Milestone

A picture of me and the little squirt at 30.5 weeks. I'm almost on the single digit week countdown! (I know, it's a fantastic picture complete with a dingy yellow background and nice complimenting shadows. I told you I don't have a nice camera. It's not my fault)

For purely my own benefit, I thought it necessary to document that I kept my hair out of a pony tail for one week straight. For those that know me well, this is quite an accomplishment for me, especially in the last year or so. Just give me a few weeks and I'll probably even break out the eye liner. I always get this way towards the end of my pregnancy. You know, taking drastic measure to boost your self-esteem by getting things waxed and wearing glitter and such.

Also- I am really starting to feel the "I need to take my 2 kids out before 2 kids become 3 and we're all banned to the house until they turn 18 because it's gotta be literally impossible to take 3 children anywhere" crunch and I'm wondering if anybody has any tips on free or nearly free places I can take my kids before this takes place. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Fire Station Fieldtrip

Last week, Colby's cute little preschool class got to go to the fire station. They usually do one field trip a month and I got to come with them on this one. It was cute to see how excited the kids were.

Watching the movie and reviewing what to do when you're on fire. We still haven't mastered the "stop, drop and roll" routine yet.

Admiring all the tools on the truck. They even learned how to break into someone's house.

Climbing in. I think Colby was offended when the firefighter offered to help him. He may be little, but that boy can climb

In the ambulance



The whole group (including Kara)

Goodbye Microsoft Word

I have a new obsession...I mean, hobby. Thanks to this post my uber(sp?) talented sis-in-law Elisha, offered me a new Photoshop that she had never used. Wow-the power of blogging. For anyone listening, I also really need a wheat grinder and some new carpet on the top level of my house. Anyway. Without this act of kindness, all hope of my photoshop goal were dashed. Thanks Elisha!! Since obtaining it, I have been absolutely addicted to this program. I can't leave it alone. I would tell you the amount of this day that was spent on the computer, but you'd think me very neglectful and I would be more ashamed than I already am. Thanks also to Katrina, I've already learned a lot and am on my way. I have been doing everything in stinky old Microsoft Word and I am finally moving up in the techno world. Hopefully my other resolutions do not come at the expense of my children, house and bodily hygiene.

stinky shopping

I'm pretty sure my hell would involve grocery shopping. And if I'm in the worst part of hell, it would definitely include clipping cereal coupons, bringing in store ads, choosing the correct box of cereal for the correct ad and manufacturer coupon, then finding out at home that you still ended up with a bunch of cereal that wasn't on sale in the first place and then you go back to the store and 3 different people help you sort out the stupid mistake and you exchange a bunch of boxes and then go home to find that you still paid around $1.70 per box which is only 30 cents less than what you normally pay for cereal without all the hassle. Oh, and the floors would be sticky.

Best of 2008

My life is easier...

and I am happier. One of my freakout "triggers," which results in a variety of outcomes including, but not limited to, one or all of the following:

1. yelling
2. racing heart rate
3. downright meaness to my family
4. slamming of drawers and/or cabinets

is not being able to find something that I KNOW is somewhere to be found. A very likely case of this, in my house, is not being able to locate a spice I need. One that I am 100% sure is lurking somewhere in my crammed, inefficient, and ridiculously unorganized cabinet(s). After my usual rant and rave and possible damage to the cabinet (on a bad temper day), I end up calling a neighbor to borrow it, only to find the missing spice right after using the one I just borrowed or a few days later just on it's side jammed in the back. If I had a nickle for how many times this frustrating incident has taken place...

Anyway, for Christmas, Cameron got me some turn-table racks to organize my spices. I know, genius. And not to mention possibly saving some kitchen cabinets and his sanity as well. I finally got around to utilizing my gift and here is the result.

I have cooked twice now since this has been completed and I am happy. I am beaming. I LOVE my spice racks. In fact, I kinda want to cook now. Kinda. Thanks Cameron for your genius idea and here's to many more happy hours in the kitchen. Hopefully.

resolutions, goals, hopes...

Most people hate them. I love them. Not because I'm good at them or that they ever really get accomplished, but because I enjoy "dreaming" of what I'd like to accomplish that year. And often, they really are just dreams with little progress to follow, but little progress is better than none, I suppose. So as part of my documentation, here is for all to witness. In order of importance, in 2009 I wish to...

1. Stick to a budget. I know- such a common theme this year. How could it not be? We're scared just like everyone else and therefore are jumping on the band wagon. And for those who have spent any time with me in the last few weeks. Sorry. Sorry that the "B" word has come out of my mouth like word vomit, but I'm afraid to say it isn't going to stop. When it does, then I have already failed my most important resolution and I should gently be reminded of all Dave Ramsy's golden advice. Thanks Dave.

3. Learn Photo Shop Elements so I can make my own Christmas cards next year. Well, first I have to buy Photoshop which contradicts resolution #1. I hate it when my resolutions don't work together. Birthday? Baby gift? C'mon- someone's gotta give this to me or else my hopes of this one go right down the drain.

2. Less yelling and slamming drawers (or anything else destructive to both my soul and house). Yes, I do these things and am not proud. Admitting this to the blog world is truly humbling and I already feel better. I'm just aiming for my hot temper to decrease a few degrees. Warm. Warm temper. That sound good. You gotta be realistic, people.

And there you have it. And #2 and #3 are purposely out of order because I recognize that one may be more important than the other- not easier, important-er.