Kelly's Life in a Nutshell....

Monday Morning

2006-11-13T07:38:00.000-06:00

I don't have too much to say but I figure I'd better say SOMEthing! :-) Went this past weekend to DH's Grandma's house. She's 87 and I am afraid won't last much longer. It was good to see her and show off the newest grandchild, but at the same time it was sad to see her in such poor condition. Gettin' old sux man.

No new crafty things to report. I am in desperate need to start Christmas shopping and plans. I would like to make some candles for the family, but we shall see if that actually comes to be or is just wishful thinking! LOL I wish I had my friends around, we used to motivate each other to do that kind of thing.

I just got a call from the hospital scheduling a pre-op for my tubal ligation. Ugh I am not looking forward to it. Personally, I wouldn't mind trying for one more, but I know DH wouldn't hear of having another baby sniff sniff. So with everything he's gone through with OIFII and other things, I decided I'd rather get snipped. So please keep me in your prayers on the 28th!

Halloween and other stuff

2006-11-09T15:20:00.000-06:00

So I know everyone is dying to see pix of my growing kiddos so here they are! Here are some pix of the pumpkins I carved this year. I found patterns on the internet and my personal fav is SpongeBob!

Here are the kiddos in their costumes: DD#1 is Elina from Barbie Fairytopia, DD#2 is a pink pixie, DS is a dragon, and DD#3 is a bunny!

Before Halloween I took them to a pumpkin patch which was a lot of fun! There was plenty of candy to be had, a small hay bale maze and a big corn maze (we tried it but only lasted 40 minutes before the kids were tired!) games to play,and pumpkin painting!

And one more pic of my littlest princess. I was trying to get a smile and she finally graced me with a hint of one, so enjoy!

Bubbah turns 2!

2006-10-14T12:23:00.000-05:00

Wow my little man is not a baby anymore. (sniff sniff). I can't believe he's 2 already, it seems like yesterday he was so tiny and small. I look at our newest daughter and am blown away by how much she's changed already and I treasure her being small because I know it doesn't last.

We had a construction themed party because he's all into big trucks and machines. I ordered a cake from wally World and put a few toys on there for decorations...

We invited one other family that moved with us from Germany here. They have a 4 yr old daughter and a (almost) 1 yr old son. So the girls had a playmate and they played outside mostly all day. Bubbah and his friend played inside together for awhile and I had DH BBQ some hotdogs and burgers. Of course we served all of Bubbah's favs: hot dogs, grapes and bananas, chips, BBQ beans, deviled eggs, and punch.

Then time to open presents (Bubbah had already messed his shirt so that's why he's topless lol). He got lot's of car-type toys: a remote control car, a music and sounds tractor, some mega-bloks cars, some spiderman utensils, and a Bat Man cape.

And one final shot....the picture every Mom and dad treasure! The cake/ice cream face!!!!

Me again :-)

2006-10-06T15:56:00.000-05:00

Busy busy busy is the life of a Mom of 4! I hardly have time to sit down and breathe let alone update this thing. But I figured I had a spare minute sitting here snapping shots of our newest princess. She's such a doll and so sweet (I'm partial though I know!)

We've had a bad bought of janudice with her the past week or so. It was almost high enough for the doc to re-admit her to do some bili-light treatments. But modern technology prevails and they had a portable bili-light called a "bili-blanket" which was a big pad that was strapped to either Gwen's front or back and it lit up just as brightly as the hospital bili-lights. So with that and getting a heel poke everyday to test her blood she FINALLY is back down to an acceptable level. But on the last time she had her heel poked they put a pressure bandage on her foot. By the time I got the bandage off it had caused her foot to swell up and turn purple and the bandage was so tight that it cut into her skin and bruised the top of her foot pretty badly. My poor baby I felt just aweful that that happened to her.

apparently, its a really big deal that this happened to her because the supervisor of the lab came and took pictures of her foot and reported it to the Commander of the hospital. So that lab tech that did this to my baby is in real trouble. At least this won't happen to any other baby there. They aren't supposed to EVER put pressure bandages on newborns, they are just supposed to hold some gauze on it until it stops bleeding.

She had her 2 week well-baby after that all occured and everything is alright. The doc wants me to give her a little formula ontop of breast-feeding because she feels that Gwen isn't gaining enough weight. I am just going to try to nurse more frequently and then when she get's a re-check next week, we'll see. If she's still not gaining then I will suppliment a little. She may just be like DH and I and on the thin side naturally.

Here;s a few shots of her sleeping in her bouncey seat....too cute!

Gwendolynn Autumn is here!

2006-09-24T14:14:00.000-05:00

I don't have time to post a formal birth story but I will get to writing that soon! I just wanted to let all of my adoring fans know that I finally have my little girl! She was born 20 Sept at 9:19 pm and stats were 8 lbs 11 oz and 19 1/2 inches long. Her APGARS were 9 and 9! She's the joy of all our lives, a sweet baby who hardly cries and sleeps A LOT! Good thing too as I can get a few things done during her power naps!

Anyway I have to go to the commissary (aka on post grocery store) but here are a few pics of my newest little one!

This is me moments before I started pushing....a last belly shot (I had an epidural so yeah I was smiling!) :-)

Here's baby Gwen at about 12 hours old. AWWW!

Here's my darling DH with DD#2 and Gwen

My ham of a son!

And DD #1

Almost Done

2006-09-16T08:26:00.000-05:00

Sorry its been awhile since I posted last! I have been trying to get ready for baby #4!!

Let's see...in the world of knitting I finished DD#1's felted slippers. She wanted them all purple so that was easy for me! Here they are:and here's the little princess posing LOL.

I am 39 weeks and 2 days pregnant today. I am getting induced Wednesday morning! We are excited and nervous to meet the little one. No longer a family of 5 but 6! Wow, I hope and pray God gives us A LOT of patience for 4 kiddos! But that's it, no more suprises as I am getting a tubal right after the birth!!!

On that note, since this is my last pregnancy, I want to remember and "cherish" my body remembering my fertile days. So here's a shot of my waistline. Can you read that measuring tape??

Yes, I am sporting a 42 inch waist!!! LOL WOW! :-)

And here's a wide shot of the whole package:

(don't mind the stylish outfit...I'm still in my pj's!!) Wow so all I can say is either there's a big'un in there or I managed to swallow a watermelon!! ;-)

My MIL is coming Tues night and staying a week to help out. My Mom is fliyng in Wednesday night for the birth. Although I am thinking she might miss it as I have to go in at 6am to be induced and she doesn't come in until 6 at night. :-( I was hoping she could be there...maybe God will torture me with an extremely looong labor or something (hope not!) and she'll be able to be there. Either way, at least I get to see my Ma and she can spend time with the newest grandchild.

I finally finished (well, mostly) the nursery/DD#2's room. I will try to get pix of that sometime this weekend. Man I have a lot to get accomplished and so little time! DD#1 was invited to 2 different b-day parties this weekend so I am shuttling her to those as well as doing some last-minute shopping and cleaning.

Anyway, speaking of that I'd better get going. TTFN

PRESENTS!

2006-09-02T09:51:00.000-05:00

So one of my best friends, Allena made me a ton of cooooool gifts. Well, not for me but for the baby. So she put a card in there telling me to take pix as I opened it and here are a few...

Here are some cute red booties and a matching hat:

Here is some purple booties and matching sweater in a lavendar/white sparkly varigated yarn (sooo pretty!) :

Here's a crocheted baby blanket that matches the purple outift! It will be going with me to the hospital for when I take Gwendolynn home! Its soo soft and so pretty!!!

And finally a VERY cool home-made diaper bag! Its denim with striped material for pockets and accents. Too cute! Its huge too so it will come in handy toting 4 kids around!

Thanks soooooo Much Allena I LOVE all of it!!!

**Disclaimer---- I don't care if I look like crap I am 9 months pregnant darn it! LOL

Our newest addition...

2006-08-31T15:27:00.000-05:00

Well, I am here to introduce the newest Loy! He came home yesterday afternoon and so far is a really good baby. He only cried 2 times last night, thankfully!!! The kids love him to bits and can't wait for him to get older so they can play with him.

I bet you all want to see a picture of our newest little guy!!!!
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.Here he is! His name is Scout and he's 9 weeks old (fooled you didn't I?) I am STILL pregnant. hehehe

Ramblings

2006-08-11T10:31:00.000-05:00

DH has been gone on a business trip all week and is scheduled to come home tonight. At least I hope he makes it with all the craziness at the airports! I can't believe just how strict we have to be to protect ourselves. I don't see what those terrorists think they are achieving...they die and go to hell (not heaven and no virgins!) and we just become stronger as a nation. Granted more people ARE fearful to fly again, but really how long will that last? Sometimes I don't wonder if the end times are fast approaching. I worry about the life my kids will have when they grow up. Its not safe anymore! I used to ride my bike everywhere ALONE as young as 8 yrs old and now I don't trust my kids to play in the yard without me watching. (granted at 5, 3, and 1 years old I shouldn't leave them alone anyway, but you get my drift!)

Another topic, someone decided that we didn't quite have a big enough debt on our credit card and thought it was good to add some more onto it. Yup our number was compromised and someone used it to buy about $150-$200 worth of stuff. USAA has been really helpful in everything though so I am not worried. Just makes me so mad that someone is STEALING from us!!

And another....2 out of the 3 kids are sick. This morning they woke up with coughing and drippy noses. So I gave them a round of Childrens' Cold meds and DS is sleeping it off while DD#2 is upstairs resting watching "Noggin". I think my kids LIKE getting sick only because they are allowed to lay around and watch movies all day. LOL! Its the only way to keep them quiet and resting.

Well, th-th-th-that's all folks

More canning...

2006-08-06T15:46:00.000-05:00

Here's my latest creations: 10 jars of hot salsa! DH tried it before I canned it so I know its not horrid or anything. I have never made salsa let alone canned it so here's hoping it doesn't kill people. LOL j/k I followed the recipe exactly so it should be fine, I will put a warning label on there just in case ;-)

Also a pic of my gigantic watermelon belly. I am 33 weeks and 3 days today. I washed all of Gwen's clothes yesterday and packed her diaper bag. Now I just need to finish her room and get my bag packed!! I feel a lot of BH contractions ("braxton Hicks" aka practice contractions) so I know my bod is getting ready to pop this pup. I go back in 2 weeks and we'll see if there's any progress "down there" (if you kwim!)

Finally something to post about

2006-08-02T07:27:00.000-05:00

I have been a busy bee lately!! Okay, for starters DD#1 started school yesterday so there was a lot of preparation to get her ready to go. Supplies to buy, clothes to find, I had to make a cover for her sleeping mat. Actually "making" should be a better word as its still 1/2 way finished in my sewing machine.

Then there's our vegetable garden. Well, we started out at the beginning of the year thinking we'd have a veggie garden. But as it turns out all we had time for were a few potted tomatoes. But they are turning out great and the tomatoes are delicious! They actually have a flavor versus the pale sickly one's at the commissary that don't taste like anything! You can see I have about 18 of 'em just sitting here waiting for...for something! :-) Actually I have discovered my canning itch and think I will make either some salsa or spaghetti sauce.

And speaking of canning, I bought 4 packs of strawberries that were on sale the other day and made these:

Some nice strawberry jam to eat, yumm!! And one final project, here I am actually KNITTING a hat for our baby-on-the-way. Which, she does have a name now! Gwendolynn Autumn, what do you think?? Anyway, here's a parting shot of Gwendolynn's hat-in-the-making...

PRESENT!

2006-07-21T12:17:00.000-05:00

My good friend Danielle sent this package to me the other day!! Can you see the hand-made quilt? Yes, I said HAND-made! It's awesome with cute turtle flannel on the back. And a beautiful dress with matching bloomers (cute!!), a pack of onsies, a pack of sleepers, some soap, lotion, desitin, diapers, wipes, and a receiving blanket.

I can't believe how quickly this pregnancy has gone. Only 9 more weeks to go...and I still need to finish her room aaa!!!

Anyway, just though I'd share! I love you Dani!!!

31 weeks and counting

2006-07-20T08:54:00.000-05:00

Here is the latest shot of my belly. I am 31 weeks pregnant as of today and feeling good. I am up to a whopping 170 lbs from 140 lbs starting out. My Mom is coming down for the birth, but since she's in a wheelchair she can only be away from home for a short time. So we arranged for her to fly down the day before my due date and stay until the day after. I was a bit worried, knowing that you can't really "schedule" when a baby wants to come, but I talked with my OB doc yesterday and pleaded my case and she said she would schedule me to be induced on the 21st of Sept (my due date) if I didn't have her before. So now I am praying she stays put so Mom can be there. At least I won't go 10 days late like last time!!

Anyway, my kids are playing in the backyard so I have got to go supervise...

Dang its been awhile!!

2006-07-05T11:56:00.000-05:00

I didn't think it had been this long since my last post! Sorry! Been busy busy though! I have started to feel the pressure to get things done for Sparky (aka newest baby girl). We don't have hardly anything ready and I am scrambling. its not as easy as DD#1 was, I had an empty room and we had plenty of space for her crib and changing table and things. NOW though we have to rearrange 2 of the pre-existing 3 kiddos! I live in a 4 bedroom home and had the 2 daughters sharing a room and Bubbah all by himself. The downstairs room was a catch-all for our junk. Well, I have since moved Bubbah downstairs after getting rid of the junk in the spare room. Re painted to suit a boy's taste and everything!

Here's a "before" shot if the primer...

And here's Bubbah on his new bed in his new room. BUT those aren't his permanent sheets! I didn't pick purle floral sheets for my boy, that's just the only set of full size sheets we have!!

And since he and his belongings are out of his old room upstairs, I can get it painted and set up for Sparky and DD#2 to share. I figure DD#1 will need her own room eventually being that she's pushing 6 yrs old already!! So she will have her room to herself.

After room #2 is done I will post more pix. I have a bad habit of not poting for a month at a time but I will try to do better!

Portrait of a Mutt

2006-06-14T09:07:00.000-05:00

Let's just say, I call this picture, "No you are NOT coming in!!" :-)

This once fluffy WHITE american eskimo decided to try and dye his hair. He was tired on all the other dogs laughing at him for being so cutsie and feminine looking. So a new look was made. Unfortunetly his choice of "dye" leaves much to be desired. Frosty calls it the "Mud look". What do you say, does he look more manly??? (imho he looks even more pathetic but don't tell him I said that! It'll give him even a BIGGER complex!)

Think Pink!

2006-06-06T07:57:00.000-05:00

My Dh, my kids, and I were able to go get another ultra-sound *just* to see the sex of the baby and it is a girl! That makes 3 girls and one boy.....poor DH and DS are outnumbered!! (oh and the hat is one the nurse-prac makes for all the moms-to-be. She knit it not me!) She was kicking up a storm and we got to see her little legs kicking me and her mouth and eyes and of course the girl parts. :-) Everything looks good...except my weight gain seems to have sky-rocketed!!! i know I am supposed to gain weight when preggers but after 4 pregnancies it still sucks to see that scale go up and up. Makes me think of all the work I have to do to get my body somewhat back, and after 4 kids I am sure my bod won't ever be the same!

Anyway enough with my pity party here are some ultra-sound shots of the little girlie:

Of course we have the typical profile and floating fist....

And here's another profile but in this one you can see the lips and the one eye closed....cute!

Now that we know she is a she I can start really making preparations. Since we thought we were done with DS I had gotten rid of almost all my baby stuff so unfortunetly have to start from scratch. I started a Target registry for anyone that's interested email me.

Well today should be a nice day so we will have to go out and enjoy our new swing set. Yep Great-grandma gave us some money to buy the kids a swing set!! Its a really nice one so I will get some pix of the kiddos playing on it today. TTFN

The long sought-after belly shot

2006-06-02T15:09:00.000-05:00

So I am only 3 weeks late in getting you this but here we are in all our glory! I am 24 weeks and 2 days along in this pose...what do you think??

Monday is the ultra-sound that will HOPEFULLY tell us if this is a little girl or a little boy poking me in the ribs. No solid decisions on names yet, but as I was taking a shower (where we all do our great thinking, right?!) I came up with "Constance Lois" What do you think? Constance just came to me and Lois is after Dh's grandma. Anyway, that's just a thought.

My friend Allena asked me to test a pattern for a granny square purse. Its VERY easy and very cute so if you would like to purchase the pattern or a bag, please contact her!! Its supposed to be in 2 diff colors but I needed to get rid of this skein and My daughter loves yellow so I stuck with that. The fabric on the right is what I plan to sew on the inside as a liner, as soon as I figure out how to sew on something crocheted that is!!

Anyway my kids are making this awful banging noise upstairs so I'd better go see what they are breaking now....

Ultra-sound pic (finally)

2006-05-19T10:52:00.000-05:00

Here's a pic of the baby they gave me during my ultra-sound on the 9th! It was supposed to be a pic of the face, but all they could get was the skull!! Oh well, close enough anyway....I think there's a foot on the right of the pic too.

So anyway, here it is for those that want to see. They said the baby is about a pound now so its getting BIG!

Alone Again...

2006-05-18T08:28:00.000-05:00

DH had to go out of town for work and won't be back until Monday. So here I am alone with the kiddos this weekend. Hmmm now what do to get us out of the house so we don't drive each other nuts?? :-) I actually drove by a small street carnival just setting up yesterday so I might take the kids to that this weekend. You know one of those cheapie scary set-up-in-2-days carnival?? If we go I will try to get a pic or 2.

I had an ultra-sound on the 9th to check the growth of the baby. They said everything looked good except they couldn't get a good view of the heart valves so they have to do another u/s (ultra-sound) in 6 weeks. The tech tried to see the sex of the baby and couldn't get a real good look at that either but she *thought* it might be a girl. So for now I am thinking pink, but we shall see. Another girl.....wow. I had hoped it would be a brother for DS but both my girls have wanted another baby sister. I wil be happy either way, I just pray God gives me lot's of grace if it is a girl!! When they all hit their teens it'll be trouble!

DD#1's last day of K-4 is tomorrow. She's excited to be getting bigger and is already looking forward to K-5 and telling me all the supplies we need to get for her! LOL Can you tell the girl loves school?? :-) I will be homeschooling DD#2 through preschool this coming year and we'll enroll her in the Christian school when she's 4. Saves a little money and I like to keep them close as long as possible!

Umm....not much else going on around here. Just yard work, I am thinking of planting a strawberry patch for the girls while DH is out of town. Something to keep us busy anyway.

I will leave you with some parting shots of my DDs with their butterfly garden. They got a kit and were sent some live catterpillers in the mail. They grew the catterpillers and saw them turn into cocoons and eventually into "Painted Lady" butterflies. Here they are releasing them (the directions said Painted Lady Butterflies are indiginous to almost all of the US so we could let them go in our yard).

Another pile of laundry

2006-05-01T10:43:00.000-05:00

Today there is nothing going on, I mean nothing. Chores chores and then pick up DD#1 from school, and then make dinner, clean up and bed. That's the jist of my day today. I don't have too much to report but I figured I need to leave something for my audience to read.

Baby is doing fine, I have a prenatal appt on Thursday (routine) and then an ultra-sound on the following Monday. Not to find out the sex of the baby (Army policy says the ultra-sound tech can't tell me) but to measure the baby's growth and whatnot. If I want to find out the sex, I have to wait and schedule another ultra-sound with a civilian tech who works for the Army there at the hospital. apparently, she doesn't fall under the same rules as the enlisted technicans do. I am hoping its a boy so send me plenty of boy dust! *~*~*~

DH is doing alright, chugging along trying to finish his bachelors degree. He's usually bogged down with 3-7 hours of homework on any given day (and that's AFTER a 12 hour workday!) So we hardly see him anymore.

DD#1 had a sleepover at her gymnastics studio this past Saturday. They stayed up until midnight playing games and having fun. But poor thing looked like a zombie when I picked her up!! I remember staying up like that....now I swear I am too old to stay up past 11!!!

DD#2 loves gymnastics as well. That's all she talks about and I am thinking of letting them go twice a week as school is getting out soon for summer break and I don't have to pay for DD#1's lunches for school. Of course then there's swim lessons to consider too!

DS is fine. Apparently a dare-devil too! We have a corner shelf by one end of the kitchen counters. DS figured out how to use them as a ladder and DH caught him wandering around on the counter yesterday!!! Talk about scary! Now I have to find a new spot for that shelf before Bubbah get's up there and falls and busts his head open!

Another note, I am still planting in the front yard, when its done I will post a few pix, but right now it doesn't look like much.

TTYL

Ahhh nature...

2006-04-24T12:59:00.000-05:00

There's a really cool nature preserve by our house and this past weekend DH was actually available to go do something with the fam. So we loaded everyone in the truck and went for a walk around the park's lake and saw some waterfalls

The lake isn't very big but it looks promising for the fam to go fishing some day. There's a trail that goes around the whole thing and so we decided, what the heck. Unfortunately, there are a ton of steps and we had the double seated jogger stroller with us for the 2 younger ones. Soooo DH and I each had to take an end and carry this thing up and down these steps. Can we say WORKOUT?! :-) Anyway, while we were huffin and puffin these steps, DD#1 spies 3 turtles basking in the sun (one got bashful and dove out of sight)

And don't mind the yucky water...it's mud from run-off after like 2 days straight of torrential rain.

So DH and I biceps bulging, made it through the steps around the lake and head towards the cascades. A beautiful day, birds singing, wild flowers everywhere and the nice white noise of the rushing water. i could have stayed there all day if I had the chance.

When we get to the cascades I of course whip out the camera for some family pix... Here's my sexy man with the 3 munchkins:

And here's me with the kiddos (a not-so-happy Bubbah):

It's just amazing that God could make all of this earth just as beautiful if not MORE *just* for our enjoyment and His. I mean, how can you NOT appreciate the Maker when you see His handy-work everywhere?

TTFN

Happy Easter!

2006-04-16T12:41:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone out there in blogland is having a great Easter! This is the day we celebrate the resuurection of our Lord Jesus Christ! The tomb was empty hallelujah!

Last night the girls and I decorated eggs. it was fun and they really enjoyed it. I tried to get Bubbah in on it but he jst wanted to eat them. lol that kid loves hard boiled eggs!

Of course DD#2 was sick this morning so we weren't able to go to church. The kiddos woke up and had a few things in their Easter baskets and got to go threw the house looking for plastic eggs Mommy and Daddy hid for them. Both girls have been BEGGING to go fishing so we got them some Barbie fishing poles, a Disney princess coloring book and a chocolate bunny. DS got a little play tool kit and a small nerf football. Oh all the kids got a small soccer goal complete with cones, gloves for the goalie, and a ball. We tried getting DD#1 in soccer this year but were too late for the sign-ups.

Later on we have some "resurrection eggs" to find. In each egg there's a small something that helps tell the story of the resurrection (a small purple cloth, dice, a nail, etc.) DH and I are going to tell the story after naps. DD#1 and I are the only ones awake!! Oh and DH wanted something besides the typical ham Easter dinner....so we are having home-made chicken enchiladas with rice for dinner. Yumm, I have been on a Mexican Food kick lately so this will be goooooood!! And low fat too, this recipe I have is really yumm and not quite as bad for you as the restaurant enchiladas.

I am 17 weeks and 3 days pregnant today and already feeling like a whale. I know people don't think i LOOK fat but it sure feels that way. I am just so afraid of gaining too much weight and not being able to take it off after the birth. I mean, I am getting close to 30 here and my body doesn't like to work out or shed pounds like it used to. Maybe after I am done nursing I could try the South Beach Diet or something. My friend is have some luck losing pounds and it doesn't seem too difficult of a diet.

I have pictures for you that I will be posting soon, I promise! Until then, have a sweet day!

Big gut Part3

2006-04-04T10:47:00.000-05:00

So here I er "we" are at 15 weeks and 5 days. I am actually starting to show a bit and once in awhile can feel the little bean's tiny taps. almost feels like a muscle spasm or something but I know it's bean. You'd think that by #4 I'd be an expert at these things! LOL

I have an appointment on thursday so I will let you know what happens.

If you want to see my progress you can look

Belly part1

belly part2

Field Trip

2006-04-03T11:41:00.000-05:00

I got to be a driver for my DD's field trip to the Fire Dept. I had to take DD#2 and DS with me. The kids got to watch a fire safety movie and tour the fire house to see where the fire fighters eat and sleep. And then they got to see the fire trucks and go inside for a minute.

DD#1 had a good time but poor Rhi was scared. One of the firemen put on all his gear O2 mask and all and that was a tad too much. But it was good that they did that and told the kids that this guy was there to help him and not to run away from him or be scared. I never thought of that, that during an emergency the kids are stressed enough and to see a big dude in a mask would just seem like a big monster.

So, do you guys have a plan in casr of fire? This has really made me think. We don't have a fire plan/drill but I am planning on making one and practicing soon. And posting all the emergency numbers by the phones.

The kids' bedrooms are on the 2nd story and there's only 1 door to the livingroom. If there's a fire in the kitchen the kids might have to jump out of their windows!! So I have heard of ladders or blow-up slides that you can attach to the windowsill so they don't jump and kill themselves, KWIM? So I will go look that up and let you know what I find.

Anyway, here's a few parting shots of my kids and DD#1's friends. TTFN

My Ma

2006-03-28T08:38:00.000-06:00

I finally talked my Ma (aka Mom) into a blog. It's in the bare-bones stage (and like mine isn't??) but please go check it out and leave a comment! Ma's Blog!

I took the 2 little one's to the dentist yesterday. Rhi rhi did beautifully and didn't even cry once! I was shocked as Malayah was bawling like a baby. But then again she's had so much work done in her mouth alread I don't blame her for being scared. Jamison had to be held down so he cried a little. But they both were thrilled to get new toothbrushes so it turned out well.

I am trying to decide on spring planting. I always envy all the people with beautiful gardens and want to try to do something similar. I have been searching the 'net for spring planting ideas. So far not so good. I don't know a thing about plants. If we had money to blow I'd hire a landscaper to help me. But I am on my own.

The girls have some strawberry plants growing in the kitchen window. I would plant them outside if it would actually WARM UP! It's been in the 30's at night so I don't want the little plants to get frost-bitten. lol

I will get Rhi rhi to take a pic of my belly later to show it off.... until then ttfn

PB&J strikes again!

2006-03-22T11:14:00.000-06:00

All my kids have fallen victim to "the sandwich". You never know when it will strike!!!

Sitting there all comfy eating lunch taking a few bites here and there (a bit of apple sauce in the hair never hurts). When SUDDENLY "the sandwich" takes hold! There is no fighting it....slowly but surely your eyes droop. The room spins ever so slightly, and before you know it, there you are asleep, covered in PB&J snoring your life away! LOL

Crop er Carpet circles

2006-03-21T12:22:00.000-06:00

So we have a little alien trying to contact their mother ship in my house!!! AAA!! Well, a pink alien anyway! LOL

I am letting it soak in carpet cleaner and hopefully the washable markers will live up to their names and WASH away.

Sorry I have been MIA again. Nothing going on I guess. Everyone is all better from the flu and respiratory viruses. I caught a cold but no biggie.
BTW happy spring! Yesterday was the first day of spring! But it sure doesn't look like it, it's like overcast, misting and about 42 outside. I can't wait for the warm! We have a brand new sandbox just waiting for a little sand.

DD#1 went back to school after her spring break today. We had Open House last night and all 3 kids were wanting to stay! I think she is glad to be back as it's too boring at home. LOL I had planned to go and do a few fun things with the fam, but with everyone sick we all just stayed here.

No new crafts to report or anything here. I finished that panta headband and that's all so far. I keep wanting to start something else but I am afraid I won't get anything done. And DH informed me the other day that it really bothers him when I don't finish what I start and leave it there for weeks. (roll eyes). It bothers me too but darn I didn't want to hear that!

I sold our salt water tank on Ebay today. We took a huge dive as far as what it's worth vs what we sold it for. But with #4 on the way I just don't think I will have time or patience to care for it. I am a little sad to see it go because Jamie and I worked so hard on it for so long. But really it's a money vacuum and we really need to SAVE and not SPEND.

TTYL

Long time a comin'!

2006-03-10T10:52:00.000-06:00

Here are a few pics of Malayah's horse show she did on the 5th of March.

One is of her riding in one of the english walk/trot classes and the other is of the costume contest. She's wearing a dalmation costume and her horse is supposed to be a fireman. The saddle blanket says "Wildrose Farm Fire Dept." and she has a homemadefireman's hat. Unfortunetly she was competing with another horse wearing a beautiful unicorn costume and one with the ole stars and stripes...so she didn't place. (and I worked for forever on that stupid costume)

About 2 weeks ago the sun came out and it was in the 60's so I sunscreened the kiddos up and we found sandels and went out to go pot some veggie plants.

And finally here's the FINISHED (yes I said finished) panta! I actually finished something! Hallelujah. lol It's a little wide for a small girl but I think it's cute. And Jamison sporting his new house coat...and yes he's sick in that pic...still has the flu. (which BTW my ENTRIE family but me has been sick the past 2 weeks!) And Malayah holding a smiley face mug with flowers sent yesterday from my dear friend, Muriel! Thank you!!!

waaaay too long!

2006-03-06T14:10:00.000-06:00

So it's been a LOOOOONG time since I posted anything on here! I wish I could say I have been busy, partially yes, but mostly just tired and dealing with kids' stuff.

Malayah had a "Fun Horse Show" this weekend. It was hosted through the farm where she takes lessons. She was in 7 different classes and didn't place in any of them. :-( I felt so bad but she had several odds stacked against her. Number one: the night before she had come down with a cold and I thought she was going to be fine but at the horse show she went downhill and got a fever. But she refused to quit (my brave girl) and rode in all her classes. So she was feeling pretty crappy. And Number Two: in all of the classes they had little ones and high schoolers and adults competing all together so OF COURSE hardly any of the little ones received ribbons. I mean here's my daughter who has only been riding 8 months and she's pitted against a girl almost 4 times her age with about 10 + yrs experience on her. ARGH makes a Momma mad.

So anyway after we get back from that my other 2 kids get sick as well. So DH and I are trying our best to help them get well and STAY well ourselves! I bought DH some "airborne" immune booster stuff (I can't take it because of the herbs) and a big jug of "GermX" and that new clorox spray . Dh is working 12-14 hour days so he can't afford to get sick! And of course I already feel pretty crappy sometimes and a fever is never good during pregnancy so I pray I don't get it either!!!

I have been in a creative funk lately, my panta I started forever ago is only 1/2 done. I want to move on but really, I NEED to finish this before I go to something else. I want to make my middlest DD a hat for spring. She got a red Santa dress complete with Santa hat for Christmas and has been wearing the hat ever since. She loves the hat but of course, everywhere I go I hear comments about it ("is it Christmas already?") and one little boy about 10 yrs old ran up and started pulling on the pompom on the end while she is trying to keep her hat on and walk away. I thought that was extremely rude!

So I want to make her a more "spring-appropriate" hat. Allena is making one for her DD that I think is the cutest!

But anyway, I will post pix of the horse show in a day or so. The camera is once again upstairs and I am too lazy to go get it right now! LOL TTFN

Big gut lol

2006-02-26T14:55:00.000-06:00

So here I am at 10 weeks and 3 days along (my ticker is a tad off). Don't mind the sweatpants, it's Sunday and the whole fam is just chillin. Rhianna, Jamison, AND Daddy are sleeping away! :-)

I still have a little morning sickness now and then but it's not bad. I am hungry a lot more than before though! Tomorrow I go in for a prenatal physical so maybe I will be able to hear the heartbeat! I hope so. I feel bad though because I am not as excited for this pregnancy as with the other ones. I watched a 3 yr old girl and her 2 month old brother last night for our friends (it was a date night for them). It was alright, the kids did fine but DH was stressing over work and school and of course Jamison was super jealous. I think I am more nervous than anything. I worry about DH handling 4 kids. I mean it's not ordinary circumstances....he has just come back from war and has PTSD and is trying to finish his Bachelors and trying to retire AND the new baby all in the next 8 months! Granted it's not easy for me either but I worry all the same.

I worry about the baby integrating in the family and the jealousy that will come. I know God had us get pregnant for a reason but sometimes I get so worried about everything that sometimes I wonder why He did this. all I keep saying though is I def want to get something done permanently so I don't get pregnant anymore.

Oh and then I feel horrid about even feeling this way. Of COURSE I love this baby and WILL love him/her regardless. I don't want my baby to ever think that they weren't wanted because they ARE. I just worry about the future and hope that everything falls into place.

And then my Christian mind takes over and logic says all I have to do is put my trust in Him and He will take care of everything. Argh but it's not easy

2 Posts in one day!

2006-02-22T16:06:00.000-06:00

Wow so I must be on a roll or very bored or something! Here I am posting AGAIN today! LOL Allena wanted to see pix so I went and took a few.

Oh and I was tagged like FOREVER ago to post a few pix of where I do my artsy-craftsy stuff. I mainly sit on the ole couch and knit/crochet. (there's my 1/8th completed "panta"!)

Now I have a nice recliner to choose from as well (the long ago promised pic of what DH got me for my bday....a CHAIR!) Showing off my nice "dukes of Diyala" afghan we bought to support my hunny's unit when he went to Iraq.

OR if I have to do some rubber stamping or sewing I sit here at the table.

Now here are some random pix just for you! A pic of Jamison's crib....without one rail. We are trying to train him not to fall out of bed and so far so good. I think he likes having the railing off so he can get in and out at will. Of course though we now have to put a baby gate across the doorway so he won't wander around after bedtime. He's usually very good about staying in bed though. I have a toddler bed that I am repainting and will post a pic of that when I am done. As you can see I am trying for a dinosaur theme in his room.

Here's a pic of my would-be veggie garden. I planted corn, carrots, spinach, green beans, pumpkins, and water melons. I had a good number of spinach and carrots growing until I went up to PA. Sniff sniff the soil dried up and all that's left is the corn and beans and a little pumpkin sprout. No watermelons have shown themselves much to Malayah's dismay.

Anyway, I smell a stinky so off to change a butt! ;-P

Friends

2006-02-22T08:51:00.000-06:00

My fam and I got to travel up to PA to see my best friends! We all met in Germany and have since been scattered to the winds. This weekend was the first time I have seen them in 9 months! Pam and Allena were there but quite a few of our other buds were MIA. But the 3 of us had a blast anyway....and we can't forget the kids, all 8 of them! Yes, 8 kiddos packed into a tiny 2 bedroom apartment! LOL that was fun!

It was bitterly cold up there! I'm talking 5-7 degrees sometimes! I really dislike being THAT cold ya know. A Cali girl can only stand so much cold before they turn into a popcicle! So we all hung out indoors....talking and laughing like old times. A trip to Michaels craft store, an evening of swimming (at the hotel's pool) and the bestest meal ever! TGI Fridays! I have LONGED to go to that place for a month now! And oh was it good! LOL Now I just wish I could eat there all the time, those Jack daniels recipes are to DIE for!

Of course Pam and Allena were knitting a lot of the time I was there. I have been in a fink lately when it comes to any type of craftiness. So now that I am all motivated again I need to get cracking! What to make...hmm Malayah has been dying for a poncho and I can't seem to find *just* the right pattern. Perhaps that's what I'll try. That and I need to sew my Mom's throw that's been in my closet 1/2 done for 2 months.

But none of that now, I'm off to take Rhi rhi to her gymnastics class!

We've got a live one!

2006-02-17T12:49:00.000-06:00

I had my OB appointment today and DH actually got to come with me! We both got to see the little bean with their heart beating away! I am so relieved as I have had 2 miscarriages and it's always scary until you get to see that little heartbeat!

So here's the pic...a little fuzzy, but really, who can tell what they are looking at anyway? The ultra-sound tech must have extensive training in crossing their eyes and holding their tongue just right to even get close to guessing what the hey that little blob is! Kinda like those paintings with all those little dots? You are supposed to look at your reflection or cross your eyes or something to see the 3D image? anyone have any idea what I am talking about? :-) LOL

Anyway so my due date is Sept. 21st and i am 9 weeks and 1 day. I need to change my ticker up there....

It's been awhile...

2006-02-16T07:37:00.000-06:00

I guess I haven't felt much like blogging lately. There's not too much to say, just the same ole same ole. I can, however, share some pix of what I got for my birthday!

This is a picture frame made from home-made paper. My friend went on a missions trip to Thailand and said they specialize in paper-making over there. also she bought me this cool box full of patters, "knitting on the go". It has a really cute teddy bear hat pattern that I might make for Bubbah.

Here is laya acting goofy behind a bouquet of flowers from my MIL. I also got a bouquet from my Momma!

And I had ordered some Pampered Chef awhile back and voila! It was here right ontime for my birthday! (disregard the yucky banana and starfish!) lol

DH also got a COOL present for me....well, it's for the fam too. But that will have to wait for another day. TTFN

Happy birthday to me!

2006-02-09T11:37:00.000-06:00

Well today is my birthday! It's amazing how I almost forgot! As you get older birthdays just don't seem as special as they did when you were younger, huh? DD#1 was asking if I was going to have a party. Nope...and she wondered, "why not?" I told her I didn't have any friends around here and she tells me that I need to go out and do stuff and make friends. Just the same lines I fed her when she started her new school. :-) What goes around comes around I guess.

I have tried a little to make new friends. I started to go to a woman's bible study on post but stopped because it starts at 9 am and morning sickness still raises it's ugly head about then. So there's not much else I do to meet anyone so here I am, stuck with my "virtual" friends.

So anyway, here's to another 27 years!

Pix for your entertainment

2006-02-07T12:12:00.000-06:00

SO yesterday I was too lazy to trudge upstairs and get the digital camera to show you some pix. So I felt bad and am showing you now! LOL

Here's the girls playing in the snow on saturday

And Grey Ghost wanted to see what snow was....he kinda liked it and tried eating a lot of it. LOL Soliel (my 9 yr old cat) on the other hand hated it and stood by the doorway meowing pitifully. Awww... :-)

And here's the start of the snocone goodness! Unfortunatley I didn't get a shot of 1/2 the porch's snow covered in red koolaid mix! All I can say is I hope it all washed away or we're gonna have a major ant problem come spring!

Anyway, that's all I have for now....TTFN

Snow and an accident

2006-02-06T13:10:00.000-06:00

Yesterday we actually had snow again! It was there for about 2 days (melting today) so my oldest DD Laya got to play in it! Unlike last time when there was 4 " of snow before she went to school and NONE when she came home! So they made a fort and Rhi tried a snow angel. They actually got to ride on their sled and saucer too! Also we have one of those "snoopy snocone makers" so I took the syrup mix from it and mixed it and the girls got to have REAL snow snocones! Of course they were spraying the juicy red stuff on everything and when they were done it looked like a masacre out there! LOL I had to yell at them to quit eating all that sugar cause they were going for the whole bottle of the stuff!!

Super Bowl night was good. I cooked goodies like a mad-woman and Dh had like 8 people over for his little "shin-dig" I had 2 other ladies to alk to so it wasn't SO bad. Dh really had a good time drinking beer and yelling at the TV. Of course he was happy to see the Steelers win as it's Allena's hubby's fav team!

And the accident: Dh just called me and I guess he was going through a green light and the old lady doesn't see her red light and comes flying through the intersection. Dh said he saw her and tried to hit the breaks but too late.....he crashed into her broadside. Luckily no one was hurt at all (he was going like 15 mph when they hit). But his piece of crap truck is now even more of a piece of crap. LOL Hopefully we can get it fixed soon! I am just so relieved that he's alright and the old lady is ok! Dang I hate car wrecks! I have been in 3 and none of them are fun!

Ever have one of those days...

2006-01-31T11:05:00.000-06:00

When everything goes wrong? You'd think with only 2 out of the 3 kiddos I'd be doing good (DD#1 is in school) but today is just the opposite. I think they are bored or something cause take a look at this!

Yes that's 2 cat boxes of litter all over the floor! All I could do was look in horror and try not to scream! I don't know who started it but my son had litter all over in his hair and in his diaper and everything! ARGH! LUCKILY I had just cleaned the cat boxes out like an hour ago.

So to top that all off my morning sickness has officially set in so I already feel like crap and can hardly do all my chores and then this! And this sort of thing has been going on ALL morning long! Let's just say I have picked up cat food that was sprayed all over the floor twice, cleaned up books and laundry that was spread everywhere....and then let's not even go into the dog food in the dog water incident!

I know things will get better....they HAVE to right?

Bye Bye kitty

2006-01-30T11:57:00.000-06:00

So we got a call from the "Free Cat" ad in the classifieds! A single Mom and her 10 year old son were looking for a cat. The boy seemed really sweet to Sissie and I think she's going to have a great home. I will miss her (when she was good and not crapping on my bed!) but I know she's going to make that little boy happy and that's all that really matters.

Last night my DH and I dropped all the kids at a friends' and went out to dinner! Our 7th anniversary! I can't believe it's been so long, sometimes it seems like we have known one another for forever and other times it seems like it's gone so fast!

We had wanted to go to Texas Roadhouse but there was a line out the door and we really didn't want to spend an hour of our precious alone time waiting in line. So we went across the street to this little rinky-dink place. They had fairly good food and DH and I had a good time. Afterwards we were driving back and wondering what to do with ourselves! LOL This is KY and there's nothing open after 8pm! Nothing but a Star Bucks in the Barnes and Noble bookstore! So we make a beeline over there and sit and have a coffee and laugh for about an hour until the store closed. Then came to get the tuckered out kiddos and went home.

I really had a fun time...it's nice to realize that even though both of us are soooo busy all the time, that we can still sit down and have fun and talk.

Not much else to update y'all on....I am still preggers and still tired! lol Rhirhi had gymnastics today and had loads of fun! Umm...I think that's all for now! :-)

TTFN

New do part 2!

2006-01-27T12:16:00.000-06:00

Like the color? I do! It's a weave of highlights of blond (to match the rest of my blond) and lowlights of red and brown. DH thinks it's "okay" but I think it's funky and chic. What do y'all think?

I went to my prenatal nutrition class today. Nothing we all haven't heard before....don't REALLY eat for 2 blah blah food pyramid blah blah lay off the booze yak yak. :-P Not like I eat THAT terrible anyway, but i am going to TRY to do my best! Rhirhi loves going to the CDC and had a blast today. I actually had to pull her away so we could leave! Bubbah, on the other hand,

hated it and cried almost the whole time. :-( That always kills me to know that he's been upset the entire time. He goes to nursery at church so not like he's not used to being left with someone else. I think he's just naturally clingy. Sometimes he doesn't even want to go to Daddy! I haven't been working on DD#1's poncho in over a week. Just too much else going on!

And I called that cat refuge center and basically wouldn't talk about me taking her there. Instead they suggested a "free to good home" ad in the classifieds. So I will try that. Today's the first day and nothing...we'll see.

Anyone want a cat?

2006-01-25T21:31:00.000-06:00

So you may remember those 2 kittens I rescued awhile back? Well we might have to get rid of the female, Sissie. Last week for some reason she decided to start pooping and peeing on my bed!!!! Oh I am SOOOO mad I am washing my DOWN comforter for the 3rd time in a week! This is a down comforter from Germany that my dear sweet hubby bought me! Argh! We decided to give her one more chance after thinking it was the different brand of litter I had gotten the week before. Well, we switched back to the old litter and not a day later I walk in to find a nice little pile on my bed.

So, I feel guilty for just dumping her at the pound. She's a great cat if it wasn't for that (she's on my lap as I type). I found an animal rescue place near here that is a no-kill so I think I will give them a call tomorrow.

I enrolled my 2 youngest in the daycare center on post. I can't take them with me to my prenatal appts. and DH isn't available so I have no other option. I was a little apprehensive because I have had several people say bad things about CDC's in general (Child Development Centers) but the staff I met today seem genuinly caring and the place looks clean and fun. Rhi rhi is excited to go to "School" tomorrow (I have a hair appt lol). I am a bit worried about Jamison as I know he's still really clingy. But maybe this will help him get more socialized. sniff sniff...my babies!!!

I have a prenatal nutrition class I have to attend on Friday as well so the kiddos get to go to school 2 days in a row! You'd think I would know to lay off the twinkies being it's my 4th kid but I am sure it's just Uncle Sam checking the block making sure everyone knows that the can't be an alcoholic doughnut freak when preggers!! :-)

Speaking of preggers...ugh my tummy is flipping out so ttfn

an update and a whine

2006-01-23T15:34:00.000-06:00

I went to my first prenatal appoitment today. Basically filling out forms, drawing like 6 tubes of blood, peeing in several cups, AND got to get a quick ultra-sound to see how far along I am. It looks like I am only 5 weeks along and the baby is too small to take accurate measurements so they can't tell me anything more than sometime at the end of Sept is my due date. Still only symptoms I have are being tired and I get pretty shakey when I get hungry and haven't eaten. I am still nursing my 15 month old and the nurse practioner said I'd have to quit that so I could maintain this pregnancy. But I have heard of people nursing and being preggers at the same time....I only nurse him 1-3 times a day so it's not THAT taxing on me. I think I'll look that up on http://www.lalecheleague.org/
And my whine...DH is going AGAIN tonight back to MI for a business trip AND in the next few weeks will be going overseas for a week. Ugh I feel like he's getting to go to all these places and have fun (sometimes) and all I get is kids and housework and headaches (I told you I was gonna whine!) So here I am, yes I am feeling very sorry for myself!! Sigh, AND when I mention me and the kids doing stuff when he's gone he said he'd rather have me wait until he's around to do "family" things. Wellllll what AM I supposed to do then? Wait for forever for him to have some time off so I can get out of the house once in awhile? ARgh.... anyway, he's the bestest hubby and I love him but when a girl is already feeling sorry for herself that isn't the right time to tell her not to do anything "family Oriented" while DH goes off to Europe to eat good food and drink good beer.

well, th-th-th-th-that's all folks :-)

Snow Day

2006-01-18T21:13:00.000-06:00

Snow! Well, we HAD snow for about 12 hours! LOL that's KY for ya! Rhirhi, Jamison and I enjoyed sledding down our little hill for awhile this morning. I feel bad for my oldest DD because she had to go to school and by the time she came home the snow was all gone! Poor thing kept saying, 'Well, God KNEW I wanted to sled! Couldn't He have kept the snow here until I could come home?' lol too cute...
It is supposed to be 50 degrees tomorrow so go figure that! I wish the snow would have stayed around at least for a few days! The kiddos didn't even have time for a snowman or snowangel!

And since my appointment isn't until Monday, I can't give you any new info on the newest addition, but I can show you my first lack-of-belly shot. Rhirhi took the pic! :-)

So anyway, not too much to say. I keep wanting to try that Panta pattern as I have a lot of wool left over from felted projects. Hmmm...maybe I'll try that another night.

G'night

BFP

2006-01-17T10:31:00.000-06:00

aka "Big Fat Positive". yes, I had wondered when Auntie Flo was coming for a visit. When she didn't show I took a test last night and voila! Child #4 is on it's way!!! Wow DH and I are in total shock! We thought for SURE we were done with the whole pregnancy thing....but God had other plans! I really don't know how far along I am because silly me can't remember the last time Auntie was here. I *think* it was around the beginning of December or so. I don't get in to see the doctor until next Monday so I'll have a better idea of when we're due...gulp (and I thought 3 kids drove me nutz!)

We are happy about it, just shocked mainly! But trust me after this one is born I am getting the ole tubes tied! LOL

So I'm off to find one of those nifty tickers....

Actual photographic evidence!

2006-01-13T15:24:00.000-06:00

Here it is folks! I have finally caught sight of the ever allusive BigFoot! Unfortunetly I was only able to get a few shots....

Okay okay so it's not BigFoot! Just little ole me in a new do! I have bleached my hair for awhile and accidentally did it wrong one day and half my hair fell out! Well, it was severed 1/2 way off any way. So today I went and got it cut so it actually looks like hair and not a rat's nest. What do you think? I go in next week for the coloring so I will post another pic!

Fun with dry erase markers.

2006-01-11T08:03:00.000-06:00

So here I sit all nice and comfy in my office chair balancing my checkbook. Rhi rhi and Bubbah are in the other room playing quietly (that should have given me a clue). They both walk in and Rhi says, "Jamison is all colored." "What?!" I say as I slowly turn around.....

And here is what I find:

Ugh, does anyone know how to get this stuff off?? LOL It is kinda funny, she even drew in his ear lobes!!! Sigh, this is what I get having a dry erase board where they can reach it.

PS Ok so baby wipes took it right off! Phew! She had even drew in his HAIR! :-)

Tumble Time

2006-01-09T13:29:00.000-06:00

So R is finally old enough to do something on her own. Before it was all about big sis M but NOW she can have something all for her! I found a gymnastics and cheer studio that starts classes for 18 months and up and enrolled her in the 3 yr old group. Today was her first day...

Here she is all excited right before the class started...with her cute little leotard! :-p

Here she is on her "spot" after stretching out.

And here's my little monkey doing her first attempt on the bars....very cute!

I am very proud of her and M and little boy J! They are all great kids...what did I do to deserve them? I know I have my moments where I yell a lot and my patience is VERY tiny, but I am really trying to be there for them as much as possible and have fun with them. Allena came across a panta pattern for me! SO I am going to have to try it out!! It looks really cute!

I have to go get M from school so I will blog some more laterz....

After....

2006-01-04T11:17:00.000-06:00

Ok so now that I have horrified you with my living conditions I want to show you that it is NO MORE!! And the rest of my house IS clean!! LOL So put down the phones and stop trying to dial CPS on me! :-) J/K

well now see what an hour's worth of effort get's you? A nice semi-organized play area with about 30 less toys to fool with. They had a big fischer price doll house (ya know one of those big plastic ones?) you can see it in the other pic. Anyway, that is going to Good Will or to my "free take this crap away" garage sale...lol.

Cleaning like a mad woman today and the house still looks like a wreck. I think it's the carpet that get's me though. It WAS fairly new when we moved in but as you can well imagine, a new carpet plus 3 kids under age 6 = not a pretty sight. I have stains everywhere. DH and I would like to tear up the carpet someday and put hardwood floor in the house BUT that will have to wait for more money and/or that lucky scratch-off lotto ticket. :-) Soooo in the mean time I think it's high time to rent that Rug Dr. We'll see when that happens though, I have been complaining to DH about how I hate to look at my carpet for like 3 months now but not done a thing! LOL

My eldest daughter aka "Sweet Pea" has riding lessons today. She loves horseback riding! I just wish we had more (you guessed it!) money so we could afford for ME to go!

Okay so I am not as greedy as I sound....money money money. We would all like to have more right? But I think it's His will for my fam and I to live as we are. I tried to place an ad for babysitting and didn't get one call (no more ads though! I thought the girl at the paper said it would be $15 for 2 weeks and it was $50!!!) And I really haven't seen any other jobs I can do right now. So budgeting it is! I have set my own spending limit as well as DH's so we'll see how that flies.

But I must go...off to go grocerie shopping and get my DS "Bubbah" to his shot appt. Yes he's only 3 months late for his 1 year well-baby check up but dang I have tried and there were NO appts until now! Too many babies around here I guess!!!

TTFN

Happy New Year!

2006-01-03T09:19:00.000-06:00

So 2006 got started without a hitch! We went to my MIL's for the weekend and had another Christmas there....kids and toys everywhere let me tell you!! Of course I was lovin it to be around my nieces and nephews and have got them all hooked on one craft or another! LOL Nephew C is addicted to knitting so I got him a book, needles, and yarn. Niece M is into crochet and so I got her a book, hook, and yarn. Niece K is too little yet for such things so I got her a princess wand kit and a suncatcher kit. LOL

And (embarrassed as I am) here's a pic of the 3 kiddos's spoils of war...er I mean Christmas. I can't believe how much STUFF the kids got this year!!!!! And since I am FLYing now this makes me crazy!!! So i am going to devote a day sometime this week to cleaning up/organizing this mess. I have had a rule for awhile...one toy in, one toy out! So we are going to do a one-for-one exchange to cut down on this disaster!!!!! One to charity one to keep! (or else Mom is going to go nutz!!)

OMG there was a terrible storm last night and a tornado touched down like 2 miles from my house!!!!!!! We didn't see it over here luckily or I would be in a panic rushing all the kids to hide in the basement. But apparently it tore through a school building and a gas station. yuck. I am from California man I don't do tornados!!!! Luckily no one was hurt that I know of.

So I have been busy with my yarn addiction too! I have finally FINISHED those felted clogs for MIL AND felted them!!!! Lavendar and pink...
I have started crocheting my oldest DD a poncho. It's a really pretty varigated baby yarn from Red Heart....yeah yeah I know yucky yarn. But I am broke and it was pretty darn it!

Blogger is being a butt about posting pix so that's all you get for now! TTFN

Merry Christmas!

2005-12-25T12:14:00.000-06:00

Well the turkey is in the oven and the green bean casserole is almost done! The kiddos are surrounded by toys and wrapping paper watching "Noggin" and here I sit when I should be upstairs cooking. Well it's only our family here this year so I don't need to worry about entertaining anyone! Anyway, my green beans are steaming so I have to go....but here's a little something picked up from my friend Allena...

Your Elf Name Is...

Giggles Hot Chocolate

What's Your Elf Name?

Have a Merry Christmas and HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!!!

Fingerless mittens....sort of

2005-12-21T09:15:00.000-06:00

So here's the right mitten in a pair I am making for my Mom. They are made of wool and will keep her digits nice and toasty warm! Considering she lives in the UP of Michigan she'll need 'em!!! Also she uses a wheelchair for mobility so I thought this pattern would be perfect! She could still wear a mitten and use the joy-stick on the wheelchair. She can't use her left hand very much at all so i am just going to make it kind of like a sock. I made the cuff extra long in case her coat sleeves ride -up on her arm when it's on the armrest.

Other than that I am just getting ready for Christmas like everyone else. Well, sorry this is so short but my kids are getting into trouble!

Pink pink and more pink

2005-12-12T19:17:00.000-06:00

Here's the finished product of the Breast Cancer awareness scarves. I like the pink fuzzy one myself! They were both extremely easy projects and helped me pass the time while DH was away.

Now I am trying to decide what to start on now. I really want to try my hand at socks but the local Michaels doesn't have any DPN small enough....or circular. So I think I will have to talk DH into a Christmas present for me. lol No diamonds please, just needles!

Other than that my life has been pretty boring. I have decided though that I am not working hard enough (roll eyes) so I have put an ad in the local paper for home daycare. Taking on 1 or 2 children will help suppliment our income when we most need it I think. That's the only thing I can think of to do to earn a little green.

So I will let y'all know if I have any "hits" on my classified ad within the next week.

TTFN

Do we have snow, or rain?

2005-12-08T09:20:00.000-06:00

So I look outside and I'm like, "Cool! Snow!" and then I run to get the camera to take a pic for you lovely people and no, not snow but rain. So it's a really nasty day today!!!! Frozen streets and I have to go get DD#1 from school in 2 hours!! ugh....at least my truck has 4 wheel drive!!!

Soooo while the weather outside is frightful I have been inside knitting so delightful .... (what?)

I have finished the hat for my nephew and here's Bubbah being the model for you (I distracted him with the snow-rain)

And here's a scarf for MIL. I bought one of those kits that donates money to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. MIL's sister died from Infammatory breast cancer 4 years ago so this touches her and my hearts. BTW ladies! Have you done your monthly self-exam? Want to know how, click here

So I after this scarf is done I have another one (only with eyelash yarn) to make for SIL. Sooo many projects so little time!!

DH is away for the week for work and it so happened that he was in Detroit right when the Red Wings were playing so OF COURSE he had to go!!! And here I sit with loads of housework and screaming kids and he's "working" so hard! LOL I want a job like that!! Okay I have to give him credit he DID work for like 12 hours before he went to the hockey game....but still!

I am still trying to get FLYlady down pat. It really takes a month to begin new habits. And then I like to procrastinate and not clean. Then too there's knitting and crochet calling me....so what's a girl to do?

Happy Holidays or Bah Humbug?

2005-12-05T15:45:00.000-06:00

Well the tree is up and all the decorations are in place. Are you one of those people who feel "happy and gay" or sad around this time of year? It's bittersweet for me. Right now I am so thankful to God for having my DH with me this year and not in Iraq!!! But also I have made such good friends that I miss them terribly! We had such fun last year! Two of my closest buds spent the night with kids, dogs, and everything. We had a great time together celebrating Christ's birth. This year as I was putting up the tree I remembered all the good times we had together. And the bonds of friendship were made that much stronger because our hubbies were gone. I mean, we were all in the same situation struggling with the same fears, and we all became sisters. I don't have blood sisters but believe me this bond is just as strong if not stronger.

I am done with felted clogs #2! Well, pre-felted anyway. They are for my MIL and she isn't around to size them. I will post a pic when they are done. Also I just started a winter hat for my nephew. It's a varigated green/yellow/blue yarn from Red Heart. Yeah its crappy yarn but it's really cool colors so I can put up with the rough texture. I plan on making him and my son a matching hat and pair of mitts. Soooo when I am done there will be pix of those too. (as you can tell I am too lazy to post anything now!)

Sooo my Dh is gone for awhile so I am off to mickey-Dee's for dinner. They have a play-place to take the kids and get them outa my hair, um I mean let them play. LOL

School days....

2005-11-23T08:24:00.000-06:00

Well my oldest DD has been really depressed about not seeing her old buds from Germany. A lot more sad than what DH and I had thought. So after about 2 months of discussion we decided to place her in a private Christian school that's run by our church. Its a great little school and her teacher is wonderful! Here are a few pix.

Man! You must think they super conservative with everyone in black dresses and aprons! LOL not! It's Thanksgiving and of course they *have* to dress the part of pilgrams and Native Americans!!

This is my DD in the purple coat w/out so much as a "good-bye" for Momma. sniff sniff...

And for those cat lovers (such as myself) out there, a parting shot of "grey ghost". He stuffed himself in the basket and was content for DD to carry him around. LOL too cute

Happy Feet!

2005-11-16T20:14:00.000-06:00

Well, my DH's feet will be happy anyway. These are my first pair of felted clogs! As you can see my DH's fav color is black, followed by grey. LOL

I am in the process of making a second pair for my MIL. And then I am thinking of making a winter hat for my Bubbah. Allena made him a cutie hat when he was born and well, his noggin is a bit bigger now. LOL I tried it on him today and it looks more like a yammaka now. :-)

And of course I need to show off some pix of my DD #1's bday party! My lil Sweet Pea is now 5 yrs old! sniff sniff. I can't believe that!!! Anyway, she had a "princess party" where her friends came dressed as...you guessed it...princesses!!!! It was a fun time...and girlie to the core!

And a final parting shot of my 2 newest cats. Sissie is the smaller one laying ontop of her bro. Cute!

Kitties!

2005-11-08T10:48:00.000-06:00

So DH finally let me...er the kids get some new additions to the family. LOL Here we have 2 6 month old kittens...Grey Ghost and his sister Sissie. They are the most snuggly cats I have ever had, and they are great with the kids...letting DS lay on them and pull their tails. Of course I try to teach him to "be nice!" but really, how "nice" can a 1 yr old be? They have no concept of anyone/anything outside of themselves at this stage of development.

I have finished one clog for Dh and have started on #2. I will post before/after pix for everyone to see! I also have another pair to make for MIL and some fingerless gloves for my mom. (anyone know of a good pattern for that?)

DH is gone again for a few days so I have the house to myself; well. besides the 3 rug-rats anyway. ;-) DD#1 is turing 5 on Friday! Sniff sniff I can't believe my first born is getting so BIG! But now that she's older planning parties becomes more involved. When she was younger it was easy...a few balloons for entertainment and cake and she was good. NOW she wants certain friends and a theme and games. Phew! But it makes it more fun for me too....this year it's a dress-up party with a princess/Barbie fairytopia theme. Everyone is coming in their best dress-up clothes. We are making Princess hats and playing some games. Lunch will be provided tea-party style, if it's nice then outdoors as well. I figured i'd make little finger sandwiches and cut them out into shapes. Some cheese and veggies with dip and of course punch. I think I am as excited as she is! and everything is made MUCH easier for me cause I ordered a party kit from www.birthdayexpress.com I love that site! Everything you need at your fingertips!

Well, speaking of rug-rats...I have to go see what they are tearing up now! LOL TTYL

Ok so I'm not that great of a blogger

2005-11-02T23:06:00.000-06:00

You would never believe that I used to have a journal in high school and wrote in it everyday!!! It seems as though that phase of my life is over because as you can see, it's been a month since I have felt the need to update this thing. But who am I writing to anyway? ECHO!! Is anyone out there? LOL I am sure if I ever had any "fans" out there they are long gone by now...tired of waiting for SOMEthing to happen

Well it's past midnight and here I sit. My DH is gone again with his job and I am here with the laundry to keep me company (yawn). I have been a little overwhelmed with housework lately so I joined the "Flylady" group that sends you regular emails every 5 seconds to remind you to do this or that or to take a break or do your dusting or whatever. It gives me ideas as to what to do around here....for instance I have quite forgotten to turn and flip the mattress until the email told me too. :-)

My son just had his first birthday sniff sniff. No longer is he my little baby. I wonder if I will ever have any more babies. I don't know why I am so insane but I am still holding out hope that God will bless us again with another kid. Most days though I think I need mental help feeling that way, but perhaps it's just the estrogen talking, who knows. My DH is adament about NO MORE rug rats!!! He says he "can't handle it". Can't handle what? He's been gone 85% of our marriage. The jist of taking care of his son is 10 minutes of play-time at night.

Granted I am not complaining about him...it's good ole Uncle Sam that is always calling him away. Well, maybe after he get's out of the Army he can have a more "involved" roll in the kids' lives.

I have not been slacking in the knitting dept like I have in the blogger world! I have been working on my second felted creation ever....a pair of clog slippers for my DH's tired feet. I have one almost complete already in only 3 days time. (and that's with taking care of the 3 youngins and all that scheduled housework I told you about. Flylady doesn't have an email reminder for knitting....hence my nightowl syndrome). I will post a pic of my project when I get around to it. LOL

Well, I should get to bed and get some beautyrest. I need all the help I can get in that dept.!!!

DONE!

2005-09-22T10:55:00.000-05:00

Okay so I felted this morning....very simple process! Although I did a marathon running up and down my stairs checking on it every 5 minutes! LOL It is currently drying on my deck as you can see. I can't wait to try it out! As I said before, if anyone would like to PURCHASE this wonderful pattern for a VERY simple yet chic bag please email my friend at Star Knits.

You can see in the backgroud that my DD is ready for swimming! I threw all the kiddos (but the baby) outdoors to get out of my hair....er I mean go have some fun. LOL J/K

We have story hour at the library later which is always fun too. Crafts and a vid and of course, the story. Other than that it's back to the ole routine of housework. Now what am I going to do with my time now that the bag is finished? I DO have that sock yarn.... :-)

My bag is almost done!

2005-09-21T11:47:00.000-05:00

Here see! I HAVE been doing something constructive! LOL I am almost done with the bag and am ready to start felting it today. shiver shiver shake shake....I have never felted anything before so I am a bit nervous. But I think it's probably easier than it was to crochet this bag so I should be fine. If nothing else I'll shrink it to a little coin purse or something...lol not really. so here is a picture for you to see my "cafe au lait' purse.

Also there was a kids fair on post here that we went to this past weekend. It was FREE and a lot of fun, Did I mention FREE? We are low on $$ this month so anything FREE is awesome! LOL One of the Chapels on post was hosting it and they put a lot of work into it. FREE food and dessert (cotton candy, sno cones, and popcorn) A jumping castle, face painting, petting zoo and craft table. It was small but just right for our little ones.

Here's a pic of my little man STANDING next to a miniature horse. Yes I said standing! The little guy is on the move! No more of this crawling biz...he's almost running now!

And here's my oldest DD standing next to the cute little horse too! A little too short for her to ride though!

And here's my middlest DD in the jumping castle. She had a good time too...bumping into everything and everyone....lol

And a final parting shot of the back of my head...LOL that's all you get of my ugly mug. J/K

felting for the first time!

2005-09-14T08:26:00.000-05:00

Ok so for those of you reading who don't know what felting is....it's when you knit/crochet in 100% wool and then throw it in some hot water to shrink it. The stitches are closed so -to-speak (ie no gaps) and you have a nice thick new fabric (kinda like when you accidentally shrink a sweater).

Anyways, I am testing out a pattern for a friend. When it's perfected feel free to stop over to starknits and order one! It's a really cute shoulder bag and so far it's really easy for a novice like me! I am trying to do it in a cafe au lait color skeem as Allena and I used to spend a lot of time talking over coffee. Mmmm Coffee.... I digress

Life over yonder hasn't been to exciting. My SIL come for the weekend so my kiddos got to hang out with their cousin. He's 18 months old and oh so cute! We had DH BBQ us some delicious ribs and let the kiddos run around in the sprinklers.

Well my kiddos are screaming over a toy so I'd better wrap this up. TTYL

Where am I?

2005-08-29T07:30:00.000-05:00

Clenaing, homeschool, and general fooling around. Saturday, my DH had a BBQ for about 4 single soldiers he was with in Iraq. It was nice for him to be able to talk and BS with them again. I invited another wife over so I had someone to talk to and her boy and my kiddos got to play and get into mischief.

THUNDERSTORMS jeez we had a whopper yesterday and are expected to have more for the rest of the week. DH and I are praying for those of you in New Orleans. I can't imagine the chaos and panic.

I am still plugging away at that sundress. I started one of the sleeves!!! Go me! LOL

anyway, I know my blog is boring...sorry. I guess I am pretty boring right now too.

Can't forget them...

2005-08-16T12:45:00.000-05:00

Here's a pic of my other kids....DD#1 is showing off her new dry erase board. And you can see her new computer/school desk behind her.

DD#2 just learned to pee in the potty and so she got to have her ears pierced so here's a blurry picture of her new "look" LOL

more progress

2005-08-15T07:33:00.000-05:00

So I have been crocheting away and have *just* begun the armhole shaping. Exciting, isn't it? LOL I like the colors a lot and I will have plenty of time to crochet this week as my hubby has to go away for his job for a dew days. :-( This is the first time we have been apart since he came back from Iraq so I am a little unnerved. I am hoping it won't bring back too many memories of being alone so many nights. I am very blessed though that he got a job that only takes him away for a few days here and there. I have 2 friends whose hubbys are going back to combat very soon. I am praying hard for them as I can't imagine having to face that ever again. Esp without the suuport system I had in Germany. Allena and all my other friends are the glue that held my psyche together that whole time (and a lot of reassurance from God that He had everything under control). I do miss the times my girlfriends and I shared. We all have kiddos the same age so we all would hangout together and let the kids have at it. :-)

So I will be taking more pix after DH goes...a few quiet nights with just me and the crochet hook should make for some good progress!

And here's a parting shot of my "little Bubbah" crawling up wanting attention...

BTW....

2005-08-12T08:54:00.000-05:00

For those of you who appreciate fish-keeping, here's a few pics of my 2 fish tanks. The first is a 100 gal fresh water tank. All we have in there right now is a common plecostomas and 6 zebra danios. Dh and I would like to get a ghost knife, a snowflake freshwater eel, a fire eel, and poss a gar or other cool fish. He really wanted a tiger striped shovelnosed cat fish but those things get over a foot long and would need a bigger tank. He also had his eye on fresh water sting rays, but they are like $180-250!!!

The pentagon tank is our 45 gal salt water tank. It's been cycling for almost a month now and *just* finished so last night we went out and bought our first fish!! It's a saddleback valentini puffer fish and he's really cute with beautiful green eyes. He's the blurry thing in front of the rocks. :-) A personable little fellow already. We also got 2 pretty cleaner shrimp but they were hiding so no pix for you!

Pictures anyone?

2005-08-12T08:24:00.000-05:00

Ok so it has been brought to my attention that I need to post some pictures....until now I haven't because I didn't want to upload picasa onto my hubby's puter. God forbid I ever put anything on there he doesn't want... my daughter and I usually share another computer so I won't "mess up" his (for those of you married to computer geeks, you will understand it's much easier to have your own than mess with their stuff). but our other computer is still in a box. We are waiting to buy our daughter a computer desk for it b4 we get her up and running.

So, like I said....it's picture time! (I love that blogger has an "upload pix" program now!!)

Here's Retard Rabbit....ole blindy never got any eyes poor soul.

Here's what I have been working on since yesterday morning. It's the bottom back of a 12month size sun dress for a friend who's due at the end of October. So far so good. It's going to be white and lavendar like I said. She has strictly said NO PINK (like ANOTHER preggers friend I have...."don't let your babies grow up to be girly-girls" <--- Me singing very badly)

This is that whole YOH business. It was a little more complicated than that so don't think of me as too much of a loser....lol The directions were (and I quote) "CH 3. 2 dc cluster in top of last dc worked. Miss next 3 dc. 3 dc cluster in mext dc. Ch 3. 2 dc cluster in top of last 3 dc cluster worked. Miss next 3 dc. 1 dc in each of next 4 dc. Rep from *" Now for those of you who have crocheted before I am sure this is too easy. But remember now I was the one who didn't know what a YOH was!! I was trying to figure out the 2 and 3 dc cluster and had to look that up online. But now as you can see I am in the groove now....on like row 9 or 10 as I dc away trying to make this piece 10" long before tackling adding another color and shaping the arms and neck...wish me luck!!!

Crochet anyone?

2005-08-11T07:06:00.000-05:00

So I finally started another project! Although, being a novice to crochet I don't wonder if I bit off more than I could chew. It's an intermediate (in difficulty) pattern for a dress, hat, and booties set. I have a friend in WV that is preggers with a girl and I am attempting to make something nice for her. So far, like a moron, I have already had to look up YOH......duhhh I thought it meant "yarn over half" or something. "yarn over hook" is basically YO in knitting terms. Like I said, having to learn what the directions mean makes me think I am going to have an interesting time trying to figure this out. I wish my friend, Allena were here! (sniff sniff)

But anyways I am in row 3 of this dress....which is going to be purple and white. I think it's a cute pattern, I just hope it looks SOMEthing like the pic when it's done. Wish me luck!!!

Speaking of Crochet, remember those little animals I was talking about? Well I made a bunny for my oldest. I didn't make any eyes for it though so it's like a blind bunny. LOL But she seems to like it anyway.

DD#2 who is 2 1/2 went to the potty for the first time the other day. So she's wearing panties in the day and diapers at night. We have been trying on and off to potty train her but finally the other day my DH was like "we have GOT to get her trained!" I mean, when the kid can practically change her own diaper it's time, don't you think?? :-)

Anyways, enough chit chat...off to go work out

Another day another dollar

2005-08-03T12:48:00.000-05:00

Hey all of you puter geeks! :-) I am still struggling with that salt water tank. There are many things involved with this hobby....and MONEY!!! I can't believe how much moola can be blown getting everything for the stinkin fish. And there's so much involved...not just add salt, water and fish and PRESTO you have a mini reef.....nooooo you need to get the salility *just* right. then there's the sand bed and "live rock" (with little critters inc.) then you have to worry about the pH and Nitrites and NitrAtes and Ammonia and and and....then suppliments to the water if you have corals....whew! I swear I feel like I am getting a marine biology degree just in researching all of this!

Anyway that is consuming most of my thoughts at the moment. My DH is working his new job. Instead of being out doors running around blowing up stuff he's stuck in a cubicle trying to design the machines that blow up stuff. Still cool but the fact of being behind a desk all day wears him out. I haven't been to work in years and am afraid myself of my attitudes when I have to go to work. I have been around my kids so much that I think it would be really difficult for me. I have to say that I have been really blessed to be able to be at home raising the kiddos.

DD#1 starts kindergarten soon!! Her bday isn't until after the cut-off age for public school and we had planned on homeschoolng her anyway. I bought Sonlight's curriculum. We tried their preschool program and I do like it. Alot of reading stories and the workbooks are really helpful in teaching the kids to think and learn how to read and count etc.

I am trying to get back into shape as well....whipping out the Pilates DVD's and Tae Bo and Walk away the Pounds. I have to say that a friend saved me from the torture of Tae Bo today! I *just* got the tape in when the door bell rings....hallelujah!! LOL

Salt water fish tanks?

2005-08-02T09:24:00.000-05:00

So does anyone out there know ANYthing about salt water tanks? I am trying to get one started and so far it seems to be a pain in the rear. I have had plenty of fresh water tanks before with no problem but this is totally different and more involved.

I am talking about fish tanks because honestly I have not picked up a crochet hook or knitting needle in some time. My Dh and I have been super busy with home-improvement projects. Last weekend he spent like 10 hours building a huge shelving unit in the garage. you could park a car on that thing and it would hold it. He's awsom with things like that. Actually he's awsome at just about anything (little plug-in for DH there! LOL)

My DS is cutting more teeth and one is coming in through a blood blister...ouchie! Poor guy The girls are ok just lonely. Since there aren't any kids around they are going crazy for a friend. Sunday we tried out a new church and DD#1 was immedietly drawn to the 2 othe girls there. Wanting some kind of interaction with someone other than her kid sister I am sure! LOL

I am doing fine. We are getting things together for a garage sale and among the junk err ummm merchandise (smile) are all of our baby supplies and toys and things. I am a little sad to finally be getting rid of everything, it makes me feel like an old lady...no longer in the "child bearing" category. But you figure with 3 already it get's tough. I can't imagine adding a 4th to the flock.

Anyways, soon I will get this blog up to date and get the template how I like etc. IF I have any time that is!! All this unpacking and fixing and whatnot has left me little time to breathe let alone sit and clack at the puter.

TTFN

purple!

2005-07-18T08:41:00.000-05:00

So here we are in our new house with a giant "to do" list. You know how it is when you move into a new place...there are certain things that have to be done to make it "yours". well the room my 2 girlies share right now is like a deep red color (the previous owner painted it). They hate it so we went out and bought something they could live with. And now we have a purple room. LOL I still have my red room too as I talked the girls into moving into a bedroom that had a cream color on the walls (a lot easier to paint over that the red).

I am *trying* to be all creative and artsy and figure out something cool for the girls. I have been oggling over the HGTV website. They have some cute ideas!! I think I am going to paint some butterflies and some flowers on the wall after I'm done. Then head to "Bed bath and Beyond" for accessories! LOL you'd think I was decorating my own room! It's fun I just wish I had some kind of artistic talent then this whole process would be much easier.

I want to start crocheting more now that I have figured it out. My friend made some really cute animals that I'd like to try.

Anyways, I have kids running around getting into stuff while I sit on my butt typing....so I will blog another day.

I CAN Crochet!!

2005-07-15T07:52:00.000-05:00

okay so I think I finally have a handle on this whole crochet business. I started a little handbag for my daughter the other day and I actually FINISHED it! LOL Amazing, isn't it? Well, if you would have seen me trying to learn to crochet the first time it WOULD be amazing! I swear my brain must have been on "retard mode" that day or something. My church was having a "Ladies Night" and we were all learning to crochet. Well, everyone was making these great potholders and here I was with this thing that looked like it could be a really fat shoelace or maybe a Barbie apron (if you REEALLY stretched your imagination! LOL so I gave that up real quick.

So I move onto knitting and voila it's SO much easier! Two needles instead of a little weird hook...I can deal with this! So I spend the next 4 months knitting to my hearts content. Until I had to move that is. Here I was facing a 9 hours flight over the Atlantic and I couldn't take my knitting needles. So reluctantly I pick up the dreaded hook again and buy myself a "how to crochet for complete morons" and spend most of the flight trying to learn the elusive art.

Anyways...long story short I managed to practice a lot of stitches but never really made anything recognisable. UNTIL today that is!! LOL

Anyways, here is my little creation...my DD#1 just woke up so pardon the bedhead look! :-)

back from the dead!

2005-07-14T03:45:00.000-05:00

Well I am FINALLY updating this thing once again! We just got cable internet (yeah for high speed!!!) hooked up. None of our other stuff is here so i am sitting here on the floor with the puter sitting on a cardboard box of a desk. We ended up buying a house and i love it! It's not exactly our "dream" home but really who can afford that? We like it...enough room for all 3 kids and all our junk, I mean, furniture. Seriously, it's strange how much you get used to having nothing. i am looking forward to a few select things (ie kithen stuff and BED) but everything else is going to go through a major purging! Can we say "garage sale"? LOL

as far as knitting....I have been drewling over the yarn selection at Wal mart. I know that's not a REAL selection but come on...coming from an Army post in Germany it sure looks stunning to see a WALL of yarn instead of a little box or cubby full of like a 20 skein selection. I am itching to get my hands on some wool and make some clog slippers for my DH. Right now I only have like 1 1/2 skeins of yarn in my whole house; pretty pathetic, huh? So I couldn't stand it any longer and picked up my dark blue yarn that my best friend Allena (of www.starknits.blogspot.com) gave me b4 I left. I whipped out my crochet hook and my "how to crochet for idiots" book and a way I went. (actually it's how to crochet for pre-teens so there's like a scrunchie pattern and a vest and scarf and bracelet) I decided on a small purse. I guess I will give it to my girls or something. I wouldn't really do this in the color I have but I was desperate people! LOL

There are too many home improvement projects to keep me busy so I need to make time to knit and crocheting. I have several pregnant friends so I am really needing to get my butt in gear! Knitting is like the Perfect thing for baby gifts!!! I wish I would have learned it years ago. I am very grateful to Allena as she is the one who helped me learn.

But anyway it's like 5am here so I'd best be getting back to bed. Bloggin while I am supposed to be sleeping is a BAD thing!!! 3 hours later and ooppss there goes my beauty rest!

Hello from the States...

2005-06-10T22:21:00.000-05:00

So we are no longer in Germany but have moved to the good ole USofA. It's been a long hard road so far. I miss my friends from Germany terribly but a new adventure or "chapter" (as DH calls it)has arrived. I know I was really apprehensive coming to Ft Hood when we moved there in 2000. But it was a great time and I found a good church and grew considerably in Christ. Now here I find myself in the same boat, excited and scared and lonely all at the same time. My friends and I write in an email group so it's nice to be able to "talk" once in awhile.

As far as knitting, I have made like 3 pair of booties and 2 1/2 hats for 3 little girls that have been or will be born this year. I am excited to go to a LYS and see all the selection. So if you walk in one day looking for a skein or 2 and find a woman standing there in the isle, staring with eyes open wide and drewl floating then it's probably me (smile).

OH! Exciting thing, we are in the process of buying our first house!! SCARY! I can't believe we are taking on something so much bigger than we have ever had before. It's exciting to think that it will be OURS (well after we pay the bank off in 30 yrs). and nerve wracking too to think of all that debt. But we have prayed through the entire process and I know God is behind us.

It has been nice to see all the family but we are ready to move into our new home. Living out of suitcases can be tiresome! Well, here I am complaining away sheesh. Sorry I am not a whiner really! LOL You know how it is though....there's no place like home and if you don't have a home it kinda sux.

Hello to all my buds out there I miss you somethin awful and can't wait to knit/crochet together again. I will post some pix of our adventure as soon as I can.

More rain...

2005-05-09T02:37:00.000-05:00

So rain rain and more rain. Sometimes I really hate German weather. I am from sunny Cali so it really get's me down when I don't have any sun for days or weeks at a time.

I am SO excited (change subject) I actually finished my first baby bootie!! LOL (me doing the happy dance). For some reason I thought it would be really difficult like the sock I tried a few months ago but suprise suprise I did it. DH was just staring at it amazed that I could make something like that. Now I just need to finish the other and the petal hat for my other friend; right on time too because she is on the verge of having her baby.

On a sad note we are coming closer and closer to PCS-ing (permanent change of station for all you non-military types). Just 19 more days and we will be in the states. On one hand I am excited to see my homeland since it's bee over 2 years since I have set foot in the good ole USofA. But on the other hand I have my some of my best friends here. And DEF the best church I have ever found! The church just got done moving to a bigger fascility to everything is new and much nicer. I am excited and wish I could stay to enjoy the bigger building.

I have to hook up my camera and then I can post my 100 pix that I have been meaning to post for like, forever. But I must go for now as my oldest DD has school and ballet today. Happy blogging

Blah

2005-04-25T03:34:00.000-05:00

It's raining and overcast today and of course I have 1001 chores to do and am totally NOT motivated! You know those days where you just want to sit on your duff and do nothing? That's me! LOL

I started another petal hat for my other preggers friend. I need to find some DPN (double pointed needles) so i can attempt my hand at booties. I haven't been able to find any so far here on post (suprise suprise) so perhaps I need to bite the bullet and order some online.

My little man has a cold and consequently developed an ear infection so we have to force-feed him the lovely pink amoxicilin 4 times a day. He doesn't care for it too much so coughing and spitting tends to spread it everywhere but his mouth. lol My oldest daughter is doing well with her preschool and we are almost done with it.

Well, speaking of school we just finished and now have to get ready for her ballet class....so ttyl!

2005-04-17T12:42:00.000-05:00

This is the "Petal Hat" I made for my friend. I am making another for ANOTHER preggers lady that's due in like 2 weeks. I gave up on that cardigen...this yarn was originally for that but it was frogged and I made this instead. I like how it turned out....very girlie but not too girlie.

2005-04-16T14:24:00.000-05:00

Here are the stitch markers that my SP made for me....I LOVE the color blue!!

2005-04-16T14:22:00.000-05:00

Here is that awesome bracelet! My SP's friend makes these with semi-precious stones. It's so pretty I love it!!

2005-04-16T14:20:00.000-05:00

This is the latest present from my secret pal! Two skeins of some beautiful blue cotton yarn; a book called "abounding faith", some 'K' post-it notes (love them BTW!!!) some stitch holders and a "knit" bracelet which is beautiful! (I am wearing it as I type!!!!) Thankyou SOOOO much Secret Pal!!!

Finally finished something!

2005-04-16T14:13:00.000-05:00

I have been in a knitting FUNK lately! I haven't wanted to pick up the needles for a long time. But I have 2 friends that are due next month so I HAD to make something. So I found this pretty patter for a "Petal Hat" on www.knitnet.com and I actually FINISHED it!!! LOL It turned out really well and I wish I had a little girl to make one for....but alas my boy wouldn't wouldn't look good in pink. I want to knit him some slippers or something, but that will have to wait for the fall because it's getting dang hot here lately. When one has been used to 35 degree weather for so long, when it jumps to 65-70 it feels like a heat wave!

I am trying to knit my friend some mittens for her baby to match the hat. But the pattern I used was "jacked up" as my DH would say and it didn't turn out very well. So I have to find a new one...or if I was smart I would just make up my own pattern.

Anyway DH wants me to go spend some quality time with him on the couch watching "Small Ville" so i'd better go....can't wait for season 4!!!

Happy blogging

Back from the dead

2005-04-08T02:23:00.000-05:00

Where have I been you might ask??? Nothing exciting, just mundane everyday work. It seems to have doubled since DH came home for some reason. So laundry and kiddos rule the roost at the moment!

And to my Secret Pal~~ Yes I did get the box and LOVE everything!!! I would post a pic for all to see but DH has built a new puter and that has the camera dock and program on there. I am using the ole stand by puter now so I can actually get online now and then. )Those of you married to computer geeks will understand this! LOL) But anyways, she sent me 2 skeins of this lovely blue cotton yarn! And I am itching to make something with it!! Blue is my fav. color! She also sent me some BLUE stitch markers and a BLUE bracelet; and a little book of faith. OH! and some post-it notes in the shape of a 'K' which is too cool!! Thank you secret pal!!!!!

I totally frogged that cardigen I was working on. I just am retarded or something cause I kept trying to get it right and nothing was working. SO , I have moved on to making a hat. It's called a "petal hat" and looks really pretty and feminine. Liek I said I WOULD post a pic, but.....

Everything else is going smoothly. DH and I are having a blast being back together. Now comes the fun part of moving back to the states. We are waiting for orders to ship everything, and trying to find a house to buy (scary!!!!). Having to take on a morgage is a scary thing!!! But I know God is there and will help us in finding one and eveything. Just have to stay on track with what He wants for us and not get clouded with what WE want.

I joined a knitting circle last month and am looking forward to going again. It was nice to sit and knit with people far more experienced than me. I am hoping some of their wisdom and knitting abilities will rub off on me! LOL

well, we are going swimming today at the local pool, so I must pry my hands away from the keyboard and get ready. LOL I hope to be posting pix soon. I need to get with my friend to figure out how to post more than 1 pic in a post.

God Bless

home Sweet home

2005-03-09T07:35:00.000-06:00

I think my husband and I are really starting to mesh as a family again. I am still so relieved and so thankful to God that He brought my DH back to me! The girls are head-over-heels for Daddy and my DS loves him too (another man in the house besides the dog! LOL)

The snow is starting to melt...and we had a day of sun last week! I know I complained about the cold weather and no snow but now it's time to complain about no sun! That one day made me realize how much I've missed sunshine and warmth! lol I am originally from California so I MISS THE SUN!

DS rolled over for the first time this past Saturday! I am so proud of the little guy! He also sits up really well if you prop him. No teeth yet although he's a drooling fool; and YUCK! I HATE drool!!! x-(

The baby cardigen was going alright until i realized I must have messed up. I was doing the neck shaping and it sid to continue in the pattern until the piece was 7 1/2 inches from the beginning. well I think I was measuring from somewhere other than the beginning because the "neck" now dips WAY too far down! Ah well the baby isn't due until May so i have time!

I've been tagged!!!

2005-03-03T09:35:00.000-06:00

Here's my little survey from Allena of www.starknits.blogspot.com!

TV MEME
1 How much space is left on your TIVO?
What's a TiVo? J/K we, being over here in Germany don't have a TiVo but perhaps when we get back to the states...which is coming up soon!! Oh I miss cable I am looking forward to HGTV and TLC and the Discovery Channel!!!

2 Have you ever bought a tv series, if so which ones?
Yes, "Everybody loves Raymond", "SmallVille", "The Family Guy" (husband's choice), and "Gillmore Girls". I got DH hooked on "SmallVille" and I am looking forward to the 4th season! I like "Gillmore Girls" when I am feeling esp girlie, although it always makes me want to drink a lot of java! LOL

3 what was the last tv show you watched before this post?
"Blind Date" last night. That show cracks me up! I swear I have never seen so many ditzy, drunk, horney, just plain weird people in my LIFE!!

4 what 5 tv shows can't you live with out.....
Ummm "Amazing Race" (which BTW I am greatly looking forward to the new season starting on the 6th!!); "Blind Date" is good for a few laughs; I used to watch all those blood and guts ER and medical shows on TLC so anything like that is cool; "SmallVille" cause Super man is the bomb! LOL; ummm I don't watch too much TV so I have to think. I guess "Trading Spaces" is neat to watch. I could use some decorating ideas!

5 who are 3 people you're going to tag....I only know Allena who has a blog so I guess no one! LOL I am a sad little person with no friends! J/K!!

2005-03-02T15:47:00.000-06:00

Here is my sexy hubby back from iraq! You can tell we are both ecstatic to see one another! Those smiles are breaking our cheeks off! LOL I am SOOOOOO happy he's here. That's the back of my boy's head. Poor thing was screaming through the whole "welcome home" ceremony. It was too loud with all those crazy ladies screaming lol. look how white I am compared to him! It's like 13 degrees here and he came from 65 in the sand. Oh how I miss the sun!!!

Busy busy!

2005-03-02T14:36:00.000-06:00

My Dh has been back from Iraq for a week! I am so happy to have him home, as are the kiddos! LOL we are trying to readjust to being a family again. It has been a bumpy road already, but I know God is with us helping us as we go! My daughters are sooooo happy to have him here and my son is all smiles (although it's a rare occasion when he ISN'T smiling) The girls are constantly climbing all over him and bugging him, but I know he loves it!

I am still working on that cardigen for my friend. I have the back 1/2 way done. With DH being here I don't find as much time to knit as I used to have. But I am still trying to sneak it in here and there! LOL Once you learn to knit it seems like you ALWAYS need to have a project going. after this I need to make something else for another friend's baby!

Well I will post some more pics soon! Happy Blogging!

2005-02-18T05:38:00.000-06:00

WOW! My SP is the bomb! This is what I received the other day! So awsome that she thought of my kiddos too! A Beauty and the Beast book for DD#1, a counting book for DD#2 and a stegasaurus blanket for my son! Chocolate, soap, a pretty pattern and some purple cotton yarn for me; and of course, a lovely letter! Whoever you are, thank you!!!!

2005-02-11T09:49:00.000-06:00

Here I am with my son and DD#2 opeing a present at my birthday dinner! My oldest DD is off playing with her friends.

A rainy day...

2005-02-11T09:03:00.000-06:00

Well, I had some excitment first thing this morning! Last night we had a convoy of people going out to eat for my birthday and one of my friends got her truck stuck in the mud/ice. So this morning we go out to where the truck was and push it through. I was covered in mud by the time I finished. It was an accomplishment I have to say! Without our hubbies around we CAN take care of ouselves! LOL

Speaking of hubbies, my DH called the other day and said we'll be moving to Ft Knox in the summer. I am scared and nervous and excited all at once. I am very sad to leave my friends and my great church. This has been the best 2 years of my life! I can't believe how mush I have grown as a Christian and a person! I have made friends for life and it will break my heart to leave them. Like I said, we all got together for my b-day dinner and I looked around at the table and almost cried thinking of how sweet that moment was. You know when you are so happy and content and then the moment is gone? And even though my heart has been torn in 2 thinking of my DH at war, God has healed me through His word and through my friends. Our husbands have forged a bond together in combat that will never be broken. They are brothers in arms forever. I believe the same of my girlfriends here. They are my "Sisters in Arms" and our bond is much stronger than an "ordinary" friendship. We already are planning yearly get-togethers back in the US.

Anyway, onto a less emotion-ladden topic lol. I have started a cardigen for a friend who's due in May. I am hoping that it's not too complicated! She said no pink, but the yarn I have is a varigated pink,green, blue, yellow, so I hope she likes it! I still haven't picked up DD#2's socks yet. The yarn is sitting in my bag waiting.

Well, my precious baby boy just woke up. Happy Blogging!!

Happy Anniversary to me!

2005-02-06T16:36:00.000-06:00

Happy Anniversary to me! It was my 6th year anniversay last month. My wonderful, sexy husband sent me roses all the way from Iraq! It was sad being apart from him but the flowers were so sweet! And that is my dog, Frosty in the background lounging on the couch! LOL

I am sorry I haven't posted in a long time! The girls have been sick and so I have been busy caring for them. I had to take DD#2 to the hospital the other night as she spiked a 104.7 fever! They drew blood and said it was a virus and I could treat it here. She's had this bug for 3 days now. I pray she can get over it soon! DD#1 also has a similar virus (but without the fever). So my DS and I are the only ones who are healthy at the moment!

I also apologise for not letting anyone post a comment anymore. I have had a problem with a nasty troll. So from now on if you would like access to post a comment, email me and I can invite you to become a member. It's pretty sad when I have to restrict my own little blog.

I gave up on those socks I was knitting and did a pair of mittens for DD#2 instead. I will go back to them now, I just kept getting frustrated as I would lose my count in the ribbing and it looked all fuddled up. Oh well, I will get this eventually!

Blah Blah Blah

2005-01-26T18:36:00.000-06:00

I wonder if anyone is reading this? I have kinda put my socks to the side for now. I am in a rut and just don't want to deal with it at the moment. Probably because my DD#1 is sick with some kind of stomach bug. She went to the doctor today and he said it was a 24 hr virus thingy. I hope so, she's so skinny naturally that she doesn't have any poundage to lose.

I am kinda down lately too that I haven't heard anything from my husband in the last few days. I pray he's doing alright. I always get down when I go for an extended period of time not hearing from him. It's so hard, esp now at the end of the deployment. I just want him home already.

Well, my SmallVille episode is over so I should hit the rack (as my dear hubby would say). DD #1 has a dentist appointment in 6 hours! Yikes! g'night!

My Secret Sister Survey!

2005-01-26T18:22:00.000-06:00

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high- a nd/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you? I don’t really care for Red Heart….I have really enjoyed Bernat. But I am a NEW newbie at knitting and have not tried many brands!

2. Do you spin? Crochet? I’d love to learn both! I tried crochet once and failed miserably.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.) Rabbits…or rodents in general (weird I know!) But I get an asthmatic-like reaction when I am around them (sad cause I have always wanted a bunny).

4. How long have you been knitting? Umm…like 4 months! LOL So any help, tips, etc are VERY much needed/appreciated.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? no but I will soon!

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) ummm..i love sugar cookie, and lavendar

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? YES! milk chocolate is the bomb!!

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? sewing, reading (well, I used to read b4 I had kids! LOL), gardening (extreme novice here!), candle-making, rubber stamping and card making, cooking

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Yes I can play MP3’s…I listen to Christian music…alternative, rock, (ie DC Talk, FFH, MWS, Jenny Velasquez)

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? I always seem to wear blue’s and purples…I like any color really but more into “girlie” colors My fav. season is Fall

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? My DH is Army. I have 2 DD (4 and 2) and one DS (4 months). we live in army housing. Our pets include a siamese cat, an American Eskimo and some fish.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know) Ummm…when I was a teenage I always aspired to be a veterinarian. But now that I am a Mom I would like to raise my children as the Lord would have me. I am homeschooling my oldest daughter and love it! I am excited to see what He has in mind. I would like to go to college someday. I don’t really know what He has in mind but I trust that it will be great!

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? like I said I am an extreme newbie so I have not worked with much. The faux fur is fun. I am attempting my hand at socks at the moment and am confused already!

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? anything rough and scratchie! LOL

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? I don’t have any right now. Just knitting in general! You know how it is once you start you can’t stop!

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I was happy with the hats I had made. If I get these socks I think that might be my new obscession

17. What are you knitting right now? SOCKS! LOL

18. What do you think about ponchos? Love ‘em and would love to make one for my Mom and me!

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Straight for the most part. Although my friend has introduced me to knitting in the round so there is no seam on hats and things.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I have aluminum and bamboo. I think I like the aluminum ones better.

21. Are you a sock knitter? See above!

22. How did you learn to knit? From the $7 “Learn to Knit” CD on joann.com! (and my friend who turned me onto Knitting!)

23. How old is your oldest UFO? What?!

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? My favorite animated character is SpongeBob SquarePants. My favorite animal is a tie between cats and horses (a girl always dreams of horses ya know!) Bird-for a pet it would have to be a peach faced lovebird. I had one when I was a teenager and loved him to bits!

25. What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving and Christmas is a close second!

26. Is there anything that you collect? I am starting to collect lanturns my other friend got me hooked. She had them hung all over the ceiling in her bedroom, it was gorgeous

2005-01-23T18:23:00.000-06:00

this is the scarf that I made for my oldest daughter! I have a matching hat as well. I like the varigated yarn, it looks so pretty. After I FINALLY get those socks done I am going to make DD #2a pair of mittens.

2005-01-22T19:20:00.000-06:00

here is my cutie patootie son in his Kentucky wildcats wind-breaker! He's such a little flirt just like his daddy!

still here...

2005-01-21T19:21:00.000-06:00

Well, my friend is telling me to update this thing. Maybe soon huh? LOL I am sitting here watching more "Small Ville" and finishing putting together a toy organizer I bought today. I am really trying to get things organized and put away before my hubby comes back from the sand. I have kinda let the house go.... :-(

Tomorrow I am making some welcome home banners with my FRG (family readiness group). I am excited for that and being with my hubby again. But I am a little sad that my life as it is now will end. I really enjoy hanging out with my friends and will miss the closeness and the time I spent all of them.

I have re-done the heel part of that sock I am still knitting. I am stalled out right now...I guess just unsure of how to proceed. I am sure I will figure it out sometime.

i just bought some coffee from www.freshcoffee.net and it's making my house smell SOOO nice! My friend made me some real cappuccino tonight and I was in heaven. She and I have been discussing opening our own coffee shop in the states. I don't know the first thing about opening a business so if anyone has any suggestions I would be more than happy to hear!

Anyways, it's like 2:46am here so I'd better hit the hey

Rhianna's birthday!

2005-01-15T10:19:00.000-06:00

Today Rhianna turned 2! My baby girl is growing up! Sniff sniff!! The party went great, I had invited all of her little friends from the nursery at church and some of Malayah's friends. We had 6 kids and 2 babies. If I could find my camera I'd post a few pictures. :-) Rhianna had a lot of fun, decorating cupcakes and making necklaces with Fruit Loops. And now I am sitting here playing with my blog instead of cleaning the disaster that is my house! ;-) ah but there's always time for that...

I am still working on those socks for Rhianna too. I got stuck on the heel and instep. It takes me awhile to figure things out so I will get it eventually! LOL I will post a pic when i get them done!

I heard from my DH (dear husband) this morning. It's getting really close to the time when he comes back from Iraq. I am excited and nervous and scared at the same time. My FRG (family readiness group) is making welcome home banners this weekend! It's so nice to see "welcome home" instead of "good-bye"

Well, my friends invited me to Burger King for dinner so i will go for now! :-P

My first post...

2005-01-10T19:05:00.000-06:00

Hello! I have never had an online journal before so this should be interesting! :-) I had a "game and movie night" with a few friends over and it's really late so I won't be doing any knitting tonight! I am in the process of working on some socks for my middlest daughter, Rhianna. Her birthday is this Saturday and I had hoped to finish them by then but it's not looking very promising! Well, I will post more when I can! G'night!