15 years and a bunch of other thoughts

15 yrs married.
6 months engaged.
1.5 years dating.
1 year keeping our eye on each other while dating others (just being honest; sorry people we dated that year)
18 years total of knowing each other.
Next month I turn 36 so I've now known him half of my life.
I like that.
I think it's crazy that the week we celebrate our 15th anniversary we are just days away from our next big adventure in life together.
We've had lots of adventures.
Some full of awesomeness and some mixed with a lot of work and some not so awesome.
I wonder what all this one will bring.
Regardless of it all, I'm so thankful to be beside him through all of life's adventures.

Lack of time has kept me from journaling much about this next adventure.
Church Planting - The GreenHouse.
It's been a 5+ year process but now it's time.
You can read more about it on our website.
We've been sending out monthly e-newsletters since May.
If you don't get them and would like one let us know, we'd be happy to put you on the list.

Move day is 6 days away.
Lots to pack yet and more fun to cram in.

I've been asked a lot lately how I'm doing with it all?
That's a complicated question.
I'm really excited to go.
But I'm NOT ready to leave.
Weird I know.
I didn't save up all my grieving for now though, I've been crying for 6 months.
After time with a good friend or time in the community with the kids many times I'd come home and cry knowing just how much we would miss it all.
The week of moving is just so full of so many different emotions.
On one had I'm in full "work mode" to get everything done, that holds the emotions off for awhile too.
Then on the other hand I'm sad.
Sad for goodbyes.
Sad for losses.
Sad for change.
Sad to have to start over with things.
Sad my kids will experience the same saddness.
I guess I need a third hand because I'm also so excited.
Excited to start something that has been stirring in us for years.
Excited to see what new things we get to experience.
Excited to be near old friends.
Excited for my kids to be apart of something like this.
So for those of you that have asked or wondered . . . I'm all over the board.
It will depend on what hour you ask me.
And for this hour I must kick back into productive mode.
Have a great Friday!

Do you ever?

Do you ever get jealous?
Like the green ugly type that crawls up in ya and you just want to scream?
Maybe I'm the only one.
It's not my everyday crutch; I've got others but every now and again this one creeps in.
It creeped tonight.
Full on pounced on me.

So I'm doing my stuff and I decide to check "real quick" if any of my regular blogs updated.
I clicked over to WHATEVER and read through Meg's post super quick.
I saw she was speaking at a conference called SNAP.
I had never heard of it so I thought I'd see what it was.
That's when it happened.
I saw the location.

THANKSGIVING POINT - LEHI, Utah.

If you were my husband reading this it would be enough said.
He knows how I'm feeling right about now.

It's the intersection where we lived.
Like 1.6 miles from our old house - or something like that.
Like the same intersection with the gas station where I got my Dr. Pepper fountain drink fix.
When people needed directions, we'd say, "We are right by Thanksgiving Point ".
It's the intersection that we moved to out of a leap of faith - in so many ways.
Not knowing what we had moved by when we moved there we found Thanksgiving Point.
Thanksgiving Point is an amazing little gem at the point of the mountain where Salt Lake and Utah Counties collide.
Thanksgiving Point - the place we frequented movies, killed countless hours at the Dinosaur museum, walked the paths of the winding gardens, spent nights with friends, went on dates and I could go on and on . . .
I'm having to hold myself back from going into my archive and looking at pictures of the kids at the Tulip Festival - oh girls it's a site.
I immediately forgot about the conference Meg was talking about.
I don't even know what it's about yet.
I was in that place.
Place of jealously.
It happens.

(All you Utah peeps, check out the SNAP conference. Go say hi to Meg. She's a blast - tell her I said hello.)

Five Things

I pictured an end of the year post with Christmas pictures.
I pictured a beginning of the year post kickin off the New Year.
Nope.
Just didn't happen - maybe I'll throw some pics on here soon of the holiday shin digs - it was all good.
This is what you get instead.

Five things I've Got on my Mind

(It's really a miracle I was able to narrow down to 5 - my mind is like a hamster 

wheel - it's always turning)

Thing One:
Is it possible to get "caught up" on laundry if we are all wearing clothes?

Thing Two:
Dear Weight Watchers,
Here we go on round two. You were so good to me the first round, back in the year after having the twins. Can you help me this time? I hope so. Paired with Jazzercise I think you will work your magic.
Only time will tell.

(Speaking of Jazzercise, if you live near a center they are having their annual sale this weekend through Monday; and it's a good one. No joining fee and January free. If you live in this area mention my name when you sign up and I get money off my monthly fee.)

Thing Three:
How can I prepare for Seminary Semester number 100 (not really) to start up again next week?
People I'm  - - -  not - - -  ready.

Thing Four:
The girl has put on close to 12 outfits today. I have had to work extra hard at keeping a straight face because these outfits are serious to her. Some actually have some great style. Currently she is in ballet shoes, black tights, the white flower girl dress she wore in a wedding last spring with a cute little blue headband in her hair and necklace around her neck. Earlier while her boy cousin was here I over heard this conversation:
Him:  Tatum do you want to watch something?
Her:   Yeah and we can get all dressed up right?
Him:   Silence
They watched tv with him in his normal clothes and her in a cowgirl hat, tights, a skirt, a pink fancy glove and she was holding her wallet and purse.
I wish my day could consist of such frivolous fun!
Maybe one night I should get decked out to watch tv with Jason. :))

Thing Five:
I'm just about done reading this new book and it's caused my mind (which was already spinning is so many of these areas) to spin like the Tilt a Whirl at the county fair . . . .

The author is our speaker for the women's retreat in March.
I got an email from her that she sent to close friends and ministry contacts (let's pretend I was in the first group - ha) with a online copy of the book asking if I'd read it and post reviews on amazon etc.
You don't have to ask me twice.
I had just gotten the book for Christmas.
I'll be posting on it real soon but it's an amazing book,
Challenging? yes!
Thought provoking? yes!
Authentic? Oh yes!
Watch for my post it will for sure include a give away!!!

Have a Happy Happy Weekend whatever you do.

Random

This post should be called AVOIDANCE.
I'm avoiding what I need to be doing.
I need to pack for a conference/retreat Jas & I are going to.
Yep I said Jas & I.
No kids.
It's going to be nice.
We'll hang with some ministry friends.
We'll make some new ministry friends.
It will be awesome to chat about all the stages of ministry people are in.
These are places where one feels like people "get you" because they've walked a similar journey or are walking a similar journey.
Many of us are passionate about the very same things.
I'm excited for this time for so many reasons.
Did I mention we board a plane without kids?
YEAH!!
However, I really do LOVE flying with my kids and it's been awhile.
They used to be pros.
I always wished I had them on video when they'd all walk through the security check points and would each take their backpack with embroidered name on it, put it through the screener, take off their shoes, walk through, pick up their back pack, put back on their shoes, and strap that backpack on and take off walking.
Black, Blue, Red, and Purple matching mini Nike backpacks . . . . nothing cuter.

Instead of packing I did 100 other things today.
Some that really needed to be done like mow the lawn and finish all the laundry.
Oh and feed my kids.
Other stuff wasn't really a have to, like swimming, but it sure felt good.

So yesterday I did a crazy thing.
I needed a new swimsuit top.
I went with all four kids.
I don't even like shopping for swimsuits without kids so I was sort of dreading this.
I asked my friend that morning if I was crazy and she said without a moment hesitation, "Yes you are Crazy!"
She's a "crazy mom" too so we laughed.
While driving to the mall it got me thinking.
My life has always been crazy.
I can't remember when it wasn't crazy.
When your gene pool doesn't give you calm, introverted children and when you choose to have more than one child from that same gene pool life gets crazy.
Sometimes Many times the crazy drives me insane.
But 90% of the time I do love it.
Give me a crazy life over a boring life any day.
Of course I'm saying that while sitting here day dreaming about the line in an email for this conference we are going to that said, "Life moves slower here. So prepare yourself to slow down."
I hope I can fulfill that statement and actually slow down.

Back to the swimsuit shopping. . .
Believe it or not the first top I tried on was IT and all four kids talked outside the dresser to this nice elderly lady the entire time.
No peeking under dressing rooms.
No fighting.
No hiding in clothes racks.
No wrestling on the floor.
Just talking to a nice lady.
Nice lady I love you!!!
I pretty much told her that when I was done.
Her college age granddaughter was trying on swim suits too and her name was Tatum also.
Weird.
I think it was my quickest swim suit shopping experience to date.
I think I've procrastinated enough.
A packing I go.

I'll leave you with some beautiful sky pics from the other night.
One with flash and one without.

The kids thought it looked like heaven.
One twin said, "Maybe someone died and went to heaven now."
Not sure the theology behind that one.
My niece was with us and she said, "It looks like Jesus is about to return and come blow His horn."
To which Tatum said, "Yeah I think the angels are all about to get out their whistles and blow them and start playing a game."
Hmmm.
It did look like the sky was opening up but mainly I just thought it was a beautiful evening sky!

TIme Away

Time away.

Time with girls I love.

Time with God.

Two good hair days.

All so good.

I went with my sister in law and mother in law to a Beth Moore conference near by.

I love these girls - so thankful to call them friends and family.

(We missed the rest of our girl family!!)

I've never been disappointed with one of Beth's conferences.

Good - every time.

Something challenges me every time.

I love hearing "ya'll" during worship time.

Takes me back to my roots.

We did a late night run to "5 Guys" and after trying to get my mouth around this massive burger I realized I had ordered a double. 

Oh my.

My man would have been proud.

This one night trip came just before a semi big week for me.

I needed to be reminded of some things before this week started.

Now I just need to hang on to those things that God reminded me of.

I hope it's a great week for all you blog readers.

Can you even believe it's the last week of June?

Let's not even go there.

Go enjoy your week.

Warning: Complete Randomness

Warning: This post is full of randomness.
I haven't blogged in over a week - just haven't been in a bloggy mood I guess.
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Kids and I got our groove on to a little "Just Dance Wii" tonight and some of their comments cracked me up. 
Tatum:  We should do this one with Aunt Christine. (I guess she thinks Aunt Christine can move.)
Ian:  Let's do Beach Boys, Grammy would love that one. (Yes she would.)
Carter:  That guy is wearing weird pants. (They were MC Hammer pants.)
We did a song to "New Kids on the Block" and I was telling the kids how I used to like them. So when I was dancing to it and said I couldn't do some of the moves Carter said, "Well, since you always wanted to be in their band you have to learn the moves."
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I'm loving the Starfall books I ordered for the twins.
A first grade teacher friend of mine introduced me to the site when Ian was a preschooler.
We loved it.
Just this past year we remembered it and the twins started playing it.
Then I found their little books on amazon.
I went all teacher on them and challenged them to work through the books in order (there are 15) and read each book to three people and then they can check that book off.
When they are done I'll give them a little prize.
They love to read so little incentive was needed, they were all over the challenge, but it makes it a great challenge and keeps them going.
Each book increases in difficulty.
I'm a starfall fan.
Check out the site for your preschooler or young reader . . . starfall.com
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A quote I've been thinking about lately is: "Humility will set you up for intimacy with God like nothing else." - Beth Moore
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If you haven't seen the movie "Rango" -- DON'T.
Seriously a stupid movie.
It's obvious from the first 4 minutes.
I was so glad we were at a cheap little theatre and I didn't drop the $50 it takes to take my kids to a 3D movie.
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I had a DAY date with my guy today.
Nothing makes me happier.
It included Mexican food which is even better! Yum!
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After seeing how little sleep my guy functions on because of studying I don't think I'll ever go back to school.  He's a  S U P E R H E R O !! I would be a mumbling idiot and would either be crying over silly stuff or . . . . oh wait I do that now.  He's so close to having two years of school down!!!  I'm going to shout like crazy when he's D O N E !
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Just got two books in the mail I'm excited to read.
One is by Rob Bell - "Love Wins"
I've always liked him.
Seen him in person and was in awe of his presentation.
Crazy smart.
His book "Velvet Elvis" challenged me like crazy.
It created a desire in me to do something more with my spiritual life.
We've used his Nooma videos for many studies and they challenge me every time.
This book is creating some real controversy though on part of his theology.
I might not agree with it once I've read it, but I don't want to be one of those people that doesn't read something yet seems to know it's all wrong when I don't even really know what he is teaching.
To be honest I hope I'm pleasantly surprised when I read it.
I want to believe He is staying biblically sound.
==================
Have you seen the kids show "Wild Kratts" on PBS?
It's a new favorite around here.
Non fiction / animal facts / super heroes . . . . my boys L O V E it!
Coleson has the whole theme song down I think.
5:00 central time / PBS
==================
Three bloggers, whom I love, all have posted about the same thing this week.

You may have already checked them out; if not you need too.
It involves a give away; (ipad 2 anyone?) but even more than that it will touch your heart and give you a chance to participate in something life changing for one of God's creations.
Go check it out now.
Julie, Kimberlee, and Meg will all direct you to Danielle's site so you can participate in Dream Big. They all give some great posts about it. You can also read an interview with Danielle and hear more of her story over at Telling Stories. 
Go now.
=================
Enough randomness for one day.
Have a T E R R I F I C weekend!

Need a Verse

Today I need a verse.
Not sure why - just do.
It's quiet in my house.
All boys boarded the yellow bus . . . after days of sick kids that's success.
The girl is still asleep.
I actually heard birds chirping.
B E A U T I F U L day!
My mom is coming this evening.
Last night I laughed my head off at my fav show - Modern Family.
My guy was gone but I just couldn't wait for him.
I'll watch it again.
Nothing better than laughing with him.
I'm reading a book that is rocking my world again.
I knew it would happen when I started it - almost chose not to read it but did.
I have my scrapbook stuff OUT - does that count if it is at least out???
I plan to attack child number 4's baby book.
She's only like 4.5 now.
I will be exercising this morning.
My body is screaming for it.
But I need a verse today.
Here's what I've come up with.

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus ad Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."  Colossians 2:6-7 NIV version.

Thought someone else out there might need it too.
Happy Thursday!

Monumental Moment

Last week something monumental happened in our family.
We were even all together when it happened.
It was a special moment.
Our van hit this . . .

I know; it's amazing we were all together for this occasion.
:))
Jason and I looked deeply into each others eyes during this moment and let the memories of this van flood our minds.
Oh the memories this van has given us!
It's climbed mountains (literally).
It's driven through pastures (literally).
It's been our dining room table (literally).
A changing room.
A movie theatre.
A place for serious jam sessions.
It's taken us from one home to the next.
I cried when we bought it and I'll probably cry when it's gone.
Different tears but tears none the less.
I never wanted a van but this van has been serving a great purpose since day one.
What a luxury to be able to click a button and have doors open for me while I stood with a car carrier in each arm and a toddler holding on to my finger.
The long road trips filled with glow in the dark light sticks, loving and fighting with one another are to many to even count.
I know you are all wanting to comment and ask if it's for sale.
Nope.
Sorry to burst your dreams of being the owner of the beauty that has been totaled out to hail and would come with your very own package of fries and maybe a nugget or two as a bonus but this home on wheels isn't for sale.
Hopefully we can proudly drive it around for all to hear us coming for another year. (For Real)
It's good to have a few things in life that keep you humble.
I like it when people say, "What's that sound?" and I get to respond nonchalantly, "Oh that's my van!"
We love our van.
Thank you for letting us share that family moment together Doge Minivan!

(You are seeing my sarcastic side to a max on this post.)

If you haven't seen any of the Swagger Wagon You Tube videos go now and type in Swagger Wagon.
Enjoy the laugh.

January

The house is quiet.
Four kids in bed - hopefully sleeping.
It's been 10 minutes since any one has said, "Mom I need . . . "
I think it's safe now for me to start something.
I'm only irritated with their need for me once I've started something.
If I'd just stand in the hallway for the first 10 minutes and wait for their call it wouldn't bug me in the least.
Back to the quiet house.
Jas is in the dungeon deep in some seminary book.
I'm tired but feel like journaling.
I've missed it lately, just been to busy.
I may journal on several different topics tonight.
I do that - I don't always post what I write the same day.
(You can schedule your blogs to post whenever or you can just let them sit as drafts and not post them at all.)
Tonight I'm thinking about JANUARY.
What does January do to you?
When we used to live so far from any type of family January was a sad month because of all the  goodbyes to family.
That's easier now.
It also makes me a little psycho on wanting to clear out stuff - declutter.
I haven't been able to do that but I have the itch.
I'm thinking this year it will be February.
It also makes me think about all the ideas we thought of before Christmas on how to give to others well and how to not have such a materialistic outlook -- how can we keep that going? How can we keep that spirit of giving to those in need go beyond December?
I'm sure it's all the talk of New Years Resolutions, but I constantly find myself in January thinking about goals and where I want to be heading in different areas of my life.
My marriage . . .
Parenting . . . .
Spiritual Disciplines . . .
Finances . . .
Friendships . . .
The other feeling I have in January quite often is exhaustion.
Kids are hyper from cold weather.
Mornings are dark.
I just want to curl up and read a book or watch a dumb show.
How about you?
What do you feel in January?

New Look

It's a new look for my blog.
I mentioned it in an earlier post . .  I won a blog makeover from Blessed Little Nest!!!
She gave me a fresh new look for the New Year.
If you put "buttons" on your blog, you can grab my new "button" on the side.
I've been wanting to change the name of my blog for the past year and I thought now would be the perfect time.
Here's the story behind the name . . .  (You can read it anytime in the link above called "Noodle Story?")
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Have you ever looked at a bowl of noodles?

They are all intertwined.

All tangled up.

All connected.

Not one noodle lays off by it's self.

That's my head!!

Thousands of thoughts.

Everything I do and everything that I am is connected!

I am a girl, a wife, a mom, a women pursued by God, a women pursing Him in return,  a person of passion, a pastor's wife (well - currently seminary student) , a former teacher,  a learner and someone that wants to celebrate the gift of life everyday!

I don't go anywhere without my bowl of noodles - I carry around my passions, my joys, my disappointments, my love, and my frustrations.

Sometimes I wish I could pull out a strand and set in on the shelf for awhile - not care about something or simmer down a deep desire but those noodles are so entwined.

In comparison did you know a guys brain is more like a waffle?

Really - my husband and I researched this years ago when teaching a highschool class on the differences between boys and girls.

A waffle is made up of compartments.

Typically guys are able to compartmentalize their life and thoughts.

Work has a compartment. Fathering has a compartment and so on.

That's why your man isn't thinking about the dishes in the sink when he's trying to go to sleep.

My man actually came up with the name for me. While brainstorming a new blog name I asked him to let me know if he had any ideas. He instantly looked at me and said, "I got one for you. A HEAD FULL OF NOODLES."  I loved it because of the truth it speaks of me and because it's exactly what this blog has become.

This blog started off as "Nic's Days - Everyday is an Adventure" but has become a reflection of my HEAD FULL OF  NOODLES. This has become a place for me to process my "noodles".  Unlike many other blogs this blog doesn't have a central focus to it; it's not just for mothers, just a recipe blog, or just a ministry blog.  You get the whole bowl of noodles!! You never know what strand of noodle you will get when you stop by.

WELCOME to my HEAD FULL OF NOODLES! I hope you find a few noodles you can relate to or at least get a good laugh out of them!

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Well, that's it.
It really cracks me up when I think back to when I started blogging.
My friend Heather kept telling me I really needed to blog.
Her blog was so fun -  I didn't think I could do that.
She held my hand and walked me through it.
I figured it would be a great way to keep showing pics to all the family we lived so far away from.
Now - 3 years later -  I love it.
I love how I've gotten to "know" other bloggers.
I'm encouraged by them, touched by them, and challenged by them.
I love how it feeds a creativity within me.
I love how it makes me see what I'm doing each day and enjoy it.
I love how I can share with you the daily ups and downs that we all struggle with.
I hope as I share about all the random "noodles" in my head that you will be encouraged in your life and that you will be challenged to enjoy the day you've been given!
(Even if your day is a -22 windchill. That's our reality today!)

Little Sporadic

I’ve been a little sporadic in my blogging lately. 

There's been several things that have kept me away.

One . . . the holidays. They gave me lots of material to blog about but totally changed my schedule. I have one more set of Xmas celebration pics to share with you.  That will come soon.

Two . . . Jason has had a few weeks off before starting up his next semester of seminary classes.  I'm soaking up my time with him - so I've closed my computer more often in the evenings. Monday starts the next semester and I'm NOT looking forward to it.  When he finished this last semester we were so excited to know he was HALF WAY DONE ! ! ! Now it just feels like a huge weight again. I don't even have to do all the work so I can't imagine how he feels. 

Three . . . The thing that has probably been the cause of my sporadic blogging most of all is the Women's Retreat that I posted about awhile back. I'm working with an awesome team of girls to plan this retreat and THIS IS THE MONTH!! It's the last weekend in January and we are so pumped. Our numbers almost doubled from what we had anticipated. I've been covered with details this week.  

It's gonna be awesome!!

You will notice (very soon) a little BLOG MAKEOVER with Nic's Days!  Do you remember back in December when I encouraged you all to give water and put your name in a variety of giveaways?

Well, I donated and signed up for a couple giveaways and then didn't think about it again. Over the holidays I opened my email only to see that I was the WINNER of over $500 worth of stuff. WOW! I was shocked! I've been getting fun little packages in the mail ever since from a variety of sites.  So fun! The biggest item on the list of things I won was a BLOG Makeover from BLESSED LITTLE NEST! That will be up soon - I'm so excited - she did an awesome job.  The biggest change will be my TITLE!  I've been wanting to change my title for over a year.  IT's a big decision - almost as big as picking your child's name. (Kiddin!)  I'm leaving the address the same for now but the title will be different.  Hope you like it. If you don't please don't tell me. Just act like you do when your friend calls to tell you they had their baby and they named it some weird strange name.  You act like it's the best name ever right? HA !

One more thing I must shout from the rooftops is that we now have SOFT water!!  The day we got it I wanted to post this . . . 

Na Na Na Na 

Na Na Na Na

Hey Hey Hey GOODBYE!

So long hard water that ruins all my dishes and cakes onto my skin! Today at lunch I told the kids when they were done eating they could throw their entire plastic plate in the trash. They thought that was so cool !  Thanks Target for my new plates.

Thanks for all your comments and emails from my "I Said I Would Tell You" post.  I'm glad it was an encouragement to many of you! 

+ Nic

Today

I can already tell the day isn't going to be long enough.
The list is just too long.
Boys are back in school today and it's just me and my little Chickadee.
All those things that got pushed aside are looking me straight in the eye today.
I want to blog . . . share some pics and some random things but the list is calling my name.
We woke up today to a VERY cold house.
For some reason the heat system had shut off.
It made it very hard to move - I'm still cold - but the house has warmed up again so I guess I better start moving.
I'm hoping sometime today I'll settle into my couch with my computer and find myself in blog land . . . but until then I'm off to be productive! :))
Happy Wednesday (even though it feels like Monday)!

Keeping it Real

Today hanging with my party of six didn't go so swell.
Maybe it was me.
Maybe it was them.
Whatever it was today was hard.
Lots of whining and lots of "I'm not up for obeying today" type of attitudes.
Lots of wild, silly energy too.
During church my 4 year old wanted to take off her dress.
Yes, take it off.
It was a button up dress and when she saw her brother take his coat off she said, "I want to take this off. I don't want to wear it."
Um? No.
She would have been sitting there in her tights and long sleeve undershirt in 2 seconds flat if I would have said yes.
Jason was preaching so I'm sure that would have been a slight distraction.
The house is quiet now.
Boys asleep and Tatum out on a date with Daddy.
She was all aglow when they headed out - I'm sure she'll come back as happy as can be.
Tomorrow's a new week.
I was sad to see the holiday break end but after today I think I'm ready for a new week!!

Productivity

I need to be wearing a shirt today that says,

"Do not mistake this outfit for laziness."

Yes I am still in pj pants but today is all about "productivity"!!
I just might be in my pj pants till it's time to go to bible study tonight.
I know Jason is reading this and just thrilled to get home. HA!
I passed on exercise this morning and the goal is to get this place back into shape and then tackle a variety of things at my desk.
Blogging not being one of those things so I better keep this short and keep going.
The house is back in order . . . not perfect but back in order.
The smell of baked apple pie is in the air . . . thanks to my scentsy candle.
Laundry has been going all morning and will keep going throughout the day.
The day will end with a Laundry Folding Party.
Anyone want to come? :))
It will probably be a party of one . . . or maybe two but by morning we'll all have something fresh to wear again.
Here's to productivity today!

Don't Know What to Title This Post

I haven't posted since Saturday.
I have had an overwhelmed heart lately about a variety of things.
I just decided not to subject you guys to the craziness that you might have read these past days.
I can hardly believe October is coming to an end.
What a month - I don't know where you live but the weather has been beautiful this fall where I live.
My vote is that we should just keep this weather through November.
My month could be summed up in the fact that yesterday I finally said goodbye to the skunk look I was beginning to sport!
My original hair appointment was one of the first few days of October and yesterday I finally went.
I think I rescheduled 3 times.
Just the way it went.
I enjoyed every second of her massaging my scalp.
I always make sure to say, "That feels so good."
It usually ensures you another couple minutes of bliss.
Everyone does their job better when they are being encouraged.
Encourage someone today!

Last Day Ramblings

Last Day
Last Day
Last Day
Last Day until my man gets home!
Wahoo!!
He's been gone for 9 days for seminary classes in Portland.
We've missed him!!
The thing that makes it all worth it is knowing he's there taking steps for our future.
He's rubbing shoulders with amazing guys in ministry and he's processing to the point of exhaustion I'm sure.
But it's time for him to come back home!
We sort of like the guy.
The kids are ready - two of them woke up today thinking today was the morning they'd wake up and he'd be here.
All I had to offer them was me . . .  and pancakes.
I must say, it's gotten easier to handle him gone now that the kids are older.
Those years when it was infant, 2, 2, and 4 were insane.
With most of them in school now I had some time during the day to "regroup".
We had our rough moments with him gone but we managed ok.
The critters seem to have his seminary calendar.
Last year it was a raccoon I think.
This year we had a decapitated mouse (maybe rat) out in the yard.
I finally got the courage to scoop each piece up with a shovel and catapulted that thing out into the field.
My catapult wasn't the best but at least we aren't looking at him.
Tatum also about stepped on a grass snake while running to the swing set.
Seriously critters - could you just wait till we have a man around to fight you?
I'm still a city girl at heart.
When he's gone I am always reminded to pray for my single momma friends.
You ladies ROCK!!!
I stay up so late when he's gone.
Wait, I do that when he's here too.
I've gotta work on that.
We're tired but just knowing he's about to board a plane gives me energy.
I've said it a hundred times in my life but my man makes me a better momma!!!
Can't wait to see you Jas.

Here's the old photos I was going to post last Friday.
Figured out the blogger picture problem.
I was out of storage space.
Didn't know that could happen.
For $5 I'm set for a year.
I can handle that.
Enjoy the blast from our past.

It's Late

It's late.
I should be in bed.
But I'm not.
I washed sheets today and the bed isn't made.
I'm hoping it will make itself if I wait long enough.
I had a full day.
I wanted to blog all day.
I wanted to blog about how much I miss Utah during this season.
I wanted to blog about our great weekend that refreshed me.
I wanted to blog about the color yellow.
I wanted to blog and tell  all of you that my trip to Walmart was uneventful - the post about getting my purse stolen at Walmart was a dream - so sorry I didn't make that clearer at the bottom - thanks to all of you that were concerned for me - you made me laugh.

But instead I . . .
Picked up the tornado that blew through here (not a literal one - again, not a literal one).
I washed sheets for five beds.
I made banana bread.
I dusted.
I vacuumed.
I played Princess Matching Game twice.
I cleaned out the van.
I put sheets back on four bunk beds. (That has to be the worst job in mothering.)
I loaded the dishwasher.
I unloaded the dishwasher.
I loaded the dishwasher.
I made chili because someone else said they were making it and then I couldn't get the taste out of my mouth.
Yum!
You don't really want me to keep going do you?
Jason just said he'd help me make the bed . . . that's as close to the bed making itself as I'm gonna get so I better take him up on it.
Maybe tomorrow I'll blog about one of those topics.

Gardening

Kids wanted to grow a watermelon.

So we did.

Planted it.

Watered it.

Took a picture of the end product.

Sometimes, in life,  we have to step back so we can see the whole picture and see the situation for what it really is.
Same goes for this situation.

Yes, our watermelon is the size of a golf ball. 

It didn't quite work out like we thought it would.

Oh well, we tried.

You can tell we aren't experienced gardeners.

This was obviously just a fun thing to try.
We won't be taking any "for sale" items to a farmer's market in the near future.

I think the tomato plants are about to grow into our back door.
The tomatoes are the only things we are really enjoying.

We planted green peppers . . . got two of them before the tomato plants grew over them.

We left a ton of space for watermelon vines.

Guess they should have been out in the field where the sun is.

Live and learn . . .

And just laugh along the way.

Me

I can't believe it's almost been a week since I have posted.
I've thought of many things each day to post or share.
I have pics from the twins party celebrations to share, a snack idea,  left over summer pics and adventures to share, a few encouraging quotes and many other random thoughts I had thought about posting.
But even as I sit here tonight I'm just blank.
We've been in transition.
Transitioning from SUMMER to SCHOOL.
Everyone is LOVIN school but it has been a huge transition for me.
This summer was probably one of the best summer's the kids and I have had.
We've had other summers with amazing trips and experiences but this summer I did really good at keeping my priorities for the summer a priority -- the KIDS were my priority.
Yes other things had to be done but I let a lot of things go - on purpose.
I knew when school started there would be time to get reorganized in many other ways.
The problem with this is that in my head I knew it would take time for things to find their place  . . . but really I was expecting in a matter of a day or two to have all my ducks back in a row.
House cleaned
Drawers/Closets and all other spaces organized
Exercise routine back in place
Nightly routine set
Start cooking real dinners again
You know what I mean.
All of this has left me feeling impatient, frustrated, and grumpy.
My new playmate, Tatum, has felt it too.
One morning after the boys got on the bus at 7:45 she didn't even make it into the house before saying, "I miss my boys." She misses her playmates and they aren't even gone ALL day yet. That starts after Labor Day for the twins - what will she think then?
We have fun together but it's just different.
It's a big jump from 3 at home all day to 1.
I feel like I've accomplished SO many things yet have SO many things yet to do.
Some routines are running very smooth - like the morning routine for the boys.
Others not so much.
I'm fighting myself to pace myself and to still keep the things that matter most to me the most important and let other things slowly get accomplished.
Easier said then done.
Transition, of any kind, just takes a little time and adjusting.

So today instead of doing a 100 things we played!
Tatum had her second play date of the week and the twins had two friends over right after kindergarten.
It was a house full but oh so fun.
I've decided we don't need to go to Disney Land when we can play here . . . at one point we had a Transformer, a Spiderman, a Batman, a Wolverine, a Cinderella, and a Sleeping Beauty all in my living room and yard.

After a day of playing I think I'll end my day by going to bed before the clock says 10:00 - that will be a new one for me too!
Goodnight!

Dork

Who is this old lady riding motorcycle?

It's me.

This picture cracks me up . . . it looks like some lady with a beehive hair do - I look like a dork.

Guess this ones a little bit better.

Still a dorky smile.

I'm thinking of getting one of these bikes to round up my kids in the evening!