Cheap AND Classy.

Everyone who knows me, knows that I am a huge sucker for a good deal.
I absolutely love thrift stores, and am obsessed with the clearance section.
I very rarely will pay full price for anything, and most times when I HAVE to, I'll actually cringe at the register.
What can I say? It's just who I am.
Lee will even tease me occasionally on how 'frugal' I can be.
It's okay though, I'll take the criticism. I'm proud of being a cheap-ass.
I finished decorating the bathrooms at the new house today, and I actually had to refrain from doing my 'happy dance' at the end result.
Not to brag or anything... but they look fan-frickin-tastic AND I did them BOTH for under $25 each!
Oh, yeah. It feels good to be awesome.

Brotherly-love.

Layton just can't get enough of Bentlee lately.
He made me laugh the other day when he got done playing with the dog.
He climbed onto the couch beside me, layed his head on my lap, sighed loudly, and said: "Oh, Mommy. I just LOVE my brudder."

Yeah well, I'm pretty sure that the feeling is mutual.

Craziness.

Yep. That just about sums up our lives lately.
Things have been so busy with the new house.
It seems like we've been running on empty for awhile now.
Oh wait. We HAVE been running on empty for awhile now.
But, things are finally starting to 'come together' and I'm finding myself falling more in love with the new place everytime I see it.
It's getting that "cozy" feeling to it, and I absolutely LOVE that feeling.
I have to admit. Besides the 'stress' that comes with this whole process, I have really enjoyed the experience for the most part.
We've had some moments where I probably could have killed someone. (Example: the carpet people, or another example: the husband when he gets that 'look' on his face at my decoration ideas.)
But, all in all. It's been good.
It's been a long 5 months (especially for Lee) and it's just a great feeling to see all of his hard work paying off.
I'm really looking forward to calling that place home.

Don't worry kids...

...Dad's choice of movies?

They always put me to sleep too.

The sound of music.

Kaylee performed in her first musical program at school tonight.

It was with the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students, and the musical instruments that they have been learning to use in class. 

I have to say: I was actually kind of impressed at how good they all were.

Kay's been practicing extra hard lately for the 'big' night, and she did great.

This girl is a 'natural' in front of a big audience.

(She should probably thank her Dad for that, because she SURE doesn't get it from me.) 

Way to go kiddo, you never cease to make us PROUD.

Okay, who gave the dog SPEED?

Um... I can't even begin to describe just how crazy he is acting tonight.

For the last HOUR he hasn't stopped running FULL THROTTLE throughout the entire house.

He's hauling ass from room to room, running into walls, and acting like an insane maniac.

He's panting so bad, that someone might even think he's dying.

Seriously. What is WRONG with this dog?

He's been known to have his moments, but this is even beyond his normal 'spaz-like' episodes.

I can't WAIT until he finally gives it up, and passes out.

I'm hoping that will be very soon.

Isn't he a little old for this?

I have always bragged that Layton is my "good" sleeper.

Kaylee on the other hand, has always been my "fighter" when it comes to it.

She's stubborn, like her Dad.

But, when Layton came along. I was THRILLED that he was so easy with naps, and bed-time.

Since he was a baby, he would always go to sleep as soon as he was put down.

(Now, this didn't mean that he never woke up, because the stinker STILL didn't sleep through the night until he was over a year old.)

But, he did always go right back to sleep as soon as his needs were met.

We've NEVER had issues with bed-time. Ever.

He's even the type to just crawl onto a couch if we're at a friends house and go to sleep if he's tired.

He's just that way.

When it's bed time. He's tucked in tight, and out like a light in 5 minutes flat.

It's awesome.

But, now for some reason? It's suddenly changed.

It started last week & so far he has givin me all of these excuses:

I have to go potty.

I'm hungry.

I'm thirsty.

I'm scared.

I'm not tired.

I just can't sleep.

Oh, and the newest one?

(The one that shows his knack for always being able to make me CRACK up laughing?)

"Mom, my mattress is just so uncomfortable. It's reaaaalllly starting to hurt my back."

(Yep. He actually thought that one up.)

So, obviously I am losing my patience with this whole matter.

I went from tolerating it, to threatening to spank him HARD in the HOUR AND A HALF it took me to get him to go to sleep last night.

All I have to say is: this kid better understand that Mom has just about HAD it.

Being absolutely adorable, charming and cute... will only get you so far. 

Out with a BANG!

Well, birthday "season" is officially over.
We ended it last night with Kaylee & Layton's combined celebration at Pietro's Pizza.
To sum it up in a few words, I'd say: loud, crazy, and FUN.
There were kids EVERYWHERE, and family & friends that mean a whole lot to us.
The kids got presents galore, and they were still talking about it this morning.
To me, that sounds like we succeeded.
Now? Another year to plan for the next one.

Go BLUE!

Little Miss Kaylee had her first soccer game yesterday, and she did awesome.
She's been dying to play for about a year now, and now that she's on a team, we think she's found her sport.
She gave it her all, and she made us proud.
(Oh, and the fact that I got to FINALLY try out my telephoto lense?  BONUS!)
Way to go Kay! Looking forward to the rest of the season.

Like a kid again.

Layton had a birthday request for us to play with Play-doh together.
All I have to say is: Geez, I never knew how much I missed this stuff, until yesterday.
We played, talked, and just hung out.
Just some quality time spent with my little birthday boy.
It was PERFECT.

He's SIX.

Well, our little man turns SIX today.

Wow. Six. It seems un-real.
It's like I just blinked, and he grew up.

I remember the day he arrived, like it was yesterday.
I remember being home alone with horrible pains.
I remember calling Lee at work and telling him to come home.
I remember him taking too long.
I remember telling myself over & over 'this can't be labor, I'm not due for another month or more.'
I remember calling my midwife.
I remember her telling me:
"I REALLY don't thing that you're in labor. Why don't you just come into the office, and we'll check you. No need to waste a trip all the way out to Silverton."
I remember her face when she realized she was: WRONG.
I remember Lee stopping for gas ON THE WAY to the hospital.
(and yes, if I could have killed him at that very moment... I would have.)
I remember EVERYTHING. Clear as day.

Afterall, It was one of the HAPPIEST days of my life.
The day that I was blessed with the BEST son in the world.

Layton continues to bless us. Everyday.
He is a sensitive, caring, sweet, and the funny little guy.
Seriously. This kid cracks me up daily.
He loves cars, and has a natural talent for music.
Sometimes I even wonder if that's the path he'll take when he's older.

He's just a great boy. One I'm so proud of.

Happy Birthday little man.
You're pretty awesome.

                   (His first night home @ 2 days old. Awww, I miss those days...)

Oh, desicions.

Today was interesting.
We picked the out paint for the outside of the new house, and I have to say this actually was a very easy task. We went for a dark forest green, with white trim.
Then? We spent HOURS trying to decide on flooring.
I never knew that something that seems to be so simple, can actually be so STRESSFUL.
I have a headache from it. Seriously.
We went back, and forth with different combinations.
Over, and over, and over.
We just stood in home depot staring at it all.
We'd like something, until we looked at it for too long, then we'd change our minds.
Over, and over, and over.
Amazingly, we finally came to a decision, and even more amazing... we decided on the same thing!
But, it DID take us AWHILE to get there. :]
Now, next week can't come soon enough.
I'm DYING to see the finished product.
I know that I'm going to be super anxious until it's installed, and
I'll for SURE be crossing my fingers that it will look as good IN THERE as it does 'in my head.'

Back to the 80's

Stacie's party was a HIT.
The decorations were awesome.
The food was awesome.
The kids looked awesome.
All in all... it was just awesome.
Happy 13th birthday Stacie. :]

I'm NO Martha Stewart

This Saturday, Stacie is having a "13 going on 30" party.

It's a dress-up party, and the choices are...
-Dress like your 13
-Dress like your 30
-Dress like your living in the 80's.

Kaylee chose the 80's look.
(I on the other hand was going with it, but soon changed my mind.)
Hell, I'm almost 30... I'll just go with that. :]

Anyhoo,
After looking around for outfits for her, I just found myself going crazy.
She wanted to look "funky," so I thought, perfect: 80's punk.
Let me just say, there is not much out there for KIDS if your going for that look.
Then, I got this brilliant idea. I'll just make it.

Yeah, not so brilliant.

I spent almost 4 hours last night creating a punk styled skirt made of tulle.
Um...KILL ME.
My fingers are so sore this morning from the numerous amount of times I STABBED myself with the needle.
I don't think I've cursed so much in my entire life.
All the while, Lee is finding this TOTALLY amusing.

Needless to say in the end, I didn't pull my hair out, and she DOES have something to wear this weekend.
This is a huge accomplishment by the way.

It's for sure funky, and it's absolutely hideous.
In other words: It's perfect for the occasion.

But, to sum up this experience? It only takes TWO words...
NEVER AGAIN.

What's up DAWG?

It's been awhile since I've talked about our "baby."

Happy to report that we are now totally used to having him around, and he has adjusted to us as well.

He sleeps ALL night, and goes to the bathroom OUTSIDE.

He's sweet, energetic, lovable, smart, and a royal pain in our ass a lot of the time.

We absolutely LOVE him.

Although I must admit, I'm not a huge fan lately of his desire to play in the rain.

He used to hate it. We couldn't even get him to go out there when it was raining.

Now? All of a sudden he PREFERS it.

He prefers to go out in it, get absolutely drenched, covered in mud, and then try to sneak past me at the door while I'm standing there with a towel waiting to wipe him down.

(like I said. Smart dog.)

He wants to play ALL THE TIME, and that's not an under-statement.

It's just his personality.

This dog NEVER gets tired of a game of fetch. NEVER.

If you don't believe me, just look at the above picture.

You can totally tell what he's thinking:

"You know you wanna play with me... C'mon you know you wanna play..."

Ahhh, He's our boy

The THREE month-mark.

I'm a few days late on this entry.
The 2nd of April marked three months since we began our healthy-eating habits .

I have to say : weigh-in wasn't quite as exciting this time.
I blogged earlier in the month that it had been a little harder lately to "stick with" our program.
Life's been busy.
Work, kids... Sometimes it was a tough task to just make it to the gym.
I understand that it happens though.
I'm for sure not beating myself up about it.

I lost another 2 lbs, making that 14 lbs total, and Lee maintained this month.
No weight loss for him, but no weight GAIN either.
To me. that's still something to be proud of.

Hippity-hop...

...the Easter bunny STOPPED at our house.
Unfortunately the kids were up EARLY in search of their baskets, and I was half asleep.
This is why there is no picture attatched to my post.
I took a bunch of shots, just point & shoot.
But, I didn't have my contacts in, so I didn't look as I took them.
I went to upload them on the computer, and... no memory card.
(What? I told it was too early.)
So, long story short.
They destroyed their baskets in a flash, and were thrilled with all the treats inside.
Awww. Success.

Celebrating Easter.

Church was great tonight.
Great music.
Great sermon.
Great times with the ones we love.
Thank you Jesus.

The little boy

The other day I had something happen at work that was so touching, I just had to share.

I was super busy, with a line that I couldn't see the end of.
I had the phone ringing, my register beeping, and a not-so-nice customer glaring at me. Let's just say, I wasn't in the greatest mood.

All of a sudden I hear this quiet voice from behind me:

"Excuse me. Ma'am? Um, Ma'am? Can you help me?"
I turn around to see a little boy, probably 7 or 8 but small for his age, standing there.
Ok. Now, honestly: I was annoyed.
The first thing I thought was: Nice, another kid wandering around making a mess. WHERE ARE HIS PARENTS?

This was our conversation:

Me: "What do you need help finding?"
Him: "Can you help me find a card? I can't find one for a Mom."
Me: "Oh, you can't find a Easter card for your Mom?"
Him: "No, I don't need an Easter one, just a 'you're the best mom in the world' one."

(I couldn't help but think how cute he was all of a sudden.)

I told him that I'd send someone over to that section to help him.
He said: "THANKS!" and off he skipped with a smile on his face.

A few minutes later, after my line died down, he walked back up to my register with a card in one hand, and a bundle of artificial flowers in the other.
He then says: "Um, do you guys have boxed chocolates here?"
I told him no, but pointed him in the direction of the candy aisle.

He returned shortly after, and put all of his items on the belt.
The card, (with no envelope) the flowers, and a chocolate shaped cross.
He then digs his change out of his pockets and layed it on the belt beside it all, and continued our conversation.

Me: "Did you find everything you needed?"
Him: "Yep."
Me: "Is it your mom's birthday today?"
Him: "Nope, she's just having a bad day. She's been reeeeeeeaaaaaaaallllyy stressed out lately, and I just want to make her happy." (He then giggles.)
I couldn't help it, I laughed too.

It stopped to make me think about my own kids. How they really do take everything in.It made me think of how they must feel when I'm super grumpy, and how they just want to make it better.

As I watched him walk out the front doors with his bag in hand, I couldn't help but think to myself:
I really hope that his Mom know's just how lucky she is to have a son like that, one that thinks the WORLD of her.

He doesn't know this of course, but that little boy BLESSED my stressful day.

Thanks, kid. :]