CARTER

Hey

2012-01-01T14:14:00.001-08:00

Happy Halloween!

First year that I didn't eat too much candy...at least I think so... I can't remember that far back.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I ate my first Vegan Thanksgiving dinner and it was awesome. Thank you internet for giving me ideas.

Merry Christmas!

The kids got a new video camera from Santa so I hope to update with some videos!!! Woohoo!

Happy New Year!!!!

I'm glad to see 2011 go, it was a tough year, I learned a lot and I'm grateful for it but, emotionally speaking, I'm ready for a year where I don't need to learn so much.

My new New Years resolutions are:

Be kinder to myself
Spend more quality time with the kids.
Read more...duh!

I'm thinking the first one will be the hardest. Why is that? Don't answer.

I think I'm all caught up now.

8 going on 25

2011-10-26T18:45:00.000-07:00

My baby girl turned 8 on the 17th and I'm pretty sure I'm not done crying over it. I love her so much and just when I think that I can't possibly love her any more, she smiles with her big dimple or does something that makes me love her even more. She's sweet, kind, loving, easy to make happy and works so hard at being good at home and at school . It's only October and she has already won 2 awards at school, 1 student of the month and another great student award. If anyone deserves a day of awesome, it's my Emily Wembily.

Usually, I keep birthdays low key and normally I would have just chosen one thing she wanted to do but she deserved to have a great day, so my bestie and I gave her a day of everything she wanted which was lunch at Taco Bell, ear piercing, mani/pedi, cake and presents which included new earrings, scarves and movie and she loved it which makes me so happy.

Killing time while waiting for her turn to get her ears pierced.

There is something about this picture that makes her seem so much older.

She started getting so nervous but the lady was really good with her.

This was the 2nd ear. She was shaking so hard since it hurt more than she thought it would but she didn't cry.

Look at that bling and that smile!!!

I just want to kiss that face!!!

I love you Emily!!!! Happy Birthday!

So what's been up? I'll tell ya.

2011-09-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

June: Once my contract ended with my job, I spent 2 weeks sleeping or at least it felt like it. Honestly, I think it was my body detoxing from stress and frustration. I've never been so tired. It was also unusually cold and very un summer like which makes me feel bitter.

We started going to Grandma and Grandpa Coopers a couple times a month for dinner and swimming. Don't they look miserable?

July:
4th of July. I didn't get many pictures since my bff was there to take pictures but I don't have them yet...hint hint. Jackson got to be the master of ceremonies. It was fun but a little tough getting trumped by large illegal fireworks going off a couple streets away.

Emily got two abscesses and had to have 2 teeth pulled. She is hilarious when she's drugged. Just saying.
She also started experimenting with my makeup.
Should I be concerned that she is better at putting on makeup then me? Just wondering.

August:
Finally felt like summer. Woohoo!

Bub lost his first tooth then a few weeks later I hear a terrifying scream, I run upstairs to the play room and he's sitting there with his mouth open with blood coming out. He knocked out another tooth by tripping and hitting his face. He kept screaming that he was going to die but he didn't want to go to the hospital. Me thinks he's a bit of a drama queen. But he's now 2 dollars richer so...I think it was probably worth it.

I spent a Sunday at Cathe's while she taught me how to be Vegan. It was like Vegan 101, It was awesome and helped me feel less over whelmed with the idea of no longer consuming dairy and meat. If you're curious, it isn't a moral thing just dairy hurts me, in fact, it hates me and as I get older it has gotten worse so I decided to cut it out completely and since I was doing that, it didn't seem much harder to cut out meat so there you have it.

Mid month, Carrie played hookie from work and we went off to play in Vancouver Washington, we got lost, picked blueberries at a farm, got lost, laughed while trying to remember how to pump our own gas, and had a super duper day. I brought home a bucket of blueberries and this:

I do not recommend spending a few hours in the sun without sunscreen when your skin can literally glow in the dark. Notice how it's the same color of pink as my shirt and this was day 5. So lesson learned, I'm now paranoid to leave the house without sunscreen or a long sleeve shirt...but I still love you sun. It still hurts and itches and now I have to go to the dermatologist but it was still a great day.

Carrie, the kids and I picked blackberries, with a long sleeve shirt. They were delicious, I just wish they weren't in my backyard.

By the time we were done my hands looked like this and stayed like this for a few days.Oh and best of all, I'm planning a big road trip with BFF for next summer! I CAN.NOT.WAIT!!! I've wanted to go on a big road trip for like...forever but I'm married to a guy that can't stand being in a car for 30 mins and 3 of my 4 kids get car sick so .... Thank God for Carrie, we both have a desire to see random places, drive for miles and miles and laugh all the way.

I may be coming to a town near you...just a warning....and an opportunity to open up your home to a couple of poor girls for a night. Our original plan took us south to Louisiana then up north as far as Massachusetts but we decided that we would break up the US into smaller areas and just make road trips for each area. So for this first road trip will be spending a lot more time in the SW but it's not all finalized yet. EEEEEEEK! So excited. Now to get a job to pay for it....

September:
September= End of summer= cry/pout/tantrum/mild depression thinking about the rains coming.

Bub started to add the word "Beep" randomly to his sentences. Like "Beep I'm going to get a toy beep." I don't know why but it makes him laugh at himself which is pretty funny.

Right before school started, Bub got this in the mail and we screamed with joy. The best kindy teacher is now teaching first grade and is Bub's teacher. I'm so happy...I almost cried.

So school started:
Let me add, ALL of the kids are in school ALL DAY! It makes me happy and sad all at the same time. I thought this day would never get here when they were all little and here it is and it has put me in a bit of a funk.

Jackson 9th grade

Sara 6th grade

Emily 2nd grade
Bub 1st gradeDoesn't he look happy? (insert sarcasm here) For the past month, he kept telling me that he doesn't want to grow up and wants to stay in Kindergarten.

Kita's first day of school:
mope

mope some moreStill mope, she sort of seems aimless without a 6 year old telling her what to do.

I took her for a quick car ride and yet...still mope
See? Still mope, I even had the windows down.
When we parked in front of the grade school to pick up Emily and Bub. She finally remembered, that they aren't gone forever.
Happiest dog EVER.Thankfully, we are now in a routine, she comes with me to drop them off and pick them up.

and The End. If you made it through this post then Congrats! You win a big "I owe you Hug".

new favorite five

2011-09-22T10:10:00.000-07:00

Favorite Five

1. Bill Hader as Stefon on Saturday Night Live. I heart him and the fact that he loses it every.single.time. I can't blame him, I start giggling before it even starts.

2. smoothies...I spent the summer making one everyday except for the whole week when my blender was broken and I didn't have any money to buy a replacement part and I about died ...ok so maybe I didn't almost die but, It was a tough week.

My favorite is:
1 banana
frozen mixed fruit (I use Festival blend that includes, mango, papaya, strawberries and pineapple that I get from Costco)
orange juice

When I make it just for me I add fresh spinach and silken tofu. You can't taste either, it just turns green so it looks way less appetizing.

another recipe that hides spinach better is:
1 banana
mixed frozen berries (that I also get from costco)
regular milk or yogurt, I use soy milk because I can't handle dairy (for some reason, I think the dark berries taste better with milk then juice)
fresh spinach ( a couple handfuls)

3. Dr. Who. I spent part of June watching five seasons of it. I heart it. It's super cheesy and for some reason makes me like it even more. All the kids watched it too and now Jackson talks about being The Doctor.

4. Dina, she comes over to play every once in a while and she makes me happy. I don't know what mix of dog she is but she's uniquely adorable and very puppy. She doesn't bark but cries and snorts and makes funny sounds that make me giggle.

5. SUMMER! Though I wish it was a teensy bit longer. This seriously felt like the shortest summer in the history of summer...and like I've lived through like 29 summers (shut up) so I'm like an expert.

Paranoia? I think not.

2011-08-15T12:44:00.001-07:00

Last month, I told you guys that I thought there might be a toy take over. Well, I'm pretty positive that I'm right....as usual. I walked into the kitchen and came upon some sort of "social" gathering.

I thought it was weird, it didn't seem like any one toy was in charge but it felt a little odd. As I rounded the corner to go into the Living Room I found this.

In the words of Squidward. "SPONGEBOB!!!!"

Of all the toys to be in charge of a take over, I never thought it would be Spongebob. I mean our house has a zillion transformers and not a one in sight. I thought they would protect us from things like this but no. Dang you transformers ::shakes fist:: See if Bub gets any more of you for Christmas.

Stop crying Bub I was only sort of joking.

I'm starting to wonder

2011-07-20T07:14:00.000-07:00

why I spent almost 400 bucks on Bub's bed when I could have just spent $18.99 at costco for a fluffy dog bed. I'm so kicking myself.

Graveyards

2011-07-16T23:24:00.001-07:00

My BFF, Carrie has been borrowing my kids for photos for her photography class and this was todays creation. As freaky as it is to see Em as a ghost, it's also awesome! It's freaky awesome! I can't stop staring at it.

Do you ever wonder

2011-07-13T22:00:00.000-07:00

if your house is being taken over by toys?
Just wondering.

Psst, between me and you, I kinda think that Bub might be part of the take over because no matter how many toys I pick up, I keep finding them. On my desk, on the floor next to my bed, on the kitchen table and chairs, sometimes in the fridge, under the couch cushions, on the floor in every hallway, on the stairs, sometimes I catch them bathing in a bathroom sink and occasionally in the washer and/or dryer. I'm starting to feel paranoid.

My 5 favorite things ...

2011-06-23T09:10:00.001-07:00

about my Dad.

Since it's Fathers Day month, I thought I'd share my favorite things about my Dad.

1. He gets me. He really does, I suppose it's because we are very similar but no matter what the reason...he just does.

2. His dry sense of humor. I also need to thank him for passing it down to me.

3. He's super duper smart, so smart that I do not recommend playing any trivia game with him...Ever....not even if you have back up. He just knows everything and it's the only time that his smartness is annoying.

4. He laughs about having a child that is more stubborn then him. I would cry about it but I guess he finds humor in it, which I'm glad. I don't want to name names but he may have a middle child daughter that can out stubborn him.

5. He taught me to be kind.

Love you Dad.

Olivia and Oliver

2011-06-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Olivia and Oliver by Sara C. Once there were two olives As happy as can be but when they leave their tree what wonderful things they see. Olivia and Oliver, so sweet and so divine, they are very happy they don't grow on a vine. First they were plucked from their tree, put in a basket O' Where are they going? They sure don't know. Olivia and Oliver so sweet and so divine, they are very happy that they don't grow on a vine. Now they are in a can in a grocery store. They've been bought. Where are they now? They don't know any more. Olivia and Oliver, so sweet and so divine, they are very happy that they don't grow on a vine. Now they are cut up ow! ow! ow! Now they are on a pizza how? how? how? Olivia and Oliver, so sweet and so divine, they are very happy that they don't grow on a vine.

First and lasts

2011-06-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

My kids are growing up. Sometimes I'm thrilled and other times I want to crawl into bed and get into the fetal position and forget that we are all getting older and that I'm 4 years from Jackson graduating. sniff sniff

First.

Jackson had his Progression to High School Ceremony Monday. I only cried like 3 times...ok...so more like 4 or 5 but I didn't cry through the whole thing.

Wasn't it yesterday that Jackson was itty bitty baby in my belly?
(me holding my niece Ashlie. I think I was 29 weeks here)

To an itty bitty baby out of my belly
(no judging, I just gave birth 10 days before and it was before I realized that I didn't need prescription lenses for my cheeks)

and now...

he's now several inches taller than me with a deep voice except when he laughs then it's a super high pitched.

I wasn't really prepared for this.

Last.
Bub graduated from Kindergarten on Tuesday. It was only a month ago, when he finally fessed up that he likes Kindergarten...just in time to become a 1st grader. Now he's telling me that I can't make him go to 1st grade.

Growing up is hard. I relate.

Bub with Mrs. Dallas. She's a rock star. I feel bad for all the other teachers that have to come after Mrs. Dallas because it's hard to compete with the best Kindy teacher on the planet...no really. I'm kinda sad that I won't have any more kids in her class.

Class of 2023

My little man.

At the graduation, the teachers called each childs name and said what they wanted to be. Bub said he wanted to be a Janitor.... I have know idea where he came up with that since he cries every.single.time.he.has.to.pick.up.toys.

I have to mention my top 3 favorite desired professions that were mentioned.
1. Princess Ninja
2. Pokemon
3. Black and White Ninja

Really, how can you compete with Princess Ninja? You get to be beautiful and kick butt. What else would you need?

::sigh::

Anybody want to give me a baby?

Favorites

2011-06-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

1. Staying up til 2 am finishing a book. I've missed it, it's been MOOOOOOONTHS since I've done that and I didn't realize how much I missed it till I did it Sunday night. I've had a pile of books waiting for me to read, I kept buying them in hopes that I would get to them but I never did. So this summer is all about catching up on all my reading, finishing book series and finding new books and authors to love.

2. I'm a closet Ke$ha fan.

Don't judge me.

I know she's crazy but I can't help myself. I can no longer deny it. Every time her songs come on the radio, I can't stop myself from singing along... "Because your love your love your love is my drug" "this place about to Blow! Blow!" (how can you not love a video where they have unicorns and have guns that shoot rainbows?) "Tick tock on the clock but the party don't stop,no"
See? Can't stop myself.

3. The peace that comes with getting up early. As much as I whine about it, I really do like getting up early...like before everyone else. I love the quiet and the time to meditate before the noise and movement and whining start. I neeeeeed it and I love it.

4. COPS. I'm so not kidding." Bad boys bad boys whatcha gonna do when they come for you?" I love that show. People are dumb and I thank them for the sake of entertainment. My most favorite quote of a guy who just got busted with drugs: " I've been getting set up a lot lately." hahaha snort hahaha ::sigh:: ::wiping away tears of laughter:: Plus when Jackson was like 18 months, every time he heard the music start for the show he would run into the room and kick the entertainment center door because at the beginning of each episode, it showed a cop kicking in a door. It still makes me giggle.

5. SUMMER BREAK!!!! Today is the last day of school here and I'm so excited for my kids. I remember that pure happiness that comes with summer break. No more homework! No more getting out the door before 8:00, no more hearing "I don't want to go to school" or even better "I hate school!". Woot! When I start whining about my kids annoying me with their boredom can someone please remind me of this? Thanks.

It's all about Emily

2011-06-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

Emily is the middle child...I'm a middle child. I feel and understand her pain. She's amazing and so understated in my opinion. She's the teachers pet, she doesn't complain when it's time to clean up she brushes and play with my hair...so pretty much my favorite 7 year old EVAH! It's endearing that she changes her nail color to match whatever she's wearing. She's also smart, so smart that her teacher told us that there really isn't anything that she NEEDS to work on this summer. She just gets it. She's friendly and helpful and last month got an award for being an "All around wonderful student". Their words, not mine. I'm so proud of her. She even had a poem she wrote put on a newsletter that is sent to all the parents. I didn't even know it was her poem till her teacher told me.

Blue
By Emily C.

Blue is the Sky.
Blue is the waves.
Blue is my favorite pair of jeans.
Blue is the violets.
Blue is the rain that is falling from the sky.

She's amazing and she deserves to get noticed for all of her hard work and her big heart. She is the heart and the laughter that keeps me going. She has the most addictive laugh, it's sincere and straight from her soul. I want to squeeze her with all my heart every time I hear it. Love you Emily Wembily.

Brand New Favorite Five

2011-06-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

but with some long time favorites.

1. Sunshine sunshine sunshine. Can I get an Amen??? Plus it's perfect for Favorite #2.

2. Slurpee/Icee though I do not recommend blue flavor.
3. Not being employed!! WOOT WOOT! My Nanny contract ended yesterday and I'm the happiest unemployed girl in the world. It's been a tough year and I'm glad it's over though I will really really miss the 3 kiddos. They are great kids and I'm sure I'll miss them teaching me Spanish and correcting my horrible Spanish pronunciation but they are the only thing I will miss.
4. Working out in the yard. I can't believe I'm saying it but I've really missed it. This past weekend I spent most of it outside mowing, weeding and fighting the blackberry bushes...again.
It just looks like they're winning.
That's no trick of the camera, I really am that white. In my vein attempt to get a little sun on my skin, I wore a short sleeve while cutting the blackberries...lesson learned. Plus, the chances of me getting a tan are pretty slim, I should really give up the dream.

5. Last but not least. Adele. I love her. I love her like I love Annie Lennox and Stevie Nicks. This is like FOREVER love. Her voice and her songs sticks with me well after I've listened to her album.

Jackson, my birthday buddy

2011-06-08T20:21:00.000-07:00

I keep thinking about all these things that I want to share with everyone and hopefully in the next few days I'll be able to catch up but first I wanted to wish Jackson a Late Happy Birthday. He's 14!!! I can not believe it! Next year he's in High School. I'm sooooooo not old enough to have a High Schooler, yet here we are. I don't know how that happened.

He's a great kid and he's matured so much this year that even his teachers commented on it. He made the honor roll for the first time this year woot woot! He's giving teenagers a bad name...I'm sure we are going to be in a shock when the next three turn into teenagers but right now, I'm lovin this age. It made living through his toddler years worth it.

Love you forever Jackson!

Poetry Roolz

2011-05-16T21:50:00.000-07:00

Jackson was invited to read 3 of his poems at a poetry reading and I do have to admit that I did in fact shed a few tears from a couple of poems that were read from some kids. I did not know this but 8th graders feel...deeply. There were of course a lot of broken heart poems but I was waaaaaaaaay impressed by some of them. ....waaaaaaay impressed.

Jackson is letting me post his poems that he read. He rocks! Seriously! He wouldn't let me read his poems before hand and in fact I didn't even know that he wrote them till he told me that he wanted to go to the reading. I'm like " what? poetry reading?...what?....seriously?....huh." I'm not a poet and I totally know it so I have know idea where my kids get there skillz from but I'm totally going to brag. I'm just going to share Jacksons today but I have a few others from my other kids. Not to brag or anything but my kids rock.

The Man With Colors On His Clothes
By Jackson C.

I wonder if I will ever get chosen.
All my brothers and sisters got chosen and I am left behind with my other unwanted siblings.
Then a man with colors that have been splattered on his clothes came in and walked to me.
The man picked me up and said "I'll have this one".
The man brought me to his car and put me in the back seat.
The man got in the driver seat and rove us to his house.
The man brought me into his house and we went into a room.
The man turned me upside down and dipped my hair into a red, cool liquid.
With me, the man painted a rose.

My thoughts: half way through the poem I was getting really nervous. I didn't read it before hand and it was kind of freaky but then he ended it and it was like the room all sighed and awwwwed. It was awesome.

All Alone
By Jackson C.

I am all alone.
I had a husband, but he got lost at sea.
Every day, I hope my husband will come back.
Every day, I hope I will no longer be alone.

I am all alone.
I live in the middle of no where and I have no relatives.
I am all alone.

A dog came out of the bushes all sad and alone.
I took him into my house and fed him.
He had no collar, so I decided to keep him.
I named him Max, and we were never alone again.

my thoughts: awwwwww

Touch the sky
By Jackson C

I want to fly.
I am too young to fly a plane. So I can't touch the sky.
I see the sky, but I can't touch it.
I see the sky, so blue with white clouds.
I wait till I can fly.
I am scared of heights, but yet I want to touch the sky.
I want to touch the sky.

my thoughts: My feelings exactly! aaaaaaaand I love this kid.

I know it's a little late

2011-04-26T05:49:00.000-07:00

but HAPPY EASTER!!! or Happy Sugar Induced Coma Day!!!

Is it me or does anyone else still have to detox from Jelly Bean overload? Probably just me. I don't know why I keep buying them when I know I can't eat just a few.

I, of course, forgot to take my camera with me to the Z's Easter get together where the kids hunt a bazillion eggs, we eat, eat, snack, play games while we eat then roll ourselves out to the van where we say how next year we won't eat as much. We've been having Easter with the Z's for the past 11 years and it still hasn't happened but one of these Easters....

Honestly, I blame Beth. If she wouldn't cook the most delicious meals, I wouldn't have this problem. It's all her fault.... and I'll thank her again the next time I see her. I have to thank her for introducing me to carrot souffle anyway, 2 birds, 1 stone.

Anyone else ready for summer? I seriously can't wait!!!! 6 weeks left on my work contract and time can not go fast enough. I was hoping to goof off this summer, finish the millions of projects we have left on the house but it looks like I might have another job. woohoo and boohoo all at the same time. Luckily, it's for a company so it's likely, that I'll get paid on time....among other things.... seriously CAN. NOT. WAIT.

Now that's it's mid April

2011-04-18T17:23:00.000-07:00

it's probably time for me to celebrate March birthdays on here.

Bubalicious turned 6! Yeah...I can't believe it either. 6 YEEEEEEEEEARS! Seriously, can my baby be that old??? Thank goodness.
He loved his birthday so much, he asked for another one and promptly made a new birthday present list. He was pretty pissed when he found out that he only gets 1 a year. I remember those years...sigh....so naive. Now, getting one every years sucks.

He's a crack up and doesn't even know it,or especially because he doesn't know it because when he THINKS he's being funny, he's so not...more annoying but I'm pretty sure that might just be a 6 year old thing.

Sara turned 11. She's a crack up too. I don't mean to brag buuuuut, my kids are hilarious....among other things. I was having a bad month, she came down stairs looking like this.

People, this is what's called happiness. Totally made my month...totally.

She's as anxious as she is funny and regularly teeters back and forth...it's hard to keep up but I think that's a pre-teen thing. ::crossing fingers::

Now that I stepped back out onto the blogging tight rope, I may come back regularly, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Generally speaking, it's never a good idea to do that anyway.

Donna

2011-03-01T05:51:00.001-08:00

I've been working up the courage to do this post. Not because I don't love Donna but because I do.

Donna Carter passed away February 24, 2011. Her funeral was February 28th, 2011.

I feel like anything I say beyond that is going to be completely inadequate. I love her, I'm sad shes gone, I'm sad that I won't hear her laugh again. I'm sad that she was young and she didn't get to do everything she wanted. I'm sad that my kids didn't know her better. I'm sad that she won't be bringing more beauty and art into this world. I'm sad that a mother had to say goodbye to her baby even if her baby, no mother should have to do that. BUT I'm so grateful that she was my sister even if she was forced by marriage. I'm grateful that I got to know her, even if it was more from afar. I'm grateful that MANY people knew her and loved her. I'm grateful that she wasn't alone. I'm grateful that her best friend was there for her when we weren't able to be. I'm grateful that she is no longer in pain. I'm grateful and will always remember her positive attitude even when things were at there worst. She was an amazing, beautiful, artistic, funny, good humored, loving, kind, free spirited woman who is missed greatly.

We weren't able to go to her funeral, I wanted to be there to support my mother-in-law Marge and Donnas best friend JoAnn aka Angel from Heaven, but I'm relieved to not have gone. Does that make me a bad person? Bad sister? I want to remember Donna the last time I saw her....smiling and laughing because that is Donna, even up to the end. She had fire, spirit, a positive attitude and a heart bigger than herself.

I love you Donna. Until we meet again....

When did she get so old?

2011-02-05T21:47:00.001-08:00

Friends (including my bff Carrie) came over last night for food, games and lots of talking! I love friends. Aaaaanyway, my bff took this picture of Sara and I love her for it! I can not stop staring at this picture even though I have the real thing 10 feet from me. It's completely, totally, absolutely Sara. Beautiful, smart, funny, creative Sara. I can't help but feel a little sad, every time I turn around, she looks and acts a little older. I need to stop turning around.

This is it! EEEEEEEEEK

2011-01-05T19:17:00.000-08:00

Cristin's Favorite 5!

I'm so excited to get back to listing my favorites. I've had a week and it's only Wednesday and I'm due for a reminder of what's great about life.

5.This guy! I freakin love this kid. He's grown up a lot since mid summer and is a joy to be around. He cracks me up daily and gives the best loves.

4. Seattles Best Peppermint Hot Chocolate! Do I need to say more? really? It's even better because it's located at my favorite Borders Books. It's so much goodness in one place that it's almost too much. Luckily, I can handle it.

3. Pedicures. I resisted for a long time, I just thought it was weird to have someone touch my feet but my BFF Carrie talked me into it and ooooooh my. BEST THING EVER!

My feet have never felt and looked so good.
Thanks Carrie...you've changed my life forever.

2. Sleeping in, it's so under rated. There is nothing that makes me appreciate sleeping more than having to wake up at 5:00 am when it's freakin cold outside and I have to go to work. I should have added sleeping in to my new years resolution....

1. My new playlist that includes Metallicas Enter Sandman, Run DMC Walk This Way, Sir Mix A Lots Baby Got Back (my theme song, it feels good to be appreciated even if I look like some rap guys girlfriend...except white), Vanilla Ice Ice Ice Baby (yeah you heard! Love it!). Making my new workout playlist is the best thing I've done all year.

Happy New Year!!!

2011-01-01T19:44:00.000-08:00

Goodbye 2010 Helloooooooooo 2011. I'm so looking forward to 2011. I'm positive a lot of great things will happen this year.

I read somewhere that people rarely talk about gaining for the new year but always talk about losing so for my new years resolutions, I'm totally going to gain:

1. New smaller size wardrobe that I can fit into.

2. The Title to the van.

3. A Beautiful front yard.

4. The ability to run long distances.

5. The ability to function without diet pepsi.

6. A larger pile of books I have read compared to the books to read.

7. Awesome pictures, taken by moi.

8. Ability to NOT get steam rolled by people.

9. Need for a larger wallet.

10. A large pile of things that I've sewn or crafted.

Good luck to all of us resolution suckers!

P.S. I'm going old school and bringing back "Cristin's Favorite Things". I know!!! Try not to get too excited. I think it'll help me keep positive and at the same time keep everyone up to date on the latest because we all know, I lead a VERY exciting life....ok, so I don't but I can make it SOUND exciting.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

2010-12-24T22:32:00.000-08:00

From,
The Carters
Larry

Cristin
Sara and Jackson

Emily
And Bub (Hyrum)

We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Like every other year, we didn't send out cards so sorry, maybe next year...but probably not.

It's been a year and I'm so glad it's almost over. The lows have been very low but we've reached new highs in areas of our lives that desperately needed them. So YAY! So many things to be thankful for:

Larry's job
My job
Our rockin awesome kids
Awesome Friends
A sister-in-law that keeps a positive attitude even though...
A home that looks FAB-U-LOUS!
Loving Parents that are so supportive that we wouldn't have made it this year without you.
Jackson getting on the Honor Roll. WOOT WOOT!
Bub getting an award at school for Positive Attitude. You could have tipped me over with a feather with that one. He's doing soooooooo good!
Emily and Sara getting a chance to use their acting chops. They rocked the Winter Program this year.

I did it!

2010-10-31T11:17:00.001-07:00

I finally updated our house blog.

I love jack-o-lanterns

2010-10-22T22:28:00.001-07:00

Especially the newly 7 year old kind.
Happy Birthday Emily!!!!

I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!

I'm blaming it on the weather.

2010-09-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

Rainy, overcast, dreary skies is so unmotivating. I want to curl up in a ball and hibernate until the sun comes out again....in 9 very very very looooooong months. I don't know if I'm extra super bummed because our summer was like snap your fingers fast or what but it sucks. Not to sound bitter but, I hate you Oregon....I hate you... Is it too much to ask for 3 full months out of the year to have clear skies and sun??? really??? I'll even settle for not so warm just as long as the sun comes out. With my constant complaining about the weather, LM and I have come to the conclusion that even though I've lived here longer than anywhere else...I will never be a true Oregonian. For some reason this doesn't make me feel bad. You see, to be a true Oregonian, you have to be the kind of person that tolerates the 3 months of sun to get to the depressing weather....

So here's all the updates:
Kids in school...ALL. THE. KIDS. IN. SCHOOL. Oh yeaaaaaaaaah!

Jackson 8th grade
Last year of Junior High!!!!!! Contrary to all the freakin gray hairs on my head, I'm not old enough...shut up.
Sara 5th
5th grade rules the grade school. Nice to be at the top of the food chain. Also has an awesome teacher.

Emily 1st
My former kindy WAS excited about school till she found out you have to do work in first grade... she has a great teacher that calls her sugar which turns Emily into mush and makes her love her teacher even more.

Bub Kindergarten...FINALLY!!!
His teacher was Emily's teacher last year. We had to warn her that he's um...a little more...challenging than Emily. He seems to be doing pretty good, though I don't know if he actually talks to any kids. Everyday when I pick him up he's usually standing around sucking his thumb.

School started September 7th....except for Kindergarten because the school obviously hates us and made the Kindies wait till the 10th to start. That was a rough week....

We are only 3 weeks in and have gotten 3 teacher calls about 2 kids. I don't want to name names but it wasn't about Jackson or Emily.... We were totally expecting a call about Bub....I mean it's Bub... ::heavy sigh:: We WERE able to do a car pick up but he has a love of running into the road so now we have to actually get out of our car and go to the office to pick him up.... ::heavy drawn out lazy person sigh:: Sara...awww Sara. She's my little ball of stress and it seems to be really bad this year. She totally lucked out by getting a really sweet understanding teacher.

I'm proud to say that the first month in and Emily is getting an award next week for being responsible. YAY for something positive!!!

I'm already tired of the complaints about getting up, like for some reason the kids think I love getting out of a warm cozy bed to run around making sure everyone is fed, dressed, dogs walked, homework in back packs and lunches made.

The mornings are soooo freekishly quiet without kids...you would think I would get tons done but no It's just me, LM, his work and metal music... and I still don't get anything done. Maybe when all the kids are in all day school ::wishful thinking::

I got a job..woot

Then, I lost the job...::sob:: causing minor depression. I was babysitting the cutest, chubbiest 6 month old but his old babysitter had an opening so I got kicked to the curb.

But gooder news, I got another job...woot! Because I don't get enough kid time, I'm now a nanny for 3 adorable kids that are so squeezably adorable, they also remind me that I'm really glad that I don't have little little kids. lol

Work on the house has sloooooooowed down a bit. We were like crazy people, then we kind of hit the remodeling wall. Maybe a little burn out...maybe a little financial burn out. But we are slowly making progress. At least I can walk around my house!!!! I'm still in love with my kitchen...in fact I love being in there. It's such a strange sensation. I'm not use to it. All the flooring is done on the main floor! It's mainly all the little things that we have left to do. Lots of touch up paint because of all the little bumps from moving furniture back in. I'm soooooo in love with my house right now. I'll have to put more updates up...maybe when the weather clears...in 9 months. j/k sort of...

I want to thank everyone for prayers and adding Donna's name to the temples. She's not doing so good, the cancer is trying to kick her butt but she is Donna so she is keeping a pretty good attitude. Please keep her in your prayers.

Hey!

2010-09-16T13:39:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a while but I'd like to ask a favor from everyone. Can you all please pray for my sis-in-law Donna Carter. She needs some extra prayers, positive thoughts right now. If you could also put her name in the local temple would be awesome.

Thanks all.

younger brothers....

2010-08-25T08:44:00.000-07:00

Two nights ago, Emily came crying to me and Larry. She had blood coming from her mouth and was doing the crying/talking thing when you can't understand them. Finally we got her to take her fingers out of her mouth and asked her what happened.

Emily: Hyrum made me bite him!
Me: How did he make you bite him? (I have to ask because he totally could have asked her to bite him...you never know with this kid)
Emily: He was annoying me.
Me and LM: ::trying not to laugh::
Emily: ::staring at us trying not to laugh at her::
Emily: My tooth hurts.

She bit him so hard that she made her previously unwiggly tooth wiggly. Worst part....Bub was still laughing hysterically about it.

Under Construction

2010-07-31T17:15:00.000-07:00

So hey! Hope everyone is having a fun summer. I can't believe how fast it's passing me by. We have been busy and I'm starting a whole new stinkin blog just to show what we've been doing. It's under construction just like our house but I'll keep it more up to date than this blog since it's pretty much all we are concentrating on.

hey, yeah it's me.

2010-06-09T11:44:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling so guilty for not posting and though lots of stuff is happening, I don't feel like posting anything so I decided that I'll just take a break but a break where I tell you I'm taking a break that way you aren't left hanging...all two of you who read my blog...I should have just called you. Oh well.

Be back after summer. Have a great sunny happy summer and I'll see you later.

Waking up with a fright.

2010-04-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

This morning, I decided that I was going to sleep in till 7:00. Carrie had to leave for work early, it was raining and it seemed like a good day not to get up early to go walking.

As I was getting out of bad...very slowly like and getting ready to wake up the monsters, I see this huge flash of light that was all sparky then a big BOOM! that shook the house. Needless to say, I did not need to wake up everyone. All the kids ran into our room asking what happened while LM and I ran to the window. We saw smoke coming from the power lines that sit on the corner of our property. I said "It looks like the transformer blew." (like I even know what a transformer is but I pretended). LM and I went outside to take a look and we see that one of the guide wires from the ground to the pole had broke. We call the electric company and find out that a semi outside of town hit a power line. While we were outside, we start hearing a series of booms throughout town and lots of sparks coming from other poles, then lots and lots of sirens. Guys, I don't remember the last time this town had so much excitement.

BUT here's the best part. We walk back inside and we see Bub standing at the top of the stairs. He's shaking really bad and he says: "Is it Optimus Pwime?". It took everything I had not to fall on the ground laughing. We tried to explain to him that it's not that kind of transformer, but I still don't think he gets it because he keeps asking if it was a different kind of robot.

A whole lot of randomenss

2010-04-15T14:31:00.000-07:00

Mainly just pictures.

What it's been looking like when I get up to go walking in the morning. We live a couple houses away from a river and this is the coolest bridge that takes you to a good dog run around area.

This is the river

Our house from the bridge.

Sara's 10th b-day

and yes that is the Twilight Graphic Novel. Sara loved it.

Should I be concerned that Bub does this with his toys?

Yes, he's still wearing the twansfomo costume. Notice the James (Thomas the tank engine) costume on the floor? This is also the reason we have dogs. Who else would he nap with?

Taking my "I never get to do anything" daughter out for a walk on the bridge and to the boat ramp.

The river on a beautiful sunny day.

The kids at the boat ramp Fall 2005. They were so tiny.

When did she grow such long legs???

Flowers blooming.

I've missed you blog. I'll hang around more I promise.

For Sara

2010-04-13T14:13:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry I missed posting about your big double digit birthday. It's amazing to me that we've spent a decade together...and yet I haven't aged a day. I don't know how I keep doing that.

I love you Sara! I love watching my once tiny sweet little baby grow to an amazing young woman. You're smart, funny, kind-hearted, friendly, creative and talented and can do anything you set your mind to do. I can't believe your my daughter! You have a little bit of me, a little bit of your Dad and a whole lot of you. You're the most individual of the kids and I love that about you. You're not afraid to be yourself, your brave in a way that I never have been. You make me proud to be your mom and I'm grateful for everyday that I have with you.

I'll love you forever.

Love,
Mom

Anyone else see this?

2010-03-31T14:37:00.000-07:00

Pre-ordering now.

Todays funny.

2010-03-10T18:26:00.000-08:00

Bub was being chased around the house by the little dogs. Bub runs and jumps on the couch, both little dogs jump on him and Bub yells: "Ok ok, you got me! I'll tell you everything!".

This is why I love him....

Bubalicious 5!!!!!

2010-03-09T18:09:00.000-08:00

Bub turned 5 on Saturday...actually he turned 5 last Wednesday but since LM was busy suffocating (something about being a mile above sea level), having the moisture sucked from his body (I guess kinda dry) and doing some job training in Colorado Springs, we had to put it off till Saturday...just in time for everyone to get sick.

Anyway, this kid is 5 and I can not believe it...seriously. I love this guy! I really do, he tests me, pushes me and gets me to pray daily. He also says THE funniest things, laughs daily, snuggles with me any chance he gets and loves strongly, especially for animals.

I'll leave you with this:
Bub to Emily: You wanna dwess up wif me Emiwy?
Emily: No, I don't feel like it.
Bub: Come on, look at me. I wook GWEAT!

Twansfomos have to sleep too.

2010-03-05T19:00:00.000-08:00

Bub found this twansfomo costume in a bag of clothes that a neighbor gave us. She has know idea what she's done.
a few hours later.

I asked Bub what he wanted for his birthday and he said "Twansfomos.....ALL the twansfomos." So I'm thinking twansfomos.

Oh rats chit wawas chiweenie

2010-03-02T21:06:00.000-08:00

So we have been like multiplying, thankfully in not the biblical way. LM thought Lilly aka The Rat needed a playmate so we (we as in, I was in the same building as him) went to Petsmart and they had 2 rats but sadly they were sisters and you wouldn't want to break up sisters soooooo we now have 3 rats. That's right. The ick factor is now tripled. But LM is happy...so happy that I think he loves them more than us...or maybe it's because they're not noisy, bug him every 2 minutes and can be put in a cage when he doesn't feel like dealing with them. I guess we could get a cage for the kids....

So now we have Lilly
Kaylee(from Firefly) and Ripley(Aliens...duh) or Ripley and Kaylee, I can't remember which is which. Just when I thought rats couldn't get creepier than their freaky hairless tails...they come with red eyes. ::full body shiver::
Thankfully, LM has stuck to his deal and I have not had to touch or take care of the rats and he's even out of town this week. Sara is taking care of the freaks..oh I mean rats.

Well, since we have now become "pet people", I decided that I was ready to have another small dog. yup, I totally miss having my little buddy Bruiser with me all the time so I decided that it was time to go back to Petfinder and get me another dog.

This is Zeus...actually his real name is Kiki but Kiki?!?!.... So he's Zeus now. Bub just follows him around calling him Chit wawa.
It took Emily 2.5 seconds to start putting clothes on him....isn't that what little dogs are for?
He's the SWEEEEEETEST, he's potty trained, crate trained and THE biggest snugglebug on the planet. He makes me so happy.

AAAAAND this is Lokie....
She's 8 months old, spunky and full of personality. I can't help but laugh whenever she's around me. She's what's called a chiweenie, a mix of Chihuhua and weenier dog. So cute! Sadly, I think she creeps out LM like the rats creep me out.

Yeah 2 dogs. I don't know what happened with getting just one but now that I have 2 little doggies, I'm wondering why I didn't do that sooner. They are sooooooooo funny.

The sun is out

2010-02-21T07:30:00.000-08:00

so that should explain why I haven't updated in a while. We've had a whole week of sun. Can you believe it??? Me either. I'm so happy I could cry. I knew the sun made me happy but I forgot how much. I've been spending my days sitting in my van reading. Though it's sunny, and mostly warmer it's still too cold to just sit in, so I sit in my van where it's warm and I still get the full effect of the sunshine. I'm so happy. It has brought me hope, that good weather is just around the corner even though it's going back to our regularly scheduled rain and overcast sky on Monday.

Anyway, Jackson is still in school and it's going ok. We're concentrating on drawing closer as a family and teaching him how to deal with mean people. Parenting sucks but it's so worth it to just have my kids.

good news

2010-02-16T11:38:00.000-08:00

Dad is heading home from the hospital today so YAY! Thanks to everyone for your prayers and positive thoughts. I love ya guys.

Prayers and Positive Thoughts

2010-02-16T07:15:00.000-08:00

Hey guys,

Dad's in the hospital due to chest pains. They ran some tests yesterday and so far so good but they are going to be running more tests today looking for damage and disease to his heart or arteries. He sure could use some prayers and positive thoughts right now.

I'll keep you updated.

Jackson

2010-02-05T12:50:00.000-08:00

My bff is out of town right now and usually I vent and talk things through with her but since she's on a much needed vacay I'm gonna do it here.

Jackson came to me during Christmas break and asked me to homeschool him again. He said that he's being teased, he's not happy with school and would really like to come back home. I told him to try to work things out and see what happens when he goes back to school. Last night, he came to me right before bed with tears and said that he would really like to be homeschooled again. Guys, I don't know what to do.

LM and I, had a nice long discussion about it last night and I still feel mixed. Do I bring him home and have him miss some of the stuff he gets from being at school or do I leave him there and teach him to stick with it. I know for some this would be an easy answer but I don't think it is. I had to ask myself this question. Would I, as an adult, keep going to a place that made me feel bad about myself daily? Is it better to allow his self esteem to be tested to make him "stronger"? The fact is, he will never be like everybody else and honestly, I'm glad he's not. He has Aspergers, and though he can learn a lot of behaviors and he's really good at mimicking, he's still different. When I pick him up from school, I see him walking by himself, talking to himself. I see the way that kids look at him. Most of the time he's oblivious but sometimes they make sure that he's aware of how different he is. I also understand why some kids would be annoyed by him because he is bossy, doesn't understand personal space, he's not aware of how the things he says and does effects other people, and he takes a long time to verbally get his ideas out. He also goes to school without complaining because those are the rules and he's a rule abider and that's what he's suppose to do, so for him to be upset enough to remember to tell me that he's not happy is a big deal.

If I did bring him home, he still would go to the school for speech therapy and his skills class so he would still get that support. But would it be better to keep his self esteem beefed up by us and keep him in school?

He's my baby and I wish that I could make all the right decisions with him so that he grows up happy and healthy, so if anyone has a child manual that I could borrow I would super duper appreciate it.

UGH

I guess I'm not really looking for answers from you guys I just need a sounding board....sigh....I miss Carrie. (but don't feel bad Carrie if you read this, I'm super duper glad your getting a well deserved break!!! Don't call me! Seriously!)

What I did on my computer free vacation

2010-02-04T14:21:00.000-08:00

aka what I did so my friends and family wouldn't put me on ignore. Besides getting a finger cramp from only using my iphone to type, pondering the meaning of life and what the heck a vidoe card is and if it's really THAT important and debating about which is more important: food or video card....duh...video card. Eating is so over rated plus we have enough to keep up with my diet pepsi habit so we're good....no worries.

I cleaned my closets people...all of them. ooooh yeah, they are gleaming, so gleaming that I can't take a picture of them because they are so sparkling clean and organized that it'll break my camera. Plus, I wouldn't want you to get all depressed and feel bad or guilty that yours don't look as great as mine.

From all my closet cleaning and drawer cleaning, I had 6 bags of clothes for good will, plus another bag of toys. Hallelujah! Can I get an amen?

I removed all evidence of children from our bedroom. It is now so bare and spacious .... and....and...AWESOME(said all singsongy)

I rearranged furniture in the kids rooms and made a nice safe place for Rhino and hope to make it less likely for him to escape...again.

I cleaned my heart out then dreamed what it would be like to have a clean house longer than it takes Hyrum to take a short nap. Someday people...someday I will have a clean home for a full day....someday....

I read and read and sadly didn't get through a single book besides The Potato book again. It's ruined me, I have 4 books that I'm part way through but it's so hard to finish when I can't connect to it like Potato Book. I'm putting all my hopes and dreams into the next book club book, that I'll once again find love in the pages of a book. (p.s. I'm taking opinions and idea of other books if you'd like to leave a few titles in my comments section...no pressure.)

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, I've been working on this baby. It's about freaking time I know. Still not done, but I think I'll just take my time since I've got the important part done.

Squirrels are so cute

2010-02-02T15:53:00.000-08:00

When they are dead, hanging on by their teeth on a power line right in front of our house.
If you enlarge the picture you can see it smoking.

Here's it's burned off tail.

I think I'm officially a hick because I find this humorous.

So does some of our volunteer fire department. When LM asked if they needed anything, they said "Only a knife and a fork."... I think I love this town.

flipping the bird

2010-01-24T21:46:00.000-08:00

I realized lately that I've been posting alot of the negative stuff that is happening and I may seem a little bitter, angry, frustrated, annoyed, and self pitying. I just want you to know that my bad attitude isn't the only "tude" I've had lately.

I'm finding every day that something has broken or needs replacing or blah blah blah. So everyday I say the same thing to myself. For example, when my video card died:

F*** You universe.
::stomps away from computer::
::says other colorful things::
::sits down, takes a deep breath and realizes: this is just stuff::
::calms down and gets on with my day::

I mean, I have to admit it is nuts how much stuff is breaking around here and not just little things, I mean B I G ticket items, and it's happening at a time when we have negative money, which normally sends me into a spiral of depression. It's not pretty. BUT, lately, after I have my tantrum, I get a weird sense of peace. I can't even explain it but it just feels like everything that his happening is going to get me to a place I need to be physically, mentally and spiritually. Crazy right?!?! But whatever is going on, it's working. I'm finally seeing things for what they are. As much as I love my puter, and having a nice tv, they are both distractions from what I really want to accomplish right now. I've gained a new appreciation for my family, my home, my friends, my body, my health. I am truly truly grateful and not in a cheesy way but in a deep down to the bone sort of way.

So, if you see me post negative stuff just realize that once I'm done flipping off the universe, I'll be settling back to feeling peace.

hey, hows it goin and stuff?

2010-01-09T09:51:00.000-08:00

I didn't realize how long it's been since I've updated...oopsy. So here's my update.
short version:

everything is hunky dory. the end. your welcome.

Super long version:

We had a great Christmas, in fact I think this one was my favorite. I had a blast spending the month of December in the bonus room freezing to death while sewing my little heart out. So worth it. And for those of you who didn't see on my Facebook page, here's some pictures.
Emily's Princess cape and crown.

Bub's reversible batman/superman cape.
I made a bazillion bed organizers.
Here's the back so you can see that I sewed grippy stuff on the back so it stays in place better.

Here's Sara's in action.

I also made some skirts for the girls, headbands and sewed little bags for magnets that we made their teachers.

The magnets are super duper cute but sadly my picture taking skills suck so you'll have to deal with blurry pictures.
using the small round magnets, glass beads, glue used for glass, scrapbook paper (eeeek) or you could use pictures, and a 3/4" circle paper cutter thingy. All of this can be bought at Michaels (eeeek).

We have 2 new additions to our family.

This is Rhino, Sara's hamster.

And that...waaaay over there is Lilly.
(this is as close as I like to get)

Larry's pet rat. I just call it "The Rat" and run away screaming every time she's out of her cage. She poops a lot and it pretty much grosses me out along with her freaky long tail. ewwwww ::full body shiver::

He had to swear on all his miniatures
and his life that I would never have to touch her, feed, her or clean up after her. I'm still not sure that was enough.

We have also said goodbye to 2 of my favorite babysitters, the week of Christmas.

They passed within days from each other along with there dvd players.

Luckily, we still have this baby to get us by.
I cried. Probably because it was the end of a long chain of things dying in this house not including some disgusting mice. Our heat pump started acting funny on the coldest week of the year, we couldn't keep our house above 65 which means that I practically died of cold. Then our vent above the stove decided to catch on fire.

Luckily it just did a little scorching and our kitchen was saved....or maybe that was unluckily. I mean I'd love to have a new kitchen but just not THAT way. A water pump that goes to our ice maker broke, caused mold so I had to tear away part of the wall behind the fridge and now I don't have a working ice maker. I cried. And as of yesterday my vacuum won't start...I mean, I wouldn't either if I had to vacuum my carpet but still...it stinks. I was very close to just walking out of this house and never coming back...still debating whether to do that...it's very close. But even though this was all upsetting and made be go back and forth between being pissed and crying my eyes out, I truly am grateful for my life.

I have a loving husband that will abandon this house with me any time I say, I have 4 kids that love me and still kiss me in front of their friends and pretty much keep me entertained most of my day. I have a sweet dog that is always ready to give me love. I have a home that has kept us safe and warm (most of the time), I have great friends, a van that I can escape in, a working computer so I can keep in touch, a stack of books to read and good health. I'm truly grateful.

Happy New Year.

P.S. I'd like to ask some prayers for LM's sister Donna. She recently found out that she has breast cancer and just this week found out it's stage IV. She's starting chemo next week and I'd like to send as many prayers up and positive thoughts her way. We love you Donna!

LOL cats

2009-12-07T20:36:00.001-08:00

This makes me laugh LOL Twilight

This makes me laugh just as hard LOL New Moon ....even though I don't like cats.

Totally fakin' it!

2009-12-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

The Christmas Tree, that is...what did you think?

While decorating this year we decided to give one of those fake trees a try...I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. I'm already missing the smell of a real tree, especially vacuuming up the needles...mmmm...I like that smell. I just hope the locals don't find out about our fake tree...we may get kicked out of Small Town Oregon for this...I mean this is the land of Christmas tree farms. So shhhhhh this is just between us right?

Can you believe it's Christmas time??? Me either...but I'm lovin it!

I love giant stalkings that our friend Beth made for each of us.

I love decorations.
I love decorating the tree...even if it is fake....see....I don't think I'll be ever to get past the "fakeness" of our tree. I'm trying though...I really am.

I love these hoodlums. (notice how Kita is on the couch and the kids are on the floor...that's how we roll around here)
Boy oh boy do I love these gize!

I love going to a fancy dinner at Sharis with my kids

and LM

My kids are weird

2009-12-06T09:00:00.000-08:00

death by disgusting carpet.

and we obviously let them watch too many violent movies.

Jackson, the photographer

2009-12-02T20:00:00.000-08:00

The models.

Heaven or also known as...

2009-12-01T20:00:00.000-08:00

Michaels. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK

I finally had a reason to go to Michaels...thank you Christmas (your the best). I seriously have not been inside a Michaels in over a year...I know...I can't believe it either. Sometimes it's physically painful not to go and just look around (hahaha I know, how can you go there and just look and not buy) but I finally had an excuse to go and I enjoyed every single second of it.

The second I saw the sign my heart started racing. Why does a craft store bring me so much happiness??? Someone needs to explain this to me.

OH MY GOSH!!! The paper....
I almost hyperventilated.

Thankfully I'm pretty much cured of my love of paper...sort of...

ok not really but I'm still on a paper diet...sadly, especially since they have some awesome new paper stacks...cry.

It totally got my crafty side to jump out...I like my crafty side. BUT I did go for a purpose and I'll share later the super cute idea that my friend Carrie shared with me. It's a cute idea for teacher gifts. I'm so excited to make them with the girls...it even uses scrapbook paper...eeeeeeeeeek.

I did get a little crazy eyed but luckily there were others like me.

This year I have mostly home made gifts planned since we are on a forced money diet. I've been scouring the net for ideas and now am completely overwhelmed with ideas but I'll share later...obviously AFTER Christmas since I know a certain 9 year old reads my blog...Hi Sara!. I'm kind of excited about it...at least now. Just don't remind me how many days I have left till Christmas k?

pfft November is like so over

2009-11-30T21:25:00.000-08:00

Time is like in super fast mode right now and I don't even feel like I got anything accomplished...weird.

I just wanted to post a post Thanksgiving thanks.

I missed the big Thanksgiving dinner because of a sick Bub but luckily I have the sweetest hubby in the world who saved me a plate of the best Thanksgiving dinner on the planet...seriously, I am never so glad to be best friends with Beth then I am on Thanksgiving. She's AWESOME!!! She's awesome in so many ways but mostly because she has never forced or pushed me to cook anything. She totally loves me. So I'm totally thankful for friends who know and love me! I'm talking to you too Carrie!!!

I'm so thankful for LM, he puts up with my emotional ups and downs, he tells me how much he loves me EVERY SINGLE DAY, he treats me like a Queen and pretty much worships the ground I walk on...ok...maybe not the last part but he is a sweetie.

I'm truly thankful for my 4 rugrats. They each teach me something everyday, they bring me the most joy, frustration and pure love. I'm thankful for them and want to be more like them and I'm sooooo thankful that I get to be their mom and watch them grow up. I'm so lucky!!!

I'm thankful for the best sister on the planet who knows me, loves me, makes me laugh, makes me cry and helps me grow, understand, learn and reminds me of the important things in life. I'm the luckiest! There is nothing more awesome then to watch my sister, she is amazing and I've gotten to stand back and watch this amazing women become who she is today.

I'm even thankful for my coodie brothers. I love you guys!!! I hope to have Chad's strength and Clints easy going personality someday.

I'm thankful two loving parents who've taught me lots and lots and lots and etc. I'm thankfulf or my Dad especially his sense of humor...it reminds me of someone...hmm...oh yeah...ME! I'm thankful for a Mom who gets excited about the same books as me and has relearned the joy of reading...FINALLY!!! It's fun to talk to books with her.

I'm thankful for awesome In-laws...seriously, I have THE best In-laws in the world...no exageration. I'll forever be grateful to my mother in law who taught me to quilt especially at a time that I really needed something to get excited about.

I'm thankful for awesome nieces and nephews!!! I love you gize!!!! It wouldn't be the same without you!

I'm thankful for books, computer games, cards and my kids imaginations. I'm thankful for my renewed love of my sewing machine. I'm thankful for a home that I can complain about. I'm thankful for this years "learning" experiences. I truly think that they are making me into a better person...whether I like it or not. I'm thankful for good music, it motivates me, calms me down, makes me sing my heart out, gets me moving in the morning and makes the world a better place. Last but not least I'm thankful for peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies...3 awesome cookies in one. It really doesn't get much better than that.

Money is awesome but...

2009-11-08T15:54:00.000-08:00

Earning my first paycheck in 12 1/2 years is awesomer. Unfortunately it'll be the last paycheck until I find a replacement job. I quit after 5 days. I decided that unless I'm getting hazard pay, I won't bother risking my life everyday with a crazy 15 year old...so not worth it. Let's just say, they never taught me how to deal with a 17 year who is coming at me with 2 forks or a 15 year old running around with a butcher knife, and even though it's easy to get out of the way of a kid throwing a big heavy rock, it's best not to get into the situation in the first place. I'm just saying... I spent a whole Monday realizing what the term "flight or fight" means. I'm definitely a flight person....

Thankfully, this has taught me wonderful lessons.
1). I love paychecks...I do...it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
2). Cleaning up after other peoples kids isn't so bad when I'm getting paid.
3). Working in a group home with psychotic kids is not for me.
4). Down Syndrome kids are my favorite...especially C who makes me sad that I won't be going back. Luckily for me he left a lot of voice memos for me to listen to over and over and I'll always think of him while listening to "I gotta feeling" by Black Eyed Peas.
5). I enjoy working and it's nice to miss my kids.

I FAIL!!!!

2009-10-28T07:05:00.000-07:00

I thought I would FINALLY update since it's almost November. I started thinking about all that happened this month and realized I didn't post Emily Wembily's birthday. I'm a failure...a blog failure.

Little Miss Emily turned 6 years old!!!! sniff sniff I can't believe my baby girl is getting soooo oooold.

She wore that crown for 5 days straight. The week before her birthday, I kept asking her what she wanted for her birthday and all she would say was a crown. I was like "ok" then when I picked her up from school that Friday, I finally realized what she meant. All the kids in her class get to wear a birthday crown and she couldn't wait to get to wear hers. Her teacher came up to me and said that she has never had a student so excited about wearing the birthday crown in the history of her teaching....awww that's my Emily!!!!
My 6 most favorite things about Emily:
1. She makes my heart sing every time she smiles.
2. She lets me hug and kiss her as much as I want.
3. Her laugh is contagious.
4. She loves everything girlie.
5. She loves that birthday crown.
6. She's the most like me and gives me a new perspective of myself.

Now random pictures.

In other news. Today I start my first day of work. I'm pretty nervous especially after I spent the past 2 days in training learning how to get out of strangle holds, bear hugs, arm holds, pinches, hair pulls (which by the way, there is no safe way to get out of that, it's more of a sit and wait) and learned how to do a 1 person, 2 person and 3 person holds....very exciting...I'm just hoping to keep my teeth. I guess working with the mentally disabled is a much more hazardous job then I thought.

I'm the luckiest

2009-10-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

I have THE best Mother-in-Law in the world and today is her birthday! We love you Grandma Clubb!

Not only is she beautiful but she is sweet, loving, talented and a wonderful grandma.

I so can't believe I didn't tell you gize....

2009-10-01T09:12:00.001-07:00

but we have a new member of the family.
This is Nakita Banana Carter. We loves her!

Best dog EVER!! (for us)

She's awesome gize, she has all the qualities that we wanted in a dog.
1. likes Hyrum
2. obediant (does everything that Hyrum tells her to do)
3. isn't yappy.
4. likes all of us
5. helps the kids feel safe so they stay in bed (totally working btw)
6. potty trained
7. awesome.
8. she's super good at herding the kids and getting them out of bed in the morning. It's so cute. Right when we get home from our walk, she runs into all the bedrooms, jumps on the beds to get the kids up then runs downstairs to eat breakfast.
9. We love her.

After Boozer the chilala passed away, our friends Jay and Carrie let us borrow Nakita during the day. We would have her all day then give her back at bedtime. She helped us not be as sad and gave lots of love. I was on the hunt for a new dog and the more time I spent with Nakita the more I wanted a dog JUST like her. Well...our friends got the hint and gave us Nakita...don't feel bad for them...they have spares. They seem to be turning out to be our dog suppliers since they gave us Bruiser too. They find awesome dogs then give them to us. It seems to be working out well for both of us.

Anyway, I think it's fitting that she's our dog now since she was the love of Bruisers life.

Forever is like a really long time.

2009-09-30T08:50:00.000-07:00

At 6 am this morning while I was sitting on my stairs looking across the street at Carries house, waiting to see her and Sawyer (aka sweetest dog EVAH) walk out so we can meet up for our daily morning walk. I realized really for the first time that this is my life now. That I'm never going to be one of those people that doesn't have to work out to keep weight off. I'm going to have to workout for the rest of my life.

I mean, I've walked every day since May 18th except for one day last week (I twisted my ankle the night before so I took a day of ) and I enjoy walking but...but...the last few mornings have been FRICKIN FREEEEEEEEEEZING!!! My bed has never been more comfy and warm then it has the past few days. I don't wanna get out of bed any more, plus the days have been cooling off, it hasn't been as sunny and I feel like hybernating. This has never been so hard. I need to come up with new motivation. Right now, I get up every morning because I don't want to be the one to say "let's not walk today" and I know Carrie feels the same way. But it's frickin COLD!!! and it's really hard to keep that motivation going when compared to how much I dislike being cold. Maybe I should move...

To top things off, since I twisted my ankle I'm not even walking half of what I have been...actually let me go back a little farther. We had been walking 5 miles a day then because of business and other things getting in the way, a little over a month ago we stoped our evening walks so we were only walking 2 1/2 miles a day and that is when my weight loss stopped.... Now since my ankle is still hurting, we're walking even less then 2 1/2 miles plus we're not doing OMG It Burns because I can't do hills right now....AND this week I've gained 2 lbs. I'm frustrated. I was ok with maintaining...I never once thought that this was going to be an easy process for me, I expected to lose, then maintain then lose then maintain but this week has really put me over the edge. I need to come up with new goals and a new 12 week program to get me motivated and going again. I just hate feeling like I'm starting over, but with my new injury, I have to start all over doing less then what I was...sooo annoying.

So for the next few days I'm gonna think about what my new plan will be and I know you gize are super interested in knowing what I'm gonna do so no worries....I'll let you know....your welcome.

I know I know....

2009-09-28T10:48:00.000-07:00

2 posts in a weeks worth of time...it's...it's unbelievable....I know. I just felt bad for leaving you hanging wondering if I actually spied...well I didn't. I really wish I would have now.

This picture says it all.

He said it was AWESOME!!! Then proceeded to tell me what food and drinks they had and how quickly the Oreos were eaten. (doyee)

Two of his friends talked him into asking a girl to dance (EEEEEEEEEEEEEK ::Kicking myself for not spying::). He asked his friend that's a girl. They waited for a smooth ::snicker:: song. ::still kicking myself::

After he danced with her, he was plum warn out so he called me to come pick him up. On our way home he asked if he could go to another school dance. Next time I'm TOTALLY spying!

Yesterday I was 20 and today...

2009-09-25T19:54:00.000-07:00

I'm old enough to have a 7th grader go to his first school dance. I don't think I can take the pain.

It hurts.

(ignore my post workout hair and face)

Someone stop me from sneaking to the school and spying.

The only thing that is keeping me home is our conversation before he left.

Jackson: (with a really excited voice) Can I go to the dance tonight?
Me: (trying not to look panicked) UMMMMMMMM....(freaking out) ummmmm

Me: Are you gonna dance?
Jackson: I don't know how.

Me: Are you gonna ask girls to dance?
Jackson: haha no
In My Head: Oh thank God!

Me: Are you gonna ask your friends that are girls to dance?
Jackson: (High pitch HA HA) Not gonna happen.

Me: Why do you wanna go?
Jackson: I think it'll be fun.

In My Head: There is no freakin way I'm old enough for this!!!
Me: Ok...you can go...I guess...
In My Head: :: screaming NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...etc::
Jackson: YES! with arm motions

Me: ::sitting here pulling out all my gray hairs because I'm not old enough for this::

Hey you!

2009-09-25T10:36:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I'm talking you!

I'm still here.

Just in case you were worried.

Update coming...once I decide to walk up 2 flights of stairs and grab my iphone thingy so I can downloads pictures and stuff...so it probably won't be today.

I thought I'd be happier

2009-09-08T08:37:00.001-07:00

I've seen the back to school commercials where the mothers are waving their children off to school all happy and excited. I fell for it gizes. I really thought I'd be way more excited today... The First Day of School. But no. It's all I can do to keep myself together today. I was nervous all weekend then last night, I maybe slept for 2 hours. I'm on the verge of crying and throwing up.

Jackson jumped on his bike and rode to school this morning, like no big deal. That's what I love about Jackson, he might not like it but he never complains about going. It might have something to do with his Aspergers but whatever it is...I like it.

Sara informed me this morning that she didn't want me to take her to her classroom and that she would take the lunch money check to the cafeteria because it would be weird to have her mom in the school. I cried a little, not in front of her...that wouldn't be cool. This is her first day in public school, she's been homeschooled k-through 3rd and for some reason she's really old today. Luckily, as we pulled up to the front of the school she changed her mind so I parked and ran excitedly to the front door so I could walk with her to her room. It's the little things gize, that make me happy. She was the most excited about going to school until the very moment I dropped her off in front, then she became nervous, but knowing Sara, she's going to have a good day....but I'm going to be sick to my stomach till it's time to pick her up. Maybe I'm a little over protective but...

Emily doesn't technically start today. She get's to have 1 hour sample Kindy today then starts on Friday. It's going to be torture!!! She is really excited...a little nervous but more excited and I think it's going to be hard that it's only half day and that she won't be going again till Friday. Even worse, she doesn't start till 12:15 so she has all morning to torture me about what time it is and when are we going to the school.

Hyrum is just plain freaking out. He's screaming "I want to go to school!" except he's crying so hard that it sounds more like a crazy person rantings. Poor guy...I hope he doesn't keep this up the rest of the year.

I think I'm contagious

2009-08-10T07:30:00.000-07:00

It looks like I'm not the only one that has "Imtoobusydoingotherstuffanddontfeellikeblogging-itis". But I'll get everyone caught up whether you like it or not. HA!

It's been an eventful month-ish.

Emily had a fight with the sidewalk...the sidewalk won.
A few days later

A week later she stepped on a bee and got an infection that caused her foot to double in size....then did it again 2 weeks later.

She lost her first tooth!!! Yay! something exciting.

I realized that my oldest daughter is growing up and noticing boys and I'm not ready.

The kids and I spent the day at the beach... It was fun but I'm glad I won't have to be guilted into going again for at least another year. Don't get me wrong, I like beaches...when they are warm...not when you put your foot in the water and you immediately get pissed because it's so freakin cold you think you'll never be warm again.

I don't know if my kids are just mutant or just take after Larry but they had no problem with freakin cold water and actually all went in.

Our little Bruiser passed away :( Still super sad. Please don't ask how, I can't even go there but Sara blogged it, if your curious.
The kids and I are now spending our free time looking on Petfinder.com for our next dog. So many choices... we found one that we agreed on but was adopted the day I emailed about him. So...still looking.

Yesterday was the end of my 12 weeks and my stats are: I'm down 10 lbs. and 20.5 inches. Well technically down 5 lbs but I'm down 10 since my initial 5 lb weight gain. So yay! I'm consistently losing every week and that makes me happy. I'm walking 5 miles a day, I haven't lifted weights in like a month but once school starts, I'll have way more time and less interruptions. I feel great, I'm sleeping so good and I'm actually enjoying getting up early. OOOOH and I did not quit drinking Diet Pepsi...that was just plain insane thinking and I'm not really into being crazy sooo still drinking and loving my DP.

Soooooooo that's about it. See you next month, when school starts.

Happy belated 4th, 5th and 6th of July

2009-07-07T15:24:00.001-07:00

We love the 4th of July so much that we decided to stretch it out a few days. It's kind of what happens when you forget to bring your fireworks to a family party then the next night arctic winds sweep through your town making it too cold and windy to light more than a couple of fireworks. We finally finished our celebration on the 6th.

We celebrated the 4th with Cathe's clan, Mom & Dad Cooper and Cathe's pool!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We're so happy they got a pool, Sara is still trying to find a way for us to move closer so they can go swimming all the time.

I know it might be kind of hard to tell by the looks on their faces, but they really did love the pool.

Bub got in for a few minutes but once he went face in, he decided that he didn't want to swim any more. Kind of like when he was on the trampoline with me and I jumped and he decided that he didn't like jumping.

We lit a few fireworks but the finale kind of got trumped by all the illegal fireworks that started going off all around us. The neighborhood seems innocent but boy oh boy...there was a lot of law breakers...and I'm glad for it because they were really awesome!!!

Once again, Bub didn't care for the fireworks. He sat on my lap for a few minutes but he kept repeating "I wanna go inside" each time getting slightly louder until he was screaming. So he went inside with Sophie the dog, occasionally he would step outside but the second he heard a firework he would run back inside and slam the door. I still find it amazing that this kid is afraid of fireworks...they're dangerous...he usually loves everything dangerous...I don't get it....

This was taken when Maggie was doing the Coke and mentos experiment(that I didn't get a picture of).

The 5th AKA arctic weather night! I warned the kids that it was too cold but they were determined to do the fireworks. It only took 3 fireworks for them to decide that it was too cold.

6th/Family Home Evening

Larry was brave and let the 3 older kids take a turn lighting a firework.
Bub before we started the fireworks:After:

Girls and Hair

2009-07-07T15:08:00.000-07:00

Here's Emily's before:

We're half way there. This is the hair that we donated to Locks of Love.

and after. I heart it big time!!!

It took Sara and I looking through lots of pictures to find the right haircut for her. This girl is anti hair brush, pony tails, and braids so short was our only option.

Here's her before:
After:

I love it! We can finally see her cute little face instead of having it hidden behind all that hair. I especially love that this morning when we were brushing her hair, there was NO crying...NON.... except for me but they were tears of joy gize...tears of joy...

where do they learn these things???

2009-07-02T18:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Bub was in tip top pain in the butt mood and would not leave the girls alone. I finally had it after hearing both girls scream at the top of there lungs. I ran upstairs where Bub was torturing the girls. I grabbed him and swatted his butt and told him to go lay down on his bed. He looks at me, sticks his lower lip out which is trembling slightly and he says "But I love you Moooooooom". Luckily I'm now immune to this but seriously...where did he learn that???

I love Emily

2009-07-01T16:33:00.000-07:00

Today, while putting a frozen dinner into the microwave for Bub she came up to me hugged me and said "your the best cooker". sigh... I have to agree, nobody cooks a frozen dinner like me...nobody....except maybe JEspy but I think that's just a rumor.

Things my kids say that warm my heart

2009-06-30T13:44:00.000-07:00

Emily: Loud scream

Jackson: Sorry!!! I'll give you a dollar if you don't tell Mom!

What it looks like at 6 am

2009-06-28T17:59:00.001-07:00

What I'm wearing at 6 am

Me at 6 am, waiting for my girlie friend to meet me outside for our walk and me pointing out that I FINALLY lost my first pound. So at a rate of 1 pound per 6 weeks, I figure that in around 600 weeks (11 1/2 years) I'll be at goal. I can't wait.

This is a call out

2009-06-24T07:44:00.000-07:00

for workout music. I need a new workout playlist but I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed ideas. What songs get you movin? Serious gize, I really need to know. You wouldn't want me to get tired of the same ol' songs everyday would you??? I didn't think so.

And for a short little update, last week is the first week I didn't gain. WOOT! I didn't lose but gize...I didn't gain.... I have to rejoice in the little things, no matter how much it sucks. But for the gooder news, I think it's because I'm retaining water. A certain visitor is coming ::wink wink:: you know the one that makes me kinda cranky, crazy and retain enough water for a small village.... she's rude that like. So I'm expecting a loss any week now...any week...::crossing fingers::

Visiting Family

2009-06-18T10:28:00.000-07:00

The kids and I went to the zoo on Tuesday. The whole way there, the kids kept teasing Bub, telling him that we were going to go visit his real family (the monkeys). We all laughed, thought it was so cute.

We walk into the Primate area, saw this:

and Bub yells as loud as he can "My family! My family!". Then he looks at me and asks where his mom is.
I'm wondering if this means that we can leave him there....

We also visited LM
yeah yeah I know, I'm so funny you forgot to laugh.

When Bub first saw this
he ran up to the glass where there was a whole line of toddlers and yelled "Holy Crap!". An extremely shocked mom looked at me and I just feigned shock, shrugged...then pointed to the mom next to me. Just kidding... I didn't shrug. Holy freakin crap, I don't know where he gets his crappy vocabulary from...

my little chicks in their bald eagle nest.

My fish

except Bub, 'cause he's a monkey.

My bear cubs

It was fun.

I can cry if I want too

2009-06-14T07:58:00.000-07:00

So today is the end of my first 4 weeks and well...no words really...nothing that a few tears, a diet pepsi and a hammer can't handle.

The good news: I've lost 10.25 inches, I had a few gains and a few loses there but I'm gonna say that it's LM's lack of consistency and not me...yeah...that's it...it's LM's fault for every measurement that was higher...that almost makes me feel better.

The I hate my life news: I've gained a total of 5 lbs. That's right I gained ANOTHER pound this week.

That's all...I'm heading out to go find the biggest freakin hammer on the planet and going to smash my scale to smithereens.

I'll cya later!

Sooooooooooo

2009-06-10T13:41:00.000-07:00

I gained another pound. That's right, I've gained 4 pounds in 3 weeks....it would totally be impressive if I wasn't trying to lose... I can't tell you how hard it is to not drown my sorrow in dark chocolate with almonds.

I'm still keeping positive though. I'm just concentrating on all the positives like...

I'm getting stronger, I've already upped the weights I'm using from 3, 5 and 8 lb to 5, 8 and 10. I think from here on out, I'll just be doing more reps.

I no longer need a nap during the day like I did when I first started.

Some mornings, walking up Oh My Gosh it Burns, actually feels good.

I feel pretty positive.

I don't eat as much junk food because I don't want to undo my workout.

And the VERY best thing is a week after I started working out, the nagging pain I had in my chest from the accident was totally gone. YAY!!!

You can just call me Pollyanna from now on.

So I was totally thinking that

2009-06-06T16:28:00.000-07:00

Idaho hated me and I was going to take it of my list, you know the "I might want to move there maybe if LM ever decides he would be willing to leave Oregon" list. But I'm trying to take a Pollyanna attitude about it, so instead of having bad luck in Idaho, Idaho is trying to tell me not to leave it...

Tuesday, I flew to Idaho because Twilight Van is all fixed up with pretty new body parts. My frousin Amy, who is now my favorite frousin but shhhhhhhhh, don't tell anyone, was kind of enough to take time away from moving to take me to Burley so I could pick up my van. Sadly, we had a little problem with her car battery...

like it stopped working while we were at a rest stop. I started to feel my unlucky vibes going on over load. Luckily, Idaho seems to be filled with lots of super duper nice people. A nice guy jumped the car and we made it to Schucks in Twin Falls where we met Mike aka McGyver:

talk about going above and beyond. He's awesome and loves his job!!! He had to do all kinds of fixing things and was super cool.

Once we got a new battery we went to get dinner at...CAFE RIO!!!!!!!!!!!

It's not hype, the Pork salad REALLY is that good!!! I love Idaho just because this place...and because they have a 75 mph speed limit.

Once rolling ourselves out of Cafe Rio, we were on our way to Burley when the car died, then died again and a few more times after that.

Amy calling Mike to get a number of a mechanic, that we couldn't get a hold of.

Back to Schucks where Mike checked the altinator then called John the most nicest mechanic on the planet...seriously...nicest mechanic EVER. While waiting ,Amy pulled out her crystal ball and saw that the mechanic wasn't going to find anything wrong with it....and guess what??? She was totally right. But hey, at least we made new friends. We made it to Burley pretty late which made Amy get home super late.

I have to say the beds at the Marriotte are pretty inviting for a Hotel. I slept like a baby. But I think that might have something to do with a 4 year old not kicking me in the face several times a night or hearing a crying 9 year old whose afraid of the dark.

I woke up bright and early to workout then took a walking tour of Burley to get to Crawford Body shop. Where my girl was getting all fixed up and pretty.

Here she is!!!!
Look how shiny!

Me super duper happy!

It only took me about 3 hours to take my hands off the 10 and 2 position to the more relaxed 9 and 3 position. I'm still really nervous about driving her and hyper aware of every little sound and bump but she drove like the day I brought her home from the dealership. She's lovely.

It only took me around 600 miles and swollen feet to remember that I had cruise control...

627.8 miles later we were home!!!! Awww its' so nice see her home.
But that silver car had some nerve to be in her spot...must be jealous...I would be.

Thanks AMY!!!! I'm still gonna feel bad for all the bad luck...

Lindy Lulu

2009-06-06T12:33:00.000-07:00

Graduated last night! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!! I can't believe our baby (yes I said OUR baby) has graduated. Where did the time go??? It feel like not to long ago that I was at the hospital with Cathe and Mom watching this beautiful girl be born.... sniff sniff.

We love Lulu!!!!

2 down 10 to go...or forever...whatever

2009-05-31T16:35:00.000-07:00

2 weeks down and I'm feeling good. I'm still trying to figure things out. Anyone have any good pre-workout snack ideas? I workout so early that I started out not eating anything but found out that by the time I got to the weights, I had zero energy.

I tried to have willpower against the scale but I stepped on it and now it's official...the scale needs to be destroyed! The first week I gained 2 pounds so I decided that I would start tracking my calories and gained another pound....that's all I'm gonna say about that....or I'll start crying and I don't like crying in public. I know it's temporary and I know that there are several things that might be causing it but it still sucks.

I really do feel good and stronger and "OMG it burns" is getting easier. Some mornings it's tough but it already feels like habit and I like it.

Besides the whole gaining weight thing, the only tough part is that I'm seriously tired by 9:30 which only gives me like a half hour of quiet evening time. But I'm managing.

I totally recommend

2009-05-29T23:06:00.001-07:00

having a friend you haven't seen in like 14 years, come visit!!! Seriously...it's cool.

Ann and her hubby Todd came to visit last weekend. I haven't been so excited and nervous in I don't know how long. Sadly, I didn't get to play as much as I wanted too since Twilight Van is in the shop. BUT, it was fun. Plus, they made us dinner that LM and I ended up fighting over the next day.

Me and Ann

I think summer of '91

summer of '93

last weekend.
I just want to point out that I'm wearing my workout clothes and I had just got done working out. Normally I would have used a visit like this as an excuse NOT to workout. I've really grown as a person...

Ann, look what I found when I went looking for pictures of us. I don't know how I got this picture but I'll send it back to you. I'm REALLY hoping you two have little girls, look how totally adorable they 'll be.

I'm crying

2009-05-28T12:42:00.000-07:00

tears of joy. She's almost done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo!!!! They are just waiting for 1 part that they had to reorder. They're saying June 1st! OH MY GOSH!!!!! This has been the longest month of my life. Now to decide the game plan to pick her up....decisions decisions. Amy, I might be calling you...just a warning.

Isn't she beautiful??? You don't really have to answer that I already know.

Facts

2009-05-20T09:41:00.000-07:00

1. I hurt. But it's the so called the "good" kind of hurt. I'm cursing my house with all it's stupid stairs.

2. Getting up at 5:30 is no problem when you fall asleep at 9:30 because your so freakin tired.

3. Walking with my best girlie friend makes walking so much funner. Thanks Carrie for letting me sucker...oh I mean talk you into getting up even earlier to walk with me. I love ya!!!

4. Walking up a hill that I've loving nicked named the "Oh My Gosh, It BURNS!" should be done at the beginning of our walk and not the end of the walk. It doesn't look menacing but trust me...it hurts. And for some reason, it makes me completely aware of all the other hills in town.

5. You should not start a giggling fit while walking up "OMG, It BURNS!" with my best girlie friend because it makes it REALLY hard to breath.

6. I look like this after my workout and I'm told it's normal. There should be some after school special that shows the scary dark side of working out.

7. I feel great!

She's lookin so much better

2009-05-19T21:33:00.000-07:00

I love the updates that the body shop send me. It's nice to see how much better my girl is doing.

New door and side fender thingy!!!!

They have all the parts now so it's just body repair/ reassembly!!! woot woot!

I thought the kids were fine, they seemed fine until the other day, we were driving along when a car full of kids rode up next to us and honked their horn (what we heard right before impact). All 3 kids in unison let out this ear piercing scream. I'm guessing they aren't over it yet.

Action Jackson

2009-05-19T08:39:00.000-07:00

My oldest baby is 12 years old today. It's so strange that he keeps getting older but I don't.... weird how that happens.

Jackson went through a chubby period that lasted about 1 month. I loved it!
4 generations! LM, Great Grandma Richardson, Grandma Clubb and Jackson.
Jackson and his best friend Sam. They were born 7 days apart. Jackson on the left, Sam on the right.

We love you Jackson! Your still the best present Ever! Thank you for being such a great kid, son, and brother.

Ready, Set, Gooooooo

2009-05-18T09:44:00.000-07:00

I don't know if it's because it's been wonderfully warm and sunny the past few days or the idea that summer is almost here or that Bub used the potty for the first time yesterday or that I finally got caught up on The Biggest Loser, but whatever the reason, I'm feeling very motivated to set some goals and finally take care of myself.

By nature I'm a pretty selfish person but when I gave birth to the first of 4 kiddos, I kind of tucked that away and put my energy into them. But I've finally decided that I'm no longer going to put myself last and keep feeling yucky, ugly and fat. Soooooo I'm giving myself a 12 week challenge. First 4 weeks it's all about exercise, I'm doing 1 hr of cardio 6 days a week and alternating upper and lower body weights 5 days a week. Today was my first day. My arms are really shakey...I hope that's normal. I feel it's aggressive but not so aggressive that I'll quit.

Starting with week 5 I'll be adding calorie restrictions. I'm not looking forward to that but I'm hoping by then that I'll feel like exercise is more of a habit then a chore so I won't feel the pressure of doing 2 things that I find challenging right now.

Starting week 9, I'm gonna do it....I'm gonna quit diet pepsi...again. I'm more scared of that than anything else. I heart it, it's been my life force for 12 + years, it's what keeps me going and motivated to get up in the morning...and it's totally going to suck.

Anyway, I thought that if I post it here for everyone to read that it'll help with motivation. I know that if I kept it too myself then I would eventually quit. Sooo, I'm giving you guys a job, you have to ask me how it's going....I hate to put pressure on people but I'm counting on you.

I'm tracking measurements and taking pictures...I may or may not post them at the end of the challenge. It depends if I'm emotionally stable enough to handle that information going out to the world. Right now, I can barely handle the information.

It's all about the Twilight Van

2009-05-13T13:23:00.000-07:00

The body shop sent me some graphic photos of my mini van. I don't know if I should be happy that things are on the mend or cry because I never wanted to see my van look like this.

I'm totally the anti-cool

2009-05-11T13:40:00.000-07:00

because I sooooo miss my mini van gize! I know I can muscle through our separation but it sucks! Not only does LM's commute car not fit all of us at one time (not that it really matters because I'm sick of my kids), but it sucks to drive. It's a stick shift and it's been a really long time since I've driven one and even though I learned how to drive on one, you would think that I was just learning. I can't tell you how many times I've embarassed myself the past week driving it. I think I've killed at least 3 times at stop signs and had a few problems shifting. Also, I'm still having some chest and back pain and it hurts every time I have to shift and don't even get me started on how long it took me to undo the hand break when LM parked the car at the airport then left me almost crying and cars honking at me because I couldn't undo it. WAHHHH I want my van back!!! I haven't heard yet if the body shop is still on schedule, originally he said 3 weeks... I don't know if that was hopeful on his side or not but I hope it's true.

I'm just trying to console myself with my awesome iphone but sometimes that isn't enough....

No need to mourn!

2009-04-30T09:57:00.000-07:00

I just got off the phone with the body shop and I don't need to mourn my van. YAY!!! It looks like I'll be back in Idaho in a month or so. I'm not nearly as excited about that part.

Best Family EVER

2009-04-30T06:58:00.000-07:00

Hey thanks everyone who was there to give me lots of love and help through my accident! I don't think I would be home joking with my husband about it if it wasn't for all your love and support. I especially want to make a shout out to Amy for being my chauffeur and Uncle Gus and Aunt Mary for the best bright pink suitcase ever. It was sooooooo easy to identify among the other luggage at the airport. hahaha Don't worry Uncle Gus, the next time I go to Boise, I'll be sure to bring it back to ya.

Since I forgot my camera, I thought I'd draw what my van looks like now.

I'm feeling tons better today, not nearly as sore. But last night when we pulled into the driveway after LM picked us up at the airport, I about burst into tears because he had the nerve to park in my vans spot. He didn't even give us a few days to mourn or anything....I don't know if I'll be able to forgive him yet. Actually I don't know if we should be in mourning yet, hopefully we'll know soon.

Guess what time it is!

2009-04-21T15:45:00.000-07:00

SPRINKLER TIME!

FINALLY, it's warm enough for sprinklers. WOOHOO!!! I'm surprised all of you in other states couldn't hear my kids screaming with joy.

I think even bruiser was enjoying the sun.

I quit

2009-04-17T10:51:00.000-07:00

World of Warcrack yesterday. Cold Turkey, luckily, I'm not alone. LM quit cold turkey too. I'm still going through withdrawals, but, thankfully this kind of withdrawal doesn't give me headaches or make me nauseasted. Instead I seem to have alot of time on my hands to spring clean, finish the laundry, catch up on my reading, listen to the first song on Jespy's playlist over and over and over and over..etc. , find a cure for cancer, catch up on blogs, end war and I might try to squeeze in a nap.

I'm only telling you this so I don't have to look at my cheesy grin every time I log onto my computer. Instead you can see the whole Cooper clan and our cheesy 70's grins.
Your welcome.

p.s. Mom, do you have a copy of this picture? I'd like to get a new copy that doesn't include a red marker stain on your face.

My husband like totally loves me

2009-04-11T10:13:00.001-07:00

It's a 1000 pc puzzle gize. He like totally knows me. He completes me. He had to go to Borders this week to buy some nerd book for work and surprised me with this. I asked him about the Edward doll...I think that might have been a bit too much for him.

More good news! Jackson lived through 4 days of outdoor school and so did I. It was mightly quiet around here without him, especially the mornings. Jackson is a very get up and go kinda guy in the morning and the rest of us aren't really. He gets very chatty and everything he does is noisy so it was kinda nice to sleep in a bit but we missed the kid. He had a really good time and I'm glad he decided to go. It took him from the beginning of September till 2 weeks ago to finally agree to go. ALL the 6th graders go but up to a few weeks ago, he was refusing to go...I'm glad he changed his mind. He said he only had 1 melt down which is totally awesome since he usually has a couple at school a week. Life is back to it's usually noisy self.

Well, I'm off to tackle some laundry and laundry with a side of laundry. Wish me luck! If you don't see me by next week...send help...please.

I lived!

2009-03-29T14:02:00.000-07:00

The interview went good...I guess. I guess we'll see, I wasn't given a time that I would hear whether I got it or not. I just feel good that I lived through my first interview in a loooooooooooong time. I might even try it again...maybe.

EEEEEEEEEEEK

2009-03-27T09:34:00.000-07:00

I have my first job interview in 13 years in just a few short hours. I'm freakin out. Hopefully they hire for good looks and sparkling personality instead of job experience. ::crossing fingers::

This totally reminds of my last job. When I had my 6 month evaluation they had me fill out a questionnaire about how I thought I was doing in the job and asked me what my best qualities were. I said something about my sparkling personality. I don't know why I did it. It was a very serious evaluation but like I said before when I get all stressed, I get silly. I can't believe I wrote that down. My boss just gave me a weird look when he read it. He didn't have much of a sense of humor.... I can still see his face....

Thanks Mom and Dad

2009-03-23T06:51:00.000-07:00

I think I annoyed my Mom with all my whining about my stinkin' dining room floor that she finally shut me up by giving us some left over flooring from their house. Who says whining doesn't work??? My kids keep trying it anyway.

Yeah, the carpet is disgusting...I know and no I can't believe we've lived with it this long either. Even though it did dry up from the "incident", it still stank a little and the carpet was uneven since we had to take out some of the padding that couldn't be saved.

My dad is such a good sport, he's even smiling....maybe he's thinking that this is FINALLY gonna shut me up...haha what he doesn't realize is that I still have LOTS of things to complain about...hahahaha jokes on him.
Don't my feet look great on this?
Look how happy this makes Hyrum....now picture me this happy times a thousand....yeah...I'm happy.
Best of all....it matches Bruiser...and isn't that what it's all about???

My dining room after:
The bad thing about this, is that now you can REALLY see how awful our carpeting is in our Living Room....but that'll be next weeks project.

Thanks again Mom for the idea and Dad for doing whatever Mom tells you to do.

Spider Monkey Squirrel Girl

2009-03-18T06:38:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Sara!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My 9 favorite things about Sara:
1. She is heeeeeelarious!
2. She is a geek...though I think LM loves this about her more than I do. She loves video games, computer games, she likes to read gaming magazines....she's going to make some nerd very happy one day.
3. She is a really good big sister!!!
4. She is supah smart and learns things easily...I'm a bit jealous.
5. She might be shy but she makes friends easily.
6. She looooooooooooooves to read everything and anything. She will tell me miscellaneous facts about something and every time I ask her where she learned it, she tells me "I read it ____". Did I mention she also has a great memory?
7. She writes funny stories. I think she'll make a great writer someday.
8. She loves telling jokes
9. She's going to be a WAAAAAAAAAY better blog writer than me. Sara's blog. She was a little excited yesterday when I helped her create a blog.

I love you Sara!!!!!

why do I do this?

2009-03-17T11:53:00.000-07:00

On my computer screen, I have a slide show of all my photos. Well yesterday I was at my computer having a conversation with a woman who is doing an evaluation on Jackson. As I was responding to a serious question, this picture came on the screen...
I immediately made this snortguffaw sound mid sentence. I tried to hide it by saying excuse me and pretending it was a sneeze but while saying that my body starts shaking, my eyes are tearing up from trying to hold in the laughter. I decide to walk away from my computer, thinking that would help me to not think about it. But instead Jenny's fairies jump in my head. Gize, it was so painful to try to hold it in. I just kept saying that I must be allergic to something and it's making me sneeze...I'm a liar....and not a very good one. I'm giggling all the way through the conversation and when we hang up...nothin... I stop laughing. What's wrong with me? I mean the photo itself isn't that funny but the that moment was funny and for the non Seattle Six, I'm not talking about beautiful Memzy but the couple in the background....snort...giggle...sigh

I do this when I'm arguing with LM too. We'll be right in the middle of it and I'll start laughing which of course just makes him mad, thinking that I'm not taking it serious but i am...which makes me laugh harder. I'm so rude and the more I try not to be rude the more I laugh...maybe I have some awful disease or something that makes me do this....

I'm living in the Dark Ages

2009-03-12T08:50:00.000-07:00

Gize, I don't have cable...(gasp) I know and I'm feeling totally left out of all this Idol talk. I thought I would be ok...you know....not being in the conversation, but I'm starting to feel left out. I think I need to hang with some neighbors or head to my moms house on idol night so I can keep up with my peeps. I wanna know the lingo and know who "eyebrow guy" is and the "blind guy" and "tat girl" and....well the list goes on. I've been hanging with "my nerds" in game and starting to feel like I'm missing out on a whole nother world. Who should I be googling? what utube vids should I be watching? Give me the info so I know who I should vote for...this is a call out for help gize. I need to know these things so when the 2000-2010 trivia game comes out I won't be left in the dust.

Carter out

I didn't think about this when I took this job.

2009-03-08T20:32:00.000-07:00

Almost 12 years I ago I quit working and became a stay-at-home....you know that nice cushy job where you can wear whatever you want, take care of mostly ungrateful kids who think your a maid, cook, problem answer-er, miracle worker and over all best job EVER. So, I knew that someday I'd go back to work and it wasn't until this week when I decided that now would be a good time, that I realized that I have not worked in 12 years....12 YEARS!!!! Do you know what that looks like on a resume and job application??? I do now.... I had to warn my friends that I had put their names down for references since I would die of shock if any of my bosses were still working at my former jobs. YIKES!!!! Luckily for me, the main needs of the job are: Must be 18(barely passed that one ...shut up!), pass a criminal history check (thankfully that bank robber job never came through for me) and a valid Oregon drivers license. ::crossing fingers I get it::....sigh....only feeling slightly pathetic...

4 ears owd

2009-03-03T08:49:00.000-08:00

Yup my baby is 4 years old!!!! YAY!!! I hate to say this but this has been the longest 4 year of my life. I kid you not. All the other kids grew up so fast that if felt like a flash...not this one. I love this kid, I adore him, I want to snuggle and kiss him every time he smiles but he is by far the hardest of them all. He's also the one that's most like LM...::snickering::...

My 4 most favorite things about him is:
1. He LOVES animals...looooooooooooves them. Whenever he gets upset, in trouble or tired, he'll cuddle up to bruiser (or any other dog that might be around) and pets him until he calms himself down.

2. He's a dare devil that's willing to do anything....including letting his older sister push him around in her doll stroller.

Proof, that he's willing to do anything and does try most things:
one of his war wounds, I don't believe there has been a day that there hasn't been proof on his face that he recently did something he shouldn't....

3. He sucks his thumb, he's done it since...well...I'm sure he did it in the womb. I love it...I know it's crazy but I do. I know that I'm going to be shelling out thousands of dollars because of it but I think it makes him even more adorable.
4. I LOVE his smile and laugh...love it! It turns me into mush and makes it hard for me to be mad at him for very long.

Happy Birthday Bub, Bubby, Bubarino, Bubbalicious, Bubbers, Hyrum.

He also happens to share a birthday with my most favorite Father-in-law. Happy Birthday Grandpa Clubb!!!! We love you!

p.s. I'm feeling better...YAY!

p.s.s. LM started a new job yesterday, he has quite the commute...he has to walk down 2 flights of stairs to get to his office....it's a tough job but somebody has to do it. We're happy, relieved and I'm super glad that he'll be working from home. We finally have insurance, super duper YAY! and because he works from home, we could live any where....not that we're moving...just that we COULD, which is some how nice to know.

p.s.s.s. I'm going to be around a little more often.

PANIC!!!!!!!!

2009-01-27T10:01:00.000-08:00

This morning, while sitting at my computer going over Sara's lesson plan, one of my kids yells "it's snowing!"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What the....??? Just yesterday I was driving my van with the window down...ok it's because it stinks but I didn't freeze to death when I did it. Then a microsecond after I realized it was snowing, I freaked because I don't have my month supply of Diet Pepsi...yeah I didn't learn my lesson...bad Cristin.

I check on Yahoo weather to see what it's suppose to be today and it just says freezing rain and then this afternoon, just rain. hmmm so this is what freezing rain looks like.... hmm....

yup...it's snowing and even sticking a little bit. This is some crazy weather! We don't usually get snow and if we do it's 1 day and it doesn't stick, it's more like really thick rain.

Anyway, can you guess who chose fashion before function?

this girl

My therapist called me

2009-01-26T12:23:00.000-08:00

You know my sister? Well she asked me how I was doing since I left things hanging on a very annoying tone. Good news, I'm feeling better and my kids are still alive. Just thought you should know. Hopefully I'll have a better update soon.

BIG PLANS

2009-01-17T15:58:00.001-08:00

Well I had big plans this past Monday to post about my awesome kids. I was feelin' the love gize. You know those times when you look at your kids and you think your going to burst because you adore them sooooo sooooo much??? I was totally going to gush and make everyone jealous of my awesome kids...ok...maybe not jealous but make you gize really happy for me that I was feelin it.

Then...right before I was about to post, I get a call from Jackson's Principal. I won't go into to much detail but he wasn't cooperating and having a bit of a melt down and at that very moment I could feel this woman judging my parenting. It sucked gize!

The week went down hill from there. I'm not having a good parenting week and I'd really like to run away or find a nice orphanage for all 4 of them...especially Bub. Gize, he's lucky he's still alive...I'm just saying.... Why can't that warm fuzzy feeling stay??? Why can't I gush and adore my children all of the time instead of wanting to send them far far far away from me where they won't dump cereal through out the house or decide that the drinks at the table rule doesn't mean them and end up spilling red juice on our nasty cream carpet, or dump and throw all the toys down the stairs right after I just put them away, or make it a mission to make his sisters scream all freakin day, or pull out the thawing beef out of the fridge and leave the raw meat on the carpet where it left a nice big blood stain. why???? I've had to give myself time outs this week to keep from throttling my children. I want to love and adore them again but I'm afraid I'll never get that feeling back. And I'm sure it's not helping that I'm having THE worst PMS in the history of PMS. My life is over!!!!!!!!!!!! ok...not really.... just feels like it today.

All about SPAM

2009-01-07T15:46:00.000-08:00

ok, not really. I'll just tell you what we do with spam. But first I should say that it took LM about a year to get me to try it because a) it looks disgusting 2) the name doesn't sound tasty 3) everything I've heard about it, made it seem less then appetizing 4) the sound it makes getting it out of the can....ewwwwwww, but I FINALLY tried it and though I don't love it like LM does or even Jackson, it's not bad...seriously gize. I like it more than hot dogs which isn't say much since I'm not a hot dog fan. But the only way I'll eat it is after it's been fried, don't know why...I just do.

So, we cut it up and fry it then put it in mac n cheese instead of hot dogs...if your the kind of person that puts hot dogs in mac n cheese.

LM also cut's it up, fries it and puts it with spicy oriental soup with veggies and fried egg but he's not prejudice, he likes it just about every way, he even likes it in sandwiches and of course, fried up with eggs.

If you go here you'll be able to find recipes and have a spamtastic good time finding out more about SPAM and you can even become a member of the SPAM fan club. I know you want too...