Serene is my name, Not my life!

What doesn't kill you only makes you crazy-er.

2012-01-26T06:12:00.000-08:00

She was my only all-natural birthed baby. *cringe*

She taught me strength when she had cranial reconstructive surgery.

She forced me to learn patience due to her natural mess making abilities. *shudder*

Sometimes I'm amazed I've survived her at all.

And yet, here we are!

Which is proof that whatever doesn't kill you only makes you crazy-er.

And now she has turned three years old! For some reason, it's really weirding me out. Like I'm getting all old or something. Not really, but kinda.

Does that make sense?

No?

Oh. Well please refer to the statement five lines up for clarification.

Thank you.

I know I know. She's ridiculously adorable. Just don't stick your finger in too close, she'll probably bite it off.

Now, originally I had big, big plans for making a rather grand cake. Pinterest had inspired me to do something super fancy.... for a little while.

But then reality set back in and so did my dis-inclination to go all wild and crazy on a cake that Alayna would never remember, and that I was sure to mess up.

I know myself well enough to admit that.

But who cares right? As long as you get to lick the beaters!! Yea-yah!

That's my girl. Get every drop!

Oh... but she did share with the others, a little.

That makes her a better person than me.

The only reason my kitchen looks this clean is because I knew I'd be taking pictures while I made the cake.

And I didn't want you guys to get stuck in the jelly or the juice that was everywhere.

I'm mindful of you like that.

Oh wow. So much cuteness! I ought to be ashamed of myself for hogging it all.

But I'm totally not.

And now you know what some of the kit-kat wrappers were really from as shown in yesterday's post.

Wa-la! Certainly not the super-duper facy cake I had origionally thought I'd do... fleetingly. But at least Alayna loved it!

I mean, come on. Who wouldn't love a cake covered in chocolate candy?

Alayna got a phone call from Granny just after we finished decorating the cake. You get brownie points for understanding anything she says. You might also have a future career in interpreting.

I'm pretty sure my mom was simply "uh huh"ing the whole time with no clue as to what the heck she was saying.

Dinner was a quick event, faster than I think I've ever seen before, as the kid's only thought was for dessert.

Ahhhh yea baby! Bring on the candles and the song!

Aaaaaannnnddddd..... the camera card ran out of space right at the worst moment possible. Blast it all.

And now, for my true crowning motherhood moment. And yes, I am going to boast and show off and act like a snob.

For the first time EVER in my parenting history, I did NOT use Christmas wrapping paper or plastic sacks to wrap the birthday child's gifts in.

I mean, I used REAL non-Christmas wrapping paper!!

Wahoo!

Go ahead. Just call me an over-achiever.

I can handle it.

Do I REALLY eat as much chocolate as I claim?

2012-01-25T06:03:00.000-08:00

So I decided to vlog this. It's my first vlog ever.

I have no idea why I did it as it was a total spur of the moment thing. An experiment, if you will. Maybe if I had planned it, I would have spent more effort of my hair.

Part of me wanted to see how hard it would be to stare at my camera lens. I admit, it's a little strange!

Of course, this vlog might totally weird you out and we won't be CFFs anymore. (chocolate friends forever).

That would squash my self-esteem a bit.

And can I just say, it's really weird watching myself full screen. I think I can see my pores. Ewww.

In all truth and honesty, I really do eat WAY more chocolate than I should and I can down a whole lot of it in one sitting. That is no exaggeration.

Oh, and I am also truly this strange in real life.

Now you know my secret.

All in a Days Work

2012-01-23T05:01:00.000-08:00

"Mom? Can I play games on your kindle?"

"Mom? Can I play games on the computer?"

"Mom? Can I watch a movie?"

All day long I hear those questions over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over again.

And then all over again. Gah!

Stinkin' winter.

And I might or might not be confessing that the time my children spend watching movies may or may not have increased just a teensy bit since Hubby signed up for Netfilx.

Of course, that all depends on your definition of "teensy".

*awkward moment of avoiding eye contact* Eh hem.....

Still despite the "teensy" bit of extra time the kids may or may not be spending in front of the new big screen or on the kindle, they do have to work for it.... most of the time, and they know it.

"Mom? What jobs can I do so I can play games on your kindle?"

"Mom? What can I clean up so I can watch a movie?"

"Mom? You are so pretty and nice and the bestest mommy ever and I love you so much..... Can I play a game on the computer?"

Sly little buggers.

I confess I've never had a chore chart. I confess that I've never been very consistent at making them do a set job every day. And yes, my house does tend to be in some sort of constant disarray.... or total annihilation. But still, we are a family and we work together, and my children know what is expected of them when we announce that it's time to clean up.

It would seem I have raised a few eyebrows when I've told people what my children do/have done in the way of cleaning.

Yes, they have cleaned the bathroom before. (even if I have to go back and clean it up again later)

Yes, they have cleared and wiped down the counters and tables. (even though they leave streaks... I hate streaks)

Yes, they have helped with the dishes. (although secretly I dread it because they always get everything so wet)

Yes, they have swept the floor. (even if they stink at it)

Yes, they LOVE to mop the floor. (I think this is their favorite chore)

Yes, they have wiped down the cabinets, and the sliding glass door, and the windows, and dusted the blinds, and vacuumed, and helped me load and unload the laundry.

I don't mind handing my children a spray bottle of cleaner and tell them to go at it! Mostly because all my cleaners use natural solutions instead of chemicals, and they only cost me about 95 cents a bottle.... thankfully. You'd be amazed at how much children love to spray things. Especially each other.

But there is one chore that seems to be universally despised by my children: folding the laundry.

Well heaven sakes, join the club.

And YES, I DO have them help me fold and put away their clothes. Even the two-year old.

Sure they stink at it and sure their clothes might not be perfectly folded and lined up color-coordinated in their closets. But I am a firm believer that children are never too young to start learning, especially the value of work.

If my children have the time and capability to spend hours playing outside, or hours sitting in front of a television, then they darn-well can spend an hour here and there developing a sense of accomplishment at the end of a job.

Wait... did I just say "hours in front of a television"? I mean, err.. *cough* not that I am actually admitting to such a thing mind you....

*awkward*

Well, Friday, Joseph was begging and begging to play a game on my kindle and so I gave him a choice. He could either do three jobs that I would assign him (usually it's something like, picking up the living room, or making their bed, or taking out the trash) or, he could fold all the laundry on the couch. There were three loads in a big ole' heap.

'Cause I'm awesome like that.

He chose the laundry. Fine.

It wasn't five minutes into the job when the whining set in. It's too hard, I need help! I can't do it! I changed my mind!

But like any good mean mommy would do, I told him that he had made his choice and he needs to see his job through to the end.

About five minutes later I hear, "Mooooom! I'm all dooooone!"

What!? No way. Something was so wrong here. Or he found a magic wand, which I would totally have confiscated for my own selfish purposes... lovingly of course.

I walk into the living room sure enough, all the laundry was gone!

It had all been thrown into boxes and hid in his room.

Haha! Like he actually thought I would fall for that one.

Wait, not quite sure how that reflects on what he thinks of me....

Anyway, I made him pull them all back out and start over. Oh the whining! He wanted me to help and usually I do. But for some reason I really felt like this time, he needed to know how to complete a job without my help from start to finish and experience that sense of accomplishment.

And no. I don't think five and a half years old is too young for such a thing.

Finally Jacob and Alayna decided they wanted to play games too and soon the three of them were going at it to get the job done.

I had told them to fold everything nice and set the clothes in piles and I would help them put everything away.

I left them to their own devices and about ten minutes later I hear, "Mooooommmm!! Claira's jammies and stuck on the fan!!"

What the.....

Apparently, they had been playing toss the clothes, rather then fold the clothes. Not a thing had been folded.

And yes, I intend to dust my fans now. Gross.

I reminded them that they didn't have to fold the laundry but since we had made a deal, that would mean no games either. Well, that sure got them back to work. When I came back to check on them a bit later, this is what I found.

I'm referring to the laundry on the floor, not Alayna's hand down her pants. Just to clarify.

Some of the clothes were folded, some were laid out flat, and some were just tossed into piles. But they were trying, and that's all that mattered to me.

When the couch was finally emptied... onto the floor, (whatever) I helped them put all the clothes away and handed over the kindle.

Perhaps Joseph didn't learn anything from the experience, but here's to hoping that next time, a job won't feel quite so overwhelming, that it is doable, and he can complete it.

Okay I lied. This whole post was about how I got my children to fold all the laundry for me. MWAHAHAHA!!

Oh come on... I'm kidding!!!

Maybe.

The Case of the Missing Marshmallows

2012-01-20T10:53:00.000-08:00

Someone's been eating the marshmallows.

But who? Certainly not me. Those fruity flavored ones are revolting.

Like most criminals, the mellow-snatchers have started to feel confident in their abilities, cocky even. And as a result, they've become sloppy.

Now before you jump to conclusions here, let's examine the facts. With only three children at home in the mornings, that narrows our suspect list down considerably.

At this point, I also feel it's safe to exclude the baby.

Unless her crawling abilities are far superior to what she's been letting on.

Of course, being my child and all it wouldn't surprise me. Not that I'm one to boast, but my crawling abilities are quite exceptional.

But for now, my suspect list has been whittled down to two main perpetrators.

Don't let the pink pony throw you off either. Jacob is well known for his inability to discriminate between "girl" and "boy" toys. A toy is a toy to him. End of story.

They both have a rather long rap sheets including: destruction of property, shoplifting from the pantry, assault with a stuffed penguin, and clogging the toilet with too much toilet paper.

Alayna is a well-renowned loner who often prefers to work solo. Sharing isn't her strong suit.

Jacob is known for not wanting to get his hands dirty. He has often been caught coercing a poor, unsuspecting brunette into doing all the dirty work so he can claim innocence when caught.

The scoundrel.

With both parties claiming innocence, the question remains, were they partners in crime? Or was it a one-toddler job? And if so, which one?

What's your conclusion?

Kind Words - An Observation

2012-01-18T07:30:00.000-08:00

I am no parenting expert, that much is so ridiculously obvious I really didn't even need to say it. But on occasion, I am capable of making an astute observation that helps me out in my chosen profession.

Before I became a parent, I would have sworn up and down, side to side and on a stack of chocolate that I would never yell at my children. Like, never ever.

*snort* Amateur.

While perhaps I may not be raise my voice all the time, and I certainly never yell mean and terrible things at them, on occasion the volume on my voice box does get away from me. Once I had done it, it was easy to do again. Seems like one you cross that line, it's so hard to back step across it.

Dang. I hereby vote for do-overs! And start-overs! And popovers! Wait....

But still, I try. I really do try.

One evening, as I was preparing dinner, the boys started going at it. They were flinging angry comments back and forth and it was escalating fast.

The girls decided they just couldn't be left out and had to throw in a few choice words of their own, which only fueled the situation.

I have taken to yelling above such noise to get every one's attention, but I really hate doing that. It does nothing to diffuse the situation, it only makes me upset and the kids, while they may break up the fighting, still remain in bad spirits. Still, it's often just the reaction that springs up.

Well on this particular night, I did something that I had no idea I was even going to do until I was doing it.

Speaking calmly and just loud enough to be heard so the kids knew I was talking, I said:

"You know, I think Alayna is really cute when she smiles."

A couple of the kids stopped yelling and turned to me.

"And I really think Jacob has the best laugh ever."

It was seriously incredible. At this point all of the kids stopped what they were doing and stood watching me, obviously waiting to hear what I was going to say about the next child.

"I think Joseph can say some of the sweetest things when he wants to."

A smile here, a giggle there.

"And Savannah is the best helper ever. She is just so great."

I said all this while still calmly preparing the food.

There were several seconds of silence before the kids turned back to each other. Savannah started doing her homework quietly, the boys went off to play, and Alayna went back to her coloring.

There really wasn't any kind of grand acknowledgement of what happened, except to myself. The kids stopped fighting, everyone was in a better mood, and I didn't even have to raise my voice.

Wow.

The power of kind words.

Do I do this all the time? No. Should I do this more often? Definitely. Will it work every time? Most likely not.

But it won't hurt to try.

"Be patient with yourself. Perfection comes not in this life, but in the next life. Don't demand things that are unreasonable, but demand of yourself improvement. As you let the Lord help you through that He will make the difference." - Elder Russell M. Nelson

Just sayin'.

Random Hindsight

2012-01-16T04:57:00.000-08:00

I didn't realize it at the time, but I was experiencing some mild postpartum depression after giving birth to my second child, Joseph. All I knew back then was that 1.) Two kids was really, really hard, and 2.) I was SO done having children for a while. A good loooooooooooong while.

Heh.

It's okay, you can laugh.

Alright, that's enough. Let's not get all carried away now.

Not that Jacob, my third born seemed to have any consideration for my plans. Because when Joseph was five months old, I bought a pregnancy test.

When I took it that afternoon and it came back positive, I burst into tears. I immediately called my husband up at work and proceeded to tell him the news.

I think under normal circumstances my husband would have been the one to freak out, but the seemingly emotionally unstable girl sobbing on the other end of the phone call was enough to keep him grounded as he tried to tell me that everything was going to be okay.

In the moment, all I could see before me was another nine long months of terrible nausea, insomnia, headaches and back pain while I tried to take care of two other children under the age of two, finishing up my college courses so I could graduate, and meeting my deadlines for all the art portraits I had been commissioned to draw.

I also felt terribly guilty. Guilty for feeling overwhelmed and wishing the timing was different. My sister was struggling to get pregnant at the time and I had several friends who couldn't get pregnant. I knew of the vicious cycles of emotions these lovely ladies go through and I was sure this was going to be one tough announcement.

With my hormones on super active overdrive and way out of whack, I vaguely remember crying more during that pregnancy than in the whole of my life. It also seems as if most of that time is strangely blocked from my memory.

Jacob's pregnancy, not my whole life.

That would be awkward.

However, there is a night forever etched in my memory of a colossal breakdown where I literally sobbed so hard that I'm sure I was partially hyperventilating. I'm sure it was terribly attractive and that's why Hubby sat on the bed next to me, awkwardly patting my shoulder, probably wondering what kind of psycho chick he married.

Poor fellow. He must have missed the, "Dealing with female hormones - Beginners course".

Come to think of it, I missed that class too.... I mean, how the heck was I to know I had postpartum depression? No one ever tells me these things! Jeesh!

But we obviously survived and when Jacob came, he was one gorgeous little baby.

And strangely, after that I felt great and decided having three kids was infinitely easier than having two! It was as though my hormones were suddenly back on track.

As totally weird as that sounds.

Over the years it has become apparent that Jacob is the comic relief in this family. Even as a baby his full body laugh was highly contagious.

While like any child he can be difficult in many ways , he is also, hands down, the funniest. It's just his personality, his special trait. He laughs with everything he's got and perhaps that's why it's so dang contagious.

But hang it all, he is also down-right random! Of course you know this because you read my posts.

I went to pick him up from joy school the other day when the mom teaching that week turned to me and says, "You know, Jacob is really random. Today while the kids were sitting at the table coloring, he looks up and says, 'If you throw the ball up into the air it will break apart and turn into a bunch of alligators!' Then he just... went back to coloring."

She sounded amazed.

I wasn't even surprised.

The other day he came up to me holding a hat that my sister-in-law had given to the boys and asked, "Mom? Where did you get this hat?"

Me: "Aunt Heather gave it to you guys."

J: "Aunt Heather?"

Me: "Ya, you know, Jeremy and.... and..... oh what's his name's mom?"

J: "Harry Potter?"

Now THAT surprised me. It's not like I've ever read them the books or shown the movies. So don't ask me where in the world he pulled that one from.

I have contemplated on which parent he received this randomness from and decided it must be me.

Hubby is just WAY to logical.

After coming to this realization, I have decided something.

Image from here

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I'm going to get Jacob this t-shirt someday.

Despite the overwhelming beginning, I wouldn't change when we had Jacob for anything. He is right where he should be, when he should be.

Life sometimes hands you a stack of cards that at first appears to be the losing hand. But it's amazing to see how so often at the end of the round, you had been holding the winning cards all along.

Looking back, I realize didn't have the foresight to look beyond the present.

So thank heavens for hindsight.

And calm hormones.

Oh... and chocolate. Just sayin'.

My Christmas Present Finally Arrived!

2012-01-13T08:21:00.000-08:00

Even though I have lived in the west for over 11 years now, I still have yet to buy a pair of snow boots.

It's true.

I mean, in Florida, you can buy yourself as many $2 - $5 pairs of flip flops as you want! But a pair of snow boots? Cha-ching!

I remember talking to my sister-in-law a couple years back explaining that I still struggled with the idea of spending $100 dollars on a coat. The one I had just bought had been about $40 and it felt like a fortune. She just kind of laughed at me and said she thought nothing of spending a hundred dollars on a coat, and that she had several.

I am slowly getting use to the idea that good, warm, winter clothes are going to cost a wee bit more that a pair of flip flops or a t-shirt.

Well, about three years ago, I decided I really wanted a pair of nice black boots. Not snow boots, but the kind that you can wear to church or to dress up a pair of jeans.

When I first started looking, I was instantly discouraged as it seemed most boots were well in the $70 - $100 range. I gave up.

Last year I found a gorgeous pair for $30! I wanted them so badly but hesitated. I mean, thirty bucks is still thirty bucks! So needless to say, I waited too long, and I lost my chance to get them.

This year, I told Hubby that I wanted black boots for Christmas. I think after giving him such a hard time about the vegetable peeler, he was fine with it.

I looked high and low, here and there. Finally.... finally, I found the pair I wanted.

But again, I hesitated. Should I spend the money? Really?

Needless to say, the store sold out of my size, then the boots disappeared from the website because they sold out there as well. I kicked myself. Why did I hesitate?? Gah!

Not quite ready to give up, I decided to be vigilante. I kept the web page that showed the boots open at all times on my computer and my kindle, then refreshed the page about ten times a day.

I kid you not.

Well, my vigilance paid off! Low and behold, just as I had decided it was pointless to keep checking, one single solitary pair became available in my size.

This time I didn't even bother to think about it. I hopped on my computer and ordered them right then and there. I even got to use a coupon on top of the sale price so I got them for a screaming deal.

Behold, my Christmas present. I am the proud owner of my first pair of nice black boots.

I know everyone has different tastes and styles so maybe you don't like them. But since I actually have to trudge through snow, I didn't want a heel too high or too skinny, and they are so incredibly comfortable!

And I love the buckles.

And since I'm sure my sisters are wondering, I might as well admit it. Yes, I really truly am wearing a pair of skinny jeans. I bought my very first pair ever about a month ago because I got tired wrapping rubber bands about my pant legs while I tried to tuck them into my other boots.

Hubby gave me such a hard time for the jeans since I am constantly mocking the style. I laughed and told him that I felt dirty paying for them.

Don't worry, you will never catch me going out in public in a pair of skinny jeans and flip flops. Hips like mine that have born five babies don't belong in that kind of fashion.

But I will say, they do come in mighty handy when you're wearing boots!

See! I just might get use to this winter thing yet!

On second thought... no. That will never happen.

Just An Evening at Home

2012-01-11T07:47:00.000-08:00

After Hubby got home from work a little after 6pm, we soon sat down for dinner. As we ate, I asked Savannah how her day at school went, and she immediately started off by telling me that she beat Dawson (a boy her teacher has dubbed to her her arch nemesis) at the 100 timed math facts race and that she got them all right.

She and Dawson have been going at it since kindergarten as they always end up in the same class together.

Joseph talked about the games that he played on the computer at school. Actually, that's all he ever talks about.

He's obsessed. Just sayin'.

The conversation continued for a minute or two before Jacob pipes up, "Ya but when you throw a blue ball at the building and it hits a person in the bum, then they will turn into a gorilla!"

*moment or two of confused silence*

Only Jacob.... only Jacob.

After dinner, I started the dishes and oddly, my mind wandered to the calm (for once) actions of the kids around me.

The boys sat at the table doing puzzles with daddy.

There is definitely something different in the atmosphere when daddy is home, playing and involved. I love it!

Claira was hanging out near by... until she decided she was done being confined and insisted she be let loose to do whatever she pleases.

And of course I obliged. Yes your majesty, of course your majesty, whatever you say your majesty.

Alayna was surprisingly calm as she sat at the counter coloring away. She's definitely in a phase right now. I think we single-handedly keep tree farms in business.

Savannah sat in the living room, finishing up her reading for school.

Do you think it's born into girls to cross their legs like that? Because I laugh every time I see her do it.

Nothing exciting was happening, nothing out of the ordinary or different. But for whatever reason, it all just felt so... content. Fulfilling.

Even if I hadn't done my hair and the only make-up I had on was mascara, and I went to the store like that.

I'm only a tiny bit ashamed.

Later, I was jotting down Jacob's words when I had a brief lapse in memory. So I was thinking out loud more than anything when I said, "Jacob? What were we talking about at dinner?"

He then tips his head to the side and looks up like he's thinking, then responds. "Uh.... you said 'I', then I said 'B'! Ya, that's right!"

..................................Okay then.

Never a dull moment.

Not even when the kids started growling and yelling at each other before it escalated into hitting and punching while they got ready for bed.

Awesome.

Our New Family Addition

2012-01-09T07:57:00.000-08:00

Okay, admit it.

When you read the title you thought I was announcing that we were pregnant again, didn't you! Come on now.... fess up! I know you did.

But no, that is SO not what our new family addition is.

As you know (if you've been reading us long enough) we are super money conscious, especially my husband. Every penny is accounted for at all times. We've always had a budget, we've never had a credit card, and we avoid debt like the plague.

If we can't pay for something in full on the spot, then we don't get it until we can. (except the house of course)

Now, Hubby and I had been married about.... oh, a little over a year, when a good family friend gave us a gift.

We were incredibly excited to have a television and thought it was greatest gift ever.

Believe it or not, we already had a dvd player. Apparently Hubby got it for free as a promotional incentive when we bought my engagement ring.

Deep down, I think that's the REAL reason he got it when he did. (kidding!)

For years this little guy served us well.... until our dvd player bit the dust.

By then we had three or four kids, and since we don't pay for cable or anything, our children only ever watch movies.

So when the dvd player died, we started using Hubby's ancient of days laptop computer, until that bit the dust.

Then we started using a little travel dvd player that we got as a gift at one of Hubby's work parties, and just hooked it up to the tv. Until the kids broke the connection cable.

So for a long time, we were simply doing this.

It worked well enough until the kids ruined that as well.

By then we were borrowing another laptop from Hubby's work and started using that laptop to watch movies on.

And all that time, Hubby had been saving, and saving, and saving... waiting, and waiting, and waiting.

Finally, FINALLY, over black Friday, he got a screaming good deal on his new baby. It was back ordered so we didn't receive it until this past week.

Introducing...... uh... well actually, we haven't decided on a name yet.

It has been temporarily set up like that until Hubby can find a wall mount he likes. Then it will moved to its final resting spot above the fireplace on the other side of the family room.

Since Hubby also got a blue-ray player (screaming deal over Black Friday as well) for the first time ever, I saw a movie in blue-ray. I could never understand what the big deal was until I finally saw it for myself.

Wowza, I get it now.

So there you have it! Our new baby.

Hubby's first words after he set it up were, "It's not big enough!" Haha! Boys and their toys, what can ya do.

But if he ever says that after I push a real baby out, he'll regret it... forever.

Just sayin'. (lovingly of course)

Final Winner Announced and Savannah's New Sign

2012-01-06T08:08:00.000-08:00

Well my friends, I hope you enjoyed the giveaways we had throughout the month of December. I'm sure at some point in the future we'll do it again, but for now, I need to go clean out my inbox!!

Okay, so the winner of the mymemories.com software giveaway goes to:

Congrats Korine!

Also, for the rest of you, don't forget that you can still use the coupon for a $10 discount off the My Memories Suite V3. AND if you do decide to buy it with the discount code, you will receive another discount code in your confirmation email for $10 to spend in their kit store.

STMMMS42513

(use this code for the discount)

~~~~

Savannah's New Sign

My oldest child is a writer. Sure she throws fits, cries and pouts like any other kid, but she also vents it all out on paper.

Once the neighbor kid did something that "hurt her feelings", so she wrote him a whole letter on what he did and why it hurt her feelings and that he needs to say sorry to her if they want to stay friends.

Then she gave it to him.

He couldn't read yet.

But it still made her feel better.

She always writing love notes to Hubby and I, saying that we are the best parents she's ever had and that she'll never forget us.

Now I don't know about you guys but, whew! I was getting a little worried there that she would forget who her parents are.

And as you know she's always writing her testimony to read in church, and coming up with signs for her door.

Well the other day, a new one appeared that I had not seen before. I'm not even sure what set her off. It was while my sister and her hubby and son had stayed the night with us.

Well goodness sakes. I wouldn't dream of intruding on her privetsee.

I already know what I'm going to get her for a wedding present.

A mailbox.

And peep hole.

Yup. She can set it up the mailbox right outside her bedroom door so whenever she and her husband get in a tiff, she can write out a letter on what he did and why it hurt her feelings and that he needs to say sorry to her if they want to stay friends, and put in in the mailbox for her husband to collect.

Then he can write profound apology letters and love notes in return and she can use the peephole on her bedroom door to check and see if the red flag is up so she knows to collect her mail from him.

Sometimes I'm amazed at my own genius.

The Art of Kissing a Boo Boo

2012-01-04T08:27:00.000-08:00

For the most part, when one of kids gets hurt, they turn into little puddles of tears and won't let anyone near the offending spot.

"Do you want me to kiss it better?"

"NO! Don't touch it!"

All except Alayna. She cannot function or be appeased unless every bump, bruise, scratch, pinch, nick, ding, and boo boo gets kissed all better.

But it has to be the precise spot before she is satisfied.

This is a true story.

"Owwee owwee owweeeee!" Alayna comes running over holding her finger out in front of her. "Mommy mommy! I hurt my fingewr! Diss it beddewr! Diss it diss it!"

Squatting down I gently take her finger and plant a little kiss on it.

"No mommy! Not derwe... derwe!" she says pointing about a half centimeter over. I oblige and kiss her finger in the indicated spot.

"No mommy! White... derwe!" she exclaims pointing at what to me looks like same spot. Apparently its not.

Still obliging, I give her another kiss.

But now she's just getting mad at me.

Exasperated she rolls her eyes and frustratedly points at the same exact spot I just kissed.

"White derwe!" She practically yells at me.

A bit exasperated myself, I finally just take her finger and kiss the whole thing from top to bottom and all the way around.

"Is that better?" I ask.
Burrowing down into my lap, she pulls a pouty face and quietly confirms,"Yea."

Well heavens, who knew this process could be so complicated!

A New Year

2012-01-03T06:16:00.000-08:00

(Run away! Thoughtful post ahead! Close your eyes, I'm warning you!)

It feels strange.

This new year had come without fan fair or recognition at our house. It came and went just like any other day. Hubby sick with a cold, the kids alternating between playing and fighting as always, the baby waking up cranky at 12:30am. I don't even remember what we had for dinner New Years Eve... leftovers?

Probably.

I feel rather unprepared as I see others writing about goals and resolutions, their big plans for change and betterment.

I confess I have hardly thought much along those lines. This holiday break has been something of a blur. First with me being so sick, then Hubby, I'm afraid we haven't done anything exciting,

Well, other than Hubby signed up for Netflix.

Whoa... I know right. We're moving up in the world!

I'm not saying I haven't thought about goals or things I want to change, organize, or accomplish, I just haven't mentally set myself up for those things yet. Perhaps as life returns to it's normal state of being this week, I'll regroup, refocus, and revamp.

But there has been one thing on my mind of late.

On occasion I receive a comment or an email from someone who honors me so deeply by sharing a piece of their inner turmoil or thoughts, usually concerning motherhood, sometimes just life in general.

It always surprises and humbles me when I receive such things, and I confess it sometimes makes me feel guilty too. I wish I had wise advise to give, I wish I had helpful answers. But I am not any different than any other person trying to figure things out. And I really wish people wouldn't compare themselves to me.

Yes, I have sat down on my kitchen floor and cried out of pure discouragement. Yes, there have been times I have questioned my choices, even if they weren't bad one. Yes, I do have self-esteem issues. Yes, I do struggle with the intense responsibility of raising children and meeting their individual needs. Yes, sometimes I get flat out overwhelmed.

And sometimes I don't. Sometimes I'm okay. Sometimes I'm great. Sometimes, life is incredible.

But not all the time.

So, as this new year kicks off, all I can hope for is to simply try a little harder to be a little better.

I came across this and I thought I would share.

"What can . . . young mother[s] [do] . . . to reduce the pressure [of raising young children] and enjoy [their families] more? . . .

"Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.

"Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said: 'The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less' (Loud and Clear [1004], 10-11)."

M. Russell Ballard, "Daughters of God," Ensign, May 2008, 109

So here's to a new year and many new blog posts to come, filled with messes and mistakes, humor and joy, frustration and fear, love and just, well... life.

Software Giveaway from MyMemories.com

2011-12-31T05:02:00.000-08:00

So, I need to confess. The first time I was sent an email from this company, I didn't even really read it. I just skimmed over it then promptly forgot about it.

*gasp* I know right? Some people are so rude.

The second time I got an email from them, the email was a lot flashier, with colorful banners and bold lettering.

And I'm somewhat ashamed to admit that, like a cat chasing a flickering light, it caught my attention and I decided to look into this a little more.

Now I'm sure you men will be groaning as soon as I mention the word "scrapbooking", but yes indeed, this is a scrapbooking software giveaway!

I know, I know. Girls and their toys, what can ya do.

Now I have another confession. I ultimately decided to do this giveaway because I wanted the software for myself. Yes, I was given a copy so I could try it out.

Once upon a time, long ago when I was single with apparently lots of time to spare... or something, I use to scrapbook all the time. It wasn't until after I had my first baby that I was introduced to the world of digital scrapbooking. So I went on a big digi streak there for a while.

But it still took me forever to get a page done and I just didn't have the time for it.

I think I only have the first couple months of my oldest child's life scrapbooked and documented.

I'm still not sure if I should be ashamed of myself or proud that I even have that much done!

Anyway, so yes, I wanted this software.

And you know what? It really is great! Easy enough for beginners yet complex enough for hard core scrapbookers.

I can upload all my digi stuff that has been gathering metephorical dust on my hard drive and use them in the program. I can build a page from scratch or use their pre-designed templates or layouts.

So, whether you are a scrapbooker or a wanna-be, I think you would like this softeware.

Would you like to win a free copy of the My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software (a $40 value)?

MANDATORY:
-Go to their SITE, look around then come back and tell me about a favorite scrapbook pack or layout. And don't forget to leave your email address!

OPTIONAL FOR BONUS ENTRIES:
- Blog, Tweet, or Facebook about this giveaway and send me the link.

- Follow this blog or Like it on Facebook. Not just this post, but my website via the little Facebook like box there are the side of my blog.

- Like/Follow mymemories.com on their Blog, Facebook, and/or Twitter

(If you already do any of the above, just say so in seperate comments and those will count as an entry)

That's it! FOUR entries max. And PLEASE leave a separate comment for each entry. The giveaway will run through Thursday, January 5, ending at midnight.

BUT WAIT!

Let's just say for a moment that you don't happen to win this giveaway but you really want the software.

Well My Memories is offering a $10 discount for the My Memories Suite V3. AND if you do decide to buy it with the discount code, you will receive another discount code in your confirmation email for $10 to spend in their kit store!

STMMMS42513

(use this code for the discount)

Good Luck!!

Winner Announced and Baby Teeth

2011-12-30T12:01:00.000-08:00

Whew! Okay then! FINALLY got my stinkin' internet back up!

It's the kind of victory that calls for chocolate. So don't worry, got my bag of chocolate chips right here.

I confess, there are few thing more annoying to me than not having internet access. Does that make me addicted? Dependent? Strange? Terribly good looking and clever?

What? I promise I am NOT trying to encourage you to choose one option over the other (Pick "terribly good looking and clever"!!)

Honest... I'm not! Because I would never do such a thing as to try and bribe someone in order to get something I want. (If you pick "terribly good looking and clever" I'll share my chocolate chips with you!)

So, the moment you've all been waiting for... the winner of the $50 e-card is:

Congrats! I'll be in touch!

I'll kick off the last giveaway of the month later tonight. It might not be as exciting as 50 bucks, but I hope some of you will like it!

~~~~

Claira had been sleeping through the night so well for so long that she's totally spoiled me. Then one night she just up and decided she wasn't going to do the sleeping thing anymore.

Torture, that's what it is.

Not that it's really her fault. Misery loves company and cutting teeth sure makes for a miserable baby.

But finally, joy of joys, her little teeth broke through! She's still not sleeping through the night again, but at least she not up every hour trying to chew her fist off or her blanket to shreds.

I was trying to take pictures of this headband I made, but the pictures turned out so cute of Claira herself and her new little teeth, I just can't help myself. I'm showing her off.

Man, do I make cute babies, or do I make cute babies!

You might as well admit it, I make cute babies.

Must be all that chocolate I ate.

Christmas 2011 - Part 2

2011-12-28T15:00:00.000-08:00

I failed to post Alayna's rendition of "Silent Night" yesterday.

Don't be fooled by all that ridiculous cuteness. If you stick your finger in too close, she's likely to bite it off.

And yes, she sings like this at church too. It's so awesome.

Now, where were we.

Oh yes, we had put all the kids to bed Christmas Eve... or so we thought.

Being the ever organized and ready person that I am, I had yet to wrap a single gift.

Not wanting to risk the kids coming out of their rooms and discovering their Christmas booty being wrapped on the kitchen table, I took everything out from the back of my closet and laid it all out on the floor at the foot of the bed where I started in on the wrapping while Hubby dozed on the bed as he watched.

I consider myself a girl in control of herself for not chucking the tape at his head.

Lovingly of course.

I was only a present or two into the wrapping process when none other than Savannah walks in.

Who knew that after having five kids and multiple stretch marks engraven on her stomach that one could still be so quick and agile? I leapt to feet faster than you could say "Santa Claus", even I was impressed with myself, and shooed her out of the room.

Of course I'm not fool enough to kid myself into thinking that she didn't see anything, and she doesn't really believe in Santa anymore, but still.....

I asked her what in the world she was doing out of bed and she turned on the whine. "But mom! I couldn't sleep! My brain won't stop thinking!!"

Oh... THAT excuse again huh?

"Mom? Can you please leave a plate of cookies of Santa?"

"Uh...sure."

"And a snack for Rudolph?"

"Whatever you want. Of course. Now go to bed!"

I'm ashamed to admit that I never did those things and I'm pretty sure I felt myself blush the next morning when I overheard Savannah say from the kitchen the next morning, "Santa ate all his cookies and Rodolph at his snack all gone!"

Ahem....

It was a little after 7am when the kids came tearing into the bedroom yelling that Santa had come! Oh the excitement! Everyone was in such an good mood.

We started by opening family gifts, then moved onto the gifts generously given to us by others. Finally ending with presents from Santa and his crew.

Due to the absence of my believed photoshop program, I figured this was the best way to show some for the pictures from Christmas morning. Don't worry, there's not that many.

But to be sure, my favorite picture from the whole day is of Jacob checking out the new marshmallow gun Uncle Abe made for him.

Hahaha.... it makes me laugh.

Soon after, we all got ready for church. I thought it would be smooth sailing since church was only to be the first meeting.

But after an hour, it was clear to me the kids had ants in their pants and I for one was ready for the meeting to be over.

I know, I'm terrible.

But it's true.

So when we got home I announced that no one was allowed to change until we tried to snatch a couple family pictures!

We did our best. Thank goodness for the timer setting on the camera!!

And so it was that the rest of Christmas was filled with the sounds of new toys and happy children.

Me? What did I get?

Funny you should ask.

Did I ever tell you the story about the time Hubby got me a vegetable peeler for Christmas? No? Well, I'll save that for another time.

But I was shocked and amazed when I opened up this beautiful thing.

Hubby later said, "Hopefully this makes up for the vegetable peeler."

Boy does it ever!! I love it!

Hubby's been a real sport this past week with me being sick and all., he's really stepped in and helped out a lot.

Now, as you know I'm not one to be all mushy and stuff, but he deserves a little mush this time.

Thanks honey, you've been great! Really truly.

And there you have it. Our simple Christmas story.

THE END

Christmas 2011 - Part 1

2011-12-27T12:48:00.000-08:00

Did I ever tell you guys my poor iMac died a couple weeks ago?

It's true. *sniffle* We were best buds for over nine years! We've been through a lot together. Been with me since hubby and I first started dating! He's always been there for me, ya know? I feel so lost without him and my precious photoshop program.

I do my best with these silly little PC photo editing programs but, meh.... I need my photoshop back!! So I apologize for the sorry state of some of my photos.

Anyhow, did you have a splendiferous Christmas!? What'd ya do? Where'd ya go? What did ya get? Come come, spill it!

We had a rather great weekend ourselves. There is something so thrilling and exciting for children at Christmas time that seems to spill over and make everything sparkle with cheer!

Oh... maybe that's just the spilled water reflecting from the kitchen floor....

But they do have a rather fresh and unique perspective on things. Much like Claira and her favorite spot under the tree. Who wouldn't love it if your point of view looks like this?

Friday night we got a special visit from Santa, thanks to a swell neighbor who just so happens to be tight with him.

It's all about who you know, ya know?

I know it looks like Alayna is about to stab Santa with her candy cane, but I promise she's not. She told me later that, "Santa is berwy nice!"

After Santa took down what everyone wanted for Christmas, he took off in his modern, motorized sleigh (the reindeer need their rest after all) and went off to visit other children.

But the kids were even more excited for Christmas after that! If such a thing is possible.

Christmas Eve morning, we rounded up the children and explained that this year, we were all going to draw names for each other and go pick out a little present for them.

You would think we just told them they get to live at Disney World or something. They thought that was the greatest idea since the invention of sugar.

Which invention I happen to think is man's greatest achievement.

So we made our way to the over-crowded isles of Walmart where Hubby and I split up with the kids based on who had who's name, and the kids had a ball picking out little gifts for each other.

Alayna picked daddy's name and I had a really hard time convincing her he didn't need a baby doll or pink lip gloss.

By the time we got back, I was about ready to pass out (the anti-biotics for my infection were just starting to kick in so I was swinging back and forth between feeling better and crashing again) so I fell asleep during the movie that the family was watching... King Fu Panda 2 I believe it was.

I awoke to the sound of Hubby calling for dinner time. I trudged up the stairs to the smells of... pizza!!

Frozen pizza.

Yes, we did indeed feast upon (cooked) frozen pizza for Christmas Eve dinner.

And no one minded a bit.

After dinner and baths, the kids got to wrap the presents they got for each other.

Once they were done, we all sang Christmas songs. Alayna wouldn't be satisfied until we sang, "Once there was a Snowman" about 26532 times.

Ah, sponge rollers. They make me smile.

Then daddy read the nativity story from the scriptures.

After which the kids wanted to sing more songs.

After "Silent Night", things slowly deteriorated into songs like, "Randolph the Bow-Legged Cowboy" and "The Grinch". Which of course led to Hubby pulling out his iPhone, which I have lovingly dubbed his "pocket mistress" since he spends so much time on it, and soon they were all watching and listening to any weird Christmas song they could find.

Once I finally threatened to flush his pocket mistress down the toilet if he didn't put it away, we had family prayer and put the kids to bed.

Or so we thought...

TO BE CONTINUED

2011-12-25T13:17:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!!

From:

and family!

CLOSED $50 e-card Giveaway from couponchief.com

2011-12-23T22:52:00.000-08:00

Oh dear. Oh my! Oh my aching frozen toes you guys, I am so sorry.

I spent the whole morning thinking it was Thursday. Seriously, I think my antibiotics are messin' with me or something.

I was feeling like a big pile of poop all over again and barely able to function, and seriously, I was like this most of the day. (picture, compliments of my children, you're welcome)

Yup, that's me. Legs up the back of the couch, without a stitch of make-up on. I know some of you are thinking you'd give anything to be like that but believe me, after feeling like a big pile of poop for several days, you'd almost give anything NOT to be that way.

Anyway, it wasn't until later that I realized it wasn't Thursday, but FRIDAY! And then our Internet had been down all day so I am just now getting around to starting off this giveaway! EEKK! I'm going to let the giveaway go an extra day.

*grovel grovel cringe bow stoop fall*

*meekly* Can you forgive me?

........ Oh great. Now I can't get back up.... hang on a sec.....

Well, okay then! By show of hands, how many of you have ever heard of a couponing site called: couponchief.com?

Mmmmmm..... oh ya... umm hum! Excellent!

Well, in case you haven't, Coupon Chief is one of the fastest growing coupon sites, with over 250 thousand visitors a month! They have over 50 thousand coupons for over 15000 stores, giving them one of the largest databases of online coupons on the net.

What fabulousness! Hmm... I rather like that... fabulousness.

Now that Christmas is upon us, I know everyone is looking to save a little money, and some of you are probably even avid couponers.

I have yet to attempt to immerse myself into the clipping world. I bow before you.

Oh great.... now I can't get back up again..... hang on a sec... *unladylike grunting* Okay, I'm up, I'm up.

Anyway, I was pretty impressed with the simplicity and straightforwardness of their blog and ease to find the coupons you want. I'm seriously excited about this site!!

And now, the best part, they have graciously offered to give one of you fabulous readers a $50 e-card to ONE of these fabulous places. The winner can choose!

Amazon.com

Target.com

Home Depot

Gap

Old Navy

Seriously, maybe I should have my hubby enter, I mean, he's a reader too right? I think it's only fair.... right?

Pish fine fine. You win.

I'll just sit here and eat my M&Ms and wish I was you.

So, here's how to enter.

MANDATORY:
-Go to their SITE, check it out (be honest now) and come back and tell me if you are a hard core couponer or just use them from time to time. And don't forget to leave your email address!

OPTIONAL FOR BONUS ENTRIES:
- Blog, Tweet, or Facebook about this giveaway and send me the link.

- Follow this blog or Like it on Facebook. Not just this post, but my website via the little Facebook like box there are the side of my blog.

- Follow their site couponchief.com, or like them on Facebook

(If you already do any of the above, just say so in seperate comments and those will count as an entry)

That's it! FOUR entries max. And PLEASE leave a separate comment for each entry. The giveaway will run through Thursday, December 29, ending at midnight.

Good Luck!!

(Please remember this is not typically a giveaway blog. It's just for the month of December!)

Winners Announced and Baby Love.

2011-12-22T09:13:00.000-08:00

Are you ready? Are you excited? Oh, I'm ready and excited! Especially since I'm doped up on pain killers and antibiotics. Compared to how I was feeling yesterday, I might as well be at Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory swimming through a chocolate river of bliss.

Seriously, that's enough to make even the grouchiest of people happy.

So special thanks to Lisa who happen to drop by to give us Christmas treats and found me withering in pain on the couch, my children running a muck, and Hubby still at work.

It must have been a pretty frightening sight since she immediately set out providing dinner and babysitters so Hubby and I could go see the doctor.

Someone upstairs must really love me.

Or at least like me... a little.

So, the winner of Giveaway Number One, the book/cd combo goes to:

And the winner of the Giveaway Number Two, the new release cd goes to:

Congrats you two!! I truly hope you enjoy them!!

Don't forget to come back on Friday! I know it's going to be crazy busy with Christmas but let's face it, $50 is worth a quick drop by.... right?

~~~~~

Sometimes it's a wonder that little Claira hasn't been loved to death, literally.

She's been picked up by her head, more than once, compliments of Alayna.

I had a heart attack the first time Savannah carried her down the stairs.

I've told Jacob over and over again not sit on her.

And Joseph doesn't seem to understand why Claira gets upset whenever he lays down on the floor, puts her on his stomach, and tries to roll over together.

I take comfort in knowing that at least she'll be one tough cookie.

Still, these little monkeys sure do love their baby sister and are always so encouraging.

If only I could get them to stop pulling her around by her legs.

Do you know Ted?

2011-12-21T10:58:00.000-08:00

Withering... whimpering...

Aches... chills... sweating...

Pain... pain.... stinking pain

Headaches... nausea....

I'd almost rather be pregnant right now than deal with this blasted kidney infection... almost.

That's how awful it is.

Anyhow.

When I was a kid, before the days of built in vehicle DVD players and handheld video games, and we went on long car trips, we played games like, The Alphabet Game, where you try and find all the letters in the alphabet on signs or license plates. Or I Spy.

But there was also another game we played. I have no idea if it was unique to our family or not, but it went down like so.

One person would start by saying: I one a (insert anything you can think of) slimy fish
The next person would say: I two a slimy fish
The next person would say: I three a slimy fish

And so on and so forth until it would get to the number eight.

I eight a slimy fish.

Then everyone would eeewwww and gross, you ate a slimy fish!

This could go on for a really long time.

Well, I made the mistake of teaching this little game to my family, since we lack any cool, built in electronics in our vehicle.

We've used all sorts of weird words for this game.

Even Claira.

I eight Claira!

Anyway, one time, as we were playing this game, Hubby starts laughing out of the blue and says, "No wait, wait! I have a really good one!"

He started. I one Ted!

Jacob: I two Ted! (Hubby bursts out into hysterical laughter)

Joseph: I three Ted.

Savannah: I four Ted! (Hubby breaks out into hysterical laughter again. As in, so hard he's crying)

If you don't get it, you clearly don't spend enough time around men and their sense of humor.

The kids totally didn't get it at first but if Daddy thought it was so funny, then clearly it must be! So Ted gets brought up every time we play this game.

Like this past Saturday when we went in to the in-laws for their annual Christmas Party. (and this lame-o blogger forgot her camera) During the car ride, Ted was a frequent visitor in our game.

So, if you ever decide to play this game, be warned. If you let Ted in, he will never leave.

P.S. Don't forget today is the last day to enter the Hilary Weeks CD giveaway! And be sure to come back Friday (even though I know it's so close to Christmas) because really, who wouldn't want to win 50 bucks!

My To-Do List Makes an Awesome Paper Airplane

2011-12-19T06:20:00.000-08:00

I started off last week on a total high.

I was taking my totally awesome incredibly fabulous vitamins every night before bed, waking up in the dark and early for some personal spiritual time, then did some exercising.

Yes, exercising.

Shockingly, I do know what that is.

But I still have no clue what the word, "nap" means.

Anyway, the thing is, I've been eating and eating all this chocolate, and for some strange, unknown reason, these last ten pounds of baby weight just won't come off!

I know, weird right.

So I considered upping my chocolate intake to see if that would help. But finally decided to try the whole healthy eating and exercise bit to see what that would do first.

The trouble is, I can never ever seem to get my beaten up carcass out of bed early enough to do it. And if I wait until after the kids are off to school, I have three active little ones begging for my attention, or insisting they need to exercise with me.

Meh, no biggie. It's actually rather cute.... until someone wants a drink, or is hungry, or wants to be held, or needs to go potty, or accidentally gets kicked, or they fall over into the wall.

Apparently their balance is as good as mine.

So exercising while children are awake is a joke. Such a joke.

Enter my vitamins that do wonders for my energy level and there I was, getting myself all up out of bed (even if it is a rather ungraceful, accidental swan dive onto the floor first) and getting things done!

But about Thursday, I was starting to get aches and chills and a few rather...er.... embarrassing and highly uncomfortable symptoms that screamed, "Kidney infection coming your way!!"

Ah nuts. Seriously?? Do I look like someone who has time to deal with a kidney infection? Huh? Huh? Do I!? Do I!?

Noooooooooooo................................... I do NOT thankyouverymuch!

Just in case you were unsure.

Anyhow. So besides the 237856498734659873645187385746123587645 things I have to do this week, (just like every one else) I get to do it all while feeling constant, never ending jabbing pain in my lower back, among other symptoms.

Not that I'm complaining.

Well, okay. Maybe I am. Just a little.

Hey, I never claimed to be perfect!!

Oh wait.... maybe I have.

Eh hem... moving on then.

Knowing that this week is going to be crazy, I started looking for a few shortcuts.

One of them was the Christmas goodies.

You know, the ones people always make and hand out? Ya..... SOOOO NOT going to happen this year.

So I cheated. And I'm not ashamed to admit it.

I saw this idea of using baby food jars to hold treats, although for the life of I can't remember where, and I thought, ah ha! Perfect! (I had been saving the jars for something else but something tells me I'll be collecting them for a while. Because right now, I'm feeling too lazy to make all of Claira's baby food)

So, just fill 'em with treats.

Cover 'em up.

Make sure to have plenty of little elflings to cheer you on.

And fight over the jars.

And wa la! Treats jars ready to be given away.

The kids chose most of the families who were to be the recipients. Hopefully you guys don't feel too left out.

Especially because I know how badly you all want a baby food jar covered in paper.

I can sense these things.

But the kids were so stinking excited to deliver them and we had a blast!... Right up until they started fighting over seats and Jacob got his fingers slammed in the car door.

Smiles and laughs turned into screaming and tears in less than four seconds.

Ah, Christmas cheer. There's nothing like it.

So now I'm off to a corner to suck my thumb and whimper in pain while contemplating what other totally awesome shortcuts I can do with items on my to do list.

Maybe I'll just make a paper airplane out of it and pretend it never existed.

I like that plan.

P.S. I just happen to discover that my amazing e-friend Amy did a little spotlight on me over at her blog! I know right! I was shocked too.

Well.... come on now. You don't need to act THAT surprised.

Anyway, she's really great. You should stop by and give her some bloggy luv.

A Giveaway with TWO Winners - Hilary Weeks CDs

2011-12-16T08:09:00.000-08:00

At 8:15am this morning, I came up from downstairs to find Jacob and Alayna and taken every single shoe out of my closet and had them piled up in the middle of the living room floor.

How do they do that? Seriously, I was downstairs for what... three minutes?

That's pure talent I tell you.

Now if only they could be that fast in cleaning up their messes, I would be even more impressed!

Then hire them out to other people. I can always use some extra cash.

*awkward silence*

What?

Anyway, I'm excited to get another giveaway started! Actually, here's what's cool. There are going to be TWO WINNERS because there are TWO items to win!!

Item One

A while ago, I won't even begin to tell you how long ago as it is just flat out embarrassing, Deseret Book sent me what was at the time, Hilary Weeks new book called, "Bedtime and Naptime and bedtime and naptime..."

It's a cute, fun little book where she tells a bunch of funny motherhood stories from her life, while throwing in a recipe here and there, topped off with a little advise.

It truly is a great little book, very funny. And it also contains a bonus cd! Hilary has a knack for changing the lyrics to songs and turning them into a hilarious "oh we have SO been there" song. Watch this little video to see a few examples!

For those of you who have been long-time readers of this blog, you'll remember when, a little over a year ago, I posted this cute little video that my friend Heidi had made using pictures from my blog.

It's fun. This song is also on the CD.

Item Two

Deseret Book has also graciously offered to giveaway a copy of Hilary Weeks newest album called, "Every Step." I'm so excited that they are willing to do this for you guys. I LOVE Hilary Weeks!

Here is one of the songs on there. I hope you'll watch it. It's SO good. A bit of a tear-jerker that really puts our lives into perspective.

So, think you might like a copy of either one?

Winner One will receive the book/cd.

Winner Two will receive the new album.

MANDATORY:
-Leave me a comment, with your email. Any comment will do. Maybe your thoughts on her songs?

Or maybe more bribe attempts to get the random number generator to pick you.

Those were awesome.

OPTIONAL FOR BONUS ENTRIES:
- Blog, Tweet, or Facebook about this giveaway and send me the link.
- Follow this blog or Like it on Facebook.

(If you already do, just say so in seperate comments and that counts as an entry)

That's it! Three entries max. And PLEASE leave a separate comment for each entry. The giveaway will run through Wednesday December 21, ending at midnight.

Good Luck!

(Please remember this is not typically a giveaway blog. It's just for the month of December!)

Winnner Announced and Other Random Things

2011-12-15T07:59:00.000-08:00

Forgive the delay in posting.

It was the stinking school bus' fault.

Well... okay... I suppose you could say that "technically" it was my fault.

But I'm going to go with the fault landing on the bus.

The dang thing just can't be consistent! For a while, the bus was coming at 8:04am every morning. Fine. Then they got a new bus driver so it was coming closer to 8:08am. Sweet! Then yesterday, they had a new driver and it didn't come until about 8:12am!

And since it's now 3000 degrees below freezing here, it just feels like child cruelty to send my poor innocent little ones out the door any sooner than absolutely necessary.

So at 8:05am, we opened the front door just in time to see the bus driving away.

SERIOUSLY!?!

And in my rush to get to the school and back as quickly as possible, I may or may not, cause I'm not actually admitting to doing it, threw a hand up in frustration and say to the truck in front of me, "Dude, seriously? Can't you drive that thing any faster!?"

Then the rest of the way home, Alayna kept yelling at the car in front of us, "Drive faster dude!! Drive faster dude!"

Remind me to watch what I say from now on.

Anyway! Now for the reason you guys are all here this morning!

The winner is:

Congrats!! I'll be emailing you soon!

Don't forget there will be another giveaway tomorrow!

~~~~

So, on a totally random note.

This little one is scooting everywhere! Not full out crawling yet, but totally scooting.

She attacked all my fabric that I had laid out on the floor on the other side of the room while I was making hair bows.

My days of luxurious relaxing are over!

Wait.....

~~~

This little one potty trained herself this past week!

You think you're surprised? Ha! Believe me. I almost fainted from shock! Little miss sassy-pants who had no interest in it whatsoever, up and decided one day that she wanted to wear underwear! And since I swear I've developed motherhood induced ADD, I kept forgetting to take her to the bathroom.

So after about two days of hit and miss accidents, she figured it out and just started taking care of business all by herself!

Sweet! One less diaper bill! Today, the chocolate is on me!!!

Oh wait. I think I may have actually... *clearing throat* eaten it all already.

Sorry.

Okay, that was awkward.

~~~

And finally, you know you really, really need to go grocery shopping when...

You discover a new box of cream cheese on the floor... gone.

When inquired about, I was told, "but we were really hungry!"

Oh dear.

I better go hide the sour cream.

A Recipe - Bacon Potato Casserole

2011-12-13T08:44:00.000-08:00

I go through these cooking spurts as I battle the never ending cycle of musts VS wants.

For a while I am totally on a cooking high where I want to try new recipes and cook all healthy and from scratch.

About two days later, I start into the other spurt, usually when I get on a high for something else, (like reading or crafting) where cooking is the last thing I want to think about and I wish I had an endless supply of frozen pizza in the freezer.

Or a personal chef.

I mean, come on. Would having a personal chef really be so bad?

I think not.

This spurt tends to last much longer than the other one.

Right now I'm in a cooking funk where I have ten thousand other things I would rather be doing, so I am struggling with the whole making dinner and feeding my family thing.

I mean, seriously. Is eating cereal every night really such a terrible thing?

Don't answer that.

Anyway.

The other night I realized it was close to dinner time and I needed to whip up something fast.

I rummaged the freezer and threw this dish together.

Surprisingly, and yes, I mean surprisingly as sometimes my experiments aren't always... edible, it turned out so well the whole family loved it! (of course they love anything that involves bacon)

So I made it again the other night when we fed the missionaries, and they too loved it so much I decided to post it.

I'm sure most of you have some sort of variation on this, it's not like I'm a cooking genius or anything. But in case you don't, this makes the perfect holiday potato dish!

Serene's Quick and Easy Bacon Potato Casserole.

Ingredients

1 bag (2 lb) Southern Style Hashbrowns (frozen)

3 cups water

1/2 cup flour

2 tablespoons mayo

1 can cream of chicken soup

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup shredded parmesan cheese

1 lb bacon

Lightly spray a 9 x 13 casserole dish and add the hashbrowns.

In a large bowl mix together water, flour, mayo, cream of chicken soup, and salt and pepper.

Pour mixture over the hashbrowns.

Sprinkle the shredded parmesan cheese over the top.

Top off with the bacon, over lapping the strips to make it all fit.

(You could cut them up if you wanted but since my kids always fight over the bacon, claiming someone got more than they did, this is easier since I can just pull off a piece for each of them)

Put in the oven uncovered and cook at 400 degrees for about an hour. Wa la!

Sure it may not be the healthiest thing ever, and sure it might not look all fancy. Sure it might not make it on your top ten list of diet meals planned for your 2012 New Year's resolution.

But, mmmm mmmm. It sure does taste delish.

Monday Monday

2011-12-12T07:14:00.000-08:00

So...

...how's your week going so far?