My Holiday Helper

Meet Alvin, also called Alfie, my little helper for the Holiday Season!

Today while the boys and I took nice long afternoon naps Frankie ran to the store to get us an Elf on the Shelf.  He placed him on the entertainment center and waited for the boys to notice he was there.  Colton has been talking about the Elf on the Shelf for a while now cause he heard about him from friends. I have wanted to get on the last couple years. Last night I told Colton I was going to ask Santa to send me an elf to help me watch the boys to see if  they are being good or bad... mostly because Colton has been one sassy little 6 yr old lately.  Well while I was doing dishes tonight I heard "MOM, MOM, MOM" being yelled from the basement. I ran down there to see what was wrong and I saw Colton sitting on the couch starring at the Elf on the Shelf.... almost as if he was thinking "Oh shit, how long as that guy been here and what has he seen"!  I said "Wow, I wonder where he came from?" to which Colton immediately responded "You asked Santa for him that is why he is here!"  Colton then proceeded to tell me that now he has to be really good so the elf doesn't give Santa any bad reports!  This is going to be the best purchase we have ever made.  Tonight before bed we read story about the Elf on the Shelf and we gave our elf a name, his name is Alvin but we will also call him Alfie!  Now I am off to move Alfie to his new location for tomorrow (in case you don't know the story the elf runs back to the North Pole every night to give his report to Santa and then when he comes back he hangs out in a new spot and the kids have to find him in the morning)!!  This is going to be a fun new Berberena Christmas tradition.

Operation Christmas Child

This is our third year putting together gift boxes for Operation Christmas Child.  We put together two boxes, each of the boys created a box full of items intended for a boy their age.  We had everything from markers, books, balls, harmonica's, jump ropes, hot wheels, crayons, coloring books, stuffed animal, hard candy, tooth brushes, toothpaste, bars of soap and several other items!!  We donated the money to cover the shipping online this year so we could print a bar code for each of our boxes, this way we will be able to track and find out where just where our Operation Christmas Child lives.  Colton is very excited about the box he put together and very proud that some child who is less fortunate will get some cool toys for Christmas.  

My Boy and his Blankie

Mason loves his blankie's (one of the few traits he picked up from his mama)!!  And he is not attached to any single blanket, as long as the blanket has a satin edge on it he is good to go. We have learned to not even try to put him to bed without one of his blankets cause he won't go down without a fight.  He likes to run the satin edge through his fingers until he falls asleep, it is possibly the cutest thing I have ever seen!  I love this little guy.  

Toy box fun!

My boys play so well together most days that it almost scares me.  Even though there is quite an age gap between them they have become the best of play time buddies.  Lately I have been catching them in the toy box together, yes I said in the toy box!  I guess it is a lot more fun to throw most of the toys out of the toy box and then get in it, who knew.  Gotta love these two... now if only I could teach them to always pick up their toys and put them back in the toy box when they were done (it seriously looks like the a toy store threw up all over our family room most days)!!

Digital Photography: Beyond the Basics

I spent over 6 hours today in a photography class trying to soak in as much as I could from Leigh Cavalier, a local photographer. I took this class with my friend Lisa, it is so nice to have someone else to talk through some of the topics with and being as we both started with the same knowledge about photography and our camera's we are the perfect match to take classes together. During this class we learned about everything from ISO, f-stop, composition, lighting, motion, position, patience, subjects, lines and so much more all while shooting in natural light which is great cause I don't want to always have to use my flash.  The first 3.5 hours were lecture style which was tough but I took as many notes as I could and then after lunch it was time for some hands on assignments.  I learn much better from doing instead of just listening/talking about doing.  It was a fun class and I learn some new little tricks about my camera and I think I feel a little more confident to take it out of automatic mode (still don't think I can shoot in full manual mode but we are getting closer to that point)!  I am looking forward to taking more classes from this same photography. Here is the website for the photography who taught our class in case you are interested in learning more about her:  http://leighcavalier.com/

This picture of me is taken looking into a display case... it only captured my reflection instead of anything in the case, I think it was kinda cool!

My friend Lisa shooting me shooting her!

I am not good?

So I am going to use my blog to vent a little bit which I usually don't do but I just need to get this off my chest.  I apologize in advance and you can feel free to skip reading this post if you want! Okay today I am talking to a family member, just a normal conversation back and forth.  Here is just a bit of the conversation:

Me: Guess what, I got free tickets to the Vikings game on Sunday, I am so excited.  Although it didn't hit me until last night that it is my Sunday to work the nursery at church so I am going to have to try to find someone one who will switch weekends with me.
Other:  Ha, work the nursery at church, you act like you are so good when you really aren't.  

Whoa, when did I ever say I was so good?  I was simply talking about my upcoming weekend.  I wasn't trying to act cool or special or anything so what the heck just happened?   And this isn't the first time that a family member has said something like this, here is an example from about a year ago (paraphrased cause it was a year ago and I don't remember exact words).

Friend:  What is Colton doing on Sunday, my boys want him to come over and play?
Me:  Sure, we have church/Sunday School in the morning but I could drop him off afterwards.
Friend: Cool, what church do you go?
Me:  Shepard of the Valley in Woodbury.
Family Member:  Ha, you don't belong to the church, don't act like you are a good church person. 

Now I grew up as a Catholic, went to what could have been called a Catholic Elementary school, went to religion classes all through junior high and high school and was confirmed.  But I would not say I was an active church person, I went to those things because well I was supposed to.  I didn't go to church every Sunday... actually I only went a few times a year (usually on Holidays), and I never pretended to be the perfect Catholic.  However in the past 2 years things have changed.  My mother in law introduced us to her church back in the fall of 2010 when she asked if she could enroll Colton in their Sunday School program.  I was hesitant as it is a Lutheran Church and well I am Catholic and both boys were baptized Catholic but I figured why not, it is a Christian Church so we let her enroll him.  The first week she picked him up and took him with her to church and he came home so excited, he loved Sunday school. The following week I decided I would go with, he could go to Sunday School and I would go to the service with my mother in law.  Well it is all history from there, I loved it.  I never felt so moved, so connected, so inspired by a church service before.  I wanted more.  I continued to go more and more and now it is just the norm, Sunday mornings we go to church (don't get me wrong we still miss one here and there).  I feel like I belong, like this was the missing puzzle piece.  The church is exactly what I have been looking for in a church, a mission based church that is very involved in the community and world wide.  Plenty of opportunities to do things right here in our community as well mission trips to help the far less fortunate and help spread the word which is something I fully intend to take part in once my boys are older and can survive a week or two without their mommy.  The children's ministry program is one that I could brag about for hours, it is seriously amazing all the things they have going on for the kids of this church.  Sunday School is just the tip of the ice burg.  And after two years of being regular attenders Frankie and I have finally decided it is time to make the commitment and officially become part of this awesome church family!  We have been attending classes on Tuesdays nights for the past couple weeks, next week is our last, and then after learning all there is no know about this church and what it stands for we will have the option to officially become members during service on Sunday Nov 18!  I can't wait to finally say I am a member of this church.  And I don't have to convert, I am a Christian and that is all that matters.  The pastor told us we can call ourselves Lutherans, Christians, Believers as long as we are followers of Jesus we are welcome!  I also recently joined the nursery team, I mean Mason goes to the nursery every week so it is only fair that I do my part to work the nursery as well.   I never thought I would be excited about "my church" like I am about this one.  I always heard people talk about their churches and all the connections they have made there and thought that would be cool but never expected to find it.  But I have now and I am so happy about it.  

So why does my family think it is okay to say things like they do, they have no idea the excitement I have found in this church.  I don't usually talk about church cause I don't want to make anyone else uncomfortable or be "that" person.  I don't care if anyone else knows about my new found love to tell you the truth, it is something that I am doing for me not them.  But when I casually mention something about church they always seem to go the negative route and say things like "you think you are so good".  No, I know I have many faults, I don't think I am any better than the next person at all.  Seriously it hurts to hear them say things like that.  So should I just never mention anything about church and just say instead - I totally forgot I had previous plans instead of saying we have church in the morning?  Who are they to judge me, they aren't perfect either but I don't feel the need to call them out on it in front of others and make them feel like a complete ass.  Anyways, vent over, I am sure you are completely confused and are wishing you didn't waste you time reading this but I feel better after just writing it out.   As for my family members who think that me going to church or mentioning something about church is me trying to act like I am so good or better - you are wrong.  It is just something that is now part of my life and I am very happy with it and it might come up in casual conversation, so leave me alone and let me live my life and you just worry about yours!  Enough Said!

Current Loves

So I think it is time for a random blog post and I have the perfect topic... my current loves!!

*  Of course my boys top this list.  They are both growing and changing so much everyday and it is so much fun to watch.  They have become the best of friends over the past couple months and when one is gone the other is usually bored and lost without his buddy. 

* Family Dinners.  Now that I off work at a reasonable time every day(unlike when I was working overtime almost every night and wasn't home until 6pm or later) and Frankie has gotten himself on a pretty good schedule at work we actually have family dinners several nights a week which is awesome.  It is great to actually make a nice home cooked meal, turn off the TV and just sit down and hang out as a family over dinner, I am hoping it is something we can continue for a long time to come. 

* Generic Diapers!  So with Colton we never used anything but Huggies or Pampers because our baby deserved only the best.  Well of course with Mace we still feel that our baby deserves the best but realized that when it comes to diapers Generic are the way to go, Target Brand to be exact.  We have a huge case of Huggies that we are trying to use up just because we don't want to waste but they suck compared to Target Brand.  If we don't pay attention and put him to bed in a pair of Huggies it is almost a guarantee that he will be soaked through my morning but with the generics that rarely happens. 

*  Down Time.  Now that the craziness of Halloween is over I am enjoying some down time. October was a crazy busy month for us so a couple upcoming weekend with little plans is exactly what I need!

*  Scramble with Friends.  I just can't get enough of this silly world game on my phone.  Although I do think I might have a few too many games started (I think I have 17 games going right now) and so if I am playing a game with you and I don't make my move right away it is because I am out of coins!   Why do I let myself get sucked into this games?!?!

*  Blogging.  I have been obsessed with wanting to blog and even more to read other peoples blogs.  I find myself stalking complete strangers and their blogs.  I hope I am not alone in this weird way of passing time.  

*  TV Shows: Breaking Amish, Big Bang Theory (I cannot get enough Sheldon), Two and Half Men (with Charlie, hate the ones with Ashton), Restaurant Impossible, Diners, Drive Inns and Dives, Long Island Medium... just to name a few of my obsessions of stupid shows we watch once the kids are in bed.  

*  Hot Chocolate K-Cups.   I am not a coffee drinker but the very idea that I can have an instant glass of that piping hot chocolate at moments notice just makes the world seem better!  And now that we have a Keurig at work I can't wait to get there and get my morning started - seriously how sad is that?!

*  Food.  I always seem to go through phases with what I eat... new faves include Potato Corn Chowder and Club Sandwich from Eddington's,  Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sub from Subway or Spicy Chicken and Pepperoni Pizza from Cheeta Pizza.  Yes all these places are by my work and my fall backs for when I am too lazy to pack a lunch (which has been quite a bit lately).

*  Pinterest.  I spend many of my lunch breaks getting completely lost on Pinterest.com, usually searching for new dinner/snack/dessert ideas, photography tips and ideas, crafts that the boys and I can do and whatever else I can find that interests me (which is just about everything on that site)!

* Hank.  Although I have now had my van for almost 6 months and the newness should be wearing off I am still so much in love with him.  I remember when I used to say I would NEVER drive a minivan but I now realize I had no idea what I was talking about.  I think even when both my boys are off at college I will still be driving around a mini van.  They are truly amazing and I do believe everyone should give them a try... once you have one you will never go back!

*  Photography.   So I have always had an obsession with taking pictures but lately it has gotten completely out of control.  I love my camera, by far one of the best purchases we have ever made.   I have also found myself wasting all together too much time editing pictures thanks to my friend Lisa who introduced me to Picmonkey.com.  I am taking another photography class this Saturday which I seriously cannot wait for.  The class is called Digital Photography: Beyond the Automatic Settings and is taught by Aileen Leigh Cavaleir Krzos who is a documentary, portrait and fine art photographer.  I am very excited to see what she can teach me during our 7 hour class.  I also have a long list of items I want to purchase to support my crazy photography obsession like Photo Shop Element 10, A Macro Lens, a Tripod, ect!!

Okay I think that is enough for this random post.  I will leave you with just one picture from a little photo shoot I did last month, I know you thought maybe you were going to a picture free post from me but I will tell you right now that I doubt that will ever happen!!

Light at the end of this nightmare?!?!

Well after 6 days of the flu in our house, hitting all 4 of us, I think we can finally see the light at the end of this nightmare!  Everyone is feeling pretty good night and everyone ate dinner for the first time since last Tuesday night.  I was cleaning up the family room tonight, gathering all contaminated blankets, pillows, stuffed animals to be washed and when I turned turned around my boys were cuddled up in the chair together watching cartoons.  I think they missed each other this last week as we have pretty much kept them apart as one was sick and then once he got better the other got it sick, not to mention Frankie and myself getting quite sick in between the two of them.  It was a nasty little flu bug which we also shared with Grandma Yvonne cause we don't like to keep everything to ourselves. We are happy it is gone (or at least we hope it is).  And now that we are feeling better I can get back to my blogging challenge for the month.  I missed two days but that was for a good reason if you ask me.  Now off to watch the election coverage!!

A Bear for Mason Bear

There is nothing that makes a sick little man feel better than the love of a Teddy Bear.  Well today Grandma Lori found an awesome bear at the craft show in town and thought that it was exactly what Mason needed to get over being sick!  Now this bear is no ordinary bear... he is a recycled Teddy Bear.  My mom adopted him for Mason from a lady who rescues old, used, unwanted Teddy Bears.  She opens them and fills them with new stuffing, has them dry cleaned and gets them a new outfit (all clothes are also recycled/reused/donated baby clothes) and then she places these bears up for adoption.  We are now proud to have Bernard be a member of our family, proudly sporting a Baby Gap Sweater and Garanimals pants (seriously, I am not making this up) .  If you have any Teddy Bears that you no long want but don't want him to end up alone forever consider donating him to Rescuing Teddy so that he can fulfill his dream of making children happy!  You can follow Rescuing Teddy on facebook if you would like more information on this awesome idea!!  

Welcome to the family Bernard, you will be very loved in our house!

National Blog Posting Month

So a friend of mine, Alicia, posted about taking the NaBloPoMo Challenge for National Blog Posting Month, it is a challenge to post every single day of this month.  I decided this might be a fun little challenge although I am not sure I have enough interesting stuff going on in my life to post about every single day but I will do my best to not bore you all to death (and by all I mean the 5-7 people that actually read this blog of mine)!  I love reading other peoples blogs and keeping up with what is happening in their lives and with their children.  It is also nice to hear that others are in the same position as us when it comes to raising kids (especially boys)!  So anyways, let the challenge begin.  I am sure most of my posts will include a pic or two or many as I rarely do anything without my camera in my hand.  

Anyways, I just want to say this for my first post in this challenge... the flu is evil.  I woke up very early Halloween morning with the stomach bug.  I spent the entire day in my bed and by evening was finally feeling good enough to venture out trick or treating with my boys.  Being as it was over pretty quickly I kinda thought maybe it was caused by something I ate and not the flu.  Well yesterday Mason let me know that it was not as he pulled an a little stunt when we were getting changed after swimming lessons.  He sat up on the changing station (almost completely dressed at this point) and he painted the walls, himself, the floor and some of me with his dinner!  Dammit, I was really hoping the kids wouldn't get this stupid bug.  I was able to get it all cleaned up, get him into a dry outfit and we made our way home as quickly as possible before the show began again.  For the next three hours I held him as he filled bowl after bowl trying to rid his body of this stupid bug, each time crying harder and shaking his head no (it was so hard to not be able to do anything to make him feel better).  By 9:30 he finally was sleeping and I could start the endless loads of laundry (sick kids always seem to produce more laundry).  He was back up at 12:30 this morning and was up on and off until 5:30 when I got up for work and he decided it was time for him to be up too!  He drank some water which he gave back about 30 minutes later and then cuddled up on the couch to watch cartoons.  Poor kid... it wasn't gone yet, why couldn't  he shake it as quickly as me!  Frankie stayed home with him today so that I could go to work being as I already missed a day this week.  Frankie kept me updated with text and pictures throughout the day... all of which were of my little man sleeping.  He was so tired that he pretty much passed out in any and every position possible.  Finally tonight he was able to drink some liquids and even eat a little pasta without returning his deposit moments later.  I am hoping this means he is finally getting over it.  Now to pray that Colton and Frankie don't ever get it!  Here are just a few pictures of my sick little man!

Happy Halloween 2012

Well is it no surprise that Halloween is one of my favorites holidays and this year we made the most of it once again!  We held our annual Halloween Pumpkin Carving Party on Friday night and it went great.  We had so many friends and their kids come party with us... at one point we had 7 babies under the age of 1 in our house (not to mention all the big brother and sisters to those babies)!!  Saturday morning we woke up nice and early and headed to the Monster Mash Parade in Cottage Grove.  The boys were all dressed up in their costumes and ready to collect candy... and they did just that as they filled two plastic pumpkins full by the end of the 25 minute parade!  Sunday afternoon my cousin and her family came over and we carved more pumpkins, one of my favorite Halloween activities!  Halloween night we went over my parents neighborhood to Trick or Treat... it is so much more fun to trick or treat in a neighborhood where we know so many of the people!  The boys once again got more candy than they will ever be able to eat (most of it will end up going to work with me as we all know how much candy can be consumed in an office setting).  It was another Great Halloween Holiday... counting down the days to next year!