A glimpse into the window of the ONE house.: February 2007

Still no change...

I wanted to give you all a "cute" picture of why I started this blog. So when you keep checking for more.....(and there is none) you at least will smile at the happy faces smiling back at you.

The title does not apply to first time visits to this. It is for the next time, 3rd, 4th.....time you come back checking for a new post.

Can you figure this out?

Oh.....the up and down thing did sound funny...that was not my intention.
They were talking about houses. An upstairs and a downstairs, 2 level or walkout.
Nothing Bad.....

Dante's first "girl" call

Feb 13th:
He called his girl at exactly 7:30, (like she told him to). For some reason she called him right back and then they talked for 32 minutes. I only picked up the other line once to hear him ask if she had an up and down at her house....she said yes.

the purple boots

Sometimes you just don't feel like blogging, much else doing anything else.....

but you come here for the kids....

I LOVE VEGAS.

At last count I think I was past 24, 25...but then I think they quit counting how many times I said "I love Vegas".

These pics seem sensible enough....you know the saying...
What goes on in Vegas stays in Vegas!
This time around I have little "sight seeing" pictures and a lot more "fun pictures".

A great, no fantastic, outstanding, almost perfect trip!

My flight there was delayed so I was bumped to a straight flight, no layovers!
My flight home I was able to switch to get in earlier and not have 2 layovers!
I was able to get back to get Stone to the MD. NO strep...Mono. Well, possible mono.
He is sick, poor guy, just missed his mommy!

It is cold and raining. I have been up since....well forever, so I am going to go do laundry, lots and lots of laundry! Isn't life grand?

One more thing before I go...

I know you're not supposed to cry over spilled milk, but how about ketchup?
Luckily I was the one who did this...not the kids. I had to laugh and then thank God that my jeans were not hit. They are the only jeans going with me to Vegas!

I did not get too worried until I saw how far the damage went. Into the kitchen pantry and onto the "Heeleys". YIKES, was I in trouble! But the after picture looks great, you can't even tell. Good thing Dante doesn't read this!
I now have cleaned the floors...and am ready....again!

SHOES and 0 days to VEGAS!

These are all the shoes I bought trying to find the "right" pair. I sadly returned the green shoes when I noticed they did not go with the outfit....and did not scream CLASS like I wanted. I really want the more classy look, not well, not the other way kind of look. So the cute little tan strappy heel with the little bow wins. I saw on "What not to wear" the other night that bows are back, but a little goes a long way. I think this is exactly what she was saying.

Wow Vegas day is Today! I am a wreak. I have made piles of clothes with labeled days, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and even extra with each one. I have tried to get all the necessities in the kitchen. Quick fixes and I even made M&M cookies. I have cleaned, and done all the laundry. I set up a sitter for the little ones so Bart can go to Dante's basketball games (2 that I will miss!). I have notified the teachers, and bus drivers. I have done everything but stopped the mail and called the police dept to do drive bys. Oh sure, Bart can handle it, but can I?

My bags are packed and I am ready to make the Amazing Race to and from Vegas. Taking 5 flights all together. HA! FREE remember the flight(s) are free!

Pray for me and a safe trip, that I remain out of jail and free of illness of all kinds.....
Pray for my kids that they are bathed and fed (not just sugar). Pray for Bart that he will remain "sane" and will know when to go where and with who. 5 days without the MOM.

Here goes......

Superbowl celebration ONE house style

Bart and I start the day by shoveling snow at the Duplex before church. (Ask how his back is feeling.)

The rest of the day was focused on the PIZZA party. Pepperoni for the kids (sure I snuck a bite or two! I love homemade Pep. Pizza)

Lucy took charge, Stone got in on it, and then into it....notice the nice sweater and shirt came off, and Dante couldn't be left out. Bart tried to imitate the Mediterranian Pizza that Papa Murphy's makes. It was wonderful! I think it was a hit and a great "diet" friendly item to eat in moderation! Spinach, chicken, olive oil and garlic, sun dried tomatoes and feta cheese.....spices and a yummy taste!

We laughed at some commercials, mostly the doritoes and the budlight ones,oh, and the snickers one too! I also got chills from many of the commercials celebrating black history month. Dante was excited to see so many references to black history and historical moments.

I really enjoyed Prince. It took me back in a time I had almost forgot about! I am not ashamed to admit I was a Prince fan!

Too bad for the BEARS....as all my family back in Illinois are mourning the loss, but Payton Manning is sooooo cute and really makes me smile, GOOD for him!

Playing food.

Happy 21st birthday Kelsey!

We shall celebrate in Vegas!

Las Vegas here I come!
A free ticket voucher from my dear husband who is the world traveler
+ a very gracious host/cousin to rest my head
= cheap trip to SIN CITY!

I actually can use my money towards more important things like....bail!

While in Vegas, I plan to read by the pool, sleep, maybe eat a cheeseburger in paradise, celebrate a 21st birthday,....nightclubstyle!
All without a diaper bag. That is right, no kids...in fact no husband either (someone has to stay behind to feed the children). I am preoccupied with what to wear out the BIG night, trying to stay at target weight, stay up a little later each night, and now I think I must even start building some alcohol tollerance. (I know a little late for that one, huh?) 11:00 pm is the reservation time for our party night out at The Moon that my cousin set up. (He is awesome!) But that is usually 2 hours past my bedtime. YAAAAWWWNNN!

My cousin also sent me this link to an article on the "how-to's " of going out in Vegas! VERY INTERESTING, and helpful being a stay-at-home-Mom of 3 (soon four) from Missouri.

I do plan to take or wear the shoes I bought in Vegas last time I was there.....

But more importantly are these babies.....

I have planned my whole trip around these green delightful, fun, lively, inspiring, energizing, enchanting......shoes! And they are comfy, very important detail while in Las Vegas.
I know first hand, that is why I have the above shoes!

Yesterday's Snow Day

Snow day? Can you believe all the area schools called a snow day by this picture? It was taken about 1:30 in the afternoon, but still. It shows my view looking out the front door. The driveway across the street is about the only snow visible!
The kids couldn't even go sledding or build a snowman for lack of SNOW. I was able to however shovel 3 (double) driveways. The duplex, and ours. I wouldn't want my special renters slipping and The ONE house has an image to upkeep now that it is on the market!

****adoption news****
Referrals went to Oct 11 and are popping up all over now! This is right on target with the timeline I am hanging onto!

Jan/Feb------- September to October 11 2005

February/March------Oct 12 to end of Oct

March------- November to about the 12 or 13th

April------- rest of Nov and some of Dec

May------- December

June------ Jan

July------- Jan/Feb

Aug------- Feb/March

Sept------- March

Oct-------- March/April (THIS IS US HERE OR THE NEXT MONTH! 4-12!!!!!)
November------ April/May

Lunch with Dante

We were the guest of honor at Dante's School for lunch. We had to bring our own lunch..which was okay by us. We picked up our favorite Mexican place for takeout. BIG treat. Dante new about this last week and forgot to tell me or give me the note. Bart was lucky to get off work and surprise him with us.

After lunch it was too cold for outside recess so we were able see what it was like in his classroom. (It is a state of the art computer classroom. One computer for every two students) Stone was in school heaven! Lucy just loved playing with all the girls trinkettes. Dante was proud! It was nice to see a smile on his face.