November 29, 2010

Now you know my secret

I'm a bit of a wussy shopper.  It's true.

Black Friday? Cyber Monday? Pish, what are those? Even when things are on sale, I still cringe at most of the prices and start to hyperventilate when I see that my total breach any number larger than $10.

I mean, I know myself well enough to admit that if money was something that grew on trees in our back yard, I probably wouldn't think much of filling up my shopping cart full of, well, everything!

And yes, I do spend money on frivolous things. But I still have a mighty inner battle of wants VS needs. You never know who's going to win either.

I did go to Kohls the other day and spend $3.58 and a shirt and a pair of pants. I saved $77! I thought that was a pretty good deal. The only true deal I can think of to boast about.

So here I sit at my computer, knowing that there are probably some great deals out in the cyber world today, but I haven't bothered to look. Because right now, the battle for needs has conquered over wants.

And I'm secretly bummed about it. But don't tell anyone I said that.


Anyhow... We had a fun thanksgiving with my in-laws. And like any once good blogger turned terrible blogger, I took very few pictures.

*hanging head in deep,deep shame*

But I did remember to take pictures of the important stuff.

Like proof that the men in my husband's family really do know their way around a kitchen and how to cook.

*sigh* I LOVE blackmail. Don't you?

 I wrote that little note on there, just so we're all clear on the matter.


 Since my husband's family is so large now with all nine kids married and there are about a billion grand-kids, we all don't fit in my in-laws house anymore.

It only has one bathroom. I still don't know how they managed that one.

So this place was rented and the kids had a blast with all the running room. It was rented for the family Christmas party that they have every year. This year the party was planned for the day after Thanksgiving. It worked out well.


Meet one of my adorable little nephews.

I'm pretty sure if I wasn't already pregnant, this little guy would have me baby hungry in a second! He's just so delicious!


This little niece of mine is something else too.

 Don't they all just have the most gorgeous blue eyes?

That's why Alayna is something of a novelty. She's the only grand kid on my husband's side of the family with brown eyes.

And can I just say there is nothing my kids love more than playing with all their cousins, especially Savannah. She's in heaven at these get-togethers.

And she always cries when we leave. Always.

Drama queen.

Since there are so many grand kids, it was decided a while ago to do a book exchange for the kids. Each child is given the name of another and they give out a book to each other.


This was a gift especially for me.

I'm starting to think people know me too well.


And this is what I get for telling my husband to take some pictures.

He snuck one in of me.

Now you know what I was really doing the whole time.

Caught red-handed.


At least it wasn't one of me stuffing my face full of food. Which is the other thing I did the whole time.

Now you know my secret.

Hope you had a great week too!
 

November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

From a family of Turkeys.

Special thanks to Savannah for her exceptional artwork.

And for remembering to make a little... something, er... not quite sure what but, remembering the little one on the way!

Do you see it?


November 23, 2010

Aliens and swords

You know that stage?

You know the one. The one where toddlers just have to push the limits and see what they can get away with?

Okay okay, so there's about 648 stages like that.

Anyway, this little guy...


don't let his false innocence fool you now. There's a reason he's always falling asleep in the middle of the kitchen floor. He knows what he's doing. He's sneaky like that. Anyway, his latest thing is to get out of his bed about two dozen times to "tell daddy something".

My kids have learned long ago that I am NOT the parent to go running to at night.

I growl and scowl and occasionally chase the back to their bedrooms.

Because I'm a good mom like that.

But as I was saying before I so rudely interrupted myself, Jacob has been coming up with all kinds of excuses to get out of bed a million times.

But last night took the cake.

He was on his sixth or seventh time coming into our room after being put to bed when the following conversation transpired.

Me: Jacob! Go back to bed!!

Jacob: But I... I have to tew daddy somefing!

Me: *exasperated sigh* Fine, tell him fast and get back to bed!

*shuffle shuffle shuffle... sniff*

Jacob: Umm, daddy?

Daddy: What Jacob?

Jacob: What if... *thinking of something to say* what if... ummm... a space duy tums down and umm... and he dwops his sword on our dwiveway and... and... and cwacks it?

*silence as us very mature adults glance at each other and try not to laugh*

Daddy: Space guys have swords? 

Jacob: Yup, dey do!

Daddy: Ohhhhh. Well, don't worry, there are no spaceships so no space guys can come to our house.

Jacob: Oh. *appears to be thinking of something else clever to say but can't quite think of anything*


Daddy eventually puts him back to bed.


And then I woke up this morning to find two kids in bed with me. Jacob was one of them.


The end.

November 22, 2010

Kindness in all forms

*sigh, stretch, yawn, rubbing eyes*

Too much food, too little sleep, and whole lot of fun pretty much sums up last weekend with my family. So much so that when everyone left Saturday, I was too darn lazy to go through the oodles of pictures. I read a book instead... two actually, as my way of recovering.

So you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see pictures of the all the craziness. Because I just know you want to, even if you think you don't.

Because I know everything.

It's true.

In the meantime, I was surprised by a package I received this weekend. It came from my blog friend Stacy.


If you've never had one of these Utah truffles, you are truly missing out on one of life's greatest pleasures. And she sent me whole box full!

Now, Stacy has pretty much had the year from he#* and is about to have a baby here really soon. And here I go through of rough patch of bad morning sickness, a kidney infection, and few other things and she sends me a box of chocolate with a note telling me she hopes I feel better soon, and not to share (which won't be a concern).

I was truly humbled by her sweet thoughtfulness on my behalf considering everything else on her plate. So thank you Stacy! 

I won't embarrass myself by telling you how many I have left. 

Eh hem...


Also this weekend, I received the sweetest email ever from a college friend of mine, Heidi. It was a total surprise what she sent me but again, I was truly touched by her gift.

She made me a little music video using pictures from my blog. Here are bits from her email:

Hilary Weeks is one of my happy spots in music. And over the last few months, this one song of hers always makes me think of you.

I love your blog--for its honesty and humor. While it always makes me look up to you, it also reminds me that the other mothers I know go through the same things. 

I had been thinking about making a music video inspired by you for some time, but last Sunday I really felt impressed that I needed to create it. So, I did. They're never great videos, but I love making them and they do something for me. Not really sure what. Anywho. I wanted to share it with you. 

I ache for my chance to be a mother, but meanwhile in my preparation I love seeing and reading about your experiences. Thank you for letting me be a part of them. 


I don't think some people realize how very humbling and even just the slightest bit embarrassing (in a good way of course) it is to receive a note like this. I hope you'll take a minute to watch it because she did a great job and the song really truly is amazing.

 Have a great Monday!

November 17, 2010

Just a spoonful of sugar

My little brother Abe is getting married on Friday.


But since there is no temple nearby where my soon-to-be sister in law is from, which also happens to be where my parents now live (I'm sure you can figure out how the two love birds met) they have decided to get married here in Idaho.

Since we are the only ones who live around here, guess where my whole famdamily is staying?

I'll give you three guesses, and the first two don't count.

Now, our house if plenty big for our little family. Sure we'll eventually need more space but for now, it's perfect.

But there's only six of us. And by tomorrow they'll be nine extra adults and three extra kids. And since I'm all about mental stimulation around here, I'll let you do the math. *Now where is my dad-gum calculator....*

Sure we've done it before, but it's still tight, way tight. Makes me wish that we had a finished basement something fierce.

But everyone are good sports about the limited couch space, as long as certain people don't sit on certain people's laps, sleeping on air mattresses, as long as there's no holes, and cramming into our little kitchen, as long as there's enough food.

And I'm excited to have everyone here, I really am! I love the craziness of it all.

So today is cleaning day. Something I've deliberately put off until the last minute, which I consider a rather brilliant move on my part.

Because I'm a genius like that.

Just ask me.

Cause' anyone who has/had small, but potty trained kids knows how pointless it is to clean the bathrooms, until right before company comes, if you want it clean and smelling decent at all.

Or how utterly rediculous it is to mop the kitchen floor, vacuum, or any other such activity that makes your house looks nice until the last possible moment.

Not that my family really cares, but I do. Because secretly, I'm all warm and fluffy like that... whenever I have company coming anyway. But don't give away my secret and tell anyone.

So I'm off, to clean.

Just call me Mary Poppins.

On second thought, don't. I don't sing. Unless croaking counts.

November 15, 2010

Family Photoshoot

Remember when about two months, fifty pounds, twelve inches, a pregnancy test, five milkshakes, and a bag of cadbury christmas balls ago I mentioned that we had finally had some family pictures taken?

Okay, so I'm exaggerating the weight... a little.

I know, I know, I'm awful slow in posting them. But Cassie from CG Photography did a great job and anyone brave enough to try and photograph a family with four little ones running amuck ought to get some serious brownie points.

And their place secured in heaven.

There are a ton of super cute and fun ones, but these were some of my favorites.




But I gotta be honest with ya'll. My absolute, very most favoritist (because favoritist is my most favoritist word) picture out of the whole bunch is this one.




























I mean, come on, it's awesome right? I love the realness of it all.

I'm seriously leaning towards getting this one enlarged for our living room.

What do you think?

November 12, 2010

Huh? Interesting....

I truly wonder sometimes what goes on their little toddler minds. Do they ever have inner dialogue? A conversation with themselves? Or do they simply decide on something and just, do it?

This one made me curious. I can imagine the thought process going on these lines.

Mine! I want this apple, this last perfect, red apple. Delicious! But I don't want anyone else to get it or they will eat it! Maybe if I hide it. Where to hide... where to hide... Ah ha! Perfect!



Now if I can just *oof* push hard *grunt* and get it in there *eeeee umph! push push squeetch squeetch...* Yes, perfect. Now one will ever find it and it will be mine forever! Mwah ha ha ha! 

It could happen.

This one, in total truth, surprised me into laughter.

Gosh, I'm so hungry! *sigh* There's nothing to eat. Oh look! Cheese! I want cheese! But mommy doesn't let us use knives, and she doesn't always let us just eat cheese. Maybe if I grab a quick bite, no one will notice... *shwamp chew chew* Oh shoot! Here she comes! *throwing cheese block back in bag, slam door shut and run and hide like there's not tomorrow*



Is she gone? Good. Cause I'm still hungry...

November 10, 2010

First Snow Fall


 As much as I despise this icky, sticky, wet, cold, stuff, I gotta admit...


it sure is cute when...


Alayna insists on wearing and not wearing certain things in a certain way...


Jacob wears some pretty manly pink boots,


and daddy's the one outside...


taking all the pictures.
 

November 9, 2010

Could it get any worse?

Don't answer that.

I was feeling fine all day Sunday. Nothing unusual. But by late Sunday night, I was starting to feel strange. By midnight, I felt like I was dying.

Clear back in May, I had a horrific kidney infection. It came complete with some symptoms I don't care to mention publicly, aches, chills, and a pain in my lower right back that felt like someone had stabbed me.

Not that I've ever been stabbed before, just sayin'.

So when this past Sunday night met me with aches, chills, a migraine headache from he**, and that feeling like someone had stabbed me in my lower right back, I could only groan.

Yesterday, I got off the couch a grand total three times, twice to heed the call of nature, and once when my ever sweet and thoughtful friend Gina stopped by to bring dinner.

Since my hubby couldn't take work off, my sweet brother came to my rescue. He spent the whole day here, cleaning, taking care of the kids and of me. He still had work but thankfully was a day where he could do most of it here on his computer.

Today, I feel a tiny bit better. but still pretty lousy.  So, you'll have to put up with a re-post. One from a long time ago.

Enjoy!

~~~

Tackle on the Fifteen Yard Line!

Contrary to popular belief, most women LOVE sports.

I can prove it.

A healthy, well-rounded meal of hot n' ready pizza was on the dinner menu that night. After all, every athlete needs to maintain a healthy diet and as head coach, I am responsible to ensure this happens.

At the time, my athletes consisted of Jacob, the Bottomless Pit (age 2), Joseph, the Sugarholic (age 3), and Savannah the Picky (age 4). As they were all contently feasting upon said healthy dinner, Joseph only managed to eat about two bites when, due to unforeseen potty circumstances, ended up in the therapeutic bathtub. Once he was done with water therapy, Joseph insisted he was done with his dinner.

Fine. I only force my athletes to eat dinner if it's green.

But the good kind of green. Not the green and fuzzy.

Well, the Assistant Coach, who some might refer to as my husband, decided he would splurge on some extra-healthy energy drinks called Chocolate Milk. Since we were having such a healthy dinner to begin with, I figured a little extra vitamin boost would be just fine.

Once Joseph realized there were energy drinks available, he insisted he could not dwell happily in this mortal existence for a moment longer without some. But I told him that since he hadn't finished his incredibly healthy dinner, he could not have any. But if he ate it all, I would most certainly reward his efforts.

While having this conversation with Joseph, Jacob had discovered Joseph's pizza on the table. Naturally, being a bottomless pit, he decided to do his best to dispose of it.

Joseph, determined to get his chocolate milk, turns to get his pizza only to find it in the hands of The Bottomless Pit.

In a flash of horror, screaming and crying, he sprinted off with teeth bared and fingers reaching out like claws towards his competition. Jacob, seeing the imminent danger, jumps down from the table and tries to sprint past Joseph into the living room.

Unfortunately, Joseph would do anything for chocolate milk, it's the sugarholic in him. So there, upon the line that separates linoleum and carpet, the Great Tackle took place. Joseph grabbed his brother and they both went down hard.

With both boys screaming as loud as their little lungs would allow, which quite frankly would leave Celine Dion in tears, Joseph tried to pin down Jacob and grab the pizza at the same time. Jacob however, was doing his very best to stretch his arm out as far as it would go to keep the pizza out of Joseph's reach. Oh the weeping, the wailing, the gnashing of teeth!!

Literally.

Being the totally awesome parents that we are, Assistant Coach and I both grabbed some popcorn, pulled up a chair and started cheering!

Okay, not really. But we did laugh for a bit before Assistant Coach slowly made his way over to separate the intertwined limbs before anything too disastrous happened, like getting pizza sauce or blood on the carpet.

And so you see, if women didn't like sports, we would never have children!

It's just the way it is.

November 5, 2010

Pregnancy Brain

I had my first real pregnancy induced breakdown this week.

It was awesome. I mean, I've done better to be sure. I still have a pretty funny memory of probably my best breakdown ever with baby number three, and Luke awkwardly patting me on the back while I sobbed and sobbed.

*sigh* Good times. Good memories.

Still, this breakdown was a decent one.  Tears, snot, talking to myself, the works. The good news is I hadn't put any make-up on yet so I didn't smear my mascara. Whew! I hate that.

You see, while I was in the shower that fateful morning, Alayna snuck in, grabbed the toothpaste and took off.

Only I didn't know it yet.

It wasn't until I was done and sitting on the bed, trying not to throw up, when the boys ran in, just in their underwear of course, to announce that Alayna had made a mess.

Sure enough, toothpaste coated clothes, arms, legs, hair, carpet, and all, Alayna knew she was in big trouble when she saw me marching in.

It was the last straw. And I yelled at her.

I'd been so sick these last couple days and already upset about husband related issues that I. Just. Lost. It.

While I was scrubbing her down, none too gently, images of the container of sour cream that she pulled out of fridge and smeared all over herself and ALL OVER the kitchen floor came to mind. I'm starting to dislike anything white.

Oh, and this.

I don't want to talk about it. 

Not to mention the two containers of glitter (the annoyingly fine kind that never seems to thoroughly clean up) she dumped all over the bathroom.

Then she got into the toothpaste... again. And the bag of homemade biscuits she crushed and scattered all over the kitchen. 

So yea, I felt I had the right to be a bit upset. 

But here's the icing on the cake.

After the toothpaste incident, I decided I would take the kids to play group for a while, hoping to get some of their wiggles out and maintain some hair on my head. We all climbed in the car, I pushed the button to open the garage, started the car, then started backing out.

The crunching noise had me slamming on the brakes in time to realize I hadn't waited long enough for the garage door to fully open.

Umm, I get to totally blame that one on pregnancy brain... right?

And Hubby thinks pregnancy is so rough for him.
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