My cleaning schedule

I'm a *little* particular about the cleanliness of my house. Other people (including Allen) would use another word to describe it, but I prefer particular. Anyway, I've mentioned my cleaning schedule a couple times on here and people have started to ask me about it. So here it is, my weekly cleaning schedule. I've tried lots of different cleaning systems, including FlyLady (way too many emails), the SHE system and Motivated Moms. I'd say mine is a cross of the SHE system and Motivated moms. I also prefer to do "like" tasks on one day. I do all my dusting on one day so I'm only getting the dusting stuff out one time during the week, etc. I've also found it to be extremely helpful to have a set of my supplies in all bathrooms and somewhere in my kitchen. I love clorox wipes and Mr. Clean Magic Erasers (please, if you have never tried these, pick up a box and use them on your tub, you will be hooked, I promise). So here it is:

Every Day
Make Beds
Wipe Down Bathrooms (sink, counter, toilet)
Sweep/mop kitchen
Dishes/kitchen counters
Declutter/pick up toys
Handle mail/paperwork
Take out trash/recycling

Monday
Kids laundry
Vacuum carpets
Mop main floor
Balance checkbook/pay bills
Misc. filing/paperwork

Tuesday
Deep clean kitchen - wipe down appliances/cupboards, clean stove/oven/microwave
Clean out fridge
Deep clean bathrooms - toilet, shower/tub, mop floor, wipe down mirrors

Wednesday
Dark colored laundry and area rugs
Dust all furniture

Thursday
Vacuum carpets
Mop main floor
Clean bathrooms as needed (always the mirror)

Friday
Change sheets
White laundry, sheets, towels

I also have a daily task sheet for more unusual tasks that don't need to be completed on as regular a basis. It's way too long to put on here but if you'd like it, post a comment and I'll email it to you. It includes deep cleaning items (like vacuuming under furniture, cleaning windows, etc.) and lots of organizational items (dejunking drawers, handling unusual paperwork, making appointments, etc.) One item per day. If I use this list regularly, I stay really on top of things. And, for the record, I usually spend about 1 hour cleaning per day. So it's really not too bad once you get going.

4 year old pictures

Every year I get my kids' pictures taken professionally right around their birthday. I prefer to kill two birds with one stone and do them at the same time so I try to do it directly between their two birthdays. This weekend I realized I hadn't taken any shots of Carter for awhile and I wanted some pictures for his 4 year old scrapbook page (I do a page telling about all his favorite things, etc. every year). So yesterday before church I took some pictures. As you can see he's way more into making silly faces than cooperating with his mom. I was also having a hard time with the lighting even though I faced in him every direction possible. So I guess we'll try round two sometime later this week.

We made a quick (ha, two hour) Target run this morning. I love Target. I could (and did) spend hours there. My kids are usually pretty content if I get the popcorn combo - for $1 you get a drink and a bag of popcorn. Totally worth it for 2 hours of shopping bliss. Among other things, I came home with this stack:

This represents 4 pair of shorts and 3 shirts for Carter, and 3 pair of shorts, 5 shirts and a skirt for Makenna. I also got M two pairs of sandals. Their basics are all 2 for $6 this week. Target is great for basics and wardrobe fillers. Plus, they have some really cute stuff. And when you're moving to a place that has 9 months of summer, ya gotta have options and tons of clothes. The lady that checked me out looked at me like I was crazy. My friend in AZ told me she needs at least 5 swimsuits per year, per child. Isn't that crazy? I also came home with a bag of my all time favorite Valentines Candy - Gobstopper Heart Breakers. I have loved them for years and will definitely be breaking my no sugar rule for a few of these every day! Yum!

And since I'm uploading pictures, here are a couple more from the weekend. Carter has recently really gotten into superheroes. He and Makenna put bibs on backwards and pretend they are capes and then jump off the back of the couch to "fly". "Mom, do you see my cape flapping in the wind?" is the question every time. So hilarious. I need to make him a real cape, or something since we clearly get no cape flapping here. Oh, and in case you're wondering, he wears shorts and a tshirt every single day. Drives me crazy. He's graduated from pajamas all day long to shorts and tees. He'll love living in AZ.

And here's one of miss M. She's so cute and so into dressing up. I bought this cute pink and white pinstriped blazer at Old Navy last year for about $2 and love how it looks on her. If only everything looked so cute on me :)

Home alone

Al is at the Klondike this weekend. Freezing his bum off :) Way better him than me. I spent the better part of yesterday getting him ready to go -- precooking and prechopping all the Chili ingredients for his boys, shopping for last minute purchases (long johns, more wool socks), sewing badges on his scout shirt.

I actually don't mind being home alone every once in awhile. I overdosed on chick flicks last night and scrapped until the wee hours of the morning (3 a.m. to be exact), which I would never do if Al were here. I hate going to bed alone and have an overactive immagination so whenever I am home alone I stay up really, really late so I'm sure to fall asleep fast. I'm feeling it this morning though. I did get 4 layouts done so that is good news.

Today I guess we'll do all the things I was supposed to do yesterday. I need to go to the mall and the post office but they are both places I generally avoid on a Saturday. I think wives should really get the title of assistant to the scout master since that is what we really are. Have a good weekend!

And the word of 2007 is...

So, I subscribe to this email newsletter from the fabulous scrapbooker Ali Edwards. She passes along challenges and words of wisdom and inspirational ideas. In her first newsletter of the year, she asked her readers to choose a word to define 2007. I pondered long and hard about my word.

Prioritize.

Yep. Prioritize. I know it's kind of a weird word. But you have to understand that the last 3 years of our (my) life have been an exercise of survival. Surviving graduate school while working full time. Surviving the house remodel. Surviving various demading church callings. Surviving having a husband who was gone most of the time. Well, that time is finally over. We've had six months to relax, collect ourselves and start thinking about what we want to do with the rest of our lives.

So this year is about priorities. And really examining what it is that we feel passionately about. We want to spend this year getting better prepared. That is a huge priority for us. Our plan is to have our entire year supply by the end of the year. To have all of our legal documents in order. Another priority is to continue our path of better health. We have made excellent strides in this goal in the last year. Probably the biggest priority for me this year is my spiritual health. I do ok in a lot of areas, but this is the year where temple attendance and scripture STUDY (not scripture reading) are my biggest priorities.

I think about this word every single day. Every time I sit down to do something frivolous, I think about how it is fitting in to my priorities.

I'll let you know how it goes.

10 things

that I've done today.

1. Talked to Kayla - hugs to my dear friend who has sick kids and needs a new car

2. Taken my friend to drop off her car at the shop and then back to pick it up.

3. Completed the RS bulletin board at the church

4. Taken my friends to the airport

5. Jumped on the trampoline with my kids

6. Washed, folded and put away 5 loads of laundry (it really never ends, does it?)

7. Taken my kids to the park (60 degree weather today, what can I say?)

8. Read Carter 6 Berenstain Bears stories (I'm seeing a new obsession here)

9. Made a couple new bows for M

10. Cleaned the bathrooms

9 things I haven't done today

1. Worked out (that's next on my list but I will do it tonight, for sure)

2. Made dinner - we ate at Wendy's - not glamorous but cheap and close to home (I had a salad)

3. Balanced my checkbook (I balance religiously on Monday nights but we were out late having FHE with another family. Maybe I'll get to it tonight)

4. Turned on the TV - I love no TV days

5. Read my scriptures - yet-also something I will for sure do tonight

6. Been creative - :( Sad about this one. I have ideas ready to come out but no time yet this week

7. Spent any money (yay!)

8. Dusted - it's on my Wednesday to do list

9. Taken out the trash

7 things on my to do list:

1. Get video camera fixed

2. Start taxes

3. Get family picture framed

4. Donate clothes

5. Get some stuff ready for ebay

6. Mail off some baby gifts and bday package to my sister

7. Finish reservations for Hawaii trip

I know, that was totally random. Ok, so I'm so ready to buy spring/summer clothes but must wait for stuff to get marked down. I'm usually giddy over the post Christmas sales and stock up on winter things for the next year. But... since we're anticipating a move to crazy AZ, I don't think we'll have much need for winter gear. Sigh. Fabulous sales going on right now at Janie and Jack. I only buy their stuff when it's really cheap (like right now) but it's all winter stuff. I'm itching to shop but will just have to wait.

I'm also on the hunt for a cute play cash register. My kids were loving the vintage fisher price one at a friends house the other day. Looked for it on ebay and it sells for big bucks. So if you have any recommendations, let me know.

Oh yes, I just have to post some pictures of Carter's newish furniture. We waited until our Christmas company was gone to set up his bed with his new bedding. He is loving it. I am loving it. I want a few more throw pillows for it (Al will die if he reads this - I have a weirdo pillow obsession that drives him crazy). I'm bidding on a couple on ebay right now. I have many ideas for stuff for the walls (never short on ideas, just time and money) but need to get Al on board since it involves him and his tools.

Just call me Martha

By default, I'm feeling very Martha Stewartish today. While I was making lunch today my back was turned from Makenna. I was chatting with my dad on the phone and making grilled cheese sandwiches. When I turned around to see what she was doing I realized she had taken the eggs out of the fridge and thrown three of them across the kitchen. She had taken 6 more eggs and smooshed them on the floor. They were cracked but still usable. So I've spent my afternoon baking away. A recipe of my mom's fabulous Texas Sheet Cake for a Relief Society activity later this week and a double recipe of chocolate chip cookies that will go in the freezer. Al and I have stopped eating pretty much all sugar so I'm not really sure what I'll use them for, but at least I used the eggs up. Carter and I have spent the afternoon working on a cute Valentines project for his preschool class. I hope to finish it sometime this week and I'll post pictures. Now I'm off to make dough for our pizza tonight! My Kitchenaid has gotten a workout today.

Busy week this week. I have church meetings on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Al has a meeting on Wed. night and the Klondike campout this weekend. I'm watching my friends kids all day tomorrow so she can help clean the temple. I'm helping with food for a funeral on Thursday and have a RS project that I'll be working on at the church all day on Wednesday. So... I probably won't be around too much this week. Today is the calm before the storm.

A couple other things:

1. Makenna has done GREAT with the binky thing. It takes her a little longer to fall asleep for her naps but she has adjusted just fine. She still asks for it a couple times a day but we just tell her she is a big girl now and doesn't need it.

2. A funny conversation I had with Al yesterday afternoon:

Al: I feel like muffins
Me: You do?
Al: Yes, I love muffins.
Me: Really? I never knew that.
Al: Yeah, if I could, I would have a muffin every single day.

Isn't that random? We've been married for almost 6 years and together for almost 7 and I had no idea that my husband LOVES muffins. It makes me laugh. How can marriage possibly get boring when there are endless things to learn about eachother? I guess I'll be making more muffins.

3. An even funnier conversation with Carter last night:

Background: Al has a great aunt and uncle who live close to us. They have a big family dinner once a month on a Sunday night and always invite us. It is so nice to be included. There are usually 30ish people there and they have opened their arms and welcomed us to their family functions. We are really grateful and have come to really love them. The dinners are full of yummy food and Carter usually sits at the table for the little kids so we dish up his food and never really know how much he has eaten. They also celebrate the birthdays every month with gifts and yummy desserts. So last night, they sang happy bday to Carter. For dessert, Carter ate: 4 donut holes, a Chocolate glazed donut, a brownie and ice cream and a mini Kit Kat bar. So on the way home, he was whining and asking for some of the Cars fruit snacks that Aunt Edith sent home with us.

Me: Carter, you have eaten so much junk tonight, you don't need any fruit snacks.
Carter: But I want them.
Me: Did you even eat any of your dinner tonight?
Carter: Yes
Me: What did you eat?
Carter: (defiantly) I ate Jello and some chips
Me: (Laughing so hard) See, you've eaten nothing but junk tonight
Carter: No I didn't. Daddy made me take a bite of potatoes

As if that makes up for all the other crap he ate. We were laughing so hard.

4. So excited that two of our shows are coming off of hiatus this week! Tonight Prison Break and Heroes come back on. Can hardly wait for Lost to come back.

5. To answer Kayla's question from my last post, Boden does free shipping and free returns promotions pretty often. I just order a bunch of stuff and send back/exchange if it doesn't fit. I'm having issues getting into my email today but I'll post a code if I can find one.

Happiness in a box.

Good mail day today. I got the first shipment of my Boden order. What? You've never heard of Boden. Let me formally introduce you. www.bodenusa.com

I love these clothes. I was first introduced to them about a year ago. They are an English company and their clothes are DELICIOUS (as far as clothing can be). And they are beautifully made. They are kind of pricey so you wouldn't want to buy your entire wardrobe from them but a few key signature pieces each season are great. I bought a few things for winter from them and get so many compliments every time I wear their stuff. So this year I sprung for a couple dresses, a swimsuit and a couple skirts. I love that their stuff is young and trendy and modest. They also have amazing customer service. Also, if you sign up for their email list you can get invited to their sales (which is when I buy all of my stuff).

Feast your eyes (and don't blame me when you fall in love and have to buy something).

6-10 (Finally)

It has taken me forever to get around to posting these. But that's 10 layouts so far this month! Whoop! I'm still trying to figure out the best way to get my LOs on here. I don't have very good lighting in my house so I'm trying my best.

Official Candy Tester - pictures from our gingerbread decorating party:
Favorite picture: This is one of my favorite pictures ever of Carter. He looks so sweet here. It's almost 2 years old! (I'm so far behind). I also hand journalled on this LO. There's a big push back to hand journalling in the scrapbook world. Not sure if i like it or not. I love the clean look of the computer.
Cousins: Best Friends? - Picture of Carter and his cousin Brinley from over the summer. These two were born 3 days apart and alternate between being best friends and worst enemies. You Melt My Heart - M at 9 months. Lousy picture. It's so overcast that the outside light did nothing to help. Sorry.
Cousins are siblings once removed. I love this page. It's of C and his 3 cousins that were born the same year as he was. These are pics from our vacation to Hilton Head Island, SC from 2005.

A touch of spring

I've had this idea rolling around in my head for awhile. A couple months ago I bought these:

And turned them into these:

These were so easy and cheap and I love how they turned out. M wore the red pair out the other day and pretty much everyone was dying over the cuteness of them. I made all 5 pair of shoes for about $30-including the shoes. They are a much needed touch of spring around here. (PS- still haven't decided what to do with the green pair.)

Snow Day...Again.

Yesterday we had yet another snow day (that makes 8 total for our school district this year). In case you don't know, it's pretty rare to get snow in Seattle and it's even more rare for it to stick around more than a day or two. But we got snow LAST Wednesday that still hadn't melted and it snowed again yesterday. When Al went to shovel the walks at the church over the weekend, our bishop told him that he purchased his snow shovel 10 years ago and this week was only the second time he has ever used it. Anyway, Al opted to work from home yesterday because the roads were so bad. He set up shop in our laundry room, away from the kids and had a pretty productive work day. We did get him to take a little break and play in the snow with us in the afternoon. Here are a few pictures.

A long night ahead...

...wish us luck. I have a ton to post about and lots of pictures, but my treadmill is a calling my name and I'm trying to finish up my next 5 LOs so I can post them tomorrow. (Ok, I'll add that American Idol is ALSO calling my name).

But... Al decided last night that it time to break the binky. I say Al decided because I am perfectly happy feeding the binky obsession until she is 5. Ok, not really, but I am way more lax about it than he is. This is our second attempt. We tried for 5 days in August and gave up because we had company coming into town. Now, she is in her bed sobbing for her "bintia" and it is breaking my heart. Poor thing. We totally should have done it sooner, like we did with Carter. But we didn't want to take it away right before we moved and then time kind of got away from us. So now we have to suffer. Really, it's only M and I that are suffering because Al couldn't care less. Cold, heartless daddy. Just kidding. We made big production and ceremony about throwing it away tonight. I'm pretty sure she didn't get it or she certainly wouldn't have chucked it so willingly.

We'll see how it goes.

Happy Birthday Carter Bug!

Four years ago today this little person joined our life:
And changed our world forever. It is hard to believe that he is already four, especially when it seems like yesterday that he was born. Carter’s trip into this world was not easy for anyone. He was 10 days late. I was beyond miserable and grumpy and fat. I begged the doctors to induce me. They would not. We tried everything, yes everything, to get that baby out. I even resorted to taking Castor oil – not once, but twice. Seriously, I do not recommend this to anyone, it is not a pleasant experience. When I was finally induced it was with a very “hands off” nurse midwife. My labor lasted 24 hours. I pushed for almost 3 hours without an epidural, and in the end, Carter had to be suctioned out of me. He was gigantic – 9 lb. 4 oz. and had a voracious appetite. I had a difficult labor, a difficult recovery and a difficult time nursing. Carter was jaundiced and required daily weight checks and blood withdrawls for the first 10 days of his life. It was a rough first few weeks.

But Carter more than made up for his rocky entry into the world. He was the world’s most easy and content baby. He ate like a champ, he slept fantastically and was generally calm and content. He slept through the night at 4 weeks old. I think Al and I were up about 20 times that night checking to make sure he was still breathing.

Carter has always been a watcher. He loves to take in the world around him before he jumps in. He is very observant about things and can repeat the details of a situation in painstaking exactness. Carter is a natural born leader. I noticed this for the first time last year during his mom and me preschool time. Wherever we go he leads the way with other kids. His primary and preschool teachers have noticed this about him this year too. He is fiercely independent and really likes to do things on his own timetable. The first time he walked, he stood up and walked across the room without so much as a stumble. He potty trained in two days (I promise). He has just been an easy child in many aspects. He has an amazing memory, and can repeat a book back to us almost word for word after a couple readings. He is very, very, very active and loves to be outside, loves sports, loves to rough house and get dirty. He is all boy –loves trucks, cars, bugs, dirt, rocks, sticks, superheroes, and torturing his little sister. He is a total mama’s boy and loves to be snuggled and held by me (which I love). He likes to sing songs and hear stories about when we were little. He is a bit of a packrat and we are always laughing about the random collection of things we find stuffed in his drawers or backpacks and scattered throughout the house.

Anyway, words cannot describe how much we love and appreciate our Carter boy. He is a joy to have in our family and we thank God daily that he was sent to us. Today we

are enjoying the day as a family. We had a big breakfast and we are headed to Chuck E. Cheese's tonight for dinner and games (obviously, not our first choice but he LOVES that place). Big happy birthday to the second love of my life!

Go Sonics!!

Just a quick picture of Al and I last night at the Sonics game. We had so much fun. Al was TOTALLY into the game, despite the fact that neither of us really care about the Sonics. Our good friend Blake is an athletic trainer for the Sonics and he has offered us tickets a few times. Lots of times he calls the night of but this time he gave us enough time to find a babysitter. It ended up being a really good game and of course it's always so fun to just be together! Oh, we even made it up on the huge jumbo tron while we were dancing.

I'd like my left arm back now, please!

I am having a crisis. My sewing machine is on the fritz. Bad. For me, scrapbooking without sewing is like doing it without a left arm. I. CAN. NOT. DO. IT. I am frankly a little panicked about it. I have completed four layouts this week without any sewing on them. And each one of them seems unfinished without a little quick stitching. Sob! I have been fiddling with my tension and rewinding bobbins and everything. I think a service call is in my near future.

In other news, have we moved back to Connecticut without me knowing it?!? It is SO cold here this week. Highs in the 20s. Not even breaking freezing. It snowed on Wednesday night and of course, since all of Seattle has about 4 snowplows/sand trucks, nothing has been plowed. Our streets are an icy mess. But that has not stopped us from leaving the house each and every day. Al walked home from work in the snow on Wednesday night because the traffic was horrific. Only about 25% of people came into the office yesterday, but he was there. Our trash hasn't even been picked up because, apparently, 4 ton trash trucks can't possibly navigate the streets of Seattle when there is ice on the roads. But we've cruised around on errands and a trip to the Children's museum today. The good news is that every place we've been has been pretty deserted.

Have a good weekend everyone! We have not one, but TWO dates scheduled for this weekend. Yay us. And some birthday preparation for our fabulous (almost) four year old.

I don't need a therapist, I have a Blog!!

So I've kind of noticed lately that it's become trendy to have a therapist. I'm constantly amazed at the number of people who in the course of conversation say, "Oh, my therapist suggested..." or "I was talking with my therapist the other day and..." The stigma that was once (say, in my parents generation) attached to having a therapist is long gone. I seriously have no problem with people seeing a therapist, whatsoever. About a year ago I told my mom that if I could afford one, I would have one. Not because I have issues (debatable), but because I think it would be great for self realization stuff.

But now that I have a blog, I really feel like this is some good therapy. I can brain dump. I can be myself. Lots of people get the same satisfaction from keeping a journal. And I really consider my blog to be my personal journal (albeit that anyone with the blog address can read along with me). So, I've decided this year that I'm going to keep it real with the blog. The blogs that I enjoy reading the most are those that are real. I like hearing about the ups and downs of life. About when your kid pukes on you or says something really embarrassing. I will attempt to make this one of those blogs.

Still me... only more simple

Last night Al and I were chit chatting about how interesting it is to see how people choose to spend their money. I have been pondering about it all dang day. And it is the predecessor conversation behind this random posting.

So, for those of you who may have met in, say, the last 5 or so years, you may not believe this, but, once-upon-a-time I was HIGH MAINTENANCE. Not emotionally high maintenance. Materially high maintenance. My dear friend who set up Al and I on our first date warned him before hand that I was high maintenance. Al's cousin who I knew when I worked in Washington DC, gave him a similar warning. These gals weren't being jerks, I really was a high maintenance girl. Let me illustrate: My hair was cut and colored on cue, exactly every 9 weeks. I had a standing appointment with my nail girl twice a month. I had enough high end cosmetics to open my very own counter. The vast majority of my wardrobe was purchased at Nordstrom, J. Crew, Ann Taylor and Banana Republic. I had a SUBSCRIPTION to InStyle magazine. Please, pick yourselves up off the floor now. I know, it's hard to believe.

So, I got married. We bought our first house. I became frugal by circumstances. I was faced with the choice of buying paint, appliances and furniture or maintaining my high maintenance lifestyle. I gladly chose my house. And then I had a baby and became a stay-at-home mom. My clothes were spit up upon and I chose play doh over my high profile consulting job. Suddenly, dry clean only made no sense at all. So now, a few years later, we're in a position where I could technically reintroduce some of my HM tendencies. But it has become so unimportant to me. Frugality by choice, rather than by circumstance. Sure, I'm still into fashion and like to look nice. I do my hair and makeup every day. I love the show "What not to Wear" (but you'll never see me in the grocery store wearing stilletos with my jeans, sorry Stacy London). The three people who matter the most to me don't really care that my wardrobe comes from Gap, Target and occassionally Ann Taylor Loft instead of higher end stores. They don't care that I wear drugstore cosmetics and don't have the worlds most stylish haircut. Why should I care either? One day very soon my gray will take over my head and I'll have to dye my hair again, but until then, I'm happy being the more simple me.

To infinity and beyond!

Every night, after the kids take their bath, they run around in their "capes" and pretend to be Buzz Lightyear. Up and down the hall, for as long as we'll let them. Screaming "To Infinity and Beyond." It is so cute and funny. One of the most pure joys of life is watching your children play and laugh together and become best friends. I love it. Last night after some cape running, they jumped on Carter's bed, completely nekkid for a good 20 mintues. Al and I stood inconspicuously outside the door and just watched them. Pure silliness. Pure joy.

The first Five!

One of my big goals for this year is to SCRAPBOOK!! One hundred Layouts. Al started to laugh at me when I told him that goal but when I told him it was less than 2 per week, he thinks I can do it (which I will). I'm hoping that in those 100 layouts I complete my 2005 and 2006 albums. I decided I will post them in batches of 5. So here are the first five. A couple of them need journaling but I ran out of printer ink last night while I was printing.

Pumpkin Patch: This one will have journaling on the 2nd page over the top of those patterned papers.

Bad Guy Face: Also needs some journaling, which will go down the left side. Our Favorites (for now): I actually don't like how this LO turned out, at all. But the idea is really cool and I think I'll do it at least once a year. It will be fun to see how our preferences change, over time. Makenna at 3 Months. So yeah, I've already scrapped this pictures once. But these delish vintage papers are perfect so I thought I'd do another one (this one was super fast). The papers remind me of an apron from the 40s.

Another goal for this year is to become more tech savvy. I am so out of touch. I had Al buy me Photoshop software and book for Christmas. I have it loaded on to my computer but haven't done a thing with it yet. I'm planning to play around with it this weekend.

Oh yes, I have to add, that I've noticed how ALL of my pictures look blurry on the computer screen. I don't know if it's my screen or what, but when I print my pictures out, they are not blurry at all.

A Fancy word for Simple

I found this blog earlier today that was started by two scrappy ladies. Every day they are posting a quote and challenging scrapbookers to use the quote on their layouts. So... if you are in the market for a favorite quote, check this out.

http://fancysimple.blogspot.com/


This was yesterdays quote and it really speaks to me:

You don't need endless time and perfect conditions. Do it now. Do it today. Do it for twenty minutes and watch your heart start beating. -- Barbara Sher

I am seriously ON FIRE with all my projects and inspiration this year. I've been scrapping away my afternoon and am loving it. I hate when I have ideas in my head that I just need to get on paper. It's been like that for me since the holidays started. It's also SO nice that Carter is finally at an age where I can give him his own stack of craft supplies and he can keep himself busy for quite awhile while I create. M is finally awake and dinner and a Target run beckon for the rest of the afternoon.

Carter Funnies

A few funny things Carter has said the past couple days...

- Today he told me he wanted Aunt Nicole and Uncle Jon to be his new mommy and daddy. When I asked him why he said that they wouldn't make him go to quiet time like we do. I told him that no, Aunt N and Uncle J would actually make him take a nap every day, like his cousin Brinley does. He thought about it for a few seconds and said, "Never mind, I guess I'll just keep you and daddy."

- Yesterday Carter informed me that he was ready to open some more Christmas presents. I tried to explain that Christmas is only once a year, etc. Then he said, "Let's just write Santa another letter and explain to him that I want it again now." Well, we did write Santa another letter yesterday afternoon. It says: Dear Santa, Thank you for the presents. My favorite was the spiderman toothbrush (HUH?!?) . I love playing with my new toys. Please bring me some again tonight. Love, Carter

- A couple nights ago Carter and Makenna were in the bath together. Carter said, "Mom, does Makenna have Nimples?" I think he is confused between dimples and nipples. Too funny.

Bittersweet

The end of the holiday season is always bittersweet for me. I'm sad to say goodbye to family (Al's family left this morning), I'm sad to take the decorations down and sad to put the Christmas music away. But it's also exciting to start a new year, fresh with possibilities. I love having a new blank calendar and planner just waiting to be filled in with the year's activities.

I think 2007 is going to be a great year. I have lots of goals that I'm ready to tackle. My brain is stuffed full of a million ideas of things and projects I want to do this year. Seriously, I have so many ideas that they keep me up at night. 2007 will bring another move for our family, and this one should be permanent. We are hoping to grow individually, as a couple and as a family (perhaps, quite literally).

So welcome, welcome 2007!!

We've been busy....

- Playing in the freak Seattle snow (it stayed for 2 days and our snowman is still intact)

- Seeing a few Seattle sites with my brother and parents

- Playing with all of our new Christmas goodies

- Going to Build-A-Bear with Grandma and Grandpa. Carter chose a camping/fishing monkey that he named Curious George and Makenna chose a pink 50s poodle that we named Olivia. Both kids LOVED the experience. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!! - Going swimming with the cousins in Vancouver. Carter was such a brave boy and went down the huge waterslide several times all by himself.

- Going to the movies - we saw Night at the Museum, Charlotte's Web and Rocky Balboa

- Playing board games and Guitar Hero 2 for many, many fun filled hours. (Yes, this is my mom rocking out with her guitar - such an addicting game).
- Having tons of fun family dinners. We especially missed my sister Teresa and her family this year but were so happy to have everyone else together.My parents fly home tomorrow and Al's mom and two youngest siblings are here for another couple days. So the party continues!

Christmas Recap

Christmas Eve dinner with a few friends from our ward plus my younger brother. Fun times! We are grateful to have already made some great friends here. We had our traditional meal of homemade soups and breads. Christmas morning before the unwrapping frenzy. I couldn't get C to take a straight faced picture. He was much too excited to put up with my picture taking antics.
Makenna in some of her many dress ups she received. She is a hoot scooting around in her little high heels with her jewlery, purses and sometimes a feather boa.
Everytime Carter was asked what he wanted for Christmas this year, he said that he wanted a Lightning McQueen helmet. So here it is! In all actuality, this was not his favorite present. His favorite was the book "There's a Nightmare in my Closet" by Mercer Mayer. We've read it at least 100 times in the last week and he carries it everywhere. We've had such a nice holiday season and an especially fun Christmas day with my brother and parents here.