Your only 4 it can't be that bad.

Family Home Evening.......Oh what to say about Family Home Evening with a 4 year old, 3 year old and 1 year old. Tonight was the first time in a long time that we had f.h.e. with our whole family and it turned into Mom and Dad singing the closing song while all three of our children proceed to cry through the entire song. (reverently, quietly-the lesson was on why we take the sacrament and why it's important to sit reverntly for it.) Justin then puts Taylor in the bath and I sit Jacey and Lucas down for a chat about how this was their chance to show dad how good they can sit for the lesson and the way they were acting was really naughty. Jacey then in tears tells me, "I was going to be a good girl, and then you ruined my life..." I had to laugh just a little bit because I know this is the way she'll feel for the next 14 years. I calmly sent her to her room. A moment later She comes out, gets a pen and paper and draws a sad curly haired girl. Next with pen in hand she asks me...."How do you spell.....ruining my life??" ohhhh as sad as it is, I had to laugh. Cause thats pretty much the most dramatic thing I've ever heard come out of her mouth. I guessed that they would think I ruined their life at some point but I never guessed I'd hear it so early. I think she'll love me again in the morning. I sure love you sad curly haired girl. It stings a little bit, but I know she still loves me.

Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise....

I told my mom I was going to put this on my blog because I caught her at such a funny position. We laughed and laughed at this and she said "is that what I really look like?" I assured her this was just a "half way there" shot. And I couldn't let you belief that this is as good as she could do because obviously she has some good flexability and a little cheerleader in her somewhere. (I don't think she was ever a cheer leader, but not cause she couldn't do it!)
This is us waiting at the border for 1 1/2 hours so the kids were waiving at cars and yelling "china dina" I have no idea where she comes up with her stuff. I kept asking her, "what are you saying??" and she would very frankly tell me..."china dina." she had lucas doing it too. they were cracking themselves up. waive..."china dina!!!"

My first cherry tomato out of my garden. man are they so good fresh off the vine. YUM! Luky and I eat them right off the plant. He's my little 'Mater!

Someone told me they are not going to comment until I give them something interesting to read so I'm not promising interesting reading I'm just writing something new to look at. So what is a blog without pictures? Not much fun I say. I have 8 minutes to get a few things on here and that is going to go REALLY fast so here it goes.

Lately....well... all summer, I have been a ranting, yelling, angry, lunatic. My children suffer most of this wrath due to the fact that they don't listen. But frankly they're pretty little (I've been told) and it could be that I expect too much out of them. However, I am their mother and I do know what they are capable of because I have seen them successfully accomplish the things I'm asking them to do when they are in the mood to do it. SO I know it can be done and they are just choosing NOT to do it when I ask them. And I'm just really tired of saying the same thing over and over so hence the ranting and yelling and frustration. My neighbors probably think I'm crazy. The moral of the this story IS.....Justin came home from Canada for a job in Cle Elum, WA which puts him in the U.S. of America, making U.S. dollars, not waiting through border checks, and an hour closer. He's still not home every night but we'll take one step at a time and enjoy this piece of progress.(these are the things he'd post on his blog if he were here to write them) again back to the point. When he's home he goes to bed EARLY. I'm a night owl. (12am-2am) and he's an early riser. (I know it's wrong but that's him. :) So I have been going to bed early with him(10-10:30) and getting up normal with the kids. (7:00-7:15) And can I tell you how much better I feel?

I woke up this morning for the first time in 3 months with energy, and a good attitude. (can you imagine living with me for the last 3-5 months?? Ick.) I've felt it. I know the kids have felt it. And Justin very generously puts up with me but I know he's felt how worn out I've been. It's hard being a family apart.

SO the old saying about EARLY to BED and EARLY to RISE makes a man (or woman) HEALTHY, WEALTHY, and WISE really does hold to the truth. If you want to feel better get some BETTER sleep. NOT more necessarily just better. I tried sleeping in til 9 when the kids were up at 7 because I was exhausted. It doesn't work so well. That is why I only had 8 minutes to type this entry because I am putting myself to bed. So now that I have health, when do I get my wealthy and wise?? :)

That lovely little red gem, that holds my whole life...

So all of my posts require me to get the pictures off the camera and show you all the lovely things we've been up to and though I fully intend to do just that, tonight is not that night. My thumbs are over zealous in punching the space key at the moment so beware of that.
Ya know when you misplac e something and you don't remember exactly what happened to cause it to be lost in the first place? DUhhh why else would it be lost right?? I know! So I went to Safeway to purchase a bunch of nothing separately so I could have enough transactions to earn my great interest on my checking account. So about a 1/2 hour later I wander over to the computer to balance my account and what do you suppose I can't find....yup. My wallet. dun dun dun...I guess amidst all of my separate transactions I misplaced my whole life. Of course I checked the obvious places and then got online real quick just to see how much a thief might be able to spend in a 1/2 hour and was relieved to see nothing I hadn't spent myself. I began the ever so tedious process of call ing my banks and canceling cards (after I called the store to see if they had found it). I was just headed over to the neighbors to ask if they'd sit with my sleeping kids while I run down to the store and search for it myself. when... I ha d an epiphany..."lighting just struck my brine!" (really we call that inspiration from the H.G.) I went to the car (for the 3rd time) and open the passenger side door and what do you suppose I found? one guess is all you'll need..... yup, that little red gem tucked ever so nicely between the seat and the door. It had just slid off the seat, CAUSE APPARENTLY I drove 80 in the 2 blocks from Safeway to my HOUSE! 80!!!! I get back on the phone and tell the banks I'm retarded and I found my wallet, and my identity isn't stolen. And of course I still get new cards cause once you call those nifty little cards lost, their lost forever. Moral of the story is. Hold on to your wallet cause your whole life is in there and don't forget to pray. I wish keyboards had musical notes. Can I patent that? a musical note on your keyboard. It would be the new favorite key. Don't steal it I thought of it first. more to come. more to come.

2nd Snipet, BIRTHDAYS GALORE!! OK so it's the whole story...not a snippet

I don't know what happens 9 months before June 30th but it has become very popular to have your birthday on this day. I know 6 people on this day including myself. and LOTS AND LOTS that are close to it. So There are lots of double birthdays, and cake calories times six, and fun times a dozen. My brother Tom and I share a birthday, My good friend Kirk, and my good friend Sarah's daughter Courtney and a few other people who I know but don't ever see. So between the bunch of us we party hard and eat a lot. Not to mention We get fireworks right after.

This summer has been one of the busiest I can remember in a LOONG time. It started for me about May 1st and hasn't stopped. Just to give you some idea of what I'm talking about- the oil in my car isn't due until 9/8 but I have already put more than three thousand miles on it since June 8th. that's a lot. I'm definitely not complaining I'm happy to go, and do, and have so much fun.
This weekend I drove down to Eugene, OR for the Oregon Country Fair. It is a Ka-RAIZY craft fair with dozens and dozens of vendors, maybe a couple hundred. (our booth was 282- I don't know if they start one or what) My friends have a food booth and make burritos, tacos, taco salads, breakfast burritos and all things burrito. The Grand parents started the booth 30 years ago this year and the siblings and grand kids run it together now. It is a weekend of hippies, greeners, crazies, love, peace, political agendas, partial noodies, masks, dirt, costumes, parades and all things tie-dye. This is the 3rd time I've gone and hope the invitation is open for future fairs because it is a blast. The food is alllll amazing and there is plenty of things to choose from. I mostly eat at our booth because frankly it's just stinkin yummy. Some of the family and friends camp behind the booth so they can get an early start on breakfast, they also take care of all the behind the scenes things that you know are being done but you never see. So that is a short intro for you non-country fair goers who have no idea what I'm talking about. however there is no explanation complete enough to give you the country fair experience without experiencing the country fair first hand. And if you ever decide to see the country fair you should go hungry and have cash for the trinkets cause you'll most likely leave with something unique you didn't know you needed. (most likely it's organic!!) :) Anyways wasn't this post about birthdays.....that was just part of the summer fun the kids and I have been having.

OK, my birthday was shared with lots of friends and some family all over the course of a week.

Justin got me a new knife set which I asked for and was really excited about. My M-in-law got me my bathroom towel hanger set I've been eyeballing for 2 years and I am enjoying a variety of other goodies which were all thoughtful and special just for me. Can't beat that. I think that birthdays when you get to be an adult somehow turn back into the celebration of one's life and less of about what gifts you received and having a party. But I got gifts, parties and ate cake three times and I'll take that kind of celebration any day!!! Yeah for cake and lots of people I love to share it with. Here is a picture of my new knives. Oh so pretty. thanks sweetheart darling face, you did good. (He thought knives were not very exciting for a birthday gift) oh contrare!!!

A long snipet. Zach and Debbies wedding

There is just too much to post all at once.... When am I going to have time you ask? I know not... But here is a snipet and it might be the only snipets from these events so... read quickly there is a lot.
Manda and I drove down to my brother Zach's wedding on the 27th of June, we had some puking in the car, some puking the night before the wedding, some puking before the wedding and puking at the reception, Harley in the car on the ride down, then Lucas a day later and through the night, with a little of Jacey the night before the wedding. Taylor didn't get it and Emily and Manda helped catch puke from my kids while we were spralled out with towels and bowls all over the room until all hours of the night. Everyone was mostly better by morning and we were all smiles for the wedding day. Everyone looked adorable. The lethal combo for Lucas who seemed to get the worst of it was sprite on an empty stomach. The wedding went smoothly Debbie and Zach looked great, we took some pictures and were off to a cute reception behind the church with great shade and a beautiful cake and good food. We got to catch up with family, enjoy the sunny day, feel the grass on our barefeet, hold babies, and just enjoy being together for this happy occassion.

On the car ride down to Utah we were attacked by HAIL the size of marbles, NO JOKE!! we took pictures cause we knew they were blog worthy pieces of ice. It came out of no where and hit us so hard that we thought at first rocks were hitting the windshield and rooftop. It wasN'T raining or anything...just BAMMM into the glass and then another. and then for a LOOONG couple of minutes it was sheets of ice. We pulled over and so did most of the cars behind us. With every piece that hit I winced a little, I was sure my poor car was going to look like I parked it at the driving range and let people use it for target practice. But it sounded a lot worse than it really was and my car was unscathed. Next we hurdled a lone CHUNK of a blown deisel tire that didn't quite clear the frame of the car and again made us cringe a little as it kind of thunked under the frame of my car. Again no damage just some black rubber to wash off the paint and she looked good as new. So my car was put through the road trip worthiness test this trip and... GOOD NEWS... SHE PASSED. What a keeper. I sure do like my car. I think it's time she got a name....I'll let you know when I think of a good one. We have "LOLA" the GPS and Mom and Dad have "Tilly", their new camper. Em has names for all her trucks I think my trooper of an SUV needs a name. YUP it's time.
A quick side note. We were headed to Yakima to pick up Harley and Manda. Lola(the GPS) was leading the way and after a while Jacey asked me, "mom why isn't she saying anything to you?" ME "who, Jacey?" HER "that girl" ME "what girl?" HER "LOLA, why isn't she saying anything to you?" after I laughed and laughed and LAUGHED, I explained "Lola" doesn't talk until I need to turn onto a different road. BUT it was HYSTERICAL. I still giggle a little bit writing it down. Oh man, she has always been funny. My cute girl. always so observant.

As always I got on here to do a not so quick post and I can't help but take just a quick peek at what you have all been up to. So my not so quick post is taking ever so much longer but I am going to type fast and hope for speed to accompany me. These last couple months with Justin gone all week and only home on the weekends have been some of the most trying times of my life. I don't know what it is about him being "gone" that is so much different than him being gone at work all day and only seeing him for that few precious hours before bed. None the less it is harder. My hats off to alllll you army families that go without your spouses for 6-18 months at a time and have children your husbands have never met until their 1st birthday. I applaud you. You are truely a unique kind of people who do this year in and year out alone. HOWEVER, I didn't sign up for this and it has been trying. That's all I'm saying, it's been a long spring. All of this is just backround for why Justin came home from Canada Tuesday to save me from........everything!! Chaos, kids crying, me yelling and frankly just me being exhausted from being with those babies 24/7. We had talked earlier in the evening about the kids just being themselves and how I was fed up with their fighting. The next phonecall I got was from him saying he is on his way home, which was good news but frustrating because it made me feel like I couldn't hack it without him. I felt bad for whining but really, I needed some relief that only a parent of the same children can give. I have generous friends that offered to rescue me on several occassions. That being said I think we just needed our Daddy home for a minute. They are big enough to miss him (and not just when they are sent to time out-though they cry for him a lot then too). SOOOOOooooo We packed ourselves up and headed for the coast. We returned to a place that Justin went lots of summers when he was a kid so he was especially excited. It was a pretty drive and a break from the house and our first family vacation in 5 years. He made some calls and got a little 2 bedroom apt type motel room right on the water, we looked out the windows and saw beautiful oregon coastline complete with the twin rocks. It was a lot of fun and just what we needed. Thursday was beautiful, (prettier than the forecast said- a special blessing just for us I think :) we got wet, made castles, splashed, wrote our names in the sand, Taylor ate sand, we laughed, hugged, talked, watched the waves, took walks and cooked some meals ALL together. it was Heaven on earth.
Here are some pictures of our spontaneous adventure. ENJOY, we sure did.







Then Friday it rained allll day but it was ok cause we took a trip to the Tillamook cheese factory and I got to add a squished penny to my collection which I like. We tasted cheese, saw cheese, had icecream, and bought the kids new favorite thing "squeeky cheese" those weird but fresh cheese curds that weren't my favorite thing but I tried them. Mostly it was a tribute to a memory for Justin. In the gift shop Justin found me a double butter tray and surprised me with it, (I had been looking for one off and on for a while). I got a penny and a present. :) Can't beat that.



After that we stopped at a pre-world war two blimp hanger that was an air museum of one mans very expensive personal collection of old planes and things. It is the largest wood structure in the world still standing. It could fit the Hindenburg inside for length but not gurth, if that tells you how large that dang blimp was. It was like seeing the 8th wonder of the world being in a space that large. the kids enjoyed it and we had a good time being together. Here are some pictures of the cheese factory and air museum. Had I more time I would have made a slide show for you. sorry you have to wade through them this way.




Then when we got back and got the kids some naps we it cleared up just enough for one last walk on the beach. We drew our names in the sand and called her a day!! Yup just what momma needed. To see my family happy all together. soon enough, Justin keeps telling me. Soon enough. He is my lighthouse in this storm always giving me a postive light to see through the darkness. I love you my sweet Justin. Thanks for whisking us away on an adventure. If we were a toasting family we would toast our apple cider glasses to many more adventures as good as this one. Here's to being together as a family. HERE HERE!!

Wet Cronctete makes quite a mess...of a friendship.

So we had a less than perfect trip to our dear friends house yesterday and on the way home Jacey tells me crying, "Going to Jills house was not delightful, because Lucas stepped in the concrete." It was pretty funny. So yes, the trip was not delightful, I told them if they couldn't stay out of the concrete (freshly laid sidewalk project they took all day doing and just finished) we would have to leave. So we talked about how sad it would make everyone if they touch it and about 30 minutes later Lucas stepped on it. AND guess what, it made everybody really sad. LUCKILY it was in a spot that was still wet enough to fix however that didn't stop the frustration from pouring out of me. We all anticipated it happening but hoped that it wouldn't. Those who were doing the fixing were gracious and didn't say much even though I know how frustrating that was for them. So to follow through on my threat of having to leave, we had to leave. I was really sad that I trusted him to remember and that it had to be him who did the damage. I asked him in the car why he stepped on the wet concrete and he didn't know, I said, "did you forget?" and he so sad and sweet said, "yeah." So really it was my fault for not preventing the whole thing. So I felt dramatic that I was leaving crying (frustrated with myself and my kids) and I felt awkward and sorry that we made them worry and fix their hard work after they JUST finished it. Later Jill came over with a banana cream pie blizzard (my favorite) and we smoothed things over, they were kind and generous the whole way and it just proves what good friends they are. I thought it to myself a few days ago before this happened(after another nice thing Jill did for someone else) that Jill is a better friend than I am and this just confirms it. Thanks for forgiving us so willingly and we're sorry we stepped in it big time!! :)