I got these pictures back a few days ago, but I didn't post them because i've been having trouble deciding which ones were the cutest. They all looked so good. I think i've narrowed it down to my favorites, but i have like 12 and only room to post like 5 pics at once.

It was very difficult getting the boys to stay together long enough to take this pic

Noah! This is one of my favorites.

And this is my favorite of Ethan

This is my absolutely favorite family picture. Jessica Sorenson did a really great job.

My cute little boys.


I LOVE THIS!

The Simple Things

Today for me has been about appreciating the simple things. I've been watching the morning shows, Today, GMA and such. There was this amazing all over every channel about a woman auditioning for Brtitain's got Talent. Check out her video on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z0h1NNk1Ik

I cried within three seconds of when she started singing. I was just in awe that something as simple as a song can bring so many people to tears.
I was also thinking about what a rotten mood i was in last night. Joe and i were talking about why i was so ornery and i just decided that going outside would make me feel better. So we put on some sweats, grabbed a blanket and pillow and layed on the grass outside. I don't know why, but all of my tensions just melted away. Simple.
The other simple thing that i love is making up new lyrics to famous songs. Today's song was a spoof on lady gaga's Poker Face. My rendition was called Booger Face, inspired by the twins of course. "Can't wipe my, can't wipe my, no he can't wipe my booger face..." you can imagine how the rest goes.
Things are good. My boys actually ate their eggs this morning instead of throwing it on the floor. I found a penny when i was taking out some stinky diapers. Ethan learned to give kisses today.
Simple. Good.

Easter

Well, its Easter! Probably the most important holiday when considering what it stands for, yet we never get to miss work or school for it. Oh well. For Easter this year I decided to surprise Jessica with some luxuries that I knew she would love but never really ask for. I figured with all of the plasma donating and with our tax return (2 kids in 2008, woo hoo) I would splurge just a little bit to do my part to "stimulate the economy"...(i love how the world tells us that if we spend more we will solve economy troubles. ) Anyway, first I searched the Internet to see what Broadway shows were going on this summer in Chicago since it is only a few hours away. I really wanted to take Jess to see Phantom or The Lion King. Neither were playing in Chicago so I broadened my horizons and found a great show in Minneapolis.

Then I knew that Jess has been wanting a new camera forever. The one we have is great for a quick picture here or there but just like most, it had horrible battery life and seemed to be taking worse pictures every day. So I did my research and found the best reviewed, easy to use, DSLR, lowest priced, smallest...etc. In the end, the winner in all those categories was the Nikon D40. It takes fantastic photos. I am amazed with it every time I take a picture. Jessica totally stood frozen when she opened the package and saw what it was. The sad thing is that I was so excited to give it to her that I couldn't even wait until Easter and had to give it a week ago.

Now, because I am selfish, I couldn't let Jess have all the fun so I bought myself a new softball bat. Its way nice and I got it for a steal. If anyone else is looking for a deal on a bat go to http://www.closeoutbats.com/.

This post could not be complete without a tid bit about the boys' Easter. We bought them a big ball from the giant cages in the Walmart isles. You know what I'm talking about. They also got some inflatable boats for the swimming pool. Jess was so excited to finally be able to take the boys swimming with the other moms. I'm positive that we will post some pictures of those in a couple of months when they are playing with them in the pool.

My Little Cowboys

Joe bought me a camera for easter that he knew I'd been eyeing for a very long time now. I decided to test it out a few days ago, and I LOVE the camera. I think the pictures turned out really well. Now i have to say, I'm not a photographer and I don't pretend to be. I just wanted more memorable picures for myself...Look at my cute babies:)

Date Night

Joe and I had a date night last Saturday. The Dental School was holding a celebration dinner for the fourth years. It was really nice to get dressed up and have a night together without the boys. We really wished that more of our friends could have come, but it was still a good night out. Special thanks to Tawnya and Angela for helping me put this whole thing together in one day! We felt a little prom-ish taking these ones. This is for you Mom.

The dinner was SOOO good. I had salmon and asparagus. Best dinner ever!
Joe preferred his prime rib and potatoes.

Me and Michaela on the dance floor. I did anything i could to not verify to the whole world that i dance like an uncoordinated white girl.

We didn't end up staying much past dinner or else i'd have to dance more, but it was still nice to get all dressed up and meet Joe's classmates.

My Poor Boys

Lately I've been having the feeling that my boys don't have the benefit of a 22 yr old mom with lots of energy. I have embraced the lifestyle of a "relaxed parent" as i like to call it. I just don't have the energy to worry about everything like a new mother should. I let my kids eat whatever that thing is that they pick up off the floor. As long as its not metal they should be fine. I don't backtrack to try to find the missing sock at the play place. I let them cry themselves back to sleep almost every time I hear them at night. I let them fight over toys-you get the picture. Sometimes I think that if I just had one, I could be a better mom. I could fuss over them and make sure they always had clean faces and noses. I could sit down and read to them while they sit on my lap. I could take them to the library for story time, or to the park to teach them to walk. Wow, I'm incapable of saying him instead of them. Its always them. Even when I'm asking other people about their new babies. I say "How are they sleeping" instead of "How is she sleeping". Anyway, I just feel like I'm not giving my boys the types of things that they really deserve. I wish I could read to them every day, but they fight over the book, or I'll read to Ethan, but Noah hates sitting on my lap. I try taking them outside to play, but then they each take off in different directions, and I can't keep them BOTH safe all by myself. Then i feel like I'm favoring one over the other, and I don't need that kind of guilt. I'm already dealing with enough of that. I realize that all mothers battle with feelings of inadequacy, but I haven't been able to shake this recent bout of it. Maybe when the ground dries out I can take them outside more and feel better about my parenting.

Another Ouch!

Joe would tell some elaborate story making him sound super tough and manly. One such story i heard involved him playing second base and sacrificing his arm to stop the ball. Yadda yadda yadda. The truth is less entertaining, but that doesn't mean his arm isn't in quite a bit of pain. On Saturday Joe was donating plasma and the phlebotomist missed the vein. He didn't notice so much at first, except that the machine was running a little slow. It wasn't until the machine started pumping his blood back into his arm that Joe realized that there was something wrong. He was immediately disconnected, and came home with a very very sore arm. Although the picture looks bad, it really doesn't do the bruise justice... it looks much worse in real life.