Mommy Woes

Devin got into a fight at school yesterday.  This fact in it's self is hard for me to believe.  To make things worse, he lied about the whole thing.  I don't know what to be more mad about: the lying or the fighting (he was sticking up for a friend being bullied) and I don't know how to punish him. Wait, I changed my mind.  I am most mad about the lying.  So what punishment do I give him that will make him realize how serious and wrong lying is?  Ugh.  Being a mom is hard.  I especially feel bad for Devin because I am learning on him.  He will forever be my Guinea pig.  

I HATE THAT MY KIDS ARE GROWING UP!!!!!!

Funny Devin Talk

Me: Devin, guess who called me today?
D: Who?
Me: Emily's Mommy.
D: What did she say?
Me: She said that you are so cute and so good at school.
D: Well...she's true.
D: She's saying the truth.

Had To Share The Cuteness

Being two is exhausting.

Devin-isms to come.

Not Just A Super Hero

Meet Batman. Batty to Reese. They have a special relationship. Reesie loves Batty. She takes him everywhere we go and she makes sure he is well taken care of. When he gets hungry she pulls up her shirt and nurses him, coaxing him to "Bite, bite, eat!". Most of the time Batty gets his dinner from her belly button. What a good mom she is.

Had you given up on me?

I know, I know, FINALLY a new post. And this one is going to be a whopper--there is so much to tell about. My list of things to blog about has just been getting longer and longer. I finally decided I needed to just sit down and do it because I am forgetting the things that were at the beginning of the list. Slacker, I know. 3 kids really has been a little hectic. All seems {mostly} fine until I venture out into public with all 3 of them...then the freak show circus hits the town! Most times I am so embarrassed by what we must look like, me trying to wrangle 2 strong-willed kids and at the same time tend to a new born. I get lots of sympathetic glances and lots of annoyed stares. I wouldn't trade it for the world!

K, onto catching up! One week after we had Asher, Dev had his 5th birthday. I can't believe my baby is 5! We had such a fun party-we rented a Batman jump house for Dev and his friends and let them have at it. It was a blast!The jump houseShowing off his moves

Remind me to tell you about his sweet shorts

Opening presents

We are still talking about how fun that party was! Then, a few weeks after the party Devin had his first day of school! Real school--he's a kindergartner! I can't believe it-where has time gone? He loves school and is learning a ton. He comes home and shares his wealth of knowledge with me--sometimes I have NO idea what my little know-it-all is talking about. I love to hear all about the friends he is making and the things he does at school. I love to watch his independence grow. He really is his own little person. Him going to school has definitely been WAY harder on me than it has been on him. It's hard to send my baby off by himself everyday. I wonder what he is doing and how he is behaving and if he is being nice and if kids are nice to him and if he is eating his sandwich or just the dessert and if he is washing his hands after he uses the restroom and if he is lonely or homesick, etc. I just worry about him.

First Day of School

Then came Reesie's birthday. We had so much fun with the jump house on Dev's birthday that we rented another one! My nephew Cole's birthday is 2 days before Reesie's so my sister and I decided to throw a double party and rented a cute puppy jump house for the babies.The cute puppy house

Reese and Cole Bouncing Together


Princess opening presents-Dev trying to help

The Dora Cake

Reesie's birthday was all things Dora. Dora the Explorer is the only girl thing Reese likes. This birthday was the Dora Extravaganza! It was too cute. Reese is such a doll. I love this stage-terrible two's and all, even though I do call my mom plenty to let off steam over the fits.

Somewhere in between the birthdays we went to Telluride. I think it was in between the birthdays--I don't remember many details these days! Telluride was beautiful and so much fun! It was so nice to be able to spend time with my parents and siblings in such a beautiful relaxing place. We had a great time.Riding in the Gondola with the cute kids. Yes, that is a leash in the form of a monkey on Reese. Don't judge. =0)

The beautiful view from the gondola.

After our traveling fun and back into real life: Brad had surgery on his right arm. He had an ulner nerve transplacement. Yes, it is as sick as it sounds. They took his nerve and moved it. They put it in some muscle and attached it there. Gag! As gross as it is, I really hope it works. He has been in a lot of pain because of that annoying nerve. If it works and relieves his pain/numbness then we are going to go ahead and sign him up for that misery again for his left arm. Cross your fingers.For your viewing pleasure

That about sums up the goings on around here...but I do want to talk about my sweet baby Asher for a minute. He is the sweetest, cutest baby. We sure do love him. He is already 2.5 months old and he is just getting to be more and more fun. He is starting to smile and coo at us. He is a cuddly baby and loves to watch what's going on. He seems to be a little fearful of his sister, but who can blame him? She is obsessed with his eyes and loves to poke them. We have to watch her every second around him. He is so calm, I keep telling everyone that he just might be my calm child. My obedient child, my quiet child. Then my brother Seth reminds me that I thought that about Reese too, now look at her; some say she is more hyper, crazy, wild than Devin!Sweet, sweet boy. Look at that face!

She sure loves her brother, but man she makes me nervous that close to him!

And for some unillustrated news: Brad was offered a job by NM Game and Fish and has accepted it. We are pretty excited about it.

Also, Cute Asher was blessed a couple weeks ago and Brad didn't change his name in the blessing, so Asher it is for good. He did so good and didn't even cry during the blessing. Oh yeah, and neither did Asher. Just kidding, Brad. It is late and my post is starting to show it. Maybe there will be more posts sooner than 2 months...who knows?

He's Here!

Asher Branson Harris was born July 28th at 11:45 am. He weighed 8 lbs 5 oz. and is 21 inches long. He is such a sweet baby! He did spend about 24 hours in the NICU for a high hematocrit, but that corrected its self quickly and Asher was discharged with me. Thanks for all your prayers. We sure are glad to have him home!

My Greatest Couponing Yet!

17 Powerades
18 Post-It's
2-24 count Always
1 Germ-X
1-12 Pack Mountain Dew

Cost before coupons: $54.xx
My OOP (out of pocket) $0.00 plus $1.22 in tax!!!!

I Got It!

I got my iPhone on Saturday morning and have been dinking with it ever since! It is so cute! It is also an amazing little gadget. I was connected to the internet the whole way home, checking email and looking at SayItOnTheWall's orders that I need to fill. It was worth the 1.5 hour wait on Sat. I got an adorable little pink, flowered protective skin to put on it--I love it! Yes, I am a nerd!

Also, a few weeks ago Brad and I bought a ClearPlay DVD player. We are loving this DVD player. It edits out everything you don't want to see/hear in movies. We have been able to watch movies that we couldn't have watched otherwise without all the crap in it. We have also loved just being able to take naughty words and language out of movies that are only rated PG or PG-13. Now I don't need to worry my kids will hear and repeat something I don't want them to hear or say. It was a great purchase, for all those interested. Here is a link to their site so you can learn more about it.

In other news, I am still pregnant and quickly growing just a tad impatient about it. At 36 weeks this little guy was already 7 lbs and he is quickly gaining more and more as my blood sugars are a little hard to control right now. My doctor once told me that if the average baby gains 1 lb/week the last month of pregnancy, a baby of a diabetic mom gains at least double that. So great. Little dude is going to be ENORMOUS! That is my fear, anyway. I think I am going to give him an eviction notice. The plan right now is to induce at 38 weeks, which is next Friday. However, I am hoping that he will just decide enough is enough (as I have) and come earlier than that on his own. So far though, he is just hanging out and quite content. I'll bet I would go over due with him we we left it up to him to decide when he comes. Please remember to keep him in your prayers. I really don't want to have him sick with low blood sugars when he is born. I really, really don't want him to have to stay in the NICU.

I am THAT nerd

Today the long anticipated {by me} 3G iPhone came out. I have wanted one for months so I asked my mom and dad if they would drive into ABQ with me to get one. We pulled up to the Apple store and there is a HUGE line around the corner of the building. UGH. All I kept thinking was: "What nerds! They are all standing in this huge line for the phone on it's first day of release!" Then I realized, I am THAT nerd too! I am here to wait in line too! We waited with the kiddos in tow for about an hour. The line barely moved at all. Then the Apple guy came out and told us it would be at least two more hours. I had to give it up right then and there. Me being 9 months pregnant and standing in line for that much longer--I don't think so. We left empty handed and I have regretted it ever since! I think I am hauling Brad and the kids back there bright and early tomorrow morning. I hope I get one and that they aren't all sold out! Darn me and my obsessions!

Couponing

Here is today's haul.

2- 40 count packages Pampers diapers
2- 180 count packages Pampers Swipers
1- 45 count box trash bags
1 42 count box Always Maxi Pads
1 24 count package Always Maxi Pads
1 box fruit snacks
1 box crackers
1- 2 pack of paper towels

I am pretty proud of myself. I know it isn't as stellar a deal as most couponers can do, but I am just beginning and I feel like today I did especially well. The total for all of this was $54.41 before all my coupons. After my coupons I only paid $17.77 out of pocket! Anyone want to be smart and do the math and tell me what percentage I saved? I am too lazy.

Fun giveaway!

I want to win this soooo bad!!!! Check out this cool site giving it away:
http://thesecretisinthesauce.blogspot.com/2008/06/six-weeks-of-summer.html

I never win anything, but I had to try!

Baby Update

Just thought I would update how our little guy is doing. I am now almost 29 weeks pregnant. Right at the peak of when things start to go down hill fast for babies of diabetic moms. When I was this far along with Reese threats of hospitalization had already been occurring for sometime; her amniotic fluid was out of control (I had way too much), she was getting really big, my blood sugars were next to impossible to keep in a good range, I was having contractions, it was a mess. With this little guy, I really feel like the team of doctors I am working with are miracle workers. Baby is still at an average weight and on the same growth curve he started at, the amniotic fluid is fine, my blood sugars are not horrible and I feel much more calm about the whole situation. Right now our biggest concern is how early he might be (but things are looking good) and whether or not he will have to endure a NICU stay after he is born. As we get closer to meeting him, please keep he and I in your prayers. We would love to avoid the whole NICU situation.

More Devin-isms

• He is so excited for his baby brother to come. He loves to touch my belly and feel him kick, he is saving clothes that don't fit him anymore for his brother {his idea!}, he is planning what he wants to teach him, etc. He is just excited--so imagine how I felt the other night when I over heard him ask his dad "Daddy, when the baby comes and gets a little bigger will I still be a part of this family?" In talking to him we discovered that he is really quite concerned about having to "leave" and "grow up." It broke my heart that he can love his brother so much- even if having him {in his eyes} means that he has to leave and no longer be a part of our family.
  

• In Sharing Time last Sunday Dev just could not sit still and be quiet. He was constantly bugging his neighbor, talking out of turn, not paying attention, being rowdy, trying to wrestle. When I finally got a chance to {I was conducting}, I took him outside and talked to him {read: threatened him} and told him that I would be sitting by him until he could show me he could be reverent without me by him. We went back to his seat and sat down. He was doing pretty well and the music leader asked him to come up and help her. She said, "Devin, you are being so reverent with your mom next to you, come on up." He went up and replied to her and the whole primary in the most matter-of-fact tone, "My mom had to sit next to me because I was being bad."

Catching Up

My blogging has been random and lame, to say the very least. This post is to catch up on things I have often thought about blogging but have been to lazy to do so.

• I believe Reese has an allergy/sensitivity to dairy products. I started noticing that everyday after she had milk she would have diarrhea. I took her off milk for 2 weeks and it got a little better. I gave her milk a couple days ago and the poor girl has had severe diarrhea ever since. I think I need to eliminate yogurt, cheese and all other obvious dairy also to see how she reacts (or doesn't) to that.
• Reese is a monkey. She is always climbing on top of everything. She climbs on chairs to get onto the table, she climbs over the back of the couch, she climbs on my hope chest, she will climb on anything she can manage. The other night I was on the phone and I heard her start to cry that horrible cry where you KNOW something is wrong with your baby and that they are in extreme pain. She wouldn't calm down and wouldn't let anyone touch her. After a long while I noticed it was her arm/hand that was the problem. She wouldn't use them anymore and when she did it made her yell out in pain and start to cry. That night every time she moved in her sleep she would cry so the next day I took her in to the doctor. Turns out the poor girl had a dislocated elbow. It had been dislocated for over 12 hours and thus was VERY painful for her. The doctor put it back into place, but it still took her 3 days to begin to use her arm again.
• Devin informed us this week that Reese is no longer a baby, she is a "toggler."
• On Mother's Day our Primary kids got up on the stand and sang to their moms in sacrament meeting. I will never forget this Mother's Day. My sweet little Dev stood up there in the very front as close as he could get to the microphone and sang at the top of his lungs to me. The whole congregation was laughing because he could be heard all the way in the back of the chapel. He was a little off also, so he was singing the words just after the rest of the primary. It was so sweet. He loves his mama and I am sure lucky to have him.
• Dev is excited to go to Hawaii next month. He isn't too sure about swimming in the ocean though because he thinks the fish will nibble at his toes!
• Dev has beaten Lego Star Wars on the Wii all by himself. I swear, this kid is amazing--he is 4 and he knows and can do so much! I don't think I could beat any game on the Wii!
• Dev had a friend over to play the other day. She is a girl and is 3. Needless to say, they both had different ideas about what they wanted to play. She wanted to play house and be a mama and Dev wanted to play Star Wars and kill the bad guys. They kept arguing about which one they were playing. Finally I heard Dev say "Fine! You're a mom and I'm Darth Mal and I just killed your baby!" Poor little girl starts crying and screaming at him that he can't kill babies. His reply? "Yes, I can because I'm betending! And I didn't kill the baby, Darth Mal did!"
• Reese has a new favorite phrase: "No way!" Dev asked her for some of her snack the other day and she said, "No way" in such a sweet little voice. Dev cracked up laughing before his feelings got hurt. Then I heard him tell her "But I am so nice to you, Reese!"
• The waddling has set in on my part. This week marks the beginning of pregnancy hell in my book. My back hurts, my legs hurt, I have sciatica, can't sleep, oh the list goes on. And to top it off, today I caught Reese mimicking the way I walk!
• My new obsession in the iPhone. As soon as the new one is release {hopefully next month} I am getting it. I know it will make my life so much more complete.
• Brad and I did our civic duties and stimulated the economy. We decided to join this generation and get Tivo. No one can say we don't do our part.

I think that may be it for now. I am sure I will think of more updates. Oh yeah, and yes, I am wishy washy--I have made my blog public again. We will see how long it lasts before I change my mind...AGAIN!

A little late!

My blogging has been really lame lately. I know this. I have been a bit of a boring {read lazy} person as of late. Anyway, Allison tagged me, so here goes.

10 years ago...
I was in High School thinking I was "all that" with a busy schedule of school, boys, sports, boys, shopping, boys, church and boys. Am I ever glad that era is over!

5 Things on my To-Do List Today

1. Fill and package some SayItOnTheWall orders
2. Pick up my messy house
3. Watch Dexter
4. Check my blood glucose
5. Finish the dishes

5 Snacks I enjoy

1. Diet Dr. Pepper from the fountain at Giant (where I get it is VERY important!)
2. Chile/lime pistachios
3. watermelon
4. 7 layer bean dip
5. chips and Mariela's salsa

What would I do if I were suddenly made a billionaire

Pay tithing, pay off the mortgage on our house, pay off Brad's student loans, take a wonderful vacation, pay for kids college, donate to JDRF, invest and I am sure some other things, but I cannot even fathom what that much money can do so I am pretty lame at pretending I know what I would do with it.

5 places I have lived

1. Algodones, NM
2. Rexburg, ID
3. Wuhan, China
4. Provo, Ut
5. Rio Rancho, NM

5 jobs I have had

1. Doing laundry at the Super 8 in Bernalillo (SICK, SICK, SICK!!!!)
2. Bussing/waiting tables at The Range Cafe
3. Assistant to the Admin Assistant at SAIC
4. Courtyard by Marriott front desk clerk
5. Behavioral Health Specialist at UVRMC In-patient Psych Unit

5 Things you don't know about me

1. Brad and I are counting down the days until we turn 30 so we can finally start the process of adopting the baby girl we know will be waiting in China
   
2. I have always been/will always be a mommy AND daddy's girl
3. I am partially deaf in my left ear
4. I want to be a Behavioral Profiler when I grow up
5. I am becoming more and more anti-social in my old age

I tag Mimi, Courtney, Mariela, Angie (both of the Angie's!), Merry Moose

GORGEOUS Quilt Giveaway!

I hesitate posting this because who ever goes over to enter is my competition and I desperately want this quilt. I am drooling over it, it is so beautiful. Anyway, Camille is having a quilt give away--you should go look and enter your name--tell her I sent you over, it will get me more entries!

Fun giveaway!

J. Carrell Originals is going to have a Mother’s Day Giveaway. It is going to consist of a Pink Frilly Tea Apron, Teapot and Cozie along with a set of teapot cookie cutters. This will be a really nice gift for mom or yourself!

Head on over and sign yourself up!

The Greatest Invention

The other night my entire family almost died. Brad and I both woke up at 5 AM and I went into the hallway and immediately smelled gas. I went into the kitchen and saw that our gas stove had been left on ignite all night. Reese likes to turn the knobs and apparently I didn't notice. The gas had been going since 8 PM--we are so lucky nothing happened.

Anyway, that day I did some searching online and found these baby proof covers for our knobs. Hopefully little smarty pants doesn't figure them out too quickly.

Our Pretty Girl

I'm Losing It

I have never believed in "pregnancy brain" but I may be a believer now. This morning we were running out the door to go to church. I picked up my keys and had all my bags when I realized that Reese didn't have her shoes on. So I put everything down, got her shoes on her and was set to go again. Then I noticed I didn't have my keys. I started looking around frantically but still couldn't find them. Because we were going to be late I just grabbed my spare key and used that. When I got home from a meeting after church Dev informed me that Brad had found my keys...IN THE FREEZER! What in the world?! Why would I set them there?! I'll blame it on pregnancy brain.

My Grampsie died today. He had been very sick and very uncomfortable for such a long time. While I am happy that he is no longer suffering, I am so sad to have lost him. He was a wonderful, caring, loving, honorable man. My heart aches for my Grandma, who is still with us though I know we will all be reunited and I am so thankful for that.

Today after I heard the news I was crying. Devin asked me what was wrong and I told him. He looked at me and asked me "Wouldn't you be sad if your daddy had to go away for a week and you couldn't see him?" I said yes, I would be sad. He then told me "Well that is how Heavenly Father feels. He missed Grampsie." Of course that made me cry even more. How in the world did I get to be so blessed to raise such a special boy? His faith and knowledge of the gospel amaze me. His relationship with our Savior and Heavenly Father amaze me. I know that having men like Grampsie and Pete and Grandpa Pants in his life have played a great part in him being who he is.

We will miss you, Grampsie. Love you forever, thanks for being my Grandpa.

Anatomical Scan #1

Hello, hello! Well, yesterday was our first {of many} anatomical scans and everything looks good so far. Dr. Hurley said the baby is still small enough that he couldn't see the detail that he looks for, but that there was nothing that stood out to him to raise a cause for concern. We go back for another scan in about 3 1/2 weeks.

On another note--it looks like we are having another BOY!!! The technician said she was pretty certain but because she is newer and our little guy is only 16w6d she didn't want to say 100%. We got a shot of him that pretty much seals his fate though...I don't see how he could possibly be a girl.

Devin came with me for this appointment because he wanted to see the baby, but he was pretty disappointed because the screen was "too fuzzy." He said, "I couldn't see a thing. The TV was too fuzzy!" So instead he entertained himself by playing his Leapster. At one point during the ultrasound he said loudly, "ALIEN INVASION!" and the tech burst out laughing because she thought he was talking about the baby. He quickly told her it was on his game. We are happy we are going to have another wild child to add to our two.

Michael is Engaged?! =(

I heard this last night, validated it with the wonderful internet, and have to admit I felt a teency bit saddened. I just think he can do so much better!!!

Michael, Michael, Michael. I know plenty of single, cute, wonderful women that I would approve of so much more than Nicolette Sheridan! Oh well, you seem happy, which is most important!

New Church Calling

I was released from Beehive Adviser and called to 2nd counselor in the Primary Presidency. While I love my Beehives dearly and will miss teaching them every Sunday and going to Mutual, I am so excited to serve in the Primary. I went yesterday and it was so much fun! It is going to be a ton of work but I am thrilled. Anyone have experience in the Primary? Any advice for me?

Courtney Had Her Baby!!!

She had him on Friday, February 15th. He was 7 lbs 10 oz and 21 inches long. They named him Aaron Wyatt. He is soooo CUTE!!!

CONGRATS PEINES!!!

Random Pics Today

APPROVAL!

I was approved for the Guardian Real Time System! I am so excited, as this will help me soooo much to have better control of my blood sugars and in doing so help our baby have the healthiest chance possible. Thanks to all those who said a prayer in my behalf on getting this.

We are expanding...I mean expecting

Baby Harris #3 will make his/her debut sometime in July. So far, so good. There have already been many, many doctors appointments with many, many different doctors and lots of complaining and whining on my part, but the baby is looking healthy, which was our biggest concern. I have my first anatomical scan in 4 weeks and we can get a much better look then--including perhaps a gender shot! Keep your fingers crossed that things are developed enough to see what this little one is!

With all of the inconvenient doctors visits comes some perks: I have been approved for a new pump and we are working on approval from my insurance company for the brand new Guardian Real Time System by Medtronic. This is such a cool and helpful break through for individuals with diabetes. The Guardian REAL-Time System glucose sensor is a tiny electrode inserted under the skin that measures glucose levels in the interstitial fluid found between the body’s cells. It does this every 5 minutes and sends the reading directly to your pump so you can track what your readings have been and in doing so completely prevent hypoglycemia. Anyone can see how this would be helpful to someone suffering from diabetes, let alone a pregnant woman. Say your prayers that Blue Cross Blue Shield sees the benefits I would reap from this amazing new break through and that they grant our petition to cover this. If you want to know more about the GRTS, you can read here.

Anyway, that's the news. I will post some 3D ultrasound pics when I get them (I think they will do it with the anatomical scan in 4 weeks).

Oh How I Miss My Secret Shame!!!

GREY'S ANATOMY!!!!

I LOVE this show! On Thursday nights the kids go to bed early and I lock myself in my bedroom (literally, I lock the door so as not to be disturbed!) and enjoy this show. My love for this show can be compared to my love for Micheal Bolton--it makes me want to scream in excitement.

I HATE that Grey's is all reruns lately. Seriously, this writers strike has got to end. I can't stand it anymore. I have to know what is going to happen with McDreamy and Meredith, the Izzie, George, Calli drama (which I hate, by the way--Izzie and George are idiots!), and Mc Steamy and the new Beast of a heart surgeon (her name escapes me at the moment). I may have to resort to renting the seasons in order and watching them through again. My all time favorite episode is the season two finale where Izzie's love, Denny dies. It is so intense and sad! I have seen it probably 6 times and I bawl my eyes out every time. I don't think you understand, not just cry, but the full out UGLY CRY where there is sobbing and gulping for air and indescribable noises that are just, well, ugly! The mascara down my face I look like that chic from Heroes, cry. Brad walked in on it once and walked right back out--I think he was a little scared for my mental well being!

I am all worked up just thinking about all the reruns now! UGH! Give those writers what they want so you can give viewers like me what I want: MORE GREY'S ANATOMY!

Oh, and one more thing, I am now taking applications for a viewing partner. I need someone who loves this show as much as I do to watch with. Brad just doesn't understand (who can blame him?!) and I need someone who will go get the remote for me after I throw it at the TV when something I don't agree with happens. Email me your Grey's Anatomy resume and I will take it into consideration.

My Reality Show Gets Better!

Finding a bench at church yesterday was a task. We ended up sitting on the right hand side, 2 benches from the front. The bishopric sits on the right side. The pulpit is has a pretty good view of the right side of the chapel.

The kids were their usual selves--having a hard time being reverent, couldn't sit still, talking loudly, doing what young kids do at church. Reese has especially been having a hard time this last month or so. She just can't sit still and is such a busy body. When she doesn't get her way she lets out the loudest, most wretched scream. Well, yesterday at church she was very upset at mom and dad because we wouldn't let her go to other benches and harass it's reverent occupants. I tried to distract her, play with her, really do anything to prevent the scream but it wasn't happening. So, I decide it's time Reesie is taken out into the hall. I stand up, turn around and start walking down the aisle in the chapel towards the rear doors. Two steps into it I realize that something doesn't feel quite right. I inconspicuously feel my shirt--it's long and where it should be. Nope, that wasn't it. Something still feels wrong. I reach and feel for my skirt. IT IS DOWN AROUND MY BOTTOM! NOT AT MY WAIST! Here I am hauling a mad, loud 27 pound child out with my skirt down around my butt where the bishopric and all the speakers cans see! Oh lovely! I didn't notice a pause in the talk, so maybe, just maybe, the speaker missed it. I am tempted to ask the bishopric's wives if their husbands saw anything "out of the ordinary" during sacrament yesterday. Good grief. My life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRAD!!!

Happy Birthday, Brad! We love you!!!
xoxo
Mckay, Dev, and Reesie

Brad is out of town. I am bored. I put the kids to bed early, locked all my doors and windows, pulled down all the blinds and am now listening to complete silence. It's kind of nice, kind of lonely.

Earlier I was desperate to get out and do something so I didn't go crazy cooped up with the kids, so I decided that we all needed a new toy. I packed the kids up and we went to Target. Devin got a transformer that I already hate (he always needs help transforming them, something I DO NOT do because I hate it, then he gets frustrated and cries), and Reese got a backpack full of animal figurines that she has already dismissed. She just wants the transformer. I should have gotten her one of those too, I guess. I got myself a brand new PINK blow dryer because I am tired of looking like the Lion King, a cook book called Deceptively Delicious, and a book by one of my favorite authors Alice Sebold. Then I decided I didn't want to come home and figure out what was for dinner so I got really brave and took the kids to Applebees. They were so so good! It was so pleasant. Reese just sat pleasantly and pigged out (think french fries, chicken nuggets, mom's salad, dev's cheeseburger, and some milk) and Dev sat and picked at his food and played with the blasted transformer. Halfway through his meal he decided he really wanted Reesie's food so they switched.

All in all, it was a fun day, but it's always a little lonely when Brad isn't home. We make due though. And I get to catch up on watching the seasons of 7th Heaven! =)

Circus Life

Sometimes I wonder if I am the unknowing star of a reality show--I wonder if there are hidden cameras all around me broadcasting my clumsy life. It would be entertaining to the viewers. Really, I think it might be a #1 hit. I would love to watch my life, if it weren't me living it. I would have loved to watch the time I ran into some one's shoulder and gave myself a black eye, or the time I jumped/fell off a stoop and simultaneously broke one ankle and sprained the other. Let's not forget about the time I was walking across a railroad tie, misplaced my foot, flew up in the air with my feet literally above my head, landed on my back, and had to spend the next 45 minutes on my hands and knees searching for my keys that flew out of my hands in the opposite direction. Oooh, then there was the time I was at Target and dropped a bookcase on my head. Yes, people, you read that right. Apparently it is possible. Another good one was the time I had an audience of at least 20 who witnessed me slip on a patch of ice, my books fly out of my arms up into the air and back down on my head. I have millions of these moments. I have moments like these on a daily basis. Today was no different:

So here I am, going about my daily routine. I have just gotten out of the shower and have my little towel tower on my head. It is time to blow dry the lions mane. I pull the towel off my head and bend over to shake out my hair. This slightly resembles horrible, awful, no good head banging. What a perfect description, because as I am 'head banging' I really do bang my head. Hard. On the edge of the counter. I get up and wait for the stars and birds to stop flying above me and continue with the routine. Out comes the blow dryer. A few days ago I discovered my blow dryer has a short somewhere. In order to get it to work I have to wrap the cord around the handle a couple times and hold it that way. So I wrap the cord and get to work. I have the dryer on for approximately 25 seconds when I notice and smell smoke. I turn off the dryer. Then I realize that I actually have to go into public today and really it would be best for all involved if I can at least dry my hair. Stupidly I turn the dryer back on. It is on for approximately 5 seconds when it catches on fire! No joke! My dryer was on fire, in my hand, 2 inches from my head! And to top it off, I just noticed it singed my hair!

Now really, wouldn't my life be an entertaining reality show?

Dressed up Babies

Here are my babies all dressed up for church in their adorable Christmas outfits. It is so hard to get Reese to stand still and look at the camera--she is running away in all of these!