Monday, October 12, 2009

not me! monday

Heather just informed me that my post on Monday did not post!! So, better late than never!

How pathetic is it that I don't have McMama's new pic icon for not me! Nor do I know how to get it, nor do I want to call Erin.....

Just a few things I did not do, and are not happening:

In my last post, I stated that my husband and I did not play hide -n-seek. For Jessica, yes, we played it without our kids... and he wanted to hide again after the malfunction of the chair to conceal him. I did not turn chicken and say, "I don't want to look for you in the dark. This house is too big and I'm too scared that you will scare me!"

My son is not currently walking around the house with a dirty diaper, and yelling "Mama!...... Mama!..... Mama!"

Because of this post, my applesauce did not scorch and burn because I did not forget about it boiling away like crazy! Sorry to let "Becky homecky" fans down! lol

I did not look like a complete idiot when getting ready to run errands this week. First I couldn't find my keys so I ran to the van (across the street) and was hunting for them. No luck, so I went back in the house (all the kids were in the van at this time) found my keys, locked the door, got in the van. Forgot the garbage! I pulled the van to the other side of the street, ran up to the house. The door's locked! Go down the stairs, turn off the van, unlock the door, get the trash! In the van, ready to leave...... Forgot Chris' watch! Ran up to the house. The door's locked! Go down the stairs, turn off the van unlock the door, get the watch! Now we are ready to leave with my children laughing and squealing at my stupidity, and multiple verbal actions that I am, indeed, a BLONDE!!

Monday, October 5, 2009

My week in numbers

Since my sister Erin did this, and then a few days later my sister Heather did this, I didn't want to be left out. Funny how they both blog consistently, and I don't tend to feel left out.... So here goes.


80-- ginger snaps I made last Sunday

29-- ginger snaps I gave away

51--ginger snaps left for my husband

0--ginger snaps currently in my home

2--days I've spent working at my husband's office

61--days since my last post

20--inches of paperwork needed to be filed
(see previous post for understanding of frustration)

31--articles of clothing I need to go iron

7--days my furnace has been running

0--days until flannel sheets go on my bed

2.5--hours spent watching the house across the street get knocked down

762--times Micah has waved to the "big trucks" across the street

28--tulip bulbs planted in the extremely cold wind

0--times I had to get up Friday during the night cuz the kids were at Gramma's

2--scoops of ice cream Chris & I had for breakfast on Saturday

4--children weaned(for clarification, Micah is done now: the girls have been for a long time)

11--minutes my husband spent looking for me during hide & seek
(behind the curtain next to the armoire was brilliant)

11--seconds I spent looking for my husband during hide & seek
(laying on the floor trying to get under the dining room chair was not that brilliant dear!)

597-- verses i've read this week

4628--tears i've cried this week

4629--times God has been there for me

1--husband I love forever

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Official Member PPA (Paperwork Procrastinators Anon.)

My MIL took the kids today..... Hmmmmm what can Becky do for fun?? No ideas..... Instead, I have been going through paperwork and rearranging the computer area. I even am bringing the file cabinet back into my life. I absolutely DESPISE filing cabinets. But I am enjoying the file cabinet more than the plethera (that's for Heath) of paperwork stacked up on my chest in the hallway. And if said filing cabinet doesn't work any better, it can conveniently return to the closet from whence it came!

This stack of paper is about 20 inches tall-- all to be burned. I am embarassed to say there is non-important paperwork in there from 2005. But I am proud to say that my filing is up to date and complete!!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

An Amazing Flower!

These California Poppies are usually orange or yellow. However, over the years in my mom's gardens they have cross-pollinated to make peach. Now I have my own flowers from her and this flower was quite amazing to me. A few weeks later, my dad noticed one just like it in my mom's flower bed!



Monday, May 18, 2009

Not Me!



Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.
I was not surprised on Saturday, Mother's Day Eve, with breakfast in bed from my husband and 4 children!
I did not get sick on Mother's Day, so after getting home from church, did not park on the sofa and basically was not there the rest of the week!
I did not take 2 naps a day while being sick, plus was not in bed by 9:00 each night.
I was not trying to decide which is the better natural hair moisturizer: grease or sweat
My husband was so sweet in picking up toys and dishes. He did not forget to put soap in the DW before running the cycle. He did not tell me about it the following day, after most of the clean/dirty dishes had been taken out to be used.
My MIL did not take all 4 children on Wed so I could have some quiet.... they were not gone from 9am until 7pm! THANKS KAY! I most certainly did not fritter away time watching TV, and if I did, I definately did not catch myself watching "Touched by an Angel" But I can't believe I actually wasted time watching the last half of part 2 of "Beverly hills 90210"
I did enjoy having baths while I was sick, until I'd have a cough attack. Not to be gross, but you usually have to spit after one of those. So there I was, soaking, needing to spit, not wanting to get out of the tub: I did not spit in the tub with me in it! It was only saliva though.... not anything green!
That has been some of my highlights this week! What have you not done?

Friday, May 15, 2009

"My Dinna Went Wight to My Butt!"

That statement, along with these pictures, made us laugh and laugh at our little Twinkle!!



Wednesday, May 6, 2009

MckMama!!

She visited my blog!!! 34 minutes ago! I feel so special!

Wordless Wednesday-- Fun in the Sun







Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Tuesday Tip

Due to your demands and pleadings, high call volume and fan mail, I will make a better effort to share my Tuesday Tip with you! I didn't know ya'll felt that way! haha!


TIP #1-- When using your oven's time bake, make sure the timer is set for 1 HOUR instead of 1 MINUTE, especially if you are having company over after church... should have been on my not me! post, but i think i had sufficient yesterday.....


TIP #2-- Do not use a chair to block your 14 month old from having access to going up the stairs! Well, it worked for a couple months anyway!


Monday, May 4, 2009

not me! monday



Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Since I have not "not me'd" for a while, all of these things did not not happen in the same week!

My husband did not pump only $5.00 of gas in Duluth because it was 4 cents cheaper a gallon in Two Harbors. He did not admit he wanted to buy less, but his mind started to wander and wasn't paying attention to the total! lol! Our refuel light did not ding again on the way home! We did not not fill up until a week later... I guess I truly do not get out much!

My son did not eat newspaper... and did not throw it up whole 24 hours later... no really, I could see "MENARDS" clearly printed!

I did not grill hamburgers in the rain... that was what was on the menu, and I didn't have a "Plan B."

I gave Ashleigh some gum... Natalie asked for gum, but I was out. Ashleigh then decided she didn't want the gum, so it ended up stuck on my thumb... Nat asked for gum again..... HMM.... I did not give Nat Ashleigh's ABC gum...

I did not wash all Micah's bedding 3 days in a row due to his being sick...

I have not been using my hot rollers quite frequently.... I have never put them in my hair while wearing my bath robe, and most certainly did not look like "miss hannigan" from "Annie"

I was not so excited at the grocery store after looking at my receipt. I did not save $49.oo between store sales and coupons... and spent $83.00. That is a 37% savings!!

I was not bummed at my bowling score on Saturday night... I did not bowl 71... After 283 on the Wii, I was not slightly disappointed!

After a city water main break a few months ago, our water pressure significantly decreased... Long story short, sediment did not get trapped in our whole house water filter, and when my husband took the filter out, we did not find total grossness of dirt, goo, and metal chunks.....

I have not enjoyed a shower with actual water pressure, and have not saved so much time doing laundry because my washer doesn't take 20 minutes to fill! Thanks babe!

My husband and I are not starting the Love Dare challange, along with the Love Dare Bible Study, from the movie "Fireproof."

I have not nursed Micah about 5 different times while typing this post! He is not making a vicious cycle... nurse, wiggle onto the floor, get into mischief, cry, cry while crawling, looking for me....

Friday, May 1, 2009

Three Weeks and Counting.....

It has been three weeks since my last post... Hmmm... Erin told our mom she should start a blog. I was appalled by her response! It was, "Are you kidding? I'd be worse than Becky!" Not that I haven't had anything to blog about, I just have had other priorities, and I think about with "not me" on Tues, and "tuesday tip" on Wed. etc.... So I will give you a part of my life of the last 3 weeks!

First off, pictures as promised of the little gems from my sis's that they bought in KC!

This is not going on my shelf!

Ain't she cute? These gifts were from Heather.
Is it an egg? A bumblebee? A bobblehead? Do you think this poor little lamb suffered an identity crisis growing up?
Terrible pic of me, but check out the tacky gift bag! These 2 gifts were from Erin!


I had a wonderful time in GR, and actually got to go shopping with Erin without any kids! I enjoyed the warm weather--it's always breezy here because of the lake, and the kids enjoyed being outside helping Papa rake, and eating lunch and dinner on the porch.

A few Sundays ago, our small group came over for lunch, and spent the day here. There are 4 other couples, making 10 adults and 11 children. This adorable group was on my bed watching Chip & Dale, while the adults were attempting to watch Fireproof downstairs. We are starting a new Bible Study based on that movie. God has truly blessed us with wonderful friends!

I have also been "Spring Cleaning" I think I started April 7th according to Callie's documentation on my "To Do" List. I try to keep my house clean, but once you wash windows, and dust everything, not to mention washing the blades of my ceiling fan... there was actually sheetrock dust on the fan in my bedroom--only 18+ months since construction! No wonder my room is always dusty! It's amazing how much junk gets collected after awile, and always a good feeling to purge some of that! The flannel sheets officially came off my bed last week, now if my furnace would just stop running when set at 65! Since "spring cleaning" in the bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen is done, I'm really wanting to skimp on the rest.... but I see a few dead flies stuck in my lights in the hallway that's kinda eeewwww.....

Mr. Micah Magoo loves the tub! He has been sick since Sat. night. This was one of his many baths, due to soiling his clothes, socks, back, tummy, hair, etc... Erin and Heather were blessed with some pictures I sent! He would only drink breast milk, but I could tell he was hungry for food! He was feeling better last night, so I gave him a vanilla wafer and he stuck the whole thing in his mouth and screamed when I tried to take some of it out, and he actually ate some ice cream--more like--almost bit my hand off getting it into his mouth!

I know you all saw his haircut on Auntie Erin's blog, but I just LOVE him!! You'd never guess he was sick by this picture!

And he drew Mama a picture last night! Ever since Gramma let best buddy Ryan draw at her house, Micah has become more aware of what you can do with paper and pen!

And have I ever mentioned Micah loves our bed? A king bed is not big enough-- before I took this picture, I was sleeping on the right, next to Micah, and before Chris got up, he was next to me on the right side too!

Wednesday was Callie and Ashleigh's last AWANA night. they participated in the Gran Prix derby, and had fun making their cars with Dad. Although no trophies, their cars were fast and stylin'. They are excited about next year, and have new ideas, designs, and competitive strategies already developing---ok maybe Chris does!

I am so proud of Callie and Ashleigh. Callie came so close to finishing her book-- if there hadn't been a snow day, and a few special Awana events that didn't include verse time, she woulda made it! Ashleigh finished her book (only 1 other boy finished his book) and she got this certificate for passing the most sections!!! That's my girl!

I cannot end this post without a tidbit of my Twinkle! Natalie also has been under the weather for about a week and a half! Slight fever, tired, low energy and not much appetite. Her being 4 and only a mere 27 pounds, she needs to eat! Poor baby. But she still does have her sense of humor, loud piercing voice, and personality in tact!
I found this pic on my camera--one of the girls must have taken it!
This was this morning-- she did not want me to take a picture for my blog. She kept saying, "mom I'm trying to read here." This was the best of about 10.

She was saying, "No more pictures, I just don't want any more pictures!" Right now she is coloring with a permanent marker. Should I be worried that she said, "I think permanent markers smell good, kinda like perfume, and conditioner, and air fresheners!"

Friday, April 10, 2009

Tacky Gifts Just Stick with Me!

I was thinking about doing this before Jessica's Favorite Things post. So I want you to know I'm not copying, I just need a little help in the "Anti-procrastination of Blogging" department.... Hey, Erin is my sister.

Over the years, I have been blessed with a few gems from my sisters. Over the years I have blessed them and my mother with some gems... I wanted to share my treasures with you. It's kind of a game we play (started with me & Erin, but Heather has joined in a while ago).... who can find the tackiest gift at the lowest price. Yes, they may look like junk, but to me, they always bring a smile and good memories.

I think I still hold the chamionship with a plate I bought for my mother about 6 years ago. I will get a picture of it. Most of our treasures are purchased at dollar stores, but also rummage sales, Kohl's, Walmart and JC Penney. Heather is visiting Erin in KC this week, and Erin is coming back to MN. So I am kinda excited to see what they bring back for me--they usually find some great things in all the shopping availability down there.
I think I have kept everything, except I have disposed of the peach pants (you'll understand why), and 2 pairs of shoes--one was a mustard yellow slip on, and the other a two-tone pointed sling-back flat. They reminded me of something our dear teacher in high school would have worn! All right, here's my collection:
This is from Erin, and I actually like it... this is one of the early gifts.
These are from Heather, they're kinda cute, but my wardrobe is lacking tourquiose!
From Erin, kinda cute.

My current garden shoes, also from Erin.

The next picture should explain its use (from Erin)

It's a footie for sling-back shoes with invisible strap! I shoulda kept the 2-tone flats!

These have been donated as white elephant gift! I recieved these from Erin at Christmas.

This reminded Erin of me because I do fabulous fish lips! I think this little gem deserves a side view!

How efficient! It's a bank!

And I recieved this from Heather for my birthday!

This is my most recent gift from Erin.... As of now, Heather and Erin are tied for tackiest gift-- the above figurine and the "SISTERS" trivet.....I'll let you know if I recieve any new gems next week! Do you have any out of the ordinary treasures? I'd love to see them!

I am a Fool for Shoveling


The other day I was getting sick of the huge snowbanks still on our boulevard. They are melting, just from underneath, and water is running and everything is muddy. I decided to go out and shovel... into the street! It melted fast and didn't make muddy rivers everywhere. I think I'll go out and shovel the rest today!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

April Fool's Day

We got dumped on with heavy wet snow yesterday. I am wondering if Someone is playing a practical joke on us... (last year we got about 20 inches on April 1) Am I a fool if I go out and shovel.... since it will probably all melt tomorrow.... or are we just fools for living here?!?!?!?

This is the view out our front door. Since the plow went through, the height of the pile at the street is at least 3 feet!

My skinny little path out to the garage..... not that I can get my van out....

This is what the plow left for us in the alley

I'm glad I didn't have to go anywhere today!

Monday, March 23, 2009

not me! monday


Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I was not extremely pleased with myself just now as the not me! icon worked for me!

We did not attempt to give Micah a haircut this weekend.... which was a good thing cuz his gramma said he was starting to look like a girl...We was so interested in the clippers-(he loves electronics) that we did not have to entertain him with the clippers while I cut his hair with the scissors!!! But isn't he handsome???



While shopping on Sunday, Micah had an extremely runny nose, and because I'm a descendant of my mother, had a bulging pocket full of kleenex, actually no I didn't. Because I was in dire need of a kleenex, and because I'm a mother, you get creative! To my daughter's unbelief, I did not pull out my pink chenille glove, and take care of the gushing green goo! I did not have to do that about 7 more times, so my glove has polka dots!!

I did not have some fun with telemarketers this week! Usually I don't answer, but this week, something prompted me to be annoying.... On the first call "Can I speak to Rebecca Swanson please?" I decided to imitate the annoying teenager, and said very sarcastically, "No thanks," and then hung up. Saturday, the phone rang... Chris said "Who's unknown name, unknown number?" I said, "Telemarketer, I'll take it." I took the phone and whispered, Hello? Then I got louder, and someone started talking, but I don't know what they were saying because I kept saying Hello over and over and louder and louder in an old-lady-chain-smoker-slightly-senile voice! Chris was laughing at me, so I had to pause every now and then so as not to let them hear me laughing! I am please to announce they hung up on me!!!


I just had to edit this blog as Ashleigh, age 7, answered a telemarketer's call.... I did not realize it was a telemarketer, or I would have made her give me the phone to play the prank.... But in a high-pitched, sing-songy voice she said to someone from AT&T, "HI, my name is Penelope, and we sell pizzas!" She then hung up--I guess I need to teach her to try & stay on the phone without laughing until they hang up!!

I also did not convince my 4 year old that she needed to spend some of her birthday money. I must add, to buy a DVD that I wanted! (It's McHale's Navy Season Two, and actually our whole family loves it, but it was my idea) After Natalie realized she didn't want to spend that much money, I did not put a bug in her ear that maybe Callie would like to spend some of her birthday money too and they could buy it together! Natalie then decided that she wanted to buy McHale's Navy Season Two for me for my birthday NEXT YEAR!! So I did, once again, NOT convince her to give it to me as a belated present THIS YEAR!!!!!! OHHHHH YES, my kids DO love me!!!!!!!

Saturday, March 14, 2009

One Year Ago

On this day, one year ago, we brought our baby boy home from the hospital! When Micah was born, he had some breathing issues, so after being transferred to St. Mary's, and 6 days in the NICU there, we were able to bring our little 6# 4oz bundle home.






















We were so excited to come home! Not to mention the girls! The signs they made say "Welcome home Daddy, Happy Birthday Mommy, and Love You Micah" I missed them so much, as we were staying overnight at the hospital once Micah was able to start nursing. I remember waking up at 3am, walking down the hall to feed him. I always wore my slippers and long sweater so I could wrap Micah up in it. He had lots of wires attached, so it was kinda difficult to snuggle without setting off alarms!















March 14, 2008



March 14, 2009

My baby went from being so small to learning "so big!" Micah has been such a blessing to our family. He still is up multiple times at night to eat, and screams when I leave his sight. He says "Dadda" more than he says "Mama" but when he is not happy or hungry, only mom will do! But when he is tired, he loves to nap with his daddy.

Micah is an adorable, funny, mischevious, precious little chub of a boy. I am just imagining the amout of food I will need to keep in the fridge when he is in high school!

I'm adding a few pictures from his birthday-- the rocking horse was his gift from Daddy and Mama.













































He was such a ham today when he was in his high chair!