The Adventures of The Merschmans

Way Too Talented....

I just received these pictures from our good friends.  Their son in "the grave" is our godchild.  We don't see them enough.  Actually, Michelle's brother tailgated with us a few weeks ago.

These are their kids.  Don't they look amazing.  Natalie and Jordan.  This cake was made by our friend John.  I told him Rachel Ray better MOVE OVER.  He has always been so talented.  This is simply amazing...good job John.  I love you guys and hope to see you soon!!!!

 

A Bunch Of Old Men....

AC/DC

 

That is...but boy, were they AWESOME!!!  I was really not looking forward to going.  I was trying to find every excuse in the book to not go.  Eddis really wanted me to go and we had a great time.  Such a great concert I would actually see it again, if given the chance.  Actually, we are going to try to tickets for the boys to see it in January.  What a great "stocking stuffer" that will be!!!

This is how close we were!!!

I am the BEST wife...remember these were Eddis' 20th Anniversary gift.  We had great seats and the traffic was so easy.  We were literally in and out.  Everything worked out great.  We did decide not to stay and I am so glad we were able to come home.  I have a hair appointment at 1pm and they just called and know I have a message at noon.  They are giving me a message for only $15.00---seriously, how does one turn that down!!!

 He's still GOT IT!!!

 

 

 

HELL'S BELLS!!

 

THE NEXT PRESIDENT?

  FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK!

We had a great time.  No, AC/DC fans did not disappoint.  As the first song was ending..."mary jane", came out!  Eddis looked at me and said "that's some good S&$#!!  Half way through the concert the police stood right next to us because the smell was obviously coming from our area.  No one actually knew who had it, although it could have been the drummer!!!

It was so nice to be with Eddis for the evening.  We had some good conversation and he has a new favorite song...Allen Jackson...Little Men.  Check it out...it is good.  All about Wal-Mart's and such taking over the "little men". 

It was just a wonderful night.  One that I will cherish forever.  I looked over at Eddis and said, "how am I ever going to top this?".  I don't think I need too. 

Today....

Today, Eddis and I are suppose to go to Chicago for the AC/DC concert.  I don't know if I am going.  One of his lucky friends will be able to take my ticket.  I just don't feel I can leave MaryElizabeth with her not feeling well.  We have a doctor's appointment in an hour and we will see what Dr. Hottie has to say. 

As I was reading the newspaper this morning, I was looking at the different issues some states have on the ballots for Tuesday.  I found everything from banning same sex marriages to one in California that wants to ban cramped metal cages for egg-laying hens.  Since I have been in my "free range", "antibiotic free" meat eating in phase, I am not the one to "make fun" of this measure.  I did indeed let out a small chuckle.  Only in California!

So, more to come on the concert.  We have trick or treating tomorrow night and then again, Eddis and I are suppose to leave to go to the Iowa/Illinois at Illinois.  We are staying at our friends house in Peoria tomorrow night to cut down on the drive.  Again, I have that "mother" guilt about leaving.  The kids are so "freaked out" out the recent robberies and actually the "human dog", Annie has been on edge the last few nights.  She is never like that, I am sure she can sense we are a little on nervous.

Halloween Parties and Pumpkin Carvings

Today we had Halloween parties at school.  They were fun for the kids and VERY exhausting for the parents.  I can't even count the mother's that said they were going home to have a glass of wine.  Remember, we go to a Catholic School where drinking is, let's just say....recommended!

 

Look at that "cheesy" smile.

 

This was MY idea...cool isn't it.  Super easy and the kids LOVED it.  They could eat what they wanted and gave their friends what they did not want.

 

This was sparkling water with ice rings that had spider rings and rats.  The 6th graders loved this. 

 

This is Mimi's pumpkin.  I actually did the carving.  She looked on VERY closely and told me exactly where to cut.  That is snot coming out of the nose and snakes for hair.  We cut the snakes in half and put them in for hair.

 

This is Nicky, his pumpkin is still in the carving process. It may take another few hours.  He is doing Obama "throwing up".  He wants to put a sign that says, "oh, my goodness, I won".  Then he wants another sign that says, "I'm John McCain, and I approve this message".  I think Nicky realizes that Obama will win and he is OK with that, in fact, he realizes how scared both of them would be with such a big job.

I had so much fun with my kids today.  Yes, it is was exhausting but it was fun.  Just waiting for Eddis to come home.  The kids don't want to go to bed until he gets home. 

I have been wanting to thank my wonderful "sister" (sister in law) for introducing me to world of blogging.  I have never been good documenting our lives and I love that I now I have this forever in history.  Thank you Amy, I love you and I miss you!!!!

Lessons Learned

Today I sit here reading the blogs I read everyday.  I read about peoples lives, their faith, their tragedy, their happiness and their answered prayers.  It is so amazing what one can learn from the way other people react to certain things.  Good, Bad, Ugly.   It just amazes me what people go through and how they heal.   We all handle things differently.  I have always and will always try to find the proverbial "silver lining" in the things I deal with.  In times of need, we can either embrace our faith or question that same faith.  I have learned that questioning my faith really gets me me nowhere nor does it really do any good in the healing process.  I prefer to have blind faith. 

Teddy is not feeling well, he is down stairs listening to music.  He is listening the all the songs from 2 years ago.  When he gets like this, I just let him be alone.  I think that is what he wants.  It is our way of coping.  It works of us.

I am sitting in my chair...you all the know one, by the fireplace, blah, blah, blah!  I am icing my foot AGAIN!  Another day of tennis another day of pain.  The pain is now working it's way up my calf.  I think it is time to head back to my "hottie" of a doctor for the next course of action.   I know what you are all thinking...she goes to the doctor all the time BECAUSE he is a hottie.  No, I am just falling apart or one of the kids sat next to someone with Whooping Cough.  Oh, I played tennis with a woman that had whooping cough, she assured us she is not contagious.  Seriously, what is up with everyone getting Whooping Cough?  The poor thing had to stop playing a few times because of all the coughing.  OK, I just finished my hot cocao, it was so yummy.  I kind of made it myself.  I use half and half, sugar, cocao and cinnamon. YUMMY!!!!

Finally...

I am finally sitting down for the night.  I had to take the boys all 6 of the "buddies" to basketball practice tonight.  It is on the "west end" (inside joke), it just takes too much time to go all the way home and then back.  Needless, to say, I stayed on that side of town.  I went to Bath & Body Works to get a head start on all my holiday scents.  I got everyone home and got into my jammies, sat down to watch.....Dancing With The Stars, Results Show!!!!

A few moments from today....

The girls went to the groomer and something happened to Lucy's left eye.  I am just sick about it.  The poor thing will not even open her eye.  I called the groomer and they said nothing happened.  I don't know, they told me it was probably the wind.  What?  I may have to call the vet tomorrow.

Teddy folded and put away towels.  I know most of you will think, So?  Let me tell you...this is a BIG, HUGE moment in my life.  He really can do things. 

My poor friend, a nurse, is livid because her youngest son was sent home with possible Whooping Cough.  The poor kid had every test to rule it out and they still will not let him back to school.  I told her since it is the Halloween parties tomorrow at school to bring him to the party dressed as a surgeon with the surgical mask. 

Nick and his friends are very upset about all the burglaries.  We even waited for the neighbors to get home before one of the boys would get out of the car.  It was perfectly fine with me. 

I am missing my hubby.  We have been together so much lately and I am not complaining.  We have had so much fun together.  We have a lot more together time the rest of the week. 

I'm still trying to fight off some kind of cold.  At least I am fighting and I refuse to give up!

Fast Approaching

My favorite day that is...Halloween!!  I don't know what it is about this day that makes me happy.  I just love it.  I love seeing all the children dressed and so happy to "beg" for candy.  We have a few people over so their children can trick or treat in our neighborhood.  It is always a good time and I look forward to it every year. 

Our kids have their school parties tomorrow.  I know a little weird but we have early dismissal on Thursday and no school on Friday.  Eddis and I going to AC/DC on Thursday night.  I know he is so looking forward to it. 

I finally got my 14 loads of laundry done.  I could not believe I had that much laundry.  Boy, does it feel good to have it all done.

Also, last night we received a big surprise.  My father in law won almost $5000 in a raffle at the school fund raiser on Sunday.  I could not think of a better deserving person.  He has given countless hours and funds to the Catholic school system.  I guess he will rush right out and buy that pontoon boat he has been wanting!!!!  Or better yet....the batter bowl.  That is the first thing Nick said when I told him Grandpa won the money...."now, he can go get his batter bowl".   I have to quote my wise (ya, I know you are younger but oh so much wiser) brother in law, Tommy, 'when you give to the Lord, you get back ten fold'.

We had our fund raiser Friday night at our little school and from what I hear it was a huge success.  This year the guys took over and raised about $40,000!!!  For our tiny little school.  The amazing thing....it was a "bean bag" tournament. 

So Sad

I am so sadden by the events of last week.  First, the reporter/anchorwoman Anne Pressly, from Arkansas that was brutally attacked.  She was so beautiful and everyone interviewed, praises her for being such an angel on earth.  She seems like the kind of person everyone loves being around.  My heart goes out to her family.   What they are going through is awful.   It must be so hard knowing someone is out there that did that to her and they are still free.  Which brings me to the other sad event.  Jennifer Hudson's family members being murdered in their own home.  Again, they still do not how the person that did this horrible crime.  I just heard a SUV was found with a child's body in it.  I cannot even imagine what that poor child went through.  The horror of both of these crimes makes me sick.  As I woke this morning I saw there was a shooting at a college in Arkansas too.  Is this all connected?

I have told my children to be vigilant.  There are robberies in our area and of course, that made Nick very nervous. I probably should not have told him that, but I also need him to be aware of his surroundings and make sure the alarm is set.  It is a scary time.

High Winds....

Yesterday we were greeted to high winds and mass destruction around the area.  We were sitting at Nick's game FREEZINGand Teddy calls, "Dad, a tree in the back just went down on Mom's Adirondack chairs. 

No more "water front" property chairs for me...at least not in Iowa. 

When we got home Saturday night we were greeted with Nick and Mimi telling us about our good friends got a puppy.  It was late and I knew Carolyn was not home because she had already invited me to attend the Reba/Kelly concert.  So, I waited until Sunday morning and called.  Yes, they did indeed get a puppy and guess who she looks just like...

This is the Onti's puppy.  She is so cute and so tiny!  The below picture of is of our Lucy taken when she was about 12 weeks old.  Our friend's puppy is 8 weeks above. 

 

As Promised....

I am sitting here showing the kids pictures of the week.  We are laughing so hard, of course, at Eddis' expense. 

Here are a few pictures from Boston...

  We had such a wonderful time with Kate and Joe.  It is so nice to get together.  I have a couple pictures from the restaurant but it may have had to do with the Martinis I was drinking, but I could not figure out my camera.  Oh, then I realized it was on the wrong setting.  These are not very good but I am sure you can figure them out.  Kate has some good shots.  She was just a LITTLE picture obsessed (Joe finally took the camera from her).  Kate, I LOVED seeing the "naughty" side of you!!!!!

 

 

Now, I figured out my camera and these have a few funny stories behind them.  We were at the top of the Prudential building.  It was a beautiful view.  We sat down at a table after we were told we couldn't unless we spent $24 a person in drinks.  I have a way of living...."if you act like you know what you are doing, no one will question you".  Try it....I'm telling you IT WORKS!!!  So, we are sitting drinking, we get our bill and the waiter told us, "next time....blah, blah, blah."  Eddis, of course, said, after the guy left, "if he made us buy the drinks, I say, bring me 8 beers and I would have one drink out of each beer and leave the rest on the table".

OK...is this not the most handsome little man...NO, not you Joe!!!  Even Uncle Ed said he is so COOL!!   Again, not you Joe!  I love how Emmett waves.  When he hears people laughing he will laugh, it is so cute.  I was just saying Eddis last night on the way home how much I love being a part of his wonderful family.  I was saying that something is always going "on".  What I mean is, there is a baby, graduation, wedding, always something fun to "look forward" too. 

Here are some pictures from the bar...

The brothers.  It is so funny how the brothers all look so much alike.  Eddis, notice how much better Joe's shirt looks "untucked".

And how they have such beautiful wives!!!

Kate and I had fun taking pictures and laughing at all the little "prom" dates making out on top of Boston.  Then there is Eddis looking like he is 8 months pregnant!  Must have been that dinner that was 'BIG BUCKS'!

 

This is not a good picture but I love the way it looks with all the little swirls.