New Years

Resolution Time! I'd like to think of this time of year as a step in the right direction! All to often we set our selves up to fail! Setting endless goals that fulfill one purpose... to make us feel bad when we realize we SUCK at keeping goals! I will say this...three years ago I set a lofty goal for myself. NO MORE SODA!!! And here I sit three years later still Soda free and loving it! So I guess I'm not a total and utter failure every year!

Ok.. back to my rant... So this year I've been Inspired. I was sent an email from a reader sharing her New Years Tradition of focusing on a single word as her goal for the Year! A Beautiful tradition. She concentrated on "Simplify!" It meant wonderful things for so many aspects of her life! If she could just concentrate on the word "Simplify" it would change so much!

I loved this idea. I was taken by it simplicity and yet knew it had the potential to do so much. Immediately a word popped into my head and I knew it would be my focus for the year!

Service

Selfishly I need to Serve others. It makes me feel good. It gives me something to do outside of my own personal responsibilities. I easily get lost in my own everyday hiccups I forget to look outside and see where I could better be utilized!

So I got so excited about the thought of focusing on a single word I had a hard time just picking one. Oops! Can you tell my other word is not going to be "Simplify!" I'm not there yet!

So this year I'd like to focus on three words or concepts if you will...

Service
Following Through
Home

Following Through will be a good one for me! I have endless good intentions but following through on them is the hard part...like doing laundry! Yeah...that whole process from start to finish takes me like 5 days! From now on..."Follow Through" will haunt my subconscious! A single days task! Can you imagine!

Planing, projects, activities! So many things that clutter my mind and my space will finally get the attention they so deserve!


Home! I need to work harder to make my Home the warmest most welcoming refuge my family will ever know! I need to make more of an effort to focus on it's purpose. To comfort those who dwell in it's rooms and inspire love and safety! To me that means editing the STUFF that I once called necessities and filling it instead with loving reminders of the things that are really important. It also means focusing on meal time, traditions, order and family.

So there you have it! My "New Years Resolution!" This year I plan on devoting much of my energy on Serving others, Following through on the intentions I make and creating a Home that is a Haven!


If you were to pick one word for your New Years Focus what would it be?

hi

So I'm brunette right now! Been for about a month and I have to say I'm in love with it!

No I don't feel smarter! And yes I'm still having fun! Look at Blue...Isn't she too much! I do feel like I look more like my girls though! I think they love it too.

"mom has our hair now Molly!" says Cricket! I can tell she likes it most. Blue and Charlie share my eyes and Crick has always been apart of the "Brown team!" I wonder if she felt left out of being any part of a team I was on! But now she does and I'm quite enjoying it!

I needed a change! I needed more so to give my hair a break! Too much breakage and drying it out! So for the next chapter of life I'll be a brunette!

Could it be?

Ahh yes! The return.

It was bound to happen...

I couldn't stay away forever....

yet at times I had nothing worthy to say... or did I?

I'm in some sort of place right now.

A state of unfamiliar feelings. I've been here for a while and the best way I can describe it is this:

I'm in a FUNK! YES people! A FUNK!

Not quite sure how to act, feel, move forward!


No need to worry! I've been in funks before! I actually welcome this odd sort of state I'm in. I'm up for the lessons it's teaching me and the journey I'm on.

I must have had it too good. I was stagnate and stale and in need of a life shake up if you will. I'm looking at things differently. I'm being honest with my thoughts. I'm sorting through the fog in my head.

Frustrating? at times.
Scary? not really.

This is life. I'm in the throws of MY life.


I have dear dear friends. People I love. People who I know love me. It's been inspiring to chat with my dear friends and sort through my thoughts. I love what I have discovered about myself, about motherhood and Spirituality. Thank you sweet friends. I needed that!

I'm aware of many things right now. I know who I want to be. Getting there is where I'm at.


I'm in the treading water stage of my life. It's not a bad thing....It's a working hard thing. These years are so important. Hard and important. I'm treading water trying to do it right, keep it up, stay in rhythm....not drowned. Treading water, treading water....

I'm happy for the struggle and the challenge. Treading water for so long isn't going to kill me. It will hurt and it will test my abilities but it will also do something wonderful.

It
will
make
me
stronger.


It will give me legs to hold me up. It will teach me patience. It will give me the power I need to do what I do.


I'll tread for as long as I need to. As long as it takes to make me as strong as I need to be for what may lie ahead.

Maybe I should look at it as being "in training." You would never run a marathon without ever lacing up your running shoes and expect to do well right?

That's it... I'm In training. And for what you may ask? For life I guess. For a life I love and a life I've worked hard at to enjoy!

So pardon my absence. No need to worry...it's just me. Here. Now... in training.

October!

Done and DONE!

Sooo glad this week is over! Not that I didn't enjoy it but man was it a lot of work! I'm happy to report the birthday bash went off without a hitch... ok well maybe two hitches! We ran out of propane for the bbq and my DSLR Camera battery was dead! Fun huh! Nothing a quick trip to Home Depot and a Camera toting party guest couldn't fix! Thanks to a friend I had a nice camera to shoot with and hopefully I'll get those pictures back soon! I didn't have the right cables to upload it right away. Shucks!!!

Anyway... Mike and I deserve "Parents of the Year awards!" We busted our butts on this shin dig. Cricket tells us Saturday morning as we were decorating " I want to go to Chuck E. Cheeses for my birthday next week ok?!?" Um... HELLO kiddo... this is your Chuck E. Cheese!!! DUDE kid!

Today we were so dead tired! It takes a lot out of ya to be a cool parent and throw a party. This is why we only do this once every 5 years!

Busy week!

This week is going to jam packed with a tons to do! I have a laundry list of things I have to get done this week. We have family coming to town so I need to get the down stairs and guest room in order and my biggest event to worry about is the girls huge birthday party!!!WE are doing a carnival and there is lots to get done! Why does everything so like so much fun in the the planning phase and then feel like too much in the executing stage!!!!

I'm glad I can check off Teaching in Relief Society off my list! I love to teach!!! Love love love it! But the weeks before when I'm trying to work through my plan of attach is always something I dread! All in all it was a great lesson to work on. It was on Friendship. I love it when I can teach a good topic! Everyone had lots to say as a teacher it was welcoming interaction.

I started off the lesson with lipstick on my teeth! It was a test to see if I had any true friends in the crowd. It took a few minuets, some uncomfortable stares and a brave sister to finally tell me I had lipstick on my teeth!!! It was a fun way to get the lesson started!

Well I better get to it! To much to do to waste teh day away on line!!! I hope you all have a wonderful week!

It's not everyday...

a stranger stops you in the grocery store to tell you you're a good mom!

This morning while on my walk we stopped in Albertsons. A sweet old, questionably 100% there if you know what I mean, lady stopped me and commented what a good mom I was! I was flattered! I was assuming she was refering to my early morning outing with two kids in a stroller. But I was wrong! She was refering to the fact that I had given Blue A donut and she was covered almost from ear to ear in chocolate frosting!

At first I wasn't sure if she was actually insulting me and using tricky reverse psychology on me and actually "dissing" my parenting skills or if she was genuinely impressed in my generosity. She then started going on and on about how people need to give in to their kids more! She retold a story, in great detail how she witnessed a little boy scream and cry for a piece of cake that the parents wouldn't let him have! Pretty sure I don't aggree with her on giving in to screaming kids!!!

So there you have it. I was recognized for my "parenting" skills. Shoot!!! Wasn't I just complaining about not getting recognition!!! Ask and ye shall receive!

Call me crazy but

Here I go again being too honest ..

As overwhelming as motherhood and being a stay at home mom can be at times , I'd like to also add it's a little underwhelming as well!

All to often I gripe and moan over unruly toddlers who wears permanent scowls or one more day where I never once heard a single "Thank you!" I know I'm not the only one who deals with loads of laundry, dirty showers and "what's for dinner" conundrums.

Day in day out it can feel like all I do is hit the rewind and play button. And that's what makes it underwhelming as well! Predictable, unavoidable and stagnant at times!

Something must be wrong with me!Selfish I guess. I'm programed to need more praise or acknowledgment. More gratitude for what I do. I think that's my biggest flaw.

I'm greedy, needy and selfish.

I find it perfectly acceptable to expect a thank you for a meal I just prepared. I want to be told I am doing a good job! I need to hear that my efforts are not going unnoticed. Sadly I need to know these things. I, unlike employees of a company, don't get a form of compensation reflecting my productivity and value to a job.

My paycheck should be my family and home...I know! I get it! But heaven forbid I crave a little more then that!

This is where I faultier...time and time again!

I'll fall into a funk where I feel less then appreciated. It may just be underlying. I may not even notice it at first. That's when I start to care less about what I need to be doing...laundry sits clean in the laundry room begging to be folded. The basement stands still with a project on a table and the excuse " No one really will see it!" I do the bare minimum because I'm getting the bare minimum as a result. Horrible I know! It's hard to want to work your best when it feels like you get jack crap in return.

And then it all comes to a head and once again I feel undervalue and to blame yet still struggling to find my way out out and not be bitter for the reminder that I SUCK AT MY JOB!!!!

For sure this is why I blog!!! (Total sad confession coming out right now!!!) How pathetic!!! I feel my best when others tell me I'm doing something good! When I hear my efforts are being noticed or I have inspired someone else! Blogging does that for me! It's like I'm having an affair with blogger and the thousands of people who read my blog and leave me uplifting comments! It's the attention I need!!! I get what I'm not getting as a mom and home maker from perfect strangers on line who I will never meet...never disappoint or never tick off! Because I feel appreciated and needed I want to do more and be great at what I do.

I know this is totally pathetic! TOTALLY PATHETIC!!! I admit it! But it's my outlet! No different from someone who starts a business and puts so much work and effort in it simply to succeed. No one ever does anything NOT to feel some sort of accomplishment in it.

I just wish I didn't NEED it so much! I wish that my life as a mom and homemaker could fill me enough to be ok just being a mom and a home maker. But honestly I'm soooo much more then that and blogging is my way of tapping into that existance. Is that so wrong?

It is going to take years and years to cash in on my "mothering" investment. I know it will all pay off. I know I am doing the right thing as a mother. I just enjoy a little instant gratification once in a while!

So that's where I am in life! Right now at least.

I did it!

Surprisingly I didn't shed a single tear. Well...yesterday I didn't! Maybe I got it all out the week before. I was expecting water works but I was to busy to even notice I guess. It was the sweetest thing! I got a little misty when she jumped on the bus but that was it! I was shocked! I was good.

Mike took us to breakfast after the dropping off ordeal to cheer me up but I didn't need it! Blue was the one who needed the cheering up! She kept refusing to do anything until Macy got home! It was cute and sad all at the same time!

I think all teh antisipation and stress took it's toll on my body insstead of my emotions. I could not relax all day yesterday! I found myself with tense shoulders and a tight neck. I had teh worst tension headachand. I feel better this morning! Off she went again full of excitement! It's hard not to be ok when she's so stinkin cute!!!!

Tomorrow

Tomorrow my Cricket starts school.

No exclamation marks.

Complete anti excitement if I must be honest. I'm sad. Very, very sad!

How on earth did today finally make it here on the count down chain. One last day with my Cricket all to myself. Oops...a tear!

Not really sure how I'll survive seeing her off Tuesday morning...another tear!

Being a mom is hard. Harder then I imagined. Harder then the lump in my throat I'm trying to swallow away right now! I'm a big baby and I know it!

Do you think she'll let me snuggle her in my bed all morning?

Holding her.

Smelling her.

Looking into her big brown eyes and remembering her as my first baby bug all those years ago.

Pretty sure she won't let me. Maybe that would make it that much harder.





I'm already a wreck. This is hard... very, very hard.

I'll be rendered useless Tuesday. Oh Cricket....

Face Book Happiness

Yesterday I found a very special someone on Face Book!!! Probably my most exciting find yet! NO offense people if this find trumps me finding you!!!

I found my 4th grade teacher Mrs. McKay!!!!! How fun is that! She was defiantly one of those teachers that's comes to mind when people ask you "Who was your favorite teacher?"

She's as darling as ever ans totally remembered me! Just chatting with her brings back so many great memories!!!

So who have been some of your amazing Face Book finds? Old boyfriends, college roomates... FAce Book is a great treasure hunt isn't it?!?

Getting back into the swing of things!

What a weekend! Emotional as you can imagine and wonderful all at the same time! It was a beautiful service for our cousin. His family was amazing ans so inspirational! I love his mom and dad and siblings to pieces!

We saw family we haven't seen in over 7 years and getting to catch up was amazing! It reminded us of how close we really are! We didn't want to leave! We stayed up late each night visiting, playing games and reminiscing.

Mike and I are truly blessed to have such wonderful extended family! WE left feeling closer as a couple and a family in general. We were reminded how fragile life really is and how we need to be working on relationships and creating memories!

The reason for our gathering was a sad one but it resulted in blessed perspectives and renewed relationships! I will forever be grateful for that!

We fell a little under the weather while there! Mike barely escaped getting barfed on by Blue in the middle of the night! I came home with a cold and Charlie had snots that left snail trails all over her face! Thankfully by now we all seam to be on the mend and ready to jump back into the swing of things!

I have plenty of photos to post but have ton on my plate right now!

I'm finishing up a lot of projects and will have plenty to share soon!!! 'till then...

Sad news

Yesterday morning we woke up to find a very heart breaking email. Mikes cousin died in a single engine plane crash Saturday afternoon leaving behind a loving wife and 5 kids. The news was shocking and it's all we've been thinking about. Our hearts ache for his family. Not only was he a devoted father and husband but also an older brother and first born son.

He comes from an amazing family who we adore. His parents and especially his mom live, breath and eat for their children. There was never a visit or email or gathering where she didn't pull out family photos and beam as she related their latest news. As a mother myself I can not imagine how a grieving mother can cope with this tragedy.His younger siblings are equally amazing. How on earth do you ever get used to being a family with one less brother.

Sadly I can't think about this tragedy and not go to that scary place I try so hard to avoid. What if this happened to me? My greatest fear in life is losing Mike or one of my children. My world would end. I would fail to function.

It's a harsh reminder of how precious life is. How we take for granted the time we have been giving to love and be apart of someones life. It makes me want to hold on to my family with everything I have and never let go.

I pray that our Heavenly Father has welcomed home his son with loving embraces. That He will comfort and bless his loved ones left behind. I pray that those who love and care for his family will know their needs and do all they can to comfort his wife, children, siblings and parents during this trial.

We will be heading up for the funeral on Thursday.

It would be really unfair if I have another day like I did yesterday right!

I can only hope that today pans out a little better then my day yesterday! For sure I slip into some sort of depression once my sister left from her visit! Woe is me!!! And to top that off, Mike has been out of town so it's Single mom Combat over here!!! Not helping!

On top of my whinny, needy, misbehaving children I had to cut a huge wad of gum out of Blues hair late last night. THEN.... She had a small accident in MY bed and then I had to calm her down when she later started sleep walking and crying about how her face was ugly! REALLY!!??!!! All in one day!!!!!

Today I'm trying to be optimistic. I will so far so good. I have yet had to put someone in their room for being crazy and all the gum in the house has been trashed!

We are actually driving down to see Mike today in Provo for a family picnic for all the families in his MBA program! Sweet relief! Now I just have to waste a few more hours until I can pile the kids in the car and head out!!!Wish me luck!

1:41 a.m.

It's 1:41 am and I'm still up. Internally I think I am avoiding slumber because it can only
mean one thing once I wake up...Boopers is leaving. (SIGN... no wait!!!Not
even JUST a SIGH! POUT, pout, pout....
POUT!!)

Why do sisters have to leave?

I love her too much it hurts my heart!

I think this is why God only gave me one sister. If I had more and I had
to live far away from them it would hurt too much to see them, love them, and then have
to say good by on Mondays.

I hate Monday!

Oh I love this....

An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before,
but had once failed an entire class.

--------------------------------------------

That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.


The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on Obama's plan".


All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A.


After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B.
The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy.


As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little.
The second test average was a D!
No one was happy.


When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F.

The scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.


All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.


Could not be any simpler than that.

Oh I love this....

An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before,
but had once failed an entire class.

--------------------------------------------

That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.


The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on Obama's plan".


All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A.


After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B.
The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy.


As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little.
The second test average was a D!
No one was happy.


When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F.

The scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.


All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.


Could not be any simpler than that.

The eagle has landed!

My sister finally made it! I swear this was the longest day EVER!!! Already we picked up where we last left off! I love that about us! No matter how long it's been, we just fall into our routine of being sisterly! I love that!

So it's nothing but late nights, shopping, catching up and loving on each others monkeys!! Dane is a keeper for sure!So snuggle and beautiful. We had Charlie and Dane in a double stroller and it was like having twins! Two dark haired little nuggets!

I think I'm gonna like this week!!!!!

He he he!

I freaked Mike out the other night when he came home to this....

I was sooooo funny seeing him squirm trying to be nice and pretending he liked my new Do!!! He was so not diggin' it!!!

I had pin rolled my hair and tucked my long hair up to make it look like I chopped it! Not sure what he hated more... the curls or the length!! Once I told him it was just an illusion his true feeling came out!!!Guess I won't be chopping my hair any time soon!

Count down

Two more sleeps!!!Two more sleeps and my sister will be here!!!! I can hardly stand it! In addition to the beautiful Boopers gracing us with her presence, we will also be meeting our new nephew Dane for the first time, snuggling Emmy and enjoying Baker as well!!! The perfet visit! In the back of my mind I am already dreading when they leave!!!

For sure sisters have to be the best thing on earth. I think it takes us to reach adulthood to come to this realazation though. Childhood sisterhood is a little tricky at times. It wasn't untill I went away to college that Boo and I fell into a grove that really encouraged our relationship to become what it is today. I could never imagine my life with out her!


The other day I saw my sweet little old lady neighbor. She was outside visiting with an almost identical white haired little old lady and I was certain it was her sister. They were soon off and who knows what was in store for them. A lunch date, a shopping outing... maybe a doctors visit!!! I can only imagine that sisters in their 70's still have to do things togethers like sisters in their 20's and 30's! I had to laugh inside as I imagine Boopers and I 40 years from now. What will our get togethers involve? will we still be able to talk on teh phone for 2 hours? Stay up till midnight talking about nothing when we visit? Will we still be talking about our hair, our latest bargain find or project!? It was funny to imagine!

Our grandmother and her sister still get together at least twice a year! They fly out to see each other and I just love seeing them together mainly because I imagine my sister and I being just like them. White haired and full of wrinkles still eager to be together.

Lik eI said...Sisters are the best!

Ground Hog Day!!!

This morning as I was helping a little someone in the bathroom I had this thought..." Another day! Another wipe." (I know TMI!) I couldn't help but have major Deja Vou! For reals!!! My days all seem to be just like the one that preceded it! I was amazed that we all just wake up every day and do it all over again!!!

Not that I'm complainin'! I have a pretty fantastic life! I get to stay at home with my monkeys and that in and of itself is a blessing! But honestly I feel like a robot some days...

pour the cereal, feed the babe, find starfall on line, feed the kid again, change a diaper, read a book, break up a fight, find a flip flop, listen to Michael Jackson, buckle a seatbelt, clean up play do, feed, wipe, cook, clean.... REPEAT!

It's always the same fights, the same lost shoe, the same overly asked requests! 'Tis the life of a mom right!

I need to snap out of this funk! I need to feel like I'm more then just a fuel pump and ref! I need some excitement in our daily routine!!! Any suggestions!?! PLEASE!!!!!

Down East Clearance Center Tent sale!

For those of you in the Salt Lake City area, I have one thing to say to you!!!!LUCKY LUCKY YOU!!!!

Down East Clearance Center is having their tent sale starting today through Saturday!!! It's a little hard core if you go before they open! I mean a long line of house wives looking to score a deal no matter what!!!Expect Elbows to the face givin' with a smile as if to say " Oops! Did I do that!"

For those who don't know... Down East Clearance Center is a mecca of all things wonderful!!! TRANSLATION: it receives all of Pottery Barns slightly damaged, monogrammed and incomplete (meaning you could find a sheet set that's missing a pillow case...) It's got potential out the wazoo!!!

My favorite things to get there are sheets that have been sliced by a box cutter when it's being opened by an employee on accident. I use the sheets as fabric for my sewing projects!!You can't beat $2 a sheet!!! I also buy Bath towels. The towels are from Pottery Barn and if your lucky, Restoration Hardware. They will have been monogrammed but you can either unstitch it or just live with a fantastic towel that says sDw. High Quality for $3.

There is tons of great finds. I have a box full of projects to get to that I picked up there!!! It's funny... if you do get over there and notice EVERYTHING that's monogrammed you think to yourself " why on earth would someone want to slap their initials on THIS!!!" It's crazy...and even crazier that Pottery Barn takes things back that have been personalized!

If you have cute , common or trendy names in your family you are sure to find a treasured item with your name on it!!! Hailey, Grace, Jordan, Paige, Sam, Alex.... I see these names all the time!

So if you're up for an adventure and a little "Contact Sport" experience, you might want to get over there!

DownEast Home and Clothing Clearance Center
3505 West 3500 South
West Valley City, UT 84120
(801) 968-1872

Why

Why is it that after any vacation you feel almost MORE in need of a vacation then you did before? arrg!!!

We had a great little getaway this last weekend and now it's back to reality! I have sooooo much I need to get done and I feel like I'm only slowly chipping away at it all!!!Mainly my house looks like crap! I took yesterday off... I gave myself an Anniversary gift and put my house on the back burner!!! Boy can you tell! How on earth does my house get so CRAZY in just one day!!! YIKES!

I have tons of house projects still to get to. I did paint my front door today but still looming over my heard is the patio...Yep the patio! Remember that little DIY project Mike and I started , oh, about 6 weeks ago!! Well there sits an empty pad of dirt just begging for some sand and pavers and a check off the list!! Will it ever get done!

My sister is coming next week!!!! Hooray!!! Hooray!!!HOORAY!!!!! Honestly... nothing makes me happier!!!!! I feel the need to get it all done before she gets here! So I better get off my butt and get movin!!!

To my credit I did take the kids to the park and really played with them!!REALLY!!! We played catch, swung on the swings and laid on a blanket just laughing and visiting. I need to do that more often!!!

Get motivated!!!!! Gold Star Game!

Hey friends!! I just joined in on this challenge and it looks like it could be just what I need!!! If you need a little motivation to live a healthier life and get your butt into shape check it out!There is a cash prize for the winner!!!

I'll be posting my goals and progress here!!!

Ch! ch! check it out!!!

Gold Star Game!!!!

and yes I know the girl who started it so it's not a scam!

Well I never...

You know it's time to wash your car when you find it in the parking lot like this...

For reals!!!!

Injured list

Usually you get injured when you play sports...not me! I don't play sports.
Usually you get injured when you exercise...not me! I don't exercise.
Usually you get injured when you dace...not me! I haven't danced in years.

Nope...I get injured doing other things...

Usually you DON'T get injured blogging...I do!!! I sit funny when I'm on the computer there for rendering me a gimp at times! I was walking like a hip replacement patient in rehab last night!

Usually you DON'T get injured when you take kids to Classic Skate...I do!! I had a run in with a bikes handle bar while putting Crickets bike in the car. I'll be honest... I cried a little! No worries!Crick told me to be more careful next time so it shouldn't happen again.

Usually you Don't get injured sleeping... I do! Too much tossing and turning and twistin' I guess.

Usually you DON'T get injured putting on a bra...I do.

See it! Want it! Make it! Love it!

The Evolution of a want...

Fell in love with a necklace from Anthropology but my built in "Cheap" gene wouldn't allow me to fork over the $38. SIGH!
Then I get tipped off from a friend that this mama is for sale at Forever 21 for under $7!! My interest is growing and off I go...

The day before the tip off I had already picked up fabric and supplies to make this little gem!!! My version of my Anthro want!!! I loved how it turned out and let's just say it was worth the time it took me to make it when I saved nearly 90%... now that's my kind of result!

Here...

Here's my lovely new piece of artwork! It's totally me! You can't read it but it says under the fish "keep our oceans clean." I love her!

Here's the piece I would buy from Z Galleries if I happened to have a money tree growing out back... it's ginormous at 52x52"


I bought fabric yesterday to try my hand and replicating the flower necklace from Anthropology. I bought 4 different colors and the ribbon all for $6.90. But then, my gal pal, Mahana sent me a link to this necklace from Forever 21...
For less then $7 I could be adorned with this beauty! I'll have to run down to F21 today and check her out! Thanks Mahana!

That's the latest...

Falling in love lately

soooo...

I've been redecorating!!! Gotta love that! Seriously folks... I need change remember!!! I picked up an awesome, totally me, piece of art work last week that I fell in love with the moment I saw it! That's never really happened to me but I'm glad it did because I love how it looks! I did fall in love again today while in Z Gallery but a $500 price tags has a funny way of turning me off!

I'm streamlining over here! Less is more! Less to dust, less to clutter, less to rearrange! Bright bold splashes of color and Big Bold Photography! I'm working on a photo wall with huge pics of the fam! I'll post pics when I'm done but picking the photos I want to print is proving to be the hardest part!

I also fell in love with a necklace I saw in Anthropology today. (internal SIGH!) I could never afford anything in that store but I still allow myself to day dream as I go on a walk about through that beautiful store once in a while!


Here's the necklace! I Heart it very much! I may try to replicate it on the cheap!

I also loved up on some Sushi today with Mike and the girls! I could have eaten way more it was so grub! But talk about a rip off! I noticed two other tables who ordered the same roll as I and their roll was , I kid you not, twice as big as mine! Now I'm not one who usually has "Roll envy" but I'll be honest... I was a little green! What gives Takashi!!!

And lastly I'm totally in love with the beautiful weather we've finally gotten! I was Down Town today, walking the streets and just loving life! A perfect perfect day...minus the midget roll!

Holy crap!!! I died and....

Went to Doughnut Heaven!

There I was...minding my own business driving home from IKEA and singing along to Frente. I see out of the corner of my eye a sign billowing in the wind! I had to squint to read it but I could have sworn I saw the word "Doughnut!"

WHAT!!!!!

A real Doughnut store in Utah!!!! Could it really be!?! A legit, stand alone storefront that sells delish' round treats that beckon me!!!!By George it was!!!

(remember folks... I come from the land of plenty when it comes to Doughnut shops! There are like on every corner in CA.... I've been without or had to pick one up at Walmart for too long!)

Back to the story...

I fliped a "U" and filed the kids out... a propmise of a treat was all it took and they were on board!

Oh how lovely and adorable this new favorite mecca of all things sugary!
*click*Beyond Glaze,*click*
which I first thought was a tile store, is the Cartier of Doughnut shops! Each and ever masterpiece is on display behind a glass case. They tease and temp you with their icing and swirls! For reals!!!! This was a dream come true!

My goals in life have been altered...added to the list and high up there is my goal to
sample each and every flavor... key lime, blueberry, cookies and cream....

So if you by chance live within a 100 mile radius of this store in Draper, Ut, be sure to swing by and bring a bib! Drooling may occure! Lovliness never tasted so good!

6 cupcakes later!

Yep! That's right!!! I baked yummy cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and sprinkles and I alone have consumed 6!!! I literally have no self control when it comes to something I'm craving! I love to bake so this is always an issue! This is also why I always give away 75% of all my baked goods because if I didn't I'd personally eat 75% of my own baked goods! Oh the down fall of loving to cook!

I should have plenty of motivation to stop picking up cupcakes!!!Yesterday I did something I never do!!!NEVER!!! I went shopping for the first time for myself since having Charlie. After crying nearly every morning when I stand in my closet looking at my wardrobe, I knew it was time! I have stuff in there from before I was married!YEESHK!!To say I needed cloths would have been an under statement! But instead of stocking up on $3 clearance shirts from Target I treated myself to a little luxury for once! I loaded up the kids and headed for the mall.

When I walked into Nordstrom I was on a mission. "Do it Becca! You deserve it!!!" I had to keep telling myself as I pushed my stroller over the brand new shiny sparkling floor of Nordies! Nordstroms is a little tricky! Where does a 30 year old mom fit in at Nordstroms? Brass Plum is for the cell phone totin', Prom Committee, teenagers but I always seemed drawn in that direction... and yes I know I don't belong there! The other departments are for women on the hunt for the perfect dress to wear to their husbands work banquet or have the money to drop $150 on a hoodie sweatshirt with rhine stones! And all of you would be happy to know I didn't dare venture into the kids department! Size 16 jeans are for husky tall 5th graders , not me!!

Oh well I tried!!! It's hard breaking years and years of frugality all at once! I did pick up some new jewelery from Nordstoms before I left it's well dressed mannequins and intimidating makeup attendants! Off to conqure my goal elseware!

Sweet success was discoverde within the walls of Banana Republic, AnnTaylor and Gap. Everything was on sale...baby steps people! But I did score some great essentials and I have hope for my wardrobe yet! Of course I had to call my little sister right away! She would be most proud of me! I know I need to get over my cheapness when it comes cloths. Quality trumps quantity when you keep cloths as long as I do, so dropping a few hundred bucks on myself once every blue moon is a good thing!!! I just have to keep telling myself that! I'm worth it!

I spend all my money on my kids or on my house and I have forgotten about myself long enought! It felt great! I even went back to Banana and picked up a ring I couldn't get out of my head for two hours! LOVE IT!

So unless I want to quickly out grow all thsoe pants I just bought I better retire the cupcake fetish!

Accentuate the Possitive

on a brighter note...

• Charlie Bug is a rock star sleeper and typically saws logs for 8-10 hours each night!
• Got us all signed up for the Summer Reading program and I 'm actually exercising my brain again and reading a real book! I just started "The uncommon Reader" so far ho hum, and next I'll read "Water for Elephants"
• I tried my hand at making cinnamon rolls for the first time this last weekend and they were a hit!!! I'm expanding my repertoire in the kitchen. I ain't just a dish washer folks!!!
• I have Bunco tonight!!! Sweet Sweet Bunco friends!!! What more does a girl need!
• SYTYCD top 20 got their dance on last night and I was happy to find myself "dancing" along while parked on the couch!!! That means I liked it!
• I have a crafting itch! I love that feeling!
• I talked to my sister Boopers yesterday for like two hours! Who wouldn't love that!
• I've been loving the rain and thunder storms! I have an inner Eeyore inside that I occassionally let out!
• It's almost Friday!!!!
• I've talked or communicated with all my SIL's who I love and adore this week! I miss the far away ones so much!
• I totally loved up on my latest ULTA store coupons and made out like a bandit! If anyone is in need of food scrub, facial cleanser and the like, I'm your gal!
• Last week I photographed my friends three little girls and the photos turned out awesome! Most importantly She loved 'em!
  
• I dream about my camera at night and taking photos! I love waking up with new ideas!
• Cricket and Blue are happily playing down stairs together giving me some time to up load a tutorial on Blue Cricket next!!! I love it when they like each other! LOVE IT!

My heart is hurting

I'm in the middle of some major drama right now and I just can't keep it in any longer! Please understand that this is my place to vent and get some stress relief by writing it all down and hopefully purging some of it from my system. Out of respect I'll keep the details limited.

Basically I, along with my little family of five, have been dealing with some hurtful family drama. I am so filled with countless emotions right now. Anger, disappointment, hurt, discouragement and genuine worry. I am heart broken. For over two months I have had to deal with these feelings and it's all coming to a head right now!

This issue occupies so much of my thoughts lately it's exhausting. I have no clue how to fix it and at this point it is effecting more then just me and my immediate family. How on earth can I move forward when I am so torn on how to feel and react. On one hand I want to sympathies but I can only sympathies for so long . On the other hand I want to blow up and yell and hold nothing back and really say how I feel and how I've been effected by all this nonsense.

I feel like so much has been ruined and tarnished. There are events I can never recreate or fix . I feel cheated out of precious moments and at this point a future of acceptance and inclusion. It breaks my heart to think of what life will be like if this doesn't get resolved and the longer it goes on the harder it's going to be to get back to where we were...if that's even possible.

I feel like we have done everything in our power to try to smooth this out...being very respectful in our communications and apologetic for causing any strife. In return all we have gotten is accusations, hurtful comments, rage and exclusion. And still after all that we STILL want to work it out because this relationship mean that much to us.

Let's hope the saying is true..." time heals all wounds." At this point I am so tired of the back and forth. It's breaking me down. All I can do is pray for some sort of peace. Until then I'm afraid this issue will always be in the back of my head. If it doesn't get better I'm afraid other relations and events will be in jeopardy. I can already see the effects of this spreading.

Please, if you know more details about my struggle please be considerate in your comments. I'm not here to out my issue but more so work through the process of dealing with it! Thanks friends!

SYTYCD

So it's happening again!!! I have a girl crush on the amazing Mia Michaels from " So you think you can dance!" She's my favorite choreographer on the show! If I could get away with her crazy hair style that's the one I'd do. Each season I look forward to seeing what her hair looks like and this season is the best! Wish I could find a picture of it! Any who....So glad it's that time of year again!! Please tell me I'm not the only one who feels like busting out a crazy contemporary dance number every time this show is on!

Totally great, well worth watching video!!!!

This literal version is a riot!!!! Enjoy!

Blue Cricket Design is all NEW!!!!

Big changes have been happening over here!!! I'd love for all of you to come see the fun I'm having on my Blue Cricket Design blog! No longer an online boutique but now a fun place to post projects, tutorials, recipes, Photoshop how to's and so much more!

Become a follower on the side bar and be automatically entered into random drawings for giveaways! Tell your friends and win one FREE warm fuzzy feeling inside!!! Cool huh!!!! Add me to your side bars and come join in on the fun!!!!

Spring cleaning, change and a few face lifts

I HEART change!Love it! Thrive on it and can hear it calling my name! I've got the itch and it's bad! I'm desperately in need of change around here. Every aspect of my life needs a makeover!

The first plan of attack was to freshen up my blogs. Easy enough right! Change a little here, add a little there! My personal blog and Blue Cricket blog were due so they got a little life support first. Check out my Blue Cricket blog. Totally new look and concept...no longer a place to sell my wares but a place to share fun and creative projects and ideas. I'll be adding new posts a few times a week so check back often!

Next item of business is my house! I'm sick of it's decor and want to start all over. Green, Gold and Red have to go! I want more Modern, clean lines and minimal accents. I want pops of color, large photography and graphic shapes. I'm trying to convince Mike to let me sell off nearly everything...it's a hard sell soooo this may take a few " trades" if you know what I mean to get him to hop on board. Oh the things I do!!!!

We are in the throws of a big household project thank goodness! Something to tide me over I guess. We are putting in a patio in the front yard! We had to rip out hedges and dig up roots and depending on the weather tomorrow may actually get it done. I'm on the hunt for some adorable wicker furniture for the space. I can't wait till it's done. I'm ready to retire my ghetto 1985 folding chairs I sit on in the drive way! Pictures to come.

I'm also always talking myself out of chopping my hair! I would love to sport a sassy short look but don't have the balls to actually do it. And Mike likes me blond and with long hair so what can I do...remember I'm trying to get him to sign on to my redecorating concept so I aim to please at this point! I am getting my hair done on Thursday so maybe I'll spice it up with some sexy low lights and a trim...CRAZY I know!

Big yard sale next weekend so I'm on a purging rampage! For real!!! I just want to get as much crap out of here as I can and make a little moola to spend on new crap! Oh the circle of life!

Obsessions

It's nice to know I can be obsessed with good things and not just things like Mint OREOS and "LOOKING" at my stair stepper rather then using it lately!

I'm hooked! I'm addicted! I can't live without it!!!

I gotta get me a bowl of Steel Cut Oats with a chopped banana and a sprinkle of coconut! For almost a month now this has been my breakfast! So yummers and so good for me! I'm trying hard to lose those last 5 lbs...ok. I guess if I were tryinh HARD I'd use my stair stepper more so let me re phrase that..I'm trying things to help me lose those last 5 lbs. like eating a good breakfast and lunch. I'm also addicted to brown rice, steamed veggies and two slices of lean turkey meat for lunch! Is it working... not sure! But I feel better knowing I'm getting better nutrition then not!

Why can't I be obsessed with working out! There are totally those kinds of people out there! Why can't I just wake up and want to run or do sit ups! I'm just not like that! Instead I'm obsessed with thinking about all the things I should be doing to help become more heathy. In this case I don't think just thinking about will get the job done! The big butt and cloths not fitting thing still exists! SIGH!!!

I'll say it... I JUST WANT TO BE THIN LIKE I WAS AGAIN!!!

So maybe if I write it down I'll get more motivated! But really folks... how do you do it with three kids and one being dependant on the boob! I'm afraid to get a gym membership because of how pricy the childcare is and lets face it... in the past my gym membership was just a monthly withdraw for my absentse and ability to always leave one more treadmill available for someone else!

I need to trade in a bad obsession for a good one....

Mint Oreos for Oats...CHECK
Fast food lunch for rice and veggies....CHECK

going to bed late for in bed by 10:15
computer time for work out time
shopping for walking



That should be a good start!

Ha ha ha!!!!

Is this not the funniest face or what!!! Duuuurrrrrr!!!!!

Check out my FAMILY BLOG by pressing HERE to see pics of Charlies Nursery!!! I finally finished it last night at midnight!!!

Girl talk

Charlie and I. Nuff said!

6 week check up!

So today I got my baby slide checked out! Fun visit huh! It's funny how in 6 weeks you revert back to your old ways, all shy and cross legged in the office! It was only a few months ago I was happily spreading those same legs practically begging the doctor to get in there and make something happen already!

I sat there on the table naked from the waist down waiting and waiting! Lucky me! The doctor had to run down stairs to do an emergency C section. Can't fault the guy! If that were me down stairs I would have want him there ASAP! It made me wish for those cool things they have at airports now for people picking up passengers. You know...the waiting area with the huge light up monitors telling you when flights land and if there were delays! Couldn't we come up with something similar for doc's. They can have some sort of tracking device and in the waiting rooms a giant board wouldl tell us...
" in operating room!"
"down stairs massaging some poor girls perineum so it wont tear, this could take a while it's her first!"
"Washing his hands and then on his way up so get naked now!"

Unfortunately they haven't installed that feature so there I sat naked wrapped in my toga. I had to jump on and off the table a dozen times to deal with Charlie! Fix her passy, wipe her drool all the while just waiting for him to open the door any moment and catch me by surprise causing me to startle and drop my sheet and bear it all. MORTIFICATION!!!!

Thankfully I had those 15 or so minutes alone. Charlie bug was passing gas like she was in a farting contest! By the way she would have won! DUDE!!!

So all is well in the regin we call Cha Chee! I know I should use it's tecnical term but who want's to read the word VAGINA on someones blog! Ha!!!! I made you read it!!!!

I can offically have relations and work out! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! Not in the moooood for either! I was hoping he was going to tell me I was cleared for some sort of eating contest instead. Way more exciting !

pics

here she is!! 6 weeks old .

New baby alert !

My sister Boopers birth a child this morning! AWESOME!!! Yesterday I couldn't get her off my mind all day! We talked on the phone and I told her I had a feeling she was going to have her baby but as of 4 pm yesterday when we gabbed she hadn't and I was sure my so called "Sisterly intuition" was bunk!

But hold the phone folks! At 7 am I got a call from a new mommy! Sweet baby Dane Emmett was yanked from his mama at 5:07 am measuring a whopping 8lbs. 5 oz. and 20" long! And you know what the best thing is... I DO have sisterly intuition!! Ok...Dane is the best thing about the whole situation but my intuition comes in at a close second!

For SURE I had that moment!

So last night while on the way to the dealer to buy a minivan I totally had that moment! All of you who drive minivans will know what I'm talking about! It's when you almost can't breath and you see your life flash before you and you realize you are 30 years old and have three kids and drive a minivan. End of story!

As excited as I've been to graduate from my clown car into something that didn't inflict pain and blood shed while strapping munchkins in, I wasn't prepared for the reality that set in!

"Breath ma'ma!Breath!" I had to tell myself!

Was I really going to be able to pull it off!

I tried desperately to take my mind off the fear and excitement! I chatted with Mike on the drive down to Orem bringing up anything and everything besides the van. I was trying to hide my emotions! And why the heck was it so emotional! Ok... we haven't bought a new car in almost 9 years and this was a big commitment, a lot of money and a huge car to ge tused to driving, but the root of all my inner strange woes was the fact that this made it offical! I was about to cross over into the land of minivan moms! It all looked easy enough from my onlooking observations of all my friends who gracefully crossed over but here I was about to be initiated into the club!

But then we meet her! A sweet "salsa red" as named by Toyota Inc. themselves, Sienna. Perfect and new! Born in the year of the "Ox" (aka 2009) previously taken care of by others for a short spell but ready to be loved permenantly by us! She woed me with her power doors, tint and 8th seat! My fears quickly began to disipate as I sat all three kids in the middle row and saw something amazing! They didn't touch each other! They weren't sitting on top of one another and just beyond then in the fartheset row was even more room! More ROOM!!!!!!!!

So Miss Ruby is wating for me in the garage! Don't tell her but I'm a little nervouse to drive her! So new and perfect and I'm having new mom jitters! I'll get over it! I'll quickly fall for all her power, tricks and comfort!

So hello everyone! I'm a minivan mom!

Remember when...

Remember when I said I'd be the first to admit it if my baby wasn't cute! Well I'm soooo admitting it! The baby acne fairy came and sprinkled her love all over baby Charlie and man... I seriously want to put a bag over her face! I was hiding her at church yesterday it was so bad! She defiantly looks like a train wreck. Sad little girl! My other girls never had it this bad!

I so can't remember anything from my last babies. How long does this last! Is there any new wonder cream I can slather on this poor little girls face (and neck, shoulders and ears no less!) And how funny is it when people see her in all her pimpled glory!Still so kind and complimentary!!! NO NEED TO SUGAR COAT IT PEOPLE!!! She's a freak! I'm her mom and I admit it!!!!

So... don't expect any new shots of Charlie! Until Procative comes out with a baby line she'll just be hiding in a corner!

Adios 20's

That's right folks! Today is my last day as a twenty somethinger! Yes I just made that word up!!! Good by 20's hello 30!!! I have always been one who embraces getting older! I can remember so clearly the day I turned 15! I kept telling everyone I was half way to 30! Strange huh! I defiantly have an old soul! I just love everything about getting older! I'm never going to be the kind of person who is embarrasses of my age! Isn't there something to be said about a years worth of groth and experiances?! I sure think so!

I do have this strange urge to do something crazy today!As if to take advantage of my 20's and have the excuse that's it's so ok becasue I was young! Maybe get something pierced or a tattoo! Just kidding! I do have this mean craving to chop my hair off and give myself a makeover!

One thing I know I'm going to work on, as I age gracefully he he, is to be a little more conciouse of my health! I take advantage of it too often. I'm going to make a huge effort to eat better and become more active! So no more drive throughts and junk! If I eat out it's going to be at Subway or it's a salad or a heathier option. That's a pretty good gift to myself right!

So see ya later 20's! You've been great! I'll miss ya but have too much to look forward to to shed any tears!

Why oh WHY

Why do I still watch Baby Story? It only makes me want to shoot a baby out AGAIN!! I seriously can't shake that baby craving... maybe i should call it my delivery craving! No joke I want to have another!

So we nearly flunked Easter this year! We didn't hide the eggs the night before, not sure why...we were up till 1 am! We were so exhausted we just didn't do it! I had to tell the girls that I saw the Easter Bunny the night before and he gave me strict instructions on what to do with the eggs that needed hiding! So after Church the girls went hunting... finally! They didn't care!

That's right folks! Charlie made her big debut at Church just in time for Easter! I wasn't sure I was going but , alert the press, Charlie Bug gave me 5 hours of sleep that night so to celebrate we made it to Church!it felt great to go! She did great! Slept most of the time and didn't even fart or fill her pants like most babies do causing mom's face to go beet red with embarrassment! She'll get me soon I'm sure.

A case of the blahs!

For sure I came down with the blahs yesterday! My girls are doing what any girls would do when their mom is indisposed with a baby tethered to her boob nearly the entire day...getting away with murder!!!! I'm not joking when I say I nurse nearly all day! Charlie just loves to be held and have me in her mouth. It doesn't make for much productivity or policing.

Every room in my house is evidence of this and the eight minute window I have every time I put the baby down doesn't give me much time to revive much.

So yesterday the girls got away with quite a long laundry list of naughtiness...

• they managed to empty out a box of packing peanuts upstairs and down stairs and oh the stairs for that matter.
  
• they pillaged a candy stash and Blue probably ate 12 pieces of gum.
• found said gum in a cloth napkin, on the table and in a news paper.
• they disappeared to the neighbors twice.
• found their hidden Easter basket fillings and cried when I took it away. Now what do I do!
• and took a marker to bed and managed to litter their on the underside, thank goodness, of their bed with scribbles. And Molly tagged her dresser with her name!
  

Seriously folks! I'm tired, gross and frustrated with my kids! If I could just get Charlie to enjoy her own personal space I could get on top of all this. I'm hoping in a few weeks she'll be better! Thankfully she doesn't cry much...just wants to snuggle!

Oh well...this is my life right now! And yes I typed this post one handed!

Ouch!

I just spent $50 on a Nursing Bra. Nuff said.

Randomness...

• What? Do I nurse? How did you guess? Could it have been the totally awkward nursing pads that make it look like I'm smuggaling bolognia in my shirt! Yes! Nothing gets by you guys!
• I'm changing my middle name to "Multitasker." I think pumping while on the stair stepper, updating blogs while nursing and blow drying my hair while watching the big girls in the tub totally justifies the change!
• Blue has a fascination with diaper changing. She always wants me to change Charlie. She's quick to tell me "The baby stinks!Change her diaper!" She just really likes pulling the wipes out of the box.
• Last nights dinner consisted if Mac n Cheese, steamed veggies and a left over sloppy joe! Get used to it kids. That's what mom magically can whip up when a baby doesn't let her put her down till 6:25 pm.
  
• Man I can't wait till I can fit into more then three pair of pants, one being yoga pants, one being my "fat jeans" and the last being my pair of jeans I bought in the kids section made of super streachy denim!
  
• I ate three TWIX bars last night. In my defence they were snack size but I think when you eat them in bulk they turn into meal size... not helping the pants goal!
• That Adam guy on American Idol makes me dry heave! I literally can't watch him perform. His love making with his eyes into the camera is gag worthy and I'm not joking when I say he makes me unable to watch! he can scream, I mean sing. I'll give him that but screaming can only get you so far.
• Is Easter really only a week away! When did that happen!
• I started something fun on my family blog! Check it out! It's all a ploy to get my butt in gear and flush my brain of pregnancy clumsyness and lack of fuctioning. Stimulate your creative side and join in on the fun!!!
• I'm hungry again!
  

What's wrong with me!

So this morning while looking at my other friends blogs I saw a post about an ultra sound and finding out what they were having! I was totally overwhelmed with the desire to be pregnant again!!!

WHAT!!! Did I really feel/ think/ and want that...for real!? CRAZY!!! I just crossed that bridge and we all know I complained almost the entire time! Me and pregnancy aren't best friends! There are some amazing parts about being pregnant that I love and even miss.

Is pregnancy like labor? You magically forget the hard, miserable, sick parts all in hopes you'll do it again someday? Maybe! But wow...10 days later I seem to have wiped my memory clean!

Maybe it was a weak moment! And believe you me... I know for sure Mike isn't at work surfing blogs getting all warm and fuzzy over knocking my up again!!! You can put money on that one!

Oi Vey

The lack of sleep is definitely catching up with me! Charlie is a snuggle bug sleeper. Translation...Sleeps best when I'm holding her. Translation: I sleep horribly and end up holding her in bed all night! Seriously kid! And it's only at night! Right now she's happy as a clam by herself sawing logs for a good three hours! Go figure! I don't remember my others being this attached at night! It's been rough!

I'm also dealing with a lot of other random things that don't seem to be helping. I'm of course feeling the guilt of having to share my time and attention four ways. There's no way around this one!Guilt is guilt and when you toss in hormones and sore boobs it's a recipe for disaster! I started "Special time" with the girls where they get one on one time with me. Today I painted Blues nails. She was in heaven just the two of us!

I miss Mike too. He's here but I'm so wrapped up in being a mom and he's totally picking up the slack. We're both living these totally busy lives with different responsibilities, we seem to be passing each other. I feel it more then ever because I'm completely falling in love with him all over again as I see him doing so much. It's like all I want to do is stop everything, climb into his arms and just be with him. Tell him how much I adore him and appreciate all that he is doing and just sob! ok... I did that this morning and he just let me! One more reason I love him.

Love makes you feel crazy inside! It's a good crazy but lately my love seems to be oozing from my eyes in the form of tears! I'll look at my kids and tear up. I think about Mike my eyes leak a little more! I love it actually. This is one time in my life I really give into my emotions! Again...hormones, sleep deprivation and new baby spirits tend to do that to me!


Charlies been a good baby in general. More needie in the sense that she loves to be held but it's easy to hold something you love so much. The girls are having their moments as to be expected! I still wouldn't wish these days away. I'll never have Charlie as tiny as she is today. We'll never be this amazing team, working together in all of it's newness. It's a good time in our lives.

There has been a lot swirling around me in the last week. I'm trying to do my best and keep everything in perspective. What's really important, what I can and can not control...I'm trying to focus on the things that I want to remember and not on the things that could cloud it all up.

So basically you could say I'm a typical new mom! Enjoying the highs and lows of a new baby at home and all that involves! I'd never give it up! I'd never trade it for anything! I feel blessed to be who I am, as I am, with the litlte family I've helped create!

DUDE!!!

After contractions are NO JOKE!!!! I forgot how much they SUCK!!!! Shoot me now please!

Oh yeah... Milk due any day! More complaining to come!

Baby: Awesome!
Hospital stay: Awesome!
Wearing a diaper (ME): not awesome!
Lortab: AWESOMER
Blue Bird saying when she holds Charlie for the first time..." This baby stinks!": Awesomest!
Having to wash my sheets only 45 minutes after being home: Not so awesome!
My dishwasher STILL needing to be unloaded: far from awesome
Having a sweet baby to love: The ultimate awesome of all time, ever, in the world!

Peace out!

She's here!!!

Check out the family blog for all the details!!! Better photos to come!! We were snapping pics in the wrong mode!!!

ok ladies...the sleeping fairly dropped off a present and it's lovingly calling me to slumber!!!

talk to you soon!!

Baby Day!

Say good by to my belly..at least at it's largest! It's baby day!

So...

Nothing happening!Still pregnant!

But on a happier note for others recently bogged down with large bellies...

My brother and his wife Vangi welcomed their first baby, Kyler Grant, into the world on March 18th!!! He's beautiful!!!!


AND

Mikes brother Jason and wife Megan welcomes a little boy, Blake Dean, into the world March 19th!!!! Can't wait for pictures!

Hummm.... the only thing popping into my head right now is that all to wonderful song from good old Sesame Street " One of these things is not like the other!!!"

WHERE IS MY BABY!!!!!

Almost forgot....

This is too good! On Saturday we ended up walking the mall, all in the effort to get my contractions stronger but that's beside the point. While we were slipping into American Eagle I couldn't help but notice some commotion going on over at TORRID, a plus sized store for sassy hip plumper woman.

WHAT! is that what I think it is? Oh no they didn't!!!!!


Guess who set up shop in their front window! None other then the girl Scouts themselves hawking their cookies! Does anyone else see that as wrong!!!!

There was even a girl dressed up as a Tagalong!! Shoot! I was ready to take a bite of her! So either this was brilliant marketing ploy by Torrid them selves or a sick joke and we were all on Candid camera as the secretly caught our reactions to the cookie sale at the plus sizes store! Oh funny!

Busy Birthday Week!!!!

I have two incredible Sister In Laws that deserve a Birthday Shout out on the old Bloggy Blog!It's funny! I haven't been the best at remembering Birthdays while preggo but these two are easy to remember becasue I'm ready to add one more birthday to this birthday week if I can help it!

Their mom's planned it perfectly by just barely missing giving birth on St. Patrick's Day!!! NO offense St. Pat but I'd rather not have a baby on this oh so green holiday! ( I swear if she comes Tomorrow!!!!Why I ought' a!!!)

Megan, sweet Megan celebrates her day of arrival today , March 16th!!! I just love this chica! She is oh so gorgeous, as anyone could tell and too much fun! I am so glad to have her as a SIL!!!! I wish we could play more often! SIGH!!!Guess maybe after Dental school you'll have to move to Promise Valley and make that dream come true for me!!!

Steph, a.k.a. Queeen of the Universe is also growing one year older. March 18th is her happy day! Now I've known Steph for yeesk...well over 10 years! We've been like sisters well before we ever becasme SIL!!! Lucky for me we became family and all it's done is bring us closer together! Happy Birthday Queeny!!!

So girls... When you blow out those birthday Candels do me a favor would 'ya!!! Make a wish that your sweet little niece will soon join you in this weeks celebrations!!!! PPPPPLLLLLEEEEAAAASSSEEEE!!!!!

Liar

So Tylenol PM soooo Lied to me! it "claimed" to be able to relieve me of aches and pains and gently aid in my sleep!!! Poppy Cock! Malarkey! Rubbish!!! Did I toss and turn any less last night as I was witness to every number glow on my alarm clock!NO!!!!!

Oh boy!! I have never been this tired and sore with any of my pregnancies! Is it because I'm almost 30? Because it's my 3rd...maybe it's because I don't exercise! What ever!

Tylenol can kiss my wide butt! It gave me false hope and that's a pretty mean thing to do to a girl in my state! I'm desperate for some sleep and relief so I guess I'll have to give it a few more nights and let it redeem it's self! Good luck Tylenol PM. You're on thin ice in this house!

To reward you on you persistence...

Sometimes you just have to please the masses!