Happy Birthday Brandon

April 18, 1999....12 years old.

How time flies.....

Adoption Day April 12, 2002

5th Birthday Goofball

Cheese!

Brandon, Mom and Dad

At our wedding....Dave, Autumn and Brandon

And Brandon now....12 years old

Brandon flashbacks.....

9 Months old

9 months old

 1 year picture

1 yr old

2 years old

2 year picture

Nothin' cuter...kinda wish I had a picture

There is NOTHING cuter than your 3 year old shuffling out of the bathroom, with his pants and underwear around his ankles saying, "mom, I just went poop and there is no toilet paper!". 

Then, as I approach, he turns around and shuffles back into the bathroom and bends over with his head on the ground and his butt in the air, pointing right at me.  He holds that position until I finish wiping his bottom. 

I make him flush and pull up his own pants.

Morning at the park

The little boys and I had some free time this morning while Brandon was at his testing so we went to the Sports Complex to enjoy the park.  It was only 45 degrees though so it got a bit chilly.  Logon had to put on Austin's coat that was in the car and Austin had to put his spring coat over his sweatshirt...BUT they had LOTS of fun.

 

Afterwards we went to L& M Fleet Supply to check out the baby chicks....now only if I could get Dave to let me have some.  The meat chicks are only .99 Cents each...of course there ain't much meat on them yet!

Random...

If you look closely, Austin is trying to "pop a wheelie" on his scooter...

And after spending all winter clearing the snow OFF the driveway, I just wanted to help it melt, so I started shoveling it back ON the driveway.  Of course Austin thought he should help push it around a bit.

Pictures from my short escape

I often forget to take time for myself and then get crabby.  (Just ask the kids!)  Especially with Dave gone 95% of the time...and not knowing anyone close by that I can dump the kids with very often, it gets ugly around here.  SOOOO....last weekend, my mom and John came to town to visit and help out John's dad, Alvin, after he had surgery.  It was also Alvin's birthday so we went out for Alvin's birthday lunch and then I ditched the kids and high-tailed it for Duluth with my friend Abby.

We stopped at Outback steakhouse (where I ate too much food) and then headed down to Canal Park where I took these pictures.  It was a beautiful day, but a little overcast.  Lots of high schoolers showed up at Canal Park to snap pictures in their prom attire.  Hopefully none had an unfortunate "run-in" with a seagall before their big night barely got started. 

I just liked this one for some reason...the light house at Canal Park

Big boat and little boat out in Lake Superior

The lift bridge that takes you to Park Point

Looking up the hill from Canal park

Hello, My name is Joanna and I am an addict...

I wonder if there is a 12 step program for this specific addiction?  If not yet, probably soon since I know for sure I am NOT the only one enjoying suffering from it.  I am addicted to reading blogs.  I read blogs about being frugal, I read blogs about other peoples family and children, I read blogs written by single's, married couples rebuilding houses, families of 16 and people that have lost loved ones.  Some are happy, some are really sad, some are eye-opening and some give me ideas or perk an interest in something new.  Then I say to myself..."now if I could just make that and sell it, or now if I could only write and take pictures how she does it....".  Its endless.  And its fun.  Plus it makes me grateful for what I have at times. 

My random list of blogs that I am currently checking in on:

http://erikaskreation.typepad.com/fam_in_a_van/  My cousin Shay and his wife and kids

http://www.soulemama.com/  Cool, artistic hippie family living on a farm with chickens

http://www.kellehampton.com/  Cool photography and kids (1 with special needs)

http://fuglyblog.com/  Horse blog...shines light on equine abuse, slaughterhouses and such

http://simple-green-frugal-co-op.blogspot.com/  Lots of frugal writers about every subject

http://ojibirish.blogspot.com/  Big, blended family and cool photography

http://beautythatmoves.typepad.com/beauty_that_moves/  Homeschooling and other stuff...interesting

http://whisperingwriter.blogspot.com/  Just witty and entertaining at times

http://www.mattlogelin.com/  Sad but inspiring....wife died day after giving birth to daughter

There are more...those are just the most frequently visted ones at this time.  Some are a little bit new, some are old ones I have been following for a year or longer. 

Probably a big fat waste of my time and energy, BUT its enjoyable to me and sometimes I do come away with different ideas for shooting pictures or for making something or cooking a new recipe or just mad as hell.  And yes, sometimes I even cry while reading some.  My mom says crying is good for us though....its helps keep cancer away. 

If you have any blogs you read that you think I might be interested in, please, PLEASE leave me a comment so I can add it to my list. 

L.A. Photography

I occasionally let Logan and Austin take a few pictures with my camera.  I know, I know, dangerous.  But they are usually pretty good about sharing and giving it back when I ask.

 Austin twirling with Logan's bear.

Logan posing. 

Logan's bear, Woody, Iron Man and a couple bald babies. 

Austin with Logan's bear again.  Might be time to pass it down.

Logan taking his own picture.

Not sure who took this one.  Thought it was neat.

I said they are usually good at sharing...this picture tells me Logan was upset and wanted the camera NOW!

Finally, something to LIVE for....

These pictures were actually taken a week or so ago, but LOOK at the lawn without snow!!  The driveway WITHOUT snow!  Its even better now, even though its tried to snow a few times yet.  SPRING!  Lots to do and explore in Spring!

Austin says, "Mom, I am soooo strong!"

Logan will wander around all day, finding big sticks and rocks to collect.

And, of course, bringing the bikes out for some trick riding!

What's for Dinner?

First, we started off with warm chocolate chip cookies.  Freshly baked by yours truly.

Then, chewy ramen noodles, cooked fresh by Brandon with a side of microwaved hot dogs.

Careful!!  Don't drool on your keyboard.

Now time for more cookies.....

 See how Austin attacked his dinner?  Not so much.

Just for your information, we had roast beast with mashed potatoes and gravy last night.  Tonight was Brandon's turn to cook dinner.  

Scenery

Cactus

Boys and their dirt...and trucks.

These pictures were taken in Phoenix, Arizona while Dave was chaining down the truck and forklift we were going to haul back to Grand Forks, North Dakota. Austin was able to get out of the truck to play for a bit in the 86 degrees of Arizona heat. He found a styrofoam cup and had a blast for those 15 or so minutes he got to play in the dirt.

Big truck tires...and a little boy in the background.

Going to show daddy his cup 'o dirt.

The smile, the dirty knees....big trucks and dirt. That is what being a 3 yr old boy is all about.

Finally a short escape......

Yet, I worry about leaving the kids!!

What is wrong with me?? What parent doesn't dream about leaving the kids (all but 1) and heading off to someplace warm and enjoying some peace and quiet? Geesh! Maybe I think they can't survive or thrive without me. I know Brandon won't have any clean clothes. And I know Autumn will be living off of hot pockets and pizza and ramens. And I know Logan won't have a care in the world unless someone doesn't feed him and get him ice water. 2 ice cubes, of course.

Dave has a load going to Phoenix, Arizona, so Austin and I are climbing in with him and going for the ride. Hopefully that ride gets us back by next Sunday.

Gawd, I sound like I am leaving them all home alone. I am leaving them in very capable hands, just not mine. My mom and Abby are splitting the shift and Autumn will have just a few days on her own.

Now, I know what it is.....Dave's truck is lacking in appropriate air conditioning! Things could get sticky and sweaty. Maybe I will have him drop me in Colorado and pick me up on the way back.

Logan and Austin were deep in conversation about their super heros...specifically Batman, Robin, Bat Girl and Wonder Woman.

Austin: "wonnerwomangirl can't hold big house up, only little house"

Logan: "what, I can't understand you."

Austin:wonnerwomangirl can't hold big houses up, only little ones"

Logan: "STOP SPEAKING CHINESE, I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT!"

Kids are so precious.....and humorous!

Tonight at dinner.

Austin: "Mom, if Brandon hates me, I won't have any friends."

Me: "But, Brandon doesn't hate you."

Austin: "But he will if I kick him."

To busy laughing to even respond.

Chicken, more chicken?

Totally random, but totally annoying as well.

How I would love to go to the grocery store solo once in a while. Today I thought I might get that chance using marshmallows as a bribe. I told Austin I was taking Logan to preschool and then going to the store. If he wanted to come with he needed to get his shoes. Instead he wanted "big marshmallow, just one". So I said, "OK...I am going to the store, you can have a big marshmallow if you are good while I am gone."

Austin, "Ok."
As I was heading out the door with Logan, Austin crams his big marshmallow in his mouth and attempts to also hoover his 2nd "bonus" marshmallow down, so he can yell, "I WANT TO GO WITH YOU!" Oy.

So, onto the chicken story.

After we drop Logan off at preschool we are on our way to the store and Austin says, "can we get chicken?".

Me: "no."
Austin: "why?"
Me: "cause we already have chicken at home."
Austin: "Well, can we get more chicken?"
Me: "no."
Austin: "why?"
Me: "Cause we don't need more chicken."

Now if that wasn't bad enough. Once we have arrived at the store, I get....
"Are we getting chicken?".

Now, I understand why Dave enjoys being hard of hearing.

Sloppy part 2

Austin, meanwhile, was devouring his second joe.

Again...no shirt, no shoes, no pants, whatever.

"SLOPPY JOES?! NEVER!"

Apparently Logan has something against Sloppy Joes. When I told him we were having sloppy joes for dinner, he said, "can I have lunch instead?". No, you cannot have lunch, I am making dinner and we are eating sloppy joes.

"Sloppy Joes?! NEVER!"

After I forced him to take at least 1 bite, he said he would but would never eat them again. After one bite, came another and another. Mmmm, those sloppy joes aren't so bad, now are they?

(Yes, we eat shirtless. No shoes either. We are rebels like that.)

He did pretty good for saying he would never eat them!