The Bergman Bunch!

My baby is one today. Amazing, but sad. I no longer have a baby anymore....just a little, cute, sweet, cuddly, loving, smiley...one year old daughter. That's all I have to say about that for now.

BEER and WINE. To some, this may not be a big announcement, but to others...well, it may be very nice to hear! Come on! It's Friday, and after a long hard week, you go out for dinner, and sometimes...just sometimes :), it's nice to have a nice, icy cold one! For me, preferably, I like a nice glass of red OR white wine (Victory has both), and for those days when I'm feeling just a little more, oh I don't know, manly? (no), red neck? (certainly not), well, just grrrrrr... I like a nice cold beer! All the beer at Victory 44 is craft Amercian brew. Lovely if you ask me! So, just thought you would like to know the news!

Well...although my morning has not gone as planned (was going to hit a few garage sales bright and early), it is still going perfect! I WAS going to wake up before the kids, do the Shred, shower and then get them ready and go to a couple of friends garage sales. But. Instead I chose to sleep in until 8 am. Where I proceeded to walk out of my room in a daze and here, "Hi Mom!", says Brady. "AAAAAAAAAAAaaah!", says me. Yeah, he scared the crap out of me. Went up and got the baby as she was playing so nicely in her crib, waiting patiently for me to come and get her :) We ate breakfast and then went downstairs to exercise! I asked Brady, "Brady, do you think I should exercise this morning (secretly hoping he would say no, because you know, a 4 year olds opinion is very important to me)?" "Yeah mom, can I exercise too?" Aw man. So, we went down stairs and I got my stuff on (I was clothed before, I just changed in to my workout gear...geez), and Bra

I think that's what life is all about. Searching. We search for answers, friends, keys, "the other sock", new furniture, new "things", what to have for dinner, but most importantly, for what our life means to the world, to us. What I think we search the most for, is love. And you know what the funny part about that is...love is free. A smile, a hug, a kind word...all free. A feeling, a warmth, a touch...all free. Yet, it is the hardest to come by for some, the hardest thing to learn, and can be the hardest thing to accept. It can also be the hardest thing to give. Why is that? Love is our greatest gift! Love is our most prized possession, yet can be treated like our most despised. Because, not only is love grand, but love can also let us down, be twisted, and become lost. So love, yeah, I don't know what to tell you about love. Except it was given to us freely, and it is ours to give away freely. It should not be hard, but it is, or it can be. So what shou

on a lake near Isanti! Check it out! It's so cute if you get a glimpse, I saw one of the parents try and bring it a little fish today! I know, I'm a dork. Live Loon Cam

Friday: Watch the boys until 4pm, hang out with the Mom til' 5pm. Have sister and unexpected friend (Lisa), stop over, then decide to eat at Pizza Hut with the kids! Next, I drive up to my mom's house in Stanchfield, and we take the kids to Snow White and the Seven Dwarves at the Braham High School! HILARIOUS! The kids loved it, but we only made it to intermission because it was waaaaaaaaaaaaay past Shelby's bedtime! Saturday : Hang out at home for the first part of the day, and attempt to get some things done around the house! Then my mom watched the kids so my sister and I could go baby shopping - for my sister:) - and then we ate at Victory 44 , and I got home at about 10pm! Sunday: Went up to St. Croix State Park with the kids. Made a pit stop in Rock Creek due to a puking her guts out incident by Halloran! We now know that she gets car sick on long rides....yay for us! St. Croix was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We had a great day of bike riding, playing IN the river :),

For today, tomorrow and Tuesday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yipee! This morning the baby woke up at 7 am, so the three of us just hung out! Tom and I just sat and talked straight for 2 hours! Now she's back in bed already for her morning nap, and the two older kids are still sleeping (almost 9am)! Today we are going to St.Croix State Park where my dad and Kathi are staying for the weekend! We're bringing the bikes and snacks and going to have a picnic, go to the river and do a little biking! I will be in HEAVEN! Camping is my all time favorite thing to do! I always feel perfectly content being out in the woods, swimming in the river...I love it! Last night, I got to go out with my sister and we did a little shopping for her baby and then we went and ate at the restaurant Tom works at, Victory 44 , and I was going to try something else on the menu, but I just had to get the Rueben again! I LOVE that sandwich! And I am NOT being biased when I say that it is the best Rueben in the whole w

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! Thank goodness it's Friday! I have not had to say that in 9 months! I feel much better about the idea of gettting tubes for Shelby's ears! I did a devotional today outside. I have not done one in a while! Felt Great! Romans 12:9 Non-discipline irritates me, yet I know I myself am not perfect either. I'm learning to take deep, cleansing breaths. Man...it does help. I am starting the 30-day Shred on Monday...be prepared for lot's of whiny posts. I love my husband. I am thankful for 3 blessings the Man upstairs bestowed upon me :) I'm going to Chicago in September, and I'm already super excited...did I mention I am going alone?! Nope? Well, I am. I love the smell of dirt. Today, I have bags under my eyes. Coffee is my friend. Naps are my best friend, although, we haven't gotten together in over a month. And now, I'm just waiting.

There are many things that happen to our children and the scenario arises. If you had to.... So mine is, if you had to get tubes in your child's ears, would you? I am really on the fence about it, Shelby probably needs them, but I've heard all the stories of hearing loss from them, damaged ear drums, and not being able to submerge their ears underwater...ever! And of course...(to be fair)...you can have some of those same things happen from not getting them in! The problem is, in my experience, I have only known people to have the bad side effects FROM getting tubes! So, see how your experiences in life can shape your opinion with not knowing all of the facts! So HELP! I want your experiences and knowledge! I'm trying to figure out what to do, and then take in my friends opinions, doctors and chiropractors and make a very informed decision! So please, let me know your thoughts!

Whoohoo! Granted, I did not get to enjoy it fully because I have one of the boys I am watching, and he was here at 8am, but still! And, the baby has a reason why she's still sleeping since she was up fro 1:45 am - almost 3 am! I was just going to "twitter" about it, but I thought this deserved a full fledge post! Man it's windy outside! Should make for an interesting day! We enjoyed a nice evening outside last night with our small group friends! The kids played, we chatted and ate icecream! Perfect!

Yesterday was picture perfect! Not only the weather, but just our day! Tom was home ALL day, which is a big deal nowadays! So we went to church, stopped at the store quick, and went home! We cleaned up the yard, our vehicles, played with the kids, and then Tom grilled an amazing dinner of steak, potatoes, and green beans. Yum Yum! Then we gave the kids a bath and settled in and watched Speed Racer. Let's just say that I am the only one who made it through the whole thing! Now today, back to the daily grind for us all! It was my last day of ECFE, so Tom stayed home with Shelby this morning, so I could take Brady, Halle and one of the boys I watch to class (the other boy was at preschool). We had a potluck brunch, and I brought stuffed french toast that Tom and I put together the night before, then they soak all night, and then grilled them this morning! They didn't turn out like they normally do, because we got a different bread, but they were still very good! Now they are all

Is celebrating 40 years today with a huge celebration! 25 cent beer, prizes, raffles, face painting for the kids from noon-2pm, and music from 3-7pm! Could you imagine? 40 years of everyday coming in to work at a place you created?! Donna Biggins knows what this feels like...and I think she's nuts (in a good way...I think)! :) Since day one, I bet she's been there almost everyday, just like she is now. Anyone in the restaurant business knows, there is no REAL "days off". I think even on the days off, there is still almost always something to be done behind the scenes. So what has kept them going? Well, there infamous broasted chicken. There's nothing really like it around these here parts , and their delicous coleslaw. Now, if you don't have a lot planned for the day, stop on in! I'll be there from noon-2pm helping with the face painting (?, yes I know, I don't know why me...but I hope kids like smiley faces because that's probably all I'm go

there is so much that could be done! Granted, it is almost 10 pm...way past this ol' girl's bed time, but I'm bored! And the funniest part about the whole thing is that I could be doing a lot of things right now if I wanted. Should I share some? Ok... -Fold laundry yuck no! -Read my Bible or other similar soul searching items? I don't know why I always put it off! -Pay bills.... I'll leave that alone.... -Write- I have so much up in my dusty old mommy brain just waiting to come out... -Take a shower- My hair is in desperate need of a good washing. - Wait up for Tom to get home... Been there done that, I stink at it. -GO TO SLEEP. I think I vote for the last one.

So I didn't get the best parts of their dancing day...but I got some! They were hilarious! And this is one of my most favorite songs of Group 1 Crew Eye Contact (icontact) . Here's the lyrics: I wanna make, I wanna make eye contact with you yeah. eye contact, eye contact with you. I felt your spirit hit me as I walked in the room my heart was vexed what happened next I felt, so so consumed, with every word you spoke to me I gave no reply, cuz I knew you wanted to save me but I wouldn't comply, But you still tried I'm glad you did cuz now I can't wait to spend my life within your arms a savior who has loved me more than. I could ever ask or even receive, you caught my eye when I learned that you died for me. [Chorus] I can't explain it,oh, the lovely things that you do, whatever it takes gotta make eye contact with you, it's so contagious,oh, you got me feeling so cool, don't pass me by. wanna make eye contact with you. Whatever it takes, gotta make

He's so sneaky! I had a terrible day Sunday and Monday and you know what he did in between all of that that I did not see till today? On Mother's day I did get to take a nap. And during my much needed nap, he sent me my favorite dessert. I had a horrible day yesterday, and he sent me a couple of missionaries (they were mormon, but they were from God...no doubt). And today, he sent me a cup of coffee when he knew I was out. He is so sneaky.

I may have a fighting chance of ending up sane! "...and that's all I got to say about that." ~ Forrest Gump and... "Mama always said life is like a box of chocolates...you never know what you gonna get." ~Forrest Gump I have realized today how many truisms come from watching a movie like Forrest Gump. What a classic.

it turned out, for lack of a better term, normal. It was good to feel at least normal, because my day started out with no hope in sight! I totally set myself up for it though, in hindsight. I had my day all planned out, and that's why it all went wrong!!!!! I miss my hubby alot, he's been gone a lot this week, and then with school...I just miss him. I thought I was more "independent". But having Tom gone like this, well, it showed me a different side of myself! I know now, that I just have to "try" and take each day...or each minute, at a time. Aaaagh! I'm so tired! If you guys would have seen how I behaved this morning, you would have thought I was posessed. I felt horrible, I looked horrible, and all I thought were horrible things. God's so funny. I think he sent me an "air" slap across the face, because that's how quickly I snapped out of it. My first half of the day just felt hopeless and then the afternoon came and Wham , I started

So, I started meditating a couple of months ago. For one week. (yeah, I have a hard time with motivation...when it interrupts my sleeping in:) ) And let me tell you, it was exhilirating, lovely, and calming! I loved it! I felt better about life, myself, and I felt I had more patience than I had ever received! So why did I stop? Not sure! It was probably like this in my head, "Ok Megan, get up, it's 6 am..c'mon, get up before the kids do, relax, ease in to your day, you'll be so glad you did this later!" Me: "Just 5 more minutes...that's all I need, then I'll get up, I promise!" An hour later in Megan's bed... Me: "Oh crap! I gotta get up and get Brady ready for preschool!" Then Megan's day....rush, rush, rush...no patience...rush, rush...clean, clean... Yeah...so I need to do something about that. Get back to prayer and meditation and optimisim. I think that is the key. We shall see.

I feel like I want to move to Mexico. Anonymously. Me, my children, and my husband. He can cook in a little cantina by the shore. I'll ly lazily by the beach, 3 children in tow and write about life... Oh but wait. I'm in Minnesota right now, with my kids, two extra children, a dog, no husband (at work), and not much time to write and let my mind wander... So for now I'll just wipe runny noses (mine included), change some dirty diapers (4 done already), and eat reese's peanut butter cups to mask the stress building inside...for right now. On a happier note.... Well... It's gorgeous outside! And... As each day passes as I get older, I thank God for the insights he gives me to how precious our life is, how to love, and to know that these earthly things will someday be a part of a funny past history of my life.

Please pray for a dear friend of ours having surgery at 11 am. It's very important that he and his wife have our prayers during surgery, recovery period, and most importantly...for Faith that everything will be alright! Thank you!

I know completely what that phrase means now!! It's just another day, earning another dollar...but I will enjoy it! Every minute! That's my pep talk for today, since I will be working ALL day! I have the two boys this week again, 8:20-4pm. Then I will go waitress at the Brass Rail from 5pm-10pm! I have given away my Saturday shifts at the Rail because Tom got a new job as a cook at this cute yet stylish new restaurant, Victory 44 , and so he is now working Saturday nights. Luckily, I feel very good about giving up my "money making" night because I used to be the one that needed the dough, but now one of the girls that fills in lost her regular job, and now needs more hours at the Rail. God is good, isn't he?!!!!!!!!!! What timing... So, I'll try and keep my Wednesday and every other Thursday, we'll just see how it all pans out. As for other random news, I am helping with the planning of a free for all clothing give away at our church, First Baptist on May

I am not going to lie, that on Friday May 1st, 2009, I needed a break. A break from what you ask? Not from work, or life, or from stress. A break from non-stop child pig-latin gibberish! It had been a long week. I started watching two other children, which was an adjustment, but a fairly easy one. But by Friday, I realized I was saying things to adults like, "Aaaw, are you ok?" I think this may have even come out of my mommy mouth in regards to my husband, " Do you need to go potty?" (ok, I'm joking, but I have done that before...as a joke) So anyway, I needed some adult time, some " I don't have an 11 month old hanging from my pant leg, a 2 year old girl going-on-fourteen screaming for her sippy cup with milk, a four year old boy asking why can't I go across the street like the other kids do" kind of break. So. My friend Sondra had asked if I wanted to go to the opening night of her husband Erick's new restaurant. So I found a sitter an

First let me say....I am not very happy with putting pictures on to blogger!! If my picture in my file is the right "side up" it comes on to my blog upside down or sideways... So I have many cute pics that I wanted to post of Shelby, but I can't! What am I doing wrong? Melissa??? Anyway, Shelby is 11 months old as of yesterday! Wow! She is walking behind those walker toys, is not content crawling anymore, she wants to be standing or "assisted" walking, she can climb stairs, eat hot dogs and many other types of foods, says mama, nana, and dadda, still takes two naps, sleeps from 6:30pm-7:30 am, smiles a ton, loves people, likes to eat dirt/leaves/grass, likes to smack me in the face when she's excited, and is the light of my life! But. She is going to be one in a month. Then, bye, bye baby. Hello toddler. How depressing.