Bah-Humbug!

So I'm almost to the point of "scrooge-ing" gift giving. My reasons are, too much to do and not enough time to do it. I usually have everything ready by Thanksgiving, but this year, not so. Bringing one extra child into the mix definitely makes things harder. I don't like feeling so rushed and frantic, I like to enjoy the season, I love to give, but for some reason this year, I'm having a hard time with it. I am over my head. I have very little time to myself, and that time is spent trying to catch up. Hopefully all will turn out, it may not be as planned but, it Will get done and sent out to everyone, but it may get to you after Christmas.

(my impromptu holiday poem)

I need to make a list, yes and check it twice!

There is so much to do, and I can't "put it on ice".

There's cards to send out, and gifts to make,

My house to clean, and treats to take.

To parties we go, babysitters to find,

Kinda getting hectic, it's time to unwind!

What's the reason for giving? I need to remember,

Is it that day? The 25th of December?

No, it's more than a day, it's a season of giving.

It's how we remember the Lord is still living.

From His humble birth, to His humble end.

He gave His life, to us, my friend.

So, I will continue, not just for a day,

To keep on giving, I will find a way.

I'll get my list done, but I won't hurry,

I want to remember, and to not scurry.

It is a season for giving, and a season is long.

So, what I'm saying is, and don't get me wrong,

You'll get your gifts, and cards, and treats,

But you might not get them until the spring bird tweets!

Merry Christmas!

Kaleb's Party

So on the 1st we threw a "boo"-day party for Kaleb's 3rd birthday. I am not the best party thrower/organizer, so aside from a bit of dissarray, I think it went pretty well. Kaleb, most of all had a lot of fun. We invited families to come dressed up in their halloween garb and come and ride the lingering wave of the sugar high. We had pizza, cupcakes, and watched the b-day boy open his presents. We made masks and enjoyed eachothers company. Thanks to all who came and made this day great for Kaleb.

The Guests

The b-day boy and the cupcake tower

Opening the gifts

Your Vote

I've been thinking alot lately about the candidates and their running mates, and I'd like to hear your views as well. So who are you voting for and why?

Photo Tag

This is the fourth photo in the fourth folder

This pic was taken in December before Christmas of 2007. Looks like I'm peeling potatoes and there is an embarrassing mess on the counter top. Anyway, I tag Carla, Alisha, Brianne, Candace, and Nadine. Just post the fourth photo in your fourth folder (in your "my photos" folder) and give us a little background on it.

Picture time!

Well here they are!

They turned out okay, considering the craziness the photographer had to deal with, but she seemed well equipped. These are some I was able to download from their site so they may be hard to see clearly, they are low resolution. They are good enough for me!

Here are the boys in the autumn themed background, aren't they cute!

I love this one of all three.

This shows a little of their playfulness.

(Zach is stepping on Kaleb's foot)

We have to go back again for Raeleigh, she didn't want to cooperate. She really had had enough by the time we got to her individual pics. So hopefully soon I'll have some cute pics of her to post.

Enjoy!

FHE Night at the Park

Here we Gooooooooo!!!

I just Love the looks on their faces as they go down the slide!

Pure Exhilaration!

I also love that we were able to get all three to look at the camera all at the same time. The boys just love, love, love the park, any chance they get to go is sweet happiness. Unfortunately for them their mom is unsure how to handle two super active boys and a cranky teething baby girl, all by herself. In the heat. The solution, we go when its cooler, when daddy gets home. That's why it's so dark.

one of the favorite things to do is go up the slide and then back down. I'm not quite sure what the things in the middle are but they had fun on them anyway.

Zach climbing up the slide.

I am glad it's cooling off, I love the freedom of going outside to play instead of being cooped up inside all day. We just need to get our back yard in good order now.

I've been Tagged

Here goes nuttin'


8 T.V. Shows I Love To Watch

1. Heroes
2. The Biggest Loser
3. Supernanny
4. Ace of Cakes
5. Glenn Beck
6. Dancing with the Stars
7. America's Got Talent
8. American Idol

8 Things that Happened Yesterday

1. Watched Conference
2. Went to In-Laws
3. Ate roast and potatoes
4. Visited with Family
5. Came home
6. Watched Pocahantes
7. Ate popcorn
8. Rocked my daughter to sleep (twice)

8 Favorite Places to Eat

1. Ramano's Macaroni Grill
2. Chili's
3. Gardunios
4. Wildflower Bread Company
5. El Paso BBQ Co.
6. Panda Express
7. Chipoltle
8. Claim Jumper

8 Things I Look Forward To:

1. Spending time with my family
2. Going to Luna
3. Having my Hubby home
4. Having our house paid off
5. Bedtime
6. Going to the temple (and having one just a little closer!)
7. Girls' night out
8. Getting our Family Pictures taken

8 Things on My Wish List

1. A sink in my laundry room
2. A soft water system
3. A weekly massage
4. To loose my baby fat
5. To have zero debt
6. To take the whole family to Disney Land
7. To help my parents make-over their house
8. To be a "have-it-together mom"

8 People I tag (in case you don't know what "tagged" means it indicates that you will post a blog with your own list of all these '8 things':

1. Carla
2. Candace
3. Brianne
4. Alisha
5. Nadine
6. Koe
7. Stephanie
8. Carolyn

Thank You

Thank you, everyone for all the tips and advice you've given. It means a lot to me to know I have a support group out there, near and far. I'll keep you posted on the progress. John and I agree that it probably stems from not enough individual attention, of the good sort. He usually is the one that is getting into trouble, i.e. my couch. Just calling out for attention in anyway he can get it. Sometimes it takes others observations to help see the root of the problem.

So Thank You.

HELP!

Please help! I need advice. Kaleb is biting. Not just little nibbles, but almost blood drawing bites. It seems to happen when there's a struggle over a toy or something, and moms are out of the room. This is not good. He is a strong willed kid, very active, and a bit possesive(maybe cause he is now the middle child). Anyway, I don't know how to deal with it and any advise would be helpful. So thank you.

Right under our noses!

It happened AGAIN!!




My poor couch is getting some miles on it and it has been in our family for only a short time.
If you are wondering, or can't see in the picture, child #2 stuck again! This time it was with a pen! Right under our noses!

So let me break it down for you:

Husband comes home to wonderful wife (cooking dinner) and beautiful, but mischievous, children.

Gives love all around.

Comes to tell me about his day and all about the financial crisis that our nation is in. While doing so decides to record the Presidents address to the Nation on such crisis. Upon doing so, looks over to discover previous offender (Kaleb) between the couches scribbling on the couch WITH A PEN!!!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

What happened, we were right there the whole time! How did we not see him?!

At first all we saw was a tiny mark, no biggie, we can hide that, right?

I know my son better than that. I continue to look at the couches.

John asks: "what are you doing?"

Me: "looking for more, I'm sure there's more."

Sure enough, same couch as last time, blue ink scribbles ALL OVER the couch!

WHY?!?

Oh never mind, why, how do we get it out. Go get "my new best friend", it's at Alisha's.

So while John was out fetching the little green, and Kaleb was in time out, I felt a little tug to Google "how to get ink out of furniture." The first site that popped up was Ink on Microfiber Furniture at http://www.thriftyfun.com.

AWESOME!

So what did it say?

Rubbing Alcohol.

So I find our rubbing alcohol, stored neatly above the stove, and a wash cloth, and go at it.

IT WORKS!!!

It was so easy, it came right up.

Thank you for the prompting, and thank you Internet, without you I would be questioning our purchase of the mess-resistant microfiber furniture. Which certainly is being put to the test, as well as my patience.

Another note:

Thankfully, I was done cooking dinner and didn't forget to turn it off, or we may have had a "strike two" to add to my blog.

Oh and we finally let Kaleb out of time out, much to his relief, I'm sure. I tell ya I was prepared to leave him there all night.

Strike One!

So in my feeble attempt to read the instructions clearly,
I set the oven temp 100 degrees higher than it should have been.
So I had very burnt cookies very fast.

Thankfully my second attempt came out much better!

My house smelled like burnt cookies all night.
*bleh*

Juxtaposition

Although this is probably not a true juxtaposition I just like the sound of the word and thought it would be a good title.

Here is my issue: I am the go-to gal for those in need in my ward and a very busy mom. I really like my calling but the fun parts have been given to others and the hard parts are left to me. It's nice to know that we are a close knit group of sisters and we know we can rely on each other, but where is the line drawn? The line of how much can we rely on each other and how much should we do ourselves. What about those that rely on others to do it all for them but can do some for themselves but won't. What about those that need the help and don't feel like they can or should ask for it. I know it's a matter of agency at times, and we are stuck with our consequences.

I feel very hesitant to call others for help for just myself, but now I call for other women who need help. When my number pops up on the caller ID do people not answer because they know what I'm calling for? Or are they really just not home? I wish I had a bubbly infectious personality, one that it would be hard to say no to. Then would I be the one taking advantage? These women do need help, and I am the one chosen to find it for them, but only when they are in "the mire" so to speak. What happens when I am the one in "the mire"? I am only two months into this thing and I already feel I have become annoying.

I know this is a small part of the Lords work and I'll keep doing what I can, and by doing hopefully I can overcome the feelings of anxiety and frustration and the thoughts doubt and despair.

It all was just getting to me today, thanks for letting me get it off my chest.

My Beautiful Baby Girl

What can I say, these pics speak for themselves ;)
I am a bit partial though.
I love to watch babies sleeping, they are so peaceful.

She is so active and alert when she is awake,
I love talking to her,
she is a gabber, and can carry on a conversation in her own right.

Who Dun It?

*The Suspects*




*The Crime*

*The Culprit*

*The Deduction*

Child #1: Could have done it but had no evidence to back up charges (no traces of chocolate on him)
Child #3: Had a solid alibi - she can't walk, and I was changing her diaper upstairs during the crime
Child #2: It really is obvious isn't it - he was caught red handed (or should I say chocolate handed), holding the bottle, drawing a "racecar track" (I just recently found that out) for his cars to drive on.


*The Remedy*



My new best friend!
This machine works great! It was a good investment, not only have we cleaned chocolate out of a couch, but lotion out of the carpet as well! I am sure that's not the last of it either, my stairs need cleaned as well. Now if I could just find someone willing to do them for me...


Yeah, I know, it's all me.
*bleh*

Ice Cream Faces

MMM, Mmm, mmm
the joys of eating ice cream



I scream, you scream,
we all scream,
for Ice Cream!!




Kaleb enjoying his cone thoroughly

Zach looks like he's getting full


I love ice cream too, but the way these boys attacked their cones says it all!

My first video post

this is my first attempt at posting a video. I hope it works.

it took forever to load, but she's a cutie and worth the wait. Kaleb tried to take the camera at one point because he wanted to see pics of himself eating ice cream and pics of some race cars that we took at John's company Christmas party. I'll have to post the ice cream pics in another post.

Luna

Kaleb running in my grandparents yard
more running
and jumping
and pushing
and walking

One of my favorite times of the year is when we get to spend some time in Luna with my grandparents. I love the Mountains, and all the family we see at the reunions. This year because of all the rain, there was actually water in the creek, and quite a bit of it. We let the kids play in it, and it just brought back a lot of memories of days gone by. *sigh* One of these days we'll actually camp out up there for the full experience. What I'd really like to do is get a good sized pop-up camper, so even if it rains we could still camp and be comfortable. I want to be able to expose my children, and husband for that matter, to the enjoyment of a simple vacation. Just camping out, roasting hot-dogs and marshmallows, playing in the creek, going on nature hikes, swinging on the tree swing, and getting to know ALL of their extended family as well as possible. We all grow up and move on, but when they are still little I want to bring the enjoyment of the small town and camping into their lives.

Kids!!!

Here are the kids!

Auralee, Zachery, Elijah

Taryn, Kaleb, LillyAnne

Raeleigh

Auralee and Taryn belong to Carla and Lucas. Zach, Kaleb, and Raeleigh, of course belong to John and I. Eli and LillyAnne belong to Brant and Nadine.

I love how you can capture so much of their personalities through pictures. They are all so cute and a little mischievous.

Brothers and Sisters minus one

This is US!!

Me, w/Raeleigh, Marc, Carla, Alisha, and Brant. Brianne was there in spirit.

Marc w/the guitar

Carla w/her camera

Brant in the glider, and Nadine debating on what to take a picture of next

Marc and Eli

It was a lot of fun having them here, I just wish we had more time with each other.

Swimming Lessons

the boys have had swimming lessons for the past four weeks and they

have had a lot of fun in the water. Kaleb, my 2 1/2 yr old,

is fearless, which is very scary. Zach, my 4 yr old, is timid

and has to be pulled in.

this is kaleb diving in
always head first
Zach climbing out
Zach on the side seeing what Kaleb is doing
Kaleb taking his turn.

Kaleb will dive for toys at the bottom of the pool and retrieve them (with a little help getting to the bottom). Zach is very reluctant just putting his face in the water. Kaleb would be the reason we never will own a pool. he loves to jump off the diving board and almost did yesterday with no one to catch him. I about had a heart attach. I wish I would have remembered my camera for that day :(

My Girl

This is my girl, funny thing was she was fine until

I started taking her picture

she's 5 weeks

weighing in at a whopping 7 lbs

boy does she have a set of lungs

she has come equipt to challenge her brothers for attention