Lost America Part 2

First it was holding straws hostage and now society has chosen not to help out your fellow girl.  

So, last night I decided to resume my walking habit, I set out for a 30 minute stroll around 9:30 pm taking 2 ferocious guard dogs along for protection.  I made my up and through Drake University before Maddie decided she just had to poop one more time before bed.  I dislike poop.  So with 2 dog leashes in one hand and a bag of excrement in another I scooted along to a little Carrie Underwood.  Around 10:00 pm and 1 1/2 blocks from home I decided it was time to unwind the tangled mess of dog leashes that had accumulated.  While performing the last pirouette I came upon a blemish in my path.  On my way towards the earth all I could think about was the $100.00 co-pay on emergency room visits.  If you have been paying attention to previous blogs, you know that I have paid my share of co-pays the last 2 months, but I digress.  As I lay upon the ground,  the dogs sniff me to make sure I am still alive and I silently thank the fact that the poop has landed 5 feet away from me and not under me.  I decide to sit up and assess the situation.  It's broken.  The foot is numb and it hurts like hell.  I can't remember hearing anything crack or rip because at the moment of impact I was belting out '...dug my key into the side of his pretty little souped up 4 wheel drive, carved my name into his leather seats...'  Anyway, I walk quite often.  I don't like to exercise and I don't like to run, but walking  I enjoy.   I got some athletic pants that have pockets and my iPod goes in one and my cell phone in the other.  On the this beautiful, clear night - my iPod has flown out of my pocket and is quite near the poop and my cell phone has been left at home.  For the first 5 minutes I thought for sure someone would walk by with their dogs.  There are so many in the neighborhood, who wouldn't be out on a Sunday night at 10:00 pm?  The first 5 minutes were used to contemplate knocking on the door of the house right behind me.  There were lots of lights on.  As I was turning to face the house, a boy around the age of 8 or 9 comes out.  My angel!  I ask the angel if his mom or dad are home.  No, they are not (shoulder slouch) but we have room mates (smile appears).  Oh - great.  I ask if one of them would be willing to lend me a cell phone.  He says sure and walks back into the house.  The next 5 minutes are spent wondering what an 8 year old is doing up at 10:00 pm and wondering where said 8 year old has gone.  So as my confidence in my angel is diminishing a bicyclist happens by.  I shout out 'Hey, sir, would you happen to have a cell phone?'  Remember, I am on the ground, near the street, with 2 dogs who now have greater confidence in their own superiority at 10:15 pm.  How dangerous can I look?  As he whizzes by he says - 'No, I don't.'  Are you kidding?  I live in Iowa correct?  The midwest?  A disgustingly, friendly place?  Well, now I am defeated.  I am going to have to make it home on my own.  My final 5 minutes are spent trying to get to my feet.  As I use both dogs as leverage for this feat a glorious Chevy Blazer comes down the street.  I flag him down and he generously agrees to let me use his cell phone.  While the phone is ringing I am positive that Christopher will not answer an unknown cell phone number.  When his voicemail picks up my suspicions are confirmed.  As I am trying to figure out what I am going to say on the message - call waiting!  Chris is calling the number back!  Finally, after all of this, i will get rescued.  I ask Christopher to come down 29th and get me.  He says "Why?"  My first instinct is to cry, but as there is a nice gentleman, who must already think I am a little short of a Happy Meal, standing over me waiting for his phone, I just say 'I fell, please come get me.'  The nice gentleman (probably around 20) asks if there is anything else he can do.  I say no, my husband will be here in a minute as we just live around the corner.  I say thank you very much and he is on his way.  While waiting for Christopher to come to my aid I thank the stars in this beautiful night that 1/3 of America is still generous and kind.  As for the other 2/3, they must be Republicans and lets hope they don't 'Get out the Vote' this November! :)

Alas, my ankle is not broken.  It is however severely sprained.  I have not been to a doctor, but have been icing it and resting somewhat.  It is hard to stay off of it with 3 kids to chase around.  I will take a picture of my ankle when it gets really gross looking with all of the beautiful colors it will turn.

Busy, Busy

I have always thought of Sunday as a day of rest and if you look at my house right now (a mess!) you will see that I often live by that philosophy.  But we have had a very busy day regardless of the sloppy house.  It started out with my trip to the doctor this morning for my 3rd diagnosis in 2 months (2nd within a week & a half) of strep throat.  This doctor put me on  a penicillin derivative so we will see what happens.  I have a possible allergy to penicillin.  So I took my first pill at 10:00 am and my throat has not swelled shut as of yet.  Here's to hoping.  

After a quick stop at the store for milk and eggs, the family was off to the Arts Festival.  The Arts Festival of Des Moines is one of the biggest art events in the country.  The art there is amazing and so interesting.  Maybe when I am able to afford my vacation home in Dubai I will be able to afford one of the pieces from the festival!  Harrison had a great time.  He did spin art, spray art, made a tambourine, and painted a tile for a project at one of the middle schools.  And he got a stress ball.  At one point he is saying "Oh my gosh - how lucky am I?  I got to paint, I got a ball,I got to make a bracelet - what a great day!"  That kid cracks me up!  Bennett was just happy to take it all in and eat most of Christopher's kettle corn.

Once we got home, Chris and Harrison started their project (after a little quiet time!).  Don't you love my new porch swing?!  I am so excited about it.  Pam got it for us at the 2nd fiddle sale in Davenport.  One of the first things I wanted when we bought this house was a porch swing and now after 1 year and 1 day of buying the house I have one.  Some dreams do come true!  Chris and Harrison were both in the attic trying to get the thing hung.  They were filthy.  Once they were done, we sat down on the swing for a picture.  Chris had me stop to take the picture and then when I backed up to go again Harrison fell right off.  The look of surprise was priceless. hehe. 

Harrison finished his day by doing the cutest thing.  He looked at Bennett and said "Come hear Bennett - let's draw with chalk."  Bennett followed him and for over 30 minutes they sat on the ground and drew with the sidewalk chalk.  Brothers...

And now on to more cherries.  What shall I make?!  I think a cobbler or a crisp is what I am going to choose.

Finally...

I went to Sex and the City last night!!!  It was sooo good.  I can't wait to see it again.  I am still considering what my favorite part is, but I think it has to be the scenes in Mexico or the scenes between Jennifer Hudson and Sarah Jessica Parker.  Too fun.  I went with Claudia and Megan.  We had a great time.  We went out for coffee afterwards and got kicked out of the coffee shop because they were closing and then had to drive around because we weren't done talking.  It feels good to have friends like that again.  I never stop missing Kara.

So life at the Neipert household has been fairly mundane.  We really can't stand to be inside that much and so when it rains it is almost like torture!  I put all of the toys on the front porch and that has been pretty nice.  We can play out there and kind of still feel like we are outside.  My garden is doing good but needs weeded in a bad way.  Now, when it is wet, is a great time to weed but then your hands get so muddy.  I don't mind dirt, but mud is not my friend.

We went home on Tuesday for Gpa Bob's funeral.  Very sad affair.  It was lovely and a great tribute, but sad nonetheless.  I didn't go to the visitation Tuesday night so Bennett and Harrison and I went to the mall to get Ryan and Kaylee a wedding gift (late!) and Kaylee a birthday gift (also late).  While we were there I let the boys ride on one of those mall rides.  They had the best time on that little ride.  I think it might be time to go to Adventureland again!  Kaylee's mom watched the boys while we went to the funeral and then I went and got them to go to the luncheon in Durant.  

Ryan and Kaylee came up today.  We went to the Farmer's Market and had burritos and dutch letters.  I don't think that Ryan and Kaylee had eaten Dutch Letters before.  They are so yummy!  I have hydrangeas blooming right now and they are beautiful.  I have several bouquets throughout the house.  One stem at the market is $2.00.  I could make a bunch of money!  Also, a pint of tart cherries run around $2.50 so I could make it big with those as well.  I made a cherry pie on Thursday.  Mmmm.  It is tart, but very good.  I am going to make cherry crisp next and then probably just freeze the cherries.  Harrison likes to eat them right off the tree and he calls it his cherry forest!  He told his dad today that he would be so 'cited to come see his cherry forest.  

Ryan and Kaylee came up to purchase Andy's old Honda.  Ryan sold his truck and needed a beater that got good gas mileage.  They are saving up to move to Des Moines.  I think they are really serious about the whole thing.  I am excited to have them here.  I hope they find a house close to us!

Jealousy is still the running theme in our house and it comes in the form of Harrison.  His world revolves around what Bennett is doing.  Is Bennett up?  I want to get up before Bennett.  Is Bennett dressed?  I want to get dressed before Bennett.  What is Bennett having?  I want to have that too.  I don't want to wear this white shirt.  I want to wear the shirt Bennett is wearing.  The whole process is enough to drive me crazy except that I am dealing with my own jealousy.  My boys love me and I fully realize this.  But they adore their father.  Harrison runs to Chris when he gets home.  He wants to show him everything and he responds better to him when he is angry.  Bennett wakes up and says Dada.  Bennett gets dressed and says Dada.  Bennett throws a fit if I take him from his dad.  Oh, to feel the love! :)

Life on the farm

Oh, what I wouldn't do to move back home to the farm.  I love it there.  The openness, the peacefulness, the ability to have the garden of my dreams.  So much room and so few people!!!  My mom and I threw a bridal shower for Emily on Sunday in Andover.  So we all (Chris, me, Harrison, Bennett, Gpa and Gma) all piled into the van Saturday morning to head to Gpa and Gma Wilcke's.  I was concerned that this would be too much for my grandparents, but the weekend seemed to go well.  I made lasagna for dinner Saturday night so Gma didn't have to worry about that and we all pitched in with clean up and most importantly kept the kids entertained, outside or at Randy and Marcy's!  Grandpa had his kidney removed on June 4th and is still recovering.  There was cancer everywhere in the kidney, but when they cut him open and removed it, they were grateful to find that they could not see cancer any where else.  But, nonetheless, recovery has been much slower than Gpa would have hoped for.  He has a lot of pain internally where the kidney used to be and is often very weak.  He spent quite a bit of time in his chair relaxing while we were there.  Gma is doing well, but is just getting around a bit slower than she would like.  She is very used to getting up in the morning and going.  Doing laundry, planting flowers, anything.  Now she says that is her hardest part of the day.  She just doesn't get enough energy to get going until almost after lunch.  My mom is afraid it is time for them to move off the farm.  

Harrison had a great time on the farm.  

He didn't get in trouble for using his loudest voice (he stood on top of a tree stump and shouted 'Hello World!'  It was hilarious.).  He got to eat sweet clover to which he says is the best thing he has ever had.  He got to see a wild turkey.  He found a rock pile that had millions of rocks (he sat at the pile for a long time looking at all the different shapes - too cute!).  And he got to ride on a tractor with Gpa!  Honestly, on the tractor ride, I am not sure who had more fun!  Next time we will go to the woods.  I can't wait to see him play in the creek.

Bennett's fascination with stairs has not come to an end.  He and my dad were outside for more than 20 minutes playing on the front stairs/sidewalk.  He would go down the first set of stairs, get up and start screaming as he walked to the second set of stairs and then turn around and clap while walking back to go up the stairs again.  This scenario played many, many times but Bennett didn't seem to tire!  He just kept screaming and clapping.

The shower on Sunday was very nice.  I think that everyone had a good time and only a handful of people there had ever met Emily so it was nice for them to meet here before the wedding.  Amber Matthiesen was there so I got to meet the newest baby.  Her name is Emily as well!  So, if we go down the family line, Great Grandpa & Great Grandma Mohr now have - Harrison Neipert, Owen Hope, James Wilcke, Molly Matthiesen, Clayton Grantz, Jacob Hope, Kaitlyn Wilcke, Bennett Neipert, Ethan Matthiesen, and Emily Matthiesen.  That is 10 great-great grandchildren.  It is too bad they only got to meet Harrison but I know that they are smiling in heaven right now!

Today was another day in paradise.  We called James this morning to wish him a happy 3rd birthday.  Harrison, mom and I weeded outside for what seemed like hours and Bennett took 3 naps totaling 5 1/2 hours.  Tomorrow we make cherry pie!

P.S.  Chris was just laying with Harrison and Chris said to Harrison - 'Give me a hug.'  Harrison hugged him and said 'Why did you want a hug?'  Chris told him that he loved hugs from him and always wanted hugs from him.  A couple minutes later Chris got up to go and Harrison said "See, you just wanted a hug because you were going to leave!"  Can't get anything by him! :)

Robert Barclay McClean

About 2 hours after I posted my blog on Friday, Christopher called home to let me know that his grandfather had passed away.  I was in a bit of shock as we had just seen him at Ryan's wedding 6 days ago.  But at the same time I was happy for Bob because he hadn't had the best time with his heart lately and I knew now that he was with June (Chris's grandmother passed away in 1995).  On Sunday, Bob and his brother Joe left to go to Canada on a fishing trip.  They were headed back in the car on Friday when Bob passed away.  Joe took him to the hospital in International Falls, Minnesota but there was nothing they could do.  In the 12 years that I knew Gpa I can not say that I knew him well.  You always look back and think that you should have asked more questions; spent more time, etc.  But I did know that Gpa loved to be surrounded by his family.He always smiled so big at family functions when he got to see his 7 grandsons.  And when he first meet Harrison at Christmas in 2004 he just couldn't get over the fact that Harrison was so little.  I will miss him very much.  You can find his obituary in the Quad City Times.

Best Friends & Clapping

While listening to a little Ralph's World in the kitchen this morning, Harrison and I began dancing.  This has become a fairly common occurrence in our household.  Anyway, midway through our dance session of twirls, twists and shoulder shaking Harrison says 'We're just like best friends, Mama.'  I didn't have the heart to tell him that best friends don't put you in time out after you refuse to share puzzle pieces with your brother so I just relished the moment of my precious boy loving me so much.

Speaking of puzzles, before Harrison was sent to timeout for not sharing, we were all doing puzzles at the coffee table.  We have puzzle that is of different colored shapes and it is Bennett's favorite right now.  With just a little help he can put all of the pieces in the correct spots.  What makes this really adorable is that after he puts a piece in the correct space, he looks up at you, smiles and then claps for himself.  It's his way of saying 'what a good boy am I!'

Dog

Bennett can say the word 'dog' and it is about the cutest thing going on at my house right now.  He woke up from his nap this afternoon and saw Maddie and Abby and he pointed at them and said 'dog.'  And then he just kept saying it as he got his diaper changed and walked around following them, saying 'dog - dog - dog.'  It was great!  Other words that Bennett knows are:

1.  Night-night (he says this 'ni-ni' and this is also what I would consider to be his first word - he also gives a little baby wave when he says it.  Too cute!) 

2.  Mama

3.  Dada

4.  Hi (this is happening more frequently and also with complete strangers.  He seems to be quite polite!)

5.  Hair-sn - (I have yet to hear this but mom swears she heard him say it on Tuesday when Harrison walked by - we will work on this one tomorrow)

6.  Ahhh (this is with the intonation going up and happens when he is "talking" on the cell phone)

7.  All gone & all done (these are used interchangeably and are always accompanied by his arms up and to the sides and his palms up - very funny! - similar to the "I don't know" hand gesture)

We got a new slide for the yard a couple of days ago.  My mom had gotten out of class and was waiting for Chris when across the road she spotted some treasures.  So across the road she goes and soon after, they show up at home with a Little Tykes slide that smells of cat pee.  Dumpster diving is not my favorite thing.  After 2 Mr. Clean Magic Erasers and lots of water - it almost looks like new and it smells great.  The boys love it.  Check out Bennett's hair!  I guess dumpster diving isn't all bad.

Harrison and I played a little chase this evening.  (Chris sprayed for bugs last night so we can play outside in the evening for a few days - the mosquitos were terrible!)  Sometimes I don't know how Harrison can breath.  He gets running and laughing and can hardly contain his excitement.  He also likes to have a ball when we are playing this game.  It is a race to see who can get the ball first and then whoever gets it gets to throw the ball at the other person.  Tonight I surprised Harrison and got the ball wet and threw it at him.  He then thought he would sneak onto the deck and get the ball wet and try to get me.  Failed attempt but fun to watch him work through the scenario of trying to best me.

On our trip to Florida, James reminded me why he was my favorite nephew.  He and Harrison were getting a little tired of each other and I decided that it was time James went outside and tried out his new tee ball set from Grandma and Grandpa (early birthday present).  While we were out playing, James was insistent that he hit the ball and then I would hit the ball.  Every time it was my turn he would say "And now up (pause) - Mr. Aunt Beth."  The first time he said it I couldn't really tell what he was saying.  I mean, it sounded like Mr. Aunt Beth, but could that really be what he said?  But, he must have said it 15 times and it is just so adorable.  James went to his first Cubs game last night in Tampa Bay so I know that there will be lots of baseball in his future.

Rant for the day - straws - Mom went into Kum-n-Go this afternoon to get a soda and was having trouble finding a straw.  She said she was starting to feel and look a little dumb when a nice gentleman politely stated that you had to get your straw at the counter.  So mom goes up to pay and sure enough, after they had he $$$, they gave her a straw.  Can you believe that?  Corporate convenience store chains are losing so much money on people filling up their cups, taking a sip and then topping off with a little more soda that they have to ration out the straws at the counter.  Come on.  Are people really being that greedy or is corporate America sticking it to us once again.  I really want to believe that corporate America is wrong.  After reading the newspaper and listening to the news day after day about the floods and the generosity of thousands of people filling sandbags and helping neighbors in times of need, how can you be more proud to be part of this great nation.  But then you read the story about 2 teenagers in Cedar Rapids who get caught looting flood ravaged homes and you get the feeling someone just might have to take straws away to keep us honest.  I strive for a better America and more importantly a better world.  I am thankful for what I have and even struggle sometimes not be be jealous or spiteful over what other people have that I don't.  It's the love you create around you that makes people want to be honest with you not the material items you have.  I propose that for Kum-n-Go's next promotion (currently they are doing a soda vs pop contest) they do a sip and top off marketing campaign.  That makes me feel welcome at their store, not like a thief they don't trust.

Well - I rambled and am not sure I made a lot of sense but, oh well.  

Sun Tea

I love sun tea.  It is one of my favorite things.  And I don't mind lemon it my tea, but I really love it just strong and plain.  I bought a new pitcher at Hy-Vee of all places.  It was a whopping $5.99 and it is great.  It has a lid that screws on and has a handle and a spout!  It also has the spout on the side near the bottom so that I can just pour it into my glass without lifting the jar.  Genius!  The jar has strawberries and leaves all over it so it is not my absolute favorite to look at, but not everything can be as nice to look at as me!

Harrison had an interesting afternoon yesterday.  He was very mouthy and was really very selfish when playing with his brother.  He has always been really good at playing with Bennett and letting Bennett see things and join him.  There are the occasional arguments but nothing serious.  But yesterday we brought home the new water table (I took the other one back) and Harrison did not want to share.  There are 2 heights on the table and Harrison took all of the water out of the top section and put it in the bottom section and then expected Bennett to play at the top section with no water so he could play at the bottom, with all of the toys I might add.  After we discussed this for a couple of minutes he concluded that I needed to go back to the store to get the other water table for Bennett so that he could have this one.  After we discussed this for a couple of more minutes he brought out his famous "FINE" and left the deck.  Bennett and I played for a while longer and then I took Bennett to the front yard so that I could finish mowing.  Harrison was on the porch playing.  After about 5 minutes he came out and came over to me.  I stopped the mower and he asked (and I am not lying) "Why aren't you and Bennett playing with Bennett's water table?"  Now, he said this very sarcastically and vindictive like he had been told that it wasn't his and he could not longer play with the table.  Where does a 3 year old get an attitude like this and why is he able to use such mature language AND where am I failing at the respect your elders and parents part of parenting?  He is exhausting!!

Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Neipert

Ryan and Kaylee's wedding was wonderful.  The backyard was beautiful and Kaylee's dress was breathtaking.  It was not tan.  That would be an awful color to describe it as, but it really wasn't off white either.  It looked almost vintage.  And it looked great on her!  We woke up to a beautiful say on Saturday.  The high was right around 84 so it was going to be a little warm, but all-in-all it would be great.  Until 3:45 rolled around (the wedding was at 4:30 - outdoors).  The clouds started to roll in.  As we were sitting and waiting for things to get started we thought that this could work out.  The clouds provided a nice blanket from the sun.  Then, just as the grandparents were being seated, around 4:20, it decided to start sprinkling.  The wedding went on and at times the rain was a little heavy, but nobody got soaked.  I unfortunately missed most of the wedding because, as expected, Bennett wanted his dad so I had to go to the back.  Ben and Dan didn't get to play their orchestral selection, which would have been wonderful, but otherwise the wedding was very beautiful.  I do have to admit that my child was the cutest one there.  Have you ever seen such a cute little man?!  He walked down the aisle all by himself and smiled at all of the people.  It was great!  And this cuteness happened by accident.  Harrison stayed up until 10:30 Friday night because of the rehearsal dinner.  I then got him up around 6:15 so that he would take an early nap and be ready for photos at 2:00.  Well - this didn't happen.  He laid in bed for 2 hours and didn't sleep a wink.  When he gets tired like that, he gets belligerent and mad.  I was ready to cry.  But, once he got to the house and he and his dad talked, everything was fine.  He crashed hard in the car on the way to the reception and even slept on the floor at the reception site for 10 minutes.  That was enough for his second wind and he was a fun machine at the reception!  He played with his friends, Brody and Noah.  They danced and ran and had a great time.  Bennett was pretty adorable as well.  What can I say, I have beautiful children!  Or as Harrison would say, 'Mama, girls are beautiful, boys are handsome!'

I didn't get a photo of Ryan and Kaylee together.  I will have to link to the photog's website later.  The photo up top is of the 7 cousins and their significant others.  Christopher's mom has 2 sisters.  The 3 sisters had 7 boys.  From left to right are Andy Lorentzen and his wife, Claudia (Miles' parents), Dan Lorentzen and his wife, Maegan, Ben Lorentzen and his girlfriend, Kelly, Ryan and Kaylee, Matt Rizzo and his girlfriend, Marissa, Christopher and I and then Mike Rizzo and his wife, Jenn.  It is a fun group and we love to get together.  The following pictures are from the reception.  It was a great time.

My fine family!  

Mother-son dance.  I don't remember the song!  Sorry!

Tried to take a candid of Kaylee and Ryan cheesed his way in!

Dan is a dancing fool and Maegan is always so proud!  Aren't Matt and Marissa the cutest?!

The new brother and sister-in-law.

Mmmm...an ice cube

Bennett has been something else today.  Whenever I am around he needs to be held or RIGHT next to me or he starts crying.  And when I say crying, I mean high pitched screaming.  You can tell he is just mad, but my goodness - enough already.  Mom finally took him and I went into the house and cleaned and made lunch and they had a great time.  But as soon as I came into view, it was more crying!  One of the ways that my mom was keeping him occupied was an ice cube.  He would put it in his cup and look at it and then take it out, suck on it and put it back in the cup.  We were commenting on his ice cube and Harrison must have heard us.  From the living room we hear, 'I want an ice cube.'  So grandma gets him an ice cube in a cup and he picks it up and sucks on it and says 'Mmmmm...an ice cube.'  It was too cute.

Bennett is officially a walker.  He woke up yesterday morning and decided enough was enough.  He is cruising around everywhere.  He can walk from room to room and can even stop and change directions.  He gets up all on his own so well and is so proud of himself.  We were in the garden today and he stood up, smiled  and clapped for himself.  What a big boy!  I went from a toddler and a baby to a kid and a toddler.  My how times change.