Chicago

I FINALLY have my internet back. A lot has happened. I went to Chicago w/Brian for my belated bday present, the verdict is in on my dad's sentencing for the abuse on Jaden, we celebrated the 4th of July, and the boys and I had a day at the beach. I don't have the 4th of July nor the day at the beach pics downloaded yet, so I'll just share the Chicago trip. I had a BLAST! It was the first time I'd been to Chicago for anything other than taking the boys to the aquarium. We did a lot of walking and saw a lot of cool things. We went to the Cheesecake Factory a couple times, and I learned that I actually do like cheesecake. We went to Navy Pier a few times. We went up the John Hancock Observatory. Mostly we just walked and walked. By the end of the weekend, I was exhausted but SO glad I got away. Here are some of the pictures I took. Hope you enjoy.
let's go

the view from our first room in which the a/c didn't work very well

the view from our 2nd room where we finally had working a/c

just walking around










from the John Hancock Observatory














the start of day 2

the park






Navy Pier






us

Carnival Fun

So I was on my way to Outback Saturday night w/Brian, and I saw that they were having a carnival there at the Catholic church. Which, of course, led me to think of the boys and how much fun they'd have. Then I was driving home from church and I saw another one on Gull Rd. So, I called Shaun up to see what his plans were for the day w/the boys. He'd seen it too and was curious how the boys would do but didn't want to take them by themselves. So, I went and picked them up and off to the carnival we went. Jaden had a blast! He could have stayed all day probably but it started to rain so we had to leave. Asher on the other hand needed a nap DESPERATELY. So, while he enjoyed the couple rides he decided to go on, he threw tempers for the rest of the experience and ended up sitting in the van w/me while as punishment while brother finished having fun. I ended up getting a wristband to ride the rides so that I could go w/Asher bc he was just under the height for almost everything, but w/his attitude, I ended up riding more w/Jaden. I had fun as well but realized w/the last ride J and I went on, which is more adultish than for kids, that my body does not respond to rides like it used to. Man, I must be getting old :)

random

Sometimes the boys say stuff that just make me go, where did that come from?

J: Have a good work mommy. Don't get fired.

Asher: Sooner or later we'll have to do that mom.

J:(referring to a baby deer confused on the side of the road) He must have lost his mommy. I think his dad is probably at work.

Asher uses adjectives and phrases, correctly I might add, that make you just wonder how smart he must really be! And J, the way he sees things sometimes just makes me fall in love all over again. I have two amazing little fellows!

is it over?

I can't believe the weekend is over already! I had such a great 3days off from work, I'm very sad to have to return! Friday I started the bike saga. I have a bike for J that attatches to the end of my bike that I got from my boss, and I was trying to find a way to attatch a carrier for Asher. So, I went over to my sister's house to get some tools and spent about an hour there working on it. After work and after dinner w/the boys at CiCi's, their fav place to eat (thank goodness it's cheap bc it's not the best food), Shaun helped me for another hour. The problem w/the first carrier which put Asher in front of me, was that it attatched in the back w/J's and put me up to high. I'm evidentally short..lol. So the next day we went to Toyrus and got the carrier that sits on the back. After 2hrs of fighting w/that, I got it on but it didn't allow J's bike to turn. I was SO frustrated!! So the boys and I had another day of not biking, but we had fun together. Sunday was church of course, and afterwards we went to the GR mall w/my sister. The boys love it there bc they always get to ride the carosel, have cookies, and play in the inside play area. What more could little boys ask for? Oh, that's right, they were asking to go for a bike ride! So, when we got home, Bethany's boyfriend and I put in another 2.5hrs trying to get the bike to work. This is the ONLY way we could make it work (don't try this at home!):

I must say it was very unstable, but the boys thought it was awesome! The thought of buying large training wheels did cross my mind only bc I wanted to make something work so bad for them! They were yet bummed again that they couldn't go biking. But, I had a back-up plan. I knew we were going biking w/my mom the next day. So the next day we get up, and I call my mom in the morning to make sure she has the bike carrier and everything so we can bike. She doesn't! I couldn't disappoint the boys again!! So I rushed over to Shaun's to grab his bike which had a seat for Asher, and went over to my sister's to get the attatchment for J for my bike, and we were in business! We biked at least 7miles, which for not having biked in a couple years and carrying a 40lb little boy behind me was not too bad IMPO. The boys had a great time! All in all, it was a good weekend. I enjoyed the time off w/the boys! Infact, they went to Shaun's last night, and I was all excited for the break. But now, just the morning after, I find myself missing them again :( Anyways, it's time to start another work week, yet another thing that doesn't thrill me. But, such is life. Hope everyone else had a great Memorial Day weekend, and many thanks to all who have, are, and will serve our nation!!!