A Break

Hi all! I've come to an epiphany of sorts. I feel at times like that plate spinner who has too many plates spinning and can't decide which plates to spin at what times. Hhmm...maybe not the right analogy. Anyways, I've decided it's time for a break. There's things in my life I've been neglecting and things I've been focusing too much on and it's time. It's time for me to have fun. And so, that means that instead of taking the time to blog, I'll be out riding bikes or making cookies or just playing with my kids or going on lots and lots of dates with my husband or going to the park and swinging on the swings with him because if there's one thing I've realized, time goes by way too fast and then I'll be looking back thinking "I should've....".

So, keep me informed on your life, cause I'll be checking up, and occasionally I'll let you check up on mine. Much love!

Crafty Stuff

Pretty original title don'tcha think?! Sorry, it's the end of the day, I've been through 2-1/2 hours of teaching piano, cooking dinner, taming children (not ever really possible) and my brain is broken. So, that's what ya get.

Today Kendal and I spent some quality time together crafting. I had bought some knee-high socks and was going to make her some baby legs for Christmas, but never had enough time to get them done. So today, we sewed them up. They turned out so cute and only took about 5 minutes.


I love this picture of her. If you don't know her, she is all kinds of sassy! And I love it! This is usually how she poses when you tell her to smile for the camera. Aunt Moo, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

I had also bought some iron on appliques so we did those today too. The cupcake on her shirt is one that I had bought intending to do something SO cool for Christmas, but while I do talk big, I don't have four arms to get everything done that I talk about. She helped me iron that on and it took all of 60 seconds. She was mostly excited that it matched the baby legs she had just helped me make.

Then, because I had more appliques that I bought with good intentions, we finished those too. We made these for my brother's (Travis) son, Landon. I think they turned out so cute! Again, 60 seconds for each one. I can't wait to see him in them.


These are crayon rolls that I did do for Christmas. One night I stayed up and did 11 crayon rolls. Holy moly, it took forever! Those crayon rolls are deceiving! They look so easy (granted they are), but it just takes a while to sew all those lines. I did these for Derek's sisters kids. I used velcro instead of ribbon because I figured with four kids, she would hate me if she had to tie them up all the time. They turned out cute. I wish I had bought more of the monster material because it's so cute and I haven't found it again. Now that Christmas is over it's time for me to get started for next year. I should get started now so I can get it all done!

Expert fish killer for hire!

Today I did the unspeakable. I killed all seven of my kids' pet fish. Not on purpose, it was purely accidental! Derek hadn't cleaned the fish tank out for awhile so I thought I'd do him a favor. He's been so busy with school, work and church that I thought I'd surprise him and do it for him. I cleaned out the tank, put them in and one by one they floated to the top. Honestly, I don't know what I did. I called to tell him and he had the nerve to suggest that I killed them on purpose. I may not like them, but I wouldn't do that. Mostly because I hate explaining the whole circle of life. "Your fish were born, they lived happily at Wal-Mart until we brought them home and mom KILLED THEM!!!" I already know how that would go and I try to avoid situations like that at all costs. So, if you have any pets that need eliminating, just let me know. I do the best job around!

It's Christmas!! Finally!

Can you all believe that Christmas was just a few days ago?! (Just go along with it, I'm trying to make myself feel better about being a slacker.) It was so great. I made this handy collage to show you all and for some reason, I didn't take any pictures Christmas day. So, you get decorating the tree (day after Thanksgiving), Christmas Eve, and Santa and reindeer footprints. Next year I'll do better.


So, let me explain the pictures. Yes, we do have three trees. I started this tradition about three years ago. I took some little clothespins and spray painted them with red paint and glitter. Then, I took a few pictures (plus or minus twenty) from the year and printed them out. Then, we hung them up. Every year, I print out a few more of things that happened throughout the year and we hang them up. The kids love it because they each get a tree to decorate with their pictures and they love looking at the pictures and remembering what they did that year. It's pretty sentimental and tons of fun!

Christmas Eve, Santa did things a little bit different. He knew that on Christmas morning we were going up to Dereks work to help serve breakfast to the kids there, so he wrapped all our presents. We thought it would be great to let the kids learn about service and what better day to serve than on Christmas. Before we left, and after we read the story from the Bible, we let the kids open 2 presents each (we weren't THAT cruel). Santa did a great job and picked out just what the kids wanted. Kendal got lots of Barbies and Brandon got games for the Wii. Spoiled rotten if you ask me!

The last pictures are of reindeer footprints and Santa's footprints. Every year, we make a reindeer food concoction of oats and Christmas sprinkles. The reindeer love it! The come every year and eat it all and leave their prints so the kids know they were there. This year, Santa must have gotten a little dirty with all the road construction. Poor guy!

So, in a nutshell, that was it! Tons and tons of fun and not too many pictures (oops)!

New Year, New Rules

As I was laying in bed yesterday, taking a nap, feeling SO guilty (and not just a little bit, my guilt doesn't do little) because there was a list of about a million things I should have been doing, I made up some new rules for myself. Our friend, home teacher therapist taught us about "Governing Purposes". Don't worry, I'm not going to get all crazy, therapy girl on you! It's really simple, you decide who or what you want to be. For example, I want to be a good mom who takes care of her kids and her family. Now, when you go to make a decision, you decide if that falls under your "Governing Purpose" and if it doesn't, you don't do it. Laying there in bed, I really thought about this nap and the guilt that was overtaking my mind. Now really, how many of you feel that guilt? I know I do on a regular basis. I think it's because I feel I have to do and be it all. And if I'm sleeping, I'm not being all I can be (in the army). So, I thought really hard about the nap and decided this... I took a nap because I wasn't feeling well. And, if I'm not feeling well and don't take the nap to rest up and get myself better, and I get sick and can't take care of my kids, am I doing what my "Governing Purpose" is? No. So, I decided that part of being a good mom and taking care of my kids and family is taking care of myself. So, if you can't get a hold of me some time don't be surprised if you stop by my house and I'm passed out in bed. I'm just taking care of myself!

Oh, and we're going to try to adopt a baby this year! After 3-1/2 years, we decided that instead of paying the money to go to an infertility clinic, buying pills, medicine, etc, (our insurance doesn't pay for any of it) we'd put our money away and do it this way instead. So, put out some good thoughts and prayers for us. We're venturing into unknown territory, so anyone with any experience is welcome to weigh in. I'll completely take advantage of your knowledge!

And... I'm going to run the Seattle Rock & Roll Marathon with Derek in June! I started off with my one mile today! I'll get there or die trying.

And... I'll post Christmas, when my "Governing Purpose" tells me to! That may not be for awhile, but I'll let you know.

Vote For Dinosaur Caleb

My nephew, Caleb, is trying to win tickets to go see Walking With the Dinosaurs. He's got a great roar, it's so authentic! He needs all the votes he can get, so head on over to vote for him!

http://www.abc4.com/ugc/cat/dinosaur/xhKwqU5n80KKH1qiJfk2uA.aspx

I'm still here!

Yes, I am still alive. When I have a few hours time, I'm going to update. But for now, I've been working on Primary stuff (I'm the chorister). New year, new theme, new songs. I've come up with a bunch of fun stuff that we're going to do and I decided to share. So, head on over to my new blog and check out what our primary is doing.

singingasongisfuntodo.blogspot.com