give me a minute...

I use this site, for the most part, to show off pictures of my kids, my house, my family, and even great shopping buys on occasion. I underwent a hysterectomy a week ago yesterday. I don't think I was prepared for what followed. I guess I knew it would hurt, but nothing prepared me for the extent. The pain has been sharp and consistant. Anyone who knows me well knows that I don't like being down for long. I thought I would be able to power through this and get on with my life in a few days. This is officially kicking my butt! The frustration of being so tired, not being able to start the summer with my kids at the pool or at the park. There is nothing like knowing that your three year old can ABSOLUTELY out run you. But there has been other pain as well. I turned 31 a few weeks ago. This just seems like a surgery for a 50 year old. I have three of the most amazing kids on the face of the earth, but the removal of the organ which bore those miracles brought up emotions I didn't know were there. That, I was definitely not prepared for. We are thrilled with our family and satisfied that we are done. Being in the prime childbearing years of my life however, my hormones still think another baby would be a good idea. One more thing I wasn't prepared for. My family and friends. How amazing are the people in my life? My husband really stepped up to the plate. He was truly Mr. Mom this week. My mother has been invaluable. I came out of surgery, said hello to my husband, and asked "where's my mom?". She satyed with me in the hospital for two boring days and then came back up this week to take care of me and the kids. This week would have been impossible without her. And my friends...oh my friends. The meals, the phone calls, the visits. With all of the pain and frustration came an overwhelming sense of love. Thank you all for your embrace. I will remeber it most of all. And I promise, more pictures of my flowers and children in the days to come.

graduation number 2

Okay, so this is a long post because of soooo many pictures. They turned out so good, I had to share. I mean how much cuter could toe-headed cousins be? Or Janielle striking a pose? Love the pose Janielle...very sexy. We had a blast at the best park in Kansas. I absolutely love the public park in Lindsborg. Not a penny was from the city, and Topeka doesn't have a park that can touch it. We seem to always have fun with friends and family. We certainly had that in spaids last weekend.

The kiddos were excited to see Bubby (as always) and couldn't wait for him to make it over to the caf. What a wonderful, artery clogging, ham and soft serve ice cream, lunch at the caf in Lindsborg. It really was great...really.

When it was all said and done, Ben graduated from college. None of us could be prouder of you Ben. I know you have come a long way and worked really hard. You desesrve it Bub!

ps...recovering rfom surgery ok...wish I were feeling better and am frustrated at the pase of recovery. should be up and around soon.

graduation number 1

Alright, we had yet another one of those weekends. A weekend that will supply me with blog photos for a week. In a matter of two days we had a rehearsal, a birthday party, a wedding, a high school graduation, and a college graduation. In three different cities to boot! These pictures are from our nephew Matt's high school graduation. We missed the ceremony, but we were happy to spend some time with the family at the reception. The picture above is of Will's whole family. He has 4 siblings. Getting 3 of 5 in a picture is one thing, getting all of the siblings and grandchildren into one picture was an act of God. The picture below is of the graduate (the oldest grandchild) and our dear Parker (the youngest). It is definitely a mutual admiration society.
As a ps...please keep me in your prayers tomorrow during my surgery.

rag rolled red head

Morgan and I decided to try something new a few nights ago. She took her shower and we rag rolled her hair. It was a huge success. We have to do HOURS of curling during Nutcracker, so I was suprised when she actually wanted to try these. We put them in wet, she slept in them...kinda like the good old pink rollers...and the next morning...

This is what we got. They turned out great. The tangles we always get with the pick rollers weren't an issue. The curls don't look as frizzy and she slept like a baby. We will definitely do this again. She got ons of attention in school on Tuesday because of them. I think her teacher spoils her a little anyway, but she actually called to say that she about died when she saw those little red curls bopping through her door!

our secret garden

Welcome to our garden of surprises! When you move into a new house you're never quite sure what's in store. We have been pleasantly surprised so far. The snap dragons below have come up in yellow, pink, purple, and white. And the vines above are clematis. I know this because my friend Laurie about stroked out when I told her I was going to prune it way back or take it down all together. In the winter it was not at all pretty. I think it is about to bloom...who knows what color. Its all been kinda exciting. Stay tuned for more pics once it finally breaks free.

pottery party

What could possibly be more fun than taking ten 6 and 7 year olds to a pottery store on a Saturday morning? Nothing I tell you, nothing! Parker was quite literally the bull in the china shop. I could have used an extra body just to monitor the three year old!!!! It really was a neat birthday party. The kiddos were all very creative and the mugs really reflected the kids personalities. Morgan was so serious in all of the pictures I took, she was really focused on the painting. Parker finished his camoflauge themed mug in a record three minutes. I love birthday parties. Watching my children grow and change is amazing. Celebrating their entry into our lives is a precious time for me. Even if it includes fragile objects, paint, and way too much sugar!

the ever talented hood

Mark Hood sent me this picture and a few more this morning. His talent never ceases to amaze me. Along with being a great friend, author, and the guy who sold our house in 13 days he has the best eye for photography of anyone I know. I love the perspective in this picture. From the darkness to the light...optimism. For any of you who know Mark, that one word sums up his personality. I think a blown up version of this pic is going to end up on my hearth room wall...yeah!

little red is 7

My perfect little red headed baby girl turns 7 years old today. I can't believe it. Its seems like yesterday when these pictures were taken. She was such a high maintenance baby with the colic and feeding issues, but I wouldn't trade her for the world. No one captures my heart the way she does. She is my special, cuddly, snuggly child. She notices things most people wouldn't. I have to hurry her up all of the time, but I think she sees things we don't. The details on a flower, the way a bird flies from one tree to another, and the little things added by an illustrator of her favorite books are never lost on her. I love all of my kids for different reasons because they are such very different people. I love my little Momo because of how deeply she feels and how completely she loves. My babies are growing up...sigh. But what cool people they are becoming.

cupcake sprinkles

I love to bake cupcakes. Sometimes I will go months without baking just to remember...I love to bake cupcakes. The girls are finally getting old enough they can help as well. Yesterday we found some bright colored sprinkles at the store and decided it would be a perfect day for baking. The girls helped stir and crack and of course decorate. I can never decide exactly how to decorate something, so cupcakes are perfect. They can each have their own personality, and a mistake is just an excuse for a little snack! Fluffy egg whites made these tiny cakes light and airy. Out of 18 I think we have three left right now...big hit with a dinner party last night. The girls were so proud and I enjoy the creative time with them.

Corner's of my Home

I got the idea for this blog from my sister's site. This is my absolute favorite corner in my home. I should say my favorite room. It was really hard to narrow down one corner. This room is the primary reason we bought this house. I love my kitchen. Let me say it again...I LOVE my kitchen. I love the windows. I love the counterspace. I love that I can see the kids playing in the backyard. I love that my whol;e family can sit in the kitchen (they all sat on the floor of my 10x10 kitchen at the old house). I love that we can entertain without me being sucked into the black hole of the kitchen the whole time. I love that my kids can sit at the table and do their homework while I'm making dinner. Did I mention that I love my kitchen? The next step will be painting it. I think I want to paint it a light lemony green color. Will wants me to test a wall first...where is your adventure honey? I dare to say that Will's favorite corner of the house is on the other side of that table in the hearth room. The leather furniture, the fireplace, and the plasma are definitely his relaxation zone. What it really comes down to is being together. The kitchen has been the heart of the home since our grandmothers packed lunches wearing their aprons. It's definitely the heart of my family.

what a week

I am beginning to wonder where all of my time goes. Actually I am far beyond wondering. With all three kids going in different direction with different activities 110% of the time, it can get a little overwhelming. We have dance lessons and choir practice and the ever present potty training of Parker (a futile fight up to this point). Any brilliant ideas on that? He just has less than zero interest. Dad's deployment, my upcoming surgery, and Will's crazy schedule are all just extra blips on my radar. Cooking, cleaning and lawn care. Dusting, laundry, and child care. It's easy to get overwhelmed and cranky and desperate. But then I come across a picture like this one. She looks so relaxed and peaceful. Morgan always does. She is the slowest child on the face of the earth, but I have a lot of lessons to learn from her. She takes the time to notice the bug on the flower, the picture in the book, and the fun in everything. Slowing down is good. I have the most amazing blessings. I have the opportunity to stay home and take care of all that stuff. I have the opportunity to notice and capture my children at this precious time in their lives, as long as I remember to slow down and take a lesson from a 6 year old red head.

da boyz

da boyz
Originally uploaded by heidijayhawk.

The youngets and the oldest of the Wise grandkids sur ehad a blast this weekend. Matthew will be graduating from high school in a few weeks. Where has the time gone? Parker sure thinks Matt is cool, and Matt didn't seem to mind being adored. We managed to spend Sunday afternoon with ALL of Will's siblings minus Trisha. That's something to accomplish. We visited the infamous Nu Way and I my stomach didn't even protest (too much). Thanks for the fun Wise guys!

cute coke ad

This is one of the funniest commercials I have ever seen! Will sent it to me in an email. I have tried to explain it to a few people, but its not nearly as funny as watching the real thing. This is an actual Coke ad. Enjoy!

exploration place

We went to the coolest children's museum this weekend. We took the kiddos out of school on Friday to spend some quality time with the grandparents. Its always good to see them, but it was really nice to spend more than a few hours this time. Mom and I went shopping on Friday (big suprise) and we spent the day at Exploration Place with Grandpa on Saturday. The museum was huge, and full of adventures. There was a castle with dress up clothes two stories tall. There was a section full of brain teasers...that's the section where we lost Grandpa and Dad. The kids loved the section on Kansas weather, espesially the story tall tornado simulator where you can actually touch the tornado. Will had an in depth conversation with the meteorologist about weather web sites they use (like this one). I think grandpa liked the Boeing plane exhibit the best beacause they had simulators for a variety of planes and a wall covered with tiny metal pieces that would move wit the wind. He said he could have stayed there all day. By the way, he crashd and burned in ALL of the simulators. We're really glad he's a chaplain. Thanks for the great time grandma and grandpa. We sure love you guys. Good luck and God's speed to you dad on your journey.

Gathering for Peace

Last post in reference to last weekened I promise! Now that we are quickly approaching the next weekend. I was proud to attend the Gathering for Peace at St. Paul's in Wichita last Sunday. What a great event. I have always been proud of my dad, but never more so than right now. He is an amazing man with a sense of duty and compassion rarely found these days. I can't say that I am not going to miss him terribly, but I know that the country of Iraq and the soldiers over there will be better off with him there. I know he will make an impact, as he always does. This prayer sums it up:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, Where there is hatred, let me sow love;where there is injury, pardon;where there is doubt, faith;where there is despair, hope;where there is darkness, light;where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. St Francis of Assisi

Good luck and God speed Dad. Be a credit!

world famous topeka zoo

One of our adventures this weekend was to the "World Famous Topeka Zoo". Mind you, I think it takes 15 minutes to walk through this zoo even when you are impersonating a turtle. Much to our suprise it was a special day at the zoo when they were celebrating the Capital Journal's City of Character campaign. They set up an inflatable slide, moon walk, games, free cotton candy, and prizes. Parker was particularly impressed wit the face painting. He kept telling everyone there was a puppy walking on his face. The giraffe mask was a favorite as well. Our lask of enthusiasm was greeted with fun games, prizes, and blue cotton candy. On top of that, the animals were actually pretty frisky this weekened. The bears were awake and wondering around. The eagles were flying in their aviaries. Even the hippos were walking in and out of their water...their hard to find in the murky water on a usual day. The real suprise was the lion's cage. This lioness was lounging right in front of the window when we went in. Abby sat for this picture (doesn't the lion look like she's posing?) thinking it was really cool. Moments later she stretched and yawned - I have never seen Abby move so quickly. Just goes to show how much fun a zoo can be...even the Topeka zoo. It was pretty world famous this weekened...at least to three little kids in my family.

It is simply amazing to me how much pne family can do in a weekend. And Will was working! I think I may still have to blog one more day this week just to chronicle this past weekend.

high flying weekend

This weekend was sooo crazy, I actually had to pick a theme for this blog. We had more people in and out of town-including us-this weekend. A visit from grandparents, aunts and uncles (the wisconsin variety) along with my favorite Fulton nephew (and his parents) staying in my guest room. A "quick" trip to Wichita for grandpa's "Gathering for Peace" and mom's 60th birthday rounded out by the worst storm I have ever driven through finished off our weekend circus adventure. So you see why I had to pick a theme ( today's is flying). Posts may dribble out all week just to recap the past two days. Bubby pushed the boys on the swingset for so long on Friday night I thought his arms were going to fly off. Do you remember the sensation of flying when someone else pushed you on a swing? The complete trust you have in someone to throw you into the air?

Abby is usually my conservative "never do anything dangerous" child. The child who is literally afraid of everything. When I turned around and saw her JUMPING down a 20 ft inflatable slide I about lost my lunch. I honestly had to look twice. She had to have gone down 15 times that way. What fun to fly down a slide! Even (or especially) if its freaking your mom out.

I love this picture. Parker loves nothing better than jumping with his dad. I didn't realize how high they were going until I looked the picture. Busy weekends are like flying. Trying to keep all of the balls in the air with a smile on your face.

easter blessings

Easter day was a busy day, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. The kids and I attended services at St. David's in Topeka. Amazing. The spirit was beyond description. Morgans' long lost red headed twin Daniel was there with his family along with a thousand people I didn't know. I have never seen that church full, and it was beyond full. The brass, the singing, the spirit...ah man it was cool. Once church was over, we made the drive down to Wichita. It simply wouldn't be Easter without an egg hunt with Grandma and Grandpa. Mom made an amazing dinner and I can never spend enough time with my family. I wish Will hadn't been working. I can't imagine celebrating the resurrection of our Lord in any other way. Basking in the love and grace of Christ in the arms of your family. Cool. Really cool.

fun in cali

As many of you know I ventured to the left coast last week. It was god to get away and recharge my batteries. I missed my little ones and my fella an awful lot while I was gone. The weather was cool, the smog was awful, and the company was amazing. I had the chance to experience a few things that I had forgotten about. Eating without ordering and feeding three other people. Getting a pedicure. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. I loved spending time with my best friend, she even indulged me in a few tourist attractions. We drove through the Hollywood Hills one day (beautiful) and spent time on the beach. The food was unbelievable. I had fabulous sushi at a returaunt on the beach, eggplant lasagna (made by nat), and some of the best mexican food ever! I know California is where all the beautiful people are, but Kansas is where my people are. I saw the snakes of fire from range buring as I flew into KCI, and I knew I was home.

Palm Sunday

And what a gloriuos Palm Sunday it has been! We started our day at St. David's this morning by parading along with several other area churches to the blessing of the palms. "Fred" and all of his weirdos were out to protest in full force. It is amazing to see how many different people from different faiths can come together to celebrate the life of Christ.

The girls marched down to the palm blessing with the childrens choir. They were awesome today. It is a group of all girls and I swear they sound like angels. Might be a little biased, but they really are very good!

This is only a small view of the crowd. I have no idea on the numbers, but I would say this was about a quarter of the crowd. The group marched back into the sancuary at the church to "All Glory Laud and Honor" pipe organ blaring. It was amazing - gave me chills.

A day like today is two sided. We come together in joy and anticipation with our Hosanas and Glorias. But in truth today is the first day of holy week. A week to remember what Christ gave for us. To bind together in his love. To go through the somber services of Maunday Thursday and Good Friday. Peace and grace be wit you as we enetr into this week.