Eggnog?!?! WHAT??

So, I was just at the grocery store... picking up a few things...and I saw it. It's October 31st...I know it's the last day of the month but c'mon....already? As I walked down the isles I noticed...Halloween stuff marked down...barely any thanksgiving stuff....and WHAT IS THAT??? Christmas? Seriously! I heard the Christmas music playing throughout the store...aren't we rushing this a bit?

I noticed all the baking stuff being displayed in the middle of the isle.... and then I saw it.... EGGNOG. Yup...Eggnog. And not just one kind....3 different varieties.... Regular, Light (c'mon...if you're going to have eggnog...make it the real stuff!!!!), Cinnamon, and Caramel Apple. Interesting....

I also noticed some mulling spice. Yea... I don't think everyone knows what that is but can I just tell you...it's yummy!!! My parents took the kids up to Oak Glen last weekend while Steve and I were enjoying our peace and quiet... and they brought us back some fabulous Apple Cider from the apple farm. I can't wait to warm it up and add the mulling spice... =)

Oh and .... I bought some eggnog too! =) I like to add it to my favorite Chai and it is such a heavenly drink! I'm glad it only comes around for a short while because if I had access to it all the time...I might be a little rounder than I already am! =) As soon as we get the eggnog at work...we're screwed! It is quite possibly the most popular drink of holiday's! You should try an Eggnog Chai. I'm going to go make one right now...you'll just have to wait until Starbucks gets the eggnog in...or... I can tell you how I make mine at home! =)

Don't all rush out and buy eggnog now....it'll be around for at least 2 more months.... =) Lucky me!

My brother had a picture published!

Ok, sorry.... I'm just SUPER PROUD of my brother. I know I brag about his pictures and stuff but seriously..... he just took some pictures for a law firm (their lawyers, offices etc...marketing stuff) and they used on of his pictures in a magazine! Check out my brothers page to see it.... click HERE

Yeah Jake!!!!

A week? Already?

Um... sorry for not posting for a week. Time sure does go by fast.
My excuses - I mean reasons for not posting are as follows....

I had 13 loads of laundry. No...I'm not joking.

I had to pack suitcases for 4 kids, myself, and a husband that needed 2 weeks worth of clothes.

I had to play with my new dogs.

I had school work.

It was our 10 year Anniversary on Saturday and we hid at my parents cabin for the weekend.

Steve left for a business trip (2 freakin weeks!).

Came back from our weekend and um...I'm tired.

Do I really need to say more?!?! =)

So, it's true. It's been 10 years. Steve and I can't believe it.

We purposely ran into our college roommates (they married each other) this weekend and we visited with them for a bit. We were driving up to my parents cabin and they live up in the mountain community. So, as we drove by Steve says..."If their light is on...we're stopping!" **sorry Ryan and Jaime!** They were gracious enough to visit with us unexpectedly. =) Jaime was my roommate my sophomore year and she had lived next door to me our freshman year. Ryan was Steve's roommate in the...um...1 year that Steve was actually in school.... =) We used to hang out a lot so it was nice to visit with them.

They live up near my parents cabin so it was nice to see them. One of their daughters is Annabelle's age and the other is just a sweet, happy 10 mo. old baby. It was fun because they were having their littlest one dedicated on Sunday and all of their family was going to be there. We went to their church for the dedication and were able to visit with their families.

Steve had a wonderful guidance counselor at college and he truly respected and loved her....well, she was the aunt of my roommate, Jaime, so she was there at the church. It has been about 10 years since we've seen her (at our wedding I'm sure) and Steve was stoked to see her. They are just a great family.

Anyway, Jaime's mom and aunt were reminiscing about our wedding and we just laughed because it rained on our wedding day but they remember it as a "wonderful, sweet mist" !!! lol I love it! I just remember it as RAIN! =)

So 10 years later and 4 kids later....we are still together. =)

The cabin was wonderful. The weather was great and we walked around the Arrowhead Village for the day. We actually shopped and Steve got me an adorable dress and some new shoes! =) Yeah! It was strange that we didn't have the kids... but it was nice to be able to relax. We spent a couple of hours with Ryan and Jaime and the girls. Their littlest one had surgery this past Monday for a cleft palate. She is so little...it's hard to imagine such a little one having to deal with something so horrible as surgery. But she is a trooper because she has already dealt with a feeding tube and other medical things. Keep her in your prayers.

I guess that's about it for this week. I am not working for the next 2 weeks because of Steve being gone so that is kind of a bummer. I stopped in there yesterday and they were busy.... I miss it already!

Oh... it is Parent Teacher Conferences this week at the kids' school. I met with Hailey's teacher today. She has a wonderful teacher who is just the sweetest thing. Hailey is doing well...which is great. Tomorrow I'll be talking with Jeremiah's teacher. We love her too....so it's a good year! =)

It's Wed....

So Jeremiah ripped open his birthday bag so quickly...that I missed it. Sorry, no pics. He was stoked to get 2 Spidey t-shirts and a couple of DVD's along with...candy. =)

Anyway, Steve and I will be celebrating 10 years on Saturday! Can you believe it's been 10 years? We joke that it feels more like 25! =) lol But truth be told...it's gone by pretty fast. He wasn't going to be in town originally because of a business trip but that got delayed so we're heading to my parents cabin. =) Yeah for us!!!! =) It will be a nice time to just get away. It's been so busy the last few weeks that we talk more on the phone than we do face to face. Do you ever have weeks like that? Whew! We do!

I don't work at all this next week. I have NO IDEA what I am going to do with my free time. Maybe I'll get my haircut. I'm totally embarrassed to say....I think it's been about 3 years since I've had my haircut. I'm not joking! My sister trimmed a bit last summer, in my mom's kitchen...yeah...so NOT a salon!!! =) But honestly it's just not high on my priority list. Especially when you consider how much money a salon can cost you.... I can fill up my SUV for what it would cost me... Steve just says...'Go to Super Cuts' ... um.... no. They SCREWED up my son's hair....so they won't be touching mine. Anyone near me know of a great hairdresser?

Whatever happened to the old barter system? You know....I'll cut your hair if you watch my kids for an evening? Or back in the day it would've been .... I'll trade you chicken eggs for some milk? Do know what I mean? Things have just gotten so expensive and so impersonal.

Remember when people used to actually know their neighbors? Yeah...we met 1 neighbor on the day we moved in. Haven't seen them since. We met another neighbor because the boys' ball was found in their yard! (that was a meeting that I don't wish to repeat!) oh and the finally neighbor we met... the couple next door...because their turtle had dug into our yard and was trying to hibernate. Wait...we met him twice....because the turtle got out twice... That's it. We live on a cul de sac and there are about 12 houses on our street. Now, I bet you're thinking..."why haven't you gone out to meet them?" Good question. My answer... lazy I guess. Partly, I know that we won't be here for a long time (maybe a year) and the last time we moved (from AZ to CA) the kids had to leave some pretty good friends. Fear. That's a good one. Fear of what they might think of me and our family. I know that our one neighbor is not keen on 4 kids living next door.... I guess it's just easier to drive into my garage and close the garage door than it is to actually get out and be vulnerable. I'm I preaching to the choir or does anyone else feel that way? It's really a shame. So, I was thinking... Hailey really wants to have a Christmas cookie party before their winter break.... So I thought of doing a huge open house cookie/coffee/hot chocolate party. If I just knock on the door and invite them....maybe they'll come. Maybe our neighbors don't know each other at all...and it would just take us getting everyone together for us to actually meet each other.

I'm going to do it. Whether I feel like it or not, I'm going to be social. =) Wanna come to my cookie party??!?!?!!? =)

Ok...sorry for the rabbit trail. I don't know where my thoughts were today. I have to go and do some homework now. Did I mention that I made the DEANS LIST again!!!!! Whooo Hoooo!!! That is 3 times in a row! I'm pretty excited. Ok...really... I have to go... =) Enjoy your Wed.

It's been a busy weekend and it's not even over yet!!!!!

I just had to post this picture of Annabelle.... She has such a sweet smile.... It's contagious isn't it?!?!?! Ok, now to the reason of my posting...


Whew! I'm finally sitting down after hours on my feet and days of preparation. Last night we did Jeremiah's birthday party at our house and today we had the Fall Festival at the kids' school. The Festival went pretty well and I am now totally tired! I'm trying to blog this.... and I just lost it all!!! So, I'm starting over... my bed is calling to me so I'm going to try to make this fast!

We had Jeremiah's birthday party at our house last night. We rented a jump house and the kids were so excited! We were going to do his party on his birthday (19th) but Steve found out he needed to go on a business trip and he was sched. to leave that day... so... We literally threw it together for Friday after school. I felt like a bad mome because the invitations were such late notices... I just prayed that a few kids would come. On Monday when he got home from school he had an invitation in his bag from another kid in his class who was having a party on Sunday. Good thing we didn't do it on that day! =)

Whew! Anyway, here are a few pics from the party. Oh... the first 2 guests (out of 3 guests) that showed up....were GIRLS!!!!! The last guest was a boy...so that was cool. Jeremiah was funny though because he kept showing off and acting like a clown! I think that he has a crush on one of the girls....and I think the feeling is mutual! =) So cute! I know it won't be cute for very much longer...lol! But it's cute now. She is a cutie!!!


Oh! Jeremiah's birthday present was a bike! He was so excited that he started hugging the bike! =) He is still looking forward to putting out his birthday bag tonight. It will be full of goodies and I'll post pictures of that later...=)

So, since I'm the head room mom for Jeremiah's class, I was responsible for putting together our booth for the Fall Festival. I didn't have too many parent volunteers so a lot of it was on my own. Set up, decoration, running the booth, etc... I did have some parents help out running it and Hailey was a huge help! Our booth was the Missile Launch and the theme was military. I raided Steve's side of the closet and grabbed a bunch of his camo gear. We had a camo tarp that I hung up on the back of the EZ UP and it looked great! My camera is not working so well...so just bare with me on the pictures. I think that you can see the booth ok. That is Jeremiah's teacher in the picture...but not Jeremiah...I didn't get a good one of him...sorry



William was able to throw a ball and have a police man "clock" him! He threw 20 miles an hour!!! Go Will!!!! He was so proud of himself. Bella had a great time too...she loved her candy bracelet!

And here are a few extra pics of the newest addition to our family...=) aren't they cute!!!! FAT but Cute!!!!

I love you...a sweet story...

After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another
woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, 'I love you, but I know this
other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.

* * *

The other woman my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who
has been alone for 20 years, but the demands of my work and my two boys had
made it possible to visit her only occasionally.

* * *

That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.

* * *

'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she asked?

* * *

My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a
surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.

* * *

'I thought it would be pleasant to spend some time with you, I
responded. Just the two of us.' She thought about it for a
moment, and then said, 'I would like that very much.'

* * *

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a
bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too,
seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door. She had
curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn
to celebrate her last birthday on November 19th.

* * *

She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. 'I
told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were
impressed,' she said, as she got into that new white van.
They can't wait to hear about our date.

* * *

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very
nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady.
After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read
large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom
sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips.
It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small, she said.
'Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor,' I responded.

* * *

During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation- -nothing
extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's
life. We talked so much that we missed the movie.
As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with
you again, but only if you let me invite you.' I agreed.

* * *

'How was your dinner date?' asked my wife when I got home.
'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered.

* * *

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It
happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything
for her.

* * *

Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a
restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined An
attached note said: I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I
could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and
the other for your wife.You will never know what that night meant for me.
I love you, son.

* * *

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: 'I LOVE
YOU' and to give our loved ones the time they deserve. Nothing in life is
more important than your family. Give them the time they
deserve, because these things cannot be put off till 'some other time.'

* * *

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal
after you've had a baby.... somebody doesn't know that once you're a
mother, 'normal' is history.

* * *

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct .
Somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.

* * *

Somebody said being a mother is boring .... somebody never rode
in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit. Somebody said if
you're a 'good' mother your child will 'turn out good'.... somebody thinks
a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

* * *

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother....
somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.

* * *

Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you
love the first ... somebody doesn't have two children.

* * *

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and
delivery....somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus for
the first day of Kindergarten .. or on a plane headed for military boot
camp.

* * *

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets
married .... somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or
daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.

* * *

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves
home .... somebody never had grandchildren.

* * *

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need
to tell her.... somebody isn't a mother.

* * *

Pass this along to all the 'mothers' in your life and to
everyone who ever had a mother. This isn't just about being a mother;
it's about appreciating the people in your life while you have them....no
matter who that person is.

Update because it's been TOO long!

Ok...so I've been distracted...or lazy...or busy...or tired...or whatever! I haven't blogged lately. Last week was crazy and this weekend was busy and all of a sudden I look up and it's Tuesday already. Every have one of those weeks? Months?!?!



Ok so here is the low down....are you comfy in your chair?

Last Saturday we took the kids to Home Depot because they have a kids craft time. It was funny to see the kids using hammers and making a truck. =) They LOVED it!






Last weekend my wonderful sister got us an audition for Family Feud so we drove to Hollywood on Tuesday night. I met my sister early but it wasn't early enough because, as they say.... time flies when you're having fun! We hung out for a bit at the shopping area at Hollywood and Highland. It was pretty fun. Rachel just laughed at me because we went into Sephoria and I just stood there like an idiot! Me...in a make-up store! Um...yeah...not my area of expertise! =) She chuckled because she said I looked like I felt out of place...um YEAH! I laughed because I think I realized that I use my kids as a security blanket. When it's just me, I have no idea what to do with myself. I'm used to having someone else to take care of... it's weird to be alone...in a store...with my sister and no kids! =)


If you look really hard you can see the Hollywood sign! =) I was acting like such a tourist...it was funny!

I had to take some goofy pics for my kids...a star on the walk of fame...the only person they really know (at least in the area I was in...) George Lopez. They know him from Shark Boy and Lava Girl =)
And of course....Sponge Bob....sorta! lol =)

So here is a picture of the El Capitan theatre. They were having a Disney Movie premier while we were there but I didn't see anyone exciting!





Ok...so they're not great pictures...

After we had some dinner we went over to the studio for the audition. There were 22 families there so we had to wait quite a bit. As it goes....we were one of the last groups to go! Figures! Oh well... we had so much fun though! We played a "game" and it was funny to hear the answers that people come up with. They told everyone that if they get chosen that a postcard will come in the mail. So far...no postcard BUT they did say it would be a couple of weeks so we're still hopeful! =)

So I left Hollywood and got home at about 11:30pm then had to be up to go to work at 3:30am! Yeah...I was a zombie! =) I had to go to Bible Study right after work so I was really a zombie in the afternoon. Man, I was tired.

So that was that.

Sunday was my birthday. I am finally 30!!! Yes, 30. Many people tell me that I look like I'm 18 ... until I tell them that I have 4 kids...then I get the weird looks. =)

Anyway, Steve tried so hard to surprise me with something. But I know him too well. He called me Nancy Drew! =) lol
So funny. I told him I was going to clean the play room on Saturday because it was getting out of hand. That's what happens when you have 4 kids and tons of toys! =)
So I came home from work on Saturday and he was scrubbing the kitchen floor...um...not normal. I had to go grab something from the grocery store for dinner and when I came back...he was vacuuming. Ok...somethings up. Then he tells me..."Get goin on the playroom!" LOL!!! I knew it! So I asked him..."OK! Who's coming over?!?!?!" He just got a smirk and said...I don't know what you're talking about! =) Anyway, my parents came out and my brother and sister in law. They stayed the night and we went to church on Sunday.
The funny thing is ... Hailey knew... and I said to here the I knew they were coming...she says to me that she can't wait to see me scream when they bring my present... hmmm... I thought to myself and I was pretty sure I knew what my present was...
They showed up at my door and this is what they brought with them...


















So HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!! =)

t

The kids had fun playing football in the back yard with Papa, Uncle Jake and Daddy. Fun in the back yard! =)

Family Feud here we come!

Whoo Hoo!!! My sister got us an audition for Family Feud! We are going on Tuesday to LA to audition and we are SO excited! I can't wait.

It will be my parents, sister and brother and of course me... =)

We are supposed to be "on our A game!" as the guy from Family Feud says... and I know that when the 5 of us get together we get very animated! We have a blast together playing games around my parents dining room table. So, this will be a fabulous time had by all!!!! =)

I will keep you posted on the outcome. It's a bit of a drive to LA and I have to work the next morning but it will all be worth it! Especially if we get on the show!

Cross your fingers....keep us in your prayers.... and I'll hopefully have good news for you! (and me!)

The Next Survivor Series....

Enjoy another funny story!

THE NEXT SURVIVOR SERIES

Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks.

Each kid will play two sports and either take music or dance classes.

There is no fast food.

Each man must take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, and complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money.

In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries each week.

Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time--no emailing.

Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment.

He must makeone unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the Urgent Care.

He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a social function.

Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside and keeping it presentable at all times.

The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.

The men must shave their legs,wear makeup daily, adorn himself with jewelry, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep fingernails polished and eyebrows groomed.

During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, back aches, and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties.

They must attend weekly school meetings, church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting.

They will need to read a book to the kids each night and in the morning, feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair by 7:00 am.

A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information: each child's birthday, height, weight, shoe size, clothes size and doctor's name.

Also the child's weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labour, each child's favorite color, middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear and what they want to be when they grow up.

The kids vote them off the island based on performance.

The last man wins only if...he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice. If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years eventually earning the right ... To be called Mother!