Well....

Apparently, I lack focus. I have completely forgotten about blogging! I'm still not sure people noticed, but I think some people have...due to strange comments!

Anywhoo...here's a recap of life since April:

**Decided to become a little crazy and become a Vacation Bible School Director at church (YIKES! HUGE RESPONSIBILITY!!)

**Went to Miami...just me and the hubby...what a wonderful vacation! 4 days on the beach/pool at the Loews Hotel. Also, we ate at some fabulous restaurants too!

**I took a job at Jack and Ainsley's Preschool/Parents Day Out program! I'm helping in the preschool room...this should be interesting! I love staying home, but this opportunity was just too good to pass up!

**Celebrated our 9th anniversary with dinner and a hotel visit in KC...my husband is WAY more romatic than me! That's why I love him!

**Attended my grandma's auction of household stuff...who knew one gal of 97 years had so much stuff...so cool to see, but also sad to see it go away. So many wonderful memories!

**Signed Jack up for swim lessons, Kindermusik, and tball. This kid is busy! Ainsley needs something to do too, but she's just a little too young!

**Visit to the Lake...Jack and Ainsley both tubed and I skiied! Man, I am soooo sore!

I promise to write more! My family bought me a Flip camera and I have already put it to great use! I hope to load some videos up soon!

Much love to you all...

I think that is it!

My baby girl turned 2!

So, here are some of my favorite pictures from Ainsley's 2nd birthday. I can't belieave my little girl is two...and boy does she act like it! She drives me crazy, but I just love her! Even during those hard moments...I love her! and Jack! and Jeff! and every amazing person in my life!

Mr. Basketball

Jack completed his Bitty Basketball program last night. We've done Bitty T-Ball (horrible), Bitty Soccer (better) and now Bitty Basketball (okay). It's just 40 3 to 4 year olds learning to play these games. Poor Jeff, he was a volunteer (because of me) each time. I'm pretty sure he wants me to NEVER volunteer him again, but I also know he was a pretty proud daddy!

Jack sunk TWO baskets last night. One during practice and one during the game! Here are a few pictures from his game last night.

Rough Day...Rougher Night

So, yesterday was a pretty rough day. The day started well. We went to church and my mom came and it was fairly normal. Later that morning we went to lunch with my dad's family at Galvin's in St. Joseph, MO. Lunch was yummy...fried chicken, potatoes, gravy, green beans, corn, bread, soup and my choice, pears with cranberry orange relish. But, then the day went down hill from there. We went to see my dad's grave with Jack and Ainsley. First of all, there isn't grass and it earth has REALLY sunk. I almost felt like I could see his coffin. That wasn't the bad part. We put flowers on his grave...that wasn't the bad part. The bad was when Jack asked to see Papa. He thought we were actually going to see Papa. That was the bad part. That broke my heart. I thought I was going to lose it! I kept it together, but cried in the car. I was pretty sure Jack was going to cry. He was so excited because he thought we were going to see Papa. I guess we kept telling him we were going to see where Papa was buried, but he didn't understand what I meant. Oh...I felt terrible. Ainsley kept saying, "Where's Papa", but of course, she didn't understand. I wish we could see Papa, but we have pictures and memories...but I don't think Jack understands.

From there, we went to my Aunt's house, so the day got better. I was nice just visiting with everyone.

Then we came home. Everything seemed fine until midnight. From there, Ainsley cried until 6am! I am exhausted. We went to the doctor and she has an ear infection. Luckily, I took her prescription to Target and they filled it within 10 minutes.

I miss my dad and I say I had a rough day, but I really didn't. I was surrounded by family who care. My mom came over today to help me with Ainsley. My dad's family was there to help us feel better. My Aunt Joan even suggested we take a picture out to the cemetery for Jack to see him. I received my Thumbie, which is my necklace that is my dad's thumb print to have. I know it sounds weird, but it is also nice to have something of my dad's, especially for my kids.

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween from the Arnold's!!!!

The Conspiracy

Jeff said the kids are now conspiring against us...maybe finally. They have decided NOT to sleep. First it was Ainsley and now it is Jack. Of course, the other morning God intervened and gave us a thunderstorm and then Jack woke up.

Oh...to have my kids sleep again!

My son, the commando

A conversation we just had...


Prior to singing, Jeff was messing with Jack and depantsed Jack.
Carolyn sings..."I see London, I see France, I see Jackie's underpants..."
Jack screams, "I'm not wearing underweare!!!"
Jeff says, "What?!?!" Then checks and says, "You AREN'T wearing underwear. Why not?"
Jack says," I didn't want to!"

I guess my son likes to go commando....

BTW--I was just watching Ainsley and she seriously needs some fruit. She was walking up the stairs and holding on to the banister to poop!

Staying home is tough!

These past three weeks have been tough! I thought being a stay at home mom would be easier, but we are sooo busy! This week we had church, my aunt visited from Texas, and lots of swimming! Yesterday, Jack and I went to the movies to see Up. I loved it, but I'm not sure he did. Actually, I know he enjoyed himself, but the movie was a little scary for a 3 year old (just some exciting action scenes!)! This week we are going to the farmers market and going to the lake for some r and r. We will be back on Sunday.

Ugh...I have jury duty on July 6th. This is the 2nd time I have had jury duty! So not looking forward to the 6th. However, on July 8th, Jack will turn 4! I can't believe he is that old! I have loved every minute!

Have a great weekend!

Where to begin...

Let' see...I only have 9 days of school left! I have decided to stay home for the next school year and I am so excited! I have my zoo pass ready, and trying dilligently to find things to do that are free! Let me know what to do for fun that's free!

This evening, Jeff and I realized that Jack can finally make the L sound! We are very excited! He was saying "Lilly, Laura, Lola". It was just so fun to hear him say those words so clearly!

This Mother's Day was wonderful! On Saturday, Jeff and I worked outside all day long! I went to my neighbor's baby shower and when I came home my cell phone wouldn't work. I couldn't figure out what was wrong. Jeff thought there must be an outage around KC. I didn't think much about it, but I was super frustrated! As the day progressed, my phone STILL wasn't working. I am dependant on that phone, so I am frustrated! Jeff's phone had some kinda weird message like SOS...only emergency calls. So...we went to dinner at my parents house and my phone still didn't work so I was on our account looking at what the problem might be. I asked Jeff if he had paid our bill, and he had. The weird thing was it said I had an iphone as my cell phone. I was ticked because I didn't have an iphone and I thought our account was all messed up! Well...I arrived home and decided I needed to call AT & T and find out what the problem was! Jeff handed me the phone and a present and said I needed to open my package before I call. Ah....and IPHONE! I was so excited! He even got me a pink case for the outside! I'm so excited and just love it! Thanks honey!

On Mother's day, Jack and Ainsley both gave me flowers from church stuff and spent a wonderful lunch at IHOP with my parents! Just a great Mother's Day all around! Thanks family!

Ainsley's so funny!

Ainsley now says, "Woof, Woof"!! I asked her what a doggie says and she makes this funny face and says "woof, woof"! So cute!

Bend it like Ainsley

Had to laugh...Ainsley just handed me her bottle, which by the way we are trying to stop, but alas, no luck. So she handed me her bottle and I then threw it to Jeff. She took it from Jeff and gave it back to me. When I told her to give it to daddy, she threw it on the floor and then kicked it around like a soccer ball, hence...Bend it like Ainsley (according to Jeff)!!!

Happy Easter!

Here's our Easter fun for this year! Hope everyone had a wonderful day!

Ainsley's Birthday Photos!

My Baby Girl...

I cannot believe that tomorrow, April 2nd, my baby will be 1!!! What an amazing year it has been! From the extra week in the hospital because of a low oxygen level, to spending over 4 months at home with her for maternity leave, to finding out that her heart is fine!, to walking at 11 months old, it has been fun. I love every second with her...even the screaming for 2 hours last night from midnight until around 2am! Life without her wouldn't be the same. So cute...so lovable...so kissable...so fun. Baby girl, daddy, Jack and mommy love you! Let's have another FANTASTIC year! I will upload a picture tomorrow!

I CANNOT Believe It!!

That title was in honor of the Little Einsteins! Okay, so what is up with this weather. God gives us great weather and then today...rain, ice, sleet, now snow. Actually, I think it is a snow/sleet mix. This is absolutely crazy weather!

*********************************
This morning Ainsley found an old cell phone and preceded to talk on it! She held her own little conversation. So cute!

********************************
Jack stayed at Papa and Grandma's last night. He is being very cute tonight. Jeff bought me a Wii this morning (a complete surprise, but I had really leaving lots of hints around!) and so we played a little at my parents house. Jack loves bowling! When we got home he informed me we needed to play bowling. Unfortunately, we had to wait...Mizzou game was on. Of course, I'm watching the last 7 seconds and they are loosing...maybe we should have played.

Brown Chicken!

Tonight we had some fish and mac and cheese for dinner. I was proud--I cooked a nice meal. However, Jack informed me he loved the chicken and then we had to sing the chicken song from Wiggles! Never a dull moment in our house!

As for Ainsley, I just watched her climb in the dog toy basket and preceed to sit and then fall backwards! She is a character too! BTW--she is the machine gun stage!

12:00 aka Midnight

I absolutely dread midnight right now...this is the time Ainsley has decided to wake up the past couple of nights and scream...for a long time...oh how I wish for sleep again!

PLUS: I have had a 13 hour work day today and a 12 hour work day tomorrow--gotta love conferences!

It's Been FOREVER!!!

Okay, I know it's been forever and I really haven't been doing a great job about blogging, but I do have reasons! 1. We went SKIING! Jack seemed to have a blast! 2. We have been sick--right before our major trip to Colorado!

So...

1. Yes, we made it skiing! We headed out on Friday the 13th for Colorado at 4 am! Ainsley stayed with my mom and dad in their new house up here in north Kansas City. Uncle Brian and Uncle Matt stayed with us Thursday night. At 3:40am! we were awakened by a horrible alarm and we were on the road by 4:10am! Jeff and I drove for a long time through Kansas. Jack slept until 6am and then he was awake for a most of the trip. Matt and Brian rode in the back--Sorry guys! Anyway, we made it to Denver around 1pm(their time) and headed up the mountains. Of course, Jack fell alseep as we entered Denver. So, it was off to my friend's son's store, Paragon Sports. We met JT and had a buying adventure! JT was soooo wonderful! Ski's, gear, Jack's stuff and other necessities. We ended up leaving and hour and 1/2 later to go to Winter Park. Jeff's mom and dad met us there and had dinner waiting! Oh yummy dinner!

We stayed right in Winter Park (Good job honey!) It was a great location and great townhouse! Jeff, Jack and I slept upstairs in the master suite! Nice big bed, huge tub/shower and beautiful views! Just magnificient! Below is a picture from outside our townhouse!

We skied Saturday, Sunday, and part of Monday. Jack was in ski school and did fantastic! I made it down the mountain in one piece and Jeff tried snowboarding. So much fun. We left Monday around 1pm, dropped by JT's store, and made it back to Missouri around 1am! We were exhausted, but had a blast! Can't wait for next year.

Jeff and Carolyn on the Mountain!

Jack skiing on the kiddie slope!

Jack in ski school crying for mom and dad!

Okay, so number 2. Before we left on Friday, we were ALL sick! I had the flu and pink eye and Jack had the flu with a cold and Jeff and Ainsley had the flu. Major grossness in our house before we left. I am proud to say I think we are better!

I promise to post more often for the rest of the year!

I'm so sorry!

I know I haven't written for a while, but wow! life got really crazy! It started last Friday when I awoke with the dredded pink eye! By Saturday it was in both eyes! I have had to discard my contacts and case and wear my glasses all week! YUCK!

On Saturday we met up with Brian and Annie to visit the Can display at Union Station. It was awesome! I will try and post some pictures, but give me time and I will! We then went out to lunch on Saturday at Crown Center and over to B and A's house. We played a little Wii and then we had to go to Thomasville to pick up our new nighstands! We finally feel grown up with the new nightstands!

Sunday, I taught Sunday School again and then Jeff, the kids and myself went to Dick's and Sports Authority. Long story short--I can't workout at the gym enough, so I need something at home. So...I ordered an elliptical machine from Smooth Fitness. I can't wait for it to arrive!

I stayed home Monday with the kids, but decided to have lunch with Jeff one more time downtown. He quit his job to go to a law firm with two co-workers down in Leawood. I'll tell you more about that later...when I know more, but so far it's going well!

Jack has a sinus infection, ear infection and mucus in the lungs, so that takes me out of the running for mom of the year--I thought he just had a cold! Oh well.

Crazy week--I think we are going to Rolla for the last time this weekend--depending on the weather. We will probably leave Saturday morning and come home Sunday morning.

Today, I finally was able to come home and take the kids for a walk around the neighborhood. My neighbor Kari and her daughter Avalena came with us. We had a lovely walk. What a beautiful day!

Anyone else have a crazy week...

The Week in Review

What a crazy week it has been for us! It started on Monday with me going back to work and NOT wanting to at all! I had so much fun staying home and playing mommy all day long!

Tuesday was back to work, but that evening we had Jack's Holiday program. He sang Rudolph
the Red Nose Reindeer, The Reindeer Dance, and We are Reindeer. They looked very cute with their antlers, red noses, and hooves! He kinda sang, but not really. He told us he was mad because he had to wear his nose!

Wednesday was another day back at work with me hosting detention for school that evening. Oh how I love hosting detentions! The good news is I am done with that duty for the year!!!!! When I finally picked up Ainsley and Jack from school and Bambi's I realized that Ainsley was burning up! Now understand, she has a really snotty nose and in her 9 months of life so far, she has only had one fever! I have been very fortunate that she hasn't gotten sick, but I was think, what was I going to do! Her fever reached 102.7 degrees. Thank goodness for Children's Mercy Nurse line because we called and got and idea of what we should do! Call the doctor because she could possibly have an ear infection. Oh the dreaded ear infection!

Jeff stayed home on Thursday from work. I really wanted to stay and was exhausted from staying up with Ainsley until midnight, but I have to go. I only see these students for the next two weeks, which is the end of the semester, so I have to go to help them complete their work. My parents arrived Thursday night for their home inspection on Friday.

Friday, Jeff and Ainsley went to the doctor. My baby girl is 9 months old! She weighs 16 pounds 10 ozs. 27 3/4 inches tall and she has an ear infection in both ears! Big girl, but sick baby. I judged one round of the debate tournament at school and finally got to Liberty around 5:30 where I meet everyone for dinner. My parents went home, Jeff and I tried to administer medicine to Ainsley for the first time, which did NOT go well.

Saturday we slept in, Ainsley had a lovely trip to the grocery store and that afternoon we all went to Zona Rosa to play and shop! Jack and Ainsley had a blast playing at the new playzone at Zona Rosa!

I have so many pictures to post! Our other laptop died (powercord problem) so I have to upload software to this computer, but I plan on posting pictures soon! Keep watching and have a great week!