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.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
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...
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...
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
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!
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, November 17, 2008
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!!
We have another busy week ahead of us. And like I always say, is there any other kind??
- 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??
Saturday, November 15, 2008
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!
Happy Anniversary to the "orginal" Mr. & Mrs. Soukup!
Friday, November 14, 2008
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!
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!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
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!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, November 10, 2008
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...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
