So This is Life

SUCH a good weekend!

2008-06-15T20:36:00.000-07:00

Carson LOVES... OREOS!!! (does his face give that away?!)

The weekend was so so nice. We just spent a lot of time around home. Got more unpacking done and hung out with the kids. It was race weekend @ MIS so getting around in this town can be tough. This wasn't the worst weekend at all though. I have a feeling the gas prices put a damper on how many people came to the race. This evening we all sat out in the backyard while the kids ran around and played and we chatted and relaxed... HEAVEN!

Kenedey had Maddie over to spend the night on Sat. Those girls crack me up. We were talking about what color would look best in the kitchen. They suggested a couple and then Maddie pipes up... Hey Mrs. Carpenter... You could just take a picture of me and blow it up really big and use that as some new wallpaper! We all cracked up! That's why I love that girl! Her and Ken have so much fun together and I love who Kenedey is when she is with her... it's the fun Ken that giggles all.the.time! Love it!

Maddie's mom came and got her this morning so she could spend some time with her daddy and Ken could hang with her dad too. Then this evening, Daymian came out to spend a few days with us. Here's some pics from the weekend!

The dog is obsessed with digging in Carson's sandbox... it's hilarious! Kayla and Drake have been walking over every evening to check in on us... Drake is so stinkin cute!

Tonight for some strange reason, Carson hasn't been feeling very good for some strange reason this afternoon/evening. He has been really whiny this week, we just assumed it has been because the move has been tough on him, so we have given him extra love and snuggles etc. He woke up from his nap today and he was SUPER grumpy. We went outside to play and burn papers in the burning barrel and he brough out his pillow. He ended up laying down on the ground out in the yard and FELL ASLEEP. This is the kid that NEVER just randomly falls asleep. He has to be in bed... with a whole routine in place before ever getting to sleep. It was so cute yet so sad. He is running a fever and has pretty much been sleeping since around 7pm. I gave him some Tylenol and he's sleeping comfortably now... I guess we will see what tomorrow brings.

Kayla let Kenedey and Daymian borrow her Nintendo Wii. They have been playing it for the past 2 hours. I tried it and woah is that thing weird/fun/frustrating... Here's a couple of pics!

We are alive!

2008-06-12T23:29:00.001-07:00

And we have a new HOME!!! We are getting settled slowly but surely. I have to admit... I hate moving... who doesn't right? Things are coming along great and it's wonderful to have room to move! I will post some pictures as soon as I can.

The first few nights were a little unsettling, but now... it's beginning to feel like HOME. Im so excited! I am going to make a serious effort to get back into my blogging groove. I have been so overwhelmed with work and other things going on, that I just haven't been "feelin' it"! But hopefully I'm back.

Ken had Taylor over today and the kids all played in the sprinkler so here are a few quick shots of that for you!!! What do you know about Carson deciding he shouldn't be wearing any clothing and so he strips down to nothing and takes of running! Good thing we live WAY out in the country and our only neighbors are family... otherwise.... we would probably loose some new perspective neighborly friends... thank you very much Carson!!! Leave it to him.

The puppy is doing great, she really is the sweetest thing, but she is DEFINITELY a puppy... and puppies are a ton of work. We all just love her!

We Drank the Water.... kinda!

2008-06-03T07:01:00.000-07:00

So many people we know are having babies right now. I can count 7 within the last month of friends that we know who have a new little one! On top of that, several people in the blogging world also have newborns... wow!

Well, as you know we are getting moved into a HOUSE. No more apartment living... can I get a HALLELUJAH?!

Sooooo.... we promised Kenedey many years back that as SOON as we have a HOUSE, we would expand our family!

HERE SHE IS!!! Meet Daisy the most adorable, snugly, sweet, nearly housebroken @ 6 weeks, blue eyed, wonder-PUPPY!!!

We couldn't be happier!!! She is a weimeraner! She is going to grow quickly I am sure and we will keep you posted on how she is doing! We have only had her for 2 days so the novelty hasn't worn off yet! It's so exciting to watch her chase the kids around and Kenedey refuses to let her sleep in the crate. We haven't left her alone yet, so time will tell how all that puppy stuff goes!

It's officially offical!

2008-05-27T16:53:00.001-07:00

We are moving to TILDENVILLE! You have to be part of the family to understand, but best part is... we are moving THIS WEEKEND!!! Woo Hoo, Brix Hwy here we come!

TFT: thoughts for thursday... computer/internet usage

2008-05-22T19:30:00.001-07:00

I was reading Heather's Blog (TFT: How in touch are you?). Her post made me really think about something that has been sort of "heavy on my mind" for awhile.

It's no secret to anyone who knows me that I spends a ton of time on the computer. I NEED the internet and different programs I use to:

1) make money for my job (2 different jobs)
2) I sell/buy things on Ebay
3) I blog for 2 blogs
4) I email: this is really the way I keep in contact with my extended family members. Many of them live out of state.

Basically I am curious to see how all of you balance your internet time and usage. I have always enjoyed spending time surfing the net, keeping up with other people's lives, weather that be by myspace, facebook, bloglines, email or whatever. It's honestly time consuming!

I have a routine that I go through every time I get online and its usually like this (in order):

check email
check bloglines
check myspace or facebook if something is in my regular email indicating a message from either of these.
check ebay
check Creative Memories consultant network for updates and other business information.

Then sometimes I add on checking:

Craigslist
Paypal
chat with friends who have messengers (myspace or yahoo) catch up with them
random blog surfing

I really think I need to "cut back" on the time I am spending on the computer and use it only for specific times. My mom and I had a talk a few weeks ago how we sort of wake up in the morning and wait to see what emails we have gotten and a lot of times that sort of sets the tone for the day... meaning there are usually things in the inbox that require business type attention. I find myself checking it several times a day or even hourly just to keep up on things. I was also talking to my up line in creative Memories and she said she does the same thing. Waits for emails so she can stay on top of "work" and keep her customers happy in a quick manner. Email is GREAT for that and I think it's even better than the phone because I can get an answer after checking a few things out or whatever the circumstances might be.

I HATE talking on the phone... unless I am really bored. My mom got after me today because she says I never answer my phone. We have both cell phones and a home phone and honestly I just get sick and tired of getting the dang phone. It rings all the time. Most of the time I leave my cell phone in the car and figure I can return calls when I check my email. I don't like putting my family "on hold" while I take a phone call. However I do know (thank you mom) that it is VERY important to answer your phone especially when you are trying to build a business. I get that and I do try to be a great communicator and promptly return any calls I may have missed. We have caller ID so even if they don't leave a message I know what I have missed.

Anyway... to wrap this post up... I am curious and would like to hear some input from all of you who are balancing phone calls, emails, Internet time, computer time, etc. Do you find it difficult to balance and if you do... have you done anything to restrict your time away from that in an effort to intentionally balance everything else on your plate? What has worked for you? What hasn't worked for you?

editorial note: I went back and spell checked this post before I published it... I just realized that internet stuff/phone stuff has a language all of it's own. (things my spell check didn't like: myspace, texting, paypal, craigslist, Internet, Ebay) imagine trying to tell someone who knew nothing about internet, what you do all day on the internet... that could be interesting to explain!

I think I LOVE...

2008-05-21T19:06:00.001-07:00

DAVID COOK! SO SO SO glad he just won IDOL!

Saturday's are great

2008-05-17T19:25:00.001-07:00

We spent the morning just hanging out with Lauren and Carson, then we headed out to the big town of Onsted garage sales. Good times let me tell ya! Kayla found a Dora backpack for Carson and he is walking around right now singing the "backpack" and "map" song. It's freakin cute! I did find a leap pad thing for Carson and it came with a backpack to hold all the stuff, the cartridges, and a bunch of books. He also got just about every truck, motorcycle, car, anything with wheels at every garage sale we found. Most people were just like... oh just let him have it you don't have to even pay for it. Honestly people this is the one time I don't have to tell him no to most everything, really I don't mind paying a quarter for a car! It's WELL worth it with him... he WILL play with it. I figure it's something we can keep in the car since it's all nicely "packaged" so when he gets bored in the car, I can occupy him! He also got a little lawn chair to use at Kenedey's games for a buck!

Kenedey didn't find much, however at the end she did find a smoothie maker thingy. Apparently you put ice cream in it and m&m's or something and then turn it on and it combines it all and puts it in the glass... yeah note to self... don't buy other peoples junk because there is a reason it is sitting out there in their yard sale... and Kari... this is now YOUR junk! I can see her using this a whole maybe 2 times in her life if we are lucky!

This afternoon, Kenedey, Jessi, Kayla and I all went scrapbooking in Adrian. It was fun as it always is. I got a whole 3 pages done. Actually pretty darn good for me. I usually only get about 5 done at all day crops. I wanted to scan them to show, however, my printer doesn't scan 12x12 very easily too difficult for me to figure out.

I am going to take some pictures tomorrow so I promise to have more tomorrow.

The below post is just to prove...

2008-05-16T21:29:00.000-07:00

That I really am blogging everyday. Last night blogger had something wrong with it and it wasn't saving my drafts and then it just lost my entire post. dang it! I refuse to finish it because that's well... just annoying. Oh well so we move on!

This afternoon, Kayla and I decided that we would head out to some garage sales. I love garage sales :-) I don't go very often and haven't had the chance to much in the past. So Kayla found some on Craigslist and we headed out to Grass Lake. It was a bit of a disappointment because the "big" neighborhood sale on Craigslist, was a whole 2 houses! Whoo Hoo. I did find some cute stuff at one of them for Lauren. Some really great girlie stuff. I also found Carson this great shelf for his room that is actually a truck. I think it will be cute to set his cars on in his room.

Tomorrow morning Onsted is having their annual garage sales in the village, so I have plans to get out there around 9am. I don't need more crap to have to move, but really you can find some awesome stuff out there and nice stuff and for dang cheap. I am a sucker for good deals.

Kenedey had another softball game tonight. They did NOT win by any means. I don't even know the score! They played a Napoleon team and they were a really good team and were coached VERY well. I was very impressed with their coach. Great communicator with the girls and he knew the game very well. Anyway... too bad for our girls, but they are looking better and better all the time. Kenedey got one base hit, one walk, and one strike out. I guess you could call that a "well rounded game"! LOL I really enjoy going and watching the girls play. Ken enjoys it so much. Sports do so much for kids in my opinion.

Lauren is here tonight to stay while Jessi went out for the evening. I have plans tomorrow to go a crop in the evening. My upline in Creative Memories has a crop every month. I haven't been able to go yet, so tomorrow I am going to go for 1/2 the time from 3-9. Kenedey is going to go too, so it should be fun!

Big News....

2008-05-15T22:27:00.000-07:00

for us anyway! Kenedey has had a big space maintaniner in the bottome of her mouth since she was about 5. She had to have 2 teeth pulled at that age so they put this big bridge thing in the bottom of her mouth that looked a lot like a permanent retainer.

It served its purpose and could have been taken out about 3 years ago. Kenedey has refused to have it out. The dentist said that it wouldn't hurt anything for it to be there, but wasn't serving any purpose.

Life... playing catch up!

2008-05-14T20:11:00.000-07:00

Here I am finally.. I am completely out of the blogging habit for some reason. I am going to give it a try and blog everyday for the next week.

Life is busy as usual around here. First the house... we have found MORE things that are going to cost us MORE money. We are both feeling like we should throw the towel in on this one and get out while we are still ahead. It has been a huge learning process and a tough one at that. I'll keep you all posted on what we decide to do. I can say for now though that we have started to look again!

Kenedey is doing great with softball! She has had 2 games. First game a week ago Monday she struck out 3 times. They did end up winning the game though 13-8. Not bad for a pretty inexperienced team! Then they had another game this past Monday. Ken did great. This is her first year playing. It was a lot of fun because they played the other Onsted team, so a few of Kenedey's friends were on the opposing team. I had a terrible time not cheering for the other girls too! I just cheered for them indivually, not for "their" team! Kenedey ended up with 2 base hits and made it home on one of them. Maddie her best bud was pitching for the opposite team! Apparently Maddie was giving Kenedey glares! All in good fun of course!

When Ken got up to bat, Maddie and the catcher were talking to each other. The catcher who also happens to be in Kenedey's class said to Maddie... "don't worry... it's JUST Kenedey!" Well she got on base right away! Nice way to make your buds eat their words! That game ended up we lost by one. It was a tie in the final inning! I was so proud of them all! Maddie's mom had made a comment that the teams were poorly balanced regarding experienced players, meaning that Kenedeys team has quite a few who have never played before and not a lot who are seasoned players. So another great reason why they proved to play so well!

This past Sat. I went and did Kaitlyn's hair for Napoleon's prom. Kaitlyn is Jessica's niece. I really am just posting these pictures for her to see!

My great grandma is keeping me and Kenedey busy. I have been running her to appointments and errands. I love doing this with her because it makes me feel useful and also gives me time to spend with her! I just love her as you already know!

Last weekend I watched a bunch of kiddos so their parents could go out! I had Kaylyn, Daymian, Lauren, Kenedey, & Carson. They did great. I have never actually watched Kaylyn and her and Carson were pretty funny together! Here's a few pictures for you Nikki!

More to come soon!

2008-05-10T19:49:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! It's been a way busy week. kayla and I went to The Great Lakes Mega Meet yesterday in Novi. What a great time! I have never seen anything quite like it!

For those of you who don't know what the Mega Meet is... It is a huge scrapbooking convention! I found some awesome items that I am so excited about, and the good news is... we are having a crop next week so hopefully we will be able to use some of them then!

I have plans for tomorrow to do some SERIOUS blog updating! Lots to update! More soon!

The Chelsea Treehouse

2008-05-03T20:06:00.000-07:00

The 2nd Birthday Party went awesome!!!

Best part from my perspective... I didn't have to do ANYTHING. I know that sounds lazy, however... with all the moving, house stuff, and life in the midst of that... I don't think I could have carried out another party that was fun this year.

The special part was that my Grandma Grace (who is almost 89) just got back from Florida (she goes down for the winter) and she came to the party. I can't even believe she is able to get out to do that type of thing let alone want to do that type of thing. That's 5.... YES FIVE... generations that she has gotten to know! How special!

We had the party at The Chelsea Treehouse. They were fabulous with helping us. They served all the food/drinks, decorated, cleaned up, lit candles, EVERYTHING! Best part was, it was actually very afforable too. I highly recommend doing this type of thing!

Carson was a little stinker for the beginning of the party. He was overdue for lunch. Once he ate, he was back to his old self again! I took him to see his cake and he was OVERJOYED!!! He made the "ka-pow-ka-chow"... um... got lightening??!

When they put the cake in front of him, he tried to run the car along the frosting. Very cute! He loved it when everyone sang to him and then I told him to blow out the candles and he did it like he had done it a 100 times! Smart little dude!

Presents were interesting. He did a really good job opening everything, but got stuck on a couple of items. In particular... Aunt Tammy got him a vaccume cleaner and we all know how obsessed he is with the vaccume. Yeah I wouldn't be surprised if he wears that thing out within the first month! I think that is probably a new favorite toy! The lightening McQueen from the cake was also a favorite toy... I think he carried that everywhere today!

... ...

Happy 2nd Birthday Carson!

2008-05-03T19:41:00.000-07:00

Dear Carson,

Well, here we are already 2 years out from the day you were born. I have to be all mushy here and tell you that I remember the night you were born and just you and I were in my hospital room and I held you and was just in awe of your precious little face, with the big dimple in your chin. You still have those amazing eyelashes that I hoped your daddy would pass on to you! That part of my heart that you snuggled into that night I can still feel it.

The biggest surprise to me is honestly how fast these 2 years have flown. I know us parents always say, time goes by so quickly. But really, it honestly seems like a month ago that you were sleeping on daddy's chest for your naps and he would hold you for hours.

You are such a little boy now. You are saying so many things everyday. Some of your favorites:

Shis-see (sissy)... wha you do-en?
wheredit go... you have to say the go part really high!
mater, mcqueen, salee, mone: all the cars crew
Dowa (dora)
Nina (Nannie)
la-tssss (you have that "s" sound goin on now
you said "Angie"plain as day last night
at your birthday party today you went around to everyone and said "thanks and then the person's name." It was very genuine! You made me so proud.
the list is now endless to all the things you say. I am loving watching you learn new ways to communicate with us everyday. It's also been great that the whining has dimished some!

You are getting taller and you have your own little mannerisms and so many of them remind me of your daddy. I was watching you walk in front of him the other day and it was honestly like a little mini-me version! You guys had no clue how much you resembled each other at that moment, but I did. You also like to wear your "haat" like your dad! I haven't decided if this is a good thing or a bad thing! I think Nana would say... "oh no, not another Jason." However, just mimic all of daddy's good qualities, there are lots of them there! ;-)

You LOVE Jack and Lauren and ask for them on a daily basis. Everytime we write your name on paper you also ask that I write all of their names too. When Jack came into your party today you had the BIGGEST hug for him and then for Lauren too. I think it's awesome that the "friends" you have, you just love so much. I hope this a quality you will keep forever.

I know your sister has a huge place in her heart for you. When you have to be disciplined, a lot of times she cries too. She is so so sweet to you and would give you her last leg if she had to! You are a lucky little guy to have such a great sister to look up to. I know your relationship of the adoration she has for you is something you guys will carry as you continue to get older! I love watching your sibling relationship. With me not growing up with any siblings living in the same home as me, I really enjoy watching you two "just be" you... together!

Thank you buddy for being the little guy you are. I just cannot tell you how much I adore you and my love for grows more and more everyday. You lighten my day with your little smile and the greatest hugs and kisses a mommy of a son could ask for. You are THE BEST!

Happy 2nd Birthday Carson! We Love You!!!

Love, Mommy

password protecting

2008-05-02T20:53:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone.

My mom is here visiting from Florida, we are already having a great time as usual. Tonight we were talking about blogs, and I mentioned I get hits from everywhere.... well that got us talking.

Based on a recommendation from my mom... I am going to password protect this site. Beginning on Tues, May 5, 2008

If you want me to email you a password, leave me a comment!

Laughing so hard, I cried!!!

2008-05-02T08:57:00.000-07:00

Conversation as Kenedey got out of the shower this morning:
(she was listening to the radio while she was in the shower and the screen says who sings the songs that are playing)

Kenedey: "Mom do you know who sings this song?"

Me: "Um...yeah I think it's Justin Timberlake and.... let me think.... um I am not sure who else."

Kenedey: (big wide eyes like she was surprised) "mom, it says Madonna"

Me: "oh yeah that's right, I would have never gotten that right though"

Kenedey: "Is she still alive?"

Mom: "yes, Ken she is alive, and she has a daugther who is the same age as you"!!!!

messin around

2008-05-01T18:15:00.001-07:00

I haven't felt much like...

2008-04-29T16:36:00.000-07:00

blogging lately, however, I figured I better get on that or else I will have phone calls asking me what is wrong!

I am getting some of the final things/estimates done for the house. Met with another carpet guy to do measurements (Home Depot) today. I am hoping for a really good price. Yeah we shall see about that. I have all the estimates that we HAVE to have, so now we will continue to "shop" for better prices.

Carson's Birthday party is on Sat. I keep feeling like I am not doing something that I should be doing, but that is because we are doing it at Chelsea Treehouse and they pretty much do everything. Cleanup, a helper, the food, keep the kids busy. Sounds great to me. I really needed something with very little stress this year with all the house stuff going on I would have been a lot more stressed! So... Thank You Chelsea Treehouse!

I have been thinking lately about my little Kenedey who is near the end of her elementary years. When she started Elementary, I would have NEVER thought it would fly by so fast. I always go and work the book fair at the school in the fall and then again in the spring. When I was volunteering at it last week, I got a little misty eyed when I started to think that she will no longer be part of that library! She will just be in another building, but still! I guess it makes it a little easier knowing that Carson will also go to school there and I will still get to feel "part" of the elem. school then, but my little Miss Kenedey is going onto another step in her little life. I think what scares me the most is that.... if Elementary school went THIS fast we only have THIS much time left to get her through Middle & High School. Wow. I guess I am beginning to understand what people mean when they say, "you blink and before you know it, they are grown." I so so so want to cherish the moments I do have. Ken is slipping further and further away from me and by that I mean she is just becoming more and more her own person. She doesn't need to consult me on every.little.thing! I've said before that she has always stayed pretty close to my side and needed me to help her make every decisions. Partly because she is shy.

Up until a few months ago, we still had a horrible time getting her to tell the waiter at a restraunt what SHE wanted to eat! She always wanted us to do it for her! The thing that I am most proud of right now, is the fact that I do feel her slipping away a bit and the great thing is that it feels healthy. Such a good feeling for a mommy. She has a great friend that she has gotten really close to this year (Maddie, aka, Madeline, aka Large Marge :-) wink wink Mad!). Maddie is very outgoing, very confident, has a great family, and is of course loads of fun yet still very grounded in her values and has great parents behind her. It's such a great thing because Kenedey found Maddie and they clicked and that really says something about who my little girl is becoming. She even has the tools or wits, whatever you want to say, to choose great friends. I am so proud of her!

Wow it's so easy to babble about my kids! Sorry I know I am being all mushy! What can I say I'm a sap!

On a lighter note, Ken is still REALLY enjoying softball. She asks to go to the batting cages whenever they don't have practice. She has her first softball game on Monday, which is extra awesome because my mom will be up(from Florida) to see it!

Also, Kenedey, Maddie, and another classmate named Brittney have signed up for the school talent show! I am sure I will keep you posted on all that! Should be fun times! Can you imagine three 5th graders getting all into this! Wow!

BTW... those of you who have complimented the invite I made for Carson's bday, I used the new Creative Memories Storybook Creator Plus software!!! Seriously it took me maybe 3 minutes. Let me know if you are interested!

TFT: (Thoughts for Thursday)

2008-04-24T14:07:00.000-07:00

This is only my 2nd attempt at Thoughts for Thursday, but this topic just came up today so I figured it would be worth throwing it out there.

*Daycare* :-)

I know this topic is something a lot of parents have to think about and consider for their children when they return to work.

I was talking to my friend today (Hi Polly) who is starting a new job. She is switching from 3rd shift to 1st, in an effort to normalize her time with her family so she is putting her 2 youngest (9months and 3 yrs) into daycare. We got talking about a blog that I had read about a family where their son had been shook by a babysitter they trusted. Then there are other horror stories that make it to the media, you know the one where the "nanny" is throwing the twin babies around carelessly and mishandling them. I am disgusted with this behavior just as much as the next person.

When it came time for us to choose a daycare for Carson I went with a place where I felt very comfortable. I didn't need to do a lot of seaching because I knew what HIS needs were. With our older daughter (kenedey now 11 yrs old) it was tough to find the "right" daycare for her. She had very different needs. By that I mean she was more emotional (yes even very young) she needed snuggled A LOT, she was pretty demanding etc. Where Carson was just active, we knew he needed to have a stimulating environment and also a lot of structure.

The thoughts I am interesting in what you all think is this: When choosing daycare: do you get a "feeling" that the place is right for your child? How would you feel if your provider said to you, "I am sorry I don't feel like your child is a good fit for here"? What is most important to you when you are looking for childcare... family, friends, environment, schedule, or what?

I am just curious about this. Polly and I were talking about some of the terrible things that happen in daycares/home daycares and we were just like.... why can't a provider just say, "Look, your child cries too much for me, or your child doesn't fit, or something like that.... before/rather than hurting or being mean to a child.

NOW BELIEVE ME... I know there are wonderful people out there who do daycare. Lots of them really. I have been fortunate to have had wonderful people care for my children while I worked outside the home, so please do not think I am ripping on daycares by ANY means. I am actually on the flip side now where I watch a friends children and I absolutely love these kids like they are my own. However, if that weren't the case. I can honestly say, I WOULD let a parent know if it wasn't a "good fit". I have thought about opening my home to more kids, however, I think it would be more of a chore then, rather than something I enjoy. I don't ever want to have kids I am responsible for unhappy in my care. It's really important to me since my kids are also here. If the kid I am watching is unhappy... so am I... and for my kids, an unhappy mommy is a crappy mommy! That's just my take! Shoot some of your thoughts!

Other TFT blogs: ( I know I read more today... do you think I can find them... ugh, sorry if I forgot you, leave me a message so I can add you to the list!)

Heather
Kim
Michelle
Jenny

Keeping Busy

2008-04-23T20:33:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy week. I am loving the weather. I almost had the thought today, to say... "it's hot!". We were at the park in the heat of the noon sun, and chasing kids around... then I thought better of it and decided that would sound like I was complaining and Mother Nature would hear me and dump snow on me! So I just decided to enjoy being "WARM"!

Talan, Carson and I met up with my friend Mandy, she lives in Saline, so we don't get to see them as often as we would like to. They had to go into Jackson today so we decided to meet up with them. Mandy has 2 little guys who have made it to this blog before, Cade & Colton. They are the cutest little dudes!

Carson was Mr. Clingy at the park and I really can't say that he had fun. Why in the world does he want me to hold him when he has a buddy or 2 to play with and a HUGE park with all kinds of great things to do. I can't say it was much fun dealing with him! Talan did pretty darn good. He hasn't been feeling the greatest but he was a trooper!

I tried taking pictures of all the boys, however, because I was mostly holding either Carson or Talan they didn't make it to the screen very often!

Ken had softball again tonight. We had to run into Dunham's after school to pick up sliding shorts, a smaller bat, a larger ball, socks, a knee pad... yeah over $100 later... again.... she is finally set on softball equipment. She is so enjoying this and I am so happy for her. Yesterday she and my cousin Jessi went to the batting cages and that really helped Ken gain confidence. Thanks again Jes for helping her out. She got a base hit today at practice and even made it home! She was pretty happy with that!

Tomorrow I just have plans to hang out at home (obviously take care of Talan and Carson too) and hopefully get the motivation to get some packing done. I did clean out Carson's closet tonight... watch out jen more stuff is headed your way. The one nice thing about moving is you sure do get the opportunity to weed through the junk and boy have my kids accumulated!!! I

can't wait to get OUT.OF.HERE!!!

Our little athlete!

2008-04-21T20:46:00.000-07:00

Below: the assistant coach helping Kenedey get "in form" and pumping her up while giving the pitcher a hard time! This really helped Ken to loosen up and not be so nervous while up to bat!

Kenedey started softball last week. The great thing is, she is REALLY into it. She is trying really hard and loving the sport, way more than she like soccer last year. I am more than thrilled! It's so great to see her get out there and give it a shot. She looks like a true Wildcat! LOL (Onsted Wildcat that is), can you tell I'm proud of her?!

While Ken has been at practice, I have taking the kids over to the park to play. Carson couldn't be having more fun. He has no fear and is all over the place! I watch him play and remember him this time last year at the same park when he was so little and Kenedey had to help him. He seems like such a big kid running around there and doing it all by himself!

?

2008-04-21T20:13:00.001-07:00

I have to tell you, I have been feeling a bit depressed as of lately. I haven't even been able to say this until tonight, mostly because if I speak it, then it feels true. I think a lot of it had to do with the weather, getting into a routine that works, and just adjusting to all the upcoming change. Things around our house have been stressful. The usual life demands and of course throw some crap on top of that and things get hairy.

Those of you who know me, you know that I am a pretty deep person. I won't apologize for that, it's who I am, but I must admit it sucks sometimes because unless I am feeling inspired, having a conversation that gets me deep down, or feeling inspired... then I really don't feel like me.

I need to read more and lately I have just been able to read house books. Reading makes me think, something I really like to do.

I was working at the school bookfair on Saturday and I picked up a Maria Shriver book. I LOVE her and I like how inspiring/real/touching her writings are. I think if I could get to know a celebrity, it would be her. I used to watch Dr. Phil to feel inspired or make a step to better myself. Also the show "Starting over". Lately, Dr. Phil just sucks. I don't know if I am just "over it" or if his subjects are just boring or what, but I am just not "feelin' it".

I was looking through the options of Maria Shriver's books and I came across this in a excerpt spot from her book: "Who am I? What do I believe in? What am I grateful for? What do I want my life to stand for?"

These are the kinds of questions I want to get back to, so I am off to order one of her books! I like that I can feel a lot more like myself again. It's probably all going to fall apart when the house stuff gets rolling, but for now........... (sorry to those of you who aren't all into "feelings")!!! Believe me this is a good thing for me!

Warning: I am feeling chatty... long post!

2008-04-20T17:58:00.000-07:00

My blog has been a bit sterile lately.

I have been so house focused that I haven't spent much time talking about what is going on with "us"!

I am using this post to talk about Carson (with sprinkles of Kenedey :-) too), I know all of you (meaning family) get a kick out of me struggling so much with managing my SON!!! Yeah this post will not be anything out of the ordinary, but let me just say we are coming off from a long weekend of his whining and complaining... NOT good times.

Ok, we love this kid, he is spirited, fun, loving (sometimes), and a "true boy". But.... we need some help!!!!

Whining is one of the biggest problems as of lately. I know we are well on our way to terrible twos. Jason and I were having a conversation in the car today about how important to us it is that our kids are respectful of first themselves and then obviously others. Disrespect is just something we are not willing to tolerate. Now the respecting himself will come in time, but right now he is NOT Mr. nice guy to others. When I ask him to say hello to people he has just been doing nothing. I will admit sometimes he is friendly, but the majority of the time he's really not. This is almost painful for me to write because that's how important this subject is to me. I want to teach him to say hello, shake hands with people, and a friendly goodbye. Now the goodbye part is fine. He will blow kisses, kiss family, wave, and very nicely say, "bye bye", maybe even an "Love you". My inlaws met us at the house the other day to look at it and he was downright rude to them. Usually he is crazy about his Nana, but nope he was just rude. We went to visit a friend the other night, someone who is very important to me (hi Ellen) and he again was a royal pain. Took dirt out of a plant and threw it on her deck, didn't say hello, took off to an area of the house where I asked him not to go. Just defiant. I HAVE to nip this in the butt quickly.

I want to add a little history here for my readers who don't really "know us". Our daughter is seriously almost the perfect child. She has always been friendly to stangers, very respectful of others and their property, all the things you would expect from a good kid. Well I always felt like, we are tough on her and expect these types of things from her and that must be why we have such a "good kid". Well, I am now a hypocrite. I have judged other parents and been annoyed with them when their kids are awful. I now can truly say I understand that despite some parents honest and true efforts some rotten kids aren't that way entirely just because of their parents. Carson isn't rotten don't get me wrong. It's just tough to enjoy him. Also don't get me wrong I do realize some parents have very ineffective tools and are not consistent with discipline.

We went to Menard's today. He was SUCH A PAIN. He didn't want to sit in the cart. He threw himself on the floor in the carpet area, screamed, whined and it NEVER.STOPPED. The service sucked and we were trying to deal with him so we just left and went to the much better serviced Home Depot. At Home Depot he wanted to play in the automatic doors, ok only natural, we let him experience that for a while and then said ok, all done, lets go. Well again this was a reason for a fit. More whining. I had to pick him up and fight him kicking and pinching all the way to the car. I threw him in his seat, strapped him in and that ended that. He was better at Home Depot. They had a race car cart that he could "drive", but that only lasted for awhile. After he napped today he was such a brat, he just walked around and whined. We were even outside playing and chasing him and playing with other kids and whaddya know... Carson was whining!
I took him to the store with me this evening and he whined all the way there, and all the way back. He doesn't want to ever get in the car, and even sometimes doesn't want to get out. Ugh.

There are two thing I can do when I am at my limit that usually at least gives me a break. I can put him in his bed and just make him sit there until his tude' changes or sometimes when he is really whiny for no reason if I put on a movie that he really likes he will sit and watch that. As far as actual discipline goes, we have found that setting in "time out" does work. I have to work VERY hard to keep him there. He will stay for Jason, but Jason has to actually yell at him to get him to stay. I don't have that rough, stern, mean voice. I am working on that. Usually mine just makes him whine more. I have really considered spanking. I can't even believe that because I spanked Kenedey MAYBE 2 times ever. My rule is and will always be, if I am spanking because I am angry... I WONT do it. If I am doing it because I think it could get his attention and produce worthy results then I don't mind trying it. I think he is at the age where he gets the cause and effect thing so I think if I have to resort to that (i'd rather not) he could maybe understand that as a consequence. Yelling is out of the question for me. I am not a yeller and don't want to start being one. I want to have effective tools I can use when we are at other people's home and I am loosing control of my two year old.... THAT WORK.

I know this kid needs structure and stimulation and I try very hard to accomadate those needs. We do fun things with him and don't expect him to behave perfectly by any means but I would like things to at least improve. I think I might start thinking about running away if they don't and I just wouldn't do that to my kids! So I guess the alternative is we must try to resolve some of this! Any of you have any suggestions you might offer? I am off to look on the net for some solutions to decrease whining and increase effective discipline!!!

more house thoughts...

2008-04-17T07:52:00.000-07:00

I am getting to the point where I can't sleep because of this house thing. I woke up at like 3am because I heard the garbage truck and had to go find out why in the heck at that hour he needs to be SO loud. I don't think he cared that I stood in the window and cursed his noisyness! I went back to bed and laid there for like the next few hours until Jason got up and thought about house stuff. I think what got me worked up was before I went to bed I realized we only have 9 more days til' closing and then the serious work begins. We have TONS to do. But I am really getting excited about watching the changes happen.

Today I have been thinking about the bathrooms. The 1/2 bath down stairs in just off the entryway hall. It has a vanity and toilet and mirrow and some REALLY ugly wallpaper. My mother-in-law and father-in-law came out last night to look at the floor to see if they could help with that. We are going to go ahead and cover the living room and formal dining area with carpet. We are going with the same carpet throughout. (2 of the bedrooms, the stairway, hallway upstairs, and the living room/dining area) Carson's room will remain hardwood, I think I will just get him a big rug for his floor.

Anyway... back to the bathrooms; I think I like this color, I really want something bright, simple, clean feel for the 1/2 bath. I think I like this color... what to do you think?
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p10807/index.cfm?pkey=gTHMBMB ( I really like the orange accents with this one.

also thought about this, but I think I want brighter!
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p9861/index.cfm?pkey=gTHMBMA

Now the entry way: The bottom wall has wainescoting (sp?) I intend to leave that natural wood color, and maybe paint the walls just a cream to a light beige color. Just go basic in this area. It will have wood laminate floors. Is going cream in this area and up the stairs just too boring? It's a hallway, stairway, and then leading to the upstairs hallway. I should invest in paint... we are going to need SO MUCH paint! The good news is, my mother in law did say last night that she would come help with wall paper removal... FANTASTIC. She said, no painting or anything like that, but she will take it down. She has a steamer. Kathy (my cousin, Kayla's mom) said that she would also help with it and if we need to do texturizing (mainly in the upstairs hallway, and staircase) that she knew how to do that. I will for sure be needed help there.

I don't think I have updated that we had the inspection this week. The main thing they said, was the furnace should be replaced. He said it has a hole/rust in the heat exchanger. Also the hot water heater, and the windows should also be replaced. The good news is... the roof is in good condition and was done sometime within the last 5 years. He said it does look really good. Yeah!!! I was really upset about the furnace at first, but then I got thinking about it and we don't have central air right now, and will want it. So, this gives us an opportunity to go ahead with that... Plus at least we know it's safe/new. Now I just sit and wait for estimates... good times. Wish me luck and rest too! I can't go without sleep for very long! LOL

fun stuff

2008-04-14T12:46:00.001-07:00

If you live anywhere near me you have to check out the website: yahoo groups: Jackson freecycle

I am now enjoying garage sales from my internet! I love to see what others junk can be other treasures. This morning there was one on there for a 7 person hot tub in very good working condition.. Had we been in the new house by now I would have hot footed it over and picked that sucker up!

I went today to Columbia Interiors and picked up some flooring and carpeting samples. I am so bad about making decisions like this so wish me luck. I think we are going to go with a wood laminate floor for the foyer, hallway, kitchen, and breakfast nook. Just not sure which shade of wood to go with. The carpet I am trying to debate is the "shag" stuff. I found one I like that is like a sand color I think it's called beachside and another is called highlights. I'll let you know what I decide. This carpet is "green"/eco friendly. It is supposed to be made from recycled pop bottles and stuff like that! It's not the softest of the shag like carpets, but it is very nice. It's only $3.40/ sq foot... is that a deal? I have no idea. The others I like that were REALLY soft were about $5.00/ sq ft. and more. but the look was comparable.

Have any of you out there put "shag" like in your homes? If so how did it wear? I am not so worried about the bedrooms and stuff, but more about the hallway and stairs where it will be going.

Weekend MIA

2008-04-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

I know I have been MIA, it's a busy time for us with the house and everything else too. So sorry I have been gone. I just haven't felt like I wanted to blog either, so that doesn't help. Hi mom! I know you have been waiting for me to blog!

Pretty much normal week last week. It got nice one day, the bank therometer in town said 77 degrees. I was shocked and so excited... NOW TODAY, I think the high was probably 47 degrees and friggin' snow. Ugh. I hate Michigan.

By Wed. its supposed to be above 60 and sunny again. Kenedey's 1st softball practice was rescheduled to Wed, because Friday night we had tornado warnings. We picked up some softball gear for her the other day. She got some cleats, a new pink bat, a new glove and 2 softballs. I know NOTHING about softball. Her friend Maddie is very good at softball so they have been playing at school and Maddie taught her how to pitch. I am amazed because she pitched to me a few times and her aim/accuracy was awesome. Jason worked with her on holding the bat properly and she was great at that. I am so excited for her to learn something new that hopefully she will really enjoy. I know she will like it a lot.

On Sat. I went to a 10 hour crop and got out for a whole 10 hours no kids, no interupptions and it was GREAT! I could get used to that! Jessi, Kayla and I all went together. It was a really small crop put on by Kaleidoscope. We all concurred that we prefer these smaller crops versus the huge ones. They are always so much fun. I always meet such neat people with similar interests, which is another reason why I so love going to crops. I got a whole whopping 5 pages done. I spent all of Friday evening trying to organize and downsize all the stuff I had to take with me. It's so hard for me to do because I don't get inspired until I actually sit down with all 5 bags of my stuff and then I get an idea and go from there. I hate being in the spot where I don't have something I need and I left it at home. I spent the day working on Kenedey's stuff. Her scrapbook is kind of lacking compared to Carson's. It's going to be much easier when I can do his after I have planned things digitally, so much of her's from the past is all from when I just had a film camera... oh what a difference 11 years makes! So anyway I have all those pictures to get put in books for her! I need to drag them out tomorrow and show her the pages I got done. I think to keep myself on top of Carson's stuff I am going to be doing more digital scrapbooking for current stuff at least I won't keep getting further behind while I am trying to catch up with myself.

Ok enough ramble from me for one day. Sorry I don't have any pictures to share this weekend. I think I am PMSing so I am not exactly a happy girl tonight. Maybe tomorrow... we will see how the day goes.

Crop Time!

2008-04-09T21:58:00.001-07:00

This crop is open to anyone and everyone! If you know someone who might be interested please pass this along to them! This does require registration so I have loaded both the flier and the registration form.

My trip to Florida By Kenedey Carpenter

2008-04-08T19:37:00.000-07:00

My trip to Florida was the best i think so far. I love it. For 8 days I stayed in Estero FL. with my Nannie and Papa. A bunch of my cousins, my aunt, and 2 of my uncles were there staying. Gabi and Lillie were the 2 I played with most. Gabi is 13 and Lillie is 11. Gabi, Lillie, and I swam at least 3 times a day. On Wednsday we [ Nannie,Gabi,Lillie,me] went shoping. My Papa gave me $100.00 and my Nannie gave me $100.00. Thankyou Papa and Nannie. We went to so many stores that I cant even name them all. :) For easter my papa got me a pink laptop. I love it. Lillie got yellow. Gabi got Blue. On Thursday we went to see a play called Jesus Christ Superstar. I really liked it. It was very interesting. By the time my trip was over I was glad to get home. Plus when I got home I had to get glasses. I missed my baby Car. But now i wish i was still in Florid at some points. Next timeI go I will take flying lessons. Bye!!

Back to the norm...

2008-04-08T08:39:00.001-07:00

Well, Hutchinson's returned from vacation on Sunday so we are back to our normal schedule. Talan will be here pretty much all the time now while his mom and dad are working. I thought yesterday might be a rough day for him, but it actually ended up being not too bad at all. He was a little clingy in the morning, but as the day went on he settled right in. I took both Carson and Talan outside for a long time. They both LOVE being outside and played really well while they were out there. I am so anxious to have predictable weather where I know it's going to be nice enough to be out there. It's looking like we might even get some snow this coming week. WTH? Not fair!

Kenedey's 1st day back to school went well. She was super tired but got up without a problem. She went to the Tiger's game with Jason, Kevin and Andy! A little time with dad and the guys is good for her now and then. She said the Tiger's played terribly. Bummer.

After school I took her to get her new glasses and they are ADORABLE! She is pretty excited about them. She ended up getting Transition lenses so when she goes outside they turn to sunglasses. I am impressed with how quickly they change back to normal too. It's really just a matter of seconds. I hope she doesn't let everyone at school try them on today! I remember doing that when I first got glasses!

Here is Ken looking so studious!! (sorry but you will have to turn your head for most of these pictures... for some reason blogger wouldn't convert them even after I did it manually..)

And just some random pictures from the boys yesterday. I got ice cream for them on our way back from the eye doctor and Talan had his ice cream gone in .05 seconds! That kid LOVES ice cream!!!

Anyone else jealous of Talan's tan?!

The one below is for Talan's grandpa Cork... He was growling!!! His grandpa taught this to him and now he does it ALL.THE.TIME!!!

My room

2008-04-06T20:49:00.000-07:00

Ok, promise last post tonight. I found this room (HGTV.com) and I really like the feel of it. It has both some masculine properties for the hubby, yet enough style that I feel comfortable there also. What do you think abou the colors? I am putting up 3 for you to see, I like both a lot, you will be able to tell where my color palate is headed!

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_design_bedroom/article/0,1793,HGTV_3366_5796657_09,00.html

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_design_bedroom/article/0,1793,HGTV_3366_5796657_07,00.html

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_design_bedroom/article/0,1793,HGTV_3366_5796657_11,00.html

Carson's room

2008-04-06T20:08:00.000-07:00

So I am SO not into the trendy character thing for decor.... HOWEVER, Carson is absolutely crazy about cars and especially the movie Cars, the characters, etc. He just can't get enough. I am on the search for some way that I can tie Cars movie in for him yet not overwhelm the room with Lightening McQueen and Mater. Although... I think he would be crazy about it even it was overwhelmed with them!

He is still in a crib which is a light oak. His bed is a 3 in 1 where it will convert to a full size bed when he is ready. Right now he has Cars bedding that is a Toddler bed set so I can use that. I guess what I am saying is that bedding is NOT my problem... I need help on wall color and decor!

Cars room 1

more house thoughts...

2008-04-06T20:03:00.000-07:00

I am dreaming about how I want to decorate the new house. Kenedey's room is decided on that theme. I found this look for the main living room, check it out... its on page 34-35. I love everything about it. Where could I find/make something like what is on the walls, for less expensive? Any ideas?

http://www.cb2.com/catalog/viewonline.aspx?catalog_name=CB2Summer2008

So when did my kid aquire the world's best sense of style???

2008-04-05T07:49:00.000-07:00

Check out what she has found she wants to do her room in!!! LOVE IT!!! She even wants to paint her wall brown! What a stylish little thing she is! Now if I could just afford everything from Pottery Barn. I guess I better get looking at the cheaper ways to replicate this room! Wish us luck! We are on a mission!

http://www.pbteen.com/gift/thm/thmgrl/thmgrlucd/index.cfm

We survived... BARELY!!

2008-04-04T17:13:00.001-07:00

Well, Kenedey is on her way home as we speak! I am so excited to see her! It sounds like she had a wonderful time and even called to ask if she could stay a few extra days. We decided against that since the only flight in on Sunday night didn't get here until after 11pm. She has school Monday morning and just not a good idea to get no sleep.

I took Carson out to play this afternoon. Him and I both have spring fever so bad. Tomorrow it is supposed be sunny and 60. I'll take it! You can bet we will be outside a lot. I took these pictures of Carson outside today! He was being a little ham and actually interacting with me! Whoo Hoo! Usually he just ignores me when I call his name and try to play with him when the camera is out.

Jason dad came into town tonight. It's a little after 8 and at about 8 Carson climbed up on Dave's lap and was asleep within 3 minutes. We told Dave he better feel prividlged because Carson NEVER just sets on anyone's (including mine) and just goes to sleep! He must have been tired! Guess that's what a little fresh air will do for ya! Check back tomorrow for more pictures and info on Kenedey's trip! Maybe... just maybe I can get Kenedey to blog about it... we will see!

It's official! And here's a photo overload!

2008-03-28T21:02:00.000-07:00

We have an accepted offer on the house!!! We signed it today!!! I have been super hesitant about posting about the house here, but we got the counter offer back from the bank (the house is a foreclosure so it's bank owned) and they only increased the price by $800 and we got everything else we asked for in our offer! (run-on sentence much?!) Woo Hoo!!! We are so excited, but trying to keep it to a dull roar until we get through the inspections and have the keys in our hands. I honestly don't think words can explain how much exciting this is for us and our little family! We feel truly blessed and are so thankful that this has worked out this far.

Here's the scoop on the house. It's on Lake Columbia. We will have lake access. This was Jason's only criteria on a house. He is so passionate about the water, boating, fishing, anything lake related that he said he would live in a shack as long as he could live on a lake. The house is a 2 story, full basement, 3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, 1800 square foot, 2 1/2 car garage, 2 huge lots, huge deck off the back, lots of potential, but needs so serious aesthetic work. Because it was a foreclosure... people just don't treat these well. We are really looking forward to getting in there and replacing some of the carpet, painting everything, and replacing some of the floors. I'll keep you posted, but in the meantime here are some pictures!!! Enjoy!

Master bedroom... weird angle, but I was trying to capture how gross the carpet is. This will be ripped out on day of posession! LOL

Master bath... I like this because you have to step up 2 steps to step into the tub... it's sort of "recessed" I like it!

Someone had some lovely wallpaper taste!!!

Do you think I should keep this "flowery paper"??? LOL I'm kidding... I will rip it out instantly!!! We are going tomorrow to look at flooring for this and the kitchen! Should be fun!

Carson's room... ugh yeah again some ugly friggin' paper... what the heck was up with wall paper? I am trying to decide if I should just keep this hardwood and buy a huge rug or carpet this when we do the other 2 bedrooms... any suggestions/thoughts on that?

I don't get it how people can treat their carpet like this... eww. (this will be Kenedey's room) I think she want's to paint it pink and green... not sure how I can incorporate those two colors without making it too loud... but we will figure it out. This room is huge!

I love this room... it is right off the back yard has tons super light!!!

Eat in breakfast nook... my mother in law is really good at refinishing wood... so this table and bench will be her job!

This where the driveway comes into the you walk down the little sidewalk to the right and that takes you to the front door. The house sits on an angle on 2 corner lots.

Living room... leads into dining room
This floor will be one of the first things we take out... it's coming up in a few spots... too bad because it is a really pretty cherry color in the good spots.

200th post and I have been tagged for the 1st time ever!

2008-03-28T20:25:00.000-07:00

So Jane tagged me today! Here goes some randoms!!!

Here are the rules:
1.Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2.Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3.Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4.Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

OK so here goes!

I am the only person in my family who doesn't like popcorn. I actually don't mind the taste of it, but I can't stand it when it's in my teeth. So it's not even worth it for me to eat it. When I was pregnant for Carson it was something that I craved. After I had him... I don't think I have eaten it once... but guess who does love Popcorn? Yep Carson!
I smell EVERYTHING. Some to name a few: paper, carpet, children, peoples hair, anything plastic, new shoes, any new item, laundry, clean diapers frest out of the pack, pillows, anything I eat or drink. I can't help it. It sort of an obsession. I don't think people know I do it, but when something smells bad, like a baby who drinks soy formula, I have a terrible time wanting to hold them because it's stinky. I know weird :-( I have been "caught" sniffing weird things and my husband will be like... "did you seriously just smell that?"
I procrastinate everything. I have this problem with being late all the time. I don't like to be late, but I think it's an issue of I am so afraid that I am going to get somewhere and have to wait and for some reason waiting causes serious anxiety for me. I think over the years I have trained myself to be late so that I can jump right in to anything that I am doing. RUDE OF ME.
I am terrible about taking medicine. I am supposed to take a thyroid medication everyday and for some stupid reason I can't get into the habit of it. I feel terrible I don't take it, but I forget. My daughter is the same way. Except it's imparative that she take her medications for her Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis but she "forgets". We must have a routine all the time or it would never get done. It makes me mad that we do this... I WANT to remember and just don't.
I don't consider myself a very creative person, yet I have this need to be creative. Nothing makes me happier than when I get to be creative. Strange.
I rarely watch TV and that's not intentional. There are a couple of shows that I love but just have a terrible time setting down to watch something and being commited to watching it. I finally found one this past year that I really liked. Private Practice. Just when I really got into it... writer's strike happened. I cannot tell you the last time I watched a whole show entirely. I can't sit still long enough.
My house is so cluttered. I can't wait to move and have more room so it doesn't look so cluttered. I love a contemorary purposeful looking room... my home is far from that. Before I had Carson I was so organized and clean... once he was able to get into everything... I gave up. I wish I hadn't. Now it's tough to turn back!

Ok that's my Tag! That was tough. I tag: Jessi, Kayla, Mandy, Libby, and Kristyn!

Spring Break

2008-03-26T19:57:00.000-07:00

Well Kenedey leaves for Florida tomorrow. I hate when she leaves us! It's so boring here without her! She's so excited to go because her cousins are going to be there this year. I'm really happy for her that they will get to spend some good quality time together. These two girls (Gabi & Lillie) live in Kentucky so she really only gets to be with them when they both are at Nannie and Papa's!

I took the kids to My Urban Toddler last night. My upline in Creative Memories needed a breast pump so I gave her mine and needed to pick up some supplies for tubing and that sort of thing. My Urban Toddler is the only place that I know of that carries replacement pieces for the Ameda pump.

I really enjoy that place. It is really something different for the kids to do. I wish I had, had something like that when Kenedey was little. I think that would have been right up her alley! She even really seemed to enjoy herself even though it's for smaller kids. Carson really like dressing up like a fireman! He was so stinkin' cute in the coat. He also became infatuated with the money at the supermarket station... GO FIGURE! That kid is going to grow up and have money stashed everywhere. Money is certainly his obsession. He also really like the magnet puzzles in the library area. I think I will have to dig the puzzles out that he got for Christmas out again. He had no interest in them at Christmas so I put them up for awhile. I guess it's time!

He still gets really frustrated when the puzzles pieces don't "fit" like he thinks they should, I really have to spend some time working with him on the puzzles and teaching him to be patient!!!

Enjoy the pics!

Guilty as charged ... can I do my therapy sessions online too? :)

2008-03-25T07:32:00.000-07:00

So I log onto check my email for like the 20th time today and this is what the headlines say:

Internet addictions: A real medical menace?

Mon Mar 24, 2008 12:20PM EDT

See Comments (40)

Buzz up!on Yahoo!

Alcohol, drugs, food, sex, and even shopping are all candidates for medical treatment and are recognized as genuine mental disorders, so what about the Internet? Internet addiction -defined as "excessive gaming, sexual pre-occupations, and email/text messaging" - is becoming so common that at least one psychiatrist says it merits inclusion in psychiatry's official handbook of mental illness, the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders."

Dr. Jerald Block of the Oregon Health and Science University is the latest voice pushing for this inclusion, noting that tech junkies display genuinely debilitating behavior, including drug-like cravings, withdrawal, and a constant need for more and better gear - just like a substance addict might exhibit.

But other doctors comment that Internet addiction, while it may be real, is too new of a condition and needs further study before being medically classified. There might be something to this: No one wants people being medicated or institutionalized if they aren't genuinely ill.

The "Manual of Mental Disorders" won't be published again until 2012, but an early draft will arrive for public comment in 2009. Meanwhile, mind docs say the problem is growing, now possibly affecting up to 10 percent of Internet users. Recent studies are surprising, indicating the problem is worst not among game-obsessed teens, but rather among middle-aged women who stay at home, constantly on the computer as a way of connecting to the outside world.

Is computer use (or computer downtime) causing a problem in your life? If so, you might be an addict. But you'll have to wait a few more years to find out for sure.

____________________________________________________________________
As you can tell from my header I am for sure addicted!!! I can't help it! I feel so productive when I am using the internet. I do all sorts of things in a short amount of time that I couldn't get done otherwise... for example, networking with other mom's, running my 2 businesses, emailing, keeping in touch with family, blogging, checking out good vs. bad products for my children, learning through reading... if it's on the internet it MUST be true! So you see this consumes my day, but I am SO productive. You wouldn't believe how much I can accomplish! Crazy thing is... I don't even "chat" online. I don't have any of the messengers... gosh what would I be like if I downloaded that?

I must admit though... I check my email like it's my job :-) I was talking with my friend Mandy this morning and her internet has been down for like a few weeks. I was like.. "Mandy... how can you STAND to NOT HAVE INTERNET?!" Craziest thing about that... I was DEAD serious!

I thought these were some hilarious comments from people on yahoo regarding the above article:

All those in favor of starting a "Internet Anonymous" chatgroup say "I". xD Aah, irony.
HA! I could quit using the internet anytime I want to. I just don't want to.
Ok so what actual symptoms denote an addiction to the net? I read an interestig article on...I'm just kidding. I am addicted too gosh darn it
I guess I'm a binge-surfer
I'm addicted to using the internet to find out if I have an internet addiction problem...
"Hi, I'm bob and I'm an internet addict." "Hi, Bob!"
Thank God I have another excuse for my irresponsible choices: "The Internet made me do it!"
Yes I do agree this is addicting look at me now sitting here posting a comment ON THE INTERNET! There was a time when i think back and say i can believe i how bad this can get... like the time i discovered Myspace. My poor son was living off of oreos for breakfast and lunch for a while
New addiction, means new patients, means new Mercedes for the doctor. Horse feathers!
YES.. i'm addicted.. it sucks.. even my husband is.. he tried to find me a doctor on sweetimplants.com and I did.. now i use internet for everything..

Big news!

2008-03-25T00:08:00.001-07:00

Carson's 2nd Easter

2008-03-23T19:42:00.000-07:00

Easter Loot!

Happy guy at Easter with the family!

We had a great Easter! We went for dinner over at Jason's mom and Stepdad's. They rented out the hall where they live. Kids had a great time, food was great, but couldn't go outside for the Easter Egg Hunt like usual. So, they just hid the eggs inside. Carson wasn't really into finding the eggs! I guess it does seem a little silly to him... he will probably get more into it next year.

Kenedey dragging sleepy head out of bed and trying to show him the jelly bean trail.

You got me out of bed for this???

Oh now I got some candy... for breakfast of all things :-)

He woke up this morning after we had to pull him out of bed. He is on a terrible schedule right now. He does not want to go to sleep at night and will just sit in his bed and scream forever. It really sucks. I will get it straightened around this week. He was up at 8:30 took about a 30 minute nap at about 1:30, then fell asleep on our way home tonight for about 20 minutes. Now it's 10:45 and he thinks he just had a nap. I tried to keep him asleep when we got home, but no such luck. I let him do the crying thing for a long time, but Jason has to get up early so I just don't have the heart to make Carson cry it out tonight... it will keep Jason awake. I'm going to let him play for a little while and then try again.

Lovin' his "shshee"

Carson did great following the trail to the Easter basket. Of course sissy helped him but he was pretty excited when he saw that there was a Dora movie in there. I don't know where or when he decided that he loves Dora, but suddenly he REALLY likes her! Of course Mater and the Car's crew are still at the top of his list.

After Easter with Jason's family we headed over to my cousin Tina's. My aunt Connie (Jessi's mom) is up for the weekend visiting from Florida. It was great to just hang out and let the kids play. Carson really had fun. I didn't see him half the time! He was pretty much off playing the whole time. It feels unusual now when he's not right with me all the time. I think it's great that he is venturing off!

Aunt Connie & Lauren

Kenedey has a nice short week this week.... then it SPRING BREAK! She is going to Florida for break to visit my parents. I know she is really looking forward to it because 2 of her cousin's who are very close in age are also going to be there. She really looks up to both of them and I know she can't wait to hang with them! I wish I could be there just to watch them! They will be so cute together. Kenedey is kind of like the little one since she is the youngest girl, both of my nieces are great girls and they treat her very sweetly! I'm so excited for Ken to have time with them, and no Carson to bug her when she's trying to do "girl things"! Of course we will miss her!
I can't remember if I have posted that Kenedey met her AR (acclerated reader) goal!!! I am so proud of her! When Maddie was over here I was asking the girls about what goal levels other kids have and Maddie was telling me that most only had to get to 12 or something like that... Kenedey had to get to 17. What's up with that? I guess I don't fully understand how AR points work. Must be some type of formula.

Good stuff

2008-03-23T07:46:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of Kenedey and her friend Madeline aka Maddie. Her mom sent me these pics, they sure look like they had tons of fun!!!

Angie... I am sure these pictures will make you proud! I couldn't help but think... "hey she looks like a little Angie... hot tub, snowmobile... now all she needs is a dog!" LOL L to R: Maren, Macie, Maddie, & Kenedey

Where do the days go!!!

2008-03-22T15:36:00.000-07:00

They are flying by! Yesterday was a great Good Friday. Kenedey finally got to have a friend (this time it was planned :-) over to play. They obviously had the day off from school. I have heard Kenedey talk about "Maddie" all year from school, but they haven't officially gotten together. By the time Maddie got here, I felt like I already knew her!

Dancin' to Soulja Boy... it was pretty funny!

Great thing about Maddie is... she is NOT shy! Little miss talkative! The girls had a GREAT time together and kept very busy. They both did great with Carson, Maddie has 3 siblings all younger than her so she is of course used to the "little brother" who has to be right in the middle of everything.

The day started off with us heading into visit the house @ Lake Columbia... The girls took look at all the work we have to accomplish but both agreed that they saw the great potential that a lot of paint and some new carpet could bring to the property! It was funny watching them check everything out. Also, a lesson in how terribly people can treat their homes sometimes. That makes me sad. I can't wait to get in there and make it a nice home again. Kayla and I drove over today so I could show here where it is, and I got all upset because someone had been there to plow and shovel the driveway... I don't want anyone else looking at it! But then I realized I think it was probably the Lake Columbia stuff that they do!

Back to what I was origionally talking about! We then went into Aggies for a late lunch and arcade games for the girls. We left there and planned to go to Michael's to get some Easter crafts. On our way there, it was getting REALLY slippery. I had Jason's Jeep (thank God) so I turned on the 4 wheel drive. Within like 3 minutes the car in front of us lost control and went into the ditch and flipped. SCARY. We watched the whole thing and ran out to their car to get them out. It was a young girl who was pregnant and her boyfriend. I had already called 911 but they needed to use my phone to call their parents. I waited for a good 45 minutes for the police/rescue to get there for them. Neither one showed up. I am sure there were a lot of accidents but crazy thing is that I told 911 they would probably need an ambulance because I was sure there were injuries. I am so thankful they were OK because they wouldn't have been if it had taken rescue that long to get there.

We leave there and on our way we see another Explorer flip on a curve... people just driving too fast and it was S.L.I.C.K.

We did make it into Michael's and the girls got these cute little purses to decorate. We came home did the Easter Egg thing. The greatest thing about having two 11 year olds and a near 2 year old... they helped him and I just enjoyed watching them! Jason was working all day so he missed out on that fun stuff! By the time they got all done with their crafts and such they decided Maddie should stay the night. Well, they called her mom and they asked them if they wanted to come over to snowmobile and stay the night there. Well... I am now writing this blog at 8pm and Kenedey JUST got home! She had an absolute blast. The only time she has ever been on a snowmobile is on my Grandpa's. She came home crying because she fell off of a sled and hit her head on the ground. Ouch. She is on the couch recovering. I am pretty sure we have a severe case of EXHAUSTION!

I love Carson's face in all of these pictures... he was having such a good time!

Today has been a rather lazy day... Carson and I have just hung out, not done much of anything. It's been a great lazy day!

That's my girl!

2008-03-19T18:51:00.000-07:00

So today was a crazy day... took Carson and Talan to see the Easter Bunny, looked at a house, went to Target, bank, met with a bride... and the list goes on. Craziness I tell ya.

But something I really wanted to share today is KENEDEY! She got a nice butt chewin' when I got home. She beat me home today after school. Our home phone was acting weird so I couldn't talk to her. I have been picking her up at school the last few days because she needed to increase her AR (acclerated reader) points at school so that gave her time to accomplish that. Well, when I get home, I come walking up and realize that she has... BROUGHT HOME A FRIEND with her... NICE, just what I wanted to walk into. Keep in mind I already had the 2 boys and Taylor was being dropped off... just what I need another freakin kid. Yeah.

I was on my cell trying to finish up an important phone call when I pulled in the driveway to pick her up. We needed to go get my cousin's dog from the vet's office and out walks Kenedey... no shoes, a tshirt, 2 towels spread on the ground OUTSIDE, and I tell her to watch the boys really quickly so I can run inside to get the phone number to the vet's office. I planned to call them en route. Well she and her little buddy decide to go WAKE the sleeping boys in the car. UGH I could have killed them. Both boys were exhausted from all we had done for the day and really needed that nap. I bring everyone inside and start my "rampage" at Kenedey. I was so frustrated and felt like she was taking advantage of the situtation of me being home. I really am glad that she wants to bring friends over, but this doesn't work just showing up with someone. NOPE. I made her tell her friend she had to go. Plus... tell me why this girls parents don't care if she doesn't come straight home from school??? 5th grade and you let her act like she's a teenager... weird.

All of this ended up me getting my point across to Kenedey that this situation wasn't appropriate. She was eventually fine with that and I felt like she got the point. UGH... this is only 5th grade... im so scared about what middle school will bring. Yikes!!! Wish me luck!

WDYT?

2008-03-18T20:34:00.000-07:00

So who does he look more like now?

Libby left me a comment the other day that said, "Carson is SO Jason"!!! Yeah she's known Jason for a long time so she would know that Carson WOULD go jump in puddles and be a nuisance just like his dad! Looks wise... check it out!

I can't make up my mind. But I think he does actually look like me when I compare my young pictures with him. But as adults he resembles Jason more!

Missing baby....

2008-03-18T19:33:00.000-07:00

Lost: 1 baby boy

22 months old 29 lbs. 36 inches

Answers to the name of: Car-Car, braader, Carsey Ray Ray and Carson

It seems as if someone has misplaced their child and taken my baby by mistake. I could see how it happened as they do look much alike, except your child seems more like a boy and hello, mine is a baby.

This new kid spends much of his day obsessing about the movie Cars and money. He has taken to these annoying things they call tantrums where one second he wants something, then next it's being chucked across the room (oh yeah, he already has quite the arm). He won't leave a DVD in the DVD player for more than 10 minutes and then he has to bring it to us and carry it around the house. (talk about picking my battles). We are on our second Cars movie because we can't find the first one (hmm wonder where he hid that one... errr chucked it) and heaven forbid we live without it.

The only remnants left from this kid that resemble my baby is the fact that he loves his "B" or "b-kit" (aka blanket). Also, within the last week or so he has decided that it would be fun to take a paci. I am watching Talan quite often and he has one all the time. So this kid now has a paci! Only when Talan is around!

Oh and one last thing... I suggest you pick up this baby... who SURELY isn't mine because when he goes to bed at night he thinks it's necessary to strip off his pajamas and take off his diaper and throw it on the floor. I walk in to check on him and he is butt-naked!!!

I suggest that you return my baby sooner than later before your kid hears me saying, "you're driving me nuts" through clenched teeth to myself too many times a day. Because of the amount of time those words are uttered under my breath, he's going to start think his name is "Nuts?" (he also takes the last word out of every sentence and turns it into a question).... and THAT would just be cruel!

My baby should look more like this...

*disclaimer* I ripped this idea from some other's that I have seen do a similar post! Gotta give credit where credit is due!

Boys!

2008-03-16T18:47:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I knew that when I had a boy he would be rough and tumble and dirty and all that crazy stuff that boys are. Carson NEVER lets me down!

On Friday as I mentioned in my post we had a minor "heat wave" :-) Gave me TERRIBLE Spring Fever. I can't wait. I always get anxious waiting for spring, but I think it's worse this year because I am home now and really want to get the kids outside doing things.

We walked outside to go somewhere on Friday and Carson made a B-line for the puddles. I had JUST dressed him and gotten him ready to go. He had unzipped his jacket he was wearing and I made him stop, but I think he would have liked to just lay in that puddle and get soaked!

We spent the majority of the weekend researching homes. Nothing we are majorly crazy about yet. I know we will get there. Jason is getting more bent about being on/near a lake. I understand that, his boat, fishing, and anything water realated is REALLY his passion. Of course that makes the price go way up when you want to be near water! I'll keep you posted on our house hunt. I'm not sure how long I can stand to drag this out. My husband can't sleep at night because he gets so anxious about getting the heck out of this apartment that his mind just won't shut off with the possiblities. He gets out of bed for like 2 hours before he actually falls asleep to come and talk to me about different things. I'm glad he does, but sometimes I am ready for him just to be quiet about it already!

Heat Wave!!!

2008-03-14T05:01:00.000-07:00

Ok so all you Florida people! Just wanted to let you know that the high today 52 degrees!!! I just ran Kenedey to school and for the first time... in a long time... I didn't have frost on my windshield!! Whoo Hoo! My crazy daughter thought it would be fun to wear flip flops today, and guess what. I didn't stop her. She did wear jeans, a long sleeved shirt and a jacket. We walked out to the car and we actually heard birds CHIRPING. Ken goes,"It's so nice to hear the birds chirping". I cannot believe it! I am SO over winter! Spring, I CANNOT wait any longer for you to be here! I love watching the seasons change, it's going to be great to see some green popping up here soon!

Bad Blogger!

2008-03-14T04:29:00.000-07:00

I really have had lots I could be blogging about, just haven't "felt it"! I need to get back into the habit! Well things around here are busy as usual. We put an offer in on a house that we both REALLY liked. Unfortunately, after writing our offer we found out that another offer was already in and it was better than ours. The good thing is that my mom gave me some great advice beforehand so I was pretty prepared about the rejection of not getting the house. She said, "just remember... if you don't get it... it's JUST a house." Soooo true. I feel at peace about it not working out and I know the "right one" is just around the corner for us. I'm still really optimistic that we will be happy with which one we choose. We are back to the drawing board this weekend and going to go see some more homes. Wish us luck!

On another note, Kenedey has had a great week. She finished her 1st Nancy Drew book and LOVED it. Getting her to get AR points (acclerated reader points) has been a challenge. She's very capable, just not quick at anything! That's our girl. She is the one who knows how to stop and REALLY smell the roses! LOL So we have been steady pushing her to get 15 AR points by the end of the marking period. That's MORE THAN obtainable. I ordered her the Nancy Drew boxed set from Amazon and she got it in the mail on Tuesday. I'm so glad she found something that she REALLY enjoys.

This weekend I am going to go over to Jessi's and help her paint her kitchen. Wish us luck. I have to admit, were crazy with too many kids... do we really have any business painting? Oh well! That's us for ya, tacking projects regardless! She is painting it like a seafoam and pearl-like color. All of her accents in the kitchen are brown. I'm pretty anxious to see what it will look like.

I'm off to get my hair colored and cut this morning @ Salon Breathe! I am in desperate need of a good restyling. My hair is so think it tends to start to get "big" if I don't get it cut regularly and I am at the point now where it takes like 30 minutes to blow dry it and then I have to flat iron it to have it even look decent. Ugh. Why was I blessed with super thick hair. Trust me I'm NOT lucky! LOL

I seriously thought....

2008-03-08T20:59:00.002-08:00

that the Lucielle Ball life deal was getting better. Well, just when I thought that things were running smoothly another crazy deal happens!

So as you know by now my cousin Jessica and I spend a lot of time together. We are both our moms (they are sisters) only children so really she feels a little bit more like a sister to me. Anyway, she has been telling me for sometime that she thinks there is a mouse in her house. She ended up catching one last week in a trap she put under her sink.

Well, today she went and bought more traps. We were hanging out in her living room this evening and all the sudden we hear a *SNAP*... yeah gottem'!!!!

After a whole lot of FREAKING out, us jumping around with the friggin heebe geebies we look at the mouse and I am pretty sure this thing is a mama. Boobs. Jessi watches it flop around and we freak out even more. That had to be comical us chicks FREAKING out over a little mouse.

Well, then just a little awhile ago I decided I would set another trap and put it in her daugthers room. Lauren has been telling us that she saw a black mouse in her room and it ate her food off her princess plate in her room... keep in mind Lauren is only 2. I don't think she is capable of fabricating this story. Joke around here is that Lauren has a friend! EWWWW! Ugh I hate MICE!

Jessi told me the other day she had pizza rolls sitting on the stove and like 3 were left and she went to bed and didn't throw them away... low and behold she wakes up in the morning and the mysterious pizza rolls have vanished! Sneaky little mice.

Earlier this evening I set another trap and put it on top of her stove again. I was sitting here surfing the net and Jessi was watching Law and Order, all the sudden we hear wrestling sound coming from the kitchen... wadda ya know, we go to check out the situation and we don't even see the trap. It's GONE!

After us freaking out some more and dancing around the kitchen, Jes sees it behind a pan of brownies that she has covered up setting on the back burner. She hasn't thrown them away thinking maybe it would "bait" the mouse. Well the trap was now hidden behind the brownie pan. I told her that I didn't put it there. So we reposition the trap and leave... not 5 minutes later as I had started this post, we hear the same rustling sound... and *SNAP*. We were like woo hoo, gottem!!!

NOT SO MUCH! The trap had been hit, but no mouse this time. It looks like the mouse is trying to get away with the trap. She has peanut butter on it so it really can't take off with the loot. It's reset and now we WAIT... I didn't have plans to go home tonight but, I think I will rethink that!!! I'll keep you posted on our success or failure!!! Every little sound we hear now we think is the mouse. I feel like James Bond!

We are on the hunt...

2008-03-04T18:45:00.000-08:00

BIG TIME. House hunting. We are finally getting our butts in gear and actually taking the step to go inside houses with a realtor. I/We have been so nervous about things, but now that our pre-approval is complete and we know exactly what we can spend, we are officially moving VERY soon!

So that is occupying our time, but I wanted to put up some photos from Sunday. We had a mom's day out with the kids dealy thingy. We missed you girls from Salon Breathe, hope Chicago was a blast! Hope you can make it to the next one. But anyway, the kids had a great time. Carson really needed to get out and do something like this. He really had a lot of fun. Here's some pics. Don't mind the quality. I didn't edit these at all, just don't feel like it! Enjoy!

A HUGE step for me

2008-03-01T21:02:00.000-08:00

So tonight we had a surprise birthday party for Jason's aunt, uncle, and cousin. It was a really great party, dancing, DJ, karaoke, food, etc. however, Kenedey and her cousin Chase were sort of bored there. So they (with the help of their Aunt Nikki) asked if they could go to Allskate. Now, those of you who know Kenedey and I, I keep her pretty close to me all the time and she is pretty attached to my hip.... yes even at 11 years old... that's just who she is. She is beginning to venture out without a problem but this was a big leap of faith for me!

She went to Allskate (a skating rink) in Jackson... just her and Chase all.by.themselves. They had their cell phones to call us anytime. Chase has done this several times and no problems for him! So they went from 7pm - 10:30pm! Kenedey called once just to check in and then at 10:15 I called her to let her know I was on my way... they said they weren't ready to leave! Go figure! Once they got in the car, Ken said her legs were hurting her! NO DOUBT... 3 hours on roller blades, my legs would hurt to!

So I'm giving myself a pat on the back for giving my daugther the chance to venture out without me watching from afar! I'm glad it's over, but also proud that she is willing, capable, and responsible enough to do this kind of thing now!

Proud

2008-02-29T19:37:00.000-08:00

of myself!

My father in law came into town tonight to stay with us for the weekend. He lives in Indiana, Jason always likes to make sure that his dad has some of his favorite things around (meaning certain foods) around when he is here and wants real meals... I really don't mind it gives me a reason to really cook and try different things. Jason left 80 bucks on the counter for groceries just for the weekend so I headed out this afternoon.

So tonight I made 2 things from the Tilden Family Cookbook that I told you about back in December. They were both GREAT. However, Kenedey really didn't care for the King Ranch Chicken. Oh well! It was a little bit mexican which I wasn't really expecting but I love mexican... Kenedey on the other hand... doesnt! I wouldn't do cheezy potatoes with this as a side dish again, just doesn't really go together... but it was good anyway.

King Ranch Chicken

•INGREDIENTS

•1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup

•1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

•2 cups chicken broth

•1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green Chile peppers

•1 (12 ounce) package corn tortillas

•3 cups cooked, diced chicken breast meat

•1 onion, chopped

•1 green bell pepper, chopped

•8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese

•1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder

•1 teaspoon garlic salt

•
DIRECTIONS

•Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

•Combine the chicken soup, mushroom soup, broth and tomatoes with chills. Set aside.

•Lightly grease a shallow 3 quart casserole dish. Layer 1/2 the tortillas, 1/2 the chicken, 1/2 the onion, 1/2 the bell pepper and 1/2 the cheese in the casserole dish. Pour 1/2 of the soup mixture over the layers. Repeat the layers of tortillas, chicken, onion and bell pepper; pour the remaining soup mixture over the top, then top with the remaining cheese. Sprinkle with chili powder and garlic salt and bake for 30 to 45 minutes.

•

Potatoes Deluxe

•2 lbs frozen hash browns (thaw for 30 min.)

•1 cup diced onions

•1 can cream of chicken soup

•1 lb Sour Cream

•1 stick melted butter

•8 oz. Sharp Cheese

•

•Bake in a 9x13 pan at 375 degrees for 1-1 ½ hours

And right now this is in the fridge ready to go first thing in the morning! I'll let you know later how it was!
French Toast Casserole

2 loaves white bread (or any old bread, rolls, ect. will do)

French Toast Mixture:

3 Cups Heavy Cream

3 ½ cups milk

½ tsp. cinnamon

¼ tsp. nutmeg

½ oz. vanilla

12 eggs

Tear bread into pieces and put into a buttered casserole. Pour French Toast mixture over bread. Refrigerate overnight.

Then mix together (if this part is done the night before, do not refrigerate because it gets hard)

2 oz. Dark Karo syrup

2 ½ cups brown sugar

½ cup chopped nuts

6 oz. Melted butter

Dallop this mixture over the bread mixture. Bake at 350 degrees, uncovered, for 35 minutes.

Fun-ne

2008-02-29T06:33:00.001-08:00

Hair Removal....

This is funny. (I don't have a clue as to who wrote this, but....WHAT A HOOT!)

All hair removal methods have tricked women with their promises of easy, painless removal -

The Epilady, scissors, razors, Nair and now...the wax.

Read on......

My night began as any other normal weeknight. Come home, fix dinner, play with the kids.

I then had the thought that would ring painfully in my mind for the next few hours:

'Maybe should pull the waxing kit out of the medicine cabinet.'

So I headed to the site of my demise: the bathroom. It was one of those 'cold wax' kits.

No melting a clump of hot wax, you just rub the strips together in your hand, they get warm and you peel them apart and press them to your leg (or wherever else) and you pull the hair right off.

No muss, no fuss. How hard can it be?

I mean, I'm not a genius, but I am mechanically inclined enough to figure this out. (YA THINK!?!)

So I pull one of the thin strips out. Its two strips facing each other stuck together.

Instead of rubbing them together, my genius kicks in so I get out the hair dryer and heat it to 1000 degrees. ('Cold wax,' yeah...right!) I lay the strip across my thigh.

Hold the skin around it tight and pull. It works!

OK, so it wasn't the best feeling, but it wasn't too bad. I can do this!

Hair removal no longer eludes me!

I am She-rah, fighter of all wayward body hair and maker of smooth skin extraordinaire.

With my next wax strip I move north.

After checking on the kids, I sneak back into the bathroom, for the ultimate hair fighting championship.

I drop my panties and place one foot on the toilet.

Using the same procedure, I apply the wax strip across the right side of my bikini line, covering the right half of my hoo-ha and stretching down to the inside of my butt cheek (it was a long strip)

I inhale deeply and brace myself....RRRRRRIIIIPPP!!!!

I'm blind!!!

Blinded from pain!!!!....

OH MY GAUD!!!!!!!!!

Vision returning, I notice that I've only managed to pull off half the strip. CRAP!

Another deep breath and RIPP! Everything is spinning and spotted.

I think I may pass out...must stay conscious...must stay conscious.

Do I hear crashing drums???

Breathe, breathe............

OK, back to normal.

I want to see my trophy -

a wax-covered strip, the one that has caused me so much pain, with my hairy pelt sticking to it.

I want to revel in the glory that is my triumph over body hair.

I hold up the strip!

There's NO hair on it.

Where is the hair???

WHERE IS THE WAX???

Slowly I ease my head down, foot still perched on the toilet.

I see the hair.
The hair that should be on the strip...it's not!

I touch.

I am touching wax.

I run my fingers over the most sensitive part of my body, which is now covered

in cold wax and matted hair.

Then I make the next BIG mistake...remember my foot is still propped upon the toilet?

I know I need to do something.

So I put my foot down.

Sealed shut!

My butt is sealed shut.

Sealed shut!

I penguin walk around the bathroom trying to figure out what to do and think to myself

'Please don't let me get the urge to poop. My head may pop off!'

What can I do to melt the wax?

Hot water!! Hot water melts wax!!

I'll run the hottest water I can stand into the bathtub, get in, immerse the wax-covered bits and the wax should

melt and I can gently wipe it off, right???

*WRONG!!!!!!!*

I get in the tub -

The water is slightly hotter than that used to torture prisoners of war or sterilize surgical equipment - I sit.

Now, the only thing worse than having your nether regions glued together,

is having them glued together and then glued to the bottom of the tub...in scalding hot water.

Which, by the way, doesn't melt cold wax.

So, now I'm stuck to the bottom of the tub as though I had cemented myself to the porcelain!!
God bless the man who had convinced me a few months ago to have a phone put in the bathroom!!!!!

I call my friend, thinking surely she has waxed before and has some secret of how to get me undone.

It's a very good conversation starter 'So, my butt and hoo-ha are glued together to the bottom of the tub!'

There is a slight pause. She doesn't know any secret tricks for removal but she does try to hide her laughter from me.

She wants to know exactly where the wax is located, 'Are we talking cheeks or hole or hoo-ha?'

She's laughing out loud by now...I can hear her.

I give her the rundown and she suggests I call the number on the side of the box.

YEAH!!!!! Right!!

I should be the joke of someone else's night.

While we go through various solutions. I resort to trying to scrape the wax off with a razor ..

Nothing feels better than to have your girlie goodies covered in hot wax, glued shut, stuck to the tub in super hot water and then dry-shaving the sticky wax off!!

By now the brain is not working, dignity has taken a major hike and I'm pretty sure I'm going to need Post-Traumatic Stress counseling for this event.

My friend is still talking with me when I finally see my saving grace....the lotion they give you to remove the excess wax.

What do I really have to lose at this point?

I rub some on and OH MY STARS!!!!!!!

The scream probably woke the kids and scared the dickens out of my friend.

It's sooo painful, but I really don't care.

'IT WORKS!!

It works !!' I get a hearty congratulations from my friend and she hangs up.

I successfully remove the remainder of the wax and then notice to my grief and despair....

THE HAIR IS STILL THERE........ALL OF IT!

So I recklessly shave it off. Heck, I'm numb by now. Nothing hurts.

I could have amputated my own leg at this point.

Next week I'm going to try hair color......

Birthday girls! 2/26/08

2008-02-28T16:10:00.000-08:00

Taylor trying SO hard to keep her eyes open! Hey Tay, it's amazing that you can keep your eyes open when you look like this! LOL

On Tues night we took Taylor and Kenedey out for their birthday dinner together! We went to Garfields in Adrian! They had a great time!

Just a sign that I am officially crazy!

2008-02-28T16:05:00.000-08:00

Doesn't she have the most incredible eyelashes and big brown eyes!

5 kids in one day! Tues the weather was bad so I had 5 kids due to 2 regularly here and school closed and another daycare closed! WOW!

I have so much to catch up on

2008-02-28T15:17:00.000-08:00

Ok, so warning... this is either going to be the longest post ever or it will turn into at least two different posts!

I hate it when I don't blog because I feel like I have to remember everything. Let's start with the biggest news that I haven't even discussed on my blog. I honestly just haven't felt like talking about it on my blog because I have talked it to death in life outside of blogland.

Well the news.... no I'm not even remotely pregnant! I don't even think thats funny! I left my job of 3 years. I honestly was just so so so tired of all the crap within the office and so much back stabbing and I was having a terrible time getting to work on time. I won't even try to make excuses other than I did the best I could. On Monday Feb. 11th I came into work. The Dr. I worked for was off for the day for personal reasons. Our office manager and soon to be office manager took me aside and suspended me for 3 days for being late. I was of course upset. I left and went and talked to my husband at his work and then called my mom. To make a really long story short, both of them encouraged me to NOT go back at all. They have been there through everything and this was just one more thing.... icing on the cake... sealed the deal, that this job just wasn't working for me anymore. So after lots of thought, I made the phone call that I would not be returning and so a new chapter in my life has turned.

Now I have had almost a full 3 weeks that I haven't been there and I am acutally very happy with my choice. I am taking care of my friend Jen's kiddos and working on some other personal endeavors. I'm busy to say the least. The first week I was like... hmm am I really capable of keeping myself busy and motivated. Well, I can answer that with a big fat... YEP. I can.

I REALLY miss Dr. Robertson. We had a fantastic working relationship that in my opinion became even a great friendship. I felt very comfortable with him and he taught me so much. I'm so thankful for his kindness and everything over the past 3 years. I won't ever forget it.

So onto the WAY more important things. Kenedey celebrated her 11th birthday this past weekend. I CANNOT believe she is 11~ my sweet baby girl is growing into a tween without a doubt. She is into so many grown up things yet still has the little girl left in her that I want to hold on to. I am so proud of her though. Everything about her is great and she is so fun! She came home today with these notes from everyone in her class and one of them cracked me up!!! I tried to scan it... but for some reason I guess I have forgotten how to scan... anyway it says: Happy b-day... get ready for April Fool's Day and watch your back... from Isaac. What the heck?! Kids these days!

My mom came up this past weekend. It was so fun. We took Kenedey and her friends to Splash Universe for her party. Friday night she and Taylor (who by the way share the same bday) had their own little party. That was a lot of fun. Then the kids all came on Sat. around 4. It was great because I didn't have to plan anything as far as games and activites etc. They had so much to do. The kids were terribly exhausted the next day!
Carson was a riot... he LOVED the slide in the little kids area. He must have gone down it 300+ times. Not scared a bit!

Talan's 1st bday

2008-02-20T08:22:00.001-08:00

I'm sure most of you know who Taylor and Talan are by now... just in case you don't they are friends of ours who live across the street. Our lives parallel in a lot of ways both families have girls who are older than the little guys, but also Jen's mom and my grandma are really good friends and have been for probably 100 years! LOL (don't tell your mom or grammy that I said that Jen). So I guess I can honestly say I have known Jen's family for my entire life.

So last night we stopped by The Hutchinson's to celebrate for a few minutes with Talan and his fam for his 1st birthday. He was of course so stinkin' cute and since his mom is a major blogging slacker I figured I would document it for her! LOL (I'm just pickin on ya Jen!)

Happy 1st Birthday Talan! I cannot believe you are ALREADY 1. It seems like just last week I was up at the hospital visiting your cuteness and so excited that you were a boy. I was thrilled because I had a feeling you and Carson would probably end up buddies like your sisters! The cool thing is, you already play so well together! Can't wait for the years and memories to come! We love you!!!He is just about ready to really walk. I have been laughing at him all week watching him because his hands are in the air when he does walk! So cute!

My kid is going to be...

2008-02-18T20:08:00.000-08:00

One of those kids who teaches his friends to get in trouble... I can just hear it now

Phone rings... Hello, Mrs. Carpenter... This is Carson's teacher calling again and well um he told his friend to go into the bathroom and throw wet wads of toilet paper at the ceiling again. Last week it was a frog in the teachers desk....

Ei, yei, yei... lord help me!

And look at him thinking he is all cute sitting up there on the table. If I say cheese for mom she might not make me get down, since I AM so cute!

He met his match!!!

2008-02-18T19:57:00.000-08:00

Seriously lady, why are you interrupting our "all-boy" playtime here... we are so annoyed that you had to stop us for a picture... are you done yet?

I have been a total blogger slacker lately. I have a goal this week to do some serious catching up. A few weeks ago, the kids and I traveled over to The Tousa's for a little get together. We don't get to see each other all that often, but now that Carson is getting bigger and really wants to PLAY this "playdate" was SO much fun!

Cade is 2 1/2 and has a little brother who is 4 months old. Carson and Cade couldn't have been a better match. Both are very persistent, rough, fun, adventurous and all around adorable guys! They were totally buddies and had such a great time amusing each other weather it was being naughty and using spoons in the milk when they ate one of Mandy & Scott's famous choc chip cookies! Or weather it was jumping on the couch onto the pillows on the floor and just plain roughing each other up
Cade: Mmm cookie dough don't you think it would be fun to dip it in our Lemonade?! LOL
Carson: Yeah, let's use my sisters cup because ours both have those lids on them! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Cade's face here... he's like dude, you are a trouble maker just like me... Isn't it the greatest!

I love this guy!

2008-02-18T09:53:00.001-08:00

I am gonna have to purchase this one....

2008-02-17T19:25:00.000-08:00

Train your husband!! Ha ha!

2008-02-17T11:14:00.000-08:00

I got this from somewhere I can't even give credit because I picked it up just a few day's ago and can't remember who's blog. (sorry whomever you are/were... thank you!) Anyway, I thought it seemed fun! I like little thoughtful questionairre's! Enjoy!

Fascinate me

1. A child's innocence

2. True love.

3. A mother's love for her children even when they are grown.

4. people watching :-)

5. People who sing really well!

Inspire me

1. Someone's clean and perfectly organized house, I try but seriously how do the do it?!

2. My daughter's kind heart.

3. Older couples who are so in love even after all those years.

4. Pictures

5. Watching some of my friends who are so good with their kids, I love picking up tricks of the motherhood trade! Example: You need to have a happy heart honey. from Donna Duckhorn has always stuck with me! :-)

Anger me

1. child abuse/neglect

2. Drunk Drivers

3. People who do drugs/smoke/drink when they are pregnant.

4. Parents who could care less.

5. Unsympathetic people

Confuse me

1. My son! :-) (sorry it was the first thing that came to my head!

2. Unforgiving people who preach the gospel yet seem to live a life that doesn't mirror what they are trying to teach. I realize we are not all perfect, and I will be the FIRST to say im not by far... but certain situations just make me feel so confused.

3. Chemistry

4. People who do drugs... seriously does that make you feel better. I don't get it.

5. Controlling people

Delight me

1. Carson's belly laugh

2. Seeing Kenedey's face full of excitement or happiness.

3. Feeling loved

4. Scrapbooking!

5. Doing thoughtful things for other people and watching them find joy in whatever it might be.

Amaze me

1. People who can "DO IT ALL"

2. People with musical talent that comes naturally

3. People with unusual talent who use it for good!

4. How much children grow in the first year and then how quickly they grow up and are suddenly adults.

5. The miracle of childbirth/pregnancy

Sadden me

1. Sad or unhappy depressed people who aren't capable of or don't know how to help themselves

2. Parents who don't care about what their kids are into or anything about them

3. Selfish people

4. Hurting people unintentionally because of my own stupidity

5. Hurt.

Fullfill me

1. My entire family

2. accomplishing whatever I set out to do that day.

3. Completing a list that I generated full of stuff that I really would rather not do!

4. A clean house and laundry done!

5. A nap! :-)

Frighten me

1. Snakes

2. Something happening to one of my children or my husband or any family for that matter.

3. Loosing my mom. (my rock)... best mom ever... this has been a fear for me since I was a little girl... I was always afraid she would die before me... Isn't that weird. Now I realize how selfish that really is since I would never want my mom to have to loose her only child (learned that after I found out how much I could love my own children.)

4. Cancer (not so much it causing death as the pain and agony I have seen some people/patients go through)

5. Roll over car accidents... If I see one my belly feels all upset.

5.

Relax me

1. A nap

2. a great movie with the fam

3. reading

4. A day to myself

5. A massage and pedicure... oh what the heck dream big... a whole weekend at a salon! LOL

Now it's your turn!

Kenedey & Taylor

2008-02-15T13:23:00.001-08:00

So here are these two Peas in a Pod AGAIN! They have so much fun playing together and are always coming up with new ways to entertain themselves. They worked on their valentines together earlier this week and here they are putting on a fashion show for Jen and I.

Funniest thing I have EVER heard them say!!!

Today:
They were trying to get their stuff around to go outside and Taylor (in full snow gear) was patiently... err not so patiently waiting for Kenedey to find her snowpants...

T: (very serious tone) Seriously Kenedey... could you hurry up already, Im sweating my BALLS off here.

(me cracking up laughing so hard from the living room, they were in Ken's room)

K: umm.. Taylor, you don't have any balls.

Oh gosh sometimes the things they say!!!

2008-02-15T12:48:00.000-08:00

So I picked this up from Kasey's blog thought it looked like a fun way to get me back into blogging. The rules are go to photobucket then type your answer in and then choose one that comes up on the first page! Enjoy and give it a try if your a blogger!

My name:

Fav Show:

Fav sport:

Fav drink:

Job:

Husband's name:

Middle Name:

Hobby:

Worst Habit:

Worst Fear:

Questionairre

2008-02-11T07:06:00.000-08:00

So I saw this on another blog and it inspired me to give it a try. My husband scored MAJOR brownie points today!!! Happy Valentines Day!!
About my Valentine...

1. Where/How did you meet?
In high school. We were at a high school dance and I saw him pass by and I said to my best friend Jessi... "ooh he's cute". She was like... "NO WAY... THATS JASON CARPENTER". They grew up together and he was always like a big brother to her. So she set us up on a double date with her and another guy friend.

2. How long after you met did you start dating?
I think maybe like a week.

3. How long till your first kiss and who kissed who first?
First date we kissed. He kissed me, I really didn't like him until after we kissed! (He loves that part!)

4. Who said I love you first?
Honestly, I HAVE NO CLUE... I can't believe I don't remember.

5. How long did you date before you were engaged?
years... like 5 I think

6. How long was your engagement?
10 months.

7. How long have you been married?
5 years.

8. What is your anniversary?
Sept 1

9. How many people came to your wedding reception?
ummm... roughly 60

10. What kind of cake did you serve?
pretty simple.. vanilla, choc. and I think marble

11. Where was your wedding?
On New Smyrna Beach

12. Did your spouse cry during the ceremony?
NO

13. Most special moment of your wedding day?
I don't think I can pick one moment. I was just happy to be there. Just a happy, happy day.

14. Where did you go on your honeymoon?
We really didn't go on a honeymoon, we stayed @ a hotel on New Smyrna Beach

15. Greatest strength as a couple?
I think the greatest thing is, we could have given up on "this" relationship so many times after all we have been through, but neither of us has. I know he loves me unconditionally and vice versa. That says a lot in my book.

16. Greatest challenge as a couple?
Our past, and figuring out where each of our place is in the relationship... we both have changed so much in so many ways over the years and starting out as such a young couple.

17. What side of the bed do you sleep on?
The right side looking at the bed

18. What size is your bed?
Queen

19. Who literally pays the bills?
We both do, we are each assigned certain things we have to be sure are taken care of.

20. Who does the laundry?
I do it all.

21. Who does the dishes?
Me for sure

22.Who mows the lawn?
No one we live in an apartment. I think once we do own, we both probably will.

23. Who cooks dinner?
I usually do, but I never do it right!! wink*
Jason is a much better cook, I am a much better baker!

24. Who is more stubborn?
He is without a doubt.

25. Who is smarter?
I think it's about equal

26. Who is more sensitive?
Toss up again, I am more emotional, but he's pretty sensitive, just shows it in different ways.

27. What is your song?
Creed: Arms wide open

28. What did you dance your first dance to?
Creed: Arms wide open

29. What kind of flowers did you have at your wedding?
Tulips

30. Did your valentine bring you flowers today?
Amazingly enough... HE did! He is NOT the world's most romantic person, so this was a HUGE shock. He got me and Kenedey cards, Kenedey's had $10 in it and Carson got a Michigan Football! Sooo sweet of him!

My "pretty"

2008-02-09T18:09:00.001-08:00

Well, Kenedey's last Daddy Daughter Dance is over. Next time she goes to a dance my sweet little girl will probably be going with her boyfriend instead of her daddy. Boo Hoo Hoo :-( Aww my baby is so growing up.

I watched her and her dad leave tonight out the front door and thought what I wrote above. I just tried to be thankful that we are still only in 5th grade and thankfully it's not prom or something. Ugh. I know that will be here before I'm ready for it.

Jason & Kenedey went to the Golden Nugget for dinner and then over to the dance. Kenedey got her hair and nails done this afternoon and of course looked gorgeous as ever.

When she got home she had to tell me that a whole bunch of girls had the same dress on as Kenedey. Go figure! Her best bud Maddie and her had matching but opposite dresses. How funny. So anyway mom, I know your wating to see the pictures so here they are!!! Enjoy!

So I guess...

2008-02-07T18:51:00.000-08:00

It's a done deal. We are going to Splash Universe for Kenedey's birthday. She is SOOOOO excited. She wants a Hannah Montana theme sort of thing so that's why the invites have the pictures. My mom is coming up for her bday and Ken's gift is to have 3 of her little friends for a sleepover at a hotel for one night.

Well, I was thinking that the Holidome in Jackson would be great. I always liked the layout of that place and thought the 11 year old's would enjoy enjoy it. HOWEVER.... I stopped by there today and THAT PLACE is a DUMP!!! YUCK! I don't even know if I would let my dog stay there! LOL

Cuteness...

2008-02-03T20:07:00.000-08:00

21 months
Let's go with a list!

Has a new like of baseball caps! I love it!
Has a serious LOVE of the movie Cars and all the characters... his favs are too close to call but probably Sally, Lightening and Mater... For awhile he was calling everyone "mater". But not he can get out the Maqeen and "salee" :-) He goes to bed great when I tell him to lay down on his new Mater pillow!
He has a buddy at daycare... a little girl named Natasha. They get along really well with each other. He has to talk about her on the way to daycare in the morning and he has nicknamed her "Ta-Ta". One morning her and I were walking in together and they saw each other and got SO excited. I said to her dad, they are so cute together. He said, "yeah is that Carson?" I of course said yea, and he was like on the days she doesn't want to come to daycare, all I have to say is, "Do you want to go see Carson?" and then she is like... game on! I said, "awww that's so cute... he adores her too he even calls her Ta-Ta". Later I was thinking about it and I was like... hmm, maybe her dad really doesn't want her being called Ta-Ta!!!!!
He has a sweet tooth already. ugh. He prefers Chocolate Milk and LOVES ice cream with a vengence. He is kind of becoming a picky eater. He really prefers a home cooked meal to something quick but will eat any type of breakfast food. Especially if it has syrup on it... go figure.
Ketchup is almost his best friend. He will eat it by the spoonful.
If he wants a drink... he will tell you he wants a ju-bee. Jessi kids call their cup a b-ju... I think he got it backwards listening to them!!!
Kenedey is still his idol and RARELY call her Kenedey... almost always..."seesh-shee" aka:sissy.
Can't stand to be in his carseat. Or anything restraining for that matter. Let em' run!
Spends a majority of his time doing the things I talked about in my previous post!
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse gets his attention!
Has gone "potty" on the big potty twice now. Today I asked him if he wanted to go on the big potty between diaper changes and he was MORE than willing. We set him on the big potty backwards and it's kind of funny because he pushes to make himself try to pee. When he is done he says.. "aahh-din"
Is an excellent hand-washer! Is almost always glad to do it.
If someone is hurt... particularly his sister after he has beat her up and she cries...yes it's true... he can already beat her up... he "loves" her. He will ask if she is "k?", will then kiss her and rub her back, and hug her until she is better. He also says "srreee".
Knows how to rough house with daddy. He pretty much goes and finds his dad when he wants to "fight". He doesn't even bother trying to "fight" with me!
He is an awesome booty shaker, and he sings the song "low by Flo Rida"... thanks A LOT Kenedey. Ugh. Almost every night him and Ken have a dance off in the living room!!! Lot's of giggles!

OCDish...

2008-02-03T19:40:00.000-08:00

Obsessive Compulsive... and it concerns me...

So this is Carson's update finally. It has taken some time to pull it together. It's been awhile and he really is changing everyday. His language development suddenly took off shortly after Christmas and he really is saying something new EVERYDAY.

The weird parts first and then we will get to the cute things!

He has a terrible time transitioning from one task to the next. I mean it's bad. I don't know if it's normal or not. For example;

He spends hours taking coins out of his Lightening McQueen piggy bank and then putting them all back in... over. and over. and over. and over. and over.... you get the idea. When I think it's time for him to be done and go wash his hands after playing with money he has to have a meltdown.
Similar story... he has taken over a tower of blank CD's that we had and he will take them off and then back on then tower over and over and over and over. Again, you get the idea.

Lotion... ugh... he needs it on his skin after a bath, with the dry weather and all... BUT, he would put the entire bottle on himself and ask for more and more and more, over and over again... UNTIL... the meltdown when we tell him no more, all done. Oh and the water in the bathtub... he throws a fit if you shut the faucet completely off. I has to be on SOME. Fill the cup over and over and over and over.

And one more example just to prove a point. The VACUME... today he wanted to do it for so long and I gave up because I just couldn't do another meltdown... the vacuume overheated and shut itself off. Ugh... writing this just exhausts me. It's always something... here are some pics to give you an idea of how it goes, over and over and over and over and over!!! Seriously... any of you out there with children is this something you have experienced? I'm not sure if it's just a phase and we will get past it eventually... or if there is something I should do to be helping him.

Starting off... still happy and busy
Then... mommy says Ok Carson that's enough vacumming and here is what you get:
a little madder....
The full deal... throw yourself down and kick and scream... all because mom said it's time to be done vacuuming??? (mom's SO confused)

Carson's Superbowl Party!!!

2008-02-03T19:33:00.000-08:00

Yes, he IS eating Shrimp and no that's NOT cocktail sauce... it's ketchup!!! LOL

LOVE HER!

2008-02-03T19:23:00.000-08:00

So here is the final deal!! The infamous Science Fair Project! I think it really is MY project! No really... it was a joint effort and she did work really hard on it, but seriously I had to teach her how to do most of it! She BETTER get an A++++!!! Can you believe that they cancelled the Science Fair and from what I have heard, they AREN'T rescheduling it... what the?

So I took this one...

2008-02-03T10:30:00.000-08:00

Straight from Nicole... I think it seemed rather cathartic and I figured what the heck it will be a challenge to write it.

Its a '15 Things Unsaid" post. Well, I guess it can be fewer or more, but the basic idea is to make a list of things you haven't said to random people in your life-whether it be from childhood, grade school, high school, college or the present. That's it. No further commentary, no explanation, no details. Some things might have been better said, some things better left unsaid. Kind of a good vent post! I think I might revisit this one from time to time. Anyone else want to join in

1.) I can't believe you continue to stay with him... why do you think that's all you deserve?

2.) Do you have to talk THAT LOUD, especially in the morning?

3.) Seriously, do you NEED that much attention to feel normal. It will only last for a short period of time and then you are back where you started with your same regrets and shortcomings that you are trying to make feel better.

4.) I CAN'T do fake anymore and I won't sacrifce the real me to pretend ever again in the way I did in the past. It's up to you now. I'm out of ways to try to do it and be real.

5.) I admire everything about you and love you just for just exactly who you are. Life has sure thrown us some curve balls (er... we threw them ourselves?!) but you've always stayed strong and I am so lucky to have YOU.

6.) I HONESTLY couldn't possibly love you more. You are my world.

7.) I wish I understood how you feel.

8.) You are the most selfish person I have ever seen in my life. I want to believe they are better off without you, but still no one can ever fill that void the way only a true one can. Don't worry though they will come out stronger and better in the end. This family has more than enough love to make up for your lack of courage. I'll never understand.

9.) We are all so lucky to have you. I don't think God could have given all of us a better male to have as the top of our entire family. We ALL adore you.

10.) Thank you for loving her the way you do. I know it's made her who she is today. Me and my kids can now look up to her because you have helped her get "there" in so many ways. Thank you for being patient with me.

11.) I wish you could be happier. I also wish I knew how to help.

12.) Thank you for being "that" person for me when I needed you most. You made me feel wanted. I am eternally grateful.

13.) Let it go. People make mistakes. We are all human. Forgive.

14.) What you have given to me you will never know. So many things go unsaid, but most of the time you have taught me you don't always "have" to say them. I like that. I now know how to listen better and you have made me see the real in people.

15.) I am truly sorry for all the hurt you have to feel. I hope you can find in your soul how happy you really deserve to be and I mean this given the situation you are given. I want you to be happy with that.

16.) I miss you and "those days".

17.) I have dreams about "that" all the time.

18.) That was really mean.

19.) I have forgiven you.... completely and I can honestly finally say that and feel it all the way to my soul.

Way to Go Hubby's company!!

2008-01-31T17:05:00.000-08:00

Most of you know who read my blog know about my husband's job. For those of you who don't I will fill you in. Jason is one of those people who is a computer dude. He just "gets them". He went to school while we lived in Florida at ITT tech for Computer Aided Drafting and Design. Well, that is really his passion, but it has been tough for him to find a job in the field without any on the job experience.

Well about 16 months ago he interviewed with a company called Classic Turning. His cousin worked there and does very well there. He did not get the job. Another guy who also interviewed said he had more experience and so the job was his. Well about 10 months later Classic Turning decided that the guy didn't know as much as he had claimed to. Thankfully Jason had been honest with them and told them what he did know and what he didn't. Well, they remembered him and asked him to come in for another interview... well here we are about 4 months into the new job. Things are going extremely well for Jason at his job. He had an evaluation 2 weeks ago and already got a raise. His benefits are tremendous and all in all we are so happy and so excited for what this holds for his/our future.

In his evaluation, he was given a new task and a project that will be "his baby". I don't know enough about what EXACTLY it is to explain it correctly, but it has something to do with the drawings that he drafts and setting them perfectly into certain machines... anyway... it's a specific thing and he seems pretty excited about it. Those of you who know Jason well (like I do) you will know that he is a perfectionist about certain things. No one can do things as well as him in his book... yadda yadda yadda... so I think this project in addition to what he is already doing will be really good for him and will give him an outlet to get his perfection stuff out!! LOL I prefer it be focused there rather than on MY cooking! LOL

So the moral of this whole LONG post is... Jason's company made front page news today. You can read the article here: Classic Turning

I am going to attempt....

2008-01-31T16:27:00.000-08:00

To finally update my blog. I haven't been blogging much lately... the usual just too busy, haven't felt like it. But most importantly I have wanted to spend some time getting Kenedey back into the routine of things. After we went on vacation she came back and seemed to have fallen out of the routine. Her teacher emailed me and said she hadn't turned in some of her work. I think she just got lazy. I guess that's my "perfect" child reminding me she is just normal. But we are back to normal now. She is doing just fine.

In really big news... KENEDEY MADE THE HONOR ROLL! She has always been a really good student and has always gotten like all A's and then one C. Or like 2 A's a B and then a C+, she just could never cut that C out of there. Well she finally did it this time! She is so proud of herself and we are EXTREMELY proud of her!

She has been really busy with school stuff. She is doing Wildcat Reading Club every Friday after school. She stays after for about an hour and they have a little snack and they can read and take Acclerated Reader quizzes. She loves going to it. Plus I think she thinks it's cool that Kathy (our cousin, Mrs. Bosse) is the Media Center Specialist (aka: librarian, although that word just doesn't seem to do justice for EVERYTHING she does) so Kathy is kind enough to give Kenedey a ride home after reading club. Thanks so much Kathy! We appreciate all you do.

Ken is also getting ready for the Daddy Daughter Dance which is on Feb. 9th. Jason really DOES NOT (and that's putting it nicely) enjoy going at all. The past two years he has talked her out of it by telling her they could go to Carrabba's (Ken's fav. restraunt) and then shopping for fishing stuff (something they enjoy doing together)... well not this time. Kenedey has caught onto his "doesn't this sound funner honey?" thing and basically she told him he was going with her this year! Way to work your daddy girl! She finally doesn't care weather or not he wants to go or if he does, to her now... he's going and that's all there is to that! LOL That's my girl!!!

We got her dress today and shoes and jewelry. I can't show you pictures until next weekend! It's a surprise! I have to tell ya, it was a challenge to shop for her. She is still so young, but so growing into that tween stage. She doesn't want the "little girl" look, but mom and dad don't want the teen look. That makes for a challenge. The juniors section had some adorable cute stuff, but it is just too old for my little girl! I think we came up with a compromise. I can't wait for you to see! Shoes were a whole other problem. She wanted heels... I can't say I blame her... she is such a girlie girl. I don't think full fledged heels are appropriate but I wanted her to be excited for what she did get. Again we were able to compromise. Can't wait for you to see those either!

We made an appointment for Kenedey to see my friend Teresa at Salon Breathe for her updo. I haven't mentioned it a ton here... more so on my other blog, BUT if any of you out there are in the Jackson area and are interested in any salon or spa services... im telling you THIS. IS. THE. PLACE. FOR. YOU!!! They do awesome work! I just got my hair cut today and of course it is incredible as usual. I have terribly thick hair and she is the only one who can cut my hair like I want it. Give them a try! Here they are:

I don't have many pictures to share because I just bought a external hard drive... to back up all my pictures, and I haven't learned yet how to retrieve them to upload them to my blog. Sorry :-( I'll work on that one.

That's enough for one blog, I will have more soon, I am working on a Carson update!! WATCH OUT!

I am on a roll

2008-01-27T16:03:00.000-08:00

With all these video and not much I feel like blogging about. Things are going good, just too busy and not enough motivation to blog. I LOVE this song. I haven't seen the movie yet, BUT I intended to VERY soon.

Enjoy

I felt compelled

2008-01-23T20:36:00.001-08:00

I viewed this on Nicole's blog and I just felt like I also needed to pass it along. Autism is so scary to me... I wish we knew more. God bless these children and I pray for each one of their ablities to overcome this disease.

Just click on this link: Autism

Remember

2008-01-21T20:04:00.000-08:00

This post I decided to put this up in honor of my brother in law: David Lyn Carpenter
He is serving in Iraq, his 3rd tour. His wife is expecting their 4th child any day now. We love you David and Miss you too. Hurry home we are all here for you and supporting you. Thank you for all you do.

Watching this video made me feel so insignifcant. Please pray for our troops.

These are a few of my....

2008-01-21T18:46:00.001-08:00

favorite things.

I cannot remember where I saw an idea like this last week, but I have even contemplated starting a blog all of its own just covering new products, great/fav products and the things that work well for others. My cousin Jessica often teases me and says things like, "of course you would have that, you always have to try out the newest products." I guess you could say I like the challenge of; is it worth it OR not?!

Ok so to start with a few things that I like: (note: these are completely random).... ill add more later or feel free to add yours to your blog or as you try new "things".

1.) The yellow baby magic baby wash. It has to be the yellow labeled stuff. It's not always easy to find. But smells INCREDIBLE. It's an oldie but goodie. My sister Raquel told me about it like 10 years ago when I had Kenedey and now I don't use anything else on Carson.

2.) This is new product that I recently tried. Downy Cashmere and Silk fabric softner. I tried to put a link here but something is up with their site. It is WONDERFUL.

3.) New product I also just tried: Humberto Beverly Hills Shampoo. I can honestly say I have tried nearly every product out there. I have issues with my hair. I have EXTREMELY thick hair and we have really crappy water. I just love this product. I leaves NO film on my hair whatsoever and I could honestly not use conditioner if I wanted to. Usually that's a must have for me. I use the moisturizing shampoo. I haven't tried any other products... yet. I bought it at Target.

4.) I HAVE to have Biosilk to be able to do my hair. I use the silk therapy. I only use this one product. I have heard that others in their line aren't great. Let me know if you have.

5.) New diaper wipes! LOL see I told you I have to try the new stuff. I only have found these once and I think it was at Meijers. I LOVE these. They smell fantastic.

So come on everyone feel free to add your fav/or new products you have tried!!!

I can hardly stand...

2008-01-20T08:53:00.000-08:00

How do you like THOSE thighs?! This will FOR SURE be used as blackmail one day! LOL

How much fun he has become!

His silly personality just emerges more and more everyday! His language development grows everyday too which makes us just laugh hysterically! Gotta love our little guy! Love you Tas!

Boys night!

2008-01-20T08:35:00.001-08:00

"Dude, do you have something to eat in there... im hungry again"

Taking turns tickling each other... Carson would say "tick tick kkll" Talan would just giggle!

Most of the time around here it's a girls night. Meaning Kenedey is usually the one who has her friends over.

Well, last night Carson got his first turn. Kenedey spent the night over at Jessi's and Hutch and Jen asked if we could watch Talan while they went bowling. I've talked about Talan before, but just for an update. His big sister is Kenedey's friend Taylor who she spends a lot of time with and they are long time family friends. Talan is 11 months old. (I can't believe that Jen).

The boys had a FANTASTIC time. They played super well together. I must say I was a little nervous about how I would do with two little one's close in age, but it was way better than I expected. Carson was so nice to him. He was a little too nice at times offering/trying to pick Talan up a couple of times. He shared really well with him and even entertained him. They had dinner together at the table and giggled at each other. It was adorable!

Talan was pretty quiet for the first half hour or so and I thought wow this kid is so calm. But then again im used to Mr. Busy all the time. After he had his cereal he warmed up and just played and played.

It really made me see what a big boy Carson has become. He has hardly any baby left in him! :-( Didn't really make me sad, but just made me realize how much he has grown up and so quickly. And really Talan didn't seem all that much baby like either, he was just born a few months ago right Jen?! He should just be sitting there not doing much still, but that little guy was all over the place and right in the middle of all the toys!

Enjoy the pics!

Im thankful...

2008-01-16T16:46:00.000-08:00

*Editor's note: I started this on Wed and am just now getting around to publishing it. (Sunday)

That Wed. is over. The work day anyway. The week seems so long to get threw until Wed. passes and then it's smooth sailin'! I work late on Wed. nights and close the office, so it just DRRRAAAAAGGGGGS. Then Thurs. I'm only there half day. So that's a piece of cake and then Friday is here and Friday afternoons almost always go very smoothly and they are quiet because we only have 1 provider on Friday afternoons. nice.

I don't spend a lot of time talking much about work on here, mostly because when I leave there. I try to LEAVE everything that belongs there... there. Sometimes bad stuff happens, people die, awful disease, cancer, illness... etc. Other times it's incredible how great things turn out and how awesome it is to see someone do well or make it successfully through a terrible illness... etc. Most of the time I think most people in the field try to stay pretty neutral, or numb. I don't like the word numb it seems rather insensitive, but much of it becomes very routine or the upsetting things you just move past.

I do have a point to all this... Today was "one of those days". It was bad... it was just... scary.

A guy who I didn't know came in to the front desk. I just happened to be up there and overheard him talking to the receptionist. He was visibly shaking. I assume off the top of my head maybe panic attack. We worked him into Dr. R's schedule and the girls got his info ready and all that stuff. I went to call back my next patient and as I walked out into the waiting room and I get a better look at him. I decided to take him back first because it became very obvious to me that he was ILL.

I get him in a room and ask him whats going on. He said that he has a sore throat, and is really cold, and shaky and just doesn't feel well. I'm assuming by this point this man has been sick for days. He looks cyanotic (blue) but he isn't having any difficulty breathing. His respiration's were normal and so was his heart rate. His blood pressure was elevated but not alarmingly high. His temp was 101.7 . He was a man roughly 6'2" maybe 260lbs. I'm guessing. That's a pretty high temp for someone that big and at his age (roughly later 60's). Dr. R walks by and I ask him to come in. He also notes the patients skin color is blue and looks at his throat and check his heart and lungs really quickly. He and I are sure at this point that the guy is septic (this is when an infection in the body enters the bloodstream, can be pretty serious if not treated aggressively and quickly). Dr. R tells me to take the guy downstairs in our building to the lab and get blood cultures drawn on him. (This will tell Dr. R if he is in fact septic). I get him down there and I stay right with him. He continues to shake and tells me that his fingertips seem numb. hmmm... I'm stumped now. Get him back to the chair to draw his lab work. While this is going on he proceeds to pass out. Not terribly surprising. I knew he wasn't feeling well and he was trying so hard not to shake to get the labs drawn quickly and safely. Well he goes out completely for maybe a minute and smelling salts bring him back. This happens not only once but twice.

The super scary part to this for me was that because he was shaking so much and kept passing out I was SURE he was going to have a seizure. I ran to the phone and called upstairs for Dr. R to come down immediately. He came down, everything by this point was stable. Dr. R told me later that he was sure he was going to come into a full blown seizure when I called for him.

All these terrible scenes rolled through my mind. I was fearful that I was going to be without a physician and he would 1)seize, 2)have a stroke, 3) have a heart attack. I had no idea where the crash cart was in the lab down there and just did not like any of these scenarios!

So to keep to my point here, I have decided that there are a few things in medicine that I just CANNOT deal with. Or rather, really really do NOT like. I can't stand sputum (aka mucous) and I don't like to watch people have seizures. Something about the fact that I cannot help them in any way and I just have to wait it out gives me a sense of hopelessness that I just have a super hard time with.

So again, I am finishing this on Sunday and I am feeling much better about the whole thing now, but when I originally started this post it was rather fresh in my mind and it was NO FUN.

Update: the patient was admitted to the hospital and last time I heard, he was doing MUCH better. Just a really sick man at the time.

Im pretty sure....

2008-01-13T11:12:00.001-08:00

that we are going to have to purchase one of these.... like tomorrow.

I went to put Carson down for his nap today at 2. This is a little late for him to be going down from his usual time, but he did sleep in until 8 am today. He started to throw a fit when he was playing with our neighbors and just was so obviously overtired. So I took him in his room and put him down in his bed. He usually stands up and jabbers or cries when we put him down, but usually within a minute or 2 he is down and out. Well, today he instantly lifted his chest up over the side of his crib and pushed himself up then hiked one leg over the side and hung on and basically dangled there. I tried to stay calm and not make a big deal about it... usually making a big deal about something with him leads him to try again to amuse himself. Well, I was so afraid that he was going to fall out since they are so top heavy at this age and fall to the floor... certainly causing injury to himself.

He does have a pillow in there that helped him lift his little feet off his mattress. I took that out, the crib is as low as it goes. So I guess the crib tent is the only way I know that he will remain safe. I just don't feel comfortable taking the risk of him falling.

I did consider the option of taking off the side of his crib. He has one of those 3 in 1 that goes from crib to toddler bed to full size bed. I just DON'T think he, nor us, are ready for him to have access to get out whenever he feels like it.

He is pretty much noncompliant in most of the areas where we try to discipline him and I think more of him understanding boundries will come over the next few months. He is exactly 20 months old and ill be completely honest. He DOES not listen to rules well AT ALL! Again, making me feel like "that parent".

I know some of you are surely saying, "Why don't you just make him stay in his bed and make it into a toddler bed". If this had been Kenedey we were dealing with at this age, that's exactly what I would have done. Because with her it would have taken several times to "train" her not to get out, but she would have eventually figured out we ment business. His personality couldn't be more different. Again, we just aren't there yet. Wish us luck!!! We need it! LOL

Any of you lurker/parents out there who have tried a item like the Crib Tent... did it work? Thanks for your help!

Random

2008-01-13T07:25:00.000-08:00

Well it's my usual monthly random post. Not anything terribly exciting going on around here. I have gotten a couple of emails from a few of you asking if everything is ok and why haven't I blogged. Everything is just fine. It's been sort of a crazy week. We got home from Florida and then it seems like we just hit the ground running for the week. Never a down moment. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing until I look back now and realize how chaotic the week seemed. Im so glad that there are weekends to recoup. I need to get my household in order today.

Kenedey needs redirection and organizing today. She has a 5th grade science project that she has to get busy on this week. I also got an email from her teacher on Friday that Kenedey has been turning her work in late this week. I'm really not surprised to be honest with you because of how chaos we have been this week, but as we told her UNACCEPTABLE. We are going back to the basket that she puts her agenda, papers for us, homework to be reviewed and any notes or communitcations she needs to let us know about. I don't think in 5th grade we (parents) should be responsible for making sure that she gets everything out of her bag and back into her bag. Am I being too tough on her? I really don't feel like it. I think she has just gotten lazy this week and when she gets overwhelmed she just sort of shuts off. Nice coping mechinism... Not.so.much. I looked through her backpack after she went to bed last night and found a huge stash of unorganized papers just thrown in there. Most of which I know nothing about. Bummer. I guess I have to micromanage her homework again. Yuck. I was just really hoping she was to the point where I didn't have to do that anymore. She had gotten so good about knowing the "routine" so I trusted her to let me know if she needed help with something, etc. Oh well... wish us luck this week!

We REALLY need a new vaccume. I don't even want to clean today because mine is junk. It doesn't even feel like its pulling anything out of the carpet. I guess im on the hunt for a new one.

I don't think I have shared much on her regarding our house hunt. We are in full swing of the house hunt. We had to wait until January to do so. We usually go out on Sunday's and drive around and look. I have my eye on one. I got an article from Jen this past week that said we should wait until Feb. to do the mortgage because interest rates are dropping AGAIN (good news for us), to avoid all the forclosures that are occuring recently. Apparently they are hoping this new deal they are working on will help the economy rather than all these people loosing homes. I am thankful that we are in the place we are so that we hopefully will get a great buy and opportunity for a low interest rate.

Yesterday was a fun day. Jason and I both had to work Saturday, YUCK. Jessi watched the kids and then I went over there after work. Carson went down for his nap around 1 and slept for one of his famous 3 hour naps. While he napped Kenedey and I also snoozed on Jessi's couch and once everyone was up and ready to go we headed over to Chelsea Treehouse for an evening of play. The kids had a great time. This was actually my first time taking the kids there. I liked it, however, I think I prefer the atmosphere of Jungle Java for Carson. The slides were a lot of fun for Carson but it was REALLY hard for him to get up to it. At Jungle Java he can do it without a problem and in the little kids area they have a slides he can get to all by himself. That is really the only thing that I preferred. Otherwise I think both are great. They are both about the same distance from home for me. I thought the treehouse would be closer, but really it's not. Anyway it was lots of fun. The advantage at the treehouse is that I could comfortably get up inside the treehouse with him and at Jungle Java it's really not designed for parents to go up with the kids.

Ok enough randomness for now... im off to continue laundry and housework! Fun times!

Yo DJ.... wasssup?

2008-01-08T19:41:00.001-08:00

WE GOT OURSELVES A NODDDDDDDDER!

Ok so if any of you have spent anytime around us or your child who is obessed with the movie CARS... then you will get my blog post title! Otherwise I probably look like I'm crazy right about now!

Carson is driving me crazy with his obession with CARS!!! I have had my fill of Mater and Lightening! Everything he says... includes him saying, "Caaarsss" aka Cars.

Well on to the "real" reason I am posting tonight:

I need to enlist your help! My good friend Jen told me she made a New Year's resolution to try to get this blogging thing down. She started out giving it a good try. However, she hasn't done anything on it since Dec. 13 (I think). So any of you lurkers out there, or any of you who would be willing to encourage her to blog, SHE NEEDS THE ENCOURAGEMENT! You can head over to The Hutchinson's (<---- just click on that) and leave her a comment to get her motivated!

She has a little guy who will be 1 in Feb. and Taylor who you have seen and heard about on my blog LOTS! (one of Kenedey's best buddies). I have told her how awesome it is to go back and look at what you have documented and how fun this actually becomes once you get up and going. Plus with a 1 year old running around, lots of you know how often that baby book gets written in now that they are into EVERYTHING! I love my blog for that reason so I can come back and see what my kids have been up to that I may have otherwise forgotten about! So come on Jen! I told you I would be holding you accountable! Let's hear from ya!

Ok everyone, I have so much to do and I really need to get to bed today! Night :-)

WHO KNEW!!!

2008-01-07T19:30:00.000-08:00

That MONDAY would start off with me... yes me... having MORE Lucielle Ball moments?! I got up at 4am, (trying to be responsible so I didn't have to be dependent on a neighbor or something), because I knew the battery was dead on my car from sitting all week while we were gone. Jason had to be to work at 5am so I had everything open (car hoods) and ready to go so he just jumped it for me when he was leaving for work. I didn't have much gas in it and didn't know if I would have time to stop on my way to work so I didn't let it run too long... like 10 min or so.

Well, I used my "clicker" aka automatic lock thingy and it lit up and unlocked and lights came on, looks like we are in business. I get everyone and our crap... er... stuff loaded for the day and put my keys in the ignition... and....... IT WONT TURN OVER!!! Shocking I know!

I gave Jen a call and she came over and jumped me! Thanks again Jen!!! I owe you big time... ask me next time Talan needs a sitter and im at your mercy! Sorry Taylor doesn't count since our kids pretty much live between our two homes! Really you don't even have to ask with her... she fits here so well that most of the time I don't even know she doesn't truly "belong" here! I let my car run all morning on my way into Jackson and never turned it off all the way even when I dropped Carson off which took me about 15 minutes!

I was glad to drop him off and have a little break from him! But honestly, I missed the little bugger all day. After spending every one of his waking moments with him for the most part last week you can't help but be a bit crazier about him... when he's at his best he is sooo fun! He was worn out today and fell asleep on his way home from daycare. They said he did fine today with the exception of not wanting to sit down at lunch at the table and stay in his seat. He kept his new shoes on all day... which is a major plus! Also, they told me he didn't bully anyone... WHAT? No one told me he was a bully at school and honestly I was to shocked at the time to ask her about it. What the? She said something about him pushing down kids and some other something... im going to have to ask about this tomorrow. Last I knew he was really good with all the kids and sometime TOO loving to the babies because he wants to hug and kiss them ALL. THE. TIME! Gosh... what will it be next?!

Ken said she had a great day back to school. She really missed her friends she said and was all excited this morning to get there and see Maddi especially and everyone else too! She was also really happy about the fact that she didn't have much homework... her words were, "I was surprised I didn't have a lot of homework/catchup work"! Woo Hoo!

Well, that's all for today... im trying to lay low and fly under the radar so that no more Lucielle Ball episodes occur! Wish me luck! I NEED IT! LOL

We made it... however... not with out having

2008-01-06T18:35:00.000-08:00

ANOTHER LUCIELLE BALL MOMENT!!!

Well, we are Home Sweet Home! Glad to be home. But as I said... we didn't make it without a challenge...er..two, er, three, er four!

Started when we got to the airport. We immediately got searched. Me and two friggin kids who LOOK SO SUSPICIOUS. I mean I understand the whole security thing, but honestly did they have to choose a gal like me traveling by herself with two kids? Guess so.

We go the whole deal. They seperated us into another room... see through at that so everyone can watch you. They patted ALL of us down. I had to hold Carson the whole time and this took about 15 minutes. That wasn't the worst. Then we have to go stand over by our carry on luggage stuff so they can go through that and we have to stand there and watch them. The whole time Carson is freaking out because he wants to get down and run around. That would have been Ok... but THEN.... they touch our stuff with this paper thing and then put the paper through another machine. Apparently, Kenedey's bag, the diaper bag and Kenedey's boots all had some type of SOMETHING on them that must have had some sort of arsenic on them. WHAT THE HELL? ARSENIC? Where the heck did she get arsenic on her stuff? Im still confused. They were making a huge deal about it because 3 of our items tested "positive". So then they had to go and run them through the machine again and open EVERYTHING like 2 times... take everything out and put it back in. This all ended up taking roughly another half hour. Meanwhile, our names are being called overhead because we are not on our plane. I looked at the "supervisor" and said... ugh they are calling our names to board our plane we are supposed to leave in like 5 minutes. He just shrugged his shoulders... like its not his problem. Yeah buddy it's going to be your problem in a minute when I FLIP OUT!!!

We finally made it through security and I had planned to stop and get the kids something to drink before we boarded the plane. Yeah we didn't have time for that, we BOOKED to the gate and made it thankfully. My arms are still killing me from carrying everything and then a 28 pound toddler too. Gosh my life sucks sometimes! LOL Just my luck!!!

Carson was miserable as usual on the plane. We gave him some Benadryl before we left and didn't put him down for his nap. My thoughts were he will for sure pass out. NOT. SO. MUCH. Can you even believe this child? He stayed awake and fought me nearly the ENTIRE TIME. About 30 minutes into the flight a mean flight attendant passes by and tells me that I can't let Kenedey and Carson be buckled in the same seat together. What the heck lady... we did this on the way down. No questions asked, no problem at all. This at least restrained him. She MUST not have children! The attendant who was working our area told me it was fine with her and just to wait and put him back in that seat in a few minutes when she was gone. Somebody's grumpy!!! By this point my anxiety level was a 12 on a 1-10 scale. I don't know how people have the guts to travel further with a lap child. Like to California or somewhere REALLY far away! I think with Carson it's so much worse because he really cannot stand being restrained and it's worse when he can actually have somewhat of a choice to move. In his carseat its not a choice... he just can't... on my lap... not so much!

So anyway! Looking forward to the "routine" getting back to normal tomorrow. I don't have the energy this evening to unpack completely. After this afternoon... im spent! I need to get some groceries after work tomorrow and then i'll start the unpack after work!

One last thing... I am renaming my blog... "Living the Lucielle Ball Life". I'm sure you will understand by now!!!

Playing catch up!!

2008-01-05T19:44:00.000-08:00

Well, I know I haven't blogged like I said I would over the past few days. But I have been busy enjoying my last few days of vacation.

Tonight is our last night here and then we are on your way to Michigan tomorrow afternoon. It has been absolutely wonderful... however, I am anxious to get back to our routine. Carson is wearing me out! LOL It's just been long enough for him. He needs to get back to HIS routine. He does much better on his little schedule. I also am anxious to have dad around again. I HATE this single parenting thing with him, it's way to hard to discipline him by myself ALL.THE.TIME. All it takes sometimes is just for Jason to back me up and reiterate to Carson whatever it is that I'm getting after him for, but without that backing he sure tends to push A LOT!

So here is the recap:

Thurs: We took the kids over to the Imaginarium. It turned out to be a pretty neat place! (Bear with me if I talk in circles here... my days have officially run together!) Carson was ALL OVER THE PLACE there. It was pretty neat, but the weather here has SUCKED, so we didn't do anything outside... too cold (according to my mom)! The highlight was the stingray tank that you could touch the stingray's. Carson was amused by them but Kenedey however was not. She wanted no part of touching them and my mom had the same reaction as Kenedey. I did touch them... they are just soft and slimy. They had their barbs removed so they couldn't sting anyone. But still I guess the idea of that just icked my mom and Ken out.

Can't you just see the body language in this pic?

They had a nice little area for kids under 5 that had all sorts of great play stuff... grocery store, all types of puzzles, mazes, cars, trains, trucks, you name it they had it. Carson enjoyed taking the shopping cart out into the MAIN area and running around like THAT kid! Once again I am totally embarrassed by this kid. We are having SERIOUS issues with getting him to keep his shoes on, so yeah there's my "special" kid out there running around without shoes... totally inappropriate. On our way down from the upstairs a worker stops me and says to Carson, "where are your shoes buddy?" Then looks for me... thinking to myself: " Do I claim him as mine? or say, yeah here I am over here because god help me... I CANNOT help him down the stairs without being SCREAMED at!" So she then says to me, "He has to have shoes on." Once again I am THAT mom who can't keep her friggin' kids shoes on him! Yep that would be me. Ugh I hate this! LOL Any of you who know Carson understand the socks and shoes issue. It's been a problem since he figured out that he had shoes on. He refuses to leave them on. I put them on and .002 seconds later... their off!

He is YELLLING at me because he didn't want me to help him down the stairs... how do you like those piggies?

After the Imaginarium, we went to lunch at Sweet Tomatoes and then came back here and put Carson down for a nap. I napped with him since my lack of sleep, staying up to late at night and getting up WAY too early in the morning (5:45am to be exact) was catching up with me.

That evening my parents offered to keep Carson so Kenedey and I could go for our "Girls Night out". We went Coconut Point and she REALLY wanted to do Build a Bear. She has done it a few times in the past, but still really wanted to. It was fun! After Build-a-Bear we headed over to the movie theatre and saw Alvin and the Chipmunks. It was really cute. By the time we got out of the theatre everything at Coconut Point was closing so we headed out of there and stopped for some dinner at Applebee's on our way home. It was a great time spending just some quality one on one me and Ken. She's so fun to be around and is a great little conversationalist! I realized that I need to get her making some more of her own decisions though. She wanted me to make all of there decisions about what we did. It was always..."well what do YOU want to do?" LOL I kept saying, "this is YOUR time, you get to decide everything!" She really struggled with this! We will work on that though!
Yesterday we didn't do a whole lot of anything. I woke up with my wonderful monthly migraine. It was one of those where when you move your head you are sure it will explode or implode... AWFUL. I took some meds and HAD to go to sleep. My mom hung out with the kids and took them to the park. Thanks mom. At about 11:30 I was blow drying my hair and my mom was giving Carson a snack because she wanted to take us over to Coconut Point again to a place called Moe's. Well, I was in drying my hair and my mom comes in and said, "Kari, Carson is falling asleep in the chair." I just said, Ok hang on a second and I will come get him and just put him down for his nap. Well because she said chair I assumed that he was in one of their recliners. Well I slowly finished my hair and came out to the living room to put him down for his nap. Well I find Carson fast asleep in HIS chair at the kitchen table! LOL He had fallen over sideways and every time he inhaled he kind of sat up and then would exhale and fall over... over and over again! LOL I felt terrible! Poor guy!

Since we all couldn't go to Moes (if you never have eaten there and if you ever get the chance, it's a must try) my mom told me and Ken to just go ahead and go over and get the Pedicure's and Manicures we were planning on done. So we did! IT WAS WONDERFUL!!! We also had lunch at Moe's. There were a couple of stores that Kenedey had hoped to stop at and didn't get to so we did that and then headed back here. We watched the movie Hairspray last night and even after having a nap I still fell asleep while we were watching it. Thanks again migraine... you won that day.

The weather again today sucked. It was warmer, but terribly overcast. The kids and I headed up to the pool and I let them swim anyway and play at the playground. We brought Carson back for his nap and then I went back up to the pool while he napped.

This evening we all went out to dinner for ribs. The ribs have pretty much become a tradition for my parents and Kenedey. Ribs are a fav for Ken so every time she is down they usually take her out for them. It was a great dinner! We finished up there and headed back here. Lindsey (my cousin) and her new boyfriend came over so we could meet him and to see her. We played Blokus for awhile and just chatted! Lindsey it was fun hanging with you guys for a bit! I think Nick is absolutely wonderful for you! He is super nice from what I could tell! Best choice in a guy yet! Best of luck to you two! LOL

Elvis???

I should be in bed...

2008-01-02T21:30:00.000-08:00

But instead I need to do my usual "unload" all this info in my brain to my blog before I forget it. After all, I have inherited Alzheimer's from my mom. (wink wink mom)!

I'll start from the top of yesterday since I had to ask on the way home tonight what we did yesterday. I don't know about you, but when I am on vacation, sometimes the days have a tendency to run together.

We started out 2008 (Tues) with the kids taking a swim. Then just relaxing and reading on the lanai.

MMMM....

ahhhhh.... (muah... carson blowing kisses!)

We got up and got dressed and ready to go and headed over to Miromar Outlets. THAT place really is fantastic, but... it was SO busy. Must be because everyone is off for the holiday. We started out at Justice for Kenedey. This is her FAV store. I can understand why. They have it SO geared for tweens. I actually think the company who owns it is called Tween Brands. She got a few things. Her Nannie gave her $100 to go get what she wanted. She had a great time with that. She got this adorable coat and a couple of shirts.

Carson did really well at the Carter's store. They had some serious sales going on. I think I counted 10 items all about $85. They will all probably fit him into next fall. Got them on the little bigger size for him. He wore some today because it was cold here and they looked so cute on him. I know he doesn't care, but I do! LOL

We just relaxed last night and hung out.

Today, we were busy busy again. My mom stayed home to have her new stove delivered (see previous post if you don't know why!) Carson was being Mr. Whiny so I took him and Kenedey up to the playground for a bit. Carson of course wanted to just swing most of the time. He thoroughly enjoys the swing! Kenedey loves that playground too, they have some unusual things up there that she can't play on just anywhere!

We finished up at the playground and then went over to Coconut Point... can I just say... WOAH! I have NEVER been to a place like that one! Well I have I guess, but this place is incredible. We started out with lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. YUM. Then went to do some serious shopping. I cannot believe the deals that we found. Kenedey got a $40 sweater at Aeropostale for $7 and it's ADORABLE. I made out well at Old Navy. Carson was in his glory at the Disney store with all the Lighting McQueen and Mater stuff. He got a Lighting jacket and a Lighting piggy bank! Just what we should be encouraging.... his OBSESSION with CARS. I think he must say CARS...oh 50 x's a day... err 5000 times a day! Obsess much?

We had the MOST incredible evening tonight yet. We went to see Irving Berlin's White Christmas at the Barbara Mann Theatre. It was so much more than I expected. It was a true Broadway show the talent and the costumes and everything were just incredible. Can you tell I TOTALLY enjoyed it?!

Well I am off to bed, it's now 1:30 am and I am sure my kiddos will be up at the butt crack of dawn unfortunately! I seriously need to sleep.

Kenedey isn't feeling great. We think she may have Chicken Pox. She had the vaccine and then also had the disease once. Could she seriously have it again??? She also is complaining that her ears hurt... she gets swimmers ear very easily so I have a feeling that's what it is. My mom treated her tonight with Zithromax and ear drops, tylenol, and a good nights rest. Say a little prayer that she stays well. I want her to enjoy her time here, not be sick. :-(

Tomorrow we are planning to go to the Imaginarium and then Kenedey and I are having a Girls Night out back over to Coconut Point. I told her we could do Build a Bear... she already has done it three times in the past, but wants to again and they are also having entertainment over there. I'm REALLY looking forward to having an evening with JUST MY girl!!!

New Year's Questionaire

2008-01-01T17:01:00.000-08:00

I saw this on a couple of other blogs and thought it looked like a good idea. Should be fun to look back at.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before? Chased around a busy busy busy little boy and became "that" parent who I said I would NEVER be with him! He sure has given me a run for my money. I thought he would be compliant because my 1st is so compliant... not so much!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I honestly have no idea what my resolution was from last year. Yes, I have made a resolution to not use the F word. I cannot stand the way it sounds and being around people that use it I have found myself using it to make a point. I have decided I WILL use many other words in the english language that we have to get that same point across without swearing or sounding like a sailor.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? The Tousa's had Colton and Kayla had Drake!

4. Did anyone close to you die? My Grandma Howard. I miss her so.

5. What states/countries did you visit? Ohio, Florida

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? More time with my husband that is time we enjoy. We see each other a lot, but it's often not "us" time. The past few weeks we have really enjoyed each others company and I want that to continue to grow. Visit somewhere north this summer as a family.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Carson's 1st birthday. Kenedey's 10th birthday party! Our trip to Great Wolf Lodge. Halloween visiting the Robertson's. My lunches with Ellen. And the fact that someone who is her age and then my age could have so much to talk about and support each other with.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Enjoying so much with my new camera and photography. I have learned alot and it has helped me capture so much of my kids that I otherwise wouldn't have. It brings me a lot of joy looking at pictures!

9. What was your biggest failure? Probably money. Defintely a weakness for me. I did really good on not spending, but saving and keeping the budget together between the two of us has really been a challenge.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Had my gall bladder out. I have never had surgery and hope I never have to again. Otherwise very healthy.

11. What was the best thing you bought? I guess I would have to say I "bought" daycare! We have spent so much money on daycare for Carson, but it's been well worth the cost.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My husband. He has come really far this year. Lost 40 lbs., got a new job (in his career field) that provides more for himself and our family than ever before, and of course is so helpful and such a great dad to the kids.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? I really can't say because too many people read this and I wouldn't want to hurt feelings, but of course Brittney Spears didn't make me proud! LOL

14. Where did most of your money go? DAYCARE! and the usual bills that most of us have!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Great Wolf Lodge trip, Florida trip, Jason's new job.

16. What song will always remind you of 2007? Soulja Boy... thanks Kenedey!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder?  same...thats what Effexor does for you! Thank God for that b) thinner or fatter? well iv'e lost about 15 lbs. on the diet I started and have kept it off. I plan to hit back to the diet as soon as we are back from vacation. c) richer or poorer? richer... not really a good description but Jason's awesome job has helped a lot.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? More family time just the 4 of us where it would be fun.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Spend time in my car. My drive time everyday takes up so much time from my day. I don't see that changing anytime soon though.

20. How did you spend Christmas? Lots of Chrsitmas family parties. It was really nice this year. I don't think I ever once felt stressed about Christmas. I really enjoyed it this year. The best day was actual Christmas day at home just hanging out with the kids and napping and staying in jammies most of the day.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007? Ya know we were talking about this last night. Because I have always been so bonded to Kenedey and have had her for nearly 11 years now, my bond and love with Carson was always there and strong, but... I have really fallen more in love with him this year and gotten "used" to the idea of having a BOY and ya know they really are a TON of fun. I really never thought that I would enjoy a boy this much i've always been a girls girl and thought I could only relate to little girls. My little man has taught me quite the opposite. Both equally fun in different ways.

22. What was your favorite TV program? Private Practice and The Hills. The only 2 I ever get to watch.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? No, still don't like the same people.

24. What was the best book you read? Dear John, Nicholas Sparks. Thank God for audio books. That reminds me I ought to use my Barnes and Noble giftcard from Aunt Connie on audiobooks
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? The Wheels on the bus go round and round. Thank You Carson... I discoved he knows all the moves and tries to sing the song. Again my money put to good use in daycare! LOL

26. What did you want and get? 2 new cars

27. What did you you want and not get? A new house. We will get there THIS year!

28. What was your favorite film of this year? Georgie Rule

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 28. It was on Thanksgiving and it really was a sucky bday. We went up to my Aunt's in Grand Rapids area, but husband and I had a fight on the way home and that just ruined my already blah day. I.yi.yi.... Live and Learn

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Better Michigan weather.... longer fall! Im writing this in Florida on vacation and my skin is so nice and soft and hydrated... not dry like Michigan!

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Unfortunately dumb scrubs everyday for work really isn't conducive to a need for a great wardrobe, but I would say most of my clothing is casual/cute/nice momish dress... oh wait that's really not a fashion, but let me tell ya, my kids look darn good!

32. What kept you sane? My new blog! Gave me a place to vent and record a lot of my thoughts... it's been a great unloading place.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Still Nick Lachey

34. What political issue stirred you the most? Honestly, I really can't even get my mind around most political issues... my mind just does not go there easily, but I don't really like the way the Medicare Part D system is working and how our healthcare cost systems are all so stupid. I guess I pay attention to that because I am so exposed to it at work.

35. Who did you miss? My mom

36. Who was the best new person you met? Ellen... thanks for being such a great friend. She has filled some "mom" type voids for me and I think that has helped keep me stable and her wisdom of experiencing so many things in life is always nice to have an opinon of someone who has been there, but yet not completely emotionally invested like a parent would be.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007. Probably too many to list. I continue to learn a lot.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. When push comes to shove you taste what your made of, you might bend til you break cause it's all you can take, you look up decide you've had enough you get mad you get strong wipe your hands shake it off then you STAND... "Stand" by Rascal Flatts. LOVE IT!!!

Just another day in Paradise!

2007-12-31T20:05:00.000-08:00

So again, ANOTHER wonderful day! Happy New Year 2008 to everyone. I sincerely wish all of you a great year and lots of true happiness as well.

Today started out with a trip over to Barefoot Beach in Bonita Springs. It was super nice, but of course it was DIRTY. LOL When I was in 10th grade my parents moved down here full time, so I started the middle of my 10th grade year living in Naples, Florida and attending Barron Collier High School. So it was a little neat to go back and see the shopping center where I worked at TCBY and to see how the area has changed. It was 10 years ago that I left Naples, so you can imagine how much it has changed.

My aunt Connie and Jessica met us there! The kids were all exctatic to see each other! They had a great time. The clouds rolled in and Kenedey got cold so we had to head back to the house. We figured that we would let the kids play in the pool here at my mom's clubhouse. We pit stopped at Fresh Market to pick up a few things for New Years Eve snack/dinner. Our options are somewhat limited because my mom is MINUS an oven! They decided that they were just going to get a new one because the odor/damage was just too much.

Anyway... we got back to the pool and the kids had a GREAT time there... UNTIL.... a lady from the office came out with signs that said: "Pool Closed" and asked everyone to get out. Apparently, someone POOPED in the pool. EWWW disgusting.

Luckly, there is a playground right next to the pool, so the kids got to go play over there. That was wonderful. Carson throughly enjoyed the slide and the swing. We had to pry Carson and Lauren out of the swings to come home! Kenedey really enjoyed the park also! She is so good with Lauren! They just take off and do all sorts of girlie stuff.

After we got back to the house, Connie and Jessi came and picked up the kids and took them over to Connie's house. This was great because it gave my mom and I some time to shower and get dressed and just chill! I got ready and then I read my book for awhile. My mom decided she would take off and go look for a new stove. I stayed here and read and then took a little nap! :-) It was so relaxing!

This evening we just stayed home and snacked and visited a bit. It was a super relaxing & fun day! Again, Happy New Year 2008!!!

"It's a Lucielle Ball life"

2007-12-30T18:16:00.000-08:00

Ill get to the title of this post shortly! Be sure and read about it though. In the meantime... WE ARE HERE!!! We made it last night. Our flight was on time and everything went fairly smoothly. Our flight wasn't until 9:45pm so it was a late night. Carson DIDN'T go to sleep once on the plane. In the terminal at Detroit, he was pretty good, he made friends with a little girl named Danielle near his age, and he ran up and down the terminal like a wild child. I just let him most the time hoping he would run off some of his energy since would have to sit for 3 hours.

We sat in the front "first class" seats which was well worth it. It was a actually pretty comfortable. They have these new things on the seats that keep your head from falling over if you fall asleep. That would have been great IF my son would have relaxed and gone to sleep! The lady who sat in front of us was super kind and very patient with us. She was traveling alone with her 3 kids herself and her and one of her daugthers shared their webkins animals with Carson and played with him through the seats. All in all, I wasn't totally stressed out by any means so I have to say it was a great trip.

We got here and went to bed by about 3am. Mr. Carson was WIDE awake by 8:30am! So needed to drink coffee a couple of times today to keep AWAKE! We had a little Christmas this morning and the kids got their gifts from my parents. Carson got the firetruck and absolutely loved it! Kenedey got a couple of DS games and some jammies and a couple of other things. She of course made out great!

My great grandma Grace lives down here in the winter and she had been here at my moms for the past week. So this afternoon, we took her up to her daughter's, (my grandma's) house (in Englewood) so she could finish taking her the rest of the way home. That way we could all see each other also. We had a nice little visit and Carson and Kenedey got some gifts and Carson played with their dog Sherlock! He NEEDS a dog so badly! Soon. We did a 5 generation picture. We have 5 generations of girls... and then there is Carson. We couldn't not include him! All those darn Florida people make me look transparent... err porcelin white. EWWW I need to get to the beach.

My mom and Kenedey

5 generations Grammy and Pap-Pap (my mom's mom and stepdad) Great Great Grandma Grace & Carson
We left Englewood and came back to Naples we headed over to this shopping center, I ran into Super Target to get a couple of things and look for one of these for Carson so he could swim. He has no fear of the pool when he is in it, so we really need to find one to keep him safe. We couldn't even find a life jacket. We plan to check at Wal-Mart tomorrow.

So while we were on our way home my mom calls Jimmy and asks him to put the Lasagna, which was all ready prepared, into the oven. She told him to just put the oven on 350 and pop it in. Well, because he NEVER cooks, he didn't know that the knobs are not how you turn on the oven. To turn the oven on it's digital. So... underneath the oven is a warmer... to keep things your done cooking warm. Well he turned THAT on. He called and said the house was filling with smoke and he couldn't figure out why.

We came home to my mom's house CONSUMED with smoke. He didn't shut off the oven when the smoke started, but he went and sat out on the lanai (pool area) because it was too smoky in the house. So we come in and my mom yells at me and the kids to just get out because it's too smoky. So I took the kids outside to play. Well I decided to go see if I could help at all. I come into the house and my mom can't figure out why it's still smoking. I started to open up ALL the windows and the whole time she is yelling at me to get out! If that gives you any idea of how bad it was... it was BAD.

Well, my mom suddenly starts YELLING and SCREAMING... I NEED HELP! I come running into the kitchen and the oven was ON FIRE! AHHHH. Sure enough it was. Apparently, the drawer had some potholders in it that had caught on fire. The oven wasn't even on, BUT the lower warmer drawer was and all the stuff in there was charred. It was terrible. All 3 of us were in the kitchen and my parents were yelling at each other telling each other who was more stupid for what the other had done! LOL I was yelling at them to just shut up and lets get this damn fire out! So, my mom takes a bag of flour and poor it all over the fire which gets some of it out. Then the genious that she is, gets the idea... lets pour water on it... I yell, NO you CANT use water it's an electric oven and its ON!!! So I get two towels and wet them and start hitting the fire. We extinguish most of it with the exception of one last potholder in the bottom which I grab some tongs and pluck it out and stick it in the sink. That takes care of the fire. So we began clean up! I wish we could have video taped us all acting like fools and yelling. My mom and I kind of laughed a bit tonight when we were talking about it! Sooo... see it is in face "A Lucielle Ball Life"! Leave it to US to keep things interesting!

Carson and I just hung out tonight and played for awhile and my mom and Kenedey went with Connie (my aunt), Jessica, Jack, and Lauren to see Alvin and the Chipmunks! They said it was really good!

Well, I think that sums up our 1st full day here! I am really tired and I have some reading that I want to start! I picked up this book and this book and I have intentions on reading some while im on vacation!

Well,

2007-12-28T19:38:00.004-08:00

As you can tell from the countdown, we will be on our way to Florida tomorrow night this time. Our plane leaves at 9:45pm Wish us luck that Carson's sleeps on the plane, or it could be ugly! I will likely update while I am down there! I am working on getting all my stuff around.

Something to share: I got the MOST GENEROUS gift today that I have recieved in a LONG time. Dr. R and fam got this for me. I seriously had to hold back the tears when he gave it to me. SOOOO Kind! Thank you again Robertson's! I sincerely appreciate it.

So, I did get our tree down and all the decorations down with the exception of the blow up Snoopy outside. Carson Loves that thing and I just wasn't ready to say not hear him talk to it every morning on our way out and then when we come home in the evening. I did it on Wed night because I just didn't want to come home from vacation to "housework". Anyway! That's the last of blogging from Michigan for the week! Adios and see ya in sunny FLORIDA!!!

Countdown

2007-12-26T19:59:00.000-08:00

Create yours at BlingyBlob.com!

And I leave you with this....

2007-12-25T19:22:00.000-08:00

Now for OUR house!

2007-12-25T18:22:00.001-08:00

This is how it looked last night after "Santa" left to finish delivering gifts to all the other kids! ahhh... so lovely!

THEN..... THE KIDS STRUCK GOLD!!!

They had an incredible morning! Kenedey was SO thrilled with her new Nintendo DS!!! She wanted me to make a list so we can remember next year, so here goes!

Nintendo DS
two Nintendo DS games
a new heating blanket for her bed
a new mattress pad for her bed... it's one of those squishy things. We have one on our bed so she wanted that.
High School Musical 2 DVD
Polar Express movie
Santa Claus 3
a car charger for her DS
Ear buds for her DS
A case for her DS
3 pack of stylus' for her DS in case she looses any... which she claims SHE WILL NOT!
new PJ's
3 outfits from Aeropostale, her fav store
2 new ornaments
pack of books (Spiderwick series)
shoes
lip glosses
bath set
Hannah Montana game
first new bra's!
Onsted zipper pull that I found at a craft show

I think that about covers it. She made out all too well, as usual. She has said Thank You more than enough today. I appreciate how kind and thankful she is.

Carson made out well too! He had a hard time enjoying everything all at once. He would play with one thing until he got bored and then open another! Here is my attempt at his list.

A huge truck that holds blocks... who knew he would try to ride it?!
a wooden tool set
a light up tool set
his first Semi truck filled with cars
books
color wonder
3 outfits
new pj's
a play saw
a spiderman "couch" that folds out to a "bed"
2 new ornaments
puzzles
The movies listed above are a mutual gift for the two of them.

I think that about wraps up our day. I really haven't seen much of Kenedey today. She spent WAY too much time playing her DS and then this evening Taylor Hutchinson came over to play. Now she is staying the night here and then tomorrow the girls are going over there for the day while I work. They are having a blast playing right now and of course have plans to stay up ALL night! They usually make it to about 10pm!

Lastly, I made my first Prime Rib tonight. It turned out wonderful! We had veggies with it, corn muffins, baked beans, pasta salad. Also for breakfast I made Texas Eggs they were wonderful. I think this is the first day we have sat down together to eat two times in one day! Guess that goes to show how busy we have been lately! Merry Christmas EVERYONE!!!

Merry Christmas

2007-12-25T17:34:00.000-08:00

2007 Christmas Day is officially over now at our house! Carson just headed to bed. He is EXHAUSTED from the week's worth of Christmas craziness! This entire day was wonderful. Before I get to today though, I have another Christmas to recap! We had Christmas with my dad's family last night. This Christmas has always been on Christmas Eve. The only time I have ever missed it was when I was living in Florida and couldn't come to Mich for Christmas. I think that may have been only once, twice at the most.

My grandma who passed away this year was always VERY big about having Christmas! She SO enjoyed watching all of us as kids loving everything about it! I thought going to Christmas without her being there would be super hard this year. But I spent the past few weeks thinking about her everytime I shopped and put up decor and whatnot. It was different for her not to be there for sure, but it really was ok. I know that she is in heaven with Jesus and I can't help but be happy for her for that reason alone. I know that she was looking down on us and enjoying watching her kids get crazy with Karaoke. I could just see the smile on her cute little face! I am so proud of my Grandpa. From what I understand he did his Christmas shopping mostly on his own. I think that is so neat. He sure is precious. I sat there and thought several times about how lucky we are to have him with us, even if Grandma wasn't with us physically. I felt a little sad selfishly that she wasn't there, but as I said before... I know she was. I had a strong feeling as soon as we pulled in the driveway... that Yes, grandma is in fact with us. She gave us so many memories! Love you gram!

Here is a picture of probably the most amazing Christmas gift I have ever been given. I will hold this very dear, as long as I live... im sure of that. My grandpa gave this to all of us grandkids. He is also a extremely talented wood carver and he made us all an ornament or rose out of golf balls. I will get a picture of that up as soon as I can. I can't find the bag that it's in right now. But watch for it to come.

So here is the slideshow of my crazy family! Enjoy! I don't get to see alot of these people except for this time of year, so I took lots of pics!

Jasons family Christmas

2007-12-23T20:32:00.000-08:00

After we left my family Christmas we headed over to Jason's family and had our family Christmas there! There are 9 grandkids 10 and under, so you can imagine how crazy it can be at times. But, it sure is fun. The kids always get a little crazy and we always try to make it so we can see what each kid is getting, but it never seems to work out!!! Oh well! I know they had the greatest time! Thank you so much NaNa Kim and Papa Terry for making such a fun Christmas for all the kids year after year... it will be so much fun they are grown up to hear about what they remember from Christmas when they were little! So here is a little slideshow... way to many pics to just share! Enjoy!

Rarely do I get a picture

2007-12-23T20:16:00.001-08:00

of Jason because everytime I do he usually turns his head and hates for me to take his picture. But last night I snapped this one! LOVE IT!

Busy, Busy, Busy

2007-12-23T19:58:00.001-08:00

Lindsey, Zach, Angie, & Jeff

Great Aunt Angie teaching Carson how to race his car she got him on the floor!
JJ

Brother and sister! Awww
Carson and "his" Lindsey
Lindsey tossing Carson in the air... you can tell by his expression that he LOVED it!
Carson getting tortured by his cousins they were all tickling him and blowing strawberries on his tummy!

This was taken Friday night, Jason brought home one of those Pac-Man games when he went shopping... well Carson decided that he LOVES it! Here he is in his room pimped out in his Elmo Chair playing pac-man! Hmmm reminds me of someone!!!?? His dad!

Lindsey and I... a little TOO close up!

Warning: Photo Overload

I have lots of pics to share from the weekend... so many that I think I will turn this into 2 different posts. Yesterday, we started our day off at my grandparents house for our Christmas with them. It was very small this year, because 1/2 of my family is living in Florida or visiting Florida. But it was fun anyway! Carson really enjoyed all the toys and Kenedey got some Nintendo DS games... which she cannot play yet until Santa brings her a DS! She also got the Hannah Montana CD from my aunt Angie and fam and inside the CD it had some polaroid looking photos that were signed. Obviously they were just prints... but to Kenedey she was pretty darn sure that Mylie Cyrus herself signed those ones. I didn't crush her thoughts! I guess she could have signed them! I thought it was pretty cute. She told me in the car last night that she wants to grow up and be just like Hannah Montana/Mylie Cyrus. She asked me if I thought she sings good and if I thought she had a good chance at "making it". I told her of course I think you can do anything you put your mind to! So watch out world Kenedey is on a mission! Any of you know anyone in Hollywood?!

Carson is pretty worn out today from all the fun he had yesterday. He would open one gift and then not want to open more. He wanted to play with each one as he opened it. I have a feeling that he might be opening gifts all day on Christmas day! Could take that long if he has to play with each one indivually.

On Friday night we had game night with our neighbors and played Blokus. I was trying to keep Carson occupied and I started to sing: The Wheels on the bus go round and round. Well come to find out... Carson knows that song VERY well! I had no idea, I had never sang it for him at all. Apparently at daycare, they sing it often so he knows all the moves and when you say TOWN... he puts his hands to his mouth and shouts... TOOOOWNNNN. Cutest thing ever!

Whole lotta nothin

2007-12-19T19:51:00.000-08:00

Well, I have been a slacker poster again! I am trying to make it to bed earlier than usual, with the holidays upon us, I am busier than busy gets. Lots of parties, and the like. But I love Christmas! Not complaining at all, just busy.

We had our work Christmas party today. It was actually pretty nice. I enjoyed it. As i've said a million and a half times, I don't really like some of the people I work with, we just tolerate each other... that's a shame isn't it? I sat with some girls from our other offices. They are not strangers at all, but just don't get the privlidge of working with them every day rather than the girls I have to be with everyday. Just one question... why do people have to talk about other people all the time? I know im probably guilty just like the next person, but... why??? I am tired of people being hurtful for no aparent reason.

On a lighter note. Kenedey has 2 more days of school and then she is on break. I think she needs it. She seemed a little worn out tonight. We have 9 days until we leave for FLORIDA!!! I cannot wait!!!! It is a MUCH needed break! This is going to be a GREAT Christmas.

I had an xray taken of my foot today. My heel has been really hurting me for awhile. Well, I finally figured out why. I have a heel spur. There isn't a whole lot that can be done about it... I did go to CVS tonight because I was out of contact lens solution and I found these inserts for my shoes called heel halos. I have been wearing in in my shoe since I got home... not a big difference... I guess we will see. I think I have pretty high pain tolerance, but ugh it's really painful.

I did finally get most of my Christmas shopping done. I had the hardest time with Carson's gifts. He doesn't really play with any one certain thing that he's really into. It's the darn little people bus most of the time, so I ended up just getting some random things that hopefully he will enjoy. I did get him a work/toolbench that lights up and plays music and all that fun stuff. That one I do think he will really like. A few other random toys and then lots of clothes. Since he doesn't really care about anything but the box it should be just fine! He has suddenly grown out of a lot of his pants. They are all short now and he probably only has like 4 or 5 pairs of pants that look nice and fit well. So that's why... the clothes!

We have 2 family Christmas's on Sat and then Sunday nothing which will be nice. I am hoping Jason's dad will make it up here for Christmas. Other than that we have about the whole family covered.

Well, that's enough randomness for tonight! Sometimes this blog is just good for venting!