Van Fam

XMAS EVE 2010

2010-12-24T18:51:00.000-08:00

Another Christmas I can't believe it. Where did this year go I mean it seriously flew by. What a great year it has been too. So much going on. So much change and progress. We have been so blessed as a family. I'm so grateful for our loving families that have supported our decisions and continue to love and support us. For amazing friends, old and new.. I miss my friends I never see anymore, and I'm grateful for new friends I have made here. What a blessing to have friends all over the world huh? We have been very busy this christmas season, I finally feel like I have a minuet to breathe and blog for a second.

So just a quick update here. We hosted Thanksgiving here this year. It was great fun. Dr.Vans family came into town. That was so nice to have everyone here and introduce them to Asheville. We had a blast with them. So much food, shopping, hiking, ping pong, and just visiting the heck out of each other. Then we hosted 2 parties here. One for the Young Women at church, and another for work. We had so much fun!! Yummy food thanks to "12 bones" and fun games and prizes thanks to Dr.Van. We had a ping pong tournament, connect four tournament and, a plasma car race down in the basement! A special musical number by one of our sweet employees that was awesome! and a few more fun numbers by the entire staff! We partied till almost midnight! These southern folks sure know how to have fun! I'm so thankful to have such wonderful people to work and associate with ( I use the term "work" loosely, because i don't actually work with them as much as I have lunch with them) I guess I'm thankful to have a great bunch to work with Dr.Van. They sure make his life easier, which in turn, makes mine easier, so thankyou. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas Tomorrow and I'm sure I'll blog again soon! Love to all!

birthday girls....

2010-11-24T16:08:00.000-08:00

Coco turned 9. Holy moly. This sweet girl is just that, sweet. She is pretty and funny and smart. She is a good helper and is most always happy. Am I a lucky mom? Yes. I think so. I love you Chloe Darlene.

This Annie Girl turned 5 I can hardly believe she is so big. She is so busy and social. She loves going to pre-school and playing with her "best friends"...though she can never remember their names. She is spunky and full of life and we are so glad she is ours.

I love you Annie Grace.

Carolina Girl

2010-11-04T19:07:00.000-07:00

Hey started another Blog! (roll your eyes now..go on get it all out) Just my own personal adventures in NC. To update as often as I like without feeling like a total blogaholic. It's a guilt free enviroment for me..Click on it if you want...or not. Just girl talk and maybe recipes..I'm pretending it's my own personal column in a magazine..so just humor me.

November 4, 2010

2010-11-04T13:18:00.000-07:00

So Like a good friend I feel like I can just pick up where I left off and pretend that I haven't skipped a beat in my blogging efforts, and like a good friend all is forgiven. I used to document everything. And I quite enjoyed it, it was a creative outlet and cheaper then therapy. But then I had baby #4. And just like my post baby body, things have never really been the same. Now that's ok, I love Baby #4. He's fantastic and makes me giggle inside when I think about him. The point is I am making an effort now to get back to the things that I once found so much enjoyment in. My new glasses are not one of them. I am really trying to get used to them but it's darn near impossible and I find myself nodding my head up and down looking thur my glasses, not thru my glasses, thru my glasses, not thru my glasses, better, worse, better, worse..etc.. Quite a distraction. Anyhow. I will try to focus on my thoughts( which apparently are all over the place) as I listen to the two small girl voices discussing my big belly when I was preggo with #4 at the table behind me. Yes, easily distracted. I have a headache, but the blogging must go on...

So yes, we still reside in North carolina. North. Not South. Big Difference in the amount of Confederate flags that are flapping in the wind. We still like it too. Our kids miss their friends and so do Dr. Van and I, (that's what I'm calling Bart from now on just trying it out, not trying to sound pompous I'll probably forget and call him Bart Later, just overlook that if that happens) but our quality of life has improved and that's the look we were going for.

Work is busy. The people in the small town of Brevard are great. They have welcomed Dr. Van with open arms and thick accents, canned goods and tales of white squirrels (that are only in Brevard and you cannot kill them they are off limits, but you can kill and grill any black, gray, or brown squirrel. I find this racists and offensive but whatever:)

Dr.Van misses his sand dunes like I miss Nordstoms... But like the song "If you can't love the one you want, love the one you're with", we are embracing new loves, or I guess hobbies is more appropriate,( we still like each other) Dr. Van is constanly surfing the net for a "project car" and is currently building a tree house in the back yard with the kids, while I have discovered the world of Antiquing and Specialty Shopes..Which are many. I am certain I could fill up this big house we are renting in no time at all and then start my own business. Which I just might do someday...Don't tempt me.

I am enjoying the weather immensley. Did you know that there are 4 seasons? Not just hot and hotter. AND..there is a whole big world of color out there? It's amazing I feel like I'm tasting Chocolate for the first time and want to share it with everyone..Ok, lets be honest I don't like sharing my candy and often have private stashes around the house, one of which Annie found today,darn her. But the point is, It's beautiful here. Every 3-4 months the landscape changes. When we arrived and got buckets of snow it was awesome, and then I couldn't wait for spring which was forgive me, awesomer? The blossoms were crazy!! And everything greened up like I swear overnight! Then summer...so lovely. None of this crazy 100degree plus weather. Get this...the kids actually played outside...No joke. And the best part? I could force them outside and they couldn't use that tired old excuse of "it's too hot outside"...

We are in full blown Autumn right now. The leaves have changed everywhere you turn there is gold, red, yellow,maroon, purple..and Flurries of leaves as you drive down the highway threatening to come right thru your windshield! It's incredible. Dr. Van asked me several months ago.."So is all this green just white noise to you yet"..My answer to you Dr. Van. No way Jose. I love it, it's beautiful and it's free to look at. I anticipate each season and look forward to all it brings. I drive slower then I used to, mainly because the roads are curvy and it's dangerous to drive fast, but still, it forces you to look around (carefully, you don't want to end up in oncoming traffic) and just enjoy all that had been given to us. So Winter, your up next...Bring it.

Oliver. 18 months

2010-10-06T20:39:00.001-07:00

I could stare at this little face all day. I love everything about him.

2010-09-29T19:55:00.001-07:00

Yes I am well aware that I have been a not so great blogger for the past...well, lets just say it's been awhile. It's not like I haven't had anything to document. Quite honestly, this past year has been most eventful. The truth is, my heart just hasn't been into it. But I think I am ready to get back into the groove of the ever popular past time of "Blogging". Afterall, it's family history right? No need to feel guilty. Someday, I will thank me.

Be-lated Birthday!

2010-04-25T19:28:00.001-07:00

I have been so terrible about blogging our family history lately. I even missed Oliver's First birthday blog!! SO this post is dedicated to our sweet little Oliver.

Oliver we are so happy that you belong to us. You are so loved in our family. You are pretty much a perfect baby. you are always happy and smiling and just all around a good boy. you make your mommy so happy. I love that when I get you out of bed, you are always glad to see me, or when I get home from being gone you act so excited, like you've never seen me before. I love how I can't move around the kitchen easily because you are hugging my legs and threatening to pull down my pants. I love watching you toddle around the house, your such a big boy all of the sudden and are into so much! You love being outside and get so giddy when you get to go out, you love splashing in the toilet too, and climbing up on everything. I love your wild curly Napoleon Dynamite hair..and I love our play time and make out sessions even though you'd rather be off unrolling a roll of toilet paper somewhere...The very thought of you makes me smile and I miss you when I'm away from you...I am so glad you are my little boy, I will love you forever....love mommy

Still in mommy's tummy.....

Our Halloween Froggy...

Dazed and Confused...

Already raising his hand preparing for school!

Little Monkey feet..

Birthday Swing..yes, this is hung in our living room...

Oh he loves birthday cake!

Mmmmmmm....Such a sweet mess..

So Happy to be turning one!

Some big boy toys!

Oliver's contest!

2010-02-12T10:12:00.000-08:00

Oliver is entered in a great american photo search for gerber baby. check out the link to cast your vote!! http://gapc-vote.com/?p=2063370

just some pics of us...

2010-02-10T19:51:00.000-08:00

Annie likes to go on "trips"..alot. She drags a suitcase around until she decides to "come home."

My new cheetah print chair! Grrrr....I've since got a pretty pillow for it!

My new "coffee/cocoa table"...it's huge I love it!!

Another view...recognize the pink chair!

Oliver and me....

I love this face and make out with it 10 times a day!!

Over the River and Thru the Woods.....

2010-02-02T18:22:00.001-08:00

Hey Ya'll......We're here! South Ashevillle North Carolina!!! And what a welcome we've received...10 inches of snow this last weekend!! Crazy?? We were seriously snowed in...Ok, mom is a whimp and was certain the whole town shut down and found no reason to venture out. Except when we found out that life goes on and people are sledding!!! What fun we had. No we didn't have the proper attire, but we didn't care...these AZ folks we're just happy to be in the snow! I swear our new neighbors thought our kids jumped the gun a bit when it started snowing and they were trying to make snow angels in 1/2 inches of snow. But as you can see it didn't take long before they were buried!! We love our neighborhood, we've met so many friendly people here. They actually just knock on the door and introduce themselves and hand out their numbers like candy at Halloween...But more of that later just wanted to share some pics real quick...

Coco's oh so sad holy boots

Bartel sledding backwards!! Brave kid...

Annie eating a wintery snack..I hope that's not yellow...

A warm bath after a hard day in the snow.

Bartel...taking a nap..;)

Holy Snow!!! It got even taller then that!!

just beginning to snow..

Asheville High..looks like it should be in a movie!

Our rental....ok fine, it's the Biltmore here in Asheville...

Fall colors picture from our hotel window

Accidents Happen...

2010-01-28T21:16:00.001-08:00

It's crazy when you can look back on a time of life or situation that was probably one of your most trying times, and see all the good things and blessings that came from it. What a bumpy ride we've had these past 4 months. There are things we;ve had to deal with that we never thought we'd deal with. I guess the real test is just how you endure them. Barts accident was a crazy fluke thing, but because of it so many opportunities and insights have come along. It's a bummer when your proved to be mortal. But it's a blessing when you can regognize the Lord's hand in sparing your life. It's a good time to reflect and re-prioritize your life...We've done just that.

Bart's doing great. His hand is healing remarkably his Dr. told us it's nothing short of a miracle that he has the use of his hand at all. He nearly lost his hand, and he is back drilling and filling and pressing on. He is happy and cheerful and enduring physical therapy. I think the most amazing thing to me has been Bart's attitude thru all this. He's such a trooper, so optimistic and as funny and happy as ever. He is such an example to his family.

Bart we love you, we are so blessed to have you in our life, you truly have been watched over, you could have been taken from us but, the Lord knows we need you and your contagious smile and spirit in our life a bit longer....

Bart and Jeff Lewis ready to begin Whiplash 09'

Safety nets and 5 point harnesses

Putting on a brave smile that only Bart can do....

Again smiling for his visitors....

Skin graft from his outer thigh to be put over his wrist and hand.

Incision that went "all the way up" his inner thigh to remove muscle for muscle graft.

Fraken-hand

Looking like his hand was going to fall off...

GETTING READY TO RACE!

2009-08-31T18:11:00.000-07:00

Bart's oh so fast sand rail that he will be racing on the 5th!

My beautiful offspring...Bartel, Annie, Coco,and Oliver...

Just the girls...

Just the boys..

How did I get so Lucky?

Part 2 :pictures...finally

2009-08-12T16:32:00.001-07:00

Bartel was very proud of these nachos he made and asked me to put them on my blog ..so here you go. :Nachos Ala Bartel...

Dirty Camping kids....

Aunt Jenna

Holy Yummy See's Candy Sucker I had to pry this out of his hand....

And toes.....

Everytime I turn around my girls are stuffing there shirts!!!

Oliver has a clogged tear duct off and on, when he wakes up like this we call him "One Eyed Willie"...

Tamara and Randi going glam with extensions....I forgot to put the extension picture of Tamara up....shoot.

More Glam....Thanks Natalie!!

Forgot to turn this one...Nephew Brian having trouble tucking in his shirt while camping...who tucks in their shirt when there camping anyway right?

My sister Carly, Coco and Annie At Disney World!

Honey...I shrunk Coco and annie..ooops!

Arrrggg there be the pirate sisters....

Frumpy in Flagstaff..not so Glam in this one....

Bart cooking his famous dutch oven burritos..

more dirty children...

Camping with our friends the Woffindens...

Soooooooooo Dirty, but soooooooo cute!

Where did the summer go.....

2009-08-11T14:26:00.000-07:00

I know it's been forever since my last update, I'll be honest though...I have been lazy. Not with all things but for sure with my blogs..all of them. With a busy summer with 4 kids i really have to pick and choose what I want to spend time on and sadly blogging has not been a priority. But school starts tomorrow...sing "halleluliah" with me!( You know you want to) so I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things and get a regular routine down complete with time for blogging..

SO our summer? Crazy...We actually did alot. From swim parties everyweek, Disney World, st.george ut, MArysvale Ut for the fourth, Flagstaff, we were quite busy. I think the kids had a good time. But even good things have to come to an end....Hooray for school! Hooray for school! Honestly I know what your thinking..."what a mean mom, I can't believe she is so ready for school to start!" Well....if the shoe fits... bring it on! Seriously they are as ready to go back as I am ready to have them go back! Besides, I'm only thinking about their education.....(right.....)

I'm thinking about all the projects I'm going to start and all the organizing I'm going to get done while their gone. It's been a real challenge trying to keep the house in order 24 /7 with 4 kids working against me...in fact I haven't been able to do it..at all really. and I'm tired too. I pick and choose what I have energy for and house cleaning has not been top O' the list.. It seems like if I work out then anything else I may get done is a perk..like a shower for instance. Or like now, I'm still in my sweaty gym clothes but darn it, I'm determined to blog today and if I get nothing else done today then thats' ok...yes, I will feed the children and make sure they are all alive and well, but that's my limit. Luckily, for me I have a sweet husband who doesn't demand perfection from me, which is a good thing or else i would have a very dissappointed husband on my hands.

So we took my sister Carly with us to Florida, it ended up being kind of a girls trip..no offense Bart, Bartel did not want to go with us. Shocking I know! who doesn't want to visit the wonderful world of Disney?? Bartel... He didn't want to fly in an airplane. "had he flown before?" you ask.. "why yes, he has." But for some reason he has developed a fear of flying. Much like his fear of bed bugs...don't get me started again. (chole sleeps on the floor now by the way) Maybe he reads to much has my encouragement of learning coming back to bite me in my not so toned rear? He also heard from a "friend" that Disney World wasn't so great...remind me to find out who this friend is and have him sent "poo in a bag" because he is a party pooper!!! Anyhow, not to be runde but we still had fun without Bartel...We left Oliver as well, but they had a great time at grandma kim possibles' house...so no worries. although, I desperately missed Oliver and wanted to munch on every baby I saw at the magic kingdom...mothers protect your children......

here are some pics I'm not sure yet what I'll put up. Probably some of everything...It's great to be back!!

ok, for some reason I can't download pics right now..so I'll try it later

Summer fun....

2009-06-11T12:01:00.001-07:00

Our summer is just cruisin' right along.. So much going on every week. Bartel just finished Scout Camp last week and earned lots of badges and had a great time shooting BB guns, doing archery, swimming, crafts, water balloon fights! and just hanging out with fellow scouters. Now he's started "Power Playground" at the gym 3 times a week, playing dodgeball, exercising and staying active. The girls pretty much hang out together and with mom. We are swimming just about everyday. And they are so brown already!! especially Coco, we call her our dark chocolate, and Bartel and Annie are milk chocolate and Oliver? White Chocolate. Are we a food family or what? The kids are doing a good job of playing together too. They rarely ask for friends over and are using their imaginations making up silly plays about "Kids on the 'naughty' list". Bartel is also determined to finish his scouting requirements for his Wolf.

Last week the kids informed me that on Friday they were celebrating "Brother Day". They thought Brothers and Sisters should have a day like Mom's and Dad's. So and Annie and I went to the store early Friday so they could buy Bartel a present, with their own Money. They were so excited, they picked out some hot wheels and gum and came straight home to wrap them up. It was so sweet. Sister's Day is June 30th..just so you "sisters" are aware. We'll see how Bartel makes it special for them. I'm not sure how they came up with these dates..Aunt Jenna is in town! My kids love their Aunt Jenna, mainly because they know Aunt jenna loves them. She munches on my kids almost as much as I do!! She just adores all her nieces and nephews! (especially my kids;) She is going to be a great mother.. Danilo my inlaws exchange student went home Sunday back to Italy...What a nice young man. We got to know him a bit and will miss his quiet, kind demeanor and hopefully we can visit him one day and have our own private tour guide of Italy!! We also celebrated Opa's birthday! How old are you now Opa? 45?

We still have a lot of Summer left with trips planned to Disney world, Utah,and California!

Aunt Jenna And the boy

Getting some "air" on swim day.

Now all he needs is a pina colada in his little hand!

Annie and Oliver performing in a skit about X-mas! Oliver looks a little nervous....

The final scene in their play.. Mrs. Claus and Bartel the elf....

Our family minus Annie who was in a bad mood, with Danilo before he left for home. Ciao'

Can you feel the love??

Happy Brothers Day my Boys!! (ignore the laundry on the couch..it's pretty much always there)

Beautiful Annie and Cousin Brooklyn!

Daddy's girls. Pretty much anything they want..they get from dad.

Your How Old??!!!

Friends of Fitness

2009-06-03T16:02:00.000-07:00

It's up and running! My new Fitness blog: friendsoffitness.blogspot.com

It's under my friends and family link. Check it out. Tell me what you think I will be updating daily and am open to suggestions on improvements. Also if you would like to contribute, as an author leave me a quick note and I will add you. I'm so excited about this and I already feel like I'm looking better!! I really think having someone to answer to makes a huge difference. I may change things up a bit as I go along but at least it's started and I can fine tune it as I go along. Thanks for your support, this will be so fun if I can get some of you to hop on board with me (wink, wink) and maybe we should have some kind of reward for ourselves when we reach our goals? Any suggestions??

Get Fit with me!

2009-06-02T16:22:00.000-07:00

On a side note, as you all know we had a new baby in March. In fac,t tomorrow he will be 12 weeks old! Where has the time gone?? Anyhoo, It's about time I get my buns into shape. Summer is already here and I'm so not ready for it. I've walked a few times outside, and it's just too hot now. So I brought the workouts in doors. And it's just too hard to try to do them at home, interruptions, laziness, etc. keep me from getting my workouts done. SO I just joined the gym begrudgingly and signed up for bootcamp and a trainer. No more excuses!! I am ready and all set up to go, but I think I would be more motivated if I had not only my trainer to answer to, but anyone who reads my blog as well. So inspired by my dear best friend Sherece, who is working her buns off to;) I am starting a fitness blog. On this blog will be pictures (shutter) my daily fitness routine that was completed, my daily food journal, goals, recipes for success, measurements etc.. I haven't decided if it's going to be a private blog or not. But I thought this would be a good way to motivate me and others who are interested in getting fit,Share tips, stories, words of encouragement! I have so many great friends that live all over and we can't work out together, so this is the next best thing. So based on the interest I will decide if it will be private or not. If you are interested in contributing to the blog itself let me know so I can add you as an author on this blog. Anyone can contribute this is going to be fun and I think people in general do better with their fitness goals when they have someone to answer to and friends to encourage them. And as a mom of four with a body like a mom of four, I could use all the encouragement I can get. So if you want to get fit with me then hop aboard the "Hottie Express" is about to leave!.....(ok, that was extremely cheesy....oooh cheese!)

Just lots of pictures...

2009-06-02T15:43:00.000-07:00

Me and Annie the other day. This is when Coco pointed out that I"m getting wrinkles. I told her that's what happens when you smile alot because you're happy!

Super Bart and sidekick Oliver ready to conquer some chores.

Daddy's 34th Birthday at Cheesecake Factory!!

The worst picture of Bartel ever!! I told him it was his "Willie Wonka Look" from the old "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and that we had to get a picture of it. But really, he just finished swimming!

A not so good picture taken by Bartel at my sister Taylor's wedding.

Nieces' and cousins' at the wedding

The Beautiful Channy caught the bouquet tossed by the beautiful bride my sister, Taylor.

Lot's of cupcakes we made for the wedding. thanks to everyone for all your help!

Helping mommy make over 200 sparkley cupcakes!

My cute sister Carly.....

Mother's Day Program at school. Coco spelled out my name and wrote some sweet and probably too nice of things about me. In fact I'm not sure she's talking about me at all...

Really nice.

Always loves me.

Never mad.

Darling

I want to be her.

Reciting a poem about "moms"

On a hike in Box Canyon.. that I wasn't jazzed about but it was very pretty and there were no kids in sight.

Cuddling mommy.

Happy camper. He loves his momma so much and is so romantic, sometimes when he kisses me he softly closes his eyes like he's in heaven and sometimes he even puts his hand on my face. This kid has got all the moves!!.... Should I be worried?

Not so happy to go to church...Sometimes I feel the same way bud..It's a very long day huh?

Our life is busy!!

2009-05-07T17:08:00.001-07:00

So I really feel like I don't know what I"m doing yet as a mother. And funnily enough, by the looks I get from passerby's I'm pretty sure most people would agree with me. I'm rarely out shopping with all 4 kids at once. But when I am, the smiles of sympathy, and looks of disbelief when I say "yes, they all belong to me" come pouring in. You'd think that the frazzled look on my face and the soft round body and unkept hair and clothes would give every inklination that these are indeed my children. Obviously a nanny wouldn't show up to work so dis- shoveled and would appear a little more put together and relaxed beings that she does not take care of these children day in and day out. I look the way I do for a reason, how dare anyone try to take away my title as "crazy mother of four". I do love these little mess makers of mine. They say we are in the best times of our life. Most times I get stopped by elderly, wise people who advise me to "enjoy every minuet, because it goes by fast" I know this all too well. My children are changing before my very eyes and sometimes I'm too "frazzled" to take notice. Relax Randi, take a breather and enjoy the chaos. Someday you might long for all that drives you crazy now, and it will be too late.

This kid loves his binky. At times I think "Maggie Simpson" is in the room the way he goes to town on it

Starting to smile... (2 months old)

He looks like Papa!! (grandpa Thayer)

Wiped out from school....who sleeps like this anyway???

Playing "The Sorting Hat" from Harry Potter...

More make believe....

Annie Chillin' with her Brother....then she asked me to move...she couldn't see the T.V.

updates...

2009-04-15T16:15:00.001-07:00

So life is beyond busy here. But somehow we are muddling through. I still am as "Bon Jovi" says "Living on a Prayer". I can't believe how much harder 4 kids are compared to 3. Oliver is such a good baby but still requires so much attention, as do the other kids. But we sure are enjoying this new addition. And it's funny how quickly he has become "one of us". He just fits like a good shoe. Coco and I were discussing the other day which kid looks like which parent, and she had just this confused look on her face and then said " Really I don't see how any of us would even look like dad,...he didn't even do anything!"......."yep, your right" ....I so am not ready for that talk.

So as you can see from the pictures I turned 30 last month. Not my most glamorous birthday that's for sure. And the only reason I feel like I could post that picture is because I already look so different...thank heavens!! I swear I always look worse after the baby comes!! Why is that? It's crazy. As if labor isn't enough, I have to look like someone accidentally left the IV going in my arm for a week? And it's funny that my family feels the need to constantly update me on my looks. "mom, your buns and tummy are getting smaller"-Coco. Then there's Bart. " Your face is getting smaller" What is that?? "Hey coco look regular pants today"...Coco: "finally". Rude. I still have a looooong way to go. Infact just today I went walking with Annie and Oliver for the first time. Oliver was strapped in my baby bjorn while I pushed Annie...I was out of breath and had a severe side ache by the time I reached the corner..about 8 houses away...Yes I still have a very long way to go.

At least I had my baby before my b-day. That was the goal. Be done before 30. Which I still can't believe I made it to. I remember thinking 30 was so old when I was young. Like I would have to be using a walker to get around, if I even made it to 30. I feel the same though. I was told 30 is the new 20? Just like 4 kids, is the new 6!

Our Girls....

Our Boys....

The whole crew....

Oliver...

My handsome boys...

My 30th...and proof that taking pictures of yourself right after you have a baby is never a good idea...Holy Big Momma!!

More Oliver Pics...

2009-03-14T12:05:00.001-07:00

The girls love their new brother too....

At Last...

2009-03-13T15:51:00.001-07:00

So he is finally here!! Our sweet boy Oliver Thayer. We are so excited (especially me) to have him here with us. What a long haul this was for us (me again) but sooooooo worth it!! I was started on Pitocin early Wed. Morning the 11th and by 11:36am he was here. I couldn't have asked for a better delivery either 2 pushes and he was in my arms well, that's kinda impossible, I guess he was in the Dr.'s arms first then mine. Anyhow, What a moose he was compared to my other 3. No wonder I was in such turmoil. I know some of you have bigger babies then that and are rolling you non- puffy eyes, but for me this was not the norm.

SO this baby is really a mix of all my kids. He has Bartel's eyes, Coco's nose and Annie's mouth. If he was a Drink we'd call him a "Barconie" cocktail. He's really sweet and yummy. And I feel really good, still puffy but I feel better after this one then all my others. Weird huh? I'm just waiting for my cankles to go down now, ...and my eyes....lips....hands.........

8lbs. 19 1/2 inches long.. Our big Boy..

Look at those gaps between his big toe and the rest!!!We determined we could probably fit a dollars worth of quarters between that gap..

Blue eyes like Bartel's were and dark hair like Coco had..

Such a good baby....so far.

Such a munch.

Smiles for the camera

The proud big brother.

Our sweet nurse and anxious momma

Big belly....

Puffy lips and nose means it's getting close to delivery...

My sexy cankles...Or forgive me, my "fat Bastard Legs" as Bart so lovingly called them...

Promises, promises....

2009-03-02T02:47:00.000-08:00

OK, no more promises I can't or may not keep. I know I said I was going to post more pictures etc.. but seriously, everytime I attempt to, something always comes up. Either I just plain forget, or Bart has my camera, or I'm too busy at the moment, or like now, it's almost 4am and I really have no excuse, except that my converter is in my closet and I'm afraid to wake up Bart. I'm out on the couch and I can't sleep due to ....well, I can't put my finger on it ..oh, ya the big baby in my belly, making me so uncomfortable...silly me how could I forget? YES, I'm still with child and YES he is already grounded. My contractions finally started up again, I can't believe how responsive bed rest was...dang it. Talk about bringing things to a screeching holt. I hardly even took the meds I was given! Now, I'm practically jogging around the block at night to get things moving..Well, jogging may be a tad bit of an overstatement especially since I have no shoes that fit except for some ill fitting flip flops. I am seriously running out of clothes and shoes. Oh, I wish I had pictures up right now to prove my homliness...Is that a word? I am sporting the same sweats just about everyday. I did mix it up a bit with a pair of jeans, but I coughed the other day and well, it wasn't good so now i have to wash the dang things and they will take took long to stretch out to my liking, so it looks like it's sweats from here on out..sorry Bart I'm sure your sick of leaving me in the morning wearing the same thing that you come home to at night..But not as sick of it as I am...trust me.

My kids are getting a tad anxious for this baby to come out too. Everyday Annie asks the same thing.."when is your baby coming out?" good question, I wish I knew. Then tonight when I was leaving to go on a walk around the block, I told Bartel we would be gone for just a quick walk and that I'd hurry back (everyone was in bed he'd be in charge) he said "I don't care of you have to walk around the block 5 times, just get that baby out!"..gee, how do you really feel? Then there's Coco who just likes me being pregnant. I can't walk by her with out her rubbing, kissing, or talking to my stomach. And she has to tell me 10 times a day just how cute my little tummy is...Does she had rose colored glasses on or what? because it is not little. She actually was looking at my bare tummy the other day and said "why do you have a line of symmetry down the middle of your tummy?" (you know the line she's talking about) I was just glad she was learning something in school... SO I will update with pictures when i can, they are very entertaining and will boost your self esteem, and i will keep you posted on the arrival of this boy who insists on torturing his mom by being stubborn..

LOST

2009-02-24T17:11:00.000-08:00

Ok, no I;m not blogging about the TV show, that I've grown to love since Bart got me the first season for Valentines Day, (although, how about that Sawyer?) ok, ok, so I found my converter for my pictures and the next day we had new carpet put in my room and then I lost my camera!!! I was so bugged. Anyhow, i found it today in the car, which I really haven't been in a whole lot lately. So I'm off right now to "Pinewood Derby" where I will take pictures and then promise to blog about my ever exciting life later tonight or tomorrow including pictures..and there are some good ones!! So stay tuned and don't lose faith in me my fellow bloggers!

Lazy Bum...

2009-02-12T20:28:00.000-08:00

SO I just took some fun pictures of myself to show you, the world just how attractive I am right now (I no longer have any pride left) but my dang picture transferrer thingy -I know there is a name for it, is all the way upstairs and I just came down from there! And I am not going back up so you'll just have to wait for my fun stories and pictures until tomorrow..

I can however, share an embarrassing moment I had recently...actually I will save it until next time.. I will report all is getting better here in the Van home. We had the flu this week, 2 different kids, I've been sick, we had new carpet laid in my family room and my bedroom to match the rest of the house..and it doesn't. they brought the wrong carpet, so now they are coming back next week to redo it, in the mean time my house is a bit in disarray. But nothing I can't handle right? Then next week I will go in for my appointment to see if things have progressed or not, if not, I can stop taking medicine and kinda go back to normal activities, but will still have to keep this boy in for another 2 weeks..Not sure if I can handle that one. But trooper that I am...I will give it my best shot.

I know my kids will keep me in check, because Coco keeps freaking out if I'm not taking it easy and reminds me that "If your not careful your going to have this baby in like 2 days and it will be stuck in your pant leg".... What a dreadful thought to have a baby stuck in my pant leg or worse to not only have the baby stuck in my pant leg, but to be stuck wearing these sweats forever.. Which is another story for tomorrow...complete with pictures. Don't worry there are no stuck babies involved..Totally rated "E" for "everyone. So coco is protective but yet a couple weeks ago, when we were at my inlaws we were talking (the girls) about trying to exercise at home with kids and how it's darn near impossible when there little. And coco looked at me with the most annoyed look on her face and said "mom, you don't exercise, you just....lump." What the heck??? I don't always just "lump" , well yes as of lately I guess I do "lump" but there was a time when I exercised and I'll get back into it I promise, I am going to be in my sisters wedding in MAY for heavens sake!! No "lumps" allowed!!! And by the way coco, your the one always telling me "oh your buns are so cute and the chubbier they get the cuter they are!!" Not something most people would brag about, but still I though you liked me "lumpy"?

CASE CLOSED PART 2 "OUR SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS"

2009-02-03T15:10:00.000-08:00

Ok, so we had an unexpected twist since our last episode, that I might as well share with you as much as I don't want to. So we last left off with the cursing of the stupid cat who possibly took Bert's glasses, and was now prancing around the female felines feeling like his I.Q. was now magically higher then it really is, kinda like when I go from blonde to brown hair...

Sunday came and went and it was now evening in the "Sam" home. The Cardinals lost the Super Bowl at the last minuet or so, and it didn't really effect the family, they didn't watch it but had updates texted to them from time to time. And since Bert didn't have his glasses anyway, it wouldn't have mattered much if they did watch it, he wouldn't be able to see it.

Bert had been super helpful Sunday evening getting the house in order so that Brandi could start her week off right ( but a good stiff drink would have probably done the trick too and would of saved Bert some time).....Ok, Brandi doesn't drink and never has except that one time she took a sip from her dads beer, but that's another story....She doesn't want to talk about it.

Sooooo, Brandi's Visiting teacher had stopped by and dropped off a beautiful lemon meringue pie for dessert. And since that diet doesn't start until after her baby is born, she welcomed it with Open Arms...And it was good. Perfectly sweet and yet tart.

"Kids time to get Jammies on" Bert yelled to the kids upstairs, "then you can have some pie" he continued. "I can't wait to get kids in bed" Brandi thought to herself. It had been a long day, and she was looking forward to a quiet night, maybe a bath, watch a movie, a good book, anything to relax. The kids were quick to obey due to the "pie factor" and Brandi could hear Bert dishing up orders for the kids...he was so patient with them, and Brandi loved him a lot at that moment. "Here you go Lynnard" Bert said as he handed her some pie in bed. Lynnard was her "pet name" if you could call it that. She was rarely called "Brandi" by Bert unless Bert had something serious to talk about or if his mood was a little on the "cloudy" side, to which she was then usually cautious in approaching to him because she knew she was in trouble. But he called her "Lynnard" so all was well. "Thanks honey" she said, she had been typing away furiously at her laptop, writing some kind of story he could see, but he didn't dare break her concentration further, he could only see something about "Mystery Theatre"...

The kids had finished eating and bounded into Brandi's room where the routine of brushing and flossing began. One by one the kids brushed and then one by one the lined up for dad to rebrush the spots they missed. (Except for Minnie who ate mom's pie on the sly) They were good sports and used to this routine, they just backed up into dad who sat on the edge of the tub and threw back their heads and opened wide for their dental inspection. Bert liked to pretend he was a dentist but really he was a "Food Processor Mechanic" which to him translated into "dentist" and sounded more professional, the kids thought it was funny and Brandi didn't really care what career he had as long as he was happy doing it. And he was.

The kids passed inspection and gathered on mom's bed to say family prayer. After a moment of playing, " No, it's your turn" dad decided to end the game and say it. Minnie their youngest still had the "wiggles" on occasion, and still thought there was plenty of room on mom's lap for her to sit, which made Brandi feel good mentally, but physically was a whole different story. But luckily dad's prayers are short which explains why he always says "couples prayer", because whenever Brandi say's it it's followed by the same predictable comment each time from Bert, "wow, I could of said all that in like 1 min instead of 10." " I obviously have more to be thankful for", was the only come back she could ever think of. And on occasion when he was especially sassy she would bring up the whole "reading scriptures on their wedding night because someone was nervous and trying to be spiritual and kill time" incident. This topic usually quieted him down.... So with prayers done the last major haul of the night was getting the kids upstairs and into bed....And then of course coaxing Minnie to stay in bed...

The house was silent and Bert had company over for some well needed business chatting that couldn't wait until Monday. Which was fine, that meant Brandi could have her pick of the movie to watch. She carefully chose her movie and got all comfy in her sweats that she hadn't actually changed out of for 2 weeks now, -she doesn't want to talk about that either. Got her water, kleenex, meds, nasal spray (she was a mess actually, not really a picture of health) and was ready to relax and watch "The Devil Wears Prada" As she laid in bed watching all the models look so glamourous and actually having a place where the had to be and had to dress up so nice she pictured herself in the "big Apple" Running down the crowded streets because she was late for a meeting or a "Shoot", she didn't get very far because she tripped in her stilettos due to a knock at the door and the scream of "mommy" from the other side and that quickly shook her from her day dream and brought her back to "earth" real fast. The door Burst open and in broken semi understandable english, Minnie was talking a mile a minuet with the biggest smile on her face arms flying. Brandi had to say "what? " several times to try to decipher out the message from this foreign sounding little munchkin of a girl. Well, turns out Minnie had found dad's glasses. Brandi turned to the porch where Bart was sitting chatting with his friend and he pointed to his glasses. She then turned to Minnie who was just beaming and was so proud of her discovery, she knew she had done good. Brandi hugged and kissed Minnie and Minnie explained that dad had left them in her room when they had snuggled that night before. "Of Course" thought Brandi, "he fell asleep out side then bolted in the house to take care of Minnie and slept upstairs with her for a bit before coming to bed." The pieces had all come together. SHe kissed Minnie and told her what a great job she did, especially since she didn't even realize that Minnie was aware of the missing glasses, which in turn made her realize that Minnie picked up on more then Brandi thought, which made Brandi quickly evaluate herself and wonder ...what other things Minnie knew...She couldn't think about that now, her thoughts were on the return of the glasses and as happy as she was that she wasn't going to have to fork over money to again buy another pair of glasses that had disappeared unnecessarily (2 pairs at Lake Powell, 2 or 3 at Saguaro Lake due to over excitement and just jumping in the water without a thought) Brandi had to admit that she was bummed that her "Cat" theory had just gone to pot. She really wanted another reason to hate those dang cats, as if using their yard and garage for their own kitty litter box and mating ground and fighting arena weren't enough. And one did run into her house the other day when one of the kids left the front door open but luckily "Zoe" her second oldest grabbed the cat before it made it's way upstairs, it still was a bitter disappointment that she knew deep down she would have "to kinda" repent for. No, she wasn't going to approach "catman" about her theory on the glasses and apologize, she would simply try to hate the stupid cats a little less, and possibly quit plotting to get rid of them...Those dad gum cats....

Mystery Theatre Presents....Our Series Of Unfortunate Events.

2009-02-01T11:28:00.000-08:00

Tonight's story is rated PG for some thematic elements and a touch of "too much information" and the use of the word...."stupid"

This story is based on a series of Actual Events. Some events may be dramatized for dramatic effect. The names have been changed to protect the innocent....But it doesn't take a genius to figure out that it's just us....Now I just spoiled it...darn.

Evening was upon the "Sam Family". It had been a long day. Bert, the father and head of household, or so he thought, had been busy all day doing "honey Do's" for his extremely cute, and sweet, bedridden wife, Brandi. You see she was on bed rest, and due to have the couples' 4th child soon. And though she so badly wanted to run all of Bert's errands with him (Home Depot, Lowes, The Office to build shelves) She was unable to and was home, going on 2 weeks now and getting a little stir crazy. "Honey" Bert began, "you know what I want to do with you tonight" "Oy, vay" she thought "I"m really not in the mood" She raised her eyebrows and humored him anyway. "What would you like to do with me tonight?" He suddenly realized how his question sounded. Looking a little sheepish he quickly explained his plan. "I would like to make a fire in the fire pit outside, put the big fluffy chair out there for you and get some blankets.." "And star bucks? " Brandi chimed in. "And some star bucks and just snuggle and talk by the fire" "that sounds so nice Bert, so it's like a date?" "Yep, when the kids fall asleep we'll get started so they don't interrupt us."

Brandi was excited to get some well needed fresh air, and it wasn't too nippy outside after all, it was January in Arizona. "dang Cough" Brandi wheezed between breaths. She had had this cough since Nov, and despite the narcotics given to her from her Dr., it was getting worse and she had to face the facts that she had a full on cold stuffy nose and all. She could hardly catch her breath and her stomach was getting so sore due to the tightening of the muscles, surely the baby could feel the impact of the cough, she only hoped that at least the coughs were strengthening her abs..

The major down side of the cough was a bit embarrassing to her. You see she had only 5 pairs of maternity "passion Killers" as her husband so lovingly had called them. And with every cough she regretted not writing "depends" down on her grocery list for her husband. Well, this was it "shoot, I am all out of underware!!, they are in the wash and I am not going "loosey goosey" she fumed to herself." Well, a girls gotta do what a desperate girls' gotta do" She went to her closet and crossed over to the dark side...Berts' side. And though no one was around, because Bert had gone to get refreshments, she still checked over her shoulder feeling like she was about to steal the great "baseball diamond". "well it's better then nothing" she mumbled as she struggled to pull up the awkward underware. They were comfy under her belly but the crouch felt all wrong, and she suddenly wondered if Bert had ever run into a predicament like running out of underware, would he help himself to a pair of her's? The thought made her laugh and then concerned "hopefully he wouldn't ever fit in my underware...." So now at least she didn't feel like a hussie and was ready for her date. Except her coughing returned..."Man! what am I gonna do!" SHe then had a brillant idea. She headed for the cleaning supply closet where she kept her broom, mop etc.. She looked to the right and saw her handy dandy "Swiffer" she then skimmed the room for the box she was looking for. "Score" she shouted. A box of maxi pads just waiting to fulfill their purpose in life. Now Brandi had a different purpose in mind for them in the past. She had saved these "pads" to be used for her "swiffer" when she ran out of her "swiffer pads". She thought this was a great non- wasteful idea as long as company did'nt stop by during the use of the make shift swiffer pads. Now, obviously Brandi was not gearing up to mop her floors at this moment, she had yet another plan for these pads, and wasn't sure exactly how her husband would feel knowing a maxi pad had defiled his underware. But she had no choice, she must use the pad or continue changing underware the rest of the night. BEcause her cough was just not going away.

Bert returned. "I got you dark hot chocolate and icecream they were having a sale on Ben and Jerry's what kind do you want?" Brandi was feeling sorry for him, and felt as if she was deceiving him with his own underware. No, she didn't tell him her secret, but she did let him pick out the ice cream to share. As they got settled the glow of the fire was hypnotic. And few words were exchanged. Brandi's thoughts often returning to her underware. They had small talk, discussed what kinds of landscaping they would like to do, comments on the weather etc.. As time passed on Bert wouldn't admit that he was chilly, but he did want to sit next to his sweetheart in the "chair and a half" that he so sweetly pulled from the family room for Brandi. The only problem was she was the size of a "chair and a half" but somehow they managed. They cuddled under a blanket while Bert rubbed Brandi's tummy, maybe for good luck who knows, all she knew was that she was warm, but getting uncomfortable but didn't want to say anything. She couldn't stand it any longer, and the fire was dying down, so she proposed they go to bed. "You go ahead, Brandi, I'm going to stay a little longer until the fire goes out" Bert said. "Bert, you will fall asleep out here and stay all night and then "catmans'" cats will come sleep with you on my chair ewe." (this "catman" was their neighbor who thinks his lot in life is to provide food and shelter on his front porch for cats of all unfortunate circumstances, only they didn't just stay on his porch...don't get Brandi started it's a sore subject) "no, I'll come in in just a bit ok?" "Ok" she replies knowing indeed it will be at least an hour before he drags himself into bed. Well as predicted an hour later she hears crying. No, not from Bert, but from the Youngest of their children, "minnie" she can hear her coming down the stairs and wailing. Bert hears her too and just like in a football game, he intercepts her at Brandi's door. It sounds like he takes her upstairs and potty and then lays down with her for a bit. Brandi quickly falls back asleep grateful for the opportunity to go back to bed.

Morning comes and Bert is laying beside Brandi, as is Minnie "What the?" Brandi thinks. "How did she get here" Brandi is too tired to remember and goes out to the couch it's 6:30 anyways soon everyone will be up. And they are. The hustle and bustle of Sunday morning begins. Bert is just about to leave for the beginnings of endless meetings when he asks Brandi "have you seen my glasses?" She is used to this question, along with "have you see my...phone, wallet, keys, head and so fourth." "No, did you leave them outside last night? I see my chair is still out there?" "No, I checked" he replies. He is now running all over the house and Brandi is waddling trying to help. She goes outside to "double check" and is horrified as to what she finds..."Bert!!!, there is maingy, cat hair all over my fluffy chair!!!!" "Yeah, I saw that." He confesses. Brandi is disgusted and is dry heaving. "who knows what else that cat did on here!!" She is bugged but continues to search for "fat heads' glasses. Re tracing their steps of the night before, Brandi comes to one conclusion, or allegation if you want to call it. The cat stole the glasses...

But what motives would a stray yellow cat have for stealing a man's glasses. Surely the glasses won't fit the cat. Was the cat on a secret mission from "Cat Man" to steal Bert's glasses? Did he think they had special powers, maybe he thought the were X-ray glasses? Who knows. All we know is that there is a cat out there who is seeing the world thru new eyes, and there is a man out there who also is seeing the world thru new eyes and hopefully those eyes get him to church safely because he can't see distance for anything... Stupid cats.

Wonderful World of itunes......

2009-01-29T17:27:00.000-08:00

SO for Christmas my little brother Garrett got me an itunes card. I just figured out how to use it and I was overwhelmed by all the musical selections. All of the sudden I couldn't remember what artists I liked and it took me well over an hour to select a CD worth of music. Upon selecting music I realized I have a few musical crushes and thought I would share them with you, I don't care if you think their lame...they make me happy. And their not bad to look at either...(don't tell Bart that part).

Jason Mraz- sweet sounding, happy

Gavin Rossdale-manly and raspy

Rob Thomas-extremely cool

Josh Groban-classic, timeless, rich and flawless

The guy from the group "wall flowers"-too cool and manly

I love these voices. Their music is all so different as is there voices, but they just make me melt...Maybe I'll lose a few pounds listening to them-but I doubt it. It's a weight gain of a pound a week from here on out they say...Dang.

So feel free to share your crushes with me, you can include females too, I do confess I like "Pink" with her raspy voice, but I'm in a happy relationship with a male, so no worries.

But I do think I'm in love with itunes.....

Maybe I'll be a singer when I grow up and you can find me on itunes someday...(scary!!!)

I should probably stick with our Karaoke...

Flash Back....

2009-01-24T23:19:00.000-08:00

who the heck said it was ok, to wear this tight fitting lounge dress home from the hospital? I still look prego! Of course, no one bothered to tell me I'd still have a tummy after giving birth, I thought "baby out, tummy goes down"... By the looks of me I was severley wrong..And don't even get me started on my hair...

Yes, this is the face of pain I didn't have my drugs yet, and I wanted them bad......

So sick from the pre-epidural medicine, if they offer it pass.

Big Girl's don't cry, I'm not gonna do it, but I wanted too..DOn't I look cute?

The final result...Bartel.

So I found these "gems" on my computer and thought they were too fun not to share. Sing it with me "Memories"!!! So this was my most miserable delivery so far. I was so sick and water logged it was horrible. I was puking my guts out the whole time during pushing and then I couldn't focus on my new baby until noon the next day, from being so sick. Then to make matters worse, I was on an I.V ALL NIGHT and when Bart came to see me the next day he walked in the room then straight out again and left to call my mom to tell her this...."I don't want to alarm you, but you are not going to recognize Randi When you see her..." MOM : "Bart I'm going to recognize my own daughter." Mom arrives with Bart in tow. I can't see well, but I can see a look of concern mixed with love. My mom acts natural, and I complain that I can't really see them very good. Well that's because I'm so full of fluids my eyes were just tiny slits, I could barely see out of. I left the hospital weighing more then when I went in....I was ticked. But I did pee-pee off 25lbs. in 2 weeks. That was awesome...I wish I had better pics of my after birth face, and body, you would die. I was very fluffy. We actually made a game out of pushing holes in my legs and seeing just how long they would last there. Good Times. I love you Bartel, I blame you of course for making me look so pillsbury like, but I do love you..

Bored.....

2009-01-24T10:47:00.000-08:00

So I changed my blog colors. I've never really changed them and so I guess this is a result of having nothing else to do, so expect a new color maybe tomorrow? Also I will probably be blogging a whole lot more about nothing since I am just sitting here existing...

If anyone has some suggested books to read that would be great. I just finished "The Glass Castle" another memoir I loved it, and highly recommend it. I also have been working on "my sisters keeper"? I think that's what it is, I also read "the five love languages"by Gary Chapman and have discovered my own special language is not what I expected it to be....Curious? I will tell you what the languages are and you can guess for yourself my love language and my secondary language because it was a close second. And I actually got Bart to take the test and I discovered that his love language too was a shocker for me. I thought I knew him. I have been talking to him in a foreign language for the past 11 years!! But anyhow, this test is supossed to help you speak the language of your spouse to better serve and communicate with them. We did good for about a week..... Ok, here are the languages in random order:

1. Words of Affirmation (compliments, notes, etc..)

2. Acts of Service

3. Physical Touch (not just you know what, but a touch on the arm, playing with your hair etc..)

4. Gifts

5. Quality Time

Some of these are easier to do for your spouse then others, but whatever their language is, that is what makes them respond best to you so for best results, learn their language. Not your language, theirs. Read the book it's not too long and it's very informative too. Plus you might just get a week or two of your language spoken to you. Ok, boring. I sound like I'm trying to be all knowing and seriously we all know I'm not.

So while on my vacation from life, I have discovered online...."wheel of Fortune" and it's free, did anyone else know about this? I'm going to try to look for "Jeopardy" next I love trivia. I just know I'm going to end up in my recliner as an old person who schedules their entire evening around Alex Trebec and that glorious Jeopardy theme music. I have so much to look forward too! Alright my therapy session will now come to an end. I am so bored!!! I should start knitting or something but, it never fails that as soon as I get up to go potty, I come back and my mind is blank as to what I was just doing and how it is to be done. I hate that. And that's not from pregnancy that is all me. I have other talents right?

Good News!

2009-01-22T15:02:00.000-08:00

SO that test I was waiting for to see if I would be delivering in 1-2 weeks cane back negative. Which is good. I know things could change but for now, I just have to continue my medicine and take it easy for the next 4 weeks making it till 36 weeks and then I can let nature run it's course, and hopefully it will run it's way to the hospital for me to deliver a healthy baby.

Bart has been extremely helpful, which I totally appreciate. He's been getting kids ready for school when he's home and made a weekly menu for the breakfasts he'll be making ( I was just gonna throw cereal at the kids) he went shopping for groceries, doing laundry, cleaning. He says it's no big deal but it's huge to me, I know he helps out as much as he can anyways I am just usually helping along with him, and just watching him do everything is sooooo hard!!

My friends and family have been helping out a ton too. Meals, visits, all kinds of offers of help, cleaning up endless feathers upstairs from one of Annies dress up dresses that i should get rid of but she's so cute in it that I can't, picking up kids from school, keeping kids after school, renting movies for me (since I don't have cable- who's dumb idea was that?) sharing books, praying for me. I feel very loved and blessed to know and associate with such good people. Thank you to everyone, I can't wait to be able to return the favors. This is a huge test for me, to let others serve me, I love you all and my whole family really appreciates all your doing for us.

Just an update

2009-01-19T17:07:00.000-08:00

So I had an appointment today with my Dr. things are progressing at a rather rapid rate again. So I get to start taking that lovely "stop your contractions" medicine, trebuteline? Ugh...I hate that stuff. So depending on my test results which should come back in 1-2 days, I could be delivering in 2-4 weeks.. Oy. I will keep you posted. In the mean time I"m on "house arrest" and if anyone has any ideas how to not do cleaning, laundry, and shopping with a house full of people, than please let me know. I have no idea how to just sit still, with so much to do. But I do see the wisdom of bedrest, because seriously, I feel like one good sneeze and we could be having this baby any minuet.... At least they have shots of hormones for the babies' lungs to develop that makes me feel better we'll see if I need that in a few days... But all is well, I'll keep you informed.

Still Here....

2009-01-15T11:22:00.000-08:00

One last look at my beloved gingerbread house
Grandma Kimmy makde these hats and scarfs for the kids so cute! And perfect timing for the weather! Thanks grandma.

Barbie princesses' Annie was in heaven

Coco finally got that American Girl Doll, Samantha, she loves it. Now, all she wants for Christmas next year? The rest of the collection!

Careful, Bartel's got his eye on you with his new super duper magnifying glass!! He wanted one so bad, along with books, a watch, parmesean cheese, and $$$. 50's and 100's were supposedly acceptable.

Waiting for mom to get ready with her camera and cocoa in their new jammies.

Tarzan girl. This is just for fun...

I know it's been awhile. And I do love blogging, but I have been so lazy about it lately. I always have something else to do like, lunch, dinner, laundry... I'm getting into that "nesting" stage and so I think all my free time has to go into cleaning and organizing. Even though it doesn't always work out that way, sometimes those thoughts of being productive are enough to wipe me out and they end in a nap. And that's just the truth.

So to back up a bit.... Christmas was good. Christmas eve was spent at home relaxing..sort of. I baked cookies for santa and for the kids to decorate, while Bart who can't sit still, worked on the house. He put up a towel rack in our downstairs bathroom...I've been waiting 5 years. Then this one is a real treat, a toilet paper holder in my bathroom...Also 5 years of waiting. I'm so happy. Then he decided to sand down our back doors that haven't been painted yet and were suffering from water damage. My house was then full of dust...Not too thrilled about that one. But whatever. Maybe he was counting these acts of service as part of my Christmas gifts? That would explain a lot...I don't want to talk about it.....

SO I made our tradition of Chili and corn bread, again. I guess that's why it's called a tradition. It's my familys' tradition, but for some reason Bart is stuck on it. So we do it every year. Next year I'm making it ahead of time and freezing it like my mom did so my christmas eve will be all the more relaxing. So at night we decorated cookies and ate way too many, and then we played a few rounds of "Go fish" and a few matches of our favorite "connect four". Then we opened one present, of P.J.'s another tradition, and it was off to bed to await the big guys arrival..

Grandma Deb and Opa were hear bright and early to see the kids get up and open gifts. I of course made everyone wait until I was finished making homemade cocoa and had my camera ready. There are just some things worth waiting for. And my cocoa is. The kids were good sports, so patient.

Later that night we went to Opa's for a prime rib christmas dinner..very yummy. We did our gift exchange and I got some really nice things from Barts Family. It was a very nice day indeed..

New Years was busy we had all the youth over for the first presidency message. That ended at 8pm. Then we actually had a party to go to. It was my first New Years Party. I was totally surprised that I lasted until midnight. It was fun though that's probably why. We played this game where you wrote down something about yourself that no one knew, and then three people were called up and the story was read and one of the people actually wrote it and we were all asked questions and you had to lie and pretend it was yours, and get people to vote for you. So somehow, I convinced everyone that I went skinny dipping with boys at youth confrence. And won that round. When really my secret that no one knew couldn't have been more opposite, I will share it...As a teenage I could not say my prayers unless I had my bra on, I just didn't feel worthy. If I went to bed and forgot to pray, I would hop back out of bed throw on my bra, pray, and then take it off again. It was this way until I was married...Everyone thought thatt that was funny and weird, especially since I convinced everyone I went skinny dipping with boys! So this is all for now, I'll post some pics more later, I will try to keep up with the world of blogging.

11 years!!

2008-12-20T08:14:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's been 11 years since we began our life together. Dec 20 1997, has to be one of the best days I ever had. And there have been many more since then. I can't believe how lucky I have been. I am married to such an amazing guy. Bart is unlike any other person I know. I can't even describe him fairly. He is so much fun, he makes our home life very exciting. He takes care of his family, and loves us so much. Our kids just love him. He is probably one of the happiest, upbeat, people I know. It really takes a lot to get him down, which is rare. I laugh with him like no other, he loves me even though I am extremely uncool. But he is too, so it works.
We have accomplished so much together, finishing grad school, getting accepted to Dental school, Being poor and having pretty much just ketchup and milk in our fridge. (no wonder we were so skinny!) Working odd jobs to earn money, managing apartments in the bay area, having 2 children. Buying our first home, buying a practice, buying a second home, Having another baby, and now another....
Bart I love you so much and appreciate your talents and the effort you put into making us a happy family. I really feel that you can do anything you put your mind to. We've had our struggles and up's and downs but I wouldn't trade you or our experiences together for anything. You make me so happy. I want to grown old with you (gracefully of course) and spend forever with you, I get so giddy just thinking about it.. I am so blessed to have you and am thankful you chose me.

I'm Back....

2008-12-17T15:34:00.001-08:00

Ok so I didn't really go anywhere, but as you can see I have been busy with....life. I've kinda gotten out of the groove of blogging out of pure laziness, and being overwhelmed with household chores. I feel like these days I have to pick and choose what I'm willing to spend or waste my energy on. Today is blogging. Our family is good and I'm getting bigger and bigger according to that dumb scale that the nurses insist I step on everytime when I come in to see them, but lets not even go there, because I'm actually in quite a good mood right now. Mostly because we got rid of our dog today...Did I just say that out loud? We told our kids she is going on a little vacation, and having a long slumber party with some of her friends. Which is partly true. One of our very sweet front office girls Lois, has taken "Cozy" off our hands to keep her dog company and to relieve us at the same time. Believe me she will be much happier. As will I. And we can visit her whenever we want. Just like Hannah Montana, "it's the best of both worlds"...Do I have little girls or what?
The ginger bread house my mother in law lovingly baked and allowed us to assemble and decorate.
It was a group effort, and a fun family night! Actually, I'm quite a control freak so I didn't really let the kids help like I was instructed to do...And I won't let my kids eat it yet. And I got a nasty note left on it last week from Bartel stating "this is the dumbest gingerbread house ever.." He's still bitter...
Still working on it....
Bart reinforcing my shotty work....
Snow day in Arizona?
Annie at her Christmas Dance recital...so fun and sooo cute. She is the smallest in her class, I keep telling her to grow but she won't..
Our last minuet Gingerbread man we had to decorate. His name is "Bob" and he works at home depot, and can help you with all your house hold needs...Don't ask why I had this kind of stuff laying around to decorate with....
New hair, sorry I look so serious, but I was concentrating on getting the picture. I really am a happy person...
Coco and papa at Thanksgiving time. Aunt Kyle dressed the little girls up like big girls as you can see...
Coco and Grandma Kim Possible...
My Little Garrett, who is not so little anymore!! And his sweet wife Kellie, they are expecting a baby in July!!! Congrats guys!!!
Sweet cousins Hunter "hunny buns" and Annie.
My beautiful girls....
My fangs for "Twilight"....they were so cool. I felt very intimidating....
Dressing up as always...
A beautiful sunset...
Coco's b-day cake...
Another project that turned out to be "pimp daddy scarecrow." not on purpose....

Party like it's her Birthday!

2008-11-14T10:31:00.001-08:00

So she made it, it's official Coco is now 7 years old!! Her birhtday is today, and I swear she grew a foot over night!! We actually celebrated her big day on Monday because dad is out of town today, But we still gonna party because it is her birthday afterall!! I just dropped off the requested donuts to her class and tonight I am taking her and Annie and a friend to see Highschool Musical 3 and to Panda Express! Total Girls night out!!! I just have to figure out what to do with that boy, Bartel.... So A little about Coco: Coco is very spirited from the very beginning she was raring to go. She was born a month early and just as perfect as she is today. And secretly, she was my most beautiful baby.sshhhh. When the Dr. handed her to me I almost handed her back because she was so different looking from my son. She was way dark and had this huge dimple in her chin, which I love and kiss all the time. She was so cute!! She got her nickname "coco" early on from Bartel. They are only 14 months apart and Bartel couldn't say Chloe, so he called her "coco" and it's stuck. And she is such a Coco.
Coco, I want you to know, that I am so happy you belong to me. Your daddy and I love you so much. You are such a good girl and so sweet even when others, who shall remain nameless..(Bartel, Annie) gang up on you. You are so smart and funny, and just a joy to be around. I know I get frustarated with you and your easily distracted little mind, but if that's the worst of you, then I'm pretty lucky. You are so kind and full of love and forgiving. You have so much love in your little body, I know you can hardly contain it, because you are constantly giving out hugs and kisses like there's no tomorrow. What a blessing you are in my life, I'm so glad to be your mommy, I love that you love me so much, your always telling me how beautiful I am and how I'm the best mom ever. Even the other day when I asked what I could do to be a better mom, you had no improvements to offer. And we all know I am so flawed... But you think I am perfect and you just overlook those flaws. I love you and your tender little heart, you are sucha good sister and daughter, and sometimes I probably don't deserve you. Thank you for being mine. I love you more then I can express and I hope you know that and that I am able to show you everyday, like you do to me... Love Mom -the luckiest mom in the world.

Pictures at last!!

2008-11-05T06:41:00.001-08:00

Coco wanted to take pictures and lucky me, I was her model...now you can all feel better about yourselves!

I call this ignorance is bliss...Bartel loves his encylopedia books. The only problem is he learns a little too much sometimes. He recently discovered the world of "bed bugs" And now this is where he has been sleeping the past 2 weeks....

Comfy Bartel? Knowledge was not power in this case...Remind me to take those dang books away!

I love Halloween. And my sweet mom was kind enough to make the girls their costumes this year. Bartel wanted to be a grim reaper (again) so i told him he could wear on old costume. Well about 2 nights before Halloween he tells me he wants to be swamp thing! As if! So I talked him into a ghost. I bought a sheet cut 2 holes (which was harder then it sounds) then bartel asked me to sew black netting inside for the dark eyes...How about no. SO I bought sunglasses and glued them inside.It seemed to work and he was happy. The girls looked so cute. Coco was a 50's diner waitress and Annie a beautiful princess. Thank you so much grandma Kimmy, your're the best!!

A birthday dress up dress for Annie! My friend Tatum helped me make this it turned out so cute! I'm making one for coco too shhh! Her's will be brown and champagne with pink flowers!

I don't know how this happened just turn your head for the full effect.

Girls day out.

Coco was being picked on by other children (her brother and sister) so she needed some TLC. And annie fell apart, when she found out she couldn't go because she wasn't nice. She said sorry and promised to be sweet and coco was more then happy to forgive and invite her along. Coco is a sweet girl.

We had lots of web for Halloween this year and creepy bats too..I haven't taken it down yet either!! My kids asked if I was going to take it down today...Fine.... party poopers!

My little Annie turned 3. I can hardly believe it. She was very specific about her cake like Bartel. She wanted a pink and orange cake. She had a good day I think. She got to pick out dinner (chicken casserole one of her fav's) and then have a family party. Then on her actual birthday she went to school and passed out treats and then mommy took her for pizza and to pick out some lip glosses then Chuck E. Cheese for dinner!! What a week! Annie we sure love you and are so glad you belong to us, you make us smile so much!!

Annie and Grandma Deb on her birthday!

Coco's Hannah Montana Do before we cut it (sob, sob). But she sure looks cute with shorter hair too! But she all of the sudden looks tall and older!!!

And the winner is.....

2008-10-29T20:42:00.000-07:00

SO I know I promised pictures (jenna) but I can't find my card now!! So I thought I'd reveal the winning vote on my latest poll.....We had our ultra sound on Monday night and we had bets going on at our house, the winner was to pick dessert for the family. The only problem was we all agreed we were having a boy nobody had any different thoughts except Opa who swears he is always right at guessing the babies' sex, except for his most recent grandson, Connor, whom he thought was a girl. So ....sorry Opa no girl... We are having a boy! We are thrilled to even things up around here. The kids were so excited especially Bartel who threatened to pull his hair out and run away if it was another girl...I'm glad he's going to be staying with us and keeping his hair too. And Andrea, you should be glad, I did this for you guys I know Bremen wants a boy next and that you guys seem to follow our lead with kids so,...your welcome. I did my best.

Good intentions...

2008-10-26T20:30:00.000-07:00

I had every intention of posting some recent pics of the family, but I cannot find them on my computer! This has never happened before. I feel so computer illiterate... So I'll have to down load agin and post them tomorrow. In the meantime, I was taggged to post 6 unspectacular quirks about myself. So here we go....

1. I hate Math, but yet I count things...I can't help it. Steps, cracks on the street, parked cars, letters in words etc...Are you scared yet?

2. Anytime we are driving and pass a cemetary or mortuary, (especially in AZ) I am quick to let BArt know if it's an acceptable place to bury me or not...It usually isn't. The only one I've found so far to suit my liking is in Sacramento...Hope everyone can deal with that, if you love me you will come.

3. I hate the cotton that comes in the bottles of medicine..I just got goosebunps typing about it.. I either have to get tweezers to get it out so I don't touch it, or I have to get Bart to get it out, but then he tries to touch me with it...so tweezers usually work best.

4. I say sorry alot. I know this because I have people tell me not to be sorry. And now, my girls say it like it's "Please" or "thankyou"...What have I done to them? ...Sorry.

5. I have to make good food.. It kills me to "cheat" and not give 110% when I am cooking. I have to pull every bit of fat off my meat, if someone were to find a piece of fat or gristle on my food, it would be as bad as them finding a severed finger....

6.I hate being barefoot. Especially in the house. It makes me feel dirty and shorter then i already feel. Also, I hate lumpy jam or jelly on my bread it has to be smoothed out, same with mayo and tooth paste on my tooth brush....

I tag.. DeAnn, Andrea, Sherece, Rachel, and Lisa - if you all are still my friends, you may think me too weird now.

Funny Kids....

2008-10-19T20:53:00.000-07:00

School Lunch:

Bartel: I finally found out what a sloppy joe was, I had it today and it was disgusting.

Coco: I like them..their sooo good.

Bartel: OH, their so gross!

Coco: Well, everybody has different taste bugs!

Sympathy:

Bartel: Mom, are you exhausted?...Don't worry I'll confort you. ( he rubs my back)

Mystery Spaghetti Sauce:

Coco: (whispering) Bartel, mom just put ketchup in the shaghetti sauce- gross.

Bartel: Chloe, mom is a professional, she knows what she's doing....

Worst day ever!!

Our dog cozy was in the front yard with us as we were cleaning the garage on Saturday when she decided to poo-poo on the driveway. So Dad appointed Bartel to be the official cleaner upper. Well, that did not go well. After many layers of napkins the job was done, and a tearful scarred for life BArtel ran up the stairs. A few minuets later we were given a letter:

"DON'T COME IN MY ROOM BECAUSE, THIS IS THE WORST DAY EVER!!!!"

I found three more notes like these placed randomly around the house....

More Letters:

After much knocking and not being allowed to enter our room because we were dressing, we were met with a new form of communication....and tattling.

The first note from Coco read:

Mom, Bartel is outside by the pool all by his self.....

Second note from Bartel:

Mom, is it time for school yet?

Third note from Annie, this one is taped up:

Just scribbled pictures.

Are my kids neglected?

Bartel and Coco also have a "special black box" in their room that they communicate thru. Apparently Bartel checks the "mail" every 2 days for any notes that Coco might leave for him. He has allowed me to participate as well. I'm just trying to think of a really good note to leave for him.

Tomorrow I will try to remember to post a letter that I got from Bartel a few weeks ago...It's a good one, you'll want to read it....

pumkin soup!

2008-10-16T15:32:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorites! We have a tradition with our good friends every October as it gets closer to Halloween, we have a pumpkin night. We make this soup and carve our pumpkins together. I think we are even going to have some pumpkin pasta this year too! I taught a quick and easy meals class the other night at my house and, I made this soup, it literally takes minuets to make but it tastes so fancy! Try it don't be scared, let me know what you think!

Pumpkin Soup

1 Tbs. oil
2 Tbs. minced onion
1 ½ c. chicken broth
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. ground ginger
1 c. canned pumpkin pie filling (with seasonings)
1 c. heavy cream

Heat oil sauté onion and ginger till soft. Combine all ingredients. Heat and serve.

Breezy.....

2008-10-11T13:57:00.001-07:00

Today is just beautiful outside. I haven't said those words in relation to Arizona in a long time. I was actually a little nippy, in my house today. I made breakfast for the family, and then as I was cleaning the kitchen up, i noticed the trees swaying in the breeze, so I open my kitchen window and the most wonderful cool breeze, graced my kitchen and it made me so happy. I didn't even mind that I had to clean up a big mess. I love the fall, it's my favorite season, I just wish we had those pretty fall colors here, because that would complete my happiness today....that and new kitchen cabinets and countertops, and ovens...ok, I'm done. But I am grateful to not run the AC today, and I can't wait to use my fireplaces!!

What is your favorite season?

Tagged....

2008-10-06T18:31:00.000-07:00

I guess this is how it works: My friend Rachelle tagged me and I had to post the fouth picture in my fourth photo folder and then tell about the picture and then tag others! So this picture is Annie licking the beaters after I made something yummy I guess, can't remember what, but she was a mess! But still cute.... I tag.....Andrea, Sherece, De Ann, and Coleen!

Lemon Bars

2008-10-05T16:42:00.000-07:00

This recipe did turn out good. And for some reason I did have left over filling so, I filled a dish and cooked it and we ate it hot....So good. So hot. Be careful. So by request of Kara, who I'm not sure who you are but am glad you stopped by, The Lemon bar recipe. Nothing special just lemony goodness....I'm posting it here because I have no pics of them.

Lemon Bars

Crust:

2c. flour

1c. butter

1/2c. powdered sugar

combine until crumbly, press into greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 20 min.

filling:

4 eggs

2c. sugar

1/2c. fresh lemon juice

1/4c. flour

1/2tsp. baking powder

optional grated lemon

combine lemon filling ingrediants until frothy. pour into pan and bake additional 20-25 mins. When cooled sprinkle with powdered sugar.

When I made this I doubled the recipe, and I used a large jellyroll pan, and not all the filling would fit there fore I baked it in a separate crock. So I'm not sure if you'll have extra using the 9x13 dish. Just in case you were looking forward to having a little extra to snack on hot.

More Drama with Annie...

2008-10-04T10:15:00.001-07:00

Taking Coco to gymnastics....

Annie: "Mom, I go to mastics?"

Mom: "No honey, just Coco"

Annie: " Mom, this is so sad."
" I wanna play in mastics, I'm sad now."
" Now I broke my nail, it's so sad."
" I wanna play in mastics"
"This is so sad."
" I want Daddy, this is so sad"
Did I mention Annie just learned about feelings in School the previous week? Who knew she actually paid attention? I think it's safe to say that she has sadness down. She also lets me know quite frequently " I happy now" , especially after she's been sad. Like as soon as we got home from gymnastics, she stopped crying and said. you guessed it "I happy now" I don't know what changed but at least she gets out of a slump fast...She also has to do a happy face to prove she's not faking it, she smiles with her mouth wide open like she's going to eat you, and then she raises her eyebrows up and down several times...It's quite scary actually.....But, she's happy. I love this kid. I'll try to get a picture of the "happy face" I'm not doing it justice.

Oh, Dear....

2008-10-02T14:47:00.001-07:00

IT was a little too quiet and I found Annie behind the couch which always leads me to suspicion...
Our eyes met...

Mom: Annie what are you doing?
Annie: Mom, don't look at me.
Mom: Annie why do you have toilet paper in your shirt? Are you making Boobies?
(she has one finished so far)
Annie: Mom I want big ones like you...
Mom: Annie no more toilet paper, no more ok?
Annie: I know I'm a big girl.
2 mins later....She has finished the job and is sporting teeny tiny tissue boobies..
Why me?

Our weekend...

2008-09-30T15:47:00.000-07:00

What a crazy busy weekend we had. Did I mention fun? and emotional? Oy.. So my brother inlaw Keith, had his mission farewell this past Sunday. So we had family galore come into town which was so fun. Bart's Aunt Chris and Uncle Larry came to stay with us along with their daughter in law and my friend, Rachel and her two sweet kids Eli and Brynn. It was so fun to have them here. And I think i found a new boyfriend in Eli. He kinda clung to me like saran wrap which of course, I loved. He is such a munch. I can't believe I didn't take one picture the entire time they were here!! Rachels kids are so cute, and I don't even have proof. Your just going to have to take my word for it. Anyhow, it was fun to have them here. We stayed up way too late visiting the heck out of each other, and eating left over hot lemon bar filling (Rachel how is your mouth?) from the lemon bars I made for the farewell party. Keith's talk was full of emotion, and testimony. What a guy that Keith is. He sure has grown up so much in the past few years. I know he will give his best in the mission field. We had to say good-bye today at the airport and I was a wreck. But he was too so I didn't feel so bad. Watching KEith say good-bye to Debbie, was probably the hardest thing. It made me realize just how fast time goes. I was just a Keiths baptism, it seems like and now he's serving a mission. Bartel just got baptized, and before I know it he's going to be gone too. I"m thankful for good examples like Keith and Bart and Michael, and my brothers. I know I am going to have a hard time letting go when my time comes but, I'm fortunate enough to have a testimony of the gospel to know that serving a mission is what Heavenly Father wants his sons to do. It was so sweet to see the little nieces and nephews of Keith crying when he was set apart as a missionary and then at the airport. They really love their Uncle Keith.
So I've been puffy,stuffy, and headachey all day from tears, I'm quite a sight actually. Hopefully I will de-puff by tomorrow......Good Luck in Brazil Keith, we love you!!

Oh Man!!

2008-09-22T09:15:00.000-07:00

So Saturday afternoon, was a rough one. Bart was at a youth activity at the lake, I was trying to clean house and rally the troops to help by offering payment for their hard work. Bartel complied and was more then happy to do his share for money. Coco was motivated for about 5 mins until she realized she had to actually finish a chore to get credit for it. So she became "ill" and was confined to her bed the rest of the day. So Bartel did her chores for her money. And I ended up cleaning her room with a trash bag. She was not happy. I didn't throw anything away, but it's she has a serious time out from toys for awhile. then there was Annie. She had no desire to help in any way, not surprising. She pretty much whirled and twirled and pulled out more stuff while I cleaned. As the day progressed, I was getting frustrated with Coco, who miraculously was healed from her ailment but still wouldn't help out. So I'm cleaning the kitchen and Annie is on the counter and we're chatting, and I notice that a big hunk of hair is cut very blunt on the side. I am staring in disbelief, and I'm almost afraid to ask what i'm sure I already know. "Annie did you cut your hair" she is a little hesitant. And in her broken english tells me more or less "yes, with scissors" . I'm sick. I was just bragging to friends a few weeks ago that I have never had hair cutting issues with my girls!! This can't be happening. But I am grateful that it isn;t right in front like a punk rocker cut. Coco has just been talking nonstop about cutting her hair so Annie was just showing her how to get it done i guess. So I'm upset and take her into my room and she's aware that I'm upset, and I start crying (pregnancy) and I'm cuddling her and I'm crying her and asking her "why did you cut your hair Annie?" She replies " I want to be beautiful" I cry harder. I worry my almost 3 yr. old has self esteem issues..." You are beautiful" I say between sobs. She's crying now too. So when Bart gets home I give him the run down on all he missed. I get to Annie's hair and my lip quivers again, and Annie says "don't cry anymore mom" So I suck it up for her sake. "It's not that bad" Bart says. "Just leave it". As if. So Sunday Morning I'm telling Annie we're going to make her hair beautiful and cut it. She's not happy. "Don't cut my hair mom" is repeated more then once. I have no choice. I can't let her go to church like this. Now she's crying. I reassure her it will be beautiful like a princess. She's not buying it. I finish and get her into the bath for a quick shampoo, we blow dry, and then the final result...She loves it. And she points out that we have "same, same hair" Oh joy, just like Katie Holmes and Suri.... I'm still sick....and throwing away all my scissors. "Annie, we never, never, never, cut our hair right?" "Nope, never, never, never." Then she see's Bart trimming around his ears. "Daddy cuts his hair"....great.

P.s Coco is bugged that Annie's hair got cut before hers....I can't make anyone happy.

Her locks of love i had to cut...sniff, sniff.

Back side...sniff,sniff

Final product....don't look to close Jenna

Photo updates

2008-09-18T17:52:00.001-07:00

So much going on lately. This past weekend was busy and crazy and fun! Friday my brother in-law Keith went thru the temple for the first time and that was so great to be there with him. We love Keith. He is so much fun and such a neat guy. My kids just adore him as do I. We went camping a few weeks ago and he came up to help Bart in his off-road race, he was such a big help. we are going to miss him when he leaves for his mission, but we are so proud of him. He's setting such a good example for my kids. His farewell is the 28th this month and then he leaves I believe the following week straight to Brazil MTC.

So then Saturday the 13th was Bartels Baptism. My parents and Carly, Kyle bug, and Dakota came down to support Bartel in this big step. My dad gave a wonderful talk on baptism. I love hearing my dad talk he's so sweet and sincere. He loves Bartel so much and vice versa. It was really neat for my parents to see their first grandchild baptized. thanks for being there guys! And of course Bart's family was all in attendance, which we so appreciate, I know everyone has busy lives, but we appreciate everyone being there. My parents left Monday morning and we were sad to see them go, especially Annie, she really wanted to go with them..stinker I guess I'm not fun enough for her. Any how, that's all for now,

Kyle Bug and Coco

Making and playing with play dough after school

Bartel and Bart on the big day. No, Bartel isn't overcome with emotion, he slipped in water in the bathroom and fell and hurt his arm....figures.

Annie and Coco before church. Annie is channeling Cindy Lauper with her outfitt. Girls do just want to have fun though!

Papa and the kids cuddling.

At Bartel's b-day bash!

First day of school at Spuhler Sprouts! You can check out Annie in action at school at spuhlersprouts.blogspot.com Isn't she so munchie!! I love this kid...

First day of Ballet!! she loves it, I asked her yesterday what she learned and without hesitation, she pointed her toes out and slid it across the floor. It was so cute. Sh e goes to class with her friend Brielle, there are so cute together.

My only picture of florida...and yes I know this is not Bart and I, it's our dear friends the Perkins, and the beautiful white sands beach in Clearwater....Bart was in class and meetings the whole time!! So I was the third wheel, i tried not to walk to closely behind these two love birds on the beach, I didn't want to wreck the romanticness of the moment but leave it to me, I did anyways when I announced that I had to find a bathroom ASAP....

Bartel and his requested "Maple Cake" funny kid, he was so specific on his birthday list : Exact titles of books, bible with his name on it, an old fashioned silver stop watch with a cover? And the best one....a diamond. What the? I don't even ask for diamonds!

Grandma Deb and Bartel

Bart changing out his traveling tires for some big honkin' ones before the race that he by the way, took 3rd place in!! That's my boy! Cute buns too!

Coco got in touch with nature up in Snowflake and was hunting frogs and lizards and snakes the entire time!!

A quick snack before dinner!

Real Quick

2008-09-16T17:06:00.001-07:00

So I have a lot to write about and pics to publish but i wanted to ask a question first. Coco asked me the other day while I was fixing her hair, "mom, what would you do if you were a Barbie?"

I replied without hesitation " Well, first i would wake up in my Barbie dream house, and then get ready and go for a ride in my Pink Barbie corvette, then if it was the weekend, I would pack up my Barbie Motor home, and take the family camping. what would you do" She replied bitterly, " nothing, because I would be controlled by humans.."

Maybe i misunderstood the question, I thought that being a Barbie would be great, Perfect body, great legs, good hair, nice home and cars, unlimited clothes, no cleaning. Lounging by the pool, while Ken, does whatever it is he does. Now that I think about it I'm kinda jealous of Barbie, she even looks cute pregnant. When I grow up, i want to be Barbie.

If you were Barbie what would you do?

Birthday Boy!!!

2008-09-05T06:57:00.000-07:00

I can't believe just 8 years ago we welcomed this sweet boy into our home. I am feeling a bit like a bad mom right now because I am in Florida and my Bartel is at home in Az, on his birthday! He is with his grandma and Opa, so that makes me feel alot better. Before I left we bought treats and goodie bags for his class to pass out, hopefully that will help him have a good day. when I was pregnant with Bartel I was hoping for a boy so bad. I wanted my kids to start out with a big brother, like the family i grew up in. I feel so blesssed to have this boy. He is such a good boy, he is a tease to his sister Coco no doubt, but he is a good boy. Bartel, if you read this I want you to know that I love you. You are exactly what I wanted and hoped for in a little boy. You are so sweet and kind hearted, and are always wanting to do the right thing. When you were much littler, and would get in trouble, you would always ask me with big tears in your eyes "am I a bad boy?" Never, that would just break my heart, you are always so afraid to disappoint me. But I think you are wonderful, and good. You are so sweet with Annie, you take so much abuse from her and you never get mad. I am so proud of you. I can;t wait until your baptism next week, it will be such a special day. I hope you have a wonderful Birthday today and I promise we will party when I get back!!! Love you, love you, love you!!

Love , mom

Project Update....

2008-08-28T16:59:00.001-07:00

so I know it looks like I've been busy and all, but really these projects have been in this stage for awhile, and I don't feel the need to complete any of them any time soon. That being said I thought I'd at least update you on what I have accomplished thus far....Not a whole lot...

so the girls bathroom still needs lots of love...Contertops, new paint etc. I did make this box that turned out so cute awhile ago. It was intended for hair accessories...it sits empty....unlike me.

If you remember, this room was a lovely lavendar shade. It is now a light gray and I intend to wall paper the bottom half with "Exchangeable Wall Paper" from Sherwinn Williams. No I am not their spokesgirl, I just thought you'd like to know that wallpaper doesn't have to be permanent for those of you who love to change it up with patterns (you know who you are). I am thinking of going with a black and white Damask print for the lower half of the wall. i really want my moulding to stand out and I think that will do the trick.

Another view...the closet and vanity I have yet to paint or decoupage haven't decided yet....

This little shelf I found at the GoodWill. I painted and sanded and stained and voila, it was worthy for my room and perfect for displaying bric a brac....

Another view, across from bed, I want to display cute fabric in the middle black frame...just haven't done it yet. I found this little victorian couch at an estate sale down the street, i love it. It's the perfect size for my little bum....riiiiight.

You remember this hutch? The one Bart said I should throw away??!! So just to recap, Bart built this 10 years ago for me before we went to Dental school, so I would have at least on piece of descent furniture to take with me. It has been sitting in my girls room unfinished collecting junk and dust. So it was time, I once again painted, sanded, stained, decoupaged, added knobs and it's still not finished!! I have to finish adding some paper and knobs and polyurthane? it several times over. But like I said, I don't feel the need to do it just yet...Someday. Until then I am still usung it for random dishes and nic knacks....

Now these I did the other day. I've just been home pretty much not feeling like doing much, but still feeling like I should be doing something other then eating or snuggling with Annie. So I was at anthropology the other day and saw that they had covered wooden hangers with fabric of all sorts. So that is what I am doing. I am switching over to wooden hangers, all together. I know I've gotten them from the past for pretty cheap at Ikea, I'm giving Bart my plastic hangers-hee hee and I'll take the pretty ones. Do you really think he'll care? Or even notice? I bet he'd notice more if I hung his clothes on these bad boys, I'm sure I'd get a lecture about tainting his masculinity. If that's a word.....

My girls share this bed...It's kind of a pain, they wake each other up...Everynite.....Then they wake me up....everynite.... They claim they are scared. How can you be scared in this Feminine Wonderland?

Crazy Prego Lady...

2008-08-24T20:28:00.000-07:00

So I'm about to share too much information with all of you. And the reason I am doing this is so that you will no longer think I am perfect. I am an average Joe...or Jane. Ok, so I never let on that I was perfect but I want you to know I am not above sharing my short comings with you..

It all started Friday.......

I was feeling pretty crummy. And I was starving.. I then remembered that I had boiled some eggs the other day was wanting to make an egg salad sandwich..I know, I know, it's sounds disgusting!! But I so wanted it. Mayo and mustard and curry powder and I was all set. I had my soft unhealthy white bread. MMmmmm. Well, for some reason I was able to eat the whole thing. I have not be able to eat much at all, A few bites and I'm full and feeling sick. But not today, I ate it and it was soo good. And my stomach was still growling!!! No way I thought I just pounded down that whole sandwich..."Feed me" came my inner voice. Well, I'll make another one and take a bite or two and save the rest. One sandwich later I had finished my second!!! I sat in awe of myself. Holy Cow Girl!! So I'm defineitly satisfied now..

15 mins. Later I wasn't feeling so good. Oh, no here comes the sandwich(es)... I make it to the hall bathroom and to the toilet. Up it comes. And at the same time...I tinkle. Oh, no here comes more sandwich...I quickly pulled off my pants because I have to wear them later for the ward campout I reluctantly agreed to go on, and here comes the other sandwich full force along with the 32 oz. of water I had drank earlier. I was soaked and I am squating in the biggest puddle of pee-pee that Annie would of for sure gotten in trouble for if she had done it, and it was so abundant that it ran over to where I tossed my pants and soaked them anyway.... I was ticked and wet. So I'm laying on a dry part of the floor when guess who walks in the door? "what are you doing? are you ok?" asks Bart....."I'm sick and I know there is a big puddle of pee-pee, I'll clean it up in a second" "Oh, my gosh you have got to get that taken care of... what should I do?"

First of all, thanks for the advice I'll make a note of it...Second of all.."I'm not going to have you clean up my pee you sicko"......

Three hours or so later..... I'm all cleaned up and we have our tent and clothes and we're ready to go camping. Well we leave later then planned and we have to stop for food for dinner before we get up to the mountains because to be honest I can't wait that long. So we stop at my favorite pregnancy fast food...TacoBell. I love it, I crave it everyday, I know the people at the drive thru. I just say my name and then "The usual" and I"m good to go. I'm feeling daring so I decide to stray from my usual crunchy taco supreme and go for the gusto....The DOUBLE DECKER TACO...I'm getting goose bumps just thinking about it. The kids are stinkers and hate TacoBell but they order nachos supremes, all 3 of them. I'm thinking this is good because I'm sure there are bound to be leftovers, Bart's not hungry and heaven forbid I run out of food. So we get the prized food. We're traveling along and I'm getting everyone else set up and by the time I get to mine Bartel is handing me his saying he doesn't want anymore. It's like he only took 2 bites! YES!! So, he's handing it up to me with the lid on and I grab it thinking the lid is on only to find out it's an illusion. The lid pops off and nachos go flying all over the console of Bart's truck, down between the console and my seat, on my purse and all over the floor. Nacho cheese, ground beef (so they say), beans, tomatoes, and sour cream, and don't forget the chips everywhere. I was ticked...again. But mostly because I wanted those stupid nachos and now they were completely wasted!! And Bart who "wasn't hungry" had already eaten the girl's leftovers while I was cleaning up the mess. The NERVE!!!

Next Day... It's Saturday now (and again we stop by tacobell on our way home...no nachos this time) and we get home from our fun filled camp out under the stars, and I know I have to run to the store because we are feeding the Missionaries tonight and I can't take them out, because I did that last time....I go to the store and get what I need. I'm home and I'm starving and I know I have 3 hours until dinner and that's like 3 years in pregnancy time. So I know I need something to hold me over. So I had just bought lunch meat and yummy bread and decide to make a sandwich..just a half this time! SO I make it..turkey and mustard on 9 grain bread...mmm. I'm eating it slower this time while I put groceries away. I have about 2 good bites left, that by the way I'm well aware of, when I am in the fridge putting some things away. And Bart, good man that he is comes in the kitchen to help. I'm buzzing around and then go to the spot of my sandwich to finish off those last few glorious bites. Only when I get there it's gone. The whole plate. Did I move it? I look around and I yell "Bart did you throw away (or worse) eat my sandwich?" "Honey, it was almost gone so I tossed it" If there was a prize for crying on cue I would have gotten it right then. Instant tears and quivering lip..."Oh shoot, honey, I didn;t know, here it's right here it's just on a wrapper not even touching anything" he says as he's pulling my beloved sandwich out of the trash. Even when I'm not pregnant I'm aware of a bite or two that's left on my plate, it just feels unfinished like I forgot to do something, even if I don;t want it I know it's there. I don't know what happened. My poor husband felt like a creep for tossing out what appeared to him as dry crust. Go ahead say it... I'm out of control. I know it too. These dang pregnancy hormones are so powerful I can;t help it. So there you have it, now you can all feel better about yourselves after reading this. Your Welcome.

Recent Developments...

2008-08-21T10:22:00.000-07:00

Ok, I guess I've been beating around the bush about this one. I've been getting some eyebrow raising comments and I guess I can't prolong it anymore. We are having another baby! Yes, we are excited, and yes, I'm getting chubby and feeling sick around the clock this time. Ummm, I get chubby every time, I've just never felt sick constantly before. We are about 10 weeks out, with a very long way to go, MArch has never seemed so far away... I am excited to not be prego during the summer like in every time past. I'm glad I can cover up more because of the cold...If you can believe it gets cold here...which it doesn't.

Anyhow, my kids are excited We are hoping for a boy, but we'll obviously take what we get. Bartel has already begun calling the baby "Tommy" I've reminded him several times that we are not using that name, I pretty much give him a dirty look every time he calls my stomach "tommy". And the other day he said it when a friend was over and she said "Oh, Bartel do you like that name?" His reply.. "no, I just know it bugs my mom"....Please tell me this stage will end soon?

So that's the big news, hopefully all will go well we had our first ultra sound last week and there was one healthy heartbeat. In some strange and twisted way I was hoping he was going to tell me there was twins and that's why I'm so big...But no, I'm just big as always and secretly grateful that there is only one.

Just another week...

2008-08-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

SO a few things this past week. Kids started school...yeah me. Everyone is alot happier these days. Also we had a Karaoke party, just us! And let me tell you Co-co rocks.We also watched Michael Phelps everynite, that was exciting, he's awesome. Also Tatum and I made about 80 cupcakes for her cousin's bridal shower last week, and they turned out so pretty and tasty too. We had Almond buttercream cupcakes, devils food with chocolate almond frosting, and coconut with a coconut toasted pecan frosting. So good! In fact we are doing about 400 more for her wedding!!! Anyhow, that's about it here, nothing too exciting going on, I did fall asleep for 15 mins in the aisle at target the other day...that was pretty cool.....Ok, time is a wasting, kids are at school and Annie and I are off to play! She is a different child when the other two are gone. We have so much fun together, she's not so clingy and demanding. She's actually ....enjoyable. Weird huh?

Vintage inspired cupcakes, Tatum had some great decorating ideas..

Will you marry me?

Holy Cupcakes!!

Everybody was Kung -Foo Fighting.

Still on our "Karaoke High"

The "puppy face" they also make their lips quiver while doing this...it's terrible.

This is why Bartel never gets what he wants...this face does nothing for me except make me irritated.

Rock on Co-co!!

First day of school...

Too cool. I almost didn't get this picture because his "homies" were near by watching and he was embarrassed!

Annie starts school next month at "Spuhler Sprouts" cute huh? Can you believe she's old enough for that?

New Toys...

2008-08-13T19:25:00.000-07:00

So usually it's Bart that is in "dying need" of a new toy. But this time, it was all me. I rarely want anything so much that I do the "pout face". And really it's more of a joke, then anything I mean I know it will work because it just so happens to be the very face that Chloe uses on her dad to get something she wants. For example, a few weeks ago we were out as a family shopping for Bart for new church clothes and Chloe somehow managed to drag Bart into "Justice for Girls" and give him the whole "daddy, I really want this..." and then the "pouty, puppy dog face, and eyes look" and I promise not 5 mins. later she walked out with a new outfitt. Dang she's good. And all Bart could say was "she did the face, and she really wanted it, and she's a good girl"...Keep justifying Bart. Well, whatever she did, it worked and I took a lesson from her and worked my charm on him too. And the thing is I knew he would get me whatever it was I wanted I just had to show him how much I wanted it by talking about it more then once. I threw in the face just for good measure.

So Bart got me my "Mac Book" and I love it. As we speak I am typing at the kitchen table and breaking up a fight between the kids. When before at the desk computer I would be yelling that they are driving the spirit out of our home..now I can whisper it.Because I'm right here.

This Mac Book is so easy to use. Today I was asked by the young womens pres. to make a CD for their wacky olympics night. Now normally I would be able to get the music and then freeze trying to burn it onto a CD, because it never worked before. And like Apple Magic...it worked just like that! And I had my "eye of the tiger", "Chariots of fire" and so fourth all onto one CD for her listening pleasure! I was so proud of myself. I feel so computer savvy...And my CD is awesome too! A good cd to exercise to....If I exercised right now. Which I'm not....I don't want to talk about it. Anyhow, thanks Bart my so sweet husband, I knew you would get me what I wanted without the face and promises I don't intend to keep! What a guy! I'm so gald he's mine (along with my mac book) oh yeah, and how gullible am I? So the next day BArt says, "You know, this white Mac Book is the only laptop they allow in the temple...".Serious" I say? I automatically picture myself surfing the net at the temple...."No, not really" he says....Hardy, har,har Bart....Dang blonde hair of mine.

Back in town...

2008-08-07T16:11:00.001-07:00

What a busy month July was for us Vans. It seemed to have just flown by, (thank heavens, one month closer to cooler weather....and school starting...did I say that out loud? Believe me, they are just as eager to start as Iam!) So we Camped in Heber, Az for the Fourth of July where the weather was much cooler so much in fact, it hailed huge marbles on us! It was crazy, especially since earlier in the day we were rolling up our shorts and sleeves to get a tan!

Then of course there was Disney land which I already blogged about who could forget Jack Sparrow! Then we had California (my favorite place!) and the beach for a whole week! We rented a beach house with our dear friends the Bryans, for the second time now, and just had a blast. Bart drove us out there then flew home and was back to work while I was lounging on the beach and reading and eating "Cow Cookies"....Don't worry they were meatless... Then he so lovingly flew back out on our final day and drove us back home. What a guy!! I sure love him.

We had so much fun we seriously did not want to come home. I know what your thinking..." why wouldn't you want to come home to 110 degree weather, chores, errands, real life etc...." Oh well, it had to end sometime right? But at least we got out of the heat for a bit. The Grandma Kimmy, came out for a few days to play with us here. I'm sorry to report she didn't get to escape the heat of St. George by coming to AZ. But We're worth it right? So we are actually ready for a schedule again, School starts next week, tonight is "meet your teacher" night, and Co-co is taking her first piano lesson as we speak! Thats my girl! Well, actually I never took piano.... My best friend Sherece tried to teach me, but everytime she came over we always seemed to find something else to do, like ....giggle and talk about boys...Good times!! Hanging with the Elders
Daddy and the kids at the pier in San Luis A Bispo?
Grandma came for a quick visit, she wanted to read to the kids but not without her reading glasses, so of course Annie had to get hers out too!
Farmers Market in Moorpark Ca, Bart was a good sport for posing as a horse, and I was fine with it as long as I wasn't the pig!!
Camping in Heber, Az at the local 4th of july parade that was mostly real estate advertisers and political candidates driving cars....Fun, Fun!

Annie almost took off Barts head with this hit! I was so impressed! Must be my genes!
Wiped out, Daddy makes a cuddly bed...don't tell him I said that!! (love you Bart)
Bartel is part merman, I'm sure of it. He was in the water just about the whole trip, I'm certain if we had, had a raft he would of wanted to sleep on it...well scratch that, the whole shark thing would probably of inhibited him.

So proud of their sand castle!
Repeat...I haven't mastered editing my posts yet...I don't want to talk about it...

Yes this is proof, I did help and I was there not just behind the camera, I have the sunburns to prove it! Well, I'm peelin a bit now..TMI sorry.

Oh, how sweet. Are they so happy to be at the beach together as a family?
NO, of course not, this is my new form of punishment, time out with a hug. They hate it. And the more they complain the longer the hug. Believe me 3 mins seems like forever to an 8 yr. old hugging his sister. Co-co doesn't mind it as much..
My beautiful Chloe....

Go fly A KITE!
And she did!!! She was so Happy!!! But when she was done I got stuck holding it...for a very long time.
This is what little 6 year old girls do to their little sister when mom isn't around. And boy did Annie flaunt herself..I don't know where she gets that from?...No seriously I really don't....I swear it's not me. I feel like your judging me now!

Early Flashback Friday...

2008-07-17T19:02:00.001-07:00

We're going out of town this weekend (just adults..yeah) SO I thought I'd do F.B.F. early so you wouldn't miss out!! Annie loved bathing with her jewels on.
Co-co's first B-day..Dig in Baby!!
Whos' a handsome boy?

What did you just ask me??

2008-07-16T21:05:00.000-07:00

So it's summertime. Full of sunshine, water, popsicles, and RUDE questions? We did the family thing today. Kung-Fu Panda this morning (love that Jack Black, almost as much as Jack Sparrow) then off to the water park this afternoon. I'm not a fan of waterparks. It's actually a lot of work with kids. and I'm pretty much spending the whole time keeping a watchful eye on my offspring, and making sure my "cover-up" is covering up as it should be..That alone is a full time job. So Bartel wants me to go on this water slide with him in the kiddie area. Sure why not, I'm in a good mood. SO we hike up the short path...I'm still covered up. As we reach the top there is a large sign posted reading something like this "You can not go on this slide if you weigh over 300 lbs." As soon as I read it in my mind, my eye immediately shoot to Bartels face and I see a look of concern wash over him. "Don't do it " I say to myself...But it was too late. Bartel being the rule follower that he is just couldn't resist making sure. "Ummm. Mom? How much do you weigh?" You did not just ask me that...I said "You fat head, how big do you think I am?" "I'm just making sure." I wanted to push him down the slide with my foot. Just like the santa on "Christmas Story" when the kid asks for a BB gun and he tells him "You'll shoot your eye out. Merry Christmas" Then right on the fore head a big ol' boot, and a "HO,HO, HO,". Please someone tell me my son will grow out of this stage. I'm sick of the "Did you have T.V or write with a feather when you were my age?" questions...It's getting old..like me.

Now, which slide did I want to go on?.....

How Much do you weigh?

Maybe if I lay here long enough, my mom won't make me take a bath later....

3 Days Of Bliss!

2008-07-14T23:02:00.000-07:00

I am in love, and not just with Bart...I have serious feelings for another man. A man named Walt Disney. I am certain he made it to heaven. The hours of endless fun and warm fuzzy feelings I have enjoyed have got to account for something for Walt in the afterlife. Walt I am rooting for you...

How lucky are we to have spent 3 fun filled days at the Magic Kingdom? Nevermind that it was a bit humid. Nevermind that we stayed in a "Super 8 Motel" , that Bartel was certain was really a "Hotel" because of the big chandelier in the lobby. Nevermind that on my first morning there, while enjoying a "Free continental breakfast" (that I'm sure I paid for in taxes), I walked in on an old man peeing in the bathroom and and had to make a quick exit back to my room and not eat because I was so embarrassed. (I'm not sure why he didn't lock the door, Bart is certain he wanted someone to walk in on him. But I will give him the benefit of the doubt and chalk it up to "Old Age Forgetfulness"). But who cares, I was in heaven as soon as I paid my $12 parking fee. I was as giddy as they get. If you only eat one thing in "California Adventure," it has to be one the corn dogs from "Corn Dog Castle" . You'll see why...
Bartel just finished a gigantic Corn Dog...
Look at this bad boy!!! Holy Corn dog!!! This is my sister Taylor, modeling with the corn dog...

Beautiful Grandma Kimmy and Annie...
The whole Fam Damily
A little to happy with my man Jack, it was pay back for Bart not being there (see honey, I am desireable to other men!!..ok, so he was being paid so what, I know he felt a connection with me.

We stopped by the beach with our friends the "Bryans"..it was lovely, we look forward to "Beach week" next week!!
I just thought this guy looked very comfortable.....that's all.

Kyle bug and Co-co Driving crazy...keep those hands on the wheel Co-co!

California we love you and miss you, someday we will be together again!!

FLashback Friday (Monday)

2008-07-07T07:18:00.000-07:00

Meet my darker side......
And....my skinny side....

Diet Schmiet...

2008-06-30T13:32:00.000-07:00

Food Glorious Food

We grow it. We prepare it. We pray over it. We dream about it. We get giddy thinking about it. We celebrate with it. We send our condolences with it. We live on it. We over indulge in it. We feel guilty about eating it. We feel guilty about wasting it. We need it. We love it.

What is it about food that makes us so happy and attracted to it? Is it the vast variety? The endless ways of preparing it? The many taste sensations? The different textures? The array of colors? The unlimited aromas? Is it that feeling of fullness, when you just can’t eat one more bite, for fear you may pop the buttons on your favorite jeans? Is it the sense of security? The warm fuzzy feeling you get when you’ve just eaten that decadent piece of double chocolate cake, and you know that everything will be alright? Whatever the reason, it always keeps us coming back for more. Oh how I love my food….Dang it.

I cheated on my diet and I"m actually ok with that. We are having a big family feast tonight with Shrimp Tacos, CAfe Rio like chicken tacos, spicy avocado ranch dressing, carribbean black beans and rice, chips & salsa, corn on the cob, salad, monkey pie (courtesy of co-co) and a weight watchers cake (courtesy of De Ann) heavens knows we'll need it after this feast...but will it really help? Probably not. Moderation in all things...Moderation in all things.....
Look for recipes for this great buffett soon on, is this made with love? (the answer is yes, by the way.)

Flash back Fridays...

2008-06-27T23:19:00.000-07:00

So a friend of mine does this on her blog and, follower that I am, thought it would be fun to hop on board and share my flashback pics with you, be kind please...or I won't do it again. Prego with Annie at the MTC....wait that doesn't sound right?
Look at all that hair?? No wonder I was called "curly fro" in Jr. High!
I just don't know what to say about this picture, except yes, that is me and Co-co.

Oh, Kodak moment. This picture bothers me because First of all, No one had informed me that it was time to invest on a good flat iron and hair product, and secondly, I look like a single mom here! Where is Bart? Oh, that's right he forgot we had pictures and he was working!!

As My World Turns........

2008-06-25T16:21:00.000-07:00

Here's What happened last week.........

Randi and BArt had a late date night and neglected to prepare for Sunday. Morning chaos was eminant sp? In their rush to get out the door and be on time, BArt left with the kids so Randi could finish getting ready, because she's such a great mom she got everyone else ready first-just a side note. So Randi was ready 15 mins later and headed out the door but was abruptly halted when she couldn't find the keys to her sweet ride. So she looked and cleaned, putting good use to her time at home, until church was over and her husband BArt, walked in the door.....

(Read Previous Post For Full Details)

Continued....

SO I hear the roar of BArts truck pull into the drive. I go out to the garage to meet and greet him. He hops out with a smile and says "Honey.....what happened?" I put my hands on my hips and say, "I guess I could ask you the same" He looks puzzled. "DO you have my keys?" He does a quick pat down..."No...hang on" He goes to the truck and opens the door and hops in. Out comes a clanging set of keys..my keys. Do I know my husband or what?

He asks why I didn't call? On his cell phone during church? How about because the night before at during the production of "My Fair Lady" his phone goes off, and then he fumbles around to silence it and pushes the speaker phone, then all we hear is the sound of someone blowing into the phone loudly...I try to give him the evil eye but it's too dark for him to see me. But we see the people in front of us give us the evil eye.....If looks could kill. It was an accident geesh, it's not liked they missed a whole lot, Eliza Dolittle was singing "I could of danced all night" but it was more like "I could sing all night"....the song went on forever.

SO all in all, I missed church because of BART but the house was clean and lunch was ready when he got home! Sorry for all the suspense but you have to admit, it makes it more exciting that way.

Sunday Confession...

2008-06-22T09:55:00.000-07:00

SO it's Sunday morning. Sunday's are crazy around here and I'm guessing in most of your homes as well. We stayed out too late last night (9:30- I know real party animals) and you know the song about "Saturday"? It's a special day right? The day we get ready for Sunday? Well, the meaning of that song goes in one ear and out the other in our family. We always try to do too much on Saturday. And every Sunday morning it's the same conversation, "ok, no more date nights on Sat. Night, we're always late for church!" We have early church...No really, it's early. 8am. 8AM!!!!!

We are the family who's home looks like it was ransacked while they were at church but really, it was just us getting ready in a mad dash. Bart has meetings. Lots and lots of meetings on Sunday. I'm not complaining though. But, it's hard to get 3 kids ready in the morning by myself, especially when I procrastinate their showers, because I was on a date. And when I don't wash my hair the day before, it makes matters worse. Like this morning. ...... BArt was out of the house at 6:50am. I was rushing to get kids fed, bathed, blowdried, and dressed in their best. Then theres me. Last. Always last. I did get up and shower and dry my massive hair...takes awhile. then I got going on the kids. Bart calls from church at 7:50 "do you need help?".....long pause........"Well, I don't have time to chat, does that give a little hint?" ok, I didn't say that, I said " Ummm yeah I always need help" then I ran down my list of what I was doing at that very minuet, ending with "I can't talk I gotta go!!!" Well, Bart gets homw just in time to gather the children that I have prepared for him, and whisking them away to save us a seat in sacrament. At least one of us will look put together. So i hurry and put on my face....this may take awhile. I get dressed in "the same dress that you always wear mom!" (Co-co reminds me.) I run and get my primary bag and flip thru my lesson. I draw a few faces on paper as instructed by the manuel, so when you turn it one way it looks like a frown and when you flip it TADA! a happy face. I like the frown better right now. I write "Blessed are the Peacemakers" on more paper. My lesson will be great. I gather my treats for bribing my primary class into being reverent, and I'm ready to go. I head out the door. Oh, Silly me, I need keys!! Hmmm. Where are my keys? Keys where are you? This is a game Annie and I paly often when looking for her treasures. I can't find the keys. I check my purse, I double check where they should be hanging up, I check another purse, I check pant pockets. No keys. Bart is gone. I keep looking. I decide to clean while I look may as well be productive. 2 hrs. later...I'm here with a clean house typing on my blog...

Maybe I should of walked, it's not too far, but it's a little hot outside. Maybe I should of called for a ride? OH, that's right, everyone is at church! The house sure is quiet. I wonder how sacrament went with 3 kids all alone. Hee, Hee. Ok, I feel a little bad for him, but I can't help but think he has my keys!!!!! He does this a lot! I bet you anything he has my keys!!! because he talked about taking my car earlier!! He probably grabbed them then when I said no take your car, he forgot to leave them. I wonder if he even notices that I'm not there. And what about my primary class?!...Great now, I'm going to owe someone treats for sitting with my class...even though it's not my fault. I know your thinking.....what about a spare key? Yeah that would work if Bart hadn't already lost those too. If I am wrong and he doesn't have them I will gladly admit it and print a retraction. Keep watching for more details as the saga of my life continues.........

TO BE CONTINUED..........

WWMD? or What Would Martha Do?

2008-06-19T16:56:00.000-07:00

Ok, picture overload huh? I just wanted to show you why I am a stress case. Do you see how many projects I have going on? And this isn't even all of them!! My dilemma right now, ir that I'm doing those flower balls and I run out of flowers, so I go to the store and buy all they have and still don't have enough to finish, so I wait.....And in the meantime I start another project, I have to be productive right? So I'm painting my hutch and while it's drying I'm fixing up the girls room...are we seeing a pattern here? Not sure what I want to do with this as far as paint color goes, I also am thinking about deco paging sp? the top of the vanity in some cute paper.. what do you think?
This is kinda the decorating direction I'm going in, I also have a ton of decorations in the closet. I took out the hutch, and I'm painting the walls gray, I've also toyed around with the idea of wall papering either the upper half of the wall or the lower with a cute damask print. Opinions?

I am spray painting crates the color of that flower pretty much, and they will be for toys.
Look at this mess?! De Ann are you freakin' out!!
I really want a cute white headboard for this bed I think.... And a cute chandelier to hang up.

My balls O' flowers! I want to attatch cute ribbon to these and hang them from the ceiling in the girl's room or bathroom..This is quite the project, don't start this if you are hoping to finish in one day, because you won't.
My rose lamp, it's been about 2 months since starting....it's still not done!
My great "Good Will" find. it was just brown stained and I painted it a straw color and destressed it next? cute knobs for hanging stuff...It's for the girls room too....

Bart built this for me 10 years ago!!! and I'm just now getting brave enough to paint it!! It was in the girls room, but I really want it in my kitchen to display cute dishes and random stuff.
De Ann look at this!! Did you know they made these? It makes spray painting so easy my finger doesn't hurt!! (you probably already knew about this though)
A cute color and cute knobs and we'll be good to go! I'll keep you posted on the pregress!

Just on my mind

2008-06-18T17:49:00.000-07:00

So while I was out and about today, I stopped at our local bakery to pick up a quick sandwich, a girls' gotta eat right? So I order a turkey sandwich on whole wheat to go. I'm going to eat half and drop off the rest to Bart. So my order is up, and I get my sandwich and head outside to the tables to eat because I got a phone call and didn't want to be rude inside talking. So I'm chatting and open my box up to eat. I take a bite it's a bit dry, well there's nothing on it. I finish talking and head inside the shop to get some condiments and cool off. At the counter, they have the usual, ketch, mustard, mayo. I all of the sudden get grossed out. I'm not a big fan of Mayo, if I have to have it I want just a tad. But I'd rather not have it. It's warm inside the bakery and the packets of mayo are just sitting on the counter. I feel a hurl on deck. Warm mayo....ugh. So I eat my sandwich and on the way home I keep thinking about the mayo and then I think about processed cheese. Cheese on a shelf....Does this seem abnormal to anyone else? My kids and Bart love squeeze cheese, they would squirt it into their mouth straight from the can if I let them. Bart likes velveeta sandwiches...ewe. I don't know why I'm so bugged about this today. I'm utterly grossed out. I may never eat a lick of mayo again.
Then on my way home I see a man driving a "Mazda Miata" now, from what I'm told there are a few cars that are not meant for men, the new volkswagon bug and the mazda miata. I don't know if this is common knowledge amongst all people perhaps it will be my next poll, but becase I was told about this "vehicular faux pau" that so many men make, I can't help but get bugged when I see a man driving one of these cars. And I get even more irritated, when I have to pass them because their going so slow in their "girly car", that by the way, I would drive much faster. Forgive me if your male loved ones drive one of these cars, but it has been engrained in my head that this is just not meant to be, I will forgive them if you will forgive me. Just don't let me catch them driving these cars...I will razz them. At least do them a favor and tell them of their wrong doing, protect those you love.

Fathers Day

2008-06-17T12:18:00.001-07:00

So Fathers Day this year was fairly quiet and relaxed. We pretty much just spent the day at home. I wanted to make it as relaxing for Bart as possible, but if you know my husband then you know, he's never relaxed unless he's asleep....

So we have 8am church right? Well The night before Bart asks if we need to set the alarm. Silly Bart, I'm a mom, I have a built in alarm. I'm going to wake up as soon as it's light out and make him a wonderful breakfast, then get the kids ready and go to church where they will sit perfectly during sacrament meeting while taking notes. Then my sharing time lesson will go exactly as planned. My class will behave and be reverent and I will receive a standing ovation for my spiritual and highly entertaining presentation. They will name me "Primary Teacher of the year". When we get home, I will gather my children around my husband while we shower him with perfectly wrapped gifts after which, I will proceed to feed him a delectable lunch on our finest china. After a quick massage, I will insist that he lay down for an hour or two, and catch up on some ZZZZ's afterall, he's such a busy guy, and today he has no meetings!!. When he wakes, surprise Dinner is ready!! It's divine, he's so full he needs a furniture dolly to move to the couch. He showers me with praise, I blush "it's nothing Dear, thanks for all you do for us." He says, "This is the best Father's Day ever!" Mission accomplished.... As if. I'm not that sweet! Apparently 3 hrs of church is a little too much for Annie!
Bartel and Co-co informed me while I was making dinner, that they were the "Food Police" who knew they reall exist?

The Happy Father in bed for lunch.
Extreme close-up of the kid's sweet wrapping skills.
" I Love being a Dad!!!"....(and my wife is hot!)...ok, I added that part.

Slacker....

2008-06-13T16:30:00.000-07:00

So I have been MAJORLY neglecting my food blog. No, we haven't been eating out all this time, I have been just plain lazy! But as soon as I get my camera back tomorrow, I will try to up date it with a few recipes that I've been meaning to post like a yummy spicy pasta salad, spanish rice, bean and cheese sour cream enchiladas, and who knows what else! So don't give up on me yet!! I've just been in a schlump...is that a word even?

2008-06-12T08:20:00.000-07:00

Help me find Myself.

I seem to have lost myself, can you help me find me please?
I think I’d lose my feet if they didn’t come attached to my knees.

I’ve forgotten what I like, what it is I like to do.
If you ask me how I used to be, I haven’t got a clue.

Sometimes I find a moment, when I really have time to look.
And I think I saw a glimpse today, a few moments is all it took.

So I keep a running list, of the things I want to be.
So when all my work is done, I can take a look at me.

What's in your car?

2008-06-06T08:17:00.000-07:00

SO I was cleaning out my car the other day and I was pulling out such random things. So I wondered to myself " Self, is this normal stuff to have in a car?" Here are things I pulled out that day and in times past, do they look familiar to you?

Floss-not surprising
Toothpaste-for our scuba masks of course
Cuticle Cream- for those pesky dry Arizona cuticles
Bag of returns-that will probably never be returned
2 DVD's to return to Hollywood Video..over due by 2 months (along with a late fee big enough to feed a small 3rd world country)
3 pairs of Annie's shoes-a girl can never have to many of these
About 100 little rubberbands for Annie's Hair-Bart hates these
A roll of toilet paper...just in case
A half eaten apple-ewe
A half empty can of coke zero
A few Walmart receipts
Scuba Fins
Snorkel
Co-co's bathrobe
Crushed fishy crackers
A handful of pens
A couple "To Do" lists
Two C.D. cases
A pair of headphones
And a partridge in a pear tree...

Ok, Fess up...what's in your car right now?

What Time Is It?....Summertime!!

2008-06-01T13:20:00.000-07:00

Oh, things are heating up here! We had a short cold spell (50 degrees and lots of rain) well, cold for us anyway, but now we're back on track with highs in the 100's!! The kids are out of school and swimming like fish, their already a nice golden brown (sounds like aomething yummy huh?) And I'm already counting down until school starts again!! We do have a few fun things planned this summer. Bart and I are getting scuba certified!! We had our first class Saturday and continue Tomorrow night! Oh how I love squeezing into a wet suit!! I have to admit I'm nervous and I'm doing this for Bart, Man does he owe me...I'm thinking Dancing lessons together? So anyhow, We just came back from youth confrence in Flagstaff this weekend, a nice escape from the heat. I guess some people were cold at night, but I was quite toasty in my trailer! I tried not to rub it in. We had a great time at the observatory in Flagstaff we saw the planet saturn and all it's rings thru a 100 yr. old telescope!! We also did a rope course suspended in the air with harnesses...Crazy huh? Bart and I balanced holding onto each other on small planks of wood, it was kinda scary, but awesome to have each other to hold onto and nothing else. (ahhhh) Then I got carsick, what trip to the mountains would be complete without me getting queasy? I seriously was laying in the dirt and ant infested pine needles on the side of the road while BArt dropped people off at the camp spot. It was kinda weird and I'm sure strange looking to see a girl laying in the dirt like she was dead. People drove by without inquiring though, so maybe it's a common thing up there.
So this weekend went well, also we went to Bartel's First Piano recital. It was all boys performing!!! Cool HUH? They all did so good, especially my son (of course). He got a cool ribbon with his name on it and lots of compliments. His timing was great and he didn't even need his book! He loves the piano, I never have to ask him to practice, if anything, I'm usually telling him "Ok, let's wrap it up" .

So lots going on, and lots more to come, the beach in July, maybe 2 times that month, Mexico, for our dives and I have to go see Grandma in St. George, lots of swimming, and popsicles, and B.B.Q's. Should be fun, hopefully we don't die of heat exhaustion! Bartel on his water skateboard
Co-co playing "Mermaid"- she plugs her nose like mommy!!
Annie...just being grouchy with a water snake
Bartel and his buddy "Zach" discussing treble Clefts?
So serious during his "Indian Song"
Ribbons from Miss Smith- good job boys!!

Exercise Blunder

2008-05-21T10:23:00.000-07:00

So just when I thought I was good on embarrassing moments for now, I get proved wrong...once again. So day before yesterday I was home with Annie who decided to zonk out on the couch. A rareity indeed. So I thought I would take advantage of this and catch a few rays by myself in the back yard. So I put on my bikini....yikes and headed out the back door. Now if you know me well then you know how terribly modest I am. I don't wear bathing suits in front of anyone. I hate wearing one infront of Bart even. I do not like being naked, or partially naked. And if given a choice I'd rather cover my backside then my front... But, I was alone and in no danger of offending anyone.I knew the lawn guy had already come the day before, and the pool guy usually comes in the morning. So it's hot, and I'm laying on my back for about 5 mins and decided I should flip over so my white tummy doesn't fry all at once, it's better to fry in increments. So now, I'm on my tummy, and thought "umm, while I'm laying here I may as well work out my glutes" So while on my tummy I lift my legs and begin to squeeze my buns with all my might while moving them in and out quickly....not a pretty sight but, I felt the burn, and it wasn't from the sun either. Then all of the sudden I catch a reflection in the window in front of me...Bart had snuck up behind me and was watching me and waiting for the perfect moment to pounce on me! I instantly got sick to my stomach and yelled "Bart!!" He was so dissappointed that I had seen him. I was so ticked and felt like I was gonna puke and my hands were shaky!! How long had he been there?!! How many dimples from my squeezed buttocks did he see????? Oh I wanted to die.. You have never seen anyone flip over so quickly in your life. Curse those dimples!!! Butt- no pun intended, Bart the sweet man he is, just made an "OWWW" sound like I was the hottest thing ever...Weirdo.

Mothers Day

2008-05-20T15:33:00.000-07:00

Skewered sandwich in glass
They have a similar pizza like this at "trader joes" with ham and a white sauce soooo good!

Mother's Day weekend was a busy one for us. Bart and his associate, Dr. Perkins, had some marketing classes in CA. So Tatum and I went along for the ride (and the shopping in New Port) it was a great break away from everything...(kids) housework etc... I was able to visit my great friend Coleen and do you think I have any pictures of our trip? nope. However I was impressed with the presentation of Coleens sandwich and my pizza and managed to take a pic of that...Where are my priorities?

We returned home Sunday afternoon on mothers day and I opened the best gift ever!!!! The "Anne of Green Gables" movies!! I love them, they make me so happy and remind me of my sunday afternoons growing up. No I didn't live in Prince Edward Island, quite opposite actually, I just liked watching those parent approved sunday movies every so often. I even made a tea party for Sherece and I once like Anne and Diana minus the alcohol. That's probably why I love tea parties so much now, that and my mom and I always had pretend tea parties under the covers when I was little...

Anyhow, my kids gave me all of their homemade gifts. Coupons, chore flowers, pictures etc...It was great. I love my babies.

The other day Bartel at random, said he already knew what he wanted to name his kids when he got older. #1 Bartel of course, #2 the girl, Lucy...like our old dog I got rid of that he always reminds me about,....and #3 Diego........Yeah I don't know either. I asked if he was going to have a "Dora too?" and he got offended. It was just a question. I kept saying the name "Diego" over and over, he didn't like that but I like saying it, and I told him I need time to get used to the fact that I'm going to have a grandson named Diego. He's still offended.

Embarrassing Moments.....

2008-05-18T20:08:00.000-07:00

Mother's day Program with Co-co
Bad hair day as well ....
So much fun, I was in tears it was so sweet.
Annie in Flagstaff with the family, it was a bit chilly...yes, those are socks on her hands!
The whole Fam Damily as "Father in Law" would say..
Hot ridin' chicks Annie and Mommy
Before
After...Happy Cinco De Mayo.

So it's been awhile, and I don't know where to start, so lets start at the part where I get embarrassed not once but 3 times, shall we?

#1. At Walmart with Annie: We are walking down an isle browsing, when a rather large, but pleasant woman in walking behind us...Aniie the great little observer that she is says,"she has a big tummy"....I'm walking away now...

#2. Same trip we finally make it without any more mishaps to the register to check out, and of course you can never just walk right up to the register and have it be your turn, there is always a wait. And of course it is Monday which is "P-day" for the missionaries that are being checked out in front of me. And of course they look like the missionaries you would want your sons to be, serious about their work, no non-sense, you know the type, and of course Annie has to be singing at the top of her lungs "I'm naked, I'm naked oh, yeah oh, yeah" over and over.

#3. So we are at Target this time aand I grab a few things to try on, and I'm feeling brave and I grab a swim suit that's on clearance for $8. I gather my things and Annie-which is never fun, and we head to the fitting rooms. Well it's empty except for the lady manning her post at the desk. We get our little plastic number and head to the big fitting room. I try my clothes on and am feeling good about my choices. Then I try on the suit, now mind you I wasn't planning on trying on swim suits and I was faithfully wearing my G's. And there was no way I was going to go commando, especially with that nasty little paper strip in the crouch that has probably already been tainted by another....ewe. So anyhow I squeeze into this one piece with my G's hanging out looking like I'm auditioning for an eighties exercise video when I ask Annie how I look, and Annie voices her opinion loudly,"Ewe Gross"..."Gross?" I say, "Yes, gross" she repeats...the lady is just outside my door....

Are we noticing a pattern here? I'm thinking Annie is the problem.

I was tagged....

2008-04-30T14:28:00.000-07:00

1. If you could go back and tell your teenage self one thing, what would it be?

This too shall pass.

2. Did you do any extra curricular activities in high school?I kinda skipped that whole "highschool" part, does waiting for the phone to ring count?

3. What did you do with your free time? After babysitting?.... I was a theater geek.

4. Coolest thing you did as a teenager. I went to Michael Mc Leans house in Utah for a cast party.... Got goose bumps yet?

5. Did you have a boyfriend in high school?When did I not have a boyfriend? no I wasn't a hoochie....

6. Songs that come to mind:No Doubt: Don't speak, Natalie Imbrulia: Torn, B-52's :ROck Lobster, Anything CHicago, Bon Jovi: ALways, Romeo and Juliet Soundtrack

7. If you could change one thing, what would it be?I wouldn't have got that perm in 7th grade..that's when all my problems began...

8. What did you think you would be when you grew up? A mom, and an actress, I toyed with the idea of selling Avon...

9. Picture of self.

Like I"m going to show you my awkward years....Oh wait I'm still in them..

10. Craziest thing you did in high school.Got Married...well it was practically, highschool age, I was 18

I tag De Ann, Chelsey, Jenna, Nicole and whoever else wants to be tagged

Just the girls

2008-04-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

SO It was Family Night last night, and after Bartel's game ( he hit a homer with Dad pitching to him...still not sure how that happened) We headed to our Friends Chalon and Brent's house. The guys went to get food and the ladies of course took care of the off springs. I really am convinced that my friend Alysan has some dark issues with inflicting pain on innocent bystanders. She seems to get a thrill out of hearing her victims shriek with pain. I think in her previous life she must have been a dentist....or a personal trainer. I am referring to her innocent "hey let's give you a message" idea. Light and feathery, that's what I like. She was all but light and feathery. If I didn't have any back muscle issues before, I do now! She kept saying doesn't this feel good??? Hmmm ...are you talking about the elbow in my back or the karate chopping action going on by 3 different people? She kept talking about the toxins in my body that she was "working out" I'm pretty sure it was just a bone that she was trying to work out, only she didn't know it was a bone. She also has this wicked laugh that makes me laugh and it's really hard to laugh when your laying on the floor on your tummy and someone is sitting on your rear pounding out your "deadly toxins"!! Then she started on my head and I could just feel my hair growing in size, (I didn't think I was going to be able to get my head thru the shirt hole when it was time for bed!) I did however have support from my daughter. Annie kept rubbing my face and hands and saying "it's ok mom" and she was right I survived another round of torture from Alysan. You're probably wondering why I continue my friendship with this "Alysan"... I just can't help it, she's so darn likeable!!Getting big
Bigger.... does anyone else think I look prego here???!!
Holy Big Texas Hair!!!
Alysan and Annie cuddeling after the manhandeling

Ready for the lake!
Co-co modeling her new ity-bity-teeny-weenie, white polka dot tankini!
No, she didn't eat a load of bricks, I hope these help her float because they look as if they would sink her right to the bottom of the pool!

Another Poem

2008-04-28T13:30:00.000-07:00

So I have been a little down lately, and about a week or two ago, I e-mailed this poem to my sister in law to use for a talk. Well I found it in my desk drawer and read it again and it made me smile so I thought I'd share it with you. I wrote this for a relief society lesson a couple years ago the lesson was about loving who you are....I'm still working on that...

Beauty Queen

Mirror, mirror, on the wall.
Why aren’t I fairest of all?

I could be a beauty queen,
Make all heads turn when I enter the scene.

But what to do? And where to start?
I feel so young….and I’m falling apart!

My skin’s a mess, first oily, then dry.
I want to be young! But wrinkles don’t lie!

And look at my hair, how my roots have grown out!
What if I see a friend when I’m out and about?

And see these clothes? They are soooo last season!
Mr. Blackwell would toss them without any reason!

Oh, look again, I just broke another nail.
Well, they are dry and brittle and thin as a rail!

And speaking of thin, did you read the latest news?
The things to wear now…are only size 2’s!

That would be great if that were my size.
I say as I eat my burger and fries!

I’ll just start my new diet on Monday! I say,
What’s a few more pounds and one more day!

And then I’ll be trim and fit as a fiddle!
My worries will fade along with my middle!

Then I will be happy, my problems will flee.
Everyone will adore and want to be me!

The mirror interrupted, “ no, you’ve got it all wrong.”
“You’ve had the makings of a queen all the long.”

“Your heart is good, and your spirit is sweet,
your words are kind to those you meet.”

“Physical beauty is all fine and dandy,
But in going to heaven, it won’t come in handy.”

Oh, dear mirror, I’m afraid you are right.
The time I have wasted, the day and the night!

Obsessing and worrying about looking better!
Trying to be perfect, right down to the letter!

So maybe a size 2 I never will be,
But I still can be happy just being me.

Up and running!!!

2008-04-22T16:41:00.000-07:00

Ok, I did it, "Is this made with love?", my new blog is up! I'm excited about this new form of killing time! I have a recipe posted and will continue to post as I make things and take pictures. Enjoy!!

isthismadewithlove.blogspot.com

Pictures for Jenna

2008-04-20T11:59:00.001-07:00

SO I was flipping thru our camera and found these pictures of the kids from the night before. Now the ones with Bartel and the distorted face pics? We wnet to visit the new baby horse and he started getting itchy. I told him not to itch... Then we ran over to visit Sir Loin, and it got worse and worse.....Even after 2 doses of Benedryl and a claritin he still was puffy the next morning. He didn't think so though, he got up and was like "yeah I'm back to normal!" I was like "are we looking at the same face?" I played along I didn't want him to be self conscience and not go to school, (one time he wouldn't get out of the car because he didn't like his hair!! I gave him the choice to get out of the car, or sit on his bed all day.....he chose to sit on his bed..and that he did) SO he gets to school thinking he looks back to normal and one of his friends mom say's " Bartel what happened to your face bud?"....great...

Now the stair racing? Ok, I admit I've actually done this with Annie's crib mattress and talk about a rush! Good times!!

So apparently this is what goes on when the babysitter is over.....
No wonder they always beg me to call our sitter...
So this is before it got really bad...how was I to know he was allergic to hay....
Bartel with our future freezer resident, Sir Loin.
Annie and the new baby horse
What a good mommy, I was carrying our puppy in this and she wanted to try it out...
This is Co-co realizing that the front door is rapidly approaching and her speed is not decreasing!

Blog Names??

2008-04-16T18:29:00.000-07:00

ok, here are a few so far , tell me what you think....

- Mixes and Mingles- We could call it M&M's (as in cake mixes and venting!)

-A Quick Cup of Cocoa! (food and chatting)

-Lunch with my girlfriends. (more food and chatting)

-Made with love (this is a line my husband always uses, " I can tell this was made with love.")

-Sugar Coated (like a confection, and embellishing too)

-Honeys Corner ( my grandkids are going to call me honey instead of grandma)

Ok, enough for now it's your turn.

Second Blog???

2008-04-16T15:34:00.000-07:00

SO I'm thinking I may start up another blog....Yes I know it seems like everyone nowadays has a blog or two but, I was thinking about making this one strictly recipes, made up, shared, altered, whatever. Sharing daily dinner idea's etc.. I also thought I would write some random thoughts down too. And maybe include my goofy poems there . Therefore leaving this one more of my family blog...it doesn't always have to be about me!!-not too sure how I feel about that though... So I guess maybe we'll try it out and I'll let you know when it's up and running. I have a few thoughts for names, but if you'd like to take part in naming the new blog, just leave your idea's and if I choose your witty name, I will give you a special tribute and a lifetime subscription to my blog! Now remember it's not going to be just recipes, it will be girl talk too, so let those creative juices flow!!

Remember when?

2008-04-15T15:41:00.000-07:00

During my ride home last week from carpool my little neighbor and I talked about braces, she had just gotten her bands changed and was proud to show off her new black bands. I then began to say how I wanted braces or a retainer so bad when I was little. In fact I would bend paperclips to fit around my teeth. I even once went as far as borrowing my friend Sherece's retainer....ewwe. I know so gross it didn't really fit, the roof of my mouth was taller then hers....TMI huh? Then last week I found out that you could melt a jollyrancher in the microwave and mold it to your mouth...Cool huh? I shared this new found news with her and she just looked at me like I was crazy and asked me to please unlock the doors so she could get out of the car... I think I scared her I did have a little too much enthusiam. Not that I'm going to try it, I just thought that was interesting. (I'll let you know how it goes!)

So it just got me thinking about the good ol'days. And the things I miss from when I was much younger. I thought I'd shared some of things with you today.

-Remember when it was cool to wear 2 pairs of socks (preferably 2 different colors) over your stretch pants?

-Friendship bracelets!!! How many did you have?

-BFF necklaces or rings?

-Stake Dances...and dancing with the boy you thought at the ripe ol' age of 14 was "the one."

-Top Gun...when Tom wasn't weird (sherece you know you loved him)

-NKOTB!!! Yes there I admit it I was a "new kid on the block" junkie. I had so many pictures from "Teen Beat" magazine all over my walls!! I can't believe my mom put up with that!! I loved them and I wanted a NKOTB t-shirt so bad I would have a reoccuring dream about it!!! I never got it sadly....I still want one.

-TGIF I swear I lived for "Full House" and the shows that followed every Friday night.

- Our school went thru a few "what are you bringing for lunch?" fads, one of them was a bagel and cream cheese fad, another was pepperocini's (oh yeah you were cool) and my favorite the BLT. Forget about potential food poisoning they were dang good. I never had one packed in my lunch but, my friend did and she shared with me until her mom found out I was eating half her lunch, she then began packing me my own!! Thanks Mrs. Farris!

- Side pony tails!! Not the cute low slung ones of today, I'm talking Deb from "Napoleon Dynamite". Up there for everone to see. Wave that ponytail proudly!!

- Handball at recess need I say more?

- "The Crimper" I had long golden hair that looked awesome crimped especially if you didn't brush it out afterwards. Bless my mom's heart for taking the time to do that for me!!

-Short skirts with biker shorts!!

- The "Step" hair cut for boys...you were especially cool if you had multiple steps.

-Slumber parties and t.p-ing houses...I once got grounded for doing this for a month...ok, we did a little more then t.p the house....I don't want to talk about it...

SO these and many others are things I've reminiced about...

What are your fond memories?!!

Oh yeah, strwaberry shortcake, poundpuppies, smurfs, and thundercats!!! Ok, I'm done!

Another one bites the dust....

2008-04-09T13:58:00.000-07:00

SO last night, I was at Chalon's house. We had our boys practicing with the pitching machine (they have a game tonight,and might I add that Bartel did very well) So Chalon, Alysan and I contribute to making dinner for everyone (I brought icecream sandwiches....shocking and so unlike me, it was one of those days..) So I get my plate of food ready, when Chalon says "hey you should bring food over to BArt" he's across the street, oh great idea, so I go and bring him food, chat for a minuet and then back to Chalons. Well by the time I got back, the party had moved outside and the girls were watching the boys hit. So I grabbed my loaded plate of salad and chicken, and head on out the door. "COme over here and sit" yells Chalon who is on the teeter-totter. Apparently it has a pin that can be stuck in it so you can sit without fear of launching the other person in the air or worse falling to your embarrassment to the hard ground.....So I the trusting person I am, say ok. I do a gradual sit as if to make sure it's steady and once again I am reassured by Chalon.."it's ok sit" well, I sat all right, all the way down to the ground with a hard thud, my plate of lettuce and chicken went flying and the next thing I know I'm on my back and trying to be ladylike in my sun dress because the men and boys were directly across from me hitting balls. I haven't laughed so hard in my life, Alysan took one look at us, hearing all the commotion, and was on the ground laughing, and I like an idiot just laid there with food all over. I think it 's safe to say that the pin was not securing the teeter-totter afterall. Is anyone really surprised by this though? I mean really.....This is my life.

2008-04-09T13:54:00.000-07:00

Dish Pan Hands

Scrubbing, mopping, slicing chopping, and rougher then a mans’
Dry and scaly, cracked, and fraile-y, another case of dish pan hands.

I lotion and slather, and dry after I lather, but nothing does the trick,
For I am soft for a minuet, another job I begin it, and my lotion doesn’t stick.

I think I am destined, my dryness not lessened, no matter what I do.
To forever be in need, of a kindly deed from a manicure or, two.

But I haven’t the time, to stop and unwind, and give my hands the attention,
That they so badly deserve, I haven’t the nerve, because I have kids…..or did I mention?

The latest activities

2008-04-07T13:08:00.000-07:00

So Bartel is really enjoying being on the A's. He's still a bit leary of the pitching machine and who wouldn't be? He took a ball to the face during a trip to the batting cages in a freak accident when the ball came off his bat and left him with a bloody nose....He must be my son. Last week Bart was able to make it to a game and was kinda keeping watch from first base when Bartel had a disagreement with the runner on third about which team was winning. Our friend Brent was behind the boys when he heard Bartel tell the the "enemy" after a moment of score disagreement, "Don't make me get my dad, he's standing right over there." What the?...... What happened to my sweet peacemaker?!!! Brent thought it was pretty funny, Bartel was totally serious.

WE went on a river rafting trip to the upper Salt River this past week...That was quite the experience I"ll tell ya'. Besides the freezing cold water, tight and oh so fashionable wet suit, near death experience, sleeping in a tent, and don't forget the "groover"-the potty bucket, it was actually quite enjoyable! Really we had a great time and we went with a great group, Alysan And her inlaws. What a fun bunch they were, they talked about anything and everything, we laughed so much! So great food and great company. Though I'm not packing my bags to go next week or anything, I am glad we did it and I can cross that off my "bucket list". Now this groover I mentioned....You may be wondering "so why do they call it the groover?" Does it make you want to dance? Do you dance to the groover? Apparently, before the bucket with a toilet seat (which is a step up) they used to have to potty in this metal rectangle box with a lid. And when you finished going potty, it left "grooves" in your bum...Hence the name...."Groover". So we had to find a place to go #1 somewhere behind an ample bush, large rock, or anywhere you wouldn't be seen by the occasionaly passer byer. And you could only go #2 in the groover. "leave nothing behind" were the rules of the river.... Now, anyone who knows me knows that I would have a problem with all of the above. I can't go pee-pee in my own bathroom unless the water is running, I hate public bathrooms and try no to use them if I can help it, if someone walks into a public bathroom when I am in there I get automatic stage fright, and all progress is halted. Too much info? Sorry, I just want you all to know what a trooper I am. Did I use the "groover" ? Did I say to heck with the rules and just dig a hole? Did I even go? I'll let you figure that one out. I was very happy to get back home to my own bed and potty.

We did have one really scary moment on our trip where we were flipped out of our boat while trying to pick up another passenger form the other boat. Everyone was thrown out into the rapids and I was stuck under our boat and just when I though I was going to be able to get to the surface, I was sucked under the other big boat. I seriously did not know if I was going to live or not. It was pretty scary and I thought, "this is so me, I would be the one to die under a boat!" How unromantic! But I have to give credit to my mother in law who told me when I got home that she had a bad feeling when she found out we were going, and she continued with this feeling while we were gone and prayed for us the whole time!! I think she might of saved my life. Thanks mom.... I'm so glad I'm not dead. That would suck.

Just waiting for that dang ball to roll into his glove.....
Best-lookin' kid on the team...

Yes, that is a protein bar between my..... I store lots of stuff there, if you need it, I probably have it .

Erin and Alysan-(the waxer) she too stores stuff in her....... Erin and Randi, the wannabe "river rats"

My thorn in my side

2008-03-28T23:16:00.000-07:00

Ode To Laundry
I hate my laundry mountain, it seems to never end,
I feel like when I’m close to done, is when I start again.

The sorting and the smelling, could you wear these one more day?
I swear I just put these in your drawers and once again they’ve come my way.

I really don’t have the patience to sit and fold all these clothes.
I’d much rather be productive clipping toenails from my toes.

Oh, watching T.V while I’m folding can be fun and productive you say?
But, the more I watch the less I fold and my mind gets swept away.

I should just fold like my grandma does straight from the dryer.
But my dryer is piled with this and that there’s no room…not even to perspire!

It’s just a tedious, daunting job that no one likes to do.
I think I’d like to trade job’s with my son, and just pick up puppy poo.

I don’t know why I bother folding the kids’ clothes at all.
I get them into piles and before they get to the drawers they fall.

I also lose various nick nacks and things under my mountain of guilt.
And my clothes are so very wrinkled my irioning baskets’ full to the hilt.

So I unwittingly create another unnecessary job for me.
And instead of taking one hour….it’s now going to take three.

I wish I could just hire someone to wash and fold my life’s loathing.
All I know is in the world I create? We will have disposable clothing.

My Little Easter Bunnies

2008-03-27T13:12:00.000-07:00

Real Quick: Our Easter Sunday was a great day. The kids looked so cute and were so patient waiting to look for eggs and baskets. We have 8am church and of course we woke up late so we had to do all the festivities after church, but despite that Bartel said it was "his best easter ever", the Easter Bunny had brought him his webkins....finally. So busy helping Mom with dishes....
What the?!!! The "pantie phantom" strikes again!

Cheeeese....hurry and take the picture please!
Annie, Bartel, Co-co aka: The Troublemakers
One handsome kid

Bartel Loooooves Annie Banannie!

Easter toy mishap....
No, we do not learn from our mistakes here....she kept playing "blow dryer" and then I hear this "OHHH Man!!"
Do not be fooled with the white dresses and angelic expressions.....Actually, they are good girls and dang cute too!

Ketchup Time......

2008-03-25T11:57:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it's been awhile and I don't know where to start. I don't even know what day it is! Ok, it's Tuesday, but I have no idea of the date, all I know is that March is coming to an end quickly.
How about some "Highlights" for the past few weeks?

#1Gettin' Cozy: Yes, right now my life theme song is "Oops, I did it again!" I broke down and got another puppy....But look how cute she is. Her name is "Cozette" and we also call her "Cozy". She's a munch. She's half shitzu and yorkie. When we brought he home she was almost 5 wks old. She was perfect. She whimpered when she had to go potty and we would take her out. She slept all night after 2 nights......she's almost 9 weeks now and she's making me crazy!!! She thinks my house is her own big kitty litter box, she is now snapping at me and growling. Me!! Her mother!I can't cook in the kitchen without her being attatched to the hem of my pants. I drag her around with me! Help what did I do!? I cannot give her back even though she too was free, I have to just press forward because this too shall pass....right?

Who is a munchie puppy??

Ummm... I think there is a rat on my shoulder, can you please check?

Oh, mamma loves the puppy!! (when she was nice) yes I said it, my love is conditional.

#2 Wax on Wax off: Alysan my dear friend somehow talked me into letting her wax my pitters!!! Holy Hot Wax! What was I thinking??? I was seriously begging her to just leave the wax on, I didn't care if I had to walk around with my arms in the air like Evita until it wore off, if putting the hot wax on wasn't bad enough, I knew taking it off would be. I think I'd rather be in Labor...at least I was numb.

Alysan enjoying her job way too much...no she is not a professional...she just likes black gloves.
I didn't look this traumatized during labor!!

#3 Baseball Season: So I finally signed Bartel up for Baseball. Everybody else was doing it. So after much negotiation, we got the o.k from Dad. So I know Bart isn't really into sports, which is fine, I don't have to eat all our dinners out in a sports bar, yeah me. Well I took it upon myself to get Bartel somewhat ready for his first practice, it's a big day and he's a big boy now and needed a new glove. No Problem, I can do this. So I go to the big intimidating sports store, I can't believe how many gloves there are to choose from. So I'm looking around and decide to choose by age, since I have no idea one from another, I figure as long as it's not pink he will be happy and I will be the hero! So practice comes and goes and I'm at my friends house when all our boys get home, (her husband helps coach the team) and he finds us and says practice went well but we had a little problem with Bartel....Great, he's grounded. Did he start a fight? Disrespectful? Run like a little girl? Well, close. Apparently, he throws like one..... What?!! So the coaches were watching him and he was catching ok, but when it came to throwing the ball back, he looked....awkward. And the coaches think..."I didn't know Bartel was a lefty?" SO they approach him. And ask him what the problem is, and if he is indeed a lefty. Well Bartel panicks. HE fought hard to get on to the team and he doesn't want to get kicked off because he can't throw a ball right. "Well, I usually write with my right hand, but I can use my left hand it's ok." The coaches are laughing...Poor kid. His dang mom bought bought him the wrong glove and he was trying so hard to make it work!!! Who knew they made gloves according to which hand you use, they don't do that with hand mixers? How was I supossed to know? Sorry son...GO A'S!!!

I have much more (as always) but I must keep you wanting and on the edge of your seats, until I gather a few more pics to make the stories even better! Until next time......

Co-co Mo-co

2008-03-08T16:55:00.000-08:00

I think we are even now, every child has been officially blogged. We can't let Co-co feel left out!! Our Chloe is a great girl. 99% of the time she is in a good mood, she is soooo loving, ( a little too much passion sometimes) and she melts her Dad's heart when she looks at him with those big brown eye's and her pouty lips. She pretty much gets what she wants. For some reason, though it doesn't have the same affect when I try it out on Bart.... Look at those gorgeous eye's...and she knows how to use them too!!
Not much has changed, she looks exactly the same!!! Just more hair!

I love this picture, it says it all, and describes how I feel when I'm at the beach!!
Oh this girl can twirl!!! Co-co doesn't walk anywhere, she prances, dances and leaps to get around!

She loves cooking in the kitchen with mom, especially if there is taste testing involved!

My Boy

2008-03-06T19:52:00.000-08:00

My sister in law informed me the other day that from the looks of my blog, it seems as though I have deemed Annie as "the favorite" I simply informed her that Annie is with me all day long, so it's only natural that I would have more to share about her right now. I thought my "other kids" didn't mind all that much anyway. Until Bartel, saw the blog and kindly asked if he could have a piece done on him....So here is to Bartel, my oldest and my favorite boy in the world, even though he recently asked me If I "had T.V when I was little"........

2008-03-02T18:20:00.000-08:00

Last week on a whim Tatum and I took the kids to "Denny's"- Tuesday kids eat free......So not worth it.

Annie was throwing a fit, and only wanted to sit on Tatum's lap and eat her food.

The girls wouldn't stay seated and left many finger prints on the "fake dessert" case.

The waiter seemed very distraut when I asked for tomatoes on only half of my omelette (Bartel and I were sharing) I sensed his distress (maybe he didn't get along with the cooks and was afraid to ask them this favor) so I withdrew my request and assured him that tomatoes could be easily picked off.-He seemed relieved.

Then They forgot 2 of our 3 items for our omelette, and the same for Tatum's mom.

Annie didn't touch her meal...at least it was free.

Oh yeah, when we first arrived they were very confused at the number of our party and took several minuets to find a spot for us. The first spot was one of those half circle booths. It was going to be a little cramped but do-able. Well the manager lady next door to that booth doing paper work was like, "they are not going to fit there why don't you put them somewhere else like the tables?" "yeah ok, we can do that" says our host. So we move far away from manager lady. Then when we are seated Tatum's mom asks " do you know her?"....."no" he replies.... Rude huh? She didn't even work there!!! She just didn't want us to sit next to her!

Then time to pay the check, computers were down and we couldn't split the check. Fine no problem here's my card,and the manager get out the old school credit card machine.....couldn't figure out how to get the paper in!!!!Oy VAy!! The kids were running wild, I felt my I.Q. dropping by the second, and it was still 2 hrs. until bedtime!

So not worth the free kids meals.

The many wardrobe changes of Annie

2008-02-28T14:26:00.000-08:00

Match maker, match maker, make me a match!
Cinderellie, Cinderellie, night and day it's Cinderellie!
Oooh, my pancakes are going to be delish!!!

Shiver me timbers!Minnie Mouse Pirate Pottying like a lady. Arrggg. No, I promise you it won't make music no matter how hard you blow on it.....and put some pants on please!!!

I knew it was too quiet.....

2008-02-27T13:25:00.000-08:00

I had just got home from the gym and getting Annie some lunch when I decided to hop on my blog and pick some new tunes. It didn't take long but before I knew it it was quiet..... And here is what I found...

Must of been a hard day....

Latest Dune Trip and a whole lotta pictures!

2008-02-25T12:02:00.000-08:00

For Presidents Day we took advantage off Bart's off time and headed out to the dunes with some friends of ours. We had a tons of fun, From doing wheelies in Bart's rail, having it break down out in the middle of the dunes, and doing sand angels waiting for help to arrive-don't worry Bart fixed it. The girls did yoga in the sand went for a 2 mile uphill run, the kids had a blast in the Ranger and made tons of "sand food" with the toy dishes we brought. Good Food, Good company, Good Times. P.s the highlight was the cross-dresser we saw at the yuma, gas station on the way home!! I got footage of him/her with my cell phone. If anyone knows how to get that footage off my phone and onto my computer let me know!!!Even Princess's go to the dunes!
Yes, I'm afraid she pretty much looked like this the whole time..
Annie and Brielle being silly out the window

Co-co sporting the homeless child look
Bart fixing his famous "Breakfast Burritos"

Malibu Barbie and her girlfriends out for a joy ride!
The ever so funny duo: Alysan & Chalon-love these chicks!
This is just proof that I was there...

Family Style Valentines Day!!!

2008-02-20T20:26:00.001-08:00

Fondue Party At the Vans'
Making sure Dad doesn't double dip!
So much to choose from!
My cute Co-co and Annie
Mommy and Annie
Chocolate Hazelnut Souffle's

I had a great V-day. I woke up to a sweet note on my mirror, "I love the way you look" and the notes just kept coming. With every corner I turned or drawer I opened it I would find another note, example on my pans "thanks for not hitting me with these" even 2 days later on a box of macaroni and cheese "thanks for loving me even though I'm cheesy" It was great and it made my day!! I think I've found about 30 notes so far. Thanks Bart. Also, Bart took the day off from work!! It was great, we got some errands done and then he suggested we go to A.J's market and pick up some items so we could make a family dinner together since we weren't going out. So we decided to make it fun for the kids and do fondue. We bought filet mignon, and cubed it, and shrimp, and cooked it and dipped it in garlic butter. Then we have a variety of breads and cheese and a cheese fondue for dipping. Spinach artichoke dip, and for dessert chocolate souffle's with a rich, creamy, hazelnut center, this was my first run with souffle's and they turned out so good!! except we didn't eat them right away so they were flat by the time we got to them, but they still tasted yummy!! Thanks for such a great day Bart!!! I love you sooooo much!

BLONDE MOMENT.....

2008-02-14T13:41:00.000-08:00

Valentine Fortune Cookies we made for Bartel and Co-co's class.

"You bring good fortune Valentine!"

Ok, so last night I get a phone call on my cell from Tatum asking if I was home because she wanted to borrow an egg and was close by. Well, I wasn't home we were in phoenix, but I told her to just go in the garage and I would give her the code to open it, I repeated it once and said will you remember it? Then my smart elic husband said to me, "hey we have the clicker right here we'll just push it and open it." I instantly though this was a great idea!! (channeling Jessica Simpson....) "Oh Yeah," I said.....And he started laughing....it took an moment for it to sink in. Very funny Bart. Then I started laughing and had to tell Tatum what was going on and made her swear not to repeat it....But, you know me, I am what I am. Take it or leave it!! It was too good not to share....your welcome. Happy Valentines Day.