Sick kids.

Snot Noses galore at my house. Missing church.

My fam just left after a few days here. It was so nice for them to visit. I've been host to non-stop company, and it's been a great time! More to come this week. I guess it pays to live in cool places.

They took me to the amazing city market. How Yummy. Everything was so delicious, and cozy. and friendly. I love an abundance of fresh produce.

Thanks for the fun visit!

2 acres + Beautiful = an insane amount of work.

This we know. Why we can't buy a house with landscaping is BEYOND me. Josh and I don't mind yard work, be we find ourselves regularly in over our heads... Yesterday (MY IDEA) to clean out from under the cedar trees in the front yard in preparation for a truck load of mulch. Ridiculous. We don't have a chainsaw and so we just hacked away at the lower 3 feet of branches, with a hand saw.

We literally worked from 9 - 5 on the front yard, pulling, sawing, using the mower to haul the yard junk to the MASSIVE burn pit we have in the back yard.

FHE tomorrow - Bonfire, with smores...

Did I mention we haven't touched the backyard yet??

WE NEED SERVICE - any takers?? :) Oh wait, we have company coming in the next couple of weeks! I have just the project!

Hand and Foot

A long time ago, these two women were my partners in crime. We served together, and we had a few amazing experiences which bonded us forever.

We then began splitting up, only to be reunited once again in a small town.

Finally we all went our separate ways, scattered across the United States. Staying in touch via texting, phone calls, and emails. And then, for 24 hours, we found ourselves and our families together again for one late night game of cards. It felt great to see Viviane and Sonia, and their kiddos, again!!

Sonia who keeps our acts together wanted to say a prayer before everyone left, so there in my living room 16 people knelt down and thanked Heavenly Father for the blessing of friends.

Till we meet again, girls! I'll keep safe the card bowl and sorry I had to win TWICE!!

A Happy Place.

The other evening while sitting on my back porch with my husband watching the end of a thunderstorm, we saw a rainbow. It was beautiful - it seemed to start at the very edge of our yard - Josh said surely we can find the pot of gold there. And boy is he right. We've been here a month. And I'm in Heaven. I love the yard, the home, my family, and this great healthy place I've found for me as I've recovered from the craziest year of my life. I found my happy place.

After the storm, the Lord always comes through, with the blessings. Why me? Why would he bless me? I am not as good as I could be, I certainly am not a perfect being. But I'm trying, I really am. Have you felt the Love of the Lord in your life? I feel it abundantly in mine, even this "rebellious, proud" soul of mine.

The scoop. No not ice cream, dang it.

1. Yours truly, is successfully eating my way to a healthier me... I've lost around 7 lbs, in about 3 1/2 weeks, of carefully controlling what and how much I'm eating. So I guess you could say I'm using this exercise:

Place two hands on the table and push.

2. Hallie taught herself to ride a two-wheeler. No Joke. Neither Josh and I had anything to do with it. Colson helped a little, I think. One day, I looked out the window and she was riding up and down the drive way.

3. Laila is still not talking, for some reason I'm still not worried about her. But she continues to sign, and is now putting 2 to 3 signs together for sentences.

4. Scrapbooking is glorious. I've had so much fun getting my stuff out.

5. We're painting Hallie's room this weekend, My Idea: Semi-Gloss Stripes. Shoot me now.

6. I bought a bushel of peaches, I want to freeze them. However, I think my family can eat a bushel in a week. I told my sister, I am now in the category of shopping in Bulk for EVERYTHING. The amount of food we go through is alarming.

7. This is the first month of paying our mortgage on the new house, AND the old house. Life is good. Seriously.

8. I got a job. A temp for Anthropologie's store opening - 30 hours, and a one time discount coupon. So basically I'm working to spend. Does that make sense?? :)

9. This loaf was meant for a neighbor, note to self: don't leave the cooling bread too close to the counter's edge.



Cheers!

Back in the Saddle again!!

I have news. BIG news. Finally, after SIX WHOLE MONTHS, I've unpacked the scrapping supplies. I had worried the hobby might be getting stale, that I could be bored with paper, adhesive, and sticky gems. NOPE. It all came flooding back with an order from my favorite online STORE. I loved getting elbow deep in new product, as well as my old stuff. It's like an old friend came to visit. I have great memories of some super great girls, one group used to get together EVERY SINGLE thursday, probably for a year. How I miss those long nights. Then another group gets together EVERY YEAR for a weekend tradition of yummy food, memories, and girl chat, oh and some scrapbooking as well (By the way if you're one of these women please email me, I've got news) Not to mention my fun sisters that share an interest in this hobby as well... or the beautiful children that I'm taking pictures of. I'm back, and it feels great!

I made a card for my friend LINDS and her cutie pie, and a mobile for Charlie's crib, and I'm on a 30 day of projects, cards, and layouts stint to get me back into the mindset. Pictures of projects to come! As soon as I get the card in the mail! :)

Happy Scrapping!

WOW, who are their parents??

Yeah, they're mine.

Playing Hookie - Guilt Free

Our Mountain View:




Maybe not...

Saturday I received a couple emails regarding a bacterial infection spreading among the youth in our ward... we were only having Sacrament Meeting. Um... four little ones, we were not going to partake that day.

Instead we had CHURCH outside. We visited the Shenandoah Valley National Park. Sometimes I wonder why some don't believe there is a God. Proof.

Photos of Old Blue

Old Blue




From the Back:



From the Front Door:


Laila Went Missing:


Baby Poop Walls:


Family on Easter:

Sorta Back.

1. It costs more than you think to paint a house - let's just say Josh and I doing it ourselves saves almost enough to pay for a sewer grinder pump.

2. Frolic for the basement, was QUITE the choice... what a wild color.

3. My favorite room in the house that we've painted and "updated" is the dining room. No, we don't have a dining table and chairs...

4. The living room is Butternut. Josh's other name for it is baby poop. He's actually very close. Wish I would have thought of it before I purchased the "nonrefundable customized tinted paint". (I still think the color is great on the wall, I just get reminded of it every time I change Charlotte)

5. Closing was awesome. I showed up with a Cashier's Check, and walked out with the Cashier's check, and another check for $600. Somehow we had ZERO in closing costs, and came away with $600. AWESOME.

6. Our house although is not huge, is much bigger than we had before. I love that I "LOSE" the kids. (Well, Everyone except Laila, She's getting into something when she's missing)

7. I mowed my yard for the first time on my riding mower that we included in the contract, it was so fun!! Josh loves that chore - he said he especially enjoys the wind blowing through his hair.

8. We did forget to include the Refridgerator in the contract. So now I am the proud owner of TWO awesome refridgerators. I. Love. It.

9. Pictures are in the works... We are a bit busy, and I just know things will calm down in time for school to start and get more crazy!

10. Building a life together with the one you love, including adventures like unexpected moves and home purchases, is seriously a JOY.

Old Blue we're a coming...

Bloggers as you know... I haven't updated quite as regularly... and I'm buying a house on Friday, and a few days later I'm heading back to my old stomping grounds.

SO. Don't bother heading back this way - hopefully I'll be off taking pictures and painting, and enjoying our new found freedom.

Love you all!

And Happy 4th.

Sewer Grinder Update:

My bad... A sewer grinder pumpy thingy costs $1500 not the $800 I had previously reported. This does NOT include labor, to install it.

TOTAL BILL: $2240

On the bright side closing costs went from $293 to $52.

B.O. and National Defense.

Almost as awesome as B.O. and the Economy.

Only 1341 days till the next president. Who's counting??

True to my word - I'm focusing on what I can do, and strengthening families, which we know strengthens societies.

We believe that the family is the basic unit of society. You can’t have a strong community without strong families. You can’t have a strong nation without strong families—the father, the mother, the children as one unit working together. Now the family is falling apart all over America, all over the world. If we can just cultivate good, wholesome family life among our members, I don’t worry very much about the future of this Church” (interview with Ignacio Carrión, El País [Mexico], 7 Nov. 1997). - President Hinckley

Here's an organization you can help with.

With the death of the abortion doctor in Kansas, I can't help but think there's a better option - check it out here.

And finally, do you know YOUR CONGRESSMAN?? Be an educated voter, do your research. Hope this helps!

Ciao Bella - looking for something fun?

Give this a whirl:

Chocolate Jalepeno Ice Cream:

A chef inspired rendition of an amorous tradition comes to life in the seductive swirl of hand-crafted gelato.

Tingling sensations of Jalapeño Pepper mingle with bold and earthy flavors of West African Chocolate, a tantalizing harmony for the taste buds. Hot and sweet, made with all natural, pure ingredients.

Updates

1. In a stake conference with over 1000 people, I randomly bumped into one woman in the mother's lounge. A friend from Monterey over six years ago. It's a freakishly small world.

2. A grinder pump for a sewer costs $800. Ask me how I know this.

3. I've been training for a 4.5 mile race. I swear every time I run, that distance gets farther and farther away. If I crawl during the race, can I still say "I ran a race"?

4. Old Blue, I'm waiting for you. One question, are you infested with ants? Just curious.

5. If you missed my post about the DMV, I'm having some fun discussion with an anonymous soul about Government and Health Care - feel free to join the conversation, check the comments.

6. I recently purchased a label maker to "organize my files" I love that thing. I've been labeling everything. "Don't Touch", "Mine", "Get your hands off", "Not Yours", and one other label I put on my forehead, that one will remain between Josh and I.

7. Freecycle is my friend.

8. Craigslist is my friend.

9. "Frolic" is my paintchoice for the basement.

10. Pat the realtor, where or where did you put my front door key??

Joy in my Journey Today: No Empty Chairs

As parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents in Zion, it has been the shared hope of my wife and me that all of us will be together in the eternities—that all will be worthy,

without a single empty chair. - Ezra Taft Benson

1. A hubby that is funny, smart, and mine, all mine.

2. A son. Sweet, smart, and creative.

3. Girls. Yup, 3 girls. I'm the only one in my family to get 3 girls, just like I had 3 girls growing up. They're each unique, and lovely.

4. Sisters that rock. TWO amazing women, who are my BESTEST GIRLFRIENDS.

5. Sensing a theme?? Family is where it's at.

Our New Family Motto: No Empty Chairs.

Sorry We're

Closed.



The dreaded chore of the DMV. This chore begins months in advance as you realize it's coming closer and closer to the time you HAVE to make the trek to the local DMV. So yesterday I geared up, researched all needed documents, (actually the day before but Laila woke up with a puddle of puke, so it had to be postponed another day)and headed to the DMV. I packed drinks, snacks, diapers, hand sanitizer(have you ever been anywhere more gross?), I was armed, ready for anything. EXCEPT, renovations.

So, I attempted a third time. Documents galore in tow, along with three girls, and waited in the line that went out the door. Finally got to the "information" desk where they weed everyone out that has the wrong documents, and give you a real number to wait in the real line. Well, Josh and I BOTH, are on the title - thus, he had to be present. I called him to meet me there, a 45 minute drive - and 2 and half hours later I left without a drivers' license, BUT I did get plates for the car.

While sitting in the crowded, smelly, dirty DMV, I thought to myself about a political issue at the top of the list for Barack Obama (B.O.), Universal HealthCare. Brilliant. The very government that can't get a DMV to run smoothly, efficiently, or even hygienically, should step into the world of Health Care. Folks, if you want quality health care, keep the government out of it. Health Care is not an entitlement. I went without for three years. A risk we had to take. But, We didn't smoke, we didn't mountain climb, we just tried to stay healthy. This program doesn't need more money, just more common sense.

Sigh. I want a politician with a creative mind, that can innovate good ideas for receiving the benefits - like quitting smoking classes, nutrition classes, and enrollment in exercise classes being required, if benefits are received. Just a thought.

By the way, is it time for new plates? Hope not.

The Political Arena

You might have noticed my absence in commentating on "politics". Not because I'm not keeping up, but in light of trying to be focused on positive things. Can I still have opinions without being so pessimistic?? It's been on my mind for a few months now. Hit more close to home today as my father lost his job, did I mention my father-in-law retired from GM? These issues are real. And I sincerely believe we should all be active in trying to learn the knowledge of the world AND of the spirit. Try HERE for example.

Finally this point from President Hinckley answers my question:

The building of public sentiment begins with a few earnest voices. I am not one to advocate shouting defiantly or shaking fists and issuing threats in the faces of legislators. But I am one who believes that we should earnestly and sincerely and positively express our convictions to those given the heavy responsibility of making and enforcing our laws. The sad fact is that the minority who call for greater liberalization, who peddle and devour pornography, who encourage and feed on licentious display make their voices heard until those in our legislatures may come to believe that what they say represents the will of the majority. We are not likely to get that which we do not speak up for.

Let our voices be heard. I hope they will not be shrill voices, but I hope we shall speak with such conviction that those to whom we speak shall know of the strength of our feeling and the sincerity of our effort. Remarkable consequences often flow from a well-written letter and a postage stamp. Remarkable results come of quiet conversation with those who carry heavy responsibilities.

More thoughtful posts to come.

Old Blue

Here are a few pics of our new house. I just took these when we were having the house inspected. We call it "Old Blue", but I don't have a front picture which would explain why we call it such! Or at least part of the reason. Anyway, it's definitely still in the 70's when it was built, but it is cozy, and bigger than our last house.
Can't wait to move in! Hey, anybody up for a painting party??

What we've been up to.

1. Laila is perfecting her signing vocabulary, which is pretty hysterical, she can say: Baby, Daddy, Love, please, help, stop, milk, cup, eat, more, hurt, dog.

It's pretty impressive.

2. Charlotte has been sleeping through the night, like a true champ. She is growing so fast, she better stop. Oh how I'm going to miss the little ones. I don't really like to share her. I want to do all the holding. Lucky me, I get to.

3. Hallie is dancing all around, and has become quite the hider. She hides everywhere and everything. She's freakishly sneaky.

4. Colson is a reading maniac. Any good suggestions? I finally got him off Harry Potter, and he's read several Judy Blume books, and Indian in the Cupboard, and Charlie and the glass elevator, and more... Anyway, suggestions would be appreciated.

5. Josh working hard. He's on a regular schedule, and is getting to know more people, and has been helping a ton around the house. He was also bragging about his physical prowess in the push-up department. I challenged him to 50 push-ups for a reward. Needless to say I've never seen him pump out 50 push-ups so fast...

6. Me, barely getting it all done. Miss everyone!!

Relaxing.

As the drama of the last year is settling for a bit, it's been a little more relaxed here at the household. The next couple months will be fun, to move and paint, and pack, and... oh well maybe not so settled. However, we are enjoying life in you know where, Josh has taken a position that is putting him on a more normal shift, and he's liking the job better!

We're going to buy a house with less than 600 in closing costs, are we good or what??? :) Seriously, if you've never thought of buying, NOW'S THE TIME!! Wowsers, great deals.

I went through the kids clothes, getting rid of all the boy stuff, and all the maternity. Kind of sad...

Lost 2 pounds this week. I've been working hard on the "food intake". NOT dieting, just changing some bad habits. Slowly but surely I will get back to my normal self.

O.k. That's about it for now. I swear adding this fourth baby has seriously affected my online time. Hopefully I'll get more organized as time goes on!

Wishing you great things, why not? You SO DESERVE it.

House: Purchased.

We got another house. Yes we BOUGHT one. I know you're saying isn't she crazy???

But A) We wanted to buy because the interest rates are phenomenal.

b) I LOVE to decorate my home.

c) And I still believe I'm helping out the economy.

d) If the market continues to tumble, we can now afford to lose a house - we still will have a place to live - see that logic??

And finally e) we need the tax benefit of owning our own home.

Have NO FEAR, it's another "project" house. BUT, at least livable unlike the last doozy. Also, it has Mountain Views. and if you're from Utah be quiet. Mountains are just different, but still mountains.

Thanks for everyone's prayers, fasting, and just plain worry about us. Things are coming together. Just like always, have the faith... (of course I can say that now, wink wink)

Cheers.

House: Rented.

TA DA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FINALLY.

I believe the Lord sent these renters to us!! They're from Indiana, and he's an associate pastor at a Methodist Church. Halelujah!!

NOW, we can figure out where WE are going to live...

Cheers.

WIN!

http://themeanestmom.blogspot.com/2009/04/mothers-day-giveaway.html

Good Luck.

Before and After.

You can also see some fun OLD pictures of yours truly if you visit HERE.

Coming Soon... Before and After shots of a SERIOUS haircut.

For my birthday, I wanted a haircut. Yup, lame, I know. But in these economic times I couldn't justify the expense. So it kept growing and growing, until I realized I could donate a chunk to Wigs4Kids. And with the money from my parents, I scored a haircut - and I think I like it! :) We'll see when I actually do it!

That was a terribly written paragraph, sorry about that, I'm too lazy to redo it though.

Some quick things:

1. LOVING Miss California. You GO GIRL. A genuine woman of character. Wishing her the best. Missed the drama? Check it out here.

2. Obama drama - just not a fan, but eagerly awaiting SOMEONE with my conservative values to take a leadership role... Anyone? Anyone? Anyone?????

3. Still Broke - Still paying for an empty home. SOON, I'm hoping, SOON, we'll rent the place. BUT, reminded recently that broke in this country is no where near broke in other countries... Seriously I have more than some people see in their lifetime. And what else??? It would take a LONG time for me to die of starvation, I've got plenty o' fat stores to last awhile.

4. Thankful for a great ward. I seriously just landed my dream calling - Relief Society Teacher. AWESOME!!!! I'm so excited. Love to teach, love Relief Society, and love the gospel. Plus, it's only once a month.

5. A recent lesson learned: I'll spare you the long version. But simply put, for several years I suffered from an entitlement problem, without actually admitting it. My dad who I've mentioned before was born into poverty and climbed out of it, without a handout. He didn't start earning the big bucks until I was out of the house. My parents struggled financially for a long time, my mom made our clothes, we did NOT get to do lessons or sports of any kind, we NEVER went out to eat, my parents just didn't spend what they didn't have, and that wasn't much. Anyway, fast forward a few years my dad remarried a great woman, with a great daughter. I struggled to see how my dad was able to provide so much more for them. That I was with him through the poor, hard part, and missed out on the abundance when it finally came. Simply put, I felt I was "ENTITLED" to gifts and generosity from him. I never realized this, until THIS AMAZING TALK, said this:

Being provident providers, we must keep that most basic commandment, “Thou shalt not covet” (Exodus 20:17). Our world is fraught with feelings of entitlement. Some of us feel embarrassed, ashamed, less worthwhile if our family does not have everything the neighbors have. As a result, we go into debt to buy things we can’t afford—and things we do not really need. Whenever we do this, we become poor temporally and spiritually. We give away some of our precious, priceless agency and put ourselves in self-imposed servitude. Money we could have used to care for ourselves and others must now be used to pay our debts. What remains is often only enough to meet our most basic physical needs. Living at the subsistence level, we become depressed, our self-worth is affected, and our relationships with family, friends, neighbors, and the Lord are weakened. We do not have the time, energy, or interest to seek spiritual things.

So I'm here to repent. That I owe my dad an apology. That truly no greater financial lesson could he have taught me than to earn what I receive, be grateful when I've been blessed, and to turn around and give, because it always comes back.

Dad, you HAVE been generous, I was blinded by what I thought I was "entitled" to.

You gave me more than anything money could have bought. A life lesson, worthy of learning. Love you, and am praying you feel better!

Guess Who's Walking, and other fun stuff...

Finally, Laila is walking... we've only waited 21 months for the big moment! YEAH!!




About a month ago we celebrated St. Patty's Day with Broccoli Soup, Homemade Croutons, Green Apples, and for dessert? Pistachio pudding. Again, I have 4 kids, blogging isn't the top of my list.




Charlotte is ALREADY a Colts fan, thank you Cherri, for the PERFECT gift. James and Sonia, you can find other things HERE for her, or ME, my birthday's next week.


Here's a fun picture of my pre-teen Hallie, mercy she has attitude. I have NO IDEA where she got that.



And this is how Laila Feels:





About Home-Made Doughnuts.

Happy Easter

Donuts, Monopoly, anad General Conference.

Home-made Donuts.

Monopoly with Kiddos - even Laila played.

And LOTS of SPIRITUAL FOOD.

Hope you had a great weekend, too.

The Latest:

I made it to six weeks, this is usually just a milestone Josh is excited about, but this time, we were both happy to get here for more reasons than one.

House Hunting- in progress, almost a decision.

Job-we have a new possibility - I am NOT prepared to talk about this. But who doesn't love our life?? Always something.

Kids - So Fun. We love each of them, and they seriously take up all of my time, between Colson's school, homework, cub scouts, and reading; Hallie's Ballet, and Storytimes; Laila's physical therapy, and speech therapy, and Charlotte's Doctors' appt.s, and lots of diaper changes, I have very little time to blog. We find ourselves laughing a lot more, even though life is still stressful. At this point, we've thrown up our hands and play it by ear. My bathrooms never looked worse, my kitchen is constantly open, and well six stacks of laundry is quite the task. But we still manage to play games, take hikes, look for houses, and make do on little cash.

Life is busy, but good.

Take a little time to enjoy your journey, wherever it takes you.

If Only...

You could read ALL my posts. I have a backlog, of posts I've started but never finished, their contents either too ornery, or no longer applicable.

Lately I've been ranting about the economy, spending, B.O., and mortgages. But I'm sparing you, only because it's exhausting being right all the time.

We've been looking for houses, at least 40 or 50 of them. Still haven't found "The One". We're trying to get in one, that's big enough for the long haul, in case the mortgage crisis actually hasn't hit rock bottom, (It would be awful to own TWO homes not worth what you owe on them). But prices here, are still hanging on, and well dang it if we aren't going to have to pay two mortgages, supplemented by a little rent, this limits our spending potential to say the least. Wish I could help out the economy... If only.

Two nights - Two great sleeps.

Could it be?

Charlotte has slept from 8 or 9 until 4 a.m. the past two nights... I'm afraid to jinx myself. What a difference some sleep makes.

Lost It.

My mind that is. It's total mush.

I can't think at all.

I'm completely overwhelmed, outnumbered, and outwitted by 4 kiddos.

I thought taking the kids to Chic fil a would be a great idea. Let them run around while I held Charlotte, wear them out, since Josh was working tonight, brilliant right?

I get there, Charlotte has the biggest blowout of all time, pooh to her neck, both front and back. Oops, forgot to refill the size 1 diapers... she ends up sporting a diaper from Laila. And well, we tossed the clothes in the trash, wasn't worth the hassle.

Let the big kids play while I hold fussy charlotte, and feed Laila and myself. I cram my COLD sandwich down, so that I can get Laila in to the play place. CARRY BOTH BABIES in, just in time to hear Hallie say - I have to go to the bathroom.

We went home.

Got questions, we got answers!

For more info go HERE.

Simple Joys.

1. girls sleeping, lots of girls sleeping.
2. mini cadburry eggs.
3. a job, and a place to live.
4. living in so many great places.
5. meeting so many great friends in great places.
6. internet, my cooking has improved dramatically with thousands, millions of recipes at my fingertips.
7. Blue Ridge Mountains.
8. 70 degrees in March, twice.
9. craigslist.
10. The Gospel.

For Brandi

Taxes, I bet mine are worse than yours.

Have you filed yet?

Seriously, I have to file FOUR state tax returns. Yup, that's the truth.

I spent more in filing state taxes, than I actually got in state refunds.

Here's some wisdom for the economy:

Elected Governor of Massachusetts in 2002, Governor Romney presided over a dramatic reversal of state fortunes and a period of sustained economic expansion. Without raising taxes or increasing debt, Governor Romney balanced the budget every year of his administration, closing a $3 billion budget gap inherited when he took office. By eliminating waste, streamlining the government, and enacting comprehensive economic reforms to stimulate growth in Massachusetts, Romney got the economy moving again and transformed deficits into surpluses.

At the beginning of Governor Romney’s term, Massachusetts was losing thousands of jobs every month. By the time he left office, the unemployment rate was lower, hundreds of companies had expanded or moved to Massachusetts, and in the last two years of his term, the state had added approximately 60,000 jobs.

Laila and her Hats

A favorite pastime of Laila's, hats on and off, of all shapes and sizes. And I swear she actually said the word Hat, once.

I forgot to mention...

Life with four means you take up almost an entire pew at church, there are not enough chairs in a doctors waiting room, you have to know where several primary classes meet, AND I totally have four rolls of fat... one from each kid I'm sure.

By the way, I've totally added the you know whats on the side of this blog, my friend Brandi is rocking the ad revenue... she is a much better writer, with a much bigger following, but hey... maybe I could earn enough to pay someone to buy my house after all. Click if you want, or not!

Well Charlotte is wailing upstairs and my Chocolate Chip cookies are almost out of the oven, so I'm going to go rock, eat, rock, eat, rock... until we're both asleep.

A reason to jump for joy!!

A High Temp of 71.

SAWEET - I'm out of here, have a great day.

Charlotte won't sleep.

Which means I'm awake... I've been awake since 3 a.m. when she got up this morning. And after the puking from Laila, the dr. appt., and the news about the house, I'm just exhausted. Physically and emotionally. Josh is working. we have no cable.

If you're contemplating more children, DON'T DO IT!!

I suggest sleeping on it. Because after the baby is on the way, you can't sleep on anything.

Verbal Offer.

We got an offer.

It's 20% below our asking price, making it a full 30,000 dollars less than we need.

We didn't take it.

Laila threw up twice before 9 a.m. this morning, I think I might join her.

BTW, does anyone have any binoculars, or a magnifying glass. I'm having trouble seeing the joy in my journey today.

UPDATE: a super great friend sent me the cutest little things for my little Charlotte. It definitely brought me at least a smile on this cloudy day.

How's that change and hope working out for you??

Just wondering.

SECOND SHOWING>>>>

Today at 6 p.m.

If you've never bought or sold a house you do not know what this means.

It is a HUGE deal. It means that someone was sort of impressed the first time they saw the house that they thought they should check it out, a SECOND time. It means that someone didn't come to see it JUST because they were curious... It usually also means they NEED to buy a house.

All things good, with a second showing.

Now, if only I could NOT get my hopes up... Come what may, and love it.

But if you're so inclined today, would you mind "Saying a little Prayer, for me?"

Thanks, YOU are a gem.

AngelFood Ministries

My friend Lori recommended this program to me a while back... we were moving and too busy to look into it. Well, I'm slowly getting more time, and well more broke, Thank You Obama..., o.k. so it is not ALL his fault, anyway, it's a great program, you do not have to meet an income requirement or be a part of any church.

I sent an email to a few people that I thought might be interested. If you want more info let me know!

Life with Four:

1. There's ALWAYS someone awake.
2. There's ALWAYS someone to feed.
3. Someone's laughing or crying ALWAYS.
4. I spend WAY TOO MUCH on things related to pee and pooh... Diapers, Wipes, Toilet Paper, and lysol.
5. I spend WAY TOO MUCH on food and drink that turns to pee and pooh.
6. No one else can ride in the van, and I'm thinking about putting on the side of it, Lucy's Day Care. Could I then get a tax write off for using it for a "business purpose"?
7. Please can someone ask me ONE MORE TIME... Are these all yours????
8. Blogging, emailing and phone calls, are few and far between.

I love it. My van prophecy was fulfilled. Long Story...no time, I've got four kiddos.

THE BIG FIVE. {and 300}

Miss Hallie is FIVE today. She is quite the girly girl, although she can take her brother, easily. She is starting ballet and tap this week, her birthday gift. OUCH to the wallet... who knew dance classes were so much? Bummer, she was afraid of the beam! We've collected all the bits and pieces of the money sent to us, and bought her gear, and her classes. I think she's going to love it! And I love it even more that we added ZERO toys this birthday. Hallie is such a great helper with Laila, she's more responsible than even Colson on this one. She L.O.V.E.S. holding Charlotte, and does her best to be the second "mom" to the little girls. Having multiple children gives you such insight to birth order... wishing her a happy day!

Side Note: THIS POST MARKS 300 POSTS, WOWSERS!!

We've been busy, have you?

Great Grandparents came to visit. No, Sonia, NOT twins, the baby boy is my nephew. Nice Try, you still owe me $100 bucks.



We celebrated two birthdays.



The Key Lime Pies were fantastic. Megan, I made this recipe, except I needed mini pies, so I just pressed the graham cracker crust into the bottoms of cupcake holders in the pan, baked them, and scooped the filling on top of the crust, and froze.



Colson followed the Savior's Example.




Charlotte Rose was blessed to be happy and helpful. Typical family photo. Hey Becca, could you cut 20 lbs from me, correct Hallie's face, by removing hands, etc... and also Colson needs a smile. Oh yeah, Laila is crying could you take those tears away, too. One more thing, Josh is NOT choking Laila, so could you remove that hand, too. Thanks.

Needless to say, I'm hoping for a calmer March, with A LOT more sleep.