Picnic time

This weekend we took the kids to our annual church picnic at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe. Check out Delaney: Is she one cute pup or what? The face painter did a fantastic job. Laney looked like one of the 101 Dalmatians! And boy did that puppy get hungry for cupcakes and lemonade. She ate so many I lost count.

And check out Max's fishing pole/fish balloon. It looks like he caught a trout! I really enjoy summers in Central Illinois. After a long, bleak winter, folks in the Midwest really know how to celebrate the changing seasons and make the most of the heat when it's here. Growing up in Hawaii was like one continuous summer. We ate outside in December, went to the beach in February and grilling out was nothing special. Living out here makes me appreciate the simple things in life.

Amish Town

I've got so much respect for the Amish. I fall to pieces when I'm without Internet for more than a day...I can't imagine life without the modern trappings of cell phones, cars, lights...and McDonalds! I took two pit stops on my way down to Amish-town because I needed a McCafe pick-me-up! On Monday, I took a day trip to Arcola to visit a friend who recently relocated to Champaign. It was great girl bonding time...of course we did some shopping at the Tanger Outlets...and it was fascinating to observe a group of people living a life that's so foreign to me.

The only mistake I made was signing up for the buggy shop tour. Do yourself a favor and skip it. I should've gone for the buggy ride itself. I didn't realized I signed up to hear the nuts and bolts of how to make a buggy, which is quite the yawn! And if you visit Arcola on a Monday, the only Amish eatery open is a hop, skip and a jump away in Arthur. It's called Yoder's Kitchen. The price is nice and I had the best BLT sandwich of my life--for only $3.50!
My friend and I had such a fab time, we decided to make an annual trip of this! Next time, we're eating with the Amish. Did you know you could do that?

Jon & Kate

We just wrapped up watching "Jon and Kate Plus Eight" as a family which was mildly uncomfortable given the fact that my husband's first marriage ended in divorce. It was obviously sad...but I think there are valuable lessons to be learned from watching the reality TV family. Marriage is a lot of work and no couple is immune to hardship. And I think all too often, couples with kids prioritize their children above their spouses! What a mistake! The most loving thing you can do for your children is to love your spouse well. I was really frustrated when they kept insisting that above all, they were committed to doing what's best for the kids. If they really loved their kids so much, they'd invest everything into creating a solid family foundation for them.
They're also kidding themselves if they think divorce will grant them freedom. It leads you into bondage. And second marriages are always harder than first marriages. There's so much more to negotiate, relationships are more complex, and it's a heck of a lot more work!
That being said, I do believe that God is the Great Redeemer. Of our screw-ups big and small. I know my husband struggled long and hard to reconcile his first marriage when it reached the breaking point because he knew how destructive it would be to his children. His prayer for an intact family wasn't answered...but God did show up...Jeff and I met and married... and we've shed a lot of tears and prayers to duct-tape our family together and do our best out of the brokenness and mistakes of our lives to stay true to our covenant and create a marriage that's lasting and true.
I'm certainly not an expert on marriage and do more wrong things than right...I've got an awful temper and a whole lot of issues to work through...But one thing I know for sure is that leaving this marriage will never be the answer...And even though it's the hardest thing I've ever signed up for--it's also the most rewarding.

Max the Magician

Max is obsessed with magic. Any chance he gets, he'll show you a trick. This weekend, he hosted a magic show for Jeff's entire family and showed off a dozen tricks.

His best one? Magic mind-reading...or the disappearing coin. I took him to the game store to buy a box of tricks...I'm not thrilled with the quality of the products and one of the pieces is missing...so if any of you have suggestions for magic trick brands, let me know! Ever since watching our in-house magician at 91.5 WCIC (who's day job is fixing our computers!) do a show at our Opening Act competition, Max has been fanatically trying to learn all the magic he can. It's pretty cute. He used to want to be a librarian when he grows up...now he wants to be a magician!

Father's Day Weekend

If I hear my husband ask for another favor with the precursor, "Well, it's Father's Day"...I'm going to scream! No, but seriously, I'm happy to accommodate him on his weekend...Well, most of the time. As I type, I'm prepping chocolate chip cookies. I'm also unpacking my bag from spending the night at my in-laws even though they live just 15 minutes away. What can I say? My husband is a child at heart. Here's a snapshot of Jeff (with serious bed-head) & the kids this morning...Max and Laney made a mug for him at "Amazing Glaze" in Morton. We had a great experience there...but I had them make two mugs--one for Jeff and one for their Grandpa...and it took over two hours! So, if you plan on going there, give yourself lots of time!

It was a wicked humid Father's Day weekend! On Saturday, the kids cooled off in my mother-in-law's swimming pool with their too-cute-for-words cousins! Max and Laney are a little too big for the baby pool in the yard but they loved splashing around with the babies and played "Ring-Around-the Rosie." Here's a little video clip--sorry it's sideways!!!:

Happy Father's Day!

Normally I'm not a fan of holidays like Father's Day, Mother's Day, etc. but I'm happy to give my husband the honor he deserves this weekend as a tremendous dad to Max and Delaney. I've never met a father who's so invested in the physical and spiritual well-being of his children. What impressed me most about Jeff when I first met him was his instinct to protect and love his kids at all costs. I sometimes call him "Mr. Mom" because he's a better father than many moms I know...A lot of times Dads get a bum wrap, especially in the court system. But times are changing. Guys are expected to be more involved, to show up at school and sports activities, and to be more communicative and affectionate with their children. I always remind Max and Laney they should appreciate having a father who loves them so much. If I had that same relationship, I think I would've made much better choices in my life.

Six Flags Fun!

Every year I tell my family, "This is the LAST TIME we're going to Six Flags!" But I've been saying that for the past three years so they don't believe me anymore!

I'm grateful that Max is still too small to go on the big roller coasters like Superman because that gave me a chance to sit out the scary rides and take Max on relaxing rides like the carousel. I've never seen a carousel like this one: it was a double decker. We also rode the bumper cars and went to Cartoon Town to ride the baby roller coasters! It was a lot of fun! I'm a huge fan of the Six Flags in Gurnee, Chicago. It's a lot bigger than the one in St. Louis.

And of course, what would a trip to an amusement park be without cotton candy...and nachos? Yum! What a lunch! Laney needed to relax after the head rush she experienced thanks to the million roller coasters Jeff dragged her on. I'm not a huge roller coaster fan. I'm more a fan of the water rides...and the Hurricane Harbor Water Park, which was awesome! I'm sunburned all over my body thanks to lounging for hours near the wave pool. The kids couldn't get enough of the water. Speaking of which, the newest ride of Six Flags is Buckaneer Battle, an interactive water ride. Here's a little video clip of Jeff trying to soak the kids on a pirate ship.

Chicago Trip '09 Part 1

It was truly a weekend to remember in the Windy City. Our trip will have to be a blogging two-parter because we packed in so many activities! When we finally pulled up to Shedd Aquarium (after an hour of searching for parking on Saturday), Delaney could hardly contain herself.

She kept squealing, "I can't believe we're gonna see sharks!" She was in heaven in the Wild Reef exhibit but I personally loved the dolphin show. And for the past nine months the beluga whales have been staying in Connecticut while they renovated the Polar Play area so they just unveiled it a few weeks ago...and gosh, they're gorgeous creatures.

I was impressed with the Polar Play Zone. The kids loved touching the urchins and starfish, watching the otters roll around and play, and seeing the new penguin exhibit. They also got to dress as penguins and open up eggs. I took a little video footage of that but frankly, it's 10pm and we just rolled into Peoria 30 minutes ago so I'm too tired for that!

But lastly, I've got to share a picture of Laney and me at American Girl. Is that the best store in the world, or what? I wanted a doll myself. It was the only time on the trip I wished Jeff wasn't there because I would've gone crazy! When I was a little girl I read American Girl books and loved the characters (especially Samantha who I think bears a striking resemblance to Delaney) but I never imagined an entire collection of dolls, clothes, a hair station, restaurant, movie theater, etc. dedicated to American Girls! We're definitely returning...Ok, that's it for now but I'll post pictures from our Six Flags adventure tomorrow! I've got to get some sleep since I've getting up for work in just six hours!

Dress up of a different kind...

Max is generally all boy--quiet, athletic, physical. But the other night he jumped out of Delaney's closet wearing a fairy outfit and scared the life out of me in more ways than one (while I was tucking Laney into bed). The kids are really into dress up. Every night it takes forever to pick up after the heaps of clothes they leave in their dress-up wake. The kids are going through a weird phase where they like to wear each other's clothes and sleep in them. They think it's funny. Max's boy shorts are awfully tight on Laney but she wears them anyway.

Sorry I've been out of touch online...I've been incredibly busy. Every night we've had something--a party, get together, small group, etc. No down time for me this week! I've got layers of bags under my eyes and have been very short-tempered for lack of sleep. I'm baking right now like crazy for small group tonight and our road trip to Chicago this weekend...we're taking the kids to Shedd Aquarium and Six Flags. Delaney's been dying to go to the aquarium to see the the sharks and Jeff asked for the Six Flags excursion as his Father's Day gift. So...that's it for now but I'll return with lots of pictures on Monday! Enjoy the weekend!

HELP!!!

My husband's snoring is ruining my life! As a woman who needs to wake up at 4:30am to do her job, sleep is critical. I live in a constant state of sleep deprivation as is...so it doesn't help when I wake up each night at around 2am to the ear-shattering sound of my husband snoring away with his mouth pressed up against my pillow. Does your spouse snore? What do you do to cope? I'm desperate. I've tried blaring fans around me (even in the winter), earplugs, breathe-right strips...but nothing's working! I outright screamed at 2am because I was so frustrated! Now it's just past noon and I'm heading to bed for a much-needed afternoon nap.

Dress-up time!

I get such a kick out of Delaney...she's always been a tomboy but lately she's been expressing interest in "girly" things...like pretty earrings, summer dresses, and the other night she tried on my high heels. (BTW, I just love my shoes! I haven't bought a new pair in ages and it's incredibly painful to wear...but worth it). I love that she still plays with her dolls, too. The other night she was thrilled when I told her we're taking her to Shedd Acquairum in Chicago in a couple of weeks for a mini-Staycation...but then she asked, "Can we go to American Girl afterwards?" I think it'd be so fun to have tea and mini sandwiches with our dolls!

A Must Read!

If you're a stepmom, you've got to run to the nearest bookstore to pick up your copy of "Stepmonster: A New Look at Why Real Stepmothers Think, Feel, and Act the Way They Do" by Wednesday Martin. In fact, I'm making this required reading for my in-laws and circle of friends & family if they want to truly understand my life. Being a stepmom is a ton of work. A mixed blessing, if you will. Every other book I've read on the subject has been packed with bad advice, canned responses to complex problems, and sugarcoated to mask the difficult reality of blended family life.
Now, don't get me wrong--I've got a great relationship with my step-kids. They love me liberally and I love them. In fact, the other day my step-daughter told me she used to be sad about her parents' divorce but she loves me so much, she's glad things ended up the way they did. In her eyes, I'm anything but a "Stepmonster."
But moments of sweetness notwithstanding, there's a reason why divorce rates are fifty percent higher in remarriages with children than in those without. The complications are enormous...trying to fashion a new life out of the ashes of your spouse's nuclear family unit; navigating the incessant awkwardness of being confronted with ghosts from your spouse's past; taking in stride the dirty looks your stepkids' teachers throw your way at school functions (I just want to scream at Max and Delaney's teachers: "I AM NOT A HOMEWRECKER! THEIR MOM LEFT THEIR DAD...I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OF THIS!" Because I'm younger than Jeff it's assumed he had a mid-life crisis and left his wife for someone else, which could not be further from the truth.
Not only is your role nebulous at best, but you're vilified in fairy tales (thanks, Disney, for the wicked stepmonster stereotype) and you're surrounded by well-meaning friends who chirp panned advice like "Treat them like they're your own." Well, what the heck is that supposed to mean? Especially if your parenting style differs from that of their parents...
Oh...I could go on and on...I could write a book of my own someday! There aren't many out there to encourage stepmoms along their journey and to validate how they feel. I'm passionate about raising the discourse of blended family life, especially in Christian circles where it's like the elephant in the room people don't know how to tackle so they're dancing around it.
If you feel the same way, buy this book! It's a great conversation starter...

Pioneer Day

This weekend Jeff & I took Max to Sommer Park in Peoria, to get a taste of what life was life for Peorians back in the early 1900's...The park district hosted something they call "Pioneer Days" where folks dress in period clothing and show us how they did blacksmithing, school lessons, woodworking, and heirloom vegetable gardening. There was a beautiful horse out back that Max loved to pet.

I will never look at a candle the same again after trying to create my own hand-dipped candle. Basically, you get some string on a stick and you walk around in a circle, taking turns to dip your string into the wax. It takes about 60 walks around to make a decent candle. After one go-around, I was done! I was the first one to hop on a hayride out of there. The park district is hosting another Pioneer Day on June 28th. I'd recommend it if you're a lover of nature and history...But I'm not a fan of either so I'm going to pass if Jeff and the kids want to go again!