Monday, January 24, 2011

Stuff

I have been wretched about blogging lately... I think I am in a funk.  Just that feeling like you don't really have anything to say.  I am sleep deprived, for sure - so maybe that has something to do with it.  Baby J ha taken to making noise all.night.long.  I have been trying different things, but not much seems to help.  My usual bag of tricks does nothing for her stubbornness.  But, this week we are going to a full on schedule.  We have always had a loose schedule - but I'm willing to try anything at this point, so this week I am going to try and stay home a lot and keep her on a tighter clock.  It might not work, and I might be back at square one on Friday, but it is worth a try at least.  I need my sanity back.

In other baby J news, she is sitting up really well now:


That is a lot of fun for all of us!  

My sweet middle girl has been struggling with obedience lately, so we have been spending a lot of time doing this:


Three years old is so tough!  My least favorite stage for sure - always testing those boundaries.  She makes me feel like I need to read more parenting books.  ;) 
But she is also the sweetest girl, loving quality time with her family members, loving to talk and talk and talk!  Her smile lights up a room and makes everyone smile with her.
It makes being three almost bearable.
Almost. 

Ad just when I think the bickering between the two big girls is going to drive a wedge between the two of them, they do something like this:


And restore my faith in their friendship.  Paige always tells me Lauren is her best friend, which makes me smile!  And then, about two seconds later - it makes me feel bad that she doesn't know more friends her age.  She needs a social activity!

Our kitchen erupted with laughter last week when I made the girls this for lunch:


And the plates were wiped clean really quick!  I think there will be more face-lunches in our future!

Our bedroom furniture got here on Saturday (thank you so much, Kohner family!) and it is slowly coming together in there.  I will have to post some pictures after I get the photos up on the walls.  It feels like we are sleeping in someone else's house, since we have never had any bedroom furniture to speak of.  But, it is amazing - it makes me feel more like it is really "our" room, instead of just another place to pile junk in our house.  I hope that will stick, because you all know how I am about piles.  They are how I function.  It's bad.

The next project on my list is to refinish the dresser that has been our only piece of bedroom furniture for these past ten years.  Considering I have never refinished ANYTHING, it should be an adventure.  Or a disaster.  I'll keep you posted.

I hope to be back with more real pictures really soon!  

Happy Monday, all!
Signature

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Ten on Tuesday

1.  It is the 11th day of 2011 and I am just now posting pictures from the last day of last year.  I would like to say that becoming less of a procrastinator is on my list of resolutions, but it's not.  I am a realist when it comes to those sort of things.  Why set yourself up for failure?  ;)

2.  On New Years Eve we set off smoke bombs in the yard.  The girls thought it was pretty fun, and it was much less dangerous than the real fireworks you can now buy in Arizona!





3.  Then we were able to visit with our old college friends Scott and Tracey while they were visiting from Bend, OR.  It was so great to see them!


4.  Yesterday I started an editing tutorial, and I am in love.  Seriously, Erin Cobb is my hero!  Here's a few shots that I used her editing tips on, beforehand the first two were severely underexposed (DARK, for the non-shutterbugs out there) and the third one was overexposed (washed out).




They aren't perfect, but I am working making progress!

5.  I am getting the decorating bug.  My house has been too plain for too long - and I need to fix that!  I have tons of ideas in my head.  Just have to figure out a way to work some money out of the budget.  UGH.

6.  Since I am not at all crafty, #5 could be a truly frightening adventure.

7.  I had all three kids down for naps for 45 minutes today!  Woo hoo!  Even if they drive me nuts for the rest of the night, this was a good day!  

8.  Lauren was sent home with projects to complete from two of her "centers" today because she didn't get them done at school.  She instead chose to socialize.  With a boy.  Oh, be still my mama heart.

9.  On a different note, Lauren starts soccer in two weeks!  I am so excited for her to try it out - praying that she will love it as much as she thinks she will!  

10.  I made this dish for dinner last night, and it was awesome!  Seriously, one of my new favorites.  I am slowly becoming a big leek fan, which says a lot because I despise onions.  But leeks are sweet and tender and YUM.  Of course my kids only ate the chicken and cranberries... but whatever, that's almost a well balanced meal.  =)

Have a great rest of your Tuesday!!!

Signature

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Geez...

I have been really bad about posting on here lately.  Sorry about that!  If you ever visit my business blog, you know it is the same way... utter silence.  I must get on the ball about that!

Finally, the last of the shots from our holidays:

Christmas Day we drove to Vegas and had Christmas Dinner with my family, opening gifts afterward.

Jaelyn and her GG:


Paige was having a hard time holding up Ariel for a picture.  LOL!


Lauren got a robot dinosaur which she loves.  Like a baby-doll.  Don't get me started...


The next day we got come fresh air at the park.


And it was coooooold.  But, I am from Phoenix, so it's all relative.

But, cold is always a good reason to get out this favorite hat and coat for the baby!



Signature

Monday, January 3, 2011

Christmas morning

Such a fun morning!!!  I should have put my flash on -- but oh well, thanks to Wilette, I am learning to love the grain.  =)

Santa always leaves each girl their special gift on the coffee table next to what is left of his milk and cookies:


Paige has awesome bed-head.


Lauren asked for this particular game - unfortunately she was not so happy to find out you can't OPEN the tube.  Right!  Can you even imagine?!?


Jaelyn was a good girl too - Santa brought her a silky-blanket, in pink camo!


Paige was excited about everything this year!  Love that!







Daddy got the girls a special gift:


He did the wrapping himself!  *snerk*

Lauren thinks it is too cool!


She finally got it adjusted and shot it yesterday, with a huge smile on her face!

The Slinkies were a big hit from their stockings.


Everyone loves a Slinky.

As Pioneer Woman would say, "Name that movie."


Lauren's ornament she made at school.  


Love.  

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!!!

Signature