Done!

November is over. And this is my last post for November, and now I have officially blogged everyday this month. It is a ton of work. I am sure December will not be as ambitious.

We did it!

Finally a new family picture. Thanks Mom for helping us out. And I am not sure which one I like better. What's your preference? I like them each for different reasons.

And I have more and I might like other ones better once I am done editing. But I am grateful for my Mom's help. I got things lined up and then had her shoot. And now I get to edit.

Worn out

When you get up at 3:30 AM to go shopping because the deals are that good, and then drive 9 hours home, and then go shopping until 10:30 PM you are tired, happy, worn out and ready for bed. That would be me tonight. Today happens to be the best day in the year that isn't a holiday or a birthday. And I am ready for bed. Night.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for many things. My family, the Gospel, life, our home and blessings. I hope everyone can reflect on what they are thankful for today.
Happy Thanksgiving.

Tired

9 hours in the car makes you tired. The kids enjoyed 5 movies. And we went through Illinois, Wisconsin, and are now in Minnesota. Off to play.

Really?

Yesterday Little Man told me about a new friend at school. He was quite excited that he had a new boy in his class. I asked him about recess and who he played with and what they did. He played with this new boy and they played poker. Yep you read that right POKER. I about died. Umm.. what do you mean poker? He explained that they had indoor recess and he did in fact play poker. Oh joy, he is six, does this really happen at six. I was skeptical, wondering if this new boy just taught my son a new game. But I was wrong my son taught him. Great right? That is what every parent wants to hear. And so I proceeded to ask Little Man where he learned it. Guess where? His teacher. He asked she explained it. And in good enough detail that he understood it. Isn't that what we all want for our kids to learn at school from their teacher? He even learned to bet with it.
Today has been eventful. I emailed the teacher with my concerns. Her reply was not understanding of our concerns. I tried to figure out what to do. I wanted acknowledgement that this would not happen again. And it wasn't happening. I have went between wanting to pull my kid out of school all together. To wanting a new teacher, to just being ticked. What kind of teacher does this? Really, did you think this was a good idea? It's not. Not at all. Eventually I found myself, Randy, the Principal (who is so not your PAL) and the teacher in one office. And finally an apology was said on behalf of the teacher, who was doing everything she could to deny and ignore that she had done anything wrong, or anything at all. I am frustrated with the situation. Frustrated at the fact that the teacher wasn't honest with us. And frustrated that part of my son's innocence was taken by his teacher.

It's Hard

To blog everyday. I am not sure what to blog about today. I haven't had this great eventful week. I have been busy just getting through life. And sometimes just getting through it is a success in itself. I have had several things on my mind lately.

-Do I stop and just snuggle my kids enough? Play with them? Just have fun?
-Am I doing the things I need to, to follow my Heavenly Father's plan?
-Am I patient enough? I don't think.
-Am I teaching my kids what they need to know to stand strong in today's volatile world?
-Am I being strong enough myself?

And the only thing I can do about these things is to do better try harder. One day at a time.

Slacker

Every year family pictures come and I end up getting them done in November. Or December. But normally November when Misty and I can finally get our acts together and we get our families in the same town and do pictures. This year for some reason she wouldn't come to Indiana. Totally selfish huh? I mean it is only 2200 miles away from her. So here I sit a week before I normally get my Christmas cards ordered and I don't have a new picture. We had one scheduled at one point but we were rained out. And now it is cold. Very cold out. I am feeling like a slacker, and a total procrastinator. Hopefully while visiting family this week I can get a picture that is Christmas Card quality. And let me explain Christmas card quality. In years past we have sent both of these.

So really we aren't picky. Hopefully soon you will see the new picture for 2008. And if I am lucky it will be worthy of being huge over my fireplace to replace last years.

Today I am Thankful for..

Wonderful, kind, helping friends. Today we went to Columbus, Ohio to go to the temple. And my wonderful friend Jackie and her husband Russell watched our kids so we could go together. Thank you a million times over. We needed to go, and are so grateful we could go. We are so very appreciative of their generosity and kindness. They took care of our kids, offered wonderful conversation, and fed us a delicious dinner. It is nice to spend time with friends. Especially when it has been seven years since we have seen each other. Hopefully we will be seeing them much more often. Thanks Jackie! You are the best!

He's My Basketball Star

Little Man had his first basketball game. It was awesome. (He has the red wrist band on.) All of the kids had different wrist bands on and the kids on the other team had coordinating ones. Then they knew who to guard. Great idea!

Showing off his mad dribbling skills.
And you can see his hands up high, he had just shot the ball! And he made it! He was so very excited.
The teams tied, 5 to 5. He made two of the baskets for his team, and was so excited. I loved watching him and watching Little Miss watch him. It was very reminiscent of me watching Seth bad when we were little. The kids played great, and it was super fun to watch. I can't for the next game.

The Room for Little Miss

Finally I am done.. pretty much with Little Miss' bedroom. The white pillow still needs to be personalized with her name. That should happen this week! I have to say this is the best job I have ever done decorating a room, am so happy with it, and pleased for her. She loves it!
And if you are in need of vinyl, like my killer polka dots and the nice A contact the lovely Terilyn, she does wonderful work!

And there you go! :) And any suggestions are always welcome. Unless you want to say start over. I would cry.

Seven

Seven. It has been seven months since we moved to the wonderful state of Indiana. When I say that it sounds like a long time. I still feel like we just moved here. I still feel like I am getting my bearings on where things are. We have had the chance to make wonderful friends here, from our neighbors, to other Church members.

I have learned that I can find a mall no matter what. I can think of six that I like off of the top of my head that I frequent often. Six! Can you believe that? I can't say that Randy is nearly as thrilled as I am.

Living 2200 miles away from family is not as hard as I thought it would be. That is a major plus for me! I miss our extended family and parents, but life goes on. We have phones, email, webcams and life is okay. (And my Mom likes to come visit me!)

I am still very allergic to Indiana. Nice huh? All of the lush greenery- it is trying to do me in.

And in seven months we have managed to do a lot of fun things. We have done things to grow closer as a family. We are enjoying our time here together. And seven months.. it has went quickly.

Something else to be grateful for...

I am grateful for animals. I have always loved animals. When I was little I wanted every dog, cat, horse, cow, sheep, donkey, or pig I could find. Pretty much if it was furry I wanted it. I even wanted my own monkey. I did have my own horse, cow, sheep, cat and dog growing up.

The sheep was much to my Father's dismay. Seth and I went to a livestock auction and this cute lamb came through and no one was bidding on him so I did. Against what I was specifically told that morning, you can buy cows if you want, but do not buy any sheep. (I have always been a great listener, and super obedient!) He was cheaper than a hamburger, I thought we made out pretty well. My Dad gave me a look when we told him and then he went and picked up Doc, what I named my lamb. I loved him and we were able to get him tame and he was the sweetest thing. And I was 14 when I bought this little guy. He died about 6 months later. And my Dad fought hard to keep him alive but he didn't make it.

I had my horse Gypsy. She is the most beautiful Arabian. And our personalities meshed perfectly. My Mom used to say you couldn't have found a better match between horse and owner. Both in a hurry and always on the go. And then she had a sweet baby Jinx. I was sad when I had to sell them both. But when you move where you don't have property for them it happens. I felt like I betrayed them. I still know where they are and occasionally go see them. Although it breaks my heart. They are mine in my heart still.

I loved our cows too. The first time any of them were butchered I happened to see the butcher shoot my steer. I lost it. And I gave the butcher a look of death. I was horrified. My steer was mellow and tame and walked right up to him not knowing his fate. And I refused to eat any of his meat. And then one day I learned I had been eating it, it was by far the best beef I had ever eaten.

And I had my cats I loved and adored growing up. And several dogs.

But now we have two wonderful dogs that my kids love as much as I did when I was little. This is Izzy. She is going to be 3 next month. She is fat and lazy and we love her. She will play fetch all day long. She is Little Man's dog. (Randy like to claim her to, but let's be real.) We love our Izzy. She is always happy to come in lay and her bed and sleep. Occasionally looking around to make sure we didn't completely abandon her, but just hang out and dream about food.

And then we have Sage. She is almost 4. She is our green eyed lab. And she is the mellowest dog I have ever owned. I was completely opposed to labs, and then we bought her for Randy. She quickly became my dog, she is loyal and protective. She doesn't care to fetch, unless she is in the water. She is happy to be a lap dog. Little Miss claims her, and loves her. (But so do I.) I am grateful for our Heavenly Father creating animals for us to love. Grateful for the happiness and joy that they bring into our lives. And the joy they bring my children.

Just Another Manic Monday...

Monday's. Do you know what I do on Monday's? I get up I strip my bed and wash my sheets. I get the kids out the door to school, and then strip another bed and head to the gym. I come home strip the last bed and start putting everything back together. And then I wash the Munchkins clothes. And if time permits I get the towels done also. And then there is the running around vacuuming, straightening, and everything that needs to be tidied in my house. And when I get a minute I try to fit in a few errands. Today that would be to Lowe's to get wood and more spray paint. We will see if that happens. After the kids we have dinner, Family Home Evening, and then off to Little Man's Basketball. Monday's are busy. Monday's are overrated.

Too Fast..

My kids are growing up much too quickly. Today Little Man was up and showered by 8:15. And not only was he showered, he had his hair neatly combed and he was getting ready to hairspray it so it would stay looking so nice. He had me help him as he got dressed in his Sunday best. And he looked good! Complete with red bow tie. I told him he was getting big, and his reply was, "I know I am getting old." I giggled.

In just a few weeks he is going to be seven. It seems like just yesterday he was so little. And in this picture he is eighteen months, and Little Miss is six days old. And a whopping five pounds.

Even since I took the picture of the munchkins, which is now almost two years old they have grown and changed so much. My Little Kids are becoming Big Kids. They are independent. They are silly, they are fun. They are reading. They are each others best friends. They are the most wonderful children a Mom could ask for. I just want them to stay little. To be this size again. To not be so darn grown up. How did I get so lucky to be their Mother?

Saturday Gratitude

Today I am grateful for my husband. He willingly pitches in and helps get the house in order on Saturday. I am grateful for his help and the example he is. He went to the mall with the kids and I today. That is something I know he doesn't love to do, but he did it. He doesn't like the crowds or the shopping, or the fact that I made him try on clothes today. But he did it with a smile. I am grateful that he supports me and all of my hair brained ideas, and doesn't laugh at me when they don't work quite right. I am grateful to be married to my best friend, who is totally hot. I am grateful for a husband who is patient with me when I am running around taking pictures, editing, and doing everything just wild and crazy. I am grateful for my husband being a worthy Priesthood holder. He is the best father I know. He is my hero.

Memories

We went to Grandpa's funeral last month. The funeral was a month ago yesterday, and I have yet to share pictures of this event. Grandpa's funeral was wonderful, he lived a good life. And it was nice to have family together to celebrate the life of Grandpa.
All of the Grandsons were Pall Bearers.Grandma and her four boys.All of the family that was at the funeral. That is quite a crew, and we are missing at least 10 people.Grandma with my kiddos. She is just wonderful! I love how kind and sweet she was with my children, especially on a day as hard as this. She took time to make them feel so special. They are still talking about Great Grandma!Little Miss and Grandma. Randy's cousin Tim, Grandma and Randy. They had wanted their other cousin Kevin with them, but he had already left.
And the flowers at the grave. It was beautiful. How blessed we are to have the plan of salvation. To know that families are forever. And to have families.

Projects.. projects.. projects..

Somehow I decided to decorate my house a lot. I started with Little Miss and her bedroom. Which I need like two more things in it and it will be done and I will show you. I want it finished. And then my living room. I need to recover a chair, refinish a couple of items, and spray paint and it will be done-ish. I think I might need paint but that is still up in the air. And my kitchen is close to being a least a little done. And then there is Little Man's room. If you saw both of my children's room you would be sure that we simply don't care what his room looks like at all. We sold his big loft bed he has had for 5 years. And we managed to sell it for what we paid for it. He now has a Queen size bed. And he needs bedding that is fun, and him. I am on a mission, but I am hoping that a sale comes quickly so I can buy him the bedding he loves. And get his room put together too.

I have several projects and not nearly enough time to get them done. I am hoping to have them done in the next two weeks. My parents come then and I want them done so they can see all of my hard work. We'll see. And I cannot wait to show everyone, but I like to have my projects finished before I show them. Be on the lookout.

Feeling Thankful

I love November. I love Thanksgiving. I like that we have a holiday to give Thanks. Today I am thankful that my children are out of school early. I get to have a little extra time to play with them. I get to eat lunch with them. And we can snuggle and have a nice afternoon. I am thankful I am their Mother.

Tuesday.. Tuesday..

It's cloudy. It's cold. It is Tuesday.
Today I went to the gym.
I volunteered in Little Man's classroom.
I helped a few friends.
I ate lots of candy.
I edited pictures.
I thought about recovering my chair.
I thought about spray painting my lamp.
I thought about sanding my table and dresser.
I giggled with Tiffany on the phone.
I played with Adobe Lightroom.
I cleaned out part of my van, mostly the candy wrappers.
I ate more candy.
I played with Little Miss before school.
I fixed her hair four times before school.
I made Little Man smile when I walked in his class.
I received the best hug from him for being there.
I giggled that people might think Randy really refereed a game. (But that was a good look alike!)

Today is a good day. I have done several things I wanted to.. and thought about doing more. And I might get a few more things done yet.

Happy Tuesday.