boy trapped

Tonight

2010-07-30T22:10:00.000-07:00

So I know there are a million and eighty six things I need to blog...family photo sittings, our summertime adventures...baseball season...tons of stuff, but tonight I feel nostalgic.
My Grandpa Baughman passed away December 5, 1996. Hunter was six months old. It was shocking and hard to believe a life without him in it. He had been bowling and hunting right up until the night he had a massive heart attack and my Grandma performed CPR to bring him back. He had driven Hunter and I into the cabin on a snow machine the week before...I got my gift of gab from him. He didn't know a stranger.
My Grandma Taylor passed away in April of 2005. Honestly, I can't remember the date. It was within a week of her birthday. It was a beautiful, graceful passing of someone who had fiercely battled cancer until it went to her brain. My sister and one of my brothers and I went over to her house one night and spent the evening just chatting. I know there are things I should have asked, but I also know there will time for that someday. I got my gift for boys from her.
My Grandma Baughman passed away January 25, 2009 a few days before her birthday. She too, had been fighting cancer and while it seemed to be in remission, she went to bed one night and didn't wake up. It shocked us as well. Although, truly, what a great way to go. At home, in your own bed, in a way that was still dignified. I got my nursing license from her...
I miss them all. Every. day.
My Grandpa Taylor is still alive and kicking. He is currently living in a rehab hospital, and thinking about moving home. He cracks me up. He's pretty sure that he can whatever he damn well pleases, even though many of us really wonder about it all...I got my stubborn-ness from him.
So, tonight, my dad and a couple of uncles and my youngest brother all went to Grandpa's to help him clean out his garage and figure out if moving home is actually feasible...they filled a dumpster. Just out of his garage. (I am telling you, this pack rat stuff is hereditary...I am the least of it and well, I want to be even more less of one, but it's a time thing for me right now.)
Anyway, on his way home tonight, my dad called.
He had some treasures for me.
A fanatastic old trunk. It even has the removable shelf in it. And a ton of old fabric. Some with the patterns still attached. I wonder if Grandma was working on a project and one of her kids needed her...she had 6 boys and one girl who lived. She lost two other boys...can you see where I get my predicament? Between Jeff's family and mine I had NO chance :)
An empty foot locker. I'm pretty sure one of my boys will LOVE that.
An old suitcase...with fabric in it :)
And a wonderful old picture frame full of possibilities, but no pictures...yet...
I know Jeff will wake up and look at my treasures and see more junk. More stuff to clutter our house. And I will reassure him that someday, I will get rid of a lot of it.
Because that is my plan.
But it's boring to clean by myself...
But tonight, I will be content with the fact that one day, my kids and grandkids may appreciate the same treasures I do. And perhaps, one day, they will each be able to claim a gift from me. Possibly my love of photography, or art. The ability to draw. Perhaps a quick reader or someone who empathizes with others.
Possibly, a smart mouth...
Who knows. But tonight, I feel nostalgic.

Not quite sure

2010-06-02T09:36:00.000-07:00

what happened to May. One day it was here...then it was June.
So much goes on in May, our days all blur together.
Birthdays, Mother's Day, baseball, football, end of school, beginning of summer, getting the garden ready...so much happens!
I have a TON of pictures that I need to download and share.

I am also taking appointments for pictures. Now is a great time to schedule even into the fall. Just let me know a season preference. :) Check out my sidebar for cost information :)

It's time

2010-05-03T21:42:00.000-07:00

for something new.
We have lived in this house for 6 years.
We love our house.
There are things we would change...such as in (this is totally a Carson phrase, so if you ever hear any of us say it, it's because of him :) ) our basement would be finished...
and the whole thing would be beautifully organized and never dirty.
Ha.
Ha ha...
you see where I am going with this?
So I want to change my bedroom.
I have to be reasonable.
We have four boys which means at any given time there could be five sets of grimy toes on my bed.
My toes aren't grimy, in case you were wondering.
And I don't have cooties...
Nor do I want them.
I digress...again.
So, here is what I want:
Color. Color and creativity go hand in hand. My soul is a creative one. I need color.
Boy friendly. They out number me. A lot. This is a must...no pink in my bedroom...alas :)
Inexpensive. We have very little money for this type of frivolous spending.
Summery. I have a decent comforter...it's red, as are my lamp shades. I have no problem whatsoever putting them away until winter when it's cold and we need a good snuggly, thick blanket. I want (basically) a nicely quilted light weight throw...of sorts.
So here is what I found:
A reversible blue/green light weight quilt. The shams are too small and are not included...so I will have to improvise. I would use the blue color...although my walls are a lovely blue, I know I am not going to be painting any time soon, so it needs to coordinate...I want to alter some yellow pillow cases , find some or make some super cute throw pillows...only because Jeff complains about the few we have on our bed and I want to bug him cause I like him :) So, if the bedspread is blue, the stiching thread is a limish green that is hardly noticeable, the big pillows will have some kind of yellow case and I am going to sew a border of orange and white polka dot on the top of a white sheet for contrast...do you think the orange would be too much on the bed skirt? I know, it seems like a lot of colors. Do you think it's too much. **disclaimer, even if you think it's too much, I may still do it...do not be offended, instead be happy it's not yours ;)
I want a nice, fun room that will brighten my day and make me smile. On a budget.
And what color drapes? I am thinking white with a band of ribbon pulling one or two of the colors....
I am truly open to anything.
Just answer quick, cause I am hoping to knock this project out soon!
Right after I finish my new futon cover and family room curtains...

ETA: the blue is about the color of my blog background and the orange is about the color of the title of each entry...the yellow is kind of a melted butter, so nice and subtle...

Busted...

2010-04-15T13:06:00.000-07:00

When the boys get blamed for doing something obviously naughty...like say, cutting holes in my couch cushions (or the couch itself) it is pretty obvious who was the evil doer when the scissors look like this...
We have only one lefty in our house.
He's rather cute.
Whiskey brown eyes.
Fantastic smile.
Hilarious personality.
And dimples to park a truck in.
The funny thing, he tried to blame it on Hunter because obviously, 'H starts with Hunter' and since they are Hunter's scissors (from about 4 years ago) he must have done it.
Except Hunter was at school :)
He has to work on a few things, but I imagine soon enough he will be trying to pull the wool over my eyes much more effectively.

Not complaining

2010-04-10T16:18:00.000-07:00

at all, at all.
Really.
I am especially thankful that we live in a home large enough to offer a place for me to toss my "crap" as my husband says.
I am thankful that this place will not be given to a boy when it is time to finally finish the basement (we are hoping to get two bedrooms done this summer...at least I am!)
There are certainly things I want to change though.
For instance...the paint.
It's a beautiful color...mango or some such.
However, I feel a bit more turquoise these days.
I would feel less like I were in a pumpkin if my walls were blue.
Not too blue...
When I was a kid my parents painted my brothers' bedroom swimming pool blue.
Not a good effect.
Although I am fairly sure she wanted to drown them once or twice (remember the rock thing?)
What I would really like, truly...more heat.
My fingers freeze when I am down here for long.
And this is where my 'good' computer is.
Where I edit and contemplate...
where my toys are.
The none hungry kind.
So I am cold.
A lot.
Perhaps a space heater?
But then Jeff would make fun of me like he does his mom...respectfully teasing her about her need for a 99* space heater in the summer :)
I would also like a door that opens and closes, not leans against a wall.
A cute door, perhaps with glass.
Husband says boys break glass.
Maybe just a dutch door, then.
Maybe someday.
For now, I would settle for heat :)

I know...

2010-04-08T19:17:00.000-07:00

we have discussed this.

I know it is bad for me.

However, I also know that I REALLY enjoy it.

And as my friend Hilary said (she was actually behind me in line today) "it's not that expensive of a bad habit" so I suppose I must agree and I must keep on enjoying my little bit of sin.

Besides, summer is coming and there is very little that tastes better than an ice cold coke on a hot summer day. :)

I think it would be awesome if I actually glittered it all up purty like this one :)

This boy...

2010-04-06T21:36:00.000-07:00

It seems I am a horrid blogger.

I will place the blame squarely on this boy.
Yes, it is the five year old's fault.
He's so cute and all...
It causes me much distraction.
Plus...he is the definition of Cling-on.
Always has been.
I should start calling him "Static."
I fear he would be teased mercilessly.
By his brothers.
You know, Megamouth and Freakshow.
**I am honestly not sure which brother is Freakshow, as he calls all of them that at some point during the day.**
***I do not encourage this behavior***
***It comes from his father's side of the family. Mine encourages name contractions so as to yell at them all equally...like Hucatyton!!!!! That's how the Taylor's roll****
****No relation to the Russell and Joy family...we checked. Not that this would be bad, but just in case you were wondering.****
So, in January I read a lot.
In Februrary, I am fairly sure something happened.
In March, we had a gojillion birthdays and birthday parties to attend.
One of those was mine.
It did not excite me.
I did, however, recieve a Jacob Barbie and a DS...is this is the sign of a midlife crisis?
Perhaps.
I did turn down the opportunity to get the Tinkerbell DS game however.
I have some dignity...and the boys would NEVER let me live it down.
I instead, chose Twilight Scene it.
Yes, I am that big of a dork.
We also had our first set of stitches in March.
Can you believe it?
Almost 14 years with four boys and no stitches.
My parents didn't make it that long!
Course, my parents left my brothers with my Grandparents while they went to Disneyland and one brother hit the other brother with a rock at Rigby lake...
Maybe this boy fighting thing IS normal...
So, I have been watching my boys grow way to quickly for my taste, I have accomplished very little and basically, I am going to strive to do better with the old blog.
Is anyone even still out there?
Hello????
Well, happy snow day, regardless.

it's kind of like groundhog day...

2010-02-02T18:19:00.000-08:00

January, I mean.
It kills me.
Grey, cloudy morning, smattering of snow, cooped up kids, arguing about bed times.
Grey, cloudy morning, smattering of snow, cooped up kids, arguing about bedtimes.
Grey, cloudy morning....oh, you get it?
Yeah...it used to be that I would go to work and get over it.
Or, go out of town and get over it.
Either way, the grey, dismal days of January were cured by getting out and getting over it.
This year, not so much.
It makes me not want to blog or exercise or fix dinner for the kids...
It does make me yearn for bright blue skies that are a backdrop for a brilliant, warm sun.
It makes me yearn for baseball games and our 'busy' season...
It makes me go stir crazy because I know it's not happening.
Somehow, I muddle through.
We managed to celebrate a birthday or two, have a few visitors and not damage any of our children permanently.
That can be quite a feat, my friends.
I have much to catch up on, much to discuss and maybe, hopefully, I am seeing the end of this Groundhog Day type existance and will be riproaringreadytogo soon.
After all, we do have an early baseball game planned :)
Can't wait!!

It's time...

2009-12-29T12:25:00.000-08:00

to choose your new word of the year.
Go here for Ali's explanation of her word challenge.
Last year I chose 'nurture' and didn't do so well at it. I'll be honest, there are a lot of ways I could have been better at nurturing not only myself but my family and relationships. I haven't chosen my word for 2010 yet...I have a few ideas, but I want it to really mean something.
Is anyone else going to do this challenge?
Are you interested in doing a word challenge?
And yes, I will soon do a real life blog update and maybe share a bit of my crazy month...

Because

2009-12-03T14:46:00.000-08:00

I have a ton to say and never any time to say it.
Because my friend was a bit uypset by no blog updates to keep her busy at work.
Because I like the bazillion abs guy.
Because I really always like a good laugh.
And because I really like this series...

I really should update :)

2009-11-18T19:18:00.001-08:00

So I have been taking pictures lately. Have I ever mentioned how much I love taking pictures? I do.
A lot!
So when I was doing this family of 5 little girlies (okay, 3 cause the older two probably don't want to be considered little) there was some very patient parents involved. The younger girls wanted nothing to do with me. However, with a bit of compromise (Tinkerbell and Mommy) we got some great pictures :)
I loved that mom and dad (who have the most gorgeous family. Every one of them is photogenic and it kind of makes me sick...in a good way) suggested that we do a shot of them in front of the train :) Miss A is not quite sure what to think but is pretty sure that is NOT where she wants to be at all :)

This is train shot take two. Obviously a different family. I love that big brother T is like 'right on' and not the least bit worried about that train. And this Miss A loves it :)

I know these shots are in totally random order. They weren't supposed to be, but I can't win an argument with blogger.

Or Jeff, but don't tell him I said that.

I loved the sky.

I do have a thing for solar flare :)

Seriously, there were no bad photos.

Makes my job easier. :)

Loved the energy of this family. Too fun!

Boys are sooooo different than girls!

Besides physically, I mean.

I do have more to show from sittings, but I thought I would show my catch.
11 years my friends.
I guess this was our clebration.
He did tell me he would take me somewhere 'one of these years.'
This is no way resembles the Disneyland I remember.
He needs to try again, no?

So he took me to Salmon last week.

He let me catch two fish.

They were little.

He caught one fish.

It was big.

Not sure what that means. He said it wasn't on purpose.

I said, next time, Disneyland.

And the deer we hit coming home...he was fine. Jeff's hubcap however, is toast.

Another update with other sittings and maybe some random whining (my house is still not organized...seriouly, where did we get all of this crap?) and I haven't posted my awesome sewing abilities (i.d. costumes) yet.

And if you were wondering...I enlarged the top one to 11x14 and the middles one to 16x20 from the last post.

My boys

2009-10-26T22:43:00.000-07:00

are gorgeous...now I just need to decide which picture for the Christmas cards...

I want to blow one up for my house.

Huge. like 20x30ish.

One for Christmas cards and the other is already printed, just smallish...

What do you think?

In case you didn't know

2009-10-16T15:09:00.000-07:00

I am 'teaching' (I use this term ever so loosely as I really am learning) a photography class. Now, I consider myself a good photographer.
I do.
I am.
I get it.
Composition, personality...the whole deal.
I just have never been comfortable with taking my camera off auto :)
I am slowly but surely getting to that point.
I have had my current camera for over six months.
I did not know that I have options for taking pictures...as in, I can shoot black and white instead of color.
How cool is that?
The things you find out when someone asks what all your camera 'does.'
This here is one of those shots...
This is what it looks like in my house when Q has the flu.
He and I lying in bed.
All day.
Watching PBS.
All day.
Sometimes he falls asleep and I play with camera settings and then sneak out.

and this one...

Which is what happens when he is mad at me for not letting him make funny faces.

I kind of actually like it.
And it's of me.
Weird.
And, I didn't ahve to do anything to it to make it black and white.
Sooc...except for the cropping.
Cool, eh?
And yes, I will do sittings.
I am working all that stuff up in my tiny little brain.
Why not do something I love, make a lasting memory for someone and make some money at it?
I will have a few oh so funny shots of my boys tomorrow...
yes, you may laugh.
And one of them, literally took my breath away.
I think it's the 'card' shot :)
And you KNOW how hard those are to get!

Really

2009-10-12T16:24:00.000-07:00

I do have things to say and pictures to post...
however, we are currently trying to dig out of our basement and get rid of a bunch of 'stuff'' without neglecting the kids or the upstairs.
We aren't sure how it's working but hopefully soon I will get this done and you will find out!
For now I will add a couple of pictures of projects that I have done in the past couple of weeks.
Enjoy!

I'm better then great! I'm good.

2009-09-29T10:55:00.000-07:00

So day two of sick kids...

Actually day two of one kid being sick.

Another one has been sick forever.

I may go crazy. Sick little boys are just as bad as sick men.

Seriously.

So I was up in the middle of the night with one of the sick kids and had these totally random thoughts that I wish I had written down.

Cause I was funny.

Sleep deprivation will do that.

You see, my kids like me. Not sure what I did wrong there, but they seem to enjoy my company. Jeff says I should yell more.

I hate yelling. But I am loud :)

I think it is lack of consistent beatings.

We haven't had a good beating here in years. Going on like 20 or so.

Not a good record if you are the beating type.

Which, you may have noticed, we are not.

We just don't have the energy for a good wholloping.

So the kids like me.

This is why we have a king sized bed.

The husband gets one half, whatever kid has a cold/headache/nightmare/cough and I get the other half.

I have big kids...I don't get much of a half.

Especially if it is Q. He takes up a lot of space and still manages to drape himself over much of my body all night.

At least I'm not getting kicked.

I just get no sleep.

But I did find one of my favorite pictures while I was trying to find a picture of my kids sleeping on my bed.

Apparently since I am the picture taker, if there are any, I am not in them.

And they aren't on this computer.

Well, it appears that one or more of my children found my husband's cologne...this is not good.

Must go find and stop any mischief going on in my house.

Ugh.

Randamonium

2009-09-25T07:58:00.000-07:00

So I always have little thoughts flitting through my brain.
Sometimes they are worthwhile.
Sometimes I don't know what I am thinking.
Sometimes they are creative ideas...
Sometimes, not so much.
Random item #1
My kids are the best ever. Even when they are driving me insane and miss the bus. My kids are probably betterthen yours, but I won't tell you that to your face, much the same way you won't tell me your kids are better than mine to my face.
Random item #2
What is up with men? Mine recently decided to get rid of stuff. Stuff has been an issue with us since we got married as I had more stuff than he did at that time...please remember I also had another PERSON that had stuff at the time we married...therefore, OF COURSE I had more stuff. Babies do have a lot of stuff by nature and they have no idea what all they have and they are ever so bad about sorting and getting rid of stuff. Much like me. It's genetic. I get the 'don't get rid of stuff' gene from my dad. He probably got it from his mom. I have heard that gene is passed down to the opposite sex every generation. Which is good, cause I have boys so the gene can go on...but I think Carson has it, which is not good. And for the record, it's not that I have a problem getting rid of stuff per se, so much as I don't have the ability based on a family who would literally tear my house apart thereby creating more work if I were to ignore them for an afternoon or day just to get rid of stuff. Trust me. And also, I would love to gut my WHOLE house and get rid of everything and start over...alas, that has financial implications.
Random item #3
Let's discuss the swine flu. Yes, it is a problem. Much like the common cold. However, I feel as a whole we are so over immunized that we have no immune system built up. I do get my kids their shots becuase there are some really bad things out there, but am still out on the whole flu shot thing. The two times I had it I got deathly ill and was literally in bed for two weeks each time. Not cool. Especially not cool now cause I have kids. If I had a baby or were still in the healthcare field I may be more inclined to get the shots, however, I don't think we will. Perhaps we will regret it, perhaps not. Perhaps this is a great reason to stay home from church this winter...Okay, Okay, I know, but it's HARD to get up early on my sleep in day...
Random item #4
Quin told me today that he is going to be bigger than a small giant man. He will need a new bed when this happens, he said. HE is planning on being bigger than the small giant named Cody. Yes, he said that. It caracks me up. Cody is our nephew who is around 6'5" and 230...Cody just graduated and is planning a mission next June so the summer he gets back he will still be able to play baseball for the summer.
Random item #5
I am moderately neurotic. I wish it would translate into my housework and at the same time I know if I ever started on that aspect I would become a freak and not ever teach my kids and they could never be the sweaty, stinky, smelly boys I love. I am also highly paranoid...and truly hope I hide it by seeming like a laid back person even though I am pretty sure the las tperson they think of when 'laid back' comes up is me.

I had a lot more random things but I am being told by my four year old that it is time to play the hard level of sorry...

Caution: photo heavy

2009-09-14T15:19:00.000-07:00

The top one is one of my all time favorites. Love it!

These kids are so cute! We had a blast doing these and I could honestly take a million of her!

I love little babies...the fact that this is a boy baby makes me baby hungry...mmmmm :)

This was another BIG family :) All of the siblings and their kids got together and it was a so fun!

I have been doing a few sittings here and there.

I absolutely LOVE it.

Like, this could totally be a dream job for me.

I am struggling with little things like fees and turn around times.

It honestly can take me hours to edit a sitting and make it the best it can be.

My time is worth something, I'm am just trying to figure out what it's worth compared to what people can afford. I know, I know there are a whole lot of variables with that sentence...

So here are a few of my recent favorites :)

Enjoy!

In August

2009-09-11T07:26:00.000-07:00

of 2001 my 4.5 month old hunk of baby and I went to Vegas to witness the most beautiful wedding.
It was held at the Four Seasons and completely catered by them. Only their closets friends and family members were present. It was truly a beautiful ceremony full of love and support for these two fantastic folk. (Who are currently waiting the arrival of baby boy #2.)
My sweet husband drove me to SLC to drop me off for my flight, then took the other two boys home, worked for the next couple of days and drove back down to pick me up after work and back home in one day.
Whew...he must have liked me.
Or else he was really just not sure what to do with two boys at home.
Hunter was in kindergarten.
Carson had just turned two and was a pretty sick little boy.
My friend Tasha nad I took turns playing nickel slots, one of us would sit by the baby and the other would play and then we would switch.
They take under age participants VERY seriously in Vegas.
I had $5 to start with and ended up with $35ish in nickels.
Sadly, I didn't have time to change my nickels into dollars so I carried a bucket o'nickels on the plane.
I wish I had pictures to upload because it was one of the best trips I have ever taken...alas it was before digital came into my world.
And I don't know where all of the wires are to connect my scanner to the computer.
5 weeks later the Twin Towers were hit.
A plane crashed into the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania.
I'm pretty sure there is more to the story than what was released as general knowledge (I have my sources) but nothing confirmed.
I was lying in bed nursing my hunkahunka baby and the phone wouldn't stop ringing.
Wouldn't.
Stop.
Ringing.
I was worried it would wake my two sleeping boys.
I finally got up to no less than 5 messages from my frantic father.
Apparently, there was some sort of airline crash and no one had heard from my brother in law.
He was working in the White House communications center at the time.
We found out later that my sister had heard from him to let her know he was okay...she had been out jogging and had no clue what had happened.
I couldn't decide whether or not it was okay for me to send Hunter to school.
The thought of any of my family not being RIGHT THERE with me scared me to death.
Jeff couldn't leave work.
I tried everything I could to get him to.
I wore my bathrobe and cried all day.
Luckily the family room was in the basement so no one saw me in my disheveled state.
I kept crying.
I went outside and took Jeff's flag (from his military service) and hung it on our flag pole.
I was feeling rebellious and patriotic.
I was beside myself.
Jeff talked about going back into the Army.
I was more beside myself.
Thankfully, he decided that since his time had been officially up two years previously and he had a wife, three kids, a dog, a cat and a house he didn't need to.
That day changed things in so many ways.
There is no way I could bring home a bucket o'nickels now.
You can't even have lip gloss in your purse without it being in a bag.
And forget bringing your own water.
There are so many men and women who died that day and since.
Some at the Twin Towers close to home and others thousands of miles away where things are not even similar to home.
This is a day I want my children to know of.
It is a day that deserves a memory or two of those who died.
A moment of silence even.
It was a day that changed our country in so many ways.
For awhile it seemed as though we were all on the same side.
Take a moment today and remember. Give thanks that we live in a country that allows us freedom of speech to express our memories, to keep blogs about our day to day lives, boring or not, to honor the men and women who CHOOSE to defend our country. That we live in a country where children aren't drafted into the military at 18 and that our children are spared carrying guns just to survive. Put aside politics and opinions and be thankful for all we have. That we can worship whatever God we believe in, or don't believe in. That we aren't persecuted for wearing jeans and not covering our heads, that we can choose our spouses and the schools we send our children to. That food is plentiful and we have clean water. That we can choose who our government is, whether we believe in everything our officials do or not. That our children can go to college and be who and what they want to be.
Today, be thankful for EVERYTHING our country has to offer. The good, the bad and the ugly.
Then give thanks for what our country doesn't have.
And hug your kids.
Kiss your spouse.
And hold them all tight.
You never know when it can change.

as big as a helicopter

2009-09-10T14:30:00.001-07:00

So today as I was slaving away on the laundry (okay, fine, I only folded 3 loads of towels...) Q came in and saw 'Mom! You have GOT to come wook out the window!!'

I went to look out the window.

'No, Mom, wook up...it's a hewocopter awmost as big as you'

hmmmmmmm..............

Carson disagreed...and then said 'Oh, mom, I know, he's talking about the SMALL helicopters'

Let's face it...

2009-09-08T09:54:00.000-07:00

I have been horrid at blogging this summer.
I apologize.
So, my baby starts preschool tomorrow.
I'm sure I will take pictures and post them.
I still plan on posting some of the pics I have taken the last couple of months.
While this isn't a job, I do love that I can make a few bucks and do something I love and it makes me feel like I am contributing to our family more than just cleaning and loving on my kids.
I totally slacked on harvesting my garden this year.
We had a scare with Q last week. Not sure if there will be any follow up, but so far nothing more has happened...so we are thrilled with that!
We had 19 of Jeff's closest family members here on Sunday afternoon/evening.
Yes, my friends, that does indeed add up to 25 :)
It was fantastic! Good food, lots of cousins (our kids are the youngest...Jeff is only 6 years older than our niece Jill and Q is only 3 years older than our great nephew, Ezra)
It was great to visit with everyone, even though I mostly just watched...couldn't think of a thing to say.
Crazy, huh.?
I think the best question had to come from Cody who, when Tyler was hollering at him (AGAIN!) turned to me and asked 'how do you control that kid?' and I could honestly not answer him :) To be fair to my Tyler, he LOVES his cousins. And since we rarely see Cody (or any of our Washington/North Idaho cousins for that matter) he tends to over do his enthusiasm...plus, we can honestly see Ty being the same size as Cody in a few years. That my friends...is big :) It's kind of nice to see he wears others out as much as he wears us out! Q was so excited to see his cousin Rebecka who has been at Grandma and Grandpa's this summer...I think he has a little crush.
Well, it seems Garfield and Q are calling...I need to go snuggle with my boy :)

Heidi Swapp

2009-09-01T17:29:00.000-07:00

I am soooo excited!

If you scrapbook, you may have heard the name Heidi Swapp before.

She has designed products for Making Memories, has had her own line of product and is now working with two other talented ladies doing digital kits and hybrid products. She travels all over the world teaching classes and she is coming to Rigby.

RIGBY!! Home of the TV...where my grandpa, brother and uncle live...where my dad grew up and milked cows...

Crazy...

Anyway, my friend Alicia owns a store up there and is taking signups for this awesome event. You can find more information at this link Heidi in Rigby and sign up there. She does offer a payment plan, just call her. It does cost a bit more than most are used to paying for a class, however I am pretty sure you get everything you will need to complete the projects except for simple things like, adhesive...

I am so excited! Not only is it Conference weekend, it's Heidi weekend!

Did I mention I'm excited?

Personally, I can't wait for the energy journal, cause I need energy!

I have a ton

2009-08-24T15:19:00.000-07:00

of things to post about...
pictures,
more pictures,
school,
tons of stuff...
but for now, I am letting people know that on Friday August 28, I am hosting a bead (bracelet/watch) party. There are watch faces that will be for sale ($8) and you can add whatever kind of band you would like to. The first party I went to I made two bands for just under $9...the second party I made three bands and bought a face and it was $19.08...so it is a really good price from this lady.
It is from 4-9, although I would suggest getting here before 8 for two reasons, 1) things could take awhile cause she has bagillion eleventy beads and 2) she will need to leave as close to 9 as possible.
You can also buy your own beads to take home.
I love these parties...I am just a little bit addicted to the bands...
Call if you need directions, or email me... tashepherd@hotmail.com

I hate

2009-08-17T16:20:00.000-07:00

using the 'we are so busy' excuse for not ever posting.

While it's true, we are busy, it's mostly because I am too lazy to walk down the stairs to post and I really would rather make a post with pictures!

Last week I did a super fun photoshoot with another big family. It was sooo much fun to see all of the dynamics and watch the proud mama and papa and all of the siblings and grands.

I am editing them right now and I tell you, there are some awesome pictures in this group! I will share a few as soon as I get them all done :)

For now, here is one of my favs...

Don't forget!!

2009-08-14T22:19:00.000-07:00

the garage sale tomorrow. You can even just stop by and say hello.
And maybe cross your fingers that it is decent weather with little wind.
We have a LOT of kids clothes...mostly boy, ages 0-7 or 8...
Toys, books, tables, scrapbook stuff.
Jeff would love it if it were all gone by tomorrow night.
Maybe we could park in the garage again before winter.
And Hunter wants a new trumpet :)
The sale is Saturday August 15, 8am-2pm.
My house.

This weekend

2009-08-10T20:16:00.000-07:00

Saturday specifically, we will be having a garage sale at my house. I know there are a few people interested in knowing these things...
There will be a few families involved. If you want to bring stuff over and help out for a bit, just mark your prices with your initials so we can keep track of sales and bring it over Friday night.
Hours will be 8-2 I think...Billie, if that isn'tright let me know :)
I know there will be baby things, scrapbook stuff...probably a few odds and ends...books, tables, etc...

Garage Sale

2009-08-07T19:26:00.000-07:00

SO, many of you have asked to be notified when I get my garage cleaned out.
I can't remember who all of you were, I did let a couple of people know.
My garage is slowly getting cleaned, and my sister is hosting a sale tomorrow. I am taking as much of my crap over there as I can.
Anything left over will be sold either next Saturday here, or the next Saturday at my sis's again.
I am also hoping I get to my storage room, but not thining that will happen this week.
Her address is 2285 Mesa. To get there, you go west on First street, turn right (north) on Eastview, take a shallow left on Renny and her house is the white brick at the intersection of Renny and Mesa. I know she will have a bunch of clothes and stuff, but that's all I know.
It starts at 8.
Hope to see you tomorrow!

photo overload

2009-07-27T12:53:00.000-07:00

Many moons ago my friend Mary asked if I would be willing to do family photos.

I said sure...her family is great to take picures of because every one of them is gorgeous.

...oh yeah, she said, the WHOLE Jones family.

36 of them.

So I did.

It went so well!

I have heard reports that everyone was pleased with their shots.

That, my friends, is always a good thing!

The best part, I think they were all surprised at how quickly and painlessly it went.

Another good thing, because as you know, guys aren't so keen on getting their pictures taken.

I think I set a record for the fastest editing of the most pictures...at least for me.

Mary was willing to dish up food for my kids.

I think it freaked Carson out becuase he came down to make sure it was okay to eat what she put on his plate :)

Enjoy these pictures, I know I do...

I finally did it...

2009-07-26T17:31:00.001-07:00

When we built this house we picked out all of the bits and parts before we signed on the dotted line...something about the contractor needing to know what was going where...it was nice in many ways, it saved us some stress in the last few weeks while we were stressing on whether or not our house sale would actually go through (it had fallen through once and the purchasing agent was a bit of a lush and in no hurry to do anything for his clients despite them being frustrated and ready to fire him...

anyhoo (that's such a funny word) when it came time to get it all done, the tile we had originally picked out for the master bath and the vinyl flooring we had picked out for the boys' bath was out of stock.

So much for no stress.

Our countertops were already in so I had to find something that would at least coordinate. Yikes.

I have never liked the combination in our master bath.

Ever.

I like it a LOT now.

See, Jeff used to go on fishing/hunting trips a lot more often than he does now. Things would change while he was gone. One day he went to work and a night class and I ripped out the dining room carpet and crappy kitchen vinyl and replaced it. His dad was an accessory to the crime, but I didn't tell him until after.

One weekend he went fishing. He came back to a red house...

There are other stories of a similar nature :) Needless to say it freaks him out just a bit when he leaves and I stay. This time it was the master bath. I did more than just this for those glorious three no man in the house days...but this is what surprised him the most :)

He mostly likes it. Although for him everything remaining white would be fine. Silly guy. He should have married someone else if he wanted that :)

He leaves again sometime late fall...

Quilt Giveaway :)

2009-07-18T10:50:00.000-07:00

So I will tell anyone who asks that I don't quilt.

Or sew.

But that might be just the teeniest of fibs.

Because I do.

Both, actually.

I just don't like to admit it.

I think it's because I don't do them well and there are actually a few things that I am really um, uptight about.

Not that you can tell.

Four kids and a husband will do that to you.

If I had my closet cleaned out, shirts would be hung by color, shirt sleeves first then long sleeves.

Seriously.

Towels would be organized by which day of the week they are used and my dress shoes would be organized by style, comfort and season.

It could get ugly.

I won't even start talking about the kitchen and the pantry/food storage.

So, I stifle my inner freak as best I can and try and be more of a mom and less of a pain.

So far it seems to be working.

Anyway, this blog is actually about the quilt in the picture.

It's gorgeous.

And up for giveaway.

The store is up in Rigby and is called The Quilt Shoppe. I am so wanting to go up! Maybe next week when I have some 'free' time. Ha.

This blog has more information about it :) She is even the one who made it. Pretty, huh :)

Good luck! I hope I win ;)

Harry Potter?!

2009-07-15T10:12:00.001-07:00

said in my best Dobby voice...I like Dobby. He's kind of cute, in a creepy way.

So, I won't give away the storey line...you probably already know it. I will say that it is FANTASTIC!

So, for those of you who saw it and want to chat I have the following:

did you (psstpsstpsstpssstt)

I know, right!

and did you (psstpsstpsstpsstpsstpsst)

No way!

(pssptpsstpsstpssptpsspt) can believe that?

why did they (psstpsstpsstpsstpsstpsst)

wasn't it funny when (psstpsstpsstpsstpsstpsstpsstpsst)

So, there you go.

Feel free to call and chat if you have seen the show or even comment.

I like to read comments.

And yes, we will be going back.

Tamron Lens Contest

2009-07-08T20:45:00.000-07:00

This blog: http://mcpactions.com/blog/ is giving away a Tamron lens. You get to choose which of the two lenses you would like best...the 18-270mm (for a crop sensor Nikon or Canon) or the 28-300mm (for a full frame Nikon or Canon) if you are chosen as the winner.
To enter is simple. There are a couple of questions to answer and there you go...
Now, I personally would choose the 28-300. Why? So many sports, my friends, so many sports. And it's hard to get close to the action when you are down field or your kid is in the outfield, you know. Plus, some of you may remember when my lens (70-300) broke at Hunter's band concert last year...when the snotty lady suggested I ought not drop a lens AFTER she bumped into me and knocked it out of my hands....and I almost beat her with it. Remember?
Maybe not.
It's probably best if you don't.
Anyway, I am having serious lens envy right now and either one of these would fit really nicely into my camera bag.
Enjoy!

Phone lines

2009-07-02T12:17:00.000-07:00

So Jeff got the great idea to combine as many of our bills as possible.

This is a fine idea.

He decided to go with cableone for everything.

Not sure why.

Now if someone calls our house it says we are disconnected.

We aren't.

Basically, I can call you, you can't call me.

Please use my cell if you need to get ahold of me.

Or email.

That always works.

And if this doesn't get sorted out soon, my sweet husband will be sleeping out in the trailer...

Today

2009-06-26T09:41:00.000-07:00

Outside my window... another slightly, rainy day. Good for the boys to get out of lawn mowing.
I am thinking... about taking Hunter to get one last thing for this campout.
I am thankful for... healthy kids.
From the kitchen...planning on cupcakes and other tasty treats for next week, convincing Carson to finish the dishes and put away all sewing stuff I am not needing right now that is on my counter.
I am wearing... t shirt and jeans
I am creating... a plan of attack for the s{scrap} in my house and the garage...I MUST get organized it is making my poor head hurt.
I am going... to run one or two errnads today and that is IT!
I am reading... The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane. So far so good. Very New Englandy :)
I am hoping... that my plans actually come to fruition and I can someday live in a house of organization.
I am hearing... blessed silence...two boys dressing, one eating, one looking in the pantry for yet another snack.
Around the house... piles of stuff to be gone through, papers to shred and more piles to cuss just because they multiply.
One of my favorite things...boys :)
A few plans for the rest of the week... play catch with the boys, clean out garage...it may make the rain go away if we can park inside...get my craft room REALLY put together and not just pretend, put together a project that has been cooking in my little brain, finish the pillows I have cooking in my little brain, make cupcakes and lotion, go over lesson for primary, lose 50 pounds...probably, it won't all happen by Sunday ;)
Enjoy your day!

2009-06-23T14:03:00.000-07:00

I love to take pictures.

LOVE it.

I would marry it, but Jeff and my Coke would get jealous.

I stopped drinking coke for a bit.

I'll let you know how that goes.

I am procrastinating.

I should be cleaning my craft room so that I can do something crazy.

Like craft.

I know! Crazy, crazy.

And really, I came down here to edit some shots for the Little League thank you card and for Hunter's team. But, I haven't done the team ones yet...I ought to get on that as well.

Okay, well, enjoy the pictures.

Oh yeah, the color of Carson's hair is about my actual hair color...in case you ever wondered. The sweet little girly is one of my nieces.

magical

2009-06-20T18:57:00.000-07:00

Jeff and I were searching for four or five leaf clovers in our clover patch last night.
You see, we have a ton of clover and a ton of four + leaf...in three patches that Carson refuses to mow.
The smallest patch (the one we were looking in) is about 4 feet in diameter. Q wandered over to help us look.
Out of nowhere he jumps across the whole patch. From a sit to a stand to across. Just like that.
Jeff and I start laughing and Jeff asks how he did that big of a jump.
"I am magical," he said :)
I love four!

Dear 'Sports Photography' Lady

2009-06-18T11:31:00.000-07:00

A few things need to be addressed.

1. It is unprofessional to assume that because it is raining, people are not waiting for you. You should really keep in contact with the coach.

2. When taking individual pictures, please believe the mom. At least this mom. When I tell you that the shot you just took is the best it's going to get please don't push it. You will end up with a face that is something between constipation and trying to work a big something out. It isn't pretty. But it will make you laugh. Trust me on this.

3. You are expensive for what you offer.

4. Seriously, when you have a group of kids, particularly boys under the age of 9, you can't just tell them to line up and expect good composition or compliance. You have to be in charge. once, again, trust me on this.

5. Just because you have a nice camera and a website does not mean you should be a photographer.

That is all.
Have a nice day.

Right now

2009-06-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

One boy is obsessing over a 50 mile hike coming up in a month.

One boy is obsessing about a new bike.

One boy is playing with a friend in the backyard.

One boys is trying to be in the middle of it all.

I am procrastinating a trip to the store that should take roughly 23 seconds, but may actually mean multiple stores to find the one thing I am actually looking for. I am wasting my time by soaking up the photography goodness that is this person.

When I grow up, I want her camera and gear and her skills.

Around my house

2009-06-13T22:57:00.000-07:00

Since the store closed I have been trying to catch up on the past year of not being around.

There are a lot of places that need my attention.

For instance, the laundry room. Either one of the storage rooms. The garage where the remaining store crap is stored (yes, I will be doing some sort of garage sale/come get all of this for really good deals sale at some point...hopefully sooner than later!) my bedroom...the list is never ending.

Did I mention my craft room?

The problem, my friends, lies in the fact that the majority of these places are NOT in the kitchen or even upstairs.

My boys, lovely beings that are dear to me and have my heart completely (even the 6'2" one) tend to want my attention and will do everything possible to get it. Including but not limited to the following; wanting food, whining about a brother who has sorely wronged whichever boy is doing the whining, the disability to find anything thereby requiring me to drop everything so that I can find it...the list goes on, these guys are pretty cunning. And cute, which only hinders my cause.

So, I take pictures.

Lots of pictures.

And occasionally create something that I can do upstairs in the middle of the tornado.

Then in a fit of needing some girl time (that does not include the time waster of a Mary Kay party okay, so I love to have visitors, friends, family whatever...I hate making people feel obligated to buy something from me, especially when it is something like Mary Kay where all you have to do to find a consultant is stand on a street corner and ask the first passerby for information... Particularly one who roles her eyes when one of my children needs his momma and interrupts her spiel that I have already heard eleventy bazillion times.) So, in a fit of needing girl time (that last sentence was such a run-on!) I escape to my craft room only to spend hours on facebook and download/upload photos...

So, here are the photos from top to bottom:

*The day the rains came. This was my first official day as a mom of a teenager. We had the great idea to have a Bonzai party, my brother brought his slipnslide and we set up our toy and yeehaw...until every one of the 12 grandkids was soaked and it started raining and having thunder and lightening. And it hasn't stopped. Sorry.

*My brat cat. This is not the Grandma cat, if you are wondering. This is Gryffin. He is a punk. And a bird killer. He is also sweet and tolerant of almost all of the kids who maul him and love on him all day :) He really seems to enjoy it.

*Hunter's wumpyre bite. We joke that he didn't really get hit by the ball, he got bit by James :) If you look closely at the top of the circle you can see the stitching. Sad bit of information, he didn't even get to take a base cause he was swinging at the time and his arm is just an extension of the bat.

*We celebrated two birthdays in May...well, there were a lot more, but there were two of our boys with May birthdays.

*A double rainbow. I think it was last Monday. So beautiful.

*My garden jungle before it got planted outside. We actually have a few plants coming up :)

*Dragons and a four year old :)

*A chair I bought, painted and recovered. I may try to find a few more...or I may get bored with these colors and repaint sometime. Or both. It's inexpensive and fun :)

*I finally got my neighbors baby blankets to them :) I really wanted to keep them, but no one in my family is that small any more.

*And last but not least. A Bakugan. I know, it's a funny place to put one. I laughed when I saw it :) It reminds me that I havae sons because it is always so quiet here I forget.

Ha!

Do you ever?

2009-06-11T10:51:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have a situation that requires a decision be made but you don't want to be the decider?
I have one of those.
Potentially, it is nothing. It may have just been a simple request from an old friend. Someone who noticed me and thought 'hey haven't seen her for awhile' and went from there.
However, I am a super paranoid person and I will expect the worst. Everytime.
So, this is a dilemma that must have an answer.
It's unfair to just ignore it.
And I do try to be fair.
Usually.
But what if this eventually leads to something more. Not THAT kind of something, but an extremely uncomfortable kind of something that I would really just rather avoid if possible.
I'm vague.
I know.
And really, no more details will come out, which is probably just making it more of a curiosity for those of you who are curious.
Sorry.
Off to start my jam, worry, clean my room and possibly come up with an answer.

Aqua

2009-06-09T15:31:00.000-07:00

Every once in awhile I browse Etsy. It gives me a ton of inspiration and keeps me from completeing any tasks I have set out to do because it is so fun to get lost over there.

Here are a few things I found recently. Love them all :)

Click on the images to go to the pages for information if you are interested in any of the items.

And, I have no idea who any of the creators are :)

Enjoy!!

Mary Kay

2009-06-06T21:32:00.000-07:00

My neice just started selling Mary Kay.

She is coming to my house Monday afternoon at 1 to do 'my face' and will do anyone else who wants to show up.

If you do, just leave me a comment and I will make enough cupcakes to share.

If you don't no worries.

I won't hold it against you.

Much ;)

And, for the CGCC, this is not my 'day.' I will have more info on that at a later date...Joy, did you want to trade? That will influence my plans greatly :)

And, if you want to come, you can bring your kids.

I plan to lock them outside, rain or shine.

Not really.

Unless it's sunny and over 75.

Then they can have popsicles.

I'm thinking about...

2009-06-04T11:31:00.001-07:00

How friggin much laundry we do in this house and what a pain it is to fold and put away.

Whether or not the weather will change at the very last moment and cause another baseball cancellation (although Hunter's was merely postponed last night.)

Why it takes me so long to accomplish anything.

Whether or not I can talk Jeff into taking the boys camping on his week off this month...maybe for like two nights even :) That would make me sooooo happy.

Why it is that when I plan to finish something it never quite happens, i.e. baby gifts for my neighbors that are sitting on my table half finished (sorry, girls...there really is something coming!) my craft room that is kind of better than it was a month ago, the basement which is a challenge all it's own...

Why I am soooo tired lately. IT could be my status of over weight...

How much I really want to share a lot of pictures I have taken lately, but to go downstairs and upload images off the good computer will resuly in children fighting, the house being destroyed and my patience being frazzled beyond belief.

What it is like to be the parent of a teen.

Should we or should we not get a puppy...Jeff is totally against it, but I think if the right one came along he would allow it...but right now I have a 15 year old 'grandma cat' the neighbors pet and chase incessantly (it's cute to me, not so much for her) that may have a heart attack if a puppy came on the scene.

How much I want to push for a photography job...Jeff says no, I say good pocket money :)

How many thousands of dollars I could spend on lenses. I have serious lens envy.

How many thousands of dollars I could spend on plastic surgery, clothes and books :)

That I really need to get all of those projects finished that I can't seem to get done because maybe, just maybe I am on the computer too much.

I am leaving you with a picture that is thirteen years old...yes, I do look 12. I can assure you, I was not.

It's a fine line...

2009-05-29T08:52:00.000-07:00

I love Coke. Coca Cola. Liquid Satan. Empty calories. It makes me happy.
I hate coke. Feeling bloated. Rotten teeth. Caffeine headache.

I love sleeping in.
I hate feeling like I am missing something, Waking to my boys loudly discussing how cool they all are.

I love ice cream.
I hate the weight that just multiplies each time I put a spoonful in my mouth.

I love living in a culdesac. Almost every one of my kids has someone to play with the minute they walk out the door.
I hate living in a culdesac...and trying to dodge bikes, cars, kids and toys when trying to drive anywhere ;) I am very afraid of hitting someone or something. And sometimes, it makes me mad.

I love summer.
I hate summer. It ends too soon.

I love being a creative soul.
I hate that before I feel like I can BE a creative soul, I have to do mundane things like housework.

I love taking pictures.
I hate that my computer with the PSE program on it is clear downstairs. :)

I love my kids.
I love my husband.
I hate when they ask me what's for dinner :)

I am sure there is more. I am procrastinating and I really have no time for that! I took pictures for my niece who graduates Monday, yesterday and need to get them edited so she will have something to pass out! I think I am not the only one who procrastinated as well, I just was asked on Monday. :) Good to know there are others like me in the world!

*photo is of one of the areas where we did pictures on the 'Snate Reebert' as Ty used to say :)

I really am here...

2009-05-19T15:56:00.001-07:00

It has just been super busy, as spring always is...
I have a TON of pictures to download and upload...
I have a few funnies, I just have to remember them.
Regardless, I have not forgotten you and will hopefully post sometime tomorrow between the zoo and baseball.
And if you are bored...check out this website...although if you are anything klike me, it will make you drool...creativity overload.

Man Rules

2009-05-08T08:49:00.000-07:00

I have seen this before, but my sister just sent it to me again. It makes me laugh.

At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down Finally, the guys' side of the story. (I must admit, it's pretty good..) We always hear 'the rules' From the female side. Now here are the rules from the male side. These are our rules! Please note.. these are all numbered '1 ' ON PURPOSE!

1. Men are NOT mind readers.
1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.
1. Sunday sports: It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.
1. Crying is blackmail.
1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!
1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.
1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.
1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become Null and Void after 7 Days.
1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.
1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one
1. You can either ask us to do something Or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.
1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials..
1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.
1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.
1. If it itches, it will be scratched.. We do that.
1. If we ask what is wrong and you say 'nothing,' We will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle. 1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.
1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine...Really
1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball or motor sports1. You have enough clothes. You have too many shoes.
1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!
1. Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight; But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.
Pass this to as many men as you can - to give them a laugh.
Pass this to as many women as you can - to give them a bigger laugh

I would also like to add after living with a man of some sort for nearly 13 years...
Everything is a weapon...whether it be a stick or a golf club.
Bodily functions are acceptable humor...all the time.
There are certain parts that men enjoy...deal with it.
There will be things that make a man laugh that there is no way they can explain it to a woman.

Today is Carson's birthday. He is ten. 10. TEN. I can't believe I have two in the double digits and one of them will be a TEEN this month.
I don't feel that old.
More on the Carsman t0morrow...right now I have cakes to bake and vacuuming to do.

My life...

2009-05-05T15:36:00.001-07:00

Bounces between Number 8 and Number 6...Yankees and Diamondbacks respectively.

It's a good thing I like rain and baseball...

And a Happy May Day!!

2009-05-01T08:35:00.001-07:00

Maybe the boys and I will do a little project after school. I love flowers and any excuse to get or give them is fine by me :)

All jumbled

2009-05-01T08:19:00.000-07:00

So I feel like I have a lot to say, but can't get the words out.
Some of them are really tender for me and I am not sure I want to share them.
Right now I am feeling behind. Not sure why...I have a nice little list of things I need to do, butit isn't overwhelming...I hate feeling behind! Maybe it's cause I didn't get my dishes done before the kids left for school.
Maybe it's cause I was awake for an hour when Q came in after waking from a nightmare.
I have most of our sharing time planned, just need to do the gathering.
I have the grocery list done and our budget planned for the next two weeks...maybe I will even post that elusive menu.
Two words I hate, diet and budget.
One phrase I hate 'what's for dinner.'
I need to get Carson's birthday planned a little better. It's next Friday and he wants to GO SOMEWHERE which usually results in a headache for me. :) It looks like it may be the Paramount...we'll see if anything good will be playing.
My cute little four year old just came in really excited to show me he is wearing spider mans underwear...I hope he doesn't REALLY mean spider man's.
Jeff found a gift card to Edward's...we (meaning he) usually misplaces them moments after getting them, but in this case it is fine because we are going to watch Hot Hugh tonight...wait, I mean I am going on a date with my hot husband to watch a comic book guy ;)
So in closing I would like to pass on a little nugget from Q.
Yesterday we were playing his new favorite game "kerplunk" and he was rambling about something and it hit me he would not be four forever (duh, right?) so I told him I would miss him being four. He rolled his eyes (ahhhh the joys of older brothers) and said 'mom, you are just going to have to get used to it. Soon I will be five and seven and eighteen and then 27 and 49 and 71 and you will just have to watch me.'
Sweet little guy.

Remember

2009-04-28T13:33:00.001-07:00

a couple of weeks ago when I apologized for going outside in my robe...this is the reason I was out.

I think it is so pretty to see those little droplets...kind of fresh and happy.
I will have baseball pictures sometime. Games started for us last night and will be a constant for us until the end of June.
And maybe I will get my menu up.
When I get it made.
The first week of baseball is kind of a fly by the seat of your pants week.
It doesn't help to have sick kids and a sick husband.
Yes, actually, I am tired of illness.
Why do you ask?
Is it my charming (crabby) personality?

Enjoy the droplets :)

Over the weekend

2009-04-27T15:20:00.000-07:00

We went to Rigby to celebrate my Grandpa's 88the birthday. He still lives alone...despite the few attempts to strongly suggest he go into assisted living...not because he can't take care of himself, but for companionship and well, help.
But, despite the pleasant time spent with cousins and siblings and aunts and uncles, I am talking about something else.
My son.
He makes me so proud.
Which one?
Oh yeah :)
The one who looks like Jeff...
Which one?
Oh, I knew you would ask that :)
Carson is the one I am speaking of this time.
We drove past our old house last night on the way home. This house was so special to me because it is the one we bought jsut before we got married. We brought two babies home to it and it was way nicer than Jeff ever thought we would have (which has now been replaced by our current house.)
On the fence to the backyard, on the side where we put the dog kennel back when we had a dog, is a 'beware of dog' sign. On top of the fence over where the kennel is, were a bunch of tarps and plywood pieces. I made the comment that it must be a pretty aggresive dog to warrent that much wood and safety stuff.
The boys began asking why and we discussed the whole concept of dog fighting and cruelty to animals and such.
Tyler wanted to know why anyone would do it. I told him my honest answer 'no clue' Carson replied with this little gem.
"Tyler, have you ever heard of man's best friend? Yeah, we are going to be men and never take part in that kind of cruelty."
I confess, I teared up.

Oh yeah!

2009-04-24T14:50:00.000-07:00

I am going to FINALLY get all (or as many as I can) of my blog favorites down. Please let me know if you do not want me to add yours and if I forgot yours and you know it is a favorite remind me.
Unfortunately, when I closed the store, my dad got the computer with all of my favorites on it so I am still trying to remember them all.
I got the computer with all my pictures on it.
I have my priorities...
And a camera to sell...let me know if you are interested.

I have a dream...

2009-04-24T14:38:00.000-07:00

you all may now break out into Abba song...
So I am a dork and really like Abba.
I saw Mamma Mia with a couple of really good friends after I saw the performance in Vegas with my sister.
My kids sing Dancing Queen.
And Mamma Mia...
It especially cracks me up when it is Q singing :)

So I really didn't plan to blog on Abba love today.
I have a proposition...
No, not that kind.
How about this:
Every week, Sunday night or Monday morning...or maybe late Saturday (who knows...) I will put up my weekly menu. If you are interested you may copy it for your menu.
HOWEVER, I have another plan (dream, if you will) that would be REALLY cool. I will put a weekly menu up, and several of you can put a weekly menu up and we can all copy and get a whole month of weekly menus at once. So simple!
If you are interested, leave a comment and if yo uare a private blogger and haven't invited me (shame on you! you really should invite me, I do leave comments sometimes) you can just email me yours and I will post it on mine and we can all linky here.
Does that sound fun?

Also, I am working on my cleaning schedule.
Monday and Thursday I will do the bathrooms. They do in fact take all day. Four boys, remember?
Tuesday and Friday I will do laundry...unless it is bed linens and those can be whenever...or garments. Why do I run out of those buggers? It's not like I don't have a gazillion.
Sunday I will cook a meal :)
Saturday I will go to football games.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I will go to baseball games. Starting Monday. Pray for no wind. I hate baseball in the wind.

I will vacuum Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday if the home teachers are coming over ;)
Dishes will be done by someone everyday.
If they are big dishes it will be me because everyone else is a fink and gets out of it. Mostly because I have a lot of stoneware and don't want it borken. Broken, even.
I also should exercise.
This 45+ isn't coming off on my wishes, dadgumit.
And maybe keep a notebook of all of the crap I eat.
Baseball is notorious for me eating crap foods.
Any sundry jobs such as wall washing or baseboard cleaning or cabinet scrubbing can be done on Saturdays when I want to torure my kids...or they can be punishment! HA :)

Am I forgetting anything?

How do you

2009-04-22T22:42:00.000-07:00

manage your time?
Do you plan things out very carefully on a calendar?
Do you fly by the seat of your pants and hope you hit everything?
Do you have certain days when you clean certain things?
Do you work all morning to play all afternoon?
I know at this point in my life I should be much better organized about a few things.
I am just proud of the fact that my kids generally have clean clothes and the bathrooms get done twice a week...most weeks.
Do your kids do jobs?
Does it make you crazy that it takes them twenty times longer and isn't always quite right or are you happy to have them learning responsibilty?
What is your busy time?
I know I am asking a lot of questions.
Call me Tyler.
This is our busy season...we have two baseball teams and one football team which basically means a game or multiple practices every day of the week except Sunday.
We also have 3 scout groups.
There is a lot going on beginning at 4:oo every day (except Saturday which begins the hour before whatever time the game is.)
Do you schedule your mornings very specifically?
Enough I suppose...but please answer :)

Oh and I am hoping to get enough kids together to make a pitching machine team. This is the boys or girls ages 7-8 or any others that missed the cut off for Little League or Cal Ripkin. Let me know if you are interested.

Farmer's Market in Ammon

2009-04-22T10:32:00.000-07:00

I just got this email and I am sooo excited!

Hello everyone....we have big news!! It is official, the Grand Opening of "The Farmer's Market at Ammon Towne Square" will be May 16!! The ball is really rolling and we are super excited about it!

When: May 16-Oct 31 on Saturday's 10-2

Our Location: The Lot east of the new Ace Hardware on Ammon and 17th

Wanted: Vendors/Gardener's/Crafters/Musicians....selling goods at our market is easy to do and very inexpensive, just use the contact info below to ask me all your questions. Do you know of a band that needs an audience? We want live music playing every saturday, have them contact us...

If you love fresh produce onions, potatoes, cherries, aparagus, need powdered milk, love handmade toffee, handmade pottery, cotton candy, and more you will find them at Ammon's new Farmer's Market!

Watch for our sign going up soon, it will look like a big red barn!!!

I would love this email to reach everyone in Idaho Falls and Ammon and beyond, please don't hestitate to help us spread the word and thanks for your support can't wait to see you at the Market!

Shelly and Bret Yorgesen
email: thatpotatolady@yahoo.com

Rear Access Open

2009-04-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

Oddly enough...that was the best part of my day Saturday.

Hunter was at a campout.

Jeff was at work.

Carson had baseball from 930-10.

Tyler had a football game at 3.

Plenty of time to run to Porters, Walmart and start cleaning out my flower beds...except it wasn't.

You see, my battery in the suburban died again. Twice.

In the parking lot at a gas station.

the first time a really nice guy in a truck started it, I headed out (the plan was to do all of this errand running sans children...my dad had a project for them to help with and my mom wanted out of her house.) of the parking lot and bleah W#$%&#$ curse words and such. We waited 20 minutes for my dad to come rescue us...oddly, all of the samaritans were out running their own errands and had to time for us...

So two hours later, I had a new truck battery, a full belly and no errands run.

We ended up at Town and Country...one of my favorite stores...where I found a pack of happy pansies for my front steps...and ripped open a bag of potting soils AS SOON AS I got it loaded in my truck. Nice.

Tyler lost his game.

I forgot half of my grocery list.

Q's fever got worse...

Took Q to doctor and sure enough, strep. If anyone hasn't had strep in their house let me just say that strep has a smell. Kids talk funny, their breath stinks and my kids spike nasty fevers 103.6 to be exact...after doses of tylenol and motrin and oddly, fever seizures occur.

The pharmacies in town all close at 7 on Saturday. At least all those that accept our insurance and flex cards.

So, at 8pm I found myself and my sick kid driving 30 mph down 17th street with a tree hanging out the back. Did I mention my brother does landscaping and had a tree for me? Yeah. It's big. So as I was headed down 17th I was absolutely sure my tree (that was well secured) was going to kamakaze out of the back wreaking havoc on all of the poor saps behind me. And my 'rear access open' light kept flashing.

Nice.

Health Update

2009-04-15T09:05:00.000-07:00

I am feeling MUCH better.
I hate taking medication, ate it. BC was one thing, it was a daily thing that was necessary for my well being...an antibiotic throws me off because it isn't routine. So, we are now (by we I mean my dear husband who is so adament I get better and me) on day 5.5 and I have been faithfully taking them. Oddly, it helps.
I would like to wake up no stuffy nose, but I won't comlain! Any time I can choose to lay down instead of HAVE to lay down, it is much better.

Facebook

2009-04-14T13:37:00.000-07:00

makes me grumpy.
In fact, right now they irritate the __________ (fill in the blank, as I don't want anyone to think I swear as much as I do) out of me.
Seriously. I had email issues. I contacted you using a secondary account and now you want me to email you a scanned copy of a "government issued ID?" Are you kidding me? Cause that's not just ASKING for trouble now is it?
So, the reason you, my friends, have not heard anything from me on my updates (and I KNOW you all are missing them more than you would water...perhaps that was just a titch sarcastic..) is because facebook has disabled my account and I am unwilling to send them a photo ID...duh. Hopefully we can resolve this issue, since she JUST told me that the reason they can't allow me back on (and seriously? How psycho would someone have to be to want to sabotage facebook users?... I might be a bit of a freak in many situations, but not that big a freak!) is because I can't access my hotmail account...Hey lady, surprise, I can access it, so will you just let me C&P our previous convos so I can get back to the mindless activity of facebooking?
Thank you.

Now, back to the regulary scheduled program of cleaning craft room, listening to Q play leapster Wall-E (funny thing, he calls Eve, Ysma...like on Emporer's New Groove...cracks me up) downloading pictures and wondering how in the world I acquired all of this fabric and scrapbook stuff...and wondering where I am going to put it. Maybe I will do what Lori did and get a bunch of totes.

He listened

2009-04-12T18:27:00.000-07:00

Tonight as we sat down for our Easter dinner I asked each of the boys if they could remember what Easter is all about and if they could tell us...besides Easter baskets and egg hunts and barbecues at Grandma's.
Quin said 'I know mom.'
I smiled a little indulgently and said 'what is Easter about, Q?'
He then proceeded to tell me that they took Jesus out of the Garden and put him up on the wood. Then he died and they put him in the tunnel. Angels let him out of the tunnel and now he is alive again.
Jeff looked up at me and with a bit of a wry grin said 'it looks like someone was listening.'
Wow.
I still have tears thinking about it. He is such an innocent child and while the candy and yoyo were cool...and he got a new 'very own' cup, he can bring me to tears with his interpretation of the most amazing thing any man has ever done.
I am so thankful for this boy. He truly is a blessing to me.

My head hurts

2009-04-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

I am not a good sick person. I admit it. I want to ignore everything and just have it all go away until I feel better.
However, I made the choice to multiply and replenish the earth and this makes it really hard to be selfish...it's too bad I like my kids...if I didn't I would be fine being selfish.
Right now I am suffering through Sesame Street because I am feeling icky and whiny (and I so hate feeling icky and whiny...it makes me crabby Ha :) ) my head aches from the top to the bottom (kind of like when your arm or leg falls asleep and you get that weird tingle...because I am snoring too hard. Yes, friends, I snore. But only when I am pregnant or have sinus thing going on. I would much rather be pregnant...however, Jeff has expressed his intention to not have more kids very fervantly and well, I have a sinus thing going on.
So I am sitting in bed, trying to finish a book (which I also hate doing because I read too fast) and thinking of all of the little things I should be doing and am not.
I will be fine by the time the boys get home from school. I will have showered and maybe made the cookies out of the dough I made yesterday. I will have compiled a short list of items for Jeff to grab on his way home and I will have possibly made some little tiny cupcakes for my primary class Sunday...but am not certain about those yet...
Now I am going to wallow for a minute.
And then make Q some popcorn.

An apology and a funny

2009-04-09T08:52:00.001-07:00

So my sister called a few minutes ago to discuss fish (my dad's fish to be exact...my parents are on their way home and need ded someone to take care of the fish and the dog...I got both, but Tammy has been helping in the mornings which is nice!) while we were talking I looked out my back window.
As many of you know, I LOVE rainy days, a fact which irritates my poor, outside in the weather (complaining about it constantly) man...I saw the most beautiful thing...raindrops on the willow. It just is sooo springy and happy that I had to take a picture. I apologize to anyone who saw me outside in my pink, fluffy bathrobe with my hair pokng up. I know it's not pretty. I truly hope I didn't scare anyone or ruin your day ;)
As for the funny, we are being lazy today and lying in my bed, as Q is being entertained, I am able to blog and check mail, etc...so he is all snuggled in under the blankets, lying on his tummy and his arms and says to me 'hey, mom...will you scratch my butt?'
I am telling you, I about peed my pants. I was laughing so hard and noticed the seriousness of his face and complied...to which he started laughing...this kid, I'm telling you. He is so worth it!

I will be sharing pictures later and hopefully making cookies and a fun egg idea with the boys this afternoon. ..I may even get some of my room downstairs cleaned. Although it will be a crazy day since we have an orthodontist appointment and scouts...
Oh and because I am still fighting with my email, which is a whole nother story that effects my ebay account, my facebook account and my general opinion of people in general, I changed my email address...you can now reach me at tinashepherd@cableone.net.

Easter traditions???

2009-04-08T09:19:00.000-07:00

Do you have them?

What are they?

I am starting to panic. I usually have Easter figured out by now, and usually it is all purchased or at least outlined (yes, I do plan and outline...I am just really not organized which sounds contradictory, but it's true.)

So, usually we dye our eggs the night before, the bunny hides them on Sunday morning and they find their baskets. Last year the bunny shook things up and sent them on a chase through our house...maybe if I dig out of our mess it will happen again this year. The boys LOVED figuring out the clues :)

In the past the boys have found dress shirts, spring tshirts, fip flops and sun glasses in their baskets...something to celebrate the reawakening of the Earth and something we can tie the reason for the season. However, my favorite for finding coordinating items, old Navy, is letting me down. I don't like the way they rearranged things and now have an even smaller boys selection. but I digress...

I am thinking that it would be fun to get items for our garden (like those mini hot houses) that they can be responsible for and transplant into our garden spot this year. However, I also want to be frugal and not go overboard (just as an aside, Jeff comes from a family that didn't do much more than little chocolate mini eggs, so this whole gifts for Easter is foreign to him.)

Any ideas? Anything you care to share?

And, in case you are wondering I am feeling so much better! It is amazing what prayer and sleep will do :) Not 100%, but completely functional.

Still

2009-04-07T10:37:00.001-07:00

Still not feeling 100% more like 72%...today we have football practice, scouts and errands to be run...plus Nikki is here and she is trouble :)
Still frustrated about my email. This hacker broke into my ebay account and I now have to change everything out...Jeff and I did have a good laugh in that they probably couldn't have hacked into anyone with much less money :)
Still haven't cleaned up my craft room or moved what is left of the store inside.
Still have to park outside. See above :)
Still can't figure out game boys or anything gaming related and would love it if the boys would quit asking me to help them get up a level...I am doing okay at Professor Layton...I may in fact be addicted. If they want game help they have to ask Jeff. I married him for his game skills and cushy government job...
Still haven't showered today and would really like to just go back to bed.
Still am not hungry...this could be good, but it will probably back fire on me.
Still have a few Christmas items up. I will take them down today, so stop nagging.
Still need to fold a gagillion loads of laundry and make my boys put it away...Hahaha
Still can't look at shoe ads because I just want to buy them all.
Still can't remember where Carson's birth certificate is and I need it Saturday for baseball...any ideas or do you think I can get a copy from the school's copy?
Still want to take some photography classes.
Still need to clean out my garden area in the hopes of actually planting something.
Still not sleeping well, you know how it is when you are sick and can't rest. Yup, that's where I am.
Still glad I closed the store. It's so nice to be sick at home and be here for my boys.

Well,

2009-04-06T17:00:00.000-07:00

who knew? Apparently, I have hit 100 posts. So this is 101.
Isn't that nice.
Today I did this:
got the boys up, had them shower and got them out the door.
went back to bed.
went to the bathroom (more than once)
went to get a drink of water (more than once)
watched a little of the Jessica Simpson story...fascinating (insert HUGE eyeroll)
talked to my mom and sister and husband on the phone (in bed of course)
paid the gas company...on the phone
rescheduled Carson's orthodontist appointment that is a month late cause someone forgot about it (on the phone)
went back to bed...oh wait, never got out of bed...
gave Q a tub so he could run errands with my mom
texted Jeff off and on
read blogs
walked into kitchen (to get above drink of water, looked at dirty dishes piled in sink...walked out)
got mad cause my email is all jacked up again...I may be changing my email address so watch for details :)
did not get angry at sweet neighbor boy breaking into our backyard to confiscate a rarely used toy...we seriously need to fix that gate...it is highly dangerous in our yard right now cause it needs some intense clean up and I really don't want any injured that we don't even know is back there...plus I am dog sitting for a few days and this little girl will escape
I did shower
I drove Hunter to his first baseball practice of the season
Today is the opening day of MLB...in case you were waiting on pins and needles to know that.
I talked to my neighbor for all of 23 seconds and hopefully she didn'tcatch whatever conglomerate of crap I have...cause it is rotten and you will feel like donkey and you will not sleep and you will keep your husband awake snoring.
So there you have it.
In case you are wondering, I have huge black circles under my eyes, my hair is blech, I put on perfume, but not sure that helped, but I tried.
As soon as Jeff gets home I am going back to bed. Enough is enough and I have shows to catch up on...via the laptop.
Plus DWTS is on :)
If any of you are under the impression that I actually accomplish anything, you can share this blog with your husbands and feel perfectly happy with yourselves and what you got done today because it had to be more than what I got done.

Funny boys

2009-04-03T08:31:00.000-07:00

So last night Tyler was asking questions (surprise! that so rarely happens :) ) and he asked me about chicken enchiladas (also known as sloppyladas by Carson) his first question was whether or not they were called 'chicken' enchiladas because there is chicken in them.
I said, yes.
Then he asked if they were called 'inchaladas' cause they are about an inch thick :)
He cracks me up.

Q just got out of the tub and was drying his hair (ish) and stuck his head in my face and said 'does my hair look wrinkled?'

Where do these kids get this?

Seriously?

2009-04-02T10:30:00.000-07:00

More snow?

I realize it's spring and that last year we didn't ever really get a summer (scattered warm days don't count) but come on.

It's almost baseball season and I really want to go to more than two games without winter coats!

*And PSA for any one with kids playing in Little League this year, tryouts for 8-9 year olds is Saturday April 11 at 1:00 pm, Eagle Point ball diamond...I am not sure if you can still register, but I think you can. Games begin (for the majors, not sure of minors, but I know we will be at games Monday-Thursday for baseball for Hunter and Carson, Saturdays for Ty's football...anyone doing t-ball for Q's age? is he still too young?) April 27...I guess that could be a Monday, I honestly haven't checked.

More wedding pictures

2009-03-30T16:17:00.000-07:00

Since the others got such rave reviews ;) I thought I would post more. Some of these I didn't post initially because I wanted to surprise Troy and Jenny with a couple framed when they got home.

As you will notice, I can't get my kids to look happy about pictures...this is the best one I could find, and it had to be B&W because little Ellie's bum was in it :)

And my family...I know I need to figure out something with the chairs in front. They bug me. This is my mom and dad, grandpa, sister and her family and brothers and their families. You will notice there are only three boys there that don't belong to me...one of them is Hunter's 'not twin' who one of my nieces refers to as 'the other you' when she is talking to Hunter :)

Seriously, I loved taking these pictures and since they didn't take any bad pictures, it is really hard to choose which to put up.

Rough, isn't it :)

The Wedding

2009-03-26T21:02:00.000-07:00

So, as many of you know, my brother got married last Saturday.

It was gorgeous.

They held the ceremony and reception at the Shelton out by Rigby/Ririe and it was so much fun...the best part, I got to take the pictures.

Here are a few of my favorites...and yes, my brother is a dork.

He gets it from my other brother. :)

EDIT- per Desi's request :)

The family is all Jenny's. We have been having issues in emailing photos and so I uploaded a few of them here so they can print them off while they are on their honeymoon. I will probably add more when they get home since I may have a surprise or two for them when they get home and it is a secret :)

Top Pic: Jan and Tom (her parents)

Her whole family (brother, sil, niece and kids and her parents)

Troy, Jen and the kids with her brothers family

the rest are all various pictures of them messing around.

*back to the regularly scheduled spring break plan of screaming and threatening the boys...

Ty-Guy

2009-03-23T18:53:00.000-07:00

This bundle of nonstop energy was born a week before I turned 30. He was actually due on my birthday, however due to immense size (yes. I know Q was bigger, but have you seen this kid?) and the fact that I could no longer move (remember, Joy?) they induced me early.

Thank goodness.

Ty is my little leprechaun. He, being a leprechaun, was given the gift of Gab...and he's full of Blarney...Great Grandma said so :)

He NEVER stops talking. I honestly think it surprises people at the amount of non stop energy and vocality in the child. I know it surprises me.

He loves sports and will try everything once or twice...

He loves to tell stories. Most preferably 20 minutes after bedtime. These stories can last for hours.

He has the BEST freckles ever.

And the bluest eyes. I could honestly take pictures of him forever, but I always get these weird faces...what's up with that?

I can not believe he is eight. He will forever be seven to me.

He is really strong. REALLY. Strong.

He is extremely sensitive to what is going on around him. He sometimes gets in trouble for paying too much attention to what is happening around him and not so much what he should be doing.

He would rather let a smaller kid pick on him than hurt the smaller kid...although to be honest, there are times we would like him to hurt the smaller kids so they quit picking on him. It kind of ticks me off. A lot.

He gives the best hugs. Ever.

He wears a size 5.5 shoe, 10 pants and 10-12 shirt. Yes, he is big...did I mention that at 2 months old he weighed in at 17.11 pounds? Yeah, he's about 76 now. (for proportion, Hunter is in a 7 shoe and weighs 85 pounds and is 5'2")

They forgot to give him a volume control in Heaven.

He never stops eating. I think there are times his brain gets confused as to whether it should be talking or eating :)

He is EXTREMELY smart. You can actually see the cogs turning in his brain as he muddles something through.

He would do anything to make someone happy. Include be silly. Or give them stuff he shouldn't. We are worried.

He likes Twilight :)

He is a burst of sunshine and I am so glad that we have him to light up our lives.

For his birthday we had a few of his neighborhood friends come over (we had a small family gathering on Sunday night. Where he refused to let me make a cake and insisted on Albertson's...after his birthday and the wedding, I am about non homemade caked out!) They ate pizza, had a cupcake contest and played for a while. One of the hardest thing for my boys with us having the store, was not being able to hang out with friends, so this was especially fun for Tyler.

Thanks to all the neighbors who got their invites so very late. It has been a crazy month for me trying to get back into things and so far, I have a lot to get worked out.

The Q-man

2009-03-23T18:39:00.001-07:00

I have to apologize to this boy. Because of Grandma's death and funeral, his birthday was kind of put on the back burner...oddly, her birthday would actually have been the day after his. She would have been 80.

However, we made him a little cake (he wanted nothing but green apples for his birthday, so I tried my best to create a green apple cake :) ) and had just a little family party until the Sunday after his birthday. I don't think he minded at all :)

A few facts about Q.

1. We call him many things...most often Q, Quin. Quinny, TinTin, Tin Tin Fabioso and lately Tins, at his request....we all call him demon child and sometimes his middle name ends in 'it' as opposed to 'le' although the beginning letter is the same.

2. His dimples pretty much let him get away with anything. Sometimes this is bad.

3. He has been attached at my hip since sometime before birth.

4. He is a GREAT hand holder. And he has big hands so it makes me feel indestructable when I hold his.

5. He wears a size 1 shoe, size 5-6 pants and 6-8 shirts.

6. He is 46" tall and weighs 46 pounds. He is what they call square. This is good.

7. He makes us laugh.

8. We are so blessed to have this little guy in our lives. He makes my days brighter.

9. He begins his prayers 'in the name of Jesus Christ, memaw comes tonight.' We have no idea what he means. He ends it the same way.

10. He was my biggest baby at 9.11 and 22 1/2" 3 pounds up from my first boy. That's a BIG jump, friends.

11. He thinks the Holy Ghost lives under his bed...sometimes this is good. He also wants to know when HE gets to be baptized...I think this is because of all of the talk of Tyler getting baptized.

12. I love my Quinny...and he has the cutest little bum ever :)

He's on a roll

2009-03-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

So Q just comes running in...
"Mom! Did you hear what just came out of my ears?!"
Me, laughing, 'no, honey, I didn't. what came ot of your ears?'
He makes a yawning face 'This...did you hear it this time?"

He completely cracks me up.

*PS I have a TON of updates to do and now that my pictures are downloaded on my computer downstairs, I will be doing so. I do have to get wedding pictures off my card and onto the computer...I am so excited about these! I hope they turn out as well as I think they did. Plus, a couple of birthdays, spring, a few other things as I find the images...
And yes, if anyone is wondering, we did get Twilight Friday night (not planned, Q had a fever, the tylenol wasn't working so Jeff ran to Walmart at 12:15...yes we have watched...the boys have too...about 7 times.

Lessons in Primary

2009-03-23T08:23:00.000-07:00

So Q and I were 'resting' yesterday afternoon and he was telling me a story. I asked him to repeat what he had said and his eyes started twinkling and he took his fingers and pulled them across his lips. I was kind of chuckling and asked what he was doing his reply 'I am zipping my lips and throwing away the zipper' which really made me laugh. I asked where he had learned to do this and he said 'in primary.'
Now, I know a few of the kids in the class (okay, I can think of 4, but one of them I just know the family she belongs to, not her actual name...the girls are all really cute and look a lot alike) so I say 'why did your teacher teach you this?' He said 'because we were talking too much' which again cracked me up. He isn't much of a talker at home. He talks, he just usually so much um, quieter than one of his brothers that he doesn't get heard a lot...so I asked who was talking. He rolled his eyes and said 'you know.' I was a bit confused because Ty was in my primary class, but I thought of a girl in the class, it was not C, and then I asked about a boy in the class and asked 'was it E-man?' He said 'yep.' I asked what teacher taught him this (because my kids do this a lot and it makes me laugh that he finally gets it after primary) and he said 'Teacher S.' :)
So, Teacher S, will you come teach this to a couple of my other kids? Well, just one.
And Teacher S, thanks for the laugh :)

Did you hear the good news?

2009-03-10T15:37:00.000-07:00

"Watermelon is on sale at Albertson's"

Tyler just told me.

Quin W. in his class told him.

See the picture?

That could be Tyler.

He would be in Heaven :)

Lest I begin some crazy rumor

2009-03-10T08:10:00.000-07:00

that my house is clean or that I am superwoman, because my boys will assure you it is in fact, not true...you all need to realize that for 18 months I didn't clean much more than the general picking up of stuff.

My kids rarely saw me outside of the store.

Our home was filled with contention and frustration (not all the time on the contention, just more than necessary.)

On a good day, our house looked like a hand grenade was tossed in...on a bad day, well...it wasn't pretty.

Things slipped that shouldn't have and in general, it was a really stressful time for us.

So now that I am free, I am soooo happy to clean and organize and toss and sew and play with my kids and do fun things.

Don't get me wrong. I loved the store. I did a good job with it. I just need to spend time with my boys and make sure we all are communicating well.

And truly, I wonder how anything ever got accomplished with me gone all the time...but I can tell you now, that I am so glad to know that my kids still love me, Jeff is glad to have me home and someday, my house will be clean.

PS all that got done yesterday were the bathrooms, 5 loads of laundry, our shirts hung up and a good start on my decor for the table for enrichment.

Good news!

2009-03-08T22:33:00.000-07:00

Now I can't remember what the good news was...ha! I think it's my age showing :)

Let's see, last week I managed to:

Do the dishes more than three times.

Not severely injure any of my kids.

Get a few food storage items (my brother bought a couple of the crop tables and chairs and paid us with food storage...Broulims in rigby is having their caselot sale in case any one needs anything)

Took the boys to see Bolt.

Took the boys shopping for fabric because like an understressed idiot, I signed up to do a table for enrichment this month...(yes, LaTisha, I will still do two...it may decrease my stress because then I won't have to choose between two fun, totally different ideas, just let me know if you need me to.)

Worked on organizing my craft room (by organizing I mean piling items of the same category and wondering how in heck I acquired so much stuff...then realized that I have been doing this craft for 13 years and owned a store for three of them)

Read three books...I think my total for the year is around 7000 pages...but now I am out of money and have too much time (ha, I crack myself up...Billie, help! I need books)

Saw Twilight AGAIN...Jeff loves it. I am pretty sure I know what I am getting for my birthday.

Registered two boys for Little League and have the stuff ready to regiester the other for football...does anyone know if this is flag again?

Visited my friend Alicia at her cute store in Rigby. Got some super cute stuff...yes, I did need more scrapbook stuff, I jsut don't know where to put it...and I probably will do a yard sale this summer.

Tried to clean out a couple of my kitchen drawers...the junk ones...unfortunately this means I need to clean out the rest of my cabinets and drawers. Yikes.

Became completely overwhelmed by the amount of cleaning this house needs. Seriously. Baseboards need painted, holes in the walls need filled, kitchen sink needs caulked...not to mention the boys war zones...I mean bedrooms...they may come home from school tomorrow and have no idea where they sleep...yep, I may change them up again. Although I did like Ty's idea of just putting all the beds in one room and all the toys/dressers in the other :)
The laundry room is almost completely cleaned out...I do need to do the general washing of the room, but the clothes are pretty well hung up or folded and put away...I need to take the clothes that don't fit one the older boys and out it in storage until Q is big enough...so next week.
Jeff got my computer working (the one from the store, so now I can actually add recent pictures to my blog...)

AND I ordered a camera. I got an awesome deal and am still trying to decide what to do with this camera...it's still one of my babies. I am hoping it gets here tomorrow so I can play with it before the wedding in two weeks :) I really want to do some awesome pictures!

This week I plan to make a meal plan, paint my magnetic board, clean the bathrooms and set up some sort of cleaning schedule, clean my bedroom and clean out my closet. I will try to finish my craft room and get my table for enrichment finalized so I can relax on that :) Whew...

That may be all I get to...sad, isn't it!
Uh oh, sounds like the Qman is up and I need him to be asleep.
Wish me luck!

Wake Daddy up

2009-03-05T22:57:00.000-08:00

The other day I was reading my friend Hilary's blog and her little girl had drawn a really cute picture of what would happen if she went to sleep in her parents' bed...her mom (Hilary) would climb in bed next to her and her dad would go to sleep in the guest room :)
Tonight, as we were getting ready for family prayer, Q pulls me aside and says "mom, when I have a scary nightmare, will you wake daddy up and tell him to go to my bed?"
What cracks me up the most about this, is the little man has been waking up almost every night between midnight and 4 and crawling into bed with us. I am usually too asleep to care, and he never kicks me (he can't he's practically on top of me) so I'm mostly good with it, except the part where I am contorted...
Jeff however, was not as amused as I was :)

I know

2009-02-27T10:41:00.000-08:00

I know. It has been a long time.
There is a lot going on, a lot I need to revisit on this poor neglected space and a lot that needs to be accomplished before that can happen.
On the bright side...after this weekend I will have that time.
But I have a confession.
I am scared.
I am scared that I am closing and will still have to get another job which would totally defeat the purpose of me closing.
I am scared that I will walk out these doors the last time and become incapable of creativity.
I am scared that my house will never get cleaned.
I am scared of what I will do Tuesday next week when I have no where to go, but a ton to do.
So, I am afraid right now.
And I have a ton to do, so off to get to it.
Wish me luck.

I made it through

2009-02-01T21:02:00.001-08:00

the week.
Now I need to get this month over.
Wish me luck.

I was random facted on facebook

2009-01-29T13:45:00.000-08:00

1. I enjoy the quiet. A lot. I hate to have the TV on if it doesn't have to be because really, there is more than enough noise in my house. I mean, I have a Tyler...that's a lot of noise right there.
2. I used to dream of being surrounded by men. That backfired.
3. I like being the only girl in the house. I am always right.
4. I miss not having a daughter. I miss it especially when friends comment on a fun mommy/daughter thing they just did or will do.
5. I am fiercely protective. I may talk about you or get irritated, but if you are my child, spouse or friend I will defend you til someone bleeds :) But if it is friend versus family...watch out friend.
6. I used to want to do the F.A.C.E.S program at Louisiana State. I would LOVE to be a CSI or forensic anthropologist. However, too many boys and nowhere close enough to go to school.
7. I own a scrapbook store. Sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it.
8. I don't like it when someone tells me that I have not been through much in my life...exactly how much is much and why is what I have been through not that?
9. I love my sonic cokes. LOVE. Would marry them but my husband would get mad.
10. If I could drop everything right now (well, except those boys in my house) I would be a photographer or work in a nursery...like at Town and Country Gardens and make everyone's yards pretty...shhhh, neighbors, I know I need to take better care of my own flowers :) And yes, I would love more trees, try explaining to my husband who feels it necessary to have a sports complex instead.
11. I coached pitching machine for my boys the last two summers and will do it again this summer. I love it. The kids have so much fun and I enjoy getting to know the boys...they crack me up!
12. I love baseball. I am so glad that my kids like it and are pretty good at it. I like it a lot when we have nephews to watch play. (disclaimer...the only nephew we have watched is Cody and he is soooo good! Can't wait to see where he goes after graduation) I don't like football. I will suffer through it if a)I have no choice b) one of my kids is playing c) it's super bowl Sunday. Good news, apparently there is a spring flag football season. yay.
13. Sometimes, my son Tyler makes me want to pull out my hair...then his. I swear he would argue with a kidnapper on how to best tie the ropes.
14. I am good at explaining things. And I like to teach. Especially if I like what I am teaching.
15. I am a pretty good cook. And I LOVE it!16. I am a pretty good photographer.
17. I have a hard time with humility. I want to be the best at everything and so it's hard for me to be humble about something I am good at, even if I am not the best, but I will acknowledge if I know you are better. Oh, and by no means would I ever say that I am better than you...I would just think it...oh and I might tell Jeff, cause he agrees with me. I have stuff he likes. Like, food :)18. I can be very sarcastic. Sometimes inappropriately so. However, I am funny.
19. I am a freak about spelling. So if something is spelled wrong, it wasn't me.
20. If I were home more I would be OCD about my house. I know that right now I don't have the time...but once I am home again for good, look out. I hate being a disorganized, cluttery person. It makes me nuts. I know, my neighbors are shaking their heads, but it's either be a freak or jsut deal with it...right now, I deal.
21. I took 2 hours of art every semester in high school. My art teacher came to my wedding :)22. All of my boys have the name of a town or city somewhere in their given name.
23. I love lip gloss. And shoes. And purses or bags. but I really don't enjoy shopping so I mostly just admire from afar.
24. Someday I want to enter some of my pictures in the fair. And take photography classes.
25.My boys are truly my world. Even Jeff...I know that no matter what, having them in my life makes me a better person. I am so lucky to be stuck with stinky, sweaty smelly boys...and their lizards, and football gear, and baseball gear and soccer gear and bakugan and gameboys and tennis shoes and fishing stuff and well, you get it.

menu planning

2009-01-27T11:22:00.001-08:00

So Jeff and I wee out Saturday night shopping. In between me getting off work and Jeff going home to shower I made a menu.
This is all because of Lori who used to post them every week.
As it turned out, preplanning was fortuitous because well, all my plans for the week went awry about 8:25 Sunday morning. (Thanks, Nancy, for watching our class after Jeff taught)
My poor Hunter had a talk on Sunday. Another fortuitous thing, he was called Wednesday night to give the youth talk in church...on virtue (he was like, mom, what's virtue...yeah, so any of you who don't have boys around 12/13, let me warn you...brain shut off happens around this time. It is scientifically proven that boys can either grow or think, so something's gotta go, it appears it's the brain) so he sat down Thursday after school and wrote his whole talk so he wouldn't have to worry about it later. Good plan :) As soon as his talk was over he and went to my grandma's to meet with my mom and uncle and try to get a few things worked out...do you know how many things must be done at the time of death? A lot.
So, because this post is supposed to be about meal planning and not so much my horrible day, here is our menu for the week:
Oh, and a disclaimer, we do eat vegetables, however, my kids will only three...so it just rotates between those three as to which boy is closest to the freezer or pantry when I say 'someone pick out a vegetable.'
Sunday: meatballs and mashed potatos
Monday: pizza (Hunter does a fantastic job of this)
Tuesday: Skabetti and garlic bread
Wednesday: rice and chicken
Thursday: hamburgers and french fries (although this may change as it is Q's birthday...which in fact throws another kink into our plans of a party Saturday night...not sure that will happen since the funeral is that afternoon...and the super bowl (eyeroll) is Sunday...)
Friday: tator tot casserole
Saturday???? funeral food?

Now to sort through the 80 years of pictures to make Grandma's tribute book :)

**edited to add tator tot casserole recipe
*disclaimer...I am REALLY bad about measuring, so most of this is a guess :)

Brown a pound of hamburger season as it cooks
While burger is browning, layer tator tots in either a 9x13 or 10x10 pan...I layer them end to end very orderly, yes, I know it's hard to believe but I am kind of OCD about a few things. My tator tots are one of them :)
Once the burger is cooked, layer over the tots (usually my tots are still frozen)
Mix cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup with a can of milk and pour over top of the hamburger/tots.
Scrape a bunch of cheese and pile it on top.
Bake at whatever the package of tots suggests.

I can only make it when Hunter is camping because of an unfortunate experience when he was younger.

I hate it

2009-01-25T19:26:00.000-08:00

when things work out badly...but in a good way.
So I was supposed to go to CHA yesterday. Any one who has ever been with me knows how fun it is and most everyone else has heard how much I love it. New product to touch and feel, creativity overload...whew..it is a fantasy land of energy for me. Plus Disneyland is across the street.
I got a phone call this morning.
The kind of call you never want to get.
My Grandma passed away some time in the night. Her birthday is Friday. She would have been 80. She has battled cancer for about 5 1/2years, metastatic colon cancer, to be specific...last Tuesday she found out it was 'starting to wake up' so chemo was started on Thursday...
I am happy to say she is with my Grandpa. That she never had the typical pain of cancer and that she was at home. But it was a horrible shock and we will miss her dearly.
So, those prayers for guidance in regards to my CHA trip were well answered. I'm glad I could be here for my mom and uncle. That I have the privilege to help them remember this fiesty lady. And be with my family during an emotional time.

Nully

2009-01-23T11:51:00.000-08:00

I decided to take Amanda up on her suggestion.

If you ever just see a random word in the middle of a sentence, just figure it to be a login word...or whatever they are called.

In other areas, I love snow. On my way in to the store today I was wondering who all the stupid people were out there...all of them but me, of course.

I love it when a truck, with no obvious weight in the back cuts me off. Cause um, my car is kind of heavy and there is a good chance an accident can happen. So don't cut me off and don't ride my tail...especially if Jeff is driving...he has been known to stomp on the breaks just to see what happens.

oh, and if you are wondering (which unless you are on facebook, why would you) I got this lovely last night...

I LOVE it.

With as much typing as I do all day I love that the keyboard is like a well, keyboard. It's makes my texting much faster and since Jeff and I txt all day, this is a really nice feature.

Otherwise, I have tons to do and no time to do it. Just like everybody else out there :)

You know

2009-01-22T13:45:00.000-08:00

I kind of wonder a few things.
A lot of things.
But today, I am wondering who comes up with the word or letter combos you have to copy in order to post a comment on some blogs.
Like 'lumois' or 'cazikstan' or 'floober.' There are so many that crack me up.
Just wondering.

Garage Sale

2009-01-15T16:09:00.001-08:00

Okay, so in case you don't read the blog for the store, and are interested, there is a garage sale going on today, tomorrow and Saturday.
I am still pricing and putting things out and I know there are others doing the same thing...

Guilt

2009-01-10T10:33:00.000-08:00

The worst thing about owning a business (besides the financial issues) is the guilt that comes with it.
For instance, I am not home when my boys come running in off the bus.
I can't send my oldest to play at a friends until either Jeff or I am home.
I miss little day to day things. Like dusting or vacuuming or checking the mail.
I miss hanging out at the 'girl parties' on those summer afternoons while our kids play. Or even just seeing them all sitting out in their chairs :)
I miss things like primary activities and while I know that the kids in our class will be taken care of, I miss that I am not there to do my part to help.
And I hate it.
Don't get me wrong, I love owning this store. I love being here and being able to create everyday. I love that I can bring my boys and no one can argue. I love that I can call in sick and the boss won't get mad. I love meeting people. I love helping with scrapping emergencies...yes, there are scrapping emergencies...just ask the poor guy who was in last night after his three year old ripped up their wedding book while his wife was away...talk about look of panic. But we got it all worked out and this will be a story for his wife to enjoy (I mean seriously, he is REPLICATING these pages as closely as he can...I doubt Jeff would...he would just tell me about it so I could fix it later.)
So anyway, right now I am feeling guilty that my kids had to be taken to the activity by someone other than me, that I can't hang out with my class and play games, that I can't help Carson clean out his vivarium (fancy word for lizard habitat) since one passed away last night and get it ready for a new friend for Killer (the surviving one.)
Where is that chocolate? Heather???

Anatomy by Quin

2009-01-09T14:12:00.000-08:00

So he is still attached...has been since his 'night mare' at 1am.
and we were talking again as he is sitting on my lap killing my legs because of how he is sitting...
and apparently I was squishing a rib while I rock him.
'Do you know boys have ribs? Cause they do.'
I asked 'how many'
He said '69'.
I asked how many girls have.
He said '1.'
He also told me some girls have two brains.
Smart boy...although I am just assuming he meant the brains in our head and not the 'other' ones.

Then he told he likes daddy best. Cause he takes him to movies...
huh.
And asked me to rock him again.
Sheesh. Jeff doesn't rock him.
Clearly we have to work on the who-he-likes more part.
But shhhhhh Jeff is my favorite too.

Conversations with a 3year old

2009-01-07T12:49:00.000-08:00

So I have been talking to Quin a lot lately...all a part of that 'nurture' that I am working on...as a bit of an aside, I remember how frustrating it was for me to be telling my mom something and her to have no clue what I was talking about halfway through the story...so I am trying to listen better to my kids...they make me laugh.
A lot.
So, back to Q.
I was sitting down with him on my lap today (remember how he was always on my hip or in my arms as a baby? It hasn't changed...at all!) and said I was sad that he was going to be 4 soon. (yes, four!) he looked at me and said 'I'm not sad. I'm glad.' So I asked why and what did he want for his birthday...he rolled his eyes at me. (Yes, he is his father's son ;)) and said 'What I have ahways wanted...a lighter, you know the little kind wif fire inside so I can light candles.'
Yes, it does seem as though I have a mini pyro, doesn't it.
He isn't getting a lighter, in case you were wondering.
He is getting so big.
I love it.
I hate it.
Four is one of my favorite ages and I am sad to think this is the last time I will have it in my house. But, until the end of the month, I have a three year old and I will be enjoying (almost) every minute of it.

Going Private

2009-01-02T15:17:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about this for awhile now. Today I made the decision that this is the step I need to take. I love having a blog, I love sharing my thoughts, however, I have to have some control over who sees this.
In case you are wondering, there have been no issues, no weird comments, but I still feel it is necessary.
So, if you feel that you can't live without my bits o'wisdom, comment or email me and I will send you an invite (please be more than one person, pleasepleaseplease)
Thanks!

Word of the Year

2008-12-31T12:03:00.000-08:00

Ali chooses a word each year as an incentive for the coming year. If yo uread her blog, I am sure you will find that she is more eloquent than I am and will better explain it.
The first I year (2007) I chose the word 'balance.'
Last year my word was 'harmony.'
I am trying to decide between two words today...'nurture' and 'grace.'
It's kind of fun to choose this as a goal. As something to strive for throughout the year. Something to look forward to and even attain.
I am not balanced, but I am better at recognizing what needs to be more in focus.
I am not in harmony, but I know when I am completely out of harmony and what I need to do to get there.
As a mom and business person I am trying to nurture my family and my business.
As a woman I am trying to find grace.
So, will you choose a word?
What will it be and why?

I had

2008-12-30T16:28:00.000-08:00

a fun blog planned.
Then I got creative and made a mini book and looked at things to order for the store and got distracted by Bonnie ;) and didn't one done.
Oops.
Maybe tomorrow. Then I will share Bonnie's fantastic popcorn-y treat with you.
You know how I loves my popcorn.

in photos...

2008-12-27T14:41:00.000-08:00

Hunter took this picture of Q and I have to say I love it...the only thing missing is the dimples.

The front of our hosue after the wind made a lovely deposit of snow...that poor little tree was buried so badly last year that it split. I so hope it makes it through another winter!

This is the view as we cross the RR tracks...I love it, it is such a reminder for whatever season we are in...as you can tell.

The poinsettia is from my brother. It is HUGE. I think it must be three feet across. It's nice to have a brother who works at one of my favorite places :) (Town and Country if anyone is wondering)

Carson and Hunter drew each others names for Christmas. Hunter carved a shark for my shark boy and Carson and my dad put together this box for Hunter's HAM radio equipment.

Q with the pillow I made him. Iam going to try and get pictures of all of the blankets and pillows I made for the boys.

My dorky boys at my inlaws house. I have no idea what they were thinking but it must have been good :)

Christmas in chaos

2008-12-26T15:22:00.001-08:00

A brief rundown of what I think I remember:
December 24
430 get home from my store and Walmart the scariest place on earth on Christmas eve
715 finally get the &$%# cake frosted and head to Tootie's and Lori and Larry's for Christmas Eve traditional dinner of ham, funeral potatos and green beans. I brought dessert this year (red velvet cake and chocolate cake balls mmmmmmmgooooood...both were new recipes) Janet brought salad....this was yummy too.
1040 head home to finish up Christmas stuff
1am remember something is still in the cupboard at the store...Jeff goes to get it.
December 25, 2008
5am go to bed after a night of revelry and frantic sewing...and a bloody nose on the 9 yo.
6am boys get up. Jeff finds them staring at the Christmas gifts under the tree with eyes as big as saucers. Boys are threatened within an inch of their life if they wake us before 730
729 heard in the hall outside our bedroom "one minute guys...Tyler and Carson take mom, Quinton you wake up dad"
730 'MOM DAD it's CHRISTMAS AND IT'S 730 WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!
740 boys have finally convinced us it is in fact time.
830 new movie in the dvd player we go in for a nap
1020 boys heard arguing, I give up and get out of bed to make breakfast.
12n Jeff gets out of bed
6pm put chicken in crock pot to roast
7pm we leave our house to take gifties to grandparents
825 Tyler says 'I'm so sad that Christmas is over.' Quinton replies 'don't worry, buddy, it will come again next year.' I start laughing because a) we never say 'buddy' and b) Q is only 3
10pm get home snack on DELICIOUS roasted chicken and stuffing...
11pm convince Q to lay down by me as boys watch Johnny Lingo remake...not sure about this one, I am a die hard original fan
12 mn I think the boys came in to say goodnight.

I really slacked on the picture taking this year, but I have some of everyone, so that's a good thing.
The boys of course made out like bandits.
Jeff and I didn't do too badly.
In case you are wondering, I did not finish all of the things I was working on. Jeff and I just got fabric in boxes because I ran out of time. And I need to edge Tyler's blanket.
And finish Christmas cards.
I hope all of you had a fantastic day!

A letter to my family

2008-12-22T11:12:00.000-08:00

Dear Guys.
Here's the deal. If you don't get better soon, I am not coming home.
I have too much to finish to get sick...

Wait, this will sound better:

Get out of bed and help me clean...

No that's not quite right either. Maybe this:

I realize that the joy of the holiday season is to be spent with those you love surrounding you. However, as Hunter puts it, I am fed up with the 'sick germs of love' and if you want your gifties you will vacuum, clean and get well...

This is just not coming out the way I want it to...

I love you all and will be home soon.
Mom

So...

2008-12-18T12:14:00.000-08:00

this could be an all over type of post...
I am looking for a book. It's one I had a little and I have no idea what the title is. I know it was about Santa and his workshop and there was an illustration of just him on the front...the inside (remember, I am on the verge, so the memory is fading) had one illustration of him in a rocking chair, there was one in his workshop, one of him reading a lsit of names...anyone? Please? I know it's not a lot of help, my descriptions, but I am kind of looking for this book.
I am feeling nostalgic today.
I have lost two grandparents.
My Grandpa Dale (as we call him for the kids) died 12 years ago. Hunter had just turned 6 months and he had a heart attack the Tuesday after Thanksgiving it was late that year.) He died 2 days later in the ICU (one reason I can never be an ICU nurse) and I miss him. My mom and I were talking this morning about candy and recipes (I was asking AGAIN for her molasses cookie recipe...it's soooo yummy!) and she started talking about divinity that she and my Grandma had seen at the Candy Cottage. I started laughing because one of the reasons Jeff gave me a kitchen aid is because at Christmas I was going through like two mixers a year on making divinity. The boys will eat it, Jeff says it's too sweet (I know, but he doesn't liek circus peanuts or cotton candy either...it's weird!) but I LOVE it. Apparently, so did my Grandpa. He used to ask me to buy him jelly beans every time he stopped by. He said if he bought them he would get in trouble, but if I did it was a gift :) I will be making divinity soon and thinking of him every bite I take.
Grandma Taylor (or Grandma Lila for the boys) died almost 4 years ago. She had been fighting cancer for 3 years and it had finally metastisized too much for any chemo to fight. She died gracefully with her family around her just before she turned 81. Grandma used to have this blue ceramic glazed bowl that I love (and really hope I get someday) that was always filled with hard candies. You know, the ones that are so nasty that you eat a ton of them just knowing your teeth are falling out? The ribbon shaped ones and rootbeer ones and cinnamon ones... I found a small container of them at Walmart last night. I think I will jazz the container up and set it on my table for my boys in her honor. I miss her. She had 7 children, 6 of which were boys and I really would love to have her advice sometimes! Q was 2 months old before she got to meet him, she had just been too ill. But I remember how she glowed the day she saw him and got to hold him for the first (and last) time. She loved babies.
Having sick kids has been a bit of a blessing, I guess. Yesterday I finished a family blanket. It was really simple, I just enveloped a piece of fleece and some flannel...the fleece has a sports theme, so I figure it will go into the truck for the sports seasons ahead. We will do a few family movies to go with it as well.
I have Hunter's top part sewn, Carson's top sewn, Q's is half done and I will finish up Ty's today. I need to cut and sew the one for Jeff (I hope it's long enough!) and get the fabric for two smaller ones and the backing for those two, mine and Jeff's. Luckily Joann's is having a sale.
Last night Hunter told me at 630 that he needed a gifty for his band party...of course, me being home with two sick ones I chose to create instead of shower, so I showered off really fast, finished my chicken noodle soup so the others could eat (um, yeah, by the way, Jeff has strep. Nice!) and we headed out to Porters for sewing needles (my machine was tired after a full day without breaks) and then Home Depot for family and VT gifts and then Walmart for him to get his friend gifts and the band doodad.
So today I am cutting vinyl for those, finishing up what blankets I can and going to a cookie exchange tonight.
Whew.

Carsonisms

2008-12-16T11:51:00.001-08:00

Okay, I know I should have a picture with a blog when I am talking of a specific person. Hilary is really good about adding cute little pics and I am just so not ;)
I will make that my goal for next year.
So the other day Jeff and the boys were talking about the constitution and gun control (I truly have NO idea how this all came about...maybe that's a good thing?) and Jeff asked the boys if they understood the right to bear arms. Carson's answer 'the right to wear tank tops' :)
Yesterday I was home when the boys got there and was able to thwart their attempts and turning on the TV prior to getting homework and jobs done (this is a HUGE issue in our house) and told the boys to make their beds. Now, I am one of those lazy people who feels top sheets are unneccessary. We all have a blanket and a bedspread. It's fast and the boys don't struggle with it nearly as much as when we used the top sheets. Plus, it's warmer.
Carson appeared confused (granted, he was doing math so that could have been it) and asked what I meant (his sheet was on and the bedspread was on the bed, so what could I possibly mean?) and I said that all he needed to do was straighten everything so it looked nice. His reaply...'oh, so you want me to stretch it?'
He has always said 'hedabout' instead of 'what about.' I think that has to do with his hearing problems, but it still makes me smile...like when Tyler says 'bether' instead of better.
He likes to argue about who loves who more :)
He will go to bed without telling anyone.
He loves that he looks so much like his dad.
He loves fishing. Anytime, anywhere. Just mention it and he will do anything asked.
He is a really good helper.
I like this boy a lot.
Love him, even.

Christmas spirit

2008-12-16T11:30:00.000-08:00

I was just reading this blog and I love the idea for her Christmas party.
It makes me feel more Christmas-y.
I have one blanket top finished.
I ordered two gifties for two boys.
I have a good solid idea for Christmas cards.
I have three sick kids and a sick husband...which means I have no sleep.
I am still feeling cheerful despite it all :)
I think it has to do with the lovely snow and having yesterday off.

Sick kids

2008-12-15T11:30:00.000-08:00

Are giving me a headache!
Last week H was home off and on with various complaints...he is still complaining, but after missing so much school work (and Jeff forgetting to pick up his books) he is determined to go.
Carson is feeling better.
Tyler has a cronic case of procrastinationitis.
Q is the one that is making me crazy. Lately he hasn't been going to sleep AT ALL or really late. Last night it was 10 by the time he was in bed for good (we started this process at 730...where is Super Nanny???) and he was up at 1130 with a nasty fever and sad little cough. Poor punkin. Lucky for me, I don't want to take him out so I am actually getting a few things done today.
Maybe I can cross a few things off my list. And MAYBE I can convince this boy he wants to take a nap in my room :)
Hopefully if everyone is getting ill now, we will be healthy for Christmas!

Scrooge

2008-12-13T09:41:00.000-08:00

This is how I feel today.

The problem is, I like to sleep. I don't EVER get enough and somehow Jeff is always sleeping in (not on days he works) and it makes me grumpy...church, he is ready in 20 minutes, why get up earlier. Days off, well, are days off, why oh why would I want to sleep in?

This is why I love school vacation!

So this morning, Tyler, my sweet jabber jaws, was in my room at 6:50 asking if he could watch cartoons...are you KIDDNG me? No. Because you see, this boy will wake up EVERYONE else in the house just by being out of bed. Bull in the China shop? check. TV up too loud? check. Talking just to talk? check!!!

Normally, it wouldn't bother me, but both Q and Hunter have been sick all week. I really want them to rest...they won't if Ty is up...

So, I let him come in and lay down by me. He was freezing cold. I was not. He was WIDE awake. I was not. So it ends up with me getting cranky and feeling mean and him just being completely oblivious to it all.

Why does this drive me so crazy? Why can't he sleep until 9? Does he not realize in a few short years that opportunity will be gone and we will laugh at him and say, we told you to sleep in while you could and you wouldn't...

So, in 7days I get to sleep in for 2 whole weeks. I am warning you now, if you call before 930, I will be irritated :) And probably not answer.

Just so you know. And boys, Christmas will not begin until 10 or 11 am. You may as well stay in bed.

Someday you will thank me.

How do you feel today?

2008-12-11T16:49:00.000-08:00

"Like corn on the cob!!"

This is what Carson told me on our way to the orthodontist today. :)

It cracked me up.

Which I needed since in the past month I have had my side of the bed to myself a total of 7 times...sick kids apparently require mommy and I feel better when I get a little sleep with them next to me than no sleep worrying about them.

But I digress. This morning was all about Carson and getting his braces off. We thought that he would have everything removed today, but further xrays indicate he doesn't have enough space in his mouth for his incisors that are on the way up so now he has springs in his mouth. Poor guy. And the sad thing is we know he will get them again in a few years.

He really isn't as pale in real life as the photo shows, I think it's just all the grey he is wearing.

He and Jeff brought me a coke (sorry, Bernadine, but I REALLY needed it!) and all he could do was smile. Now I need to work on him getting the cheese out of his system so I can do a nice picture to send in those pesky Christmas (or Valentine's) cards.

15 days til Christmas

2008-12-10T16:53:00.000-08:00

Okay, here is my check list...the ones with an asterisk are the things I have accomplished so far...
*Buy fabric for boys' blankets
Buy batting for blankets
Buy fabric for Grandma and Tootie
Buy batting for Grandma and Tootie
Buy ________ gift for boys
*H
*C
*T
*Q
Buy_________gift for boys
H
C
T
Q
Buy 12x12 tiles
*Buy 6x6 tiles
Cut vinyl for 12x12 tiles (x7)
Cut vinyl for 6x6 tiles (x7)
Design Christmas cards
Print photos
Decide photos
Write Christmas letter
Find addresses (this could be hard since our Christmas stuff flooded last June...did I ever thank that boy for causing the flood? I ought to)
Plan Primary birthday party
Sew blankets together (you thought I would forget this part!)
Make sure Santa has the lists
Figure out a Jeff gifty
Make neighbor gifts
Call Lori about Christmas Eve and what to bring

See, almost done.
And oddly, I am fine with it :)

50 things

2008-12-05T21:57:00.000-08:00

50 things you didn't know about me until you read this...

1.What color is your tooth brush? red and white, I just got a new one
2. What were you doing 45 minutes ago? watching Harry Potter with Jeff
3. What is your favorite candy bar? babe ruth
4. Have you ever been to a strip club? I am the strip club...okay, maybe not and no I haven't
5. What is the last thing you said aloud? I'm going to go watch Survivor (on the laptop, which I haven't because I found a bright shiny thing instead and was distracted)
6. What is the best ice cream flavor? I have to choose? Um, mint chip or chocolate chocolate chip haagen dazs
7. What is the last thing you had to drink? water
8. What are you wearing right now? jammies of a sort, remember I am supposed to be watching Survivor
9. What was the last thing you ate? brownies for tomorrow night
10. Have you bought any new clothing items this week? last Saturday I did...
11. When was the last time you ran? probably chasing Q at the store
12. Who was the last person to send you a message/comment on your blog? Email was Bonnie, comment was LaTisha
13. Do you take vitamins daily? I should but I am sporadic
14. Do you go to church every Sunday? mostly
15. Do you have a tan? have you met me? My last good tan was in 1993.
16. Do you like Chinese food over pizza? probably not
17. Do you drink soda with a straw? Yes, other wise if you take off the lid it spills
18. What does your last text message say? I think it said 'from which account' and it was from Jeff...to someone was me telling Jeff I was hungry and needed food and a coke
19. Are you someones best friend? maybe. I'm not a very good friend, I love to be a friend, but I don't have (or make) much time for friends...they all have to be very understanding as I hardly am home and prefer to be there (unless it's card club...)
20. What are you doing tomorrow? it's the store's birthday, so I will be at the store teaching a class and frantically worrying about whether or not I will get home in time to take santa pics and finish dessert. or maybe talk Jeff into closing so I can do that as I think he has only taken like 4 shots with my camera
21. Where is your dad? at home actually
2. Look to your left, what do you see? my armpit...the joys of wireless internet and a laptop...I can lay down and do my blog or check websites...
23. What color is your favorite pair of shoes? I am an equal opportunity shoe lover...I think you can never have too many and I need more
24. Do you use chap stick? Jeff's if I do, but I am more of a gloss girl
25. Whats your favorite thing to do in your free time? What exactly is free time?
26. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru? drive through which freaks Jeff out because he swears you should always go in to order and I argue that they wouldn't have a drive through window if they didn't want you to use it
27. Do you have a dog? I wish, no time for a dog
28. Last guy you talked on the phone with? Hunter (as he was leaving for his campout) or my dad...can't remember it was about the same time
29. Last girl you talked on the phone with? my mom
30. Any fun vacation plans soon? hopefully CHA winter...anyone want to go? but I'm not sure of that counts as a vacation
31. Do you dye your hair? of course, I am on the verge, folks, that grey just keeps coming!
32. Can you say the alphabet backwards? Yes
33. Do you have a maid service clean your house? Ha! have you seen my house?
34. Are you jealous of anyone? yes, it's my vice, or one of them
35. Do you love anyone? I do
36. Do any of your friends have children? most of them
37. Do you use the word Hello daily? yes, often sarcastically
38. Do you like cats? yes, I have two. Lainey the fat old lady and Gryffin...yes, his real name is Gryffindor, thank you for asking and he is a punk
39. Have you ever been to six flags? not yet
40. How did you get your worse scar? my appendix is the biggest, it was before the fancy lap appy came to be
41. What is your favorite smell? my boys...preferably clean especially Jeff right out of the shower
42. What is the last DVD you watched? on purpose? Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown was on at the store for Q, but I think I watched Kung Fu Panda last...can't wait til the 16th for Mamma Mia! Maybe it was Lord of the Rings...
243. Have you ever been to Disney world? no, but CHA summer is in Orlando!! Anyone???
44. What is your favorite number? 13
45. Do you toast your pop tarts? yes
46. Have you ever waited tables? no, but I worked at a deli and bussed tables after people ate
47. Where did you have your first kiss? Eagle Rock (that's where the guy I liked went to school, I was 14 and he snuck it in. It freaked me out and I didn't kiss anyone again for like thee years)
48. What should you be doing? sleeping, it is a precious commodity these days
49. Do you enjoy wasting time blogging? I think it is a great way to waste time
50. Who do you want to tag? Hilary, Joy, Billie, Tammie although most of you will see this on Julie's blog and do it anyway :)