When No News is Good News

Remember that basket of lemons I was dealing with? (Just go one post older if not.) Well, I guess in this case no news has been good news.

So far, with baby Jellybeans, all is back to normal. It has been two and half weeks since her last bout of fevers. All blood tests came back normal as well this last round. So either we will never know what happened these last couple of months, or we play the waiting game until another spike of fevers runs. I prefer the not knowing options, as it is fine with me if she never gets another fever all together! ;)

As for my laptop...please join me for a moment of silence....

....

.....

Okay, that was long enough. Yes, it is dead. But barring any more casualties of parenthood, we have figured out a way to get me another one. It might take another few weeks, but I have never been so grateful for the use of a computer as I have been now during our time of trial.

I am shocked at how much I have learned to rely on the world wide web as my biggest source of connection! With a bit of luck, soon I will be coming back from computer-Timbuktu.

Trying to Make Lemonade

You know the saying. Life is crazy here right now.

Uncertain health issues have developed with Jelly Beans. For the past couple of months she has been having fevers that can get up to almost 106 degrees. Yeah, not good especially since she is only 14 months old. The Doc also discovered a heart murmur during the last check up as well. I am trying not to worry to much, because really what will that accomplish. But if you know me, I am doing quite the opposite. "Worst Scenario" keeps running through my mind. And believe me I have a very productive imagination.

Friday, we will know more. We tortured her with x-rays and blood draws over the long weekend. I think she and I are both traumatized from those. I just want to pick her up and make everything all better and I can't. This is out of my control.

Seeing as I do so well, with lack of control, *coughs*. Well I can think I do, right? I have lost a serious outlet, my computer. It sits on my desk in shambles from some work done on it in hopes that Mister could recover the last two and half years of my life. I think we are going to need professional help. Ahhhhh, all my photos. Okay I am not thinking about it right now.

Onto the Lemonade portion. Birthdays galore at our house this week. Girly is 8 two days ago and Darling Boy is now 6! I have been baking cakes like I own a bakery around here or something. I will post pictures when feasible.

So that is what I am trying to focus on right now. Spending happy moments with the kiddlie-winks and not think about the big fat nasy basket of preverbial lemons residing in our house.

A Decade Gone By

Yep, there we are a decade and a day ago on our wedding day. It doesn't seem that long, honestly. But it has to have been since my oldest is almost 8. Another weirdness for another post.


Aren't we cute? I remember it being a sweltering 105 degrees, which oddly enough I now find quite pleasant after spending the last three years in an inferno, a.k.a. Arizona.

It all happened because I had the desire to learn to swing dance. Those pesky singles activities. At 18 which I don't recommend as a good age for being wed, and hope that my daughters will be at least 20 before such craziness ensues, but it was the right time for us. At 18, I had goals, baby! Big ones. I was headed places to do things, learn things, and get an art degree and travel to be inspired by all the Greats of the art community. And there he was, tall (6' 7"), eyes the color of the Caribbean ocean, and so very strong.

Oh, sure things started out innocently enough at first. We were just friends. Then good* friends, then DTR (determine the relationship) friends, then fiances. I couldn't resist his gentlemanly charm and his goofiness. If anyone can make me laugh when I feel the worst it is Mister. He adores me and I like it that way.

A lot happens in 10 years, specifically speaking, four kids, moving five times, and developing a new career changes everything! I never imagined I would be in Arizona homeschooling four kids, helping my hubby get through nursing school. But I am so grateful to be in the life that I have. It is more than I could have ever imagined in all my dreaming and scheming a decade ago.

Stressful? Beyond belief!

Worth it? Absolutely!

*There is a funny story to this. Mister wasn't sure if we were boyfriend-girlfriend yet, even though we had been dating exclusively for about three weeks now. So at a mission reunion he started to introduce me as his girlfriend but ended up saying, "Gir-oodfriend". LOL That is why I was never his girlfriend, just a goodfriend. :)

What If...

this is hanging on the shower curtain rod:


and my creative brain won't turn off, which makes my hand itch for a paint brush:


and then put it in its rightful place:

There! Isn't that much better? That shelf was uber-boring and now...well I think it speaks for itself.

Here is also one more tulip ditty because, well it is my blog, and cause I like to share. ;)

Paint Much?

Well, lately I have been. I found a novel medium: watercolor crayons.

The kids and I have been experimenting with them for a few days now. I actually would not recommend these for kids, because you do have to be pretty precise with the actual "painting" part. Otherwise everything turns brown. Here are a few of the quickies I did to pass our summer seclusion this week so far. ( I apologize in advance for the really dim lighting. That was the brightest natural light I could find. Our windows are ''special" with extra tint on the outside.)





Not bad for only a couple of hours each. This last one also has been outlined and drawn with charcoal. I was going for a modern looking stained glass effect. Could be awful cute in some girls rooms don't you think?

**Update** The water color crayons are Faber-Castell and they are good for older kids. My 5 and 7 year old with a little practice have been able to make some paintings without the browning effect.

Watch Out for Wiles.

Scully, tagged me for with this little gem of a meme. Here's the rules...no cheating. ;)

1. Grab the nearest book. If you are currently reading something, that'll be fine too.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next 4 sentences on your Blog along with these instructions.
5. Don't you dare dig for that "cool" or "intellectual" book in your closet I know that is what you were thinking!
6. Tag 5 people.

I am, to my embarrassment, currently in a good book reading drought, not by lack of options, but lack of enthusiasm for my sweltering car that takes me to the library. But what I did have near turned out to be quite fitting. I taught the lesson this month in the parenting class so it was still sitting out by my computer as I realized I should go back and reread the first three chapters but that is a whole other post in itself. Our book is:

The Power of Positive Parenting, by Dr. Glenn Latham, pg 123, sentences 5-8:

"It is important to keep in mind that the kind of calm, objective responding illustrated here (and elsewhere) between father and a son must be the same between a father and a daughter. We know for a fact that girls can typically get their way and out of trouble and responsibility much easier than boys. Crying, being coy, and making verbal promises that are honey-sweet are all well known devices daughters can use to get their way and to escape the unplaeasant consequences of their behavior. Fathers, particularly, must gaurd against caving in to such wiles."

The girly part of me wants to deny such claims! But really Dads and all men, wiles happen.

I will also leave the tagging open to whomever would like to have a go at it. Enjoy!

Summer Fun

This summer all bets are off! The kids and I are taking a muchly needed break from school and all other such things. We have been experiencing burn out, not just the kids, but me too! I think that we have been pushing a little hard in efforts for next summer's crazy adventures with graduation, moving, and settling in a new location. So between a smidgen of belated spring cleaning and reorganization around our house to spruce up our home, we have been hanging out the laundry for that oh-so-summer-fresh scent that I dream of all winter long.

Hmmmmmm.

Anyway the kids decided to surprise me one afternoon with taking down the laundry from our Ikea pop-up, foldable laundry thingies that I had brought in earlier but hadn't managed to get to yet. They made up a new game, that would rival the three amigos. Behold the Cactus Kids.


"Watch out! Were thorny, Mom!" As they poked each other and folded/mangled our crunchy dry clothes. At least I got a fluff cycle. Just didn't know it would come from the kids.
Here's Jelly Bean coming to wrangle in the fun.

Back from Vacation...a.k.a. Back to Reality

Taking off for over a week and half was delightfully exhausting. The quick summer break between semesters was well spent visiting family in various locations across the west. Between cousin sleepovers, movie marathons, and wii tournaments for the kids, girls night-out, guys night-out, staying up to the wee hours of the morning every night catching up with brother and sister-in-laws, Mother's Day with extended family, and my first girly Tea party, I think we had more fun than one should! And that was only the first half of our trip.

After visiting Mister's family, we headed to visit mine. We rock hounded for the first time, saw more wild baby colts than one could count on both hands and feet, and celebrated Jelly Beans 1st birthday. But to let all of you in on a little secret, there is nothing like sleeping in your own bed undisturbed for a full eight hours!!!

Breathing A Sigh of Relief

AH! Friday!

This week felt like a whole month was crammed into these last seven days. Since I can't curl up in a dark corner with a box of See's Chocolate, I declared today, Backward's Day, and started with Movie Night. I am exhausted and it is only 9:24 am. Good compromise, no? The kids are happy and I am able to catch up on my much needed reading. And by reading, I mean blogging. :D

Priorities, people, priorities!

After hours of internet searches with the word "short hairstyles" I came to one I liked! Plus a little hair color dabbling and ta-da! Also I have to agree with Scully, that foxy in 10 is the way to go!

BEFORE

AFTER

As a bonus, this cute new 'do' is just what I need to keep me motivated on the stronger, leaner self I buried beneath Aunt Fanny. It does make a difference to help the outside look as close to the inside as possible. If I feel sassy, I am more likely to do those things that help me stay sassy! ;)

By the way, being pampered is AWESOME.

Spring and All that it Brings

As April seems to be zipping by at an alarming rate, I thought I would recap and then hopefully keep updated on a more frequent basis. Spring is quickly turning into an inferno her in AZ and thought I would share the last of the flowers for those of you wishing spring would at least make an impromptu visit. :) We took our monthy temple grounds walk with the kids today. I couldn't have asked for a nicer evening! Gentle breeze, beautiful flowers, (which if you haven't noticed by now, I am a succor for) and then of course having quality family time. This is one of my favorite family traditions.

Other than this life is going full force with college widow-dom. Thank heavens we only have one more year left! I am pushing certifiably insane. I think the kids are taking it better than I am! We are all looking forward to spring break and our vacation in only two weeks! It has been way too long since we took a road trip and got out of Dodge. And can I say our timing will make our drive to Utah fantastic. Spring is almost dead here, but every where else will be in full bloom, at least I hope so. I have a few more dresses to make and some summer shorts for Darling Boy and then we will be on our way.

Seeing as it is spring, I have IT. The cut-your-locks syndrome. My hair is long enough, again. It seems to hit about every two years to need for "sheer" speed. Cut it all off! And my dear readers, I want some opinions. I am going to color my hair for the first time. Aren't you all proud of me! So even though I am a work in progress, (10 more pounds down!) I am braving a photo of myself.


I am thinking something sassy but doable for someone that might only have one hand available for any length of time. What do you think about going toward the red spectrum of copper chestnut highlights?

March is Over Already, What?

Did anyone else feel like March disappeared rather to quickly? Good grief!

Easter was lovely. I finished making all the dresses and bows the night before. I wasn't going to even worry about dresses this year and then my wonderful Mom sent me some beautiful light green and blue linen. I couldn't resist! I have learned my lesson, next year I will be started on the dresses around the beginning of the year! So here they are:

Girly actually helped design her little outfit. I had her draw up what she would like to wear and this is pretty close to it. A peasant top with a three tiered skirt.

Monkey calls this her princess dress. Which is quite ironic since almost everyone at church mentioned that she should be snow white for Halloween this year.

Excuse the brush, this was the only way to get a smile and holding still in the same photo. Jelly Beans dress is a sundress with cap sleeves and matching short pants underneath.

Then serendipitously I found a pretty close match for Darling Boy's attire the night before Easter while looking for ribbon for bows come to think of it. Any way here is my dashing little boy:

I am still determined to make him some dress shorts to complete the whole family ensemble for a complete family picture for the year. It shouldn't take to much time, right?


As for the rest of March it was full of packing in spending time outside as summer is nearing with Playdates and March birthday parties. Thank you to all of those who sent me a card or well wishes! It truly made a wonderful birthday for me!

Proving My Husband Right.

After watching Pride and Prejudice with Mister, He soundly proclaimed me to be Lizzy in all aspects. I guess he was right. LOL

Take the Quiz here!

Three plus One and Some Bread

Left to Right:
Monkey, I think her impish face explains it all,
Girly, looking sophisticated in her new glasses, and Darling Boy.
By the way that is a piece of gum from primary. He wanted to show it off.

Jelly Beans, sucking her bottom lip.

And this is what I did today, instead of eating goodies. I guess I ended up making some. LOL. But I couldn't very well eat them and take a picture because than all of you would know. Mmmmm, homemade-whole wheat cinnamon rolls and bread. I bet you wish you were having breakfast at my house tomorrow, huh?

Kicking the Habit

Sugar is my Achilies heel.

I can exercise until the cows come home, (no pun intended), but without giving up my "d.r.u.g" of choice, I will be running in circles, literally, without any improvements. Why on earth would I want to waste the hard earned hour of exercise with junk, you ask me? Sugar, sweets, chocolate, you name it, help me feel calm, rewarded, and in a way justified. But in the end, all I get in return is a backside like Aunt Fanny (the motherly double-wide bottomed robot from, 'Robots, the movie') and zero energy.

I think we all know, that to kick a habit in order for it to be permanent it must be replaced with an acceptable alternative. The warning is out, if you don't want to see alot of crafts and handiwork....look the other way. ;)

Half-way to My Visible Results

I needed a few minutes here, to pat myself on the back.

After being pudgy most my life, to pleasantly plump in high school, I have lost, gained, lost, gained, and a few more times, over the course of my life. Between pregnancies and baby weight of four children, I finally feel like I am in a stage of my life that I need to have control over my body. I crave energy and stamina that can last me until I am 102!

I am tired of missing being an active part in my life. Next time this year, I don't want to have think about losing weight or getting healthy, because I will already have reached that. Maybe, finally, I will be able to make exciting goals that are actually living instead of wasting years on this diet or this new trick for a slimmer me. I am quitting being obsessed with losing weight. So long story short, I bought a sure fire, get-my-butt-in-gear, no messing around transFIRMation workouts as a lifestyle change. I plan on doing this until I am a spunky grandma whose got her own little workout group. ;)

I have managed to live a week of my new life, and believe it or not I truly have seen results already. My energy is through the roof, my insomnia is waining, and physically I don't feel like I am busting at the seams anymore. I have almost lost a whole dress size!

This is worth tooting about, right?

Kiddie Quip

On rare occasion, I will catch a glimpse of sleep I like to call "napping". This is what it looked like:

I pulled another record for me of not sleeping more than 4 hours straight for a week. I think one can agree that makes for exhaustion, no? Therefore I was in dire need of wink or two from the sleep department. Then it happened, Monkey and Dear Baby were napping at. the. same. time!
It becomes a race against the odds, will one wake up? Can I get the others busily working on something productive, but independent at the same time that will last, say more than 10 minutes? With all children in order, I grab my pillow and make a B-line to the couch, so that I might be a force for good choice making while I am unconsious for those still awake.

Girly happens to be playing horses on the floor next to me. This girl has more than enough to keep her occupied, scaled down-life like-wooden stable accompanied with matching corral, and almost all the horses one girl could possibly ask for. So I close.....my.....eyes.........

"Mom......"

"Yes, sweety?"

"How come...(some question I can't remember)"

"Not sure, let's look it up when I am done napping. Sound good?"

......silence....some snoring ;).......

"mom.....MOM"

"Yes, dear. Mommy is trying to take a quick nap. I am very tired."

"Okay, but why does......(more questioning)"

I think you get the picture. After about five more rounds of this and very little napping eureka strikes.

"Mom. Your sleeping!"

"That's right. Mommy is closed for the next half hour. I will reopen after my nap."

"Ooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh. Okay!"

Girly then plays happily for precisely the next half hour. Well at least I know she understand time correctly!

Getting My Groove Back

Goodness gracious, it has been a long time! Life has swept me up and carried my away this past couple of months. So many good things to report, so little time.

For starters, we found out in November, Mister has been excepted into the accelerated BSN program for nursing starting in January! I am thrilled beyond means to share this. With year and half waits creeping up all around us, he was able to still make it in and schooling will continue as planned. Plus, as an added bonus there is an end to our journey, finally! By May of '09 he will be graduated with his bachelors in nursing and we will be moving on with our life. I will survive somehow with him being gone everyday, all day for the next 16 months...I hope! You will all have to encourage me and support me through our grueling last stepping stone here. But, WAHOOO!!!! He made it, he made it, he made it!!!!!!

(I do have to admit, something about a man in uniform...well you know the saying. Growr!)

Milestones a plenty with Jellybeans are next. I know younger siblings typically do things earlier than older ones, but 7 month old already cruising is just blowing my mind and any amount of chores getting done! Which honestly, I don't mind. Play with the baby or fold clothes....hmmmm? Easy one to decided I think. Who doesn't love a good round of chasing the baby down the hall? All the while she is giggling with such infection that she gives herself the hiccups. Gotta love that toothless grin.

Ah, Christmas was wonderful this year! I love the time we get to spend together as a family with only normal, everyday responsibilities to take care of! We swang our selves silly at the park more times than I can count, made a great gingerbread house, plate upon platefuls of cookies that we delivered, caroling with a trombone octuplet, family walks in our oh-so-nice winter weather, visiting the temple lights, Christmas Eve F.H.E.(it is my favorite one!), and snuggling under our comforters in front of a good movie during the cold evening hours with a nice hot cup of chocolate! Mmmmmmmm. Monkey learned almost every Christmas song and sang them every where with her priceless three year old voice. When ever a song came on she remembered she would shout out, "This my fabe-rit!", and sing her version of it. The First Noel is pretty funny when she sings it. Some times it is hard to let go of this season, but alas, it is to be expected. Not to say that this coming year won't be fantastic as well!

As for the older kids, we plug along with our schooling enjoying our new found love of lapbooks! An excellent educational craft that can be tailored to anything being learned with the added bonus of being all age friendly so even the little ones, minus the baby, can paste and cut with the best of them. Granted the tidy level of our schoolroom is some what questionable on those days. :)

Darling Boy now joins us in our reading endeavors so we are consuming every book in our house and the library at an alarming rate! Ah, what I wouldn't do for a unlimited gift card to any bookstore! (Just putting that out in the universe. You never know, right?) Speaking of reading, I have noticed a slight side effect of teaching Girly cursive...she now can read my to-do notes and lists of things. A few surprises have been let out of the bag from me not realizing she could read those. Ooops! Things like dental appointments, which weren't received with enthusiasm, wonder why? Hmmm. Anywho, Christmas was tricky keeping those receipts and shopping lists, hidden from her, and not from myself. I do that often, put something in "a safe place" only to lose it to eternity.

Well enough rambling! I just thought I would let all of you know, I am resurfacing like a submarine getting away from a torpedo! ;) Thanks for hanging in there.

Did I Say Treading???? (See title description)

Only by sheer cunning and refusal to give up, I have fashioned a snorkel out of paper towel tubes, painters tape, an insurmountable amount of laminate and glitter...cause, well, I like things pretty. ;) Life is crazy right now! For all my dear friends, I think and pray for you often! I read your blogs but don't necessarily have two hands to type a witty comment, let alone manage to assimilate a cognitive thought! I miss you all and hope you know that I am still here and not to give up on me.....eventually my head will resurface.

Go Figure

"I for one know that I need to get into a better routine of exercising at least 5 times a week.

I'm glad I'm not alone, it's always nice to have support, someone to encourage and motivate you to keep you going.

That's why we decided to start a new feature called Go Figure!

Every Friday we are going to share tips on exercise, weight loss and health.

We'd love for you to join us and let us know what works for you."

Here are my exercise tips for the week:


When falling off the wagon, don't wait for Monday to jump back on. Make your very next choice a good one.

Suck in your tummy. I have problems with having a flat stomach and did a great deal of research on postpartum diastasis recti, in other words a vertically split abdomen. The best exercises are the ones that affect the transverse muscle which are called the "girdle" of the stomach. So, suck it in, suck it in, suck it in!