Welcome to Nashville

Arches

2012-01-30T08:35:00.000-08:00

I flipped through my most recent issue of Arches, the alumni magazine from my Alma Mater the University of Puget Sound. I don't know if anyone else does this but I turn straight to the back where alumni can send in pictures and updates. I enjoy seeing who's gotten married or had a baby and, sadly, the older I get the fewer people I recognize.

The section that struck me today was the updates section where alumni can send in their most recent accomplishments, awards, promotions, etc. Secretly I've always wanted to send something in and impress my classmates with something amazing or unusual that I've done. But truth be told, I haven't been promoted, received any awards (even for PTA because I still refuse to join), traveled to Tibet to study Tibetan singing bowls, or done anything to better my community as a whole that would constitute a half inch blurb in my alumni magazine.

There's no where to send your blurb that states 'Stacey Nash '03 Got all her children cleaned, fed, in bed, and had a clean living room by 8 pm for the 3rd consecutive day. She has successfully exercised and practiced singing everyday in this same week.'

Now I look at that and think, Wooohoooo! That's all I'm trying to accomplish. There are probably thousands of alumni who do the same things I do each day AND get amazing awards, publish books, and run marathons. Good for them.

For now, I'm aiming for at least one meal today that doesn't include peanut butter. Arches isn't interested and that's ok. I know that I'm making a difference for three little nashlings. They aren't going to publish it anytime soon but its worth more than a half inch blurb.

Something Permanent

2012-01-29T21:38:00.000-08:00

As I have admitted before, I am a sew-er. I used to be an anti-sew-er but now I follow several sewing blogs in the hope of getting inspiration. One of my favorites is Simple Simon & Co., on which a recent post made me think about why I have taken up sewing. As a stay-at-home mom, much of my time is spent doing things that are continuously started over.

Examples - dishes, laundry, cleaning. I find myself putting off mopping my floor because I know that at the next meal someone is going to spill their milk/cereal/ketchup on the floor or someone will come running in the back door and leave muddy/leafy footprints.

The post struck me because it suggested that a woman should do at least one thing each day that can't be undone.

Something permanent.

Sewing is one way that I have found to create something permanent...that is until I have to pull out the ole seam ripper. But every time one of the girls wears something I've made, I feel that I've made something that will last, hopefully, something pleasing to the eye and something useful.

I have other ways as well. I paint and I write, both of which allow me to creatively express myself in a, mostly, permanent way. On days that I sew a seam, put a stroke on paper, or write even one sentence I can look back and know for sure that I've moved forward on something. I may need to mop the floor again tomorrow but for now I made something that moves me forward to a completed project that can't be undone by anyone other than myself.

As I read the post, it was nice to know that I'm not the only one who'd like a few of my little marks on the world to be ones that can't be ruined by spilt milk.

Dancing Queen

2012-01-28T23:28:00.001-08:00

Dance recital.

I have a bone to pick with dance studios. They charge you x amount of money for lessons each month, x amount for a yearly fee, then they charge XX amount for costumes, x amount for special scrunchy, x amount for shoes, and x amount for tickets to go to the recital itself.

But she does the worm like no one's business.

If she wasn't so darn cute and didn't love it so much it wouldn't be worth it.

But, well it is.

Snowmaggedon aka Snowpalozza aka Honkin Big Storm

2012-01-28T23:17:00.000-08:00

Snow storm + freezing rain = mess

I'll admit that I giggle about the Pacific Northwest. The weather people practically throw their arms over their heads and start screaming for everyone to run for cover as soon as it looks like a storm is coming.

The first day wasn't so bad. Four or five inches but then the rains came and froze and trees started falling down. There was so much ice on the cars we couldn't get in them, not that there was anywhere we could go.

Ok so maybe after the ice, we could have thrown our hands over and heads and started screaming. But we had a generator so it was inconvenient but not completely miserable.

We survived Snowmaggedon 2012.

List - Why the blog has fallen by the wayside

2011-12-08T17:09:00.001-08:00

It has and it bugs me. Not that I've ever been a heavy post-er but the last 4 months I'm barely making once or twice a month. And there are reasons:

1. Pregnancy - Nashling #4 has thrown me for a loop. Mostly on the energy scale.
2. School - There's only one Nashling in school and I struggle to keep up, might have something to do with #1.
3. Garrett hit the terrible 2's. The girls really didn't start to be stinkers until age three but the boy is a terror on two legs. A cute one but a terror none the less.
4. Back to zero - This is how I describe my 'job'. My job is to get things back to zero. Laundry, dishes, cleaning have all seemed to take up all the energy that I have, that and reason #3. And frankly I'm not doing a very good job anymore.
5. Pregnancy
6. I fall asleep on the couch every night by 8:45. If I make it to 9:30 Jeremy is shocked...and so am I.
7. Insomnia, pretty sure brought on by reasons #1 and5.
8. Memory loss - yes I know laugh. But its true my already sketchy memory has pretty much turned to a complete lack of knowledge of anything beyond this day, this hour. (See reasons #1 and 5)
9. Pregnancy
10. Pregnancy

Halloween

2011-11-13T20:32:00.000-08:00

Halloween. Not my favorite holiday I'll have to admit. The constant, can I have candy can I have candy can I have candy, nearly drives me insane. But kids are cute dressed up as...pretty much anything. We had an Egyptian, a cowboy complete with his own horse, and Rapunzel including her trusty frying pan (That is Emma's actual cast iron frying pan. It didn't last long its pretty heavy. Oh and that's another Rapunzel from our church Halloween party.).

What Halloween wouldn't be complete without a little of Grandma's witches brew?

Maris Farms

2011-10-26T21:54:00.000-07:00

Maris Farms was Ah-mazing! Who knew? We paid an admission fee and then they had all these activities for the kids. The cow train, corn room, pedal carts, giants slides, not so giant slides, goats, chickens, and sheep. Of course we did the corn maze and my favorite even though my pregnant self did not get on it was the ground pillow. I had never seen one before but its this 100 foot long blow up thinger they've buried in the ground and the kids jump all over it. Its 10x better than a bounce house (they had one of those too). We will definitely go back next year.

Is This Really Happening?

2011-10-20T15:32:00.000-07:00

The stay-at-home mom gig I've got going on causes this question to cross my mind on a regular basis. For example, I'm madly getting ready for church and ready to get everyone's shoes on and walk out the door when Garrett walks out of my room with mascara all over his eyes and teeth. I'm sure he's tried to brush them with my mascara wand. All hopes for getting to church on time have come crashing down around me. Or when Madilyn comes down with the stomach flu while sleep walking and sleep walks all over her room and the living room and doesn't wake up until shes in the bath. In the mean time we've got the...well you can imagine...all over her bedroom and the living room. And I have to stop and ask myself 'Is this really happening?'

I had another such moment this morning when Madilyn spent 20 minutes in the bathroom and another 15 getting dressed only to come out in a short skirt with shorts underneath. At this point she's got 10 minutes before the bus comes. Its 50 degrees outside and I told her to go put on leggings. Well let's just say that's not what happened and in the end I was literally chasing my screaming 7 year old through the house with a pair of leggings making threats about what will happen to her if she misses the bus and I had to stop and ask myself...'Is this really happening?'

Yes, its.

Its moments like this morning that I have to remember the others. The ones like laying under the apple tree with my children eating apples and blackberries finding shapes in the clouds, doing a musical with my daughter, singing around the piano with three little mostly in tune voices, and listening to Madilyn read the scriptures on her own for the first time.

And I have to ask myself - Do I get to be mom to three crazy, wonderful kids? Do I get to spend eternity with my best friend? Do I get smothered in the snuggles of 3 pairs of twiggy arms?

Is this really happening?

Yes, it is.

Happy Birthday Emma!

2011-10-18T21:27:00.000-07:00

My little Emmabug turned 5 a couple of weeks ago. She wanted a ladybug cake which I thought was interesting since she's terrified of bugs, unless its a spider on the ceiling at which point she claims its her friend Spidey and I'm not allowed to kill it.

Can I just say this was the hardest birthday shopping I've EVER had? What do you get for a child that is happy with what she has except for a scooter that she's been asking for since Madilyn got one for her birthday. I was online looking for ideas for so long that my carpal tunnel syndrome from college came back!

In honor of her birthday I thought I would share some Emma facts:

she has 3 body books and one body coloring book

she loves them

she knows where the cerebellum is

and the brain stem

and stomach

and liver

and loves the parts of the inner ear

she keeps asking me what the adrenal glad does and I have no idea

she is incredibly sensitive - emotionally (think crying over which breakfast cereal to eat in the morning) and physically (sound, light, smells)

loving - I get more hugs from her than anyone else

cuddly - she would be happy being in physical contact with me at all times

smart - she started sounding out words at 3 and now she does a 1st grade reading and writing book (she starts kindergarten next year)

she has the most quotes on Notable Quotables from Nashville

Emma is a special girl. We are so blessed to have her in our family.

First Day

2011-09-03T22:41:00.001-07:00

First of second grade. Madilyn's growing up, enough that she wasn't entirely sure she was exicted to go. For the first time she wanted me to drive her to school on her first day, that is until she saw all the other kids down at the bus stop in front of our house. We walked her to the bus stop instead.

She pulled her tooth out that morning. She's now missing a front and center and the one next to it (thats not front and center). And the other front one is lose. Poor kid isn't going to have any chompers left in a few weeks.

First day went well. So did the second. She told me that she likes being shy at school because she doesn't get in trouble that way. The teacher never has to talk to her. I'm wondering why she doesn't try that strategy at home?

Goodbye Summer

2011-09-03T22:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Summer,

I enjoyed you this year, really I did. We didn't get to see much of you but when we did we were grateful. The fact that it was cold until July turned out ok since Madilyn and I had rehearsals every Saturday anyway. And then because it was rainy, even in July, everything stayed nice and green for a lot longer than usual. At least you warmed up enough for us to enjoy the lake and go boating for a couple of days.

I wouldn't mind if you stayed longer next year. Or perhaps just showed up earlier. I promise I won't complain.

Sincerely,

Stacey

It's Show Time

2011-08-26T21:18:00.000-07:00

Broadway Revue is the reason I am behind on blogging. I hadn't planned on participating this year but the director called and asked if I would sing Think of Me from Phantom of the Opera. How could I say no to that? Once we got going they said the girls could participate if they wanted. Madilyn wanted too so it turned out to be a fun thing that her and I could do together. It was a great experience. Good for Madilyn and me time, and good to sing a song that fits my voice type.

This is the only picture I have that you can really see Madilyn. She's the one farthest to the left. The guy in the front is Timon from Lion King, not the real one.

The hardest part about this song had nothing to do with the music. It was the costume! Because it starts out one way and has to be changed in 15 seconds while on stage. It gave me a few sleepless nights because it didn't get figured out until opening night!
And there you go. I looked like I was ready to cry in all the pictures. Not really a crying song soooo, not sure what to think about that. But as you can see we figured out the costume problem.

I Tri'd...again

2011-08-23T19:31:00.000-07:00

Saturday, June 18 I completed my second triathlon. Can I just say that I really despised the Northwest on that day. It was 60 degrees and raining.

FYI - The swimming was the WARMEST leg of the race.
I forgot to put on my jacket during the swim to bike transition. I was completely soaked, wetter than I'd been in the lake by far. By the time I got off my bike my body was numb. You know that feeling when you have a cavity and they numb your lip and it feels gigantic and like you can't move it right...that's how my entire body felt heading into the run.

I finished in the exact same time I did last year. Yeah that wasn't so cool. I had hoped to beat my time but I think the weather may have had a hand in it. But I finished and I'm glad I did it.

A Belated Birthday

2011-08-19T20:53:00.000-07:00

What a crazy summer. Garrett's birthday was almost a month ago and here I am finally blogging about it. Yikes! Jeremy made the cake for him. Garrett loved it. When we gave him his piece of cake he tried to use his excavator to eat it. Because I only took pictures of the cake on his birthday I just threw in some random pictures of him, which, frankly explains him better than birthday pictures. Garrett is a firecracker with boots on.

This little man literally runs all day long. As soon as I get the blender blades away from him, I have to keep him from swallowing a quarter, or from strangling himself in the blind cords, or from sneaking outside (which has happened), or from sticking the same quarter I just took away from him in the electrical outlet, or from tackling his sisters. He is a ball of pure energy. Everything about him is big, except for his size.

Motorcycle, car, truck, airplane, train, boat, if its got a motor he loves it and will tell you he likes it over and over again. Most of his favorite people are those who own such items. Papa (that's grandpa but Garrett decided he's papa so papa it is), Jeremy, Uncle Chris they all have the stuff he really wants to play with like chainsaws, hammers, boats, Bronco, and lawnmowers.

He says everything at the volume of LOUD. Everything. When we're sitting in church, everyone in the congregation knows that Garrett wants a drink, and to go to nursery, and to go outside, and that the baby in the next pew is crying. He plays big and talks big but he also loves big.

He gives great big hugs as he says, "I wuv you mama." Followed by a great big open mouthed kisses that I dodge so they'll land on a cheek.

I can't really capture all the funny wonderful things about him in this post. He just does funny things. Just a couple of examples - recently we stayed with my parents for a few days. Garrett's porta crib was set up in the walk-in closet in the room Jeremy and I stayed in. Everyday when we laid him down he would say, "This my room. This my bed." And we would agree. The last day that we were there Jeremy went to get him up from a nap. When he leaned over the crib and looked at Garrett, Garrett said, "Hey, this is a closet!" I think he was offended.

Same trip, my mom found Garrett on her bed laying with their dog. Now my parents room was supposed to be a sanctuary for the animals from the children who loved them a little too much. So my mom said, "Garrett get down off the bed and leave Berkley (that's the dog) alone." Garrett climbed under the covers and laid on a pillow and said, "I sleeping." Ahh-choo, ahh-choo. (That's a fake snoring noise for those of you who wondered.) Grandma wasn't fooled.

Goofy, funny, wonderful, make-me-crazy little boy. I don't think I've laughed harder than I have in the last two years since he joined our family.

30 Posts - Post 20 a hobby of mine

2011-07-12T21:37:00.001-07:00

Hi my name is Stacey and I sew. It is my hobby. I love it and hate it at the same time.

You may be saying to yourself, that's not a weird hobby. It doesn't require AA. But you must understand that I was an antisewist. There was no way I was EVER going to be a sewist (I have to write sewist because sewer looks like sewer you know where the poo goes). In fact, my lovely sister-in-law tried to convert me but I quite stubbornly resisted. I'm not really sure why I was so anti but there you go.

And then I got pregnant with Garrett. Now I don't know if pregnancy hormones permanently reconfigure your brain but I got a severe nesting urge near the end of my pregnancy and really its only gotten worse from there. I sewed a bean bag chair, valances for two rooms, skirts for my girls and now...well I make all my girls leggings because Madilyn is a bean pole with long legs and nothing fits her and if I'm making them for her I might as well make them for Emma.

The funny thing is when I told my mom about my sewing there was silence on the phone. She was ready to call the police to start looking for the pod person who'd replaced her daughter. Jeremy wants to know what happened to his other wife, you know, the one that refused to sew. And the in-laws try not to giggle when I bore them with tales of my sewing antics because really thats not exciting conversation but I can't help myself.

Anyway, its my newest hobby. I can't wait for my next project. If I ever find my camera I'll post some pictures of my latest sewing projects:)

30 Posts - Post 19 my dream job (if money was no object)

2011-06-18T20:41:00.001-07:00

Opera singer. Yup.

My voice naturally leans towards the coloratura soprano stuff and it would be awesome to be paid, even if it wasn't much, to sing.

And I would want to sound like Beverly Sills, a fabulous coloratura soprano. (I'm totally happy with how I sound but you know just sayin'.)

Really you should listen to her here.

30 Posts - Post 18 my dream house

2011-06-12T21:25:00.001-07:00

After spending 7 years in a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment my standards for a dream house are much more modest than they once were. At one point it would have definitely included an indoor gym and sound proof music room/library. But now I will admit that my house we live in now is truly quite dreamy. A fabulous yard, a basement/garage for Jeremy, and huge playroom for the kids and a fantastic view of Mt. Rainier. Is it perfect? No. I did not dream about the small closets or the bathroom that is the size of a closet or electrical outlets that are so old they only take two prong plugs BUT I am getting to raise my children how I dreamed that I would.

30 Posts - Post 17 my worst habit

2011-06-12T21:17:00.000-07:00

My children have all had cradle cap. I check Garrett's hair like a monkey and try to get the cradle cap out. I try to get it out with a comb. If you ever see me doing it, which I hope you don't, I'm not checking for lice.

Saturday Well Spent

2011-06-06T21:22:00.000-07:00

30 Posts - Post 16 a favorite food

2011-06-02T19:31:00.000-07:00

Am I from Idaho? Yes. Do I love potatoes? Yes. Am I a potato snob? Yes. Coincidence? I think not.

30 Posts - Post 15 celebrity crush

2011-06-02T19:27:00.000-07:00

This is a tough one because in general I don't crush on celebrities. I never had posters of anyone hanging in my room or anything like that. The closes that it comes is Matt Damon I suppose. I mean he's cute right?

30 Posts - Post 14 some place I want to go

2011-06-02T19:23:00.000-07:00

This relates back to Post 2, I want to go to Austria and do the Sound of Music tour. Yup, I'm that nerdy.

Boat!

2011-05-31T23:03:00.001-07:00

A couple of weekends ago we went out in boats. My brother-in-law lives on Lake Tapps and let us use his canoe and some other kind of boat with a motor. It was fun. Garrett now thinks Chris is the greatest Uncle in the world.

30 Posts - Post 13 a talent of mine

2011-05-24T22:02:00.000-07:00

I am going to say singing. Not a big surprise to anyone that knows me now but I think to someone who knew me ten years ago that would be a bit of a surprise.

I've always loved to sing. Always. I used to sing into the gear shift of my dad's pickup when I was a little kid. I could carry a tune but it wasn't anything special. I did musicals but I was always the character actor because really I couldn't sing well enough for anything else.

I took a voice class in college that changed my life. I've taken private lessons since then and discovered I actually had the voice I always wanted it was just hidden away where I had to work for it.

30 Posts - Post 12 something I bought recently

2011-05-23T22:04:00.000-07:00

Yes I skipped posts 10 and 11. I have no scanner so no photo from 10 years ago. I have no pictures of me because I'm the one with the camera. AND yes I bought myself a wrestling singlet. No not really. Its a triathlon suit. I'm doing my second one in June.

Funny thing is they are kind of expensive but through a 50% off sale and Jeremy's dividend at REI I got it for $23. Unfortunately its an extra large...soooooo I'm going to have to take it in. Hopefully there will be no wardrobe malfunctions!

30 Posts - Post 9 pet peeves

2011-04-22T21:43:00.000-07:00

Oh, there are so many.

People that try to prove their knowledge or expertise to others. If you really are an expert everybody is going to be able to tell without you pointing it out.

It irritates me.

And, tonight especially, I hate losing. A lot. (My basketball team lost tonight so now we're out of the regional tournament.) Is that a peeve? Probably not.

30 Posts - Post 8 something I crave

2011-04-21T21:14:00.000-07:00

Cadbury caramel eggs

30 Posts - Post 7 a piece of art

2011-04-20T22:04:00.000-07:00

So this isn't a great picture of the painting itself and truly its not that great of a painting. But... awhile ago I tried to make a watercolor of a compilation of Emma's drawings. These are all figures she drew when she was about 2. Its not a masterpiece but it makes me smile and oddly enough I get a little teary when I look at it.

Chrysanthemum Cupcakes or Madilyn's Birthday

2011-04-15T18:46:00.001-07:00

Madilyn wanted flower cupcakes for her class. Thanks to Celeste and Sandi for the idea and for helping me make them.

Madilyn posing in her new pinafore. And the men folk putting up the curtains to her new 'stage' up in the play room. I really love that room.

Spring Break: Mesquite!

2011-04-07T20:41:00.000-07:00

Since we were in Disneyland we figured we might as well hop in a car and drive over to Mesquite to visit Jer's grandparents. Why not? Good times with family and loved the 80 degree weather.

Spring Break: Disneyland!

2011-04-07T13:54:00.000-07:00

Spring break was awesome. Disneyland with the Parsons family. So much fun. So many kids. So many rides. So many princesses. Sooooo not enough sleep. (And yes Emma did fall asleep on Jer's shoulders.)

Mt. View Elementary Talent Show

2011-03-24T22:44:00.000-07:00

Madilyn came home one day and told me she wanted to be in the school talent show. I asked her what she wanted to do. She said, "I want to hula hoop to the song Lollipop." Well, she did it. Great song choice. And thanks to my sister-in-law for loaning us the costume from her stash.

30 Posts - Post 6 a fun fact about me

2011-03-23T08:29:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure this counts as a fact but while in college I once ate an entire jar of peanut butter in less than 24 hours. It wasn't the 18 oz. either.

Needless to say, it was the only thing I had to eat and I didn't eat peanut butter again for about 6 months.

30 Posts - Post 5 favorite quote

2011-03-22T08:53:00.001-07:00

I can do this. I can be brave. I don't need my mommy...and I love you. - Emma

30 Posts - Post 4 a Favorite Book

2011-03-20T09:53:00.000-07:00

The Book of Mormon is really my favorite book. What other book can you learn something new, feel spiritually uplifted, and ponder the meaning of life each time you read it?

But I also wanted to include my other favorite book (at least for now) -

The Host by Stephanie Meyer

30 Posts - Post 3 20 favorite things

2011-03-19T13:14:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer - Like my inspirer (is that a word?) Heather, really my favorite things are family, friends, and my Savior Jesus Christ but I'm going completely superficial on this one.

1 - chocolate (oh how I wish it wasn't so!)
2 - singing
3 - playing volleyball
4 - playing basketball
5 - watercolor painting
6 - sewing
7 - upcycling vintage clothes
8 - running shoes
9 - shoes in general
10 - books
11 - writing
12 - fixing my girls' hair (they hate it)
13 - sleeping in until 7:30 (for the record it happens about once every 6 months)
14 - Stargate SG-1
15 - Star Trek
16 - Betty Neels
17 - lifting weights
18 - Beverly Sills (Could I please sing just like her?)
19 - blank books (think of all the things you could fill them with!)
20 - library

30 Posts - Post 2 a favorite movie

2011-03-18T21:41:00.001-07:00

Easy peasy. Always has been, always will be.

30 Posts - Post 1 a favorite song

2011-03-17T19:08:00.000-07:00

Now I'm regretting this decision. Music is such a big part of my life I'm having a very difficult time deciding. Honestly there isn't one song that's ever been my favorite because different songs are my favorite for different things.

I'm cheating I'm listing two because well...its my blog and I'll do what I want

Child of Mine and So Glad it was You both by Carole King oddly enough.

Every time I hear these its like she says exactly my thoughts and feelings in a simple, pleasing way. Unfortunately she isn't that great of her singer. In fact her voice is slightly irritating (and off pitch occasionally) but her songs and lyrics are so good that I gladly overlook those technical problems. Its especially shocking because most of the time I'm a beat person (I firmly believe there are two types of music listeners - lyric and beat but that's a different post entirely).

2011-03-16T20:58:00.000-07:00

My friend Heather is in the process of doing this and it looks like fun so I'm doing it too!

30 Posts

Post 1 - a favorite song
Post 2 - a favorite movie
Post 3 - 20 favorite things
Post 4 - a favorite book
Post 5 - a favorite quote
Post 6 - a fun fact about me
Post 7 - a piece of art
Post 8 - something I crave
Post 9 - pet peeves
Post 10 - a photo of me taken over ten years ago (hmmm not sure I actually do that one)
Post 11 - a photo of me taken recently (or that one)
Post 12 - something I bought recently
Post 13 - a talent of mine
Post 14 - some place I want to go
Post 15 - my celebrity crush
Post 16 - a favorite food
Post 17 - my worst habit
Post 18 - dream house
Post 19 - dream job (if money was no object)
Post 20 - a hobby of mine
Post 21 - a favorite recipe
Post 22 - a favorite joke
Post 23 - a video
Post 24 - my day in great detail
Post 25 - a favorite phot
Post 26 - a funny (true) story
Post 27 - a child I love
Post 28 - a place I love
Post 29 - a person I love
Post 30 - hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days

List - Children's Book Authors I Adore

2011-03-02T21:28:00.001-08:00

These lovely people, whomever they are, have made reading to my children a joy. Madilyn is beyond most of them now but I can still talk Emma into readying them.

Dr. Suess - I mean really how can he not be on this list. My personal favorite is the 'pale green pants with nobody inside them'.

Jane Yolen - How do dinosaurs...etc. with wonderful illustrations. I once read a young adult book by her...she has an unhealthy fascination with dragons/dinosaurs.

Jane O'Connor - Any of you 'boy only' families probably don't know her but Fancy Nancy speaks to my frou frou little girls like no one else. Its really worth reading yourself as a mom because she's so over the top.

Barbara Park - Junie B. Jones is the funniest kindergartner I've ever read.

A.A. Milne - Not only do we love Pooh Bear, I have a poetry book of his that the kids love.

Shel Silverstein - Two words Runny Babbit, just saying it is funny.

Mo Willems - who is currently my favorite. The girls are too old for most of his stuff but I get it anyway because the illustrations and stories are hilarious. My favorite - Can I Play Too?

I love books.

The Winter of '10-'11

2011-02-13T08:33:00.000-08:00

Will this winter ever end? Here the beautiful Northwest winters aren't all that bad, in my opinion. I prefer the rain and 30-40 degree temps here than the snow and below zero winters I grew up with in Idaho. However, this winter feels likes its thrown me to the ground and then stomped on me again and again and again. It has nothing to do with the weather.

Its illness. Someone in my family has been sick since OCTOBER! This is not an exaggeration. Emma alone has been to the doctor with 4 ear infections in 2 months. She is now scheduled for surgery to have ear tubes put in again and her adnoids taken out. Coughs, colds, fevers, vomit, aches, pink eye, and one very strange case of ring worm (which isn't a worm by the way, its a fungus).

As the mother of three children I can handle the illness. What's killing me is the lack of sleep. Sick kids don't sleep well. Which means Jeremy and I aren't sleeping well which means, at least for me, I've had a terrible time staying well myself. And poor Madilyn has been coughing, the hard croupy cough, for three weeks. I'm heading into two myself.

I try to stay away from others when we're sick. I don't take the kids to the library or the play place at the mall so we don't spread our germs. But I'm apologizing now to anyone who may run into us from now until about June - I'm coming out. That's right we're leaving the house with our snotty noses and smokers coughs. We can't stay well but we can't stay house bound for 3 more months either.

I'm sorry. Germs are coming your way.

Together We Can...

2011-02-07T21:02:00.000-08:00

The PTA Reflections contest theme 'Together We Can...', didn't start out too promising. Madilyn wanted to take pictures of something. Her automatic response to the question, Together We Can, was 'make money'. Now I'm not artsy fartsy or anything but I didn't see a lot of potential for photos with that. So I let her think on it for a couple of weeks and we tried again. Below are the four pictures she entered in the contest.

She did a little cropping on a couple of them so the entries looked a tiny bit different than these but close enough. Two of her pictures were chosen to represent her school in the K-2 division in the school district (the first two pictures). Both pictures were finalists and one was chosen to represent the Puyallup School District at the state level. I'm not sure which of the first two was chosen as they haven't sent back either of them yet. The state judging takes place in April.

Last Friday Madilyn came home, as proud as she could be, with two giant ribbons. Since starting school, she has struggled feeling like she is talented at something. I'm not sure why because as mother I see talent everywhere including places it probably isn't. Its given her confidence in herself and now she wants to try out for the school talent show...hula hooping... to Lollipop. We'll see how it goes.

All is Well

2011-02-01T10:18:00.000-08:00

We took Garrett to a burn center yesterday. Oddly enough we were referred to one in Tacoma but they didn't have anyone physicians in yesterday so they sent us to Harborview in Seattle. They are FABULOUS. I have never had a better experience at a doctor's office before. Attentive, helpful, and nice. (I can't tell you how many hospital visits have left me loathing the human race.

As it turns out, the burn isn't as bad as we thought. Yes first degree burns up his arm, but we treat them pretty much like a sun burn. Second degree on his hand and fingers that we keep wrapped simply to keep them moist.

They were so reassuring. Pretty much, they made us feel like it wasn't that big of a deal, which considering what they must see on a regular basis it probably isn't. Plus they said when they see burns from a wood stove they are usually a lot worse than his.

So all is well. He'll be fine. He probably won't scar.

BONUS - He's slept through the night the last two nights. (He doesn't normally do that.)

Days Like These

2011-01-30T22:26:00.000-08:00

I hate days like today.

I was getting the kids ready for church, about to fix Madilyn's hair when Garrett came over crying. I put him on my lap and rocked him but he didn't calm down. Then he reached for his blanket and I saw his arm. He'd fallen against the fireplace and the skin was hanging off the back of his hand.

I ran it under cold water while trying to call Jeremy on the phone. He was already at church for meetings. Turns out he didn't have his phone on him and no one at the church answered any of the three numbers I tried. Meanwhile, Madilyn with Emma following, ran and got the first aid kit and was getting band aids (I didn't even have to ask she just did it.). But we were beyond band aids.

I am so blessed that my in-laws live 5 minutes away and were at my house within 3 minutes of my call. Celeste took the girls and Richard drove us to the emergency room. Jeremy showed up at the hospital not long after we got there.

He has 1st and 2nd degree burns from the back of his hand up to his elbow. He's doing remarkably well with it wrapped and otc pain medications. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he'll sleep through the night.

BUT days like today remind me to love my family a little more, hug my children a little tighter, and remember that we're watched over.

2010 - A Year in Review

2011-01-23T07:12:00.000-08:00

Yeah I know its coming a little late but I've accepted that there are somethings I will not be punctual on like blog posts and Christmas cards (actually I decided not to send those at all this year) and save the punctuality for important things like getting Madilyn to the bus stop. In general I don't think its necessary to do a year in review because its a blog right? You can just go back and read the entries to see what happened.

But this past year was a 'special' year. A defining year, if you will, in which our lives changed and will never be the same.

Two things.

First, fire. Yup. No surprise there. Your apartment building starts on fire and gets condemned and life changes. But I think what changed my perspective the most was the way the fire made me see the love of the Savior for me and my family.

For example, in the first few days after the fire it was stressful and surreal. Luckily our insurance company paid to have people come in and pack up all our things, clothes and all. Sounds great, and it was, but it was extremely hard to watch complete strangers packing up all our belongings - the junk, the personal, and the private. As it turned out the ladies who packed up our things were members of our church who used to live in the same ward we do now and knew Jeremy's dad. It was one small tender mercy but it brought a peace of mind we sorely needed. So many things similar to that happened all throughout our 'fire' experience. Friends and neighbors, some barely acquaintances, offered help and support that we never expected.

People are good. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us. Something bad can usher in something good.

Second, Garrett. True he wasn't actually born in 2010 but he started it at 5 months old, when his personality really started to shine. I don't know how to explain exactly what he has done for our family.

He is sunshine.

He is joy, happiness, and laughter simply by being himself. We were happy before he came but looking back I can see we were missing something I just didn't realize it was two feet of car-lovin' boy. Madilyn said to me once, "Garrett makes everyone in our family happy." Yes he does.

2010 was different. Hard, frustrating, but good.

Start the Day Off Right

2011-01-15T22:56:00.000-08:00

Here's how my Saturday began -

4:45 am - Jeremy gets up
5:10 am - Jeremy leaves for youth temple trip
5:30 am - Emma wakes up and wants to sleep with me
6:30 am - Garrett wake up and comes to sleep with me
7:15 am - Madilyn wakes up and wants to lay next to me - Here's how the conversation went
"I want to lay next you."
"Honey I already have kids on either side you'll have to get a blanket and lay by my feet."
"I don't want to lay by your feet I want to lay next to you."
"You can't but you can lay by my feet."
"No I want to lay next to you."
"Sooooo, what do you want me to do?"
Silence.
"I want to lay next to you."
"Get a blanket."
"No." Madilyn starts doing her wind up for throwing a fit, feet start stomping, shoulders shake.
"Madilyn go to your room if you're going to throw a fit."
"I don't want to."
"I don't care if you don't want to, go!" (This was in a loud whisper mind you because the other two were asleep.)
More jigging and wanting to lay by me. Finally goes to room to start crying and screaming at the top of her lungs "Why do I have to be in here! I don't want to be here! I want to lay by you! Why can't I lay by you! I'm scared in here!" Over and over until Emma wakes up. Then Madilyn comes back into my room not whispering at all.
"Why can't I lay by you?"
"Because your brother and sister are already laying by me. Do you want me to kick one of them out?"
"Yes. I want you to kick one of them out."
"I'm not going to do that. Go back to your room."
"Why can't I lay be you!"
Emma's now awake so I get out of the bed and Madilyn runs back screaming to her room. I march in and give a not very nice lecture. Garrett's now awake and crying. Madilyn is crying and screaming. I shut her door which makes her scream louder.
7:25 am

Awwww, starting the day off right.

List - Guilty Pleasures

2011-01-04T20:41:00.000-08:00

fruit snacks - I can't buy them for my children because I eat them all...in a day.
any show with 'star' in the title - Star Trek, Stargate, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, etc.
Betty Neels romance novels - a little known harlequin author who happened to write 130 books that are almost all the same and yet I can't stop reading them
pencil sharpeners - I don' know why either.
blank books - Can you have too many? I think not.
video games - Its like the fruit snacks, I don't have many games because I can't have many games.
thrift stores
fabric - There I admitted it. Even before I started sewing I always wanted to buy it for something.
library - How can you not love the library? Everythings free!

There you go. I can't help myself.

Christmas 2010

2010-12-29T20:11:00.000-08:00

Ahhhh, Christmas. It was a good year. A quiet one at home with Jeremy's parents and his sister Celeste. A few highlights - this is the first year that I made the girls Christmas pajamas. I had planned to make them for everyone else but after I made Jeremy's two sizes too big there wasn't enough fabric left over for Garrett or myself. Woops.

We acted out the Christmas story on Christmas Eve. And again this year we had two Mary's and two babies' Jesus. Not quite accurate but I think having happy kids is better than complete accuracy at this point. Garrett was a shepherd boy, Jeremy was the inn keeper and I had a costume on but I don't think I actually played a part except to get everyone else in their costumes.

And the picture of popcorn on the floor, that happened a few days before Christmas when we were making presents for a few friends. I knocked off almost all of the popcorn right in the middle of making caramel popcorn. Yup, good one, but on the bright side Garrett enjoyed it before I got it cleaned up.

The Stockings are Hung From the Floor Lamp with Care

2010-12-19T22:06:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas time. I'm not a humbug...but I'm not a serious Christmas decorator either. We've debated whether or not hanging stockings from the fireplace is really wise. We use it for all our heat so its always going. (We're a little paranoid about starting houses on fire.) The girls hung them from the floor lamp while we have been debating and I suspect that's where they'll stay. For some reason I think I should be bothered by it but I'm not.

Our tree, which is one of the nicest ones we've ever had, looks a little odd. The ornaments are slowly working their way up to the top as we attempt to keep them from Garrett's curious hands. Our nativity set which in our apartment looked cool IN the fireplace has landed on the mantle, again to stay out of curious hands...but it looks out of place. We can't find two boxes of Christmas stuff, which means all of our lights and few other things are MIA.

I guess that's what happens when you move unexpectedly...or when you move on purpose for that matter. Everything feels a bit discombobulated (biggest word I've every blogged). So our first Christmas in an actual house has me scratching my head as to how I should make it look...more...Christmasy.

Uh, and I put pictures of two of the kids because they're so cute. Little monsters.

That I Might Remain Humble

2010-12-10T22:42:00.001-08:00

This isn't the first post that revolves around my children keeping me humble and I am sure there are more to come. I spent the day out and about visiting relatives, going to dinner, hitting IKEA. I had dressed nicely. You know fixed my hair, applied make up, the works. At the end of the day, as Madilyn is heading off to bed she says to me "You could wear that shirt and be a clown."

Yes, apparently I wore a clown shirt all day thinking I was looking pretty fashionable. She had no ill intentions behind her words but there you go.

Woohoo, New Computer!

2010-12-06T21:58:00.001-08:00

I finally got a new computer, which means I can finally download my pictures from my camera. Quick flashback to the last couple of months...in no particular order.

List - I'm Thankful For

2010-11-28T21:13:00.000-08:00

I've been so distracted by sickness that I really didn't think a whole lot of what I'm thankful for at Thanksgiving, sad but true. Ugh, even writing it I feel terrible but it happened. I or at least two other members of my family have been sick for the entire month of November. Yup. Good times had by all. BUT now that I'm feeling better I'm doing my grateful list (It doesn't include everything because that would be a crazy long list. Plus some things I'm grateful for are too personal to post on a blog).

10. Sunny days, Rainy Days (as long as I don't have to go out in it for long), Snowy Days - They're all beautiful in their own way.
9. Thoughtful People - You know, the ones that let a mother with three children, two of which are crying, go ahead of them in the line at the grocery store.
8. My home - Its perfect for us and even though its not ours I love it.
7. Wood stove - It makes everything cozy.
6. Cherry Jam - Oh my goodness its like cherry pie in a jar. Yum!
5. Music - I seriously can't help myself. Sometimes I'm singing along and don't even know it.
4. Books
3. Laughter - It really is the best medicine.
2. My big family - All of them. My parents, brother, mother and father-in-law, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.
1. My little family - Jeremy, Madilyn, Emma, and Garrett. There are not words to describe my feelings for them. They range from barely controlled anger to the most tender devoted love. My life would be empty without them. They give me purpose, laughter, and make me want to be a better person.

List - The Kids Have Won

2010-11-10T07:31:00.000-08:00

They've watched so much tv in the last week that they've memorized the cartoon schedule.
You let your 6 year old go to school wearing an outfit that looks like she got dressed in the dark.
You eat macaroni and cheese for more than one meal a day.
You eat peanut butter and jelly for the other meal.
Halloween candy becomes an acceptable between meal snack.
Clean rooms are a thing of the past.
Clean house is a thing of the past.
Clean dishes are relative.
Watching your 15 month old eat off the floor you think, oh good I don't have to get him another snack now.
You feed them chocolate cake for breakfast.

In my own defense, we're on week two of fevers and ear infections.

On Turning Thirty

2010-11-02T13:22:00.000-07:00

To be real honest, it hasn't bothered me to be turning thirty this year until about two weeks ago. I've been looking back at my twenties and, really, I've accomplished all the things I had planned on like graduating from college, getting a job, getting married, and having children.

But a couple of weeks ago, my voice teacher suggested that I enter a certain young artists competition. The day I looked at the information was the day the applications were due. I needed to have 5 songs, at least 2 languages, memorized and ready. This year it just wasn't going to happen. But, yes, you've guessed, next year I would be too old. I'll no longer be considered a 'young' artist.

Suddenly turning thirty became something inhibiting.

More than anything I think it made me realize I am leaving behind my twenties. I'm not the youngest one at the party. I'm not the new kid in town. I've been through childbirth 3 times, been through 4 Young Women presidencies, and two productions of The Savior of the World amongst other things.

And after a couple of rough days I came to the conclusion that it's ok. I'm ready. I hope I'm wiser and don't make quite as many mistakes but chances are there a some big ones coming. A few opportunities are gone but there are so many more ahead of me.

Bring it on Thirty.

Can Anyone Tell Me?

2010-11-01T16:00:00.000-07:00

Can anyone tell me how some random blog is now showing up on my blog updates? It isn't on my list, nor do I know these people. I'm sure they are lovely but how do I not follow their blog when I didn't sign up for it?

Be Still My Geeking Heart

2010-10-19T20:27:00.000-07:00

Stargeeks unite! I checked this book out from the library and I'm giddily geeking out. By reading it means 'reading' the show. Reading like how my communication (not communications, I could spend an entire post on the difference between those two) professors taught us to 'read' a speech, essay, tv show, or film.

Yes, its scholarly articles written about one of my favorite shows. Character analysis, post feminist comparisons, and the discussion of role playing video games on society (no I have not participated in a Stargate role playing game. Come to think of it I've never played any role playing game ever.) I feel like I'm sitting in Prof. Owens class all over again, examining camera angles, lighting techniques, and character development.

And I like it. I feel like a young (ok not so young) budding scholar all over again. My critical senses have been reawakened. Plus it talks about Stargates place amongst the sci-fi greats like Star Trek and The X-Files. Now that's something I can get behind.

List - Movies Part I

2010-10-18T20:43:00.000-07:00

Movies I can (and do) watch over and over and over and over and over...

10. Remains of the Day (ok not over and over but at least once a year)

9. Star Trek (the new one)

8. Hook

7. White Christmas

6. Star Wars 4-6

5. Star Trek (All the other movies)

4. While You Were Sleeping

3. Mystery Science Theater 3000 The Movie

2. The Sound of Music (I had a summer growing up where I literally saw how many times I could watch it in one day. Three if you're wondering, four if no one had come home and made me shut it off.)

1. Galaxy Quest

I know I'm a little one or two sided, sci-fi or romantic comedy but I like what I like. What's your list look like?

Are these four year old feet?

2010-10-18T20:03:00.000-07:00

My little Emma turned 4 this weekend. She went to go see Toy Story 3 (at the $2 theater) and then had a party complete with princess cake.

A few words about Emma...first take a look at Notable Quotables and you'll see that 85% of them are from Emma. She's has her own unique way of seeing the world and occasionally lets the rest of us see through her spectacles. She likes to cuddle, princesses, stuffed dogs (probably because we won't let our kids get a real one), books, drawing, coloring, and learning new things. She's an amazing builder. I know that sounds weird but the things the girl can do with blocks is fun to watch. She wants to be just like her older sister which has worked out well for her home preschooling. I guess she figures since Madilyn can read so should she. She's started basic reading and math mostly because she loves to learn.

She's a bit psychotic about flies (fruit flies) or anything that buzzes but considering she got stung twice this summer I can't blame her. I love this sweet girl and can hardly believe its been 4 years since she came into our family and we're so glad to have her.

Scream, Thunk!

2010-10-11T20:56:00.000-07:00

That's what Jeremy heard at 4:00 this morning. Emma came in our room and needed to go to the bathroom. I sat on the edge of the bed and stood up to take her when guess what? My leg was asleep from my hip down. It was like there was nothing there and I went down hard. I didn't really crumple up it was more like 'timber!' I let out a startled gasp (could be categorized as a scream) and then hit the ground hard. I floor burned my toes.

Jer jumped up and was rightfully worried about me laying on the floor. But I told him what happened and to please take Emma to the bathroom. In the meantime I crawled into the bed and laid on my back until the feeling came back into my leg.

The Corn was as High as a Three Year Olds Eye

2010-10-08T22:03:00.000-07:00

We planted a garden this year. It didn't work out exactly as we'd planned. Mostly because with moving into our house there were so many other projects to get done the garden got in late and was then neglected. As you can tell from the two foot tall corn stalks, dead potatoes, and squash we couldn't find in the weeds. Our only success was the tomatoes. (Uhh, the sun was in Emma's eyes and she wouldn't look at the camera.)

Did you know?

2010-10-08T21:55:00.000-07:00

When the commercials say that concord grape juice tastes like concord grapes they really do! We have concord grapes in our backyard. They taste just like the juice...or the juice tastes like the grapes. Anyway, we eat'em off the vine.

Haircut!

2010-10-06T21:18:00.001-07:00

Sigh...It was time. Her long beautiful hair was becoming a source of more tears. We don't need anymore of those. Monday it came off. Actually I wished I would have had it cut a long time ago because she looks so cute.

There are reasons...

2010-10-06T21:06:00.000-07:00

...that I despise cooking. Take the latest example. We got two good sized zucchinis from our garden. I decided to make a double batch of zucchini bread. I've already got half the recipe done when I try to peal the zucchini. Hard as a rock and yellow inside. Hmmmm, I called Jer because I couldn't remember what zucchini was supposed to look like inside. Just so you know, not yellow and mushy.

Luckily the recipe I was using said you could substitute banana or carrots. Perfect! I think because I have 4 mushy bananas on my counter. So I start squishing them. I come to find out that one of them is so bad its liquidy. Yeah I know gross. Now I'm down to three bananas, not enough for my double batch. I read somewhere that you can use baby food carrots in recipes that call for shredded carrots, so I tossed a couple jars of baby food in too. And while the recipe said it needed to cook for 35 minutes turns out 25 was plenty. Grrr.

Yes I made banana carrot muffins instead of zucchini bread. THAT is why I hate cooking. Lucky they're pretty tasty. Emma showed them off for me.

Modeling

2010-10-06T21:01:00.001-07:00

Madilyn was in a fashion show at the local church bookstore. She came out early to strike some poses for me. Garrett, Emma, and I waited in the car until the show started. Garrett drove.

Together We Can... (Another long Notable Quotable)

2010-10-06T09:06:00.000-07:00

Is the theme for the annual Reflections contest at Madilyn's school. Kids can choose to do a project - drawing, story, music, film, etc. - on this theme. I asked Madilyn if she wanted to participate. She said sure. So I read her the theme:

Me - Together we can...

Madilyn - make money.

Me - Make money? Really.

Madilyn - Yeah.

Me - So what category do you want to enter into?

Madilyn - I want to take pictures.

Me - What will you take pictures of?

Madilyn - Money.

Her artistic vision is astounding. I'm not sure what this says about her but I'm sure the people who review her entry will wonder what kind of parents she has. Money grubbers.

Tale of the Attacking Spider

2010-10-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

I was walking up the sidewalk to my back door when I saw a somewhat sizable black spider crossing ahead of me. I thought I'd wait for him to cross then go on my way. Then the little heathen sees me and starts charging! I am not kidding. Running right towards me as fast as it could. I'm thinking that's kind of scary. I wonder what kind of a spider attacks a human like that. Then I stepped on him and decided I really didn't care. (Note that I was going to let him pass on his merry way. He picked the fight but I ended it.)

In his brave yet futile honor more pics of our foggy, dewy mornings.

National Sewing Month

2010-09-30T21:41:00.000-07:00

September was national sewing month. So here were my projects. I couldn't figure out how to rotate my pictures...or I was too lazy. Take your pick.

Two cloaks for Halloween (there's only one pictured but their identical so you get the idea.)

A pinafore for Emma's birthday.

Not pictured is a garbage bag for my car but its cold out and I didn't want to go take a picture.

All this massive sewing (I realize its not that much) has been to much for my machine which is now broken.

Fun Run

2010-09-30T21:28:00.001-07:00

Anuual Fun Run time. Madilyn ran 15 laps in 1 hour - thats 3.75 miles. That's a lot considering she spent half her time talking to and running back and forth between her friends. She was awesome and we are proud of her.

Notable Quotable

2010-09-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

This one was too long for the side bar.

Emma - How long does it take for a dog to die?

Me - What?

Emma - How long does it take for a dog to die?

Me - What?

Emma - How long does it take for a dog to die?

Me - A dog to...what...where...ugh...where did you hear that?

Emma - Madilyn was asking daddy.

Me - Oh. Honey Madilyn was asking how long it takes for paint to dry.

Emma - How long does it take for paint to dry?

Me - Depends on the kind of paint. Probably a day.

(Long pause)

Emma - How long does it take for a dog to die?

Children

2010-09-23T14:52:00.000-07:00

Oh why? Oh why?

I love them so much and yet I think they're trying to do me in...slowly.

I got up this morning at 5:45 thinking that would be enough time for me to exercise uninterrupted before the kids got up.

5:50am Garrett was already making noises when I came into the living room.

6:00am Madilyn was up and laying on the couch.

6:10am Emma is up and laying on the couch and asking me questions about food.

6:15am I finally give in and go get Garrett who's now getting agitated.

All I wanted was a little quiet pilates. Is that so much to ask?

To be like Dad

2010-09-18T23:13:00.001-07:00

He found it in the living room and couldn't leave it alone.

Cobweb Morning

2010-09-18T22:56:00.000-07:00

A fine title of one of my favorite author's books. We had one, a cobweb morning. Love'em. (Although it did reveal all the cobwebs outside and that freaked me out a little.)

Where and When Do You Dream?

2010-09-12T20:46:00.000-07:00

I mean in your actual dreams where are you and when in time? I ask simply because I am almost always on the farm/house where I grew up OR I'm at my high school. My dreams always include people I grew up with but hardly ever people I know now. Many of them I haven't seen or talked to since I graduated. And like all dreams, they are mixed up with my reality now.

For example, I can't get to basketball practice because I need someone to watch my kids so I'm wandering around the high school trying to find someone to watch them. Or I've dropped them off somewhere and when I get to practice I've forgotten my shoes.

I can go around in circles about why I dream what I dream but I'm more curious if anyone else has similar place and time recurrences as I do.

Anyone?

List - Girls Night Out

2010-09-09T12:13:00.000-07:00

Why I like Girls' Night Out:

When you say, "Don't you hate it when..." at least two people at the table know exactly what you're talking about.
dessert
You get put on your nice clothes that you don't want the kids to stain.
You can talk about the after effects of childbirth without scarring anyone for life...or maybe you still can.
You get to go somewhere without ANY children. (The silence in the car is AMAZING.)
You realize there are other moms who start to go crazy at home with their kids.
You don't have to put the kids to bed.
dessert
You don't have to gulp down your food so you can leave before one of the kids starts crying and/or breaks something or someone.
And lastly, you don't have to share your dessert with anyone unless you want to!

First Grade and No Looking Back

2010-09-03T20:37:00.000-07:00

I sent off a sassy six-year-old to first grade yesterday and it left me wondering where my little girl went. Little Miss Independent didn't want me to drive her school, she didn't last year either though. She was excited, ready to go, and already loves first grade. I, however, got teary-eyed.

Oddly enough, last year I didn't cry at all. It was a relief to send her off for a few hours. But this year its all different. She really is gone ALL day. And her friends influence is becoming stronger and stronger and I keep wondering if we've prepared her to make the right choices. I keep having conversations with myself like this - "We told her cheating is wrong right? We told her that? She knows what cheating is and she'd not supposed to do it?"

I'm taking deep breaths and...thats about all I can do. Say my prayers and trust her.

You Know You're Getting Old When

2010-08-29T20:57:00.000-07:00

You try to buy new clothes but when you're at the store looking at the racks you can't figure out how one would wear the clothing. In fact, I began to wonder if I was in the right section and IF these really WERE clothing items - where on the body does it go exactly?

Straps, buckles, folds, and tucks where's a simple t-shirt when you want one?

Camping Part II

2010-08-29T20:25:00.000-07:00

Since we had such a successful campout last weekend we decided to give it a try again this weekend. This time however we slept in a camp trailer. We pushed our luck. I do believe the words, "Write this in your journal kids because I am never taking you camping again, " came out of Jeremy's mouth. It didn't go so well....But Garrett had a great time in the dirt again. And there was a bright spot when we played by the river.

Soooo, I couldn't find my camera for most of the trip even though I brought it. These are pictures from the weekend before. I figured since it was almost in the same place I'd just post more pictures from the successful campout:)

Camping or Boy; a Noise with Dirt

2010-08-24T20:59:00.000-07:00

We went camping this last weekend. All the good stuff hiking, trees, mountains, glacier, lake, flowers, bugs, dirt...all that camping stuff.

The kids loved it, especially Garrett. He literally laid on his stomach in the dirt and rubbed it around. The highlight of the trip was Garrett crawling around (and over the top of everybody) in the tent at bedtime and growling for 45 minutes; apparently camping brought out his wild bear-like side.

Good Times Had By All

2010-08-22T14:43:00.000-07:00

I'm a little behind on my blogging, but like everyone else its been a busy summer. The last week of July one of my best friends from college came to visit from Washington, D.C. We visited our alma mater, the University of Puget Sound. Dana is pointing at the obelisk in the center of the quad with our graduating year, 2003. (I would have put my own picture in there but somehow I was doing almost the exact same pose and it looked obscene.) Not sure what happened there. I took a pic of the giant pendulum in the new science building as we eavesdropped on a high schooler getting a tour with his parents.

Anyway, we also visited Point Defiance Park and MSM deli yummm.

Later in the week, Dana, Karli (another of my UPS roommies) and I went to Seattle and had dinner at Tango. Dana had heard they had the best dessert in Seattle, El Diablo. We tried El Diablo (sauce on the side) and yes it was the yummiest dessert I've ever had in Seattle. (Unfortunately I don't eat in Seattle that much but it was awesome.)

Yes as we used to say at the Princess Palace, it was 'good times had by all'.

Official Declaration of War

2010-08-17T13:13:00.001-07:00

Dear Bees on our property,

I have tried to stay out of your way; let you make your honey and pollinate our plants and flowers while we go about our various outdoor activities. I must inform you all, from the lowliest worker to queen bee, that I am declaring war for the following reasons.

Three members of my family have been stung
One of them twice
The twice stung member was already scared of her own shadow and is now terrified to leave my side when indoors or out, greatly increasing my own psychological stress.
Above said member and myself have received physical harm when tripping over each other because of above said distance between ourselves at all times
Two of my children will not go outside to play. at all.
Buzzing sounds cause chaotic screaming
Sleep patterns have been interrupted by dreams of giant bees and tennis rackets

For the above mentioned reasons I will now be killing bees on sight no matter how docile they appear for the protection of my own family. I realize that I am vastly outnumbered but frankly I do not care anymore. Die bees die.

Most regrettably,

Stacey (the crazy lady with a tennis racket)

PS - Your honey isn't even worth it.

List - Bee 2, Emma 0

2010-08-12T10:29:00.000-07:00

My sweet little 3-year-old Emma got attacked by bees last night. Attacked may be too strong of a word but when I heard her scream not two feet from me there were 3 soon to be 4 bees on her face. I brushed them off but they came back and I could see more bees out of the corner of my eye so I grabbed her and ran, yelling at Madilyn to run and yelling at Jer to come and help me because I was sure they were going to chase us down and I had to get Garrett. So all 5 of us were running through the yard, Emma screaming and Jeremy trying to figure out what was going on.

In the end only one stung her on the side of her head but, as you can imagine, it scared me. Plus they were bumblebees which usually aren't aggressive. It may have had something to do with the jelly smeared all over her face.

But really my question is...why? What is it always Emma? Here's my list of ailments for her since birth -

Ear infection - lasted three months and survived 5 antibiotics
Ear tubes at age 6 months
Recurring pink eye
Recurring impetigo
Recurring digestive problems
Surgery to remove and patch holes in ear drum because the tubes wouldn't fall out
Broken leg
Bit by a dog
Bee sting
Bee attack

If its going to happen, its going to happen to Emma.

List - Clothesline

2010-08-09T13:55:00.001-07:00

I'm in love with my clothesline.

Grandma
Clothes smell great
Cost less than the dryer
Get through the initial washing faster
Pants stay stiff for hours after you put them on (I think this is a pro)
Sheets
Comforters dry quickly
Its an excuse to go outside for a few minutes
Lots of exercise
I can threaten to hang Madilyn up by her toes from it when she annoys me. (She knows I'm kidding.)

There's something about hanging laundry on the line that makes me feel connected to my grandma, like I'm participating in some time honored or tradition or other such nonsense. Maybe it gives me an insight into her life that I never had before or maybe it just makes my clothes smell like hers did, either way I love my clothesline.

I love this boy.

2010-07-25T21:36:00.001-07:00

My little man turned 1 this weekend. He has been such a blessing in our lives. Madilyn once said to me, "Garrett makes our whole family happy." And that's exactly what he does. He loves his family and shows it by giving hugs, taps, slaps (not so funny), and rolling over the top of us. As I try to write about him I feel silly. How can I possibly express the joy this special boy has brought to our home? Our family is better, happier, and more complete than it was a year ago. He makes us laugh when we want to cry and makes coming home a treat.

Plus we had the greatest 1 year old party ever. He loved all his toys, clapped when he opened his presents, and did a jig when he got a car rug. Plus he nearly knocked over his grandma crawling to the kitchen for cake.

We love you!

List - MST3K

2010-07-18T20:13:00.000-07:00

Every family has a movie that they all laugh about but no one else really gets it. Today I dedicate my post to Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K) The Movie. I have never laughed as hard as I did the first time I watched it. For those of you who haven't seen it, a guy and two puppets watch B movies (usually sci-fi) and make fun of them. Its awesome. So my list is my favorite quotes from MST3K the Movie.

"Could I love him more?"
"Hey some guys legs are hanging out."
"Eat at Joe's. Eat at Joe's. Eat at Joe's."
Neeeeeroooooooom (that's the sound of car passing by)
"Noooooo!"
"Why he has a giant hamburger on the wall."
"Quick let's escape under the cover of afternoon in the largest car in the county."
wshkwshkwshk (that's the sound of whispering)
"Should we be watching this?"
"Who put the can in the middle of the room?"

Here's to you MST3K.

Someday was July 3rd - I Tri'd!

2010-07-13T21:13:00.000-07:00

I checked another off of my 'Someday I'm Gonna' list (that's me before I did the thing). July 3rd at 8am I did a triathlon - 1/4 mile swim, 14 mile bike, 3.1 mile run. Now I had hoped to do it with my best friend from college, Karli, but she chickened out...ok no she didn't she's already done one, really she's 4 months pregnant so a no go for her.

I did it in 1 hour 45 minutes. I was planning on putting up some actions shots of me actually doing it but I looked like a 40-year-old smoker. Apparently doing swimming, biking, and running early on a Saturday morning does NOT make you look like a super model.

Just for the record, I hate biking. A lot.

How big is your slip-n-slide?

2010-07-09T21:51:00.000-07:00

I love the 4th of July. We had a good one, plus my best friend from college and her family spent the weekend with us. AND, added bonus, Jeremy put a 100ft. slip-n-slide in our gently sloping yard. It was great.

Poor Emma, that's how she spent most of the 4th. Not a fan of loud noises.

Is that not the coolest slip-n-slide you've ever seen? We only had one person go off the end into the trees.
Love it!

Someday was May 27th

2010-07-08T21:32:00.000-07:00

That is the view from my living room, its more amazing in person.

You may or may not have read my "Someday I'm Gonna" list here on my blog, but I have checked off one of my gonna's.

We have a house.

We don't own it we're only renting but I figure that counts anyway because its been such a long time coming.

We have an amazing view, huge yard, and lots of space. Its everything I imagined it would be plus more housework!

So here's pics of the girls room, the view from Garrett's room, our guest bedroom (mostly I put it up because look at all that empty space, isn't it wonderful!), the funky fireplace, and my favorite room of all the play room.

List - Family Reunion

2010-06-27T21:53:00.000-07:00

Family Reunion Favs

Playing golf (the card game, not the one where you hit balls with a stick)
Eating fruit and junk food til I'm sick
Laughing til my stomach hurts
Girls morning out
Kids fishing in the gold fish pond
Yelling at the kids to get out of the goldfish pond
Yelling at the kids to stop throwing each others shoes in the goldfish pond
Yelling at the kids to stop throwing tableware in the goldfish pond
Yelling at the kids to stop pulling out the flowers around the gold fish pond
Watching all the dads trying to put the goldfish pond back together before we leave

I love family reunion, for real. It's too much fun and way to short. Love it. Love the family. Can't wait til next year.

Of swim goggles and eye bruises

2010-06-21T11:38:00.000-07:00

So I'm doing a triathlon in less than two weeks. Because of the fire and moving to a new house my training schedule has been a bit off. I swam laps for the first time in about 8 years this morning. I thought it went pretty well until about 2 hours later. I noticed some purple marks under my eyes. Uh-oh, I think, I didn't get all my makeup off so I wash my eyes. But the marks are still there and to my horror - oh yes I did - I had my goggles too tight and gave myself black eyes.

Take a moment to laugh because yes its funny.

Now stop and see how mortified you would be if it happened to you.

AND the good news is they're fading.

Note to self - loosen the goggles.

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-20T22:02:00.000-07:00

Yay for dads' day. Thanks to all the dads in my life. To my dad who is the most unique individual I know and one funny guy. To my Father-in-law for his kindness. To Grandpa's-in-law who treat me like one of their own. To my own grandpas who've all passed away but remembering them still makes me smile.

To Jer for being a great dad that loves his family. I'm blessed to have them all in my life.

Yay Dads!

What to do on a rainy day

2010-06-19T21:46:00.000-07:00

I have nothing to say about these pics other than he could possibly be the cutest baby ever AND I changed my background again because it seemed appropriate because it is now June 19 and summer is still not here. It's still raining. It's still wet. It's still muddy.

Oh summer where are you?

List - Our House

2010-06-17T22:10:00.000-07:00

What I Love About Our House

Mt. Rainier outside my living room window
4 bedrooms
Playroom
Linoleum in the dining room
Front yard
Back yard
Arched doorways
Food storage room
Wood Floors
Its not an apartment!

I'll post pictures soon.

Life Goes On

2010-06-17T21:37:00.001-07:00

And our lives have finally moved on from the fire. We're in a house. The internet is finally working. Annnnd, my computer is mostly functional. Here's pics of what we've been up to for the last couple of months.

Just so you know, we did not live in a cardboard box until we found a house, its the box from our couch. Jer made a castle for the kids.

We're hoping life can get back to normal now.

List: Things that Could Happen to You Cause it Happened to Me

2010-05-17T09:19:00.000-07:00

Have to have your earring holes surgically removed
Fall down brick stairs
Get toothpaste in your eye while loading your toothbrush
Walk into a street sign
Get locked in a bathroom stall in a restaurant, unable to open the door (OK that didn't really happen to me but it did happen to my mom. I was there. Unfortunately I refused to get help because I was too embarrassed. Give me a break I was like 15.)
Cut your OWN eye with construction paper while wearing glasses
Kidney stone
Have your daughter break her leg while sitting on your lap
House burn down
Watch a teenager get hit by a car in the Fred Meyer parking lot (they were being idiots) and then refuse to get help (the kid refused not me)

Be careful. It could happen to you.

Movies I Wished I'd Never Seen

2010-05-13T21:05:00.000-07:00

Red Planet
Talladega Nights
Land of the Lost (or whatever that movie was called with Will Farrell)
The Land Before Time II or any of the sequels
Return to Oz (like the first one wasn't scary enough)
Miss Congeniality 2
Where the Red Fern Grows (cried like a baby when we had to watch it in class in 3rd grade)
Gremlins (I'm still scared of the dark)
Barbie Swan Lake
Dumb and Dumber

There are others but these stick out. You?

List of Last Week

2010-05-05T17:35:00.000-07:00

Top Reasons I Haven't Blogged

Fire
My computer won't download pictures from my camera
My computer is a pile
My computer is a pile
My computer is a pile
My computer is a pile
My computer is a pile
My computer is a pile
My computer is a pile
My computer is a pile

'Nough said.

Trekkies Unite

2010-04-22T22:14:00.000-07:00

For Mom

Reasons I Love Star Trek

I loved watching it with mom.
Spock
"Boy that sure looks uncomfortable."
Its fun to make up words to the theme song
Good always defeats evil
Humpback whales save the world
Smart, brave women
They talk science and even if its made up...I get it!
I always wanted to be an explorer
"I have been and always will be your friend."

You may have to be a trekkie to understand it all.

Mom posted her list to my comments and I wanted to share her Star Trek list too. Thanks Mom.

Reasons I love Star Trek:
1. James Tiberius Kirk
2. I remember how fun it was to watch with my mom.
3. Because it is so much fun now to watch with my daughter.
4. Because anything is possible in sci-fi.
5. Because I love to see the friendships between the characters.
6. The earth seems like a better place.
7. Spock and Data make me laugh-and remind me uncomfortably of myself.
8. Because I once wanted to be an astronaut.
9. Because I can remember reading my first science fiction book and dreaming I was there on Mars.
10. Because Trekkies understand each other.

Birthday Week

2010-04-19T09:07:00.000-07:00

Birthday week for Madilyn last week. She turned 6 years old and according to her she's the youngest in her kindergarten class except for one boy so she's really glad to turn 6.

Here's a picture of the cupcakes Celeste and I made for her to take to class. (Picture complements of Celeste since my computer is a pile.)

Here's the masterpiece that Celeste decorated forMadilyn's birthday party.

Ok now the story of the birthday week. We couldn't actually celebrate her birthday on the day because Celeste, Jeremy, and I had to be somewhere nor could we do it the next day because her grandpa had a commitment so we celebrated it the next day. BUT she got a present and took cupcakes to class on all the days she wasn't celebrating her birthday. AND the day after the party she got to take Peter, Celeste's rabbit, for show and tell. THEN on Saturday we took her and three friends to see How to Train Your Dragon. (Good show, a little intense for kiddies, Emma won't be seeing it.)

That's the birthday week in a nutshell. I think she liked it all.

A word about Madilyn. She's a special girl. She loves all things girlie - sparkles, glitter, butterflies, hearts, dresses, skirts, flowers, dancing, singing (not that those two are exclusively girlie). She likes to dig and play with worms...until they fall apart. Her laugh at its loudest (trust me its loud we don't call her foghorn for nothing) turns into an infectious cackle. She has an intensity about life that is all her own. Her happy highs keep her bouncing off the walls and her saddest lows are heartbreakers. She talks enough to make even the most attentive person call for back up. Her creativity and imagination make our lives exciting and unpredictable.

We are so blessed to have this sweet, creative girl in our family. We love you!

List of Lists

2010-04-16T09:59:00.001-07:00

This thing posted and I didn't know it. Now I'm finishing it.

My list for the week, is a list of the lists I want to write.

Reasons I love Star Trek.
Reasons I love Stargate SG-1
Why kids are better than having pets
Why (on occasion) pets are better than having kids
Driving styles
Best Movies
Best Authors
Best Children's Books
Movies I wished I'd never seen
Perks of having your apartment burn down

Letters to a Missionary

2010-04-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

The girls wrote letters to their Uncle Philip who is serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Curitiba, Brazil. Above are Emma's pictures she drew. Below is Madilyn's letter. In case you can't read it, it says "Dear Philip. Are house burned down. 6 others burned down. We stole your room." That's our life in a nutshell.