Why do these kids keep calling me mom?

warm weather and cool sunsets

2009-05-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

I took this photo last night from our front porch. It is looking west out towards Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams. A little time later the sky lit up with lightning. It is so amazing to watch the lightning along the valley. One of the many perks of living on the hill, you can see forever.
We are also getting acclimated to the warmer weather. Mostly it has been in the mid 80's to low 90's, but yesterday my car said 99. I absolutely love it. This dry heat makes it so much more tolerable. 90 on the west side is unbearable without air conditioning. Three cheers for the A.C!

My allergies have kicked into high gear. The dust and weed pollen have kept me on a constant dose of Claratin. I know the dust will be here, but hopefully the weed pollen will subside just a bit.

The kids are on the countdown to the last day of school. Next week is the last day. Like I said before, I'm actually excited for them to be out this year. It may be short lived, but I'm excited.

We will have a few trips planned and hopefully getting the boat out on the river for some wakeboarding. It has been almost a year since I was behind the boat. YIKES! I have a feeling there will be some sore body parts following that activity.

We have still been sampling the wine. A few nights ago a friend brought this over for us to sample. It's not a "Prosser" wine, but it is from the valley and the grower buys all of his fleet cars from Brandon's dealership. It was not bad. I wouldn't rank it to my top 5, but it was good.

One of the great things about being in WA wine country is there are so many good wines, and we usually get to try them for free. With the weather getting warmer, maybe I will be moving on to wine spritzers?

Where does the time go?

2009-05-18T09:39:00.000-07:00

Time just keeps rushing by these days. My kids only have 3 weeks of school left. (yeah!) I'm looking forward to at least a few lazy mornings here and there. No more packing lunch boxes, signing papers, and making sure everyone has a coat. At least have a break from it for a bit.

I know I will be singing another tune about 2 weeks into vacation when they are at each others throats and all I'm doing is counting down the days until the first day of school. But, that is what us moms do.

It seems like we have been busy, but not doing a whole lot..if that makes sense. Just had the parents of my high school BFF stop by for an over nighter. We did a little wine tasting, BBQ. (Thank you poppy and Mimi for the GIANT bag of M&M's Ellie and Braydon had them for breakfast the next day) Wine and BBQ is looking like a pattern here.

Braydon goes to a 3 day camp this week with his 5th grade class. He says he is not sure if he wants to go because the puppy will miss him. WHATEVER! I think he is just nervous to go because he really doesn't know these kids. It's a bit different then camp last year when he went with his buds.

I have been trying to plant my garden but the dang ground squirrels keep eating the tops off my starts. I think I'm going to have to cage the plants for now or go on a squirrel hunt. We are hoping for some green peppers, tomatoes, musk melon, watermelon, and a few cucumbers. This will be my first attempt at a garden. We will see.

I have been absolutely loving this weather we are having. Sunny and 80+ is the life for me. Truly I don't care if it's 26 degrees as long as the sun is out. Why is it so much more motivating to get up and moving for the day when the sun is out. No wonder there is so many depression issues in the Pacific Northwest.

I really hope to be posting more to the blog. I feel like we have not been documenting our "New Normal" Over here on the east side of the state. But the sunshine just keeps me away from the computer working on my tan.

Puppy updates

2009-05-03T22:01:00.001-07:00

Where to start? These guys are a blast to have around! (minus the puppy accidents in the house) I'll start with Mister. His name describes him to a T. He is a true gentleman. There is nothing like having a mature well behaved dog. He is so even tempered. He is so gentle with the kids. If he gets enough of their noises or constant need to touch him, he ever so politely goes to find another place to be.

When we were at the kennel, the breeder said she was leery about us taking him home since he had not been around too many kids. She also thought he needed a large fenced yard because he was a bit wild.

Turns out he loves the kids, is just happy snooping around in the back yard, and is only wild when you are wild with him.

Mister is a great addition to our family.

Then there is Murphy. Murphy is all puppy. He plays hard and sleeps hard. The potty training thing is a real hit and miss. One day he goes outside all day and the next he has accidents. Again, all puppy. He is still sleeping with Braydon and right by my side all day.

Mister is real good with him too. Murphy will bite on Misters tail and Mister drags him across the hardwood floor. They are comical.

This is Murphy taking a little nap on the back of the couch. He really is asleep like that.

Things I have learned about wine tasting

2009-05-02T10:18:00.000-07:00

Moving to Washington wine country has opened up a whole new world for me. I used to buy my wine a Target solely based on if the label was cute. Little did I know moving here would completely make me a wine snob. I broke open a bottle I purchased at the local Target before I moved. Lets just say it went down the sink. I now know what I was missing, a good wine.

By no means am I an expert. My taste buds just have been open to a whole other taste. And I like it.

One of the things I have learned is, I like wine very much. exclusively red wine, until this last festival. The bottle in the middle is from Maison Bleue..YUM! The only white so far that has actually come home with me. I was hoping I didn't purchase it because I was taste happy. But, come to find out, it was really good.

The second thing I have learned is for us locals, don't go to the tasting rooms on a Saturday. All the visitors are here and it is busy. It is nearly impossible to get to taste anything, ask questions, and enjoy the experience. On Saturdays is not likely you will get a second taste of a particular wine. It's best to go on Sunday or get drunk during the weekday. Wink!

Third thing I have learned is, Don't go to the tasting rooms during a festival. Unless you know for sure you are going to buy a bottle of wine, or really want to try it. Being a local, I find it a rip off that I have to pay to taste. It really cuts into the budget. 5.00 each? Some places do give you a coupon for 5.00 back on a bottle, but what if I don't want to buy a bottle and I just want to taste? There are some tasting rooms that do not charge, mostly the smaller vineyards.

It's definitely better for me to wait for the off weekend!!! Free wine!

These are my 3 favorites this week. 2007 Lemberger by Alexandria Nicole. 2008 Notre Vie by Maison Bleue, and my all time favorite, 2006 Merlot by Olsen Hills Estates. (on my 3rd bottle)

Piles

2009-04-24T10:53:00.000-07:00

This one word (PLIES) seems to sum up my days here. I have plies of clean laundry, piles of dirty laundry, piles of school papers the kids bring home, piles of mail, piles of dog hair and piles the puppy leaves behind.

I know I sound like every mom around the world, but I have never been one to let things pile up like this. Well, not the puppy and dog hair ones.

I get the kids off to school, hit the gym, come home clean the morning dishes, take the dogs out for a walk, clean up puppy messes, make beds, take a shower, throw a load of laundry in, run a couple of errands and it's time to get the kids. Where did the time go.

I admit I do look at Facebook, Prez Hilton ( gotta get the latest celeb gossip), and MSN news in the morning while the kids eat breakfast and I do check my email during the day. I don't watch daytime TV or afternoon TV for that matter. Food network is on in the background, hopefully to inspire me too cook a gourmet meal for my family.

As Brandon kisses me goodbye in the morning I hear, "Hey Honey, I need work socks."

Crap, That means laundry again, didn't I just do that?

When the kids get home we are having snack, homework, taking the dogs out for a walk again, and getting dinner started. Then it is showers and time for bed.

I cannot seem to catch up on all of the things in between.

I was worried about moving to a small town that I would be bored and not have anything to do. I don't think I have to worry about that too much right now. My to do list is still a mile long.

I still haven't begun to do all the scapbooking I wanted to do. I still haven't organized the file cabinet. I still haven't made it over to the west side to visit my BFF's, Where do my days go?

The puppy isn't that much work. The kids are not that much work. Do I have a time management issue?

I thought I was more together then that. Maybe I should get off of the blog and Facebook? NAH!

The biggest suckers in the world!!!!

2009-04-13T09:32:00.000-07:00

See these 2 people here in the photo above? Suckers I tell yah. Yesterday was a good Easter Sunday for every one here in the "Why do these kids keep calling me mom?" household.

With the recent loss of our beloved Vinny, we chose to take a look at a new puppy, but what happened? Well, I fell in love with this guy...

Meet Mister. He is a 41/2 year old Papillon. He was rescued from a breeder going out of business. He is so sweet and easy going. I could not leave there with out him. The breeder was not real crazy about us giving him a home since he had no been around too many kids. But, we changed her mind on that. By the end of the visit Mister was licking the kids and following them around. He was more then happy to go home with us, even sleeping on my lap the entire way.

My heart is a little fuller now with Mister in our lives. Oh, but wait. Remember we said we went to look at puppies?

Meet Murphy. He is a 10 week old Papillon. SUCKERS I tell you. The kids are so jacked. Me the other hand...I'm a bit busy now.

Moving forward

2009-04-10T21:37:00.000-07:00

It's funny how you let an animal into your heart. Vinny was so much a part of us in his short little life. We inter-weaved him into our daily agendas, and it never became a second thought if he was going on a road trip or if he was going camping, he was because he was one of us.

One of the saddest things is not being greeted at the door with a happy wag or a howl, welcoming you back.

His good night love before tucking him and Braydon in for the night and turning off the lights.

It was his own vice of chasing cars that did him in. This was only one of many brushes with death for him. He was a freak when it came to cars. It's not surprising this would be his demise.

The kids are already asking for another dog. I'm not sure I'm ready. But I miss not having a dog here. Like I said he had been so much a part of us that it really feels strange. I like the knowing he would bark if someone was nosing around outside, or if the doorbell rang. Not that his little 10 pound body was going to protect us, but he was for sure our heads up.

I have been looking at other dogs to help appease the kids, it seems to be helping them. They are excited to look at pictures of puppies and the thought of bringing home another family member got them smiling and laughing. But my heart has truly not forgotten about our sweet little Vinny. *Sigh*

All of you out there, give your pets a little squeeze tonight, for me.

The protector of all

2009-04-05T17:13:00.000-07:00

Tonight is a sad night. Vinny was hit by a car and did not make it. We are all very sad. 4/9/09 He will me missed very much!

I was never a fan of little dogs. When I was growing up, all the dogs we had were big outside dogs. They braved the elements 365 days a year. They were never allowed in the house, only in the garage during thunder storms.

The one little dog we did have was a total pain and I really did not like him too much. Maybe that is what set the tone for my distaste in little dogs, until Vinny came along.

He is very sensitive. If you even raise your voice he goes to the other room until the coast is clear. He listens when you say no and will come when you call him, as long as he is contained in his invisible fenced yard. He looses his mind and runs after cars if he is not contained.

He really loves his kids and watches after them. These pictures are of him watching them in the front yard Sunday morning. When they come inside he greets them like it's been a month since he has seen them.

He is such a good boy.

sunny with a chance of sunny.

2009-04-02T13:04:00.000-07:00

One of the Major bonuses top moving to the east side of WA state is the improvement on the weather. I look at the 10 forecast with a big smile on my face. The temps may not be scorching yet, but just have the sun shining make the day a whole lot better.

Thank you to Auntie Jen for the gift of sunglasses before we left.We have been using them a pretty much all the time.

Recently on the west side they have been having snow, which is unusual this time of year. Everyone is complaining about how cold it is, how rainy it is, and the fact that on any given morning they wake up to big white fluffy flakes.

I'm so sorry all my west side friends. How about you all move here to the sunshine and be my east side friends?

What a weekend.

2009-03-31T21:25:00.000-07:00

Our first overnight guests

Yummy beer sampler

The treasures

WOW! where did my eyes go? I lost them in a bottle of wine somewhere 3 tasting rooms ago.

This weekend was a total blur, but in a good way. We had our first over night guests. Of course it was Carrie and Brett (who else?)

We started off the visit with a trip to a few of the local wine tasting rooms. MMMM...GOOD. Followed by a trip to our favorite brewery/resturant, followed by a good meal and several bottles of good wine picked up on our tour...That was just the first day.

Still recovering...must hydrate myself and get some sleep...more guest coming Saturday. Rinse and repeat.

The man cave

2009-03-21T17:26:00.001-07:00

Finally the man cave is done. Braydon has his domain complete. I'm still trying to figure out why is it that he still wants to be up here watching our TV hanging out with us. His TV is much bigger and all the cool guy stuff is down there. Everything he could ever want is down there. Video games, TV, ping pong, and his own bathroom.

I would have been all over that when I was his age. I'm just hoping he is still not living down there when he is my age. YIKES!

Home sweet home.

2009-03-18T09:39:00.000-07:00

Dining room where no one eats

Front of the house looking east

Living room on the main floor where brandon and I watch TV (NO kids allowed)

I don't know if I would call it home sweet home yet, but it is our house. We are settling in nicely for the most part.

I think I'm the only one who is a bit homesick. The other day I was really missing our other house and town. Not that there is anything wrong with this one, it just doesn't feel like home yet. I'm still trying to find my way around (not that it's big) But you know what is the most efficient routes to take the kids to school (since they are in two different school that start 10 min apart), where am I comfortable grocery shopping, and where is the best outlet for retail therapy. Again, that "New Normal" thingy.

I asked the kids this morning if they missed our old house and their old school. They all agreed that they did not miss our old house. They say this one is way more fun. As for school Lila and Ellie miss the old school and Braydon, they only thing he missed about his old school some of his friends, but wasn't to worried because they were going to some see us over the summer.

Braydon said he didn't understand why I was asking him these silly questions about missing things. He said nothing has changed. We just live in a different house, in a different town. I still make the same breakfast, We still have the same dinners, dad still goes to work, they still go to school, and he still gets yelled at for not doing what he is told...According to him nothing has changed other then the location.

I am happy that they are adjusting so well. Part of me wonders if they don't miss it at all, were they not happy there? We did have a lot of stresses over the past year, but was it really in the air that much that the kids felt it?

Cheers to a fresh start!!!

Finally back online

2009-03-12T16:28:00.000-07:00

Finally I have a computer and Internet. I felt like I was cutoff from the entire world. We also just got the TV hooked up. Almost a week with out Internet and TV... Brutal!

The move went smooth. Well, smooth enough as a move across the state can go. The morning that everything was going in the truck, we lost the cat. The movers showed up to pack the truck and she got freaked out and hid. The girls and I looked for her for over an hour. Almost had to leave her. I even called Carrie to get her on stand by in case we really did lose her. Finally she showed her face long enough for me to grab her and throw her in the car.

We stayed the first night in the trailer. I took Ellie and Braydon to their new school. Which is only 2 min from the house. Lila and I met the movers at the new house and waited for them to get cracking on getting our stuff unpacked.

Small SAFU. They couldn't get all of our stuff in to one semi truck trailer. The other truck would be here in 3 days. I was a bit shocked. Did we really have that much stuff? Guess so because the other truck showed up on Monday, filled full. Yikes!

Everyone seems to be adjusting good. The kids all seem to like their teachers and really love their new rooms. Lila comes home from school and goes straight to her room to watch TV and play with her little pink kitchen.

Ellie Has a new desk in her room. OMG, you would think she had won the lotto. She comes home and straight to her room to do her homework at her new desk.

Braydon's room is still under construction. His "man cave" is the entire downstairs. He pretty much has his own apartment down there. Brandon and I kid around that we better no make it too cozy or he may never move out. This weekend when Brandon has some time off we will get shelves hung and all of his stuff organized. Part of the problem was half of his stuff was on the second truck so it just got there on Monday.

As for me, I'm adjusting to small town life I guess. It hasn't really been long enough for me to get real homesick yet. I do miss my peeps back on the west side.

This weekend while Brandon is working the kids and I are going to go to Tri-Cities to do some shopping. I will tell you then how doable this is going to be. Or if I'm going to be making lots of trips to the west side for some serious shopping.

Once I find all of my camera cables I will post some pics of our little town. It's actually pretty cute.

Nothing real new.

2009-02-20T08:07:00.000-08:00

Things are progressing forward in our move to Eastern Washington. Sometime this week we will sign for our house over there. The movers will be here to pack our stuff on the 4Th of March, and that we will be it. Once the truck is packed the kids and I will head over there. We then will be residents of X-Small Town USA.

Some of the things I'm look forward to. Wine. There are 35 wineries within a 20 mile radius. Can you only imagine. Some of the best wine comes right out of out little town.

I was chatting with one of the local peeps and she gave me a run down of events and festivals from now until September. Holy Cow! I'm gonna be drunk most of the summer.

The Columbia River is close enough for us to drop the boat in for a little wake boarding. I sort of forgot how to do that since I bought a new board 2 years ago and only have been on it once.

Brandon's work is only 3 min from the house. Seriously, only 3 minutes. No more 45 minute commute one way in traffic. No more traffic back ups, no more 405, I-5, and Hwy 9. I will not miss that at all. When you say you are going to be somewhere in 10 minutes, you will really be there in 10 minutes.

I have never lived anywhere but on the west side. For the most part I have been in Washington for 25 years. With only a short stint in Oregon where I met Brandon. I would call this home. I'm sad to be leaving the trees. Not sad to be leaving the grey, dreary, cold, rain.

I just want this to be a good positive move for us all. Brandon loves his job, loves the town, and I hope I feel the same soon.

The kids seem to be doing good with it. better then I expected. Braydon is excited that he will be in middle school next year. Lila is happy that she gets to only go to kindy for half days. Brandon told her she can hang out with me all by herself and go shopping. Ellie, she is just happy to be doing anything and anytime.

Me, I get weepy from time to time. I start thinking about how I won't have my good friends close. All my good shopping...gone (NO NORDSTROM, NO POTTERYBARN) Think of all the money we will save!!

i just don't want to lose touch with the good people I have here. I guess with all the modern technologies it's a easier then back in the day. You know when folks wrote letters with paper, envelopes and stamps.

I will try to get some pictures up for our new town soon. It really is cute.

Karma

2009-02-13T10:31:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning was a little busier then normal around here while the kids were getting ready for school. Brandon was leaving to go back to Eastern Washington for work, Valentine's were being stuffed into backpacks for class "Friendship" parties. (Can't call it Valentine's Day party..might offend someone. School rules.) and I had to be dressed and ready, because I was to the "Special Person" in all three classrooms for "Special Person Day" In amongst all the chaos I make an announcement to all of my darling children. "Don't forget your snacks for your parties and your Valentine's."

As we are backing out of the driveway I look back to see that Ellie is not holding her 2 dozen cookies. I lovingly say with my lips pursed tightly, "Ellie. Where are your cookies?"

Of course she left them on the counter. No big deal I ran in gabbed them. Race back to the car and as I'm opening the door I hear Braydon reading Ellie the riot act. "Ellie it's your responsibility to remember those cookies. Your classmates and teacher are depending on you to bring what you said you were going to bring. And if we are late because YOU forgot your cookies, you owe me a dollar."

Ellie has the deer in the headlight look as he rambles on about how could she for get the cookies they are right there by the door...BLAH BLAH.

I kindly tell him, he is not the parent and it's no big deal...relax.

I drop them off at school and as I'm driving away, not even 500 yards from the school, My phone rings. "Hey mom, it's me your son. (he says that every time he calls like I have no idea who it is.)

I forgot my Valentine's."

Good bye Guitar Hrero...Hello Facebook!!!

2009-02-10T08:39:00.001-08:00

Since I have no time these days to work on my Guitar career. I will have to put it on hold at least until me settle into the new house.

What I do have time for (not really) Is my new obsession with Facebook. I'm totally hooked. It does not give me that same adrenaline rush as Guitar Hero, but I have reconnected with so many friends that I have lost touch with. That in it's self is exciting. One of my really good friends from HS lives in Texas. We lost touch right after HS. I tried for years to look for her, with no luck. I FOUND HER ON FACEBOOK!!! I chatted with her on the phone the other night, it's so cool.

Just this past September was my *cough, cough* 20 year reunion. I didn't go, but so many of my old classmates have posted pictures, it's almost like I was there.

Some have even posted pictures from back in high school...UGH!!

Don't worry Guitar Hero I will be back soon....We are just taking a break. It's not you, it's me. I need some space to know what I really want. We can still be friends right?

Which end is up?

2009-02-02T21:41:00.000-08:00

Don't even ask me the day of the week, what time it is or what is for dinner, cuz I have no idea. I have managed to make it through the first week of living apart. The kids handled it pretty well. Even though it was only a few days. We will see how it goes when we have to go on the 7 day long stretch.

Brandon finally got the trailer situated and is staying there during the week. He managed to survive his first week living abroad. No more broken water pipes or heat malfunctions so far.

The house hunt is over. We have found a house, made a offer, and they accepted..YIPPIE!! Now the mortgage stuff. Why is it that the mortgage stuff never goes 100% smooth no matter what.

I understand in light of all the foreclosures things and the housing market it would be difficult. If this was 2 years ago, our deal would be a slam dunk done deal, but this time we have to jump through so many hoops and write letters...I feel like I'm paper chasing for an adoption.

If all goes smooth the kids and I will be living over there in March sometime...Cross your fingers.

The kids continue to be okay with the move. I think they are excited about painting and decorating their new rooms. They each have a theme picked out...and they totally fit their personalities.

I'm getting sort of excited about decorating a new house, but will really miss this house. This house has just felt so much like home. This is the home where we brought the girls to when they came into our lives....Sniff.

This week Brandon will be on a longer stretch of days, so the kids are a bit sad (me too) One of the things that is keeping them going is getting to spend the night with their friends while I head over to E WA to meet with a interior lady about blinds and paint, boring stuff for them...exciting for me.

It's an adventure.

2009-01-27T21:07:00.000-08:00

The view from our potential new house in x-small town USA.

These are the words my sweet husband has been whispering in my ear for the past 3 days. The only words that seem to keep me from jumping off the ledge.

Last weekend when we were visiting Brandon's dad for his birthday, I had a genius idea. While Brandon is staying in Eastern Washington during the week, instead of renting an apartment or staying with some friends/co workers, why doesn't he pull our trailer over to the local RV park and stay in? I scare myself sometimes how smart I am.

Might I remind you our trailer is 3 years old, still has that new trailer smell, 30 feet long, and has all of his stuff in it.

It all seemed like a genius idea, I even patted myself on the back for that one.

Saturday morning we hooked up and headed to our new community. All was exciting. We pulled into x-small town USA, parked the trailer, unpacked our stuff, and then headed out to get some dinner.

Being the non-camper woman of the world, I did not know that when propane tanks get cold they lose their pressure, in turn meaning that the propane is not getting to the furnace to heat trailer. We struggled with this on and off most of the night. Until 4 am when it went out completely.

4am, 25 degrees, and snowing. This would be fine if it we just me and the hubby. You know we can find ways to keep warn. With three kids and a dog, not so much.

We call the local propane company to see if they can drop a bigger tank...um yeah, not open on Sunday...remember x-small town USA.

To top that off the water hose was frozen. Brandon had to buy insulation for that and duct tape the hell out of it. He says tonight he has running water.

Thank goodness for the Best Western across the street. They have heat!!! We stayed there Sunday and Monday night. Propane will drop on Wednesday.

The kids and I are back on the west side of the state, Brandon has a space heater for tonight to keep him warn until tomorrow.

I'm not sure how much of a genius my husband is thinking I am right now while freezing his butt off....sorry honey.

4 more sleeps until Brandon is home for the weekend.

REMEMBER IT'S AN ADVENTURE!!!

Okay here is is...

2009-01-21T15:54:00.000-08:00

We are relocating to Eastern Washington. When? I have no idea. Brandon will commute for as long as we can stand it. It's going to be struggle for awhile.

It may not seem like a big deal to some, but to us this is HUGE. As a kid I moved a several times, but I also didn't live in an orphanage, or have serious grieving issues leaving my foster parents.

I just worry about the girls and their adjustment to all of this. They both have had so many changes in their little lives, I feel bad.

Braydon says he is excited. He puts on that brave face, but I think once we are packed up and leaving he will change his story.

Me on the other hand. I'm that giant bird with my head in the sand. Pretending nothing is happening.

I'm sad to leave my friends, family, community, my pretty house, Nordstrom, and all the green lush trees.

I will keep everyone posted on where, when and how it is going. Oh, yeah something to blog about now. West moves to East....Eh.

LOVE IT!!

2009-01-18T17:02:00.000-08:00

I see that I have your attention with the last post. We are in Corvallis Oregon this weekend celebrating my father in laws 60Th birthday. Having a total blast and loving the sunshine.

I'm going to have to prolong the unveiling of news until Tuesday or Wednesday when we get home. I will have all the details (hopefully)

We are not adding to the family with pets or kids. Still trying to find our new normal.

Changes are coming.

2009-01-16T12:24:00.000-08:00

After the weekend I will tell you all about the new adventure we all will be on soon. (it's not adoption related either)

Mother nature needs to get a grip

2009-01-09T09:16:00.000-08:00

We stared off with record snow, now we have moved to record flood. All of the mountain passes were closed, a 20 mile stretch of i-5 is closed, roads to Canada were close...We are trapped. You literally cannot get out of this state. It is sort of a strange feeling.

The news crews have been combing the town interviewing residents. May I ask, why do they interview the weirdest people? Our little town has lots of normal, well adjusted folks. Why are they not interviewing them? Instead they interview the guy who pushes the shopping cart and lives under the bridge. (for real) I guess he is part of the town, but does he really know what is going on? He thought the local drug store was a bomb shelter a few years ago.

The kids were out of school again due to flooding. Luckily they don't have to make up flood days, something about it being a national disaster. I'm starting to become concerned about their little minds. Too many days off of school and their brains will turn to mush.

Again, I still have not had a day by myself of Guitar Hero world tour. Guess I'm going to have to put my career on hold...sigh*

5 reasons

2009-01-02T14:47:00.000-08:00

When this Christmas vacation began I was hopeful we would survive with little to no stress, drama, tears, fights, and illness.

My hopes where shot as the snow fell from the sky. My hopes of having just a few more days "alone" to prepare Christmas were shot. Little did I know this vacation would be the longest in history. Summer vacation never seemed this long...EVER!!

I will give you my 5 top reasons why my kids need to go back to school ASAP.

5. I'm sick of hearing, "What are we going to do today?"

4. I will scream if some one asks me 20 minutes after breakfast what is for lunch.

3. I'm tired of listening to cartoons...ALL DAY!

2. I cannot leave a room without some one asking me, "Where are you going?"

1. Because I cannot play this....

Without someone telling me how to play it, watching, me, wanting to play with me, telling me I missed a note, telling me what song to play, telling me they love that song, singing along very loud when I'm trying to learn a new song UGH!!!

GO BACK TO SCHOOL SO I CAN PLAY GUITAR HERO BY MYSELF!!! How will I ever advance my music career when you people are bugging me.

Do I dare?

2008-12-31T16:44:00.000-08:00

Do I dare even do a year in review? Isn't that what everyone is doing? reminiscing about 2008. I really don't want to review this year. Lots of good things happened and lots of not so good things happened.
The not so good things made us take stock in the good things a little more. Appreciate our family, or friends, our community and each other more. The not so good things made us closer. The not so good things made us realize we are alive, that we do have feelings. The not so good things made us open our eyes to everything around us and to not take things for granted. The not so good things made us want to better people, to recognize acts of kindness from strangers, to be thankful for the kindness of our friends in our times of need, even when we didn't know we needed it.

The not so good things tested our strength, our breaking points, our trust, our love, and our pure ability to function on little to no sleep or food.

The not so good things forced us into a "New Normal."

The not so good things were just that, not so good. But, look at all the good it did bring. Would we have grown so much? Would we have made sacrifices for each other the way we did? Would we have learned what is really important?

2008 can close now with many lessons learned, friendships made, friendships stronger, and love stronger. It can now open the door for us to 2009. I will gladly walk through that door with eyes wide open to new adventures in 2009.

Who knows what 2009 can bring our way....wink! I'm ready to find out.

Random photos.

2008-12-26T15:19:00.000-08:00

Here we are with Santa at Brandon's work Christmas brunch, cutest Santa ever!

Lila modeling her new sweater and matching hat

Decorating graham cracker houses

Vinny feeling the Christmas spirit...not by choice.

Pulling the sled back up the hill at the local golf course

Lila and Baba rocking GH world tour.

Christmas morning

Christmas Eve...one more picture before we tear into all the gifts.