A New Addition

You'll notice over to the right a little, there's a new addition to my blog. It's called a Swag Bucks widget. I found the Swag Bucks site through Couponing to Disney. She's using coupons and rewards to save for a trip to Disney. I'm not that adventurous, I'd just like to have enough Swag Bucks earned by October to pay for Christmas. But I need your help to do that. Just think, if you help me earn enough Swag Bucks, you can feel like you had a hand in buying my kids' Christmas. Think of all the warm fuzzy feelings you could have. All you have to do is this:

Click here: Melip

You get three free Swag Bucks and so do I! Awesome huh!

All you have to do to earn Swag Bucks is to use their search engine to search. Just think, each of us search probably a few hundred times a day, now, you get rewarded to do it! You never know when you'll win one, but if you search through Swag Bucks, you could earn at least 4 a day and have your Christmas paid for too!

This is my only goal for this year.
I figure I should start small.
Start with one attainable goal and work my way up.

If you don't want to sign up, then don't.
If you're offended that I'm promoting this, well....tough luck for you!

Getting Old

This morning, I spent an enormous amount of time doing something that I thought I wouldn't be doing till I turned at least...AT LEAST 50....pulling white hairs out!

Not even gray! White!

I spent about 15 minutes on one because it was just a little too short to grab...darn thing!

Now, my arms are a little sore from all that exercise.

Getting old is certainly not for the faint of heart. So, in honor of my getting old I've decided to get a new hair-do. Dye, cut, everything! Here's my options:

What do you think?

Red or afro?

I'm really not quite sure...hhmmm...

Let's take a vote!

Let me know which one you think I should go with to cover up my white hairs.

Most creative answer wins!

What do you win?

My admiration for having an amazing imagination!

National Lampoon's Christmas Light Contest

Hi all! I'm moonlighting over at The Caffeinated Chef for awhile.

Come join us for the best and worst lights of the season.

We post every night between 8:00 and 10:00 pm.

The bonus is that we go out and look for the best and worst lights so you don't have to.

Here's my pick for favorite of all time.

Enjoy!

Randomness

Wow! It only took me two days to figure myself out! And guess what? I'm incredible! {I'm totally tongue in cheek here!} I did remember that I like to sew. So, I've pulled out the 'ole sewing machine and will be attempting to do some cute Christmas gifts for some friends and family. I can't share though, 'cause it's a secret!

To get yourself in the holiday mood, head over to the Caffeinated Chef. He's doing a National Lampoon style Christmas light contest. Many, many years ago we had a neighbor whose Christmas lights were a little odd, so this contest is really in his honor. Hopefully you'll have just as much fun as we do when we go out looking at lights.

Yesterday, I got to spend about 45 minutes on the phone with some REALLY interesting people. Remember the Wal-Mart phone fiasco? So, it turns out that I had to call the third party retailer that Wal-Mart goes through, Letstalk.com. I came to find out that there are people out there who are more odd than me {and that's hard to do}. The guy I talked to made it clear to me and every person at Verizon {we had to talk to them too} that I signed myself up wrong. Because of course it could NEVER be a computer error!

And as we speak, my daughter is shaking Christmas presents trying to figure out what they are. So far, we have a brick, Picsos, beads, and a treasure chest.

Back to the story: Maybe I just need to be more humble and accept my role in the problem. Hhmmm....nope, not going to happen. Anyways, we're on the phone. I say we're because there was me, the Let's Talk guy, and the Verizon guy. And as we get transfered from one person to another, the Let's Talk guy gets madder and madder. Now, we're being transfered to our third person and he forgets that I'm still on there because while I can hear the Verizon hold music, I can also hear him in the background imitating an R-Rated movie. At this point, my head is pounding, I've been trying to get this fixed for about 35 minutes and I'm listening to this guy swear up a storm. As much as I wanted to lose it on this guy, I held it back {Oh! I'm patient!} and said, "Sir, I'm still here and I don't appreciate you swearing at me." There was a pause and a surprised, "What?" And I said again, "I can hear you swearing at me. And I really don't want to hear it." He apologized, was quiet, then disconnected {Thank heavens, he was making me crazy!} after he explained to the third Verizon person what I had done wrong that fateful day two weeks ago.

So, it might be taken care of, it might not be. If I have to call Let's Talk again, I'll need to remember to take some anti-anxiety meds before I get on. I might even offer some to the guy on the other line because apparently at Let's Talk, they really don't want to talk and they're slightly high strung!

Kendal just told me that she hopes we got her some good Christmas presents. What? A brick isn't a good Christmas present? If you want to know what that brick really is...well, you'll have to wait for Christmas just like the rest of us!

To the Universe

I'm reading the blogs today and I see a great one by my friend Marie. Where she vents and writes letters and probably feels all better at the end and I thought that was an excellent idea. Because, at the moment I'm feeling a little angsty and frustrated. So, in pure copycat mode, I present "To the Universe". Everybody join in  if they so feel inclined.

Dear Wal-Mart:

Wait, scratch out that dear. You are no longer dear to my heart. I am not a fan!

Hateful, hateful Wal-Mart:

How dare you entice me with 2 free Blackberry Storms and 2 free $100 dollar gift cards. And then, when I RENEW my account with my beloved Verizon, how dare you activate me two brand spankin' new phone lines without my knowledge. I did not click that I wanted a new account! I clicked that I wanted to renew my account! What the heck am I going to do with two accounts and four phone lines. When my 2 free Blackberry Storms come, I will deny! I will refuse! Your package will not darken my doorstep! And then, I'll call you to complain about my four lines! And make you cancel two. Or I'll make my husband do it. He's meaner than me anyway.

So there!
By the way, we are not friends!
Melissa

Dear, dear Verizon,
I love you. I especially love Erin, who is willing to take the smack down to Wal-Mart in my honor. Who got so justifiably angry {with Wal-Mart} when I asked why they were changing my number if they were just renewing my contract. Thank you for hiring awesome people!

I heart you lots!
Your very best friend,
Melissa

Dear Rude Book Fair Lady,

I do not appreciate you yelling at me in front of everybody. By the way, just a little note, I lived at the Book Fair that week! I ate, drank, and breathed Book Fair. I slept on Book Fairs front doorstep. And because I felt that closing out early on a Friday afternoon was okay by me {the one in charge} that's what I did. Next year, you're in charge! Good luck! You'll need it!

Oh, and by the way, how 'bout you stop calling the President to complain about me and my unprofessionalism.

Oh, and next time you stop in the Book Fair three out of the four days and wander for hours and not buy anything, it'd probably be in your best interest to buy something. 'Cause I'm closing early next year too!

Not Friends Ever, {But thanks for trying!}

Melissa

My dear, dear children,

Please stop wearing clothes, I can't keep up with the laundry.

Love,
Mom

Dear Family,

I'm buying paper. Hope you like picnics. I can't keep up with the dishes either.

Wearily,
Mom

Dear Leg Hair,

It's winter. Goosebumps hurt when you shave them off. Could you just stop growing?

Pleadingly,
Me

Dear Winter,

I hate you. I'm moving to Texas or Florida or the Bahamas.

Adios!

Family Pictures

I know I posted a few of these last week and I meant to post more but got a little distracted with life. So, here's the whole family and all our little quirks. Tyler, Travis, and Amanda are my siblings, and the rest are just awesome additions! Sarah Boling (Amanda's sister-in-law) did the pictures and she did a great job.

Lint Rolling Chickens

Today, Kendal and I were walking into the grocery store talking about chicken. We were having chicken for dinner tonight and she wanted to know all about how the chicken arrived to the point of us eating it. She asked if the chicken would have little feathers all over it. I told her they (whoever "they" are) get the feathers off before we eat it. She thought about it for a minute and then asked:

"How do they get it off? Do they use lint rollers?"

What a genius! Lint rollers would be less messy! They might have to be industrial strength though. But really, who would have ever thought you might use lint rollers to get the feathers off chicken so you could eat it? I sadly had to explain that no lint rollers were used in the de-feathering and instead other "fun" methods were used. I love how her mind works, always thinking about alternative ways to do things.

For another fun idea of hers, take a look at her "I can't clean..." post.

She's amazing!

A Record Breaking Day

I'd like to clue you all in to a little secret of mine...I'm amazing! Yes, I am. And let me tell you why I'm so amazing. Today, I broke a record. Now, for us mom's out there whose normal record breaking abilities are confined to how many load of laundry you can fold in an hour or how many forks you can stuff into the dishwasher, these extracurricular records are like manna. And today, I exceeded even my amazing abilities.

Me, little 'ole me, who can't get enough laundry, dishes, and house cleaning done in a day to be classified as a homemaker is now holding a coveted title.

I now hold the title of "Quickest Plasma Giver".

Ever!

In all of Southern Utah!

And maybe even the world!

Thirty-two minutes and I was done! They awed at my ability. The word spread like wildfire.

"Who did it in 32 minutes?"

"I've never heard of that!"

"I've seen 33 minutes before, but never 32."

As I left they pointed and whispered, in awe of my miraculous donation speed.

And as I rounded the corner to walk out the door, I heard the most beautiful compliment:

"She must be really hydrated."

New Pictures

We had our family pictures taken last week and I'm having a hard time deciding between a couple. What do you think?

This One?

Or maybe this one?

Or this one?

Just wondering if I could get a little help from my friends on the matter. It's been a little stressful trying to decide on my own. Weigh in below....please....for the sake of the family picture wall.

If Only It Were That Easy

I thought since school was out today it would be a great time for the kids to get their rooms cleaned.

This is what we found when we went to inspect Kendal's room for any hint of cleanliness.

"I can't clean anymore because I locked myself out."

Very good thinking my dear! Too bad I have a key.

Two Is Always Better Than One

Today, I wanted to give a shout out to my sister-in-law who made my day by making me laugh..and laugh...and laugh some more.

She is pretty awesome. She has four kids. A six year old boy, a four year old girl, and a set of two year old twin girls. And, for the cherry on top, she's due for a little surprise in November.

Her kids keep her very, very busy. The twins keep her extra busy and the other two only mildly busy. But she does it {with help from her awesome husband} every day over and over and over again.

So, in true tribute form, I wanted to share a few of my favorite entries of hers. Please, join me for a laugh.

{Click on the pictures to go to the entry.}

Let's start with March 9, 2009.
Oh, this can't be good.

Now, let's head over to March 29, 2009.

Only, 20 days after the last incident.
A skirt on the head is never a good sign.



Next up is probably my very favorite.
April 28, 2009
Not even a month since the last escapade.
Can't a girl get a break?

Apparently not.


Now, May 8, 2009.
Lisa, it looks like eights and nines are not your thing.
Best to stay in bed on those days.

The lego table is a frequent topic of discussion at large family gatherings.
Sorry, Lisa.


Here, September 9th, 2009 she gives us a run down of a few of her more memorable hair-pulling moments.
What a saint!
Twins are fun!


And lastly, today's entry.
I'm not going to lie.
I laughed.
For awhile.
I'm going to just give you a sneak peak, because the full horror of the situation might be more than you can take.
So, here you go.
October 14, 2009
{Looks like fours aren't your thing either.}

Lisa and Dave, we love you and we know that when you die, there will be a special heaven reserved just for you.

Where the pantries have locks, the couches don't have zippers and there are no Lego tables.

Bill and The Wheelchair Gang

This morning Derek came in early, about 5:50 and said his truck wouldn't start. It sounded like he was out of gas but he had a half a tank yesterday. So then I got to thinking and figured that someone had come in the middle of the night and siphoned the gas out of his tank {yes, I'm SO logical very early in the morning} and then I started to think about Bill and The Wheelchair Gang.

Bill was an older man and our next door neighbor in our last house. When we moved in, we didn't realize that Bill came with the house. He lived in the low-income houses next door and he wasn't allowed to smoke outside his own house {or he'd get kicked out}, so he'd park his wife's wheelchair {he could walk perfectly fine} outside our house and smoke. At first I was a little annoyed, but then we grew to love Bill.

Bill's wife was really, really sick so Bill would stay up nights to take care of her and sleep during the day. So, every night he'd park outside our house and smoke. What had become an annoyance became something we were grateful for. We knew that if anything bad were to happen in the middle of the night, Bill would be there watching to make sure we were safe. When we went on vacation, we knew Bill was there watching.

One time one of Derek's friends came to put a funny bumper sticker on his car late at night. Bill was watching and told him that he was going to call the police on him. Derek's friend had to come up and knock on our door to prove that he was a friend of ours. Bill was good like that.

A few years after we moved in, Bill was joined by two others. Each used their wife's wheelchair, none of them needed it. From that, the Wheelchair Gang was born. Parked outside, smoking lazily, they fought crime everyday. From little boys peeing outside to scary people trolling through the neighborhood they were there and we felt safe.

So, when Bill's wife died and he moved away, we felt lonely. For years I'd wished away the cigarette smoke and then when the Wheelchair Gang broke up I was sad.

Especially this morning, when I wished Bill was there smoking and watching.

Come Run With The Chef

I've decided to forgo our "Get Ready For Christmas Friday" for this week. I've been so busy, as evidenced by the mountains of laundry that have taken up residence on my couch {no, it's not for sitting on, that's where I store my laundry}, that I haven't even had a chance to look for awesome Christmas presents online.

So, instead I'm going to talk about my husband, The Chef. The Chef is running a marathon on Saturday. That's right! Twenty six point two miles. That is so long. Now, I had told him last year that I would love {that's right, love...what was I thinking?} to run the marathon with him. Sadly {or not} the doctor told me I had a strained lateral and right meniscus {that's a part of your knee that shouldn't be strained}. Sadly, I knew my days of being his running support {I really don't think I was much support} were over {darn}.

But, he is running! On Saturday! And the kicker? He's blogging about it from the race! While he's running! I AM the luckiest woman alive! My man can run AND blog. Take that all you non-blogging-runners! But, I really don't want him to be alone. So, take a visit {The DeCaffeinated Chef} and leave him some love. {We don't want him to be without love and have to be picked up by our neighbor, The Nurse, and brought in by truck. Embarrassing!}

{Oh, and I would really, really, really love it if any of you that wouldn't mind, would link to him too! For The Chef!}

"Get Ready For Christmas" Friday!

I'm looking at my clock and it's not really Friday, but luckily when you post it's an hour behind {I think} so just pretend like it's still Friday. I had wanted to post everyday this week but it's been so crazy and before I knew it, it was 11:59 Friday night and I hadn't even done my Friday post so here I am!

This week, I became obsessed with one thing that I want to make for Christmas:

Pettiskirts!!

Love, love, love them and I want to make a million. Look at all that fluffy fluff! I think every girl that I know {including myself} should have a pettiskirt. I think they'd be so cute with a pair of leggings underneath or some long funky socks. Think of the possibilities!

So, I researched pettiskirts this week. I found some great resources, and some not so great resources {paying over $80 for one}. They look really, really easy to make and cost almost next to nothing.

This link from Sew, Mama, Sew was great! Pettiskirts

They had lots of great directions and different sites you could go to depending on the instructions you wanted. They also had links to a few different places to buy nylon chiffon.

So, anyone in? I'm going to make a few and I think it'd be great if we all got together and did them at the same time. It'd be more fun that way! Let me know if you're interested and we'll pick a date!

Get Ready for Christmas Friday!

Last year I did the Economic Christmas Week. This year I decided to start a little earlier. That way we all have time to get our Christmas Gifts done and not stress when Christmas gets closer. Each Friday I'll post different fun gifts to make for those you love.

This week are gifts for the travelers in your family. We have a few of those in our family so I was really excited to find gifts just for them.

First, from Maya Made are these cute travel pillows. She has a tutorial on how to make them and they'd be perfect for boys or girls.

Next, also from Maya Made are these cute sleep masks. I wish I'd had a few of these when we went on vacation. Sleep mask time would have been mandatory. On her site she has a tutorial on how to make them. They look really easy and whoever you give them to would love you forever.


Or, instead of black and white you could substitute a cute pattern fabric. I found these on Etsy here.


Last, are these cute chalkboard placemats. They would be perfect for long or short car rides. They'd be even better for keeping the kids occupied when you stop to eat.

Little Birdie Secrets has an easy tutorial to make them here.


I found these on Etsy from Dine.n.Doodle and I think I'll incorporate a few of the things they have added.


Instead of oil cloth, I'll use vinyl laminate for fabric. That way I can match the pillow, eye masks, and chalkmats all together. I'll add a grommet for a cute ribbon tie and a little pocket for a piece of chalk. I'll also add another little pocket for a cute chalkboard eraser that I found on Maya Made.



Let's get started! Let me know how they turn out!

The Over Protective Parents Club

Today Derek decided to take the title of overprotective parent from me. I was more than happy to hand it over. In light of yesterday, he decided to head over to the school to stalk our child during recess. He invited me, but I politely declined with,

"No way, I don't want to see that again."

I'd seen enough social carnage yesterday to last me a lifetime. It's funny the things us mothers can and can't handle.

Blood, puke, pee, poop? Not a problem!

Seeing our own flesh and blood standing alone on a playground? I did not sign up for that! That's where I reach my limit.

So, Derek headed over to the school to make sure our son was being socially accepted by the older, bigger fourth graders. And if he wasn't? Heads were going to roll!

He headed to the school, and I headed over to give plasma. One form of torture per day, I say! A little while in and I get a call.

"What's he wearing?"

I gave him a description of the child needing over protection and he said,

"It looks like he's playing with a group of kids over by the fence."

I almost started to cry. He found friends! He wasn't destined to be alone forever!

"Oh wait, that's not him. Never mind."

Okay. Now what? No friends? Alone forever?

We hang up. I'm hoping and praying he'll find him with a big group of kids, them lifting him up on their shoulders, showering him with candy and flowers, thanking him for gracing them with his presence.

He called back a little while later. He found him and even talked to him. He said he was walking around the track {they have to do a lap each recess} by himself kicking a soccer ball. But, he was happy! He didn't care that he was alone, he was having a great time! And when he was done with his lap, he approached a group of kids playing "Helicopter, Helicopter" and asked if he could play.

And that's when I remembered one of my favorite things about Brandon.

His confidence.

He's the type of person that can go into a group of people and make friends with all of them. He's not afraid to approach people. And, he's not afraid of being rejected.

I forgot that yesterday.

I'm afraid of all those things and in my fear of him being accepted I'd forgotten that he's not me.

There is hope for him yet.

{Thank you everyone for your kind words and support. I appreciate it more than you know! Friends are the best!}

Wherein I Cry

It's been a rough week. I won't lie. I won't exaggerate. I won't even sugar coat it. It sucked. And the suckiness {if that's a word} is still going strong. Granted, I've had much rougher weeks, but it's been awhile so I'd forgotten to bring my A-Game.

Last week we had a meeting with some school district uppities. {They had the results of a test B had taken in 2nd grade.} While they looked us over like spoiled meat, we cringed, knowing they were thinking we'd stolen our oldest kid from some smart people, because how could he have come from us? They talked, we nodded; a little shell shocked to do much else. Among their suggestions on how to educate this rare oddity was to grade skip him.

We didn't know what to do. We didn't know what to say. This was new territory and we weren't Lewis and Clark. They at least had a compass and Sacajawea. We didn't have either and they really wouldn't have been helpful in this situation anyway.

So we talked to people. Most times, the response was positive. We met with a group of people who have their own rare oddities and they had awesome advice also. But when it really came down to it, the decision was ours. So, we did it. We decided as parents that we could not in good conscience not do whatever we could to help him progress. This wasn't a decision we took lightly. {I look a little zombie-like and I think if you tried to hold a conversation with me I might unwillingly nod off.}

And after it was decided, I cried. I knew it was right, but here I was sending my just barely baptized eight year old to the wolves. And then, all the negatives wouldn't leave me alone.

He'll be in a grade with kids 2 years older than him.
He won't have any friends.
They won't like him.
They'll pick on him because they know he's supposed to be in third grade.
They won't let him play with them.
He'll be alone.

Everything I read and everyone I talked to said he'd be fine. Heck, even the test he took said he'd be fine. But in my heart, I was scared. No child should ever have to feel alone and I certainly didn't want mine to feel that way.

When I walked him to class this morning and heard a few kids ask why he was there, my heart ached. When I left him and he looked a little smaller than them, my heart cracked. But, when I checked on him during recess and saw him standing alone, my heart broke.

As I stood by the lunchroom door crying silently, I questioned my once strong decision.

Was I wrong?
Was this the right thing to do?
Would he be ok?
Would he ever make friends?
Would he be alone for the rest of 4th grade?

The test said he'd be ok. Everyone I talked to said he'd be ok. Even my head said he'd be ok, but I couldn't reconcile that with my broken heart.

And still, I cry. Because I wonder.

I didn't say I was a genius...

*As an explanation, for some reason, sharing my stupidity with the rest of the world makes the whole situation a little easier to deal with.*


These are my new toys. Purchased for $100 each at Lowes. Yes, I said $100 dollars. Crazy eh? The washer was used and sounds a little noisy, but we're getting that fixed. The dryer, brand new, just discontinued, with the manual still taped inside.


We're loving them until it comes time to dry the clothes. We put them in, and wait. Five hours later our towels are dry. I call my mom and ask her if her front loader takes a really long time to dry clothes. Nope.

So, I try every configuration that I can, trying to get some warmth. Nothing. It is just cold air. So, I call Lowe's and talk to a really nice lady at Samsung who puts out a repair order. The repair lady calls yesterday and says that the guy will be out about 10:00 today. And, she adds in, that if it's just human error related to hook up and there's nothing wrong with it they have to charge us $60. That's fine, we say, because we've checked every possible configuration in the back as well as the front to try to get it to work.

So, when he showed up, shined his little flashlight in the back, and said to me,

"This is a gas dryer. And a gas dryer won't work if it's not hooked up to the gas."

I wanted to melt. I wanted to crawl in a hole. I wanted to disappear. I wanted my face, which was bright red from embarrassment, to stop flaming.

Now, you may think we are completely stupid, but really, we're not. We've never had a gas dryer. We had these for almost 13 years, and they're both electric.


We even read through the manual to try and figure out what could be wrong. There were no diagrams of gas dryers and how to hook them up. So really, we were just clueless.

After I stammered my way through explaining to him that we bought it on clearance and didn't even ask, and we've never had a gas dryer, and on and on and on.... {I tend to stammer A LOT when I'm embarrassed.} He said to me,

"I'm really sorry but I have to charge you $60 for this."

I knew it was coming, the punishment for our stupidity. As I wrote that check out, my stomach churned a little. Okay, a lot. And flashes of fun things I could do with $60 flashed through my head. Heck, flashes of unfun things {like groceries} flashed through my head.

As I handed him the check, I wondered if I could just shove him outside, snatch back the check, lock the door and pretend it was all just a really bad dream. But alas, I couldn't muster up the courage.

He left, I called Derek, and he laughed. I'm not quite there yet.

Brandon's getting baptized!

Brandon's getting baptized next Saturday and you're all invited! If you're reading this, this is your invitation to come and enjoy the wonderful spirit of a newly baptized member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. After, we're having a dinner at my parents house and you're invited there too! There will be plenty of food, so don't be shy! {It's not just for family!} We'll see you there! {If you need directions, give me a call.}

These Two Ladies

Today, my mom, brother, myself and our three kids {two mine, one his} decided it'd be fun to take a trip to Costco. Now, after reading Marie's blog entry from yesterday, I was a little hesitant to go and subject myself to the torture that would most likely take place.

Let me tell you, it would have been better had I stayed home. Although, I wouldn't have had the opportunity of buying lots of stuff for ten dollars a piece!

So, we're walking through Costco and we happen to walk by this older couple who are screaming at each other in a foreign language. I would have totally eavesdropped if I could have understood what they were saying. As it was, I can't update you on the nature of their conversation since I have no idea what it was about. The odd things that happen in Costco! But wait, it gets better!

After that, all was good till we got to the check out. There was a little misunderstanding and it was taking a minute to get resolved. In the mean time, this girl {probably mid-20's} and her mom {who are standing behind my mom and have really only been standing there for about 30 seconds} decide that complaining right into my moms ear is for sure going to help things along quicker.

So, for the next few minutes we hear:

"How long is this going to take?"
"This is taking forever!"
"It's not your fault mom. They should know the rules."
"Oh my gosh, this is taking so long."
"Mom, this is taking too long. You go get our food and as soon as they're done I'll be over there."

And on, and on, and on....

Now, I can understand that you're frustrated, but seriously! Making the people in front of you feel like the scum who walk under the scum of the earth really doesn't help.

And then, as I walk over to get the kids something to eat, there they are. Taking about us and laughing. And if you wonder how I know, what gave it away was the loud, "There she is." As I walked up to order food.

If my looks could make people burst into combustible objects I would hope that I did my job. If not, my brother took care of the rest. After I explained what happened, he was slightly agitated. Mostly about the fact that they were picking on my mom. Who is very, very sweet.

So, as we left the parking lot passing the lovely ladies on our way, he rolled his window down, made sure to get their attention and stuck up for my mom. As this is a family blog I won't tell you what was said, but it involved a certain finger and someone getting sick from a certain disease.

Yes, unlike how Marie handled herself yesterday, we were much more mature and grown up.

Brandon

Who knew that after 8 years, I'd love you more than the day I learned I was going to have you?

Who knew that you'd grow up to be so amazing?

So...

loving

caring
smart
giving
funny
friendly
confident
happy...

Everyday I'm astonished and amazed at what you know and who you are.

Thank you
for teaching me more than I ever thought I'd learn in such a short time.

I love you
and
everything about you.

Happy Birthday
Bubba Boo!

I'm sorry you had to spend it like this:

Back To School

By the time Thursday rolled around {the first day of school} the kids were ready! I think they'd had enough of me and each other. They were so excited to start school. Kendal especially. She was a little perturbed that she didn't go in the morning with Brandon and that she didn't get to eat lunch at the school. Eventually she was ok though, and we headed off to school.

Kendal has to have the obligatory silly face..or faces. One will not suffice. Take for instance last years pictures found here. It's just her though, and I love it!

Brandon's silly face. One will suffice for him.

Sadly, Brandon didn't quite have the most wonderful first day. That morning, we put his new shoes on, that we had bought about the 18th of July, and they were a little snug. I asked him if they were ok and he said they were comfortable. They felt tight to me, but seeing as how he wore flip-flops all summer {and you can't wear flip-flops to school} and his other shoes were all the same size, I sent him off thinking they'd be ok. About 1:00 he called me and asked me to bring him a different pair of shoes because his toes hurt really bad. I was at the school so I headed to his classroom to talk to him. I told him I didn't have any other shoes and asked him if he could manage for another couple hours. He said he'd be good and I left. When he walked into my mom's library after school, he had an enormous fat lip. Apparently he and another kid were trying to slingshot another kid with a jump rope and the jump rope slipped out of the other kids hands and smacked him in the face. Poor kid! And day 2 wasn't any better, but that's a story for later.

Kendal, though, loves Kindergarten and had a great time. Her teacher's so cute and I know Kendal's going to love her.

I though, am not loving having no children at home. It's so different and I feel a little lonely. I'll survive though and I'm sure I'll love having the extra time to myself in the afternoons. So, if you're not busy in the afternoons and are feeling lonely like me, let me know and we can comisserate together!

For Marie

Laundry: 2
Dishes: 0

Vacation, Days 5 and 6

Day 5

We drove.
We got lost.
We finally found it.
We swam.
We built sand castles.
We fortified the sand castles.
They got washed away.
We had fun.

Day 6

We swam.
A little girl asked me what the brown dots on my arms were.
Freckles were new to her.
We had a lengthy conversation about freckles.
Who knew?

{Once again...for your enjoyment!}
{I LOVE this picture!}

Really?!

Just watching a show on tv called, "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant". For real!? You didn't know you were pregnant? How on earth?! I just really can't believe that. Hhmm... Any thoughts on that?

Vacation, Days 3 and 4

On Monday, we decided to head over to Knotts Soak City. One thing we didn't know before going to Palm Springs is that it's just as hot as Hurricane and it's humid. So, we decided that it would be best if we spent all our waking hours in the water to keep cool.

We had tons of fun! I remember as a kid going to Wet and Wild in Vegas and I miss having a water park so close. The kids didn't even know what a water park was! They're so deprived! We got there about 11:00 and didn't leave until 5:00. My favorite ride was Pacific Spin. {I didn't take my camera, so I pulled some pictures off the internet.}


It was so fun! Here's the description from the web site:

"Riders of Pacific Spin will find themselves blasting down into a 132-foot long tunnel, then dropping a stomach-churning 75 feet into the mouth of a six story funnel. The ride’s distinctive 4-person cloverleaf shaped tubes hug the inside of the funnel as riders pitch back and forth in 5,500 gallons of swirling water. The thrilling escapade culminates in a waterfall splash that deposits riders into a cool catch pool below. This action-packed water adventure carries 700 passengers per hour at a maximum speed of 35 feet per second!"

The thing they don't talk about is that most of the ride is in the dark. Then you drop down {still in the dark} into the funnel. Poor Brandon, though! You had to be 48" to ride it, so Kendal wasn't tall enough. You had to have two people to ride, so Brandon had to ride with both Derek and I separately. On the last time going down the drop, we caught some air and we thought we were going to flip. After that Brandon looked at me and said, "I'm not riding that again!"

Derek actually rode this one. Not me though! I really don't have a death wish!


Both Brandon and Kendal's favorite ride was the Sea Snake. It's a tube ride that's completely in the dark. I went first {to catch Kendal because they wouldn't let her go with me} and was pretty scared. I thought for sure she was going to be scared, but she came out laughing and wanted to ride it again! That's my thrill seeker!

After a day of fun, the next day we decided to hang out at the pool again. We took our time in the morning and then headed out to check out some thrift store,. thinking we could get some great deals. And, we did! We found the Star Wars trilogy, some jeans for Kendal, and a South Beach diet book for Derek. Score!

After that we headed back to swim. We swam for a few hours and then headed to Rubio's to eat. {Love of my life!} After dinner, we headed back out to swim again. We had so much fun swimming! Kendal and Brandon have really turned into great swimmers! Brandon would put on his goggles and then go looking for treasures underwater. One time he found $11 and turned it into the lifeguard. I was so proud of him! Kendal would strap on her cute blue goggles and dive for rings or practice swimming across the pool. She did so good! We had fun swimming and I wish I had a pool in my backyard!

Vacation, Days 1 and 2

Day 1 brought us grateful that we arrived here in one piece with no one being left on the side of the road and no one being arrested for indecent exposure for peeing on the side of the road. Whew! We woke up, well, the kids woke up, we kind of stumbled out of bed, and decided we'd swim today. The place we stayed had an awesome pool area. They had two slides for the kids, one big and one little. So that day, Saturday, we spent all day in the pool, expect for the two hour nap we came back to the room for. Ah! Much needed!


Day 2 was the baseball game. Angels against the Yankees. It was so much fun! We went down to the front before the game to try and get autographs for the kids. There was a staff guy that Derek became friends with that was so sweet to the kids. He told Derek that when a player came over, he'd take the kids balls for them and get them signed.

They each got three signature on their baseballs and were so excited. After we got all the signatures, we headed up to the nosebleed section to find our seats. We specifically got them up high so we could be in the shade. I'm so glad we did, otherwise we would have been baking! It was hot!

The view from our seats. Good thing none of us were afraid of heights!

After the game the kids got to run the bases. The line wrapped halfway around the stadium (which we got to walk around {yes, the whole thing} because a certain person misplaced his sense of direction on the whereabouts of the car). Luckily, we were at the front of the line so we didn't have to wait too long. It was hard to get a picture because they kept us moving along. They also had people stationed around the grass so people wouldn't step on it. Derek, the rebel, stuck his toe on the grass when the security guard wasn't watching. That was the highlight of his day!

All in all, it was a fun day at the ballpark.