Do you like that shaken or stirried?

That my friends was the most difficult question I had to answer this last weekend. We met up with Angela and Justin in Leavenworth for the first annual Baerlocher/Jones weekend. I say first annual because it must be repeated. Often. The fun cannot be overstated.

Things I learned from this trip:

-While you may cry when you wave good-bye to your three babies, waving frantically from the window, you will spend very little time wishing they were hanging out in the hot tub with you. You know, the hot tub you spent hours in, under the stars, laughing and relaxing in. Yep, didn't miss those babies then.

-Ninety minute massages are not 50% better than sixty minute ones. They are 400% better.

-Watching Gonzaga make it to the Sweet Sixteen is fun. More fun when shared with friends. Best fun when watched with friends and accompanied by an adult beverage.

-Sitting on a hotel bed for hours, eating chocolate, and talking until 1 a.m. is awesome.

-Going on getaways in March is splendid. Nice hotel at good price, no crowds, and amazingly cooperative weather. Breaks up the monotony of an otherwise monotonous month.

-The Baerlochers are hands down one of the coolest couples we know. I would go anywhere with them. Any time, any place.

-Coming home to your babies rocks.



One of those precious, above mentioned babies.
They always love, respect, support, cuddle, help, encourage, and cherish one another. I am also a compulsive liar.

The brain washing around here is complete. Here the babies are, eating pizza, prepped for the first round of March Madness.

Have a great week y'all. (That was a shout out to a certain Texas friend.)

Easter video

I haven't made it through this video dry eyed yet.

I walked up hill both ways

With a child coming on school age, the question of where to send our kids to school has been on our minds a lot lately. Public, private, or home school? Or just put a blanket over our heads and hope the little darlings learn all they need to know off of bathroom stall walls?

I'd love to hear other opinions. If you have kids in school, have an opinion on a type of schooling, or any other information related to this topic, I'd love to hear it. What do you think?

p.s. I do have one option that I like best but will not say because I don't wish to influence the conversation. I'll revisit that after people respond.

Different kinds of awesomeness

This is what the Jones family is like.

Aubrey loves reminding her brothers that she is oldest, there for, most awesome. (As a fellow oldest child, I relate to that feeling of greatness.) Yesterday she told Nathan, "I am older than you. I am taller than you. I am bigger than you. I am 4 1/2 and you are only 2. AND, I wear a size 5 clothes. AND, I wear a size nine shoe. (No matter that Nathan wears the exact same size.) AND (wait for it), I AM THIRTY SIX POUNDS!!!!!" Poor child with her under developed sense of self esteem.

Greg has a black beanie hat that he wears all the time. Last night our friend Roth told him that it makes him look like he's going to hold up a Walgreens. I think he looks hot in it. It makes me wonder if that's my tiny way of imagining I'm married to my own smoldering bad boy. He does look a lot like James Dean.

It is dumping snow on us right now. The family mantra is, "NO MORE WINTER!" Repeat as often as necessary for health and happiness.

Dane refuses to be an innocent bystander in this family anymore. He is a person! With opinions! And a doozy of a fit! He flopped on the floor today in the kitchen, wailing, signing please, and alternately pointing furiously at the counter. He had spied the remains of bad news brownies.
While reading the kids a story before nap time today, Nathan pointed to one of the pictures and said, "Uncle David is like Santa Claus." The book was about The Little Red Caboose. The pictures was of a "big black engine, puffing and chuffing." David, what are your thoughts?

It's 1:30 and I haven't showered yet. I keep thinking I'm going to get a work out in. The decision I'm at now is whether or not showering is even worth it at this time of day. If you stop by, I'm guaranteed to look shlumpy and unbathed.

The blushing bride and dashing groom

See the post below for a thorough explanation of this stunning young couple.

Do you rock?

Matrimonially speaking I mean? Because my parents do! Today, Wayne and Julie Montgomery are celebrating 30 YEARS OF HOLY MATRIMONY. (Some years more holy than others.) :-) Oh, and I'd like to point out that they are still happy together. You know, no living in separate cottages or communicating via their servants.

Congratulations Mom and Dad! You guys are awesome and I love and appreciate your example so much. If Greg and I are as happy at 30 years as you two are I will consider ourselves truly blessed. Have a fantastic day!

p.s. My parents have neither servants or cottages. Or a moat.

What Not to Wear

(Donatella Versace was hurt in the making of this post.)

It's a date

Our internet has been down, off and on, for the past several days. If you have tried to reach me and have not been able to do so I don't really care. I'm far more concerned about me and my mental health without internet access. I mean, I did live and breathe before email and blogs, right? Sometimes I'm not so sure. Nonetheless, I'm taking advantage of this rare opportunity of functioning technology to let you back into my little corner of the world.

Greg and I recently instituted date night with our children. Once a month we each alternate taking one of the kids on their own, one on one, multiple hours long, DATE. Dane hasn't really been included yet because honestly, he's just as happy if he has your full attention while he empties the crayon box onto the floor. Soon though baby Dane, soon.

This month I went out with Nathan and Greg with Aubrey. Nathan picked the activities. We started at the mall and he got to walk. That alone was reason enough to be joyful. No stroller, no holding my hand. Then we took the escalator. Saints be with us, was there enough room in his heart for such joy?? We played for an hour at the mall's enormous play area (ball pits, air hockey, multiple basketball hoops, scooters, etc.) and ended with grilled cheese sandwiches, apple slices, and lemonade at Red Robin. These dates are awesome, for all of us. The kids revel in the attention and Greg and I revel at the opportunity to just enjoy our babies. No discipline, no competition, no teaching ABCs. Just playing and loving.

Greg and Aubrey had an extra special date. They went to their first Father/Daughter Dance. The local Kiwanis club hosts it and they had about 230 people there this year. They looked awesome (see pictures). I loved how dressed up Greg was, just for his little girl. They started their evening at Red Robin (are you noticing a dining trend?) and made it to the dance around 7. Aubrey got a corsage and was smitten with the refreshment table. They did get out and shake a leg for a while but the loud music and commotion proved a bit much for our girl. So, to end the night on a major high note, Greg took her to the store to let her pick out a treat. Her choice? Lucky Charms. I think that was the highlight of her whole night. She came home beaming and her daddy looked just as pleased. Date days rock! (End note. Greg reported that she spent a good portion of her time at the dance dabbing her lips and nose with the chap stick and tissues we packed in her purse. Precious, I know.)

And, because I hate to leave my baby out, Dane got his first haircut. As you long time blog followers may recall, Nathan's first haircut was a nightmare. A screaming, flailing, hysterical fit that ended with me sweating profusely and Nathan's eyes swelled, red, and puffy. Dane was 100% the opposite. He sat as though made of stone. I couldn't coax eye contact out of him, let alone a smile. He stared straight ahead, solemn, serious, and unnaturally still for a 13 month old. Once he was down he just lifted his arms up to me and put his head on my shoulder. I think he had some post traumatic distress. Still, the results were worth it. Bye bye mullet and over ear wings!

Mommy Mojo

I have had it today. I have been a wealth of fun activities, educational adventures, and undivided attention. Lest you think I'm bragging, I have also spent entire days interrupting time with my kids to check my email for the 16th time and dreaming of spa treatments. Today though has been a good day.

For inquiring minds: It is 2:30 p.m. and I have swept four times today. Breakfast, after making cupcakes, after we put sprinkles on the cupcakes, and lunch. It's a wonder I get another darn thing done.

Also, the following pictures happened over SEVERAL DAYS, not just today. I'm not that good!Dane, playing with rice. Mix uncooked rice with funnels and cups and spoons and you get an uninterrupted hour of play time. And rice in places you never dreamed.
All the kiddos, playing together and being nice. Wonders never cease.
Aubrey and our third son. Look at that dumb cat, he thinks he is a reincarnated Egyptian prince.
NOBODY can resist that smile.
Dane took right to the basketball brainwashing that goes on around here.
There is no wrong time to shoot a hoop.
He might as well have conquered Everest for all the pride he felt in this accomplishment.
Dane's first painting. Only a few tastes of paint were consumed.
In case he ever loses use of his arms.
Aubrey, showing off all the puzzles she put together by herself. She is getting too darn big!

Do as I say, not as I do

If you were to call me and say, "Hey Sara, I think my kid has croup, do you have any advice?", I'd have all sorts of things to say. I would ask about your child's color, whether or not they were having retractions while breathing, have you taken them outside in the cold air, have you given them a steam bath, and I would probably end by saying, "Croup is scary but it sounds like you are doing the right things and I'm sure they will be fine. Just keep an eye on them." I would say these things to you to because, let's be honest here, it's your baby, not mine. And while I love your kid I don't love them as much as I love mine. Plus, it is easy to be calm and collected from 100 miles away while your own children cheerfully, and healthily, scribble on your walls. Besides, you are probably just over reacting.

OR, I could ask myself all the reasons why I shouldn't panic with my own croupy kid. First of all Sara, you are a nurse and are supposed to have a clue about such things. Get it together and act educated for half a second. Secondly, this is your third child, you've been through this before, you know what to do, ACT LIKE IT. Or thirdly, go ahead and panic. After all, this is YOUR baby we are talking about and you are way to emotionally invested to be objective and he looks terrible and why aren't you in the car taking him to the ER already?!?!?!

Which is what I did. At 5:30 a.m. this morning. Because our sweet baby Dane went from healthy last night at bedtime to a struggling for air, feverish, baby this morning. It was when I laid him down to change him and his chest was sucking in with every breath that Greg looked at me and we both said, "We are going!"

He is fine now. By the time we made it to the ER the cold air and calming down had eased his laborious breathing. Which I knew it would because I know what makes croup better, and worse. But still, even if you know these things with your head your heart doesn't have a clue when your baby is struggling over each breath. Plus, I was surrounded by nurses and doctors and oximeters and delicious prescriptions for prednisone and that alone was worth the $100 co-pay. Which, again, I already knew.