http://blasdellzoo.blogspot.com/2008/07/happy-anniversary.html

On this date in 1952 my mom and dad were married. Today they are celebrating 55 years of marriage. Almost a miracle in this day and age!

Yes they had their ups and downs, but they worked through it (and several of my dad's deployments). Their marriage showed me the meaning of commitment and love as I was growing up.

I hope my marriage is a great of a model to my children.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM & DAD!

http://blasdellzoo.blogspot.com/2008/07/quick-errand.html

All I wanted to do was run to Walmart, get the 7 items I needed. You figure maybe a 30 - 40 shopping trip. Right.

Try it triplet style.....

Pull into the parking lot and find a spot where you can park the yacht, I mean van.
It is now 10:00 AM
Take out the triplet stroller open it up.
Take 1st baby out of car seat, buckle into stroller.
Take 2nd baby out of car seat, buckle into stroller.
Take 3rd baby out of car seat, buckle into stroller.
Car drives buy and stops, ARE THOSE TRIPLETS? Yes they are.
Reach into car to get the diaper bag/purse.
ARE YOUR SURE? Yes I was there when they were born.

Start pushing the stroller, car drives next to you. HOW DO YOU DO IT? You just do.
Turn and go up the parking lot aisle car continues to drive next to you. ARE THEY NATURAL? Umm yeah.

Finally get to the front of the store and the car has to turn or run into the building.

Get in the door, grab a cart to pull while push the stroller. Lady stops and stares. ARE THOSE TRIPLETS? Yes the are. ARE THEY YOURS? Yes. ARE THEY NATURAL? Yes. I need to get going. Bye. And start moving.

Walk down the main aisle. A grandfatherly man steps out in front of the stroller so you have to stop quickly to avoid hitting him. ARE THOSE TRIPLETS? Yes they are. ARE THEY YOURS? Yes. Excuse me I need to get up that aisle. He slowly moves aside.

Maneuver the stroller and the cart around the man to get up the aisle. Retrieve the item, put it the cart and start moving.

A woman pushing a cart turns into the Aisle. Places her cart so you can't get around. Excuse me. ARE THOSE TRIPLETS? Yes. Please excuse me. ARE THEY YOURS? Yes. Please move your cart. ARE THEY NATURAL? Yes. I need to get going, please move your cart. Reluctantly she moves the cart so you can pass.

Get the stroller and the cart moving so you can head back to the baby section to get the real reason you are there. (Need more diapers of course) A little girl stops in front of you. MOM! LOOK! 3 BABIES! MOM!LOOK!3 BABIES! Sweetheart please move so I can get going. She moves so you can get by. Her mother comes. OH MY WORD! ARE THEY TRIPLETS? Yes. Now excuse me I need to get going.

She moves and you FINALLY make back to the baby section to get the diapers and the other things you need back there. Get everything you need (surprisingly without any more interruptions)and get heading toward the front of the store.

Grandmotherly women stop and gawk. ARE THEY TRIPLETS? Yes, as you keep on moving.

Finally get to the check out. Start loading up the cash register belt. Someone stops and shouts across the registers. JESUS I WOULD KILL MYSELF! Well probably a good thing I am their mother and not you.

Check out and chat with the cashier about how they have grown and she is sorry she doesn't see them more. Pay, load up the cart.

Get going out the door. Another lady stops in front of me. AREN'T YOU BLESSED! Thank you, we definitely are. She moves out of the way and you are able to get out to the door.

The lady follows you. ARE THEY NATURAL? Yes.
ARE THEY IDENTICAL? Yes and no. WHAT DO YOU MEAN? Well I there is a set of identical twins with a fraternal triplet. WOW I DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS POSSIBLE!

You reach the van. Open the door. The lady is still there staring at you and the babies.

Grab the 1st baby put in van.
Grab the 2nd baby and put in van.
Grab the 3rd baby and put in van.

Babies start walking around the van. Grab purse and diaper bag and throw into van. The lady is still there staring at you and the babies.

Climb into van and get the 1st baby buckled into car seat.
Grab the 2nd baby from playing with the CDs, buckle into car seat
Look around. Find the 3rd baby under the BACK bench seat. Climb out of van, open back door, grab the baby from under the seat. Walk around the van and climb back in. Buckle the 3rd baby into the car seat.

The lady is still there staring at you and the babies. Climb back out of the van. Look at the lady, Do you NEED something? She says. No I am just amazed how you do it. Roll eyes at her.

Fold up stroller put into van, close door.

Take cart to back of van. Load up van (Remember the door is still open from getting out the 3rd baby.) Close door. Leave cart there because you are creeped out that the lady is STILL there. Walk to the driver's side, get in start van, lock doors. Wave at creepy lady and pull away.

Time is now 11:45.

That is a quick errand done triplet style.

A fellow triplet mom blogger had this on her blog. So I snagged it! Thanks Cheri!

A Trip To The Supermarket
By: Jeanne-Marie Laubert

Yes, they are mine.
My weight gain and method of reproduction are not your business.
Yes, I have my hands full and you are right I have no free time, which is why I can’t stop to socialize at this moment.
No, I’ve never mixed them up and yes, I’m glad they’re mine and not yours too.
I’m glad to hear that your neighbor or cousin has twins.
It’s nice that your aunt’s brother’s cousin’s niece has a friend that knows a woman with triplets.
Thank you for your compliments, but please no jokes.
I’m quite tired of “What do you do with your free time?” and “Wait ’til they are teenagers!”
I don’t need your pity, but blessing are always welcome.
I hope you don’t find me rude but you are the tenth person to stop me in the last five minutes, and my ice cream is melting.
You may see triple trouble, but I see triple pleasure… and by the way, to tell them apart, I look at them.
Have a nice day.

http://blasdellzoo.blogspot.com/2008/07/thankful-thursday_17.html

Today I am thankful for my teenagers! I know who wants to admit that? But my two are wonderful. They help out when asked (with minimal grumbling most times). They even can see what needs to be done and step in without direction and get it done.

I am noticing right now how much I depend on them to help me through the day. Right now my 14 year old is visiting a friend for a week and my 16 year old went to a concert yesterday and has spent the last 2 night away. It has been an adjustment to get through the day.

Thank you girls for all you do!

http://blasdellzoo.blogspot.com/2008/07/i-was-tagged.html

Thursday's Child over at Thursday's Musings has tagged me.

Here are the rules.

1) Link to the person who tagged me.
2) Mention the rules.
3) Tell 6 quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about myself.
4) Tag 6 other bloggers by linking to them.
5) Go to each person's blog and leave a comment that lets them know they've been tagged.

Okay here go the Quirky, Boring Details

1. I love to read! I almost always have a book going (sometimes 2 or 3). With my life it may take a while to get through it but I eventually do.

2. I love to watch Little House on the Prairie! I loved the books too so that may be why I loved the TV series.

3. Speaking of TV, I love Survivor. Swore I would never watch that "stupid thing" guess I should have kept my mouth shut....

4. I love to make pennies squeak. With my family I have to be frugal, so I have embraced the lifestyle and try to make it a fun as possible.

5. I can't play sports. I have no eye hand coordination or any type of agility. Probably why my nick name growing up was Grace. :)

6. I wanted to marry someone in the military. I was born and raised in the army and figured that was the only way to go. Instead I fell in love with some one who was a police officer, who finally saw the light and moved over to firefighting. HMMM which is safer. :) But notice he was still someone in a uniform so I guess I kinda got my heart's desire.

Okay for the 6 I am tagging. (Don't hate me people!)

Michelle
JoAnn
Debra
Dorinda
Cheri
Molly

http://blasdellzoo.blogspot.com/2008/07/working-on-my-list.html

The past couple of days I have been working on my Twenty Wishes list. Here is what I have so far (Remember it is always a work in process.)

1. Learn to Tat
2. Take cooking lessons
3. Develop a workshop to help other mothers to become more frugal, learn to live debt free and become more organized.
4. Go back and get a degree in nursing or a related field
5. Learn to Bellydance (my wild and crazy side coming out here)
6. Live in the country in a Victorian house
7. Go back and visit Paris
8. Write a novel or book
9. Have a family vacation of at least a week at the beach
10. Make my children matching Easter outfits

Well there is half of them. I will work on more soon!

http://jjaezlenzendorf.blogspot.com/2008/07/17-months-oldcan-you-believe-it

Where has the time gone?!?!? Our three little miracles are 17 months old today. I have been thinking a lot about our journey...different things have randomly popped into my head...like the day I found the Triplet Connection Forum...the operating room and our reaction after we heard Alex cry...the first day I was by myself with them - all the doubts and worries...the two weeks I took off of work after the embryo transfer...the different milestones...and on and on! Some times it is like a film playing. It's hard to remember what life was like before the kids.
On Monday we tried out our new pool for the first time. The kids loved it. We were swimming for a little over an hour. The Lenzendorf pool opened at 1:30 on Tuesday and Grandma joined us for a swim. Auntie Jean and Alexis were to join us as well but showed up late. Even though the kids were napping Alexis got to enjoy the water with us adults. So today I was hoping to get the pool cleaned and filled back up but did not get to it as we spent the morning going to Costco with Auntie Jean. They enjoyed going but it tuckered them out especially since we missed our morning nap. The afternoon was pretty much normal. Below is a picture Jeremy took of me and the kids right before bedtime tonight.
Love, Jen
To Alexander, Elizabeth and Zachary - there will be a day that you will read this and I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you how lucky I am to be your mommy! I would not trade this for the world! The three of you simply amaze me! You have taught me so much! We love you more than words can describe!

http://jjaezlenzendorf.blogspot.com/2008/07/leg-holding-stage.html

The kids are in that toddler stage of holding onto legs. There have been many falls as the kids grab for our legs as we are walking or may not notice that they are reaching for them. I just had to post this picture as it is so sweet. As you may know, Alex is very attached to his daddy. He gets extremely happy when daddy comes home from work. Today Jeremy arrived home from work while the kids were napping. When Alex woke up and saw daddy for the first time he went straight for his leg.
Love, Jen

http://jjaezlenzendorf.blogspot.com/2008/07/wonderful-week.html

I seem to have a lot of pictures taken within the last week so I thought I would share them. As I was downloading them last night, I realized I downloaded them from most recent to least recent. And quite honestly I did not want to take the time to fix it.
These first pictures are of the kids enjoy outside yesterday with Grandma as Grandpa was raking the hay field. They went out to wave to him. Grandma was nice enough to watch them as I got dinner ready. They gave Grandma a run for her money (it was a little comical to watch from the house). Zach and Liz kept running in two different direction, non-stop. Luckily Alex did not moved a lot due to him not being the biggest fan of bare feet in the grass. The first picture is Grandma going to get Zach. The 2nd is Alex enjoying the outdoors and the great breeze. The 3rd is Ms. Liz playing with one of their lawn mowers. Thanks to Grandma for letting me get dinner started with out all the interruptions. I am sure she slept well last night. Gotta love toddlers!



Yesterday we also pulled another toy out of the closet that our mailman had given to us. It is a stroller with a baby. The kids loved it. We also brought back two trucks that we had been taking outside. The pictures below are of Liz first taking the baby for a ride. The 2nd picture is what Liz really wanted to take for a ride....much better than the baby!

Saturday is when Grandpa cut the hay field that is next and behind our house. Jean and Alexis had stopped by to see us for a little while before the kids took their afternoon nap. So all four grandkids got to wave at Grandpa. Then after the kids woke from their nap and just as Grandpa was getting ready to leave, the kids and Roxy kept a close on eye on Grandpa as he drove away. Too cute!!!
Saturday I decided it was time to try utensils again. The kids were showing signs that they could be ready for them with out too big of a mess. So I prepared the messiest meal I could...yup Chef Boyardee's Ravioli! The kids did amazingly well with their new tools to eat!


On Friday night Grandma stopped by with a prescription for me that she had picked up for me. Liz was showing off her new look....her fur (the blanket)....her bracelets (the rings)...and her purse. Isn't she stunning???

http://blasdellzoo.blogspot.com/2008/07/twenty-wishes.html

I splurged this week and bought the new Debbie Macomer Blossom Street Book Twenty Wishes.

In this book a group of widow friends get together on Valentine's Day so they don't have to be alone. At their party they all decide to put together a list of twenty wishes. These are things they want to accomplish or do. There is no time frame to make the list or complete the items on the list. These wishes turned out to be as simple as buying a pair of red cowboy boots to as complex as falling in love with an honorable man and having him return that love.

Throughout the book the characters all develop their lists and go after their wishes. All had positive life changing things happen while completing their lists. Now I am enough of a realist to realize that not everything can be solved with a wish list. But I am intrigued enough by the possibility to think about trying it. It goes along the lines of positive energy finds positive energy. So over the course of the next week I am going to put together my Twenty Wishes and see what happens. (Oh and if you complete the list you get to make another! :) )

Who is in with me?

http://blasdellzoo.blogspot.com/2008/07/thankful-thursday_10.html

I have pretty good life!

Your Life is Better Than 65% of All People

You really have things pretty good - so stop a minute and appreciate how great your life is. You likely have a cheery outlook, supportive friends, and plenty to keep you happily busy. You are usually content - and with good reason. You have a lot to be happy about. So when things don't go well, remember that you have it better than most people!