.....The Titmi.....

Valentine's 2012

2012-02-17T15:22:00.000-07:00

Quirky eh?

Jt said his classmates want candy- not pencils so he didn't do one.

One of just a few Snow Storms

2012-02-17T15:15:00.000-07:00

and it only lasted a few hours. . .

Seriously

2012-02-17T15:09:00.000-07:00

There is seriously not much to post about these days nor have there been pictures taken. In the last month we:

have had our fair share of colds and stomach bugs
have been pulling Michael down from things 500+ times a day
have been skiing a few times (we being Roger, Jt, Rory and Simeon)
have had a- dare I say- kind of lame winter. Snow that lasts for a week then melts into a glorious spring would be divine. I almost want to erase this line
have been on a 29 hour date for Valentine's with a friend's group date, projects, and a road trip to the nearest operable Temple
have been working out 6+ a week except when we have been sick
have been dreaming and reading and planning and preparing for this year's garden
have had 2 extra boys after school since last October- poor Rory! They are a lot of work too
have done very little crafting
have been nicely bored

See why I have not posted?? :)

2012-01-05T13:56:00.000-07:00

How the heck are all 5 kids sitting on one side of table so splendidly (despite the horrible pic)

Roger made us a bench! I had some yellow chevron love.

I had some more yellow love in the deep dark recesses of our stairs and basement. We have lived in our home one whole year now (!!!) and Roger's mom and I finally painted that ugly space.

Whoa! right? Crazy yellow I know. It took me a year to try to figure out a paint color and when we got our hands on some free paint we added some of our own- a lot of different our owns. Then I went to Home Depot and they added more color to fix the color we damaged and then I still had to add a couple gallons of white paint and this is what we have. Sorry- after all that- I love it.

I even stood on a really tall ladder despite my distaste for heights.

Did you notice a bit of the other change in the pic above? Our original desk looked like this:

Then Roger built me this:

Then I hit The Container Store when I went to Cali last summer and got deck out with some of these:

Since I am showing you around I should show you what I finished yesterday- the window seat cushion!

Not quite sure how I feel about it. It wasn't what I had in mind but the kids love the fabric and I had it (remember the owls?). It was really tricky to sew with too.

This is what I was thinking for the top:

I was never going to use black in here but I found a cute black box.

Did you notice the weird fabric laying out 2 pics above.

I am toying with it to see if I like the fabric for another fabric box.

Things are movin along

Christmas Morning

2011-12-25T10:04:00.002-07:00

This gal of mine wanted a dog. I didn't want a dog. I convinced her of bunnies. Roger was harder to convince. She has been desperate for months. DESPERATE! Some friends are moving away and they didn't want to take their rabbits. I was expecting a bigger reaction for sure but she is happy to have rabbits.

Christmas Song

2011-12-24T09:53:00.000-07:00

Our kids rock. We did this song in church on Christmas Day and they rocked. This song is not easy for a little girl that doesn't know how to read music and is matched up with her loud mom! Jt played his part on the organ and he nailed it. They are so awesome. I like to tell people that this is why I made them. :)

Ps- I may look prego but I am NOT!

Christmas Eve Tradition

2011-12-22T09:34:00.001-07:00

We have a couple Christmas Eve Traditions that Roger and I started back when we 1st were married 12 years go. After the tradition of going out for Chinese Food that Roger's family has been doing for forever, we make 2 ornaments. 1 is that we all write down on our own sheet of paper something we want to give to Jesus (think overcoming a bad habit or starting a good habit) then we wrap it up in a little box and put it on the tree. The other ornament is our family picture that we decorate and hang up. The kiddos single handedly decorated the tree this year and then I scooted all the pics to one side to show off our pics :)

Choir and Band Performance and Holiday Concert

2011-12-20T19:56:00.000-07:00

My 3 older kids all participated in concerts this holiday season. Jt was in all 3 (band, choir, and class), Rory did Choir and Simmy did his class music.

Simmy's teacher was kind enough to help with babies for a bit of it. Love Her!

Not only was JT in all 3, he had the unique opportunity to play 4 instruments in the class program. He was amazing.

If you would like to pretend like you were there, you can watch these poorly shot videos that have a finger smudge on the lens. :)

Family Pictures

2011-12-18T19:28:00.001-07:00

This fantatic step sista of mine came in town for her husbands side of the family Thanksgiving but I stole her to take these awesome family pictures. Muchas Gracias!!

More Reunion

2011-12-16T19:28:00.000-07:00

Grandma and Grandpa did some fun projects during the reunion. Grandpa made this cool playhouse/museum/gingerbread house and grandma painted it with the kids.

Grandma made this moseics with the kiddles too. Didn't they turn out GREAT!!

Phases

2011-12-10T12:56:00.009-07:00

If I have learned anything having 5 kids its that kids have their own personality and that a lot of things going on is just a phase. Thankfully and Sadly.

I am thankful that Levi is entering a new phase. He is FINALLY becoming reasonable. If he asks for a treat I can tell him to wait until after dinner without freaking out. If I put him in bed he will stay in it. If I ask him to clean up before doing something he will. Just today he has used the bathroom on his own (he is potty training himself), he cleaned up toys and emptied the dishwasher silverware. He is still a lot of noisy work but I have been longing for this reason with him phase to begin. When they figure out if-then statements real disciplining begins.

Michael is a crack up. I know I mentioned this before but seriously, this kid falls asleep everywhere everyday. He has even been eating at dinner with his eyes closed then gets out of the highchair and is awake for a couple more hours. The part that cracks me up is not only that he falls asleep eating but he keeps eating for another 10min.

Just this week he has entered a new phase. I really don't have to keep a major eye on him if a bathroom door is open which is nice because too many peeps leave the door open. But- he is now climbing. Major Major Major bummer. He is climbing onto the computer desk. He is climbing on the table. He is climbing on the counter. Nothing is safe. I HATE THIS PHASE! But- I know it is just a phase.

He is also becoming more vocal and one of his favorite things to say is "Hi-JT" He was doing it over and over before I grabbed the camera and he decided he was done with his bath. Too cute!

Simmy's Day

2011-12-09T09:20:00.001-07:00

Oh Simmy Jimmy! I love that you are 7 now. I loved being 7 and it has been my favorite # ever since. I know telling you you were the best baby, the best cuddler, and all the bests you have been has made you cocky but they really are true. You are really amazing. Perfect? Nope. Human? Maybe. You light up the world with your silly laugh, sharing heart and charming smile. 175 words per minute? Seriously? What 1st grader does that?

Having birthdays so close has really come in handy. 1st Disneyland Passes for free and now we were able to go to Wahoos- just me and you and play play play. I had a blast with you.

I love you buddy- you and all of your boyness of not wanting to ever change your clothes or brush your teeth or comb your unruly hair.

You are destined for greatness in one way or another.

Reunioun 2011

2011-12-06T18:51:00.000-07:00

The Original Titmi kids, parents, their spouses and offspring all met for an adventure at our home for Thanksgiving. 13 wee ones (1-13 years old) and 11 adults squoze themselves in and I think our house and 2 trailers in the yard handled the load decently enough. 1 lovely sis stayed for a wonderful 10 days from England. Another came for a week from Cali, and a brother came for 4 days from Florida. The last Bro and Parents are here already.

We played, swam, ate, movied, crafted, danced, talent showed, projected, ice skated, birthdayed, musiced, shopped, family picted, video gamed, karaoked, parked, jumped, destroyed toy rooms and sicked.

So happy this happened- Thanks Em for starting the adventure and GNGT for helping host!

Individual Shots

2011-12-05T22:03:00.000-07:00

Oh so badly I want to show you these beautiful kids real big. It makes me sad that I can't figure out a blog template that will let you see the whole darn picture. I hope it doesn't distract you too much to see only part of the pic.

During Thanksgiving week we had a reunion at our house with all of Roger's family. During that week I borrowed my sis in laws camera and played around.

Rory

Simeon

The babies were NOT playing along

Levi

Michael

Mom and Dad

October

2011-11-07T11:53:00.000-07:00

Hi. Sorry? October was busy but not busy enough to make me not drop by and say hello. We did the normal stuff- more canning, creating, cleaning, cooking, caring. . . er halloweening.

Rory and I created this Jellyfish Costume. She won 1st place in the Creative Costume Contest 4th-6th at the school Monster Mash. That was actually her goal. It may have helped that her mom can cheer real loud.

Jt created this Robot Costume. He won second place. Actually everyone I cheered real loud for won something or another :) They all had awesome costumes so that may be a little presumptuous.

Rory danced like she was hopped up on something exhilerating.

This cutey just wandered.

Grandma helped the kids carve our home grown pumpkins. My dad came for a week and took most of the pics.

We have been playing in leaves. We have many more to go.

Levi didn't mind at all that he wore a hand me down costume.

Simmy wore 2 years ago costume- hey! its an all new crowd

On Halloween, my rockin neighbor and I hosted a Halloween Party in our joined driveways. I REALLY like them. Here is her house

and ours. LOVE the trees!!

It was stickin cold that night- almost to cold but the next day it got colder. BRRR. We may have to bring it in next year and save driveway parties for warmer weather.

Working on it

2011-10-03T22:17:00.000-06:00

Not only is this cutey being forced to take one nap so he can overlap with big brother, he is also working very hard on something else.

Did you notice the chaos or was the chaos too loud to see him walk? We did this a few weeks ago and he walking a lot more these days- not all the time but a lot. We are a paci free house as of yesterday (Wahoo!!!) and are almost all walking :)

Canning

2011-10-02T22:14:00.001-06:00

All new to my world is the art of canning

Starting in July and in full force in Sept has been days of canning all. day. long. Mostly with my friend and/ or mother in law.

and always with babies under foot making messes I abhor.

I even got some apple sauce made for Simmy's class for Johny Appleseeds's bday. Good Fun

Brace Your Self

2011-08-31T21:40:00.000-06:00

My kids have braces in Green and Orange. Cute kids eh?

and Jt got a French Horn- all in one day

Goodness me- Can my kids be that old? It is just part of the 1st phase of orthodontic care but still.
Jt is being typical Jt in regards to the French Horn. He is determined to play the hardest instrument that not many play so that he can get a scholarship. Yes- he only 10 and yes- he is amazing.

Fair Fun

2011-08-31T21:32:00.000-06:00

I took the 5 kids to the Fair on a very hot day. This blog post is proof it. If my kids ever doubt that I take them anywhere, I will show them this post. 3 hours in Roger came and grabbed the babies so I could play a little longer with the olders. We had fun I guess :)

Jt saved his own $$ to go back and go on unlimited rides and have a date with Grandpa. They had lots of fun on this 100 degree day. whewee!

Canvas

2011-08-29T11:23:00.000-06:00

Back in June one of the blogs I follow- The Pleated Poppy- made a canvas I knew I would have to make to tie colors in in my Family Room. Eventually I want it to cover a big screen but for now I just want a big canvas on the pedestal. I told my mother in law that I wanted to work on a painting project with her since she is a painter. She offered to make it while I was out of town to give her something else to do other than babies. I left the post with the tutorial and a canvas with her and came back to this beauty!

I stare at it all the time! I was a wee bit worried. She draws landscapes and temples- not abstract. She also tends to do her own thing and I really wanted something similar to the canvas from the blog but she did awesome! I still have more big idea projects for down there so watch out.

My Dream Come True

2011-08-27T21:08:00.002-06:00

When I was young, my mom was a single mom with 6 kids. Our house was a little crazy but no one went in the backyard because it was so dang hot in Houston. I went back there and became friends with the rosebushes. I talked to them and they talked back. I sang to them and they sang back- sorta.

Since then I have felt like gardening was in my blood and I was destined to do it some day. I have tried small things over the years but it has never been the right circumstances. I thought about not doing it this 1st year in our house because we were already working hard in the ins and outs and I knew a garden would be more work. I just had to though. I knew I would be longing all summer for it. I thought I might go small but I couldn't. I wanted a big fat garden and sometime I wish I had made it even bigger. I planted when you would typically plant in my neck of the woods and this year mid May was too early. It was too cold and things were not taking off. Many plants died- like 12 cucumbers and some squashes. The tomatoes that I planted 1st have only had a couple tomatoes so far. It is the end of August and things are starting to pick up a bit. I can go out at lunch and dinner and pick something fresh. Yum!

May

July

August

May

August- Banana Pepper, tomato, watermelon, cilantro, acorn squash, 2 garden pepers, and a tomatillo plant

Another view- the tomatoes in containers are Robyn's

May

August

That section didn't get enough water for a while and it is too shaded. My strawberries, beets, onions, and cabbage have not done well :(

May

August- raspberries, watermelon, and blueberries

I have a canalope planted a long this fence line too

Close up of the garden

Marigolds, potatoes, and tomato or 2

Peas on the left that we took out and have new ones growing- Carrots, beets, and nasturtiums on the right

Bush Beans

Newly planted lettuce, spinach, and basil in front- tomatoes, peppers and carrots in back- pumpkins further back

Tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash mixed with carrots and greens and flowers

Carrots seeds kind of went all over

Sweet Banana Pepper

Grapes

Pumpkin Patch

Watermelon Patch

From the other side

I will give you a virtual high five if you can tell me what these big leaves are. It took some work for us to figure it out.

Getting Back to it

2011-08-26T09:01:00.000-06:00

Up until a week or so ago, I was not ready for my kids to go back to school. Then, the fighting began. Mainly 2 of my kids were to blame and I was ready to ship them off. The day before school we found out that Rory was moved into the class where here friends are and that made us super happy. There was no point in starting over again.

Even though Simmy's friends are in the other class too, he is oober excited about his teacher. She seems amazing.

To kick off the new year and to see what my backyard can do, we had a Back to School Party with Otter Pops, popcorn, music, trampoline, bounce house, Water Kickball, Sticker Tag, sprinklers, and best of all FRIENDS! 30 kids and 9 moms not including my fam. It was a scorcher that day and the moms hung out in the shade while the kids played- except me. I played! I say my hard did pretty darn well.

Plague of the 5th

2011-08-25T10:59:00.000-06:00

This amazing baby of mine turned 1!! I can't seem to get him to hold still enough to take pics with out the flash.

Oh how I love this kid. I am actually a wee bit sad not to have a baby in the house for much longer. I love the chub, the sweet chatter, the slobbery kisses- not enough mind you to have ANY more though. I have to stop having babies sometime and 5 is PLENTY. Babies are work but toddlers are WORK so I am a bit nervous for the next couple years. I reread what I wrote about Levi when he turned 1 and he has changed dramatically.

Michael has been an easy going baby- probably the most of them all. He used to just melt everyone with his smile but teething hit and even though it has not been bad, he doesn't smile like he used to. He has actually been a fairly serious baby. He entertains himself very very well and will just take off to the toys when he is looking for something to do. He LOVES looking at books and any toy that makes sounds. He never liked baby food- I think he has textures issues. He has been eating whatever we have been eating for months. He weaned himself from my milk at 7 months and is now going off the bottle and formula very easily. He has texture issues with what his legs are touching so he will wear pants until he walks which should be pretty soon.

Seeing how he is the 5th (as was I and his Uncle Chad). . .

he gets the short end of the stick on some things like a birthday present. He doesn't need anything! Although he doesn't get as much of my attention, he get plenty from the rest of the family. Levi loves bossing him around. Michael does his fair share of antagonizong Levi. Ever since he started crawling, he has picked on Levi too.

Oh how I will miss having a baby- did I mention that already?

He freaked US out with his 1st cake (lame as the cake is). Can I mention here how we had a really busy day. Roger walked in to see the candle be blown out and headed out the back gate to soccer with Rory and Grandpa had to take off too- busy day.

Anyway check out his reaction the candle- it was dramatically different than Levi's

and then. . .he flashed the cheesiest smile I have ever seen him give.

and then he topped it

During the Week

2011-08-21T17:59:00.001-06:00

I LOVE my Cali friends. We laughed loud and often, we cried when we wanted, we were together quite a bit, we played hard, we talked until late, we worked on projects, we learned from each other, we had each others backs, we gave our hearts to each other, we served each other, we didn't gossip- it was magical.

One friend in particular was a part of my everyday life. This beautiful gal is a much nicer loving person than I can ever be. We watched each other's kids for date night and everything in between. We were pregnant last together and had a joint baby shower. I had Michael two weeks earlier because I was induced and found out a few days later we were moving. I didn't have the heart to tell her we were moving until after she had her sweet baby. I knew it would break her heart like it broke mine.

but alas we moved when her cutie girl was just a week old. These smiles are so fake

and we came back to visit! In So Cal we stayed at her house all week long. While Hero Camp was going on we had FHE at the park with lots of friends, went to the beach, went to the swimming pool, and had girls night. It was an action packed week and I saw so many dear friends.

The last day of Hero Camp we went to the Lagoon and for the 1st time the kids went on the boats.

are they not gorgeous!!?

Also, the Sunday I went to church in my old ward, I got to see 1 of my college best friends. She lives in Washington DC but was visiting her husbands family. Awesome timing!

On the way home, we stayed the night at my my other best friend from college in St George and then stopped in Provo overnight to see 3 families that had moved there from So Cal. I absolutely loved seeing these precious friends.

Such wonderful times!

Hero Camp 2011

2011-08-16T16:01:00.000-06:00

In my heart of hearts, I love Hero Camp. I love the week long fun that my friends have volunteered to organize. I love the theme that we need a special Hero in our lives- Jesus Christ. I love that the kids explore Scripture Heros and learn how to be like them in real life. I love making the gospel fun. I love seeing my kids have fun with gospel minded themes. I love the songs they sing, I love the crafts they make, I love the fun activities, I love the shows they watch, I love the books they take home. The books are amazing and have pics of them throughout the week. Since I am not with them the whole time and because my pics are horrible, I mainly just have videos taken in a crowded room at the angle I get from my seat.

One of the best parts of was that I was able to see my friends for hours of each day. I love them!!

I have had the privilege of being co in charge of a day for the 4th year and this year since I am far away I was mainly in charge of the craft since it did not take much volunteer organizing. My amazing friend in charge of the whole week deserved something awesome from the participants so I pulled a Kelly and made a quilt for the kids to put hand prints on. The theme this year was "Its my Story" Stephanie has been a hand in my kids story because if Hero Camp.

This song really got me all choked up. Some of oldest kids have been doing this for 6 years. I am gratiful they have that extra shove in the right direction with Hero Camp. I really hope they let their light shine in life.

I have a link to a video of the slide show of the week. You can see the kids a little too up close to keep other people private but if you are a friend and want to see a closer look at Hero Camp, email me and I can send you a link.

Northern Cali

2011-08-12T21:03:00.045-06:00

Since we moved I had high hopes that I would be able to return this summer to visit and to attend hero camp.
The time was drawing near and I started wondering if it was a good idea to drive 16 + hours with 5 kids. I asked the kids how they would feel if we skipped it and Rory said she would be "devastated". I decided I would be too. When my mother in law offered to keep the babies since they would need to be at our house then anyway, I hesitated. How could I NOT bring my babies on a road trip?? When I really thought about it I wondered why I WOULD bring them. The trip would be so so so much better without them. I would actually be able to play with the olders! I almost chickened out but I am so glad they were able to be in their own world with grandma, grandpa, Chad, and Roger.

Since we were driving, I decided to take the long road down and drive 10 hours to Roger's sister's home. My kids LOVE LOVE LOVE going to their home. It was the shortest stay with them ever. We were there for 36 and 16 of that was sleeping. We managed to squeeze in lots of play, piecing a quilt top, and going out on the boat

From there we drove 3 hours to San Jose to see my brothers for less than 24 hours. We ate dinner at Aaron's house with his wife, my brother Russell and his cute squeeze. We them drove to Russell's tree house. Oh how my kids love staying in his tree house.

Here is the view out his back door

In the morning we took a beautiful hike in his backyard and smelled flowers and walked on logs.

So fun!! We left after the hike for our next destination 6 hours away.

Independence

2011-08-10T21:31:00.001-06:00

This kid of mine- oh this kid. This is scary to say because we have raised very independent brilliant kids but I think Levi may be our most independent and smartest kid yet. Seeing how he is only 2 makes that opinion very tiring. The other day we found him in the tree.

This resulted in Roger taking down the steps making it harder for everyone else to climb the tree.

When Lena was here she came outside where Roger and I were working and told us Levi would not stay in his crib. What?? He had never climbed out before. Sure enough, he was moved into a big kid bed.

He is quick to move a stool to wherever he would like something- like vitamins for example.

I have 1 kind of diaper that he can not unsnap. All others may as well be velcro he unsnaps them so fast. He has no problem being nudy in cousin's backyard.

Unfortunately he also a terror to Michael including pushing him down the stairs when I was steps away. That broke my heart seeing him roll down.

He loves to show affection, count and sing. I love watching him sing. Simeon never liked to sing and has only been doing it the last year or so. Love him!

This one is not far behind in his ability to create havoc.

Beautiful Rory

2011-08-08T09:00:00.001-06:00

This fantastic girl of mine is 9!!

She is a blast of energy, laughter, and beauty. She helps with the babies and the house and is often reading 5 books quickly at one time. She is strong and rocks at soccer. She is the 1st to raise her hand for anything. She sings beautifully and aspires to play the harp. She is always looking for a craft to do and is unique in her fashion choices. She is girly and tough enough for this houseful of boys.

Looking similar to her brother is often frustrating but I think she secretly likes it.

They even got matching pallet expanders on the same day and will have matching braces too

She has another twin from church and school too. I can tell which is which. Do they fool you?

Awesome Gal

Cousins

2011-07-04T12:42:00.000-06:00

After our home was done with the stomach bug, Roger's sister stayed at our home with 3 of her kids. We hiked Table Rock. Levi walked a good portion of it. I liked his pace since I am out of that kind of shape and I was still feeling the residuals of the bug. I really was fine with this view.

The rest of the group wanted to go to the top. Lena gave me a break from carrying Levi. Nice view huh?

Almost there. . .

We made it!

There is a big cross on the top.

Grandma helped on the way up too and Levi fell asleep on the way down

Then we went swimming! Chad met us there. Roger wasn't all the way better. No pools on every corner here. We have to pay :(

On Wed. we went to waste management and did hands on projects.

and took a tour.

Yummy chocolate river :)

After that, all of our guests, grandma, and grandpa got the bug and left for home not quite recovered. Nasty bug

Right in my Backyard

2011-07-01T22:55:00.005-06:00

JT was DEVASTATED to move for a few reasons but much of it had to do with leaving the karate dojo he had been with for almost 5 years. Since we came, he has been ~~pestering~~ asking us when and where he could do karate. Truth is- we are lazy and stingy. We did not want to drive him twice a week to an expensive dojo and have been putting it off hoping that a better solution would turn up. Folks, it showed up right in our back yard.
Can you see what is happening past past our crazy English Walnut tree, the fence, Roger, his brother, his dad, Michael and Rory?

Let me zoom in for you.

Yup. Karate twice a week for 2 hours each night for $15 a month- right in our backyard. Awesome.

The Power of Hello

2011-06-30T22:46:00.000-06:00

When we were remodeling our home, a sweet woman in our ward offered me some curtains. Simeon and I went over to check them out. Ever since then Simeon has approached her at church every week with a "Hello Connie". This woman's life has been hard on many levels but this simple hello from a child has touched her immensely. She moved recently and wanted to leave Simeon something for his kindness. She didn't have to but I thought it would be good for him to have something to remind him of his Power of Hello.

I don't want to tell this story to brag because goodness me, this kid can be a major stinker in the way he treats people. I want to tell it because I think there is a lesson to be learned but even more so, when Simeon reads the book that I make of this blog, I want him to remember that being nice to people is easy.

Bookmarked

2011-06-25T09:59:00.001-06:00

I found this project on a blog I subscribe to when I was looking for a teacher appreciation gift and fell in love. I pulled out all my fabric and wanted to use every single one. I love my fabric!

Unfortunately, they took longer than I would have liked to make each one but these fabric bookmarks are awesome for my family, mother's day, teachers, Christmas, birthday. . . They are so dang cute and I have enough boy fabric so they are not "cute" but cool.

Simmy's Graduation

2011-06-23T21:19:00.000-06:00

My kid's have adjusted really well to Boise life with new friends and teachers. I can hardly believe we are a couple weeks into summer. We are very proud of Simeon for losing his first tooth before he graduated Kindergarten. I never posted about him losing it while he was sleeping and how we never found the tooth. He thinks he swallowed it because he woke up coughing

These are the kids from his primary class and Kindergarten class. 2 of them are/have moved :(
I will spare you all the videos I took of their performance. I had two babies pulling on me while taking them. Good job Simmy

Family Room Walk Through Phase C

2011-06-18T18:02:00.000-06:00

We have been working hard on the outside of our house and I will dedicate more to that but I will show you a little bit. I love our yard, hard work and all

Earlier

Later-
I am sure there were other flowers that were not photographed in this spot
in between these 2 pics. That's an apple tree behind the roses

I wanted this to be a post to remind you how awesome the Father of my children is. He is awesome and I am going to show you how awesome he is but really, its a post about our home and some progress we have made.

Bright and early on Memorial Day, he woke up and got to work.

Remember my post on the family room? I warned you this would take many phases to get this room set. This is phase c out of hopefully 4 phases.

Before

Now

Eventually we will have a TV down there and cupboards/drawers. I would have loved to have decorated this perfectly before showing it off but who knows when that will be??

Come closer- This credenza was beyond boring and blah. I still need to decide on perfect knobs.

He built me a sewing desk so I can see the kids outside while I sew. Many of you have asked how I get my sewing done. I first laugh because I don't get 1/4 of what I want to then I explain that I sit down for 30secs to 5 min at a time in the middle of all the action. Since most of the action is outside, we have friends over a lot, and I need to have an ear and 1/2 an eye on them, this place is perfect.

This will be a window seat when I can bring myself to pay for the ridiculous price of foam

If you know our family, you know we have heirloom mushrooms. Roger has reupholstered them twice (once with his sister's help) and I invited a friend over to help me take a staple at it. The old fabric was NASTY!! Do you see the worn part vs the unexposed part.

Cute, cute cute now. It goes with the rug and was the inspiration for the credenza color.

Again, not decorated or organized but Roger built (and I painted) a desk.

Before

Now

so much to still do!!

I don't want to be done with befores and nows.

Before

Now

The trees and grass make an amazing difference.
The spring flowers are long gone though.
Do you see something else different?

Let me get a little closer

Here is reminder close up to before

Did you catch my new door? 5 coats later and it is wonderfully bright
Okay, I am done now :)

Its kinda a funny story

2011-06-18T08:46:00.000-06:00

A few months ago I asked Roger how old his dad was turning in June and he told me 60. Ideas starting twirling in my head about a BIG party. We ran into his best friend that night and I mentioned the 60th bday and he said "Big Surprise Party at my house!" Except without the exclamation point because I have been informed that men do not use exclamation points. I promptly contacted Roger's siblings to see if they could come come out and asked Roger to get an invite list put together.

Fast forward to a month before the big day. I asked Roj to contact the host to see if things were still ago. He had too many health problems creep up so he was out. We decided to have it here. We had already been busting our tail on the outside and finally got to a point where we could plant grass seeds to host the party outside. We moved back inside for some more projects. We work really well with deadlines so this we great motivation to get some bigger projects done.

I had imagined a HUGE party with lots of friends and family. Roger started thinking otherwise and thought just family and closest of close friends would be all Grey would want. He decided to ask his dad who he wanted to invite. I don't get that but will leave it at that it was no longer BIG and no longer a suprise

Fast forward to last night. The house is just about ready. The food is bought and I have some last minute cooking to do. Roger's sister is coming from CA. His brother is here from Ut. Other family and closest friends are planning on coming. Then. . . right before I go to sleep. . .Simeon throws up. What? Maybe he ate something funny was our hope. Then. . .Michael. . .throws up.

Grey, I love you. I really wanted to throw a big special party so everyone could tell you that you are loved and we think you are awesome. Can we have the small party at your house? minus me, Simmy, Michael, and whoever we decide needs to be quarantined. Oh, and, I hope you don't have it too since we just saw you a couple days ago. Happy Birthday. I give up and can only laugh

*UPDATE- We all got sick. Every last one of us, Roger's mom, and Roger's sister and family that came for a visit. It also rained the night of the party and we were going to do it outside. True story

Hippo Baby

2011-05-29T16:50:00.000-06:00

I wanted to show off his hippo teeth before they are gone.

Michael hit 9 months last week. If you know me, you know I do not encourage crawling. They are much more dangerous when they are mobile. Nevertheless crawling is upon us. I got the babies out of the bathtub and before I could blink he was up to trouble. Look how innocent he looks.

He's got some moves going on.

He is not innocent at all! What a tease!!

Women's Conference

2011-05-27T09:09:00.000-06:00

These wonderful friends from Irvine have been going to Women's Conference for around 5 years now. Last year was my first year.Too many of us have moved away so this was an awesome reunion of eating, laughing, staying up past 4, and all the other amazing things that happen when moms get together without kids for 3 days. They boosted me up and sent me home happy. I am sure next year we will have many more changes to the group's lives but we will meet back together again and pretend like no one moved away and life was how it was before The Split and we had Radical Valentine's Parties, Hair Birthday parties, Whobilations, and Christmas Chocolate Making Midnights Movies , Slumber Parties (see below) Hero Camp, 100s of park days (last few pics), beach trips (Last pic), baby showers and so many other fun activities that I never even blogged about. Sigh.

Michael's Quilt

2011-05-26T08:53:00.000-06:00

This Quilt was a year in the making. I found the 1st of the fabric last year Women's Conference and finished it this year at Women's Conference. For those of you who think I whip through projects, does this convince you otherwise? At 1st, other projects took precedence. Then we moved and it was on the moving truck. Then we remodeled and settled into life. He doesn't have the same need for it as when he was nursing and such but oh well. I made the kid a quilt :)

Diaper Challenge

2011-05-19T10:21:00.000-06:00

I have been using cloth diapers for a year and a half now minus when we lived with Robyn and Grey. I know plenty of you were curious about it then so I thought I would give an update on how things are going now.

I have learned a lot and have loved it almost every step of the way. When I had to use disposables, Michael's newborn breastfed poop leaked out of them EVERYTIME. Levi never made it through a night in them either. I longed to get my diapers back!

Since I retrieved them off the moving truck, I have sold almost all the diapers (recouping more than 1/2 of what I paid for them- eat that disposables) and have simplified my routine. I was using many different pocket diapers that had to be stuffed with an insert after every washing. For some reason pockets were not working for Michael after working previously and the pee was leaking out. So not my favorite thing! I had to wash pockets more often than I wanted because the 2 boys would fill up the machine in 1 day. I was not liking washing and stuffing daily.

Determined to not give up I found a solution. I found a diaper that answered all my problems day and night. I already had Flip diapers with stay dry inserts in my stash and I loved them for their ease and trimness but I could not use one insert for longer than a couple hours. Then I found their Organic Insert and I found love. It can go for 4 hours and even overnight with a hemp insert. They don't take up as much room in the washing machine so I can wash every other day and there in NO stuffing. Even though it is a little more bulky than the stay dry insert is is still pretty trim. It has answered almost every need I have.

One problem many cloth diaper users run into is problems with washing routines. Smell and ammonia burns can occur if a washing routine is not exactly right for the water hardness and such. Finding the right detergent to get diapers clean can also be a problem that can get expensive.

There has been a lot of talk in the online cloth diaper world about people who do not have enough money to use clean disposables on their baby so they use used ones. Some of these same people do not have easy access to washing machines, cloth diaper detergent, and pocket diapers can be too expensive.

Kim from Dirty Diaper Laundry has issued a Challenge to the cloth diaper community to use a diaper that is called a Flat diaper for 1 week. The idea is that if people use and hand wash cloth diapers and write up a report, people like social worker, wic, and such will see that using Flats is not hard and is $1000's cheaper than disposables and will therefore teach people how to use them keeping bums clean for cheap.

This is a flat diaper.
Folded up and put inside a cover that I already use it looks like this:
Very similar don't you think? Because it is one layer thick it can be easily be hand washed and dried with out having to worry about stink. Kim has tutorials to pin the diapers like this that I might explore
and I will be washing like her (isn't this great for emergency preparedness too!)

and drying like her

I like her reasons behind the challenge and I also like a challenge. I will really struggle with out my diaper sprayer but it will all work out. I like that someone can spend $20 for flats and used covers can bought for $50 for 5. For $70 someone can cloth diaper their baby until they are potty trained. They do not have to buy cloth diaper detergent or have a washing machine. This will be great for me to have in my emergency kit and to avoid stinky diapers.

After the challenge I will go back to using my washer and sprayer but I will probably still use the flats and flip inserts.

Diaper Junction is the first place I ever bought diapers so check them out if you are interested.

Flowers

2011-05-06T11:21:00.000-06:00

I am very much enjoying the flowers around my house! Considering I did no work to get them here, I am loving it!! We have been working hard outside getting our garden going and moving compost and mulch around that came with house. More on the garden next week!

I was a little sad that I had no purple tulips but they have arrived! You would have to click on the picture to enlarge it to see them.

Even though I go to stores and see bulbs and flowers I would love to plant, I can't. I need to wait a whole year so I know what will come up on its own!
Currently I have 3 vases in the house with flowers and it did not make a dent. My kids love going outside to collect them for me.

Brothers

2011-04-17T15:45:00.000-06:00

Look at these boys who have joined our family! Aren't they cute!? Aren't they lucky to have a brother so close in age?
At this point they are noticeably different in age but soon enough people will ask of they are twins. Michael is still definitely a baby with no hair, 2 teeth, and no verbal skills but he is a big boy.

With only 6 inches and 6lbs different, Michael is catching up. I am pulling out clothes for him that are size 12 months. Levi just grew out of them!!
aaaaaand they are done taking pictures.
They are so lucky to have older brothers who LOVE them too!

I first published this post without this paragraph. I have been thinking about how I am doing having 5 kids and figured some of you where wondering how I am doing too. Some days I love having 2 babies. I really do love the cuddles, the kisses, the new learning on both our parts. I love their smiles, their laughs. I would never take back having two babies so close together.

Some days I wonder what in the heck I was thinking having 2 babies so close when I already have 3. I get bored with the routine. Not bored because there is nothing to do but because there is too much to do that is not fun. There is too much cleaning, too much "entertaining", too much poop, too much cooking. Some day I want to just cry in bed. Those are days like yesterday when Levi hurt his leg again and I really thought it was broken. It just makes me tired. I don't cry in bed. I just keep going and doing.

It is just a wonderful challenge to make sure I am doing the best I can at making sure these kids are being taught the best things. They need to me to be nice. They are good kids that just need direction everyday. They are awesome. Life is awesome but tiring :)

The Inevitable

2011-04-15T15:39:00.000-06:00

I think it was inevitable that at least one of my kids would have glasses.

Fortunately it is the one I trust a little more to not lose them or break them. Plus, he loves looking more like a "nerd" :)

Since I am on the subject of Jt, I mine as well brag a second cuz he is so cool. Today was the awards assembly and he made honor roll, and he received an a award for having over 300 accelerated reader points (kids with over 25 and 50 got awards and then there was Josh), and for getting the highest Math grade for all of 4th grade in a Math a thon. What a kid!

So proud of Rory too for getting an Achievement Award. What a gal!!

Levi is 2!

2011-04-14T14:26:00.000-06:00

I can't get this kid to take a normal picture to save his life
Oh, what to say about Levi. . .he is. . .fun. . .busy. . .full of energy. He is not mischievous, stubborn, or naughty on purpose. He is ready to be a big boy and do what the big boys do.

He is actually calming down quite a bit. When we first moved in with Grandma and Grandpa T he screamed a lot. Happy, mad, sad, glad all required this very high pitched scream. It was a head exploding scream. All of us worked really hard to teach him how to talk because it seemed his lack of communicating was causing the chaos. I would have to say the plan worked and he is much easier be around.

He loves to give kisses, laugh and play play play.

He just discovered trains and is in LOVE.

I love the new words he pulls out of his hat daily and how he brings me his sippy and says "no ni night" over and over to make sure I understand that even though he wants milk, he is not going to bed.

He know what he wants and like most kids, it involves sugar.

I love this kid to pieces.

Enjoy the video of the birthday cake and his awesome reaction.

Another Break

2011-04-13T18:21:00.000-06:00

This time the break involved this very very dangerous object onto the very very hard surface:
and involved this very quiet, mellow child:

Since then, she has calmed even more down and only sits and reads books all day long.

To make matters even more hilarious, she broke it the day Levi got his cast off. True story.

Spring (gimme a) Break

2011-04-11T13:11:00.000-06:00

Well we didn't go swimming or go to the beach but my children ended up being burned much worse than they ever did in Cali. Look at this sad face.

Jt was swollen for a week. He did not look like himself. When the swelling went down, they all had sores on their faces. I am sure you can guess what did them in.

Over spring break they went skiing twice. The second time it was SUNNY. They had so much fun with their dad but they had such sad faces.

Another day was free screen time day and another day we went to the Discovery Museum. another day we made owls. Aren't they too cute? The kids play and sleep with them too and they makes all the fuzz while cutting and sewing worth it.

How do I get so much sewing done? With a lot of "help" :)

Accompany

2011-03-24T13:27:00.000-06:00

This kid- oh this kid of mine! My heart is so full of love for this amazing kid. I can't say he is perfect but dang, he is so awesome.
My kids come home for lunch everyday and I left lunch out for JT so I could take Simeon to a playdate's house. I came home and he had eaten, emptied the dishwasher, loaded the dishwasher with the night before's dishes (the dishwasher was running during and after dinner) and was washing the pots by hand. I asked him why and he said because he thought I was taking a nap. So dang cool.
He bought his own ski season pass and goes with Roger weekly. The other 2 don't get to go often because they don't earn it. Jt earns it 10xs over. He is so helpful with cleaning, household projects, and the babies. He will work all day on Saturday around the house if we are. He cleans up after himself. He independently cooks eggs for breakfast and makes dinner on occasion. He is respectful to Roger and I. He makes excellent grades and is in the 6th grade accelerated math class. He is so dang awesome.
Is he perfect? Nope. He can be a big punk to Rory and Simeon. Other than that, just about.

Here is a video from this morning. He is accompanying the 4th and 6th graders at their school assembly. He brought tears to my eyes yet again.

Walk Through Part 4 Outside

2011-03-22T15:12:00.000-06:00

(I still am looking for the motivation for the last walk through my house. I have yet to do the basement but it really is boring!)

I bought some bulbs before we closed on the house thinking it wouldn't take so long to close and/or I could plant before we closed. The snow came early and long and my chance left. Even though it is too late, I thought I would plant them anyway. When we bought the house, everything looked dead. I had no idea that come spring, I would have a hard time finding a spot that didn't already have bulbs and perennials sprouting. I am talking thousands. A neighbor came by and assured me these are not weeds!

There are sprouts everywhere!!

The people that lived here before the people who lived here before us took amazing care of their yard from what everyone is telling me. The woman carefully picked which trees were planted based on uniqueness. She had rose gardens that were envied. I know some of this through neighbors but mainly from the daughter. She is in my ward.

The people that bought it intended on it being a flip. When the market went south they were stuck with it. Then the man lost his job and went a little awall. He raised goats and chickens and dug trenches to collect rain water. He built sheds and chicken coops and goat pens. They did not water anything. When they foreclosed and took everything they left all the junk in the backyard and dug out fruit trees. The trash is gone but we still have holes and such to deal with.

With that in mind, let me take you through our yard. It has been gloomy like this for far too long.

First off is the front yard. This tree was something I initailly wanted to get rid of. I thought it was a lone wind breaker type tree. Apparently everyone in the neighborhood LOVES this tree and it is expensive. I looked into trimming it to find that it would kill the tree. It has started to grow on me. Some call it the Dr. Seuss tree. I see Gandolf from Lord of the Rings.
Going through the fence on the left.
Going to the back corner and turning around. Hey there Roj. On your way to get rid of the last of the sheds? Thank you!
Turn just a little to the left and there is the house.

Walk to the left to the next corner. Watch out for all the holes and left over glass.

This is the only good climbing tree but it has been trimmed badly because it is up next to power lines. Roger is trying to trim it.
Turn around and look back towards the corner from whence you came.

Look around me in that corner. Why oh why is there a mound of dirt around this cherry tree?

Look to the last corner. Hello wonderful concord grapes! and Hello little bit of sun!Turn the camera to the right a bit and you can see the house. In the farthest corner there is a plum tree.

Walk to the last corner and turn around.
I was planning a garden but I think I am chickening out this year. There is still so much work to be done. We have 26 trees that need trimming and I bought 4 more fruit trees that I need to decide where to put. I also want to see where the best sun is come summer. We are going to till the whole backyard and plant new grass. I need to figure out how to tend to the things we do have. Add 2 babies to that and I am overbooked. Maybe next year. . . or maybe just a few veggies :)

Pillows

2011-03-21T21:48:00.000-06:00

I started this pillow a few weeks ago and made the top all in one day with Rory's help (she made the flower). It's been laying out untouched since then and I finished it today!

Also today, I made this pillow! The second one is on an old wool sweater of mine:) I may go back in a sew a straighter line instead of following the sweater curves.

I have been trying to tie in the orange couch from Roger's parents with my grey walls, white trim and cream, grey and orange curtains. If only the curtains were white. . .

I really am trying to get over my need to not mix cream and white. Aren't I silly that it bothers me so?

Swept Away

2011-03-17T08:12:00.000-06:00

My last house was mainly carpet. My bathrooms? carpet. My dining area? carpet. It was a whole heck of a lot of vacuuming. It was bad quality carpet too. I hated carpet.

This house? A ton of hardwood floor. Although I much much prefer this, there is so much sweeping to do and let's face it, my slave of children stink at sweeping. So I sweep often. Oh, to move chair and stools to only move them back and 2 seconds later a sweet almost 2 year old crumbles a cracker. I cried once.

It helps to have 1 of these.
But really, after sweeping 2 days ago I get this:

Not fair- there are toys in there. Okay, I will take those out:
Then 2 days later:
Gross huh? Doesn't help that I do things like:

There's nothing to do but just do it!

Two Days

2011-03-15T13:25:00.000-06:00

Two days after we were given a Trampoline, Levi landed wrong on his leg.

This lovely lady came to the rescue!

Levi is starting to crawl around with the cast on and will crawl to something and stand up on the good leg. He will also climb up a stool and then climb onto the counter. Nothing is safe. He is also still desperate to jump on the trampoline so I go out with him and hold him while I bounce. Women who have had 5 children have no business jumping on the trampoline, even after relieving themselves right before going out.

Walk Through Part 3

2011-02-19T10:51:00.000-07:00

After I show you the after shot, just remember this is still a room in the making. It's only Part B.

Before

After

We had recessed light and new windows put in. Love those both soooo much! I have mucho macho hours searching for the right curtains and rug. Mucho. I am very happy with the ones I chose. More decorations will come over time.

Plan C will be built ins Roger will build along these lines:

I made the pillows (only one shown?) and the grey curtains this last week. These frames were made with the other ones right before we had Michael and moved

This table was Roger's, mother's grandmother's. We are "storing"it for a little while which makes me nervous. I am new to the tablecloth world.

This is my pathetic desk that will be changed to built ins at some far future date. A new monitor is on the list too.

Since you asked about some I will tell about all

We made the frames. I will dedicate a post to that.
The accent backsplash in the kitchen is from Modwalls
The subway tiles are from Lowes
The counter is Caeserstone in Concrete from Rock Hard Granite locally
The cabinets are from Western Idaho Cabinets
The kitchen curtains are Sanctuary by Patty Young
The bathroom curtains are Michael Miller Grey, Citron and Black
The White Curtains were Pottery Barn Clearance
The Orange Floral curtains are Urban Outfitters
The Gray Ruffle Curtains were made from Ruffle Fabric
The rug is from West Elm
The White Bird curtains were from World Market

Walk Through Part 2

2011-02-18T08:15:00.000-07:00

People- Part 1 was nothing (except for the frames you guys obviously love!) Are you ready for this??

The best thing about having 0 kitchen is starting over with everything I want. The hardest part is picking it and staying in the budget. Roger was amazing and swindled for the things I wanted.
Like the cabinets and counter(Caeserstone in Concrete color). I looked at a bajillion backsplashes before finding this one. It took fuh-evah to put in and was hard work!

Sorry you have to see my trash and recycling but I love it and the location we put it in.
The sink is too small (my bad) but was a fab deal as was the faucet.
I made these curtains. I can't sew straight lines!
We have a few deep drawers which is awesome.
You would not know how cool this wall is just by looking at it. How I wish I had the before shot. The wall on the left was not there and the wall with the pic on it was a half wall. This allowed everyone to see that bathroom in there and the electrical panel. what? Roger and dad extended the wall and made the new wall and door creating a place for my computer and privacy in the bathroom and noise reduction from downstairs. You will see when I show off the family room that the table is right behind me. Table, bathroom- gross. The stairs and downstairs family room are the last rooms needing paint.
What was that pic? Another one our pictures.
Did you see past the other pics on the hall wall into my room and see this pic?

Super fun!

Here is that bathroom at the top of the stairs. It is so very tiny but fits a sink, corner toilet, and shower.
and the other curtain I made. So pretty!
See you again for Part 3 and there will probably be a Part 4.

The Progession of Weather

2011-02-17T11:53:00.000-07:00

2 days ago the weather was in the 60s. It was glorious! Yesterday, I was sewing and I heard thunder and wind. I went to the window and I saw hail start falling. Huge hail.

A couple minutes later. . .

Seriously a couple minutes later. . .
and just a few more minutes. . .
This morning, my kids walked to school in this. So pretty!
and came home like this

Walk Through Part 1

2011-02-16T09:15:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my home!

Come in but I want to start out by telling you that this is part b in the process of our home. I reaaly don't want to give you disclaimers on ever picture about how this that or the other is going to change. Just know, a lot has and a lot will. Go ahead and shut the door.

Here is the living room Roger and his dad added doors to so that we can keep the piano music in and the noise out for reading and what not.

The view out the front window

Lets keep going. Here is the boring entry closet.
It's full of winter gear.
Down the Hallway we have more pics that we made before we knew we were moving.
These are built ins that were already here. We retextured the walls, painted the walls and the trim and had to put all new closet doors on all the closets.

This is the 1st bedroom belonging to Simmy and Michael.

What do we have here?
Roger put built ins in the closets.
Hey Simmy, what are you reading? Good choice!
Next is Levi's, guest, and toy room
Hey baby! How did you get in here? (That's your diaper pile Jenny B. :)
We have never had all the kid books in one place before. While I was unpacking I felt like we had too many books! Love it though.
Dude, gimme the toothpaste!
Across from that bedroom is the hall bath.

And through my room is the master bath. Hello sidekick!
Here is 1 before shot of this bathroom. The rest are still hidden on the laptop whose battery port won't work.

Fun stone with mirror broken into it.
Roger and dad had to put this window in and someday soon I will paint the lovely trim.
I love that this is a small jacuzzi. I don't feel as guilty about filling it up to take a bath.
That's all for today. See you soon.

Out my Window

2011-02-15T08:15:00.000-07:00

I have been taking pictures of my home to share and I should post it tomorrow. Until then, here is the view outside the windows Roger and Grey made for me. Thanks Guys!!

Credit Where Credit is Due

2011-02-15T08:09:00.001-07:00

Fine- I will tell you where I found the idea last year and you won't think I am so cool. Brassy Apple had it on her site and she got it from here. Now go ahead and unthink that I am so cool.

Happiness to All on V-Day!

2011-02-14T14:06:00.001-07:00

I grabbed this idea from here.

Yummy Baby!

2011-02-09T21:57:00.000-07:00

Not this kid (although he is yummy and still a baby)

This melt-my-heart baby. He has not gotten enough camera time in his short 5 1/2 months so here he is. Yummmm!

Look at the love in his eye for Levi who won't stay out of the pic!

Oh how I love this baby!! He is really easy going and loves his siblings almost as much as they love him. He was held all the time while we were at Grandma and Grandpa's house so he is adjusting to being put down or carried in the Ergo. He doesn't do any tricks yet but is so fun to have around. He chunked up when I had to start supplementing and it actually made him cuter. I am so glad we laid low for a few months because that helped to not feel like my last baby grew up too fast. I am sure if these huge changes didn't happen and we were back in Cali, time would have flown by with all the busyness of life. Fortunately, he sleeps wonderfully which sure helps to make me excited to see him when he wakes up again :) He's a keeper!

Mushy Brain

2011-01-31T21:00:00.000-07:00

My brain is mega mushy. I know they say that being prego makes less blood flow to the brain and I was prego right on top of each other but this is scary and needs to stop. I can't remember a darn thing. I have never had a good memory. I have relied on others to remember stories from that past. When my sister passed away so did a lot of memories. Lately I can't remember that Roger handed me keys 2 min before. I would not say I am having attention problems, just mushy problems. Even word recall has been off. "Jt, can you go get the, the, thing that I use to clean this bum. Its in the other room. On the dresser. You know, the, the WIPES".

I am reading A Wrinkle in Time to Rory for bonding sake. Jt was listening in and after she left he asked what the book was about. I told him it was about a girl who traveled into different dimensions. He chortled. I asked him why. He said because it usually a guy. Seriously? I told him there are women scientist and inventors but I couldn't name any off the top of my head. What kind of example am I being to my son? I told a friend and she said "What about so and so an so and so" I wish I could remember women like that off the top of my head. My brain can't right now. I need to be smarter for him.

I can't find my phone or credit card right now. Not fun.

I have been dubbed the family historian by my dad. I need to start writing a lot lot lot down. Now!

So, what's a mom to do? I can pray for spontaneous brain firming. We had a gal over who is in her 70's and I commented at how well she remembered things and she told me it takes work. Hmph. I suppose this is worth working for. New Year's passed us by without as much as wave nor am I fond of New Year's Resolutions but I will make 2011 (er, the rest of it) the year of brain firming. Is that a odd name? How about:

The 2011 Mind Makeover

1. Wrap my brain around the Scriptures. I believe it will help my overall ability to think. I have been pretty lame about it lately. I will become a scriptorian. Google doesn't like that word.

2. Write in my journal and blog more. I believe writing helps the brain to process words better.

3. Read more. Read something other than blogs and Facebook. Read fiction, non fiction, news, science etc. I believe reading info that like that will help conversing with people.

4. Pick a subject my kiddos are interested in that I think I might enjoy learning about, learn about it and have bonding conversations and activities with my kids. They are smart and I need to keep up!

5. Make my brain healthy by keeping my body healthy. I like junk food but it is junking up my brain.

Is that enough? Is there something else I should include?

I NEED to Write!

2011-01-30T20:33:00.000-07:00

I need to write. Do you know how often I sit down at the computer and have 2 hands free? 1 free? Sit Down? After my last post, we did a major remodel for 12 days before we moved our things in. Then 5 days later we moved in and then a week later we were unpacked. We are still doing some remodeling and decorating. I know you want to see pics but I really want to wait until we have the pictures up on the wall. That will only be a week. I also need to get before pics off the laptop that needs a replacement battery. Can you wait? Here is a sneak peak I think is so cool:

I need to write though. I need to write so my friends and fam know what is going on in my world so we can stay connected. I need to write so my new friends can learn more about me. I need to write so this can be a family journal. I need to write so my brain won't be so mushy. That one deserves it own post.

The Next Phase

2010-12-19T16:32:00.000-07:00

My oldest kid turns 10 in a couple weeks. I have been a mom for a decade!! In the last 10 years we have graduated from BYU, moved 7 times, and had 5 kids. Whew!

Starting almost 4 months ago and ending Jan 1, we have started the next phase of our lives. In the next 20 years we are planning on paying off our home, being emptynesters, and the only kids we will have will be grand kids. I am a little overwhelmed. 4 months ago I had no idea anything was going to be much different and now it is. I am still oober sad to leave my treasured friends and baffled that I am old enough to be starting this new phase but here I am: done making babies and settling down into our home.

Happy I Have. . .

2010-12-05T16:52:00.000-07:00

As this adventure continues of waiting for our house to close while living with Roger's parents (10 weeks and counting) I am daily thankful and sad for what we have with us and what we don't. My wise MIL tells me "its not what you can live with but what you can live without".

I am happy I/we happened to pack in the van
1- our kids
2- many Aden & Anais blankets
3- Roger's laptop
4- hair straightener
5- fave earrings
6- our camera
7- bikes
8- stroller
9- baby carriers
10-swimsuits
11- important documents so my kids could go to school

I really, really miss
1- my own scriptures
2- my pump and nursing accessories
3- cloth diapers
4- my sewing stuff, fabric, and crafts
5- my computer with bookmarks favorites, pics, and editing software
6- warm clothes and snow gear
7- 3-6 month clothes
8- 6-9 month clothes
9- rocking chair
10- scout uniform and book
11-friends, friends, friends- oh why did I not pack you!!!

I feel how I feel when I am prego and it feels like I will never have the baby and will be pregnant forever except I really love my inlaws and would love to live with them forever, just in my house with my own things. :)

Snow Fun

2010-12-03T10:59:00.000-07:00

I have heard that this unusual that the snow has not melted these last couple weeks. The kids have loved it!

A Hidden Post!

2010-11-26T12:45:00.000-07:00

I found these pictures in my drafts (today is 2/16) from when we were at Roger's parent house. I don't remember what I was going to say but thought I would share the pics anyway.

Levi LOVES getting bundled up to go outside. That is a real smile peeps.

They made a sledding hill.

and a snowman. Rory is wearing Levi's snow clothes.

Yummy!

JT made honor roll

the kids love raking!

and Jt loves building

16, 32, 48

2010-11-25T12:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my 32 birthday. When Roj and I went to bed, he came in and snuggled close and fell asleep within seconds. Close as in arm under my pillow and breathing on my neck. I can't fall asleep that close and in fact, we have a King size bed because I can't sleep being close. I can handle hand holding and that is about it. I thought, good grief, I am 32 years old today and maybe from here on out I can sleep cuddling. Why not? That made me start thinking about being 32 and how that may be 1/3 of my life if I take after my mom's side of the family. Only 1/3!!

That made me start thinking about 1/2 of my life ago because there is no point in thinking about 32 years ago. I can't remember that. At 16, I did the normal things. I started "dating" and driving. I lived in a home with my mom, stepdad, 1 bio brother and sister, and 5 step siblings. I shared a room with one sister and we were really close. I had my own cat and some fish. I worked as a hostess at Outback Steakhouse. I was in the choir. I ate chicken fried steak everyday at school (and had it for my bday dinner last night). There was always some sort of drama going on.

Thinking back on highschool, I realized I forgot how unpopular I was then. I knew everybody and was friends with everybody but aside from my boyfriend(s) and family, I wasn't real close to anyone. I had a best friend since birth but we were not super super close in public settings. I remember days walking around at lunch not really knowing who to sit with. My best friend had other friends, my siblings had their own friends, even my boyfriend(s) had his own friends. When I did find people to sit with I often felt like an outsider. I dealt with depression.

At the time, if I were asked what I thought life would be like in 16 years, I am sure I would have said married, a bunch of kids, a marine biologist that works with sharks. I fulfilled the most important part of that and am living a life I always thought I would.

16 years is so long ago and so much has happened for bad and good. My sister died. That was never supposed to happen. Sorry, did I really just go there. I will stop. I never meant for this to be a sad post. I don't have a sad life. I have a great life with an awesome husband and amazing kids.

Life changed when I went to college. No one knew I was a dud in highschool and I became more popular. I had a lot of fun and went even overboard Freshman year. I am not proud of who I was then either.

I started liking myself after getting married and having kids. I finally felt like I knew who I was and what my role in life should be. I became even more confidant in myself and even liked myself.

When I moved to Irvine, I had it all. Great family, great friends, great hobbies, great self esteem. I was never happier. Rory asked me yesterday what my worst year was and I answered quickly 7th grade. She asked me what my favorite year was and I took some time and answered 2008. Life was calm, peaceful, and fun. I felt loved all around the board.

See why it was so sad to leave Irvine? I know life will be great here too I am sure but Irvine was where I found happiness and fulfillment.

I can't imagine the next 16 years having as much change as the last and I don't want it to.

I fell asleep in Roger's arms last night and I might do it again sometime.

Poor, Neglected. . .

2010-11-06T12:46:00.000-06:00

Blog/5th baby/whatever you feel neglected by me. We have had such major life changes in the last few months. Not only did we have before mentioned baby who was 12lbs 15 oz at his 2 month checkup. . .

but Simmy started riding a bus! Just Simmy because Kinder is full at the local school.

Roger got a new job up here in Boise. We stopped by Robyn and Grey's house for a week which as turned into 6 weeks and counting while wait to close on our house. Great Grandma Lucimae has been living here too, Chad was here for a few weeks and their live in help for Lucimae. We have really packed ourselves in here.

I spend a lot of time with these 2 bugs.

and we spend a lot of time with grandmas. How cool is that??

Jt really loves his little baby brothers and is so amazing with them.

We have had a holiday here and everything

I miss my crafts big time but was able to use Robyn's sewing machine to make Rory's robe.

In the next week or so we should close on our fixer house and then we will get to work. The previous owners foreclosed and took everything!! We were able to get a great deal I love the huge yard and location.

Until then we will hold tight and enjoy being in a 4 generation home with amazing people, get to know our ward and neighbors better, excel in school and get bigger or smaller depending on who in the family you are talking about.

Rory is getting Baptized

2010-09-02T17:17:00.001-06:00

I wanted to make sure everyone knows that Rory is being baptized this Saturday at 4pm. Come if you can but know that we will not be serving refreshments after if that is a deal breaker:) We will be blessing Michael after so in a way that is its own special treat.
Much Love
The Titmi

A little tricky

2010-08-29T11:46:00.000-06:00

I want to get caught up on my blog to this point but I also want to keep Michael's announcement on the top and keep things in somewhat of an order. I am going to start back with May's happenings and set the post time to previous to now until I get caught up. So even though Michael is on top, scroll down to see what I have posted- if I post :)

Michael Grey

2010-08-28T12:54:00.000-06:00

If you have not heard from any other source which I really can not imagine, Michael Grey is here! 8 lbs 3 oz 20 in easy peasy entry into our world. I was induced 8 days early to keep from having a giant baby and he ends up being our smallest. There is not much of a story. I decided I did not want to feel anything this time around and I didn't. Such a huge difference than any other labor and delivery I have had but this time I just really did not want to feel anything. Everything went as smooth as can be and the healing is going really well.

Just Simeon and Rory were in town to visit him in the hospital. Josh and Levi are up in Idaho with Grandma and Grandpa.

Chad was a major stud in the whole process. He watched my kids so we could go to the 5am induction and watched them all day. Let me tell you, Levi is a handful and I don't just mean his multiple poopy diapers.

Next week school starts, Rory is getting baptised and Michael is being blessed. I need to go lay down.

Dragons!!

2010-07-29T17:33:00.000-06:00

Sew SewSew SewSew SewSew SewSew SewSew SewSew SewSew Sew

That's what I did for the rest of our stay at Lena's. We came home and I sewed for hours until Rory's birthday party. Actually, I was still hand sewing heads on up until the kids came to the last event. My kid's were SUPER helpful and helped with the dragons, Levi, and the house.

When our Dragon hunters arrived we had a feast.
We then chased Dragon tails (aka- bandannas in the back pocket of the last person in line)
They then swung from a rope to try to knock down the bucket of water balloons. Crazy loud fun!
The Dragon hunters dug for Dragon eggs.
I really don't like pinatas. Instead they threw fireballs (bean bags made out of a fire fabric that Rory helped make) at a box with holes hidden under the paper.
Sadly, there is no pic with the dragon showing on box but here he is.
After not finding the dragon on the hunt, the hunters came back to the tables and called for the dragon.
What showed up? Baby dragons to adopt. Lots of them in lots of colors. Sadly, I was one short in the making so Rory did not get to make one. She understood how much time they took and that it was time for the party.
They gave them hearts (that Lena made), eyes, and stuffing. It took a long time to stuff!

We then ate cake. This was my first time using fondant. This guy looks a little spooky but much cooler than if I tried to just use frosting right?

This party was very simple except for the VERY not simple dragons that took sooooo many hours and the cake. I don't think anyone could have talked me out of them anyway :)

Scary 4th

2010-07-20T12:28:00.000-06:00

We were at Roger's sister Lena's house for the 4th of July and Roger, Chad and Blane were invited to work on the fireworks show. We all showed up for a picnic dinner and set up and it was soooooo hot hot hot.

I was intrigued with how the set up was done as I had always wondered. I bet most people all ready know but they set the explosives in tubes and they run and set them off in succession.

Because of the wind that day, they set up the tubes to point away from the crowd so the wind could blow them to the best place for people to see.

While they set up, the older kids were able to jump!

Ben

The girls

Rory

Then we had to wait for it to get dark enough to light them off. I think it was close to 945pm by then.

They also had to wear fire clothes to be able to set them off

The families of the people setting off the fireworks were able to exclusively sit closer to the fireworks and supposedly have the best seat. The wind changed and as soon as they started going off we found ourselves in a dangerous situation. The grounds around us were being lit on fire and people were having to stomp them out. We had 3 adult females and 8 kids in our group and the kids were getting scared and and the women were anxiously watching every firework coming our way. At one point, I was watching the sky to make sure nothing fell on my head when Lena was stomping on fire inches away from my back. We took off for our vehicles to watch the rest of the show which was fantastic from farther away. They guys REALLY enjoyed themselves being so close and setting them off but I am sure we gals and kids will never get that close again.

Lame June

2010-06-30T11:57:00.000-06:00

You wanna see how many pics I had of June?

My first dragon

Simeon Graduating from preschool co op

Then I went on Facebook and found some more.

I gave myself a hickey with a suction cup I was sticking to
my forehead to make Levi laugh. So not worth it!

Good times with family. This is Roger's bro Chad and his other bro's baby Piper

Chillin with Roger

Playin with Piper

See, Facebook is not as evil as some people seem to think :) I found A LOT more pictures there to supplement July too

2010-06-28T19:26:00.000-06:00

It's been so long since I have posted I forget I have to go in reverse order with the pics. All these pics are in reverse but I don't think it matters:)

At the end of May, we traveled to St George for my sister Caitlin's wedding. Somehow we did not take pictures of that but do have these fabulous pictures of playing on these rocks with my Jenny girl's family. My kids absolutely LOVED playing on the rocks and I only freaked a few times about them tripping over their own feet at the edge of a tall rock.

My Jenny girl and I are both prego at the time

Good Fun!

Summer Boutique this Saturday!!

2010-06-10T11:03:00.000-06:00

I am participating in my 1st Boutique this Saturday so if you are local enough come stop by. I choose my crafts that are easy enough for me to do with out getting stressed and are very applicable to this month. I am selling the Father's Day shirts I did last year and magnets that can be given to teachers for an easy end of year gift

I made some of the bottle caps and scrabble tiles into pendants. I also handstamped initials onto sterling silver blanks for another sweet necklace.

Here is the flyer and also head on over to FunkyPolkadotGiraffe to see pictures of the other vendors. Last I heard there will be 23 of us. Come stop by!

May Projects

2010-05-30T13:54:00.000-06:00

Maniac I am! I was given that quilt back to add a sleeve to the back so it can be hung on a wall but after that I have gone bizonkers with my crafting.

I made a stroller quilt for Levi out of material I have had since before he was born that was meant for this project. What is a stroller quilt? It is a long skinny quilt. . .

with a way to attach it it to the stroller. . . (snaps in my case but one could just tie it on)

and buttons to fold it up on it self so little toes can be inside and it can stay off the ground. Isn't that cool? I found the tutorial online but I have it in email for if anyone is interested

This pic was the 1st time I tried the quilt out and I can now see that I need to add some button holes higher up to make it short. I think I will make the next baby's stroller quilt 6-12 inches shorter or at least make the fabric at the bottom of the quilt more boring :)

I made myself a necklace birth stones, stars, new baby and all
I am exceedingly snap happy around here. I am converting all my velcro diapers to snaps because velcro is buggin! I have also exchanged velcro for snaps on all my bibs too. I bought the supplies at kamsnaps- if you sign up for their newletter you can hold off buying until there is a good deal.

Before

After

Lastly for May, I made a Double Reversible Shopping Cart Cover for my babes. I bought the pattern on etsy and it easy to make except for one small change I would have made to the pattern. If you are ever going to make one you can ask what that change is :)

More to come!!!

The Obligatory Mother's Day

2010-05-29T13:49:00.000-06:00

I feel obligated to show you the customary Mother's Day breakfast in bed photo. Look at all those kids!!

Here is my SWEET brand new ride!! So excited!! Yup- over a stroller. I have used some pretty cruddy strollers in my time.

Dodecadi

2010-05-28T13:22:00.000-06:00

As in a Dodecahedron that is a di. I have had so much fun being primary chorister/music leader/song leader whatever you would like to call it, even though it is a lot of work :) Most of my ideas come from online sources but this one was copied from a chorister that taught when Roger and I taught CTR 5 a few years ago. I thought I would add it to the online world. We use it on Review Sundays and the kids LOVE it! I made my own pattern and cut out the cardboard shapes and taped them together. After a child rolls it another child picks a song out of the can that I wanted to work on. My favorite was when a child rolled "Teachers Only" and the other pulled "Popcorn Popping". The kids thought that was hilarious. Good Fun!

Bye Chad

2010-05-27T13:20:00.000-06:00

We were able to have Roger's brother close for the last couple months but he is moving on again. Come back soon Chad!!

Levi's Milestones

2010-05-26T12:54:00.000-06:00

Understandably, this kid melts my heart!

Did you know he is my first kid to work some curls?? They are only in the back and how often does one take pictures of the back of their child's head?
I did here because he was crackin me up with how long he was playing with an empty raisin container. There are not even many curls here

Do you see that one little tooth up on top on the side? That was his 3rd tooth. Yup- on the side.

But now he has 4 on top. 2 in front, the same one on the side and on the same side one even further back. I am so glad he has teeth. At first the thought of no more gummy grins broke my heart but now I am ready for less whole food in the diaper region- ie raisins, black beans and chunks of olives. TMI

This melts my poor heart every time I see him walk. He is over 13 months and finally walking by his own choice mot of the time. He can't stand from sitting yet so he crawls to something he can stand up with.

I love this baby! I need to stop calling him baby though. I will say to one of my kids "The baby is kicking- do you want to feel?" and they will look at Levi. Not the baby for much longer!