Holy Mess Batman...

mondays I also regret my "no cleaning on the weekend" rule.

it always amazes me what kind of disaster the house can become in just two days.

If you're in need of dinner ideas for tonight, might I suggest Chili's?

Today is "The Big Day"at Chili's. Chili's will be donating all their profits to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

We've had it on the calendar all month, and the boys are super excited, because "we never get to eat at Chili's", so it's really a win/win situation.

very shady...

Jack spent Colten's game yesterday being hot.
(He played first)

"It's hot. I wish I had a little gray cloud over my head that would follow me around and give me shade."
"Oh, and a mini tv with all my favorite shows, and a snack machine that followed me around too. Then I promise I wouldn't be so whiny." -Jack

Poor Oley

I think this accurately sums up Colten's day today.

The soccer situation here is not so good.
Making for one very frustrated nine year old.

Hopefully tomorrows game is better...

it couldn't be any worse.

what are you smiling about there smiley pants?

remembered my coupons AND my bags today...
usually i manage to forget one or the other.
still spent $100. lately i can't leave the grocery store without spending $100.
get a little bit - $100
get a lot a bit - $100...
it's like the twilight zone. or groundhog day.
(the movie, not the actual day, that wouldn't make sense)

i read the blogs where people get $250 worth of food that they use every day for like $1.14.

ok, it's usually more than a dollar and fourteen cents,
but i swear...not by much.
i get really excited when i save like 20 bucks.
not sure where i've gone wrong ... i understand the concept, i think i just execute it poorly.
it's a whole sales, in store-savings, coupon combo thing.
yeah.
whatever.
$100.
every time. What have you got planned this weekend?
We've got soccer.
wait that sounds familar.....
See.
groundhog day.

Happy weekend.

"...she used to be a hamster, and now she's a guinea pig"
-stephanie pratt

Number 2 is the winner...

not the best start to my day.
couldn't get jared's new phone activated because we live here in the middle of nowhere.
so even though they said it could be manually activated,
yeah...no so much.
so i was trying to deal with that. and make lunches. and at 7:05 i wasn't done dealing with either.
the lack of phone,
because the old phone had been turned off
caused mass drama.
thankfully coley got himself ready and fed, and was waiting patiently by the door for his lunch.
1 out of 3....
because jack also woke up in a cranktastic mood.
I'm thinking we won't be going to any more of daddy's softball games....
late nights lead to rough mornings.....
and while I don't really drink that much I was cursing the dry county I live...
hello?!?...
momma needed something stronger than coffee this morning.

kidding.
sort of.
no really...kidding.

anyway. enough of that....
i bought the boys what I thought was a cute soccer t-shirt at oldnavy....
stars, a soccer ball? what is not to love about that?
yeah,
i've been informed unequivocally it is a "girl shirt",
and it will not be worn
ever.
ever.
ever.
it was $5. i'm not heartbroken. however, I still think it's a cute shirt.
so if anyone has a girl (or a boy w/o issues) that would like to wear it,
please email me, and I'll mail it to you.
it's a boys large, and i washed it prior to being informed it would never be worn.
otherwise it's going to goodwill. just thought i'd throw that out there.....

jack modeling the shirt this morning, because after his ugly "i-don't-want-to-get-up" behavior he owed me...oooh yes he did.
ok, maybe it's a little girly....
whatever.

anonymous noticed my isabel blooms.... (soccer balls are like rabbits in my house.....they seem to multiply and are everywhere)
to that i say...good eye.
isabel bloom.
mine were presents from friends after jack's birth(in oskaloosa, iowa).
i think if you live or have lived in iowa you have at least one piece, or know someone that does.
people either love them or hate them. (or think i'm crazy for having "garden sculptures" in my living room.)
i love them.
i think they're so sweet. and charming.
i have this one. and I guess my little one is retired?
i haven't looked at the website for so long, but i can't find it.
now of course i'm looking....and remembering the ones i've always wanted.
i love the angels,
and i have always wanted this one (or the smaller version of it)

that's all i have today.
oh,
except
the office.
tonight.

that just might make up for this morning.

"How hard is a luau? All you need are some grass skirts, pineapple, poi, tiki torches, suckling pig, some fire dancers. That's all you need." -Michael Scott

I should be cleaning....

The (not so morning) face of 14... glad to see some things don't change from 13 to 14.
presents were a big hit....
and as an aside can i just say as i was taking these i did comment to colin that since bringing "bob" inside, our living room is starting to look a little Vegas jungle roomish.
overall not so good.
i'm going to work on that....little less leopard print, little less palm action. meow kitten. so we speakth not of the living room...

I thinks it's extremely cool that Jared loves tea.
and was actually excited about the Tazo.

which was really just hiding the "secret present"....the secret present that is still on it's way.... new phones make for happy teenagers.

even teenagers that don't actually like talking on the phone...

just texting.

(exceptions were made for birthday wishes from family far away....)

unrelated to the big birthday celebration:

my husband emailed me with this today.
in an email with the subject : I need this...

EDDIE VEDDER'S SONG FOR THE CHICAGO CUBS AVAILABLE NOW
09.18.08
At the request of Ernie Banks, Eddie threw together a song for the Cubs ("All the Way"). He got a pretty good live version of it at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago this August. It's now being played on Chicago radio and at the Bleacher Bars around Wrigleyville. We have decided to make the song available for download - you can get it here. There's a chance we'll also make available some hard copy CDs and we're looking into souvenir 45 singles, as well. Check back here for the latest.
Go, Cubs, go!

Eddie Vedder AND the Cubs?!?
Oh dear. That makes for a happy husband.

"I would eat whipped cream on ANYTHING" Coley
"Chicken nuggets?" Jack
"Yeah, probably" Coley

September 23rd

This is the (morning) face of 14.
14 and enjoying his birthday cinamon rolls and smoothie. 14
Such a far cry from this little boy on his first birthday. As I looked through his baby photos this morning,
I wasn't sad.
Sure I miss those baby years.
And the little boy-ness.
I'm sad I only get him here in our house for five more years.
But I'm so proud of the man he's becoming,
it's hard to be anything but happy.
He's honestly one of my favorite people. ever.
I love his wicked sense of humor.... and how calm and easy-going he is. I really could go on and on about my son. He's just that cool.
He gave me my family. He made me a mom.
On this day fourteen years ago.
The moment they handed him to me in the hospital it was like
There you are.
I've known you forever, and now you're here.

Thou art my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.
-Genesis 49:3

Happy Birthday Jared! We love you!

E2

The boys decided on the way to soccer yesterday that we should have another baby....
a girl.
with an "e" name.
to compliment the 2 "c"s and the 2 "j"s.

the boys came up with:
Electra
Exxon
and
Expedition.

I'm thinking maybe we're done.
but if anyone is brainstorming, I think Expedition is going to be really hot this year.

You cheated on me?...When I specifically asked you not to? (New Office...next week! YAY!)

"...Every act of rebellion expresses a nostalgia for innocence and an appeal to the essence of being." - Albert Camus

Happy Friday.

What have you got planned this weekend?
We have soccer.

and I'm making a Halloween tree.

Colin doesn't know that part of the weekend plans yet.
He's going to be so excited.

(Halloween tree link...go to photo #11, pretty cool, huh?)

This must stop....

let this NEVER happen again.....

Of course I'll buy that...

It's the beginning of the school year, which means fundraisers.
I completely understand that they are a necessary evil. Schools need money.

However, seeing as how we are friendless here in our new town.
The buying of the raisers is on us. (and our families)

Jack came home last week with his catalog of wrapping paper, and chocolates,
and tales of the wonders of winning "top 20 sales in the school"....
an ice cream sundae party, sales prizes...pony rides and parades. (maybe not the last few)
He has looked over the prize list with such longing....like he's never had a toy
ever in his entire life....
light up, flying, spinning, furry, bits of magic.
Any and all of which can be his, if his parents buy 200 items from his catalog.
Why are you selling this Jack?
I'm not really sure momma....

Then Colten arrived home. A similar tale of a limo ride party, just for the top 20 kids....
Just buy cookie dough he explained. I want to ride in the limo.
And, he too had a prize list that was carefully and thoughtfully examined.
and reexamined.
and discussed among the brothers.

and then this week,
Jack came home and explained his class needed money.
Oh no I thought.
Seriously.
It must end.

Don't worry Jack said.
I'm using my own.
We're raising money for St. Jude's Hospital.
It helps sick kids he explained.
I never heard about the pizza party to the room that raised the most.
or the chance to get a gift card.
Just that he'd be giving $20 of his money he's saved.
because kids need it mom.
kids that are sick need it....

Kids are cool. They get it.
You don't have to bribe them with incentives, and prizes.
They are so much wiser than adults give them credit for.
Of course they all want the spinning pencils that light up and fly around the room if it's offered.
But even without it, they would collect money for their class. For their school.
Explain the need, explain the situation.
People fail to talk to kids like they understand.
They get it.

6:30am-4pm Yesterday

So for fun I decided yesterday to photograph a "day in our life"...
We move so much I would love to be able to look back and see what is the same and what is different about each place...hindsight, eh?
May as well start now.
No pictures of Colin yesterday, he was a work before I got up. That usually happens a few days a week.
I get up at 6:30, and get the bigs up.
They get ready, and eat breakfast. No pictures of them eating....they were thinking I'd lost my mind for photographing them so early...so I was easing them into paparazzi day....
Jared doing his hair...
Always amusing, no matter what state we live in....

While they eat I make lunches. Colten had his standby Cheerios with honey on it. (ewww) and Jared had hard-boiled eggs. Here is Coley giving me the evil eye....while playing soccer in the house.....
I can still see the soccer ball Cole, no soccer in the house....This is the first time Colten has ever taken the bus to school, and Jared and Colten take the same bus. (different schools, same bus)
Colten is ridiculously concerned about not being late. He makes Jared crazy.
So I think Jared takes even longer to get ready just to annoy him. (It works)
Shoe number one going on....
Coley muttering something under his breath about the camera and his brother taking an hour to put shoes on....Shoe number two going on....and Jared muttering something about how "you can't be early to the bus, it comes at the same time everyday" (This conversation takes place every morning)
prayers, and they're gone.
7:05am.When the bigs leave, I wake up the Jack....not the easiest part of my day.
He is not a fan of mornings.... He has breakfast, today it was oatmeal...and we talked about his Farrah Fawcett bangs...
I get ready, he watches tv.
7:50am prayers, and we leave.Jack asking me if I'm really going to keep taking pictures of "nothing"...
We get in the truck and there is a pumpkin spice latte waiting for me.
No I'm kidding, I wish though, wouldn't that be nice?
(Someone forgot to throw their trash away from yesterday)
Jack decides that taking photos of "nothing" is a great idea, and he takes over the camera....
His school is literally across the back field, and he should be walking. But he's my baby, and his brother is at a different school this year...so I indulge him, and drive him around the block.8am I'm home. and usually I zone in front of the computer for awhile. Return emails, blog, get sucked into the timesuck known as Facebook.....
Then I pick up.
How come the shoes in my house multiply? Please note the three piles I picked up, and the fact this was after the boys were gone to school. (and Colin to work)
Laundry and vacuuming, these things NEVER change, no matter where we live...
I think I could do laundry all day everyday.
Cleaned some more, and made the boys chocolate popcorn.Started some stuff for dinner, but unlike Pioneer Woman, I can hardly walk and chew gum at the same time. Cooking and taking photos, way too much for me.

Got some stuff out to work on a project for my friend amy,
and spend no less than 50mins looking for my circle cutters.
(one major annoyance of moving, ...especially when you know where they were in the old house)2:50.
The back gate in our yard... Jack's nemesis, the ditch....
No homework for Jack. But he did declare he'd learned something at school, so that was an improvement. (Normally he tells me he's learning things he knows). Predicates.

3:50. "You're still taking pictures Mom?!?"Having some popcorn, backpack still on....
4:00. Also not thrilled to see the camera again.
Backpack still on....but popcorn has been discovered. (I swear, I feed them)Gmail/Facebook, shoveling popcorn in his mouth. Talking to friends he just saw no less than an hour ago. He did tell me about his day prior to assuming this position.I'm going to pick up at 4pm tomorrow, because this seems long enough for now.
It's not an exciting life, but it's mine. and I love it.
I'm so thankful for my husband he works so hard so that I can stay home and take care of our home, and our children.
I am a lucky girl. I love you Colin!

40 Million Minutes (it's all we have)

Jack has never been a fan of things on his head,
or feet really, but that's not relevant to this story....
So Halloween always consisted of costumes, minus the headwear.....
BuzzLightyear, sans the purple "hat" (ok, and the wings)
Jack just really likes being comfortable... By age three however, being a creative soul, he had to throw comfortable aside, and concern himself with the details of his costume,
For instance....
JangoFett had to have "2 guns Momma, 2 guns"....
and a "jetpack"...
the costumes in the store were so thin and cheaply made (for being fairly spendy)
I don't sew, but figured I'd just fuse some metallic "fabric" to a sweatsuit....
yeah,
so that brilliant idea was really only going to work if I wanted a melted costume,
so it was hand sewn. (obviously, not very well)
The most important jetpack was a box, some funnels, and Styrofoam balls.
It stayed on his back for approximately 4 and a half minutes.
The helmet, even less time.
He was after that referred to by the treat-giver-outters as the "cute little tin girl".
(think wizard of oz)
Also, good to note that trick-or-treating in NC should never involve sweatsuits plastered with thick metallic material....it makes a nice rubber suit. (think varsity wrestler).
He was the cute little dripping with sweat tin girl...

I've left out the pirate, the spider, and the pumpkin. (all worn without the appropriate mask/hat/or headpiece)

Last year was Darth Vader. With voice changer.... It was really all about the voice changer...
That mask stayed on for maybe ten minutes... This year it's a clone trooper. (Star Wars is huge at my house)
And I'm thinking perhaps we've turned over a new leaf...
Jack was pretty excited when he got home from school and discovered his new clone trooper helmet.

I still give it about 15minutes trick-or-treat night.....

Now to make the clone trooper "sweatsuit" costume.
I love Halloween. (and my boys)

Need vs Want

So for the first time in our married life we are officially credit card free.
As in no more credit card debt.
None, nada.
and it's an amazing feeling.

I remember going into grocery stores when Jared was little and hoping that the card I was using wasn't denied. Holding my breath. Waiting for that stupid receipt to start printing.

It's an amazing thing. how little we had to start with.
Two college kids, and a baby.
Working, both of us, going to school, making no money, not seeing one another...
juggling everything.
Since then we've been trying to get our heads above water...
to rid ourselves of the burden of owing someone else money.
Making little steps forward, and then back. Like a somewhat scary dance.

It seems like a little thing. No credit cards.
But no credit cards for us,
it's somewhat of a little victory in the big picture....
but in our picture. it's a big victory.
To not even have a "little" credit card debt.

I'm trying to teach my boys,
to live carefully and mindfully
and within your means.
to try and always be aware of needs vs. wants
to be grateful and appreciative for all you have.
It's a tricky lesson.
but one in this age of excess that is so incredibly important to ingrain in their beautiful brains.
So that they never have to say they're credit card free.
because they'll have never been in debt.
I want them to be happy, not because they have things that make them happy, but because they are happy regardless of things.

3PhotoThursday

Don't call it a comeback....
but Bob is kind of coming back to life.

Happy dance for Bob please.

He just needed a little vacay, little R&R outside....little time away.

Things are looking up now.

I understand Bob. When you're ready I'll bring you back inside, and we will try this again.

*note to self, thank goodness I didn't throw Bob away

And,

good thing I haven't put the baby toys away yet either...

What would Jared play with while watching TV if I did?!?

2:50pm.
My favorite part of the day......

Sweet like Candy

So last night after soccer practice we went to get pizza.
it was Jack's PTA fundraiser night at the pizza place,
the place was packed with teachers and families of students.
We sat down,
and Colten's teacher from last year came over to talk....
when she left,
Cole noticed Jack's teacher from last year was behind us paying,
"OH, there's Mrs. H__ Mom"
as I start to turn around.
Jack announces...loudly.
"Don't turn around Mom, I HATE HER!"

oh yeah,
it was great.

the end.

Tuesday Ten...

Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Jake and Josh, the cast of High School Musical = VMAs?
I must be old because I was thinking Disney channel....

Honest Kids juice boxes and Jack.
"They'd be MUCH better if they weren't organic" (said "Oh-GAN-nic")
"They taste like nasty medicine"....
they aren't THAT bad...and why so opposed to organic Jack? been talking to your dad?!?

Colten being asked to join the "safety team" at his school.
Someone please inform my child that he doesn't get to dawn full on S.W.A.T attire....there will be no rappelling down the side of the building....he will not get to carry a weapon....and he doesn't get to miss class.

Happy = My friend Amy started a blog.
She lives in England now. Her girls grew up with my boys. and I miss her like CRAZY.
I'm hoping she'll let me link her here and then you too can get to know my jack-of-all-trades super-talented friend.

Jack Banana needs this. Coley should probably have this. and Jared is too big... He now has me shopping in dimly lit stores that reek of cologne and are overpriced.

Jared is going to be 14 in 2 weeks. fourteen.

Halloween. I'm so excited. SO excited. Thinking Dog (the bounty hunter) and Beth.

Pumpkin spice lattes are back. Gosh I love Fall.

I have to have surgery on my foot. Feet really. but you don't say feet surgery. right? it's foot surgery. So the doctor was telling me about the sawing and cutting of my bone. (yeah, ewwww...) and then asks if I have any questions.
(I'm assuming he meant regarding the cutting and sawing and pinning of my bone), so I said...
Yes, the nurse scheduled the surgery for October, and we have soccer tournaments all next month....can we make it November instead of October?
Soccer in our house, very important folks. WAY more important than pain.
God, Family, Soccer. in that order.

I love my husband. and our emails:
ordered jareds $100s in goodness. had to pay a butload in shipping to get it here by friday.rock on. xe

what was $100? Thot the package was $55. Oh well. Guess we will have to buy him work clothes someday anyway. Think he is excited about reffing.

extra shirt and shipping. shipping and shirt were about the same price actually ;)
yeah, i think he's excited. he'd be less excited if we made him pay for the ref stuff.

yeah, but we're such great parents. Even if I do swear too much. Everybody has to have one flaw right?

right ;) i love you.

i effin Love you too!

Listen you....

Dear Evansen-
We know you're in the car now, and won't be reading this for a few days....
but we were hoping you could just come back.
We had lots of fun with you.

We'd never really spent much time with a baby before, and you were pretty cool. We really liked watching you....you made us laugh.If you come back we promise we won't make you sit in the grass like our moms did.
Or lay on the grass....(they're so mean)
Or take 3 million photos of you, when clearly you'd rather play ball with us....
We won't growl at you.
or make animal movements in your face.....Ok, we might do that...

We will keep teaching you important things like how to walk and give high-fives.... We will feed you lots of dessert and make you even BIGGER and stronger than you already are....We will let you sit on the table every night at dinner......
and let you pull on our hair....(well, maybe not the hair part, that kind of hurts)
why is that so funny anyway?
we will pat your head....and tell you how cute you are......
and make funny noises with our mouths that make you laugh.
So please come back...
We think our mom may take us out and make us lay on a polka dot blanket for a photo shoot if you don't.
We love you.
Thank you for making the 13 hour car ride to come see us. Love-your cousins.

Sugar and spice

and everything nice.....little girls aren't the only ones.

I want a pet cow....

We live quite close to the university here. So, every time we drive into town.....we pass the ASU Farm Complex. This past spring they had three baby cows. Adorable, sweet, baby cows.
That for some reason I fell in love with....
so every time we passed the farm,
I'd "ahhh" and "oooh" and declare my love for the babies.
I stopped and took their pictures.
I admired their long lashes and their cute ears....
I declared that I could never eat beef again.
(ok, I may have had a filet shortly after this declaration)

About three weeks ago, I noticed I hadn't seen my baby cows for awhile.
I kept my eye out though...
trying to convince myself they were merely hiding in the barn.
Until we passed the other day and my middle son said very proudly
"Mom, I hate to tell you this, but I think the baby cows were slaughtered"

Now every time I drive by instead of "awww's" and "ohhh's" coming from me. I hear "Mooooom......the baby cows got slaughtered...." giggle giggle giggle....

Aren't they sweet? Charming really.

wait...it's Wednesday?!?

What is wrong with me that when I saw this...
all I could think of was Best in Show?!?

[discussing the calendar] "We're not gonna sell, just give it out to friends."
"I think we should try to sell it."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Well, if we could give the money to Shih Tzu rescue."
"They have plenty of money."
"Well so do we."
"What Shih Tzus need rescuing anyway? You don't see Shih Tzus straggling around the streets in an old coat "help, alms for the poor". "
"Like the little match girl. "

There is something seriously wrong with me.....

Also can someone tell me why Mythbusters disproves everything I say?!?
Come on now....
"Coley, scoot back away from the TV, you're sitting too close"....
Jared-"you know mom, Mythbusters disproved that myth. He won't hurt his eyes".
Thanks Mythbusters....very very helpful....

ok, off to my MRI....
LOVE my knee...it's awesome.

My Kid is HUGE.

that's all i have to add today....

No Jellyfish please

birthday wishes
Happy Birthday to Uncle Mike
aka Jack's best friend and Colin's brother-from-another-mother....
your fan club is anxiously awaiting your arrival on Friday.

(Mike please note your birthday mosaic would not have been complete without JerryBrown)

And as an aside, Seriously...how funny is it that Gabby and I are almost 7 years apart, and yet we married guys that are only a year apart?!?

Dorks-R-Us

So, Colin is at work now...
and I've been neglecting my blog... so how about some random thoughts.

Gabby posted this sweet photo on facebook the other day.
insert lots of ooooo's and ahhhhhh's...... aren't they adorable?!?
Yeah they are, I totally nabbed this photo from her. (Hi Gab)

So yesterday we were totally bored,
and being the dork that I am, I told Colin I was going to take some pics of us for our profile.
Trying to be cool and cute like Gab (the vortex) Fekete....

Yeah, let's just say, we are SO not cute and adorable.

we were WAY to lazy to like get on the floor, or pose....or anything mildly helpful like that...
and
soccer was on. I should have known better than to TRY
We amused ourselves tremendously though, and that should count for something.
(read that I amused myself tremendously)

Things I've learned this week:

The sight of blood can make Jack throw up. Good to know.
(I had a bloody nose, dealing with a bloody nose and a gagging child, not the best combo)

Jack wants to play golf. REAL golf with his dad.

Jack wants to try a grapefruit, and he likes peaches. (Jack HATES vegetables, and fruit, how I failed him in this regard....I have no idea....more on that in another post)

Colten has football practice tonight. This is the beginning of the end of free time in the evenings for us...but I like it.

We are having fajitas tonight...and I'm really kind of stoked about it.
Homemade guacamole, oooh I can not wait... good food makes me happy.

2 weeks of school done and over.
I still hate 6:30am.
and packing lunches.
Why is it when they go off to school do i feel like they need a 5 course meal?
in the summer they run in, grab a sandwich and run back outside.
Now I'm trying to make sure they have veggies, and fruit, and nothing processed.
why? I don't know...Madness.
School though, so far, has been great. Thankfully.

We've been REALLY lazy this weekend. Watched a ton of movies.
("It's not called Gym-NICE-tics")

Season 4 of the Office is out tomorrow. (YAY!)

...and....
we are really SUPER excited that one tiny small monkey is coming to visit us next weekend. And FINALLY the boys will get to meet that cousin of theirs....
(Stole that pic too Gabby)
We are also pretty darn excited to see Ev's folks too. No visitors all summer, and then family after family....LOVE it.

My kids are awed that some kids (like all the kids here) live near their grandparents and aunts and uncles...."isn't that CRAZY MOM?!?!"