Giving it another shot!

Ok, so my commitment to blogging didn't go so well since it's been 3 months...shameful! I feel like I manage my time well enough, but seriously there is never enough time for all the things I NEED to do...I never get to sit down until we put the boys to bed (8pm sharp!) by then I am exhuasted! I still haven't figured out when to fit in working out, I do all my pilates, yoga, and weights at night, but cardio?? The boys were getting up between 5:50am-6:10am so to go running before wasn't happening and I value my sleep too much. Then at night I value my time with Jim too much so yea...what do ya do?! Of course you have to fit in working on my stocking orders, doing the books for Creekside Cottages, cleaning, cooking, yard work, field trips, homework, callings, FHE, etc., etc., etc,.

I am attempting to blog my week and not individual events...so here is a recap on my week 5/22-5/28.

Sunday: Church 9-12, Jim and I team teach the 16-17 yr olds, Brody was sick so I stayed home and Jim took the 2 older boys. Jim grilled Chicken for the family, she took naps, it was a nice quiet day.
Monday: Dropped Preston off at school at 9am, picked up the Sister missionaries at 9:25am. Sean and I took the missionaries to Punchbowl Falls. I drove Sister Willmore and Sister Todd, Sean drove 4 Elders from their district, and another 4 Elders met us there. It was overcast but never rained, it was a beautiful hike! Sister Willmore and Sister Todd are so much fun, I can't wait for them to come visit after their mission. Sean treated everyone to Ozzies for Gyros. We are trying to have a reverent FHE...yea. Tuesday: Grocery shopping, Costco, bank, gas, and Dr. Ames for Brody's cold at 10:45am, he has a sinus infection poor guy, he is taking a pretty hefty anti-biotic. He has been so fussy and miserable. Tuesdays are Jim's late day he has school from 7:30am-9:30pm so it is a long day! I usually do pizza for the kids and try to make it a fun day...naps are required to survive!

Wednesday: Preston has school at 9, needs picked up at noon. Laundry, vacuum, dust, and organice the boys rooms and toys.

Thursday: Nikki needed me to watch Ashton at 9am while she had LHR done, then she was taking my Grandma Leta to look at Apartments (she just sold her home and was looking into living at a 55+ community). So I entertained 4 boys for 8 hours...luckily I coordinated naptime and got a break too. Also I had a guy come out to spray for spring bugs (ants, spiders and slugs). clean bathrooms and finish laundry.

Friday: Connor has begged and begged to see the Dinosaur exhibit at the Oregon zoo, it opened today!! We loaded up and said a quick prayer that it wouldn't rain just long enough for us to enjoy the Dinosaurs. My goal was to arrive when the gate opened we got there at 9:15...so the lines were horrible. We had a great time, the boys were perfect and loved the Dinosaurs. We made it through the lions, and as we were leaving the Serengeti the downpour came....luckily we were mostly prepared. It was fun running from one covered area to the next the boys thought it was a great adventure and boys LOVE jumping in mud puddles! Needless to say by the time we got to the bats they were exhausted, I loaded them all up on my single stroller and jogged to the truck...I wanted to die thats long job in the pouring rain...but it was fun. We got Mint oreo shakes on the way home, enjoyed naps, and had a yummy roast for dinner.

Saturday: Jim had to write a paper and spent the day at the school so we headed off to Aunt Nikki's for the day. Nikki cut Brody's hair, he is sooo handsome, and we played. Jim grilled steak and chicken for dinner....so delish!

My Angels

Yesterday was my 32nd Birthday, it was wonderful! Jim made me crepes for breakfast with berries, he bought me LHR packages...which I am sooo excited about, took me shopping for hours, and ended the night with Thai and a massage!
It was a great day, while I was shopping I got a text from an unknown number wishing me a happy birthday...the sender said many other lovely things and I thought who could be texting me such lovely things and I not have their number in my phone. It was Krista Neeley, a previous tenant in our BYU-I housing who had also become a dear friend. As I thought about Krista and how much I miss her I was also reminded of a trying time in my life...

I was pregnant with Brody and as sick as usual...if anyone doesn't know I have not just morning sickness but all day sickness to the point that I have to either be hospitalized or go in regularly for IV fluids due to dehydration...to say I worship the porcelain god my entire pregnancy would be accurate! The more children you have the harder it is to be that sick and care for them. There were days that I was so sick, exhausted, frusterated, needed to clean house, feed children, make dinner, etc and couldn't get off the couch. I would pray for help and strength and as soon as I would finish my prayer Krista would knock on my door. I would tear up everytime and am so grateful for her. I am thankful for her example of listening to the promptings of the Spirit and answering anothers prayers. She not only would take my children but would also bring lovely treats. Her selfless compassion for another in need is a shining example to me of our Saviors love. I was blessed to have Krista in my life and to call her my friend.

Being a manager of BYU-Idaho was a blessing to me, I have become friends with many of our tenants who taught me so much, who served me, loved me and my family, and I am so grateful for. I have watched many of them marry in the temple and have children of their own. I get emails, texts, letters and phone calls thanking me...but I am the one who feels overwhelming joy for having each one of them in my life. Love you girls! :)

It's been way too long..

Ok, so to say my life has been a little busy would be an understatement...but I truly have no excuse for not blogging for over 6 months! I can't believe I missed blogging Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas...I am totally ashamed! So I have given myself homework and am commiting to 1 blog a week. I guess adjusting to 3 mobile children was hard...and when the sun is out so am I. I just can't stand not taking advantage of every bit...especially in the summer. The fall always gets busy as my Etsy store orders start pouring in as Christmas approaches. My goal this year was to start doing a few stockings a month so I am not overwhelmed during the fall...so far I haven't started them.
Some fun things that we have done or planning on soon.
*We traded our Yukon in on a new 2011 4 Runner, don't get me wrong...I will always LOVE my Yukon but was needing something a bit better on gas and the pocket book while we are students. I still feel blessed to have a new vehicle.
* Jim is starting the Masters program next quarter so that means we will see him less...I really didn't think that was possible!
* Preston loves Preschool and has excelled. He has started adding and substracting and reading. I am worried he may be a bit bored next year in Kindergarten.
* I have started teaching Connor his numbers and letters he loves the one on one time he gets and things "homework" is awesome!
* Brody is a complete joy and makes us laugh everyday...he is a total ham and really puts on a show with or without an audience!
* Valentine's Day was pretty special with 4 boys giving me all kinds of love. Connor told Jim to buy me roses so he could marry me, Preston told me how beautiful I was and how much he liked my outfit, and Jim took me to Jake's and the Melting Pot, surprised me with roses and a wonderful card. It was a great day...
* We planned our trip to Utah for our 8th anniversary and our dear friend Jess's wedding! She is getting married in the SLC temple and I am SO excited!
* With Jim only having days off between terms we try to pack those breaks full so his June break we are heading to Sisters, Or and the Coast. His break in March we haven't planned quite yet because of the cold weather....
* Oh, and my most favorite thing I have done just for me...I indulged in Laser Hair removal! Oh, yes, I am tired of waxing and shaving...so I started with my legs and can't believe how well it works! So I have kinda got mildly addicted and have done my underarms, and various other areas. I have gone to different spas that use different lasers but my favorite is the cynosure and palomar...amazing results after just 1 session. I have done 2 sessions on all my areas and only have to do touch-up shaving 1 a week. It's amazing and I couldn't be more excited about it! :)

Uh, I gotta run...time to go Birthday shopping...

Sean's big 2-6

I made Sean's cake, and we ordered a 6 foot long sub--no kidding the whole thing got eaten!

Ashton, Preston and Connor playing with the balls

Preston and Connor playing in the backyard during Sean's party

the boys drinking out of the house after Jim planted all my veggies...such a good husband!

Brody and Bella almost 7 months!

Brodalicious, the Brodman, Mr. Brody, the Brodster...yup Brody is our Sunshine, Mr. Happy, always glad to be alive. I think he wanted too long to get his body and now that he has it-pure joy! He is an easy, happy, always smiling little man, and his cheeks you just can't kiss them enough! ;)

He is tired...

Learning to share

I can't believe my baby is almost 7 months old, he has 1 tooth and wants to crawl so badly. He doesn't think he is only 7 months, he wants to keep up with his two big brothers! His girlfriend stopped by the other day, Bella is just 1 wk older that Brody. They weigh about the same and are just about the same length and so CUTE!

Could be my best work yet!

I found this dresser on Craigslist it is solid hardwood early 1900's by Angelus Furniture Company. It is for a friend's little girl Bella. It has sat in my garage for a good month maybe 2 while we decided what exactly she wanted. Well yesterday we made decisions and moved forward. I wish I had before photos I am really bad about taking them, usually I just run out and get as much done as I can while Brody is napping. Just imagine it a Pecan stain. The top was really worn and in need of refinishing. We primered first with Kilz, then sprayed it with Krylon Satin Almond. I sanded the top and drawers weeks ago. Once all the painting was done and dried I stained the top with Minwax Special Walnut, I applied 3 coats of Special Walnut and let it dry overnight. This morning I applied the Ralph Lauren Faux Technique Glaze in Oxfordshire. I am absolutely thrilled with the results! I love the look the glaze gave the overall piece. I hope Ashley and Bella enjoy it as much as I do! ;) Thank you for letting me work on this piece for you...can't wait to see it in Bella's room!

Little Monkeys

They discovered they can climb, and climb and climb. We only have 1 tree and its a little tree, but they enjoy every bit of it!