Adeu

Parley has a cough and with his marvelous gag reflex, he coughs until he pukes. It is a lot of fun. On the way home on Sunday night he was couging, then gagging, then puked... projectile...in between the front seats. Guess what got hit the most......my notebook (aka planner).

It was bad.

I let it dry and today I got to go through it with latex gloves on.

95% was unsavable.

Now I get to make a new notebook ( I installed pockets etc.)

Here are the things I was able to save:

Measurements for the windows in the new house.

Books to read list

List of organizing projects (I will be adding something to this list.)

Picture of dream quilt that I have had for a couple of years.

My inspiration page for my stairwell.

I am trying to forget the unsavable pages.

I know the 10 pages of Breastfeeding Resource Guide that I have been working on for a couple of months is on that list. sniff sniff

PS Christmas was wonderful and I will write about that soon. I got the tree down today and I am very glad about that, except for the sap in my hair, on the carpet, and covering my clothes.

NuTcRaCkEr

I was so excited when I saw the sign announcing a performance of the Nutcracker in Vernal!! And best of all, it was free. I talked Mike into us taking the whole family. He had never seen the Nutcracker (I know, I am shocked too!) and the kids hadn't either. So we got all dressed up (okay, the girls and I did, the boys just got church clothes on) and we bundled up and headed out. We got there early to get a good seat, and it started 20 min late, so we played in the hallway a lot until it started. Once it started the children were mezmerized. They watched it better than they have ever watched a movie. (I know, not saying much) Savannah kept asking where the Nutcracker was. She had to go potty but said that she didn't want to go until it was over. They were almost the only children there, and they did this mommy proud. It was the one hour condensed version...with no Mice...what is up with that? But it was perfect for four young children.

Katie L.O.V.E.D it, so she asked me to take her back last night on the final night. I decided to and invited the other children. Jeffrey and Savannah had spent the entire day downstairs building a fort...or something. They played so well together and Parley would venture down there and play for a little bit. I won't go down stairs because I know it is a mess, and I am not ready to deal with that. I heard that they took everything off the storage shelves and were playing that they were their beds. I am guessing that the stuff they took off wasn't placed nicely on the floor. We worked hard to finish the school books so we could take a break until Jan. It was worth the push because I was burnt out and now I am having a guilt free no school week. I am sure I will be sneaking something in.... the tyrant I am. Oh, so the Nutcracker...We went and it was PACKED with a million crying kids. We obviously picked a good night to go with the whole family. Katie still loved it, and I got to see the Nutcracker this year. Nothing like that to put you in the Christmas mood. I have loved the Christmas season this year. I will be sad when it is over. The kids have re arranged the tree a million times, and the snow has lost its novelty, but singing and listening to Christmas music, the secrets and the wrapping and making of gifts, the plates of goodies, I love it all this year. We aren't doing much in way of presents, but each of the kids made something for each other, and that was fun. The kids aren't even talking about what they want, or what they are going to get, they have left the presents under the tree alone, it really isn't about the gifts this year...how nice is that! We went to the grocery store on Sat and santa was there and he waved me over when Katie told him what she wanted and he said "Do you want me to bring her a real puppy this year" I just laughed and said no. I am so glad we have chosen to tell the kids the truth from the get go so I don't have to worry about having to get them whatever they tell santa. A friend of mine searched all over for the thing her son told santa he wanted, she didn't even know what it was at first, but got it for him. Throw the tomatoes....but why train them to think that that is how life is? Ask for it and you will magically get it! (yes, I will step off my soap box now thankyouverymuch!)

ps I love it that it is telling me to capitalize santa...nope, I don't think so.

Dreams

Two nights ago I had a dream that mom and I found a baby. We couldn't figure out if it was real or a doll, so we decided to smell it. Sure enough, it had that wonderful baby smell, and we realized it was real. We were loving on it, and trying to share. I asked her who we should call and tell, and she told me to keep it. I was so excited! I told her...(I think this is profound) "Mommies don't appreciate new babies because they are so sleep deprived, but we can truly appreciate them." In my dream I kept thinking...I KNEW I would find a baby someday. So there to all of you who made fun of me for wanting someone to give me their baby when I was little.

Last night I had a dream that we were playing the volleyball championships and there kept being chairs on our court...do you think that means we are going to lose tonight?

If so, does that mean someone is going to give me their baby?

Scotland's Burning!!!

This morning Savannah woke up and said " Mommy aren't you glad that our house didn't burn all the way down and that the bear saved me" I told her the house wasn't on fire, and it was just her dream. About noon she was finally convinced that it might have really been a dream. So this afternoon she and Jeffrey decided to try their hand at burning down the house. They were putting pieces of paper on top of the woodstove. They were..."Cooking their dinner"

Expecting?

Yesterday Katie told me that she knew I was pregnant, and I asked her how she knew, she said because you look it. I told her I wasn't, she asked how I knew and I said "Mommies just know things like that." A Couple of hours later she told me that when I get sick in January then we will know she was right, I told her I wasn't getting sick in Jan. A while later she told me again that she really thought I was pregnant. I pointed to my stomach and said "This darlin' is from having four children. " Well, yesterday was day two of my first real period in over two years. (Last month I had a one day fluke, So when she told me for the fourth time in the same day, she got the period talk. I explained it all (seven year old version) and all she said was : "Ohhhhhh" She hasn't mentioned it today. I think she got it.

My hector protector

He goes on scary rides with the kids so I don't have to.....
He is building me a house....
He cuts down my Christmas tree and slays my dragons....

On Sunday I was glad that Mike was a plumber and still had all the tools to get the roots (there were so many they could equal the size of a basketball) out of the line without having to pay someone to come do it, especially on Sunday. Today I am grateful that he takes the responsibility to call the pumpers to come pump the septic tank because it is so full we can't flush the toilet. I am grateful he let me brush my teeth last night. I am grateful he budgets the money so I don't have to worry if we have the money to pay the pumper dude (we wouldn't have it I was still the budgeter. I am grateful that he doesn't have a long day at work so he can deal with them because he knows what he is talking about, and they won't try to blow smoke (I hope that is okay to say, we say it all the time, and I am not sure if it is appropriate). I am grateful that he is taking the kids so I can go to my volley ball Christmas party with out them today. He laughs at my jokes and thinks I am very funny (He didn't used to, I still laugh when i think about the times he has gotten mad at my jokes) I am grateful that he works so hard everyday and he is willing to make the sacrifices so that I can stay at home and nurture the children. He is the best...and he's all MINE!

Metaphor

So I received some inspiration last night at the 1am nursing session:

Having a baby and raising it is like eating a candy bar blindfolded. (I know amazing...about food)

My first two were like devouring a bite, and swollowing it before I even knew what it tasted like, I knew there would be more.

The third one I savored as much as I knew how and realized that it was good, and rare.

The fourth bite I really savored, I savored it even before I took the bite, ad with each instant, I savor it, notice every taste, texture, everything about it. Because I realize that it is really good, and really rare, and really fleeting. It might be my last bite...do we ever really know if it is? We have no idea where the end of the candy bar is, or if that was our last bite. Did we savor it enough? Are we grateful enough for the bite, there are so many who never get to taste it, but crave it. There are many who are about to take the bite, and it is gone. There are so many who take bites like my first two, we did it, but we didn't love it, or crave it, or savor it...then it was gone.

It still sounds okay to me, sometime the things I think of at 1am sound so wacky the next day. Do you like it?

What I want for Christmas.....

Someone to come organize all my recipes. I had this great idea about 6 months ago for a new system, and it is now a HUGE mess. I have a method I like, but it is not organized. Any suggestions or organization tips for recipes? I am opposed to the box because I have dumped them too many times (I am a clutz) And I don't like cookbooks, they are like CDs...I get them for one or two recipes, I don't like clutter, I like something I can lay on the counter to read the recipe, and I have very limited counter space, and I want it easy to find what I am looking for. Yes, I have thought about this a lot, no, of course am not picky!

Katie just informed me that she is going to be busy the morning of the 25th. I told her I would put it in my schedule.

boys

I LOVE boys!! Jeffrey redeemed himself from his dinner announcement of "I like tooting in the bathtub because it makes lots of bubbles"

Today my washer drain pipe was frozen.

This is what Jeffrey did with out being asked:

He unscrewed the trap to go under the house, found a flashlight, undid the extention cord, found a dead mouse under the house, took the mouse out to the garbage and hung the dustpan so I could Lysol it (I'll admit I was screaming the whole time, he was so calm...I think he thought it was funny I was screaming now that I think about it.), plugged in the cord and turned on the heater, put the trap back in place, brought in the night stand I have been repainting (scratched it all down the front, but I am forgiving him) took everything out of the old night stand, cleaned the kitchen, dinning room and living room so he could have the old night stand.

I am keeping him.

His older sister on the otherhand.........

Drooling....

So, I saw an ad for a new thrift store here in Vernal..I know, can you believe it! So I had Mike bring me today. #1 to watch the kids and #2 to drive me since the roads are still horrible. Oh, it was wonderful! It was a very inexpensive, clean thrift store. Katie had many finds, I found a skirt to go with my black leggings, Mr. P found a bat and ball he wouldn't let go of, for $1 I indulged him.. But the coolest thing was a bag of jewelery for $4. They are new earring, necklace sets. Way to expand my asseseries without breaking the bank! And there is a huge variety, some I would have never bought individually, but I'll wear since it it there. OOOooo, come dress up with me. Where shall we go!? Maybe to the thrift store...new merchandise every week. Here is the loot (MY PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS ARE AMAZING KNOW), the little tags have the earrings on them. These are my favorite earrings, I also have them in yellowish and purple. Delicious!

Gotta wash that grease right out of my hair

Parley is still teething...it is still snowing...and I am still in jammies. It is a dawning (okay, a little past dawn) of a new day and I am ready to get a grip. The first day was fun.....relaxing, letting the kids tare the house apart, eating whatever we could find (ie: Ice Cream) and spending hours in front of the tv and computer. The second day the laundry was piled, the house was really gross (you know when things stick to the bottom of your feet) but the baby was fussy still. I actually got some important stuff done on the computer. Now today my leg hairs are so long they hurt when they rub against my pants, we've eaten all the easy food, and the kids are fighting because they haven't been productive. I have a hot date tonight so I need to pull myself, and the house together. I think the teether will be going with us so the temple is out. Last night after I had laid him down for the 12th time, he woke up again and wouldn't go back to sleep. His nose was getting plugged, so he couldn't nurse. So if you are in bed with mom and you can't nurse...what do you do? He decided that he would try to lay on top of me, we had to be touching as much as possible. He couldn't get comfy, his feet kept hitting my legs, his knees in my bladder. His hands kept pinching all my softness.....and somehow, in holding him for two days I hadn't gotten the chance to clip those sharp little fingernails. At 1:30 sleep finally came, and lasted about a half hour. Then it was Daddy's turn...I think...I can't remember. I know he ended up nursing sometime, and woke at 7:15. Once I was nice and awake, he went back to sleep and is still sleeping. Last night Michael asked how long teething lasts, I think this is the worst case we have dealt with. I only have twothings I can work on on the computer today..a mix CD which I am thinking about assigning out to Molly and a list of all the pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and parenting books I have ever read...are you kidding me! I told Mike there is no way I could even remember them all. Maybe i'll do the top 25 in each category.

What the heck it wrong with this!? Why did the new background leave my old one on? I am going to have to fix this later. The kids are ready for breakfast.

Headache

I was fighting a headache all day Saturday and so by Sunday morning, it was splitting my head open. I got up and ready for church. Parley had been up most of the night so when we sat down, he was immediately clawing at me shirt. I took him and Bana to the mother's lounge. Pretty soon Mr. P was poopy and I was puking in the garbage can. I send Bana in for Mike and he took care of the garbage and the diaper, then took me home and took all the kids back to church with him. He taught my lesson for me. I got a good nap and woke up when they got home. I was sluggish all day, so that meant Mr. P was nursing all day. He continued that on all night because he was feverish and teething. I have a feeling today is going to be the same. Somedays I feel ready for him to be done, but then other days I love the instant soothing if he gets bumps and bruises from being an adventurous toddler, and our time to snuggle, and rest. I guess the hardest part is the constant night nursing. I am hoping to wean him from those soon. It is hard because Mike gets up so early that I hate to have him take Mr. P during the night. But if I am holding him all he can think about is nursing. Any volunteers to come help night wean the little guy?

Sewing

I have been on a crazy creative spree. It has been a long time. I don't think I have depression, but sometimes I look back over the past little while and I think.....Glad I snapped out of that! I have a couple of projects waiting to start until we are in the house...whenever that will be! But I finished a project that had been taking a while because I wanted it perfect. I am very pleased with the results, you will have to come to my house warming if you want to see it. Last week when Maryann was here we went to DI to see if they had any treasures. This is kinda embarassing, but I am going to say it, I left with three carts. I found these three little (sturdy ) chairs for the school room. They are now painted blue, purple, and pink. The kids each have a color, Mr. P doesn't have a chair yet. I also got a night stand/dresser for Mike's side of the bed. He has this ugly little shelf thing that I hate, and the kids get into his phone and papers, and crap, I mean important stuff he has on it. This one has drawers and looks almost fabulous. I need to finish the second coat of paint and new drawer handles. I think I will bore you with what else I found because I am still excited and Maryann is still laughing about the three carts. I got this AWESOME chair. It is a very sturdy can I say vintage chair with olive green covering on seat and back. Mike says it might be his new chair.It is so comfy. I was pretty impressed with my finds, it was fun too. Now I have to just wait to sell the house to pull my sewing machine out.

It's beginning to look a a lot like Christmas

Well, it is snowing this morning...I am glad I don't have anywhere to go. I do have a dresser/nightstand that i am painting that is still not done that I need to go get out of the snow. Parley is finally getting teeth 8 and 9 and one is a molar so he is feverish and laying on me. I think that it is a day to watch a ton of movies and make chicken noodle soup. So, I am not sure if I am done with Christmas or not. I went and get everyone socks and underwear (it was NEEDED) and that about did the budget in. We went into the mountains on Sat and got the best tree. It was really fun. We didn't put it up because someone was coming to look at the house. So we put it up yesterday. The kids loved it, and Mike realized that he needed to "let go" of his christmas light and tree obsession. They did a great job. We are tenitively planning on Idaho for Christamas, but neither Mike or I are in the mood to travel for a long time. We will see what happens. It is ultimatley his decision since it is his family, oh yeah, and because he is the head of the home (I sometimes think it is me, my bad) so I am guessing it will be a no. I am definately the more adventurous one.

Update

I don't know why I haven't been in the blogging mood. Katie came into our bed this morning at 6:30 wet, scared because she thought Jeffrey had left...where to, I don't know. So now I am up, and too lazy to start the day. I can't remember the last time she came in to our bed, and the past two weeks she has been wetting the bed again. I think Santa last night was the reason for being scared. She didn't sit on his lap, but she leaned against him with Mr. P in her arms. That is the closest she has been since she was a baby. Jeffrey said he wants a horse that poops for Christmas, Katie a puppy with not long hair and Savannah a candy cane. I think Bana will be the only happy person Christmas morning. I am ready for it to snow so I can get in the mood and get the remaining presents. I still have to do stockings. Michael's family has some really neat traditions for christmas, and I have always loved my families traditions, and we have found ways to incorporate them both. It makes for a very special holiday season. We have only put up one tree in the past four years. The children are old enough now and I am out of my scroogeness thata I am ready to celebrate. We are planning on going to Idaho for Christmas....but I really don't want to think about getting in the car again. Yesterday I was going to go to volleyball and them grocery shopping. I got all the kids in the car...started looking for the keys. They weren't on the key hook and I knew Mike had them from when we drove home. I gave him a call and sure enough they were in his pocket, and he was in Roosevelt. So much for leaving the house. Then last night when we left for the ward party, I realized that I really hadn't wanted to be in the car again so soon. I get a little traumatized with long drives, and being int he car. Since Maryann was with us, she sat in Katie's seat and Katie sat next to Jeffrey in the back. We remembered why we don't have them sitting next to each other in the car. Kansas was really wonderful. We got to do so many fun things, and just enjoy family. The Zoo was a highlight, the kids favorite part was the one orangatang sp? We went on a carasoul we drive through the lighted park. Liberty Jail and Independance Visitor Center. I can't get enough of those places. We went Sunday afternoon, and we were pretty much the only ones there. It was a nice way to go. I got a Ducati ride with Casey...he took me on the freeway...scary! We even hit two thrift stores and I got some books and.....an awesome wagon for Jeffrey for his birthday. We have been planning on getting him one for about 6 months, and it was so cool and such a good deal.....I made Mike make it fit with out Jeff finding out. We went to the parade at night. The weather was perfect, the kids were pretty good too. Topeka is such a neat town, the houses there got me in the Christmas mood. They are...Charming, I think that is the perfect word to describe them. Well, the kids must have heard the keys of the key board and are waking up nice and early. At least that means they will go to bed early.

On our trip home
Liberty Jail One of the few pictures to verify that I was on the trip too

Ice Cream time!
Oz country

Photos

Kansas

Our visit with Grandma Jo and Great Grandma Ray

This is us "working" on the house.

The Purchase....

I haven't been in the mood to blog...sorry. My purchase was 8 silver (on clearance rack) double hook over the door hooks. And this is why I bought them......my kids are much better at hooking up a towel rather than hanging up a towel. So I am going to put 4 on a nicely painted two by four and hang it on the wall in their bathroom. There they can hang up their personal towel (that saves me a lot of laundry) when they are done bathing. I am not sure if I am getting more lazy, or efficient...but I am finding a lot of ways to cut down on repetative cleaning , picking up ect...

A Special Purchase

Last night I bought something for the new house. I haven't bought anything for it, and try not to make plans or get my hopes up. But last night I saw something and knew I NEEDED it for the new house. I convinced Mike and we bought it! Okay, I was going to write what it was...but I want you to guess. Make you guess and write it int he comment box and i'll post a picture of my purchase in a couple of days.

no news is good news....

I have so many things that I want to post about...but time is rare these days. It is stormy and I want to stay cozy all day. The kids are enjoying a special treat right now...Sid the Science Kid.First of all here are a couple of pictures. My boys, and Bana with the darling hat her Aunties made for her..she loves it. They have started making these. Down at the Otter Creek Homestead things are going well. Mike and I picked out the texturing yesterday...we didn't know what we were doing. I still can't believe the sheet rock got hung in one day!! It made me realize how much faster it would go if we hired it out...and how much more expensive!! So...my tam rocked at volleyball last week,. I think that we finally found our groove and how to play together. It was AWESOME!! I got asked to teach a Truffle class for another ward in the stake. It is in Nov. I am so excited, it really is something I enjoy doing, but definately need an excuse to do it. Mike's boss came out to visit last week. It was the first time he has been out here in the almost three years Mike has worked here. Mike said it was really good having him here. They looked for a new building...hooray! He also told Mike about a training in Nov, so I think we will take a little couple time then. We are going to Kansas for Thanksgiving to visit the Gile Family. We are all REALLY excited for that. It has been a long time since we took the kids on a trip. As usual, it will be too short, but fun. Well, that is about it..gotta get my day started.

Finally!!

We let Bana decide when she was going to get her ears pierced. So the other day she asked if she could and I told her next time we went to Grammys. So Tuesday evening Norah, Maryann, Katie, Jeffrey, Bana and I went to Claire's. Bana picked out the....yep, purple earrings.

It hurt a little more than she expected, but in the end, she loves them. Everyday she tells me that all the girls in our family have their ears pierced.

Over the hill

Okay how about over the hill birthday being celebrated by going over a hill. Mount Killamejaro (I think I butchered the spelling) in 9 years.....who is in?

Organizing

I am organizing papers today. I found this that i had ripped out of a magazine...I loved it then and still love it.

My butt is big and round like the letter c

and ten thousand lunges have made it rounder but not smaller and that's just fine.

It's a space heater for my side of the bed it's my ambassador to those who walk behind me

It's a border collie that herds skinny women away from the best deals at clothing sales.

My butt is big and that's just fine and those who might scorn it are invited to kiss it.

Desire

I feel like being inspired......I want to be creative. I feel like I have been in the just get by mode for far too long.

All those boys are much too much

The Ray boys spent their yearly brother's reunion here helping on the house. It was fun to see them all. They are all very awesome men, that I am proud to say are my brother in laws and hubby. Whenever I saw them, they were laughing and smiling...like they knew a great joke. The kids loved seeing them, and Jeffrey went and worked all day with them. They are great workers. It makes me miss my Ray family that I don't seeing nearly enough.

the rest...

Oh, and the other reason I am so awesome...yesterday Katie puked and when she came out of the bathroom, she told me the lid was closed. So I got to clean up puke and let me tell you..IT WAS EVERYWHERE!! And, my bra broke, like completely died. I have not had a chance to go get one...so I am braless. Yep...AWESOME!!!

Awesomeness

Yes it is a word. I am so glad that I am so very awesome. This morning I decided that I wanted to finally try my hand at Manicotti (No this is not a cooking blog...I am just in a cooking mood) so I had homemade sauce cooking and Manicotti filling prepped before 8 am this morning. I was going good and strong, and then the realtor called and said someone wanted to see the house at 6:30..okay, then Savannah started shivering. Great, she got what Katie had. So about 1pm I was on a roll and the realtor called again and said another person wanted to come see it at 3:30...it is a blessing...pray it will sell soon. But then I went into overload. The children got watermelon for breakfast and lunch. They were in the car when I was mopping the floor. So we left the house at 3 and didn't get home until 7:30 tonight to finish making the manicotti. The house is clean, but I am a little off with a sick baby, and Mike's brothers coming tomorrow, and a whole day with nothing done as planned. Oh the joys of life.

Yummy

I have been craving root beer floats for a couple of days now. I am trying to talk myself out of making something delicious aka unhealthy. Mike has year end inventory due tonight, so he will be gone until the wee hours of the morning. It is too cold to go outside, and Katie is down with the flu, so we aren't going anywhere. Which all means...if I make something...I will eat the whole thing tonight. STAY AWAY FROM THE KITCHEN!

The leaning tower

So I made a quick run to Kmart this morning. Not because it was an emergency, but because it was another thing I wanted to cross off my list...church clothes for Parley. So instead of starting school, I loaded up the kids and headed to town. So as I was looking through the clothes, all the kids were around me, and they were doing great. Then all of a sudden I look at the rack next to me and it is tipping. It was no use to try to stop it,and there standing on the other side where my three darlings. Oh, it was bad. The rack was VERY FULL..two levels high of clearance clothes. When it fell, the clothes exploded. I tried to pick it up and there was no use..I couldn't figure it out. So I had to go get two workers, and they had to see the disaster. I made the kids help put all the clothes back on. I have never heard them be so quiet. They knew they had really blown it. I love it when life disciplines them so I don't have to. Needless to say, next time I know I am supposed to be doing school, I am going to do it. And Kmart won't going to be seeing us for a while. Hey, but I did fing church clothes for him!

Rice Balls

Okay, I am not turning this into a cooking blog, but as I was flipping through the cookbook I saw this great recipe to use the leftover rice in the fridge. I started making it and realized that it was an awesome vegetarian twist to meatballs (one egg added). They were so yummy. The kids and I had them for lunch with marinara sauce.

Italian Rice Balls:

It calls for two cups uncooked rice, I used 3 cups of cooked and heated it really fast.

1 egg

2 cups cheddar cheese

1 cup seasoned bread crumbs

1/3 cup parsley.

Stir it all together, shape into balls. I used my ice cream scoop. Roll the balls in extra bread crumbs. Deep fry for 5 minutes.

Yummy!

Vegetarian

Last night as we were eating Sweedish Meatballs over rice, the kids asked if I liked eating that when I was little. I told them that I didn't eat meat until I was about 9 and that I remembered the first time I ate meat. They thought it was so weird. But the thing is...I have been thinking about only cooking vegetarian. Over the span of our married life, we have become much healthier eaters. We were in rebellion when we first got married or something. I don't even want to think about what we ate then...heart attack! But this summer I got lazy and ate really crappy, and it makes me want drastic change. We are great at fresh fruit and veggies, but I really struggle in the legumes department. I really can't make them exciting. I can do rice, and I have been doing a white and brown mix to slowly make the change. But what about lentils...seriously.....what do I do with them? Mike has become so much better about eating whatever I make, but he won't touch pea soup. So what are some ideas? I have been in a lazy rutt I have been buying bread for about a month and a half.....I really want a good bread mixer...I keep wishing. I also have a erally hard time with baked potatoes...I think I ate wayyy too many growing up. So any suggestions?

Bless their hearts...and hands

I wrote this on FB but thought I had better mention it here too so you all can remind them about it ina few years and we will be able to laugh. The kids just came in and said "mom! come see what we found!" I looked and their hands were full of bones, not the white bleached kind. Appearantly they found the missing cat (yep, the skull bone included). Can I just throw up? I know we have talked about touching dead animals. Is boiling water and soap enough? Should I douse them with bleach? Honestly.....

Life as I know it

Today I got to do Sharing time. I really believe in child interaction, but wow, it sure makes things more..um what is the word.....EXCITING!! It was fun, but by the end...I just want to yell "Get away from me, don't touch me or ask me for anything, no you can't take everything of mine home with you, yes you can have one cookie, no only one cookie, quit touching my boob I can hear you, no you can't take all the leftover cookies home, be quiet and sit down!" But instead, I say "Okay, that is the end" I haven't had much patience lately anyways. Well, I never have patience, but it has been worse lately. I think that it is a mixture of Football season starting and always hearing it in the background, , my 14 month old nursing ALL NIGHT LONG, living half packed/ half strewn around, Mike working 60 hours a week at his job, then all the other spare time at the house working..bla, bla, bla I don't like it when people use FB to complain, so I will use my blog. Thank you I am done. So...sharing time went well, and I got asked to do singing time next week. I am really excited. I told the kiddos and they asked if we could sing Mama Mia...I said no, they have to be church songs. They have probably been wondering why there isn't much variety at singing time. I may just do Mama Mia and Taylor Swift singing time, my kids would know all the songs. Katie is great a t words, but the volume...it's a little on the yelling side. She just loves to sing and belts it out. What a sweetheart. I think that she gets looks in Primary. I hate correcting people, but I talked to the Primary Pres today about all the adults talking all through primary. I've tried to not let it bother me, kept telling myself it wasn't my problem. Then today it became my problem when I was doing Sharing Time and I couldn't hear the kids two feet in front of me because of the adults in the back talking. I hate confrontation, but it really needed to be addressed because it doesn't help the kids be reverent at all. So those who don't already hate me, can hate me now. There, there is my other vent. I really was going to write something interesting on here, I just can't think of it know, and obviously need to vent. School is going good. Katie was teaching Bana math the other day. It was so cute to see her explaining in the same tone that I am sure that I use "Okay..if I have two bears and add another one...let's count, how many bears do we have now?" Jeffrey's handwriting is so much better than Katie's. The boxes for answers were a mare suggestion of where on the page the answer should be. Jeff never writes outside the box, and he will erases his mistake, Katie just draws over and over it. I have learned a couple of tips for teaching handwriting, but I do wonder if right or left handed has anything to do with it. Bana is left handed and Parley seems to be right , though it is a little early to tell. So that has been something different this year is teaching a righty, there is a difference. Parley just eats the makers, pencils (both ends) and the tips of pens for his school. We have ink everywhere, not tips on markers, no erasers, and keep having to sharpen pencils. If it weren't so darn annoying, it would be so funny. Well, there you have it.... Life with the crazies.

..all in a family

Okay so here is another one of a Ray wanna be....

Man I love this kid!

Jeffrey made refreshments for FHE tonight. He made these "Cowboy Cookies" all by himself. I was really impressed.

Plus one...

Jayden really want sot be part of our family...I don't know why I think this is so hillarious, but I do!

...speechless

I think that I may have experianced the best summer of my life. I love summer, and I have had quite a few amazing ones. Okay, this was the best summer I have had since I got married...yep..the best. I loved EVERYTHING about it. I think that I might actually be ready for Fall. Not that I like the cold, but fell like I have enjoyed every second of summer and that it didn't slip past me. I am not sure how to sum it up. My only regret is that I spent a lot of time sitting at the beach..eating, sitting at the park...eating, sitting in the car...eating, yeah you get the picture. SOMEONE needs to get her buns a walkin'. I am going to be on a volley ball team for the city, that is motivating me to get walking...tomorrow. Now down to homeschool, La Leche League, selling a house, and building a house. Those are my main focus right now. Oh, and definatley plan something fun for my birthday. Now that I am 30, I can like b-days again. My primary kids want me to have a party with them....I haden't really planned on inviting them..........they are so funny. Two days till our 9th anniversary, that leaves me speechless too.

pat, pat..on my shoulder

I am so proud of myself! I fixed the rattling in the van that has been rattling for about 6 months. I won't tell you how I fixed it, but it included duct tape. Also, I fixed the blinker. It is not my are of expertise, but Mike has no time at all for anything, so I thought I had better do it myself. However, I am finding that the state of the house is a direct reflection of how school is going. Good school day, tornado house...bad school day...clean house. First week of school...my house is a disaster at the end of each day....but school is going AWESOME!!

..is this okay?

I don't always know what is best for my children, but I do always try to be starightforward and honest with them. So when our friends lost their baby, the kids knew and went to the viewing. Of course death is one of those events where they ask a lot of questions and talk about it alot. After the funeral, the kids found a wooden box of mine and kept taking it and calling it a casket, so after a couple of days, I hid the box. Well, today Katie's babies' head fell off. The kids are outside having a funeral and burrying it. I am not sure if I should let them......

Squish, splat....

We got back at 12:30 this morning from SLC. We had so much fun at Lagoon. We stopped at Starvation and slept for about a half hour because Mike was so tired. I have a definate Lagoon/ too many late nights with the sistas hangover. We left on Friday at about 2:30 and ended up in Woods Cross at 10:00....yes we took the very long way. Mike had to deliver water to Manilla so we left from there, through Wyoming. I don't think we will be doing that any time too soon again. We have wanted to see that way, but they kids were done long before the trip was over. We got to the hotel, to find no reservations, after a few phone calls, we realized we were at the wrong hotel. At least the right one was close. We brought a movie and popcore, but there wasn't a microwave or a DVD player. So we jumped on the beds and went to sleep. We got to Lagoon when it opened and played. We met up with Spancer and George and their families at lunch time and spent the rest of the day with them. It was a lot of fun. The kids loved seeing their cousins. Katie and Preston got a long great until the point of telling them to back off a little. They were giving piggy back rides and all over eachother. So funny. I took the oldest 4 and we did big kids rides for a while. That was a lot of fun. Katie couldn't get enough of the roller coaster, crazy girl. At one point we were all standing around talking about where to go next and I looked down and there was a tube on the ground that looked like a travel size tube of toothpaster. George was rolling his stroller over it and ech time a little squirted out. I asked him if it was his, and he saw what he was doing. He walked over and suddeny stomped on it BANG!! SPLAT!! Everyone looked and there it was... a HUGE splat on Crystal's capris. We were dying laughing. Mike asked him if he was aiming for him, and George said he never even though of where it would land. Oh so funny! I start laughing whenever I think about it. I better go help the kids get along. I think eveyone is just worn out and tired. Too much partying?...... Maybe.

...gone

Well, they all are offically out of Vernal. I haven't cried, but I won't let myself think about it. It was a slow painful goodbye with Sunday Tuesday and Friday saying goodbye. I didn't have enough time with anybody, and I miss them all.

I like to PaRtY!!!

Okay, so I am just a little tired! Have I played too hard? Yep, I think so. Am I done playing....NOPE. I have loved seeing my sisters and their families and playing with everyone. I feel like we have missed out on the late night talks, but other than that, it has been soo good and fun. This weekend we are going to Lagoon.....bing, bang, BOOM...then school will start on Monday. I was hoping to be in the new house by the time it started, but it is far from finished so I can't put it off acoule of weeks, might as well start and only have some of the books and supplied not packed up, than wait for an undetermined date. So we will play for the rest of this week. Em and her cuties went home at 11:30 last night after we saw Julie and Julia. I am missing them.

Cheese!

It is finally there...the picture that Jeffrey and Katie sent into the friend magazine, finally got published in the friends in the news. I heard about it from Mike's cousin's wife, we haven't received the friend yet. So I randown to the distribution center and got two copies and let the kids find their picture. The looks on their faces were priceless. They are disappointed that it says they are 5 and 3, but they are still excited.

Baker's man....Bake me a cake....

With the help of Betty, Michael made his first cake today. He was in the chocolate mood, chocolate frosting and all. Usually I do the Sunday baking...maybe we are starting a new tradition.

First Words

Oh, so besides everyone's name except for mine, Parley has a new word. Actually it is two words. "I Done" He repeats it after Bana yells it from the bathroom. For some reason I think it is so hillarious. When he is done at the table, he does the sign language, so this is only a repeat from the bathroom. I think I need to teach someone how to wipe. hahah

Home again

I have been wanting to blog about our trip to the big city, but it has taken a long time to re-group, I have lost my motivation. But it was a wonderful trip. We got to go to Welfare Square and the Humanitarian Center with Grandma Ray. They were both really neat places. We went to the cemetary where Great Grandpa and Grandma Ray are buried. The kids had fun gathering old pots and flowers that were inthe ditches and putting them on their graves. I thought it was so funny that I let then do it. We went to Temple Square with Shana. We were sad that the Church Office Building was closed on Saturday so we couldn't go to the top. We even got to sleep in the tent at George and Sharon's. We are very glad that we do not live in the city.On Monday we got to go to Utah Lake on the sail boat. There wasn't much wind, so Maryann, Abby, the kids and I got in and swam around. I think they could have done that all day. Parley had to get in too. On Tuesday I went to my first La Leche League Meeting, it was in Park City. It was good, I am glad that I am learning so much. Then we headed home. The kids were SO good, and I listened to a book on CD, that is rare. We did get a chance to go fishing this week with Savannah's new fishing pole that she won at Alive after Five. Thankfully we didn't catch anything. I tookt he kids to the fair to see the entries and go to the children's barn thing. It was fun. All is well and uneventful. We are getting ready for the Carter adn Gile families, and then school. I think that emotionally, mentally and physically I am finally ready to start again. But it seriously took ALL summer to get to that point. I hope that this school year goes well. I have a motivation system I am ready to start, I hope it works. I hope all had a great summer, and are doing well.

..i can do it...i can do it...i can do it...

I really like to think that I can multi task, but I am a seeing a pettern of everything falling apart when I make an attempt at it. So since we are seeing family this weekend and actually getting out of the Basin (first time since May) I figured I had better get the hair thing under control. So I cleaned up Mr. P's hair cut that was horrible since I cut it hmm..two weeks ago. I think it wasn't so much me as he was crying and moving. So I got it all cleaned up, Jeff's a little trimmed, and decided that while Mr. P was inthe bath, i could dye my hair. I have been debating on it. I kinda want to do blond highlights, but don't have time to upkeep it. And I am a little tired of the same color I have been doing for over ayear. However, the greys really needed something. So I got it all ready, got Mr. P in the bath, got it in and the shower cap on, got him out, got myself in the shower, and realized that it really hadn't bee3n long enough, then katie said someone was here. Okay, yes we do have the rule no going outside or answering the door or phone when I am in the shower. The phone thing they usually don't obey, but we haven't had a problem with the other two. Until today. I turned off the water, dye streaming down my body, trying to find out if everyone is inside and if the door is locked. So I am a little distracted by this time, get it all washed out, okay, most of it. Come to find out, the kids were outside. Katie said she was trying to get everyone inside...they were in when I got in the shower. But they had a total conversation with the lady who was here, gave her our phone number and everything. I have no idea who it was. Yes, they did tell her I was inthe shower at 4pm in the afternoon. So guess what we got to talk about yet again...yep... Do not answer the door, do not go outside, do not answer the phone while I am in the shower, or asleep. We added this one because this morning I was having morning devotional and it was all quiet, suddenly I heard the back sliding door open and close. I was freaked out, and here comes Jeff around the corner. I asked him where he had been "Oh, i was outside. Watching the tractors, playing with my dog, and running around the house" "When did you go outside?" "About an hour ago" "Did you go out the door or out your window?" (I know I am smart) "Out my window" Yes, we have also talked about leaving through the window. I can't say we have talked about wandering outside before mom is up. No wonder I have greys that I need to cover.

Beep...beep...beep...beep....

Mike woke me up at 8:15...we never heard the alarm. You know when you are trying to hurry and it seems like everything is in slow motion, that is how it was. Luckily the kids were all showered and clothes out from the night before. Somehow we made it to church in time. It was one of the best Sundays in a long time. I loved the testimonies. As I was sitting in Sharing time, a counselor in the bishopric called me out, and I told him, you better not be releasing me. So then I see Mike, he has to go in too, I was really worried. So we sat down and there was the whole bishopric, that can only mean BAD NEWS. But then they surprised us and just asked us to speak in church...next Sunday. Mike said yes, I said...we aren't going to be here. So they changed it to Sept. 13th. I have a whole month and a half to prepare my talk...like I will. I haven't spoken in church in about 4 years, and it was the same topic then...prayer. I am a slow learner. I think I have only spoken 3 times in church since I had Katie. That is crazy. Mike speaks about every six months. I am not sure if we are going to have the kids sing, or speak. They want to sing "Love Story" I had to explain that isn't a church song...so funny. Parley did really good in church today, the best one yet for him staying in sacrament meeting. We did leave twice, one feeding and one diaper. Now we are making cookies...one of the best things about Sundays.

Itchy, itchy, scratchy, scratchy

I am having a severe allergic reaction to the antibiotic. I have welts and itch like crazy. arggg

Toot...Toot...Toot...

That is me tooting my own horn. Eventhough I feel like I got ran over today, I got some very good news. Toot...toot...toot... An A in Bilology and an A in Computer literacy. It makes it all worth it. GPA would be a 4.0 toot...toot..toot. I am so grateful to my sweet little family who encouraged me, and made sacrifices so I could do what needed to be done. They were great cheerleaders. toot....toot..toot Sorry, just a little excited.

Tear drops, running down my cheeks...

I just found out that they are no longer doing baptisms in the ocean in Hawaii. I am very sad, as we were planning on going there next June for Katie's baptism. I will have to look into it more, but as for right now, I am sad.

The teacher in me........

It drives me crazy that somethings are not capitalized on the blog...but I don't have the time to figure it out and change it. Someday we will do a blog makeover.

Saturday...a not so lazy day

Yesterday was our play day since Michael had the day off. So today was work on the house day. Michael left early, and I got things done around the house, and then the kids and I headed down there. We had a little sprinkle today, so it wasn't too hot. So we were helping and I looked at the van, and the tire was completely flat. Now, the back tires have been in dire need of being replaced, but there were other more important priorities for the money. I was just praying that we wouldn't have a blow out and roll the van. Of all places to get a flat, I really couldn't have picked a better place. Mike was there, we had two cars and Mike was there...did I already say that? I am not sure, but I don't think I drove all the way from home with a flat, but you never know. After a while Mike wsa ready to take a break and go check out the IFA grand opening. Well, we got there, looked at the pig while Mike and the kids told me about how they are going to do 4-H (hooray) and then we walked ove to see the sheep...and they just happened to be having Mutton Busting right then. Jeffrey decided he wanted to do it. All the parents were smiling, bribing their kids to get on, the kids weren't too impressed. Something seemed wrong with that picture. But Jeff rode like a real cowboy...until the sheep sat down. It came out JUMPING ran to the end, and sat down. He came off smiling telling me how awesome he was. So cute. Now he tells me he is going tobuy a sheep and ride it all over the pasture. If he only had an endless supply of money. Then we went inside and they were having lunch. Seriously, did we score or what! After our IFA experiance, we went and put the donut on the van..the kids loved changing the tire. Now it will be like that until Dan's opens on Monday. Ahhh, fun little adventures.

Little Boys.....

Today Jeffrey asked me if I had seen any dump trucks for sale. I said ...No, why? He said... Because I really need to get one. He means a real dump truck. He has told me that that is what he is going to drive when he gets his drivers license. Wow, the girls will be chasing him. Can't you see him dragging Main in a dump truck. I love it!

Parley

This one I just love. Katie took it, and I had to crop out a naked Bana.

Little Girls.....

Somehow I forgot about three year old little girls. I thought something was wrong with Kate when she was this age, then she grew out of it...kinda. Savannah is showing all signs of a three year old...changing a million times a day. Nothing is wrong with the outfit she is wearing, she just needs to explore and change, and find her own personal style. Most of the time it is a little risque..just her "unders" but she does like to wear each article of clothing at least once each day. I am not a fashionista or anything,but if she is trying to find her own style....I am a little worried.

Beach Bag

Went to Wally World this morning for needles. Here is the beach bag, a couple of things I would change next time, but for something that originated in my head, I like it.

The Bet

So, here is a secret...Michael and I bet. It keeps life exciting. We have been betting about different things since we were first together. Like the time we were driving to Canada and having war head bets, to seeing if Michael can run a mile in 10 minutes (he did). The best bets are the ones where there is a wager, and I only do these if I KNOW I am right. On Saturday we had a bet going, and I KNEW I was right, so I made Mike put up a wager. It was kind of an evil plan because I had this great idea for a beach bag, but I didn't want to spend grocery money on it(I am trying really hard to stick to my budget). So for my prize I said "The supplies to make a new beach bag" Well, of course I was right...so I drug everyone to Wally world with me to get the stuff for the new beach bag. So today I started on it, and I have broken 3 sewing needles, I do not have any more left, and I can not justify loading the kids up and heading to town for sewing needles. So I have the kitchen converted to a sewing room, and was just getting started. I have a pile of sewing stuff from taking in skinny minnie's pants (Katie) to a sun dress I promised Savannah, to finishing the edge of Jeff's quilt from Great Grandma Ray. Good thing I went to the library and got Three Cups of Tea this morning. Dinner will be on the deck tonight. I can't put it all away until I am done, or else it will be a long time until I pull it all out again. I don't like unfinished projects (hence why I don't scrapbook) and......I can't go to the beach until my bag is done!

Sundays.....

So, since I now have my own blog, I can't think of anything to write. No wonder it takes people months to update. I am sure the juices will start flowing. Today was one of those good days at church. I have missed two Sundays becasue of sickness, and the week before that, I got in trouble in the hallway. So it was good to go today. Parley actually lasted longer than ever before, but he kept on gagging and scaring me. I did sharing time, and exept for the fact of not having hardly any time, I think that it went okay. Last time I did it, I had a 5 min sharing time to fill 25 minutes. This time it was 30 minute sharing time to fill 12 minutes. Oh well. I love teaching primary, I really do have the best class. I will be sad to not have this calling anymore when we move. I like to peek into the other ward when I am in the hallway. I always think....look at all those people who I will know in a coule of months. It is exciting and scary. After church we went and walked around the temple. I forgot my camera, sniff sniff. But the kids loved it, we need to do that more.

Numero Uno

Okay, so this is number one. I have been blogging on the family bog for a couple of years, and decided to venture out...with a lot of encouragement. It is amazing what I can do with a little push, or a big shove. The blog isn't quite looking okay to me yet, so I will have to mess with it.