Tessisms...so I don't forget.

My blog seems to be the best way for me to organize my thoughts so I won't forget them. I share these funny Tessisms so I won't have to worry about finding those scraps of paper they're on now.

A conversation with her grandpa.
Grandpa: "Tess you're so beautiful. Do you know why your so beautiful?"
Tess: (blank stare)...no answer
Grandpa: "I think it's because you look like me."
Tess: (puzzled/disgusted look) "but I'm not bald."

This is Tess while holding anything orange...be it candy or balloon or crayon:
"Actually, I'm going to save this for daddy when he gets home." (I find this very endearing because her dad likes the color orange so she wants to give him all things orange.)Tess talking with her friend in the car while going to school.
Tess: "On top of the grass in my backyard, I can see the world. Australia is so far away and I can see it from my backyard."

Tess talking to me about bella : "I'm the boss of her."

I just love the things kids say when you stop to listen. It's interesting what it tells you about their personality. These sayings are so Tess. Just love that girl.

BTW I didn't include her little lisp, which is so cute, due to easier reading.

Back to the drawing board....I need your help.

If you've read my blog for any amount of time you should already know that I'm a jean type of girl. Love my jeans. It seems like every few years I find myself in this situation...looking for a new pair. I guess I find what I love and then wear them until they are practically falling off my body and then I start over. Well, when I found The Gap's long and lean jeans, courtesy Robyn, I thought I had found the "jeans" for the rest of my life. I'm sure you're thinking I am being overly dramatic, but I'm not. Love these jeans. Love them. In fact it isn't so much the jeans that I love as it is the color. For some reason the long and lean jeans fit differently depending on the color. I don't know why and it's very maddening, but true. So I've noticed for a few months that my jeans are wearing thin and it's that time. Well, when I went to the Gap, hoping to get the very same pair that I already have 2 of, I was shocked to find out they're different. Yes they still carry the long and lean style, but they are not the same....colors are different and so was the fit.

Needless to say I'm devastated and am not sure where to turn. I can't imagine not being able to wear my favorite jeans. Oh why didn't I buy 20 of them for backup? I suppose this is the way to force those, like me, who find what they like and never change to keep with the times. So I need your help...where should I turn? What stores should I shop at? What is your favorite jean?

Please keep in mind I love tall. They must carry tall. Also, I am not at all interested in the skinny jean. Sorry if you like them, but please don't offend me by suggesting them...too 80's and I can't go back.

Thanks.

I've taken about 800 photos,

no exaggeration, since the weekend and have been unable to go through them. It's very maddening. How could I get so behind? I feel like it's trek all over again. I took me forever to go through them all.

Here are a couple to give you an idea. Finally got Megan to put on the hat I bought her over 3 weeks ago. It took a lot of skittle bribing. The things you do to get a photo. Hopefully I can share more tomorrow because I have dedicated this afternoon while the girls are at school to look through them.

It's starting to look like Halloween

When the weather turns cold and you know fall is coming all I can think about is Halloween. I just love this time of year. When I was a kid I looked forward to dressing up, the yummy warm chili and hot chocolate we would get before venturing out in the cold, the candy, being with friends, the parade at school, answering the doorbell, the decorations...I love it all. And of course Halloween meant Thanksgiving and Christmas were soon on there way.

We have a great tradition in our family of craving pumpkins several times throughout the season. It's hard to just do it once so we start early when the pumpkins first arrive, then when those pumpkins turn rotten we do it all over again so on Halloween we have fresh pumpkins at our doorstep. We bought some over the weekend and were hoping to start carving, but life has been crazy busy. I am thinking this weekend will be the perfect time. Adam has the girls draw a picture of what they want their pumpkins to look like and Adam does the carving...still too young in my book to carve, but lucky for them they get to gut it. All the girls were fighting over the same small one so when Bella was done with her picture she taped it to the pumpkin she wanted. It created quite the ruckus.

I've always wanted one

I always have the best ideas or interesting thoughts in the middle of the night or when I am alone, with or without my kids, driving in my car. Unfortunately if I'm in my car I am unable to write my thoughts down and of course eventually end up forgetting it, or if I do remember it never gets down on paper the same way. So I've mentioned to Adam several times how I would love a digital voice recorder so I can record my original thoughts. He has actually had this recorder for several years now. I knew it was a work thing so never considered using it. Yesterday he left it out for me. He apparently never uses it and remember how much I wanted one. Very cool. I am really excited to keep it in my car and use it. Actually I recorded megan's adorable voice today. Hopefully I can figure out how to get it on my computer and will be able to save it for later. I just love listening to her talk.

btw i was really disappointed in the story line on the office tonight. I hope they don't go that direction.

Does anyone know what today is?

If you guessed the season 3 premiere of The Office you are correct. I have been waiting since last May to find out what happens between Jim and Pam. So in honor of my favorite comedy on TV here are a few of my most favorite lines from the show.

"performance review"
Dwight: And in conclusion, I think Lex Luther said it best, when he said, "Dad, you have no idea, what, I'm capable of."
Michael: That's from Superman?
Dwight: Smallville.

"the injury"
Jim: You burned YOUR foot on a Foreman Grill?
(Jim looks at the camera with a look of pity for Michael)
CUT TO INDUVIDUAL SHOT OF MICHAEL
Michael: I enjoy having breakfast in bed. I like waking up to the smell of bacon. Sue me. And since I don't have a butler, I have to do it myself. So, most nights before I go to bed, I will lay six strips of bacon out on my George Foreman grill. Then I go to sleep. When I wake up, I plug in the grill. I go back to sleep again. Then I wake up to the smell of crackling bacon. It is delicious, it's good for me. It's a perfect way to start the day. Today I got up, I stepped onto the grill (uncovers his foot for the camera) and it clamped down on my foot, that's it. I don't see what's so hard to believe about that.

(All of a sudden, a crash is heard from the bathroom)
Michael: (OS) Oh! Gaa!
(Toby looks at Ryan and walks over to the door)
Michael: (OS) Help! Oh, help! Help me!
(Toby cracks the door open slightly)
Toby: W-what happened?
Michael: (OS) I fell off the toilet. I'm caught between the toilet and the wall.
Toby: What do you need?
Michael: (OS) Ugh. Not you. Someone else. Get Pam.
Toby: I don't think Pam's gonna want to come into the men's room.
Michael: (OS) Get Ryan. He needs to lift me.
(The camera pans over to Ryan who shakes his head)
Michael: (OS) And he needs to clean me up a little bit. Bring a wet towel.
(Ryan gets a troubled/scared look on his face and shakes his head again)
Toby: Ryan is, uh...
(Ryan makes a throat slitting gesture)
Toby: ...dead.
Michael: (OS) No he's not.
Toby: Dead.
Michael: (OS) I just saw him.
Toby: No, he's...can you just get up yourself? I-you only grilled your foot.
Michael: (OS) Oh, forget it. I'll just get up myself.
(More crashing is heard)

"the carpet"
Todd: Hey, listen, did you get that package I left for you?
Michael: Uh, no. Did anybody see a package here today? No, how big was it?
Todd: It was pretty big.
Michael: Really?
Todd: Yeah.
Michael: Did you see a big package? Where did you leave it?
Todd: Left it in the middle of your office.
Michael: Really. (to Roy and Darryl) Guys, did you see a big package in my office?
Roy: You mean the thing?

"conflict resolution" (one of my favorite episodes)
Michael: Someone complained that the men's room is "whites only". Stanley, you know that's not true.
Stanley: I didn't say that.
Creed: Then why is there a picture of a white man on the door?
(Michael looks at the camera confused then looks to the bathroom door)
(We see the standard industrial stick man picture on the door)

Michael: Okay, Ryan, you told Toby that Creed has a distinct old man smell?
(Ryan sighs and Creed looks up smugly)
CUT TO INDUVIDUAL SHOT OF CREED
Creed: I know exactly what he's talking about. I sprout mung beans on a damp paper towel in my desk drawer. Very nutritious. But they smell like death.

Jim: You know what, Dwight? Maybe we should get our photo I.D. taken together.
Dwight: That doesn't make any sense.
Jim: Well, it saves time, you know. 'Cause we could just meet in the parking lot every morning. Walk in together. Perfect.
Photographer: Smile.
Dwight: No.
(The camera shows Dwight's picture, he is very stern and creepy looking)
CUT TO INDUVIDUAL SHOT OF DWIGHT
Dwight: I never smile if I can help it. Showing one's teeth is a submission signal in primates. When someone smiles at me, all I see is a chimpanzee begging for its life.

Michael: (ignoring Creed) Okay, Phyllis. You complained that Angela is giving you dirty looks. And you tried to get off the party planning committee.
Phyllis: No, I never said any such thing. Angela and I are close.
Michael: And...also, Phyllis, Stanley says that you cry too much, and that bugs him.
Phyllis: Stanley and I are close too.
Stanley: We sit close.

Michael: This, is from Kevin. He says Stanley uses his Miracle Whip without asking. Meredith complains that everyone talks too loud in the morning and the lights are too bright. Creed- Creed is sick of looking at the redhead all day and wants a seat facing the receptionist.
Pam: (sarcastically) Nice.

"casino night" (season finale)
(Dwight walks in and proceeds to remove his coat revealing a tux underneath)
(Dwight hangs his coat up)
Dwight: Ahem.
(Jim walks to reception)
Jim: (to Dwight) Excuse me. How long is the, uh, wait for a table for two?
(Pam smiles)
Dwight: (spiteful) I would never, ever serve you. Not in a million, billion years.
Pam: It's a nice tux.
Dwight: I know. It belonged to my grandfather. He was buried in it. So...family heirloom.
(Dwight walks to his desk leaving Jim and Pam to ponder that statement)

Dwight: Impossible. Roulette is not a game of skill. It is a game of chance.
Jim: I can always kind of win at roulette.
Dwight: Oh, really? Mm-hmm.
Jim: Yeah.
Dwight: How would you do that?
Jim: Mind control.
Dwight: (scoffs) You can't be serious. (off of Jim's serious face) Are you serious?
Jim: Ever since I as a little kid, like eight or nine, I could sort of control things with my mind.
Dwight: I don't believe you. Continue.
Jim: It was just little things, you know. Like I could make something shake. Or I could make a marble fall off the counter. You know, just little things.

Michael: (happy) Oh, and another fun thing. We, at the end of the night, are going to give the check to an actual group of Boy Scouts. Right, Toby? We're gonna-
Toby: Actually, I didn't think it was appropriate to invite children since it's, uh, you know. There's gambling and alcohol. (Michael's face falls) And it's in our dangerous warehouse. And it's a school night. And, you know, Hooters is catering. You know. Is that-is that enough? Should I keep going?
(Looong pause as Michael stares at Toby)
Micheal: Why are you the way that you are? Honestly, every time I try to do something fun or exciting, you make it not, that way. I hate, so much about the things that you choose to be.
(Toby is quiet)

and this is how the season ends
(Pam smiles, and waits for Jim to say something funny in response)
Jim: (honestly) I'm in love with you.
Pam: What?
Jim: I'm really sorry if that's weird for you to hear. But you needed to...hear it.
(Pam breathing starts to pick up)
Jim: Probably not good timing. I know that, I just--
Pam: What are you doing?
(Jim gives the slightest head tilt/shrug as if to say, "Come on, you know.")
Pam: What do you expect me to say to that?
Jim: I just needed you to know. Once.
Pam: Well, I, um- I...(inhales deeply)...I can't?
Jim: Yeah.
Pam: You have no idea...
Jim: Don't do that.
Pam: ...what your friendship means to me.
Jim: Come on. I don't wanna do that. I wanna be more than that.
Pam: I can't.
(Jim's eyes start to tear up)
Pam: I'm really sorry if you misinterpreted things. It's probably my fault.
(A tear rolls down Jim's cheek)
Jim: Not your fault. I'm sorry if I misinterpreted that...(wipes the tear)...our friendship.
(Jim walks away)
(Pam stands there, shocked, fiddling with her ring)
(She looks down at her ring)

CUT TO THE OFFICE
(The office is dark except for a few lamps)
(Pam is leaning against Jim's desk talking on the phone)
Pam: (on the phone) About ten minutes ago. (beat) No, I didn't know what to say. (beat) Yes, I know. (beat) Um, I don't know, Mom. He's my best friend. (beat) Yeah, he's great. (beat) (trying not to break) Yeah, I think I am.
(In the background, we see Jim walk in, head down)
Pam: (spots Jim) Um, I have to go.
(Jim spots Pam and starts walking towards her)
Pam: I will. (hangs up phone) Listen, Jim--
(Jim puts his arms around Pam and presses his lips to hers)
(Pam bring her arms up to protest, but starts to kiss him back)
(Her hands make their way to the back of his head)
(She starts to pull away, Jim kisses her one more time)
(Pam finally separates herself from Jim)
(Jim takes a small step back)
(Silence)
(They look, quietly, at each other)
THE END

Man I love this show. Tune in tonight you will not be disappointed....i hope.

To read more transcripts from the other episodes go here.

An interesting educational night.

Last night I attended a stake YW/YM activity. We had a good dinner and then listened to Matt Richards give an excellent talk about being true to oneself. I actually go a ton from it in regards to being a good parent just by some of the thing he mentioned about he and his wife.

Anyway, I drove home with my friend/leader and a few of the young woman. All the way the girls talked about boys, dating, and all the stuff that's on a girls mind. It was very interesting to listen to. I mean, for one they are actually opening up and asking you for your opinion or what they should do about a certain situation. Then they start telling us stuff about their home and family life. It wasn't only a conversation, but a really great learning experience for me as a mother. I feel I am always good about listening and offering advice when asked, but once a girl opens up about her relationship with her parents I am so willing to ask them questions. I really want to know why things are good or why they are bad. I want to learn from them to help me be a better mother to my girls and hopefully allow us to be close. I desperately want my children to know they can talk to me about anything and I am quite aware that relationship needs to be nourished from the start, even at their very young age. I told these two girls my concerns and that I wanted to pick their brain for vidal information that would help me improve in this area. One of the girls said, "You will not have to worry about it, you are so easy to talk to, your kids will come to you". It was really good to hear, although she was probably just saying that because I am not her mother.

I learned a mother needs to be there ready and willing to listen and to know when to stop asking questions. Know when to back off. Allow the child to come to you. Make sure to share an emotional bond...not just I am you mother do what I say, but share a rich meaningful trusting relationship. Allow your child to make up their own mind and solve their own problems. In a teenagers life, time moves rather quickly so when a fight is over or a boyfriend is out of their life leave the subject alone. Just some of the things they shared with me that I wanted to pass along.

So this was not the end of my interesting night. We continued to take the girls home and my friend/leader decided to drop off her daughter first so she could get to her homework. Then all of the sudden her son and all his friends jumped in the car because she had already promised them a trip to wendys. I know I didn't mention this before, but among the boys was this boy one of the yw had been talking about. She really likes him and he asked her to homecoming, but now things are very awkward between them...man I am so glad I am done with highschool. Anyway, I looked over at my friend/leader, who by the way is 46, and told her I was coming. First of all I wanted to see if I could get any information and second I wanted french fries. So what conversations took place in the next 40 minutes was just as educational as with the girls. Now I must say boys don't open up about girls, and to tell you the truth I didn't ask. They pretty much just told me who they were and what they did. So as far as I was concerned my mission had failed...I had not found out about the girl and boy and their upcoming date. Somehow, as we were dropping the boys off they started to talk about their parents. Very interesting. So I asked them why questions and what they could do better. I couldn't believe it. These boys actually gave me straight sincere answers. So of the things they shared it sounded a lot like the girls answers, but added parents should not be uptight...go with the flow more.

I feel like both of these groups of kids gave me something very important. I feel a little more empowered on how I can improve and be a better mother. I know each one of my children are different and so will our relationship be, but no matter what I want them to know how I feel about them, about my beliefs, about how important my family is to me. The three most important things I have ever done in my life are 1. baptism 2. get married in the temple and 3. have my three girls. My family really is everything to me and the driving force of my motivation to be better and do more.

I am literally running on no sleep.

I don't even know what happened. I went to bed around 10pm and woke up at midnight to go to the bathroom. I suppose I shouldn't of had that huge glass of water before going to bed. So I tossed and turned for an hour or so when Adam finally piped up, "Are you having a hard time sleeping too?" Apparently he was up as well and we were both pretty irritated. Finally after about another 45 minutes Adam got up and went out to his hot tub. I laid there utterly frustrated. I didn't have anything on my mind, I didn't want to do anything else but sleep so I was pretty ticked off. I grabbed our laptop and started playing around (I must say it's really nice to surf the web in bed). I was totally awake. Finally Adam came back and told me about the deer in our backyard that freaked him out. We both had a good laugh at why we were still awake and checked out some sites together. In desperation we turned off the laptop and attempted to fall asleep again. When it didn't seem to be working for either of us he got up and took a sleeping pill left over from when I was pregnant with Megan, chances are it had already expired. I didn't want one for fear I wouldn't wake up in time to get Bella to school. So adam quickly after that got to sleep and I just laid there awake for another hour or so. Finally I gave up and went down to my studio. I messed around some more and when I looked at the clock it was 6am. I decided there was no way I could go to sleep now so I got my shoes on and started to exercise, took a shower, and then got Bella off to school. I would have loved to lay down then, but a 2 yr old neighbor girl was coming over so there was no way I could. I can't this afternoon either because Tess has a friend coming over, Bella has violin lessons, and I have YW tonight. I am so tired.

Can't believe this

So I had a lot of thing that I wanted to accomplish today. I did exercise and take a shower so that's nice, but since then I have been dealing with the fallout of the events of the morning. Adam called me early, around 8:30am and told me his car had been broken into while he was at the gym and everything was stolen. Ok not everything. It was mainly his work bag with apparently all his life information...ss card, personal checks, house keys, work checks, portable hard drive, etc. Pretty much his life except his wallet. They didn't take his CD's but did manage to take his hideously ugly sunglasses so it seems something good came of it...trying to find humor in this.

UGH!!! Not the news I wanted to hear at 8 this morning or any time for that matter. So instead of getting anything done, my house is still a disaster from the weekend, I have been calling locksmiths, looking into ss fraud, and trying to figure out ways to cover ourselves for what could potentially happen. I have heard of horror stories concerning identity theft. In fact this just happened a few months ago to someone I knew and under her name someone stole a vehicle from a dealer. I can't believe I am dealing with this now.

All and all I am doing great considering. I mean really I am not trying to complain just merely stating the facts of my day. I know it could be much worse...at least no one is hurt and it's really been Adam who is doing most of the leg work. Going to the bank and changing all our accounts, which apparently takes 7-10 days. So pretty much I am out convenient money for that long. Too bad I needed to go to the grocery store today. Double UGH!

So the best part...like I said I had a locksmith come change my locks. I didn't think about it until he was almost done that he would want to be paid immediately. I thought for sure an invoice would be ok. Apparently it wasn't and he wanted collateral of $70 in order to leave. I understand his position. He doesn't know me and doesn't know that I am a woman of my word, but give me a break please. So the only thing I could think of was he could wait for me to go to the bank and get some cash. He said it would be best to follow me and wait. So that's what I did. I wasn't happy about it. It felt a like a violation on so many levels, but I had nothing else I could do.

But the day is still good. Why? Because I had a 4 yr old girl tell me I looked good today. I need to have this friend of Tess' over more often. It made my day.

I am changing my blog address.

I have wanted to for some time to get my name off my URL but just never got around to it. Now that this whole thing has happened it just feels like time. So I know it is a big pain to everyone, changing your links and what not, but I will be changing my URL to afmwords.blogspot.com on Wednesday.

Again sorry for the inconvenience.

I am fall.

I found this questionire online that determines what season you are and decided to give it a try. Apparently I'm fall. Makes sense, right? Fall is my favorite time of year. Love all the colors. Love the weather. Love watching the leaves change colors.

So what season are you? Give it a try and share. I would love to know.

good mail to share from this past week

Robyn send some delicious chocolate and this very cool wind chime. I am so glad I shared this love of mine on my blog. I have since received 2 by mail and can't tell you how happy I am when I hear them outside my window. Plus today it the most perfect day for it....windy (not really the best day for Tess). Thank you so much Robyn!

Jenn sent me this very cute card set and some labels. I love them and can't wait to use them. Thanks Jenn!

Jill sent me a load of "good mail" labels. I really can't wait to send good mail now. It's such a good idea. Thank you so much.

Amy gave me some ki memories letters and a package of tabs last night when she came to pick up Estee. It was such a surprise and really looking forward to using them. Thank you!


I just love good mail.
I already have some in the works and looking forward to sending them off.

It's so interesting how one day can be so open and then the next just chock full of stuff.

Yesterday I watched my darling niece from 12pm on. Man you sure forget what it's like to watch a baby again and it hasn't even been that long for me. You can't leave them for a second...You never know what they're going to find and put in their mouth. She is busy busy. Amy I don't know how you get anything done. I don't know how I did to tell you the truth, but I did.

Last night Lori came over and had dinner with us and just hung out and talked. We were all really excited to see her and that we didn't have to wait for Saturday as planned. She came bearing gifts for all of us. Thank you Lori. So very generous of you considering the high AU prices.

So as we were talking in the living room we noticed this disgusting skunk smell. I realized the windows were open to let in the good breeze. As I walked around closing windows I wondered where this animal could be because the smell was so strong. Well of course I had forgot to close the window in our bedroom so we had to light a candle to try to get rid of the smell. Apparently we thought it was safe to open the windows through the night, but we were wrong. The smell of skunk woke me up. It was so bad I went outside to figure out where it could be and sure enough there it was right out in front of my house dead with 2 other unknown animals. Yuck! When tess saw it she said, "maybe the animals were all holding hand crossing the street." Make sense right?

So as I was getting Bella ready for school I was on the phone trying to get a hold of someone to come pick up the big mess. Finally I got a hold of someone and they came within 30 mins. I can't tell you how happy I was to not have to look at the road kill every time I looked out my door/windows. I'm not sure how much it helped the smell though. My basement still stinks and right now I have the window open to my studio and as the wind comes in I can smell skunk. It's making me sick. It's sad because today is the most perfect day for letting in the nice cool breeze.

these two

Watching these two together makes me extremely happy. I am grateful they have one another right now as life transitions once again. I see these two, with the absence of Bella, starting to become friends. Wanting to be with each other instead of just out of necessity. I am excited for them to have this time to themselves and give each other a chance.

it was the start of something new

My Tess finally started preschool yesterday. Man it seems like school has been going for a month as she is just beginning. She was so very excited to go and from what she said about her day she had a great time. She said she met some new friends, but she can't remember their names.

So on my way home Megan tells me she wants to go night night. "Of course", i was thinking to myself. I got in the door, put Megan to bed, and sat down and ate lunch in peace while reading USA today.

So this is what it's going to be like 3 days a week in the afternoon. Peace and quiet...all to myself. Wow, that sounds a bit selfish, but for 6 years I've had company and I can't feel guilty about enjoying 9 hours a week. Right? So for all you moms out there whose life just changed due to school, enjoy. We deserve it.

G'day Lolo

Amy suggested we do a "dual entry" on her blog to wish you a happy birthday and...Here we are. Happy happy birthday may all your dreams come true, happy happy birthday to you to you to you. OK. I am looking forward to your return...adam

Happy Birthday Lori. I am sad we weren't celebrating together tonight. I hope you had a fabulous celebration in AU worthy of a newly 30 yr old . Really looking forward to seeing you in a week. I want to tell you thank you for being you. For not judging. For talking. Listening. Sharing. So glad we had those few years together.

love ya.

the visitor

I had been waiting for weeks for this sunflower to bloom. I almost pulled it with the weeds, but realized it would be really great to photograph so I left it to blossom. I never thought it would be so big.

Anyway, the day it bloomed I noticed there was this distinct dark something in the middle of the flower. I knew I should go and take pictures right then, but I had frozen food to get in the freezer and hungry kids to feed so it was about 1 and a half hours before I finally got outside again. Sure enough as I walked toward the flower the larger than life bee was still feasting. It was very cool, but very frightening. A couple of times I got to close and he took off which made me wonder if he was going to come after me. Instead he flew in a circle and made his way back. I loved watching him maneuver around gathering pollen. Even Tess got a kick out of it. Go figure.

The best Sunday

It all started with sleeping in...8:30am on a Sunday that's very good for us. It's nice when you can wake up on your own and feel rested. After the wake up in bed we headed to the kitchen for breakfast which we decided to take outside since it felt so nice. We sat there as a family just talking an enjoying the morning light. Once breakfast was over Adam and I stayed out in the back for about 1 hour 45 minutes just talking while the kids played. It was fantastic and although we were hurried to church, which I hate doing, it was totally worth it. We were even 10 minutes early...Go figure.

After we came home and ate everyone pretty much took a nap. Love that about Sunday afternoons. We all surfaced around 6pm to find Adam and Bella making cookies. What a delight. Love fresh chocolate cookies. We finally had to wake megan up at 7pm because we were afraid to let her sleep any longer because of the night before. Rewind to Saturday night...while at Jill's Megan fell asleep at 5pm and stayed asleep until 8:30am this morning. We knew we'd be pushing our luck to think she would do it again. Anyway, after cleaning up the mess we went outside and watched the sunset while the girls play/explore. Eventually Adam and the girls went crazy spinning and playing like they do. I always love to watch how much fun they have together. When it got too dark we went back in the kitchen, all of us sitting around the counter and drew pictures. Bella asked me if she was "picture smart". Not sure where she got the term, but I told her we can all be picture smart in our own creative way, that's what's so great about art. She was thrilled to hear this and made drawing after drawing. Actually on one of them she said, "don't look, when you see this you're going to faint". It was such a funny thing to say Adam and I busted up laughing. She then proceeded to draw a self-portrait.

These are the days that I love. Being together as a family. Enjoy one another company...Talking, playing, and having the best time.

It's simple. It's us. It's the way we love it.

adventures at The Gateway

If you know Tess for the last couple of months you know this is something you would not think she would enjoying doing. In fact it was her idea to run through the fountain. Of course I couldn't get her or her sisters to go through early in the evening, but I was glad that Tess made us do another loop so she could run through. I volunteered to go with her knowing we would be heading home. It was actually a lot of fun wondering when we were going to be drenched by the water.

I so enjoyed just being together walking around Gateway.

• We took the kids to the apple store where they played a few computer games while I walked around in awe. I can remember what it feels like to kid in the candy store knowing you weren't going to buy anything. The next computer i buy will be a mac.
• We went to barnes and noble got the best "fresh cookie" ever made. If you have never tried the shortbread cookies there you are missing out. they are the best and are as big as your head.
• I got chocolate of course at the chocolate factory which i sort of lost to megan. She has such a way of taking your stuff, "i hod (hold) it ok mam." somehow you say "ok" and she's got your chocolate.
• We took them to the kitchen store, can't remember the name, and let them pick out a cookie cutter each. Bella chose a violin, i thought that was very cool, Tess chose a tea pot, and megan a frog but for some reason Megan's never got to the register.

it was a great night. man i am loving this pre fall weather. i love just being with my family.

so much for my goals

The last few days I have been totally out sick. Sick meaning lying in bed feeling awful, in pain, doing nothing, and listening to the girls fend for themselves. I didn't feel sick to my stomach, but had the worst abdominal pain I've ever experienced. Finally on the 3rd day I went to the doctor to figure out what was going on. I figured it had lasted so long perhaps it could be something related to my appendix, gall bladder etc. All I know is I was hating life big time, starving from lack of food, and tired of being in bed. Turns out all the test came back negative and was told I had some gastrointestinitis (something like that) that would take several days to clear up. I was sadden by the time table, but grateful it wasn't something more serious that would land me in the hospital having surgery.

So I woke up this morning feeling much better. Certainly not 100%, but I was able to get the girls breakfast without almost fainting. I have occasional pain, but the severity doesn't even match what I went through so I feel I'm on my way to getting back to my normal self.

Now I have a lot to do to recover. Too bad life doesn't stop when your sick. oh well, I'm just utterly grateful I'm feeling better.