OUR FAMILY CHRISTMAS LETTER 2006:


Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas…...

We hope that you have had a blessed year, and that this letter meets you in good health and happiness! We have had a FUN time together as a family this year, and would love to share a short update about the good times and the not so good…

Judd has had a year of WORK!! (And that’s the way he likes it!) His company is so busy, that we rarely see him. With the job of Varsity Scout Coach, and YM Sunday School teacher, he is also busy with camping, YM activities, and trying to keep up with his two sons. He is our hero, and we love him for working so hard for our family.
He had the opportunity to take our family on a trip to Disneyland in April, and he enjoyed having a week off work. He also was able to take 3 days off to go deer hunting in South Eastern Utah, with his Dad and brother Kyle. They packed in with horses, on snow covered mountains, and camped two nights. They nearly froze to death, but they had a great time!

Keiauni is keeping herself busy with two BOYS to look after. The boys are the center of her scrapbooking and photography hobbies. She enjoys being Primary secretary, and also being the “home skills” specialist for the Relief Society’s Enrichment activities. She is also compiling a ward cookbook. This year she has decided to create an “Old Fashioned Christmas” at home, and is excited to decorate, bake, and celebrate the “old fashioned way.” Keiauni has been enjoying the winter for the 1st time in her life! She had her tonsils taken out in late August, and hasn’t been sick since!! (the three weeks of MISERY after the surgery, were completely worth it!!)

Elijah (6) has had a great year. He LOVES kindergarten. He LOVES girls!! (Eeewww!)
He is an artist, and spends most of his time drawing. He can draw ANYTHING!! We have been shocked at what he can create with any type of medium. He is an animal lover, and wants Grandpa Steve to bring him “a real horse for my birthday.”
He also LOVES to work! (Chip off the ‘ol block…) Sometimes Judd takes Eli to work with him, and is so proud that he is so helpful! He doesn’t mess around. He gets down to business, and loves being given jobs. He enjoyed a fun Soccer season this fall, with cousin Derek as the coach, and Dad (Judd) as an assistant. Eli also loves to take things apart, and try to figure out how they work. (Uh-oh!) He loves to help Mom in the kitchen, and likes to watch the Food Network. We love this kid!!

Asher (4) keeps us entertained. He is always SO BUSY, trying to make people laugh. He LOVES video games, and singing. He attends preschool 3 days a week. He loves our new kitten “Maggie Boo”, and carries her around with him, as much as she will tolerate it. He enjoyed soccer this year, but was more likely to be seen “dancing” on the field, than kicking the ball….he still scored a few! Ash is a CLOWN. He loves to make silly jokes, and tease everyone in our family. He likes to go for car rides with Grandpa Dave, and asks that we have Grandpa pick him up from school. Asher’s favorite color is GREEN, and he likes everyone to know it. He still comes in and jumps in bed with us at night at 3:00am (Because E.T. might be outside our house!) and likes to snuggle. We love our little man!

We hope to hear from you this Christmas, and hope that you have a blessed New Year!

Love,

The Beagley Family

Okay, so you know that new family photo I've been buzzing about? Did not happen. I cannot pin down DH long enough to get it done!! I wish that it was possible, but he is really busy! I mean aren't we all this time of year, but for him....DANG! everyone needs a little bit from him, and this can be rough. ( And awesome all at the same time.) I LOVE HIM. He is our hero, and our ROCK. I am so lucky to have been with such an awesome man for the past 7 years. Were going on eight! (and forever...)

So because I couldn't get the photo in time for cards, I settled for one of our family in CA at the beach this last spring. I will get the CHRISTMASSY photo done still...Just probably on Christmas Eve. (I am so last minute!)

I have a screaming headache, and I can't seem to think straight. My head is buzzing with home budgeting equations, and christmas to do lists.

I just ingested a banana, 3 motrin, and an Imitrex in hopes that this dang headache will pass, and that I can start to clean my house..... at 10:00pm no less.

I went to a cool bead party tonite at my friend Michelle's. I made the necklace, earrings and bracelet that my mom requested I create for my little sis for Christmas. I hope she doesn't choke at the $40 price tag. I love making jewelry...It is so fun. Just spendy.

Tomarrow I am hoping that I will muster up the "family photo" opportunity that I need for our Christmas card this year. Letters are typed. Addresses are almost organized. We just need the darn picture. This is no easy feat, with two squirmy little boys who don't like to be dressed up, and a husband who at times refuses to comb his hair for photos...(with no good reason at all, besides to execute a boyish protest!) It will get done though...Oh yes it will be done!

Thanks for listening to my rambling.... LATER!!

A Christmas Survey
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Neither...Wassail does it for me!
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under thetree? The Elves do the wrapping...Santa is a busy man.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? WHITE!! And color too! I love it all. I think that pink would be especially COOL!!
4. Do you hang mistletoe? YES! I love any tradition that gets me a smooch!
5. When do you put your decorations up? I'm doing it now! (After Thanksgiving weekend!)
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excludingdessert)? My grandma Rena's Rolls, and Honey baked Ham...YUM!
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Belly Crawling down the hall in the middle of the night, to peek at the Christmas presents and Tree on Christmas Eve.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? The truth about Santa... hmmm. Well, if you are like me, then you absolutely BELIEVE. Believing is part of Christmas.9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Uh-Huh...Slippers and Pj's of Course!
910. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Judd and I choose and buy a TRADITIONAL looking ornament together every year. Then I write the Year on the back or bottom of the ornament. It always brings back fun memories of Christmas when we get them out. We decorate our tree with some sort of theme, and use our traditional ornaments as well. This year, our tree's theme is "Old Fashioned Christmas." Sounds fun, huh?11. Snow - love it or hate it? Love it on Christmas day, and I love to Sled with the kids. Besides that, I don't have much use for it.
12. Can you ice skate? Yes!! Hey everyone, Let's go Ice skating at the Gallivan Center, in Downtown SLC this year!!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I got a crazy gift from my brother one year, it was wrapped in brown paper sack and duct tape. It contained a bottle of CKone (My fav perfume at the time) enveloped in a dirty sock. When I excitedly said THANKS!! to my brother, he sat up straight, and said in his best Forrest Gump voice " Ah got it from yer room, Kyawn-nae!" I remember it like yesterday....So funny...Especially if you know my bro.14. What's the most exciting thing about the Holidaysfor you? I get excited for my kids!! I love to see their reaction to everything. It really is Magical. Oh, and of course cooking and baking, and eating!!
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? PIE...PIE... and more PIE!! and I really love Christmas candy... Especially these totally Yummy Peanut Butter Cups that My family makes at Christmas. (from My great great Uncle George...who was a candy maker)16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Christmas Music, and Decorating the Tree. I love watching Judd see how many strings of lights he can get on the tree, without tripping the breaker! This year we have a dedicated circuit for the Christmas lights! (courtesy of my favorite Electrician)
17. What tops your tree? One year it was a Rag doll Angel, other years a Grapevine Star, Last year Eli made the star at school. This Year, I have a awesome Metal shabby Chic star, that is painted white...Thanks to Janell's good instincts.
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Giving is awesome...Recieving is cool too, Although, watching someone appreciate your gift is ABSOLUTeLY THE BEST!!19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? THIS QUESTION IS HARD!! I think that the primary "nativity song" is a definite favorite... Also, all the classics...ALL OF THEM "I'll be home for Christmas" is another Favorite.20. Candy canes? If they are Peppermint! YUM!

Okay....Okay...Okay! These are two sweet little guys that are part of my life everyday.... They are my life every day... I LOVE THEM...Thank heaven for my boys.

I just spent the day driving kids to and from school, cleaning the bathroom, cooking, spray painting chairs, and doing laundry. Now that I am out of soap, and have successfully dodged the schwann man ( I didn't need anything tonite...) by hiding in the bathroom, with the rest of the houses lights out... It is time to blog.

Yes, I realize that I am a horrible blogger. I don't blog regularly, and I feel as if my life is spiraling out of control!!! OOC!!!

I am excited to have everyone come to our house for Thanksgiving this year...I have a huge list to accomplish tonite while everyone sleeps!

Go to the store

Buy Thanksgiving food

Buy Thanksgiving decorations

finish painting my dining room chairs black.

CLEAN THE BOY'S BEDROOM

CLEAN THE BASEMENT

Do the Laundry

Throw away a TON of junk.

Take a TON of Junk to DI!!

COOK, COOK, COOK!(Many things MUST be ready by tomarrow night!)

Relax....It is just Thanksgiving!

I also need to think of all the things that I have to be grateful for at this time of year:

My HUSBAND ( he works really hard, all the time!)

My Children ( for teaching me patience and love, and for being so cute.)

My parents (for teaching me and loving my kids)

My Bro and Sis (for always being there...)

THE GOSPEL (for giving me so much...and teaching me to give)

Food to Eat (Yes, I do love me a good plate a' somethin')

A nice old/new house (Old because it was built in '23, new because my DH made it that way!! )

Good friends (You know who you are!)

Spray Paint (a poor girl who likes to decorate: it's her best friend)

My Kitty ( I love my little biting snuggle bug)

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

Today.... (STOOPID BLOGGER NOT WORKING>>> NO PICS)

So, I decided to blog today, for the first time in about a month! I am so sorry to those that read my blog: Al and Q&J (oh! and you too L.L.)
I am thinking that my life is only going to continue to speed up as the days and weeks go by, so I better start to run and keep up with it!

Maggie Boo is the cutest little kitty! She has earned herself the nickname "Mags" and still is called "Boo" at times . She thinks that she is a human, and wants to be in on all of our human stuff. She will eat anything that she can get her PAWS on, including apple slices, play doh, and (argh!) the butter. She enjoys the treats that she scavenges, along with a healthy portion of kitty food as well! We love our girl. (she is purring and trying to jump onto my shoulder right now.)

The Boys E and A have battled the croup, asthma, strep, The stomach flu, and a strange case of parotid gland swelling (E), which resulted in a trip to the hospital for some testing. (They thought it could be MUMPS!! Imagine the horror to a woman who is very obsessed with health issues, and faithfully vaccinates her children, like it's her RELIGION!) All is well now, and they are feeling much better. (DH and I are also!)

We traveled a lot in Oct. We went on the deer hunt in South Eastern Utah, at the end of Oct, and I was SO GRATEFUL that DH DIDN"T get his deer. I know that sounds selfish, but I don't want to eat the thing, or have it's head hanging on my wall, thank you very much! He shot at, and missed several, and blames my bad attitude for his bad luck. He did have a wonderful time with his brother and Dad though, which is what the hunt is really about, right? The boys and I traveled to Zions w/ my parents and my sister mid month, and enjoyed some bumbleberry pie, at the BUMBLEBERRY INN, enjoyed some lovely scenery, and a concert as well. At the beginning of the month DH and I celebrated Anniversary # 7
a little early (Oct 15th is the real date) by a fun little overnight getaway. I so can't believe that we have been married that long! and yes Q & J, we still love each other! (More and More everyday!)

DH has been working 16 hour days, almost this whole month! Love the overtime pay, miss not having my husband there. The boys are always wondering when Daddy is coming home. Poor DH is tired all the time. Hopefully all this dedication will earn him the raise that his boss has been talking about.

Today was a busy day: Laundry day (do my kids change their clothes three time a day?), Organization day (Are my kid's toys really in every room of this house?), Shopping day...(DON'T PANIC!! read: You will use the coupons today before they expire... Things will be fine, I tell myself, as I calmly remove the mystery items that are thrown into the cart when my head is turned.) Cooking day (Taco soup...double the batch and freeze half to use at another time!!). Cleaning, Dishes, Planning, lists, Holidays are coming, things are CRAZY, Thanksgiving at my house this year.....

This is a really long blog isn't it?

My boys are really CUTE! They love school. E is a budding artist. He can draw anything!!! ANYTHING! A has a lovely singing and dancing talent that he uses all day. I love to hear him sing to himself. E has learned to write all of his letters capital and lower case, and is interested in spelling words all day. He loves to find articles that have print on them, and copy the letter (all the way down to the serifs on fancy fonts that he sees!) A Likes school a lot, and begins about 50% of his sentences w/ My Teacher says....

Gotta Jet... Bedtime!

I HAVE A NEW BABY AT MY HOUSE!! (AND SHE'S BEAUTIFUL!)
SAY HELLO TO "BOO". THE BOYS SAW HER AT WALMART PARKING LOT
AND I SAW HER TOO!! WE FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS FLUFFY LITTLE MOP OF FUR, AND WE HAD TO HAVE HER..... THE LITTLE RUNT.

"BOO, where are you?"

Oh this little kitty has been a lot of fun so far... The boys adore her, and she is getting close to being potty trained. (yes...Accident TODAY) I think that I adore her as well. I think it is nice to have a BABY GIRL in this house.

A says: "You are a bootiful wittle gurl.. Yes you are! I am so proud of you baby, I love you! --Wet her 'Splore (let her explore) Spatulations, Mom! She is a bootiful gurl. " (how cute is that)

E says: "I like your fur. Let me sing you a song...Rockabye baby..... (kitten is crying) She is sad..I need to sing her to sleep...she likes me."

I say: "Stop chasing her...Let her explore....don't corner her...let her come to you....Ahhh! she had an accident....She likes me because I'm a mommy."

THIS LITTLE KITTY HAS A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE!!!

TIME TO DIET AND DECORATE!!!!!!











So, I am on a diet, and I can't say that I am loving it! But, two years indulging in whatever you want and not exercising is really not easy to make a comeback from! I started dieting on Monday, and I have done really well with willpower, and yada, but on Wed. the neighbor brought brownies. I scrimp through my points eating a vegetarian diet that day, just so I could have one! I think I may turn into a spear of Broccoli. That brownie was to die for!, and I made some crazy concoction that resembles ice cream, to eat w/ it. (I never knew that you could do so many things w/ fat free sugar free pudding!)
So battling my weaknesses, which are packaged Mac n' Cheese, and diet pepsi, haven't been that bad. I still have a diet pepsi everyday, that is allowed, and I have tried to convince myself that Mac n' Cheese is GROSS! (that has not worked...doesn't it look good?) The fact that the boys want it all the time has not been easy, but I still have not had any!!! HAWAII HERE I COME!!

Now, on to one of my favorite parts of the year! HALLOWEEN!! I LOVE HALLOWEEN! And decorating for Halloween is sooo dang FUN! I want to create some spooky cheesecloth like this, and drape it around my house and yard, and I also have plans to create some Pumpkin topiaries... (I build these every year)
The boys have already taped up decorations in the windows, and I have hung a red and orange berry wreath on my newly painted BLACK door.... (I love my door).
Gotta jet....Decorating, Dieting and Taxi-ing the boys to school!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY E!!!!!!!!

Ds E turns 6 years old.... Can't believe it. He is actually quite grown up now, and I am not sure where the time went. We celebrated his bday by having dinner at Applebee's (his choice, "because they'll sing to me") & having Grandpa nad Grandma over for a Dinosaur cake... with trick candles that re-light themselves of course! He really got a big KICK out of it. (and the dinos on the cake made loud roaring noises) such a boy thing. He was happy to recieve a Razor Scooter, new clothes, two books on dinos and sharks (his favorite things in the world to learn about) ...And his favorite gift, a wallet from Walmart ($3) with $6 cash in it (for the 6th bday of course) THE WALLET (which is black w/ Orange and Yellow flames painted on it!) was something that he had been asking for since last week, when Gma and Gpa great sent him a card containing $2 for his bday. He said "You better look around and see if you can find me an old wallet for my money." Then next day, Gma G sent him a giftcard to Walmart (w/ spongeBOB on it.) which he says is a "credit card." .... Again, "Mom, did you find me an old wallet somewhere?"
Sweet son, not caring if what he recieves is new, simply sees a need for something, and is trying to solve his issue without asking for much.
He is suppose to have a party this week with friends, and I am dragging my feet about preparing for it. I think that a trip to the dino museum w/ a couple of pals, may be the best solution here.
Ahhh! I must make dinner...

I AM FRIED!!

No not literally, but figuratively speaking, I am!!








things to do:

Clean the house.
Do the Laundry.
Do homework w/ A.
Do homework w/ E.
Clean the chocolate ice cream off the kitchen floor (Boy's renegade snack mission at 8am, while I was in the shower.)
Make beds.
feed boys breakfast.
Do dishes.
Feed boys lunch.
Take E to school.
Run Errands.
Pay bills.
Mail bills.
Manage bank account.
Make dinner...Ummm decide what to make!
Pick up E from school.
Take boys to park.
Leave park...profane teenagers won't shut up. (after being kindly, then not so kindly asked.)
Hug crying kids.
drive home...drive drive drive...
Sort and put away toys.
make some creative cards.
Serve dinner.
Husband needs attention.
fold and put away laundry.
clean up scrapbooking supplies.
SLEEP
This is what is on my agenda! How is your's today?
OH! I almost forgot...got to get treats for E's class tomarrow too!! Gotta jet!

FOR THE MOTHERS OF BOYS......

1.) A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. ft.
house 4 inches deep.
2.) If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with
roller blades, they can ignite.
3.) A 3-year old Boy's voice is louder than 200 adults in a
crowded restaurant.
4.) If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not
strong enough to rotate a 42 pound Boy wearing Batman underwear and
a Superman cape. It is strong enough, however, if tied to a paint
can, to spread paint on all four walls of a 20x20 ft. room.
5.) You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on.
When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a
few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a
long way.
6.) The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn't stop a
baseball hit by a ceiling fan.
7.) When you hear the toilet flush and the words "uh oh", it's
already too late.
8.) Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.
9.) A six-year old Boy can start a fire with a flint rock even
though a 36-year old Man says they can only do it in the movies.
10.) Certain Lego's will pass through the digestive tract of a 4-
year old Boy.
11.) Play dough and microwave should not be used in the same
sentence.
12.) Super glue is forever.
13.) No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you
still can't walk on water.
14.) Pool filters do not like Jell-O.
15.) VCR's do not eject "PB & J" sandwiches even though TV
commercials show they do.
16.) Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.
17.) Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.
18.) You probably DO NOT want to know what that odor is.
19.) Always look in the oven before you turn it on; plastic toys
do not like ovens.
20.) The fire department inAustin , TX has a 5-minute response
time.
21.) The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make
earthworms dizzy.
22.) It will, however, make cats dizzy.
23.) Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.
24.) 80% of Women will pass this on to almost all of their
friends, with or without kids.
25.) 80% of Men who read this will try mixing the Clorox and brake
fluid.

Things are looking a bit yellowey in these photos, but I think that it looks great IRL....
DH has been getting back to work on his honey-dos, because he wants a happy wife! :)
We put a fun "Rope" moulding up along the real moulding in the boy's COWBOY room. and I applied some cool vinyl lettering to the walls. FUN!!
LSS has a ton of cute reasonably priced vinyl letters for sale. I especially loved these because they were FREE. I was lucky enough to win a contest there (LSS), and won some gift cert. that I could redeem for lettering and other scrapbooking paraphenalia(sp?) Anyhow, it was been a dang fun thing to plan
out this little bedroom. I am too excited to sleep tonite, because I want to get back on it....Little dudes have to sleep though...It's hard to catch Z's with an air nail gun running in your room...READ: loud!

LOVE this flag (tea dyed) that I snagged off ebay. It is so COOL.
A friend of mine actually found some great COWBOY type decor at a Yard Sale a few months back, and I got some fab stuff for only $15 to decorate the room with... Can't wait to hang it up!! SHE will be proud!


Besides all of this excitement, the dudes and I went to a fun water party at gf Jen's house, and played with other kids for a few hours. We all brought lunch items to contribute and had a picnic in her yard. It was great fun.
OHHHHH! YAWN! I am getting tired.

A BOY BIT MY SON IN A BOUTIQUE TODAY!!!

I kid you not, a tiny little boy of maybe two, walked up to my four year old ds A today, took him by the hand, (cute at first I thought.) then promptly
BIT HIS HAND!!! HARD!!!
It broke the skin, It drew blood, ds A screamed, and screamed, and screamed. Was it the pain of the bite, or his ego wounded? Who knows... (Probably both)

The shopkeeper in the store was kind enough to offer me antiseptic towelettes, and Band-Aids (which heal everything of course...) The mother of the carnivorious child was apologetic, and stated that he was doing it a lot lately. (I'm wondering if cannibalism begins at a very early age.) Anyhow, I mumbled something like : "don't worry about it..." to make her feel better.

I was worried though... about DISEASE. Strange, huh? Why should I worry about that? It is a scary world out there, and I immediately had thoughts of Hepititus, HIV, and AIDS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THESE WERE MY 1ST THOUGHTS!

Soccer practice today...DH late (he is co-coach) Me and Kids late...whoops!

ds E 2nd day of school. He really likes recess, he says.

Got 4 12-packs of soda free today at Walgreens (rebate style.)

Bought two USED fleece hoodies at the "biting" boutique for the dudes.

By the way...
ds A is fine now, and has removed the band-aids (only 1 small puncture is visible now.) and keeps saying..."Why did that baby bite me?"

"Son, I really don't know."

WHAT A DAY!

TODAY IS A WONDERFUL DAY, for I am going away... NOT TO THE DOCTOR, not to the ZOO, can't you guess,

I'm GOING to SCHOOL!!!

Yes, ds E actually attended a parent supervised day of kindergarten today. He liked it. Didn't love it. I think that it is going to require a positive attitude, and a lot of positive attention on me and dh's part, to light some enthusiasm for him. (The sun was bright, and getting an open eyed shot, was a challenge:)

Things were busy today. I am trying to be more reflective lately, and I was thinking back to my first day of kindergarten. I wasn't afraid. I made friends quickly and easily, and enjoyed my teacher. I wasn't worried about any of the small stuff. I have a fond memory of watching my teacher Ms. Osterud shake a jar of cream until it turned to butter, then her serving the butter on saltine crackers, for us to taste. It was so fun, because we all took turns shaking the jar.
I remember being a team in kindergarten, being kind to one another, and none of the children having any knowledge of socio-economic status, name brand clothing, or who was good looking, and who wasn't so cute.
I also remember getting older though, and how some kids were ostrasized (sp?)for wearing the wrong brand of jeans, or wearing ill fitting clothing, and others were bullies, and others looking like they weren't well cared for at home. I worry about school, because I know how cruel kids can be to one another, and I WANT TO PROTECT MY BABY!!
I am grateful for public school. for hard working teachers, and what special needs programs they do have. I wish they had more opportunities for special needs students in our county.
Through all this thinking though, I think I need to remember one thing or two. Be a soft place to fall for my son. Encourage him and be positive about his experiences. Help him. Love him for who he is. Help him find his gifts and talents. Love him. Love him. Love him.

WELCOME TO THE POPSICLE LOUNGE.........

Q how many popsicles can two little dudes eat?

A as many as their Mom will let them!

WELCOME TO PMS CENTRAL!!

Normal people stay away, only those with a panash for unkempt, frazzled, chocolate noshing, husband's pants wearing, pimple popping, bloating, barefooted, makeup and shower free, uncomfortable, binge cleaning, cute chubby chicks, can come in........

Welcome to my life...

The fact of the matter is, I am not complaining. I am SOOOO happy to not be feeling the way that I was for the past two weeks. I am feeling so much better. The stress of the extremely unkempt house is getting to me today, and I have been sweeping, scrubbing, and laundering, all day. I still haven't made a dent, but it is progress, and that makes me happy. I was just doing a bit of looking on the web for some soccer info, (DH Judd is co coaching our sons' soccer team) and I decided to take a break, and blog. It feels so good to get my thoughts out.

Both of the dudes have been hanging out in their new underoos today, lounging about eating popsicles, and playing with their busy toys. They also discovered their hidden "LIGHTSABERS!" today, and so STAR WARS games are afoot!

DH Judd graced us with his appearance at lunch, and we ate Ham and Cheese sandwiches, carrots, grapes, fresh chocolate chip cookies (told ya I am afta' some chocolate today!) and PRINGLES (yuck.) It was fun to have him home for lunch. He is working a ton of overtime lately, and we aren't seeing him much. Love him so much.

Better jet, The BOYS are sliding down the stairs on a sleeping bag...I gotta see this!

Went Shopping...

so today, after waiting for my HUSBAND to get home for about 6 hours, we took on the task of SCHOOL CLOTHES SHOPPING...with a late start...
I normally love shopping, but....
You guessed it! Still not feeling up to par with normal life. I just sat on the nearest bench, faught waves of nausea, and smiled weakly as the 3 cutest men in my life tried on clothes.
Yes...You see, when we go shopping, my incredibly good looking husband, who coincedentaly (sp?) loves shopping as well, must shop for himself, too.
AND BOY DID HE EVER!! We bought a new suit, tie, shirt, shoes, belt, boot cut jeans, polo shirt, 4 tee shirts.... JUST FOR HIM!! He looked rather handsome in it all... What a shopping spree. Eli got 4 new pairs of shoes, 5 shirts, and 1 track pants...underwear, socks, tee shirts. Ash got 1 new pair of shoes (he gets hand me downs, from E!) 3 CUTE rugby shirts, 2 tees, new boxer briefs (power ranger variety), and some track pants. Oh! and both got matching cargo shorts.
Unfortunatly, they both still need new church clothes, at least 2 new pairs of jeans each, and some hoodies, andmore tees!
Fortunately, I am looking forward to feeling better, and conquering this task new week!
(will post pictures tomarrow... can't get blogger to work)
WHO AM I TALKING TO? NOBODY IS LISTENING, BUT IT STILL FEELS GOOD TO DOCUMENT MY ORDINARY LIFE:)

Thinking of Sunnier brighter days!!

Yes, I am thinking of any day but today. I am six days after my surgery, and I am still feeling HORRIBLE. I don't know why this has to be such a big deal, and obviously this is theraputic for me, because nobody reads this blog, but I wish I'd never done it! I feel like CRAP!

I am so glad that I didn't let them do my septum, too! UGGGHHH!!

I keep thinking of all the time that I am wasting away at waiting to feel better. I have two sons that need new clothes for school, Laundry that has never reached these mass proportions, and a strong need for some kind of affection, because I haven't been with my kids for days. I miss them, and I miss the simple pleasure, of just feeling well.

READ: IF YOU ARE OVER 25, and SOME CRACKHEAD DOCTOR RECOMMENDS THAT YOU GET YOUR TONSILS OUT, DO NOT LISTEN TO HIM!! THIS IS TEN TIMES HARDER THAN GIVING BIRTH, OR ANYTHING THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED FOR THAT MATTER!!

Okay,

If anyone is reading this, which I doubt, don't judge me for what I say today. I am venting, and am on DRUGS.

I just wish I felt better.

Oh MY BROTHER!!

I am lamenting the loss of my brother, to a darling 20 something asian beauty, and a dental school in Texas....
Why am I so sad? I used to talk to him everyday without fail. He is my best buddy. I tell him EVERYTHING!
I guess the reason were so close is the fact that we are 22 months apart, and spent almost all of our time together as we were growing up. We made up games and jokes together, stuck up for each other, and played jokes on our little sister together (poor little sis!), and made runs to the penny candy store together. When we were older, if I needed money, he sent it, if he needed money I sent it. We TRUST each other.
...and now... I won't see him but once or twice a year, and we rarely talk to each other on the phone since last month. We are both busy. (he more than I ...I am sure of that!)
I HOPE to see him SOON!
Until then, good luck little brother, keep her happy, and STUDY hard! All of our teeth are counting on you! (snicker....)
I MISS YOU!!

A Birthday for ds A...
Ds A celebrates his fourth birthday at a slammin' Wild West Party, that was so fun to put together, (and stressful at the same time)
We started with a hot dog and mac n' cheese dinner, complete w/ watermelon (Ds A's favorite...in fact the only thing that he ate...) and Sasparilla (root beer). We had a tee pee, Indian head dresses, and a fun song and story time, followed by fishing in a magical ol' fishin' hole (A papered fence made to look like water, plastered w/ paper fish...) My mom was the enchanted water on the other side if the fence. The kid's loved that.
Then on to horse rides at the kind neighbor's corral. We had arranged for a pony to be at the party, only to be cancelled on the night before the party! Holy cow! Then Cake, Happy Birthday to you singing, and PRESENTS! A was so excited about everything that he got...so were all the kids. My friend Sagehen wrapped her gift SOOO creatively, It looked like a cowboy, complete w/ jeans, a belt buckle, scarf and hat...CUTE.
It was a Crazy FUN day!

MY SAD STORY...(don't read unless ...)
Now tomarrow....I'm going under the knife....I am a little scared to get my tonsils taken out. ( Please don't make me do it, I'll even pay the 150.00 cancellation fee, and I promise I won't whine anymore about getting strep throat...PLEASE!!!)
Okay, actually I know that this is something I must do...I am a little confused though! Do they make me wear a gown? Can I leave my underwear on under the gown? What color will the gown be? should I accessorize? Makeup? How serious is this?
Some people act like it is nothing, while others seem to be saying to prepare for the worst! OH ME!

SLEEPLESS IN T- TOWN (my town)
Okay...I can't sleep. I think it is about two a.m. and no Zzzz's. Normally I would be doing housework, or laundry, but I can't. I have houseguests and I don't want to wake them. My family is used to my late night cleaning binges! Phooey!
....So I thought, hmmm, maybe I'll BLOG! I always think I'll get into it eventually...maybe the time is right! Plus, Sagehen always says, you never write in your blog...

Here are some random photos of our trip to California in April...Just thinking about how I could scrap them...I really am having a hard time finding disney accents that I don't find to be TACKY....random...yeah, It's one of my quirks!

Today DH spoke in church. Cute talk. He is cute...Love him A LOT:)
Last night we went on a..... read: REAL DATE!!
We were supposed to go to a concert with friends, but we all vetoed (except one of us) to go to the Olive Garden (Mmmmm) and Pirates of the Carribean 2 Instead. The Concert was an outdoor one, and it was SIZZLING outside...
Olive Garden ROCKS! And we went with fun friends. You know, the kind that aren't scared to eat off your plate, and you aren't afraid to steal a taste of their Manicotti. We ended up switching our plates around halfway through the meal, so we could taste each other's pasta. I had Seafood alfredo, because I am a pushover for anything involving butter, cheese, and cream. DH had portobella stuffed ravioli, w/ smoke provolone sauce.
The Pirate movie was fun. The ending was left wide open for a third edition I am sure...
We got home at 1:00 am. Kids were at my mom's for a grandma party...
They had a splendid time playing games and making cookies with grandma Marv...
I better go try to snooze.....Uh oh! I hear little feet padding into the kitchen. It's my Ash. He likes to stroke my hair to fall back to sleep. Little hands already in my MOP. Good night!