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

An Economic Christmas, Day 4

Well, I'm very sad to say that we have come to the end. I know you were all loving my so-consistent posting, but I've got about 12 orders of vinyl waiting and a whole bunch of sewing to do (anyone want to come over...with your sewing maching?). But, I wouldn't leave you without giving you more cool things I found. And, if any of you made anything I showed, I'd love to see it. So, leave me comments and/or links to your blog. I know I have a few sisters-in-law who made some skirts, so show them off! I can't wait to see!

I think I've saved a few of the best things for last.

First, hooded towels. I found them on littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com (I love that site).

I'm going to find some cute hot pink bath towels for Kendal and dark blue ones for Brandon. I'm going to scout out the ads to see who's having the best sale on big, huge, fuzzy, soft towels and head on over. I'd love some cool retro towels though, so if anyone knows where to find those, let me know. These look so easy and I think you could add some things (ric-rac, ribbon, buttons, etc.) to make them super cute!

Second, are these cute pillowcases. Again, Little Birdie Secrets helped me out.

My kids love personalized anything and something with Princesses or Star Wars would make them so happy. They'd also be a great, cheap gift for friends or family. I'm going to try to find some flannel to do them out of because I think that would make them even better.

Lastly, is something I found over at madebypetchy.blogspot.com. Isn't she awesome?! This cute dishtowel apron is adorable.

My kids love to help their dad cook. I don't and can't cook. The last time I tried to cook I added 2 cups of salt instead of 2 cups of sugar and he (Derek) promptly kicked me out of the kitchen. I'll take care of this awesomely cool blog and leave the cooking to him. Anyways, I found these and am going to make a couple so they can cook in style.

Thanks, everyone, for all your lurking. I know you're there because my site meter tells me you are, even if you don't leave me comments. But, I want to see what everyone made, so leave me comments and links to your blogs so we can all admire!

An Economic Christmas, Day 3

I'm sorry, I'm sorry! My apologies to my 2 or so readers. The last two days were so hectic and busy that I didn't have a chance to update.

I promised you boy gifts and I'm here to deliver. Although I didn't post, I spent many hours looking for things for the boys. So here it goes.

The first thing I found is pretty dang awesome! As a kid I would have loved this. Now, I'm not sure how fun this would be to get out of your carpet, but check it out!

It's called Oobleck. I found the recipe on www.skiptomylou.org. Here's the recipe. I think It'd be a great idea to throw some in a cute Christmas container with the book that goes along with it, "Bartholomew and the Oobleck" by Dr. Suess. It would also be great to give to your kids' friends. I'm sure they'd love it. It's one of those presents that as a parent you'd hate to get but would love to give just to torture the other parents. 'Cause that's what it's all about, right?

Next, is something that we as a family have an awesome time with. We found these at Peach Days in September and bought one for everyone. (This one's not ours, we have ours painted cool colors, I'm just too lazy to take pictures.)


Every so often we go out and have big fights. Derek always wins. Mostly because I'm a wuss and he's full of hot air! Don't tell him I said that! :o) Every family needs a couple of marshmallow guns! Even the girls. The ones we bought were spray painted different colors. These would be easy and cheap to do. Here's the instructions.

Next are these cute felt monsters. I found them on littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com. Here's the instructions. The idea is that you have your kids draw a picture of their favorite monster and then you translate their picture into a cuddly creature.


My idea was that one night for family home evening we'd each draw a picture of our monster and include it with our letter to Santa so that for Christmas he could bring each of us our monster. They look so cute and really easy to do. I can't wait to see what my kids come up with!

While I was looking around, I found this great website called madebypetchy.blogspot.com. She is an amazing seamstress and I found a few things I wanted to do.

First are these shorts. She says they take ten minutes. For me I'm sure that's 10 minutes give or take an hour. I think they'd make great pajama pants or even shorts to play in. Very cute and hopefully easy!

Second, are these freezer paper stenciled t-shirts. I fell in love with the cute robot on this shirt.

I think it would be a great idea to personalize a t-shirt for your kids. What kid wouldn't love a t-shirt made just for them?

Lastly, is this ipod case holder. My kids are each getting their own cd players from their meema for Christmas and I wanted to make something that they could keep it in so it wouldn't get ruined. I found this and I think I could modify it to work.

Again, cute and easy. I also have to wonder where she comes up with the time to make all her cute stuff! I think she needs to come to my house and start sewing!

So, there's some stuff for boys and a few things that could work for girls (sorry boys you don't get to have all the fun). Tomorrow (or today, it's 12:49 am) I'll post things that would work for boys and girls that are quick and easy.