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My blog performance has been downright sad. February was a gloomy month. This winter really took a toll on me. My grandparents used to always leave during the winter and go somewhere warm and now I know why. I hope that when I am retired, I will be able to afford to do the same, except they chose to go to the desert. I will probably opt for the beach! Several of my friends and I have come to the conclusion that we could have that seasonal disorder. You know, the one that just makes you not want to do anything? Basically it gives you an excuse for being lazy. I doubt that it is a true medical condition. This weekend was so awesome with the warm weather. The boys could not wait to get outside and play and even Clint was thrilled. He farmed all weekend to his heart's content, "ripping," until it stormed early this afternoon. After the weather cleared we took our first spring walk around the neighborhood. This weekend I thouroughly cleaned the inside of my car and I discovered some very disturbing items. My children are packrats and pigs. Going from a large SUV to a car has been an adjustment, but I was shocked as to how many toys, juice bottles, and wrappers my boys hide under seats and in little nook and crannies. Since my last blog, there are a few exciting things that I want to share. One being that Owen is finally fully potty trained. It happened just as I predicted. He decided on his own that he would take care of his business and be a "big boy!" I have been keeping true to a few of my new year's resolutions. I have been running at the gym and I was slowly working my time up, but I had a weird week long virus that left me just feeling awful, so that has put me back a bit. My goal is to still run a 5K with my friend this year. Lastly, I read a great book called The Shack. I had seen it in stores, but our church did a 4 week series on it. That was the motivating factor to read it and I was so glad that I did. For anyone who has had tragedy or heartache in their life and wants to know where God fits in, you must read this book. For now, enjoy the warm weather until the next cold snap arrives, which I think is later this week.
I have been a little lax on my blogging, but there hasn't been too much going on. Last weekend, Clint and I had a weekend to ourselves and went to Memphis to see one of my favorite all time bands, AC/DC. Thanks to my dad, I have always loved them. They can get you fired up to do just about anything. I especially like to listen to them when I am cleaning, it makes the job so much less mundane. It was absolutely amazing to see such a legendary group of true rockers keep a crowd on their feet for 2 hours. Angus Young was so much fun to watch and I was in awe of his guitar playing. He is one of the best. It was the best concert I have ever attended and I hope that they tour again, so I can take Stephen when he is older. He was so disappointed that he couldn't go, but he is a little young! Clint and I were surprised to see such a diverse crowd. We saw people of all ages and all different backgrounds at the concert. And yes, we did see some parents who took their 8 year olds, but we didn't tell Stephen that. I did buy a dvd of the band playing live, and Stephen and Owen both really enjoyed watching it. Maybe they will grow up to be guitar prodigys...
Teachers are as bad as students and love snow days. Yes, I mentioned in an earlier post that I was sick of winter, but I can handle a few extra days off hanging out with my kids. Stephen could play outside in the snow all day if we would let him. Yesterday he spent 5 hours in the snow, riding his four wheeler and having snow ball fights with his dad and friends. I am lucky to be married to an avid hunter, as we have an arsenal of very warm hunting clothes of varying sizes. Stephen and Owen are well prepared for the bitter cold, which was an advantage as they were able to play in the snow for quite a while. Owen was adorable in the snow so bundled up he could barely walk. He spent a majority of his time just rolling around in it. The only thing that he dislikes is when his gloves get wet from all the rolling around and his tiny hands get so cold! When I brought him inside his hands were burning and he was trying to find band aids for them. I think we are going to have to invest in some water resistant gloves for the little guy. The drawback to this weather is having to make up our school days in May, but I guess I will just worry about that when the time comes and enjoy it now!! 
Yes, another post on potty training. It is consuming our lives here at the Willis household. We made a little progress this week, but as of Friday, Owen still feels the need to do his business in his pants. Today we had a rather messy episode, and I accidently flushed his underwear down the toilet. Needless to say, Mommy's bathroom is incapacitated at the moment. I didnt have a good enough grip on the waistband of his underwear when I flushed the toilet for a little help in the clean up. I yelled out, "NOOOO!" when the toilet overcame my weak two fingered grip on a much loved pair of Lightning McQueen underwear. I have a method to this madness, you see. As soon as it happened, I tried to get a wire hanger in the toilet thinking maybe they didnt go down very far. Do you realized how hard it is to find a wire hanger in today's households?? Anyway, Lightning McQueen is lodged somewhere in our pipes. Clint was farming and I called him just saying, "I did something bad." Stephen flushed a rubber duck down the toilet once, and the toilet had to be lifted out where ducky was lodged underneath. Each year I do something stupid that involves plumbing. Last year it was flushing wayyyyyy too many noodles down the garbage disposal and clogging the pipes. FYI, noodles dont go down the drain in a huge wad. Neither do underwear.
The cold weather has taken a toll on my mind and body. This winter has not been snowy or icy, but the cold temperatures and wind have gone to the core of my soul. I detest it. I seriously think I have a case of winter blues. I am tired and just so BLAH lately! All I can think about is the warm sun and my favorite vacation place, Destin, Florida. The crystal blue water and white fluffy sand would be the perfect remedy right now. We had no plans of going there again this year, but I am starting to wonder if there is a way. Hmmmmmm.......
Today was a fantastic family day together. This morning I received my 7:30 wake up call from Owen. The child never sleeps late and is always the first one up. I can count on him to wake me up, let the dog out if he needs to go out if I am still sawing logs, or even sneak into the kitchen cabinet to get himself a snack. Stephen was up as well so I decided we would just go to the 9 am church services. Clint even decided to come along today. He hadn't been to Cape La Croix yet, and I was a little nervous as to what he would think since it is so far off the traditional catholic upbringing that he was raised with. When we pulled into the parking lot, Owen was so excited because he loves going to the "tree" church, because of the massive rainforest they have in the children's annex. Clint was open minded about the experience, but he did say it was different. I felt the same way at first, but now truly enjoy going each week. I have never WANTED to go to church before until now! Is that normal??After church, we went to Best Buy to get a wii fit. They weren't open yet, but I knew that they would have some in. We sat in the parking lot for about 15 minutes and then other people started pulling up. Finally 5 minutes before they opened the door, the crowd gathered at the front door in a small mob to get a wii or wii fit. I felt ridiculous. However, I got the wii fit and everyone here is happy. After Best Buy, we hit Logan's for a quick lunch and everyone was good! Usually we have fighting or table issues, but today was a great day. We came home, but we decided not to break out the wii fit just yet. Clint had to watch the football game, so I took a nap. The boys played with very little fighting, might I add! Tomorrow Stephen and I are off, which makes the weekend even better.
"Poop is stupid."
This was Owen's response, very matter of factly, when I asked him if he needed to go potty. I could not help but laugh hysterically. The kid does have a point, but I am afraid that this is something that we can hardly change about nature. So by that response, you can tell that we have not moved any farther forward in our quest for potty independence.
I just love make up.I love getting new things for my face! I rarely go anywhere without putting make up on because that is just the way I am. Call me a priss.The past few years, I have been using a lot avon products because I like them so much, so I decided I would go out on a limb and become an avon lady. Just call me Avon Annie. Anyway, what girl doesn't like make up and all the other fun cutesy stuff that avon has in their catalog? I am not out to make tons of money in this little endeavor, just maybe some pocket change and enough to pay for my beauty supplies. I certainly don't think anyone can complain about that!
Today I decided that it was time that I buy a wii fit for the family. Not really for myself, but for Clint. He has gained a few pounds and it is very important that he keep his weight within a certain range due to his back problems. It is so hard not to stay in our exercise routine in the winter time, but for his health, it is crucial that he keeps his core muscles strong. So, after church, I started my quest. 30 minutes later, I was still searching. I went EVERYWHERE. Finally after 2 hours of going to every possible place in Cape Girardeau that sells electronics, I surrendered. I guess even after almost 3 weeks after Christmas, no one around here believes in restocking their shelves? Ugh! I even looked on ebay, where people are selling them for almost double the retail price. No thank you. Clint gave me "the look" about the whole situation, but I told him not to mess with me about it. I know what is best when it comes to my boys around here. I am going to be his worst nightmare if he doesnt do what I say. HA! And yes, I will admit, I do want to use it too. So, if you know of a place that has some wii fits, please let me know!!
2oo9 has definately come in with a bang! Monday was back to school for Stephen and I. We reluctantly drug our feet out of bed, but by the next day, we were back in our routine. As for Mr. Owen, not so much. Getting him out of our morning routine over Christmas break took a toll on him. Mornings here were in a word, haneous. His behavior at home this week has not been so good and I have had sort of a Mommy meltdown. We are struggling with pooping in pants, fighting with his brother, and being just plain hard headed. Owen has been special in his own right since before he was born. 8 weeks before my due date, he wanted to come out and see the world. 6 weeks before my due date I was in a horrible car accident where I broke 3 ribs and had to be cut out of my Explorer with the jaws of life. Again, he wanted to come out and say hello. Finally, Owen won out and was almost 4 weeks early. The name "Owen" means fighter or warrior in the English language. And that is exactly what he is. Owen has always done things his own way and in his own time. He crawled late, walked late, and even talked late. And yes, I guess the pooping on the potty will be late too. He makes me crazy but we love him so much. He is sweet, caring, loving, and mean as a snake at the same time! As for my other son, I couldnt be prouder of him! Stephen brought home an almost perfect report card and I am so proud. When I think back to Stephen's preschool years, I can remember some hard headedness, but I know how different it was with just one child. Stephen is so excited that baseball is right around the corner. Friday night I needed some much needed time to myself, so I went and saw Bride Wars with my friend Julie. I must say, it is one of the best chic flicks ever. It is chick flick greatness. My wonderful parents saw my need for Mommy alone time, and took the boys overnight. Clint and I went to Belle Italia tonight and had a wonderful dinner and actually adult conversation without being interrupted. It was wonderful. Then we did a little shopping and came home. Tomorrow I look forward to going to one of my new favorite hang outs, Cape La Croix church. Each time I go, I truly receive such a great message about what God wants for me. Last week was to simplify life for God. I am ready to do that, but still trying to figure out just how!!
Happy New Year to everyone! Last night we rang in the new year by going to a murder mystery dinner. Clint's cousin, Matt, and his wife, Britnit threw the dinner. Kids were also invited, but they were corralled in the basement with plenty of things to do. Anyway, to make the mystery dinner more fun, each character had to dress their part. My role was an airline attendant (who really was an FBI agent) and Clint was a bodyguard. He had to wear athletic wear, a tacky chain, and he could not take his sunglasses off throughout the dinner. The setting was 1985 in Denver, Colorado. Britni and I had a blast searching for the perfect outfits at the Salvation Army thrift store. We found lots of 80's garb to wear, and it was very hard to narrow down our outfits. We also could not contain ourselves with our hair and make up, which I must say, was very 80's. I think we used an entire can of hairspray to prepare for the event. After the dinner was over, I got out of my God awful flight attendant attire and several of us rocked out with the Rock Band game. I still looked the part of an 80's rocker though with my hair.
