Morgan in the middle of a host of Angels.

Our Angel!

Most everyone knows that one of our nicknames (of many) for
Morgan is "Angel". So here she is, dressed as an angel for the ward party's nativity.

And the hits just keep on coming!

As some of you may know, its been a really bad week for me. I've had bad thing, after bad thing happening to me. Trips in and out of the hospital, hours of waiting for radiologist to come back and tell me what I already knew, but my husband was very worried about...(that I didn't have a blood clott and could finally go home). Matt's car has had problem after problem we've had to deal with. Then tonight, on our way home from picking Matt up at the car shop (after he road in from Anchorage with the tow truck) I was pulled over by the troopers for a busted tail light. Then, not 2 minutes later, I was pulled over again, by the Palmer police for the same thing. Matt and I were just laughing by then. I just rolled down the window, and handed him the same stack of documents I'd handing the last officer. I was actually hoping we might get pulled over one more time before we got home. You know, something to blog about later!
Now for my venting at the local authorities... I know budgets have been cut, and everythings tight guys, but come on! Its the week before Christmas, people are out drinking and celebrating, and your taking time out to pull over a mom van with a busted out tail light? Could we not think of a better way to spend our time?

Confessions of a Martha Stewart Wanna be.

Okay ladies. We all know the stress of Christmas crafting, right? We wanna be the perfect wife and mother who creates culinary masterpieces for parties while playing with the children, helping with homework and school projects, doing the 12 days of Christmas, volunteering in the classroom, making wonderful neighbor and friend gifts, co-worker gifts for our husbands, teacher gifts, and don't get me started on impressing the in-laws. So here is my big announcement...

I am not making everything this year. I started out with yards and yards of fabric, ideas, plans, everything you need to impress others with your creativity and skills. 4 weeks later and guess what? Haven't really started. So, I'm going a different route. I've decided I can either be Martha Stewart for Christmas, or spend it doing fun things with my kids, since I can't do everything. So, I've decided to spend Christmas being the 'fun mom' who decorates Sugar Cookies with my little darlin's. We're making snow angels and snowmen. Going Christmas shopping together, I'm actually letting them help wrap packages this year. (they're not perfect, but as long as we stick with our coordinating wrapping paper, I think I can deal). Oh, and since I'm not sewing fifty million hats, scarfs and mittens, I have time to go decorate candy houses at Gabe's school, have a spontaneous lunch with Matt, and slip in an extra kickboxing class here and there. You know, I think I'm actually going to enjoy Christmas this year, instead of being so stressed about finishing everything. Sorry Grandma's, no homemade scrapbooks. And, after asking the kids what they wanted to make for their teachers this year, they all responded the same. "I wanna give my teacher that Scentsy stuff. Ms. Bocast likes things that smell good" Don't I have awesome, supportive kids?



What was the final straw you ask? Well, somewhere between being insane enough to volunteer hosting Bunco this month (on the 20th, and coming up with 12 gifts by the way) and 2 parties where I have to bring a gift from Matt and I for a gift exchange, and now costumes for the kids for the Ward party, I have become Target's#1 costumer.



Happy crafting gals. You can have it this year. I neither have the time, nor the inclination to compete for the crown. I'm just happy to celebrated the season with my wonderful little family, and appreciate my awesome husband for being so patient with the nutty little wife he married, and has had to deal with all these years.

What is there after 50?

So, since today is Chandler's birthday, the topic of age came up this morning.

mom: Chandler, next year you'll be in the double digits, and then, a pre-teen!

gabe: And then he'll be 20, and then 30, and he'll be old.

mom: (feeling really old)

gabe:...and then 40, and then 50. (pause) Mom, is there anything after 50? Do people go past 50?

mom: I don't know, why don't you ask your 70 year old grandpa?

(Matt was rolling with laughter at this point)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHANDLER

Its Chandler's 9th birthday, so in his honor, here are 9 things I love about Chandler...

1. His imagination. Chandler has the amazing ability of creating any kind of story in his head, and running with it. This makes for very fun and interesting dinner conversation.

2. His sense of humor. Chandler has a very mischievous sense of humor, and we all love watching movies with him, because if there's any chance of a good laugh, he'll have it.

3. His caring nature with his brother, sister, and cousins. Chandler has a great love of babies and little ones. He is very good with them, and loves holding all the newborns in our ward on Sunday.

4. Chandler is very helpful. If I need something done, he does it. The responsibilities of pet care often falls on Chandler, and he is very good about making sure Bear gets out and is fed 3 times a day.

5. I love hearing Chandler sing. When he was in kindergarten and 1st grade, he was always coming home with some little song he'd learned. He has his daddy's amazing talent for singing, and rarely hits a bad note.

6. Chandler has a love for science. Experiments, botany, crystal growing, biology. You name it, he is interested in learning everything he can about it.

7. I love that Chandler is just like Matt. Really, they're so much alike its scary. Other than their eating habits, they're identical. They can sit for hours, playing games, Lego's, reading, and just being together.

8. Chandler has a sense of honor. If he makes a contract to do something at school, he does it. He follows through, dotting every I and crossing every T.

9. Chandler makes the best friend. He is someone who doesn't make friends just to make friends. If he calls you his friend, he really means it. He is a true friend, who will be there for you, and always help you to be the best you you can be.

Done Shopping!

What a relief. I'm done with Christmas shopping! (notice I said shopping, not that I have every one's presents). I still have to finish a few homemade gifts. And I have all the stuff for Gabe and Chandler's classes, but they still need to be put together. But it is a relief to know that I've got the kids all taken care of. It wasn't easy either. Matt and I went shopping a few weeks ago, and he picked out several things for the boys (all Star Wars) and I later discovered that none of it was what the boys actually wanted. So I was back to square one, with more shopping, and lots of returning. Thank goodness I kept good track of receipts this year, hu? And don't worry Grandma's and Grandpa's, I left a few things for you guys. :)

I'm also taking today off. I woke up with one of those scratchy, dry throats, bruised knuckles from kickboxing last night, and a messy house. What else am I to do? Gotta stay home and clean, obviously. At least until its time to go do my piano lessons this afternoon.

By the way, do any of you realize how cold it is up here in the frigid north? Let me tell you, its very cold! Right now its only 2 degrees. Anyone from Arizona wanna trade places for a few weeks? I would be okay without a white Christmas! (I've had enough white to last me a lifetime!)

This was one of the other possibilities we thought of doing, but I'm happy with the Morgan
one we ended up with. It's so our family!

Christmas Card Preview!

As you can see, we have a new background and picture here on the Stastny blog. I hope you all love our picture as much as we had fun making it. Thanks to my wonderfully talented SIL Jayme, we were able to create the look of Morgan tipping us off the table. I had an idea in mind, and Jayme was so great about making it come to life. We chose this pose this year, because, as many of you may know, this is how it feels much of the time, living with a princess preschooler who's not only the baby, but the only girl. We love her to pieces, but she definitely has us all wrapped around her little finger. (but its such a cute little finger!)

Be sure and check out my SIL's photography blog...its awesome, and she has an amazing eye for stuff. http://jaymechristensen.blogspot.com/

Black Friday! Love it or Leave and Go Home!

Up here in Alaska, we have a thing called Combat Fishing. People literally stand shoulder to shoulder on some parts of the river, and fish for Salmon in the summer time.. Now, not every Alaskan loves this sport. My husband and father-in-law, for instance, would much hike a great distances to get to their own little quiet piece of Alaskan Heaven in order to get that perfect catch. I'm of the mind to go where the fish are. If they're in the middle of a row of stinky men, casting lines all around me, then so be it. On the other hand, if I can have the quiet fishing-topia, and still get the record size King, then I'm just as happy there also. I think you can apply the same standard to Christmas shopping. Either you like shopping shoulder to shoulder with a bunch of Valley Trash, or you don't....

So, we all have traditions, right? Well, my family has the tradition of getting up super early in the morning the day after Thanksgiving for a little thing we like to call 'combat shopping'. This year, we had to make plans, and divide and conquer. Crazy, I know. But when 3 different stores carry things you want, all open up at the same time, and there are only 4 of us, what else is there to do? Matt was working, so he and I got up at 3:30am to get ready to leave. I was in charge of the TV, fireplace, and DVD player at Fred Meyers. (oh, and of course their sock sale!) Mom and Jayme took on the craziness of Walmart for the camera, PJ's vacuums, and DVD's. And that left Dad with heading into Anchorage for a laptop, and flash drives. Crazy I know, but, like I said....its tradition! We came, we waited in line, and we were all back home by 8:30am. Not bad. I only had to wait for 20 minutes in the cold in front of Fred Meyers. And thankfully neither Jayme, nor Mom were trampled at Walmart when the unveiling took place. Dad had the longest wait of one and 1/2 hours at Office Depot.

Other than a few rebels at Target (who refused to conform and get in line with the rest of us) the morning was pretty uneventful. HUGE thanks to Renae and Jeremy for letting my kiddos spend the night last night so we could hit the early morning deals. You guys rock!

Twilight Weekend!

Major kudos and thanks to my mom and husband for this weekend. My mom was an angel and watched my kids over night Friday, so that Matt and I could have a real go out to dinner and a movie date. We went to Cattle Co. and then saw Twilight. I loved it! I have an amazing husband who, because of my interest in the books, decided to read them, and fell in love with them right along with me. It was awesome to see the movie, and then be able to contrast it to the book with him on our ride home.

And then today, my husband was once again his amazing self, and let me take another trip into town to go shopping with the girls and then see Twilight again, with them. He even managed to get my car out of the driveway of my friend's house after I got it stuck. What a guy! The kids were also on their best behavior for him, and I'm glad they had a fun dad day to just play and have fun.

I was coming back to bed this morning, laid down, and started complaining about my tush and how much it was hurting from my fall on the ice the other night. It was early, dark, and I just wanted to crawl back into bed after an early trip to the potty.

and from no where, Chandler raises up from the floor, and says: "well, it just gets better and better!"

What the? "where did he come from Matt? Has he been there the whole time?"

"Jesus Take the Wheel"

I love that country song. And for those of you who are familiar with the lyrics, this might be especially funny and appropriate.
So, I had to deliver a Hosting Packet for a lady tonight, who wanted to host a Scentsy Party. I don't know her, and had no idea where she lived. It was dark, and it had just snowed about 5-6 inches out here in the valley today. I finally found her house (up a steep, winding, and non-plowed driveway). I started up, but about half way, the car stopped, and wouldn't go any further up. So I put the car in park, turned to Chandler, and said, "run this up the the house please."

Chandler: I can't, no shoes!
(I had been in a hurry to run this errand, and as I am famous for, just yelled at all the kids to jump in the car in the garage with or without shoes and coats...dumb I know)

Me: Gabe?
Gabe: no shoes either.
so, I jumped out of the car, in my ballet slippers, and slipped and slid all the way up to the house. I gave the papers to the lady's husband, and walked back around their car, only to discover that my car was not where I had left it. I kept walking down the driveway, till I finally saw the headlight, way down at the bottom of the hill. So I ran, (slipping and falling on my tush more than one time) all the way down, where I could see the three kids piled in the front seat with the lights on inside the car. This was about 25-30 feet from where I had parked the car. I could even see my original tracks. Apparently, the car started sliding down the hill about the time I reached the house. The funny thing is, it didn't slide to one side, like cars usually do. (which would have led down an embankment) It followed the tracks right back down to the start of the driveway. Once I was in the car, and sure that all the kids were safe, I couldn't help but laugh, and say a silent 'thank you' to whoever backed my car so carefully down the driveway, since I was not looking forward to trying that on a snowy, icy, and very curvy driveway, in the dark.

I'm sure the kids thought I was losing it, the way I kept laughing as we drove home. But the way the driveway was curved, I couldn't have driven the car more accurately down that hill myself.

 

This is the Ariel Pumpkin Morgan insisted on us carving. Not too shabby, hu? The boys had awesome white pumpkins which they carved spooky faces out of themselves. Unfortunately we didn't get pictures of them all lit up, then they froze to death. So this is all we've got from this year.

The Next 4 Years

Everywhere I went today, I was met with the same disappointed, upset, sad, worried and frustrated responses to last nights election results. We talked to the kids last night as news was coming in about the results, and had no idea the outcome would effect them as much as it did. They have been very tuned into any political discussion Matt and I have had. (on a nightly basis pretty much) And I had a hard time last night and this morning reconciling how to explain to them what has happened. I'm afraid the historics of it all is lost on me. I don't see the world in Black and White people....just people. So I can't explain to them why it was more important that a man be elected based on his color than for his character and values.
Then today I was informed that Chandler had overheard some kids talking in the lunch line at school about assassinating the new president. Now, realize I'm only getting bits and pieces from a few 9 year old, but still upsetting. What kind of parent (or older siblings) talk about such matters at all, much less in front of their kids? To say the least, we have been having discussions with the kids about what has happened. Both yesterday, and in our countries history. But then I also opened it up to include the worlds history, and the several groups of people that have been persecuted throughout time, since this isn't taught at school. (don't know why Jews are always left out of this inequality discussion in school, but, sadly they are)
Sufficed to say, we've come to several conclusions in our family lately:

*We have a new President starting in January, and weather we like him or not, its time to give him a chance. Let's see how he does, and then judge him on his merits.
*Do we pray for our enemies, and those who spitefully use us? Yes. Do the democrats, of all people need all the prayers we can give that their hearts will be softened, and they'll try to do some good for our country? yes.
*Is this what men and women have fought and died for? Is this the direction the majority of Americans want our country to go in? Yes. Do we have to like it? No. Do we have to respect it? Yes. Can we change it? yes, if we are active in our community, and follow examples like Sarah Palin, and get involved in our PTA's our school boards, our Party of choice. As for me, I am joining the Mat-Su Republican Women.
*We are teaching our children to respect others. No matter their religion, race, or gender. They are the next generation. What are we all fighting for if not to give our children something better to grow up in that what we have now?

Okay, said my piece. I'll leave it alone now till 2012.

Scripture Studying Last Night.

Family Scripture time is always interesting at our house. Last night, in stereo. We had Chandler, who was supposed to be reading, then Gabe, who is quite the show off now with his reading ability, quietly whispering the words while Chandler read, and even reading ahead of him at times, so that we were hearing two different parts of the scriptures at the same time. Then there was Morgan, who when it was her turn, and I was giving her a line at a time to repeat, but either expound on what I had said, instead of repeating it, or would start to recite the pledge of allegiance. (which Matt and I still don't know where she learned, since they don't say it in her preschool) So here's how it sounded.

mom: ...and it came to pass
Morgan: there was now a people who did this and the
mom: ...in the thirteenth year
Morgan: allegiance to the flag
Mom: ...and the people did wax strong
Morgan: and they cleaned the floors...

The difference between boys and girls

So, for those of you who don't know yet...there is a difference between raising boys and raising girls. My boys, for instance, cared a great deal about phonics, but not so much about reading when they were 4. Morgan, wants to read all the time, but is more concerned about singing the alphabet song, then writing her letters. The boys were all about eating...snacks, fruit, dinner, breakfast. Anytime, all the time. Morgan on the other hand, has no interest really. Come dinner time its always, "I'm not hungry". And the most recent discovery...when Chandler and Gabe were in preschool, and we would ask them about their friends, Chandler couldn't tell me any one's name. Its not that he didn't have friends, he just didn't care enough to find out their names. They were simply-"that kid". Gabe only knew the names of the girls. (he's our resident 'lady's man'). Morgan on the other hand, comes home from preschool and tells me all about what so and so was doing, and Tucker got in trouble for this, and Mackenzie asked me to this party, and Seth at this at lunch. Its amazing how much of the fluff of her daily life she retains.

Halloween

Finally, I know, but here are the pictures from Halloween night. The kids had fun. It was about our 4th dress up event, and I think the magic of the night was wearing off on them. It was also very cold, and Morgan only made it to 3 houses before she gave up and went back to Grandma's to warm up, cuddle up on the couch, and get her fill of candy without heading outside. Chandler made it as far as our house, but then decided to stay in as well. Gabe is our Trick-or-Treating champion. He did the entire loop with Matt,and had a ball. He was so excited to be a viking this year. Oh, and in case your wondering, Chandler ended up being a Secret Agent. This was a tough one. Chandler has such incredibly high expectations, and such a great imagination, that I don't think Martha Stewart herself could make a costume to his liking.

 

Morgan and I at the resteraunt before Trick-or-Treating. She went as Cinderella (of course). And I was Red Riding Hood.

 

Matt and I gave up on his "Big Bad Wolf" costume, and he donned his camo gear and took along his paint gun to go trick-or-treating. I guess he was sick of kids asking him if he was the Easter Bunny.

 

The whole gang, getting ready to go out trick-or-treating.

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

a>Good luck with the lines, everyone!

Tinsle and Twine craft class.

Here's the class that I taught on Friday. I love the layering with the wains coating and tin. What do you think?

Here's the shirt that Renae won, and I bought at our Tinsle and Twine Friday night. They had baby ones, and I was hoping for one in Morgan's size, cause that would've been too cute!

4-4-4-4-4-4

A) Four places that I go to over and over: Edge Fitness, kid's school, Target (hee hee), and mom's. B) Four people who e-mail me (regularly): Emily, Laura, Becky, and Kate. C) Four of my favorite places to eat: Sam's Club food court, Panda Chinese, Cattle Company, and Jalapenos D) Other places I would rather be right now: Hawaii, on a plane to go anywhere that's warm, Target, home (I'm never here lately for more than 15 minutes at the time) E) Four people I intend to tag: Katie, (even though she probably won't do it:) Emily, Amy, and Rachel
F) Four TV shows I watch: One Tree Hill, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Brother's and Sisters.

Okay ladies, now its your turn. Its easy, just 4, 4, 4, 4, 4,4 things about you. Have fun.

I Can't wait for the holiday season so I have more to do! I'm so bored!

What did I do today you ask? Not much at all...

*started early at 3, 4, and 5am with tummy ache, and freezing my buns off so much that I had to turn on the electric pad, and put it under the covers on my feet.
*got the boys dropped off at the bus stop, then took Morgan to her school.
*Worked out at the gym-Cardio Sculpt...arms was the focus today. I can't wave my hand.
*Ran to Target for a few things. (I love being able to say that!)
*Shower, then get things ready for piano lessons and my show on Friday
*Drove to piano student's house, taught a 6 and 8 year old...cute kids
*Dropped off Chandler's Madd Scientist badge at his school for his after school club
*Stopped by mom's to pick up Morgan and discuss the woes of making Halloween costumes, (since Chandler is not a kid who is happy with store bought ones)
*Came home to do another batch of bananas in the dehydrator, (started with 60 lbs, now down to 30 or so)
*laundry, laundry, laundry
*make car kits for Friday's Tinsel and Twine with Scentsy room sprays and car candles
*Pick up Gabe at the bus stop
*Clean up my mess from making car kits
*Pick up Chandler at the school
*Start dinner and work on homework with kids
*Run Chandler over to scouts
*finish dinner, and straighten up the rest of the house
*Pick up Chandler from scouts and run over to mom's again for a costume consultation
*Make a few ribbon clips to sell on Friday
*Give Morgan a bath, more ribbons, and then loose the tape for the ribbons so I have to move onto something else to do...flower clips to sell on Friday
*Blog, and bed...goodnight.

Matt's Turn

YOU'RE A JASPER!
You are intelligent, obeservant and good at managing a group of people. Although you long for meaningful connections, you can be can be distant and sometimes lack self control. You are careful though and the tough experiences you’ve been through help you to work at living a better life.
Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

You are intelligent, outgoing & stylish. A true girly girl, you love shopping & makeovers.
Although you are a generous friend, you can be coy, tricky & very persuasive in order to
get your way. You are known to zone out occasionally during conversations, but your
friends forgive you because you are understanding, supportive & know how to throw one
heck of a party!
Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

Goose egg going down, but now I look like the loosing end of a bar brawl.

Me helping to skin the buffalo with our friend Steve Christensen. I think I surprised them a little by pitching in to do this. No different than gutting a fish on the banks of the Russian, right? I included this picture (even though its gruesome to some) because I think its important to know what goes into the process. I think if you eat meat, but aren't a hunter, you still need to appreciate what goes into that Hamburger your eating at McDonald's. This is what I grew up with. Even though I'd never shot an animal before now, I always knew what happened. What I should expect. As a result of how Matt and I are raising our children, they now have a healthy respect for life, death, and where their meals come from. The boys were all there, and were just fine. To them, it was almost like being in a classroom. They learned all about the insides of a buffalo, and even got to touch it. (I did however draw the line at the traditional eating of the liver. I had to draw the line somewhere)

This is a picture that Steve took of my Scope eye a few minutes after I shot the buffalo. Notice the big ol' goose egg?

Here's the buffalo I shot on Friday. It was a clean shot, through the neck, and he dropped right there. Yeah, he had to be shot one more time so he didn't run away, but I was very proud of the shot. Not bad for my first time, hu? Mat is so jealous!

In my defence...it was cold, windy, rainy, and I had about 15 layers of cloths on, including a big puffy vest of Matt's.

We Came, We Saw, We Conquered!

Morgan and I made it safely through the aisles of Target without too much damage. (to my checking account that is) I was trying to sneak this Polly Pocket into the basket, and thought I had been pretty sneaky, when all of a sudden Morgan reaches back, and pulls it out. "My Princess!" Who could resist that?

Thank goodness its Friday!

So, today was fun,

*Got kids up to take Morgan to school. Boys were out for a teacher inservice, but Morgan still had to go.
*Went to gym, (cycling again..endurance day)
*Coming down the stairs after class, Chandler says--"Mom, you need to go home and shower before we go Buffalo hunting, cause Buffalo have a keen sense of smell, and they'll smell you coming from far away!" Does that mean I worked hard? Don't you love kid's honesty?
* So, after taking Chandler's suggestion and showering, we got geared up to go on the annual buffalo hunt. The boys were so excited! I'll have pictures tomorrow, but I shot the buffalo this year, and got a black eye in the process. I guess it could've been worse, my dad got quite a gash from the scope last year.
*After skinning, gutting, and quartering the buffalo, we all came home and changed, than I let the kids just play while I laid down till Matt came home. I've never had a goose egg on my forehead before, and you know what? It hurts! Promise, I'll have pictures tomorrow. Just a warning though...its kind of gruesome.

Thursday Happenings.

So here's Thursday's "what I did today"

*Kids all went to school, and mom went to the gym--Cardio Sculpt. Ouchy, we worked on lots and lots of lunges today. I'm still feeling it 2 days later.
*Ran home to shower before my piano student showed up for her 11am lesson.
*Ran by the bank, then over to the preschool to pick up Morgan. She was so excited...I told her we'd go to Target. BIG mistake. She went more crazy in that place than I did. She was throwing cloths in the basket faster than I could take them out. Lets just say she ended up with a new outfit today.
*Came home to do some household chores, work a little, and then it was back over to the bus stop to pick up the boys.
*Basically, a very quiet, easy going day.

For a Stay at Home Mom...

I'm Rarely HOME! All three kids are now in school, so you'd think I would be in heaven. Sleeping late, watching soaps all day, and of course, slurping down bon bons. (this is what the men in our lives think we do all day, right?) Here's my report on today's happenings....

*Started late last night, with the final of our 3 kids worshiping the porcelain god. Luckily, after a couple trips to the bathroom, she was done. I'm so grateful our kids are getting old enough to actually make it to the toilet, instead of throwing up in their beds, in my living room, or on the couch. We have been very lucky this time around.
*Late night, so we got a late start, and were running around crazy getting kids ready to go to grandma's to catch the bus, so Matt and I could meet some friends and head in to Anchorage for a temple session. This made our day, and I am so grateful we were able to visit again.
*Ran through the newly opened TARGET just to take a peek, and I couldn't resist a few items, but I think Matt was impressed with my restraint.
*Had lunch with friends, then Matt and I took separate cars to run various errands. He had to help my dad put up the tresses on the new garage, and I had to close a Scentsy party, and pick up Morgan from SIL, Gabe from grandma's, and Chandler from the bus.
*Home in time to do a once over in the living room before my piano student arrived.
*Dinner, (although Matt and I were still kind of stuffed from lunch at Jalapenos)
*Place my party order. (2nd largest party I've had so far)
*Matt was an angel and read with the kids while I worked, then we played domino's, and headed off to bed.

...so much for soaps and bon bons, hu?

...All joking aside, I love my life, and wouldn't trade it for anything. Despite the puking, cleaning, driving, tutoring, washing, snapping, boot finding, toy hiding, sorting, cooking, reading, and reminding. Or maybe because of. I look at what I do, and can't help but always want to improve upon it, realizing that these days will pass so quickly, and it won't be the tedium's of everyday life that will matter. I won't remember how many loads of laundry I washed, or how many hours I sat waiting for children to get off the bus. I think the things I will worry most about, is, "did I set a good enough example? what kind of people have they become, will they ever know how much I love them, worry about them, and pray for them?"

Tuesday's Review

Well, you already know about my morning, so here's the rest of the day...

*Worked out at home since Chandler stayed home sick. (yoga and strength training in my living room are just not the same as at the gym...I think I've turned into a workout snob)
*Made LOTS of phone calls to various people...work, ward stuff, SIL's, a friend about carpooling to the temple tomorrow....yadayada
*Picked up Morgan from the bus, then had her help me make some homemade chicken noodle soup and french bread, since we've all been a bit under the weather around here.
*Gabe missed his bus stop, so while I had Grandma chasing down the bus, Morgan and I went back to the house to call the bus barn. The poor little guy just didn't hear his name being called at the right stop. Don't worry, we got him. My mom is famous for chasing down runaway buses holding her grandchildren hostage.
*Gabe spent the afternoon puking. (that's 4 out of 5 of us with the yucks so far-knock on wood)
*Caught the Presidential Debate, and I'm just hoping this election turns out like 2000 and 2004. (the socialist is up in the polls till the very end, then our guy pulls ahead)
*10:40pm, and Matt and I are just keeping watch over puky kids before we head to bed for the night. I'm just hoping this is like everyone else that has been getting this yucky 12 hour virus, and that it only lasts 12 hours for our family. Thankfully, Chandler and Matt seem to be on the mend. I'm just a little nauseous, and Gabe hasn't thrown up for a couple of hours now. Serenity now.

Will you Marry Me?

As some of you already know, I took my ring in for its spring cleaning in May, and was told that the prongs were severely warn down, and the diamond was in danger of falling out. Well, the cost of having it repaired was high, so I opted to wear a cheap ring, and put my wedding ring in my jewelry box till we could afford to have it fixed. That time was a few weeks ago when we got our super PFD's (thank you Sarah Palin!). Matt insisted on taking it in, and when it came back about a week later, he surprised me by not only picking it up, but also bringing home a bouquet of roses, (handing one to each kid) he came in, knelt down on one knee, and asked me to marry him again. (he says I hesitated a lot more then I did 10 years ago...what do you expect? It had been a long day!) But I would happily marry this man all over again. I can't believe its already been nearly 10 years since we knelt across the alter in the Anchorage temple and were sealed together for eternity.

If you didn't notice, the ring is placed in the rose in the above picture. Gorgeous roses, hu?

8am Tuesday Morning.

My non-sick kiddo eating his homemade donuts and hot coco (yeah, I know its the world's most nutritious breakfast) before school this morning. I really love the way Gabe gets up so happy every morning, excited to begin the day, and ready to make new friends.

This is how my day started. A sick, pukey kid at the side of my bed beginning at 3:45 this morning. Notice the garbage can next to him?

This is what I found last night as I was heading to bed at 10pm. I had to call Matt in to see what our little artist had done..."I guess she ran out of paper, hu?" was all Matt could say as he walked back to the bedroom, doing his Shelby shake.

What the???!!!

A look out our front door Sunday night after it had started snowing. Don't worry though, it all melted away today!

MY WEEK IN REVIEW

I'm taking after my good friend Amy, and documenting my life for a week. If I can, I'll post pictures, but this will be real folks, so we'll see if I can get my act together this week and get some pictures of what it is we do on a daily basis.

Today, Monday October 6th, 2008:

*Matt was up before the paper boy, so he could ride in with dad since the roads were icy, and we haven't had a chance to buy new tires for either car yet.
*I dragged myself out of bed at 6:30am to start getting the kids ready. I have to literally drag the boys out of bed (not a pretty picture). Morgan is a little bit easier, but Tuesday - Friday, she has to catch the bus at 7:30am, so I like to keep her in the habit of early to bed, early to rise.
*Had to de-ice my car this morning. (grumble grumble, memo to self: have Matt hang bikes tonight so there's room for my car again)
*Boys went to school, and Morgan and I were off to the gym, a little early, since its Monday and I weigh in with Alina on Monday mornings, then its cycling class. (LOVE IT!)
*Ran errands, (bank, Walmart, then took ginger ale and crackers to SIL who had a sick kiddo all night)
*got some work done at home. Scentsy business is doing great, and I'm having lots of fun. I have 2 parties I'm closing up, and a Show to get ready for at the end of the month, at which I am not only doing a booth for Scentsy, but also selling jewelry, Hair clips and bands, and Ornaments, plus teaching a make'n take class)
*Shower, (yes, from my gym class this morning)
*Had to go retrieve Morgan from other SIL's house where she'd been playing with a cousin. Then back to the bus stop to wait for the boys.
*Dinner ready, while getting my fill of politics from Gretta and Hannity.
*Attempt FHE, have the boys read to Morgan and the family for school, try not to yell at my kids.
*Kiss the kids and hubby good night, and have at least one hour of quiet bliss all to myself before I turn in at 10PM

I love that my kids are getting old enough to take on big boy chores. This was taken about a week ago, (before the snow) during a family clean up the yard day, while Matt was at work, and I was trying to get the other two to help me pick up sticks and rake leaves. I figured it was about time Chandler learned to help out with the mowing job. I usually do it, and love it. But this was good for him. He felt a great sense of accomplishment, and pride in helping the family to improve our yard. I don't know why I waited so long. I guess since he's my first, I'm experimenting a lot with when to introduce different things. Thanks again Chandler! I know I can always count on you to big my big helper!

This was Chandler towards the end. Completely pooped. But he did it! And he did a pretty dang good job. As a side note: I LOVE MY HOUSE! Yes, its not always as big as I would like it to be...But I love the way it looks from the street. I love it in fall, when the leaves on all our trees have changed colors, and the blue of our house is such a stark contrast to the oranges, and green of the lawn. I love it in winter with the Christmas lights around the windows, reflected on the freshly fallen snow. And summer is absolutely best, with my kids out running through the sprinkler while I garden in the front. I love my little house!

We listen to a Prophet's voice...

Don't you just love trying to watch conference from (supposedly) the comfort of your own home? Our kids are too old to simply send them to their room to play, so we deal with the 4 hours on Saturday and Sunday of struggling to not only get them to listen for more than 2 minutes, but to also take something away ourselves that we may implement into our daily lives. The following is merely a sample of 5 minutes of trying to listen to the prophet during this mornings session:

Matt: Chandler, give me the play dough...there better not be any in mommy's carpet.

Morgan: sobbing because her play dough was taken away

Matt: Gabe, you bring your blanket and lay on the floor next to mom's side of the bed.

Morgan: still sobbing, but now doing it from the floor as she has fallen off the bed

Jenn: Chandler, get back in your spot.

Chandler: I'm trying to get the cat.

Matt: deep breath, then sighing

Jenn: Chandler, sit down! deep breath and sigh.

Pres. Monson: ....fill our days with those things that matter most....

Gabe: slowly, ever so slowly moving back to where Chandler is sitting so they can once again begin the slow dance of picking at each other till one is upset and the other is smiling like a Cheshire cat.

Morgan: You got to move it move it!

Matt: shhhh

Jenn: trying desperately to keep from pulling her hair out.

President Monson: ....express our gratitude always, and find joy in the journey is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Stastny Family: Amen!

(love Conference....love the fact that it is published in next months Ensign even more---that had to be thought up by mom's who never get to listen to General Conference in its entirety)

TAGGED!

Tagged...
6 Things you may not have known...

So here’s how it works....Link to the person who tagged you.Post the rules on your blog.Write six random things about yourself.Tag six people and let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.(Don't forget to come back and tell me you completed this tag!)

1. I have the same reaction to spiders that my mother in-law has to snakes. (which I also tease her about!) Which is weird, since I grew up in Arizona with 3 brothers who collected all things creepy and crawly.
2. I won a trip on a hot air balloon in the 4th grade for reading the most books.
3. I played the harp for about 4 weeks when I was in grade school.
4. I scared the nurses in the hospital (while I was on Bed rest with Morgan) after cutting my legs while shaving and then not telling them...they thought I was hiding something. I guess there was more blood than I thought on the towels I was blotting the cuts with.
5. I have an unusual fear that while swimming in a lake or the ocean that something is going to bite my toes, so I always swim on my back with my toes in front of me where I can see them.
6. This is funny, because of my last random thing... I once swam in a man made reef full of sharks and other large fish. (Marine Land, snorkeling, and I had fins on my feet, and was wearing a wet suit)