It's just.....whatever...

Where has a year gone???

2011-12-12T22:01:00.004-05:00

I don't even know. I don't even know why I stopped blogging. Well, facebook kept me busy. So have kids, knitting, my house, my hubby and life. I finished my first sweater, went to Nauvoo, hung out at the beach for a week, got a Nook Color, painted my porch, re-painted my front entry, opened a non-functioning Etsy shop, gained some weight, lost some weight, and the list goes on. Really it's just been a year of stuff. You know, regular things that life throws our way. I'm so thankful all of my family is healthy, my husband has a job and all our appliances work. So, since I am sick I'm going to make this short. Here are some photos I recently took at Taylor's aunt's farm. FUN!

My Husband is a Cricut Master

2011-01-24T00:08:00.003-05:00

What is a Cricut? It's a gadget, known only to the crafting ,card-making, scrapbooking world, that is super awesome! Ok, it cuts out whatever you tell it to but you have to use proprietary cartridges that are expensive but, whatever. Did I mention it's awesome??? Actually, I haven't used mine in a while. I think it's because when I'm not homeschooling, I'm doing all the other things that I would normally do while my kids were in school. So, where was I? (ADD) Oh, yeah, my hubby is awesome....(and the Cricut). So, some guys from our ward, including my husband got together and bought basketball jerseys. Actually, they are more like pinnies(I had to look that one up). The number printing was going to be too expensive so he said he would figure out how to get the numbers on there. He could do iron on but I don't think he liked that idea. Then he thought he would use my cricut to cut out fun foam numbers and use the negatives as templates with some spray paint. The final idea was to cut out freezer paper, punch out the number and iron the paper on the shirt. I have been busy so I really wasn't much help. Taylor looked at all my cartridges and decided they were too cutesy for guys bball jerseys. He poked around online and found a program that lets you use any font you want. COOL!!! I love it! So, that's what he used. We spent Friday evening listening to music, cutting and ironing stuff on pinnies. Now all they need is a little spray paint. Who knew Taylor was such a crafty guy?! Maybe he will stamp with me next.....oh wait....he already did that.......

Going to the PO.

2010-12-26T07:59:00.003-05:00

My friend Marianne just wrote a blog post about how much she hates and fears the post office. I was commenting on her post and realized that I was just writing my own blog post......

I HATE the PO too!!! I don't have a fear of it though. I do have a holiday shipping story though. I had a package to send to my Father-in-Law in CA and put it off until the PO was almost closed, Smart, huh? If you wait until they are almost closed there is a massively long line of people who just thought the same thing as you. Lame. So I waited and the PO people were nice enough to let us stay in line and not kick us out right at 5. I finally got to the counter at 5:20 right as my daughter called my phone. As I was telling her I would call her right back the lovely PO lady gave me some nasty look that said, "I know you didn't just pick up that phone on the way to my counter." Lame again. My package by weight was going to cost me $28. Whatever. But then the lady said that because of the dimensions there would be a $44 surcharge. What !!?? Are you out of your mind???!! The stuff inside isn't even worth that much! Apparently there is some magical weight to size ratio you have to meet to get the best shipping deal. I asked her how many bricks I needed to put it the box. She didn't like that question. I decided to figure something else out and buy some other postage while I was there. Did you know that if you pay for a $10.70 flat rate box they give you all kinds of stamps that equal $10.70? UGH! I just want ONE I can stick on it! Now I have to keep track of all that crap you just gave to me. The end of the story? I left with nothing sent and dreading the next day's return. I told my hubby all about my PO woes and he found a new box, measured and weighed it, and paid for and printed a label. I slapped the postage on that box, put the hoards of stamps on my other one, and walked the boxes right up to the PO counter. I was there for less than a minute. Sweet! Hubby/hero to the rescue again!!!! I leave you with a wish. May your trips to the post office be swift and your PO ladies be nice.

FOOD!

2010-12-03T09:12:00.003-05:00

I was going to write an all inclusive post that covers what I have been doing the past whatever weeks I haven't written. It really isn't that interesting. Really. Wouldn't you rather I talk about food? That's WAYYYY more interesting to me that what I did with my kids during school or how my Halloween went. Actually, since I brought those up they both have to do with food. We went to Hershey park for Halloween. I discovered that I LOVE kettle corn. It's so yummy and crunchy and salty and sweet and, if you're lucky, WARM! Mmmmmmmmmm! I tried to make it the other day and it turned out alright but not like theirs or the one I had with Katie in Intercourse, PA (heehee). On Wednesday the kids and I went to an Ethiopian restaurant in Richmond for social studies. It was good and fun. We ate beef, chicken, lentils, cabbage and potatoes with our hands. The lentils were the best AND they were spicy. Love it!!!

Last night I watched an episode of Psych. It was sort of weird but there was this pie. Cinnamon pie. Have you heard of it? I haven't. I found a website with a handwritten recipe for it. I'm going to try it very soon.

Katie and I have been making a list of foods we both like. It's just a mental one but I think it should be written down. Here are one's I love:

Sushi - Unagi(eel), spider roll, all kinds just not wierd ones like sea urchin
Funnel cake
Raisin pudding
Eggs benedict
Good chocolate
Stuffed rolls - maybe I will post the recipe and you can tell me if you think its good
ICE CREAM!!!
Taylor's cookies - any kind

I will have to add to this later. Katie I think you will think stuffed rolls are asgusting!!!

Stuffed rolls

1/2 lb velveeta, cut into small cubes
2 eggs, hard-boiled, peeled and chopped
1/2 can chopped olives
1/2 small can tomato sauce
1/4 C oil
hard rolls

Combine ingredients. Cut rolls in half and hollow out. Fill with mixture. Wrap in aluminum foil and heat in oven about 15 minutes.

Sounds disgusting but it's good. I am trying out some new recipes this next week. They all sound yummy. I'll try to post how they go. I'll also try to post a pic of what I am doing this weekend. You'll laugh.

"Mom, you're awesome!"

2010-10-21T00:15:00.003-04:00

I love when my kids say that! In fact, sometimes I do things because I'm pretty sure they will say it. Earlier this week Chay was trying to decide what to be for Halloween this year. We finally settled on an indian. I said, "Let's go to the fabric store and get stuff to make a costume!" (As if I don't have enough to do!!!) Well, I have the pants done and now I have to try and make this crazy shirt tomorrow. I think if I didn't homeschool my kids I could have it done by lunch but I am hoping that it will be done before bed. Then, I get to start on Dylan's karate costume. Am I crazy???? Why do I do this? (Katie will say ADD!!!)

BTW - My quilting tools are my best friends for the day. I could not have made awesome fringe and saved myself mucho dinero without them.

On a side note, I sang Dylan "Silent Night" before bed tonight. I used to sing it all the time to my kids. They would BEG me to sing more and I would have to finally hum it and then sneak down the hall before they noticed. Dylan practically laughed the whole time I was singing. I guess the time of my babies has ended. So sad. Maybe I have become a lazy mom. Oh wait..you DID read what I have been doing today, right??? So....maybe not.........

B-12

2010-09-27T16:16:00.005-04:00

Today (and last night) I am super tired!!! I just took a B-12 and I hope I will feel better by tonight. Last week was crazy! My friend Becky came late on Wed. night to spend a couple of days. Thursday we went to Virginia Beach. The weather was awesome!!! The waves were great and the kids had so much fun playing in the water and the sand. Taylor was able to go and do some work on the way. At the end of the day there was a cool band playing down the street and we were able to listen for a few minutes. Butter. It was great! Then Chipotle for dinner and a late night home. Becky's son Jacob was like a bottomless pit at dinner. I am waiting for Brenden to start eating me out of house and home.

Friday was good too but would have been more so if the weather wasn't 96! It was sooooo hot in Willliamsburg. We went for Home Educator's week. My favorite was watching the "colonists" recite the Declaration of Independence. That was cool! I am thinking I need a stockade and a prison at home. The kids seemed to like it:) The kids were pretty good even though we got home late again. Then, us dumb adults stayed up until almost 2 just chatting. No wonder I am tired! I'm still catching up on sleep. Hopefully I can get to bed early tonight. I should be able to since none of my friends are going to be around to entertain me for hours. Off I go to make roasted chicken............

Things I dislike...

2010-09-13T08:05:00.002-04:00

There are some things in life I really dislike. Here's my short list:

Picking up after my children
Warm sodas
Appliances that don't work when they are supposed to
Meals that don't turn out like I plan
Making my kids do stuff
Getting up early
Being sick
Not being able to hear or taste because I am sick
Static-y clothes

I guess that's all I can think of for now. Maybe I just wanted to complain, sorta. I'm really jealous of my friend, Marianne. She's in Hawaii. Her hubby had business so she is there for 8 days. Lucky her. I like homeschooling my kids but starting that business back up is a pain! The kids ALWAYS rebel. Maybe this week will be better. Maybe this week I will be better.

My confessions

2010-09-01T23:32:00.002-04:00

I have a confession to make. At night, after the kids have gone to bed and I have ditched my hubby for my computer or TV or whatever, I get out my big bag of tortilla chips and cheddar cheese and go to town. I LOVE cheese. I know that eating food late at night, especially fatty ones like chips and cheese, is a major contributor to my rear end, but I just don't care. It's soooo good.

Another confession. I have been reading (well, listening really) to a book called the Hunger Games. I think it's compared to the short story, The Lottery. I don't know I really like this series. It's a really wierd story with lots of heartwrenching, depressing writing. I like reading books that take me on a vacation and not into hours with terrible images and thoughts rattling around my brain like unwanted visitors. I guess my real confession is that even though there are TONS of people that love it, I don't. I am strangely curious about what happens next so I listen and then I am horrified and I have to stop and then I get more curious so I listen more and then I am even more horrified and the cycle goes on. Right now I am not listening. I would like to have nice dreams tonight. I probably won't though. So, Chelsey, others, do I keep reading? Actually, I have finished the first book and am listening to the 2nd. I want to stop but I feel like I have invested so much time and brain power into this book that I need to see what happens in the 3rd. ARGH! Whatever happened to the era of 1 book only????

I just talked to my sister who is preggy and pretty sad that she hasn't had the baby yet. I would be too. I have been. I hope she has that baby tonight! So now my computer battery is on low and I am tired. Happy whatevering!

Faustschlag!!!!!

2010-08-18T23:12:00.003-04:00

This is what you do when you bump fists with someone in Germany. Today I wanted to do it five million times!!!! Our exchange student, Isabell (who is practically a Stockwell b/c she LOOOOOOVES ice cream), attended a private school for 2 days. Sadly, this wasn't working out and despite the fact that the Clover Hill High School had all their international places filled, the principal was able to get her in anyway. YAY!!! I won't go into all the details about the reasons behind the change, but lets just say that our Heavenly Father is definitely concerned for our well-being and all aspects of our daily lives. This change is super awesome b/c now Isabell will get to attend school with Kylee and meet lots of different kinds of people. Now we will have 2 more weeks of summer vacation. Maybe we can make it to the beach!! YAY again!!! So, today it's just.....awesome!

My real life.

2010-08-07T15:27:00.008-04:00

First, let me say, I went out to lunch with Dylan and I drank WAYYY too much Diet Coke. Now my fingers are going a mile a minute and I think I am making alot of mistakes. So, I took some pictures today to illustrate my real life. I feel like am constantly getting pulled in various opposite directions. Mostly of my own creation too.

This first picture is what I WANT TO DO. I am trying to get projects done and this is one of them. But I really want to do it. They are fingerless gloves for my sister. Anyone that has an iPhone or an iPod touch or a touch screen anything can tell you that if you want your hands to stay warm and be able to use your gadget then you have to have a pair of these. My friend, Chelsey, says they are good for playing violin too. I made her a pair. So, I made my sister a scarf and decided she needed a pair of these too. They are easy to knit and the yarn is soooo yummy! Wish I could just sit for hours on end and knit:(

This is what I DID.
I have been painting and sorting and organizing like mad. I have been meaning to sort through my files and abuse my precious label maker. I went through my whole office this week just sorting and throwing things out. My homeschool shelves needed it badly so I can make room for the stuff for the new year. Isn't it hard to figure out what you should keep and what you really should get rid of? I have also painted my bedroom and the laundry room. Whew!

This last part is WHAT I AM DOING. Brenden decided that he needed his own room. Taylor and I have been talking about switching the boys anyway. The rooms are crazy messy!! I don't think the boys room has EVER looked so bad.

We had to put away all the legos and rokenbok in one room and sort clothes, etc. in the other. Dylan also decided that he wants his dresser to be red. So, out we went to Home Depot and bought ourselves some spray paint (and lunch!). At least it's not 100 outside like it has been!

So now you know you know what my real life is like. But if you already read my other posts, you know that I'm sure I have ADD and that's just how it goes in my world. Whatever!!!

Our new addition

2010-07-22T12:47:00.003-04:00

We are adding a member to our family! Well, not permanently but it is still exciting. Isabel from Germany is coming to stay with us for 10 months as a foreign exchange student. Taylor called me up on my way home from camp a week and a half ago and said (while I listened in my post camp stupor), "Let's get an exchange student!" I couldn't even process because the lack of sleep and my elevated body temp from being in yucky heat all week was affecting my brain. So, I still am feeling crazy but at least I am sitting my air conditioning while I write this:) I don't know much about her except that she says she is 15, talkative, and likes sports. I think she will get along with Kylee just fine. I don't even know when she is coming. Sometime in August. Awesome!

As a side note, I registered my daughter for high school today. She was practically jumping out of her skin to get her classes! She is taking German and Theater for her electives. Neither of which I would have chosen for her so it's a good thing I didn't have to do it by myself. My baby is growing up!

Katie says I have ADD

2010-07-15T21:35:00.003-04:00

Is this true? How can this be? Just because I can't sit still long enough to finish a conversation or....what was I saying? A kid interrupted me. I mean my brain DOES go a million miles a minute. I DO have lots of unfinished projects and ones that I REALLY want to start. Can I list a few?

1. finish 2nd summer sock
2. make a vintage pearl necklace
3. replace a pane of glass in my family room window
4. repair a favorite bracelet

What was I saying........a kid is crying....

Did I mention I just now instituted a sibling buddy system? I am so tired of my kids talking mean to each other and being just plain rude. So, for the next 3 days I am having them be someone's buddy. They have to hang out with them, do their chores with them and go somewhere fun with their buddy. They don't really know about the AND friends. Even Kylee. They hate me. It's ok. They hate each other too. Not really, but sort of. Where was I?

5. paint my bedroom
6. recover a chair (I have to fabric)
7. knit fingerless gloves for my mom
8. clean out the garage

Do you get the picture? I think I have a normal amount of household projects but top that off with my addiction to knitting and my inability to sit still and you get one busy chick. It drives my hubby CRAZY!!! Once he really told me he was jealous of my knitting. Maybe he wants me to be one of my projects.

So where was I, oh, ADD.... Just so you know, I am trying to write this post as it comes out of my brain through my arms and down into my fingertips. I don't even want to think about how crazy it sounds until after I press publish and the see the crazy that exists in my brain.

Maybe the ADD is created by the life I lead. Wanna know what I have been doing? I didn't post anything interesting about our HUGE trip to CA. We flew to LA on April 30 and drove down to SAn Diego that night to stay with my sis Rachel. We stopped for food at In N Out Burger. EVERONE raves about that place but we thought it was yucky. We're food snobs. That's a post for a different day. More kid crying. It's the same kid every time too. I love Chay but he whines alot. In SD, we went to the SD Zoo, the beach and Legoland. I took them to Legoland by myself. Taylor was working. We had a good time and I didn't wring anyone's neck and I didn't want to either. YAY! Then it was off to Tehachapi (mom's house a.k.a. home base) for 2 days and then repack and go to visit Taylor's dad. We stayed (camped) at a nice campground in Point Reyes National Park. The scenery was gorgeous but we were so cold!!!!!! We hiked, got junior ranger badges, visited Muir Woods (more badges), toured San Fran and ate dinner with his dad every night. It was so great to see Gene, his wife Barbara, and Uncle Ben (Barbara's son). It's been WAY too long since we connected with them.

Ah, no more crying. Maybe the boys are just getting in trouble.

On to Yosemite for a whirlwind tour in which we our kids trooped 12 miles of hiking with us. Every time you open your eyes there, you think you are looking at a real live postcard. It's breathtaking. For real. We also took our kids to Mariposa Grove to see the biggest trees they will EVER see in their lives. I love trees. My grandpa loved trees too.

I am just realizing that I will be writing for the next hour if I tell you everything we did and how I felt and what we ate, etc. so I will sum it up. Let's see..... back to home base, Disneyland (we fit 10 people in our hotel room, got 2-4 hours of sleep and still managed to have fun), home base, reunion (AGHHHHHH!!! Need I say more? We got snow and church was cancelled), still at home base, Grand Canyon (great trip!), home base, LA, fly home on my birthday, Jun 2. There!!!!

Then, I had 2 weeks to recover, get my house in order and then repack to go to Nags Head for a week with Taylor's family (yet another post - maybe). Then home to unpack and crazy pack and finish prep for girls camp (Mom, I KNOW it's really called YW camp but I can't stop). Now I am mostly unpacked from camp and back into the routine. I have even started a project and am re-reading Twilight. I know it's silly but the whole Jacob/Edward thing really is compelling.

So, now what? I am making plans for the rest of the summer and seeing how all my projects fit into it. I know I won't get them all done but that's ok. What else would I look forward too? Oh wait, more projects! I will just keep making plans, buying yarn and hope I have the time to finish them. So, maybe I have ADD or not. Who cares? If I didn't, I wouldn't be Brie.

I loooove Chick-fil-a!!!

2010-07-12T13:24:00.000-04:00

I remember when my friend Becky first told me about their yummy sandwiches and lemonade. It seems like forever ago. Now I have one 2 seconds from my house and it calls to me quite often. Maybe it's the diet Dr.Pepper on tap or the ice dream but I just can't resist. They even have free wi-fi so now I can do computer stuff while kids play. So cool!!!!! It's like a moms best friend. I sometimes even bring my knitting AND if I sit for long enough, a nice guy will ask me if I want a refill. Yes!!!! Of course I do!!! DUH!!! Btw, I am there, right now, updating my blog and escaping for a minute before I have to cook, fold laundry, and just plain recover from my week of super hot girls camp. See you next time my chickeny fried friend.

Getting older

2010-06-13T14:58:00.003-04:00

I have been feeling older lately. Not old, just getting older. So now instead of feeling 19 or 21, I am feeling more like 26 or 27. Maybe it's because I turned 35 (which is halfway to 70 - BTW). Or maybe it's because my kids are getting older and I supposed to BE older when that happens. Who knows? Well, whatever...it is what it is. I have also been thinking about what I am doing with my life. I am reading an interesting book. I bet you can't guess what it is! I will post more about that later.

I am in the process of figuring out some of our homeschool curriculum for next year. It's tough but I actually enjoy getting into my kids brains to see what works for them. I am glad we have the option of doing lots of different things to educate them. It's just crazy that there are SOOOO many options out there - too many. But, each family is different and so are the kids. OK, I am bored of this post. You probably are too......see ya next time.

Getting organized!

2010-03-17T22:01:00.002-04:00

I don't think you even want to know what I did today. But...in case you do...I went to the gym with my daughter (after getting REALLY frustrated that she woke me up and then made me sit on the couch for 15 min. while she got her act together!), made my kids do chores, cooked breakfast, made my kids do school (Brenden BEGGED me to do school work instead of housework and then whined about that too - YUCK!), made soup for a friend, made dinner for us, whipped up some GF dinner rolls, whipped up some GF cupcakes (that are totally awesome - BTW), drove to soccer, drove to church, reorganized the playroom, made the kids take care of all their junk, and now here I am. WHEW! Now I am trying to decide what I am going to make for card swap treats tomorrow.

I am totally on an organizing binge right now. I just want all the clutter to disappear. Is it wrong of me to NEEEED to open the pantry and not have a panic attack??? Hopefully I will get the things done that I want to before we go to CA in May. If not, it's just going to have to be whatever. Oh well. Wish me luck.

Changes and stuff...

2010-02-14T19:07:00.003-05:00

Recently, I had a conversation about blog titles and my friend, Marianne, told me that mine should be "It's just....Whatever..". I thought, "Hmmmm, that's funny", and let it sit on my brain for a while. (BTW - I am very concerned about my punctuation in the previous sentence but am too lazy to get out Turabian's book or look it up online. If you have a problem you can either correct me, if you know enough to, or keep it to yourself - heehee.) M said that I say it ALL the time and guess what? I do! I just didn't realize. So, I think it's an appropriate title. Some days are just...whatever. If your stuff breaks, it's just..whatever. If your kids are bad, it's just...whatever. Your day will get better. Your stuff can get fixed or replaced (or not - it's still whatever). And, your kids will probably behave better tomorrow. I guess it's an attitude that doesn't mean I don't care but really that it's not worth worrying about.

So, today I'm just whatever. I am battling a small bout of vertigo, which I have never had before. It's very strange to feel like your head is spinning every time you get up or down or look to one side or the other. I was at Patient First for 3 hours yesterday so I could figure this out. I guess it's my fault I was there for so long. Everyone just happened to want to go in at the same time as me. Oh well. My nice little Indian lady doc gave me some meds ("these will make you drowsy" - great) and told me to go home and rest. SURE!!! Right after I cook dinner, clean my house, and homeschool my kids. Actually, my hubby is great. He made dinner AND cleaned it up AND put the kids to bed while I sat on the couch with the remote. He's awesome. I feel a little better today. I even cooked dinner and gave my kids their valentine's and Chinese New Year stuff. Here's what I made:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/old-time-beef-stew-recipe/index.html

It's awesome. Everyone likes it and that's saying alot. I don't know what I'll have tomorrow. At least I know I have leftovers for lunch.. YUM!!! Well, I'm off to watch Olympics On TV and stuff my face with Sweetarts Hearts that I bought for myself for V's day. I love me.

Make up is sooo fun!

2009-12-05T16:07:00.002-05:00

I have been thinking for a while about getting Kylee some make up. I figure she will be in HS soon and all her friends are "doing it". So, why not start with some great make up she won't look hideous in. We went to Bare Escentuals and had a blast! Here's a pic....

I love Sushi!

2009-12-05T00:02:00.001-05:00

The love affair started when I was in college. I hung out with this guy that introduced me to it's awesomeness. Now I could eat it alllll the time. I am so thankful to be married to a guy that enjoys it just as much as I do. Some favs - sweet potato roll, spider roll, hamachi (raw yellowtail), unagi (cooked eel), and most anything that has tobiko (fish eggs - yum!) or sesame seeds on it. Sushi - it's what's for dinner!

Thanksgiving

2009-12-01T21:31:00.004-05:00

I am taking a break in my studying (EW!) to blurb a little about Thanksgiving. We had a great time with my mom, her new hubby, Joel, and Aunt Liz. It was relaxing and the food was great! The kids made a 3D Taj Mahal (my sneaky way of having "school" on a holiday!). Brenden ended up finishing the whole thing. He wants to make the Roman Coliseum next. Taylor played football in the fog. We ate yummy food like baked onions, pan roasted cauliflower and a yummy salad with pears, walnuts and blackberries. After dinner we went to see "A Christmas Carol" in 3D. It was really great! We just finished reading Dickens and were able to notice that they used the same dialog from the book. I am so glad they didn't change it. There was only one small part in which the Disney people thought they could take artistic license. I was surprised that my kids wanted popcorn after Thanksgiving dinner but that's all my fault. I have trained them at the free summer movies to want popcorn since we buy it whenever we go. Such a cheap outing. Joel and my mom gave all the boys tool boxes with locks. Now I don't have to hear about how the lego creation they just made was ruined by a sibling. They can just stick them in the box and lock it! How can I keep them from changing the combos? It was fun to meet Joel. Dylan keeps calling him Grandpa Joel and snuggling him. I think Joel liked it;) Who wouldn't? When Dylan isn't acting like a baby or a dog or a little brother then he is simply delightful! Well, you should all be tired of reading such a long post from me. It's my way of getting out of studying. Well..you know what I have to do now.....I am kicking and screaming inside my head but with a smile on my face and a Dr. Pepper in hand......

The end is in sight!!!

2009-12-01T00:01:00.001-05:00

I am soooooo close to finishing up this class.
This is what I have to do: study for and write outlines of 5 essay questions, take the midterm on one of those questions and write a term paper. This all has to be done by Dec. 10th so I can request my final. I am not even thinking about that test yet!
This is what I want to do: finish knitting my socks, finish knitting some fingerless gloves, finish knitting my scarf, knit an ornament for my gift exchange, recover my chair in my bedroom, paint my bedroom, make a sweater Christmas stocking tutorial, and decorate a big wood wreath for the neighborhood decorating. Writing papers is definitely NOT on my to do list. YUCK!!! Can I knit something that looks ancient or something?????

School

2009-11-20T16:57:00.000-05:00

Well, I have been really busy!!! I am madly trying to finish a class I am taking from BYU. It is totally consuming my life. Between that and homeschooling ALL my kids this year, I don't feel like there is any room left for anything else...even my hubby!!! (Sorry babe!) I guess this is why we do college while we are young. Then we don't have to know how nice it is to come home, watch TV and knit instead of study our brains until 2 am and the get up at 6 for work or a class. Now that I have had the luxury of sitting around I am totally bummed that I have to read books I am not interested in, write papers and ignore my family. I guess my kids don't care since I am with them all day. I am sure my husband does though. I guess it's like being pregnant, it will all be over sooner or later - no matter what! Now I am off to practice my flute, study (while eating dinner) and then maybe squeeze in a mini date with Taylor, if he isn't too tired by then. Me, I'll just have another Dr. Pepper and stay up all night!!!!

To all who are interested..

2009-07-01T00:04:00.002-04:00

Hello again. Chelsey has been bugging me about posting so I will do a quick one. I have been off the radar b/c..
1. My kids have swim practice everyday from 9-11 and there is no WI-FI.
2. I am over certification for stake girls camp next week (sorry mom..I meant Young women's camp).
3. When we get home there are tons of little boys that play and have to be watched.
4. The house doesn't clean itself!
5. Knitting takes 2 hands therefore I can't type while knitting (maybe I can dictate....)

So, since taking up sock knitting I have made 4 pairs now. 1 for Chay, 1 for Dylan, 1 for Liz and I just finished an awesome pair for me. The little girls at swim practice walk by me and ask me what I am knitting. They are very interested.

My kids are doing awesome on the swim team. It is so great to see them learn a new skill and get some energy out at the same time. Let me tell you.....they are tired!!!!! Love it!!!

Well, that's it for today. Hopefully I will write soon with pics but don't get your hopes up!

Today...Trying to get back on track.

2009-06-01T07:08:00.001-04:00

For the past several months my mom has been living with me. It has been glorious! I have loved having her around. She drives the kids to school, does dishes and helps out around the house. We have re-learned to knit, gone to the temple, planted my garden, removed wallpaper from and painted my upstairs hallway AND she watched the kids while Taylor and I went away. I'm sure we did more than that. That's just all I can remember today. Soooo...while we were doing all that I sort of dropped alot of my balls that I was juggling. Now that she is leaving on Thursday, I will pick them back up and start again. So, I don't care that I haven't written since I picked her up in UT, and I don't care that my house isn't immaculate, it's just been fun to have her around. How often will I get to do that with her?? Heck, I haven't even lived with her since I was 19! So, now I will try to write on my blog more (even if no one reads it). I will pay more attention to my house. I will plan camp certification, do my online class and prepare to homeschool my kids in the fall. Sounds like enough fun, doesn't it?? Well, I'm off to get kids to school - 3 days left of it!

Visiting Lorna!

2009-03-11T00:06:00.000-04:00

I am so excited to visit my sis and her cute family in UT. Her kids are suuuuuper adorable! I will post pics asap. I flew in tonight and am driving back home with mom on Thursday. Hopefully it won't take us longer than 3 days. Wish me luck!

Mobile Blogging from here.

Another test!!!

2009-01-28T13:34:00.001-05:00

I am seeing which mobile blogging app I like best. Hmmmmm.

Ipod test

2009-01-28T13:31:00.000-05:00

This is a test entry from my iPod. Hope it works!!!

Mobile Blogging from here.

Sick!

2009-01-25T22:18:00.003-05:00

This is me, lying in bed, body aching and tired, sick. I think it will take me twice as long to type this because my fingers are being lame-o. We all stayed home from church and did nothing. Well, can you count poking around on the computer, making playdough, and cooking dinner, nothing??? The kids were so bored but we just needed to lay around and do nothing. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Hopefully, a better me and a cleaner house;)

We love the science museum.

2008-11-10T18:44:00.000-05:00

We had some days off last week so we went to the Science museum. We had fun. Kylee didn't want to go so she went to an Imax movie that was "just ok, whatever"(accent implied). Well, life is busy so I will update more later. Here are some pics.........

Chimney Rock Rocks!

2008-11-03T22:54:00.000-05:00

Last Sat. we went hiking with the Frizzell family to Chimney Rock near Lake Cunningham in MD. Brenden had a fit the whole way up but the rest of us had a great time. The colors were beautiful and the hike wasn't too hard or too easy. As you can see, the view from the top was breathtaking. There was one rock that was a little difficult to get to. Taylor, Rich, Becky and her sister, Katie all jumped over to it. Somehow Chay managed to get on top. I think he was the only kid brave enough to get up there. Actually, Dylan wanted to go but I wouldn't let him. He just has no fear. The kids and the rest of us had a great time exploring and Brenden eventually cheered up:) More to come later....

Happy Halloween!!!!!

2008-11-01T00:04:00.001-04:00

We went to visit some friends today so we could trick-or-treat with them. Our kids love to dress up! Tonight they ate as much candy as they wanted but tomorrow is the first annual Stockwell Candy Exchange. We will see what happens! To be continued.....

Pumpkin Carving

2008-10-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

My kids love to carve pumpkins. Over the years it has gotten easier. I remember having to carve whatever they thought of in their heads while they stood there playing with seeds and making a mess. Now they play with seeds and make a mess but they are carving themselves. I love seeing their creativity come out as they realize their pumpkin dreams.

We got our pumpkins at the Walmart "pumpkin patch". They were huge and totally cheap! I had to bribe them with ice cream and a trip to the Halloween store. I think Kylee still likes being a kid because she is the one that wanted the "real thing" the most. Tonight is our "trunk or treat" and we are excited to dress up again. Woohoo!!!!

Ooooh La La!!!

2008-08-30T21:47:00.001-04:00

This is Dylan's new favorite saying and I think it applies to my new purchase......red shoes. Not just any pair of red shoes but 3.5 or 4 inch red patent peep toe pumps with a stacked heel. Whew! Boy do they look good too. Well, Taylor likes them;)

So, you are probably wondering where I have been. Well, Brenden started going to a new school and I just never got back into the swing of things. So, here I am now. We have had a busy and sort of not-so-eventful summer. We bought everyone season passes to King's Dominion. Here is a video of our kids doing this crazy ride - the Extreme Skyflyer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A83M0a7MWsg

Our kids are all going to this new school, Richmond Waldorf School. You can check it out if you want:

http://www.richmondwaldorf.com/

It's very different from public schools but so much fun! Well, I am starting to feel very tired and I need to finish up my lesson before I totally crash. Ta ta!!!

Silly us!

2008-05-12T20:50:00.001-04:00

My kids are soooo funny! After the little boys go to bed then we can have some fun. Check us out!

MOM'S DAY!!!

2008-05-11T18:49:00.000-04:00

I love being a mom!!! I wouldn't have it any other way. Life is crazy, suprising and fun with kids in my house. It's weird to think that I was ever without them. 12 years ago I gave birth to my first baby (my only girl). Most days are fun but some definitely have their challenges.

So, today I want to thank my mom for giving birth to me, raising me and supporting me as an adult. I love that she taught me to have fun and be adventurous. I love that she taught me to be independent. I love that she taught me to listen and make my own choices. She is a fantastic woman for putting up with me and the rest of us girls. Thanks for making the Strawberry Shortcake blanket so I can be warm when I am sick. I love you mom!!!

Thanks to my kids and hubby for getting a bunch of my favorite things for Mother's Day. I love you guys. YOU are my favorite things in the world!!!! XOXO

What a day!

2008-04-25T22:46:00.001-04:00

No pic today but I just wanted to say WHEW!! Our Young Women (I mean me) are having a yard sale. It is tomorrow morning and it has been so much work. Hopefully it will go well.

I have also been busy with Brenden and his school. We have embarked on a new adventure! I will have to write a novel about it next time.

He finally lost it!!!

2008-04-07T23:26:00.001-04:00

Well, Chay finally lost it - his first tooth!!!! He was so happy! Just about all his friends have mouthfuls of holes. He waited so patiently too.

It is so great to see my kids getting older. I love celebrating their many great moments with them. Being a mom is really about enjoying all the great times and getting through the bad without getting scathed. Let's hope there are more good than bad.

Kylee had a great time taking these photos! What a great big sis!

APRIL FOOL'S!!!

2008-04-01T22:57:00.000-04:00

So, today was April Fool's day. Taylor and I had a great time playing a huge joke on our kids. We pretended to send a letter to us (the parents) from the school district. Taylor scanned a letterhead and I wrote this:

Over the past several years our school board has noticed a significant decrease in overall student performance. We feel that our current school schedule is inadequate and is not meeting the current needs of our students. So, in order to fully comply with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002, we will be moving our schools to a year-round program. School will not end on June 13 as previously released on the calendar but will continue until July 11 followed by a 3 week break. School will then resume on August 5 preceded by a teacher workday on Monday August 4. Our schools will adjust classes to follow a quarterly schedule.

As always, we are working hard to ensure your child's complete education. Thank you for your continued support of our schools and teachers. We will be releasing more complete information in the following weeks followed by a public board meeting on Monday May 5, 2008 at 7 pm.

Our kids were so mad that they weren't able to have a full summer. The best part of it all is that we were able to get our neighbors in on the joke. Their girls were REALLY mad about it. All the kids started texting their friends to let them know about the stupid decision the schools were making. We finally told them and gave them cookies to ease the humiliation. All the adults had a HUGE laugh! HEEHEEHEEHEE!!! I think we parents are in for some payback next year!

I have just been hanging around. Last week was spring break. Taylor had to go to Chicago on business and I took the kids to Maryland. We played with our good friends, the Frizzell's. We stopped at King's Dominion on the way home. What a gorgeous day we had. We rounded off spring break with a trip to the science museum. It is fun to have fun with my kids. I like it so much better than making kids do homework or handing out consequences. So, who can I hire to take care of the dirty work?????

Almost Spring!

2008-03-19T08:22:00.000-04:00

Well, it's almost spring. Tomorrow!!! I love spring! My yard literally explodes with color. First, the daffodils come out. Soon followed by all my pretty flowering trees. Can I hire someone to clean my house so I can spend all my time outside playing?

I made these cookies tonight for our Young Women's activity:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Beths-Spicy-Oatmeal-Raisin-Cookies/Detail.aspx

I love hanging out with the girls. Although, I pay the price. My house is usually a mess when I get home. Oh well. I will just go outside tomorrow and ignore it:)

Ho hum

2008-03-10T13:22:00.000-04:00

Well, I don't think I want to bore everyone with my boring life this past week and a half. The best part was that my mom came to see me (and my kids-mostly the kids, I think). We had a good time. Gma Dries took Brenden and Dylan out on their birthday dates. Very cute! Dylan chose chocolate everything and Brenden got legos. We took a little walk to the lake on yesterday with all the kids while Taylor took a nap. She was only here for the weekend and is on her way back to see Lorna in Northern VA. My assignment for next time is to think of a project to do. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Today, I would like to spend all day scrapbooking but I have to keep my house clean and my kids in line. Life must go on and so must the vacuum!!!

Brenden is 9!!

2008-02-27T21:52:00.000-05:00

I think it is so neat to see my kids get older and wiser. Today is Brenden's birthday. I can't believe it has been a year since he got baptized. He has done a ton of stuff. I am trying to remember what those things are. He lost a ton of teeth. He grew about 6 inches, I'm sure. He can now put together a box of legos in 3 seconds flat. (I haven't watched him, but it seems this way.) I love him so much.

Off the couch and cookin'!

2008-02-25T21:31:00.000-05:00

This post is for you Marianne! -

I like cooking. In fact, I would love to cook a ton and then have a magic fairy that comes behind me and cleans up the HUGE mess I have just made. And then, like a commercial, everything is not just clean but actually sparkling. Alas, it isn't so. So, I will continue to stack my dishes and hope my hubby comes to help before I go crazy.

When my husband I and I first met, Taylor did most of the cooking. He loved to try new things and I didn't. Well, like all good things should, he rubbed off on me. I love trying new recipes now! One of those recipes that is now one of our staples is this one:

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1185388

I made this tonight and....victory! I have defeated my friend Marianne in something! My friend Marianne is a great cook and baker. Everything she lays her hand on in the kitchen turns to edible gold. Tonight, her daughter said that my roast chicken was better than her moms. So, Marianne, you may be in Hawaii, but I get have your lovely daughter's company AND her compliments. Now, if I could just get your recipe for cinnamon rolls...............

On the couch again!!! -HAHAHAHAHA!

2008-02-24T10:47:00.000-05:00

Well, my friend Marianne is in Hawaii and I am at home sick on the couch. Luckily for me, Taylor is a great hubby AND still in town. I feel better than I did yesterday and hopefully I will be way better tomorrow. It is so interesting to be here and see life happening around me.

This week

2008-02-21T10:04:00.000-05:00

Well, I know it has been a week. Really, I have been putting off writing something. I went to a funeral yesterday. It was for my friend's 3-month-old baby. She had a heart defect and other complications. It was bittersweet. Many times in life we don't know what to say and I think this is one of them. Hmmmmm..Brie without words..what a quiet world. My kids are keeping me busy as well as my house. Today I am going to take Dylan to swim lessons, pick up my friend's daughter in Fredericksburg and plan Family Home Evening. I don't think I will list every other little thing I have to do to keep my house running and (sort of) order. Now what is for dinner............................?

My legs hurt:(

2008-02-13T23:02:00.000-05:00

So, today I did tons of stuff to make up for the day, well, you know, that I had yesterday. I won't go into all the details. The one thing I wanted to do was get my kitchen mopped. Looks like there is always tomorrow. That is, if I can do it early in the day before my legs start aching.

Mostly want I want to say today is how thankful I am for my husband. I think he gets me. He just knows what I need exactly when I need it. What a good guy! Thanks babe!

More couch time???!!!

2008-02-12T13:18:00.000-05:00

I can't believe I am on the couch again!!! Actually, I don't feel well again today. No, I am not pregnant! Dylan is running amuck...but is being relatively good. So far, he has played playdough, puzzles, rescue heroes and the latest is lazer tag. The bright spot of my day has been that my friend Lynne had a baby. Benjamin Jr. She says he is just as cute as her little girl, but I will have to see to believe. If I am feeling better tomorrow then I will go check him out:) Hopefully I will get some dishes done and dinner made. Then I will feel worthwhile.

And while I was writing this, Dylan developed a poop issue that I need to solve now. (sigh!)

Try this yummy recipe - it's at allrecipes.com:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chocolate-Chip-Banana-Muffins-2/Detail.aspx

What a weekend!

2008-02-11T10:52:00.002-05:00

Wow! I didn't feel like our weekend was that crazy but maybe I just live in a constant state of crazy. We had a primary breakfast at 9 am and Taylor and I went to Panera to eat - no kids! I can't believe that all of them are in primary right now. Then Dylan went to a birthday party and the other boys got haircuts. I have no idea why Brenden decided to have a huge fit about getting it done. He sat in the chair with a scowl on his face the whole time. At least he was still:) Oh yeah, we went with Aunt Liz and Chay's friend Lindsay came too. On the way home we listened to the Beastie Boys - Chay and Lindsay were rockin' out! Sunday was interesting. I picked up a used dresser on Sat. and got it all ready to be painted. I left everything on the lawn so it would be easy to get back to. After all, it wasn't going to rain. When I got back from my meetings after church, I found a huge branch fallen from a tree in our yard. It had totally demolished one of the drawers:( There isn't even a way to salvage it. Oh well. So now I have to find another dresser or try to fix this one. I am bummed!!!!!! Branches kept falling due to the really high winds and now our yard looks like a war zone. I am glad that it isn't 10 feet closer to our house. Whew!

Can you argue with a 4-year-old???

2008-02-08T15:14:00.001-05:00

A spidey suit, a spidey cape, 2 light sabers (almost 3), snow boots, and a lunch box with a spidey water bottle, a star wars guy, and 3 race cars. This is what we whittled today's collection down to. The only requirement is that Dylan has to be able to carry it all - all the time. So what if 4-year-old's aren't rational? I'm not. What fun it would be to leave the house without brushing your teeth, wearing a costume and toting almost all of your favorite toys, without anyone giving you any grief?

Today we got Dylan's haircut. He was soooo good!!! Maybe I will post a pic of his cute cut later. We are off on a date - dancing at church and a late dinner at the Boathouse. MMMMMMMMM!

P.S. Sorry about the turned pic. It is right side up on my computer but not on here. Try clicking on one of the rectangles below it.

Still on the couch

2008-02-08T10:06:00.000-05:00

Man! Why are there some days (I mean, weeks) I just have to be still for a while and sit here unshowered, unfed (does coke count?), and uninterested in doing what I should? I usually feel better if I take a shower but don't I have to get off the couch first???

Last night we put together our 72 hour kit backpacks. We still need a few things for them and, other than rain ponchos, we are all set. Taylor had the brilliant foresight to buy some MRE's. They were so easy to stick in our backpacks. HOORAY!!! I love being prepared for something, even if I don't know what it is. My only concern is that our kids wil sneak into the candy bars. I will tell all when that happens. I predict finding candy wrappers in the guest room and chocolate smeared on the guest bed and Dylan's face.

Well, I have a to do list at least 6 inches long and, if I don't get off my duff, I'm sure it will keep growing. Time to shower and get moving!!!

Laid on the couch

2008-02-07T14:48:00.000-05:00

This morning I got PMS frustrated with my kids and watched TV from my couch a good portion of the morning. I like Tim Gunn, even though he is incredibly gay. Hmmmmm, maybe his gayness makes him more likable. Thank goodness that Dylan had a swim lesson or else I think I would have stayed there all day and eaten the rest of the pan of rice krispy treats I made last night. I am trying to figure out how to get everything done in my house and then have it stay that way (without paying a maid). I will let you know how that goes. Now....what's for dinner (and...will the kids like it)?