Today

• Was a day that our fish bowl was a little too small
• My cautious oldest told me as I was leaving the 5th wheel with two baskets of laundry - "Mama be so careful, remember Daddy said the steps were soooo icy!"
• I am doing ALL the laundry in the world
• Both my boys are really enjoying an episode of Sesame Street - even without baby Michael around
• I am going to pick out white paint for our cabinets and finally find the perfect blue for a few other spaces (I am stuck between Wythe and Thunderbird both of which are Benjamin Moore - which is further complicated by the fact that our painter is using Parker Paints).
• I have officially decided 4 days (and no photos) into December that there will be no Daily December photo series this year!
• I really want to run but am still scared of the ice.  Its been three weeks and I am cranky!  I am going to have to dig out the treadmill at the shop and find an outlet.

There Was Nothing Worth Sharing Like the Love that Let Us Share Our Name

Wow - this is so awesome! I can't believe I haven't heard these guys before. These lyrics really hit home for me and I love how the younger brother giggles in the background.

Home Sweet Home

Its official!  Home sweet home is now our 5th Wheel!  No good blogging photos for awhile-this one is from my iPhone/stolen from Facebook.  My iMac (4th love of my life) is now packed away since it doesn't fit so well in here, so I am using our dinosaur iBook that is as old as Boone.  I am VERY hopeful that I'll be the owner of a Mac Book Pro sometime in October.  

We are all settling in fairly well and very happy we upgraded our living quarters earlier this year.  This 5th Wheel is much easier for all 4 of us to live in than our old one would have been.  Of course, we are also very grateful to my inlaws for letting us take up their driveway and take over their kitchen every night.  It is really good to be able to cook for us inside.  Of course with football practice (Josh), soccer practice (boys), and me being sicky, there hasn't been a whole lot of cooking so far.  

The boys are a bit emotional but they are also feeling under the weather so it is hard to tell exactly why.  Boone isn't nearly as enamored with school this year, we are still trying to problem solve that one.  Poor kid - not only did we have the move but he started full day school this year in a temporary location since his school is being remodeled.  He doesn't have any of his closest buddies in his class (which has positive and negative consequences) and his teacher is new to Southgate too (I do think she is great so far though).  The night before school started, his 2nd front tooth came out.  My kid is SO self conscious about his appearance (thank goodness he isn't a girl or we'd be dealing with eating disorders etc. for sure) so he is definitely smiling less.  

My little Brody is also pretty emotional lately.  The other day, when I explained that there were new people living in our house he started wailing "I miss my HOOOOME!"  So sad!  I am trying to be understanding and patient and reflect on how this must feel in the world of a 4/6 year old, but sometimes I get frustrated.  The benefit in the long run is going to be so worth it and they will have so much!  But 8 months away is a lifetime for little folks.

So on we go into our year of adventure!  I'll start to post some photos and ideas that I have for the house so you all can help me finalize decisions as we go!  

33 for 33 Update - 4 months in...

1.  Run a 5K (Did a 2 mile race in July)
2. Achieve a "normal" BMI (so very close, 2# away)
3. Wear a bikini - even if just in private (Do Tankinis count?  Didn't think so)
4. Take a photography class (Took one online - but haven't practiced much)
5. Get a new tattoo
6. Hike Badger 5 times (2 times so far)
7. Eat more veggies daily
8. Go on a weekend trip away with no kids (Adult weekend at the Roberts Cabin in June)
9. Take a family vacation (Not quite what we planned but we took a 3 day trip to Silverwood)
10. Finish our shop (Done enough to count, still waiting for power)
11. Move into our new house (I think I'll be cutting this one a little close)
12. Plant a garden
13. Pay off the Tahoe (Would be moving along faster if we hadn't purchased a "new" truck)
14. Decrease non-mortgage debt (Moving right along - boat is paid off)
15. Practice Yoga weekly
16. Scrapbook monthly (not so much)
17. Sew Something
18. Go Kayaking
19. Float the River
20. Go Wine Tasting
21. Sell our house  (Yay -we closed this week)
22. Go white water rafting
23. Finish 5 books on Good Reads list - not new additions (one down - 3 currently underway)
24. Smile More
25. Go on adventure walks with boys monthly
26. Get a massage
27. Build a piece of furniture
28. Keep a one sentence journal for a month
29. Monthly game/movie nights with kids
30. Finish my "Encyclopedia of Me"
31. Volunteer
32. Improve/Maintain/Make New Friendships
33. Make more desserts!

So that's where I am at so far!  I still have a lot to do, some of which will be pretty difficult without a house to live in.  The sun is fading fast too, so I am afraid all of my water adventures won't come to fruition either; considering we didn't even un-winterize (is that a word?) our boat this year.

There are still a lot of adventures to be had...

Moving Right Along

The Shop floor was poured today with lots of late night work this week from Josh and lots of great help today! 

I HATE slippery shiny concrete surfaces! I can barely walk in my in-laws garage with bare feet without gritting my teeth.  I think I am going to be very happy with with this power trowel finish on my feet!

Uncle T & Brody on a break!  Love how he's drinking and driving my 4 year old in the lift!

We had a surprise visit from Mr. Hamby this morning and I'm glad he showed up to help!  I am sure the guys were too. 

The metal is being delivered at 3pm today so Josh is going to have a very busy weekend in front of him.  I'm thinking we should be having some margaritas by a pool tonight to prepare for another long day.

Late T-Ball Layout

Though it was a little a lot crazy to have both  boys in sports this spring, it was great in a lot of ways!  We were fortunate enough to have practice on the same night at the same location with enough space in between that we could handle it even on single parent nights.
It was great for Brody to get to be the center of our attention for an activity and we met some wonderful new friends thanks to T-Ball! (But I am really glad its over!)

Ten on Tuesday

1. Hanging at home with the boys today after Boone spent Monday afternoon throwing up!  
2. My scale is slowly recovering from the shock I gave it after a fun cabin weekend with Josh and the Roberts'.  
3. The boys are a week into their short summer hair cuts with no sun to keep their poor heads warm.
4. The shop is more than half way done and is going to stay that way for three weeks (Cabin Weekend, Hoopfest, and Mottet).
5. Interviewing a new realtor tomorrow.
6. Loving all of my new CAbi clothes, can't wait to see the fall line.
7. Wishing we were planning a vacation this summer!
8. Wanting to go run today but think that Josh's 5:30 tee time will probably keep that from happening.
9. Crossed one of the five Badger Mountain hikes off of my list for the year.
10. Pretty excited that there is a new Ramona movie coming out.

For My Running Friends...

I want to know what music you run to.  Just your favorite upbeat music or is there a method to your selection process.  Below is a pic of my current playlist for running - and because most of you know me, you won't be surprised to learn that these songs were methodically selected because they are all very close to 140 beats per minute.  Luckily, the list is long enough that, set to shuffle, I haven't gotten bored with it yet since I obviously can't run the full length of this playlist.

So, what do you like?  What motivates you?

(I crack up every time I listen to Hey Ya thinking of Jessica helping my 3 month old Boone shake his little body to that song!)

These Two

There are days when things get crazy and I forget to count my blessings. Days when this mom job is so hard that  I don't take the opportunity to be grateful for these two little beings that I've been blessed with the job of raising.  And it leaves me wondering am I everything that they need?  Do I wish time away?

 I do know that I am blessed that they are forgiving and easily forget what I may have done wrong yesterday, or even a moment ago, that their arms are ever ready to hug their mama.  I know it won't be like this for long...

Brody, I know that I am so lucky to look into these beautiful eyes every day and to get to listen to the most infectious laugh on the planet

I am so grateful that my Boone is has the kindest heart and the gentlest touch which can make all the bad things disappear, if only for a moment.

Thank you My Boys, for allowing me to be a better person and for enriching my life in a way I didn't know was possible.  Thank you for loving me unconditionally despite my shortcomings.  Thank you for being you... just you two...

April is National Poetry Month

So I'll share my favorite - 


Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost


Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.


I loved it when I was young and now it makes me a little sad, but its still fantastic!

33 for 33

I think I am pretty much done! This is really making me think I need to write down my life lists too - not just ones for this year.

1. Run a 5K
2. Achieve a "normal" BMI
3. Wear a bikini - even if just in private
4. Take a photography class
5. Get a new tattoo
6. Hike Badger 5 times
7. Eat more veggies daily
8. Go on a weekend trip away with no kids
9. Take a family vacation
10. Finish our shop
11. Move into our new house
12. Plant a garden
13. Pay off the Tahoe
14. Decrease non-mortgage debt
15. Practice Yoga weekly
16. Scrapbook monthly
17. Sew Something
18. Go Kayaking
19. Float the River
20. Go Wine Tasting
21. Sell our house
22. Go white water rafting
23. Finish 5 books on Good Reads list - not new additions
24. Smile More
25. Go on adventure walks with boys monthly
26. Get a massage
27. Build a piece of furniture
28. Keep a one sentence journal for a month
29. Monthly game/movie nights with kids
30. Finish my "Encyclopedia of Me"
31. Volunteer
32. Improve/Maintain/Make New Friendships
33. Make more desserts!

What a fantastic Sunday!

Love starting a Sunday with coffee made by my husband!  I used a new iPhone app called C25K (Couch to 5K) to help with my run today.  That and a playlist full of songs at 140 beats per minute made it a much more successful run day!  It was pretty nice that the timing/distance to Katie and Don's fit just perfectly.

I ran over an Josh drove over with the boys for Baby Michael's First Birthday!  What a fun thing to celebrate outside in the beautiful sunshine. I think that I am a pretty good cook but Heidi definitely has the baking strength in our generation of family members.  It must be genetic!  We had yummy cupcakes and Mike had the cutest ducky cake.

After we got home, I played ball in the back yard for awhile with my boys.  Josh claims that I hold my mitt wrong but I'd like to claim some spousal abuse for the amount of times I got hit today.  Of course, that means I'd need to call CPS on myself since I managed to hit Brody 3 times this afternoon, once in the forehead, once on the chest, and once in the mouth.  Poor buddy - I only brought on the tears once though!

Now I am so ready for bed!  Working on my 33 for 33 list - I am a little behind as I probably should have had it finished before my birthday.  We'll see if all 33 items get done by next April!

Foxy

Just finished watching Fantastic Mr. Fox on DVD. The Easter Bunny left it it Boone's basket.  

 How did I not know the movie was by Wes Anderson?

I knew that I would love the story since I love Roald Dahl but during the movie I just kept saying "I love this dialog!"  Josh made the comment that it was just like The Royal Tenenbaums or The Life Aquatic (like that should make complete sense to me).  I completely agreed, yet couldn't figure out how this "kids movie" was able to do that.  Duh!  I am not sure what it is about Wes Anderson movies, but I love them.  And Fantastic Mr. Fox was...well, Fantastic!

Making Dough

Thanks to the Pioneer Woman, I am going to attempt a few recipes tomorrow!  Can you believe I've only make real bread once before?  And that was before we were married (but right after I got my Kitchen Aid Mixer).  Pioneer Woman's famous cinnamon roll dough recipe is the same dough base for Hot Cross Buns and her Rosemary Dinner Rolls too!

Scalded Milk , Sugar, and Oil

So I'm making dough today and two different bread recipes tomorrow!  Wish me luck!

ETA:  I decided against Hot Cross Buns because I just couldn't get excited about raisins in my breakfast rolls, so Cinnamon Rolls it was!  And they were fantastic - hopefully the dinner rolls turn out as well!  Have a Wonderful, Blessed Easter!

Cinnamon Rolls on Easter Morning! (Brody was in a hurry for his)

A Guest Post from Josh - Just to Vent

So we decided to break down and buy new shoes for one of the rigs. Procrastination made it so we need both rigs at about the same time. By the way have you priced tires in the last year? You won't like what you find.

We decided family rig first-since it carries the family more, that one has priority.  

Of course we have been talking about rims for 5 years so why not. Shop around; find some good deals and finally decide on some new American Eagle rims and Toyo tires from Schwabbies. 

Sooo last Friday we drop the big Tahoe off. Once there I am reminded about: mount, balance, lug nuts, valve stems, tax, "Do you want those siped sir, for only $50 it makes the tire....blah blah".        $1700 out the door. Ugh.

After the initial buyers remorse, and a detailed polishing on Saturday, I'm feeling pretty good about the purchase. Definitely sharp looking, and the truck can wait until later in the summer for some new pavement creepers... right? Wrong.

About 18 hours later I'm driving down 240 nursing a slight hangover (from a poker game the night before (a winning effort by the way)) when I notice a funny sound emanating from the passenger side rear, oh yeah its a blow out! 

SOB.

Okay. Regroup. Think about it for a couple days. Now it official, it's not going to fix itself, I need to do something so off to Schwabs again. Of course I have to have the Toyo MT's and they have to be big so for about $1300 they can be mine; sick to stomach must go home and cry, one more day to think about it. 

Then a ray of hope, good old Apollo comes through. Wednesday I have my annual review and it turns out okay, I get a little ching to help out with the cash hemorrhage I seem to be ailing from. Back down to Schwabs I go (where I am somewhat of a rock star by now) "Go ahead boys make em shine!" I say with gusto "Call me when you're done."

Off I go... 15 minutes later ring ring, thats odd what could they want so quickly? "Mr Prock did you know two of your rims are cracked? We can't mount tires on these death traps... Have you perused our fine selection of custom rims?"

Yes, yes I have. 

Thats my week, hope yours has been better.

This Old Dog

Tug has managed to make it through this winter which I am so grateful for!  He looks and acts a heck of a lot older than 10.5 years old.  He always has...but it is hard to be as spry as his older sister.  His arthritis has gotten so bad that he is getting to be a pretty spendy dog to keep around too.  Poor guy can barely lift his legs to step up onto his bed if he doesn't have his medicine.

He has trimmed down a bit which is a never ending battle for the old blondes in this family!  But that does seem to help him out a bit.  He loves his food as much as ever, and continues to do his hippity hop off of his front legs when it might possibly be time to eat!  Every once in awhile, he gets a little rowdy with Elly, though she always manages to remind him who really is the alpha in our house (or beta I guess, as Josh truly is their alpha)!

He is still the best snuggler and could care less who lays across him.  Most nights you'll find the cat snuggled between his legs on his bed.  He feigns disdain, but I can tell he really does enjoy it.  I will really miss the guy when its time to let him go, though I am sure we will find reminders of his yellow hair until I am an old woman!

Guess Who Lost a Tooth?

I guess it probably isn't that hard to figure out.  I can't believe Boone's first tooth waited to come out until he was 6 1/2 years old to come out, especially since he was barely three months old when it came in!  It was unbelievably wobbly and loose but he refused to work it out.  Josh tried again and again and finally talked him into letting him wrap it in dental floss to pop it out.  He already has his permanent tooth half way grown in.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Went to a PTG meeting at school tonight - those ladies are working so hard this year.  Not sure I am ready to jump in while working and building a house next year. Maybe when both boys are in school...

2. Trying to figure out my personality type, have no idea what I'll do with it after I know.

3. Love the 39 Clues Series.  Well, we are still on the first book but I really like it so I think I will love the series.  I am secretly happy when Josh choses not to read it on his reading nights so I don't miss any of the story.

4. Finished The Adventures of Frog and Toad this week.  How did I miss this growing up?  It was hilarious and both boys loved it.

5. I'm not particularly into new music right now, I guess too busy with everything else.

6. I'm getting really excited about the house building process finally.  That is probably because we are still living in a house.  We'll see if that changes - but for now I love picking out all the things that I want.  Designing the shop, making changes to the layout, tile ideas, molding, appliances.  And I really love the Josh is agreeing with EVERYTHING so far!

7. So glad my family is on the mend.  Boone got the sickest and I am the hold out, never officially sick.

8. Except for the sick crankies, I can't believe how big/old Brody is right now.  He is finally leaving the tantrums behind and remembering to use words and manners.  I guess he really is going to turn FOUR this month!

9. Sad that my old Tug is so stiff and sore.  I happy that he made it through this winter but I am not sure how he is going to handle the tumultuous year ahead of us.

10. Really want to find some time to walk/run this week, but I want the sun to come back first.

ESFJ

I took the Meyers Briggs Type Indicator Test and had to laugh at the Career Choices.  I guess I am on the right track.

YOUR TYPE
E	S	F	J
Strength of the preferences %
22	1	38	67

Career Management Management Public Administration Hotel & Restaurant Management Fashion Merchandising Health Care Nursing Health Care Administration Radiologic Technician Physician Social Service Education Social Work Famous people of your particular type Bill Clinton, Cindy Crawford, Frank Sinatra, Martha Stewart

Overheard While Josh was Putting Boys to Bed...

J:  Boys, guess what  I got today. It is something for you and you and me.
Brody: Ice Cream!
Boone: A book!
J:  No, remember what I said we were going to try to do this weekend?  I'll give you a hint, its noisy...
Boone: A horn, a toy.
J: And really stinky...
Brody: A new skunk!
(It was actually tickets to the Monster Trucks, but it took a long time for the conversation to make it there)

Snow Buddies

On the Saturday of President's Day Weekend, the boys and I took a little adventure trip! One of my co-workers invited us up to her her cabin to enjoy the last of the snow before it was gone.  Josh had chores to do, so the boys and I took off to the Blues.

The weather was fantastic - the snow was starting to melt so everything compacted wonderfully.  It did make for some wet kids so it was a good thing we brought lots of snow gear to trade off.

Other than a few frustrations, they did great going down the hills and bringing their own sleds back up.

Boone learned how to use tools to make perfect snowballs!

And Brody learned to throw them with vengeance!

I even took a few trips down the hill with them too!

When the boys learned how to ride the Flexible Flyers, they were hooked!  I've gotta do some shopping for these things, they are awesome! 

Thanks to Nancy and Joseph for the great day of play and the yummy lunch that went with it!

New Post

Because my family is harassing me that there is nothing new on my blog!  I suppose that could be because there is so much new going on around here.  We decided to put the house up for sale in February which required a lot of time and effort to clean it up and out!  It is so spacious and uncluttered in here, it almost makes me think we might be able to stay (just kidding)!

We are also trying to sell our older 5th Wheel and bought a newer (used) 5th Wheel toy hauler.  This has meant lots of phone calls and moving things around.  The larger 5th Wheel will be a better situation for us since it is likely that we'll be technically homeless for awhile after we sell this house.  

In the process of planning to build - this week alone we met with a lender, a pole building designer, and an architect.  All this and we've had sick a childcare provider (so glad our Angie is feeling better, she had it pretty bad) sick husband, sick daycare kiddos, sick grandparents and currently sick my kiddos which of course means I am fighting a bit of a bug as well.  

We managed a quick trip to Portland for a bit of fun and wonderful and much overdue visit with the Watsons.  The kids and Josh enjoyed their night out at "Walking with Dinosaurs" too.  All in all, life is great but very busy.  Hope we are all feeling better soon!

Boys Will Be Boys

 We were coming out of Barnes and Noble through a parking garage filled with cars at Lloyd Center in Portland.  As we cross the traffic lane to the parked cars, we step up on a curb and Boone freezes.  "Oh my gosh, that is so cool!"  "Wow Mom, look at it!"  

Of all the cars in the whole garage, this is what makes him take notice. 

His Great Uncle Davey would be proud!

Martha's Muffins

This recipe is almost the same as in the cookbook.  My recipe has only 1 cup of sugar and no nutmeg although I might have to keep that in mind. I bake it in my Pampered Chef Stoneware muffin pan and they are perfect!  A little crispy on the outside and fluffy inside.

January Random

 Click to enlarge layouts

Seem to be blogging much less but I like that I am making actual layouts and still capturing memories.  This digital stuff is so much quicker!  Not quite as satisfying as crafting with your hands though.  The ten things template was a quick way to get down everything  I am thinking about our current crazy project.

I did finish something with my hands and my sewing machine without help!  Well, my mom tried to email me directions but I didn't follow them very well.  I am still really happy with the way it turned out.  Hope I can find more of this fabric since I'll have more windows in our next house.

Guess What Was On My Porch Today

Happy Three Kings Day to Me (and birthday and Mother's Day...)

New December Layouts

One of my goals is more scrapbooking this year even if it is all digital.