Productive..... almost

So, this morning, I got up at 6:30 with Liza to get her out the door to a tutoring at 7:30.  I knew that a shower wouldn't happen today unless I grabbed it early, so I hopped in the shower and was out and dress nice and early.  You know, when I was in Young Womens, I had a leader who always looked put together, as did her children.  I asked her one day how she did it.  How did she be a mother to her 4 small children and still be so beautiful.  She told me that the key to being a beautiful put together mommy is to get up an hour before your children and take some time for yourself every morning.  At that time, I was sure that I would do this.... then I became a mom and realized how precious sleep is and NEVER EVER took her advise.  This morning, however, I saw, just a peek of what she was talking about.  How peaceful it was to be up and ready before my children got up.  It was wonderful.  I was so productive this morning too.  By 8:40 I was showered, dressed, make up on.  All 4 kids dressed, 2 off to school, lunches made, and had two other children here to play.  My kitchen was cleaned up from Breakfast, and I sat down at my computer and put a screeching halt to my productivity!!!!  But I had a good time reading blogs.  I did take a break to take a few pictures, and had a terribly unsuccessful photo shoot with Katie and Leah.  Oh well.  It was fun none the less.  

President Gordon B Hinckley

I felt the need to write a little tribute (for lack of a better word) to a wonderful man.  I am so thankful for the life and service of President Hinckley.  He was such a shining example of how to emulate the Savior in these Latter days.  He loved and cared for all, he was so wonderful at dealing with the media, and always carried the spirit even when others tried to confront him.  He built temples, and temples and more temples.  I am amazed by the leadership that he provided and the example that he was.  I am sad that he has passed on to the other side where I can no longer see his cute little smile and twinkle in his eye.  However,  I picture him running into the arms of his sweet Marjorie with tears of joy streaming down their faces and I know that all is well.  She is likely showing him the ropes right now, I sure hope that Shirley has had a chance to see them an chat for a moment, I know that they will gather together at the feet of the Savior and know that all is right and good.  To a wonderful wonderful man......  Thank you!   

Blogaversary

The 23rd was my BLOGAVERSARY!  I guess I ought to look into printing this up soon.  Yeah for a whole year of Blogging, and here's to many more!  Yipee!

SLAMMER TIME!

Yesterday I spent over an hour chasing this little turd around the community!   As the girls and I were headed out the door yesterday morning he snuck past Tori playing with the door and bolted out into the free world.  Upon the advise of my dear friend with the most obedient dog in the whole world I did not chase him.  I stood and demanded that he return to the house.  He chuckled in his little doggie way and skittered across the street.  Of course I am not going to demand that he cross the street again, and put himself in danger, so I cross with him.  I continue to tell him to come, and he continues to ignore me.  As he wanders up the street and into the court  I followed as to make sure he didn't get too lost as I continued to call his name.  Eventually though, I made a few reaches for him, which he quickly dodged.  At which point, this became a wonderful little game for Chinook.  OH I WAS SO MAD!!!  I chased him, and almost got him a couple times, but after 40 minutes of him running away and mocking me, and making me 1/2 hour late for our play date, I called Jeri, who was headed out the door.  She swung by my house, pulled up by Chinook and I in a neighbors yard, and called him  "Hello Chinook, come here!"  So excited to see a friend, Chinook ran straight into her arms.  (He had to pass me to get to her and when he did, he was sure to run a little further away, and keep his eye on me as he ran past!)  Little Turd didn't know that we were in cahoots!  LOL!!  GOT HIM!

When we got back in the house, I spanked his bum and told him he was a "bad dog" and put him in his crate!  

After putting the kids to bed, I went outside to put out the recycling, I was sure not to let Chinook out with me, as I was planning to open the gate in the yard in order to walk out with the boxes.  I took one box to the curb, picked up the newspaper from the drive way and threw it in the house when I came up to grab the other box of recycling.  Before I knew it, he snuck out of the sliding door and was out of the yard again!!!

This time upon the advice of my big sister, I decided to take the less threatening approach and just crouch down and call him sweetly, still not chasing him.  This did not work.  After 20 minutes I called my neighbor, who's yard we were in, and asked her to put her dog out on his lead so that Chinook would come to say hello to their dog and I could nab him!    It took a few minuets, cuz Chinook was on to me again, and was saying "Hi" to Cooper in such a way that I STILL couldn't reach him.  After I caught him, I didn't say a mean word.  I didn't spank him, I didn't yell.  I just visited with Heather for a minute and then came back in the house.  I set him down on  the kitchen floor and he skittered into his crate so quick.  HE KNEW HE WAS BEING BAD!!!!!  I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO GET MAD.  OOOOHHH  What a brat!  So to quote my Cousins Husband;  "Poor Puppy, his few moments of freedom cost him some hard time in the slammer!"  

Getaway!!!

This week, I got to go on a little getaway.  Jeri and I headed up to Lancaster on Sunday afternoon to take a couple days away from kiddos.  It was heavenly, but much too short.  We discussed our options of never returning, but decided to come back anyway.:-)

On Sunday night we drove up to Intercourse where Jeri drove me around so I could take pictures of the Sunset.  We also stalked the poor Amish people in carts to get a shot of that without being too bold.  It was a very pleasant and peaceful Sunday Evening.  We returned to our hotel to chat and watch tons of TV.  It was SO relaxing!!!

On Monday morning we woke up when ever we felt like it, and headed down to the "continental breakfast" in the motel.  It was dry and yuck, so we didn't do that again on Tuesday.  But it held us over for the morning as we hit the first outlet mall. (yes, I said first).  Less then a block from our hotel was a VF factory outlet mall.  We hit Carters, Children's Place, Pottery Barn, countless shoe stores, and so so much more.

We Broke for lunch at Panera (YUMMY) and poked a little fun at the "Amish Farm" nestled between Target and Panera.  LOL!  (its a tourist attraction, so silly)

We then returned to the outlets to wrap up that group.  At about 4:45 we headed back out to the farm lands to do a little Amish stuff.  We went to Kitchen Kettle Village, a cute little place full of shops.  As we got there everyone was locking their doors.  Apparently Amish country shuts down at 5 pm in the winter.  So we ate in a little down home kitchen buffet in Intercourse, it was very down home cookin'.   We went back to the 2nd outlet mall to hit a few things before they closed.  Bath and Body works, Motherhood (for Jeri) and Gap.

When they kicked us out of the outlets we headed to the Theater where we indulged in very large drinks and a chick flick!  We saw 27 dresses.   It was cute.  It made me laugh, I don't know that I would buy it on DVD though.  Maybe in a few years when it is cheap.  We had some good laughs over some one liners in there too as we drove back to the motel.  When we got back we filled the tub with hot bubbly water and soaked our poor tired feet as we listened to Enya and giggled some more.  Then we curled up in our super super soft blankets from Bath and Body Works and went to sleep, for a second night of uninterrupted rest.  MMMM

Tuesday Morning we got up and headed for Sonic for Breakfast.  Yummy!!  Especially the drinks.  HE HE.  We went to Kettle Kitchen Village for the morning where we got to see some Amish Quilts and watch little Amish Ladies can beets.  It was really neat.  We tried tons and tons of yummy jams, jellies and salsas that were made right there by the Amish women.  There were signs all over that said "No Pictures Please." So sorry, I've got nothing.  We tried to go on a tour, or see a movie or something, but the visitors center was closed for winter hours too.

So we headed back to Lancaster for more Shopping.  Lunch at Wendy's, and a pit stop at Pottery Barn Kids, and this amazing place where every article of clothing in the store was $8.98!  I found a few cute things.  We went to a whole bunch of shoe stores until I finally settled on another pair of boots!

We went in so many really good stores and hit some really good deals.  But none as good as the deals at our last stop.  At about 5 pm we grabbed our last Cherry Lime-aid and headed for York where we planned to spend the next 2-3 hours in THE CHRISTMAS TREE SHOP!  Oh yeah, so much fun!!  Such good deals.  We took our time, looked at almost ever corner of the shop and both spent over $100!  But we got some really cute cute cute stuff.  And some of it was even functional.  :-) LOADED!!!!  LOL!!  THIS DOESN'T EVEN DO IT JUSTICE!

 We took our tired, hungry, achy bodies over to the Chilies right there, and were delighted by the huge menu that is offered at a full scale chillies.  (We only have a Chilies too here)   We pigged out and then got in the car and headed home, chatting the whole way.  It was SO much fun.  As we approached home we kept driving slower and slower, the closer we got.  I begged Jeri not to take me home, but she did it anyway!  :-(  

My kids and my puppy missed me tons.  I think even Brent missed me a little.  It was a great trip, so so so much fun.  But now that I've done all that shopping, I need a massage.  :-) LOL!!!

18-23/ 365

23/365

"Emma, you gotta come see this, thers some english gal out ther takin pictures of yur laundry."

22/365

La Lune

(the Moon in Intercourse, PA)

21/365

Amish Wagon

(look closely you can see an Old Order Amish Gentle Man on your left side of the cart.. you can see the white of his shirt and his beard)

20/365

Lancaster Silhouette

(mmm, my favorite)

19/365

Bathing Beauties

Tub time is a wonderful part of my day.

18/365

Winter Storm

17/365

Winter Storm

Today it snowed, a real snow.  The kids got off school early today and we had play dates scheduled.  Liza had Jady over for a sleep over, we got her straight off the bus at 12:30.  We also snatched up Wyatt for Alex to play with.  Wyatt stayed till around 5.  And so that Tori wouldn't feel left out on our way home from the gym today we brought Mary Elle with us.  She stayed until after 4.  Everyone had a nice long play date, and not one kid wanted to go home when the time came.  The part that I loved about it was, that Katie took a nice long nap and I have 3 floors to my house and each kid paired off with their little friend on a separate floor of the house and it was so peaceful.  I sat in my lazy boy and read my book and drank drinking chocolate for hours.  It was wonderful.  Who ever thought that one could have such a wonderful peaceful winter day with 7 kids in the house?  The kids had some hot cocoa with marshmallows and whip cream and each little pair took a trip out in the yard to play with the snow.  It was so nice.  What a fabulous day!

15/365

"SNOW"

Today it "snowed" here in Maryland.  This was it, and it was gone in no time.  It was still nice to see some white stuff.

14/365

I spend a large chunk of time at the pool.  I love teaching water aerobics!  

13/365

I love my boots! The Red ones are my favorite!

12/365

So this is what has been occupying me for the past few months.  I am such a slow reader, but I sure enjoy every moment I have with Edward. :-)

11/ 365

Poor Chinook was Neutered on Friday. I have been quite busy keeping care of our poor itchy frustrated little guy.

Check Yes Or No

Third Grade Romance.......  (except she is in 4th grade)  Liza got a call last night from "Fernando" and he wanted to know if they were supposed to do some homework packet.  Liza told him no, and then as they hung up, Fernando said "I love you."  Liza told Brent about this, but not me.  However this morning I found this on the table.....

Had to capture this moment. I don't even know how to react. Silly kids.

You've got to be kidding!!!!

So about a year ago we had ADT install an alarm on our home.  It was a bit of an eye sore but we kind of got used to it, and there was really no where else to put the stupid thing.  Well they sent me a letter in November telling us that they were "up grading" their system and they need to come out and put in a new box.  No charge to the customers of course.  So today my ADT fellow came and put this in........

We can talk on a cell phone to someone on the other side of the world, we can take pictures of our neighborhoods from outer space and look at them on the internet.  Why the SNOT does this thing have to look like that!!!!  What is with the giant Antenna?  This thing is at least twice the size of the older one.  I am sure with out a shadow of a doubt that my husbands I phone holds more information and does more functions then this thing that is at least 6 times its size!  I just had to show you all.  What a mess, how do you sell a home with THAT on the wall???? URGGG!

Itchy Itchy Itchy

Poor Chinook, his surgery site is so itchy and we make him wear that stupid cone on his head.  He has resorted to this.  LOL!! It is really funny when he gets going!

God Must Be Busy?

Back in high school I dated a boy named Gord.  He was a really sweet guy, but was not a member of the church.  I had been told from a very young age to marry a member, mostly to avoid any conflict, and also was told from 12 years old and up that you marry who you date.  I never really understood this.  I always thought that it was a little "close minded" until Gord's Grandmother passed away.  Gord called one day, sounding a little glum, he told me about his grandma, and I gave him a normal Christian response, something along the line of  "that is so sad, but you'll see her again someday."  His response almost knocked me over, he told me that he didn't believe that, he told me that when someone dies they go in the ground and that is it.  I was shocked, to say the least.  I remember feeling so incredibly sad for Gord, that he lived life believing such things, but also feeling an overwhelming amount of gratitude for the knowledge and testimony that I had that there is a God, and that we will return to him again someday.  Our conversation led to the golden questions, "Where did you come from?"  "What is your purpose here on earth?"  and "Where are you going?" .  He answered them with Dirt, Party, Dirt.  :-(  I cried and cried through that phone call as I bore testimony to him that there was so much more to life.  I later broke up with him because I realized why there was such a problem dating someone who doesn't have the same beliefs as you, what if I fell in love with him?  How would I work my way out of that one?  We stayed friends and eventually Gord took the discussions, joined the church, served a mission, and married in the temple to a wonderful girl named Angel and has 3 children.   (but that is not what this post is about).   

On that same note Yesterday I heard a song on the radio (of course it was a country song) that was called "God Must Be Busy."  It brought back all the feelings that I had talking to Gord that day on the phone.  Less shock, but more gratitude for the knowledge that I have.  The song talks about all the horrible things that are happening in the world today, and how parents are praying to find their lost or stolen children and they are getting no answers from God.  The song gives so many examples of how horrible the world is and I felt like the song was blaming God for not being there.  I was so sad as I realized that so many people in the world don't know about or understand Free Agency.  We were all given the Agency to choose, if God took that away he would be like Satin, controlling us, and making choices for us.  Fortunately, God chooses to give us Agency but unfortunately he can therefore not control the bad choices that some of his children make.  We are unfortunate to be touched by the decisions of others, but that doesn't mean that God is too busy for us.  I know that He is there for us, and I know that having our agency to choose is good.  I am so blessed to have a testimony to help me deal with daily life, to give me assurance that God is there, that He loves us, and that all will be well in the end.

5-10/365

10/365

Even Cinderella needs a little color sometimes.

9/365

Time Flies

I registered Tori for preschool today. This is the clock on her school.

8/365

My Lifesavers

My visiting teachers were my lifesavers today. I am so thankful for all my friends here in Maryland.

7/365

Do you really have to go?

"Peanut" and Tori have been friends since we moved here 2 1/2 years ago.  She is a daycare child of my neighbors and will no longer be coming to daycare.

6/365

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

SUCH a great lesson in RS today!

5/365

My Collection's complete

Today I found the dishes at Target that I have been eyeing for over 2 years, on SALE!  Yippie

I chased around to 3 different targets to get all the bowls, but it is done, and I LOVE them!

TODAY...

This morning I woke up and Liza was already in the bathroom doing her hair, I went to start the sometimes lengthy task of waking up Alex.  As I walked into his room his bed was empty and he was sitting on the corner right up by the window looking outside.  I asked him what he was doing, he said "oh, I'm just watching the squirrels. "  Then he continued to tell me a few stories about what he had seen the squirrels do this morning, he had assigned each of them a roll in a family, where a timid one that was afraid to jump was the baby.  It was sweet to see him so calm and enjoying nature so peacefully.  I then went in the shower, and when I got out they had their lunches made and were about to eat breakfast.  They made it on the bus and then Katie got up and ate her breakfast and then the three of us were off to register Tori for Pre school for the fall.  (I can't believe that she is big enough!)  We met Eli and Christina there and then ran a few errands.  After getting all our MUST HÅVE DONES done.  We met Eli and Natalia at Jump Zone.  I love Jump zone and it is so affordable.  I bought a pass today that is for 7 admissions and it was $30! If I take just Tori and Katie during the day, I only get charged for Tori.  That's a little over $4!  Crazy good deal, I sure hope they stay in business.  It really was a nice calm day, which I needed after yesterdays craziness.  I hope that the day continues in this fashion.  Oh no!  I hear the bus......... here's to hoping!  

Project 365

 So on Jan 1st I started what is called Project 365.  I take a photo a day and post them on my flicker.  I thought it would share them here weekly too as a type of journal of the week.

 1/365

He tried to hold still, he really did.  This is me trying to figure out how to get good composition with a flash

2/365

HOT DOG

Today I took the girls to Costco for lunch.  Katie kept saying "hot dog" and pointing to her hot dog, then pointing to the sign and saying "hot dog"  she was so excited that she had what was on the sign.

3-365

FRIENDS

I took the girls to the Mall today to play in the new play place.  Tori and Natalia are great friends and this is a very familiar picture of the  two of them.

4/365

IN BOX

When one goes on vacation their "In Box" tends to get a little full, this is mine.  This is what I did today.

Alex and His pupe (By Alex Wall)

onw day thar wus a doy namd Alex and that doy nand Alex wus thicing if he wood beebl to biy a pupe he asct his mom to bi a pupe his mom sed mabee.  olee if you behav and he did he wrct and wrct and wrct intel his mmom got a pupe and he sed thagc you thagc you thagc you  I luve you!

LOL!!!! By the looks of the story, he wrote it in some spare time at school, he has it all folded into his makeshift book with staples all over it.  He showed it to his teacher and she wrote a big star on it and said "Great Story- I love it!"   It is really fun.  He thinks that b's and d's are interchangeable, and one part I couldn't recreate is the fact that every "p" that he wrote he made backwards so it looks like 9u9e.  :-)

Christmas Dresses

I tried and tried and tried to get a picture of all the kids together in their outfits.   I really was having some focus issues with my camera, I need to get practicing.    None the less, here is the best of what I took.  As always the individuals are the better of them all, but still, not very good this time around.  I had to mask a lot with the black and white.  :-)  Maybe I'll dress em up again and think a bit more before taking the pictures.  

Trouble

This is a familiar picture around our house.  Katie loves to get into stuff and usually it is food.  I have never had a true pillager in any of the other children, but Katie.... she likes her snacks.  Her latest name for a snack is "CRACK"  I am guessing short for cracker?  But we have had a lot of fun around here talking about Katie and her Crack problems :-)

New Years Day

The Love of Alex's life is the Science Center.  He really really really likes to go, and never ever feels like we have spent long enough there.  I try to take him when ever I can, it is hard to go however, because when ever school is out, the place is a mad house.  So today I figured it would either be insanely busy or dead.  Well, lucky us, it was pretty quiet there.  The kids had the best time playing with Alec, Sophia, and Selina. 

They loved showing them around.  I once again did not take my camera.  ( I held it in my hand, thought for a moment and then left it.  I know that there is some great light in the science center and I would have wanted to to a photo shoot, and I didn't think the kids would like that much so I left the camera.) Tracy however, has saved me twice this week and has forwarded me photos of the kids playing.  After 5 hours at  the science center, and only taking a short break to eat and one quick planetarium show,

 we still hadn't been there long enough for Alex to be happy.  We drug the poor boy out of there anyway.  We did a quick trip to the "Fudgery" just for the entertainment as we surely don't need any fudge around here.  The kids had fun watching the guys flip the fudge and sing songs.  I always enjoy the songs, I think that they hire some pretty talented people!  The day was a huge success!

Despite my grumpy Alex (which seems to be the way of him lately anyway)  everyone had a great day and thought it was a fabulous way to bring in the new year.  On the way home I thought I would get some gas, milk and pizza from Costco, but at 4:45 pm they were closed!  I just don't get the whole being closed on New Years Day thing!?!  Really?  We're going to treat it as a holiday,  am I missing something?  Anyway, we came home and had Turkey Pillows (the kids favorite) and left over sweet potatoes, tubs and some stories and then off to bed.  It was a great day, especially for a call day, those ones are the hardest to get through.

2008!!!!!! Happy New Year

(Julie, me, Jenni, Laurel, and Tracy)

We had a wonderful time ringing in the new year!!  We went over to Julie and Mikes house after we "put the kids to bed".   I thought that our sitter would have it easy, but I guess Liza and Tori kept her hopping until after 11 pm!!  (GRRR)  they were put to bed at 8:30 and we left at about 9:15.  I don't think that the door was all the way shut before they were up!  Little turds!  None the less, we had a great time pretending that they were being good here at home.  We ate some absolutely delicious treats, my favorite being a tie between Julie's Bar B Q Bacon wrapped chestnuts (mmmmm, salivating) and Mikes amazing pomegranate Jello desert. UMMM, I have been craving that for 24 hours now.  It was so good!  All the other snacks were yum yum yummy too.Jenni on Base Guitar, Tracy on Vocals, Me pounding out the drums..... I believe we are playing Bon Jovi!!!!
 We broke out the Rock Band and took turns rockin' out.  It is so fun to watch people come out of their shell while they play.  It was a ball.  I didn't take my camera, but here are some shots that Tracy forwarded me.  We got home and to bed around 1:30 am.  Poor Brent had to work a 24 hour shift New Years Day, so he was up and gone while I continued to saw logs!  I am sure he is really struggling to stay awake.