Helgeson Yard Project, Day 1

I wish I would have taken a before/before picture of the front yard. The day we moved into the house there was snow on the ground so we didn't get to really see what a what a yard looked like until all the snow melted. The one thing I totally hated was the the big red mulch, so Tom and I removed that a few weeks ago along with all the dead plants in the front. They previous owners had never had flower beds in front of the house, just weeds and trying to get all those weeds out, was a pain! So, now over this holiday weekend we are trying to get the front yard all done. This morning we ordered all the river rock and it will be delivered sometime next week. Then came the fun part of picking out all of our plants. We were very lucky that the previous owners had a landscaper draw up some plans but never had the work done, so since we had the plans we when with that and just did the work ourselves. I got most of the plants planted today except for the PJM's and Sedums in front of Matt's window. For Mother's Day Thomas bought me the planters in the front and I really enjoyed planting them this evening. The plan for tomorrow is to lay the landscape fabric down, finish cutting out the front flower bed and planting the plants. I wonder how much we'll get done!

The little things Kevin says

Kevin is such a funny little boy, he is always saying something that makes Tom and I crack up. This morning I took of the final bandages from my surgery and showed Kevin my 2 inch incision, he took a look and then said, "Mom, you get to eat regular food with us now, right?!". I just thought it was a little funny that he wasn't really worried about the new scar on my tummy but if I was going to eat the same meals and the rest of the family.

God Bless my Broken Road

The weather here in Wisconsin is amazing right now. It was 93 yesterday and at noon today it was 85, too hot for some but I love it!! Weather permitting I go out and walk over my lunch break, so of course, I walked today. I also take my ipod because I don't enjoy walking as much without it! I listen to all kinds of music; Christian, rock, country and even a little rap (yep, its true). When I walk I talk to Jesus and always ask for a song to inspire me for the day. Most of the time I get an amazing Christian song that gets me though the rest of my day but today....it was Country. Rascal Flatts, God bless the broken road. If you don't know the song, I'll post it at the end of this blog. This song reminds me of my Thomas. I think of all the wrongs I had to go through to me to where I am today, in the right place, the place that I was meant to be. Thomas and I have been together for 10 years now (married 9 in August) and he has given me things that I never imagined for myself or my daughter. He made us a family and took on responsibilities that he had never known before. When we were dating he once told me, "Callie, I want to show you the world" I thought to myself....what a lame pick up line!! However, only six month after we were married we packed up the little house in Bremerton, WA and moved across the ocean and lived in Europe for 3 1/2 amazing years. Before coming back home he gave me our 1st beautiful son and once we were back, living in Minnesota he gave me a second!! I signed my name next to his when we bought our first home together, it was something I never dreamed of and now we've done it for a second time! Because of Thomas I was able to start a career in the Government and I strive to please him with all of the accomplishment that I've made over the 8 years of being employed by Uncle Sam. He fights for me when I can fight for myself but has also given me the strength and encouragement to stand up and fight for myself. He has been my rock on some very dark days and don't know where I'd be without him. So, I would like to publicly thank God for all the hard lessons that he has given in my past, my present and my future. God has always taken care of me, I often wonder why I even doubt Him. Because of a Savior who loves and a husband who I love with my whole heart, my life is nothing what I though but everything I had ever hoped for.


Bless The Broken Road Lyrics
I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you
[Chorus:]
Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
I think about the years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true
[Chorus]
Now I'm just rolling home
Into my lover's arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you.

Can't sleep, so I thought I'd blog

My name is Callie Helgeson and its been 17 days since my last blog! I felt that I had to confess before writing a new blog. I look at other people blogs and get upset when they don't update but "HELLO" I'm just as bad! So, lets see what has been going on!!! Lots of changes for Callie. On May 4th, I started my pre-liquid diet for 10 days before my gastric lap band surgery.....the diet sucked! Day 3 was hardest for me and I cheated and had a couple fish sticks and french fries....oh, man did that make me sick. The rest of the time, it went okay, towards the end I was feeling really weak and my sugars were low so I had some watermelon over the weekend and retried beans once from Taco Bell (man did that taste awesome)!! Surgery was on the 14 and everything went well. Today I am 5 days out and I feel amazing!! I honestly don't even feel like I had surgery. Right now my diet is all the non-carb, sugar free liquids I want plus s/f jello and Popsicles and for a huge treat, I can have some broth!!! I go back to the Doctor today and then I can be moved to soft foods like yogurt and cream of wheat. The most amazing part about the surgery is that I don't feel hungry! My head tells me all the time I'm hungry but I'm really not!
The kids are all good!! Makenna is counting down the days until school is out!! She is in the school summer play, Fiddler on the Roof, so she's been staying after school almost everyday. Kevin started his second session of Swimming at the "Y" and he loves it, he told me he want to takes lessons forever! Matthew is just a goofy kid! He's very busy and doesn't like to be bored. Both boys are enjoying the new swing set Tom and I put up for them!
My husband....he's amazing, I love him and I think I'll keep him around for awhile! I'm still not sure how I got so lucky to wear his ring on my finger, I am blessed to have him as my husband!! Now, if he'd just clean the house....he'd be perfect!! Ooops, did I say that out loud....yes, I did!!
I don't know why I can't keep my house keep because I really, really want it to be. Sometimes I'm so tired, I just don't feel like doing anything and then the fact that both Thomas and Makenna don't want to do anything doesn't help me out any. Thank goodness that I have Fridays off because I'm able to clean the house and do most of the laundry and still have free time on the weekends!!
So, I guess that's all I have for now, I'll try to be a better blogger but no promises! Here are a couple pictures of the kids taken last week when we were at the park!

Family

I am so blessed that I have such a wonderful husband. He bought me a ticket to go down to Alabama to visit my brother Gary and his family....and as an added bonus my mom flew down for a visit. I had such a wonderful time just hanging out with my family and getting to know my beautiful neices better!!! Sometimes its hard to be away from my family so when we do get to spend time together its extra special.