a life that mattered.

What is living a life that matters? I believe it is living the kind of life that can be an example to others. Are you gracious in times when you may not want to be gracious? Do you love with everything you are? Do you give of yourself even when the person you are giving to doesn't always notice or appreciate the gesture? Are you honest? Do you make a difference in the lives of the people who meet you? Do you take the time to really know someone? Do you take the opportunities life presents to you? Do you make your own opportunities when life isn't presenting any? I think if you do those things you are living a life that matters. If at the end of each day, you can sit back comfortable in the fact that you did your best that day at whatever you are doing than it will matter.

When I drop my kids off at school everyday I tell them, "Have your best day ever." If every day is your best day ever than at the end of your days you can have little or no regrets. Of course, there will be bad days along the way. Of course, some days you just don't have it in you. Do those days outweigh the days when you are giving it your best? If they do, then maybe it is time for a little perspective and priority shift.

I have tried to live my life this way since I was thirteen years old. When I was thirteen an event happened that changed my life forever. It altered who I became and how I choose to live my life. Right before Christmas that year my favorite uncle died. He was way to young to die. The day that he died I asked my mom if we could call him and invite him home for Christmas. She said we could when we got home. I was a teenager and I suppose busy with teenage girl stuff. Anyway, I didn't make that phone call. Later that night, we got the call that he was gone. For many years, I thought it was my fault. If I had called he would have come home and he wouldn't have died. (See the way a teenage mind works?) As a result, I learned very early on that you shouldn't put off telling people that you love them or doing things that make a difference. I know that my not calling is not the reason he died. Don't get worried here that I am still all hung up and blaming myself. Remember, that was a teenage mind at work. I am just explaining the way in which I learned what I believe to be one of the most valuable lessons I have ever learned.

Over the years there are have been other deaths in our family. Some were tragic. Some were just the natural end to a long, well-lived life. Each time I have come to realize how important it is to cherish those you care about. Whether they are family, friend, coworkers or whatever it is important that you never take them for granted.

Last week we had another hard reminder of this lesson. Jamy's cousin was killed in a car accident. Brent is only a year older than us. He is married. His daughter is a week older than Abby. Way, way to young to have to grow up without a daddy. His wife is way to young to be a widow. There is no reason for an accident like his. His death is horribly tragic and even me in my best Pollyanna moments has a hard time finding any good in the situation. Why does a family lose a father, husband, son, cousin, nephew at the young age of 38? How do you make any sense of something like that? I don't think you do.

Before Brent's funeral, I thought a lot about how you find any comfort at all in the situation. Standing at his funeral I figured it out. Now granted this is a small comfort right now. It doesn't explain the situation or make it feel any better right now in this moment where his mother, wife, child and sisters are hurting so badly. I wonder if in time it will bring them some comfort though.

Here is what I came up with. Brent only lived 38 years, but he lived a life that mattered. He was an hard-working, gentle soul who spent his life farming his farm and his mother's farm. He provided for his family. He laughed a gentle laugh with a goofy grin on his face. You couldn't find a place to sit at his funeral. The church was so packed extra seats had to be brought in to accommodate all those who came to pay their last respects. At his respect calls, friends and family were able to smile and laugh through the tears as we talked about him and his life. The line of cars from the church to the cemetery was miles long as we all followed Brent to his final resting place. Every one of us was there because Brent in some way mattered to us. Not bad for a Kansas farmer!

We have no guarantee whether we will live 8 years, 38 years, or 108 years. In the end, maybe the number of years isn't the most important thing. If you live 108 years but never make a difference is that a lifetime that was well spent? Of course, his friends and family would rather have 100 more years with him. I know this is a small comfort, but I think that looking around the church and seeing how many lives he touched helped me realize yet again how important each day is.

That night as I lay there listening to the sound of Jamy's heart beating and feeling him warm and safe against me I remembered how lucky I am. How easily it could have been him instead of his cousin. How blessed I am to have what I have.

Whenever it is my time, whether that be when I am old or still young, if at my funeral someone can stand and say, "She lived a life that mattered", I think that will be the best compliment I can get.

Brent, you will be missed. I don't know how the people who loved you most pick up their lives and move forward. I do know though that given time and love from those who love them they can find the way. Their lives are better because you were a part of them.

I, for one, will remember you and the lesson you helped me see again about how important it is to live every day and love with everything you have. I will do my best to teach that lesson to my children. I hope they learn that material things aren't important. I hope they learn that most of the things in life that we waste our time worrying about really don't matter. I hope when they start to stress about something they stop themselves and ask, "If I die tomorrow is this really that big of a deal?" I hope they come to know that most of the time the answer is that no it isn't. I hope they learn to live a life that matters.

Dunbar Family Christmas Tour

2009-12-13T17:22:00.000-08:00

Jamy and I bought this big old home a little over three years ago. Since that day we have had this dream of making it a welcoming, beautiful place for the holidays. Each year our Christmas display gets a bit bigger. This year we were asked to be on the Christmas homes tour. I have attached a video of the house and the Christmas display. Enjoy!!

Hannah Montana's got nothing on this boy.

2009-11-22T06:16:00.000-08:00

Mr. Weston has become quite the rocker lately. He gets his guitar, sets up his "stage lights", and makes us all sit on the floor of his room for concerts. Here is some footage from his most recent concert. Funny boy!

Yeah, they are 2 and 4

2009-09-24T19:36:00.001-07:00

Happy Anniversary, Jamy!

2009-08-25T17:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary, Baby! I love you.

The video isn't perfect yet, but I was running out of time. I will probably change the font as I think it is a bit hard to read and I need to crop a few pictures. I also would like to put some effects in it, but you get the idea!

First days of school

2009-08-17T21:12:00.000-07:00

Friday and today brought the first day of school for Abby and then Weston. I will post details and photos soon. For now though here are Skylar's words of advice to Weston today as we were walking to the truck to take him to school. Skylar looks at Weston and says, "Remember, no fighting and no bad words at school!"

Pretty solid advice, don't ya think?

Why my daughter is never getting married.

2009-08-06T23:30:00.000-07:00

Every night I spend several minutes snuggling each one of the kids in their own bed just me and them. We read. We pray. We sing. We also talk. This is my favorite part. I really feel like it is important that each kid has this one-on-one time with me to rehash their day. I tell them how much they mean to me and how proud I am of them. We talk about what we did during the day and what we want to do the next day. Sometimes we talk about things that bother them or things that make them happy. Last night I was snuggling Abby and we were giggling like a couple of teenagers about some silly thing. Those moments are so precious to me. I know they are just silly moments to her now, but I hope one day she will look back and remember and the memory will be precious to her as well.

Let me rehash last night's conversation after the giggling.

Me: "What are you wondering about, honey?"

Abby: "Not much." Short pause here. "What are you wondering about Mommy?"

Me: "Oh I wonder about a lot of things."

Abby: "Like what?"

Me: "Like what makes you happy and what makes you sad. What you like and what you don't like. Who you will be when you grow up. Who you will marry."

Abby cuts me off very abruptly here.

Abby: "I NOT getting married. I really love Logan, but I am not going to get married."

Me (suppressing a giggle): "Really? But don't you think it is special when someone picks you as the person they love and want to spend their life with?"

Abby: "Well, yeah."

Me: "So why don't you want to get married?"

Abby: "Because I don't want to have to pick up the kid's rooms."

Me (no longer able to keep from laughing out loud): "What?"

Abby: "Well, when you get married you have to pick up the kid's rooms and I don't think I should have to pick up after them. I think I am going to just spank their little butts instead."

Me (now really laughing): "Well, is that what you think I should do?"

Abby:"No, Mommy! I really like your way for us kids. I just think I'll do it different and just spank their little butts"

The kid has a point!

A vision

2009-06-30T08:04:00.000-07:00

When we bought our house all of the walls were the same boring neutral very light color. The color is okay, but EVERY wall? Drives me crazy. I love to experiment with decorating, but usually wait until an inspiration hits me.

For awhile now, I have had an idea for our kitchen. I always wanted a red kitchen, but with the woodwork being so dark in there I just could make myself paint the whole kitchen red. We have some wineglasses that are red with some gold accents. Made me think "Hmmmmm...........". We went to the store and found a metallic paint that is actually gold. It is way out there and not a color I would normally have choosen, but I thought, "what the heck, it's just paint."

After the first coat, I was sure I had a made a mistake. It looked awful. A friend came over and convinced me to finish it and see then what I thought. So I did. The results are in and I really like it. I thought I would share some pictures with you all. There are a couple of before pictures so you can see what it was like before. Sorry, but this silly site keeps putting the before pictures in the middle instead of at the start of the pics. I think you will be able to tell the difference though. :)

Of course, now that room is so bright and colorful the rest of the house looks so boring. I guess we better not put those brushes away just yet.

Team Dunbar Takes on Tball

2009-06-11T11:37:00.000-07:00

Abby and Weston had their first Tball game last night. How cute are little kids playing Tball? Here is a little video of the night. Sorry it isn't that great, but I just wanted to get it done quick.

Enjoy!

Being a good granddaughter

2009-06-08T19:17:00.000-07:00

Yes, yes we are still here. Sorry to have not updated for so long. We are out and about enjoying the beautiful weather and each other. But, Grammy is missing the stories and photos of the kiddos so here is an update.

So much has happened in the last month. That is probably part of the reason why I haven't had time to sit down and update the blog. Why is it that when time gets busy doing the things you would love to share you have so little time to sit down and share those things? Anywho...........we have had a graduation, a birthday, visits with friends and family, t-ball starting, picnics, days at the lake, and lots of other fun summer fun going on around here.

Let me start with a funny story. Those of you who have been to our house know that we have a nice big lot for the kids to play on. One of their favorite activities is riding their bikes on the sidewalk in front of the house. We sit on the corner so we have a street to one side of the house and a street in front of the house. Because the lot is big the kids can get up a pretty good head of steam riding along. They know that they have to stop and turn around before they get to the street and at the driveway on the other side. I was having trouble with them last year cutting it a little too close to the street when they turned around in the driveway so I spray painted an orange line on the driveway for them as a visual of when they needed to turn. All three kids know they are not to cross the orange line and they are overall very good about obeying. Over the winter the line faded, so the other day I got out the spray paint and repainted it. While I was at it I decided to put one on the other side of the lot where they needed to turn around before getting to the street. I guess Abby didn't see me paint that one.

Here is the funny part. She was out front riding her bike and I was inside folding laundry watching her through the window. I saw her riding just as fast as she could down the sidewalk. I could see that she was getting ready to brake in time to not get in the street but there was no way she would stop before the orange line. Just about the time I realized she didn't know I put it there she slammed on her brakes so hard that her back tire came off the ground. Next thing you know, I hear her say, "Well, shit! When did she put that there?" Dad was here that day and we laughed so hard I thought we would both pee. Matter-of-fact, as I am writing this I am giggling. Don't ask me where she learned such language. I am sure I don't know.

So here are some pictures to show you what we have been doing.

First, Weston caught some frogs and of course then they had to go for a ride on the radio controlled semi. Poor froggies! Also, Abby had field day at school and so there are a few pics of that as well.

Next are a couple of shots of Miss Abby graduating kindergarten. It turned out to be a very exciting day. Daddy had to be gone for her graduation, but we had several other family and friends surprise her and come down for the big event. A big thank you to you all. It meant a lot to her and to Jamy and I to have you there. That was only the second time that Jamy has had to miss something of the kids and we both struggled with it. Having other people there who love Abby made Daddy being gone easier.

Let's see, next came Weston's birthday. Of course he wanted trains on his cake. We practiced on the cupcakes he took to school. I think they came out cute. Well, for his actual party he wanted a whole train made of cake. No problem! I found a really cute one and showed him the picture. He carried that picture around for over a month. Five days before the party he says, "Mommy, I think probably about I want....a Polar Express train instead." You want a WHAT???? So because I am bound and determined to get that Mommy of the Year award I scrapped the old idea and designed a new cake. It was all worth it when he came downstairs on the morning of his party and saw his cake. I would move a mountain just to see that smile. In this case, I actually built one. Here are some photos.

And some pictures from the party....

Most of you know by now that my son has a SERIOUS obsession with all things train. If you ask him what he is going to be when he grows up the answer is always a train conductor.

And some random fun....

Okay, enough for now. I hope you are all out having as much fun enjoying the people that you love as we are. Happy Summertime!

More pics....

2009-05-08T15:38:00.000-07:00

Here are some more pics. These are from a picnic at the park the other day. The kids and I have a favorite park by the lake. It is in the woods and is a terrific place to play. We had a great time!

And finally, a couple of Mr. Handsome before his spring program. I will try to put video of that up this weekend.

Unbirthdays....

2009-05-07T07:06:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. We are still here. Spring has brought lots to our doorstep. All things that have taken my time and attention away from blogging.

Here are a couple of pictures from a surprise Jamy and I did the other day. The kids were upstairs playing birthday party so we decided to surprise them with a surprise unbirthday party downstairs. I grabbed a few cupcakes I had in the freezer and frosted them really quickly. We put balloons on their chairs and then lit a candle in each cupcake. I called the kids downstairs and told them how it is fun to have a birthday, but everyday is special because every day that isn't your birthday is your unbirthday! Then we took them in the dining room and sang "Happy Unbirthday" to them. It was so much fun! They had the most excited looks on their faces.

I hope they look back when they are all grown up and remember how important it is to celebrate every day. I want them to know the joy and fun of a spontaneous party given for no reason other than to make someone they love smile. Life is busy, but it is so important to remember and celebrate how special it is just to be alive and with the people that you love.

Abby bday!

2009-03-30T18:47:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few pics from the party. Abby had a great day and I will post more on it later. I had oral surgery today so am too drugged to write much now. Enjoy photos for now!

Because I am blessed.....

2009-03-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

Last week was a truly difficult week for us. Last week brought the illness of a dear relative of ours. Jamy's grandpa is not doing well. As I watched Jamy sitting by his bedside for hours and hours struggling with the very real possibility of losing a man he respects and loves, I was reminded of why I love my husband. Jamy's loyalty to the people he cares about is unmatched in anyone else I know. That loyalty is part of what has carried us through the years.

Most of you know that we began dating when we were very young, only fourteen. Twenty-two years later I can honestly say that I love him more today than I ever thought possible. The years have brought us amazing memories, challenges, joys, and some heartache. We are who we are today because we have shared so much of our lives together.

I like to think that our children will benefit from the relationship their parents share. It isn't perfect. Like so many other things in our lives, though, that imperfection is what makes it perfect. No matter what, somewhere in the back of my mind and always in my heart I know that Jamy and I share a bond that can't be described.

Last week, we cried together and held each other always knowing that no matter what the other one was there. I was strong when he was not and he was strong when I was not. That is how it should be. Together then we are strong.

This morning I was thinking about how lucky I am when he called at 7:30 am as usual just to tell me good morning. I was reminded of our wedding day. I had always had a song in my heart that I felt described us perfectly. I wanted it to be our first dance. He wasn't crazy about the song because he doesn't like Kenny Rogers. He had a beautiful song in mind as well. At the time I didn't realize how perfect his choice was. In the end, he let me have my way because he saw how much it meant to me. We used his song for the dance with our parents. This morning, I listened to both songs again and realized just how perfect they both are. I have included videos of both here if you would like to listen.

The point today is that I have realized over the last two decades that the times I grow closest to Jamy is the times that are darkest for us. I don't know what will happen with Grandpa, but I do know that we will face it together and it will be okay.

My choice:

And his:

And now here is a new song out by Brad Paisley that I think also is perfect to describe our lives.

Infinity Nine

2009-03-12T19:01:00.000-07:00

Abby's class has been working on numbers lately. A couple of weeks ago she asked me what was the biggest number I knew. I told her I didn't know and then asked her the biggest number she knew. Miss Smarty Pants popped up with "infinity, because its the biggest number there is." Of course, she then proceeded to begin to count to infinity. The joys of motherhood! It is mind-numbing sometimes, really.

Pretty soon she tells me, "Mommy, I love you. Wanna know how much?" Of course I say, "Sure, how much baby?" She smiles and says,"Infinity nine because that is even bigger than the biggest!" Cute, huh? So since then instead of telling me she loves me, she tells me she loves me infinity nine.

Tonight, I was tucking her into bed. We read, we sang, we snuggled. Then she says, "Mommy, I love you and Daddy infinity nine. And I love all of my grandmas and grandpas infinity nine, too. I love Aunt Beth, you know Hannah's mom? I love her infinity nine, too. But Hannah's dad, I love him infinity, because he is a little scary sometimes."

I had to work not to laugh at that one. Poor Uncle Terry, he tries so hard. I guess being loved infinity is pretty darn good. What's that extra nine anyway?

Kids, you just never know what they will say, do ya?

The end of an era......

2009-03-09T16:50:00.000-07:00

A seven year cycle ended today. It has been a crazy, fun, emotional bonding cycle. One I never expected myself to be a part of, but there I was none-the-less. I am excited for today, but sad to see the cycle end. There has been some comfort in this recurring sequence of events. It is probably what has kept me from single- handedly carrying the responsibility of populating the world.

About seven years ago, I was working at KU when low-and-behold I discovered I was pregnant. Excitedly, I shared the news with a colleague of mine. She had become a close friend and she actually knew that I was confirmed pregnant by my OB before Jamy did. Throughout my pregnancy, she was there watching and marveling right along with me at the crazy changes in my body. We would sit distracted in meetings watching Abby move across my belly instead of listening to what was going on.

I gave birth to Abby and she was one of the first ones there at the hospital to welcome her into the world.

Just not long after Abby was born my friend found herself pregnant with her first child. I couldn't wait to hand over my maternity clothes and marvel with her as her precious baby boy grew in her tummy.

She had him early one summer and what do you know, I got all knocked up with Weston. I was bursting with the news but didn't want to tell Jamy over the phone so I called my friend from the stall of the public bathroom at KU where I had anxiously peed on the stick. We swapped maternity clothes again and the cycle started all over. I had Weston, she got pregnant with her second. Back went the maternity clothes again. She gave birth to a beautiful little girl.

Well, we just had to do it again right? I got pregnant with Skylar, we swapped maternity clothes yet again. Skylar was born. Jamy and I decided she was our last. It was sad, but that was okay because I just knew if I ever had baby fever my old friend would come through for me and have another. Sure enough, just about the time I was getting sad that I was never going to have a baby again I got a phone call from my friend and she was expecting.

Today, my friend welcomed another baby boy into the world. I am so excited for her and her husband. Even though we now live an hour apart and don't get to see each other as much, my recent bout of baby fever has dropped off a little.

I think I am so excited for my friend because of this crazy cycle we have found ourselves in. It seems just about the time one of us would catch baby fever the other would get pregnant and we would be good for a couple of years.

We swapped clothes, advice, baby gear, joys and frustrations. We have seen each other at our highest and our lowest. Because we were also both breastfeeding mothers, we have also seen way more of each other than most adult female friends do. We know WAY more about each others' posteriors that friends really should. Whenever I had a pregnancy moment she was there if I needed her and I hope she always knew I was here for her.

I believe this is the last one for her as well so the cycle has ended as all good things must. So to my friend, Dawn, congratulations. It has been fun. We have lots of good memories of our pregnancies. When I think back to the time in my life when I was having babies, you will always be there in my memory. Distance has taken us apart in the last couple of years, but you have still been there for me as only a true friend could be. I have two girls and a boy and you have two boys and a girl. What a perfect set, don't ya think?

So now we move onto the next phase. We get to sit back and enjoy watching each other raise the families we have created. I just know this next phase will be an even bigger adventure than the first. Snuggle that new baby boy for me and I will see you soon, my friend.

The girls are riding in luxury.

2009-03-03T20:28:00.000-08:00

For all my dear friends who have been very concerned about a certain part of my wardrobe that has not been updated for about 6 years, the situation is under control. A quick trip to Penneys and $50 later and the girls are happy again. So thanks for all of your concern and offers of hand-me-downs. It is good to know I have girlfriends who would give me not just the shirt off their backs, but everything under it as well.

And so it begins.......

2009-03-03T11:14:00.000-08:00

Raising a boy is a wondrous experience. The world is different from the perspective of my little man. He sees things the girls don't. He wonders about things that the girls couldn't care less about. Dirt is not just his friend, it is an essential part of every outing.

Here lately, we have also begun to notice that raising a boy is different because of his unique body parts. Sure doesn't take boys long to discover they can pee in whatever direction they want, now does it? Or that certain parts of their anatomy seem to have a mind of their own.

Take for example this morning. I came into the living room to find Weston in the chair looking wide-eyed. He says to me, "Mom, watch this!" Then proceeds to pull his pants down where it seems his boyhood was wide awake and standing at attention. He then says, "My wiener is HUGE!" Trying not to laugh I calmly asked him to pull his pants back up. He keeps talking saying, "But look I can knock it down and it pops right back up again! Cool, huh?!" Ugh, yeah cool. A talent you will be very thankful for later in life but let's not start so young, huh.

We had a nice talk about our private parts and times and places it may be appropriate to discover what our body can do. My living room chair? Not one of those places.

So, it seems raising a boy is going to have some unique challenges. I am not sure I was quite ready for needing to teach him to keep it in his pants.

Abby's Dancing Debut

2009-02-19T12:34:00.000-08:00

You just gotta laugh....

2009-02-18T18:47:00.000-08:00

When it rains it pours here at Dunbar Manor. Let me give you a quick recap of our life just in the last two weeks. Jamy was all set to go on another trip overseas so I had rebooked appointments, made sitter arrangements and all of that sort of thing so that everything was covered while he was gone. The Wed. before he was set to leave I surprised him with a sitter and a night out for dinner to celebrate Valentine's since he was going to be gone. So we go to dinner and spend $30 on a sitter for the night. Then the next day we find out he isn't going on that trip and he will be here for Valentine's. My dad was already coming up that weekend to help me with the kids so we could have had a babysitter for free. That's okay, 'cuz hey hubby gets to be home. Yeah!

So, then we have a windstorm and lose part of our roof AGAIN!! That's okay it was the one part of the roof that we hadn't gotten replaced yet. I called the insurance company and they sent a claims officer out yesterday. The damage $994.99. Our deductible $1000. Are you laughing yet?

Since my dad was going to be here for Valentine's I talked him into staying the night and decided to splurge on an overnight trip to Lawrence with Jamy. Great idea, right? Except three hours after I booked the reservation guess what happened.

Our two-year-old washer dies. We pay the repairman $45 to come out and tell us it is dead and we need a new one. Okay...that is okay, I call the company they will give us 15% off a new one even though our old one isn't under warranty anymore. Better than nothing right?

Six hours after the repairman leaves Weston, who hasn't been sick all winter, pukes all over his bed, his room and himself. Great, pukey kid and no washer! Aghhh, life is good.

We find a new washer, but decide to wait to buy it because our tax refund was scheduled to get here last Friday. Friday comes, we check the website, and yup, the feds released the money. Hmmm... why isn't it at our bank? We call the bank. It can take 2-3 business days to hit the bank. Okay, I can go to McDonalds and it shows up right away, but for some reason if it is a deposit coming from the feds it takes three days. Gotcha! It is now a three day weekend and so earliest we will see it is Tues. Great, 'cuz Jamy leaves for a trip on Tues. So no washer for me while he is gone. That is okay. It is a short trip and he will be home by Sat. We will get the washer then and all will be right with the world.

Okay, now we are up to this morning. I wake up with one of those headaches that will only go away if you go back to sleep for a couple of hours. Problem? I have three small kids which doesn't make that a possibility. No problem. I will just plow through because that is what moms do.

I decided to clean the bathroom. I lean up against the tub as I am cleaning it. I look down I have bleached the leg of my brand new pants. Did you all know SoftScrub has bleach in it? I didn't, but I do now. Keep in mind I haven't bought new clothes for myself since before the kids were born. These pants were two weeks old. Aggghhh, life is good.

Then I go to get in the car to pick up Abby from school. Battery is toast. Great, no problem. So I load the little ones in the stroller and we walk down to get Abby. It is cold but fresh air is good, right? No worries about the car because my mom just happened to be coming through today. I will use her car and jump my car and all will be good. Except its not. Nothing happens when I jump it. That's alright. I couldn't happen on a better day because Mom is here and she can take me to Topeka to the base where I can pick up the truck. Aaagghh....life is good.

I am sure I forgot some craziness, but you get the idea. My point, you ask? Here you go. No matter what life throws at you you have the great opportunity to choose how you will react. I could throw my hands up and cry or I can say, "Wow, aren't we lucky!' I am going to decide we are pretty darn lucky. See all of this stuff could have happened a couple of months ago when money was really, really tight or it could have happened while Jamy was gone for a big deployment. But it didn't. It all happened in the last two weeks. Right when we were scheduled to get a big tax refund. My car could have died on a day when I had no way to get to the base to get the truck, but it didn't. It died on the one day my mom just happened to be coming down anyway.

So see, even when life is crazy it is all good. Now I sit here in the quiet house with the kids all asleep and wonder what tomorrow will bring. Hmmm...maybe I will just stay in bed. Better not tempt fate, ya know!? After all, a girl can only be Pollyanna for so long.

I think we may have trouble.....

2009-02-18T10:51:00.001-08:00

This morning the kids and I had a very interesting conversation at the laundromat of all places. Yeah, I STILL don't have a new washer yet. Grr, grr, growl, growl. Anywho, Skylar has apparently started to notice the difference between boys and girls. Of course, what better place to discuss these differences than a Laundromat. She informed me that Weston has a wiener and Daddy has a wiener. Mommy, Skylar and Abby don't have wieners. Good so far, right. Then she pipes up with this fabulous quote, "Mommy, I don't like wieners. Wieners are yuck. They taste like yuck!" People all around us began to giggle as I snorted trying really hard not to laugh. Not sure yet what my response to that one should have been but we did a little distraction with the washing machine. Whew! Where is Jamy when these things come up????????

This book is more than the cover....

2009-02-06T12:09:00.000-08:00

So after thinking about the lady at the grocery store the other day I have a couple of other thoughts. Why is it that some people think they not only are entitled to have AND share their opinion about other people's lives, but they also get to make a value judgement.

I was talking to a friend this morning, you know while I was just sitting around. We somehow got on the topic of nasty things people say. Some people don't realize how horrible they sound and others mean to sound that horrible. We began to talk about how people are so quick to judge someone, but not willing to look deep and see what led that other person to where they are. For example, the Grocery Lady informed me that stay-at-home moms were rich, spoiled and had no clue about the real world. I guess some are, but most of us make huge sacrifices, both financial and otherwise, to be able to stay home with our kids. You could look at me and think, "Wow, she has a nice home, a couple of cars, a computer to type out rambling blog posts on, she must be rolling in the dough." What you wouldn't see is the hard work, the sweat, the tears, the fears, the sacrifice and the joy that Jamy and I have put in to get to where we are. Grocery Lady will never know that I worked my tail off in high school so that I would get scholarships to college. She will never know that I worked three jobs while double majoring in science during college. She won't ever see the ratty apartment that was mine and Jamy's first home. She won't see the trailer we lived in for six years while we worked our way toward being home owners. She won't know that we moved away from friends and family to even be in a market where we could afford to buy a home. She won't know the sacrifice our family makes everytime Jamy has to go on a trip to some place a whole other world away. But for some reason she is entitled to pass judgement on me and every other stay-at-home mom because she saw me in a grocery store check out line.

Here is another one I love. I don't know how many times I have heard, "So how many college degrees DOES it take to stay home all day?" Yeah, that's right people say that. Even members of my own family. Who cares how many degrees I have? If I don't think they make me better than you, why do you? My college education is something I am proud of because I worked my ass off for it. Someday, I will go back to work and those degrees will be there to help me do that. Right now, my husband and I feel the best place I can be is right here with our children. How does that hurt you and why should you care?

If Jamy and I are good citizens who are paying our bills on time and contributing positively to society how does my decision to stay home hurt you? In fact, there is lots and lots of research out there to show that children who grow up in homes where the parents are involved grow to become successful contributing members of society.
So why should you judge.

There are so many ways in which we judge other people. We don't stop to think that that other person has a whole lifetime behind them that has brought them to where they are. Just because I now have a nice home, a couple of cars, and that computer doesn't mean I don't know what it is like to not have those things. It also doesn't mean that I don't wake up everyday and know how truly blessed I am.

Next time you find yourself passing judgement or saying something to someone stop and think, "Am I being fair? Do I have the facts? Is what I am about to say going to tear this person down or will it build them up?"

We teach our kids about respect here at the Dunbar house. We teach them that respect is treating other people the way you would want to be treated. If you wouldn't like someone passing that judgement on you maybe it is best if you just keep it too yourself.

I think my experience with Grocery Lady is a good one. Hopefully, because of my sharing it with you all we will all stop and think the next time we are tempted to judge.

A word to working moms.....

2009-02-05T07:35:00.000-08:00

I would like to give a big show of support to all of you moms out there who are working, taking care of your families and still trying to have a life of your own. I did it for several months and I know it isn't easy. Everyday I would drop Abby off and drive away feeling like I was failing her. It was a delicate balance to give my all to every area of my life. And that was just with one kid! Now I have three and can't imagine how crazy life would be if I worked outside of the home as well.

Most working moms are wonderful people who also understand and support the stay-at-home mom's decision to leave her career and concentrate on raising her family. Most women I know are very supportive of other women no matter what choice they make. We all know that it is hard to work and it is hard to stay home. It is a blessing to work and it is a blessing to stay home. There are joys and sacrifices no matter which road you choose. In the end you do the best you can and pray that it is enough.

Then there are women who just don't get it. They are rude. They are judgemental. And for some reason they believe they are entitled to have an opinion about how other women have chosen to raise their families. Some of these women are working moms and some are stay-at-home moms. The sad thing about these women is that they are usually not afraid to share their opinion about your choice in very public places.

So here is a word to the working mom I met at the grocery store check out line yesterday. This mom, whom I had never met before, proceeded to tell me that she believed that women who choose to stay home with their children are lazy, overprotective, and self-absorbed. She just couldn't understand how anyone would quit their job in favor of SITTING AROUND all day. This mom believed that women who stay at home are spoiled and don't understand what the REAL world is like.

After I politely turned my back on her and went about talking to my children I could overhear her talking to her friend. She was telling her how she was so bored in her job. All she had done the last few days was surf on the Internet and play solitaire on her computer.

Hmmmm....okay. Let me tell you about my day today. I got up. I fed three other people. I got three other people dressed. I made four beds. I drove one kid to school. I went to the pharmacy. I cleaned up breakfast. I made two appointments for later this week. I scheduled three meetings. I did two loads of laundry. I read four books to little ones. I put away the other five loads of laundry that have been sitting in baskets because I haven't gotten to them yet. I fixed a broken cabinet door. I did a little research for a project I am working on. I took a call from our insurance company. I finally went and took a crap. Yeah, I didn't do that by myself. I had two helpers and a cat with me. I danced with a two year old. I helped a three year old color his picture. All of that and it was only 9:30 am!

I am just wondering how much Miss Judgemental Mom got done before 9:30 am. Maybe as she is sitting there in the quiet playing on the Internet, by some miracle she will come across my blog. Maybe she will stop and think for just one minute about how the other half lives. Maybe she will realize that whether you are working or staying at home, being a mother is the most rewarding, hardest, time-consuming, blessing you could ever have. Or maybe she will put her feet up on her desk, drink her coffee and play another game of solitaire. Thank God woman like her are the minority.

So to all of my working mom friends, keep it up. I support you. You are amazing and you are doing a great job. To my stay-at-home mom friends, keep it up. I support you. You are amazing and you are doing a great job.

To those moms who have an opinion about the choice another mom has made in this area, keep it to yourself. She is doing the best she can and all she really needs is your support.

Dear me, now what will I do for the rest of the day. Hmmm.... I guess I could go get those BonBons out and kick back on the couch for awhile!! :)

It's a boy!!!

2009-02-03T11:33:00.000-08:00

Meet the newest Dunbar! Little Gidget is adorable and already loved.

2009-01-19T18:55:00.000-08:00

So on the eve of inauguration here is a glimpse of all that we will be leaving behind. Not sure how we will carry on, but I guess somehow we will get through.

Don't let the door hit ya.....

2009-01-16T07:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, along with many of you, I was amazed to see a plane in the Hudson River with its passengers standing on its wings. I watched the news listening to survivors tell story after story of their miraculous experiences. The pilot and flight crew are rightfully being called heros. The news this morning was again packed full of survivors, photos, and experts.

As I listened all of the sudden it dawned on me that I had forgotten something else that happened last night. President Bush gave his farewell speech. Did anyone actually see it or were you all watching the crash coverage like me? What does it say about our President that the news hardly mentioned his speech in favor of reporting on a plane crash? I think that is a pretty good sign for Mr. Bush to move on.

I do don't pretend to know what the future will hold for our country. I do believe that Americans are strong, brave and resilant. The passengers and crew of the US Airways flight yesterday are a testiment to that. Whatever our future will be we will survive just as they did.

So, Mr. Bush, have a nice retirement. I only wish you could have remembered the lesson my grandparents and parents taught me when I was a child. Always leave a place better than you found it.

Happy Birthday, Skylar

2009-01-08T05:52:00.000-08:00

Two years ago today, our lives weren't nearly as bright as they are today. It is so hard to believe that our "baby" is already two. Here is Skylar's birthday video. Sit back and enjoy a look back over the last year with Skylar.

Another birthday picture...

2009-01-06T20:02:00.003-08:00

This one cracked us up. I swear it isn't what it looks like. That baby wasn't in any danger. Camera angles are funny things.

Update on yesterday's post.

2009-01-06T09:55:00.000-08:00

I should have know better than to push my luck. The new toddler bed is AWESOME. She loves it and goes right in to go to bed. Matter of fact, we have a hard time getting her out of it. But guess what. It didn't work for the potty problem. Last night I went in to check her and there she was as usually butt naked, sleeping in a puddle of pee. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..........

She has her check-up on Monday with Dr. Riordan. Maybe he will have a brilliant suggestion for us. I am going to have to go back to work so we can afford the utility bill from all of the laundry if she doesn't knock it off.

Good thing she is cute!

Let the party begin......

2009-01-05T12:58:00.000-08:00

Birthday celebrations have begun!!! Yesterday we had Skylar's official family and friends birthday party. Holy cow!! My baby is a party girl. She loved it. I am trying to get caught up on pictures and videos so for now here is a sneak peek.

Her cake....Weston had a ball helping with it.

My baby overdosed on sugar.

Her big present, drum roll please........A big girl bed fit for a princess.

Last night was her first night in the new bed. She has done awesome for bedtime and naptime. She goes right in, hops up and covers herself up and says, "My pretty bed. I go night night!" This girl is a character I tell ya. And yup folks, last night she kept her jammies on. We told her she can't take them off and pee in her new pretty bed. Wish us luck that it works.

Finally, Abby and her posing in one of her new outfits from Grandma.

Okay, I have some football to watch so that is it for now. More later!!

Too much to write.

2009-01-01T18:14:00.000-08:00

Holy cow! Life at the Dunbar house has been running full steam lately. I have so much to update. Pictures, video, stories and all sorts of good stuff. I just seem to have no time to do it. So for now, Happy New Year to all. I hope this year brings you much joy, just enough sorrow to appreciate the joy and more laughter than you can imagine.

I came across something the other day that sums up the way I feel about the new year and life in general. It is my new year's resolution so here you go.

"This day I call heaven and earth as witness against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live."
Deuteronomy 30:19

Each day in this new year we will all have many blessings put before us. We will also have curses and hard times along the way. It is up to each of us to decide which we will focus on. I am going to choose life. I want to focus on the blessings in my life and let the rest go.

So get out there this new year and make sure you are really living. Teach your children what it means to love with all of your heart, take risks, grab life and enjoy the time they have. Life is good and it gets better when you choose to live.

Happy New Year!

Good job, Grammy!

2008-12-21T05:56:00.000-08:00

I should have known to take Grammy out of the running. She has been listening to me whine about wanting to take the kids to Branson for Christmas. So here is your prize Grammy!!

Here is a Big 'Ole Hillbilly "Yee Haw" just for you. There will also be three happy kids with lots of stories to share arriving at your house in about a week.

Keep an eye out and I will post some video and pictures in the next few days. I kept meaning to get one of all of us together, but we were having too much fun and I actually didn't take a lot of pictures.

We are going to head out for home here in a little bit. Bass Pro Shop in Springfield awaits us.

More later from home!

Where in the world are the Dunbars?

2008-12-20T19:19:00.000-08:00

Here is a little holiday game for you. First to guess correctly gets a prize. Not a great prize, but hey something is better than nothing.

You have all heard of Where's Waldo. Let's play, Where are the Dunbars?

Here is the scene....

Friday morning Abby and I head to her class for the big holiday party. Jamy stays home with the little ones. We decorate cookies, we cover all sorts of things in frosting and chocolate. Right after lunch I get a message from the office that there is a home call waiting for me. Huh??? I go in and pick it up. It is Jamy saying something has come up at work that he needs me to come right home. As you all know Jamy is in the Air Force. I am thinking 9/11 scenarios all over again. I say, "Okay, can I leave Abby here?" Then he scares the life out of me because he says I can't leave her at school but need to bring her with me. Now I am worried because what could have happened so bad in the world that I need to pull Abby out of school? I am trying to remember those Cold War nuclear strike drills from elementary school as I hurry and try to get everything together to go home.

Abby and I walk in the door and there is Jamy with a big grin on his face and a bag packed at his feet. He says, "Merry Christmas! We are going on vacation. Run pack what you need to go for the weekend. The kids are packed already!" Isn't he awesome!!!!

Apparently, he has been planning this trip for several months and even had several of my friends in on it. Including the friend I was room mother with. Tisha, you are good!!! Through all of that planning you never gave any hint anything was going on. If I ever need a secret kept, you are my gal.

He told my dad where we were going so if there was a crisis we could be found, but other than that noone in the world knows where we are.

So here is the game.....can you guess? Here are some clues:

1. We are within a 7 hour drive of home.
2. Our cell phones don't work here.
3. Christmas is the name of the game in these parts.
4. The town we are in has a population of just over 6,000, but if you drive down main street it will take you an hour.
5. Salt water taffy, fudge and the best hot chocolate in the world.

I know by now my Mom, sister and brother at least can figure it out but how about the rest of you?

One last clue. A visual one.....

Ideas please.....

2008-12-08T06:46:00.000-08:00

I need HELP!!!! Time to put your thinking caps on, people, and help me out. Miss Skylar has a new trick and my washer can't take it.

You give her a kiss, give her Binky Boo, tuck her in and say "Nite, Muffin". She kisses the air like the sweet angel she is. Then you close her door and go on downstairs. Before you go to bed you check your sleeping angel to make sure she is okay.

Here is where the trouble starts. I don't care what time you check her she is laying there in her crib, butt-ass naked! No jammies. No diaper. No covers. The girl LOVES to be naked. Problem is she pees all over her bed. So you change jammies, diapers and crib sheet and tuck her back in. Then in the morning you go in to get her up and yup, you guessed it, butt-ass naked again. Again sheets all wet!

So help me. Any ideas how to keep her diaper and jammies on her. We have tried zip up jammies, snap-on jammies, tied jammies, diapers, pull-ups, and stopped just short of duct taping her into her clothes of the night.

Seriously I only have three crib sheets left and my washer can't take the overuse.

Last one tonight.....

2008-12-06T19:30:00.000-08:00

Grammy wanted to see the lights at our house so here is some video of the Griswald family Christmas for those of you who are interested. We have a dream of someday really lighting this place up, but for right now this is what we have. You should see the kids faces. Christmas just wasn't the same before we had kids!!!!

And finally, here is what Abby has been busy doing.....

2008-12-06T13:01:00.000-08:00

We are going to be paying the tooth fairy overtime. Miss Abby has lost five teeth now and has three others pretty loose. She had one tooth just barely in there. She came running in with a bloody mouth and a tooth in her mouth. I thought it was the tooth that was so loose. Nope! Her and Weston were playing and he accidentally kicked her in the mouth knocking loose a tooth that really wasn't that loose. So she lost it and then a couple of days later the really loose one came out.

Anyone have a food processor I can borrow? This poor kid is going to need her food pureed at this rate!

For Aunt Kristi

2008-12-06T12:35:00.000-08:00

Poor Aunt Kristi! You have been trying to see the ABC's as performed by Skylar for a couple of months now. We finally remembered to get it on video for you. For those of you counting out there, she still isn't two yet!!!! Why is this baby trying to grow up so fast???????????

As promised....

2008-12-06T11:53:00.001-08:00

Here is the video of Weston that I promised the other day. Sorry it took so long. My computer came down with a one-year old virus and had to be taken in to get fixed. Note to self, keep the baby away from the laptop. Those little fingers can do some damage.

Anyway, here is the background. As many of you know, Jamy has had to travel much more than normal lately. Last summer when he was gone Weston was having a hard time with missing Daddy so was being very clingy to me. We went to my Grandma's and at some point during the trip I ran to the store for Grammy while the kids were resting. Weston didn't want me to leave him. He was afraid I was going to be gone for a long time like Daddy. I snuggled him and explained that when we love someone even if we can't see them they are still in our hearts and that is what keeps us together. All you have to do is close your eyes and think about the person you miss and you can remember them and how much they love you. Sappy I know, but it got me out the door and to the store without my three year-old shadow.

Fast forward, six months. Jamy was gone again and I was putting Weston to bed. He hadn't said anything about the whole keeping me in his heart business during that whole time. Then as I was tucking him in he told me that when he was sleeping he missed me, but he was putting me in his heart so we could be together. The next day I made a video so you all can see.

I tell ya, Mr. Sensitive is going to make some woman very happy someday! That's if I decided to let him date!

Technology is weird.

2008-12-02T09:23:00.000-08:00

So after much pressure from many people in my life, I joined Facebook last night. I figured I couldn't really comment on it until I tried it. I just have to tell ya, what a weird freakin' experience!!!!

I accepted an invite from a friend from high school. Next thing I know I am having a "conversation" with my sister, a friend in KC and a friend in Seattle all at the same time. Jamy was laughing at me and saying that at any minute my brain was going to explode.

On the sidebar Facebook kept finding all of these people I might know. Yikes, does it scare anyone else that the computer can find people from my past and link us all together?

I also have a feeling that there are all sorts of rules of ettiquete that I have no clue about. There are strange terms like "writing on someone's wall" and "poking" people. I have no idea what I am doing, but it is good to hear from some old friends again.

So if you are on Facebook and "see" me there don't laugh too hard at me as I try to figure it all out and stop by and say "hi".

On another note, Thanksgiving was nice. We had a nice family day and then a nice visit with some old friends. It is always so good to see everyone.

We found out my thyroid is messed up again so that is why I have been feeling so yucky lately. I started the new meds today so within six weeks we should know if they will work or not.

Jamy is off again. He headed out this morning for just a couple of day trip to St. Louis for a conference. I really wanted to go with him, but I was too chicken to ask anyone to keep my kids since Abby and Weston are in school. Oh well, maybe he will have a little trip this summer and I can hop on with him.

Finally, Weston said something last night that melted my heart. I am not going to tell you all about it right now as I am going to try to tape him saying it later today so hopefully you can see the live version. Let me just tell you though, grab some Kleenex. He is too sweet!

I will also try to take some pictures of the Griswald, oops I mean Dunbar, family Christmas. Let me just apologize now to all of you who live in Osage City and the surrounding area. I know every evening your power blinks off when we click on the lights. If you would like to come over and read by the glow of our house you are welcome. Heck, I may even fix you some hot chocolate for your trouble.
Okay, gotta go for now!

Hey Daddy, Look at Meeee!!!

2008-11-13T16:41:00.000-08:00

Daddy,

I wanted you to see what I have been up to since you have been gone. Wait until you hear the way I giggle when I put the potty in the potty.

Check it out. Diapers are almost a thing of the past in our world. Do you think with all of the money we will save I can have a pony? Just a little one! Phleaseeee......

I miss you and I love you.
Skylar

Sometimes they make you pee......

2008-11-11T18:26:00.001-08:00

The great thing about being a parent is that on any given day, at any given time, your children can actually be so funny they make you almost pee your pants. Tonight Skylar decided it was time for her to go to "pweschool". She went and got on Abby's headband and backpack and kept telling us, "Bye-Bye. I wuv you! See ya later. I go to pweschool." Then she added some funny glasses my friend Carey gave her and the rest of us were laughing like crazy.

Daddy, I hope you can see this where you are. Your daughter is a hoot!!!!!

Thank you!

2008-11-11T12:13:00.000-08:00

Veteran's Day.

What does it mean to you? To me, it is yet another opportunity to remember why I am able to sleep safe at night. I can think about why I just got to vote last week in an election to choose who would be our next leader. Today, I can reflect upon how very blessed I am to be an American. Most importantly, I can say thank you to the people who have made my life possible.

All over our country and the world there are men and women who have served or are serving our country and not asked for anything but a "Thank you" in return. So many families have been or currently are separated from the one they love as that person sacrifices the conveniences of their life to protect my right and ability to enjoy those conveniences. So to all of those who serve and to all those who support them I say, "Thank you!"

Look around you today. I bet someone you meet or someone you know is a veteran. Thank them today for what they have done for you.

To my husband who is currently away from us serving his country, I love you and am so proud of you everyday. The kids and I are fine. We miss you but know that our sacrifice is tiny compared to so many others. Hurry home and thank you!

Think about the words of this song by Toby Keith today and remember to thank a vet!

I'm just trying to be a father,
Raise a daughter and a son,
Be a lover to their mother,
Everything to everyone.
Up and at 'em bright and early,
I'm all business in my suit,
Yeah,I'm dressed up for success,
from my head down to my boots.
I don't do it for money
there's bills that I can't pay.
I don't do it for the glory,
I just do it anyway.
Providing for our future's my responsibility,
Yeah I'm real good under pressure,
being all that I can be.

And I can't call in sick on Mondays
when the weekends been too strong,
I just work straight through the holidays,
And sometimes all night long.
You can bet that I stand ready
when the wolf growls at the door,
Hey, I'm solid, hey I'm steady,
hey I'm true down to the core.

And I will always do my duty,
no matter what the price,
I've counted up the cost,
I know the sacrifice.
Oh, and I don't want to die for you,
But if dyin's asked of me,
I'll bear that cross with honor,
'Cause freedom don't come free.

I'm an American soldier, an American,
Beside my brothers and my sisters
I will proudly take a stand,
When liberty's in jeopardy
I will always do what's right,
I'm out here on the front lines,
So you can sleep in peace tonight.
American soldier, I'm an American,

American Soldier,
An American

We Love you, Daddy!

A letter to our president-elect.

2008-11-04T21:39:00.000-08:00

Dear President-Elect Obama,

Tonight, I trusted you with something with which I have trusted only one other man. I trusted you with the future of my children. Tonight, I stepped into a voting booth with all three of my young children by my side and I cast my vote for you. Then tonight I listened to you speak to our country and promise to protect that future. It is a moment in history I will not forget.

You did not earn my vote easily. John McCain is a great man who has served his country and sacrificed more than most of us Americans can ever imagine. I also believe he could have made a great president. You earned my vote because in the end I agree with more of your ideas and I believe you are the leader who can energize our country and lead us in a new direction.

There will be those who disagree with me. Some of those people will be my own family and friends. These are the people you spoke of tonight. These are the people who did not vote for you and whose help you requested tonight. The strength of our great nation lies in our freedom to disagree openly with our elected officials. While we exercise that freedom, I would ask that all Americans step up and realize that the majority of American people have spoken. Let's unite again as a country and come together to support you, Mr. Obama. My grandmother taught me that while you have the right as an American to disagree with or even dislike the president, you do not have the right to disrespect the office of the president. I hope all Americans can unite and come together to work with you and move our country in a direction that will serve us all well.

There are those Americans who fear you. It will be up to you to show them you are a man of your word. Show us Americans that we can trust you. I believe that one of the greatest challenges that America faces is that the average citizen simply does not trust our leaders anymore. I know that is one of the reasons I struggled so much with my decision. Once a politician gets to the level of office you have achieved, how do I know I can trust you to do what you say in the best interest of the most Americans? Over the next four years I expect you to show me that I can take you at your word.

I hired you tonight to protect my future and the future of my children. I expect you now to live up to your end of the deal. I remember when I was a little girl going camping with my mom and grandpa in the mountains of Colorado. Grandpa and Mom always taught us to leave our campsite better than we found it. Now, I have three small children of my own. Whenever we go to the park or camping or even out for a walk I try to pass that lesson on to them. Leave the place you are a better place than it was when you got there. President-Elect Obama, I do not envy you the challenges you will face during your time in office. Our world and our nation are struggling right now. I pass the lesson onto you though. Leave America a better place than how you found it. Fight everyday you are in office to make sure that our world is better when you leave office than it is right now as you go into office.

I am a stay-at-home mom who proudly supports my Air Force husband as he serves our country. I am also trusting you with him. You will make decisions that may place him in harms way. Be sure as you make those decisions and ask us and every other military family to make sacrifices for our country that you are doing it for the right reasons.

History was made tonight when you were elected. It is a proud moment for America. Your children and mine will never truly remember a world in which America sat waiting for the first minority to be elected to its highest offiec. It has happened and I pray that while we never forget our American history, we can now move into a new and exciting future. I pray now that we can all come together as a nation and remember that what unites us all is that we are human and we all want to live the American dream. The world and your citizens will be watching to see how you lead us into the future. Do not fail us.

Thank you for your willingness to sacrifice so much for our country.

It doesn't get any better than this!

2008-10-31T21:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween everyone!!

It is late. I am tired. But man, what a great day. Great weather, great friends and great fun. Here are a few pictures so you can see a bit of what we did. I will post more tomorrow with details.

Can you guess Abby's exciting news for today from one of the pictures?

Have a great night!

My baby.....

2008-10-21T18:00:00.000-07:00

So here is a little of what Skylar has been doing lately:

For about a month she has been able to clearly say her ABC's.

Tonight she counted to ten.

She plays make-believe games all of the time. Her favorite is to pretend she is a hungry puppy.

She can carry on a full conversation with you including asking you questions.

She was saying her phone number with Abby last night. She was just repeating what Abby was saying so don't get too excited.

She can "read" her favorite book. She basically has it memorized and says the words along with you.

She attempted a cartwheel this weekend. Not a great attempt, but the stinker got her little legs up in the air.

She has started putting on her shoes and socks.

She clearly sings several songs.

She can say her prayers.

She can change her baby's diaper.

She is freaking her mom out a bit. Where did my little baby go and why is she growing up so doggone fast? She just turned 22 months old for heavens sake. Why does time go faster when it is your last baby?

I guess I just have to accept that this one isn't going to stay little long. It makes me appreciate her all the more!

Fall Fun!

2008-10-05T18:55:00.000-07:00

The Dunbars have been having so much fun these last few weeks. I realized the other day I haven't put anything new on here in awhile. I want to go spend a quiet evening with Jamy so am not going to type much tonight. Here are some pictures instead.

We went apple picking on Saturday with some friends we hadn't seen in awhile. (Thanks, guys! It was awesome to see you again.) I haven't gotten the pictures off of the camera, but I will soon.

Enjoy!

Doin' a "secial" job

2008-08-29T07:01:00.000-07:00

Oh, how I love that boy of mine!!! Jamy is awesome, but this time I am talking about the littlest man in my life. Watching him go to preschool has been so much fun. He LOVES school and much to my surprise, has had zero problems with me leaving him there. He takes his teacher's hand, waves bye and heads up the steps without hardly even looking back.

Weston is so many things. He can be wild and crazy. Sometimes he is more than just a little ornery. Under it all though, there is a sweetness and sensitive little man that makes me so proud. He holds Skylar's hand to help her down the stairs. He has carried a little caterpillar around for about 24 hours now. He says it needs him because it can't find its mommy and daddy. Never mind, the reason it can't get home is because he put it in a bug house. Doesn't matter, Weston just knows he needs to take care of it. He hugs me constantly and puts my face in his little hands so he can look at me. He thinks Daddy hung the moon. Since Weston has started school I have really come to appreciate what a sensitive guy he really is.

His new question/comment for me is, "Look, Mommy, I did a secial job!" or "Mommy, did I do a secial job?" He is so proud that he is doing a "secial" job. We have a bulletin board in the kitchen where we display the kid's school papers. Every time he walks by and sees his stuff from school he has to remind us that he did a "secial" job. Hearing that sweet little voice full of pride for the job he has done makes my day.

Hug your kids tight today and remind them how "secial" they are to you. And yes, Weston, you did a "secial" job.

Finally,

2008-08-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

I was finally able to get Weston's preschool video up. Here you go!

I wish each and every one of you could see his little face when it is time to go to school. Then when I pick him up he lights up again. Weston reminds me everyday how important the little things in life really are and how much joy you can find just by being open to the world around you. He has this smile that can fix anything that is wrong.

I hope you enjoy watching him go to school!

New video!

2008-08-20T07:28:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick video I put together a few days ago of Skylar.

Weston had an awesome first day of preschool. I have some great video and pictures to share but for some reason my computer isn't uploading those. I will work on it again at naptime today so check back later or tomorrow and hopefully you can see him.

He did a great job! He pretty much ran the whole way to school. He hesitated for a moment at the top of the stairs where he could see the classroom. It was almost like he realized the reality of school. Just took him a minute though and he ran right on in and got busy.

So now I have two school kids. It is a strange feeling. Yesterday for a couple of hours it was just Skylar and me. It has been about three years since I just had one baby to take care of. She seemed to love it!

Okay, off to play a game. Have a great day!

Another baby out of the nest

2008-08-19T06:28:00.001-07:00

In just a few hours, I will push another little hatchling out of the nest. There should really be some rule about not having to have two major milestones with two of your children in the same week.

Yup, Weston starts preschool at 10:30 am today. How can it be time already? It seems like it was just a few minutes ago that Kathy, our midwife, said, "You have a son!" At that moment, I remember feeling something I had never felt before. I guess it is that special love that a mother has for her son. Daughters are amazing in their own way. Sons tug at a Mommy's heart. He is my little man and I am not sure either of us is ready for preschool. In just a few hours we will be though. I will strap his adorable little backpack on his back, take some pictures and send him off to school.

Part of my brain is frantically trying to figure out some way to keep him from growing up so fast. The other part of my brain knows and believes that letting go and giving them some Independence is the best gift a parent can give. I am pretty sure at any momont the two halves of my brain could collide and the universe will explode.

So if the ground beneath your feet shakes at little at 10:30 and the sky turns black for a moment, don't be frightened. It will just be my brain wrapping itself around the idea that another of my babies is really no longer a baby.

Hang on tight!!!

What did he say????

2008-08-16T21:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, we just watched Michael Phelps make history. Eight gold medals!!!!! Amazing!

Now I need someone to correct me here and tell me that he didn't just say what I think he said on the medals stand. Did anyone else catch this or am I completely wrong? It looked to me that right before the national anthem began his teammate asked him if he was going to sing. I swear I thought he said, "No, I don't even know half the words."

Please tell me that we have done better than this with the athletes who are representing us to the world. It means so much to be an American and I would hope that those that represent us at least know the song that binds us together as a people.

I am hoping I am wrong. If you saw it and understood what he said, enlighten me please. Right now, his Olympic feat is tainted for me.

For those of you Americans out there who do not know these lyrics.....LEARN THEM!!!

The Star Spangled Banner Lyrics
By Francis Scott Key 1814

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

More Kindergarten

2008-08-16T19:05:00.000-07:00

Here is a little movie I made of the first couple of days of school.

Abby was pretty wore out after her first couple of days. She really had a good time though. She did tell us she had to put her head on her desk "just once" for talking. Can you imagine?????? :) She packed her own lunch (PB&J), laid out her clothes and got herself all ready for school both days! Her homework on Friday was to read a litle book to us. Guess what, she did it!!!!! I know they practiced it at school but, holy cow, what a trip hearing her read is!!! She has some old friends and some new friends in her class. Apparently, there are a few new boys, but Abby told me they aren't as "cool" as Logan! Logan is her boyfriend of about two years now. I guess his position in her world is safe for now. My hope is that the excitment for school you see in the video stays with her throughout school. I bet her teacher hopes she tones it down a bit though!!!!

Kindergarten pictures!

2008-08-14T18:39:00.000-07:00

What a crazy kindergarten day! Abby is tucked into bed now but I think is floating about 5 feet above her mattress. She had a great day and LOVESSS school! Ask my Grandma if you don't believe me. Abby called her this afternoon to tell her about school and I bet Grammy's ears are still smokin'!

I am just going to post some pictures tonight. It has been a long day so will type more about it tomorrow. I will also post more pictures then.

For now, enjoy these.....

We have lift-off!!!!

2008-08-14T06:44:00.001-07:00

This morning at 7:45, Miss Abby blasted her way into kindergarten. She was so excited I didn't know if she would be able to contain herself. We have a back-to-school night tonight at her classroom so I will take some more pictures then and post them.

Pat me on the back.......I didn't even cry. I didn't even tear up!!! It was so much fun watching her and watching how excited she was that there was just no room for tears. The whole family escorted her into school where we dropped her off at the gym for the morning activities the principal does with them. She sat right down,gave us kisses and was ready for us to go. I had to take her meds to the school nurse so when I came back I was able to walk her to her classroom. She found her seat and never looked back at me. About 10 of her good friends from preschool are in her class so she was right at home.

So her journey has begun. I am excited to see where this stage of her life will take her.

Check again later today for pictures!!!!

T-minus1 day!!!

2008-08-12T06:29:00.000-07:00

The day is almost here. It is almost time to push my first little hatchling out of the nest and see how she flies. Kindergarten starts tomorrow. We went to the parent meeting last night. My first experience as the mom sitting in those way tiny kindergarten chairs with my daughter's name written on a cut-out apple right in front of me, like she is actually old enough to be going to school. Over the last five years occasionally I have thought about her starting school. I am finding as the day gets closer that the idea of kindergarten is way different than the reality.

The idea of kindergarten is happy little children playing together in games where everyone gets along, graham crackers and milk, crayons, paints, tasting the glue, and rainbows everywhere. The reality of kindergarten is the first place that someone other than me will be spending more time with my child than I am. Other people will start influencing her values and beliefs. Public schools are where kids can be mean, guns sometimes show up on the playground, and the milk is usually warm. Taking off to the park for the morning because it is only 80 degrees in August is now a happy memory.

I know all over the U.S. moms, both working and stay-at-home, are facing the same milestone. Our babies aren't babies anymore. It really is time that they step out of the nest, spread their wings and start out on the adventure.

A child's school years have such a profound effect on who that child becomes. Think about your own life and your own experience in school. I bet that a big part of who you are today is based upon the experiences you had during school. Maybe that is what is so hard about letting the babies head off to school. For the first time, they have to experience the world outside our safe little home and learn how to live in that world where not everyone will think they are the smartest, funniest, most amazing person on the planet.

I am so excited for Abby as she starts her schooling. She is going to learn so many new things. She will make new friends, maybe ones who will stay with her for her whole life if she is lucky. She is going to have experiences, both good and bad that will change and shape the way she sees the world and the people in it.

My wish for her is that the idea of school and the reality of school are actually one and the same. I wish for her to have rainbows, crayons, graham crackers and milk even if it is warm. I hope she not only meets amazing people, but also a few mean kids. She needs to learn that sometimes people are mean and how you react to them says so much about you. I hope she discovers a love of learning that will last her whole lifetime. I also hope that as she ventures out into the world she always remembers how much she is loved at home. This is the place where we will always think she is one of the three smartest, funniest, most amazing people on the planet. We will always be here standing behind her, trying to not get in her way but always watching to make sure she is okay.

So, the million dollar question.....have I cried? I have friends who have been crying about this day at least a couple of times a day for the last month. Not me though, I am a rock!!! No tears here. Okay, at least not until last night. Something happened sitting in that tiny little chair last night listening to Abby's new teacher briefing us on Operation Shove-Your-Kid-Into-the-World. I was doing okay until she started talking about how she will be sending home books and the kids are supposed to READ them to us!!!! What, Abby reading??????!!!!! How in the world can that happen? Isn't that my job? For five years, I am the one who reads the stories around here. We pick out a book, curl up together and go on all kinds of adventures together as we read book after book. I guess when her teacher started talking about reading, I realized that it won't be long and my baby won't even need me to read to her anymore. Matter of fact, she can use her reading skills to escape from me if she wants, like I used to do when I was a kid. Anyway, right there in the middle of all of the parents I started tearing up. Of course, I looked around and six other moms were doing their best not to let loose a geyser of tears.

Jamy and I went out to dinner after the meeting. As we were sitting there talking when he looked at me in that certain way he has and, dang, if the tears did almost start coming again. I gently reminded him not to laugh too hard at me. His day is coming. One day in the not so distant future our little girl is going to show up with some motorcycle-riding, tattoo-wearing, purple-haired, pile of raging teenage boy hormones and we will see which parent starts crying then!!!

Wish me luck as we go spend our last day of summer together and prepare ourselves for the start of the next chapter in Abby's life.

Oh yeah, did I mention that I get to do it all over again next Tuesday when Weston starts preschool? Kleenex, anyone?

Correction!

2008-07-26T17:55:00.000-07:00

I know, I know there is a typo in Kelsey's video. I finished the dang thing at around midnight one night. I had looked at it for days and days and hours and hours. I will get it fixed and repost it.

A special prize to the person who can spot the problem!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Kelsey!

2008-07-26T15:11:00.000-07:00

My niece just turned 11. It is really hard for me to believe that 11 years have passed already. Kelsey, you are growing into an amazing person and I am so proud of you.

Here is your birthday video!

Enjoy!!!

Share the Magic

2008-07-21T06:46:00.000-07:00

I have a very important challenge for all of you parents out there. Do something with your kids that you aren't supposed to do. Mix it up a bit and teach them that while routine is great, it gives you something to depend on, the magic happens when life throws you the unexpected.

Every so often I try to "break the rules" with the kids. Every time some amazing memories are made. Our most recent "magical memory" was made Friday night. The kids were all bathed, read to, prayed over, and tucked in by 8 pm as is routine at the Dunbar house. Then I took off to walk up to the gym for my workout. As I was walking across town, I passed a house that has a giant yard. The moon was huge, full and the most amazing orange color. Its moonbeams were shining across the lawn of this house making it almost glow. As I got closer to the house I noticed the lightening bugs! I am not exaggerating when I saw there were close to a million of them. I couldn't believe my eyes!

Right then I decide this was one of those times to break the rules. I called back to the house (I know carrying a cell phone to the gym, what the heck) and asked if the kids were asleep. Jamy said Abby was still up so I had him get her dressed and meet me on the porch. I ran back, put her on her bike and we headed out. When we got to this house I just stood and watched her. The sight of her running around with a million lightening bugs all around her in that moonlight is not something I will forget for a very long time. We probably stood on that corner for 20 minutes while she played. We decided to make a night of it and went for a long night walk together after that. I never made it to the gym, but, man, did my heart get a workout anyway.

So, take your kids and teach them that the world is a magical place just waiting for them to discover it. Heck, you might even learn the lesson as well.

A Life That Matters

2008-07-08T12:36:00.000-07:00

I woke up last night for no apparent reason. Nothing wrong, no worries, just "poof" wide awake! It happens to the women in my family. By nature most of us are night owls. If we aren't night owls than any amount of sleep at night counts as a really good nap. If we get woken up in the middle of the night going back to sleep becomes virtually impossible. I have found I often do my best thinking during those times in the middle of the night while the rest of the house is quiet. Maybe because it is the only time the house is quiet!

Last night among other things I began thinking about an old friend of mine. I hadn't seen her in awhile and I missed her. We used to go to DQ in college and get blizzards. She went with me the first time I cut my hair short. Of course, the plan was for her to do it as well. I buzzed mine like a little boy in the back. Next thing I know, she is stepping around the corner with maybe a centimeter cut off of her hair. Friendship, you can't beat it can you???

Thinking about my friend made me think about life in general and what really matters. I know, I know, deep, huh?! I began to think how the meaning of life has varied depending on what stage of my life I was in at the time. Who I wanted to be and what I wanted to achieve has grown and evolved with every experience life has given me. When I was a kid all I could think about was being an astronaut. I was ready for the space program, let me tell ya! Then I went to college and discovered that I could have a career doing the things I loved to do, hiking, camping, playing with animals. That realization centered me more and put my feet back on the ground. No longer was I going to fly to the moon; now I was going to stay right here and save the planet's animals from destruction. I was going to spend my days hiking in the woods observing animal behavior and my nights sleeping in a tent.

Not long after I was blessed with my first niece. All of the sudden, running off to the mountains wasn't so important anymore. It was more important to me to stay closer to home and be the kind of aunt who makes a difference. More nieces and nephews followed and I discovered I REALLY loved this aunt gig. I don't think my oldest niece knows how much she influenced the direction my life would take. I hope someday she can really appreciate the impact she makes on the world around her. Just a month after she was born, my first nephew came along. I was in love with the little elf the first time I set eyes on him. I don't get to see him or his brother and sister as much but his arrival just reaffirmed the decision I had made. The girl was going nowhere!

I then I took a job working as a student advisor at KU. It was just going to be a six-month filler job while I waited to go to grad school. Again, my priorities changed and the meaning of life became something different. I discovered a love of teaching that almost rivaled my love of biology and nature. Now what to do!! Off to get a teaching degree I went.

Meanwhile, the two most life changing events happened. One, I married the man I had loved darn near all of my life and two, we had babies! Anyone who has done either one of those things can tell you that the meaning of life really changes when you become your own family separate from mom, dad, brothers and sisters.

So last night as I lay there thinking about all of these things and marveling at the way my life has become something pretty amazing I realized something. I realized that even though my goals, dreams, priorities and the meaning of my life have seemed to change so much over the years one thing really remains constant. Through all of the places I have been, no matter what I thought I wanted to do with my life my priority has always been to live a life that mattered. I think that is really what we all want when it comes down to it, isn't it? We want to make a difference in the world around us. We want to touch a few lives along the way. We want to stand at the end of our life and be able to say with pride, "That was my life and it mattered."

I realized that, sometimes knowingly but most of the time just by the grace of God, I have always tried to live every day so that it matters. Every day can't be rainbows and sunshine, but it should make a difference in your life and the lives of the people around you.

When you are faced with a scary decision or a challenge, decide in favor of the choice that really makes your life matter. When you are stuck in a rut and seem to be spinning your wheels, do something that matters!! Make a change. Don't be scared, just do it. Quiting my job to stay home with my kids was such an unknown for me and for Jamy. Financially, could we make it? Would I be bored out of my mind? What would happen to my identity? Blah, blah, blah, blah!! In the end though, I knew in my heart making the choice I did was the way that would lead me to a place where I could have the greatest impact upon the world. Raising our kids to be good, happy, healthy citizens makes my life matter.

As I get older, I know there are even more stages of life to come. Each one will bring me to a new place with new goals, dreams and priorities. I still hope someday to figure out a way to teach while also spending time in the woods studying animal behavior and sleeping in my tent at night. I just know there are more important things I need to be doing right now. The rest can wait awhile. I also know that when I stand at the end of my life if I can look back and say, "That was my life and it mattered!" I will have achieved everything I wanted to do.

In the spirit of my new found realization of the meaning of life, here are some pictures of what we did this weekend to make our lives matter. We had so much to do around the house, but made sure to take lots of breaks to spend with the kids. I have much better memories of swimming at the lake with the babies than I ever would have if Jamy had spent the whole weekend on the roof and I had a houseful of clean toilets!!

Enjoy!!!

Stuff That Mommy and Daddy Do After the Kids Go to Bed!

2008-07-02T17:04:00.000-07:00

If you read the title of this post I bet right now you are in the same dirty little place my poor confused husband is right now as I type this. Here is the scene:

Jamy, who has been up on the hot roof all day, is sitting on the couch in the living room. I was in the kitchen cleaning up from supper. Abby and Weston are blowing bubbles in the house because it is raining out and what the heck. Skylar is sitting learning what it means to be a part of this crazy family. All of the sudden I hear Abby say to Daddy, "Daddy, tonight when you and Mommy are doing your stuff, can you clean up this little bit I spilled?"

Jamy responds: "What?"

Abby says: "You know when you do the stuff with Mommy that you do after us kids go to bed."

Jamy, even more confused: "What?"

Abby, starting to think Daddy is an idiot: "Daddy, Mommy told me all about the stuff you do with her after we go to bed. Can you clean up what I spilled while you are doing it?"

Jamy, now shocked: "She told you WHAT?!!!"

The conversation just kept getting funnier from here. My poor husband, who on some matters still thinks like a 13-year-old boy, obviously is thinking that I have enlightened our five-year-old in the ways of marital relations.

Now flashback a few weeks so you can understand.

Abby and I are sitting on her bed talking while I put her down for the night. She asked me if I would read books with her in my bed. This is one of her favorite things to do. I felt awful but that night I had a couple of things that I had to do so I told her if she was still awake when I came up we would read together in my bed. She asked me what I had to do. I told her that Mommy's and Daddy's had things around the house that we have to do once the kids are in bed so that we can play with the kids more during the day. She thought this was okay and since then asks me every now and then if I have stuff to do that night after she goes to bed.

So now the question is, do I go in there and bail poor Jamy out before he says something he will regret telling our daughter or should I just sit in here and laugh for a little bit longer? Bet you can guess which one I pick!!!!!

Why does it always happen this way?

2008-07-01T12:10:00.000-07:00

Picture this... two days before we were scheduled to take Skylar and Weston into Children's Mercy hospital for some tests my littlest darling was playing in the living room. She loves to run giggling through the house. It is such a beautiful sound! This time she took off toward the stairs in the living room. Her little foot hit a toy that was on the floor. Her whole body went airborne and then WHAMMO she landed right on the edge of the bottom step. I am telling you, people, these 120 year old floors are HARD. She landed right on her squishy little cheek. By the time I got across the room it was already a nasty black and blue mess.

Then, we got to take her into one of the largest children's hospitals in the state. I was pretty sure they were not going to let her leave with us.

At t-ball that night, everyone thought her face was dirty and kept trying to wipe it off for her. I am not sure if I was more worried that some one would think I beat her or that people thought I would let her walk around with such a dirty face!

Here are a few pictures I took FOUR days after the tumble. Nice, huh????

To The Best Man I Know...

2008-06-17T08:23:00.000-07:00

Father's Day this year was a little sad for us. Daddy is still gone on his big trip. Three weeks is a long time for both him and the little ones. This trip was especially long it seemed because Father's Day fell at the end of it. The kids and I didn't get to spend the day with Daddy making sure he knows how much he means to our family. He just called though and is on his way home so "Yeah".

We really are fortunate. Three weeks may seem long, but it is nothing compared to eighteen months in Iraq. Missing one Father's Day is yucky but not anything like missing the birth of your child, all of their major milestones, birthdays, Christmas, and just those normal everyday experiences that make up the memories of a lifetime. So if you are reading this and you haven't done it yet, figure out some way to let our troops know you appreciate them. As this war drags on I think people begin to lose the awareness that there are thousands of families still missing a loved one and those loved ones are still working hard in a far away place where they don't get to enjoy the way of life they are there to protect. Happy Father's Day to all of those dads who didn't get to spend the day with the family they love. I hope you get home soon and that you know we appreciate all you do.

Now, back to the daddy in our house. We love you, Jamy! This family isn't the same family when you are not here. Our home isn't the same home without you. From that first day you held Abby, you have been the type father that every little child deserves to have. There aren't words to discribe how proud I am of you, the job you are doing and our family. Instead here is a Father's Day video to show you how much these kiddos love you.

I love you, Baby! Thank you for the life you have built with me and happy Father's Day!

Bad Mommy......

2008-06-10T10:44:00.000-07:00

So, last night was our first night of T-ball. Would she like it? Would she hate it? Will this be something that we spend every summer involved in? As we walked up to her first game I was thinking all of these thoughts. I could picture Jamy and I sitting in the bleachers cheering loudly as she ran the bases for the next 13 or so summers. Then you figure Skylar and Weston following right behind and I could already almost feel the pain of bleacher butt!

Summer and ball just go together, don't they? There is nothing like sitting on a summer evening watching your kid making their childhood memories as they play with their friends. Youth ball is what sports should really be about. As I watched Abby last night, I saw a little girl just having a great time with some new friends. It didn't matter who won or lost. No one cared if the ball rolled right through her legs (and it did, twice)! It was all about a bunch of kids getting together and enjoying the great American pastime.

So how did she do? Look out major leagues, here we come!!!! Her first time at bat was a classic. She lines up the bat, tries a couple of practice swings and then swings so hard I figured "that ball is OUTTA here!!" Right at the last second she pulls the bat and barely taps the ball off of the tee. It bounced about a foot-and-a-half in front of the tee. Of course, we are all yelling, "Run, Abby!" She just stands there not really sure what to do. Then my wonderful little friend to everyone reaches down, picks up the ball and hands it to the pitcher saying, "Here you go!" I almost peed I was laughing so hard. She finally made it to first base. It was funny because you could tell she wasn't sure what the point was, but who was she to question.

Her next at bat she couldn't remember where to go so she started running to the pitcher's mound. We finally got her to first base. The next kid came up and hit the ball right in between the first and second bases. The coach told Abby, "Run to second." You know Abby, when she is told to do something she sometimes gets blinders on when trying to accomplish the task. She had been told to run to second so to heck with the fact that there were five little kids in the road trying to get the ball. She ran right through the middle of them! All of us parents were cracking up. One of them asked me when T-ball became a contact sport. What was really funny is that she barely even slowed down. She kept her eye on the base and didn't stop until she got there.

Of course, I was distracted getting ready to go and forgot the camera and the video camera so I missed it all. Bad Mommy! I am really bummed because Jamy is still gone and so doesn't get to see it. He was on the phone with me though getting the play-by-play so at least didn't totally miss it.

Our next game is Thursday so I will try to get some good pics!

Take care and Happy Batting!

Another milestone.......

2008-06-02T20:26:00.000-07:00

Before Abby was born I started a journal for her. I didn't write in it everyday, but I tried to write in it enough to capture the essence of her first years. This blog has sort of taken the place of that journal as now I have three of the little buggers to chase down.

Today, I looked back in the journal for a specific milestone. Here is part of the entry from September 25, 2003.

"It is official, you have your bottom right side front tooth. The left side has also started to come in. You have been handling it great! So far you are your normal happy self."

For those of you who have kids, do you remember that feeling of excitement when that first little baby tooth started to poke through? I remember thinking how fun it was to watch all of the new things happening to Abby in just those first few months. I remember wondering how the time could be going so fast.

Well, now I am really wondering. As of about 3 pm this afternoon, we have come full circle. That first little baby tooth came out today. I'll admit it, I shed a couple of tears. I held it in my hand remembering how big it looked in her little mouth when it first came in and thinking how small it looks now. She instantly looked so much older to me with that big hole in her smile. So I guess it is fitting that the first tooth she lost was the first tooth that she got. Maybe it always works that way, I don't know. I do know though that my little girl is growing up way too fast.

Skylar came running in the room just a couple of minutes after Abby's tooth came out. She was so excited pointing in her own mouth and saying, "Teeth, out!" All I could say was, "No baby girl. Let's keep yours in there just a little while longer. Mommy isn't ready for all of this growing up!"

So keep an eye out, you know me....pictures will be coming. Heck, I'll probably make a movie about it!!!

Abby's Preschool Graduation

2008-05-23T07:15:00.000-07:00

Here it is.....

Abby's preschool graduation video. There are pictures at the beginning and some good pictures at the end. Make sure to check them out. If you want to skip the ceremony part that is works. Just fast forward through it. I included it for family who couldn't be there. I trimmed it up so that the whole 45 minute ceremony takes about 3 or 4 minutes. Of course, because it is me I had to make it into a movie. I hope you enjoy. I didn't use You Tube as it was being a pain so if you have trouble viewing it and want to see it, let me know and I will email you a direct link to the video.

I am still working on Weston's. It is taking me a bit to get it like I want it. Stay tuned!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The Perfect Mother's Day!

2008-05-11T18:50:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms out there. I hope your day was as special as mine. We didn't do anything fancy. No crazy dinner out or big trips anywhere. It was a quiet day spent at home with the four people I love most in the world.

What in the world could I possibly have done to deserve such an amazing family. Jamy tried to let me sleep in and bring me breakfast in bed, but I found I didn't want to miss a minute of my special day with my family. We got up early and spent the day playing with the kids. We took two long walks, played at the park, played at the house, and then I ended the evening dancing with Jamy and Skylar in the living room after the other two had gone to bed. Nothing is more special than ancing with your husband with a sleepy baby between you. Right before he took her to bed, Jamy got Skylar to say " Happy Mama Day!" Then she popped out with "I Wuv U!" I admit, there were tears! God has really worked miracles in my life and I am so thankful each and every day.

So just a quick note todat to say Happy Mother's Day to all of the special moms in my life. Each of you have touched my life in someway and made me a better person. I am proud to be a member of such an amazing group of women.

Have a great night and take a spin around your living room.

Dandelion Day

2008-05-01T20:43:00.000-07:00

So if you watched Abby's video, you saw her with her dadelion crown and necklace at 1 year and at 4 years old. Every year we have at least one dandelion day. We pick a bunch of the little flowers and make all sorts of jewerly. Abby loves it! Thursday was dandelion day at the Dunbars. This year Skylar and Weston got in on the fun. Weston wanted a crown so he could be king.Of course, he kept saying, "Look Mommy, I a beautiful princess!" Not sure where the king thing came in then, but hey, I'll play along. Skylar and Abby each had a crown and necklace. As usual Abby wore hers all over. Skylar on the other hand.....well check out the pictures.

When she was done....she was done!!

Hope you all enjoy the weekend!

An oldie that still makes me almost wet myself....

2008-04-30T16:31:00.000-07:00

Tonight at dinner we were sitting there chatting with the kids about their days as we do every night. Tonight it was a bit annimated because Abby went on her first field trip with school. They went to KC to a fun kid place there. So anyway, she is excited which made Weston and Skylar excited. Because Jamy is really a big kid he also got excited. All of the sudden he lets loose with a crazy rendition of the old Hampster Dance. I cracked up! Of course, we had to go online and look it up to show the kiddos. They love it!!

I thought maybe you all needed a little Hampster in your lives as well. So here you go......

Warning....if you choose to watch, I will not be held responsible for this stupid song being stuck in your brain for the next 10 years!!

Just in case you haven't had enough, here you go....

Abby's 5th Birthday Video!!

2008-04-29T06:51:00.000-07:00

Finally.....Abby's video!!! Yup, Abby turned 5 a little over a month ago and I am finally getting this up. I probably will write a post about her here soon but for now I hope you enjoy. I am really proud of this one. Jamy and I had a great time going back through her pictures and remembering those early days. WHat a blessing!

I will warn you, this one is almost 9 1/2 minutes long. We had five years to catch up on so it took a bit longer. It goes fast though. So enjoy!

Moo.....

2008-04-18T17:53:00.000-07:00

Well, the round-up has been completed. Today was kindergarten round-up here in Osage City. Can you believe it is even time to start thinking about this? Where in the holy heck did the last five years go and why does the time just seem to be going faster and faster? How do I make it slow down so I can hang onto these babies just a little longer?

I know, I know, it is time to sit back and watch Abby take those first real steps away from the nest. It was funny because her new principal was talking this morning about how we are all a team in this together now and how as parents we have an important role on that team. As an educator I get exactly what he is talking about. As a parent, I kept feeling like, "team hell, this is my daughter we are talking about. Don't talk to me like you are inviting me to be a part of her life." As she begins to step out into the world I know that more and more people will be having a greater influence on her. It is our job now to step back a little and let her broaden her sphere of influence.

It is my prayer that in the last five years Jamy and I have helped her to lay a strong foundation to build her life upon. I pray she will always know that we are here for her and that she can come to us when the world is a mystery. I am so proud of her and of the person she is becoming. I am proud of the job Jamy and I have done thus far. Parenting doesn't come with a manual as we all know. It is just minute by minute, day by day doing the best you can and then trusting that you have done enough.

When I think about the adventure she is about to begin I am so excited for her. So much of who a person becomes has to do with the experiences they have and the people they meet in school. It is going to be so much fun watching her grow, develop, change and mature in the next several years. I know who she is now at the start of this journey. I wonder who she will be at the end. What challenges will she face? What triumphs will she achieve? Who will be her friends? What will be her favorite subjects? All of the answers to these questions are just waiting for her. What an amazing time.

So this August when I watch her walk away from us into that classroom I know there will be some tears, but there will also be a heart swelling with pride and love. No matter how her journey plays out her daddy and I will be here to support her, encourage her, guide her and love her throughout the way.

So look out kindergarten, the Dunbars have arrived! Just think, only two more to go!

YeeHaw, as they say at the end of the round-up!!!

2008-04-17T15:59:00.000-07:00

I am trying out a new service to get my videos up for you all. Here is just a very quick one I put together to see if it works.

Enjoy!!!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I am a very rich woman!

2008-04-10T07:56:00.000-07:00

Every time I pick up a paper or turn on the news all I hear about is how we are headed for a recession or we are already in a recession depending on which economic analyst is being quoted at the time. When I go places I hear everyone talking about the rising cost of groceries, gas and just life in general. I've even had several conversations with several people about how our dollars don't seem to buy us as much as they did not that long ago. Let's face it folks, belts are being tightened and priorities are being reevaluated. A very good friend of mine is very concerned right now about the state of her family's finances. Probably more than one of my friends, but one in particular who talks with me quite a bit about the subject. Don't get me wrong she is doing exactly what we all should be doing when the economy is so uncertain, but I also think that we each need to take another step when thinking about how rich we are.

There is a line in a very popular John Denver song about being a poor man if you never see an eagle fly. I think that attitude is right on the money. Jamy and I will never probably be monetarily rich. We probably won't have big financial investments or a gigantic bank account. We are two of the richest people I know though. Everyday is an exciting step in this journey that we are taking together. Our lives are blessed in ways that I have never imagined.

As I have thought about the state of our economy and what it truly means to be "rich" I have decided to make a list of the 100 ways in which I am already a rich woman. Read it if you want, skip it if you would rather. This is my own way of taking stock of my investments.

As we head into uncertain times I encourage you all to not just think about your financial wealth, but think about how you are rich in the ways that really matter.

Okay, here goes.....

100. I have, in fact, seen several eagles fly.
99. I have hiked to the top of the canyons in Utah and stood in awe at the beauty below me.
98. I have went on a vacation with my best girlfriend and stood among the aspens of Colorado with my arm around her, knowing she would be there no matter what. (Thanks, Chris!)
97. I have called to a wolf in the wild and been moved to my soul by the sound of it answering me.
96. I have held a wild wolf in my arms.
95. I was born in the Midwest where life is good even when it is hard.
94. I know the value of sleeping in a tent.
93. My childhood is one of laughter, love and adventures.
92. I have seen snowflakes fall while the sun is shining. This is one of the most beautiful sights in the world. It will stop you in your tracks.
91. I have known the value of a great neighbor. (Thank you, Snyders!)
90. I have experienced illness just enough to really appreciate good health.
89. I have stood at the bottom of a canyon and looked up to see a mountain lion watching me. Our eyes connected and I felt the power of a wild animal.
88. I have walked in the jungles of Panama.
87. I know what the ocean tastes like.
86. I have stood quietly with my children and listened to the wind blow the leaves in the trees.
85. I have looked a howler monkey in the eye while swinging from a gondola over the top of his tree in the jungle.
84. I have learned the value of a good education.
83. I earned that education.
82. I have stood in a castle in Luxemburg and marveled at the history all around me.
81. I have drunk wine with a man in Germany whose family has been making wine for over 500 years.
80. I had an uncle and aunt who taught me all sorts of things my parents didn't want me to know.
79. I learned to read and now there is nothing I can't learn about and nowhere I can't go.
78. Three people call me "Mom".
77. I have nursed a sick baby back to health and thanked God for that health.
76. I lost a loved one when I was young and that taught me to appreciate everyday and all of the people in my life.
75. I have many people I can call at anytime no matter what.
74. I can change a tire, build a birdhouse, start a campfire, bake homemade brownies, find a constellation in the night sky and make a booboo all better.
73. I am not afraid of hard work, matter of fact I enjoy it.
72. I have a yard full of trees that make lots of leaves that I get to rake into big piles for my kiddos to jump in.
71. I have jumped in those piles myself, lain quietly and listened to the sounds of my children's voices as they played next to me.
70. I had my great-grandparents until I was in my early 20s.
69. I live in a place where I can lay on my back at night and see the stars.
68. I have lain on my back at night and watched those stars with people that I love.
67. I know the value of telling someone how much they mean to you.
66. I have hiked into the backwoods and experienced beauty in places that most people don't ever go.
65. I have a secret stash of chocolate that no one but me knows is there. (I know, kind of a silly one, but believe me there are days where this one becomes one of the more important ones on the list!)
64. I appreciate the smell of a musty basement, a spring storm, and a clean baby.
63. I have watched as my baby wrapped their little hand around my finger and saw their first real smile.
62. I have been blessed to be with each of my children as they have reached all of their first milestones.
61. I have seen the sunrise and the sunset all in the same day.
60. I was raised in a town where people matter and take care of each other. These values have become part of who I am.
59. I can get in the car and just drive with no destination in mind. The sole purpose of the trip is to just explore and discover something new.
58. My children also appreciate a nice ride with no purpose in mind.
59. I value the knowledge and stories of the elderly. Stop and listen to what they have to say, history is right there before you.
58. I have had the opportunity to really talk to all of my grandparents, except the one I never knew. I now can appreciate them as amazing people with a lifetime of awesome memories and stories.
57. I have lived in a place where deer looking through my bedroom window in the morning was a regular morning wake up call.
56. Every night, well most every night, I get to snuggle up to the boy I fell in love with when I was fourteen years old. He doesn’t even mind my cold feet!!
55. My mom is a strong women and my dad is a sensitive man. I learned to be both from them.
54. I have slept in places that are so quiet you can hear your heartbeat as you go to sleep.
53. I know the difference between the first smells of the morning and the last smells of the night. They are different, try it and see.
52. When I count my close friends on my hands, I quickly run out of fingers.
51. Some of those friends are from my childhood, some from college, and some are from adulthood. Thank you if you are one of them!
50. I have seen puppies, kittens, cows, birds and humans come into the world.
49. I have also been there when some of them have exited the world.
48. I attended one of the greatest colleges in the nation. Rock Chalk, Jayhawk.
47. I got to see that school finally get a basketball national championship.
46. Right now, I am having a great cup of hot tea, while my three babies sleep safe and sound upstairs.
45. I have a gaggle of nieces and nephews that I truly love being with and watching grow.
44. I live in a country where my opinion not only counts and is allowed, but in which I am also expected to form one of my own.
43. I watched my baby fly away in a medical helicopter scared to death to let her go and felt the joy when she awoke the next morning at the hospital and said, “Mommy?”
42. I have been eaten dinner with the former president of South Africa, a Kennedy and the cast of the show Jackass. Okay, that last one I am not as proud of, but it was interesting.
41. I have saved a life.
40. Someone cared about me enough to teach me to swim, to fish, to drive a stick shift, and to grow my own vegetables.
39. I can’t sew, but I am 100% okay with that.
38. I have a list of things I want to do before I die.
37. I have prayed really hard for something and had that prayer answered.
36. I have prayed really hard for something and not had that prayer answered, but I learned something from the experience.
35. I have a husband who, even though, he goes to work all week lets me sleep in on Saturday morning.
34. My kids have amazing imaginations and they let me play along.
33. I am blessed to be able to stay home with our kids in the years when they are reaching their first milestones and forming their identities.
32. I am close to both of my siblings. We are as different as we are alike and we love each other anyway.
31. I have heard my kids say, “Mommy, I love you!”
30. My husband has never once left for work, hung up the phone or typed me a message without saying “I love you” no matter who was around to hear or see him say it.
29. When I became a mother I found an inner strength I didn’t know I had and now each day I rely on that strength to make me a better person.
28. My life hasn’t been perfect but I was blessed with the kind of attitude that makes it difficult for me to remember the things that have made it not perfect.
27. I have seen the joy on my kids’ faces when they waited all winter long to see what their caterpillars would become.
26. I have felt the electric excitement of a fast paced city.
25. I had a colleague who helped me to realize the importance of being a highly ethical person and just what that means.
24. People have believed in me and told me so.
23. I have been humbled and risen back up to become better.
22. I stood outside Buckingham Palace.
21. I know my strengths as well as my weaknesses.
20. I have seen pictures in clouds.
19. I have had my ribs kicked by a child moving in my tummy.
18. There are people in the world who think that I am brilliant. So what if all three of them are under the age of six!
17. After 21 years, I still get butterflies everyday when Jamy is about to get home from work.
16. I have felt freshly plowed soil, sand on a beach and hot asphalt under my feet. You learn something different from each experience!
15. My parents taught me the importance of trust, honesty and sincerity.
14. Everyday God teaches me something new about myself, someone I love or the world around me. He also gave me the ability to appreciate when I am being taught a lesson.
13. I have met amazing people just by not being afraid of saying hi. Everyone has a story and my gift is getting them to tell it.
12. I have lain in my bed with my husband and a sleeping baby between us looking deep into his eyes and knowing that we created life together.
11. I have felt the enormous responsibility for that life, but known that I am not alone in caring for it.
10. As far as I know, I have no enemies.
9. I am 35 years old and can honestly say that so far I have lived a life with no regrets except one. The night I came home from college for Thanksgiving, I didn’t go upstairs and tell my grandfather goodnight. He died the next morning. I should have gone up to see him, but didn’t want to wake him. I learned something important from that though.
8. I have gone through completely natural labor three times and each time thought I would not live through it. I did though and now I am so strong for the experience.
7. The man I love was by my side the entire time all three times.
6. My kids love to make me laugh.
5. Abby.
4. Weston.
3. Skylar.
2. Jamy
1. A wonderful life in which I have so far managed to exceed all of my wildest dreams.

So there, you go. If you have stuck with me, I hope you noticed that not one of the things on my list has anything to do with the material things in my life. I am rich not because of the “things” I have, but because of the people and experiences life has brought me.
I look forward to each day because each day new people and experiences come into my life and I become wealthier and wealthier. Bill Gates and Donald Trump ain’t got nothing on me!!!!.

Blog is okay!

2008-03-17T18:57:00.000-07:00

As you know, we thought there might be some problems with my blog a couple of weeks ago. Turns out I think it is okay. They only problem is if you go in the comment section and see a comment from someone that says click here or click here don't do it! It may be something that was put on in an attempt to get you to download a virus. I have spoken to a few other people who have had this happen. I have started to moderate the comments before they are posted so hopefully I will catch them before they get out there, but just in case don't click on anything that you are not sure of the sender. If you are the icky person who does this kind of thing to other people's blogs, GO AWAY!!!!!

So enjoy and if you ever find any problem let me know so I can take care of it, please!

A lesson in patience....

2008-03-17T18:33:00.000-07:00

Now when you all see the title of this post I bet you are all thinking, "Uh, oh! Chan is coming to the end of a three week stretch without Jamy home, the kiddos must be driving her nuts and she is ready to pack it in!" Not so my friends. Actually, a beautiful thing happened at our house today that allowed me to teach the kiddos a quick lesson in how amazing the rewards for being patient can be.

The story starts last summer. As many of you know, Abby is notorious for being a mother hen. The kid will adopt anything, wrap it in a blanket, name it and proceed to love it, if not to death, at least to a place close to death. Last summer, we had all sorts of new adoptees at our house. A couple of slugs, a baby frog, many bugs, and lots and lots of catepillars. Abby kept coming home with so much stuff that I eventually bought her a little bug house where she could keep the critters for a day or so and watch them. Toward the end of the summer she caught four different catepillars. The very night she put them in her bug box they cocooned themselves up and that was that. We waited and watched and nothing ever happened. Summer turned into fall and fall into winter. Every week or so I would peek in there thinking that I ought to clean that bug box out. I never did, though, because I remembered some caterpillars take quite awhile to become whatever they are destined to become.

So today, we got home from our world travels and I started unpacking bags. I was putting some books away in Abby's room while the kids were playing. I happened to look down at that bug box and inside was the most beautiful luna moth. If you have never seen a luna moth you are really missing out. They are gorgeous! They are an incredible shade of soft green and so delicate. I put a picture of one on this post, but it doesn't really do them justice. The kids were over the top excited. Then tonight when I was putting them to bed I looked in there and a second one had come out! What a gift for the kiddos to be able to see such a beautiful transformation. We talked about how beautiful they are and how it was so much fun to wait all winter wondering what was in those little cocoons. Maybe, just maybe the kids picked up a little lesson in how beautiful things can come to you in life if you just have some belief and some patience.

So another really great memory was made tonight. I hope the kids hang onto it and everytime they see a luna moth as they grow up they get a warm feeling from their childhood.

Hello from Ocean Springs, MS

2008-03-04T20:11:00.000-08:00

Howdy folks! Me and the youngins are down here in Mississippi vistin' with some of our kin folk while Pa is off over yonder fighting in the big war. Ooops, sorry the locals are rubbing off on me.

Well, we made it to Misssissippi yesterday just fine. The 20 hour trip with the kiddos didn't go to bad at all. We had some minor battles at the start of the trip as everyone tried to contain their excitement and settle in for the long haul. Once we got those ironed out the kids did fabulous. We drove until we felt the kids needed a break and then stopped and let them play. Yesterday, for the second half of the trip they were amazing! It was very stormy and yucky weather for almost the whole drive so they only actually got out at a park one time! They were sooooo good. We played and colored and read and played and colored and read and played.......well you get the idea. I actually only had to bust out the movies about an hour each day and that was at the very end in the evenings as we were finding places to stop for the night.

Today, we took Dad over to see his sister. It was great! We surprised her. For those of you who don't know, she is dying and this is probably the last time they will see each other. She didn't know we were coming so was very shocked when she came down her hallway and saw us standing there. She is on oxygen and moves very slowly with a walker so it took her an eternity to get across the living room, but her eyes never left Dad and when she got to him she grabbed him up in a huge hug. Tear jerker!!!

The kiddos had been cooped up and waiting to go to the ocean (the Gulf) so we left Dad and headed to the beach. We found it but everyone was getting tired for naps. We checked it out a bit and then came back to the hotel for naps. After some rest it was off to Walmart to get some beach toys and then off to the beach.

If you have never taken your young children to the ocean get off your rear and do it right now! I will treasure the memory of the joy on their faces for the rest of my life. They were amazed by the whole experience. Abby says the water tastes, "fresh and salty"

They started out playing up on the sand. It was only 50 degress out so too chilly for swimming right? Wrong!! Pretty soon, we put our fingers in the water to taste it. Since our fingers were wet we might as well step in it a bit. Now our shoes are a little wet so hey let's step on in a bit more. Aw, heck our pant cuffs are a little damp might as well go for the gold. Pretty soon, we were running through the water, splashing and having a great time. I felt bad pulling them out of there but after a little bit I was afraid they would freeze to death. We played on the beach while the sun went down. It was a beautiful sunset. I am a mountains kind of girl, but I tell ya, you just can't beat the sun setting over the ocean. That is when you really know God is there and watching over you. The only missing piece is that Daddy wasn't there to see it all. We miss him a bunch and can't wait to bring him to the ocean too.

Well, I will try to get pictures up tomorrow but for now better get to sleep.

See ya all soon!

Skylar: Splishing and Splashing

2008-02-21T10:04:00.000-08:00

So, it has taken me days and days to get YouTube to cooperate, but here is the new video of Skylar! Abby helped make this one so it was even more fun to do. I will work on some from ice skating soon.

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

God is a blogger!!

2008-02-18T12:36:00.000-08:00

So apparently God does read my blog. Shocking I know!! After I posted last time about being a bit stir crazy, the very next day it got to 60 degrees here for just a few hours. It was Valentine's Day so the kids and I jumped on it, grabbed our coats, packed a picnic and went to the lake for a Valentine's picnic. It was so fun to get out and watch them enjoy.

Of course, at about 2:30 that afternoon as we were driving home the wind shifted to the north and the temp dropped 15 degrees in 20 minutes. By the time it was all done the temp dropped 25 degrees in just under two hours. It was like something out of that movie, The Day After Tomorrow! Brrrrr..............

But we got out of the house and all is right in the world again. We had some great fun this weekend with Daddy and a day out in KC. I will post more pictures and hopefully some video of that outing later!

Cabin Fever!!!

2008-02-13T19:54:00.000-08:00

For Heaven's Sake!!!!! Where the heck is spring? There is a good chance by the time it gets here I will be sporting one of those cool jackets that has the arms that tie behind you, sitting in a corner, bouncing my head off of the wall, and singing old Michael Jackson songs over and over. Dang! What is up with all of this cold weather? You know when I was working I remember being tired of the cold weather about this time of year, but I never remember feeling like pulling my hair out. Now that I am staying at home with these three beautiful children who look up at me with their little eyes all full of expectations just burning to find out what cool adventure Mom has planned for today, if it doesn't warm up soon I may go nutty. There are only so many forts you can build, pictures you can color, dances you can make up and cookies you can bake before the mommy just flat runs out of creativity.

Today those darn weather forecasters promised a much warmer day. Okay, granted it was 20 degrees warmer than yesterday but it still was only in the low 40s. Not warm enough for Skylar to stay outside all afternoon and play. Abby and Weston went out and played for awhile but came back in with little frozen noses. I decided to throw a bubble beach party to kill some time. We put on swimming suits, filled the tub with bubbly water, brought in some music and "swam" for an hour! They had a good time but kept asking if they could go get some sand to build sand castles in the bathroom. I almost let them!!! That is how far I am reaching nowadays!

It used to be that when the weather got too cold we would go somewhere. Lawrence had way more ways to entertain the kiddos than Osage City! Now though, it seems that there is so much awful sickness going around I hate to take them to any of the kiddy places. With my luck, they will get sick and then we will really be stuck inside.

Don't get me wrong, I can't imagine doing anything but staying home with the kids. I just think a few warm days would keep me out of the looney bin!

Sorry, no pictures of the beach party. They were adorable, but of course I left the camera downstairs! I really am slipping!

I also wanted to say a "Happy 22nd Birthday" to my cousin Nicholas. Nicholas was an amazing little boy who was killed when he was eight years old. It is hard to believe that today he would be 22. Where does the time go? So often when I am parenting my kids I think of him and think how special they are and what a miracle it is to be blessed with the responsibility of raising them. Nicholas's memory helps me to be a better parent. So to my Aunt and Uncle, Barb and Keith, thank you for giving us all such a special blessing. He may no longer be with us in the way that we wish he could be, but he will never be forgotten and his influence has gone on into the next generation.

Keep warm, kiss someone you love and Happy Valentine's Day!!

And so here we are.....

2008-01-27T15:12:00.000-08:00

So it has been an exciting, frustrating week at the Dunbar house. Abby started puking on last Sunday, Skylar started on Wednesday, Weston blew on Thurs., Jamy and I rounded out the pukin' on Friday. Good news the bug only lasted a few hours for each of us, but yuck while it was here!

In the midst of the puke I got to go a few rounds with some people at the neurology clinic at Children's Mercy. I won't give you all of the frustrating details as they are too numerous to count. Someday maybe I will write a book and give you all a discount on a copy. Basically, on Tuesday we got the update from her pediatrician that I wrote about this week. Somewhat abnormal EEG, but probably nothing to worry about, go on with life. Yippeee!!! He did want me to confer with Children's just to make sure they weren't seeing something he didn't since they are the "experts". I called them. Noone called me back. Finally, after two days I called them back on Thursday. Got bounced all over the place, noone could figure out who her doctor was, who ordered the test or who could give me the results. Insert a day of lots of confusion, frustration and anxiety here. Finally, talked to the on-call neurologist that night. Guy has the beside manner of a skunk! He says.....EEG shows abnormal spikes consistent with someone prone to have seizures. I say....Okay we know she is prone to have febrile seizures so we are good right? He says....No someone with febrile seizures has a normal EEG. This is different. I say.....HUH and what does that mean? He says.....She may or may not have a seizure disorder. I am thinking......Gee, glad we paid you all that money to clear that one up. After a very frustrating, circular phone call with this guy I come away with......we won't know unless she starts having seizures not associated with fevers if something is wrong. Nothing to do but wait.
Gotta love a diagnosis like that. But sooooo much better than an outright your daughter has epilepsy and we need to get her on some mind numbing drugs right this minute. So that God for that.

I called her pediatrician back the next day who basically clarified that the other doctor was pretty much saying the same thing our doctor was, just in a much less reassuring way.

So here is where we are.......Abby is at a slightly higher risk of developing a seizure disorder because she has complex febrile seizures. She is also at a slightly higher risk of developing a seizure disorder because she has some abnormal spikes on her EEG. Something like 8% of the general population also show these spikes and never develop anything though. So for now, we do nothing except thank God for such a good diagnosis and pray that nothing more ever comes of it. We all just continue to let her be a normal kid doing normal kid things. For Jamy and I there will always be a little undercurrent of anxiety wondering if the other shoe is going to fall, but we will not worry about it anymore than we have to. Our kids could get stricken with much worse things at any minute and I am not going to spend my life worry about everyone of them. That is a good way to miss out on all of the good times.

So for now, please everyone say a prayer for Abby and remember her in your prayers from time to time. I am confident that no matter what comes of this she will grow to be an amazing person surrounded by lots of love and God will help us to help her become that person.

Take care and have a great beautiful evening. Finally, the weather here is warm so "YeeHaw!"

Welcome to Butterfly Stockco....

2008-01-24T12:33:00.000-08:00

This is a magical place open only to those with the most vibrant of imaginations. In Butterfly Stockco the world is a perfect place. Princess Abby and Prince Weston rule. Princess Skylar can come too, but according to Princess Abby, P. Skylar doesn't quite know how to play yet.

Butterfly Stockco is a land that is always warm and cold. Fairies fly around waiting to help you out if you get in trouble. Butterflies let you ride on their backs if your feet get tired. All of the houses are magic rainbow houses that clean themselves so the children, mommies and daddies never have to do anything except play together.

Brothers and sisters, like the Prince and Princess, always get along. They share toys, they hold hands, and they kiss each other's booboos.

Each day in Butterfly Stockco brings new and exciting events. Some days there are concerts, some days there is storytime, the snacks are always full of sugar but it is okay because in this magical land that is healthy.

Naps and bedtime do not exist here because "we just never get tired" (probably all of the sugar!) Instead we play all day making up new parts to the world as we go.

Now you may be wondering how to get to this amazing place. It isn't hard to find you just have to close your eyes and remember back to when you were a kid and the whole world was whatever you wanted it to be.

Abby and Weston , all by themselves I might add, have invented this magical world, but they would love to have you visit anytime you feel like just being a kid.

Isn't a child's imagination amazing? When you put two kids with great imaginations together, whole new worlds appear.

Technology Rules..once you get it!

2008-01-22T16:21:00.000-08:00

Here you go. If you take a gander to your right, unless you are standing on your head reading this then look left, you will see I have figured out how to get video onto my blog. It s not exactly the way I want it but it is there so, yeah!!! I will keep this spot and try to update it every now and then with new video of our exciting lives. YOu know, the one where we have been locked all together in our house for weeks now due to the flippin' cold and random illnesses that only seem to strike on days where the weather is nice. You gotta love those Kansas winters!!!

Enjoy!

Gettin' to be a big girl!

2008-01-22T12:17:00.000-08:00

Here is our big girl again. These are the pictures of her getting ready to ride in her big girl car seat for the first time. Can you believe she still fits in the car seat we brought her home from the hospital in? We figured it was time to sit up and see the world though. She had a great ride and is lovin' it because now that I can see her she gets to eat some snacks in the car. And we all know, one of Little One's favorite things is.....snacks.

The last picture is one I forgot to post before. It is of her on the night of her birthday party after everyone left. She partied so hard she crashed. I have a similar picture of Abby after her 1st bday party. My party girls. THink they might give me trouble later?

Update on Abby.

2008-01-22T11:08:00.000-08:00

Well, I just heard from Abby's pediatrician. The lead test they did at Children's Mercy showed a lead level of 5. Safe is anything under 9. Most kids test between 1-3. Skylar did the same thing at her nine month appointment. Her lead level was 5 as well. The doctors just check it again in 3 months and make sure it isn't going up. Skylar's came down to 3 this last time. We will check Abby again in 3 months and see what she is doing. Conclusion there....lead is not causing her febrile seizures.

Dr. Riordan also got the results of her EEG they did on Friday. While it is not completely normal it is not abnormal either. Apparently she does show some spikes in her brain waves but the doctors are saying that these are normal variants and don't indicate a seizure disorder. Diagnosis is still atypical complex febrile seizures brought on when she spikes a sudden high fever. Dr. Riordan's nurse told me that while he is not concerned at all about her results he does want us to consult back with the neurologist at Children's to be sure they agree with his interpretation of the EEG. He says that something like 7-8% of the population have these variants in there brain waves and have no seizures at all. I am sure it is the genius 7-8%. :) More active brain, you know. So right now, I am just waiting for Children's to call us back and confirm what our doctor thinks. I will keep you posted.

2008-01-20T16:11:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, Skylar!!!

2008-01-20T13:10:00.000-08:00

Here are the much overdue pictures of Sklar's birthday party. As you can see she wasn't too sure about the cake at first, but once she figured it out, "WOW!" She also had some great help opening her presents.

Thank you to everyone who could come. It means so much to have such a great "villiage" helping us raise our kiddos.

Each year on their birthday, or very soon after, I write each of the kids a letter. I hope one day they will look back at them and enjoy my thoughts on their childhoods and futures. The following is my letter to Skylar. Feel free to read and comment if you have any thoughts on her first year you would like to share with her.

Dear Skylar,

Happy Birthday Sweetheart! This is your birthday letter from Mommy. I hope one day you can look back, read this and get a sense of how very much you are loved.

Just 12 short months ago, I could feel you moving around in my tummy. I knew you then, what time you slept each day, when you liked to play, if you had the hiccups and what foods you really didn't like to eat, but what I didn't know yet is who you were. Then one beautiful day in January I got to meet you for the first time. Right from the start you were the best baby. I know every mother thinks that, but you really were. The nurses at the hospital even commented on what a content little angel you were.

As the months have passed, it has been incredible to watch you grow and change into a real little person. You remain the happiest baby I think I have ever seen. There is always the brightest smile on your face and you love it when people giggle with you. Laughter and snuggles seem to be your favorite things. Grammy can often be heard telling people how you are the "smiliest little thing". I know there will be days where you don't feel like smiling and being happy. Those days are good as well. You will learn as you get older, I hope, to appreciate the times that are rough because they help you to see and really appreciate the good times. One of my wishes for you is that the laughter and the light that is within you naturally will be with you always and will become something you come to see as one of your gifts to the world.

Let me tell you some things about who you are and what you like right now. First of all, you love your brother and sister. Often in the morning I can hear you when you first wake up calling from your crib for Abby. She usually comes in when she doesn't have school and plays in your room with you. I can hear you two in there just giggling and playing together. Sometimes I stand at the door where you guys can't see me and just watch. Having a sibling you can count on is so important. You guys will argue and probably hate each other at least for moments as you grow older. Another wish I have for you is that you will always know the true love and friendship of your siblings and that you will return that love and friendship unconditionally. There is no greater gift than a family that loves and supports you.

Right now you also love music and dancing. Whenever music comes on you usually start bobbing up and down with a big grin on your face. Doesn't matter what kind of music, but you did have a huge giggle fit this morning when Weston sang "Itsy Bitsy Spider" to you.

You also have yet to meet a food you don't like. I am not sure how you are staying such a tiny little thing, because most of the time I have to take the food away from you. I love it that you will try anything we put in front of you . Another wish for you is that you never lose that curiosity about the world and the willingness to try new things. Your life will only be as good as you make it. Each day you are going to have to wake up and make a choice about how your day will be. Make choices that lead you to adventure and happiness. Believe me some days it will be difficult to choose to be happy, but if you do nothing will bring you down.

I am a little late writing this letter to you because Abby has been sick and I wanted to write when I could really focus on what I wanted to say to you. It is just a couple of weeks after your actual birthday now, but wow how much has changed in just the last two days. This time three days ago you were just taking a few little steps here and there. Over the last couple of days you have taken off. Tonight you were even preferring to walk and not crawl. Seeing you up on your feet ready to take on the world is amazing! Oh the things you will accomplish now! I also wish for you that you come to know how blessed you are to be born into the world you were born into. You live in the greatest country in the world. You will have every opportunity and can become anything you want to be if you work hard and believe in yourself. Never take that for granted. There are still places in the world where young females don't have near the opportunities you have. Don't waste the freedoms you have been given.

I could ramble on and on but you hopefully will come to know the rest over the course of your life. My final wish for you on your first birthday is that you always know the love and support of your family. No matter what choices you make or how you decide to live your life, carry our love with you wherever you go, because it will always be there. We are the kind of family that sticks together. I hope Daddy and I will raise you in such a way that you will always know that love and understanding. There will come times when you don't understand us and we probably won't understand you. Teach us and trust us to teach you. Know that every decision we make, every rule we enforce, every good time we make available and every day that goes by your happiness, health and security are our first priority.

So there you go, Baby. May your second year be as wondrous as your first. May you continue to grow and learn your place in this world.

We love you and will be here for the whole journey!

Happy Birthday!

About Abby....

2008-01-20T12:51:00.000-08:00

I apologize for not posting anything for awhile. 2008 has started out very eventful for us. The best news is that our baby turned one on the 8th. I will post some pictures and some more on that in another post in just a minute.

The bad news is that Abby had another seizure the night before SKylar's birthday. It happened just as quick as all of the others and really took us by surprise because she hasn't had one in almost two years and as they get closer to 5 or 6 they are supposed to outgrow them. We had deluded ourselves into thinking that stage of our lives was over. I tell ya, never let your guard down with these kiddos. I will spare you all of the details except that we went through two ambulance rides, two hospitals in two states in just a few hours. We ended up at Children's Mercy in KC again. The doctors there did a bunch of neuro tests and determined that they are nearly 100% certain that it is the same old thing as before. They said it is not completely abnormal for someone with a history like hers to go for awhile and then all of the sudden have a recurrance. Yeah, huh? Because she did go for two years without one and she is almost five they thought it was worth bringing her back for a full EEG just to make sure.

So, last Thursday my dad came and stayed with the other two while Jamy, Abby and I headed to KC. THanks Dad!! We stayed at the Ronald McDonald house right next door to the hospital as we had to keep her up until midnight and then wake her at 4 am and keep her up for her appointment at 9:15 am Friday morning. Whoever thought up that test obviously does not have small children. She did fantastic though and we await test results sometime around next Thursday. I will let you all know what they say. So say a prayer for a completely normal brain!

Saturday morning she woke up and said her tummy hurt. As the day went on she kept getting worse and worse. Finally at about 5:30 pm she barfed. Then she barfed again and then again. She didn't have a fever but we loaded her up on Tylenol just to hopefully keep her from spiking one. Today she seems better. STill not eating but much perkier, no sign of fever and no puke. Yeah!

So there you go. SHe hasn't been sick in almost two years and now she seems to catch crud whereever she goes. The same thing happened that winter that she had those seizures before so I am wondering if they just knock down her immunity somewhat. The good news is that she is starting to understand that when she sucks her thumb she puts "icky bugs" in her mouth that make her sick. We have seen lots less thumb sucking the last couple of days!! Between the busted lip a few weeks ago and the puke yesterday maybe we can get her broke of the bad habit!

I will keep you posted.....

Ringin' in the New Year.........

2007-12-31T12:58:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone!

Can you all believe it is 2008 already? Aren't we supposed to have robots cleaning our homes and be flying in little hovercrafts instead of driving cars by now? Since I don't have that, but I do have this fancy new computer, I played with some of my new programs and made some of the pictures today fancy. Do ya like??? Crash a hard drive and look pathetic, you too can get a new computer. I always tease that the girls have Daddy wrapped around their little fingers but I have to be careful as well. I think he might have gotten broken in being whupped by me!!!

So as you can see we went sledding the other day. The kids loved it!! Even Skylar had a ball. That is right up until Abby rolled the sled, busted her lip open again and planted Skylar face down in the snow. Of course, Miss Smiley Pants Skylar, once the snow was wiped off was grinning like crazy ready to go again. Abby had yet another mouthful of blood so we had to pack it up and head on home. This snow is really staying around so I think we will take them again today after nap.

Big news from our house........to welcome in the new year Miss Skylar took her first steps today. She giggled and giggled as she took three little steps to me. Then she walked a few steps to Daddy and some to Abby. Weston wouldn't hold still long enough but I bet it won't be long and she will be chasing him down.

Keep checking the blog because I may have some cool new stuff in the next couple of days as I figure out the new technology in my world. Sorry to disappoint, it won't be pictures of my new hovercraft or robot maid. In a mother's world it may even be more exciting!!!

Have a safe New Year's Eve and we will see you in 2008!

The cure for thumb sucking!

2007-12-27T12:16:00.000-08:00

Well, it has been an exciting day at the Dunbar's. We finally found the cure to thumb sucking. Abby was walking out of the library with her hands in her pockets and slipped on the snowy curve. She planted her face into the concrete and split her lip wide open. Mouth wounds tend to look like they are gushing blood so of course it looked really bad. We took her to the clinic because I could tell it was a pretty good gash. Of course, it was lunch hour! No docs anywhere to be found. The nurse looked at it and was sure we would need stitches. So we sat and waited for the doc to get back from lunch. He looked at it and thought it would be okay with no stitches. Thank goodness for that. How the heck do you get a four year old to sit still for stitches in their lip anyway???? So now she looks like Bubba Gump, but in her princess costume, who cares!!

On a happier note, Skylar tried out pigtails for the first time today. She looks pretty cute!

Here are some pictures of Bruiser and the Glamour Baby!!! Enjoy!

Here you go....

2007-12-26T07:00:00.000-08:00

Here are the pictures of the kidos playing with their new toys. Skylar had a great first Christmas. She quickly figured out the opening of the gifts and so was trying to open any gift she could find. The first picture is of her with her new dancing and singing toy. She loves to dance and so Santa brought her a toy that makes music and lights. She is a dancing queen now.

Abby loves all of her dress up stuff. We spent all day trying on different costumes and looking beautiful. I told her that maybe in a couple of weeks she can have a dress up party and have a couple of friends over to play, She already told me that she is going to wear the wedding dress and wants her little friend Logan to come too so that they can really get married. Yikes!!! Don't worry Logan, she got pink diamonds for Christmas so all you have to do is bring yourself.

Mr. Weston has been glued to his train table since 7:30 yesterday morning. For months, he told us he was going to ask Santa for a new train. Finally, the Saturday before Christmas the big day came. We went with my entire family to see Santa and put in our Christmas wishes. My dad, my sister and her family, my brother and his family and my family all crammed into the little Santa house in Clay Center. I am pretty sure Santa started thinking early retirement when he saw us all coming. Weston, who had been talking of nothing but asking Santa for a new train for months, in typical 2-year-old fashion buried his head in my shoulder and refused to even look at Santa. After all of the other kids had their turn I asked Weston if he wanted to try again to sit on Santa's lap. His head went even deeper into my shoulder. So we told the kids to tell Santa thank you and bye-bye and headed out the door. All of the sudden like Ralphe in A Christmas Story, both arms and legs went out and Weston caught the door refusing to leave. He was crying because he didn't tell Santa what he wanted. You could tell he was terrified to sit on Santa's lap but even more terrified to leave without telling Santa that he wanted a new train. So, I asked him if he would like to wait until everyone else left and then sit on Santa's lap and tell him. In a tiny little voice he said, "Yes, please Mama!" When the place cleared out he sat on Santa's lap and asked him, "Santa, may I have a new train please?" Santa asked if he had been good and told him he would see what he could do. We then tried to get a picture which Weston clearly didn't want to do. ON the way out the door in a very small little boy voice he said, "Thank you, Santa!" It was a very cute scene. So on Christmas morning there it was, a new train set. He only left the table twice yesterday and hurried back to it as soon as he could. I guess Santa scored this year!!!

So here we are, post-Christmas happiness enjoying our new toys and our full bellies. It is snowing like crazy outside adding fresh snow onto what we already had. The candles are lit. THe Christmas lights are on. Daddy will be home soon. All is right in our little world.

Have a great day!

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T18:48:00.001-08:00

There are those that believe Christmas is for children. That there is a special magic surrounding the holiday that is felt the strongest by the smallest members of our families. I used to believe this as well. Now that I have my own children and they are getting to the age where they are beginning to understand that magic, I have to disagree that Christmas is for children. I have never felt the spirit of Christmas more than I have watching my own little ones fall under its spell.

Jamy and I are so blessed. We have each other and together have created three of the most amazing people I know. Together we have been through so much. I really have come to believe in the last few weeks, though, that we are just now entering one of the best times of our lives. Our children are getting to the age where they are understanding what a special time Christmas is and they are still young enough to believe. Right now as I type this, we are all snuggled in together getting ready for bed and watching a new movie that Santa brought. Our day has been relaxed and laid back so that the kids can really enjoy the day.

We used to do a bunch of running around on the holiday. It was hurry open presents, hurry get in the car, hurry drive two hours to Grandma's house, hurry eat, hurry drive to other Grandma's house, hurry eat, hurry drive to other Grandma's house, try not to puke from all of the hurrying and eating. The kids were stressed by the end. We were stressed by the end and we never felt like we got to spend quality time with any of our families. So last year, because I was ready to pop with Skylar and have a history of very quick labors we decided to stay home for Christmas. It was so great to not have to hurry, hurry, hurry all over. We talked it over and made a very difficult decision. We decided that right now, while our children are young, we need to step back and slow down for the holiday. Our decision was to not go anywhere but our own home for Christmas. I was sad at first because family means so much to me and I really miss getting together with everyone and celebrating. It is weird to not see Mom, Dad, Beth and Matt on Christmas. Now is the time though to make memories for my kids. I don't want those memories to be a blur of running from one place to the next. In the end it worked out great. We were able to get together with my entire family last Saturday and Jamy's family last night. Today we spent unshowered ,in our jammies playing with our new toys, building a snow man, and enjoying each other. AWESOME!!!!

So here are some highlights of our last 24 hours or so. Yippeee.....it is a white Christmas. I don't even know if I remember the last time we had snow on Christmas. What a gift!!! Now what did each one of us do all day. First off Jamy, he spent most of the last 24 watching A Christmas Story over and over while enjoying the new tacky leg nightlight I got him for Christmas. I watched with him on and off, but dang there is only so much a girl can do to support her guy! I played with the kiddos and finally got a chance to sit down and get some software installed on my new computer so that I could share the below pictures with you all.

Now the kiddos. As you can see from the pictures, they must have been good this year! The first couple of pictures are of them leaving treats for Santa. We had to leave cookies and apple juice because Abby was concerned Santa might be a little tired of milk by the time he got to our house. I asked her if she thought he would be full of cookies too. She said, "NOpe, nobody gets full of cookies!" The second picture is of Skylar discovering the cookies left within her reach and diving on it to "share" with Santa!

Next we have Princess Abby's new dresses for playing dress up and Weston's new train complete with train table built by Daddy. Finally, we have Skylar discoving that Santa left a sucker in her stocking. She was a happy baby.

I am trying to load my pictures to share while I type and it isn't working so I am going to post this for now and type more later with even more pictures to share.

I hope you each had a very Merry Christmas. There are still a few hours left so if you haven't done it already, stop for a moment and think about your own life. I hope you find many blessings, lots of joy and a load of Christmas magic!

2007-12-25T16:44:00.000-08:00

She is an angel!

2007-12-20T07:58:00.000-08:00

I apologize for the quality of the pictures this time. I think little fingers found my camera and messed with the settings. I didn't realize it until we were at the program and it was too late to try to figure it out. I hope they aren't too dark for you to see.

Here it is folks, the proof our angel is an angel. Abby had her Christmas program last week and she got to play an angel. She was very excited because she had wings. She also made a huge step this year. Believe it or not, chattermonkey hates to be in front of a crowd performing. She actually is not a fan of performing at all. Last year her teacher thought she didn't know her ABCs because Abby refused to say them. She will talk your ear off any other time. The minute you ask her to stand in front of a crowd, though, the thumb goes in the mouth, the head drops, and she stands frozen until it is over. This year, Jamy and I worked and worked with her. Okay, we bribed her with pizza a little bit as well. When the big moment came she walked out on stage and started to get the-deer-in-the-headlights look. I was pretty sure she was going to bolt. Then our little brave angel, sucked in her gut and started to sing. Jamy and I were in the back doing a little victory dance.

I have figured out in parenting the things that seem small are usually the biggest victories of life. I get more joy out of seeing my little one conquer her fear and sing or watching my baby boy try to figure out how to put the poop in the potty than I ever got over anything I accomplished.

So, Abby, if the day comes you are ever reading this I want you to know that I am so proud of you. You were scared, yet you stood up, found your courage and took a risk. You really can do anything if you just try. I believe that!

Wishful thinking....

2007-12-17T07:44:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures of the ice storm last week. In the middle of it, Abby asked me if we could go swimming. I said, "Honey, it is icy outside. Where do you want to swim?" She told me it was okay. We could put her pool up outside and if she got cold she would just come in and get hot chocolate. So here is a picture of her in her swim suit by the window with the ice in the background.

For those of you who are wondering, no I didn't let her go swimming outside! We filled up the tub and went swimming instead.

Keep warm!

And so we begin...

2007-12-14T19:51:00.000-08:00

The next chapter in our lives has begun. Most of you know that Jamy and I have spent the better part of the last five years makin', birthin' and carin' for babies. I can not tell you how amazing this journey has been. When Jamy and I started out 21 years ago at the tender age of 14, I could have never imagined how our lives would become this incredible. We really are living the American dream. We have a great home, three beautiful children, and each other. I can honestly say that I love that man more now than I ever did before.

A little while ago, Jamy and I made the decision that the time to have more children is done. Now is our time to focus on our family and on raising these three beautiful kids. So in the spirit of that decision, Jamy went in last Thursday and had, as Donkey on Shrek says, "the Bob Barker treatment". He had a pretty miserable weekend, but headed back to work today. So thanks to everyone who called to see how he was doing. He seems to be feeling much better today. At least he is up off the couch! That is a major step in the right direction.

I am sad that that chapter of our life is over. It is weird to think about never feeling life growing inside me again. The excitement of a new member of the family is something that can not be matched. Not to mention, Overland Park hospital has really great French toast for the morning after delivery, so I am sad to think I will never have it again! All of that being said, I am excited to settle in with the man that I love and raise this beautiful family that we have created. I don't know what this new chapter in our lives will hold for us, but I do know it will be amazing.

Let it snow......

2007-12-10T18:43:00.001-08:00

It seems the last couple of weeks I have had some profound thoughts on motherhood. Unfortunately, if you read my earlier post you know I have been up to my ears in busted junk so have not been able to get on the computer much to write.

I will save the thoughts for another day and just share these pictures we took of the kids over the weekend. We laughed so hard that I nearly peed my pants and Abby did pee hers as we played in the snow with our dog Fudge. That crazy dog pulled Abby on her sled all over the yard. It was one of the funniest things I have seen in quite awhile.

Enjoy!