I've been missing the opportunity to come here and just blab on a little about random topics/ updates! As much as I absolutely LOVE writing travel recaps (well, they are a lot of work to put together- but I love reading them when I'm done, and I strongly believe my future self will love them… Continue reading Recently
I barely have the emotional energy to write this post, because I just feel kind of exhausted, mentally. To get to the point, our other hamster, Steel, died suddenly and unexpectedly on Tuesday morning. I shared recently that Ethan's hamster, Flint, had to be put down in June. (Read my tribute to him here.) That… Continue reading Grief and happiness, in one day
So Ethan is officially enjoying his first full day as a 14 year old. 🙂 I think he had a great b-day! He seemed to be in good spirits and all smiles most of the day yesterday. Ivan and I both had to work, and Ethan actually did too (a shorter day, though- just 8… Continue reading Quick b-day recap
#1: Ethan's farm job is going well, overall! Let's see, he has officially worked a total of...4 full days now. (2 days on, then a week at camp, then Monday was a holiday, then they got rained out on Wednesday this week.) Today will be Day #5. Oh! And he got his first ever paycheck… Continue reading Farm job injuries & people pleasing
"It's a big job gettin' by with nine kids and a wifeBut I've been workin' man, dang near all my life, but I'll keep workin'Long as my two hands are fit to useI'll drink my beer in a tavernSing a little bit of these working man blues...." -Merle Haggard, 1969 We have a workin' man!!… Continue reading Workin’ man blues
I did some actual CARDIO at the gym yesterday (the stairmill) after my shoulders/triceps workout. Crazy, I know, because I'm not usually big on traditional cardio. While I climbed stairs, I listened to this recent The Mom Hour episode about household chores. It got me thinking about a couple of things: #1- It would be… Continue reading Kids, Chores and Allowances
Swim camp: On Thursday I dropped Asher and friend off at swim camp. The camp is being held at UW-Stevens Point, and the kids all stay in the college dorm rooms. Both boys were really excited about it all! They went to camp last year, but this is the first time they are staying in… Continue reading Asher to camp/ free weekend
(*Okay, topic for today is mostly just a little general "musing" on an interesting (to me) topic. I don't want to accidentally offend anyone, though, so just know that I don't actually have a super strong opinion on this either way- I'm mostly just mulling it over.) So. Last week I was at the gym… Continue reading Kids and expensive brand name clothes?
This summer has felt a little odd so far. I'm not 100% sure why. Brainstorming, it may be a few things. 1- The kids got out of school extra early- at the end of May!! 2- The weather was super hot for a bit, then chilly and damp and almost fall like for the past… Continue reading A bit of a weird-feeling summer so far
Yet ANOTHER super busy weekend is in the books....this makes 3 in a row that I've basically been away all weekend. This one was for a Friday-Sunday swim meet in Milwaukee. I took off early on Friday and headed out with Asher. We went straight to the pool so he could swim the 400 free… Continue reading Another weekend away + new Travel blog page
GRATEFUL KAE 