Bending South

Here we are

2012-02-10T21:42:00.000-08:00

I know, I really need to post a pic. Oh, and you would be so happy to see little Julia with her wild hair and crusty baby face! But, I'm lazy, so this is all.

Tom and I finally had a "first moment". For date night we finished the baby shower details, caught up on our show AND THEN (here comes the first moment)-- sat on the couch him on his iphone, me on the lap top. And we just surfed the net, quitely, looking in on the other, small chat...
It's after midnight and he just left. At first, when the clock chimmed 11 I thought we should be so dutiful and get our buns in bed, but sometimes it's nice just not to have to do anything, be anywhere, not doing ANYTHING! I'm sure I'll pay tomorrow, but tonight it was nice. It was. Here we were, just enjoying the night together after we enjoyed the earlier night together. And now, I'm going to bed to enjoy sleeping by his side (why is it two people need a double when they both sleep so close they could share a twin? But, hey I'm holding out for my king someday. It can get squishy when you find a child wiggled in)- it's just nice. Wow, 12:30 just hit me like a ton of bricks.
OHHHH, wait...I also had another first! I went on my FIRST Field trip with my eldest! Eh, it would have been less exciting had Paul not come. Lydia only cared about her friends and wanted me to see her from a distance, which is okay. BUT Paul had a formal invitation from the principal to come and he thought I was the cat's pajamas. Get this: The Magic School Bus Live. It was a play and it was great. And yeah, I cried riding the school bus home because there's the first and I love it and I love being a mom.

A happy heart

2012-02-01T10:37:00.000-08:00

I've been focusing all my attention on the bringing up of my children. Of course my kids are the focus of my universe, I am their mom afterall, but I've realized I'll never get a second chance so in the last year I've tried really had to simplify my life (which is not easy and really hard to say "no" to things that are just clutter).

It's really hard not to yell. It seems IMPOSSIBLE to not get frustrated. And, for a General like myself, at times I'm beside myself with frustration. It's really hard to take the time to explain and talk through responding to feelings. We've come up with things that we do as soon as we feel angry. We've come up with ways that we can talk about are feelings. Shoot, we've even talked about what feelings are. Yes, there is a child in our house that doesn't really understand all of that yet and therefore can't communicate their emotions like they would like. I will just say that it is truly, truly very humbling. It takes all of my emotional and physical energy. Infact, I have to have time to be by myself to just cry a little because I'm simply exhausted. But you know what I've found these last two months? There's a different feel in my house. We are all a little more intimate, a little more courteous, a little more happy and a bit more flexible. Here's some quotes I keep near my heart as I try to mold our young breed.

"Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not get bent out of shape."- Buck (you should watch the documentary)

"Discipline and encouragement, not discipline and discouragement"- Buck

Elder Nelson on Disciplining your children

“By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—

“Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an

increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy.”20

When a child needs correction, you might ask yourself, “What can I say or do that would persuade him or her to

choose a better way?” When giving necessary correction, do it quietly, privately, lovingly, and not publicly.

If a rebuke is required, show an increase of love promptly so that seeds of resentment may not remain.

To be persuasive, your love must be sincere and your teachings based on divine doctrine and correct principles.

Do not try to control your children. Instead, listen to them, help them to learn the gospel,

inspire them, and lead them toward eternal life. You are God’s agents in the care of children

He has entrusted to you. Let His divine influence remain in your hearts as you teach and persuade.

And this quote is more for me personally but it fits in parenting too. I love this quote. It is my favorite.

Pres. Hinckely- "We know not all that lies ahead of us. We live in a world of uncertainty. For some, there will be great accomplishment. For others, disappointment. For some, much of rejoicing and gladness, good health, and gracious living. For others, perhaps sickness and a measure of sorrow. We do not know. But one thing we do know. Like the Polar Star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith."

Happy Birthday Tommy

2012-01-21T20:10:00.000-08:00

No birthday pictures this year, well, not yet. Tom spent his birthday in Sun Valley for a conference. Like I do every year I get to gush about the man that I love. This year I just want to mention some great things I've learned from Tom. I think that's the best compliment anyway.
the list: Thanks Tom for:
Teaching me slow and steady wins the race. This man is a pacer. I'm telling you. If Tom has to report to a surgery by 7, he's there by 6:45. Every time. Every day. If it's 5, he's there by 4:45. If it's noon, he's there by 7 anyway. I just love that he's consistent. I love that he gets his life organized in a way that he can accomplish all that is required. And then he still helps me, and is playing with the kids.This is really a big thing that I've learned from him this year.
Smell the roses. When Tom comes home I'm a whirl wind. I've been on the floor playing with the kids, sharing snacks, talking, doing homework and it's time to get dinner going, get the house picked up. Da,da,da,da,da...march, march, march. SO, not always do I run to the door waiting for prince charming (but sometimes I do) and when Tom comes in the kitchen it's not uncommon for him to recieve a whisk, dirty diaper, or a crying baby. But, he never fails to stop me and steal a kiss. It's just those little things that he does. I think I'll start waiting by the door more often, I sound really heartless!
Well, a kiddo is up, which means I'm done. Here's the bottom line: another year has come and passed and I'm noticing more everyday why I married the guy.

The sweetest things

2012-01-21T19:43:00.000-08:00

So, you want to know why I don't post a lot, right? Well, I have a hard time uploading pics from the camera, then to the blog. AND, if you aren't posting pics who cares right? Yeah, except I still love to read posts without pics, so you just may have to hear me rant and rave without beautiful pictures...until I get organized to get all my pics on my jump drive. Okay, so I'm suppose to be in bed, but I just laid there in pain (you know the womanly sort) and decided since I couldn't sleep, I miz'well be organizing something...and I may miss Tom a little.
While I was organizing my email I found some pics that Danica took 3ish years ago. (OH Danica, I love you to bits!)

Mary once commented that life flys by too quickly and she can't stand seeing her boy grow up so fast. At the time it felt like they'd never get older (at the time they were 2 &3ish). But, look- my babies are no longer babies. It's one of those times that you can't decide to cry and ache or smile and be glad. In the end, I'm going to shed a little tear just because as a mom seeing your children as babies-you see so much. And you remember so much- I can hear Paul's giggle. But I'm much more glad. And content, I don't wish it went (still going) different; even when I wish I had learned lessons then that I know now. You can't help growing up with your kids, and you can't beat yourself up about it. Instead, I'm glad I sat with them. I'm glad we ate a million apples and went to the library to pull all the books off the shelf. I'm glad that I've had to vaccuum a million crackers, fruit snacks, crayons out of my car. I don't care. I love eating together, even in the car. I'm glad we had playgroups, park days, and that they slept in my bed more than they should. I'm glad of the times we watched tv together and I'd kiss and smell their heads. I'm glad that we'd read "oops" a gazillion times. I'm glad for dimpled hands that I'd kiss and eat and put all over my face. There was one night Tom was gone. It was, way past bed time-like 10pm. The kids were up, just wouldn't go to bed and I was done. My shift was over. So I pulled out this left over rootbeer from who- knows -where. We all sat down on the kitchen floor and passes around the liter and ate graham crackers. It was the best time ever. I bet you could cut the air with scissors the love was that thick.

Here's to children, the sweetest things.

FOR THE LOVE!

2011-12-23T20:14:00.000-08:00

Today I went to town on the computer- sent off christmas letter, cleared out emails, and then I come to update this lovely blog. I decide to do two posts. Well, the best one full of Christmas FUN TIME pictures got blipped and took forever to load up anyway. Wow, do I have a love/hate relationship with this dang blog.

Umm, also I just want to be anal and point out that I don't always type a horribly puncuated greetings letter. Okay, maybe I do, but also I had a kid on my lap. That counts for something, right?

AND there was something else I wanted to say and can't remember now. Bumdedummer. Here's another bummer, it's snowing.
Okay, look at this. A picture finally downloaded. Geez-Louise! Aren't they super cute with frosting and candy all over? I love Christmas, it's so easy to make time go by when your husband is gone so much. Simply make 5,000 gingerbread houses. See, problem solved. Just enjoy the sugar drop. Yes, that's my favorite part too.

Okay, one more thing. Paul exclaimed today as we were looking at houses, "It's Snoofy!" (how does Charlie Brown get roped into Christmas decor?) and then Lydia says, "Oh, Sloopy!". BAHAHA it was so funny!

Indy Trip

2011-12-23T12:26:00.000-08:00

In Sept Tom had to go to a conference,

so we all went. Here's the children's museum

Here's the dish Paul broke at the restraunt. Yes, he looks sorry about that, right?

Here we are at the museum with the orginal Bubble Bee. cool.

Yes, we were all making faces while we waited for our food...and then Paul broke the dish. I'm sure our waitress hated us.

We couldn't miss the Brick Yard.

and here I am

2011-11-26T18:16:00.001-08:00

Yes. Here I am about ready to update our lives and then I hear the pitter-patter of little feet. For crying in my soup! Can't a woman catch a break?!!!

Ummm, yes I'm Thankful for my children. There ya go. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

a little taste of the last few months

2011-10-23T18:40:00.000-07:00

Picking apples at Stover's...notice the dog. He's not ours just a prop tied to the barn bench...You know this is Indiana.

Oh Julie. You are so beautiful

and flexible

and full of character

and so into picking your nose.

a trio picture at the park. You know it's funny I can hear that exact over-bearing squeal Paul is vocalizing in this picture. Funny how you can do that as a parent. But look how cute Lydia is. Oh, they just LOVE Julia...even if she doesn't always appreciate all that "love".

End of summer sprinkler party. Can I just say that is classic Sprinkler form?! Good job Paul.

Beautiful Lyd. This truly is a captured moment that you lock in your heart.

and so is this. Gee wiz, I love being a mom. What a wonderful afternoon that was.

Tra La La!! I'm almost to downloading Pictures!

2011-10-11T19:13:00.001-07:00

Aren't you all excited? It just takes a while. I really like to get my projects done in order. So, I have a few more, but by the end of this week or beginning of next, Yay, the blog will resurface!

An Excerp from a letter to my sisters

2011-08-28T20:19:00.000-07:00

I'm a tad homesick for Idaho, but even if I wasn't this is locked in my memory as the most therapeudic place in the world for me, doing what I love to do best...beside dance all night at a dance hall which is far and away completely opposite of this picture. (Why is it that the number 1 and 2 choices of relaxation for me are totally opposite of each other?)

"I love you guys. I find myself day dreaming about Idaho Falls. When I meditate I find myself on that road that turns into highway 30 by the airport runway on one side and playground on the other but I'm running in the direction of Reed's Dairy. I'm headed to the fields just outside the residential zone between Kenna and Robbie's house. I must be making up a road bc I can't place it, but maybe if I ever move back I'll find it. It's late afternoon, early evening and I'm running by golden fields silently bending to the breeze coming through and the sky is big and blue, spotted with fluffy white clouds, every now and then I find a patch of sky streaked with the sun's rays. I can smell the air- warm, but crisp and clear. Maybe some dirt kicks up every now and again and probably Reed's sneaks in. And I'm just running. I can hear the dirt road crunch, crunch, crunch under my sneakers. Every now and then I lick the dirt off my lips. Mmm, tastes like a good night to be alive. I'm telling you, nothing beats an Idaho summer. Don't take one night for granted. You guys live in the best town on earth. "

Keeping Posted

2011-08-22T18:39:00.000-07:00

Blogging is hard to keep current, but my friend Jessica is so good at it. She's keeping me motivated. Oh this is rich, my baby just woke up and is wailing.

Okay, well that is how my life is going. Throw in some PB&J's and that's about right. Kids, kids and more kids; some pools, beaches, libraries and a funeral for my Granny. Oh and CANNING PEACHES!!!That sums it up. But I'll just have you know in my head I'm keeping up with my blogging.

Here's a cute line from Lydia today: "Thanks Mom. You are the best mom in your whole life."

Love ORECK!

2011-07-27T06:07:00.000-07:00

Chello!!! Totally saved my carpet/pet delima. Let me let you in on a little secret my friends. When dogs sit or roll or do whatever dogs do on carpet, their oil gets into the carpet making it really hard to permenately get the odor out. Water makes it worse (so does the humidity. yuck, it smells bad when it's really humid), SO DON'T STEAM VAC your carpets. Oh wait, the mangement already did. Then I put down some water based disinfectant. It's not so bad if it's a stain or clean-up from a quick soil, but if it's landed in the padding you shouldn't use water based solvents. HAHAHA. My situation went from bad to worse. Does anyone ever feel like the more you find out about the problem the more holes you find in your sinking ship?

But here's the good news- they have a non-water based solvent that guarentees to work. WAHOO! Oh, yeah. Super cool. Sweetness...

I do love my Oreck. I do soooo love the store. I think I shall even roll around on my floor like a happy puppy once we finally figure this out. Rollie, rollie like a little puppy! Okay, now back to the grind. I got bit again last night by a spider. Time to hoe- down on those creepy-crawlies.

ps- I lost a little weight. Nothing too big at all, none- the- less- super happy about that.

Ramblings

2011-07-17T19:08:00.000-07:00

No new pictures, even though I have SO many to catch up on. Yes, they are still on the camera...I may hate to upload pics. Maybe.

I like it here in Indiana. People are nice. Just nice, decent people. Sometimes it smells a little funky in the morning. I don't really know why, but I can live with that. I love all the water. Really want to rent a motor boat and go tubing. Tom is gone alot. Nah, wasn't planning on him being home anyway. But he's home enough and this weekend we did lots of fun things and he got to have a lunch with us the other day, so really it's just hit and miss. The cool thing is, Tom gets free food from the hospital and he brings us home m&m cookies. heheheh.

The house is coming along. The vent system is going to be blown/cleaned out with a microbial treatment this week...or next...hopefully. I guess there is a good amount of cat hair hanging out in there. Kind of gross, no? But not to worry (no I'm not breathing through a mask at this moment...why would you ask?) they will be squeaky clean and I'll be able to start hanging pictures and the rest of the cleaning. Speaking of cleaning..I have stalled deep cleaning since my vents will be blown and I don't want to re-clean the walls and such. BUT I only have lights, windows, walls, and baseboards left...oh and behind the stove. This is a beast to pull all the way out bc there is an old vent that blocks just your standard pull out. This will require Tom and I to lift and pull. Ugh, I know, but I refuse to consider my kitchen is clean until we do so. Oh CRUD, and the stinking carpet in the fam room. Pet urine. The chemicals will come on Tuesday. Wednesday they shall be free from pet whatevers.
Can I just say that all of this paranoia could be avoided if people would just NOT have pets in the house. I don't want to offend you my friends and I don't feel so in your house, but in mine...it just has to be pet free.

Sorry about the ramblings. Sometimes you just have to let your mind reel.
Um...I'm ready for a 5k. Okay, I'm not ready to RUN a 5k. Let me clear that little diddy up. I'm ready to TRAIN for a 5k. Yeah, I'm still out of shape and my baby is 6 months old. Yeash, am I getting old or is it just really hard to battle the bulge?

Why do we always feel like we have no money? I'm determined to live on less and be grateful too. That's like patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time. I'll let you know how it goes in the next three years.
That's all. Do you miss me? I miss you too. Starting a new life is hard. It takes some patience and a lot of down time with the kiddos. I make them kiss me at least 10 times a day. It's a lot easier moving with kids though. I feel more grounded and have more direction than the last two times I moved.

Oh, and the library here is killer.

Just call me Mr. Clean

2011-06-22T20:20:00.001-07:00

ya know, sometimes I think I'm getting a great picture and then this happens. Arg. Oh well. Cute Julia. Had to include that blurred picture. Cute nonetheless. Okay, so really I've been cleaning like my mother in law who just entered an abandoned hotel. Some screwy things went on and it's a long story, end of it is I'm cleaning the whole house. Yep all 2000 plus square feet. She's gonna be a beauty in the end, but check this out. Of course my before and after pictures of the floor are messed up.

Here's the clean floor. Comet man. Comet. That's an after picture.

Oh, this is cute. this is the back room where the last tenants had pets. YUCK. Oh throw up. I will just pause to say that the lease had a hard core no pet policy. I think they are getting the worst end of the stick. Luckily, we took up the that nasty carpet and are putting in tiles tomorrow. I'll post some after photos in a few days...weeks.

and this is the lovely before shot of my floor. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO MOVE INTO THAT? But really, I love the manager. she's heaven sent and has cut me some sweet deals. In return, I clean my way. So here's the stats:

1st bath: 2 hours

Tiles of front entry, kitchen and hall: 4 hours

Carpets: 4 hours and counting

Back room:5 hours.

Yard: 2 hours and counting yes, I found a 13 gallon bucket of dog poo outside the house by, get this, recycling!!! If it wasn't so gross I'd really think that was funny.

Sweeping hard wood floors: 1 hour

Kitchen in general minus stove: 5 (that's plus unpacking)

Oh, I have so much more to go. Like weeks. But that's okay. I've gotten things clean my way and stuff is being sorted out by my kids, they are really pitching in. Paul and Lydia unloaded all of their books in the study room. RIGHT in the Middle of the study. Love that. And I've really had to stop and play pirates, swing on the porch swing...really love that, make trips to the library and kiss baby toes and make dinner and do piles of laundry, so that's why we are moving so dang slow. That's okay though because Tom informed me he'll be a ghost for the next 6 months. I guess I have a bit of time right? When I get through this train wreck I'm gonna post some really clean picts. like so clean you could eat right off the floor...in the back room. ha ha ha.

Moving Day

2011-05-10T20:10:00.001-07:00

It's coming. I'm packing and dang it, I'm crying. I'm so sad to leave my home, and that's funny because 4 years ago I'd never consider it home...

The official day, May 26th. Like it or not, I'm becoming an official Hoosier.

Happy 6

2011-04-22T19:17:00.000-07:00

Tom,

Happy 6 -great- years- together- day. I've never known how deeply someone can love until I met you. You may not gush, or buy me roses or chocolates, or write romantic poetry (although what you write is poetry to me).

But you love without bounds. Your love for me exceeds what I ever thought love would be. Hollywood seems a shaft, a laugh at what surrounds me. I'm open, honest, frank. I dream huge and lavishly. I'm embarrased and shy, crazy and as always a bit quirky. I'm sincere and I can cry like noneyabizness. I'm naive, bubbly and seem to always find my feet in my mouth. This is who I am and more and you know it. You know every cranny of my soul.

You are patient beyond measure, years ago I learned that you don't yell, lash back, or try to throw the point. Your actions envelop your love for me. For that I am smitten, every single day. Everyday you kiss me, even before I brush my teeth(so gross). you kindle my beauty by making me blush, it's the simple "you are so beautiful today" when I haven't even looked for the makeup bag. Or jus the way your hold your arm around my waist when we are out and about. but most the time it's just that look I get from you in the spare of the moment.

You strengthen me even when I want to wallow...I'll be honest I never thought your firm approach to my mudholes was/is inspiring, but somehow you know me better than I do.

I could go on. Okay, so I did, go read my journal for less generic blogging. This post doesn't do justice to who you are to me. That's okay, we still have an hour and some of pillow talk before the day is done ...and like always you know I'll get it all out there. Then you'll remove the toothpicks from your eyelids, tell me, "No, I'm not sleepy" and sack out two seconds after I kiss you goodnight. I love that you try so hard to stay awake for pillow talk and I have to laugh too. It's better than roses.

I love you Tom. Unreserved, I love you.

CRAFT WEEK

2011-04-16T17:07:00.000-07:00

Ladies,

This week is little Lyd's spring break. That means no running up and down the road for a whole week!!! So here it is. Craft day Tuesday, my place. I want to make this incredibly cute wreath. Bring whatever you want or make this wreath with me. (I'm going to craft store to price burlap, so if you want some I'll let you know the figures). You'll need a hanger and does anyone have pliers? I think I might...

COME TUESDAY after lunch and let the crafting begin!

Oh yes, and do let me know if you are planning on coming. Kids are welcome, but I've boxed up most our toys, however I will put on a movie or they are welcome to play room that still is furnished with tricycles and a play tool bench and some balls.

BABIES

2011-04-04T20:11:00.000-07:00

LOVE THE FAT ROLLS. Babies holding babies. lots of squishing, pinching(cutest little three bottoms you'll ever pinch), smooshing, smooching, blurping, munching, punching...punching? Oh, didn't you see there was a 4.5 and 3 year olds in the pictures? This is parenting 505 folks....smelling, holding, scolding... I mean molding, nose kissing, night sleeping...yes it still happens, laughing, kiss after kiss after kiss that is filled in our days. Boy, I'm just trying to lock it all in my memory before it slides through my fingers like sand on a windy day. I sure do love being a mom.

Duh, the Match

2011-04-04T19:56:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I swear I totally forget about blogging really important news. Guess where we are headed for three more years?...... INDIANA, South Bend that is. In other words, the college town Notre Dame. oh, now you know where it is. Actually, Tom will not be affliated with the University but with the Hospital there, St. Joe's. It's a great program. I guess it should be, it was Tom's first choice! So, I forgot about the excitment of Match day sort of because we kind of knew where we were going before March 15th. BUT GUESS WHAT ELSE?! We have a house to rent too! Ohdalalie! Yep, that's it, up there at the top. Tried to put it down at the bottom, but whatever ...I hate blogger for uploading pics.

Wow, I'm so glad to be done with Apts. And for the first time since we've been married we will have a dish washer and a food disposal. I know I've been so deprived all these years, but hey, at least I get my dishes done bc I know if I don't do them as soon as they are dirty I have to do hours of dishes later, so I guess hand wash isn't that bad.

cooking up a storm

2011-03-10T15:55:00.000-08:00

you can never have too many helpers, right?

FHE memories

2011-03-10T15:46:00.000-08:00

These pictures are suppose to be in reverse order but I forgot to do that while I uploaded them, so start from the bottom up...

In an effort to capture some family moments I pulled out the camera and asked Tom to smile for the camera. Of course Tom can never take the camera seriously and he pulled these shots every time I checked the camera between trying to capture the sweet moment...so much for sweet more like silly.

We were having chocolate and marshmallows for our FHE treat. In an effor to get a good picture of dad and julia, this is what transpired. Looks like everyone got in on the fun!

Little moments

2011-03-08T18:36:00.000-08:00

We've been doing a little here and a little there, but mostly we've all kind of been doing this all day.

Private BLOGS

2011-02-12T17:24:00.000-08:00

To all of you who are private Bloggers and are my friends. For some reason I can't access your blogs anymore. Would you please send me an invite? If you need my email here it is: taralyman2@hotmail.com

Thanks guys, I really would like to keep up on your blogs!

The Labor Story

2011-01-22T17:13:00.000-08:00

Alright you guys, it's here. THE LABOR STORY. I'll try to keep it short. But don't count on it.

People say the third goes really quick. I guess when I think really quick I think quick like no bake cookies, and easy like birthing a bar of soap...it should just plop out right?

Tuesday I went in for my check up. NO progress. So Dr. Luka stripped my membranes. Super sore, uncomfortable, a little pain. No contractions. That night, no contractions. Super depressed and painfully uncomfortable was my night. All that day and night I had prayed to go into labor because I did not want to be induced Thursday morning (Tom was flying to TX, thus the induction). All day and night I cried thinking about the Pit drip. Wednesday morning I woke up feeling more sore, then exactly when Tom got to school I started contractions. I just knew that I was having the baby today. I texted Tom...12 min. apart. A bit of blood. Since I'm an all day laborer, I decided to go on with my schedule: Lydia speech therapy, Costco, Preschool, Tom home, go to hospital, have baby, eat dinner, go to sleep. By the time I hit Costco it was lunch time and contractions were 6 min apart and getting hard to walk through. Funny enough I saw Lindsey Samahon from the ward and told her casually I was in labor and hope to be in the hospital that night. See, when I had Paul I was in labor at 8 in the morning, walked all day and had him by 6 that night, so I knew I had time. When I got to the car things started to burn and my appetite fell off the face of the earth. Oh well, Lyd needed to go to preschool, maybe I was dialated to a 3 or 4 by now. Good for me! Tom got the afternoon from the clinic so he came home. By 2pm I was doing the breathing thing and trying hard not focus on the burning contractions that were now 4 mins apart. We made it to pick up Lyd at 3:15 and took the kids to Paige's house. By 5pm we made it into the hospital. Contractions 3 minutes apart and really I couldn't really feel my legs when the contractions hit. YES!!! I must be a 7 almost ready for the baby I thought. SO the other thing is this: with Paul I felt this way at an 8 or so. I remember having this one really bad contraction like I was going to faint. After that I climbed on the table and 12 minutes later Paul was here. It was glorious. I've anticipated having another natural birth. Oh, I was so ready to do it again. Okay, back to the story. I get up on the table at 5:30 in moaning pain. The nurse checks me and I remember the nurse saying these words before the check, "The third baby is so tricky." and that's exactly what this labor was...tricky. I'm dilated to a 3. A 3!!!! I about went bisserck. They were going to send me home, but decided to let me walk for an hour and be checked again.

So here I am the only woman in labor walking up and down the halls about ready to faint at each contraction. It really got to the point where I'd start having anxiety every time the contraction hit. The pain was that bad. I really should have just gone back to the room and got hooked up to the epideral. What was I thinking? So an hour later I go back. A 5. Crap. Only five more hours of this and we should have a baby. Oh wow, that thought just about sent me through the roof, but I'm a pretty tough chick and I have this feeling, "If I could just break my water, she'd come." So the Doc shows up, checks me. Yep, a 5. Do I want an epideral? Do I want to see what breaking my water does? Okay, break my water. HOLY MOLY and then some. It's 7:20 (why do they set a clock right in front of you?). By this time I'm hooked up to an IV and computer and whatnot. I just want to say about 20 seconds after the doc broke my water and it gushed like the hoover dam (sorry details) crap hit the fan for me or should I say in technical terms I hit "Transition". I grabbed the bed post and heaved my self forward and yelled with everything I had inside of my lungs, "OOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!" and that's all I could get out. I think I really scared the doc for a split second, he said, "Well, I wasn't expecting that." Then for the next five minutes all I could do was scream for the epideral. Of course you know how long it takes for those people to make a five minute walk. I went from a 5 to a 10 in about 10 minutes. That and the next 7 minutes after that were the most painful writhering, blistering, hell burning, torturous minutes of my life. I honestly hit the wall...over and over again. I cried to Tom to stop, to the nurse to let me go. After each blinding contraction I would look at the door and think about ripping out my Iv and computer stuff. I was sincere when I yelled, "Just stop the contractions, I don't want it any more, keep the baby in!" My body was burning up and all I could do was listen to all these morons tell me what a good job I was doing while they enjoyed a nice cup of Joe. Oh, btw Tom wasn't included. If it weren't for him holding me down and telling me I had to do this I think I really would have made a break for it. He was the only person I could mentally hold onto. Okay, and by the way the doc went down stairs to finish his meeting. They paged him as soon as he got down stairs and when he made it back up and got gloves on the head was out. So, the nurse says not to push, but who are we kidding, like I had a choice. I decided I was gonna bear down and not let up till this thing was out and my body stopped the chinese torture. And I did, until they asked Tom to ask me to stop and make me breathe. Really? You want me to stop? Would you stop running from an attacking Grizzly just to breathe? For real. So, I feel the head coming right down the birth canal and I ask the nurse to get over there and catch my baby. The head comes out, the doc slaps on his gloves and thrusts his hands inside to bring out the shoulders. Wow, I didn't think I could be in more pain..but I was and then he turns her! What?! I blanked out for a second and then instant relief. There's the bar of soap. Plop right on my belly. Now, she was beautiful and lovely, and I should have been overflowing with joy. I should have, but mostly I was in so much pain just a moment before that now all I could feel was shock. It was so crazy. It did take 15 minutes for me to feel this love and bond and joy that I should have felt as soon as she came out. So that is really the main reason why I am such a fan of the epideral now. I know, it's a hard recovery. I get it. But really, instead of enduring this insurmountable labor, I should have anticipated this beautiful child and covered her with me tears. If I ever give birth again it will be with the aid of an epideral. I love all you who love natural births, if Julia had been anything like Paul I'd still be riding that bandwagon, but seriously, I love you epideral. And I'm glad I never have to go through that again. And really, Julia came out with no complications and I'm as healthy as a horse, so I have nothing to complain about, but I'm so glad we live in a modern age where we can choose. Well, the baby needs to eat, so I'm done. There ya go. The Labor Story and I'm sure you are all so happy to hear it. Now your life is complete.

Welcome Julia Lyn Lyman

2011-01-08T14:23:00.000-08:00

Here's our little girl. What a sweet thing she is. I got a little smile right before we put her in the car seat and this last picture is from today, you can see her little cheeks are filling out. Wow, I have so much to say about the last three days. I included everyone's first peek at Julia. I can't believe I went to the hospital with my hair done and make up on. I wanted to look decent for our first picture. Well, labor took care of that. My hair is completely soaked, and what is left of my mascara is nicely placed in dark circles around my eyes. All I have to say is, "That is real labor." Whoever believes that going natural is so great is an absolute nut case. I'll post the labor story later...it's pretty good... AND I did Paul natural too, but this, this was a completely different deal. WHOA. But I'm glad she's here and she is just a doll.

38 weeks

2010-12-28T10:25:00.000-08:00

Last week I turned 38 weeks. This Thursday I will be 39. Next week I will be 40 and it will be all over.

GOOD BYE to the five pillows I sleep with every night, swelling, leg cramps, nerve pinches, heart burn, car sickness, rib stretches, back spazims, pelvic pain, siatic nerve pain and dirt cravings (no i'm not anemic, but yes I crave dirt with every single darn pregnancy. I'm weird I know).

HELLO cute little baby that I know wants to come out as badly as I want you out! The whole family is waiting to "love you and kiss you and call you George".

By the way i know this picture is lousy, but like I said before, I hate prego pictures of myself. So there.

2010-12-16T21:05:00.000-08:00

So, Tom hates, absolutely hates taking family pictures. The only option we had this year to have someone snap some photos was directly after church (on our way home we just stopped the car with our neighbor in towe). So here we are all dressed up, which is not really our style, and completely ready to make some tender memories.

The tender pictures will come later, but in this post you'll see our children in the raw...yes Paul is pulling off Tom's ears, and yes Lydia did try to strangle Tom, and YES, that is my boy taking care of nature. AND YES, that is Tom rolling his eyes in torture. Do I regret putting him through this? No, not really. I'm a mom and I wasn't stopping until we got some good shots.

Oh, and by the way, the good shots will be released when I post our holiday card. They really are cute, and Paige out-did herself especially with all the competition she was up against! Thanks for the pics and the fun laughs Paige!

That's What Friends are For

2010-11-04T18:32:00.000-07:00

Random things

2010-11-04T18:22:00.000-07:00

Niagra Falls. Hiking in the Wissahickon. Leaf piles. Taking the kids to the doctor. Yeah, I wish every visit was as good as this one!

Annual Family Picture

2010-11-04T18:18:00.000-07:00

I have to at least give credit to the wonderful photographer since I didn't even pay him a dime. It was our home teacher, Taylor Meacham. I know, we belong in a Williams and Sonoma magazine. Eat your heart out.

Annual Temple Game!

2010-11-04T18:12:00.000-07:00

Once a year we splurge on ticket to the Temple Owls football game. We get to sit in the Eagles stadium, eat a bucket of Chickie and Petes, accompained by an all too expensive hot dog and hot chocolate. The crowd is a majority of painted college students and Temple has beens, and yet we just love it. We cheer, we stomp, we patronize the megatron and we live it up. Then we go home and bless the "football Adium" in our prayers. Wow, gotta love football.

Presenting Princess Butterfly and Bob the Builder...

2010-11-04T18:07:00.000-07:00

Oh yes, this is why I LOVE Halloween. We have only been talking about it every day for an entire month. Completely awesome. We rocked out at the YMCA trunk or treat and the Ward trick or treat. And the best part?! Lydia didn't even want to EAT her candy. I guess someone had to relieve her of THAT burden.... heh, heh, heh.

College Reunion

2010-10-02T18:49:00.001-07:00

This summer we had a college reunion. Man, I love these gals. College was so awesomely fun. These girls are the best. You should have seen us all crammed into this little house. I think it was 7 or 8 mamas with at LEAST one or more kids and three of us were pregnant. It was such a fun time.

Sorry the pictures are so small. I copied them off of face book.

2010-10-02T18:43:00.000-07:00

Sometimes your two year old thinks it's funny to try to fart, but really what happens is they poop in their underware and that's not really very funny is it?

It's a....

2010-09-13T18:14:00.000-07:00

Ummm, for those of you who don't see me everyday, nor have you talked to me in the last five months...I'm prego. Yep, six months at the end of this week. And yes, there's no mistaking that I'm pregnant. I make it a point to not take milestone pictures of my belly, sorry it's just depressing.

Anyway, you should all know what we are having.... and I will let you know as soon as the little one comes out.

Oh, and if I get around to it, I'll post some pictures highlighting the summer. Yeah, but don't count on it, I hate catch up. But I do promise to update you on current happenings soon!

My cute boy

2010-05-31T18:47:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just need to ponder about the life of a strawberry. I think he sat like this for about a minute. I just never know what I am going to get with Paul. I love how different my kids are. Lydia for sure would pop that strawberry into her mouth without even giving a second thought. And, although a busy body, Paul can be quite ponderous.

Lydia

2010-05-31T18:42:00.000-07:00

Just cool to be a mom of such a fun, upbeat, loving child.

Votes are In

2010-05-18T18:50:00.000-07:00

Great Lime Cheesecake, water bathe is the way to go, but I just couldn't get over the kaffir infused heavy cream. If I make it again, I will try light cream. I just think the limes leaves brought out the dairy taste a little too much in the cream. It was a little too rich for the lime leaves I think. Maybe as a frozen dessert it would fair better. Still, we ate it all...3 stars.

Yum. Pork stir fry in a no sugar terriaki sauce. I know... I post a cheesecake and then a no sugar added, dinner. Haha. I took the picture before the sauce thickened. For some reason this really tastes better with Short grain Brown Rice instead of reg brown...4 stars

Oh, this was good. Grilled Salmon, roasted asparagus (seasoned with dash of salt, that's it. Don't roast for more than 3 min in the pan on high or 4-5 on med high. You don't want rubbery spears. Use a little oil to roast), garlic noodles (you'll want to use light olive oil and a ton of garlic fresh, or 2 teaspoons powder and a good amount of salt and heaps of dried parsely. I know you are like, yuck, but the parsely makes it GRREAT), and spring mix topped with mediteranean salsa. Great heavy summer meal that cuts a lot of saturated fats. You don't even need dessert. I'm drooling just thinking about it...5 stars.

The Air Show

2010-05-18T18:37:00.000-07:00

Do you know that we love the Air Force Air Show....or whatever they call it. We went down to Maryland this last weekend and had the time of our lives. The entire thing was free. The kids got to ride a bus, see real live air planes flying around and sit in some cool choppers. We walked around for hours (literally) flying these inflatable airplanes that some bank was handing out. I could not have planned a more fun trip for the kiddos. Of course the Blue Angels did their show and it was AMAZING. Wowzers. Too bad Lydia closed her eyes on every picture I took.

A lot of sitting on cool seats.

A lot of walking on hot pavement flying our air-o-planes.

Completely happy to be at this event.

See, look at this kid, completely happy. Yeah, his cheeks got a little rosey.

Lyd couldn't even look up from flying her plane...it was that much fun.

Cool, somewhat cheap (gas not included) mini vacation.

Mom's Great Wisdom

2010-04-29T20:00:00.000-07:00

My mom once said, "I don't regret anything. I enjoyed you kids. My memories are so vivid because I so frequently recall them."

So, for me, that translated into pay attention to the moments you want to keep. I've learned to make them vivid by remembering small details. Of course, pictures and journals help. When I saw this picture tonight I teared up. I remember this day. I remember how her wiggly body felt in this funny velvty sweat suit. I remember how her little fingers felt on my face. And I remember that cute fuzz and how much I loved tickling my nose with her fuzz. I can even feel how the room felt. Oh, we had such a simple, marvelous afternoon.

Throw Me a Bone

2010-04-28T18:53:00.001-07:00

Okay, so yesterday is Tuesday and we all know that Tuesday is Zumba, and the tots dance class, and shopping. So I usually take a shower and get ready before I work out (silly, but works) so that I can just go, go, go all day. I pin my hair into a "stylish" do' so it stays in after my workout and dance class....or so I thought.

Look folks, I don't have a photo to record this greatest do', BUT it just so happens that I went down Center City, had the Home Teachers over, went Visiting Teaching myself, and even met people for the first time, AND, AND lost my wallet in the grocery store and had to have the whole staff looking for it and NO ONE, not even my loving husband who is supposed to save me from severe embarassment, Home Teachers who's total calling is to help you in your time of need... told me that my hair looked like a bird nested there. NO ONE. Chello?! I walked around looking like the bird lady people! I don't even like birds. Maybe that's why people at the grocer's were so kind...

How embarassing-in the way that is just totally mortifying especially since I was acting so profesh and responsible.
Anyway, if you see me and it's Tuesday please just assume I haven't looked in the mirror since 8am. Please stop me. Please rescue me from my own fashion doom.

I love Dew too... -Brother Bear

2010-04-25T19:22:00.000-07:00

Did you know that I have 5!!! followers?! First, I felt incredibly lucky that so many peeps want to keep track of my life. Then I thought, "Followers, that sounds like I've started my own church!" Yes, I guess now that I think about it enough I'm cool enough to...Just kidding you guys!
Love having followers. I check all ya'lls' blogs too. And I just love blogs.

2010-04-22T18:24:00.000-07:00

It's been a great 5 years. Really great. Super great. Of course my lack of wedding pics doesn't make it easy to see the sparkle in our eyes that wonderful spring day, but if you look close at the five year mark you'll see the spark hasn't fizzled. He makes me laugh every day.

The most stinking cute kid

2010-04-07T20:37:00.000-07:00

How come kids are so dang cute when they do things like this?! I tried to reason with myself about how much money just went down the pipes, how I don't get to go out and buy more makeup, etc. BUT LOOK AT THAT CUTE KID!!!

This is my family

2010-03-26T06:40:00.000-07:00

I don't believe in having one best memory or moment. I think they build on each other. But look at this moment, to me it brings tears to my eyes. We are watching the sun rise. Simple folks who love to be together, watching a sunrise. Simple folks, who love to be together, watching a sunrise, who also need a banana. A strong and gentle father who is at the helm of our lives, a chocolate eyed daughter captivated by the dawn, a little boy who is, of course, so content to eat a banana on his father's lap anywhere they are, and a mother...a tearful mother who relishes in these three wonderful people. A thankful mother to God for the windows of heaven in her life.

Burton

2010-03-26T06:16:00.001-07:00

This is actually the trial run cake for Martha's shower, but alas, I couldn't help but think about my soon-to-be nephew. I wish I could be home for the shower, the arrival. I can't believe my baby sister is having a baby. Look at that bum...just want to pinch it! The cutest little fondant bum. I actually made the fondant myself which was fun, but dried out quickly as you can see all the dry cracks.

This cake was supposed to be 3-tier, but it looked better two-tier, so on Martha's cake I switched it up to be a taller cake all together. The Ganache was great to work with and I loved the buttercream. The combination was like smooth chocolate heaven. Much better than Dove or Ghirardelli.

So, Burton this really is not your cake, but all the while I made it, I thought of you. I can't wait to come out and hold you till my arms fall off. You better get all your time in with everyone else, because I plan on making up for lost time! And might I add, Lydia and Paul are excited about little Burton too.

Better Week

2010-03-21T19:51:00.000-07:00

I always mean to post a "better" post after I've vented, so my bad days aren't the only thing you have to remember me by, but I got so busy this last week that I haven't had time to post.

Thanks to all for your concern and helpful tips. I'm extremely grateful for all of you. I can't believe the out pouring of love and concern I've recieved. Gee wiz, if sympathy is that easy I'll just post my woes more often! jk. But really, thank you. Friends are the frosting of life.

I'm doing some experimental work in the food department, and actually, it's been enjoyable...more so than I thought.
Lyd is back to "regular" (althought that's funny bc she's never really been regular before). I've cut out 80% of her processed foods and 90% of dairy. Sorry all you white flour snacks, you've got the boot at our house. I scrimage every ingredient list...not that I wasn't doing that before. If it's easily digestable and especially full of water than it's a go, if not we decide if it's worth the cup of prune juice following it. Usually if it's not a big celebration than we eat fruit for a treat. It's been good.

I however, have been up to my ears in cake and frosting. And as soon as I upload my pictures you will see the decadent frostings and ganache and cake I've been whipping up. Oh, I loved making martha's baby cake. I SO wish I could make one for my sis who's having a baby around the same time. ..Little Burton, I'll make ya a cake and eat it too! Tom was so nice to take the kids about while I stayed at home baking and decorating these fun little cakes. I love my Tom, he even helped me with the fondant!

I just love Lydia's Preschool

2010-03-10T19:13:00.000-08:00

So, if you live in Philadelphia and your child happens to have a speech issue, I highly recommend the Thorne Preschool associated with Bryn Mawr College. Look it up.

Seriously folks, they are amazing. I had a come-apart today. Now, I'm not a wacko, but every once in a while I have a hard day concerning Lydia. I think it's just the way mom's are built. We worry about our littles. We worry about milestones, eating, sleeping, pooping, hitting, tantrums, fitting in, standing out, being independent and the whole deal that comes with having a child. So, put that normal worrering (is that a word) into a child that has special needs. Now, I know Lydia's needs are mild, and I'm not complaining, I'm just saying that it puts a little more tears into my normal worries.

Last night Lydia spent all night throwing up...again. I just hate it. She's not sick, she's just constipated. It comes with her deal, all the kids deal have constipation. But it is so hard to watch her go through this (I'll spare you the gruesome, gagging- for- breathe details) and then have the doctors write it off with some stupid laxative (the more I go to the doctors the more I find they just want to treat the symptom). This morning I felt like I was blindly sabatodging my daughter by feeding her foods she can't digest and then trying to undo the mess with a potent drug that, to say the very least, does not do her any favors long term*(that was a very generous statement I just gave Miralax. I hate Miralax).

Okay, anyway, so this morning I was terribly upset. Lydia has preschool at noon and I'm also trying to hold in all my tears so my children won't see me cry. By the time I get to her preschool I look pretty good, that is until I opened my mouth to say hi. Then two of the therapists and a teacher immediately knew something was wrong. There was a parent there, she also picked up on it. They brought me into a room and just let me cry it out and cry it out I did. I will admit, sometimes I feel like I can't talk about what I feel with my friends or my family or people that don't have a child with a special need. It's like that I'd be in some way complaining about Lydia or our situation. The therapists were awesome. The parent asked me if I wanted to go for a coffee (that was funny, the first time I was asked for coffee was when i was a complete wreck). We ended up talking in her car for 30 minutes. It felt wonderful to have a mother in my boat, that she is going through many of the same things I am.

Well that was a long post, but I'm so grateful for a school that provides so much more than a secure and loving learning place for Lyida, but some healing ground for me too.

And I can't be done until I render thanks again to my husband who takes long drives with me when 22q is bigger than the mom. And thanks to my sister who talks long talks when my husband can't be home. I wish everyday I was a super hero, but I appreciate the great listening ear and pep talks to help me feel like I can get back on my horse.

Can We Fix IT? YES WE CAN

2010-02-25T07:48:00.000-08:00

Around here, you never know what needs fixin'. Good thing Lyd pulls her weight. I keep telling Paul, "Enjoy it while it lasts, once you turn three you're going to have to find a trade, bring in the bacon, earn your keep." You know, good hard labor... that kind of thing. Never too early to start, right?

Good Ole Lyd

2010-02-17T05:43:00.000-08:00

Lydia asked to sleep with Paul one night. I pretty much cried when I saw these tender kids. Check out Paul's football.

Check out this cheeser. Seriously, she cracks me up

Vaccuming the wood floor...some would call it child labor. Not me, I consider it "creative" helping. There's alot of creative helping that goes on in our house.

Lyd was So excited for Christmas

And I mean so excited.

How funny are they? They were just sitting there having a nice chat when I found them.

I just love her enthusiasm to have a great time no matter what we are doing.

Just Another Day in the Life of Paul

2010-02-17T05:24:00.000-08:00

Paully has more character than I've ever seen in a two year old. Yes, that is a pose just for the camera.

Like Father Like Son

Take #2 A bit too much spice, so I asked for a big smile...btw the pictures are out of order

Take #3 Just what the doctor ordered.

Take #1 I was underwhelmed so I told Paul to spice it up.

We were sitting down for dinner. Paul decided he was just too tired to eat.

Of course another great pose. He does the silliest things and that's why we like him so much.

Some Day

2010-02-11T20:02:00.000-08:00

Some Day I Will:

Finish all these crafty projects I like to start

Learn to make really great pie crust

Take amazing pictures...I have so many friends who are great at photography, but alas, I fall behind

Do a triathalon...I'm getting itchy about it.

Learn to sew cute skirts for my little girl

Truly stain and finish wood

Fly over an ocean

Perfect the art of Almondaise

And Someday I will open the boxes I am putting together of my children's creations and memorabilia and cry great tears. But I will not cry of sorrow. I will cry of flooding joy because I was there to cherish little hands on my cheeks, sloppy kisses all over my face, funny phrases and funnier incidences like underware being mistaken for a hat. I will be so happy that most of my day was caught up in little snippets of their life. My happiness. My life.
These last few days we've been snowed in. The best two snow days I've ever had.

The Cove

2010-02-05T21:13:00.000-08:00

Well, if you haven't noticed already, I've added a gadget on my blog. We just finished watching this documentary. IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THIS PLEASE RENT IT TONIGHT!!!!! Then get on-line, send a letter to our leaders, send out some emails, make a difference.

I was astonished at the mere courage these people took to expose dolphins being slaughtered. But it's more than that. It's the morale to do what is right. These people took a huge risk that could have killed their careers, their security of life, and any social standing in today's world because they fought for what they felt was right. And it is right. It's more than just freeing dolphins. It's politics. But it's more than politics. It's tradition. But it's more than tradition. It's the refusal to see a better solution, to see someone else's side. That's the same game in politics. Blue, Red: Elephants and Donkeys. We can't negotiate, we can't see another's point or try to come up with a REAL solution, we have to go around acting like a bunch of pea-brained elephants and idiologic...donkeys. Anyway, back to the movie.

It's incredible to see such a narrow view and a simple solution that would benefit not only the environment, but our global health, and economic standing. This documentary was more than just tree-hugging-save the whales-stuff. This is about the way WE think. The way people think. From big government to the media to the everyday commoner. The way we easily get caught up in our day-to-day living, caring about only our lives and those that live in our realm. Do we get involved? Are you okay in letting children eat meat that is toxic to their health? Let me put it this way, are YOU okay letting your child eat contaminated meat? Are you okay with politicians get away with lies to make a buck?

All I'm saying is, is that we need to get involved. The best way is to get educated. Read the news, now who your leaders are. Let your voice be heard. Be a voter. For most of my life I've been unaware of the world around me. I only voted when I was 18 because my neighbor practically dropped me off at the both and I voted republican because that was what my parents were. I had no idea what was going on outside of my bubble. Well, if we decide to be like that, we don't deserve to be americans. DON'T BE A BUBBLE DWELLER!!

Okay, really long blog. Lots of soap dishes lately. Hopefully I can get past this really passionate stage I've seemed to enter into. But really, this movie was great. After you get done, take some time to do what you think is right. I mean, they make it so easy. Go to a site, push a button, push a button, bingo, done. It's not like you have to hand postage a petition to the White House. Better yet, sign your name to this gadget thing on my blog. See, so easy and you've made a difference.

Foreign Languages

2010-02-01T20:06:00.000-08:00

I bet you didn't know that I've picked up a foreign lanuage. Strangely similar to that of Spanglish and Ebonics this language intermixes English with it's own dialect. Allow me to demonstrate my all inclusive lanuage translating skills:

unner BB: Under the TV

nummon: Come on

eeah yee-Ah, me boo-boo: It's Lydia, gave me a boo-boo

nuit nats: Fruit Snacks

no dat, be dat, be dat. Mom, BE DAT!: Not that, it's that, it's that. Mom, duh, it's that....you idiot.

eah ader, da da da day. mmmmm, mmm, dedus yies amen: I bet you can translate that by now.

See? I'm amazing! Natural linguist.

Growing Up

2010-01-26T18:31:00.001-08:00

So, I'm twenty-six now. I've had a lot of time to think about who I am and who I worry I'm not, and who I'd like to be. After much ado I've decided there's only one thing left to do: I'm kicking the middle "who I worry I'm not" out of my life. I think the only fair way to go is: to enjoy being "who Iam" and fill myself with gusto as I pursue the "who I'd like to be".

For a large portion of my life I've been so caught up in pleasing people and trying to be the perfect young lady, that I've in a small respect missed the big picture. This is the BIG PICTURE:
People see people. If you are fake they can see right through that. If you are genuine it saves a lot of rope-winding. At least you are going to be liked or not and you'll find it our rather quickly. That's actually quite relieving.

So this is where I am, maybe not all my qualities are up to par, but at least I find myself good company.

I stole this quote from someone else's blog. It just illustrates what I'm trying to say.

"I'm selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I'm out of control, and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best." --Norma Jean

Musica

2010-01-11T19:31:00.000-08:00

If anyone knows how to add music to this blogging business, could ya help a girl out. I'd love to post some of my Zumba (Zoom-ba) music. It's such a fun work out, even the kiddos love to dance with me. I know you'd love it too!

Our computer arrived today....CHEERS!!! We'll soon be setting it up and then you'll get a great big dose of pictures.

So, how about new year's resolutions? I know I have one, and it's a great one. I just can't think of what it is at the moment.....it's a really great one. Anyway, hope you are enjoying January. I've decided to busy my time being some sort of crafty. My sister-in-laws and I are making/made quiet church books. Of course my sewing sister is thousands of miles away when I decide to embark on this crafty quest. Status: I love my love/hate...mostly hate relationship with my sewing machine, thank you.

I guess I felt chatty just now. thanks for listening. See ya round the blog.

Can you believe the insanity?!

2009-12-26T20:08:00.000-08:00

First, Merry Christmas and all that jazz. We hope you had a great Christmas. My favorite part was probably looking at the lights Christmas Eve. We first got ice cream cones while we drove to the best place (broomall if ya need to know). Then the kids got to come up front while we drove through the neighborhoods. It was totally awesome and worth them getting out of their seats. Yes, we are so irresponsible. Next, the week before Christmas our computer broke. WHAT?! Who does that? rediculous. Needless to say it's been a two week spree of no connection to the on-line world. I kinda feel a little backwoodsy-homestyle-shut in, but I've made up for with my christmas letter I sent out. What, you didn't recieve my "homeade heartwarmer"? Send me your address and I've love to send you my hand written greeting...... I'm sure the picture you will consider a masterpiece of it's own kind. Couldn't quite figure out self-timer.
Next, stay tuned, or rather, tune back in in two weeks when our computer arrives.
CHao

Halloween Update

2009-11-10T11:54:00.001-08:00

I can't believe Halloween is over and we are soon stuffing Turkeys! Well, we were all sick prior to Halloween and the kids missed the Ward Party, so I brought the party to them. These are all bad pictures, but what can you do when you are the host running the activities?! our little lion trick or treating

little tiger. When Lydia found out you got candy for saying Trick or Treat, she wouldn't stop!

monster masks

we had Hannah and Maddie over since they missed the party too.Hannah was a cheetah and maddie a bee. In the back ground you can see pop bottles for pumpkin bowling..one of a few activities.

Well just a random picture. Paul was a naked lion.

The whole crowd after the feastivities. What a fun day.

Stephen's Baptism- For the Fam

2009-11-10T11:21:00.000-08:00

Abbey in her white dress. She gave a wonderful talk on baptism. I wanted to get Stephen's picture before he left, but he had to go early. I really didn't get any other baptism picture beside Linda on the harp because I really didn't know what is appropriate and what's not, so we left pictures like that to Melinda.

Baby Meg was a huge hit...

Amy was saying this was her favorite thing: that Meg gave kisses upon request.

This is the only other picture I got at the church. For those of you who don't know, Linda can make music out of nothing, but on a Harp, she is divine!

What a little doll!

Here's the older, girlie cousins. Amy was upstairs taking care of Meg at the time.

Well, here we all are omitting Brian and Melinda taking pictures and Paul and Zach who couldn't sit still and Amy who was taking care of Meg...oh and Mike, he's not in the picture either.

Yes, that is Paul's head. He had to be sitting on my lap...

We really worked hard to get a smile, this is what we got.

Tom being really enthralled with the outside monitoring of kids. Actually he was great to show all the little kids the nice stream in back where they could wet their entire bodies!

This isn't really a great shot, but it shows Melinda's great new paint in her kitchen. We are all just chatting and waiting for dinner.

And of course, a nice wrestling match with Tom. Of course they had plenty more, but this seemed suitable to post.

My Angies are Back

2009-11-10T11:09:00.001-08:00

In my house we call them, Angies. I guess to you they'd be Angles. Either way, they are back and I'm so Happy!

The craziness...The INSANITY

2009-11-05T17:51:00.000-08:00

Well, these last few days have-just-been-great.....

My kids have been sick and sleep deprived because they were sick, and now honery because they are sleep deprived because they were sick. ALOT of biting, kicking, head butting, pushing, steam rollers, whining, sniveling, snot smearing, crying, screaming and crying, screaming-crying-and trantrums...inconsolable night wakings,inconsolable day activities, hanging off your leg, crawling ever up-ward on your lap, jumping out of your arms even when they want to be held, fighting over mom's lap and not able to share their wonderful mother, pushing their wonderful mother off her kitchen chair around the room and back to her kitchen chair only to throw another tantrum on the floor because you sat down on your chair...and general unhappiness. Gee wiz, sounds like side effects I'd read if the flu came in a bottle.

Boy, do I ever love my life tonight. After you go through days like this past week the tinnest things are awfully hilarious. Today I was using a Mac and the power cut, after turning it back on a window came up about the internet: "Well, that's emabarrasing. I've seemed to have forgotten your setting..." The computer didn't save my settings on the internet, but that small phrase kept me laughing all night long. Oh gee wiz. Mercy. "Well, that's embarrasing." Why is that so funny?!

I know you are all thinking I'm a nut, but seriously, that was funny. I hope you can all smile at something when your children put you through the ringer for the week.

Football Season

2009-10-25T18:21:00.000-07:00

Do you know why I love football season? Because every year we have to go over stats, plays, downs, punts...whatever else there is... of many a favorite game of Tom's. The glory days in highschool football; we talk about (he talks about) going to BYU games with his dad and grandpa. How they sit in the nose bleed section. How Dad and Grandpa always walk so fast Tom had to run just to keep up. How Tom always got a meatball sub from subway. How they had to yell at the bad calls, cheer for the wins, and annalyze every move of each player, correct the coach on what he should have done...all the way home to Richfield. Then we size up college teams for the current season,talk about conferences and western this - and I can't remember that. Then we have to plan out the Ward Turkey Bowl Tom so faithfully has carried out for two years now...

AND this year it got a whole lot better. Tom has taught Paul to catch the football, to run and to tackle. Paul is a estatic about the whole thing. Paul has to cheer and Boo and go nuts when we TOUCH DOWN! at any of the games we watch on the internet. So this year the fam got to go to our first "LIVE" game together. Owls vs. Army. Paul sat on Tom's lap the entire time, except during half time. It was the funnest mommy moment. My two boys being boys (and enjoying their cheese fries). And Lyd and I are there for the band and the food. What a fun thing to do.

HOT DOG, GET YOUR HOT DOG

2009-10-25T18:16:00.000-07:00

Hot dogs were all Lydia could talk about. It's about all she cheered for, and goodness the girl made that hot dog her best friend for two whole hours. Do you just love this age or what? OR WHAT?!

Mac and Cheese

2009-10-20T17:03:00.000-07:00

There are days as a parent when you just need to let the kids eat out of the pot , however they want, and as much as they want. I loved this day.

An Ode of Joy

2009-09-28T18:45:00.000-07:00

The last two weeks have been a bit hard for me, but I feel back to normal today. And I just wanted to post a little bit about Lyd. She is such a trooper. You couldn't ask for a better sport to be poked and prodded so much as she has lately been. But more than that, I just want her to know how much I love her, so tomorrow I'm going to read this to her.
Lydia, what can I say that will descibe my motherly heart? I love reading you books, I love to watch you crack up at Kipper (I love to watch you laugh period), I love that you are my daughter. When you are frustrated you allow me to help "Calm Yourself". You have calmed me when I feel frustrated. You have taught me how to not use my Angry Mommy voice so much. You obey me...most of the time, and help me out when the toilet paper roll is empty in the bathroom. What more could a mom ask for? You are the best little friend a gal could have.
I love to her you talk. I could (and do) listen to your jabbering all day. I love to here you sing your ABC's. I love braiding your hair.I love it when you say, "oh, yeah" and "I love you too, Mom-O". I love that you love Paul so much. I love that you like to eat fruit so much and I don't even care if you always take the fruit I'm eating first. I love that your eyes turn into half moons when you laugh. I love that you give me your little cheeky smile and expect me to laugh after you tell a joke. I love that you try so hard to speak well and you don't get mad at you when I drill those letters instead of making them fun. I love to hold your hand, I love to squish cheeks. I love that I've been with you for all of your firsts so far. The first time you smiled I would not trade that moment for all the money I could have earned that day. I even love the time we spent the night in the hospital(remember we both hated that Nurse?) with all those electrodes all over your body and scalp and you cried so much that you shook. I remember holding you all night and thanking God that I could be the one to be by your side. I love that you and I love each other. I hope I am always a person you trust and love to be with because I certainly love to be with you. I cherish all the moments I get to be with you, even when you have to sit on time out, or have a melt down over the wrong sippy-cup, or encourage your brother to bathe in the toilet. All those times are nothing to the many more times you bring unbounded love and compassion and true meaning into my life.
You are simply a wonderful girl and I'm glad you are a part of our family.
Love,
Mom

In case you are Jewish

2009-09-28T18:41:00.000-07:00

We looked at a Jewish Preschool for Lydia...Adath-Israel right by the Bala Library. It was completely awesome, but they were all booked up. In the mean time, I read up a little about some of their holdiays. Yesterday and today they celebrated the Jewish New Year which is a big holiday in their religon and I'll keep it at that. So, if you celebrated Yom-Kippur...HAPPY YOM KIPPUR. Or just Yom Kippur to you, may your next year be sealed with God's blessing and I hope you had a wonderful feast!

I LOVE IDAHO

2009-09-15T19:19:00.001-07:00

these are incredibly funny, and exactly TRUE!I love being an Idahoan.

FORGET REDNECKS; THIS IS WHAT JEFF FOXWORTHY HAD TO SAY ABOUT IDAHOANS!

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you live in Idaho .

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you live in Idaho .

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number, you live in Idaho .

If "vacation" means going anywhere south of Salt Lake City for the weekend, you live in Idaho .

If you measure distance in hours, you live in Idaho .

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you live in Idaho .

If you have switched from "heat" to "A/C" and back again in the same day, you live in Idaho .

If you install security lights on your house and garage but leave both unlocked, you live in Idaho .

If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Idaho .

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you live in Idaho .

If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph -- you're going 80, and everyone is still passing you, you live in Idaho .

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow, you live in Idaho .

If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction, you live in Idaho .

If you find 10 degrees "a little chilly" you live in Idaho .

If you actually understand these jokes and forward them to all your IDAHO friends, you live in Idaho .

Allergic to the MANGO

2009-09-10T19:51:00.000-07:00

Depressing news isn't it?

Can She get any more Cute?

2009-09-10T19:47:00.000-07:00

Who Can Resist This Kid?!

2009-09-04T06:37:00.000-07:00

The Parents Come to Town

2009-09-03T11:13:00.000-07:00

So you'd think I could remember to get some pictures while the grandparents come to town, but no, I only manage to get two and the first isn't that great.

However, the trip was so fun, that's probably why I forgot to take more pictures. We saw the geese, played at the park, saw the Mint...well, not Paul. And best of all, they took us out to eat. OR maybe that Paul fixed all the door handles, or Dixie weeded my garden. What a fun little trip!

Chromosome 22q

2009-08-10T10:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

This seems like a good day to make this post I've been in anticipation about for some time. About a month ago Lydia had a blood tests to confirm a genetic disorder: Chromosome 22q 11.2 deletion syndrome is the full term, but it's generally referred to as 22q. Since most of you know already I'll spare the spill, but here's the official website's definition:

The 22q 11.2 Chromosome Deletion Syndrome on the twenty second chromosome that can cause such health problems such as heart defects, immune deficency, cleft palate,developmental delays, learning disabilities, and social/environment issues.

Here's the linkhttp://www.22q.org/ to find out more. I tried to paste some more info but I couldn't get it to work really well. When you get to the main page click on "what is 22q". Not only will it answer some of your questions about it, but maybe you might know someone who might want to get some testing done.

So far lots of testing as there is a wide array of what we don't know yet. The good news is this: Lydia exhibits mild symptoms besides the VPI associated with Speech. Everything we could be doing to help her we are currently doing...which was nice to hear. God has truly led us here. If we weren't in Philly we wouldn't know until much later in life. Also, I just want to add this event as it has proved to be an amazing resource and blessing in my life. In short it won't mean much to you, but I've been to China and back to figure out Early Intervention and how it applies to Lydia. The end product was tears and frustration. Amy, Tom's sister, lives near D.C. and is the ultimate at educating her kids and making it fun. So far, I'm not that great of a "Teacher-Mom", but I feel that we are near Amy and her family for a reason: she is helping me help my daughter when I felt completely overwhelmed in the education department not to mention completely unorganized. So Amy, if you read this just know I'm so grateful the Lord sent us to live by you. You are truly an inspiration to me.

I'm not sure what's around the next corner, but the only thing we can do is whistle while we work and hope for the best!

Tophams Visit

2009-08-09T19:49:00.000-07:00

abbey. I told them to be spider man

Jane's landing...notice her spiderman fingers.

Stephen climbed to the top of the web.

On the museum steps. You should just know I will make you do this pose...it's tradition.

A day a Please Touch Museum. We were at the CHOP portion. Lydia likes being the doctor more than the patient.

The web merri-go- round. Mathew is laying over the second level.

Matthew going down the wooden slide

The famous Rocky Statue with his head cut off. Well, at least we barely got Maria in there!

Tom's Aunts came to visit us for a day. We had so much fun. I really love the age of 7, Stephen kept asking why all the statues were naked. What do you say to that? Anyway, we had a blast. Thanks again guys for such a great trip!

Lilly's Birthday

2009-08-09T19:37:00.000-07:00

So, after posting the beach stuff I looked for a picture of myself. All I found was this really nice after-cake making picture of myself holding the fish with big lips (you've got to puck-up your lips like this...come on Little Mermaid people!). Like the grease and frizz? Yeah, I thought so. Well, that pretty much sums up Philly in August anyway. So here are some better pictures I stole from Martha's blog of Lilly and her cake. Isn't she a cutie? I really had fun doing it for her. And you should hear this kid, "My birf day! Happy birfday to me!". That was all worth it to see how fun it was and see the kids jumping around like monkeys.

We are so happy to have a BEACH

2009-08-04T14:56:00.000-07:00

How do you like this face of Paul? Yes, Lyddie had her finger wrapped up in bandages. And why do I never take a picture of myself? Because when you are in the moment of taking pictures (which is hard for me to remember to do anyway) you forget to ask your husband to make a memory of you with the family. So now, these fun years will be documented, but alas, without a mom to prove I was there.

Out yonder are some dolphins in the first picture.

FIVE IN ONE

2009-07-30T09:59:00.001-07:00

How many doctor visits can you go to in one week? Well, we are racking up fIVE apts for this week. C'mon people, I've got company and I need to clean! Oh well, at least we are supporting some doctors' lifestyle, right?

CLEANING!!

2009-07-30T09:50:00.001-07:00

So Tom's parent's are coming into town for one day and one day only, but yep, you guessed it...I'm cleaning my house like a wild woman. I picked up a book on cleaning and real ways to clean your house and I LOVE IT!! Next time you need to clean up the mildew around your tub do this: baking soda and bleach, mix it to a paste (as much as you need to go around) scrub it on with a toothbrush. Let it soak for a couple of hours...I went out and did errands, then I used my scrub brush and scrubbed it down with water. I think if you want you can then rinse it with vinegar for you know added deoderizer, but I didn't think it needed it after baking soda and bleach!

See, how easy that was?! Currently I'm working on the crome on my stove, just finished all the mirrors in the place (for streak free and super shine try corn starch and warm water(apply with wash rag and give a little scrub), then rinse by spraying a little vinegar on your mirror and buffing out with a kitchen towel or microfiber towel. My mirrors are so shinny and streak free!

Okay, I better go wash my walls down stairs and then freshen my carpet. Try sprinkling baking soda on carpet and then let sit for a while. Come back and vaccuum. See how easy? Then light a candle and enjoy your sweet smelling home.
MAN, I should be a cleaning sales man! But let's face it, the in-laws are coming...it's almost time to count down! I need to start cooking....

I love Tom

2009-07-07T18:42:00.000-07:00

I want to say some things about my Tom. I wanted to do this for our Anniversary, but oh well, July's good too.

Top ten things I LOVE:

Riding the motorcycle down town

The way he holds my hand

The funny things he does when he reads to the kids

How hard he works at being a good student

Never ever complains about my food especially when we eat so much salad

Talking till 2am in bed because we are both so tired and neither one can sleep

The fact that he could talk about feet and buffalo all day remind me that his mind is clean

Never taking me serious even when I want him too

He holds me when my heart breaks

Telling the children they won't treat their mother like that

Eating ice cream after we both complain about eating too much junk

Tom never boasts about what he does at school but once in a while I hear from so and so who knew Tom or did a rotation or whatever and they blow me away with how impressed they are with him. Or a doctor compliments something and it comes back to me through a class-mates wife.

I know this is more than ten, but sometimes Tom and I will be laughing so hard that we have to walk away and gain composure and then ten minutes later Tom just starts laughing again and then you can't even help it and then the next day we start reliving what happened and then we are back to laughing again!

I have it so good with my Tommy. The last four years have been wonderful. I still wonder why a guy like him and a gal like me ever got together, but I'm sure glad we did. Here's to making year four and making our dream a reality.

Face Book

2009-07-07T18:40:00.000-07:00

To all of you who have invited me to be your facebook buddy, I thank you. However, I have absolutely no idea what I am doing or even how to get back on. I used to have an account two years ago, but I couldn't find it, so a long story short, I had to make a new one so I could connect with some of my friends. Just so you know, I won't be using facebook too much, I just don't have time. This blog takes up way too much as it is. But, give me your blogs I love blogging!

Lions and Tigers

2009-06-22T13:13:00.000-07:00

Lions and TIgers and...well that's it at our house. But how cute is this?! THanks Robbie for the best gift ever and Halloween special!

That's what Friends are For

2009-06-22T13:04:00.000-07:00

Look at how adorable these kids are. Lydia got some awesome Lion and Tiger outfits from her Aunt Robbie(thanks again dawg) so all day Tuesday Hannah and Lydia played Lions and Tigers. That was Hannah's best roar...it was quite real! They were the cutest little jungle friends. This is Paul giving his most dashing smile of course. Lydia and Lillian eating cupcake cones at Hannah's Birthday party, aren't they a riot?! I'm so grateful for the kids in this neighborhood. Lydia loves all of her friends so much. I'll have to post some pics of Maddie and Jackson too. She calls Jackson, "Jacksie".

Lydia is THREE

2009-06-21T19:19:00.000-07:00

How fun it was to celebrate Lydia's birthday. She knew exactly what was going on (she slept through last year's). I bought these little lanterns from the dollar store and had them strung up in the front yard. Then it down poured. So, whatever, we still had a good time and she loved all her friends coming to "eat Lyddie's cake today". Our neighbors upstairs, Joe and Jen, have a dog named Shelby, Lydia is convinced they are sisters. And Lilly and Hannah and Maddie and Paul were there to dig into the cake. Bobby and Amanda took the pictures and Tasha couldn't get away from the camera this time. Also, Natalie and Taylor were there too, you just can't see them. Taylor played the guitar and the kids went bonkers.

Lydia's Birthday

2009-06-21T19:13:00.000-07:00

CAKES!!!!!

2009-06-21T19:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to Lydia...more to come. Happy Father's Day to Tom...this is the extent of our partying. I just love decorating cakes. I know I'm not even that good, but it's fun and exciting and a good way to blow off energy from the big days we've been having. So, really, I'm not good, but I'm sure proud of my cakes just for the silly fact that I can create! Both were made with a buttercream frosting. I used fondant for the flowers and the horn and tail of the buffalo. And I would just like to say that Tom's cake actually looked better in real life. You could more definition instead of just frosting. Oh well, cake will be cake and by that time my frosting was getting really warm in my hand.

Happy Anniversary two months ago

2009-06-11T18:01:00.000-07:00

So, I've been gone for a while, and a lot has happened. ALOT. But, oddly enough I just want to blog about our 4th anniversary. I can't even remember what all went on that day, but I did make him a cake. Okay, well I went to this cake decorating RS night and I got to take the fondant cake home, but Lizzy did make me do the jeans and the flowers( I was glad she did the writing). I was so proud I had a hard time eating it....but not too hard. "Forever in Blue Jeans" by Neil Diamond is our song, thus it became our theme. Don't you love the girl jeans?! I wish I had more time to put legs on, but just the bums took a while for me and it was pretty late by then. After the kids went to bed and I came home from RS this is what we ate and reminisced. I love that boy.

Paul needs a hair cut

2009-04-19T18:45:00.001-07:00

Paul got into my make-up. He's really mad I took away his mascara lipstick.

Lydia joined in the fun. We'll I guess smoky eyes are in.

I did Lydi's pig tails and she really wanted Paul to wear her bow, so Paul got suckered. I think it's time to cut his hair, it's just so hard to let that baby hair go.

Lydia's Sleep Test

2009-04-19T18:12:00.000-07:00

I told Lydia we were going to a party at the Hospital. She got to wear her cool blue pj's, her princess sunglasses (mom's sporting them for the pic) and bring her Dora lunch box. First we had a pizza party. Dad packed us pizza and we ate it on the hospital bed...very fun.

Lydia's favorite past time...see-food.

Then we headed down to McDonald's for an "M-treat".

This picture is hard to see but there are about 50+ wires coming from that box. 25 connected to her scalp..glued and blow-dried, 10 to her face and neck...taped, and a various 10-15 on her arms, abdomen, legs and toes. There's a nice tube shoved up her nose and a wire set above her lip to monitor inhales and exhales. There are also five camereas and a sound recording. Although I pushed my bed close to Lydia's they asked me to not get close as my body would interfer with Lydia's data. It took us 1/2 hr to get everything hooked up, Lydia was traumatized, cried until she cried dry tears. This picture is about five minutes from sleep. She woke up once screaming, luckily I was able to put my hand over her and she slowly went back to sleep to "Iam a Child of God". I tried not to, but I did cry all night. I'm really trying to have a positive attitude, but all these tests are taking it's toll. Hopefully we really don't have to do anything like this again.

7am They de-cemented Lydia's hair and took off all the tape. She was such a good girl she got an apple juice. At least we left the hospital party on a good note....Lyd loves juice and she got a Dora sicker. What more could you want from a party? Later that day Lydia had another appointment at CHOP. We met with the Speech Therapist and a Therapist that deals with Clefts and Palate disorders. They highly suspect a palate disorder although it is ambiguous and almost too early to tell. We have an appointment with a Genetisist now and an appointment with the Therapist in the Palate department, she wants the Plastic Surgeon over that department to look at Lydia. This will take place in August sometime. The thing with CHOP is that you are lucky to get an appointment for anything three months from when you call. So, we are glad someone has finally jumped aboard our band-wagon. Now we just wait for June and August. In the mean-time the Dr.'s gave me some Speech Therapy lessons to work on every day. YES!!!!! This has been helping alot. Lydia now can say: "La" and "Li" and "Lo" although not in words or in a sentence.

Thanks everyone for your continued support. I truly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. This a long post, but a short and spotty update. If I could I would spill my guts on everything we've been dealing with, but just know that we really appreciate it.

Conference at the Lyman House

2009-04-05T20:57:00.001-07:00

Thank goodness for Amy's conference coloring packet! Look at these adoroble, sweet children listening to the Prophet!

And that lasted about 30 seconds.

Tom was kind of annoyed I was taking so many pictures and not paying attention after I told everyone how important is was to listen to the Prophet....oops!

Easter Egg Hunt

2009-04-04T18:46:00.000-07:00

Our FIRST Easter Egg hunt! The community around here is incredible. Really, you should come to Philadelphia, it's a blast and a half. It was incredibly windy but not real cold. We got eggs, balloons and even the Easter Bunny was there! I went with Natalie and her girls, Hannah and Madilyn. It's really great to have friends when your husbands are married to text books. Hannah even won a "hot wheels" prize from the raffle!I just have to note something: It's a bummer job being the Easter Bunny, look how hilariously unhappy these children are about a big, soft, candy giving bunny!

Don't you think Paul jacket is cute, Tom wore it when he was a boy.

Photo Shoot

2009-04-04T18:07:00.000-07:00

My in-laws sent some adorable outfits for Paul and Lyddie. They are so cute, I decided to do a photo shoot to capture the "perfect " picture. NEWS FLASH... Have you ever tried doing a photo shoot with two small children ?! It was about eventful as dinner time at our house. I posted the pictures in the wrong order so you'll have to start at the bottom and work your way up. Sorry, dudes. Check out those suspenders with curly red hair...oh I just want to eat him! Remember, START AT THE BOTTOM, it will be funner that way.

Good bye parting shot. This they did on their own. Just so cutsie, glad we stuck it out.

Alright, I think we're done here.

That was a very cute shot, and it was the only one I got of her by herself without the arms flying about.

Okay, back to serious stuff.

We were about to shoot some serious suspender action, but Lyd decided she needed to showcase them. Paul, "You totally threw off my groove!"

Some serious Gerber GQ shots. Lydia is just not giving up on the hands thing.

Paul, "Okay Mom, I'm taking over from here. Put the camera just like that." Lydia, "Are we still focused on me?"

Yep, Lydia is very persistent about our arms stuck in the air, Paul thinks maybe it's a new baby Vogue pose?

Lydia maintains her hands, Paul pretends to not be affiliated with us.

Then Lydia forgets she needs a bathroom break and for no apparent reason throws her hands up into the air. Paul is now convinced this is not the Gerber studio and is really annoyed with Mom and Lydia's lack of professionalism.

I do something funny and Lydia thinks it's great, but still didn't distract her. Paul thinks I'm stupid, "are you for real mom?"

Of course I say, "wait one minute to get a picture" because Paul's cute stance is not going to wait on a three minute tinkle break. Infact, he's already thinking he's been duped. Paul, "I'm getting the feeling this is not a professional shoot."

We get out in the sunshine (away from any dirt). Paul is being such a gentleman holding his hands and smiling so pleasantly when Lydia decides she needs to potty.

Frugal

2009-04-02T21:59:00.001-07:00

Lydia loves to use gobs of toilet paper to do her duty. Well we are not the richest people in the world so we had a little talk about using only what you need, not the whole roll. The next time I came in to help her pull her pants up and wash hands I found this on the floor and a tiny wad of paper in the toilet. I have to hand it to her, she did exactly what I told her to do.

Spring Break

2009-03-20T18:50:00.001-07:00

Spring Break already came and went for us, but we did go on a little vaca. We went to Pittsburgh. Tom wanted to check out a residency there...and it the second reason we went is because it was the cheapest thing we could do and still get away. Okay, it was nerdly cheap, but we had a ton of fun. Would you ever guess that the world's largest Coffe Pot is located in Pennslyvania?!
Cost: $free.99

We also traveled to Gravity Hill where aparently you put your car in neutral and roll up the hill. For being free it was a fun experience, plus there was some gorgeous horses right next to us. Also, along the way we saw a herd of buffalo. Lydia and Paul went nuts-o mooing and growling at them. Sorry, I forgot to take the awesome pic.

This was Lydia's favorite part of Pittsburgh. We have a national musum pass-thing and so we got into the Carnegie Science Musuem...hope I got the name right. We actually spent all day there and got to check out an old submarine.
Price: Free and I even packed a lunch. I'm so cool. Okay, I had to pack all the food actually, but who doesn't? (except we went to an old diner and that was fun to get out)

You can't see how cheap this hotel room is (oh boy was it cheap...Tom's great at finding a deal) but the important thing is how we made up for it by buying the kids "Dilly-Dips" from DQ. I figure if we keep this kind of treatment up, they'll never care where we lodge. Cost: 2.59 for both! The room...I don't know maybe they paid us!

We actually spent 75% of our time on the road seeing Tom had to be back for work and me other commitments and the fact that the residency was in Ohio and our hotel room in Pennslyvania. (another clue as to how cheap the hotel was.) Lyddie busied herself by lotioning her hands with her juice. Can I also just say how many times we listened to the "Toddler's Tunes" cd. I think I might throw up if I hear "John Jacob Jingle Hiemer Schmidt" again. We can even sing the ABC's backwards.

Paul was happy to shove giant muffins in his mouth the whole way. Well, actually that wore off after five hours of driving.
Cost: How much did we pay in gas?$120.00?! Gee wiz, I should own a gas station.

Here's a nice family picture to remember the fun time in Pittsburgh. Too poor to eat out, too poor to ride the cart thing up the hill and after the museum the kids fell asleep so Tom and I just drove around the city. It was beautiful after all. We just loved all the bridges.

Cost: Priceless. Okay, I just had to throw that in there!

So there it is, our really fun and simple family vaca. I can't wait for the next one!

Rice Overnight

2009-03-16T06:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I made some brown rice for dinner. We had a ton leftover, but we left right after dinner to see a friend before she went into surgery. When we came back the kids had to go to bed, Tom had to run some errands and then kids woke up off and on until this morning when I found my rice still on my stove. I really didn't want to throw it out because I had made a huge pot full, but that gut feeling told me to toss it. I'm glad I did because this is what I found when I googled "rice left out overnight":

'Rice are susceptible to the formation of spores (bacillus cereus) if the rice isn't cooled down properly. These spores are heat resistant, so they aren't easy to kill either when reheating.'

So, there ya go, bad case of pipe cleaning. On the off chance your rice may get this bacteria throw all rice away if you left it out for, oh I don't know... all night.

Back on Track

2009-03-12T19:49:00.000-07:00

Nurtimirror. Looked at it. Liked it. Joined it. It's everything I would love to do as a trainer but am too busy being a mom. I love it.

So here we go. Gonna start updating Teeniemama again, but maybe with some real tips this time instead of personal saga. Here's the big target for the last five pounds: Portion Control. Anyone can give up sugar or go on some weird diet and lose weight, but here's the question: can you still lose weight by merely moderating what you enjoy eating?! Can you stop after just ONE cookie or half a coke? Well, can you? CAN YOU? Although I'm avid about eating as healthy as you can, the truth is if you want to maintain a healthy weight the real key is HOW much you eat no matter what.

There ya go. So let's go. Let's learn to eat our sweet in moderation and keep it off forever.
That's it. My speech is over...and my husband has given me the boot.

Pregnant?!

2009-03-11T19:09:00.000-07:00

No, but someone asked me if I was today. Even though it wasn't a devastating blow, (I was so bloated tonight and I couldn't even suck in...we had a quiche for dinner?...maybe..) I've decided it's time to get back on the weightloss wagon (I've been a slacker since Christmas). I still have those five stinking pounds to lose. SO WHOSE WITH ME?! Begone five forever. Let's finally reach that goal.

So, my friend told me about a website http://www.nutrimirror.com/. I've yet to look at it, but get there and tell me what you think. I'm ready to kick some honey buns into their rightful place. If you have some suggestions to help with late-night cravings, leave a line.

I miss my sisters

2009-03-01T23:01:00.001-08:00

( Not pictured Robbie, her fam and my bro and his wife and Carissa. Oh, and look at that I was prego!)

I miss my sisters really bad. They are the cool, goofy kind of people who you never get sick of except when you are all PMSing and iritated with each other for stupid reasons, but you don't want them to go, you just want to be honery. Gee, I never thought I'd miss those days.

But actually I miss them because of the genuine friendship and love we share. My bro's a part of it too, so this applies to him as much as the gals. I miss walking into Robbie's house and breaking into her fridge. I don't know why, but we all do it. Maybe her fridge is like her heart, it feeds us all. I miss Kenner's bubbly countenance. She has a knack at making you feel at ease. We could sit on the couch all day and talk about nothing really. I miss Kayla dressing me up, she always made me feel pretty, especially when she lets me wear her clothes, heh, heh, heh. And we like to get silly and take pictures of the most ridiculous goofy faces. I miss Carissa. She was always the baby until this last visit and now she is a young woman. AH, the good ole days of high school, keeps me young. And she's a good shopper...and she pulls off any hairstyle. And we all just laugh and have a good time just being together. Well, sometimes we have to have issues. C'mon there's five of us. I miss my bro telling off the wall jokes or talking about rad cars or using his voice impersonations (hope I spelled that right).

I like that they miss my kids. I like that I have so many good memories with them. I like that wherever they are they are doing good and trying to make life around them better.

I just miss them. I hope they miss me too.

Deep Condition

2009-03-01T22:53:00.000-08:00

I tried a home-deep-condition thing on my hair tonight. I read on-line if you put olive oil on your hair and let it sit for 30 mins it's like a good deep condition. Well, I washed and rinsed twice. I look like a bum on the street. Seriously, if I hung out at 8th and Market, you'd never know the difference. At least it shines.

Sometimes saving money is lame, too bad I don't have a choice.

THE CAMERA CORD IS RECOVERED!!!

2009-02-25T17:24:00.000-08:00

here are some random photos pictured most recent to oldest:
FHE treat: "Mounds" pretzel style. Paul, what a ham

Lydia was incharge of the chocolate, Paul the coconut and Dad the pretzels. Mom was ground control.

Bubbles are one of the highlights of the day. There is never a time when "ba bubs" aren't wanted...I know Lydia is in her underware; well folks, that's life.

Date night babysitting landed on V-day weekend for us. We made this odd looking cake. The sad thing is it looks better than it tasted. Oh well, at least the babies ate it.

Paul doing his ballarina dances. Tom calls it the rain dance, he doesn't want to admit his son can dance.

He even spots his turns

it is just so stinking cute to watch him dance. This boy loves music.

a friendly trip to the zoo. Yes, it was cold

Lydia coming out of anethesia, it's has already been 40 mins since she was woken up. Poor kid.

Very happy girl pre-op. They are extremely nice at the West Chester Hospital.

Tom reading to the kids, and this is my most favorite time of day. He uses all sorts of funny voices and I end up doubling over.

My big helper making Paul's b-day cake. She is so willing to help when chocolate is involved.

Our humble, but creative christmas tree. Okay, had to put that up even though Christmas is long gone.

The missing camera cord

2009-02-23T18:31:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the pictures, I seriously can't find the cord. Lydia, Paul and I went to the Dentist this past week. Yea-whoo! We are doing excellent with our flossing and brushing. Lydia got two stickers, two clacky hand toys, and two gliding foam planes. Paul got a sticker, do you think they cater to the two year olds? Oh well, I love our pedi dentist. If you go to the Drexel Hill Pedes on State Road I highly recommend Dr. Montgomery, she was amazing for both kids.

Umm, the other thing is this: How did I go 25 years and never learn to floss correctly? How stupid did I look when they tell me I was doing it all wrong? Well, we all have our moments, some a little more frequent than others....

I just have to say

2009-02-16T19:49:00.000-08:00

Lydia says the cutest things:
Grandma sent chocolate for Valentine's so Lyddie says " mamnma, chocly.. mmmmm" "were's mamnma?" (she's looking for the Chocolate)

"time to get down" or "hold you" (I want you to hold me). Lydia loves to be held, but I can only hold for so long, so I'm constantly saying, "time to get down"

And finally we've become a little hostile about sitting on laps. When we read books Lydia runs to me and says "No paul mine" and then trys to push him off my lap. Then we have to discuss why mom's lap is for everyone and sitting by me is just as good. But that doesn't work so we decide if Paul can sit on mom's lap, then Lydia can sit on paul's lap. Paul is very agreeable since he has quite a wide lap himself, and so we are all happy. One big Lyman Lap. and I can't read because of so many heads, but I'm quite inventive all the same.

Sorry I don't have a picture of this: I can't find my camera cord.