Labor Day

So for the past 3 years we have gone with some of our friends camping near Leadville, CO. It is great! It is so nice to have the kids out in nature and playing with people you trust to look after and discipline your kids if need be. I LOVE IT! Not to mention we get to have church out in the woods. I am so grateful for these opportunities.
Here are just a few pictures. Again my kids think that going to the beach means a glacial lake in the mountains- oh well.

Actually finished something

SO... you know how you always have good intentions about crafty stuff but then it usually sits for months if not years before it gets finished. WELL... I actually finished something and on time too.
So a few months ago I was with my partner in crime- my sister Jeane- at JoAnn fabric store and I decided hey I think I should make my new niece to be a baby quilt. This is quite the feat considering I have about four quilts already in the works and none are done yet. DOH!
BUT with the impending delivery I had a definite deadline. So today before the newest Norris arrived I finished the binding and popped it in the mail. ( I think she was waiting for me to finish before she finally arrived.)
So here is the finished product for Camilla Sue (by the way her brother is Spencer)...I hope she likes it but I know that I think it turned out pretty darn good.

30 is AWESOME

The Big day was bound to be great due to the fact that on Wednesday I got a surprise visit from my old roommate Angie. I've known Angie since June 1997 so longer than I've know Ryan and it was great to see her and her family.
So on the big day last Thursday (Aug 27th) two of my dear friends took me to work out and swim with them before Ryan wisked me away on a trip to remember. With the help of my super sister and some awesome friends the kids were taken care of so the cares of everyday life were gone.
First we stopped for dinner in Fairplay, CO. We found this amazing little Italian place tucked away where no one would find it without stopping to ask for directions. The meal was super yummy and then we were off to our final destination, Buena Vista, CO.
The drive from our home through Fairplay to Buena Vista was beautiful. (I realized that there is so much of Colorado I have yet to see.)

As we got closer to our lodging we had an adventure trying to find this 100 year old cabin but we were finally successful. Thankfully it wasn't too late because we had an early morning.
So on Friday Ryan had a day packed with activities to check off the old "bucket list". Activity number one- RIVER RAFTING! I have never rafted before and I thought why not. As per instructions from my mom I wore a helmet but the water was low so not too much danger but tons of fun! Our guide was great and it certainly was a work out! I will definitely raft again and hopefully with the kids in tow at least once.
After rafting we ventured into town for a lite lunch and then back to the cabin to change for the next activity...Sunset Horseback ride. I love horses and there is nothing like seeing the world from the back of a horse. It was relaxing and enjoyable to watch dusk approach over the mountains. It was also great to have a shorter horse- only 15 hands- that made the dismount much easier.


After 2 hours on horseback we decided dinner was in order. So more yummy food and then onto the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs. This was a great way to end the day because although we weren't sore while riding after was an entirely dfferent story. Man was the Hot Springs relaxing. God's hot tub I like to call it. 104 degree water in one pool 90 degree water in another pool and then smaller natural pools right beside the creek to help you appreciate the need for both hot and cold water.

After another good night's rest and much needed after a jam packed day we went for a morning haike to Agnes Veil Falls. Only about half a mile and totally worth the burning muscles.


It was a great way to start our morning before we went to the local antique stores and then drove up to Leadville.
As the day wore on I was ready to see the kids again and relieve my sister and my in-laws. By about 6pm we were nearing home and I was grateful to have had this time alone with my super awesome husband. To be able to share our thoughts uninterrupted and to talk about what is most important to us and our family was a great end to our weekend away...Or so I thought.

When we got to our house to see my sister she was all mysterious and said that she had really cleaned the house and that I had to keep my eyes closed so that I could be surprised. When I opened them I was more than surprised I was shocked. Standing in my kitchen were some of our closest friends and MY MOM. Ryan had planned a surprise party for me! And my mom had flown over to help Jeane with the kids and to be here for my 30th birthday. It was the perfect ending to a perfect weekend...well up until all the kids and I got strep. Oh well there really is opposition in all things! Still a little bacteria won't ruin my birthday. Just means I get to be lazy a little longer and be justified;)

So 30 is great and I can't wait for 31 and beyond!

3 Days to Go

Yep only thre days left before the big 3-0 ! I am actually excited! Ryan has a getaway planned for us and I am so stoked. This will be our first time away for a few days without kids since the number one kiddo came along. I only have a vague idea where we are going- somewhere only 3 hours away where we can go rafting. Who knows but I am so proud that Ryan has been able to keep the secret this long.
Thankfully I have a super duper sister and friends who are going to help me get the kids taken care of.
Weird to think that this will be the eleventh birthday that Ryan and I have spent together, I can't wait for more to come.
I think my 30's will be great. Not problem free but just full of possibility and being able to say we aren't having more bambinos makes the 30's seem that much more bright. No months on end where I am no good to anyone. Hopefully my plan to spend the thirties recovering from the 20's will work out too. To be healthier at 35 and 40 than I am right now will be a dream come true.
So here's to me. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I made it and I am still semi-sane....I think :)

If I had a Thousand dollars....

So what would you do with $1000? Maybe buy something you've been waiting for? Maybe take a trip? Pay off some debt?
Well let me tell you what I did with a thousand dollars...and in just one week. EXCITED? Oh I bet you are...anticipation just killing you?
Wait for it....
In one week I spent nearly $1000 on car repairs that HAD to be done. Fun, huh? Bet ya never thought about that huh- well maybe ya did. And the best part of it all was that I do not have said $1000 to spend on such things. So I guess that new breaks were my 30th birthday present a month early. (Thanks Mom & Dad)

So here's to hoping that I don't have to spend that much money in a week for a while- oh wait the mortgage is due next week. So much for that idea. DANG!

Most Poignant Movie EVER!

So I watched The Boy In the Striped Pajamas just now and it was...sad, poignant, disturbing,tragic. I don't know how to describe it.
I have always been a bit of a WWII junkie. I want to understand how it happened, how people were deceived, what led to the people of the world turning a blind eye, etc. Maybe I just want to be able to see it coming next time- if you think there won't be a next time read some history.
Anyway this movie makes me want to read the book and prayerfully consider when I want to expose my children to this part of history. I know that in the next two years Michael will be learning about WWII but I need to be able to let him know the truth without scarring him for life. Maybe I will watch this with him when he is 12 or so.

Maybe the movie upset me so much because I know it could have happened AND more because I have an eight year old (the age of the characters in the movie). I'm not saying that I didn't like the movie BUT I am not sure you should like it. It gave me pause and it made me think and if you really want to know the details of the film they are on the internet.

Summer Fun with PICS

So we have done some fun stuff this summer and now I will show the pics to prove it.

First was a wonderful ballet recital for the princess.



Baseball anyone?

Family fishing...boy were they yummy!

We went to a pay pond near Fairplay Colorado with Grandma and Grandpa Norris. It was fun and even the little guys had a good time even PEANUT. He found a nice little hole full of water to play in and became adequately soaked and so happy. Ah the joys of childhood!



We even got to the cabin for the first time in THREE years. It was hard to believe that neither James or Will had been to the cabin before. It was great- except the mosquitoes who tried to carry us off.
I wouldn't mind having a life that simple again- oh wait I never have had a life that simple. Oh well these glimpses are great!
I mean who wouldn't want to see this everyday. Just looking at these pictures is relaxing- boy do I need to do that!



We got to see real life pelicans floating down the green river:



We Hiked...well until it started to pour...and hail.



And we roughed it when bathing boys.




There was even some swimming in a glacial lake. BRRR! Poor kids they think that this is what the beach is always like :( Oh well one day they'll learn the joys of a WARM beach. Maybe?

Oh Hail!

So I took the kids out today and while we were out our weekly plauge struck the POOR garden. Now we all know why Parker wasn't settled earlier. DANG!

This just makes me mad because if I wouldn't have weeded the weeds would have gotten the brunt of everything and my back would still be functional. STINK!

Pray that our food survives this stinky weather. Can't I have rain without HAIL?

What if...?

I've been reconnecting with alot of people from my childhood and my past and I realized something. I don't think that I am who I once was. I mean maybe it's because life changes a person or because difficult-and sometimes BAD- situations occur and you can't be who you once were. ( Does this make sense?)

I guess that I wonder how close I'd be to those I grew up with if I lived nearer to them.

I left home over 12 years ago. I've been married for nearly ten years and so much changes a person. I find that I am much more introverted than I was as a teenager and young adult. I find myself slightly cloistered with not too many really close friends and I wonder when did this happen or was I just kidding myself all along.

There was a time that I could talk to anyone, anywhere and now I barely ever put myself out there. I once could tell anyone about the faith that I so strongly have but now not so much. I once could stick up for myself in any situation and now I only stand up for myself if it's a medical situation or for my spouse and kids.

What changed?

I think that I am an extrovert trapped in an introvert right now. I so badly want to get out there and go to it BUT with all that is going on I don't have the energy to be all things to all people when I am barely ME.

I wonder if anyone else ever considers these things??? I want to be the best of then and now. I want to have the wisdom that I have gained with the exuberance of those years. Maybe it is hard to put myself out there with those outside of my belief structure because I am looked at as the baby- I am the youngest mom at school and the youngest person on our block. And let me tell you that as an oldest child this is annoying! I have more to offer than I get credit for and even with all of my faults I know stuff and I am willing to learn. Anyway that's enough wandering through my cobweb ridden mind.

Just think about it though. What if...?

Imobile

So it has happened again. The effects of carrying 4 children has once again bit me in the butt- literally. My sacroilliac joint dysfunction(SJD) has flared up and Ryan is in Alaska until early NEXT Sunday morning- STINK!
(For those of you who don't know what SJD is it is a condition where the ligaments...never mind just go here if you really want to know http://www.spineuniverse.com/videos/sacroiliac-joint/ )

So anyway because of this lovely flare up I walk like an eighty year old and I even have my cane- cool as it may be- to help me along. It really stinks. Sleeping is nearly impossible, sitting isn't comfortable, and standing is ok as long as I don't have to bend. Without Michael and Christi everything would be in complete turmoil. They get the boys out of the cribs they help me lift them in their cribs. They fetch my cane and pick up things I can't. They are super awesome.

I think that this is God's way of saying hey stupid I told you to BE STILL! Well here's my humility. Dang! Who thought child bearing would cause my warranty to expire. I mean I'm not thirty for a whole month and a half and my warranty is blown. But then again it was blown three years ago so whateva!

When it rains...

I swear can't stuff stay static for a while. I mean today the mower broke, when we just got it tuned boy are they gonna get an earful from me! NOt to mention we are trying to beg the employer to keep us from chapter 11. Plus we have to get a new roof and oh who knows what else is gonna happen before the end of the week. NOt a good start to July huh?

SERIOUSLY.... I loved going to Ryan's family cabin BUT the only problem is that we have to come home. We can't stay in awe of the beautiful creatures and scenery God hid in remote parts of Wyoming-can we? It was great to watch the kids fish and play games and read and hike in the rain and try to jump in with the fish and swim in a glacial lake not knowing that beaches shouldn't feel like they are 50 degrees-brr!

I could turn around and go back if money wasn't so necessary. STINK! Anyway we had fun and I will put up pictures soon. I hope.

LOUISIANA...I found your rain!!!

So I enjoy rain as much as anyone but COME ON! Don't get me wrong now, it is glorious that what little income we have is not going to the water company or other utilities(here when it rains it cools down- unlike in Louisiana- so no AC needed) but I am ready for a few days of 90's and my poor brothers are steaming in Louisiana where it was about 107 degrees today and it hasn't rained in about a month.

So Louisiana I am done borrrowing your rain for the month of JUNE. I mean when we have 3 inches in two hours plus tons of hail I think we're good for a while. Plus if this were snow we'd be trapped so I guess that we're better off than if this were winter but I could use a break.

I think that Colorado is just greening up for my friend Marsha who doesn't like the shades of brown that things become normally! So here's to you Marsha as Colorado gives you this loverly parting gift of GREEN!

Joi de Vivre..maybe

Often it can be overwhelming to look for "joi de vivre" when you are experiencing a not so wonderful period in your life. I look at my kids with great envy for their ability to love the moment and be happy with things the way they are. (I guess that means I must be doing something right for them not to know how things really are.)

This week has been quite difficult with Ryan gone and no bites on a new job. Having the unknown as a constant companion is frightening and wearisome. I am tired and only want to have some idea as to how this will all end up...Oh wait I guess this is where faith is supposed to come in AGAIN.

Well enough rambling. Just keep Ryan in your prayers. He works so hard for our family and does so much that it's not really fair to him to have these continued health issues and employment problems but that's life- not very fair. Oh well tomorrow he'll be home YAY!

So much CHAOS...so little time!

So you will all see that I am up WAY too late and that I need to go to bed but peace is an evasive thing in this household and I am taking it when I can get it!
There is so much for me too say and yet no way to say or explain everything so I will just spit out the point of this rambling.
WE NEED A JOB
I know it was just last August when we got this current job but due to our lovely economy all bets are off and things MUST change. Ryan has been put on straight commission and there are NO sales so whatever %-age of sales we are supposed to get it doesn't really matter when total sales are ZERO!
So what does this mean...Well this means that we need prayers and lots of them. Ryan is applying for new jobs left and right. He is working so hard for his current employer while coming home to work even harder to find a new employer.
So if anyone knows of a sales/marketing job making no less than 66k/year- it takes alot to feed four kids- in the Denver area preferably LET ME KNOW! We aren't opposed to moving but we just did that- twice! UGH!

Anyway I hope that someone sees something! I am having good cries about this in the garage and in the shower and that is getting old FAST. I know we will be fine BUT the sooner the better to move on.

Thanks for any support and love that you can send our way!

Decorate...who me?

Ok so I have been decorating a bit here and there even though I still wake up wondering if this really is my house. I mentioned in an earlier post that I have been blog stalking home decor blogs as well as stealing ideas from IKEA. And I have been promising some pics for a while so I guess here we go.

First, my family tree. I stole this idea from IKEA and my wonderful friend made it a reality. I love this. I haven't finished because I want pics from every side of the family- well at least the 4 grandparents lines- and Riley had a baby but she said she could help add a few leaves and some shading. Anyway the smallest frames are actually CHRISTMAS ornaments from Hobby Lobby. I couldn't find the exact same frame in every size so I just went with a wood-like theme for the frames.



Here is the IKEA version again:


Second, my old window frame. I LOVE OLD STUFF! You know antique items, people, just about anything old except FOOD- ick! So I wanted something on this wall but I was afraid if I hung a picture that it would get faded since there is a window just to the right of this wall. So I grabbed this frame that I bought as a set of two and hung it on the wall. I think it is awesome and maybe one day I will get the project for the other window frame that has glass done.


Next, my monogram project. So I love the ideas of monograms. I don't know why but maybe it is just another simple way to include my family history obsession in my life. So I found a letter "N" that I liked and printed it out. It was a little grainy so I just went over it with a permanent marker cut it out with an exacto knife and glued to a pre-cut piece of clue scrapbook paper. Add a frame and voila another cool item for my home. YAY!


Last but most important is my wall of what matters most. My family is my greatest obsession. I live for them- past, present & future. I have tons more pictures to hang and if I can find or get a vinyl phrase made that sums up this wall it will go at the tippy top. So wish me luck that I won't fall off a ladder and further bust my body. It is fun to feel like this home is MY home. Maybe next I'll be able to show my drapery that I am making, some pillow covers, my patriotic themed front room and possibly a bathroom or three. That's if my kids don't drive me insane-er before then.

Pray for...

Do you ever feel as though your prayers seem hollow? Like you have a list of thanks and please and it never seems to get smaller? Does this even make sense?
So I have been thinking about how prayers are answered and how it always works out just right. It's often easy to have this knowledge when things are going smooth BUT it gets harder to recognize the silver lining when all you see is the tarnish.
Well below are some things I am especially gratefull for right now!
* Rain- wow we have had a ton and that means I don't have to water the lawn or garden! YAY!
* Medication- how would it be to have no relief from illness EVER. Glad I live NOW.
* Flowers- thanks to the previous owners the yard is in bloom and it is a joy to experience. Peonies and irises, columbines & roses, fresh strawberries and clematis.
* Space- how nice it is to have space. To have room for everyone and to be able to see your junk and get rid of it.
* Spouse- Ryan is an amazing man who I hope gets enough credit from me for how outstanding he is.
* Kids- who knew my greatest trial could also be my greatest blessing. Four brilliant and loving children who work hard and learn tons all while teaching more then I will ever teach them.
* Spirituality- nothing keeps my mind going more than studying and learning about my purpose. I need this more than food, this is the air for my soul and keeps me from feeling useless. Thank goodness that I was blessed with this gift of curiosity about the Plan of Salvation

A voice from the Dust

Recently my grandmother told me of a phrase that my great-grandmother(pictured above) imparted to her once:

When everything's going smooth
Life gets boring
You gotta stir things up


Now I don't know if you have to stir things up BUT I do think that things go smooth and then all of a sudden you're on your ear. Life just stirs itself up! This phrase has been going through my mind alot recently as I ponder how smooth life went for about six months and now here we are.

Well I guess there must be opposition in all things so here we go. Wish us luck in our opposition. And enjoy this picture of my grandfather stirring things up.

Family History Picture

So for many of you this won't matter at all but for my siblings this may be extremely interesting.
Recently my mom came to spend time with my grandmother- her step-mother. While talking with my grandmother the subject of my biological grandmother came up. My grandmother is an outstanding lady and has kept nearly EVERYTHING of my biological grandmother's. In one box there was a photo album and in this album was the above picture. (And since my grandma is SUPER cool and owns a scanner I was able to scan it in and now I have this digital copy. All without the album ever leaving the house. OK so technology can be good.)

So this picture is of the Edgar and Mabel WECKMUELLER family circa 1920's (post Dec1921) Their two children Edward "Eddie" and Kathleen are pictured. So I hope that you all enjoy this picture as much as I do.

I HATE TECHNOLOGY

So our PC has been on life support for years and seems to slowly be biting the dust and NOW the lappy is terminal. There is no hope for either of these poor excuses for progress in the tech sector and now our trusty printer, scanner & copier seems to have been injured beyond repair- boys shoving various items into it.
So I say down with technology. I mean will the world stop if I have to write a note? Will my email box fill and then implode. Will I stagnate because I can't renew or reserve anything online. Will my remaining brain cells be able to find a way to pay bills the old fashioned way. Who knows but this is sure a fine time to have all this stuff decide to crap out- you know when you are paying off medical bills & trying to save for that rainy day that seems to be TODAY. ARG!

Inspiration

So here is the inspiration I mentioned from IKEA. I will post my version soon.

Blog Surfing

OK... I have a confession to make. With a new house comes a desire to decorate. I do not pretend to have much natural ability for this but somehow it is beginning to fall into place, and it has been less than a year.

It also helps that Ryan is handy and that I have my friend Riley to advise me before I make any disastrous design decisions. I probably don't follow the rules when it comes to decorating but who cares - I like it.

The best thing I have done is when I find an idea I like I take a picture or steal said idea and tweek it to my own desire. Like I saw this one family tree idea at IKEA and I had to do it. Riley came over and away we went. It is awesome and although I am not finished it is the focal point of our family room.

I also attribute most of all the internet and those awesome decor blogs that are out there. There are just numerous ideas that I have been able to get inspiration and impliment in my home. I just think that this has saved me tons in time and money. I have bought NO magazines and accumulated no library fines. There is now nothing to throw away and no excess paper lying around. I am so thrilled that I can get ideas without having to use my budget for that instead of the pictures I want printed or the fabric I need.

So here is my salute to online decor blogs. Thanks for the money saving ideas! (Go ahead. Try it.)

On the Mend

So for an update on Job(Ryan)....He is recovering slowly but nicely. Right now he is trying to overcome the side-effects of the drugs but soon he will be done with those and it will not be so bad anymore.
Seriously though it may be a year before his energy level is back to normal. This is hard for him with a demanding job, four kiddos and the fact that he never sits still for long. For example this weekend we painted our master bathroom, planted two fruit trees, seeded the lawn and moved potted plants around to save from the snow. Yep again more snow. Well at least we have yet to turn on the sprinklers. Mother Nature is certainly helping our pocket book.
Well I guess that is it for the update we are well and so very grateful for everyone's thoughts and prayers.

What NOW?

So yesterday we went back to the dermatologist and got the first biopsy back. She brought in another doctor- this is #7 in case you are keeping track- for a look at our medical mystery. With the biopsy back and two doctors looking at him we got yet another diagnosis- Linear Iga.
You can google it if you want to but it is no fun. Ryan can barely walk due to the blisters all over his feet. HOPEFULLY we can take this drug and be over it OR he may have to take this drug for the rest of his life OR he may not be able to take the drug in question and the who knows.
We won't know until the biopsy and blood work from yesterday come back.
Apparently it can become auto-immune even if caused by an allergic reaction originnaly. We are very grateful that the doctors are so aggressive and that they have taken the time to explain, research, check and double check everything.
Medical issues STINK! Dealing with the possible mortality of a spouse REALLY STINKS!

So to date this is what we have: Strep infection(Strep Throat), Mono, Staph infection of the skin and a rash diagnosed for now as Linear IGA.

Please keep us all in your prayers. This is exhausting, overwhelming and no fun. Luckily the kids are healthy- knock on wood- and for now we have a job.

One in a Million...BABY!

Ok so we think that we FINALLY have a diagnosis for Ryan's disease.
Erythema Multiforme
Ever hear of it? Us either. Luckily we got a dermatologist who did know what it was. You all can google it OR you can go here
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/762333-overview the pics are pretty close to what Ryan has and it is NO fun.( The likelyihood of getting it is 0.01-1% crazy huh?)
There is a chance still that it could be a more sever form of the afore mentioned condition called: Stevens- Johnson Syndrome (way to go Dr. Britt).
You can read all about how fun that is too at the above site.
So hopefully by Friday we will have a 100% confirmed diagnosis. Just two more doctor's appointments- opthamologist & dermatologist (AGAIN)
Thanls for all of your prayers and concern. It has been a long week and a half and hopefully it is nearly all over. And if you really want to see how bad it is we did get pics- YUM!)
BY the way he still has strep and Mono! Fun huh?

Medical anomily

So Ryan had a little ER visit last night. And the verdict was yes you have strep-red-(like doctor #1 said on Wed) but...Dum Dum Dum...that pesky rash oh yes baby you have mono-purple- too.
So the back story is Ryan had strep about a month ago, was given antibiotics sometime during that he contracted Mono and because he had antibiotic going on it caused a rash. Due to the Strep diagnosis another round of anti-biotics was given which exaserbated said rash- spreading to the eyeball. After 3 doctors and three nurses trying to get an IV in we finally got a diagnosis and hopefully he will be on the mend.
I guess that this rarely if NEVER happens and the doctor at the ER said that he hadn't heard of such a thing since Med school- good thing he did because the ER room was way small and staying there too long would not have been cool.(Feng shui is definately in order there!)
Thanks to friends (Mark & Steve)for a blessing, for family (mom & Jeane) for watching kiddos & for relief from callings, kids and dinner for a day or two (Debbie, Julie, Jill, John & Patty).
I have learned that sometimes it's not only OK but necessary to say I can't do this. Whew! What a month! Thank goodness for modern medicine though!) As well as my own personal nurse(Julie). Where would I be without you? Oh wait I know...exploded mammary system due to undiagnosed mastitis, miserable husband who is too sick to rest & not too mention just a little mental instability!
Hope May is better than March & April.

Cute Kid

So this morning I recieved a great compliment! James was sitting at the table and he tells me "Mom you're a cool lady"
I think that I must be doing something right to have a two year old compliment me.

Let it SNOW ...BABY

So we are supposed to have nearly 2 feet of SNOW! YAY! Ok so many may think why are you cheering for snow...in March? Well we have really not had any snow or winter here in Denver and with Ryan traveling so much I have really wanted a snow day for him to be with us more than just on the weekend. So hopefully- fingers crossed- we will get said 2 feet of snow, be able to sleeep in, get the basement better organized and thank God that we still don't have to water the grass just yet. Plus we can bake up a storm and since Michael is on Spring break I don't have to wake up to see if he has a snow day from school.
So pray for snow and enjoy the first and probably last snow of 2009 thus far.

Brilliant

So my sister is BRILLIANT. I was reading her blog and I was in awe of the most wonderful observation that she made:
STRESSED is DESSERTS backwards...
so therefore I am going to adopt the Marie Antoinette attitude to life,"let them eat cake" or cookies or copius ammounts of chocolate or any other dessert like item to do away with the stressed-out nature that I seem to be so prone to.
Do you think it will work? Hey whatever works but isn't it interesting how there is always oposition in all things?

Take Part @ your own risk

(So I have seen this on several blogs and I thought- what the heck? So take a chance and give me a challenge by taking part in this GIVE AWAY. WHo knows maybe I'll get it done sooner than a year from now.)

Well, all you have to do is be one of the first five people to comment on this post and offer the same thing on your blog! Easy, right? Well, of course there are rules.

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It'll be done this year.
4- You have no clue what it's going to be.
5- Don't expect a miracle here, people - this challenge will be waking up my creative side.

The catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!

So there you go! Hop to it!

Goodbye Childhood and Grandma

This past week has been so up and down. After accepting that I am now a professional vomit cleaner- 3 seperate incidents- I thought that I was prepared to see my son be baptized.
Unfortunately I wasn't. I was only able to pay partial attention with a 13 month old wanting all of my attention. Then of course James had issues too. Not to mention I can't accept that Michael is 8 and now so grown up. He has matured so much in the past few months. He tries so hard to manage the cards that he's been dealt all the while being a great example to his siblings.
Michael is such a great boy/young man and I am so blessed to be his mom. He makes us all so proud. He makes wise choices and asks great questions. His mind is beautiful and inspiring while being scary too.

Now on to Grandma. Saturday morning right after Michael was actually babptized and while he was changing we got word that Ryan's Grandmother passed away. Although sad it was sweet to know that she was able to be with her sweetheart on Valentine's Day.
Inez LaVee Davidson Norris was an amazing example to her entire family. It is now 10 1/2 years since I first met Grandma & Grandpa Norris and it seems strange that they are no longer here. Grandma Norris was always so pleasant to talk to and to learn new things from. I will never forget feeling like she instantly loved me when I first met her. She just smiled at me like she knew I would be her grandson's wife. Boy did she know.
We will all miss her so much but we are all so grateful to have known her.
Thank you Grandma, we love you.

Salute to the octopus

So I attended church today alone with four children. Not that the children misbehaved but after a while kids get wiggly- church doesn't start until 2pm UGH! Then one needs a diaper change. (I needed 3 more pairs of arms.) Then the older ones have bodily function issues- 2 bathroom trips from one and a nose bleed from another. And of course I can't leave 3 children unattened so I have to nurse the unwilling to wean baby right there- at least I had the presence of mind to grab a blanket.
Due to the lack of a sherpa I am carrying too much weight between bags and babies and begin to feel pain- again. Ah the joys of motherhood! There goes all that physical therapy out the window.
Finally, the relief of hours #2 & 3. As I wrestle just one squirmy child a false sense of I can do this begins to settle in. Alas as hour 3 nears the halfway mark a crying child is brought to me. So there I sat with one crying two year old & and a 13 month old who won't let anyone else hold him. (The two year old began crying uncontrollably while singing primary songs & begged for his father to no avail!) So the meeting- which was wonderful, what I heard anyway- begins to creep along. All I can think is "you better not die on me Ryan or I'll kill you!"
Being a married single parent at least makes me appreciate the presence of the other parent when they can be around.

So here is to the octopus who was blessed with enough arms to do the multi-tasking that is expected from mothers. (Boy is Life Exhasusting.)

One more almost ready...

So I registered Christi for Kindergarten last Thursday. It is bittersweet to think that my only XX-chromosomed comrade will soon abandon me and I will never again be the person she spends the bulk of her time with.
SAD :(
Although sad it will be nice to spend more time with the two little guys and maybe even focus on me for a second. Like bathing I could take that up as a hobby now, right? Oh no that would be entirely to presumptive of me. Like two little boys will remain motionless long enough for me to enjoy a well-earned shower- oh well. Two more years until James starts Kindergarten then maybe?
I kid you know but these benchmarks are so taumatic and schitzo. One minute you're excited the next not so much. Well I knew I had lost my mind but I guess this blog just verifies that. Oh well!
Good luck to all those registering kids for Kindergarten- let the stress/relief begin!

Family History in 2009

So for those of you who didn't know I see dead people. All kidding aside I love family history and genealogy. I love looking for people that are lost and learning who they are/were.
Since I was about 12, maybe even younger, I have been obsessed with finding out who made up me. I still love the work although I am more focused on my kids. Family History is my thing. Like some people enjoy exercising or doing yard work I get consumed with searching for my family's information. I could spend days in the Family History Library in Salt Lake and still not be satisfied that I had found it all.
So to the point. In 2009 I am redoubling my family history efforts. I am going to quiz my grandmothers while I still have them. I am going to help my mother-in-law find those she is missing. I am going to take a trip to SLC just to find dead people. I am going to involve my kids in this so that they know why it is important to me. They may not get the bug but I think that if they understand that this is important to me that they may be just a little more patient with me being on the computer day and night. More importantly I am going to post things I find on my blog until we have the time and money to set up our Family History webpage.
So family if you have questions, ask them. I will post answers, pics and even some brief histories to this site for all to read.

COUGARS

So back in Novemeber Ryan took Michael to the BYU vs. Air Force game in Colorado Springs. What a great Dad & Son bonding experience.
My sister Jeane took this great picture of Michael with Cosmo.
Hard to believe Michael turns eight just next month. It is insane to think that he is growing up so fast and yet him being a baby seems like a lifetime ago. I guess that's the plauge of parenthood, never enough time to plan for tomorrow but a life time to miss yesterday.
Oh well, hopefully I can enjoy and appreciate the next ten years a little more than I have the previous eight.

Inspired

So a dear friend has once again inspired me. She presented the idea that if you are grateful for A then you do B.
It goes something like this: I am grateful for my health so I will eat right, exercise and take care of myself.
Make sense?
I am now looking at every aspect of my life in this way. I am so abundantly blessed and I need to show that gratitude in my actions. I have to show my family- especially my spouse- daily gratitude. I have to exude gratitude in everything that I do and say. I couldn't imagine a better life for myself. Even the stinky things make my life unique to ME. ALL my experiences make me who I am and I need to be grateful for that.
Sure it's not going to be easy to always show gratitude BUT I will try.

Earn your keep

So on Thanksgiving when we had a full house William decided to help. Hey teach em young, eh? Oh and yes he's only 11 months and walking. He's been walking for about 2 months now. Crazy, huh?
So child labor laws DO NOT apply here.

Do you see what I see??

So we went to Winter Park a few weeks ago and I looked out the window as we were driving down this mountain road and this is what I saw... Pretty cool huh? So tell me I am not crazy and that this tree has a face?

Change...I'll have mine in small unmarked bills.

Ok, so I have tried to keep my mouth shut on politics for a while. However, I now see that we are a society of sheep and I cannot keep quiet. We do not honor our eternal gift of AGENCY. We want it easier. We want someone else to choose for us. We want to be taken care of instead of taking pride in taking care of ourselves. Whatever happened to "ask not what your country can do for you???" It isn't just the president( I wasn't thrilled about either candidate- we need Margaret Thatcher), but the congress & soon the court will be moving further towards a plan we once all rejected. Oh well...all I can do is teach my children correct principles and let them govern themselves.
Well what is done is done. Thankfully my hope is in no mere mortal man. And I do at least have some modicum of happiness to see that in all likelihood Prop. 8 in California looks to pass. PLEASE don't get me wrong- homosexuals are not bad people BUT marriage is NOT a right. If it were then at puberty, or birth even, we'd get a card with our chosen spouse on it. There ya go SS card and spouse card. Way easier than dating and such, right? Then everyone would have a spouse. Nowhere are we promised happiness- remember it says "pursuit of happiness" NOT "guaranteed happiness".
I just keep thinking about how the Plan of Salvation is also called the Plan of HAPPINESS. (I guess the other plan was the plan of MISERY.) That happiness would not come without struggle- even the author and finisher knew that. He lived that. He experienced the awful bitterness that can accompany a plan where agency is the linchpin. HOWEVER He still went through with it.
I guess that is what I need to focus on is that the ATONEMENT still applies to our frustration and fear. With that we can focus and move on, RIGHT?

Some thoughts

So we are still unpacking. Nine years of marriage, 4 kids & stuff oh my. I am sure that the garbage men HATE me but oh well. Every Tuesday I madly go through the house and try to get as many boxes emptied as possible. Luckily Ryan will be home for the entire week- YAY!- and he has been a great help unpacking. He unpacked all the food storage, unloaded a bunch of boxes from the garage & wait for it...he even made enough room for my van to fit in the said garage. Just in time for the first snow! What an awesome husband!

On that subject-awesome husband- i must give props to my spouse. Ryan is awesome! He has continually been there for me and I am so unbelievably grateful to have him in my life. He is so great...I am at a complete loss of words but trust me he's awesome!

Next...I am so grateful to have so many awesome women in my life. I am so grateful for their influence in my life. I am so grateful for their confidence. No matter what shape or size, what educatiional background or marital status these women astound me. They are strong and know how to focus on what is important. Not what the world thinks is important but what is truly important. You know what I mean??? Like they are focused on being "healthy" NOT "skinny". They are focused on "learning" not on being "learned". They are focused on being happy where they are and not waiting for something to make them happy. Sure there are days when they want to be "skinny" or really smart or wish that just one thing would go well BUT they endure with GRACE. Unfortunately I don't always deal with things as gracefully as I'd like but I try. I encourage all of us to do the same. Making everyone as miserable as we are isn't they key. It is rising above and sometimes "fake it til ya make it"

Anyway that's enough for now I guess. I will get some pics up of the house soon, I hope. Thanks for your patience & love.

At then end of my rope & there's a noose

So did you ever think about the "end of a rope"? So since I have been sick for nearly 4 weeks I have thought about it alot. There are times when I am just done...You know when you have changed 10 diapers in 2 1/2 hours and feel like that will never end. Or when you have a to do list a mile long and you know you won't get even a third of it done. Or when you are sick and have NO help.

Well even during this I have experienced some "tender mercies". The best example is when I was coming down with this lovely bout of bronchitis and I just couldn't function. James and Will went to bed before 8pm and now that Christi and Michael have their own rooms they were in bed and I was able to go to bed at 8pm. MIRACLE!

Although I feel DONE from time to time I do get a respite and then realize that I am so blessed- even when stressed.

Growing...UP!

Ryan took this picture during a recent family fair that the church sponsors for the community. Michael is quite the little monkey. It makes it even funnier that he is so monkey-like since James called him Monkey when he first started saying Michael.
I can hardly believe how big he is! In just a few months Michael will be 8- how did that happen?

It seems like a dream. How did he grow so fast? Michael is so smart, loving & conscientious. The kid knows something about EVERYTHING and he wants everyone to know what he knows. He reads like crazy & is going to break the bank with the number of books he wants. He loves his siblings and parents and plays so well with James & even Christi.
But best of all is his ability to do what is right when it really counts! What an awesome kid! I hope that we can always appreciate and love each other even when we drive each other NUTS.

My Hero...Michael

So in case you didn't know I have been diagnosed with a hip condition (sacro-illiac joint dysfunction) and more recently the family plague of MIGRAINES. Dealing with both of these is no walk in the park but now the migraines are the icing on the cake. They aren't occurring everyday but just enough for me to remember that in no way can I EVER have another baby. ( I was recently told that having babies was like eating chocolates. You either stop, while always wanting one more OR you keep going until you make yourself sick.)
So today I woke up with a migraine. It was AWFUL. I wasn't even sure if I could get Michael to school. Luckily/unfortunately Michael has learned that his mom is a boob and gets debilitated from time to time and he just steps up and gets the job done. Michael fetched my medicine, got James out of bed, helped with breakfast, kept everyone calm and just didn't even complain in the least. MY HERO! What a great boy he is. Poor thing has been taking care of me since he was 2 1/2. But he is such a wonderful helper I could have never made it without his help this morning.

One last thing...after I dropped Michael off at school I noticed that the missionaries were at the church. I knew I needed a blessing if I was going to be able to take care of the remaining three kids by myself all day long. Luckily I was able to get the blessing I needed and boy did it help. No the pain didn't miraculously subside but the comfort was great. I will never cease to be amazed at how the Lord speaks through these men who know little if anything of my thoughts and concerns & gives me peace. I am a VERY lucky woman for many reasons but right now because I have many avenues to persue for help in every aspect of my life. How liberating!

Awesome friends

So I have some of the best friends in the world.

First, Ryan, what an awesome guy! He puts up with me so well and works so hard to keep me sane. He is gone this entire week but he helped so much before he left- Painted, assembled furniture, cleaned bathroom, took the kids, dishes & on & on. Because of him we may actually get unpacked before Thanksgiving- I hope?

Then my sister! What a babe! She was my escort to Home depot with the galloping hoard. She and her roommate helped start the painting process- amazing! And when I started to lose my mind AGAIN she rescued me and got me sane again. Thanks Jeane!

And not to be outdone my friends of no relation- at least not yet ;) Julie, Aimee, Riley & Marsha. Ladies of the highest caliber! WOW! Thanks to these hot mamas my livingroom is just the right shade of green, and thanks to Julie we didn't have to buy a new disposal- THANKS a TON Julie! We celebrated my B-day just a little late but that's OK. (Riley brought yummy lettuce wraps, marsha had just the right amount of chocolate covered strawberries & Aimee brough this awesome german chocolate cake YUM!)I just wanted to get this done for my B-day. I think that it should be our new tradition. Let's just finish something BIG that we may never get to on our own. Sounds like a plan to me.

There were also other friends that I know wanted to be there but couldn't. Thanks for the good vibes you sent my way. Seriously I feel as though this home was meant to be ours and I am becoming a firm believer in there not being "accidents". Sure it stinks that it took so long but we're here now. Who knows why but it all worked out in the end and that's all that really matters!

Hopefully I'll locate a camera soon and post some pics of the livingroom at least. It's 95.5% done. Just need a nice chair to sit by the fire and read to the kids during the next blizard. Maybe in a year or so- we'll see. And some Pictures on the wall and one over the fireplace...Besides that it's great!

The kitchen is just about there too. Hopefully by this weekend the downstairs will be done! Clean and put together. Books on shelves, furniture assembled, dishes in china cabinet, walls painted, pictures hung or ordered at least, clocks & mirrors up & best of all NO MORE BOXES! YAY!

Well just 4 more days until Ryan gets home. Wish us luck.

Finally

Well we're finally in the house! Almost a week later it still seems like a dream. I will post more later but just thought that you'd all like to know. I might even get some pictures up too.
Thanks for the prayers!

Could it be?

Ok we've all heard this before, "we're moving". But is this really happening? Back on Feb 18th we put a bid on a house that I just LOVED. Little did I know that it would be 6 1/2 months later before we would be able to move in- I hope, cross your fingers, keep your eyes partially closed as we wait.

Of course Ryan would be out of town when it all goes down BUT so what! We will have a house. We will be able to unload tons of boxes and see the Christmas presents from LAST year (Kitchenaid here I come). I will actually be able to have a place to hang a new wardrobe when I can afford it. (Desperately needed since I am down to 145lbs- first time since before MICHAEL!) I will have room to have friends over and family dinners at my house.

My numero uno goal- a place for everything & everything in it's place! Wish us luck! We need it. We are so excited but soooo cautious. We just can't take to many more highs and lows. As soon as we move and get internet up I will post pics. We will be doing some redecorating and remodeling over the next few months but that's the fun of having your own place, right?
So pray that the move goes smoothly, that Ryan will be able to get out of Florida and South Carolina before the next hurricane & pray that Will gets back to normal- he has low grade pneumonia (more on that later).

So I guess that is it. We are so glad that you have been there for us through this roller coaster that we affectionately call life :)

NICE PIC

So Ryan took the picture above and I love it. He does GREAT work when he has the time. I love that he can find this beauty all around and bring the pictures home to share.