FIVE ORANGES

2011-11-03T15:01:00.001-07:00

ummmmmmmmmmmmmm.....ummmmmmmmmmmmm......He he he... $9999,999,999!

Iowa

2011-09-18T20:51:00.000-07:00

OH HOW I LOVE THESE LADIES!

The Iowa trip was a fabulous time. We slept in an antique "museum", talked, laughed, ate, cooked (well, I watched everyone cook and then ate it), talked, laughed, saw the sights, and talked and laughed.

Completely gave me a soul-boost of girl time.

2011-07-03T16:07:00.000-07:00

me: M, you can't have a buzz cut. Let's look at pictures of pixie cuts.

M: what's a pixie cut?

me: Like Tinkerbell.

M: who the heck is Tinkerbell? I want a BUZZ cut like BUZZ lightyear!

2011-07-03T16:01:00.000-07:00

1. Cutting off ALL of M's locks with week. Okay, okay. Not ALL. It won't be a buzz cut. But don't think I didn't try my best to convince the husband to allow a buzz cut. No more screaming when I brush M's hair...no more sobbing while I wash it...sound tempting! But we decided on more like this:

2. J and M both start swimming lessons this week. Can't wait mixed with slightly terrified. Sums it up for them.

3. Summer break ROCKS.

4. J was called on in church to pick something off the board. He danced the way up and then struck a disco pose. Then a friend whispered loudly, "wonder who that kid belongs to? giggle giggle." My child is a replica of me as a child. pray for me.

2011-06-07T10:13:00.000-07:00

I hope you laughed at the totally awkward music video that looks like some teenagers made. hehe

Yesterday began summer break! I'm more excited then my children! No more dragging tired small people out of bed and trying to convince them to eat something before we race out the door. No more trying to be creative with cold lunch! wooohoo!

Now, don't get me wrong. I know that by the end of summer I will be so ready for school to start. But I'm ready for this break. YES.

So today, to celebrate, the kids and I slept until 9:00 this morning. ahhhhh. The day started with M prying open my eyelid and saying, "Is anyone going to make some breakfast?"

We are getting geared up for Disneyland and have to start thinking of things like where our swimsuits are, what is sunblock?, and does anyone have clean underwear?

LIFE IS GOOD!

Tonje Langeteig - " I Don't Wanna be a Crappy Housewife"

2011-06-05T21:41:00.000-07:00

2011-05-27T09:38:00.000-07:00

We were just shoveling big, juicy worms out of a outside stairwell, since the weather has been so wet. Later on, after washing our hands, my daughter suddenly yelled, "are worms juicer then milk?"

um...yes?

2011-05-22T21:33:00.000-07:00

I COULD NEVER LIVE IN WASHINGTON STATE. THIS RAIN IS SAPPING MY SOUL.

Thank you and please don't send a therapist over. I will return to my usual self when the sun finally shines.

2011-05-16T13:28:00.001-07:00

ok, I've got an appointment for a cleaning at the dentist this week. Why, you ask?

Because of this:

someone at primary: M, can you describe your mom?

M: yes. She has brown hair, green eyes, and yellow teeth.

sweet sweat

2011-05-14T19:06:00.000-07:00

Wow...I have NO IDEA what happened to make that picture in my last post that big....hence the reason we got a nifty new camera! Things like this are super exciting around here.

Also, good news is that my physical therapist is confident she has found the reason for my neck problems that make me act and feel like an 80 year old! Booyah!

I was so emotional while she was explaining how we will get me better, that I sweated through my clothes. literally. I was trying so hard not to cry or suddenly throw my arms around her neck for a tight hug, that I was sweating like I was doing a heavy workout.

So imagine the fun when she said, "ok, can you take off your jacket and we'll check some of those back muscles?"

2011-05-10T08:03:00.001-07:00

eating oranges in bed while looking at new library books....that's the morning for the girls in this family. Perfect.

Can't wait for school to end so we can add a hyper seven-year-old boy to our morning mix...summer come soon!

2011-04-19T07:12:00.000-07:00

Finally bought the golden tickets to Iowa to have a REUNION with the GIRLS! can.not.wait.

2011-04-17T06:55:00.000-07:00

spring break weather:

T-showers	Rain/Thund- er	Few Showers	Showers	Few Showers	Extended Forecast
High: 63° Low: 50°	High: 53° Low: 41°	High: 49° Low: 42°	High: 55° Low: 46°	High: 51° Low	Extended Forecast

2011-04-14T08:08:00.000-07:00

driving my son to school this morning, and has this conversation with the kids:

four year old M: why does this song say "you are my only fear"?

me: because the singer loves a girl, and never wants to lose her.

seven year old J: because it's his wife.

M: or his cat.

me: yes, he's being a little dramatic, but it's a love song for her.

M: for his cat? Yeah, I know the feeling.

WANT THESE:

2011-04-08T20:00:00.000-07:00

YES PLEEEEASE to the following:

Cowboy boots to wear with my dresses:
2011 Ford FUSION

Hippie FEATHERS in my hair

2011-04-07T10:05:00.000-07:00

my Facebook status today:
picking up my EXTREMELY shy four-year-old from preschool: "did you talk to anyone today?"
She answered: "YES!" pause....."well...I said some things in my head."

2011-04-07T07:34:00.000-07:00

we've had my nephew all week and had some pretty funny times. He keeps reminding me of funny things my kids have said, that I'd forgotten.
Such as:
sitting in the back of the car while M pretends to drive in the front.
me: are you there yet? (for the gazillionth time)
M: no. And if you ask that again, I'm driving straight to jail.

Today we have 3 cousins that I will be watching, along with my 2, so we are gonna par-tay

2011-03-27T21:02:00.000-07:00

I don't want anything big when for my birthday..just this. And please fill the entire sky. But don't go out of your way to do it. Just have it ready by 6pm. Can't wait.

2011-03-26T09:44:00.000-07:00

oh how I wish I could blow up this picture bigger...it's a pic of a kitten sacked out like a human.
And this sums up my deliciously lazy saturday I've had so far.

2011-03-24T20:18:00.000-07:00

My son has a heart of gold. He really does. He always wants to choose the right thing to do, be honest, be kind, etc.
This week, a good friend came into town for a conference. We went out to dinner and were laughing. He asked how I possibly don't ski every day with these amazing mountains. I told him, "when you have kids, your whole life changes. Not only financially, but everything is viewed differently. You suddenly go from saying "I have to see that!" to "I want my kid to see that!"
And he thought I was crazy.
Then later, we went to J's parent-teacher conferences that are done differently at his (fantastic) school. The child runs the whole thing. He welcomed us and toured us around the classroom then presented each of his selected best work papers and charts.
When he was done, he said "thank you for coming" ...I felt like I should shake his hand or something.
He had a big, proud grin on his face that was a your-heart-is-about-to-burst as a parent moments.... and I felt like a day of skiing couldn't compare with moments like this.

2011-03-24T09:28:00.001-07:00

I realized that I post all my funny or charming stories of what my children say to Facebook, so Julie misses the good stuff!
I went back and gathered some good ones:

while playing store with my daughter:
Daughter: welcome! I have several powers for sale.
me: what do they each do?
daughter: this one gives you power to make a sandstorm, this one gives you lava power, this one gives your water power.
me: and this one?
daughter: that one is not for sale. It's love.
.............

me to daughter who was holding 4 baby dolls: oh so you had 4 babies?
daughter: yes. I had trip-tup-lit-ites.
me: you mean triplets? That means 3.
daughter: they are my babies. I think I know what I mean.
.................

opened my wallet at the check out to find it stuffed with fake dollars my kids had made. Cashier and I laughed. Life is rad.

2011-02-04T12:32:00.000-08:00

life is sweeter when it's done being sour

2011-02-04T12:10:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty sure we sent our Pediatrician on a sweet vacation with what we paid her by seeing her over 3 times in the last week, but I am completely fine with it. Thank goodness for a medical genius and medication!
J had blood tests done to see why he has been having stomachaches every.single.day enough to call from school to come home.
Those are not fun results to wait for, I tell ya.
Then, M got croup, and then strep. SCARY. We're talking super high fever with hallucinations and screaming for everyone to turn the lights off...when the lights weren't on.
Thank goodness for my husband. He and I would get all freaked out and he'd pick M up and walk her around to calm her.
Now we are officially back in the land of the living. THANK our Heavenly Father for prayers answered.
Last night I said to my husband, "how did pioneers survive sickness like this?"
to which he responded, "uh, they didn't."
Oh yeah. heh.
Today has been back to calmer life. Like sitting with M while she sits her dolls in a line in front of chalkboard to learn to read, while sun filters in through the front door. I felt myself take a big sigh of relief.

P.S. all blood work came back normal for J. yay!

2011-01-22T10:07:00.000-08:00

Dudes. Moving stinks. But it's ok because my daughter has realized she is completely in love with moving tape and empty boxes.
So there's always that....right?

2011-01-17T12:53:00.000-08:00

I honestly tried and tried to get my picture to load of M's "gun arm" today. It was classic. Picture a long sleeved shirt in which she shoved a toy gun down and then wore it like a hand.
Also worth mentioning is that we played a game called "Transio 4" (I wasn't in charge of the name) in which somehow M always ended up on a box they called the freezer. To which I said, "I win!" and M said (from the freezer) "no you didn't...I can stay alive in here eating ice cream". oh.

2011-01-09T07:36:00.000-08:00

Not the happiest camper since our landlord lost the house we LOVVVEEEE, and we have to move again.
But, on a happy note, we survived the barfing flu and the only casuality was a comforter blanket!

2011-01-05T10:26:00.000-08:00

Be Kind.

For Everyone You Meet Is

Fighting A Hard Battle

Henry David Thoreau

2010-12-21T19:58:00.000-08:00

YEAHHHHH! C'MON CHRISTMAS!!! WE'RE READY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-12-19T08:12:00.000-08:00

Pictures I intended to take yesterday:

*The Jedi Temple made of chairs, blankets, flashlights, and cracker crumbs. (from Jedi snacks of course.)
*our cat who made a trap by hiding under wrapping paper in the hallway and pouncing us when we'd innocently walk by.
*the children sledding down the stairs in slick sleeping bags and helmets.

But alas, no pictures were snapped. At least you can visualize it, right?

2010-12-19T08:11:00.000-08:00

Dear fate,
You rock.
Thanks.

Sincerely,
Me

2010-12-12T20:56:00.000-08:00

Dear fate:
Please let my kids stay healthy so they can do their parts in the family wedding this week.
I've been on Facebook, and their friends are dropping like flies.
A feverish flower girl or a barfing ring bearer just aren't cute.

PLEASE. I will love you forever.

Love,
Me

2010-12-12T08:42:00.000-08:00

in my dream life..my house looks something like this
Those windows with the wispy drapes are dreamy.

2010-11-26T11:33:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving in a nutshell:

Wonderful.

Amazing food. We were forbidden to eat any food when we visited Grandma before the meal, so we sat and talked to everyone while they took bite after mouth-watering bite. I think I kept opening my mouth every time someone took a bite.

When Thanksgiving Dinner did happen at my mother-in-laws, it was totally worth the wait. I wish I was still eating it right now, actually.

We played the Newlywed game and yours truly and my man came in SECOND! Yes, that's right.

Thirdly, while playing Pictionary with my children, my son drew a Dog. My daughter was stumped but I could tell what it was so my son gave the hint "what has floppy ears and sharp teeth?" to which my daughter cried, "A gorilla!"

We are cutting off my daughter's long locks today. She is as excited as me. No more sobbing and running from Mom's brush in the morning. Can't wait.

Thirdly, my husband's grandpa passed away the day before Thanksgiving. What an incredible man. Served like three missions with his wife, was bi-lingual, sang and played the guitar, and loved his family a lot. We will miss him!

Now time for CHRISTMAS!!

2010-10-08T11:48:00.000-07:00

Today I kept looking at the clock thinking "I have accomplished so much this morning and I still have time!" it said 9:05..and it felt like it was at least 11:00 or later.
So M and I spent some lazy time looking up ice sculptures. Finally, I realized the clock was stopped.... And had been all morning.

..But regardless of the time, here are our favorites..this first one of little people on the steps is my absolute favorite! I wish I could've seen it live!

2010-10-03T20:34:00.001-07:00

It's definitely been too hot. Running the air conditioning in my car, and watching my gas slurp away...not ideal. But now that the forecast for next week is lots of rain, I'm realizing Fall is here. I LOVE FALL!! But I will miss this never-ending summer..

2010-10-02T22:20:00.000-07:00

This morning my daughter was hugging her daddy and said : "I love you sooo much Daddy!" and then promptly added, "and I love Mama too...except when she stinks in the morning."

....yeah.

When she walked out of the room my husband and I laughed and he said, "I don't think you stink" And M muttered from the hallway, "well, I do."

2010-09-27T08:16:00.001-07:00

current Needs at our house:

~Minecraft. J got this video game for his bday and canNOT wait until Saturdays to play it because it's not enough time!!

~Farms. M and I are headed to a farm today. Can't get enough of those farm animals, she says.

~Crystal Light. Their grandpa started my kids on this obsession, just a little mixed into their water.

~Bones started it's new season! My husband and I are soooo happy it's back!

~M's kitten, Milo. The kids have to see him, hold him, bug him, annoy him, love him, and be near him every second. They are defintely in love.

2010-09-23T20:52:00.000-07:00

Today while playing with cousins outside, I sat and watched them all running. They were obviously superheroes with serious lives to save.
I heard M yell, "everytime I fart I get another life okay?" to which her cousin yelled, "no fair! I want to fart too then!"
And I had to laugh.

2010-09-21T09:27:00.000-07:00

Feeding time at the zoo. Compliments of the zookeeper, M

2010-09-17T19:32:00.000-07:00

We totally had a dog that used to sit like this. Like a human. I saw this picture and starting laughing loudly. Our great dane Ash, was convinced she was human. She would turn her face to yours with a look like, "what are we doing later?"

2010-09-14T17:03:00.000-07:00

1. We are HEALTHY!!!!
2. J doesn't hate school this week. One days was "good". !!!!! *silent scream*
3. I have a headache the size of texas...thank goodness for IB Prof.
4. The weather was very windy today, almost blew my peep, her kids and my kids away.
5. I am a master artist of drawing Lego men. If you need a portrait done, please get a quote from me.

2010-09-08T09:42:00.001-07:00

Pray for my sanity, people. Just when I thought The Virus (it deserves to be capitalized, believe me..you must give it ample respect for its power to kill you) was done and we were all free...little M caught it and it turned into croup.
Not that a barking seal isn't cute and all...but NOT when it's your little girl.

And there is definitely a difference between my mellow son and my daughter when they are sick, too. J will quietly play a video game, or lay on the couch and look at his Lego magazine. M has spent the day screaming "I don't feel like doing anything!" to no one in particular, and then sob and cough. And no hugging, mom.
Ah well, at least she has her voice back, right?

2010-09-06T20:29:00.000-07:00

Read a blog by a mother who lost her 18 mo. old when she fell in a canal and drowned. One morning, a healthy baby, by that evening: gone. And I could hardly breathe for the next hour.
Hug your family tight tonight.

2010-09-05T20:46:00.000-07:00

Here is a story about a kid that really, really doesn't like school. And each day he would get in his uniform, pick up his backpack, and leave with his dad with a big smile. And then his (incredibly kind and attractive) mother would pick him up and he would look like he'd been watching a film in a foreign language for 9 hrs straight. His eyes would look all sleepy and annoyed, and he would tell his mother about how booooring everything was. (and sometimes cry.) And this mother would help him shake it off and then worry at night. The End.

The next story is the new ending I'm working on: when the mother picks her (incredibly smart and adorable) child up from school and he smiles and says "what a great day" and the mother does a cheer right there in front of all the other students because God heard her plea.

Story number 3: This whole (bright, fun) family got very sick and the mother thought they might all never leave the house again without their throats having lava running down them, they hurt so bad. But then, on a particualrly bad night, the mother prayed fervently for God's help. "Please heal my kids. Please, please, please just help my throat. I can do the rest." And she woke up to that exact result. And she knew that God totally and completely rocks. The End.

2010-09-02T11:59:00.001-07:00

Almost. Died. of something awful. Some horrible virus combined with a sinus infection....or something. I'm still getting energy back and getting over the sore throat part, probably from drainage. ugh.
Now J has the virus with an ear infection. So we are 3 weeks into first grade, and have missed 3 days of school already! oh man.
Antibiotics are taken in quantity here.
Poor little M is bored out of her almost-4-year-old mind. I found her writing the names of her cousins on a paper she found that listed them. Just sitting a the table, writing out names and singing, "and I love you soooo much, and I can't wait to get the cat declawed, because I can hug him more! And the sun said he will shine on us more..." and I smiled so big I had a coughing fit.

2010-08-26T18:33:00.000-07:00

We went to the family cabin Sunday. JonniAnn posted some cute cabin pics here since none of the pictures of all of us worked out!

2010-08-26T18:28:00.000-07:00

What do a bag of kitten food and swimming have to do with each other?
I have no idea. Just thought they were cute pics.

2010-08-24T08:42:00.000-07:00

2 things I forgot to mention:

#1. Got together with some of my favorite peeps a week or two ago. One I will call Jules, and other will be called soon-to-be-first-time-mother-that-I-get-to-attend-the-birth. Too long? LOVE these girls.

#2. We survived our first few days of 1st grade. Collectively, J and I only cried 3 times. He is back today, and I couldn't find his new lunchsack so sent him with one that says "Dunder & Mifflin" or whatever the office company is. Sweet.

2010-08-21T20:05:00.000-07:00

Meet: Milo. (at least that's his name currently.)

2010-08-20T11:18:00.000-07:00

While playing cars with my daughter today my car asked, "Can I come in?" (to the firehouse).
Her car responded, "you have to be patient. Please wait until your turn."
So I asked, "when will my turn be?"
And she responded, "AT THE END OF THE WORLD."

Life is Good

2010-08-18T21:29:00.000-07:00

Phew. M started a new job, our son started 1st grade, we moved, and got a kitten.
Who are we?????

I'll give you hint:

We're not them.

but I will say we are really happy with all the changes....except maybe when Han-Solo-Grandpa-Mittens-Milo the cat wants to play and it's 11:00 at night. but otherwise, check off "very happy".

2010-08-11T08:30:00.001-07:00

Answer: where we spent 2-3 hrs. straight laughing and screaming

Question: What is: The Raging Waters Waterpark Wave pool?

2010-08-11T08:26:00.000-07:00

oh so relieved everything fit in the car. Makes moving a cinch. *snicker*

2010-08-10T08:21:00.001-07:00

Not to make this an UpdateOnMyDad blog, but he is back in the hospital. Which changes my day obviously. To worry and prayer and visiting him.
Other then that, we are planning to visit M's new KITTEN!! at her grandma's where he is staying until we move.
His name is Han Solo Grandpa. And he's adorable.

2010-08-09T19:03:00.000-07:00

WE GOT A NEW HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Moving this weekend!!

2010-08-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

Dad is HOME. phew. We are hoping to keep it that way, with the help of a home nurse. *fingers crossed*

J just walked by dressed as a scientist, and M is a monster creation he made. He hid her body in blankets and covered her face with a strainer from the kitchen so she could breathe. Then when I walk in, she moves things and I'm supposed to scream "It's alive!!!!!" which I do with acting flare

2010-08-03T22:04:00.000-07:00

My dad is back in the hospital. Yuck. He would really like to be home, as you can imagine. If you are the praying type, would you include my fantastic father when to talk to God tonight? We'll send a big kiss your way.

2010-07-31T10:33:00.000-07:00

Since we told our daughter 5 months ago she could get a cat when we moved if she saved $30, I am happy/shocked to announce she now has $29. She swept floors, took care of my sister's fish, and did jobs. Then she has somehow resisted temptation to spend said $29 for 5 months. whoa! We are obviously impressed.

She has decided to name the future cat Grandpa.
My husband and I have had a good laugh at night thinking of how that will sound to other people. Such as,
"did anyone feed grandpa?"
or
"did you lock the door so grandpa can't get out?"
or
"has anyone seen grandpa in the last 2 days?"
or
"grandpa jumped on my bed in the middle of the night and woke me up!"

oh! I could go on and on (and clutch my side with laughter).

2010-07-31T10:23:00.000-07:00

Update: I LOVED the house. And it was gone before we even had a chance to get it. Boohoo. This was a bad time to have gone off sugar. I need a donut.

Our family (don't we look lovely in this shot?) may have found THEE house. Maybe. But probably not. So we are going to look at it today. And M is already thinking maybe not. But maybe! Right?

And P.S. My Dad is home from the hospital and doing well. And you didn't even know he was in the hospital and now you know isn't in the hospital! Don't you love happy endings?

2010-07-25T21:06:00.000-07:00

if you are ever at our place, wondering where my children were...you would merely have to look for a couple things to follow and find them.

For my son: LEGOS. A trail of them
My daughter is a little more tricky: nailpolish bottles or stuffed animals or lego men tucked lovingly into little beds.

Next order of business. We just got home from the famly cabin today, and it was BEEE-Utiful. We hiked up to a little waterfall with my husband's family and my son talked the entire time to one of his brothers. All the way up, and all the way down. We watched for his head to explode, but he was really nice.
We took off our shoes at the river and dipped them in. freezing cold! Whipped them out. Screamed. M and I laughed, repeated this several times.
J wanted to hike to the top of the waterfall so, so bad..but he's not quite old enough. Although he hiked all the side trails.
Then Grandma gave the kids and M a crazy scary ride in the truck. And they loved it. And now we all clean and climbing in bed...and the last surprise for our day: J took a shower!

I'm sure your life is complete now knowing that we had a fantastic day!

Yellowstone and not Yellowstone

2010-07-21T08:52:00.001-07:00

highlights of Yellowstone:

* West Yellowstone has a place where you can have your picture taken on a big, stuffed buffalo or bear. They dress you up in western clothes and take your pic. My son kept saying over and over, "I'm going to need a gun." "Do I get a gun?" "I haven't got my gun yet!" They finally got him a toy gun. phew. That ranks #1 for him.

* My daughter loved the Tea Party with Belle. We brought along her princess dress and Belle greeted the girls with cake and lemonade and taught them to curtsy and let them talk her ear off. It was done as well as Disneyland would've done it, I swear it. That ranks #1 for my daughter.

* Standing on the edge of the Yellowstone River waterfall at lower falls. It gives you serious respect for our Mother Nature. Stunning.

Somnething that has absolutely nothing to do with Yellowstone: (that's how I roll)
My daughter has been beside herself with joy to start preschool. The one I enrolled her in is mon/wed (hard to find) but the teacher is moving so it is cancelled.
Anyone out there that did Joyschool? Any ideas of how to make it seem like preschool? help! echoing....help
Okay, thanks.

2010-07-18T10:06:00.000-07:00

Back from our roadtrip! 6 days in yellowstone. it was fantastic!

2010-07-11T12:47:00.000-07:00

roadtrip!

2010-07-07T20:56:00.000-07:00

This is seriously how fast this week has been going....going.....going....gone!
Lots o swimming and playing outside!

2010-06-28T22:28:00.000-07:00

sampling of our daily conversations:

playing legos

My lego guy: Who will practice fight with me? Before the aliens attack?
Daughter's lego man: I will, after I pour the milk for our breakfast.
Son's lego guy: I will! *attacking* how's that for tough??
Daughter's lego guy: Okay guys, pancakes are ready!
My lego guy: I'm fighting for my life here!
Daughter's lego guy: this is not the time. Come eat something healthy. Then we can all fight and then have a nice, warm bath.

beautiful and sad

2010-06-24T20:59:00.000-07:00

These flowers are just a sampling of the beautiful bouquets received for Zach's funeral today. My husband's step-brother died on Sunday at age 22.
The funeral was wonderful and heart breaking. I couldn't love a father-in-law more than I do M's step-father. He was brave and heart broken and is anxious to see his youngest son again someday.

2010-06-18T17:32:00.000-07:00

Father and son headed out to the Fathers & Sons camping overnighter. Sooo much stuff for just an overnighter! J was DYING to head out so they could have some roasted hotdogs and finally (finally!) get some beloved cheetos.

2010-06-17T13:07:00.000-07:00

So. Cute.
This is what happens when your daughter wants to "help" you on the computer and you end up looking up cute animals for her...and you both say "awww" on each one.

If M has anything to say about it when we move...we will get so animals it will be a mini-farm. We talk about animals 7.2 million times a day. She is in LOVE.

2010-06-11T15:49:00.000-07:00

daughter, sitting at the table, happily dangling her legs off her chair and painting: "I just hope I get married soon."
Me: "what do you think married means?"
Daughter, bursting into tears: "Don't talk to me please!"

son and myself staring at each other blankly.

2010-06-09T10:03:00.000-07:00

This is a story about a family that went swimming EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. (except Sunday)
And the son of this family was really afraid of dunking his head. But after many times swimming, he started to slowly dunk for a second, then another, then another. And after awhile, he was dunking and doing flips! And if I were that kid's parent, I would be jumping up and down and yelling "that's awesome" until other people in the said pool would leave. And then we went a little crazy and were screaming and splashing and cheering. oh crap. Did I give it away that this is story about us?

this week

2010-05-22T12:27:00.000-07:00

pictures are a no show

2010-05-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

Okay I'm sorry there have been no pictures. I've taken to using my camera phone, and I have no idea how to put camera pictures on the computer. Sounds hard.
As I posted on FB, my daughter was doing push ups all morning yesterday. When I asked her why, she replied "so I can lift the giant dog I'm getting".

I also have to add the way J sings Iney, Meenie, Miney, Mo.
"Iney, meenie, miney, mo.
Catch a tiger by the toe.
If it roars or if it wiggles,
My mom said to pick the very worst one,
and you are it"

whoever he ends on gets excited and then realizes the song just said they were the worst. J is always baffled because he is certain he sang it right. Classic.

One more, one more, I promise I'll stop. Well, maybe.
M said she is going to name her new cat Grandpa. I asked her why and she said, "Something in my head fell in love with that name".

Pets pets pets pets

2010-05-06T08:50:00.000-07:00

I'm back! And not feeling so lazy. Feeling energized.
In fact, M and I printed pictures of all the pets she wants and hung them on her wall today. They are in no particular order:
A kitty (she is saving her money for one)
A dog
Iron Man
A snake
A falcon

I can just see me heading into a pet store with M and asking, "do you have falcons?"

laziness strikes

2010-04-29T15:32:00.000-07:00

I have not be diligent at anything this week. Dinner, reading with kids, initiating playtime, cleaning up, doing anything in the entire world that is productive...etc.
Hoping the weekend can get me back on track for next week.
I spent every day this week thinking it was Friday.
However, time spent just laying on the floor laughing with my kids? check.

Now I've got to drag myself into the kitchen to make something for dinner.
Anyone have one of these weeks? Anyone..? (echo....echo)

the pirate

2010-04-25T21:21:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness for Stranger Danger class.

While at the park on Saturday, we sat watching our kids play on the playground while relaxing in the shade.
They came running over (laughing) that they had to run from "the man".
There was a lot of people and kids, so we never saw "the man"'s face.
They said he had an eyepatch and triangle teeth.

ummm....for real?

in recap

2010-04-23T07:55:00.000-07:00

This week in a nutshell.

Chinese checkers. A new found love here. Don't know how life went on before we found it.

Blossoms a foot from M's window!

Couldn't find the toliet paper for awhile. Found it!

2010-04-16T12:07:00.000-07:00

I am extremely sorry to report that my camera was dead when I tried to take a picture of my daughter in her self-picked outfit of a miniskirt and moon boots.
(and a shirt, I should add)
I should let you know that we don't buy miniskirts for our daughter at the ripe old age of 3, but when she appears wearing a size 3 skirt and she now wears 4s and 5s, and will not tolerate the idea of changing, we go with it. Clothes are not a hill to die on for us.
So imagine it please. For your own enjoyment. Bright pink moon boots with a frilly brown miniskirt and a striped shirt. All day.

still ranks

2010-04-13T09:17:00.000-07:00

Still my favorite picture.
I want to get a picture of me and my family on the shore of the ocean with the sun going down. I'm gonna get it, and blow it up huge. Or have someone paint it. Wouldn't that be awesome?? (you don't have to answer that if you are going to say no)

The sky in your pocket

2010-04-13T09:05:00.000-07:00

Two conversations that made me LAUGH hard:

1. M asked "why can't you put the sky in your pocket?"
I want to write a book titled that. It made my whole day.

2. Called my sister. She told me that she was at work, and was sooooo tired. Her boss came in and said his car died, and could she help him jump it?
She and he went out and jumped his car. Then, in her tired and strange state, she climbed in her car, waved to her boss, and drove home.
She realized during the drive that she still had 5 hours left at work.
When she pulled back in the parking lot, her boss was still standing there, looking confused.
Oh I laughed and laughed until it hurt picturing his face.

it ain't no thing

2010-04-11T07:29:00.000-07:00

We've gone 8 months without a microwave. We love it. Probably will not get one when we move. It makes for slow cooking instead of a quick warming and seeing my kids stirring a slightly simmering pot of something on the stove warms the heart. (did I just make you throw up in your mouth? sorry, a little too cheesy.)
But we did decide to try it for health reasons, and we've been happy with the results.
In other news, my husband took my kids to How To Train Your Dragon yesterday. They love it!
J drew all the dragons last night, and neither had nightmares. So that is some serious praise from this family.

frogs, fingers, and bionicles

2010-04-09T12:40:00.000-07:00

Since we really, really, really, really, really, try to keep screen time to a minimum at our house....we have to be creative. Creative until it's just painful some days.
Today may have been one of those days. We got all ready for the park, opened the door, and were greeted by a huge gust of freezing wind. bummer.
So now I'm wishing we could veg out and let the day pass. But that would be something I'd look back on today and regret.
So we are coloring and preparing for the ultimate bionicle fight. Call me for tickets...if you can afford front row. (haha)

Easter

2010-04-04T08:33:00.000-07:00

2010-04-03T19:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter tomorrow. Hope your day is amazing. All you have to do is learn about why we celebrate Easter, and you are guaranteed a day filled with wonder.
Tonight I am thankful for a Savior who LIVES.

don't be scared

2010-04-03T19:34:00.001-07:00

My sister Jonni posted a few funny easter bunny pics on her blog and I had a good laugh. Hope you just did too.

2010-03-28T21:40:00.000-07:00

I truely have the best family and friends. My birthday rocked. I am one happy 31 yr old.

3 year old

2010-03-25T10:45:00.000-07:00

Real conversation I just overheard:

M: This isn't a sword, it's a dagger.
Cousin: why you call it a dagger?
M: probably some guy named Dag named it.
Cousin: how you know that?
M: My brain tells me lots of things.

*silence*

M: what does your brain tell you?
Cousin: are we done talking now?

in case you were wondering....

2010-03-24T08:08:00.000-07:00

Events of the day:
1. Math
2. everyone ate their salad at dinner. yes!
3. Feed the ducks
4. this:

2010-03-22T18:12:00.000-07:00

more snow days

2010-03-22T10:41:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm always wearing my sunglasses outside. Let's get that out of the way. It greatly reduces my chances of getting a headache. And I'm a fan of no headaches. Love this pic! haha.

We went up into the mountains yesterday by our family cabin and played in the snow.

And for those of us without snowpants, go very wet clothes. But not much of a sacrifice for the fun we had.

Love this. We dug out a snowcave. J getting in one end, M eating snow on the other.

tired

2010-03-19T08:14:00.000-07:00

I present: M's creation yesterday. I immediately recognized it: it's how I feel with Daylight Savings Time changes.

goings ons

2010-03-17T09:31:00.000-07:00

Three things:
1. My husband attended a funeral for a teenager yesterday. It was a suicide. He came home and said to me, "let's go hug our kids"
2. My son said, "I hope I look like Dad when I get older". When I asked him why, he said "because I think he's a pretty decent looking guy."
3. While at the store with my daughter she looked up at me and said, "I hate when I get a weezer". After much investigation, I translated weezer to mean sliver.

Laughed til it hurt.

s'more

2010-03-16T14:49:00.000-07:00

Okay here are some more. We did the picture shoot for some pictures for my husband's website. For public speaking. And the little town is Copperton. I have this weird love and obsession with it.

farm town livin

2010-03-13T21:30:00.000-08:00

Took some pics in a little town by us. I love this place, It's quiet with a country feel. I want to live here soooo bad except for the fact that everyone keeps telling me your kids turn out weird here.

P.S. I was the official photographer, that being the reason my face is absent from the pics!

Bachelors of Braiding

2010-03-02T21:37:00.000-08:00

just downloaded the wrong picture. hmmmm. This was supposed to be a picture of the back of my daughter's head, with lovely french braids. I'm very proud of myself. I've never know how to braid before, so I feel I should list this alongside my college degree.

Hello Papa! And maps to get you there.

2010-02-26T11:55:00.000-08:00

Did I already post this? I guess I could check my own blog to be sure. but because I am either lazy or busy, I will post again.
Here is our son's map of Utah. We have been learning about maps and countries, and suddenly J is cheering for the USA and China in the Olympics. Not sure where the love of China has come, but gotta love the passion.
However, this the detailed map you are about to enjoy is our great state of Utah. My daughter told us yesterday to just call her "Hello Papa!" for her name. It lead to some seriously funny moments at the store when I'd call out "Hello Papa!" to get her attention, and seven people would look up surprised. I love life with kids. They keep me laughing.

And then there were....less teeth

2010-02-02T08:23:00.000-08:00

P.S. J lost his tooth! First time for everything. The tooth fairy must have stayed up very late waiting for him to fall asleep. But she delivered!

When the weather outside is frightful

2010-02-02T08:19:00.000-08:00

celebrate good times, c'mon!

2010-01-25T09:20:00.000-08:00

We are experiencing our first loose tooth. Much shaking it, bending it and agonizing over when it will fall out. Every food is forked into J's mouth, and then he suddenly realizes his tooth would rather bend then chew, and is followed by looks of panic.

We talk of it all day, about when it will fall out, will it hurt, and more. I am going to personally thank that tooth when it falls out and can end this exciting experience.

Dreaming of the beach

2010-01-12T18:17:00.000-08:00

First off, you have to love that the shadow makes my mouth look like I'm missing several front teeth, don't you? I sure do.
Secondly, I have been dreaming of going to lake lately. As in, getting swimsuits when the kids ask to get in the tub and pretend it's the ocean. (minus sand wedged in places we don't discuss)
Thirdly, we played that we were lions today, and is it sad that I'm tired from crawling up and down the hall? Probably, yes. But worth it to get the screams and laughter when I emerged from my cave.
P.S. I feel asleep twice in my cave. Woke up to everyone yelling, "why won't the lion come out?"

the weather outside is COLD

2010-01-12T18:10:00.000-08:00

When asked by a visiting family member if you ever get used to the cold here, I answered,
"not me. I wouldn't live here if it wasn't for family."
I've thought about that a lot this week and I think I would answer differently. You do get used to cold. For several reasons:
#1: You buy your children and self massively-warm coats, gloves, and boots.
#2: You wave at your husband who is sitting in the car freezing so it will be warm for your son to go to school.
#3: you give in pretty much every time your children beg to "just stay home today!"

Amen.