haphazard musings

#61

Cross it out.  Check it off.  Whew.  #61 complete.  Babysit a friend's children so they can have a night out.  Done.

We stayed with these kids.  The Lakey children.  From tallest / oldest: Ashleigh, Austin, Amy, Anna, & Abe.  We were there for a whole 24 hours.  And let me just tell you - Ryan and I are glad we don't have 5 kids.  And we are glad the God's plan usually includes one or two BABIES at a time that really don't go anywhere.  Thank goodness.  However, that said, we did have a great time and really enjoyed seeing what having kids would be like.

We arrived Friday night and took this kiddos to the Carnival night at their school.  The two older ones were basically on their own.  We bought their tickets and told them to eat "real food" not just candy and pop and to check in around 7:45.  The three little ones, were with Ryan and I the whole time.  It was so weird to think about how much food does a 3 year old eat, should they have pizza or a hot dog, and can they paint their faces?  Decisions we've never made before - but it worked out.  

We decided yes on face painting and the crazy hair station - obviously.  Oh and in the process Anna asked the lady doing their hair, "What's in your belly?"  She was like..."umm...a baby."

 

We also decided yes to the petting zoo (yes that is Abe trying to give his binky to the duck) and the bouncy slide thing (only for the girls despite Abe's multiple attempts to climb aboard).

   

 

Then Saturday we fished almost all day and went to McDonalds.  Both were an adventure for sure.  Fishing was so successful, the big kids caught about 20 fish apiece.  It was impressive.  The littles, however, were unsuccessful despite amazing patience for 3 and 5 year olds.  Abe didn't seem to mind - he just ate Dandelions.  McDonalds was just funny.  Again ordering food for kids was weird but the best part was watching the people around us stare and I know they were thinking - you two are in over your heads.  They were also thinking, are you old enough to be parents to these kids.  We needed signs that said - Babysitting.

 

So we now have a list of questions that must be answered before we even consider having our own little bundles of joy.

1. When do you ever take a shower?

2. How do you go to the bathroom by yourself?

3. Is anything ever, really, clean?

4. When the sippy cup or binky goes on the floor - do you really need to wash it every time - or just if the duck licks it?

5. Are you always tired?

6. Where does the money come from to feed and clothe these always hungry and dirty little people?

7. Are all strollers difficult to work?

8. Do you ever really have to quit having nap time?

9. How far can a 2-year old really run if given the opportunity?

10. When can you give them back?

As promised...

here are some more pictures of the wedding.  They are further documentation of #60 as well as documentation of a plain old good time with good friends.  Thanks to the Bowles for throwing a great party and thanks to the girls for being so much fun.  Oh and it was nice to see a bunch of the fellas from college too. 

#60 - twice!

Whew its been a crazy couple of weeks.  But this last weekend was one of the best ever - I think.  My friend Tiffany the one in the middle got married.  That is me, Tiff and Kristen (home from South Africa) at her bachelorette party a couple weekends ago.  That was the first time all the girls were together for the weekend.  We had a great time - the theme was old/tacky bridesmaid dresses - we looked so funny going out to eat like that!

But this weekend was the wedding and in typical Lindsay fashion.  I took no pictures.  I only photographed the rehearsal.  Seriously....what was I thinking.  But what an event.  Here is the happy couple at the rehearsal.

And here are just some of the girls...hopefully more photos to follow!

#50 Make sense of the basement...

DONE!  A couple weeks ago, when we had blizzard conditions over the weekend, Ryan and I decided the time had come.  We were going to organize the basement!  Whew.  It is such a good feeling to have that done.  Not that we even really spend time down there, but knowing its clean is such a happy thing.

Just to clarify, the chairs go with the dining room table - and we use them a lot - we are searching out a better location.  The pile behind the chairs is garage sale items - yeah for free money!!!!

This is the Dream Cast station (thanks Sieberts for the great deal on the Futon) and the Dart board area.  The Marlin is hanging just out of site to the left, and the workout machine (that I have no idea how to use) is also to the left.  Oh and the dog, with the scary, glowing eyes...yes, I do believe we have a man-cave in the making!

#47 & #48

Hooray two more complete on the 101 in 1001 days list! 

#47 Touch up the paint job in the living room.  Done!  Thanks to my magnificent other half, aka Ryan.  No more mess on the ceiling from my roller.  What a nice crisp line!

#48 Plant two trees.  Well this one is half way.  We have planted a tree.  A redbud, on of my favorites.  Ryan was also instrumental in the completion of this task as well.  I did help, but seriously, digging a big hole in clay is hard work!  Plus I was making dinner.  So thanks to him - #48 is down and out.

The hole.

  In the hole. 

In an area soon to be an extended flower bed.  Well we don't plant flowers...we plant bushes.  So the soon to be flowerless flower bed.  Oh and the blob to the left - the ever present Finley.

#40 Bathe Finley

once a month.  I was looking at this one on the list and I think its funny that it is listed under the friends and family category.  Isn't that weird?  But honestly, its the best place.  I really feel like Finley is bathed for the friends and family that come to visit us.  Oh and for my sanity.  Seriously.  He smells.  Like a dog. Yuck.

But isn't he cute when he's nice and clean?

There now you know he can be clean and smell good.  You might however be dripped on.

I have been

inked.  Yes to all those looks of disbelief, shock and perhaps, horror.  I have been tattooed.  And I love it.  It has been a long time coming.  To answer all those burning questions, yes I really, really thought about it (for like 3 years).  Yes, it really did hurt (but it only took 3 minutes - so I can't really complain).  No, Ryan didn't get one.  This was a girls adventure.  And for those of you that know my father, Yes, he thinks it was a horrible idea.  And I quote, "You won't be allowed in my house if you get one."  However, his bark is worse than his bite considering I had Easter dinner at their house and took an afternoon nap in his chair.

So thanks to my friend Julie for the photographs and marvelous moral support.

And thanks to my friend Tami my fellow tattooee (before picture, check her blog for the after).

So here is a photo series of the great event.



  

Best part of the story is that every time someone asks me about my tattoo...the Ichthus, or Jesus fish...I get to tell them about Jesus and how I walk with him everyday and how he saved me from my sins.  SO COOL!

A little lesson in Greek, be prepared this is a little like the dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
The Greek letters that make up the word Ichthus are a pretty good lesson in themselves.
Iota - 1st letter in the Greek word for Jesus.
Chi - 1st letter in the Greek word for Kristos or Christ
Theta - 1st letter of the Greek word for God's.
Upsilon - 1st letter of the Greek for Son.
Sigma - 1st letter of the Greek for Savior.

Jesus Christ God's Son and Savior....hmm...

Best reaction so far: Maggie.  A friend from way, way back (like before Kindergarten) saw it last week and said..."I don't even know you right now!"  So, so perfect!