I'm not doing it all....

Yesterday, I decided to make a meal time job chart (?). I found an old board in the garage, sprayed it with chalkboard paint (Michaels $7.49) and wrote jobs with a white paint pen ($2.29). Unfortunately, I didn't have enough room for names. So I sanded the words and repainted.

I am still searching for a catchy title but I think it came out great. The jobs will rotate weekly and everyone will know what is expected of them without me asking "who wants to...".

these sneaky squirrels

There was a grocery store bag sitting out front of the garage with some items that another friend left here. As I was leaving this morning I noticed the bag was on the driveway. I picked it up, walked to the van and saw this

There obviously was a PBJ sandwich in the said bag

and here is the culprit. I had no idea squirrels eat sandwiches.

a very busy day

Saturday was a CRAZY day. First, we had my nephews 9th birthday pool party at the YMCA in Elkton, MD.

Poor Michael. This what he did most of the time.

He said the water was too cold.

Then off to roller skate.

Olivia before skating.

Olivia and Zach skating.

Olivia afterwards. Something tells me she didn't enjoy it.

Chinese take-out for dinner. Not my choice food but I was starving. It just wanted to write what we read on the chopstick paper. Zach is excellent at pronunciation and accents of other languages (one of his many talents). He read this in his best chinese accent. I laughed so hard I had tears. "Ooooh, round eye. Welcome to Chinese Restaurant. Please try your Nice Chinese Food with chopsticks. the traditional and typical of Chinese glorious history. and cultual." I copied this exactly how is was written. Guess no one proof reads them.



Family Home Morning

I find it very difficult to hold family home evening on Monday nights. Zach gets home later on Mondays and at the first sign of twilight I want the kids in bed. I really don't care if its 5 o'clock. Good Night. With late church hours I had the brilliant idea (I am full of them) to have Family Home Morning! This morning I read "getting to know you" questions and the kids secretly wrote down their answers. I then read the answers and they tried to guess who it belong to. It was fun. Olivia was hilarious. Whenever I read one of her "favorites" she would yell, "that's ME!" and then did the Price Is Right dance throughout the house.

We realized that we all have some similar favorites:
Isaac and Caras' favorite holiday is Valentines Day
The one thing that makes Zach happy and sad is "his family". (I think he was kidding)
Michael and Sam love playing in the snow.
The one thing that makes Olivia sad..when  no one holds her. THAT IS SAD!
Cara would eat nothing but candy if she could do anything she wanted.
and myself...I'm scared of monsters, lightning, thunder, water, and falling, or so I told.

WHY I BLOG

1.To preserve my families memories

(I no longer spend hours cutting, gluing, adding stickers, embellishments, and photos to paper)

At the end of the year I can make a blog book and just like that

A SCRAPBOOK!

2. It's a place to share all my creative projects and ideas

3. To keep family and friends updated on our life.

4. Its a place for me to write all my random thoughts.

" time shall be given to writing and much learning"



I hate to clean

and if my husband would hire a petite Spanish lady named, Rosa I would never have to do it. However, since that has not happened yet I must grin and bear it..ok..maybe not grinning. I started giving myself a 15 minute timed period to get as much cleaning as I can so I can continue with all the more enjoyable things I fill my day with. When I come home from dropping the kiddos off I set the timer and hurry around to pick up, wash down, dust, make, and throw away all I can. Beeps. Done. Now I can carry on with all my sewing, painting, shopping, eating, and baking without feeling guilty.

I set the timer again at 5:00 (called 5 o'clock clean up) for 15 minutes so the kids can do the same thing. Works great so far!

 **UPDATE**
Funny thing. Never thought this could happen. On Thursday I ran out of chores for the kids to do. I was stretching so I gave Sam the job to vacuum out the shoe shelf and coat closet.  I think I need to be more creative.

lovin' the Goodwill!

The last two days I have been down and almost out with some ridiculous strand of this stomach virus. It started Tuesday afternoon continuing until I woke up this morning feeling much better. So with me feeling all good I ventured to the Goodwill where I found a bunch of clothes for the kids. I was shopping for 1 1/2 hours (sheesh!) and left with these fabulous finds:

2 pairs of jeans, 2 pairs of pants, 6 shirts, 1 pair of shorts and a pair of Capris for Cara - (all from Justice, GAP, or Limited Too) Thank you little girl who wore the same size as Cara and had lots of $!
1 Nike gym shirt, a NY Yankees team shirt, and a pair of khakis for Michael
1 dress & 1 pair of Capris for Olivia
1 pair of Nike gym pants and an Under Armour shirt for Isaac
1 pair of jeans and a jacket for Sam
1 pair of Build A Bear cleats
1 game (remember UPWords? I played it as a child all the time!)
1 yard of outdoor fabric to make pillows for the patio furniture
1 bag of Bananagram letters to make alphabet magnets
and 1 red purse that I may convert to a diaper bag.
TOTAL= only 54$!!!

A very productive day

Let me start by saying I DO NOT ever make returns to the stores once I get the item home. (clothing that ends up being too big/too small, rips, whatever). It's a big inconvenience and hassle. IF the bag just so happens to be in the van, with the receipt, while I just so happen to be going in to that particular store, and I just so happen to remember to bring the bag in with me, than it will be successfully returned. Can't really think of a time this has happened yet.

Well, today I made 3 such returns...on purpose! I am still in shock!

First, to Target where I returned a pair of jeans and bought hair accessories and products. Second, to Kohls where I returned pajamas and bought an outfit. Finally, I went to TJ Maxx to return a shirt Zach purchased. I left TJ Maxx with 2 organizational bins and a curtain rod. I have come to the conclusion that it is cheaper to NOT make returns. None the less I can say I actually did it.

As I mentioned I bought a curtain rod. It is for my bedroom to hang the curtains my Mom bought me a year ago that I have had pinned to the wall. With 10 foot windows, rods don't run cheap but I found one on clearance. Yay! The curtains are officially hung.

Matthew had his 4 month (at 5 months) check up where he received 4 immunizations. He was such a good baby. He cried for a minute after the second needle and then smiled at the nurse. He weighed in at 17 lbs 4 oz (75%), 27 " (90%), and his head is at 50%. He is tall and round with a small head.

Gratitude Catch Up

I didn't post "I'm thankful for..." for 6 days. I did think of something every day but I was in Miami. Here are a few I remember:

My mother-in-law, Nora, This is the second time she has watched the children so Zach and I could get a week away. I must not leave out all the times she has cared for them during births, date nights, moves, and weekends away.

I am thankful for modern transportation. Don't think I am cut out for horse and buggy, handcarts, or walking. I mean really...2 hours on a plane and I am 1100 miles away!

I am also SO grateful that we are blessed with our temporal wants and needs. They were early years (many years) when a trip or a new TV would never be considered in our budget.

Oh yea, by the way I am thankful that I can now watch "nothing" on the new 51" TV. I was cheering for the 70" but am trying to be modest.

A major inconvienence...snow

Well, last night was the first snow of 2012. Sam woke up at 2am asking me why is it so bright? My reason: Its a full moon. Haha. I had no idea it snowed. I have no fun snow pictures to post because I don't want my kids going out. Why? It's too much work and not fun at all (for me). Dressing them in snow pants, coat, mittens, scarf, hat, boots (oh and if one is so unfortunate to not have boots I have to wrap their shoes in plastic bags). Then send them out only to have them return 15 minutes later...cold...wet...and crying. Off with the boots (or plastic bags), hat, scarf, soaked mittens, coat, and snow pants. Then I make hot chocolate to warm them up. Not fun at all I say.

In the land of little dogs, stilletos, and sunshine

Today is our last full day in Miami. I am going to miss the sunny, warm weather (today was 78 degrees). I realized I would never fit in down here. 1. I'm way too pale 2. I don't speak a word of Spanish 3. I have blond hair 4. I am not fashionable AT ALL (thought I was but no ). Here are outfits Zach and I should be wearing if we didn't want to look like tourists.

 I think Zach would look HOT in this.

Even hotter...

If we did dress like this (and walked an ankle biting dog), we still would stand out because we boarded the big, white tour cruise ship. Nothing says your not a local more than this. It was "enjoyable"?





Our ventures in Miami

Today Zach is in meetings/classes. Matthew and I took ourselves out on the town. First, we walked (well, I walked, he sat) to the Biscayne Bay Park where we discovered this..

That's it. A tiny corner of the park designed to mimic an exotic island. I'm in. Then we headed to the Bayside Marketplace which is really an outdoor mall/made-in-china kiosks/food court. It is fun to walk through. I found a few items for the kids, of course.

I ate at Mambo Restaurant. A delicious salad with grilled chicken. Not quite authentic, Cajun food but since everywhere else was offering red beans and rice, black beans and rice, and fried everything, I knew I needed to get my healthy food now.

The nice Spanish (?) man who served me offered to take our picture but I

felt like an idiot when I asked him not 2 but 3 times, "what?". So I

declined his offer. (I feel like I'm in another country)

Hotel & City Views

We are staying in the JW Marriott Marquis along the bay (oh..such a fancy name AND place). We are on the 31st floor. Doesn't seem to high compared to the surrounding hotels. Here are few pictures from the room looking out to Biscayne Bay.

I think the hotel in the picture has to have 100 floors.

And pictures of our luxurious hotel room.

I'm still trying to figure out how I am going to build this

bathroom in my house. (Except for the wall size  mirror)

So this made me laugh... all our clothes and what nots thrown about.

What? I had to make it look like home.



I was just thinking

Why is it every time I am in a taxi I see my life flash before my eyes? Where do these cabbies learn to drive?

I could get use to the hot, humid, miserable summer weather in exchange for mild, enjoyable winter weather.

Nothing like a wall size mirror across from see through glass shower to make you feel good about yourself.

What alligators?

Matthew in Miami

I am thankful for...

I am thankful that I was given the opportunity to celebrate another birthday with Cara. Today she turned 10.

Happy Birthday Cara!

Happy Birthday to my favorite 10 year old! Cara was born on January 16 at 12:58 am. Only hours before I was sewing a slip cover for a chair with my best friend, Shelley Neiderman. I felt a bit uncomfortable during the sewing project but with a week until my due date I ignored the pains. An hour later I knew I was in labor. I called Shelley and she met Zach and I at the hospital around 11:00 pm. Everything happened so fast. I think this was the only delivery Zach didnt fall asleep during and I had a personal photographer and labor coach insisting "you can do it, your not a quitter". (Thanks Shelley!)

Oh, where do I continue from here.??? Cara, you have been the easiest and hardest baby, toddler, preschooler, and child. You have made me happy and sad. You push every limit continuously. You are stubborn, free willed, full of energy. I have to ask you 5 times to do something BEFORE you actually do it! You get distracted easily. You are crazy and never calm. I am convinced you picked me to be your Mother to teach me patience. However, YOU are the kindest person I know. You are sensitive and funny. You love to laugh. You like to have fun. You make friends where ever you go. You like to sing and dance (and are pretty good, too). You are a big help with your brothers and sister. You love to draw and write stories and songs. Your favorite subject is Art. Your teachers can't help but love you! You enjoy going to the mall with your dad..but don't want to buy anything. (That will probably change soon) You look like an angel...when your asleep. You are beautiful. Aunt Britt is your favorite person and your BFF! You don't let anything get you down and always wear a smile on your face.

I am so glad you are a part of our family. I am happy to be your Mom. I love you!

Cara loves...loves...loves baking cupcakes. She asked for cake mix for her birthday (reminds of my sister who asked for Bleu Cheese salad dressing one year) and Cooking Mama DS game.

I love my eldest! He was all I ever wanted as a baby. He was a good eater (nurser, too). He slept through the night at 3 months. (Shocking, compared to the others who still don't sleep all night) He is fun and easy going. He makes friends easily and always plays well with his siblings others. He was and still is my biggest helper. I thoroughly enjoyed the years I homeschooled him. I now enjoy watching him learn and expand his mind at school. I love his laugh. I love his smile. I see so much of myself in him..the good and not so good. Each year I watch him grow into a handsome young man, despite a few months with a trendy "Bieber" hair cut (or lack of cut). He is beginning to become his own person and all I can do is sit back (and pray) and watch the transformation take place with fingers crossed.

I am thankful for...

Today I am thankful for Matthew. He brings so much joy to my life. I love his big gummy smile. I love the way he smells. I love the way he grabs my hair and pulls me close to him. I love his laugh. He totally melts my heart.

Thou shall not lie

Ok, so I know we are not suppose to lie. I teach my kids to not lie. We have family home evenings about lying. Today we took them to the Chinese buffet for lunch. Isaac is 11 so his buffet price increased for $5.99 to $8.99. I was not paying $3 more for him so I told him to tell the man he was 10, which he agreed. When the "hostess" sat us and asked each of the kids their age Isaac stared at him dumbfounded. I figured he forgot his age so I blurted, "he's 10". I saved 3$ and taught my son it's ok to tell a lie. Perfect.

let the stripes begin

My husband mentioned we (meaning me) should paint the hallway. I got this brilliant idea to paint stripes! Oh, it was a great idea! (very time consuming, expensive) Though, I do enjoy walking down the hallway admiring my hard (unfinished) work. It's so cool!

My next project on the hallway is painting the doors black.

I have been searching for the perfect pair of lights and found these. I'm still looking because these awesome flower lights are 90$ a piece. I better LOVE them at this price... I can easily fall in love.

I went to Target last night for baby formula. (I swear that's it) but

I left with much more. I just couldn't pass up these AWESOME deals. Here is $136.91 worth of toys/games. What did I pay? $41.06.

I locked my keys in my van...again

Today I locked myself out of my van… while it was running… with my phone on the seat. How does one do this you ask? Well, let me explain…I started the van to warm it up on this brisk morning. A few minutes later we exit the house for school. "It's locked,Mom", said Cara, as she repeatedly pulled the side door handle.  Not to worry.  I walked to the driver door confidently opened the door, looked at the U and L on the lock button and pushed the L then closed the door. “Open the door Cara.” (That’s what I said to her. ) She replied, “Its locked.” Ok. Worry now. Since this is a monthly occurrence ( I have locked my keys in my van at every park and shopping center I enter) my husband didn’t even act concerned when I called him from the neighbors house. ‘Well, I guess I’ll come home.” You guess?  45 minutes later 2 men  from his shop pull up and unlock the door. Then I realized he hired a personal crew to rescue me! Thanks, Honey.

My First Quilt

First, I want to say that I am glad this picture was downloaded from a phone so you can't see the many imperfections.
I decided about a month before Christmas I would make my husband a quilt for Christmas. A gift from my heart, right? I thought it would be perfect since he is always cold. After picking out some manly fabrics and taking some quick quilting lessons from friend, I began. As I was piecing it together I asked Zach if he liked it. His reply, "No." What?!??! He tried to save himself but he truthfully said he didn't like the colors. So, I didn't give it to him. I am now making quilts for each child for their 2012 birthday.

Michael has a looth tooth

Michael lost his first tooth today while eating dinner. He was so excited! When the Tooth Fairy arrived to make the purchase she (or is it a he?) noticed she only had a 20$. SoOo..whats a fairy to do? No worries, she just "borrowed" a 2$ bill from another child..hoping that child didn't notice it was missing. Everyone "ewwed" and "awwed" when Michael revealed his profit because he was really lucky to get a 2$ bill.

"Silent Gratitude isn't much use to anyone"

One of my New Years Resolutions was to be thankful for something each day. I knew wasn't going to be easy, obviously, that WHY I made it a resolution.


1. I am thankful for school. I am thankful for the dedicated teachers that spend hours a day, months a year, teaching MY children. I couldn't spend 8 hours teaching my own children academics, let alone someone elses. So, THANK YOU to all those dedicated, devoted teachers! (1-2-12)


2. (with help from a friend) I am thankful for all those creative people who in turn inspire me to be creative. I am GRATEFUL for Pinterest! (1-3-12)


3. Today I am thankful for my husband, Zach. I know, cliche. He's funny, thoughtful, determined, and forgiving. He is understanding, sensitive, and devoted. (1-4-12) 


4. the elliptical (1-5-12)


5. My 6 year old, Michael, he is the sweetest, kindest, friendliest boy I have. He always follows the directions and does what he is asked. He's is fun to be around and he likes to eat tomatoes, just like me. (1-6-12)


6. IKEA (1-7-12)


7. I am thankful for my sister, Chrissee. She is a listening ear, a helpful hand, and always full of great ideas. She is a talented photographer, an awesome cook, and a sweet mother. (1-8-12)

8. I am thankful for my van. It is big, bold, and beautiful. Well, it is one of those. I can spot it anywhere in a parking lot or in an airplane. I can put a washer and dryer in the back without removing seats (oh, yea and a piano). It has been referred to as the Mary Poppins van. It gets me to my destination dry, warm (or cold), and safe. (1-10-12)

9. I am oh so thankful for the Goodwill stores. Not only can I drop off all my unwanted junk but I can purchase someones elses' unwanted junk. It's a win win situation. While shopping there tonight I found an UNOPENED Bananagrams game for 1$! Sweet deal! UNO Attack for 2$, 4 other games, & books for 25 cents. I even picked up 2 new birthday presents for a child.  (1-11-12)

10. Today I am thankful for the health of my children and myself and Zach. (1-12-11)

11. I am thankful for my phone. It's so SMART! I don't know how one functions without these little objects programed with their own mind. It calls people on its own. It sends emails when ever it feels like it. It notifies me when I am late and shuts down when I am in the middle of talking. (1-14-12)

I am thankful for...

I am thankful for all those creative people who in turn inspire me to be creative. I am GRATEFUL for Pinterest!

I am thankful for...

One of my New Years Resolutions was to be thankful for something each day. I knew wasn't going to be easy, obviously, that WHY I made it a resolution.


I am thankful for school. I am thankful for the dedicated teachers that spend hours a day, months a year, teaching MY children. I couldn't spend 8 hours teaching my own children academics, let alone someone elses. So, THANK YOU to all those dedicated, devoted teachers!

My 2012 Motto

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” -Epicurus

Thoughts for 2012

I'm not a resolution seeker. Never once. Maybe I am afraid of failure or maybe I'm perfect already and have no need to improve. I decided today to make a list just in case one of my perfect attributes fall low. Since I already accomplished the "Top 10 New Years Resolutions" I will begin with..

#11: Read the Book of Mormon (all of it). To accomplish this I am following the Book Of Mormon chart from the Friend Magazine with assigned weekly reading. (Introduction to the Book Of Mormon is week 1, (I don't like failure, remember?)) Oh, and I will be coloring the picture.

#12: I will write something I am thankful for EVERY DAY.

#13: This year I want to get to know these kids that keep following me around and calling me Mom. Where did they come from, anyway? I want to know what makes them sad, happy, excited. I want to know their favorite color, movie, food, and game. (I will then make their favorite food while watching their favorite movie or playing their favorite game.) If they could pick one pet, what would it be? So many questions. I'm setting up date nights with each of them every month.

#13.5: I want to hold them (these tiny people I share a home with) longer, read one more book, and give one more kiss.

#14: I am not looking into the past any longer. "the past cannot be changed, forgotten, edited, or erased...it can only be accepted." I'm moving on. It's done. It's unchangeable.

I may add more as time goes on.