On the 12th day of Christmas my secret friend gave to me...
12 ice cream drum sticks! then started to sing 'we wish you a Merry Christmas' and popped out from all over the place!
THE KNOWLES FAMILY!!!! from church.
they have a beautifully large family who all took turns making the neat tags and dropping off the gifts!
they thought for sure they were caught a few times- like when john went out to go to his parents house and the dad hid on the side of the house...
or when they thought i could see them....
i am really grateful for them and their example to my family.
i look at their family and think that those kids have no idea how lucky they are to have the parents they have! - what great examples they are, how much they are loved, and the parents are so happy. brother Knowles is Alex's seminary teacher, their daughter who is the same age as Jordan signed up to run cross country with Jordan so she would have a friend when she moved to our house and had to move schools, the mom was there for me when our baby died as such a great support having been through the same thing herself, one of their sons is in Shilo's primary class, and one of their daughters is in Chastin's primary class. i have looked to the mom many times for parenting advice in the last year, and i always walk away thinking how well thought out her answers are. as i had said before, they have inspired me to be a better person, and to do good for a family next year. they will never know how much fun it was for us, & i know it was for them.
they did admit that we are the HARDEST family ever to secret friend. and with us living on a hill and all the snow they actually WALKED to our house several days at 10-11pm!!!they too live in a very hilly neighborhood. i think i might have given up- but not the Knowles family! their teenager boys said it was no big deal! only a couple miles! IN THE SNOW mind you! i hate to say, but i don't think my teenage boy would have thought 'no big deal.'
john said he should have guessed- they are all runners- no wonder they were so fast!
THANK YOU KNOWLES FAMILY! you brought much joy to our family and i hope it brightened your holiday as well!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Caught in the act
If our secret giver is a blog reader I wanted to tell you that I DID see you! But not really! Without my glasses I saw you- and without them I can't see past the nose on the end of my FACE! You were so brave to still run it up to the door not knowing if we were watching. I screamed and giggled with delight like a little child, which made all 4 of my 'should be asleep at 11pm children' come running! I screamed at them to look the other way! Turn off the lights! No peeking out the bedroom windows! No looking what so ever!!!!!! And that's no easy task when your husband is just as bad as them! If you have ever done the 12 days of Christmas for a family you know that 1/2 the fun is not getting caught! And as much as I would really like to know and thank them, I know that that takes some joy from them, so we will just always wonder. But I do want to say THANKS! This has been fun! And we will all be sad when it's over.
On another note- on day 7 my secret friend gave to me ...
Seven swans a swimming in superb 7 -up! 7 origami swans tied to cherry 7-up.
Well once again it was late and all the kids had gone to bed, the dogs were barking and we were kinda keeping an eye out for our gift to arrive on the porch. I went upstairs to wrap presents, dogs were still barking, our neighbors were out at their car packing for a trip, so we just assumed that's what was causing them to go crazy.
I look out the window again and I see my neighbor outside walking back and forth in front of our house looking at the porch, he waves me out. I call to John who was downstairs to go with me.
We open the front door and there it was! Our day 7! I scoop it up in delight and say " it came!" and show it to John. { i think i might be even more excited than the kids!} The neighbor and his brother are asking what it is. I am so excited- reading the package and all, and talking over them, trying to explain the 12 days of Christmas to my Jehovah Witness neighbors that I barely heard him say he thought it was A GAS BOMB! What? I look up in surprise! A gas bomb I laugh! It's cherry 7 up!!!! He explains that he saw the 'guys' running away, saw something red in a bottle on our porch and thought 'well that's not right!' so he came to tell me!!!! I am still cracking up over that!!!!! A GAS BOMB!!!! hahahahahah!!!!!!
Oh that's funny!!!!!!!!
Well anyway John was asking who it was- what did they look like? The three guys start to talk and I yell over them and shake my head and tell them not to tell. WE don't want to know! Even if John thinks he wants to know.
What I do know is that they have inspired me to bring joy to another family. Although I might not be as creative as they are....
Goodnight.
P.S- I don't think our secret friend thought it would be so hard to 12 days of Christmas us.
1st of all we don't go to bed till really late
2nd my in laws live across the street and have their curtains open till the wee hours of morning
3rd there are 6 people who live here, someone is almost always in the living room
and 4th I NEVER close the curtains when it's Christmas time- all of our lights look so pretty, teenagers are less likely to mount my buck on my doe when the curtains are open, and the snow looks so pretty,
which leads me to # 5- it's freaking icy out there! I bet they never thought they would have a hard time getting to the door, let alone our street!
They are doing a great job with all of these things working against them!
On another note- on day 7 my secret friend gave to me ...
Seven swans a swimming in superb 7 -up! 7 origami swans tied to cherry 7-up.
Well once again it was late and all the kids had gone to bed, the dogs were barking and we were kinda keeping an eye out for our gift to arrive on the porch. I went upstairs to wrap presents, dogs were still barking, our neighbors were out at their car packing for a trip, so we just assumed that's what was causing them to go crazy.
I look out the window again and I see my neighbor outside walking back and forth in front of our house looking at the porch, he waves me out. I call to John who was downstairs to go with me.
We open the front door and there it was! Our day 7! I scoop it up in delight and say " it came!" and show it to John. { i think i might be even more excited than the kids!} The neighbor and his brother are asking what it is. I am so excited- reading the package and all, and talking over them, trying to explain the 12 days of Christmas to my Jehovah Witness neighbors that I barely heard him say he thought it was A GAS BOMB! What? I look up in surprise! A gas bomb I laugh! It's cherry 7 up!!!! He explains that he saw the 'guys' running away, saw something red in a bottle on our porch and thought 'well that's not right!' so he came to tell me!!!! I am still cracking up over that!!!!! A GAS BOMB!!!! hahahahahah!!!!!!
Oh that's funny!!!!!!!!
Well anyway John was asking who it was- what did they look like? The three guys start to talk and I yell over them and shake my head and tell them not to tell. WE don't want to know! Even if John thinks he wants to know.
What I do know is that they have inspired me to bring joy to another family. Although I might not be as creative as they are....
Goodnight.
P.S- I don't think our secret friend thought it would be so hard to 12 days of Christmas us.
1st of all we don't go to bed till really late
2nd my in laws live across the street and have their curtains open till the wee hours of morning
3rd there are 6 people who live here, someone is almost always in the living room
and 4th I NEVER close the curtains when it's Christmas time- all of our lights look so pretty, teenagers are less likely to mount my buck on my doe when the curtains are open, and the snow looks so pretty,
which leads me to # 5- it's freaking icy out there! I bet they never thought they would have a hard time getting to the door, let alone our street!
They are doing a great job with all of these things working against them!
Monday, December 15, 2008
the 12 days of christmas
Our family has been chosen by someone to have the 12 days of Christmas delivered right to our door step!
Someone who knows us and loves us has decided to spoil us! And we are loving every moment of it!!!
So I want to share our fun.
Now that we are on the 3rd day, we are starting to watch out for our secret giver.
It has already brought much joy to our family, and we all gather around and read the cute notes, and see who can get to the door first so we can be the one to read the note and see what it was that was left!
Tonight I told the kids it was time for bed, and they all whined that the secret giver hadn't come yet and they wouldn't be awake to see what came. Well our friend must have know, because moments after that the door bell rang and all the kids sprang for the door! It was so cute to see them all so happy...and share an interest. This secret friend must truly be a friend. My bet is that they know that we have hit some rough spots in the last few months and wanted to brighten our spirits. It brings tears to my eyes even now as I write this to know that someone thought so much of my family to put so much time, effort and thought into creating a special memory for us....they have now ventured out in the cold the first night, the snow the second night, and the ice the third night. I don't know who they are but I am deeply grateful for the love they are showing us. Thank you.
And we look forward to sharing what comes tomorrow:)
I wish I had taken a picture of the first day, but I just didn't think of it.
Day 1- 2 Cans of pears from a Partridges tree
Day 2 -A turtle filled with doves {sorry the other waddled away} bag of dove candies in the turtles back! way too creative for me.
Day 3- Three hens...{well at least their legs} and a
little bit of French to go with them!!!!
a pack of chicken legs
with a bottle of French's mustard
Sorry the pictures are side ways- it's just that I'm 8 months pregnant, don't have much patience, and have a huge list of other things to do besides play with my pictures:)
Someone who knows us and loves us has decided to spoil us! And we are loving every moment of it!!!
So I want to share our fun.
Now that we are on the 3rd day, we are starting to watch out for our secret giver.
It has already brought much joy to our family, and we all gather around and read the cute notes, and see who can get to the door first so we can be the one to read the note and see what it was that was left!
Tonight I told the kids it was time for bed, and they all whined that the secret giver hadn't come yet and they wouldn't be awake to see what came. Well our friend must have know, because moments after that the door bell rang and all the kids sprang for the door! It was so cute to see them all so happy...and share an interest. This secret friend must truly be a friend. My bet is that they know that we have hit some rough spots in the last few months and wanted to brighten our spirits. It brings tears to my eyes even now as I write this to know that someone thought so much of my family to put so much time, effort and thought into creating a special memory for us....they have now ventured out in the cold the first night, the snow the second night, and the ice the third night. I don't know who they are but I am deeply grateful for the love they are showing us. Thank you. And we look forward to sharing what comes tomorrow:)
I wish I had taken a picture of the first day, but I just didn't think of it.
Day 1- 2 Cans of pears from a Partridges tree
Day 2 -A turtle filled with doves {sorry the other waddled away} bag of dove candies in the turtles back! way too creative for me.
Day 3- Three hens...{well at least their legs} and a
little bit of French to go with them!!!!
a pack of chicken legs
with a bottle of French's mustardSorry the pictures are side ways- it's just that I'm 8 months pregnant, don't have much patience, and have a huge list of other things to do besides play with my pictures:)
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Office Party 08
Johns office party was at Bucas {again} this year. Bruce always asked me where we should go and I always said Bucas, so that's where we go. And it is so much fun! This year we were given different foam houses at each table, and who evers looked most like the picture {which we didn't have} won tickets for a drawing at the end of the night. Bruce gave away all sorts of $50 gift cards, and the grand finale was a TomTom! Wish I had won that!
We played Bingo where we had to go around the room and get funny things signed off like- likes anchovies, has 2 piercings, wearing heels { I signed a few of those squares}. It was fun to mingle with people I only see 1/2 a dozen times a year.
My husband won the BEST prize of all- Employee Of The Year!!!!! I am so proud of him! The boss read his nominations before announcing who it was, and I was clueless! I was more shocked than he was! I am so proud of him! I keep telling his family " I'm married to the Employee of the Year!"
He turned a nice bright shade of red when they said his name.
It was such a nice night out! I got to get all dressed up, have the kids {for the most part} spending the night somewhere else, and have one last evening of freedom before this little baby of ours gets here.
Each table got a metal brain puzzle to do. That wasn't as much fun for me as the foam houses, which thanks to my job, I've done many times, and we won.
Then came the food. Back when it was Bruce, John, Beth and Ed starting the company, Bruce had each woman order a dish. But now that they have 20 employees he ordered the same 4 main dishes for each of the 6 tables. It was so good, calamari, two kinds of salad, cheesy bread, lasagna, fettuccine Alfredo, chicken Parmesan, pesto salmon! Oh, and Bucas boxed up leftovers for each person to take home. I brought home a box of raspberry cheesecake and chocolate cake, which I ate for breakfast the next day!
I hope all of my friends get to go to office parties with their husbands and enjoy a night out, to enjoy each others company, the spirit of the holiday, and a good ol' time!
Here's a few pictures from ours!
Oh and my Favorite part was Bruce thanking all of us spouses for being so supportive. I turned to John and said I felt kinda bad for chewing him out for going to work on the up coming Sunday...Ooops!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Oh Bother!
As you can see I took the private block off.
Cats out of the bag.
Plus I didn't know that I had so many other people reading it who never let me know till I closed my i.d. {like most of johns aunts and cousins in California}
So oh well, I like it better this way any whoo. :)
But if needed I will have no hesitation to going back to being a private blog.
Cats out of the bag.
Plus I didn't know that I had so many other people reading it who never let me know till I closed my i.d. {like most of johns aunts and cousins in California}
So oh well, I like it better this way any whoo. :)
But if needed I will have no hesitation to going back to being a private blog.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The rest of my birthday
So I left off with Marcie doing my dishes.
Then came my oldest home from school, with a big "happy birthday!!!!"
Emily with a really cute spa basket she put together for me, with a new book, some really cozy socks, yummy smelling bath stuff, some chocolates and one of the really funny cards I got that day.
Kelly showed up next with a big bag of mint m&m's that I have now eaten almost all of! A couple of Sundays ago she gave me Jon and Kate's new book 'multiple blessings' and I love it! {she knew I would buy it for myself or ask for it, so she gave it to me early. smart gal} It's a really great read for while I'm pregnant! Thanks for listening to me and knowing that I love that show!
Audrey showed up just as Kelly was leaving. She stopped by to give me good wishes and a big hug and as always, her big happy smile! I am so lucky that we grew up together and now get to swap parenting stories, laugh about our good times from childhood and live right around the corner from each other. She blesses my life each week by having Shilo over to play Wednesday afternoons so I can be by myself. Thank you!
Johns sisters both called me to let me know how much they love me and to let me know I was thought of.
John took the two youngest and I to The Ram for dinner. It was a nice time even though I couldn't eat very much due to the lack of room in my actual stomach.... :)
Next my in-laws came over to see me. I wish everyone had in-laws like mine. They are the kindest, sweetest people I know. They will drop everything to help me out when I need, they are my own personal support system living right across the street! My parents bought me a new hand mixer! Mine was lost to a home improvement project involving grout!
John gave me the Best Buy exclusive- Sting and the Police 4 disc set! Just what I was going to give him for Christmas {so I could have it} that's why he gave it to me for my Birthday, he knew I would buy it for him! And 27 dresses DVD. What a great guy to know that I'm going to have some home bound time on my hands, and will love watching these!
After that we headed off to my all time favorite foodie place! Cold Stone Creamery! I ordered the most suiting mix for the day- Birthday Cake Remix. YUMMM!!
By the end of the day I was spent.
I felt so wonderful from all the people who took the time to remember me. I loved having people stop by to see me and just let me know they cared. It made it one of the best Birthdays I think I've ever had as an adult.
It also made me realize that I need to be better about showing people I care about them, and showing them they are loved and appreciated by me.
Then came my oldest home from school, with a big "happy birthday!!!!"
Emily with a really cute spa basket she put together for me, with a new book, some really cozy socks, yummy smelling bath stuff, some chocolates and one of the really funny cards I got that day.
Kelly showed up next with a big bag of mint m&m's that I have now eaten almost all of! A couple of Sundays ago she gave me Jon and Kate's new book 'multiple blessings' and I love it! {she knew I would buy it for myself or ask for it, so she gave it to me early. smart gal} It's a really great read for while I'm pregnant! Thanks for listening to me and knowing that I love that show!
Audrey showed up just as Kelly was leaving. She stopped by to give me good wishes and a big hug and as always, her big happy smile! I am so lucky that we grew up together and now get to swap parenting stories, laugh about our good times from childhood and live right around the corner from each other. She blesses my life each week by having Shilo over to play Wednesday afternoons so I can be by myself. Thank you!
Johns sisters both called me to let me know how much they love me and to let me know I was thought of.
John took the two youngest and I to The Ram for dinner. It was a nice time even though I couldn't eat very much due to the lack of room in my actual stomach.... :)
Next my in-laws came over to see me. I wish everyone had in-laws like mine. They are the kindest, sweetest people I know. They will drop everything to help me out when I need, they are my own personal support system living right across the street! My parents bought me a new hand mixer! Mine was lost to a home improvement project involving grout!
John gave me the Best Buy exclusive- Sting and the Police 4 disc set! Just what I was going to give him for Christmas {so I could have it} that's why he gave it to me for my Birthday, he knew I would buy it for him! And 27 dresses DVD. What a great guy to know that I'm going to have some home bound time on my hands, and will love watching these!
After that we headed off to my all time favorite foodie place! Cold Stone Creamery! I ordered the most suiting mix for the day- Birthday Cake Remix. YUMMM!!
By the end of the day I was spent.
I felt so wonderful from all the people who took the time to remember me. I loved having people stop by to see me and just let me know they cared. It made it one of the best Birthdays I think I've ever had as an adult.
It also made me realize that I need to be better about showing people I care about them, and showing them they are loved and appreciated by me.
*{bad picture, what can I say, the ice cream guy took it} *
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Last of the 20's
So today I turn 29, and as I reflect back I have come to realize that I have all I ever needed or wanted. I can't think of a single thing to do tonight other than stay at home, order take-out and play a game with my kids. That's my birhtday wish.
My birthday really started last night when my friend Crystal met me at her salon for an evening of girl talk, hair color and thai food. What a treat! Even more so was the realization that she and I have been friends for 11 years! Back in our collage days when we were both just trying to survive chemistry, before John, before our boys came along. I am really grateful for her friendship, honesty and love.
John left me a message first thing this morning on my cell phone about how much he loves me and misses me. He wished me a great birthday, and was excited to see me when he gets home. You know he made me tear up. {he says that's not hard to do these days} 11 years of birthdays with John and he never fails to amaze me with his love. A girl just never gets tired of being swooned by the one she loves.
Jordan greeted me with a "good morning mommy" before she ever got her eyes opened.
Chastin couldn't wait for me to open the beautiful all white pot holder he made me. Poor kids thought of it all on his own weeks ago, wrapped it and then had to wait......for my birthday to get here. He was so excited!
Shilo told me that I couldn't leave the house on my birthday. We needed to stay home. Unless- we were going to Fantasia! Cute how 5 years olds think.
My dear friend Paige helped me out with Shilo and a little boy I watch. She was a BIG help and I always feel like I owe her big time for always being there for me to call when I need help. She is always happy to help me and I am truly thankful to have her in my life.
Early this morning my good friend and neighbor came bearing a Macy's gift card with a beautiful card signed by their 4 year old. It was very special to me that they thought of me on my special day.
Next was a long time friend, Marcie. {who spells her name with an 'ie' too, so we were instant friends:) }One of those friends that you are blessed enough to have, that you can go months with out talking to, yet never feel like there is any space between you. She used her gift of service to come over and help me out in more ways than one. But the biggest way she helped me was that while I wasn't home she came in and did my dishes! She unloaded the dishwasher, reloaded it, then hand washed all the rest! To top it all off she gave me a book I had never seen before about flea market finds! I ' m looking forward to laying in bed with my little side light on and going over all the cool projects just waiting for me to do. Maybe I'll implement some of them in my baby's shabby chic room!
I'll edit later to add how the rest of my day went, I just have such bad pregnancy brain that I didn't want to forget.
My birthday really started last night when my friend Crystal met me at her salon for an evening of girl talk, hair color and thai food. What a treat! Even more so was the realization that she and I have been friends for 11 years! Back in our collage days when we were both just trying to survive chemistry, before John, before our boys came along. I am really grateful for her friendship, honesty and love.
John left me a message first thing this morning on my cell phone about how much he loves me and misses me. He wished me a great birthday, and was excited to see me when he gets home. You know he made me tear up. {he says that's not hard to do these days} 11 years of birthdays with John and he never fails to amaze me with his love. A girl just never gets tired of being swooned by the one she loves.
Jordan greeted me with a "good morning mommy" before she ever got her eyes opened.
Chastin couldn't wait for me to open the beautiful all white pot holder he made me. Poor kids thought of it all on his own weeks ago, wrapped it and then had to wait......for my birthday to get here. He was so excited!
Shilo told me that I couldn't leave the house on my birthday. We needed to stay home. Unless- we were going to Fantasia! Cute how 5 years olds think.
My dear friend Paige helped me out with Shilo and a little boy I watch. She was a BIG help and I always feel like I owe her big time for always being there for me to call when I need help. She is always happy to help me and I am truly thankful to have her in my life.
Early this morning my good friend and neighbor came bearing a Macy's gift card with a beautiful card signed by their 4 year old. It was very special to me that they thought of me on my special day.
Next was a long time friend, Marcie. {who spells her name with an 'ie' too, so we were instant friends:) }One of those friends that you are blessed enough to have, that you can go months with out talking to, yet never feel like there is any space between you. She used her gift of service to come over and help me out in more ways than one. But the biggest way she helped me was that while I wasn't home she came in and did my dishes! She unloaded the dishwasher, reloaded it, then hand washed all the rest! To top it all off she gave me a book I had never seen before about flea market finds! I ' m looking forward to laying in bed with my little side light on and going over all the cool projects just waiting for me to do. Maybe I'll implement some of them in my baby's shabby chic room!
I'll edit later to add how the rest of my day went, I just have such bad pregnancy brain that I didn't want to forget.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Free Snapfish Book
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Edit Edit Edit Edit!!!!!!!!!!!
Due to the amazing popularity of our free book offer, we've extended the time you have to create your free book to 11:59pm PST on Saturday, November 22nd.
How cool is that!!!!!!! I just got this in my inbox! Now you have NO excuses!!!!
To help you get organized, Snapfish.com is offering The Oprah Winfrey Show viewers a free 8" x 11" custom-cover photo book!
This offer is only good for one standard 20-page 8" x 11" custom-cover photo book per household. Coupon dispersal ends at 11:59 p.m. PST Friday, November 14, 2008. Free photo book must be redeemed by 11:59 p.m. PST Sunday, November 16, 2008.
Here's the link: Photobook
Hurry!! This deal ends fast!
I hear a Christmas present being ordered!!! Who couldn't stand to save a little money on presents this year? This book is worth $30!
{glad my doctors sent me to bed yesterday so i could lay down and watch Oprah!}
Due to the amazing popularity of our free book offer, we've extended the time you have to create your free book to 11:59pm PST on Saturday, November 22nd.
How cool is that!!!!!!! I just got this in my inbox! Now you have NO excuses!!!!
To help you get organized, Snapfish.com is offering The Oprah Winfrey Show viewers a free 8" x 11" custom-cover photo book!
This offer is only good for one standard 20-page 8" x 11" custom-cover photo book per household. Coupon dispersal ends at 11:59 p.m. PST Friday, November 14, 2008. Free photo book must be redeemed by 11:59 p.m. PST Sunday, November 16, 2008.
Here's the link: Photobook
Hurry!! This deal ends fast!
I hear a Christmas present being ordered!!! Who couldn't stand to save a little money on presents this year? This book is worth $30!
{glad my doctors sent me to bed yesterday so i could lay down and watch Oprah!}
Privacy Notice
So it has come to my attention that someone in my household is sharing my blog with someone i don't want it shared with. My bad for being so trusting. I will now have to go to being a private blog. I know this will drastically reduce my readers, but if you care to still read, e-mail me or leave your e-mail in the comment section and I'll put you on as a reader. For those of you who don't comment, yet read the blog, just let me know you still want to, and I'll take care of it. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but it needs to be. I will change it by 8:00am tomorrow.
Take care and hope to still see you in the blog world...
Take care and hope to still see you in the blog world...
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Tell Me Again About The Night I Was Born
it was october 31st 1999
the back ache began sometime in the morning
i was due two weeks earlier, so i thought that was the culprit of the pain.
jordan was dorothy from wizard of oz and still needed earrings to complete the costume,
so the 4 of us headed to alderwood mall, i had to rest at a kiosk, while john took her into clairs.
i did gain 60 pounds mind you, so i figured i was tired and uncomfortable, with good reason.
we lived in an apartment in edmonds at the time, and i never put much thought into how many trick or treaters we would have, i was rapidly running out of candy and sent john to safeway for lots more.
i had pinned the baby's costume on to my overalls upside down, because that's how the baby was facing. { a cute little pumpkin costume, complete with a hat shaped like a stem} all the while john was saying, "i think you're in labor," i pushed his worries aside, because it was halloween and i had false labor a week ago! and there was no way i was going to be embarrassed like that again!
well john came home from the store { while he was gone i ate, couldn't believe how hungry i suddenly was!}
he came home, asked how my pain was and i told him i was feeling 'better' i wasn't feeling that bad anyhow- remember- just a slight back ache. finally i decided that laying down for a few might help.
i called the hospital {because it was halloween and evening time, hence the dr. office being closed} the on call doctor told me i could take an ibuprofen, oh and by the way, how far apart are your pains? 'oh i don't know, maybe 10 min. apart or so...'
a little while later i thought maybe a hot shower would help more than laying down, and might help keep my mind off everyone telling me i was in labor. while i was in the shower, john decided to take alex and jordan to their mom's house so she could take them trick or treating, meanwhile i hung out in the hot shower ignoring the phone ringing off the hook.
how many people did john tell this story of me being in labor to? oh well. i wouldn't look stupid when it wasn't true. he would.
after sometime in the shower i emerged to find him waiting for me in the living room. what was he up to?
'let's go' he tells me
'let's go where?'
'the hospital'
'you know, if it will make you feel better, i'll go, but you'll see, i'm right- you are wrong'
he tells me that he has been through this twice before, and that it's not a good sign that i'm bleeding. {TMI- sorry}
so we head off to the hospital, no bags that i remember- just us. because i wasn't having a baby today!
we enter through the emergency and find a few people in line waiting for a nurse to come back to the counter.
i'm holding by belly because it is so large that there really is no other place for my hands to be.
people turn to look at who has come in the door.
they see me.
i remember someone saying "is she in labor?"
john says yes
i laugh at him, just like i did all the way to the hospital, denying anything having to do with labor.
{boy was i getting mad at him}
the woman takes his side and leaves the lobby to find a nurse for us...
all the while, others in line are saying that i can go ahead of them. this really can't get anymore embarrassing. or can it?
a nurse comes hurrying in- with a wheel chair!!! and if you know me, i am way too stubborn to sit in a wheel chair when i am completely capable of walking! so thank you very much but i'll pass on the sympathy.
i bid the fellow emergency room waiters good bye, all the while thinking 'i sure as heck hope they aren't still here when i have to leave out these doors with this baby still in me.'
so i insist on walking and the nurse pushes the wheel chair aside and reminds me that it's kind of a long walk.
and i reassure her that i will be just fine thank you very much.
we wait for the elevator, and i worry that i might still be bleeding, so i ask john to walk behind me in case.
he puts up with my insanity and does as i ask.
we get to the room and i have to pee...again! how many times can one person pee i ask to no one inparticular.
the nurses get me into bed to check me.
now remember that i am 19, i know how babies get here, i just have no idea what the process is like or what anything means.
"WOW! your dilated to 8 1/2!!!! is this not your first child?"
"what? yes it's my first child! and what does this 8 1/2 thing mean?"
oh! you only go to 10?!?!
well that means i'm in labor! and i'm not ready!
i know my sweet husband wanted to say those lovely words of "i told you so" but once again he was smarter than i give him credit and he kept his mouth shut.
still not in as much pain as i thought i would be, like i had seen on TV, i resisted any pain meds.
they insisted, i gave in, labor stopped.
baby's heart rate dropped
i was in danger
a c-section was needed
my baby was born at exactly 4:00am on november 1st
this little boy and i have a very special connection, we didn't meet for HOURS
he was rushed off to the I.C.U and i was knocked out from all the drugs
when i finally got to meet him, i was worried i wouldn't know which baby was mine...
would they all be laying in plastic beds side by side with no way to know whom belonged to whom?
as i was led into the icu, i instantly knew who my son was, the sweet nurse had him sitting up in her hands, waiting to meet his mom. all the tubes and i.v's and monitors connected to him made it hard to hold him comfortably, but we were determined to be together, he looked up at me and i knew he was my son.
5 long days later we got to bring our baby home
i sat and held him, he slept with me, i didn't want to share him...
and to this day, i don't share him.
we share a bond, and i can't believe we have shared it for 9 years,
i love this boy...
and so i share our story
our story about the night he was born
the back ache began sometime in the morning
i was due two weeks earlier, so i thought that was the culprit of the pain.
jordan was dorothy from wizard of oz and still needed earrings to complete the costume,
so the 4 of us headed to alderwood mall, i had to rest at a kiosk, while john took her into clairs.
i did gain 60 pounds mind you, so i figured i was tired and uncomfortable, with good reason.
we lived in an apartment in edmonds at the time, and i never put much thought into how many trick or treaters we would have, i was rapidly running out of candy and sent john to safeway for lots more.
i had pinned the baby's costume on to my overalls upside down, because that's how the baby was facing. { a cute little pumpkin costume, complete with a hat shaped like a stem} all the while john was saying, "i think you're in labor," i pushed his worries aside, because it was halloween and i had false labor a week ago! and there was no way i was going to be embarrassed like that again!
well john came home from the store { while he was gone i ate, couldn't believe how hungry i suddenly was!}
he came home, asked how my pain was and i told him i was feeling 'better' i wasn't feeling that bad anyhow- remember- just a slight back ache. finally i decided that laying down for a few might help.
i called the hospital {because it was halloween and evening time, hence the dr. office being closed} the on call doctor told me i could take an ibuprofen, oh and by the way, how far apart are your pains? 'oh i don't know, maybe 10 min. apart or so...'
a little while later i thought maybe a hot shower would help more than laying down, and might help keep my mind off everyone telling me i was in labor. while i was in the shower, john decided to take alex and jordan to their mom's house so she could take them trick or treating, meanwhile i hung out in the hot shower ignoring the phone ringing off the hook.
how many people did john tell this story of me being in labor to? oh well. i wouldn't look stupid when it wasn't true. he would.
after sometime in the shower i emerged to find him waiting for me in the living room. what was he up to?
'let's go' he tells me
'let's go where?'
'the hospital'
'you know, if it will make you feel better, i'll go, but you'll see, i'm right- you are wrong'
he tells me that he has been through this twice before, and that it's not a good sign that i'm bleeding. {TMI- sorry}
so we head off to the hospital, no bags that i remember- just us. because i wasn't having a baby today!
we enter through the emergency and find a few people in line waiting for a nurse to come back to the counter.
i'm holding by belly because it is so large that there really is no other place for my hands to be.
people turn to look at who has come in the door.
they see me.
i remember someone saying "is she in labor?"
john says yes
i laugh at him, just like i did all the way to the hospital, denying anything having to do with labor.
{boy was i getting mad at him}
the woman takes his side and leaves the lobby to find a nurse for us...
all the while, others in line are saying that i can go ahead of them. this really can't get anymore embarrassing. or can it?
a nurse comes hurrying in- with a wheel chair!!! and if you know me, i am way too stubborn to sit in a wheel chair when i am completely capable of walking! so thank you very much but i'll pass on the sympathy.
i bid the fellow emergency room waiters good bye, all the while thinking 'i sure as heck hope they aren't still here when i have to leave out these doors with this baby still in me.'
so i insist on walking and the nurse pushes the wheel chair aside and reminds me that it's kind of a long walk.
and i reassure her that i will be just fine thank you very much.
we wait for the elevator, and i worry that i might still be bleeding, so i ask john to walk behind me in case.
he puts up with my insanity and does as i ask.
we get to the room and i have to pee...again! how many times can one person pee i ask to no one inparticular.
the nurses get me into bed to check me.
now remember that i am 19, i know how babies get here, i just have no idea what the process is like or what anything means.
"WOW! your dilated to 8 1/2!!!! is this not your first child?"
"what? yes it's my first child! and what does this 8 1/2 thing mean?"
oh! you only go to 10?!?!
well that means i'm in labor! and i'm not ready!
i know my sweet husband wanted to say those lovely words of "i told you so" but once again he was smarter than i give him credit and he kept his mouth shut.
still not in as much pain as i thought i would be, like i had seen on TV, i resisted any pain meds.
they insisted, i gave in, labor stopped.
baby's heart rate dropped
i was in danger
a c-section was needed
my baby was born at exactly 4:00am on november 1st
this little boy and i have a very special connection, we didn't meet for HOURS
he was rushed off to the I.C.U and i was knocked out from all the drugs
when i finally got to meet him, i was worried i wouldn't know which baby was mine...
would they all be laying in plastic beds side by side with no way to know whom belonged to whom?
as i was led into the icu, i instantly knew who my son was, the sweet nurse had him sitting up in her hands, waiting to meet his mom. all the tubes and i.v's and monitors connected to him made it hard to hold him comfortably, but we were determined to be together, he looked up at me and i knew he was my son.
5 long days later we got to bring our baby home
i sat and held him, he slept with me, i didn't want to share him...
and to this day, i don't share him.
we share a bond, and i can't believe we have shared it for 9 years,
i love this boy...
and so i share our story
our story about the night he was born
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Just a few things
I just wanted to let all you bargain shoppers out there know that Albertsons is having a cool deal!
Buy 10 two liters of A&W, Sunkist or Sprite and get a $10 mail in rebate. It's cool because the soda is 10/10 anyhow so it's free! No coupon needed!
So now your wondering what your going to do with 10 two liters of soda....
Tell me you never have to bring soda for a school party, or supply it for a dinner at your house.
Or you could do what I'm going to do, and drop some off at Hopelink Food Bank.
Happy Shopping
One more thing-
Thanks Audrey for putting our name on the prayer list at the temple,
Thanks Kelly for keeping us in your prayers,
And thanks Paige and my sis Joni for taking Shilo on last minutes notice for my Stat Ultrasound in the a.m.
I am now confidant after much time on the phone with health professionals today that all will be fine, and that maybe bed rest will be my worst case scenario.
I'll try to keep you posted...
"May the force be with us, and let this baby keep on cookin' "
Buy 10 two liters of A&W, Sunkist or Sprite and get a $10 mail in rebate. It's cool because the soda is 10/10 anyhow so it's free! No coupon needed!
So now your wondering what your going to do with 10 two liters of soda....
Tell me you never have to bring soda for a school party, or supply it for a dinner at your house.
Or you could do what I'm going to do, and drop some off at Hopelink Food Bank.
Happy Shopping
One more thing-
Thanks Audrey for putting our name on the prayer list at the temple,
Thanks Kelly for keeping us in your prayers,
And thanks Paige and my sis Joni for taking Shilo on last minutes notice for my Stat Ultrasound in the a.m.
I am now confidant after much time on the phone with health professionals today that all will be fine, and that maybe bed rest will be my worst case scenario.
I'll try to keep you posted...
"May the force be with us, and let this baby keep on cookin' "
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Hippo Birdy To You!
Shilo's 5 Today!
5 things you might not know about my shilo
- she goes by 'scooper doo, missy mae, honey bunches of oats'
- she has her own song john wrote her called ' shilo is a whiny butt face'
- she is in LOVE with all things tiger and lion
- she would choose to never wear pants again- only dresses and skirts
- she could live on candy if it was legal in this house
5 things everyone knows about my shilo
- she is a daddy's girl
- she loves to listen to books for hours
- she wants to do it 'herself!'
- she hates socks and tights with feet
- she ties anything she can find- laces on knobs, strings on legs, ropes on bars
i love this little big girl!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
a hawaii recap
so a few of my girlfriends are off to hawaii, and as i was talking to two of them yesterday i was thinking 'i never posted the rest of my trip' and these days my blog posts ARE my journal entries so i'm going to recap.
some favorite places & food:
{and right by you hotel!}
you will also get a chance to see all the crazys, people with their parrots, and men painted from head to toe, holding their position so you think they are a statue... oh- and the steel drums! my favorite part!!!!
here is our conve
rtible being finger printed after the trunk was popped open and our snorkel stuff, john's shorts and wallet were stolen. but don't you worry they were caught by an off duty police officer, told off by me, and sent to jail with this being their 94th prior!!!!
some favorite places & food:
north shore
matsimotos for shave ice-
{ be sure to get the ice cream on the bottom it is so good!}
for the sunsets... best pictures you'll take your whole trip!
international market
{and right by you hotel!}
you will also get a chance to see all the crazys, people with their parrots, and men painted from head to toe, holding their position so you think they are a statue... oh- and the steel drums! my favorite part!!!!
puka do
g is there too!
so have one for me,
because there just isn't anything else like it!
senor frogs has the best mexican food ever! we ate there in the bahamas and in hawaii! you get plenty to share, and watching all the brave people sing and dance is quite funny too! might i suggest the 'build your own fajita platter' best with diet coke & a lime!
- there of course is TONS to do, but i would pick maybe two sights and lay on the beach the rest of the time! waikiki fills up fast so you might want to drive a few min. down the road to
a more secluded beach {but leave NOTHING of value in you car!} or you might want to just get to the beach early,bring a cooler and lay there all day! don't forget your sun screen, you'll need it and a bunch of cold water!
here is our conve
rtible being finger printed after the trunk was popped open and our snorkel stuff, john's shorts and wallet were stolen. but don't you worry they were caught by an off duty police officer, told off by me, and sent to jail with this being their 94th prior!!!!and just for kicks i'll tell you- but i was in a 2 piece {which i probably shouldn't be seen in}, and walked right up to those two 40 somethings and asked them what their mother would think of them doing this to innocent tourists on a nice vacation? the police officers laughed at me, john told me i was 'such a mother' and the two men sat on the grass in hand cuffs looking down. and to top it all off i looked them in the eye and told them i would be pressing charges. one of them swore, and the other said 'it wasn't me'. funny how my husbands wallet was in his car...:)
and after all that, you would think it would ruin our time in hawaii, but we both just laughed it off. good thing i only let john carry $2 with him at all times!Wednesday, September 3, 2008
first day back at it
i am not one of those brave moms who can't wait for my kids to go back to school
i must admit- i cry when the bus drives away, and my child looks so uncertain
i cry that i will miss something i wish i hadn't
add pregnancy hormones to that and it's a double whammy!
so here are my kids in order of 'flying the coop' time
alex is in 9th grade! and signed up to play the bag pipes! how cool is that!
chastin is in 3rd grade! and looking forward to after school art class & selling cookie dough for that stretch limo ride again this year!
jordan is a 8th grader! and anxiously awaiting cross country to start!
i must admit- i cry when the bus drives away, and my child looks so uncertain
i cry that i will miss something i wish i hadn't
add pregnancy hormones to that and it's a double whammy!
so here are my kids in order of 'flying the coop' time
alex is in 9th grade! and signed up to play the bag pipes! how cool is that!
chastin is in 3rd grade! and looking forward to after school art class & selling cookie dough for that stretch limo ride again this year!
jordan is a 8th grader! and anxiously awaiting cross country to start!Tuesday, September 2, 2008
cinnamon roll surprise
so tonight i decided that i wanted to be a 'good' mom, and make cinnamon rolls {from a can- not homemade, i'm not trying to be THAT good of a mom...}
so after the kids were sound a sleep in their beds
the hubby and i went to the grocery store
well for those who don't know, i practically live in my p.j's once dinner is done,
so i didn't want to change to run to the store.
i figured it was after 10pm, i wouldn't see anyone who cares that i'm in my comfy jammies.
wouldn't you only know i ran into my friend / neighbor who wasn't surprised to see me in my p.j's
as we were leaving, we ran into another friend! who knew! 2 friends in my p.j's!!! uggh...
well hubby and i laughed that i just don't care.
we get out of the car, grab the cinnamon rolls and chocolate milk, john gets to the door with the keys and all of a sudden i see a squirt! and i'm WET! what the heck? i'm yelling at him.
he turns around- clueless- and says "what?"
i'm laughing and yelling move your FOOT!!!
what is it?
i've been squirted with the guts of a giant slug!!!
how totally gross!!!
i'm starting to gag
he's opening the door, saying "go shower! go shower!"
i feel much better now that i am no longer covered in slug guts!
i thought i'd post so i would remember that even though it was gross and not on purpose- john and i still have so much fun together! and i think the laugh was just what we needed.
even if it was at my cute p.j's expense....:)
so after the kids were sound a sleep in their beds
the hubby and i went to the grocery store
well for those who don't know, i practically live in my p.j's once dinner is done,
so i didn't want to change to run to the store.
i figured it was after 10pm, i wouldn't see anyone who cares that i'm in my comfy jammies.
wouldn't you only know i ran into my friend / neighbor who wasn't surprised to see me in my p.j's
as we were leaving, we ran into another friend! who knew! 2 friends in my p.j's!!! uggh...
well hubby and i laughed that i just don't care.
we get out of the car, grab the cinnamon rolls and chocolate milk, john gets to the door with the keys and all of a sudden i see a squirt! and i'm WET! what the heck? i'm yelling at him.
he turns around- clueless- and says "what?"
i'm laughing and yelling move your FOOT!!!
what is it?
i've been squirted with the guts of a giant slug!!!
how totally gross!!!
i'm starting to gag
he's opening the door, saying "go shower! go shower!"
i feel much better now that i am no longer covered in slug guts!
i thought i'd post so i would remember that even though it was gross and not on purpose- john and i still have so much fun together! and i think the laugh was just what we needed.
even if it was at my cute p.j's expense....:)
Saturday, August 16, 2008
4 & 1/2 down - 4 to go
We are so excited to be 18 weeks!
{with out anyone knowing} :)
FQA:
we won't be finding out the sex
i've actually LOST 13 lbs now
we are doing great!
c- section january 12th 6 am
{with out anyone knowing} :)
FQA:
we won't be finding out the sex
i've actually LOST 13 lbs now
we are doing great!
c- section january 12th 6 am
Thursday, July 31, 2008
the when list
you know i could die tomorrow and i will have spent too much of my life saying "when"...
when i get caught up on my scrapbooks
when i finish painting the kitchen
when my step kids turn 18 {i am truly embarrassed to admit to this one}
when i'm 30 i'll have finished.......
when i lose all this weight
when the girls move downstairs
when i get caught up on all the books i've said i'll read
when we change the second story loft to a full story...
when i finish all my projects i'll be more organized
too many whens to count
does anyone else do this?
please say i'm not alone....:)
not pretty thoughts but true, just a few of the things keeping me up tonight
when i get caught up on my scrapbooks
when i finish painting the kitchen
when my step kids turn 18 {i am truly embarrassed to admit to this one}
when i'm 30 i'll have finished.......
when i lose all this weight
when the girls move downstairs
when i get caught up on all the books i've said i'll read
when we change the second story loft to a full story...
when i finish all my projects i'll be more organized
too many whens to count
does anyone else do this?
please say i'm not alone....:)
not pretty thoughts but true, just a few of the things keeping me up tonight
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
mondays with mom
i chose mondays to keep my kids to myself.
we have no friends over and they go to no ones house.
they are all mine for the whole day.
now for some of you moms who have the privilege to be home with your kids all
day this just might not make sense to you, but for me,
quality time just doesn't happen around here unless you make it happen.so i'm posting a few mondays to remember them.
we have no friends over and they go to no ones house.
they are all mine for the whole day.
now for some of you moms who have the privilege to be home with your kids all
day this just might not make sense to you, but for me,
quality time just doesn't happen around here unless you make it happen.so i'm posting a few mondays to remember them.
the seattle aquarium
we never tire of touching the creatures in the sea pools
just like when i was a kid, we soaped up the slide, turned on the sprinkler and got all soapy wet!
a monday at the ceramics place, then off to Fat Burger for lunch 
the sprinkler under the trampoline, for a soaking good time!
monday at monica's parents pool, they have quite the estate in woodway, with 2 pools to chose from and 2 hot tubs to enjoy! needless to say, we stayed for hours!
so far we have had tons of fun, and this mondays with mom experiment has let me stop and take time to appreciate my kids!
the summer could just fly by in the blink of an eye,
this way we are creating summer memories i hope my kids will cherish for their lifetime.
i plan on continuing this tradition for the rest of the summer,
chastin and shilo look forward to what we will do on the next monday
{no repeats allowed}
but i think this mom looks forward to spending time with the kids way more than they know.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
a whole lot of comments
So i don't really know what to say about this but it's been on my mind and so i think if i just get it out of my system i won't be bugged by it anymore...
So anyhow, my good friend marie and i were out on a double date with our husbands at a cute little mexican place last saturday. {boy was that a good time, maybe more on that later}, any way we were talking about comments on blogs. and she hit a cord with me that i thought was just me. she was saying that she is doing a post a day, {which i am faithfully reading and commenting on} and that if she doesn't get any comments it kinda bothers her. and as she was saying this i was nodding my head whole heartily, i TOTALLY understand!! i was like "yeah, yeah, me too!" she says "like what am i? nine?" and it is so true. i guess it kind of reminds me of being a kid again and being picked last for the team at p.e. so, i had a post up for just a few minutes about quitting blogging. i really felt that if no one cares about what is going on in my little world why put all that effort into it? you know? but my sweet john, pointed out that one day i will get it printed and it will serve as a journal for my kids to look back on.
my 90 year old grandmother has kept a daily journal for almost 80 years! and although she doesn't find it interesting to read about what she made for dinner on July 30th of 1945, i find it truly AMAZING to read! it takes me back to a whole other world that i wish i had been born in.
so as for the feelings on the comments posted, i'm going to keep on blogging. and maybe one day it won't really matter if anyone else found me interesting, because my kids will have my printed blog to share with their kids.
here's to you and me marie!
keep on posting!
and who cares if we don't ever get to that 12 or15 comment mark!
our kids will think it's fun to read later,
and we KNOW our husbands think it's funny to read now!
besides -i think it gives them a little more material to work with when teasing us:)
So anyhow, my good friend marie and i were out on a double date with our husbands at a cute little mexican place last saturday. {boy was that a good time, maybe more on that later}, any way we were talking about comments on blogs. and she hit a cord with me that i thought was just me. she was saying that she is doing a post a day, {which i am faithfully reading and commenting on} and that if she doesn't get any comments it kinda bothers her. and as she was saying this i was nodding my head whole heartily, i TOTALLY understand!! i was like "yeah, yeah, me too!" she says "like what am i? nine?" and it is so true. i guess it kind of reminds me of being a kid again and being picked last for the team at p.e. so, i had a post up for just a few minutes about quitting blogging. i really felt that if no one cares about what is going on in my little world why put all that effort into it? you know? but my sweet john, pointed out that one day i will get it printed and it will serve as a journal for my kids to look back on.
my 90 year old grandmother has kept a daily journal for almost 80 years! and although she doesn't find it interesting to read about what she made for dinner on July 30th of 1945, i find it truly AMAZING to read! it takes me back to a whole other world that i wish i had been born in.
so as for the feelings on the comments posted, i'm going to keep on blogging. and maybe one day it won't really matter if anyone else found me interesting, because my kids will have my printed blog to share with their kids.
here's to you and me marie!
keep on posting!
and who cares if we don't ever get to that 12 or15 comment mark!
our kids will think it's fun to read later,
and we KNOW our husbands think it's funny to read now!
besides -i think it gives them a little more material to work with when teasing us:)
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Aloha Miles
little does this tiny guy know, we all gathered to celebrate himhe has brought much joy to these proud parents and will bring much more as they grow together.
as you watch them together you can feel the love they have for each other,
and the immense love they share for their son.
i know in my heart that this is a match made in heaven,
miles was sent special for them and they were waiting just for him.
the joy is thick,and the pride is there,
to be a father
bethany was one of the friends who put together this fun family shower,she always says she doesn't have the 'baby touch'
but i think as you look at this picture you'll see,
the touch is written all over her
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Police 7/12/08
So up for grabs {sale} 1 ticket to the Police. with Elvis Costello opening
We bought 4 and found out Shilo is free so that leaves us with an extra spot!
I tried to call Marie {sorry everyone else} but her phone # was void now, so I'm trying this to see if anyone else is a huge fan and would like to go too!
The stats:
Saturday the 12th of July
The Gorge
7:30 pm
$70
Seeing Sting & The Police PRICELESS!
And a few more things to know- you can buy another seat so two of you can go, it's festival seating so you don't have to worry about sitting with us if you don't want to or not sitting with your friend you brought. It's all open grass, you bring a seat or blanket, a cooler or whatever. We are driving there and back all in one day and your welcome to ride with us. If you buy another ticket for your husband or something you can go over with them and stay the night or something. Or you can both ride with us!~
Know that if you purchase another ticket it will cost you more- we bought ours though our business we own so we got a 4 ticket deal. The ticket also comes with one free iTunes download!
Let me know a.s.ap- my sister said if NO ONE else will go, she will sacrifice and go...haha. but to offer it up to my friends first. What a cool sis!
We bought 4 and found out Shilo is free so that leaves us with an extra spot!
I tried to call Marie {sorry everyone else} but her phone # was void now, so I'm trying this to see if anyone else is a huge fan and would like to go too!
The stats:
Saturday the 12th of July
The Gorge
7:30 pm
$70
Seeing Sting & The Police PRICELESS!
And a few more things to know- you can buy another seat so two of you can go, it's festival seating so you don't have to worry about sitting with us if you don't want to or not sitting with your friend you brought. It's all open grass, you bring a seat or blanket, a cooler or whatever. We are driving there and back all in one day and your welcome to ride with us. If you buy another ticket for your husband or something you can go over with them and stay the night or something. Or you can both ride with us!~
Know that if you purchase another ticket it will cost you more- we bought ours though our business we own so we got a 4 ticket deal. The ticket also comes with one free iTunes download!
Let me know a.s.ap- my sister said if NO ONE else will go, she will sacrifice and go...haha. but to offer it up to my friends first. What a cool sis!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
fathers day 08
we headed out into the great seattle area to be tourists in our own neighborhood.
one of our favorite things to do.
one of our favorite things to do.
there really IS a ton to see and do here,
i guess i'm lucky to live here
the fremont troll
fremont sunday marketwhere we got the most touching photo done of our brood
a pro had his own little set up in the underground garage
for only $10, you got a beautiful 4x6.
it makes me smile to look at it,
i've shown it to everybody that comes by.
maybe i'll try to scan it and upload it for you all to see
we shared strawberry lemonade, pot stickers, lots of laughs and created some fun memories.
next we headed to Pike Place Market
but my pictures are struggling to upload and i'm struggling to stay awake so i'll try for that latter.
*edit- john refused to be in any pictures that day
Friday, June 13, 2008
Dancing 4 year olds
Ballet Butts
The girls are waiting at the rehearsal for their turn.
Miss Lorna's Ballet Class
2008
The girls danced to "There She Goes", they were so cute!
Imagine a little group of 4 year olds prancing across the stage, with the audience roaring with cheer! The girls are so brave, they knew their parts and Shilo make me so proud! I am so glad to be blessed with her happy little soul in my life every day!
Maybe when the dvd gets here i'll be able to upload her dancing so you all can see how really great the girls were.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
i'm a farm chicka indeed
The Farm Chicks Show Is Almost Here!!!!
the show is this weekend and i have a list!- old metal fencing for the garden
- cool bed side tables for the girls room
- locker baskets to add to the laundry room
- basket liners
- old cafe kitchen sign
- green milk glass cake stand
- square metal buckets for planting
- white mail boxes {for a shoe holder i'm making}
- vintage metal stars
and as always old letters to spell the kids names
so here are a few of my favorite farm chicks sites- if so inclined- go check a few out and see why i'm all abuzz!
http://www.athingforroses.blogspot.com/ she has some cool ideas and i comment on her blog and she on mine.
http://www.antiejoy.blogspot.com/
http://queenoftarte.blogspot.com/
http://www.thefarmchicks.com/vendors_lisaandrandy.html if you click here you will see where i got kelly & i our type writer bracelets.
http://www.suzanneduda.typepad.com/
http://www.thefarmchicks.com/vendors_nancyandheidi.html i was right here! i bought some cool old pails and metal baskets they had out!
i'm looking forward to going into a world of vintage, and creating my own old home feel.
and just maybe there will be sun! {in june can you even imagine?}
Monday, June 2, 2008
i was in love with the steel drums, so much so that i had to go down to the beach strip each night to hear him play. just listening to him inspired me, i wanted to dance, to play, to own my own steel drum.
tell me that doesn't make you feel happy!
me NOT enjoying the birds! i don't like to be near birds. i have a fear of them, and so the guy thought he was being sweet and put his dirty, filthy, scary birds on me and wouldn't you only know it- that my husband who NEVER takes pictures, was camera ready! uggh!
tell me that doesn't make you feel happy!
the red bull girls tracked us down while we were out on some rocks exploring, they said they noticed us trying to take pictures of our selves and came to help- as long as we posed with a cold can of red bull. well john was excited... two cute hawaiian girls and two ice cold red bulls, what more could a fellow ask???
more than one person told us to drive up to the north shore for 'shave ice' that is what it's called, and there is a specific way to order it. you may NOT get to the window and tell them your whole order. one person asks you the size, next person then flavor, then if you want ice cream with it.
i thought that the whole idea of ice over a mound of ice cream was a little on the strange side, but i'm always up for trying new foods when in new places. so we ordered one to share, and sorry for john because it was actually really good and i think he only got a couple bites when i had an itch and needed him to hold it for me.
so picture this: big plastic cone, home made vanilla ice cream that tastes like it was just churned, shaved ice so smooth it falls apart in your mouth {not like the crap we have here that you get at the fair that feels like rocks in your mouth} subtle sugary flavored syrup to top it off. now you can also get sweetened condensed milk poured over that, but i didn't really need any more calories for the day, so i'll try that next time. yummy!!!!!
me NOT enjoying the birds! i don't like to be near birds. i have a fear of them, and so the guy thought he was being sweet and put his dirty, filthy, scary birds on me and wouldn't you only know it- that my husband who NEVER takes pictures, was camera ready! uggh!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Hawaii during the day. Day 1
My first touches of Waikiki sand.Beautiful, soft, warm sand.
Paradise for this Cali raised girl
Cruzin' topless. No better way to travel while on vacation.
{Sans kids}
The Puka Dog {more on that later}
http://www.pukadog.com/
My new favorite treat!
Iron wood trees. They are amazing! They reroot themselves back into the ground, so their roots are seen from the outside!Tell me that mother nature isn't cool!
{all over the islands}
A weird contraption you ride in the surf.
One of a kind, almost like an exercises bike tricked out so it glides across the water. You bounce up and down, and try to stay up as long as you can. {like the idea behind surfing}
good luck with that guys! pretty funny to watch:)
Well that sums up daytime of day one, i hope this gives my girl friends some insight into what Waikiki holds for them!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
to tide you over
for those who want to see something- anything Hawaii, this will have to do till i get it together.
{i know your all just dying to see me in a swimsuit}
since that's pretty much all i ever wore, most of the pictures are of me in one.
{i know your all just dying to see me in a swimsuit}
our first whole day on Oahu, we put the top down on the car and rode around the island in our suits stopping at as many lookouts as we could. hence the burns covering the tops of our legs, shoulders, heads & chests. way too much fun! we blared the local radio station and enjoyed some truly soothing island tunes. the perfect start to our vacation together.
{btw- this picture is before my hair bleached out from the sun!}
Monday, May 19, 2008
deviled egg farts
mom: "peeewwww! you stink!"
14 year old: "do you think my farts smell as bad as old flower water? "
mom: " yes son. i think they smell worse!"
14 year old: "cooool... " big grin
gotta love him:)
14 year old: "do you think my farts smell as bad as old flower water? "
mom: " yes son. i think they smell worse!"
14 year old: "cooool... " big grin
gotta love him:)
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
what a mom might say...
My sister {in law} Deandra sent this my way & I think it is great! I had to share with all my mom friends, Enjoy!
This makes me laugh
I hope you do too!
{btw- happy mothers day to all my friends, since i won't be here}
Thursday, April 24, 2008
TMI {too much info}
How long ago I was tagged... sorry, so here is one of the things i was tagged to do.
I think i'll do the bag one next:)
How long have you been together? 10 years in June
How long did you date? 2 years
How old is he? almost 37
Who said I love you first? don't remember- don't really care. as long as he says it now.
Who is taller? he is by 7 inches
Who is smarter? depends on who you ask
Who does the laundry? i do, till i complain enough or it gets to be too much build up for him to stand
Who does the dishes? me every day that ends in Y, once again- him if it becomes too much
Who pays the bills? are we talking about who's money- that's both of us - we both earn money. if we're talking who writes the checks-that's him. {he's an accountant after all}
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? looking @ the bed that's him {i wanted that side remember?}
Who mows the lawn? ME! and he knows he's goin' down if he even thinks about it! I love it! Those are my calories to burn!
Who cooks dinner? Sunnis in North city if i can help it:) Other than that- me on days that end in Y {again}. he does make mac'n cheese from scratch, cream of wheat sunday mornings for us, & poached eggs
Who is more stubborn? HE IS! { can't be me!} he always tells me to stop apologizing all the time!
Who kissed who first? this story warms my heart. so i'll tell it. i use to go high school then off to college, then to work, then to my night manager job, then home around midnight for a run.{yes i actually use to run}. one night i pulled up to my moms house across the street from his parents house, and he came out and asked me to go for a walk. it was summer and we had been on a few dates so i said yes. { i didn't know if he was an axe murderer or something!:)} he held my hand and we went around a few blocks. when we got back to my moms house i was getting stuff from my car, and when i turned back around i leaned on the door of my car, and he kissed me. all i really remember thinking was- i hope he doesn't notice that i have a canker soar! of all the times to choose to kiss me!
don't you wish you could have those sweet moments back again sometimes? i sure do.
Who asked who out?he did. actually he had been living across the street from my mom for some time{ during his divorce} and i never even knew he existed! {sorry honey} so he would see me pull in and wash my car there {my apartment charged you to wash your car there} and LEAVE ON DATES! ouch! and leave for my runs from there, so he totally saw me. he has told me he would even see me at the light by our house singing in my car. how embarrassing...he asked me to go on a picnic on sat. with him and his kids and his WHOLE family! i said i couldn't go because i would be at work, he turned to leave and i said"but i can go sunday!" he smiled and said that sunday it was. i met his whole family all at once, they have always said they loved me from the get go, i drove his truck on the way home that very first day, and his mom took the kids home. i think he asked her more so he could just be alone with me to see if he actually liked me. you know that's a hard thing to do- get to know each other when he has 2 kids under 4, 4 days a week and you both work more than full time. but as you can see it somehow worked out. plus the age difference. was it going to work? i was 18 and he was 26. he was divorced and i was 'dating'. i never dated another person from that first date with john. in fact: my mother was renting a room in her house out to a college student, and that first day john asked me out the renter was there and after john left i turned to the renter and told him i was going to marry that man. sounds corny but true. i bet that renter would laugh now if he knew how it all turned out.
Who proposed? he did. he put the ring on his pinkie, came to see me at work-waited for me to take a break. {i should have known, he never waited around for me} so we went outside and he held my hand {also something rarely done} when i noticed that something was on his pinkie i asked what it was, thinking it was one of his 4yr old daughters play rings. he took it off and the rest is history.
Who is more sensitive?ME! All the way! {wish i had kelly's 'ice princess' talent sometimes- love ya kel!}
Who has more friends?Me- but their husbands are his friends
Who has more siblings? John- by one
Who wears the pants in the relationship?Here's where that stubborn question would come into play.
most of the time me. the kids even know that. they ask me everything and know dad backs me on what i say. shilo will tell john "daddy! MOM'S in charge" he just laughs and nods
Who are you tagging? Bridget & Sarah
thanks for the tag and i hope i didn't bore you. that was very therapeutic for me! it's fun to remember those times, it seems so long ago.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
empty
right now my soul is wavering
i just want it to all be over
as i sit here and cry
you can never understand the pain
the pain of knowing what i know
the future is uncertain,
and all i feel is empty
how can someone who has so much to feel
feel so little?
and so the ride continues.
no baby in the future
no trip with my husband
the reality is bleak
and my stomach is ill
my head is spinning and
my heart is aching
the hurt my step kids are feeling
the trauma they are facing
the stability is gone
the money has run out
and yet we fight
we fight for their rights-
to not be caged
to not be hurt
to have a sense of peace
no one listens to their voices
they say they want to help
but they don't
to serve and protect is no longer
their motto
and all is just circles running
in our heads
what to do next
children are frustrated
parents are worried
the safty net returns the children
over and over again
no one listens to their pain
all i hear is my heart thumping
in my ears
my hands can't hold things
they shake with worry
and as for me...
i long for the lives of others
where your worries are of paying the rent
or being on time
where you have freedom to choose
to go on a vacation with you partner
or try to expand your family
have a date with your best friend
and talk about fun things
i long for those things..
that life...
just when i feel like my stomach is sick
and i want off the roller coaster
i am put back on with my boxing gloves
at hand
and told 'just do it again, your almost there'
i have come so close to the life i wish for
only to have it ripped from my white knuckled grip
my testimony is withering away from defeat
my marriage is strong from trials
weak from struggles
my lungs feel as though i am being held under water
our voices have been taken
and our nerves frazzled
you ask what is wrong...
this is what is wrong...
i need hope for a better outcome
strength for a stronger will and
faith faith faith
tears have to end at some point
for things i long for
i'm drowning in a pool of pain
and our life is suffering for it
positive thoughts are what we need
positive words
positive actions
positive outcomes
those are what we need
so pray with me
fast with me
pray for all the children
that they will be helped
someone throw out the life vest
pull us out of the ring
give me air in my lungs
pull the plug on the coaster
i want off
we all want off
i just want it to all be over
as i sit here and cry
you can never understand the pain
the pain of knowing what i know
the future is uncertain,
and all i feel is empty
how can someone who has so much to feel
feel so little?
and so the ride continues.
no baby in the future
no trip with my husband
the reality is bleak
and my stomach is ill
my head is spinning and
my heart is aching
the hurt my step kids are feeling
the trauma they are facing
the stability is gone
the money has run out
and yet we fight
we fight for their rights-
to not be caged
to not be hurt
to have a sense of peace
no one listens to their voices
they say they want to help
but they don't
to serve and protect is no longer
their motto
and all is just circles running
in our heads
what to do next
children are frustrated
parents are worried
the safty net returns the children
over and over again
no one listens to their pain
all i hear is my heart thumping
in my ears
my hands can't hold things
they shake with worry
and as for me...
i long for the lives of others
where your worries are of paying the rent
or being on time
where you have freedom to choose
to go on a vacation with you partner
or try to expand your family
have a date with your best friend
and talk about fun things
i long for those things..
that life...
just when i feel like my stomach is sick
and i want off the roller coaster
i am put back on with my boxing gloves
at hand
and told 'just do it again, your almost there'
i have come so close to the life i wish for
only to have it ripped from my white knuckled grip
my testimony is withering away from defeat
my marriage is strong from trials
weak from struggles
my lungs feel as though i am being held under water
our voices have been taken
and our nerves frazzled
you ask what is wrong...
this is what is wrong...
i need hope for a better outcome
strength for a stronger will and
faith faith faith
tears have to end at some point
for things i long for
i'm drowning in a pool of pain
and our life is suffering for it
positive thoughts are what we need
positive words
positive actions
positive outcomes
those are what we need
so pray with me
fast with me
pray for all the children
that they will be helped
someone throw out the life vest
pull us out of the ring
give me air in my lungs
pull the plug on the coaster
i want off
we all want off
Friday, April 18, 2008
proooon boxman video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3jDOGmm1IA
Check it out!~ my kids on Youtube!
{my kids the one on the right}
Check it out!~ my kids on Youtube!
{my kids the one on the right}
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Super Sized!
I don't remember exactly when it happened...
I looked around at what needed to be put away and I thought
" Good thing I have a business membership to the warehouses around here!" and then I thought how long it's been since I just 'went grocery shopping' you know like at a regular store.
But our average shopping trip looks like this:
3 bags of dog food at one time {they had a coupon for $6 off our kind so I'll get 9 more bags}
6 loaves of whole grain bread
1 veggie tray
1 container of pineapple pre sliced
1 tray salami
2 double packs of turkey
2 packs Tillamook sliced cheese
1 5lb bag Tillamook shredded cheese
60 pack of tortillas {great for homemade tortilla chips}
4 lb box strawberries
2 bags frozen chicken tenderloins
2 bunches bananas- one ripe batch and one on the green side
4 containers of natural peanut butter
9 pack danishes or 12 pack muffins
24 bagels
3lb cream cheese
6 gallons 2%
2 1/2 gallons Wilcox chocolate milk
3lb bag Mexican blend cheese
Costco granola- a favorite in our house
1 gallon simply orange
bag of 3 cantaloupes
2 bags Parisian salad mix
2 liters shampoo for the kids
1 liter conditioner
lever 2000 soap
36 count t.p
12 count paper towels
1 case go- gurt
5 lb bag mini carrots
20 lb potatoes
soft soap refill
hand sanitizer
bucket of cat litter
bag of cat food
cases of soda- always one case of diet coke, and maybe some Dr. pepper
last but not least...
a magazine for me { if i find one i don't already get!}
and a berry smoothie for the kid{s} that helped push around 2 carts or one flat bed with their mom!
I have a new fridge that is larger than normal, and now I think it needs to move out to the garage as an over flow fridge and I need to get one of those restaurant size double fridges!
Friday, April 4, 2008
"cough you" that's what Shilo says
So the illness has a name-
It's Bronchitis!
Yuck!
There goes my plans for staying in the Condos @ Birch Bay. { & making a run into Canada for some Bigg Wigg}
Maybe in the next few weeks we can go
Thank goodness for Codeine cough med.
Blessed are the ones who invented the Albuterol Inhaler to help w/ the wheezing!
It's Bronchitis!
Yuck!
There goes my plans for staying in the Condos @ Birch Bay. { & making a run into Canada for some Bigg Wigg}
Maybe in the next few weeks we can go
Thank goodness for Codeine cough med.
Blessed are the ones who invented the Albuterol Inhaler to help w/ the wheezing!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Pranksters & Jokers
#8 on the list of All Time Best April Fools Jokes: The Left-Handed Whopper In 1998 Burger King published a full page advertisement in USA Today announcing the introduction of a new item to their menu: a "Left-Handed Whopper" specially designed for the 32 million left-handed Americans. According to the advertisement, the new whopper included the same ingredients as the original Whopper (lettuce, tomato, hamburger patty, etc.), but all the condiments were rotated 180 degrees for the benefit of their left-handed customers. The following day Burger King issued a follow-up release revealing that although the Left-Handed Whopper was a hoax, thousands of customers had gone into restaurants to request the new sandwich. Simultaneously, according to the press release, "many others requested their own 'right handed' version."
Another April Fact:
April ranked 319 out of 1,000 in 2006 on the list of frequently used baby names compiled by the Social Security Administration.
Happy April Fools Day!
#10: Planetary Alignment Decreases Gravity In 1976 the British astronomer Patrick Moore announced on BBC Radio 2 that at 9:47 AM a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event was going to occur that listeners could experience in their very own homes. The planet Pluto would pass behind Jupiter, temporarily causing a gravitational alignment that would counteract and lessen the Earth's own gravity. Moore told his listeners that if they jumped in the air at the exact moment that this planetary alignment occurred, they would experience a strange floating sensation. When 9:47 AM arrived, BBC2 began to receive hundreds of phone calls from listeners claiming to have felt the sensation. One woman even reported that she and her eleven friends had risen from their chairs and floated around the room.
This is one of John favorite jokes- you have to be a real FOOL to believe this prank!
Another April Fact:
April ranked 319 out of 1,000 in 2006 on the list of frequently used baby names compiled by the Social Security Administration.
Happy April Fools Day!
#10: Planetary Alignment Decreases Gravity In 1976 the British astronomer Patrick Moore announced on BBC Radio 2 that at 9:47 AM a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event was going to occur that listeners could experience in their very own homes. The planet Pluto would pass behind Jupiter, temporarily causing a gravitational alignment that would counteract and lessen the Earth's own gravity. Moore told his listeners that if they jumped in the air at the exact moment that this planetary alignment occurred, they would experience a strange floating sensation. When 9:47 AM arrived, BBC2 began to receive hundreds of phone calls from listeners claiming to have felt the sensation. One woman even reported that she and her eleven friends had risen from their chairs and floated around the room.
This is one of John favorite jokes- you have to be a real FOOL to believe this prank!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Super Dad & Stevens Pass
John took 5 kids to Stevens Pass to Ski and SnowboardAll by himself! {I don't like to be cold and I had to work} Our 4 and Al's friend as an early Birthday present for Alex's 14th!
Shilo had the CUTEST skis EVER! They were pink and said princess on them! Apparently she did really well! And she has been asking to go back every day since then. Once again, I don't ski but John described the conditions to be like 'skiing on peanut butter', i guess it's a little late in the season to be out there but they had fun anyway.
Chastin mastering the Bunny hill
Shilo learning with Jordan
Jordan has been lucky enough to go skiing in Whistler BC in the last month and then go again with her dad to Stevens. She prefers to Snow Board, but is happy to help John teach the little ones the ropes to skiing.
John took Shilo on the Bunny hills at first, but she was soon bored with that and begged for more speed.Chastin on the other hand is a little more reserved and would have been perfectly content to ski the bunny hill all day, but alas, John and Jordan got him to the top of the ski lift. He quite enjoyed it after all. He has been on the lifts before, but now he wasn't the littlest any more. Shilo was, and she needed more help. John decided long ago that when each kids turns 4 they learn to ski with him. I think it's really cool; one of those things that kids do with just their dad.
This is my favorite picture from the whole day....It's Jordan's Snow Board and Chastin's Ski resting on top of it as the two of them ride the lift to the top. It just shows exactly how their relationship is. She is there for him to lean on.
Jordan lugged around her camera all day and took pictures for me, she knows how much I love to have pictures of special days and of the kids firsts. Different firsts for each kid.
Alex's first time Snow Boarding with a friend and being trusted enough to not get lost
Jordan's first time teaching her siblings a valuable lesson in 'no fear'. Because she had to be behind the camera, there are very few pics of her:(
Chastin's first time skiing with out me being there to help him stand when he falls
Shilo's first time skiing-ever!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
I'm cough n' runnin'
Coughing a TON and off to Oregon to visit Great grandma Margaret!
I can't pass up the chance to see her and all of my families up and ditched me, so at this hour I have decided that the kids and I will take off A.S.A.P in the morning. Sounds like fun right?
One nanny mom is worried about my health, one worried grandma, and one skeptical husband, but if I'm too miserable we'll just come home early...no harm done.
Hope you all have a good spring break too!
p.s- i won't be forgeting the NyQuil:)
Bye!
I can't pass up the chance to see her and all of my families up and ditched me, so at this hour I have decided that the kids and I will take off A.S.A.P in the morning. Sounds like fun right?
One nanny mom is worried about my health, one worried grandma, and one skeptical husband, but if I'm too miserable we'll just come home early...no harm done.
Hope you all have a good spring break too!
p.s- i won't be forgeting the NyQuil:)
Bye!
Friday, March 28, 2008
Sick Dayz
I'm all in a dayz and wondering how i could miss so much in just a few short days.
Chastins First Ever Pinewood derby
Shilos last day of swim class
Chastins dance performance for the Shoreline School Board
Shilos dance Class today
and I'm sure some more things that i coughed and slept through
So this is what i am living for right now.
..
Chastins First Ever Pinewood derby
Shilos last day of swim class
Chastins dance performance for the Shoreline School Board
Shilos dance Class today
and I'm sure some more things that i coughed and slept through
So this is what i am living for right now.
..- The phone so i can call downstairs ~i have very little voice left
- My ring to remind me how lucky i am to have a great husband who has spent his week going into work around 9 and then comes home around 2.
- Halls honey flavor to help with the cough
- Water - for when I finally have to swallow
- And one of my favorite sickie foods, sugar free Jello
- Chapstick for my poor dry lips, plus the fact that i am never far from chapstick anyway
- My new Cottage Living just came yesterday, and John gets so excited for me {and my magazine addiction} that he comes up stairs holding this saying" yeah- look a new magazine for you!" sweet man...he knows i am bored out of my mind
- And of course my tissues- i can't be in a room without them at this point!
- NyQuil- yuck! But it was either this or the shot of Whisky my mom-in-law offered, and i was told that the Whisky flavor would make the NyQuil taste like candy- so i opted for the 'candy' NyQuil.
The good news is- I should probably weigh around 130 by the time i get back to eating again! That would be good! trying to find that silver lining....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)