Get down, get down...

Generally every evening about the same time, I start to lose it. I'm usually trying to make dinner, while everyone seems to need me and at least someone is crying. Thankfully not me lately. :) So our nightly routine turns into a good hour long dance party. We turn on the iPod (silently thanking the genius who created it) and crank it up. The boys love it and are hysterical to watch, everyones spirits are back up and I'm able to finish dinner. (Sigh)

Oh boy...

While driving in the car, Levi says to me:
"Momma my penis is crashing!"
Me: Huh?
"My penis is crashing, it is, it is crashing!"
Me: Uh, okay...crashing, does it hurt?
"No, it is crashing though."
Me: Ooookay.

Here's hoping this will be the last of PENIS you see on my blog. Sadly it seems we've only just begun! :)

..."and, thank you for Penis..."

Yes, people it had begun - my life with boys is in full force. This Arnold house is brimming with testosterone.
This was the conversation Levi had with God a few nights ago, while praying before bed...

"...and dear Jesus, thank you for Carter and Haley and Tanner. Amen."
"Oh wait Mom what about Ella?"
Me: Yep
"Dear Jesus, thank you for Ella and Carter and Connor and Connor's Daddy and thank you for penis" Levi paused, I can feel him looking at me for a reaction. However I sit there with my hands folded and eyes shut. A moment later...
"Noooo, not penis..."

What are little boys made of?

Frogs and snails, and....DIRT!

After the beautiful snow, that has a way of covering all the ugly and making all look peaceful...came the rain and lots of it! Our poor backyard has now turned into a mud bowl in some places. While Josh was home last week I look outside to see Josh encouraging Levi & Carter to thoroughly enjoy the said mud.

THIRTY

1. Is not dirty, if fact I feel quite clean and classy - thank you!
2. Feels great, other than the frown line that seems to be ever pronounced now.
3. Makes me wonder, what am I going to look like at 60?? Crap!
4. Feels somewhat accomplished with a house and two beautiful boys.
5. Is allowing more 'grey', life is too short...
6. Being okay with absolute chaos, at the end of the day it will be clean.
7. Coming to terms with my 'junk'. I've embraced the curves...and lack there of... :)
8. Loving my name, I didn't at all growing up.
9. Why is it your boobs are smaller than before you had kids???
10. I love yoga and wish I could take classes at a studio everyday. It will change your life, it has mine.
11. You never know a Mothers love until you are one - FIERCE
12. I have no clue what my natural hair color is...gone is the little tow headed girl.
13. I long for naps and feel like I have a new lease on life when I get one!
14. I actually consider the comfort of a shoe - no matter how cute, truly I do now.
15. It will never get easier, and I think I'm over it.
16. I WILL see my abs again one day.
17. I am cerain my hair issue stem from my childhood. Thanks Mom. :)
18. I will never be able to wrap my mind around those that completely walk away from their family.
19. Life is funny, friendships come and go and sometimes pick up right where they left off.
20. Nothing sounds better than "I lube you Mommy" for no reason & totally unprovoked.
21. Few have any idea the joy I felt/feel knowing Imitrex (migraine) is now generic.
22. I love the places, stages & seasons God have taken me in life within the last year.
23. I am saddened that my boys do not have a grandfather on either side.
24. So thankful for wonderful grandparents and family.
25. Still a little sad when a friend entirely forgets my birthday.
26. Have never felt so powerful, I can make a difference!
27. I dream about a bigger house and adopting two sweet orphans.
28. I wish and pray for more patience daily.
29. Will never understand why anyone can have a child, however the process for someone outstanding to rescue/save one is such a costly, lengthy process.
30. I feel bolder, confident and more willing than I ever have!

In honor of the big 3-0 I got myself a new do. Josh thinks I look like I'm in Jr. High, I think it makes me look older. :)

For: Grappa

THREE has been interesting. WAY harder than two by a long shot, but so funny and sweet are the things that come out of my Levi.

Tonight while putting on his cool new pj's with Cars McQueen on them, Levi said..."Momma, just like Grappa!" My heart just melted...my boys don't have a Grandfather on either side. My only living Grandpa Thomsen is the sweetest, most fun & precious Grandpa you could ask for. Not to mention he knows how to do or fix just about everthing! If you have a heartbeat you LOVE Bob Thomsen. So it goes without saying that Levi & Greyson love their "Great Grappa". We only get to see them every few months, and out of those times I imagine Levi's only seen "Grappa" in his pj's once or twice. However he remembered and went to bed over the moon that he is dressed just like Grappa!

I...WE are so thankful for such wonderful, loving grandparents...great grandparents!

Out with the old...in with the NEW

It's been quite awhile since I sat down to blog, I suppose with the holidays, sick kiddos & the single parenting thing as of late, life has been a bit of a whirlwind. So, here's what's been happening at the Arnold Annex...

We got snow, lots and LOTS of snow...

How incredible are these icicles? Icicles are amazing to me, so cool, so dangerous...I would love to see one formed...

It was a VERY white Christmas & a Cars Christmas for Levi from Grammie.

Tanner, Levi & Carter - Cheetah BoyZZZZZZZZz. I can't imagine that Haley put them up to this??

Ella Bella & Levi enjoying cozy reading time while Carter was at school. Hmmmmm

And, it seems these are the only two photos I have from Christmas???

Sadly, I was unable to attend the Christmas Eve service at our church for the first time in my life. I stayed home with Greyson who was sick with croup, while Josh & Levi attended with the rest of the family.

In fact, we made our first 911 call as parents. Late on the night of the 23rd I had finished wrapping some gifts around 12:30 am. I went in to check on the boys before I headed to bed. When I opened Greyson's door, I noticed his breathing was labored. To the point that every breath in was a honking sound. As he stirred awake he started coughing/barking and then gagging/choking and barking/honking more and more. He wasn't getting enough air. We put him in the shower to try to help, as that has helped in the past for Levi with croup. No luck and I wasn't going to mess around with him not getting oxygen. The paramedics (five) came within 3 minutes and immediately gave him oxygen and then a breathing treatment to open his airways. Once his vitals returned to normal, they headed out and we were too follow up with his ped in the am. Of course you sleep with one eye open all night after that. Sure enough, the next morning his ped said he had acute blah, blah, croup. Awesome! All are happy and health to start out this new year!

And, for the first time in years we rung in the New Year's, well with an all out bash!

On the 4th of January Josh & I celebrated SIX years of marriage...and, tomorrow I turn THIRTY, I think I'm okay with it...right?