Reagan

Reagan is such a great example.  About a year or a year and a half ago she expressed interest in wanting a Book of Mormon.  I had a blue one so I gave it to her and then she wanted a church bag so I made her and she has been pretty consistent about taking it to church.  We have read on and off from the Book of Mormon stories book and from The Book of Mormon.  A couple of weeks ago she has started carrying it all over.  She wants to take it to school, in the car, to church, and really wants to read from it every night.  Sometime I give resistance to her taking it everywhere and reading it because it takes longer and I think she doesn't understand it. 

Today as I was heading to drop the kids off to Brian, she said she wanted to take her book with her.  I told her she did not need to take it everywhere she went and to not take it.  She insisted.  When we got to the house Brian was working on she got out with her Book of Mormon and walked into the house.  Tonight before bed she asked me to read from it.

As I was pondering this today, I realized that is what I should want her to do.  Take her Book of Mormon everywhere, stand up for what you believe in and be okay with carrying it all over.  I should be the example to her to read from it each day but instead she is the example to me.  I am so proud of her for wanting to carry it all over even if it may be inconvenient and wanting to read from it each day even though it takes longer.  She is such a sweet and caring girl and knows what is best for all of us not just her.  We love her.

Good things:
1.  Reagan for being the example
2.  Knowing what is right
3.  Good Kids

Here is some Halloween pictures and such.

And YES I do need camera help.

A budding photographer...

Reagan informed me matter of factly that she was taking pictures today.  These are the results...

 

Now you may think that is not too bad, however I spared you of the 10 wall pictures 5 feet pictures and a few others.  

Today was a pretty good day.  Other than the migraine, I did get a few things done.  My house looks like a tornado hit it but oh well.  I was home on Thursday due to sick kids and really got a lot done that day.  Today was kind of a play day for me.  I sewed a lot of things like Halloween costumes, booties, organized my fabric with Reagan's help, threaded my serger and rethreaded it, overall it was a great day.  The kids were pretty good.  They are in bed now.  I am relaxing, watching the game, blogging, should be doing something but this is so much better.  

Once the Halloween sewing is done, I need to start on the Christmas sewing.  Dress up clothes to make.  Lots of dresses for her, vests for him.  Oh yeah, I made a cute fall garland today too.  Check it out on my other blog here.

Good Things
1.  Being able to stay home even though it was with sick kids

2.  Getting lots done

3.  Doing things I love to do

No Title

September is over and not even a post.  Busy as a bee preparing for winter, we have been busy trying to clean up the yard, the house, going through clothes, making lots of lists and crossing off nothing but yet it has been busy.  This month, I have Halloween costumes to make, make a witch and a turkey hopefully, finish the house, clean and clean some more, enjoy it as it happens.  I love the fall because it is so beautiful but dislike it because winter is around the corner.  In my neck of the woods, winter does not tend to be short lived.  I did finish a shelf that I started working on ohh...about 3 months ago.  Nonetheless, it is finished. 

Reagan started preschool this last month and loves it.  She just learned to write her name and is very proud of that accomplishment.  Both of the kids love stories that Brian tells them each night before bed.  Mom's stories not so much.  I am totally okay with it.  I hope to sew more in the upcoming months and really hope to enjoy this time that we are in and to be more grateful for everything. 

Stuff

This blogging for me is a rare occasion, I figure it is time to make it one.  I love to blog actually,  I find it relaxing and a kid free moment but with working full time and kids full time it is hard to find time to do anything extra except for the extra batch of laundry.  But hopefully soon, I won't need to work full time and I can cut back on my hours.  I will know this week.  The more prayers the better.  I am very anxious to find out what is going on for us in the near future. 

The kids are great.   Reagan has had her share of  moments this week but we have managed them and we had a talk about talking to mom nicer and the whole sort.  She got some play clothes this week, which she is thrilled about and she told me yesterday that she wanted to be a tinkerbell fairy for Halloween and then today she informed me she was just going to be a ladybug.  That would be fine and all except yesterday we got fabric to make her a tinkerbell dress.  Oh well, more play clothes I guess. 

Jaxon is growing like a weed.  We took him in for his 2 year check and he is 37 inches tall and 31 pounds.  That is very tall for a 2 year old.  He is a big boy.  He gives great hugs and kisses and is very loveable.  We have a giant sand pile in our yard that he loves to play in and dig in.  He likes to ride sit on his bike.  He doesn't quite know how to pedal yet.  He is really trying to figure it out but it is hard for a 2 year old.  He is so ticklish and has a very contagious laugh.  We love to make him laugh to hear it.  It is so fun.

We love our kids to pieces.  School is starting in a week for everyone.  If we decide to put Reagan in preschool again she will start after Labor Day.  Of course on Labor Day is the biggest game in history.  Boise State vs Virginia Tech.  It starts @ 6pm so you had better be there with your best orange and blue on. 

For the things I need to do:

exercise for one
hey, has anyone heard about clean eating
I am in the mood to dejunk I need to fully take advantage of that
I did get the primary program done this last week, that was a sigh of relief

No one really cares about my list of things to do.  In fact, I am not sure I really care.  I just that it needs to get done and I wish someone else would do it.  I tried to get my neighbor to clean my house for a bowl of sticky popcorn, but of course, she had to be the one on a diet.  I have a lot of things I would like to do and get done.  Blah, blah, blah.

Have a great week

Good things
1.  Prayer and fasting
2.  Being able to work when needs be
3.  Having the physical strength to think about tackling the to do list

Hopefully we find out good things this week

He's 2 and full of tantrums

The boy's birthday was last week.  We have spent lots of time with Brian's family the previous week but why not extend the party to Sunday for the local family.  We had cake and ice cream.  I did a golf course cake and it actually turned out really cute.  Hooray!  The bad part is that I got not a single good picture of him, him and the cake or anything else.  On his actual birthday, we went to my parent's for FHE and had a cookout (that's what we call a BBQ) and cake there too.  It was pretty low key but fun.  He got a dump trunk to play in the sand in the kids future (who know when future, hopefully soon) playhouse and sand box.

Since the birthday we have been busy everyday this last week getting haircuts, picking raspberries, don't remember Wednesday, going to the library, finally staying home on Friday and Reed's Dairy day on Saturday where my kids wanted to stand in line for 30 minutes to get ice cream, after the 30 minute line for the wagon ride.  I said no, it was 90 degrees and we can go get ice cream there anytime and not wait.  It just wasn't worth it.  Then as we were crossing the road with pouting Reagan (due to the ice cream) Jaxon did not want to hold my hand and then proceeded to flop down in the road.  I picked him up by 1 one because the other one was carrying pop and a bag and there were cars coming and finished crossing the road.

Tomorrow is our Anniversary.  8 years of marriage, two kids later and a lot of other stuff, I have the greatest person next me on this road to eternity.  I could not ask for better,  he is so good to me and we really do balance each other out in so many ways.  Love him to pieces.  He has seen me through the good, the hard times, the emotional times, the funny times and am looking forward to the future times we have together.  Happy Anniversary.  I love you.

Finally!

Finally, I have a second or two to post.  I had the goal of posting every Saturday and we can see how that worked.   My face is very red from working outside.  This morning and throughout this last week I weeded my brains out I think.  My garden was having an identity crisis and needed me.  My grass is there too, but not much I can do about that right now.  I cleaned out the fridge today, did laundry, cleaned office last night, took doors off, and a lot of other stuff and now my red face is trying to recover. 

Anyway,  we went and saw the hot air balloons over by where we live.  They were neat.  It was 6:30 in the morning and that explains some of the pictures.  Here's to lots of pictures.  Oh yeah, I did  post on my other blog today.  A really yummy recipe.  T it was really good.

Whoa!

This is going to be rambler.  Just a warning.

I like to make lists as you have figured by now from the previous posts.  Here is my list.

So far this month:

Garden planted and the potatoes froze 2 nights ago.  At this point not much is growing well so oh well.
Craft/guest room painted, trim painted, closet painted, floor in  Moving in next week
Laundry done today and even folded and put away
Father's day menu planned
family reunion planning most finalized
getting new orthotics this week (casted anyway)
Talk in church tomorrow not done I got plenty of time
Trying to get some good spinning shoes

Once I get the craft room moved in Jaxon will have his room back and I can clean it out.  Yea!  We are moving things around.  The upstairs is getting primed (i Hope) this week.  Things are getting done, 4 years in the making the nevertheless they are getting done.  I love it.  Anyway,  blah, blah hope everyone has a great week

Jessica's "Daily Affirmation"

Busy as a bee

Wow, life is busy.  Preschool is over and we are ready for summer.  Summer is not here though because it keeps raining.  I started work and it is going well.  I feel like I am handling things good.  I am learning a new software program which is a little hard but picking it up fast and doing okay.  The kids are doing okay too.  The transition is going pretty well.  We have a babysitter coming to our house for the summer, some days at Grandma's and  last week at A's house.  They think it is fun.  Jaxon was a little under the weather over the weekend and is feeling better now.  I got the lawn mowed, finished planting the garden, worked on the house a little hear and there,  had a faux bbq and enjoyed some time together.  I cleaned the basement and the house yesterday after work. 

This month:

Finalize reunion plans
finish auction items
make sure garden grows
figure out if my trees are dead
keep up with laundry, kiddos, house, and breath deep.  It's gonna be great.  I can do it.

Speaking of I can do it. You have got to check this clip out.  Funny, I saw it over at Apron Girls and laughed.  Positive affirmations are the best.  What do you tell yourself everyday.

Mine would be
My hair is great, my clothes are fine, I look fine. I can do it.

I will post it above this.  Have a great day.

Jessica's "Daily Affirmation"

It's gonna get a lot worse

Yikes!  So here is the exciting news.  I got a job a full time one.  From 8-5 Monday thru Friday.  Life is busy and about to get busier.  I am trying to get some things done, not overanalyze things, stay calm, and wonder how it is all going to work.  I know it will work out because it always does and because I am not the only mother who works out there.  Lots do it and manage it and it's okay.  It will probably take some time adjusting to everything but I know it will work.  Hopefully in the midst of all this, we can fit in some fun things and learn to enjoy our new changes that are happening.  Somehow it will all work out it always does. 

The kids don't understand what working means.  Up to this point, when I "work" it is downstairs during naps.  This morning I told Reagan I had to work today and she said "you worked yesterday"  she doesn't get that I will be working everyday away from home.  And that someone else will be taking care of them.  That breaks my heart but you do what you have to and it is not always easy, but soon it will be the norm and think nothing of it. 

It will be a good job I think.  It is for an optometrist office.  Learning new office computer, how things work and the such.  Today I made a ledger, posted a payment, lab invoices, scheduled appointments.  It is only my 3rd day.  I can do it, it is really a mental shift to go back to work.  The craft bloggy is on the back burner for now.  If I have some time to sew or what ever I will still post.  Time though, will be for laundry, dinner, and kids, not sewing.  At least for right now.  I can always pick that back up when I want.

Anyway, lots of rambling always here.  Happy end of school to everyone. Happy summer, and happy working to me. 

Accomplished

I have a very large running list of things to do.  Today I checked off:

Plant garden
spray dandelions
purchase flowers for pots
plant pots
weed mat in one flowerbed
plant petunias in flowerbed
made a large craft list
had a picnic for FHE
dropped stuff off at DI

For tomorrow:

check about school
clean basement (this has been on the daily list for a couple of weeks now) It's scary down there
Make mens shirt redo
Find paper for Alphabet cards
Buy stakes for wimpy trees
take a nap. ha ha
hopefully texture bedroom downstairs

Hope everyone is accomplishing stuff too.  It feels so good to cross it off.  I think that may just be the reason I make lists.
Have a great day.

Reagan's Birthday Bash

Last week was Reagan's birthday.  She was so very excited.  I told her that both sets of Grandparents were coming.  When she got home from school at 11, she said she was going to watch out the window until they came.  I told they weren't going to be here until later.  She watched out the window until she got bored about 5 minutes.  She was so happy and excited all day.  She got a party hat as she called it from school and wore it.  She helped me make a flower cake.  I think I may have discovered why every mother doesn't make fancy cakes.  Mine don't go too well usually.  Oh well.  The frosting was oozing down the side of the cake and the entire time I was frosting Reagan kept saying;  "you are doing such a great job mom, that looks really good".  Such a positive girl.  She loved the cake and wanted some for breakfast the next morning.  She got lots of great gifts like some clothes, shoes, and chapstick from Grandma and Grandpa Crandall, a nightgown that Grandma Carter had made her, a dollhouse, cow bank, and clothes from us.  Her and Jaxon have some conflicts with the dollhouse and cow bank but we are managing.  It was a great day and is already planning her birthday for next year.  Thanks to everyone. 

We love having Reagan in our family.  She always brings a smile on our faces.  She is a very caring person and is always concerned at everyone's well being.  She is doing great in school and loves every minute of it.  Right now I am looking forward to the end of school.  We will see how long that lasts.  She is such a sweet girl and we love her so much.

New Post @ Makin It Domestic

For all you uninterested folks,

There is a new post on Makin It Domestic.  It is probably slightly hypocritical but none the less it is a post.

Brooke

PS.  More interesting stuff to follow at a later date on both blogs.

Did you check out my craft bloggy?

Hello all,

I just wanted to write you a quick note to tell you all that I have a craft blog.  I am a little crazy.  But I decided that this might be a great way to get out all my energy and focus it in one thing or a million little crafts.  I would like you all to check it out and obviously become a follower and of course grab my button for your blog.  I hope that is not too much to ask.  Oh yeah,  and next week I am sponsoring a giveaway over here.  Starting Saturday put your name in on Heather's blog and you could win.  I am giving away an awesome bag.  Deep down I know you all want it.  So stop cleaning and head on over there on Saturday and everyday next week.  Who knows I might just give one away on my blog as well.  I will be putting some in my etsy shop in the next week with possibly some other things.  This is exciting you see.  I want you to be excited to and tell all your friends about it because well that would just be nice and it really is the cool thing to do.  Thanks for all your help.

Love your dearest crafter,

Brooke

Once again random as ever

Didn't go to church today.  Reagan is a little under the weather.  Fever 103 for a few days.  She has been telling us things she did when she was a little baby.  Here is one...when I was a little baby I called on the wall like spiders.  She asked Brian a few days ago at the dinner table if he thought I was cuckoo.  Today when I told her Kristine had her baby she asked if it was her birthday.

Fixed the sprinklers yesterday, painted my table and a neat little cupboard I got at DI. Ran out of paint.  Had to stop painting.  Cleaned the upstairs.  Technologically challenged.  Weather is nice.  To do list consists of : aerating lawn, thatching lawn, sanding and reseeding lawn, tilling garden, planting garden, finish room downstairs, clean and organize garage, stain deck, primary meeting tomorrow, sewing items, make a to do craft list.  The ideas in my head are swirling around and getting confused with each other.  Possibly take Reago to the Dr.again tomorrow.  Sounds like Jaxon is starting to bark too.  Yeehaw!  Yep, it is confirmed.

Here is a good one:

A month or so ago, I had a headache so I was sleeping to try to make it go away.  The girl came in and when I looked at her I noticed that she looked  a little different.  She was supposed to be cutting paper and gluing.  Well she decided she wanted to try a new career choice and become a beautician.  She cut her hair in not one but three places.  When I asked her about it.  She said it was getting way too long.  We talked about it in detail and went to get her hair fixed.  Well the fix made her look like she was 14 so after bath I cut it all off.  She is a kid again.  A few days later, she was asking me about cutting her hair and I asked her if that was a good choice or a bad choice.  She said "that was a really bad option".  She didn't learn much because a few days later her stick horse got an apparent much needed haircut as well and she cut the reins too.  I am starting to worry about my own hair and it's safety.  I has been about 3 weeks without any cutting accidents.

Jaxon is talking so much.  He is the best hugger and smoocher I know.  He wants to give everyone kisses and hugs.  He likes to be like Reagan.  He is learning to tease her and she doesn't really appreciate it.  We are changing some trim stuff downstairs.  The day we were tearing it off we were beating on the wall with a hammer.  Now, he feels like he should do the same.  If I hear hammering like sounds I know right where he is.  Downstairs, some hammer like object and it hitting the wall.  Well, he has made a hole big enough to stick things in it and is pretty pleased with himself.  He likes to be outside playing with balls and playing in the dirt.

So all is well that ends well I guess.  That can be said of many things. 

I want to be like...

Jaxon is really wanting to follow in Reagan's footsteps. He likes to put her clothes and shoes on. Just recently he has discovered the bapack. When Reagan goes to school he has to be just like her and get on his coat and put on his bapack too. It is funny.

These are some pictures from random things. Branding, flowers, kids, whatever.