FF-Remodeling part uno

I know you might not want to see these pictures but I think we've established that I don't care. Just kidding.
This used to be a hallway, from the dining room into the back hall. It was destined to become a bigger bedroom, bathroom, and closet for Matt & I.

Such good little helpers! Can you believe I painted so much. This was about 2 weeks from my due date. PS. I wanted to burn my paint clothes but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

This shirt used to be my dad's.

It says, "Take a hike." on the back.

I got it for him the summer I worked at Sgt. Leisure up in Sun Valley.

I still love it..

Garbage day

Thursday is garbage day.
Last Thursday the garbage didn't get taken to the curb.
We have alot of garbage.
Sometimes I put garbage in my neighbor's trash cans. "Nothin' wrong with that," I say.
When I went to put the garbage in my neighbor's can (before taking the kids to school) I decided the snow was deeper than I thought, I changed my mind.
So, the two bags of garbage rode in the front seat.
To school, the "coke store", Albertsons, and then back home again.
I lead an action packed life.

Hello, my name is Toby

I am a Newfoundland.
I weigh about 16o lbs.
I love people and people love me (albeit in a "Please keep your distance and don't stick your nose in my crotch sort of way.")
My dad, Matt, thinks I am the greatest thing since sliced bread. I think he is great too.
We like to play tricks on Mom. For instance, in the morning instead of going out the nearest door from the garage, Dad and I walk all through the house. Mom hates it. We think it's hilarious.
My mom, Tana, thinks I am ok. She doesn't like me in the house much. But I heard her admit that she can't imagine another dog who would be so good with such little training. I think it was a compliment.
The kids like me pretty well too, especially that little Bella.
I have a strict code of moral conduct.
One of my rules: the smaller the person, the more gentle I am.
I'm a bit of a celebrity at the vet clinic in Bellevue. Those girls love me.
It's understandable, really.
I chase cars. I ditched my shock collar a while back, it's been awesome. The freaked out look on people's faces when they realize the damage I could do to their cars, (chuckle) that just never gets old.
I love long walks. I sit at the end of the drive way and wait for people to be walking by. I will go with almost anyone.
I am good at making new friends.
I like to run too, but mostly just with Mom, she's not fast.
I shed ALOT.
Mom and I both love it when I get my hair cut in the spring. (Except that one time the lady cut my hair like a poodle. Man, that was embarassing.)
ALSO I love milk bones. There's not much I won't do for a Milk Bone.
If your ever in the neighborhood, look me up. We'll go harrass some cats.

FF- Potty training

'Nuf said.

Sunday night call

I worked from noon until 10:30.
The problem was, I didn't get to leave the hospital until 1:30 AM.
Bella had been sick and when I got home she threw up.
I changed her.
She threw up again.
I assured Matt I was fine... up already.
I bathed her.
I fed Riggins.
I laid my weary head and prayed that I wouldn't get called back in. Thank the heavens above I didn't. I was still hammered the next day.
I hate call!

What the world needs now

is

sweet, love.

(It's the only thing that there's just too little of.)

Is that a frog in your pocket?

Matt was changing Riggins and noticed something hard by his chest. .. oh, just a little plastic frog.

a gift from McCade

and you wondered why baby clothes had pockets.

Mystery solved.

FF- The pregnant version of myself

Since I was computerless for most of my pregnancy I thought I would post a few pics of myself in a gestating state.

This was right near the end, Matt was a little bugged that I made him stop and take pictures of me before church on Sunday but I 'm glad I did.

My sister Wynn was pregnant at the same time but farther along than I was. I think she might hate this picture but it was the only other one I could find and I don't know how to crop her out. I do pregnancy really well, not the first part of course.

But even the first part of my pregnancies are far better than so many women that I wouldn't dare complain.

(By "wouldn't" you know I meant "wouldn't if the aforementioned sicky chickies were around.")

I know this is a rare blessing and I do not take it for granted, I promise.

Strong girl

Bella was helping me move furniture while I vaccummed the other day.

She flexed her muscles and said, "I am weely strong."

I said, "Bella, how did you get so strong?"

"My dad showed me how."

Missing more than teeth

Grace has lost plenty of teeth but for some reason when McCade started wiggling his I was sad.

Really sad.

Matt didn't understand it, it's not like he's the baby of the family, he's not...

...but he is my sweet little McCader man, and his little teeth were beautiful, all straight and perfect.

and bad enough that he didn't just let them fall out by themselves, oh no....

he had to wiggle and wiggle them. That top one was barely even loose when he set his Dad on it. Matt said when he was pulling it out all McCade said was one, "ow."

Now McCade likes teasing me about it because he knows it makes me melancholy. He gets that mischievous look in his eye.
After this last one he said to me, "Don't worry, Mom, soon my big teeth will grow in."

Yeah, a lot of comfort that brings me.

Flashback Friday-

I decided that since I was computer-less for so the summer and didn't post pictures or posts for that matter I would dedicate some Fridays to the space between.

Plus I think "Flashback Friday" has a catchy title.

So...Halloween. 2009. To tell you the truth, these are the only pictures I have. Too sad. My friend Christa would be so disappointed. She's the one who sent me this cute costume for Riggins.

Jenn provided the costume for Bella, cute little striped witch dress.

Mindy let me borrow a Batman costume for McCade. (It had muscles, I just love costumes with muscles on his skinny little body.)

Grace wore her cat costume from last year. I did a better job on her nose this year.

Not my finest Halloween moment. What can I say? "I get by with a little help from my friends."

Although there was no pumpkin carving this year, our whole family went trick-or-treating together downtown. It's a great event because it is light out and not too cold. It was lovely.
I know Riggins doesn't look happy, but how cute is his little costume? It even glowed in the dark.

Happiness is a choice

Last night my friend Amy, www.thewondertwins.blogspot.com spoke at the church about some of her experiences with her son, Dawson. I got a lot of different insight and inspiration but one of the things that hit me and that I chose to apply today was;

Happiness is a choice.

This morning we were running late (again). This is something I battle on a daily basis. I know, "Be on time" it should be easy but so should...eating right, spending less money, & on and on. For some reason I hate this particular weakness, which, for the record, is genetic (on my mom's side.)

Today was no different; The kids ate salt & vinegar chips for breakfast. Grace's pigtails were crooked. McCade didn't get a comb through his hair. It was gloomy out. I was in my pink pajamas.

Normally this makes me cranky and I feel so ... inadequate. I yell, my heart feels heavy. I feel like I am never going to get it together.

But today, I'm okay with it. I'm okay with my shortcomings, my weaknesses, my strengths, my pajamas on the way to school. . .

Because today I choose happiness.

....and tomorrow I think I will get up earlier:)