OH WHERE TO BEGIN!

It's almost time for the weekend again! My life is just flying before my eyes. The ride is going fast and I can't jump off! Last weekend was full of work and some fun. I really wanted to do something "fun" but we had so much work to do. And as I explained to the kids - if we do this work now - then we don't have to deal with it all summer and it will be more time for fun.

The garage sale is tomorrow and Saturday. I CAN NOT WAIT! I have all the crap out of our bedroom and out of the house - so at least that feels good but now all that crap (plus some of my friends) is in my garage! I really am ready for this whole event to be over. We cleaned out our garage last weekend so we could make sure if there were things to be sold we found them. I am selling alot of my baby stuff. Which, some of that is hard to do. I have good memories of this stuff. But man I AM WAY TO OLD to have another one. I can't imagine being pregnant and chasing after Piper. I thought I was tired when I was pregnant with her.....NO WAY MAN - that would be tired - being pregnant and chasing her!

They are suppose to install our new pool liner starting tomorrow. I can not wait. It will be nice to go swimming - plus to have our back yard looking nice. Then next weekend we are putting up our new fence and damn is it going to be looking fine then. I will have to post some pics after it gets all done! I have one flower garden left to work in and then all the gardens will be looking pretty good.

I love daylight savings time but at the same time - it kills me. Last night after getting home at 8:30 and then putting Piper to bed I was outside working in the gardens. It's great - to be able to stay out until 9:40 and do work - except at the same time - I didn't get much down time before it was time to go to bed. I asked Steve at 9:30 if he was about done working on his bike and he said yes. And then by time we both wrapped out what we were working on and made it inside it was at least 9:40! We both have the mindset if it's still daylight we can still be out working and that just isn't going to work every night!

We did get our Wii Fit on Monday. It is cool! Thanks for watching Aunt Jill. She didn't hold it for us.... they can't hold electronics at Target for all of you crazies that call there! She just let us know they had some in stock. Monday night Steve started up his Mii to get fit! Tuesday night I started up my Mii to get fit...... hello..... they tell you your BMI and then when it's figured....they FATTEN up your Mii - It was freakin' funny. There is my skinny little Mii and then once it weighed me - my height, etc..... it figured my BMI as obese - yes I already knew that.... and then it made my Mii FAT! Boy that helps with the self esteem! Actually I was too busy laughing my ass off to care. I did several of the excercises. Some I just laughed thru! It is a pretty cool gadget and I can see us using the crap out of it in the winter. (which seems to last forever in the state of Indiana!)

On Steve's blog he has pretty pictures posted of some things around Ft. Wayne and a link to a blog/website to click on. What a great website - with beautiful pictures of Ft. Wayne. I really encourage you to check it out. I was surprised how many of the places in the pictures we as a family have been to. But still more out there to explore. But with looking at that blog - there was pictures of the Memorial Day parade and then the guilt sets in....... on Monday we went out to Target to get the Wii Fit and on the way back across town we ran in to the blocking of the streets for the parade. And I even thought then we should've gone. But no guilt till I saw the pictures. We should've gone. Seeing some of the veterans being pushed in the wheelchairs missing legs, and some just walking in the parade. That is why I have that day off work - to honor those that have served our country and here I am out at Target shopping. We should've went to the parade. It didn't look like too many people attended the parade and it's wrong. Next year - we are going.

Last night Ashley had her choir concert...... let's just say they start with the 6 grade(bad), move on to the 7th grade (better) and then the 8th grade goes (best). It is just kinda cool to see that the kids get better with age. Ashley was very nervous. I am sure she would say she wasn't - but trust me she was. She called me at work all worried about what to wear....funny..... she wears a robe to sing so who cares what you have on underneath it.... But I was SO GLAD she cared.( I have been trying to instill caring about what you look like to her for YEARS!) So I tried to remember what clothes she took home from our house this weekend....(a whole separate story) and helped her make an outfit. She looked so grown up it just about broke my heart. We did take our camcorder and got most of the concert recorded(thanks Mandy for not putting in a new dvd - DUH) but now we will be able to watch it on our family movie night later this year. I try to remember to record some things each month or when things happen because I think it will be cool to look back over the year and see how much each of the kids have grown up - since that is happening right before our eyes!

I can not believe that I haven't blogged all week - my last post was about our weekend and here it is time for the weekend again. Trust me the week didn't feel like it went that fast..... I was recovering all week long from staying up too late on Friday night and being down at the race track all day on Saturday. I must be getting really old because it is taking me several days to get some motivation back!!!

Not much really going on this week. Tuesday night we went over to Shoe Carnival and Piper and I both got a new pair of running shoes... They look like mother - daughter shoes. Both are pink with silver and grey. She hasn't been wearing hers to daycare but I have a new pair of daycare shoes for her. But last night she spotted her "good" shoes and just had to have them on. They look so cute on her. Just mini running shoes. I would like to take the big kids over there this weekend and have them look for some new pairs. It's time to take them shopping for summer clothes.

They delivered our new mattress today. It all happened just the way they said it would. It was all free - (well, we had a $799 credit and the mattress I picked out was $799) the only thing we had to pay for was delivery and set-up $45. And we bought some new pillows - but in the end it all worked out. Now we just have to hope that this mattress last longer than the last one. Steve and I want to save up for the sleep number bed. So, hopefully by time this one kicks the bucket we will have the funds for the sleep number.

We are looking for Wii Fit.... this is pretty cool. http://www.nintendo.com/wiifit/launch/## check it out. It is pretty cool. Steve said we will have the kids do 20 minutes of the aerobics everyday during summer. But like everything else that is Wii you can't find it anywhere! And to get one off the internet they want $145 instead of the $90 it should cost. So, we will just wait alittle bit and then they will have them in the stores and we will only have to pay $90!

We have lots of stuff to do this weekend... just stuff around the house and the only real plans we have are to go to Huntington on Sunday late afternoon for a weiner roast. Also, there is a bald eagle in Huntington. So, I would like to go down earlier and go walk back where they are and see if we can see the eagle. I think that would be cool and a very rememberable thing.

Ashley wasn't very happy with the American Idol outcome. She has the hots for David Archuleta as did every 13 year old! Steve and I were happy with the ending. I liked that David Cook. Now, he wasn't my pick all along but as things narrowed down - I liked him.

I still have all that crap in my bedroom for the garage sale but this weekend is the big weekend to move it to the garage. I plan on selling my baby stuff. I know, I know, we don't plan on having another one but as soon as I do....... well, I will just have to deal with that IF it happens. And as my husband says - IT BETTER NOT! But I hate to keep it and it all be worth nothing in the end! Most of the baby stuff is in primo condition due to being brand new and only used on one kid!

I am really looking forward to the weekend. And with that I know the weekend will be here and gone in a flash. I hope we have time for some fun stuff too! I also hope to sleep in, which for me is 8 o'clock - but that is 2 hours of sleeping in so that is good!

What a nice weekend we had.

Friday night.... I picked up the big kids and heading for home. I really wanted to get a bunch of things done and around so we didn't have to deal with them on Saturday morning when we wanted to leave early for Indy. The kids all chipped in and no back talk and POOF - we had all the things done I wanted to accomplish. Plus - Ashley's foster parents called me at work in the afternoon and wondered if we had the big kids and did we have plans that night. I only wanted to get the stuff done and I figured we could get that done - so No we really didn't have plans. But now we did - and they had their little grandson which is just a hair younger than Piper - so she met a new friend and we got to visit and eat pizza. It all was a nice evening. I was glad we were able to hook up with them because it seems like we are always going to get together and before we know it - summer is over and we haven't seen them!

Friday night too - Steve got home around 11:30 from getting his tattoo finished. I had just fallen asleep and he comes home. I was glad to see him (I was hearing noises downstairs!) But then of course - he is home and we lay in bed for a long time and talk about our day. Now, I am awake. He was pumped up and so was I. I don't think I was that excited about going to Indy but then again as a child I could never sleep the night before Christmas, Birthday or before we went somewhere. So, maybe that was my problem. Steve is really happy with the way his tattoo came out and so am I. It looks neat. I love the colors and the meaning behind the tattoo. It is different from what I expected in the beginning. But in the end I like it.

Saturday...I was up at 5 and getting cleaned up. After going to sleep around 2:30 - 5 o'clock comes pretty quick. Having all the stuff packed and in the truck ahead of time worked out perfect. We were in Huntington on schedule and left Huntington on schedule. Piper was really excited to see Grammy and Grandpa. And the rest of us were excited to go to the Indy 500!

The trip down was uneventful. The kids watched movies the whole way down and couldn't believe we were in Indy already. Ashley was looking forward (for some crazy reason) to go under the track in the tunnels in our vehicle. So, we pleased her pretty quickly. We parked in turn 3. So right after we got there up the hill we went to watch some of the cars practicing. It was great to hear the cars roaring by. Riley had no idea they were going to be going that fast and be that loud. We watched for awhile and headed up toward pit row and all the goodies up that way. We took a picinic lunch. I really enjoyed that- it's been along time since I have done something like that. After lunch back up the hill to watch qualifying. I slept thru some of this. My nice husband made sure to take a picture of my little act! I was beat. We sat there for awhile and headed back up because OK Go and Sum 41 were playing on the stage that day. We watched some of OK Go and then went to watch practice rounds because the kids - all they wanted was to see Danika Patrick and she was out then. Watched that for a bit......saw some other crazies during this time..... a guy just down from us was rubbing his "part" while sittin' there watching the cars..... so just imagine the whole Weber family all dying laughing and of course we were all watching him too!!! Heading home and ate some dinner and back in Huntington for the baby by 8 o'clockish. LONG DAY! But well worth it! I didn't feel rushed - so we just kicked back and did whatever we wanted all day long.

Sunday......tried to sleeping in. Piper was up at 6:30 - which I was surprised - she went to bed later. But by 10 I had her down for a nap and she slept 3 hours! I did laundry all day. We had to go to Menard's and order our fence. We are putting up all new privacy fence - June 7th if anybody wants to come help! Steaks & beer for supper is the payment! Then we heard from Denver Mattress - they owed us a new mattress - so we went out there to pick it out and it's being delivered on Friday!

Another busy weekend down the drain. It's Monday and I am already wishing it was Friday!

Well, I can't believe it..... and I don't totally yet... the bed warranty guy came by last night - checked out the mattress and said ours has the 1 1/2 sag so we get a new one! It's just that easy... well, I believe that when we have a new one in our bedroom! He said he has to let the store know - they call us - we go pick out a new one - and if we have it delivered we just have to be delivery charges..... OK! GREAT! I am ready to go tonight and pick out the new one - I am so ready!

I am ready for this crappy Indiana weather to break and for it to stay nice. The rain is so depressing. And then I have to entertain my toddler inside! It is much easier to play outside. It makes her much more tired! And mom and dad too - but that is ok!

Ashley and Riley were over last night. We had a nice night. Yes, of course they had homework out the butt! But still, good night with the big kids. I know that both of them are so ready for school to be over and have no homework. Riley is swimming this week at school.

Garage sales for our neighborhood are May 30 & 31. I have got a stack of shit in the corner of our bedroom..... I tell you I can't wait to get it gone!!! I can't even get in parts of my dresser because I have the shit stacked in front of it. I hope I sell it all and make a million' dollars. I really need to take some time and go thru both kids bedrooms to clean them out and get rid of some of there stuff but I just don't know if there will be time.

I hope the weather holds out this weekend. Steve decided to take us all down to the Indy 500 quailfying. I can't wait. Grammy is watching Piper - which works out great for all. We are then heading to Indy. Riley is reading about the Indy 500 at school - so he is really interested. Ashley - I think she is just happy to go somewhere. Me too though. I am just happy to go do something. The last couple of summers we haven't done much. One summer of being pregnant and one summer of having an infant - we didn't go do much. I am not use to that. Before Piper we did all kinds of stuff - so now that she is older - time to start up again! We plan to take all the kids to The Children's Museum this summer and do some other stuff like that in Indy. And we will have to see what else we can come up with. I guess this is part of my whole - Kids need to experience things and be kids! I am just really concerned lately that we aren't letting our kids enjoy their lives by running them all over hell's creation and always on the go - instead of chasing the bubbles, looking for earthworms, laying in the grass at looking at the clouds.

You know something I really want to do this summer.....fly a kite! Doesn't that sound like fun? Franke Park is the perfect park for this. We are all going to get kites and go there. If anybody wants to join - let me know. I just want to stop and smell the roses..... speaking of roses.... I love flowers and this spring/summer I am finding my time to take care of all my gardens again. Man - I love those 2 hours naps!

I hope everyone had a good Mother's Day. Mine was just alright. I think it was the crappy weather just kinda bummed me out. Plus right before we left to go to Huntington for lunch I received a call that my boss had suffered a heart attack and wasn't doing well. I think that set the mood more than anything. I was just worried.

Last night was absolutely beautiful out! I had a headache all day at work and by time I got home it was a good ol' one. So, I popped a new kind of meds....took that baby away in 1/2 hour! But I still didn't feel like cooking! So, I ordered us a pizza. Piper ate like we hadn't fed her in 12 days..... After supper - I swept the house and did some laundry then outside we went. Piper just loves the outside. She was having a blast last night. We were throwing her big ball up in the air - up high- she loves that. Her and Daddy were playing ring around the rosie.... boy is that a hoot! You should see the 6' 5" dad all fall down! She laughs so hard and falls right down with him! We played basketball and rode her bike and firetruck. We even found a toad! And an earth worm. She isn't too sure of those. We found one a couple of weeks ago and she held it for awhile. But last night she didn't want anything to do with holding it. Then before I knew it - it was time for bed.

Then I took my tv time and watched my show - Jon and Kate Plus 8. I tell you - their biggest headache right now is the 7 year olds - and there are only 2 of them!!!! Man - girls....... I can't wait for the drama.

Did you all see that I delivered one HELL OF AN ASS WHOPPIN' on the hubby! I beat him good at the most miles in a month. I won't even mention what he CLAIMS is the prize because believe me - it's not good for me - but good for him!!!!

Friday is his big day (as I am sure you all know that read his blog) His tattoo will get finished. I am excited for him. I am ready like him to see the finished product. I think it is going to turn out awesome. The only thing I am worried about is our sheets on our bed. You all will think I am crazy, yes you will. I am a psycho bed person. It all has to be perfect when I go to sleep - the fitted sheet can't be popping off, the blankets all have to be nice(not all messy) my pillow has to be just right, I have to sleep on my side and my jammies have to be comfortable or JUST FORGET IT! I can't sleep. So, with that being said.... I put an old pair of sheets on our bed this week for the tattoo because he will bleed and get ink on the them Friday night. Well, these sheets are for an old bed and the fitted one isn't as deep as our new ones. So, I told Steve - they better work out because I gotta have my sleep!!!

Everybody ready for the weekend??? It's Mother's Day this weekend. Don't forget your moms - they deserve your attention for at least one day!

Been a busy week again - like everyone elses I am sure.

Yesterday I took the day off work to go shopping with my best friend - Jan. We had a nice day. It would've been nice to have a little bit better weather - but when you need a day away - it DOESN'T matter. I was just happy it didn't rain. The kinda disappointing thing was we didn't find much to buy. Not that either of us had much money..... but that has NEVER stopped us before. It was nice to eat a meal and shop without having to worry where or what my little one was doing! It is also fun to talk to Jan - who has a 15 year old daughter. I get to hear about ALL the stuff i have to look forward to dealing with having 2 girls. I can't wait!

We have Ashley and Riley tonight until tomorrow morning for our part of Mother's Day so I can see them for Mother's Day. And we do that same thing for their step-dad on Father's Day. We plan on going out to eat and then probably home. It will be a busy and quick visit. But nice that I get to see them and celebrate Mother's Day with them.

Not much more going on this weekend. We will see my mom sometime this weekend and hopefully hook up with Steve's mom sometime too.

We received an email today from Riley's teacher saying that he got an A- on his spelling test - only missed 1 word out of 13. And he got a C+ on his math test. THAT IS JUST GREAT FOR HIM! Steve and I are so proud. His teacher recently moved his desk to over where the more "motivated" kids are. Maybe it's paying off! We plan to make a BIG DEAL about this tonight. This is just great. And he is definetly a kid that thrives ( I guess they all do) when you give them praise.

Keep your eyes on the miles tracker to the side...... The challenge is over on May 13 - but in fairness to my hubby (I don't know why I should be fair.... he says fair is a place you go ride - rides - so screw him! ) No really in fairness to him - his back has been acting up - so I will probably whip his ass because of that (at least that is the excuse he will use!) I just hope his back isn't acting up because of our bed!!! They are suppose to send someone to look at it to see if its under warranty - so maybe we will end up with a new bed!

HAPPY VOTING DAY! Have you voted today???? If not, please do so. It is so important that you go cast your vote. This is a right that has been given to us as Americans.... you all really should take the opportunity to hit the poles and let your voice be heard. Like the ol' blog today in red, white and blue!

Steve and I voted on the way to work today. I am afraid of what the lines will look like after work so we went early. We took Piper in with us. Usually we take turns but I wanted to take her in. I wish it was like when I was little and you pulled the handle and the curtain closed behind you. That was cool as a kid. My parents always took us to vote with them. I always remember my parents voting. Piper behaved very well. Well, she was still half asleep so that was to our advantage!

Last night after walking the shit head dogs... I was catching up on some recorded shows. I had the Oprah recorded that was the show that followed her Big Give show. It was cool because Ft. Wayne was the town that had the biggest give with the $10,000 they had to start with. It was neat to see our city and mayor and resident on the the Oprah show and have her congratulate our city. So, with this show - there was this little kid - it was his 4th birthday and he told his mom that he had enough stuff and toys - so he didn't want anything for his birthday he wanted to give his presents to kids that needed stuff..... a 4 yr. old yes.....

Well, to start the story over....Ashley was assigned this school project this year - a philanthropy project. They were given $25 to take a make an investment (ie... buy stuff to have a bake sale, etc.) in other words take the $25 and make more money with it and give the money to charity. Well, Ashley convinces her 2 friends to go in with her - Ashley's step-dad is making screen printed stuff now out of the house and they are going to make a t-shirt to sell and make their money to give to charity. Each girl gives their $25 Visa card to Ashley and she gives it to the t-shirt guy. He charges them to make this design.... and he is supposedly going to donate the shirts. In the end...... Ashley sold one shirt for $10 and the other 2 girls sold nothing and NO shirts were printed up. Ashley learned WHAT from this project????? And no visa cards were returned. So, the whole $75 gone.... gone where?????

I was so excited when she was telling me about his project AND so was she. She couldn't wait to get started (this is before she decided what she was going to do with her $25) Then as the project when on and we kept tabs on what was going on with her project - she wasn't excited and wasn't doing ANYTHING! I guess in the end she ended up with a decent grade on the project which I don't know how when she (in my mind) didn't complete it....

I was excited for this project because I was really hoping it would be a way to teach her about helping others and ways to take a few bucks and make a mint for an organization. Or just a way for her to see some less fortunate situations and MAYBE it would foster something in her and give her something to be passionate about. I don't know how some of these kids you see start a penny pitch because they want to help the kids in other countries buy shoes (just an example) and then some - don't get it at ALL!

Then I watch this 4 yr. old who wants to give his birthday presents to some other kids and from there it starts this big, huge giving scene in his community. A FOUR YEAR OLD STARTED THIS IDEA......

I am making my children watch this Oprah. I want Ashley to see, I want Riley to see and if Piper will sit still(who am I kidding) I want her to see. I give money to charity and I give donations every time I can. Is it enough? Probably not. But I plan on changing that. With Piper getting older and freeing up some of my time - plus I want to include her too.

I plan on having Ashley complete her project by the way. But in a different way..... she is going to volunteer somewhere this summer. I want her to see that her money could've gone to a place like these and who it could've helped.

Everybody's workin' for the weekend...... and it will be here and gone! We have lots to do this weekend so I am sure it will go very fast.

Last night we took Piper to the park again...she was so excited when we pulled in to the parking lot and she realized where we were at! Her and I played while Steve went and rode the trails again. It works out so nice. He gets his ride in and we get to play! It was nice at the park last night... the weather wasn't the greatest so there wasn't many hillibillies there! She played on the stuff and hit the swing several times. I love spending that time with her. I can't believe how many people though come and don't keep track of their kids there. Just amazes me!

After the park we went to Arby's to eat. I was starvin' by time we got there so I was ready to eat everything on the menu. I have been walking/running my butt off the last several weeks (see the miles marker on the side) and when I weigh myself the scales ain't movin' for shit! Of course I haven't changed my eating habits a ton - but I have made several changes. (hence not much PEPSI damn it!) So, I go for a run/walk again last night -especially after the chicken bacon swiss from Arby's! I am complaining to the hubby this morning and he tells me he didn't lose weight when he started running too. WTF???? I am doing this to be healthier yes BUT alittle weight loss would be nice......... but he then informs me that my fat is turning to muscle and muscle weighs more - so just be patient - the weight loss will come. Then I put on my jeans and they are loose. THAT IS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT BABY!! Ok - I am happy (for now)

I have a couple of good books coming soon. I ordered Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life (Paperback)by Sophie Uliano (Author), Julia Roberts (Foreward) and COLOR CODE, THE: A REVOLUTIONARY EATING PLAN FOR OPTIMUM HEALTH. I hope they are both filled with lots of information I am looking for! The color code one will be interesting with as much fruits and veggies that Piper likes. From a little glimpse at that book there is some sort of diet in there that helps with getting the vitamins from all the different colors. I will have to let you all know how the pan out.

We have the big kids EVERY Friday this month. With our normal weekends and the holiday weekend and the overnight we got for Mother's Day - we have them every Friday in May..... man I better hit the liquor store. Steve asked me the other night if I was ready and I told him no. But this will be a good workout for the summer vacation which isn't far away! I already know my mother's day present. A kick ass pair of running shoes! Can't wait to get them and break them in!

Remember - Fat & Skinny Tire Festival in Winona Lake this weekend if you want something fun to do. Plus I heard that Sol Fest is going on this weekend. It's usually at Fox Island. A cool thing to go check out - both fun if the weather is nice!