Happy kids, Happy mom!

Last night, I tried to do a few (unexpected ) things that would keep the kids happy which in turn keeps me happy too! I find that this helps with the "missing Daddy" that we all experience when Patrick is traveling. Really, it just helps if we are all distracted so that we forget that he's gone. When he is gone, his absence is certainly noticed all day long, but it seems especially apparent in the evenings. I am very thankful for Patrick's job on many levels. It provides for us, he enjoys it, he now has an office in Ft. Collins, he works with great people. But, he is gone a lot. I think that the kids and I do a very good job at surviving, and even at times thriving, while Daddy is gone. However, the trip that he is gone on this week has seemed longer than the last few, so I've had to tap into the "extra creative mama" that resides within me. Last night, we had a special kid friendly supper (shells and cheese, chicken nuggets, green beans), we made a chocolate pudding pie, we watched American Idol, and we read our book together. We had such a fun night together. There really wasn't anywhere else I would have rather been! Maddie got to stay up a little longer than everyone else as a reward for some good behavior earlier in the week, and she enjoyed that a lot! I am SO grateful for my kiddos and their great attitudes and good behavior. They make life in our house very fun - it's so awesome being the mom to such amazing kiddos. Daddy is coming home Friday, and we will all be very happy to see him come through the door.

Proud to be an American!

I thought the inauguration speech of our new President was wonderful! It was really awesome to hear what he had to say and to watch the pomp and circumstance of America on full display. I loved watching the two couples, the Bidens and the Obamas standing on the steps of the capitol waving goodbye to the Bushs in the helicopter. There was just something about it that was very moving. For such a time as this, Obama is our President, and I am really happy to live in America today. It is really neat to know that we got to see and hear our new President of the U.S. when he was here in Ft. Collins this fall. How cool is that???

Boots and Suits

We went to the indoor swimming pool this weekend. Michael was confused because he thought that we were going to our outdoor pool. On the way to the swimming pool he kept saying, "this is not the way to the pool!". All of the kids looked so cute in their swimming suits flip flops and coats. Michael looked especially adorable because he had his snow boots on with his swimming suit.