Their's and Ours...

Valentines

Above is a valentine "card" that Luke got from a classmate at school. Below is our valentine cards that we handed out to the other kids.

Are my kids going to be laughing stalks? Since when do valentine "cards" require a bag to put them in. If it were only this one "card" I wouldn't be worried but I'd say 2/3's of the "cards" required a bag. Don't get me wrong, it's really cool and the boys are so excited. But wow, that would cost a lot of money and be a total pain to do for an entire classroom! It's good that I don't have the "keeping up with the Jones's" mentality becuase I would totally be broke.

Look I'm standing

Person and Item of the week

Person of the week...my mama

My mom is the person of the week, if there could be a person of the year it would probably have to go to her. She is wonderful. She has so many great qualities and is my best friend. She is the most loyal person I know. She cannot stand for someone to say a bad word about one of her babies, she turns into a wild bear and if it were possible I think she would tear them apart with her bare hands. Which is saying a lot becaus she is maybe 5' 5" and has hands the same size as Owen.



When we were growing up she would go without so us chitlens wouldn't have to, (there were after all, six of us). She cares so much about even the little problems in my life. I'll call her with a worry and then hours later she will call me back with a possible soloution. I know that she has been mulling over my trivial problem, and it makes me feel loved and cared for. She has seriously worked her fingers to the bone before (remember the bathroom grout incident?). She instilled in all of us a real drive and determination. Chad has discribed this as my best and worst quality. That once I set my mind to something, it will happen, it's only a matter of how quickly. I get this whole hartedly from her. I also get my busybodyness from her, she always has some projects going on but she is always willing to help anyone who needs her help. Growing up one of my favorite memories was taking treats around to neighbors, ringing their doorbell and running away. She was always so intune with what others needed and would go to the extra mile to lift them up through pastry.




She loves my babies so much, anytime I complain about them she will ALWAYS say something nice and good about them, (that loyalty again). Probably because of how genuine her love is for them, the boys love her dearly and are always asking when she is coming again. She is also so positive. When I'm down or frustrated she is always reminding me of good things and whatever good things she can come up with. She and I love to take walks and I love walking with her. It's pretty funny to see us walking because she almost has to run to keep up but she totally does and it's fun. Another thing I love about my mama is I can feel that her heart aches when one of us is unhappy. She loves us unconditionally and wholeheartedly. So, this week I honor my mom, I love you.

Item of the week... Costco baby wipes

I love thes baby wipes, they are ultra soft. They feel about as close to a cloth as you can get. They don't leave any tacky residue. Ther are fragrence free, (lets you smell only the true scent of your baby's bottom). They are also just flat out so freaking useful. I use them to clean up almost every surface of my car, and I use them to clean up stains on clothes or furniture. If used quickly they alone will bring up most carpet stains. I have them stashed all over my house and don't go through a day without using one for commericial household use. Another great thing is that they are so economical, for $15 bucks you get either ten or twelve packages! I know.

Person and Item of the week

Person of the week...Mr. Potato Head Optimus Prime

Mr. Potato Head is my person of the week. He changes with the times (the Optimus Prime outfit) but is still that old reliable toy that somehow stays so chic. Doesn't he look suprised?

Item of the week...my breakfast!

Almost every morning I have the same breakfast. Yogurt, granola and some kind of fruit. After I had Lily my friend brought me over this granola and it is seriously so freaking good that everyone within the sound of my voice must stop what they are doing and make this granola. It will change you life, (at least your breakfast). But not only is it delicious it's also, (pause for dramatic effect) healthy. These two worlds of healthy and delicious rarely coincide so when it does we must share! So here you go.

Granola
4 c oats
1 1/2 c sliced almonds
1/2 c brown sugar (I use splenda brown sugar)
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 t salt
Mix all these ingredients in large bowl.
1/4 c honey
1/4 c canola oil
1/8 c corn syrup
1/4 t molasses
Mix these four items over med-high heat till combined, but don't bring to boil. Remove from heat and add 1 t vanilla
Pour over the oat mixture and stir it all up to coat. Put onto large baking sheet and bake for 40-50 minutes at 300 degrees. Stir about every ten minutes so it gets evenly browned. Put into sealed contain and enjoy.

Lily is an angel

She can fly

I don't get it?

I think she stinks

Is it just me or has the world gone mad when Amy Winehouse wins five grammys! I've listened to her song Rehab twice and it's horrible. She has no talent, I could sing that song! And I admittedly have no talent. What the heck. Not only is she untalented but she is also hideous. I wouldn't usually be so harsh on someones uglyness but she has made herself more ugly, with all the tattoos, hair, makeup. Has the world gone mad, so these two bad things (hideousness and no talent) combined with the fact that she is a total drugie. I swear people want to be different so badly that they end up looking pathetically predictable. LOSER.

Person and Item of the week

Person of the Week...Chaddy

I chose Chad for my person of the week this week. Today I was reflecting upon my eleven years knowing this man and was feeling quite happy with my choice in a spouse. I love Chaddy very much and that love has blossomed over the years of marriage into something very strong. Chad has so many wonderful attributes that I couldn't possibly do him justice but I'll list a couple that come to mind.

Chad is a big teddy bear, he looks like he could tear a man apart with his bare hands but at the heart of it he is really very sensitive and is quite kind hearted. He is also very manly. As a self-proclaimed scardy cat it is so nice to have him around. Chad isn't afraid of anything and I'm sure he could protect the babies and me. Chad is so hard working too. Multiple times during the week you can find Chad already at work at 5am.

Chad is also an excellent provider for his family. Chad has always had the vision that he wanted a career so that I wouldn't have to work outside the home. He worked dilligently towards that end to do well in school and go on to law school. Another wonderful thing about Chad is he generous, not only with me but with everybody. He rarely gives me a hard time about the stuff I buy, (even with my Homer Simpson logic..."I'd be crazy not to.") He is always willing to share what he has with everyone (even his dinner w/ Owie).

Chad also takes the time to be an involved father. He usually walks in the door at 6:30 or 7:00 he will always no matter that he's been up since 4am play with the boys. When the alarm chimes that the back door has been opened the boys run, screaming, "daddy, daddy play with me!" He'll rough house with them, play guitar hero, read to them, color and even put them to bed for me. The boys both say he gives way better baths than I do too.

Another thing I absolutely love about Chad is he is funny. He is quite clever and always good for a laugh. He laughs out loud and I can often hear his laugh rooms away. When there is music playing in the house, you can always find Chad busting a move, (even though a blind man could tell you that he can't dance). Chad is loyal to his friends and takes the time to keep his friendships going.

I can always count on Chad to be a source of strength to me. He has a strong testimony of the gospel and teaches through example. He lights up my life!

Item of the Week...Mr. Pumice

The ladies at the nail salon turned me on to this great little product. It's the pumice stone that works like a champ. The bottoms of my feet were always a source of shame for me. The people at the nail salon would give me disgusted looks (and I'm sure mock me once I left). I couldn't seem to help it no matter how often I would get pedicures the problem persisted...dry, cracked heels. That was until...(cue superhero music...) Mr. Pumice. Now my feet are a source of pride and esteem. I find myself searching for opportunites to showcase my heels to others. So, ask your lady for this and you too can have the increase in heel esteem that I have experienced!

An explosion of pink

An explosion of pink is the best way to describe Lily's current state. Whether wearing, bundled or just sitting around, Lily is pink, quite pink. And as my first baby girl that is exactly how I like her!

Ha Ha... it's 75 degrees outside

Feel free to brag about your weather in August

Person and Item of the week

Luke is a big boy!

I thought it appropriate to make Luke my person of the week because of all the growing up he's been doing lately. This last week we started potty training and Luke is an iron man. He seriously can hold it sixteen hours! Aside from the recent strides Luke is making with the potty he has become much more comunicative lately and it's really fun having a conversation with him. He absolutly adores Owen and they are constantly in a tangle of arms and legs working on wrestling the other to the ground.

The potty is my item of the week. A mothers favorite thing...potty training! Hooray, yippie, I love cleaning up accidents all over my house! I wish I could potty train any and all children in the land. I love love love bribing my child to go and sit on the potty. I love cleaning up all the messes. But the potty is my item of the week because eventually it will become easier than cleaning up gross diapers. And because I can't imagine potty training someone with a bucket.

Isn't he cute