Celebrating my Mom

Celebrating Mom's 70th in California earlier this year.  Just us!

Mom with my Dad, who couldn't adore her any more!

Mom and Jack

Mom and the boys

Mom and Drew boating

Mom and Jack in Cabo 2008

My Mom's birthday is this Sunday, Easter Sunday actually.  April 12, 1939 was her birthdate so she is 70 this year!  Which sounds much older to me than I think she really is...

I love my Mom, I adore my Mom.  She is one of my best friends.  I talk to her almost every day of the week.  She has always been one of my biggest fans and supporters.  For as long as I can remember she has believed in me and the person I am.  She has stood up for me time and time again. Growing up the baby of the family I had a lot of extra time alone with my parents. :)

I remember in Kindergarten I went half days, afternoons actually.  And she and I had the mornings together and then she would make me one of my favorite lunches, either PB and J or a bologna sandwich with applesauce...and MOST days she let me eat it in the family room while I watched Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.  We NEVER got to eat in the family room, and we NEVER got to watch TV while we ate...but this was a special treat for me.  (of course she probably did it more so I would quit talking and eat than anything)

Then came first grade (promise I won't write about every grade)...but I went full days.  And WOW those days were LONG being away from my MOM!  I went home at least once a week sick for the first 7 weeks of school...I was homesick.  Then Mom caught on, as did the school nurse and they put a kabosh on that deal.  I loved being home and with my Mom.

Fast forward to Jr High and High School...I still called home for her to pick me up at least 2 times a month.  I loved sneaking out of school early and going home with Mom.  This time I used the payphone at school so skipped going to the nurse...I was catching on now.  I knew which days were good to be sick and stay home too.  Mondays you should go to school so you knew what was ahead for the week, plus you just had the weekend.  BUT Tuesdays and Wednesdays were great "I don't feel so good" days for me.  You could look back at my school records for that info.  You didn't want to be sick on a Thursday or Friday as that could mess up the weekend plans with your friends.  :)  I loved my MOM!  I always requested her and Dad to chaperone our dances, which my older brother didn't think was such a terrific idea.  :)

Then came college, a HUGE change, 3 hours from home now.  I called home almost daily in college, and ALWAYS on Sunday nights.  And there was a point my freshman year Mom told me that I didn't need to call home so often..once a week was enough....I am sure their long distance bill was astronomical as I used their calling card to call them.  So I didn't call, I talked to Mom and Dad on that Sunday and didn't call...didn't call and by Thursday she called ME to make sure everything was alright and informed me she thought that once a week wasn't enough and to go back to my old ways.  :)

Can you tell we are connected?

Then, I married Scott and I moved away...to Omaha.  That was SO hard for me to leave my Mom and Dad.  I continued to call often as I had a million questions then for Mom, how do I cook this?  how long does that stay in the oven?  how do I time my meal to come out at the same time?  

And then I had Tommy...the minute he was born my respect and love for my Mom multiplied 100,000 times over.  I FINALLY understood how very much SHE (and my Dad) LOVED me.  The feelings of love I had for our little baby, WOW!  Mom and Dad were at the hospital of course and I will never forget handing Tommy to her...and watching her smile, and her face glow.  I GOT IT!  I got how much she loved me, how she would give her life for me, how she longed to protect me from this world, how she prayed for me...the years of worry I probably gave her.  I got it!  She stayed with us for Tommy's first few days home, as she left I sobbed.  Partly because I was now on my own with this baby and a little scared but MOSTLY because I had this new bond with her, I knew how much she loved me. I really KNEW in my heart.  And I was SO grateful.  

Mom, happy birthday to you.  I couldn't love you any more.  I couldn't appreciate you any more than I do...I get it!  I appreciate everything that you gave up in your life to make our growing up years wonderful.  Thank you for all of the love you pour into our boys...they adore you too!    I hope YOU know how wonderful you are, and how much YOU are loved and honored this week!  Can't wait to celebrate YOU this weekend!

Baseball, Baseball and more Baseball

Well the season is here....BASEBALL.  Scott was at the Twins opener last night and it seems it has kicked into a higher gear around the Shisler house too.  We have baseball every night this week for one boy or the other, and a few nights we have multiple practices! Scott is coaching Drew and Jack's Little League teams too.  Tommy and Drew are doing their AAU competative teams as well.

Drew had his first game on Saturday in the freezing cold and wind.  They did win 19-5.  Tommy, Jack and I only made it for the first 2 innings.  We were SO cold and not dressed for the weather.

I do love watching the boys play baseball and being outdoors again...

24 hour box

In cleaning off and organizing book shelves this weekend I ran across my favorite books on ORGANIZING!  Okay I am an organizer at heart, and I really wish my house could look like Martha Stewart was just here ALL the time.  But reality hits and then I realize with 3 boys that is probably not realistic.  (hmmm actually 4 boys if you count Scott)  When I was in 6th grade I even decided that I would take over cleaning for my Mom.  I announced to my big brother and big sister that on Saturdays we would ALL now be cleaning our rooms, bathroom and downstairs for her....it maybe lasted 2 weeks.  I think I stuck in awhile longer...but my sister and brother didn't think my idea was so thrilling.  So I will admit I go on these organizing and cleaning binges...

BUT... I did find a great tip in one of my books that was written by a Mom and just informed the boys of it.  It's call the 24 hour box.  SO if I find something on the floor, not put away etc it goes in the 24 hour box.  The boys can check that box (basket) as often as they would like and return the item to its rightful home.  IF the item is still in the box after 24 hours it disappears!  Donation or else if it is something more spendy it may be re-gifted at a birthday or Christmas to them.  Sounds a little harsh yes, BUT, I think it will work.  The mom in the book said it only took one thing for each child to disappear and they didn't do it again.  They checked the box faithfully and were sure to put things away.  With an 11, 9 and 6 year old I don't think it is unrealistic.  So I am giving it a whirl.

In the meantime we are purging and sorting all sorts of toys in the basement this week.  It is our project that WILL get done by Saturday!  :)

Shisler's Sweep

For the last 2 years the Shisler's have "won" Scott's office NCAA pool.  His Mom 2 years ago, Drew last year and it is looking like a win for Scott this year as he has Michigan State and NC still in it!  No one else has those 2 final teams, so regardless of who wins tonight he is good to go.  So looks like for 3 years our family will hold the FIRST place honor.  

My bracket, hmm, well it is in last place.  Jack even beat me. :)

Snow Day

Just home from church...and the poor birds.  brrr..  At least they have food.  Jack and I filled bird feeders last week.

April in Iowa!

14 years and counting....

We did get out on Friday night to celebrate our anniversary.  Jack took this when we got home...

Love you honey...

Drew in DC

Drew just got home on Wednesday from a 5 day trip to Washington DC with my Mom and Dad.  An early 10th birthday gift for him.

They had a terrific time.  Drew came home with more knowledge about DC than I ever expected.  So cute to hear him tell all about it.  He loved every minute of it...even dressing up everyday. 

Here are some pictures from his adventures...

In front of the white house before their tour.

At the Capital in Congressman Paulsen's, from MN, office.

On the Capital steps with the Congressman and Grandma and Grandpa.   They are friends with Mr. Paulsen which was a fun connection too for tours etc.  

The Lincoln Memorial with Grandma and Grandpa.

From the top of the Washington Monument...notice there is a guy mowing the White House Lawn which Drew thought was very cool. 

This is the house I lived in from birth to age 2 in McLean, Virginia.  I was born in Washington DC. :)   For those of you who have seen our house in Waukee, it looks remarkably similar which I think is pretty funny.  

My favorite from the whole trip....Grandpa (Roy) walking and talking with Drew (Andrew Roy) after touring the white house.  Cut off the same block...

We cannot thank you enough Mom and Dad, for this gift.  Such a blessing for Drew to see DC this way but more importantly what a blessing for him to have 5 days of undivided attention from his grandparents.  Memories that will NOT be forgotten.  

Station Wagons and other random thoughts

I love FRIDAYS!  Knowing in a few short hours we will have 2.5 days as a family makes me smile.  I love the weekends.  Saturdays and Sundays together with my boys make me smile.  

Scott is in Northern Iowa today meeting with a customer, he left early didn't even hear him, Tommy has a sleepover party tonight at a friends, Drew has baseball as does Jack.  Scott and I are sneaking out for a quick date night dinner to celebrate our anniversary while the younger 2 go to friends houses for dinner.  

The sun is shining which makes any day feel better always too.  The tulips are starting to come up too.  

My friend Jen, posted on her blog about Sara Groves music so I have been playing it all morning and it makes me so happy.  The CD is called Station Wagon that I have going right now.  If the name of the album alone doesn't bring back terrific memories of growing up with our various Station wagons in the Terwilliger house not sure what will.  The songs are terrific.  If you are a Mom you should really have this CD among her other ones.  It has been too long since I have listened to her.  She just knows how to make the important things feel important, and the not so important things seem just that.  She is a Mom at the core of who she is and so she "gets it".  She shares her faith through her songs so beautifully.  

Next week is Spiritual Emphasis week at school, every day the boys will have chapel.  I love that they are in a school that takes an entire week to focus on Easter and Jesus' death on the cross.  It really IS the reason we believe what we believe as Christians.  Jesus died on the cross for ME, for Scott, for Tommy, for Drew, for Jack and for you.  I love that.  That Jesus gave his life so that we COULD have eternal life in heaven.  Would I give up my life for people I did not even know yet??  Last week I heard a great story in church, about a Dad trying to teach his children about Jesus' gift to us and his atonement on the cross.  And here is what he did, his son was in his room being punished/grounded for something and it was family fun night so everyone else was downstairs playing games and having fun.  This Dad went up to his son's room and told him HE would sit in his room and take his son's punishment and the son was then free to go downstairs and have fun.  What a great example of what Jesus did for US....

He died for ME....and then HE rose again....and there WILL be a day where I will see him again. How great is that?  Heaven will probably feel like a weekend everyday.  Cannot even imagine.

Welcome Home Drew

Our sweet Drew is home from a 5 day whirlwind vacation/field trip to Washington DC with my parents.  He just got home with Daddy, who picked him up in Minneapolis.  

He walked in...groggy, just waking up from the car ride.  Leaned into me for a long, big hug.  Then up to bed he wanted to go.  The signs, balloons and welcome home chatter will wait for tomorrow.    I will post his pictures as soon as I can....

Bless his tired little body....

He is home.  I will sleep well tonight with all 3 of my chicks here in their nest.  And my Love home too, 14 years of marriage today.  

Thanks Mom and Dad for the trip of a lifetime for a little boy. 

A smiling Mommy,