New To Us

Yahoooo! We got a "new to us" washer last night.  Now, I can finally get caught back up on laundry.  We got a great deal on it and it's a front loading!

Shooting

We took the kids south of town on Monday to shoot their new guns.  They loved it!  Wayne and I had fun too.  Wayne got me a .22 pistol for Christmas too.  Now everyone has their own to shoot.

Christmas 2011

Here are some pictures from Christmas this year.  Since Christmas fell on a Sunday, I told the kids they had to be completely ready for church before we opened presents.  It's amazing how fast they got ready!

Wayne making pancakes! Yummmmy!

Every year we have the kids buy a gift for each other.  You can tell Jake did good!

Ellie couldn't go wrong getting Jake a nerf gun!

Our big gifts this year were guns.  Ellie got a pink BB gun.

And Jake got a 22.

The Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is more than just a rule of thumb of where to place subjects when composing a picture, but it goes further than that.  When I was taking a photography class in Colorado, we talked about this.  Part of this discussion was that everything happens in 3s.  And in our family, things happen in 3s, usually bad things.

1st-- December 16th, Candy Day

It was my great grandmother's tradition to make candy every year at Christmas time (caramels, dipped chocolates, peanut brittle, etc).  A few years ago, our extended family got together in honor of Grandma Vera to make her recipes and to pass them down to the current generations.  I really enjoyed this and have made it a tradition of my own.  The day that I had set aside this year to do this, I woke up with a swollen foot and could barely walk.  Thinking it was just a cramp, I tried to rub it out.  But it only got worse!  I took a nice warm shower thinking the hot water would help it.  Nope, I could barely stand on the tile.  So after my attempts to help my foot, more specifically my toe, I couldn't take the pain.  I called the doctor for an appointment.  Turns out I broke my toe.  I don't know how or when but it was broken.  And there's nothing that can be done for a broken toe.  I limped around for a week and am now able to walk somewhat normal.  It still hurts and the doctor said it would take about 4-6 weeks to heal. :(

2nd-- December 24th, Quilts

I was way behind on finishing the kid's rag quilts for Christmas.  I had just finished snipping them and still needed to wash them.  I threw them in the wash.  I had gone up stairs a short time later and I smelled something weird.  I asked Wayne to come help me find it.  Well we did.  It was the washer.  After Wayne completely disassembled it, he came to the conclusion that it was indeed broken.  :(

3rd-- December 25th, Drive Home

We had gone to Christmas dinner with family and on the way Wayne noticed that we were losing tire pressure. No, he's not that good to feel that or does he check that constantly!  The "dummy light" flashed on the dash saying that something was wrong.  Our tire was slowly losing pressure.  We pulled over a truck stop and aired it back up, hoping that we could make it the rest of the way home.  It was cold & dark and we didn't have a flashlight.  So making it home without having to empty the trunk and put the spare on was the best option.  The tire held on the way home!  The next day, nothing was open.  We weren't able to get it fixed until Tuesday. :(

I could probably list more stuff before these and I'm sure more is coming.  Sometimes I feel like we are in 3 sets of 3, not just 3.  Or even 3 years of stuff.  But I know all to well that happiness doesn't come without trial or effort.  If we didn't have rough times, we wouldn't recognize the good times.  I hope that this coming year will bring us some good.  We are making several big changes (like selling our house and moving) and that is sure to bring both good and bad our way.  What a bokeh life!!!

For Sale

Okay, the not-so-secret secret is out.  We officially listed our house today.  Not too big of a deal to us.  Just entering a different time in our life.  It's a little depressing to admit, but we are headed for the teenage years, where our kids are wanting bigger, more expensive things like cell phones and cars!  That's right, Jake can take drivers ed next summer.  Man we're getting old. :(  I don't feel old but in order to accommodate these changes in our lives, we figure some changes financially are coming too.  And we want to be prepared for them.  So here's the first step...selling our house.

Some other upcoming changes in our lives will probably include me stopping foster care and getting a traditional job.  I have realized that my love for children and helping people cannot be forced onto my family.  They have been very supportive with the children we have taken in, but I can tell they don't love it like I do.  So I have been looking for a part time job where I can still be around/help people and children.  I have a couple of options out there and I'm waiting to hear back.  We still need to follow through with our foster care obligations and will help the X Factor as long as we need to, but he will probably be our last placement if I can secure a job in the meantime.

I have always welcomed change in our lives, but this time I'm struggling.  Working outside the home, in an actual workplace, with all new people, scares me.  It's not that I won't enjoy it, it's just not what I'm used to.  I have always found comfort in being at home with my children (and Julie's!).  I keep praying that the right job will come along that will give balance to what I want, what Wayne wants, and what we both need.

What was I thinking....It's almost midnight!

What was I thinking when I decided to start pumpkin bread at 8:30pm.  Let me rewind a bit and maybe we can figure this out together.

I got a call earlier today to remind me of activity days for Ellie tomorrow after school.  The girls are going caroling to some families in the ward.  While on the phone, I was asked to make something for the girls to give one of the families.  I said yes.  I'm always happy to help.

Since this was an "Ellie thing" I wanted her help in making it.  On the phone, she mention it would be an elderly couple.  I decided bread would be the better choice over goodies and pumpkin bread has been sounding good for a while now.  I knew I had to make it today with her since there would not be time after school tomorrow.  So I had Ellie do her homework and take a bath first that way I could get X Factor down for bed before we started.  I wanted to make it special for her without extra little hands interrupting us.

By the time we got started it was 8:30.  I didn't think this through all the way.  I forgot to consider that the bread would have to bake for at least an hour and then cool so I could put it away before I went to bed.  Poor Ellie didn't get to see the end result before I sent her to bed.  But she was thrilled when I told the kids they could eat pumpkin bread for breakfast.

Of course I had to try one while they were hot!  It's been years since I made good (when I say good I mean full of gluten!) pumpkin bread.  My mini loaves only took 30 minutes to cook, but the larger loaves took well over an hour.  There is a bigger one still in the oven when I took this pic.  It took almost an hour and a half.  

So now I'm just sitting here blogging, waiting for them to cool, so I can go to bed.  Even though I wasn't thinking when I started these, I'm glad I took the time to include Ellie.  She has been having a hard time with X Factor and she really needed some one on one time with me.  I love my little Jelly Bean.  She is so sweet.

Close Call

The other night, I was working on one of the many sewing projects I currently have going and my machine quit working. I thought I broke a needle since that was the error that first popped on the screen but when I pulled it out the needle was fine. The machine still wouldn't work.  Then, I thought maybe I had thread stuck.  So I pulled the little plastic piece off the end and checked it out.  Not a thing.  I then checked the bobbin area for the same thing.  Couldn't see anything.  Dollar signs starting popping in my head of how much this was going to cost to fix.  Fancy machines are expensive to fix.

I asked Wayne to come take a look and help oil the proper areas.  Knowing me, I would put oil on the wrong part!  We pulled off some of the exterior covering to see if we could see anything.  Wayne oiled some parts but it still wasn't working.  All I could think of what how much it was going to cost me for a new machine.  I left the room for a little while and left Wayne alone with the machine.  About an hour later he came down stairs and told me he thought he got it working!  I went back up to check it out and this is what I saw.

I have to admit, I was pretty scared.  Yes, Wayne is an amazing auto mechanic, but a sewing machine repair man?  I had my doubts.  But I shouldn't have.  He did get it working.  He did get it back together properly.  Everything works on it.  The dollar signs disappeared.  I got back to sewing that night.

I almost have the kids' Christmas quilts done.  The sewing is done and all I have left is to cut and wash them (they're rag quilts).  Several more projects to go before Christmas.  I hope I can get them all done in time.

The Blur

As some of you may know, we got a new placement this last week.  It's a little boy that just turned 2.  Going from K-dub who was just starting to pull himself up on the furniture to a walking, talking boy is a bit of change for us. X Factor, as we will call him for the blog, is very energetic to say the least!  He's not the only one that needs a nap in the middle of the day.

Even though X Factor is on the go most of the day, he is super sweet.  His little please and thank you's will melt your heart.  He is adjusting well to our house and rules.  We definitely have our work cut out for us, but he is well worth the effort.  We also get the blessing of grandparents.  They are wonderful people and a great source for respite.

This is usually how I see him...a blur running across the room!

Ellie's Christmas List...spelling and all!

cell phone
compoter
tv im my room
candy
toys
bubble gum
monster high
foot ball
my own gun
a lock door that is mine
soing micin (sewing machine)
purple wall paint
a big roll (a roll of paper for her art easel)
zooball
a sencey lighter (scentsy warmer)
20 doller bill
silly sring
more lego's
a pet turtle
more skeces (more squeakies)
a loneg bord (long board)
whell shoes (wheelie shoes)
a baby dog
a musneoto gun (marshmellow gun)
a bunny
ice skats

I thought some of them needed some translation!

One Amazing Family...

For those of you that know the Taylor family, you know how amazing they are.  Jan is someone I think very highly of.  She is a woman I truly respect and love.  She is one of the best examples of a wonderful mother that I can think of.  Two years ago, the Taylor family lost their little boy Luke.

In remembrance of Luke, I was asked by a friend to make a quilt in his behalf.  I immediately said yes before I even knew the details.  I was told since Luke lived to 23 months old, that we (when I say we, I mean the amazing group of friends I am fortunate enough to have) would make 23 boy quilts to donate to the Linus project (linusidaho.org) in behalf of the Taylor family.  These quilts will be donated to local hospitals.  All this would be done in secret and presented to the Taylor family on Luke's birthday, December 1st.

I am very pleased with the way my quilt turned out and was well worth the time and effort I put into it.  I feel so blessed to be a part of something so special.

Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving we celebrated in a different way.  We normally go to Mountain Home to spend it with all our wonderful family, but this year, for one reason or another, our family was all doing something different.  Dad and Mom are visiting Brian & his family in North Carolina.  Steve is spending it with friends.  Lisa stayed in Blackfoot.  And Jeff, well who knows where Jeff is right now!  It's like trying to find Waldo with the extra work he's picked up.  So Wayne and I decided we would go out for dinner to Dickey's!  They're not open on Thanksgiving, so we went tonight instead. 

As you can see by Ellie's face, she was excited. And look at Jake. How often to you get a teenager to smile?  Pulled pork, brisket, mashed potatoes, greens beans with onions & bacon, mac & cheese, onion tanglers, and hot rolls filled our bellies just the same! Yummmmm!  Not traditional, but still amazing.  We even have plenty of left overs for tomorrow.

Afterwards, we came back home and watched a movie.  And no Thanksgiving would be complete without pumpkin pie!!!!

Some of the things I am thankful for...

• Wayne, Jake, and Ellie--Without doubt, the top of my list. I love my family.
• Family & Friends--There are too many of you to list!  And for that, I'm grateful.  I'm very blessed that there are so many of you in my life. 
• The Gospel--I rely on my faith all the time and am thankful I have the gospel in my life.
• Foster Care
• Wayne's Job--I am sooooooo thankful Wayne has a stable, secure job.
• Photography
• Technology--phone, ipod, computer
• Modern Medicine--With all my health problems over the years, this is one I am definitely thankful for. I probably wouldn't be here today without it.
• Music--I'm thankful there are different kinds...rock, country, piano. My mood is reflected in my music.
• My dining room table--We got a new one this year and I love it. I love that we have 8 chairs. I love that we actually sit at it every night for dinner.
• Stampin' Up!
• JoAnn's, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and Craft Warehouse
• My sewing machine--I never would have bought myself this nice of one. I love my grandma!
• Maurice's and Kohl's--It's amazing how a few new clothes will make you feel like a million bucks!
• Our camper and more specifically the bathroom in our camper! I don't think I could ever go back to tent camping.
• Oh, I can't forget blogging! Something I never thought I'd enjoy. It's kinda my version of a journal.

She didn't learn by example

Walking by Ellie's room the other day, I noticed something not quite right.  Do you see it too?

Nope, it's not the nicely made bed.  I did that today.  Maybe you need a better angle.

Now do you see it?  Yep, those are binoculars in her window!!!!  I'm guessing she was spying on Jana's boys playing outside since that's all you can see from her window.  I can often here her yelling out the window at them.  I don't think we have a serious problem yet since you cannot see any of their bedrooms from our house and she's only 9.  Now if this happens when she's a teenager then I'll be worried!

Grandma Turns 80!

On Monday, I went to Mountain Home for Grandma's 80th birthday.  Mom coordinated it with the nursing home so the residents were all ready for the party.  We sang happy birthday and had cake & icecream.  It was quite the treat for these great folks.

The staff there is amazing.  They got her a gift, a little serenity fountain for her room.  Grandma said thank you by giving this gentleman several kisses.  I think his words were, "Oh, that's enough for the whole year!"  As you can see, grandma had a great time...even if she didn't know who we all were.  I'm glad I got to share this moment with her.

One in a Million!

Well I'm a little behind on posting.  The last couple of weeks have been very busy and with good reason.

The department began looking for a permanent home for K-dub a few weeks ago.  They read through lots and lots of home studies to find a great family.  They narrowed their list down and interviewed a family.  They were very impressed with them and gave them the opportunity to talk to me on the phone to find out more about K-dub.  I was very nervous.  I had some very specific ideas about the kind of family I wanted him to become part of.  I was scared that he wouldn't get everything I wanted for him.

The first time we talked, all my fears were put to rest.  I felt very good about them.  I am happy to say that they too liked what I had to tell them about K-dub and they wanted to pursue adoption.  A few days later, a meeting between all of use was set up and very busy days followed.  The O family is an amazing family.  We spent almost everyday together for two weeks and I can say without doubt the that Lord listens and answers prayers.  Not only mine, but theirs too.  I can't say enough good about them.  I am very blessed to have met them and to be apart of their life and K-dub's life. 

Last Friday, we made the official placement of K-dub in their home (the adoption won't be finalized for another 6 months).  While there, the O family gave us this gift.  I have no doubt that our friendship will continue forever.  A one in a million boy for a one in a million family!

Ellie's 9th Birthday

This year Ellie's birthday fell on a Monday.  So the Friday before we had a small party.  There was no school that day so she got to take two friends and we went to the movies.  We watched the Smurfs!  One the way home, I gave the girls the camera and they had some fun!

After we got home, we had pizza, cake, and icecream.  After which, she opened presents.  She had a great time.  I do have to mention that we sang to her and I took some pictures, only to realize I didn't have my memory card in.  So we hit repeat and sang again!



On her actual birthday, we took her to Walmart to pick out a new bike with the money she got.  She was very specific about wanting a purple bmx bike.  With a gift of money from us, she was able to get what she wanted.  We made sure to buy slime when we bought the bike.  And sure enough, the first time out she got a goathead in her tire.

I can't believe my little girl is 9.  Wow, my kids are growing up!

More Curls

Okay...I tried another way of curling my hair today.  Only took me 30 years to figure out how to use a curling iron in more than one way!  We'll see what I try next.  I found some really cute dressier looks that I'm waiting for the right occasion to try.

Late Night Photo Session with Lisa

My sister came by last night to spend the night.  She is on her way to Tacoma for a figure competition. She wanted some pics done to post on her fitness facebook account (she's a personal trainer now) for her clients to see her transformation.  It was after eight when she got here and I finally went to bed just after one!

I originally set up my black backdrop but when I unrolled it I wanted to cry.  My lack of proper storage in the garage had put a dent in the paper roll, which showed up very clearly in a very bad way.  Only about a 1/3 of the width is usable now. :(  We ended up moving to a bare wall and doing most of the pics.

I don't think I've laughed that hard in a long time.  We had some fun with some posing!  None of those pics are going to get posted here.  Lisa probably doesn't want people to see those.  I'm surprised we didn't wake anyone up.

I guess I will have to start saving my money to be able to buy a new black background.  I was already saving up to buy a white one but now I'll have to save even more.  And I can promise you they won't be stored in the garage again.

Cute Hair!

I had a few moments by myself today while K-dub took a nap.  I found myself blog hopping.  I had originally gone looking for something I had seen before and ended up in a completely different spot!  In this case it was good.  I came across a blog (http://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/) that had tutorials on some really cute hair styles.

I have been growing my hair out on a bet with Wayne.  The bet is if I grow it to 21 inches (from the top of my head...not the neckline) then I get laser eye surgery.  I am getting really close.  Last time I measured, I think I only had 2 inches left.  We'll see if Wayne follows through with is part.

Now that it's longer, I often wear it in a ponytail and not the cute kind.  When I looked into the large mirror that sits above my computer while I was blog hopping, I couldn't help noticing that my hair looked terrible today.  So I decided I'd try one of the hairstyles from the blog I came across.  Here's how it turned out.

I don't mind doing my hair.  I just have very few ideas to do it.  This blog I found will definitely help.  Now if I just get my hubby to pay a complement or two.  I have gotten several from friends but none from him.  I have been growing it out for over a year now and he has yet to say anything nice about it. :(  But I'm sure he'd have lots to say if I decided to cut it!!!

Jake's Cast is Off!

Jake got his cast off yesterday after school.  He is pretty excited.  He still has to be very careful for the next couple of weeks.  The doctor told him not to do anything stupid!  I love our doctors.