A dreaded project finally finished!!!
For months and months I have been clipping coupons and then never using them. Tonight I FINALLY got them organized into some semblance of order and will hopefully be able to use them instead of saying. "I know I have a coupon for that at home..." which infuriates me to no measurable degree!!!
I'm also happy to announce I have begun shopping at CVS when I have a quick moment to run there. For those who are "in the know' this is a HUGE deal and will hopefully start 'paying me off' as I get more into it. So far I have just gotten band aids and toothbrushes for free, but I'm hoping to go this week to score some mascara!
I used to think I shopped the deals until I have been educated by a faithful couponer at church and her friends! WOW!!! And don't ask how because I hardly understand it myself other than get yourself organized. However, with an air conditioner that is original to the house, it's time to be saving those pennies because it runs all day most days - and that is with the air at 80 degrees! Just needs to make it through one more summer...
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
This Past Week
Well, it's been busy around here lately! Andy went with the Young Men on their High Adventure into Arkansas. I'm sure he'll post about that when he gets some pictures and give you all the details. Although sleeping on an island in the middle of a swamp with alligators around is NOT my idea of fun!
He has a handy phone that also receives emails, so if I don't want to bother him at work with a phone call, I send an email and know that he will get it as soon as he has a second. He is also able to send emails from his handy little phone, but I didn't receive any voice communication or electronic communication until Wednesday morning when a quickie email came through. Then we finally talked on Friday morning. I thought 4 1/2 days was the longest we have ever gone without talking (even during a 'disagreement' :)), but then I remembered our lives before cell phones.
The summer we lived in Colorado, I went to Girls' Camp as a leader so that was 4 days. Two weeks later my grandma died - the same week he went on high adventure with the young men, and that was 6 days. How long have you gone without talking to your spouse???
These pictures are just examples of my little girls growing up. This was my first attempt at double braids for Annie. This was how I wore my hair for every basketball game in 7th grade - at least until my sister got married and moved out! They stayed in great, even if they are a little lopsided...
Okay - so a lot more is going on, but it would make my head spin to write anymore about it! Let's just leave it with the fact that I now have 4 more projects that are closer to being done than when Andy left. And no, none are completed yet...someday!
He has a handy phone that also receives emails, so if I don't want to bother him at work with a phone call, I send an email and know that he will get it as soon as he has a second. He is also able to send emails from his handy little phone, but I didn't receive any voice communication or electronic communication until Wednesday morning when a quickie email came through. Then we finally talked on Friday morning. I thought 4 1/2 days was the longest we have ever gone without talking (even during a 'disagreement' :)), but then I remembered our lives before cell phones.
The summer we lived in Colorado, I went to Girls' Camp as a leader so that was 4 days. Two weeks later my grandma died - the same week he went on high adventure with the young men, and that was 6 days. How long have you gone without talking to your spouse???
These pictures are just examples of my little girls growing up. This was my first attempt at double braids for Annie. This was how I wore my hair for every basketball game in 7th grade - at least until my sister got married and moved out! They stayed in great, even if they are a little lopsided...Okay - so a lot more is going on, but it would make my head spin to write anymore about it! Let's just leave it with the fact that I now have 4 more projects that are closer to being done than when Andy left. And no, none are completed yet...someday!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Little Miss Independence
Emily likes to feed herself. Last night I knew she liked the dinner I was serving, so I scooped up a little bit on her fork and handed it to her. She took the fork, brushed the food off, gave me a dirty look, scooped food on the fork HERSELF, and put it into her mouth. I just laughed and went to get the camera. Here is my sweet Emmer-pie eating dinner! 
I am allowed to feed her yogurt and applesauce. Everything else she has to do on her own!!!
I am allowed to feed her yogurt and applesauce. Everything else she has to do on her own!!!Swimming Lessons
Ben has been taking swimming lessons last week and this week. He loves them and his teacher, Miss Haley.
Monday, June 16, 2008
The 3 Loves of my Life
There are 3 things that I really love in life and I need to have to keep me happy.
1. Root Beer Floats - made with A&W root beer and cheap ice cream. I am realllllllly craving this right now and would run to the store if there was someone else here to watch my children! However, I must add a claim that root beer floats made with Blue Bell ice cream are ruined because that ice cream needs to stand solo!
2. Smores - I LOVE smores! I think that is what I miss so much about Utah is the bonfires in the canyon and the smores! However, I have found an even better way to make them any time of the year - microwave!!! Then the chocolate melts and the marshmallows get kind of chewy. It's really an amazing thing! I put them in for about 12 seconds, let them cool for about 30 and then zap them for another 9-10 seconds. Wait about a minute and then put the graham cracker lid on. WOW!!! I really wish I had some graham crackers right now as well.
3. My sweet husband. Happy Father's Day. Enjoy your key holders that we spent most of the afternoon making - decorated with things that you like. (thanks to the Friend magazine) We love you and need you to help us stay happy!!!
4. I can never make a short answer, can I? Oh well. Definitely need to add my kids! Got this shot of Annie last night and love it. Although I am shocked that her finger is not in her mouth. She was trying so hard not to bite her nails because they were pretty and painted. 
1. Root Beer Floats - made with A&W root beer and cheap ice cream. I am realllllllly craving this right now and would run to the store if there was someone else here to watch my children! However, I must add a claim that root beer floats made with Blue Bell ice cream are ruined because that ice cream needs to stand solo!
2. Smores - I LOVE smores! I think that is what I miss so much about Utah is the bonfires in the canyon and the smores! However, I have found an even better way to make them any time of the year - microwave!!! Then the chocolate melts and the marshmallows get kind of chewy. It's really an amazing thing! I put them in for about 12 seconds, let them cool for about 30 and then zap them for another 9-10 seconds. Wait about a minute and then put the graham cracker lid on. WOW!!! I really wish I had some graham crackers right now as well.
3. My sweet husband. Happy Father's Day. Enjoy your key holders that we spent most of the afternoon making - decorated with things that you like. (thanks to the Friend magazine) We love you and need you to help us stay happy!!!
4. I can never make a short answer, can I? Oh well. Definitely need to add my kids! Got this shot of Annie last night and love it. Although I am shocked that her finger is not in her mouth. She was trying so hard not to bite her nails because they were pretty and painted. 
Friday, June 13, 2008
Count Your Many Blessings...
Last night I was thinking of so many blessings that I wanted to write down, and now my mind is blank and rejecting those previous ideas because they seem really cheesy in the light of day...oh well!
1. Hope and Grace days: I stopped having a cleaning company come because one, gas prices are cutting into other sections of the budget and two, they made me mad! Now, we have Hope and Grace! They are fabulous twins in our neighborhood that come over once a week as Mother's Helpers and play with the kids, do chores, or anything else I need help with. And it is all done with a SMILE! I feel like my sweet nieces have come for a visit! Last night Andy got home around 10, sat in a chair, and sighed, "I love Hope and Grace Days!" I think he loves those days because we all do! Yesterday, I even pulled out a quilt I started for Annie's bed many moons ago and was finally able to sew more because Grace had Emily, Ben and Annie LISTENED and HELPED while Hope vacuumed so I didn't feel guily about not doing housework! Then Hope ironed the squares for me while I went to make bread. What a blessing!
2. Pink Starbursts: Orange has always been my favorite, but I'm realizing that pink is a new favorite. We always had starbursts and Nutter Butters on road trips with my dad in the summer, and I loved to pick out the orange ones! Now, I like them all, but yellow is my least favorite!
3. My Sunday Elves: With Andy's new calling Sundays are a bit harder than they used to be. BUT I also have so many people willing to help that I have better days than I used to! This past week was extra special. Andy was out of town over the weekend, and the kids and I just kept going and going until Sunday morning when the house was a wreck! Add to that I don't know how many times Cheerios were dumped on the floor, poppy seed muffins grabbed off the counter, water spills, etc. It was like any normal day, but magnified by 5! So, we picked Andy up from the airport Sunday morning with the intention of taking him to church and then coming home to clean. Flights get delayed, etc... After church I wanted to hurry and clean up so the kids and I could hang out at Mom's for the afternoon until Andy got home, but I couldn't leave the house like that for Andy to come home to after a 3 hour flight and 7 hours of church. So, my favorite Sunday Elves came to me instead! In 45 minutes we had the entire house cleaned, with no time outs or tears! Then my big sister elf folded all my laundry and mommy elf read books to the kids. I even got two dinners ready so the rest of my week would be better. Thank you my little Sunday Elves!!!
4. Friends: For some reason last week I felt like all of my friends were calling. I was just in awe of how many people I could call if I needed to for help. I'm so glad I can offer help also. It just feels so good to be loved and know people are watching out for you and want you to be with them!!!
5. Books: I love books!!! I've been reading so much lately and am such a happier person because of it! I had 2 books shows over the last two weeks and love having new books in my home! It's such a happy feeling! Today we read about how flowers grow and how they scatter seeds. I LOVE that Emily has started enjoying books! She will even turn the flaps! I started a few weeks ago reading to her before bed and it is just now getting to the point that she will sit through the whole book. (Of course, "reading" is talking about pictures...)
6. Garage Sales: When Andy was gone last week, my sister watched all three kids for over three hours while I had a Book Show. I called on my way (and their way to Home Depot for kids day) and asked her to stop at a garage sale on the corner and try to buy this climbing toy I saw. She HATES garage sales but stopped anyway and even got a fabulous deal!!! Ben and I cleaned it up and my children have spent hours playing in the living room on our ''little box with slide.'
Too many blessings to count, and I would keep going, but I must go be productive! At least I can check off writing in my journal for today!
1. Hope and Grace days: I stopped having a cleaning company come because one, gas prices are cutting into other sections of the budget and two, they made me mad! Now, we have Hope and Grace! They are fabulous twins in our neighborhood that come over once a week as Mother's Helpers and play with the kids, do chores, or anything else I need help with. And it is all done with a SMILE! I feel like my sweet nieces have come for a visit! Last night Andy got home around 10, sat in a chair, and sighed, "I love Hope and Grace Days!" I think he loves those days because we all do! Yesterday, I even pulled out a quilt I started for Annie's bed many moons ago and was finally able to sew more because Grace had Emily, Ben and Annie LISTENED and HELPED while Hope vacuumed so I didn't feel guily about not doing housework! Then Hope ironed the squares for me while I went to make bread. What a blessing!
2. Pink Starbursts: Orange has always been my favorite, but I'm realizing that pink is a new favorite. We always had starbursts and Nutter Butters on road trips with my dad in the summer, and I loved to pick out the orange ones! Now, I like them all, but yellow is my least favorite!
3. My Sunday Elves: With Andy's new calling Sundays are a bit harder than they used to be. BUT I also have so many people willing to help that I have better days than I used to! This past week was extra special. Andy was out of town over the weekend, and the kids and I just kept going and going until Sunday morning when the house was a wreck! Add to that I don't know how many times Cheerios were dumped on the floor, poppy seed muffins grabbed off the counter, water spills, etc. It was like any normal day, but magnified by 5! So, we picked Andy up from the airport Sunday morning with the intention of taking him to church and then coming home to clean. Flights get delayed, etc... After church I wanted to hurry and clean up so the kids and I could hang out at Mom's for the afternoon until Andy got home, but I couldn't leave the house like that for Andy to come home to after a 3 hour flight and 7 hours of church. So, my favorite Sunday Elves came to me instead! In 45 minutes we had the entire house cleaned, with no time outs or tears! Then my big sister elf folded all my laundry and mommy elf read books to the kids. I even got two dinners ready so the rest of my week would be better. Thank you my little Sunday Elves!!!
4. Friends: For some reason last week I felt like all of my friends were calling. I was just in awe of how many people I could call if I needed to for help. I'm so glad I can offer help also. It just feels so good to be loved and know people are watching out for you and want you to be with them!!!
5. Books: I love books!!! I've been reading so much lately and am such a happier person because of it! I had 2 books shows over the last two weeks and love having new books in my home! It's such a happy feeling! Today we read about how flowers grow and how they scatter seeds. I LOVE that Emily has started enjoying books! She will even turn the flaps! I started a few weeks ago reading to her before bed and it is just now getting to the point that she will sit through the whole book. (Of course, "reading" is talking about pictures...)
6. Garage Sales: When Andy was gone last week, my sister watched all three kids for over three hours while I had a Book Show. I called on my way (and their way to Home Depot for kids day) and asked her to stop at a garage sale on the corner and try to buy this climbing toy I saw. She HATES garage sales but stopped anyway and even got a fabulous deal!!! Ben and I cleaned it up and my children have spent hours playing in the living room on our ''little box with slide.'
Too many blessings to count, and I would keep going, but I must go be productive! At least I can check off writing in my journal for today!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Bloody toes and other such tales...
We had the best afternoon swimming at the local pool! Ben and Annie loved it so much that their poor tender toes rubbed the ground, and they began to bleed after we got out of the pool! It is a zero-entry pool, which means it is like a beach and then slowly goes deeper. Ben could go out halfway and still be touching the bottom. He has swim lessons this week and next and is in LOVE with the water! He is now all-out swimming underwater! His proudest moment was this afternoon opening his eyes under the water - this is something we have been working on for a LONG time because he insists on wearing goggles at Grandma's.
Annie is very sad to not be taking swimming lessons. She loves to follow and do EXACTLY what Ben is doing, including following him into water that is too deep. I am working with her to put her head under the water and kick until she can stand up. Emily just keeps going until she begins to floats because the water is up to her neck! It's a real feat to watch all three at the same time, and I am VERY thankful to have such wonderful friends who help keep watch on my kids!!!
I took girls to Girls' Camp yesterday and was so sad to leave! They are staying in the cabin that I stayed at my very last year of camp. We had such a great job and Marianne did an incredible amount of planning and directing! Oh well, my time will come, when I don't have 3 little kids waiting for me at home! I was so excited to learn that with my van loaded up and pulling a full trailer, I still got 20.5 mpg! I typically get 13 mpg around town, so that revises my hope of any sort of summer vacation this year! We had totally ruled it out because it costs me $1 to drive just under 4 miles (when gas was $3.50)! Maybe we actually will make it to Sea World and San Antonio after all!!!
Annie is very sad to not be taking swimming lessons. She loves to follow and do EXACTLY what Ben is doing, including following him into water that is too deep. I am working with her to put her head under the water and kick until she can stand up. Emily just keeps going until she begins to floats because the water is up to her neck! It's a real feat to watch all three at the same time, and I am VERY thankful to have such wonderful friends who help keep watch on my kids!!!
I took girls to Girls' Camp yesterday and was so sad to leave! They are staying in the cabin that I stayed at my very last year of camp. We had such a great job and Marianne did an incredible amount of planning and directing! Oh well, my time will come, when I don't have 3 little kids waiting for me at home! I was so excited to learn that with my van loaded up and pulling a full trailer, I still got 20.5 mpg! I typically get 13 mpg around town, so that revises my hope of any sort of summer vacation this year! We had totally ruled it out because it costs me $1 to drive just under 4 miles (when gas was $3.50)! Maybe we actually will make it to Sea World and San Antonio after all!!!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Some Random Thoughts
1. Today I finally went back to the gym after a 3 week hiatus! I did something to my elbow and my entire arm hurts with any kind of weights, so I wanted to give it time to heal. I did the water aerobics class today, and of course, as soon as I started with the water weights my arm started to burn. I need to go see my favorite orthopedic surgeon! Now that we are totally off the point...after the class I sat in the sauna for a few minutes. Two other older people from the class came in (I'm the youngest by at least 30 years) and started chatting. The man was from Egypt and the woman from Costa Rica. They just talked about how much they loved living in the USA. "It's the free country. You can say whatever you want and not get punished for it." They kept listing all the freedoms we have here that they didn't grow up with - the main one that struck me was the freedom of speech, that not only could you think differently than others; you can voice that as well.
My Google page brings up the top 3 stories from the New York Times, and I consider this my way of staying in the world since we don't get a newspaper. I need to understand current events at least a little bit! Two stories I've been thinking about this week were the Chinese schools that collapsed and the basic dictatorship in Zimbabwe. I can't imagine living in a society like that, where you are beaten and tortured BY THE GOVERNMENT for supporting a different leader or wanting to vote for 'change.' Along with those things, I've been almost obsessive with the presidential elections this year. I credit my dear Autumn and our favorite neighbors for getting me slightly educated on politics. I can't tell you how many articles I've read on Obama - one of these days I'll probably read his autobiography! Not that I support him - just interested in his drive...
2. We've had a few late nights around here lately, so neither Andy nor I have been coherent when Ben and Annie awake. That translates into movie time, and the movie of choice has been Return to Neverland. They both love it! Annie thinks it is a princess movie. Somehow, this has sparked Ben's little brain, and we've had several conversations about what things float and sink. Maybe swimming helped spur this on too. We went to the library today and he reminded me at least 3 times "to get books about floating and sinking!" so there was ONE, and I got it. I need to look online and see if any other libraries have them. We've been checking out more and more books from the non-fiction kids section, and the kids are eating them up! That was the section I always avoided as a child, but I'm loving it now! We did also get a cowboy book - "Don't Touch My Hat!" about a sheriff that wears a 10 gallon cowboy hat.
3. I think that's all my brain can process for one night. Other than the fact that my old roommate is getting married in August and I am super excited!!! Especially because the wedding will be in Dallas, so the other 4 girls are flying in and I get to play hostess! And tour guide! It's going to be so fun!!!
My Google page brings up the top 3 stories from the New York Times, and I consider this my way of staying in the world since we don't get a newspaper. I need to understand current events at least a little bit! Two stories I've been thinking about this week were the Chinese schools that collapsed and the basic dictatorship in Zimbabwe. I can't imagine living in a society like that, where you are beaten and tortured BY THE GOVERNMENT for supporting a different leader or wanting to vote for 'change.' Along with those things, I've been almost obsessive with the presidential elections this year. I credit my dear Autumn and our favorite neighbors for getting me slightly educated on politics. I can't tell you how many articles I've read on Obama - one of these days I'll probably read his autobiography! Not that I support him - just interested in his drive...
2. We've had a few late nights around here lately, so neither Andy nor I have been coherent when Ben and Annie awake. That translates into movie time, and the movie of choice has been Return to Neverland. They both love it! Annie thinks it is a princess movie. Somehow, this has sparked Ben's little brain, and we've had several conversations about what things float and sink. Maybe swimming helped spur this on too. We went to the library today and he reminded me at least 3 times "to get books about floating and sinking!" so there was ONE, and I got it. I need to look online and see if any other libraries have them. We've been checking out more and more books from the non-fiction kids section, and the kids are eating them up! That was the section I always avoided as a child, but I'm loving it now! We did also get a cowboy book - "Don't Touch My Hat!" about a sheriff that wears a 10 gallon cowboy hat.
3. I think that's all my brain can process for one night. Other than the fact that my old roommate is getting married in August and I am super excited!!! Especially because the wedding will be in Dallas, so the other 4 girls are flying in and I get to play hostess! And tour guide! It's going to be so fun!!!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Cedar Hill State Park
We finally did it! For Christmas last year I gave Andy a water-filter kit. For our anniversary, I told Andy not to worry about getting me something because I had a combined gift (a tent!!!). I've been asking to go camping for over 2 years. Since that is something he loves to do, I want the kids to experience it also. And I love smores!!!
Andy says he loves camping in Utah and Colorado. However, he finally gave in and we had a great trip - continuously running fan included. We left Thursday afternoon and drove a whopping 45 minutes to Cedar Hill State Park. We bought a Texas Parks Pass, so we do plan to go camping a few more times within the year. It took us four different stores to find firewood, but everything was smooth. We planned ahead and the two things that we didn't bring from or list, we needed. Alas - we still had a great time!
This was our first night. It was hot and taking a while to get the fire going. The kids were excited to sit in their new chairs. Emily just had fun climbing in and out.
I brought lots of things for Ben and Annie to do, but their very favorite was a new Usborne product - 100 thing for little kids to do on a trip. It is awesome!!! And yes, Ben and I planned the colored outfits. The kids all matched and then Andy and I matched!
They had a great time in Joe Pool Lake! It was beautiful and Ben made several friends! Emily was quite the daredevil throughout the trip. I'm exhausted from being her shadow all weekend!
We had plenty of room to play frisbee and soccer. Here we are trying to teach Annie to throw a frisbee.
And yes - roasting marshmallows!!!
I love seeing Andy in this atmosphere where he is so RELAXED! He just knows what to do and how to solve problems. LOVE IT!!! My one complaint (there has to be one!) was my biggest trial - too many ants! We did a small hike this morning before coming home. I squatted down to let Ben on my back and fell over into a huge fire ant pile. My whole leg swelled up as we drove home, but it's all under control now. Yuck!!! We had a great time, but were glad to be home. The kids were all asleep by 6:30 tonight and should sleep until at least 6 tomorrow morning!
Andy says he loves camping in Utah and Colorado. However, he finally gave in and we had a great trip - continuously running fan included. We left Thursday afternoon and drove a whopping 45 minutes to Cedar Hill State Park. We bought a Texas Parks Pass, so we do plan to go camping a few more times within the year. It took us four different stores to find firewood, but everything was smooth. We planned ahead and the two things that we didn't bring from or list, we needed. Alas - we still had a great time!
This was our first night. It was hot and taking a while to get the fire going. The kids were excited to sit in their new chairs. Emily just had fun climbing in and out.
I brought lots of things for Ben and Annie to do, but their very favorite was a new Usborne product - 100 thing for little kids to do on a trip. It is awesome!!! And yes, Ben and I planned the colored outfits. The kids all matched and then Andy and I matched!
They had a great time in Joe Pool Lake! It was beautiful and Ben made several friends! Emily was quite the daredevil throughout the trip. I'm exhausted from being her shadow all weekend!
We had plenty of room to play frisbee and soccer. Here we are trying to teach Annie to throw a frisbee.
And yes - roasting marshmallows!!! 
I love seeing Andy in this atmosphere where he is so RELAXED! He just knows what to do and how to solve problems. LOVE IT!!! My one complaint (there has to be one!) was my biggest trial - too many ants! We did a small hike this morning before coming home. I squatted down to let Ben on my back and fell over into a huge fire ant pile. My whole leg swelled up as we drove home, but it's all under control now. Yuck!!! We had a great time, but were glad to be home. The kids were all asleep by 6:30 tonight and should sleep until at least 6 tomorrow morning!Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Happy Memorial Day!
We had a great holiday yesterday! We had a church picnic and then went swimming at my mom's house. This was the cake we made for the church potluck. No one would eat it. But Ben and I did have a lot of fun making it! When he did the lines at the bottom of the cake, he wanted them to be curly, so they would be cute like Annie's hair. How sweet can you get???
My little Emily is such a doll! I love the back view of her in swimming suits!
Annie is decidedly a fish! She loves the freedom of a life jacket so she can go where ever she wants, but the underneath strap left a burn on her thigh from two days before. I let her wear it for about 20 minutes. When she started walking funny again, I had to drag it off her cute little body. "But I can't swim without my life jacket!" However, this little girl can swim! She can hold her breath about 1/2 the width of the pool and just kicks and kicks!
Ben likes to jump in at the side and swim to the steps.
Emily LOVES the diving board! Annie kept jumping off it, so Emily just thought she could too. Except, Emily just likes to stand and bounce. As soon as someone comes close to her, she quickly sits down and is really hard to move! This was her hesitation...is Aunt Jamie close enough to get me??? She's surprisingly fast!
My little Emily is such a doll! I love the back view of her in swimming suits!
Annie is decidedly a fish! She loves the freedom of a life jacket so she can go where ever she wants, but the underneath strap left a burn on her thigh from two days before. I let her wear it for about 20 minutes. When she started walking funny again, I had to drag it off her cute little body. "But I can't swim without my life jacket!" However, this little girl can swim! She can hold her breath about 1/2 the width of the pool and just kicks and kicks!
Ben likes to jump in at the side and swim to the steps.
Emily LOVES the diving board! Annie kept jumping off it, so Emily just thought she could too. Except, Emily just likes to stand and bounce. As soon as someone comes close to her, she quickly sits down and is really hard to move! This was her hesitation...is Aunt Jamie close enough to get me??? She's surprisingly fast!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
An Atypical Blog
Not much to report on the kids at the moment. Just a few things about me - the sane one in the house. Riiiiight!
There are a couple things that really bother me. Most things I can get heated up about and then move on, but there are a few situations that I continually feel slighted at. Maybe insecurity? Maybe jealousy? Who knows? I just get bugged. Then Andy gets bugged because he bears the brunt of most of my burdens. He tells me not to worry about things, but it still bothers me - at least a week each time it happens - and that bothers me that I can't not let it bother me! Make sense???
And one other thing - okay, I've erased that one three times because I can't think of a nice way to say it! Let's just end with GRRRRRR!!!
Alas - now I can step down from my soapbox and go back to real life - doing something productive this evening with my next 150 minutes!!! I'm supposed to be doing a list of a 1001 projects, but as soon as I sit down with free time, I can't remember ANYTHING that I am supposed to be doing! Oh well...
There are a couple things that really bother me. Most things I can get heated up about and then move on, but there are a few situations that I continually feel slighted at. Maybe insecurity? Maybe jealousy? Who knows? I just get bugged. Then Andy gets bugged because he bears the brunt of most of my burdens. He tells me not to worry about things, but it still bothers me - at least a week each time it happens - and that bothers me that I can't not let it bother me! Make sense???
And one other thing - okay, I've erased that one three times because I can't think of a nice way to say it! Let's just end with GRRRRRR!!!
Alas - now I can step down from my soapbox and go back to real life - doing something productive this evening with my next 150 minutes!!! I'm supposed to be doing a list of a 1001 projects, but as soon as I sit down with free time, I can't remember ANYTHING that I am supposed to be doing! Oh well...
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Cute Sayings
Lately Annie has two phrases that we love to hear. First, when there is a quiet moments, she will say, "Mom, I love you." I will return the phrase. Now, it's turned into, "Mom, I love you all the way to heaven and back!" We once played the game of who loves who more, so now she just goes straight to the big guns!
She also needs a hug each time she gets a kiss. Can't have one without the other!
She also needs a hug each time she gets a kiss. Can't have one without the other!
Backyard fun
I finally took some pictures of our backyard. We haven't been playing out there much the last few weeks because Andy is trying to grow grass again. He has until the end of the summer to get fescue in nice and full before we overseed with something else! Here is the fabulous sandbox he built. The lid is superduper tight - and heavy! I can only open it halfway unless we have someone come over to play and open it all the way.
Here's our firepit! One of my true loves in life is smores! My sister has a fire pit in her backyard in Utah and I have coveted it! We had some leftover bricks from doing the front, so Andy made me a pit!
These are our garden boxes. We have been learning a lot through the growing process! Didn't realize the value of miracle-grow until a month too late! Our vine plants (cucumbers, cantalope, watermelon, squash, etc) aren't doing very well. I don't know if it's because I planted them from seeds and just waited too long or what. But, we have two boxes. One is 12 ft x 6 ft x 12 inches. The other is 16 ft x 6 ft x 12 inches. We covered them with black tarp to keep the weeds out and that has worked fabulously! Andy made me a drip system attached to the sprinklers that can be removed to till the dirt for fall planting. Each plant has it's own line, except for the small area we tried for carrots and peas...
For some reason our pepper plants didn't grow very tall, but this one has a lot of promise!
The tomato plants are all doing well, except the cherry one. This one also has the most promise.
I was looking around for bugs this afternoon and realized the plant I thought was a pepper plant is acutally a green bean plant! So, we pulled these four green beans off and each had one for dinner. They were amazing!
Here's the big view from the patio. We just need the grass to fill in a little bit, add a new fence and it will be perfect. Of course, by that time we will probably move and leave our beautiful hard work for someone else's enjoyment. Isn't that the way it typically works? This weekend we are planning to work inside on the crown-molding project that was purchased last fall and is still waiting in the garage! Yippee!!!
Here's our firepit! One of my true loves in life is smores! My sister has a fire pit in her backyard in Utah and I have coveted it! We had some leftover bricks from doing the front, so Andy made me a pit!
These are our garden boxes. We have been learning a lot through the growing process! Didn't realize the value of miracle-grow until a month too late! Our vine plants (cucumbers, cantalope, watermelon, squash, etc) aren't doing very well. I don't know if it's because I planted them from seeds and just waited too long or what. But, we have two boxes. One is 12 ft x 6 ft x 12 inches. The other is 16 ft x 6 ft x 12 inches. We covered them with black tarp to keep the weeds out and that has worked fabulously! Andy made me a drip system attached to the sprinklers that can be removed to till the dirt for fall planting. Each plant has it's own line, except for the small area we tried for carrots and peas...
For some reason our pepper plants didn't grow very tall, but this one has a lot of promise!
The tomato plants are all doing well, except the cherry one. This one also has the most promise.
I was looking around for bugs this afternoon and realized the plant I thought was a pepper plant is acutally a green bean plant! So, we pulled these four green beans off and each had one for dinner. They were amazing!
Here's the big view from the patio. We just need the grass to fill in a little bit, add a new fence and it will be perfect. Of course, by that time we will probably move and leave our beautiful hard work for someone else's enjoyment. Isn't that the way it typically works? This weekend we are planning to work inside on the crown-molding project that was purchased last fall and is still waiting in the garage! Yippee!!!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
The Circle of Life
This story was heart-breaking to me. We love to visit the elephants at the zoo and sometimes eat lunch watching them. We went Monday, but they had the elephants blocked off because one of them had a stomach-ache. When we were leaving the zoo around 4:30 pm, channel 5, 8, and 11 news were outside the entrance. We asked one of the camera guys what was going on and he said an elephant had just died. So sad...
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Small Details
I wish I had been able to capture more pictures, but my camera never seemed readily available when I needed it.. here are a few highlights from the past two weeks...
Swimming Lessons
Cowboy Roman and Cowboy Ben tying up the cow they caught (Grandpa)!
Keeping kids occupied while I cleaned up broken glass plate. It worked rather well, and I already had the broom out!
My sweet Emily loves to finish Ben and Annie's apples - after they have eaten the skin off.
A hot morning at the Arboretum. I LOVE this picture!
Everyone loved the swing!
Swimming Lessons
Cowboy Roman and Cowboy Ben tying up the cow they caught (Grandpa)!
Keeping kids occupied while I cleaned up broken glass plate. It worked rather well, and I already had the broom out!
My sweet Emily loves to finish Ben and Annie's apples - after they have eaten the skin off.
A hot morning at the Arboretum. I LOVE this picture!
My Almost Perfect Mother's Day
Mother's Day was fabulous! It was actually the best one I think I have ever had! I woke up to Andy taking the kids out of our room, then woke up again to fluffy pancakes, a perfect flipped egg, grapes, milk and yogurt! I got chocolates in church, the young women participated in my lesson, my little niece played with Ben and Annie after church, my family (minus my mom but plus my brother's girlfriend) came over for dinner and we had LEFTOVERS, my sister and the kids had fabulous mother's day surprises for me ($ for pedicure, beautiful roses, and Arbonne beauty things), and I was asleep by 8:45 that night! What a fabulous day!!!!
To top it off, my sister and her family were here from Utah visiting and she let me borrow her brand-new dress to wear to church so I could feel like a princess! It was a great day!!! The only thing that could have made it better was for my mom to be here, but alas - she does have other children to visit...
To top it off, my sister and her family were here from Utah visiting and she let me borrow her brand-new dress to wear to church so I could feel like a princess! It was a great day!!! The only thing that could have made it better was for my mom to be here, but alas - she does have other children to visit...
The Law of the Garbage Truck
Thanks Andrea for posting this!!!
One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!
The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'
This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.' He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you.
Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so..... 'Love the people who treat you right.. Pray for the ones who don't. Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!
The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'
This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.' He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you.
Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so..... 'Love the people who treat you right.. Pray for the ones who don't. Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Woes of My Life
Well, it seems that I have misplaced my wallet yet ANOTHER time today! It was 31 cent scoop night at Baskin Robbins from 5-10pm today. Since Andy had Young Mens and wouldn't be home, I took the kids for a scoop of ice cream before Ben's t-ball practice. Granted, a fabulous sale like this is likely to have lots of people - so many that we waited in line a good 30 minutes before being served and by the time our ice cream was done that line had doubled.
Tonight Andy needed his debit card from my wallet. Why was it there? Because two weeks ago mine dropped out of my wallet while I was shopping and the kids were playing with it. Some dishonest person took my card and hopped from gas station to gas station all around town trying to use it. Thankfully we check our money at least every 3 days and quickly found the pending transactions that were not ours. The old card was cancelled, a new one was sent to me, and the fraudulent charges were credited back to our account. LOVE USAA!!!!!
So, I have been using Andy's card as the main shopper in our household. And he needs it back. It's not in my car hiding place. It's not in the diaper bag. It's not in the box of produce that I gave my sister after we got ice cream. ARGGGHHHH!!!! Not again! You would really think that someone who just had their debit card 'stolen' would be more careful. In all reality, I tend to lose my wallet a lot. I can't even count the number of times that I've returned to Walmart of Target because I left it in the cart after loading my groceries! My poor husband is very patient with me because each time I think I lost it and the store doesn't have it, I call and he walks my through different places it might be. Sometimes the trunk, others wedged in between the seat and the door. It's really ridiculous that this problem continues to occur.
It was actually quite shocking how calm both Andy and I were this evening as we looked up the number for my cheap ice cream date night. Some kind honest person at Baskin Robbins turned in my wallet, and Andy is now on his way to pick up my wallet - and his debit card that he needs to go to Home Depot tonight. Maybe he'll buy the stuff to fix the sprinkler heads that the workers next door broke while putting in a new fence...
I think the real problem is that I try to do too much at a time. Who in their right mind would take 3 little kids to get ice cream on a busy night without another adult to help? Of course, we all know that I am NOT in my right mind. Oh well - the kids were fabulous - waiting in line and carefully eating their ice cream comes. I couldn't have asked for more perfect behavior. It appears I am the only one with the problem! I just need to train Ben and Annie to make sure I always have my wallet...
Tonight Andy needed his debit card from my wallet. Why was it there? Because two weeks ago mine dropped out of my wallet while I was shopping and the kids were playing with it. Some dishonest person took my card and hopped from gas station to gas station all around town trying to use it. Thankfully we check our money at least every 3 days and quickly found the pending transactions that were not ours. The old card was cancelled, a new one was sent to me, and the fraudulent charges were credited back to our account. LOVE USAA!!!!!
So, I have been using Andy's card as the main shopper in our household. And he needs it back. It's not in my car hiding place. It's not in the diaper bag. It's not in the box of produce that I gave my sister after we got ice cream. ARGGGHHHH!!!! Not again! You would really think that someone who just had their debit card 'stolen' would be more careful. In all reality, I tend to lose my wallet a lot. I can't even count the number of times that I've returned to Walmart of Target because I left it in the cart after loading my groceries! My poor husband is very patient with me because each time I think I lost it and the store doesn't have it, I call and he walks my through different places it might be. Sometimes the trunk, others wedged in between the seat and the door. It's really ridiculous that this problem continues to occur.
It was actually quite shocking how calm both Andy and I were this evening as we looked up the number for my cheap ice cream date night. Some kind honest person at Baskin Robbins turned in my wallet, and Andy is now on his way to pick up my wallet - and his debit card that he needs to go to Home Depot tonight. Maybe he'll buy the stuff to fix the sprinkler heads that the workers next door broke while putting in a new fence...
I think the real problem is that I try to do too much at a time. Who in their right mind would take 3 little kids to get ice cream on a busy night without another adult to help? Of course, we all know that I am NOT in my right mind. Oh well - the kids were fabulous - waiting in line and carefully eating their ice cream comes. I couldn't have asked for more perfect behavior. It appears I am the only one with the problem! I just need to train Ben and Annie to make sure I always have my wallet...
Monday, April 28, 2008
Ben's Bravery
I posted last time Ben was asked to give a talk in Primary - it was a disaster! He was asked to give another talk for yesterday. I spaced it until Sunday morning, when we finally sat down to write it out. I was in Young Women's when they came to get me. Ben was worried that I wouldn't be there in time. He did so great! I said the first line and one in the middle and he said the rest. I think hearing his voice in the microphone was a little bit unnerving, but he did it! Here is his talk:
"Today our prophet's name is Thomas S. Monson. He teaches us how to live with God again. He says, 'in your home to serve one another' because that is like serving God. I serve by helping my family. When my little sister Annie was sick, I would bring her blanket to her. I serve my mom by coloring with Emily and by doing the dishes. I serve my dad by shoveling dirt and raking leaves. I know when I serve my family that Heavenly Father is happy with me. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
He really wanted to draw a picture to go along with his talk, so I told him he could draw one of the things he had done to serve. He picked giving Annie her blanket and drew a cute picture. It's a good thing that I was helping him or I would have been bawling in the back. Sadly, Andy missed it... but will NOT miss the next one!
"Today our prophet's name is Thomas S. Monson. He teaches us how to live with God again. He says, 'in your home to serve one another' because that is like serving God. I serve by helping my family. When my little sister Annie was sick, I would bring her blanket to her. I serve my mom by coloring with Emily and by doing the dishes. I serve my dad by shoveling dirt and raking leaves. I know when I serve my family that Heavenly Father is happy with me. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
He really wanted to draw a picture to go along with his talk, so I told him he could draw one of the things he had done to serve. He picked giving Annie her blanket and drew a cute picture. It's a good thing that I was helping him or I would have been bawling in the back. Sadly, Andy missed it... but will NOT miss the next one!
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