Merry Christmas..

A Very Merry Christmas from the Rogers... wishing you the best for 2011!!

listen today...

Saw this poem and had to share...

Take a Moment to Listen (author unknown)

Take a moment to listen today to what your children are trying to say.
Listen today, whatever you do, or they won’t be there to listen to you.
Listen to their problems, listen to their needs.
Praise their smallest triumphs, praise their smallest deeds.
Tolerate their chatter, amplify their laughter.
Find out what’s the matter, find out what they’re after.
But tell them that you love them, every single night.
And though you scold them, be sure you hold them.
Tell them “Everything’s all right; tomorrow’s looking bright.”
Take a moment to listen today to what your children are trying to say.
Listen today, whatever you do and they will come back to listen to you.

buddies...

I know this photo is a little hard to see.. but its Lane and his best buddy! Life doesn't get any better then being 6 years old, at a high school football game with your best friend.

Love you boys!

Stuck like glue...

Here is what B spent the week doing!! =)
So we spent last week with our fire family at convention.. it was great. You will have to minus the smell, the dirt, and the terrible head cold I got, with that said I would go back today! There truly is nothing better then spending time with great friends and your hubby! I LOVE this week every year because Braden and I act like kids again..
Our good friend Trotter played this song often while sitting around at night.. I think this describes us when we are away together!

I love you B!!

Mmmm better...mmm better...
Absolutely no one that knows me better
No one that can make me feel sooo goooood
How did we stay so long together?
When everybody, everybody said we never would
And just when I, I start to think they're rightThat love has died...
[Chorus]
There you go making my heart beat again,
Heart beat again,Heart beat again
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won't you do it and do it one time?
There you go pulling me right back in,
Right back in,Right back in
And I know-oo I'm never letting this go-ooo
I'm stuck on youWhutooo whutooo
Stuck like glueYou and me baby we're stuck like glue
Whutooo whutoooStuck like glue
You and me baby we're stuck like glueSome days I don't feel like trying
Some days you know I wanna just give up
When it doesn't matter who's right, fight about it all night
Had enoughYou give me that look"I'm sorry baby let's make up"
You do that thing that makes me laugh
And just like that...
[Chorus]
There you go making my heart beat again,
Heart beat again,Heart beat again
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won't you do it and do it one time
There you go pulling me right back in,
Right back in,Right back in
And I know-oo I'm never letting this go-ooo
I'm stuck on you
Whutooo whutoooStuck like glue
You and me baby we're stuck like glue
Whutooo whutoooStuck like glue
You and me baby were stuck like glueWhutooo Whutoo
You almost stay out, too stuck together from the ATL
Whutooo Whutoo
Feeling kinda sick?
Just a spoon full of sugar make it better real quick
I sayWhutooo WhutooWhatcha gonna do with that?
Whutooo Whutoo
Come on over here with thatSugar sticky sweet stuff
Come on give me that stuff
Everybody wants someMelodies that get stuckUp in your head
Whutooo whutoooUp in your head
Whutooo whutoooUp in your headWhutooo whutoooUp in your head
Whutooo whutoooWhuthoo whutoooStuck like glue
You and me together, say, it's all I wanna doI said
[Chorus]
There you go making my heart beat again,
Heart beat again,Heart beat again
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won't you do it and do it one time
There you go pulling me right back in,
Right back in,Right back in
And I know-oo I'm never letting this go-ooo
There you go making my heart beat again,
Heart beat again,Heart beat again
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won't you do it and do it one time
There you go pulling me right back in,
Right back in,Right back in
And I know-oo I'm never letting this go-ooo
I'm stuck on youWhutooo whutooo
Stuck like glueYou and me baby we're stuck like glue
Whutooo whutoooStuck like glue
You and me baby were stuck like glue
Whutooo whutoooStuck like glue
You and me baby we're stuck like glue

yipee!

I am so excited we are four days away from fire convention!! Time for Braden and I to be just that, Nicole and Braden. No responsibilities, no worries, no schedules to freak out about. No bed times to meet, no dog to feed, no one to please but me!

We have two of our best friends staying with us, it should be great!!!

See you in two weeks....

off we go..

So today was the day.. my BABY started school. The photo above is Lane with his friends; Devon, Ainsley and Drew.
As Mommies, it was nice to see my friends there with their kiddo’s starting school too. Most of us this was our first baby off to school, for one it was the middle one and another it was her baby.
Lane did so great! Last night he kept stalling going to bed, finally he said “Mom I am kind of nervous” I told him I was too! He asked, “Really? Why?” I told him I had never ever taken a boy to school in the morning.. Nor have I had to be a mom of a kindergartener. My favorite little boy looked at me and grabbed my hand saying “it will be ok, we will do it together” AND WE DID!

Off Taylor went to daycare, Lane and I picked Daddy up from the shop and went to school. He was great, he walked in handed in all his paperwork, put his stuff in the locker and into his room he went. No fear, just a quick look back at mom and dad, with a wave.

I am so excited to go pick him up and hear all about the fun time he is having!!

Cell Phones

So we all grew up with a cell phone at some time in our teen years. We all had to have “THE TALK” about making to many calls or calling a long distance number.. O the days!
Recently, Braden and I opened a new account and placed my parents on ours to help save them a few bucks.. =) The first 3 months were great.. bill came I paid all were happy.
Then I received this months bill.. WHAT THE HECK! Now I knew I went over on my text messages, as Mandi had her baby and we text the whole way through. But almost 60 some dollars worth... I think not.
Saturday morning I got up and called in to have them explain the phone bill to me. As the woman is telling me about our bill, she keeps referring to “my sons’ number”. Now remember my parents are on the bill with us. Yup you guessed it.. My Dad’s bill was a little out of control. My dad is selling some of his farm equipment and is doing some dealing in Canada… international calling, multiple times. He also sent text messages to Mandi, but guess what he doesn’t have a text plan. ( might have been nice to know)
So I had to have the talk with my parents this weekend about their phone bill. Can I tell you how funny it was to think I had to talk to them about their excessive phone usage... ahhhh pure comedy.
Needless to say it is all worked out.. and they have had their warnings :)

Summer Fun

Its been a few weeks since I have last posted.. we have been so busy having fun! Most of our weekends are spent in the Liddle's pool, here is a photo from last weekend.

Will post more pics of the kids having fun soon....

I am an Aunt again...

WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY!!!

Teagan Alan Comer

8lbs 20.5 in

Happy Birthday Laners...

Six years ago today, we met the sweetest little boy in the whole wide world.

Six years ago today my life changed forever!

Six years ago today i learned the meaning of TRUE love!!!

Happy Birthday to my FAVORITE little man!!!

Love you,

Mommy XOXOXO

Our vacation..

Perfection.. That is how I would describe our weekend. Minus my bad headache Friday night, the weekend went off wonderfully!

We started off a little late on Thursday but its vacation we can do that. We got to the campground Thursday night, enjoyed a quick visit to my Uncles place then back to our camper. Put the kiddos in bed and Sue and I sat down to enjoy a visit while the kids fall asleep. That quick visit turned into an hour and a half trying to get kids to calm down enough to sleep. Poor Devon was so excited and in a new place, it took him a while to relax and fall asleep. Once we figured out the kids were sleeping the boys came in, we all sat at the kitchen table and visited, until 2 am. This might have been my favorite part of the weekend. We had sooo much fun just catching up and hearing about ‘THE COURT, the trailer court”

Friday was a slower morning, hitting the pool, having lunch and taking an afternoon boat ride to a sandbar to relax. We did not pack enough items to keep my kids busy on the sand so we didn’t stay long. Once home my headache set in and my night went down hill. Thankfully, Sue and Lisa got coolers packed – kids’ items ready and Braden got our kids to bed timely. This control freak HATES to give up control but really had no choice after the way I was feeling.

Saturday—8:30 we left for the sandbar and arrived back home around 5:15… what a WONDERFUL day. I cannot even begin to describe how great the kids behaved. First argument was around 4 and ended around 4:03.. With all 5 little ones playing together. Our day involved, a picnic, laying in the sun and standing in a LARGE circle in the water. As it was called many times that day that “circle of life” was the best part of that day. At one moment all adults were in a large circle and the kids were swimming in the middle of it.. Life does not get much better! We ended the night with cake for Jerrod and Lanes birthdays this week. Our camper had 3 tired kids in and they slept wonderful that night.

Sunday we all packed up and took off fairly early.. I am counting down the days until we are able to do it again.

4th of July

We will see… that was the daily comment this past weekend. The kids would ask, “ are we going to the parade” we will see “ are we going to fireworks?” we will see That was the best answer I could give all weekend.. RAIN. We did make it out to one parade, and one set of fireworks.
Saturday morning we headed over to Dysart and watched the parade with friends over there, we then came back home headed out to my parents for some playtime. Which quickly changed to running home, jumping in our suites and swimming with GREAT friends.. As the story goes lately, a headache sent us home for nap time, which then turned to a play date in the park with the Hansen’s. From there we headed back out to my parents for some fireworks.. From their yard you can see CF, Waterloo, and Washburn.. Well Lane saw them. Two minutes before they started Taylor was OUT!

Sunday we headed off to Church, then thanks to the wonderful rain grabbed some groceries, and ended the day with Pizza, sparklers and Hansen’s! Sounds like the perfect night to me.

Monday involved some school shopping for my kindergartner, some shopping for our up coming camping trip, a trip to McDonald's, a TON of laundry, some house cleaning and another LONG nap!

Today we are getting back in the groove of things, Mommy off to work, Daddy off to the shop, Kiddo’s off to Audi’s… 2 more work days, and then we are out of here. Can hardly wait!

Gift 1.. done!

Unsure how but it is birthday time at the Rogers’ house again, this time Lane. My baby boy turns 6 in a couple of weeks… but at the age of 6 or 31 at the Rogers house it’s a month long celebration. I LOVE LOVE LOVE birthdays… so we make a HUGE deal at my house! Lane loves them just as much, so I want to take this time to apologize to his some day girlfriend and wife as he expects it to be celebration from July 1st- July 31st, and this mommy happily fulfills this request! With birthdays comes gifts, now Lane is needing a couple of things. One being new bedding, Diego is out at our house. He has picked out a very sports themed bed spread that is currently in my closet waiting for the big day! But he needed one more thing…
Lane has not gotten a new bike since he was 2 or 3.. So you can imagine how badly he needed one. Last night Lane, Taylor and I set out on a mission to find “the bike” , three stores later we found it. “ mom this is the one I want, its perfect” With a smile from ear to ear he walked it up front and just as quickly walked it out the door.. Present one given and done!
Lane and I took the bike out to my parent’s house as Papa is home alone this week, so we had to show him. Bless my dad for acting like this was the coolest thing in the whole world.. “Lane this is so neat!” Was said a few times, along with “When you’re at Audi’s I think I might have to come in town and ride that cool bike”. So, on the way home last night I heard twice (note its only 3.5 miles from my door to my parents) “ we better put the bike in the garage so Papa does not try to take it” :)

I have a feeling we will be biking a lot this weekend!

T-ball has begun

We are in full swing for T-ball.. last night we had our 6th & 7th games of the week. My children are enjoying the games and time with their friends. But boy oh boy are they tired. I had to "talk" both of them into playing last night. Thankfully, both played as my WHOLE family came to watch. Lane had another double header last night, if he were 10 that might be OK but at 5 a DH just seems a bit long. Two full hours of playing in the sun and heat got to him last night and he went home feeling ill. I am pretty sure between the heat, the water and a lot of running that was what our problem was. Either way we did a cool shower and snuggled on the couch.. my favorite part of the day...

Have a great weekend!

Something to think about...

“Remember, your raising an adult...”


I read this statement today from another article I was reading… this was something that made me step back and think. I am truly raising young adults, someone’s roommate, someone’s husband/wife, someone’s dad/mom … yikes!! That is a lot to take in. Do not get me wrong I know every single thing I do will influence how they are molded, but sometimes, OK most of the time I have a hard time picturing past tomorrow.

When I stopped this morning and thought about this, I thought of some of the things I hope Taylor does that I do not do for her daddy. I also thought of some of the things I wish Braden would do for me that he does not, and I hope lane does for his spouse some day.

Where oh where is that fine line between letting them be kids, run amuck, and remembering I am raising an adult? Should I no longer allow them to leave the living room a mess as we walk out the door? Should I no longer allow PBJ for supper 4 nights a week because well it is easier for me then cooking something up in 10 minutes as we head out the door. Am I supposed to make them lay their cloths out the night before, get their bags and items ready for the next morning? Do I make them help me figure out what the plan is for the week?

NO! They are going to be OK. They know we all have chores that need to be done. Correct me if I am wrong but, part of being the mommy is doing half of what is listed above? Planning the week, laying clothes out, doing the laundry, keep the house picked up, (yes with their help) and most importantly loving them unconditionally.

I honestly feel as though if I show my children how to love, they will have a great base to grow from. Anyone who knows my kids knows how loving they are. I have had several people tell me how jealous they are of the love Lane shows me in front of his friends. If he and Taylor both show me that much love, I know they will show their spouse that much as well.

This does not in any way mean I think I can kick back and relax.. OH NO! WE still have a tough road ahead of us. I do know Braden and I have WONDERFUL children. Children who know how to love, know how to care and are willing to be support to anyone needing it. Can you ask for much more out of a four and five year old?

I have some pretty neat "adults" at my house....

counting my blessings...

My children.. those are my many many blessings!

Over the past couple of weeks we have heard of several tragedies involving children. Our friends Blair and Suzie, know a couple who lost two of their three children in a car accident. This was over a week ago and sadly the mother is in critical condition at the hospital, and has no idea she lost two of her babies.

Last night we learned of a family who's soon is down in IA City in ICU. They found him with a cord tightly wrapped around his neck. Last we heard he has a strong heart beat but may have brain damage....

makes me stop and think..

I no longer will complain about Taylor taking up half my bed at night... as she is with me.

I will no longer be upset when Lane talk about how Taylor is telling "stories".. as he is able to talk to me.

I will over look the extra time it will take to have them ride their bikes to the post office.. as i will be spending a little extra time with them because of this.

Sadly it takes such tragedy to make me stop and look at how blessed I am. I have two healthy happy children, a loving husband, and a HOME to come home too. I thank GOD every day for this...and hug my children a little more becasue if it.

Braden's birthday gift...

So Friday we drove down to the Lake to give Braden his gift... after 6 hrs on the road and 3 "potty" stops..they were reunited. 3 years apart we found out is to long for these two.
Over all i think both boys needed this trip and enjoyed it!!

Dylan...

In 2001 Braden and I moved to Osage Beach, Mo, to start our life together. I got a job at a Day Care as the assistant director, oh how I loved that job. To this day I would still move back to do this job.. =)
While working there I met this little boy, Dylan. Dylan and I hit it off better then we should have…prolly crossed a few parent, child, employee lines. About 3 months into me working there Dylan started coming home with me at nights because his mom had to work, had plans, whatever ( I didn’t care). Well soon it turned into Dylan coming home with me on Friday after work and he would stay with me till Sunday. There was not a week we didn’t have Dylan.. His dad lived in an apartment below us, so often on his weekend Dylan would whine until he got to come stay with us. =) ( yes I/we loved this)
He had his own room at our house, his own toy box, his clothes that stayed with us.. Everything. He used to call Braden, GUY, o we loved this! Often we would hear “ Cole, I go see Guy” ‘”Guy I love you” he was ours… kind of. Needless to say when we moved a few years later, leaving him was the hardest part. Both Dylan and I cried for a long time when I left.. Between our tears where his mom’s tears, she knew how much I loved him and how much he loved us.

Well I got to come back about a year later and work at the day care for a little over 2 weeks. Dylan was there and it was like I never left.. I spent many of my nights while down there with him.
His picture(s) are still on our fridge, 3 moves later I still have a picture he drew us almost 8 years ago. When Braden and I talk about him, he was our first child. We both agreed if given the chance we would have adopted him and brought him with us.

This week Dylan turned 11.. this is just as important as my own children.. Wherever you are Dylan, Happy Birthday Colie loves you!!!

Let's do it again..

So Braden and I decided we taking another trip.. it will be in 2011. The year of our 10th anniversary.. so we are doing it.

Except.. this time Jamaica here we come!!! We are going with such great friends. Sadly some of the ones from last time could not join us this trip.. but we have Sue and Adam coming this trip. Over the past couple of years that have become VERY good friends. Our kiddo's love playing and get along so well. Just ask Taylor, she is marrying Devon some day!

So anyhow off to Jamaica we will go with 4 other couples, for 8 wonderful days of warm, sun and fun!

new pair of shoes part 2

Ok so that post went out before it was ready..

Well I did it.. Taylor is signed up for dance class next fall. I am so excited.. I also think Ainsley a great friend of ours is signing up for class as well. I remember the day both of these girls came home wearing booties.. well here are our new shoes…

baby girl's getting a new pair of shoes..

Standing my ground..

So let me start by explaining how I got to the point I am at.
As most of you know Taylor was VERY ill shortly after we brought her home. So sick with RSV that she ended up back at the hospital for just under a week… while there she was on oxygen. Placed on all different kinds of monitors and was not to be touched by anyone with bare hands unless it was Braden or I. Well needless to say, at that moment of realizing how close to loosing my little one I was I became very protective of her. So protective that I moved her out of her room and into my bedroom… and well sadly that was just about 4 years ago.
SO hear we are today.. Taylor is four years old and sleeping in my bed. (just to answer any questions, Braden has been sleeping on the couch) So this weekend we got up and started cleaning my room. Well cleaning my room moved on to cleaning Taylor and Lanes room.. This lead to new rules at our house.
Rule number 1- dirty clothes go in the bathroom
Rule number 2- both kids back to their own rooms EVERY NIGHT
Rule number 3- NO FOOD upstairs

I know all of these rules should be a given but it was easier to give in then to fight with them every day.
Well… let the fights begin.

So Sunday night, Taylor was told she would not be sleeping with me. She had three choices, her bed, lanes room or the couch.. But NOT mommy’s bed.
Well needless to say she cried herself to sleep on the couch. Lane didn’t want her to sleep downstairs all alone. So he joined her on the couch to “ protect her, cuz I am a good big brother”
This leads us to last night. Taylor feel asleep on the couch, I was ready to head to bed and leave her there. Braden decided he wanted to watch TV for a little longer. Well, next thing I know Taylor is in my room crying how she doesn’t want to sleep in her bed, or lanes bed, or the couch. Well my bed is not an option!!! NO I want my husband back.. I want to sleep with out little feet kicking me all night.
So I tell her she has two choices, one sleep in her bed or sleep on the floor. ( I know apart of me felt like I was giving in to her. But we will take steps, it has been four years of sleeping with mommy)
So down on the floor she went with a million blankets and her pillow. I don’t think I was settled in bed before she was out cold and she slept all night long down there. Now… my hubby didn’t come to bed.. He was out cold on the couch this morning. I think he thought he lost his spot already to little girl..

Wish me luck for the next couple of weeks.. it will take time but I will have her sleeping in a bed that does not have me in it too!

A visit from reality..

It amazes me how fast my kids have and are growing up. Each day they can do a little bit more on their own, or are willing to try a few new things that last month seemed impossible in their eyes. I know this is supposed to be a great thing, but some how it makes me sad. Sad to know my days of having to hold their hand while they climb in to bed are numbered, sad to know they don’t need me to stand at the top of the steps while they go down in the basement to go potty. Sad to think that some day soon Lane won’t want to give me a kiss when I drop him off at friend’s house.
And yet, excited to think some day soon they will both be in T-Ball and Daddy and I can sit in the stand together to watch. Excited to think that they are making friends, just like we hoped they would do. Excited to know my lil missy is a little to much like her mommy and loves to visit, as she is willing to sit up with me an night and chit- chat. (as much as you can with a four year old). Excited to see them ride their bikes around the camp ground this summer, while I get some one on one time with Daddy..
All this was brought to my attention last Friday.. how much they are growing. I was on my way in to work when I got a phone call from Lane. He was so excited, I knew instantly what he was calling to tell me. Our call went like this:

Lane “ mom guess what just happened to me”
Mom “ What buddy”
Lane “ I lost my tooth!!! I am getting so big mommy”
Mom ( with tears in my eyes) “ you are.. so tell me how it happened”
Lane “ well I was eating my muffin and there it was laying on the bed”
Mommy—realizing he said muffin and bed… hmmmm
Mom “ well where were you?”
Lane “ in your bed eating my muffin and watching TV”
Mommy really excited now to clean that mess up because the good Lord knows it’s gonna be a good one.
Mom “ well put it in a cup and the tooth fairy will come”

We then hung up and talked later in the day as he had school so he got to have his own special show- and – tell for the class. Needless to say the tooth fairy came and left a few coins.. ( prices have gone up since I lost teeth)

This got me thinking again how old my babies are getting.. Yet they will ALWAYS be MY BABIES..

To my baby girl...

Taylor,

Four years ago today we dropped Lane off at daycare gave him a kiss and a hug and told him we would see him that night. I cried the whole way up to the hospital thinking how much Lanes world was going to change..little did I realize how much we all would change. =) Thank goodness it was all for the better. Two hours later our little Taylor Elizabeth Rogers was born.. soooo very tiny and soooo very beautiful.

From the moment we brought you home you have taught me more about being a mommy then i could have imagined. Your first month of life was spent in and out of the hospital.. 2 nights for observation. A week in the incubator and 2 more days for observation. You have taught me how precious life is, how quickly things can change. And most of all .... the joy you can get from a "surprise ".

Over the past year you have changed so much, started school, turned a little bit girly, learned to ride a big girl bike, and just recently started writing your name. I can not wait to see what the next 4 years brings us.

I love you Bear!!!!

Mommy