Christmas Letter/2008 Year in Review

Christmas wishes to all of you! The Soukup family had another busy year. We vacationed north, south, east, and west, traveled near and far, had destinations of great things and sometimes we were all heading in different directions!

The year 2008 started out with typical MN cold. I for one, wished for the winter to hurry by as fast as possible. I did not enjoy celebrating Easter in the middle of snowstorm. The kids however do enjoy outside winter fun and took advantage of ice skating, sledding, and plenty of ice fishing.

Thankfully, we escaped the winter blahs and headed southeast to the magical land of Disney World in April! Ahhh, Florida. Seaworld, Mickey Mouse, Disney Princess, playing in the ocean and experiencing more thrilling rides then one can imagine. It simply was the best trip ever. And since I turned 35 years old during the trip, I really couldn't complain since I was at the happiest place on earth.

Spring was filled with swimming lessons for both kids. Trent played his second year of baseball and improved greatly over the season. Addy was in her first dance recital and she truly was the star of the show! She did not “get the stage fright” as she described, but danced and twirled her way across the stage.
[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v312/soupdog/?action=view¤t=fab266ad.pbw][IMG]http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v312/soupdog/th_IMG_8850.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Summer kicked off with Trent’s 7th birthday and an Indiana Jones extravaganza! He enjoyed a birthday party with friends (both boys and girls) from school. In true Indiana Jones fashion, we had a quest for a golden idol and the kids had to work together to solve riddles & puzzles in order to get the next clue.

We headed north to the family cabin and to the Neutgens cabin, where a good time is always had. The kids love fishing, swimming, boating, and just being up north in the woods. Totally take after Russ in that regard. We also traveled to Kentucky again this summer. We stayed in Lexington, at the same hotel as last year, and visited a bunch of the same places that we enjoyed together. This time, however, we traveled to Carter Caves State Park. We toured one of the caves, and Russ and the kids did some spelunking in another large cave in the park. I opted to sit in the sun and read after the bat in the first cave nearly flew into my hair!

Shortly after we came home from Kentucky, we learned that Russ had received a promotion, which is always good, but in this case, it was wonderful news, because it meant no more traveling for him! He is now Production Manager for the wall mount unit at the Anoka plant.

Fall was the busiest one we have seen so far! Trent started 2nd grade. He has his first male teacher and likes school a lot. He was moved to the challenge math class, and that continues to be his favorite class, along with reading and gym. Addy is in her last year of preschool. She turned five this October and we celebrated her birthday with a fun weekend in Minneapolis at the Depot Hotel and water park, dinner at the Spaghetti Factory and tailgating at the Viking game. Addy absolutely loves her stuffed animals and reading. Trent got her hooked on the Magic Treehouse series and now most nights before bed, you can hear at least one person in the house reading about Jack and Annie’s adventures! Three things rule supreme in our house: Pokemon, Littlest Pet Shop, and Legos.

In-between cub scouts (Russ is the Den Master), Addy’s dance class, and Trent’s religion class, we also spent many, many nights out on the football field. This was Trent’s first year with Elk River Youth Football and it turned out to be so much fun! He was the smallest kid on the team, but truly had the most determination and drive. All he wanted to do was “sack the quarterback!” He played defensive tackle all season long and did indeed sack many QB’ of our opponents. He had wonderful coaches, and he has developed a real love for the sport.

This fall, I was also diagnosed with a heart condition. Mitral Valve prolapse with mitral valve regurgitation. Once you get past the scary name, it thankfully doesn’t require surgery at this point. It is more bothersome than painful and I am learning to deal with the symptoms. The doctors have recommended more exercise, so I am looking forward to joining the new YMCA in town after the new year. Otherwise, I continue to scrapbook, hone my photography skills and run around after the kids. I volunteer in Trent’s class every Thursday and in Addy’s preschool class once a month.

We will also be heading west to visit Russ’s mom and dad. Tim retired this summer and they finally made the move to Spicer. They are right by the lake and are now only about 90 minutes from us. Babysitting opportunities increased dramatically for them! Russ continues to venture north to Rainy Lake in May for his fishing trip with the boys (pretty good fishing this year) and again to the cabin for deer hunting. After getting skunked last year, Russ was not about to let that happen again, and he shot 3 does in a span of less than 30 seconds. Deer be warned: Not a wise decision to think you and your friends can run past his stand!


With the completion of our deck this summer and the landscaping in the front, I can say that north, south, east, west, our home is the best! We simply love the neighborhood we live in! We have made many friends, and it was so nice to be able to sit out on the deck to watch (and read while) the kids ride bike on the trail, play in their tree house in the woods or swim in the pool. We also have many visitors from the woods. Most notable are the herd of deer, flock of wild turkeys, and the snapping turtle that have found their way to visit us.

With the end of the year approaching quickly, it’s always nice to sit back and reflect on the past year’s adventures and wonder what will happen in the new year. So, no matter what direction you head in 2009, we wish you luck in your journey and hope your destination is filled with love, laughter, and good times.

December Mail

I love getting mail. Real mail. We're not talking about any clicking going on here, but the kind that comes in an honest to God envelope (colored ones are better than plain white too) and arrives in your mailbox. Now, I can do without the solicitation mail, and of course the bills, which arrive on a daily basis. It's those envelopes with my name or our family name hand-written on the outside or with a cute name label that I get all giddy about. Thus, I absolutely love getting the mail everyday during the month of December.

All those Christmas cards! Tons of silver, gold, red, and green envelopes. Some even have stickers on them, aah the pure joy. Even though it's only 5 degrees outside, I love walking out to get the mail. Once I get back inside, I start opening the days cards immediately. I read the letters, stare at all the gorgeous and fun pictures of our friends and family and just feel happy inside. I share them with the kids, and we leave them out for Russ to look at when he comes home. And then the picture cards make their way onto the foyer closet door...otherwise known as the CC (Christmas card) Gallery.

Once on the gallery wall, they are oohed and aahed at again and again. I even have contests for the cards before I take them down. Best card design, best family picture, and the cutest picture. And let me tell you, it's getting harder every year! With such great sites as shutterfly.com and snapfish.com, everyone has such unique and wonderful cards to share. I love all the different colors and styles! After Christmas, they all go in a scrapbook to be shared and looked at through-out the year. So thanks to everyone for making my daily walk to the mailbox so anticipated!

Here is a picture of the Christmas card gallery as of this morning:

MMM

Good morning! Brrrr, what a difference a day can make huh? Yesterday morning at this time it was 36 degrees, a mere 24 hours later it is -5 and very windy (not sure what the wind chills are, but we have them no doubt). So, I am going to pretend that I am writing this from sunny and warm Florida, even though I am drinking hot cocoa. Wow, I feel warmer already!

Saturday was a big day for Trent and Addy. They have been counting down the days and talking about it all week. Our trip to see Santa. We headed out early to Cabalas to see the big guy himself. The Santa at Cabalas is a great one, he spends plenty of time with each child and gives inconspicious thumbs up or thumbs down to the parents when the kids ask for wishes. Trent asked Santa for a Nintendo DS. Santa thought he might have one left up in the attic rafters in the North Pole. He would have the elves start looking for it. Addy asked for the Nanria: Prince Caspian movie. Santa told her that he wanted to see that movie too! He thought that Mrs. Claus might be giving it to him as a gift, and hopefully they could both be watching it after the holidays. We of course got pictures. But I almost wish someone would of taken a picture of Russ and I listening to Trent and Addy talk with Santa, because I know we were grinning from ear to ear.

After the visit with Santa and some shopping, we headed home. It was a balmy 38 degrees and Russ decided to go ice fishing with the kids. Yeah! I got some quiet time alone and they had fun playing, er fishing with dad. Addy was the big winner, catching 7 fish. She loves ice fishing...takes after her Grandpa Soukup and Uncle Ross I think.

Sunday after church, we baked some cookies (one of which did not turn out that well. Anyone know how to correctly make the sugar cookie tarts with the mini candy bars on top??) and I wrapped a few more gifts. It is beginning to get full under the tree now. As it was Football Sunday, we happily watched the Vikings crush the Cardinals. No one would of predicted that T. Jackson would be the leading QB for week 15 with 4 TD's! Russ won our Fantasy Football league last week and is in the playoffs, though I think he will end up being out of the race for the championship game.

All day Sunday we also waited for the snow. Got mostly freezing rain and slushy stuff. Finally, turned into snow and the wind started blowing around 4pm. It didn't keep the 5 wild turkeys and the doe family away from visiting our corn pile in the backyard though. We also caught a glimpse of the 4-point buck and spike buck (I think that's what you hunter's call them) as well, though they like to visit when it's good and dark outside. We strung some Christmas lights on the deck and that helps with the viewing.

Okay, that's it for Monday Morning Minutes. I need to refuel the hot cocoa as I am starting to remember that I am writing this from cold MN and not the beach in Florida! Have a great week!

Holiday List

My friend and fellow scrapper, Kari, did this in her blog (which you can check out here: http://nkbsweeney.blogspot.com/ And since we love to lift each other, I thought this would be fun to share with all of you and get us all in the holiday spirit!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Mostly paper, but few gifts in bags.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. We always had real growing up, but much less mess with artificial.

3. When do you put up the tree? Saturday or Sunday after Thanksgiving. We have 2 trees. One is the Santa tree where the big guy leaves the kids presents (and something for Russ and I too) and it is decorated with the kids ornaments. Then we have the "formal" tree in the family room.

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually the day after New Years.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yuck! No!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? The Barbie Mansion house that Beth and I received together one year. We realized that there wasn't a present from Santa and we were bummed. My dad told us we should come into the kitchen to have breakfast and there on top of the kitchen table was the 2 story Barbie Mansion complete with furniture, new Barbies and clothes. I will never forget the excitement of realizing that Santa had not forgotten about us.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My sister Beth

8. Easiest person to buy for? Russ. He is the only person I know that has never once complained about something he did or didn't get for Christmas. He is truly happy with whatever he unwraps.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. I have the Willow Tree Nativity with all the pieces. My favorite thing to unwrap and put out.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Umm, do people really email Christmas cards? Always Mail!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? At the time, a necklace that my grandma had made. I was like 14? and it was not cool. And even though I have never worn it, I still have it and cherish it very much.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It's a Wonderful Life. I never miss it and I always cry.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? late September, but mostly because Addy's birthday is in October and some things I end up saving for Christmas presents.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes. To our friends Christmas party gift exchange.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My dad's carmel rolls. He used to only make them for Christmas breakfast. Now he makes them no matter what time/day it is for us when we celebrate.

16. Lights on the tree? Unlike my friend Lisa who is having light issues, I would absolutely need to have lights on my tree! White on the tree in the family room and red & green on the Santa tree.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

18.Travel at Christmas or stay at home? Christmas usually ends up being a 3 day event for us, and we are always on the road. With Trent and Addy now, I am thankful that we have Christmas morning at our home like it should be.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Donner, Comet, Cupid, Vixen, Blitzen, and Rudolph.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A star, on both trees.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? As I mentioned earlier, Christmas is a 3 day event for us, so we open both Christmas Eve and morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? When the Christmas decorations and music starts on Nov. 1st. in the stores. I really irks me that it starts so early because then it seems to take forever for Christmas to arrive.

23. What theme or color are you using? Theme? Color? What is this question all about?

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Chicken Cordon Bleu or Filet Mignon

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A new scrapbooking chair, an ipod, and I always include those 1 carat diamond earrings!

My love/hate relationship with Legos

As a mom, I have this on-going love/hate relationship with Legos. Greatest toy invention ever according to Russ. Trent and Addy play with them almost everyday. I, myself, growing up, remember going to my best friends house and wanting to play with her brothers Legos, badly. We didn't own any, and we could play Barbies anytime.

Flash foward 28 years and now I am a mom of children who have a ton of Legos. And I have developed a love/hate relationship with them. They are saviors and tormentors to me at the same time. Let me explain my reasoning.

I love Legos because:

• they are wonderful toys for being creative. Follow the directions and create Anakin's starfighter or Indiana Jones playset or do your own thing and make super cool ships, cars, and racer pods. The possibilities are literally endless. And can be new every time you sit to play with them.
  

• they keep Trent and Addy occupied for hours. And I mean hours. They dump all the Legos out on the floor and can easily spend an entire afternoon playing with them. They have so much fun with them and can't wait to show you each new creation.

• you really can't break them. This is very important being the mother of a boy. And if you lose a piece, then I'm sure there are another 467 other pieces that will work for what you need to build. They are worth the money.

I hate Legos because:

• they make their way to every room in your house. If I had even a penny, for every Lego I have ever picked up, I would be a billionzare! I have found them in the dryer, the car, the cat's food dish, and in the dishwasher. And the kids seem to have to dump out the entire tub of them every time they play. So, every time they play, the whole tub has to be picked up. Not to mention how many my Dyson has accidentally picked up because it was left behind and not seen. Opps.
  

• they are a source of fierce competition and cause of many arguments in our house. Let me give you a brief example: "I had that Lego piece! No, I had it first! No, I did! NO! I DID! MOM!!" Ummm, can't you just use one of the other 246 red ones? Trent and Addy now usually hold an auction before they start playing. They put all the desirable legos (mainly the people) in a pile and take turns picking their pieces. Arguments still break out however. And usually someone ends up crying and I end up with a headache and a strong desire to throw them all away.

• they hurt when you step on them. Especially at 2am when you get up to get a drink of water, and one of them made its way to hiding in front of the fridge. #&@^! Ouch!
  

See? I love 'em, but I sorta hate 'em too.

MMM

Good Morning! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Saturday morning was an important one for Trent as he had his first reconciliation at church. For those you who are not Catholic, it was his first confession, as he prepares for his first Communion coming up next spring. He had to learn a prayer and talk with Father Joe. All went well for him and he told me he already did his penance.

My mom came to stay with the kids Saturday afternoon so that Russ and I could do some shopping and then later we helped our friend Belfy out at the St. Thomas ice arena. Every year when the Tommies play St. John and the Jonnies, he asks for help with crowd control (i.e. catching and wrangling up all the drunk college students making trouble). We enjoy reminiscing about our own college days and it's fun to be working with a bunch of friends for a few hours. This year, it was remarkably quiet. Not one hidden beer can to be found or drunk chick to kick out. They must know Santa is watching!

While Russ and I were busy, my mom and the kids did their annual gingerbread house creations.

Addy's is on the top, Trent's is on the bottom. They had fun making them and I am happy that more of the Halloween candy is gone!

Sunday we enjoyed another Vikings victory and we got two presents wrapped! Since it was snowing most of the day, Trent and Addy played with Legos inside by the fireplace and then went outside to go sledding for an hour or so. We also had fun watching the deer and wild turkeys in the backyard frolic in the snow (not with the kids though!) The weather people say more snow is on its way for today, so I am glad I have no errand running to do!

Christmas Cutie

Addy was dancing around and playing in front of the tree this afternoon while I was decorating.

I think the t-shirt says it all.

Things that go bump in the night

Don't you just detest that middle of night thing (whatever it might be) that jolts you out of bed and makes your heart race and since you had just been in a peaceful slumber, your head actually does spin around as you try and figure out just what in the heck is going on? Well, I do.

Last night at approximately 1:13am, Russ and I were awakened by the strangest noise. My first panicked thought was that someone had turned the TV on downstairs and it was on some sort of nature show or show about the Abominable snowman. I can't accurately describe the noise in this blog, but as we listened in the dark, we realized it was coming from outside. It was the mix of a yelping dog, a growling animal (or beast perhaps), the sound of moving brush, and howling.

Russ jumped out of bed opened the shade. I really don't know what he thought he would see since 1.) he didn't have his contacts in or glasses on, and 2.) it was pitch black outside. But, like I said, when you are awakened from a sound slumber in the middle of the night, it takes a little while for your thoughts to form. Hence, my statement to him: "Deer don't eat dogs do they?" It was the only thing at the time that I could think could be happening out back in the woods behind our house. We have lots of deer. Maybe they just got sick of the corn we leave for them and decided to leave their vegan ways behind and attack a dog for a midnight snack? Ridiculous, I know. But the adrenaline pumping through me at the time had apparently blocked all rational thought.

Whatever the ruckus was, it then stopped. Russ put the shade back down and crawled back into bed. At that point, he rolled back over and promptly went to sleep. I detest that too. Ha! Like I would ever be so lucky. Normal people still have adrenaline pumping through their body. And then people like me with a heart condition, lay there for another 1/2 hour trying to get their heartbeat to return to what is a normal state for them, which is still full of heart palpitations.

I am really hoping that I don't find the remains of some animal this morning when I go to put corn out for the deer. On second thought, maybe I will let Russ put out the corn when he gets home.

MMM (more like MNM...Monday Night Minutes!)

Sorry I am not posting this edition of the Monday Morning Minutes (MMM) until almost 9pm at night, but it was a busy & joyful weekend followed by a busy & crazy Monday! At any rate, here we go!

Thursday of course was Thanksgiving. We host Thanksgiving at our house, and I think it is something we will continue to do every year. It is nice to be able to have both sides of our family together and that way all can see the little ones we are most thankful for, Trent & Addy. We also invited long-time family friends, the Stahnke's to celebrate with us. We were so thankful they decided to come and eat turkey with us. It was a great day, filled with lots of food, dice games (Trent won $7, Addy won $2), really good wine, Black Friday ads, and more food!

The Pilgrims, The Soukup's & The Stahnke's

Trent & my mom, Me and Russ

Onto Friday. Yes, I joined the thousands of people who get up insanely early and go shopping the day after Thanksgiving. I hadn't slept well the night before, and was awakened at 5:30am when Trent got up to use the bathroom, so I figured I might as well get up. My mom and I had planned to go at 6:30am anyway. Luckily, we did not run into crazy, out of control crowds or frenzied buyers at any of the stores went to Friday morning. Got a few deals and were back home by 1pm.

That evening we went to my dad's house and had the pleasure of meeting Troy and his family. I told you about the story of my step-mom and the son she had given up for adoption at age 17. He found her last week, and then he came to MN with his family for Thanksgiving. He looks a lot like my step-brother Mitch. See for yourself: (Troy, Missy, Carly, Mitch)

We headed to a restaurant to have a big family dinner. It was a great evening, and Troy, his wife Shelly, and their 4-year old daughter Bebe fit into our family like they had always been there. It was truly and amazing and joyous Thanksgiving for all. And to top it off, my step-brother Mitch won $500 from pull-tabs!

Saturday we left early for a Schwab wedding in New Ulm. Russ's cousin, Scott, and his new wife, Kim, were married in a beautiful ceremony. And then came all the fun! Trent and Addy had been looking forward to the day for awhile. Since they have no first cousins, they can't wait to get together with their 2nd cousins and party! In fact, Trent was overheard telling one of his 2nd cousins, "Greg, we are going to rock the house tonight!" And they did! Addy danced with more boys, related and unrelated to her, than anyone else there. At one point during the dance, Russ told Addy that she couldn't dance with any boy unless she knew their name. She promptly walked over to the boy who had been dancing with her before dad had cut in, and asked his name. Done. She just gave him the "I've got it under control, dad" look and continued dancing. Here's a few of her dancing the night away:

We stayed the night at Russ's aunt and uncles house, Jean and Doug, so that Trent and Addy could have a sleep-over with their 2nd cousin Riley. They had a blast the next morning playing air hockey and the Wii. Jeanie served us an excellent brunch and then we headed home to get some Christmas decorating done and watch the football games.

Then we got home and received the best phone call! Remember how a few paragraphs ago I told you that Trent and Addy don't have any cousins? Well, one is on the way! My step-sister Missy is about 5 weeks along and her and her husband Brian are expecting their first child in July! We were all literally jumping up and down and we are so excited for them. I cannot wait to add another description to who I am: Auntie!!

Sunday night, amid the chaos and mess of Christmas decorations, we enjoyed a Vikings victory! Whew! It really was a very jam-packed and busy four days! And I don't expect that it will slow down any as we enter the season of Advent. Thanks for reading!

My Thankful List

I will be busy cooking and entertaining tomorrow, so I thought I would post the things I am thankful for today:

I am thankful for being me and all that encompasses. The good, the bad, and my ugly hair days.

I am thankful for my husband. Russ is the love of my life. I am who I am because he has been by my side and been my partner for over 17 years now. He takes such care of me and the kids, and he is just one of those all around nice guys. And he's not bad to look at either :)

I am thankful for Trent and Addy. My boy and my girl. I have never been so exhausted or entertained with them in our lives. I love them endlessly and am so grateful to be their mom.

I am thankful for my health. Although I was diagnosed with a heart condition a few months ago, it could much worse, and for that I am grateful.

I am thankful for my parents, in-laws, and siblings. Together they make the word family mean something. Trent and Addy are lucky to have grandparents & aunts & uncles that spoil them and cherish them.

I am thankful for the sport of football. I simply love the game. Trent played his first season of football and I am thankful he didn't get hurt and that he himself now loves the sport. Even though my Fantasy Football team is last in the standings this year, I am still grateful to be part of the league and for the boys that let me into the circle. I am thankful that the Vikings are having a so-so season; makes them more fun to watch. I would be really thankful if we got a new coach :)

I am thankful for my Dyson vacuum cleaner. It picks up more crumbs, dirt, and dust everyday than I care to admit.

I am thankful for Trent and Addy's teachers. They are both wonderful individuals whose love for teaching and their students is evident in the work they do in their respective classrooms. They are both simply amazing people and teachers.

I am thankful for Snickers bars. Chocolate, carmel and peanuts together. Need I say more? I don't know the name of the person who invented them, but whoever you are, God Bless you.

I am thankful for our newly installed DIRECTV. How awesome is DVR? Plus, the NFL network, and all our favorite shows in crystal clear viewing. Oh, and with the bundle we now have a new phone service and while Charter claimed it HAD to be something wrong with our phone, I now have caller ID, all the time. It's the little things.

I am thankful you are reading this blog!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family and for all the reasons you have to be thankful, blessings both big and small.

MMM

This weekend was filled with family. Hello's, good-byes, and can't wait to meet you's.

First, my sister Beth arrived back in town on her way to Denver where she plans on now living 6 months out of the year, and then will travel the other six. Her boyfriend, John, owns a home there and she is in love and excited to start a new adventure out west. My mom decided to drive out there with her to help her get some of her things and then she will fly back next week. The kids enjoyed a few brief hours with their Auntie:




And of course we had to do our crazy sisters pic:




Addy and Russ then left for Spicer. Russ helped his dad finish the wood floor in their new place, and do a bunch of other project while Addy was left in charge of "watching grandma and making sure she doesn't get in Dad and Grandpa's way." Not that that was actually the case, but I know both granddaugher and grandmother had a wonderful time.


Trent and I had our mother and son time together this weekend. Saturday morning we spent playing (and me sneaking in cleaning) while we waited for the DIRECTV guy to come and install new system. So exciting for me to have DVR! I have about a dozen videotapes I can now throw out :) I also took Trent to the movie theatre to see BOLT (as did Lena and Addy). Another great Disney movie we will have to add to our collection.

Russ's week with his goatee is almost up, and he is ready to shave. Since our bet was only for a week, I will sadly have to say good-bye. {sigh} See you next bet...



In my last blog, I told you of the amazing story of my step-mom Carly and her biological son, Troy, and how he had found her. I am thrilled to report, that over the weekend, they have talked several times on the telephone and plans are being made by Troy and his family to come visit, possibly over Thanksgiving. I am just so happy for Carly. I told her that from now on, when I called her to get an update, I was going to make sure I wasn't wearing any make-up! Because everytime, I end up crying on the phone from sheer joy about their reunion. My step-sister and step-brother are also happy, excited, and nervous to meet their older half-brother.


Today we spent the morning running errands. Addy had her Thanksgiving party at pre-school and Trent had a playdate with one of his classmates while I was volunteering at the school book fair. My kids love books, and I was given many, many ideas for ones they want to read. That's about it for Monday Morning Minutes (MMM) this week. Now to start getting ready for Thanksgiving.

Simply amazing

Who doesn't love an amazing story? And I have one to share...

About 7 years ago, my step-mom, Carly, told her two children, my sister, and Russ and I that she had gotten pregnant in high school, had the baby, and then made the very difficult decision to give him up for adoption. She always had in the adoption papers that he could contact her. But she had obviously moved & married a few times since his birth and her information had never been updated. My dad urged her to contact Social Services a few years ago and she updated everything then.

Well, last night, he found her.

Social services called and asked if he could contact her. She absolutely said yes! He sent her the most amazing e-mail. My dad called to read it to me, and he couldn't even finish reading it because he started crying so my sister Beth (who just arrived back in town) had to get on the phone and finish reading it to me. Carly, has now had the chance to email him back and also received some pictures from him as well as a request from him to talk by phone. His name is Troy and he lives with his wife and daughter in MT. He is 37 years old and is a nurse practitioner working with patients in physical rehabilitation.

I am absolutely thrilled for my step-mom. It has always been her dream and wish that she would be able to get in touch with him and meet him one day. I asked her when we were on the phone, "Carly, how are you ever going to get to sleep tonight?" And she replied, "I don't really care about sleep, right now I just want to shout from the highest mountain-top!"

A simply amazing story...

Chesty issues

I had my appointment at the Breast Center yesterday, and am happy to report all went well. I knew that once I turned 35, that I would need to start getting mammograms on a yearly basis. With our family history (my mom is a 5-year breast cancer survivor and her mother, my grandma, died of the disease when she was 60), I am labeled as "high-risk." Thus, my primary care doctor referred me to the High-Risk Breast Clinic with Mercy and United Hospitals. As part of the program, I met with a genetic counselor, a surgeon, and got plenty of information to help me make decisions for the future.

I am hoping this will be the end of doctor's visits for me for a while. Back in September, when I was at my yearly physical, my primary care doctor discovered I had a heart murmur. Along with the heart palpitations and fatigue I was experiencing, it made sense to have an echocardiogram to see what was going on. The test confirmed I do have a heart murmur and a heart condition called mitral valve prolapse and mitral valve regurgitation.

What is that you ask? Well, when working properly, heart valves open and close fully. In mitral valve regurgitation however (which I have worse then the prolapse), the mitral valve doesn't close tightly. So, with each heartbeat, some blood from the left ventricle flows backward into the left atrium, instead of forward into the aorta. Regurgitation refers to this backflow of blood through the heart valve. As a result, blood flow to the rest of your body decreases. In response, the left ventricle may enlarge so that it can pump more blood with each heartbeat. At first this adaptation helps your heart beat with more force. But eventually, the change weakens your heart.

Luckily, my regurgitation is mild, so I don't need surgery at this point in time. However, there is no medication for it and so I am learning to live with the heart palpitations which are bothersome, but not life threatening. It's also worse at night, when I am laying flat to sleep, and that has been my greatest difficulty in trying to get asleep and stay asleep. And that makes me tired, combined with the fatigue of the condition, has made me less-than my energetic self the past few months. I am already doing all the things the doctors want me to do (I don't smoke, don't drink alcohol excessively, I'm not overweight, and we eat a heart-healthy diet) Except I need to start exercising! So, starting in the new year we will be joining the new Y in town and I will be getting the amount of exercise I need. Thanks to all of you who have asked and kept me in your thoughts and prayers. I am just taking it one day at time.

**On a side note, for those of you who are wondering: I did beat Russ in our Fantasy Football match-up! I won by only 3 points, but it was a win and a big upset knocking him off off his previously perfect 10-0 record. As a side bet, he had to shave the beard he has been growing for deer hunting into a goatee and keep it for at least a week. I think it's sexy, plus it's driving him crazy with all the itching!

Monday Morning Minutes (MMM)

Welcome to the first edition of Monday Morning Minutes. It will take you two minutes or less to read the bits and pieces of our life from the past weekend. Hold on tight, here we go!!

• Russ and Trent had a great time at deer camp, with our friend Jake, Russ's dad and my dad. But no deer this weekend. Russ shot 3 of them the weekend before (in the span of 30 seconds) forever giving him the title of "the deer slayer." But, I had to make sure they knew that Addy and I saw 7 deer right in our own backyard Saturday night.


• Addy and I enjoyed our girls weekend together. She stayed up late on Friday night to watch "The Wizard of Oz" for the first time. She loved it. And now wants a dog like Toto. We rounded out our movie extravaganza with showings of Aladdin, Nim's Island, and the new Kung Fu Panda movie over the weekend. We also had some fun in the hot tub. See for yourself.

• We will have to wait until the end of Monday night football to determine if I beat Russ in Fantasy Football or not. Right now, I'm ahead by 30 points, but he has 3 guys playing tonight. I am really hoping to upset him and knock him down from his current 10-0 record. Nice wife I am huh?! Can't help it; that's the competitive streak in me!
  

• I actually found some time to scrapbook this weekend too. Did this one from our trip to Berry Hill Farm this fall to pick pumpkins:

We have another busy week ahead of us. And like I always say, is there any other kind??

Today is my in-laws wedding anniversary. So I just want to send a shout-out to Tim and Lena and tell them Happy Anniversary! They are a great couple, wonderful parents, and awesome grandparents. And even though they are not actually together today, (Tim is up in Hackensack hunting with Russ and Trent and Lena is back home in Spicer) I know that their love and commitment to each other is as strong as the day they were married so many years ago.



Happy Anniversary to the "orginal" Mr. & Mrs. Soukup!

The last time you will hear me say Yeah! for grocery shopping

Russ and Trent left this morning with our friend Jake for the second weekend of deer hunting. Trent has been doing awesome in school and at home, in Scouts, and religion classes, so he earned the special privilege of getting out of school early today to be with the guys and both grandpas and experience deer camp for the weekend. So, Addy and I are alone for the weekend. Just us girls. And what exciting thing do you ask will we be doing? We will be grocery shopping!! Wow. I could seriously hear your sigh of disappointment there. Okay, well let me try and explain why this grocery shopping trip will be exciting! And much anticipated!

First some background: I hate grocery shopping. I think the whole thing is ridiculous. You get to the store and walk down the aisles filling your cart with food and other items. Then you get to the check-out and you unload all the items from your cart. Then you load all the items, now in bags, back into your cart. Then you unload the bags from the cart into your Yukon. Then you unload the bags from the Yukon into your house, where you then unload the items from the bags, and place them on your pantry and refridgerator shelves. Anyone else exhausted?! Now you might be asking yourself, why don't I just order groceries through a delivery service? Well, because I'm not (or rather Russ isn't) going to pay more to have someone else shop for me! Just one of my job duties as a stay-at-home mom, and my least favorite one at that.

Anyway, back to why the grocery shopping adventure today is much anticipated and will be exciting...because I haven't really grocery shopped since September. Yeah. My built-up, always well stocked pantry is very sad. The lone diced tomato and the can of soup that nobody in our family will eat (which it too will soon be leaving for the food shelf) are all that remain. Very sad. How did this happen? Well, life happened, as it tends to do everyday. First, I was just so busy volunteering and getting Trent and Addy to one activity after another. Then, with the recent diagnosis of my heart condition, I seemed to forever be sitting in the doctor's office. So, I would just run in and quick get things that we needed for a meal. I was too exhausted and busy to think about meals a week in advance. And the pantry slowly started to dwindle. And the freezer slowly ran out of meat.

Which brings me back to today...Hooray, for today we are doing major grocery shopping! I have a list, a long list, of items. I have coupons, I have energy, and Addy and I are going to tackle the task of filling up the pantry again. And that will be exciting, because then I will have something to organize. Which you know I love to do! And my pantry will be back to being stocked, and I will be back to planning meals in advance. So, it is with joyful anticipation and excitement that we are going to leave in a little while to go grocery shopping. Oh, and Addy is going to get to buy the Kung Fu Panda movie and then after that we will make popcorn and watch the movie together just so you don't think that we aren't doing something really special!

It was the Toby Keith musical show at our house today. Russ called to say he was going to be late and in effort to keep Trent and Addy from fighting or dumping out the entire bucket of legos again, I put in Toby's Unleashed CD. Trent is currently obsessed with the song "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue." He even adopts his "Toby" voice and sings low and twangy. Tonight, he rocked out. We turned the volume way up and Trent decided to rip off his shirt and was doing air guitar and moves from the floor.

And Addy got into the act as well. She dances and sings, though much quieter than her brother!

It was good for a bunch of laughs, they got some exercise, and the time flew by until Russ arrived home and we had dinner. Toby Keith would be impressed, I think.

jewelry party

I went to my friend Annemarie's house last night for a jewelry party she was hosting. Those of you who know me are no doubt chuckling to yourselves at the thought of me at a such a party. It's true, I am not a jewelry girl. Now, I do like the jewelry I own and the pieces that mean the most to me, I wear everyday. I never take off my wedding ring, 10 year anniversary ring and the diamond earrings that Russ gave to me. Those pieces I am never without.

What I'm talking about is accessory jewelery. They come in a variety of lengths, colors, sizes, materials, and looks. And they all look better in the catalog, in the case, or on someone else than they do on me. I'm sure I'm being more pessimistic about it than it is in reality. It's just that I see a piece of jewelry, say this beaded necklace I looked at and tried on many times last night, and I just can't seem to fathom when or with what would I wear it? Now that I'm a stay-at-home mom, I really don't need to have a great set of dangley earrings on to play games with Addy or a funky, chunky necklace to wear as I vacuum the house. Just seems sort of ridiculous to me. And contrary to what you might think, I'm not lounging around all day in my PJ's or sweatpants (okay, I admit the sweatpants do tend to come out on Fridays) but the cute and fun accessory jewelry that I'm talking about just doesn't seem to go with my GAP sweatshirt and jeans.

I'm also known for losing and breaking jewelry. I have learned not to spend a ton of money on jewelry, because for some reason my body seems to repeal all accessory jewelry. One minute I'm wearing it, the next minute it's lost forever. I'm left with the silver chain the piece came on and an already fading memory of only owning the necklace for two weeks. Or I'm playing water volleyball and the next minute, the ring my dad gave me is off my finger and waiting to be discovered at the bottom of Ham Lake. Really, I have more stories of me losing jewelry than one person should have. Jewelry also seems to literally break off me. I once had a really pretty bracelet that somehow got caught on my coat sleeve and snap! it broke right off my wrist. My husband couldn't believe that it had broken just like that. Umm, yeah, that's because it was on my wrist.

So why are you asking yourself, did I go to my friends party then? Well, first and foremost because she's my friend. Secondly, because I can still look right? I can still pretend that jewelry is my thing and that I want it all. Right? Right? And I did end up buying something. A ring. Gold and silver to wear next to my wedding ring. I hope I remember to wear it. And once it arrives, I'll take a picture of it and post it for you all to see. Because chances are it won't last long once it's on my finger.

And so it begins

Time to bring a glimpse of the Soukup family life to all of you. {Try to contain your excitement!} Recorded in the vast world of the internet and blogs. Recorded so that you all know just a few bits and pieces of life in the Soukup household. Recorded because, well, it's our life. And so it begins...