Sleepless In Seattle

We took a little get•a•way and brought only Clara with us. Grandma
W was gracious enough to watch the 4 older children. So nice to have
a time out overnight!

hurry, there's still time!

Apron giveaway at "THE COOK NEXT DOOR".

Because really, can you have too many aprons?

A week to remember

It's been a week of wallowing. It always is when your husband is
out of town for the week. Right? But this picture of Baden in the
doctor's office is a bright spot in my week. How could it not be,
when he is wearing a SARS mask (you know because of his cough) and
soccer cleats (you know because he never gets to wear them)?

new game

Tonight, Chandler proudly informed me that he and Carson told Baden about a "new game" (that he made up), called "hide and go clean."  He was pretty proud that Baden bought into it and quickly ran away to tidy up.  Pretty cleaver I think.  Maybe you want to tell your children about this new game that's 'all the rage.'  

Poor Clara

doesn't think it is fair that her SEVENTH tooth is making it's way through her nearly 9 month old baby gums.

 And quite frankly, neither do I!

Unfortunately, Carson was the only one who was able to go to church today.
The rest of the children spent the day on the couch receiving their spiritual enlightenment.
I really wish my children wouldn't be sick on Sundays; I miss my weekly spiritual renewal. 

Like many, I've had the people of Haiti on my mind.  Isn't it remarkable how many are giving of their time, talents and energy into helping those affected by the devastation?   For most of us; however, it is only feasible to donate some money, but after reading this press release I was also reminded not to underestimate the power of prayer.  We can all pray. 

new-do

Today Kate got her first official hair trim. 

I'm pretty sure it's the easiest $12 that kiddie salon has ever made.

To say she loved it would be an understatement.

blessings

When it's time to turn the lights off at night, Chandler is just like I use to be (pre-childbearing years).  He has a hard time letting go of the day and drifting off to sleep.  One night, a month ago or so when I went into his room to tell him it was time to turn off the lamp he gave me the usual rundown.  When suddenly the phrase from a song I have listened to many times over from a favorite CD came to my mind, "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep."  An answer!  So I turned off the lamp, put my head next to his on the pillow and we took turns counting (naming) our blessings.  After several times of going back and forth I kissed him goodnight and just like that he went to sleep.  A bedtime miracle---and a really sweet way to end our days now.  Just Chandler and I.  You should try it.

This girl

Makes life FUN.

Even with a cold, she hasn't lost her SPUNK!

Here she is waiting for Baden to get home from Preschool.

She had to have a bow, a purse, a furry vest and let's not forget the back pack.

31

What did I wish?  I'll never tell.  I've got big plans for the next year!

Happy Birthday Candace!

(Back in the day, we'd celebrate birthdays on the ski hill.)

My sister Candace is 29 today.  The REAL 29. 

She was born the day before me---2 years later.  Growing up it was torture.

Historically, between the years of 1 and on, we would get the same thing(s) just different colors.  The torturous part was watching her open her presents knowing that the next day I would open a pink or purple one.  Seems so silly now.  It's been 12+ years since we celebrated together.  Miles and states keep us apart.  One of these days we'll have to meet up and share cake and a ski run.  We must!

I love you!

in her spare moments she's blogging here and here.

These Sunday pictures will be priceless in the years to come.

I am sure of it.

Getting ready for Sunday

Oh how I love sink baths for my babies.

Tonight

my children think I'm the best.

Brian is somewhere in the mountains snow camping with 12 year old Boy Scouts (no thanks!).
So that leaves the date night planning up to me.

Dinner at Pizza Hut with my favorite five and Netflix instant-play Looney Toones circa 1979 (their choice).

You should hear the giggles in our family room!  I don't know if I've heard them laugh like this in a long time. In all fairness I do think that Brian should have the same opportunity in the near future.

Now wouldn't you agree?

good morning.

I told myself last night that if the sun didn't come out to play today, I was going to read a book (something I never seem to get to do).  It wasn't meant to be.  Now I know there are windows to wash, furniture to dust and floors to mop.  Thanks to a windstorm last night and the sun shining this morning through the windows.  But, I'm not complaining.

8:41 pm

sitting on the chair in my room with my red notebook on my lap getting ready to record a few things about today.

Little things like:

Chandler apologizing to me for "the way I acted last night," because it means he is maturing and growing.

Carson who is so happy.  All the time.  My little example at 7 years old.  He really is a miracle.

Baden, who decided on his own to call and apologize to a friend for not being very nice.  It wasn't until I heard him say to the answering machine, "I'm sorry I punched you," that I got the full story.  Baby steps.

Kate who has taken to calling everyone "hunny."  Like tonight to Chandler, "It's time to go to bed hunny."

Clara who reminded me to slow down and hold her because she is growing, growing, growing.  And it's making me a bit sad.   

Ulterior motives

Do you think that if I have dinner ready and waiting on the table when

Brian gets home it will off-set the fact that I did a partial

demolition to our headboard while he was away today?

We shall see.

3 boys

Sword fighting for a Family Home Evening activity is something you do when you have three boys bam-bam-bam.

Before Church.

I'm just glad he actually stayed in the picture this week.

 Oh Baden, what would we do without you?

Date Night

with my sweetheart. It's the best. Thanks for babysitting mom & dad.

Just when I thought they were asleep.

I see they are playing with LEGOS in the light of a head lamp and flashlight.
At least they are in bed!
What a day it has been.

Imaginations at work

 

these play-dates make my days, shall we say, more manageable.

I make dinner every night because I love my husband.

And obviously not because my children eat it.

Blog-a-day

My goal for the new year 2010 (at least m-f) made easier with my

Christmas present.
To kick things off, a picture I snapped of Kate
just moments ago after she declared, "Actually, I don't like this."

A must read to kick off this new year,

The Best Is Yet to Be.

Look ahead!

Great skiing adventure 2009-the rest of the story

1.5 hours getting everyone dressed with missing socks, trips to the
bathroom, putting boots on, changing diapers, layering etc. Meanwhile
the wind is whipping, snow is falling and the pretend cop is
threatening to give us a ticket for not having a parking pass. The
wind is making me nervous. So I ask a couple loading up to leave if
we dare make this our children's first experience on the hill. They
confirm my suspicions. We make this a play in the snow day and
everyone goes home happy. That is until we are half way home and I am
ready to leave a few who shall remain nameless by the side of the
road. But, we are undeterred. Next real ski trip planning in the
works!

Sweet Clara fell sleep while in the lodge by the toasty fire.