Enrolled

I know this is the same picture as last post, but I have very few pics of myself, and even fewer with me and all of the kids, besides it's black and white, so it's different.

So here's the deal. I want to stay home with my kids. It's what is right for our family. I also want to do something for myself. In a way it's for selfish reasons. In another, it's for them, I want them to know that their mom is more than just the person who makes them breakfast, kisses their boo-boo's and tucks them in at night. I want them to know that I have other interests and talents and that I took the time to develop them. I have come to a point in my life, that when filling out a stupid online survey, and it comes to the question-'what is your highest level of education?' I am finally at an age when 'high school diploma' is a bit embarassing for me. It is time to go back to school. Done. All enrolled. I am officially a college student, working towards my Associates in Web Design. I like design, I like the internet, I like to learn, I can complete it all online while staying here with the kids. It's a good fit. It feels good.

Toph-Bot

It is a very happy day for me when my kids' drawings start looking like something recognizable.

Like this robot by Christopher.

Proud mama.

I'm a Mommy

Mother's Day was well...crappy...literally. Chad had to be at meetings after a full night of work at 7 am at the church. SO that left me to get the kids ready for church by myself. Nothing new. Except this particular Sunday, Porter got a new tooth, and was not in good spirits. He was crying and clinging as I walked up the stairs to get the older kids up when, oh, such a nasty smell filled my nostrils. I started to dry heave as I walked into the kids room. From the first sentence of this post, you can guess what had happened. I'll spare you the details. Suffice it to say it was DIS-GUS-TING. Woke up mumbling teenager to hold fussy baby while I cleaned up that mess. Got the kids ready for church, giving me no time for myself. Threw on dress that required no effort and some sandals. On my way out the door, saw the sweet note my husband had left for me and the little Flip video camera I had been wanting. Such a sweetheart! Realized once I got to church-my toenails were less than stellar and I was in open toed shoes. Fantastic. Whatever-church was great and we had no further incident. Came home, Chad went to bed and crashed hard. Porter fell asleep in his car seat. I took a little nap myself. Blissful. Then Porter woke up. I went into his room to an even worse smell than that morning. Clothes needed to be changed. I'll leave it at that. After Chad was able to get his eyes opened we went t o the Appahs. We had a fantastic dinner and a great time as always hanging out. So, it wasn't all, ummm...crappy. But it comes with the territory of being a mommy, and it's all worth it!

Radio Flyer

Baby Shower Gift

My friend Rachel is having a little girl, and I made her some stuff, and then some more stuff...This above is a diaper and wipe pouch and then some homemade laundry soap, and a measuring cup that I painted. Cute! I opened an Etsy shop, and have done nothing with it, but I made some labels, so I slapped those on. (The laundry soap, I have really enjoyed, it's a little gloopy, but if you shake it up-it's great!-I found the 'recipe' here on little birdie secrets.) Below is the dress I made for her, I hope it fits...otherwise it will be a cute doll dress! Finally I made her this headband, which I have started making a few of these. They are really cute on, and may be the first thing that goes up in my shop, if I can stop keeping them for myself!

Go overboard on a shower gift? Me? Never.

Perfect 10 Baby

Ten months old this one. Ten things he is doing as of now...

1. Saying mom-FINALLY! He doesn't say mama-he says MOM-he screams it from his crib, he climbs up my leg and looks at me and says it when he wants me to pick him up, and when he's hungry he yells it. He started saying it on the 3rd. Happy mom.
2. In addition to his other words mom, dada and Hey!, He now says baba for several things-ball, bye bye (which he waves now) and bottle.
3. He is completely weened as of last month. A little sad for me, but with him being so early and having to take a bottle to get all the extra calories for so long-he just never was the great nurser that my other kids were. On the other hand, having other people be able to help feed him while I tend to the other kids-super helpful.
4. Takes a bath without his bath chair. Straight to the big boy tub with big brother-this kid is a fish.
5. Sleeps through the night in his own bed, in his own room,(until Tyler wakes him up getting ready for seminary). This is something that was not a regular thing until about 15 months for my other kids because of the whole nursing thing. There are some advantages, that I am not under appreciating.
6. Has 3 almost 5 teeth-hence the drool.
7. Can cruise around the furniture and kids play loft going mock 90 pulling everything off every table, shelf, chair. A true boy.
8. Can get from one side of the house to the upstairs in the time it takes me to pull out the vaccuum to clean up from his lunch. He is speedy and wants to spend all day upstairs with the older kids, and he knows when mom isn't looking.(Thankfully, we just borrowed a gate from a friend! Thanks Sara!)
9. He eats EVERYTHING! Always the first to the table, and always the last to leave-and literally can out eat every single one of us. We're pretty sure the kid does not have a stretch receptor in his stomach (thanks Chad for the medical terminology-your education is totally paying off!).
10. Steals our hearts with each goofy little grin and pouty lip. We love you P-Sam!

There is Beauty All Around...

When this girl is around.

Fiesta

It has become one of our favorite holidays to celebrate, good ole Cinco De Mayo-Hurray for pinatas, fajitas, virgin margarita's, good friends, Mexican train dominoes and some Santana playing in the background.

We all had a lot of fun hanging out after our long weekend of siesta's it was definitely time for a good old fiesta!

I think Tyler had one too many margarita's though...

Rainy Days and Mondays

My 2 older kids have spent most of their young lives living in Portland, so they are no strangers to the rain. Just like mommy and daddy-they love it. When other kids look at the forecast and moan, mine are grabbing their umbrella's and running out the door. I am glad it's been raining a lot, it's making everything so green, and reminiscent of Portland, it makes me a little 'homesick'. It smells so fresh out, and we get to snuggle up under our down blankets just a little bit longer. I have to admit though, I am really looking forward to the sunshine to come. Maybe it's just because I've been sick and really want to get out and soak up some sun, and get out of the house a little bit more. Also it'll mean that we are just that much closer to summer and get Chad back for a little bit of the week, (I hope). Still...the rain has it's purpose, and to me it will always be beautiful.

We Have Mice!

Our kids got snacky on Sunday. Chad was sleeping, recovering from an all nighter at work. I was sleeping, because I had a bad case of the swine flu, (not really-but oh I was sick and out cold). So the kids helped themselves to the cheese. With their teeth. Chad told me we had mice. I about died. He was joking. Whew.