Brooke's Blog

Halloween 2011, just a few months late

2012-02-14T17:37:00.000-08:00

Here are the Halloween Happenings. It was pretty uneventful. I worked, Brian worked, Reagan wore her costume to school, and well, Jaxon went to Grandma's sans costume. When we came home, we went Trick-or-Treating to about 5 houses and came home. Jaxon proceeded to eat too much candy, that didn't set well with him and well you can guess the rest. The kids wanted to wear the same costumes from last year and I let them. All was well the next morning, which was Brian's birthday. He had a great day too.
Oh yeah, we carved pumpkins too.

New Year, I wish for a new me?

2012-02-13T07:00:00.000-08:00

On New Year's Eve, we went to Island Park for a fun day at the cabin. There was a family leaving the cabin as we were coming into the cabin. I had put all of our snow clothes and stuff in a black garbage bag, because that is what you do right? I put it behind the couch, in front of the door. Well, when it was time to go play in the snow, I couldn't find our black bag. It turns out that the people leaving grabbed our black bag thinking it was their stuff and took it home. They were too far to turn around so we made do. Jaxon wore some warm-up pants and cross country ski boots. Reagan wore a jacket with her legs in the armholes for pants and swim shoes. They were not happy about it at all. But we made do. They had fun sledding still even with their makeshift clothing.

About a week after that, Reagan asked me what was stealing. I told her that stealing was when someone takes something that is not theirs. In response, she says to me, "Like when the other people took our snow clothes?" I told her no, stealing is taking something on purpose. What happened at the cabin was just an accident. She understood, I think.

Then we came home for a happening evening of games and food. It was fun. We watched the ball drop at 10pm and went to bed.

With a new year, comes new goals right? I think so. I made up my list of goals that I would like to work on for the year. And that is just what I doing, working on them.

Christmas time

2012-02-12T17:18:00.000-08:00

Wow, time goes so fast and it really has been a long time since I have blogged. I tried to update my blog design and instead made a big mess. It has been so long since I have changed it, I forgot how. Oh well, I will figure it out in my spare time.

Well, since it has been so long, I probably should blog about Christmas first.

Christmas was great. In our family, we really try to focus on the Savior instead of Santa. So far it is working. Santa doesn't come to our house. The kids get it drilled in their heads that the reason we celebrate Christmas is because of Jesus' birth. I really like it that way. For a while I was really mixed about the whole thing and then I decided that I felt like I was telling my kids a big fib, which they get in trouble for if they do that. Brian told the kids that a long time ago there was a guy named St. Nicholas who went around and gave all the kids presents and they dubbed him "Santa Claus". But that was a long time ago and he died. Well, I did not know he told them that, so one day we are driving down the road and Reagan asks me, "Mom, if Santa Claus is dead, does that mean the Easter bunny is dead too?" Needless to say, I was a bit puzzled. Well anyway. One fun thing we did this year was I got all our Christmas related books out and individually wrapped them in wrapping paper. Every night the kids took turns in opening one book. We would read the book and the kids really looked forward to it each night.

In the past, I have been very insistent upon having a homemade Christmas, meaning mostly the gifts. This time, I didn't do that. I don't know if I was overly tired, stressed, just didn't feel up to it or D. ALL OF THE ABOVE. And, it was fine. I didn't make my kids jammies, church outfits, or anything and Christmas still happened and the kids didn't notice that they did not even get jammies.

It was good though and very relaxed. It was nice to go to church on Christmas and enjoy the day and the meaning of Christmas more.

On Christmas morning, both of the kids came into our room and asked to go downstairs and see what was for breakfast. I asked them if they wanted to open presents first and they said they wanted breakfast first. So when we got downstairs and Jaxon saw all the presents he said "um, I actually changed my mind, I want to open presents first". And we did.

2011-11-27T08:19:00.000-08:00

Technically, November only lasts for four more days so I really only have to post 4 more but I will post 7 instead cause I am nice like that.

1. Thanksgiving Dinner, I love it and I am glad I am not hungry
2. Such a great extended family on both sides
3. A roof over my head, a place to sleep that is warm
4. The newspaper, I love to read it every day
5. A new room Hooray!
6. Kids that play together really well (mostly)
7. For the Christmas season, to teach my kids why we really celebrate

Thanksgiving

2011-11-20T17:01:00.000-08:00

Things I am grateful for.

1. A sister who watches my kids
2. A great family to spend time with
3. Handy husband, who finishes our house
4. A path for school
5. Remebering all my blessings.
6. No snow yet
7. Safe travels

Attitude of Gratitude

2011-11-13T20:17:00.000-08:00

It has been really nice seeing all the blogs posting thankful things and on Facebook too. I am glad that we can be grateful for our abundant blessings.

1. Church
2. Health, Jaxon has a case of the croup. I hope he feels better tomorrow.
3. Little Learners. Reagan is doing great in school. She is making up for lost time.
4. Such a great husband. He works hard in school, I am so proud of him.
5. My electric blanket
6. Less stress, my neck thanks me.
7. Cable tv so I can watch my football on Saturday, even if they lose, BOoHOO!

Being grateful is awesome. You realize how blessed you really are!

2011-11-06T20:48:00.000-08:00

Today, I decided since my time is limited I will post 7 things that I am thankful to count for the week.

1. Great parents. Today is my dad's birthday and it is so great to have such great parents who taught you well and are such a great example.
2. Church, it is so rejuvenating and every week I come feeling that I should do be doing better. I need reminders to build faith.
3. Children that love each other and are so happy to play with one another and are so very forgiving for the mothers imperfections.
4. Service, for all the acts of service that I feel each day, from my MIL, husband, kids, who pick up the extra slack I leave around.
5. Warm weather. Enough said!
6. Reagan, we went to Parent Teacher conferences last week. She is learning so much and just eats it all up. In the car, she wants me to tell her a word and then she tells me what it rhymes with, or sounds out words.
7. Jaxon. Even though he tells me he hates me and doesn't want to play with me when I tell him to do his work or he is mad at me, he still wants to snuggle with me and tells me he just loves me.

Day 4

2011-11-04T18:02:00.001-07:00

Grateful today for safe travels. I just started a job in Blackfoot. Hopefully my travels will continue to be safe.

Gratitude

2011-11-03T06:26:00.001-07:00

Today I am grateful for a good sleep. It's amazing how much better you feel when you sleep good.

Gratitude

2011-11-02T17:48:00.000-07:00

I totally forgot about my thankful post until I saw my sister's.

Today:
1. Having a normal good life, crazy but good
2. Having a job that keeps me busy
3. A good husband and two children..

Check Tomorrow, if I don't forget.

Life...is great

2011-10-22T20:09:00.000-07:00

I have so many blessing which I think I forget regularly. Our life is quite crazy with working, school, Reagan school, managing who is watching our kids and so on and so forth.

A few weeks ago, I had been reading about freezer meals and after reading all sorts of the different ways to do freezer meals, I decided to do it. I spent a Friday night and part of a Saturday morning cooking. I mostly did meats. For example, Friday night, I put a rump roast in the crockpot with diced chilies and italian dressing mix and let it cook all night. I put chicken breasts in two roaster pans, one with mexican seasoning and one plain. The plain I diced to use for chicken salad or enchiladas or stuff like that. The seasoned chicken I shredded for chicken tacos, tortilla soup and so on. Then I grilled a few chicken breast and sliced them for alfredo, nachos or whatever. The next morning I shredded my roast for italian beef sandwiches. With the leftover I made chimichangas. I also put in a pork loin and shredded it to use for pulled pork or cafe rio tacos. I left it unseasoned so it could be versatile. Then I cooked hamburger with green peppers and onions for spaghetti and just as a basic thing. I also cooked a batch a hamburger and added beans and taco seasoning for tacos. Oh yeah, I also froze sliced peaches for smoothies and made twice baked potatoes to reheat. I think I am liking this. I did take about 3-4 hours but it wasn't spent hovering over the stove cause I did the crockpot and stuff. So every night when I get home from work I go to my freezer find what I want and just heat and add stuff to it, add some sides, and you have a great meal. It really has cut down on the what should I make for dinner dilemma. I was pretty good about planning meals but this is a few steps faster when the meat is already cooked. That day I also put a few crockpot freezer meals together. I through all ingredients including raw meat into a gallon size bag and put in freezer. When I am ready I pull it out and put in crockpot and turn it on. Last time I forgot to turn it on until noon. Duh!

Tender Mercies...

Last year we bought a new washer and dryer. The front loading kind and I love them to pieces. A few weeks ago as I was doing my million loads on Saturday, I noticed something was not quite right with my dryer. The timer on it was not going down and when I put my hand in, it was hot but really wet heat. I talked with Brian about it and we decided to call in on Monday to have someone come look at it. So I hung two loads of laundry all over my house to dry. Monday, I called to have a technician come out and they told me to check the vent to make sure it was not obstructed. So as I was heading out to work, Brian said he would check it. I told him if there was an animal in it to take care of it and not tell me. He called me about 10 minutes later and told me it was full of water, hence the wet heat. He said he had talked to Jaxon and Jaxon told him that he had put the hose in the dryer vent (which does not have a vent cover on it and is just at his level) with the water on and filled it right up. A little funny in the morning did not become so funny that night when I checked to see if the dryer worked. Nope, it didn't. I am thinking we are going to have to replace the $700 dryer. Deep breath as you look at your cute little boy. So I sit down with Jaxon, telling him how he is going to have to work (take out garbage...) from now until he goes on a mission to help pay for a new dryer and how that was not a good choice. Tuesday came around still didn't work. Tuesday night when I got home I checked the dryer and IT WORKS! And it still works. The Lord knows every little thing that we need and can I just tell you the faith grew a little that day. So Jaxon is off the hook, at least until the mission part but he still does have to do his work.

Where do boys come up with these things they do? I will never know and may never want to.

With that note, and since Thanksgiving is around the corner, I am going to try to post a quick thing that I am grateful for everyday or once a week I may post a list of 7, You should do the same, we have so many blessings to be thankful for.

Great Things
1. The tender mercies of the Lord
2. a cute little boy that knew he had done wrong and was willing to work
3. A dryer that after if dried out still works.

Remember

2011-09-11T19:25:00.001-07:00

I remember this day like it was yesterday.. I was getting ready for class. My drawing class didn't start until 9:15 am so I was taking my time. My mom called while I was putting my makeup on and told me to turn on the TV. I remember asking why and when she told me I ran downstairs and turned the TV on. My roommates were gone already and so it was just me. I sat in awe watching and holding the phone to my ear. I was speechless. I had been to NYC a few years before. So I finished getting ready and went to class. When I got there, the teacher said we could stay and draw or go home. I remember staying and listening to the radio the entire time in unbelief. The rest of day all classes on campus were cancelled. I probably stared at the tv for hours that day. And yet today, it is still a little hard to imagine it all. Today I am drawn to the tv as well for the memorials and documentaries. I can still see it my head. All of it.

I told Brian today it is weird to think that our kids will be reading about this day in textbooks at school and I will always remember this day like is was yesterday. The same is true for the people who remember so clearly Pearl Harbor yet I read about. I wish I had a flag to hang at my house. I would have hung it today. In fact, just hearing the names read this morning, brought back emotion of all the lives lost ten years ago.

In church today they talked about service. They referenced a letter that President Bush asked all Americans to make this a day of remembrance as well as a day of service. I thought that was such a good idea. One lady today talked about how people are good and that day and since then she has realized that people care about one another and watch out for each other. So it is this day, ten years later, that we remember and that we will never forget.

She's a kindergartener

2011-08-30T20:42:00.000-07:00

How did this happen. She is in school. Here is a picture of her first day. She was a little nervous, but was great.

So Far Behind

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

It is already July? How did that happen? I realize I am so far behind in not only my blogging, but laundry, yard care (like months), cleaning, really pretty much anything that used to get done before I had a 8-5 job away from my home. Life is just not the same when you work full time. However, I am not complaining. Yes, I have days when I just want to stay home and get stuff done, but I am grateful for my job that I have and for the opportunities that my family has. For those of you who don't know, Brian is returning to school, not for a degree, for a second degree. We are hoping and praying that he will get into nursing school for January and we will be off and running. No, he does not want to be a nurse. He wants to be a Nurse Anesthetist. It is a long and lengthy goal but we can do hard things. We can do it. So he is going to school, I am working and the kids are being kids, mostly. It makes it hard to keep up on things.

So here are like the last four months or something like that. Reagan's birthday, flooding on the river, running a 40 mile relay and other life happenings. I would share Brian's wound, but I don't want anyone passing out while blogging. Happy Day.

Quick

2011-05-30T21:37:00.000-07:00

Life is quick. Here are a few quick pictures of the kids. I will update the happenings or lack of later.

No longer a Baby

2011-03-17T20:46:00.000-07:00

Last September, I planned at some point in the near future to put Jaxon in a big bed. So I got it all ready in his room, made him a comforter, arranged and rearranged all the furniture. His room has been a pile room. He had an extra dresser, a rocking chair, crib, full size bed, another dresser, and a mini rocking chair. Anyway, I couldn't bring myself to put him in the big bed. Not because he is my baby blah. But because I knew it would be hard and change and different. Same with potty training. I am fully aware that he could be potty trained but am just not ready to deal with the hardness.

Fast forward to about 3 weeks ago. Reagan informed Jaxon that he is a big boy now and he needs to stop peeing in his diaper. Forget about the fact that she still wears a pullup at night and has accidents during the day. Yes, I did potty train her 2 years ago and continually since that point. (hence the hard part from earlier) So we decided to go for it. It worked for a little while and then I went to work, we took him to Grandma's and he had lots of accidents. So no go on that for awhile. He does go number 2 regularly in the toilet though and I am hoping that is the hardest part to get through.

On Tuesday night as we were getting ready for bed. Jaxon informed me in these exact words" I a big boy now, I sleep in big boy bed" and then said to me like he is 13 " I worried I fall off the big boy bed, it would hurt really bad". And he did. I put him in told him not to get out and he didn't. It did take him awhile to go to sleep on Tuesday night and last night. On Wednesday morning when he woke up he hollered at me, "Momma?" "Can I get out now?" And then last night, I went to check on him cause I thought he was asleep and he is in his bed sitting up straightening his covers and looks at me and says "I lay down now". He thought he was in trouble and I thought he was asleep. So far so good. He doesn't get out without permission. I am sure that will end soon but I will take it while it lasts. This is so very different from when Reagan did the whole bed thing but that is okay. They are very different kids in very different ways and I love both to pieces.

So my boy has grown up and is now longer a baby and tells me regularly. I don't know if it is because he is older and bigger or if all of the other mothers around are having babies since I have had Jaxon but I have had several people ask me if I am pregnant. I am not and I would like to say.."For once just let me be fat". Just cause I have a little belly (okay and backside and thigh problem) that doesn't mean I am pregnant. When the first person asked I laughed it off and when a few more starting asking it became not nearly as funny.

Good Things.

1. Tax refunds
2. Big boys and girls
3. Opportunities to grow and learn and do hard things. It only makes you stronger.

Forever and a Day

2011-02-28T20:18:00.000-08:00

I know that is has been so long since I have blogged. There is a mostly good reason for it though. Are you ready for it? Brian is in school and is taking online classes and so he is occupying our main computer most of the day and the night. Our laptop (which I have learned is a pile) hinges were broken. So the screen would not even hold itself up unless it was supported by something. After I looked around and realized that it was going to cost about 150 dollars to fix our barely year old computer, I decided to take matters into my own hands and fix it myself. I ordered the hinges off of ebay, downloaded about a 100 page diagram of how to replace the hinges and went to town. They day I did this, I had parts of laptop laying all over my bed, Brian came in and turned around and left. It did not look good. Well, after I took the whole laptop apart and replaced the hinges and then put everything back together, my poor keyboard wouldn't work. I took it back apart probably 4 more times. On the last time, the letters, a,k,d, enter and backspace worked but nothing else. After some research, I ordered a new keyboard and fixed it again. I am a computer repair genius. At least I think, and no I will not repair anyone else's computer. Although, I now know how to dissemble and assemble my computer, I do not plan on doing it again. It did however save a lot of money by doing it myself.

That wasn't really what I wanted to blog about today, but I am so excited with my genius status right now. On to better things, and this is way better than using the onscreen keyboard. Although it works, it is slow.

I love it when I lose half of my post. It is great.

Christmas 2010.

Christmas was great this year. I think it may have been the most meaningful Christmas yet since we have been married. I made tons of dress up clothes for the kids and they love them. Reagan is Snow White most days and has recently changed to Minnie. I surprised Brian with a snowblower. I had that up my sleeve for awhile. It was fun. I love surprises. It keeps life fun and unexpected. The sewer drain line backing up not such a great surprise however. Back to Christmas, This year we decided to not have Santa come to our house. It started out by the kids never mentioning him and me never bothering to fill them in on the details. Instead, we opted to tell them the real reason we celebrate Christmas. As we put the nativity out and we talked about each figurine and what they meant and the baby Jesus coming to earth, I felt like our kids were young but they might get it. As Christmas got closer, Santa still never came up and so we went with it. I do not in any way condone any of you who choose to do the Santa thing, we just felt right about our family doing it this way. For me, I felt like teaching my children about the Savior, helped me to be more aware of his life and his love for use. It turned out great and when I ask Reagan why we celebrate Christmas, she tells me because baby Jesus was born. On Christmas day, my Grandma B. asked Reagan what Santa had brought her and she told her that Santa didn't come to our house. My Grandma looked puzzled and my mom explained. And it made me feel great that I was not emphasizing the commercial aspect of Christmas but the spiritual side and the real reason we celebrate.

Goals?

2011-01-08T16:47:00.000-08:00

I think that we all make goals to one degree or another. Many make resolutions but a goal and a resolution to me are really one in the same. I make goals every year, probably every day. My every day goal list really is called a to-do list but I jot down the things I would like to accomplish that day.

Last year about spring time, I made this full page, typed out list of things I would like or needed to get done on the yard and house. Some were little things like clean furnace room and some were very large like finish house. Some got done (like furnace room once upon a time) and some didn't (like the house). But it is really a list of goals I would like to work on to accomplish. I hung that list upon the fridge and kept it there for about 6 months. In that time period, a lot of those things did get done. When I took it off the fridge not nearly as many go done because I no longer saw everyday, every time I opened the fridge. When I saw that list, I wanted to cross off as many things as I could. Deep down, to be able to cross one item off the list just felt so good.

Since I am a list person and you all know I make lists, it feels good to be able to write those things down. I make lists in my head all day long but then I forget about them and they get filed away somewhere up there most likely never to be found again.

The whole point of this rambling story:
It is good to have goals or things you would like to accomplish, even if it is just for the day. This way, I think I stay focused on the project at hand and am less likely to let the ADD in my brain take over.

So for 2011, I want you all to pick one word that is going to sum up the year 2011 for you. Think hard and it can be whatever you want it to be. Leave it as a comment and then attach that word to the top of your goal list and put that goal list somewhere you can see it everyday, several times maybe.

My word: FOCUS

Reminds of a story that President Uchtdorf told in a talk about a plane crashing into the Everglades and killing all those on it. It going something like this:

There was a plane flying over Florida area when the pilot notices a red light started flashing. They (him and copilots) were so focused on why this red light was flashing that they did not realize that the plane was slowly descending. They did not realize how much they had descended until it was too late and crashed into the Everglades. Sad story but the parallel to our lives is that we tend to focus on so many little things that we may not think are little that we miss the big picture of what is really happening.

For me, I am so busy doing all of my little things (primary, work, dinner, managing life) that I miss what I need to be focusing on (my kids, my family). Get it?

Anyway. My list of goals for 2010. Not listing them all because you probably all don't need to know. But keep me accountable on the ones I do list.

1. Give my kids the gift of me
2. Exercise and eat healthier for my family
3. Read and study scriptures daily
4. Attend temple regularly
5. Be okay with who I am

That is good for right now. I could add a million things onto that but start small and simple and add later. And I know I have said this before, but everyone really should read "the Happiness Project". Great book, I am not saying that you all are not happy but she really does have some great insights on a lot of things.

Good Things:
1. Goals
2. Health
3. Family who helps a lot
4. Love

Reagan

2010-11-10T21:10:00.000-08:00

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...

2010-10-09T20:02:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-03T13:42:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-22T18:40:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-08T20:57:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-07-17T15:14:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-06-19T20:50:00.000-07:00

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"

2010-06-02T20:10:00.002-07:00

Busy as a bee

2010-06-02T20:10:00.001-07:00

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"

2010-06-02T20:10:00.000-07:00

It's gonna get a lot worse

2010-05-19T20:53:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-10T20:20:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-03T20:58:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-03T13:40:00.000-07:00

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?

2010-04-21T20:08:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-18T13:45:00.000-07:00

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...

2010-04-13T21:30:00.000-07:00

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.

deodorant: The story

2010-03-30T06:38:00.000-07:00

Hi, I am Brooke and I have a sweating problem. It is not a profuse one just a small one. So one day not too long ago, for whatever reason my sisters and I were discussing sweating. Some of them said to be buy the clinical strength deodorant. So after weeks of thinking about it I did. So yesterday I was at Target for the deodorant. The price...$7.59...for underarm perfume. As I am thinking about this in my head, thinking wow that is expensive, I decided to buy it.

Now tell me, Is this really worth it? Will it make me not stink at all or just not stink as much as I did. I am fairly certain that Target would not be super happy if I brought back a partially used stick of deodarant. When they ask why I would like to return it I would say, I still made me sweat. It had better be worth it.

That's all.

I need a What Not to Wear Makeover

2010-03-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

Everyday when I get dressed I put on a boring pair of jeans that are either too tight or too baggy and a plain boring t-shirt. On rare occasions that I have to dress up it is all black. My hair is long and in a pony tail most of the time. I have decided I need to call on Stacy and CLinton desperately. Do you ever feel that way. I am only 28 years old and I think I wear mom jeans literally. AHHH!

On another note though, my tulips and other bulbs are coming up. It is so exciting. I think I check on them everyday to check their growing progress. It just makes me happy. Now if the wind would only not blow and the temperature would increase a little more. I can't really complain. Today I raked out two flowerbeds and a spot for the play area and burned it. Really more like smoked it. Now I stink like a fire. It is nice to have a little work done that is on the list.

Speaking of lists, I got all the family history stuff done that I have. What am I going to do with it? Who knows. The important thing...it got done. I installed smoke alarms too. Four to be exact. Not replace, put up new. Our house has only 1 smoke alarm for all these years. Next on the list...finish or get it closer to finish...the guest/my sewing room. I am so excited. The garage is in the organization works too. Some do spring cleaning like clean their blinds I work on projects. Some little some big but still the same they are projects. Good luck with all of your projects. Here is to spring something!

more randomness

2010-03-13T13:26:00.001-08:00

Today is Saturday. I have already cleaned the kitchen and vacuumed the living room. Brian painted the garage this week. Framed up downstairs. Have a little left to do. Making progress. Brian is doing a great job at working at our little projects. It is nice to feel like you have accomplished something. I have worked on primary stuff this week since I am now the 1st counselor in the primary presidency. Trying to find subs is a little tough. Haven't rode the inside bike for awhile. Have had headaches and been to the DR 4 times this week. Neck is out and need to find some options for stress relief. Watched the snow melt. Some still here. Thinking about planting garden and flowers. The eye is slightly beginning to water. Mold, mold oh how I love you. You do great things to my eye. Sun, sun please come out again and stay forever. Went to friends house last night and played ticket to ride europe edition. Lost, I have yet to win, someday. Reagan is being a nut. Her and Jaxon slither like snakes off the couch and they think it is hilarious. Weirdos, sure do love them. Hope everyone has a great Saturday.

What we did today and what a mess

2010-02-20T15:42:00.000-08:00

Today, A would be so proud. I cleaned. Not just a little, like a mad woman. My house is fabulous now.

While I was making red velvet cake for Valentines Day, Reagan was bathing. She needed me to come in to wash her and while I was doing that Jaxon was pulling off the rest of the eggs off the cupboard. In that egg carton I had a bottle of red food coloring. When I opened the door of the bathroom, there Jaxon was with a spoon eating the read food coloring. That explains the picture for all of you that were worried. He gets into a lot of stuff. A month ago it was 18 eggs off the cupboard again and a quart of bubble bath right into the carpet. It doesn't come out.

Today, we also cleaned the fridge. I had some great helpers.

I probably should go shower now.

Brooke at her best randomness.

2010-02-19T12:25:00.000-08:00

I really don't have much to say. I rode my bike today. The inside one not the outside as Reagan calls it. I did the Wii Biggest Loser yesterday and for only a 19 minute workout my legs are so today. Yep, that's right I am weak. I started to clean my desk but now I am obviously not cleaning. Working on planning a family reunion. Figuring out how to get Jaxon to sleep without him screaming for 45 minutes. Not peaceful. Forget the re-potty training. Trying to accomplish my list. REading the Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. Very insightful. Started a craft blog. http://makinitdomestic.blogspot.com. Having craft overload in my head. Making some more bags. Wasting my time. Thinking about ordering garden seeds. Yes, there is still snow. Looking through garden magazine thinking up all the stuff to do in my yard. Think I need to go tanning to feel some warmth. Had to cook dinner yesterday. Ripped off sheetrock while I was practicing my Sheera moves. Cleaned the toilet. Contemplating getting rid of all my baby clothes and paraphenilia. Who knows. Ate my 1oz of almonds everyday...they were covered in chocolate...does that count?

Good Things
1. Garden magazine
2. Sunshine
3. My inside bike

Hope you all have a great and wonderful day.

Gratitude

2010-02-10T19:21:00.000-08:00

I made a list of all the things that I am thankful. Here are some.

1. Good Parents
2. Good, Supportive, Loving husband
3. 2 Beautiful children
4. Good Family
5. Good In Laws
6. Washer and Dryer
7. Modern Plumbing
8. Electric Blanket
9. Being a member of the Church
10. Knowledge of the Gospel
11. Seeing it in action
12. SUnny days
13. House
14. Cars to drive
15. Being able to pay my bills
16. Health
17. Computers
18. Willpower
19. Being able to be with my family
20. Scriptures.
21. Prayer
21. Answers to Prayer
22. Just knowing everything will work out.

There are a few off my list in no particular order. I have so much to be grateful for and so often don't express my gratitude for things or people in my life.

On another note, I have been meaning to write this and forget. When Reagan sings I am a child of god, she sings with parents kind of dear instead of kind and dear. Such a funny girl. Oh, a few days ago I made waffles for breakfast. Jaxon was putting his sleeves in the syrup trying to reach his milk and she says to him: "Dude, you are getting syrup on your sleeves". I thought I was going to die laughing. Reagan is very helpful and likes to help anyone do stuff. She helps me cook and often helps Grandma when we are over there.

Jaxon has quite a vocabulary. He says lots of words I can't understand them all though. He is a very loving, forgiving child. When Reagan does something mean to him or takes a toy from him, rarely does he fight back. He just lets her have it and moves onto something else. He loves to give hugs and says luv u. He brushes his teeth a lot and loves to get his hair combed. He is a sweet boy.

I need some ideas

2010-01-31T14:37:00.000-08:00

Since today is the last day of January and I am pretty sure this makes a blogging record for me I thought I would post.

I am not buying anything and that is great and all. But now I don't ever leave the house. When you have been awake for 40 minutes, your kids are driving you nuts, and it is only 8 in the morning there is definitely a problem. I need to get out of the house to do something. Brian and I were talking about my hobbies. I have a fair amount of hobbies they just all happen to be things I do at home. Sewing, gardening, craftiness. Okay so that is apparently all of my hobbies. At least that I can think of. So if any of you have any great ideas of hobbies that you have you do away from your children let me know. My sister said she was taking voice lessons. I need something to do for some serious sanity.

I got my bike on Friday and Saturday morning I got up and went for a ride, right in my basement. It was nice. I saw some garden seeds in Lowe's the other day and it made me so happy. I should make a bouquet of garden seeds and put it on my table.

I want to know if you want to develop some hobbies with me or if you have any great ideas for me. I will take either.

Yes, I am still not buying anything

2010-01-26T08:25:00.000-08:00

I am almost one month into not consuming. Has it made me happier? I think it has started. I find myself enjoying my day more and not thinking that I need a new picture or a new shirt. I did just purchase a bike and I may have to get a new washer and dryer. My washer is not spinning my clothes out so it is still soaking wet when the cycle is done. I buy diapers and food but have not purchased clothing. My sister was telling my about her friend that is doing a operation appreciation with her kids. I think she might be onto something. She has given her kids a limited amount of clothing, toys, and a few things. I was thinking about that and what an easier way to live. After all do we really need 15 shirts and 8 pairs of pants? Or how about 10 pairs of shoes? Reagan wears about 3 pair of pants because she doesn't like the others. They just sit in her drawer. This has made me think that we all really live in excess. We have way too many things.

In Stake Conference on Sunday, Elder Porter of the seventy told a story of a woman coming in to his office as a Bishop saying she just wasn't happy. They talked about some changes she could make and met again in a month. When they met again she was beaming. Elder Porter asked what she had done to change to be happy. She told him she had stopped looking at catalogs. She said when she looked at them it made her realize how much more the people around her had and she wanted that. But when she stopped looking at catalogs she no longer wanted those things that other people had because she didn't see them. I thought, if it were only that simple. Well, maybe it is that simple, maybe if we could not look at the things that neighbors have or that is seems so much easier for them we would be a happier people. Those neighbors may be the ones struggling with debt or spiritual problems or a variety of other things that are unseen to us.

What I have realized by not buying anything is...we just don't need anything. Our basic needs are met by shelter, food, clothing, and most importantly love. The rest of the stuff we have is simply just stuff. It doesn't define us, make us a better person, make like easier, or make us happy. I am also learning I need different hobbies. If I needed time by myself I would go shopping. I don't need to shop for a hobby, I need to find something else to do, take an art class, go to the library, play the piano. The same sister, I called last week and interrupted her voice lesson. I thought that was a good thing. As we become mothers, he develop children not hobbies. I think that sometimes we get lost after we have children. We know what we need to do we just don't do it. We need to be active participants in our lives and not just in our childrens lives. So I am going to take an art class and maybe this summer I might take tennis or golf lessons. Let's all be proactive in doing things to enrich our lives and the lives around us. I think when we do this and stop looking at catalogs we will all be happier people.

Good Things:
1. Sisters
2. Developing talents
3. Making progress.

I hope this gets us all thinking.

Going So Far

2010-01-21T18:26:00.000-08:00

So far in my effort to not consume, it has gone pretty well. I did purchase a couple of things but they were not clothing or home decor items. Something for the computer and something for the car seats. I probably have save a lot already. I am planning on purchasing a spinning bike in an effort to be healthy. I am thinking about finding a hobby or a class to take to find something else to do with my free alone time. I figured since I am not consuming wandering the mall is not such a great hobby whether I buy something or not.

Good Things
1. Heading to Grandma's
2. Clean kitchens
3. Free time

So how are all of you doing with your goals?

Can Mothers Really Be Happy?

2010-01-12T19:51:00.000-08:00

Can Mothers really be happy? I ask this because at my house their is fighting children competing over toys and other really dumb things. The mother is constantly saying "pick up your toys, leave him alone, knock it off, and probably a hundred other phrases that many of you say yourself. I know that I am not the only saying more like screaming these little phrases. Is it all blissful and happiness at your house or are you all in denial? In my effort to be more happy, it is hard not to lose it with the kiddos. Considering that I am about the least patient person around this is my daily routine. I hope at some point in life it will be blissful and I can look back at these ornery days of childhood and say that I missed those days. It is hard for me to think at this point in my life I will. I read on someone else's blog that her goal for 2010 was to find joy in Motherhood and not look so forward to 8pm when the kids are in bed. I am not sure I am there yet. I would like to be there but realize I have a long ways to go but I hope I can find the day where I can say this is fun and I love being a mother. I know that motherhood will not always be blissful but hopefully I can find a part of my day that is bliss and that it is not after 8pm.

Clarification

2010-01-09T14:10:00.005-08:00

I decided not to consume but as I was thinking about this I decided it needed more clarification. By me not consuming does not mean that I am going to stop purchasing things entirely. I will still grocery shop as we do need to eat. I will still buy pampers diapers because this is all about an effort of being happier. Cloth diapers is not going to take me there. I will not though purchase clothing, shoes, home decor, books, and the likes of those type things because lets face it...I already have plenty of those things. I will try to spend less of grocery shopping by using coupons. This really may be more of an effort to spend less. This may really be a challenge for me. I will probably have to find a new hobby or something to do. Good Luck to me.

Denmark: The Happiest Place on Earth - ABC News

2010-01-09T14:10:00.003-08:00

Here is the link:

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=4086092

Here's to Happiness

2010-01-09T14:09:00.000-08:00

Here's to Happiness
So after watching Julie and Julia, I decided I wanted to something similar. So here it is. I have been thinking a lot about what it takes to be happy. Is it the stuff we have, our relationships, our spirituality or a good balance of all of those plus probably a thousand other things. In my quest to become a happier person, I have and will continue to consult all sorts of books, shows, whatever it really takes. Here is the first result.

Yesterday, I happened to tune in to Oprah. She was discussing this very topic of happiness. Studies have shown that the people in Denmark are the happiest in the world despite paying nearly 50 percent in income taxes. As I was watching this, she went through 2 families houses, went through a market, and met with a group of women. My conclusion: People in Denmark live very simply. There houses are small, modern, and very simple. They didn't have wreaths, and picture groupings on their walls. Basically is what I saw was a sofa and perhaps a table in their family room. No television, basically no distractions to take them from what they really need to do, which is family. I did not see piles of toys in the kids rooms or mountains of clothes hanging in the closet or in my case that would by lying on the floor. Most of them do not own cars because they bike everywhere. What a way to stay fit. That means no gym membership. The thing that struck me the most is when one of the women said: we are happy because we don't consume, we live.

So I decided that is exactly what I want to do. Live not consume. So I told my husband today that normally I would buy the kids clothes if they were on a good clearance. I am not going to do that anymore. If they really and truly need it then I will make the exception. That goes for me as well. I don't want to feel like I have to have that sweater when I already have 5 sweaters. This is going to be challenging for me. But I think I can do it. I will have to remind myself of this often I am sure. Doing this will save probably a considerable amount of money.

I think that is going to be step 1. I am unsure as to how many steps this will take but that is a good start,

Here is to being happier!

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.
ANNE FRANK

Goals for 2010

2010-01-06T12:12:00.000-08:00

A couple of things. First, last night I watched Julie and Julia. I really liked it except for one very blatant naughty word and a little less clothes at a brief part. What I liked about it was that it was inspiring. If you have not seen it check it out. Julie does something kind of crazy but turns out to be very good for her. I wish I was more like that. It would be fun. You probably won't know what this is until you watch it. But it inspires me to do something different, something that i truly enjoy and something I haven't thought of yet.

Second, I was reading on the blog, Apron Girls (aprongirls.blogspot.com). On the blog many of the contributors wrote what they would like there new year to be like. Most of them chose one word to describe there year like: joy, focus, organized. You get the idea. Can you think of one word that you would like your year to be? I am still thinking on mine because I think as I was looking over there ideas I need all of those things. Here is a list of my b's for my year.

Be healthy. What that really means is lose weight.
Be joyous in all things
Be more spiritual by attending the temple more often and taking part in prayer and scripture study
Be Clean and organized
Be Done, my house that is
Be happy.

All of these things really entail more than one thing. So I guess my word is Better. Just to be a better person, wife, mother, to be better at those things that I really need to be better at. Let's be honest I don't need to be a better shopper. But I do need to be a better mom and a better teacher, and so many other things. I want this upcoming year to be about improvement. Self, house, however it works. What is your year going to be for you?

Good Things
1. Reevaluating
2. Knowing I need to change
3. Knowing I CAN change

Here's to 2010! Enjoy

THankful

2010-01-04T12:01:00.001-08:00

Today I just got back from the funeral of dear John Young. It was a sad but good funeral.

Today I am thankful for many things:
1. That the Youngs were so willing to care for my kids on Thursday
2. To have such a good family
3. Proud to wore the orange and blue.

Today is also the Fiesta Bowl. Brian is in Arizona and I want you all to wear your brightest, best orange and blue today so we can teach TCU a lesson. Go Broncos!

Christmas 2009

2009-12-30T20:07:00.000-08:00

While I am here I might as well do Christmas too. Christmas was great this year. Today Reagan asked me if Santa was going to come again. The kids were excited for Christmas but I think I was the one who had Christmas jitters as I did not sleep the night before very well at all. We spent time with both families. We were thinking that it is nice to live where we do so that we don't have to travel for Holidays. How grateful I am for the spirit of Christmas and the joy that it brings to all no matter what faith. It is a magical time of year and am always sad to see the whole magic go away. I wish we could bottle it up and open it every time we need to have that feeling again. Christmas in a child's eyes is not the same as an adult. I can feel it as a parent though just feeling how excited they are.

Reagan learned throughout the month at preschool more about Christmas, Santa, reindeer. I threw her reindeer that she made away and she pulled it out of the garbage today very sad. Jaxon loved the tree and hardly bothered it all.

We went to SLC for a quick cold trip through Temple square to see the lights. Reagan loved swimming at the hotel. Jaxon was terrified, which surprised me. It was fun and we enjoyed it. We are looking forward to the new year and everything that comes with it. It is always good to look back over the last year's goals and look forward to something new.

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and hope you all a Happy New Year.

the happiness project

2009-12-30T19:39:00.000-08:00

I was just reading on msn.com and there was a link to the happiness project. It is kind of cool. This lady posts on a blog about how she learned to be a happier person. She came up with happiness project toolbox which gave me a lot of good ideas. Because happiness is a state of mind I think that I am going to keep a happiness blog or something like it. I will let you know what it is exactly. I haven't quite got it figured out yet. If you have any suggestions please pass them a long.

grateful

2009-12-30T09:13:00.000-08:00

1. We had fun in SLC even though we didn't do much
2. We got home safely
3. We slept great last night

happiness

2009-12-27T09:29:00.001-08:00

In an effort to be a happier person I will attempting to blog three things everyday that I am grateful for. Here gies:

1. A nice bed we are kinda sick right now
2. the opportunity to stay home with my kids
3. A computer to stay in touch

Christmas to follow at a later date.

Lame-o

2009-12-16T13:04:00.000-08:00

I know this is really lame but it may have to do. Blogger Christmas card. I have realized that the only pictures I take are for ebay or craigslist. So I really don't have any pictures to add to this. I may still send out a Christmas card and if you get one in the mail feel lucky. I usually send them out to family and friends if I have your address if not this will have to do.

As you probably have read already, we have had a busy year. Building houses, making bags among other things, preschool, crawling, walking, talking, and doing lots of other things too. Whatever it is we seem to stay busy. We like busy I guess because it is weird to not have something to do. Life is a race and I am always in the back. Better to finish than to not have tried right?

Brian is transitioning to a medical sales rep for Big Bear Medical and we are both hoping that it goes really well. Change is good most of the time and I think we are ready for it. He has been to training a lot recently and still has some more coming up. He is looking forward to the Fiesta Bowl and cheering on the Bronco Blue. We hope it truly is a fiesta with a big win.

Brooke is driving herself and everyone crazy making candy the last couple of days. Caramel, pecan brittle, fudge, frosted almonds, and peppermint bark. Yum. She is trying to keep up in the race and somedays does better than others. She has been sewing many Christmas projects and making bags for Rod and Vinyl in hopes that they sell. She does carpool for preschool and tries to get in quick shopping trips with only one kid while Reagan is in preschool.

Reagan is loving preschool and learns a lot. I am kind of surprised at how much she really takes with her. She is a good sister most of the time and in the right moment likes to play with Jaxon as long as it is on her terms. No touching my stuff. That kind of thing. She is very helpful and loves to play Candy Land. She likes to help Brooke cook and wants to get right in on the action for dinner. She is a great aerobics instructor and tells me how to exercise. We love her to pieces.

Jaxon is really a happy boy after a while. He has been great after he went off medicine for acid reflux as a baby. He is running, talking, and tries to keep up with all of us. He loves to chase Reagan around. He loves to watch movies in the car. He gives really great hugs and sometimes loves to cuddle. It is a chance moment if you get one. We love to make him laugh and are so happy he is in our family.

We are so grateful for the knowledge that the gospel brings in our lives. We really have so many things to be grateful for and to be happy about. As Christmas approaches closer and closer we try to teach our children about the Savior's birth. We are grateful for the sacrifice the Lord made for us and we hope that everyone can remember the true joys of Christmas.

Merry Christmas,

The Crandall,
Brian, Brooke, Reagan, and Jaxon

Things

2009-12-14T13:56:00.000-08:00

The Things I am very grateful for today:

1. a clean kitchen
2. the laundry being almost done
3. A little girl who sings
4. a little boy who sleeps
5. a warm house to live in
6. a plethora of eyedrops to treat my infected eyes
7. rs lessons that go well
8. Christmas is almost here
9. being done with houses
10. enjoying my time at home with the kiddos

There are really many more things that I am grateful for but those top the list today.

Anyway??

2009-12-01T13:20:00.000-08:00

It has been 5 weeks since I have posted a thing. Well today, I thought I would post my Halloween pictures since it is almost Christmas and much to my dismay they are no longer on my camera. They are not on my computer either. Where did they go? I have no idea. Slightly frustrating. So this makes year 2 that I have no pictures of my costumed children. Where is the mother of the year award when I need it. This did not just happen to the Halloween pictures but every picture on my camera. Since I am really not tech savvy I don't know what to do.

Here is a recap:

Reagan wanted to be a ladybug for Halloween since way back when. She talked about and talked so I got her a lady bug costume because well I am too lazy to make one. So Halloween came and she was a monkey. She wouldn't put the lady bug on and it really wasn't worth the fight and so the monkey came out from last year. Jaxon was a chicken. He thought it was pretty funny and thought it was funnier when Reagan bocked at him chasing him around the house.

Brian's birthday was great. He got a toilet. He asked for it. Such a practical guy. He has been working super hard on the houses we are finishing up. That means early mornings and really late nights. Yuck! But he does it cause he loves us soo much and well because he has too.

Me: There is really not too much going on. I colored my hair dark a while ago but now it is mostly normal again. I haven't lost any weight, but there is still next year right? I make bags and just got them put in a store called Rod and Vinyl. They are smaller scripture bags and bigger bags for me. Like a diaper bag or church or really just a freaking cute purse. Use it for whatever. The small ones sell for $15 and the larger ones for $25. I am working on a website and I need a name so if you have any great names for a website let me know. I will post some on etsy as well and my etsy link is to the side called lebois chic. I don't have any up yet. The camera thing. So I am busy sewing away. I have been slowed due to the breaking of my sewing machine. though. Still have a lot of sewing to do. I will figure it out. Who knows maybe I will use my sister A's machine. That way it could get some use for the year. Ha! Almost got the Christmas shopping done. Obsessing over what I got Reagan slightly too much. Here, give me another opinion. Got Reagan a dollhouse for Christmas. Should I keep it for later and give it to her. I am overanalyzing this entirely too much. Apparently, I have a lot of time on my hands.

Jaxon has a string of words he has been saying. Look, ball, daddy, doggie, those sound the same mostly, and a few others. He can get into mischief faster than anyone I know. He brushes his teeth for at least an hour a day. Grandpa would be proud. Loves to read books and has no bottle anymore.

We are doing well despite never posting. I will try to be more frequent I just have lots going on.

GOod THings
1. Having so much to be grateful for
2. Brian coming home at night
3. Good food

lack of title

2009-10-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

So October has gone by fairly fast. Last week we had our ward party and super saturday, they call it simple Saturday only because they are in some serious denial. It seemed that last week all I did was Run and I am not so fast. Go here, go there, go everywhere. So here is to a new week.

This week should be less hectic although today since 3 I have ran to 2 banks, 2 visiting teaching visits and am currently waiting for my Alison's Pantry truck to show up and then we are going to Grandma's for dinner and to carve pumpkins. Tomorrow I think I will sleep til noon and let the kids mother themselves. Right!

For our ward party, I dressed up in the 80's. I had the hottest costume. It consisted of leopard print tights worn under my poorly tried acid wash jeans with slits cut down the front of them, hot pink legwarmers and a sweat band which I made myself. I pink necklace, jelly bracelets and hoop earrings courtesy of DI, don't worry I sanitized, an off the shoulder sweatshirt with a knot like thing, blue eyeshadow, glossy lips, and of course crimped side ponytail. I was smoking. But I didn't win the tickets. Oh well, better luck next year. I really think it was a flashback for most people. When my hair gets crimped it multiplies a lot. Anyway, it was a lot of fun. I don't have pictures but you can probably imagine what it would look like.

We have Halloween on Saturday, Brian's birthday on Sunday and hopefully can avoid the flu for at least a week.

Good Things:
1. Wanting to crawl into my heated bed
2. Hot chocolate
3. Fun things like dressing up every now and again.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day and a Happy Halloween.

Chocolate Chips

2009-10-20T08:34:00.001-07:00

This is really boring oh well.

I am ordering Chocolate chips through Guittard.
The prices are as follows:

25 lbs. Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Chips 0138C25 1ct s/s chips $ 57.00
25 lbs. Real Milk Chocolate Maxi Baking Chips . 0145C25 350ct Milk Maxi chips $70.00
25 lbs. Gourmet White Chocolate Baking Chips 9730C25 900ct Gourmet White chips $48.00
25 lbs. Green Mint Baking Chips 9702C25 700ct Green Mint chips $45.00
25 lbs. Butterscotch Baking Chip9818C25 1ct Butterscotch chips $48.00

If you are interested or know someone that is let me know. I need to have 20 boxes at least to make an order.

I will post other things later.

Good Things For Today

2009-10-10T07:30:00.001-07:00

Good Things
1. Trips to Utah to see friends
2. Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. Yum
3. A full night's sleep It's a beautiful thing.
Have a great day.

ARGH!

2009-10-06T20:23:00.001-07:00

Is that how you spell that? Jaxon is 14 months old learned to climb today. I am not very happy. I never believed in baby proofing the house. Well, I have never had a Jaxon before. Reagan got into stuff but it was the measuring cups and the lids to my containers. And occasionally the sugar and the flour. That has been moved. Jaxon plays in the toilet and the paper, pulls everything out from under the bathroom cabinet, throws things in the toilet and tub. He gets out the pan lids and everything off the lazy susan, opens the drawer beneath the oven and stands in it, climbs onto the couches, rocking chair and today he discovered he can crawl onto Reagan's bed, the table chairs and once on the chairs onto the table and once on is King of the house. He was really pleased with himself...until he fell off. But he did not learn quickly. He is a determined child and got right back up there. I was hoping I had a few more months before the madness began but it is here. And...I have gone mad myself I think. Hopefully the crib is not next and he can live there for a long more time. So tomorrow while Reagan is at school I will be helping Ashlee while she gets a massage and going to Wally's to invest in some hopefully childproof cupboard locks. I am not sure what to do about the table. Hopefully I don't end up making trips to the dreaded ER. I have already been there once with him and I didn't like it and I don't want to do it again. The trip there last time was unrelated. Anyway, I hope you all had a great day.

Good things
1. Bedtime (my favorite time of day)
2. Jaxon did get up and climb again I guess
3. I am really struggling for three things today is just a 2 good thing day and that is pushing it.

Reagan's funny

2009-09-28T18:31:00.000-07:00

While driving down the road today, Reagan saw some hay and said to me " Look it's hay, horses eat hay. We don't eat hay we just eat dinner.

Silly girl.

Good Things

2009-09-24T14:52:00.000-07:00

I forgot to post the Good Things

1. Fresh vegetable from our garden and our neighbors
2. Chocolate zuccini cake
3. Having a fun time

It's been an eternity..well almost

2009-09-24T14:36:00.000-07:00

I know, it has been forever since I have posted. Lets see. We have had family reunions, meetings galore, first day of preschool, jury duty notices, and a variety of other happenings going on since the last time I posted.
I have been busy preparing RS lessons, gathering super saturday stuff , taking care of the kids, bookkeeping, and whatever else I deem worthy to do. I have not exercised though and I am not proceeding with my goal of losing weight. I decided I needed to make myself a chart like I make for Reagan and every time I exercise continuously I get to put a sticker. Sounds ridiculous and it is. My goals I have set aside for myself are: the first 10 pounds, the cutest pair of boots with fur on top, the 2nd 10 pounds, skinny jeans. I know it is definitely out on the limb a little. If they make me look 16 then I will wear them once with my boots and never look back. But the boots will stare at me from my closet saying please love me and wear me. After that I have something else to look forward to but we will see how the first 20 goes.

Jaxon is cutting molars right now and is he ever a nightmare. Grumpy X 2. He likes it when Reagan is at preschool because he can do whatever he wants. He currently weighs 2 oz less than Reagan wears about the same size shoe and is 3-4 inches shorter. He is only 13 months old. I think I birthed a giant. Normally he is happy and doesn't mind getting beat on too much by Reagan.

Reagan started preschool and she loves it. We carpool with 3 other friends in our ward. She cannot wait to go. It is 3 times a week for 2 hours. She anticipated the driver of the day to pull by looking out the window, If I let her she would wait outside everyday. Last week I asked her what she did in school and she said she made a puppet. A little while later I asked her what else she did at school and she looked at me and said " I said a puppet, I told you like 50 times already" Welcome the 14 year old attitude on the 3 year old. See what I have to look forward to. Yikes!

Brian has been really busy trying to finish some houses. We always have new adventures and are awaiting the next adventure always. They keep us busy.

Brian and I got to go to Boise to watch the Boise State/ Oregon game. We smoked them. We hope they continue to do well and BCS here we come! Go Broncos!

I will try to post more frequently.

Fun in the sun

2009-07-27T15:55:00.000-07:00

It has been a fun summer. We have played outside, swam, rode bikes and just had a good time. Here are some new pictures of stuff.

Funny Story:

One day not so long ago I was updating my blog and when I went upstairs to see what my children were doing (it was very quiet) I found that Reagan had dumped a bottle of baby powder all over Jaxon and the floor. What a mess! On the upside he did smell good.

Last week I went to Salt Lake and I found my new favorite thing to do down there. There is a really great DI in Centerville. The best and cleanest I have ever seen. There were 5 of us and we spend a combined total of $150. That much at DI. Who would have thought. We were there for about 2 and a half hours. I know it is slightly pathetic but there is nothing wrong with finding a deal. I bought a skirt for $4.00 with a new tag on it. It was Ann Taylor and the new price was $108.00 totally worth the whole purchase. So the next time you are in the neighborhood check it out. Well worth your time.

GOOdthings
1. Being away
2. Finding a great deal
3. Having fun

Is this a Problem?

2009-07-15T19:43:00.000-07:00

So I discovered yesterday that I have a problem.. Well, I have several but this one I just found out yesterday. I was in my food storage room trying to clean it so I could actually open the door and I store way too much food. At least I do what I am told. On Monday I canned cherry pie filling and I have no where to put it. I know that this is a very odd problem. Today, I went grocery shopping and I just kept thinking that I need to stock up. I went to grab a couple cans of pineapple and thought to myself, "seriously like I need to store one more thing. Apparently this is where my pack ratness comes into play. It is not the things from the childhood it is food. It is almost a little embarassing because I must thing that I am going to shrivel up and die. The other ironic thing is that yesterday I was out of milk and had been since Monday.

Good Things
1. I store food and lots of it.
2. Knowing I will have a variety to choose from
3. I will not starve.

I will take a picture of my storage room and post it on my next post.

Updates

2009-07-11T13:37:00.000-07:00

So I have decided that I probably should update my blog since it has almost been a month. June was a busy month but we made it through. All of Brian's family came the last week and we headed to Island Park for a reunion for the firstish of July. We went to Wade Lake and West Yellowstone. It was enjoyable. We didn't go to the parade for the 4th but did go over with Brian's family to have a dinner and a small fireworks show before the big one. I took the kids home and put them to bed and Bri went to the fireworks. We are trying to decide what we need to do with jobs and such with the market the way it is. Right now we have 2 houses we are building but after November we don't have anything. We have been looking for jobs trying to know what is best for us and our family.

We have been busy working on our projects and they are moving along. As I began mowing the lawn the other day the strawberry net got caught in 3 yes 3 blades of the lawn mower. That was a mess to get out. But while I was thinking about how to get it out I cleaned the garage. A project that I had been putting off for a long time. My garden is coming right along. Today I picked peas and the second batch of strawberries this week. Reagan is out swimming and just picked my green tomatoes. Little Turkey.

Jaxon started walking with a few steps on June 18th and now he is off and running. He always has to be carrying something as he walks. I am not for sure if it is for balance or what? He is a funny boy and loves to throw balls and chase them. He also loves to through his food a trait I am not so fond of. A few weeks ago I painted part of his room chocolate brown and I love it.

Reagan has a mind of her own and told me she wanted to say the prayer by herself. I got her started and then she kept going. Bless Ellie and Jacob, Ryan and Joyce, Grant, Tyson, Krissy, Grandpa and Grandpa (she get confused when she says them together) the tape, the wall and the light, moms nose and so on. Finally I said okay finish. After she looked at me and said "mom, were you being silly during the prayer" I was smiling because of her interesting things to bless. She is going to preschool in the fall and I think I am looking forward to it. I think she might soak up all the learning. She wants me to tell her what every letter is and all the words that start with it.

July is busy for us as Brian is helping build a garage at the cabin, a girls vaca, high adventure, and Carter reunion. I am loving summer but think it just got warm and it will end so fast. But with fall comes school, anniversary, Boise State games, and probably job hunting.

Good Things
1. FAMILY FUN
2. BEING PRODUCTIVE (GROWING A GARDEN)
3. THE FUTURE WHATEVER IT MAY HOLD

Summer is here...I think!

2009-06-16T12:49:00.000-07:00

I am so glad that summer is here. Although it has been raining for the past 3 weeks I think that it might start warming up soon. With summer brings family reunions, trips to the lake or pool, yard work, allergies, and of course sun burns. We are looking forward to them all. Last weekend was free fishing day so we went out to the gravel ponds to do some fishing. We thought Reagan would like it. She did but we didn't catch a thing or even get a bite. They claimed the pond was stocked but I think it was stocked with goldfish crackers and not the real fish. I have cute pictures but they are on my phone and I need to figure out how to get them off.

Also last weekend Reagan took a spill out of the wagon and cut up her lip pretty good. She is fine. It looked pretty bad on Saturday when she woke up but looked better Sunday. So she is on the healing.

We always have projects going on in our house or yard. We have so many that I think are about 3/4 of the way finished and I am sick of it. I keep nagging Brian to get them finished. Today I took it upon myself to finish the electrical outlets upstairs and I got them done. The next thing I am working on is the hallway sheetrock and finish painting. I really want to attempt to be organized and feel like I can't until everything is put together. Someday...hopefully soon. Brian, if you are reading this I am not trying to nag through a blog.

I have been sewing some super cute things for Reagan. She doesn't really like them or even try to like them. She is such a stinker she won't even try to put them on. I don't know why I make her stuff sometimes. I have had a fun time sewing them. She did wear a dress to church on Sunday though. Now I just got new stuff for pjs for both kids and dresses at some point in the future.

Good Things
1. Progress on anything really
2. Reclamation of the counters....again
3. Enjoying time for myself

Why we become Mothers...Part 2

2009-05-28T20:45:00.000-07:00

A few months maybe years ago I wrote a post on the very topic and now I want to add to it. You know after the 2nd child has come along.

Motherhood is not the most glamorous title of work. We do it because we love it and are supposedly to find joy in it. Here is my side of the story. Everyone has a different view.

At the beginning of May, I gave a lesson in RS on the 2nd Article of Faith. The Fall. The end result of the Fall is the joy we find because of the result of the Fall. That morning Reagan scribbled all over my lesson with marker, red, blue, and black. I was frazzled. That is one joy of the fall. Anyway, at the end of the lesson, I found a talk by a guy that was saying how proud and amazed he always was at his wife soon after she gave birth. He said the aches and pains of labor and giving birth quickly changed into smiles and happiness and newfound joy at the new baby. I thought that was a very interesting comparison and have thought a lot about it since I read it.

When I had Jaxon, we were very busy with Parade of Homes. Brian with building and I was in charge of decorating, curtains, bedding, you know that stuff. For some reason I thought I was going to be able to manage it all. About 5-6 weeks after I had him was when Parade of Homes started and was also when Jaxon started to bawl. And bawl he did. All the time, all night, he never took naps, always ate, and acted in pain all of the time. I took him to Dr after Dr, naturpath, chiropractor to no avail. I just kept thinking that there is something wrong with him. Finally, someone said he probably had acid reflux and put him on medicine but it really didn't make a difference. When he was about 3 months old I finally got him on some good meds to take care of the problem. During all this time, I was so miserable. Thinking back on it now, it makes me cry. It made me cry then too. Brian would come home at night and I would be crying because I couldn't handle it. Jaxon crying all the time and Reagan was way more than I could handle. I was so overwhelmed by it all and there were so many days I did nothing but hold a crying baby. It was very hard not to lose my temper and I am sure I lost it a lot and would scream at the kids. I got on medication as well and things as slowly returned to normal whatever that is. We are both off all meds now. Jaxon is a really happy baby now and doesn't let too many thumps from Reagan bother him. Jaxon was very hard on both Brian and I and Reagan I am sure suffered as well. It continues to get better everyday. I have someone in the ward watch my kids on Thursdays and that has been the biggest lifesaver. Grandmas pitch in a lot of help too. So many people always told me that there kids cried all the time too but it just didn't seem to be the same. I felt like they really didn't understand what I was dealing with. Lots of people also said "oh it is just a stage or colic".

The point to all of this is this: President Monson has told us to Enjoy our Journey. At times, the journey may seem like Mt. Everest and for me it was. I really wasn't enjoying my journey and sometimes I still don't. It seems like I am always looking forward to if he was 6 months or I can't wait til he is 2. But no matter what the age he is I still have a journey to complete. I need to be reminded constantly that there are stopping points to refuel after the hard climb. Scripture study, prayer, fasting are those refueling stations. It is hard but I feel like I am starting to enjoy my journey more on some days. Life doesn't happen without them. I just thought of a saying, I don't even know who it goes something like...how we dance in the rain. Do we look up and see the thunder clouds and have it be a determining factor in how our day is going to be or do we look at the clouds and think of the opportunities the day could bring. One thing I realized in all of this though is that I am the Mother and I need to take care of myself first because I need to be well to take care of children and they need someone strong. My kids rely on me and need me. I need them too, sometimes it just takes a while for me to get that. I hope I don't look back at this experience in 5 years and say that I really missed out on things because I wasn't enjoying my journey. I hope in all of this we all can realize what a blessing motherhood is and what a God given power each of us as women have. It is a divine sacred thing that we really should hold very close to our hearts and souls and thank Heavenly Father everyday to be able to be a Mother. We really should capture each of the precious moments that happen with our kids whether they be great or sad and cherish them. I am learning to enjoy my journey as a mother and I really hope it gets better with each day.

Good Things
1. Realizing you really are blessed
2. People who can empathize
3. Motherhood, it really is good

Happy Spring

2009-05-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to tell everyone that today was such a beautiful day. My garden is planted and growing. I have planted perennials in my flower beds, the tulips, daffodils, hyacinths are blooming, the trees are starting to leaf out and bloom, my strawberries are blooming which means fruit soon, the lawn is green and I love to mow it, for some reason it is very therapeutic and of course....the weeds are in full rage too. Anyway today was just a beautiful day. I got a lot of things done. I took Jaxon to the DR again. It is starting to be really a part of my life. The antibiotics weren't really working and his ear infection is worse. We are trying to figure out if Jaxon has allergies too.

Well first, I was up at 5:30 because the boy was awake. I fed him a bottle and he went to sleep for about 3 minutes. I finally got up and put him in the truck, went and cleaned the office and went to Home Depot to get burning bushes and mulch. After the dr I spent the afternoon mulching my flowerbeds and planting flowers. Still more to plant. I love warm weather.

Good Things
1. Beauty of the Earth
2. Insurance
3. To know that God loves me.

Lately I have been feeling very unsettled. I am not sure why. Angst is a great way to describe it. So I have decided that I need to be doing more scripture reading, temple attending, and really just appreciating what I have and being genuinely thankful for it. Sometimes I get so obsessed with the things I am looking for and want that I don't really take the time to look around at what I have and be grateful for it. Happiness is a state of mind, it is not on the other side of the fence. I really am so blessed in my life to live where I do, married to who I am, and have so many opportunities in life that I should be really and truly grateful because so many have so much less. So I am trying to focus on a new attitude of appreciation. Life may not be great and blissful at all times but we have so many experiences to glean from when the times are tough. So here is my new mantra about the whining and to just be grateful for the everyday blessings. Recently in RS they gave a monthly calendar. At the end of each day we are supposed to right something down in the corresponding date how the Lord have blessed us that day or how we have the love of the Lord that day. It really makes you think. I encourage you all 2 viewers of my blog to get a calendar and do it. At the end of the month look back and see how the Lord loves and blesses us.

Happy Mothers Day

2009-05-11T15:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. I hope your day was great.

This last weekend I went to SLC with all of Brian's sisters. Five of them to be exact. I had a lot of fun. We shopped, went to a museum, shopped, hiked ensign peak, shopped, went to Nielsen's custard twice and shopped some more. It was great to see everyone and I hoped enjoyed themselves as much as I did. Brian watched the kids at night and Saturday and then farmed them out the other days. Thanks, mom. Jaxon came down with a case of croup while I was gone and Brian had to deal with that. So when I got back Saturday I first took him to a doctor's office and they sent me to the ER. I waited for a very long time 3 hours and then got in and was there waiting for 2. They gave him a decadrone orally and a breathing treatment and we finally got home about 20 minutes to midnight. We were all very exhausted. He is doing much better today. Along with all of that he has a ear infection and a really runny nose.

Yesterday, I stayed home with the kids from church and then went to Brian's parents for a great Mother's Day dinner of shish kabobs. Delicious.

Yesterday Reagan told me some funny things. She comes into the kitchen crying and said she was running as fast as a horse and fell down and hurt herself. Then later I was listening to Sounds of Sunday and a song came on with an organ and she comes running over to me and tells me that sounds like church music. And then asks if we are going to go to a new church. Funny girl.

Today, I am left with running errands, finishing planting the garden, planting my pots for the front and back, cleaning, laundry at some point and whatever else seems to come flying my way.

Good Things
1. glad Jaxon is breathing better
2. To be home
3. A very loving family

any ideas?

2009-04-21T09:03:00.000-07:00

I am giving a lesson in RS in a couple of weeks on the 2nd Article of Faith. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas on how to do this? It is a hard one and I can't really come up with anything. Pass along all your knowledge. Thanks.

Bragging Rights

2009-04-07T10:06:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to tell everyone that Brian and I filled out our March Madness Brackets and I won. YOOHOO!

Other news:

The weather is so nice today and yesterday. I spent some time out in my yard working to clean some stuff up and hopefully will get some lawn thatched today. I need to replace the lawn mower battery today and change the blades. I hope it starts after I do that. I love the springtime at least when it is nice outside.

Jaxon is full on crawling and has 2 teeth now. He puts everything in his mouth and can fit and entire golf ball in his mouth. He screeches which I don't love at all and Reagan only makes it worse. She growls at him and it makes him cry.

Reagan is into the tv and I really shouldn't let her watch as much but it helps me keep my sanity. She is very independent and super feisty. I know....the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Good things
1. reevaluating
2. conference
3. warm weather

It happened again

2009-04-01T09:24:00.000-07:00

Jaxon slept two nights in a row all night long. It felt so nice but yet I am still tired. Today I am trying to get an order together for Alison's Pantry so if you need anything let me know. Hopefully my kids will be well for the rest of forever. I need to be cleaning and I just keep hoping that Brian will hire a maid but just scoffs when I say anything like it. Also I need to go get some buttons to finish off some sewing projects for Etsy. Hope they go well. Sounds like a pretty uneventful day. WE will see how that goes. I remembered the other thing from the last post. JAXON IS CRAWLING. YIKES! That means he can get anywhere and into anything. On the first kid you can't wait til they crawl and the second you dread it. The things first times don't know or understand. It is funny when you look back on it.

Good Things
1. Health
2. Warmth
3. Sewing

News

2009-03-27T11:10:00.000-07:00

The most amazing thing happened the other night. Jaxon slept from 8:30 to 5:00 without any interuptions. It felt so nice. I am like a new woman. Have no fear it didn't happen last night though. 2 nights in a row is way too much to ask.

I got my hair colored and I really like it. I was supposed to post a picture but my camera has issues right now and so do I...not knowing how to use the camera.

I had one more thing to share but I can't remember it so it really must not have been news at all.

Good THings
1. Sleep
2. Good haircut and color
3. Feeding the missionaries

The New Mantra...hopefully

2009-03-23T08:21:00.000-07:00

I have decided that my cup is currently half empty or spilled. When Reagan starts whining I tell her "if you are going to whine go sit on your bed" I need to take my own advice and go sit on my bed. I get so overwhelmed with everything negative that I really don't take the time to think of the good things. So this week I am going to try to have a half full cup and stop whining.

Good Things
1. roof over my head
2. Sisters
3. a nice soft bed to lay in

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2009-03-17T11:40:00.000-07:00

Today is the day of green. Last night we had friends over for dinner and had Corned Beef and cabbage with potatoes and carrots. We had green jello too with green punch and green cupcakes and lime sherbet with 7up for dessert. Yummy. We talked about St. Patrick and then the 1st article of Faith. It was fun. So...what have had green today.

Another exciting thing is that is has been raining and the snow is almost gone. Reagan has some issues with not being able to play in the snow. I tell next Christmas she can. I am trying to tell her it is much more fun to play when it is warm and we can go swimming and jump on the trampoline and play on the swingset. You know all those fun summertime things. But she goes back to her sad face and say oh no the snow is all gone. The temperature has gotten slightly warmer but downstairs in our basement it still feels like winter because there is a significant lack of heat.

So all you out there with spring fever, it theoretically should be getting warmer and we should be able to go outside and ride bikes, plant flowers, and whatever else there is the dream about during the warm weather.

Happy Spring!

Good Things
1. Things to celebrate
2. Sleeping Boys
3. buying garden seeds

Slow Going

2009-03-06T18:35:00.000-08:00

My 5K or anything workout has been slow this week. I started with a sore throat on Tuesday I think. We all have been sneezing and coughing but nothing big and then it happened. It got worse and worse until I finally went in to get swabbed today and yep it strep. So we are all on antibiotics. Let the healing begin. Reagan is on antibiotics because she has the worst ingown toenail I have ever seen. It is nasty. So I haven't quite got to the gym this week. I was up to about 6 minutes of running before I thought I was really going to die though. Slower than any training schedule. I don't really think I am much of a runner I would rather cycle but we will see where this gets me. I am really hoping any of it will make me lose weight. No luck so far. I guess I will have to work harder and sweat more. Yuck! You have to just love what having babies does to you.

Good Things:

1. Amoxicillin
2. My soft bed of which I don't spend near enough time on
3. Signs of spring

Hurray!

2009-03-03T13:31:00.000-08:00

Today is a beautiful day. The snow is melting and that makes me happy. I like winter but I really like spring and summer by far the best. Spring gives the chance to renew. The sun is shining and it is kind of raining which only makes the snow melt faster. I just heard thunder.

We all kind of have colds right now. It is not too bad since I am plagued the worst. The kids cough at night. Reagan has an ingrown toenail I guess. It is really yucky looking but doesn't seem to bother her too much. She was crying today because she said it hurt and I told her we would get it fixed at the Dr. She says about 5 minutes later. It feels all better, it doesn't hurt anymore.

I am starting to get spring fever. I am thinking about the garden and yard but not the work that comes along with either of those things. Brian is looking forward to golfing but still has a ways to go to get on the course. I am also looking forward to the kids playing outside. Yeah

I Hate...

2009-02-18T10:14:00.001-08:00

I hate that I can fit into regular jeans my normal size at 25 weeks pregnant but can't fit into them 6 months later and is not even close. So I went to the gym yesterday and today and went running. Boy, am I out of shape. I can go to spinning class and be fine but as soon as I start running I am in pain. Different muscles I hope. That is my progress on the 5K. I am still looking for recruits. I am also looking forward to a better day of running and 5 minutes and feeling like I am going to die. If you wanna, let me know the ways to best train and how your training is going.

5K anyone??

2009-02-13T10:09:00.000-08:00

So, I decided to make it my goal to run a 5K this year for better or worse. Anyone interested in doing the St Lukes Women Celebration in September with me? Comment and let me know.

Why I love....

2009-02-11T19:46:00.000-08:00

Since it is close to Valentines Day I thought I would post Why I love....

Why I love Reagan
1. She is funny
2. She pretends to be the mom
3. She loves to help in the kitchen
4. She loves to have a job
5. She mimics me.
6. She makes Jaxon laugh
7. She makes Brian and I laugh
8. She has ear in her wax
9. She is opinionated (can you be at 2)
10. She goes along with what I do
11. She is into to TV and movies
12. She is potty trained
13. She is beautiful
14. She likes to cook
15. Because she loves me and she is my daughter

Jaxon
Jaxon went to the doctor this week and this is all about why I love him...

1. He is 29.5 inches tall (99%)
2. He weighes a whopping 20lbs
3. He is now a much better baby
4. He rolls all over the place
5. He eats anything I feed and that is a lot
6. He has the best kissing cheeks
7. He has 18 month pjs on (He is only 6 months old)
8. He is so ticklish
9. He eats his feet
10. He has the cutest round head
11. He sleeps in his crib now
12. He is super wiggly
13. He has a cute smile
14. He will lay on the floor is and moving on from the momma boy syndrome
15. He loves me.

I love Brian for so many reasons.

1. He is supportive
2. He is home when I need him
3. He holds the priesthood
4. He keeps me warm
5. He puts the kids to bed
6. He gives me "me time"
7. He plays with the kids and makes them laugh
8. He is handy
9. He is a hard worker
10. He eats what I fix
11. He doesn't complain
12. He loves me for me
13. He keeps my side of the bed warm when I get up with Jaxon
14. He helps me and lifts me when I need lifted
15. He loves me.

I sure do love my husband and kids. My life may be crazy and I may think some days I live in the zoo, but I love and wouldn't change anything about it.

Cold and Snowy

2009-01-30T20:18:00.000-08:00

It has been really cold and snowy here and I am always freezing. Down in the office it really is like going to the Artic I think. I just wanted to post some pictures. Today I painted our hallway downstairs, talk about a 2 year project. Things like this are finally getting to me so I am managing to do them. It is a really nice feeling to get things done. I also made Reagan a new bed set but I can't take a picture right now so I will have to do that later. It is cute.

Crazy?

2009-01-13T19:53:00.000-08:00

So...I am a little crazy but that is not what this is all about. Call it crazy, a goal, resolution or whatever you like but I am going to make more of an effort to save money and change my spending habits in any way that I can.

Yesterday, Brian came home from his basketball game and I was in bed cutting coupons. He said he had never seen me do that before. I really haven't. The only time I would clip a coupon was if I saw a diaper coupon or whatever. I am really serious. I am going to see what I can do over the next few months and I will report later. I have added a link called saving money if you want to look. I think that it will show a blogger profile and then give a list of different blogs you can look at. Some of them are a little obsessed. Who knows, I may become one of them. Anyway, you can leave your thoughts or ideas.

They are in bed!

2009-01-06T20:33:00.000-08:00

My kids are in bed so lucky you I am going to post. Christmas was super fun. We went to the cabin with Brian's family on Christmas Eve. On our way their it started snowing and didn't stop until the day after Christmas. A total of 31 inches. It was so fluffy that we went to sled and the sled sinked so that was no fun. Reagan had fun. On Christmas morning everyone was awake except for Reagan so we woke her up. She took a minute to warm up and the first thing she said was "Grandpa has scary hair". She was really fascinated with just one gift and then would slowly move to the next present. Jaxon really could have cared less. So...he got formula, baby food, bibs, and shirts. Pretty exciting huh?

Jaxon is doing a lot better. He is happier at lots of moments and still loves to be held. He despises Reagan a lot because she torments him. Every now and again he gets the best of her and pulls her hair. It makes her really mad but I encourage it to get even.

Life is busy as always. Brian is the YM President and he keeps busy almost too busy with that and basketball. I told him he has too many nights that he is gone.

I decided that this year is a year of reclaimation. Meaning, I am reclaiming my counters...basically just cleaning them off! I have lots of goals and am starting to get back to the gym. Today I decided I am my own worst enemy. I went to Spinning class, came home complained to Brian that it took my forever to finally break a sweat after adding lots of resistance cause it was all old guys who could look at a bike and break a sweat. Then after I complained I had fudge and crackers and starchy chicken pot pie. Hello Brooke that is really going to help you lose weight. But yet I didn't stop, I had another piece of fudge.

I KNOW

2008-12-16T20:21:00.000-08:00

I know it has been forever since I have updated my blog and at some point soon I hope to do it more frequently but until then...you will just have to wait. I plan on putting Halloween pictures up and all sorts of other things. Be Patient!

Over Thanksgiving my entire family was around because my Grandpa died. It was his time and he was ready. When he is not the same grandpa that you knew it is time. He was a good Grandpa. I remembered a lot of times that I spent the night with Amber, playing skip bo, and finishing my plate or no dessert. He will be missed.

I am hopefully done Christmas shopping. I really need to make it simpler and I am thinking about how. If you have any suggestions, let me know. While my sister was here, she took some really cute pictures of which I will load.

I am slowly getting things together. Reagan is being a little better and Jaxon is a lot better due to medication. He is starting to be a much happier baby. Now if he could just figure the sleeping thing out that would be a bonus. In fact, Reagan needs to figure it out too.

Good Things

1. Christmas time

2. Sister Young (watches my kids for me)

3. a maid (that I don't have but it really would be a good thing)

Reagan the GoofBall!

2008-10-07T18:04:00.001-07:00

Halloween is coming up and I got Reagan a monkey costume. When it arrived she was asleep so I opened it and when she woke up I told her Halloween is coming up and she is going to be a monkey. She looked at me and said "No, kitty". I guess she really wanted to be a kitty. She wouldn't try it on for a couple of days until Brian forced it on her. So a few days later, Brian was telling her about trick or treating and told her that she had to put her costume on and knock on the doors and say trick or treat and she would get candy. So they practiced, instead of saying trick or treat she said "want chocolate". I think she learned that phrase from Terra. So the next morning at about 7:30 she came into my bedroom and said to me " mom get up get costume." I went into her room and she wanted her costume on. I got it down for not realizing exactly what she was wanting. After I got it down she says to me " put on get chocolate. " So she did and I went to get her chocolate and she looks at me out of the corner of her eyes and say trick or treat? I went back to Brian and told him what he has started. Since then she has done it several times.

I hope and think possibly that I may be starting to get a handle on some things. I took Jaxon to the doctor yesterday and hopefully we got him on something that will make him feel a little better. At the Doc he weighed 11lbs 4 oz and was 24.5 inches long. He has grown 3 inches since he was born. He is going to be tall. We are working on getting him to sleep in his own crib but he seems to like it so much better next to me. I don't though. He snores really loud. Maybe I can trick him into it with warming his bed and whatever else I can think of.

Great Things:
1. epidurals
2. sleeping babies
3. A husband who takes the kids
4. relatively long baths

Crayon

2008-09-29T13:58:00.000-07:00

You Are a Purple Crayon

Your world is colored in dreamy, divine, and classy colors.
You hold yourself to a sky high standard, and you are always graceful.
People envy, idolize, and copy you without realizing it. You are an icon for those who know you.
And while it is hard to be a perfectionist, rest assured it's paying off!
Your color wheel opposite is yellow. While yellow people may be wise, they lack the manners and class needed to impress you.
http://www.blogthings.com/whatcolorcrayonareyouquiz/"

2008-09-29T13:34:00.000-07:00

So, I am doing okay and I am still alive. Jaxon has apparently developed some colic, upset stomach, a Reagan or all of the above and cries way too much for me to handle. I have tried every trick in the book to no avail. People tell me it will improve but I see no end in sight or hearing. The parade oh homes is over and went well. It has been really busy but it is slowing down for a minute. We are however going to attempt to finish up on our own house. I have some new pictures and some funny stories.

One day I was helping Reagan say the prayer before bed and this is how it went:

Mom: Say Heavenly Father
R: Father
M: thanks for this day
R: Day
M: help us sleep good
R: sleep good
M: bless us to be patient and kind
R: bless mom be patient

I stopped and had to laugh a little before i finished. I thought wow, I must be really bad.

I cut Reagans hair the other day. It is a little uneven but oh well. So the pictures are of Reagan's thigh highs aka my socks, and one day I had finished sewing a outfit for Reagan and she wanted to put it on. So she did and sat on the piano marilyn style. Sorry for the punctuation, this is a one hand typed blog.

I am still Here!

2008-09-08T21:11:00.000-07:00

So I am still alive. And I think I might even make it. I am getting exceptionally good at typing, making a bottle, and eating all with one hand. I make several trips to the bathroom daily while holding a baby (for Reagan that is), and can manage to rock two kids at the same time and get them into bed still while holding both of them.

We are incredibly busy right now doing children and Parade of Homes. That starts this week so we are getting everything wrapped up. I still have decorating to do and it will be done on Wednesday or before 10 am on Thursday. It will be nice to have it all done and then maybe we can relax and go to a few Boise State games or at least Brian can go.

Yesterday, Jaxon got blessed. I thought he was going to scream through the entire thing but he didn't. He had been screaming all week long, that is why I thought that. It is hard to find a blessing outfit for a boy and then one that fits. Well the fitting was the hard part. Everything was so huge on the sparrow boy so on Saturday at 10 pm I was taking it in on the shirt and vest and shortening the sleeves. I got to the pants and didn't have any energy to do it so I rolled the top down and the bottom up. It still looked big but it worked and that is all that matters. We had dinner at our house afterwards. I am surprised that he doesn't really cry more for all the things that Reagan does to him he just takes it. Every so often he will let out a wail when she tries to shove the binky in his mouth as she squeezes his head. "She yikes him" she says.

So I am managing and will still probably be managing in 20 years when they are out of the house. Now if only I could get some more sleep I might even do better than manage.

Here are some new pictures.

He is a long boy if you are wondering why I posted that picture of him stretched out.

5 minutes PEACE!

2008-09-01T16:04:00.000-07:00

So I have 2 children now and I am out of my mind. I don't get anything done all day long. Sometimes I am lucky enough to get a shower in. I try to every now and again so I don't smell too bad. It seems like just as one kid stops bawling the other starts and that is how my days go now and probably for the rest of my life. I probably should read my previous post on Why we become mothers a few times a day to get through the day. My sister took new pictures of Jaxon of I have yet to have time to look at them let alone to post them on my blog. Someday soon when I have a semblance of normalcy I will. Don't wait though, I am not sure when that will come.

Reagan has been a stinker since the baby came. She has to be in the middle of everything. She rides him like a horse, tips the carseat over with him in it, pokes his head, squeezes his feet you name it, she does it. The poor boy doesn't seem to mind too much. Every now and again he will let out a wail. She sure does like him though. The other day as I was helping her say prayers at night, I said say "please help us to be patient" she said "please mom be patient". It makes me feel like such a great mom when your 2 yr old prays for you to be patient. She has been waking up for like 2 hours at night and won't go back to sleep, so last night Brian told her that if she stayed in her bed all night long and didn't get out he would get her a snow cone. Today she woke up and ran into the living room and said "snowcone"! She was excited. We are also learning she has an excellent memory.

Since I haven't posted pictures and you would like to see some go to the side of my blog and click on Petunia that will take you to my sisters blog and you can view some there. I will try to get it done in the next week or two when I have 5 minutes peace. That is also a book 5 minutes peace. Read it if you have children, it will all make sense.

He is Here!

2008-08-08T10:38:00.001-07:00

Jaxon Clegg Crandall is here. Yeah! I know that everyone wants to see pictures so here are a few. I will post more and really post soon.

Why We Become Mothers

2008-07-01T21:13:00.000-07:00

We become mothers for a variety of reasons I guess. Sometimes as I go throughout my day and have a zillion things go wrong or worse think I am crazy, I wonder why I signed up for this thing called motherhood.

You find out you are pregnant and you and your husband are elated. It is exciting to have a baby. The moment you first feel it kick or that you find out if you are having a boy or girl. What is there not to be excited about. Nothing. You didn't think about how the baby was actually going to get out of the womb and then nobody tells you anything about the after effects of having the baby. You know what I am talking about, the weight gain, trying to shed the weight gain, breastfeeding, getting no sleep, trying to figure out if the baby is hungry or just exactly why it is crying and don't even let me get started on the hormone changes your body decides to go through at this time too. It is pure bliss.

As months go by you think you have the hang of this baby thing. You pride yourself on being able to get 6 hours of sleep or even better go throughout the day with less sleep and try not to be too ornery. That is just when it begins. No one tells you will become the person that takes away their bottle, their precious and most loved binky, their blanket if they happen to have one, change them from a crib to a bed, and yes potty train them. The bottle, I could do. It seemed to be a fairly easy transition to deal with, even the bed wasn't that bad, the binky on the other hand it is a little bit harder. They get so attached to it. It is the equivalent to mountain dew for some people or perhaps a cigarette for others. I mean, we all have our vices, we just don't realize what they are to us until we have to give them up.

I decided to potty train today so we left somewhere and came back and took a nap and after that we put panties on which was about 4pm. Well, at 8 pm we had already gone through 4 additional pairs of panties and it doesn't seems to phase her too much. I have kept my patience though. Tomorrow is another day and we will start again. Motherhood.

So anyway, my point in all of this is that we didn't sign up for all of these other things that we have to do along the way. But at the end of the day, I get to look at the most beautiful thing as I put her to bed 2 hours late because she won't stay in bed. And the minute they hand you your newborn baby in the hospital that moment is a moment you will never forget how you felt. Just like Heavenly Father said, I never said it would be easy, it will be worth. Jesus Christ gave his life for us and it was worth it to him to make that sacrifice for me. Motherhood may not be easy, but is always worth it. It is so pleasing to me every time my daughter does something that I know I have taught her or when she turns around and has two binkies stuffed in her mouth, or when she really does want to hold your hand to walk across the street, or when she says please and thank you. Even though several times a day I think it will just be a few more days before they admit me to the nut house I become a mother because that is my divine role, because these are the moments that I have waited for, and because I love it.

Pictures

2008-06-25T14:22:00.000-07:00

I will write later but here are some pictures.

Are we Crazy?

2008-06-10T11:35:00.000-07:00

I wonder that same question several times a day I think. Sometimes I think that we are more than crazy, just plain insane. I was just watching out our front window at the concrete spilling into the forms and can hear the nail guns shooting nails to hang the trusses on the garage. This morning I got everything submitted for entry to a Parade of Homes that will be in September. As if having a baby is not enough we have to add into the mix some remodeling, a parade of homes that needs decorating, a new garage, yard work and whatever other great and fabulous idea I have. Sometimes I think it would have been easier to just build a new house. And we will someday anyway. But whatever pain it causes, mostly mental, I am very grateful that we are capable of doing these things.

Since Reagan has been in a big bed I have decided that it is a similar transition to having a new baby. It takes a while for them to go to sleep and just when you yourself have drifted into sleep you hear crying or falling off the bed. You sleep for a few hours only to hear crying again, except this time it is 5:30 in the morning and she is awake for the day. So instead of pregnancy waking me up to go to the bathroom I can just rely on Reagan to adjust my sleeping schedule for a new baby. How delightful. This morning at 5:30 when she was sneaking into our bedroom, Brian went to pick her up and she started laughing thinking it was a game. She had her shoes on was ready to play. Yesterday is was 3:30 am that she had her shoes on. So Brian went to get in bed with her and I think he fell asleep but she didn't. So I think I need to pay a visit to the fabric store to make some blackout shades and something else for her toys and shoes maybe to go in outside of her room. What a goof!

Yesterday, Reagan was lovey dovey more than usual. Sometimes I whisper in her ear, I love Reagan and yesterday she was shoving her ear to my mouth and saying I love Reagy. That is what she calls herself. We are not sure where she got that from, but if she sees a picture of herself she points and says Reagy. At some time in the near future I will get some new pictures up of our house, my headboard that I made, and of course Reagan.

AGHHH!

2008-06-05T20:25:00.000-07:00

You never ever in a million years think that your child could possibly be a brat. Well, I will be the first to admit it, Reagan is a brat tonight. Brian went to put her to bed and she of course was mad because he wouldn't lay by her for hours and then flipped out. She holds her breath when she gets mad and then of course tried to get up and walk and passed out and hit the wall. That made it even worse. So after 10 minutes of trying to get her calmed down I went to give her some medicine for her nose and it went down the wrong tube. Bawling and more bawling. Brian took her to go get her blanket and once again she went into all out hysteria because she thought he was going to put her to bed. I don't know what the big deal is but she doesn't like Brian to put her to bed. What a particular little brat. I don't know if it is an age thing, a too tired thing or what. I know that some of you are saying "that apple doesn't fall far from the tree" but I never got called Stormy or Ethel either. She is so particular right now. She doesn't like me to change her diaper or she won't eat very good for me but when Brian asks her to eat her food she does so willingly. Can't wait till I have one more to contend with.

On top of that, she takes like 2 hours to go to sleep at night and has been waking up at 5 am. I am not a morning person to begin with but 5 Am. The other night she woke up 3 different times and then was awake at 6:30 for the day. So we both were ornery and tired and we had to stay together all day. So I am not sure what to do with her. I think a lot of her problem is she is not getting enough sleep and because of that she is tired to really think straight. I am like that most days.

Now for the better stuff I guess. Our garage is partially framed up and trusses will be here on Monday. Yeah! We have carpet in our office downstairs and we hydroseeded our lawn. However, there is not enough pressure with our water to get our sprinklers working great so I have to hand water a little. It is a pain. I am not sure if the pump is down or what but it sure is annoying. So things are getting done. Sometimes it seems like a snails pace and other times it is a little faster. I will be glad when it is all done. Last week I was stressed because I felt like I had no control over any part of my life and this week I could care less. So I sit on my couch and think gosh I should do something. Gotta love being pregnant.

Good Things
1. Sanity, something I wish to have someday but probably never will
2. Progress
3. 9 1/2 weeks to go.

Happy Weekend

2008-05-27T12:47:00.000-07:00

Hope you all had a fabulous Memorial Day Weekend. Ours was great. We went to Moms on Saturday for a little BBQ in the cold with everybody. It was good. On Sunday we headed south to the state below us to see family, visit graves, and more to go shopping. Me more than Brian. We stayed at the condo and it was so weird not to have Ginny there. The cemetaries were great. Mary told us some funny stories about everyone. On Sunday, we had dinner with Mary and Bob. It was great to see them as we don't get to very often. Monday I did a little bit of shopping and had a nap. It was rainy and very overcast but at least it was not snowing.

Today, I am just trying to catch up with laundry, house cleaning, and whatever I catch up on. It seems like I have been on the computer all day accounting to not much of anything getting done. I do have my list though. Tomorrow I am going to pick up a changing table and hopefully this week can get the baby's room kind of set up. Today is the day too, where I feel we have way to many projects going on and NOTHING is getting done. Everything is in disorder and I don't like it. I think it mostly pregnant Brooke talking but maybe not. We made a headboard for our bed on Saturday. It is cool and I like it. A 2 year project in the making that really took about 2 hours. Sometimes I have the best intentions. So instead of updating my blog I probably should get to the rest of the intentions for today and see if they actually get done.

Great Things
1. Intentions
2. Mini vacations
3. Only 11 weeks left to go YEAH!!

We did it

2008-05-21T09:59:00.001-07:00

Reagan did it. She slept in her own bed and all night long and she didn't even fall off. After much banging on the door, Brian went in and consoled her and she was out. We will see what naps brings and what tonight brings.

Its gonna be a long night

2008-05-20T20:12:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the first night with the bed for Reagan. I keep telling myself that I am ready but tonight I as put her to bed and she bawls and keeps knocking on the door I am not so sure. I don't know who change is harder for, the child or the mom. She is still in her bedroom lying in front of the door I am pretty sure just whimpering like a little puppy every now and then. At some point I will probably get sick of it and go in the time is getting sooner because currently she has something and is banging it on the door. She doesn't exactly know what is going on. She knows or at least she tells me there is a baby inside me but I don't think she really knows what that means. We will find out in still too many weeks. Change is inevitable though each of us deals with it everyday.

I am just getting larger and larger. I cannot bend down without thinking that I am going to die or my legs are going to fall off from lack of circulation. I planted my garden and halfway through I kept thinking "what am I thinking?" My hands and feet are starting to swell and it has just started to get hot. .

We just upgraded I guess anyway to a van. I know I thought I would never do it but gas prices are high and I am too practical to pay for a SUV. Really it is because I am cheap. I think we will like it. The space and everything about it. Hopefully we will drive it for years, ions I mean.

I am about to my breaking point. I think she has the garbage can and who knows what else, but she is not sounding tired at all in there.

We are building a new garage right now. What a mess. Our house is a disaster everywhere. We are working on the yard. Well, let me just put it this way...what aren't we working on? It will be great when it is all done but in the process it is a little scary.

Great Things
1. Peace and quiet, Not right now but sometimes
2. Gardens
3. A husband who supports me and doesn't seem to even mind the nagging.

Tagged!

2008-05-01T07:33:00.000-07:00

I have been tagged! Lucky for you all I will participate today anyway.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
I was in high school probably having a boy drama as most girls do then
2. 5 things on my to do list.
Till and plant garden, organize office, clean house, work of business, the list goes on past 5.
3. Snacks I enjoy
Currently I like nutella on anything, salt and vinegar chips, and twix anytime I am by myself so I don't have to share.
4. If I were a billionaire what would I do.
Buy Brian a truck, buy land for a house and a office, build a house, buy me a car, go shopping and decorate. That shopping spree sounds great.
5. 3 bad habits
PILING, Brian probably says nagging, Waiting till the last minute
6. Places i've lived
Idaho falls, Boise in 3 different place, Pingree
7. 5 jobs I've had
retail at Sears, optometric technician about 5 times, nanny, and a mom
8. 5 things people don't know about me
I hate scrapbooking, I wish I were a interior designer and architect, I don't think there are anymore things.