Vacation, Family & Traditions

Okay, so last Saturday we piled our two sleeping angels into the Mommy Mobile (AKA the van) and headed out on what we thought was going to be a 12 hour trip to Northern Iowa. Well, it only took 9 1/2 hours (Praise the Lord!!!) and that included an hour for breakfast.

We spent Saturday afternoon relaxing, catching up on sleep and talking with my Aunt & Uncle that we were staying with for the trip.

Sunday, we went slightly over the border into Minnesota to visit my Dad's side of the family. well his sister and one of his brothers anyway. we also met up with some of the cousins (a few of which I met for the first time). We then detoured off course about a mile to visit my Aunt (Mom's oldest sister) and finished with a good nap on the ride back into Iowa.

On Monday, we journeyed North again for a visit to my sweet 93 year old Grandma. She was doing very well and even got in a tug-of-war with L over her walker.

We also made a few stops along the way. we drove past my Grandma & Grandpa J's old farm place and let the boys do some exploring...

 B riding the deer in front of Grandma & Grandpa's old house and then picking apples off the trees.

So, then on Tuesday it was time to say farewell to Northern Iowa and head home. We loaded up and hit the road around 8:00 AM and we made it home about 6:00 PM. Not to bad of a trip except the screaming kids and the whining husband (because oh yeah, he got sick on Saturday evening, to later find out it was strep throat). I put the kids to bed and let J lay around on the couch and I went grocery shopping to re-gain some of my sanity.

So, then Wednesday brought back an old family tradition of mine; cleaning fresh sweet corn. While in Iowa, Uncle Dan hooked us up with some fresh corn straight from the field. So, once we got it home, it had to be cleaned, cooked & eaten (or frozen in our case). B was a natural at this cleaning thing...

We cleaned 25 ears of corn. We saved eight back for when mom & dad were here over the weekend, but I cooked, cut and froze the other 17 wonderfully delicious ears for later.

So, aside from long car rides and a sick husband, this year's vacation went well. It is back to work for J tomorrow and back to the SAHM business for myself. My first kid starts this week and the look out for more begins.

Until next time and from my life to yours,

MommyShelle C

My Life as a Stay-At-Home-Mommy (SAHM)

So, today was day #4.

Day #1 ended with this: "Mommy, you have been such a good girl today. Daddy will be so proud of you." B
Day #2 was uneventful.
Day #3 involved 2 of our nephews and it was LOUD!!!
Day #4 was much like day #3 but we made Chocolate Chip Cookies, and that made it more tolerable.
Day #5 will be just us again.I hope to plan bowling trip in there somewhere and a full day of packing before we leave on our trip.

So, the first week has been fun, but still just feels like a week off of work. Nothing overly out of the ordinary or eventful to speak of. Although, it doesn't take long for your co-workers to not bug you anymore when you are no longer a co-worker.

I have seen two of my past co-workers this week in 'FREE WEEK' at a local fitness center. They are offering a free week of classes to entice you into paying for them. Well, this SAHM is one out of shape lady; unless you count round as a shape!?!?? we have all had a good time killing ourselves in these classes and deciding that Yoga is in fact, not as easy as one might think.

This weekend we are off to see my side of the family. They all live in the corn & bean fields of Northern Iowa/ Southern Minnesota. Our main objective is to see my 93 year old Grandma, so she can see the boys. B was only 7 months old (3 years ago) the last time we saw most of the family. A 12 hour car ride with two kids under 4 should be an enlightening experience to say the least. I will post pics when we get back to show you how fun it was or wasn't.

the best part of the trip is sure to be the 100 stops we will have to make along the way for out FINALLY potty-trained 3 year to use the bathroom (or side of the road). Oh well, at least he tells us now when he needs to go potty. Praise God!!!

So long for now and I will update when we get back in a few days,
MommyShelle C

M.O.B. Blog Hop

(Sorry no button, could get it to work, but here is the link): http://www.themobsociety.com/2011/07/the-first-annual-boy-mom-bloghop-2011/

I would first like to Welcome anyone who has not visited before and a Welcome Back to those of you who haven't read in a while.

Life as MommyShelle is a blog all about me and my (un)perfect life as a mom of two boys. Also, the life I lead as a wife to my wonderful husband. B is almost 4 (2 more months) and L is 15 months. They are rambunctious and adorable. They are my world and my pain in the hind end. I wouldn't trade them for anything, but would trade their attitudes for new ones (some of the time).

I am a working mom (for 4 more days) who has decided to become a SAHM and spend more time with these lovely creatures God has given me the blessing to raise. That and the fact daycare is costing both arms & four legs most months. This was a very hard decision for our family to come to, but we have been praying about for several months.

I have been a member of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) for almost 4 years and have taken on the role of co-coordinator this year with my dearest friend, Julie. I am also the member of a little country (way out in the country) church her in rural Missouri and my husband leads the music on Sundays.

So, come on back and keep in touch. I update as often as my life as MommyShelle allows.

Until next time,
MommyShelle C