Monday, June 14, 2010

A little more than kissed

I'm downright sunburned!!! I woke up redder than I went to bed...did someone put tanning lights in our bedroom without me noticing!?!?!? I think I even burned the hair follicles on my scalp!! I can see the red where my part is....but it hurts even to touch the hair!!! OUCH!!! Thankfully I'm a faithful aloe user...and that stuff feels SOOO nice and cool on the skin!!! Its like my skin sighs with relief when I put it on! lol

Today wasn't as sunny...but it was dry!! So we're up to 3 days in a row now...not too shabby!! I was able to get out in the garden this afternoon too and check on its progress....and I learned a lesson...not to plant things too deep in the soil...those new growths aren't strong enough to break thru...and with all the rain we've had, it just made the earth that much heavier! I did some surface recon today and uncovered a BUNCH of new growth starts...this excites me!!!! I was beginning to think all was lost...but its not!! YAY!!! Howie also got me a piece of the chicken wire cut so the peas will have a little something to climb up! When the beans and cukes are ready, they'll get their own. I think the cauliflower and broccoli are done....they got too wet and didn't make it. In the next couple weeks I'll replant them so I can have a late summer crop of them.

Interestingly sad fact....we have not had a day over 75 degrees since September 23rd OF LAST YEAR!!!!!! Apparently yesterday we only got to 74 at Seatac where they take "official" temps for record keeping...that's insane!!!! Come on summer!!!!

I also got 4 loads of  laundry done...even dried a comforter on the back deck in the half sun...man, it sure smells GOOD!!! I just love that outdoor dried smell! I sure wish Howie would give in and create me a laundry line...I'd love to dry our clothes out there!! The sun is amazing!

This afternoon I had to return the movie we rented and pick up a couple things...so I did that while everyone watched Toy Story...the first one. DJ had never seen it and was enthralled!! I recorded it yesterday, so we have it on DVR for him to watch whenever. When they got done watching it Howie discovered a Buzz Lightyear movie on...we missed the first 20 minutes of it, but DJ didn't care!!! I just love how Sam says it too "Buhh lighyer" but she knows!! Hearing her say "To infinity and beyond" is just too comical!!!

After dinner, which was YUMMY!!, I bathed the kids...all that playing yesterday and today had to get washed off!! Then once they were in bed, it was my turn! Which is how I know my hair follicles got burnt...they hurt to wash! I did put aloe in my hair last nite, and may do so in a few minutes when I go to bed.

Ohhh I made a deal with the devil Howie...that if he took care of the kitty litter, I'd make him a batch of caramel corn every week....he took it!!!! This pleases me to NO end!!!! Since not doing it for the past 5 years, I've kind of gotten spoiled!! Twice now the cat's peed on the bed in anger at me, so to avoid this, Howie has the chore...while I slave at the stove to make him caramel corn! Win win if you ask me!!!!

Speaking of...guess I'd better get busy making more for my parents arrival...my dad LOVES the stuff!!! It is really good!! And soooooooo bad for you!!! lol

Til next time...pray for safety for all troops!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Sunkissed

From the word "GO" its been sunny today!!! Oh what glorious sunshine!!! And on our way home this afternoon it was 78 degrees!!! We've been waiting for a day like this since September of last year!!!! Well, not quite, but it sure feels like it!

I'm sure there are MANY sunburned people in PNW....there will be many moans and groans tomorrow! I'm thankfully not one of them! I was smart enough to put my SPF on! And the kids too! Even thru the sunshine lotion, SamSam had a little pink in her cheeks...and DJ got some more brown on his arms. He got blessed with the Hughes skin tones...and they tan VERY well!!! Sam, she got my alabaster colouring that will tan, but wants to go lobster-like first. If only we were back in the 1800's where it was "cool" to be untanned!!!

This morning I stepped out of my box....so to speak....I made an appt with my unit manager with Avon and she came out to show me the ropes about going door to door. I keep driving by these neighbourhoods where the houses are grand and thinking it'd be great to have a couple clients in there! So, today, she and I went walkin and knockin!!! I got 8 names in an hour to follow up with....so that's 8 names more than I had before!!! Some were very receptive and eager to talk...others, not so much! but that's life. All but one don't have an Avon rep...so its mine for the taking!! And they don't have anyone in the area that they remember. Even better!!

Almost as soon as I got back we took off again.....Jake was playing football (throwing games they call them) with school. They only wore helmets and no pads....so, no contact. Just a way to get a look at the competition for the upcoming season. Jake's team won all 5 games!! We only stayed for 3 of them....each game was only a half hour long. But that's still 2 and a half hours of football in the hot sun! He called earlier this evening and sounded tired according to Howie.

On our way home we stopped by "the trailer" and noticed a lot of activity! We arrived just as they were unloading two runs of stuff....so I was able to do more 'shopping' and round out all the stuff we got from yesterday. We're fully stocked in the food dept again! I love this!!! I got eggs, raspberries, cookies, scones, cauliflower, and pickles. We had some pickles with dinner and they were YUMMY!! DJ decided he REALLY likes bread and butter pickles!! And after 9 years together, I learned something new about my husband....he likes to dip bread and butter pickles in blue cheese dressing. Yeah, go ahead and scrunch up your face...even say "ew" if you want to....I tried it....won't be doing it again!! Pickles are just fine on their own! lol

Once we had the kids in bed (which DJ was a struggle due to his nap in the truck on the way home) Howie and I watched From Paris With Love with John Travolta....its such a guy movie!! Lots of shoot 'em up bang bang! I will say tho, the story line was good!!! There were a couple times I even said out loud "I didn't see that coming!" ....but definitely a man's movie!! Howie thoroughly enjoyed it tho! Even stayed awake for the whole thing...so that right there says something! :)  Once he went to bed I watched a movie I'd recorded on dvr...as soon as it started I remembered seeing it before...but only vaguely...so I watched it again! What a touching movie! The Memory Keeper's Daughter Even tho I'd seen it already and knew how it went...I still was left bawling at the end!! Damn hormones!

Now, it's beddy bye time...I hear my pillows whispering my name!!

Til next time...pray for safety for all troops!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

I just love

Sleeping in that extra hour or so on Friday mornings!!! Truly!! Even DJ last nite when I said to him "I'll see you in the morning" while tucking him in, he says to me "No Mum, I'll see DADDY first!!" To be honest, I'm not sure who's more excited for Friday mornings....him or me! :D

When I did get up, they were both fed, and still in their pj's...which is more than fine with me! They were even playing very well together come to think of it....usually I hear screaming/squealing when I'm in the dozy last hour...today, nothing! Even more perfect!!

The sun was our friend today too!! It rained over nite and everything was wet, but at least the sun was out and making the attempt to dry everything. I love looking over the railing of the back deck and seeing the green of my garden. I can see tho, that some of my seeds didn't take. *sigh* But that's okay, a friend of ours has starts for watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew...and I get some when its time to plant! So at least I'll have room!!!

Around 11 we took off for town to pick up some $$ owed by an Avon client and then to get cat litter...we can NOT afford to run out! lol On the way home we stopped at "the shed" to see what was dropped off on yesterday's glean...and while I was there a lady dropped off her run, so I was able to help unload and put things away. That also meant I got to glean some of the better looking stuff...and stuff I wouldn't normally see. So, we had pizza tonite for dinner!! YUM!!! It was only cheese, but I didn't have time to add to it. Once Sam woke up from her nap, she and I headed back to the shed to help clean up the new trailer that we're moving into. I have such an amazing kid...she sat in the truck very happily playing with DJ's sunglasses and watching Horton while I worked my butt off for an hour and a half. Lara's son David and Anneke's son Travis were there to entertain her for a bit too. She just enjoyed herself immensely! And we got A LOT done today!! All of the food that wasn't in the fridge/freezer was moved over....and as we moved it, we cleaned every surface GOOD! I had fun too!

So by the time we got home after 6 and got dinner going it was just about 7 when we finished and these children NEEDED a bath!! DJ especially since he'd been out playing all day. I finally took a nail brush to his toe nails in the bath...glad he thinks it tickles and is fun...those suckers were D I R T Y!!


Howie came home from work just as I was getting started washing DJ up...and then took over with the bed time routine of reading to them before putting them in bed. Once they were sound asleep, and Howie ate his dinner, we sat relaxing watching the opening ceremony of the World Cup. Quite the diverse group of performers!! Some of the music was just bizarre!! Great rhythms tho!!!

Now, I'm heading to bed...got a REAL busy day tomorrow!!! And I started reading a book I borrowed from my neighbour....Dave Ramsey  I've been wanting to read it for a while now...so far I'm still in the early chapters and haven't learned anything yet. I'll keep ya posted!

Til next time...pray for safety for all troops!

Friday, June 11, 2010

You know its summertime programming

When you watch movies on Lifetime!!!  Tonite's movie was Speak with Kristen Stewart...from the Twilight mania...she was the reason I watched it. It was kinda slow...but that could be because I missed the first 20 minutes. And yet, I don't feel like I missed much due to flashbacks. In the end...it made me cry....I pray nothing like that EVER happens to my daughter...and at the same time, I pray we have the kind of relationship that I have with my mom...I could tell her anything. Might take a few weeks to spit it out, but eventually I told her everything. I hope I don't become an ignorant mom that doesn't pay attention to her kids emotions and what messages they send off physically, not just verbally.

Ok, enough of that! Today we woke up to dryness....then the sun joined us! So while the kids were playing downstairs, K came over and knocked on the door to see if  DJ could come out and play. He sure could!! He's never gotten dressed faster either!!! ha! That kid flew out of his pj's and into his clothes!!!

By lunch, the sun was shining and the boys and Sam had lunch out on the deck at the picnic table...I can see this being a daily thing once the sun decides to be daily....please, let the sun be daily!!! By 2 something the rains had joined us...and were pouring down from the skies!! The boys came in to play....Sam joined them when she woke up. Then they wanted to watch a movie...so I put on Cars for them to watch!

Howie came home with a headache and went and laid down since the kids were occupied with their movie. Once dinner was well under way, we sent K home for his own dinner at his house. The boys were begging for a sleep over...we'll have to schedule one for sometime soon!!

After dinner Howie watched last nite's Stanley Cup winning game (Thank you God!!) since he was out at Jake's game instead of home watching it. He got home too late last nite too, to watch it...but I did offer!!! He already knew who won, so it was kind of past importance. He did watch it tonite to see the goals and plays. I went and coloured my hair and had a shower. A much needed dye job!!! I didn't get my normal colour, number 81, as they no longer make it...boo!!!! So tonite was the first time with number 73....so far, its much darker than what I'm used to...hopefully the sun lightens it up big time!!!

Now, I'm off to bed....I have no book to read...and I'm all caught up in my mags....boo!

Til next time...pray for safety for all troops!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

The Belt Buckle goes to...

Tonite was the CMT awards....for you non-Country music fans...this is a fan voted awards show! And much more relaxed than other awards shows! One day....I WILL be in audience!!!! Mark my words!! My goal is to be there for CMA Fest in 2015...got that Howie?? lol He knows I'm such a planner...so he knows I'm semi-serious about this! I have a twitter friend who was in attendance at tonite's awards show...SO jealous with every bone in my body!!!!!! Hence the declaration!

Today was more rain....are ya shocked??Yeah, neither were we!! We had a play date planned for today too....a trek around Tye Lake with DJ on his bike...and then a picnic at their awesome park...so instead I had Howie bring in the picnic table last nite just in case....good thing too!

Before Kody and her girls arrived the kids and I went to town to pick up some money owed for Avon...get some stamps....and get new books at the library. Remind me not to get 8 books for the kids at one time again....I had to read them ALL before dinner!!! And stupid me picked up longer books too!! There were two Dr Seuss books that had me rhyming in my head long afterwards....and one of them was a tongue twister book...damn!!! I was spitting all over myself to say them right! DJ just laughed!

We got home with a bit of time to spare before Kody arrived....and my kids were thrilled to see them again. It'd been a while! And they all took off running and playing and yelling and laughing...it was good! Perfect for indoorness. Lunch was done in shifts as my kids were hungry sooner...and actually it worked out well! Then the snacking began...that was funny!! Each kid wanting something different...and DJ just eating whatever was out there! We did FINALLY finish off DJ's birthday cake!! Whew! Small pieces make it last too long! Thanks for the cake help Kody, Emma and Isobel!

They left while the sun was shining....so when Sam got up we headed outside...next door kids were out too, so it was all good!! Howie wasn't coming home in time for dinner as he was spectating at Jake's baseball game. After all the wacky weather we'd been having, I wasn't sure if he'd get to play or not.They lost and Howie wasn't home til just about 9. I'd just sat down to watch the CMT awards....so he joined me for an hour and then headed to bed.

I have to say...I"m THRILLED with all the winners!!! They all deserve to win! The only serious beef I have with this year's broadcast ....the host!! Kid Rock is NOT country and shouldn't be hosting!!! He's crass and comes across as a moron!! And honestly...a RAP song as an opening act didn't sit well with me!! I don't care  if he involved 15 country acts...and the song has the word "cowboy" in it...its NOT country!!

Ok, rant over! lol Now, it's time to get to bed.....I laid down on the couch while the noodles were cooking for dinner and near fell asleep!!! Sheesh!! I washed my pillows thanks to cat pee...and now I can't sleep on them...urgh!

Til next time...pray for safety for all troops!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow

Bet yer bottom dollar that tomorrow....we'll have rain!!!

Oh that ISN'T how the song goes!?!?!?!?! HA That's the PNW version!!! justsoyaknow!

We did have sun today tho!! Glorious, 73 degree sun!!! Right from the get go too! This morning we had a picnic to attend! So I was ever so grateful to see the sun shining down on us! With not a cloud in sight! Sweet!!!

We were late leaving thanks to Miss B and her bad hearing...I swear this dog is deafer than me!! It took me 15 minutes to get her in the house around 10:30....so at 11:30 when we're ready to go out the door, what do the kids do...open it and let the dogs out!!! URGH!!!!!! Again, it took me 15 minutes to get her wandering butt in the house so we could leave! Calling for cookies didn't work...so I called Howie and had him on speakerphone and made him call her...it sorta worked...she wanted to know where he was!

We made it to the park shortly after 12, but luckily no one had started eating yet. My two took off running to play with the other kids there. We had 6 kids in our group, so that was good! It wasn't so much a tea party this time as it was last time, but it was fun!!! We let the kids run around more after lunch and then pulled them in for a craft....we made hats out of paper to go with the masks we made last time! I did more of it than they did, but they liked them...and liked wearing them!

About 2 we left and hit up Goodwill...I'm in search of a wrought iron shelving thing for out on the deck to get the planters up off the wood deck. I didn't see anything...but did get a Martha Stewart gingham valance for the kitchen. Now all I need is a tension rod and we're good to go!  Then we drove to Target to pick up SamSam's pix....they came in last week but I had no time to go get them...and I was hoping to meet up with Stephanie, my twitter friend, who works there and she actually did the picture taking. Alas, it didn't work out, she was on call for 3 but wasn't needed til 5...so like ships in the night, we missed each other.

Speaking of ships........have y'all seen this show Whale Wars??? I have a local mom friend who's been going on about it on her facebook so tonite I found it in On Demand and watched the first episode of season 2. I wasn't enthralled, but I am curious to see how it pans out...so will watch another epi or so. But what does that say about Lost??  I have 458437609 episodes in DVR to watch and I'd rather watch something new? hmmmmmm 

Oh well....I know I'll watch it eventually! Tonite was also the season finale of Glee...I can not put into words how much I absolutely LOVE this show!! Tonite gave me chills!!! Just listening to them sing that Journey medley was awesome!!!! I can't wait for the Fall when it comes back on. I did see that they're starting the season again on Thursdays at 8 pm...so if you haven't watched this show...now is your time to catch up and get just blown away!!! I plan on watching it all again!!



Now, I'm heading to bed....I did a half hour on the treadmill tonite while watching Jillian Michaels new show Losing It  which is really good!!! Teary, but good!! Motivating!!!

Til next time...pray for safety for all troops!

Monday, June 7, 2010

My Wish For You

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,



and each road leads you where you want to go,


and if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,


I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.


and if one door opens to another door closed,


I hope you keep on walkin' 'til you find the window,


if it's cold outside,


show the world the warmth of your smile,


but more than anything, more than anything,






My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,


your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,


You never need to carry more than you can hold,


and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,


I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,


Yeah, this, is my wish.






I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,


all the ones who love you, in the place you left,


I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,


and you help somebody every chance you get,


Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,


and always give more then you take.






But more than anything, Yeah, and more than anything,






My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,


your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,


You never need to carry more than you can hold,


and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,


I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,


Yeah, this, is my wish.

Happy Birthday to my first born son!! 4 years ago right now I was in awe! Pure awe of you! Raw awe of you!!!

I can hardly believe its only been 4 years since I became a Mum. Some days feel like 4 years!!! Most days are just amazing because you're in them and such an amazing, smart, incredible kid! AND you're MY kid!

Don't ever think for one second you weren't wanted...we tried desperately to have you for a few years. It finally came down to getting medical help as I had a condition that wouldn't allow me to get pregnant naturally (which Samantha shattered!) so we chose the medical route to ensure us having a child together. I'm so incredibly grateful that we were able to have success on the first try as this baby making business is NOT cheap!

My 40 weeks and 4 days of pregnancy with you were incredible!!! We bonded before you were even here!! It wasn't the smoothest of pregnancies, I was monitored pretty closely for gestational diabetes, but managed to avoid medicine by watching what I ate. And, even tho you weighed in at 10 lbs 15 oz (YES, that IS close to 11 lbs) I only managed to gain 3.5 lbs throughout the whole pregnancy. Truly a miracle in my eyes!! :)

I tried picking your birthday....June 1st....but after 8 hours at the hospital with several methods tried, you wouldn't budge! So we went home to wait another week. My due date was June 3rd....and the next chance to induce with my doctor was June 7th...so we signed up for an induction. All day June 6th your dad was in a panic as we didn't want your birth date to be 06/06/06...doesn't sound promising!

At 4:11 am on June 7th I went into labour...naturally!! I'm so glad you liked the day we picked and showed us with your own timing. Granted, you could have let me sleep just a bit longer....just saying....lol! I woke your Dad up about 5 and told him it was time...the standard line every pregnant woman wants to utter! He got up, got showered and dressed while I went and woke Grandma up to go with us. We were supposed to get a phone call around 6 am to let us know if today was a good day for an induction...and when we didn't hear anything from them by 6:30 I called in. The contractions were a little less than 5 mins apart.

I think it was 7:30 by the time we got settled in this amazing room on the maternity floor. THE best room actually!!! Two walls of windows!! The biggest room they have too! Which it turns out was for the best with all the people who came to see you that day.

Most of the day is a blur...they gave me Pitocin to speed things along....and they gave me Fentanol to help with the pain and I was able to get a nap in while contracting every 2 minutes. I do remember at 4 pm they came in and checked me and broke my water to move things along. It didn't take much to achieve this. Around 6 pm I was checked again and was 6 cm dilated. I still had 4 to go. At this point I'd been in labour with you for 14 hours....very exhausting!!! At the 12 hour mark I got an epidural and that did help a bit. He said he was going on a dinner break and grabbing a nap as it typically takes one hour to dilate 1 cm....I told him no nap, I'd be ready to push at 8!!! I wasn't kidding either!!! I was really ready!!!

Your Dad had gone home to check on the dogs (Snickers and Shylah) and take care of them and shower and come back. I called him at 8 and told him to hurry the heck up! I'd already started pushing!! Even Dr Bray missed my first few pushes. By 8:30 everyone was in place ready for your arrival.

By 10:30, after pushing for 2 and a half hours it was decided you were NOT coming out naturally!!! My pubic bone was straight across and not at all curved to allow your head to pass. The decision was made to have an emergency cesarean section. I can remember them giving me this liquid stuff to drink...and I even said to the nurse, please don't make me throw up...there's nothing in my stomach. She was mean! Made me drink it and heave it back out! Nasty stuff!!! blech!

Your dad got dressed up in scrubs to join us in the operating room....while he was dressing Grandma helped me with getting the needle in my back to kill the pain of surgery. She was helpful and at the same time nerving. She was crying which made me cry!! I wasn't worried one bit about the c-section til she started crying. Man!

At 11pm on the dot you were born!! I could feel the pulling and tugging on my body, but could not feel a thing! Very surreal really!! They lifted you up over the curtain so I could see you before they whisked you away to clean you up and weigh you. Oh, you had the best looking kisser I'd ever seen!!! Such a kissable face!!! Thanks to 3D ultrasounds, we already knew exactly what you looked like!! It was amazing! Once they cleaned you and weighed you, you were put in Dad's arms for us to both admire!! I couldn't move to touch you thanks to anesthesia but Dad put you up to my face so I could kiss you all over!!! You didn't cry much...just kinda hung out! They wheeled me back to the room and Dad carried you beside me. Even tho it was 11:30 or so at nite, we still had a crowd waiting to meet you!

Pretty amazing!!! You, are pretty darn amazing!!! Don't ever change!!

The song above is for you...sung by Rascal Flatts...my wishes for you are huge!!! My dreams for you are mountainous!! The world is ready for you!!!

Today, at age 4, you fully understood the day was all about you!!! And very graciously you loved every minute of the attention!!! All the pictures I took...the many, MANY times I wished you a Happy Birthday, while you just thanked me!!! The dozens of times I sang Happy Birthday to you!!! Even the paddy whacks you got!! :D Can't leave those out! 4 is going to be a fun year!!!

We went out to do some Avoning and everywhere we went, he told strangers it was his birthday!! Anyone who would listen to him! It was darling! Then we came home and had the first picnic at the picnic table....in the living room! The weather didn't co-operate! It did clear up and the sun came out...so when Howie got home from work he got a bike lesson. He's doing much better today than Saturday! I'd reckon he'll be doing it on his own by the weekend! His smile and determination are just the best!!

Man, I love this little boy like no other boy!!!! He stole my heart from that first look! Love at first sight really does happen!!


Til next time...pray for safety for all troops!

P.S. sorry this was so long....and yet, I'm not that sorry as I got to re-live a very special day!