Monday, January 26, 2009
Take a look at the announcements I made for my friend Heather...isn't Grace a cutie? I couldn't decide which photo was best so I gave my friend two options. Oops look like my info on the pink one is wrong (her weight and length).
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Since it has been over 6 months since I did anything with my hair, I decided today to change it up. I went for a blunt cut bob with "textured"ends. I think I like it...she got my supposed side swept bangs a little too short..
Friday, January 16, 2009
My "baby" just turned six, sigh. Six years ago I was holding one wiggly eight pound, four ounce beautiful baby Hannah and marveling at how I was going to mother a GIRL. I really don't think I had ANY clue on what life was like with this precious baby that came out screaming, biting the doctor's finger and had black hair standing straight up (did I mention we changed her name WHILE I was in labor?). Fast forward to now and although there are times (the defiance, the whining, the stubborness, the endless thumb sucking, the non-stop movement and wiggling, need of constant attention) when I wonder how I am going to keep MOTHERING this child, I am so blessed to be her Mom, she is one special little girl.
So the last couple weeks I have been busy planning a big surprise for Hannah. We decided to re-do her room. Of course it started out small (some curtains, a rug) and then grew from there (a new bed, nightstand and more!).
Last night we sent Hannah to Grandma's for a sleepover and we got to work. Mike was the muscle of the group (with Taylor helping) and broke down her old hand-me-down bed, built the new bed, built the nightstand and hung the curtains. I had done all the shopping and got to clean out, organize and go through all of her stuff and find places for it.
She stayed at Grandma's all day and when Mike got home, Mom brought her back and I hid in her room with Mom's camera and got some pictures. She loved it!! All smiles! She was so excited to show it to everyone.
We had a birthday dinner for her that she chose: the menu was meatloaf, mashed potatoes, a vegetable tray with dip, fruit salad and birthday cake. It was mostly family and we invited our good friends the Sumpter's over. Hannah got some amazing gifts: digital camera, MP3 player, walkie talkies, keyboard, PJ's, shoes, and lots more.
The room BEFORE! Clutter-mania! 
The boys building the nightstand (Ginger looking on)
Mike building the bed
SURPRISE!!
One happy six year old! I would have loved a room like this when i was little!
After
Drawings and cards from Sam and Sarah 
Look at that cheeser!
Showing off her new slippers and WebKinz monkey, Coconut
Ebay bargain-one retro 70's Barbie van
Thursday, January 15, 2009
I guess I have no choice since my camera is dead to just post a posting with no pics, it's so bland!! Happy 2009!
Here is a rundown of what I've been up to since last blog:
1.) Completely enjoyed having Sean here and was sad to see him go back to Japan (but really excited to hear what happens when he gets back :-) more on that in the future!
2.) House was taken down with sickness. Everyone is well now but we used a lot of cold medicine, tissues and Gatorade. Only one trip to the doctor.
3.) Lots of planning and preparation for operation HANNAH'S BIRTHDAY SURPRISE. She is getting a room makeover and it took me awhile to gather everything. But the plan is in effective starting tonight while my Mom has her and Mike and I are assembling a new bed, putting up curtains, assembling a nightstand, hanging a canopy over her bed, hanging a cute magnetic board and I get to completely ORGANIZE AND CLEAN HER ROOM. Why is that so exciting to me? I can't stand her room right now. Don't worry I will have before and after pictures this weekend.
4.) I have had some graphic design work come in!!! YEAH!! I haven't been to Kohl's for like 2 weeks-things are tough in the retail world right now!
5.) Working on Taylor's big birthday surprise that is next month.
6.) Shopping and wishing for a new digital camera, so far I am getting a Canon Powershot SX110 IS, unless I find something better.
Oh I forgot, I got to take Taylor to "Walking With The Dinosaurs"-a present from Heather, it was so awesome, he had a great time. I am really glad that came to Idaho, they just finished up in Australia. Life sized replicas that move!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
So here is how the story goes, Christmas morning we get up, I snap two shots of the kids delightfully discovering Santa's surprises and my camera powers down. I had JUST put fresh batteries in the night before. It has been eating up the batteries like crazy and taking blurry pictures, so while I understand that the camera is almost 6 years old, my wallet isn't ready for a new camera, so...I'll have to think of something fast before hannah's birthday in two weeks!!!
I'll have to beg, borrow and steal some pics from everyone else's camera of our fun christmas morning and day with the family at Rendi's house.
Happy New Year 2009 to everyone!!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
(My favorite is the snow themed one)
BRRRRRRRR!We've had arctic temperatures and even a little snow, the kids are so excited to break out their winter gear and get outside, but it is COLD!! 14 degrees on some days and more to come.
I'll have to break out this picture when they get older and fight a lot! Aren't they too cute?GETTING ALONG=1 HAPPY MOTHER
Hannah and Taylor have been so loving, playing all the time with each other. They are very imaginative with their games. Today Taylor was helping Hannah with her homework and being SO patient, as she is often a little DIFFICULT to work with! Right now they are playing Transformers, it is funny how much Hannah knows about them from her older brother.
After a couple hours though, they are usually ready to do their own thing but I just love hearing them talk and plan their next game. I hope this lasts for awhile.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
I forgot to put up a post of the Gingerbread house. Taylor is so funny, he asks me the other day what traditions we do and I mentioned making the gingerbread house that we were doing that night, and this year he didn't participate. It's really fun to have my own kids and incorporate traditions I have done from my childhood with new ones, like making the gingerbread house and we always let the kids pick out a new christmas ornament and write their name and year on it. When they grow up and move, they can have all those ornaments. We also make cookies every year and I do believe I love it more than they do!
I have worked about 60+ hours this week, a little crazy for me and I will never do it again!! I have hardly seen my kids, my Christmas to-do list is stacking up and my house...well we won't even go there. The GOOD news is I can smack down some money on that new computer I had to buy that I am really enjoying, plus extra money this time of year is handy. But still holding down four jobs at once isn't fun. The good thing is it adds variety! My current "four jobs"-ad set at Kohl's, temp job at collection agency, cook at an assisted living center, graphic design work.
Variety is the spice of life, and I have to keep learning, that is a good thing!
