The last day pictures

The last picture of Hayden in his tree. When Hayden saw these pictures he said, "Oh my tree!! I miss climbing my tree, Mom." It kind of has me teary right now.

The last picture of my kids at the top of the stairs. This is a "must" shot for any and all holidays.

Last shot of us right outside our door.

Attempt at self portrait to show you my new hair cut...on the "last day".
Hope the morning of...the last day. She had no real clue what the heck is happening to her.

So, I finally got a cord so I could download my pictures I had taken right before and after the move to WA. I have "sort of" been looking all day. Then, I couldn't stand it anymore and I just flipped through them all. Pictures of friends make me a little teary. I flipped through those very fast. I'll be posting more pictures tomorrow. Blogger is taking FOREVER to load pictures. So this is it for now.

In other exciting news...

Scott and I woke up today to this, and I quote "the former male stripper David Hernandez"...for those of you who aren't in the know...it's a reference to the American Idol voted off last evening. I must admit I laughed out loud. 6:10 must have been the perfect time to set my alarm clock this morning. It was good to have a laugh, I haven't really felt like laughing the last day or so. You see, last week I got the results back from my mammogram that I had taken a few days before I left. Apparently, I have some intramammery lymph nodes that have showed up on the films, and they don't know why. You aren't supposed to see these little suckers on a mammo. For a whole week, I have been able to hide my fears someplace in the back of my mind. Really, we don't know what it is, it certainly might not be anything at all. But it's the unknown. It could be something,.. But when I get bored, I start thinking. The day before yesterday I got a little bored and started thinking too much, so Hope, Scout and I went and worked a big hill. It's was either that or eat the whole bag of Dove dark chocolates. I think I made a good choice. haha. So that's that. I was told to get myself into the radiologish ASAP to have an ultrasound done. But of course, I need to wait for my ORIGINAL films to get MAILED (not FedEX, or emailed!!). It's a week today since I requested my doctor to release my films. I should be hearing the new doctor has them today, I should!! Regardless, I'm calling them today, just to check. After all, it's the mail, not the pony express!

For any of you who really know me, you know I HATE waiting. And I feel like I'm getting lots of practice lately. We did hear yesterday, that the bank is sending out an appraiser for the house. Things are moving, slowly...but they are moving!

In other exciting news, Hayden overflowed the toilet last night. I don't know why one little pooped required soooo much TP, but apparently it did. It all went down (or should I say it all came back up) when I was meeting with the 2nd counselor in the bishopric...yes I do have a new calling. Since I'm not supposed to actually tell anyone what the new calling is I'll let you guess... let's just say Hannah will be very happy, and I only have to do 2 meetings a month. Any guesses??? I was pretty relieved to tell you the truth, seems like a pretty easy job. I need to call my buddy Michelle up, she was this back in Houston and did a fantastic job. Any of you have this particular job? I did expect a little more time off though, but no such luck.

Anyway, Hayden, Hope and I are staying home this morning. It is actually raining today, and I need to clean this joint up.

Leatherheads

I want to see this movie. With George Clooney and John Krasinski, how could you go wrong?? Watch a clip here.

Well duh!

This morning at the gym, I go into a "ball blast" class. I enter the studio 12 minutes before the class starts. There wasn't anybody in there when I first got there, but the whole room was set up. I think to myself, this is my kind of instructor! They come in and set the whole room up. There was a lot of stuff too. Wow! Well, at 9:03 a whole ton of people come in. This lady comes over and tells me I'm in her spot. I say oh, okay, I'll just jump over to the next set of stuff. Still thinking she is just kind of lame and she isn't flexible...and that I'm in her "regular spot". All of a sudden it hits me, she has set all this crap up. It never even dawned on me, duh!! I don't know when these people set up there stuff, but apparently it was earlier than 15 minutes before the class starts. I'm used to "setting up early" meaning...like 5 minutes not 15-20. I just left and did my own thing. I'm sure that lady was thinking, "hello lady??" Better yet, I wonder what the other lady in there thought when I switched out one person's ball for another, and grabbed somebody else's red tubing!! haha hehe. How was I to know! Plus, in my defense, the set up was VERY uniform. Everything was placed in the same spot in all the different spots...much like ONE person had set everything up. I just thought we had a really on the ball instructor (no pun intended).

I'm in the market for a jogging stroller. I have made it through 3 other kids without one. In fact, I always thought, when I go run...I want to go alone. But now...Hope and I could go for run/walks a lot. Hayden could even ride his bike on all the trails around here. Plus, a jogging stroller is what I need on all the trails, anyway. My little stroller is just not doing the job. I've been on Craigslist, but they are like $75 for a used one, I can a new one for $120. Call me crazy, but I'd rather just get a new one. If I was talking $50...that might be a different story. Am I off on that??

Things are getting back to normal, I found a gym!

Beacon Rock

Things are getting back to "normal". First of all, we did move into the townhouse on Saturday. And yes, I'm not homesick for the Residence Inn anymore haha, I knew it wouldn't last. There is more room here, with a normal kitchen so all is well. I even worked out at my new gym today. It's LaCamas Swim and Sport. Let's face it, it's NOT Lifetime, but it's good. I have forever been spoiled by Lifetime. But I will survive. Hey something I did notice and enjoy...there are a lot of "normal" flat chested women here. Yiiippppe. Fake boobs were just a part of life in Houston, you see, and they just aren't so popular here. I'm normal again ;) hahahaha. I jumped on a spinning bike and I did a little bit of a Pilates class, so life is good. I EVEN saw somebody that I knew. You've got to love church. Friendly faces are already starting to pop up. They have a cool program for kids Hayden's age (no extra charge, bonus!) called Kid Fit. He got to go play in the gym the whole time I was gone. They had organized games of soccer, football, and freeze tag. He loved it, and wants to go back tomorrow. Thank heavens, cuz you know I'll be back.





We took two fun trips this weekend. On Saturday we went up to Beacon Rock. We hiked all the way to the top! We (aka Scott) pushed Hope in the stroller part of the way up. He parked the stroller at one point and just carried her up the rest of the way. I carried her down. But the hike up and down took about 2 hours. BEAUTIFUL. Loved it. Great views from up top. Then yesterday we went up to Livingston Mountain, and let the kids play in the snow. We DO need some proper equipment, like shoes. Poor Hayden had on his Keens and his feet were freezing. But that didn't slow him down too much. We took Scout with us both days and he was in heaven. Even Hopey loved the snow. It was a cool and refreshing..snack for her. Gross, I did make sure it was clean snow-at least.

Jamie, my sisters' friend used to live in Portland. She said that the beauty of the food here in the Portland area, is that it's a bunch of Mom and Pop type restaurants. I can already see that's true. On Saturday, on our way back from Beacon Rock, we ate at Lou's Texas BBQ. Total Mom and Pop BBQ place, owned by a true Texan, Lou. We had the pleasure of talking with Lou. He left Texas in '92, but was from the Houston area, of all places. He knew Tomball pretty well, and even was talking streets! Tonight for Scott's birthday, we are going to this pizza place in downtown Camas. Scott has eaten there, and says they have good Chicago style pizza. If it even comes close to LouMalnati's, then...oh boy I don't know what I'll do ;)

Happy Birthday Scott!!

Today is Scott's birthday. Help me wish him a happy day. I love that we are on this new adventure together. Love you, bunner.

Just a couple of issues.

Okay, so I am really liking this place, but I do have a couple issues.

First of all, there are NO gas stations. I'm used to Houston, where on every corner you have three things...a gas station, a donut shop and a dry cleaners. I needed gas the other day, and I swear I almost ran out looking! But alas, I found a Fred Meyer and they had gas. The WALMART didn't even have gas.

Second issue=restaurants. We went to the Olive Garden tonight for dinner. Scott is back in town and we wanted to "celebrate" ;). We chose Olive Garden not because it's the best Italian food around (it certainly is not) but it is close to the Residence Inn. We went in at 5:15 and had to wait 40 minutes. This area is certainly under served in the restaurant area. We will certainly be traveling over to Portland for our fine dining...aka anything other than Red Robin, Chipotle, Olive Garden or Burgerville.

The weather here has been very nice. No rain for three days. The few days before that, rained some (a little) but nothing terrible. I'm sure since tomorrow is Saturday, and we have lots of fun stuff planned, it will rain all day. Hayden wants to go to "Mount St. Hood" a cross between Mount Hood and Mount St. Helen. He wants to make snow angels, snowballs, snowmen, and have a snowball fight. I'd like to go snow shoeing. We shall see.

So, remember I told you about calling the Residence Inn home? Well, we checked into the townhouse today. It's pretty nice, it's lots bigger than the Residence Inn. But you know what?? If we hadn't already committed to the townhouse, I'd say forget it- we'll just stay here. Scott doesn't get this change of heart-at all! The kids and I all feel the same way. I think it's just because we are homeless right now, and have "moved in" here. I'm sure a week in that place we will feel the same way. Maybe. I won't have maid service there ;)!! Crazy though, feeling home sickish for the Residence Inn. What's wrong with me? hahahahaha. Tomorrow morning (after the breakfast buffet) we check out here, and move all of our crap over. Sounds fun, doesn't it?

Home really is where the heart is.

So, today I have found myself saying we are going "home" or it's back at "home"...meaning the Residence Inn people!! Hayden said, "Mom that's not home, Texas is home". I just smiled and said, I don't know. I have kind of moved into the Residence Inn. I know where crap is now. Life seems very simple here. I don't have to clean, or make a bed. Shoot tonight was the first night I even cooked dinner in quite a while. The last two nights they served dinner at the Residence Inn. Breakfast everyday, and dinner a couple times a week. Tonight they had food, good food...but not healthy. I'm talking nachos, soft pretzels, chips...we went to check it out and the kids were in hogs heaven. I came home and made spaghetti (Prego and noodles) and lots of veggies for our "real" dinner. I could get used to this simple life.


How's this for guts...Hunter told me today he saw this kid in his class getting picked on at recess. So, he went up to the guys being mean and told them to stop. They said, "shut up new kid", and Hunter got his little chest all puffed up and said something back to them. They just walked away. He asked me if he did the right thing?? I said yes, you stood up for somebody that needed it. I kind of wanted to cry, but I didn't. But, inside I was saying, geez they better not be mean to you now or pick on you. He had some guts, I don't know if I would have been that gutsy on my second day at a new school. Way to go Hunter!

the school shuffle has begun

I was up and showering early this morning. We started the school shuffle today. I have a lot of picking up and dropping off to do now. When we move into the house, it will be bus, or walking! But for now, it's me. Yesterday, we met some teachers and toured schools. Everybody had a smile on their face, and this momma felt very peaceful and calm. So far, so good.

First up was Hunter. We had an appointment at 8:00 am to tour his school. There was an ugly accident someplace on the 205 so we were about 20 minutes late. Lovely. No big deal though. So, this morning we left EVEN earlier and were about 25 minutes early. We won't be traveling "across town" for too much longer. We move into the townhouse on Friday (when Scott returns from his "vacation" ;)really, he is on a business trip to Denver and will return on Friday) All of Hunter's classes look great, the kids seem nice. We actually didn't meet Hunter's core teachers, but we did see them. We met his gym teacher Mr. Houston...who will also be his cross country coach. The counselor asked Hunter yesterday if he liked to run. Hunter's face lights up and says "yes Ma'am" (is that how you spell that?? Being that I'm NOT a Southern Bell, I don't really know haha) So, Mr. Houston (don't you loved the name, it was SO meant to be) is doing an intramural cross country club, that is really popular with the kids, and it starts today. What timing, right?? So, Mon-Thurs. I don't pick Hunter up until 4. He has two races in March. Track starts in April. He was thinking about playing baseball, and even went to a practice last night with a new friend from church, but I'm not sure he will do it. Maybe next time. Running is calling to him.

Hannah toured her new school yesterday and got to meet her teacher, Mrs. Hassel She seems very nice. I chatted a little more with her this morning. In between Hope's yelling and screaming. Did I tell you Hope is being a little beast? Well, she is. She is sleeping at night very well, and she is already taking a nap now. Moving is hard on her too, and she is reminding me. She'll get her groove back, I'm sure of it. Anyway, Hannah got to go in and say HI to her new class yesterday. One group of tables had those exercise balls that the kids were sitting on. I asked the teacher about them today and they rotate around the room. She commented about how good they are for the kids and how they really keep the kids on task better than regular chairs. I just smiled, hey you don't have to sell me on those balls. I packed mine up and it should be here with the "second wave" of stuff. This morning when I dropped her off, her new "buddy" Charlotte was there ready and waiting for her.

Hayden is very excited to start school this morning. Hope was such a beast I brought her back for a much needed nap. Usually, we will go to the gym,park, hike or errands. Something, anything besides come back to the hotel. But he is being a good sport. Thank heavens for Starfall and Nick! His teacher was very nice and cheerful this morning. It will be nice having that little fella around again. It's like I'm getting him back for a little while. I get a little bit of his childhood returned to me. I worry he will be bored and not challenged, but when we are back into our groove, I'll make sure he isn't! It's finally getting late enough, I need to go fix lunch for the little guy.

Then, what to do after I drop him off and before I pick up the rest of the group? I haven't been to Fred Meyer yet...or the Target in Camas...I'm sure I'll find something to do. Oh yeah, maybe the library!

Happy Birthday Hayley!

I think this picture about sums up Hayley. Happy birthday to you, my crazy sister. I love you!

This place is prettier than I thought!

I cried yesterday morning, but I haven't cried since. I think maybe the worst of "it" is over. I hope so. I sure was ready to pack my bags and head back home. Part of my deal yesterday morning (we're talking like 4:00 am) was that I was up worrying. Scott leaves on Tuesday night to go to Denver. ( how much does that suck!!) I'm a bit worried about getting around this place. Good grief, I will be carting kids to and from school ALL day. But, I guess I will be kept busy.

Busy is good. We had a fun busy day yesterday. We parked at the kid's elementary school, and went hiking on the trials literally, in our would be back yard. My butt is going to be in such good shape. The hills here are going to be so great to run on. Walking/hiking is fun and quite the workout. I think we walked about 3 miles. The kids were pooped. After that we went to the movies. We saw Spiderwich Chronicles, good flick. Then, I started shopping gyms. I visited 3, the LaCamas Swim and Sports place was my favorite so far. They have an indoor and outdoor pool, baby sitting, all kinds of equipment, and they have Pilate's reformers that I can just come in and use. I about tinkled on myself when I heard that. Very good news to me. Nothing compares to Lifetime Fitness however. I was very spoiled by that gym. Scott and I have both written "Corporate" telling them they are missing out on this market. Hunter and I found this cool music store. He needed some new reeds for his clarinet. WOW. I can rent my cello there AND take lessons. I don't know if my neighbors at the Residence Inn would appreciate me practicing, so I might wait a little while for that ;)

Today, after church we drove for about 25 minutes to the Bridge of the Gods. What a drive. This place is prettier than I thought. It's really something else. The whole drive was in the gorge of the Columbia River. The Columbia is really right in my back yard. So pretty. Even on our hike yesterday, I was a little dumb founded at the beauty here. Hannah came up to Scott and said, "Dad I really love it here. It's so pretty and I love nature." So anyway the bridge is just a bridge over the Columbia, but it lets you off in a cool part of OR, with 3-4 waterfalls off to the side of the rode. Pretty big waterfalls. We hiked around again for about 30 minutes, and then returned to our would be street. The would be neighbors had invited us over for dinner. The would be neighbors are very nice. And she was giving me the scoop on a lot of the people at church. I did take pictures today, but my lap top doesn't read my new camera card. We need an adapter. I'll be getting one soon.

I still feel like I'm on vacation and will be packing up to go home soon. Finally. I'm sure the hotel living helps with the strange feeling. Before I start feeling sad again, I'm going to go get ready for bed. I'll leave things on a good note. One whole day without shedding a single tear. THAT hasn't happened for like...forever.

I'm feeling homesick tonight.

We made it! The flight was uneventful. The kids were great, yes even Hope. I didn't hear it, but the flight attendants said our kids were the best behaved "large family" she had ever seen. Thanks...I think. Does that mean they were good, or just good for a "large family"?? haha They were good all except when Hayden put his feet on Hannah and that started a small fist fight. No worries, all was worked out ;) Scout did just fine too, and seems to be acting totally normal.

Loved the new house! It was great. The yard was bigger than I thought, and so was the kitchen. Loved the kitchen. We do have moles though, (or some little fella that digs holes in the yard, lovely) that should be exciting getting rid of those. No rodents/cockroaches or mosquitoes though. Trade offs...The master bedroom was a little smaller than I thought, but still bigger than what I currently have. Well, scratch that, what I used to have (dang) But the bathroom seemed bigger, so hey, it's all good. Loved the lower level. It has the game room, wet bar, and 2 bedrooms and bathroom. Oh and the basement will be heaven. I can't wait to fill it up with all kinds of crap...I mean stuff.

I got tired at about 4:00, and definitely wanted to go home. I wanted to go back to Texas, to all my friends and neighbors. When we were at the new house, a couple of Mormon neighbors came down to visit. It should have been such a happy/exciting moment, but it wasn't. I just kept thinking "these are not MY neighbors." This isn't Kellie, Cathy, Julie or Jennifer. Scott keeps reminding us, "no this isn't Texas,, and it's not as good, but it's Washington and let's look for the good here!" Okay, must remember that. I wish I could call my Mom tonight and have her come pick me up and take me home. Oh wait...I am the Mom! hehe. At one point Hannah said she felt like crying, but couldn't. Hayden told her to poke herself in the eye, that would take care of it. Ahhhh, crazy kid.

I do need to go do laundry, I'm all out of jeans. Even with all those suitcases, I still don't think I packed enough clothes for me. Maybe Scott will do it for me... we have to go use the common laundry room, yuck o! That is not music to my ears.

Oh yeah, we got a call today from the lady that is setting up our housing stuff her. A 3 bedroom townhouse becomes available on Wednesday. So, we will be moving to a bigger place on Wed. This Residence Inn is actually very nice, but bigger is better...right?

a new chapter

I really have no business blogging this morning. It's 5:30 and the shuttle picks us up in about 30 minutes. Whatever. The amount of luggage we have is almost funny. 11 pieces. But crap, we are going to be living out of this stuff for a month (or less I hope!!). I'm about to embark on a new chapter of my life. I was liking the chapter I was in, but, oh well for me...a new chapter has started. Yesterday, was a hard hard day. Actually, I'm glad it's over. I'm feeling dehydrated today, literally. I'm not joking. Scott and I both cried (sort of embarrassing) when we walked into the title place and saw the new people standing there. There were all smiles and we felt like we we going to a funeral. But anyway, I'm feeling strong today. More later. I really have GOT to go. Oh, I see the house today, for the first time mind you. Only Scott has seen it thus far.

moving update-it's almost complete

The house is empty. Tomorrow we sign the papers. Scott and I have both had a moment today. AKA crying like babies that is. I'll miss the house yes, but it's the memories that I'll miss the most. Have you ever watched that show, If These Walls Could Talk? We started talking about that and it was all over. Seeing little Hopey walk around this empty house just made us remember little Hunter (who was about the same age) doing the exact same thing. I was SO happy and excited to move here. I couldn't wait. I was IN LOVE with this house. Now I have little Hunter memories and the sweet memories of bringing 3 more babies home here. I remember sitting on my couch nursing little Hannah when the neighbor girl Andrea asked from the top of the stairs if she could play with the Little Tikes grocery cart. Sure...I said. Next thing I know she has pushed that big old cart down my big flight of stairs=big hole in the wall. Ahhh, memories.

In unrelated moving news...I went for my "annual" today. Wanted to get THAT in before I left town. And the doctor reminded me I was now 35 and that meant baseline mammogram. Oh goody I said. I went back later this afternoon, and I'm happy to report it didn't hurt!!! Uncomfortable, yes, but I was pleasantly surprised!! Yipppee for having no boobs!!! (the one time in life I will probably ever say that) :)

Today is the day!

This is it, it's moving day. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Happy Birthday Hannah!

All these pictures are about Hannah at the age of 5-6. She still has the baby teeth, ahhhh.
Those are stick on ear rings, she got her ears pieced for birthday #8.

Hannah turns #9 today!! Happy Birthday to you Hannah. Some things I love about you are:

* Your pretty blue eyes.

* You don't let anybody talk you into anything.

* You like to make cute stuff! Lots of arts and crafts.

* Good piano player.

* She is a good friend to a lot of people. She always says "I don't have one best friend, I have lots of good friends".

*You are always looking out for you brothers and sister and even Scout (the dog). You will always share with your siblings and treat them nice, even when they might not do the same for you :) (like sharing a treat)

* I'm glad you are my girl Hannah!!

My Dad has always written birthday letters. He did when we were little girls, he does still today, and he even writes birthday letters to his son-in-laws and his grandchildren. That's getting to be a lot of letters. But each one in unique and each one is special. He relives the last year, looks forward to the new year, and teaches wonderful life lessons. We always say, someday we will publish his letters in a book. I really loved his letter to Hannah this year. I always do, but this one really got me. I'll share with you just a little. I remember this lesson from when I was a kid, it's a good one!! "Everyday you have opportunities to decide for yourself on important questions of right and wrong. Decide now where you want to go in the next nine years so that you won't have to decide everyday along the way. Decide to decide." Thanks Dad.

Happy Birthday Hannah Banana, I love you.

Just a sampling of the random thoughts I'm stewing over.

I really just want to bite her. We were over at my neighbor's house yesterday, and Hope was playing with this little princess vanity. She liked it. When you open the heart shaped mirror it plays a little tune and the lights start going. Kellie saw that she loved it, and told me to take it home. She is getting ready for a garage sale, and her girls are getting too old for it, she'd rather a friend take it than sell it for next to nothing to a stranger. I gladly accepted.

The insomnia thing is back in full force. I fall asleep fine, but then wake up in the early morning. I was reading my book at 4 am. Thank heavens for a good book. I was just thinking, worrying, stressing. What's got me going are all the loose ends that need tying up. Worrying about when I'll see my friend Lori again this week (she works), worrying that Scout's shots won't happen. Thinking about the 3 tiered packing that needs to be done. The stuff that gets packed into suitcases that comes with us, the stuff the packers pack, but doesn't go into storage, then all the rest of the stuff that gets stored. For who knows how long. Do I pack the bikes into storage or not??? Not, we'll need those ASAP. Will Scott be able to find all Hayden's little reader books he accidentally packed into the storage unit?? blah blah blah. You get the picture of the craziness going on inside my head. Then I sit there, or lay there, thinking about somebody else living in MY house. I don't like it. I feel possessive. Showering in my shower, opening my doors, flushing my toilet. I'm really kind of jealous actually. How dare they ;)

I'm so out of it today, and fidgety, I can't even do a Sudoku puzzle. Yes, I am a nerd and I like doing those. They keep my mind busy these days, when that's what I need-a little distraction. But, I can't even do those today. So, I blogged... again.

I didn't make the cut!

How's this for a pisser...okay, so remember Josh, my haircutter, who "stopped" cutting hair because he was just so super fabulous and his new product was too (he quit cutting hair to have more time to sell product)? Well, my pal Jennifer and I were in the gym locker room talking about getting our hair cut. We have both had to "find others" to do our hair. She went someplace and has been disappointed with her color and her cut, although I think it looks great. I liked my cut for a little while, but it just doesn't have that little edge. It's too blunt. Whatever. So we are chatting it up at the sink and enter *Kate*. She hears us talking and says, "Oh Josh cuts your hair too" or something like that anyway. Long story short, Josh still cuts her hair!!!! Out of his house!!! She made the cut, and we didn't!! We feel like cheerleaders that didn't make the squad. I told Jennifer I wouldn't buy his stupid product anymore, AND I was putting it on my blog, because that's how mad I was. haha Like he'd care ;) Do you know how many people I referred to him? You know how LONG I had been going to him?? *Kate* has been going to him for 2 years. That's it. We said what does she have that we don't?? Granted I'm leaving, and Jennifer gets her hair cut like every 12 weeks, but still. Don't lie to me man. Don't tell me you aren't taking any "special" clients when you are...taking a handful that is. Now, I'm going on a smear campaign. So, being the mature person that I am, I came home to find his card. To, to, to call him and tell him what I think, or at least to email him. Can't find an email either. His super fabulous website is still a work in progress. So, I placed a little phone call to a lady I know had her hair cut by him to see if she was one of the lucky few and/or to get a phone number. Just to let him know I think he sucks, and I'm not buying his dumb product anymore. :)

Moving on...I do have a hair appointment with somebody different tomorrow. Hopefully, she does a good enough job.

Just a few things I've got my eye on...

Pottery Barn

Love this table and hutch. I SOOOO have the perfect spot for it.
So, in an attempt to stay possitive on the whole, "yes we're moving, but not to our new house-YET" thing...I've decided to put a little spin on it if you will. You see, the new company is paying for our room and board once we move out of our house. SO, that means I'll be saying some $$. Will I save said $$??? Heavens no. I'll be buying up some fur-ni-ture, that's what I'll be doing. I "need" (notice the quotes) a new kitchen table, and well since my current dining room has been converted to a piano room/living room, I need a dining room table as well. I guess I like that Montego collection at the Pottery Barn. Although, Target does have some interesting pieces for a fraction of the cost. Maybe go nice for the dining room, and go cheaper for the kitchen??? Hmmmmm we shall see.

Target version of the Montego circle table. Shown here with the leaf. Not much different than the PB original...well except the price that is.

This table would be perfect in my entry way.

Who the heck is that lady and where is she from?

Hayden asked today, "Can we have a special dinner tonight?"

Me, "For what?"

Hayden, "Mom, today is President's Day!!!!"

Me, "Oh...well...I'll cook...dinner..."

Hayden ..............

Me, (I could tell THAT wasn't going over)"And we'll put out some candles to eat by!"

Hayden, "That's good."

I guess I didn't know President's Day was SUCH a big deal, but for Hayden it is. And so was Ground Hog Day.

Scott made it home Friday morning at about 6:30 AM. Remember, he likes the red-eye flight. He doesn't leave until 5:30 tonight, maybe Hayden is right about Pres. Day :) We did have a great weekend. Hannah had her sleepover birthday party Friday night, and it was better than expected. The girls all got along, the whole night-no fighting! Plus, it was really pretty low key. They played games (we had a speed game tournament), ate lots of pizza and junk, watched movies, I painted finger nails, they had a dance contest....hmmmm what else?? Can't think of anything now, but they had fun.

Hunter had a basketball tournament game, they lost. It was a great game though and they took 4th place in the tournament. And he found out he is now the first chair clarinet player in band. He was feeling pretty good about that.

Hayden (finally) learned to ride his bike. We waited long enough, because he got on and could ride! He could ride about a year ago, but wouldn't. This time he is all over it. He went out this morning before the bus to practice. He got on the seat and said his butt hurt. I'm sure it does. He also lost a front tooth. He told me last night, he "is like a six year old." You know, loosing a tooth AND riding a bike, big stuff. :)

And, I don't want to move. That move date is looming closer and closer and closer, and I can't stop it! How can I possibly move? How can I possibly leave my friends? Neighbors? My house? All the things that are special to me. I feel like a home sick 8 year old that has to call her Mom to pick her up from a sleepover. And believe me, I had to do that a time or two. We are still waiting to hear about the house. People ask me if I'm excited...I always say sure, because they don't want to hear the real answer ;) And I will go out there and be friendly (after all I'm Marleen's daughter AND I've lived in TX for the last 10 years for heavens sake, the people in WA will be wondering who the heck that lady is and where is she from ;) And yes, I will enjoy the weather and it is very pretty there. But...but...but...

age proof your brain

"They" say to keep your mind young, you should challenge it. "Cross train your brain. Do something new every week. It's not enough to do a crossword puzzle daily; you need to shake it up. Find 20 minutes, four times a week to do a variety of mentally stimulating activites. "

• Swich the newspaper that you read.
• Learn a new function on your cell phone.
• Drive a different route to work, even talk to a new person.
• Do Sudoku.
• Play online brain games. Like these.

Anyway, every couple of days I'll do some multiplication facts...just to be crazy ;) Here is a math problem that Hannah brought home today. She needed my help and it took me a few minutes to figure out. I'm sure I was missing some easy basic algebra fix, but I eventually figured it out. So here is to keeping our minds young...doing 3rd grade math. hahahaha. Sad that it took me 5 minutes to figure it out!!

Rosalie and Jenny played a number guessing game. Rosalile thought of 2 numbers and said,
"The sum of the numbers is 43 and the differnece is 9."

What 2 numbers was Rosalie thinking of?

**Give up-comments has the answer.

Diet.com Gym Equipment 101: Bosu Ball Exercise Video

You should always check the weather

I know that, but I don't always do that...check the weather that is. It was hot and muggy this morning, so everyone dressed for hot and muggy. BUT, I found out later, it's supposed to get down to the 30's by tonight. Crazy weather today, Texas style. I went for a run outside at the gym today (I take my cell phone with me and if Hope needs me, the kids club calls me). It's a wonderful thing, and I don't do it enough. After the run, my friend Jennifer and I worked out on the Bosu ball. Another lady came over and showed us some different exercises on it. My lets were shaking. I like that thing, and if my next gym doesn't have one (they better!) I'm going to buy one. Believe it or not, Walgreens.com sells them...for a good price! Go figure.

That's my friend Jennifer, I took a picture of her...J/K ;) I'm sure we looked that good though....

After the gym, Hope and I ran over to Costco. Yippee, they had the laundry sorter I've been wanting. I know I know, it's a laundry sorter, but hey, it's back again, and it had a $10 off coupon! It's just going to stay in the box until we move. Why bother getting it out?? I thought about buying a few, and I still might. I'll have to go scrounge up another coupon.

I'm just full of all kinds of pictures today. Anyway, during the Costco run, it started to rain. And mind you I live in Texas...everything is bigger in Texas, including rain storms. I like a big old fat thunderstorm, just not while I'm inside Costco. By the time we got to the car, Hope and I were drenched, and I still needed gas. Darn. I think I was on fumes, so I really needed gas. Hope giggled the whole way to the car, she loved it. It's 12:30, I showered, and I put my robe back on because I really was chilled to the bone ;)I know I've turned into a whimp. But I must finish getting dressed.

But one more thing, I have seen this bed before, but I saw it again and now it's on sale for $799. How much would my little pirate love this?? I am so tempted. It's solid wood...

Leatherheads

I want to see this movie. With George Clooney and John Krasinski, how could you go wrong.

See a clip here.

Oh my good-ness

Hope LOVES my exercise ball!!


Hope likes to go into rooms and shut the door, then knock on the inside of the door until somebody hears her and opens it. On Friday night I heard a faint little fuss, not really a cry...I go into the boy's room and find Hope at the top of the ladder, like the pictures above. Yikes!!

The kids like to watch Extreme Makeover:Home Edition. I watched a little tonight and it made me cry. Ahhh, I think I'm ready to start my period, and this move is getting to me ;) But I came down from putting Hope to bed,and those are the pieces of work that I found. Hunter in a book cover worn as a...hat-he said he looked like Batman when he pulled it down...hmmmm whatever. And Hannah and of course Hayden...in his undies. I love these pictures of Hope. Just love em, and thought I'd share some of her cuteness with you.

Lazy Sunday that wasn't so lazy

The kids and I just got back from a "nature walk" turned "Momma might as well get some exercise" walk. You know what I mean? We started just lolly gaggy (there's that word again) and it started feeling so good...I started workin' it. By the end we were falling apart though, at one point I had Hayden in the stroller and Hope in my arms. THAT didn't last long. But the whole walk thing was fun while it lasted and I actually burned a few calories while we were at it. I'm putting them all right back on though, by eating dried mangoes. Yummy. I don't know what to cook for dinner tonight. Nothing really sounds good. Well, at least nothing that I have the stuff to make. Hayley just called, and we are now having tacos.

We just got back from another walk/fishing trip to the park. I will not be bored today.

Oh oh oh, another thing that kind of made me laugh...awhile ago I posted about having patience. Specifically, how I have prayed for patience...I had a light bulb moment when I realized, when you pray for "patience" Heavenly Father doesn't "bing" give you more patience...he provides you with lots of opportunities to develope patience. Hence the whole waiting for the house thing. Well, today, I was explaining to someone about the house in WA, and I shared my whole patience experience. I told the person, I couldn't remember where I had heard it, maybe a talk or something. Hunter starts to laugh and says, "Mom you didn't hear that at church you heard it on Evan Almighty"!! Hahahaha, whatever, I don't care where I learned it, I liked it.

Walking to school

I am so amused this morning. So, my neighbor Kellie's kids are slow pokes getting ready in the morning. Like, they get up at a good time and spend the morning lolly gagging (is that really a word) around. She spent (past tense) her morning yelling and getting herself all worked up. UNTIL she bought this book Parenting With Love and Logic. It's all about teaching your kids responsiblity, in a loving, nurturing sort of way. Now, the kids get up and she doesn't interfer. She lets them make their own choices on what to wear, you get the picture. Usually, all has been well. There have been a few close calls with one daughter, but everyone has always made the bus. Not this morning, they both missed it. So, Kellie is sitting there with all of us, "what should I do??" Being the kind hearted soul that I am, I said "the natural consequence for missing the bus, is walking..." So the girls came out, and Kellie said "you missed the bus, get walking". I do enjoy natural consequences for my kids. But I too have noticed I'm having to monitor a little bit more and poke them along. Frustrating!! I am so proud of her, I know it's hard for her to let natural consequences happen, but I am so using her as MY example now. I'm looking, hunting for more natural consequences. So, so, so amused this morning. You should have seen the look on one of the girl's faces. Ahhhh, I know I'm evil, but I can't help it :)

Easy girl, down girl, whoaaaa!!

The Momma tiger is coming out, so watch out. So, tonight Hunter had a makeup basketball game. Long story but Saturday's game was rescheduled for tonight at 8 PM. That sucks. Considering, I'm a single parent right now. So, I got my lovely babysitter Kelsey to come over and watch the kids and put them to bed. All was going well. Hunter's game was very close they were winning/losing back and forth the whole game. Hunter's team has some good ol' Texas rednecks on it, well the parents anyway. There are 2 refs that kind of stink, and we had them tonight. At one point, the dude in charge of this league told our coach that OUR parents needed to chill out. I was just smiling sitting there amused at the Dad sitting by me yelling at his poor son (who was on the other team)"to get movin", and "to act alive, son". Whatever. I should have been paying attention to the dude that was talking/yelling at my own son. This fat, bald jerk was sitting on the other side of the gym. He yelled at Hunter a couple of times to "make better shooting choices" and he told Hunter at one point "he wasn't dribbling good tonight and needed to practice his dribbling skills". EXCUSE ME. Are you my son's coach... I don't think so. Hunter may or may not have been having an off game, he is a hustler on the court and usually is a little star out there...so grrrr. I'm so annoyed right now. He didn't tell me this until we were in the parking lot, in the car. I so will confront this lame-o next time I have the chance. And his son...chubby little kids that does nothing out there. Hello, try coaching your own son, not mine!!
**still no spellcheck.

Orange Rolls

I scanned these from my Lion House Cookbook for Natalie, and thought we might all need to make these. So, good!!! Go check out her blog, she gives pointers.

Is it just me or...

Is your spelling checker working on blogger, or is it just me?? Mine hasn't worked in a few days. HMMMM, just wondering.

Is it really February???

It's HOT here. It's almost 80* and VERY humid. I just have a "thing" about turning the A/C on a)in the winter and b) when I had the heater on just days ago. But I got over it, when I was sweating last night, and I heard the kids upstairs fighting over the one box fan that wasn't packed. Mind you we do have ceiling fans...it just was hot. But since I'm leaving Houston, and all things Texas are now perfect, I'm not complaining...really complaining that is.

Here is a picture of Hope that makes me laugh. She has a thing for Goldfish. This is right out of bed this morning, I did dress her because she pooped through her PJ's (we need bigger diapers :) Anyway, she was annoyed with me because I wouldn't get her some nish (Hope speak for goldfish). At least she wasn't on the ground throwing a fit, like she has started doing lately. I was on the phone with my Dad last night and she didn't get something she wanted and was really "giving it to me", when my Dad commented about "how vocal she is now". Vocal...you got that right!

I really must go shower. I have been busying...having fun today. I need to get ready for Hunter's Honor Band Concert tonight-before everyone makes it home from school. ha BBQ dinner to follow, oh yeah no cooking tonight!

What a fun weekend.

You wouldn't believe all the crap everybody brought up. Blow up mattress, sleeping bags, pillows, food, bags...blah blah blah.
A Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. I didn't touch this, but Hannah did. I did however, touch a Python. I don't really know why I did it, but I did. After I touched it, one other Momma did too. I really do hate snakes, but...I don't know I guess I was just crazy.
Hannah and her friends.

Scott came home this weekend. It's always a good weekend when he comes home. (just a side note, we have one more 2 week stretch without him, then he comes home for the weekend, and then he comes home the next weekend to pack up with us and he is with us for the week until we move out to WA-so the end is in sight!) Anyway, he came home early...Thursday, he was on buisness and just came home instead of going back to WA for a day. It was nice. AND it also made it so I could go with Hannah on a Brownie retreat. All the girls and their Moms went to Moody Gardens and stayed over night at the Rain Forest Pyramid. We slept all together in a big conference room, with lots of blow mattress. It was suprisingly quiet...come midnight. It was only our troop, and the girl were kept very busy, by some Moody Garden workers. All the moms loved it ;) We did go on a walk in the "rain forest". It was cool. Lots off cool animals and plants. We went back hours later for a mid night walk in the rainforest-it was very dark, and we had to use flashlights. Our guide warned us about the cockroaches and mice that come out at night, that we might see. One Mom told a story about a friend that did this midnight walk and had a cockroach fall on her head. Yikes. Anybody that had a hoody on, put it up and tied it. I did. To hear the lady talk I thought we were going to be crunching roaches with every step, but we weren't. We saw only a handful of roaches and NO mice. Hey, I'm from Houston, I have seen a roach or two. They took the girls into another room, for some hands on experience with some other animals. This is where I touched the snake. Very cool. We have free rain in this big building. I kept thinking about how it was like Night at the Museum. Anyway, it was fun. Hannah had a great time, even though I may or may not have "kicked" her off the air mattress in the middle of the night (by accident). I had fun with her and I had fun with some of my friends that went up on the overnighter too. Mommas still like sleepovers too, if it's with the right people.

Hannah just had quite the day. Later that afternoon, she and I went to the mall. She had a birthday party to go to at Little Diva's, it's like Libby Lu's. Then right after that, she got to go with another friend to the Hannah Montana movie. Wow, what a weekend for her. She even managed to squeeze in some Daddy time on Sunday.

Bummer about the Patriots. We wanted them to win. We went to a party and we were in the minority though. But that's, okay. The party was still fun and the food was great too.

Scott left early this morning. Bummer. He just called and said he got "stuck" in coach next to some lady flying back from Florida right out of rehab. He said she was shaking and rocking back and forth the whole time. Nice. AND she kept wanting to talk about it. Anyway, I hear Hope awake from her nap, it's back to buisness.

Finally!

I finally did it, I got new bras! It's been what...a little over a month since I stopped nursing Hope, and let me tell you...I really needed some new bras!! It sure didn't take me but a couples of days to go back to "myself" (aka flat as a board!) Boo-hoo. I usually like to go to Nordstrom's for bra shopping, but the mall closest to me doesn't have a Nordstrom's, so I went to Macy's and let the lady there measure me. I know I've talked about this before, but those people at Nordstrom are something else. Beware, they do come into the fitting room with you. BUT, they get you hooked (haha get it) up with some bras that really fit you. Luckily, I have been educated by Oprah ;) and the Nordstrom lady about what to look for in a bra, and when they do and don't fit. I got a couple of these iBras from Wacoal. LOVE them. So comfy, and so seamless. So, if YOU haven't been measured lately, go get measured. They say you should be measured once a year!! What a difference a good, well fitting bra makes.