Nap time in chair

I went to a church women's retreat this morning with my mom. The priest that spoke talked about "The past cannot be changed, but how I feel about the past can change". He focused on some themes like being strong, loving, and wise. He also talked about forgiveness. One of the best things I came away with was wanting to realize the difference between what is beyond and what is within my control. I sometimes focus too much on what is beyond my control. Even tonight I was all concerned about something that was beyond my control....I cannot control other people, what they do, or what they say....but I can control myself, how I feel, what I do, and how I treat other people. There are so many other productive things I could be doing...why waste time focusing on what I can't control?

I love to go in and give the boys kisses when they are sleeping. This afternoon while Connor was at a birthday party, I went in to go check on and give the younger boys kisses. I walked into Jacob's room...found him sound a a sleep in bed, gave him a big kiss, and fixed his covers. Opened the door to Nolan's room.....found him sound a sleep in.....his Elmo chair! What? I don't know when he moved from his bed to here, but he did. Matt left him a sleep in his bed. We still use the monitor in his room and I did not hear a peep the whole time....I don't know how or when he moved from the bed to here. I put him back in bed, gave him a kiss, and fixed his covers. ;)

Mom and I went to the movie "New in Town" tonight. Though I thought it was a little far fetched about us Minnesotans dontcha know....it was hilarious. Thanks mom.

Night in Uptown

Tonight for my dad's birthday(which is Monday) the "adults" went out to eat at The Uptown Bar and Grill, then the ComedySportz club, and then to Stella's for a drink - obviously all in Uptown. We had a great time. The drinks, the food, the laughs, and the company were all superb!

My mom's "three egg" veggie omelet. We could not get over the size of this thing . Come on, seriously only three eggs?


Sorry dad, had to put this one on here! His birthday shot!

I need to quick mention our babysitter Megan on here. She is incredible. Most importantly she is so good with the boys, they love her, AND....not that it's a big deal but the house is always straightened up when we get home. In fact tonight...two things happened - while I was opening the applesauce jar it exploded and applesauce went everywhere including all over me. I quickly went to the bathroom to get it out of my eyes, and change and by the time I got back she had cleaned up the kitchen. Second, I was washing the boys' blankets, but it didn't finish before I left so I asked Megan if she wouldn't mind throwing them in the dryer. (I hate to mention this but like many times, there were other clothes in the dryer already that I hadn't folded yet). We came home to find that she had folded the clothes from in the dryer. Is she not amazing?....worth every penny! Not to mention it was a long night- from 4pm - midnight. We are so fortunate, and it makes going out, spending adult time, so much easier when you feel completely comfortable with who your kids are with.

Snow Day in February, almost March?!

We were let out early today due to a snow storm. It was nasty out for a few hours, but then it was fine. We went from seeing almost all green (or brown I guess!) to this ....

I don't ever remember having lightening, thunder, and snow all at the same time.

Nothing like a good game of Sequence (for kids).

As much of a "toyroom" as we're going to have right now until we finish the basement...

Before...

After...

Complete with dry erase marker boards on the walls, mounted TV, train table, basketball shoot, air hockey game...and toys galore!

I meant to get down to the computer last night, but got busy doing "stuff". All weekend I (and Matt some yes!) organized. I organized our game closet, our laundry room, my pile on the counter, a couple of our drawers, the boys' closet (while moving toys downstairs), which leads me to the toy room downstairs (pictures to come of the semi - finished project), the coat closet....I am on a role and I'm not sure what my motivation is. Do you ever get like that....you start one thing and it gets you going on about a hundred?

Some cute pictures from last night.
Handy Manny Nolan hammering in some tacks.

Practicing our basketball skills




I met up with two of my dear friends for supper tonight. It had been way too long since the last time I saw these two lovely ladies and I've missed them. I met them when Matt and I lived in Mankato. They truly are incredible ladies. I'm just sad that so much time has gone by since the last time I've talked to them and/or seen them, we've missed out on so much. It was wonderful catching up with them tonight and even though it had been awhile, it was so easy to pick up where we left off. I laugh and smile so much with them, and they are what you would call "true" friends, who are always there and would do anything. Thank you Mandy and Marissa. Let's do it again....sooner than later.

Connor and Jacob are sporting their new swimming trunks. It was about time. Connor is so skinny, he was still wearing 3/4T trunks. They were getting too short on him, but still fit his waist. Apparently "smile" means be silly and make a face!The boys are really into tattoos right now. Mom and dad came over for a little last night to see the boys and what we had started in the basement. We were downstairs when all of a sudden Jacob comes down and shows us his new tattoo. The kid cut his own off of the rest of the sheet, somehow got a wet towel and put it on all by himself. They decided Grandma needed one also. My dad helped Matt put up a basketball shoot that Papa John and YaYa gave us. We had to laugh, because they gave it to Connor for his 2nd birthday and at the time we were thinking....this is an interesting gift for a 2 yr. old! We were reminiscing about the interesting trip home from the party in Winona. We had to fit this huge box plus 7 people in it. I remember we weren't sitting in very legal or comfortable spots. However, who is laughing now....it is a sweet set up that you can fit into a cool cupboard when not using it and the boys are going to have a blast. Heck, who am I trying to fool, mommy and daddy and anybody else that comes over, are going to have a blast!

Friday Night

Friday night Matt rented a movie for the boys and we watched it. They camped out on the floor. After the boys went to bed, Matt and I started to work on turning our basement into a "toyroom". The basement isn't finished yet, so we are trying to do the best we can without spending a lot of money because we will be finishing the whole things sometime. Nolan is now big enough and we feel comfortable with them being downstairs by themselves at times. Here is what we started with...finished product pictures to come. ;)

Oh, snap!

Connor's newest phrase is "Oh, snap!". Not so sure I like that, but it could be worse I guess. Ironic that his newest accomplishment that he is so proud of is snapping.

Definitely our little "baller"!

Crazy boys in the bath tub. This pose was all Connor's idea. "Mommy, go get the camera and take a picture of us like this!". He knows his mommy well! A boy after my own heart.

Seriously? Just chillin', or should I say hangin' out? He is growing up so, and TOO fast. He is doing super in his big boy bed at night time and we just put his high chair downstairs. He wants nothing to do with it anymore. Makes me sad, yet very excited to watch these boys to grow up together.

Making it work, or working at making it.

The Misplaced Americans.


There is no prince. There is no princess. There's just two human beings, trying to be happy.


If you hear a couple claim that they never disagree, it means that they're either lying or one is completely dominating the other.


There is rarely a "right" or "wrong" way of doing anything. Just different. This is a tough one for people to get - especially with money. The husband wants to spend money on the car and the wife wants to buy the kids' clothes. Who is right? NO ONE. They are just different areas to spend on. The only wrong way is to disagree.


Everything is fixable. Everything. Some problems are astronomically harder to fix, but that's what the Atonement is all about. Fixing the unfixable.


Never try to change the other. Change yourself first and foremost.


Never pray to marry the one you love. Pray to love the one you marry. If He can part the Red Sea, He can change your heart.


Look for the good. You always, always find what you're looking for - especially faults.


Communication is crucial. But before you can communicate your wants and needs, you need to know yourself. You need to know HOW you want to be loved - and how the other wants to be loved.


Sex is important. Yes, I just said that.


No one is a mind reader. I know women want the men to "just know" what they want. Guess what. THEY DON'T HAVE A CLUE UNLESS WE TELL THEM, SO HELP THEM OUT ALREADY.


You have to be unified in everything. Remember the egg. When hot water comes (and it WILL come), if you don't break the shell open, the egg will harden - and separate. Never more will the white and yolk become one. But if you break the egg open and unify - voila! The hot water (the trials and difficulties that EVERYONE passes) will solidify your relationship - and never again can you be separated.


Be friends. Have common interests and do things together. You must must MUST date - alone, without the kids. You need time to talk, too. My Man and I have a Sunday Session every Sunday at 9:00. That time is sacred. We have a notebook with our agendas in it - after a prayer, we discuss, in order: 1) spiritual experiences that week, 2) us - our relationship, 3) the kids, individually, 4) finances/budget, 5) any calendar items that week, including Family Home Evening, and 6) callings/work/house stuff. It is often my favorite time of the week.


A covenant marriage includes three people - man, wife, and the Lord. Even when one spouse falters - or even both - the Lord is still capable and willing to carry the load. Basing marriage on the foundation of God's love is the surest way to find joy.

An apple a day......

The boys were so excited to go play when we got home tonight this is what I came in from the garage to see. I had to call everyone back to put it away of course....I do love that they are playing together so well lately though....they truly are going to be the best of buddies.

They LOVE apples.....and would eat one every day if we ever had that many in the fridge.

We ate apples while watching American Idol.

Connor randoms and the freedom of nakedness

Why not do a puzzle in the nude?


Connor:
"Mom, is God in charge of us? Does he make us do everything we do?"...boy was that a lead to an interesting conversation.

"Mom, is the Easter bunny a REAL bunny? Seriously? He can't be."



This was the sunrise out of our window yesterday...Unbelievable huh?

Valentine's weekend

Hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's weekend. I did with my true loves...Matt, Connor, Jacob, and Nolan.

Connor had a party at school on Thursday, and the boys had a party at Mary's on Friday. She is so good to them. Friday night Matt and I participated in a neighborhood progressive dinner (well the early stages of it - we cut out early because we haven't been home much and had so much to do, plus we had planned on showing my parents our pictures from Germany). We have a great neighborhood.


Matt had a basketball tournament this weekend in White Bear Lake. We started Saturday morning with swimming lessons and had to leave early from them to head out. Matt's team won their first game.
The boys and I went to visit my cousin, Sarah, and her family to play. Sarah and Jon have two boys, Brandon and Ryan. Five boys in one house.....they played really well together. It was good to catch up with Sarah. Matt's team won their second game and we met up at the hotel. The boys could hardly get their swimming trunks on they were so excited to go swimming. The pool had a 90 ft. water slide that the boys had a blast going down. Boy, did we have our hands full. Matt and I took turns with Jacob and Nolan jumping in the pool and swimming to the other side. They would have jumped in without us watching, they are so brave, too brave. Connor goes to preschool with one of the player's brother, so they had fun playing together. One of the mom's took some great pictures (thank goodness) because I was a little busy in the pool!
Today Matt's team won the championship game. The team played great all weekend. The boys really had fun, and Connor loves sitting on the bench with the team. In fact, he shared his tattoos with the team and all of the players put a tattoo on their bicep. Connor was pretty sure the team won because of his tattoos!

Big news in the Ginskey house....Nolan now has a big boy bed. He's pretty pumped! So far the first night went great....we'll keep you posted.

Finally....last Germany share

Last time I wrote about Germany was the Sunday night before Matt and I were about to take the train to Fussen to go see the Neushwanstein and Hohenschangua castles. I just didn't have time to download the pictures until now.

We left Monday morning and took the 2 plus hour train ride to Fussen. As we got closer to Fussen it was beautiful being able to see the mountains. The castles are in the Alps right on the Germany -Austria border. In Fussen we had to take a short bus ride to Schwangua. Once there we really had no idea what to expect or what to do. We followed the "tickets" signs and bought tickets to see both castles. We didn't realize we had to walk to both of them. To the first one, Hohenschangua, it was only about a 5 minute walk. This was the castle that was actually lived in, and we did the tour. The map said it was about a 40 minute walk to Neushwanstein, but it only took us about 30 minutes. Again, we didn't know what to expect when we got there (due to the lack of planning or I guess I'd rather call it spontaneity!). My shoes, socks, feet, and pants were soaking wet and filthy from the snow melting. I didn't really care because the view and sights around me were so breathtaking, plus the company was so enjoyable! ;) The walk was up this hilly, windy road where the trees were tipped with snow. Seriously, it was beautiful, the pictures don't do it justice. Matt loved the snow falling from the trees. We made it to the castle with a lot of time before our tour, so we walked back down the road a little ways and stopped in a little cafe to have some gluhweine and pretzels. This castle was started, but never finished or lived in because of a death and debt. Interesting.
After the castles we headed back to town and did some shopping and found a cute little pub off a side street and had another great meal and good beer. We took the train ride home in the dark after a very enjoyable and long day. It was a great way to end the trip and we were ready to head home to see the boys.

Sorry about all of the pictures...

Sweet Lemony Blog Award

I was nominated by Lee Anne and Jessica for this award, awhile ago, and am just getting to it now. It was perfect fitting because of my word of the year....gratitude. These two ladies have wonderful blogs and I truly love and appreciate their comments on my blog.

Here are the official rules of the game...

1. Put the logo on your blog post.

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude.

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received the award.

I nominate:

1. LeeAnne. even though she has already done it. I teach with Lee Anne and we both are moms of boys only! You should check out her blog. She does these amazing tributes to people (her boys, mom, mother in law) that I will probably be copying at some point. ;) She is a very honest person, and so great at making comments on people's blogs.

2. Jessica, even though she has already done it. Jessica moved this summer and I really enjoy being able to keep up to date with her from her blog. She does an amazing job of keeping it up to date. Jessica has a beautiful girl, Jordyn, who is always smiley...and such a blessing.

3. Kristin, my sister in law married to my brother Matt, also does a great job of keeping her blog up to date. They have an adorable 6 month old, Kelsey. I swear she is the best baby I have ever known. I have yet to hear her cry more than a few times. Even though we live in the same town, we're all very busy so I love being able to see how my niece is growing up. Kelsey is a blessing also.

4. Erin,my cousin who lives in Illinois. She also has a Conor, who is so cute. We used to see each other and talk more when we were younger, and now don't see each other very often. It's great being able to watch and see what's going on with them through her blog.

5. Wendy,is a friend from high school. We were great friends in high school, sort of lost touch during college, and then picked right up again after college. We don't get to see each other a ton, or talk all that much, but when we do we it's like we haven't missed a beat. We have a lot in common. She has two adorable girls, that are just like their mom. Wendy is one of the more hilarious people I know.

6. Kelly, I got to know from playing softball. She is an amazing mom of four great kids, not to mention a mom doing it on her own for the most part. She is a very talented photographer, and one of the most laid back people I know, not to mention still an amazing softball player. ;)

7. Tanja, doesn't even know me, but I follow her blog daily. I came across it this summer and I used her 12 course meal idea with the boys a ton. They thought I was the coolest and I owe it all to Tanja. She is always so positive in her blog and appears to be a beautiful person inside and out.

8. Stephanie, also doesn't know me, but I follow her blog too. I became addicted to Stephanie's blog awhile ago after finding out that she and her husband were in a plane crash and have been going through intensive burn therapy and surgery for awhile now. It is amazing what they have all been through. Her "voice and personality" really come through from her blog.

9. Laurie, over at Tip Junkie, is always sharing and featuring amazing women. I have made quite a few connections from her blog and love all of the ideas. It's almost overwhelming sometimes. She also does not know me. ;)

10. Dawn, is a friend I have gotten to know better within the last 5 years and she has two adorable kids, Lane and Kate. I have not met Kate yet, and hope to do so soon. Dawn is a very creative and sweet woman.

Valentines

Big party tomorrow! We spent lots of time "perfecting" them, especially Hillary's! ;)

We're home!

Wow, what a wonderful trip we had. Well, I had atleast. I know Matt enjoyed the time that we had together, however he had to work ALOT of the trip, so I know not all of it was as enjoyable for him. It was so good to get home and see these lovely faces and fall down from such hard hugs and kisses.

Back to reality today with teaching. It was fun being back in the school, seeing the kids, talking with my coworkers, but man.....wouldn't mind being in Germany still!

We had an incredible last day on Monday when we took the train to Fussen (on the boarder of Germany and Austria) and then took a bus to Schangua to see the castles. It was a picture perfect day, with beautiful setting. In my opinion I thought the snow setting, versus seeing everything green, was even better. More pictures and stories to come, I didn't have time last night because it was all about the boys (and we were exhausted!).

For those of you who are not familiar with the Backyardigans, it is a cartoon where these characters go into their backyard and have an imaginary adventure and their backyards turn into whatever the setting of their adventure is.

"Mom, I know why the Backyardigans are called the Backyardigans!"

"Why?"

"Because they play in their backyards and they do it again and again....get it....the Backyard...agains?!"

"Good thinking! I bet you're right!"

Mom did such a great job of taking pictures and updating us with the little things said or done while we were gone. She had to email me my marriage license to make my journey home go more smoothly with my passport and she put this in the email: Tonight while snuggling....I told Connor and Jacob that I'm glad mommy and daddy are coming home but I'm sure going to miss them. Jacob grabs my hand and says "I miss you"....Connor says, "I will miss you a little...but am glad mommy and daddy will be home." Gotta love that."

It's good to be home.

A few pictures....

Hallo.
The word FEW is not a part of my vocabulary when it comes to pictures. I have taken, I don't even know how many. Those of you that know me....can probably imagine. I've received that look from Matt many times....seriously, another picture? I've added a FEW of them here...

Again, I am up at a strange time -12:45 am here, 5:45 pm there...because I have a strange burst of energy. What better thing to do with that energy (when my husband is sleeping of course ;) ) then get on the internet?! Yesterday I went back to Nuremburg and went to the Nazi rally grounds and then Matt surprised me with calling me to meet him earlier than we had planned at the Central Station. Actually, he quickly went back to Erlangen and changed and met me so that we could stay in Nurenburg for the night. We walked around, enjoyed the festivities of the Toy Fair, had a delicious meal and tasty drinks.

Today I joined Matt at the Toy fair to walk around and see what it was all about. Wow - so cool. I have never seen so many toys, booths, and innovative things. We had fun taking pictures that the boys would enjoy (the stuff Matt did and looked at for work, like balls, weights, and early childhood equipment wasn't nearly as fun to take pictures of). We then headed back to Munich by train this afternoon and were able to get some Munich sight seeing in during in the light. I was hoping to see the Glockenspiel go off, but we missed it. We came back to the hotel, called the boys, and I starting another book, while Matt got some work done.

We both think that we had the best meal that you see here in these pictures. Some of you are probably grossed out, however, this sauce was mouth watering, flavorful and the meat literally melted in your mouth. The potatoes are awesome over here, and of course the beer was great and refreshing! Supposedly, this (shoulder part) is special just to Nuremburg.
This is the church, The Church of our Lady, that was our view outside of our window in the picture above.

Tomorrow we're taking a 2 hour train ride to go see these: (it won't be as green, so I hope I still get some beautiful pictures)