An amazing cast!

Carson did a wonderful job! The entire cast did great! Probably the best cast he's worked with. Everyone knew their lines and projected very well.

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum have their own handshake too!

 It was so fun to see CJ and Isaac together again. This is their second play where they are partners.

The crazy part of today is that CJ was on meds to get through the day. He started feeling awful after lunch yesterday and he didn't sleep too well last night. I gave him Advil, Sudafed, and cough drops to get through the play. It worked and now he's resting in the basement. Tomorrow might be the same but we're determined to make it through.

Awesome job CJ!! We are very proud of you!!

no school

No school for us today! Which was awesome! Mason had another appointment for his heart. Nothing serious but the Dr. gave us some options for us to think about. We'll let you know once we decide. Somehow I've programmed my kids that they get a treat after an appointment. Not a bad thing mind you. Mason decided to eat his donut from the paper bag. I guess he didn't want to get his hands sticky. 

Carson had earned a free meal from B Dubs from his AT math teacher and Mason wanted nothing to do with that place so two of us went out to lunch. It was nice. Carson really enjoyed the opportunity to watch TV while eating. 

He's been all stuffed up since last night. After lunch he went downhill. He slept most of the afternoon away. So much so I didn't wake him for the annual fiddle fest with our district. Carson was very disappointed not to be going. I told him he had to make a choice. A smart choice. Tomorrow is his play and we both decided that his play should be his priority. Many people are depending on him for two performances tomorrow and one on Sunday. He decided to miss tonight so he could rest better for tomorrow. I hope he feels better in the morning.

I don't think I've ever received a care package as an adult. McKinzie sent us some cookies! She ended up making four or five different kinds in one day. She also sent packages to Bailee and Karlee. I'm so glad she shared.

bits and pieces

Well...I'm still washing dishes by hand. It's been two weeks and the tech from Sears never relayed the information to LG about it being a manufacture defect. So now another tech needs to come out to verify it's true. I'm trying to be patient. It's hard.

Have I ever mentioned I love my view?! Everyday I love looking out my kitchen window. 

Brian has started making a mat for the homeless out of plastic bags. It's so cool! He learned about it online and I've been hoarding bags for months and months and he just run out. He did't get very far. I guess that means I need to go shopping more. (haha) He didn't think that that comment was very funny either. 

On my drive home on Dean. It was nice seeing blue sky.  It's been dreary here. 

It's her first day of soccer!! Isn't she the cutest?! McKinzie said she was very nervous to go to her first practice. Once her mom told her the coach was a friend of Daddy's, Brett P., then that was it. She was fine and no more nerves. I wish we lived closer to see her in a game. She's normally very feisty. I'm not sure it'll happen on the soccer fields. 

Thursday morning we woke up to a dusting of snow. It was very pretty but I was glad it was gone by mid morning. We're back to typical Chicago weather...cold. I'm hoping it won't last long. I'm really ready for spring.

These two enjoy the warm sun as well.

Stella isn't doing very well this week. Tuesday she ran 3 miles with me. Wednesday she was whimpering and didn't move much. She seems to be doing better but she doesn't go downstairs with me and she still whimpers at times. Maybe she's feeling her age. She'll be 10 in July. I guess no more runs with me. Only walks with Brian. 

Did you catch that?! I'm back to running this week! I didn't run for almost 3 weeks. (20 days to be exact.) That cold/flu really took it out of me. I ran Tuesday and Wednesday and then walked Thursday morning because my legs were so sore. I was surprised with how sore I became and how slow too. I was at a 9 minute mile. When I ran Tuesday it was almost a 10:30 mile. I was training for a half for April. I've decided to not push myself and possibly cause an injury and not run the half. Now I need to find another half for possibly May or June. I still want to do one.  

68° in February in Chicago!

Both yesterday and today it reached 68°. It's still surprising to me that it's this warm! Even though I've been sick this past week Brian and I took the dogs for a walk yesterday, almost 3 miles. I'm sure the dogs enjoyed it too.

Then today we had lunch outside. It was glorious! It's suppose to stay in the upper 50s for the next 3 days then back down to below freezing at night. I don't mind. I'll take any nice, sunny day I can get. Now this is the kind of Chicago winter I can support! 

The problem is I'm still not feeling well enough to get back to training. I really wish I could run in this amazing weather we're having. Unfortunately I'm not sure when I'll feel up to running again. I'm going to be so behind my training schedule for my half. 

my future

My first service call on the dishwasher was January 16. Today was my 6TH!! service call. The dishwasher kept sending an AE code and different service techs would try different things. The dishwasher would run for a few days then the same code. We would have to flip the breaker until it would power down again. Once that happened we could use it again for a few days and then it would start all over again. They releveled the machine, replaced the motor, and replaced a computer panel. 

Today they pulled it completely out and found a seam in the top back corner that was leaking. That leaking would run down the outside of the machine where it would hit a sensor that would send the AE code. The good news...I should be getting a new dishwasher. The bad news...they wouldn't hook it back up so we are only washing dishes by hand for the foreseeable furture.

They had no idea when it will be installed. They didn't even know when I might be contacted again. I think I'll be buying paper plates the next time I go buy groceries. :(  

Valentine excitement

What a day this has been. I really should start with yesterday though. Brian brought home these gorgeous flowers for me after work. They smell so good!

Then during dinner the doorbell rang and these cookies were delivered. Karlee had arranged with Rebecca K. She is so thoughtful! 

After dinner Carson delivered a Valantine to a girl from church, Gwen. She's such a nice girl. Carson was so nervous! I think he was more nervous on our drive home. He doesn't want this to make it weird when they see each other but he likes her and he wanted her to know that.

I put a little surprise in Brian's truck for him. I first had Mason check the truck to make sure there wasn't something in the truck for me. I didn't want to spoil anything.

I made a popcorn treat for Carson's class party. I covered it all in white chocolate. YUM!

Karlee made treats for her friends. She hand cut the hearts! So talented. I think the hearts on the plate are for her boyfriend. Did I tell you she has a boyfriend?! She has a boyfriend!! His name is Eric and he hasn't served a mission yet so she feels safe. LOL

Then today. What a day. I'm sick... I did make Carson heart waffles with strawberries. He loved them! He said the waffles taste so much better when they're hearts. He's cute! I had planned on helping with his class party but I knew there was no way. When I dropped him off for orchestra I sent the popcorn with him for the party. I then went back to bed.

I woke up around 9:00 and ate a few waffles. Then I got to work making a surprise for my boys. After I pulled the second one out of the oven I was feeling ok. It was 11:30 and I thought there might be a chance I could help at the party. I didn't make it to the shower. I climbed back in bed and didn't wake up till 2:30. I woke in a panic. I hadn't decorated the cookies yet. The boys get home at 3. I quickly melted the chocolate and hurriedly finished up a few minutes before 3. Whew! 

They loved them! I went back to bed.

I set an alarm and finally got in the shower a few minutes before 5. Brian has asked me to be ready at 5:30 for a special dinner. I took meds and I was ready for the night. ;)

Brian surprised me with dinner at home. Around 5:30 Carson escorted me to my table where there was a soft light and romantic music playing in the background. These are my servers. Could they be any cuter?!

Brian cooked dinner, tilapia and rice. A new dish for him. Plus he made these yummy raspberry pies for dessert. I was impressed the whole night.

We watched a movie together and just relaxed. It was nice. Brian gets better with age. I can't wait to see what another 10 years might bring. ;) I sure love him!

half training

I have friends posting pictures of their view as they run and train. Pictures of trees, lakes and sun. Here's my view... Not exciting I know but it works and my pace today was one of my best. 9 minute mile!!

I've been trying to ignore the urge to make cookies all week. After talking with McKinzie this afternoon and talking about all the yummy treats she's been making I caved. I decided to add a little Valentine fun to them too. 

After dinner Brian mentioned that if we had cookies he would eat one. I didn't tell him I made cookies today. I often try to hide any evidence of cookies to try and make it easier on him. I guess I did a good job. He has no idea. ;0)

Carson worked on his Valentine's today. His school doesn't like Valentine's being candy but I'm tired. Tired of finding something cute, and different. Since this is his last year in elementary school I figured we could get away giving candy for Valentines. Shh...don't tell. 

This is how we watch TV in the evenings now. Murray sitting on us or sometimes between us. He does not like being left alone in the kitchen. So he snuggles with us.