Take a step back BOB ROSS!

We painted with none other than BOB ROSS for mutual this week.  He is the real deal Yo! This activity was right up my alley.  I love art, and painting, and don't do it often enough.  It soothes my soul.  Stacy brought 3 colors.  White, Gray and Black.  The purpose was to teach the girls that we know we are firm on things that are black and white in our lives.  Like:  Will I smoke?  It's a yes or no answer.  But what about:  Will I hang out with people that smoke?  Is that more Gray????  Maybe more for some than others.

So we followed along on a VHS tape and a 12 inch tv and painted our little hearts out!  The girls all complained that it was too hard!  Bob was going too fast!  Mine is ugly!! Look at hers!  It's way better!  Ugh!  I screwed up!!  I kept telling them that it is all about perspective.  Sometimes you have to walk away from something to see what it really is.

When I got home I posted some of these pictures on FB.  And what do you know?  They loved their pictures!  They were seeing them from afar and loved them!

Here is mine~

We are missing Claire.  She went and turned 16 on us and left for Laurels.  BOOO!

Celebrate with me!!!

I decided that this was the year I was going to take the girls down to the Women's Fitness Celebration 5K Run/Walk.  

I threatened their lives that if they complained they could not come back with me till they turn 11!!!  I think that did the trick!  I got them some fairy wings and matching tutu's and they were in heaven!  We rode the shuttle bus to the park and had a really fun time.  

As I have gotten older my anxiety has increased 10 fold.  Especially if it is out of my normal routine.  I was doing really well until the Life Flight helicopter did a fly over.  It just hit my panic button!  I was just praying it did not crash.  (I know that is terrible and morbid.  I think I have a thing called "Bad Thoughts OCD")  

The girls griped a few times but it was legit.  We waited in the same spot at the starting line for over an hour.  And mostly in the shade.  So it was chilly!  

Once we got started they were awesome!  They received several comments of how cute they were.  I could not agree more!  

Cute huh?  

Better Days.....

I know that they are ahead....I just have to keep pushing forward!

{The Story}

I have started running!  ............................................  Did that allow for enough time for you to get back in your chair????  Carrying on....

I run at night and Jason either follows me on his bike with a flashing light (for safety, not too warn people I am coming) or runs with me.

On a whim I decided to run further than normal.  I got into the subdivision behind us and a little black and white Boston Terrier runs up to me.  There were people up ahead of us and I thought it was theirs.  Turns out THEY thought it was ours.  Honestly, I think they were just happy that it was no longer their problem. For sure the dog was going to follow us.  It looked as though he had broken a run leash of some kind cause it was still attached.  The only problem was that I intended on running up to Locust Grove.  That road is busy at any hour.  Jason was afraid it would get hit so we cut through the school and back home.  We got the dog some water and I took a picture of it to post on FB.  I was actually worried that it was one of my friend Julie's dogs.  They have 2 that look similar.  I did not want to have the dog get hurt, especially if it was hers.

ANYWHO'S......  The dog was barking up a storm all evening.  Jason got out of bed at 11 and took the dog back to where we had found it.  (Not the most shining moment of character, but we were worried our neighbors around us would freak....and we could hear him over our fan...so we knew he was loud).  Our neighbor Paul saw him when we had jogged home.  So that morning I got a text from his wife Sarah saying that Paul thought it got out of our gate last night and put the dog in his backyard.  (AREYOUKIDDINGME???????)  It can run back to our house, but NOT IT'S OWN????????  Gimmie a break. So Jason goes over and gets him from their yard (cause he is royally bugging their dog) and puts him in our back yard.  This is all just till we can either find the owner on FB or Craigslist.  OR CALL THE POUND.

Later in the morning as I was getting ready to leave I glanced out to make sure all was well.  I saw that the dog got wrapped around our small picnik table so I went out to free him.  That is when I saw Cowboy (our bunny).  That dog had killed him.  K.I.L.L.E.D him.  To say that I lost my mind was an understatement.  I nearly died.  Thankfully none of my kids knew what happened.  The girls were already at school. I hysterically called Jason and screamed and bawled what had happened.  I ugly cried all the way to my friend Jacki's house.

I am just so mad.  I tried to do something good for another person and I got punched in the face. HARD.  Our whole family did.  I was so shocked at the compassion of friends.  My sister and my friend Ursula (my YW's president) offered to come and "clean things up" for me.  Seriously?  Who does that?

When the animal shelter people came to get the dog I was further traumatized when she said, "Oh, I know this dog.  We sit it about once a month!"

ARE YOU KIDDING ME AGAIN?????????????????????  I know that this entire thing is just a terrible turn of events.  But so sad none the less.  Our kids are really bummed that now we have "no pets".  Jason took care of Cowboy when he got home.  He thinks the dog broke his leg and Cowboy bled out.  Not that it helps me in any way.  I feel totally responsible for the entire thing.  STUPID!  UGH!

Moral of the story?  I'm not sure.  Will I still help stray dogs?  Probably.  Will I think things ALL the way through before I just toss something in my backyard?  Heck yes.

Thanks for your kind words on FB, and the cookies and hugs.  They mean a lot to a hurting Mommy.










   

Smith Girls 2011

My sister Megan (Second Oldest) held a huge party for her husband Matt's 40th birthday this Saturday.  Very seldom are we all together in a non-family situation.  It was funny to see people put together that their are 4 of us.  Like it's some kind of anomaly.  

Either way, we had a delightful time and I am honored to have such amazing women as my sisters~  

Julie Ann~ Megan Sue~ Jennifer Elaine~ Allison Leanne~

September 2011

Someday Preschool 2011

Graden started his last year of preschool today.  He was thrilled to go back to school.  He has felt rather lonely being stuck with me and Burke all day.  

He is attending my sister Jennifer's school again.  It was formerly known as Happy Days Preschool.  She never really dug that name.  This year she made the change to Someday Preschool.  Not because they only go to school somedays.  But that there is promise in someday.  I love it.  

We celebrated by going to McDonald's after.  Burke really hammed it up for me!  He thought he was so funny!  

Utterly Disappointed~

I received news of a friend this weekend.  She has made what I would consider and utterly bad choice.  It's shady, and dishonest, and schemey.  I would not call us good friends, but I would be there if she needed me.  At first I just thought it was so lame of what she did.  And I was a little mad.  But now I am feeling the worse out of all the feelings.  DISAPPOINTMENT.  

As a Mom I have not ever really felt this feeling till tonight at dinner.

We don't have problems behaviorally with any of our kids.  They are all sweet and delicious.  And every now and again have their sour moments.  

Tonight as we were getting ready to say the prayer I asked Burke to offer it.  He is still a beginner and gets rather distracted.  So they are short, sweet and to the point.  As I was slowly said each word for him to repeat Taylor became irritated that is was taking too long.  She sighed really loud and Jason got after her.  Then after we said amen, (from a 10 word prayer), Taylor blurted out "Great, now can we pray for reals?"  

I don't know why it hit me so hard.  But it hit Jason even harder.  She was immediately sent to her room with out eating.  Where she bawled at the top of her lungs.  Jason went up a few minutes later. I'm not sure what he said but he came down alone.  

We decided that she would eat dinner alone, after we were all done.  As Jason was up talking to her I just became overwhelmed with disappointment.  How does she think she learned to pray?  I can remember hundreds of meals where Jason and I sat patiently and listened to the girls first prayers.  

The feeling did not last long, and while she was eating alone at the bar I told her I love her.  I cannot hold a grudge against my child.  Just like Heavenly Father does not hold them against me.  I am so very thankful for that.  

I've got my hands full...

Natalie and Taylor were the EASIEST babies and toddlers.  They were content and happy and most importantly, they entertained each other.  Twins are the best! 

Graden was awesome too.  Just quiet.  He did his own thing, seldom got into mischief.  

Well, could I be lucky enough to have all my kids be that way?

This post will answer that question:

This is on top of me having to actually put our bar stools on the bar cause he pulls a HEAVY chair over and climbs up them.  It was a real shocker when Jason and I heard him turn the garbage disposal on.  

He is talking up a storm.  

His new favorite things are goger-gygles.  (motorcycles, said with and angry face)

He is smarter than smart.  

I love this freak.  

Lego my Son

Graden has been asking me for weeks for Legos. And to be honest, we held him off of these just like we did the girls and Barbies. So while we were at Target today he laid the dimples on thick. And I caved. He wanted a big huge set! Um.....no. So I was able to show him the ages on the boxes. And he knew for sure that some were for "babies" as he called them. So we settled on a Moon Man with a Rover.

As of this evening we are missing two wheels. : /

{PS...Thanks Cherie!!!!)

Professional 2nd Graders!

Well it's done. 1st grade is in the history books and we have moved on to conquering the 2nd grade. The girls are beyond thrilled! Here is a little gift they gave to their teacher today!

The girls made a crucial mistake this morning. They made their own lunches! And now I know they can............Bbuuhahhahahahahaaaaaa!

I sent them off on their bikes happy as can be! They will do awesome! We are very proud of them!

Lot's O' Happenings

I was really hoping that things would calm down before school starts, and it just seems like it get's busier by the day.

Jason started school this week. He works at the Blue and Orange store in the mall from about 7-3 then has class Monday-Thursday. His Monday class is at the BSU campus, so he goes straight there after work. But Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday he is at the Meridian campus. That was a great surprise for us! So he usually can come home in between. His classes are supposed to be from 6-9. But most nights he is done around 7:30. EXCEPT for his Philosophy class on Thursdays. That professor comes in from Nissa, OR. So he uses all the time. (My volleyball night....but I can still go!!!)

Needless to say he has had a long week. And when Jason get's tired he get's quiet. And when he get's quiet I think he is mad. And when I constantly ask if he is mad? He get's mad! Amazing how that works! It will take some adjusting, but I know we are on the right path!

We are all ready for the girls to start on Tuesday. They have Mrs. Anala. I am not sure the spelling of that. My girls are thrilled! They really liked her from what they saw last year. They even had her sign their year books. Oh to be in the second grade! Their clothes are all washed and hung, hair cut, room clean. We decided to separate their shoes this year. They each have a laundry basket under their beds with their own shoes. We had some "those are my shoes" drama last year that I am trying to avoid!

Graden starts on the 6th. So I have some time to get his room cleaned up! It needs it!

The Browne's came for another visit! It helped my summer along knowing they were coming! They got to stay for a week. Reagan was really sick, and was not the happiest camper, so we played more after she got to feeling better. We swam of course. The kids have a blast at Christines.

Candace and I got to sneak away on Tuesday and go see THE HELP. I had sent Candace the book earlier in the summer and she loved just as much as I did. We loved the movie too! There were only 8 of us in the theater. And I think that she and I were the only ones that had read it. Cause we were reacting to what we knew was coming, and the rest just did as it happened. It would be great to see it with a full theater of readers!

This is just a silly picture I took of Burke Saturday morning. He was a hot mess. This is what an almost 2 year old looks like after an Otter Pop treat and playing out front. And as you can see he is sporting the white trash onsie. LOL! I cut the sleeves off some of the long sleeve onsies.

I also took him in for his 15 month and 18 month check. I know.....LATE! But he needed shots and to be honest, I could not have done it this winter. It was a bad one for me depression wise, and the thought of him getting shots was too much for me. He only got 2 and cried, but did great. The other kids though.....When I turned around with Burke in my arms the big kids were all huddled up covering their ears! I think it was worse for them! Hahaha! That is true compassion!

He weighs 21 pounds and is in the 5%. BUT, he is in the 10th% for height. And 45th% for his head. LOL! I told the nurse he falls in the Pip Squeak category!

So thanks for stopping by~ You rock!

Derby Date Night~

I won 4 tickets on FB to the ROLLER DERBY! hOlLa!!! I answered a trivia question from Zip Idaho. We invited the Robertson's go with us. I had one of my young women babysit for us. Kristine :) We headed down town last Saturday night!!!! I love DT Boise. Mainly because I love to people watch. And boy was there some watchin'! (And some smellin' too;/)

As we were walking to the Quest Arena I saw this utility box that was painted with these really cool owls. Um.... yes please!

So I was really excited about going to the derby. Do you remember my post about the movie Whip It with Ellen Page, Kristin Wiig, and Drew Barrymore? Well, I think I secretly want to be on a roller derby team. Jason and I thought of a name for me on the way home. (Some of the names we saw were "Thigh Master", "Rasta 4:20", and some other ones that were in reference to being a druggie, or gay.) I'm not gonna lie. I am a goodie-2-shoes compared to some of these more beastie women. So I thought a good name for me would be...............drum roll.............."PEGGY SUE-ME". Eh???? Good one huh? Ok, I'm a dork...


It was NOT NEARLY cool as the movie Whip It, but we had fun. We headed to PIE HOLE for some yummo pizza next. We sat outside and listened to some live music and basked in the cigarette smoke. Ugh! We thought we could escape the cloud and do some walking around. We found this really cool outdoor art studio where artists have leased some space. Here are some that we liked!
The Star Wars one is for the Brownes. :)





After we walked off our pizza, we headed to Apsen Leaf. It's a self serve frozen yogurt place next to Pie Hole. IT WAS HEAVEN! They have aprrox 20 flavors of yogurt. You pay .44 cents an ounce, so I tried to be really careful deciding what I wanted. Jason and I were going to share. So we picked Cookies and Cream, Oreo, Choc/PB, Angel Food Cake, Strawberry, and Raspberry. I had them all neatly poured onto the side of our giant cup. (This is where 6 years of working at TCBY really helped!!!) There were TONS of toppings to choose from too. Be did just a few of this and that but my favorite was little tiny cubed cheesecake pieces! Um. HEAVEN!!!

{proof of heaven!}

We came home, the kids were in bed, the house was spotless, and Kristine was at the sink doing dishes!

So that brings me to ask you this......

How much do YOU pay a babysitter????

{Funner Summer}

Could somebody please tell me where the summer went? It will go down in the history books as a fun one, but a FAST one! Here are some funner things, and some not so much :)

I scored on a mess of clothes for the girls for B2S. (back to school) I have $48 in store credit at Kids Again and took more things in to consign and got another $14. So I had a tab of $68. I was able to get a dozen + shirts, 8 pairs of jeans and a denim jacket for $22. :) Most of the shirts were on summer clearance and I snatched them up! I also got the girls several pairs of shoes at Payless for $6 a piece. They are all set! Whew! We also got all their supplies! I am on top of it this year! Last year at this time I was prepping for 3 tonsillectomy's. Not cool.

Burke fell into a speaker on our living room floor on Monday. Another not cool. He was fine though. Did not even break the skin.
I thought this was cute. They are watching Shrek on my bed.
I got a new doo from September. I even have some spikies in the back! I like a funky hair style.
We took our YW boating to Black Canyon Reservoir last night. I had never been there before. It was amazing. I love how the docks are against grass, and they are not floating. I know the girls had a GREAT time! (As did their fearless leaders)

Here is my beautiful Stacy!

Here I am "trying" to knee surf.

BAILEY THE BEAST! She rocks with water sports!

Bronwyn having a blast!

Bailey dreaming of Nebraska.

Our fearless Bishop surfing.

Moi~

Some of the leaders taking a break!

Crazy tubbing girls!

I told the girls that if they are brave enough to steal my phone and take pictures, then dumb enough not to erase them, I will post them. This is Jamie and Claire. I told Jamie she looks like Sloth from Goonies. She did not know who that was..........Baby Ruth??????

I had to bring my arthritis stick. It takes the pain out of my shoulder. Stacy thought it may work on her jaw. I think it just cleared her nose. :)

I had a HUGE crash off the tube. I have no idea how it happened either. I guess I flipped on the water forever before I actually sunk in. I am sore today.

THE BEST PART???????? I was soooooo cold when I got home, but was equally as tired. Jason had poured me a super hot bath with Epsom salt. Ahhh......I sat in the tub and told him all about the trip and we ate watermelon. It was delightfulness.