Beginning of Lake Season

Well, this weekend Tim took the kids up to his parents and began a summer of what I am sure will be many trips up to the lake.

Lilly was more interested in sand than the water.
It was cold...but I guess kids don't mind so much!

First boat ride of the season and she didn't want to sit still...so picture a drunk trying to walk on a moving boat and that is probably what Lilly looked like!

As you can see so much fun in the sun can make you sleepy...

doesn't happen too often at this age so you just have to enjoy those moments when they do occur. Too cute. I will blog later about what I did this weekend...not quite so much fun in the sun but I do have a clean house to show for it...well I did.

36 hour adventure

So about last night around 8:30 I arrived home from a 36 hour adventure. This wonderful carpet company whom one of my favorite girlfriends (and original interior design mentor) now works for, took me and my beautiful work associates on a Carpet Mill tour in Dalton, GA. The trip started out and ended a little rough as you can read about here. But overall it was a great little getaway filled with many things. First we stopped to see how Carpet tile was made which was very cool. Then we were off to check into our accomodations which I have to say if you are ever planning on staying in Chatanooga I would definitely stay here...well without children that is. Very quaint little B&B right downtown. This was my very own room...along with Yes...that is a jacuzzi tub and Yes...I did jump in.
After we checked in we got to go to this great Glass Studio and actually blew our own glass christmas ornaments. Of course I forgot my camera in my room so you can check out some pics both here, and I am sure here. After that it was out for dinner with their carpet designers and then off to the mill the next day. At the mill we were filled with knowledge about Nylon yarns, tufting machines, dying vats, backing, and so much more. (It is a very interesting process even if you don't spec carpet everyday). We even got to eat lunch with the President of the company before we took off. After a 2hour delay out I would have to say we were exhausted. We realized we never got a pic of us girls, but weren't really up for posing at the airport. So I did find some pics from last year that I had to post b/c we are just all so cute! :)

Thanks for a great time Christi! And don't worry we'll keep spec'n!

My little baby mama

Two at once?
Oh Miss Lilly is really getting into her baby dolls. It is Oh too cute. This week I taught her how to wrap them up all snuggly like I use to do to her...oh so sad my baby is soooo big!!

Let's get Real...

So I decided that my blogs are going to start getting a little more "real" here at Hess Happenings. B/c I am sure if you are a frequent (or non-frequent) stopper-byer of the blog that I tend to probably make everything look "just dandy" here in the land of Hess. I know most of you know that that is far from reality but I figured I might as well start sharing some of the bad along with the good.

One good example that I was reminded of after reading my friends blog was last week at the grocery store. Now I will blame a bit of this on myself since it was nearing lunch time and my kids were not up to feeling 100% healthy yet, but it was Lucas' turn to bring snacks to school the next day and we were literally running in to pick up 5 things.

At first I thought things were going well. We parked right next to a GREEN car cart. Lucas was sooooo excited and actually wanted Lilly to sit next to him...(just don't touch his wheel). We headed for the produce department and grabbed the weekly must-have fruit items then headed to the cookie isle to grab some Teddy Grahams to go with the Go-gurts we already had so Lucas would have snacks for school. That's when things turned very ugly very fast.

As soon as I threw them in the cart Lucas asked if he could have some...now I don't know about you, but typically I could care less if we open up the box of crackers/snacks at the store while shopping before we actually "pay" for them. It always gets paid for, they still get thier money and everyone is happy right? (If you happen to disagree with this please feel free to leave a comment). But I am honestly not sure how any mom with two children who has to buy a cartload of groceries does NOT do that.

But that day was different, it was our last item of 5 and all we had to do was check-out which was 15' away. So I told Lucas No and explained that we were done and were going to check-out and I would open them when we got in the car. For some reason I think Lucas stopped listening after I said the word No...hmmm. He then proceeded to beg and plead for some cookies as I continue to say no and push the cart the 15' to the self-check out. Lilly now catches on that there is food in the cart and now she wants some too. So they are both trying to turn around and beg and plead and whine (not quietly) through the little window in the back of the car. In the meantime Lucas doesn't want Lilly to lean on him while she is trying to turn around in a moving vehicle cart and Lucas keeps yelling "Don't push me Lilly!" and then head butts her head with his. We are now 5' from the scanner machine and the self-check out lady sees my 3 year old beating my 1 year old with his own head and is just staring at me with big eyes and says "Oh My!" So I pull up and grab Lilly out who is now crying b/c her big brother hurt her, console her for a minute while Lucas continues to beg and plead for food (again NOT quietly). I get Lilly calmed down and put her in the regular part of the cart and then decide to try and explain to Lucas that he is in trouble for hitting his sister and is definitely NOT getting any cookies. As he screams some still I hold him down and strap him into the car for time-out.

So now he is screaming even louder for me to "Let me out!" and I take calmly scan my 2 items and across the scanner, then of course the others have to be "weighed"...figures. The self-check out lady is trying to help by offering my crying children stickers...Really lady? I didn't bother to say anything to her b/c I know she was only trying to help but do you really give a kid stickers who just hit his sister? I also didn't even look aound at what I am sure was the entire store looking at me...whether out of pity or thinking I was a horrible mother. I was just trying to keep myself calm and collected which I think I pulled off rather well. We exited the store with Lucas still trying to catch his breath from crying so hard. Lilly was content with the keys she had taken from my purse. We made it home and they were fed and put to bed.

Honestly, I have always struggled with those public occurances b/c it is not as easy as sitting them in timeout or sending them to their room. I would tend to give in at church b/c I figure its better than causing a big scene. When shopping, I can take Lucas and put him in the cart if he starts running off but that doesn't mean he doesn't try to climb out! (Scary!) Typically shopping experiences go pretty well, and typically I have my kids when running errands like these. I would have to say this was the worst experience yet. So if you have a magic solution to discipline in public places please let me know. Otherwise we will hopefully move past the terrifying threes soon enough and survive the neccessary shopping adventures with two children in tow.

Can you feel the love?

Happy Birthother Day

Well, yesterday was not only Mother's Day but it was also Tim's birthday, so we got to celebrate double! Plans for putt-putt and a picnic were kinda ruined with the rainy weather, but we got over it with movies, popcorn and cake!

So cute with their daddy.
Then Lilly decided that she wanted to be just like mommy and wear my sweater.

It was actually the first time she has tried to put on my clothes, definitely cute. She is growing up WAY too fast. I am a pretty lucky mom with too adorable and healthy children. I hope you had a good Mothers Day too!

God through a 3 year old...

Lucas had said some of the most interesting God spoken thoughts lately and I thought I would share them with you;

We were getting off 465 onto 38th St and were stuck in Construction.

I said to Lucas: Do you see all the Construction Trucks?

Lucas: Yeah, what are they doing?

Me: They are making the road bigger.

Lucas: For Jesus?

Me: Well...no, not for Jesus, but so more cars are able to drive on the road.

Lucas: So that God can watch all the cars drive?

Me: Yes, so God can watch all the cars drive.

A few days later Tim and Lucas were taping up a box and they had one of those tape guns that you use for packing. Pointing to the wording (SHUR-TAPE) on the tape gun

Lucas says to Tim: Dad, do you know what this says?
Tim: No, what does it say?
Lucas: It says "Jesus is Alive!"
_______________________
A few nights ago we were saying bedtime prayers;
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
The angels watch me through the night, until I wake in morning light.
God bless mommy and daddy, my sister Lilly, Wrigley, Oliver....(etc...rest of family), and at the end he said "And God bless my buddy Neil and all my toys".

I think God is working through Lucas with those little reminders that He is always around and is everywhere you look, even in things like Construction and tape. :)

Fast paced

Well, here are some pictures I got of our dogwoods (at least I think they are dogwoods) before the flowers blew off at the end of last week. They were in full bloom for about a week and then in the midst of two days the petals covered our drive and yard. We pulled in on Thursday and Lucas' says, "Mommy, is it snowing?" I hope we are definitely done with snow, but it is Indiana so I'm not going to promise anything.

It was a good weekend. Tim ran the Mini Marathon on Saturday- We are very proud of him! Then as if that wasn't enough, on Sunday he decided to conquer to prarie grass that had grown in our front yard. It really wasn't bothering us too much but I am sure our neighbors appreciate it. Lucas got to help daddy mow the back yard and Lilly and I raked up the remains of the prarie (well...she would at least clap for me everytime I got the grass into the bag!)

Bit of a Bug

We have had a bit of a bug this week. Now Mama has it and everything has gone down hill. I'm tired, I'm exhausted, I can't breathe, and not sleeping well due to my own caughing and caughing children and Lucas who seems to sleep talk/cry/scream alot when he has a fever.

Fortuantely, the house is actually pretty clean, the laundry got done yesterday, and luckily all my work was done on Wednesday. So what will today consist of? Hopefully nothing...well maybe a doctor visit.

Bed Head

Anyone else's kids have some major cases of bedhead? Lilly isn't too bad, the back is kinda curly and just gets frizzy when she sleeps. I think I am soooo use to Lucas' crazy hair that I don't even try and do anything with it anymore. I pretty much send him to school with his hair sticking straight up b/c I don't think it does anything else. I just bought some detangler spray thinking maybe that would help to tame it down. We have been debating what to do with his long locks and if you ask him if he wants it short or long, he says No to both. So let's take a vote shall we? Grow it longer, Go back to short on sides longer on top, or Really short?

Enjoying the Weather!

Well, we have been enjoying the weather...well at least last week we enjoyed it. This week I think it is suppose to drop back to 30 at night. Why do we live in Indiana again? Thought I'd post some pics of what we did last week that didn't involve work.

This is Lucas on his new green bike. Green is his favorite color in case you didn't know...and if you didn't know you must not hang around that often b/c he will either tell you...or he will grab the green sucker, or the green bubbles, or knock you down (or throw a fit) if you have the green "something" and not him.

Lilly wanted to ride like her big brother, and had to have a helmet just like him too. Thought this picture would sound like this if she was talking; "Oh Darling, I just love my bike."

(Really it is "Moommm! Stop taking pictures!)

And here they are both very nicely playing tee ball together...there was definitely no yelling of "Lilly stop knocking my ball off!" or "Mom- Lilly hit my ball off can you tell her to stop?" or "No Lilly! This is how you do it, see?"

Working Hard...or Hardly Working?

My "outdoor office"
Lucas' "outdoor office"
Well, we have been able to enjoy the sunshine and warmth and still get a little bit of work done. One benefit of working from home, redlining drawings on the deck instead of a stuffy office...now I just need to get a laptop!

Looking for the Beauty

It isn't too hard right now to find beauty right in your backyard. If you are as lucky as me, there are tulips and daffodils a plenty. They may not be surrounded by beautiful landscaping (hopefully yet to be done this summer), but their beauty catches your eye and brings a smile to your face. When you start to look closely at all the intricate details of a flower, they are really truly amazing. And I think when you start to look closely at all the intricate details of your life and how God has blessed you, you will be inspired. God makes so many beautiful things including you and me. Most of time I don't think we take the time out to notice the little things. I challenge you today to look around you, maybe take a closer look than you usually do. Look for the details in the spring beauty, or take time to do those little gestures that can change somebody's day- like a smile, or a hug. God's beauty can shine through you, and I hope He will shine through me today.

Happy Birthday Aly!

Here is the 3 year old birthday girl. (Most gorgeous hair ever!)
Here are the Clarks with their 3 year old triplets.
(Well really only the one of the left belongs to them- it is Lucas, Ethan and Neil, but this picture was just too funny. The boys held hands walking into the party. I am sure this will be shown at their highschool graduation parties!)

There were lots of Monkeys climbing around at the party.

And this is how they worked off the sugar from the Cake! JUMP JUMP!

Lilly had fun bouncin' with the big boys and was actually kinda bossy, not letting certain people in. I wonder where my kids get there strong-willedness from? Tim or Me? What do you think?

Shakin' Things Up!

Thought this picture that Lucas took of Lilly hanging upside down might bode well for today with all the shaking and quaking that is going on! Not sure if you felt the earthquake this morning but I sure did. I was actually up in Kokomo at my friend Kelley's house and was sleeping with Lucas in the same bed. I woke up about 5:45 to what I thought was Lucas continually kicking the bed but when I realized he was asleep and that everything in the room was rattling I wasn't sure what to think! Definitely couldn't be an earthquake in Indiana...must just be a jet from Grissom flying really fast overhead shaking the house. Oh well...back to sleep (for 15 minutes till Lucas was wide eyed and bushy tailed) What is it with early risers?? Did you wake from shake?

GO Lucas! GO Lucas!

Well, folks I think I can finally say that we are well on our way to being potty trained! It has been a many phased process.

Phase 1: He was 100% potty trained...but only when he was naked, which essentially means we could do it at home with a little nakey butt running around all day (until he got cold)

Phase 2: Running around with only underwear on, but as soon as you would put pants over them he would have an accident.

Phase 3: Finally able to wear pants and be a part of the real world. Still a few accidents but did great at school this week and we are moving forward!!(He actually has underwear on in this picture...you just can't see it)

Thought I would share another famous self-portrait! SO serious when he is in his photographing mindset. I will share more of his new pics later.

Yes...I am one of those!

Well, with Lilly's help this morning, we have just printed our 2007 taxes.

This is Lilly anxiously awaiting the printer...
She would grab each sheet that came out and hand it to me, it was way too cute!

Here you go Mr. IRS!

Well, we ended up as a wash, owing to State and return from Federal. (I really can't complain since I didn't do very well paying my self-employment quarterly taxes last year). Well, with all the help I had finishing my taxes this morning they are finally ready to go! I hope you aren't a procrastinator like me! Do you have any big plans for your tax return this year? Or if you didn't get a tax return...there is always the May stimulus to look forward too!

Typical Work Day

Ok, well I wouldn't say that Friday is a typical work day b/c I typically try NOT to work on Fridays, but in regards to the picture below this is how a typical work day in my world looks.

Lucas and Lilly both love to sit on stools next to mommy at the drafting table and they either work on their labtop, cash-register, or whatever else they drag up there. Lucas likes to draw pictures too...but only with permanent markers (need to get him magic markers or something!). Lilly likes to draw too (no markers since she still eats them). I took pictures of them sitting up here a few weeks ago b/c Lucas was being so cute showing Lilly how to work the labtop. He was using such a calm and collected 3 year old voice (vs. the typical yelling) and it was just too cute not to try and capture.

As you can see (and I am sure hear from me often) is that working from home can be kinda challenging...but it definitely has many rewards, surprises, and benefits that out way everything else. God has blessed me with all that I have and I am very thankful.

SCRUB-A-DUB-DUB...Three kids in the TUB!

A tub full of cousins

Isn't she just adorable?

And of course Lilly needed to hairdry Allie's hair afterward! You don't want to go to bed with wet hair right?? And leave it to Lucas to use the hairdryer as a gun later. What is it with boys anyway?

Back to normalcy...(if that is possible)

Well, the kids and I had been up North since Wednesday and are finally back home today. We had a great time hanging out with cousins plus a few more! Wednesday-Saturday we were at my sister's house who has a daycare, (kid farm as Tim calls it) so needless to say everyday was an adventure. We really enjoyed the playgym with the great weather!

Lilly is behind the purple hood with Lucas and Hannah beyond.
Lunch time, there was actually one more but we ran out of boosters!

Then Saturday we were off to Kokomo to meet up with the rest of the family.

Happy Birthday to Trinity! Yummy cupcakes!

Race down the slide at the park...Hannah won!

Allie and Lilly swinging in the wind!

Great to get outside and wear out the kids. What did you do to enjoy the weather?

Back up and Running!

Well, I am not sure if you have missed me, but I have missed blogging and reading blogs. My computer crashed on me Monday, but now I am up and running thanks to my brother-in-law the computer guru. Thanks Matt!

In the midst of the computer world stopping for the Hess household this week, we did not of course. Tim's brother and his family were in town and we met up with them at the Children's Museum on Tuesday and had a blast watching the kids run around all crazy.

Three monkeys sitting on a bench.
The only good fuzzy shot I got of cousin Noah...half smiling.

Lilly and Noah playing tic-tac-toe.

And Lucas and Noah making funny faces.

It was nice to get together with family and for cousins to play. Now I am up North with our other cousins so more pics to follow soon! Hope all is well in everyone else's computer worlds and otherwise. We missed staying in touch.