Welcome to the Family, Little Miss Ruby!

It's so hard to get a good picture of her. She is very busy when she is awake, so I caught this picture of her sleeping. Sleepy little girl.

Last week we went out to dinner, just the three of us. After dinner we decided to walk around that mall to let Eli run off some energy. While walking around we stopped in a pet store we often check out to look at kitties, puppies and fish. Well, when we walked in... there she was. I couldn't take my eyes off her and I HAD to hold her. I held her and I was SOLD! I wanted to take her home. I have never had a dog and Nick and I have gone back and forth on getting one for Eli. A friend of mine has had pugs and I have always adored them and thought a pug would be the perfect fit for our little family and our little house. It took some coaxing with Nick, but we finally decided to get her. We picked her up the day after Christmas and are quickly (and tiredly) adjusting to our new little family member. The potty training is going very well... and she is very content with kenneling up at night. I started taking her for walks the day we brought her home and she is already walking ahead of me. The best part is when we get back to our house she runs up to the house and it looks as though she is so happy to be at her house. I joke that it is like having a newborn with all the attention and care that goes into having a new puppy, but it is so much fun having a new addition to our family. She is fitting in perfectly... Little Miss Ruby.

Meet Ruby

Meet, Ruby. The newest addition to our little family. We got Ruby from the pet store here in Roseville. We usually go there if we are nearby so Eli can check out the fish, kitties and puppies. We went there a couple nights before Christmas and I saw her (someone else was holding her) and I had to have her!

We finally got her from the other people and she was kissing us and BEGGING us to take her home! We found out her birthday was 9.02.12 (our wedding Anniversary). IT WAS MEANT TO BE! Nick did everything he could to stop this, but finally gave in!

We had been talking about getting a dog for Eli and when I saw Ruby, I knew she would be perfect for our family.

If you know me, you know that I LOVE pugs. A friend of mine has had two and I just adore them and always said if we got a dog I would ONLY get a pug. Now we got her!

I have never had a dog before, so I have much to learn! But I really think it is important for children to grow up with a pet to help take care of and to love. Eli is very excited about Ruby and is already doing a great job helping to take care of her! mostly giving her treats!

Miss Ruby

RIP JBJ. Oh, wait, what?!

One of my many childhood crushes... still alive.

Lastnight when Nick told me Jon Bon Jovie passed away, I didn't know what I was going to do. My life flashed before my eyes: A little girl watching him on MTV in spandex with a perm, dancing at the prom, road trips with girlfriends, my wedding, friends' weddings, etc., etc. Before I shed a tear, I decided to Google and and sure enough... it was a hoax. JBJ, I am so glad you are ok!

A green haircut!

Did. Not. Like. Santa.

We tried... we offered candy, choo-choo rides, etc. You named it, we offered it! But Eli was not going to sit on Santa's lap!  I guess it is a good thing when your kid does not like people dressed up in weird outfits... or strangers in general. I like that when Eli doesn't want something or like something, there is no compromising...  I am proud of the stubborn little fella that he is.

Nana & the Ladder

My mom recently fell off a ladder and broke her ankle. She is on crutches and wearing braces on her feet/ankle. Eli asks lots of questions and is concerned for his Nana. Well, today we were in the car and Eli told me HE fell off a ladder and broke HIS ankle. But it's better now...

Me and my boy.

Love.

Eli's 3-year check-up

Eli at his 3 year-old check-up

Eli had his 3 year check-up yesterday. He is 33 lbs (60th percentile) and 39 inches long (80th percentile). Eli has always been around average for height and weight, so it is cool to see him in the 80th percentile for height...

Along with taking their measurements they also did a vision test that Eli passed. It was so cute because they put little glasses on him... 2 pairs, one that covers each eye. I wasn't sure how he would do, but the nurse gave him the instructions and he got every single letter she pointed out. So proud of him!

So fun to watch him grow!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Eli!

Our boy in his birthday hat at school!

My Dear Eli,

You are 3-years old today!  It seems like yesterday your Daddy and I were anxiously waiting for your arrival! We could hardly wait to hold you in our arms and spend our days with you. Now you have been here for 3 years, and you have certainly made your mark in this world.

Nothing makes me happier than simply being with you. I cherish every ounce of time I have with you... whether we are playing trucks, blocks, fixing stuff, coloring, playing with playdough, puzzles, singing songs, reading books, or even playing baseball... nothing makes me happier!

I adore all your silly little quirks... For example, you love to wear the hoods up on your sweatshirts... you like to put your arms in the shirt first and then put your head in (like Daddy does it). Some days Daddy is your best friend and some days Mama is your best friend. Everytime we drive by buses, firetrucks, ambulances, police cars, diggers, bulldozers, bobcats, etc. we have to slow down so you can get a good look at it.

You love to ride your tricycle outside that you call your "motorcycle". One time we saw our neighbor, Floyd, outside cleaning his scooter. I said, "Eli, look, Floyd's outside cleaning his scooter." You said, "No, Mama, it's a motorcycle." Later when we were outside and talking to Floyd, you had to run home to get your trike, ahem, I mean motorcycle to show Floyd.

You also have a Little Tykes car that you call your "Firetruck". You love to ride it up and down the sidewalk. I fear this fall was the last time you will be able to ride it as your knees were already hitting the "dashboard" of your "Firetruck".

You love to go to the park and make friends. You are not shy about meeting new kids and playing with them while we are at the park. In fact, when you see kids walking up to the park, you will run up to them and greet them and see if they want to play.

You love when it rains outside so that you can wear your rain coat and rain boots. But you also love to wear your rain coat and rain boots even when it isn't raining...

You love to help me out in the kitchen. You love to bake and "mix" as you say. You are a great helping with adding the ingredients and you love to watch the mixer spin everything around. Such a great little helper!

You love playing baseball in the yard. You are very good at playing catch and also very good at hitting the ball on your own (when Mama makes a good pitch). We also play baseball at the park, even if we don't bring a bat and a ball. We play pretend baseball and Mama makes the pitch and you hit a home run (everytime!) and run around the bases! You usually run in your own sequence, maybe from 3rd base and around or maybe straight to second and back home... whichever way you go, it is always fun!

You love playing hockey in the basement with Daddy! Uncle Boom got you your very own nets for Christmas, so we have those set up for you and Daddy to play with. Whenever you make a goal you will shout at the top of your lungs, "Score! Minnesota WILD!"

You also love watching hockey with Daddy. The WILD or the U/Nordy or Goldy. Whenever they make a goal, you and Daddy shoot your arms up in the air and say, "Score! Minnesota WILD!"
You love to sing. Some of your favorites are: Da Farmer in da Dell, Baa-Baa Black Sheep, Row-Row Row Da Boat, and your all time favorite... Take Me Out Da Ball Game.

You love stickers. You love wearing stickers and you love playing with them and putting them on paper. When you get to pick a sticker for being a good boy or going potty on the toilet, it takes you FOREVER to pick one out... you stand there looking at your options, smack your lips and say, "Ummm.....". Daddy and I will make suggestions, but you say "Ummm....." a couple more times until you find the perfect one!

You love band-aids and can come up with a million reasons why you need one (or more). My finger hurts... put a band-aid on it! My tummy hurts... put a band-aid on it! Etc!

You have brought so much joy to this world. I have always said, you are a person that walks into a room and lights it up with your beautiful smile and your equally beautiful personality. I am so proud of you and the little person that you have become. I love being your Mama more than anything in this world. You are such a special person and I am so proud that you are mine.

Happy 3rd Birthday, my sweet boy! Your Daddy and I love you so very much!

Love,

Mama

Giving Thanks - Day 24

On this Thanksgiving Day, I am so thankful for my life! I am so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. My life is so full in so many ways. I have so much to be thankful for!

Wishing anyone reading this all the best this Thanksgiving!

xxoo

Giving Thanks - Day 23

I am thankful for the Target Holiday commercials with the crazy lady! She is out to "win" Christmas and kills me with laughter every single time!

Love her!

Book Club Tuesday - The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder

A selection from my book club. Another I probably wouldn't have picked out myself, but I enjoyed this one. I read a review for the book prior to reading that said it seemed like it was the first draft that went straight to print, which I have to agree with as some parts the writing was less than smooth... That being said, an easy read and a very beautiful story.

Giving Thanks - Day 22

I am thankful for a good bra. Nuff said.

You were a Pin-cess, Mama?

In our hall we have some pictures hung up. One of them is a picture of Nick and I on our wedding day. Eli pointed it out yesterday and asked what it was. I told him it is a picture of Mama and Daddy when they got married. He responded, "You were a Pin-cess, Mama?" I said, "Yes. Yes, I was a Pin-cess."

Giving Thanks - Day 21

Have I mentioned how thankful I am for my husband? I am so thankful for him... just love him to pieces! 

"Guys Night!" Nick and Eli out to a WILD game!



Giving Thanks - Day 20

Today I am thankful for Babysitters! A great gal we met named, Korinne (Kor-een), is watching Eli tonight so Nick and I can go out! I know, it's a Sunday night... but we got tickets to the Zac Brown Band concert! Pics of that later!

Giving Thanks - Day 19

I am thankful for a successful hip replacement surgery for my Grandpa Mac (aka Big Papa). He has been in pain for quite some time and was very nervous about having major surgery at the age of 86 years old. Other than the pain he has been having in his hip and knee, he is a very healthy 86 year old. I am so proud of him and praying that he has a smooth recovery.

Thumbs up from Big Papa! Taken by my Mom.

Big Papa ordering his lunch from my mom... My Dad took this and sent it to me.

Giving Thanks - Day 18

Thankful for "old friends". Hanging out with a group of girls I have know since grade school tonight! We have gone through boyfriends, braces and babies together...

Giving Thanks - Day 17

Super-Duper Thankful for my co-worker who hooked me up with the Cities 97 Sampler Volume 23. Last time I got was was about 10 years ago (10 years ago??!!)... Yay!!!

Eli's 2011 School Pictures

That face just melts my heart...

Giving Thanks - Day 16

I am thankful for my bareMinerals makeup... I have never been a big makeup girl, but this stuff makes me happy! It just works very well with my skin, and as a girl, that is very important!

Book Club Tuesday - I Don't Know How She Does it

As a working mom I really enjoyed this book (much more than I thought I would). My job is not as demanding as the mom in this book but I found myself relating to the pressures and demands of being a working mother. Shows how amazingly hectic and overloaded your life/brain is when trying to be a professional and little Susie Homemaker all at once...

Giving Thanks - Day 15

I am thankful for Yoga. For me it is church, therapy and exercise all rolled into one. Love it and I am so thankful for it!

Giving Thanks - Day 14

I am so thankful for my Kindle! Nick and I both got one this year and we absolutely love them. Nick got he's before me as I was hesitant to get one; did not think I would like it. But I love it! I have the Kindle app on my iphone and it syncs with my Kindle so when I read on either it knows where I left off on the other device (make sense?). Nick loves his because he is a speed reader and goes through about a book a week, so this reduces trips to the book store, etc. You just pick the next book you want while in your jammies in bed! How fantastic is that? So thankful!

Giving Thanks - Day 13

Love me some Starbucks! In the hussle and bussle of each day; I love grabbing a latte on my way into work and sipping away a little bit a of pleasure... so thankful!

Giving Thanks - Day 12

I am thankful for clean water. In today's world, we forget what a valuable resource it is and the importance of not wasting it.

Responsible Parenting

Imagine this. The Sundsmo home. Morning. I had just left for work and Nick and Eli were on their way out the door as well. Nick had entered the code on the pad to open the garage door and the two guys are standing there waiting for it to open. While they were waiting, Nick is checking out the trim around the garage door which needs some work and he is thinking about if it is a project he will take on himself or if he will hire it out… as he is contemplating this decision, he looks over to see his almost-3-year-old son hanging from the garage door saying, “Daddy. Daddy.”


Based on further questioning of details from Nick… this is what I imagine the scene looked like…

When you ask Eli about it, “Went up high. Said – Daddy, help me!”

Giving Thanks - Day 11

Today, like many, I am thankful for the service of so many men and women who have given so much for our freedom. I am thankful to my Grandfathers, Clarence McLaughlin and Donald Bossuyt, who served.

Forever thankful!

Giving Thanks - Day 10

I am thankful for my iphone. Thanks to my iphone I can carry all the contact information for everyone I know, make calls, access email, access every album i have, see what my friends are up to (via Facebook), access my kindle/book that I am reading over lunch, access any recipe I want, check the weather, gps/get directionsset my alarm, do some math, check movie times, even check my yoga schedule, not to mention take pictures when I didn't bring my camera, and so much more. What an amazing tool! I am so thankful for it!

A picture of an iphone 3gs like mine.

Giving Thanks - Day 9

I am so thankful for the ability to color my hair. I have been getting highlights since I was 17 and will do it until... hmm... maybe 60??!! Then maybe I will let it go to it's natural state... maybe.

One obvious gray hair near the part in my hair along with drabby dark roots...
Thankful for hair color and my appointment next week! 

Duggar Weird...

Mr. & Mrs. Crazy

Today at work my colleagues and I had been discussing the hot news of (holy crap!?) the Duggar family expecting their 20th child. (20th Child??!!) As the day has progressed a couple other weird topics have come up to which we respond, "Duggar weird..."

So the Duggars are expecting their 20th child, eh? Congratulations to them... I wish Mrs. Duggar all the best with the pregnancy and delivery of her 20th child. While I believe that every child is a gift from God, I also believe that maternal health is not to be taken lightly. Mrs. Duggar is 45 years old and the risk for her life and the life of the child are much greater than if she were 15-20 years younger. I read in an article today that Mr. Duggar said Mrs. Duggar is in better shape than she was 20 years ago… she works out on the elliptical machine an hour each day. That’s great Mr. Duggar, but her maternal health and age are another story.

Let’s not forget that they have 14 children (14 children?!) under the age of 18 that need their undivided attention, love and support. I am already looking forward to the E News Special, “Where Are They Now?: The Duggar Children” in 20 years...

Giving Thanks - Day 8

I am thankful for my home. Nick and I work hard every day to have our home and all the nice things that we have, and for that I am very thankful.

Nick & Eli on our front steps of our beautiful home...

Eli & I on our front steps...

Shout-out to my godson, Will!

My sweet godson, Will, won the "Character Counts Bracelet" award at his school for demonstrating respectful behavior... what a sweet little guy!

Giving Thanks - Day 7

I love me a good mani/pedi! I feel like they are like getting your teeth cleaned... you should do it frequently! As a busy working Mama, actually getting one is fewer and far between than years before. But always, very appreciated! And necessary! I am thankful, oh so thankful, when I am able to get one!

Giving Thanks - Day 6

Ricola!!!!

Ok, I have expressed my thanks for the most important people in my life... now I am going to express my gratitude for the not-so-important-but-I-really-appreciate things...

Today it is Ricola! Those silly little cough drops with those silly little commercials. Those cough drops are the best thing any girl could ask for when she has BRONCHITIS. Yep, last week I had not only bronchitis, but also a sinus infection. These little babies provided a little bit of pleasure while I was trying to not bang my head against the wall from coughing non-stop and my head darn near exploding.

Lord only knows how many bags I bought of these last month... but I love 'em. have been relying on them for many years and I am just thankful for them!

Giving Thanks - Day 5

I am so thankful for my wonderful Grandparents Jean & Clarence (aka Grandma and Grandpa Mac, aka Big Mama & Big Papa), and my Grandparents who are no longer with us, Delores & Donnie. I love them all so very much!

My Grandpa & Grandma Mac (aka Big Papa & Big Mama)

My Grandpa Donnie (aka Papa Donnie) and Eli in the summer of 2009.

My Grandma Delores as a beautiful bridesmaid.

Giving Thanks - Day 4

I am thankful for my in-laws. I am thankful for them bringing my husband into this world and also for raising Nick to be such a wonderful person. Lynn, Mike, John & Karrie thank you for the love and support you provide for Nick, Eli and I.

Love you all! xxoo

Mike & Lynn with Eli Halloween this year!

Karrie & John with Eli Christmas 2009

Giving Thanks - Day 3

So thankful for my "baby sister", Megan! I actually remember when she was born. I was staying with my Great-Grandma Irma (a.k.a. Big Gamma). I remember getting ready to go see her and I remember holding her for the first time. I felt a huge sense of responsibility to her and wanted to teach her everything I knew at the age of almost 3! Growing up, we were the best of friends and sometimes not so friendly. But now she is not only my sister, but my dear friend. I love you Meggie and am so thankful that you are my sister!

Giving Thanks - Day 2

Thankful for my wonderful parents. I am so thankful to have two wonderful parents who have been there for me every step I take... and with my son; they share an amazing bond. One of my greatest joys is to see my son and my parents together and the joy that they bring eachother. I am so thankful!

Christmas 2009

Book Club Tuesday - The Poisonwood Bible

In 1959, a Baptist missionary drags his wife and four daughters to Africa, the Belgian Congo for what is supposed to be only one year. He is determined to convert the natives. They arrive completely unprepared for the humidity, hostile villagers, poisonous snakes and dangerous animals.
It's an eye-opening book about going somewhere foreign with your ideals and customs, and the consequences that can happen when you are not open-minded to change when those thoughts, customs, or ideals are no longer rationally applicable. It's also, in a sense, a story about what could have been achieved with love and an open heart (because this is not demonstrated), instead of condemnation without understanding. My favorite quote of the book, and what resounded with me most about the overall lesson, was, "Everything you're sure is right, can be wrong in another place."
The author takes us through the whole story, beginning with their journey to Africa, through Africa, and the paths each of these women choose to take afterwards and how Africa stays with each of them.

Overall, great storytelling with a rich setting, beautifully described in analogies and metaphors instead of statements of fact. However the book can get a little repetitive, about Africa, about the struggle, about guilt, and about the injustice and political lessons to be learned. I felt there was a missed opportunity in this book to repeat less, and ultimately make it a more powerful message. It also took a little patience to get through the same events x 2, 3, or 4 different perspectives, especially once you figured out the personalities and could already tell how they would feel about it.
Not a quick read, but an enjoyable one with some thought-provoking lessons, a rich setting, and invested characters.

Giving Thanks - Day 1

More than anything, I am thankful for my beautiful family.

Nick, my adorable husband... my rock and my best bud! Everyday, I find so many more reasons to love you! So proud to be your wife!

Eli, my little man... you are such an amazing little person! I love watching you grow and I LOVE being your Mama!

NYE 2011

Winter 2009

Summer 2010

Winter 2008

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween, from Superman!

Superman all ready for a fun day at school!

And here are some fun pictures of Eli, ahem, I mean Superman... at school today!

Superman and  all his buddies!

Superman and Superwoman!