Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Let's Start the New Year Right

I bought a Bing Crosby CD this Christmas for $5.00. One of the songs is, "Let's Start the New Year Right". It's been going through my head all day today. What does it mean to me? How am I going to start the New Year right?

I don't like resolutions because, for me, they always end up one way -- FAILED. I am really bad at them. Mostly because they have to do with weight loss and well...that just isn't a fun topic for me.

So, this year, I am going to make some goals (I like that better than resolutions). And not just the standard "be nice, lose weight, improve myself" goals. But really specific ones. And, because I need to be accountable...I'm sharing them with you! (don't you feel lucky?)

1. Eat Vegan for 6 weeks (starting Friday). This means, NO animal products of any kind. In addition, I will cut out all sugar and have 1 C. of grains a day.

2. Yell Less. I have to be realistic and know my limits. But, I can definitely yell less. I have a pretty short temper, so I want to yell less, like a lot less...like a couple times a week.

3. Search, Ponder, and Pray -- a lot more. I really want to form a closer relationship with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ this year. I know, it sounds kind of cheezy, but it's true. I don't rely enough on the power and wisdom of God, and I need to do that more this year.

4. Be more gentle with the little people in my life. I often forget whose they really are (not mine) and the great responsibility I have to raise them.

5. Laugh more. This is really important. I am getting to the age where wrinkles are starting to appear, I don't want them to be from frowning, but from laughing.

Ok, so those are just 5 of my many. Come on, you didn't expect me to share all of them did you? I gotta keep you hangin'!

Ok, one more...

6. To get some advertiser's on my bloggy! I want this to become a place of fun, of learning, and to increase my readership this year. So, I'm going to be working hard with this. That's just one of my MANY business goals. Maybe I'll share those another day.

Enough of that. Now it's time to PAR-TAY! I have some friends coming up tonight and we are going to play. So, have a safe and happy New Year and I'll see you on the flip side my friends.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

I Wanna Go Too!

I am a blogger. I want to be a better blogger. I want to blog about things that interest you all, and increase my readership. I want to be better.

There is a way I can do this. The Blissdom Conference for bloggers. This is a fabulous opportunity for bloggers to go to Nashville and learn more about blogging.

For me to go though, I need some help. I am looking for sponsors to send me to Blissdom 09, February 6-9. I fully intend on increasing my readership by going to this conference. So, what I am offering is ad space on my blog! Right now, I have pretty great traffic -- 100 visitors a day. I plan to increase this tenfold by June.

So, if you would like to sponsor me and send me to BLISSDOM, and have some great ad space for 6 months, please contact me! You can invest in me and in yourself at the same time.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Recovering


We are recovering from Christmas. It was fun, glorious, crazy, and well, fantastic. I didn't take any pictures of the kids opening their gifts, I was too busy helping them and just reveling in the moment.

Santa did get Seth the red light saber though. *sigh* My Dad wanted to get Amelia a purple light saber so she would have one of her own. I got to thinking and realized that a certain little boy would have his heart absolutely broken if his sister got what he had been asking for. So, they both got light sabers. Call me a sucker, I don't care. He was thrilled and so was she :)

They also got a new wooden kitchen like this one. We used money from the Grandparents to stock the kitchen with all the dishes and such that they would need. It is a HUGE hit, I am SO glad we got it for them.

We also went to see my sister and brothers and their families for 2 days after Christmas. It was so much fun. Eating, playing Wii, no fighting...it was FANTASTIC!



Ok, see that rocket that Amelia is holding? Well, I found it on this fabulous Etsy shop. I bought it on Sunday before Christmas. I realized that I was missing something for Seth's stocking and he had been asking for a toy wooden rocket. I bought it, $12 and free shipping!!!, and sent a little note asking that it be sent as soon as possible since it was to be a Christmas gift. It wasn't here for Christmas, so I told Seth that Santa knows how much he loves mail, so he is sending him something in the mail. He was SO excited.

When we got home from visiting family on Saturday, there was a package. I helped him open in and inside was not one rocket, but THREE! Scott (we call him Santa at our house) sent a little note saying that he noticed we had 3 wee ones, and since it is the season of giving, he sent us 3!!! My kids have had so much fun playing with these rockets. They are made SO well, and finished with linseed oil.

If you have a little one in your house who loves all things that fly, go buy a rocket from Santa. He rocks.

My favorite part of Christmas? Being with my family. Watching the joy on my children's faces as they opened their gifts and watched Jeremy and I open our gifts from them. They are just such wonderful little people.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Changes

I love the New Year. I love being able to start fresh. I don't know why, but it seems that this is when I do it every year. Is it just ingrained in each of us that a new year is the time to set goals and make changes? It is me. And I am changing.

Tonight Jeremy and I sat down and wrote out my health goals for the next year. I am really sad. I was doing SO good with losing weight after Libby was born. And then Thanksgiving happened. Loads of pie, more sugar than I can even imagine and once it gets started in my body, it takes a lot to get it to stop. I am addicted to sugar. Plain and simple. I love sugar, I love sweets, I love to eat it all. I don't love what it does to me though. I am not nice, I am always hungry, wanting more and my clothes don't fit.

So, starting tomorrow morning, I am done with sugar. I am cutting out all sugar, everything white (really sugar is the only white thing that is in my diet anyway), all animal products for 6 weeks. You may remember I did this before. It worked SO WELL. I started eating meat again when I was pregnant with Libby. Then, I let myself have sweets because I was pregnant. Then I had sweets because I had just had a baby and I still needed chocolate. Then it was Thanksgiving, then Christmas and well...there is always an excuse.

Well NO MORE! I am taking control of this and will be healthier. I want to be around for my family for a long time. If I kick it, who will embarrass my children when they are teenagers? I surely can't leave it to their Dad. I love him, but come on. No one can embarrass you like your Mom.

So...here I go. Feel free to check in on me and hold me accountable. My birthday is on February 11 and I hope to be 20 lbs lighter. I can do it.

Gratitude Sunday

I have so much to be grateful for today and everyday. Here are the top 5 in my heart right now.

1. My husband has a job that he loves. The company takes care of their employees, so he can stay home all next week. We have the money we need to have a house, food and clothing. My children never go to bed hungry or cold. I am blessed.

2. My folks were here for Christmas. We got to play with them, then with the rest of my family on Christmas day and for 2 days after that!

3. Good friends. Got together with my best friend from high school and her family on Saturday for a little bit. It was great fun.

4. Kids that love to read. I love that my kids would rather read books than anything in the world. Other than play with light sabers ;)

5. My Savior, Jesus Christ. I would be very remiss this Christmas season if I didn't acknowledge His birth and life. I am very grateful that I know Him and know what He did for me.

I am very, very blessed.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Ah the Snow...

I wrote about it on my newest venture. I am a contributor now for the Rocky Mountain Mom's Blog! So, come visit me there :)

I'll be back tomorrow with all the gory Christmas details. It was FANTASTIC!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas v.2

The one where I let my kids sing you songs and attempt to get them to listen to me and wish you all a Merry Christmas. Fun stuff, Enjoy! :)


Merry Christmas!

From Our Nut House to Yours!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Help.

I need an intervention desperately. I can't stop eating sugar. Specifically chocolate. I promised Jeremy I wouldn't make any Soda Cracker Candy*, so I bought all the ingredients and had my Mom make it for me. I ate a ton last night, and even more this morning.

Here was the scene in my kitchen this morning;

Seth: Mom, what's that?
Me: (stuffing my mouth) what?
Seth: That chocolate stuff!
Me: (mouth full with another piece) what chocolate stuff?
Seth: that chocolate SUGAR stuff that you're eating?
Me: (realizing that he can see me eating it) Candy.
Seth: I want some.
Me: (stuffing my face with yet another piece) NO.
Seth: Why?
Me: Because you can't have candy and chocolate for breakfast.

I know. It's a total double standard. I am sure that as Jeremy reads this he is thinking, "See?? This is why I don't want this stuff in our house!". But...I love it. I really have a problem. I need to give it all away. That way I don't feel quite so bad for having so much crap in my house. Yeah...that's what I need to do. And I'll only eat a couple, ok a dozen, pieces while I plate up the rest to giveaway.

And again...because misery loves company...

*Soda Cracker Candy Recipe

1 C. Packed Brown Sugar
1 C. butter
2 Tubes Soda Crackers
2 - 2 1/2 C. Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees/
Line 11x17 pan with foil -- rub with oil or spray with Pam. Line with crackers. In a small saucepan bring brown sugar and butter to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Pour evenly over crackers. Place pan in preheated oven for 5 minutes. Turn off oven and remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the top. Return to warm oven for 1-2 minutes to melt the chocolate. Spread chocolate on top, lick spoon when you're done, put the whole pan on the floor of garage (if you're lucky like me and live in an ice box, otherwise put it in your fridge). Break apart and store. Or eat it and deny completely to your children that you're eating anything good.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Beautiful Day

It can snow all it wants, I am having so much fun anyway!

Today I got together with my friend Heather and a few others and had a holiday cookie exchange. We had a lovely lunch, laughed so much, traded stories and cookies. It was fabulous. I came home with 6 dozen cookies (i know!), and probably a few new laugh lines on my face.

Libby and I went Christmas shopping today also. It is so hard to buy anything for my darling husband. He knows what he wants, and typically will buy it after researching and finding the best price. Well, today, I just bought him something. I can't tell you what, he reads this blog. But...it is good. At least I think so. I'm probably wrong and he'll probably take it back, but that's ok. At least I bought him something that he doesn't know about. YIPEE!!!

The rest of the day was spent with my feet propped up on the front window as I nursed Libby and watched the older 2 play in the snow. It was magical watching them. I love it and look forward to much more magic this week.

Friday, December 19, 2008

What He Really Wants for Christmas


"Mom, I'm the only person in this house that doesn't have a brother. I just really want a brother."

Sorry bub. Not happening anytime soon.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Smarty Pants

Ok first, look at me, Miss Posty Pants today. But, I just had to post this.

10 points if you can figure out what my smarty pants boy has written on his list of things he needs to get at the store.

Hint -- they are all foods except for the "too toe lisabr"

Good luck! The winner of the 10 points will win...well, 10 points! I'm cheap like that ;)

What I Love



I am loving this wall today. We put up the shelves last night, and by we I mean Jeremy. I love having the stockings hung, even though I did the name on the wrong side of Libby's. I love my decorations and that this is MY HOUSE and I can do whatever I want in it!

What are you loving today??
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Grinchy Claus


It's official. I am the Grinch. Call me Grinch, Mean, Stinky, whatever. I don't care.

We have bought gifts for our children, tried really hard not to go overboard and have bought as many handmade gifts as possible.

Despite it all, there was one thing, ONE THING that Seth kept asking for. One thing that I knew I wasn't going to buy. One thing that he REALLY wanted. A Red Lightsaber. He's kind of like Ralphie with the Red Rider Beebee Gun.

So, I decided to be sneaky, cunning, and AWESOME. I've told him that absolutely not, he will NOT be getting a red lightsaber. He has 2 already, a blue and a green. But, he wants a red so he can be a bad guy. So, I've told him that it's not happening. I bought him one. Well, actually I bought 2, and took one back, apparently I got the wrong kind the first time (thanks for the heads up Jer!).

I couldn't wait to see his face on Christmas morning when all the gifts had been opened and I say, "What's that? Over by the piano?" And he goes to open it and is SO excited!!! But, then I see what is in store for me for the next forever. It goes like this --

Seth is thrilled and opens his red lightsaber. He immediately whips it out and starts his mad lightsaber skills. He takes out Meemaw and Grandpa, smacks Amelia, injures Dad's knees, hits Mom on the back and knocks over the Christmas tree. It is immediately taken away for, well, forever.

So, I did what any sensible, Grinch-like Mom would do...I took it back. No lightsaber, no Star Wars for Christmas. It's true, I'm the Grinch. That's how I roll.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Mulan

You Are Mulan!
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Strong and spirited. You're no one's girly girl; actually you are very determined person with a strong sense of self. Never let go of that! The only thing that equals your sense of self is your family, but the traditions of society can always be bent to protect something or someone you love.


Which Disney Princess Are You?

Ok, so I don't normally do these, much less post them on my blog, but I was pretty proud of this one. I don't like princesses, not one bit. They tend to be whiny, get into trouble and need a man to help them. Not only that, but they are not very realistic with their body types either. Mulan is not a princess, she does get into trouble, but gets herself right back out of it. She is a WARRIOR, something I think all women are, just don't always realize it.

When does this happen? When do we start thinking we need a man to save us? Does it happen to everyone? How can I avoid it with my sweet girls?

I remember thinking I could do anything when I was little. I didn't need anyone to help me, much less a stupid boy.

Then, as I entered Jr. High, I was told that to get a boy to like me, I needed to be more feminine. That I needed to be
needy for a boy to like me. I needed to be like the Disney Princesses. It went against everything I believed in, but I liked boys, and blame it on hormones, I did it.

I didn't like it. It didn't fit me, so it didn't last for long. I was too independent and too...well,
not needy. So, I was me, and guess what?? I still had a boyfriend. A couple actually.

When I was in my very early 20's, I had someone very close to me tell me that I would never get married because I was too opinionated. I didn't realize at the time what a great thing that was. So, again, I tried to change myself. But, it didn't work.

Want to know something else? I'm glad it didn't work. I'm glad that I am an opinionated, strong woman. I am glad that I can stick up for myself and those I love. I am glad that I have the strength to stick to my convictions. It has gotten me through many difficult situations and times.

Something I want to teach my girls is that you don't need a man in your life to be happy. You don't need anyone but yourself. No one will love you until you love yourself. And even then, you may not find someone to keep your feet warm at night. Everything happens in the time it supposed to and that doesn't always jive with what you think is supposed to happen. I also want them to know that it is more important to be smart and strong (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual) than to have a man in her life. Men are great, but you don't need one to be happy. Make yourself the person you want to be, you're with yourself more than you're with anyone else, you better like you.

I also want my girls to know that they are beautiful despite how they look. Some of the most beautiful women I know are not that beautiful by the world's standards. Their bodies are not perfect, their skin not perfect, their hair not perfect. However, the way they carry themselves, the confidence shows their beauty from within. Women who know that they are Daughters of God. Women that know they are special and radiate that inner light and beauty. Women who laugh, love, cook, clean, go to work, stay home, fight, cry, the list goes on. These women are REAL. They are not the Disney Princesses who find a man and live happily ever after. They struggle, they work hard to make things work. These are women of substance, the kind of woman that truly is beautiful.

So, I am proud to be like Mulan. However, I hope I am just a little more. More like the women I have described here today. More like the woman I want my girls to be. Maybe then, they will have a real live role model, someone they can look to and be like, only better.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Another Birthday Done

And I'm glad. It really was not a terrible day, just different from years past. Normally, we go to Kaysville and visit Emma, send her balloons, and then out to dinner. This year though, we didn't go to Kaysville. We stayed here and decided to make new traditions.

We first went to lunch at Einstein bagels. It was really yummy and the kids were excited to get a candy cane bagel. Looked like a candy cane, didn't taste like one (thank heavens). Then we went shopping. Ho-ly cow. We went way too many places, but we got most of our Christmas shopping done, there are just a few small things left that we need to buy.

After shopping, we went to our favorite shop, Sweetly Divine, or as Seth calls it, The Dessert Store. This is a very nice pastry shop (hey Loganites, if you haven't been, GO! It's over by Shopko and SO yummy!). We each picked out what we wanted, Chocolate Decadence Cake for me, Cannoli for Jer, Peanut Butter Tart for Amelia, and Chocolate Muffin for Seth. We were all doing pretty good at this point. Really sad that Emma wasn't here, but doing o.k.

We were headed to our final stop, Albertson's, where we could drop off the Cabbage Patch doll that Amelia picked out for Emma. We were excited to donate it to Toys for Tots and make another little girl's Christmas brighter. So, we are driving, listening to Bing sing about being nice (you know, the whole Santa thing) when Jeremy starts swearing and hitting the steering wheel. I was ready for this, I knew that it would come, it does every year. Every year we get mad, we get sad, we just hate that she's not here. However, he wasn't stopping when I tried to comfort him. Turns out, it wasn't Emma, it was the dessert. Yes friends, he left it on top of the van. Somewhere on Main street is a very nice pile of dessert. I hope the birds enjoyed it.

Seth was melting down because he really wanted that muffin, Jeremy was just MAD (although I really don't think it was about the dessert), I was trying to be as happy as possible so that Amelia didn't start freaking out.

We dropped off Imogene (I love Cabbage Patch Dolls names!), and then got the fixins' for a cake. Well, after about 25,000 more meltdowns at Albertson's, we left, screaming children and all. We came home, I started making dinner, hit my ankle and started to cry. We all sat on the floor of the kitchen crying. We were a tangle of arms and legs and tears, getting comfort from one another. We had arroz con menestra for dinner (my new favorite comfort food), then went to Cold Stone for ice cream.

Forget the cake, we'll have it another day.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Happy Birthday


Today my sweet Emma is 6 years old. I can hardly believe that it's been 6 years since she was born.

I have decided to share her birth with you all today on this special day. I wrote this just days after she was born. It is always fun to go back and read it.

We miss her and we love her more than words can say. Today we remember our girl, we will cry and we will laugh and we will do things just for her to celebrate her short life.

Happy birthday Angel. I can't wait until we can celebrate together.

Love,
Mama

Emma Joyce Borchert’s Birth Story

December 15, 2002…

It was a Sunday, and I wasn’t feeling very good. I stayed home from church because I was a little queasy and VERY tired. I slept a lot of the day. Jeremy made me dinner, and I didn’t eat much because things just weren’t sitting right in my tummy. That evening Bishop Egbert came over to home teach us, and he and Jeremy gave me a blessing. Emma was still breech and I really didn’t want to have a c-section. We had tried so many different things to get her to move. We tried acupressure, Chinese herbs, laying upside down, going to the Chiropractor, playing music, talking to her, and basically trying anything to coerce her into moving. After the blessing I felt really good that whatever happened was supposed to. Bishop Egbert left; I went to the bathroom and had a contraction. I’d been having braxton-hicks contractions for a while, so I wasn’t concerned. Jeremy and I were getting ready to sit down to watch “Alias” at 8:00 when I felt and heard a POP and felt a gush of warm fluid. First I thought, “Am I peeing my pants?” But, it was so much and so fast that I knew it was my bag of waters. I told Jeremy that my water had broken, he looked at me and said, “You’re kidding!” No, I wasn’t kidding! Every time I moved more fluid would gush out. Luckily one of my friends, Kelly Beal, had brought over a big hospital pad to use when my water broke. So, Jeremy got that and put it on a wooden chair. I sat down, and soaked through that and some towels. We called the midwife on call and told her that I was 37 ½ weeks pregnant, my water had broken and the baby was still breech. She told us to go to the hospital, she would call and let them know I was coming and to get ready for a c-section. I was upset because I didn’t want a c-section, but knew that whatever happened, was supposed to. We then called Stephanie, Melissa, Greg and Marge, Cristin, and my mom and dad (they were no where to be found!). We called Kelly because she lives down the street, to see if she had any more of those big hospital pads. She brought some over and helped us get everything into the car to go, and then we headed to the hospital.

The Hospital…

We arrived at the hospital at 9:00, and Melissa and Marge were there to meet us, and Stephanie came shortly after. I was having contractions, not very regularly, but about 1 minute apart. They were strong, but nothing I couldn’t handle. We had taken Bradley birth classes to help us prepare for a natural, drug-free birth, so I was using those techniques to help me relax during contractions. We went up to the labor and delivery floor and checked in. They did a sonogram to confirm that she was still breech…and she was. What a stubborn girl! The midwife came and checked me. I was dilated to 3 cm. and had a foot presenting. We needed to get this show on the road. I had lost a lot of amniotic fluid, and they needed to get her out quickly. So, they got me prepped and took me into the c-section room. I was given a spinal and they started to cut. There was a lot of pressure, and I got a little sick, but at 10:35 p.m. Emma Joyce was brought into the world, KICKING!! I couldn’t see her but Jeremy stayed with her the whole time. The nurse was telling me everything…”She’s so pink”, “Oh look she is kicking”. My biggest question is, “How much does she weigh?” I was worried that she was early and would be so little. But, she was 7 lbs. 8.4 oz, and 19 inches long. Everyone commented on how big she was for being so early, and it is a good thing she came now or she would have been HUGE! They stitched me up and Jeremy brought over this sweet bundle of pink baby for me to see. WOW! She was so beautiful! They took me to recovery and Grama Borchert, Aunt Stephanie and Aunt Melissa came to visit one at a time.

Recovery…

This was the beginning of finals week for Jeremy, so we tried to get as much sleep as possible while at the hospital. It was hard because they wanted to come wake me up every hour to check my vitals and Emma’s. She also wanted to eat all night, or play all night. But, Jeremy did well on his finals, and soon we got to go home. We stayed at the hospital until Wednesday afternoon. What an eventful few days, for Mommy, Daddy, and baby Emma. She is the best Christmas present we could have ever gotten!!



Sunday, December 14, 2008

Gratitude Sunday


I'm really glad I started this. On days like today, when I am struggling, it's good to stop and think of what I'm grateful for.

1. My children, all 4 of them. Emma's birthday is tomorrow and I am so grateful that she was born. I am so grateful that God trusted these sweet souls to my care.

2. The ladies I get to work with at Church. They keep me laughing and inspired.

3. Our fresh Christmas Tree. I balk at getting a real tree every year, just because I hate waiting until 10 days before Christmas to put it up. However, I absolutely love the smell in my house right now.

4. My patient husband. He is and I love him.

5. That my folks will be here on Saturday. My kids are so excited to see them, and I am so excited to get a smallish break from being a Mom ;)

Friday, December 12, 2008

Birds of a Feather

Sometimes it overwhelms me. The fact that I have 4 children, but only 3 are here. When I think about all that has happened in the last 6 years, I can not believe this is my life.

Yet, it is. In the last 6 years I have had the opportunity to help so many Moms. I've been amazed at how many women come into my life, women that I cherish, and then lose children.

Did Emma die so I could help others? Do these fabulous friends keep coming into my life because I lost Emma and I will be able to help them? Is it just coincidence?

I found out today that one of my very dear friends has a very sick little girl. Her daughter is 7 months older than Seth. She just turned 5. She has an inoperable brain tumor. She is dying. This sweet, sassy, full of life little girl, is dying. It is just so unfair. This friend and I go back to before we were married. We were pregnant at the same time with our oldest children. She lived down the street when I had Emma and actually came and helped Jeremy get things ready when my water broke. She is just such an amazing Mom to these 4 sweet children. Now, she is facing what no parent should ever have to face, watching her child die. She and her husband explained to this sweet girl what was happening the other night. I just can't imagine. I have cried for her, and am sure I will continue to do so.

I am in the club that no one wants to join, but I find that more and more of my friends are in this club. I am scared of making new friends. Scared that this, death, will rub off on them. That somehow by just being my friend, the big black ugly thing we call death will rob them of one of their sweet children.

While I say death is big and ugly, and it is, I also know that through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we will be forever families. We will continue to live and will see our sweet ones again one day. I know that these babies that die are so perfect, too perfect for this world. And, while that gives some comfort, it is still so hard. So hard to live it and to watch my dear friends live it.

I guess maybe it's not that by being my friend people lose their children, but more likely, we stick together. Birds of a feather really. We (this awful club) know what it is to lose a child and others know we've been through it. So, when it happens to someone else, we are sought out to help.

If I can help other parents, well, then that's ok. Like I said, birds of a feather, we stick together.

12 Days of Giveaways

12 days of Giveaways?!?! Why, Kim, how did you become so generous, you ask?? Wait, no, it's not me, it's Gabrielle over at Design Mom. She is hosting a big fat giveaway day today. So, go over and check it out and enter to win some fabulous gifts!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Reason #582,620 Why I Love My Man

Cause who else would take apart the Kitchen Aid, clean it and put it back together after I had a marshmallow making debacle?

Super Jeremy to the rescue. I love my Enginerd.






School Schmool

My sweet boy will be in Kindergarten next year. This is causing me a bit of stress. Ok, a lot of stress. He is a very smart, funny, sweet, wild, crazy, exteremly imaginative, active, adorable little boy. Really, he is a handful, but he is my handful. I always thought I'd homeschool because no one loves your child like you do, and frankly I'm scared of sending him off with someone else. But, it really is not the right decision for him or me. It is very hard for me to accept that. But, I need to, and soon. School enrollment is going to be coming up soon and I just don't know what to do.

There are 2 charter schools and 1 private school here also. Jeremy and I visited one of the charter schools on Wednesday and I wasn't very impressed. 26 kindergartners in the room. The aide said, "It really isn't that many; there is the teacher, an aide, and always parent volunteers, so it works out to be more like 7 students to 1 adult". Ok, that is great, except unless those parents and aide have teaching degrees, they are not the teacher. That bothers me. Also, I swear, the kindergarten was more like 1st grade. Now, I am all about the acedemics, but to not have any play space in the room? It bothered me. Maybe it's because we didn't do preschool and I want him to have that opportunity to play...or possibly it's that play is as important to me as acedemics.

I plan to visit the other charter school (him getting into that one is about as likely as me giving up sugar before Christmas), the private school and *gasp* the public school.

Small class size is really important to me. I don't want him getting lost in the shuffle. Which is also why I am a bit resistant to public school. I am afraid that he will either get lost in the shuffle, or his sweet spirit will be so crushed that he wil no longer be the little boy I know and love. I am so afraid of sending him out on his own, where I can't protect him anymore, and not recognizing him when he comes back. I know, this is part of parenting, but it's the hard part. Letting them fly and figuring out what is the best flight plan for them to take.

Then there is the private school. It will only be a private school for one more year, then hopefully become a charter school. If I send him next year, then he and the girls are guaranteed admission when it becomes a charter school. That is what I would really like...but, it costs $5600. I know that as far as private schools go, this is really not too expensive. But, it is still a lot more than we can afford.

I just don't know...I will research more and eat more (cause that's how I handle stress) and maybe after doing the latter, I will feel better about this. If not, at least if Seth gets hurt in school he will have a softer place to land.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Why I'm Losing my Hair



Did you know that asking a 4 year old to clean up his mess is just mean? Did you also know that asking a 2 year old to clean up her mess is just silly? No?? Well, it is. Just ask my 4 and 2 year old.

I have tried everything. I have offered (not bribed) tokens for cleaning, promised movies, promised going to a lunch store (yes, that is what we call it here, don't laugh. Ok, laugh, I don't care). I have begged, I have cried, I have threatened to have Christmas be canceled. I have had Santa write them a letter. While they were impressed with the letter, it did no good. They continued to laugh at me. Ok, so Seth cried and told me that "cleaning is SO boring!" and Amelia just said, "No. I don't want to, plus I am reading right now". And, really, she wouldn't be doing much good to the cleaning and reading is good, even though she can't read and just makes up the stories by looking at the pictures, which I know is an excellent pre-reading skill, but if she doesn't learn to clean, then Seth will have to clean everything in the house and if he has to clean everything in the house, then when he goes to Kindergarten next year, there will be issues with cleaning and this will all end badly with me being the Mom of the messy kids who don't listen to her. whew. How was that for a runon sentence thankyouverymuch.

Good thing they're cute or I totally would have kicked them out long ago. I just don't like messy roommates.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Family Pictures

Am I the only one who really LOVES getting family pictures done?? I love having someone (who is not me and has a better camera than my 3 megapixel one) take our pictures. I love having someone who has better than Picasa editing tools -- not that there is anything wrong with Picasa, I really do love it!

When the whole family was here for Thanksgiving, we had our pictures done. One of my friends, Danielle, did the photos for us. She did such a great job. The weather was perfect, so we went to one of our favorite parks and had fun! Here are a few of my favorites of our little family.



















Monday, December 8, 2008

I'm getting fat.

And it's all thanks to Special K Cookies. These are my favorite holiday treat. I love them more than anything...well, almost more than anything ;)

And, because fatness, er misery, enjoys company...I'm giving the recipe to YOU!

Special K Cookies

6 C. Special K cereal
1 C. corn syrup
1 C. sugar
1 1/2 C. Peanut butter
2 bags butterscotch chips
1 bag chocolate chips

In a large saucepan bring the corn syrup and sugar to a boil. Add peanut butter and melt it. Add the cereal and incorporate into peanut butter mix. Press into a buttered jelly roll pan (you know, those big silver ones?).
In a double boiler, or in the microwave, melt chocolate and butterscotch chips. When completely melted, spread over top of bars.
Let cool and harden at room temperature. If you put them outside, the chocolate will cool too quickly and will separate from the bars, just ask my sister ;)
When it is hard, cut it up and EAT!!! Get fat with me, will you??

Yeah, I was going to have pictures of these, but they didn't last long enough. Sorry!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Gratitude Sunday

It's here again, a day for me to reflect upon this last week and share what I am most grateful for.

1. It hasn't snowed yet. I am really grateful for that because we don't have snow boots for Seth yet! Although, rumor has it that it is supposed to tomorrow. So...shopping we will go!

2. Libby's smiles. Holy cow, that girl can smile and melt my heart at any given moment.

3. The escape good books give me.

4. Lots of good neighbors and friends that I can give holiday goodies to. I love to make them, but can't have them at my house. So, we did some baking this weekend, and will be delivering them tomorrow!

5. My very artistic little man. Here are two of my favorite drawings of his this week --


Friday, December 5, 2008

Gram


Dear Gram,

I think it's because Christmas is coming, or maybe because it's been a year since I last saw you and smelled your Aromatics Elixir, but I've been dreaming about you a lot lately.

The dreams are always different, but the same. I am supposed to go visit you, but can't find your new house. I know that you've moved, but I don't know where you've gone. I call you on the phone, your phone number that I learned before I learned my own, and you tell me where to come to find you. Your house is usually for sale or sold, so I can't go inside anymore. I am always searching, but can't ever find you to give you a hug.

I dipped pretzels tonight and thought of you. I called Mom to find out the best way to dip them. She told me serger tweezers. I used yours. I think that there may be some tears in this batch. That's ok, right? I remember eating chocolate dipped pretzels in your basement at Christmas time. Your tree that was always SO big and SO beautiful. I will never forget the Christmas that we stayed at your house and I saw Santa. I was maybe 4, and I looked out the window of the bathroom and saw his sleigh streak through the sky. That, combined with the fact that Uncle Rick got coal in his stocking for not believing, is why I believed in Santa until I was 11.

I miss you Gram. I wish I could call you tonight. You were such a huge part of my life. Not just your house, the one that was the one constant in my life, but you. I don't have many memories of my early childhood that don't involve you and Grampa in some way. I was still so young when he died, but you, you were my Grama. I know you thought I loved Grandma Martin more than you, but I didn't. I loved you both so much. How could I not, you are her daughter. I loved coming to visit you when I moved back to Kansas. I wish I had done it more. I'm glad that I got to tell you that I was pregnant and that we were buying our first home. I am sure you kissed my sweet Libby before she came down, just 10 days before your birthday. I wish I had called you just one more time...I am sure we all wish that.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I miss you tonight. Give my Emma a hug and kiss for me, will you?

Love,
Kimmie.

What I Love

My kids are being super funny this morning and playing so nicely together...so I get to blog! Here are a few photos of what I love around my house -- this is a pretty picture heavy post -- but ya'll love that don't you??


Fat baby cheeks. My favorite.


The boy that makes EVERYTHING into lightsabers

This mischievous little one right after she wakes up.


Seriously, how could I NOT eat those cheeks??


Seth loves Libby so much. I love this photo of them holding hands.

Amelia being Mary -- you can see her holding baby Jesus by the foot

What my table always looks like. I totally stole the idea from Nie to label the picture. She's genius!

My favorite centerpiece

My window
More ornaments in a vase
I love my Christmas decorations so far this year. I am putting them up slowly but surely. We'll get our tree after Emma's birthday.

So...what are you loving today?