Ain't Nothin' but an E Thang, Baby

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaack....

2012-01-01T16:44:00.001-05:00

but it's a whole new blog...

because well... it's just been way too long.

{email if you'd like the link}

mwah

xoxe

2010-12-02T11:13:00.003-05:00

l-r: webcam nonsense take 3, snow, december on the board.
jack eating breakfast annoyed at me for taking his picture, astrid and her ice cubes, astrid blooming {again!}, fireplace, defense vitamin water.
workout, green juice, my new belt, nestle coffe cup obsession, leftovers for lunch.
taking photos of me taking photos of me, more webcam nonsense.
advent calender... love deciding what to put behind the doors {candy, notes saying what "surprise" we'll do that night hot chocolate, watching ELF, Christmas Vacation, etc..}, Jared home from school eating his tortilla "snack" {?!?!}, leaving for baseball practice, thanks J for scrapping the windshield....brrr-rr-rrr.
J, Jack, my new boots, baseball, make-your-own-bagel-pizzas for dinner.
Coley back from soccer, fire, texting, Jack, littles.
Wednesday

2010-12-01T13:43:00.002-05:00

still no heat

gluten free toast
rain
rain
rain
3 grocery stores
soaked e

alcohol infused spray whip cream?! whaaaaat???

soccer - J

futsal - Cole

{futsal = quick paced short sided indoor soccer}

my crockpot ♥

new recipe from the cookbook Gabby sent me for dinner

taco soup

yum

fell asleep in front of the tv

watching The Good Wife

.....

Tuesday

2010-11-30T19:41:00.006-05:00

sigh...

this is suppose to be the week I do the week in the life project
with two of my most favorite people
tara and ashley
i've been super excited about it
but apparently I lack the ability to really follow through on anything lately

so here is my lame attempt
at this cool project

{Monday}
we arrived home Sunday night from wisconsin
to discover we had no heat...
so the fireplace has been working overtime

breakfast in front of the fire:

what the little boys watch in the morning:

the rest of the morning was coffee by the fire...

and editing thanksgiving photos...

I then spent the afternoon a little weepy...
missing my sister
missing my friends
missing...
so
the photos end there.
but truly
that was my day.
coffe.
photos.
fire.
xoxox

2010-11-12T13:43:00.004-05:00

the little boys had off today.
{teacher conferences}
so we took a walk...
which translated to me trying to avoid getting nailed in the head w/ the football..

while walking

and

attempting to take photos...

{if you've met me you know just the walking part is sometimes challenging}

they even let me take a few photos when we got home...
they were thrilled.

lovely, eh?!?

tonight we're going to see the University of Akron men's soccer team play.
they are really good.
really
really
good.
so we're excited.
happy weekend!

if only teal was my favorite...

2010-11-11T07:44:00.008-05:00

I sort of forgot that today was going to be a crazy day...
like wackadoodle crazy...
doctor appointments for all the boys,
{at separate times}
conferences at school,
soccer practice for the biggest
and tryouts for the middlest.
I have literally started one load of laundry,
turned the dishwasher on,
worked out,
& taken a shower.
otherwise I've been in the car.
Impressive, eh?
So we shall break the house up.

I think the above photo best represents my house currently.
ha.

that would be the living room.
when you walk in the house
the very first room you enter
and for seriously all we have in it is that red sofa.
very cutting edge in the interior design I am.
SO
the plan is the red sofa will go in this room:which is like the family room off the kitchen.

along with a brown leather chair.

{that I currently do not own}
I like this room...
minus the hideous teal carpet that will be replaced.
the mantel is just holding things here ...
{this photo was taken right after we moved in}
and I'm debating the brick.
I can't decide if I should paint it

?!?!?!
there is also exposed brick in the kitchen...
hmmm...

And please note in the first photo...
the previous owners painted around their entertainment center...
super classy.

so that room will be painted &
there is also teal carpet in that room.
{not kidding}
eventually we will replace with hardwoods.
it's a work in progress...
a slow
slow
work in progress.

ok...
off to soccer.
I've missed you all!

xoxox

8...9...10

2010-11-10T15:26:00.003-05:00

Colin and I went to get flu shots the other evening...
which was the first time I've done that...
I have mixed feelings about said shot...

which is just an entirely different discussion...
anyway
I was slightly on edge...
and whenever I'm nervous
or uncomfortable
I talk
a lot
a lot a lot a lot...
about anything
and everything
that comes to my mind.
which horrifies Colin for the record.
(or FYI as Jared would say..."FYI mom... you talk a lot when we're in public")
or.
I don't say anything.

I've decided that apparently I'm the same way with blogging.
either I talk and talk and talk (about nothing of importance)
or I have nothing to say.

I typed that last post with the intention of blogging that night,
or the next day...
but then I noticed that my last post was September 8th,
and thought oh how clever I can post on Monday November 8th...
make it exactly two months between posts.
(which yes, I acknowledge is ridiculous)

You'll notice it's now Wednesday the 10th.
I am so darn clever.

So we've moved into our new house.
It sure beats the hotel,
but I have much to do.

Other blog worthy news:
*that you probably already know if you're on facebook with me*
{you should be on FB with me if you're not...just sayin. it's kind of fun}

Jack got his hair cut off.
like...off off.
Sad day for the momma.
Jack is thrilled.

Jared turned 16.
I turned...
older.

My laptop died...
like no hard drive died,
and I lost all my summer photos.
(true story. true depressing story)

My cell phone also died...
and I lost all my phone numbers.
(no I'm not making this up)

Halloween was fun.
even though we had like 4 and a half trick-or-treaters.

I just got some really cute boots from Target.
{ok, that's not really blog worthy news...sorry}

That is really all I've got.
How about some house photos tomorrow?!?
xoxoxo

don't look now...

2010-11-05T12:31:00.003-05:00

but a blog update is coming soon...

I know

It's about time e...

2010-09-08T11:58:00.002-05:00

I have not blogged in over a month...

the "good" news is,

I'm still taking random photos in case I ever decide to blog again.

{like of me driving}

.............

We are still in the hotel...

day 72 I believe.

{not that I'm counting...ok, I am}

I think I'm done being a resident of the Homewood Suites,

although they've been lovely.

{minus the missing IPod touch}

We close on our house on Monday,

So hopefully I'll have some photos of the house in progress to post,

or some words about how much I love unpacking...

or how awesome it is to have teal carpet...

something like that.

............

I am pretty sure I remember why I haven't blogged in over a month...

I have nothing interesting to say...

other than I miss you all.

xoxoxoxox

2010-08-04T20:08:00.002-05:00

Ummm...did I say a photo a day was on like donkey kong?!?

I meant it might be on...

or not...

maybe not...

HA!

Whoops...

How about two quotes from yesterday that made me laugh out loud?!?...

Looking at a house to maybe rent (plan B you know)

"Ohhh...THAT one?!? Ugh...I hate the curb appeal on that one" -Jack

Yeah, the curb appeal. love it.

Colin grabbed a plate of cookies last night and was talking to some guy...

I asked where he was and Jack said...

"Dad is getting cookie wasted over there"

Jared had a quote that almost made me pee my pants yesterday,

but it shall not be repeated...

naughty bad that one...but ooooh so funny.

xoxo

2010-08-03T19:26:00.006-05:00

A photo a day in August sounded like a brilliant plan,
until August totally snuck up on me...
What the heck?!? Not cool August...not cool.
So here are a few from Sunday at the Cleveland Art Museum:
Just funny...
Jared and I are soooo mature.
Colin says I'm a teenage boy.

Me "shooting" the camera. I may have taken a photo of some guns, and I may have been told I was "keeeeling" the artwork because I may have used my flash...
whatever...

I grew up in art museums, the guards can bite me.
the boys and I keeled things with the camera after that...cuz we're funny.
(and clearly easily amused)

(phone pic) from yesterday:
Joined the stupid rec center...
the boys are happy...
I'm reminded I'm not a huge fan of other people's children.
Good heavens...

and (webcam pic) today:
A phone call from Germany...from my essie.
Makes for a happy happy happy e.
oh. the. happy.

We are still in the hotel.
New hotel home record this time...which makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little.
Waiting to hear back from the sellers after the inspection...
holding my breath...
just a little.
Photo a day in August...officially in effect.
It's on like donkey kong.
JelloLOVE and KoolAidKisses
xoxoxo

2010-07-28T18:24:00.031-05:00

typical day:
(photos taken over 2days, because someone kept forgetting the camera)

the littles sneak out of very dark room with me around 8am
we leave Jared there, he prefers to sleep

we go down to the lobby for breakfast
coffee for me...

then we go back up to the room,
J stays asleep,
the littles watch cartoons...

I play on the computeraround 10:30 or 11 Colten and Jack go wake up Jared,
and they play some playstation...yesterday I decided to go to Target, because the walls were closing in on me.
I love my truck (in case I haven't mentioned that lately)need to clean her out though...
messymessymessy
floor options for the new place, now I just need someone to come install the new floors...3 of the like 6 bracelets I had on...
loving bracelets this summerTarget makes me happy.
Starbucks, nailpolish, Zac Brown Band cd, lipgloss, a baseball for the Jack, and some pop for the boys...because really, when you're stuck in a tiny hotel room it's a good idea to keep boys hyped up on sugar and caffeine.
ha...
we eat lunch in the room...
and then we swimJared works out while we swim...
he also loses his key every day, so he usually shows up to get mine so he can get into the workout room.
cute, eh?yesterday I read, today I swam...

sometimes if I get lucky J comes down to the pool when he's done running,
and we watches the boys while I go lay out for a bit.

my favorite part of the cement where I sit outside:funny sidenote: the old pool guy yelled at Jared the other day because he was watching the boys in the pool when I ran up to switch the laundry. He told Jared he wasn't old enough to watch them. We laughed about this later, because the deepest end of the pool is 5ft. Jared is 6'3"...yeah...

After we swim it's back up to the room,
showers,
computer,
ps3,
or reading...
or texting your girlfriend...whatever Astrid, Bob and Sharkbait are all here and accounted for...Living out of suitcases
Joy oh joy...Monday - Thursday...5pm is dinner in the lobby
Sometimes it's good, sometimes...ooooh not so good.
Tonight was yummmy,
yesterday...
well, please note Jared's plate...
mac-n-cheese, and cookies.So we opted for a little after dinner nachos and walk ...Monday - Thursday also means cookies at the front desk.
The boys put a hurtin on their cookie supply...and the popcorn big wheel anyone?
little shining-esque, eh?
yeah, I think so too...
and that's about our show.
Told you...riveting.
xoxo

2010-07-26T21:06:00.002-05:00

just letting you know nothing has changed here

still living in the hotel

still not updating the blog

taking some photos tomorrow of a typical day here

which should be riveting for all

yeah, I said riveting

yeah, I'm totally lying...

but you'll at least get a blog update,

which counts for something,

right?!?

Yummmm....

2010-07-23T16:14:00.001-05:00

Told you
Delicious
Miss Clara is
Stole this photo from my sister-in-law's facebook page
because I wanted you all to get to see the cuteness
xox

2010-07-22T17:08:00.003-05:00

things that may or may not happen when you find yourself living in a hotel:
you might take an absurd amount of photos of yourself with your new webcam
you might do the same with your camera
you might also take video with that webcam
video of nothing
really
trust me when I say
nothing
.....
you also might find all kinds of things to "like" on facebook
pretty much anything and
everything the teenagers you're "friends" with on facebook like
this may, or may not be cool
{it's not}
but it amuses you
so you just keep liking things
....
CRAZY
nonsense happening up in here
...
but clearly living in a hotel
does not
mean you might want to update your blog
no
it
does
not
xox
.....
ps. because I'm a horrible blogger as of late
I have yet to announce the birth of my newest niece
Miss Clara Jane
photo tomorrow...
she is just delicious

pps. tried to post a video

but blogger said no way

maybe later

prepare for random...

2010-07-07T10:03:00.007-05:00

so that's the yard that makes me want to buy the house it's attached to.
lovely.
and huge.
Jack says it's not nearly as big as his friend Devon's yard.
which is true...
but I still think it's pretty awesome.
problem is, it's in Hudson.
which is not Solon.
which means 3 out of 5 of us would be less happy.
and frankly
I am trying hard to make everyone happy.
(for the record am failing miserably)

things I have been reminded of lately:
there is a reason I don't get along with most women,
hotel rooms are small...even the "big" ones,
swimming is good for your mind,
less good for your knee
although I feel like I am lately,
I'm really glad I'm not literally treading water, my knee hated that.
I have a desire to learn things...
haven't been this excited in forever.
(not the best timing, but many ideas for the future)
I want to paint.
I love my new laptop.
I hate having to pay to do laundry.
I miss my kitchen.
I miss. a lot.

we haven't found a house.
and we've pretty much seen all there is right now.
so
we're doing what any normal person would do...
we're heading to the lake for a little stress relief.
then we'll regroup and try to figure this out.
the good news is...
Colin got me this little reader-thing
so now I can post photos.
and lake photos = the best.
xoxo

I see the best of me inside your eyes...

2010-07-04T08:55:00.003-05:00

oh...and the webcam takes photos...

we have clearly lost our minds...

because this is way more exciting than it should be.

today:

we're off to see more houses.

then we're finding a soccer field because these children need to run.

tonight:

fireworks.

xoxox

hotel rooms are boring...and Jared is weird...

2010-07-03T21:21:00.006-05:00

2010-07-01T18:42:00.002-05:00

we made it to ohio.
we are living in a hotel.
the little boys are enjoying the suite life of jack and coley.
jared is doing ok.
i am doing...
and we are trying to figure out this house thing.
it's still kind of crazy. i'm not going to lie...

also.
side note.
totally packed the cord to connect my camera to the computer away in storage.
technically the movers did...
but i'm a dork, and forgot to leave it out...
soooo....
no photos.
which makes for unhappy blog posts.
boo.

happy 4th of july.
enjoy the fireworks.
the 4th = my favorite.
xox

2010-06-24T16:14:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow I leave for Little Rock with Jack.
State baseball tournament.

When I get back on Sunday
everything in my house will be boxed up
and ready for storage...
my life will be in boxes.

Monday we leave for Ohio.

Things right now are crazy to say the least...

I'm trying to remember to breath...

I'll try and update as I can.

I'm not sure where we will be,

or how much internet access I'll have...

but when I can,

I'll be sure to say hi.

Wish us luck!

xox

Introducing...

2010-06-08T17:04:00.003-05:00

This sweet baby girl was born today...

Olive Grace

7lbs 2oz.

I can't wait to get my hands on her...

and to kiss her tiny baby face.

So in love we are.

xoxoxox

"It was a day filled with the glow of ordinary things & we passed them quietly from hand to hand for a long time & someone said she had picked a perfect day to be born & I think all of us felt the same" ♥ - Brian Andreas

Testing testing 1...2...3.....

2010-06-07T22:23:00.003-05:00

Sorry for the blog shut-down today...
I was/am toying with the idea of password protecting the blog...
Haven't made up my mind yet.

I figured since I wasn't updating anyway, I'd just lock it up for the time being...
I love blogging, but I just don't have the energy to do it right now.
{Sigh}
However... I actually have something exciting to post about tomorrow,
so I will put that idea on hold for the time being...

Tomorrow will be babyZ's birthday!
So excited to see that baby girl.
I will update as I hear...so check back,

you won't even need a password.
Promise.

Thank goodness

I was thinking my next post was going to have to be about Kool-Aid...
or house cleaning...
that's about the most excitement happening around here lately.
Save me from myself...I swear.
Truly.
xoxoxoxox

Ten on Tuesday

2010-05-25T08:26:00.006-05:00

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaack....
Not really.
Sort of.
I'm just saying hi.

1. When I cut Astrid the orchid back after her flowers died I figured that was probably it...but looooook! She's back too. So I think maybe that means...{gasp}...I can grow something.
Lovely. And I'm sure orchids are super easy to move, right?!? yeah.....

2. Little Rock all weekend. Baseball and soccer tournaments. 90++++ degrees. But tons of fun.
Jack got to eat at Hooters twice. I'm still not sure how that happened....

3. It was my first experience there. The waitress messed up our bill not once...or twice....noooo, by the third time I was laughing so hard I was crying and had to excuse myself to the bathroom.
I felt bad. I know she wasn't hired for her math skillz but come on...

4. Is Verizon really getting IPhones? Because I want one...

5. This is the boys last week of school. Crazy.

6. I love my new TapOut shirt. Love. I'm a dork. A huge dork.

7. My sister is having babyZ in two weeks! I'm sort of beyond excited....and I so need to buy my ticket....and go shopping. Twist my arm on the babygirl shopping. Get out....the CUTE level is high.

8. We always do all this stuff around the house to make it "nice" before we sell....and then it's always the way I would have liked while I was living here....and I always wonder why we wait until we're leaving to do that.

9. I like green juice. Just sayin...

10. Jared has his awards ceremony tonight at school. Last year he told me it wasn't important, and Colin was out of town, so we skipped it. He ended up getting a trophy for math.
Not. Skipping. It. This. Time.

The end.
Nothing exciting...but it's all I've got.
xox

ok. I lied....

2010-05-17T21:32:00.002-05:00

back briefly to show you what my son did during his field trip to the zoo.
They were suppose to make a video of the animals...
omg. this cracks me up.
(pause my music before playing)
J is video taping, and says "yeah" at the end.
xox

2010-05-17T10:23:00.001-05:00

all work and no play makes e a dull girl...
all work and no play makes e a dull girl...
all work and no play makes e a dull girl...
all work and no play makes e a dull girl...
all work and no play makes e a dull girl...
all work and no play makes e a dull girl...
all work and no play makes e a dull girl...
all work and no play makes e a dull girl...
all work and no play makes e a dull girl...
all work and no play makes e a dull girl...

be back once i get this house on the market
xoxox

2010-05-14T11:21:00.002-05:00

on this Friday I bring you an excerpt from:
My Awesome Poems
By: Jack
(Dedicated to: My family)

Acrostic poem:

Joyful
Awesome
Cool
Kind

Diamante:

Baseball
Fun Exciting
Running Hitting Catching
off the walls Fun
Yelling Throwing Batting
Cool Awesome
Baseball

Haiku:

A tiger is feirce

It runs fast to catch it's pray

Tigers are so fast

and my personal favorite...

his Couplet:

I don't like to read.

I don't feel the need.

Happy Friday friends!

Enjoy your weekend.

We're heading out of town for baseball and soccer.

{if the rain holds off}

xoxox

2010-05-13T12:53:00.002-05:00

...not to dwell on how old my kid is or anything...
but ummm...whoa...
doesn't seem like THAT long ago I made this page.

I'm pretty sure WorldCup is this summer though...
and the boy is 15.
And crazy that Coley is the age Jared was in this photo.

{J looks older to me}
He is still not going to watch the games in a sports bar.
Good to know some things stay the same.

{Gosh I miss scrapbooking & this would be why}
...........
2 posts in one day...
can only mean one thing

someone {might} be procrastinating the cleaning of the house...
the realtors are coming tomorrow.

better go.
xox

2010-05-13T10:07:00.002-05:00

the boys are thrilled that over Easter

I realized how cute these jars look filled with candy.

I've created M&M monsters ...

and I can't seem to keep them full for long.

{both the boys and the jars}

Airplanes...

2010-05-12T07:26:00.004-05:00

I really don't have much to say at the moment...

Jack cracked me up with his calendar update.
On the 14-15th he crossed off the soccer tournament,
{the one we still have}
and wrote in that he has baseball.
and then "no" "no" and "no" to Little Rock for soccer.
We are having some strong objections lately from Jack toward soccer.
I think this might be his last season playing.
I can't lie. I'm sort of glad he decided on his "own" sport...chose to do his own thing.
I think being the third boy, it's a good thing to have your decidedly different strengths.
Now if someone could put a stop to the endless "soccer is better" "baseball is better" arguments that would be great.

Jared told me he liked my shirt this morning and I punched him in the arm.
In my defense, I thought he was kidding.
He wasn't.
It was sweet.
(not me punching him in the arm, him complimenting me)
He's as sarcastic as I am...it was hard to tell...

Jared is becoming more and more fun to hang out with...
he's a good guy.
Crazy when your kid becomes more grown-up like and less kid like.
I'm sad I only get him here another three years.
I can't think about it because it makes me cry.

Lack of sleep also makes me weepy.
Such a bad combination.
I haven't been sleeping well because I'm stressed I think.
I'm not really sure...
I don't normally get this stressed about anything.

I've moved when I was nine months pregnant with a four year old,
when the boys were 11mos, 3, and 7 we moved across the country,
I've moved with toddlers,
and while it made the unpacking more challenging.
Moving my teenager is just almost more than I can take...
Pulls at my heart...and makes me question our decisions.

(That and selling the house always stresses me out a bit)

sigh.
It will all be fine....
in the meantime
I finished my tiny cross stitch.
(Erin quit looking if you're not suppose to see it)
...totally enjoyed it.

2010-05-07T09:30:00.006-05:00

thinking about:
How Colin and Jared can't get along lately, and Jack and Colten can't.
I feel like a referee.
And while I enjoy wearing black and white...
I do not look good in stripes.

Cross stitching is ... coming along.
{insert giant happy face}
I am concerned that the back doesn't look the same as the two rows she started for me though.
The front looks ok I think.
The back looks different, so I am sensing I'm doing something wrong.
What?
I don't know.
Why I'm even stressing over the back of the design...
I do not know.

Kaiser rolls.
I want to see Colten jazzed?
Make his sandwich on a deli kaiser roll.
"I looooooved my lunch. I looked forward to it all morning"
(who knew?!?)

It figures that I find out I'm moving
just when I discover a few people I'd actually love to hang out with...
(Seriously...happens every time)
And here I thought I'd figured out the "distance yourself so you don't get close thing"....
DARN it.

I need to figure out how to tie ties.
With three boys,
it might come in handy.
Like this morning for instance...

It's hot here.
I don't do hot well.
...
Who am I kidding...
I don't do cold well either.
...
Why can't it just be like 75 with no humidity all. the. time.
Is that asking too much?

Soccer tournament for Colten this weekend.
First game?
7am tomorrow.
In Memphis.
Holy early game batman.

I'm staying here for Jack's baseball tournament.
4:30am wake up call? Noooo thank you.
Colin is a much better morning person.

This is the biggest small town I've ever lived in.
Literally I told four people we're moving...
and two days later,
everyone I see knows.

If I like you...I will re-name you.
Really, I'll probably just shorten your name...
If I can't shorten it,
I will lengthen it...
but if I like you, I will probably not call you by your given name.
I apologize in advance for this.

Sometimes people don't like having their name shortened.
One of these people may now being calling me Rika.
I may KEEL this person ifin he doesn't stop.

We went to a church here where the pastor said
God would KEEL {kill} us if we spoke poorly about his church...
have I told that story?
I think I have...
I say KEEL a lot.
Only went to that church the one time.
I have nothing bad to say about the church though.
{you know...just in case}

I'm going to learn to shoot {a gun}...
I am. SUPER. excited.
I have always wanted to learn.
It is on my list along with learn to knit, sew, & cross stitch.
Yeah...That sounds about right.

THIS is super cool.
Sarah is one of my most favorite people I've never met.
(but feel like I know)

I might need more coffee today.
The giggly teenage girls at Target today just about did me in...

That would be my random for this Friday.
Have a glorious weekend friends!
xoxox

Things we will miss from Arkansas: Andy's Frozen Custard.
{Blueberry concretes right now...guess what I'm SO getting this weekend}

Things we are looking forward to in Ohio: Chipotle {oh. how we've missed you}

*Yes. I'm hungry. Can you tell?!?

2010-05-06T11:29:00.002-05:00

Dear babyChuck-
I know you're not born yet...
you're a girl...
and your name is not in fact Chuck...
I'm writing you a little note of apology in advance.
You see when your momma emailed me and asked if I'd make a cross stitch for you...
I said yes.

How darling the idea...of having a little cross stitch from lots of different family and friends that all love you so much hanging on your nursery wall...
sigh.
Oh how I love that idea.
and then the mail came...
My envelope from your sweet Grandma,
and inside:and then I remembered an important detail...
I can't sew.
No really.
I can't sew.
I make your cousin Jared sew buttons on pants when they fall off.
True story.
Yes, I know...pathetic.

So while I think I should really really have a practice cross stitch for my first go-around...
I'm going to try this.
I have to tell you though,
it took me a good 20 minutes
to figure out how to get the fabric on that little ringy-thing...
No, ...I'm actually serious.

I know...I know....it's the thought that counts.
We are going to focus on that sentiment.
Deal?
{and if worse comes to worse... there is always Jared}

Love you babygirl ♥
xox
Aunt-e

PS. I'm actually hoping I love this....because it's super cute...and I sense I could find more cross stitches I might need to make. {lookout babyZ}

PPS. I really want to learn to sew.

PPPS. Jared would not be happy I mentioned his mad sewing ability.

2010-05-05T14:31:00.002-05:00

not to dwell on this issue...
but it's Wednesday.
and that would be four trains.
I'm just sayin.

*just got back from picking up the boys.

make that five...

Dylan is not a frog...

2010-05-05T09:27:00.009-05:00

Setting:
Baseball practice (the other night)

Cast:
Jax- Jack's teammate
Phillip- Dad of another of Jack's teammates
Colin- You know him. However, if you didn't know, he takes his sports pretty seriously

Jax is throwing with another player next to the bleachers the parents are sitting on.
He's wearing his Yankees cap.
Colin: You a big Yankees fan? Who's your favorite player? (or something along these lines)
Jax: A-Rod
Colin: Noooo....You need a different favorite, like Robinson Cano.
Phillip: A-Rod is a fraud.
Colin: Do you like Robinson Cano?
Jax: YOU'RE FAT (to Phillip)
Phillip: (laughing) Wait ...What?
Colin: Really, you need to consider switching to Robinson Cano.
Jax: You are fat.
Phillip: (who is the opposite of fat) Jax...Why are you calling me fat? I didn't say you were fat?!?
Jax: You said A-Rod was a frog...and frogs are fat...so you are fat.
Phillip: I said he was a fraud.
Jax: I know.
Phillip: Fraud...not frog.
Jax: You're a frog.
Phillip: Frau....never mind. I was kidding.
Colin: I wasn't kidding though ...about Robinson Cano.

I was dying I was laughing so hard.
{maybe you had to be there}
I called Jared a frog a hundred times yesterday...
We are easily entertained.

Another favorite {FAVORITE} recent conversation of mine...

Jack (in a disgusted tone) "Your friend Dylan is on facebook, and he just asked if our mom was a professional photographer?!?"
Colten "What did you say?"
Jack (again, completely disgusted) "I said noooo. Then he said she should be."
Me "Ummm....Who is Dylan?"
Colten "A friend from school"
Me "I love that kid...I think he's my favorite of your friends"
Colten - eye-roll. big time.
Great kid that Dylan I don't know.

Things we will miss from Arkansas: Dylan
Things we are looking forward to in Ohio: Parades

Chicken enchiladas and guacamole for dinner! ahhhh yeah....
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
xoxoxoxox

2010-05-04T08:25:00.003-05:00

{layout from a few years ago when we lived in Ohio}

We lived in Ohio for exactly one year.
Almost to the day.
I disliked the whole year.
To the day.
When we moved here,
I said I would never...
ever...
ever...
ever

move back to the north.

Which is why we are moving back to Ohio this summer.
Yep.

My list of possible next moves....
included...
South Carolina,
Germany,

Switzerland,

Spain,
Oregon,
Utah,
&/or Colorado...
so we are moving to Ohio.

The town where I left the grocery store multiple times
in tears.
Ohhhh yeah...
(and for the record, I am so not a cry-er)

needless to say I'm really excited.
or not.

I am however going to attempt to make the best of it.
{but thanks for listening to me whine a little here}

...this helped to encourage me this morning...

on the way to the boy's school:

and on my way back from dropping them at school:In an effort to be positive,
we've been doing "what we will miss" and "what we're looking forward to" lists...
I'll have to blog them once I get some photos.
.........................
Been a crazy week.
xox

2010-05-03T15:26:00.001-05:00

Dear Trains:
I will not miss you when we move.
Love-e

2010-04-30T07:10:00.004-05:00

So April 27 and 28 was my high school EOC's, or end of courses, for Biology. Me being somewhat a genius is in Biology. The first day of testing wasn't that bad and i felt pretty good about it. The second day was a little trickier but i thought i was doing well.....that was until the last open response on the test. It gave me a giant amino acid/codon chart with a strand of amino acids, making a DNA, and asked me four things:
1) transcript to mRNA
2) translate into tRNA
3) find the amino acid bases that code for the DNA
4) now what is the complementary DNA strand

Now i was a little lost on number 1.....so getting number 4 done was near impossible....so i thought "HEY! I'm just going to be funny!" so the picture was my answer to the last open response question on my end of course Biology exam.
Look at the genius answer.Complementary DNA.

2010-04-29T12:05:00.002-05:00

I was planning to tell a funny Jared story today.
However, this morning when I was reviewing the details,

and he said to start off by saying "I had a giant codon/amino acid chart" ...
I quickly decided it might be best if Jared just told the story.

(a codon whaaaa?!?)
J will be guest blogging this evening.

So...

My mother-in-law {aka Gaga, aka LadyGaga} was visiting &

brought those lovely lollipops you see above,

(they really are lovely)

thinking they would be a nice treat for our car ride to Mississippi.

{baseball tournament}

She gave them to the boys and said they were for the trip,

that they were...

"road suckers".

Road.

Suckers.

I of course giggled, because I'm actually a teenage boy.

And since last Thursday,

my boys have asked everyday for a road sucker.

Guys sure love road suckers.

What? They are apparently very tasty.

That's all I was saying...

..................

whew...
funny stuff.

but
Jared is way funnier. trust me.

2010-04-28T10:02:00.002-05:00

{oh. wait. I have a blog?}
we have been ...
painting the purple room. {it's no longer purple} playing baseball until 10pm. a little sick with a cold. watching soccer. visiting with our Gaga. playing soccer. going to movies. eating yummy food. laughing. watching Gaga make our flower beds look lovely. playing baseball until 10pm. getting a fake-fake tooth put in. {technically called a temporary crown...but really, it's a fake-fake tooth} reading. watching the weather. finding a fantastic pizza place. eating fantastic pizza. getting a mohawk. {again. it's baaaack} forgetting to send april snack to school. {just like I forgot march, february, january...you get the idea} playing cards. out of town for work. laughing with the baseball parents. texting each other while out of town. wishing for a phone with a keyboard. seeing claire. taking EOG tests at school. soccersoccersoccer. playing baseball until 10pm. loving haagen-dazs pineapple coconut icecream. {lots} watching the weather. {to play tournaments this weekend or not. that is the question} picking up extra boylies from school. talking with crazy soccer peeps. in love with the sun. {if we move I will miss you dear sun} enjoying spring.

xoxoxox

ten (or less) on tuesday

2010-04-20T15:48:00.004-05:00

"If you read my blog,

you know I'm a pilates freak...

and by pilates...

I mean waffles"

(Zach Galifianakis on SNL)

1. I have not been a good blogger.

2. Jared has a big Greek-food project due tomorrow and it has taken all the restraint I have not to just make the dish for him today.
It would be done now.
I know that's wrong...
but come on. Now I have to wait for him to finish at soccer practice,
and Jack has a game at 7:45....
It could be done now...that's all I'm sayin'.

3. Went to see the movie Date Night for datenight on Friday...
it made me laugh...lots. I love Steve Carell.

4. I'm getting my house ready to put on the market.
Which is kind of like nesting, but much less exciting...

5. Can't tell you more about #4 yet...

6. Because it's not for sure...

7. I'm making garlic chicken for dinner tonight in the crockpot...or "sprite-chicken" as my boys would say...smells delish, however the garlic has turned blueish-green, and has now grossed me out.
Umm...it's never done that before.
Colin says this is normal.
Since he is the food-safety man I am trying to trust him on this...
Trying. To.
Weird.

8. I firmly believe every post should have a photo, however my computer is disagreeing with that..stating that it has no more memory left and my photos are the root cause.
I sense it's going to try to go all blue screen on me again because it's old.
(and grumpy)

9. Jared got chocolate on my new(ish) couch, didn't fold the laundry after I asked him to, and left a dent in the wall by throwing things in the house...and that was just yesterday.
My fifteen year old.
Whaaaaat is going on here??!?!?

10. I know that's not really ten things.
I really don't even have five interesting things to share.
(see #1)
Have I mentioned I could be cooking right now, and the food for Jared's project would be done?
(I'm a horrible mother...I know)

Instead I sense I'm going to be up late...helping him.
and by helping
I mean waffles.

2010-04-14T15:37:00.004-05:00

"I enjoy playing outside with Jamison. I play lots of things like football or kickball. My favorite game is capture the flag. I like it because it gets your heart pumping like a beatbox on loud."
(excerpt from Jack's paper: What I Like To Do)

Here lately:
Jared got a yellow card at Friday nights game.
When I asked how,
he told me he "accidentally pulled the other player down by his jersey"...
hmm...

Jack told me he'd like to find out who invented bagels so he could thank them.

My neighborhood had a "neighborhood garage sale" a few weekends ago
the boys managed to buy a basketball hoop.
excellent purchase.

♥ Bad Boyz ♥

2010-04-12T10:52:00.012-05:00

Col and Coley made it back to town just in time for the championship game.
Literally drove to the ball field from Kansas.
Yesterdays games were whoa exciting
& nerve wracking
I alternated between wanting to cry,
yell,
vomit,
and laugh...
(and they're nine?!?)
We left last night dirty, exhausted and happy.
Well, I wasn't really dirty...Jack was.
SO proud of our boys.
oh...
And all night long I dreamt about baseball...
umm...
I'm not sure that was really necessary.

Favorite text from Colten yesterday after I told him I'd let him know the score at the inning:
"k u will be my sports center"
He was cracking me up with his texts.

Benchmarks start here today.
(don't get me started on my opinion of them)
Suffice it to say we soooo did not get to bed early last night.
(Which was teacher suggestion number one during benchmark testing week)
However,
we are super excited about a week of absolutely no homework,
short practices
and 80+ degree days...
Thinking some serious playing outside is in order.
And easy grill-icious dinners.
Nice.
Happy Monday friends!

***Sorry - not a lot of actual baseball photos yesterday...tooooo exciting!!!

Just a few from Saturday...

2010-04-11T21:05:00.006-05:00

2010-04-09T16:50:00.002-05:00

*Colin and Colten left this morning for Kansas City.
*Colten has a soccer tournament there.
* I think it will be nice for them to have some one-on-one time...but I miss them both already.
*To make myself feel better I went to Target after they'd left.
(Target = happy)
*I talked on the phone with Colin and not more than four hours into the trip & he'd already fed my child a corn-dog from a gas station.
*This makes me miss him less.
*Yes, from a gas station.
*No, I don't know what's wrong with him.
*Jack has a baseball tournament this weekend.
*Actually it starts tonight.
*The tournament is called the Big Nasty.
*Yes, I'm so getting a shirt.
*Because Jack has a game I'm missing Jared's soccer game tonight.
*This makes me a little sad.
*To make myself feel better I dropped off some treats for Jared at the office while he was at school today.
*He texted me thank you.
*Jack and I have to go eat dinner now...so we're not late for the Big Nasty.
*Yes, I'm trying to say Big Nasty as many times as possible.
*Who do you think picked that name?
*We have to go get new baseball cleats before the game.
*I just bought a new bat today.
*If you know how much bats cost you feel my pain.
*I also ordered new cleats for Jared yesterday.
*Again...painful.
*But it's ok. It's their favorite thing. So I love it too.
*Ok, now we really have to go.

2010-04-07T11:07:00.003-05:00

pre-game Jared:things I am loving right now:

the weather (t-shirt and jeans, my favorite), having the windows open, my crock pot, The Good Wife, febreze SPORT, pear jelly bellys, funny baseball parents that make me laugh hard, Colten saying "give me knuckles", Pastor Jason blogging again, teachers that don't give homework, cherry-chocolate chip ice cream, & our new basketball hoop...

not so much loving right now:

my husband's audit this week at work (makes for a stress-y husband), the number of things my boys have forgotten this week, the train situation (3 yesterday... Lord please grant me more patience), relatives that read my blog and say they don't (and clearly don't know that I know they do...annoying), having to stay home from Kansas City this weekend, & ants...

really just ants at this moment...
we are at war.

"Well don't kill the one I named"-Jack

"You named the ants?"

"I named one...Gabby"

"Ant Gabby...that's funny" -Jared

2010-04-05T12:15:00.012-05:00

dyed eggs on Saturday...Colin made a "Butler" egg.
We should probably not watch basketball while coloring eggs next year.
Of course, he also made me an *e* egg, so he's kind of cute.

Sunday:
Was beautiful...
Sunny and 80+ out.
Colten had a soccer game...which I found odd,
but it ended up being the perfect mid-day activity.as a bonus...Coley-O was quite happy with the way he played.And all the boys enjoyed being a little star-struck...(his wife's brother plays on Colten's team, and seeing as how it was Easter and all, I guess they were in town for the weekend... She = gorgeous btw)

We came home and they played outside until dinner.
I love weekends like that.

But the most beautiful thing about Sunday didn't have to do with the weather, the soccer, the jelly-bellys (but man they're good), the rainbow jello, the rockstar, the pretty eggs, or the massive amount of desserts I made...

"...Easter redefines how we should live everyday. Redeems our past...our present...our future. Reminds us we were bought at unspeakable price. We are here to worship a King who endured a sinner's death. Conquered our enemy. Sacrificed His life for ours. We are here because Easter is proof that God offers grace to us all. God loves us more than we could know. We are here to remember that Easter does end with an empty tomb... Death defeated... An offer of redemption. We are here because redemption is available to all. For all. That's why we remember. That's why we celebrate. That's why we are here."
{from the video We Are Here (Easter) found here ... love.}

so yeah...it was a beautiful day...

Monday however...not been so beautiful.
Monday started off with...
Wet...
sweaty stinky soccer socks (how do you like that alliteration?!?)
left in the truck {please remember the 80degree weather}
Which made the truck smell like...
well....
ummm...
hot poo
this morning.
which made gaggy-von-gagster
{otherwise known as - Jack}
throw up when he got in the truck.
Which made Jared late for school.
{And made me have to clean up puke, and I hate puke}
so yeah, that was awesome.

happy Monday!

Cute - even when he's trying to ignore me

2010-04-02T15:25:00.003-05:00

Back from yet another IEP meeting...
feeling so very thankful for good teachers
that help make sure Colten will succeed.

Somehow

I did manage to refrain

from chasing his teacher down the hallway to give her a huge hug

and maybe a high-five...

but just barely.

{she is amazing}

.....
...and just because I feel like bragging...

Coley has straight A's this quarter.

How about that?!?

so darn proud of my boy.

.....

Have a wonderful Easter weekend friends.

xoxoxox

Not fooling it's random...

2010-04-01T10:17:00.005-05:00

1. yes it's April-FOOLS-day...
I've got nothing...

2. when we move I need to paint a room the color of my kitchen because I love it...

3. I told my boys that they wouldn't get any Easter candy until their Halloween/Valentine candy was disposed of... I meant in the trash. They apparently thought by mouth...

4. I said "physical altercation" like 70 times on Tuesday.
Really e? Physical altercation?!? Ummm...how about fight.

5. I'm trying to encourage Jared not to get into a ~~physical altercation~~ fight at his next soccer game. Colin is encouraging the opposite.
Hello?!? Have you seen that boy's teeth? Come on ...

6. No Jared does not want a mouth guard for games.
I asked.
Several times...

7. After watching UFC Ultimate Fighter last night I am also worried about his nose.
(Did anyone see that fight? Ewwww...that nose was SO broken it was crazy. And gross. Really gross...oooh my gosh... Ok, I have to stop thinking about it now...)

8. Jared would like it known he is not a mixed martial artist...and I am crazy.
What?!? I broke my nose playing soccer...it can happen.

9. How do I get my kids to eat dinner? I am mean.
Jack is always hungry and I don't offer him any options when it comes to dinner, so he can eat, or not eat... Jack will always eat.
{Disclaimer: I am not soooo mean that when I make something I know he truly does not care for like haystacks (beans/rice), or veggie chili...I have a backup. PB&J, or something "Daddy made" (LeanCuisine, or hotpocket) I just want him to try what I make.}

10. Colin and I went shopping for Easter candy. He put things in the cart like robin's eggs, and Reece's pb eggs...
"You know the boys don't like those right?"... "Yes"...
which is when I realized I was really getting Easter candy for all four of my boys.
Nice.

11. I bought so much JellO at the grocery store this week I was embarrassed.
Jack was overjoyed and categorized them for me...
Raspberry for "applesauce JellO"
Lime for "Green JellO"
5 assorted flavors for "Rainbow JellO"
and a bunch for JellO Eggs...
I TOLD you.
Jell-OHhhhh with a side of ham.
{One of a million reasons my boys are thrilled that Uncle Mike joined our family = his Mom's recipe for rainbow jellO! They love Easter dinner for rainbow jellO alone}

12. I had so much soup leftover from the last two meals (even though all the boys had seconds both nights, even Jack) that I don't have to cook tonight. We will just have leftover soup and quesadillas. Brilliant.
We never have leftovers...So exciting for me.

13. We have a soccer game on Easter Sunday. Ummm?!? Huh?

14. I told J he is auditioning for AmericanIdol next year...
he said "Mother. I can't really sing"
I said "It's ok...You are cute. Girls will vote for you."

the end.

We Be Steady Mobbin...

2010-03-31T09:10:00.006-05:00

Yes, I realize it's already Wednesday...which is really not Monday

but I still am going to post our dinners for the week.

Super easy.

Almost all crockpot-ish.

{because I have a date at the ballfield every night this week}

(well, one of us does)

The kicker is,

I've only made one of these before.

So, it's a week full of new recipes.

Scary monsters huh?

...

last night was:

Salsa Chicken and Black Bean Soup

(it was yummy. 4 out of 5 liked it... Jack was not a fan..."I hate beans Mom!")

...

tonight is:

Pasta Fagioli

garlic bread

beach fruit salad

(haven't tried it yet, but it smells really good. Jack of course already knows he won't like it...

"I hate beans Mom!"...*Clearly I do not pay too much mind about what he likes. Don't worry, he still eats it...he just doesn't like it.)

...

the rest of the week is:

Chicken Soup

(this one we've had, and it's good)

blueberry muffins

...

Chile Verde

refried beans

...

Bobby's Baked Chicken with Dijon & Lime

Rice

Broccoli

(Trusting Gabby on this one)

...

and

of course

EASTER dinner

which is mainly jello

with a side of ham.

but that's another post.

2010-03-30T13:06:00.008-05:00

*this photo has nothing to do with this post...I just think he's a handsome kid.
a handsome kid that is looking very old lately...

DVR'd Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution on Friday...
watched it Sunday night with Colin and J after the littles were in bed.
Nearly gagged watching him make the chicken nuggets.
(Actually I had to look away)
I was telling the littles about it before school yesterday...
about how he used the carcass,

ran it through the food processor,
squeezed it through a colander
and formed the mush into patties to make chicken nuggets.
They both listen intently...
and when I was done explaining...

Jack said-

"Whew...thank goodness McDonalds doesn't use those kind of chicken nuggets!"

umm...

yes...thank goodness...

?!?!?

NOT.

so yeah,

we completely missed the point of that discussion....

It's a good show though,

love what he's trying to do.

Not sure I'd go with coleslaw as an introduction to veggies for kids,

how many children eat slaw?!

But overall I think he's brilliant...

2010-03-29T14:13:00.001-05:00

Turns out if you lose all three of your games on Saturday...
you will have practice on

Monday
and

Tuesday
and

Wednesday
and

Thursday
and

Friday
....
It's unfortunate they didn't earn points for being cute...
We totally had that one in the bag.

2010-03-25T13:45:00.002-05:00

I asked the boys last weekend what they wanted to do over spring break...
They unanimously declared "Nothing!"They have all done a splendid job of doing nothing this week...

thanks so muchness...

2010-03-22T12:34:00.003-05:00

house rule #1: No cleaning on the weekends.

(except for laundry and the kitchen)
That rule is primarily for me

{because I'm the one that cleans}

I'd much rather spend time on the weekends enjoying my boys

or doing nothing.

It's a long standing rule.

and one of my favorites...

So this weekend was nice. relaxing. lazy. and movie filled.

Our last

relaxing

lazy weekend

until the end of May...

We bought paint for the spare room.

It's going to be a color we've used since our days in the 'ville...

One of two colors we've used in almost every house we've owned.

{we like the color and as a bonus it reminds us of all our past homes}

I picked out some ideas for Jared's room, and some gray ideas for our bedroom...

Colin picked out a "Team color" paint booklet.

He is soooo helpful.

Secretly I would love my bedroom to be WI Badgers red...

how did he know?!?

The little boys have now requested

Cavs colors...no.

Bulls...no.

Titans...no.

ECU...no.

no. no. no.

Me: How about blue? no.

Needless to say, we are still undecided about our color choice for the little's room.

"That is not really true mom...you said it would just take a minute. It will take more like 30 minutes just to GET to the movie store" Jack

house rule #2: If you call your brother names you have to run errands with your mom.

Which is why Jack majorly regretted calling Jared a "crackhead" this morning.

(a crackhead?! really?!?)

So he went with me to return movies this morning and to get avocados.

The movie store that was close to us closed,

so it is a bit of a trek to get to the nearest BlockBuster.

{30 minutes is an exaggeration though}

*Anyone use Netflix? Do you like it?*

The second rule listed is not one of my favorites,

and

explains why I came home with

3 avocados

4 cadbury creme eggs

junior mints

gummy worms

and

beef jerky

...............

Cincinnati Chili for dinner

The Help waiting to be read.

Happy 1st day of Spring break!

2010-03-19T11:39:00.003-05:00

yesterday was: almost 70 degrees out.

50s day at the little's school. Lots of little boys in white t-shirts and jeans,

and SUPER cute little girls in poodle skirts with scarves tied around their ponytails.

Coley & the new dance he learned.

Colin late night at work. Colten soccer practice. Jared home game.

Horrible parents from the other team. {The other team that was winning.}

When Colin asked the woman in front of us not to swear because our kids were with us...

she replied "like they don't hear it at home"...

and almost made me jump over the bleachers. but I refrained.

Kinder gentler me.

It was constant for the entire hour and a half though.

Amazing to me what youth sports does to some parents.

today is: lazy first day of spring break. sleeping in. cinnamon rolls. video games. cleaning some. laundry lots. ASU baseball game tonight for Jack and daddy. Claire coming over for a movie tonight for Jared. Still have nothing for dinner... so grocery store at some point.

tomorrow will be: ?

an entire free day. I'm so excited. ♥

Hope your weekend is lovely friends!

xoxoxoxoxox

......

2010-03-18T10:06:00.003-05:00

"Have a baby by me, baby, be a thousand-naire"
(What my husband sings to me to the tune of 50cents Baby by Me)

Just got off the phone with my BFF from high school.
We can talk for hours.
Sometimes this is a bad thing.
Like when I need to clean my house.
Now
I'm updating the blog
drinking my third cup of coffee
and eating green chocolate covered popcorn.
The house is still being neglected. Poor house....
I had a follow up appointment yesterday...
and was happy to learn that my ob/gyn actually has a sense of humor.
I was unsure if he did prior to yesterday,
my "now it's a party" comment was not well received my first visit.
(upon the doctor AND nurses arrival into my closet sized room with me wearing what I'm fairly certain was one paper towel)
But he did find it funny when I thanked him for explaining the photos from my little scope to me. He sent the photos home with colin
who explained like this ...
"I think this is"...
"I'm not even sure what that is"...
"I'm pretty sure this is"...
Apparently ob/gyns enjoy when husbands don't remember these things.
He laughed.
Frankly I think to be an ob/gyn a good sense of humor would be most helpful.
but
what do I know...
2 out of 3 of my boys were naughty bad last night.
I won't mention any names, but they both start with the letter "j"...
Today is the last day of school before spring break...
Which I'm quite giddy about.
Things I want to do over spring break: replant Joe the cabbage plant (Jack's plant), deal with the ~~trees~~ bushes in front of my house, paint 3 of the bedrooms, take photos of the boylies, maybe go to the diamond mine, rent lots of movies, stay up late, play some tennis (Jack has been asking), read and sleep in...

sleep in.
☺☺ ☺ ☺ ☺
{Insert happy face song here}

and I leave you with the scariest photo I have taken in a
long
long
long
long
time.
horrifying really.
for safety reasons
please remain seated while viewing this....so so frightening to me... you have no idea.

2010-03-17T19:01:00.003-05:00

Jack had a great hit last night. They lost by one though. I'll do a proper baseball post went it's more baseballish out...last night I was burrowed under blankets. Brrr-rrr.
Jared didn't wear green today and got pinched. I warned him.
Jack's soccer practice did not go well tonight. He informed me that he is "quitting his team"... when I asked why, he told me he doesn't like his coach. {Colin is his coach}
Breakfast for dinner tonight. I don't make corned beef and cabbage.
I pretty much just dye all our food green.

.......................

2010-03-16T09:16:00.004-05:00

Shirley Temples have curative effects...
I'm sure of it.
Well, I'm pretty sure.
I'll just keep drinking them and see...
I am fine
I didn't mean to be mysterious
Just girlie stuff...
So.
I am fine.
Actually really good.
{Aside from being a horrible blogger}
Things are getting back to normal around here.
We left for school this morning
and got down the road before my son realized he forgot his shoes.
Yes.
His.
Shoes.
That would be Jared.
Sigh...
I have nothing else to say about that one...
It's Spring which is by far our craziest time of year.
Soccer AND baseball season.

NutsO.
I made this recipe for chicken tikka masala for the first time last night.
It was delicious.

I mean really good.

Everyone liked it, even the Jack.

Although all the boys {x4} sifted the tomatoes out,

so I'm going the crushed tomato route next time.

Tonight Jack has a baseball game...

I think I'm going with a friend's facebook status

and bringing some popcorn with

butter

parmesan cheese

and garlic salt.

Sounds all kinds of yum to me.

Maybe I can convince the boys that counts as dinner?!

Yeah...

probably not

....................

before I head back to the sofa...

2010-03-10T13:22:00.016-05:00

318.
the number of photos I took this weekend.
12.
the number of photos I feel like posting at this current moment.
some favorites straight from the camera...

favorite goofy Jack (pre-ball-in-the-face)

favorite baseball snack - cheese friesfavorite baseball player
(post-ball-in-the-mouth so it looks like he has chew in his cheek, but it's much better than first thing that morning)favorite father-son photofavorite Coley photofavorite Jared photofavorite note from my birthday boyfavorite monster truck photo (such a happy nine year old with his race flag and cotton candy)FAVORITE birthday photo
(*love that he wore that hat from the monster truck show in all of them...adorable)favorite yo-yo-erfavorite photo explaining why you shouldn't put your Gatorade bottle in your shorts pocket
(Jared and I laughed until we cried on Sunday during this game...Silly Coach Colin)favorite thing in my house to look at right now(thanks Gabby, Mikey, Ev and Maxxy)

and last but not least...
my favorite thing overheard in recovery:
Nurse "Now you might be a little nauseous after surgery,
so no greasy or fried food to eat for the rest of today"
Patient on the other side of my curtain
"I can't even think of anything to eat that's not fried or greasy"
Only in the south.
that has made me laugh lots...
xox

2010-03-07T23:05:00.002-05:00

darn it!
obviously I didn't quite get back to post
soccer & projects
and now
bedtime
tomorrow I'm having a little surgery
so...
I'll have some fabulous Jack birthday photo fun later this week
oooh....
and some baseball shots.
you all know how I feel about little boys in baseball uniforms by now right?!?...
just loads of cuteness.

throw some good thoughts my way around 2 tomorrow...
and I'll be back soon.
xoxox

2010-03-07T10:30:00.002-05:00

So this was what I was going to post yesterday...
With a little message about my sweet baby turning nine.

Didn't get a chance yesterday.
Friday night Jack took a bad bounce into his face before his game...
he didn't cry, and seemed fine, but told me it hurt and that his expander went into his cheek.
Jack woke up yesterday morning
and as we were singing "Happy Birthday"...
he burst into tears...
His cheek was huge and swollen...
After a quick trip to the orthodontist,
some phone calls to the pediatrician...
a prescription for an antibiotic
and some Tylenol with codeine...
Jack was feeling much better.

He played two more baseball games,
(because really an infection in your cheek can't stop you from playing your game)
watched some soccer,
ate some cake,
and went to the piece de resistance
the highlight of the day
the much anticipated
and asked for
the MONSTER TRUCK show.
Ah-yeah...
where
let me tell you
the $2.00 earplugs were priceless...but that friends is a post for another day.

I'm going to try to get on later with some photos of his birthday.
It was crazy and busy
(and a little stressful)
but overall it was happy...
I love my little man.

Happy (day after your) Birthday Jack Banana!
we all LOVE you like crazy
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Fistful of Glitter

2010-03-03T11:15:00.004-05:00

Last night Colten came out of his bedroom to remind me to he needed to wear his DARE shirt to school because "tomorrow is Wednesday"...
umm....Wait one second...
Wednesday?!?
I for some reason spent the better part of the day yesterday thinking it was Monday...
Well, clearly the whole day, because it was bedtime when I realized it was in fact Tuesday.
And somehow I lost a day...
Which is a problem, because I already feel like I have a ton to do this week.
Isn't it funny...
Last week felt like two weeks in one, and this week is flying...

The littles have huge projects due on Monday.
We've been working on them since last week,
I was hoping they'd be done by now because Jack's birthday is Saturday,
and he has a baseball tournament,
and Colten has soccer games...

Summarizing a book.
Is this hard for all 8 year olds? Or just mine...?!?
"Mom says I'm almost done, but I'm only on page 37"
Yes, because he wants to retell the whole story...
page, by page...
So that's been fun...

Colten is working on a Civil War project...
the subject is right up his alley,
the work...
not so much.

Between the two of them,
I may lose my mind...
Also...
three out of five of us have head colds...
I am one of the three.
Which is lovely timing...

I have things I want to post about,
but no time to post anything requiring thought...
Tara is trying to keep me creative...
love her for it...
so we're doing a photo-a-day this month.
Which I'm doing,
but lacking time to post said daily photos.
Although,
as you can see,
my photos from Monday were not what one might refer to as creative...
I had planned on taking some photos outside of the boys at practice...
didn't realize it was FREEZING outside...
so Jack and I were waiting in the truck for Colin to pick him up for baseball,
Colten was outside at soccer practice.
I was just pointing my camera at him without looking and taking photos.
We were horribly amused by this...

Now I'm off to make Jack a cupcake liner disco ball for his birthday decor in brown...
I decided if I make one for each birthday,
eventually I'll have a whole ceiling full and it will look cool.
Of course they'll be like eighteen then,
and will frown at cupcake liner balls hanging from the ceiling...
probably not so cool then.

happy WEDNESDAY.
hope you're all wearing your DARE shirts...

the end.

You Da Bestest...

2010-03-01T20:57:00.003-05:00

Lunch in a box.
My boys don't really love sandwiches.
At least not 5 days a week.
Ironically,
now that Jack is no longer allergic to peanuts,
this is the first school we've been at that's peanut free.
So.
No pb&js....which is kind of funny.
But, not really.
So,
cheese quesadillas,
leftovers in the thermos...
chips and salsa...
soup...
and I've caved, and let Jack have Chef Boyardee mini raviolis.
(Colten will have nothing to do with the chef-boy-R-deeeee)

This is a conversation that took place when I picked him up after school:

Jack "Mom you forgot to pack me a spoon in my lunch!"
Me "Silly Mom. Sorry....Did you just get one from the cafeteria?"
Jack "What?"
Me "Did you just ask the ladies in the cafeteria for a spoon?"
Jack "No... I just used my hands"
Me "Wait...What?!? No really....Did you get one from Miss Kim?"
Jack "I used my fingers, I just picked them up Mom"
Me "Seriously? Are you kidding me?"
Jack "What?!" (In that tone that implies I clearly am overreacting)

Yep.
That's my boy.
Rocking table manners.
I swear we use utensils at home...

That's all I've got today.
The power company was doing something in our neighborhood today.
Resulting in the power being out/on/out....
I ran errands...
and the boys had soccer and baseball tonight...
Actually Jared won't be back to school until 1am.
Quite the away-game, eh?

2010-02-26T09:51:00.002-05:00

In the car on the way to school:
Me "Well, it's more transient there"
Jared "I don't think so, I mean it's the north..."
"You don't know what transient means do you?"
"Nope. I was just trying to look past that"
"Yeah..."
"Is it like transparent?"
"Yeah, no...not at all."
....

My two littles.
They compliment each other perfectly,
and yet,
are completely different.

The boys get "tickets" for good behavior at school.
Jack is meticulous with his tickets,
they are pristine...
he puts his name on them and keeps them in a special envelope...

Colten shoves his tickets in his pant pockets...
(I wash at least five a week)
he uses them as bookmarks, keeps them loose in his backpack...
they are crumpled, wadded up, torn...a mess.

Today at school they can use 20 tickets as admission for a special "fun-day".
This morning...
Colten had no idea if he even had 20 tickets,
Jack was desperate for his brother to go to the special event with him,
and was willing to give him some of his tickets...
so they're at the table sorting Jack's tickets.

Here is where they are remarkably different.
While Colten's folders, backpack and locker are a complete and total disaster,
he is right on target in the morning.
He has his routine down, breakfast, brush teeth, fix hair, get shoes on, coat, backpack, lunchbox...all by 7:30.
(which leaves plenty of time to harass the rest of us for "making him late")
So he's checked the clock, gathered his tickets, shoved them in his pocket,
and gone about his morning...

Jack on the other hand is completely in the clouds.
and normally still eating breakfast at 7:25.
and talking....he has much to say.
This morning he was telling Colten a long involved story,
as Colten was getting his backpack together...
His tickets still spread across the table...

7:34.
"Hey Jack why aren't you putting your shoes on?"
"Oh, because I don't have any socks on"

7:40.
Jack makes his way to the truck...

We pull into school.
"Mom!"
"Yes Jack"
"I don't have my backpack"

His backpack.
The only item he needs for school every day besides his lunchbox.
The one with all of his tickets in it.
That backpack.

Then there were tears.

So I drove back to school this morning.
Backpack and magic tickets in hand.
I made the office ladies actually send him down to see me.
They wanted to give him his backpack.
I wanted a thank you.
Which I got.
and
That was my morning...
and a perfect example of my smalls.

My husband is now in the sky.
Flying home to see me.
(thank goodness)
I'm cashing in all my tickets for a fun-weekend...
Yeah I am.
xox

2010-02-25T16:40:00.002-05:00

for the record,
the only editing I did was to change the "no"s to "know"s,
mainly because I really thought we was using the wrong one.
I got an eye-roll for that.
"hello people of my mother's blog"
almost made me pee my pants.
crazy child of mine.
I have approximately 13 seconds before I have to have these children
fed and at sporting events,
sporting events spread across this town...
Just wanted to stop in and say hello.
Hello to the people of my blog.
I have been scrapping a mini-album-card for Jack's birthday.
It's a card.
and a mini album.
It's like a mini-album pretending to be a card...
My friend Tara sent me these darling little scalloped board book albums,
that I love...
although..
darling was not the word I was using as I had to cut around each of those cute little scallops...
heehee...
ok.
have to run.
xox

2010-02-23T21:38:00.002-05:00

hello people of my mothers blog,
its me, jared
i was told that some of y'all wanted to know about my "grape-juice-on-my-head" story
so here goes nothing....
so we had just gotten home from barnes and noble and everyone had gotten something there except me...so i got stuck with carrying everyones drink inside the house
i had taken a glass of grape juice, i love grape juice, into the car before we went to the store...so i thought it was empty, which turns out it wasn't...
so i put the "empty" cup of grape juice sideways on my head so i could hold the four other cups without dropping them
the rest of the "empty" cup of grape juice, which had a lot more in it then someone would normally expect it would, spilled all over my head and my north face, resulting in a very sticky, slightly purple head and coat...and now all of y'all know my story of the grape-juice-on-my-head
thank u, thank u, thank u
jared
ps i did type this all in "txt language" but my mom edited it so thanks mother

2010-02-23T10:12:00.002-05:00

Jack was laying on our bed this weekend, I thought he was playing games on Colin's blackberry...Upon further examination he was actually reading Tiger Wood's statement...

what a goof.

I love that kid.

Dear Colin-

I miss you.

The boys were very jealous that you went to PF Changs without them.

The littles didn't get to bed until almost 10 last night. Baseball practice from 7-8:30 is sort of late if you ask me.

I think I forgot to tell you that on Sunday Jared managed to dump grape juice on his head.

(and his North Face, and his shirt).

Yep. Grape juice. Don't ask, I don't really understand how it happened, but it did. And to think I was worried about it spilling in the truck.

On.

His.

Head.

Oh, and the boys all think it's nuts that you're on the 42nd floor.

Don't lean on the window.

I love you.

xxxe

Silly me...

2010-02-22T16:29:00.003-05:00

Before I forget (yet again)
I have being meaning to ask if any of my bloggy friends want a copy of
Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred dvd?!
I used it once, maybe twice,
waaaay too much jumping for my bad knee...
However, a lot of my friends have used it,
or are using it,
and LOVE it.
Just figured I'd ask....since I own a copy,
and will never use it again...
seems silly to keep it.
Comment, or email me, and I'll send it to you
...just because.
♥
I am currently on the Maui Wowee Bar diet...
which I sense will be far less effective than the dvd.

ETA: YAY!!! That was quick! The 30-day Shred dvd has a new home. ;)

2010-02-22T11:30:00.007-05:00

this weekend Colten went to a birthday party, Claire came over, we went to BestBuy, Colten had soccer practice, Jared finished up his English project, I made maui wowee bars (everyone loved them, except Jack...are you seeing a trend here?), Col and I watched The Hangover (again), we bought a new suitcase, Colin left for Vegas, the boys and I went to Barnes and Noble, and GameStop, Jack tried to make a duct tape wallet, and got a new yo-yo, all the boys got haircuts, and played playstation...
today we (almost) left for school on time, my best friend called, we talked way too long, I need to fold a mountain of laundry...
tonight Jared has soccer practice after school, Jack has baseball practice at 7, we're going to have haystacks for dinner --- crushed tortilla chips, rice, beans in a bowl with whatever toppings you want to add -avocados, cheese, tomatoes, black olives, green onions, sour cream, hot sauce...
(with the exception of Jack & Colin this is a favorite around here)

Alan: Can I ask you another question?
Sure.
You probably get this a lot. This isn't the real Caesar's Palace is it?
What do you mean?
Did, umm... did Caesar live here?
No.
I didn't think so.
(The Hangover)

2010-02-19T10:26:00.002-05:00

this is what happens when you go to grab a post it note at my house...
boys.
.......
speaking of boys
My favorite nephew turns 2 today!

Happy Birthday Evansen!!!

We LOVE you

SOoooooo MUCH!

We hope that today is filled

will lots of tom-toms

and yummy cake.

♥

........................................................

I can't believe that I will have 2 new nieces this summer!!!

I'm SO excited!

I love being an Aunt-*e*...

I promise

I will not call the girls

Zeus

and Chuck

{much}

after they're born.

Although

Coley is really holding out for Athena.

(Are you listening Aunt Gabby & Uncle Mike?!?)

now...

If we could just all live closer...

that would be excellent.

xoxoxox

2010-02-18T09:37:00.002-05:00

Arguing with Colten before school. Listening to the GLEE soundtrack. Eating oatmeal with brown sugar and raisins. Drinking my second cup of coffee. Doing laundry. Praying for good news at the doctor today. Making a list. Wishing I was going to Vegas with my husband. Debating what to get the Jack for his birthday. Wondering if Coley's IEP is even worth it anymore. Thinking I definitely need another cup of coffee. Happy my keurig is working again. Hoping Jared wins his first varsity scrimmage tonight. Enjoying the idea I don't have to make dinner tonight. Laughing at a facebook status. Wishing I didn't need to mop the kitchen floor. Loving the way my new conditioner makes my hair feel. Needing a haircut in the worst way. Wanting my gray hair to just disappear. Emailing Colten's teacher. Worrying my new doctor will be scary. or cute. or dumb. or a combination of the three. Breathing...

2010-02-17T10:29:00.002-05:00

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." -The Velveteen Rabbit

I have blogged about Old Baby.
I have scrapped pages about Old Baby.
Old Baby is Jack's blanket.
I am sure I've told the story of how Baby got his name,
but briefly I will again...
I got a lovely blanket for Jack's crib...
it was kind of expensive, and I assumed it would a pretty part of the bedding.
Jack quickly decided it was his favorite comfort item in the whole wide world.
By the time Jack was two, Baby (his name for his blanket), was looking a little rough.
The company that made Baby was going out of business,
so I decided to order another Baby.
Exactly the same.
Then I could swap them out, and Baby would stay pretty.
When the second blanket arrived.
Jack took one look at it,
and declared
"I DO NOT YIKE DAT NEW BABY! I only like my OLD BABY"
ever since then,
he has called his blanket Old Baby.

Old Baby is looking extremely rough now.
At almost nine years old,
he has holes, big big huge holes,
and really long pieces of fabric hanging off of him.
Jack hasn't wavered in his love for his blanket.

I now sneak into his room after he's asleep to take Old Baby out of his bed.
I worry about him getting tangled up....
and
In what I believe is just an effort to further his Mom's slightly irrational concerns...
Jack sleeps with Old Baby like a scarf around his neck.
So I sneak Old Baby out of bed.
and put him at the foot of the bed.
Jack in return wakes up at some point in the night,
and sneaks him back in bed.
And.
I may have a nervous breakdown...

But there is something about seeing Old Baby,
laying on the edge of the kitchen table,
after dropping the kids off at school...
that takes me instantly back to Jack's babyhood.
and
while I am convinced he possesses a slight choking hazard...
I love all that blanket represents.
I think it's the most beautiful blanket in the entire world.
xoxox

2010-02-16T10:47:00.004-05:00

My dad has made me a Valentine print every year since I was born.
Cool, huh?
I've always envisioned a whole wall of Valentines.
Someday...
when I have enough money to frame them all this will happen.

Whew.
Where did this weekend go?
It was a pretty good one.
Jared and Colten had soccer practice.
Jared had a dance at school Saturday night.
We went to see Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief.
(we then spend the next few days discussing all the things they changed from the book, and I finally understood Jared's frustrations with the Harry Potter movies)
Jared and I had a huge argument.
(teenagers are not always easy to deal with)
We had steak, loaded baked potatoes, asparagus with lemon butter, and artichokes for our Valentine's day dinner.
and Andy's for dessert.
(strawberries and melted chocolate chips in vanilla frozen custard. hello love)

Jared finished his science fair project last night.
One project down.
Three more to go.
(one more for each boy)
I don't mind them having major school projects, it's just having them all at once...
it's been crazy.

And how about Menu Plan Monday on Tuesday?
(because that's how I roll)...
Actually I'm sort of embarrassed to post this weeks menu.
I am making all kinds of easy stuff this week.
And I don't do it by days, I like to mix it up....
So this week we will have
...
*Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti (from Gabby...and honestly I thought it sounded kind of gross...but she raved about it, and I saw other bloggers say it was good...so I made it last night, and four out of five of us agreed it is yummy...Jack said it was "not so good")
*BBQ Chicken sandwiches (Love my crockpot)
*Tostadas (w/ black beans)
*Italian French Dips (Rachel Ray) -REALLY good. and Easy.
(My 2 favorite words when we talk about cooking)
*Bagel pizzas
(just like it sounds....make your own pizzas....using bagels. Or if you're me, GF pizza crust. Boys usually do pepperoni with some combination of ham, pineapple, black olives & mushrooms. I do goat cheese, and veggies)
*Bowtie Pasta - garlic bread and salad...
*and we have a Chik-Fil-A school fundraiser on Thursday,
Colten is the student of the month for his class so he has to help out with it.

I subsitute things to make mine wheat/gluten free.... it's not that hard.
(and not as tasty, ... but I digress)

2010-02-14T11:30:00.002-05:00

I hung the boys Valentine curtains in their doorways before going to bed last night.
I've done it since they were little bitty.
...
It scares Jared every year when he opens his door.
ha.

Happy Valentines Day!
xoxoxoxox

♥ Haiti ♥

2010-02-13T10:45:00.001-05:00

2010-02-12T10:48:00.003-05:00

this is my new purse Erin and Pete (and babyChuck) got me for Christmas.
I love it. LOVE it.
It's fantastic because I can fit a water bottle, snacks, and books/magazines in it...
and it's waterproof.
and it's cute.
it's perfect for soccer and baseball this spring...this however was the conversation yesterday
when I threw my purse in the backseat on the way to pick up Jared.

Jack "It's alien eyes"
Cole "Oh yeah...you're right"
Jack "But...if you turn it upside down...Cool sunglasses"
Cole "Mom...what is this suppose to be on your purse?"
Me "Leaves"
Jack "Nah... It's definitely not leaves..."
Cole "Yeah...I don't see it either"

sigh...
I love my alien-eye purse.

Define random...

2010-02-11T10:05:00.010-05:00

(the Puerto Rican capital building ... now a gladiator arena)

Phil: "I just installed a sweet home theater system in the family room. The...umm...the trouble is Claire struggles with technology of any kind...I mean remotes, cell phones, computers..."

All I wanted to do was watch The Hangover while cleaning...
really just listen to it,
but I wanted it on...

and I can't figure out the tv.
Seriously.
I think the playstation is now what plays movies?
but I can't figure it out.
the blueray thingy ... I guess isn't plugged in?
I have no idea.
but.
I can't make it work.

Phil: "Where were you pointing it?"
Claire: "At the tv"
Phil: (laughing) "uh honey, no...I'm sorry, it's a home theater"
Claire: "What? So I ...I can't point it at the tv when I want to watch the tv"
Phil: "No. You point it at the receiver"
Claire: "What's a receiver?"
Phil: "Ok. Imagine our home theater system is a human body...so then the receiver is the brain, the tv is the face..."
Claire: "I know what part you are"

Ironically
I started this post...
and the power went out...
now the alarm system is beeping at me.
You guessed it.
I can't make it stop.

(on the phone)
Claire: "Hey it's me"
Phil: "Heyyyy"
Claire:"Listen, I've got a bunch of moms over here that want to watch the talent show dvd and I can't get the sound to work"
Phil: "Is there a picture?"
Claire: "Yes"
Phil: "Be honest...did you do that thing where you get frustrated and you start pressing all the buttons?"

Claire: "I have this theory that Phil purposely installs complicated technology so he has a reason to talk to me like I'm a child. Last month it was the thermostat."

Phil: "The little snowflake makes it cold, cold, cold. Set Temperature makes it hold, hold, hold...The little flame makes it hot..."

The boys are back in school.
Yesterday they went back on a one hour delay...
they'd been out for so long...it took me a minute to remember what time they normally went,

in order to factor in any sort of delay...

You can tell they've spent the majority of their lives in the south,
because they all ask where their toboggans are...
when they're looking for their hats.

to·bog·gan (tə-bŏg'ən)
n. A long, narrow, runnerless sled constructed of thin boards curled upward at the front end.

nope.
winter hat.

Valentines are done.
and
mailed.
Thank goodness.
I'm still finding glitter on my face,
even after showering...
I watched too much BigLove while making them I think...
because I'm starting to think a sister-wife isn't such a bad idea.
I could use the help frankly.
Especially tonight when all three boys have to be somewhere at 5:30.
I'm not sure why people aren't excited when their kids learn to drive.
Three drivers and three kids just seems to make better sense.

I have to go clean now.
minus any hysterical movie playing in the background to amuse my ears...
and

minus a sister wife to help out...
but.
not minus a super annoying beep-beep-beep every four and a half minutes...

Claire: "Ok Phil I apologize for breaking the worlds worst remote...that you bought...stupidly"

eta: I can actually work the stereo,

I'm now listening to the GLEE soundtrack...so all is not lost.

and... all those quotes are from Modern Family. Just in case you didn't know Phil and/or Claire...

♥

2010-02-09T12:41:00.003-05:00

...and it's another snowday...
which I really don't mind except the boys bogard the computer...
and the tv...

Yesterday while the littles were outside playing,
J was playing some war game on the playstation...
online,
so you can hear other people...
(which is all new to me)
there was a baby crying...
so I asked Jared if there was a baby in the war game,
because that just seemed wrong on SO many levels...
no.
it was some guy playing the game...
with his baby.
who was crying.
which made me crazy...
and I commented like 27 times...
finally J said "Mom. I'm not the one with the baby, and that guy can't hear you!"
oh.
true.

still.
What is wrong with people?

Funny story:
Our radio in the truck displays the song title of the song playing...
So I get in the car the other day...
and the radio says "Light On"
Yeah, guess who spent a good few minutes trying to assess which light was on in the truck...
I even checked that the doors were closed.
and then...
realized that I wasn't looking at the dashboard.
it was the radio.
and then I felt super cool.

and least I can say I'm pretty sure we know where Jared gets it from...

ok.
back to card making...
xoxox

2010-02-08T13:42:00.002-05:00

this will just have to be a random post, because I am pretty random these days...

1: fact: I am not a card marker.
One might ask why I decided to make the Valentine cards then...
and...
I would have no answer for this.
I decided just to go very very simple...
However...if you are getting a Valentine from me please note that it is not suppose to arrive in pieces, if it is in fact in pieces, ignore this, and please focus on the thought.
It's the thought that counts, right?!?
(Glitter paper...what the hell was I thinking?!?! besides {I. like. glitter.} I can't get anything to stick to it (like...umm....the photo)...glue makes the actual card warp...and well, it's been fabulous)

2: When your doctor calls you on a Sunday...it's always going to make you vom in your mouth a little. Going to another doctor...and might I add, I am not a fan of doctors,
soooo three in a week is a bit much for me.
Hopefully someone will figure something out....
In the meantime, I still think I will be fine...although clearly currently all is not fine.

3: Today is a snow day.
My boys are home.
The roads are completely clear...but there is snow on the ground.
They were suppose to be done with school May 25th....
I'm guessing come June they will still be in school...at this rate possibly July.
(but I'm enjoying the sleeping in...so I'm not complaining)

4: No jury duty this week. Boo.

5: It's actually good the boys are home today because there is soooo much leftover SuperBowl food, they need to eat it...before I do. (is the SuperBowl not about the food?!? heehee)

ok, I need to go finish up these cards...

I still want to do meal plan monday
however,
that would involve me actually have a meal plan done on monday...
ha.
xoxoxo

2010-02-05T11:49:00.004-05:00

My philosophy is basically this and this is something that I live by and I always have and I always will. Don't ever, for any reason, do anything to anyone for any reason ever, no matter what, no matter where, or who, or who you are with, or, or where you are going, or, or where you've been ...ever. For any reason whatsoever...Sometimes I'll start a sentence and I don't even know where it's going. I just hope I find it along the way. Like an improv conversation. An "improversation." -Michael Scott

Yesterday:
I didn't have to go to jury duty because we have off until monday.
I decided I should stop diagnosing myself because I'm not actually a doctor...
and went to the doctor.
Colten informed me that he hoped the reason
my tummy hurts is because there is "a baby in there"...
While I am not actually a doctor I did know that was in fact not true.
Bought myself new lipstick and nail polish to make myself feel better.
(it totally worked)
Got home and had a package from Tara waiting for me filled with scrapstuff...
I love mail-love.
Picked up the boys.
Went home.
Got a text from Jared that he didn't have soccer (2nd day in a row)
and I needed to leave to get him again...
As we were waiting at the light, a semi turned the corner, and jumped the curb.
Colten "Did that semi just pop the curb? I think it almost tipped"
(it didn't really "almost tip"...but it did that shaky thing)
me "It would have squashed us, huh?! Jack would have been fine on his side of the truck. Hopefully you would have called 911 Jack"
Jack "No, I probably would have panicked....and been like ok 9....now where is the eleven?!?!"
Ha. that cracked me up.
Painted my nails navyblue.
Liked it. a lot.
Frozen pizza for dinner. Mine was rice crust.
(noooo likey that)
Soccer for Colten.
Baseball meeting for the Jack.
Home at 8.
The Office.
Greys.
bed.

Today:
More rain.
Dropped the boys off at school.
Edited some photos.
Might scrapbook.
Might clean.
It's really a want versus need situation.
I will pick up the boys.
Jared has soccer the one day this week it would be nice if he didn't.
4:45 I have an ultrasound.
Fajitas for dinner.
(Fa-GEE-tas I like to say)
I plan on vegging on the sofa with my husband tonight.
(hopefully that's what he has planned)
or....he can take me out on a date.
(I'm not picky)

Tomorrow:
I have to work on ♥ ♥ ♥ Valentines ♥ ♥ ♥
because
they aren't making themselves for some odd reason.
(annoying)
We will run some errands.
(Colin will not be excited about this part)
I will make vinegar glossed chicken from this cookbook for dinner.
(really great cookbook btw)

that is about my show.
Have a lovely weekend friends.
xoxox

ETA: Nooooo worries! Just a pain in my side, and while I'm not a doctor (see above)...I think I'll be fine ♥ xxxxxe

2010-02-04T10:57:00.006-05:00

"The shading is all wrong...I hate it" -Jack
so.
that's Jack's bulldog.

he desires his drawings to look just like "they are suppose to"
which can be difficult when you're only eight,
and it's sometimes hard to make your cursive letters look like "they are suppose to"

I tell him the beautiful thing about being an artist is
that things are "suppose" to look however you want them to look...
there isn't a right,
or a wrong way.

“Artists can color the sky red because they know it's blue. Those of us who aren't artists must color things the way they really are or people might think we're stupid.”
-Jules Feiffer

still.
to him.
they should look like they look in real life.
and it is a sometimes frustrating process.
...
Jack has been checking out "how to draw" books
from the library at school...
how to draw states in fact...
so "how to draw Georgia"
"how to draw Hawaii"
you get the idea.
which is only amusing to me because it also gives Jack facts.
and Jack loves facts.
state birds.
state flowers.
state capitals.
he likes to randomly dole out facts to us...
"Do you know Montana's state flower?"
so to him it's a win-win...
advice on drawing things
and random facts.
perfect.
...
I however
am not a fan of the "how to draws"
but I would never tell him this...
because my focus is not how he "learns"
or what he chooses to draw
or paint...
but just that he draws and paints.
and continues to love it.

happy face...

2010-02-03T17:05:00.002-05:00

ok....
ok....
it wasn't that bad...
dare I say,
It was sort of interesting?
In a law-and-orderish type of way...

fabulousity

2010-02-03T09:07:00.003-05:00

so....
I'm not sure I mentioned how uncomfortable group settings make me...
especially those unknown to me...
but yeah
they do.
which is why I can think of approximately 147 things
I'd rather do right now than go to jury duty
(for the whole month*...might I add)
but that's where I'm going.
(singing baby Jack's song "happy face, happy face...." on repeat)

darn you snow for melting!
we had such a good thing going...
sleeping in...
wearing sweat pants...
sigh.
at least I might get more than 2 books in for the month of February?!

anyway...
that's where I'll be
:)
xoxox
*is that normal? a month? I thought it was a week...?!?

2010-02-02T12:38:00.004-05:00

snowday.
#3.
the boys are joyous to say the least.

so I just wanted to revisit my 2010 goals...and see where I'm at
I know it's only been a month...but it's still good to remember what it is I'm suppose
to be working on...

I would like to learn to knit
this goal is a work in progress...
I now know someone that knits, AND has offered to teach me, so I'm closer...

I would like to learn to sew
this one...nooooo progress.

I want to scrapbook more...at least once a week
this is the one I really want to do and haven't...
I'm going to focus more on this.
Getting a kit from StudioCalico once a month may be the motivation I need....
(hint..hint...Colin...hint...hint)

I want my photos printed. caught up. and in albums
um...yeah, this isn't even close.
let's ignore this one for now...

I want to work on my organization
(specifically in regards to menu planning, preparation and grocery shopping...ick. I'm bad at this) I am actually doing pretty good at this!
I'm getting a menu done...getting to the grocery store is still a hurdle. (not a fan)
but I'm improving!
I think I may even start posting my menu on Mondays like this...
we shall see about that though...
(I am not a fan of making the menu/grocery list/shopping/cooking...but I love seeing what other people are making....crazy, eh?)

I want to take a vacation with my family.
(*a vacation that doesn't constitute staying in a hotel for soccer or baseball)
I may have to accept the fact that all travel this summer for us, may in fact involve soccer and/or baseball. I'm still hopeful, but it doesn't look good...

I'd like to work on getting in better shape.
I would like to also ignore this one for the time being...
I mean I still want to get in better shape...
but I'm not actually doing anything to achieve this goal currently...

next....

I want to read more...1-2 books a month sounds like a reasonable goal.
finally, a goal I'm actually doing!
I read 2 books last month...and I'm almost done with a third.
whew.

I want to draw some
well, I still do...

I want to be more present in the now, and focus less on the future
working hard on this.

I want to be more supportive of my husband's career...even if that means staying here.
I struggle with this one still...not the supportive-ness...the supportive part that involves "even if we stay here"...but I *think* I'm doing better.

I would like to work on being friendlier...even when I don't feel like it...but without being fake.
I've been saying since the first of the year...
"A kinder, gentler me..."
It's my new mantra.

on the subject of kindness...
I love this quote:

"All I ask is one thing. And I'm asking this particularly of young people that watch: please do not be cynical. I hate cynicism. for the record. It's my least favorite quality. It doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you are kind, amazing things will happen" - Conan O'Brien 1-22-2010

and...
I loved this post that Stephanie wrote.

And for the record, I think I've always been kind.
I just come off as distant and "not outwardly nice" in group settings...
like soccer games...etc...
It's more that I'm uncomfortable...
So I'm working on that.
I tell my kids all the time...
"Be nice"
Be nice to each other.
Be nice to those you meet.
Be nice to those you don't really like...
just...be nice.
Kindness does matter.

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle"
-Plato

2010-02-01T13:31:00.004-05:00

if you're having a snowday...
I highly recommend making some cookies to go with that hot chocolate.
these are really good...and they're gluten-free*!
(*if you use GF oats)
when I say gluten free around here
my boys usually say "gross" but not to these...
they loved them.

Oatmeal Jumbos
(from kathy & gabby)

1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup butter
1 & 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 & 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
4 cups quick-cooking rolled oats (GF if you want)
3/4 cups peanuts, walnuts, or pecans (I did not use nuts...my boys are not fans)
1 & 1/2 cup m&ms or chocolate chips
(I used chocolate chips...and I pretty much just dumped the bag in...shhh-hhh...)

Mix.
Bake at 350 degrees.
for 10-12mins.

My boys took 2 and put a little vanilla ice cream between them....YUM!

2010-02-01T13:03:00.010-05:00

on Friday...
the boys squeezed into their waaaay too small boots from when we lived in Ohio.
(2 years ago)
there is a school behind our house with a hill...
so sledding and fort building were had.
and
red cheeks...
and warm baths.

Saturday too...
*hysterical photo of the frozen Jack.Jared even played in the snow with his friends... Big kid style.
(photos from J's friend HannaMay)I stayed inside.
Where it was nice and cozy-warm.

We haven't had anymore snow since Thursday/Friday,
but no plows
means no school...
so my boys are home again today.
Which is good news for me,
because it meant no jury duty...
which I apparently have all month.
(I know...fun, right?)
xox

2010-01-29T15:47:00.002-05:00

power-filled snow-filled snow-day

tonight

pot-roast in the oven

Whip It ready for viewing

me still in my pjs...

2010-01-28T13:40:00.003-05:00

We are expecting some bad weather...
hopefully not like this...
but you never know...

if I'm not around for a little while
well...
that's why.

{no power}

however...
I am hoping for a power-filled ice-free weekend.
and
I'm sure it will be that way

because I actually stocked up this time on
water, milk, and bread...
xoxox

2010-01-28T13:10:00.004-05:00

Colten-
Your eleventh birthday was pretty fun.
Your Dad took the day off of work,
which is pretty unheard of,
so we could come have lunch with you at school.
TacoBell your favorite.
You wore your Titan's jersey and looked pretty cute.
Especially when you blushed.We got slushies from Sonic after school.
Happy Hour.
You got orange.
When we got home you were excited about the decorations.
I knew the Revolutionary War figures would be a hit.
You and Jack played playstation until we had to leave to get Jared from soccer practice.
You don't normally get to play video games on weekdays, but it was your birthday after all.
We got Jared and went to Fujis for dinner.
You had the shrimp hibachi.
You love shrimp.
They sang to you.
You blushed again.
*it was cute again.When we got home you opened presents.
Jack spent his own money and got you a booklight.
That was pretty special.
You got lots of great stuff.
You followed 11 clues to your last present.
It was a PSP.
You were really excited.
Then we had cookie cake.With red frosting.
I am sure you made a good wish.
Don't tell anyone,
but I make the same wish every year.
For a long and happy life with you guys.
Anyway.
I think you had a good day.
You are a great kid Colten.
As always
I feel proud
and lucky to be your mom.
♥

Colten week continues...

2010-01-26T22:46:00.003-05:00

(it's like shark week on Discovery channel, only way cooler...)Jan: I'm returning your call. You said it was urgent?
Michael Scott: It is urgent. I just wanted to call and wish you a happy birthday.
Jan: Today's not my birthday, though.
Michael Scott: Really? 'Cause I thought we had the same birthday.
Jan: (pause) Happy birthday, Michael.

Coley-Oley-Mister-Boboli-Ravioli-Guacamole-Angelina-Jolie
aka: Colten, Coley, Cole, O, Oley...

Like last year some random facts about my middle:

11 facts:
(according to me)
1. No one believes me when I say he's my loudest child. (he's super quiet at school)
2. He will be the first to ask if you're feeling better, or remember it's your birthday...he's extremely thoughtful.
3. He can't stand being late. and by late I mean he'd like to be fifteen minutes early...
4. He has asked me to flip flashcards upside down before...because "it's easier to figure out" that way.
(the dyslexic brain is kind of cool)
5. He always has to wrestle, mess with, hit, kick, or disturb his younger brother when passing by him.
("what? we were playing")
6. He does quite well at school, but isn't a huge fan.
7. He has the BEST eyebrows...they are super expressive.
8. and eyes. they are hazel like his Daddys...his are more brown then green, but change like a chameleon depending on what he wears.
9. Usually questions me when I ask something of him instead of just doing it.
(little frustrating)
10. Loves fashion, and would wear a suit coat daily if I allowed it.
11. Is slightly obsessive about his shoes and his watch. He likes them to be super neat and clean...

11 things Colten likes:
(according to him)
Soccer
PlayStation3
playing outside
hats
TacoBell
my family
the Cavs, the Titans, the Galaxy and the English Nat'l team
Fuji Japanese Steak house
hoodies
my watch
books

11 things Colten doesn't like:
(according to us both)
homework
cheese that isn't melted
the Steelers
ill behaved kids
under armour shoes...they should only make under armour
speech class
handwriting
bedtime
wheat bread
when people here call their snickers bar "sneakers"
when his shoes get messy

Favorite food: pizza
Least favorite food: bluecheese
Favorite drink: rootbeer out of the bottle
Least favorite drink: grape soda
Favorite tv show: Mythbusters
Least favorite tv show: SpongeBob
Favorite book: Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Least favorite book: n/a (doesn't read books he doesn't like)
Favorite hat brand: DC
Least favorite hat brand: n/a (loves pretty much any hat)
Favorite color: red
Least favorite color: yellow
Favorite movie: Get Smart
Least favorite movie: Enchanted
Favorite day of the week: Friday
Least favorite day of the week: Monday
Favorite class: PE
Least favorite class: Social studies
Favorite band: Beastie Boys or GreenDay
Least favorite band: Mylie Cyrus
Favorite state: NC
Least favorite state: AR

we be partying tomorrow...

2010-01-26T20:04:00.004-05:00

foam ball +

mini cupcake liners +

hotglue gun +

MarthaStewartLiving =

funky birthday party decor

Random cOley goodness...

2010-01-25T11:38:00.008-05:00

2010-01-25T09:49:00.002-05:00

pretzel snack writer has a birthday this week...

a very exciting week it is.

2010-01-22T16:54:00.002-05:00

I said:
"I like the block fort you made"

Jack said:
"It's not a fort...it's Puerto Rico's capital building"

2010-01-21T13:19:00.003-05:00

Cameron: "I got all medieval on the florists."
Mitchell: "Cam, I heard you on the phone, you said you were displeased, but that's hardly going medieval."
Cameron: "Excuse me, I said very displeased and I used my cowboy voice."
-Modern Family

In case there was any question:
If you tell a teenager they have to go stand downtown
next to their little brothers
who happen to be sporting matching ts
& flowers are involved...
you will in fact get that look several times.
(and he used his cowboy voice)

Randomness:

I've been a bad blogger lately.
times two.

Jared is taking his drivers test tomorrow.
(How unbelievably insane is that?)

I have nothing planned for dinner.
(that is not insane, that is pretty normal)

I have no idea when we're going to have time to have dinner tonight.

I can't find the boy's vaccination records.
They're here somewhere.
Ok. I maybe made up some dates for J's school physical form this morning.
Whatever...he's had them....
I'm pretty sure...

I'm homeschooling the little boys in the fall if we're still in Arkansas.

Jack would like to be homeschooled now.

I had my teeth cleaned today, and now I have a headache.
(I always get a headache after)

Jared gave himself a black eye by running into the back of his friend's head in the hallway at school the other day...
He said I shouldn't put that on the blog.
Umm...if you give yourself a black eye because you do something silly...
it will always end up on my blog.
(He also refused to let me take a photo...he's no fun in his old age)

Colten's birthday is next week.
11.
Whoa.

I was tempted to make him an 11 shirt.
I refrained.

I sort of wanted to buy him an 11 shirt.
I refrained.

I really want to be funny and add a little Jonas Bros into the party theme...
I'm guessing I will not be able to refrain...

Coley will likely give me the above look.
(and use his cowboy voice with me)

2010-01-19T12:00:00.002-05:00

baseball started...
how about that?!
yeah...
and J is playing varsity soccer...
and Colten is practicing indoors...
so we're gearing up for another crazy spring.
fun crazy.
but still crazy.

this weekend.
lazy.
football.
snacks.
Claire.
(the visit went well, I didn't talk about underpants)
errands.
playing outside.
reading.
Valentine photo taking.
soccer.
baseball.
PS3.
movies.

and then...

yesterday...
I was reminded why I went gluten free.
and what happens when you spend two months chEating...
from about midnight on...
I
thought
I
was
going
to
die.
I didn't.
which is a good thing.
but....Ooooh the pain.
still not feeling great.
Colin is alternating being lovely and nice to me,
and making fun of me...
which is probably best.
because I'm super whiny.
It was good we had the day off yesterday...
so I could pretend the sofa and I were one.
I love our new sofa.
it's comfy...

that's all I've got today...
xox

2010-01-15T10:41:00.002-05:00

I would get more scrapping done if I didn't spend time doing pointless things...
like cutting up paper...
couldn't find the ruler,
but have a love affair with the xacto...
must put. it. down.
(no, I totally didn't use that page)
duh.

So.
The exciting news...
Claire is coming over tonight.
(Jared's girlie friend)

The less exciting news...
I am not allowed to say Claire and Jair
or
Jared and Clared...

I am not allowed to sing "No Claire" to the tune of Jordin Sparks "No Air"...

Tell me how I'm supposed to breathe with no Claire
Can't live, can't breathe with no Claire
It's how I feel whenever you ain't there
There's no Claire, no Claire

Got me out here in the water so deep
Tell me how you gonna be without me
If you ain't here, I just can't breathe
There's no Claire, no Claire

No Claire, Claire...
No Claire, Claire...

Basically.
I am not allowed to be HILARIOUSLY funny.
("Mom...you are not funny")
hmph.
♥
ok.
maybe I'll take one photo...
I will however refrain from
saying Clairebear...
Deal.
Happy weekend friends!
xoxoxox

2010-01-14T11:16:00.002-05:00

True conversation:
Me "J don't you have any soccer stuff to wash?"
Jared "Uh...yeah, I guess...I was just going to throw it back in my bag"
Me "You were just going to wear them again tomorrow?"
J "Uh...yeah"
Me "Even your sliding shorts?!? Jared! That's like wearing your underwear two days in a row!"
J "Yeah..." (as in "yes, and your point?")
Colin "That's my boy"
Me "Please go throw those in the wash right now"...

Boys are so gross...

Some questions/comments to clarify from yesterdays postapalooza...

(btw...totally not out of line)
The boys do fix their breakfast just about every morning...
(Unless I'm making something for everyone...ie the oatmeal)
we have a million boxes of cold cereal they pour and deal with,
yogurt,
bagels
granola bars...
I'm all about it....trust me.

I don't fix them breakfast...
it was more a post about what I'd like...
to fix them something warm and homemade before school...
versus the reality of the mad-dash that is our mornings.
They don't/won't get bacon.
(Unless it's Sunday)
If that makes sense...?!?

onScraps:

I did stitch that title
for fun...I just wanted to try it.
I liked it.
I might try it again...
What I'd really like is to learn to use a sewing machine
so I can sew on layouts...
but I failed at that...
majorly...

Where am I posting my layouts now?
I will probably go back and post them on 2peas...
but you are right...it's not the same.
Scrap In Style...is another option?
I don't know.
Where do people post their layouts now?

and the chocolate fountain will of course have it's own layout...
was there any doubt?!?
xox

Yeah....ok....

2010-01-13T12:11:00.009-05:00

so just a few posts today from me.
I did actually scrap yesterday.
The above layout now has rhinestones and sequins on it...
because apparently it's a pageant girl layout (?!?)
It just needed something...
but I took this photo before I walked away, and came back to it.
Which I tend to do...
the end.

For the love of Oatmeal...

2010-01-13T10:39:00.005-05:00

The fantasy goes something like this:

I wake up at 6am...no alarm needed...
I just love mornings.
I have time to get ready, have some coffee...
I fix the boys something warm and wonderful for breakfast.
I fix their lunches...
bento style...with adorable little strawberry mice
(have you seen those? so darn cute)
The boys wake to the smell of deliciousness coming from the kitchen...
they get dressed, and come to breakfast...
where they leisurely eat (and compliment the chef)
We have plenty of time to brush teeth, fix hair, and put shoes on.
No rushing.
Heck...they even have time to read
or watch a little tv before we have to leave at 7:30.

The reality:
(at least this morning)

Colin wakes me up at 6:50ish...
I have a kicking headache.
I remember I want to try making stovetop oatmeal.
I quick measure the water in the pot and put it on the stove.
I hurry and throw clothes on...
take some Excedrin...
and attempt to make some coffee.
My coffee pot decides for the hundredth time to not work right.
I wake the boys.
Colten comes out to the kitchen to inform me,
he needs a sweatshirt,
and he hates the pants I picked out for him.
I cut up some strawberries for the oatmeal.
I do the same with a banana.
I grind some flaxseed in my old coffee grinder...
which I pray doesn't make the flax taste like coffee.
The boys make their way into the kitchen at 7:15.
Jack doesn't want oatmeal...he wants leftover pancakes.
I nuke the pancakes.
Cole wants to try the oatmeal, but would like pancakes too.
I nuke more pancakes.
I scoop oatmeal into bowls....it's now 7:20.
The boys love the different toppings
and go to the table with bowls full of strawberries,
bananas, honey, brown sugar, & raisins...
Causing Jack to decides he needs oatmeal now too
7:25.
It dawns on me I haven't packed lunches.
(Good grief)
I shove some food into their lunchboxes.
I do pack strawberries...
but sadly, just in tupperware...
no mini-chocolate chip faces and almond sliver ears...
7:28.
Colten is in full on panic because he's going to be "late"...
Jack is still eating.
Colten realizes he forgot to fix his hair and really panics.
Jared announces he will be the only one late.
(like it's a contest and he needs to be the winner)
Jack is still eating.
We finally rush out the door at 7:35ish.
rush.
oh.
and now my kitchen is a complete disaster.Mornings.
They elude me.
I must find some sort of balance between my love of sleep...
and my desire to make the boys bacon for breakfast.
(ooooh....bacon)
Have I mentioned I'm not a morning person?

*One question.
Flaxseed.
Does one store that in the ...Fridge? Freezer? Pantry?
and the leftover ground flaxseed?
Mysterious...but tasty...especially on oatmeal.

Forgot to post this yesterday...

2010-01-12T11:16:00.001-05:00

Last week when we got our quarter inch of snow,
and our snowday...
Tara emailed me some photos of the snow in Canada...
which suffice it to say had us beat.
Snow up to the rooftops...
Which made my boys jealous...
and they were quick to announce they wanted to "move to Canada!"

Jack "I want to move to Canada! They have SNOW...and Canadian bacon!"
Colten "What's Canadian bacon again?"
Jack "Its like the same thing as ham, but it's flimsy"
Colten "hmmm....flimsy ham.....sounds good"

So.
Snow and flimsy ham.
Two very good reasons to move anywhere I think...

2010-01-12T10:19:00.006-05:00

Esther and I are going to be doing a little blog project,
because I really need a second blog...
I'm such a good blogger...
errr...yeah...right...
(read that because I'm crazy)

Anyway...it's sort of an ode to NieNie and the 3191mornings/afternoons/miles apart blog(s)...
Actually when the 3191 morning blog started I thought it was brilliant,and wanted to do something similar...but never quite made it happen.
When I saw Stephanie's blog and it said she was doing it with a friend in Germany...
I thought hmm...I have a very best friend there...
Of course my Essie said heck-to-the-yes before I could even say
what do you think about this.
I love Es.

We made e2e
Which hopefully it will be less about my ramblings...
and more about our photos...
(giving me a good opportunity to work on mine)
Glimpses into our lives
which were once across the street...
and now are across the ocean...
but still connected.
♥
I think it will be kind of neat.
And at the same time I kind of get to do the 365 project....
minus 12....
which will become minus more, because that's how I roll.
I'm so excited!

Ok. I'm off to scrap.
(*gasp!* I know...)
and...
it's breakfast for dinner tonight!
(which means I don't have to cook...Colin is the breakfast chef)
I am in love with this day!