Behind closed doors...

I can keep a pretty clean and tidy house. But when it comes to closets and drawers I fail miserably. Every time I walk by this closet in the hall I cringe. Even when the doors are closed I could feel the horrible mess waiting for me on the other side. So this week I took off the doors and had a cleaning/throwing away party.

For now this closet looks and feels much better. (But I won't guarantee it will last forever.) I couldn't believe how much stuff I had packed away in there.

On a side note Laine is on the verge of crawling. She can get up on her knees and hands and then she rocks forward. She doesn't move her arms yet and just nose dives a few inches forward to get anywhere. This picture was caught mid nosedive.

I have tried to get a better picture of her up on her hands and knees but she must sense my presents and does this every time. She is all ready to get moving and play with Bode, but I am not ready for that. Isn't she to little to be almost crawling!?! I also gave her a haircut last night. He "Tump" comb-over wasn't looking to hot, so I gave her a trim. No more little fuzzy head.

Got milk...

Laine has been off the boob for about two and a half weeks and she (and I) is much, much happier. For about three weeks I was ready to send her away. I was so frustrated. All she could do it cry and cry and cry. We thought she was teething so we tried all those remedies. No. Was she gassy? No. We tried everything! All she could to was cry and nurse. On top of all her bad moods she would not take a bottle to save her life. So this constantly screaming baby was attached to me at all times. Needless to say I was frazzled. So one night she had been up just crying for an hour. Jeremiah had been rocking her trying to get her to sleep or at least calm down. So we decided to see if she would take a bottle. She sucked down a 6 oz bottle in no time. The poor little thing has been hungry for weeks, you wouldn't know it to look at her though. From then on she has been on formula. That day I pumped to see how much I was making. I hadn't nursed from 7pm to noon and I only got out 4oz. My milk has all dried up now and I didn't even get engorged or have any pain. Once we figured out that the girl was just hungry everything has been so much better!

Once she decided she like the bottle there was no turning back. She even holds it herself. Cute little girl.

What can I say about this kid this week.... he is a mess!! Literally. He is a pro at going behind me and messing up a clean house. Toys are everywhere. Normally we pick up his room before bed. But I haven't (in a long time) it seemed like to much work. He was laying there and he goes "Mom my room is a MESS!!" If only he could do something about it. Jeremiah has been working out in the garage a few nights this week. Bode has been out there helping him "fix" things. I have had to scrub my tub everyday. He has been so darned dirty there is a huge ring in the tub. At least he is having fun...right?

These made me laugh this morning...

8 things I did yesterday

• Went to Goodwill. Found some brand new Old Navy Shoes for Laine.
• Changed Bode's Sheets.
• Folded Laundry
• Re-folded the same Laundry after Bode bulldozed them with his toys.
• Tried to re thread my surger sewing machine. Not to successful.
• Danced to ABBA with Bode.
• Changed a huge, stinky Laine diaper.
• Watched John and Kate Plus Eight.... I'll say what I said before Jon is a douche. Midlife crisis at 32!?! grrr...

8 things I look forward to

• The fourth of July in Pinetop with my family!
• Hoping our house in Pinetop will close so we will be one step closer buying a house down here.
• Buying a new sewing machine...someday.
• Bode going to school. I know I will be sad but I think he will love it. It is still a few years away though.
• Refinishing Laine's awesome bed we found at Goodwill. It deserves it's own post someday.
• The new Harry Potter movie, I am a bit dorky.
• My hip flexor to stop hurting to I can really start running...
• Running a half marathon with my sisters in Moab next March.

8 things I wish I could do

• Go back to school to finish my degree. I finally know what I what to graduate with.
• Contribute financially to my family. It would be nice to have a small income on the side.
• Keep my house clean for more than a day... can someone tell me how to do this?
• Be more thoughtful and compassionate towards people.
• Be more patient with my kids and myself.
• Grow my hair out. I am so impatient...see above.
• Go to Costso or any store for that matter, without a budget. How fun would that be?
• Be more friendly. I don't ever think I make a good impression on people.

8 shows I watch

• The Office "That's what she said"
• So You Think You Can Dance dance, dance, dance
• Desperate Housewives
• Lost
• Amazing Race
• Keeping up Appearances - If you know what I am talking about you are my new best friend. I love British humor :)
• Frasier
• Bode shows -Curious George, Micky Mouse Clubhouse, Special Agent Oso.

I tag my Mom and Jill. Plus anyone else who wants to do it...

Happy Father's Day...

Bode and Laine are so lucky to have such a great father.

I tried to ask Bode some fathers day questions about Jeremiah. This is what he came up with this year. Hopefully in years to come they will be more detailed.

• Mom: What is your daddy's name?
• Bode: Jongus, Dad Jongus. (Bond, James Bond)
• Mom: Do you love your daddy?
• Bode: mmm hum (I assume that means yes)
• Mom: What is your favorite thing you do with dad?
• Bode: campn'!!!! ( he yelled that one)
• Mom: What does dad look like?
• Bode: ummm... tall, tall, tall (sung like the snowman song)
• Mom: Who is your favorite person?
• Bode: campn'!!! ( He must love Jer becasue I don't take him camping)

If I could ask Laine any questions she would reply by blowing a slobbery raspberry with her tongue. This means I love my Daddy!!

I love you Jer! You are a wonderful father. I am so grateful that your are the father of my children. They are so lucky and I am lucky to have you.

Really...

Does anyone else notice the tight situation that the world is in right now? No, not the political climate or declining economy. But the unusually tight pants people are wearing these days. It has left me with a very unsettling feeling. Every where you turn there are boys wearing incredibly tight pants. I am trying to figure out why?

During World War II fabric rations in the United States caused women's hem line to rise. The phrase "save fabric for the war effort" was commonly used. Could this be the cause behind the circulation cutting pants? Is our current economic situation causing innocent young men to risk their fertility and look like this...

No, I don't think so. They are just following a fad. To look unique and different. But this is what comes to mind when I hear that...

In my high school there was always the uniform controversy. It was discussed every year to instate uniforms. I for one was all for it. I wouldn't have to think about what I was going to wear each day, I could have slept in like an extra 20 minutes. But others said that it would stifle their individuality. But as I looked around my high school and as I look around the stores that I visit now everybody looks the same. Back then it was slightly baggy pants, Abercrombie and Tommy Hilfiger, now it is skinny jeans and converse shoes. I would gladly take boys in baggy pants over boys that wear smaller jeans than me and can apply eye liner better than I ever will.

Something strange is going on around here....

The evidence:

A very messy kitchen.

Over flowing laundry baskets.

Stuff everywhere.

The children are feeding themselves.

Suspicious clues are piling up.

The evidence is definitely pointing to the guilty party.

Because I don't think Jer can use one of these.

This is the face of the guilty party.

I have been neglecting my normal household duties to have some fun! Well maybe you don't think it is fun but I have been sewing. But my poor house and poor children they have been thoroughly neglected. So I have packed up my sewing machine... kind of... OK just for today. I love picking out fabric and making cute little things. But for today I am forcing myself to clean my house from top to bottom. Then if I finish I might reward myself with a trip to Joanne's to pick out some new fabric. But the house is pretty bad and I think Joanne's will be closed before I finish.

This is I think my favorite dress so far. I love the purple and I figured out how to put on little cap sleeves. Bode runs up to me while I sew and always says "oh look mom a dress for Laine Jo". He did ask me when I was making his dress... um never. I think I am going to make him a super hero cape.

It isn't finished yet but here are the cute sleeves.

My cute little model wears her clothes so well.

I love the ruffle butt bloomers.

I even attempted a matching headband/flower.

Oh girls are fun. She is my own little doll to dress up. Better enjoy this phase as long as I can!

Shout out to Willow Canyon 2...

My Church volleyball team took the prize this year, we won the stake tourney. It was actually really fun. I am especially grateful for all these ladies and the other ladies from our ward that played volleyball. We have lived in this ward for about a year. We both got put into primary a few weeks after moving into the ward. When you are in Primary your kind of get lost. Not in a bad way, but you are so busy taking care of kids that there is no social time with adults. We didn't get to meet anyone from Sunday School, Relief Society, or Priesthood. So for the most part we kind of anonymously came to church fulfilled our callings and never got to talk or meet anyone other than the other Primary workers. With the exception of Tuesday playgroup I never interacted with anyone else in the ward. (Thanks Ashely, Jenna and Torrie for including me and Bode!!) So when I heard about volleyball I was really hesitant to go. I didn't know anyone and I am a shy person. But I love volleyball and couldn't miss the opportunity to play. I am very glad I did. I am now loving being being a part of this ward and starting to make connections with other people. Hopefully when we get ready to buy a house maybe we can find a good one in this ward, who knows? Thanks again Ladies!

Our new Wednesday Activity...

To pass a little of the hot summer time we have taken up swimming.

Bode loves it.

Laine is not a fan.

I want to get a tan on my pasty body.

Jer doesn't like to sit around the house.

Swimming is just the right activity.

Plus when you have great connections you get to swim in a big pool all by yourself.

Thank you Nelsons for letting us swim!!

Anybody interested...

Alright I have some fun ideas floating around in my head these days. This is one of them. I always enter in "giveaways" on people's blogs...but I never win :( The odds of me wining when 700 people are signing up are pretty slim. So I thought it would be fun to host a smaller giveaway on my blog. I have contacted some great crafters and some others who have some amazing talents and they are all on board with the giveaway! So here is the kicker... are you? I want to make it worth it for the people putting their items in the giveaway. Here are a few example's of some giveaway items:

A family name sign by:

Off Woodland Lane Vinyl Home Decor

Stinkn' cute headband/bows from:

Chicy Creations

Handcrafted bags by:

Miss Tailor Handbags

How about some photo's by this awesome photographer:

He did my little sister's wedding and my family photo's that all have been posted on my blog.

Paxman Photography

Plus beautiful handmade jewelry, home decor and a cute if I do say so myself little girls dress.

Like I said I want this to be worth it for the people who so kindly have offered up items for the giveaway. So if you are interested leave a comment or vote yes on the poll on the sidebar. You have one week to let me know what you think. Like I said before I want to make this worth it for the people who are putting things in so spread the word! So vote all you friends, family, family's friends, and blogstalkers :)

If you are interested in putting something in let me know! It is always fun to win stuff!!

*these are just example of the giveaway items. real items will be posted on the actually giveaway day.

Look Mom...

It is impossible to count how many times in the day I hear "Look Mom!!!". Most of the time I say something like "oh neat Bode" or "wow!". But this was funny. I made Bode his usual lunch of choice a "budders and jelly samich". He came to me a few minutes later saying "Look Mom!!!" I turned around and he says "look it's a dog".

He is so proud of his dog.

I think we will name him PB&J.

Could be one of the best things ever...

*turn off the music before viewing this video

Tell me what you think...

So I was thinking today about TV. I normally let Bode watch TV in the morning from when he wakes up until 9:30-10:00. This lets me get the morning going. You know shower, clean, do stuff with out him hanging on me. Definitely TV off at 10:00 no matter what. Then it comes back on after nap time/quiet time, about 4:00. Then I let him watch a movie so I can make dinner. How much is to much? How much TV do your kids watch?

Look what I did today!!!

I am very proud of myself today. I made this little dress! A friend and I are planning on getting together to make a dress (or two) for our little girls. I figured that I needed to brush up on a few of my skills before I sew with someone else. Good thing I did. It took a long time and had a quite a few mess ups but the finished product looks good.

My model wasn't very cooperative.

I didn't want to go to the store so lucky I had this fabric tucked away. I wasn't sure if it would look good together but I love it now. And I didn't have a pattern so I made it up myself. Don't look to close, I didn't have my mom to help me. Now I am super excited to sew next week! My Mom is sending a pattern so hopefully the next dress will turn out better than this one.

My favorite part is the messy flower on the side.

I found a little pattern online to make little shoes. I think I am going to attempt those tonight.

Thoughts from Laine's brain...

Man, something smells stinky...

Who was that!?!

Oh, it was me.

Take a chichure Mom...

Last week we went and saw "Monsters vs Aliens". I didn't think Bode liked it to much though. Then later in the week I heard him asking me to take a picture. He was skating on cars. It was a scene from the movie. I asked him why he did it he said " I like the girl". In the movie the giant woman uses cars to skate. I guess he did like the movie. Or he just wanted to skate around the house.

PS I was playing with the settings on my camera and now all my pictures are kinda fuzzy :(