Praise The Lawd! Hallelujah!

I came in from walking this morning and Lydia comes running out of the bathroom.

"Where's mommy?"

upon spotting me

"Mommy mommy! I found Jesus!"

and to find him in the bathroom of all places.

Confession!!

The other day while I was reading my chilens this I couldn't hold back my tears. I am so serious. I busted up crying (I'm talkin ugly cry, tears rolling, can't speak, face all contorted, ugly) as Horton fought so hard to help the speck be heard and the speck fought so hard to be heard. "We are HERE! We are HERE! We are HERE!!" So touching and really, a person IS a person no matter how small.

We Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled WHINE Fest For . . .

A beautiful morning!

What A Horrible Horrible Week!!

This week was the worst week thus far.

Caleb decided to get the flu (at least that is what it is feeling like) and it is being passed around.
On top of which our Landlord decided to redo our kitchen cabinets so we went without a kitchen for 2 days. We had to keep the kids confined to only half the house to keep them out of the way.
On top of which when the kitchen was finished and we started to reload it with all of our stuff we found that about half of stuff doesn't fit well in the cupboards. The shelves are all short and squaty. Imagine going to put away a regular size box of Ritz crackers and because the shelves are all squaty the box can't even stand upright.
On top of which the new stove that they put in has the knobs where the kids can reach them. I let the kids explore the kitchen when they were done and I stepped out of the room for two seconds I come back in and Caleb has the oven turned on.
On top of which my children's brains are most likely fried from watching too much TV because I don't have the strength to do anything else. (bad bad mommy!)
On top of which I've had to cancel on Lindsay twice and it looks like it's going to be a third because I can't hardly breath. (I'm not really this flaky Lindsay).
On top of which all of my 2009 goals have been tossed out the window this week because of all this. (and it will only be for this week).
On top of which all of the sickness and kitchen mess has put me behind on my homework.
On top of which I'm blogging when I should be doing my homework or sleeping.
On top of which . . . . . . . I feel wretched.

Random Lydia

The other day I was in the bathroom getting ready for the day and Lydia runs up to the door, begins to bang on it and say "Mommy, Mommy! I need to go potty! Hurry hurry!" This was my reply, "Okay, okay hold your horses."
Then I hear her little feet run into her bedroom. I came out just as she was running back out of her room.
"Okay mommy, I got my horses."


Now how can I ignore logic like that?

It's Almost February, Time For A New Years Post!

Whether you call them resolutions, goals, those pesky after thoughts that always get on your case when you've just downed a sweet treat, whatever I've got 'em. I've got 'em up the wazoo! What's a wazoo you ask? Hey, don't distract me I'm trying to tell you something. You know I'm easily distrac . . . oh, what's that? Shiny.

Feast . . .
I know what you're thinking "Um are you sure you haven't achieved this one already?" Yes it is true that I am a little rotund physically but spiritually I'm a gangly creature. What's the best way to plump up spiritually? By feasting on the good word and that word is not chocolate.

Get Fit To Get Fat . . .
Now I'll let you figure that one out on your own. But I do need to lose a few (cough cough . . . a lot . . . cough cough) lbs. I've been searching craigslist for weeks now trying to find a cheap treadmill but since everyone and their mother have this resolution on their list these babies are getting snapped up faster than you can say "Run Forrest Run!" So if any of you know of any prospects for me . . . well then . . . Do I really need to finish that sentence? Okay, then send them my way.

Reach Out . . .
I am a very stubborn person. "I can do it on my own, I don't need anyone to help me." That's the kinda person I am. That can be good but also not so. I tend to not ask for help even when I need it and sometimes going it alone is the worst thing I could do. I want to reach out more to people for help or for general friendship and with that I also want offer my help to all of you gorgeous gals. For whatever it's worth, if you ever need anything I will do my best to help you, unless it has to do with public speaking then I'll have to act like I don't know who you are.

Build The Dream . . .
Today I received something in the mail that just made my day and helped me visualize my dream and make it a little more real. It was so great, I might actually frame it. Huh, there's an idea.

Ahhhh, Refreshing . . .
I need to drink more water. I really do. I know the benefits and health reasons to drink water but I just can't stand the taste. Do any of you have any suggestions?

On Time In 2009 . . .
Whoa! Sorry, I didn't know you were drinking something then. I'll give you a second to wipe off your computer screens.

And there you have it.
What are some of yours?

New Years Can Wait!

I've been meaning to post about Christmas for a few days but the procrastinator in me kept saying, Not yet! Not yet! So I said, Okay procrastinator. So here I sit, at the close of another New Years day writing about our Christmas Holiday.

It started with our hurried escape from Colorado. After looking at the weather we decided to leave a day earlier than we had planned and so in a frenzy we rushed to pack for eight days and nights of Utah fun and still make it to the Stake Christmas fireside.


Our drive to Utah was butt clenching. To much information? Oh, okay, it was nail biting, white knuckle driving, and scary in spots. One of our, ahem, nail biting experiences we were driving behind a dodge truck (a little too closely) and he decided to switch lanes and pass a row of diesels. We had not been prepared to all of a sudden see the back of a diesel fill our wind shield view and so the brakes were applied which started us fish tailing. Not being able to stop in time we decided to pass the row of diesels, fish tailing the entire way. Coming up on the first we headed for his bumper and nearly kissed it then switching directions we were heading straight for the guard rail. Passing the second diesel we almost pulled a Clark Griswold but instead at the last second we choose to go over and talk to the guard rail again. Finally passing the third and last diesel we evened out and the butt clenching, uh I mean nail biting was over.


We made it safely and we were able to spend plenty of time (but not enough for me) with family. My Grandma Jackie and her hubby Floyd hosted their annual Christmas Eve party. The kids did their talent show and wowed us with their wonderfulness. At one point Grandma Jackie asked who was next and Lydia piped up and said "Me! Me!" She went to the piano, positioned herself soundly on the bench, and played a little medley. I was very proud of her moxie and I can honestly say that she doesn't get any of her unabashed bravery from me. Here are all the cousins. Let's count them together. Ready?


We spent Christmas morning with my parents and the kids enjoyed all of the mayhem. I got so caught up with handing out presents that I accidentally gave Lydia one of my dad's to open. (Sorry Dad). Imagine her amazement when she unwrapped her brand new clothes steamer! Just the right present for a 3 year old.


Our drive home was much different and much more relaxing and very uneventful. I love boring car trips. They're my favorite.


This morning we had our very own little Christmas replay and opened the Colorado presents. Bet you didn't know such things existed but they do.



I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. I'm not ready to ring in the New Year, maybe next week. Not yet! Not yet!

Too Funny And Yet Too True

Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday!

Today, on this auspicious day, is my little girl's 3rd birthday. Today 3 years ago the most beautiful girl ever was born. She is a constant surprise and sometimes when I look at her I can't believe that I love her sooo much and we haven't known each other that long.


We celebrated her day on Saturday and I am so thankful for the family that came and helped us celebrate as well. Lydia was excited for her special day. Ever since Caleb had his birthday she has wanted it to be hers. Caleb received cards in the mail on his birthday and since then whenever she is with me when I get the mail she asks me "Is that my birthday?" It was a little heart breaking when I had to tell her no but one day we got the mail and there were two cards for her and she asked "Is that my birthday? Is that for me?" And I was happy to say "YES!"




I have to give Kevin a lot of thanks and the credit for the party. I had school that day from 10:30 until 4:00 and so he was home dealing with the kids and baking a cake (cuz he knew I was comin) and putting up decorations and just being a wonderful hubby and daddy.

Weekend Workings

Last weekend I was able to start and semi finish a project for Lydia's birthday.


I found this (along with Lydia's Christmas present) on the most beloved craig's list for a grand total of $20. I was very hesitant about painting it because well, I'm always afraid of painting something that has history. Notice the newspaper? Those were Black Friday ads. Ahhh, they served me well.

Here is the after:



I would have posted it sooner but with all of Lydia's internet surfing I couldn't chance that she would stumble upon my post and then ruin the surprise. I'm only thinking practically.

I Think I Need Blogaholics Annonymous

I'm not really one of those people who is the life of the party. (I know, it's shocking. With my winning personality? How could that be?) After saying that it almost goes without saying that I have few social contacts. (And now you are all completely disillusioned about me.) And so I have turned to blogs to take up my socially free calender. Blogs have replaced books during these school months. They are easy reads. They inspire me, make me laugh and cry, they give me ideas to pirate and take for myself (Lindsay, I've got my eye on those leg warmers). I read design blogs, about children blogs, friend's blogs, and photography blogs. Well I think that I have now gone overboard for now my total count of the blogs that I follow is . . .

Wait for it . . .

Wait for it . . .

145!!

Staggering and a little sad.

You may now pitty me, I give you permission.

Go Towards the Light!

I can see it. It's getting closer now. I can feel the freedom coming. Can you?

THE SEMESTER IS ALMOST OVER!!!!

I am sitting at the computer, obviously not doing homework, craving that feeling of having no looming homework due. Of course before I can get there I have to write a discussion for history, a paper for my ECE class, a 10 page research paper for history, pictures for my portfolio, pictures of night, pictures of lines, and make a cover for a food magazine.

Oh dang, the light just jumped back 55.784 feet.

I need a break, and soon. My teachers are great, they decided that having a break for Thanksgiving was over rated and that we were all sane enough to work straight through. Oh boy, do they not know me.

I'm really looking forward to getting my creativity back. I feel like it has been sucked dry, drained, vaporized, disintegrated, obliterated, okay I guess you get the picture. I need my creative juices back.

We didn't do anything terribly exciting for Thanksgiving. Kevin's lovely Aunt and Uncle had us over along with Kevin's parents, brother, sister, another uncle, and a cousin. Kevin had to work so we weren't able to stay very long. Lydia had a blast, she always does when there is family around.

On a totally unrelated note Lydia is now officially potty trained! Hooray!

I am getting really excited for Christmas because we are staying a whole week in Utah and I get to see my mommy and daddy and brothers and sisters. I love my family! Every single one of them. Well, except for . . . ha, gotcha! See? Creative juices. Gone. Ah, I'm pathetic.

My Thankfuls

-for my husband -for my chillens -for my family who loves me even though I'm me -for my Savior and My Father -for my faith -for my life -for raspberry filled doughnuts -for generosity and kindness -for a washer and dryer -for sharp knives -for sharp wit -for chances, firsts and seconds -for believing -for sales and coupons and clearance -for creativity -for modern medicine -for books -for my camera -for DIY -for post-it notes -for forgiveness -for favorite pens -for make-up (used in bucket loads) -for inspiration -for mentors -for forethought -for prophets -for teachers -for great teachers -for lists -for crying -for laughter -for happy

Happy Anniversary and Midnight Pie

To celebrate our wonderful 4 years of marriage I decided to surprise Kevin with midnight pie by candle light. How romantic! He had to work and he doesn't get home until the wee midnight hour. Of course this totally flies in the face of our 'wanting to go to bed at a reasonable hour' goal (we are night owls, at least I am, and Kevin just likes my company) but I figured that it was a special occasion and I reasoned my way out of going to bed at 10:00 . . . ish. On the menu:
1 lrg. supreme pizza pie
2 hostess cherry pies
and a little "mormon" bub lee

Since we've been married 4 years here are my four reasons why I married Kevin (I couldn't tell you why he married me because I haven't figured it out yet):

4. I knew that he was the ONLY man out there that could (or would) put up with all of my drama. And any man that found out that I was a nut bag and still wanted to marry me is the man for me.
3. Even though I complain about this one sometimes I still love it about him. He is a doer. Plain and simple, he has to be doing something and usually that something is helping. So even though there are times I wish he would just STOP and listen to Frankie, any man that is a doer is the man for me.
2. After an Institute activity one evening (while we were dating) we were helping to clean up and Kevin got the vacuum and started vacuuming. After a few minutes he pretended to get tangled in the cord and kept tripping over it and made a cute fool out of himself, all so he could see me smile. Any man that would go to so much trouble to make me exercise my face muscles is the man for me.
1. And I hope this is the most obvious one. Because I love him. I love him deeper than the ocean, wider than my thighs, stronger than the mountains, and harder than my head. Any man that can elicit this kind of love from me is the man for me.

Thank you for four amazingly fantastical, wonderful, enchanted, hilarious, maddening, lovable years. You are my one and only, you are my favorite and my best, you are the one who keeps me going, and I will never stop loving you.

I'm A Bully Like That

Today, Lydia got a hold of my purse and started rifling through it (looking for some green backs I've no doubt). She pulled out this little card that I'd forgotten that I had in there. I was given it while walking around Estes a month back. Some lady just walked up and handed me the card and wished me a happy day. I saw that she had a whole stack of them so I didn't think much of it and I threw it in my purse and (can you guess what I did?) I forgot about it (wow, you're good. how did you know I was going to say that?) So I took some time and sat down and read what it actually said . . .

and then . . .

I cried.

I know I come off as an emotionless cyborg but there is a heart in me . . . somewhere I'm sure.

Because I love and respect all of you ladies (and I only say ladies cause let's face it, what male is going to read this blog?) and because I'm a bully and I want to make you cry too I'd like to share these words with you.

Dear God,
The lady reading this
is beautiful, classy, &
strong and
I love her.
Help her live her life to
the fullest.
Please promote her and
cause her to excel above
expectations.
Help her to shine in
darkest places and love
where it is impossible to
love.
Protect her at all times,
lift her up when she needs
you the most and let her
know that when
she walks with you;
She will always be safe.

I Finally Figured It Out!

For the longest time I've admired a certain style of photography. I just think that it is so beautiful. It's not for everyone. It's called high key. I finally figured out how to edit my photos to fit this style. Here is an example:

Before

After

This is my first attempt. Now if I could only get this result SOOC (straight out of the camera).

Who Knew. . .

. . .that hitting the couch could be soooooooo hilarious?

Poser

This last weekend the kids and Kevin went out with me so I could get some pics for my Photog class and to scout out sites for future "shoots". We stopped at this abandoned cafe along the way and I was able to pop some shots of the kids. There is some focusing issues but I'm gonna work on it.

Passover

When the Israelites were slaves to the Egyptians, Moses came to tell Pharaoh to "Let my people go!" When Pharaoh refused Moses, through the power of God, unleashed plague upon plague onto the people of Egypt. And even after all of the sufferings of his people Pharaoh still refused to "Let my people go!" With that last refusal came the last and final plague. The Angel of Death visited every house hold in Egypt to take the life of the first born. But for one loop hole; every household that slathered their doors with sacrificial lamb's blood the angel would pass by or Passover.

This is what I've been reduced to to keep the Angel of Death (the Vote Now or Die people) away from my door. Okay, so they don't really say that I will die if I don't vote and I am being overly dramatic when I call them "the Angel of Death" but they are rather annoying.



Every single day it's:
Knock knock knock (or worse) ding dong (this wakes up the kids.)
"Hi, I just wanted to encourage you to get out and vote and remind you to cast your vote on November 4th. Have you or do you plan on voting?" (One girl in particular had on a rather "colorful" shirt that told me to "Vote F*****" I'll let you venture a guess as to what it said.)
"Yes, we've voted already thanks."
"Has everyone in your house who is eligible voted?"
"Yes."
"Who did you vote for?"
"That's kind of personal." (I don't know you! Why on earth would I tell you who I voted for?)
"Oh, well I have some information on Obama if you'd like." (So far no McCain people have stopped by or any other candidate's people for that matter.)
"That's okay, thank you."
"Okay, bye."

BYE!

My New Best Friend

During my hiatus into paper he. . . Whoa! Was I really going to say that? Naw. Anyway, back to the point. While I was being distracted by school work I met my new best friend.


Yes, she is pretty isn't she. We met at Walmart of all places and for $12.99 we have formed a friendship that will endure for as long as she slices and dices.
I love my new friend. She cuts through everything very nicely. She cuts through everything like butter, no that's not right, like butta.
Apples - butta
Cantaloupe - butta
Ham Steak - butta
Raw Chicken - butta
My fingers - butta What? I was just too excited to use my knife and those stubby little digits got in my way.
Butter - well she cut through butter like margarine but that's close enough.
Of course I am sure that there are better knives out there. Based on some sage advice I was going to splurge for one of theses:
but with a difference of about $67 majolies I am very happy with my frugal friend.