The last week or so has been a pretty disappointing week for me. It's been really hard to find "good" and I've fallen into the trap of feeling "bad" more than "good".

Most of what is spoiling my ability to be happy has to do with our church and I am weary from all of the chaos.

There have been plenty of times this week when I've been tempted to say, "I'm out of here!" or "I've had it." But then I just look at these two precious children of mine and I can't believe I am so selfish.

My kids are high maintenance and full of energy, which wears me out. But, the wonderful-ness of my two beautiful children far outweighs the struggles.

I'm glad I have Brooks and Chloe because they keep me going and remind me that life is full.

We've been sick around this place lately. It all started on Christmas Eve and it hasn't given us much of a break since. Things could be a million times worse, but in the midst of cleaning up vomit or not being able to take a deep breath, we start to think we have a miserable existence on this Earth. We may (I shouldn't even say that) be done (cross our fingers) for a while. Both illnesses, respiratory and stomach have gone through everyone in our household.

Well, not Brooks (he didn't get the stomach bug--yet) but we are praying he will escape the awfulness of it.

So, since Mommy, Daddy and Chloe have all been puking our guts out Brooks has had LOTS of TV and I-Pod time. We weren't winning any official awards this weekend with our parenting, but you've gotta do what you've gotta do. Brooks was fine just chilling, sans shirt like the big boys, on the couch.

Don't you think he looks like a "real" hockey player? We do.

Before the illness struck, Greg was getting "Dad of the Year" award by building the kiddos a super cool Igloo in our front yard. Yes, as a panicked mother I asked Greg to please make one without a roof, just in case it fell in. So, Greg made one with a roof, but PROMISED me they'd never be in it without us right by their sides. I have to admit that the inside of the Igloo is super cool and I can totally understand why a roof would be necessary in order to keep the cool factor of it all. Brooks was in Heaven as his most favorite thing these days is small spaces to "hide" in.

I get a chuckle out of our Valentine's Day photo shoot. It's funny how as the years go by, it's become less important to us to have the perfect photo on the actual Holiday. Two years ago, I would have had the white and pink blankets out ready to serve as the background while I took photos of my two children dressed in perfectly matching Valentine's outfits. If the pictures didn't turn out I would have been beside myself.

Well, time has passed and there is a "new" me. Here's to our 2011 Valentine's Day Photo Shoot.

(See the two pictures below...just in case you were wondering where the Valentine's Day Photos were!)

And for a sweet laugh before you are done reading tonight.

We wondered if Brooks may be getting sick. We were predicting he might get the stomach bug just like the rest of us. He laid our worries to rest when he requested a snack this afternoon (after lunch) while he watched Bubble Guppies.

Our conversation went something like this:

B: "MOOOOMMMMMMM! *Yelling from the bedroom*

M: "Yes, Brooks."

B: "Would you get me a snack, please?"

M: "Sure, Bud. What would you like?"

B: "A bean burrito."

At that moment, I knew his tummy wasn't upset and I also knew I had a very unique three year old.

*note: bean burrito on plate*

I write this blog not only to share my kids with others who love them, but also so we can remember things they do and say.

Here are some Brook-ism's as of late:

After telling Brooks to clean up the workout room that he'd destroyed, he says to me in all seriousness: "Mom, I'm not quite done with my workout. I have about a half-hour left."

Brooks announces to his daddy that he has "taste buddies" on his tongue that help him taste food.

When Brooks doesn't want to do something, like go to school, go to Sunday School, take a nap in his own bed, he says to us: "My head is just feeling a little sick" to get out of having to do anything. (BTW: It doesn't work.)

Brooks was telling his Oma about the hat-trick that a hockey player got last night. He continued to say to his Oma, "Yep. Then we throw our hats on the rink. Then they give the hats to the "bored" people." (Poor people, as we told him that the hats were given to those in need.)

And last but not least:

Brooks LOVES the movie "Despicable Me". In his language he enjoys watching the movie "Speckled Meat" while he eats popcorn and snuggles in his Mommy's bed.

We went to a sledding party (and it wasn't only a sledding party, but I can't remember what it was called) to celebrate my Dad's birthday this weekend. We drove up to a small town called Palo, MN to enjoy some outdoor time. The weather was beautiful, the sledding hill was fast and the kids enjoyed being together.

The adults enjoyed it as well, as ALL 4 grandkids were very well behaved and made it simple to have an adult conversation (that never happens). It was a great present for Chloe and Brooks to give their Opa on his birthday.

We only went down the sledding hill twice as the lines were long. Two hours in the car for only two slides down the hill is TOTALLY WORTH IT when you are with the people you love the MOST.

That evening, we went to the UMD hockey game to finish off a great day.

It was an honor to spend the whole day with my dad on his birthday.

My dad is an amazing man.

We played outside the other day. It felt like Spring with a beautiful cover of white, fluffy snow. Brooks has a hard time playing, though. His idea of playing is mostly shoveling or working on digging up the yard covered with snow and moving snow to other locations. He is a born worker. It's amazing how at age 3+ it's easy to predict the kids who will be lazy and the kids who will work hard for what they need/want. My little man is most definitely the latter of the two.

Anyhow, after a great afternoon (or should I say a great hour) outside, it was time for hot chocolate and marshmallows...but not before Brooks turned into BUZZ! I told him he was at risk of getting hot chocolate on those awesome white gloves, but he just really wanted to wear them, so I let him. Kids need to be kids and it wasn't going to hurt a thing.

Greg reported the during an evening of basketball for Brooks and I, Chloe was "the cutest she's ever been in her life". OF COURSE I wasn't here to see it, but by looking at the pictures he took I believe him that she was simply edible the entire evening. It's SWEET when Chloe is being cute and it's totally BOO when she decides not to be. In those instances there is nothing to make her happy. Poor baby girl, her life is so tough.

After church today we got a great show from Brooks and Chloe. The below picture represents the "no handed wrap around Swan", just in the off chance anyone had forgotten that. Brooks began his show in a normal outfit, but quickly announced that he was getting really sweaty and needed to get his exercise clothes on. I smile when he gets sweaty doing things because he has a Mommy who is VERY sweaty herself and his sweaty (and stinky!) little head reminds me of when I was a kid.

There was a quick time-out during the show to give Sister some loves. When Chloe came to Brooks to be rubbed he looked at her, held her in his arms, sighed and said: "FINALLY!"

That was a melt my heart, I love my kids, nothing better than being a momma moment.

When Brooks chooses to be a lover her is a real lover. He loves to snuggle and tell you out of the blue how much you mean to him. When Sister decides to hold still at the same time that Brother decides to be loving you end up with this. The most beautiful moments as parents. It doesn't happen often, but when it all works out and the children are loving each other, nothing seems challenging.

It's moments like these that make it ALL worth it.

Who would have thought that this is what Greg saw as he walked downstairs last night. Can I get an AMEN and a SWEET HAIR CHLOE?

Just one year ago and my babies really looked like babies. Right now, I am listening to Brooks act like a baby (screaming at the top of his lungs because he doesn't want to go to the bathroom before bed), but they are not babies anymore. Boo, Hoo.

Tonight Greg bought Brooks a video game type thing (not the real deal, but close). It's amazing to watch him catch onto it and figure it out. He looked like a little MAN holding the controller. Yikes.

Chloe is doing her best to keep up with Brother. Tonight she even got to wear UMD PJ's and a UMD helmet just like Brother! (Pictures to follow). She isn't so much a baby anymore either, although she is closer to one because almost every minute of every day she is crying or whining! I wouldn't change it for the world, but I would LOVE for her to learn to talk. It would make everything so much more peaceful.

Speaking of peaceful, we don't have a very peaceful house at this stage in life. I continue to look forward to the day that Greg and I can hold a conversation. It will be great, although I don't wish these years away because I know we are blessed to be these two beauties parents.

We celebrated my Grandpa Doty's 91st Birthday on Friday. What a blessing he is to our family. You'd never know he's 91 years old.

He still shovels his own driveway and sidewalk (even though we tell him not too). Often, when we get there to plow him out, he's already been outside for a couple of hours doing it himself. I know that doing his own chores makes him feel good, so we just make a point now to get to Grandpa's as soon as it starts to snow.

He lost his wife a few years back (my Grandma) and we could see Grandpa dying right before our eyes. He spent time in the hospital for many different symptoms, many of which pointed back to "a broken heart" or "depression".

During all of this my Grandpa met a woman named Garnette. Garnette goes to the same church as my Grandpa and they had been friends for ages. Garnette was also a widow. They began to date and ALL of my Grandpa's symptoms went away. He was no longer sick. Garnette was all it took to heal my Grandpa.

They have been married now for lots of years (I think 7) and she is such a blessing to our family. My Grandma Doty even had said before she died, that if she died she'd want my Grandpa to marry someone like Garnette!

In our prayer for my Grandpa on his 91st birthday, we thanked the Lord for him and also for Garnette, who came into my Grandpa's life at the perfect moment (God's plan) and gave him several more years of life on earth.

We love you, Grandpa. Happy Birthday.

When Opa came to our house this week to celebrate Grandpa Doty's 91st birthday, he brought Brooks a little something special.

Now Brooks is officially a "Bulldog" and we are trying to figure out ways to get him to take off his jacket.

Yesterday, he wore it the entire time he was at the Depot, Aquarium, and Children's Museum.

He told his daddy that he wanted to make sure everyone could see it.