Finally after 5 years of living in our house we've done something to our bedroom! I wanted something that would match my bedding and curtains...two items I had and loved. My bedding is pretty old but its simple and we like it! I just put the curtains up when Carson was born...yeah it was 4 years before we put curtains up, we always had blinds!

I just couldn't come up with an accent color until I was at a store in the cities...Patina and saw my inspiration! Orange, white and turquoise! When I returned home I googled up my color combo and saw that it's a trend right now! Go me! I tried to stay simple and not done yet! I still have on my wishlist:

-A tall dark wicker basket with lid for laundry

-Dark wooden or faux wood blinds

-Orange Lamp

-Orange Pictures. I have some flower pics I took just need to print them! I already have the frames too!

-Branches painted white in the vase on the nightstand.

-Orange Pillows.

-Pillows with orange and turquoise!

The walls are Summer Rays...its not as yellow as it appears here and at night it looks a lot more beige/brown. The fabric in the frame was bought to make pillows, but I don't think it goes anymore. The other fabric swatch I am trying to track down, they have a whole line with the colors.

This Post is my personal opinion--which I am entitled too!


Every weekday between 11:30-12:00 you will not find me and the boys at the Park a half block away. This use to be a great time to go to the park right before Carson's nap but now its awkward and frankly makes me angry. Why?

The School District is providing free meals to anyone under the age of 18 through a program funded by the USDA. This is an addition to providing breakfast and lunches to any student who is just willing to go to any of the schools that provide a meal. 6 schools in our district have both meals for free and 2 have a small cost. In addition to this they also serve breakfast at 1 community site, lunch at 10 sites and an afternoon snack at 6 sites. In an article published by the Superior Telegram the Food Service Director is quoted on saying "Helping parents meet the nutritional needs of their children is the strength of this program." Well shouldn't we then be teaching parents what the nutritional needs are? Shouldn't we be spending our tax payer money on something more useful then a bag lunch? Do parents even know what they SHOULD be feeding their children? How hard would it be to educate the children too?
At our site, a woman sits on the park bench for the half hour and gives out the bags and pushes the lunches on to anybody else that is there. Can't she easily go over the food pyramid or hand out nutritional recipe cards? Teach and Preach. Nobody should be given something free, make this a teachable moment. I have seen mothers with their children that I know have jobs as do their spouses getting free lunches for their small(not yet in school) children everyday. This is wrong. Feeding starving children in Milwaukee is different, even feeding those who need it in Superior isn't wrong, but when children start going to the park to eat and not play, that is disturbing. When my child wants to know why he can't have a bag of fruit snacks and every other kid can at the park, what do I tell him?
When did the world become more responsible for my children than me. Isn't my job, my #1 priority to make sure my children are taken care of, feed, bathed and clothed? I know that I do need to have money, by having a job and saving money for the times when I do not work. I work hard on finding nutritional, low cost meals for my family and you know what I am proud of that. Its great to sit down as a family to a home cooked meal that I spent time planning and preparing, it is rewarding. People need to take appropriate actions for their families. If you are a hard working individual and you get laid off and need assistance that is one thing, to take it, use it wisely and be done with it when you return to work. We don't need people milking the system their whole lives and living off me the tax payer.

Note: I am not cold hearted nor do I like to see hungry children, but this isn't not the long term answer. Educating parents how to feed and take care of their children is.

Book Review!

September Fair by Jess Lourey

When finding books for our CSI class who reads 1 fiction book relating to murder, mystery, forensics etc it gets a little difficult to find books that our good choices for our high school students. So when I read a book review on this title I knew we had to get it. Being a MN author and curriculum used book, I felt like it would be a sure win, boy was I right! I am going to go use my rest of my BN gift card to get the rest of the series, since I read the 5th book in the series. The school is going to need them too! She is witty, and writes with so much detail to us "Locals". This book takes place at the Minnesota State Fair and she describes it to a T. Using the street names and other markers that only people who have been to the fairgrounds would appreciate. Her mystery also had a good storyline. I think she writes much like Janet Evanovich, one of my favorites. A funny mystery book sounds wrong, but she got it right!
Her website....http://www.jesslourey.com/

Ever have a hard time coming up with a good book to read or buy as a gift? I have a great list for you to look at! I now have read 5 books from this list and loved them all! After feeling this way and giving a few students books from the list I can confidently say its a sure win list!
www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/Choices%202010%20citations.pdf


The Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) is a gathering place for ideas, books and expertise in children's and young adult literature. Now thats from the CCBC's website. They are also located in WI down in Madison and they are known as a expert in choosing great literature and children's books. Every year they come up with a huge list of great reads! Here is what I've read so far:

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti
And Then Everything Unraveled by Jennifer Sturman
Once was Lost by Sara Zarr

On my shelf at home right now is:
Purple Heart by Patrica McCormick
No More Us for YOu by David Hernandez
How to Steal a Car by Pete Hautman (MN/WI Author!)
Candor by Pam Bachorz

Plus a ton more books I need to read this summer! Check out their list, has something for every reading and age level!

For months we've been trying to decide what car/van/suv to buy for me. It would be our primary family car the one we drive to soccer, to the cities and to Target. It had to have a few pieces of criteria even for me to consider....It had to fit 3 carseats, just in case! In my car we can't take any of Hayden's friends anywhere, the seats just to fit in the back. I wanted captain chairs in the middle, with 2 carseats I don't want to be climbing over seats or taking carseats out to get to the 3 row, which is another need. And of course it has to fit all my photography stuff! Good gas mileage was a plus too, and we wanted something reliable. So first we wanted the Ford Freestyle(2nd picture...I goofed!) We looked and looked for one to test drive, finally found one at Sonju in Two Harbors so we drove up there and drove it, Jason didn't like it, the transmission was a cvt and wasn't to his liking. I also left not all that thrilled with it. Than came the Pacifica, but yeah its a Chrysler, enough said.

Mountains cost extra!

The beloved Freestyle...the fruit of many, many Internet searches!

Now this is the Nimble, Zoom, Zoom, Zoom Mazda5. Hopefully the newest family member coming sometime this month! Its a Mini-Mini Van and I am so in love! It drives like a car and is basically the size of one too but its 3 rows, fits all my criteria, 30 mpg and pretty cheap!

But I can't decide on silver, grey or red. I drove the silver one and it was fine, whatever as long as its not black or white i am happy!

Thanks to the websites where I borrowed these pictures from...they aren't mine so don't use them!

Oh Soccer! My Kiwi team is getting better that's for sure! We have finally started listening to us(Coach B and I) and getting that ball towards the goal. These last few games the kids really have opened up and tried kicking some butt! Only 2 goals were scored on us the last game. I am getting a killer workout, running up and down the field for an hour! Its fun, but I am so ready for it to be over! Its actually a lot of work, but fun work!
Hayden is a great player, of course. He is driven and focused. He wants to make a goal so bad! He was goalie today and blocked 4 attempts, he was a very proud boy. Hayden and a girl named Emma are a great team, she reminds me a lot of Emily. A couple other kids are really doing well too! Its great to see the improvement over the last month!

I feel as if I haven't blogged enough about my favorite things for Baby Carson. I LOVE my sling. Its seriously is the greatest thing I purchased for him. I bought some things(the sling, video monitor, trumpette socks etc) because they are in....and well I could! But the Sling is so loved and I recommend it to any Mom out there.

My Sling is the Serene Sling in Chocolate/Ivory. It was a very wide shoulder strap to distribute the weight well, very well. I have only had a sore back once and I had the sling on with Carson in it for well over 3 hours walking around the fair. I like when Jason pulls the shoulder strap down and lays it flat, you can't even feel it on you! The pocket is deep, when he was little a bit too deep but its perfect for throwing my wallet and phone into with the baby. The fabric is awesome and must be very breathable because we never got uncomfortable this summer with it on. Carson always stayed cool. It also has held up very well. The pattern in attractive and I receive many compliments on it. It comes with a pamphlet showing you the different holds. We have tried a few now and we like when he faces me snuggled up to my chest.

I did not pay the price on the website...I bought it from another online baby store that had it marked down to $36.00, I think they forgot the 1 in front, but oh well for them. I am in love with my Serene Sling and excited that it will be with us through Carson's toddler years.

Hayden had his first Wednesday night at the races today...but it was cancelled! Oh well he got a ribbon and it was green. I made him(it wasn't hard) run around the track to earn it though. I can't believe its already this time of the year again, I didn't realize it was coming up, so he hasn't practiced..not that he had in the past, but he always talks about going to practice at UWS so I thought I would take him! He has been so great lately, he truly loves his little brother and does so well with him. Jason takes him golfing about once a week and he is getting good, and loves it! Last week he made a chip shot from off the green into the hole, his dad was very impressed. He also was able to go to a Husky's game with Nana and Papa on Saturday. He was bouncing in the giant Husky and was playing tag and told me he made a friend, but didn't ask what his name was or where he lived. Apparently those are the things you need to know if you make friends with someone. Jason and I have decided not to enroll him in Pre-K. I really don't believe he needs to go and I don't believe that its the school districts responsibly to take care of my child for free when I am capable. Jason and I both never really attended Preschool and we turned out just fine! He is such a smart boy and will hopefully get all the social interactions with football, basketball, soccer and Tball before he starts kindergarten next fall. I really don't think there is anything wrong with preschool but its not for him. I'll make a completely separate decision when its time for Carson.
We are thinking about going to the cities next week to look at houses, go the the Children's Museum, Babies R Us(even though I get flustered there!), waterpark, and a few other things. But haven't decided. We have stuff that needs to get done around the house but Jason needs a vacation, even if its just a couple of days. The boy has been working his hinney off--as usual. I haven't uploaded pictures on my computer all week, hopefully tomorrow! I only sit down at the computer when I am nursing Carson or he is asleep and forget to grab it!

I am curious....
What is your favorite baby invention?
Based on my 2 lovely boys I am thinking the pacifier!
Hayden and Carson with their buffy's!
Keep reading I added a few posts today!

Carson's appointment went great today, he was so great. He got to be naked and have heated blankets all over him...he couldn't ask for better! His hips look fine, just uneven rolls apparently oh well this kid has kept us on our toes is whole existence with the Spinda Bifida scare and this! I am sure there will be more to come too!
He is such a great baby! I know i say that constantly but its so true. He is such a talked and his 4 dimpled smile can melt any one's heart!
Hayden has been a hoot lately as usual. He has made up his own language and will point things out to us in the car and make up a name for it. Like koochakingalala. He knows how to make us laugh just like his daddy!
Jason was in a wedding this weekend. I have come to the conclusion that being the spouse of a bridal party person sucks. I'll just leave it at that!
Jason also is working a ton lately...but the good news is, his store is doing the best its ever done! I know the owner is liking that too! All his numbers are coming up great.
I don't miss working-at all. Last summer I was itching to get back and missed it so much. Totally not having that problem this summer!
I will try to update tomorrow or Thursday with our hopeful lineup of more summer adventures!

I had to change my header to add baby Carson! We've been blessed with great weather and we've been taking full advantage of it! Picnics, walks, going to the park, and golf(of course!) We've been to a few birthday parties(Happy Birthday Lisa and Callie!), storytime, and just seem to fall into a great summer rhythm! Tomorrow we are going to the $3 movie and I hope to get to a Husky's game this week. Jason is in a wedding this weekend so there is lots of stuff going on around that too! I have been seriously playing with my camera! I have been shooting more and more in manual and actually figuring it out! I have been happy with my results, the color pops so much more, and thats what I love! I decided I really want to become a reviewer, but of course have no idea how, when, where to! So I am going to either start blogging on here or start a new review blog. If you have something you want me to try let me know! I am going to do a wide variety, I hope!! I also have a photoblog...did you know that??? I hope to utilize it more and will be posting pics there too! Check it out!

Summer vacation has offically started! Now only if the weather gets that memo we will be doing good. Carson was baptized on Sunday with Angie and Greg as his Godparents and Deacon Phil performing the sacrament. It was a great moment and Carson was great. Sighing when the water was poured over his head and joining in on raising his right hand in a blessing(of him self!) We had a small gathering afterwards with yummy breakfast that my mom and I cooked(she did most of it!) Hayden went out to "his cabin" afterwards with Smith and Papa going fishing and golfing. He loves it out there! Jason, Carson and I enjoyed a quiet afternoon walking around Fitgers and enjoying the view from the courtyard along with some ice cream from Bridgemanns. Carson is getting stronger and more alert all the time. He is starting to take clear naps and not just sleep all the time. He is still a great baby! Hayden is being the little boy he is. Outside golfing, playing in the sand, going to the park and just loving the outside. I am so looking forward to our little getaway this weekend with my parents, I haven't been anywhere since March and for me, that's along time. I am also getting very anxious to go to Cragun's. I keep thinking about the warmth, the beach and the pool. I can't wait! Make sure and check out the picture posts below and my albums if you want more pictures!

Random Tidbits:

*Hayden makes us laugh more and more everyday. ex. Mommy says "Hayden when did you get that lure?" Hayden responds "Mom, I've had it for YEARS!"
*Hayden wants to be just like his daddy. Last week he got up and picked out his clothes, choosing a striped polo and brown cargo shorts. Basically Jason's unofficial uniform, he always is wearing that in the summer at home.
*Hayden however still wants to snuggle his mom at bedtime and quiet time. Mommy also is the one who still can make owies better.
*Hayden loves to help, especially with his little brother!
*Carson was born on Jason and I's 7 year dating anniversary. Yes we've been together for 7 years!
*Carson was also born on my Grandma and Grandpa Moe's 65 wedding anniversary.
*Carson is so strong for a newborn! He has great control over that little neck of his.
*Carson's newest nickname is "Hot Dog". He looks just like a hot dog when he is naked, long, skinny and nude color! Hopefully Mommy will stop calling him this before he goes to school!
*Hayden and Carson got to see all their Great Grandma's this weekend, at different random times!
*We have the cutest baby bunny living under our shed.
*Video Baby Monitors are the greatest thing ever invented!
These pictures are also available for your viewing pleasure under the May09 album!

Carson is 2 weeks today! He is still a good baby, but he has had a couple fussy episodes. Last night I gave him a little formula while we were at my work baby shower(so awesome!) and then when we got home he wanted to eat again and boy was that a bad combination. Just a half hour of off and on crying. He isn't very loud thank goodness!

Hayden has been loving the weather and been able to go golfing, bike rides, and multiple trips to the park. He is in little boy heaven! He would do anything to be outside all the time. He is going to "his cabin" tomorrow night and fishing tomorrow in Barnes. Jason is just as excited to go fishing as Hayden is maybe even more!

I'm so excited its Memorial day weekend, that means we will see nice weather soon, hopefully! We've been teased with nice weather and then the next day being in the 30's, its so cruel! We are planning a couple little vacations throughout the summer. Our first being Cragun's in June. We are planning on bring the boat up with us, we've never done that before. Jason wants to explore Gull Lake and probably get a little fishing done. He also is going to golf either the Legacy or Madden's which has a 5star rating, he probably would rather do Madden's! I can't wait to sit on the beach and on the pool deck!

Enjoy your weekend!

I can't believe Carson has been here over a week now, its crazy. Hayden is doing just awesome, we haven't had any real bad behavior and he loves his brother sooo much, its sweet. He talks to Carson in a goofy high pitched voice and loves to give him kisses.
Carson is a great baby, so far...I'm waiting a little bit longer to make a definite decision! Last night he ate at 11:45, 3:00 and 6:30. Which works out great because I just wait to go to bed until the 11 feeding and then go back to sleep after the morning one, i like to sleep in, even just a little bit! He loves to be swaddled tight and doesn't like pajamas with feet. I love the nightgowns for babies and he does to. He is very into this "buffy" (pacifier) just like Hayden was. He rarely cries only when he is hungry or lost is buffy. We are so in love! Its great to have an addition to our family.
We both went to the doctor on Friday and Carson is back up to 8.4 from 7.13 when we left the hospital and the nurse/lactation consultant said he was perfect, and we were doing everything right, whew! My doctor said my incision was doing great but gave me some stronger cream for my allergic reaction. And then on Friday night i discovered a rash all over my body and it itched like crazy...allergic reaction to my antibiotic but since my incision should no signs on infection and was doing good I don't have to go on another one, thank goodness!
Make sure and look at Carson's Album on the right sidebar too! I've been busy taking pictures of my little Monkey!

We are home and doing well. Carson is such a good baby so far! I have an allergic reaction to the steri strips so i am itchy and kinda blah. But other than that doing good. We actually stayed another night in the hospital because of my rash and my doctor, came every day to look at it and make sure it was okay. I also saw a "Wound Specialist" who said she had seen a lot worst and it was an allergic reaction not an infection so thats good too! I'm on a high dose of antibiotics just in case too.

Hayden is an awesome big brother and adjusting perfectly, its like Carson has always been here. He likes to help and gives lots of kisses!

Jason has been busy, busy with work this week it will be nice after today he'll be home for 2.5 straight days to take care of us! Poor guy has to take care of my "wound" because i can't see it. He's a good guy!

I'm sure to update on Friday! Carson will go in to for a little check up at the hospital nursery and I have to meet with my doctor too.

All is well with Carson and I. My C section went awesome and I feel even better today. I was up and sitting/standing on Friday night and moving all around today! My doctor was impressed and said I can go home tomorrow instead of Monday if everything continues to do well. My epidural was one of the weiredest things i've ever had! Mine happen to work even better than most and it didn't wear off until 2:00, not fully until evening! Because of this i had to be in recovery for over 2 hours, which kind of sucked but Jason took good care of Carson! My legs ached because they thought they were bent, thats how they were when they put the epi in, so my brain must of thought thats the way they still were, it was crazy! Hayden and my mom were waiting for me when I returned to my room. They brought me some beautiful flowers, that many nurses have complimented on, Exchange cake, and presents for Baby Carson. Hayden loves his baby brother! He got him a new phone toy that I am sure Carson will love for a long time.
We had all sorts of visitors to see our new beautiful boy! My Mom, Hayden, my Dad, Emily, Brandon, Emily's friend Brittany, Grandma and Grandpa Routh, Mike, Rae Ann, Michael and Laura! That was all on Friday. I didn't think I'd want many visitors on Friday but I was still numb from my epi, so I was feeling great!
Carson is a sweet little guy. He loves to snuggle his Mommy on her chest! He has a kind of bad reputation in the nursery as a crabby boy! Even our pediatrician Dr. Maria said he was a crabby boy. I find this funny because I've yet to have him fuss for too long for me! He was put in the "naughty chair" last night in the nursery and didn't like it one bit! Its some kind of chair that holds baby upright and swaddles them, then the nurses put on womb noises, yeah he didn't fall for it. So they brought him to Mommy and I put him right to sleep! Ha! He is a natural born eater! He is already doing well nursing.
We are so proud of both our beautiful sons! We are excited to bring this little guy home to join our family and every day life!

We have a date! Baby Carson will be here Friday, May 8th!

I ended scheduling a c-section due to frustration and being rather puffy. My doctor isn't really liking my blood pressure and swelling and I've been put on strict orders to take it easy all week. She wanted to do it today but there wasn't any time to do it. My body also isn't wanting to let this baby out anytime soon. I have had no, zero, zilch signs on labor. My doctor also thinks that even though its a slim chance, the longer we go past my due date the more risk of Meconium Aspiration, like Hayden had.

I am excited and scared. I am happy that this time around I will see my baby be born. I will be one of the first to see him.(Jason, my mom, and Jason's parents all saw him before I did last time). A few people even saw Hayden in the NICU before I did! I will be able to hold Carson long before I was able to hold Hayden. I do know that this being a major surgery I may not feel all that great afterwards but I can't wait for those special moments just between Jason, Carson and I. We never got any of that before. We also think its important for Hayden to be the first to meet his little brother and have him introduce him to people.

I am not sure how long I will stay in the hospital. I was only in there for 36 hours with Hayden(i think!) and am able to stay for 4 days if i want. I don't know if Jason is in denial or what, but he isn't planning on taking any days off of work. He needs to at least bring me home from the hospital! I am hoping the hospital has wireless! I will for sure post pictures and stats as soon as I feel up to it! I can't wait to take pictures either! I just may ban all other cameras from my room! I will have exclusive rights to his pictures! Or at least make people sign a waiver....

Jason and I are not, at all germophobes but with all this Swine Flu nonsense we are not sure how to address it. I am sure people will use their judgement but this was a topic of longing conversation last night with no conclusions, we don't want to be paranoid but we still want to be cautious.

If anyone wants to get a hold of us this weekend call either one of our cell phones or as soon as i find out my private number at St Luke's I'll pass it on! Or email, they have to have Internet what will I do for 4 days???

Since I've been ready for baby for like month now, I now have taken to buying frivolous items I've been wanting!

-My Video Baby Monitor- Yup, i love it already! I had the camera on Hayden outside while i was inside yesterday, it worked great. I had no wind interference either and could hear and see him perfectly.

-Baby Leg Warmers. I've seen the cutest pictures of babies wearing these and nothing else, whats cuter than a naked baby???

-Trumpette Socks. These are kind of for Jason. They look like little golf shoes, so cute!

Things I need to buy and really should:

-Size 1 diapers, I some how have stocked up on size 2 mostly. I have 2 packages of size 1 and 7 of size 2. And 1 of newborns, but at the rate his little hiney is growing those might never fit!

-A Swaddle blanket. Now i am not sure if this is something we need. Some people swear by the things I guess we'll wait and see if Carson will want one or not!

-New blinds for the bedroom-oh wait i've been to 3 different stores and can never get 3 matching ones on the sizes i need!


For now though we are just patiently(or actually impatiently) waiting for this little guy to come so we can meet him!

As many of you know I love to save money! And with Carson on the way my spending isn't exactly equalling my saving! But I've found a few ways to save money which is quickly adding up to savings.

Kmart lately about once a month is offering double manufacturer's coupons up to $2.00. Which is HUGE on diapers! I've been saving $3.00 a pack on Pampers and Huggies. I can't seem to find $2.00 off coupons for diapers, only $1.50! But I bought 3 packs this week of diapers with the price per diaper just under .16 per diaper. Kmart also had diapers on sale this week, which are the normal Target diaper prices, but Target can't beat the doubled coupons!

I also have been signing up with all the baby companies to receive their newsletters and coupons which equal free samples too! I've received 2 full sized formula cans and 1 smaller size. Plus 2 one day samples. I do plan on breastfeeding for a while, but I know I won't for a whole year.

Also I've recently found out that a company will send you a check for .75 per pack of Huggies and $1.00 per pack for pullups(Hayden uses at night still) you must have at least 5 receipts and then they'll send you your check! I don't have 5 yet(I can't find a few of my receipts!) so I'll report back when I do. But saving another .75 per pack that brings my diaper prices down to .145 per diaper!

I also am a firm believer in store brands! Except for laundry detergent and dishwasher soap, I'm a total brand snob on these products! I love Tide and my clothes show it or not actually!!!! Jason has been our resident dishwasher and he was using 2 packets of the store brand in the dishwasher and it wasn't getting the job do until i started buying Electrsol(sp?) tablets(i think!!). I should totally be getting paid by these companies for name dropping!!! On website i frequent it showed the savings between buying name brand and Target brands this week and the savings before coupons was 46.7% savings. Thats a lot!

Any other ideas and tips on saving money would be greatly appreciated!!!