Naps, TV and Prayers

Why must my children rise before dawn? My goodness! I just want to sleep in. We have set a rule with Addison and Olivia that they are not allowed to come out of their room before it says 6:00am on their clock. Well, sneaky parents that we are, set the clock back 15 minutes. Anyway, both Tuesday and Thursday this week, they have been up BEFORE 5:45am on MY clock which is even earlier on theirs. There is a lot of whining and arguing that follows. I have told Addison that if she does not follow the 6:00 rule, she has earned herself a nap that day. Well Tuesday, she took a nap. Today, Tony went in and laid with them to keep them in their bed. I was still annoyed because then Ella started in around 5:50am....it does not matter what I try, go to bed earlier, go to be later....they are up EARLY ALL the time!! It drives me bonkers!

So today after school we had a quiet day. Naps were required for the youngest two and Addison got to help me make some Valentine cookies. We cleaned, rather I cleaned and she watched some TV while having her quiet time. Seems as thought I always start with a lengthy "to-do" list on my days off, but don't get near enough done. Usually I try to have Addison help me with the cleaning and tidying while the other girls are sleeping, but I was trying to accomplish a bit more today, so just let her watch TV instead. I did not have the energy to argue with her to have quiet time WITHOUT the TV today. Constant reminders to not stand so close; someday I am going to keep track of how many times I say, " too close", "move back" or "you are gonna hurt you eyes". It ended up being a rather nice day, so I let Addison and Olivia play in the garage while I got dinner ready. It was good for them to get outside and exert some of that energy. Hoping for them to sleep until at least 6:15am! Doesn't matter though, I got to get up early and teach Body Pump at 5:15am!

So the weekend is upon us and I am hoping that I can follow through with continuing to blog. I am impressed with myself so far for keeping up this long!! We have a fun weekend planned with the High School Dance and Cheer Competition in Grand Island this weekend. Tony and I are hoping to slip away for a dinner and movie while Grammy stays with the girls and Sunday I am having Kelly's Kid Clothing Open House! Should be fun! H0pefully the weather cooperates!

Just in case anyone is wondering Tony is getting close to closing in on a year with Northwestern Mutal Financial Network. He is really enjoying this new adventure and is doing fairly well. Of course we are hoping he can do a little better so that we could consider me staying home and being his assistant as he needs it. Please keep this in your prayers for us and for him! He is trying to qualify for a trip to Mexico this fall. The qualifying period ends in May. A trip to Mexico sounds WONDERFUL!!!! He is probably regretting telling me about it because I am nagging to make sure he is making contacts, getting new clients and getting closer to qualifying. Keep him in your prayers!!!

A Look Back

Were you starting to wonder if I would make a post today? Yeah, well give me a break!!

I thought I would start this journey of blogging everyday with a look back a few years. Hard to believe Addison was ever a baby...but my goodness was she. She was the one who made me a mommy, she took my breath away and allowed to me to believe in miracles. Her entrance into this world came with much some struggle for both of us, but one that will always connect us! Addsion allowed Tony and I to trust more in our instincts, our gut feelings and each other. She was and will always be my little peanut! We got home from the hospital and looked at each other with that "what now" look!! We have somehow figured some things out, and if you ask the girls, some things we still don't know much about! I think one of the biggest struggles for me once we were home was the jaundice that Addison had. We had to hook her up to the bililight and put her in the sunlight as much as possible. She had to wear that light all day for 3 days. It was a struggle. We learned a lot from Addison. As we continue to every day!! Enjoy a look back through some of my favorite phots of Addison!!

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Greetings from No Man Lands

We are still alive, and we are still busy. Busy as ever it seems. However, despite the business that seems to plague this blog; I am giving up Facebook for Lent and dedicating myself to this blog. I am going to TRY and write EVERY single day. There will NOT always be pictures, but more or less what we are up to and what we have been doing. Each week I will have a sayings day. It will be a series of crazy things the girls say to me throughout the day!! It should be fun, and I hope that I can do this and keep up with it. So, starting tomorrow...40 days of blogging!! I can hardly wait!! :)

Until then, I will leave you with a fun Olivia quote from today. Let me set the scene for you:

We have an 11:10am doctors appointment for Ella. I get the girls early from school, and we get to the doctors right at 11am. We arrive early because Ella has to have her blood drawn for her kidney stuff. We get right into the lab for that; and then the waiting begins. We get called back to the exam room at 11:22am. The nurse asks me to strip Ella down to her diaper. I expect her to follow me into the room. Nope, 10 minutes later she comes in to weigh her and take all the necessary measurements. I have now given Addison and Liv "the lecture". You know the one, behave, listen to me, I should not have to ask you twice to sit in the chair....you do all this and I have a bribe for you!! Yeah, you have all been there at some time...except maybe Cassie. (Trust me though, your time will come). The two older girls now are sitting nicely in their seats. Ella is laying on the floor screaming "noooooo", and "ouch". I am sure the nurses think I am beating her. The exam room is hot, small and we are cramped in there. Addison decides she is hot, hungry, thirsty, tired of waiting, tired of listening to Ella scream and cry and continues to whine despite my growing headache. She lays on the floor, trys to flip on the chair and sprawls her coat, and shoes on the floor only to have Ella trip on them numerous times. It is now 11:55am. It seems like we have been in this room for at least an hour. Olivia is sitting nicely, and reminds Addison of that. Addison does not take to kindly to the reminder from her little sister. Ella is still screaming, trying to get into cabinet doors, drawers, the trash....FINALLY the doctor walks in (12:02pm); and right on cue, Addison and Olivia fall apart with their good behavior. I am now bracing for the parenting skills that are going to follow and I will proudly display to my children's doctor. Hoping and praying she would find sympathy for me!! She talks to me amongst the loud ruckus that pursues from right behind me. I apologize for my children's behavior...she tries to tell me that this is nothing compared to her house with 3 boys. I am sure she is trying to make me feel better. We FINALLY leave the parking lot at 12:17pm. Yes, we only saw the doctor for less than 15 minutes.

Oh, you are asking what the funny quote was from Olivia?? She kept asking while we were waiting for the doctor "when is Dr. Seuss going to be here mom"? Okay, I thought it was comical! Guess you had to be there!! Now, you have a little insight into me day!!

Christmas in York

Mamo and Bampo went to Pinehurst for Christmas, once they were back to the snow and cold weather, we trekked over to have Christmas with them!! We got new vests, colored spray bottles to play out in the snow with, a mitten tree!! We had a great time visiting Great Ma and Great Pa also!! Addison and Olivia braved the cold and spent some time outside spraying Mamo's snow. We missed playing with Londyn and Sydney this year for Christmas. We are hoping to make it to Wichita for Londyn's 4th birthday in February! Here are a few more shots of the girls playing:

Santa, Snow and Snot, oh my....

Merry Christmas from the snotty nosed Chapman's!! Yep, that's right, we all have had colds, Liv and Ella got it the worst! Poor girls!! But Santa was definatly good to the girls and George had usually good reports for Santa!! We celebrated Christmas in a different kind of fashion this year...a blizzard! Yes, too much snow and way to much wind. I am not sure how the house remained standing during some of that wind. Grammy came early for Christmas, but Cassie and Lou were not able to make it because of the weather. We missed them dearly and it just really wasn't the same! We did make it to church on Christmas Eve, and made it to the movie on Saturday after Christmas. The girls enjoyed hanging out at home with grammy and playing with their new toys. They got a few games this year and are really starting to understand the concept of them. It was fun to turn off the TV and sit around the kitchen table playing games and giggling with the girls. I did notice though their daddy was getting a little competitive with them!!!! :)

Snow Days

We have had 2 snow days this week and a ton of snow and wind to accompany the warmth in the house!! We easily had 10 inches ; however the 50 MPH winds made drifts that were many feet deep. Time to break down and buy a snowblower!! We found lots of ways to be creative and make the time inside pass...Addison proudly displayed her bathing suit while it snowed outside, the whole time complaining that she was so hot! We put stickers on the windows, daddy brought home donuts before we all got stuck inside; Addison played computer games, Ella banged on pots and pans and cooked us up some skillets; daddy shoveled the millions of inches of snow; we made cookies, the girls painted mommy's nails and we finally played outside (brrrrrrr it was COLD); mommy gave us some yummy hot chocolate when we came back in!!!! We had a great few snow days; tomorrow it is back to school and to work!

Happy 10 WONDERFUL Years Tony

Friday Tony and I celebrated 10 years together since the day we said I do. It was a GREAT day spent shopping, laughing, reminiscing, and spending time together!! Both Grammy and Mamo helped out with the girls so that we could have the day to ourselves. It was wonderful and much needed!!

Hard to believe that it has been 10 years, seems like it was only yesterday that I was finishing finals my senior year at Hastings for the fall semester. Tony was adament that I come see him in Sutton; he was giddy and acting funny. He sped all the way from Hastings to Sutton (very unlike him). We got there and my world was on cloud nine!! We have had our fair share of ups and downs, and happy times and sad times. We have chosen to embrace each of our expereinces together; not only does it make us stronger individually, but stronger as a couple. Our love has been tested with medical issues that has stressed each of us to the max, but we know that their is someone else in charge, and all we can do is to pray for comfort, understanding and strength during those times. We don't know what the future holds for our family, but we know that we will be enjoying each new adventure, each new roadblock and each new struggle together...wouldn't have it anyother way. Ten years ago, we never would have imagined our lives would be blessed with 3 little girls; ten years ago, we NEVER thought we would be EVER driving a minivan; ten years ago, we still didn't know what the future held for us...but we sure all enjoy this ride and looking forward to the next ten years!! I love you Tony!! Thank you for 10 wonderful years, thank you for being such an understanding husband, and thank you for being a wonderful father and example to our daughters!!

Thanksgiving...and lots to be thankful for

Thanksgiving is always the time of year that I reflect on the things in my life that I simply could not live without. This year I had a friend who challenged me to be thankful for one thing everyday for the month of November and to post it on my Facebook page. I did it and often found myself having to decide which thing I would publicly declare thankful for that particualr day. My list of thankfulness has grown and I am thankful that I do indeed to have so much to be thankful!! This past year has been one of challenges and one of greatness (you will read more about that in the Christmas letter - if you don't follow my blog regularly).

We had the oppurtunity to spend Thanksgiving with both sides of our family this year. On Thanksgiving day, we spent it with Cassie, Lou and Grammy and in Omaha. We had sucha great time splashin at Coco Keys, but felt a great abscence that the Welsh's were not able to be with us. The weather outside was frightful (okay just cold and windy), but the weather inside was warm, welcoming and a balming 84 degrees at Coco Keys...yes, we went swimming!!!

We also had a great time celebrating with Tony's entire family at the farm in Friend. It is good my children get some "farm life" expereince, because this city girl is not a fan of petting animals or the smells on the farm (except for Karen's candles, and the smell of yummy food cooking). The petted baby lambs, horses, chickens, and who knows what else. They recieved strict instructions NOT to touch the cats though...mom can't handle those!!! We had a wonderful day with cousins, extended family and the company of those we love. The weather was perfect and the girls and Uncle Harold went on search of the perfect Christmas tree to decorate for the birds. We mad peanut butter pine cones, popcorn and cranberry strings on the tree...a great time was had by all. We even got to make smores on the fire (something I am sure my girls will talk about for a while)!!!

Tis the Season

We waited until the weekend BEFORE Thanksgiving this year to put up the Christmas tree and the decorations. I was getting a bit antsy; knowing I had to put lights on the tree again this year (my LEAST favorite thing to at Christmas time). The girls enjoyed looking through the boxes and telling stories and recalling memories. For some reason, Addison can remember everything. Tony is sure one of these days she will be able to tell her birth story; simply because she remembers it!!!