Christmas

It seems every year that after the turkey gets eaten..........those blasted 50 gallon Rubbermaid bins come out and send me into complete anxiety mania!!  We love decorating for Christmas, even Derek will put a Santa hat on and put lights and scenes of snow all over the house, village carolers, trees, candy canes, lots of lights and of course nothing but a fresh cut tree!  The kids enjoyed their visit to Sunrise Tree farm in Kings Valley.  We selected and cut down our tree ( only hand saws allowed as to keep the old fashioned feel).  Then we ate these decadent cupcakes, with hot dogs and hot cocoa by the bonfire.  The kids had a blast.  So after three days of decorating, getting the tree and decorating it, now we (actually Derek) are on to the outside lights!  I'm hoping to get our bins put away today, and just be ready to enjoy the season.  I am really going to "try" to just enjoy the moment and not get stressed out about the details that don't matter.  Isn't it about baking cookies with your kids (ones that they like) and not giving every plate to the neighbors (and telling your kids they can't have more than one because they're for the neighbors).  I say the strings of twinkle lights strung all over our kids rooms' from the ceiling that they adore we will just embrace.  They are totally ruining my pottery barn efforts in there, but they are happy and that's what matters.  Taking in the snow days when there are a million 5 minute trips outside and then a pile of water all over the hardwood floor, and 5 loads of laundry.  I will have many years to decorate a tree how I want (and have the ornaments STAY ON THE TREE), and rooms that will look perfect, but be perfectly quiet, and an immaculate  house, that will have no children laughing.......so my prayer is that I will be able to cherish each chaotic, messy, uncontrollable moment and be grateful for every gift (even if I get lavender lip balm from Derek) because I really need nothing, and have every reason to be joyous and content knowing I have a million reasons to be grateful.............and I will re-sight this line again when my IMac is still at Apple on Christmas morning..........

Happy Turkeys......

Thanksgiving was great........we were able to celebrate with lots of family and friends as well.  I guess when I say "great" I mean the build up of planning meals, shopping for ingredients, baking pies and sweet potatoes (which I hate).  It was really fun and started the kick off Wednesday night as Uncle Brock from LA came and took all the girls bowling, and to see Tangeled!  When they returned we all had waffles and bacon for dinner, and watched movies all night, and had Brock for a sleepover which the kids were thrilled about!!   Millie crashed about 10, Grant 1030, Lucy 11, and Ellie...........well she would stay up all night, so she went to bed when we all did around midnight:)  We spent the next day finalizing the last details before heading over the Grandma and Grandpa's for a traditional dinner, and some Christmas Caroling by the piano, and playing the Wii of course!

The actual dinner was one to be remembered or actually hope I get to forget.........Grant decided to have a complete meltdown as we were all sitting down to dinner.  I think the lack of food (picky toddler syndrome) and the lack of sleep (won't nap at Grandma's) had finally caught up with him and he turned quickly into a holy terror!  I spend the meal puting movies on........first the Inrcedibles and then Cars just frantically trying to make him happy so everyone else could gobble gobble.  Finally he landed on a movie and about 10 minutes later was sound asleep in Papa's chair passed out! I got to go reheat my dinner and eat in peace at last:)  That's the beauty of blogs, because one day our holiday's will be calm and quiet and we will miss this right?  Overall it was fun and a fun time was had by all!!

CRANKY.......

Do you ever just feel cranky for no reason?  I know I have a million and one things to be grateful for.  The kids had no school today, so we ventured off with the Gourley's to a fabulous pumpkin patch AKA: fun farm with lots of games, slides, rides, animals, donuts, kettle and caramel corn, and of course the tractor rides and dark spooky maze!  The weather was amazing, sunny and crisp - a perfect fall day!  Had a nice quiet drive home and picked up a pizza on the way home (so mom wouldn't have to cook).  When I came home to the remains of breakfast waffles (yes, homemade and I feel like a great mom) and left over milk on the island, my cheerful mood began to fall.  I am working on this.  Not getting so overwhelmed with the mess, clutter, shoes, toys, papers, mail, bills, dishes that I just hit the wall.  I got noticeably more cross as each hour passed in the evening.  The kids were in bed by 7:30 but I SWEAR IT FELT LIKE 9:00 TO ME!!  As we know all good things must backfire.........they spent the next 1.5 hours coming down and telling us how the other onee was making snorting noises, and coughing, and singing just to annoy them, and this went on and on and on until about 9:00!  Now it really was nine whereas before it just felt like 9.  Then I started feeling like my computer was slow, my house was a mess, blah blah blah..........so here I am as my crabby little self, and realizing I have so much, and really can't complain about anything...AT ALL!  So I think I'll just go find something to watch on TV and take my cranky self to bed:)

peace now..........pay later

After getting Millie delivered for a play date with her friend Claire, I came home and put Grant to bed!  He was a little crab and I was ready to roll up my sleeves and get our house looking "un lived in" again.  So I put Mr. Down, and got to work.  This was 1:00 and he talked until 3:00!  He did fall asleep, and slept and slept and slept.  I went up to wake him at 5:30 but he was sleeping so peacefully I couldn't bare to wake him, as he has been fighting a cough for a month now.  So we went about our business and enjoyed getting some fun aps on the "pod".  We decorated cupcakes on it, played rat rides the motorcycle and many more........Derek and Ellie were gone, so Millie, Lucy and I had a fun time.  Grant finally woke up at 7PM!!!!!  He had been in bed for 6 hours.  Needless to say, It's 10pm and he is watching Jay Jay the Jet Plane while sticking fruit snacks to his face (yes, he looks like he has a scary case of the measles).  I'm hoping he is wanting to go to bed soon......So while the peace was great, I am paying the price now:)  But he is so cute, I don't mind all that much.  The girls have been teaching him to count in spanish.......all week it's been, "Uno Dose, Trace CRAPPER, Cinco, Says  We love it  and just laugh at him:)  As soon as he finishes his banana (AKA telephone to call Elmo) and jumping off the couch we are off to bed........................

Game Day!!

I realize it's been a very long time since my last post.  It's a combo of four kids, summer chaos, school, and yes I will admit spending time on facebook or watching TV instead!  At least I'm honest.  We had a great weekend; started Friday night watching Lucy cheer at the hometown football game, then had a spirited day as the Beavers played and WON!!!  Amelia played soccer (that little dart has an undefeated record, and scored another goal on Saturday)!!  The girls were off to see the new "Owl Movie" and then back here for a blessed evening of good food, family and friends around the table............finished off with a bonfire of smores and vampire stories (thanks Ellie and Brock) as Lucy screamed that she was scared and would never go to sleep again!  Oh, and the slug.....well, Derek thought it would be fun to put it on the plank in the fire and SLOWLY watch it roast--so gross that finally he chucked it into the hot coals for a fast death. 

This morning was lovely as the girls and I went to church.......we had our last service outside which was a little chilly but a great reason to snuggle up together on the blanket and just be together.  We played with each others hair, and rubbed each others backs, and really got to "feel the love".  Great sermon on being content and how as we grow closer to God we are more and more able to be content with the abundance that we have.  To know we have all we need in Him and in our many blessings that no amount of money can buy, like family, wellness, and the daily comforts we enjoy!  Came home to an amazing pot roast dinner, home made rolls, and salad with the season's first pumpkin pie!! A perfect fall Sunday.............After having our friends over tonight (with a family of 6) and having fed two extra guests last night, and bringing my neighbor dinner for 7 on Thursday, and Wednesday I had 10 lovely ladies in for pumpkin bars and coffee..........that may also be why my blogging is minimal:)  I have blessed and fed, and shared with many people this week!  That is why I feel so happy and blessed because I'm able to bless others!

Ruby Morse

After years of begging..........and begging...........our kids and us have a little dog!!  It truly was a miracle, how Ruby found us.  She is 17 months old, potty trained, and a perfect little gem:)  We feel like we have a battery operated text book little toy!  The kids are thrilled............we are in love......................

Happy Birthday Miss Millie Moo.................

Five years ago last Saturday we were sitting at a hospital in Las Vegas, awaiting the birth of our little Amelia Jane!  Hard to believe that our little baby girl is five already.............Just her coming to our family was an absolute miracle!  I had miscarried about 5 weeks prior, and here we were five weeks later flying to meet our daughter!  She came out with spunk, and personality, but yet was quite a mellow and quiet baby.  There must have been something in the water because once she turned two, she "came out of her shell"!!!  She is the most talkative, humorous, sassy, girlie with attitude we've scene:)  You might think she was 7 already.  She rides here bike with no training wheels (at 4) like evil kanevil, and even puts her feel on the front handlebars while speeding down our hill.............Yet she loves to get dressed up with make-up, nail polish, and jewelry too!  We just love her to pieces and count her as a great great blessing in our lives.......


I love her laugh
I love her sweaty hand and feet that are clammy
I love the way her nose wrinkles when she laughs
I love the way her nails are always "chewed off"
I love to watch her black shiny hair in the sunlight
I love how she is 5 and yet about as big as a 3 year old
I love her very loooooooong fingers and toes
I love the way she sings "I"m in the Lords Army....YES SIR"
I love the hilarious things she says everyday
I love that she wants Turkey sandwhiches for lunch 365 days per year
I love the way she stirs the pot and torments her sisters--she's brilliant!


We love you Millie Jane............................
PS:  someday I"ll find the cord to my camera...........for now just words..........

Say Cheeeezzzzzzzzzzz

Cupcakes..........

ok, just have a minute.............Lucy is eagerly waiting for assistance to make rainbow chip cupcakes, her very favorite thing in the whole world.  What's the occasion you ask????  Ummmmmmmmm nothing really just a lazy Sunday afternoon, and a way to prcrastinate having to pick up our pit of a house!!  I've just accepted that until our children are moved out and it's Derek and I there will always be a mess of papers on the counter, toys to trip over, poop that Grant has smeared in the carpet, dishes to do, bills to pay, dirty towels on the floor, and a messy yard, with the kids getting the hose out when it's 60 degees??? I'm way happier when I go with it, and stop fighting it!  My wise mom always says, "your house is a classroom, use it to teach".  And we do live here right?  Do our homes really need to look like Pottery Barn "staged" rooms all the time? Any of the time?  I say NOT, at least for today, it's all about Rainbow chip cupcakes my friends, and running through  the sprinkler, even if it only lasts for 30 seconds because it's 60 degrees outside:)

Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure.........

Shocking I know.  But yes, I am walking the 3 day for the Cure August 6th-8th!  I will be walking 20 miles on Friday, 20 on Saturday, and 20 on Sunday!  A 60 miles walk in three days should about kill me:)  The walk goes on in any weather, and for those who know me well, know that I HATE HOT WEATHER!  So I am praying for NO HEAT:)  I am so excited to do something big, and worthwhile for all those who have been or will be affected by breast cancer!  I am so blessed to have this opportunity, and the support of my family and friends!  I am doing the walk in Chicago with team Pink Wings (a friends team with Pink Wings business, two time breast cancer survivor, and single mom of 4 beautiful children).  I am training, and starting to really map things out........  My goal is to raise 2,300 towards the fight against breast cancer.  If anyone would like to donate, you can go to 3day.org and click on the right "donate to participant" or call 800-996-3DAY

De-Eastering.........

What is it about Easter that feels like Christmas in the Spring?  We had a fabulous, very relaxing Easter.  It started with treasure hunts for Easter baskets, and the kids waiting patiently for their little brother and Addy (our visitor) to wake, so they could go downstairs!  After finding the "loot" they were eating chocolate for breakfast and more chocolate and more................you get the picture:)  Then Daddy "the other Easter bunny" had his own clue to lead the kids to their own Nerf Guns!  Whew.........that was fun, having everyone running around shooting each other and screaming.  Grants got a little Nerf gun that had quite the string when it hits.  There is the lazer target and the whole ball of wax.  His new thing is coming up about an inch from my behind and pulling the trigger.........it leaves a big STING.    If he catches his sisters after the bath, the darts actually stick the Hiney....but only firm young ones, us old folks it just bounces right off and hits the floor!   Shifting gears, we enjoyed a nice traditional Easter Service as a family in Corvallis, with my parents, Derek's parents, and all five kids!  Then off to Grandma and Grandpa's for more Easter baskets and egg hunts........we are so lucky to have family close by to spend the holidays with. 

The next morning everyone was off to school/work........and the house looked like an Easter bunny had exploded!  We had celofane wrap, chocolate, easter grass, pencils, gadgets, zu zu pets, peeps, nerf balls, socks, toothbrushes, bubbles..........EVERYWHERE.  But I guess that's what it's all about making memories and fun times for the kids.  We did two rounds of egg coloring, one traditional, and one with blowing the insides out.  Jello molds, truffles, and decedant lemon curd cupcakes!  What memories, and what good times!  I am hoping for a computer soon that I can post pictures on.  We currently have three computers sitting on our desk and NOT ONE OF THEM are completely competant to do what I need:  pictures, videos, music!  Is that too much to ask for a new iMac?  I don't think so either.  Until then I will keep wishin, and hopin for one!

Another round

Ok. this is a real, raw and unfiltered post!  No super cute pictures, in fact no pictures at all.......no one to impress, just our real lives.  I have not been posting for the past few months, I have been distracted by facebook, which I personally think if a huge waste of time!  If you really want to say somthing worth while--you wouldn't put in on facebook, and to take the time to tell everyone what you ate for lunch, and what the weather is tomorrow is quite ridiculous!!  Just my opinion.  Plus I realized the value in keeping a blog, a writing, of happenings that I can print each year for my family to reflect on:)  In addition, 2009 was yucky!  It's something I wrote/talked around on my previous posts, but Derek and I were seperated twice and almost went through a divorce!  So from January to November--life was stinky--but I"m not too proud to say we are human, and things are better now.  We have been working hard since November, taking seminars, attending counceling, and doing a lot with Imago Therapy work.  It's been so wonderful to make sense of human beings and especially the "cycle of relationships".  I think it's impossible for two humans to live together with contention arrising ( even if it's sedom). So the tools we are aquiring do not take issues away, but help up to work through and untangle things, strengthening our marital muscles for the next "bump" as we know it will come! 

The kids are great, and super happy that we are all one big happy family again.  Although I have to say I've felt a bit like a first time mother........I am an experienced mom, motherhood came very naturally to me, I've never or hardly ever struggled (this was mothering my three daughters) then came GRANT THE BOY--MR. TESTOSTERONE!!!!  Heaven help me to stay sane, and live through raising him to a calm, non biting, non hitting, non stripping, non spitting, non poop smearing, non eater to a wonderful man and husband:)  I know it will happen we just have a good ol case of a busy busy 2 year old boy who wants his way, and will stop at nothing til he gets his way!!  But being the smart experienced mom I am, I know as he heads towards three he can reason with me and understand he can't run around taking his clothes off  and peeing and pooping everywhere...........

We are off to run kids to karate, and finish up dinner.............