What's up with this???

All I can say is it's a good thing I went to check on her before I hit the hay the other night!

Where Does the Time Go?

My attempt at a "pink" cake

She truly is our Princess!

I know I sound like an old person. But seriously, can you believe how time flies? Abby turned 3 today and I found myself being a little sad all day. Suddenly she has grown into a fire-ball of a girl. Her personality has truly emerged and like my other kids, she doesn't have a laid back bone in her body. I have truly enjoyed her and find great satisfaction in knowing that she prefers her "mama" to anyone else. (Okay, sometimes it's annoying but for the most part I love when she calls me "mama"!) She has learned words like "gorgeous" and "dorable" and "yer da best, mom".

She gets excited even a new pair of socks not to mention an entire outfit. She crawls around on her hands and knees pretending she is the kitty and I am the "mama cat". She climbs on my lap and meows and will only come when I call (in a nice voice) "Here kitty kitty...". She recognizes if I have a "mean" look on my face and often tells me. (I guess I look mean and I don't realize it..anyway it's a good way for me to work on my countenance.) She clunks around in dress-up shoes and spends hours in her room playing My Little Ponies. Her only down-side? She doesn't want anything to do with the toilet and she cries like crazy when I do her hair.

The Hunt, The Shoot, The Kill...

Come on Al..look a little more excited! Seriously, you just shot yerself a Buck!
There we go..that's more like it! This time it's a Bull. (notice I've got the correct terminology)
Notice the head he's packing around..
and yes, I believe that's a leg!

So, while I have been home cleaning the house, doing yardwork, making trips to Costco and grocery store, taking the boys clothes shopping (complete torture), balancing the checkbook, shopping at D.I. for halloween apparel, PTA meetings, doctor appts, and did I mention cleaning the house? My darling husband has been out doing THIS!!! and you know what? I couldn't be happier. He is so good to let me do what ever I want without complaint. He is never resentful of me having "my time". He works hard going to work every day from 6am to 6pm (pretty much) and although I can't figure out why on earth this would be appealing to anyone..I mean spending nearly a full day cutting up the animal that you just inhumanely shot and killed, into small enough parts that you can pack it off the mountain-with several trips I might add. But thank goodness it is appealing to him because he comes home happier and healthier and with a little more enthusiasm in his step! I love you Big Al and welcome home!

Never a dull moment...

Connor should start charging admission at our house!

New "Do"...

So Connor goes with Big Al tonight to get a haircut. He gets his done and asks the lady to spike it into a "mohawk" and the lady instead convinces him to let her just spike it "all over". He is thinking he is "IT" when he gets home. We are sitting down to dinner and out of the blue he says..."so Noah, I know you are totally jealous of my haircut!" We all bust up laughing and later I think to myself..."is this a small indication of what's to come? and if so, I am in trouble!" Don't you ever wonder how life could be the least bit entertaining without children?

p.s. if you haven't heard this song on my blog..take time to listen! it is the best song out there for moms!!!!!

I think most of us put off the things that we hate most to do. Well at least I do. This morning I finally made a trip to the dentist. As I sat in the chair, I told the receptionist "Well, I think it's been awhile! About a year I think." she replied, "Actually it's been two." Wow! Does time really go that fast? or do I just really hate going to the dentist? I suppose a little of both. Well as of today..it's one less thing on my "to-do" list. Yesterday, I was going through my planner, where I write a "to-do" list each day and noticed that each day last week, I (for the most part)accomplished the day's task. With the exception of one. Cleaning the "yellow" bathroom. (Yes, since we live in an older home, we have a "blue" bathroom and a "yellow" bathroom. And not a "cute" color of either. In fact, I often hear Connor after he has pooped and needs a wipe hollering "Mom! I'm in the 'blue' bathroom or the 'yellow' one!" )

Anyway, back to my point...The task of cleaning the "yellow" bathroom made its way to the next day and then the next..and so on and so on....Well, at the start of this week, that bathroom had made it's way to Monday's list of tasks as well. Come on Kristen just bear down and get it done! Well, I DID IT! It was such a good feeling to get it done. So now I am thinking it would be wise for me to take the thing I hate doing the most and do it first! This is my new goal for the week.

I made this decision today, after I took a huge pack of hamburger out of the fridge that had been sitting there for days needing to be separated and put in freezer bags. I hate doing this by the way and therefore, this too had been shoved to next day's list...Well, I DID IT TODAY!

Here are a few things that I hate to do but am going to try harder to let them only stay on my "to-do" list for only one day.

1. Cleaning my bathrooms

2. Visiting Teaching (okay so I don't hate it)

3. Cleaning out my fridge.

4. Ironing.

5. Getting my oil changed.

6. Washing the bedding.

7. Buying new underwear.

Does anyone know a good plastic surgeon?

The night of...
The morning after

Her first major boo boo yesterday! Zach took her for a ride in the bike trailor, hit the curb, didn't have her buckled in and she skidded across the sidewalk on her face. My poor baby!!

Don't You Love it When...

Don't you love it when your kids actually put their gender differences aside and play together? I have really enjoyed having Connor and Abby all to myself again in the mornings. But I didn't realize how much until I walked in on this..this morning. I can pretty much guarantee that Connor wouldn't resort to dressing up in "girl stuff" but at least Abby doesn't have a problem crossing over the other side once in a while. GO ABBY!!!

One Last Hoorah!!

Includes Fishing, Lizards and Horny Toads...

We spent the last weekend of our summer in Flaming Gorge visiting family. It is the perfect place for "boys" and since my mom decided to take Abby for the weekend, we thought we would take advantage of it by heading out of town. The boys had a great time going to the dinosaur museum, fishing down the Green River and catching lizards at the lake. It's amazing how each year, as school ends, I am so anxious for summer. For the chance to be lazy, unproductive and spend endless days at the pool. Then just like clockwork, about two weeks before the new school year is about to start, I am counting down the days to be back on a routine of getting up early, getting projects done and having peaceful, quiet days again. I am so glad for change of seasons as it always helps me "gear up" with excitement for what's to come. So, here's to a great summer past and an upcoming fall!!!

Our Summer in a Nutshell

or should I say "butt shell"...

Yes, we pretty much spent most of our summer at the pool.

Why on earth do I spend money on expensive toys?

The Case of the Missing Scout Shirt...

Yesterday, we were trying to get Zach packed up and ready for a week long adventure of Scout Camp. Alan had gone to the scout store on Saturday and bought all the badges that he needed to iron on his shirt. (No, I don't know how to sew and yes, we do have to resort to the iron-on badges!) Zach had tried on his scout shirt for us that day and had laid it over the bannister of the stairs. Well, Sunday evening Alan started getting the badges out and asked Zach to go get his shirt. He came back shortly and said he couldn't find it. I suggested a few spots to look and after doing so, he still couldn't find it. Alan now joined in the search. As the minutes wore on, there became much frustration on the part of Zach and Alan. Realizing that it was time for "the mom who always seems to find everything" to step in, I also joined the search. The frustration was mounting by the second as we realized that he had to leave for camp in the morning and had to have his shirt. We gathered all the kids and decided to search every room in the house. After doing that, still no shirt. Zach came in to me and said "Mom, I think we should have a prayer." I thought to myself "now why didn't I think of that?" We quickly gathered in the living room and said a prayer. I again thought to myself "please make sure we find the shirt so my kids' faith isn't shattered!" We finished the prayer and again continued our search. It wasn't 10 seconds before I heard Alan say "I found it!" He had walked into our bedroom where we had searched several times before and decided to look down between the mattress and the bed frame and THERE WAS THE SCOUT SHIRT! I guarantee you my kids will remember this small example of faith and prayer for years to come! Just thought I would share.

"40" is the new "30"?

I remember my mom telling me that even though she is 60+ she still feels like she is in her 30's until she looks in the mirror. (Although she looks great for her sixties!) I also remember when I was a teenager thinking 40 was SO middle-aged! I looked at my mom when she was in her 40's thinking (although she was pretty) she looked so "like a mother". It's amazing and scarey how time passes by and yet we don't feel any different. Will we still feel young and the same even when we are in our 70's and 80's? If so, how frustrating will it be to see our bodies much older than our spirits? I am contemplating these things lately as my own sister turned 4o just a few days ago. Being only two years younger, it makes me realize how quickly that day is approaching for me. As my 20 year high school reunion is being celebrated this summer, it brings me back to my high school days and I honestly don't feel much older. I recall being at my 10 year reunion thinking "oh wow! what will all be like at our 20th? That will be the biggy!" Well, here it is and I still don't feel any different. Yes, I have matured (hopefully) and I have aged a little. I have become a bit more "saggy" in areas and have noticed several gray hairs (thank goodness for coloring) but I still feel young. Have we become more "hip" so to speak? Do we dress more youthful than our parents did at our age? Are our haircuts the same as most of the teenagers so therefore doesn't separate the "young" from the "mature"? Are our anti-aging products better? Or maybe I am looking through "rose-colored glasses" and don't look as young as I think I do. All I know is I look at my sister who is now a "middle-aged" mother of five with a son in college and I think she looks pretty darn good!

Happy BELATED Birthday Connor!

This is what happens when my sister comes in town for a week..everything gets put on hold..including blogging! So better late than never Connor!!!

Connor was especially lucky this year to celebrate his 5th birthday with not only some of his favorite friends but with his cousins from out of town. We had his party at the swim club and there was hardly a soul there so we basically had the whole pool to ourselves!! Connor is a pretty exciteable kid so you can imagine how excited he was for his party. Although I have to admit, there were several times earlier in the week where I wasn't sure he was GETTING a party due to some behavior issues. Connor sure keeps us on our toes. I have never known anyone who can make me SO frustrated one second and make my heart melt the next! I don't know of too many people who meet Connor and don't immediately love him, including many of our close neighbors. Here are just a few reasons why I love Connor so much...

1. You often come up out of the blue and say "Yer da best mom!"

2. Give you any object and you can figure out a way to turn it into a battle scene.

3. The only things you WON'T eat are pickles and peppers.

4. You finally don't gag over your poops anymore.

5. You have the world's biggest smile with the cutest dimple.

6. You'll get right back on your bike after a wipeout that leaves you bloodied & bruised.

7. You're not embarrassed to be who you are..anywhere you are...even if it's dressed as a mid-evil knight at Crown Burger or Spiderman at the grocery store.

8. You show no signs of prejudice when you say you wish you were black "cuz black guys are the coolest!"

9. You sit and play Noah's Nintendo DS for hours even though you have no idea what you are playing because you so want to be like your big brother.

10. You just woke up and walked in the room with your hair standing on end, morning breath and a contagious smile on your face that starts my day off right! I love you Connor!

I Never Thought....

I'd let my child go out in public dressed like this...

or wear shoes like these...
or have a 13 year old who is at least a head taller than me...

or that I'd resort to wearing these when trying to hide my "muffin top". (Hey desperate times call for desperate measures, right?)
or that I would live so far away from my sisters (boo hoo!)...
or would have bows, my little ponies and dress-up shoes in my house...(okay she looks like a tomboy in this pictures which she is not but I love this picture of her anyway!)
and finally...I never thought I would be the PROUD owner of a mini-van!
Moral of this blog post: motherhood changes everything!

A few random pictures of our summer so far...

In spite of the fact that she is a true "girly girly"
she still knows how to play a mean game of army guys!

My effort to become an equestrian rider which literally made my dad's day since his horses are his "grandchildren". (not really but he SURE loves them!)

Abby just earned some serious bonus points and is now probably his new favorite grandchild considering she didn't want to get off the horse the entire day.
and Big Al...well let's just say he didn't earn any bonus points with anyone!

And finally...my vain daughter who runs to this same spot everytime I get the camera out just waiting to have her picture taken.

Cutest conversation so far this summer:

I was laying in my bed one afternoon with a headache. Abby started hollering my name.

"mom...where are you?" No reply from me.

"moooooommmmm!!!"

Finally, after realizing I couldn't hide under the covers any more I quietly replied "what Abby?"

she the said:

"What ya doin' mom? ya readin' yer blog?"

I guess it goes to show that ...

#1 I am on my blog way too much and

#2 considering I didn't even know she knew what a blog was..my two year is really watching and listening to what I say and do. SCAREY!!!

"Alan" of all trades...

Little did I know when I married Alan, the surprises I would be in for. For instance, I didn't quite know what a "redneck" he was and that his idea of evening entertainment is watching "Mossback Mulies Gone Wild!" (that would be mule-deer) Nor did I know that he could fall asleep in 10 seconds flat and break out into an inhumane sounding snore soon after. (for some reason when we were dating and up late at night he never fell asleep..hmmm..I wonder why?) But mostly I did not know of his amazing talent of craftsmanship! (and to think..I only thought he could make cute babies!) Okay enough of the side comments. Alan has been working on this armoir above for several years. He worked on it here and there and told me a little about it but I didn't give it much thought thinking I wouldn't ever see the finished product (not in this lifetime anyway). Well, several months ago he signed up for a woodworking class and began going two nights a week for twelve weeks. (That's 24 nights of me getting throught the dinner hour, homework hour and putting the kids to bed by myself !) I have to say that it was definitely worth it. He brought this home to me on Saturday and I immediately fell in love. (with the armoir that is! although I do love Alan a lot too!) I am so amazed at his ability to visualize something and then to actually be able to create it and with near perfection. He is truly one talented guy and I am lucky to have him..plus I get a lot of nice furniture out of him too! I have to remember that on the days he's being one of those "typical husbands".

How soon is TOO soon?

Many of you have had this discussion with me before. I have had a pretty strong opinion on this matter for awhile but after listening to this interview on a TV show the other day it really solidified my opinion. (Please take time to watch/read this artice-it is very eye opening.) This is a reoccuring question that comes up in my household. "When can I get a cell phone? So and so has a cell phone!" So here is my opinion (I know this may stir some controversy and for those of you whose kids already have phones remember this is only MY opinion and everyone is different. ) Kids are so indulged these days. I look at the things my kids already have done at their young ages compared to things I was able to do and it is amazing. Society automatically indulges our kids from birth just by living in the world we live in whether we as parents choose to or not. It seems like by the time kids are adolescents most of them have already had so many luxuries that by the time they are teenagers they are only looking for more and more because they have already done it all. This seems to be getting them into trouble. They need something else or something more exciting to entertain them. I easily find myself falling into this trap as a parent. It is so easy to want to indulge our kids. It's so fun to see the excitement they get from something new. I also fall into the trap of "well all the other kids have them or are doing it and I don't want my child to be left out!" I hear this a lot about the cell phone debate. So my question is "How soon should a child get a cell phone?" Notice I say child. Would we ever install a private phone line in our child's bedroom? I wouldn't. Do we really want our kids talking to their friends on the phone all the time? I don't. I know growing up I was not allowed to be on the phone 24/7- not even close to that. Do we want to be able to hear the conversations going on between friends? I do. Do we want our kids to forget how to actually have real conversations face-to-face? Do we want them to only know how to text instead of talk? How on earth are they ever going to learn the value of communication, especially in a marriage? What about the things they are texting to each other? I have heard friends of mine say they have read some of their kids' texts and they are casually saying things like "love ya" "you're so hot" or "hey sexy". Would they actually say those things to someone face-to-face? Probably not. (Hopefully not!) My feelings about this issue really hit home when we were practicing for a Primary performance and two 11 year olds were in the chapel texting people on their phones they had both just gotten for Christmas. To them it was nothing more than a toy. How does an 11yr old have the responsibility level needed to own their own phone? Many parents use the reasoning of "well, I like to know where they are and how to get a hold of them." My thought is our kids should be where they say they are going to be and that is a valuable trust issue that needs to be learned at their age without the crutch of a cell phone. As far as getting a hold of them, how did our parents reach us when we were young? Most likely, they knew where we were and called us at the place we were at. Again, a trust issue. Okay, so I know I am coming across strong here but these are thoughts going through my head and I am interested in some different opinions. I have always said to my kids "When the time comes that we (not you) feel you need a cell phone then that's when it will happen." For example when they are driving and/or involved in a lot of worthwhile activities. I like the idea of it being my phone and not their phone. One that they turn in at night so it's not just an open line for all of their friends at any given time of the day. I thought this interview gave a lot of really good points and really reitterated the thoughts that I have had. I know that it is only going to get harder and harder as times go on to not give in to these pressures. It is scarey for me to see how much younger and younger kids are becoming in having more and more!

Happy Birthday Noah! (It was Monday I know)

Wow! This officially means I have been blogging for a year since this is my 2nd B-day post to Noah. Time really does fly! The older I get the faster it goes. Noah I have been thinking lately about you and what a nice boy you have turned out to be. You are so affectionate and so tender hearted. You are so smart and so funny. You have such a natural wit that can entertain anyone around you. You bring a lot of laughs into our family. You love music and really have an ear for "the good stuff". I love to hear you sing. You have a knack for leaving your dirty socks all around the house and are often distracted while trying to accomplish the simplest of tasks. Sometimes I don't get you and can often be heard saying "Now, why would you do that?" (usually it's in a loud, frustrated voice) but your differences add a certain "spice" to our family and it wouldn't be the same without you. I love you so much and probably don't tell you as often as I should so hear it is for the whole blogging world to see: I LOVE YOU NOAH!

Happy Birthday Brooke (Tomorrow)

This is a tribute to one beautiful, sexy, cut, fit and super duper strong girl and no it's not the gal on the right (hard to tell I know) This is a tribute to you, Brooke! I am so grateful to know you. There are so many things I love about you. I know I can talk to you about anything without feeling the least bit judged. You are a great listener. I appreciate that you are easy going especially since I am not. I love that you never seem put out to watch my kids and often offer before I even need to ask. You are so determined. You quietly set your mind to something and then proceed to accomplish it with amazing results without a lot of fanfare. You laugh at everything I say which makes me feel really good inside! You love my kids (or at least pretend to.) You have an amazing memory which is especially impressive to me since I have none. Most of all, I know that you are a constant in my life. Someone I know I can always call, always rely on if needed and always lift me up. I admire you in so many ways and know that our friendship will be lifelong. Hope your day is a special one!