We Did It!!!

Today I was running errands Sprouts, Walmart, Costco and as I was driving by the mall on my way to Costco the frequent thought of "I really need to get Irelyn's Ears Pierced" crossed my mind. I pierced Ashlyn's when she was 8 weeks old. . . As Irelyn was an infant she was sick so often with ear infections I just couldn't bear to pierce her ears too. So I decided to stop procrastinating and to just pull in to the mall and DO IT!! Ashlyn was quite nervous for Ierlyn. She kept asking how bad it hurts and made cringing faces.... Irelyn was so happy right before giggling and playing with me I thought maybe I was making a mistake by jabbing needles through her ears knowing it is going to make her SCREAM at the top of her lungs for who knows how long. Well.. the lady doing it was really good and went really fast with the Ear Gun. Irelyn cried only for a minute, that is until she was handed a purple sucker to distract her. We think she looks adorable... Ashlyn picked out the PINK FLOWER earrings.

Happy 2008

OK so I am finally back in Arizona... We had SUCH A WONDERFUL time in Texas with all our Family. So many FUN TIMES.. We LOVED going to LIFETIME, all the DINNERS, GAMES, Parties, Hanging out, ETC.... The only part we didn't like was the 16 1/2 hour drive to and from Dallas. . . YUCK... The kids did pretty good, Braeden and Irelyn Puked, only a few fights, Irelyn screamed for most of it (she is teething) But It was all worth it for the GREAT MEMORIES. Thanks Emily & Joe and Steph & Dave for all your HOSPITALITY. Cherry and Scott it was GREAT to see you guys, Rhonda and Benny WE LOVE YOU and are so happy to have RECONNECTED with you. Susan and Scott THANK YOU for being so KIND and for all you did to make Christmas so FUN for the kids, and FOR US. New Years Eve was a BLAST. . . We went to PF Changs with the Fransworths and the Robinsons. . . IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!! then we had to get home to pack so we could hit the road the next morning.

Goals for 2008

Loose 20 MORE lbs. - I have just a little bit further to go. . . If I can KEEP UP the gym, and eating good . . . HOPEFULLY by Spring Break I will have this one reached.
HALF Marathon - I will Start VALLEY OF THE SUN March 9th. . But If that goes well and If I can make it the other half I will find a FULL Marathon to do by the end of the year.
Spend more ONE on ONE time with my Children - I want to find at least an hour each week to spend with each of my kids individually. I find that I spend some time playing with Irelyn during the day, I usually help Ashlyn with her homework, and play a little with her, and my boys, They are growing up and kind of not wanting to play with me. BUT if I can touch up on my Guitar Hero Skills and have some Rock OFFS with them or go on a walk or wonder a Store or Museum with them I would be so happy.
Read - I have turned off the TV in our house basically since July so NOW I need to be better about Picking up the Scriptures and other Fun Books.
Travel - Chad and I have started to get out more this past year (Hawaii, Vegas, Texas, Utah, etc. ) So this next year I would LOVE to expand my destinations; visit more places I want to get to NYC, Colorado, San Francisco, Disneyland, and of course back to Hawaii, Texas, Utah, Vegas and Many More FUN PLACES. . .
Learn - I would Love to take time to get back into school, I have never finished my degree at ASU (I dropped out after having kids) I WANT to finish and get my degree, so if I can start hammering out a few classes over the next few semesters I CAN GRADUATE.
Serve - I Know I have a calling that requires a lot of work and service, but I want to be better about seeing needs of those around me and finding a way to make someone else's life better. Wether it be making Dinners, Helping with Kids, Picking a Few weeds, Or just finding time to LISTEN.

DECEMBER

Ok so I am SOOOOO bad at blogging these days.. I thought I would try to do a catch up . . .

A Few weekend's ago my Aunt Sherri came into town with her kids We had such a fun time hanging out with them. Ashlyn and Sabrina were so dang cute together being little DIVA's together. and the boys; Lochlin Braeden and Spencer . . . What STUDS!! It was so great to see them and we are totally loking forward to spending time with the PLUMMER's Again Soon.

One NIGHT we went out with a FUN GROUP to RIGATONY's and then to F1 Racing.... IT WAS a BLAST to Goof off, be loud and obnoxious and have a SUPER FUN TIME with AMAZINGLY FUN people. . . Sherri, Shauna, Troy, Cliff, Lindsay, Dennis, Kinley, and Chad and I.

We Had so much fun racing eachother around the track and US girls had a BLAST playing dress up's with the JUMPSUITS.

Ashlyn had her MUSIC Performance with Miss JENNY Prince's THAT's ENTERTAINMENT group. I LOVE seeing Ashlyn on the stage... OK SO I AM PARTIAL but SHE IS SO GOOD. and I JUST LOVE hearing her sing. HERE is a video you can see for YOURSELF what a little cutie she is. Singing Sugar Pie Honey Bunch!!! Lochlin kept making her laugh but I LOVE watching her.

So we decided last minute that we would drive to TX to spend Christmas with my Family Emily and Joe, Stephanie and Dave, and Cherry and Scott. . . We have been having so much fun. BAKING, CLEANING, Decorating cookies, Going to the gym, Christmas Parties, Getting together with old FRIENDS Koya and Heather, Meeting up with Benny and Rhonda at their restraunt Poppy's (which was SO FABULOUS) It has been a BLAST here. I LOVE TEXAS. . . I don't know IF we will EVER come back to AZ....

The kids had a GREAT Christmas, The boys got Guitar Hero and Ashlyn was so excited to get the Hair Straightener that puts colors in your hair. My little GLAM girl.

Here are a FEW of the Photos' Hope ALL is going well with EVERYONE ELSE and HOPE everyone had a MERRY CHRISTMAS and has a safe and FUN New Years.

This One is FOR YOU!!!

SO...

YES I am down 40 LBS..

Even though it is

TOTALLY

EMBARRASSING

to admit that number... I have been working my butt off at the gym...but really, the rest has been fairly easy.

Sara you asked what i am eating/doing other than the crazy gym schedule . . . Well Here You go... I hope this helps anyone else who has found themselves in the same rut as me.

So I had a hard time even finding a picture with my giggly belly in it. If for some reason I did find myself in front of the camera, I always tried to grab a PROP to hide my waist, boobs and butt... Anything worked from kids on laps, to hiding in the back row of group shots. But I found this picture from back in JULY 2007 while I was spending my summer in Hawaii visiting my parents. This is my LARGEST i have ever been. . . I thought I was healthy. I mean I was eating healthy, I went to the gym, I was really stong and I could run a few miles on the treadmill, But LOOK at me. I want cringe that THIS is what I looked like 4 months ago. I guess while you are big, it is easy to overlook how you actually LOOK.

Well when I got back from Hawaii at the end of JULY the FIRST thing I did to change my life was this TV DIET. . . While in Hawaii.... we had NO NEED to watch TV, our family would go to the beach, go on walks around Laie, etc. . . so when we got home. I wasn't even interested in watching the shows I had previously been into. . . and I was into a TON of shows . . . Kind of the joke.. you named a show and I watched it. from Extra, Inside Edition, Oprah, Dr. Phil, all CSI's, Law and Order's, Gray's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Survivor, the list goes ON and ON.. . I now watch NO TV. I don't even turn on the NEWS in the morning. YES... the TV does go on in our house. I turn on Baby Einstein for Irelyn, and Chad watches the Sun's Games, and the kids watch a little Disney and Cartoon Network . . . BUT you will NEVER find me sitting on the couch watching a show. EVER.... and although I did suffer a little from TV withdrawal's while people are talking about the latest thing happening on Gray's or Desperate. . . I have found that I am completely FINE to NOT KNOW, I no longer even CARE what is happening in the TV world. . . It was crazy to find out that a few weeks ago there was a writer's strike. . . I didn't even KNOW!

On to the next thing that changed my life. . . I would say it is Moderation . . . I PROMISE I am NOT on a crazy diet. I eat what I want. . . and don't deprive myself of anything that I WANT. . . But. . . The IMPORTANT thing is WHAT I WANT. . . I have always eaten pretty healthy, We DON'T do Fast food (except on the long car drives and RANDOM occasions throughout the year) Salad's have always been one of my favorite foods, I love veggies, and chicken and salmon etc. . . So what is it I am doing???? Well, I eat several times throughout the day (sometimes not as frequently as I should), I watch my portions, AND I am more aware of the food that enters my mouth. I have learned that ONE bite of a cookie is better for me than 4 cookies dipped in milk... After all . . . I just wanted to KNOW what the cookie tastes like, and It isn't going to taste different if I keep eating more and more of them. If I am hungry I should grab something with Protein in it BEFORE I start shoving my mouth full of cookies to try to fill myself up. I thought I would share some of my favorite foods and a few recipes for things I am eating.

1. Fiber One Bars and South Beach Diet Bars - I use these for a quick snack or breakfast meal or just a time when I am scrounging looking for something sweet and satisfying. They are SO GOOD, and I think EVERYONE should have these as a staple in their pantry.

2. Pro Lean Mass - Chocolate Mouse Protein Powder - YUMMMM that is what I will start with. This stuff seriously tastes like the Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink. I usually do one scoop of this with 4 oz of water. for a delicious 119 calorie meal. I get it at House of Fitness on Southern and I think Country Club and it is $35 but it lasts a while.

3. Diet Pepsi - Ok. . . I have not always been a big POP fan. but this stuff is good for a quick energy boost and I actually like the taste. There are NO calories, and I will usually have 1-2 of these a day. Along with a TON of water. I have found that drinking water from bottles is the easiest most convenient way to drink enough. I can grab a bottle and bring it with me, throw it in my purse, etc.

4. Sugar Free Jello and Sugar Free Cool Whip - The most delicious low cal snack out there. I will usually treat myself to this snack a few times a week. 20-30 calories that's all... Not bad for a dessert.

5. Whole Grains - So ever since I have been married I have NEVER bought white bread, yes the occasional loaf of fresh hot french bread from the store, a few times some white rolls and some Hawaiian sweet rolls but all sandwiches have ALWAYS been made on 100% Whole Wheat Bread.. . I dont know what my kids would do if they saw white bread for their PB&J. I also buy the Whole Grain Rice (these 90 second 2 serving one's from Uncle Ben's are GREAT) They are perfect to any meal... although I usually will only use them for a LUNCH, Carbs like this are not eaten at night usually in our house. If you want a little sweet touch to the rice throw in a TBSP of coconut or Spice it up with a little lemon juice and cilantro. For anyone who has been living on WHITE rice it will taste weird for a while... but you get used to it and it can be a YUMMY addition to any meal.

6. 100 Calorie Popcorn - Ok so I really don't use this as a snack to frequently but sometimes when I crave a bit more substance than a little Jello this popcorn can satisfy me. It takes a lot longer to eat it has a salty yummy taste and it is portioned for you. PLUS if you share it with kids or a hungry hubby . . . you are getting even fewer calories.

7. Lean Cuisine - So There are times when I am struggling with WHAT TO EAT for a meal. If I dont want to cook something, or I dont have leftovers What do I eat? Well... Lean Cuisine's are great for those occasion's I just pull one out of the freezer and There is a Lunch. PLUS I usually share it with Ashlyn so I am eating something pretty good and sharing it so I get fewer calories. Watch out for the Breaded and Fried things and the White Starches. I usually try to avoid them. There are quite a few with veggies and a meat.

8. Egg White Oatmeal Pancakes - SO gross sounding but so good. . . You mix in a blender 3 egg whites, 1/2 cup raw oatmeal 2 Tbsp splenda and 1/2 tsp cinnamon then pour in a pan to make about 3 pancakes. I will top them with a little dab of Sugar Free Jelly and a little Sugar Free Cool Whip. YUMMM... These are a good treat when I have a little more time to make something for breakfast.

9. Dinner's - My dinners usually consist of a Meat and a Veggie. We pretty much ALWAYS have a salad, but some of my other favorite veggies are sauteed zucchini (I spray a pan with a little I can't believe it's not butter spray and throw the sliced zucchini on with a sprinkle of garlic salt and dab of Parmesan cheese. . . YUM) I also LOVE Broccoli usually with a little lemon juice or garlic and parm cheese. . . As for the Meat's we usually have Chicken or Fish, I Try to avoid highly sugary marinades and stick to spices and grilling but My favorite Chicken dish is what we call Salsa Chicken which is just salsa, taco seasoning and water dumped on some chicken in the crock pot, then shredded and put on top of salad. We also use the Mango Ginger Habanero Marinade (from Costco) on top of some Salmon then baked. Ok and last thing about Dinner's . . . Cook them at home. . . You are able to control the amt of fat's that you use and consume and you can spend the time while cooking to help your kids understand the importance of eating healthy. . . It is so cute because my kids talk about eating their Protein's I LOVE that they know about being healthy.

10. Sugar Free GUM - I LOVE gum. I love the Orbit Sweet Mint Gum and usually will have 3-4 pieces a day. It helps get your mind off eating because you are chewing something.

LASTLY . . . EXERCISE!!! Park further away, walk to pick up the kids at school or to get the mail, take the stairs instead of the elevator, I have been wearing a Body Bugg for a few weeks now and it is so interesting to see the number of steps I take each hour, I walk about 840 steps while getting my kids ready in the morning, just the basic things you can see how it adds up.

If anyone wants to start doing any classes with me at Fitness Works. . . I am a Class JUNKIE.

I do RPM (bike), Pump (weights), Step, Attack, Combat, and Flow (yoga) throughout the week.

on average I burn about 3200 Calories a day I am eating about 1500 Calories and that deficit has helped me loose about 2 1/2 lbs a week. It is coming off slow, but I know I will be able to keep it off.

I know this was the LONGEST post EVER!!! I hope This answers any questions Sara that you had about what I am doing. If you can think of anything else let me know I will try to answer as best as I can.

Have You STOPPED Checking??

I know I have been REALLY, REALLY bad at updating my blog lately... There is NO EXCUSE... Sorry Bloggers... I just haven't sat down at the computer. Chad is working from HOME... Which I LOVE... BUT.. he is at the desk all day.. I could take my laptop out of the room and use it somewhere else BUT.. It is just easier to NOT get on the computer at all... Our Family has been on a TV diet since we have gotten home from Hawaii this summer so I am not even wasting time watching Oprah, Desperate Housewives, or Gray's Anatomy. . . I honestly have just been busy getting end of the year stuff together for Primary, and Scouts, Tring to get up the Christmas Decorations, Helping in the Kids Classrooms, Trying to keep up on cleaning my house, organizing closets, cleaning out the garage, you know all that fun stuff... PLUS i am still going to the GYM usually two times a day 5:15 AM and 4:20 PM.. (ok I am down 40 lbs from the Hawaii pictures I have posted on this blog from July... Whoo Hoo... I just wish I felt comfortable getting pictures taken... NOT YET... a little bit more to go.. THEN I may do a BIG REVEAL Picture)

So This past weekend My Little Sister Steph Came into town to go with Chad and I to see DANE COOK... OK it was crude.. but SO DANG FUNNY. We had a blast. We had a GREAT weekend spending time with Steph and we were sad to see her go Sunday Afternoon. But... She will be back soon to help Mom and Dad MOVE to TEXAS after Christmas. YEAH for getting them back on the MAINLAND.

Well.. We just saw SANTA last night at the ANNUAL Howey Christmas Dinner. It is So nice to have Santa Stop by to see us so we dont have to fight the mall crowds, etc...

NOVEMBER UPDATE

I KNOW... I haven't blogged in a REAL LONG TIME... so I will try to catch up... So you dont get to see halloween pictures . . . I dont know where i put them on my computer and YES i am TO LAZY to go looking for them now.. PLUS that was like a month ago. The kids all got a ton of candy and I was so grateful for Phanelb teaching me about the GREAT PUMPKIN.. cause we let the kids pig out for a whole day on their candy then we left it on the table the night after Halloween for the Great Pumpkin to trade for a little prize. PHEW. . . it was such a relief to get the temptation of Candy OUT of the house. I guess chad and BINGED on all the Kit Kats after the kids went to bed Halloween night anyways.. . and we didn't get to many sweedish fish so nothing to make me dig through the buckets for. Well.... Now that it NOVember is almost over We have a lot to catch up on. So One of the pictures is the HUGE gash Loch got on his eye after a fight with Brae. Kind of funny... I just had to document some of the blood they draw on eachother. I HOPE sometime this stuff will end but Chad tells me IT WONT... THEY ARE BOYS!! Oh then I have this picture of Irelyn FLEXING... Dont know who remembers... but LOCH did the exact same thing and they look so much alike doing it.
This past week Steph and Dave came into town. We have had so much fun trying to spend any minute we can with them. We had a fun dinner on Monday night with a SUPER fun group of friends. Then we went to the park and let the kids feed the DUCKS . . . It was so cute to see Irelyn so excited to touch them. . . Thanksgiving was fun we started our day out with the Turkey Trot Chad ran the 1 mile with Loch and Brae. and they made pretty good time. Then I ran the 10 K. . . Let me just say... JET FUEL (the energy pill) is NOT a GOOD THING to take before a long run. I got so sick I puked seriously like 10 times throughout the 6.2 miles and ended up walking for quite a bit of the race. It took me like 1 hour and 17 minutes to finish and I WAS SO dissapointed because I KNEW I could have done better if I weren't gaging the whole time. But I fininshed. We then had dinner over at Chad's Aunts house. Ashlyn wanted to wear her INDIAN outfit from Preschool. She was so dang cute!! Afterwards we stopped by to see Bob and Sue and Rob Gilligan. The kids had so much fun playing with their birds and being spoiled by them. Then we ended our night by stopping by grandma stephenson's to see Steph and Dave and family, Greg and Stacy and family and Sid and Gma. Then on Friday we went over again to Gma's house for her B-day and to make gingerbread houses. . . the KIDS LOVED all the candy and even though Ashlyn's didnt even make it from the front door to the car and Lochlin's house crashed before we made it home. . . I think they had a blast and LOVED the memories of doing that with their cousins. Well I will try to update before another month goes by. Take care and Hope all the fellow bloggers had a WONDERFUL TURKEY DAY!!

What is THIS?

I hate sick kids. "I" ( this is Irelyn's nickname from Ashlyn) woke up sick. I dont think this is PINK EYE.. cause her eye balls are clear... but there is all this green yucky junk coming out.. ICKY ICKY... anyone KNOW what this is?

OK I know this is gross... but hey.. it isnt a picture of POOP like I have previously posted.

The Goal

Lose 2 Pounds this coming week!!!!

OK so this morning at the gym Tiffany Watkins and I decided to set a VERY reasonable goal of dropping 2 pounds this week... To reward ourselves... We are going to get manicures and pedicures Saturday afternoon. SOOO... to anyone else who wants to join us in this goal.. Commit HERE... We can push eachother through...

OH... If anyone wants to JOIN Tiff and I for any classes at Fitness Works this week
Here is the schedule we basically stick to. . .
Monday - 4:20 Step at Recker and Brown
7:30 Combat at Higley and Baseline
Tuesday - 5:15 AM - Pump at Higley
4:20 Step at Higley
Wednesday - OFF
Thursday - 5:15 AM - Pump at Higley
4:20 - Body Flow at Higley
Friday - 8:30AM - Step at Higley
Saturday - 8:30AM - Attack at Higley
9:30 - Pump at Higley (If we cant make the 7:20AM Pump before Attack)

SO Weigh yourself TODAY and Join us This weekend for a little Pampering

SuperHero

Ok so the cutest thing EVER!!! I am cleaning out Braeden's folder after school and I come across a paper where he had to draw a Superhero Trading Card. . . I got kind of teary eye'd when I saw what Brae did..

What My Mom does BEST: She Feeds Me

More About My Mom: She Says Good Night To Me. She is Always Nice.

I Just LOVE it when my kids do something SWEET like this... TOTALLY made my day!!

The Party's .....

Lochlin's 9th Birthday Party

Lochlin didn't get a HUGE party like we normally do because HE kept getting in trouble... so Friday night we invited a 4 friends over for a MINI Tony Hawk Party.. They Skateboarded, colored Skate Shirts and watched the movie Transformers. It was so EASY... ESP compared to what I usually do.. Hopefully he had fun with a Small Party. . . and he learned his lesson NOT to get into trouble.

Ashlyn's 5th Birthday Party

Ashlyn's Party was so much fun... The front room was all covered in toole and lights.. and Pink stuff. We did Make Up, Hair, Pin the shoe on Cinderella, Made Princess foam sticker pictures and took pictures with Belle.. I am so glad to have a daughter to get to do these fun things FOR and WITH...

Crazy October!!

October is ALMOST over.... Not that I don't like October... It is just a super crazy month!! Mom came into town from Hawaii to watch the kids while we spent the weekend in VEGAS... (thanks mom')... I had Lochlin's Bday on the 17th, Chad's Bday on the 18th, we celebrated Loch's Bday last friday ( I have pictures and WILL post tomorrow) Then I havae Sharing Time this month... and we have the Primary Program on the 28th... Well Ashlyn's Bday was on Sunday and then Today we just had her little Princess Party... Which was SO MUCH FUN!! I am so happy I have a little girl that I can get all PINKED out for... (I WILL post the pictures from this tomorrow too) BUT after the party, dinner, clean up, I had to give my girls a bath to wash off all the glitter and makeup... Well... Irelyn was cracking up at a "tooting" noise so I HAD to grab the camera.. YES it was around the corner... I RAN and was only out of her sight for a few seconds.. WELL upon my return I capture her CUTE laugh at the noise... OH... and of course MUCH MUCH more.. Watch... You'll see!!! Chad was like... YOU HAVE to post that TONIGHT!!! so even though I am SOOOO tired... and am getting up WAY to early in the morning for the gym... Here it is...

I am tryin to Catch Up!!

Ok so since I have come home from Hawaii.. I really have struggled to get back into LIFE here... I havent beeen able to get on top of my cleaning (the routine is helping a TON) but still!!! I have slacked in doing my Laundry, my paperwork, my house seriously feels like it is falling apart. My garage is full of a ton of S#@! and I so badly need to dust and clean baseboards etc... but seriously...
I JUST WANT TO KEEP GOING ON VACATION!!!
We just got home from Vegas this weekend. We had a FREAKING BLAST!!!
I was so lucky to have my mom come out from Hawaii to watch my kids while we went.... She is the BEST EVER!!! She was so worried that I would care that she didnt get a HUGE PROJECT done (usually we repaint, have a garage sale, DEEP clean a few rooms, etc) but she did MUCH MUCH more than a project like that.... she was the BEST grandma EVER to my kids. She totally Helped Ashlyn with her READING, she took the kids to Bass Pro Shop, Amazing Jakes, got them all ready and to church at 8:30 in the morning, got them all off to school did all the laundry, changed MANY poopie diapers and LOVED my kids to death the whole time she was out here... I think MY MOM is the best ever!!! I WISH I could spend more time with her... I am really looking forward to her moving back to "the mainland" in January!!! Texas ISN'T that far away.
I am kind of scatter brained right now..It IS late... but I just had to post so people know I AM ALIVE!!!

Chocolate Rain

OK I HAD to post this... Over the summer... It was late one night... Phanelb, Phanie, Chad and I were all up watching Jimmy Kimmel and this guy starts singing "Chocolate Rain" all four of us were in shock... What the heck.. Do we feel bad for him??? does he KNOW he is being made fun of??? We were all cracking up to the point of TEARS at this song... the people in the audience reaction's say it all. . .OH.. PLEASE notice the wonderful transitions that ABC uses during the song... We espically LOVE the STAR!!! BTW... you can download the MP3 of this song FREE (can you believe it, ha ha) from YOU TUBE!! Don't worry I already have it in my itunes play list.

I Love how Jimmy makes fun of him and calls him Darth Vader!!

SO I dedicate this POST to Steph, Steph and Chad... I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

The Routine

OK so Thank you Susan for the suggestion of checking out FLYLADY.com I searched her website and I came up with a daily routine that I am going to try for a few weeks. I thought I would share it will all my fellow blog readers... so you can copy/paste and create your own.
I am pretty good at doing most of the stuff but I am totally LIST OBSESSED!!! so this is now printed off and on my FRIDGE.... YES ONE MORE PIECE OF CLUTTER for that DARN FRIDGE!!!

MORNING Routine
Hit the GYM - Pump or Cardio for at least 1 hour (Mon - Fri)
Make the bed (right away before doing ANYTHING ELSE)
Shower, Clean up and GET READY down to the shoes
Wipe down and Clean Master Bathroom before leaving the room
Take dirty clothes to the laundry and begin a load
Unload dishwasher (one of the children’s chores)
Feed the Family and of course don’t forget to eat yourself
Load dishes right away into the empty dishwasher
Don’t Forget Family Prayer & Goal Setting
(Mon – Fri) Send the kids out the door with a hug and kiss
What’s for Dinner??? Think about it NOW
Straighten up any messes left behind
Forward the Laundry
Sit down and relax for 30 minutes (check email & blog)
HOUR OF POWER
Monday – Vacuum, Dust, Sweep, Mop, Bathrooms
Tuesday – Vacuum, Sweep, GO TO LUNCH
Wednesday – Vacuum, Sweep, Clean Out Fridge, Plan Menu, Clean Desk
Thursday – Errands, Cleaners, Grocery Store, Gas Car,
Friday – Vacuum, Sweep, Write any Notes, Thank You’s, DATE NIGHT
Saturday – House Top to Bottom with Kids Help, FAMILY DAY
Sunday – Church, Relax
Relax till kids get home from school
Homework
Kids Chores
Scouts, Music, Dance, Sports, Etc…
Feed the Family Dinner – Sit together around the table
Did we accomplish the goals we set?
Best and Worst part of Day
Discuss upcoming weekly activities
Make sure kids have the “Tickets” they earned for the day.
Family Prayer & Read Scriptures
Put kids in bed with a hug and a kiss


BEFORE Bed
Straighten House
Clean misc. toys, clothes, Start Dishwasher.
So you can start a new day with a CLEAN house.
Check the Calendar (just to see what is on the LIST for tomorrow)
Get Ready for BED (not that you have to go to bed yet) but now it is time to RELAX, watch TV, write in journal, read a book, snuggle

A Mom's Work...

Absolutly the BEST video on YouTube!!! I was dying of laughter... I haven't had to use all the sayings yet... but I definatly remember hearing them from my mom I know the time is coming... I hope EVERYONE who is a MOM and visits this BLOG... will WATCH THIS...

Love ya EMO for sharing this...

Katchup

I feel like I havent BLOGGED in the longest time. . . I dont know where I have been or what I have been doing that has stopped me from posting... NOT that I have anything NEW and EXCITING to talk about.. Life is going along just like usual... This week was early release for Ashlyn (Parent-Teacher Conferences) Ashlyn is doing GREAT at Franklin South. She was already good with recognizing and knowing how to write all her Letters... HOLY COW though.. Franklin teaches such great handwritting skills... I AM LOVING IT... she as a Kindergardner has better handwritting than my boys... ok so she is a girl and that has something to do with it.. but. She is such a cutie. I am loving the time we share every afternoon doing homework and hanging out going to lunch or wathcing movies.
Braeden.... What a cutie... I SERIOUSLY LOVE the DIMPLES... and his BIG EYES.. He is such a good helper with Irelyn. He is always RIGHT THERE to play with her, help feed her, get her out of bed, etc... OK so yes sometimes... it gets a little annoying to have him so helpful... but I am so glad I can see so much of Chad in him.. and I KNOW he will be a great dad. Brae is doing so well in school. He reads and is so good at math, and such a good student. We just have to work on his handwritting a little bit... OK one more time.. . those DIMPLES are KILLER...
Lochlin... Such a STUD... He is doing really well in school... He loves Cub Scouts (thanks to the FABULOUS leaders) and he is quite the social bug... I love that he is so FRIENDLY to people. He is so sweet and innocent still... I dont know how much longer I will hear from my boys about Kids at school sticking up their middle finger, or using 'cus words... I laugh sometimes because I think about my boys growing up and telling me these things when they are 16... I just hope they aren't EVER the ones doing these naughty things.. and I HOPE that isnt just wishfull thinking.
Loch is a good big brother too.. He likes to help with Irelyn. Actually Most fights between Loch and Brae are over who gets to hold or help Irelyn with things. Loch is so cute because he likes to take his homework and go sit in a corner in his bedroom at the foot of his bed to do it. He likes to be alone and likes to be in QUIET places.
Irelyn... Walking everywhere... getting into EVERYTHING... and starting to have such the PERSONALITY... Her smile and Laugh are contagious. I love to watch her DANCE to music or TV shows. I love to see her interact with her brothers and sister. She loves to carry around all the remotes and phones and LOVES to look at herself in the mirror (the little vanity mirror of Ashlyn's is the perfect height for her) She is becoming such a GIRLY Girl... I can't believe how fast she is growing up. It makes me sad to think that OUR FAMILY wont be having anymore BABIES... Yes.. we are DONE... but I am so glad I can enjoy the 4 beautiful, sweet children I have.
I LOVE my HOT, SWEET, SEXY, Hubby.. Seriously... He is looking even better as the years go on.. Oh, how I love him and all he does for me and OUR family... He is so amazing. I LOVE that he puts the kids to bed every night with a "Scary Story" I love that he helps me with things around the house... I LOVE that he has been able to work from home more often so I can see him every once in a while during the day. I seriously LUCKED out snagging such an AWESOME guy!!!

OK as for me and my ISSUES... I have This COUNTER in my kitchen.. NO MATTER WHAT... I cant keep in clean... I will buy anything or do whatever I need to... I NEED SUGGESTIONS.. on how to maintain the chaos of papers, pens, keys, receipts, etc... This is actually on a good day... I HATE this counter IT COLLECTS EVERYTHING... oh.. that and the DARN FRIDGE... How do others display artwork, party invites, school notices, calendars, and chore charts. again.. HELP if you have any suggestions... I have dreams of a clean fridge with NOTHING on it and a counter that is clutter free... I am not talking just moving the clutter to another counter... I NEED ways to ELEMINATE IT from collecting...

International Talk Like a Pirate Day

International Talk Like a Pirate Day (ITLAPD) is a Parodic holiday invented in 1995 by John Baur ("Ol' Chumbucket") and Mark Summers ("Cap'n Slappy"), of the United States, who proclaimed September 19th each year as the day when everyone in the world should talk like a Pirate. For example, an observer of this holiday would greet friends not with "Hello," but with "Ahoy, me hearty!" The date was selected because it was the birthday of Summers' ex-wife and consequently would be easy for him to remember

You can learn to Talk Like a Pirate from this website.

Enjoy Yer Day, Arrrr!!!

eyes lips face

Ok so I got a phone call from Phanelb a few minutes ago...

YOU MUST at least Check out this site...
Pretty much EVERYTHING IS $1.00
Brushes, Polish, Lipsticks, Eye shadows, etc....
eyeslipsface.com
There is a coupon code: CAROLINA
this takes $10 off your total of $20 or more and makes your shipping only $5
I loaded up my cart with 20 $1.00 items... went to check out.. my total with the coupon code including shipping was onl y $15.00

Hope this is fun for many many other girls out there.

Pay It Forward!!!

It's the PAY IT FORWARD Gift Exchange! (PIF) Here's how it works... I will send a handmade gift to the first three (3) people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your bolg. (so you must be a blogger to participate). I was QUICK to comment on EMILY's BLOG, so now I am paying it forward!

Who doesnt like Gifts JUST BECAUSE!!! Not quite sure what I will be making.
I will be thinking about it while I wait for the first 3 comments.
I don't care if you are blog surfing either.
It is always fun to see what people are looking at my little ONLINE journal.

So... Just make sure that I get your email address in your comment so I can get your address.

HAVE FUN!!!

The Howey Dance

So I have never released footage of the dancing Chad and I do at night... but... I decided it was about time... Usually after we get the kids in bed we like to get some exercise the ol' fashion way. DANCING!!!! Chad has great moves doesnt he!! Plus... I'll have to admit he knows how to WORK the camera!