a conversation

(note: we went to the library this week & Trent checked out "Treehouses & Playhouses- You Can Build" pluse "Backyards for Kids"-- oh, when will I ever learn?)

Trent: Mom, can I use your computer?
Mom: sure
Trent: how do you spell HOme Depot?
Mom: h.o.m.e. d.e.p.o.t.
Trent: how do you spell Solar Panel?
mom: ?
Trent: when are we going to put the roof on my tree house? I need to put in a solar panel so I don't have to wire it. Does Jack know how to use a nail gun?

therapeutic thursday

So every thursday since school started us blogger moms have been getting together to work on projects & have a little lunch & gab time. It's been great for me- for all of us. So great in fact that we are calling our day- Therapeutic Thursday- cute huh?

Kristy, Janae & I have been working on the Sally Foster Fundraiser- sale starts tomorrow (we are in charge for the elementary school.) Wende was doing conference kits & karrie every week has been organizing family photos & putting them into books- amazing- I really need to do that.... Today I was in charge of lunch & brought roasted tomato soup & stuff for paninis.
Then Wende had a fabulous pumpkin pie & whipped cream for Lauri's birthday Saturday- happy birthday Lauri!! Wende took a cute picture but I'm way to lame to remember to do that!!!??

(E- sneaking drinks from Lauri's soda- hee hee)
Ethan & I had a fantastic time playing "tiny nemo." This little guy is darling & really improved my bad morning mood. I am learning that my mood is directly related to my taking/forgetting to take ibuprofen in the morning. gotta remember that. I'm down to 2 in the morning & sometimes 2 in the afternoon- not bad!?

(McGruff just wouldn't stand still for the picture!)

I had to leave early & hobble over to see the State PTA road trip assembly at one of the schools in my council. It was great- they had this amazing magician do a show on "real magic." He was fantastic & talked about how "real magic" is being an example, kind to others, keeping healthy, seeking wise adults and more. He had the kids completely captivated. It was great to see the state PTA in action & meet the executive board.

Later today I drove ballet carpool, taking Trent & his neighbor buddy who also has asperger's with me & letting them play at the park while we waited. It is quite the scene watching two asperger kids play... I found myself wanting to explain to the other family at the park-- hey they have asperger's, the rest of the family is normal, really... I resisted. They are just so different the way they play. They weren't being bad, it's just odd. I'm just keepin it real, man.

Two different times I had to rush (hobbling & rushing isn't a good thing) them each to a bathroom for quick relief. Max was with us too- he steers completely clear from them. I told them, he's scared of you guys. No quick jerking movements, loud sounds, just be quiet & gentle. Max won't have a thing to do with either one of them. He's not a snob, he's just not sure about the two of them, especially together.

We came home & Hailey had made Taco Salad for dinner- YAE HAILEY- that made my day. We had a nice family dinner, watched the Vice Presidential debate, I did the dishes, made visiting teaching apptoinments, replied to some emails, & finished my October card club cards. Now Chloe & I are up doing homework & listening to Utah play Oregon state. Utah just won.

-Busy Day-

t-bone & me

Trent stayed home for good today- no matter how well he seemed, I was not sending him again. So, since he seemed fine to me... went to get some wedding errands done together!

1st, we need to buy trent clothes for the wedding. I know, I know, nothing like the last minute. My theory was that if I let him help pick them out then maybe I would have success getting him to wear them. With all the busy things going on I just hadn't gotten around to it. We went to our new Kohl's- my favorite family shopping place- which just opened a couple of weeks ago in my town- woo hooo!!

Sandals were on sale plus I had a coupon for an extra 15% off anything in the store- we both need them so there you go. Trent's sandals happen to be very fast- his true test of a good shoe. Luckily in the testing process he didn't run into anyone.

At this point it got ugly.

You see, besides the cell phone obsession trent has an obsession with tennis shoes. He loves new shoes, especially sketchers because they are fast. He says his old shoes are junky and worn out.

He got really mad even though I explained I don't have money for new tennis shoes. We have to buy wedding clothes & sandals because someday it's going to get hot (maybe.) His shoes are not that old or "junky" anyway.

Now the fits started. Have I ever mentioned how much I hate to go shopping with trent? Really it's a nightmare. He folded his arms & said- I am not leaving until you buy me a new pair of shoes! oh brother. He forgets that I am a seasoned mother, he is my sixth fit thrower. I have been completely humiliated in stores for a good 20 years now- bring it on baby, bring it on.

me- fine I'm leaving you here because I've got to go find wedding clothes so you don't have to go to the wedding in your underwear.

trent- you can't leave me here & I'm not moving & I'm not going to the wedding in my underwear.

me- (walking away) living at Kohl's would be really fun they've got beds & everything.

trent- I'm not living here! I would starve! Stop taking my picture!

Unfortunately procrastination didn't pay. There was literally not one pair of pants or one shirt in the right color in his size. I finally found an employee who went into the back & found a couple of possibilities that were on clearance. I guess it's a state law that no "clearance" items can be on the store floor until after the store has been open at least 30 days. We found something that worked & after many stern words tried it on & got outta there.

Later we went to Chloe's DAre Graduation.

Dare Graduation is a big deal at our school. The mayor, police chief & dare officer spoke. Plus 3 essay contest winners & the principal. Trent was actually really good & sat through the whole thing.

Way To Go Chloe!
My in laws got here for the wedding & we went to watch Jack's rugby game.

Yep, it's been a week since the neck injury & he's been given the clear to go back on the field.
His team won. hurray. I didn't miss it, just in case he broke his neck for good this time.

*do your kids throw fits in the store--- STILL?
*do you think Trent will ever stop?

Monday

I drove the girls to before school piano lessons.

Helped Trent with his home reading in the car while waiting for said piano players.

Sent off the kids to school.

Fought off the extreme sleepiness that was waying me down.

Went to the Elementary & made 500 copies then passed them out.

Came home to the most wonderful email from the missionary. :)

RAn errands with sky & lori.

Ate lunch with them too.

Carried Lori's sweet baby girl around a cute shop then ran home.

Returned emails & made phone calls for hailey's play- I'm over the ushers.

Another email from the missionary- the first one was from last week- it didn't send.

(He is doing really great even though someone threw rocks at him.)

Argued with Trent for at least 1/2 hour about having a friend over.

Picked up hailey from play practice.

Drove ballet carpool.

Sat at the ballet studio & cleaned my car while listening to talk radio & feeling extreme panic over economic situations in the world.

Talked with a friend for a while who also has a daughter at same ballet studio.

Made more calls on my cell for the play.

Drove home- almost had a heart attack when I drove up to see Trent playing in the STREET with his very thin & very old spider man costume on (it has a huge hole in the back & in the knees) no shoes or socks. (it's still freezing here)

It's a good thing DAd was watching him. ??????

Made dinner - BLT's on "green bread"

HAPPY sT. pATRICK'S DAY - thanks for the green bread sky.

FAmily night complete with one of Brian's best friends derrick who leaves on a mission to spokane in 2 1/2 weeks. (andrea & lynnie- you are gonna love this guy, I hope you get to meet him)He brought over some pictures for me to send to Brian in his next package.

VAcuumed out the car- I just couldn't take the dirt any longer. You could grow a garden in there.

Now-- dishes, laundry, emails, posting, picking up....

Not a bad day.

(kids with Derrick)

Randomalicious

Yesterday Wende & I took Kristy out to lunch for her birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTY. Wow that was fun- we need to do that again soon. Three bloggers eating lunch-- since my other friends don't blog we had so much to talk about that I could hardly chew my food- blah, blah, blah, blah, blah- I talk too much for sure. This picture is me trying not to have a double chin & we were outside so you know I had to have the sun glasses. I've decided I don't like being in the middle. Aren't these two cute!!
Afternoon-- like mother like blogger. Some of you may not know that Hailey here reads all of the blogs listed on my sidebar & more. She loves all of you.

Now to the disaster I made...
Brett is here -(it is so cold outside- I pray he comes home alive), everyone else is busy... even Trent has a friend over so I started to take my laundry/sewing room apart & organize it ONCE & FOR ALL. I can't stand it in there anymore. I tried to start sewing a project. But heck, I can't find anything. I was so frustrated I just decided...THIS IS IT- IN MY QUEST FOR BALANCE I HAVE TO MAKE A CHANGE HERE.
These are some pictures part way into the process- so they look extra messy.

(I made the pictures small as not to burn your eyeballs)

What a disaster.

Now that I have officially blogged about the disorganization that has become my life-

I am committed to change it!

Stay tuned to see the AFTER shots.

*is there a space/room in your house you have just let go?

Ordinary Morning

Some of the words that have come out of our mouths this morning...

Mom-If you don't start flushing you are going to be in charge of cleaning the toilets from now on.

Mom-You can't eat until you finish your TV- I mean you can't watch TV until you finish eating.

Trent- do you know what the true meaning of Christmas is about? Mom- yes... what do think the true meaning of Christmas is about? Trent- It's about making a farm out of blocks instead of doing my homework. Santa really wants to see a farm made of blocks when he gets here. Mom- NO it's about Jesus' birthday. (later that morning) Trent- Hailey, do you know what the true meaning of Christmas is about? Hailey- yes. Trent- it's about Jesus' birthday.

I drove these two to school today even though we live a block maybe two away.

The weather says we may get 6 inches of snow! They are wrong a lot of the time so I'm not sweating it.

P.S. I have no where to be today so you know what that means? I probably won't get anything done. Something about being busy helps me to get more done & be more organized.

*do you get more done if you have a lot on your schedule-then waste ordinary days?

* how's your morning conversation?

Tons of Good Mail & Max- Busy Day #3

Today I picked up Brittany my niece, we went shopping, to breakfast at Einstein bagels, then I dropped her off at the airport. She's going home early for Christmas. You just won't believe it... I forgot my camera- gosh dang it! I hate when I do that. Just goes to show you can't do everything.

Einsteins has these ADORABLE CANDY CANE BAGELS. I'm not kidding you they are so cute! (the picture doesn't do them justice)

They are cranberry orange & plain bagel wrapped around to make a candy cane then sprinkled in powdered sugar. I was overwhelmed thinking... who can I buy these for & why, oh why did I stop my great gift idea list?

Max & I went to the post office with this great stash of good mail.

Sending good mail gives me such a high. Poor Max is so lonely when I am busy & gone all day.

Today was one of those great days. I got a ton done (not enough, but a ton.) I went to breakfast with friends, finished my Pink Christmas project, sent two good mail packages & a letter to the missionary!Check out this post office! Can you believe it. My post office is almost never crowded- but empty? Our post office has the friendliest people on earth working there too. They said I missed the crowd from earlier. Amazing.I was so excited I took a picture of me & my crooked nose in the car. I was too embarrassed to take of picture of myself & the empty post office. (blogging pictures of myself is not helping my self esteem)I volunteered in Trent's class then minutes after I came home I had to get out the winter clothes because we finally need them. Here it is... the first snow of the season.
Isn't it pretty?
It's freezing here. Literally the highs are only going to be in the 30's for the rest of the week. brrrrr.

* what did you do today?

An Ordinary Day

Today was just an ordinary day.

Trent & I drove the girls to piano lessons & in between

did his homework in the car.

Just before I really got started for the day,
Hailey called from the den of iniquity- otherwise known as Jr. High- and had forgotten her gym clothes.No problem, Chloe & Trent were off-Brett & the missionary in waiting were working on the floor-So off I went to save the day. I was half way there when I realized these were on my feet.

I was a little worried, but at least I wasn't in my pajamas right?!
I came home and ironed

while watching this.

I netflixed it last week just for ironing purposes & I was so happy
to cross it off my list. (I loved it by-the-way)

Later I went to Costco, they were out of the present I went there to get
Hailey for her birthday- drat so I got a diet coke & a few groceries.Not before spilling the one sample I tried- enchiladas- on my shirt.I've had to wear my sweatshirt jacket zipped all day now.On the way home guess what I saw on the windshield.

Yes, a crack!!

Can you believe it? I just replaced the windshield last Thursday.I drove straight to a glass place and they did this

All fixed- AMAZING!
I went home, made dinner, put it in the fridge,

the kids came home, Trent went to scouts, & I drove the ballet carpool.

While the girls danced I went here

to buy this

(Base molding for the living room.) Brett sent me-
he's a brave, brave man.I shimmied it into the car & made my way back to ballet.I had time to clean the car, then we were back home for dinnerand FHE. Lily ate with us tonight & after family night we went here.
If you can't tell it's Dairy Queen.
The boys & Hailey mocked my picture taking- but I don't care.

It.s been a great day. An ordinary, great day.

*are your ordinary days great days?

*do you spill things on yourself everytime you are in public? (I swear I do)