Goodbye 2009

I can't say that this has been one of my worst years but it hasn't been the greatest either. I am so looking forward to 2010 and hoping for some changes. Isn't it funny how we all seem to think that just b/c the calendar changes from 2009 to 2010 that means there is a fresh start in life. I mean, why don't we feel that way every month when the months start over. But for some reason I am ready for the fresh start and feel like there are lots of good changes ahead...even if they don't seem good at first.

Since we don't have anyone cooking New Year's day lunch, we will miss out on the greens and beans this year. Which by the way, I don't eat greens or beans so I guess that is why my money has been a little on the low side.

I NEVER keep a New Year's resolution but for some reason every year I make them. Number Uno on my list this year is to get ready and dressed first thing everyday with cold rainy days being the exception to the rule. Stupid resolution I know but when you stay at home all day with children, sometimes you just don't get out of your p.j.'s or it is 5:30 p.m. and you realize you never brushed your teeth today. It doesn't matter if I have anywhere to go or not, I just feel better when I have washed my face, brushed my teeth and put on some clothes. You know it is getting bad when everytime you put something on besides pajama pants your daughter ask "where are you going". So that is my main New Year's resolution. That is about as far as I have gotten with my resolutions but I'm sure I will spend the day trying to think up more. Maybe if I keep them simple then I will be a lot more likely to keep them!!!

Sorry I never did a Christmas post. I didn't really get very many pictures this year which makes me sad....in fact I didn't get any of the kids opening their Christmas from Santa b/c I was so sick with strep. I was lucky to be able to hold my head up and watch them much less hold up a heavy camera and take pictures.

Everyone be safe while celebrating the New Year...and be smart too!

Nah Nah Nah Nah, Nah Nah Nah Nah, Hey Hey Hey...GOODBYE 09!!!

Hello NEW YEAR!!

Dear Husband...

When you came down with strep throat about a week before Christmas and laid down in the bed not willing to move for days, I thought to myself "Men...they are such babies when they are sick!" I thought.."Can it really be that bad that you can't still function at some level??" I mean really, when I get sick I just push right on through all the while feeding and bathing children.

Well let me be THE FIRST TO TELL YOU I WAS WRONG!!!! When I came down with strep throat on Christmas Eve, I was pretty sure I would die before Santa came. But I didn't. Then on Christmas day I was even worse and pretty sure I wouldn't live to see the New Year. But I finally finished the family gatherings, came home, laid down and didn't move!!!! With the help of some rest and medicine I have made a full recovery even though at times I wasn't so sure.

So DEAR HUSBAND I am sorry that I did not give you the sympathy that you deserved while you were sick!

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can

I know I can! I just might survive. I know most people don't do much on Christmas Eve but we have a full day ahead of us. Actually we have more family gatherings tomorrow than on Christmas day!!!

My "to do" list this morning started out a little overwhelming, but I have been marking things off one at a time and it is starting to feel pretty darn good. By the time I rest my VERY weary head tonight, most all my hard work preparing for Christmas will be behind me. The shopping, the wrapping, the clean house and some of the cooking!

I stayed up really late last night wrapping presents. Today I have cleaned and cleaned and cleaned some more so hopefully my house won't look as disorganized as it really is. I just have to finish up Rylee's room (which is an entire days work its self) and then on to make a few snacks for tomorrow's first family gathering.

Our schedule goes a little like this: Christmas Eve...lunch with my husband's family and then supper at my house with my dad and siblings. Christmas Day...Santa and then breakfast/brunch with Paul's family. Day after Christmas...supper with my mom and family. That's right, three days of Christmas!

It's looking like I might survive the pre-holiday preparing after all...now if only I can survive all the family gatherings!!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Maybe Santa will bring me my Sanity!!!!!

Let's see...last week Paul had strep throat so of course he was bedridden for several days. I had pictures to take, things to sew, Christmas shopping to do, etc... Well I finished my last photo session of the year and pretty close to sewing my last items of the year also. Christmas shopping is done. But clean house and all those presents wrapped, not so much. I have two days to finish up all the last minute details, clean my house and wrap all my Christmas presents. Not sure I will survive this week. Usually I am so looking forward to Christmas but this year I am more looking forward to the week after Christmas than anything! Maybe I will get an hours rest the day AFTER CHRISTmas!

We had our Christmas program at church this past Sunday and both kids were in it. Rylee did a solo version of "Away in a Manger" while I sat in the floor in front of the stage trying to hog tie Tegan to keep him from running across the stage. I was insistent that I was going to be out front to watch Rylee Bug sing her song so I tried my hand at having Teg out there but it ended with him screaming and me sweating to death!

But in the end, Rylee did a wonderful job of singing and made a great Angel while Teg was the most handsome and energetic Joseph I have ever seen!

My babies!

What an ANGEL!

Singing "Away in a Manger"

One of two times all night that he was standing still!

The most handsome Joseph you will ever see.

he jumped on the Eeyore (aka camel) and made poor Mary (aka KB) walk...is that how the story goes??

I had to throw in a picture of the sweet little Mary. I think the size of the crowd shocked her a little.

Remember this...

I was reading a blog that I often check in on of a stranger today. It's almost as if she put these words there for me. These are not her words but the words of another blog that she reads. I loved it so much that I decided to share them all with you!

"The unplanned, inefficient detours of our lives are planned by God. They are common for disciples, and they commonly don’t make sense in the moment. But God’s ways are not our ways because our lives are about him, not about us. He is orchestrating far more than we know in every unexpected event and delay.

So when you find yourself suddenly moving in a direction you had not planned, take heart, hold tight, and trust God’s navigation."

Wow

I can't seem to get caught up. I think I am on blogpost overload right now...I know what you are thinking "she post once a month and suddenly she is posting everyday...sometimes twice!" Don't get use to it. Here are some pictures from one of my photosessions about a month ago.

They were awesome and I swear the boys maybe said two words the whole time! Very good kids!

Seriously...a beautiful river and some really cute kids, can't ask for much more than that!

More of the photogenic family...

I recently did a post about their teenage daughters but here is the whole family...

Just when I thought I had gotten a great picture...they do this (one of my favorites from the day).....

Then there were the pictures on the bridge...

And mom and dad who were awesome...

And Dad who was the best man I have ever photographed. He never complained and was happy to oblige to anything I asked:)

Oh Christmas Tree....

There is a tree that is my favorite....

It has no pretty bright lights

It has no real decorations

It will never hold ornaments handmade by tiny little hands

It does not stand in my living room

It is SIMPLE and PEACEFUL

But yet brings me such comfort to see

My SON will celebrate with the birthday man himself!

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have PEACE. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" John 16:33

Schools OUT...

Nope...not for Rylee but for ME!!!! I am so excited to be done with this quarter. I tell you, I was hanging on by a thread. It has almost been enough to keep me from going back next quarter....it makes my brain hurt. I am tired and overwhelmed. My to do list for the next three weeks involves way more than it should. Everything is on it from re-doing both kids rooms all the way to attempting to do a real grocery shopping trip. I'm sure there is more on there than I will ever get to but a girl can try can't she. On the top of my list is re-evaluating all that I have on my plate and figuring out what I want to focus on the most starting in the new year. I have been throwing up lots of balls and not necessarily catching them all when they come back down. But first on my list of priorities is for sure going to change and I am going to make it exactly what it should be....

Be Still My Heart

My little man is the cutest little boy ever if I do say so myself. He loves for me to pull up videos on the computer of Rylee singing. He thinks she is pretty darn cool...and so do I! He will sit here and say over and over again "That's my Sissy!" Every time she stops singing he wants me to replay the video. After watching the Amazing Grace video of her the other day he decided he wanted me to video him. Now let me just tell you that you won't understand what he is saying but the kid can talk way better than this video lets on. He is one of those people that carry the right tune but yet never says the right words to the song. But so cute he is!!! Here is a small clip of Tegan's version of Amazing Grace....

What do you want for Christmas?

Well I said I wouldn't do it....I wasn't going to even ask what Rylee wanted for Christmas b/c I knew the list was longer than I could stand to hear! Last year her list consisted of MP3 player, real digital camera, etc... Well I think it is safe to say that she figured out those weren't nearly as fun as toys and this year she is going backwards except for asking for a Nintendo ds. Background on the DS...they cost around $130 so mommy told her that Santa probably wouldn't bring that and Daddy told her to tell Santa so she did. So Daddy had to go talk to Santa to make sure he was bringing it. Anyways, the number one thing on her list this year is colored rocks. Seriously..colored rocks and stones. Short of buying fish aquarium rocks or spray painting some that lay in our driveway, I'm not really sure where to find colored rocks. My dear husband has actually suggested that we ride towards the mountains and see what we can find. Seriously, can't we just spray paint some??? Will she notice? Well of course she will b/c that is just Rylee! She has named off lots of little things that she wants but here is what the problem is: We got Tegan a very large item so even though that one item cost way less than her high ticket item, her high ticket item is so little that I am afraid she will be disappointed. So do you want to know how to solve this...you end up spending twice as much on the 6 year old than the two year old!

Then you sit and listen to commercial after commercial that I am pretty sure are produced by the devil and hear that list grow and grow. I continue to tell her that there is no way Santa can carry all that stuff in his sleigh but then I am quickly reminded by that six year old brain of hers that Santa's sleigh is magic and can carry everything in the world. So my question is...when in the heck will she stop believing in Santa????

What a dream...

Sorry...I am so very behind on my picture post. That would mean that I have been very busy taking pictures and something has to fall on the back burner (which would be my housework and my blog). I photographed these girls a month ago and they were AMAZING! I got great pictures of the whole family and will do a whole other post on those but for today I want to show you my favorites of each girl. They were very excited to have their picture made which means that you get the best pictures. If you have someone that is being forced in to it, I think you can tell that in the pictures. Both these girls have those beautiful blue eyes that will make them be nothing but trouble for their parents:)

I'm going to start with the oldest, Brooke. She is all about the pose and I totally believe this girl could be a model!!!

My favorite picture of her!

She is a total natural!

I love the camo pictures of the girls. They look so casual and relaxed!

Then we have Kristen. The younger but just as equally photogenic sister. She was also eager to have her picture made and I think we got some great pictures of her.

I didn't know how much I would like these but I LOVE this one of her!

Look at those blue eyes!

Such a natural looking shot!

My favorite picture of her from the whole day!

Just wait until you see pictures of the whole family. I wish every family was like them. The dad didn't fuss about having his pictures made, mom was very excited about it and the girls loved every minute of it. Maybe they should write the book on how to except and enjoy having your picture made:)

My next post will be of some family pictures.

What cures pink eye?

Well blog buddies...it wouldn't be a holiday around my house if one of my kids didn't have some sort of sickness. This Thanksgiving was Tegan's turn....I'm guessing he didn't want to be left out or else he decided to give poor little Ry a break. Somewhere during the past week my little man picked up the pink eye. Now when I say he had pink eye, I'm not saying that his eyeball was a little pink. It all started the night before Thanksgiving when I was laying in bed trying to go to sleep and I had this fleeting thought about how I was going to make it thru a holiday without one of my kids being sick. I only wish I would have counteracted that thought with something other than that. Well...Thanksgiving morning I hear my son yelling for me from his baby bed and asking for a wipe. Well that is a sure fire thing something isn't right. As I walked in his door I see an eye that is half closed up and crud caked all over his eye. I immediately get him up, clean his eye with baby shampoo and go get ready to head to my annual Thanksgiving place...Regional FirstCare. Only b/c the economy sucks and there are budget cuts (this isn't verified but my own theory) our not so wonderful Firstcare was CLOSED. My only other option on Thanksgiving day was the ER....The FLU, VIRUS and any other SICKNESS you can imagine...ER. Well I sucked it up and decided to deal with it until his Dr. opened back up the next day. After warning everyone that they may be pink eye infected and getting their approval to still come, we headed to our Thanksgiving lunch destination. Everyone stood around looking at Teg from a distance and talking about how I must be a horrible mother and let him hit his eye or spray something harmful in his eye they have never seen pink eye look like that. So I started doubting my pink eye diagnosis' that I gave him and grabbed him up and headed to the ER. Praying the whole way that it wasn't pink eye but that they also couldn't prove that I let him do something harmful to himself:) Anyways, we walk in to a very calm and bare ER and was back in a room within 15 minutes. A Dr. and three nurses (one being male and rude) followed me in to the room...I felt as though we were receiving the royal treatment. I mean seriously, who takes their kid to the ER on Thanksgiving day and gets seen within 15 minutes. Well the Dr. gives his diagnosis' from the door and there you have it folks...SEVERE CONJUNCTIVITIS. I have a sigh of relief (as I wipe my brow with the pink eye infested hand) that I didn't harm him in any way during his sleep that night b/c all of my and Paul's family had totally convinced me that at some point I got up in the night and either hit him in the eye or squirted spray n wash in his eye (and since he has actually sprayed spray n wash in his eye before and it didn't look like that afterward, I was pretty sure I was about to be arrested for abuse). Well they flush his eye (while he screams), then shines a light in his eye to check for an abscess (while he screams) and then puts a cream in his eye (while he screams). Then they tell me they will be right back with a prescription and his discharge papers. WOW...I am going to be in and out of the ER with my son on a Holiday in less than an hour!!! Are you kidding me...wait, what's that...you are kidding me? That's right, apparently it takes almost 1 hour and 30 min. to retrieve discharge papers and a prescription all while I hold my 35 lb kid in my arms b/c I fear of what he may catch if I dare let him down. Finally as my muscles are shaking and feel as though they are weakening from holding him...I open the door to a smart pants male nurse who thought he would take out his "I"m having to work on Thanksgiving day" frustrations on me. So...I gave him my best "I'm having to wait in the ER with my sick child on Thanksgiving day" frustration right back. Let's just say it didn't end well and another nurse discharged us.
At this point my sons eye is completely closed shut and he can't open it at all. The discharge coming from his eye is now blood but yet the "NURSE" said his eye looked so much better than it did when we came in. I just wanted to get out of there so I just took their word for it. I have to say though that unless we caught a heart attack or chest pains...I'm pretty sure we were safe in the ER at that exact moment.

Needless to say my kid woke up the next morning with pink eye in his other eye. Double pink eye in a two year old is NOT FUN...please, just take my word on that! Twice a day me and Paul together sit on him and hold him down to swipe an ointment antibiotic across his eye. And he is almost healed besides the first eye is really bloodshot but seems to be healing.
I took pictures of his eye after he had already had 10hours of medicine...this was a huge improvement from how it was earlier on Thanksgiving day....


Before he had it in the other eye!
(that's blood dripping from his eye)

Made your eyes hurt didn't it! Be careful...the rumor is that you may catch this pink eye just from looking at him:) But so far the rest of us have stayed safe with way to much hand washing and more Lysol than my lungs can stand to hold. If I don't die from the pink eye, it will for sure be from an overload of Lysol to me system!

So on to the title...what cures pink eye. Well, I'm still not sure b/c I used all three things. Those things would be the prescription, baby shampoo and BREAST MILK. That's right, I said breast milk. Google it, it's so true. Don't worry, it wasn't mine...it was my sisters (does that make it better or worse?). Let's just say that Teg's eyes are getting better and he now walks around saying "Dat milk cold in my eye":)

Old Friend...

Wendy is an old friend of mine. We went to high school together but she was a little younger than me. One day she started working at a restaurant I was working in right out of high school. We instantly became friends. After we both moved on from our waitress jobs, we lost contact. Then after several years have passed by we ran in to each other and she has become one of those friends that you always pick up with right where you left off. Wendy is a very laid back, deer hunting hairdresser. When she asked me to do pictures of her children and family I was very excited. After lots of trying to decide where to take the pictures, we decided to just do them at her own house. Her house has heavy woods around it so that made for some great pictures. I wanted to share a few of them with you.

Thanks for letting me do your pictures Wendy...I really enjoyed it!

A river and some old buildings

It's amazing how many good pictures you can get at a river and a place with some old buildings. I did this session several weeks ago and am having a hard time deciding which pics to put on here so I am warning you that there is picture overload. This family was awesome...the dad decided at the last minute to come and have his picture made. He complained a little but he survived the whole process. These three girls were SO MUCH FUN to do pictures of. They were all eager to have their pictures made and all so photogenic. I think they really enjoyed it which makes for way better pictures.

The youngest...Sarah. She is so sweet!

The oldest....Shelby! Photogenic!!!

The middle child...Samantha! The sporty one! I love this picture of her.

The whole family. Hey, dad didn't say he was going to smile!

All the girls!

A real moment

One of my favorites!

I love this one!