Kid Friendly Tree!

This year we are at my in laws for Christmas and they haven't had a real tree for at least 10 years....what?! So we HAD to pick one up. Our beautiful tree was only $24 from Home Depot and I love it. It was FROZEN when we picked it out and it was funny cause while we were peeling apart the branches the frost was falling on the floor. funny funny. We waited for it to dry then put on the lights and the paper garland. I traced Jacob's hands for the 'snowflakes' on the tree and made little pillow-like ornaments with the sowing machine and some pinking sheers. Me, Heath, and the kids went to Joann's to pick out fabric for the ornaments----matching red and green for mom and dad, blue Thomas the train Christmas for Jacob, and pink hello kitty Christmas for Lexi (not my favorite but its cute). Jacob loves the tree and it definitely makes a house a Christmas home.

Sick just in time for Christmas.

Jacob woke up the other night crying saying that his ear hurt and he wanted a band-aid and kisses. Lol. I was searching for blood or something thinking he scratched it or hit it on the wall...nope. I gave him a band-aid, lots of kisses, and Tylenol cause he was burning up. Then a half hour later he was crying saying that he needs more kisses and band-aids cause his ear still hurts. ahhh. So cute. Poor boy now has to have band-aids around the clock---and meds :) We took him and Lexi both the the Dr. just to check the coughing and noses. Since Jacob has 'cold induced asthma' I'm a very paranoid mother when it comes to my kids health. I try to keep up on the latest info on kids health and I know that cold meds aren't good for my kids soo....just thought I would check in the dr. to make sure everything is A OK! Dr. said he has an ear infection and he's not wheezing. Thank goodness. Lexi...

Here's a pic of my happy little princess. She has a sinus infection but it still smiling! lol. She has snot and drool all over her in this pic. Poor baby. Needless to say---I am one tired mother! I haven't been very happy lately and haven't really been 'all here' as far as being happy go lucky like I usually am. My kiddos are needy this week and I feel so sad that they don't feel good - poor babies. It looks like we're almost done with this round of colds...and once again - mom didn't get sick! Thank you very much. I haven't been sick with a cold for almost a year! I'm so proud of myself. I take airborn at the first sign of colds in our house and that seems to work for me---plus maybe a good immune system? (knock on wood). Heath on the other hand...gets sick EVERY MONTH! I swear...no lie. It stinkin drives me nuts. Top on my list of most annoying things in the world---a sick husband. Anyone agree? Note: mom's don't get sick days...need I say more?

I don't have time to be sick----so I just don't get sick. Headaches...that's another story.

Decorating the tree

why don't I have a pic of Jacob...shoot?!

My little creation.

Close up of our KID FRIENDLY tree. No glass (except for the lights). All edible. lol.

Our Winter Wonderland

Yup---sandals and socks. His shoes were already wet from the rain the day before.

Hmm....I wonder if that's why both my kids are sick this week. Goodness.

Rosy cheeks. So cute.

Here's the main road----blocked!

My Car

Thanks for clearing it off for me Heath :) He sure looks happy. not.

Grandpa's Dragon

Stuck

Today is my BIG CORONA DAY! Yea! I'm going to visit friends and I had to work REALLY hard to get a babysitter for Jacob today and we're STUCK here in Morongo. There was a 10 car pile-up just minutes before I left for Corona. yikes. We were loading the car when it happened and the ambulances came. We can see the entrance to the mountain pass (the only real exit/entrance). 

We decided to play in the snow instead and I took lots of pictures and video. I'll post them when I can. Here's the latest photo issue....my computer won't read SD cards. What's up with that? I'm working on it. Maybe I can upload pics from Cari's computer if I ever get there today.....AHHHHH!!!! I sooo sooo sooo miss my friends and I have gifts to give .. .. hehehe. I'm so excited. 

Also - I had lunch plans yesterday and I was stuck up here cause of the weather. I used to dream about living in the snow and that it might be fun....NEVER MIND!

pj

Organizing Canned Goods for super duper Cheap!

Thanks to a blog I stumbled upon I found this great post about organizing cans 

All Things Frugal 

posted a picture and a great idea using wood she already had to keep her food storage looking beautiful. It's totally a do it yourself project - no man required - love those. 

This is a great idea for the super stockpiler or just the average shopper with 8-10 cans of tomato sauce or chicken soup. Take a look. Also, she has a picture of her home grocery store...wow. 

Thinking of You...

When life to is too hard to stand

kneel

Its Snowing Here!!

Oh my goodness. When we arrived in Morongo Valley (my in-laws) last night there was snow all over! Ahhh. Crazy. Morongo Valley (not by the casino at all) is sorta in the mountains and considered the High Desert. Its crazy cold here in the winter and crazy hot here in the summer. The mountains just behind the Avery's backyard are all white! Their house is just below the "snow line" I guess so their house doesn't have snow. But if you travel up the road 2 MINUTES then the streets are lined with snow. Crazy. I've never technically lived in snow and Jacob has never seen real snow. It was so fun while we were driving to the grocery store today to hear Jacob telling me all about the snow he's seeing. He told me how it was really really cold, that is was slippery, and to drive carefully. Funny. I guess he learned all about snow from his Thomas the Train Christmas DVD. haha. Thanks mom. We didn't play in the snow - sorry - just too cold for that. My kids don't really have the right gear for that kind of fun. It did "stick" so my guess is that it will still be here tomorrow if I'm feeling adventurous and want to take them to play for a bit.

The grocery store was an adventure. I try not to go the the g.store with Jacob if I can avoid it - but I can't avoid it anymore since it gets dark so early and I'm not really comfortable going to the grocery store at night ALONE in a city I'm not familiar with. During the day is do-able, just a little stressful with 3 year old. He can't really sit in the cart cause I need to fill the cart with groceries and he can't sit in the top cause that's where Lexi is (not that he would stay up there anyway). Today Jacob was such a good listener and didn't run away from me once! Miracle. Happy Day. Maybe my boy is growing up? Impossible. Everyone of course made lots of comments about how cute Lexi was so I in turn made lots of comments about what a great helper and big boy Jacob was----preventing jealousy.

We're having a bit of an issue with that lately. Prevention Prevention Prevention - but wait, what if the prevention doesn't work? Currently I'm on a hunt for a good parenting book....

How to teach your child not to hit - Without wanting to hit your child!

I prefer NOT to teach Jacob 'not to hit' --- by hitting him (spanking, slapping, hitting etc.) so I really need to sharpen my parenting tools and get him to stop without having a huge battle. He's 3 and the ONE time I spanked him it was a total disaster and I will NEVER do it again. I think I posted about that experience. Won't be doing that again.

Ah. Amazon? I need a good book. Any ideas?

-pj

i really need to post pictures.

heath just got my computer fixed----now i can upload some pics. hopefully tonight? it will be a major picture fest----be ready.

I Stumbled...

I found 2 new blogs that are great! I added them to my Blog List on my sidebar (for those that check out my blog---just to check the other blogs on my Blog List :) 

Here's the links:

All Things Frugal

My Food Storage Deals

Mostly I use sites like this to get me inspired to get great deals! I love to look at their stockpiles of food and just imagine my pantry that full!! Its killing me that I can't really stockpile while living at my in-laws until Feb/Mar. My husband probably wouldn't appreciate me having 20 more boxes to move. Lol. Hope you like these sites. 

-princessjulie

Gold Wrapping Paper

A forward that I received today. Thanks for sharing JenK. -

I received this from a friend who had a choice to make. It said that I had a choice to make too.
I've chosen. Now it's your turn to choose.
The story goes that some time ago a mother punished her five year old daughter for wasting a roll of expensive gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and she became even more upset when the child used the gold paper to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree.
Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift box to her mother the next morning and then said,'This is for you, Momma.'
The mother was embarrassed by her earlier over reaction, but her anger flared again when she opened the box and found it was empty. She spoke to her daughter in a harsh manner.
'Don't you know, young lady, when you give someone a present there's supposed to be something inside the package?'
She had tears in her eyes and said, 'Oh, Momma, it's not empty! I blew kisses into it until it was full.'
The mother was crushed. She fell on her knees and put her arms around her little girl, and she begged her forgiveness for her thoughtless anger.
An accident took the life of the child only a short time later, and it is told that the mother kept that gold box by her bed for all the years of her life. Whenever she was discouraged or faced difficult problems she would open the box and take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.
In a very real sense, each of us, as human beings, have been given a Golden box filled with unconditional loveand kisses from our children, family, friends and GOD. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.

Thankful Thursday - late again!

This is my ongoing post dedicated to Blogging My Blessings! My goal for this post is to help me focus on the GREAT things in my life. The things I love and the love I have to give. Not all my posts will be mushy...


22. My Mom. This week I've been hanging out with my mom and I've LOVED it! Its so fun to visit her in AZ and to just run errands, talk, and just be together. I love to watch her interact with my kids and to see the love that has strengthened with her and my children. A grandmother's love is so precious and I feel so lucky that my children have my parents and Heath's parents.

23. Christmas lights. This year Jacob is noticing the Christmas decorations all around ESPECIALLY the lights and decorations outside at night. Its so cute to watch him getting excited about the different houses. He's always looking for a house that has a train on the lawn (or dirt front yard in AZ...haha). He LOVE LOVE LOVED going to see the Mesa LDS Tempe lights last week. He and my mom walked around together having a blast looking at the lights and the different nativity scenes.

24. Baby Proof. My mom's house isn't baby proof (as much as we try...its totally impossible....however, my kids are totally doing great! I cannot believe that the are listening to mommy and grandma and leaving the decorations (mostly) alone. I love to see my mom's house at Christmas and was so worried that my kids would just trash the place. She puts kid friendly decorations like stuffed Christmas animals and nativity blocks within reach, perfect! Its so cute to watch Lexi looking at the Christmas tree. She loves the lights. Some of the lights twinkle and there's absolutely beautiful ornaments on the tree---I would be so heartbroken if one of my kids broke one...and they haven't! Miracle! They've been so obedient and stayed far enough away from that room and in the "play room". Love you mom. Thanks for letting us visit.

Click HERE to view previous Thankful Thursday posts.

My two favorite Christmas songs are playing

Turn it up :)

Everything I blog----I blog it for you. 

Can you still name the tune with the word changes?

Lol. That ones for you Jen. Your email reminded me of this song. Keep on blogging! Do you have a sitemeter? You probably have lots of peeps checking your cute blog!  

My mother-in-law called my room (in her house) THE DUNGEON today. Crack up. So I said, "Are you giving me permission to call my room the dungeon? Cause it sooooo is". She laughed. I love Rose, she's so funny - totally a dry humor. Wait, that's can be a compliment right? I mean it to be. My Princess Lexi's middle name is Rose - after my mother in law. 

My room is an Add on to their house that is down 3 steps from the rest of the house. It has NO WINDOWS but has 3 DOORS. hmmm. One door to the backyard, one to the garage, and one to the rest of the house. The one heading outside has an inside key lock (key taped to the top of the door frame and constantly locked), the garage one has a regular lock and a child lock thing on the door knob, and the other one, Well, has a little lock thing and is hard to shut. I'm a little scared that I'll assume its locked and I'll be changing or something and Jacob will run and swing the door open. Well HELLO JULIE. Yikes. Needless to say, I dress really quickly. Have I mentioned that we have ONE bathroom? I pee in a bucket in my room. Shoot. HAHAHAHAHAHA. I wanted to try and blog that seriously but just couldn't. 

A LITTLE LOVEY NOTE-----My sister Courtney is up at BYU IDAHO. I just saw her for Thanksgiving at my parents house. I'm so proud of her. She's such a great sister, even in her "selfish phase". ((((I used to call my 18-19 yr. old years my selfish phase)))) She's young and fun and making great decisions in her life. I totally admire her and she's growing to be an amazing woman. Don't shoot me...I love to watch her falling in love. Its cute to hear her talk about her current FLAME (permanent? no rumors!!! - just my prediction) Its always so refreshing to see happiness. Love her. 

I'm loving /SLASH/ surviving my adventures here in LIMBO. :) If you love me ... call me ... I'm a little bored out here, hence the boring posts and endless blogging. 

Later man. 

Julie

Note: Sorry for the LACK OF PICS or IMAGES. I'm on my in-laws computer cause mine won't hook to the Internet right now. what the heck. 

Thankful Thursday (late) Oops!

This is my ongoing post dedicated to Blogging My Blessings! My goal for this post is to help me focus on the GREAT things in my life. The things I love and the love I have to give. Not all my posts will be mushy...

19. First of all - let me just say...I'm VERY THANKFUL that time is just zooming by. Its already FRIDAY! OOPS! My little family is currently crashing at Heath's parents home for a few months while we wrap things up here in CA with work. Its always hard not having your own place---I sure hope these next few months FLY by. Heath's poor parents went from being empty nesters - to having 1 big baby, Julie, and 2 little babies. :D

20. GPS. Heath decided to buy our family a GPS for our new moving adventures on Black Friday. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my GPS. Its great to be able to leave the house here in Palm Springs (area) and know exactly where I'm going! I love to have my own personal navigator to help me around a new town when I need to get out of the house. It will also be super helpful when we move to AZ. The freeway system in Phoenix area is stinkin confusing.

21. Sleep. I'm REALLY REALLY hoping that if I start being thankful for the little sleep I'm getting....then I'll be blessed with more sleep!!! I know, I know, this is really complaining - not thanking...I'm so tired. My girl is waking up so much lately. The first night we were here she woke up 6 times. Is that even possible!? The second night she only woke up twice, last night she woke up 4 times. Its killing me. Sleep deprivation is a killer. Anyone that has had a baby would know this all too well. When we were living in Corona she was pretty much sleeping through the night and sometimes waking up. Ahhh, lets get back to that.

Click HERE to view previous Thankful Thursday posts.

Redbox Codes

Here's Redbox codes to use...Sweet! 

Week 1 – 11moms4uS (good Sunday 12/7 only)

Week 2 – 11moms4uA (good Sunday 12/14 only)

Week 3 – 11moms4uN (good Sunday 12/21 only)

Week 4 – 11moms4uT (good Sunday 12/28 only)

Week 5 – 11moms4uA (good Sunday 1/4 only)

Thanks to ElevenMoms. I found these codes on Deal Seeking Mom

GOING TO say HELLo

I love south park, its not actually allowed in my household anymore with my kiddos *plus it IS a raunchy show `is that a real word? 

I sure hope nobody is offended by this post. When its funny- its just funny. 

c. You better be laughing the hardest at this one. 

Thanks for sending this to me Chels.

Sending Love from my temporary home - julie :D

Church.

8 am.

2 hour nap on the couch.

That's all I have to say.

Happy Sabbath.

Julie

I saw Twilight again today. This time with my sisters and my mom. Girls Day out! :) It was better the 2nd time cause I didn't have as many expectations. I'll probably see it again and again. Maybe I'll love love love love love it after like 5 times. Right now I just sorta love it.

I also saw 4 Christmases last night with my parents, sister Courtney and Heath. Cute & SUPER funny movie. Great actors. Kinda inappropriate for the younger audience.

Church is at 8am tomorrow. Yikes. But its fun to go to church with my family cause my sisters are super helpful with Jacob and Lexi. Plus my dad is Bishop and its fun to see him in that role.

Walgreens coupon for Monday and Tuesday! Yeah! Check out the buttons on my blog list for info on good transactions.

I've been taking lots of pictures with my new camera! I'll post them soon. I have some fun ones...

Nighty Night.

Thankful Thursday

This is my ongoing post dedicated to Blogging My Blessings! My goal for this post is to help me focus on the GREAT things in my life. The things I love and the love I have to give. Not all my posts will be mushy...

16. Family. Kacie my sister told me to blog this as my first Thankful post. Really---during the holidays I feel especially thankful for my family. I love that we can have fun together just talking and laughing. Our Turkey day today has been great, food was yummy!


17. My sister-in-law Tenille. We have been great friends for almost 10 years. It crazy to think that we were both just crazy teenagers when we met (she was my brother's girlfriend:) She's always been such a great sounding board and always thinking of someone else. She's so selfless. I called her today to talk about her birth experience with her baby #2 - she had so many questions for me about my move and how I was feeling. For those of you that know me---I love to talk about myself, I can't help it when she talks to me. She's so interested in my life and she's such a great friend. We've worked together, cried together, played together, and now we've been family for 4 years. I love you Tenille. Congrats!!!!


18. The Tent. Jacob is sleeping in a tent (yes---a camping tent) in Chelsey's room this week. She's so nice to have Jacob as a guest in her room. Last night Jacob climbed in bed with Chelsey. She's so sweet. Thanks Chels!

Click HERE to view previous Thankful Thursday posts.

Happy Thanksgiving to All.

Here's the scoop.

Tenille & Stephan named their baby boy

Cody Jaxon Moss

I get to meet him Today!!! Yeah! So excited. I'll add a pic to this post of Cody when he comes today. (with someones camera -- since I won't have one until tomorrow :) So excited for black friday!

On that note: I totally forgot that CVS's 'black friday sales' actually started today! Ugh. I missed it. Its too late to go and get all the good deals---they're still on sale, just probably out of everything I want. My buddy Cari totally went this morning in Corona, CA - and ME - ALL THE WAY IN MARICOPA ARIZONA----couldn't go with her. So sad about it. Cari filled me in on all her deals and will be taking a picture so I can live vicariously through her. Thanks Cari.

Thanksgiving festivities are an all day affair with our family. Appetizers and "drinks" start at 1pm when the rest of our company arrives... Aunt Dawn and her husband Roger & Jessica my cousin. Turkey stuff starts at 2:30. We usually just hang out talking and playing around with the kids between eating and games. Currently I'm trying to get kids down for naps before the grumpy kids come out. (hence, the little bit of time I have to blog)

GOAL - I'm trying to blog whats in my head more, now that some of my good friends are so far away...this is for you guys. ;)

More thanksgiving and family news----and hopefully pictures of family AND MY DEALS - tomorrow.

Oh---and today is Thankful Thursday. Post coming soon!

Safe Arrival in AZ. We've just taken all our stuff to my brother's for storage in his garage (Thank you Stephan & Tenille:) We're in in AZ for a week for Thanksgiving and then we're off to Palm Springs temporarily. (old news...sorry). Then back to AZ FOREVER (well----for now)

We turned in our keys at our apartment yesterday and it was so cheesy----I cried while I was driving away. Ooooo. I can't even begin to say how sad I am to leave Corona. Life has been so great in SoCal and I'm really going to miss my friends. For the next few months I'm going to try and visit every other week....we'll see how that goes!!??

Stephan (my brother) and Tenille had their beautiful baby #2 !!! Yeab, now we're even :D

No name decided yet...

Gender: Boy

Weight: 6lbs 12oz

Height: 20.5in

I'm hoping Tenille's blog will have pictures soon. I'm so excited to see the baby soon!!!!! Poor Tenille won't be shopping the deals on Friday---she loves black Friday. But her baby was early...how cool is that?!! Her first baby was 2 weeks late (I think) so this is a pleasant surprise!.

Congrats and Love You Stephan & Tenille!

Whats the plan?

Here's the plan for the week.

Monday

Pick up moving truck at 9am from Penske.

Pick up mattress and train table from Cari's.

Drop off Jacob at Jennifer's for babysitting (thank you !!!!!)

Load that truck!

Heath pm-pick up freezer from Kyle's house (yea! good for stockpiling!) Take Jacob?

Julie pm - juggle kids while i somehow clean the carpet. hmmm. working on a plan for that.

Julie/Heath midnight - more cleaning probably.

Tuesday

Load the car with stuff for Thanksgiving at my moms in Phoenix. Get ready for road trip!

Another quick spot check of apartment.

10am apartment office open - Turn In Keys!!!

Take off to Palm Springs to drop off the essentials for 2-3 months living with in-laws.

1pm leave for Phoenix Thanksgiving:

Heath moving truck with Jacob - that will be so cute and Jacob will be soooo excited.

Julie Camry with a happy Lexi, fingers crossed.

6pm Expected arrival in Maricopa, AZ.

I can't think much past that. Too far. Turkey, Walmart, Family...its a blurr.

Not too much to do this next 48 hours, right? No biggie. Easy. It will just fly by.

Ooooo. Wish me luck.

Girls Night Out!!

It's my last week here in Corona so we had a Girls Night!!

It was so fun. My friends and I are CRAZY together! I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. We went to CVS, Movies to see Twilight, then to Olive Garden. My cute friends gave me a jewelry box and earrings. They're so sweet. Here's a couple pics of our evening.

Its not a true night on the town without getting some awesome deals at CVS?!

True coupon shoppers through and through.

I just can't bring myself to do a mushy goodbye post. Its just too sad. So - there's no goodbye. Just SEE YOU NEXT TIME :D

Thankful Thursday

This is my ongoing post dedicated to Blogging My Blessings! My goal for this post is to help me focus on the GREAT things in my life. The things I love and the love I have to give. Not all my posts will be mushy...

I totally forgot that today was Thursday. I'm a little late cause I've had a hard week in the way of COUNTING my Blessings. I haven't felt - lets just say - peppy. Buy here it is:

13. Positive Parenting book by Dr. Latham. This week Jacob has tested my patience so much. I know how to prevent bad behavior and how to manage it --- but this week --- I don't have time to be a mom! Not really, just a little too busy to give it my 100%. Jacob bit Lexi today, IN THE FACE!!! And my parenting techniques were put to the test! I have to say, I failed miserably. I wasn't prepared for that one. But the second time he bit her, in the arm --- I was ready! I'm happy to have books that help me *PLUS my mom and friends to talk it through with. I really feel like this book is a book of INSTRUCTIONS that should have been attached to Jacob when he was born. Love this book. I recommend it to EVERYONE!

14. Cari & her Suburban. She's been such a lifesaver this whole month. She helped me get boxes with her big car. Also, I needed to go get my tires changed this week and she came along to be our transportation, entertainment, and Sams card holder :) Its so much work preparing for this move. *Shoot, I just remembered that I need my oil changed before Monday. Oooo.

15. d.coke. I really like diet coke. I'm not going to make a big fuss about it...Just love it. Look at this cool necklace - I want one!

Click HERE to view previous Thankful Thursday posts.

Vons

I went to Vons with Cari today. No pic. Sorry-no camera.

3 Boxes PopTarts (4pk)

--vons coupon, 2 manuf. coupons, cashier didn't run the 3rd manuf. coupon. shoot. $1 for 3

3 2-liter d.Coke

--vons coupon .69 ea.

8 pk.d.Coke bottles

--vons FREE coupon w/ purchase of 3 hallmark cards

3 Hallmark Cards

--.99 ea.

1 Romaine Lettuce (turtle)

--no coupons, $1.99 ouch

1 Dog Treats (for Jacob---j/k Cari's dog)

--FREE item coupon

$5.42

Not bad. The receipt said 83%

I'm trying to avoid packing at the moment. Can you tell? Getting back to work...

Totally a Penske Girl

I went online for quote during the kids' nap time today and here's the results.

With AAA discount - One way rental from CA to AZ 16' Truck

Budget Rental $450

UHaul Rental $480

Penske Rental $248

Penske IT IS! Wow. AND I got a discount for booking online.

Crazy the difference. The supplies for moving, like the blanket pads and the moving dolly were more expensive---so we'll just pick up the dolly for 1/2 the price from Uhaul after we pick up our Penske Truck. Love it.

Still Packing my life away...

Its hard to decide what to take with us to our temporary dwelling. We'll be there 2 or 3 months. I'm so torn. I have like 3 more days to pack and I just picked up the last of the boxes I need (i hope). If I don't have enough------I'm throwing everything else away! No room---too bad. I'm excited for Thanksgiving! This year we'll be at my parent's in AZ. On black friday I'm getting a new camera too! Sweet. Target has their deals listed but I'm waiting for Walmart to post their list too. I'm so so so so so excited. I'm so sick of not having a camera! My buddy Cari went with me to Sam's today for tires and we went to Walmart too. I love to shop with her. Our kids totally don't get along and its so funny. Our boys can't face each other or walk anywhere near each other without yelling at one another. Its so funny---and not funny. Love it. Time to get back to work : )

CrockPot Pumpkin Cheesecake

Thanks to CrockPot 365 - Here's a fun way to make cheesecake. Cute picture huh?! Check out the Website for the full recipe & good tips. Its ginger snap crust....yummy! I really want to try this!

Another good one:

Little Dipper CrockPot Peanut Butter Fondue

Here's another recipe I found on this site. I have a little dipper crockpot and never really know what to do with it other than cheesy dips or chocolate. (oh, good recipe for a chocolate and marshmallow one too: HERE) Check out this fun recipe that is great for kids! I love the pictures on this site.

8 Days

8 More days in Corona

I guess depending on how you count it...we're driving away on Tuesday morning Nov.25th.

We rented a carpet cleaner yesterday to clean up a little mess that did a little more than drive me nuts yesterday---While I was cleaning the carpet I couldn't help but feel like this is really happening. You know how you know that life is changing but if just HITS you sometimes, YIKES----8 more days. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed this week. Just wish I could ship my kiddos off for a little vacation so I can get some work done. Deeeep Sigh. Loving my kids curiosity but cummon----leave the boxes alone!

This stinkin fire out here! Pray for those that are affected by it. Some members of my ward were evacuated. I CANNOT imagine how that must feel, HOPING that your home will be there when you get back. Watching the news desperately hoping they show a close up of which homes are totally going up in smoke. Goodness.

I'm hoping all my primary teachers don't call out today. Combined Primary today! lol. j/k

Twilight Music. Good one.

Paramore - New Music - More Music Videos

Thankful Thursday

This is my ongoing post dedicated to Blogging My Blessings! My goal for this post is to help me focus on the GREAT things in my life. The things I love and the love I have to give. Not all my posts will be mushy...

10. 4 Generations. On Tuesday my little family and I had a chance to visit my grandparents. My grandma was so generous to find us some boxes for our move! She's so sweet. My grandma made us a yummy dinner and even made Jacob a cake for his birthday! I'm so sad to be moving out of state soon away from many of my extended family. Thanks so much to my grandparents for a wonderful & memorable evening.

11. I'm lovin my tape gun this week. Its really helpful and Jacob loves this thing. Its lots safer than lugging around a roll of tape and scissors~~both equally dangerous with Jacob around.

12. Watching videos online! I'm loving the technology that gives me the ability to watch inspirational videos (mostly general conference) online! HERE is the link to the LDS website that has all the gen. conf. talks from October. Its easy to just turn a talk on while I do dishes or something or even while I'm playing with the kids. Jacob is learning the names of the apostles and I love to watch him listening to the prophet's voice.

Click HERE to view previous Thankful Thursday posts.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

JACOB

3 YEARS!

Twlilight - Girls Night Out!

I just bought the tickets for Twilight! We're calling it our girls night out! We're shopping, watching Twilight, then grabbing a bite to eat. Sounds like so much fun!!

So excited for 11/21 !!!

11/21 is also my sister Kacie's Birthday :)

Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass

its about learning to dance (and fall) in the rain.

-julie's edit

Avery Halloween 2008

The kids had a fun Halloween at our church's Trunk or Treat. Jacob was such a crack up cause his costume was totally too short and his tights kept falling below his butt and his diaper was out almost the whole night. What a crack up. Lexi was a trooper with all that itchy stuff! She was a cutie.

Packing....Not Posting

Not many posts lately.

Our POD arrives in 8 days. Yikes. We'll have 3 days to fill it with everything except the essentials for living at Heath's parents for 8 weeks. I've been trying really hard to pack during naps and just before bedtime. Its hard to pack when both my kids asleep in the areas that need the most packing. ugh. And the kitchen----at what point do I just stop cooking (well, heath stop cooking) and just pack it all up?! Goodness. Decisions. Decisions. I bought paper plates the other day...that's step right? I've tried to avoid having boxes in the living areas and now its unavoidable. It feels more official and its killing me. I love that I'm moving closer to immediate family but sad that I'm closing a chapter in my life. The great thing about a good book is you can read the good parts over and over and still love every minute of it. I'm grateful for good friends. This is so exciting for my family and an amazing opportunity for growth. I love change, right?!

This is my ongoing post dedicated to Blogging My Blessings! My goal for this post is to help me focus on the GREAT things in my life. The things I love and the love I have to give. Not all my posts will be mushy...

7. Jacob's HIGH pitch laugh is so infectious lately. Lexi loves to giggle every time that Jacob breaks the silence in the house. I love that he brings so much happiness to our home.

8. PROP 8 in California PASSED!! It was so fun to do sign waving the night before the election! Here's a couple pics. Thanks to my friend Jennifer for letting me borrow her sign. Good job Jacob!

9. Holiday Clearance. I spent about $10 total for my kids costumes for next year! Lexi is gunna be a Lady Bug and Jacob will be Thomas the Train. : D I'm so excited! This year Jacob was Peter Pan and Lexi was Tinkerbell. It was stressful (but worth it) to make/assemble the costumes and next year will totally be STRESS FREE! Pics of Halloween coming soon.

Click HERE to view previous Thankful Thursday posts.