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