Guess what Santa gave to me early this year?!

Yup, I finally have a decent camera again. Hubby was going to have my DSLR fixed but the repair shop told him it was already gone to heaven. So since our budget didn't allow for a new one I thought I'd be camera-less forever. Not so said Santa, and this made it's way home to me early so that I could capture all the fun leading up to Christmas.  Thanks Santa baby!

So expect a great deal more updates in the future now that I have a camera again, I feel my bloggin groove coming back!

Because I love my Bri Bri

20 YEARS AGO (1990):
1. I was 8 years old, and had just moved to Oregon.
2. I went to three different second grades.
3. I met my best friend who would later introduce me to the gospel.
4. I started a long period in my life of worst hair cuts ever. Seriously, you should check out my school photos. Eek.

10 YEARS AGO (2000):
1. I was a senior in high school
2. I was dating a kid named Trevor Skelton (what ever happend to him, he was awesome!)
3. My hair was finally starting to grow out from the world's most awkward short hair cut. (why did people let me do that twice in a row!?)
4. I delivered pizzas for Pizza hut
5. I bought my first car.

5 YEARS AGO (2005):
1. I gave birth to my second child in June.
2. I bought a house.
3. I was 23.
4. I was in one of my favourite plays I'd ever been in, Seussical.
5. Began blogging. (on another blog)
6. I got my sweet doggie Wriggley.

1 YEAR AGO (2009):
1. I gave birth to my fourth child
2. I got to experince what a week in the hospital with a sick child feels like.
3. We decided to sell our first home and listed it on the market.

THIS YEAR (2010):
1. Two of my children are enrolled in Elementary school (how did they get so old).
2. We celebrated 8 years of marriage.
3. We bought a new house and realised it was big enough we would never have to move again
4. I saw the second to last Movie in the Harry Potter Series, which is a big deal.
5. I learned to play the guitar.
6. I dyed my hair black for the first time ever and LOVED it.


NEXT YEAR (2011):
1. I will finish painting the inside of my house
2. I will win at Nanowrimo again.
3. I will start saving money to visit my little brother in Germany.
4. I will consider the idea of maybe someday, thinking about having another child... maybe....maybe.
5. I will lavish cute baby things on a friend who I never thought would have children.
6. I will compose my first song and be able to sing and play it at the same time.
7 I will finally master barre chords on my guitar.
8. I will add more purple to my hair.

Another chance at getting A madsen bike!!!

Last year they had an offer to get a free bike, and they are doing it again this year. I would die to have one of these bikes. We'd ride in and out of town all the time if I had one. I could carry all four of the babies in it and not have to worry about riding into town safely on little kid bikes.
Oh how I want one. *sigh*

Music in my bones

I'm  not really sure why, but I've always been drawn to music. It's an essential part of my being and when I'm in need of feeling out who I am in this world, or lost in how to explain myself, I can always find the answers in music. It is in many regards my primary language.

I love all kinds of music; the richness and diversity of it is like magic in my mind. The many types having so much to offer and give to each other; building an even greater magic in exploring each other. Each one opening a window into understand and a different view of how things are and ought to be.  I love it all...

But when I close my eyes and think about my music, the internal soundtrack that runs through my mind and soul, it is always the same sounds, the same expressions. One that, one day, I want to be able to capture on my own. When I close my eyes at the end of the day and imagine what my own music will sound like someday, this is what I hear.



I love Sarah Samples voice. And maybe someday I'll be able to play the guitar that well too.

Grosgrain: SILHOUETTE MACHINE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

This thing is amazing. I've always liked Cricuts, but they are so so expensive, since you have to buy the cartridges. With the silhouette you can do anything you can come up with on your computer. AMAZING! I really really would love to have something like this for my house.



Grosgrain: SILHOUETTE MACHINE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

(Don't be fouled by this cute picture, in this story they were gross looking)

You would think being a grown adult and studying Biology I wouldn't be as girly and squeamish around dead animals as I am, would you. But man would you be wrong, and the two drown mice I found in Abbeys water bowl did more than enough to prove that. I was going into the kitchen to find Goob and looked down to see if he'd messed up the dogs food and water bowls; instead I was greeted with two dead mice and all their little mouse poop floating in the water (I washed Goobs hands lots and pray her didn't touch them!) I squeaked like a girl, grabbed my baby and ran to the next room. I mean, really, what was that for exactly; it's not like they were going to come back to life as little zombie mice and attack me. Finally, after calling my husband and dithering over it for several minutes, I manned up. Donning my rain boots, an apron, and rubber gloves I picked up the whole bowl and high tailed it for the outside trash, where I dumped the contents unceremoniously and ran back into the house to plunge the bowl into waiting soapy water.

Here is hoping this takes care of my field mouse problem because I don't think I can take doing that on a regular basis.

But here is the real question....

Was my dog one who was finally smart enough to catch these little guys and for some reason dumped them in her water bowl of all place, or did I just witness some crazy ill fated little mousy love/suicide pact....I guess we'll never know.

All's quiet on the homestead

Dishes are done

Floor swept

laundry going

(with my new shirt that I got today in it... thanks for the sticky hands, Goob)

Downstairs all picked up

Eight kids tucked into bed (yeah right, cousin sleep overs, I bet they are all up there still giggling)

One tired, hot lady....Time for some NCIS and bed.

Goodnight lovelies.

Lots going on in our little world.

We've been keeping busy around here this summer. Getting the house settled, running the kids around, and celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary. I can hardly believe were the time has gone.

On our list of summer Adventures:

Enchanted Forest with the Biggies

Celebrating our anniversary at the coast with the kids. Lots and lots of fun!

See that big light house... I managed to make it all the way to the top. Over 100 stairs. If you know me, you know what a big deal that is.

And the most recent adventure.......

I've always wanted to try black hair, but have been unsure as to if it would look good or not. I LOVE it! Mr. C actually bought me the dye, and matched it perfectly to my skin tone. I've had pretty natural looking hair for the last handful of years while working with the youth in my church. But since I won't be teaching seminary next year, I decided it was time to bust out something a bit more my style. I'm debating still if I should add some dark purple highlights to it. My dear friend Bri is coming to visit in a few weeks, and being the hair genius she is, she's going to help me decide.

Hope every one is having a great summer. It's almost time for school to start back up again, and I can feel Autumn slowly creeping in. My favourite time of year is just around the corner!

Welcome to our home.

Pictures were taken before I got any of the art work up on the walls, but here's a little sneak at our new home. Lots of work still to do, but we're getting there.

Goober King... of thee I sing!

My baby isn't quite a baby anymore.... I can't believe that a whole year has passed, but pass it has and quite quickly. This month Goober turned 1!

These two are best buddies. 'Daddy' was his first word, and he is happiest in the day, when Daddy comes home from work.

This used to be Goob's favourite place to hang out. As goofy as it sounds, I used to put him in one side of the sink, if he was grumpy, while I did dishes in the other half. Now that he's standing and climbing, he doesn't get to do it anymore.Isn't it cute!

This little boy love, love, LOVED the beach. He couldn't get enough of the sand. It was in his eyes, his ears, and his mouth, and he loved every second of it.

And here is the Goob on his big first birthday eating his sugary little heart out. He's having a birthday party this Saturday, so more pictures to come, but this was his actual birthday, and it couldn't go by without a cake and much love. We sure do love him this kiddo!

Boy, oh Boy, I love this kid

When the summer started I had a little toddler still running around my house, but now. WOW, talk about a full blown little preschool boy. Boy has just shot up into a little kid and I am left wondering where my ickle guy went.

 Anyone want to guess when this post is done, who my son is in love with?

The dynamic duo goes many many places with this cow boy. Boy is enjoying his first day in his new big kid, Toy Story booster seat.

A modern day Cowboys horse. This kid is itching for the day that Mom and Dad will let him ride on the motorcycle.

It's hard to believe this kid already has such a definitive style to his life but he does. If you have met him, you understand when I say, the kid  is all about his foot wear, and isnt' complete with out some classic "Chucks"... Here he is though rockin' his new kicks... they're not his classic black, but they are awesome.

I'm happy to report that we are doing amazingly well with potty training, and he should thankfully, be ready for preschool in the fall. *crossing my finger*

Who could not love this kid!

Return of the Sheepie.

Sheepies big adventure of the summer was having a wish come true. He finally got glasses like his big brother. Doesn't he just look like a little model. I don't think he could be cooler looking if he tried. Love it!

Recently, we ditched the littles with the ever faithful babysitter and took the older two kids to Enchanted Forest. It's something they have been begging for since they got to go last summer. The bumper boats were a fun adventure, the log ride and bobsled roller coast were far and away his favourite rides though. He's fearless.

I've begun reading the Harry Potter books to the kids at bed time, and Sheepie has taken it to heart wanting so much to have it all be real. Here he is in his best home made Harry Potter costume, complete with Harry Potter glasses he got at from the eye doctor's toy chest. He really really wants to go to the "Wizarding World of Harry Potter". His mother couldn't be more proud!

We recently spent about a week at Mr. C's uncles beach house; a summer time favourite. Here Sheepie is with Travel Froggie. Enjoying the really not so warm Oregon beach.... the water was freezing! Travel Froggie will be making his own blog post soon, I'm sure.

I totally love this picture of him, because I think it completely sums up Sheepie. Too small crocs, plaid shorts and a striped shirt, and wearing his too small favourite hoodie in July; all while just chilling on a surf board. That's really what he's all about. Chillin' to his own little beat.

He starts Kindergarten this year, and couldn't be more excited to get together with his best friend and start the new adventure.

Brushing off the dust.... Frog Prince Style.

 I know... I know,  I haven't posted anything here in ages. It's turned into one of those things where I waited so long I almost dreaded doing it again. But here we go. Lots to catch up on.

Mostly, I'm just going to just post pictures with some captions. Our camera is broken at the moment, so everything is off my cell phone. Great, eh?


Lots of cool stuff has been happening in the world of Frog Prince!

Frog Prince and his best friend at their Kindergarten end of the year program. Like his bald, bald head?

Dress up has been a huge part of his life right now... Here he is sporting the Bowser Kuppa costume I made for Mr. C a few years back.... got to love that darling face.

See that shiny new orange belt? Yup, my son now has an orange belt and we couldn't be prouder. He really had to work for this one, and learn a few hard fought lessons to get it. Very very proud of him. Keep up the good work Kid!

Do you notice what's missing from this picture? Where did the training wheels go? He can now ride a two wheeler.  I was bound and determined that he would by the end of the summer. We took the training wheels off, and I asked him to show me how well he could balance and he managed to go a bit of the way up the drive way. Both of us quite amazed, I took him out into the field where there was a bit of a hill, set him at the top and pushed him down. He took off and never looked back.

And the last big adventure of the summer has been loosing another tooth, but sadly I don't have a picture. He lost his top right front tooth. I always thought that kids who talked with a toothless lisp were a joke but I can barely understand him now. It's hilarious!

In a few weeks he starts first grade. I can hardly believe it!

Have I mentioned

How much I love this little guy?

                    Just saying....

Happy 5th Birthday, Sheepie!

Okay, so I know I am late on this, and that it's been forever since I posted, but better late than never right.

I intend to put up a real post with a little something special I've been putting together for my sweet Sheepie boy, but I really wanted to let him know how much I love him and how he makes me laugh and smile every single day of my life. If there was ever a kid who could pull at my heart strings it's this sweet Sheepie Boy.

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY!

This is Sheepie and his best friend in the world Avonleigh at their preschool prom. ( I'm not going to lie; I would totally love to see these two married in twenty years and making the worlds most adorable babies!)  Don't you just love how he's rocking the Finding Nemo bow tie and cummerbund.

I sure do love you my, not so little, little boy!

Shabby Apple Queensland Swimsuit Giveaway

I think I can say that most everyone I know has that one glamourous photo of their grandmother or great aunt in a classic 'wow' bathing suit. You know the kind I'm talking about... the one's that we all long for and with to time travel back to the 40's/50's just to get. Well time travel no more my friends. I'm so excited about this new line of bathing suits from one of my favourite clothing places. Go; click now; trust me, you won't be sorry. Aren't they all deliciously lovely!

I honestly can't decide which one I like best!

Shabby Apple Queensland Swimsuit Giveaway

Oh the colours, the colours....

I am faced with an entirely white house, and a deep dislike of white walls. I'm having trouble coming up with a fluid way I want to decorate our house...eeeeek! I have a desire to have light blues and greens in much of the house as well as take advantage of our rich wood colours. But in the boys rooms I want to go back to fun, fresh and basic (avoiding Disney and things that they're going to grow out of quickly).

I am thinking of trying something like this for the older kids room.

Right now, they don't want to bunk their beds... but I can see this room, with the bunkbeds stacked, and these cute desks I found.

Having their dresser in the closet, my goal would be to keep the room really open feeling. (Too bad there's carpet instead of wood floors in their room, I'm loving the wood with the rugs).


I have a few ideas for the nursery too, but beyond that I'm not getting anything.

I think I'm going to need some help. Any takers?

Have I mentioned lately...

How madly, utterly,and completely over the moon in love with this man I am?...

              ... I am!    

 That is all.

Heaven Sent

This is Stephanie Nielson...

I will likely never meet this woman in this life... but there is not a day since I was introduced to her (even before her accident) that my mind hasn't settled on her for a time and said a little thank you for the inspiring sense of desire she's placed in my heart. Even on days when I just want to throw in the towel and say no more, it's as if she's there to push me a little further and remind me of what I'm endowed with power to do. To remind me that above all I  am a mother. It is my life, and it is good... oh so good.

This is her amazing story.

Thank you Stephanie.

Even super mom has epic parenting fails....

I finally managed no that long ago to make sense of the boys clothes. Without their dresses it was chaos in their room daily. Every article of clothing and bedding would be out and unfolded. I worked for a very long time sorting it and putting them all into nice baskets and hangers and such. As strange as it sounds it has been one of the few things that has really made me happy with how we are surviving in our teeny tiny little place.

And then... epic parenting fail.

I'm not sure what about today has put me in such a funk... maybe it's because Goob cried so much of the night that I didn't sleep well. Maybe it's that I had to get out of the shower half way through to help get my son off to school on time, maybe I'm just anxious from waiting to hear about about whether or not our offers been accepted on the house we want... whatever it is... I have been pretty funky all day.

The kids were napping... and by napping I mean that they were all really climbing onto Frog Prince's bed and throwing things into Goobs crib (don't worry it's all been soft stuff until today). I'm content to let this mostly happen uninterrupted because it means I get some quiet time. Things started to progress though to the point where I had to separate them into sleeping on blankets in the various bathrooms.

(I know, it sounds amazing, but I call it like I see it around here, and when they all share one room what's a mom to do.)

Anyway, when I go into their room to change Boys heinously stinky diaper I discover every piece of clothing that was in a tub or bin all over the room and they have been sitting in and throwing (even into the crib) the tubs around....We're talking the nice wooden and canvas ones... I was not happy. So I told Frog Prince that he would be redoing it all by himself with Sheepie and then would be sorting and folding much if the giant pile I have to do.  Next I go to Sheepie and where it all goes down hill.

I ask him why he did it and he becomes insistent that he didn't which is by his demeanour and out and out lie. So I tell him I can tell he's not being truthful and I repeat my question. Same answer..... basically repeat the pattern over and over but with the deathly fumes of Boys diaper and  Goob crying until I can't take it anymore. Sheepies's screaming and wailing and I'm pretty sure there was some gnashing of teeth involved in there, not to mention the full on body flops.  I tell him he's lying and that he needs his mouth washed out because of it.  Off to the bathroom we go. He's wailing, I'm all but yelling (remember I'm in a funk to start with) and then we do a dance while I try to shove the soup in his mouth.

Eventually he has served his time and is now laying on the floor as wounded looks as if I'd beaten him or something, and I leave to go change the diaper and calm the baby. In doing so I am able to calm down enough to go back and talk to him-- after about 10 minutes of his best impersonation of a funeral crier, he calmed down too.

So now, everyone is asleep and I, as I, shamelessly, inhale food that's not good for me, am left to realise that that is what people call and epic parenting fail....

At least there is always tomorrow.

A list of things worthy of a good life

*this picture has nothing to do with the post... I just like the look of my biggies when they weren't so big*

I stumbled upon this blog by way of CJane's blog and this particular entry makes me happy.  I believe that in this list, the author has come up with just about everything one needs to be happy.

Want some uplifting enlightenment; go check it out here.

New hair

I while ago I cut my hair.... I really quite like it, which is saying a lot since I can really only do one thing with it, and we all know how I love doing my hair.