THE GREAT ESCAPE

Usually when the house is quiet, all are sleeping- or trouble is brewing. Sunday morning I went into the bedroom where M'Adam was getting ready for church and sat down to ask a question or two...after a few minutes (maybe 2 or 3) I realized my house was quiet. I ran into the living and found- a wide open front door!! The BOLT had been locked!! I frantically raced outside to find my 1yr old son across the street in a friends yard (no friend present) and my 2yr old son down the street...exploring I guess. I don't think any neighbor missed my yell to 'get back in the house!' Of course, the boys didn't think anything was wrong til that moment and as I scooped up the now scared younger boy he started wailing- which sent the other running. He was lucky he got to the door before me after that. Dang kids. Anyway, I now have a very hideous chain on my front door, thanks to my 2yr old Houdini and his tag-a-long brother!

HELP!!

We need to get out of our Toyota lease... we don't fit anymore! (3 carseats)... I've been letting Spike sit in the middle around town but don't think that's a very cool idea for long.

If anyone one knows of someone who may be interested, we have a little over a year left... the car has done us well and is under miles- let me know!

Thanks everyone!

pick, roll, SICK.

Okay- let's all pretend we don't do that every now and then... truth is we all do. Well, no more for me!!
Today I was cleaning my house finally and I actually got to the floors! YAY! Except I had to keep going over it again and again cuz there were these teeny little bumps around certain areas that we don't eat it... hum... so as I get out my little scrapy thing, I see one of the boys with finger in nose. GROSS. It occurs to me that these little dots are buggers!! Oh, was I grossed out! (I know it's not just the little boys too!) I finished mopping but I am not convinced my floor is clean...even after being lysol'd. I think I need a steam cleaner- and to use it DAILY.

fire? here?

so the other day i am getting ready for church...i have to be on time to pray...and im tired of looking like a bum so i got cute for the occasion. i pick up my siblings (m'adam was already there with the boys) and just as i get to the last turn i see in the distance (300 yards) a firetruck. well, i figured they'd go down the road i was on, so i turned. then as im pulling into the building i notice they ARE following me. no smoke to be seen, i figure that a close by barn is having a rubbish pile fire and lalala my way into a parking spot...then i notice a ton of people loitering outside the building. theres always someone to let you in. and heres the firetruck. so i think, well, there are a few elderly in our ward... and lots of kids to break an arm jumping pews...

nope. from what m'adam heard: 'everybody out!' and CRASH (glass for fire alarm) then BLLLLLIIIIIINNNNNGGGGG, there is a fire. apparently an electical fire in the RS room. well, we wait for word from the leadership as per what will happen. go home. i got all cute for nothing. and i got teased about being too shy to pray in public so i must have prayed for a way out. at least they dont question the power of my faith! hahhaha.

FALL

Around this time of year I often reflect back on childhood... the good parts. Why now? Mostly because my birthday is coming up, and partly because this is the season the good stuff happens!

Apple fest in Juliann Cal. was going on. Yum PIE!

I remember every october we'd look through all our dance costumes from the year and pick the one we'd wear trick-or-treating in Bard.(My favorite treat was Charlie and Elaine Nelson's popcorn bags...oil popped)

My mom would paint our toes with Halloween themed pictures.

It would cool off enough for my mom to bake and me to enjoy outside- I'd lay on the trampoline looking at the sky for HOURS. Maybe even sleep out there!

My Grandfathers' birthdays were also around this time...barbequing in the desert and riding horses was looked forward to all year long!

Picking the PERFECT pumpkin to carve.

There'd be parties at school, trunk-r-treating, by b-day(and my best friend's) and trick-or treating...mostly in the same week...probably why my dentist saw me often.

I'd go hunting with just me and Dad. Usually dove, but we went for quail twice.(this also meant donuts!)

You got chosen for a dance routine in the NUTCRACKER.

And of course, you knew things like fall break, and the rest of the holidays were coming.

I don't know... it all seemed to loosen up and get fun. I am wondering what traditions we should start with the kids... we started seeding for the garden and they LOVED helping (it's dirt right?) We put up a few decorations and the boys each got one in their room. I hope to do jack-o-lanterns soon... too hot to do them too quick.

What can you do but laugh?

Oh... I might go nuts lol!

We have 3 beautiful kids who are full of life! Most of the time they are fun... but sometimes...
I remember being a kid- wondering why my mom seemed to have days where she'd seem not as happy to see kids in the morning. (my sisters and I call these the hair-up days). I have it all figured out now. I simply wake up without patience on occasion. NONE. I don't think anyone thinks those days are fun... wonder what my kids will say in 20 years.

That's all we've been up to really- kids, garden boxes, family coming to see us, blessing Kadin, TRYING to keep a semi-clean home (not working), and my favorite... family nap time!! Anyone who's home gets to sleep lol.

I finally got pictures up yay! They uploaded in 20min- a quick time on this comp- and in reverse order of course.


Mudd Bath


Can you tell how me and M'Adam were raised??

Sweet Moment

Baby Kadin

Like Brothers

My life is...

FULL- We were granted guardianship of two children recently: an almost two year old boy named Talon, and a week old baby girl named Kadin. I don't know how long they will be with us, but we are going to love them as our own for as long as they are. I know, I know... Leeda gets along really well with 'Spike' and baby girl has not yet been released from the hospital. Our second baby (we'll find out what we're having soon) is due in March- so like I said, FULL house!

CRAZY- Spike's b-day is the 8th of Oct.- what do you get a two year old boy?? We are still learning a lot about him, it's funny to see the little quirks he has. Like not wanted to sleep more than a few hours...long nights make for a crazy mommy!! plus, I am really antsy as to when baby girl will get to come home.

BLESSED- This little boy is such a sweetheart. He loves to share with Leeda, and likes to have him around. I know that my own son being independant and Spike being lax is a great advantage. We are also blessed to have so many of our family and friends supporting our decision to help these kids. I know that the Lord had his hand in all of this- the things that led up to and have happened since make it very clear that we are doing the right thing. We are so blessed in Heavenly Father's love.

MESSY- Oh my. My home will never be the same lol. Thank goodness I was too lazy to pack up Leeda's baby things... like bassinette... and that we opted for a 4 bedroom home. Funny how fast they filled up! Oh...any suggestions on where to have the toy box? Bedroom or living room?

EXCITING-I am excited to have these kids... my sister in law has/will have two kids the same ages and gender- yeah cousins!! I am excited for christmas this year, one little boy to love his toys, the other to love the wrapping paper! Leeda has been cutting more teeth- and STEPPING! We'll have two walkers on our hands soon... he is anxious to keep up with Spike! I am finally over most of my sickness and M'Adam is excited to have a little girl to hold...all day. :) (He's also excited to plan a backyard- we'll see how that goes)

So that's us for now- not a lot happened before that. But now that I'll have more to write about- I'll keep you updated :) plus, I have some catch-up pictures of Leeda to post! LOVE!

aaaaaA-TTACK!

ok. so tonight must have been 'attack of the creepy critters' at my house. we all went out for a lovely evening with friends...came back around eh 10ish...and the first thing I see is a big fat spider escaping my footstep. not cool. so I rummage for keys and a large 'moth'? comes kamakazi-ing at me and I duck- to find what has landed on my house is a COCKROACH. ga-ross! so after flying outside with my bottle of RAID handy and living up to my at-home reputation of the bug slayer, I felt better and went outback to feed my dogs (poor dogs-late dinner...at least it's cool out huh?) anyway I get the food, and go to fill the water bucket and something dashes past me. now, there are a lot of lizards out here so I think, big lizard, and go about my business. next thing I know I have a furry little MOUSE starring at me. two things came to mind-yuckydiseaseinfestedvermin. and-cute. so I am back in the house now wondering what's waiting in here to attack me and what to do with our new pet- the field mousey. I kinda hope one of the dogs gets it...cuz I don't want to do the honors, but I even more don't want it getting into the house. (pouting face) sigh. ah the 'country' life. my garden won't grow- but the bats and mice and bugs are of plenty.

okay okay...

so I haven't posted in a while. let me just stick out my tongue.

uh- been outta town... helped my sister move in a matter of days... expecting another sister to move-in!... being sick... chasing my crazy son who is into EVERYTHING(we played with pudding today to keep him away from my stuff- yes pics to come later- I'm lazy today)... sick again blah blah blah.

I'm the worst friend ever cuz two friends have had babies I need to visit (in my defense- no sick babies from me)... I haven't called anyone else... so yes I crawled in a hole and TRIED to die- didn't work and I'm BACK. yay right? anyway... sorry for being out of it with b-day shouts and congrats to all the upcoming babies!!
boy for derrick and laurice
girl for max and stephanie
and ?? for emily or britney and their men.

as for blogging- I'll try to be better.

Sober

For the past few days I have been sobering up from my addiction.
It's a little hard to talk about since most people, even family, don't know that I have one.

For the past several months it has been getting steadily worse- affecting my life and my budget immensly. Cravings rule my day and distract attention from the things I need to do. When I can't get a hit, the withdrawls make my body go numb... like I'm missing air. Nothing is right and nothing sounds good. A colorless, tasteless world.

When I say I'm sobering up... know that it wasn't entirely intentional- I ran out. My good husband has been supporting me through this tough time and I know that I can come out on the clean side... I don't want my addiction to affect my health or family anymore. I won't even tell you how many packs I can go through in one day.

What am I addicted to?



Little Debbie Swiss Rolls...

TEETH

LB has TEETH! his two bottom teeth popped out! I can't believe it...my kid has friggin' "teefs".

a Teeny blog

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Translation:

feed me Im awake now
I like the new bananas mommy got. A LOT,

and I dont want my bottle your cup is funner

Me say: Trouble'sa brewin'

See this ridculously cute little boy? He's going to be trouble. How do I know?

He is funny about sleep. He has started fussing at nap time cuz he only likes to be in a bed. (or the car seat if we're on the go.) When he sleeps by me to nap- he's RIGHT there...a snugly, and here's how sleeping in his own bed goes...

He already puts up a battle royale to get a taste of food. The other day I let him lick my vanilla ice cream- bad idea. He's a little begger, which may turn out to be a little thief in the upcoming months. And no, grandparents and great grandparents, he doesn't get all he begs for! (by the way I think begging for soda is in the blood!)

I get this charming smile when he gets into something...

How he got the socks out of the basket- I have know idea... no one else was home but the two of us! And apparently... socks are guuuddde!

No matter how I lay him in the living room, he always ends up facing the boob tube. That's bad I know- but how can I stop it? If I turn the TV off, I can't get anything done...he scoots so fast! (by the way he's trying to crawl...) I have to watch him like a hawk already... he LOOKS too little to be mischiefy, but looks are deceiving.

And lastly... he's just funny. I was doing yoga and he weasled me off the mat... to sleep. I don't have a pic, but yesterday I gave him a bottle (he can hold them now) and he inched the blanket that was on him to prop the bottle so he didn't have to hold it...

I'm sorry. I know I'm becoming 'one of THOSE moms' but I really haven't been up to much else. Little is my life!

OH! We did take him on his first campout. It rained. It was windy. He was a real trooper and never cried or got upset, he was happy as could be in the tent with daddy even with the scary rain.

Twilight

I'm sure most of you have read or heard of this book series...which I decided to read to prove how silly it was- I didn't like Bella's attitude...but liked it enough to see how it ended. Now, in no way was I CRAZY about this book. But I knew a lot of people who were... in fact, one family member bought out a theater to see the movie, and another took her kids to the midnight showing! I never did see the movie while in theaters. Mostly because while talking to a friend I was told that they didn't stay as true to the book as I would have hoped. (for time's sake I guess...) and when I saw who they'd cast as actors I was a tad disappointed in a few choices.

Well after all the rave I decided I'd see the movie when it came out, and my husband and I jokingly decided I should go at midnight to walmart to get it. (I also did this with batman) THERE WAS A LINE! A billion teens stood in line for this movie, and since I've never really done so for anything, I decided to join in- knowing walmart surely wouldn't run out of the film. An hour later after hearing all sorts of feedback I purchased my copy and headed home a little flabbergasted. I couldn't think of many things that were that trendy in my day that I actually bought into... maybe a boy band or too... but this was like T-shirts and jewelry and all kinds of swag... I am amazed still at how much money a few parents ahead of me dropped on twilight crap for their kids!

Anyway- I had to find out if it was the rave as soon as I got home... and I had one thought: would I have known what was going on if I hadn't read it? I mean they never even introduced the names of 1/2 the friends...or more about his family... am I thinking of later book material?? Idk.
Either way...

Oh. and another funny thing. You know how you really don't know how you sound to everyone else? Well during the movie, I mentioned that Bella had a non-femine voice, to which my sister and husband looked at each other and started laughing. Thanks. I guess I have a dude voice. Lol.

encore!

Teeny and his million dollar smile

I found him napping like this the other day... nice. he looks like he's either praying... or completely sobbing: punished. when I tried to move his arms, he didn't have that, he stayed that way for the whole 4 hour nap!


one of my favs... he's in the middle of a cute conversation.
"ungh" is the most often heard... that and a squeal!

here ya go.

I've gotten quite an earful about not posting enough pics... here are some random pics of Little Boy! hehe

He's such a happy baby... he giggles all the time now!

when we get up in the morning, he waits on the couch for 'breakfast'... this is how I usually find him, he likes to lounge.

"UGH."- he has that worn out look. cute little man!

and this is just the sweet innocent face I get when he's tired!

how could you not love that face?

We love you "leeda"!

grunt. (a ticked off tuesday moment)

Ok. So here's my adventures for the week so far-

M'Adam is out of town :( so I've had to take over project: BACK LAWN. I'm outside a lot these days... getting wet.
I try to walk the dogs everyday, or every other day or at least let them out to run in the large part of the yard... but with my honey gone, and grass down that you can't walk on, I didn't quite know how a walk was going to get pulled off...the dogs can be a handful alone, and having to use one hand to guide the stoller seemed impossible. Normally one of us takes the stroller (LB hates the "snugli") and the other both dogs, or he'll just stay home with LB. So today, after chickening out yesterday, I decided I'd better big girl up and do it... poor dogs. So I go out after getting LB ready and sitting in the stoller on the side of the house to get the dogs who are very excited to see me. I go into the pen, leash one and while I'm leashing the other- the first dog jumps on me (a habit we're trying to break him of) and knocks me off balance. I land on BOTH dogs in the mud and the only part of me that doesn't hit dog, is the butt cheek with my cellphone in the pocket of, ready to break my fall... I think the implant is still there. Anyway I try to keep my cool REALLY glad I'd decided not to put LB in the hated snugli (it's like a kid front pack), but the dang dog jumps on me again as soon as I got up- so my feet went flying in circles, kicking at anything close enough to get hit (neither dog, but the kennel and gate) apparently that was all I had to do, look nuts, cuz they were practically perfect for the rest of the walk...strangers included. Beasts. Oh yeah- I need a new cell phone.
AND I rented Beowulf. I didn't like it. The whole computer thing threw me off...was I watching people or Shrek? If you have the actors anyway...why waste the movie with creepy computer crap?


I know I know pictures. I'll post a billion in a few days- honest.

I'm becoming my father...

my dad used to take me out to the farm a lot to 'help'... yeah- like picking snails off orange trees, or supervising the truck. YAY. lol - He always had an UGLY straw hat of some sort, which was in likeness to the one HIS father wore on the farm, and big sun glasses.
when M'Adam and I decided to work on the yard, I thought we needed some trees...so a few valencia orange trees came home (hardest to kill, sweetest juice). I also got a plum tree and started a few seedlings of everything from corn, to lettuce, onions and melons...I can't wait! well, M'Adam buys me this gardening hat... really funny straw thing...and as I was out watering and cultivating my 'crops' with bare feet and ugly hat I thought "CRAP". I'm becoming my father.

Love you Dad!!

wow.

Ok I'm getting really bad at blogging!!
What have we been up to?

Well, the beginning of the month- I don't remember.
Valentine's weekend we left Little Boy for the first time :( to go camping outside of Florence. Good thing we left him- we woke up from our bedrolls to FROST on everything!!

As well as his first sleep over, LB had his first horse ride, tractor ride and moto ride recently too. and he's huge. I weighed 10 lbs at his age. HE'S 16!

We adopted a new dog, M'Adam was really missing the one that left. So we went down to the pound and found a lab/pix that he loves! We named him George.

I got 'labyrinthitis'. not a joke. It was kinda funny actually, cuz I was walking to the right and slanting and stuff...felt like post-bad fair ride. That kept me at home a few days.
At the same time as that, M'Adam got flashburn from welding...so he was practically blind for two days. Poor LB didn't get much play time.

We're now trying to work on our yards. M'Adam got a new lawnmower (our current grass is like bean shaped nothing in the front!) and I got a little tree and some garden seeds- YEAH!

M'Adam's b-day was on the 25th. He's an old man. :)
(everyone else had their birthday this month to- so happy birthday all of you!)

Gee, it doesn't sound like we're up to much but I'm always busy.

shoot.

well, M'Adam and I went out and got a few things that depend on how good a shot you are. 2 rifles and a camera. :) we got me an AK47 (I look pretty beastly holding it) and he got an AR15... then we got a Nikon D60. it takes AWESOME pictures and I love it... but I'll have to post pics later. sorry- I've just been too busy to blog!

we've been up to:
-organizing the house (still)
-blessing the baby
-a wedding (lots of family in town)
-and a bunch of nothing that takes too much time!

my mom laughs at me cuz for a stay-at-home mom, I'm never there. always running here and there blah blah. I know stuff will simmer down eventually... in a good 25 years lol. but I had to come let everyone know we were alive still, and I have a few b-day shout-outs I'm late on so happy birthday January!! hopefully I'll be more on the ball next month, 'specially since there are a million February b-days!!

Do we do resolutions?

uh- I haven't ever really made a New Year's resolution... goals yes, but most didn't pan out. And since I didn't have anyone to jump the couch for (to get them married this year-most of my friends would cry) I just left it at that.
As almost an after-thought, M'Adam and I decided that we'd each pick 2 areas of our life that we wanted to improve... no set goals- therefore we didn't set ourselves up to fail. :) He picked health and strength, and I picked mental and spiritual. I thought it funny later that neither of us mentioned financial...which we BOTH worry over sometimes. But anyway- I've been working out with my sister in-law for 2 weeks now and trying to cook healthier meals. Today it dawned on me that those where M'ADAM'S areas- hmmm. And would you know he's doing better with the mental and spiritual? Ironic. I am befuddled as to why we both seemed to ignore our own catagories as far...but it makes me feel like we're truly best friends, and capable of being a team-mate for each other when I really consider it. I know I sure wasn't caring to workout before...and didn't pick my catagories based on "our" needs but my own. But I love the support from my huney to better ourselves in all 4 areas together, and I can't wait to show off my rockin' post baby body- when I get it! :)

So cute!

My sweet boy... he likes to be sitting up, and blowing bubbles... goof ball. He thinks he's a big kid and has to be included. He likes to go everywhere with us- easy baby! Just a happy happy boy!

Blog at last...

Well! We have had a pretty busy month with moving, family get-togethers and all that other holiday stuff. I'm working on not being crazy anymore! Everyone has requested new pictures of the little- so here he is. He's HUGE! He weighs like 15 lbs now. Bigger boy. M'Adam calls him 'LB' for little boy (pronounced lee-da boy)...

Shooting. We recently got new rifles, just in case they are hard to come by after the new President is in office- obviously, we got some sweet gear too! Funny thing is that he never got scared...all boy.

This was while we were moving... see the 'tude?? He's so cool. (I remember as a kid thinking how cool I was...too bad)

This is my fabulous new kitchen...I had to make cookies the other day to celebrate it being clean (pretty much the best cookies I've ever made too!) We really like our new home- I'll post more pics when it's all purty and organized!

On a sad note, we lost 2 dogs on New Year's Eve. We had 3 at our home, Loretta (my littlest sister's dog), Otto (below) and Dolci. I didn't notice they had escaped our yard until about 2 am when Dolci returned. We've spent time looking all over and posted pics and descriptions and despite them both being tagged, we haven't heard a thing. I felt so bad for my sister and M'Adam, as Otto was 'his' dog.

M'Adam doubts we'll ever see Otto again, since he's a cute dog. So I thought I would post a pic and say what a sweet, hyper, loving fetch mate he was to M'Adam. Despite his chewing and whining at birds, we really did like that little dog.