30 years later...

(This was a 'scheduled' post and apparently got lost in blogger land so it's a bit late!)

I forgot to post about my parents surprise 30th wedding anniversary and know that especially G'ma Shirley is awaiting a few pictures!  : )  Way back in May/April I had enlisted the help of my much wiser and better big party planner S-I-L Sheri on how to throw a suprise party.  She gave me many ideas and lot's of advice and I sat on all of it all summer long until all of a sudden it was August 12th and the party was scheduled to go down in about 5 weeks.  We and by we I mean mostly me had to scramble to get invites out the door and in my haste screwed up the font size on the invites...biggest mistake EVER!  Riley was on my lap, I was under the gun and just wanting the get er'done so I chose the card not realizing it was a dark grey background and that I chose black ink for my font and also not realizing that the pre-set font size was a mere 10 and that aside from it being hard to read black font on dk grey photo paper the itty, bitty, teeny, tiny font made it nearly impossible.  Needless to say the next day I had 3-4 voicemails on my phone from guests saying that the picture of my parents was nice but that they couldn't read anything and they really wanted a call back ASAP so they didn't ruin it in church the next day.  To say it was the most frustrating RSVP process I have ever been through (yes, worse than my wedding RSVP's) was an understatement and I will NEVER EVER again rush through and hardly give it a 2nd glance before ordering 50 photo invites!  So we procrastinated some more and ended up on Saturday the 11th (the party was on the 12th) meeting for some grocery shopping, decoration shopping and day of baking.  My brother watched Riley man while Katie and I hit the stores.  Dollar store shopping can really add up as you cruise the aisles : )  We finally made it back to my place and started baking.  We made brownies, Rice Krispie bars, Special K bars, Costco cookies ; 0, and Reese's PB cup cookies.  Yes the theme was desert/punch bar!  We also made a coffee punch and a fruit punch with orange juice, strawberry jello, lemon juice and more!  They were yummy!  We ended up having to tell my Dad about the surprise so that someone could creatively get my mom back to church on a Sunday afternoon!  The party was a hit and although we came back home with lots of treats it was fun and my parents were surprised and had a blast. 

Yes, the lighting in the church is BAD!  and my patience with Manual mode was thin so this is the best I could do besides who wants to take pictures when there is a table full of goodies and family to talk to?!

Mother's Day continued

I just picked up our Mommy and Me pictures from Legacy Studios and I LOVE them.  My sweet little man hasn't changed too much in a year but he does look a bit more mature (and he really needed a haircut!) and my sweet little baby girl just leaves me mushy around the edges.  I love her cheeks, I love her hair, I LOVE her period.  Thank you Daddy for my other precious gifts...I can't wait to get them hung on the walls!

Ignore the flecks of dust-scanner love to attract dust even after numerous wipes!

And also keep me in your prayers...I am asking my boss for 4 days of work tomorrow and I am nervous.  I have my selling points down but I really, really don't want to get my hopes up and then be devastated if it doesn't work out for the company.  Here goes nothing!

Memorial Weekend Fun and Sun

We are so appreciative for all that we have and looking back on the past weekend makes me reflect on the families that weren't together because a loved one was serving our country.  Whether you are left wing, right wing or somewhere in the middle I hope and pray that no matter what we all stand behind our servicemen and women.  We live in a country full of freedom and endless opportunities that should never be taken for granted.  The special people in our life that we cherish who have served are both of my Grandpa's,  my Dad, Uncle Kevin, cousin Russ and I am sure more we have forgotten to mention.  I think of the sacrifice and it is humbling beyond words.  Thank you for your service and for helping to secure the many magical moments we are enjoying because of it.

Our weekend started off early Saturday morning when Daddy rounded up our 'troop' and drove us up north before 8 a.m.  Ouch.  I was so thankful for the trip through the Bou drive through to help get me going and shortly after not so thankful since coffee always makes me have to pee like a racehorse.  We drove straight through with no stops and we were happy to see a sparkling blue Mille Lacs lake with calm waters as far as the eye could see.  It was sunny and warm and we wasted no time in enjoying the day.  The Theisen boys (Uncle Tevin, Joey, Daddy and Rye) took to the boat and headed out for some fishing.  Yay for the little boys enjoying fishing and both catching a few!  Riley caught his first walleye and the video is too die for cute!  The Theisen girls (G'ma Kathy, Mikenna, myself and Lyssa) were placing bets on the fun not lasting with 2 hyper boys out there but thankfully it did and we got to spend girl time together.  We walked to the park, ate hot dogs in the sun and played with Lyssa who was having a bit of trouble adjusting to her new surroundings.  This girl is particular and she woke up in a strange place but after a few hours warmed up nicely to Kenna and Nana T.  My sweet niece Kenna (who will be 10 this summer!) is so grown up and will make a perfect sitter in a few short years!  Nothing ages you like looking at children you held as an infant!

The boys made it back in time for a feast of yummies made special by G'ma and we pigged out hardcore.  Naptime followed shortly and with both our babies sleeping Daddy asked me if I wanted to go to the casino or shut my eyes.  Hmm, no brainer for me.  I chose the nap and 3.5 hours later Lyssa and I finally woke up from our refreshing siesta full of energy.

Quick change of directions:  Is there anything better than sleeping with a babe?  Not to me!

Daddy went back out for more fishing and Nana T helped me wrangle and wrestle the little ones into pj's and ultimately bed.  We stayed up later than expected talking until I couldn't hold my peepers open anymore and finally had to crawl into bed with my girl.

Sunday morning we took off early and left the sunshine behind because we had Riley's first Twin games of the season to attend.  Last minute plan changes meant Daddy was joining us.  This of course was right over naptime and Riley started falling asleep on our way down there.  When Daddy asked him if he was sleeping he responded without opening his eyes "Me just resting mine eyes Daddy."  Sweet boy. We ate like little piggies again enjoying cheese curds, loaded nachos and a special request from our boy of Angie's popcorn...Oh my goodness that stuff is good! Perfect blend of sweet and salt just like the bag described.  After 7 innings we were a bit bored (sorry Twins but bad baseball just isn't fun to watch) so we took off.  We headed right home and Riley was so sad about it.  "No home Mommy, let's go get ours baby.  I miss ours baby Lyssa."  Bestill my heart he just kills me.  Lucky for Riley she was dropped off mere minutes later!  He just loves her so much!

Monday was all about some much needed cleaning.  Daddy took off with the Rye man so I could get a headstart in a nearly empty house.  Thank you Lyssa for taking a 2.5 hour nap so I could get through 5 loads of laundry, dusting, dishes (X2 in the day total), floor scrubbing, bathroom cleaning and almost vacuuming.  I earned a lunch out and we went to our current fave El Loro before heading to Cub to pick up ingredients for our special after nap baking project-Rainbow cupcakes.  Riley and I have been doing alot of baking lately as it's easy to do and Lyssa is content to watch and these cupcakes were tons of fun. Lots of extra dishes but totally worth it!

We had nearly the whole fam over (we missed you Kyle) for a fish fried dinner Monday night and all of a sudden our weekend was over.  After 2 baths and a quick shower for Mommy the littlest humans in the house were in bed and Daddy and I enjoyed the 2nd Harry Potter movie.

I fell asleep with a smile on my face.  It was a great weekend filled with family and fun.  It doesn't get much better than this.  Life is good and summer is nearly here.  I was almost ready to go back to work today : ) and thankfully it was a quick and painless day after the holiday!

She kills me with cuteness!

Look Mama, me holding a leech.  Nice picture Daddy-you make me proud!

Resting his big browns.

Cutest near 3 old ever. 

My handsome guys.  

Here's to many more sunshine filled, family loving, crazy busy weekends full of fun!  

Love is...

Looking down while doing the dishes to see my kids smiling at me.

Holding hands with my husband in between sips of buy one get one Caribou's while driving around Sunday.

Turning around to sneak a peek at our children in the back of the Tahoe to see Riley holding hands with his sleeping sister while he watches a movie.

Watching our baby girl discover new things and smile with sparkles in her baby blues.

Hearing our baby girl giggle with delight.

Hearing Riley beg for Daddy to tell him the story of Uncle Wobbie's monster walleye with excitement in his eyes while we enjoy a fish fried dinner.

Eating a pizza dinner with extended and immediate family, watching our kids play and giggle and knowing that my parents are picking up the bill.

Watching this little wonder grow up and push herself to do new things.

Running through the rain so my kids don't get too wet only to be sopping wet myself as I run around the truck trying to get them both in safely.

Watching Riley's imagination run wild and free.

Daddy being unable to nap on Sunday when the sirens went off only to stare up at the sky waiting and watching so he can protect us.

Missing my Riley so much on his last night up north that my heart ached only to find out his Daddy missed him just as much and us girls also, so much so that he had a hard time sleeping.

Watching my long lashed boy sleep and marveling over how grown up he suddenly is with tears in my eyes.

Working out hard core for 30 minutes everyday, having Riley join me for punches and double crunches and then getting the chance to shower in private while I hear my 3 favorite people giggling and playing as they await my return.

Enjoying and living for the moments of play and fun we have as a family.

Cheering loudly when Riley connects with a baseball and smacks it like no ones business, certainly not a 2.5 year olds business.

Crying on lunch break as I see a baby that reminds my of my own babies.

Watching Riley feverishly pull the sock fuzz out of his toes at the end of each day.

Daddy asking me if I wanted to/was able to go down to 4 work days a week.

Peeking into two bedrooms at the end of the day and feeling my heart soar with pride and emotion at the beauty of the sleeping babes within each room.

Hearing Riley ask a restless and hungry Lyssa "What's wong honey bunches?  How can Riwey help you?

Watching Deuce as he sneaks into Lyssa's room to sleep with her and then greet her in the morning with his kisses.

Pulling up to my parent's house at the end of another workday to be greeted by a huge smile on the faces of my children and a very excited Riley exclaiming "Where were you Mommy? Me missed you so much."

Tucking in Riley after singing to him, scratching his back, saying prayers and exchanging our special last words "I love you little one", I say to him.  "I love you big one", he says back to me.

Love is what gets me up at 3:45 a.m.  Love is what keeps me going and energized all day through.  Love is in the simple, forgettable, easily over-looked gestures.  It is what I see more and more of everyday.  I am surrounded by a love that is so powerful and so overwhelming.


The love that I know best and look for is in the smile of recognition from my husband, the satisfied sleepy milk drool on my daughters lips, the sparkle of joy in my boy when he sees me and the smile I look back at in the rearview mirror as I pull out of the parking lot knowing I will by holding my loves soon and that this day is good.