my random nothingness

They are out to get me.....for real.

2009-10-14T08:15:00.000-07:00

Now some of you might think I am being paranoid. Unreasonable even. But trust me, I am not.

There is a conspiracy theory over in my neck of the woods. Seems the mice are conspiring against me. Evidently, they don't like my working in the garage.

It started subtly at first. The little calling cards they leave behind everywhere they go. Cars emit exhaust, mice emit turds. It must be annoying to be a mouse. Crapping every time you take a step. Or maybe they have terrible navigational senses, and like Hansel and Gretel, leave a trail to find their way home. Only instead of crumbs, they crap?

The poop is bad enough. I mean really. I hadn't seen the mice, only their markings. That all changed after they seemed to have a town hall meeting and decided to scare the crap out of me! I opened the garage door to go in and work, and one fuzzy little crapmaster sped by me at lightening fast speed. I shrieked and slammed the door. Why do today what you can put off till tomorrow right? Though I don't think I can tell my customers, sorry, I cant get your order completed b/c there is a mouse in my garage. So, I put on my big girl undies. Holding my breath (why did I hold my breath?)I went in and got to my workspace as quickly as I could I liked to believe my workspace was in a protected little mouse free bubble. Ha! But I'll get to that later.

I turn to get some vinyl to spool up the machine and see a brown streak dart from the closet to the loft bed we have in pieces in the garage. Of course, I scream (i am sure my garage living neighbors wondered if there was an intruder or something from the way I screamed.) I went into the office and begged Blake to come see if he could find the little thing. He did. No sign of it. Evidently, they just like me. Lovely. So we go back into the house and I add mouse traps to my list of things i need to buy. I head back into the garage. And there it is. Sitting by the edge of the bed. Just looking at me. I scream. It doesn't move. I scream louder. It doesn't move. I stomp my feet and tell it to go away. It seems to shrug. Really, it did. I don't know if I had mouse telepathy but I swear it was saying, I'm not afraid of you....the garage is mine. I don't like mice. But I really don't like mice with attitudes. And especially mice with attitudes that crap everywhere. Game on little critters, game on.
I go and buy some sticky traps. That's right. Score one for me. They are gonna get it now. Ha. No more mice after tonight. So I strategically place the sticky traps in the routes I have seen the little crapper running along. I close the garage door, feeling a bit victorious, perhaps prematurely, but I just knew those little critters had met their match. Just before I headed to bed I decided to see if I had had any quick successes. I opened the door and to my utter disbelief, one of the traps is gone. Ok. Where could it go? Still to this day, we have yet to find it. The other sat untouched. I figured I would give it the night and see what happened. The next morning, there are mice tracks through the glue, but good ole' Chuck E Cheese is still off celebrating somewhere. This pisses me off. My mouse telepathy is telling me Chuck is sitting in the corner somewhere snickering, saying your sticky trap cant slow me down. I feel like they are laughing at me. They are sitting there laughing and pooping. "look at the giant human......we sure got her...."

So, yes, at this point I have lost my mind. I am thinking I am going to have to resort to desperate measure to get these little suckers. So, i get two more glue traps. Then, then I break out the big gun....peanut butter. They might be laughing now, but they are about to regret the day they picked my garage. I dab a tiny bit of the butter right in the center of the trap. I head out to the garage, bid my hello's to the little creature that scampered by. I place the trap near where the mouse mafia seems to be congregating. I turn and go to my work area.

Now to be honest, I am not as brave as it may seem. When I am placing said traps, I lean and stretch as far as I can. What if they decide to attack? Have you ever heard of attack mice? Is there such a thing? Knowing my luck, there is. So, I have work to do. But I DO NOT want to be hanging out in the garage. So far, my area seems to be free of any signs of the nasty little creatures. I pull out my chair, and sit down and to my right on the edge of my table I see it. They have left their business card. One little turd, balancing carefully on the edge of the table. They left it right where they knew I'd see it. It is only one, but it was all they needed to leave. It was enough to let me know they had been there. I can see now this is a war. An all out war. The mouse mafia and I are in a battle over territory. My inner voice is telling me I am being ridiculous that the mouse could care less where I go or what I do, that they are scared of ME! But then I hear them chasing each other and I scream. I run inside and do what any sane person would do. I get my 11 year old daughter and make her come out in the garage and stand on mouse duty. She was less than thrilled, but what is a child to do? Now, I know by now you are all thinking i am certifiable. That making my kid come protect me from mice is just plain crazy. But you just didn't see the way they looked at me, how they were so unafraid of me, and how they left poop right on my work table so I would know they were watching me. So Kayleigh, broom in hand, is watching my back. She is scouting the room, seeing if we are about to be attacked. Suddenly we hear "squeak, squeak" and see the mice run past and in an instant we are both up in the chair screaming like we had no tomorrow. Blake comes to the garage to find us huddled together on the top of a metal folding chair, clinging to the broom; pointing and screaming. How he managed not to die laughing at us is a mystery to me!

We finally manage to untangle, climb down and run inside. After that assault, we called it a night. I am happy to report, my peanut butter trick worked. One of the little rascals just couldn't resist, and after a nice meal of Jiff, found he was stuck. The kids felt bad for him, but I just glared. He had been plotting on me, but I won. One down, but i knew there was at least one more. Ugh.

The next day, almost as if they were protesting the capture and death of their leader (?) I found lots of business cards. The turds were aplenty, and I got in my car and went and got the mean old spring traps. I hate those, the sound is terrible. But, I hate mice more. And, this is my busy season and I need to be in my garage. Alone preferably. Traps are set, placed and the waiting begins. I clean up the turds they left behind and wonder how long we'll be fighting these dang mice. Every time they cut and bale the fields behind the house, we seem to have unwelcome garage visitors. I just cant bring myself to believe they might have made it inside my home.

Yesterday, we discovered a mouse in the spring trap by the garage door, right where they come in. Another bites the dust....or was that peanut butter? Dad was visiting, so he took care of that one for me. We worked all day in the garage yesterday and didn't see or hear any of the little crappers. I know they are still there. There is at least one more, I know because he left me a message(turd). He is still conspiring against me, and planning to overtake the garage (insert evil laugh)Well, I left a message back to him. Right in the center of a nicely loaded spring trap. I just hope he finds it.

Busy busy...sick sick sick

2009-09-17T13:37:00.000-07:00

School has started and with that comes germs. We did pretty well the first several weeks, but the flu hit us. Bryce and Samuel both tested positive for flu. Sam got really sick with croup and spent some time in the ER. Drew and Jonathon took their turns being sick. I think I had it before them (but thought it was allergies). Lots of medicines later, and I think we are over it for this bout. I did decide to sprout a mountain range on my face, but what do you do?! I feel like I am back in high school with zits like this again. Ugh.

Football is going well. We are amazed at the money-making machine it is. First you pay to register them. Then you buy the practice set. And, conveniently at each practice, they have a table set up to sell spirit items. Then there is the concession stand. A buck for a can of sprite. 1.50 for Gatorade. A buck for skittles or m&ms. Water bottle 1.00. Then we show up to the Jamboree and realize that each person coming in the gate has to pay entry! For real? We thought that must be a mistake!! Our fees are also double what the leagues around us pay. Each game we go to you have to pay. For each person. I witnessed them make a lady pay $2.00 for her infant. Yep, sure did. Someone is making bank on this. (Why couldn't it be me?) I know there are costs associated.......insurance, referees, and field maintenance, but there has got to be a surplus floating around....... The important thing is that Bryce enjoys it. He isn't the best player on the team, but he is having fun. He never quits, and while he might be afraid, he hasn't backed down yet.

The next big thing....WE HAVE A TEENAGER! A real live, official teenager. I am not sure how that is really possible. I swear he is getting bigger everyday. The voice is getting deeper, the lip is getting hairier, and the feet are already huge (mans size 12 now). He is still a bit shorter than me, but i know that wont be for long.

Our house is one loud, crazy disorganized mess! How could it not be with four active, healthy boys, and one princess! (two princesses if you count Sophie)

Blake is super busy between work and his new calling. He only lasted on the high council about 2 months. I think he wishes he was still on it. He is now the stake executive secretary. He is doing a great job at it, but we miss him. :) We have a great Stake Presidency, so I am very happy he is working with such great men! Blake is already such a good father, husband, leader, and more; I know this calling will be good for him. he'll tell you he lacks in compassion, so maybe this'll help?

I swear I get further and further behind everyday. I am a terrible time manager, and even though I know this, I haven't seemed to find the ability to correct it. Because of this, the blog is being neglected, but I am going to try to put more on here.

Why is it????

2009-09-02T11:16:00.000-07:00

I have a question bobbing around in my head today. Why is it when 2 different people do the exact same thing, you have a totally different reaction?

Example: Person A eats off your plate, you smile and go on. Maybe even taste theirs.
Person B eats off your plate and you want to rip their head off or at the very least, get an IV of antibiotics to get rid of their germs.

Does the way we feel about people ( on a personal level) make that much of a difference in how we react to seemingly innocent things?

Why are we so quick to let it go from certain people, but fester, stew and boil over another? They've done the same thing, but the reaction is SO opposite.

How do you get past personal feelings and react objectively?
And, no, I am not really talking about eating off someones plate, just using it as an example.
Any thoughts?

This is really bugging me.....(couldnt help it....sorry for the corny joke)

Happy Birthday Andrew!

2009-08-26T08:28:00.000-07:00

I can not believe my little Andrew turned 6 years old! he is still just as sweet and charming as he was when he was born. Andrew was born our smallest baby, and was probably our easiest too. That could be because he followed Bryce and ANY baby would be easy after him. He has always had a sense of calm and happiness about him. But don't let him fool you, he might be little, but he can be fierce! Again, following after Bryce, you'd have to be. The two of them were best friends from the moment Andrew was able to keep up (or as Bryce would call him, Doo Doo). Just like any kid, he has his moments, but even then, he is still usually smiling at you while he totally ignores what you've told him, or explains the great misjustice that has befallen him (no doubt at the hands of his brothers).

He takes most things in stride. So happy and mostly trying to make everyone around him happy. He and Sam sometimes come to near blows. Sam, it seems, has figured out how to push every single one of Drew's buttons.....repeatedly.

I think he sometimes gets overlooked in the chaos simply because he is so easy to please. He was so excited about his birthday this year. While his actual birthday was crazy, we talked him into letting us celebrate on Wednesday, he got really excited! Not quite grasping what was going on, he said: So, I can have a birthday tomorrow too!

Us: Yes.

Drew: That's great. Today I am six, tomorrow I'll be seven!

It took us a while to explain to him it didnt work like that, but in the end he is happy! Two days of celebration and presents! What could be better!

Just a little thing I did today....

2009-08-17T19:06:00.000-07:00

I know I have said this before, but now, I really mean it. I think I have officially lost my mind. Now, those of you who know me well, know there wasn't much to loose. However, what little bit may have been left, well.....it's gone now.
This morning, Sam and I were hanging out watching PBS and killing time till our noon play date at the Y. I got distracted by a book I was reading, Sam messing his diaper, and then the telephone. Suddenly, it was 11:20 and I still had not showered. I took a quick shower, dressed and proceeded to style my locks.
I had the round brush going, the dryer blowing, and was in a hurry.....a bad one. By this point it was 11:40 or so, and i knew I would be a little late. This is also expected, I am a Bedwell, and it is in my blood.
So, the hairstyle,.....let's get back to it. I am styling and thinking I might just get there in time. I clip my bangs up, and see the hairspray out of the corner of my eye. I grab the spray, and generously spray the crown and sides of my noggin. Suddenly, to my horror, i see white foaming bubbles growing where I had just sprayed my hair.
I look at the vanity, and realize right next to my green bottle of Garnier Fructisse Spray, was a lovely green bottle of Scrubbing Bubbles Bath and Toilet Cleaner. I had seriously just sprayed my hair with FOAMING FREAKING BUBBLES. Needless to say, I have no more hard water stains or mildew in my hair. Luckily, I also have my hair. I rinsed quickly. I was back at square one with the hair do, so I just quickly dried it and left.
In the car, I called my friend, Rhonda, and apologized for being late, yet again. This time, I told her, I had a good excuse. She got quite the chuckle when I explained my new found beauty product. Luckily for me, no permanent damage seems to have been done (to my hair anyway). You'd think I would have quickly put away the toilet spray, but nope it is still sitting there, right along side my hairspray, which I never even used today.

The happenings around here....

2009-07-16T17:20:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks have been filled with the usual summer business. We haven't been to the pool lately, seems every time we want to go it storms. I don't mind the rain. The lawn gets watered and I don't have to wear a swimsuit in public. Double win!
I can't believe how quickly time is ticking away and soon school will be starting. This year we will have a 7th, 6th, 2nd and 1st grader! Sam and I will chill at home! :) I am tempted to put the little stinker in pre-school. He loves playing with his friends, and is always wanting to go somewhere. My goal is to get him potty trained as soon as the big kids head back to school. Say a prayer for me.....I have never potty trained a child. No Lie. Blake has done it every time. What a good dad he is!

We are all reading lots of books from the library. I am reading for enjoyment for the first time in a long time. I remember now why I had to put aside my hobby.....nothing in my house gets done when I am reading. For example, when I read the whole Twilight series in a week, it was as if I had been kidnapped and my house fell apart. Nothing got accomplished until I finished those books. Same has been true this go around. I have been reading random things different people have suggested. I finished "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" today. I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy it. I had a slow start to it. The book is all in the form of correspondence between people, weaving the story as the letters go. At first, I was put off by the letters, but soon really enjoyed the way it allowed you to see things from so many characters eye, and to hear it from their words. Add it to your summer reading list if you haven't read it!

Business wise, I am getting ready to teach a few Super Saturday classes for one of the wards in my stake. Of course, they are getting a good deal. We are gearing up for a few Fairs, several school fundraisers, and are hoping to launch some home shows/workshops.

This summer we have said good-bye to many friends who have moved, and are welcoming new friends! Blake is keeping busy at work. He is still enjoying his job, but works crazy hours! He recently had an interview for a government civilian position. We should hear about that in the next several week (2 months at the latest.....nothing happens quickly on their time frame). It would be great to get a gov. civilian job for several reasons.....he can have his Air Force years back towards a govt. retirement. At least if it doesn't happen, he is happy with his current job.

School starts back a little over 3 weeks from now. We are starting a new chapter....JR HIGH!!!!

I seriously can't believe our babies are old enough to be in 6th and 7th grade! Kayleigh will still be at the elementary school this year, as construction on the new school was not completed in time. I shudder to think of Jonathon going to school with 7-12th grade kids......why do i feel like he is still a small, helpless child.....does this look like a baby to you?

I have a feeling the next few years are going to fly by.......I really don't know if I am prepared to be the parent of a teenager. That is just what he will be in less than 2 months!

I best go try to keep peace in the house....Jonathon has a friend sleeping over and they are tormenting KK who is trying to play dance, dance revolution. Sam is coloring on something he shouldn't, and Andrew is being far too quiet to be up to any good....

The Joys of Summer

2009-06-17T10:15:00.000-07:00

Did you know it is hot? Like really hot! We had plans this week. Most of it involves being outside. The zoo.....the pool.....scout camp dinner and family day. So, a heat index of 108-112 does not mesh well with that! I am rethinking and looking for nice indoor activities.
Bass Pro Shops is having a free family summer camp, so yesterday a friend and I took our combined 8 children to check it out. What they failed to tell us is the Tuesday/Thursday events are lecture/scavenger hunts only. It is only the weekend that has the free shooting range, casting pond, smores, crafts, etc. So, we had 8 kids who were somewhat disappointed they didn't get to shoot airguns or bow/arrows. Bryce was bummed he didn't get to "fish". We may try to return on Saturday, but that depends...on if I want to. Truthfully, a stop by the fudge shoppe downstairs on the way out, and all the disappointment was washed away in a wave of sugary confections. I even let the kids get some candy :)

We dropped Kayleigh and her friend off at her friends house, and headed back home for an evening of pure laziness. I was going to go out and weed the flower bed, but I was out for less than 2 minutes (at 7pm) and was sweating like crazy. The phone rang, and that was all the excuse I needed to go back inside. I have some vinyl projects i need to finish in the next few days, and the garage is SO hot that I have just be procrastinating. I am afraid to see how my neighbors take to the heat. In the dead of winter, they (meaning the father and son) would be hanging out in the garage in their underwear. (and yes, with the garage door open!). It looks recently as though they are trying to make it more comfortable in there and have added a lovely yellow arm chair with wood accents. They live right across the street, so it is kind of hard not to notice. i will have to go all stealthy and snap a picture for you guys......seriously, something you have to see to believe. Thankfully, the dad is a fan of boxers vs. tighty whities. Sadly, he is not a fan of any type of shirt. He really should look into them. I walked outside to find him on the riding mower yesterday in cutoff jeans and no shirt. (no shoes either). The little boy (who is only 5 or 6) is much like is father and is a fan of bottom only attire. He does prefer tighties to boxers.

I am thinking there must be SOME kind of community code against underwear-lounging in your driveway while smoking? Right? I mean seriously, there are two houses for sale next door and across the street. If i came to look at a house and a 300+pound man was sitting in a lounge chair in just his underwear at the top of his drive way, I'd probably keep on driving. Admittedly, they are quite friendly and the mother is a fan of all clothing. I guess they figure their house, they can do what they want.

We had a fun quick trip this past weekend. My little brother finally got hitched. It was a beautiful wedding and I will do a post all about that at some point when pics are available. It was fun to sit and reminisce with my all my siblings (except for Chris who was off honeymooning, I am sure) about funny stories and things from the past. The kids all had a wonderful time with one another. I sure wish we all lived closer to each other.

This is getting long, and isn't really about anything, so I am going to go tackle one of those long neglected projects!

Pics from Baseball

2009-06-11T11:16:00.000-07:00

As if you weren't already sick of our baseball stories, here are some pics to add to your misery! I happen to think they are cute:

I love this one, Bryce is admiring his trophy they worked so hard for!

Getting his trophy. They were all so excited to get second place!

The Scrappers
This is his team! Bryce was one of the oldest, and definitely the tallest on his team.
The whole team, except three boys, move up to the next league for next season.

This is how these boys are. Silly, wild......the dugout was crazy. Bryce is the one with the blue tongue. While Bryce was getting his trophy, Jonathon's team was playing for the championship.

It was a heartbreaking loss. There were lots of terrible calls, and the final score put the nail in the coffin for them. They went from playing for the championship, to not placing.......they tied for third, but third went to the other team as they had beaten us twice. It was still a great season, a great coach, a team of good boys! Our boys were polite, and respectful. The team that won had a team full of foul mouthed, disrespectful boys. Sometimes, winning isn't always an indicator of who is truly best.

Here are the BATS waiting for the places to be called. Jonathon is on the back row....you can see his glasses..
Waiting to get their trophies. I am amazed at the broad range of sizes in these boys! These are 11/12 year olds. Here is Jonathon getting his trophy. He moves up to the next league next year too. For now, we get to enjoy summer......then Bryce starts football and Jonathon will have Fall Ball. Fun!

Baseball is officially over.....for the summer

2009-06-09T19:28:00.000-07:00

We had Jonathon's closing ceremony tonight. Bryce's was yesterday. His team won second in the league. Lots of natural talent on that team, and all but three boys move up to the next age group.

It is funny, Jonathon's team had a coach who gave it his all and had great practices. All the games just didn't go their way, and after a crushing loss on Monday night they lost their spot as second in the league. Jonathon did make a fantastic catch in center field, but the win was still not to be. Bryce's team had a coach who was on the clueless side, had very few practices, and they end up in second!

As Jonathon's game was going on, Bryce's team was getting their trophies. They looked SO cute out there. All season, no matter what, their team was always happy. There is one boy on the team in particular who always had a smile on his face. The boys come off the field after the ceremony proudly showing off their trophies!

I take Bryce's trophy and read the inscription and have to hold in a giggle. It reads:

2009 City League Baseball
Runner-ups

Um, people.......Runners-up. I had to point it out to the other parents They all got a good giggle out of it. It is just par for the course around here. Maybe I am just a grammar nerd...ok y'all know I am not b/c i totally ignore rules of grammar on my blog......but for a trophy you are presenting on behalf of the city! What is sad is that the trophy shop didn't catch it either!

Tonight at Jonathon's ceremony we were reminded how backwards things are around here sometimes......stereotypical rednecks. There was the guy that kept lifting his shirt and picking up his belly flap. Yucky. The lady who stepped right in front of me as i am trying to take pictures of my son get his trophy. She had the nerve to get irritated at me for taking pictures over her shoulder. The kicker of them all was the All Star coach on one field coaching a practice. He was waving a bat around, pointing it at the kids, and yelling at them. The parents all just sat and watched! I am sorry, if some guy is yelling at my kid and waving a bat at him, I am going to have to intervene. Oh, the joys of small town, southern life!

This is what happens when I try to cook.....

2009-05-28T14:11:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is glass, shattered ALL OVER! All I was doing was trying to cook........now I dont even have a lid for the pot. Guess we better just get take out! :)

Will it ever stop raining?

2009-05-26T19:34:00.001-07:00

Rain has been the theme around here for what feels like forever.

Rain drops are falling on my head.......

This was from 2 weeks ago when we had the severe flash flooding. Our yard was lakefront property. Seriously. We had to go in and out through the garage as our sidewalk was a river......of woodchips! (see the pic below)

Did I mention our backyard was a lake too! And we live at the TOP of the hill! In the pic the yard looks like mud, but it is actually running water, and there is grass under there....I PROMISE!

I am thinking the drought is over. I mean it has been raining again for the past 5 days off and on. This is the start of summer! We should be getting to swim (in a pool not a front yard puddle), I should be able to kick the kids outside when they are fighting over who gets to be the eagle webkinz........Or when they decide to play tennis IN the bedroom! But no.....we have rain. RAIN I tell you!

I am sure in a few weeks when it is hot as anything, I will be begging for some rain. Right now, I want to see the sun!

It is Offical.....Blake is certified...

2009-05-20T13:03:00.000-07:00

And no, not as crazy. Though one would think living with me for 13+ years would certainly qualify anyone for a crazy certificate.
Blake took his PMP certification today and passed! WOO hoo! Big weight off his shoulders there. He was cramming last night, taking practice tests, talking to himself and the computer......but it is over and he passed!
It is supposed to be a big deal in his field, but dont ask me? :) So a Huge congrats to Blake!

The first day of summer has begun for the children and me. Perhaps it will be I who is certified crazy by the end of the week. Sophie keeps looking for somewhere quiet to take a nap....poor puppy. I did sneak away today and have lunch with my good friend, Beth, who will be moving soon. I am in total denial, and pretending it isn't coming! They were here for just a year with ACSC (military), and will be heading back towards where we came from. I am sad to see them go. We have been doing Wednesday lunches for the past several months, and I am so going to miss that! She is always a fun person to sit and chat with. Her son and mine are good friends too, so there will be sadness on many levels in our home when they move. I know now a little more how it felt for all my friends we left behind over the years!

This summer should be a busy and fun one! My little brother is getting married in less than a month (his fiance-whom we love- is a brave girl to marry into this big crazy family!). I just have to give you a little laugh, it will be the "Johnson-Bedwell" wedding....hehehe.....Ok, so I have a dirty mind....That is almost as funny as when my sister got married: Bedwell-Virgin. Oh, I know. Enough, grow up and move on.......

So, back to summer. Lots of time at the pool. I get to sleep in! WOO HOOO!!!!! I am sure i will also be refereeing lots of fights and arguments. My one big goal for this summer is to clean out my garage! And yes, it just might take all summer!

I guess that is it. Boring as always! Oh...good news....Bryce's test came back negative for MRSA, it was just "plain ol' staph". It is looking TONS better and he is still wild and crazy!

Yesterday was ALL about Bryce!!!

2009-05-15T11:28:00.000-07:00

Bryce comes in the room this morning and pulled up his shirt and said, "Mom, this really hurts." My eyes were still adjusting to being awake, but I could make out what looked to be a large bite or zit looking thing right on his hipbone.
I decided to keep him home for the day and watch it. See if it got bigger, smaller, redder, whiter, more pus, less pus....and on.

After lunch with Blake at the bowling alley, I decided to drive by the Dr.'s office and see if they were busy. There were only a few cars, so we popped in. Less than a five minute wait, and we are getting vitals, and blood pressures. Nurse asks what is up, i give her a brief history, lift his shirt and show her his wound we have under a band aid. Told her I am sure it isn't a bite. Doesn't itch. Hurts to touch, is red and hot. Had a head like a zit. My guess was a staph pustule. I get that look that nurses and Dr's give when they think parents are over reacting. She draws blood to pull a CBC to see if he has an infection. He did not enjoy that. They did a finger prick, then milked it for blood. She leaves, Bryce's blood in hand.

We are left alone in the room. This is never fun. My kids want to investigate every item in the room.What is this? What is that? They want to pull out and try to use the stirrups after I made the mistake of telling them you rest your feet in them. Sam poops in his diaper. I realize I didn't bring an extra in with me. Lovely.

Dr. comes in, and I get to repeat the conversation I just had with the nurse. She has moved on to the "bite" the nurse told her about. She looks at it and says, not a bite, but definitely a staph infection. She needs a sample to send off to test. FUN. Bryce reasoned with her for a good 15 minutes on why she didn't need to do that. Made her tell him step by step what she was going to do, complete with hand motions. She finally got the sample, then drained what she could of the infection. She said we would know for sure on Monday if it is MRSA or not, but they are treating it as if it is. They did a strep test on him too, as his tonsils were HUGE. It was positive, but she thinks Bryce does not have full blown strep, but is a carrier. He didn't have a fever or sore throat or any typical symptoms of strep. He had been wild for a few days, which is usually a warning to us he is about to be sick. They give us 2 antibiotic prescriptions and says to keep it covered. Wash hands frequently with soap and water, and he is good to go.

She tells me he is cleared to play baseball, but not to go to school (they were having field day today and had several water type games she thought would be best to avoid). I debated on letting him go to the game, but she assured me that if we have the wound dressed and covered, and his shirt stayed tucked in, no one would be at risk. His wound is very small, and is not weeping or leaking or anything. I checked the CDC website, and they say the same thing. As long as it is covered, normal activities are ok.

He was feeling great, so off to baseball he went.

HE HAD THE BEST GAME EVER!!!!!!!!!!!

They have now placed him as their lead off batter. He steps up to bat, and on the first pitch, hits it hard and it goes right in between 2ND and third and rolls to the fence. He got up to bat 4 times list night, and each time, fantastic hits! One to the fence, one over the short stops heads, the first hit between second and third, and then one along the third base line. All the boys hit well last night!
What was amazing was the first inning we were in the field. They had a couple boys who had hit, and bases were loaded. There were no outs. We had ended our inning with no outs under the 9 run rule, but we still didn't want them to get any runs.
One of their boys gets up to hit. Bryce is playing third base. He hits the ball and it heads right for Bryce, arching high into the air. The boys on base have started running. Bryce catches the ball. He is so happy! Shocked even. Out one!
He looks and realized the guy from second is almost to third and had never tagged up after he caught the ball. He tags him! Out two!
We all realize what is happening and yell for him to touch third base! The runner is on his way back from home to third and all he has to do is touch the plate to get him out! Bryce touches third, and he's out! OUT THREE! Bryce got a triple play! All three outs in one inning, all by himself in ONE play!
All the parents were cheering, Bryce was grinning from ear to ear. The other coach came over to our dugout and asked who was playing third. They pointed out Bryce and he actually came and gave Bryce a high five and told him Congratulations! He said he had NEVER seen a play like that in 6 year old baseball!

The game was so fun to watch! Our boys were all excited! The ending score was 18-2. Bryce has another game tonight, one Saturday, Monday and Tuesday! I know they won't all go as well as this one, but as a parent, it is SO fun to watch our children succeed at something they enjoy!

*For any of you going....I cant believe she let her kid with a staph infection go play ball, I'll give you a link to the CDC where you can see it was safe. I told the parents who were gathered before the game, and no one had a problem with him playing.

Time for a new post

2009-04-23T06:25:00.000-07:00

Pitiful attempt at a group picture!

I couldn't stand the Trojan Weekend being up there any longer, so I figured it was time to post something!

We have been quite busy around here. Baseball, spring break, baseball, school, baseball, mom is sick, baseball....I think you get the picture.

The season has been fun this year! Blake isn't coaching, so I have an extra adult with me to tame the wild ones. Bryce is doing quite well. His first 2 games, i think he was super nervous. He wasn't hitting very well. In practice, he makes contact at every at-bat. After the second game, where he struck out at both at bats, he seemed a bit down. "Mom, I lost my batting skills." That is what he told me. I am happy to report he has now regained his skills. He smiles every time he crosses home plate!

Bryce lost his SKILLS!

Proof Jonathon got on base :)

Jonathon's team is doing well too! There is truly such if difference between the 6 year olds and the 12 year olds though! The little ones are cute and all having fun. By the time they are 12, it is a bit more serious. (Though you do still see an occasional outfielder playing in the grass-hope it isn't my kid!) Next year THREE will be playing......Not sure how we'll manage that!

Easter was nice and low key! My parents came up and spent Friday and Saturday with us. Blake and Dad started on our back fence. They got about half of it done! We finished the other half this past weekend after an incident with Sophie and a coyote!

Sophie likes to go play in the cow field behind the house. I was getting ready to go to the gym and had let Sophie out. When i went to let her in, she had gone into the field and was behind the portion of the fence dad and Blake had finished. I called to her, then realized she was brown instead of black. I was walking towards the fence when i realized that I was looking at a coyote and not my puppy. I looked for her immediately and she was to the left of the coyote about 4 or 5 feet. She was not barking, but frozen and her hair was on its ends from head to tail. I yelled to Jonathon what was going on (it was during spring break) and picked up a piece of fence post and stated yelling at the coyote. It was not even afraid of me. We came towards it, and are telling it to go away. The coyote and Sophie chase each other back and forth across the cow field. We finally help Sophie figure out how to get back into the yard. She was so on guard she got confused and was stuck between the cattle wire and the privacy fence. When she would turn her back to the coyote, it would come in on her. I have to admit, I was screaming, waving the wood above my head (i am sure it was quite the sight!) and Jonathon was screaming, directing Sophie. Even when Sophie was back in our yard, and Jonathon carried her inside that coyote just stood there and stared at us. Then slowly went back into the field. Obviously, we had to finish the fence ASAP before Sophie became Coyote dinner.

I am sure there is other stuff that is going on too......the school year is wrapping up, so lots of field trips, parties, and stuff. Blake is taking a class for some certification, working lots of overtime, and still being super-dad. I have some fun things going on! New calling....Activities Committee Chair (For the 4th time! I must really suck at it!). Working on planning some fun activities. Then there is my little business. Lots of potentially very exciting things going on there!!!! I'll share some of that another time.

For the most part, life is great! We really are quite blessed, and I am so grateful! Now if I could just get Sam potty trained, life would be golden!!!!

A Trojan Weekend.....(not what you think...dirty minds you!)

2009-03-23T10:28:00.001-07:00

This past weekend, we took a break from it all and had a little day trip. Some friends of Blake's from his early Troy days were in town for a few days. I had already had a girl's night out with Nicole, but we hadn't gotten a chance to see Chas, Shelley, the kids, and Shelley's parents. (Shelley and Nicole are sisters. I knew Nicole from my Troy days and from the good ol' days in the military)

I have to admit I was bummed to miss out on sleeping in Saturday morning, but we got up early to head to Troy. Blake had promised us all Crowe's chicken for lunch, so we were eager to go! (If you ever happen through Troy, AL on US 231 you MUST stop at Crowe's and get chicken fingers, sauce and mashed potatoes.....YUMMY!)

We got down there a little early, so we grabbed the kids some breakfast, then took a driving tour of our old stomping grounds. WOW has it changed! So many memories! We drove past Blake's old apartment, our first apartment, my old dorm, the ROTC building, the gazebo where we got engaged, all the places Blake used to work, and our old church building. The church building is probably the one thing that hasn't changed. It is a tiny little phase II LDS building. If you have ever been in one, you know what I mean. We ran into an old friend in the parking lot and took a few minutes to catch up and hear how all the locals we still know are doing. That was a lot of fun. Going "home" (or back to where this all began) always triggers such strong memories, reliving it all! The excitement of living away from home for the first time, testing my wings, falling in love, and to be honest, it just gives me butterflies! Looking across the car, it reminded me how much I love that man, and why. (Yeah, it wasnt for the car, that's for sure!!!! He drove a beat up Dodge Aries K......that's umm....well.....not a muscle car :P ) We sure started from humble circumstances. He worked (and still does) so hard for everything that we have, but has found a way to thoroughly enjoy (and spread that joy) every minute of it. When we drove by the apartment he lived in when we met, I remember all the hours spent playing Jeopardy on the Sega. It was THE ONLY game I could beat him at..... The theater we went on our first outing (NOT A DATE) has been torn down, but we giggled at the fact that I was sly and failed to invite another friend along so I could be alone with him. It worked, he was hooked, and here we are almost 15 years later. Still as crazy in love as back then. Probably a little crazier then back then for SURE!

After our tour, it was finally time for our beloved CROWE's chicken. We met up with Nicole and her girls, Chas and Shelley (Lesley) and their kids, and Dick and Lonnie (their parents) to enjoy the feast that is Crowes. Ah. fried goodness in a box. I have to say, it was good, but failed to meet the expectations of my memory. Still way better than Zaxby's or Guthrie's.....for sure! Much better than the food, was reuniting with old friends! I think the last time we saw the Lesley's was when Jonathon was a year old! Time Flies! It was like no time passed at all, as the conversation settled naturally, and we learned about each others lives.....so many years and experiences later. Our kids got along well. We took them to a park, and the guys engaged in a little football. It was such a fun day, and made us realize how blessed we are to have such great friends, that no matter the time or distance we can pick right up like it was yesterday.

Time came to head home! We said our good-byes and loaded up. As we drove out of town, past all the landmarks of our past, I was very grateful for that odd little town, the peculiar little branch, and all the wonderful people that have stepped into our lives from our time there.

Zumba, Thai food, and Strep throat....

2009-03-19T10:26:00.000-07:00

That was my day yesterday. I have been going to Zumba, but not as often as I would like. The class is at an odd time of day. Making it difficult to go to Zumba and get anything done. BUT, I so enjoy it. It also has enlightened me to several things:

1. I have no rhythm. The right side of my body is especially rhythm free.
2. I get confused easily. Having my arms. legs and hips moving in different directions at the same time is a near impossible feat. Strange looking too I am sure!
3. Every time I see my fat giggling in the mirror, I want to gag....and then I push harder and sweat more!
4. I sweat a lot! I am fairly certain it is a family trait. Sweaty bunch. When i got Sam from the nursery and picked him up he asked me why I was all wet!
5. I am always in a better mood after I zumba. And today, that was a particularly good thing, as my day was about to get derailed!

Wednesdays, my friend Beth and I do lunch. She has an appt with her trainer the same time I have Zumba, so we planned to meet at noon. I got home, and proceeded to get in the shower. I was about to step in when I phone rang. It was the school. Drew was in the nurses office (second time this week, first time he fell and hit the back of his head in the lunchroom.....big goose egg!). He was running a low grade fever and complaining of his leg hurting and his mouth hurting. She said his throat looked red. I showered as quickly as possible, put some stuff in my hair, threw on clothes, grabbed Sam, and crossed the street to the school. Drew comes down the hall smiling, looking PERFECTLY healthy! I felt him and there seemed to be no fever.

I decided I would continue on with my lunch date. Adult interaction is so rare these days, I didnt want to cancel, plus Beth is one of those friends that just makes you smile. Such a fun person to be around. (They are moving this summer and I will miss her!) The kids are happily playing in the car, and we finally pull into Thai Place about 6 minutes late. I wasnt worried because Beth is worse in the time department. If I am five late, Beth will be 10. I tend to think of my (our) lateness as a reflection of our care-free, happy attitudes....yeah, lets go with that one!

Sam decides to make a super poop while we are waiting for Beth in the car. Drew decides his stomach is now starting to hurt, and must use the bathroom RIGHT NOW!!!!! As we are getting out, Beth pulls in. Sam, who has an irrational fear of public bathroom changing tables, is begging me to change his diaper in the truck and not on "one of those things!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I decide that is probably a great idea, and change his super stinky diaper in the truck, all the while questioning if I am crazy or stupid for not cancelling. Andrew is doing the potty dance, so we head to where Beth is standing. She is on the phone, so I motion to her that we are going in to get a table and go potty.

Lunch was great, and I was very glad I hadn't canceled as Beth had truly had a terrible day with some unexpected, terrible news from back home. We chit chatted, ate, and watched Sam and Drew trace pennies onto paper lace place mats. The food was good, and though our conversation was not as light and fun as usual, I think we both enjoyed it. We certainly both needed it! I am very grateful for friends with whom you can share your heart! I have been blessed to have many!

As the meal was winding down, the boys were winding up! Drews cheeks were starting to be a bit flushed, so we headed over to the drs. office just to be safe. Luckily, or so I thought...., the office was 1/2 mile from the Thai Place, and it is a walk-in Express clinic. HAHAHAH!!!!! EXPRESS!!!HAHAHAHAH!!!!!

The short of it, I signed it at 1:18, and left at 440. Beth saved my neck and went to get Jon, Kay and Bry from the house when the bus came. As I left the doctor's office at 440, I understood Postal Rage. SERIOUSLY! Here is a math equation for you:

Dr's office + 2 rowdy boys + 1 PMS-ing mom + 3 1/2 hours + 2 shots= 3 really unhappy people

I finally had to go hunt someone down and remind them we were in the room still waiting for a read on the strep test after 45 minutes. Sam and Drew both have strep. I have a headache and a raging case of PMS. How fun!!!!!!

To exacerbate things, I had only gotten about 5 hours of sleep the night before, so any irritation I was experiencing was magnified 110%.

All in all the day wasn't a total loss. I had a great workout, a yummy lunch with a fun friend, got to pick up our taxes from the accountant, and Jonathon got his aviation merit badge at the court of honor. Not to mention....it was LOST night! WOo hoo!!!!! Also, Blake took pity on me and picked up the meds from the pharmacy, and dinner! What a man!

So, I guess that is about it. Nothing exciting here! But really, aren't most days just like that!

Fun day at the dentist....

2009-03-10T10:03:00.000-07:00

Today Andrew and Bryce had dental appointments. Andrew had a cavity to be filled and Bryce had a tooth to be pulled and a cavity to be filled. I was dreading it. We love our dentist office here, but this would be our first dental work done there outside of cleanings(except for them pulling Bryce's tooth when it cracked from the pressure of the permanent tooth pushing up from under it). I was a little nervous, and worried I would be called back and asked to take them to the Pediatric dentist down the road. However, it all went spectacularly!

I have to say first off that I LOVE our dental office here! LOVE THEM! Andrew, who would not allow our dentist in Missouri to touch him, and Bryce who was FIRED by our dentist (who happened to be in our WARD!) LOVE going....even if it is for work and not just a cleaning!

The practice truly strives to make it a FUN experience for adults and children alike!
They have only been opened since June of last year, I believe. However, they seem to be very popular, and I know why! When you come in you are greeted and it feels friendly! You truly feel welcomed! They have a refreshment center with complimentary refreshments. Yum!
The decor is all very nice and relaxing. Feels more like someones home than a dental office. At the other end of the lobby there is an Internet bar. Off the bar there is an Xbox room with a giant bean bag and a coloring center.

The exam rooms are all very nicely decorated and calming. Giant TV's are mounted to the ceiling above your head. Laughing gas is readily available! :) I LOVE THAT STUFF! The staff is so friendly, and adore the kids. (Messy faces and all!) The dentist has a great chair-side manner, and is able to get the kids to comply, yet takes their concerns to heart. GREAT dentist!

As we left today with the kids waving back to the receptionist, I had to laugh at the fact that my boys....who just had shots in their mouths, and even a tooth pulled.....were asking when they could come back!!!!!!!

What a far change for what we experienced at our last dentist! I still remember sitting in the lobby, wrestling with Sam (who was about a year old at the time). We were about a month away from Blake being home from Afghanistan. To say I was stressed would be an understatement. We had no problems with our dentist, and truly his work was fine. But I left that office feeling ashamed, frustrated and like a failure. How embarrassing to be fired as a client! I left today with a smile on my face, a smile on my kids faces, and a sense of accomplishment!

Yes, I am a freak, I know.

I sure miss a real winter!

2009-03-05T08:54:00.000-08:00

I grew up in Alabama. Not a lot of snow here, but the few times in my childhood it did now I loved it.

Our first assignment in the Air Force introduced me to snow, and lots of it! I had never driven in it, and it was quite intimidating for me. I LOVED the snow though. (didn't love the flooded basement when the April Fools day blizzard of 1997 melted....) There is something about the earth covered in pure white that just makes me so happy.

This past weekend, the weather was predicted to include snow. Seeing how they forecasters are wrong more than they are right, we didn't count on it.

Sunday morning, Blake got up around 530 to go potty (i am sure he'll like me telling that) and we had snow. Not just a dusting, but SNOW. And it was still snowing! (Have i mentioned I love snow!)

We decided we wouldn't be heading to church b/c they don't have the equipment here to sand/salt the roads and bridges and emergency management was asking people to stay home.
The snow continued falling till about 2 in the afternoon.

Sophie was afraid of the snow at first, but then decided she loved it too! She ran, chased snowflakes, assaulted Kayleigh's snowman, and ate lots of snow!

Andrew had to be reminded to be careful where he ate snow from...... dog+yellow snow does not equal SNOW CONE!

I wasn't sure if Samuel would remember snow, or what he would think about it, but he loved it! He also insisted on eating it. Thankfully Sophie goes in one area of the yard, and we encouraged them not to eat the snow......

Jonathon helped Sam tractor through the snow. There were plenty of snowball fights too!

Bryce did not LOVE the cold, but enjoyed the snow a lot. I think he was probably the least thrilled with it. Kayleigh, i would guess, had the most fun. She was out there nearly the entire day! (She and Sophie) She built a snowman, and as soon as we snapped the picture (see above) Sophie jumped on the snowman, knocked its head off and stole the scarf. She then proceeded to eat the carrot face.......

Blake even joined in the action for a good fight with Jonathon and his friend, Hunter.

Unfortunately for Jonathon and Hunter, Blake doesn't fight fair! They had a ton of fun though!

Sadly, all our snow was gone by Monday morning, but what an unexpected surprise! I may have grown up an Alabama girl, but living in states with four seasons fit me well. I forgot how much I LOVE winter till we got our "snowstorm". Wonder what the chances are we'll get more snow within the next, oh five years!?

I am home safely....I was KIDNAPPED!

2009-03-01T07:25:00.001-08:00

It is the most unbelievable thing! Monday started normally enough. I got the kids off to school then got Sam and myself dressed. I had an appointment, and on the way out the door, I grabbed Kayleigh's book off the table.

Next thing I know......WHAM.....my world changed. It is unimaginable! I still shake my head and ponder how it all happened. Before I knew it, I was all the way in Washington State! I had been kidnapped by vampires (really good looking ones), werewolves, and a really clumsy, whiny human girl (she reminded me of myself....always tripping, and finding unlikely ways to injure or endanger herself).

As far as kidnappings go, it WAS quite exciting! I kind of felt like I was just being dragged along in their daily lives. In fact, they really never paid any attention to me, but man did I absorb every minute of the time they had me. I think the reason they didn't have any time to pay attention or torture me was because of all the turmoil they were going through. It was CRAZY!

They took me EVERYWHERE with them. In the past week, I have been to many towns on the west coast, Phoenix, Italy, Alaska, a lovely private island (though I have to say that trip was a little awkward for me.......), and so many other places! They never let me away from them.....

For a while, I thought my captors were all going to be killed, but thankfully, all is well.

When I was released and returned home to my family, I was stunned. It was as if my family didn't even notice I was gone. However, I DID notice the monstrous stack of dishes, the insane piles of laundry, the crumbs in the carpet, and the general state of chaos in my home. They just can't function without me!

I think my family fears I may have Stockholm syndrome. Every time I talk about my captors and our adventures, they kind of look at me in an odd way. They truly were nice vampires, werewolves (well, they kind of bugged me) and whiny girl. I thought I may get released when the whiny girl took me home with her as her dad was chief of police, but no such luck. He was oblivious to me too.!?

My kidnappers did take good care of me. The one vampire, Edward, he was especially nice. The whiny girl, Bella, caused him lots of problems. I kind of felt bad for the vampire.....maybe I do have Stockholm?

There were definitely some tense times, especially for me.....Edward and Bella (the whiny girl) even made me tag along to their honeymoon on a private island.....Talk about being a third wheel.

It is just amazing all that happened in a weeks time. You probably wouldn't believe it if I tried. Those folks work fast though......maybe it was a shot gun wedding...if you know what I mean. They did pick a TERRIBLE name for their half human/half vampire child.

Sometimes, during my kidnapping, i felt like I was actually a part of the family and not someone taken against their will. I felt attached, and was genuinely concerned whether Bella and Edward would find happiness (though she was often quite draining). Whether their vampire family would be safe, and if the dumb werewolf would screw things up!?

Even now that I am home, I find myself talking about them often. Heck, I even went and read their Edwards "Midnight Sun" to see how he was doing....same ole, same ole, rehashing what I had just been through with them, but from his view (enjoyed that greatly....nice guy-for a vampire)

In case you are wondering, I returned home still 100% human. I forgot to mention the vampires are "vegetarian". They feed on animals instead of humans. That was interesting.

Anywho.....I best go return to my family so they dont think I've disappeared again.
If you want to find out everything that happened to me, someone else evidently had the same experience as me....and she wrote some books about it. I think they are called Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. I also highly recommend you read what is up of "Midnight Sun" on the website www.stephaniemeyer.com.

A few random things....go figure!

2009-01-30T06:28:00.000-08:00

So, the thing about having kids is they eat and they grow. Continually. It seems every time I turn around I am feeding them. It also seems every time I turn around I am buying someone the next size up in clothes and shoes. And I have four boys. Boys are rough on shoes!

Jonathon has been complaining that his shoes were worn out. He said he had six holes in them. SIX. The shoes aren't that old. I think maybe 4 months at most. Yesterday he made the comment again that he needed new shoes. He was going on a field trip today and the teacher reminded them all to wear good shoes. I took a peek and was quite embarrassed I have been sending my son to school in these shoes! He said, "Mom, I bet people think we don't have any money or a decent home or anything." Now, that is a lot to assume from a ratty pair of shoes, but obviously his shoes were a source of embarrassment for him. (and rightly so. )

I was in for quite the shock when we sized him! I had to buy him (remember he is 12!!!!) a mans size 10 1/2! Wow.....his current shoes were 8s! No wonder his feet hurt and they had holes, he was busting out of them! I can only imagine what size they will stop at? Blake wears a 12, so hopefully that will be it for him. He better get the height to match the feet is all I am saying......

Next, why do people think they are more important than anyone else? I know we live in self-centered world, but I almost choked at the Y today. My friend, Janna, and I got to the Y a little late today. We went Monday right at 8, but her son Collin had swim lessons at 11:15, so we decided to meet at 10:15 today. They have nursery from 8-11, or so we thought. Evidently, on Tuesdays, they close at 10 or thereabouts (they close as soon as the moms from the 9 aerobics class pick up their kids). Since we didn't realize this and were planning to put the boys in the kid care, we decided we would just do the track. I had to refill my water, and as I was at the fountain this is what I heard from the nursery:

Most Important Mom in the World: (asking Nursery Grandma) So, how did she do?
Nursery Grandma: Fine, she played. Had a good time.
Most Important Mom in the World: Oh, good. She has been SOOOOOO sick, but I just couldn't stand it anymore and HAD to workout. She has had the flu shot, so we are sure it isn't that, but we don't know what it is. She just is so sick.

I stared at the woman (who couldn't see me, as I was kind of behind her at an angle) and thought she must be kidding. The nursery grandma seemed kind of taken back too. WHO brings a known sick kid to the YMCA nursery b/c you just HAVE to workout. I am sure your child hates that she is sick as much as you do, but to drag her to the Y and expose the other 12 or so kids who were in there is just plain rude!

I walked out to Janna, who was waiting at the track for me. I told her to be glad we got there late, and told her what I had heard. If I were the Nursery lady, I would have banned her for life! I know I am guilty of taking my sick child to WalMart, but not to a CHILD CARE place. I am sure the moms of the kids in there will be scratching their head by the end of the week trying to figure out where their little one picked up whatever it is The Most Important Mom in the World's little girl had. But hey, at least she burned some calories, right?

And finally, what is it with my house!!? You know, I think I am going to have to call the builder. We got lots of "upgrades" on our house, and for the most part are VERY happy with it. I am not a huge fan of the flat glass stove top, but I try not to cook much, so no biggie. However, I have a sneaking suspicion he didn't tell us everything we should know about our house. I NEVER, and i mean NEVER would have bought it if I had known. I hope it is not something we have to disclose when we sell it, or we will have big problems! And I am just not quite sure how to fix this! Evidently, our home is a "self-dirtying" model. And, not only that, but it is an energy efficient self-dirtier. Very little energy is expended in the "get dirty" mode. It happens nearly instantly. I am still trying to figure out how to override this feature. I checked the buttons on the stove to see if the self cleaning stove might do it, but nope. I considered where the self-clean is on my front loading washer, not there. So, if anyone out there has this "amenity" built into their home, if you can check you manual and let me know how to turn it off, I'd appreciate it. Just can't seem to find that page in my homeowners book........

Tuesday....the new Monday?

2009-01-24T09:35:00.000-08:00

My Tuesday this week began normally enough. I woke up (early, which is not my favorite! I think they should move school to start at 10 so I can sleep till nine). Got the kids off to school rather smoothly. It was another cold morning, so Sam and I had hot chocolate while we watched Curious George. We got showered and dressed, and it was time to go to brunch bunch. Start the car, it isnt wanting to start. Seems not to like the 19 degrees. It cranks, but the oil pressure light stays on. I turn it off, call Blake. He said crank it again, it is probably just too cold. I tried to pop the hood, but it was frozen. Wouldn't even pop. I get back in the car, and crank it again, no lights, no problem. I tried to get the hood to open so i could close it, but it wont budge.

Off we go the back way to a friends house. About 3 miles into the trip, the hood pops open. I knew (or suspected) that would happen. It catches on the latch, that you reach under and slide before it pops up all the way. So i pull over, unlatch it and close it. Man it is COLD outside. We go to brunch bunch. Play, eat and talk. Getting time to go, and Sam mentions he has something white on him. Anyone who knows Sam knows it is not unusual for him to have something on him. Quite the mess maker! I look him over, see nothing, kiss his head and off he goes. I am gathering up my things and he comes and stands next to me. I see something white on the floor next to him. Oh my, the innards of an overly full diaper. Lovely. My kids diaper has just exploded at my friends house. (This happened before at her house, so it was doubly embarrassing!) It isnt that I hadnt changed him. I changed him right before we came over. Evidently, LUVS diapers SUCK!
We clean that up, and I hear my cell phone ringing. It is Blake. "Did you get the messages?"
Me, confused, "no?" Blake "the school has been trying to call, Bryce broke a tooth and is in the nurses office". My heart sank. Please let it be a baby tooth. I call the school nurse. He is up there, still in pain. Was eating lunch and broke a tooth.
I grab Sam, our food, and we are off to the school. I am hoping our insurance is finally figured out, as I have to take Bryce to the dentist. Get to the school, and out he comes. Smiling, nearly skipping. Hmm.... One of his primary molars had broken. We go home, it is 1pm now. I call the dentist at the top of our list. They close at two, but will work him in if I get there quick. We grab our things and go. The office is lovely. Has only been opened for 6 months and has a spa-like atmosphere. They have a free beverage and snack bar. There is also an Internet bar and an xbox room. The office staff are very friendly.
I sit with a magazine after filling out all the paperwork. The receptionist call, "Mrs. Lunsford, can I ask you a few more questions?" Me, "Sure." In the back of my mind, I know this is about to derail. "What was your husbands social again?" I repeat it to her. She looks at her paper, then pauses, "The insurance company is saying you are not one of their clients." I laugh, look at her and say, "Ofcourse. " Ya know, that was just the kind of day I was having. Alot of phone calls and an hour or so later, we figure out they -the insurance company-haven't processed all of our papers, are closed (they are in the VA/DC area) for the inauguration. The office there very kindly agrees to see Bryce and hold the papers till the insurance stuff is fixed, since they confirmed we were covered from Jan. 1. We wait again. The kids have each had a juice, played xbox, drew a picture, and are now playing on Starfall.com. Finally we are called back. They close at 2, so they just saw him after they had finished everyone for the day. The staff was all so nice to him, made him feel really special. He got in the chair and found the TV on the ceiling, remote control, and spongebob and he was happy. Really, he was. They x-rayed and found the permanent molar was growing up under and had positioned itself just under the roots of the primary molar at an angle. When he bit down, it was just he right angle and pressure that the permanent molar acted as a wood splitter does a log, and snapped his tooth right up the middle. They gave me the option of capping it, and still loosing it more than likely in a few months; or just having it pulled. We opted to have it pulled. They numbed him up. He was a little nervous. So the dentist says, "lets get Bryce some nitrous." Boy, that was all it took. He had a ball. The dentist comes in and asks if he is ready to get that tooth pulled, and Bryce said:"This is the best day EVER! Can I stay here forever!?"
The tooth gets pulled without any major drama. We found a new dentist we LOVE! Off we go back home. Kayleigh calls on my way home and mentions the toilet won't flush. I told her to leave it alone and I would fix it when I got home. Weird....the boys must have played with it!
Pull into the house, and in we go. Bryce has his lovely tooth in a cool case from the dentist. It is 4:20. A little over three hours at the dentist. Fun. So, Kayleigh says, "Mom, I hate to mention it, but I have achievement days at 430."
Off to the church. We get there about 10 minutes late. They are making cute fleece blankets. She jumps right in. I leave to run a few errands. Pick her up, and we go to Target so she can finally spend her gift card she got from her Grandparents for her Birthday. Blake calls while we are at target. "Ginger, is there any reason the water isnt working?" Me, dumbfounded, "No, not that I can think of." Off the phone with a hurry request to come home. We go grab some Motrin from the pharmacy for bryce. Stop by Zaxby's and pick up dinner to take home. I had already made some chicken earlier, but was going to make noodles when I got home, but with no water, not happening. So we grab Zaxby's.

Get home, and after some research, and me SWEARING i had paid the dang water bill. We realize I have forgotten to pay the dang 35 dollar water bill and they shut our water off! Why is it so easy to forget the water bill! YIKES! How stupid and embarrassing. Blake volunteers to go get some bottled water from Walmart. he has been pretty good through all of this. If I hadnt had a craptastic day, I am sure we would have been yelling at each other, but I was nearly on the verge of tears just with the car, diaper, and dentist stuff.....the water was just a final straw! While he is gone to get the water, Andrew tells me he has his 100 day poster due. In fact, it is now a day late. So we grab some poster board, and get to work. I hadnt eaten yet, so I leave my food on the counter and instruct the other four children to bed. Blake comes home while we are working on the poster. We finally finish the poster, and I go tuck my two little ones in bed. Get my hugs, kisses and say goodnight. Finally, I can sit, eat my dinner and absorb the crazy day. I go to get my food, and it is gone. I am not even kidding. I mutter, "dang kids, they ate my food! I didnt even get to eat dinner."
Blake, in the living room says, "Oh, was that your food?" He has eaten my dinner, thinking it was what was left over. Nice. No dinner either. I pop a bag of popcorn, have that for dinner and put myself in bed.
Nothing alone was really terrible. Just the combination of all twenty million little things sure added up to a really long, really bad day. Thankfully, the rest of the week went MUCH better! Got the water back on Wed morning, after paying the 35 due, plus a 50 fee. Nice.....I immediately logged onto our bank website and set up a autopay even though I dont know the amount until it comes in, at least then I wont completely forget to pay it. I really was SO embarassed. Oh well! Now you guys all know what a ditz I am, if you didn't already!

Is it time to potty train Sam? What do you think???

2009-01-12T14:17:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: Just because this post may make me seem like a lazy, distracted mom....well, never mind the disclaimer.

So this morning was kind of rushed. Our mornings always are. For one, I do not like to get up in the morning. Also, it was freezing this morning. The two of those together, added onto a monday, and things were running a little slow. Got the kids off to school, and I turned on PBS as usual for Samuel. He LOVED Curious George. Quite fitting too, as he is a rather curious little rascal. I usually use the 30 minutes he is watching George to eat my breakfast, check my email, and start a load of dishes or laundry. Very exciting stuff in this house. This morning was no exception, only i added in a glass of hot chocolate to see if I could defrost myself. I let Sophie out to do her business and noticed ice on the deck. It was COLD. Sophie didnt seem to mind, and after doing her business, stretched out in the sun. Every few minutes or so I would check on her to make sure she was behaving. The cows were in the field behind us, and we only have cattle wire across the back. Sometimes she likes to role-play and pretend she is a cattle dog. Those mornings are not fun to talk her into coming home. She too is a curious little dog.

Finally this morning, after trying to reason with the dog, I decided to just watch her through the window. If she started trying to escape, I'd just call her back, and just like the kids, she'd ignore me, then I would have to bust out the "mean" voice, and unlike the kids, she'd listen and come home. I sat down to check my emails, and Sam came and told me he needed a diaper change. In one ear and out the other. I usually change his diaper after Curious George goes off, before I get in the shower. I glance out of the window and notice Sophie is edging ever so slowing into the field. I get up to go tell her to come back, and notice a sight unlike any other.

ME: SAM, WHAT are you doing!?!?!?!
Sam: I'm changing me diaper. (very matter of fact)
ME: WHY?
Sam: I have poo poo.

I stand there for a second to take it all in. There is Sam. On the Floor. One side of his diaper opened. There is Sam's poop (still in the diaper.....mostly). There is a wipee-in Sam's hand.

He proceeds to try to do what I can only call a baby sit up, as he is looking at what he is wiping. (He is making a mess too!) There is a reason 2 year olds do not change their own diapers. There is a reason 2 year olds have diapers. There is a reason 2 years olds are to be still on their back will an adult wipes the remnants of Poopapalooza.

I un-freeze and disrupt the mayhem.
ME: Sam, you know you can't change your own diaper. You need to let mommy do it for you.
Sam: No, i do it myself.
Me: If you can change your own diaper, you can use the big boy potty.
Sam: No, i poop in me diaper, then change me diaper. It's easy mommy. I not use the potty.
Me: I think you can. Do you want to try?
Sam: (after looking at me like I am stupid) Mom, I just went poop, i dont need to use the potty.

I finish (with him still trying to help and wipe his own butt while laying down...) and get him dressed and ready to go for the day. I decide to hop in the shower. I put the movie Curious George on for him to watch while i shower (yes, i was totally using the TV as a babysitter, sue me-though it didnt seem to work so well). I come back into the living room, and Sam is running through the living room, carrying a diaper, wipes, and his diaper is half off. He had pooped again and was about to change his own diaper again.

Now, I dont know if it is just me, but if you are smart enough to gather all the needed supplies twice, and to unlatch the diaper, is it too far fetched to think he could recognize what is going on ahead of time and use the toilet???? He seems to think it is a unreasonable request. I talked him into wearing a pull up today. That was quite an accomplishment. However, we got to Target, and he proudly announces: Mom, I just peed in my Pull Up, nah nah...... (really, he said Nah nah)

So, how do you convince a 2 (almost 3) year old that using the toilet is the thing to do when he seems to have the diaper thing down pat???

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-30T10:35:00.000-08:00

Christmas has come and gone. Our house is finally settling down, and getting back to "normal."

Is there such a thing?

We had a great Christmas! Couldn'T have asked for better! Well, except to have Jess and her family here, and Chris and Crystal too. Other than the few missing family members, it was perfect. The kids were even kind to us and didn't get up at the butt-crack of dawn on Christmas morning! We stayed up far too late on Christmas Eve with Mom and Dad playing Spades. (Blake and Dad won....as usual) The kids all slept upstairs so no one would get up earlier than the others and have a preview. We told them they absolutely could not come down any earlier than 730. They were nice and obliged!

Looks like grandpa had too much Christmas Eve fun......

The kids were all spoiled. Got most of what they wanted. Had a great day playing with all their new fun toys. Luckily, we were able to sneak a nap in while the kids played with their toys. The weather was a bit damp, but warm, so the kids were able to go out and ride the new toys their Grandma and Grandpa gave them. We need to get a new battery for the Gator the kids already had, then Bry, Drew, and Sam can chase each other and Sophie through the yard. We have only had one injury with the kids "cars". Bryce ran over Drew's leg. I am still not sure how it happened, as I was inside(bad mom, yes, i know).

Anyhow, the day after Christmas all the family descended upon us. It was great. It is always nice to have everyone here. For one, since it is our house, i don't have to stress if the kids make a mess or brake something. It's ours anyway.
There may be some blackmail video somewhere of Blake and I singing and dancing to "Another one strikes the dust". Yeah, that was a moment that should not have been recorded for posterity. We got the game "Lips" on Xbox for Christmas. It is a karaoke type game. It is quite fun, though I think we have done all 40 of the songs about 100 times now. I had never heard the "song?" Lipgloss until that game. Interesting.....the power of lipgloss...who knew? Wish I didn't. It is a fun game, and even those of us who have not been blessed with amazing vocal talent still have fun playing it.

Here is a little funny for you. My kids will kill me for this when they are grown. For those who don't know. Our back yard backs up to cattle field. Our back fence line is just cattle wire. We love it. The view is great, and the kids enjoy seeing the cows. Well, while everyone was here, one of the kids (i think it was my nephew, but cant remember) came in and said the cows were jumping on each others backs. Next thing we know, we look out, and all the kids have gotten chairs and are sitting or standing by the fence watching the cows "jump on each other's backs." A little farm education never hurt anyone, right? It was quite funny, if only they knew what the cows were really doing. Thankfully, the older ones, who probably do know what the cows(and Bull) were doing didn't announce it or educate the little ones. Sophie (the dog) was itching to get out there and nip the heels of the cows. She loves to go under the wire and get in the hay field or the cow field. We hate it, as it means we have to chase her....

The kids had a great time playing football, riding bikes, playing on the Wii and Xbox, and eating. There was lots of yummy food! Scott and Melinda made us a YUMMY standing rib roast, garlic mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, broccoli, rolls, and gravy. It was delicious! I think I gained 10 pounds from that meal alone! It sure is nice to have 2 former chefs in the family. Sure beats the little Caesar's hot-n-ready i feed everyone.

We played lots of games: Apples to Apples, Ticket to Ride, Lips, and others too i am sure. Apples to Apples was a new one for us, and quite fun/funny.

Everybody has gone back home now, and the kids are back to driving me crazy since they have no one to play with! I get to go take down the "Easel Tree" at the church. Our pole was missing for the center of the tree, so our tree was improvised and the branches were wrapped around an easel from the church library. It worked quite well! Do you think there is a market for Easel trees?????

Off to take the kids to the park. I hit Target yesterday for the 75%off Christmas Clearance. Just trying to do my part to keep the economy afloat.

Jobs...they come; they go.....

2008-12-20T08:59:00.000-08:00

Two weeks and two days ago, Blake and Jeannine (his co-worker) were called into their company's Alabama HQ. Evidently, even though the contract was not at its end, the Pentagon ended the contract to move it up to DC. In fact, they had already, unknown to anyone here, had a bidding process and hired 5 contactors (at DC wages...?) to replace the 2 here in Alabama. How does this make sense to anyone? Anyhow.....they were told to come to HQ at 1030 and not be late. They get there and the dude that tells them not to be late....well, he was 20 minutes late. So they sat with the VP and chatted for 20 mintues waiting for the "dont be late guy". What did they chat about? Oh, you know Christmas, shopping, trips......all light hearted things. Never saw what was coming.....
Late-man shows up...the meeting begins. On the way to the meeting, Blake and Jeannine rode together. She kept reassuring him, if something was up the company would take care of them. They always had. They'd work them in the HQ office till a new contract would start or a job came available. But, the contract wasnt even at its end, the government LOVED them both. No worries.

WRONG.

The VP informs them that effective in one week, they would no longer have a job. Yep, thats right folks. 20 days before christmas. 10 days before Kayleigh's birthday. Oh, and there was no severence package offered. They did agree to pay out all vacation and sick leave.....all three days of it...woohoo. They also have us on their insurance until Jan 1. Can you say...we are ALL getting new glasses and any other thing we can think of on this great insurance that had absoluetly NO deductibles for anything. They said there is just no projected work, and with the way things are, they can't afford to keep them on without work in the future. :( Whatever folks.....

After all this, the VP asks if he can have some feedback....hahahahah!!!!!!! Not sure what he was going for here. "Sir, you did a fantastic job firing us. The way you talked about Christmas for 20 minutes and put us at ease before the meeting started really made the "you dont have a job in 7 days that much more dramatic...Kudos to you!" Jeannine, who is a bit of a firecracker, evidently had feedback for him. I was told something to the effect of: "you just fired us 20 days before christmas. I've worked here for 8 years, and this is what I get. What kind of feedback do you want. THIS SUCKS"

The company really is upset that this has happened to (supposedly), and did not know it was going to happen. They really do love Blake there.
So, after the meeting they head back to the base......they get to the office and tell the people in the office what has happened, and they are floored. They had no clue either. Shock, Disbelief. Fear. Sick to your stomach. Dread.

However, the people in the office...like I said, they LOVE Blake and Jeannine. They got their resumes and before Blake left work that day, it appeared he had a new job. The Project Lead got Blake's resume from another lady, and came to see him. He is supposed to retire in a little over a year, and told blake he would hire him to replace him right now if he could! In the end, they hired Jeannine on as a Config. Manager (dont know what that is, but she did, and now does it) and hired Blake on as Asst. Project Lead and as the Program Manager. He is positioned now to take over as Project Lead when the guy retires.

It has been a blessing that 20 days before Christmas Blake lost his job. We kind of kept it a secret till we knew for sure he had this other job. We felt like we had JUST done this..oh yeah, we had....and were hopeful the unemployed time this time would be much shorter! The job offer came officially on Wednesday. He started work Thursday at 7am! With his generous vacation/sick leave from his old job, we went exactly one day without pay! Oh, and this job comes with quite a raise (he went from being the low guy on the ladder to the boss of the whole schibang). They will also be paying to send him to some PMP boot camp and pay for his PMP certification! (Dont know what it is, but it is supposedly pretty expensive and impressive? as long as I get a paycheck....who cares!) Here's the thing....they told Blake that if he hadn't had that other job....he never would have gotten this one! THey had applicants that already had their PMP andMaster's Degrees completed. But, they knew him and his work ethic. They know he is a MASTER politician, is a quick learner, and is an effective leader.

When he got the first job, we were frustrated because it was nowhere near the level of responsibility (or pay) he was at in the AF. We wondered why it was all he could get when he was qualified for so much more. We know now that it was a way in for a much better job!

We are so grateful right now for his new job (we know this economy is scary!) and for the people he worked with that saw his value and who also took care of "their own".

Anyway, that is our news....

We read a statistic that after leaving the AF (or military) it typically took three jobs to get the "right one". So, if that is the case, we should be set!

Boring but busy....

2008-12-08T06:01:00.000-08:00

Nothing exciting going on here. We have been busy, which is pretty much a constant with five kids around.

This past weekend was the Interfaith Nativity. It turned out beautifully! Blake and I, along with the Backus', got to host/hostess for a couple hours. That was lots of fun. I am still amazed at how many different kinds of nativities there are. Everyone around here seems to be getting a cold or flu or strep throat or something. We'll be making our way to the dr today.....fun times. Jonathon is the only one who went to school, though admittedly, Andrew could probably have gone. He is coughing, but no fever and seems to have enough energy to fight with Sam.....constantly.

Jonathon had his second temple trip this weekend! He got to spend the night with his friend Hunter and ride up with the youth. I had a Christmas Craft Show this weekend, so Blake was home with the kids. It was a SLOW show....everyone was either in Birmingham for the big Prattville-Hoover State Championship football game (Prattville won...makes 3 state championships in a row! Hoover is the school that was on the MTV series 3 A Days....I believe.) Anyway, between that big game and the Alabama game....sports took priority for the day. I still did enough sales to make it worth it for me!

I can't remember if I shared it on here or not, but Restoration Mercantile (http://www.restorationmercantile.com/) is going to be carrying my things! They also have several vendors who are interested and are wanting to carry a line of LDS themed products! I'll update on how things go!

We had a great Thanksgiving....We went to Lake Martin again. It is becoming a tradition it seems. We all had a great time. Though Scott and April (my brother and sister) were feeling a little under the weather. We played badminton, ate, played Ticket To Ride (a really fun board game), and of course at more. The kids rode their bikes....only one major bike accident. Of Course, Kayleigh (and Julia) were involved......seems Kayleigh has her moms skills on the bike. A little ice, motrin, and lots of attention made things all better. The weather was perfect until Friday where it began to rain and rain and rain! We woke up Saturday with a stream of water running through our room.

Mom and Dad came back to our house, and we had a fun night of card playing....where if i remember correctly, Mom and I beat Blake and Dad at spades.......Ok, maybe not, but we probably won at least one hand?

Biggest news for our extended family is the birth of little Peter Sands M. My sister, Jessica's third baby. Mom and Dad are there now getting lots of baby love and helping take care of Kylie, Alex, Jess and probably Ryan too.

So that is it in a nutshell for now....lots of field trip, Christmas Parties, and fun coming up!!!!!!!!!!

Blog MIA and a classic story.

2008-11-19T20:49:00.000-08:00

I have been taking a blogging holiday. Or not...I've just been so busy, this has not been on my radar.
I do, however, have an excellent story to tell.
For quite a while, April (my sister), Yahnira (my best friend) and I have planned to go to Wrapper's Delight. It's a 36 hour Scrapbooking Crop. Heaven to a Scrapbooker. No kids. Uninterrupted time. Chocolate. Scrapbooking. Make and Takes. Games. Prizes. Fun!

So, we head up to Birmingham early Friday morning. April was having a rough week. The water heater decided to go out in their house on Thursday, and we were supposed to be staying there. No biggie. We ended up getting a hotel room. Hot showers are a must when you are staying up until 2 am. Friday was fun. I actually got stuff done, which for me is amazing. Usually, I am too busy running my mouth, and accomplish very little. I also had an advantage in that i was alone on one side of a table while April and Yahnira had to share a side. I guess I got lucky. Anyway, all day long, they pulled door prizes. WE DIDNT WIN. I mean, there are only like 62 names in the bucket and they couldnt find ours. April eventually won towards the evening. So, Saturday was going to be our day.

Saturday, we are having a great time. I think maybe overtired? Getting into this game. They have these sheets of paper with sponsors names on them taped to the floor around the room. When they play the theme song, you are supposed to run to one of those squares.We'd been doing this for almost 2 days now. We knew where all the squares were. Had paths mapped out to the ones around our area. We were right by the Accucut (big die cut machine for you non scrapbookers) machine, so often there were extra people in our area, forcing us to find alternate squares and routes.

This is how my luck had been going. For an entire day I stood on the same dang square. The time a lady gets there before, IT WINS. So, we are playing. Yahnira had nearly taken a fall, and determined, since she was having NO luck, she was not going to endanger her life any further and was going to refrain from running like an dog after the mailman for these prizes. I should have taken her cue.

Picture it: the music (which of course had to be Rappers Delight for the theme song since that was the name of the crop) plays. I go to stand, and turn to my right at the same time. Some one (me) had placed my obnoxiously large scrapbook bag on the floor just to the front right of my chair. As I turn, my foot is caught under my chair, behind the front right leg. I can feel it, I am going down and it is not going to be a gracious fall.

I try to salvage my standing, and attempt to step over my gargantuan bad, but to no avail. Instead, my shin scrapes across the top of the bag, my right leg comes free at just that moment. Launching me like a spit-ball out of a straw. I go gliding across the isle, head first into a large pink tackle box. My bag erupts across the floor like a volcano, and I come to a landing, skidding across the carpet on my left knee, right elbow and forehead. It was like a game to twister played by an airplane in a crash landing. I can only imagine the sight it must have been as my delicate (fat) frame came billowing gently (crashing violently) across the isle (through my stuff and some lady's rather large and rather pink GIANT HARD PLASTIC tackle box).

As I skidded to a stop, I took inventory of the damage. One bag, totally emptied across the floor. Check. Major Rug burn knee despite wearing jeans. Check. Pretty nice raspberry on elbow through long sleeve shirt. Check. Bruised forehead from tackle box across the isle. Check. Shattered pride and utter humiliation. CHECK CHECK.

I am laughing, but it is one of those "if i dont laugh i am going to cry and then it will only draw more attention to me, so i am going to laugh with all the other people who are laughing at me. Please make them stop laughing so i can quit laughing, cuz i might crylaugh and that will be quite ugly. Then they will be able to say, did you see the lady trip because she didnt know how to stand and now she is crylaughing and she looks like a freak." So I laughed. Everyone did. Some people checked to see if I was ok. Which I ofcourse laughed (as stated above) and said ofcourse I am ok. And you know, I still didnt win. Though, I dont know if I could have made it to the front of the room at that point. I was still picking up my scrapbooking supplies and pride off the floor.

there is one thing i can just about guarantee if you go somewhere with me. I will either say something really stupid, do something really stupid, or attempt a combination of doing and saying something stupid. As I stood up and dusted myself off, I realize I had just fallen big time in a room full of 60 something people. I think (though I am not quite sure) it is a new record for me. I think this is probably my 2nd best large group clutzy moment, following behind my bicycle boardwalk crotch crash of 4th grade. You really dont want to know that story. but there is a campground full of people from Saint Joseph's peninsula in Florida that can tell it. I'll just say I have no coordination, and should not attempt to ride a steep ramp that makes a 90 degree turn on a bike. I met a wooden support pole to the boardwalk banister and thought it was a firemans pole. I still have a scar. Can't show you, but I do. (yeah, sorry about the TMI there....readers and former guests of the campground...)

Anyway, I have added two new scars to my poor 29 year old body (i dare anyone to correct my age!). It is 11 days later, and I STILL have a nasty scab on my knee. I had to take motrin for a week I was so sore and bruised up! Seriously, who knew scrapbooking....no standing up and walking could be so dangerous.....??????

Is there anything better than Fall!!???

2008-11-05T10:56:00.001-08:00

I forgot how much I enjoy Fall! Today, I sat on the back porch, watched Sophie chase bugs and bark at cows, and enjoyed a cup of apple cider! Alabama isn't known for its fall foliage, but from our little hill, i can see trees off in the distance changing colors. From green to red, orange, gold and brown! (and I smile knowing we dont have trees in our yard I have to rake!)
Something about fall is cozy to me. I think my mind knows once fall arrives, the holidays are near. That means lots of family, fun and good food! It means the kids have time away from school, and lots of togetherness here at home (which is sometimes not a good thing).
I think this year I am able to relax and enjoy it for the first time in two years. It was this time 2 years ago that Blake was in Kabul and the kids and I were adjusting to our new life without him. Those were times filled with fear, pride, joy, anxiety, and fall was an expression of sadness. This time last year, we were yet again anxious, wondering what was to be. Embarking on this new journey, quietly wondering..... Fall was an expression of change, and change that wasnt seeming so great. I felt much like the withering leaves about to fall, but I was desperately trying to hold on. Luckily, hold on we did! And this year, the colors of fall are very vibrant, the cool crisp air is welcomed, and change is greated with enthusiasm. My focus has changed, as have my worries. (Having a job will help you not worry so much about looking for a job!!!) I am so grateful that we have a beautiful (though at the moment messy) home, that right out our backdoor is a big backyard that my kids love to wrestle in (just watch our for dog poo!), beyond that is a fantastic view of God's landscape. I am grateful that my husband has a great job that enables me to be home with my little ones, to see them off to school, and greet them when they come home. This week, I am grateful for fantastic medical insurance! (6 out of 7 tested positive for strep throat.....the 7th is being tested this afternoon!)
Not sure why today it hit me. Perhaps because yesterday, wondering who would be our next president and what effect it would have on my family and this country led me to realize today that no matter what, I have everything that matters already. The past two years have really taught me that!

UPDATE on Bryce!

2008-10-31T18:57:00.000-07:00

We got the CT scan back, and thankfully, Bryce does not have the abscess they feared he had! I have to admit i was very anxious and a bit freaked out. The drs. office was great, and the nurse explained to me why they thought he had it, and thus the reason we were able to get a CT scan done so quickly!
What the CT scan showed was Bryce has fluid in the soft tissues of his neck, and some largely swollen lymph nodes. They think it is due to the strep throat. He is to continue the antibiotics he is on, and if at the end of the course, his neck is still stiff, he will undergo more testing.

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. The past 2 days have been hectic, and at times, quite worrisome. We did find out about 11 am or so that he was in the clear for the abscess, but this is the first chance I have had to sit down again.

The kids are all tucked in bed, trick or treating is over, and I am cleaning up a messy house! We are all still recovering from three crazy busy weeks! Tomorrow my kids get to deep clean their rooms! Their will more than likely be wailing and gnashing of teeth.....

Again, thanks for the prayers and well wishes, they were certainly felt, and we know our prayers were answered today! Who knew a stiff neck could potentially be so serious!!!

Never a dull moment....

2008-10-31T05:39:00.000-07:00

We could use some prayers for Bryce. He woke up yesterday morning unable to move his neck. After a full day at the drs office, we learned he and I both have strep throat. However, that is not the cause of his stiff neck.
We were sent for a CT scan of his neck, and will get the results this morning. They have initially ruled out meningitis as he has no fever, is not photo-phobic, and has had no headache. He has had a cold recently, but had seemed to feel better! (In fact, he doesnt even have a sore throat!)

They are trying to rule out what is called a retropharyngeal abscess. Here is a little linkie loo for you to find out what it is: http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic506.htm

As you can see, we are a bit worried. If it is a retropharyngeal abscess, we have caught it early. If the CT scan comes back negative, the next tests will be spinal tap, to difinitively rule out meningitis.

The dr. is hopeful the stiff neck is just a manifestation of this atypical strep we seem to have. However, b/c of some other symptoms Bryce is showing, he is concerned about the above.

We will keep you posted, and would appreciate the prayers! He has been such a great patient, and did fantastic with the CT scan yesterday. They did it with contrast, so he had to have an IV. His poor little body was shivering and shaking, but he still had the entire staff and other in the waiting room laughing the whole time! They said he was the best patient they had seen all day! He told them that his mom got stabbed in the butt by the doctor today! (I got 2 shots!) He said "Mom had to pull down her pants, and got stabbed in the butt twice! Luckily I missed it, cuz that is gross"
He told the nurse when he got his shot, that he had on clean under wear, but maybe got a little pee on them.

Anyway, we are supposed to get the read from the radiologist this morning. I will post an update as soon as I can.

She's Baaaaaaacckkk!!!!!!

2008-10-26T18:29:00.000-07:00

Wow, almost 20 days since I last posted. It isnt because I havent had anything to say (those who know me know that isnt possible). I have literally just not had the time to post!
We finally had our ward super saturday. I like to think it went well. People seemed pleased with their projects, and I was very relieved to have it over and done with!
The next week was spent with field trips to the zoo. It rained! We got SOAKED! SOAKED! Thankfully, my friend Polly had Sam, so he wasnt being dragged through the weather. It was still a fun day. Then the Pumpkin patch. No rain, just a beautiful day. Next came the missionary zone luncheon our Relief Society Presidency had to put on. That is always a fun day. I always think of when my sons are on their missions!Finally, yesterday was my first show. We did really well, and people seem to love our stuff! I came home and had to finish preparing my talk to today. I got home at 615, and put the kids to bed at 730. I literally fell asleep at Blake's desk at 8pm. I got up went potty, and laid on the bed to finish my talk, but fell asleep again around 830. I woke up at 715am! OOps! The talk came together just fine though.
So, hopefully the next few weeks will be slower. I have a good bit of custom orders from the show this past weekend that I have to get done this week. I am excited! So glad I am doing something I enjoy!
I know this is a rather boring post, but I am still exhausted!
One little funny......
Blake brought the kids and the dog to the park to see the booth. A friend of his from work came and helped me for a while. She is the one who talked me into doing the booth! Anyway, Blake was standing with the kids across the traffic path with the kids. He was talking to Kayleigh. I was talking to Jeanine (his friend from work) when I see Sams pants fall from his waist to his feet. Sam didnt notice, Blake didnt notice, but I sure did, as did jeanine and about 10 other people around. Thankfully, he is only 2, and when he realized it thought it was funny. Blake said it happened again on the way to the car. He said Sam was walking slow, and this lady said, "Sir, did you know his pants are at his ankles!?" He obviously is not blessed yet with is mother's gargantuan rear end.

Field Trip to the Fair!

2008-10-08T06:01:00.000-07:00

Monday, Jonathon and Kayleigh's gifted program took a trip to the fair. The educational reasoning was "physics in motion". The teacher wanted to go experience it first hand. Blake and I say it was just an excuse to take them to play all day.
The day was a lot of fun! My only complaints (and you know I was going to have some) was the cost! HOLY HECK is it expensive to go to the fair! Second, I forgot sunscreen. We were there from 830 to 2pm. NO sunscreen, hair pulled back. My ears, neck, scalp and face are pretty much fried. And it hurts!

When we got there we had to wait an hour for the rides to open. So, we toured the animal and other agriculture displays. That was interesting, yet stinky. The pigs they were showing in the arena were rather amorous. We didn't stay very long there. They kept having to separate them. Kayleigh asked me, Mom, why is that one pig trying to climb on the others back.......

Moving on!

The rides finally opened, and my kids were fearless. In fact, the scarier looking, the better. I had five kids in my group. Two were more cautious and did not want to ride very much. One kid came with out lunch money. To the parents that send their kids to the fair with no lunch or lunch money, newsflash....I dont want to pay 4 bucks for your kids hotdog, another 2 for his water. I already had to take a home equity line of credit out just to step in the fair, and sold my wedding jewelry to buy my kids the "you can ride everything" wristbands. Then there was the funnel cake that had to be bought.....I pawned the car. And seriously you fair people.....4 bucks for a shaved ice. REALLY. and I kid you not Slush Puppies were 9, yes NINE dollars. We did not get slush puppies.

It was so much fun, so I guess I just wont think about the money. But I am cheap, so I really will, I'll just pretend like I wont. (Sidenote: babysitter at home with Sam for 6 hours, not cheap either. Had to sell Sam to pay for it.)

All kidding aside, it was a great day. We had a lot of fun, saw A LOT of very interesting people, more tattoos than i have ever seen and in places that SHOULD NOT be seen in public, ate all kinds of yummy fair food, watched a "Cool" teenager step off the Gravitron and loose his lunch in front of about 100 people, who instantly laughed. I love getting to see my kids in their social setting. It makes me feel good about how we are raising them, and am proud to see their choices (so far!) in who they choose to associate with. I just hope they continue to be such great kids!

Does anyone know how to get in touch with John Tesh?

2008-09-30T20:57:00.000-07:00

I hate John Tesh. In that David Hasselhoff kind of way. You know what I mean. He has that smarmy look to his face that says..... I think I am great. He looks like a hairy dude too (much like the Hoff). He has always annoyed me. Not sure why? When he was on Entertainment Tonight, hated him. When he tried to be a piano playing superstar, hated him. He just has that "I'm talented enough to be famous, but not talented enough for you to like me, so I'll just be annoying and cling to every opportunity to be in the spotlight" kind of way. (Disclaimer: Dude has more talent than me for sure, but I am not annoyingly famous....just annoying)

So, am I blogging just to share my feelings on Tesh and the Hoff? No.

Recently, John Tesh has become the second man in my life. I guess I have now developed a love-hate relationship with him. The Teshmiester has become the little whisper in my hubby's ear that finally gets him to do the things I am nagging him about for YEARS. And this has given me yet ANOTHER reason to hate on the Tesh.

Blake commutes 25 miles each way, and in the car listens to the radio. Evidently, he is inflicting the John Tesh show on my poor helpless radio. However, like a kid finding a sucker on the ground, he just can't help but pick up the goodies. He'll walk in the door nearly everyday with some random John Tesh fact.

"John Tesh says....." is a frequent comment in our home. Often, it is stuff I have been saying for years. (you know the stuff you tell your husband "they say you should/shouldn't....which is followed from the husband with, "well who told you that?", and "Who is THEY?????" Then the information is promptly discounted and discarded)But hey, give a man an annoying voice and a radio show and the husband will listen. Guess the boobs (mine not Tesh's) don't have as much power as they once did. Seriously, you'd think Tesh was Oprah or something. (Oh, and i dislike her MORE than the Teshter)

So, my question to you all, if I have to listen to the "John Tesh Says...." constantly, can't I at least reap some of the benefits. I'd like for John Tesh to list the following on his radio show:

1. Husbands should always offer to do housework. It makes for a happier home and wife.

2. Don't rag on your wife at how dirty the car is. They're your five heathens too. She wasn't the only one there when they were made, and shouldn't be the only one having to pry dried on tootsie pops from the leather in the van. And NO, she does not know what the mysterious liquid is in the cup-holder. But, John Tesh says you should offer to clean it.

3.Don't ask if you have clean underwear. Look at the GIANT pile in your bathroom. None of your clothes have magically sprouted little underwear-legs. Chances are, unless clothes have started magically replicating, those are the same dirty underwear you didn't take to the dirty clothes yesterday. John Tesh says, if you aren't going to wash them, AT LEAST take them to the dirty clothes.

4. If you love your wife, don't make her watch old Night Rider reruns on the RTN. (See comments above on her feelings about the Hoff.) John Tesh says torturing her with one 80's has-been is enough, and he is taking on that role.

5. ALWAYS let your wife sleep in on the weekends. John Tesh would.

6. When in the car together, she can hear the radio, so you really don't have to repeat what John Tesh JUST SAID. She may just be choosing to ignore it.

7. Since said wife gave up chocolate, she may be(ok IS) rather grumpy. (Yes, this is in addition to her normal state of pleasant grumpiness) You should do something special for her. A giant chocolate candy bar would be nice, but cruel. VERY cruel. John Tesh says skip the chocolate and go for cash. She likes that too.

8. She really likes good Mexican food. She really hates cooking. Mix those two together, and what do you get? Pick up take out at the Jose's at the interstate exit. (She can probably give you the call-in number) John Tesh says this will score major points and might lead to a good night. (unless, of course, you count the byproducts of ingesting re-fried beans and jalapenos') Though I am sure john tesh has a cure all tip to get rib of gas (mine and yours).

9. When said gas attacks at bedtime....it is not polite to fan it to your wife's face. Nor is it polite to hold her head under covers (in some states that is probably spouse abuse....so says the Tesh). The polite thing to do, as per Tesh ...if you were to ask him....is to go to the bathroom and rip 'em.

and finally

10. Tesh says that sometimes it is better to pretend you don't know where you heard something. Anytime you say to the wife, "john tesh says....." She stops listening. While the Tesh-man has offered TONS of helpful bits of information over the past months, he is really annoying. The man can't seriously think we think he knows all that. Hello, can you say staff researchers? Pretend the dog told you. It'll get you further.

So, unless John can get my husband to stop leaving his socks and shoes everywhere, convince him to clean the kitchen from top to bottom, wash and fold all the laundry, and scrub the boys bathroom (seriously....3 boys, one toilet, GROSS), cook dinner, clean the van, and rub my feet; I really have no use for him. The show is called : Music and Intelligence for YOUR life.....not for Your Wife. Let's keep it that way!

We have a second dog!

2008-09-26T08:19:00.000-07:00

This morning we got another dog. This one is a puppy, not quite fully grown. It just did the cutest things this morning, enjoy a few pictures. I am not quite sure what kind of breed this dog it, and unfortunately, it certainly isn't house-trained.

I was on the phone with my mom when I noticed our new puppy chewing on Sophie's ball. I hope she doesn't mind sharing. The new puppy certainly didn't seem to mind chewing on a used ball. BLAhhhhh.....that is NASTEE.

After enjoying the ball for a while, he played and jumped. He grabbed Sophie's stuffed bear and bit and shook it, just like Sophie does. Sophie was just watching all this in amazement. I think she was trying to decide how she felt about another dog invading her space.

Up next he found Sophie's squeaky toy. I think this one is the new puppies favorite. He picked it up and carried it around in his mouth. JUST LIKE SOPHIE DOES! WOW! They are SO alike.After he finished playing with that, he moved on to the purple squeaky bone. He could not get that thing to squeak no matter how hard he bit and pushed on it. Sophie is better at this. I guess it will come in time.

So far, the new puppy seems to be fitting in just fine. I do wish we could do something about the house training. He also barks a little too much. I am not sure how long Sophie will tolerate him playing with her toys. Personally, I think it is kind of gross that they are sharing toys.

But isn't he just the cutest puppy ever!

Disclaimer: Yes, I am a horrible mother, I did not intervene and let my kid chew on the dogs toys. Believe me, much worse had already been in the kids mouth. Besides, they share popsicles, potatoe chips, and sometimes sippy cups; so what is a little tennis ball and teddy bear between friends!

I didn't mean to break his heart!

2008-09-24T20:25:00.000-07:00

This morning when I got up, I had no intentions of breaking someone's heart. In fact, I had my day planned out to be quite boring. School, lunch, commissary, dinner, bed. Woo hoo. My day certainly didn't go that way, and I found myself trying to mend a poor broken heart.
I told the kids I would take turns eating lunch with them at school. I started with Andrew, since he is in kindergarten. We did that a few weeks ago.
Today was Bryce's turn.He has been reminding me of it since I ate with Drew. I am so glad they want me there, and had intended on eating with Bryce much sooner than this. Today, I finally made it up there. Sam and I packed his lunch....fruit roll up, little debbie fudge round, Cheetos, and a juice box. Healthy, huh! I know Sam wont eat a sandwich, so why waste!
We get there right on time. Sign into the office, get a visitor's pass, and we meet Bryce and his teacher in the hall. He is SO excited to see us there.
We go in and find our seat. We get to sit at a special table that only kids eating with their families get to eat. Bryce loved it last year when I would come eat with him, though we sat with his class then. Anyway, when we get in, I told Bryce I had to go say hi to Drew. Their lunch periods over lap by about 20 minutes. So, Sam and I made our way through the sea of cafeteria tables. Andrew is quite excited to see us as well. All his friends introduce themselves to us. I check to see what of his food he is eating. Give him a hug and a kiss, and tell him that I have to eat with Bryce and to have a great day. He seems ok, and off i go.
A few times through the course of lunch I look over to Drew and wave, smile, and notice he keeps looking over at me. I enjoy my lunch with Bryce. All his old classmates from last year try to break their necks to say hi. They have all grown so much over the past year! They seem like big kids now instead of babies!
I notice Andrew's class is starting to do clean up. Next thing I know, I look over and Andrew is standing with his teacher just SOBBING. He is all out crying. Tears, shrugging shoulders, sobbing cry! He is looking at me with eyes that look like his puppy died. I tell Bryce I need to go check on Drew, as his teacher is mouthing, "he's crying cuz he had to go to class". I walk over and give him a big hug. Whispering in each other's ears, I find out he doesn't want me to leave, and wants to come home with me. He is sad that I didn't get to sit with him, and wants me to go to class with him. How sweet, but also so hard. I have wrestled long and hard as to whether he was ready for kindergarten because he is just so young, sweet and tender. For a moment, I wanted to grab his sobbing little body, and take him home with me so he wouldn't have to be sad or lonely. Instead, I made a deal with him. I promised him a treat! Told him to go have a great day and do well at school, WITHOUT crying, and I would have a treat for him when he got home. That perked his sweet little face up. The tears dried, and he was ready to go to class.
This mom, however, felt guilty that my little guy had such a broken heart because I didn't eat lunch with him. I felt guilty that he doesn't absolutely LOVE school like my other ones have. I know it will come with time. Every day he talks more and more about friends.
By the time he got home, the only thing on his mind was his treat! His first words off the bus,"mom, you didn't forget my treat did you!?" He got to enjoy his skittles, I got to enjoy his smile.
How ironic that on one hand, I would like to wrap him up and keep him home with me, but on the other hand, I am nearly counting the days till they are all in school. What I'll do then, I have NO idea! (but i have three years to think about it!) In the meantime, I'll take turns eating with them at school, I'll enjoy dragging Sam all over with me and getting to answer 10,000 times a day "Mommy, what's that?", I'll enjoy helping with the stupidest homework, and when the time comes that Sam goes back to school, I'll be the one with the broken heart! Do you think they'll buy me a treat to keep me from crying?

BigNews!!!!!!!!! for me anyway!

2008-09-22T18:38:00.000-07:00

This is something we have been thinking about for a while! Since we are not moving, we decided to go ahead with it.
We purchased a commercial vinyl cutter, and have started a Vinyl Business! I have been playing with it this evening, and it is so fun! I am working on a website, and a few other things! I will post some pics soon! The only drawback to it is I am spending a lot of time in the garage. I am so paranoid I am not alone in there......we caught 2 mice shortly after we moved in. I am so afraid one might still be hiding in there and attack me. I have HUGE fears of those tiny, nasty little creatures. But, because of the size of the cutter, there was just nowhere else to put it!
Anyway, I have been designing files, downloading fonts, and coming up with ideas for a while, and am excited to finally have the machine up and running!
I'll post a link to my site soon. In the meantime, if you have anything you want done in vinyl.....I think I might know someone who can hook you up with a great price!

Jonathon's Golden Birthday

2008-09-19T05:24:00.000-07:00

It is a once in a lifetime event, turning the age as your birth day. This year Jonathon turned 12 on the 12th!This was birthday was a very special one! Not only was it his golden birthday, but it is a special age in our church! When a young man turns 12, they enter into the priesthood! We are lucky enough to live near family, so we had the entire family (minus Jess and her bunch) up for his birthday.
We did cake, ice cream and presents on his actual birthday with just the grandparents and us. Scott and his family arrived on Friday evening. April and her family came on Saturday, and Chris and Krystal came Saturday evening.
Saturday was beautiful, so we took the kids to the bamboo forest.

It was not as impressive as I remembered from my childhood, but evidently a tornado re-did the landscape several years ago and it just hasn't recovered yet. The path has become unkept, and the mosquitoes were out in full force!

Still, it was fun to walk through! We did get rather hot rather quickly! Bryce and Andrew moved so quickly, the camera and I didn't catch up to them. From the forest, we headed to Bass Pro Shops to let the kids torture the innocent shoppers within, I mean, shoot guns upstairs. They had a ball.

April and her family met up with us at Bass Pro. Shane skipped out, would prefer to go to a Alabama football game than to spend hours with 20 of his most favorite crazy family members. Go figure?????

Sunday, my baby (he'll always be my baby!) was confirmed as a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood! We are so proud of him! I know it will not be long before we are (hopefully!) sending him off on a mission! It is amazing how quickly the days and years are flying by! It truly seems like just yesterday that he was a blond haired little boy pointing out airplanes in the sky! He really is a great kid, even if he does fight with his siblings a little too much for this mom's taste! He has read the Book of Mormon, on his own, front to back about three times now. (He is almost finished with his third) That is much more than I can say for me as a 12 year old! He bears his testimony on his own on Fast Sunday. He talks to his friends at school about the gospel. He even tried to give a friend a Book of Mormon. The kid didn't accept it, but we were so proud of him for trying. This move has been a difficult one for him, and friends have not come as easily this time. He was the new kid in a school where kids have been together since kindergarten, so last year there were times when he really did not enjoy it, and felt like he didn't have many friends. Still, he excelled, and continued each day! He ran for vice-president of Jr. Beta Club this year, and while he didn't win. I was very proud he put himself out there, and took the chance. Now, don't get me wrong, he is still 12, and he certainly has his moments when I could hang him by his toes! All in all, a great kid who is a great example to his younger siblings. We know we have been blessed with very good children!

Speaking of very good children, as I sit typing this, Sam has made a spot on the living room floor with a giant box of Lucky Charms, picking out the good parts! (for the record, I only like the marshmallows in that cereal too! ) That must be my cue to quit blabbering, and do the mom thing. That two year old of mine can make quite the mess! Oh the thought! But he sure is cute!

Was it the dog?

2008-09-12T07:12:00.001-07:00

Disclaimer: You all will know a little too much about my family by the end of this post.

As you all know, we got a dog about a month ago. She is very sweet, and very well behaved. Sometimes, I guess just to keep me on my toes, she would do something crazy like pee right in front of me, or poop by the door. To her defense, she is not a barker or whiner, so if you miss her standing quietly by the door (that is her bathroom cue) it is your fault, not hers. So, I have noticed over the past week the little boys room smelled like pee. None of my kids are bed wetters, but I still checked the beds to see if maybe Sam had a diaper malfunction at night or if Drew might have had an accident. Beds smelled fine (for little boy beds anyway).
I go ahead and strip the beds thinking maybe it just needs a little freshening up, and it isnt a pee smell? I do notice Sophie(the dog) will go into the boys room briefly. I wonder if she is sneaking in there to pee. I had just taken her out, but thought i'd see if I can catch her. She goes in there, and I go into stealth mode. Stalking the dog. Trying to prove she is covertly peeing in my carpet. I've already decided it must be her. Now to catch her in action.
I peek my head around the corner, making sure she doesn't see or hear me. She is sniffing at the carpet at the foot of Drew's bed. I look closer and realize there IS a wet spot there! I knew it! She was peeing in there. DANG DOG!!!!!!
i walk into the room, "Sophie, did you do that? Did you pee in the carpet?"
She is a very gentle dog, and doesnt like to get in trouble. She tucks her little tail, turns and goes out of the room and gets on the couch and curls up. I, in an attempt to out do my stupidity when cleaning the boys room (for a refresher:http://ginger-myrandomnothingness.blogspot.com/2008/05/things-mom-of-boys-should-know.html), I bend down to see if this is the offending odor. That would be a resounding YES! I wonder WHY?????? She had JUST been out. And this was A LOT of pee!??!!! Was she marking territory? Suffering from doggie incontinence? Trying to make me go insane? A quick search of google on how to remove pet urine from carpet, and that's the end. I did crawl around and sniff the carpet all over to see if she had frequented any other parts of the room. I am happy to report she had not.
Fast forward to that evening, I am tucking the little boys into their bed. I am sitting on the floor, reading Drew and Sam a book. For some reason, I ask Drew, "Have you been peeing in your carpet?"
Now WHY did I ask my 5 year old, fully potty trained kindergartner if he was peeing on the carpet? I have no idea. But the look on his face as soon as I asked, and I knew. He got this sheepish guilty look. I have to admit I was a bit relieved. I can communicate with a child and solve the problem. If it was the dog, I was afraid it was going to be an ongoing problem. He still has said nothing, but I can tell by his reaction he is in fact the guilty party. I ask again, "Drew, did you pee-pee in your carpet?"
He says, "I don't want to be in trouble. Please don't be mad."
Me, "So you peed in your carpet?"
He just kind of stares at me, aware I already know the answer. I want to hear him say it. "Andrew, tell me the truth, or you will be in bigger trouble. You know Sophie got in trouble today because I thought she was peeing in your bedroom."
"I did mom."
"Why did you pee in your floor? "
"I don't know."
"That isn't an answer Drew. Tell me why you peed in the floor! How long have you been peeing in the floor (Remember, I said I noticed the smell earlier in the week, just took me a while to identify what it was!)? And where?"
"I did it 2 times, maybe 4. "
"Why"
"Someone was in the bathroom"
"you know we have two bathrooms, where did you pee?"
He points straight to where the offending spot had been.
We then went on to have a discussion about how he must use the bathroom. And then I felt the need to be even more specific. The toilet in the bathroom. I know Drew is kind of like me, and just not a morning person. He is also a little on the lazy side. So, I guess when someone was in the bathroom, and he is half asleep, he'd prefer to pee on the carpet instead of walking across the house to the other bathroom.
I didn't know whether I should spank him, laugh, ground him,......what i should do! I was grateful it wasn't the dog. However, seriously, how does a kid even think up the, hey, lets drop my pants and take a piss on the baseboard/carpet, routine? Maybe it is a family trait, peeing on things they shouldn't. Their dad did pee on an electric fence when he was a kid.........

That being said, carpets are cleaned, dog is no longer on my bad list, and I am making sure Drew pees first thing every morning!........IN THE TOILET!

Super Saturday Madness!

2008-09-08T13:08:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow night is my ward's Back To School Bash Enrichment Pot Luck. How is that for a title!? I have been in a tizzy the past few days trying to figure out, buy supplies, and make samples for our Super Saturday in October. I will post some pics when I get things finalized. We are also playing LDS Family Feud tomorrow night. That'll be fun! We went to Sam's today to try to buy disposable cafeteria treys. They didn't have them anymore! Such a bummer! We got cute square plates instead! We promised the young women treats if they volunteered to sit the nursery, so I get to bake lots of cookies tomorrow!
This week is shaping up to be a crazy one! This afternoon Sophie has her first appt at the puppy groomer. She is getting a trim, wash, dry, having her nails done, and some other things that really didn't sound that fun to me. Sophie may feel assaulted when we pick her up. All i know is if when i went to get a shampoo, cut and dry they "expressed" anything associated with the word anal, I'd not be going back. Poor dog. But, at least she'll smell nice and fresh and have pretty nails!
Tomorrow is going to be fun! I always look forward to Enrichment night. (yes, i know i am a dork!) Really though, no kids, someone else making dinner, adult conversation; Can't beat it!
Though I have been getting some razzing about the invites. I made a last minute change and didn't fix part of it, so it read:
A-M bring a main dish
L-Z bring a side/dessert

Yes, I know L comes before M. I did go to Alabama public schools, and although I haven't bothered to actually graduate from college, I DO know the ABC's.

The kids are home and I better go diffuse the bombs!

I am a ding-bat....

2008-09-05T18:50:00.001-07:00

This has been a long week. (though aren't they all!)
Between sick kids, RS presidency meeting, ach. days, scouts, and school projects; each evening has been a frenzy of activity. I would use the evening hours to kind of hang out a bit, catch up on laundry (or try to ).
By Friday am, (today) I was pretty much useless. I HATE getting up in the morning. HATE IT. To say it takes me a while to be coherent and pleasant would be fair.
This morning was no exception. I was up late lastnight working on my Deep Ocean Diorama and Election signs. Ok, not MINE, but somehow, I got suckered into "helping". The diorama turned out fantastic, and the signs we mostly cute. It got to be later than I have been. Got up the same time this morning. That sucked.
I dutifully go to the kitchen and make lunches for the 4 school aged kids, and one for Blake.
They all leave and Sam and I watch Curious George.
Typical day.

Around 1130, the phone rings and it is Blake calling from work. This is unusual as he hates talking on the phone, and even more so talking on the phone at work.

Blake: Did you make my lunch?
Me: Yeah, did you forget it at home?
Blake: No, I have it right here.
ME: Ok? (confused...)
Blake: Did you make me a sandwich
Me: Yes, i was out of sandwich bags to I wrapped it.
Blake: Well, I see it, but you, um. well.....
me: What?
Blake: Its just bread and cheese.
Me: What do you mean?
Blake: there is no meat. It is just mayo, mustard and cheese. No meat
Me: Are you sure?
Blake: yes, I am looking at it now. there is no meat.
Me: I know I got the meat out, wonder what happened to it (thinking to myself Sophie probably had a good morning snack) So are you going to eat the cheese sandwich?
Blake: No, it is gross
Me; Ok, sorry about that. Why don't you go get a sub....or see if they'll just sell you meat. Tell them you already have the bread, mayo, mustard and cheese.
Blake: (not thinking that is funny) Goodbye Ginger,

I couldn't help but giggle thinking of him unwrapping the sandwich and coming to realize it was just bread and cheese.
To make up for it, I took him to Outback for Salad and Steak tonight. Ok, I wanted to go out, but I took him with me!

Oh, Sam got in BIG trouble today. He was on the grumpy side this morning too (don't know where he gets that!). Sophie had been patiently sitting by the door waiting to go out for a while. I told him I was going to take her out, then we'd have lunch. He didn't want me to. Starting fussing. I told him Sophie had to pee and I was taking her out. So out Sophie and I go......
She quickly tends to business, and is ready to go back in. I get to the door and notice Sam is inside and the door is closed. He usually stands on the deck while I take her to pee. Not this time. he was mad I took her out before making him apple juice. I go to open the door. It is locked. Sam has disappeared. I am starting to get annoyed. I have no extra key anywhere. I'd have to go next door and call Blake to come home, or go ask the construction workers across the street to break into my house for me. I bang on the door. Sam comes and looks then walks away. I am loudly saying...>Sam, the door is locked...UNLOCK the door! He smiles and says, Mommy outside. OPEN THE DOOR SAM. Now I am getting mad. If I have to go to a neighbors or to the construction workers, he is REALLY going to regret it. You see, I was wearing Santa Claus pajama pants, Barney colored crocs, my hair in last nights ponytail, and a stained up polo shirt....no bra. Lovely. just lovely. I decide I better bang some more and convince the 2 1/2 year old to unlock the door.
UNLOCK THE DOOR!!!! SAM I MEAN IT>
Sam: (trying to turn the handle) You do it. It locked.
I try explaining to a 2 year old how to unlock the handle. After what seemed like forever he finally got it unlocked. Sophie and I came in, and I had to deal with the naughty 2 year old.

I was SO glad when bedtime came tonight. Now I am just counting down the minutes to mine. To sum it up, I was out smarted by a two year old, and failed to make a simple ham sandwich. I am a dingbat!

Ahh..nothing like waking in the morning to the fresh sounds of.....

2008-09-01T06:11:00.000-07:00

Vomit. And to be clear, morning in this case is defined by 4 something in the morning. Oh, but the joy was just beginning.
Luckily, the guilty party had felt queasy earlier and was properly prepared for such a distribution of last-nights dinner.

Happy Labor Day!
Nothing like a holiday to make the kids sick. There go the plans!

Oh, but don't feel bad for me. You see, the fun was just beginning.
After making sure all was well with the puker, I nestled back into my bed. Hoping to get a bit more sleep. Not to be. Shortly after, Kayleigh comes in with the dog, who apparently felt she was missing out and insisted on being taken out at 5 in the morning. It was still dark, so Kayleigh was scared to take her out. Now, for about half a second, I was not in my right mind, and slipped on my shoes and was going to take Sophie out. Then I realized that I had no clothes on. Grabbed the robe, out the door. Sophie decides she just is out for a EARLY morning stroll, and nibbles a little here and there on her favorite snack.....grass.

I get tired of the morning salad-bar stroll, and suddenly realize I need to go to the bathroom. Gravity I guess? I tether the dog, and go in. Tell Kayleigh to keep an eye on her. Kayleigh goes and brings her in.

I am keeping my eye on her as she has a routine, she gets up in the morning and goes out to do her business, both kinds. She did not do the deed while out, and I do not want my carpet to fall victim to puppy potty problems. I notice her sniffing, so Kayleigh and I take her out again. Success.

We come in, and I settle in bed again. Thinking if I could just get back to sleep until 7am that would be fantastic. I knew yesterday when I told Blake I really needed to sleep in, it wouldn't happen. I roll over, put the covers up, and begin to snooze. Not 5 minutes later, I hear round two of the Refried Bean Regurgitation 2008 begin. I get back up. Tend to him, and go to the kitchen to get him some water to rinse with.

I notice Sophie is pacing back and forth from the kitchen to the dining room. I am always suspect when she paces. So i go see what she is pacing for.

Oh, the joy. The dog is sick too. Other end, but nasty none-the-less. It is about all I can do not to just sit down on the floor and cry. I have been up for two hours and have dealt with vomit, a slow stroll around the yard at 5am, more vomit, and now doggie doo (of the liquid variety) in my entry.
Instead of crying, I do what any sane person would do. I got pissed. Turned around, stomped to my room, collapsed on the bed and told Blake he had to go clean it up. Sprinkled in my proclamation on how gross it is was the reminder the dog was his idea, the question as to why I always get to clean up the body fluids, reminders it isn't fair, attempts at guilting him for sleeping while I nurtured the sick kid/dog, and then a pitiful attempt at ignoring the puddle of poo ensued. This outburst lasted for a mere moment, as I hear Sam is up, and am fearful he will find the poo and fall in it, and that, my friends, would have been the end of me.
My attempts to guilt, beg, and order Blake to clean it have failed miserably. This does nothing to help my mood, especially when the question of my needing Midol is floated. I stomp out and get the *%*#&%(!!! mop. Rubber gloves and paper towels in hand, and a few gag-ful minutes later, my floor is now poo free. Blake appears with the mop and bucket for final clean-up.

Poor Sophie is resting on one couch. Jonathon, also known as He-Who-Pukes-Too-Much, is laying on the other. They could pass as twins.
I am over my fit (the cleaning period was not a pleasant time here.......I believe I muttered many names about anyone who passed by as I cleaned Sophie's contribution to my morning) I am finally feeling sorry for Sophie instead of pissed at her. I sit on the armchair to watch the news coverage of Hurricane Gustav. Blake walks in, sits beside Sophie.
He turns to me, and asks, "Why aren't you in bed?" Seriously, SERIOUSLY, do you really want me to answer that?????????????
So, what did you do this morning before 6:30?

Gotta have Fay-th......Tropical Storm Fay that is!

2008-08-27T17:37:00.000-07:00

For about two months, the past weekend was set to be one of adventure for our family! The guys had made plans to go canoeing over in Georgia. Mom was going to hang with Kayleigh, the little boys, and me. Kayleigh had a day-long achievement days activity, so it was just me, the younger kids, and my mom for Saturday. We began to wonder on Thursday if our weekend was going to play out as we had planned. A storm playing ping-pong with the Florida coast threatened to wash out the plans for a 17 mile canoe trip. Never fear, we kept an eye on the weather channel, and decided that unless it was a downright flood, they would go. What is the worst that could happen? They'd get wet on the river! The outfitting company wouldn't let them float if the river is high anyway.

We keep an eye on Fay, watching her bounce across Florida. Dumping massive quantities of rain wherever she went. We certainly needed the rain!

Mom, Dad and Chris arrived on Friday night. The weather in Rome seemed as if was going to be okay. Here in Alabama we were due for rain! Lots of wind, rain, and possible tornadoes! The guys left around 5am. Within 30 minutes of them leaving, Fay began dumping her rain here. The wind wasn't too bad, some gusts were pretty strong. Kayleigh was supposed to be at the chapel at 815 am to catch a ride to the stake center. Mom and i decided that after we dropped her off we would go to Sam's club. I hadn't been to Sam's in forever! We go to get in the car and the battery is dead! I kid you not, for forty five minutes, my mom and I tried to get the van started. We had the batteries hooked up, only we didn't realize the car you are jumping from has to be started when you try to crank the car needing a charge, duh......We had connected them, started moms car, then tried to start my van. Nothing would happen. My neighbor's husband came to our rescue. He unhooked everything, left moms car running, reconnected the batteries, and the van started on the first try! Easy....we are all set! Feeling a little dumb, but hey, the car is running!

By now the rain is heavy and steady. We call the guys to see where they are, and they are still on the road. Their weather is still holding.

We drop Kayleigh off right about an hour late. Head to Sam's. At this point the van has been running for over 40 minutes, so i didn't think anything about it any longer. We take our time in Sam's. Taste all the yummy samples, look at all the fun furniture, check out the Wii games. We check out and head to the van. The wind is whipping and the rain is POUNDING! We unload all the goods into the van, buckle the babies in, and NOTHING.

The dang van is dead again!!!!!!!!!!!Only this time, there is no neighbor to help, no house to keep the kids dry and warm, just the dead van, 35 mph winds, and enough rain to make ya start looking for the Ark.

Mom volunteers to go in and ask the tire dept if they have a mobile charger. I sit with the babies and defrosting groceries. I gave the kids an ICEE pop to keep them happy, and wait. Luckily, the guy in front of us comes out, and I jump out and beg him to help me. I could tell he thought twice about it, as it was pouring rain and he was about to get REALLY wet. He saw the kids in the van, and I think that is what did it for him. We get the cables, jump the van, and I pull up to see mom coming out. She has with her a guy from the Tire Center carrying a starterthingiemabob. We tell him thanks, but no thanks. Off we go. Straight home. The kids are wound-up and over-tired. I am soaking wet and a bit stressed. As we drive home, the wind gusts get stronger and the rain harder!

That is how the remainder of the day stayed too. HEAVY rain. Amazingly, the guys said it didn't start to rain there till they pulled out of the river at like 530 pm. They drove home in some REALLY bad rain and wind.

Sunday we were celebrating Andrew's birthday with the family. Evidently while we were blowing out candles and having cake, there was a funnel cloud right over the school that is across the street from us!

Monday was MORE rain! Sophie (the dog) was not enjoying this! She had to be carried past the door to go out. Once past the downspout, she was fine and would go trot in the rain. The kids spent about 2 hours in their cubbies because of tornado warnings on Monday.

This really was the kind of weekend I like. Lazy and Rainy! Nothing got accomplished in the house, but it was pretty relaxing (if you ignore the van problems!)

Tuesday finally saw and end to the rain. Around 4:00 my neighbor called and told me to go outside. This is what we found:

I guess to get a Rainbow, all we need is a lot of Fay-th.....I know cheesy....but i just couldn't help it!

Big Announcement! IT'S A GIRL!!!!!

2008-08-20T19:28:00.000-07:00

Kayleigh is finally getting a sister! It seemed like it would never happen. Three boys in a row after Kayleigh.

We decided we were done. Five kids were enough. I resisted and resisted and resisted, but sometimes you just can't help it! We were definately missing a member of our family. As much as I wanted to be done, to be able to sleep through the night, to be done (almost) with potty training......I relented. It is our pleasure to announce our new baby! Her name is Sophie.

She is a 2 year old Dachshund, Border Collie mix. She essentially looks like a midget Border Collie. LUCKILY, she came to us potty trained! She is very well behaved. We have only heard her bark 3 times! She does well on the leash, and loved to curl up on the couch. She is great with the kids, and is adjusting to our crazy family quite nicely.

We got her from the Humane Society! She is just a sweetheart! She looks very much like a dog I had growing up, so we jokingly refer to her as Oreo 2.0 (Oreo was the dog's name). We are still getting used to having her here. We have to watch opening the door, she tries to go everywhere we go. She gets up on the bed. I had to take my flipflops from her five times today.

We have been shutting her in the masterbath when we leave, then shutting the master. I came home yesterday and she has somehow let herself out of the bathroom and was SLEEPING ON MY BED! She is curled up beside me now. She had her first Vet appt. today! She didnt like some of the things they did to her, though I must say, I sympathize with her!

One is the loneliest number......or maybe not!

2008-08-12T07:03:00.000-07:00

The last few weeks of summer, as always, were packed full of excitement! Here is a brief summary:

Our niece came to visit us for a week from New York. She was visiting her other grandparents in Alabama when the grandmother got sick and had to be hospitalized. She came to hang with us while her grandmother got better. It was fun! I think Kayleigh enjoyed having a GIRL to play with! While Emily was here visiting, our friends from Missouri (who just moved to Atlanta) came for a three day visit! So Kayleigh had 2 girls to play with, Bryce and drew got to play with their friend Carter, I got to hang with my friend Manda( and we had FUN!), and Sam got to torture their dog. In the picture above, we are taking Emily back to her grandparents on our way to Mobile! We spent about 4 days in Mobile! Dad went out of town, leaving Mom all alone, so we headed down for the weekend, and had fun! It was HOT, but it was still a nice trip! Sam played himself out, and fell asleep on the floor! After our trip to mobile, Jonathon and I went house hunting in Atlanta. We all know how that story goes, but we had a fun trip! Got to see Scott, Melinda and the boys (thanks for letting us crash!) We came home, and were in a whirlwind of job interviews, moving, not moving, and such when we got a phone call!

Blake's sister, Amanda, and her family wanted to come through for a visit. We haven't seen them since we went to Disney 3 years ago! They came on Wednesday! Andrew and his cousin, Bella, hit it off and were nearly inseparable.

The rest of the kids got along quite well too! Can you see all those kids!!!???!!! We had 11 children 12 and under in our house for 2 days, and they were all ours or Amanda's!!!!! Those are some busy parents....in many ways! :P

Truthfully, the visit went quite well, and we were sad to see them go so quickly. We played Rock band, cards, and only had one vomiting incident!
I will say feeding 11 kids at one time is quite the chore! We are used to having large groups at our home. Since we are the midpoint in my family, we often have family things here, but there is usually a higher adult-to-kid ratio. And again, the girls were out numbered 7-4.

The Jackson's left Thursday, and Blake started his new job on Friday!

Even BIGGER news....Andrew is an official Kindergartner! He got his shots and didn't even cry! What a brave boy! He loves school and his teacher so far! He looked SO cute carrying his school bag in and getting off the bus the first day!

Here are all the kids on their first morning of school!

And what is that????? That is a 2 year old with his shoes on. Why? Because he thought he was going to school too! Are those tears??? YES they are! He was not a happy boy being left at home all alone!

So what does a mom do with a very sad 2 year old???

Give him a paintbrush, a block, and some paint! Duh!!!!!

He made quite the mess, but he was SO proud of his block, and enjoyed painting with mommy! Today is the kids fourth day of school, and EVERY morning so far, he has gotten his shoes on and asked me, "mommy, we go?" The first day of school we went grocery shopping, the second day we went shopping for craft supplies for a baby gift i was working on, the third day we went to the park for 2 hours. So far today, I have been able to hold him off, but it looks like a trip to Target is in our future. Though, that is probably a mom thing, not a Sam thing! :)

And here is my project I complete while Sam was painting. It is a gift of a friend having her first baby! The frame is about 25x20. If you look closely at the frame, you can see hints of pink and green coming through the cream paint! I love making things for little girls! So fun!

Now, I just have a Super Saturday to plan (anyone got ideas for some great craft projects!) and I want to get my Etsy shop up and running! It has been a BIG adjustment having Blake back at work, 4 of the 5 kids in school, and the house to Sam and myself. I forget too how much a 2 year old needs to be entertained without 4 others around! I see lots of play dates in our future!!

Hope the school year is starting off great for you all too! Once again, I feel so lucky to live just across from the school. I can be a lazy mom, and still get my kids to school on time!

Replacement part.....PLEASE!

2008-08-03T14:35:00.001-07:00

Well, I did it again today! It wasn't near as good as the "molly mormon" incident of June '08, but the entire room again, got a good laugh at my expense.

When will I learn? Probably never. I really need like a three second delay to keep me from doing stupid things like smelling pee-soaked underwear, calling someone's wife a "molly mormon", making the ill timed joke; then there was the time I thought I was sending my sister Jessica a funny news story, but instead it seemed I had accidentally sent an off-color news story to my Bishop! (thankfully, I had ONLY sent it to my Sister-in-law who is aware of my lack of common sense), and to keep me from just plain ole' saying the wrong thing at just the right time!

So my question....how do I get a replacement part for that filter that I evidently didn't get, or have somehow broken?

I think I may count to three each time before I speak. Thankfully, for every stupid thing I say, it does seem like I say 10 or so intelligent things. Or at least I think i do??????

I am certainly learning to think before I speak. Just wish I didn't embarrass myself so in the process!

So, if anyone has a part number for "Stupid Comment Mouth Filter" and "Common Sense Housewife Chip" I would be greatly appreciative! Otherwise, look forward to many more lovely stories about my rather unfortunate mistakes!

Stop the presses.....Change of Plans!

2008-07-31T13:26:00.000-07:00

So, today, I should be packing, arranging, cleaning, sorting, STRESSING.
Blake was SUPPOSED to start his new job in Atlanta, GA on Monday.
I went on a house-hunting trip last week to find a house, and with much frustration, had little success! Things were not falling into place. The house we wanted was for Sale or Rent. It had been on the market as a FOR SALE house for months, and FOR RENT for a little over a week. Our realtor was contacting the other realtor to get our application, and to get details. I LOVED that house. It was huge, beautiful, and would have fit our perfectly!
After seeing everyhouse in the area in our price range, I was finally content and Jonathon and I headed back to Alabama.
The realtor called us and told us that morning, the other Realtor had received an offer to buy. They would entertain that first, then consider the Lease applicants. They should know something in a day or two. Great. We were going to wait and see if the offer took, but in the mean time line up our second choice home.

Well, none of that matters, as Blake is not going to Atlanta. He got a job in Montgomery! Not ony a job, but a great job, with more money, and FREE benefits!!!!!! It is amazing what has happened at the last minute.

Our Bishop had been trying to help find Blake a job since we moved here, off and on. He has a lot of contacts, and evidently a really good reputation among his peers.

Nothing was coming. We kept hearing....his resume looks great, we'd love to have him, but dont have a spot.....We were told mutliple times he needed to "dumb down" his resume, as he had the resume of a CIO or CTO, and the were usually hired from withing. Great, but we need a paycheck folks!

So, while I was in Atlanta, a series of email went back and forth between Blake and our bishop. Blake pretty much told the Bishop thanks for all the help, we've run out of town. He also told him that I was in ATL househunting, and that we were more than likely moving in a little over a week, as unless there was Divine Intervention, we had to go where the job was.

Well, here I sit, a week later. There was in fact Divine Intervention. The Bishop emailed Blakes resume to a friend at a firm he used to work at. (Which, by the way, is the same firm that Blake interviewed with in May and had the job which the AF never funded!) The VP said the resume looked great, and he'd put it in a file, but taht he didnt have anything. That was Wednesday morning. Wednesday afternoon, Blake got an email from him, the VP, that they wanted to interview him Friday (last Friday). So he interviewed, and they told him they'd make a decision and notify on Tuesday.

Tuesday comes and we here nothing. Oh, the nerves, the twisting stomach! I know many of our friends and lots of the ward were praying for and with us! Guess we arent TOO unlikable....
Tuesday afternoon, Blake emails the VP the usual thanks for the opportunity to interview, blah blah blah......He gets a reply that is somewhat jumbled, but basically sounded like he got the job!

An hour later, it is confirmed, we have the job in Montgomery!!!!!!The only thing we needed then was Air Force approval.....(agh! not this again!) and for Blake to accept the offer! So we were still unsure it was 100%!
Wednesday he goes in to meet with the VP again, and see the offer in print. They offered him more money than Atlanta, and they pay for 100% of our medical, dental, vision insurance!

We truly feel blessed and that our prayers have been answered! We didnt mind moving, but staying here is what we really wanted!

So, that is the news! He got a great job here in Montgomery, doing what he wants to do! Yeah!!!! Oh, and he starts tomorrow!!!!!

Was he the Brown kid or the White kid?

2008-07-27T11:18:00.000-07:00

Our ward has experienced a massive influx of people this summer.This is a natural occurrence since we are so close to the military base. Every year there is a big move in and move out. There are lots of families that are here for only a year to attend a school at Maxwell. We also have gotten several others that are here for 2-4 years. Two Sundays ago they welcomed about 5 families.
The primary is absolutely busting at the seams! In Relief Society, we are having to pull in extra chairs. Today, from the pulpit, the had to ask everyone make room as there were people in the foyer with no place to sit, and we already had the overflow opened! It is great!
After church on the way home, Jonathon was telling me he had been talking to one of the new boys, Abe. We moved here about a year ago, and this had been a harder move for Jonathon. He said he wanted to make sure the boy felt welcomed. I was so proud of him for this.
I was curious which family he belonged to, as I had seen him with one of the families, but couldn't remember. So I asked, "Was he the the Brown kid or the White kid?"
Jonathon and Kayleigh both looked at each other, then looked at me. Their faces both in a bit of shock. And as innocently and matter-of-factly as possible, kayleigh said, " Mom, there were no new brown children. They were all white children." Then, as if she was bothered, added," And why are you asking, you never ask if they are brown or white."

I am giggling at this point, facing the road so they can't see me laughing. I reply, "I wasn't asking that, I was just trying to figure out what family they belong to....the White's or the Brown's."

Jonathon and Kayleigh both laugh, realizing the mistake.

"Oh," Kayleigh said. "I thought you were asking if they were white or brown, and wondered why you cared."

Blake and I both found it funny. The thought hadn't even occurred to me about color, I was just trying to figure out which family had kids the same ages as ours to try to arrange play dates.

Though, in our ward, we now have the Black family, White family, and Brown family. So, if you are the Grey's, or any other color family, we're waiting for you to move on in.

Dancing Queen....yep, That's me!!!!!!!

2008-07-26T16:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I was leaning over the sink in my bathroom, peering at my face in the mirror. Blake was sitting at his computer which is just outside our bathroom door. I was standing toward the end of the counter, just so I could lean as close as humanly possible to the mirror. I was examining what 32 years, 5 kids and one husband have done to my skin. Not a pretty sight!

Blake, calmly says....."Honey, don't move ...

now that right there is enough to put me on alert. The only time you tell someone NOT to move is if there is some thing bad in the vicinity.

He continues..."there's a spider.....

That's all I heard, and I start jumping from one foot to the other. He is yelling... "ON YOU!"

I am freaking out, dancing between the tub and the sink, jumping from one foot to the other looking for this spider. I HATE spiders. They make my skin crawl. The thought of one on me is nearly too much to bear. I am jumping. Panicking, really.

Blake is yelling louder, "Stop moving,.....stop...be still so I can see where it went....."

To which I think I reply....."AAGGHHHH....OOOHHHH..GET IT OFF"

He yells....."STOP dancing and let me look."

I take a deep breath, and stop, thinking surely my Irish dance has just flung any spider that was traveling the Ginger-highway off the map.

I stop dancing. Get still, and am carefully looking at my legs, at the floor, on the tub....everywhere.

Blake says..."There it is...be real still, its on your pants...towards the bottom." "it looks white"

I look down, careful not to move, at the bottom of my capri yoga pants. Then I annoyingly reply to Blake...."Would the spider you are talking about happen to look like the Danskin symbol on my pants?????"

he tries not to laugh, then cant help it. There was no spider, just the lovely logo. He is dying laughing. I am feeling stupid.

He says, "Boy, I haven't seen you dance like that in years." He is laughing so hard he is in tears.

" I wish I had a video camera. You should have seen yourself......That would have been great to put on youtube."

I fall into his lap, laughing at myself, almost out of breath from the vigorous spider dance I had just performed.

Just as the laughter subsides, and I am about to go on about my business, red-faced, but spider-free; He tries to make it better and says, "hey baby, where'd you get those moves anyway??"

Just wait.....maybe next year you'll see me take my spider dance and try out for So You Think You Can Dance? Or, maybe I'll just make sure we have the bug guy come, i think that would be the best thing for my pride, and the good of humanity everywhere.

Hello???? Is this thing on????

2008-07-24T21:47:00.001-07:00

Guess so! I totally forgot I had a blog.

Ok, that isn't true. The truth is life has been absolutely crazy the past two weeks. When isn't it though?

So the big news.......we are moving to Atlanta!

When you may ask? Oh, that would be....IN A WEEK!

Have you started packing? Um, that would be a big fat NO!

So, what have I been doing? We went to my parents in Mobile for 4 days. That was fun and relaxing. Blake, my dad, Jon and Kay went golfing. They had fun, but it was HOT HOT HOT!

The past two days, I have spent putting 1000 miles on my van! Driving the street of Canton, Cumming, ALpharetta, and every other little town in the 20 mile corridor of my husbands job.

Poor Jonathon went with me and kept me company as we argued with the GPS about roads and turns that weren't there!

So, we still have NO home to move to! I have a short list of 4 houses, but nothing definite! Of course, the one I really want received an offer (to buy) and they are going to consider that first! So we have a second choice lined up. In fact, it is right across the street from one of my sisters friends.

A little funny... prior to the trip, I had been spending time researching neighborhoods, school districts, and real estate listings. We are only going to be renting since we would like to keep our home here in Alabama for the time and are trying to rent it out. I had found a home online that was practically our dream home (just missing a maid). I showed the kids the pictures, and had talked about it some. It was going to be a good deal, as the owners were very eager to get it rented, and had come off their rent price several hundred dollars, making it very affordable for us. I looked at Craigslist daily, hourly nearly, and had several options on there that I was interested in looking at.

The morning Jonathon and I were leaving, Andrew said, "Mom, I hope we get the big one"
I smiled and agreed. I see Bryce kind of tug on his arm, and said, No, we don't want that one. Andrew asked him why not, and Bryce told him, "cuz we'd have to keep ALL of it clean". Andrew said, so? Bryce told him, think of how long it takes us to clean now, it'll be bad. Very bad.

Guess the kids are tired of cleaning. Wonder how they are going to feel about packing next week?Wish us luck, I am finding we have a lot of junk!

Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes!!!!

2008-07-14T11:17:00.000-07:00

Summer is always a busy time! Add into that job hunting and frenzy becomes a better adjective. Our summer has been a big ole' mess of lazied frenzy. We have been able to spend a lot of time together as a family and to play with our friends. We have also had to balance job interviews, lots of flights, rental cars, and dad popping in and out.
It seems as the summer is starting to wind down, so is the frenzy of the hunt! Nothing is official, but we have 2 options before us now (none of which include our current location! Anyone want to buy a nice, beautiful home in a great school district??????)http://picasaweb.google.com/gingerleighmade/HousePictures

We should know better in a few days what kind of time line we are looking at, and if we will end up in Louisville, KY or Atlanta, Ga????????? My old neighbor from Missouri just moved to Atlanta and is hoping we end up there! My brother, who lives not far from Atlanta, is hoping so too! We have a soft spot in our family for Atlanta, as we were married there a little over 13 years ago!

I am looking forward to this chapter of our life being over. I know the next one will have its own set of struggles, but at least it will come with a paycheck!

I have to admit, this is one trial I have been happy to endure! We have been blessed to have such a wonderful year. It has been amazing that Blake and I have gotten along so well through this. I was afraid with him being home ALL THE TIME, one of us would end up wounded, in jail, or divorced (just kidding), but it truly has been a fun experience (minus the unemployed part). I think Sam is just not going to know what to do when his Dad is gone back to work!

I think I am going to sit and enjoy the relative quite once we move and are settled! I will have Blake back to work, and the 4 older children all in school! That leaves just me and Sam home, all alone, to reak havoc on the innocent world around us!

I sure hope Atlanta or Louisville can handle us!

Speech Clarity and Butt Paste

2008-07-10T13:54:00.000-07:00

Of my five children, so far, four have had some kind of speech issue. Mild issues, but issues that have needed correction/intervention.
If drew asks you for a FORK and it sounds vulgar, you'll have to excuse him. And the fact that you could make out anything is a huge improvement anyway.
Kayleigh used to crack us up with the way she said Yellow. She wanted a Yellow power ranger, and would ask her grandpa (my dad) to get her a yeyoo power wanger.
Jonathon mixed a few letters, as did Bryce.
Bryce has had the hardest time learning to say X BOX 360. It literally comes out....and i quote....OX BOX FREE IXTY. We were driving back from Mobile once, and Blake and I spent about 30 minutes trying to get him to say xbox 360. He could say x box, and three sixty, but put them together and EVERYTIME it came out OX BOX FREE IXTY. He has finally gotten it out correctly, but must think as he speaks.
Sam, it seems, so far has VERY clear speech. In fact, I think he speaks more clearly than Andrew. (Blake didnt seem to appreciate me pointing that out) He also has a very verbose vocabulary. He says things and we wonder where he is learning it! When people look back at their little ones first words, the common ones are mamma, dadda, ball. He mastered all of those really quickly. I am sure being the youngest of five total jabber boxes does a lot to promote good speech and vocabulary. And anyone who knows me KNOWS that I do not lack in the speaking department. I swear, I could talk a weed from a yard. I am sure there are many people who see my name on caller ID and screen the call if they don't have an hour to talk! (you all know it is true!)
I can remember as a child, I liked to accompany my grandmother to craft fairs (she sold ceramics) or to family reunions. I did this several times, then noticed, the offers for me to tag along did not come, but rather, my little (and at the time much quieter) little sister, Jessica, would be invited. Evidently, I just talked TOO dang much and asked TOO many dang questions! And to my grandmother, I apologize, I now have a 10 year old "mini-me" and I totally sympathize with the talking and asking questions thing! (Though I love talking with my daughter, so I usually put up with the 10,000 questions!)
My point in all that, is that being overly talkative is not an uncommon thing in our family, and a trait Sam has seemed to inherit.
Looking back in all the years of parenting, I can think of the cute first words my children share. Their first meaningful phrases. How sweet, how innocent. Things like "more please" or "i want juice".
Sam's first meaningful phrase, seriously: I need BUTT PASTE.
You see, Sam has very sensitive skin. Any time we travel, he will end up with a "butt rash". On one of these particular occasions, I believe it was a trip to see Jess in Arkansas, she suggested Boudreaux Butt Paste. It has been a life saver, a miracle worker. Sam apparently agrees. After the first use of butt paste, he realized it made it better. So now, anytime he needs a diaper change, he will tell us, he needs butt paste! He'll even bring us a diaper, wipes, and the jar of Butt Paste (we buy it in the big canister now!); lay down and say "you give me butt paste".
So, while my other kids have given me fond memories of "i want juice", "i want daddy," and the like, Sam will go down in the books asking for butt paste!

What is it with my children and animals????

2008-07-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

I guess maybe we need to get a pet soon.

Kayleigh and I were out yesterday, I had just picked her up from playing at a friends. It is HOT, so we decide to swing through Sonic for happy hour. While there, the conversation turns to "tiger". Kayleigh begins to lament, tearfully even, how much she misses Tiger.
Who is tiger you may ask? Tiger, and his sibling Cookie, were two stray puppies who showed up at our doorstep a while back. They were rather cute, if you could overlook the mange. We put them in our back yard and fed them to protect them from a boy in the neighborhood. He was riding up and down the road, swinging a metal chain, staring at them like they had killed his mother. We felt certain, that left to the friendly kid on the bike, they'd be dead in a matter of minutes. He sort of reminded me of the kid Sid from toy story. Anyway, we had wanted to take them to the Humane Society, but they were closing (this was a Friday) and didn't take animals in on Monday. So, we'd have to have them either hang with us for the weekend, or set them free and hope the neighborhood animal torturer didn't find them. Even before we put them in the back yard, they had taken to our yard. Sleeping under our truck one night, and drinking water from puddles on our driveway.
We found a home for Cookie, but we took Tiger to the Humane Society on Tuesday. Ever since then, the kids, especially Kayleigh; have had moments of mourning for their beloved "Tiger". I even nearly lost a tear as we pulled out of the driveway of the shelter and Kayleigh had her nosed pressed to the window waving goodbye to this dirty, stray, dog. I am sure Tiger is now living it up in someone else's home, and hasn't given it another thought. He and Cookie were both so sweet and really lovely puppies. We checked the Humane Society website and he wasn't listed, so i have reassured the kids that he was adopted.
That has done nothing to lessen the guilt trip. While at sonic I was asked why we couldn't keep tiger, can we call and ask who adopted him so we can go visit him, do i think he remembers us, and on and on and on. We have finally told the kids that once we get situated, we'll consider getting a puppy.
Now, since one of the jobs Blake is considering is in Kentucky, Kayleigh has abandoned the notion of getting a puppy and now has her heart set on getting a horse. Ya know, everyone in Kentucky has horses, right?????????

And ya know what is bad about it, her father isn't discouraging it! He had a horse as a child and loved his horse. Where do you draw the line? I love animals and grew up with pets. It is rewarding, and loving, but also a commitment and expense. I think it is a good way to learn the cycle of life and all that, but seriously, I thought I was nearly done with my poop cleaning days! WHY would I want to start picking up after a dog or horse!!!!!!!???? I am thinking we should maybe cave and get a goldfish? Perhaps, then they'll see pets are boring, and only swim in circles? I am thinking that won't work, and that if it is between he dog and the horse, we better figure out what kind of dog we want.

Official Diagnosis: FMD ....Foot in Mout Disease

2008-07-02T20:36:00.000-07:00

I have a birth defect. I was born without a filter at my mouth. I am aware of this and try to tame it. I seem to be lacking that thing that makes normal people refrain from saying really stupid or inappropriate things.
This past sunday, I had a FEAST of Foot in Mouth. I mean, I think I nearly got to my knee. It was that bad!
This past month (june) was my month to conduct in our womens organization at church (Relief Society). Along with the task of teaching the first Sunday and conducting, we as a presidency decided, whoever was conducting would also "get" to go to the extra meetings (ward council, welfare, missionary correlation). After my performance on Sunday, we might just be rethinking that!
A little background....our ward mission leader is married to the Relief Society Secretary( we'll call her Betsy). They are former military. Nice family, five kids. She is very industrious.
Yours truly had the following conversation. We were discussing a inactive member who is coming back to activity and her husband (who is taking missionary discussions), and the ward mission leaders preference on her visiting teachers.
Below : WML is mission leader. DG is DUMB GINGER!!!!
WML: We really need to make sure Sister..........gets visiting teachers who will go.
DG: She isnt on our roll yet, so until we get her records we can't officially give her a visiting teacher.
WML: We are working on getting her records. She can't have VT till then?
DG: Not officially, though we are meeting on wednesday and will discuss her and find some.
WML: She really needs someone who will come, but not a "molly Mormon", not somone who would look down or make her feel imperfect.
DG: Ok.

Here we discuss a few names and why they would or wouldnt work.Other people are also inputting, but that isnt important.
Then, WML again states: We really need someone who doesnt have it all put together, not a molly mormon, but still someone who will go.
DG: Ok. I'll make note.
WML: How about Betsy (his wife, whose name has been changed to protect the innocent...), I think she would be good.

WITHOUT EVEN THINKING OR BATTING AN EYE!!! I OPEN MY MOUTH AND SAY:
I thought you didnt want a "Molly".

As soon as I finished speaking, I realized I was choking on my size 9 walmart wedge sandals. Cheap shoes DO NOT TASTE GOOD!

The room was trying to keep their composure. But the elders get to laughing, the assistant Ward Mission Leader is laughing, and I believe the poor pregnant sister sitting next to me was trying to act like it wasnt funny so she wouldnt have to go to the bathroom.

I did what only an expert foot eater would do, and made myself look and sound like a BIGGER idiot (if possible) !

WML has a blank look on his face. Either 1. he had never considered his wife a Molly type, or 2. He wasnt sure to be offended or proud! or 3. He didnt realize people saw his wife as a Molly.

I stumble all over myself saying stupid things such as...>Oh, well your wife is Molly in the good way, not in the condescending way. Finally, my brain kicks in and sends the SHUT UP NOW impulse to my mouth. The elders are still chuckling.
After the meeting is over, I go to WML and explain that I wasnt trying to be insulting, but that to a sister who is struggling and just trying to get back on the right path, she COULD be intimidated by Betsy and her admirable skills. I dont think he bought it. But evidently his wife thought it was funny.

I had to go home and warn the Relief Society Pres. what I had done, so if they were offended and I got in trouble, she'd have a heads up. She laughed, rather heartedly!

We just happened to have the Elders over for dinner that evening. I came home, forgetting all about my rather unfortunate contribution to the meeting. I hadn't thought to mention it to Blake. The Elders made sure to clue him in! They thought it was hilarious!

Gee.....thanks! Glad I could be an idiot and amuse you in the process!
Seriously though, the words flew out before the better part of my brain could say: THINK IT;DON'T SAY IT!

Good news is, I saw Betsy today and she brought it up, and seemed to think it was funny. She told me she sure hopes she is Molly and that is a worthy goal. I say....you go for it!

Vacation!

2008-06-28T21:31:00.000-07:00

We just returned from our tripacation. We had a great time. Blake had some interviews in Atlanta through the week, so we decided to get a cabin at the Army Recreation place on Lake Allatoona. It was great! My brother and his family live in the same town as where we were staying, so we got to spend a few days with them.

The kids all had fun, and were tired at the end of each day!

Blake's interviews went well, and hopefully I'll be posting more about that in the next week or two!

We swam, fished, went caving, went to Dave and Busters, the temple, bookstore, and so much more!

The kids all love the water, so this was just the perfect (and cheap!) thing for us to do!

Enjoy a few pictures and I'll be back tomorrow with another post.

Back from girls camp.....(no walmart bashing within.....it's safe jess)

2008-06-19T10:02:00.001-07:00

I have returned safely from girls camp. I can testify that those bunks are not created for a 31 year old, fat, out of shape woman to sleep on. I woke feeling like I had slept on poorly padded plywood.....oh, wait, I did.
Since I was only going up for one night, I did not feel the need to haul up a air mattress, but only used a self-inflating sleeping pad. BIG mistake. See, I get motion sick on air mattresses, so I thought I'd be ok for one night. WRONG. Every pressure point on my body is aching. Asking me WHY??????
Now, for those of you who may be getting ready to go to girls camp....here are a few cardinal rules of meal time for adult campers/leadership.
1. Don't be shy, the girls aren't. When they sound the meal horn. Throw down whatever you are doing, grab your mess kit and RUN! They may be small, but they will eat everything there before you can huff it up the hill. It took Yahnira and I two meals to learn this. (Yep, we're slow)
2. Don't try to be all polite and nice-nice cool leader. The girls either like you or they don't. Letting them go first just means, when you do finally get through the food line you will get a cold hot dog, chip crumbs, and find that they ran out of fruit......
3. Bring snacks....trust me on this one. Sometimes what is served just isn't that great. Our second meal we were working on creating a giant water slide down a hill with tarps, and no one came to tell us it was dinner. When we got there, we got the leftover packets. They made some kind of hobo dinner. There was chicken, penne or spaghetti noodles, salsa, onions and bell pepper. Interesting combination. But, all that was left when we got there were a few burnt packets. Nice. Luckily, this one turned out in our favor, as there were some packets that got cooked int he oven in the kitchen. They weren't perfect, but weren't burnt to a crisp. I guess there wasn't enough liquid to cook the noodles, as they were had as legos. They were all out of fruit and salad. So for dinner we got.....2 chicken tenderloins. Dessert was good (banana boats).
4. If, when at camp, you have the choice between hot dogs and "hamburger". Go with the dogs......ask Yahnira. A much better choice. If hamburgers appear as cardboard and hot dogs appear Ok. GO with the hot dog. There are of course exceptions to this rule, such as if they cooked those cheap pink hot dogs....or if the burgers look fantastic. But if both foods look sub-par. Go for the dog.

and finally 5. DO not, and I repeat, DO NOT decide to try the yoplait fiber yogurt for your breakfast, for the 3 days preceding girls camp. You will be eating lots of gas producing food, bending over ALOT, and doing other things that tend to move gas.
Seriously, Fiber is over-rated.

And, lastly, I'd like to make mention that while I was promised a bed in the a/c kitchen/craft room (CANDI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), being cast into the cabins turned out to be a HUGE blessing. The weather at camp had been absolutely fantastic! Highs in the mid 80's with a nice breeze. At night, we actually got chilly! Meanwhile, the septic was having a problem, and the inside sleeping quarters were smelling like......well, septic gases!

So, my hats off to all you who can make it a week! I had a blast! The food really was pretty good, and the staff worked hard at making the meals! The camp was really nice, the weather perfect, and the people lots of fun! If only I was a little smarter and took a better pad to sleep on, passed up the fiber yogurt, and learned what "mealtime" means!

Too good to be is never true!

2008-06-12T15:32:00.000-07:00

I am gullable. Yep, thats me. Tell me something, I'll believe it.
The kids had both broken their eyeglasses. No one seemed to be running any good deals, so we had planned to take them to Bham to America's Best. We have been SO busy, it just hasnt happened.
After Jonathon came back from Georgia with duct tape on his glasses, and his second pair missing an arm, and Kayleigh's only pair also missing an arm; we decided it was time to get out of the ghetto and get the kids some decent glasses.....again! (Jonathons are less than a year old...)
Jonathon has scout camp all week next week, and Kayleigh is walking around nearly legally blind, so today was the only day we could get them glasses. I call WalMart, they can see them. Great, Blake gets up to take them, as I am going to baby sit today, and frankly, I just didnt want to do the eyeglass thing. So Blake gets to Wal Mart and I get no less than FIVE phone calls to get the info I had written down and sent with them. THe WalMart Store numbers each pair of eyeglasses were purchased from, the date (or close enough) the exams were done, and each kids name and birthday.
WalMart tells us they cant fix Kayleigh's at all, and that they no longer carry her frames, so we cant even just have the perfectly good lenses put into new frames. Perfect.....
Jonathon's (whose glasses were bought in September) can be moved to a new frame, but it'll take at least a week. That pair was missing and arm, but had both lenses. So he'll get those in a week. Great. The other pair, the frame was somewhat intact, but a lense was missing from where the frame broke and the lens fell out. He was unable to find the lens (as it happened in a lake!!!!!) They say, we'll have to pay for the lens even though the frame (which is under warranty) broke, thus causing the lens to fall out and be lost....whatever. They aren't getting another dime from us, so Blake tells them to just replace the frames on the pair that is replaceable and we'll chalk the other one up to our stupidity for buying glasses at WalMart.
We have bought Kayleigh 2 pairs, and Jonathon 3 pairs, and EVERY pair has broken before a year was up! I know kids are rough on glasses, but not Kayleigh. Yet, both of her glasses have broken and just fallen apart.
Blake, dejected, frustrated, and WalMartified.....new word there....that simply means void of all tollerance and understanding after dealing with "friendly WalMart Associates", comes home. No new glasses. 2 Blind kids. Well, one blind, one blurry.
I decide to take it to the internets....Thanks Al Gore, this is a handy invention! I find a place in Montg. that has 2 pairs for 98 buck and change. Beauty of it is they say they'll be ready in an hour! Sounds great.....A little more expensive than America's Best 2 for 69. But by the time we drive to Bham and back twice (once for the exam and once to get them), we come out ahead doing the 2/98.
So we go. Like anything that seems too good to be true, it just can't be. They do Kayleigh's eye exam (which isnt included, I was quoted 55, but they need to dialate her eyes and that will be another 20) and they break the bad news to me.....Her eyes have gotten worse again. She is now nearly legally blind. Nice. And since her eyes are so bad, they included lenses won't work for her (DUH>.....saw this one coming) so we need to upgrade her glasses to the polycarbonate lens. Fine.....another 40 bucks. We pick her frames, and luckily the 2 pair she picked came from the proper grouping, so we are sitting right at 150 for her 2pairs. Not bad, but ofcourse, not the 98 and change they lured us in with. (And if we add on her eye exam.....)
So we go to pick Jonathon's glasses. All the kids frames look weirdly small on his 11 year old face. She prompts us to the "inbetween" glasses.The ones for teens. We look. He finds a cool pair of frameless glasses with magnetic sunglasses.....for only 169. Um...nope. Put them down, step away and go back to the cheap seats.
We finally find him 2 pairs in the right price range that dont make him look like the kid in Jerry Maguire. Then, she breaks it to me AGAIN. "he is a growing boy, boys are rough, I really wouldnt put him in the included lenses. It would be a better investment to put him in the polycarbonate lenses as well......"By this point I am wondering just WHO they would put in the included lenses???????A vegetable? My grandpa? Her vision is too bad, he is a growing boy......
So I relent, sure get him the polycarbs too.
Then we go for the sitting to measure their pupils and all that jazz. Would I like to buy scratch and loss protection for the lenses. It will only be 20 more PER PAIR. It would only be an additional 80 dollars. (Very friendly gal....she really was. But she must have thought my back yard grew money...) No thank you on the scratch and loss stuff.....they'll scratch them or loose them at some point even if I do pay for this. That is why they are getting 2 pairs! One for now, and one for when they ruin the first pair. Ok.
Would you be interested in UV protection? it is merely 15 per pair (another 60 bucks) but will protect my kids from the harmful damage of UV rays.....Nope, I'll pass. I'll just keep them locked up inside. It'll save me 60 bucks.
Would I be interested in joining.............NO>
Would I be interested in the cleaning kits.....free refill on solution.....NO.
When was my last eye exam, could they schedule me for an exam while I was there? NO.
I know it is their job, and that is where they make the money on the extras, but seriously, I thought they might try to sell me a Fairy to carry in my pocket and clean the glasses as needed.
Three hours, three hundred and something dollars later, I leave with 2 kids (one blind, one blurry......) and still no glasses. The one hour thing, yeah that was too good to be true too!
They would be ready today, but not for several hours, so we decided to come back and pick them up tomorrow.
I have to give them some credit though. As we were sitting for the fitting (oh no, do I feel a poem coming on......nah)we were joking about KK's ghetto glasses. (You know the ones WalMart said that couldn't be fixed!)Our supersales girl said, let me look at them. Took them into the back, and brought them out with a rigged-up arm. She felt bad for kayleigh. Said "as bad as her eyes are, she needs her glasses!" I said, WalMart said they couldn't be fixed....She smiled and said "WalMart lied, they wanted you to buy all new glasses" Which we did, just not at WalMart! So her ghetto glasses are now....well they are still ghetto. They have 2 different arms, but they stay on her face without he walking around with her head sideways.
Just so ya know.....WalMart still gets plenty of my money, but this week they have gone above and beyond their normal stupidity to try to convince me to quit spending my money there. I still have to share the tire story, but I'll wait till I am a little less irritated. Who knows when that will be???? :)

Still kickin'

2008-06-11T14:00:00.000-07:00

Summer is keeping us busy! We've had lots going on, and I just haven't made the time to sit and type another long boring post.
I know you all are disappointed, but you'll just have to console yourselves with some pictures......

Soon, I'll have to vent about my trip(s) to WalMart to have my flat tire repaired. I promise, when I am done with that, you'll wish I was still being quiet!
Blue tongues are all the rage in Alabama!
Andrew loved the game Bryce got for his birthday! You would've

thought it was Drew's by his reaction!

The birthday boy!

Nearly everything he got was Indiana Jones, and he couldn't have been happier!

Sweet little Sam! Why are his cheeks so pink?????Oh, that would be Fifths Disease. By the time it was over, he looked pitiful from head to toe, but still was happy as a clam!

Blue lips and teeth! I wasn't thinking of the food coloring when I bought Bryce's cake. It was RED icing in the center and blue ribbons on the edge. They all had discolored mouths for a while, and had lots of fun showing their funky lips and tongues.

Importance of Teaching Water Safety.....Ginger Style!

2008-06-06T13:04:00.001-07:00

We all know that swimming is a fun pastime, but can also be extremely dangerous. In our climate, you HAVE to swim during the summer, unless you just want to melt away. I am often intimidated at the thought of taking all five kids to swim.

Last summer, we "invested" in a Sidewinder falls for our kids to enjoy in the safety of our backyard. Living on base (at the time) we couldn't exactly put in a back yard pool. This summer, we have already spent many days enjoying the slide and pool at the bottom.

I have instructed the children on water safety, taking turns, using sunscreen, and all the other important summer rules. Andrew, always the obedient one, took the rules to a WHOLE new level.

Six inches of water and every time we go out, he puts on one of the zip up, flotation swimsuits.

We also discussed how to safely climb the slide......he chose the piggy-back method.

Unfortunately, he does not pay NEAR as much attention to the directions I give about how to clean his room, eating, not picking his nose, lifting the toilet seat, and a million other things!
At the very least we've got water and climbing safety down!

An unemployed husband, five kids, a Kirby vacuum salesman, and 2 Mormon missionaries!

2008-06-01T19:20:00.000-07:00

I have this great inability to say NO! I could go on about that, but just knowing that simple fact is enough for now.
Last Sunday, I came home from church and told Blake we'd be feeding the Missionaries on Saturday, the 31st. I wrote it down when I signed up. Saturday by mid-day, we hadn't heard from the missionaries, so I decided to call them. I know sometimes 19-21 year old boys can be less than responsible, so I would call to remind them and set the time. The poor Elder was so confused by my call, as he said they had no dinner sign-ups for the evening, that I had actually signed up for June 5th. Oops....error on my end....well, ya know, sometimes 31 year old women are less than responsible, but are rather forgetful!
You all know I am a bit of an airhead at times, so I told them we had planned to feed them, and since they didn't have anyone sign-up, why didn't they come on and have dinner at five. They were grateful for the meal, but would need a ride. No problem. We actually got a second set of Elders in the ward, so they split the old pair and each got a new companion. Blake was to pick up 2 of the elders at 430. (This all happens around noon)
About 330, the doorbell rings. Kayleigh gets the door for me, as I am elbow deep in raw ground chuck. (WinnDixie had it on an awesome sale, so I bought like 20 pounds to freeze) I go to the door, and it is a salesman. A pair actually. They are offering a to clean one room of carpet for free. I knew there was a catch, but i also knew I was planning to have the living room carpet cleaned, and it it meant telling a vacuum salesman no.....ok. Plus, there is that HUGE problem I have of saying NO. I tell them the only problem is we are having company over for dinner at 5pm, and they must be done by then. They assure me it takes about 15-25 minutes, they'd be done long before then. FAMOUS LAST WORDS.
A few minutes after 4pm, the doorbell rings again. This time it is the guy with the vacuum. Kirby to be exact. Our guy, Jimmy, comes in and proceeds to put together this Buzz Lighyear Spaceship looking vacuum. Extolling its virtues, and assures me it does everything but cook. (Which by the way, I am doing as he is doing his presentation. I am trying not to be rude, but was very clear with the first two who came to the door, I was not interested in the presentation, just the free shampoo. They said no prob. as they get 25 bucks for each presentation they do, even if we don't buy) So Jimmy does his best to impress us. Showing us just how dirty our house is. The old....when did you last vacuum...um today dude, did you not hear me say we are having dinner guests in like 35 minutes????? So he vacuums....shows me the dirty paper. great....gross...move on. He asks if he can see the nearest bedroom. Um...at your own risk. I have five kids, none of which have the best room keeping skills. So he proceeds to vacuum Kayleigh's mattress. Yep, dust, mattress gunk....Can you shampoo my carpet yet.....
He is doing his spill...are you impressed with what this vacuum is doing? Sure, whatever. What vacuum do you own. Dyson Animal. I am very happy with it. Jimmy the salesman: Even after seeing how much it did not pick up? Yep! Sure am. Paid for is always better. I can live with a little dust.
He finally gets to the shampoo demonstration. FINALLY. I am by now trying to still act somewhat attentive, but am more concerned with the Beef Stroganoff I was cooking. By the way, we are now 40 minutes into the 15-25 minutes presentation. He starts with the....if we can make this affordable for you, would you keep it.
Blake had left right after he got here, he returned....with the missionaries. He takes them into the front room, as Jimmy is in the middle of shampooing the carpet they said would be "done and dry by the time your guests arrive." Phone rings...it is my friend who is having a family crisis, and not one of those things I can say...Can I call you back? So I am in the kitchen, stirring food, Blake is in the front room trying to explain to the missionaries why a man in a suit is shampooing our carpet, and Jimmy (the vacuum salesman) is somewhat shampooing the carpet. At no point in this did Jimmy feel the need to hurry it up. Blake asks me what he can do to help, so I mouth to him...Get rid of the carpet man. He laughs. HE LAUGHS!!!!!
I get off the phone, Jimmy is now done, putting the vacuum back into the boxes. I think by this point he realized he was taking it back with him. But, bless his heart, he tried. He does all sorts of fuzzy math, and even offers me a dollar for my Dyson!!!! Asks what it would take for me to buy his spaceship vacuum.
To which I reply, well, I guess my husband would have to have a job.
Jimmy, pauses and said, your husband doesn't have a job.
Me, smiling, as cheerful as I can manage: Nope, he doesn't have a job.
Jimmy: so where do you work.
Me, still smiling and cheerful: Oh, i don't work. I stay home with the kids.
Jimmy: You have five kids and neither of you have a job?
Me: YEP! (still smiling)
Jimmy (having just realized for certain that he wasted his time and had NO HOPE of selling this vacuum): So, if you could put down, say 42 dollars a day, and pay like 25 dollars a month, would you trade in your dyson and buy the vacuum today.
Me: nope...you'd have to get my husband to say yes, and that will never happen.

I go back to the kitchen and stir dinner, and mouth to Blake....HELP ME.
Finally, he and the missionaries enter the living room. If anything can clear a room, it should be this, right? Sell the vacuum salesman religion! DUDE DOESN'T BUDGE!!

He tries to get Blake to buy. AIN'T HAPPENING! The kids have decided they like Jimmy, the Kirby Dude. And they REALLY like the BuzzLightyear vacuum. Bryce asks if Jimmy is going to eat dinner with us. I laugh and say, No, he's getting ready to leave. I am sure he can't wait to get out of here. To which he replies, he is enjoying it. Ugh....
Before Jimmy leaves, we learn he is one of 2 children. His mom came from a family of 10 (5 boys/5girls). He have been doing this for about a year. Goes to a Baptist church, not southern Baptist, just plain ol' Baptist. He works 7 days a week, about 9-12 hours a day.
He is cordial with the Missionaries, asks them why they are here and what they do. But nothing beyond that.
Finally, Jimmy decides he has truly overstayed his welcome, and bids us farewell. But not without trying once more to sell us this vacuum. Kudos to Jimmy for trying, not getting offended that I listened to about one out of every 5 words he said, graciously weathering the onslaught of 2 eager LDS Missionaries (one of whom was a REAL greenie! TWO days out of the MTC!), and then finding out that the people he just spent an hour and 15 minutes (oops, I mean "15-25") doing a sales presentation for have no job, five kids, and what was that????Oh yeah, NO JOB! He truly was dumbfounded that we would have 5 kids, no job (either of us) and still be smiling.
Maybe, just maybe, the next time he meets the missionaries, he'll remember the crazy sales pitch he had with a family in rural Alabama with 5 kids, no jobs, and a set of LDS missionaries and invite them in for a while!

A moment to brag....

2008-05-25T11:33:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, as a Mom, it is so hard to watch our children grow up. Part of that is it just makes you feel so darn old! The other part, for me anyway, is knowing what is coming up next for them. Seeing them still so young, good, and relatively pure is such a blessing. Teenage years scare me! I think of myself as having been a pretty good, mild teenager, and the thought of my kids as teens even acting like me makes me want to have them cryogenic-ly frozen and thawed out on their arranged wedding days, or the day the boys are to enter the MTC. Since that isn't going to happen, I just have to fortify myself to be able to watch them go through the process of growing-up.

So far, our kids have made us very proud. While they have moments of selfishness, poor judgement, and of just being plain stupid; the majority of the time, they are very loving, kind, selfless and giving children.
Yesterday was one of those days that makes me think that perhaps it just might not be as bad as I am dreading. Kayleigh made a decision that impressed us all!

Kayleigh has been growing her hair since last year. Lately, it has gotten harder and harder for her to care for on her own. It had gotten so long she couldn't brush the back without help. And washing and drying it was difficult too. We have been talking for a while of getting it cut. She did not want to go short, as she likes having long hair. She agreed to get it cut to her shoulders.

Yesterday was the big day to get her hair cut. I mentioned to her yesterday that there was a program called Locks of Love, that takes hair and makes wigs for kids who are sick and have lost their hair. She thought about it for a minute and said she wanted to give her hair to Locks of Love. I told her that she'd have to get it cut WAY shorter than she was intending. She said she didn't want it cut that short.

A few minutes later, she came and asked how short she'd have to get it cut. We got out a ruler and measured 12 inches up from the bottom. It was going to be SHORT. Right at her hair line. For a minutes, she wasnt going to do it. I am not sure why, but then she came in and said she wanted to cut it all the way and save the pony tail for Locks of Love.

We went to get the cut....There is a place by WalMart that Blake has gone to several times, and the boys have gone too. I took her there, and signed in. The lady came to get us, and I explained we needed her hair washed and dried before cutting, as she wanted to donate her hair to Locks of Love. There were about 5 stylists and a couple customers in at the time, and everybody kind of stopped to listen to find out what was going on. They stylist explained that they would have to cut her hair REALLY short. She (the stylist) was concerned Kayleigh would be upset with such a drastic change.Kayleigh smiled, and quietly told her she knew and that she wanted to do it. The stylists were all very encouraging and told her what a great thing she was doing. One stylist told her she had a lady who was growing her hair for Locks of Love and got to where she couldnt stand it anymore and came and got her hair cut at 9 1/2 inches! She was ALMOST there! They did the cut. It was hard watching them saw through that big, thick, ponytail. It almost felt like she was suddenly growing up before my eyes! I know it grows back, but just seeing how proud she was of herself, knowing how hard the decision was for her.....and to see her follow through!

The cut was over, the new "do" unveiled, and she LOVED it!

She had played with her new hairdo over and over! Parted it this way and that, flipped it, curled it, twisted it.......She said it makes her feel grown up, and I have to agree. I see her turning into a young lady, right before my eyes, and one that makes me proud!

I am the mother of a graduate....

2008-05-19T05:37:00.000-07:00

I am the mom of a graduate! :)

And I still look so young! :) Ok, maybe not....dang those brows need some wax! Love the nasal upshot....thanks Bryce..... But, yes, my nose is really that big!

Ok, so it is only kindergarten! But hey, 3 down 2 to go! Then I am home alone, all day! (assuming the husband has a job by then!)

It does seem like just yesterday Bryce was born. He was such a quiet, sleepy, sweet baby.....for the first week. Then it all changed....until he was about 15 months old he was the crankiest, clingiest, fussiest baby! I felt horrible when we found out he had food allergies, and evidently had not felt well for oh....15 months! Changing his diet and treating his allergies made a world of difference, (thank goodness to because when he was 14 months old, Drew was born!) and he is now one of the funniest, happiest, most "spirited" and creative children!

Bryce and his teacher!

The kids performed, of course, after the PTA meeting. I hate that trick. The gym was packed floor to ceiling with over-proud parents, grumpy old grandparents, and siblings running amok. They sang, we sweated (it was like 100 degrees in there.) Then we went to their rooms to do their "graduations" in each classroom. Here he is with his great teacher! Hopefully Drew has her next year! Bryce has come so far and learned SO much this year! The transformation in kindergarten is always so fun to watch! Becoming a reader is such a neat thing to watch! He isnt quite the book worm that his siblings are....yet! He'd rather be outside being a total BOY!
The school year is finally ending, and now I get to have all five home with me! Woo hoo!!! Iam so looking forward to summer!

Things the Mom of Boys should know....

2008-05-15T18:15:00.000-07:00

I think I need to be put into a remedial mothering class. There are certain things any mother should know. Then there are certain things a mother of boys should certainly know. Some of these things you want to learn from others experience, not your own. (one would be wiping that "chocolate" smudge off with your bare hands thinking it is pudding, only to realize pudding DOES NOT ever smell like that!)

I also have a perpetual problem with the word YES. I can't seem to stop saying it. And I have a heck of a time saying NO. For instance.....playgroup was to be at a park this week. Logically, that is where 12+ toddlers should gather. When asked if my house could be the back up in the event of rain I said......YES!

Problem 1. What was I thinking??? The school year is winding down and I have something going on literally everyday! 2. I just hosted playgroup not to long ago....change is good. 3. My house was a bit out of sorts, and by that I mean messy as all imagination. So, i had to clean the kitchen floors, de-toy the living room, clean the hardwood floors in the entry and dining room, make sure the hall bathroom was clean (vs. boyified....and moms of boys KNOW what that means....little puddles of pee), and clean the boys room. OH MY HECK! What did they do in there? It looked like Toys'R'Us vomitted in their closet and into the bedroom floor. And what's that....oh, that is clean? laundry mixed in with toys of every kind! It was the literal noah's ark of toys and laundry!
Now, mind you, I was already in a somewhat (very) bad mood. I get in there knee deep, garbage bag in hand, attitude on my shoulder. The boys had been banished to go bug their dad, and Iwas on a mission. This place was going to sparkle and shine.....or at the very least prove that we had carpet and not fisher-price flooring. I get to work....sorting blocks into this container, legos into that one, star wars men, nerf guns, balls.....and on and on!
Now, one part of me was pleased with the progress i was making. Another part of me was getting madder by the minute. All the laundry I had done.....none of it seemed to make it to those cool regtangular contraptions on tracks that are meant to hold clean, folded, laundry (we call them drawers...). Why? If they can bring them as far as the room, can they not dump them in a drawer instead of the closet floor?
I start refolding the clothes....habit, as I know they will stay folded about 5 seconds. Then I notice there are some dirty clothes mixed in.....this is where it's gonna get fun! The things Andrew wears, shirt wise, I can spot as "used". He wipes his mouth on his right shoulder. So there was food on the shoulders of the shirts. Pants/shorts were a little harder, had to look for signs of wear...dirty knees, food...etc. Now mom is getting mad.....
The smart woman in me sees a pair of underwear. By all appearances, they look clean. No "pudding marks", no signs of pee. They must be clean. So, I decide to sniff them. YES I DID> Can you say DUMB DUMB DUMB?
Now, another thing a mom should know is that deep whiffs are NOT needed. Boys are courteous enough to make sure you can tell from about a 2 foot distance if the offending article has an odor. I guess I somehow missed that clue. Because, I leaned into said Fruit of the Looms and took a DEEP inhaling whiff. Why I continued to inhale after the first hint of putrid air hit my nostrils, I don't know. But I got a good, deep lung, nose assaulting whiff. And now mom was REALLY mad. But this time at myself. Cardinal rule number one of motherhood is DON'T SNIFF underwear! I mean hello? Am I really THAT Stupid....the answer to that fine question is Yes! Yes, I am!
I have learned a valuable lesson. Any underwear found in the closet floor WILL BE ASSUMED TO BE SOILED WITH URINE! Just not worth the risk!
Now, I wont even go into WHY? were urine soaked (and dried) underwear left in the closet floor. In fact, I didn't even asked. I figured the answer was as good as dumb as me sniffing them. Sometimes, you just get what you deserve!

Inventive Frugality

2008-05-12T07:28:00.000-07:00

Andrew was needing some new shoes. Since the economy is so bad right now, we are trying to reserve every penny we can. The fact is, he is only four and will need many more pairs of shoes before he moves out of our house.

I think we found a solution that will work. The result offers great toe protection. They may not prove to be the best in rainy weather, so I may have to work on another solution, but for now.....

Andrew's New Shoes!!!

So, do you think it will catch on?????Are these the new crocs?

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!

2008-05-11T15:53:00.000-07:00

I have spent the day being pampered by my kids! Their father is training them well! He got up at about 7am yesterday (Saturday) and took all five shopping! My parents were up for a visit, so mom, dad, and I got up around 9 and headed to the commissary! Blake took the kids to do the prep-work and shopping for mother's day.

This morning Grandma and I were treated to homemade waffles, eggs, juice, and milk. At church, we were served caked and punch. The guys headed home with the kids as soon as church was over. I had to help Relief Society clean up (though I didn't....I abandoned my duties! Sorry Pam!). Mom and I got back to the house, and they already had the food nearly done! For lunch we had grilled steak (was very good!), green beans, corn, and hot rolls. For dessert, we got to choose from a variety cheesecake! Also VERY good!

We ate while watching 27 Dresses. The kids did an excellent job keeping our glasses full, and making sure all our needs were being met! We were truly spoiled! What great kids I have!

After dinner came the gifts! The kids gave us both handmade cards, some with seed packets tucked in a little pocket. I guess I'll be trying to grow some flowers! We gave mom (grandma) her very own webkinz! Now she can log on and play with the kids over the net! The kids picked her a Collie, and named her.......Lassie! Go figure. The kids are super excited they can mail and chat with grandma on Webkinz now. We also gave her 2 games for her Wii! Ofcourse we tested them out before they headed home! She got Big Brain Academy, and Game Party. We tried Game Party and it was fun. I SUCKED at everything I tried....SkillBall on the Wii is NOT the same as in the arcade.

The kids (and Blake) totally spoiled me! I got my own wireless guitar to xbox 360! Now I can really Rock it like a Star! hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!That is just too funnY! THough I did complete Roxanne on Expert! I even got 3 stars! (yeah, I know it is easy!) They also got me a great gift certificate to the new Spa in town. I get a haircut, pedi, mani, and a 60 minute hot stone massage. Not sure how I feel about the massage........I dont like people touching me, plus, I am not on the skinny side of heavy! :P There is a lot of me to massage! Plus I usually laugh anytime someone rubs on me....so this could make for a very interesting time at the spa! Boy do I need the mani/pedi though!

So a great mother's day! The gifts are great, and I know I'll enjoy them. The real beauty and blessings of the day come from my kids! We have really been blessed with such wonderful kids! Not a day goes by that I don't think how blessed we are, and look forward with wonder to what lies ahead! In a few short months, Jonathon will get the priesthood, and in a year and a half, KK will go into young womens! Drew will start school this year!.....They are growing up so quickly right before my eyes! Sometimes I feel like I am in the movie, CLICK, and things are flying by and I just can't get the time back! I am really feeling grateful to have such a wonderful husband and fantastic children, not to mention the wonderful mother and father I was blessed to have!

I have blog block.....

2008-05-03T19:52:00.000-07:00

I have started about 4 or 5 entries and shelved them all. I guess I have blog block.

I am neck high in field trip forms, teacher appreciation sheets, and end of year stuff for three kids! By the time evening rolls around, my brain is little better than bland mashed potatoes.

One exciting thing has happened in our home recently. Sam has crossed the threshold from baby and toddler into full-blown miniature boy! How is that you say? He is only two, is he not? Certainly he isn't to boyhood yet! Oh, but he is! My proof.....that child cannot hear a "poof" (that is how he says poot) without belly laughing. He thinks farts (did I just use the F-word!) are the funniest thing! Unfortunately for us, Jonathon tries to make him laugh, and our noses are being assaulted in some rather unthinkable ways. It is like a hurricane of putrid air rushing your nose! I certainly hope this amusement is a passing one.....or rather one that stops passing? Oh, and who knew 11 year old boys could do that on demand??????????

Why do my posts seem to always make their way to body functions????? Oh, I have four boys....that's right!

A funny little story....Sam has a very sensitive bum. We learned that there is one product that works well for him. In some ways, it has been a miracle cream for him. The only problem....the products name! So what is it already?????

http://www.buttpaste.com/BLButtPaste.php

Now here is why the name presents a problem. Sam has learned to say "butt paste" (and he has learned to say his own version of Andrew). Anytime he needs a diaper change, he will bring you a diaper, wipes, and butt paste. Shortly after Sam started saying "butt paste" and asking for it anytime he had a stinky. He loves his butt paste. It makes him feel better when he has (as we so crudely call it) BUTT RASH. One day not too long ago I was cleaning the kitchen floor (and NO this inst fiction!:P i do actually clean sometimes!). The tile gets VERY slick when wet. Just as I was warning Drew to be careful, he slipped and fell and bumped the back of his head on the floor. He was crying and saying he was hurt. I immediately went to him and was comforting Andrew when Sam walks up. As serious as he could be, Samuel looks at Andrew. Tilts his head off to the side, obviously concerned about Andrew's head. I am rubbing it and kissing his head where it hit the floor.

With all the sincerity of a two year old who LOVES his big brother, Sam says to Andrew: "DooDoo, you need Butt paste?" I about died laughing! The fact that Sam calls Andrew DOO DOO just makes it all the more funny! He just wanted to make him better, and he knew that in his world, butt paste made him feel better! Through my tears of laughter, I had to explain to Sam that while that was sweet he wanted to offer his paste to "Doo-Doo (that is how he says Andrew!)", that it wouldnt help his head feel better. Sam just couldnt believe it. Butt paste makes everything better in his world! He said, "No, you get butt paste, feel better."

If only life were as easy to fix as putting something on it called "butt paste!"

When will this mommy learn?

2008-04-28T19:43:00.001-07:00

Evidently, I am a slow learner.....

Yes, that is Sam. Yes, that is paint. Yes, there was furniture and carpet involved. Yes, Sam is still living! :) Actually, he didnt even get in trouble, as who was the dumbie that left it where a 2 year old with a pretty long rap sheet could reach it....................?

The good news. It cleaned up easily! The carpet is fine, the furniture is back to white. The shirt is ruined, but Sam cleaned up fine too.....for about 5 minutes! THen he was on to the next mess.

And he knows that word...MESS!

Lazy....yep, thats me!

2008-04-27T18:52:00.000-07:00

I think I have realized that I do have goals and ambition in life....and that is to sleep in everyday and do as little as possible once I am up. LAZY. Sadly, like most other things I set out to accomplish, I am failing miserably at the said goals above. I guess being a mom to five kidlets 11 and under doesn't allow much time for me to devote to my "ambitious" goals.
So, instead, I get up at the butt-crack of dawn.Change diapers, make lunches, sign papers, clean, cook, clean some more, feed the boys, etc. All things that are counter-productive to reaching my goals. By the time the evening comes and I have the kids fed one last time for the day and in bed, I finish cleaning whatever mess they've left for me, and rededicate myself to reaching my goals tomorrow. I sure hope, one of these days, I am successful!

Seriously, Blake and I have discussed many times ways to make our family run more smoothly. Treating it like a business (his idea). Deal with it as it comes (my way of thinking). One thing we DO agree on in setting goals. I have always been a procrastinator and a starter (seldom finisher). So, I am trying to get better, and my first step is to make goals. Since I have done that now, I think I'll spend the better part of the week trying to reach those goals. Blake will be so proud I have finally listened to his advice! Think he'll be disappointed in the goals I set ? :)

If only!!!!!!! Hey,maybe tomorrow, if I don't think it is too productive, I'll post the next project I have done. Something I actually completed!

Obviously I am just messing around, though I would love for those to be real goals, my house would implode in a matter of minutes!

Next project

2008-04-14T15:38:00.001-07:00

I have been trying to get little projects done every day. In the event we have to sell our house, I am trying to get it looking staged, but still living in it. (With five kids....yeah....ok) Mostly, I just want it to look how I enjoy it. So....Kayleigh's room has been my project of late. Her room is easy. Only one occupant. She is pretty easy to please, and knows what she wants. I may not agree with it, but it's her room. I still want her to have pink and princesses, and bows and pig tails.......

Instead, we have dots, and browns, and greens! Which is cute too! Though she did tell me next time she wants pinks and purples! YEAH!!!!

So, She needed a side table. The Rubbermaid's were screaming....well, they were just saying they didn't belong!

Her furniture is white. So I set out to find a side table I could paint. No luck! I was at WalMart and passed by those little 19 inch decorator tables and thought what the heck! So, 6 bucks later....she has a side table. I bought a cheap round white cloth to top it. Her curtains in her room are actually a shower curtain from Linens N Things. I bought two back when we started her room. So, I cut a 25 inch square for the topper. (in hindsight, I wish I had cut it a good bit larger so I would have draped more....you'll see what i mean) I may find some cute lime green or turquoise solid to cut a larger one to lay under the polka-dotted one.

So here are the action pics....(try to contain your excitement!)

Here is the little table before I began torturing it.

(and yes, I am aware the tablecloth needs to meet the iron. Not gonna happen! Sorry)

Next I cut the square of fabric from the shower curtain material. I used Singer NoSew double sided tape to create the hems as I did not feel like sewing. I probably could have even left the sides raw,but this gives it a nicer finished look.

Once all four sides were completed,

I began attaching the beaded fringe with Fabri-tac Adhesive.

Let it dry, and here is the finished project!

I have a lime green oversized alarm clock I am going to replace the inside to match her room. It was a freebie I picked up at playgroups swap table. So look for that project in the next while.

I'm definitely no Martha Stewart! Maybe oneday, if I can get her to have it clean long enough, I'll have to take a picture of the whole thing......

It could happen?

The Artist Strikes again!!!!!!!!

2008-04-05T09:37:00.001-07:00

Two posts in one day....can it be?????

Yes, so my apologies to the victims!

If you'll recall a few weeks ago, I posted about the major art project that little Sam decided to undertake while I was cooking! (that'll teach me!) I am happy to report, the wall is now marker free. The trim work is mostly marker free. I just need to spot paint over where the magic eraser wasn't so magic. The couch, well, i flipped the cushions over, and the rest we are just pretending isn't there! (did i mention the couch is barely 18months old!....newer than the toddler that drew on it!) Thank goodness it is dark fabric and not really noticeable.

Well, it seems the infant artist has struck again. This time using washable markers (thank goodness), and his canvas this time:

Doesn't he look so sad that he got caught?????

Here, take a closer look......

Yep, he sure is upset. You know what I wonder? Why is it when I am looking for something to write with, ANYTHING...pen, pencil, marker....they are nowhere to be found? But, when I leave Sam alone for oh, five seconds, he finds a plethora of marking utensils to choose from?

I got locked out!

2008-04-05T09:06:00.000-07:00

So, i haven't posted in a while because I couldn't get logged in! It said my password was incorrect, which I knew it wasn't.....so not sure what happened there!

A LOT has been going on around here. First, I spent a good amount of time getting the house ready to show. We had planned to put it on the market the 1st of April. Some friends knew someone who was moving here in May, and told them about the house, so I had to get it ready earlier for a preview. That went well, they liked the house, but bought something closer in. Turns out that is fine, as....we aren't moving. Not yet anyway.... only time (and a job) will tell.

Oh, yeah, by the way, Blake resigned from his job at Aldi on the 1st of April. When I saw the email in my inbox, I thought for SURE it was an April fools joke. No joke. He did it! And it has been amazing! He sounds So much more alive and happy. Like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders. He still has great respect for Aldi and the people he worked with, but it just wasn't the right job for him (or our family, most importantly). So, we are back on the job hunt.......:) Any ideas?????

Luckily for you readers, there are no poop or puke stories to be had this posting! I'll refrain from bodily functions for a while (on the blog anyway). A big Congrats to my friend, Nicole, who had a beautiful baby girl yesterday! I am always a bit jealous now when a friend has a baby, as my birthin' days are over! Though, that is also cause for GREAT celebration! Bryce will sometimes ask if that is a baby in my tummy! Nice. *note to self....if your kid thinks you look pregnant, it is time to hit the gym or something other than Ben and Jerry's! (though I LOVE Phish Food!) Oh well!

Here is something I passed time with while i was locked out of my blogger.....

Project: Saving the Ottoman from the Trash

This is the lovely Target Pleather Storage Ottoman I purchased less than a year ago. Here is a hint to all you other moms with 4 boys, one with great talent for poking holes in fine pleather. BYPASS IT! Or, if you do choose to buy it, just get it over with and grab a pencil and poke away.

I couldn't toss it since there was little wrong with it other than its innards coming out and holes through the pleather. So......

I removed the top from the hinges. Pulled back the dust lining on the bottom, and positioned it on the fabric where i wanted it. (I found a nice curtain panel on clearance at WalMart that matches some of the other fabrics I have bought for the house) I started stapling the fabric right over the pleather and under the dust lining.

Here is what it looked like when it was all stapled up. I attached the hinges back, and put it on the ottoman. It isn't fabulous, but it is a lot better than the beat up pleather look we had going on.

Hopefully, I can get another year or so of use out of it before the boys have totally destroyed it!
Tomorrow, I'll post how I made a valance for my dining area using a table runner, fabric glue, trim, and Velcro! Aren't you excited!

Not liking my odds....

2008-03-18T08:49:00.000-07:00

WARNING>THIS POST IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART! IF PUKE BUGS YOU<>

<---Pukey Mc Pukester

So, Friday night, I wake at 1 am to hear a cough. That cough, was shortly followed by the sounds of my four year old's stomach turning inside out. Lovely. Fresh sheets, Isle 4! Oh, i forgot to mention, he was sleeping with Kayleigh. She starts to stir as I am getting him out of the bed and cleaned up. I warn her, DO NOT ROLL OVER! Of course, she rolls over to find out why. DUH. Luckily, she misses the good stuff. BARELY!
I got the kid, bed, and trail of last nights dinner (across the carpet) cleaned up. Laundry running. I had kayleigh get in bed with me. Too tired to make her bed. I put drew on a towel covered couch with a bowl and went back to bed. Then my mommy guilt kicked in. I couldn't leave that sweet little puker out on the couch by himself. So, I gathered my kid, towels, and bowl and made him a lovely terry-cloth bed on the floor by my bathroom door. He fell asleep and woke up feeling fine. Hmm.....ok. Maybe it was a fluke?

Life goes on.....we're planning for company this weekend. Blake is flying home. Mom and Dad are coming up! There is going to be some massive Spade playing. We all know the women will soundly defeat the guys!(ok,so I am talking out my butt.....but we MIGHT win one game?)

My friend, Suzanna, was supposed to come over today and help me start staging the house. I had just emailed her about the time while I was watching TV. I decided I was ready for bed. I checked KK, drew, Sam, and was just turning off the living room lights when I hear......MOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!! Hmm....wonder what Jonathon wants. I turn the corner into the kitchen. Yell up: Jonathon, what do you need?
"He's PUUUUUUUUKKKINNNNGGGGGG in his bed! MOOOOOOMMMM!!!!!!!!!!"

GREAT......I has just gotten about caught up on all the laundry i have been neglecting.I had even gone up before bedtime and changed Bry's bed, and put his nice new comforter on his bed. I head upstairs to see how bad the damage is. OH MY HOLY FREAKING BUTTER BEAN! WHAT THE HECK DID THAT KID EAT??????????????? AND HOW MUCH??????? So...now we have Clean up on Isle 3!

Oh, and by the way, I HATE vomit? I'd clean poop 24/7 if I got to bypass the upchuck-wagon. Give me the craps for a week vs. one vomit. When the kids were little, I would RUN, kid you not! Blake used to get sooooooo mad at me! I just couldn't stand the sound, sight, smell, thought.....I've gotten to where I at least don't RUN>I stand and examine the scene. There is NO WAY to clean that. I mean really, it was like a vomit bomb went off. And Bryce is freaking out..and asking...How am I going to get out of bed without touching it???????

Ok, now that made this queasy mommy laugh! Honey, it is all over you from head to toe. Don't worry about touching it, You OWN it! So, we strip him naked in the bed, and Jonathon takes him down to put him in the tub. I get the LOVELY task of restoring the room to a safe zone.

Now, there are a few things I'd like to point out that help in cleaning these types of situations.
1. And this is my first and most favorite tip. GARBAGE BAGS ARE YOUR FRIEND> If it isnt a family heirloom or something brand new or special, really consider if you'll miss it if you just wad the whole vomit-soaked linen ball into a "GLAD"bag and say Adios! Unfortunately for me, the linens were BRAND NEW! Just bought them to go with his new bed. So no GLAD to the rescue. Guess I will go to tip number two....

2. It is helpful at this point if you are able to become Inspector Gadget and stretch your arms beyond imagination, as to avoid getting too up-close and personal with last nights dinner (and snack, and WHEN did we have CORN????)

3. Floral scented Lysol does NOTHING to mask the smell. Ok, so that isn't really a tip. More of a fact. Sprayed the stairway and room like crazy, then it just smelled like vomitty flowers.

4. It doesnt go away if you ignore it, so go ahead and get to cleaning. Oh, and now is not the time to realize that pukey mc pukester came and stole your drink last night. (yeah, the one you reclaimed....DUMMY!) Maybe I should take up drinking....then the kids couldn't have my drinks :) Think the Bishop will go for that one.....it is for my health right?

5. Always wash the stuff twice. ALWAYS. And because I am so grossed out by the puke, I still hold the clean linens like they are toxic waste from Chernobyl. (yeah, I'm a freak....but anyone who knows me, isn't surprised.)

6. Before putting the new fresh linens in the dryer, shake loose any "solid" matter that may still be hanging out. I typically wipe out the inside of the washer with a bleach rag, and pick up the souvenirs. (five kids gets you lots of practice at this, ya know). I know that is probably overkill since the two times they were washed were hot/bleach water, but again, one can never go too far.

7. WIPE out the laundry basket that carried the "fresh" bedding down. Nothing like putting on a new shirt and going...hmm smells like puke.

8. Now, this has nothing to do with the puke that just occurred, but it is a VERY helpful hint for the days ahead. GO, right now, and clean your kitchen. Vacuum what ever needs vacuuming. Make a clear path to all bathrooms. (don't bother cleaning the bathroom yet!). Look around and make sure any chores you have scheduled for the next few days are either now done, or can be put off until YOU are over the stomach flu. Then look at the clock and plan to worship the Porcelain shrine in approx 24-48 hours.

Ok, so I am a little dramatic, but ask anyone who resided within the walls of the home I grew up in, and they'll tell you I DO NOT LIKE PUKE. When someone would get sick, I would avoid getting close to them, but I'd have to ask the obvious....did you just throw up? Are you sick? Do you think it is the stomach flu or something else? Do you think you're going to throw up again? And if they looked even remotely green, I HAD to ask.....are you about to throw up? (I was seriously paranoid about getting the stomach flu) I still have flashbacks of being on the bottom bunk and seeing a wave of vomit shower down towards me. Oh, the good times......(body functions seem to be the post-de-jour this week, sorry). I was the family puker on vacations....back of the station wagon, riding backwards, and mountain roads DID NOT mesh well with my digestive tract. Panama City, I believe it was a Days Inn, was probably NEVER the same after I got sick there. Though mom took one for the team when we went to the Grand Canyon.....can anyone say "Kaopeptate????It's the Diarrhea Especialist!" We tortured my mother relentlessly quoting that stupid commercial. She took it much better than I would today. She was green as could be, and we couldn't stop! "We LOVE coming to America....HOTDOGS.>>CHILI>>>>Kaopeptate!" Nothing like love at home! (or in a pop-up camper, as luck would have it!) Who says campground toilets aren't fun?????

I can never stay on topic, though I would assume anyone who has made it this far, would prefer that I got off topic.....WHY???am I blogging about puke? Oh, yeah....my life....

So, after the mess was all cleared, and the bio-hazard team left......I got Bry out of the tub. He curled up in his towel on the couch butt naked (the thought did occur, I sure hope this is only a topside event....as he was passing gas). I made him a nice terry-cloth bed on the floor, complete with LARGE bowl. Put on some veggie tales, as he was WIDE awake. Jonathon decided to take the couch since his room smelled like the FTD Florist of Vomit. About 20minutes into Silly Songs with Larry, Drew bee-bops into the room. "Hi Guys! What you doing?" Takes a seat in the chair and curls up. I asked him if he knew it was still night-night, and he said, "Yup, but I want to watch Veggie tales." I didn't care. He doesn't go to school, and I knew he'd fall back asleep fairly quickly. About 20 minutes later, out walks Kayleigh. "WHy is everyone in the living room? Is it time to get ready for school?" At this point it is 1 am (is that like the magic hour?). i told her she could either go back to bed, or grab a pillow and some blankets and make a spot on the floor. I figured no one would be going to school with all the noise and being up. So the older 4 kids camped out in the living room, while poor Bryce wretched to Larry the Cucumber. Sing with me: Memories....light the corner of my mind.....stinky, putrid, puking memories......of the way we were......Scattered Remnants...of the meal we had last night...>Meals we had with one another.....Alright, I'll stop! :) just couldn't help it.

I put a third movie on for the kids, told them I was sorry, but I HAD to go to bed. Told them to turn of the TV when it was over. I turned out the lights and woke up at 6 am to Sam standing by my bed asking what he asks every morning "mom, where daddy?"

Bryce seems a-OK today, just like Drew did. Two down.....three to go (four if you count me!)

Off to do some more preemptive cleaning. Hope I still have some friends left....I really must be pretty weird to blog about puke!

Took a little break

2008-03-16T12:58:00.001-07:00

Life has been so crazy...updating the blog has been the last thing on my mind! This weekend, it feels like I was finally able to get something productive done. Laundry was a big goal....always is! I guess with six people in the house, it is always going to be! Some days Sam still goes through two outfits! So we have lots of clean laundry, i got rid of a lot of junk, and some other things that needed attention were taken care of!(i got to sleep in!) woohoo!

I have some exciting news to share.....I may be getting a new couch. Ok...so it wasnt so exciting. Actually, it is quite frustrating. Let me have a Sophia moment (that is a Golden Girls reference, by the way) Pictureit ....Prattville...2008.....I have had Sam practically attached to me since the day the child was cut from my womb. Should've known he was going to be a problem from the start! Had to be different...anyway....In my usual manner of "oh-crap-i'm-late-ya'll-tend-to-the-baby-while-i-rush-like-the-cray-person-i-am", I was busy in the kitchen putting the final touches on the frozen meals for my quickly approaching meal group swap. We had decided to go to Mom and Dads last minute, and we got back in just enough time for me to throw the meals in a basket, and quickly print the instructions. As I am walking across the kitchen, passing by the junk drawer, which is open???, I close it and think, "Hmm, haven't seen Sam for a while?" Now, while I would normally go and investigate, I was just grateful that he wasnt underfoot, and I was able to scamper around the kitchen. (TRAGIC ERROR!!!!!!-hints to moms of 2 year olds....if you notice they arent RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE>>>>>>>GO FIND THEM! AND QUICKLY! )

Now, I know, he looks sweet and innocent enough, right????WRONG

That grin is hiding the secrets only he knows....

I put the last meal in the basket, and yell to the kids....grab your shoes and lets head out. I ask Jonathon to get Sam to the car. He disappears to the living room. I hear a sincere....oh my goodness sam. Curious, but not curious enough, I wait for Jonathon to come to the kitchen.

And he does..."Mom, you have GOT to come see this." Me, thinking Sam had emptied the wipes again, or spread the lincoln logs across the universe again, said "What is it?" Still hurrying about the kitchen, and getting my shoes on, finding my keys..... He said, "No really Mom, you HAVE to come see this. You wont believe it." Now THAT got my curiousity up......I have four boys, it takes a good bit for something to be unbelievable to me....I mean, come on....I have had to go retrieve my child from the mens bathroom at the BX after he POOPED in the URINAL! (go bryce!), another (my non-boy child) decided rocks belong in the nose and tried to give me a coronary when her nose starts GUSHING blood as I am driving on the freeway in UTah, then there was the time Bryce decided to shake his goods in the glass door infront of the neighborhood (Sorry Kristine, i know you still are traumatized.), we also have your standard pooping in the tub, outside the tent. We have A LOT of poop stories (and NO this is not one..>THANK GOODNESS!-though at least i could've cleaned it up). Once we were at the neighborhood park (in Missouri) and Bry had to poop BAD> I told him to run ahead, as I had to collect Drew and Sam from the baby swing, and well, fat ladies just don't run as a general rule. I had Jonathon follow him home to let him in and do paperwork if he finished his assignment before I arrived. So, i pull the stroller into the yard, and learn Bry couldn't make it in, so he dropped drawers RIGHT IN THE FRONT YARD! And POOPED. Ahhhhh.....high class! I HOPE no one saw! I was laughing so hard I couldn't be mad. Anyway, not sure how this got to be about poop......so it takes a lot to surprise me. (Seriously, I am sitting here watching Andrew fit into a popcorn bowl in the living room, he might have a future as a contortionist!)Back to the story....k....Jonathon wont even give me a clue as to what is up. I said, "well, just tell me if everyone is ok." He kind of thought for a second then said, "well, yeah, but you aren't going to be happy." Now remember, we are in hyper-mode. Supposed to be somewhere in 15minutes (and it is a 20 minute drive!). I go into the living room and stop dead in my tracks. Yup, I shocked. Hindsight is beating the crap out of me.....should've checked on Sam. Should've wondered why the junk drawer was opened, should've put things i don't want Sam to get further back in junk drawer. Ok....so Sam, in his infinite 2 year old wisdom, decided I REALLY needed some decoration on the wall behind the couch.

I have been going back and forth over what I want to do there. Well, he had JUST the plan. 1 black sharpie and a two year old with 5 minutes alone in the living room. Oh, but Picasso didn't just create a masterpiece on my beige, builder's flat, wall paint. No, he decided that our plain couch needed a little pattern. ON EVERY CUSHION. He got the seats, the backs, both arms and one side. I like my couch. It is only 16 months old. As I examine the couch, out of the corner of my eye, I see the doorway to the hall. The little turd (that would be Sam) colored on both sides, and on one wall in the hall. He also colored on one of my throw pillows.

Great. Lovely. Now, normally my reaction would be something along the lines of "$&(&%#()^*!*$($ or perhaps *$!!)#(%&^&$(!!+$, and if that weren't it I can guarantee you I would've said at least :what the *$#($)!. But,luckily for Sam, I didn't have time to be mad. Instead, I said, is that permanent marker? The kids said :yep. I said, well nothing we can do about it now. Let's go.

And out the door we went. Lucky kid didn't even get reprimanded, other than, Sam, that's bad. And he smiled, pointed to himself, and said, ME! In fact, any time he hears me talk about his art he smiles, points to himself and says ME!

If this ever happens to you: ACETONE nail polish remover will get it off the wall, but it will take some of the paint with it. So, be prepared to do a little touch up if you take off too much paint. The magic eraser only lightened the stain, and smeared it some. So save yourself some time and go for the polish remover. The couch will not budge. Nothing is getting it out. We bought a fabric warranty, so I am hoping they will cover it. If not, I guess I am getting a new couch!

So, lesson of the day....if your 2 year old isn't bugging you, find out why! Oh, and hide the permanent markers if we are coming over...Sam is quite the artist!

Why did I have to be productive today?

2008-02-23T11:01:00.000-08:00

Saturdays are a treasure. The one day a week I can sleep in. Sadly, it never happens. Today was no exception. I find I staying up too late, and getting up too early. I intend to go to bed on time, but I lay there and cant fall asleep. Last night, I went to bed way earlier than I usually do, like 10:15. I fell asleep pretty quickly. Then I woke up 11:45. Then at 12:30 Bryce came down needing to pee and crying that his ear is hurting. So bathroom, Motrin, and a big hug and kiss. I have him sleep on the couch so I can hear if he is crying more. He sleeps, no problem. At 545, Sam walks into my bedroom with his Diego cup, and says, "mom, more. Diego more." Up I am....only this time I don't bother getting back in bed. No need.
The Relief Society Presidency has been tasked to prepare breakfast for about 100 LDS relief workers coming to help clean up the devastated areas in Prattville today. We decided to make breakfast burritos since we could make them at home, wrap them in foil and just pass them out. So, I start the task of breaking open 90 eggs. Cooking 5 packages of bacon. I got smart with the bacon. When i went to the store I bought the precooked since it comes out to costing the same per slice. You have to compare the price per slice not pound. I HATE the smell of a house that bacon has been cooked in. It lingers for SOOOOOOOOO long, I just gag. So, the bacon all goes in the oven to be warmed. I am scrambling 2 skillets of eggs at a time, and heating the tortilla shells. I start right around 600 with the cooking, and finished making my 80 burritos at 719. Not too bad! Comes right out to about 1 burrito per minute.
I am supposed to be at the church at 730.......gonna be late.No big surprise there. I have Jonathon change Sam's diaper so I can take him with me. I load the cooler into the van, put Sam in his car seat, and we're off. When I get to the church, they already have some of the tables set up outside to serve from, but it i s cold and windy. Inside, we decide since they are going to be working outside all day, and since we are also feeding them hash-browned potatoes and fruit, we'll move it inside so the can sit and eat. There were already tables and chairs up from last nights adult activity, intended for use at the Blue and Gold Banquet tonight. People slowly start trickling in. It seems like we may not hit our 100 people mark. We have probably made WAY too much food. We were offering people like 3burritos. More people showed up as the CERT (Certified Emergency Response Team) guy was doing his "briefing" (really, shouldn't these things be called something more appropriate and true....like "mind wasting long narrative about stuff you already know, but i am going to tell you (twice) anyway and inject some personal stories about my daughter-in-law's mom and dog" or "30 minute lecture to tell you not to do stupid stuff, and don't eat the stuff in the fridges you'll find....it's rotten") I did think it was interesting that they didn't want anyone to take pictures, though he did clarify that and say that you didn't take pictures of people, or anything identifying.Really though, they are there to help, not be photographers. I was impressed at the number of youth from our stake who showed up to help, young men and young women.
After breakfast, the "briefing", and getting everyone registered; the city sent two school buses to transport them from the church to their assigned zone in the disaster area. The organization of it all is very impressive. Color-coded armbands to let police and residents know you belong there. It is gridded out and assigned to different aide groups. They were expecting between 1000-3000 volunteers today! Amazing how people can come together like that!
After all the people were taken to the site, we cleaned up. Of the 240 burritos,20 pounds of potatoes, and 2 treys of cut up oranges, grapes, and apples; we had about 16 burritos, NO potatoes, and a handful of grapes and 4 orange slices left. In the beginning,we were afraid we had made too much, but as people trickled in, it all got eaten!
Sam and I headed home.He was ready to go. In fact, he kept saying :mommy, go. I found he had put about 3 graped down his pajamas, maybe for a snack? Crazy kid! Blake called as I was driving home, so i got to talk to him for a while. he was on his way to work.They have been having lots of snow, icy rain. The whole drive home, i was dreading returning to the mess I had left behind. Do you know how a kitchen looks after cooking 90 eggs, 5 pkgs of bacon, and using a 3lb bag of shredded cheese???????????Yeah, not good! Kayleigh had already started cleaning the kitchen when I got home, so it wasn't too bad.
Sam went down for his nap, and I thought, oh, I can finally rest! Get a nap. NOPE! Dang phone! It was good though. A friend, and one of the girls I visit teach, has had her baby in the hospital. She was calling to say things were looking better and he may get to go home tomorrow!
So, here I am at 1:45, thinking maybe now I can get a little nap. However, I have too much laundry to do,and a few kids fighting over a chair. Oh well, maybe I'll get my Sunday nap?hahahah....yeah, right.

Weathering the Storms....

2008-02-19T22:35:00.000-08:00

Not sure what I want to call this one yet? I have been thinking a lot the past few days. Being separated as we are can be difficult, and it becomes easy to get bogged down and looking at the negative. Why are things working out this way? Why this, why that? Why am I having to take care of five sick kids, alone, again? Didn't we just do this?????? Then one little thing happens that snaps your world back in line, and gives you perspective.

Tonight I took dinner to a friend who lost her home and many of her possessions to the tornado on Sunday. She and her family are now staying with her mother. Thankful to be alive, and unharmed. She is holding up amazingly well. I drove by what used to be her house, and the magnitude of what she and her children lived through was almost too much. As a mother you see yourself there, in that moment. Suddenly, for her kids, home went from being a safe haven to this whirling mine field. How do you give that back to your nine year old? When the wind blows and he asks if that is the tornado? How do you teach him to enjoy the breeze again? How do you make home your refuge again, your place of safety? It is amazing the things that suddenly didn't matter. Talking with her, and hearing her recount the longest few minutes of her life, made me realize how fragile it is. She said she heard the noises and looked out her front window in time to see her mailbox being sucked out of the ground and into the debris cloud. She ran, and picked up the baby off the couch and headed to the bathroom, where luckily, her other son had just finished washing his hands. She said before she could get all the way in, the roof was lifted off, and they could see the sky. As quickly as it started, it was over. But so much had changed in just those few seconds. Her home now stood without any windows, and no roof. Much damage to the structure, and her van was also a loss. Neighbors came to make sure they were ok. A man had to help her get her son out,as he was barefoot and there was glass everywhere. Her dog was under some drywall. Cat unseen.(both animals are alive....dog has dislocated rear hip, cat is fine)

In those minutes, what is important becomes abundantly clear. It isn't the plasma tv that now is the resting place of a roof support beam. Or the home furnishings, car, or even home. It is the family who live in it. The memories that no storm can destroy. Taking dinner was such a small thing, meaningless really, but it gave me so much.

Dealing with the kids, the illnesses, the fighting. Worrying about our house...will it sell, can we find a renter if it doesn't? It doesn't matter. My children are not a chore, but a blessing.

I have been blessed with an amazing family. My kids teach me and give me so much everyday. My eleven year old sets the example for me in many ways. He loves to read his scriptures. He listens to primary music as he goes to bed. He also helps me tend to the younger children without complaint (mostly). My daughter is the most beautiful girl in the world, inside and out. She is so nurturing and patient (mostly!). She is very tenderhearted.
Bryce is amazing me in how much he is learning. He has always been inquisitive. He likes to impress us with things he learns and especially things he figures out on his own. He cracks me up with his choice of words sometimes. He too loves to play with the baby. In fact, he keeps telling me when Sam turns two, we wont have a baby anymore, and we should always have a baby.
Drew is growing up right in front of my eyes. I can't believe how big he is. And he always has a smile across his face. He too likes to be a big helper. He loves to hang around with his big sister. Sam is into everything, and learning new words everyday. It is so adorable to hear him string together words. When he gets hungry he will tell me: eat, plate or bite. Often he has no clue what he wants, and by the time we figure it out, he has moved on to something else.
Each of my children are so special. Each of them are a unique piece of our family. Together we all make one cohesive unit. It doesn't matter where our house is, what things we have surrounding us. What matters is that we love one another. That we take home with us, wherever we are. That everyday, we try a little harder and do a little more to make sure we can withstand the storms that come our way.

While some may face a tornado, we may face our storms in a different way. No matter the method, the outcome is the same....we must weather the storm, and come out whole. The value we need to teach our kids is directly related to their value as a Child of God, and a member of an eternal family. Not the value of goods and things, that when exposed to the elements and the storm are worthless. I hope I come out of our storm with a fresh perspective. That I am learning more each day about me, my strengths, my children, and how I can better parent to my children. How I can strengthen my marriage and be a better wife. So no matter how the storm rages, when the winds calm, and the dust settles, my family will still be safe and strong.

It's raining, it's pouring.......the old man is snoring...

2008-02-17T14:20:00.000-08:00

Ok, he's sleeping, but not snoring! He hates it if I ever say he snores, and truthfully, right now he is not snoring. We picked Dad up from the airport last night. The flight was delayed about 35 minutes. We got a heads up once we were on the road, so we just detoured by McD's to get Jonathon second dinner. (You know in Lord of the Rings, the Hobbits have second breakfast? well, my kid has second breakfast, lunch and dinner these days! How am I going to afford to feed him when he is a teenager???????) So, that killed 20 minutes. Never knew it would take so long to get 2 hamburgers, 2 sprites (which they were out of sprite!), an M&M mcflurry (my weakness), and a small order of fries. We get to the airport, and only have to circle the terminals once, and there he is.
It was so good to see him. Two weeks felt like forever................heck this past week felt like forever. I think by now Bryce was zonked. He had his head back, mouth open, drool flowing....He was OUT. Sam was nodding off, then waking. So he got to see daddy, and was pretty excited. Drew was awake. He was watching Curious George on the tv. Sam LOVES curious George, so if he gets fussy in the car, we pop it in. I think it goes back to last year when we would visit mom and dad's house while Blake was in the Stan. He was sick (go figure) and Uncle Chris would sing Jack Johnson to him. Very soothing. So now, he loves Curious George. I think I'll have to find him the soundtrack to it. Jon and Kay are awake, of course. Luckily, he had no bags! In he gets, and off we go! Doing great making good time coming home. We stopped and switched places around Jemison, my eyes were playing tricks on me, and it was making him nervous. I told him I hadn't taken any cold medicine in the last 6 hours so I was fully "functional" to drive. Don't think that mattered much. I was still coughing, watery eyes.....maybe i needed the cold meds.

We get home, and all the kids go straight to bed. They were tired. Bryce woke enough to say hi to dad. Sam decided to have a coughing fit and puke on dad! Welcome home sweetie! Nothing says I love you like purple benadryl puke on your lap (and on my slipcovers on the new wingback chairs!) We did a breathing treatment on him, got him cleaned up, and he was ready for bed.

We knew we weren't even going to attempt church today with Sam still ill. The flu is still running rampant, as well as other fun things, so we slept in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO YOU KNOW HOW NICE THAT IS???????????? I had kind of forgotten! Aaaahhhhhhh.........joy! We finally get up when Sam decided to give me back the YooHoo's he had just slurped down. (mental note....NO MILK products to a phlegmmy baby!) Poor Sam. He asked for a bath. No problem kid!

Today has been VERY lazy. I am sitting here now, on the far corner of my bed (the part that didn't get sam-sprayed) looking out the window. It is raining, and I can see the storms rolling in on the hills about 5 miles away. It is so cool to watch the rain approaching. The cows are out there....Bryce asked if they were going to get wet. There is a set of baby calves chasing each other. So cute. Sam was just looking for cows this morning. He'll be glad when he wakes up that they are out there again. I love the view from my bed. If I could, I would stay here all day; and ya know. I am working on that right now. Only wish the sheets were finished drying.

We had some severe weather come through. Our front yard looked like a lake. I'll have to download the pics later. The rain was nice to listen to though.

So far we are having all the necessary ingredients of a good visit: puke, rain, and kids fighting! Woo hoo! Good times! I am very sad that in about 24 hours I put him back on a plane. It will be a month before we are able to see each other this next time. SUCKS. And you know what sucks worse, is it is our choice! Why am I not packing up and moving right this minute. I slept better last night than I have in weeks. I have this thing I do....I put my foot on him when we sleep. I have since we got married.
As newlyweds, I was a bed hog. Now, he would still argue that I am a bed hog, I just say I cant stand to see unused bed-space. So, when we were newly married, I would drape my leg over him. He couldn't stand it. I slept just fine. I'd have my arm and leg draped on him and sleep away. Over time, it evolved to just my lower leg on him, then just my foot, and now, I just have to touch him with my foot. It is kind of like a comfort blanket. It lets me know he is there. I guess my foot found its home last night, because I remember putting my foot on him and waking up this morning still touching him. I have been tossing and turning so much the last few nights, as I coughed and hacked and struggled to breathe. Last night, i didn't. I just slept. I am sure it was a combination of sheer exhaustion, feeling better, and the comfort of being together again. he must not have slept as well though, as he has been a sleepy head today. Granted, he only got 4 1/2 hours sleep on Friday night. He closed Thursday, then went in at 6 on Friday so he could leave to make his flight. Poor thing!
Not sure what our plans are for tomorrow. I'd love to sleep in :). I think we are going to take the kids to see Spiderwick if Sam is better.
I know we are going to finally move the dining room table back in from the garage! YEAH!!!! I think i has turned out pretty good! I may still lobby for a new one once we move, but for now this will work. It has made me want to paint some other furniture that is getting rough looking. We'll see. Once we move the buffet the tv is on now is going to serve as a ....wait for it.....BUFFET!!!!! So, I want to paint it antique black to match the dining room table. I have to get new handles for it. I got it in Downtown Knob Noster at a resale shop that was open for a few months for like 40 bucks. It is solid wood. Has great shape, but has seen better days as far as its finish goes. I just think it will look fantastic black. It is on my project list. But I think rehabbing my night stands is up next! I also want to find a nice chest of drawers for the master. Ours are so crappy. i still have the rest of the boys furniture to put together. FUN! I think that will have to wait a bit longer. Still lacking in the energy department!
Seems I need to move from my perch and go fire up some dinner! I think I am going to cook one of the meals from this months exchange! I just LOVE doing this meal group! So nice to have a yummy dinner at hand.
So, tomorrow, i get my garage back! YEAH!!!!!

The New Man of the House

2008-02-16T08:15:00.000-08:00

Before the fun started!

Oye.........two posts in one day, but this one is worth it...ok maybe not, but I'm posting anyway.

First, I think this crazy spread of flu is a government conspiracy to boost the economy. You think I'm kidding? Let me show you my wal-mart receipts for the past week. Between the six of us, I have spent over $20 bucks on Mucinex alone. Motrin....another $20. Tylenol...about $6 (to piggy-back with the Motrin for high fevers). Long Lasting Night Time Cough and Cold Medicine(for the older than 6 flu stricken kids)....$8. Vicks Vapor Rub....$4. Soothing Vapors Refills for Sam's room.....$5. Psudephed (from behind the counter, of course.) after getting my security clearance, they sold it to me for a grand total of.......$3.00 DayQuil (the only thing that helped me function) $6. Saline Nasal Spray...$2. Toilet paper to replace the many rolls we used as ghetto kleenex......$7.50. Real bonafide Kleenex with aloe (our noses are so red, guess Cottonelle Ultra isn't as gentle on the nose as on the bum)...$4. Chewable benadryl....$4. I am sure there is more too! but I think you get the picture. On medicine and nose care items alone, I have spend well over hundred bucks this week. Everyone I know has someone in their family experiencing the same joys of winter we are.....so consumer spending is going to be WAY up this month. On pharmaceuticals at least. You could go as far to say that they sold us the flu shot first, telling us it would keep us from getting the flu. Only to find out they had purposefully engineered it to miss the flu strains going around. Now we are spending money on all the OTC fixes. Paying co-pays to go to the dr. to find out exactly what we knew.....we have the flu. LOTS of money to be made from sick people. But, I dont want to get too Mel Gibson, Conspiracy Theory on you. Must be all the cold medicine talking...... for clarification...i am totally kidding here....:)

Speaking of talking. That brings me to my second item of little interest. The phone. Now any of you who know me, know I love the phone. I can put that thing to good use! I've never met a portable phone battery I couldn't outlast. Chatty doesn't quite describe me. My husband HATES to talk on the phone, and I LOVE to! If i get bored...ya know in all my spare time....i pick up the phone and talk while i sit on the cough consuming bon-bons......Oh wait....that must be the cold meds again. So the phone and I are somewhat constant companions. But this week, my poor 500mhz friend has been neglected. Left on the cradle, feeling cold and unloved. It stares at me from across the room, longing to be dialed. But, instead, I lay in bed or on the couch, blowing my nose for what seems like the 3000th time of the day.

The following is what happens when I DO have to use the phone. I may have neglected to mention that one side effect of this lovely flu I have been enjoying. I sound like a man. Really, no question about it. As I have answered the phone this week, I have gotten this...over and over....:

ME: in a deep, manly, raspy voice; "Hello?"

Random poor caller on other end: "um, is ginger there?"

Now, I KNOW what is going through their minds.....WHY is a man answering Ginger's phone? Good thing people don't gossip!

Me: "this is she" said in my nicest man-voice.

Random caller: "Wow, are you sick?"

ok, now where is jeff foxworthy when you need him? (isn't he the one that says....here's your sign?)

Me: Trying to hide my annoyance at having yet again explain that I have not undergone some radical surgery or gotten a job answering an adult phone line, but that I have the flu. "Yep,I'm sick. Got the flu. Lost my voice....."

And the conversations usually go from there. However, I got one last night that is priceless.....

phone rings....

Me:" Hello"

Callers: (in chorus) "Happy Birthday to you....Happy Birthday to you....:

Me: (realizing instantly that it isnt my birthday) "Um, it's not my birthday"

Callers: Happy Birthday dear.....

ME: ITS NOT MY BIRTHDAY

Callers: Sure it is

ME: NO really its not.

Callers: Well then, whose birthday is it?

Me: Blake's, and he doesn't live here anymore!

Callers: Well then who is this????????????

Me: (remember, I have not felt well in 5 days, have been taking care of 5 sick kids. So it took everything in my being not to be smart aleck) It's Ginger, of course.

Callers........LONG silence. "well you sound sick."

DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me: Yep, I've got the flu.

I am SO ready to be over this and not sound like a man anymore. Oh, and baby! Happy Birthday! I can't wait till you are here tonight to give you a big, wet kiss! (hope you have had your flu shot!)

Time flies when your having........fun?

2008-02-15T22:05:00.001-08:00

I am sitting in my bed, laptop to my side, watching the time on the clock pass. What a fun thing to do! In a little less than 24 hours we get to go to the airport and pick Dad up to spend the weekend together. It has been two weeks since we went to Nashville. The kids miss him terribly, as do I. This week we had an excellent distraction, and by that I mean........we had the FLU! Fun times....not really. I have gone through countless bottles of Motrin, night-time cough and cold meds. for the older two, benadryl, mucinex, tissues, etc. All the lovely cold and flu necessities. Our diet has consisted of fresh fruit, yogurt, popsicles, ice cream bars, chips, little Debbie's, soup, and fast food. I know, I am definitely not going to be getting Mother of the Year.But hey, they ate it.... No one had an appetite. Coughing violently kind of kills it for you.

It all started on Sunday. The second Sunday of every month is my meal exchange. We all meet at my friend Candi's house to swap, gab, and eat. Seeing how I am now, essentially, a single mom; I took my kid-lets with me this time. I was hoping it would be quick this time....but no. I can never get lucky. After we left, I noticed when we got home Bryce's cheeks looked flushed. They had been running around and playing in Candi's screened in porch, so I thought nothing of it.

Monday morning I wake up to 4 sick kids. Fevers, headaches, just plain feeling bad. SO....they all stayed home and were miserable. The week just went downhill from there.

The short of it is.....we all got it. The aches, fevers, cough. SNOT to the max.
Finally, after suffering all week. I got a blessing last night. A good friend of ours from back in our old college days has recently been called into the bishopric. His wife called me yesterday for some random reason. When some strange man (um nope, that's me!) answered the phone, she figured out i was sick....really sick. So Gregg and another brother came over. I have felt much better today. I felt good enough to almost feel guilty about being lazy and just snuggling with my two littlest babies in bed! I was a bit annoyed though, one of them drooled on my new pillow shams. That's ok...they also gave me hugs and kisses, so i can deal with drool.

Sam has been cranky with his flu....the tub has been a lifesaver! If I have needed a babysitter for him, I just ask him if he wants a bath. I then task one of the older kids to stand guard at the tub and make sure he doesn't hurt himself. This gives me 5-10 minutes to do a load of laundry or dishes, or throw some food together. I think he has had 20 baths this week.

In spite of feeling like crud, I have enjoyed having my kids home this week. It was kind of nice spending time doing nothing, curled up under covers. Sam isn't much of a cuddler, so I take it any time I can. Drew has gotten so big and grown up, I have little opportunity to hold him. He has wanted to be held this week a lot. My bed has become grand central station of fevers, boogies, tissue, and lots of hugging. It was very rare this week not to find a kid curled up asleep on my bed. Hopefully, we are almost over this, and can get the house reassembled.
Good news is the furniture i ordered for the boys got delivered. I got the boys beds assembled, but the rest will have to wait till I have energy.

Hey Folks! It's Monday!

2008-01-24T19:20:00.001-08:00

We survived our first two weeks solo......Of course Mr. Murphy had to pay us a visit....flashbacks of last winter......ugh. :P Thankfully, it wasn't nearly as bad! Bryce had a fever for 3 days, and has had a lovely cough and runny nose. He has been kind and would have made Mrs. Baxley (his kindergarten teacher) so proud! He shared, and with everyone! So one by one, they all got the hacking, wet cough; the green double barrel runny nose! (Don't you want a kiss??????? Nothing like a wet, snotty kiss!) Headaches, sore throats......really it was a party you didn't want to miss! We have been running the cool mist humidifiers, putting the vicks on nice and thick, and have bought stock in Benedryl. It seems like we are mostly better. A few lingering boogey noses and residual coughs. This weekend was a fun one! We got a condo in Nashville (Wyndham Resort) through Hotwire. We wanted to make sure we had at least a one bedroom, so the kids had their own sleeping space and we could stay up later. We actually got a better rate at the condo than at Residence Inn, where we normally like to stay. We left when the kids got home on friday. Blake left about 6 our time. We each had a 4 hour drive, not too bad! We got there about two hours ahead of him. That was perfect. I was able to have the kids help me unload, and make up their beds. Their "room" was the living room. I put KK, Bry, and Drew on the sleeper sofa, and Jonathon and Sam slept on the Floor. (yeah, i know...gross. ) They weren't ON the floor. Jonathon made a bed from the couch cushions and Sambo had a stack of blankets. They were comfy. IF they weren't they didn't complain, only slept!
We got up Saturday, but only because we had to. I could have slept all day, i think. I even bribed Sam with a breakfast in bed, consisting of Smarties and Chewy Sweetarts (now don't nominate me for Mother of the Year at once!). It worked for about 45 minutes, but candy can only keep a baby happy so long! So, out of the bed we roll. Get the whole gang dressed, and we take them to Shoney's for breakfast. Did the buffet, so everyone got something they liked. (Except Sam, no candy on the buffet). We had a really nice grandmotherly-type waitress. With a big family, you either get the crotchety old hags, or the really nice ones. Luckily, we got the nice one this time. Though, i did notice they took us all the way to the back corner table in the sunroom area of the restaurant. Anticipating trouble, I guess. I was glad, meant there were fewer folks for us to annoy. The kids behaved really well, and we ate and were out of there in no time!
Next stop....Opryland Hotel. Our sweet waitress told us we HAD to go walk through it. Our resort was only like 1/4 mile from it, and the shoneys was right across the street, so we figured we'd check it out. The waitress even told us how to park at the mall and walk over vs. paying 12 bucks to park in the hotels parking lot! It was pretty cool! We kind of did it in fast speed though, as things like that, though beautiful, don't keep the attention of an 11. 10, 5, 4, and 1 year old very long. (Not to mention their dad....he was a good sport, but I could tell it was painful for him!)

After that, we went over to Opry Mills Mall. I like that mall. Lots of great stores....I kept asking the kids if they wanted to go to Bass Pro Shops. We took them to one in Springfield, Missouri. They liked it ok, but have never wanted to go back to one. When you ask, they just groan............... So, we take them to this place called Sting Ray Reef (it is part of the Aquarium Restaurant). They got to see stingrays up close! I didnt get pictures, but Blake fed them! He said you could feel their mouth on your hand. Too freaky for me! THe kids rode the carousel. After that we walked, looked at a shoe store, a stop in Old Navy and Gap, then to Rain Forrest Cafe for lunch. Yummy! We stuffed ourselves. Had an appetizer courtesy of the Wyndham Resort, some delicious Strawberry Banana Drinks in glasses that flashed. It was pretty cool, but was missing the cliff divers that the Mayan in Salt Lake City has. After dinner we waddled down to Dave and Busters! We used to go to D&B with our friends, the Phelps, back in San Antonio. So much fun! We had a blast (the kids and the parental units). Sam was getting tired, so we decided to head back to the room.

After nap, we suited up and headed to the pool. You expect and indoor pool to be warm and welcoming. Not this one. It felt like the polar bear plunge. We didnt stay there near as long as I had thought we would. Bryce's lips were turning blue from the cold, and he said he was getting a headache, so we bailed. Back to the room, ordered Pizza and watched TV!

Sunday, we went to church in a little branch. They swarmed us when we got there......fresh meat! They are used to visitors though, and were very welcoming. We only stayed for sacrament, but it was a very nice testimony meeting. We both had long drives home, so we said our good-byes after lunch. The kids and I got home in 4 hours...no stopping! Woo hooo! Though it rained from nashville to clanton! now we are getting adjusted again to being home without dad. Sam still gets up in the bed every morning and asks" Where Daddy go?" We have four months, then we will be together as a family again, and I can't wait!

four days, over a thousand miles, and not enough sleep!

2008-01-22T05:41:00.000-08:00

Well, we did it. We rented a small pull behind U-haul. That in and of itself isn't really that impressive. Actually, none of it is impressive, kind of depressing actually. We picked it up Thursday am, and by one oclock it was loaded with all the things a guy needs to make a temporary home:

Loveseat- check

Card table to act as a dinette- check

four folding metal chairs to compliment table- check

mattress- check

computer- duh! check

folding table to act as desk- check

armoire- check

tv- check

xbox 360-duh! check

dvd player- check

towels, sheets, blankets, pillows, etc.- check

Ok...i won't go on.....well not with that at least. We get the uhaul loaded. The house cleaned. And we wait for the kids to come home. I don't think the little boys understood what was going on. Drew asked why he couldn't take all his toys with him. I think he thought we were all moving.

The big kids get home from school, and off we go! We get to around Bowling Green, Kentucky before we stop for the night. Next morning, up and at them! Oh, and did I mention it is COLD...not chilly, not brisk....but COLD! We get in the truck and head on the road. We stopped at a McDonalds near Mammoth Caves to get some "breakfast". (Have I ever mentioned that I HATE McD's breakfast food?) I would have loved to have gone to the caves, but we had places to go, people to see.....on we go! Blake drove the entire way, as he didn't trust me to drive pulling the U-haul. I can't say I blame him. We did notice on this trip a LARGE number of dead deer along the road. Not a good travel season for deer........

Anyway, so we arrive in Ohio around 12, get the kids some lunch and then go to meet our future landlords at the house we are renting for 6 months. House is a house...nothing spectacular. It does sit on the 4th hole of a golf course. However, when it is 14 degrees (feels like 6 with the windchill), you could care less what is outside the house. The kids explored, we talked to the landlords (nice people, chattier than i am....and that says something), took care of the paperwork, and got to work. It took us less than 30 minutes to unload the U-haul. Jonathon was a big help. it was SO cold no one wanted to be outside for long. Then we set out to wait for Mr. Time Warner Cable Man. Our time window was "a technician will arrive at your home sometime between 3 and 6 pm. They will call you 30 minutes prior to arrival." So at 5:45 when we hadn't gotten our arrival call, we called them. Still coming we are told! Great....hurry up man, we have stuff to DO!

He shows, does the stuff he has to do. Hands Blake the remote control........................can you say DVR? I think we have a new best friend. Pretty cool. I can see an addiction coming.

Cable guy leaves and we are off to take the dang Uhaul back so we can drive around without the Chinese Dragon effect. You know the ones in the parades that keep going and twisting and curving and seem to never end....Yeah, that is an excursion pulling a uhaul. Seriously, a few rules: Dont pull out infront of anyone and Don't make any quick turns......We find the Kwick Mart, return the uhaul, and we are free. Next stop....WALMART for some necessities. Moe's for some....burritos and queso, ofcourse! YUMMIE! So that was Friday.

Saturday consisted of a trip to Target (I had to check out the potential shopping), a stop at an actual Aldi's so the kids can see who dad works for, and a drive around the area looking for the church. Apparently google map's directions were a little off....but we found it eventually.

Sunday, we get to sleep in! YEAH!!!! No church until 1pm. I like that. Church was nice. Seems to be a friendly ward. We only stay for sacrament, so we can head to Springfield early. We stay in a country inn and suites so we can drop blake off in the morning. We get applebees to go, and watch The Game Plan with the kids. It was lots of fun. We really had a great time, but I would get a little weepy when it would hit me we were leaving in the morning. I am not going to like this separation thing.

Monday morning, we get up, eat the hotels breakfast, and take dad to Aldi's regional office. Turns out Google maps directions were a little off again. We almost made dad late for his first day, wouldn't that have been pleasant. We say our goodbyes, give kisses, and start our journey home.

The drive went well. We got home in 10 hours exactly. So, if we do the drive from our house to our house (isn't that confusing?), door to door, it should be 8 1/2 hours including stops. Not too bad.

I guess that is it for now. I am falling asleep, so I'd assume you readers are too!

The wheel still spins.........

2008-01-14T06:16:00.001-08:00

I think i am on that spinny thing at the park, you know the one that just keeps spinning round and round......oh yeah it's called the merri-go-round. We are all set to send Blake to Ohio. Then other options are being thrown our way, and it cast doubts on all the decisions we've already made! Ohio is still leading the race, but it there was a way we could stay here we would. We so enjoy being close to family. This last weekend we took a last minute trip to mom and dads. It was fun. I am exhausted as we stayed up too late playing cards both nights. Saturday Mom and I took the three little boys to the park and let them play....that was lots of fun. (Except for the poop that Andrew fell into.....can you say STINKY! Oh, and if your child ever has an accident at the park, please clean it up so my kid doesnt fall into it!) Gag, nasty.....ugh! Blake, Dad and the two big kids went and saw a movie. I think "in the name of the king" or something like that.

Blake and Dad went to church in Theodore, as Dad had to speak. Mom and I and the kids went to their ward. I pretty much paced the hall with Sam. He was tired, and he tends to get loud when he is tired. I got to chat with Lasanka for a while, so that was nice to catch up. Chris and Crystal showed up for most of Sunday School and then Sacrament.

After church we headed home and had a yummy lunch. Mom made a pot roast. I swear i have never had one turn out as good as moms. They just fell apart. And the potatoes that cook with the roast are my absolute favorites! It was so good! All the kids ate their lunch, I didnt have to fight with any of them. Even Drew ate! At first he ate just his fruit, but then I made him taste the meat, and he said "Oh, I like this" and ate it all! Unfortunately, we werent able to stay long yesterday,as I had meal group lastnight, so we left around 330 to get home in time. I barely made it! (Ok...truth be told, i was 15 minutes late to Candi's house, but thats ok). I did shepard's pies this time. It was the easiest meal i have done so far. Tonight we are feeding the missionaries, so I am going to be using one fo the meals, not sure which one yet. LOVE meal group! We havent had any bad meals yet!

This week is going to be a crazy one! We have to continue packing and getting things ready for blake to leave. :( The kids have a three day weekend, and I think we will probably drive up with him if the weather forecast is good. I have never been to Cincinnati, so I am curious to see where we'll be heading.

So many things are uncertain. What do we do with the house? Rent? Sell? Do we rent there or buy? Is staying through the end of school here the best idea or should we go ahead and go? That would mean three schools this year for the kids....I just dont want to do that to them.

Well, I have to go see the man of my dreams off....he is about to head to an interview.

Here's the start of Nothing!

2008-01-07T18:01:00.000-08:00

I don't know why I am even starting one of these things.....I had a blog for a while a year or so ago, and it starved to death. Today has been one of those days that I would like to push fast forward on. Not that anything bad really happened... I think it is just the stress of all the change we are going through finally getting to us.

I hate having things hanging over my head. Detest it.....We have a giant elephant hanging over our head. I sure hope the rope holds. Decisions, decisions, decisions......Sometimes being an adult really sucks.

Everything in life is a delicate balance, amazing how one choice effects the next and the next....

I am very excited to see what the next year holds for us, to see where we are in a year! Time is passing so quickly! I cant believe it has already been 6 months since we left the Air Force life behind! I cant wait to see what the next six months hold. Blake is due to start his new job in less than 2 weeks. That is a lot of the turmoil right now. It is exciting and nerve-wracking and definately different! We're heading back to the mid-west. I dont mind actually. I really enjoyed Missouri, so Ohio should be fun too! At least we'll be close to a real city and airport and shopping this time.

This year should be an exciting one for us! Jonathon turns 12, which means he'll get the priesthood. Am I really old enough to be a mom of a deacon? of an official pre-teen!!!! Ugh!

Andrew will start kingergarten this coming fall! That so doesnt seem right. He is still so sweet and so young. Sam turns terrible 2.....oh how much worse could he get?(I know, dont ask that!). Then there's Bryce and Kayleigh growing up faster than they should.

I am hoping to get back into doing things I enjoy now that Sam is older and off my hip a little more. But, man, that kid gets into everything! I am enjoying being back here in AL for the time being, and having all my friends around! We are having a girls night out this week, and I really need it!

I guess that is it for now....I guarantee every post will be just as boring! We live a pretty boring life. And ya know, boring is just fine with me!