The Truth about Blogg'in

Bare with me as I explain some of my thoughts this week (and this is not in anyway supposed to offend anyone, and if I have, too bad- JK!)

I have often thought, as many of you have, "what is it about blogging?" Some of us think, dream breath and even ignore our kids over blogs. And out of a married pair it is most often the female that takes over and runs the family blog. And some of us even skip calling it a family blog and come right out and use it for ourselves to share our deepest thoughts and feelings. I would have to admit that my research is somewhat biased- considering most of my friends are married and stay home with their kids. I have come to conclude that this is what blogs are REALLY for:

1. Feeling like we are connecting with someone at our own level at some point in our busy laundry, throw up, cleaning up filled lives.

2. Making us feel like our lives REALLY are exciting enough for us to post on a website and for others to want to read. ( I mean really, my life only looks exciting on my blog!)

3. To show off our amazingly cut kids- notice I rarely post a picture of myself, and if I do it is with great consideration.

4. Gives us a good reason to take lots of pictures and to share those funny and silly moments with someone besides ourselves and with an audience that also might see the funny side of things.

5. It is also a great way to get great advice, feedback and love from others (love we might not always feel from our never ending needy children- in the most wonderful way!)

And after all the reading and viewing we do of others' blogs- we end up wishing our lives were as exciting and busy as the next! To tell you the truth, I don't even think Connor reads half the things I post on OUR family blog. However, it has increased our ability to reconnect with lost friends and EVEN family, and to keep up on each others' lives. I just wanted to share with you all that-

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
and
I LOVE READING YOUR BLOGS!!!

They truly help me get through some hard days!

Which one is Heavier- a pint or 80 lbs?

So I hit 6 weeks and got my OK. We had a sunny day (notice I did not say nice, sunny day because sunny was all it was.) So I decided I should try to head out for a run while it wasn't pouring rain or snow. However, we still have inches of snow. So here is a window into my adventure:

I am trying to get ready- trying to remember all the things I need (yes, it has been that long since I have been on a run.) I am out the door thinking that I did pretty well- the watch, the ipod, the three layers, the headband, the gloves. However, I forgot my ipod clip and my heal cups- oh well. For half my run there are no shoveled walks, so I run in the street and get pushed over into the puddles near the curb with each passing car- leaving a trail of dirty water up my backside! Now, I really thought I would be warm enough in three layers- I could have used another one, and maybe a hat! I decided to run to CVS (again, I am a great multitasker and thought I could get some half-and-half for dinner and deodorant for Connor at the same time as I run.) The closest CVS store is not that far- but it felt far. I forget how hard it is to get back into shape! And of course I try to start out where I left off and then kill myself. I just wish I could run with a sign that says Baby Fat On Board so that everyone would know why I was running so slow. But I have to be more humble and get over it! I also learned I am not a long jummper, because I could barely jump over all those piles of plowed snow! I also felt like I was training on those tire courses that you see football players run through, with all the snow spots!

So I felt good when I was in CVS, but realized I also forgot my Kleenex! And they didn't have just one I could use. But then I went outside and the windchill reminded me how not good I felt. I was also now carrying a pint of half-and-half. By the end of my run I was wishing I could trade it for my double jogger with kids! I didn't take long for all those body parts to start hurting, the ones you forget you use when running- my toes, and hip flexors! Oh boy, it didn't take long for things to start getting sore!

But all in all it helps me remember how wonderful it is to finally get in shape! So looking forward to something- a half or full marathon or a triathlon. I have to find a tripple jogger first- anyone???

Rock'in Out

We found out a couple months ago that there was a band in the ward. Ironically they needed a drummer. Lucky for us they all came over last week to finally get it started. I can't tell you how much better the drums sound accompanied by a few guitars. And boy was I having fun jamm'in out to their great songs from upstairs (the drummer's house is always the host.) So for the next few months (before one of the members graduates from Dental school) we get to have a weekly jam session in our basement. I am pumped, I don't know who is more excited Connor or I. I really think they would do great playing for a youth dance or something. However, if my hubby is in the band, that means I don't get to dance with him. But I guess I can be a giddy fan on the side instead. Can you imagine Connor rock'in out with his long hair in high school! What a site that would have been!

Spring Fever

We've been a little busy trying to keep our minds off of the fact that spring is not even close to coming. Last night it snowed another 6-8 inches. Just in time for Easter! I was going to include a picture but I've decided that no one really wants to see more snow!

Last weekend we took our own family trip to Castaway Bay. It is a indoor waterpark/ resort. The kids would have loved to stay for a whole week. Dylan was not afraid to try any slide. We was devistated to find that he was not tall enough to ride a few of the slides. Ashlyn was tentative about the slides but loved the kiddie pool. Corbin, all the white noise put him to sleep most of the time. The only drawback was all sleeping in the same room. Of course, Dylan was too excited to go to sleep (11pm) and excited enought not to sleep in (7am) and then Corbin woke us all up a couple times. Next time we think we will just try going for one whole day.

Hair Spray

No, I just wanted to catch your attention. I am constantly asking Connor what he thinks I should do with my hair, since he has to look at me every day. But he is so wonderful that he just tells me "You look good any way you have your hair." That is great and all, but I do need some help. I know he is just trying to spare me from making me feel like I have to stick to one cut he might like, but a girl needs help!

So please visit my poll on the side bar and help me out (you can vote for more than one.) Some days I want to grow it out and then I remember all the static, the hair pulling and the long hair drying episodes. And it is already starting to fall out, so I might as well let it all catch up. But I am not feeling the groove with it how it is right now. So all that is left is the buzz look- not really!

Tag, I’m it! From A to Z

A: Attached or single: Definitely attached at the hip!
B: Best Friend: Connor, but if it had to be a female- my mom
C: Cake or Pie: So hard, just no lemons!
D: Day of Choice: Sunday- it usually involves a nap!
E: Essential Item: Chap stick and hand sanitizer.
F: Favorite Color: Green
G: Gummie Bears or Worms: There are better things like fruit snacks
H: Hometown: Parker, CO
I: Indulgence(s): Always chocolate, but then again a nice back and foot rub is great. Oh, and a hot bath or good book with no interruptions. I guess I could keep going.
J: January or July: Right now- July. But January is always fun for a good birthday.
K: Kids: Three: crazy to think- Boy, girl, boy!
L: Life is incomplete without: My husband, to keep me afloat.
M: Marriage Date: June 7, 2002
N: Number of Siblings: Three- Sandwiched between boys and a little sister- they are the best!
O: Oranges or Apples: I can always count on finding a delicious apple, but sometimes oranges are sketchy. Plus, caramel dip has made it’s way to be a staple in our house.
P: Phobias or Fears: Something bad happening to my kids and getting fat.
Q: Quote(s): “When life gets hard to stand- kneel”- I mean what better advice when you are ripping your hair out trying to figure out how to deal with your kids!
R: Reason To Smile: Watching Connor play with the kids- he becomes one in every way.
S: Season: Fall all the way! Why can’t each season be three months long, wouldn’t that be fair?
T: Tag Six: Carrie, Morgan, Maegan, Meggan, Melanie, Laura- Enjoy!
U: Unknown Fact about Me: You will have to take you pick: I wrestled in High School (yes, on the boy's team), I would do anything rather than nothing (which makes recovery hard for me), I am a sucker for shopping deals (even if I don't really need it.)
V: Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals: What I am I supposed to say to that?
W: Worst Habit: Eating while talking on the phone (I am an amazing multitasker, but I take it way too far). I am also the worst nag.
X: X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds, they don’t take that long and they are definitely non-invasive and usually quite exciting.
Y: Your favorite food: Right now- just about anything, nursing gives me the munchies all the time. But really it is a toss up between chocolate and Mexican food. But I have yet to try them together!?!
Z: Zodiac: Capricorn

St. Paddy's Limerick

So my wonderful friend Carrie got me writing,
and here it is. You too, can find the limerick writter in yourself, just try!

It is gray again today,
Just like it was yesterday,
We can't go out and play,
And it is NOT okay.


I hope the bunny brings spring,
Then I will start to sing,
And we can really have a spring fling,
Praises we will bring.

Short and sweet. All those out there who are enjoying spring, enjoy it some more!!!

Christ's Nail

We got snowed in for TWO days. It was great, except for the fact that Connor didn't get any extra days off of work for it (they cancel school all the time, but not work, this one was work worthy.) We have really enjoyed two whole days cooped up together as a family! It would have taken Connor all day to dig us out if it weren't for our nice neighbor boys!

Yesterday we were ALL up in Dylan's cute room playing. When I say all, I mean it- Connor, Dylan, Ashlyn, Corbin and I. I recently had to turn Dylan's doorknob around so that I could lock him in when I can't take it anymore. Dylan was playing around with the doorknob, pushed in the button and then shut the door- obviously not knowing what would happen. It took a second or two for it to register that we were LOCKED IN. We were really stuck. My first thoughts were:

1. To yell at someone downstairs to come unlock the door- all living things were in the room we were in
2. To call someone to rescue us- we didn't have a phone with us and no one could get in our house anyway because all our doors were locked (funny huh)
3. Break down the door- it wasn't our door to break

Our great landlord has a key for every door placed up on top of the door molding, but it didn't do us any good sitting on the other side- my bad (but did I ever imagine this would happen!) Connor so bravely volunteered that he would jump out the one, little window in the room. Since it had snowed all day and night, at least he would have a little softer landing from the second story! So we dug through all of the toys so see if we could find something to unlock that knob. But since we live in a world that is so safety conscience, there was of course no toy little enough or sharp enough to get in that little hole. I won a cool little wire picture frame at an enrichment activity- but I wasn't quite willing to let Connor dissemble it yet.

I will gladly take all the credit- I was the master mind behind our escape from the dreadful imprisonment. Actually, it was Jesus- I happened to focus in on the only hanging picture in the room and remember that it was hanging by a nail- the nail that made us free (and this can be related to more than just our families momentary, physical state.)

So I learned a few lessons:
1. Never leave the key on the side of the door that it is useless, no matter what you think won't happen
2. Always take a phone with me when going to Dylan's room- just in case
3. Never all be in the same room- just kidding!
4. I now have my own, great, new story and analogy when I have to give my next talk about how Christ died for us!

Fashion Princess

I guess I should count my blessings that I am not dealing with piercings, tattoos, boyfriends and other teenage issues. But my little babe (as we call her) is giving me a run for my money with her clothes. I guess you could say it is a modesty issue- because I can't get her to keep them on!

On a typical day it all begins with changing into clothes from PJ's. She is very opinionated as to what she wants to wear (as you can see from the photo, she picked it all out herself!- we need to work on matching) But it doesn't take long for her clothes to come off- for various reason as "needing" a bath, "TRYING" to go potty, or (the one I hate most) prancing around the house naked just for the fun of it. She still pees on the floor, so I can't let this kind of entertainment go on for very long, even though it is very cute (oh, those chubby legs and bum.) However, the problem lies in that she RARELY (okay, NEVER) puts back on her same clothes. She insists that she has to find something newto wear. The problem is that I already gave in once (but since it has escalated), so I guess I already dug my hole. So I am constantly trying to pick up clothes all over the house and put them back. She can take off her own clothes and even her own diaper. So the question is- how do you keep clothes on a toddler? I don't have time to take care of and infant and chase her around screaming "get back here and put on your diaper!"

So while Ashlyn goes through 20 outfits a day, there is Dylan, who is still wearing the same thing every day! We recently had a primary activity that was a pajama party. So now he truly believes there is NO good reason not to wear his pajamas all day long (thank you Cami!) I am not kidding- he wears is Cars pajamas EVERY DAY! The battle with him now is not getting him to wear warm clothes when we leave the house, it is changing into real clothes. He will then come home, strip out of this clothes and put his pajamas back on. I did laundry today and all that was in his folded pile were pajamas!

March Madness

Dylan and Connor got a free ticket to the Cleveland Auto Show. As you can see Dylan is lovin it. They even got to ride inside a Jeep on a Jeep obstacle course- and Dylan got to sit in the passenger seat! Dylan said his favorite part of the auto show was the "big, bad race cars" (a little Einstein favorite.)




I would have to admit that this is all initiated by myself, and not my kids. I am a sugarholic and needed a little fix. One of our favorites is to make a Brownie mix with powdered eggs and never bake it. As you can see it gets pretty messy and we all are in our aprons - it could get messier if I wasn't a clean Nazi.

We have successfully made it through and entire week alone with three kids. I can admit that is could be worse, but it really doesn't help that Dylan is literally getting spring fever and acting CRAZY- okay, so I am going CRAZY because of the way he is acting. I figure while we are stuck in our house I might try to potty train Ashlyn, but that just sounds CRAZY. So pray for spring!! Raleigh and another move are actually looking pretty good right now. Maybe there is another reason for the saying "March Madness."