Tis the season!

I'm back!!! Or should I say my semester is over so Ill be blogging for a couple weeks on break. I admit I must be suffering from" Blog Fog ". But I simply can't stand the fan mail piling up all over my house. It reminds me of Harry Potter getting his acceptance letter, minus the owls :) So, alas I will fill you in in my quirky life!
Long story short, the cars in our life have cost us over 3,000 dollars this last month. My phone died. Water continues to leak into our basement while I write, after spending 6,000 on that a few short months ago. Things seem a little rough right here before Christmas. Although on a plus side, some anonymous giver left us a hefty Target girt card the other day. We will give our kids the gift of continuing to feed and diaper them until Christmas at the very least :)
I am done with Spanish and Biology. I was getting tired of arguing evolution and conjugating verbos anyway.. Moving on to fun stuff like Medical ethics! Bring on 13 hours next semester! Please pray for my marriage lol. Can a girl get any luckier than having my peg leg hubby!?

Which reminds me. A man came into bandanas to ask me on a date! Awkward! The ONE day I left my wedding ring at home..I did tell him it was flattering at the very least. He seemed a little put off by my misrepresentation of no bling bling. And Im like, Would YOU want this big Ol rock falling in your pulled pork? I think not :)

So after an extremely stressful and expensive month I decided to go get a massage last night with an about to expire groupon. I go to pay AFTER my massage and she tells me its already been used last April! After asking if they would take a Target gift card, I proceeded to pay the 74 dollars (plus tip) and cry my eyes out the whole way home. Given the fact that I don't even let Zac get a 99 cent ice T and here I went and accidentally pampered myself!

I am soo excited for Christmas however. This year we are just REALLY embracing the traditions and Jesus. Not so much the gifts. I mean I have a brand new pair of shiny Wheel bearings and two hydraulic engine mounts to show off anyway!!

We are LOVING being back in our own home. I spend way too much time walking around naked for the reason of, I can. And Zac well, he loves the new house for that reason alone :) The boys have found LOTS more things to make messes with and more high and random objects to jump from. What more can we ask for?

Talk to you soon!

Onnalee

Not by the hair on my chinny chin chin!

So I am sitting in my car, doing my makeup in the visor mirror. And I see, glistening in the sunlight, these two.. lets call them what they are.. chin whiskers. Not blond hairs, not fine downy lanugo, but straight up now tell me black, "3 little pig" chinny chin chin whiskers. Now this is not the first time they have sprung up. One time actually we were in the car headed somewhere important and again, I saw them in that dang car mirror. I didn't have any means to tweeze and after many failed attempts with my nails my husband got them. WITH HIS TEETH! I am not even kidding. This is from the man who once told me as I was going to the bathroom with the door open, "We're not there yet". Yes, that is true love AND true disgustingness. Sorry if in any way you ever thought I was cute and this has ruined it for you :)

But, if you as a female deny you have creepy random hairs, you are a LIAR. And if you really don't think you have any, come talk to me. Ill point them out for you :)

Anyway, back to the real story. And that is, once again last night before work, I had no means to tweeze. I found some nail clippers and made some attempts at cutting? Wrong. I only accomplished pinching my chin twice and creating two crescent moon cuts. Now not only do I still have whiskers but I have added wounds. Awesomeness.

Also, when I was walking in I saw a van with those family stick figures on the back. They had violently peeled of the Dad in what I'm assuming was a bitter divorce. Burn.. But funny none the less.

Little update on one of my previous posts. I had once mentioned I would remain 160 lbs for life and was lamenting about that. Be careful what ya wish for. I am no longer 160 lbs. I am more!! Woo hoo!!!! Ugh.. I don't know if its the birth control or the Halloween candy but I'm about to stock up on hoodies and pajama pants.. And if I gain any more weight on birth control I might as well get pregnant and weigh the same!! (No Zac, this is a joke. Don't get your hopes up)

Poor Zac. Weeks ago I made a comment that I would have another baby if the Cardinals won the World Series. Um, epic fail. I mean, come on. I really thought that was a safe bet.

The boys had a blast trick or treating this year. They are both at great ages and oh so cute. Zac turns 35 and is starting walking on his boot this week. We are SUPER close to moving home, and the Holidays are right around the corner. Ahh.. Aside from me turning into a fat man with a goatee, LIFE. IS. GOOD.

O

Wordy Wednesday

My camera isn't loading so wordless Wed. out, wordy Wed. in!


I cant wait until my boys are 11 and 13 and I can tell them all sorts of things. Things like how they used to hang on me like little leeches. Like how I couldn't even go to the bathroom without them beating on the door and sitting on my lap and pulling on my clothes.. By then I assume I'll be too embarrassing for them and Ill need to remember these times.

Like how they broke everything. Just this week we lost our second glass ikea lamp. Add that to our blown glass bottle stopper from Italy, our couches, numerous other pre-children trinkets we have acquired and they have pretty much wiped out all possessions from before their birth.

Not to mention the havoc they expend on stores we visit. Just the other day at Kohls, Moses threw down like 18 pairs of shoes in 37 seconds. That had to be some sort of a record. I gave him a cheese stick and strapped him in the cart, while I spent the next 6 minutes bent over assembling them back together. Unfortunately I had some way to low cut jeans on. I felt very plummer-esque. Sorry sweet people of Kohls. I don't think your ready for this jelly.

Going to school is getting harder because its already dark before I get there. That includes a lot of running through the parking lot pretending I have mace in my hand and wishing I hadn't worn pants that made me look so darn good. **same jeans from above story :) **

By the time I get to class without being raped, I'm already tired. And 3 or more hours of lecture tops it off. Hopefully next semester I can manage a few more day classes.. And of course I couldn't be a college student with out thinking of changing my major. Doesn't Labor and Delivery Nurse sound so fun?! Oh well, I'm a ways away from that decision.

For now we will keep plugging towards moving home, Zac walking and the World Series!!! Go Cardinals!

Much Love,
Onnalee

Tidbits of information..

Hola! So today due to lack of actual story telling capabilities I shall share small "mind post -its" I have kept track of this last week. Here we go!





Some from school:


I had no idea you could "sag" in skinny jeans. Oh yes, you and can and you should not.

There is a girl in my Spanish class. She is the skinniest thing on earth. I am not kidding. Like stare at her make me want to throw up the water I just drank for fear of calorie content skinny. I spend a good part of my four hour Spanish class staring at her various bones..

I spend the other half of my four hour Spanish class thinking about Mexican food. These kind of cancel each other out.

Some one in my biology class stinks very badly. Its hard for me not to blame booger eater, but I keep it contained.


On kids:


Being potty trained is a trick on mothers. Because why would we assume our FULLY potty trained 3 year old would start to urinate on various furniture and toys?

How do you ever really know if you want or are ready for more kids? I wish God would send a postcard in the mail, maybe with a stork picture or something. Dear Fores, You are supposed to have about 3.4 kids. Keep up the good naming. Much Love, Big G.

When Moses was scream crying itching in the car the other day, Magnus folded his hands and closed his eyes. "Dear Jesus, please help my brudders eczema. Amen" **insert tears here**

On me:

I am making a real effort to broaden my horizons and make friends and all in all be a nicer, more sociable person. Its not really working. Yet.

I haven't smoked in years. But when I see someone at school smoking I want to jump on them, steal their cigarette and run away laughing. Every day I don't, I feel accomplished.

I believe that I am destined to be 160 pounds for the rest of my life. Not really, but that's where I'm at and I'm trying to deal with that. Me and my Mexican food :)





On marriage:

Zac is making strides (on crutches) but strides none the less. The day he can walk I am leaving him and the kids for a week. This is not true, but I may go get a massage or something..

Husbands, if you want to turn on your wives. Come home from work ON.TIME. Just once, or heaven forbid early. Seriously skip the flowers. We will consider this foreplay.

The house:

We are sooo close to moving home. We have a sump pump and a roughed in bathroom downstairs. Bring on our lovegrowsbestinlittlehouses HOME!

But who will get our kids chocolate milk and cartoons at like 5:30 in the morning if we don't live with my in-laws? hmmm...

Thanks for stopping by,

Onnalee

Wordless Wednesday- Happily Ever After

Six years ago... A Fairy Tale Proposal :)

Fall brings lots of Changes!

Work on the house has started. They are carting loads of concrete out of the basement today!!! Wooohooo!!! Getting closer everyday!

I got my first test back from Biology class. Now mind you, I am very good in this class. Good notes, listening, perfect labs, etc.. Onnalee Fore: test grade C. What!? Totally burst my bubble. Too bad I already used 2 teary phone calls to great friends on my way to school lol. (thank you girls by the way) Most delinquents at my table were just happy they passed, even with a low grade. But I have a certain GPA to keep up for admittance in to the medical program. Speaking of my lab partners,these women are too much. One has ALWAYS had 1 hour of sleep and has to complain about it the whole time. And they all 3 just goof off and talk silly the WHOLE time! I'm sorry I don't want to answer you in baby talk when you hand me my slide. SHUT UP please.

Last night things escalated. One of them sells sex toys. Yep, her mom is proud. So she proceeded to list the catalog and all 3 of them discussed the products, the usage and the results. Oh MY WORD! I admittedly laughed at a couple of things but was astounded at the rest of the conversation. NEVER have I wanted to burn my ears off more.

Zac gets his cast off this coming Tuesday! He still cant walk on it but at least he wont be jamming random household products down his cast to itch and prod at his leg. He just informed me he wants an electric dart board for his birthday. I feel like that translates into a new bathroom vanity for the basement. But I could be wrong :)

The boys are doing great. We went to a Halloween store yesterday. What fun! Not only did Moses pull off every trick or treat bag from the wall but he also tried to steal many a bottle of fake blood. Let me mention Moses' special talent. He can poop in ANY public environment. And he will, no matter what. We can wait all morning and play at home. Then go to a store,dr.appt, bank, school, playgroup, elevator, anywhere, and he is ON it. I just find that crazy and it leads to a lot of back of the car diaper changes :)

So for this week we are just enjoying the fall weather and each other. Good thing I don't have to take tests on kids or motherhood :)

Onnalee

p.s. Did I mention my new AB workout? It's sneezing over 100 times a day! Who even new I had these allergies!?

TGIF and by that I do, indeed mean thank GOD its Friday..

I really have soooo much to be thankful for. Starting with the fact its Friday. Because after 10 o'clock tonight my weekend starts. With my new schedule I am not home one single night Mon-Fri but Sat and Sun are mine!! Muhahahaha...

I am thankful for Sams club. I am thankful that the wine bottle Moses threw did not shatter like the piggy bank he threw at Borders. I am thankful for his birdlike legs he inherited from him father. For they became unstuck from the bottom shelf of the shopping cart, (like underneath were I could hardly reach him), rather nicely. I'm thankful for the Sams worker that helped me dislodge him while Moses beat me in the face with a cheese stick.

Although it stinks that my hubs is in a cast, I am thankful for Valium (for him). And wondering if I should try it myself :) Pros of having one good leg, I only have to do sock laundry half as much! I follow his trail of single dirty socks all around the house. I don't know if we will ever have a matching pair again.

I am loathing Spanish class. 4 hours is just too long. I got my first test down. And by down you can assume I mean "down in flames.. "I mean, I'm sure there are Spanish miracles, but I can imagine God's got bigger things on His plate. And if He doesn't I can make a list :)

It is rather entertaining to watch a love connection going on in the 2 seats beside me. Passing notes, flirting. Matter of fact I got a little caught up in myself walking to class the other night. Conversation in my head: "Well, hello there guys. I know, I know, I'm looking half way decent today. I see you looking. Good thing my hubs got me this big ol rock I can discreetly put up to my cheek. Wait, whats that? Oh I see. That's just a little ketchup from my sons corn dog. Okay, but..I'm still hot right?..." Come on! Cant a mom get a glance without it being from some stain or foreign object stuck to me? Oh well :)

My husband thinks I'm sexy. Yep, he just wrote me on facebook. I got an alert to one of my pictures. This message came to my phone:" I think this is what Heaven looks like!" HOT DOG! Drop ingredients for lasagna I'm making, run to computer to see just what picture my husband finds so darn angelic. WHAT IN THE WORLD!!!??? He has commented on a MEAT LOCKER picture that we took in Las Vegas. Ahhh....He thinks Heaven looks like meat. Whoa is me :)

Well, I guess the only way to get any action around here is to pull a Lady Gaga and wear my meat dress, maybe put a little ketchup on it :)

Again, LOTS to be thankful for. Great family, amazing kids, LOVE my husband, and this Beautiful Fall weather. Thank God for today, and everyday!

Mucho Lovo, (why am I flunking Spanish?)

Onnalee

Wordless Wednesday

Thought I'd give this a try. No story, just pictures and Love ;) Enjoy!

First Urgent Care.. better get used to it.

Doctors visits, school work, Bandanas BBQ, eczema, moving back home... The list that causes my daily panic attacks lol. Its really not that bad dissecting it piece by piece. But some days when it all runs into one another, I could WIG OUT! Good thing this weekend was awesome. We had a fun time with family at the Grape Festival in St.James. Then we took Magnus to his school carnival. Face painting, games, rides, snowcones.. He kept repeating "This is the best day of my life". Talk about melt your heart.

But then, ol Monday had to roll around. Bring on 3 hours of Biology lecture and a 40 dollar copay at an orthopedics visit. The highlight of that trip was Magnus telling the doctor he did not care about him, "at all" :) I am really getting tired of walking into medical facilities with 2 hurt family members. Me looking like the crazo who beats them. At the Urgent Care, the doctor looked Magnus over and commented on his scab on his chin. I thought, "Dude, if you turn me in for some sort of child abuse, I will blow this place up." I kept that in :)

Moving home is going great. We have hired someone to install the sump pump in the basement and rough in a bathroom. That should speed things up. And whats a little more debt in the long run, right? Good thing I'm planning a garage sale. That should take care of like 1/640 of that bill :) Ill post some pictures soon of the house progress.

Off to study!

Much Love,

Onnalee <3

Pick me up, Fall!

Hello there! Miss me? Sorry, Ive been in a little bit of lockmyselfinaroom depression, but things seem to be looking up :) Thanks to an amazing support group of friends and family, life is carrying on.

Zac is doing well. We have a doctors appt next week and we are excited to hear good progress reports. He has taken himself off all narcotics, which has been good. Narcotic husband was kind of like drunk husband. Lots of slurring of speech, falling asleep in mid sentence and you all know the ever present weird urine oddities. But clean husband, after some with drawls, is really looking good. Of course I don't want him in pain or freaking out and cutting off any casts, but I think we are definitely moving forward.

School is actually quite difficult and I'm feeling swamped by Spanish. Aside from a rather enjoyable Colombian spitfire of a teacher, dancing around and commanding "En Espanol, por favor!". I will be AMAZED if I can retain the things I'm supposed to. I've already tried lots of things out on the guys working in the kitchen at Bandanas. But surprisingly none of them are interested in my "Red Note Book and Yellow Pencils". They are however trying to teach me more useful things that I dare not try in front of class :)

Biology is okaaayy. But I'm not even kidding when I tell you about the kid that sits next to me and EATS his boogers. I AM in college right?! He wears like all these keg party shirts and stuff. And I'm thinking, you are NOT cool enough to go to that party. Do THEY know you eat your mucus secretions!? Seriously, I had to move away.

The boys are great. Moses is hilarious and keeps me highly entertained every day with his incessant rock eating and use of new words and sounds. Magnus may as well be 15 with a side of 3 year old crying every hour or so. I love them sooooo much and I think we totally loving rockin a family of Fore.

The house is coming right along! I have actually moved TONS of stuff over and it looks great. I can totally see us enjoying the Winter cozied up in our own little humble abode. Ahhh....

Alright, well, not too informative of a post, but it does feel good to be back. Wallowing in your own self pity in fun for no one. And as I have to remind myself of EVERY day, my life is A-MAZ-ING compared to others, even in my own circles. Thank you all for being a part of it. Lets talk real soon :)

Much Love,

Onnalee <3

The longest 2 weeks of my life, so far :)

Well, Its been 13 weeks since my husband broke his leg. Oh wait, what? Just 3 weeks!?? *&%$ BBLLLEEEEEEEEEP !!!^%$* I mean, Oh it seem like its been a little longer..ahem.. He is doing as well as can be expected. He is supposed to keep his foot elevated above his heart 24 hours a day. You do what you can. Surgery was loooong and they did 12 screws and a big plate. We went back today for a new cast given my husband had a panic attack last night and box cut his own cast off! Soooo many things wrong with that I'm glad I slept through it. On top of all this while waiting to see if my husband survived surgery last Monday (dramatic I know) I lose my NookColor. I have a horrible suspicion that someone stole it. Come on! Can a girl get a break. Since then I have realized I may have left my 300 dollar haircutting shears in Nashville. Someone is cutting hair with great scissors and booking their appts on my Nook! GGGRRRRR!

One nice little thing was celebrating our son Magnus' 3rd birthday! What a sweet boy.. We held his birthday at a creek and had ice cream, what fun! You know whats even more fun than that? Getting a TICKET on the way to your sons birthday party. With your husbands broken leg up in the window and kids yelling in the back. Super. Top this off with the fact that this child keeps telling me he's going to die for Jesus, I might lose my mind..I sure do love that boy :)

After trying to play interference with Zac's leg and the kids I decided to take a trip to Arkansas. Because what sounds better than 6 hours in the car with your kids by yourself? And we're off! I honestly never knew kids really asked "Are we there yet?" But indeed, Magnus has that phrase down. And Im pretty sure Moses was saying that too although I couldnt tell over his shrill screams and sounds of him throwing his paci and snuggle into places completly out of my reach.

Arkansas was wonderful and time with a good friend is priceless in its healing qualities but alas, we had to return, because I had work that night and school on Monday. Wahoooo!!

Today was especially stressful with Zacs new cast, no sleep last night, and an ongoing all out telephone brawl between me and Laclede Gas. Needless to say by lunch I was already exhausted. So, Im unloading diapers, gallons of milk and etc. into the house. I set Moses in the door and continue on. I come in and look down. He is splashing, drinking and playing in a huge hospital urinal of my husbands PEE!! OH. MY. WORD. I could barely contain the jumping and screaming, but they were the only things keeping the vomit down! What in the world is going on here!? I had to google a bunch of inspirational quotes to keep me going. Oy.

What a couple of weeks to say the very least. Funny thing is, didn't this all start out with our little mini-vacation? Didn't you all promise me everything would be great? Im never leaving my children again :)

Honestly I can't complain beyond the funnies. In reality, my life is peaches compared to others. I have a wonderful husband although one legged. And great kids, although one is a self predicted future martyr and the other has a morbid fascination with urine and urine receptacles. Ah..the stories I will tell their wives. Muhahahha.


Much Love,

Onnalee <3

No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed..

Okay so here it is. We are back from our mini vacation of love. And yes, one of us has a broken ankle. Please don't be the 27th person to ask us if he broke it while having wild vacation sex. We are soooo not that cool. We are the type of people who break bones while jumping off our hotel bed and taking pictures all the while laughing hysterically. Fully clothed.

I'm going to fill you in on the past week, but I'm going to do so in a messy, non paragraphed, or maybe not even full sentenced kind of way. I'm far too tired, emotional, and hormonal to try and comprise anything that actually makes sense. Sounds awesome right? Here goes..

Nashville. Great food, fun, company. Lots of sleep, hand holding, movie watching and quiet time in the car. I was extremely proud of myself for not even crying once. Even though I did ask to come home a day early. Oh wait, crap. I did cry at the Grand Ole Opry. I'm such a sucker, I mean they sang Amazing Grace. It was beautiful. I ate so much that any hope of seeing my ABs in the next 6 weeks is gone. But you know what? The fried pickles. Worth. It.

Last Sunday Night, imagine this. Getting dolled up and ready to put the smack down on a seafood dinner for our last nighton vacation. Enter stage right, me, deciding to jump on the bed. Lets take pictures. Okay, now do the splits. Zac your turn. Zac- "AHhhhhh!! I broke my leg. I'm not kidding". Me-"What?" *runs two complete circles around hotel room*, calls 911, hangs up and calls again.

Skip ahead to today. Zac is getting surgery on Monday and will be out for no kidding, like 4 months. Any one remember Adam Sandler singing "Somebody KILL me Pleeeaaasee" The kids I can only describe as alien children since our arrival back home. They do stop crying every once and a while to yell "NO" or throw something. Did I really ask to come home early!?

The week after vacation has to be the weirdest and most annoying week ever! Shouldn't there be a buffer zone or something before you re enter reality? I mean, after I ripped out the back of my favorite capris yesterday and spent 250 on school books, I was about to sneak one of my husbands pain pills and call it a night.

The Bad- Husband broke ankle, kids are insane!, we are never moving out of our inlaws, money is tiiiiiight, and am I actually gaining weight?

The Good- I have a husband, he has an ankle, We have kids, We have amazing parents, God provides all the money we NEED, and who cares about my size 10 butt?...

I cant even wait to share the stories of the next 10 weeks of post surgery madness. The fact that Zac is one of the most dangerous men I have EVER seen on crutches will aid in the comedy of my entries. Things he has tripped on already.. Ragady Ann, Andy, a toy syringe, a door frame..

Thank you for all your prayers, truly.

Much Love

Onnalee <3

Today is the day I vomit, I mean leave on vacation!

So, yes. Today we leave on our "Mommy and Daddy Weekend". I've done every ones laundry and changed bed sheets, Stocked the house on food and diapers as if we were leaving for a month, Wrote a 6 page list of instructions and drew a diagram of the kid's clothing dresser labeling the contents.

Next on the list, finish my quest for a vacation only bikini to get my tan on. I asked the boys to accompany me to Target in promise of a "Mommy will miss you present". It worked. I got a good 15 minutes in the dressing room trying on strings that resembled a swimsuit when put together properly.

I asked for Magnus' approval of the first which he replied, "You look naked". Perfect. Swimsuit, Check.

While trying to assemble the strings in their proper places Magnus informed me he had to go potty. I am seriously still 3-4 minutes from getting this suit put together and he is looking worried. As he starts the well known potty shiver I rush to the diaper bag, dump the cheezits, and allow him to urinate in my snack cup. Yes, then I replaced the lid and put it in the cart only to have Moses attempt to open it at least four times throughout the trip. My biggest concern was forgetting it in the cart and leaving it for some other unsuspecting mother. Remind me to write tupperware to thank them for indeed, having a waterproof seal :)

So I am armed with a string bikini and a snack cup full of pee. Add a Starbucks Venti Chai Tea Latte and things couldn't get better..

Well, I'm on to packing, cleaning, organizing and trying to control my involuntary nervous IBS this trip has brought on. I guess that will only aid in how I look in my bikini right? TMI? I think not :)

Thanks for reading! Please pray for a safe trip, healthy children and a peacefully at ease momma.

Much Love

Onnalee

Summer Lovin

So I have really been trying to take in this last week before our mommy and daddy vacation. Spending lots of quality time with the boys and trying to well, you know, not yell at them.

It's going rather well. I had to do a TON of errands and running around today and they were serious troopers. And all it cost me was a lunch at Sonic and a clearance Iron Man Repulser Blaster for $1.47. I win.

First up was picking out shoes for our Daddy. We normally try and stay on a very reasonable shoe budget. But his feet are killing him standing all day at work and well, we think he deserves the best. Right Boys?! So we picked some awesome ones with lime green. Much to Magnus' excitement. After the boys tried on about 11 pairs of right foot mens shoes. We left DSW just the way we found it :) he he.. ( I figure we paid a pretty penny for the shoes, they can spend a couple minutes of match the random shoes to the boxes)

Target for contact retrieval, pay car payments, deposit moolah, grub at Sonic and try to survive the car wash with Magnus yelling "when are the squids coming?", Moses screaming in fear while I sing "It's raining its pouring". Good thing that only lasts 2 minutes. Zac informed me he was mortified of the car wash when he was younger..Moses is his daddy's boy.

A nice lunch with dad and then some seriously fun mommy and boys playtime. Magnus was tickling my back, then he stopped and looked at me and said, "I used to have have to save up for my games, now I don't. This is MUCH cheaper" Which is a direct quote for a gaming infomercial. I seriously could have died laughing. He is sooo cute. And Moses can now get out a phrase that sounds pretty darn close to I love you. Needless to say I will be hanging on all this sweet stuff while we are away this weekend.

Oh, yeah. Did I mention we leave in like TWO days! Sooo excited! I'm trying really hard to contain my anxiety of leaving the munchkins. Aside from trying to set up video chat on my phone, packing clothes that smell like them, and installing the nanny cam in the teddy bear, I feel like I'm doing a really good job.

On to BIGGER things. Have I mentioned that my Ab quest if failing miserably? Yeah, PF changs free lettuce wraps, Twice. Movies with popcorn, Twice. Baking with all my fresh Zucchini aaaand chocolate chips. Pair that all with lots of staying inside to beat the heat equals epic fail. But like they say, tomorrow is another day! Good thing I don't have to pick up any guys on this vacation. Got me a hottie who loves my belly anywho..

Much Love,

Onnalee <3

Cuttin the Apron Strings, kinda :)

So, Zac and I have taken the plunge and decided to go on our FIRST weekend away together since the kids have been born. Zac has left them many a time for hunting and fishing trips. I on the other hand have never left these kids for even an overnight (insert heart attack). I know that sounds crazy but other than lack of sleep, I never really think about it. My husband however is threatening desertion if I don't comply. So we are off, to our first full night of uninterrupted sleep in 3 years.

We are heading to Nashville. It should be great. We are going to relax, see shows and EAT. I will NOT be posting ab pictures after this vacation. Because if I get to sit down to meals all weekend without kids, mommas gonna chow down!

So now starts my OCD planning. I have already started writing the "note" that I will leave the multiple caretakers, including both sets of grandparents and aunts/uncles. I have completely dumped out all the kids drawers and am in the process of putting labels on them for ease of getting dressed. Preparing meals perhaps? Lining up possible medicines, diapers, wipes, pajamas, lotions, numbers, snacks, bags, shoes. Should I prepare a will? Oh dear, I hope I don't die... great, now my list of instructions has gotten waaaay longer. It shall now include my opinions on dating and college preferences.

Can I include how many kisses and hugs I seem appropriate? I mean, I give an unreasonable amounts of smooches. I'm going to try my best to call as little as possible. But I can see my hubby having to guard my cell phone :) I did mention in the list how often THEY could call me..

I'm just going to miss them so much! I mean, the screaming and holding and snacking and punching. What about the cute way Magnus tells me to kick myself in my own face? Maybe Zac will offer up a few profanities so I don't forget my sweet 3 year old :) But the snuggle, the snuggle and the rare but amazing moments when I get an " I love you mom" ahh.. Is it weird I'm dripping tears into this keyboard?

But does my hubby EVER deserve a weekend away! This man gets up early in the morning with the kiddos, works hard all day long then I pass them off the second he walks in the door every night so I can go cut hair, work or go to school. And aside from the frequent request for this little get away. He does not complain! What a great hubster! Funny, how you can think of all the things you wish your husband was and forget about the amazing things he already is. (I love you 7)

And to clear up any misgivings, we will not be planning on returning from this trip with a 3rd child in tow. I would be crying, no sobbing over this computer for a whole other set of reasons :)

Much love
Onnalee <3

I'm hot and there's a stingray in the hallway..

Day 3 of trying to stay inside while the weather is like the surface of the sun. I have allowed the boys to swim in the baby pool in the back yard between the hours of 8-10 am, then we gotta move it on in because its bordering 100 degrees. The only down side to that is by 10 am today we had already gone swimming, napped, boys haircuts while eating popsicles and played blocks. Now what!?

As far as the gym and my rockin abs go, I have done horrible this week with any sort of working out. The heat is my excuse. Yes, my gym is air conditioned but I'm wiped out by the time I get there, no joke! And the thought of getting sweet Moses out in this weather in full footie pajamas (eczema) is completely insane. So, I post this picture.. Its what my stomach did look like. I'm already way ahead of the game and I seriously appreciate it. God does amazing things to our bodies. Who am I to argue with a couple of stretch marks? :)


I feel we did pretty good with indoor entertainment for the next few hours. But then I felt compelled to clean. I mean 3 days inside. This house looks like it exploded and threw up all in one. Each time I turn around there is another toy, mess, toilet paper, food product or piece of unfolded clothing on the floor. Like in seconds. I mean the boys are apparently having a blast but I"m feeling mildly crazy. So we kept it to one room. And Magnus' bedroom looks awesome. Even vacuumed it :)


Before we can even think about nap I have to find the pacifiers. (Btw we are hoping to take Magnus' away when he turns 3, 2 years and six months after our first attempt.) Any one have any advice on this?! I pull our bed from the wall and find 2 pacis, 1 poptart, a monkey, a sock, a bottle, chap stick and a roll of tape. I don't even have to go to Target anymore!

And as I tucked them both in to bed for nap I look around and see all the other trails of our morning. 6 pairs of shoes at least, swimtrunks, freeze pop wrappers, hairy t shirts (from haircuts) and a stingray, in the hallway. (He must have been lookin for the monkey.) But I think Ill leave him there. He's rather cute.

Its just so funny how things change in an instant when you have kids. I'm not even scared when my toes brush up against a foreign object or food item in my bed. And I only smile and walk by random aquatic creatures in my hallway. I'm 100% sure that someday in the not too distant future, I will miss this mess.

Much love,

Onnalee <3

Oh Boy..

Funny, growing up it was always girls and more girls. My mother did an amazing job of raising three girls by her lonesome. So, as a result I was sure I was going to have girls and I was excited about it. Being a nanny to 2 little girls solidified that. Both times, I was sure I was preggo with my little princess. But alas, both times I detected, before the nurse even told me, the distinct marking of a baby boy on that fuzzy black and white screen.

I remember almost crying both times as I longed for some pink and ruffles. As a matter of fact I am totally guilty of buying outlandish bday gifts for girls because its my only chance!

All this to say. I'm not really sure now, at this point in my life, what I would do with a girl. I have gotten far too accustomed to the frequent outside or bottle urinations. Far to used to not even spending 3 seconds on styling hair. Can girls scale buildings in a single bound like my own two orangutans? I have no idea. Are they capable of wrestling with a 200 lb daddy for hours of nonstop giggling fun? Will they be okay with being 92.7% covered in something sticky, every hour of every day?

If they fall and I tell them to rub some dirt on it, will they cry? Can Zac continue with his 3 year streak of not matching a single pair of pajamas, color or character? I think not on this one..

All I know is I am officially and wonderfully a BOY mom. I love these dirty, biting, punching, jumping, yelling, sticky little balls of testosterone more and more each day. And I actually look forward to teenage years of my sons as opposed to the fear that strikes my heart to think about a girl who may repay me for my own shenanigans. Oy.

So, to the people who keep asking if we are going to try for a girl. Eh...

I'm good being the Queen of this castle for now :)

Much love <3

Onnalee

Cave woman Belly!!!!

So on my flatter, better belly quest I've realized that I need to cover lots more bases than just crunches every second I get a chance. So here on some great sites and ideas for getting started.

1) Cavewomen belly! I've learned a little about this from my mother. But I have really enjoyed reading up on it and trying to fully understand more.

Basically the theory is "Fight or Flight". Way back when, (caveman days) when a woman was stressed, it often times stemmed from being able to feed her family and herself or worries about NOT being able to.

Her body would kick into survival mode. Conserving and hanging on to body/belly fat in order to sustain herself and survive. Our bodies are God made to do just that. For most of us, we are not worried about when our next meal will come. We are more concerned with finances, love, school, kids and other everyday woman pressures. Our bodies don't care about where the stress comes from. They just think STRESS = LOCKDOWN. Belly, you're here to stay. I know I feel as if I am more stressed than I have ever been over our eczema issues. And in turn I also feel I can quite get these last 10 lbs off. Who knows? It could all be tied together. Or it could be my love of dessert. Um like my new sopapilla cheesecake! You must try this!

So, for some of us it can become a vicious cycle of stressing over being overweight and in turn hindering our own weight loss.

There are lots of other bothersome factors with excess belly fat including risks for certain cancers. This article is a great one explaining the caveman theory.

http://glamafit.com/2011/understand-belly-fat/

Another "start" that I will of course add to my routine will be some belly busting foods. We'll see how this works out. Let me know if you have heard any other good dietary pros. Ill be using a couple of these food ideas.

www.fulfilleddestiny-s3.com/blog/fitness/9-foods-that-help-fight-belly-fat

Now as far as the physical aspect. Last night I broke out the Bender Ball. I bought it off an infomercial before I knew I was preggo with the MoseyBear. It was good. I feel like it has some good to offer over a big exercise ball. Hubs took a picture in my pajama work out mode. While watching Harry Potter :) I think Ill stick with the B.B this week for the rest of our Harry Potter marathon then move on to something different. Because my Lindsey Brin workout video says to change it up or you wont get any results!

Geeze.. what ever happened to my great ab routine in high school of sitting up to get another bite of ice cream in bed?

See a soon!

O

My real mom quest for ABS! This should be good.

Belly Shots. Not the kind you remember from college :) But my visual and blogging account of my quest for a better post baby belly. Im starting from scratch here. I will be trying all sorts of techniques I find from Magazines, websites and your suggestions? There is no time limit and no set goal necessarily. Just thought it would be fun. I feel like a lot of moms are about in the same position as me. And if you are, I would love to hear from you! How about you post some belly pics? We could do this together!!? Alright well, here it is. Im baring it like some famous person posting butt x-rays or cellulite photos. NO MEAN COMMENTS. Ill delete you :)

Follow my blog and encourage me to stick with this will ya? If at any point my stomach actually starts to look worse, we are going to have to re-evaluate lol.

Here we go. Im off to do crunches :)

<3 Onnalee

Octopus hot dogs (that really look more like spiders)

In a fun attempt to get Magnus to try noodles we made a fun dinner. Magnus got to help out and that was the most fun. He ate a lot of uncooked spaghetti noodles so that has to count for something :) Very fun dinner for kids. We tried to make it educational by counting the octo legs. Lots of fun!

Fun creek date with Daddy

So I went into work on Saturday and they didn't need me. I went home, scrambled the family in the car and took out for Castlewood Creek. Our new fav spot to beat the heat. We played and splashed and explored as a family. Magnus said" Is this a date?" Yes, buddy, a family date. Zac and I took a picture together and looked so refreshed. Just goes to show what a good night out with the ones you love will do for you :)