Our Life Unedited

of love

2012-02-18T00:51:00.000-07:00

Spencer picked out, ordered and paid for his own Valentine’s present this year. Some sort of nerdy, computer-y something or another – components to build a computer for the television, err something. He keeps trying to convince me that it defines awesome and life, as we know it, will never, ever be the same. I’m still unconvinced.

One of his selling points: All of our dvd’s will be stored in a hard drive that can be accessed with the click of a mouse. Meaning, I will never have to put another dvd in the dvd player. Thank goodness, because that was exhausting.

I rolled my eyes the entire time he placed his order. And just in case he missed the gesture, I cleared my throat for added emphasis and then rolled them again. He ordered anyway. It was two weeks before Valentine’s Day and I told him that he could expect to be gifted whatever it was he was ordering for his Valentine’s Day present. He agreed. And then he threw a full out temper tantrum when the boxes arrived in the mail and I insisted that he wait for Valentine’s Day to remove the packaging tape. Had we not made an agreement?

Needless to say, Valentine’s Day was 12% about me and him and 88% about the nerdy, computer-y something or another that the FedEx man delivered in those boxes. He named her Edna {the stuff in the boxes, not the FedEx man}. I was even tempted to reuse the ole’ if you love it so much why don’t you marry it line. But I was afraid that it would leave me a single, pregnant mother of two. And nobody wants to be replaced, especially on Valentine’s Day.

In other Valentine’s Day news: Jace and I spent the morning volunteering at Brynlee’s Kindergarten V-day party and I only had to tell Jace 17+ times that if he didn’t stop wrestling Brynlee we wouldn’t be able to come to her school again. Oh, brothers.

And also, my daughter is a copy cat.

Remember how last year on February 14^th I made this video for Spencer:

Well this year, Brynlee made this video for him:

Is that not the cutest thing ever?

Way back in January she brought me the camera full of pictures she had taken and enlisted my help in making the video. She’d taken the pictures without my knowledge, picked the song, and told me how to organize the pictures to properly create the video. She had me burn the final product to a dvd and then she wrapped it up, tied a bow on top and hid it under her bed until Valentine’s Day without even mentioning as much as a hint to Spencer.

I laugh whenever I watch the video and see the shots with the little flowery piece of fabric in them. That’s her skirt. That she was wearing at the time she made the video. She took it off, took the needed photos, and then put it back on. Cracks me up, like she looked down noticed the skirt and had an epiphany; that was just the prop she was looking for!

And for the record, Brynlee loves Spencer more than she loves me. I was gifted a hand-me-down quarter machine bouncy ball that I believe originally belonged to Jace and an already eaten blue push pop!

Anyways, Valentine’s Day was a success. We decorated the dining room in pink and red, drank sparkling cider in wine glasses and ate cheesecake for dessert. And then we were in bed {asleep} by 9:00 pm.

…well, I was. I’m not sure how late Spence and Enda stayed up.

S+K

2012-02-14T13:19:00.000-07:00

367 days + one couple + two letters + 33 different ways, taken on different days

happy valentine’s day, spence.
thanks for being mine.

12 on the 12th [02.12.12]

2012-02-14T00:38:00.000-07:00

01. Snuggle. The kids nestled on the couch waiting for breakfast. Brynlee’s been covering her face lately when I try to take her pictures. Lil’ stink.

02. O’clock. And we’re off to church.

03. Conversation Hearts. After our lesson I helped my Sunbeam class make Valentine’s picture magnets for their moms. A hand-me-down idea I borrowed from Bryn’s preschool teacher, Miss Lori.

04. Pile. Dirty dishes, dirty dishes. La la laaa, la la laaa.

05. Booster. The kids got new car seats for Spence’s car. Apparently new car seats need broken in before officially being used. The kids sat in them all day.

06. Awesome. Spence’s Valentine's gift shipped in this box. Seriously, cool.

07. Pregnant. I don’t know if I should jump up and down and celebrate because I’m finally 23 weeks, or break down and cry because I’m only 23 weeks.

08. Crafting. Brynlee creating art.

09. Arrangements. A Jake day for Jace. A volunteer day for me. And a mom comes to school day for Brynlee.

10. Paint. Jace’s palette prior to creating a hand painted masterpiece. Err…something.

11. Pink. Hanging from the kitchen chandelier.

12. Storytime. A couple bedtime stories with dad.

Kim on Motherhood:

2012-02-09T22:41:00.000-07:00

There are good days.

There are great days.

There are days so perfect it feels magical.

And then there are days when I can’t help but ask what the hell have I got myself into!?

Today was one of those days.

Dear Jace: On Your 3rd (+) Birthday

2012-02-08T09:42:00.000-07:00

I failed at getting Jace’s three year old birthday letter written.

I blame it on the whirlwind that is pregnancy. And rightfully so.

Today I make good.

::The birthday boy on his third birthday. September 10, 2011.::

Buddy-

Oh my goodness kid, I adore you! You make me laugh. You help me define motherhood. You continue to show me what love means. And, on occasion, you make me want to pull my hair out. But you are my boy, and that makes me so unbelievably lucky.

You are growing up so quickly. A few weeks ago you wore the cutest little suit and tie combo to church. You looked so handsome – so incredibly big sitting there in primary. Dad and I couldn’t stop talking about how big you had become. Overnight, we swore. It made me both overwhelmed with excitement and saddened by change at the same time.

If I were to define the three year old you in one word I’d choose: superhero, hands down. Your life is a constant superhero comic strip in motion. You love anything superhero and your superhero knowledge continually astonishes me. You know their names, if they are a nice guy or a mean guy, who their enemies are, and what super powers they possess. You were batman for Halloween, your favorite pajamas are the spiderman ones from grandma, and you will only wear your superhero underwear. You sleep with an entourage of superheroes, and bring them to bath time too. Your little hand is never void of some sort of action figure. You are a superhero junkie.

Your personality is big. So full of life. You are playful and silly and a constant reminder to take time to laugh – at even the simplest of things. My favorite is when you know you are being funny. And I am truly convinced that pure joy is watching a three year old boy get a kick out of his own antics. Last night we talked about what we should name our new baby sister. You thought for a minute then started naming your top choices. What about Hulk, you said waiting for our response. Our laughter was just the reaction you wanted and so you continued…or Thor, or Batman. Maybe Dr. Doom. Your humor is all boy. Farts are funny. Strange noises entertain you and there is never an inappropriate time to act silly. You are a mini me of your dad and your wittiness, like his, always seems to catch me off guard.

You are easy going and content. You occasionally like my undivided attention, but you are more than comfortable entertaining yourself too. So different than your sister at this same age. While she needed constant entertainment, you crave that alone time. Your imagination is huge. Colorful and descriptive. And it’s fed by your time spent alone - developing your very own scripts – while at play. I love to hear your little voice having conversations with itself while I watch from the sidelines.

You are a pleaser and are happiest when others are happy. Sharing comes so natural for you. If you and Brynlee get into a battle over the same toy you are always - 100% of the time - the one that gives it up. You willingly share your treats with anybody that cares to share. The other day I treated you to some fruit snacks while out running errands. You opened the bag, got one for you and handed one to me. I declined. You gave me that pouty look that you do when your feelings have been hurt. Who am I going to share them with then, you asked. Your heart is big.

You can talk up a storm. You don’t wait for a response, for an answer, or even for acknowledgment. You just continue on…talking, like having someone to listen to the one-sided conversation is completely optional. Although you are a nonstop chatterbox when comfortable, you are quiet and reserved when the situation or environment is unfamiliar.

You idolize your big sissy. Wear size 4T clothing and size 9 shoes. You request your corn dog naked {sans breading} and love gogurt and string cheese. You adore babies, and let out an audible ahhhhhh whenever you see one. Buddy is still your nickname and is used more often than Jace around this place. You love cinnamon toast for breakfast and pink juice {crystal light} is your drink of choice. You love jumping on the bed and wrestling dad or Brynlee is also a favorite pastime. You never successfully mastered nursery, but love your new sunbeams class. You love reading books and watching superhero shows makes you happy. You are constantly asking what time it is, although the answer is a foreign language to you. But you do get the concept of one more minute or just a second, and you use the phrases often. Most often when trying to squeeze in a tiny bit more play time before doing whatever it is that mom has asked you to do. One of my favorite things is our one on one time while Brynlee is at Kindergarten. It’s fun for me to focus all of my mothering attention on you. And I think you enjoy it too. You are the best little sidekick and hanging out with you means everything to me.

I love you Bud. You bring so much color into my world. I’m the luckiest mom around.

Happy third year,
Mommy

Baby News!

2012-02-06T21:19:00.001-07:00

We celebrated with pink balloons, a pink frosted donut from our town’s newest donut shop + pink strawberry milk.

Brynlee told me all along that she was certain it was a girl. Wishful thinking, I suppose. Honestly though, Spencer and I were absolutely sure it was a girl too. Which means we’re three for three when it comes to guessing our babies gender. And Jace forgot all about his wishes for a boy and was super excited about the baby girl news. Or he was just happy to get a donut and balloons - either way.

Were you right on your guess?

Oh My Quotable Friday: Writing it down

2012-02-03T11:41:00.006-07:00

::For Christmas 2010 my siblings and I scanned, organized and photo albumed
all the pictures that filled my parents cedar chest.
It was such a great Christmas present.
And as a bonus we ended up with a digital copy of all our childhood photos.

*****

And completely unrelated, my house stinks of Vicks VaporRub. Serves me right, really. Just this week I was bragging to my mom that my little family had hardly gotten sick this winter season. Aside from pregnancy sickness, but that doesn’t count. And then, just to mock me, the very next day we were a sneezy, coughy, watery mess. I’m planning on calling mom today and mentioning that we haven’t won the lottery in a sweet forever {as in never}. Fingers crossed that we are millionaires before the weekends end.

We are taking a sick day today. Aside from an emergency run to the closest grocery store for necessities: children’s tylenol, orange juice and maybe a Redbox or two, we are locking ourselves in. Wearing sweats, snuggling by the fire, eating soup, reading stories and hoping to get our little selves all better so we can carry on with our weekend plans. There’s a party for baby Chloe on Sunday – and we so want to be there.

Just like their dad.

2012-02-01T12:52:00.002-07:00

Dear Spence,

I ran upstairs to remake ALL THE BEDS because the kids had taken ALL THE BEDDING off EVERY SINGLE BED {mattress pads included} to create a massive jumping pit at the bottom of the stairs.

And when I finally got all the beds remade I came downstairs and found them doing this:

Seriously, why do you teach our children such naughty things?!

To make up for it, you’re on dish duty tonight.

Much love,
Your wife

Today

2012-01-30T23:37:00.020-07:00

Brynlee lost her 5^th tooth today. The little neighbor girl pulled it out. No kidding. She came over for a playdate after school and mid playdate-ing {so a word} Brynlee asked if she wanted to try to wiggle her loose tooth. Gross, right? Well, she took Brynlee up on the offer. She wiggled it just right and the tooth gave in. I think she was a bit shocked when she looked down and realized she was holding Brynlee’s front tooth between her two fingers. Poor girl was still a bit static and pale when the two of them ran to tell me what happened. I couldn’t stop laughing. Mainly because, gross. And also because, the neighbor girl pulled out Bryn’s tooth. I didn’t realize the tooth was that loose. I mean, it was looser than the tooth that she willingly sacrificed for tooth fairy money, but still.

::Friends: moments after the tooth pull::

In other news from today:

+ Today was a “Jake Day”. On Monday’s when Brynlee has school I spend the morning volunteering in her classroom. Brynlee loves when I volunteer. And I love to volunteer. But, I think Jace loves it very most. Because to Jace volunteering means that Uncle Jake get to come over and play superheroes. Jace thinks he’s so cool.

+ I did our taxes. Well, everything except stocks and ESPP; I’m still waiting on those tax forms to come in the mail. Is it lame that I get excited to do taxes? I really should have been an accountant, or at very least some sort of billing clerk. Paying bills, organizing paperwork, punching in numbers, documenting expenses. . . all that sort of stuff makes me giddy. {Don’t tell Spencer though. Otherwise I can no longer include it in my laundry list of annoying and time consuming chores that I have to do while he gets to go on business lunches and relax in front of the computer at work. My job as a stay at home mother is so.very.demanding and he needs to know that.}

+ Spence is in process of sheetrocking/taping/mudding our hallway {did I mention that I had to do the taxes today - sheesh I’m exhausted}. Turns out the guest bathroom toilet has been leaking. Who knew? Wish we would have discovered it prior to it ruining the ceiling below it, but ahhh well, if it’s not one thing it’s another I guess.

And for the record – JACE ROCKS AT SUNBEAMS. I mean, sure I’m his sunbeam teacher and never leave his side, but for a kid that only had three successful nursery runs his entire nursery career, rocking at sunbeams {in any form} is a big deal. Last Sunday he started crying because he wasn’t ready for primary to be over yet. Made me so very happy.

::My Sunbeam::

Do you want to know what else makes me happy? Bed time.

I’m off.

News of the ultrasound sorts

2012-01-26T22:38:00.001-07:00

Baby #3. Looks just like daddy.

So we had the ultrasound yesterday.

Here’s what I overheard:
+Daddy, our baby looks like Skeletor. {Brynlee}
+Ummm, why does the baby have no clothes on. {Jace}
+Dad, how can she tell if it’s a boy or a girl? {Brynlee}
+So, is our baby a boy, or a girl, or a butterfly, or a toot? {Jace – that little punk and his little boy potty mouth, seriously.}

Here’s what we learned:
+That there is only one baby.
+That the heart has four chambers and it is beating healthy. {Yea!}
+That the spine looks great.
+That my due date is June 15^th.
+And, that baby is measuring just as it should.

Here’s what we didn’t learn:

+The sex.

Little stinker sat on his/her feet the entire time. Well, except for about 30 seconds when he/she did half a backwards somersault with arms behind the head in sit-up position. But during that time the cord was placed perfectly between his/her legs.

The ultrasound tech said that I was just going to have to wait for delivery for the gender discovery.

Um, right.

This mama can’t do that. I just can’t. It’s like trying to decorate for a wedding without knowing the bride’s wedding colors. Or trying to pack for a vacation when you don’t know the destination. I mean, sure it’s doable. But it seems like it doubles your work load. You have to wash and prep the clothes from the pink totes AND the blue totes. You have to come up with and agree on two separate names, just in case. Plus, I’ve never been a fan of green and yellow and smiling yellow duckies weird me out.
Like I've mentioned before, I wish a pregnacy test had a pink positive for a girl and a blue positive for a boy. So naturally I’m hoping to sneak a second peak in the next week or so. But until then, care to share. Did you find out the sex of your baby(s)? I’m super curious.

Expecting pink or blue?

2012-01-23T12:23:00.007-07:00

I’m twenty weeks now! I’ve {finally} reached that half way mark. Um, yay!

Which also means we get to find out the gender of our newest family member. Tomorrow. Excited, you ask? Absolutely.

In preparation I decided to take a little poll to see what ya’ll thought . . . blue or pink?

A couple details to help you make your decision:

+before I even knew i was pregnant my face broke out. mainly just my chin. zits, everywhere.

+i’m not certain if the heart beat is fast or not. a detail that i usually pay extra attention too {because my mom always asks}. this time i’ve just been overcome with excitement to hear a heartbeat, any heartbeat.

+i’ve experience morning sickness with all of my pregnancies, but this time around has been the absolute worst.

+i threw up every.single.day from week five to week sixteen {sometimes 2 to 4 times in a day}

+and although the throwing up has all but gone away I still get fairly nauseas during the evening hours.

+i overproduce saliva, it makes me gag.

+i can’t eat junk food. chocolate, sugar, juice, even chewing gum, makes me nauseas.

+i can’t do minty flavors. brushing my teeth is a huge challenge.

+water tastes like straight minerals. and I went through a period where I could only drink water during the nighttime hours when i woke to use the bathroom.

+chinese food, café’ rio, taco soup, and cinnamon rolls are all on the list of food that i may quite possibly never consume again.

+i haven’t had any major cravings this time around. although banana peppers, oranges {any fruit, really}, pickles and salad always taste good.

+the chinese calendar predicts that it’s a boy.

+i get nauseas if i’m hungry. snacking helps me make it through the day.

+i’m still in my regular clothes and i’m not really showing yet.

+if you didn’t know I was expecting you would probably just assume that i’ve gained weight. at a rapid rate.

+and i have gained weight. nine pounds so far.

+my baby bump is wide, not sticking out all cute but spreading from side to side?

+the baby is very active. mostly at nights. and movements are quick and clustered together.

+brynlee wants a girl, jace wants a boy. naturally.

+spence and i both agree on what we think the sex is and will be floored if we are wrong. {mainly because, we are never wrong!}

So which way you leaning!?

Boy or girl?

what's the gender of our baby

In which we self release her first album

2012-01-22T16:51:00.004-07:00

A Christmas or two ago Spence and I turned on How the Grinch Stole Christmas for a family bonding night on the couch. Because nothing says Christmas traditions like willingly welcoming Jim Carey into your home. It wasn’t more than five minutes later that Brynlee ran and hid behind the couch. She WAS NOT a fan. We turned it off and deemed Christmas officially ruined. Or something along those lines, but slightly less dramatic.

This year {after watching the original a handful of times} Brynlee decided she was no longer scared and wanted to reattempt the new How the Grinch Stole Christmas. We searched and searched, but couldn’t find a single copy of the show for rent or purchase. So to appease an unwavering child I let her watch bits and pieces of the show on YouTube.

In process we clicked on a YouTube video of a little girl singing “Where Are You Christmas”. Brynlee was smitten. She watched it and rewatched it, over and over again.

Later that day she came to me with an idea that she’d obviously been stewing for quite some time. She was going to learn that song {every.single.word} then I was to “camera” her singing it while dressed in her prettiest Christmas dress with curls in her hair {clarifying: she was to wear her prettiest christmas dress, not me.}. Then she was going to need me to put the video of her singing the song on the same “computer spot” where that other girl was singing.

It was like her first hope for fame and celebrity status.

Within a day she had learned all the words to the song and was ready for her big break. But apparently I’m not cut out to be a celebrity publicists and I never got the video made.

But I decided that it wasn’t right to rewind and wrap up the Christmas season without recording Brynlee singing “Where Are You Christmas”. So today’s the unofficial release date for Brynlee’s first single. Naturally I’m going to need to start negotiating with the people to have only red M&Ms and sparkling cherry mineral water in her dressing room.

Which reminds me, I also need to ask for a dressing room.

A few things about the video:

+ Obviously she didn’t have on her prettiest Christmas dress or perfect ringlets in her hair. But I did try to keep the stain from the gravy she spilt on her dress during dinner out of the video so it’s almost the same.

+She sorta gained a lisp when she lost her last tooth. It makes me smile.

+Don’t ask me what that little jump in the middle of the song was. I guess a little five-year-old burst of energy.

+I realize now that I shouldn’t have recorded her right in front of the big, bright window. It makes it really hard to see. But again, I’m an amateur celebrity publicist. Plus, if she wants grade A work she’s going to have to start paying me a little more.

And as a P.S. Kate and Jake gifted the kids with their very own copy of Jim Carey’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas for Christmas. And Brynlee was right, she was no longer scared.

She's T-E-N!

2012-01-21T22:57:00.000-07:00

January 7^th was a big day.

Huge day, even.

A day when my baby sister turned ten!

And in celebration, all her sisters toasted to her on their blogs.

All. Of. Them.

All of them, except for me.

And you better believe that my ten year old baby sister let me hear about it.

So for you Marieski-roo, belated blogging birthday wishes.

Love ya.

Back in December: The Christmas Album

2012-01-21T21:23:00.001-07:00

What I Meant to Say – Back in December

2012-01-21T13:12:00.007-07:00

::While I type Spence and the kids are creating monster trucks out of boxes::
::Oh and it's 1:00 and we are still in our pajamas, but it's raining outside so it feels like the right thing to do::

Brynlee lost her fourth tooth this week in a determined stunt to keep the tooth fairy busy. Mom and Aunt Marie were at our house for the weekend. They didn’t really come to visit us, but to get Marie’s tooth pulled to prep her mouth for braces. It just so happens that we live in the same town as Marie’s dentist so we scored a visit off the whole ordeal. When Marie brought home a tooth to put under her pillow Brynlee realized that the tooth fairy would soon be visiting Aunt Marie. So not fair. So she found a {sorta} wiggly tooth in her own mouth. She wiggled it, and pulled it, and twisted it, and wiggled it some more until the helpless baby tooth finally surrendered to her concentrated efforts. She’s a determined little fart, that thing. And now she’s without her top, front tooth. It makes me smile every time I look at her. Adorable and hilarious all wrapped up in one toothless grin.

And speaking of adorable and hilarious . . . have you met my son? Oh my goodness, you guys. He’s his dad, only wrapped up in a smaller gift bag. If our family was a poorly written tragic drama, Jace would be our comic relief. He’s witty, comical and amusing, served with a healthy dose of obscene. At Kate’s the other day he depantsed Brynlee – just to be funny. And the time that he tooted in sacrament meeting {heaven help me} he laughed until his side hurt. I hid my face in embarrassment and that kid, he thought it was hilarious. He would have run up and down the pews high fiving all the church goers if I wouldn’t have given him that knock it off look. He says things like “that was hilarious, dude!” and “funny, right”. Him and his dad paired together are enough to drive the girls in this house completely batty.

Anyway, I’m sick of rewinding so my goal for this weekend is to get this little journal of mine all up to date. Here’s to December:

December was filled with all the red and green things that we love: Christmas parties, Santa visits, Christmas decorations, family time, decorating gingerbread houses and cookies, a kindergarten school party, Christmas morning and that sort of stuff. This year we kept things simple though. Mainly because I just wasn’t up to doing all the rest of the hoopla that we usually try to squeeze into the Christmas season. We didn’t make it to our usual Christmas festivities: Festival of Trees, or The Nutcracker, or even putting lights up on the outside of our house. It bummed me a bit; sometimes keeping it simple is hard for me. But I had to keep reminding myself that there were many more Christmas’ to come and there would come a day when the morning sickness would subdue and I’d be that over the top, frivolous, frosted with annoying person that I usually am.

Also In December:

:: I got released from my calling as the Laurel advisor. At first I was relieved, then a little bummed and now I’m indifferent. I miss the leaders that I served with so much, but a break from the extra responsibility is a very welcomed change.

:: My new calling: Jace’s Sunbeam Teacher. Love it. It’s so fun to be in the primary with my little runts.

:: Brynlee became obsessed with “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”.

:: Spence and I had a date night and Kate did Brynlee’s hair like Cindy Lou Who. Brynlee’s never been so proud.

:: This year Santa made a special stop at our house. Knocked right on our door and personally delivered the kids treats and Christmas Cheer. I was surprised by Jace’s reaction. He ran right over to Santa, grabbed his hand, gave him a hug and climbed on his lap. Brynlee was a bit more reserved, but still tickled that he’d showed up at our house.

:: Jace decorated and redecorated the Christmas tree in the toy room on a daily basis. The Christmas ornaments became December’s favorite toy.

:: Kate and Jake joined us for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.

:: The family gathered at Jessica and Brad’s for Christmas dinner and a sleepover.

:: You always eat well at the Wahlen’s house: Chocolate Chip pancakes for breakfast, turkey sandwiches on homemade focaccia bread for lunch, homemade pies, and to top it off, Jessica’s gravy always turns out.

:: Spence’s mom, sister Gretta and her three kids came and stayed for a night.

:: Zeb and Jami also came down for a couple days and we spent an evening celebrating Brookie’s birthday. Outer Limits, Pizza Hut and cake and ice-cream.

What I Meant to Say – Back in November

2012-01-15T00:36:00.000-07:00

The kids spent the morning painting masterpieces. On paper, and rocks, and sticks, and anything else they could find; including my carpet, whoops. And while they created Spence helped me color artwork for my church class tomorrow. I’m so glad I was smart enough to marry him. Last night we went on a date while mom watched the kids. I laughed myself silly at a hilarious mishap at Red Lobster, and couldn’t help but chuckle when Jami called later that night and asked Spencer for his email address. Loverboy55 he answered back. The house was quiet with sleeping children when we got home and mom said they had done the routine: brushed teeth, read scriptures, and said prayers before she tucked them into bed. Made me realize that having a baby at our house again is going to be an adjustment. A fun adjustment, but an adjustment still the same.

Anyway, I’m rewinding back to November.

I think I was sickest in November and honestly, I can’t remember a whole lot aside from that. I know it involved turkey, family parties, and the first snow day of the season but the details are all sorts of mumble jumbled. It doesn’t help that I only took six pictures the entire month. So I’m recapping off a few notes I jotted down in my day planner.

* The kids had a cavity free dentist appointment. Second one in a row. Cavity free dentist appointments offer reason to celebrate; and we did.

* I’m the volunteer “art mom” for Brynlee’s kindergarten class. Which means nothing more than once a month I spend the afternoon hanging out with 24 Kindergarteners pretending that getting paint smeared all over my rear end {and some in my hair} doesn’t bother me in the least. In November we made cool leaf art with rubber stamps and acrylic paint. In theory it was a fantastic idea. But in reality a box of rubber stamps, acrylic paint, 24 Kindergarteners and one morning sickened art mom just don’t mix well. Worse than oil and water, even.

* With a last minute plan switch Jami hosted Thanksgiving dinner at her house this year. We originally planned for the party to be at my house, but Jami knew I wasn’t feeling well and offered to take on the hosting duty. Sisters are the best.

* While the girls prepared the feast the boys had a wood chopping party in Spencer and I’s honor. Every time I curl up next to our warm fire I’m reminded how awesome my family is.

* The day after Thanksgiving Zeb took Spence and the kids up to the mountains for some snowmobiling and tubing, while Jami, Jaelynn and I spent the afternoon watching a strange chick flick on Netflix and wondering if Jaelynn was EVER going to have her overdue baby.

* We wrapped up the party at Jami’s house and then the Zeb & Jami Clan followed us back to our house to deliver and stack all of the freshly chopped wood. {again, my family is the best} There was a point in the wood stacking where all four of our little kiddos were helping. Little hands, in little gloves, stacking wood is so, so cute.

* November also brought the news of the sudden and unexpected death of my Aunt Karla. My mom wrote a good portion of her life sketch and it was so fun to hear her retell stories and memories of her baby sister. She was such a neat lady. I was so sick the week of my Aunt Karla’s funeral that I was unable to attend so I appreciated mom’s numerous phone calls where she would read and reread Karla’s life sketch asking for grammar corrections or my thoughts on what she had written. Karla had the sweetest heart and the most contagious laugh. She will never be forgotten.

A banner made by Spencer and the kids to celebrate the first snow day.

In November Jace discovered Brynlee's dress up trunk. He dressed up and dressed up. He's moved on since then and hasn't pulled any of it out for weeks, but for a while there it was a daily activity.

12 on the 12th [01.12.12]

2012-01-13T08:25:00.002-07:00

01. Brynlee was a little slow on the ‘get up and go’ this morning. Spence joked that he was going to need to funnel feed her breakfast in order to get her to school on time. She’s wasn’t amused in the least.

02. Dug out my maternity tote in hopes of finding a few pair of jeans that I could simultaneously bend over AND breath in. No such luck. And thus begins my search for a pair of maternity pants that stay at a reasonable altitude below chin level but also cover the crack region while sitting down. Oh, and if they could make me look like that chic on the cover of the Fit Pregnancy Magazine that’d be cool. Any suggestions?

03. Things to do with an empty tote #147: use it as your dance floor.

04. A marvel comic book superhero retreat on my kitchen floor.

05. And look, it’s the superhero puppet master himself.

06. Home again, home again, jiggity jig jig.

07. Microwave popcorn - my homemade after school snack.

08. Brynlee was gifted a tote full of random craft supplies for Christmas. In Brynlee’s heaven the roads are paved with pom poms, pipe cleaners and glitter so it was like, THE BEST GIFT EVER. She’s shared her wealth with all of us. So far I’ve been the receipt of this bracelet; a pair of earrings made out of hot pink craft pom poms and double sided tape, a bookmark made from toothpicks and yarn, and a miniature bouquet of flowers made from pipe cleaners and wads of toilet paper.

09. Nothing says my life is rad like doing a front flip into a huge pit of blue square foams.

10. Treated the kids to a candy aisle goody after gymnastics. Typical of my children they both picked health food: Fun Dip and Airheads.

11. Just for fun, I think I’m going to keep a spreadsheet for 2012 tallying the time I waste stuck behind a train.

12. Marie and mom came to visit for a day or two. Not to brag, but my kids are luckier than your kids. Life’s more fun with a ten year old Auntie.

And guess what? 12 on the 12^th is going to be a family affair this year. All my sisters {except for Jessica, because every party needs a pooper} are taking pictures on the 12th. Go to Jami, Jaelynn and Kate’s blog to check them out.

Happy Friday.

A 12 on the 12th Recap

2012-01-12T09:01:00.009-07:00

I’m eighteen weeks now and I’m happy to report that I’ve been feeling so much better. Like night and day sort of thing. I still get pretty nauseous during the evening hours, but all the throwing up has been reduced by about 95%. I tell Spence no less than a million times a day that it feels so good to feel like me again. And then I do a happy dance because it just feels that good. And without all the throwing up I’ve regained hope that I actually might survive to the end of this pregnancy. Oh happy day.

Today’s the 12^th. Late last year I had decided that one go at 12 on the 12^th was probably enough for me and I started brainstorming fun blogging ideas that were similar to 12 on the 12^th, but different too. But then I got sick and didn’t post anything for November and December and it kinda feels like I didn’t complete my goal. So for 2012 I’m playing along once again. I’ve talked my born again blogging sister, Jami, to join in on all the fun. You should too. Jaelynn? Katie? Jessica? Sarah? Anybody? Hellllooooo? I know you can hear me.

Anyway, to wrap up 2011 here’s all my 12ths. Well, January through October.

Back in October: Autumn Almanac

2012-01-11T10:06:00.002-07:00

Photo Album: A Shower for Jaelynn

2012-01-10T08:51:00.001-07:00

Last night before I went to bed I compiled a few pictures of Jaelynn’s October baby shower to post on the bloggy.

Or maybe I should tell you first that we served soups, rolls and cinnamon rolls for the shower luncheon. At least a hundred perfectly gooey, perfectly delightful cinnamon rolls. Jami made them all. When I arrived at her house she had cinnamon rolls stored everywhere. In the oven, on the kitchen table, on top of the fridge, on top of the dryer, in the microwave. Everywhere!

Baby Shower Cinnamon Rolls

Anyway, last night I looked through the baby shower pictures and then I called it a night and snuggled between my covers and drifted to dreamland.

I dreamt about cinnamon rolls. All. Night. Long. They were stored everywhere in my house, and I just kept eating them. Hundreds of cinnamon rolls consumed by me. Perfectly gooey, perfectly delightful cinnamon rolls. And no matter how sick I got, I had to keep eating. There was a point in my dream that my arm got too tired of feeding myself so I just dug in, pie eating contest style.

It was like an eating contest meets crazy pregnant lady. I woke up this morning despising cinnamon rolls. {{shudder}}

Anyway, a few pictures from Jaelynn’s baby shower.

What I Meant to Say – Back in October

2012-01-09T21:50:00.003-07:00

The other day while I was in the shower Jace asked me where I had put the baby.

“What baby?” I asked.

“The baby in your tummy.” he answered.

“Ummm. . .it’s still right here in my tummy. How come?”

He looked at me confused, thought for a little bit then said “because mom and dad’s take showers, babies take baths.”

Right.

Anyway, I’m rewinding to October. And I’m keeping it short.

· Remember how someone broke into our bank account back in May and stole all of our money. In October it happened again. Totally awesome, take two.

· Brynlee started writing her first, middle AND last name on every.single.one of her school papers. Dang overachiever.

· Kali Jo and I went on a hot date to the Mystic Theater. Prime rib, cheesecake and Jekyll and Hyde. And although I was in the first stages of ummmm, this pregnancy may very well be the death of me we had a great time. Fabulous time, even. And since Kali is such a great friend she didn’t even complain when I requested that we go outside during intermission so I could spit without qualm. Why yes, I am that classy.

· Side note: A good portion of my pregnancy doom and gloom comes from the sheer amount of spit that I produce while creating a baby. My saliva glands go into overdrive. It’s disgusting. I can fill an entire water bottle. . . too much information? Yeah, I think so too. Moving on.

· Spence introduced Jace to He-Man {circa 1983}. Jace was smitten at episode one and every now and again convinces Brynlee to be Battle Cat so he can ride on her back in his quest to conquer the universe.

· We brought home my newest love, my LG Steam washer and dryer. Doing laundry has never felt so hip.

· My sisters and I successfully threw a baby shower for Jaelynn. Jessica brought Taco Soup. I decided that Taco Soup was the BEST THING EVER and ate it for a week straight.

· FYI: And then Taco Soup joined a quickly growing list of foods that I shall never, ever partake of again.

· Brynlee sang a solo in the primary program at church. I Love to See the Temple. Everything about it was perfection, says her totally unbiased mother.

· Jace and I continue to love our one on one time while Brynlee is at school. That kid, I can't get enough of him.

· We found a huge beehive in our maple tree and had a good time dissecting it.

· And of course Halloween festivities: painting pumpkins, volunteering at Brynlee’s school Halloween party, pumpkin patch and Halloween.

Brynlee and her VSP doll.

Kali and I after our night out.

My superhero.

Brynlee and her friend, Alyssa, after self decorating with the Halloween stickers.

A beehive from our maple tree.

Halloween party at Brynlee's school.

Kate and Jake filled the kids Halloween bags to the brim. My kids sorta love those two.

And that’s October in a nutshell.

Stop, Rewind, Play.

2012-01-06T22:41:00.005-07:00

You know that feeling when you have so much to do that you just don’t know where to start? So instead of doing the dishes, or getting the laundry started or making beds or cleaning up the spilt cheerios you walk in circles – pretending to be busy – while you contemplate the pros and cons of what to do first. And then, somehow, it’s already lunch time and you still haven’t showered or brushed your teeth, you can’t even find your to-do list anymore and to top it off the cheerios have magically multiplied and replenished to an astonishing new level.

That’s where I’m at with blogging.

I mean, do I go back to October and write about the outdated happenings – like Thanksgiving, and our Christmas season, and how my adorable little Brynlee sang a solo in the primary program at church. Do I commit myself to writing down the outdated for memories sake? Or do I start fresh leaving the last 4 months explained as a time that I was too sick to even turn on my computer.

It's a quandary alright. A big, fat {exaggerated} journaling quandary. But I debate still the same.

The easiest thing to do would be to pick up today with yet another lame blog post about our current happenings. It’s a new year after all and honestly, with all the nausea and pregnancy woes our Christmas season wasn’t really that eventful. There’s not really that much to record for memories sake.

But my OCD tells me otherwise. In case you are wondering, obsessive disorders don’t take sick leaves. And the holidays only seem to aggravate them. And for some strange, unexplainable reason I can hear my little sis's whining voice complaining that Mom wrote about “every.single.one of our labor and deliveries EXCEPT FOR HERS!” Not that mom loves her any less, but Katie was the fifth kid. And seriously, how many different ways can you write “It hurt like heck and I swore never to do it again, and then {tada} I held my new baby and all the misery was forgotten.” But nonetheless, Kate feels a bit jipped by the whole pregnancy journaling thing.

Which is why I will still be writing Jace’s Third Birthday letter. Four months after the dang kid turned three. Because the little guy already has to be the middle child in our family, he shouldn’t have to live with the complex that his mother wrote a letter to every.single.one of her children on their third birthday, EXCEPT FOR HIM. Think of the counseling and therapy that would ensue. Right, Katie?

And while I’m rewinding back to September to write Jace’s birthday letter I might as well tell you a few other things that has happened since then. Just because. And why not. And the OCD.

So what I’m saying is over the next week or so you can expect some rewind posts that were so last year.

If you’ve already moved on and one more word about the Holidays is going to cause you to throw a frozen fruitcake at your computer screen feel free to ignore my next few posts. No hard feelings.

Preggy Want a Cracker

2011-12-30T01:05:00.003-07:00

Every year we get a new Christmas ornament.
Jace got Batman. Brynlee got a little gymnast. I got this one.
Spence couldn't have picked out a better one for me.

My friend Breah is expecting her second child the end of July. Since her and I are sort of in this whole pregnancy thing together 99% of our conversations are consumed by the joy that is pregnancy. Last conversation I asked for a reminder, “How many weeks are you again?”

“9 weeks” she answered. “I can’t believe it; it’s actually going really fast.”

I responded with an OH, HELL NO!

And I meant it to. This pregnancy has been everything but fast. Uncomfortable? Yes. Nauseating? You betcha. Totally and completely miserable? Abso-freakin-lutely.

But fast? Uhhh, no. Capital “N” capital “O”. No, no, no. As in, not in the least.

I told my doctor at one of my last appointments that I was falling completely apart with this pregnancy. “Uncle, I’m calling uncle!” I told him. He laughed and tried to comfort yet another crazy morning sickened pregnant lady. It’s sort of what he’s paid for, I guess.

But the nurse – she agreed - completely falling apart. {I really like my nurse, by the way.} I mean she should know; she’d been the one on clean up duty after I threw up all over their brand new office at my first appointment. And she was there when I tested positive for my fourth {FOURTH!} UTI since becoming pregnant. And the abnormal blood work - she’d been the lucky one that called to tell me about that too. And then when I had the allergic reaction to my amoxicillin and called into the office covered head to toe in an itchy rash, she’d taken my call. “How many more times you doing to do this whole pregnancy thing, Kim?” she joked. I ran to the bathroom because the question in and of itself brought on another bout of uncontrollable morning sickness.

Does it make me less of a mother if I despise pregnancy? It’s a hypothetical question. I don’t really want you to answer that.

I mean, I’m aware that there are people out there that enjoy pregnancy. They get that glow. Their belly looks like the lady on the cover of Maternity Yoga. They run a marathon at seven months. And they go through the entire pregnancy without throwing up.

But not all pregnant women are created equal. Some experience morning sickness.

And then there are others of us that fall in the category of weeks and weeks of nonstop vomiting. My doctor told me it has a name: Hyperemesis. I don’t care what it’s called, it sucks.

My absolute favorite is when those people that LOOOOOVVVE pregnancy try to offer advice to us sorry puking souls that despise it. “I hear ginger works” they say. Or “Have you tried sucking on hard candy?” “What about saltine crackers?”

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to say “Saltine Crackers? Get out! That’s the answer. Eating a couple crackers? I’ve been vomiting for four months straight and all I needed to do was eat a flippin’ cracker?”

{For those of you that asked: I'm 16 weeks along.}

Oh My Quotable Friday: Laugh

2011-12-16T11:20:00.000-07:00

Other things:

Spencer took his final yesterday. This semester was so much easier for him than last semester.
I need my hair cut and colored. Bad. I haven’t had it done since May 12th. That makes the hair stylist in me cringe.
Jace has been a bit obsessed with the princess dress-up truck lately. But honestly, he makes a pretty cute sleeping beauty and it’s given me plenty of opportunity to take pictures for future blackmail purposes.
Brynlee loves Kindergarten. Like loves, loves.
I’m due June 15^th.
I haven’t gone to bed after 8:00 since the second week in October. So not typical of the night owl in me. Pregnancy makes you so weird.
Speaking of weird, about week six of pregnancy I dreamt that I bought the local Jamba Juice. So not kidding when I tell you that since then I am constantly dreaming that I’m the owner of Jamba Juice. I’ve interviewed and hired, made smoothies, hung advertisements, even washed the Jamba Juice windows. It’s sorta like my night job.
Brynlee lost her third tooth this week. Uncle Jake coached her again. That makes two teeth that the two of them have ‘co-pulled’.
I deleted my facebook account.
Alan and Jaelynn now have the cutest little bundle of pink living with them. Chloe Jane. Our weekend plans are to snuggle her.
Spence is done with work this Friday and doesn’t have to report back until 2012.
Which also means that we will be in our pajamas from this Friday until 2012. It’s just sort of what happens when we are all home together.
I spent most of yesterday morning reading Christmas stories and watching Christmas on YouTube in preparation for my Christmas lesson this Sunday. Christmas stories + Christmas music makes me cry.
Cutie oranges are a fav at our house right now.
One of my best friends is due a month and a half after me. I’m excited to have babies the exact same age.
Tonight’s plans: put together our gingerbread house.
Today’s plans: do some laundry so my kiddos have clean socks.

Happy Friday-ing.

For the record

2011-12-14T10:10:00.002-07:00

Dear Blog-

I’ve been missing you, a lot.

Cross my heart, I haven’t forgot you. Just wanted to let you know.

XOXO, Kim.

On a completely unrelated note, we are out of everything at my house. Bread, milk, chicken, ketchup, eggs. . . actually, it might be more beneficial to list what we do have. Water. We have plenty of water. And half a jar of marinated artichoke hearts and well, that’s about it.

I broke the bad news to the kids this morning – it’s a grocery shopping kinda day. Disgruntled groans and moans of displeasure ensued.

Brynlee made a new house rule when she started school: I could only go grocery shopping on her school days. It’s a rule that is fairly easy to keep. Because naturally, one kid vs. two kids. It really is a win/win for all of us. But this week I didn’t get it done. Or last week. Or the week before. And today it’s a must do. I mean, if we want to eat. And we do.

Fingers crossed that we all survive. And that I don’t throw up in the Winco parking lot AGAIN. Because...gross. Just between you and me, but this whole throwing up all the flippin’ time thing is sooo lame. And sooo exhausting. And sooo old. And sooo consuming. And sooo dang gross.

Oh. . . um, hi there.

2011-11-21T09:08:00.001-07:00

So - as it turns out - I’ve been a little M.I.A. lately.

But I have a good excuse:

I’VE BEEN DEAD!

Err, um. . . enduring the first trimester of pregnancy.

Same dang thing.

And oh my goodness, you guys, I’ve been sick.

So, so very sick.

So much so that I have labeled this my worst pregnancy EVER!

As far as first trimester: this one’s been the worst, then Brynlee, then my second miscarriage, then my first miscarriage, then Jace.

{In case you were wondering.}

But then on Friday I had a doctor’s appointment.

And, my favorite part, we heard a heartbeat!!

I immediately declared it the best sound ever.

And then, for a moment, I forgot about all the sickness.

It suddenly all seemed worth it.

The nurse and I celebrated.

{Her anxiety about giving me bad news again was very apparent;

I think she was praying for a heartbeat just as hard as I was.}

And then I texted Spencer who was home with the kiddos.

Heard a heartbeat!!!

And he texted back

YEAH!!!!!!

I could hear his sigh of relief.

And then - just like that - the party was over.

And I threw up all over Dr. Cox’s brand new office.

It was awesome.

In a very sarcastic way.

I’m hoping in the next few days I will be able to look at the computer screen again
without getting nauseous.

I’ve missed my silly lil’ blog.

But until then,

XOXO.

In her memory

2011-11-06T10:42:00.000-07:00

Sisters
Aunt Carilyn, my mom and Aunt Karla

*****
In loving memory of my Aunt Karla - who will always and forever be remembered for her sweet spirit and kind heart.
*****

In Nazareth, the narrow road,

That tires the feet and steals the breath,

Passes the place where once abode

The Carpenter of Nazareth.

And up and down the dusty way

The village folk would often wend;

And on the bench, beside Him, lay

Their broken things for Him to mend.

The maiden with the doll she broke,

The woman with the broken chair,

The man with broken plough, or yoke,

Said, “Can you mend it, Carpenter?”

And each received the thing he sought,

In yoke, or plough, or chair, or doll;

The broken thing which each had brought

Returned again a perfect whole.

So, up the hill the long years through,

With heavy step and wistful eye,

The burdened souls their way pursue,

Uttering each the plaintive cry:

“O Carpenter of Nazareth,

This heart, that’s broken past repair,

This life, that’s shattered nigh to death,

Oh, can You mend them, Carpenter?”

And by His kind and ready hand,

His own sweet life is woven through

Our broken lives, until they stand

A New Creation—“all things new.”

“The shattered [substance] of [the] heart,

Desire, ambition, hope, and faith,

Mould Thou into the perfect part,

O, Carpenter of Nazareth!”

- George Blair, “The Carpenter of Nazareth”

Oh My Quotable Friday: Creating Happiness

2011-11-04T11:52:00.000-06:00

This is Halloween, This is Halloween

2011-11-03T16:14:00.000-06:00

I put our Halloween decorations away today. I can't believe it has already come and gone. It’s cliché, really. Marveling about how fast time goes. But seriously. It’s November. I can’t believe it.

We had such a fun Halloween. Pumpkin painting, a trunk or treat, pumpkin carving, the zoo boo, trick or treating, kindergarten Halloween party.

Jace was Batman. He’s still wearing the batman mask as I type. I think the two of them will be inseparable for some time to come. He is certain that when he has the mask on we haven’t a clue that it is really him. That kid eats, dreams and sleeps superheroes.

Brynlee was a Rainbow Monster. A Halloween costume created in her own imagination. She knew exactly what she wanted and I created off her requests. I didn’t realize when I purchased the monster hat that it looked like Mike Wazoski off of Monsters Inc. so she had a few people ask if she was Mike Wazoski. No, she’d answer…I’m a Rainbow Monster. You know, in that ‘duh’ tone of voice. Like people should know. She looked adorable and loved her final costume so I considered it a Halloween success.

An October wrap-up post {or two} to come. Hopefully before Novembers end.

But for now, Happy Halloween from our

D O U B L E

r e d

D O O R S

Oh My Quotable Friday: Pause

2011-10-28T11:48:00.001-06:00

Photo Album: The party was at my house.

2011-10-19T23:33:00.003-06:00

A few weeks ago Mandy’s husband, Nate, contacted me about hosting a 30^th Birthday party for Miranda. On Saturday we toasted Mandy’s 30^th year in my backyard with hot chocolate, homemade doughnuts, caramel apples and a candle-lit game of trivia. Here’s my photo album from the night:

Me + Miranda + Jen + Kali Jo
Old 717 Roomies
Jaime, so sad you left before we got a picture together. :(

Also,

:: The kids had their very first {parent free} sleepover at Kate & Jake’s while we hosted the party. They had a ball and have asked almost daily when they get to do it again.

:: Kali Jo and I will always and forever be BFF’s. Always and forever. And forever. Amen. Thanks Kali for helping me haul tables and chairs around and for helping me set up. You da'best.

:: My husband’s rad.

:: In case you’re wondering. . . a party that takes an entire day to set up for can be completely dismantled and put away 22 minutes after the last guest leaves. Again, my husband is rad!

:: Someday, when Brynlee grows up, the two of us are going to open a party planning business together. She is my perfect little partner in crime.

And also, we are sick at my house. And majorly cranky. Fingers crossed that tomorrow runs smoother than today.

Oh and one more thing, yesterday Brynlee called me a hot babe{hot dang}! And earlier this week Jace stood on the kitchen counter swinging a fly swatter like a sword and announcing to anybody that would listen that he was the quote, unquote King of Awesome. Oh how I adore those little monkeys. Even when I’ve had it up to here with all the crankiness. And believe me, today I had had it up to here.

12 on the 12th [The October Chapter]

2011-10-13T11:02:00.004-06:00

01. October. My front steps decorated with Halloween.

02. Pumpkins. Painted jack-o-lantern faces at library reading hour.

03. Fabric. Stopped by the fabric store for a few Halloween costume must haves.

04. Chauffer. Me and my possy in route of getting our Wednesday errands done.

05. Mask. Spent no less than an hour in the Halloween store. My kids would have stayed there all day if I would have allowed for it.

06. Gymnast. Brynlee got a special prize {a blue popsicle} at gymnastics for mastering her back bend. She no longer needs a spotter.

07. Kim. Found my name scribbled on a chalkboard in the viewing room at gymnastics.

08. Young Women. Wednesday’s equal mutual. Today’s activity: The Corn Maze.

09. Corn. There was a fun little crime scene investigation at the Corn Maze. Beth and I solved the crime fairly quickly. Our challenge: getting out of the dang maze. We walked in circles in search of the exit way longer than we did trying to solve the crime. There was a full moon, we were sweating hot from trying to solve the crime quickly, I was feeling a bit claustrophobic and we forgot our cell phones in the car so we couldn’t even call 9-1-1!

10. Zoom. My first attempt of a picture of Beth & I. An accidental close-up. The best part of my Young Women’s calling is the women I serve with. They are so rad! Every single one of them.

11. Pumpkins. Pumpkin stand at the corn maze. It was the perfect place for some hot chocolate, apple cider and doughnuts.

12. Front Door. Spiders on my wreath. Happy October.

12 on the 12th inspired by her.

Photo Album: To the pumpkin patch

2011-10-12T12:12:00.003-06:00

There’s a party at my house this weekend! Plus a baby shower for my dang cool sister in law the next weekend. So my regular after the kids are in bed blogging time has been taken over with glitter, paper crafts and organizing partay details. And so it goes, I guess. But, in between the party planning and all the holy crap life is so dang busy business we have been properly celebrating October. Two trips to the pumpkin patch, a visit to a pumpkin pro’s garden to see a 600 pound pumpkin, family night out for hamburgers and milkshakes, Halloween decorating, bundling up for walks and bike rides, and even a date night. Harry Potter in the cheap theater. I’m not a Harry Potter fan, but there was popcorn and Apple Beer. Plus, that means next movie is my choice so it’s worth it. Operation Halloween costume is also in full swing. As is hot chocolate, warm coats and the heater. It’s been rainy and cold in our world - and I love it. Though my fingers are crossed that the weekend brings warmer weather. In fact, all the cold weather caused me to send a frantic email to Miranda. Something like: It’s freakin’ freezin’! An outdoor party, in October, in Idaho . . . ummmm. . . probably not the brightest idea to date! But I continue planning still the same with hopes that the sun decides to come out on Saturday. And if not, well . . . our first trip to the pumpkin patch was in the pouring rain and we deemed it successful still the same. So an outdoor party in the rain may be a total blast. Or maybe not.

:: a 600 pound pumpkin ::
:: seriously, what would you do with a 600 pound pumpkin? ::

A golf course isn't just for golfing.

2011-10-12T09:52:00.000-06:00

I love my neighborhood, especially this time of year when the daily golfers that frequent our neighborhood golf course are slowly weeded out by colder weather. Which means we have 18 holes of beautifully manicured lawn to claim as our own. And claim we do. We spend our time gathering pinecones and wildflowers for collections and throwing twirly whirlies into the river that runs through the course. We roll down the hills and play on the golf cart bridges. We send paper sailboats under the bridge and occasionally we venture over to the 18^th hole and feed the ducks. I love to run on the putting green barefoot. Coolest feeling ever. And when it snows we will pull our kids on snow sleds around the untouched golf course snow. And I’m sure someday – when my kids are bigger – they will beg to dive for lost golf balls in the rivers banks. And I'll let them. To a diehard golfer {read: most my neighborhood} we are probably offendeding their sacred turf. But we aren’t golfers, so we see no harm.

[[pictures of Sunday evening on the golf course]]

Earning his wings

2011-10-04T07:36:00.002-06:00

Remember how I said that the odds were pretty slim that my children would actually die when Spence threw them in the air. I move to strike that from the records.

M’kay.

**read my origianl post here

In regards to the weekend:

2011-10-03T08:01:00.000-06:00

::at the concert::

On Saturday we went to the Homecoming Parade. It was two hours long. Sheesh. But the kids got enough candy to rot all their teeth so we deemed it successful nonetheless. Is it lame that my family loves a parade? {hypothetical question, no need to answer that} The parade made me fully aware of the number of dance studios that are in our town. My heck. I told Spence that I wasn’t sure which there were more of: auto part stores or dance studios. Both have a ridiculous amount. We left the parade with two bags of candy, a stack of fliers, a few pencils, a football and four potatoes. Way to go, I-da-ho!

I love conference. This conference session came at just the right time for me, my soul felt weary and it needed this boost. I think my favorites were the talk given to dads on how to raise daughters and the talk given by Cook reminding us that it’s better to look up. And is President Monson not hilarious? And Uchtdorf absolutely amazing? His talks are always just what I need to hear. I know the church is true, in case you were wondering.

On Saturday evening the kids and I went to The Standards concert {which now, apparently, go by Spencer’s Own}. Loved it. My favorite parts: Jace clapping with both hands above his head for the majority of the two hour concert. Brynlee asking if I minded if she stood up and danced. Jace and I standing up and dancing with her. Sensing Brynlee & Jace’s excitement when they sang “the lion king song”. Putting my kids in their pj’s and letting them fall asleep on the ride back home. Only thing that would have made it better is if Spencer could have joined us. I called him immediately after the concert though to tell him how much fun we had and to remind him that we have the cutest kids in the world. He agreed.

We didn’t get out of our pajamas, brush our teeth our comb our hair all day long on Sunday. None of us. And it’s just the way a conference weekend should be.

Brynlee and I spent a good portion of the Sunday morning conference session working on her ALL ABOUT ME poster. All the glitter and gems at her immediate disposable made her giddy with excitement. For reals. She loves, loves, loves working on craft projects like this. We ended up with an ALL ABOUT ME paper doll so over the top and flashy that it would make a Vegas showgirl jealous. Tomorrow she will take it to school so she can be featured as the VIP. And SHE GETS TO BE THE LINE LEAD! So hot dang it’s going to be a great week at Kindergarten.

It’s been feeling a little fall-ish outside. I’m ready for the weather to change and for the leaves to fall. I think I will unbury my totes of Halloween decoration from the place they rest 11 months out of the year and then the kids and I can “ooh” and “aah” over all the cute decorations we forgot we had. While he eat bags and bags of Halloween {birthday} candy. Oh, and some parade candy too. Our dentist loves us.

Happy Monday.

Photo Album: He turned 33.

2011-10-02T22:50:00.000-06:00

Of birthdays and stuff

2011-09-30T23:41:00.006-06:00

Yesterday was Spence’s birthday. Thirty-three. Can I just say that he is the coolest thirty-three year old, ever. We celebrated with doughnuts for breakfast {our tradition} and an insane amount of Little Caesar’s BBQ chicken wings - the birthday boy’s favorite. We opted against cake and he blew out candles on a Chocolate Éclair instead. It was such a fun day, just like a birthday should be.

The kids picked out their very own gifts for daddy this year. Brynlee chose an ISU shirt and beanie. Go Bengals. I can honestly say that in all our years of being ISU students we have never owned any ISU paraphernalia. But Brynlee thought it a good idea, so alas. And while we were at it I picked up a shirt for both the kids. They will sport them at the Homecoming Parade tomorrow morning. Again, Go Bengals!

Jace gifted him a ridiculous amount of candy. I think something like 4 bags of Halloween candy + a bag of peanut M&M’s + an Almond Snickers candy bar. I called Spence shortly after we’d picked up the birthday gifts and Jace yelled to him, “Daddy, me got you lots of treats!” He was so proud. I think because he knows that daddy’s always share.

I got him some sort of nerdy, computer-y something or another. I have absolutely no clue what it actually is, or what it actually does, but he told me where to find it and that it would be a good birthday gift so I delivered. And now I sit on the couch next to him while he does some sort of nerdy, computer-y something or another on his new nerdy, computer-y something or another. I’ve suggested we go to bed about 32 times so far, but he is engrossed entirely in whatever it is he is doing – so I wait. And fold the laundry. And I don’t complain because he is willingly sharing a bag of his {birthday} Halloween candy with me.

Earlier this evening when he got the bag of candy out of the cupboard he suggested that tomorrow during general conference we use his birthday candy to play "one of those drinkin’ games". Say, huh?! He continued . . . “you know - the drinking game - where every time a certain thing happens you have to take a shot.” Yeah, I know those games. “Well tomorrow we’re going to play that during general conference. Here’s the rules - every time we hear the word pornography we have to eat a candy bar!”

Oh my heck. He is absolutely hilarious – even at thirty-three.

Oh, and speaking of pornography.

The other day while Brynlee was at school, Jace and I met up with Spencer for lunch. While driving into town we passed a big ole’ black truck that had one of those bumper stickers in its rear window. You know the ones I’m talking about, right? Silhouette of a nekkid lady. This certain one was all pink. I think it was silhouette of a nekkid lady meets breast cancer awareness, or something. Anyway, Jace spots the bumper sticker then says to me “Mommy! Look at that mama on that big black truck.” Me: Oh. Ohhhhhh. Oh, yup. Then Jace answers, “It’s cute, huh?”

Oh ho. Needless to say, our house will be tuning into general conference over the weekend. We could all use a little spiritual enlightenment I’m afraid.

Also on this weekend’s agenda: Brynlee and I will be working on her ALL ABOUT ME poster, she’s the VIP in Kindergarten next week. I’ll be turning a plain black pillow into a Batman pillow for Jace’s room. Nothing fancy, just a little wonder under and some yellow fabric. And we will be getting the kid’s Halloween costumes started. Brynlee has decided that she wants to be a rainbow monster this year. What in the world is that?! We’ve been brainstorming some ideas though, and she seems to know exactly what she wants. Oh, and I’ve got to type up the minutes from our PTA meeting. Somehow I got suckered into being the PTA Secretary. I know, right. And I need to write Jace’s birthday letter.

And then on Saturday night while Spencer is at the priesthood session, Brynlee, Jace and I will be rockin’ it at The Standards concert. I love me some a cappella. Especially The Standards, because they remind me of my middle school days almost as much as permed hair and Dr. Martins. It should be fun. I think I will sneak in a bag of the {birthday} Halloween candy just in case Jace gets bored and needs something to occupy him.

That is, unless the word pornography is used more than 179 times during the Saturday conference sessions and we’re all out of candy.

Excuse me while I pretend I’m FlyLady

2011-09-28T02:01:00.005-06:00

Okay, so here’s the thing . . . this is loooonnnng, and boooooring aaaannnnd about cleaning and most of it is extremely unnecessary and for that I apologize. Don’t blame me; blame the people that requested my monthly house cleaning list in the first place. They should have known I’d get carried away.

So, first things first, I have two house cleaning lists {well, and a seasonal house to-do list, but I’m trying not to scare you}. I rotate between the two of them depending on my mood. One is set up in a daily format with a few things to do every day and the other is set up in a monthly format with a weekly cleaning breakdown. I go through house cleaning phases. For the last eight months{ish} I have been using my monthly format and setting aside one morning each week for house cleaning + laundry. But for a long time before that I used my weekly cleaning list and did a little bit of cleaning every day.

Again loooonnnng, and boooooring and I don’t know why I’m telling you this.

I guess to say that I’m attaching my monthly house cleaning list because it is what I’m using right now {and because I made it cute} but if you like more of a daily cleaning schedule and want me to post that one as a reference let me know. And I cross my heart, hope to die that I will make that post way shorter.

Anyway, the chart.

Oh but first, I’m attaching it in a read only file, but I realize that every household has different cleaning needs. If you would like me to email you the Microsoft Word Document of my chart so you can edit it and make it your own {Jami?} leave me a comment and I will send it your way. Alrighty? Okay, the chart:

And in case you’re wondering here is what it means to me:

I think it’s important to note that I don’t actually do every single thing on my monthly list every single month or every single thing on my weekly list every single week. I might decide that the upstairs doesn’t need dusted that week or that I dusted blinds last month {or like three months ago} so they don’t need done this month. My cleaning list is basically a reminder of things to-do. And it serves the ever important purpose of giving me something to cross off in permanent black marker when I get something done. Because that’s how I roll.

Speaking of how I roll, I also have a tendency to beat a dead horse deader {or whatever}. So come back later to read a few cleaning tips that work for me. {Talking about cleaning should not make me this happy}. I was planning on posting them now, but the formatting was wrong. And this post is already long. And I'm tired. And it's bedtime. And tomorrow is Wednesday. And Wednesday's are busy. So for now, I'm off to bed.

Night.

Getting My {Clean} Freak On

2011-09-26T02:30:00.001-06:00

So. Let’s talk about cleaning, shall we?

Back on the 12^th I posted a snapshot of my weekly cleaning list. Twelve snapshots from the day and one of them is my cleaning list. Lame, much? I’m not afraid to admit that my life is awesome - obviously glorious and glamorous and something that you should be insanely jealous of.

Moving on.

The post was a precursor to an uproar of requests for me to share my house cleaning list. Three requests actually. But honestly that means approximately 75% of my readers would like to see a copy of my weekly house cleaning list. So, a relative uproar indeed.

Anyway. here’s my dilemma: Messes are alive and well at my house. I live with little people. Jace has a tendency to dump out every.single.toybin in search of his {quote, unquote} favorite Spiderman. Only to find the prized toy sitting on the couch right next to his seven other “favorite” Spidermans. But it doesn’t matter because he is already busy pulling every.single.book off the bookshelf to stack next to every.single.tupperware that he has emptied from the kitchen drawer onto every.single.pillow that he’s pulled off of all the beds and piled next to the couch for jumping purposes. And Brynlee thinks she is now of age to make her own sandwich. Which, great. But one of the sandwich making requirements is that you need to figure out how to put the lid back on the mayo? And why does the dirty knife have to go on the seat of the barstool? Seriously, what’s wrong with the sink? Or, at very least, the kitchen counter? And no matter how many times I remind my husband he still can’t figure out how to put his shoes in the shoe closet. Bless his heart. He can write computer code and talk nerd like it’s his job {literally} but he can’t seem to master the elementary task of putting his Adidas sandals back in the shoe bin when he’s done with them.

I guess my dilemma is: My house gets messy. We live here.

So, do I hold my feather duster high and post my cleaning list like a proud clean freak should - knowing full well that tomorrow when you unexpectedly stop by my house there is a high possibility that you will be welcomed by a sink full of dirty dishes. And possibly a pair of dirty socks on the living room sofa. Right next to the Adidas sandals.

I mean, of course I’m going to post my cleaning list. Because those people that won’t share their recipes because it’s a “secret” drive me craaaaazzzy. Plus, THREE PEOPLE asked for it. A virtual uproar, you guys. A virtual uproar. {ahem, one of which is my lil’ sister}

I just need to make a few confessions because it will help me feel less hypocritical when you show up at my house unannounced. 1) My house gets messy. 2) My house gets messy. And 3) my house gets messy. And also, I don’t even own a feather duster.

Anyway, I’m jotting down a few of my “what works for me” cleaning tips and I will be posting it along with my house cleaning list sometime in the next day or two. So, I guess this whole post is a ridiculously long answer to Karalynn’s facebook comment, Angie’s blog reminder and Jami’s second request while she was at my house over the weekend: It’s in the works, my friends. I haven’t forgotten you.

And also, in case you skipped over it earlier. My house get’s messy.

That is all.

I’m happiest {but}

2011-09-21T10:16:00.001-06:00

I’m happiest with the mountains as my backdrop.

But a vacation elsewhere makes me happy too.

I’m happiest when we’re loud: laughing, wrestling, joking.

But my soul needs moments fueled with silence for sanity.

I’m happiest where I am right now.

But I love an occasional escape into my memory.

I’m happiest with those I’m most comfortable with.

But successfully engaging with the unfamiliar boosts my self-confidence.

I’m happiest when my heart is laughing.

But know the healing power of a good cry.

I’m happiest with both feet on the ground.

But can enjoy an afternoon with my head in the clouds.

I’m happiest in sunshine.

But know there is nothing like dancing in the rain.

I’m happiest with them as continuous companions.

But am recharged by that rare moment of solitude.

I am happiest when things feel constant,

But I know when there’s change – I can be happy there too.

On Jace's Birthday :: A Poem

2011-09-18T23:31:00.001-06:00

'Twas the day of Jace’s birthday, the day he turned three;

There was reason to rejoice, to celebrate, to party.

We ate doughnuts for breakfast with chocolate and a candle;
because birthdays are for eating all the sugar you can handle.

There were presents, a movie theater, and dollar store finds;

And quarter machines, and kid’s meals, and superheroes of all kinds.

We decorated the party room with streamer and balloon;

And celebrated Jace all morning, evening and afternoon.

We ate Spiderman cupcakes with frosting bright red;

And played ‘heavy, heavy hangs over thy poor head’.

We gifted him with Mater and superhero’s galore;

Plus, the Spiderman bike the birthday boy had prayed for.

The evening was spent putting miles on his new wheels;

Plus excitement, laughter, and plenty of squeals.

It was a good day – a fun day – a day enjoyed by all;

But most importantly, a day where the birthday boy had a ball.

Jace, you’re our superhero, we’re so excited you’ve turned three.

We love you so much! - from Dad, Mom and Brynlee

Oh My Quotable Friday: Something New

2011-09-16T09:02:00.000-06:00

::Brynlee on her first day of Kindergarten::

12 on the 12th [The September Chapter]

2011-09-15T09:48:00.004-06:00

01. Weighing in. The kids had their well child check-ups. The stats: Brynlee / Age: 5½ / Weight: 41 {42 percentile} / Height 43” {32 percentile} :: Jace / Age: 3 / Weight: 32lbs. {53 percentile} / Height 37¼’ {43 percentile}

02. Ouch. A Spiderman band-aid automatically made shots cool. No tears. Atta kid.

03. Arctic Circle. Awarding good doctor appointment behavior with lunch out at their choice. Kids meals and ice-cream.

04. My Everythings. When and how did my babies get so big?

05. The Men’s Room. Because sometimes when they have to go ‘really, really, really bad’ we break the rules.

06. My Weekly Chore List. Spent the afternoon cleaning house. A freshly cleaned house is my fav.

07. In the Rain. It started to sprinkle rain. Under Brynlee’s direction the kids and I ran outside and did a “rain dance” begging for more rain to come.

08. Downspout. And came it did. We had a downpour. Brynlee was certain that our rain dance was solely responsible for it.

09. In process. The fabric I chose for a reupholster project that’s in the works.

10. Pandora. The kids {in fresh, dry clothes} love to watch the album list when we listen to Pandora. It’s “just like watching a tiny t.v.” What’s playing? Our favorite station: Laurie Berkner. Thanks Mandy for sharing.

11. Peaches. Fruits of my canning labor.

12. Stencil Monster. I hadn’t prepared a craft for our Monday night Family Home Evening. My craft loving five-year-old was not okay with that. She ran to the toy room and grabbed paper and her crayon box and insisted that we all draw a picture to give to somebody else in the family. Spencer created his art exclusively out of stencils. Also, Jace was in charge of choosing the song. We sang the Iron Man theme song – He’s a man on a mission. In armour of Hi-Tech ammunition. Trapped on the edge of an endless game. His teenage life will never be the same . . Thanks to their dad my kids know all the words.

This very minute.

2011-09-14T12:08:00.001-06:00

A 12 on the 12th preview:
The kids and I jumping on the trap in the rain.

Right now at our house:

Brynlee is loading every single toy we own into gift bags for her pretend birthday party. She’s labeled them all To: Brynlee / From: Pretend Friend Brookie or To: Brynlee / From: Pretend Friend Livvie [in honor of her *real* cousins, I assume]. She even asked me how to spell To: Birthday Girl Brynlee / From: All the pretend friends in the whole entire world that want to be the birthday girl’s friend and come to her party and give her a present and sing her a song and eat birthday cake. I abbreviated it to say From: Friends from the Party because quite frankly, she was requesting a whole lot of letters.

Jace is at the top of the stairs helping give his superhero action figures free rides on a Frisbee. I overheard him tell Batman that he didn’t need to ride on the “shootplane” {Jace’s word for airplane} because he knew how to fly. And then he proceeded to throw poor Batman down the stairs without a mode of transportation. I think I saw Hulk say a quick prayer thanking the Superhero God that he wasn’t gifted with the superhero power of flight.

And I am debating if I should use this precious time while both my kids are occupied to 1) finishing canning the rest of the peaches that are sitting on my kitchen cabinet 2) work on my latest diy project knowing that I won’t be able to completely finish it until Breah gets here this weekend delivering the rest of my fabric 3) read the newspaper, or 4) work on my 12 on the 12^th blog post. Err. . . no, I think I’ll prepare my church lesson. Right after I put away the laundry. Or should I vacuum the van. Lunch, I should probably start preparing lunch. Oh the possiblities. Or rather - Oh, the responsibilites.

P.S. Brynlee is requesting that I get down the party hats, balloons and streamers for her pretend birthday party. I suggested using pretend party hats, balloons and streamers for her pretend party but she didn't agree.

This, that and the other

2011-09-12T14:19:00.002-06:00

Canna Lily from my flower garden

I planted some Canna Lily bulbs in my flowers beds this spring. So glad I did. That color burst of red is beautiful. Might be my new favorite.
I realized while posting my ABC’s of August post that my kids eat the foam blocks. No kidding. When I looked at the pictures I realized there wasn’t a single block without teeth marks. I’ve said it before and I’ll probably say it again, kids are so weird!
My washer is dead. Dead, dead. That makes me sad. Is it tacky to admit you are a bit sentimental about your washer machine? No. Well then, I’m a bit sentimental about my washing machine. [Hint: My friends nicknamed it my promise ring.] We’ve yet to go shopping for a new washing machine because I’m not quite ready to label the old one beyond repair. But I’m starting to feel lame mooching off my newlywed lil’ sis so I’m certain a new washer/dryer is in our near future. Any suggestions?
I’ve been feeling the need to create lately. My mind is racing with ideas. I love that feeling of idea overload. Especially when you feel like you own the ideas.
I’m loving the group of Young Women in my Laurels class right now. Such a good mix. Such a fun group. So lucky to be their leader.
Yesterday, four years ago, I experienced my first miscarriage. Makes September 11^th a double whammy. Terrorists and miscarriages. They both suck!
Spencer ended up taking a class for his master’s degree this semester, can’t remember if I mentioned that or not. He’s taken a class at the college here in our town. So far it’s proving to be a much easier class than his nightmare class that he took distant learning last semester. Fingers crossed it stays that way.
I can’t believe my Jace buddy is three.
You know those days when you feel like you are discovering an entirely new level of ugly? I’ve had an entire month of those days.
Sometimes I wonder why I blog. I mean, it really is such a strange phenomenon. Writing your thoughts down in such a public forum for others to read. To judge. To form opinions. To comment on. Or not to comment on, even, but rather to read without the writer ever knowing that you are a reader. It’s a strange thing, right?
Sometimes I think of quitting. Possibly making my blog private and only allowing my own eyes to read. Possibly writing in a more traditional journaling manner, with paper and pencil. Possibly turning my blog into a place neglected - a place where somebody used to write.
And then sometimes things happen. Like some blonde clutz disguised as a mother {read: me} drops the external hard drive that holds every.single.picture I have ever taken. Every.single.picture, you guys. And the pictures are no longer accessible. And the only comfort I can mull up is ‘well, at least I’ve written it all down . . . at least I have my blog’. And that right there gives me motivation to continue jotting down my gibberish ramblings on my silly little blog. Because most the things I write on here mean absolutely nothing to a reader. But to me. . . well, to me they are quite literally my life.
One last thing. Did you know that if you put an external hard drive that some blonde clutz disguised as a mother {read: me} has dropped and broken into the freezer {the freezer!} there is a very, very small chance that the external hard drive will be accessible long enough to get years of photo files off before it dies forever. And that there is why Spencer’s bff, Troy, will always and forever be my bff. Because between him and the deep freeze they saved all my photos. I will never be able to repay him. Or the deep freeze for that matter.

Enjoy your Monday.

Birthday Boy

2011-09-10T04:27:00.001-06:00

Oh My Quotable Friday: My Sunshine

2011-09-09T08:44:00.000-06:00

It was me and buddy again yesterday. Something fun about Brynlee going to school is that Tuesday, Thursdays and every other Monday for six hours I get to focus all of my mothering attention on the little dude of the house. Yesterday we read nearly every single book out of our toy room library, went birthday shopping ‘cause somebody’s about to turn three, and rode bikes around the neighborhood at his pace without having to keep up with big sister. He asked me not to talk on the phone while we were driving in the car ‘cause ‘It’s not fun when you don’t talk to me’ and then right before it was time to pick up our kindergartener he said ‘I miss Brynlee’s face’. Such a funny, witty and loving little bundle of boy. A bundle of boy that has taken a liking to using the word ‘man’. It cracks me up every single time. Can I have peaches, man. Can you read me a story, man. Wait for me, man. Oh how I love that little sunshine!

She's a Real Class Act

2011-09-07T08:26:00.004-06:00

Yesterday was Brynlee’s first real day of Kindergarten. 7:55 am to 2:12 pm. Spence and I somehow survived. Brynlee had an absolute ball. And, Jace missed her like something terrible. Sissy’s taken a loooonnnggg time he reminded me at least 15 times throughout the day. So we ate a kid’s meal for lunch and ran a few errands to help the time go faster. And when we picked her up she had a million stories to share. Her excitement made me laugh. She can’t wait to go back and can I just tell you how happy that makes me. Like really, really happy.

Oh, and Jessica you owe me a million bucks! This mama went tear free. Huge accomplishment for a sap like me. I think the fact that she was jumping off the walls with excitment helped me contain my tears. There was nothing else to do but join in with all the excitment. And the giggling. And the talking really loud and fast.

*pictures taken last Thursday after Brynlee’s Kindergarten orientation.

Oh my. She wouldn’t hold still for even a second + she had the slumber party giggles.

Goofy lil’ excited Kindergartener of mine.

Aa is for August and other alphabetic phonics

2011-09-05T22:07:00.003-06:00

Oh My Quotable Friday: Love, love, love

2011-09-02T14:50:00.002-06:00

A love note written by my mom on my dirty car window.

P.S.
We've spent most the day today outside enjoying the cooler weather.

I can’t believe it’s already September.

It's September!

And I love it.
XOXO and Happy Weekending.

Her backpacks already packed. She's ready.

2011-08-29T22:52:00.001-06:00

Brynlee and I playing hand clapping games one afternoon.

On Saturday Brynlee and I went to the neighboring town and finished her back to school shopping. Just the two of us. A girl’s day, we called it. We had so much fun! So much so that I’ve decided to make it a back to school tradition. A mom and me shopping trip to pick out the new school wardrobe and school supplies. Someday Jace and I too will venture on a back to school shopping spree - a day with just me and him. But for now it’s us girls. Brynlee + Mom.

She picked out mainly dresses and skirts. It didn’t surprise me in the least, since nine days out of ten that is what she wears. Occasionally I can talk her into a pair of shorts or some Levis, but her first choice is always something out of the dress portion of her closet. It’s been that way since she was able to voice a clothing wearing opinion. We bought plenty of leggings to make her dresses cold weather appropriate and I even talked her into a sweater or two although she didn't really want to buy such warm clothes because it was so hot outside.

On Thursday Brynlee will start an entirely new chapter in her little life. She’s counting days and can barely wait for the last link to be removed from her countdown chain. I’m hoping {and praying} that her excitement remains and her nerves/timidness don’t get the best of her at the last minute.

That’s sort of what happened at her Kindergarten screening. She was so excited to see her new school, to meet the teachers, to show them how well she knew her numbers and her ABC’s. But, the unfamiliar is always overwhelming for her. And when it was finally her turn she grabbed on to my arm, hid her face and begged me to take her home. Jace was the brave superhero that she needed. He held her hand, rubbed her back, and told her not to be sad. He insisted on staying in the classroom right next to Brynlee while she did her screening and the teacher was so kind and allowed him to do so. A minute or two later Brynlee forgot she was even nervous and her excitement resurfaced.

My mom asked me the other day if I was excited to see her go to Kindergarten or if I was going to be one of those moms that cry. How do you answer that question? I mean, I am so excited for her to start Kindergarten. I’m not excited to “see her go” because I’m selfish and I want her here with me, always. But I’m so excited for her to start this new chapter. To learn, to socialize, to experience school. To grow in ways that wouldn’t be possible if Spencer and I were always right by her side. So I guess, yes. I’m excited. And ready or not, it’s time.

So here’s to the first day of school. Here’s to Kindergarten. Here’s to letting go, if only a little, and to embracing growing up. Here’s to changes. And to early morning alarm clocks. Here’s to PTA meetings, class room volunteering and making cupcakes for holiday parties. Here’s to homework and backpacks and lunch money. But most of all, here’s to making it through the first day of kindergarten without being one of those moms that cry. Fingers crossed.

Oh My Quotable Friday: My Friend

2011-08-26T21:30:00.001-06:00

Happy Birthday to my forever friend - my mom.

Photo snapped by my cousin Stacy at our family reunion earlier this month.

*****

And also, birthday wishes to Grandma from the kiddly-winks.

Sometimes, on this blog, I talk about my garage doors

2011-08-26T02:13:00.001-06:00

So we got new interior doors, right.

Well, in the midst of all the measuring and trimming and painting and installing of our new doors we were also looking for something to replace the interior paneling of our garage doors. Mainly because our current garage door situation was . . . um, gross. The previous owners must have kept a small herd of wild animals in their garage at night. Wild animals that had a thing for eating styrofoam garage door paneling. I’m not sure how else to explain this:

Our original plan was to use metal to cover the destroyed, yellowing Styrofoam panels. But then we looked at prices and holy geez. So we started thinking of alternative solutions: particle board, paneling, bead board, new Styrofoam, cardboard, fabric, modge podging scrapbook paper, picture collages. . . you know, that sort of stuff.

And then one night it came to me. The old doors {cue flashing light bulb above my head}. Perfect size, wood, FREE. Plus, we needed to get rid of them anyway.

So we dismantled our old straight panel, hallow doors and we did this:

I also painted the entire garage + the garage floor + got rid of the cob webs.

Spencer deemed it one of my best ideas to date.

He obviously forgot about the time we used a circular skilsaw to cut a nylon rug. Because honestly, ttttthhhhaaat was my best idea to date.

Err. . . NOT!

Flip Flopped

2011-08-22T01:03:00.000-06:00

Well, hi there. I’ve started like a bazillion million blog posts lately and have posted a grand total of zero. I hate when that happens. But no worries {like you were worried, right}, I’ll be back at it before you know it. Things have been busy at my house: a family reunion + a baptism + another camping trip + a rodeo + Chicago the play + a broken washing machine + cramming in the last of our house to do list {we are oh so close to finishing}. Tomorrows plan is to do the final register/test for Brynlee to start kindergarten, finish painting the garage floor and possibly packing for another trip out of town. I’m still undecided if I’m actually going or not. Speaking of undecided, Spencer and I have had the hardest time deciding if he should take another class this semester. Yes, no, absolutely, why not, heck no, it would be stupid not to, it would be stupid to, of course, no way. . . you know, that sort of thing. Classes start tomorrow and I think our final decision is a yes. But tomorrow is an entirely new day, so who knows what it will bring.

Anyways, updates to come - but for now I’m off to bed. But not before I post this goofy picture of my kids - transposed. They swapped clothes one day. For fun. They are so weird.

I filed the photo in my folder titled Photos to Keep to Blackmail my Teenage Children, because someday it's bound to come in handy.