BETTER DAY

My mood is much improved. Probably because I got some chick fil a yesterday. I got a 12 pack so I could save 4 of them for later. I really wanted a party tray, freeze it, and bust them out when needed. The dang chick fil a is about 20+ minutes away! Crazy midwesterners - they don't know what they're missing without a chick fil a on every corner...

Today I actually had a husband all day! We made breakfast (blueberry pancakes, bacon, eggs with cheese and some fruit), then took Elle to the park. She is posing for you...

I can't wait til next weekend. Pat and I are going on a 'float trip' down the Current/Jacks Fork Rivers. We get a canoe on Saturday morning, float down the river, camp out on the bank and then float the rest of the way on Sunday. And guess which of my hairy little children gets to come with us!?!?  Can't decide, should we get her a life jacket?

Here are some pictures of the river

WRONG SIDE

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I mean really wrong. I've been on a rampage since 9:00 am. It's 12:00 now, no improvement in my mood. First, I stayed up late last night, thinking I could sleep in a little this morning when Pat got home. Well, I went into the den around 9:30-10:00 because he still wasn't home (I was a little worried, too) and there he was - sleeping on the couch. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this picture - but in my twisted little "woke up in a mood" mind, I was ticked! I took Elle out, slammed the door behind me (in a passive aggressive way of waking him up...I know, ridiculous). When I came back in, he was awake - of course. I should've been glad because I had achieved my goal, instead I was still all worked up. He went to bed, asked if I would wake him up around three. What was my reply?  A simple "No." Seriously? 

Next, onto the Post Office. I needed to mail a package to our cutest little twin nieces who are turning ONE on the 21st. I had wrapped their presents (while keeping Elle at a safe distance) and had Pat sign the cards - they were ready to be shipped. I get Elle in the car, my mood was improving, and off we went. We get to the Post Office, it's the first time I have ever left Elle in the car alone, it's 89 degrees out already, and I was going to be "real quick". HA. I go in, look around for a shipping box big enough to pack their gifts in. I found tiny ones and HUGE ones. I grab a number, wait in line, and finally get called to the desk (meanwhile having anxiety about my poor child baking in the car). I nicely ask if there is an "in between box". She just points to where the boxes are and says - "our boxes are over there." Yes, thanks you for that. I've freakin been standing over there looking at them for 3+ minutes.  I am frustrated. I go get the HUGE box, tape it up, throw my 3 nicely wrapped gifts into the box, go get another number, re-wait in line, and end up at the other lady's desk. She says "Oh, I hate that you had to use such a big box." ?????? So I said "Well, I asked the other lady if there were some in between and she told me 'the boxes are over there.'" This nice lady then says "have you already written on this one?" ....um..yeah...? Needless to say, she obviously had something more appropriately sized. I then spend FIFTY dollars to ship it.  Let's just say the other lady doesn't want to cross my path today - I have a few things I'd like to say to her now.

Thankfully the box is being shipped for a very special birthday so that makes it worth it.

Here is a picture of Elle's favorite place - she is about to outgrow it. Sometimes I hear her whining because she has started to get stuck under there.

SUMMER VISIT

I convinced my family to come see me and meet Elle! Pat is on a terribly busy month right now, still in the CICU, and this week he is on night shift. I see him for about 15-30 minutes MAX a day. So sad - but, thankfully my family visited and entertained me for a few days. We didn't make any crazy busy plans, we just hung around the park so Mary Clare and Patrick could play and not be too worn out. We went to lunch at the boathouse the morning they got here and MC and Patty got to feed the fish, ducks, and turtles.

Mom and Dad

Me, my sister, and the kiddos

Baby Elle - such a good girl out in public!

I always crack jokes on minivans. I will never drive one. Seriously. My goal is to not be a minivan mom. This picture is for Pat. I'm driving a minivan!!! My parents borrowed my grandfather's van so they could haul all of their stuff up here for the visit. I drove it for fun around the park...and am still convinced I will never own a minivan.

Picnic in the park before playing on the playground and in the waterfalls and water fountain in front of the World's Fair Pavilion

Elle eating some ice to cool down. 

I will post some fountain pictures of Elle, MC, and Patty in the water as soon as I have some! They all had so much fun playing in the fountains. Elle went for her first real swim - I think she liked it?? 

Thanks for visiting us! Miss you already

TORNADO

Elle, aka the "tornado" struck the other day. Within a 30 minute - 1 hour-ish time frame she had destroyed the condo. She grabbed my purse, pulled it off the couch across the room and emptied EVERYTHING onto the floor. She stole the couch pillows, chased Sophie and ripped her hair out. Found my pajama pants and pranced all over the place as I chased her through the house. And, as you can see, found the toilet paper roll. Talk about extra fun. I re-rolled it four times and the last time she found it, it was history. It was strung all down the hall, through the den - I tried to be mad but she was just so proud of her discovery. Well, needless to say, the toilet paper is now sitting on the counter and not on the roll. And she hears a very loud noise (rolled up magazine) whenever she gets near where the toilet paper is supposed to be.

 

The remenance

Sneaky...

She knew she was in trouble - just look at that face. It's the "don't beat me momma" face. (Don't you worry - this dog is far from being beaten. I feel guilty for even popping her on her nose.)

I am so excited to have more visitors! Mom, Dad, my sister and her kiddos are coming on Tuesday!!! We can't wait!

UPDATE FOR ELLE'S GRANDMAMA

Gods gift to puppy owners, rawhide bones.

Today I worked from 8a-2p and Pat was at the hospital at 5am. Elle was alone in her room for most of the day, except for her visit from Brandy, the dog walker. Yes, she has a dog walker. Spoiled, I know. I just can't leave her alone for too long yet! She's just a baby...

Elle didn't have any accidents in her kennel but is ridiculously hyper now. We're headed to the park for the afternoon.

PRODUCTIVE DAY

Our visitors left this morning, and Pat got home from CICU call at around 9am. He's sleeping now, so is the monster. Since she's knocked out, I have been super productive! I ran to the grocery real fast, hoping she would sleep for about an hour and not wake Patrick up barking, and when I got back, she was still snoozing. 2 1/2 hours later, still quite in her "room". Perfect. SO - I have made chicken salad, cleaned blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and blueberries, boiled some eggs, cleaned out the fridge, swept, cleaned up around this place, done some laundry and now I'm giving Mophie some love. 

Thought you might enjoy this

This is a picture of Elle and Winston, her new 10 month old friend...he's HUUUUGGGEE. I swear he could've just stuck his head up a little and could've licked my face. But he was so sweet, he layed down on the ground so Elle could visit with him. I love Winston!

LONELY, RAINY SATURDAY

A picture for Auntie Courtney

We have visitors in town - Yoder, Laura Catherine, and Ryan all came on Thursday night and will be leaving tomorrow. They are out and about doing fun things in St Louis, I am here with the monster, and Pat is at work. It's his first call in the Cardiac ICU...  :/

He left at 6:30 this morning and comes home tomorrow morning - I know he'll do great, but those kids are really sick. I just hope its a good 24 hours for him!

A rainy day with a hyper dog is always extra fun - we are cooped up inside today. Yesterday was Miss Mophie's FOURTH birthday! I have such a new appreciation for my self sufficient, independent cat. Happy Birthday Mophie!

I am making boiled peanuts!!! Thanks to Mom B!  She sent us some peanuts with Michael - they are smelling good! I didn't realize they had to cook for so dang long. I'll get to eat them in about 2 more hours and can't wait! I finally found a jug of sweet tea at the grocery. I am missing the south today and my friends and family :(