Jake's Picture

We had a garage sale a little while ago - our last one, I swear!!! And the kids were having fun "running" a drink and snack stand. Jake really grasped the idea of selling something and getting money. So this is what he made to sell:



It was just SO cute that I HAD to buy it for 26 cents. Only problem was that he made more and more and more. I finally had to tell him, "No More!" :)

Can't Wait!!

We are leaving on Monday for our trip to Utah where we will get to see both sides of our family AND baptize Elijah! I am SO excited!!! My only problem is that I'm not packed and ready to leave. Normally I am packed at least a week before we leave. And here it is only days away and I don't have a single thing packed! :) I've been very lazy. I also have to clean the house and do the laundry too. I have to get things in order for Enrichment while we are gone too. So what am I doing while my kids are napping and playing video games - totally occupied?! Blogging! Oops. I don't have a lot of motivation right now.

I also wish I had all these wonderful things to post on my blog, but alas... I'm really a very boring person! I have friends that a lot happens to and sometimes I feel a little dull. The extent of my worries this week has been trying to find a pair of swim shorts to wear for when we go water playing in Utah. Today a friend had my kids and I accomplished my "trial." So my drama is ended. :(

Actually, I DO have my ongoing fight with weight and exercise. Maybe I should keep track of things with my eating and exercise here on my blog?! I am like my Dad in that we both seem to do real well when we have a chart or way to gauge how we are doing on things. My Dad did it with different financial things (he paid off a 30 yr. mortgage in 6 years!) and maybe it will help me with my weight and exercise.

Well, I'll have to think about it. :)

Anyway, there isn't anything new or exciting to mention right now. We are headed to our trip and maybe something eventful will happen there! :) If you don't hear back from me soon, it's cause I've got a lot going on during our "vacation."
See you all later!

Thought this was funny! (from Heidi)

I have a Wonderful Hubby

I was having one of those loving moments this morning for my DH! I have had a few friends go through some nasty stuff with their hubbies lately and it has really made me think about so many different things.

First of all, that I need to go back to school and get some education under my belt (especially since it's free - please, don't stone me)!

Second, I need to REALLY teach my boys (and my girls) to have testimonies and be the best people they can be. To not be drop-kicks or put up with drop-kicks. :)

Lastly, what a wonderful blessing my Hubby is! I've got so many less desirable traits and he puts up with them and even encourages me to work on them. He sees the good and the bad in me but only focuses on the good (maybe he's hoping that positive reinforcment will do away with the bad). :) He has a beautiful testimony and he wants an Eternal family. He makes me feel special and pretty. Heck, he even got chubby with me! Now THAT's devotion! :)
I need to be better to him. Not because he demands it, but because he doesn't! Have you heard that country song "She Don't Ask Me" or something like that? Its true. I do things for him because I love him and cause he don't ask me!


Oh and by the way - anyone who refers me back to this particular blog when I'm complaining about Dear Hubby better beware! You have been warned! :)

Thank You Amie!!!!

I got my picture taken care of!!! Amie, you were a big help.

Last night went well. I actually slept so peacefully and wonderfully in my own bed with no Hubby! :) Good, 'cause today I am CLEANING!!! Some deep down cleaning. I can't find my Febreeze though. :( I'll have to use my vinegar then.

Well, everyone - have a happy day! I'm not sure if I'll post anything tomorrow. I have a busy day! Scrapbooking at my house.

Oops, I forgot that Heidi tagged me!

I hope I'm as cleaver as she is - probably not! :)
I got tagged and now I have to respond! So here are my responses.
10 THINGS I CAN'T WAIT FOR!!!

1. I can't wait for Bret to get home tomorrow!

2. I can't wait for the kids to go to bed each night - my time.

3. I can't wait to see my family in 3 weeks.

4. I can't wait for Bret to make his first million.

5. I can't wait to see what sales are each Wed. and what coupons come each Sun.

6. I can't wait till my life is organized.

7. I can't wait till our church time changes - 8 am sucks!

8. I can't wait for grandkids, I hear its really fun!

9. I can't wait till the motivation comes to REALLY stop drinking soda - like that'll ever happen.

10. And lastly I have to stick in something emotional, I can't wait to see Christ! :)

I am now tagging Mela and Judy! You have to post on your blogs - 10 things you can't wait for!

Yeah!!!

This evening has been fun with my Kiddos! It's about time! :)
But seriously - they've been fighting more than normal and not listening to me more than normal lately. This evening we went to a fun SplashPad out by our old house and then we went to Walmart and wandered around. Normally I'm trying to run to get out of any store with the 4 freaks. But they were amazing tonight! Yeah!!!!
Like I mentioned, we went by our old house. It was a little heartache for me. There are so many happy memories there for us. I miss that time in my life (sometimes). Our Jakaranda tree that we planted and killed several times over is doing really well. They still have the Beware of Dog sign up on the back gate. :) Do they really have a dog or just to lazy to take it off? We even drove by the rental and another flood of memories came back to me. For all of you remembering that time in my life, don't laugh and think of how often I complained! I really miss it.

On another happy note - Bret comes back to us tomorrow! We have a big day tomorrow. Lots of friends coming over and then heading to fireworks later. I think I need to actually clean my house tomorrow morning. It would not be a good thing to have the kids' mattresses out and junk all over when the friends and their kids come. Maybe tonight I'll get more sleep than last night. I pulled a "Jen" last night and freaked out over the smallest sounds! I normally don't do that, so I'm hoping for a better night.

Man, my kids are cute! One of them just walked up to talk to me and made me smile. Today they are cute- what will tomorrow hold?! :)

Well, I'm going to go and cuddle the kiddos. Have a great night Everyone and a Happy 4th! What are you doing tomorrow?!

Public School System ARGH!!!

Just found out that the kids will be attending a different school. Not a new one, just a different one. They re-did the boundaries and we have been lumped with another school. I called the District to see if it was a mistake - nope. She even said that they will probably be re-doing the boundaries every year for a while because of the growth.
My kids have gone through so much "funky" school things that I'm tired of it. Not much I can do unless I wanna torture myself and Homeschool. I really don't think I'd enjoy THAT! There are many patient and sweet and kind and loving and patient and patient and patient mothers out there. I'm just not one of them. And I really don't want to learn now - can't teach an old hag new tricks! :)
I DO plan on joining PTA and becoming one of THOSE mothers (no offense to any of you). You really can't sit back and not take part in schooling these days. You REALLY have to become involved, more so than OUR moms had to be. I've become more and more frustrated with the idiots that run things. Must be a bunch of men! :)

On a side note - things are going a lot better than they were this morning. Sorry Mom and Greg for the tears! :)
The kids and I went to Basha's (they have a Kiddy Kare place - LOVE it). I needed a few moments alone to just wander doing what I love - coupon shopping. We also went to Children's Orchard (a really neat second hand kids store). They have a sale going right now and I had some coupons. I got quite a few things for the kids for $6.
I'm a really odd mom - they have clothes in our closet and in special drawers that are saved for school or special occasions. Yes, I'm a dork!

Well, I Need to go - got a phone call!

Am I Ready?

Am I ready for another "No Daddy Party"?! It's a little thing the kids and I do when Daddy goes out of town. It started years ago when he would go camping with the Young Men and it has now become our little tradition. Well, Bret is going camping again - yes, AGAIN.
During "No Daddy Party" I pull their mattresses out into the living room and we have fun eating junk food and watching movies. They sleep in the living room and can stay up late if they want. I used to sleep on the couch in the living room too, but lately the body is very weak and achy the next day. So now I enjoy the night ALL ALONE on my bed (now THAT is heaven to me). :)
I really do enjoy the No Daddy Parties that we have. It takes a lot of stress off me with not having to cook real meals or keep the house super clean. So, bring it on!

On another note, my biggest little turned 9 today! Am I really THAT old?! Yeah, and so are the rest of you. :P She has been pointing out all the things she wants for her B-Day for the last week and telling everyone we know how many days left till her B-Day for 20 days. Now its here! We had church bright and early (8am) and today being Fast Sunday, we have held off on the main events until this evening. I've got a broach that says "Today is my Birthday!" for her to wear today. Then Elizabeth and I are going to make her favorite cake and we got her favorite Ice Cream. She has decided that she wants a treasure hunt to find her gifts. She's such a sweet girl! I'm so lucky to be her mom!

Well, I'll be going now - I also have to find recipes with limes. I got about 500 in my veggie co-op yesterday! :) Any ideas?!