The SKY IS FALLING!

Or, the HORSEMEN ARE APPROACHING!!

Or some other random "The end of the world is near" phrase.

This incredibly handsome man:

Spent ALL DAY yesterday scrubbing the bathrooms. 

ALL DAY.

SCRUBBING.

WITH A TOOTHBRUSH.

SCRUBBING.

USED UP EVERY OUNCE OF BATHROOM CLEANER I HAD.

ALL DAY.

Now, my husband is a very good provider and caretaker.  And he will occasionally do the dishes or make dinner. 

He almost always takes out the trash.  And he keeps a mighty spiffy yard. 

He can even fold laundry (even if I sometimes refold the towels and sheets).

But, he gags at the thought of cleaning a bathroom. 

I think maybe it was my anniversary gift.  Or maybe he just decided that I wasn't keeping the grout spiffy enough.

Who cares. 

It translated into AMAZINGLY shiny bathrooms. 

And I decluttered and cleaned elsewhere, and we ended up with a shiny clean house by the end of the day. 

He is sooooo my favorite right now!

Big Boy

Friday night, Ryan spent his first night in his new bed in his new room.

He inherited Evan's twin bunk beds.

Evan has moved up ... errr down... to a full sized bed.

In his new room!

Which, if you've been following along means:

The basement is done.

Well, mostly done. 

There are a few little things we need to finish up.

A full tour coming soon!

Oh yeah, THAT's why!

Sometimes, I think to myself, "WHY ON EARTH DID YOU HAVE A SECOND CHILD???"

Not that I don't love Ryan, but OH MAN, is he tough. 

Evan was a breeze compared to Ryan.  

And I'll admit that I sometimes think Mark and I deserve a trip to the loony bin for thinking a second was a good idea.  (And honestly, who on earth REALLY thinks two is easier than one??)

And then something happens... like what happened this afternoon... and I remember. 

Today, we received a call from Evan's school.

Evan had fallen and hit his head.  He was hurting pretty bad (not hurt bad, just in pain). 

I rushed over to pick him up with Ryan in tow. 

Evan was crying when we walked into the office, and Ryan was instantly concerned. 

"Ebon?? Ebon, what's ong?" (Evan, what's wrong?)

"Ebon??  Ebon??  Owie??"  Concern was practically dripping from his little voice.  Ryan turned on his "I can be a model child when I want to" attitude, and listened and followed directions as we checked out Evan's wounds, stared into his eyes to check his pupils and the teacher explained what happened.  Seriously, the kid has never been so well behaved!

As soon as we got into the car, Evan broke down into big crocodile tears.  He obviously had been trying to be tough at school, and just needed to release. 

Ryan reached across the backseat, grabbed hold of the arm of his big brother's shirt and pulled him into a hug. 

"Ebon, it's okay, Ebon."

"Ebon?  Hold hand?" 

They held hands the entire ride home. 

Oh MY GOSH!!!  I should invest in Kleenex if this is going to be a regular occurrence in our life!!!

Ten Years Ago Today

Oh, how I love this man!

When I grow up...

Lately, Evan has been talking a lot about what he wants to be when he grows up.  An astronaut.

Yesterday, he told me not to worry.  It will be safe.   His shuttle won't blow up like the Challenger did.

UGH!!! 

When I was looking through pictures of our recent trips to the park, I found this picture of Evan... reaching for the sun... holding it.

*sigh.

Why do they have to grow up and do dangerous things??

Baby Crafts

A pregnant friend ask me if I could make her a few photography props she had seen on Etsy.   They were fun, quick projects... and super simple once I figured out the basic idea!

So, first, the inspiration: Baby Cocoon

And next, Elmo modeling my finished project!

And next:  Hammock

And Stuffy modeling my version.

And last, a cute little headband for the Grandbaby of a different coworker. 

Sunday Morning Shine

A carry over from Mark's military past is a perfectly shined shoe.

I remember when Evan was little, he would sit at Mark's side as he went through the steps that were literally drilled into him.  He would watch intently with each swipe of the brush and swirl of the polish.

As I stood this morning and watch from the doorway as Ryan did the same, it was a very powerful moment. 

As a mom, there are certain things you do for your children.  You kiss the owies, you fill their tummies, soft and loving.

As a dad, there are others.  Mark is an amazing father.  He's tough, and sets the bar high.   He's quiet and strong.  He leads his sons by example. 

He doesn't wear his heart on his sleeve, and his praise must be earned.  But he's also the type of man who will sit on the back steps and teach his sons to polish their shoes.  To fish, change the oil, mow the lawn.

Rainy Sunday Afternoon Cookies

Well, this weekend has been a rough one for my little family.  A very important person in my husband's life passed away. 

The rain and clouds are nice.   While I wouldn't say the mood in the house is "depressed", it's definitely quiet... solemn. 

I threw some stew into the crock pot, and started making some bread to go with it after lunch.

Mark walked up behind me, looked in the bowl, and said, "Bread??  Wouldn't you rather make some cookies??"

Having been on a diet for the last few months, my baking supplies where quite low. 

After staring into the pantry and cupboards for a few minutes... I came up with a plan.

Here's what you need:

A cake mix (ours was Triple Chocolate Chunk) 1/2 cup of crunchy peanut butter, and two eggs.  Toddler optional, however I must say, he was my secret ingredient. 

Just mix it all together.  Roll into 1 inch balls, flatten slightly, and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 8 minutes. 

While waiting for the 8 mins it takes for the cookies to bake, enjoy the toddler... and let him lick the peanut butter on off the spatula.

The cookies were best right out of the oven...

and when shared with your brother.  And maybe along side a glass of milk. 

Ryan's Obsession.

Remember THIS .

He's still obsessed. 

He cried when I made him leave the vacuum aisle.  And then called over his shoulder, "Bye vacuums!  have a good day!!"

Coming Soon!

NEW POSTS!!!

Life exploded, work is crazy, basement SOOOOOOOOO very close to done, very important family things to tend to.

Yada yada yada.

Same excuses, different period of my life!

Ha!

Lots of stories to come.

See ya then.

WW: Month 2

Remember THIS flattering picture??

I had Evan take a new one the other day:

It's a little blurry...  BUT, you might notice that there is only ONE roll now!!  And while there is still back fat, the extra room in the shirt helps hide it.

Happy Dancing is appropriate right now!

Obviously, I still have a ways to go, and while my weight is changing more slowly, I'm losing still.

I'm fitting into my clothes much better, and have dropped at least one size.  It's hard to say since I was wearing a size too small, and now I'm fitting comfortably into the next smaller size... and one or two pieces are even the next smaller size!

The very best part is this:  I am eating NORMALLY... well, "normally" as in I'm not agonizing over how many points I have left, I'm not weighing and measuring obsessively.  I am simply eating, making healthy choices, but eating what I feel like, and keeping my eye on the goal. 

This is my favorite part of the Weight Watchers program.  As you start down the path, it gives you enough structure to start you loosing and at the same time the freedom to find your grove without feeling deprived.

I've lost 16 lbs. 
I have 9 more to go to be at my first goal, which is where I was before Ryan.   That's my first goal.  I haven't thought much beyond that. 

But I'm thinking that by June, I better start figuring it out, because that first goal is approaching fast!

It's hypnotic, it's enticing, it's soothing...

It's the wind.  Plain and simple.

I'm not sure what it is about putting your hand out a car window... on a warm spring day... it's so relaxing, and ... enchanting??  It helps you think... the thoughts flow through your mind like the air through your fingers.

And I let Ryan experience it on Saturday...

Not on purpose mind you... I just rolled down his window... all the way... and he found his way to the feeling all on his own.  (And don't worry, we were at a stop light when I took this!)

His little hand can just barely get out there, but it was enough.

And of course, Evan taught him how to fly. 

Because that is what brothers do. 

They teach you to fly.

A little dramatic... but still fitting.

I've heard this song before this morning, but this morning I actually seemed to HEAR it.  

Thanks Linkin Park... 

Every time I feel like walking out the door, or giving into the tears... this is what I keep replaying in my head, and it's only been an hour and half, but it's worked so far...

When you were standing in the wake of devastation

when you were waiting on the edge of the unknown

with the cataclysm raining down, insides crying save me now

you were there and possibly alone.

 Do you feel cold and lost in desperation

you build up hope, but failure's all you've known

remember all the sadness and frustration

and let it go, let it go. 

Dino-Craze

Evan has been studying dinosaurs in school, and much like his mother... he becomes obsessed with NEW ideas/information/facts and MUST incorporate these topics into his life.

Therefore, dinosaurs (and other ancient lizards, because as I have been informed no less than 1000 times, not ALL of them are dinosaurs, for example, a pteranodon is a FLYING lizard, NOT a dinosaur.)

ANYWAY... Evan was assigned stegosaurus for his FIRST big report, so this was his biggest obsession.  He was assigned his report over the first weekend of April, and since it snowed, he made a stegosaurus instead of a snowman!

Everything he can associate with or make into a dinosaur, he does.  For example, while playing with his brother, he convinced him to make a dinosaur village.  And of course, since brother was more into playing Godzilla on the Dino village, Evan asked if I could please take a picture so that it would "Last forever!"

And, much to Evan's delight, his class field trip this year will be to the Dino museum in Lehi.  He LOVES it there, however, we haven't been since Ryan was a baby.  Ryan's currently at that in between age where taking him places like that are pure torture for everyone.  A chance for Evan to go with his friends and without Screamy, is almost more than he can handle!

A Quilt for Emma B

A now FORMER employee is expecting her first child... due in June. 

Her adorable name (the baby, not the mom) is Emma Barbara... Emma B.  How cute is that?? 

I have a feeling that this little girl is going to redefine the word cute.

I hope she likes her quilt...

My favorite part is the little hot pink flap the pokes out of the binding and covers some of the stop border. 

Awwww, I think the snow is gone for a few months.

And look what it left behind!!

In honor of Cinco de Mayo: My favorite Queso Recipe

Want to WOW! your guests??  Have a potluck coming up at work, and want something CHEAP to cement your "I'm awesome" status??  If you like Chili's Skillet Queso, it's very simular.

Super easy, and you only have to let them in on the "semi-homeade" recipe if you feel so inclined!

BUY:
1/2 lb of ground beef
1 jar of Taco Bell Queso dip (medium)
1 16 oz can of Bush's chili beans*
Tortilla chips

Cook:
Ground beef until browned.  No need to even add anything.  Seriously.  Also, if you have leftover taco meat, just use that.  Sometimes, after taco night, I throw the left over meat into a freezer bag JUST for this dip!

Mix:
Everything... preferrably into a small crock pot.  If you don't have one, just use a microwaveable bowl.  "(If it's for my family, I add a few dashes of hot sauce.)

Heat:
Until warmed and bubbly.

Eat:
With tortilla chips.  Add some sides of guac and/or salsa. 

*I am a firm believe in Bush's Beans.  They have a texture that is as good as fresh cooked beans, unlike other canned beans... however, I haven't really been using them since I got my electric pressure cooker.  I now make huge batches of beans and freeze them in ziplock baggies.  But seriously, Bush's Beans are worth the few extra nickels over the other brands!

The Toddler Laws of Property

My parents gave this tshirt to Ryan.

And it's way to accurate!

In case you can't read the shirt:

1. If I touch it, it's mine.

2. If I want it, it's mine.

3. If it's yours, it's mine.

4. If I look at it, it's mine.

5. If I think it's mine, it's mine. (Ryan's favorite.)

The Fart Book

Remember when I posted about Ryan and his, "Mommy, Mommy, I Tooooottttttted!" comments.

As I was looking through the pictures from our trip, I think I figured out where his new obsession came from.

It was one of those sound books, where you push the button, and it makes noise... in this case, a sampling of different types of farts (luckily, it was not a scratch and sniff too!).

I must have blocked it from my memory... but after seeing the picture, I remembered the hours (okay, maybe 10 mins) of entertainment this classy book provided to the two year old.   I'm pretty sure he stayed interested in it longer than he did in dying Easter eggs.

Boys. 

They're just gross.

I NEED Therapy

Creative Therapy people!!  (Although, I'm sure the other kind wouldn't hurt!)

Unfortunately, our house is STILL in limbo.

This is what my future craft room looked like before I left for Montana:

Which is WAY more awesome that what it looked like in March:

 

But still a far cry from what it looks like in my mind:

Picture from:
http://www.roomdesignworld.com/





Okay, not really, since.... uhhh.... until we replenish the old savings account, I will be using a banquet table as a scrap desk.... and that is currently what I have in my head... along with a bookcase and a few cute storage items I've gathered along the way...

BUT I'm getting off point here.

It's been really hard to be creative the last month or so because all the storage that I would normally keep in the basement, has been crammed into my pantry... which is also where I store my crafting madness.  (That is until MY ROOM IS COMPLETE!!!)

I have been working on a few other projects... mostly yarn or fabric based.  My two big projects were both gifts, and I finished them this weekend... pictures to come later, after I give them to their rightful owners... and now I'm ready to start something.

And I can't.  Well, I could... but it would be more hassle, and less therapy.  Which defeats the purpose.

So while I am OVERJOYED at the thought of a room for my stuff... I am impatient... and antsy... and what I do I normally do when I'm antsy?? I CRAFT!!!  UGH! 

So, let's keep our fingers crossed.  If everything goes smoothly, we're looking at two weeks.  Which is two weeks longer than it was suppose to take... but I think my sanity will hold out. 

And if not, I will pack up my scrap gear and go spend the weekend with my friend Robyn...

Which I might do anyway...

Easter

So, I felt REALLY sad about it, but we left Mark at home in Utah over Easter. 

BUT we did get to play with Grandma and Grandpa.

Grandpa started the boys off coloring eggs.

I'm not going to lie, they were into it for only a short time... but for a short time, they totally digged it. 

I finished them off... and DANG IT, I ENJOYED IT!!

The Montana Easter Bunny comes on Saturday... which worked out well, since we were leaving in the morning on Sunday... and there are a couple of things Evan pointed out about MT vrs UT Bunny:

1. He's SNEAKY.  What the heck is that about???  He actually HID the Easter Baskets!!   Also, he waited until we went over to the hotel to swim, and then snuck in the house in the MIDDLE OF THE AFTERNOON!!!  Sneaky little bunny!

2. He has better candy.  AND LOTS MORE OF IT!!  Honestly... like triple what stingy Utah Bunny leaves... AND instead of one or two types of run of the mill candy, it was COOL stuff... Carrots filled with Pixie Dust, a chocolate egg with a marshmallow bunny inside, peeps, suckers, eggs full of gummies and robin eggs.... way better than the butterfingers and Reese's the Ut Bunny left for Dad.

We had a wonderful Easter Dinner that my mom made... complete with sweet potato biscuits and brussel sprouts... two of my favorites. 

It was a lot of fun, and of course, after dinner, we had to go swimming again...