randomly coordinated

 

My sister made us shirts for Christmas around the "Hunt Information Center" theme. We all love them. On this particular day I realized after we were all dressed that we had all picked to wear the shirts she made! It made me smile, so of course, we took pictures!

Lack of pictures

There's a sad lack of pictures in these posts! I usually don't like to post unless there's a picture to go along with it... But lately I've found that if I wait for the chance to get the picture off the camera, reduce the size and then post about it.... I just never do it cuz I don't have time! So for now. I guess you'll just have to imagine :)

Don't miss church / A sad good bye

We learned a lesson the hard way. You better not miss church. Because if you do, you might not have a ward any more.

Last week our kids weren't feeling well so we stayed home from church. We went out to my parents and K.C. was working on a drum for a Cub Scout Arrow of Light Ceremony. While we were out there we got a call from a friend informing us that we missed quite the shake up at church. The ward had been dissolved!

What?!

Wow. Red Ledge ward was disolved and chopped into 3 chunks. Those chunks were added to other wards. Our chunk was added to the Quail Ridge ward.

It was kind of sad for K.C. to realize that he was no longer the Cub Master. He has been working hard and loving the scouting for 2 years and it was totally out of the blue to just be cut off. We worked hard on our little 1770 pack. It was sad to see it and the boys and other leaders go. I'm sure other things are in store for us. But it was still sad to so abruptly say goodbye.

When we went to church on Sunday in our new ward we just met for Sacrament Meeting. There were lots of faces that we knew and obviously lots that we didn't. I'm so excited to enlarge my circle of friends and get to know these people. I think it's going to be great. I can't wait to see what is in store for us in this ward.

Funny note:

We have lived in the same house for 2.5 years. In that time we have been in
-the 2nd Ward - Meeting in the Bldg on Main street (then that got dissolved)
-the Red Ledge Ward - Meeting in the Capilla bldg, then and chappel out of even our stake boundaries, then the Northbridge bld.
-the Quail Ridge Ward - Meeting in the Stake Center.

Funny. 1 house, 2 years, 3 wards, 5 buildings.

Sad - Impressive.... Mostly Lame

So our little Green Lawn and Home Treatments Company... You know the one that we hardly have time to focus on, that has a few customers here and there, that is more of a hobby than an income source? (meaning it's only been self sustaining for a few months and we've never made any money on it yet and mostly we've just spent money on it... and it's little bank account is the biggest it has ever been and it barely exists because it's so small.) Yeah that business.


Well that business bank total is larger than ours. In case you missed it. That's not much.

Like I Said "Lame!"

But we believe in miracles... I'm sure we'll be just fine. Right?

No time

I've realized something now that we have 2 kids... I don't ever have time to blog!

There's so many things that I need to update. I'm getting the itch to get caught up but everytime I sit down at the computer I've been spending my time catching up on photo shoots. So now that that is a little more under control I'm going to spend sometime on myself! - next time. :)

Clean

We cleaned our house quite thouroughly before leaving to go up north last weekend for a cub event. It was amazing, all the dishes were not only done but OUT of the dishwasher! All the floors were vacuumed, the bathrooms done, the mirrors cleaned, the laundry done, no clutter in any of the main rooms (o.k. so the office is a hard one :) we rearranged Craig's room and found spots for all of his toys that HE can clean up now, and much more... any of these things would have been kind of a major accomplishment with how I've been feeling lately but to have then ALL done was amazing! and all at the same time!

(We even took the Christmas tree down :)

It was so fun to come home Saturday night to such order! And I am so happy to report that it has been 3 whole days and it is STILL CLEAN! This is rare and wonderful, and I'm enjoying every second of it! I couldn't do it without K.C. he's been wonderful and it's been fun to see how much fun Craig has putting everything in his room away in the RIGHT spot (and he'll definitely let you know if you've put it somewhere it doesn't belong.)

I hope I can keep this up but for now, I'm just really enjoying it!

What to do...

I was thinking about our stroller and car seat and thinking it really would be fun to have one that was more cute and girly but that there's no reason we need NEW ones when ours is in great shape and practically new. So I started investigating options and I found that you can order replacement covers for your car seat and stroller!

Brilliant I say. Don't have one more big thing taking up space but get a fresh new look.


Problem: The replacements only cost about 50.00 less then a brand spanking new travel system. So who ever the brilliant person was who decided to make them available didn't really go to any great lengths to make them affordable.

Dilema: No we don't need 2 strollers but with our current vehicle situation and the necessity of me getting rides all the time from different people having 2 car seats is a HUGE life saver! because then I'm not always stuck at home because I FORGOT to take it out of the car before K.C. left. and the 50.00 dollars we would be saving by ordering just the pads wouldn't be enough to get us a nice rear facing car seat so if we ended up buying one of those too we wouldn't have saved a thing!

I don't really know what I'm worried about though just because I found the option doesn't necessarily mean that we would be able to do something like that right now. So mostly I'm just bummed out about it because it's not the steal of a deal I was hoping for. It could have been amazing though.

So Blessed

We have been so blessed. There are a million reasons why but today I've been feeling a little down and out about life and the near future. This time of year there are so many things I want to do and so many things I'd like to give and on and on and on. But feeling like my resources and ability to do that is greatly limited right now it's been hard.

Once again I've been reminded that, by my own power I'm powerless, but thankfully I don't have to rely on my self. I'm so grateful for a Heavenly Father that is so good to us. It touched my heart to be reminded that yes times are tough, scary, and very hard for a lot of people. But life is also GOOD and there is so much to be grateful for. There are so many wonderful things that are still all around us. And best of all Heavenly Father WILL take care of us.

I'm glad that I don't have to see exactly how it will all work out to have a sweet assurance that

Everything WILL be O.K.

And I'm happy to be able to say that I know it! I know that we are not alone and we will be provided for.

What a wonderfully sweet assurance that that is. I am so blessed and grateful that I could be reminded of how good things really are.

I knew it

I'd just like to remind you of something that I knew long ago, that has now come to pass.

You may remember that way back in May K.C. and I went on a Cruise... and that lots of pictures were taken and lots of fun had... and I only ever posted about Day 1!

I knew it would happen, I would just never get around to posting about the whole thing.

Who knows maybe one of these days I'll get around to it!

{and also once again by a total fluke this time, my blog list has been deleted! So once again, I'm going to start rebuilding it...tomorrow.} g'night.

Little bits of lots of things

So Craig is asleep and K.C. and I are going to make Chocolate chip cookies. Mmmm, Yummy.

Today it was wonderful to be able to watch conference. I felt the spirit so strongly. I'm so grateful to have the truth of the gospel in my life!

Craig continues to surprise and delight us with all he knows and is learning. Yesterday he pointed at a picture of the first presidency and as he pointed to each of them said:

"That's president Monson, and President Uchtdorf, and President Eyring!"

Too cute. He now has the articles of faith 1-4 down and we're starting on the 5th. It's a fun game we play before he goes to bed. He is also learning his shapes and colors better and better too. We can hardly keep him away from his little kindergarten game, he loves it. He pointed out a Diamond, triangle, square, circle, rectangle and star the other day just out of the blue, for the fun of it.

Craig really enjoys reading books with me and when ever I can I let him point out the words he knows like little or wolf or pig. I'm not sure how many of the letters he knows yet but he's pointed out most of them from A-J and several after. He especially loves 'W'. And when he's really excited he calls it the 'Big Bab Wolf.' I just love it!

The other day I was having a really bad day so I sat down on the kitchen floor and just started crying. He came running in and gave me a big hug and a kiss and said "It's OK mama. Don't cry mama!" And then he stood there and patted my back till he was sure I was going to be OK. Talk about melt your heart! I am so happy to have such a wonderful son. He is a delight to me and he makes me so proud to be his mommy. I'm such a lucky girl.

Cool Weather

I absolutely love it when the weather cools down and it is pleasant to be outside! Fall is such a wonderful time of year!

Speaking of this time of year. Our 4th anniversary is less than 2 weeks away. How time does fly. This year should be extremely interesting to see what we can do for with out spending any money on it. Any ideas?

Are you pregnant?

Beware, if you don't want to deal with some ranting and raving, then please, don't read this.

(and I'm not trying to offend any one or point out anyone specifically. It's just that this particular subject has bothered me for quite some time and I just need to vent a little.)

Why is it so common for people to ask other people (especially young couples) if they're pregnant?

Honestly it is the most inconsiderate thoughtless question, with so many negative ramifications. It's not fun, it's not nice, it's rude and inconsiderate! I mean whether they are or aren't expecting I don't see how it could possibly be a good thing. Let's look at a few scenarios, and lets use me as the guinea pig, I mean why not, I fit into the category!

Scenario 1. I'm not pregnant.


So if I'm not pregnant then I have just been made to feel that either I am fat and look like I'm pregnant (there's a self esteem booster!) or I'm a failure because I'm not living up to someones expectations. It makes me so mad because it's NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS!

There are so many things that might be contributing to the fact that I'm not pregnant. We might not be able to. We might be trying. We might want to desperately! And having it brought up just slams our failure back into our faces. It might even be that we aren't ready to have another baby. And believe it or not that is NOT A BAD THING. And it's still none of their business!

I know several people who have tried and tried and tried to have children and time and time again have had their feelings hurt and they're hearts broken as people open their mouths and ask a question that cuts clear to the hearts "Why aren't you pregnant?" You know what, sometimes it's not your fault, and sometimes no matter how bad you want to and how much you try you can't get pregnant. Why then would someone even risk bringing it up and crushing that poor person?

It makes me want to shout at people "Weren't you ever young? Weren't you ever trying to start a family and constantly under the judgmental pointing expectations of everyone around you? Don't you remember what it was like to have people impose their ideas of what 'you should do' on you? Did you ever find it cute or funny when people would ask, or thoughtful or kind? Or were you just discouraged?"

Scenario 2: I am pregnant


OK now lets look at another scenario. What if I am pregnant? Don't people ever pause to think.

"Hmm if this person is pregnant and they haven't told me, maybe they don't want me to know yet."

Is that such a novel thought?

It's a very fun thing to be pregnant and be trying to plan and plot a fun and exciting way to break the news to everyone. That's one of the joys of being pregnant is finally, when you're ready, finding some fun way to tell people. So if I'm asked if I'm pregnant and I am, then I have to flat out lie to keep it a secret or I have to lose all of the fun and the anticipation and the excitement that I've been building and planing and admit that I am.

No one wants to ADMIT that they're pregnant, they want to ANNOUNCE it, when and how they want to. If you just admit it and say 'yes' then at least for me that would take all of the excitement and enthusiasm out of it. I would feel like I had just lost one of the most exciting parts of the whole experience and that the reaction from the questioner would be:

"well good it's about time"

or

"I knew it"

What's the fun in that? Now I feel totally special and loved and not at all like a number or 'just another suspicion confirmed.' (note the heavy sarcasm!) Honestly when people ask me that question it makes me want to avoid them at all costs and even if and when I were to get pregnant having them be the LAST person to know because no matter what I do I can't please them anyways.

I know this has been a lot of ranting and raving, (but you can't say I didn't warn you! :) But it's not just when it happens to me that bothers me, I think that everyone has a hard time with it, and it bothers me whenever I hear it. Once you get married it seems that you are expected to immediately start 'popping 'em out!' And if you don't you're some kind of sinner. And then if you have a child when they turn about 1 it's the same thing... it seems as if fingers of scorn are pointing at you from every corner.

The decision how and when to have children is between the couple and God. Period!

Can't people just realize that it doesn't matter if someone IS or is NOT pregnant, THEY WILL TELL YOU WHEN THEY WANT YOU TO KNOW!

And you're not doing anyone any favors by asking about it.

A thought

I heard this yesterday and it really got me to thinking.

"We spend most of our lives putting up walls, trying to protect our hearts..."

If you were able to let those walls down and yet still have your heart be safe, what kind of a person would you be? And what kind of a life would you lead?

Problem?

Ok. Several people have asked me what's wrong with my blog....

I don't know, it works fine for me and always has. I'm not very good at trouble shooting what I don't know about so please help me answer these questions:

1. Can you see my pictures? Which ones (the ones on the side bar? in the posts? All, None?)

2. Do my post show up? Or is it just blank?

3. Are there any other problems that you've been having?

4. (I would ask if you can access it ok. but um, how many people that CAN'T access it are going to be answering these questions?... )

Sorry if you're having trouble but hopefully you can help me fix it. Thanks

Oh, there it is!

Um..... How did this happen? I have no idea.
But the good news is the mail lady still delivers even if it's on the ground! We went to stand it up and if fell completely off! Not knowing what to do with it till we got it fixed we left it laying there on the sidewalk. But while it lay there, we go our mail!

It is standing again, thanks to good old hose clamps!

Wait, What's wrong with this picture?

Take a good look. Something's not right. Any guesses?

Prom

No, Not me, my brother just went to prom. Although K.C. and I might as well have gone. We did everything with him and his group except go to the dance. He asked me if I would take pictures of everyone for them so they could save a little money and not have to buy them at the dance. I was excited for the opportunity, especially since I haven't really taken any pictures of groups.

They were really really cool kids. I was very impressed. And they were very fun to take pictures of. We started the day around 6 when we took them all repelling. That lasted till 2. Then we rushed home and barely squeaked into a birthday party, while they all got ready. Then we rushed back to Hurricane area where we met them to take pictures. That lasted till almost 8 (after everyone finally got there). And then they had us come to their dinner with them.

It was tons of fun. AND I found the coolest spot EVER for pictures. It's this really old school building that's falling apart. It was perfect.

I haven't had a chance to edit all of the pictures but here's a few of the fun ones. I hope they like them!

Vacations are the best

I have decided that I need to get into the habit of going to bed earlier, so this will not be a long post. But there is oh so much to tell.

Long story short, we ended up in WYOMING for 4 days (did I mention how much I LOVE spring break!?). We had a blast and nearly froze to death. It was so random and spur of the moment that we didn't even know we were going until about 5 minutes before we left!

Being crazy is so much fun sometimes. I took some fun pictures, got some AMAZING deals, remodeled part of my aunts house, let Craig ride a horse and feed the cows... It was so much fun. And such a needed and refreshing break!

I'll have to post pictures as soon as I get them all transferred.

(AND thanks to Shannon, our garden was not even dead when we got back!)

Finally

K.C. is working on homework and so I have to do something to stay away... What better to do than play with pictures?

On Saturday we took a break and did some of the stuff that has been on the "When we have time I want too...." list. I'm so excited because my dear sweet husband was willing to come along with me and try out some places that I saw to take pictures. I've been itching to learn how to use my camera better and I just never have time to figure it out.

So we made time. And here's a few samples of what we did. It was freezing cold, but he was such a good sport!

I love this one!

He took pictures of me too and I'm actually happy about how they turned out! I would have tried to get a ton of Craig too but it was so cold that his poor little nose started to run so we had to cut it short.

Well it 2 am and I'm going to make K.C. stop now so that he can have a little bit of life when he has to wake up tomorrow.

Next time I get a break I'll try to get the pictures of me and Craig up. I just wish that I knew what I was doing. It seems like such a waste to have a nice camera and not know how to use it! Slowly but surely I guess. One step at a time. (the first step is trying stuff out right?)

Thanks to the Blockburgers we were able to go see some of the parade of homes houses this year. It was a good break from our busy schedule. And Craig got to hang out with his friend Julia! Up until he got way too tired they had a lot of fun. (even though you can't tell from the look on his face!)

When we got home and I was looking through our pictures Craig was delighted when he saw this one and just kept saying... Juuuuu-lia, Juuuu-lia!