two months of privacy

It has been two months since I took this blog into privacy.
I still wonder if I did the right thing.
Missionary Jack mentioned a while back that he had given someone my blog address... huh.
I didn't tell him I was private.
I am not being "more honest."
Like I thought I would.
For instance- I haven't written once about the struggles I am having internally- or those with my family that i don't even feel I can write about
now.
It's a good life.
Even if sometimes it's hard.
I guess that's how I choose to see it & write about it.
It's almost like- if I don't write about problems
they may go away
get better
disappear
huh
Denial? I don't know?
maybe
It's personal - it's just personal.
So as you read this blog remember that- It's not always family dinners & holidays here. But it is always family & it is always important & it is always personal.

just too much on a friday

There's just too much going on around here these days.
Too much to keep up with.
I lost all of my scout stuff
We are supposed to meet today.
I've searched the house & garage & I'm going crazy.
Hailey doesn't feel good.
Jack has a million papers to get for his Visa.
Brian is coming home today & needs a computer badly for school.
Our home computer is busted-
We spend (me included) way too much time on it anyway.
so...
I'm sending my laptop with him when he leaves.
It's time for me to take a blogging break.

I will miss posting- but mostly I will miss reading & commenting.

it finally caught me....

after successfully dodging the stomach flu bug last summer & this past fall-
it finally got me last night.
oh my goodness.
misery.
Nothing helps the flu misery than getting on my blog & seeing 13 comments! WOW- it's been forever since I had that many comments :)
thankfully I'm feeling lots better & looking forward to getting back to a routine tomorrow.
Sad to say Chloe got it too. we all stayed home from church- all. Brett felt like it was better to keep everyone in than spread it, that is just in case anyone else is next. School & work start up again tomorrow with Hailey, Jack & Brian still dodging the bullet. I just hope & pray they don't get it.

I thought I would answer some of the questions from my last post.
Yes- in the afternoon on Christmas day the boys were wrestling- you wouldn't believe how much wrestling has gone on in this house in the last month since brian got home- jack went to give brian the dreaded nurple purple... brian grabbed his finger & pulled it backwards and broke it. Yes I was mad, jack was mad, brian called him a baby- jack used some profanities. It was not nice. Just keepin it real.
Kim Sue mentioned that it seems our house is anything but quiet. she is exactly right. YEs, it is mostly in a good way- but I guess that is what I wanted- a house full of kids= loud. My sweet nephew who is the youngest in his family & spent a couple weeks here every summer growing up- would frequently get a headache the first day here. It has definitely slowed down & is not as loud as it used to be & frankly- I'm loving it & it is good for trent. Wrestling & nurple purples have been banned.

For Christmas I got this book- which I love, love, love!




and this.... fresh herbs have already sprouted in the office!

and a new fondue pot- somehow my old one is missing?
and my yearly book from the kids. I wish we would have gotten a picture of that- darn.

* do you know what a nurple purple is?

the first person to guess it right in the comment section is getting a PRIZE

I'm sure you don't believe me, because my last set of prizes haven't gone out yet...

So those of you who guessed jack's mission call are getting $5 gift cards this week- there were SIX of you!! good job!

five things- photo free

1. Yesterday blogger informed me that I have uploaded the maximum amount of photos.

has anyone else ever done that? what did you do, buy more space from picasa- or delete some? I am going to look into it right away--- I have ten thousand photos to down load from Christmas, and those are just the ones of Charlie!

2. Today I went back to the urologist in a snow storm. My appointment was at 8:00 AM- downtown. I left 40 minutes early. It was snowing hard. 35 MPH on the freeway. No accidents, but oh so beautiful in the city... I actually loved the drive.

3. There is no trace of kidney stone! It could still be there- most likely I passed it but didn't catch it, since I stopped straining urine 4 days after the pain quit. Gee Whiz- straining urine -not so fun- but more fun than the two patients in rooms on either side of me were having! I could here every word of their pre-vasectomy exam. Oh gosh, the first guy was absolutely sure he was ready because his wife would, "never say yes again if he didn't do it." I really wonder what they are thinking of my passed kidney stone & the fact that I need to drink more water & lemonade, eat less salt & less meat? I'm sure they heard all about it- and ya they don't care... they were having vasectomies!

4. We have at least 6 inches of snow. It snowed all day yesterday & most of the day today. It seems like we should have 12 inches with all that, but I'm glad we don't.

5. Trent played outside for at least 2 hours. The boys are gone, Chloe is at a friend's house, Trent is too- hailey may be leaving-- I finally have the computer to myself & I can't download pictures!

awe dang-

late night... ahem- early morning blogging

so I woke up this morning feeling pretty good-- nice!

I called the Dr. & canceled my surgery, then ate another piece of almond poppy seed cake... mmm. My sweet friend & fellow scout leader Lori brought it by last night & tonight it is GONE BABY. Because I have no pain or frequency or burning I decided to wait until after Christmas- then see if it's still there. Why deal with it now if it's not causing me issues -right? Plus what if I passed it & missed it...? that would be bad- surgery for nothin' man would that make me mad.

Today has been a whirlwind of activity & I am finally getting my turn to blog at 12:30 AM. I'm really tired & Brian is taking pictures of me with my camera. Holy crap that kid can be annoying. (This is Brian, I figured that taking pictures at such an inconvenient time would only be appropriate and well deserved having lived in such circumstances for so long ourselves... I speak for the rest of the family)

So today jack applied for his passport. He needs to get a Visa so we are hoping it comes back fast-- plus I paid the big bucks to have it expedited. I wrapped a million & 1/2 presents, finished up the neighborhood gifts, went to costco, returned stuff before the after Christmas crazy rush, picked up RX's, did laundry (it has tripled since the boys got home), made dinner, bought everything I need for Christmas & Christmas Eve dinner... I'm so tired. Ten--- TEN people will be in this house soon. Presents for TEN are under the tree. wow. I love it. I am feeling very blessed & cannot wait for Charlie to be here tomorrow.

Not my best self portrait. That darn lazy eye gets me every time...

but so funny- I couldn't resist posting it anyway

I kind of look like I did have the surgery?

hailey & a different note... or two

Tonight was the 9th Grade Merit & Honors Dinner.

To qualify for the Merit Award at our Jr. High- you have to apply. The application is divided up into different areas that you receive points in. Such as 10 points for musical theatre, service points, academic points, sports points...etc. Each applicant needs at least 50 points. Points can only be earned their 9th grade year. Students also need to have a teacher support their application. Hooray for Hailey who had more than enough points to qualify!!

Hailey is an absolute joy!

She is talented in many, many ways- especially music.

Her & her BFF have been writing & singing music together & it is Fantastic!

(video to come- if she will let me?)

She's a lot of fun to be around & that's sayin' a lot considering she's ...... fifteen- rough age- to say the least. I feel so privileged to be her mom- lucky me!! She is a daughter who is easy to love.

On a different note-

today was our last creative day of the school year- yes on a Wednesday- some of us had conflicting schedules tomorrow. Thank heavens we brought our calendars & planned on meeting throughout the summer- with & with out kids. I am so glad & think I'll survive the summer now. We met here at my house & it was so fun to have the preschoolers playing with the dogs & playdoh & bubbles (I miss preschoolers.) WEnde took some pictures, as soon as she posts them I will stick one here.

On another different note-

Our phone & internet line has been down for a little more than 24 hours- OH MY GOSH- this has been rough for me. It's like taking heroin from an addict. I was a mess this morning, not being able to have my morning reading & email checking. Funny how I got the painted floor scrubbed, a load of laundry done, picked up & made bread for our lunch...? hmmm- maybe my time should be used more wisely on a regular basis? Ouch- reality hurts.

On another different note-

Today is Linda -my wonderful neighbor's birthday! I made cupcakes for her surprise party which was darling- just like her!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDA

On another different note-

graduation announcements are finally out- fewww- (just a million & one things going on this month) We are on the single digit count down to school being out. I don't know about you- but this school year has flown by!

conference saturday

Two weekends a year my church has it's general conference.

It's a wonderful time for our family to listen & learn.

We stay home & cozy & love it.

Even though it snowed... again... I got up, got in the shower, dressed & made waffles. Nothing is going to spoil my favorite weekend. (It continued to snow all morning, but now it has stopped & it is all melted!!)

Brett & the kids worked on a puzzle plus,My niece Brittany sent me these conference packets for Chloe & Trent via email.

They love them. Yesterday I put together these Conference Cookie packs for the ladies I visit teach. I decided to do something a little different than the conference kits, just to mix it up a little.

Who doesn't love warm out of the oven chocolate chip cookies?!

Recipe Here

I've been working on Chloe's twin quilts. They are more than half way done & I seriously love them already. I really think this is going to be the cutest quilt I have ever made by a long shot. I guess I really haven't made that many.... so that's not a hard one to beat.

I learned how HERE- oh how I love bloggers.

I wish I knew her address I would send her a thank you!

Seriously she has the best tutorials ever & I am going to be doing all- most of them!

Hailey- isn't she cute!? Taking notes for seminary.

Jack chillin' with my laptop.

It's been a great Saturday.

look who's back

The newlyweds got home from Arkansas this week.

they are moving into their college town apartment & loving it.

We took the whole family out to dinner to celebrate.

Fun times for sure.

silly-silly boy

This week for some reason... I am totally in a blogging funk.

If you hadn't noticed, it's been a while. I don't know if it was the four day headache, the stress of putting on my first PTA training, my constant Olympic TV trance, or just the back to school blues, I'm just out of it. Nothing bad really- I'm telling you- I'm just out of it.

For our last week before school starts & yes, we have another week, Brett's parents are coming into town. We are hoping to do some fun things while they are here & enjoy the kids last week of freedom= my last week of captivity :) JK

*what have you been doing?

there's a monkey on my back

I told myself I wasn't going to get on the computer today.

I'm not getting anything done this summer- all of my projects remain undone or still in my head. My biggest obstacle... all spare time is spent blogging, reading blogs- it's outta control.

well, here I am blogging anyway- I'm addicted.

After a FANTastic Birthday dinner with sky & friends last night- I got up this morning, puttered around, then Wende dropped off her & Lauri's kids at my house to play while we went downtown to lunch with our friend & fellow blogger

Stacie who is in town this week.

We went to the Happy Sumo at the gateway & had the BEST time.
It was great to catch up with Stacie-

she has the most adorable girls.
I came home & the kids had, had a complete blast playing. They even gave max a bath in the back yard with the hose in a bucket.

This afternoon when I succumbed to reading blogs, trent looked through mine & was very upset. "where's the picture of my sunburn?!" I had taken a picture & he thought for sure I would have put in on the blog!!!- it's really his first sunburn. He's sunburned his face & ears a little before, but nothing like this. It doesn't seem to bother him too badly- he just wants everyone to know- he has a sunburn. I apologize for not letting the world know earlier.??
He was so funny tonight. We went to WEnde's to pick up chloe & he went in the backyard with Ethan. They have a play house & he asked Ethan if he had built it himself. Ethan being two said - ya. Well if ethan can do it- so can he, right? I tried to explain he just says ya to everything because he's little. Trent swears he says no sometimes & he didn't when he asked him so he must have really done it himself. Kids- sheesh- you can't win.
I'm sending loads of good mail- loads of birthdays & thank yous.
So I guess I'm getting something done- that plus dishes & laundry- but I'm telling you that's about it!?
*are you getting anything done this summer?
*are you addicted to blogging?

a year in the life

This is a very exciting & important post for me!

It's here- it's official- my one year blogging anniversary. I started blogging June 19, 2007 & here we are a year later. I am so excited that I have documented this past year. This has been an amazing experience for me. I have learned a lot about myself, my friends, & my family.

{I've learned I wear sunglasses a lot & I have NO lips- it's almost embarrassing how many photos are like this one}

About myself- I'm more negative than i thought. Blogging has helped me to focus on the positive. I have found that I struggle with my personal thoughts at times. I rarely include the negative things happening in my life on my blog- I'm not sure it's the right thing to do or not, but it is what it is. I guess I'm not ready to publicly share anything more. Blogging the good times has been a reminder that I am blessed with just that- mostly good times!

{megan & brian}

It's been a year of change, accomplishment, & celebrations. You know when your kids are little & you think they'll never grow up? Mine have done just that- grown up. At least the two oldest. The guinea pigs I like to call them. What a great year to start blogging! I am glad they have made the choices they have to be in the places they are today. I love them both so much. I love all my children, but even better- I like them -I really do. I believe that I am first my child's parent, if they want to be friends when they grow up that's really their choice. You can't force friendship, not even with your child. I am thrilled that besides being my children they have chosen to be my friend. I really miss these two- more than words can say.

(if you want to see posts on the wedding or the missionary click on the link below)

Blogging has made me aware that I have a lot of friends. I have more friends now than probably ever in my life. When I was young I had tons of friends. I was one of those annoying over involved youths- but that seems a world away. As a young mother we moved a lot. It was hard to make friends, then move away. Having a large family there just wasn't time when my kids were younger- to invest in many friendships. My marriage & kids were my priority. I have more now- time & friends. I love all of you for so many reasons. You know who you are. Thank you for being so great to me - always.

{beth, jake & jim my brother}

Blogging has taught me that my family is interested in our lives. I always knew they were- but we live so far away from them all that it's impossible to share the day to day happenings. Or it was. I love what blogging has done for my extended family. I feel like they now know me, love me, support me & my husband & kids. WOW did you read that? This is huge. I in turn have learned so much about them- especially the ones that blog. I love you guys!

happy blogging anniversary to me!

I love the lessons I have learned from blogging. Thank you all you commenter's for encouraging me in so many ways. You have no idea how many times a day I check for a comment- comments you make my day. Now when I get back from camp... I'm going to publish this baby (more to come on that.)

2B2B

(us at trent's program a couple weeks ago)

2busy 2blog

may is always the busiest month of the year around here.

adding a wedding really put may 2008 on the map for being the busiest ever.

it's a good busy- but busy non the less.

in my almost- giving- up- quest for balance i keep thinking i don't have time to blog, but then I keep coming back to it. I guess I am officially blog addicted

today is field day & we are so excited!

Our school has the best field day carnival ever- I can't wait to post some pictures later tonight. Every year Wende & I paint faces. It's the most popular booth & I'm usually wiped out by the end. Not this year- I'm going prepared.

*I have my own chair

(sitting on the edge of a metal chair for 3 hours- not good)

*snack

*diet coke with lots of ice

*I'm taking ibuprofen with breakfast since my hands are still swollen from the library project I finished last night.

*hat & sunscreen

*water bottle- also with lots of ice

It's gonna be a great day!

New Blog & Family Night Photos

My friend Wende the great photographer came up with the great idea to make a cooking blog with all our blogging friends as contributors. I think it is such a great idea. It's new so there aren't a lot of posts yet but check it out here!

I love these pictures from dinner tonight so I just wanted to share them.

*do you like to cook?

*is it hard for you like me, to come up with dinner ideas night after night?

*do you read together as a family? We're trying to... it's hard to do.

COMMENTS - HEY GUYS YOU MADE MY DAY

I worked last night, reception for 200. Working for my amazing caterer friend & neighbor has been good for me. I can't explain it, it's like my mind goes kind of blank & I don't worry about things for most of the time I'm there. I only work when it's busy so I haven't been up there since early October. Thank goodness I'm really too busy.

Well, I have had a lot on my mind. The missionary, Megan's upcoming plans (don't ask I'll explain someday), Christmas coming... nothing stresses me out like Christmas coming. Well last night at work everything was smooth until I spilled some water then tried to quickly over correct myself not to spill more... then knocked over a large, very large pretty room screen divider thingy that they place in front of the area we put used glasses until we take them all into the kitchen. Anyhow, it completely fell over hitting the table of drinks (also in glasses) Luckily no one was in the buffet room since it was basically over. The cakes were put away just a few drinks lingering for thirsty people. Well the partition thing fell hard onto the drinks, crashing down spilling & breaking glasses (3-4), sparkling white grape juice & water everywhere. The best part was when the mother of the bride came in & the photographer got a picture - what an idiot. For some reason I just mentally lost it. It all cleaned up I wasn't really upset about it anymore, just everything else on my mind came flooding back. So completely overwhelmed on the drive home- I bawled my eyes out. Basically I had a hard night.

WHY AM I TELLING YOU THIS?

I WOKE UP TO TONS OF COMMENTS ON MY BLOG!

Thanks I really needed tons of comments on my blog today.

Getting a comment on my blog is like a confirmation that it's okay. That someone cared enough to enlighten me, or just validate what I had to say. A comment can change the blogger's perception, definitely enhances and usually completes a blog entry. Plus the conversations that go on in the comments are really fun to read.