So Afraid...of ME!

I know, If you met me at walmart, and you were standing behind the service desk, or at a checkout, you might be really afraid of me. (I tend to get a little testy when shopping!) Or if you were to be in the car with me at 7:00 p.m. and I haven't had dinner yet, YES, you would be sorely afraid of me! (I am a bear if not fed!) And even yet, if you were to even TRY to mess with MY family...you would run...and hide...and stay very far away! (I tend to defend them, stand up for them, and protect them at ALL cost!)

And even "I" am afraid of "ME"! Not because of any of the aformentioned reasons...but I have come to the conclusion that I have a real fear of how I look! How ridiculously insane is this? I obviously can't run and hide from myself...I present myself to many parents and children daily...at work, shopping, at the pool, paying bills, family functions...etc. So if I am okay going out in public, and letting the entire world see ME, why then would I "hide" whenever the camera comes along?

I was frantically looking for a picture of me to put in a book for preschool that we had recently made. I looked in EVERY photo envelope I had (at least 65) and not one, no, not ONE single picture of me...how sad is that!

So I resolve that from this day forward, no matter what my body shape, size, hair color, etc. I will learn to let the camera be my friend and quit hiding behind it--pretending to be the photographer!

And just maybe, I will be motivated enough to change this image I see, into something a little "eye" friendlier for me and everyone else who has to look!

eye sores and photoshots!

Alison

Sisterly Love

Brooklyn has been on an EXTREME Madison kick lately! The other night at dinner she would NOT let Jacob sit by her. She had the plate and everything picked out for Madison to sit right beside her. She has had to watch movies w/madison, protect her toys, her birthday crown, her food...everything! She has even gone to the extent of begging to sleep in Jacobs bed to be with Madison! She ADORES her older sister!

Today as Madison was getting Brooklyn out of the car, I hear: "Madison I LIKE you! Madison, I LOVE you!" Such cute words! I am SO thankful that Madison is such a great big sister and cares so much for Brooklyn. What a GREAT example that Brooklyn has to look up to! I love you girls!

Nose Breath and cuddles!

So I am laying w/my 4 year old, who is fascinated w/the discoveries he makes in life. As I am cuddling him, our faces close together, rubbing his hair (so he will fall asleep) he opens his once closed eyes and asks: Mom, does my nose breath feel really, really warm to you?"

Seriously child, Nose Breath? I LOVE his claim on terms in life!

Poverty and Chickens?

Many of you think that because I was raised in Idaho, in farm country, that I would be all about the down home cookin' thing. Or maybe you know my dad, who would randomly bring an "animal" home and cook it for dinner--claiming he found it on "the side of the road"!

Folks...I am quite the opposite! In fact, so opposite that I am really considering becoming a vegetarian...seriously!

This afternoon I pulled out a "bird" for dinner. Now mind you, it was a WHOLE bird! I found it on "special" at Smiths Marketplace. Gotta love that place for their great specials! Since we have become more frugal in our grocery spending, I decided I would buy this so called "bird" and cook it myself instead of spending the money on my favorite: Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast!

So I pulled it out of the fridge, unwrapped it, and began rinsing it off in the sink...and GROSSNESS came upon me! I saw feathers, little tiny ones, vein vessels and fat deposits! Then my imagination got the best of me and I started thinking of this poor animal I was holding, and how at one time it was just clucking away on some farm not even aware that I would even consider eating it for dinner! As I rinsed its legs and wings and neck and pulled something from the inside I wondered WHY I was even thinking of eating this BIRD!

Relentlessly, I finished washing it, put it carefully in the crock pot w/some lemon pepper seasoning and butter and prayed that my children would enjoy a nice home-cooked meal of chicken and rice!

Let me NEVER forget, nor take advantage again , of all the butchers in life that spoil us with boneless, skinless, chicken breast that does NOT look like a chicken! It's a pretty penny to pay, but ever so worth it! I may need to be frugal in my grocery spending, but I will vow to find the extra pennies to buy "MY" kind of chicken!

Thus, let the farmers be farmers and the butchers be butchers, but let me enjoy my chicken in peace!

Movie Night Glamour!

Thanks to our WONDERFUL friend, Annette, we have the MOST amazing pictures of our little girl and her cute little friends! Thanks everyone for making it such a FUNTASTIC evening for her!

I love the one where her arms are spread out over everyone...it just screams: It's my Party!

Their favorite part was the tickets to buy treats at the concession stand!

Compliments of Hair: Aunt Megan and Krissy

Snack Bar: Aunt Shannon and Uncle Jordan

Dress up decor: Grandma Adams

I love the sweet simplicity of the first one...that's MY little girl!

6 year old birthday party...

Seriously, I don't remember when...or even why...but it has happened...I've become wrapped up in the excitement and celebration of my children's birthday parties! I've always considered myself "simple", but I think I am proving myself drastically wrong! But oh how fun, to get wrapped up in the joy of a 6 year olds birthday party!

We have chosen our theme: "Movie Star Night" and how carried away we have become...especially on our limited budget! It has been fun to be so resourceful and so creative!

So here is a huge thanks for all who have helped make this extravagant moment come together!

Walmart Lady for being SO generous in the material! We love it!

Grandma Adams for sewing the boas--they are SO adorable!

Kristen for dinner the night before, the popcorn machine AND the adorable invitations!

Scrapbook store for carrying such creative and fun invitations!

Annette for volunteering her photograph talent! So excited for what you are doing!

Dollar store for being SO cheap!

All of Madison's little friends for celebrating w/her!

We are SO excited for tomorrow! We'll post pictures after our wild extravaganza!

parties and popcorn!
alison

THINGS I LOVE IN LIFE...

1--Kisses from Dave
2--My little ones having me lay with them to fall asleep
2--Waking up early to accomplish SO much!
3--Home cooked meals
4--Good neighbors
5--Snuggling under warm covers when it is soooo cold outside
6--Madison's singing
7--Crickets at night
8--Creativity
9--Fresh Laundry (to which I need to do some!)
10-A Clean house (happens once every full moon!)
11-A full tank of gas
12-A good book
13-Playdates
14-Vanilla Coke
15-Bike rides w/the kids
16-Foot rubs from Dave
17-A good Hair Color
18-Brooklyn's Laugh
19-Jacob's love for his daddy
20-Madison's sense of humor
21-Prayer
22-Garden Vegetables
23-Sleeping in
24-Playing at the Park
25-Cuddle time
26-My family
27-Sisters
28-Good Doctors
29-Education
30-Being a mommy
31-Walks in the evening
32-County Fairs
33-Children's excited laughter
34-photo's
35-talking
36-children in bed AND asleep at their designated time
37-chocolate chip cookies
38-sunny days
39-patience
40-Peace

...just to name a few of the things that put a smile on my face!

Brilliant Baby!

So this week it is just Brooklyn and I, as Dave has taken Madison and Jacob with him to work in Idaho. It is our first day alone, just the 2 of us, and we are certainly enjoying our day! Brooklyn and I have had "moments" alone, but never a full week and she is reminding me every moment that she comes FIRST! Oh how I LOVE her!

As I have spent the day with her, I have realized how brilliant she really is. (she doesn't get nearly the recognition she deserves being the 3rd in line!) Her favorite saying right now is "Look! mommy! Look!" She reminds me of Little Quack, in the famous book, Little Quacks Bedtime. And "h'mon mommy!" for c'mon mommy!

So today was spent counting to 10, singing the abc's (all day long), playing the abc games on starfall.com, and playing Toy Story Yahtzee Jr., a favorite game of all 3 kids! Yahtzee Jr is the greatest invention, as all 3 kids, ranging from almost 6 down to almost 2 can play all at the same time and be happy, content, and patient as they wait their turn!

Then as we are on the computer, to which she loves, she says, "mommy I want to see it" (the monkey) and after seeing it, she says, "mommy, I saw it". O.K. not even 2 yet and has the tenses down perfectly.

She also LOVES cupcakes, and grandma Adams sent some home with us on Sunday. First thing this morning, she sees them sitting on the counter and says, "mommy, I want a cupcake". Me, getting her prepped to eat the cupcake, gets reprimanded from the little one when she says, "mommy, I want it NOW!"

I miss my little ones in Idaho, but I am also looking forward to this quiet week with just one little one at home! She sure is full of LIFE!

Oh, what a summer!

So after my 2 VERY lengthy novels, I decided to be short and quick! I'm sure all you readers will be very appreciative! The last 3 weeks have been very fun for our family. Unfortunately, our camera disk has an issue and will not release the pictures I have on it...so only one photo to show our fun!

We spent a week in St. George with our really good friends, the Borups. We can't wait to go back and visit them! We both decided that 2 wives and 1 husband isn't so bad when it comes to sharing responsibilities between children! Thanks you guys for the great hospitality and good times!

We got back a day before the Adams Family reunion and had so much fun with all of the cousins, and in-laws! There were lots of games introduced and played, talent shows performed and people everywhere! It was a fun-filled, social weekend!

Our final "trip" planned is to Twin Falls this coming weekend for my cousins wedding. I must be getting old when one of the youngest of the cousin's is getting married. That really wasn't suppose to happen for a LONG time:) The kids are excited to see daddy, (he has been working on some properties of Grandpa Haney's) and they miss him a ton--so do I! .

Hopefully the camera will get fixed soon and I can post some more pictures of all our fun! We are so grateful for such wonderful family and friends!

butterfly kisses

Here is a picture of my cute, but toothless, little one who LOVES to have her face painted! (I'm thinking...All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth!) Once we got home she had to put on a fancy pink dress to complete the butterfly outfit...I can FLY!