Do You Have Room?

I'm all about getting into Christmas for the right reasons today... Enjoy!

The Christmas Spirit

The Christmas Spirit

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Halloween and Busy Month!

It has taken a little bit to get all caught up with everything. October ended on a real high note! Our ward held a "Trunk or Treat" and almost all of us dressed up to go.  The party was a hit! They did not expect too many to show up, but we filled the gym and ran out of hot dogs.  

I got to be one of the judges for the Halloween Costume contests. E won for the "funniest". (I declared a conflict of interest on that one and stayed out of the voting!)

D thought this would be a great costume - and so did many other people! I thought he should go as the guy who just got home from the dentist!

But I got outvoted...

The next morning I got to go to another great Relief Society Birthday Breakfast. I was there officially in two categories - as a member of the RS Presidency and as a girl with an October Birthday! It was a great breakfast and came with some even better company!

Aren't they beautiful?

Then we were into November. Now half of that is gone and I'm still wondering where it has gone to. Ever have one of those months where it just flys by and you know you were busy - just not sure about what it was you were busy doing? Me too!

I know we've been to a viewing at the funeral home, Rememberance Day activities at school, looking after other kids.

T had a huge medical scare and we spent some time running to doctors to figure it all out. Turns out it wasn't as serious as originally thought - but it gave us a scare for a little bit of time there. I'm sure this one took up most of my worrying hours. I prayed so much for him through this one. I think everything will be fine now though. Prayer works!

We're gearing up to head into the Christmas Season now. I'd love to do another cookie exchange like we did last year. It was so much fun to just sit and visit with friends and neighbours. I need a little bit of time like that these days.

Three Things I'm Grateful For

1. 
   
   T is really okay. Big scare but he'll be fine.  
   
   
   
2. 
   
   Freedom - I love Rememberance Day. It is such a great chance to show respect for those who have fought for our freedom. I honor those brave men and women.
   
   
   
3. 
   
   My husband... he's been very good to me!
   
   
   

Another Funny Story

I had the boys at the pediatrician's office. As we were reviewing their meds and symptoms, the doctor commented, "You boys are like black and white!"

To which V points at his brother and replies, "He's the black one..."

A little shocked at this I try to clarify, "She means that you two are opposites."

And V yells, "You mean I'M THE BLACK ONE??!!"

Poor doctor and I couldn't contain it anymore... I laughed the whole way home and neither boy could figure out what was so funny.

Catching Up

It never ceases to amaze me just how much can happen in a week or so!


Since my last post, we've had two birthdays, two birthday parties, been to Cardston, visited family in Glenwood, babysat lots of babies, you get the idea... It's been super busy here at our house!

We had fun at T's birthday party. He didn't have as many friends come as he had hoped - but they were very well behaved and he really enjoyed himself. Dad took him shopping at a pawn shop with his birthday money. I know, I know! But it was what T requested.

My birthday was a little more low key. D took four of us to the Olive Garden for dinner. :) We don't get up there much because it is so far away - but we do love the food. T was more than a little upset that we made him order from the "10 and under menu" - because he was just hours older than ten. With his special condition, sometimes it's hard for him to understand that not everything is about him or what he sees/wants/feels, etc. I was glad he was there with us though. V, on the other hand, tried all kinds of new foods there and said it was now his favourite new restaurant. I had a great evening and I was certainly glad that I had worn my stretchy pants!

I also had two very good friends who helped me celebrate. Shelley took me out for lunch and Cori brought me a bag of wonderful gifts and a beautiful note. I am very blessed indeed.

The other part of my birthday present was that Drew and I went to the Cardston Temple together for the first time in months on Saturday. The whole day was really nice - except for the little bit of blizzard that we drove through on the way home. We even stopped to visit my uncle and aunt in Glenwood. We always enjoy visiting with them - they are just so wonderful!

There was a big surprise waiting for me yesterday. Remember when I mentioned that I'd been duped on EBay? The package SHOWED UP!! I was stunned! The thing had come from Singapore - but it was here! D and I were both stoked! Good thing we had waited and not bid on another one...

Finally, we're now into Halloween mode here. We will have D's kids here for the weekend and he's not taken them out for Halloween since he split from his ex... um... wife... (almost said something nasty there!) When the kids ask what I'm dressing up as, the answer will have to be "the mom who stays home to give out candy". I'm kind of looking forward to that!

D found these glasses at the local dollar store. Check out the package for them. I think I'll submit this to engrish.com.

They are hilarious!

Even the dog gets in on disguises for Halloween!

Three Things I'm Grateful For

1.  I got to hold Rebecca's baby yesterday! He was born on my birthday so not even a week old. Very cute!
2. My EBay package really did come! I still can't believe that after all the fuss that EBay and PayPal made about it. But I am glad it's here!
3. I'm another year older - and wiser. I have truly been blessed with so much in my life and now I have so many to share it with.

Overheard from the TV Room

I overheard this conversation tonight coming from the TV room. Picture the setting...

Four of the kids (ages 9, 10 and 11) are watching "Castaway". They are at the part of the movie where Tom Hanks is riding the raft and a whale is swimming beside him...

V: There is a whale following him.
I: There is?!
V: Yes - but it doesn't hurt him.
E: Wait - doesn't he get inside the whale?
T: No! That's Noah!!
I: No - Jonah gets swallowed by the whale! Noah got eaten by Moby Dick!

Apparently, we have a little educating to dole out here.

Duped on EBay!

I didn't think it would happen to me! I've been so careful! I've had dozens of successful transactions!! But this week, I got a note from EBay stating that the last purchase I made was with a seller of questionable repute... or something to that effect.

What a pain in the butt! I had to lodge a complaint with PayPal to get my money back. I also had to make a claim file with EBay, but by then, the "seller" had been removed. I'm hoping that I have provided enough evidence to get my money back, but in the meantime, I wait.

The guy I spoke to at EBay suggested that I be more careful when dealing with some (not ALL) overseas sellers. You can bet I'll be watching for that very closely in the future...

Three things I am grateful for -

1. I didn't get ripped of hundreds of dollars. Double checking that all my info is still secure. Whew!
2. The stinkin' snow has stopped for now! If snow were warm I wouldn't care - but snow is cold and I don't like it.
3. We had a chance to look after the most adorable baby girl this past week - and we fell in love with her! It was great to have a baby in the house for a few days - especially a baby GIRL! I want one...
   

Birthday Month Has Commenced

October is the month of the year where we have the most birthdays in our family.

We start early off with Mr. V. This year, we had to host a birthday party a day early, because our church General Conference was being held on the actual birthday. Actually, I don't really mind the 2 hour birthday party after school. Most of the time the kids come here, eat, play and leave and I can have almost everything cleaned up by the time everyone else gets home. It's just easier this way.

Here are a couple of photos of the birthday boy and his buddies...

See the wad of cash he got? I know it doesn't show here but he was just beside himself! He kept repeating that he'd never had that much money in his whole life - and that was probably true. Didn't matter... he spent it all before the weekend was done.

Now, brace yourself for what you are about to see... This is a creation that can only happen when one is rushed for time, and attempts to ice a "too warm" cake with "too much sugar" icing. This, my friends, is my creation worthy of a mention on Cake Wrecks!

You don't have to tell me! I already know!! The worst cake in the history of me making cakes! I had to entice the kids to eat it by putting mini chocolate bars all over it!! It did taste way better than it looks though... :( If that means anything at all.

I may just buy a cake for the next birthday this month...

Three Things I'm Grateful For:

1. 
   
   That I'm able to stay home to care for my family. This has made a world of difference for the children - and me. I know way more about what happens here and can keep better tabs on their needs (and behaviour!)
   
   
   
2. 
   
   My health is good. After watching my little sister go through what she did last month, I'm even more grateful for this blessing!
   
   
   
3. 
   
   My testimony. I always feel this growing when I watch General Conference. It is just so neat to be able to sit in my own home and listen to our Prophet and the other leaders share their wisdom, insight and guidance with us. It was a really nice weekend.
   
   
   

Hurray for Friday!

I've turned into a bad blogger!!

It's not that there hasn't been plenty going on in our ever crazy household - I've just not had the time to blog.

Ok - that's not even true...

I've just not had the motivation.

There! I said it!

I've not been motivated to write about all the weird, unexplainable, hilarious things that happen in our daily lives. It gets a little overwhelming sometimes to try and keep track of it all, and so I confess I haven't.

On top of everything that we do in our family, I've been dealing with a business situation that rapidly got out of control. I was so excited at someone new signing up in my business, and then when things started to turn - I wasn't exactly sure how to handle it. The big wigs in the company got involved. They had to! To make a long story short - lines were crossed and decisions were made and I no longer have a new jeweller. I'm disappointed about it but I think it was for the best.

Remember people!

Be nice and don't blame others when you don't understand something!

Wait... this is good advice for my family too...

I may just make that one out of vinyl and stick it on our front door! Ha!

And it might work as well as the other vinyl signs I've made -

NOT!

We had a birthday this week too. Did you hear that I now have a TWENTY YEAR OLD SON?? I can't believe it either! How did this happen? When did he get to be a foot taller than me?? I love you Bryce and want you to know that I'm very proud of the person you have become!

On Tuesday we had the chance to summarize what we learned in Atlanta for our Foster Agency. Because he suffers from severe stage fright - you can bet that DH was super grateful that the people ahead of us took up so much time with their amazing presentation! I was so enthralled with the 72 hour kits, that I didn't want them to end either. Turns out our scheduled 40 minute presentation was more like 7 minutes - and he didn't have to do anything but nod his head in agreement. Whoo hoo!!

Anyway, with everything that we've had going on all week - I decided today would be a good day for me to do something for me! I'm heading on down to a craft show at the Roundup Centre to look at things no one else in my family enjoys... and I will be happy!

Except that I have to take the boys...

...which means there will be whining...

...and complaining...

Sigh...

Maybe I can distract them by having them try and help me find new things to put on their birthday invitations next month! There's the plan!

And after I clean the house, get the bags of clothes to the clothing exchange, attend all my meetings on Saturday, look after whatever arguments break out amongst the children, and go to church... I can relax in my craft room...

HAHAHAAA!!! Sometimes I crack me up...

Three Things I'm Grateful For -

1. That I get to stay home to look after my family. I'm not sure how I'd be able to handle all we have to do and go to work too!
2. For a church calling that helps me see a bigger picture. I've learned so much working with the wonderful Sisters that I do. I love all of you!
3. For my family... despite all my complaining, they are amazing and I love them to pieces!