Most Eligible Bachelor

Sorry to all you other available boys out there to announce the news. Mason hopes you'll still be his friend.

If you're feeling lonely

Before the Flylady
This picture adequately describes my life and looks. A friend of mine jumped on the bandwagon of the fly lady. She is always dropping fly lady language at me and making promises that if I signed up I'd see productive results in my life. So I gave it a shot. Her website is a little overwhelming (www.flylady.com) but there were definately ideas that I wanted to try. My favorite suggestions were:
1. Tthe shining of my sink every night, and that after 28 days it would be a habit so I marked it on my calender to really see if it would become a habit and started shining my sink each night before bed. As promised by the fly lady herself it made me smile in the morning.
2. Getting dressed to the shoes - I really do try this to be completely ready before any kids arise, or at least in my gym clothes and bag packed if I'm getting ready at the gym that day. I'll admit that I don't put my shoes on because I really don't like wearing them in the house.
3. The bedtime routine, I'm starting tonight!! This includes setting clothes out for everyone for the next day.
4. The control journal, haven't done it yet but plan to. This is just some massive big cute binder that holds any and all information important to you, phone numbers, take out numbers, babysitters numbers, Dr.'s, Dentist's, ward list all the info you are always needing that is never in one place.
If any of these ideas seem like they would make your life easier then you should join the list. Also, if you're feeling lonely and just need a friend you should join too! I've had my days a letdown as I open the inbox to find nothing. Since joining the flylady I always have someone trying to stay in touch. Afraid that she might take over my inbox,(I'd been warned) I created my own special account just for her. I signed up and neglected to check it for a few weeks, when I did I had over 300 emails. Today when I checked another 313. I never read them I just go look from time to time to see how many are there.

After the fly lady! If you check out the website and the only thing you take away from it is the shining of the sink it'll be worth it. If you're afraid of her or don't want to look like the finished product picture I'll understand that too.

My Long List

So I'm jumping on the list bandwagon. You're about to be filled with endless facts you never about me. Thanks to many of you for the idea to make one. It's been awhile of brainstorming and now, here it is.
1. I'm not creative
2. I met Chris on a blind date, my first one ever
3. We got married while attending Ricks College
4. We both graduated from Ricks in 1999 with Associates Degrees
5. We transfered to BYU and both got our B.S degrees there
6. I was born in Idaho Falls and my parents still live in the same house
7. I was a very outgoing child
8. My first time to Dallas was for Cheerleading Nationals my Junior Year in H.S.
9. I dated one of Chris's friends from the MTC pre mission
10. I kissed a boy at EFY
11. When I was a kid I would pick up smoked cigarettes that people dropped and smoke them
12. I'm never ever tasted alcohol
13. If I ever had I'm sure I'd be an alcoholic because I have a very addictive personality
14. I once threw a pampered chef party and no one came
15. I was Dopey in the play Snow White
16. I was Alice in Alice in Wonderland
17. I was Gretel in Hansel and Gretel
18. I traveled to NYC my Freshman year for 10 days to a junior actors competition
19. I once removed all of my mom's soup labels to win a prize at school. My had mystery canned goods for the next several years
20. I used to be fat phobic and would not eat any food with any fat in it.
21. I'm now the opposite of fat phobic and love to eat all things with fat in them.
22. Chris was the first person I tried meat with after a long sabbatical
23. I now love meat, especially a juicy steak
24. I love breakfast foods
25. I recently had a bad experience with sausage
26. I'm a total rule follower, I'm very afraid to break rules
27. I'm not rebellious
28. My first business was selling lilacs I picked to my neighbors
29. I'm not very good at business
30. I took my first pregnancy test (with Charlotte) at a gas station
31. Me and my friend saw a neud man in his car at the corner on the way to elementary school and we had to talk to the cops about it. I cried.
32. I was on the American Cancer Society Speakers Bureau and spoke at High School Assemblies
33. I gave elementary schools tours of the produce departments at grocery stores
34. In the Hartman Color Code Book I'm a yellow
35. In the Enneagram I'm a #2 Helper
36. I used to try to change so I wouldn't be a yellow anymore, it's hopeless
37. I used to watch Poka Dot Door and Today's Special as a kid
38. I love chick flicks
39. I really enjoy to listen to music and cry
40. I love feta
41. I'm a hypochondriac
42. I love yummy smells in my house
43. I love yummy smelling hair products
44. I love my clean smelling kids
45. I have a great great family
46. My parents were the most supportive ever
47. My parents never missed any event I was participating in, clear from the West Coast to East Coast and of course in my own home town
48. My dad has the greatest laugh
49. I love late nights with brothers and sisters talking and laughing
50. I enjoy down time after kids have gone to bed
51. I'm addicted to hot baths
52. I love short cut, filed fingernails
53. Long kid fingernails kind of gross me out
54. I don't have any cute clothes
55. I've always lacked style with clothing and hair
56. I have a charm bracelet watch that I love
57. I was National Dance Queen in 7th Grade
58. I cheered at Ricks College
59. I have no musical talents but sure wish I did
60. Sometimes I pretend like I can sing and am American Idol
61. I really wish I could sing
62. I really love Reality T.V. shows
63. I would love to go on Survivor
64. I love any and all things BYU, especially sports
65. I love going to BYU football games
66. Provo makes me happy
67. I own both the LDS super-hits of the 80's and 90's. Now that's some good music
68. I enjoy a book that makes me cry
69. When Mason was born I killed my tailbone and it still hurts when I sit. (like right now)
70. I'm scared to have another baby if my tailbone gets hurt again
71. While I was pregnant with Mason I also had pleuricy, again, very painful
72. I hate the smell of wet rags and towel. I get new washed ones every day
73. I'm not very good with money
74. I spend alot and never have anything very good to show for it.
75. Starting last month I only pay cash for things
76. I'm afraid of confrontation
77. I love the show "The Office"
78. I really can't wait for another Jim and Pam kiss
79. I've never seen an episode of Friends
80. I ran the St. George Marathon and had the greatest experience
81. I ran the Texas Half Marathon and did not have a good experience.
82. Long distance running is no longer for my body
83. I wish I was in an adult ballet class
84. I really like people and need them in my life
85. I clean best while talking on the phone
86. I love a clean house
87. Dirty houses are a little scary for me
88. I love the smell of clean laundry
89. I love dips, guacomole, salsa, 6-layer (hold the olives), cream-cheesy dips
90. I can't stand queso or velveta
91. I love to fly on an airplane all alone
92. I always sneek peeks at People magazine while in the check out line
93. I can't spell very well
94. I don't try very hard at things I do, I'm pretty lazy
95. I love competition and am extremely competitive
96. I'm not a poor loser
97. Giggle belly pain is the best kind of pain
98. I love holiday decorations
99. I don't love chocolate
100. I'm happy I reached a 100

A change of events

Yesterday marked my little guys 17 month birthday. Since a "31st" only comes around 7 times a year we really have to celebrate. I've been realizing how my life has changed since a boy entered our home. I used to feel so girly, all the toys were girly, the clothes, really the whole house. No with Rozzie going to preschool and Lottie gone all day there is plenty of mommy and son time and I love it. It really is so fun to have a boy. I now spend my days building tracks, throwing balls, wrestling, making animal sounds and watching dog movies. It's so fun to dress him and play and have a little mini Chris around the house. He has a few new tricks these days. He closes his eyes and flutters his eyelashes (with his eyeballs rolled up), he Calls Roz-GiGi, Lottie-Joe, Me-Mom (no mommy or mamma), and Chris-Da. This is his newest claim to fame because until just recently he only called Chris Mom. At church, in public, everywhere we'd go he'd point to Chris and reach his hands up to him and repeat again and again "mom, mom, mom". He also learned how to jump and loves to copy anything the girls do. He just has the best personality and makes us laugh all the time. So as a proud mamma, I just want to say one more time-I love my boy!!

My Dream Job

Has there ever been a subject that continues to come up in your life and you wonder if its a sign? That's how I feel lately with jobs. Lately I've been giving alot of thought to my favorite jobs or dream jobs. Then at dinner with some friends the other night, we were talking about jobs that would support our family if we needed to rely on them. The next day a friend was telling me how she was an entrepreneur, a word I can only spell by looking up in a dictionary. Then last night our home teachers came over and asked what I did for a living. When I told him I stayed home with my kids he asked if I had a home business. So the topic of a job is fresh on my mind and I believe I'm cursed to not ever be a career person. Here is why.
My curse started in High School when I had to fill out that crazy survey in a career class that told me what I'd be good at and should look into to studying in college. My highest match, based on my answers, was a traffic controller of a sort, not the kind in a control tower, but the kind on the freeway in a bright orange jacket directing road traffic. Whenever I go to a sporting event or concert and am directed out by these people with the glowing wands I'm reminded of this and I think how great I could do at it.
As a child I dreamed of having long nails and working on a cash register. I was always intrigued by the clicking sound the combination produced.
I enjoyed working in High School at a Floral Shop and a Take and Bake pizza place. It was so fun!! I was always happy and enthused to go in. I got to talk to lots of happy people. It required no organization, no planning, no stress and I really left my work at work when I went home for the night.
Then on to college. I worked at a telemarketing firm, and then at Gringos the mexican restuarant as a hostess then waitress. I also loved this job, it was so fun. Again, you're surrounded by happy people. Who doesn't love to eat out? If someone is grouchy you just dish them up some free guacomole or a side of rice and beans that wasn't included in their meal.
So everything I've loved, the pizza restuarant, being a waitress, the floral shop, or dreamt about - being a cashier, probably would not support a family of 5 very easily.
So I'm feeling caught up in this inner struggle wondering what will become of me if I have to provide for my family. I got a B.S. in Community Health that would yied about the same income as a mexican waitress but certainly not as much fun. I am happy that I got a degree but it certainly isn't a very practical one. Everything practical I would get fired from.
Today on the internet,(another sign that it's time to find a career), I found this website.
6 Careers That Will Take Off Chris had to teach me how to put that link in thus eliminating career #2&3 on the list: computer software engineer and network and system computer administrator.
#1, Nursing seems like the best option if I could only ever deal with healthy patients for some consultations. I could never deal with trama, death, stranger's throw-up, sick kids or anyone even close to death. I would just begin to cry and run down the hall if things got scary.
I plain lack the skills for #4,5 &6. Forensic Science Technician, requires attention to detail, (besides do you really think this career is taking off?), Business Management requires problem solving ability, (I can't even order a meal at a restuarant, I always just tell the waitress to pick something for me and that I don't like olives.) & last is an elementary school teacher. Patience and love of children is where I struggle here. I do however think of all of these jobs, teachers should be making the most money because I just admire them so much for what they do and I'm so grateful that they are doing it, because I know I really couldn't. I'm amazed at the time spent in order to make a classroom run smooth.
I dont' want to bore you with all the other skills I'm lacking to succeed at anything, and I'm not even feeling sorry myself I'm just in deep confusion at what my big career path in life will be when I have to depend on it. Do I just give up on trying to find a solution and up Chris's life insurance or do you have suggestions for me? Your help is definately wanted!
Sorry for such a long blog on a not very exciting topic.
If you reply you also have to tell me what your big dream job is.

SNOW DAY!!!

So today we woke up to the great news that school had been cancelled!
It was all cancelled for this. Can you believe it? Is that even snow out there or a shimmer of white dust? I remember growing up and having school cancelled (for good reason in the Idaho snow) it was the best day because all you did was play outside all day in the cold weather they cancelled school for. So after sleeping in for an extra hour we rummaged through our "cold clothes" to see what we could come up with to keep warm out there. We managed to find some Daddy size black gloves for Rozzie, a size 3-6 month hat for her that didn't even cover her ears. Some rain boots for each of the kids, a size 6 month snow suit for Mason along with some pink mittens. You do what you have to do when you're not stocked and prepared with winter clothes. We might have had the rain boots but it wasn't as bad as the neighbor kid with gardening gloves on.
Charlotte got to go sledding, if you can call it that, for the first time.
And Mason made the cutest trail with his tiniest paws.
We had so much fun while we stayed warm. And then it was inside for some warm hot cocoa and a nice warm bath.
I'll admit it's a little pathetic what they cancel school for here and also the experience my kids are having with snow. I'm very removed from the weather in Idaho because I'll admit I was ready to come in myself after just awhile. I guess I'm officially accustomed to the much better Texas weather.
Here are a few more pictures of our Snow Day.
The neat garden gloves.

The way to small hat.
Those masculine pink mittens.

My dreary and depressing blog

This past weekend has been so sad with only a few laughs along the way. I'm really not that negative of a person but we've had a weekend worth of sadness, that's for sure. It started Friday with this crazy ice storm.
We were headed to Houston to see friends, the house, shed a few tears, go to church. I had to pick Chris up downtown and load and pack the car for the entire family. It took nearly two hours to get downtown, the visibility was terrible, it was raining cats and dogs and even waterfalls off of overpasses and there was no end in sight. We decided it was safest to turn around and head home. All that packing for nothing. On the bright side we were sure to have a relaxing weekend because we had no plans.
On to Saturday. Charlotte woke up and said her heart hurt. We figured it was probably her lungs and took her into the Dr. to be extra conservative, because it was the weekend and I'm scared of pneumonia. Her lungs really were filled with crap, she got a steriod shot in the buns (this was a real wrestling match to get her to hold still for that one) and a hello kitty sticker to make it all better. They also did a breathing treatment in the office and sent us home with a nebulizer to do more at home for the next week.
On to Sunday. She woke up in the night throwing up and went all day Sunday. The good part was she was hacking up some serious slime from her lungs. The best quote and help both came from Rozlyn. While Charlotte was barfing in the kitchen on the floor and herself Rozlyn looked at her amazed and asked "What is she doing?" Apparantley Rozzie's eyes have been hidden from this before but this morning it was for the whole family to see. Chris calmy answered "She's throwing up." Rozlyn shouted back in a disgusted tone "On her feet?" Meanwhile we're all scrambling to help Charlotte and ignoring Mason's screaming because he wants breakfast when all of the sudden it goes quiet. We quickly go to find Rozlyn and Mason (because quiet in our house usually means trouble) she was feeding him water with a straw in the corner. She'd gotten a cup out of the dishwasher, a straw from the drawer and filled it up and gave it him so he'd stop crying. Isn't that sweet!
So here it is Monday. I'm recovering by cleaning and laundering everything we own. However, I'm so happy we didn't end up going to Houston, nothings worse then sick kids on the road and all the friends we were going to see I'm sure would not be our friends anymore if we'd contaminated their kids with ours.

Geneology & Tiger Woods

So I now you must be impressed by my title. You're probably thinking that I'm off doing some amazing family history. I really should be and last night my interest was peaked.
For Christmas my aunt and uncle gave us this amazing book full of geneology. It was such a gift, I can't even imagine the time spent to put that together. We are so grateful to have it!!
In search of a few more blessings in my life I've tried to tap into family history already a time or two. I can't seem to get going. I took a class in college, I've had Chris's mom the expert insert PAF on my computer, I even took the Sunday School class offered at Chruch a few years ago from Sis. Johnson in the Champions ward (for those of you who know) who really is the master at it. Still I've gotten no where.
Winding down last night I break out the amazing binder we got for Christmas and start reading. At first I'm looking at pedigree charts of names I've never even heard of before and then I got to read life histories. They were the best stories!!! I have amazing ancestors and I feel like I'm a better person today just because I'm somehow related to them. Along the way the genes all got mixed funny and I'm the product today but it doesn't take away that somewhere down down the line were amazing people. My favorite stories were the conversion stories during Joseph Smiths time, records of blessings from Joseph Smith Senior, Hyrum Smith, an angry wife who left her husband and robbed him of all his worth for associating with the mormons and the poor woman who was crossing the plains with Brigham Young, fell out of the wagon, broke ribs, her hip and leg when she got ran over and had to continue on with a small blanket for comfort.
I stayed up so late reading and nudging Chris who was trying to sleep because I couldn't put it down and I didn't even make a dent in it, so it's more reading for me tonight!
So even better then doing geneology is having someone else do it for you!!!
Along the same lines I copied http://sunniesmommydays.blogspot.com/ and went to my heritage to see who we all looked like. I don't know how to put it on this page (you see I can't even put a link in without copying the web address) so I 'll just have to tell my favorite look-a-like was me and Tiger Woods at 67%. It was so fun to do. We did it with a family picture and they found results for all of us. Charlotte and Mason both had Leonardo DiCaprio which is funny because I've always thought Chris looked like him. Mason also had Condoleezza Rice and now that I look at them their is a similarity!

More floods

So to keep a positive tone, I spared you all the details of our toilet over-flowing flood last week. First I didn't want to distract any potential visitors from coming because they knew we had poop in the walls and second we'll there's just nothing good that comes from telling people that your toilet over flowed with messy water.
Let me clarify one thing on Chris and I's defense, it was the girls toilet and the girls fault. I was downstairs when Charlotte screamed from upstairs "Mom, there's water coming out of the toilet", (how I wish it was just water coming out of the toilet). Anyway I run upstairs to be the hero and it was to late, the trail had made it's way from the bathroom into the carpet in both of the girls bedroom. They have a jack-and-jill bathroom, which I now know the disadvantage of , if there's a leak both bedrooms get hammered. In an emergency I called my handy neighbor for help because there was no way to clean it up and watch all three kids at the same time. Mason would have had a hay day in that mess. They lent me their shop-vac to wish I sucked as much up as I could. I'm sure they'll never be as good as neighbors again because really how easy is it be friends with someone who borrowed your supplies to clean up poop. I did santize that machine until it was crystal clean, but still. After shampooing and pulling carpet up that night, the restoration team came the next day to our rescue. After the large bill I was assured that our house was in sanitary order.
One week later,
It's dinner time, followed by playtime upstairs, stories, baths, showers, jammies and the forever long bed time routine of three kids. Don't you love that moment when all the kids are finally down? I do to, and even the journey down the stairs was great, my mind was racing with what I should do, T.V., a book, some Christmas project. All my dreams ended way to soon as I found myself wading through puddles of water. I let out the worlds biggest scream. Our house was seriously under water!
Charlotte had gone to the bathroom during dinner (90 minutes prior) and had plugged the sink (don't ask me why) and forgot to turn the water off. You'd be amazed at how much water one small faucet can put out.
I grabbed every towel in the house threw them down on the floor and made zero progress toward cleaning up. Chris got out the carpet cleaner and started sucking up water. It only took about 5 seconds each time for the tank to fill up. We really needed that 30 gallon wet dry vac from the same neighbors but even I had to much pride to go ask again. After the longest night of getting water up, moving all furniture to dry land, emptying bookcases, ripping carpet up, pulling the pads out, taking base boards off we went away to bed. The same restoration team came back the next morning to which they informed me that they have no such policy as "buy one flood get one free" in the same week.
So our house is torn apart, our sad rooms just sit with fans blowing on them waiting for the moisture to go away so it can get put back together.
I've never been through a flood in my 28 years until a week ago. I decided to get all experiences over with in the same week while I'm still on a first name basis with the restoration guys.

I'm victorious

Two large bowls have already been spilled today all over the floor. First it was the cereal and then the bowl of soup for lunch. But to counter these setback, I was victorious in court today. Me vs. the State of Texas and I was the big winner. I got all dressed up fancy, dropped the kids of at the babysitter and went to plead my case. When I met with the judge she told me my case had been dismissed, no further action, no further charges.
Hooray!! That brings the 1000 dollar ticket down to only 220 I believe. I almost blew my probabtion to which I agreed, to have my ticket price reduced by taking driver safety when I got pulled over taking the babysitter's home the other night when I failed to signal (I'm serious!!). I also didnt' have my license with me. The same license that I just got to plead my case with in court. Luckily only a written warning which appartnley doesn't violate probation. It's funny how I'm so excited about spending $200.00 I feel like I just made 800 dollars and now I'm in the mood for shopping.
I wonder how much it would cost to have a live in nanny to be my shadow and clean up messy liquids whenever my kids spill food (or the toilet overflows), I can't seem to keep up. Probably more then the $800 I feel like is mine to spend.

and the stockings were hung with care

Project complete! I just finished Mason's stocking 16 months after he was born. After I hung them up it was manifest to be once more, by stockings, just how big our family is. I k eep looking at them and reminding myself of how many people live here! It seems like just yesterday I was 20 and on my way to marriage and now 8 years later, 5 stockings. Stockings are also begining to be a factor weighed in when family planning. Since they all match, another child couldn't have a store bought stocking. Each new addition means one more stocking project, this ran through my head as I was scrambling to get Mason's up for his 2nd Christmas. Oh the things we have to consider these days.
I'm loving this Christmas season and am so full of joy. I feel like the luckiest person to have landed in this family with Chris and the three funniest kids. I've felt my testimony increase of the knowledge of Jesus Christ. As people all over the world believe in the true story of Christmas because it was foretold by prophets, and still today, 2000 years later, we are still celebrating that the star was shining, the angel speaking with Mary, the lowly birth in a stable, the wiseman bringing gifts, etc. etc. Still today we have prophets on the earth whose prophecies come to pass, just like 2000 years ago.

November wrap-up

It has been such busy month Thanksgiving coming and going. We had lots of family visitors and loved our time together. We went up to San Antonio for Thanksgiving, ate on the Riverwalk, took a carriage ride at night, went to a movie, and hit San Marcos and the outlets as well. We stayed at a fun bed and breakfast and were so sad to see our lives get back into the regular routine.
As many of my friends inspired me with their grattitude lists I wanted to add a list of my own on this last day of the month to be thankful...and I am for so many things including the following
1. great husband
2. wonderful kids
3. family visitors
4. Hot chocolate
5. Warm baths
6. Yummy smelling candles and wallflowers
7. The Church
8. Girls night out
9. Lifetime fitness
10. DVR
11. a clean house
12. friends who know me well and still like me
13. blogging
14. fast food
15. Mexican food, particularly chips and salsa
16. naps
17. home videos
18. the news
19. BYU football
20. Charm bracelets
21. Rice packs
22. Date night
23. Clean house
24. scrapbooking
25. History books
26. Suprises
27. My kids laughing
28. Books
29. Living in America
30. Cute pictures
31. Day planners
32. Cordless phones
33. Ordering online and getting packages
34. Getting suprise packages
35. Christmas Cards from friends
36. The pioneers
37. Fireplaces
38. T.V. with Chris
39. My mom and dad
40. Great in-laws
41. Hot Dogs
42. Sandwhiches
43. Cute exercise clothes
44. Leisure suits
45. Good smelling hair products
46. Clean laundry
47. Baking soda toothpaste
48. Breakfast food
49. Soft cookies
50. Talk shows
51. Vacations
52. Good friends
53. Texas
54. Calculators
55. Sewing machines and patterns
56. Kids clothes
57. Hats and scarves
58. Kids books
59. Kids toys
60. Going to Idaho
61. Ricks College
62. Memories
63. Journals
64. E-mail
65. Internet
66. Historical Fiction stories
67. Pillows
68. Snow in Dallas (today!!!)
69. My not very clean mini-van
70. sweaters
71. Super Target
72. Costco
73. Indoor play places
74. Christmas Decorations
75. Good neighboors
76. cell phones
77. Eating out
78. Big closets
79. Power tools
80. A good deal
81. Diapers and wipes
82. Talking to friends
83. Warm house
84. Online bill pay
85. Fingernail clippers
86. Running
87. Education Week
88. Biographies
89. Game nights
90. Clean baby smell
91. Painting
92. Act of service
93. Relief Society
94. Matcing Appliances
95. Big windows
96. Having a project
97. Vinyl lettering
98. Digital movie making
99. Cleaning to music
100. Dancing
This is only the begining. There are so many more that didn't make the list. I have so much to be grateful for and with that I'll go into December in a better mood.

Cute as a Daisy

I'm a Little Daisy (to the tune of I'm a Little Tea-Pot)
I'm a little daisy, dressed in blue
I am a girl scout, you are too.

When I go to meetings, I sing and shout
I love being a daisy girl scout.

When Charlotte started school we were invited to be in a girl scout troop, the Daisys. I had heard of the brownies and their brown vest and the real deal that wears green but a Daisy in blue? Who ever knew there were Daisys out there. I didn't, this was all new to me. As far as girl scouts go, my education was limited to the the cookie selection.
After they made there shirts with each girls handprints they were ready for their initiation put on by the junior girl scout troop. This is where they each received the new blue smock and pin.
So we're officially real members of the girl scout organization. The day was complete with the friendship circle and of course Daisy cookies. Yum Yum!! I really didn't know what I was getting her into. I just showed up at this ceremony by myself (my other kids were playing at a friends). The other parents were there with grandparents, husbands, cousins, video cameras. Who knew? She has so much fun always asks when the next Daisy meeting is.
So all of you with little girls, get ready, girl scouts might be just around the corner.
Until then, cookies anyone?

A birthday shout-out

You've had a birthday shout hooray!!!....
So here is my tribute to my sister-in-law on her big fancy "not quite 30 yet" birthday


I remember meeting you back in the high school gym,
You were as nice as could be and still so small and trim
I hoped and hoped you'd win my brothers heart
Because then in our crazy family you'd be apart
You always pretend to not be annoyed with me
And listen to all my crazy parenting stories
As you can see I didnt' get Derek's rhyming gene
and I only wish I could be the poem writing queen
So I better end by saying Happy Birthday Today
and I wish you didn't live so far away:(

Family pics

Here is what I've figured out about families, each new addition makes it that much more impossible to capture a family picture. Here are some a friend took for us. Hope you enjoy!!







Maybe I should be embarassed but really I'm kind of proud.

Hooray for families and the Fall too!!!