The Little Things in Life

There are times when you wonder (like Amy and Rory from Doctor Who) if life just got started.
The past few months seems like our life kicked into hyper gear.
We have been busy with Doctors appointments, dentist work, school, soccer, birthday parties and so much else.
I never meant to go quite for so long. Really I meant to come back and give you the update on Hubby and his seizures.
So here we go - one massive missive, condensed to a semi manageable length.

Prissy ~

In October she turned 10! (Where has the time gone!) We had a great Monster High Birthday party for her - they watched 13 Wishes (the newest M.H Movie) We had a Monster Dance off as well as a mummy wrap contest.
The winners took home some great prizes and everyone had a ball - really they are still talking about this party!

G'man ~

My boy has had a BALL this fall. We placed him on a indoor soccer team and they came in first place. Okay not to brag but they won all 8 of their games and some of them they won at 15-0. He LOVES soccer now!
He also won B.U.G lunch at his school on the same day as his Best Bud. (Bringing Up Grades). I am very proud of how great he has been this year!

The Hubs and I

 

Hubby has had 11 cavities, 3 crowns and one infected tooth worked on. He has also been on two different meds as well as diagnosed with Left Frontal Lobe Epilepsy. 

The medicine he is on has helped. He is having seizures less frequently but they are growing worse in strange ways (he was able to do a task while one part of his brain was still seizing).

I have been having a ball with my Bestie as this is the first year that all four of our babies have been in school full time!

Our friend C.A just came home from Cambodia and she has 6 more weeks to go until her first baby arrives! I can't even say how happy I am that she is back in the states!

Weather across the nation has been cold and brutal - Utah is no exception. We have been under 32d for the past two weeks! With most days starting off at 4d and getting as warm as 18d today's 30d actually felt warm - we got close to having something (anything at this point) melt!

Luckily before the cold settled in we were able to install a new warmer front door as well as plug up some large holes.

This came in handy last weekend when G'man turned off our heater with his soccer ball. Even though it dropped down to 4 degrees that night it was still a frigid 52d when we woke up.

 

We still don't have all the answers. Hubby's health still isn't where we would like it and we don't know if it ever will be again. 

Today.

Money is still tight. 

Family is still family. 

However, we have a home. 

We have each other and we have hope for tomorrow.

So today is a good day.

Today, I miss my mama, but cuddle with my son and daughter. 

Today is important.

Its filled with the little things.

School, work, fish and chips, family movie night, frigid air and hot cocoa. 

I don't know what tomorrow holds but today... today is a good day.

Christmas Day Two

Yesterday we had Christmas with my father and step mom. 

In the upper corner is a photo of us - my hubby, me, Prissy and G'man.

Diane (step mom) was so busy it wasn't until I got home that I realized that I didn't have any good photos of her - from this visit at least.

Oh well, maybe Saturday when we see each other again.

The day, the food and our time was great!

We had to leave early due to another engagement.

Our old next door neighbors, when we lived in the mobile home a few years ago, needed some help fixing their laptop.

As her family is all out of country she communicates mostly via video chat.

Naturally Christmas is a big time for the family to get together - even if only online.

They surprised us with their newest addition to their family - chi-co, a 6 week old Shih Tzu boy puppy.

They loved our dog Patch so much that they went and bought one of their own!

I must admit they are great family dogs - and wonderful for those that are allergic to dogs.

My daughter can not handle any other dogs (so far) but she is fine with Patch as long as she washes and keeps the dog away from her face.

I have passed on the extra tips as her oldest daughter and my girls number one best friend is also allergic to dogs.

They have been best friends since before they could talk to each other!

Dastardly Duo Holidays

I love my dastardly duo, very much.
There are times, however, that I do wonder where they picked some things up...

Prissy the other days tells me: Mama, G'man hasn't been good - he's mean to me all the time. You need to take his presents back and get him coal.
Me: I'm not Santa love, you both get presents because I want to give you something not because either one of you have been good or bad - and lets face it love, neither of you would get presents if I was like Santa.
Prissy: But mama! (shock, gasp, big eyes) I love you mama! I took the trash out and emptied the dish washer... doesn't that make me good?

At this point I shake my head and walk away. She is such a scammer! She wants her brother to get nothing and her to get everything!

This year has been the best year for us so far. The kids were spoiled beyond belief!
They got clothes, toys, electronics and goodies.
For many this looks like a normal Christmas - for my children however, they fell into their wildest dreams.
You see, we are not well off. A few years ago my kids both got dollar store items, a few outfits and laundry hampers - they LOVED the hampers - played with them for hours on end.

We have been so blessed in recent years - a home, a car, amazing friends and a great job.
I can only pray that so many others are as blessed as we have been.

Christmas day one (yesterday) is done. Today round two continues at the grandparents.

No matter what day you celebrate don't forget to be thankful for life, your friends and your blessings!

Here is a cup of cocoa ~ Merry Christmas!

Kid Day - Unplugged

My kids have been sick off and on for the past week, for a while I was trying to get them to make it to school - after multiple times of having to run back and forth to the school (including having to beg a ride so I wouldn't have to walk in the rain) today I just gave up and kept them both home.

Instead of all of us plopping in front of the boob tube, we unplugged. I stayed off the internet all day and the tv was off most of the whole day!
We cuddled in bed, read books, talked and painted Christmas houses and ornaments.
When papa came home he was tackled by two very hyper happy children.

It was good they stayed home, they both needed to stay next to the bathroom and both have needed cold meds - twice to keep the snot at bay.
It was also a very good mama/kid day - no one yelled, screamed or cried for very long. All in all it was the type of day we always dream of having with our kids but rarely do.

Two weeks ago my face looked like this

Two weeks after using my new face wash - acne all gone - as well as the oily build up on my skin - no matter how many times I washed a day!

Home Made Face Cleanse

Tomorrow is another day at home - this time because there is no school

another day to unplug and listen.

Another day of cuddles and secrets.

Of stories and bonding

another day to be.

 

New Year - New You!

My friend Falling Off a High-Heeled Life recommended this weekly Wednesday Workshop (please click link to join)

This is for all the women who have put off taking care of themselves - allowing themselves to be worn down, worn out and frazzled (sounds familiar? Yeah me too).
Most likely I will read it on Wednesday - think about it - and post it on Thursday. Allowing myself time to REALLY think about it, not just off the top of my head, quick fix, quick answer, fast track mode that I normally do in life.


Week One: List 3 changes in each of the following categories that you would like to work toward in 2012

Physical
1. Lose weight (I have been working on this for quite some time)
2. Fix hair more often
3. Care for my nails and skin more

Emotional
1. Calm down - Stop stressing!
2. Find a happy zone
3. Let go of anger and hurt

Spiritual
1. Read my bible more
2. Pray more
3. Listen more

Just recognizing the things you want to change is a huge step.

For those that have been following my blog for some time - you are familiar with "My Path to Me". Where this summer I finally started taking care of me.
After years of caring for my husband (and his many illnesses), my daughter with her Asthma and many allergies and my son with his mama issues.
This summer I started taking care of me. No longer putting off my issues "waiting until I had more time, money" or the ever popular, "when things calm down".

If you don't take time now you, your family and your friends are ALL losing out! I put off taking care of my needs FAR too long!
I have dim memories of dirty rooms, dirty children, piled up dishes and extreme tiredness.
This Christmas was the Best EVER!!!
Or at least ever since my Mama died.

My children didn't get a ton of toys, lots of candy or huge parties. However, this year they got mama, awake, happy and energetic!
I had the energy to put up Christmas decorations and make cookies with my kids.
We had cuddle times, laughter and hugs.
My memories are no longer dim and foggy. I took the time this summer - only a few months - and I am already so much better then I have been for almost 7 years!

Each woman deserves to find her own Path to Me. You can join this one and be apart of a group - or go it alone - just don't stop walking!

How Astute is Prissy?

I love my kids - really but sometimes I wonder if I think they are much smarter and much more observant then I thought and then other times I really really wonder about them!

Like today.

Hubby comes home early from work today

I send the kids and hubby off to get treats and snacks for our family party tonight.

While they are gone I run around the whole house

ripping down Christmas decorations.

When they arrive home both kids run for the TV fighting over who gets a turn first.

(a battle between Hannah Montana & Phineas & Ferb)

Hubby takes one hinted look into the livingroom and remarks

"You took them all down?"

Later (25 minutes later)

We are sitting watching Hannah 

(obviously Prissy won)

Hubby looks at me - "They moved? Does Lily live with them now?"

I shrug my shoulders I tend to block out annoying sounds and shows.

Prissy looks up, "I don't know."

"You just watched it didn't you pay attention?" Papa (aka Hubby) asks

I glare, "Obviously she doesn't pay attention" - waving my arms wildly at the now bare walls around the room.

He laughs, "Prissy can you look around and tell me what has changed in the room?"

Prissy jumps up, glances all around the room GASPS! 

"Shoot! My boots! Sorry papa! LM (littleman) pick up your boots quick! Hurry we forgot to put them away!"

At this point Hubby and I lose it! 

We are laughing so hard, watching our children run to get the boots, run past the empty spot the tree stood 2 hours ago, run back to the couches and immediately start watching Phineas & Ferb.

Half an hour later and still they have not noticed!

Christmas Day

The morning and afternoon were just the four of us... along with our dog Patch (who was also spoiled rotten). Dinner was with our Friends (newly married) Shayne & Sara!

The morning started off with the kids opening their Christmas socks, then quickly moved on to breakfast.
I had to put my breakfast off to the side (several times) and allow the kids to open their presents - while taking photos of course - before I could fully finish all my food! Yummy!

I have to say this is about the BEST Christmas we've ever had!

Both of my boys (hubby included) got new remote control cars!

Prissy got the camera she has been begging for as well as another Barbie!

In half a day she managed to take 201 photos! 

Whew is she even worse then me!

Shayne & Sara's lovely house all decked out for Christmas!

Dinner with great food and wonderful friends!

That wasn't the best part!

Their present to us was amazing!

A date night for hubby and I - babysitting included!

The kids both got cloths and will look adorable!

This really has been the best Christmas ever!

Great times, Great friends and Great memories!

May the rest of this year be as blessed for you as it's been blessed for us!

Christmas Eve

See those pretty plates on my Best Friends table?

Oh Yeah! I bought them for her Christmas present! 

Best part?

There Correlle! So they won't break, chip or crack!

Now I want to brag for a moment on my BFF, Tired Mom

She is the mother of two young Autistic children,

She is the Social Media Chair for Utah Autism Coalition & has Fibromyalgia (?). 

Full time wife, mother, cook, OCD house cleaner....

and she still has time to not only decorate her house but 

cook a gourmet dinner for her friends and family!

Want a closer look at that amazing food?

and yes it tasted ever better then it looked!

Do I just have the most amazing BFF or what?!

She gave me my Soda Stream - early ;)

Now her kids are regular Autistic children so sitting them down to eat - well she was smart and didn't even try it.

Thankfully everyone that came to Celebrate Christmas Eve,

know, and are known by, her children. 

So there are no awkward looks, judging comments or over helpful advice.

Making my BFF's Christmas even better!

My kids ate (a few bites) then went and played with her children

Bumps in the road - my son LOVES her daughter

so if she hands him a thing of bubbles and says open.... 

Yup he opens them and promptly spills it all over the floor!

Then later that night he also broke a flashlight - but apologized for it sweetly.

Then everyone trooped downstairs to play several rounds of Mario Cart.

My hubby and I learned that when Prissy starts driving we are going to need heart medicine!!!

It was a miracle each and every time she made it around all three loops!

As the majority of the time she was either running into walls or going the wrong direction!

Our Christmas Eve was wonderful!

Christmas Decorations

Christmas decor inside my home

Outside at night 

Will try to do a day photo tomorrow

We would have put up lights this year but our porch light died  

really we have to redo all the electrical in the spring.

For those that want to see Barbie and Ken's Hawaiian Honeymoon here are some photos!

Now don't worry I have not lost my sanity nor am I a huge doll person.

In fact when my sister and I played "Barbie" as kids she was always the minor, the damsel in distress waiting to be rescued. 

Most of the "playing" involved us building huge booby traps and then having He-Man and Rambo battle through everything to "rescue" the girls.

What I am teaching my daughter is not just to have lots of fun with her toys, but how to setup a good photo.

This Christmas she is getting her first camera!

She has been begging for one for months in two days we will see if all the photos lessons I have been trying to teach over the last few months were listened too!

Ken & Barbies Wedding Announcement

The wonderful new couple want you to share in their joy.

Yesterday in the presence of family they exchanged vows 

(multiple times I might add)

Today the happy couple is honeymooning in Hawaii.

Very appropriate as this is "surfer" Ken.

Today I woke up to two short very loud bursts of screaming from my daughter - followed by a Thump, and even louder pain filled screaming from my son.

His continued to grow louder as the pain grew AND he came running toward me.

After burying his face in my shoulder I realized my shoulder felt very wet.

I pulled him back to look at him and voila! Blood!

This is what happened a spider fell on Prissy. 

Prissy started screaming panicking and flailing oh yes flailing. 

Which led to Prissy elbowing LittleMan in the nose!

This morning is starting off fine! LOL

We are watching a barbie movie (barbie and ken newly married are watching the movie from their beach condo) Prissy is painting her nails and LittleMan is playing with his new truck!

Christmas at my Dads

Family! LM & Papa, G-pa & Prissy, Prissy & G-ma. Last shot is the family hanging out being together.

Tonight was wonderful! Good food and good times! 

Dinner was wonderful!

The day ended on a high note Prissy's Barbie and her new Ken were married.

12-22-11

We all attended the event and are sorry that we were unable to invite you all ;)

Merry Christmas

More holiday joy to come!

Tis The Season

This will be the first of several Christmas and then Holiday posts - most likely through the end of the year. Tomorrow I will post photos of the house inside and out decorated for Christmas.
Today, however, is all about the movies!

I love Christmas movies! I have a huge list of favorites - some are classics - others are what I call hidden gems.
I will give a small description for all my favorite hidden gems and only name out well known classics.
Otherwise this post would be a million miles long (only a very slight exaggeration).

Hogfather - Seriously first off its based on the disc world books (20th book) - second it is by far one of the Funniest movies I have ever watched!!! This is not a show for children under 12 - unless parents have viewed it first and know that their kids won't be scared or confused. With my kids they just can't follow the story line.

Man in the Santa Claus Suit - This has not come out yet on DVD and is only available on VHS however it is one of my FAVORITE movies. It follows 3 different men who rent Santa Claus suits at the same place at the same time. Each one finds a part of himself that he had lost. Two of the stories are incredible, the third not so much - they make the husband wrong for choosing work over family (and he is) but her right for choosing an apartment over her husband (to me they are both wrong Family comes first).

Carolina - I LOVE this movie! Its rated pg-13 for language and raunchy humor. It highlights two thanksgivings and one Christmas. Three girls are abandoned by their father on their grandmothers door step, Carolina, Georgia and Maine (each named for the state they were born in). Real people, real life, real love and real family. This movie has heart and an openness that is endearing.

City of Ember - This movie need more press! I can't say enough about this movie or how much I love it and the book series! A hidden city deep underground is mans last hope of survival. The problem is, over time they have lost their way and their history.
Everyone is in the dark about the future and every day things are breaking down - the city is dying. It does "qualify" as a Christmas movie as they do a sort of smallish poor mans version of Christmas. The story of hope and courage is also a great thing to watch at this time of year.

The Happy Elf - This is a over the top cute kids show. However, my kids love it and it does have some fun parts and is worth watching once a year. ;)

Last but not least is a show that every good Brit watches on Christmas!

Dr. Who Christmas Special - Out of the last 6 years of being on the air (revived from a few decades ago) they have made 4 Christmas specials this year's - airing Christmas day - episode's called, The doctor, the widow and the wardrobe. Its a must see!

The other movies that I like to watch during Christmas time.

A Christmas Story (the original), Scrooge (with Albert Finney none of the others come close to it),White Christmas, Fred Claus, How the Grinch stole Christmas, Polar Express, Babes in Toyland (again the original), Its a wonderful life (original is great in either black and white or color), The holiday, The Santa Claus 1-3,While you were sleeping & Sleepless in Seattle

New Basement Living Room

Last year my BFF gave us her old TV console and TV when she and her hubby replaced them with a newer set. We were thrilled to have a TV and console for the kids down stairs - especially second hand that way we wouldn't want to kill them if they broke it!
One year later and my BFF bought new couches! Guess What???

That's right! I got her old (6 yrs and in great condition) couches!

Where we had the TV set and a ton of still unpacked boxes as well as one pink tiny chair and one rocking chair. I cleaned it out and hence the Before photo.
The after is with my new leather couches! Love them!

Now with the couches and the entertainment center & TV I have my BFF's entire old living room set!! We are both happy! She has a new everything downstairs and I have a full set that I didn't have to buy!

The past three days have been filled with unpacking, washing, cleaning, organizing, throwing away and re-storing. As well as a few "Wow! I've been looking for that!" & "Why the heck did we pack that away?"

We attempted to have a friend help us move the furniture but he never returned our calls - so instead of one easy trip back and forth we did three trips - I'm blessed with a friend that will watch my kids even when she has wet carpet!

This Christmas season has been remarkable! My hubby has spoiled me rotten and I am positive our kids are going to be in heaven on Christmas Day!

Even my doggie has a full stocking and a few wrapped presents (I added doggie bacon treats to prompt him to unwrap them himself) he is like another member of the family!

Best Friends, new and old

Now my BFF (Tired Mom) is going to kill me when she realizes that "Old" applies to US. I use this word loosely, very loosely when it applies to US. I promise. No killing me. Stop laughing!

My BFF and I met Feb. 1999. It only took a few weeks for us to move from the word "friends" to Best Friends. Ever since then we have done things together.
I got engaged - she did too. I got married 13 days later she did too. I had a little girl, she did too. I had a boy - she did too. They bought a condo - we bought a mobile home. They bought a house - we bought a house.

This might seem strange to some, but really it works for us!

Now our kids (4 months apart in age) are best friends!

All four of the kids playing quietly in the same room! 

From oldest to youngest - Prissy, Beauty, Littleman & Macho

Beauty snuck outside while we were helping put up Christmas lights.

Notice she stole Littleman's shoes and put them on the wrong feet!

Adorable!

Also I made Shepard's Pie the other day, feel free to run by my food blog and check it out!

Christmas this year and last

So in 2010 we ended the year with the flu - and why I have not been writing. So 2010 our Christmas looked like this.

So starting the year out right we went for Christmas and New Years day with the grandparents.

And yes I am holding the camera, Prissy moves pretty fast.

This as you can imagine was a much better Christmas!

Little Man received the Lincoln logs train set.

Prissy received a cake bake decorate set

Her very first masterpiece!

Hey don't knock it she's seven and this was her first try.

Not to mention she had a ball making this with her grandma!

Kids, Toys and Christmas

Ok its Christmas time again and once again as a mother I hit the stores trying to find the one cool toy that will make my children's heart's soar.
However after several days of looking both in stores and online I have more questions then answers

1) will any of these toys last a year?
2) will any of these toys be played with and loved for more then a month?
3) why am I thinking of buying them toys when they would rather play with my laundry basket?

At this point I have found several really cool very pricey toys but after thinking of the questions above they just don't cut it.
At this moment we are thinking of getting the kids musical items (drum set, guitars, key board ect) or cloths for Christmas and while this may sound boring at least my kids would have items that they would use and love for the whole year.
Of course they will still get a sock full of fun little toys but those are cheap and I don't expect the kids to play with them for a long period of time.
My question is when did it become so hard to find a quality toy for a decent price?

Our family is small and with out any support ( my husband only has a twin sister and we pay her phone and internet bills - my mother passed away and my father and step mother are good for 2 outfits a year) I am a stay at home mama in a mobile home and we have one car.
While we live with in our means finding decent toys that will last is becoming like the game hide and seek.
Yes I am ranting but seriously what happened to well made quality toys? I found in the store today several boy toys price ranged from 25-40$$ all of which looked like they would break into a hundred pieces if my son held one for more then 5 min.

So while I love Christmas time and the winter holidays this year is not one I am looking forward to.

One Day Until Wil's Surgery

Our house all decked out and ready for Christmas! Along with my little cheeky girl that loves to be the center of attention. Thankfully we have such great neighbors that they are willing to watch the kids while Wil and I are at the hospital tomorrow.


This is our crazy Chinese Algae Eater we've had him 3 years I was on the phone today with my sick friend Margie when I noticed he was laying on three leaves about an inch off the bottom of the tank.
He looked so cute resting on his floating bed I decided to share it with every one in blog land.

Surgery -- Wil needs to be at the new hospital by 8:30 in the morning which I am kinda happy about since he can't eat the night before and waiting all day will start to test his will power. The surgery itself should be pretty short I can't imagine that it would go over an hour however we will see I am taking a very good book with me along with my trusty camera.

Funny Conversation with my 6 year old

"look mama Giddy can do the sign for green!"

Giddy then of course does the sign again to show me, papa gives him a green skittle for being a good boy.
Autumn then begs for a treat her papa of course hands her a different color, looking at the yellow skittle in her hand she of course does the right sign and then says " Thank you for the yeldoh one"
papa "what color?"
"yeldoh"
"say Yell OH"
"yell ohhh"
"now put them together"
"yelldohh"
I sigh and shake my head and say "keep at it".

Decorations Are Up!!

What a happy looking kid right!



So my living room is all pretty and sparkly - where you see the Joy and Snowflake that is where we will hang the stockings I can not put them up right now because my cutie putie Gideon (above) will pull them down.
No tree this year as we got the treadmill and no longer have room for the tree. That's ok I think that I can live without a tree this year.
We are still preparing for Wil's surgery on Thursday and still have a pretty long list.

I am also trying to finish another Christmas house by Thanksgiving however I am having alot of trouble with the color scheme. If I get it done this year I will post a picture.

Guess what our snow from yesterday is still on the ground!!! Its very amazing that it did not melt I am a little worried about how many more days I will get to walk outside with my neighbor before I am forced inside due to extreme weather.