Happy Birthday Casey!

Today is my husband's birthday! He is celebrating by doing our garage sale today, and then going to work tonight. Boo!
He is always such a happy guy, it doesn't matter what he's doing. He has the joy of the Lord in his heart, and it comes out in his grin. Yes, some people think he's just crazy, but he's really not. :)

This picture was taken yesterday of Casey playing with our nephew Liam. He is so great with babies and kids in general. It's just one more thing for me to be thankful for. I love you husband, I hope you have a wonderful birthday!

SHE IS HERE!

Congratulations to Laurie and Dean! Addison was born around 8pm. Laurie did have a c-section. She weighed 8 lbs, 3 oz- who guessed it right, you guys were so close!!! My kids were going crazy and it was hard to hear grandma on the phone, so when I have more details (like a middle name) I'll let you know!

Slooooow going...

We just got back from the hospital, it is 6 pm. Laurie got an epidural a couple hours ago and is feeling MUCH better. She is still not dilated past 3cm. THey are going to check her soon and see if she is progressing now that she is more comfortable and relaxed. If things aren't rolling in a couple hours they will do a c-section at that time, which she is fine with. it has now been a little over 24 hours since her water broke. She is tired and ready to see her baby. Dean is being supportive and enjoyed his dinner of Burger King. Speaking of which, I am starving!

Haven't heard squat

Laurie's mom and sister are here. They didn't even stop at the hospital, Laurie really wanted to labor and deliver in peace and quiet, so we are just sitting around and waiting for them to call us. I wish I had more to tell you!

Laurie update

I just talked to Dean a few minutes ago. Laurie is starting to get uncomfortable, she is dilated to about 3cm. Just keep praying! Dean sounded really tired, I'm sure it was a long night, and it will be a long day for them.

Busted!

I couldn't resist a picture of Abby out in her Sunday best (literally it was) digging in the dirt. I was so happy the little dress washed up without a spot on it. It was one of Rachel's little dresses, I am so sentimental about those things.

I Love Summer Food

I think everyone (all you blogging friends out there) should share a favorite summer dish, just post it on your blog. Jenny needs a side dish, this is one that my neighbor made for us last summer when we cooked out, I loved it! I had never had Spam in my life, and it was actually pretty tasty in this, but I'm sure you could substitute cubed ham and it would be just as good.

Macaroni Luncheon Salad

2 c. elbow or shell macaroni
1 TBS. salt
3 qt. boiling water (who ever measures this?)
1 can luncheon meat (12 oz. spam) diced
1 can pimentos (4 oz.) drained and chopped
1 cucumber, cubed
3/4 c. sour cream
1/4 c. mayo
1/4 c. chopped onion
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. celery seed
pepper to taste

Cook macaroni w/ salt. Rinse with cold water, drain.
Mix in spam, pimento, and cucumber.
Blend sour cream, mayo, onion, lemon juice, and remaining seasonings. Combine w/macaroni mixture. Chill. Serve on crisp salad greens (which we never do).

Note: I made this on Memorial Day and used a little onion powder instead of real onion, it was definitely lacking in flavor. Real onion is the way to go if you like them!

Library

When I came upstairs from putting in a load of laundry, I found the boys playing "Library". It was really cute at first, but when it's time to put all the books away it's just not as fun.

Fun at the Bennett's

Laurie and Dean had us over for supper last night. Dean grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, the kids made lots of messes, and we had fun watching Casey and Dean in the hot tub. OK, so it wasn't that fun being a spectator, but Laurie will be able to get in soon enough. :) Thanks for having us over!


There is still time folks! I am officially changing my baby weight guess of 6lbs. 14 oz. to 8lbs. 6 oz. I was definitely the lowest guesser, I feel much more confident now about winning.

Happy Birthday Amanda!

Today is my friend Amanda's birthday! We are finally the same age so she can quit teasing me about being older.
Here are some things I love about my friend...

*She loves flowers, and loves to get dirty planting them.
* She is never afraid to ask a question, she needs to know answers!
*She loves God
*She loves her family
*She loves to help people. When I was sick she bought me a vaporizer and various medicines to make me feel better.
* Once you know Amanda you know you have a friend for life. :)

Memorial Day

A war has never claimed the life of someone really close to me. Casey's uncle died in Vietnam, and I have a great-uncle that died in World War II. People that were close to these men and loved them still mourn to this day for the loss they suffered. I just want to thank everyone who was or is in the armed forces and serving our country. I am truly thankful for your service, and I am proud to call myself an American.

Friends

Last night my friend Pam stopped in for a visit! I was so excited to have her all to myself for a bit, and it also meant that I could hold her little baby, too, and no one was going to snatch him away from me! Grandma Cathy, thank you for sharing them last night, it meant a lot to me.

My Favorite Spring Flower

Adam loves the bleeding heart as much as I do. Abby seems to find her way into every picture. :)

Blueberry Cobbler

Obviously I like to watch Abby eat. Here she is trying the cobbler, not quite sure about it...


She likes it!

Through the Eyes of a Six Year Old

Rachel came in last night while I was visiting with Pam and said, "I took some pictures." Here are the keepers.

Oh Jenny, are you SURE you can't come to Michigan for a quick visit in July? Think about it- you, me, Mulder, and Scully all together again... Josh could come, too, if he wanted.

Summer is Coming!

Look at the weather for this weekend! I might actually get to wear a cute summer maternity dress to church instead of my usual denim jumper!!!!

A Day of Doctor Appointments

I have been feeling uninspired at blogging lately, but today has went smoothly so far, so I guess I'll blog about that.
I had a dr. appointment today, it was time for the one hour sugar test. I was happy that they had orange for me to drink, it is tough to gag down a glass of that stuff regardless of the flavor. My doctor that I see regularly has never delivered one of my children, so he is hoping he is actually working at the hospital the day I have this baby. I hope he's there, too. It won't be hunting season, so the odds are better this time (Abby was born in November).

Rachel (6 yrs) and Abby (18 mo.) had check-ups this morning, too. Casey said the dr. was impressed with Rachel, she is in the 75th percentile for height and weight. Abby had to have one shot. She was fast asleep when they got home, so hopefully she'll sleep all afternoon. One Abby highlight from this week- her fascination with the potty. She squeezed out a little poop 2 days in a row now, but the pessimist in me says this is not the real deal, but I guess you have to start somewhere, right?

So that's about it here. We are just anxiously awaiting the arrival of our first niece within the next week or so! Come on Laurie! We are praying for you! Last night Casey and I were sitting around guessing baby girl's weight, Casey guesses 8 pounds even. I am guessing 6 lbs. 14 oz. I'm always off in my guessing, even with my own kids.

Mmmmmmm

Here is Abby enjoying her first fudgesicle.


Here Is Abby offering us a bite.

My Husband

This is how Casey likes to wind down after a long day at work.

Mother's Day Weekend

Saturday was a beautiful day to drive to my parents, the kids were really good on the way THERE.
This was just one of those yards along the way that I wanted to stop and wander around in, but instead I took a picture.


This picture is for Jenny- do you know where this is? I believe we did a little sucker fishing down there long ago. :)


They LOVE to play outside, even Abby is having a good time up on the trailer.


The kids told me I was too big to go for a ride in the wagon. :(


It is aways a struggle to get four kids to smile at once, but we tried!


Here we have the girls, Abby always has her thumb in her face.

I need help!

I wanted to post a few pictures from the weekend, but I am not able to drag the photos out of iphoto onto the desktop. I have never had this problem before, what could be the problem?

Happy Mother's Day!

I am going to my parents to spend the night tonight, Casey has to work tonight and tomorrow. I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend! In honor of Mother's Day, here are some things that I have learned from mine...

*You don't buy cereal when sugar is first on the ingredients label. I did this last week and still feel guilty to this day.

* Unless you are on your deathbed, you will be in church every Sunday.

* Be content at home.

* Reading is more exciting than television.

* Don't go to bed with a mess in the kitchen. I violate this at times, too.

* Work hard, it will pay off.

* Love your neighbors.

THere are a bunch more, but I have to finish packing, so bye for now!

Mealtime Meltdown

So around 5:30 I was making supper, Casey had already left for work. It was sad as usual, a little ham, some box au gratin potatoes, and some baked beans. But that's what Rachel wanted, so she was happy. I was just getting Abby's food all cut up when *CRASH!*, a long wooden sign hanging right above my head over my sink (that ironically says, "Life is Fragile, Handle with Prayer") fell straight down onto the counter on top of a glass plate. It shattered that sucker to smithereens. Glass was all over the food and the floor, those itty bitty shards that seem impossible to get all picked up. I just stood there and cried for a minute. Then I hollered, "Kids, get in the van, we're getting a pizza." I cleaned up the mess, and away we went to grab our Little Caesar's.

Fun Morning

Yesterday Casey took a vacation day, so we went to the riverwalk in Bay City for the morning! Adam loves driving over rivers, so I thought playing next to one would be just as cool. I was right.


Abby likes to swing, but my lap is shrinking.


Thomas is like an accident waiting to happen. And we didn't have to wait long yesterday, he fell off some playground equipment narrowly escaping bonking his head on several bars on the way down... the mulch got the best of him at the bottom.


Adam and Tommy chasing the poor ducks


I'm taking a poll- I hear all the time, "Adam looks just like a little Casey!" I don't see it AT ALL, other than the buzzed hair. So what is your opinion???

Big Bellies

This is me and my sister-in-law Laurie. I don't really have to add the " sister-in-law", she is just like a sister to me. Our babies are going to be best of friends, and only 2 1/2 months apart. Casey's other sister Sarah has been begging for a belly pic, so here you go- 2 for 1 !

The Last Few Days in Pictures

Here are the three replacements for the front, I am quite happy with them, but they need to grow a bit to fill their spaces nicely.

This is a classic Veihl family moment- Adam is trying to coddle Abby, Thomas is in his moon boots just getting over a crying spell, and Rachel is laughing at... the air?


Rachel had a program at school yesterday morning, all the grades sang two patriotic songs. I did get a picture of her smiling, but someone was walking by and blocking all the other kids, so I posted this pic instead.


Adam turned 5 yesterday! There is a piece missing out of his cake because Rachel was really sad that she had to go to school and miss our lunch together, so I sent a piece with her.


Boy, it sure is nice to have connections. Casey knows the owners of Stardust Lanes, and they let us take the kids for Adam's birthday- free. :) We even got a pizza!


Tommy liked to be up close and personal with the whole bowling experience. Thankfully, Rachel never dropped the ball on his head.

I have been tagged- thanks Kate

what was I doing ten years ago?
I was 23 yrs old, right in the thick of hygiene school and still working weekends at Olive Garden.

5 things on my "to-do" list...
* wash the kids bedding
* think of something other than macaroni and cheese for supper
* make Adam a tasty treat for his birthday tomorrow
* add things to my to-do list so it looks like I'm a productive member of society

snacks I enjoy

*cereal
*applesauce, cheese, and crackers
* cookies (oatmeal choc chip is my favorite)
* pretzels and dip
* did I already say cereal?

five things i'd do if i were a billionaire...
* move to a house in the county
*donate our current house to the church so missionaries or whoever visiting would have a place to stay
* trip to Hawaii or somewhere tropical
* hire someone to help me landscape the yard
* hire someone to scrub my kitchen floor a couple times a month

5 bad habits...
* too much internet time
* my obsession with American Idol
* not reading enough to my kids
* snacking too late at night
* losing my temper too quickly

places i've lived...
*Deckerville, MI
* Saginaw, MI ( I guess I could list all the apt. complexes I've lived in, but I've only lived in 2 towns!)

five jobs i've had...
*pickle sorter
* pickle packer
* Burger King cashier
* Olive Garden hostess
* dental hygienist

who's next????
I tag... Laurie B., Jenny L (when your internet is up and running, no pressure), Amanda L., Steph A. (if Pam hasn't tagged you already), Chris Klein. :)