Best update so far...Running that is!

Ok I told you all I would post if I did it and today was the day! I ran 20 minutes straight no stopping!!!!!!! We have a neighbor who's son died almost 8 years ago. He was an officer and they are having a 5k run for fallen officers in January. I actually plan to try to attempt it. If there is anyone who is as slow as a runner as myself I would love some company???

Running Update.

While Alyssa was in her appointment, which takes about an hour, I decided to spend my time wisely ha ha. I actually went running this am. It was the coldest I have ever ran in and it makes it a bit harder, I think. I am so excited I have really come a long way. When I started this I could barely and I mean barely run 90 seconds. I now can actually run two 8 minute stretches and it has not been as hard as I expected to do. I am supposed to be able to run 20 minutes straight after today UMMMMMM YEAH RIGHT! If I actually can do it you will definitely see a post here. Otherwise assume I never made it. This really has been so hard for me to do and has been a great goal setting experience for me. When I started this I really could not have imagined ever being able to do this. I still have my doubts that I can do it all the way but it has made a huge difference to actually meet a goal and then set a new one and achieve that one and so on..... I will keep you posted on how far I get.

BRACES!!!

Today Alyssa got her braces on! She was so excited until this afternoon as they start to "hurt".

Well as you see here He is back in braces too. His teeth are very straight he just has a huge overbite they want to correct.

Here they are together. So cute. I love that they really do enjoy each other and this gives them one more thing in common. So for now yes, I am officially poor. We have no dental insurance that covers Orthodontics, just cavities and check ups. We usually save for these kinds of things but this year we have had a really hard year in regards to cars breaking down and things relating to owning a home. If I good just get a hold of a money tree we would be fine right???

CUTEST KIDS EVER IN BRACES!

The funniest visit to Santa ever!

We have a real life Santa who lives close to our house. each year he sets up his entire yard and sits out front from 6-8pm until Christmas eve. So every year we get to go and have our annual visit FREE! This first pic is of My 4 year old. She has told Santa two times she wants a Dora flashlight which I can not find anywhere. HELP.


This of course is where the story get absolutely hilarious. OK maybe not to everyone but I thought it was so funny/embarrassing! Santa asked my 5 year old son what grade he was in... his response 4th grade! Umm the truth is he is in kinder! Then he asks him what do you want for Christmas.....? I want a bazooka and a machine gun! NICE!!! Where does a kid get something like that? We are pretty strict on what he watches and have no clue where he learned that! I asked him why he said he was in the 4th grade and he said because he wouldn't bring me that if I told him I was in kinder and I would not be big enough. Oh like a 4th grader needs those either? He will always be my one kid who makes me laugh!
The BIG kids!

Apparently my 2 year old liked this Santa because she will not even get close to any other Santa we have ever been around. She said she did not want to sit with him and then at the very last minute she went over and did it. I do not think she liked it much and was very shy but I think the candy cane she got took care of any fear she had!

This is what I have been up to!

Alright, so way back in August my daughter had her 10th birthday and I bought her this comforter set. Her room was the blue color you see in the bottom corner of one of the pics. So knowing this was in no way going to match I promised her I would redo her room. Well as you all know I have been consumed with my semester of school, which might I add started the same day as her birthday. I never got to her room. I told her the day I finish school I will do it. Well I kept my promise here it is. I can not believe I took this project on while being in the middle of Christmas but if it was not now it would be another crazy time in my life.
I do not know why one picture looks much pinker than the other but it came out perfect. Well after a ton of work that is. You see I got the pink from Home Depot, after one coat it was so bright it blinded my eyes to look at it. I was off to the depot to get another gallon of a much lighter color when my brilliant hubby said to just add white. Well half a gallon of white later this is what I came up with. Today when I put the comforter up to it is was an exact match. I of course have to do all the baseboards white now but that is to come after I get a hold of Christmas. I have all the presents for the 6 kids and my husband and a few friends to get wrapped. I hope to not be up alllllll night, every night until Christmas eve wrapping but I am afraid that is my reality.


Before I had time to finish this project today, I had to trek across Arizona at such a convenient time. You see my mom and dad live in California. They go way alllllll out at Christmas for my kids. Tuesday afternoon I get the call from mom saying "how would you like to drive to Yuma"? Ummm not right? No I really did go. I woke up at the crack of dawn (6am) and got two kids out of bed to go with me and drove all the way to Yuma. That is the half way point we decided on. I was actually home by 1:45 after meeting "Santa" in the McDonald's parking lot and going to get some I Hop. It was not as bad as I thought although the timing was not the greatest. I still have a few things to buy and a huge amount of organizing to get done. So I am off to get some of it done catch up more later!

So much to catch everyone up on!

So I think it has been since September since I really have had a chance to post anything that has really been going on in my life other than school. The semester is finally over!!! I did a lot better than I had expected and am loving having this month off. I am having a hard time thinking about going back but for now I do not want to think about it.
I am on day 5 and have accomplished so much already. I have continued my running and have finally reached 5 straight minutes of running! I really feel it is getting easier as I get a bit stronger. We repeat the steps twice and I have to say that when it gets to the end I REALLY have to push myself. My legs are killing me tonight and I sometimes do not enjoy it but I am happy that I am doing something other than thinking about exercise!
I finally started Christmas shopping yesterday. I think I am already more than half done in just 24 hours. I really just wish money grew on trees this time of the year.
I cleaned all the toy boxes out and donated two bags of toys and threw one entire bag of odds and ends away. Just in time to make room for all the extra crap we get this year.
I started painting my daughters room. Her birthday was in August and I bought her new bedding and promised I would paint it. Well I never got to it so I told her as soon as the semester is over I would do her room. I am having a bit of trouble getting the color just right and have had to take a break to get the Christmas shopping in so tomorrow I hope to finish it up.
We got a Christmas tree! I know it is very late but you know how busy I have been. Studying for finals and trying to get the entire family together at one time in one place is no easy task. We only get real trees so it takes a bit more planning than just going to the garage and fishing out the artificial one. I always think about going to an artificial tree but can never make that change. I have never had anything but the real thing. I love the smell but hate the mess. So glad it is done.
I am planning on the Christmas cards and a few presents in the next few days so wish me luck. I have so much to say about the last three months but want to add pictures to the posts so during the next few days I will try to update the past!

I DID IT!!

I know, I know, I know this is so not a big deal to all of you that run on a normal level. However, for me I really never believed I would ever do my goal. Today my friend Julie and I ran for 3 minutes straight! Not just once either 3 times !!!!!! We also ran one stretch for 2 1/2 minutes. We started at 60 seconds a couple weeks ago and really thought there was no way we could ever get to three minutes. Again I know this means nothing to those of you who run often or do the marathons but for me I am really really proud of the progress I have made. I will just be shocked when it gets to the point where I can run for 30 minutes or more at one stretch but I know I will get there! For now I am extremely happy with where I am!!!!!

Wishing for some free time.

OK, so the way the story goes is... I went to the scrapbook store yesterday to die cut some tags for my daughters' school project. I walk in and see a few people I had not seen in months. I then see a few more people that I happen to love to chat with and find just how much I miss scrapbooking. I happen to go just while they were doing one of my favorite classes too. So of course I by the kit. One huge problem I forgot to go back and pick it up so I have to wait until they open Monday morning! I then remember Wednesday is the album party that is at the store. You get some fun free product and socialize with everyone. That's when I realize I can not go I have my practical final that night. Great news not!!!! I just realized how much I love the social part as well as the awesome classes that I have missed this semester. I know I will have more time later in my life but right now I am so wanting some free time to do all the fun things I have put to the side. So now that I vented I feel a bit better but will be up for some serious scrap time during the worst time of the year... the Christmas season. At least I can get my Christmas cards done right?

Ok 8 days til I am done and have one month and 4 days with no school.

OK Already, I will post!

To all who inquired, wondered, emailed, and commented on my lack of blogging this post is for you! I will have to say how much I have truly missed blogging. I found early in the semester of school, that if I wanted to pass this course I had to eliminate somethings from my life. Well since this was not technically a necessity I chose to just surf other blogs and not post on my own. I know what you are all saying.... " It takes way more time to look at others than post". How quickly I found that to be true. I very rarely look at others now. I can not tell you how much I hate it. I have to physically restrain myself from doing it.

So I have 12 more days until the semester is done! YEAH!!!!!! I cant wait to spend entire day watching t.v. and movies, another to blog, one for scrapbooking, and maybe if I am lucky I might even be able to sleep! OK so I am pushing it but I promise I will catch everyone up on what the last three months of my life.

I have enjoyed "peeking" at all of yours and can't wait to dive back in. Until then count down 12 more days and I will post again then. See Ya, gotta go study the real sheep's brain I have at my house!

Catching up!

Finally I have a minute to post all the things that have been happening in my world. It has been so busy I have not even had a chance to check any blogs either. I have hit a part in my school class that has me pretty stressed so my studying has to be a priority but hey we all need to play a little so the next few posts will be a catch up for all who have not been in the loop!

Mylife!

AND THIS WOULD BE MY LIFE! I CAN NOT BELIEVE HOW HARD THIS CLASS IS! Someone tell me I am not crazy for taking this on with along with everything else in my life. I really think I am going to do good in this class but man is it going to be hard. I have eliminated my social life down to one bookclub. No girls nights out and no scrap classes which gives me more study time which is huge. However I am feeling a bit out of the loop these days. I know it will be well worth it in the end but for now its hard to see past the next test! I have two quiz's and a practical within the next 6 days so I will probably not post for a bit again so until then..........

DANCE!

She started Dance! This is her and her friend Lauryn on the first day of dance. She had tried dance last June but cried and hung on my leg so I took her out. I had another friend who had her daughter in this dance class told me there was a spot open for fall and I decided to try it. I guess it was a teacher thing because she loves it. I think there is nothing cuter than a tiny little thing dancing around.

Play dates!

Hopefully these cute little girls parents are not mad at me for putting there kids on the WWW. I won't mention there names if it makes it any better hahaha. Well my little one in the basket has had a really hard time this month. She has no idea why "everybody is leaving her" She asks me that every morning. Now I am in school too which has been hard on her. She is stuck to my leg every time Maddy goes to school. We have this Co-op going on between the neighborhood moms so we can all get time to volunteer, go to doctors with out kids, shop or really do whatever we want. We just have one day a month to do the watching of kiddos and 4 other times where we have a bit of freedom. This has been great so far. it has been the best for my little one because it keeps her mind off the fact that she never gets to do any of the big kid things!

This is the perfect picture to capture just how great my son is with his siblings. They all just love him.As much as he hates it he is definitely a role model for them. They look up to him so much. He is doing great in school this year and is still scouting Bob. He just went on a hike 10 miles mostly up hill( in the snow NOT!) and through water and loved it. I am not sure how that sounds like fun but hey more power to him if it makes him happy.

Alex is doing great in school too. She started playing the clarinet and picked it up right away. her band teacher actually came out to the car when I was picking them up from school just to tell me how great she was doing. She started tumbling this last week with Alyssa and is loving that too. She really worked hard over the summer to catch up so she could be in the next class up and she did it!

CRAZY GIRL!

Not the best pictures but this is my crazy daughter. Everyone just loves her to death. She is the child that everyone says acts like a 30 year old in a 12 year old body. Her teachers from the last 2 years were in the teachers lounge a couple weeks ago and I asked how she was doing and they laugh and say oh she is the kid that you could have her be the sub if they were out and she would take care of it all. She babysits like crazy and get compliments on that all the time. She is kids and cleans the house too. She get compliments on that every time she babysits for people. She has a sense of humor that just absolutely cracks me up. That is definitely a trait from my hubby. She is so unbelievably anal and has lists for everything and is a bit of a perfectionist. That part she gets from me. I get comments all the time on how she reminds people of me or that she is a little Shaundra. I think it is great however my husband likes to remind her she does not have to be exactly like me. hahah She has so much of him in her I am not worried about that thank heavens. Anyway here are some pics of her crazy side. She found this bubble wrap and decided to wrap herself in it.

She started soccer this week and is so excited. Saturday is her first game so soon I will post some pics of that. She almost did not play this season due to lack of coaches but at the last minute someone came through. I am so glad because soccer seems to be her thing.

Maddy Started Preschool.

Here is Maddy on the first official day of school. I know I had a post over the summer that said the same thing but this was for the real school year and that was a small art class the teacher was doing and I did it to prepare her for what this year was like. She has not been in anything out side my home so I had no idea how she would be. She LOVES it! She asks me every day if it is a Miss Christi day. I love that she is excited about it and views school as "fun". She was put into a 4 year old class because her birthday is in those weird transition months where they are to old for one thing but too young for the other. Since this is a home based program they were more flexible and put her with all her neighborhood friends in the older group. I was very apprehensive because she is only 3. I was pleased to find out the very first day that she fit right in with the others and she has no problem behaving and doing the work they ask her to do.

Husband's FINALLY coming home.

My Hubby left on Thursday to go to the bay area. His entire family lives there and he has not been there to visit just the family in quite some time. I completely support the trip however I have to vent. I have had a weekend from HELL! Friday night my son got a 104.4 fever and I could not get it down which means off to urgent care. Strep throat and Pneumonia. Great times. I happen to get sick Sat along with the two girls. Had some insurance issues at the doctor. Had a 10 year drama queen to deal with alllll weekend. Two toddler girls that got into everything this weekend from nail polish to a entire box of cereal on the floor. All this while trying to study! A couple other things I care not to share and finally we have come to Monday! Relief is coming in at 5:30ish tonight. I can not tell you how much I am feeling relieved.

I mentioned earlier that I supported this trip totally. It just has been hard on me. My husband's family is great. They are the kind of family where everyone gets along and when they are together it is usually nothing but pure fun. I went to the bay area and just met for dinner and had a blast so I can imagine that he is having the time of his life. I have talked to him several times and each time he is just off doing some great things. He even manged to get together with his friends from high school that he had not seen in forever. I know he works sooooo hard everyday and deserves a bit of time off. his family is so important to him and it kills him to not be living anywhere near any family members. This has been something he has needed to do for a long time. I am so glad it is done. YEAH! I get some adult conversation and some relief in just 5 1/2 more hours!

Did anyone see this tonight? I went to get the kiddos some good ol' Kentucky Fried Chicken and as I was driving home this is what I got a pic of! When I was in Maui we saw these everyday but usually here they are not this bright.

Friendships!

So the last post explained a cute story of how I met one of the best people in the world. I noticed a comment one of you left that said funny how we did not like each other in the beginning. That got me thinking about my other really close friendships. Julie Spils and Ronny happen to be two of the most awesome friends I have had also. Both are really funny stories too. So here they are.

Julie- I met her at a book club we both were in. I was not really liking her to much. She talked way to much and I felt she was very ignorant/naive. I really did not know anything about her except that she was LDS and that I thought at the time was much younger than I. (only 4 years)I did come realize how wrong I was, thank goodness. In most book discussions I thought she had some weird ideas and of course there were some religious differences too. So not a great friend at the time but definitely tolerated each other (no drama). Until this very interesting night that is. A mutual friend of ours was having a little birthday get together at my neighbors house and we both were invited. The party was going great until we, meaning me and about 10 other girls, got into a religious conversation. that soon turned into a debate and by the time we finished we, meaning Julie and I, were going at it like you would not believe. Now I know what they mean by do not discuss religion with friends. The end result was both of us left very emotional and not in the best way. So the next morning being Thanksgiving I called her and wanted to talk this out. Jeremy said she was in the shower, which I did not believe at the time but later found out she really was. She did call me back and everything got smoothed out. Our friendship was OK from there but still not great no issues or anything. As we started talking more we just seemed to "get" each other and we really started to get very close. Here we are today talking on the phone 17 times a day and pretty much know everything there is to know about each other. We have the absolute best debates about religion and are able to walk away just fine disagreeing. We laugh at the funniest and stupidest things. We support our crazy lives together and are even complete goof balls. I absolutely love her and can not imagine life without having someone to understand me even when I am being completely irrational. Thank heavens my first impression was so off key and I DO NOT feel any of those things about her today!WE definitely have had our share of disagreements but it does not seem to make a dent in our friendship.

Ronny- Well she was actually one of the girls at the party mentioned above. She however left before we really got in the debate. We never really knew each other well and she was good friends with two of my neighbors but not me. She always rubbed me wrong and I felt like she had it in for me. I could never quite figure her out. I had never had much interaction with her so I was confused why I felt like she did not like me. Come to find out later after we became great friends she really did not like me! She thought I was like another person we know and do not really like to much but that is another story. She also knew I was investigating the LDS Church and did not want to be friends with me only because she wanted me to convert to the religion. I am really not sure how it all changed but I do know that we eventually started hanging out and after a few times of cracking up laughing together we realized we both were missing out on a great thing. We went to Utah together and that just embedded in us that our friendship is definitely something worth having so form there we have just got to be stronger friends. I can not tell you how much I learn from her and how much she enriches my life. She has to be one of the most giving people I know. She would give you the shirt of her back. When we were in Utah there was a girl who commented on how much she liked the ring she was wearing. At the end of the trip we dropped the girl off and she yelled out the car look in your pocket and what do you know the ring was in there. She had given it to her. Just a great gal.

ORGANIZE!

So I am obsessed with Oprah okay! She had this great show recently and I am so planning on trying a few of her recommendations on how to organize and declutter.

• First great one is you put all your hangers in your closet backwards. When you wear something or wash it you put it back on the hanger and hag it right. After 3 months everything that is in your closet backwards gets donated immediately. You have not used it so why keep it right?
• Second great idea. Get a box and empty your utensil drawer into it in your kitchen. leave the box in your pantry and when you need a utensil go get it. After it has been washed place it in the appropriate place. After 1 month you donate the entire box of leftovers. I mean think I have 4 spatulas! I probably only use two. One when dirty and My most favorite.

Well that's my 2 cents for the day! Hope it helps more than just me!

Funny things!

ok I just went to answer the phone and picked up the mouse and put it to my ear. To much computer perhaps!!

My Weekend!

This weekend I decided to go to see one of my best friends in the entire world. I have known her since I was 6ish. The story is quite funny as to how we met that is. We both were on a soccer team and we decided we really did not like each other and we continued to fight and argue on the field. Our coach had enough of us and benched us. So instead of fighting we decided to make friends and that is exactly what we did. We have been the greatest friends to each other during some of the hardest times in our lives. I can honestly say I can depend on her for anything. She is not just a friend but a part of my family. Here is her family. Callie with Kaleia and Kamaya.

MORNINGS!

My mornings are so hard! I wish I had a better routine but it really doesn't matter what I do something unplanned seems to happen every morning. I try to send my kids to school on a happy note each day but I tell ya it is getting really hard. The last thing you want to do is being yelling at kids as you say "have a good day" while they are walking out the door.

Here is what I saw today as I am walking out the door with my keys in hand and about a minute to spare! I could not believe my eyes. A pile of clothes that were on a certain Kindergartner about a millisecond before. I am yelling HUNTER where are you?
This is the response I get "I am right here mom"! As you can see he was right there. My lovely son has an issue about when nature calls he has to remove all clothing right down to the socks!!!!

You hate to be mad so today i thought OK if it was me I wouldn't want someone yelling at me to hurry up. (Not that I ever have any more than a minute in the bathroom but hey). So I started laughing so hard and just decided to be patient and wait it out. It was definitely tough when you have two Girls 11 and 10 stressing out because they might not be at school in enough time to socialize. We did get there in time with no one being late and everyone pretty happy. I just wish I could remember to be this patient every day!

Finally something on the wall!

We remodeled our house in May of this year. When we did that I had to paint the entire living room to match because the walls were shared with the ones we tore down. So we took everything off the walls and painted, Moved the cable line and then it made it possible to have the T.V. on a different wall. It left this big space empty and I really had no idea what to do with it.

Now before I go on with this story I have to tell you it is no easy task decorating my home. First off I have no decorating sense to begin with. To add to that with regards to my home my husband has a opinion for everything. I am not exaggerating at all I mean the most opinionated in the world! I love it and hate it. It is great when I need help coming up with an idea however I can not stand it that we have such different ideas. Sometimes it is just so frustrating.

Soon after the remodel was done my husband and I went shopping and found this great rod iron "thing" I call a doily. I know it's not really called that but hey just another weird name. So we put it up and left it there with nothing under it for like 3 months. I went shopping at Sam's Club and found this great set of frame for only $6.88 yeah that's right so cheap. I had to buy them. It just so happens I had 6 5x7 pics one of each of my little munchkins. Julie printed this pic of me and my hubby off her computer for me. I told her to come by and look at the pics I put in the frames and tell me what she thinks and like an hour later we had this great looking wall! It was so frustrating trying to get them on the two little hooks in the back and Thanks to Julie it finally got done and looks great.

So after it taking so long and was a bit frustrating to put up i still had not even mentioned it to Steve. I was so anxious about him not liking it I never even showed him the frames I bought I just put them up and if he didn't like them I figured he could find a better solution right? He came home and loved it. He doesn't like the pic I chose of us but loved the idea and the look. YEAH! I leave for school come home and realize my picture is not centered anymore. He took it off the hooks that took us like an hour to get up and tried to be sly and put it back up! I told him last night how hard it was to get those up and he better have it done before I got home from school and look it was done. However he did tell me that Julie and I are dorks because those hooks are there to have string attached so you do not use the hooks for hanging!!!!!!!!UGGGGG. Frustrating but hey they are up and I love the addition. It is the only thing on all the walls other than a mirror above the couch but hey I getting there.

Homework already!

Today is my first official day of homework! I started my anatomy class last night and I am so afraid/stressed that I am not going to do well. I did this last semster too but actualy did great. I think I am more stressed out about this one because I have had friends fail this class and have had people tell me just how hard it is. So wish me luck and if I get on here and vent you all have to be patient. Back to the books for now.

Alex's Birthday.

HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY ALEX

This was a package that came in the mail From Grandma Santos!I talked to her earlier in the day and she said I might be mad at what she bought her!

So of course when she opened a huge case of real adult makeup and was so unbelieveabley excited I had to put my opinion aside and be happy for her. I did say if I find this out anywhere anytime I will throw it away so let's see how she can do.

We have a history of our little girls getting into make-up and making a complete mess. The carpet in both their rooms have huge red lipstick stains on them right when you walk in the room! So thanks grandma for making her day and giving her the present she would never get otherwise! She loved it.

Fun!

I have Julie's girls here while she is at the doctor and Abbey asks lauryn " My name is Rapple Dapple what is your name"? Lauryn looks at her and says "I do not know" and has the funniest look on her face. In my family we have the weirdest nick names and the funniest words fro things that are really not what they are called but hey what can I say I have the coolest Hubby that always like to be a comedian and that's where most of the out of the ordinary names come from. Each one of my kids have 10 to 15 nicknames! Weird huh?

MORE HUNTER FUN!

I called the teacher today just to remind her to send Hunter to the nurse for a breathing treatment today and after we were done talking she said "did you know Hunter cusses"? I said NO! what did he say and she said that this kid had a gogurt and squeezed (Squozed if you ask Julie) it and it flew all over. It was in kids eyes, on the floor and on Hunter's arm. His response "What the HELL was that"? I asked the teacher if she said anything to him but she was having a hard time keeping from laughing and none of the other kids noticed so she said do not sweat the small stuff and went on getting the mess cleaned up!

Then I go to school do the normal drop off thing and see the principal. I start to tell him how unhappy I am with the procedures etc. and we finish our conversation i go to the office to get the POP crap and the principal walks in and asks, me if I walked him into class. I said of course not I was talking to you why? He then tells me Hunter is not in the classroom. My heart dropped and he asked me to go double check the room and I open the door and there he sitting on the rug in circle time! Apparently the teacher thought He asked if Austin was there not Hunter! Thank God! Yes I really was thanking God! no slang there! I wonder if this is how my entire year will be with this kid.

Can you say ANXIETY?

OK so this is my routine with my little guy Hunter for school each morning! I take him to school so his sisters do not have to struggle with him. I stay there until the teacher comes out and picks them up and once they are in the building I leave. WHY? Well Hunter has had times in the past where he has wandered or just been a bit hard headed and not wanted to listen to siblings etc. A really good example is Tee Ball last year! My husband and one of my friends were at a game with the "boys" and they were out playing ball when someone realized Hunter was no longer there! Everyone was frantic they all starting looking for him and eventually found him across the entire park at the snack bar! So keeping that in mind I decide to tell the principal, playground aide, and the teacher his history and just to make sure they might watch him a bit closer. My friends even joke with me about me being paranoid or laugh that I actually go every morning and stand there with him until he gets in the school. NOOOOOOOOOOOOO That was obviously not enough. Today I did my normal routine again today. Once the teacher and her entire line of the kindergartner's were in the building I got to my car, unlocked it and get the girls in and look over and there is my son! By himself in the parking lot. No adults to be found, no other kiddos hanging with him, Just him in the lot by himself! I about lost it grabbed the girls and ran over to him. I was very mad and yelling at him "why are you out here"? He just said he couldn't find me and he was thirsty. I go to his class and open the door and the aide was holding a child that was absolutely freakin' out. So I was unable to tell the teacher my son was out in the parking lot by himself. So I left him there and went to the office and vented a bit but was emotional at this time and decided it was best to have them call me at home so I could get it together before I went off at the school for lack of safety. I got home and called the hubby and he was pretty mad too although he wasn't really understanding my crying part. Finally the school secretary calls and the principal is out until Monday and she was not too happy about the safety issue. So she was going to discuss it with staff and have the teacher call me. The teacher calls a bit later and she is more about punishing my son rather than his safety which of course bugs the heck out of me. I am a open minded person. So when I spoke to both the office and to the teacher I voiced how strongly I felt about safety as well as Hunter learning that this was not OK and to have him taught the right way to handle it if he was lost or feeling confused where he was supposed to be. However, I fell a bit unhappy at he way it was handled by the teacher. She called me back and said she was taking his morning recess away as a punishment. I want him to know what he did was wrong but I also am not convinced he knew that to begin with so I think this should be a learning experience not a punishment. He is 5 years old and has never been to public school before and its only the 4th day of school. What do you all think?

First Day of School!

OK so it took me a while to get this posted! I know most of you blogger's had this up within minutes of kids being at school but my life just seems so busy right now that I rarely even have time to sit down! I was having trouble getting the kids to let me take pics so they are not great. The first on is Hunter not wanting any part of this and the two others trying to get him to be good! He just kept saying "Why are you doing this?" Acting like I was nuts for wanting his picture.

Alyssa looking her best of course! She had take a shower

and curl her hair to be perfect for 6th grade!

Christopher looks so Good! I just can't believe he is already in the 8th grade!

He is just growing up way to fast!

I finally got him to not make a funny face in one picture! He was just walking into the school with the class as I snapped this one! He really was pretty good about leaving me! I was a mess. I actually cried! I was a bit shocked at how emotional I was it's not like this is my first kid or something it's not even my 2nd or 3rd. Oh well I guess it does not get any easier for some of us!

Oh my gosh this one is a great picture! On the first day of school he actually learned how to pump a swing for the first time without my help! He kept calling me to push him and I was not getting to him fast enough and before I could get to him I realized he was doing it himself! I really do not think he even noticed he was doing it until I said" Hunter look your doing it by yourself"!

I am so glad school is back in but a bit bummed that my kids have to continue to grow up! I love them being little. I get so frustrated at times and think Oh I just wish they would be in school and now that they are I am missing them so much! Just think what I am going to be like when they actually grow up and move out!

NOT SO FUN TIMES!

OK so I have to say "WHY DID I SIGN UP TO BE ON PTA"? So here we are it's Friday and I have been at the school everyday this week. Tomorrow we are at the school- yes on Saturday too- and we are cleaning out a closet! Lots of work put in in just the first five days in this position! I have had great help from my friend, the PTA President, which makes this so much easier to do since we are really good friends! As Julie would say "Fun Times" however I say "NOT so fun times". For many years I had to work while my kids were in school so now I have this opportunity so really felt it was a good thing. I will feel that way again after this week is over and we are not having anything to do for awhile. Its funny though it is a complete double edge sword. On one hand you try to be involved and be doing things at school for your kids and making it a better environment for them to be at while in school. But on the other hand in the long run it takes time away from the kids and you are leaving them home with sitters and having less time to really spend with them. I really do not know the solution but for now I am learning where the balance is. Lets just hope they remember how much we did for them while the were growing up.

A Few Of My Favorite Things

In one of my earlier posts I was very lovingly making fun and made some comment about a dear friend of mine reading Harry Potter. Actually she read all 6 over again then read 7. Do not post anything about #7 I have not read it k'. Any who so I thought about how much she was reading and realized I am just as bad! I have read three out of the 5 books pictured here plus 3 others all since July 10Th! That's 24 days! WOW! That is exactly how I feel about reading. It is one of the greatest past times I love love love. (That does not include children) I am a crazy reader if I do not have book I am reading (even if slowly) than I do not feel right. Funny story growing up---- My parents bought me a small black and white T.V. for my 10Th birthday in hopes maybe I might get my head out of a book for a moment. HA HA! To this day I am in 2 almost 3 book clubs and can not even tell you how much not only the reading but the friendships have enriched my life. The only negative to the book clubs are the book ideas you get from friends and they are not one picked for book club so me has to go get them too. Oh wait there is another negative well maybe just be cause we can not be our happy chipper selves the next day is the fact we sometimes are out til the very wee hours of the night. Sometimes getting a few husbands call that awoke in the night to find no wife in bed next to them. (Never Mine Though)!
Funny joke some of has is that we have to remain in a good mood around our hubby's the next day despite our complete exhaustion, so they do not have a reason to keep us home next month.
Yeah right like that's gonna happen.


OK so I do not only have one addiction but two. This one is not so beneficial to intellectual side of me but let me tell ya it helps my mood and mental state in more ways than I will even go into. It definitely isn't helping the 10-15 lbs I have put on and can not seem to get rid of. HMMM I wonder why? This is another thing from my childhood. There is not a day not one single day that I can remember ever going without some sort of sweets. Not potato chips, bread, cheese or any other fat food you can think of I mean real SUGAR! All of the pictured things here are currently stashed somewhere in my house. SHHH do not tell the kiddos. I have tried over the years to quit but it is a no go. i even have had blood sugar issues but no that never stopped me. I received most of this from friends for my birthday last week. The four candy bars in front are from my son. He bought these on the way home at a circle k because he missed my day. The huge thing of licorice is form A friend. The Symphony bar is from my friend Shelley. I almost want to kill her. I had never tried one before and now I am addicted. I got the green bar from my daughter on my day too. The round Ghiradelli chocolate is actually my gift to my friends that I bought in San Fransisco and never gave it to them because I accidentally broke into it one day! Then I have the stashed misc. UM can you say ADDICT?

Who's your daddy?

For fathers day this year I asked My husband's family to send me pics of him as a baby. When I received this one in the mail I instantly thought WOW that is Abbey! When I picked these up yesterday I immediately thought see I was right. So we asked Hunter who this picture was of and his response was ABBEY! I guess he can not deny this one huh? What do you think?

My absolutely adorable little girl.

This is my favorite one. I can not even believe how cute these came out. I was really impressed as they are from Target. I have not got her pictures taken since she was 1 so I was was not on the ball like some are. I know there are lots of poses sorry but they were all soooo cute. This first one is when she was a bit shy and not wanting to do anything for the photographer.


Loved this one too until I saw the bottom of her sandals in the pic.
Do not know why this cropped like this but I am not about to try it again!

Just trying to get ahead

I am feeling soooo ahead of the game for August. I have been trying to get as much done as I can knowing that in less than a week my PTA work starts for the kids school and they start school the next week and add to that I start school on the 20th. So that being said anything I can do to get a good start on the year is going to help. So last night I was wanting to scrapbook a bit but really had no ideas worked out. My scrappin' friend Julie was to busy reading Harry Potter (and still is!)to come scrap and my hubby was out with his friends so this is what I worked on.
This is a page kit I got at the scrap store and it just happened to be the perfect color for Madyson's 1st day of preschool.
These are all the birthday cards for people in August! Sorry if yours is here and I am spoiling it for you but you do not know which one is for you! I had a lot of fun making these while chatting with my favorite mother-in-law. I called her to make sure I had the right birthdays and was not forgetting anyone 2 hours later close to midnight we hung up. I told her I was making them and she was a bit surprised as it does take a lot of my time. It does take a lot of time however I love doing it and it is so much fun.

CAMP GERONIMO

Christopher is home from camp! It seems like this was a longer time for me. I really missed him this time and felt like it was to long. I know it was because he had been gone for 18 days at my mother in law's and went to a canoe trip before that. Camp was an experience for him this year. He was hiking up on the rim about 6 miles during the night and on the way down one of the leaders fell. When he fell he was knocked out and was paralyzed on one side of his body. There was another leader there however he was trying to get reception on his cell phone to call for help. The boys all jumped into action and helped out. Some of the boys were so frightened and emotional it was hard for them to handle. All the boys took off their shirts and covered him up and when it started to rain they even took out a poncho and covered him so he would stay dry. Christopher sat by his side the entire time which was about two or three hours. He kept talking to him so he would stay awake. The boys all prayed a few times up on the mountain and felt strongly that this helped. I know Christopher played a great part in getting help and getting him off the mountain safe. He was life flighted to Scottsdale and was treated and released within 12 hours. It was a very emotional thing for them to go through but I know they all walked away better and stronger because of it. I am so proud of Christopher and feel he really stepped up to the plate and acted very mature about the entire thing. After the helicopter got there and he knew there were professionals there to take care of he finally let his emotions play out but he was able to really keep it together until it was appropriate. You really never know how your child will react in an emergency until it happens and I can say I have no reason to worry I only have reason to be very proud of my son!

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I cannot believe that I forgot Shaundra's birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm hoping the rest of you remembered to call and/or entertain her on her special day. I don't even have a good excuse............I just flaked and I am so embarassed.



I am publicly declaring that I would never intentionally wig out and forget someone that is as important in my life as she is.



Happy Birthday To One Of My Favorite Girls!!!!



I Love Ya Very Much,



Grandma Wilma

He got his hair cut!

This is the new and improved Christopher! (If you do not remember his hair before scroll down and you can see him on an earlier post). We have this philosophy that if our children are doing great in school and are not getting in trouble at school or or not hanging out with the wrong crowd than they can have their hair anyway they want. He started the beginning of the school year last September and continued to let it grow until last Friday. We had talked about it a few times but he just wanted to keep it long. Come to find out he says he hates his ears. He was trying to cover them up all this time and really did not like the long hair. Poor kid. I happen to think he looks great and I really do not notice his ears. I think I live with him and get used to it. I absolutely love the new hair cut. it really doesn't matter what his hair looks like he will always be the awesome person he is. Christopher has got to be the best big brother anyone could have. All the kids just love him. I even have other families tell me how good he is with little kids. He is a sweet natured kid that would do anything for anyone. I love him sooooo much. ( when he is not arguing with me). I am so lucky to have a son that has great qualities that will help him throughout his life.

napping NOT !

Yeah after the last post you are all thinking I never watch my kids. I was talking on the phone I know surprised to hear that I would be on the phone huh? Well anyways Abbey had her pictures taken today and we did not get back until late so I figured she would be out like a light. WRONG she had got into her sisters baby powder and was transferring it to from container to container! These are the kinda things that make people go mad right? Well thank goodness about 10 years ago I had the exact same thing happen except Christopher was pouring it on Alyssa's head and I walked in on them in the bathroom. The entire room was covered. So that being said I had experience with this and thought it was quite funny and just knew I had to take a picture and immediately emailed it to Steve at work. (Who by the way passed it around his work for everyone to get a laugh from). So since he got a laugh from it I thought all you moms out there would be relieved to know it happens to all of us.