Wait…what the?? Who is this?…and how’d you post on Christy’s blog?!!!

I know you must be taken aback. I promise this is me and not some fine gentleman in Uzbekistan who’s going to share a tragic story of my getting stuck overseas and needing you to send money (though you are free to send me money when ever you’d like…I’m just saying.) Yes, I know it’s been some time since I blogged but I thought I’d back the old gal out of the garage, give her a tune up, and see if she’d run. I’m hoping to take her on a few joy rides on some wide open roads with the windows down and the music loud enough that I can’t hear myself singing at the top of my lungs. (I also hope to not get a ticket during said joy ride as this is notoriously when it happens…I digress…)

So, I know you thought I was lost in a deep abyss of….something or other, and you were right. The last several years have been a challenge for me in the blogging world. Broken cameras, broken computers, dumb phones, dumb life things, this stress, that stress, and lets not forget the ever growing needs of a family – all of which have claimed my time, my mind, my strength, and my heart. HOWEVER, there has also been growing children, new adventures, new callings, laughing-‘til-we-cry moments, new family, proud moments, loving moments, growing moments, and even a very rare few quiet moments. None of which have been shared in much more than a snapshot online.

I’m a firm believer that you should not hide your light under a bushel (an analogy that has always drawn me to imagine the raging fire that might start. David O. McKay once said something to the sort that one should never yell in a home unless there is a fire…maybe that’s why there’s so much yelling at my house…that overly-thought-deeper-than-necessary analogy and the fact that if you yell from the farthest back corner of the downstairs the acoustics allow for a child/parent/sibling upstairs in the nether-regions of their room to hear you almost clearly.). Anyway…I can’t vouch that I’ll ever catch up on the last 4 years of blogging. I’m lucky if I can catch up on the last 40 minutes of sleep I need. But this is a start….right? :) I want my amazing kids to have stories they can go back and read, memories they can share, and my own inner satisfaction that life has been documented and is safely kept. (Oh, and a reminder that sometimes I’m still funny…even if only to myself…)

ON TO THE SHOW!

If you’re just tuning in, we last left our heroes 2.5 years ago with a Fairy-ly odd problem. However, much has happened since then:

• Multiple vacations
• Sports
• SO MANY ADVENTURES
• Starting new schools
• Kindergarten…Middle School!
• Sad losses of those we love (We miss you Harvey, Grandpa Great, Renee (Fama), Uncle John, GGma Runyan)
• MARRIAGE! (and with it, the gift of an amazing Daughter I didn’t have to birth!!!)
• Illnesses
• Home decorating
• Concerts
• Races
• New cousins/nieces/nephews
• Baptisms
• Birthdays
• Braces
• Holidays
• Milestones
• Miracles
• New homes
• New projects
• New friends
• and not enough sleep!!! lol
• (oh, and Pokemon Go…one can’t forget that…)

Where do I even begin?? Well, this is me so my excitement over typing a blog post says to start at the beginning but my brain remembering the 4 loads of laundry that should get folded today says start at the end…or close to it…so I say we start with April 2018! Sweet!

Ella’s Minions

8:30am

Ella: Mom! My 26 things to sell in class are doom today!

Me: Somehow the way you said that makes so much sense to me at this moment…

So I:

• rush to the computer and open Pinterest – thankful I actually thought about this a month ago when Ella first mentioned it and she’d said she’d liked THIS idea.
• realize I saw popsicle sticks in the wrapping paper bin I still haven’t put in the attic from Christmas! – YES…there are exactly 27 of them…
• grab blue & gold & white paint and a sponge brush from the bin of supplies from our Tardis project that have yet to go in the attic.
• masking tape from water color project from this week – woohoo!
• GOOGLY EYES! That was easy…
• sharpie – they’re everywhere…
• pan, aluminum foil…
• Ella! Go grab the hair dryer!

Ryan: (stares at me with doubt in his eyes…)

Clock: tick, tick, tick, etc….

Then….quaBAM!!!!

Check it out…26 Minion Bookmarks in less than 15 minutes!!

Ryan then said something about “Craft Queen” and they walked out the door for school at 8:45am…The End.

Carpool Fashion 101

Ever look down mid-day and wonder, “How in the world did THAT happen?” I like to imagine that it happens to all of us moms (especially us have-to-get-the-kid-to-the-bus-stop-by-5:45-am-ers). As I drive through carpool some mornings (because we missed the 5:45am bus and were rushing for the 7:20 bell) I ponder on what other mothers have gone through that morning and what they all would really look like if they had to actually step out of their vehicles and show everyone their inside out and backwards pajama pants and husbands sneakers. So, here for your entertainment is what I like to call Carpool Chic. (Sadly I just realized I should probably go change out of Carpool Chic before the hubby gets home from work…Enjoy!)

Stereo 3D Images by Me!

Okay, so this form of art is frustrating to me because I’ve learned that many, if not most, people Can’t Do This!! Ugh. However, for those who can, this is Totally Awesome!!

I ran out in the yard and snagged a few pics to see if this would work. It does. I’ll make cooler ones later when I have time…which probably means NEVER.

First, here’s the link on how to view them:  http://www.neilcreek.com/2008/02/28/how-to-see-3d-photos

Basically you relax your eyes (some folks cross them a little) until the two images merge into one image in the middle and becomes a 3D image. Some people have to hold a pen or finger in front of their face to focus on to get this to work. Just experiment & then tell me if you could see it!!

To hold you over…

I know, I KNOW…I haven’t been a good blogger mom.  But I have a GREAT excuse.  See, I’ve been really, REALLY busy doing lots of things…like:

• napping
• trying not to nap
• being pregnant
• um…wishing I was napping
• sleep walking
• sleep cleaning
• sleep eating
• being tired….

See, folks? There you have it. My super busy schedule. I’m sure you will now forgive me for all my slackishness….  Maybe I could figure out how to sleep blog.

Welp, I gotta run, sleep showering, cleaning and eating is calling me.

Tilt-shift photography

So Ryan sent me a link to learn about tilt-shift photography.  It’s basically when someone takes a photo and makes it look like it’s a scale model or a toy (using their mad skills in Photoshop).  There’s a certain angle of photo that you should use and/or a certain angle you should take a photo to get the best result in the end.  Of course, I haven’t had a chance to go out and take a picture from way up high of a busy scene or landscape so I had to search through some old photos and even snag some from friends.  Here’s my first attempts.  This first photo is from when Ryan and I were dating….

The photo below is PERFECT for tilt-shift processing.  I snagged it from my great friend over at Christy’s Clipart.  Ryan liked it so much he made it his wallpaper on the laptop.  :)

So there ya go. Something to hold you over until I catch up on all this blogging…which won’t be for a long time as I’m going to be overbooked on life the next week and will be creating even more blogging moments while I’m gone (I’m sure).

What do I do??

I brush my teeth and it makes me throw up…I throw up and then I need to brush my teeth.  It’s a vicious cycle!!

LAST, but certainly not LEAST…

Since small children in our family are starting to tell everyone they see…Check out Sylvie’s shirt!

Yes, you can consider this an announcement!!  Coming (not so soon) some time next Spring/Summer 2012!!

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

And now…for a little Pregnancy Etiquette 101.1  {because people loose their brains when it comes to what to say/not say to pregnant women…} – I blame this section on hormones.  Please forgive me.

First of all, I’ll spare you the basics other than to say…

NEVER comment on a woman’s weight, ask if it was an accident, comment on the name of their future child in any other way than positively, touch a woman’s belly, give them horror stories to think about, make them wait behind you in the bathroom line, etc. etc. etc.

Now for the needed additions that have so blatantly come to my attention in the last few weeks:

Not all women are teeny tiny BETWEEN pregnancies.  Some of us are even a little tummy heavy and get asked (too) often if we’re expecting.  You’d think that people actually recognize this as a fact of life and that not everyone is the same size.  Big belly does not = pregnant.  THUS, big belly now does not mean I’m already 5-6 months pregnant.  Anyone who’s been tiny and pregnant may remember that you really don’t start showing until your 4th or 5th month.  You may (or my not) remember that I had this same belly 8 months ago and so it’s probably still just my chub and not a reason for you to tell me that you’ve known for some time I was expecting and you’ve just been waiting for the announcement. OR that in those pictures you just saw of me last month (when I wasn’t pregnant) that you were all discussing the possibility that we had one on the way, OR that you could tell because I always carry high and then rub my tummy.  It hurts my feelings just as much as if I wasn’t pregnant and you asked if I was.  And, in the next 3-4 months when I my chub is sticking out like I’m 8 months pregnant please recognize that it’s just because I can no longer suck it in or hide it under elastic because there’s a teeny tiny bump underneath…so leave the twins/triplets/diabetes questions in your brain.  Thanks.

Oh, and YES this is number 5.  NO this does not mean that we’re having 10, 20 or even 6.  It just means we’re having a 5th.  And we’re VERY excited about it!

Okay, sorry, but I don’t think I could take anymore weight/tummy comments.  I already have a mirror.

One of the many reasons I love my brother, Jymn…

For my birthday one year (like 10 years ago) my brother, Jymn, sent me the link to this website where he’d uploaded a picture of me. Best. Present. EVER.  LOL 

21 Questions…

21 questions to ask your kids

1. What is something Mommy always says to you?

Dade: Dade, go to bed.

Corben: Have you done your homework?

Ella: Uh, yes ma’am.

Sylvie: Um, Clean up stuff.

2. What makes Mommy happy?

Dade: Cleaning up.

Corben: Me getting my hw done.

Ella: Uh, do the right thing.

Sylvie: Um, Say yes sir

3. What makes Mommy sad?

Dade: Dirty house.

Corben: Me not getting my hw done.

Ella: Uh, not doing wrong choices

Sylvie: Um, Not cleaning up

4. How does Mommy make you laugh?

Dade: (long pause) …weirdness

Corben: She doesn’t. Except for that question.

Ella: Uh, when you tell me funny jokes

Sylvie: Um, tell funny jokes

5. What was Mommy like as a child?

Dade: Weirdness

Corben: Interesting…

Ella: Like your doll, Alyssa.

Sylvie: She used to like her teddy bear.

6. How old is Mommy?

Dade: 36

Corben: 38

Ella: Uh, 3-6

Sylvie: How old are you? I don’t know that? Guess.  Um…60

7. How tall is Mommy?

Dade: 5’5”

Corben: 5’ 1”

Ella: Uh, 100 lbs

Sylvie: I don’t know. Um, this tall.

8. What is Mommy's favorite thing to do?

Dade: Cool art projects.

Corben: Yell at us.

Ella: Uh, help you.

Sylvie: Clean up.

9. What does Mommy do when you're not around?

Dade: Dances

Corben: I don’t’ know.

Ella: Uh, I’m hiding, maybe.

Sylvie: Um, she doesn’t play

10. If Mommy becomes famous, what will it be for?

Dade: Being Dade’s mom.

Corben: Yodeling

Ella: You might be a rock star.

Sylvie: Wearing fancy clothes

11. What is Mommy really good at?

Dade: (long pause and a sigh) photography

Corben: Yodeling

Ella: Uh, cleaning up the whole wide house

Sylvie: Cleaning up.

12. What is Mommy not very good at?

Dade: (long pause) … …I don’t know

Corben: Cooking

Ella: Uh, not climbing trees

Sylvie: Um, um, you’re not very good at um, being nice.  (You keep yelling at me!)

13. What does Mommy do for her job?

Dade: Play on the computer.

Corben: Photography

Ella: Uh, her helps people

Sylvie: Clean up.

14. What is Mommy's favorite food?

Dade: Pizza

Corben: I don’t know

Ella: Uh, mac & cheese and cereal

Sylvie: Pizza

15. What makes you proud of Mommy?

Dade: When she does smart things.

Corben: When she eats all of her dinner.

Ella: Uh, make good choices

Sylvie: Um, hugging you.

16. If Mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be?

Dade: Jimmy Neutron's mom

Corben: Sandy from SpongeBob

Ella: Uh, you better be a rock star, again!

Sylvie: Um, a unicorn! I love unicorns.

17. What do you and Mommy do together?

Dade: Talk about computer stuff.

Corben: Not much.

Ella: Uh, we take a walk on the road

Sylvie: Um, we play together and we love each other.

18. How are you and Mommy the same?

Dade: (long apuse) – apparently she can’t spell, just like me

Corben: Hmmm…okay let’s skip this question…

Ella: Uh, we could have short hair and have the same color face.

Sylvie: Um, loving each other.

19. How are you and Mommy different?

Dade: She’s a female.

Corben: Do I have to name them all?  I can’t count them all.

Ella: Uh, we look different, our family.

Sylvie: Um, I don’t know.

20. How do you know Mommy loves you?

Dade: She helps me with stuff.

Corben: She says so.

Ella: Uh, because we have a heart.

Sylvie: Because we play together and we love each other.

21. Where is Mommy's favorite place to go?

Dade:  Bed.

Corben: To bed

Ella: Uh, to the store.

Sylvie: Um, to Bug Fest

Oh, Another Cake!

This is what happens when I spend time going though old pictures a little at a time… Here’s a cake I made for a friend’s daughter’s High School Musical b-day party…

Oh, found another cake pic…

I made this one for a friend’s baby shower based on the set she bought for the nursery.

You can go back to what you were doing now… :)

Tammy’s future apprentice…

So, most of you know about my sister’s amazing cakes…though I know she would never have let a cake out her door with all the sloppy work on this cake, I was flattered that folks thought she made it!

So, since everyone seemed so surprised I thought I’d show you just a handful of the many cakes I’ve made over the years and, though each is done the night before (and sometimes 10 minutes before) in a panicked crying rush, I tend to think they turn out well enough to make the kids happy.  So, in a brief moment of whatever, I’m posting cake pics!

             

Someday, when Tammy is actually running her million dollar cake business I’ll learn how to slow down and put proper time, preparation and effort into a cake and mine might be cool like hers…alright, who am I kidding! But I can dream, right? :)

Memory Lane...Scanner Art!

Well, you all know how much I love photography but there was a time before I had a camera (in 2002).  SO, I found another way to take a photo.  I used my scanner.   The fun thing about the scanner is that it doesn’t take a photo all at once, it takes it a line at a time so with some careful planning (or not) and a bit of thought you can get creative.  There is NO EDITING WHATSOEVER here.  These are all photos taken as the scanner saw them!  Enjoy!  (some of these turn out creepy but oh well!)

            

Here’s the scan that started it that day…My little Corben @ 1 1/2!!

A Promise…

I am a slacker.  I have a terrible memory.  I tend to get grand ideas and can often stick to them for months but then leave them by the wayside for a lazy day and never pick them back up again.  I’m attempting to do things differently this year.  I have a long list of goals.  Only one or two are new to this year, the rest have been looming over me most of my life.  So, this year I’m going to make a huge change.  I’m going to focus on ONE goal.  Only ONE.  My hope is that the rest will simply fall into place as this ONE goal takes shape and becomes a reality.

I am going to organize my time and my space.  I’m not talking about making my computer area look pretty and getting a calendar.  I’m talking about cleaning out my entire home.  I’m talking about using a schedule and sticking to it.  I’m talking about less time cleaning and more time with my family and for the many commitments I’ve taken on…all without the current daily stress of it all.  Other people do it, so can I.  SO…in an effort to keep myself responsible, I’m making a promise.  Yes, a promise.  Not the breakable kind….the UNBREAKABLE kind.  The kind that if you see me starting to break it you rush to remind/help/slap me so I stick to my word.

So, here goes….

I, Christy, PROMISE to get my time & space organized in 2011.

There…now let the panic begin…

I won FREE stuff!

I’d say I never win anything but just last month I won a free family portrait session…though I did kind of work that one in my favor.  But THIS TIME it was completely random and I WON!!  Give them Roots had a giveaway this week and I won THIS!!  I can’t wait to take cute little newborn pictures for some babies I happen to know are coming soon!!

12-5-2010 Week in Review…

I didn’t take very many pictures this week.  I didn’t’ feel well.  So here’s an old one you never got to see…

And some that didn’t make it in the last few weeks…

Dade at his wrestling match (he’s the 3rd kid from the end on the yellow mat with the white shirt)

Thanksgiving @ Tammy’s…

And Gma as Pocahontas (it’s a glow stick crown) and the boys’ b-day cake (it’s butterfinger icing!).

So, I’m going to give you a “short” run down as I’m still in pain but, luckily, it’s a different kind of pain…

Mon – Me=in pain.  We managed to make it to the grocery store where Ella witnessed an elderly woman have a very scary fall and she alerted everyone.  Way to go, Ella!

Tues – FINALLY a doctors appt!!  I went in in pain…they were 45 minutes behind schedule so when it was time to get me an emergency ultrasound…everyone had gone to lunch.  She said go home and we’ll call you when they’re back.  No one called.

Dade had another wrestling match and lucky for him, the varsity kid on his team was over weight so Dade got to wrestle varsity and won!  His coach was so impressed that he called him up the next day and gave him a special award for everything he’d done.  Awesome!

Wed – I call and call and call and they finally get me an ultrasound appt.  (Thanks, Jessie for watching the kids!)  Dr. says that my doctor can see the results as soon as they finish so they should call me soon.  No one calls or returns my calls….

To make me feel better.. Ryan gave me an early Christmas Present!!  A new 50mm 1.4G Nikon lens!!!!!!!!!!!!  It can practically take pictures in the dark with no flash!  I’m in love. (with the hubby and the lens).

This week I envisioned getting a magical 4 generation pic done.  My plan was an antique chair out on a leaf covered lane with GGma in the chair and the rest of us gathered around.  I can just see it, and it’s gorgeous!…but it rained on Thanksgiving and so Ryan snapped this one for me…not quite the same but it will have to do.

Sweet Sylvie and my typical living room floor…

Tooth brushing time….Ella’s standing on a stool my grandfather made…

The next 3 pictures were taken in the DARK! Yes, the lights were OFF and all I had to do was rest my camera on the door frame and got these!!  I ♥ my new lens.

Thurs – Thursday was the start of the annual Christmas community celebration of which I usually take a large part in but I was much to sick to take my Christ pictures or make a chocolate manger scene.  I’m up to 3-4 gallbladder attacks a day now and feel like death.  The doctor won’t call me back either and she promised a surgeon was going to call me yesterday since she says my gallbladder is over packed with stones.  I did manage to get a small break from pain and went to the school PTSA meeting.  I’ve been a terrible VP but hope to do better once I feel better.

Here’s a pic of Corben before school…

Fri – Today is Dade & Ryan’s birthdays!!!!  And I think I’m going to die.  I tried not to eat just in case the surgeon would call but at 10am and no returned calls from the doctor I finally caved and ate a small bowl of cereal.  They called almost immediately and said I had an appt in 45 minutes!  Thanks again for the help, Jessie!!  I rushed to the surgeon who told me that had I not eaten he’d be taking my gallbladder out right then but instead scheduled it for 7am Saturday morning.  It’s an emergency.  I had 6 major attacks today, including one of the worst ones ever that woke me from my sleep in the middle of the night.  I actually watched another friend’s kids for the evening as she was pretty bad off herself.  I figured that my pain was intermittent and I had Dade to help and she didn’t.  Plus I hoped the blessings would help me feel better.  The extra kids actually helped keep Ella and Sylvie busy so it was a huge help.  Needless to say, the birthdays’ were a wash.  I managed to make cupcakes but got no farther and everyone was grumpy and worn out by the end (plus Dade wasn’t feeling very well himself). 

I think I’m going to try to throw a real birthday for Dade next week…

Sat – FINALLY, after a full night of pain and nervousness, Ryan gave me a blessing of comfort and we headed out to surgery.  Ryan’s sister watched the kids all day (Thanks, Rachel!) and friends from all over took Dade to and from his all day wrestling match, brought the kids breakfast, and brought over dinner for my whole family.  Thank you so much everyone for all your love and support.  I’m so grateful for all the blessings of your love and friendship.

Surgery went great…or so I’m told.  I only remember them putting a mask on me and then waking up in pain from the gas hours later.  Once they got the pain under control life was good.  The doc insisted I stay overnight and I didn’t argue.  I got a little rest but was starving since all they had was peanut butter and crackers to eat.  I’m a picky eater and since the stuff they serve is gross to normal eaters I didn’t stand a chance.  Ryan snuck me in some chocolate though and since the doc said I could eat anything now, I did.

While I was out it started snowing.  Rachel took the kids out and snapped a few shots after I managed a call asking her to.  (I’m all drugged up and can only think of the pictures I’m missing…lol).  She’s so wonderful.

My view from the hospital…

The kids’ view…

Dade made it home with 2 black eyes and a possible concussion…he doesn’t really remember his 2nd match (he won 2 out of 4 but I blame the fact that he was dizzy from getting hit hard in the 2nd match).  Of course, I was in the hospital so no one knew anything until I got home…so now I’m just watching him carefully.

Sun – Sunday was a blessed day!  I was starving and they brought in my breakfast tray.  I was scared to open it since I figured it was eggs and grits or something like that.  No, the grits were there, but so was…FRENCH TOAST AND BACON!!!!!  It was like my own personal Thanksgiving!! I haven’t been able to eat bacon in years!  It was so delicious and I was a happy camper right away.  I managed to get out of the hospital rather early and get home.  I thought I was tough and so I didn’t take the pain meds…guess what…I’m not tough.  Plus I discovered a whole new set of injuries, like the fact my mouth and throat are torn up from the tube down my throat.  Oh well.  So, it’s back to the pain meds but I’m okay with that.  I can eat again and no pain!! I’m the happiest girl EVER.  Thanks everyone for your prayers!!  I love you!