Two Kiddos, Two Smiles...finally!

I know...don't all gasp at the same time, but I, queen of a million pictures a month, haven't been taking any pictures lately. Mostly because my children refuse...and yes, I mean refuse to have anything to do with the camera, but also because there doesn't seem to be any time. Anyways, I've tried being sneaky and pulling the camera out at the last minute, I've tried putting things on my head and acting goofy, and I've even tried bribes...but to no avail. I either get screams, or the backs of heads, and after a couple hundred pictures of the backs of their heads, I'm pretty sure I'll remember what a head w/ hair looks like in a few years, and there isn't really a need to get any more of those "precious" shots. So...I've quit for a while. Just plain quit taking pictures.

Well, Sunday we went as a family to the Pumpkin Patch, and even during my photography strike, if you will, I had to take the camera...You've got to get pictures of the pumpkin patch, right! Well, I got Kal, when I told him to turn around and smile (before he knew I had the camera)...

and I got Kynz in her typical, fingers in the mouth, act like I don't hear you pose. All the acting silly, and making funny noises, never fazed her...but the goat looks amused!

So...after finally picking our pumpkins (Kallen wanted a small one he could carry, but they were all bigger than an elephant, so we had to settle on one we could carry together), I picked up the kids, set them on a pumpkin, which amused them long enough to back up, call their names and "shoot"! Ahhhh...how cute are they! Finally...a picture with them both looking, no fingers in Kynlee's mouth, and smiles ta butte! Yes...maybe I won't retire my camera after all!

Blessings,

Minus 2

My cousin Lyndzie and I are a couple of months apart in age, and we've always been very close. We used to say that we would always get married at the same time, and have kids at the same time, just to keep the closeness. Well...the marriages came a couple of years apart, as did our first children, and we now live 4+ hours apart. Not how we would like it at all...but that's life. Anyways...last sunday the kids and I took a "marathon" trip up to Seattle for her sister, my cousin, Aubree's daughter Avree's (follow all that) first birthday. There she is...Yay Avree!

And I got to see Caleb...Lyndzie's son, for the first time since he was a month or so old! I just love his seriuos face, and though I should share it with you all!

So there you have it...my cousin's kiddos, which makes them what??? my "second cousins", or are they my kids second cousins! Huh...Anyways, I love them and they are just too cute!

Also...my grandparents wanted a picture of all their grandkids (minus 2, since Parker and Griffin) weren't able to make the party! So...getting all 8 kiddos to sit and smile after a couple of hours of presents, people and cake...they just weren't havin' it! This is the best I got! From left to right: Benson, Josiah, Sean whose holding Caleb, Mattison whose holding Avree, Kallen and Kynlee!

Blessings,

More Than a "Mom"!

I recently attended the National MOPS convention (if you don't know what MOPS is, go to www.mops.org and check it out), and was fortunate enough to hear Kathy Peal speak. She gave a workshop on "The Busy Mom's Guide to a Happy Organized Home", and it was fantastic! Along with many other things, I came away with a job description that really describes my "job". In fact...it's posted on my refrigerator as we speak, and I recite it every morning with pride. Okay...maybe I don't recite it every morning, but it's not a bad idea I tell ya!

I oversee the most important organization in the world
Where hundreds of decisions are made daily
Where property and resources are managed
Where health and futures are discussed and debated
Where projects are planned and events are arranged
Where transportation and scheduling are critical
Where team building is priority…
I AM A FAMILY MANAGER

Blessings,

What's My Name Again?

Life seems to be a little crazy these days, and I'm pretty sure I'm losing my mind...so while I'm sure I've got some funny story or life changing advice to share with you all...I can't seem to come up with anything. Therefore...pictures from the last couple of weeks.

Blessings,

Who Knew???

Apparently, if your kids drop your cellphone off the deck, onto the patio below, and you don't know it...then you wash off your patio with the hose several times...only to find your phone a couple of days later laying in a pool of standing water...It won't work...Who knew???

Blessings,

Can You Believe it!!!

Oregon State 27, USC 21

Yes friends...it happened...and I was there to see it all! I may not have a voice, my head quite possibly is throbbing more than it ever has, and I'm pretty sure they guy behind me was spitting sunflower seeds in my general direction the entire game...but WE WON!!! Woohoo...Go BEAVERS!

Blessings,

Maybe in Africa

As I was searching in the fridge for some veggies last night, I put the wonderful farmers market corn on the cob we have, on the counter in order to access what was underneath. Well...Little to my knowledge, one of those ears was home to a little green caterpillar and the moving and jostling in and out of the fridge made it fall from it's home, and land on my counter top.

I normally would have tossed the little inhabitant outside, washed my hands, and went on with my cooking...but Kallen was having a rather whiney, complainy, "man it's hard being 2" kind of an afternoon, so I decided to give him the little caterpillar, to take outside and do with as he may!

I called him over, picked the little guy off the counter and told him to take it outside. Without missing a beat, in a very confused and concerned state of mind, he put the pillar on his arm, and looked at me and said..."mommy...why you cooking caterpillar for dinner?"

Blessings,

Not Trying, but Not Preventing

No, no...it's not what you think...though I was laughing pretty hard when I thought of that title.

Here's the real deal! Kynlee has never been one to be discrete when she's "filling her britches". If she's not red in the face and grunting in the middle of the floor, then she's grabbing onto a table and straining with all her might...you know, to where it's obvious what she's doing. For the last couple of months or so, I've been saying "Kynlee, are you going poo poo." or simply "poo poo" when I see her "routine". Not really thinking anything of it, other than it can't hurt to start introducing her to "potty" things, and making her aware that she's actually doing something. Anyways, a couple of weeks ago she was walking around the house grunting and straining, so I thought I'd rush her to the toilet and she if she'd go there. She did!!! I keep clapping and saying "good girl Kynlee, good job going poo poo", once again not really thinking anything would come of it!

Well, Kynlee now walks around patting her bottom saying "go poo poo", EVERY time she has a poopy diaper, and every once in a while she'll even tell us before she goes. It's about 4 days now that she has truly told us while she's going, or immediately after, and insists on sitting on the potty. I'm a little baffled by the whole thing, and curious just how long it's actually going to last, but if she wants to start doing the same thing when she simply pees...I won't stop her!!!

Now, let me make myself clear...we are by no means trying to "potty train" Kynlee, but if she wants to start doing it herself...we sure won't complain!!!

Blessings,