tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37599450561552382162023-11-16T02:46:41.841-08:00Pockets full of this and thatPockets full of this and thatMelaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-80271223961375639912011-03-10T14:49:00.001-08:002011-03-29T07:57:37.297-07:00Marcus<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiZZ34VDludUQu_4k0i-atHe50KCoOlcYffGWgrgl7z9r8WQd4tih7w-wKey14dgGg-S_klPcxvsACIKs1Euk0yaNWwpdGktyEeUC1b6JKchk_XWmL1t7McjqjqJuysKK0te36nTxJbT4/s1600/day69.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 237px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589514652632459634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiZZ34VDludUQu_4k0i-atHe50KCoOlcYffGWgrgl7z9r8WQd4tih7w-wKey14dgGg-S_klPcxvsACIKs1Euk0yaNWwpdGktyEeUC1b6JKchk_XWmL1t7McjqjqJuysKK0te36nTxJbT4/s320/day69.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div align="center">Marcus! </div><br /><div align="center">He's my baby.</div><br /><div align="center">He never sleeps.</div><br /><div align="center">He never eats.</div><br /><div align="center">He drinks a lot of milky milk.</div><br /><div align="center">He is always running, jumping, and flipping.</div><br /><div align="center">He loves music, especially the song Dynamite.</div><br /><div align="center">He loves his sister Jillian the very best.</div><br /><div align="center">When I come home from anywhere he says, "Mom I missed you"</div><br /><div align="center">He is really picky about his clothes.</div><br /><div align="center">He loves Buzz and Woody.</div><br /><div align="center">He wants to play with his cousin Nathan every day.</div><br /><div align="center">He loves his moose jammies.</div><br /><div align="center">When he has to go the bathroom he says, "I have to go potty really bad"</div><br /><div align="center">He spends a lot of time in his room throwing tantrums.</div><br /><div align="center">He loves to cuddle with Mom and watch Pink Panther on his itouch.</div><br /><div align="center">He is so sweet when he wants to be.</div><br /><div align="center">He is three.</div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-56157070022040494112011-03-03T18:16:00.000-08:002011-03-03T18:37:37.456-08:00Boys Adrift<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunv0u56qnuZD5noN5__BSf2ETerTlTOtFD0w8Q8Dskt_yAwtyTmQHLCsCo4Z9pkay99ZvIZaiHnzhgE5TiYZrR_VS3_AJ4dUHBi8WyuvJDEjqYcIukih7yqP21sT7Yvo_evtcgNYyDNBx/s1600/boysadrift.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 262px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580046748251263890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunv0u56qnuZD5noN5__BSf2ETerTlTOtFD0w8Q8Dskt_yAwtyTmQHLCsCo4Z9pkay99ZvIZaiHnzhgE5TiYZrR_VS3_AJ4dUHBi8WyuvJDEjqYcIukih7yqP21sT7Yvo_evtcgNYyDNBx/s320/boysadrift.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I got this book from the library, yesterday. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I haven't even cracked the cover. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">For some reason just having it in my house </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">makes me feel like I am moving in the right direction. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I have no idea if it will help but I am hopeful. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">My oldest is stressing me out. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">(I am for the most part, not someone who stresses.) </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I am a pretty calm laid back Mom. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I don't freak out if I don't know exactly where one of my kids is. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I don't panic if my kids fail their spelling tests. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I rarely lose sleep over a disobedient child, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">but my 11 year old is really stressing me out. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">He seems to be looking for my freak out buttons </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">and then systematically pressing them over and over again. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">He has not done anything major, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">just little things, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">like lighting matches in the basement, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">opening a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">facebook</span> account without permission under a fake name, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">obsessing over <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Eminem</span>, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">little things like that. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Nothing that should really make me overly concerned, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">except I am! </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I have a feeling. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I have a bad feeling. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I have a really bad feeling that he is going to be just like me. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I'm not saying I was all bad, or even mostly bad, or even really bad at all, but I was a follower. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I had trouble with the "having a mind of my own" thing. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I think he is lot like me in this area. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I am praying, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I mean really praying, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">that he will find some good friends that will help him grow and become who he wants to be. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Not necessarily who I want him to be, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">but who he really wants to be. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">(I wouldn't be sad at all if that lined up with who I want him to be!) </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I love him, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">but I am scared for him, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">and for me.</span></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-333520816983696582011-02-12T20:43:00.000-08:002011-02-12T20:58:01.802-08:00They are 10!<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1rs7djyI7e16rFxCiU-O4edKsLvuujkr3Sz6JmrUKpn8sdIAUVvQsUV_ZP5-H3esFzw9VwrAdwybhLesWY4z5wtk-yKmOrelYd0HCS0EQKhJdADYVg98WwDkab3n_r7BawSMhgJhmxGe/s1600/day43b.jpg"></a> </p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hOK8XF5aN63Zj8r4rI0U1a04l4hs5u1zSLJiC97CETo6Hq66Id416MpXurxCo_IfryttvUUZfS3KGkGocMX7FSQFVjhgllSzVQkPg3awHnqLP5eQHUGA7XaUI1ot0JW6fh8HQz1W71_n/s1600/day43a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 198px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573030790322277458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hOK8XF5aN63Zj8r4rI0U1a04l4hs5u1zSLJiC97CETo6Hq66Id416MpXurxCo_IfryttvUUZfS3KGkGocMX7FSQFVjhgllSzVQkPg3awHnqLP5eQHUGA7XaUI1ot0JW6fh8HQz1W71_n/s320/day43a.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1rs7djyI7e16rFxCiU-O4edKsLvuujkr3Sz6JmrUKpn8sdIAUVvQsUV_ZP5-H3esFzw9VwrAdwybhLesWY4z5wtk-yKmOrelYd0HCS0EQKhJdADYVg98WwDkab3n_r7BawSMhgJhmxGe/s1600/day43b.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 198px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573030805044736114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1rs7djyI7e16rFxCiU-O4edKsLvuujkr3Sz6JmrUKpn8sdIAUVvQsUV_ZP5-H3esFzw9VwrAdwybhLesWY4z5wtk-yKmOrelYd0HCS0EQKhJdADYVg98WwDkab3n_r7BawSMhgJhmxGe/s320/day43b.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center">It's my twins birthday today. </p><div align="center">They are 10. </div><div align="center">I can't believe it. </div><div align="center">I have spent 10 years enjoying them. </div><div align="center">I don't remember a lot of the first few years. </div><div align="center">You make think I am over exaggerating, but I'm not. </div><div align="center">I really don't remember. </div><div align="center">I really wish I did. </div><div align="center">I remember that Riley was harder than Jillian. </div><div align="center">I think it was because she was into more things because she was always exploring. </div><div align="center">Her little brain couldn't get enough. </div><div align="center">Jillian was somewhat more docile in that respect. </div><div align="center">She was neat and tidy. </div><div align="center">Riley was always a mess. Riley was patient and she was fine to wait her turn. </div><div align="center">That meant Jillian was always fed first, dressed first, and the like. </div><div align="center">As they have grown they have continued to be very different. </div><div align="center">Jillian is graceful, beautiful, dramatic, and smart. </div><div align="center">She loves to dance and move and get her way. </div><div align="center">Riley is spunky, pretty, dramatic and smart. </div><div align="center">Riley loves to sing and perform. </div><div align="center">She loves to be the center of attention. </div><div align="center">Jillian would sooner die. </div><div align="center">She hates it, except when she's dancing and then she wants everyone to see only her. </div><div align="center">Riley spends a lot of time making herself stand out and is confident with who she is. </div><div align="center">These two girls are so different and yet both so fun! </div><div align="center">I love them and I am so jealous that they get to spend every day with their very best friend. </div><div align="center">I hope they remain friends but also remain as different as they are. </div><div align="center">They are so fun to watch! </div><div align="center">I can't wait to watch them both soar.</div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-87847851711536004652011-02-11T12:57:00.000-08:002011-02-11T13:08:24.704-08:00Who knew? Cherries...<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaQUu5NeLoaIpaNpSlTb9ugZhIbHDy2PL5TpQocJWFPpAoGVzWRVnFi2hZJLzKJMKHkMuegh_tdvdRAARwLHNioCQr7L8eCmAgnIQGDMujmuMtkDmdQq_ijUSEpZYUT1E3AwpTCnLK6pm/s1600/day41.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 232px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572539387336142482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaQUu5NeLoaIpaNpSlTb9ugZhIbHDy2PL5TpQocJWFPpAoGVzWRVnFi2hZJLzKJMKHkMuegh_tdvdRAARwLHNioCQr7L8eCmAgnIQGDMujmuMtkDmdQq_ijUSEpZYUT1E3AwpTCnLK6pm/s320/day41.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><div align="center">Cherries...</div><div align="center"><br /> </div>They really are so good. These totally cute cake stands came from my sweet friend Tara's <span style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">ETSY</span> </span>sight. Aren't they so cute? I love them. I haven't found just the right place for them yet in my home but I will. Right now they are residing on my island because I want to see them all the time. I'm sure they won't stay there though, since I am certain that if they do, one of my children will break them.<br /><br />As you will notice there is also a bag of dried cherries in the picture. I had no idea how much I loved those until the other weekend when I went to Bear Lake. Jodi, my friend, brought trail mix on the trip. She thought it would be a good snack for us to put in our pockets while we <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">skied</span> /sat in the lodge and read. These cherries were in the trail mix along with cashews, almonds, peanut butter m&<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">m's</span>, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">guittard</span> chocolate chips. This was the BEST trail mix in the whole entire world. I have not made it since I have gotten home because I know that I would just eat it all day long and gain 50 lbs. but the other day when I was at Target I bought this bag of cherries. They are divine.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-55897077034606079932011-02-04T07:54:00.000-08:002011-02-04T07:57:14.932-08:00Start to Finish<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcODv23IfVy6QlL4tC4tmnSAlHXlgkkCwZo0AEusaCTupsFkEgZnulhVQjFNlN6DG-VuMwKL4DuOLS7NVS3wx5MJu3WLLvpkxMeUFoLKPxqYYiQHxGhJq4ome1neirc8cfb717xIml-prb/s1600/day34.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 248px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569863636711251650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcODv23IfVy6QlL4tC4tmnSAlHXlgkkCwZo0AEusaCTupsFkEgZnulhVQjFNlN6DG-VuMwKL4DuOLS7NVS3wx5MJu3WLLvpkxMeUFoLKPxqYYiQHxGhJq4ome1neirc8cfb717xIml-prb/s320/day34.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I bought fabric for a new bedspread. I am so excited. I have never really done that before. Actually gone to a fabric store and bought everything I need for a quilt. Start to finish. I want to work on it really bad but I have way too much to do today. Maybe I can work on it on Sunday during the Super Bowl, since I really only like the commercials anyway.</div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-11575900515546014442011-02-02T17:43:00.000-08:002011-02-02T17:52:52.535-08:00The science fair<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE14QfaD15lRHeVHiJHD6VQ-LHwniXb9NA8P8BocokA_h3RzZewwrwoIJJB0sKumLpEAy_s3l5SOMXgXpkUnF7uAp7wBRWDAVm8I5Fh0_TLOF6Qh2QuMWy7B5COJPzvYW3Xp-uUv1v4HU9/s1600/day33.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 220px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569273325272981506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE14QfaD15lRHeVHiJHD6VQ-LHwniXb9NA8P8BocokA_h3RzZewwrwoIJJB0sKumLpEAy_s3l5SOMXgXpkUnF7uAp7wBRWDAVm8I5Fh0_TLOF6Qh2QuMWy7B5COJPzvYW3Xp-uUv1v4HU9/s320/day33.jpg" /></a><br />My son won a spot in the 6<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> grade district science fair. I am a proud Mom. This project was a lot of work on all our parts. He and I and my husband spent a lot of time on it. It was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">definitely</span> a group effort which I think it needs to be. An average 6<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> grader is not capable of putting together a project like this on his own. That being said, I think he learned a lot. He did all of the teeth brushing and a lot of the typing and compiling of data. He spent a lot of time on it and I think he was really proud of the result.<br /><br />He was also really excited to tell me about the other kids experiments. I think he finds all of this really interesting, which is great because it just proves more and more that he doesn't take after me. That is a good thing especially when it comes to education.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-59870074101363111212011-01-27T14:44:00.001-08:002011-01-27T14:50:11.271-08:00I'm better...for a minute anywayI'm headed to Bear Lake with some friends for the weekend. I'm excited to have this time away from my everyday to relax and learn more about me and what I like and how I like to spend my time. It's funny. I love my job as a mom and my life as a wife and mother and caregiver but I relish this time away to just be me. I think I am different when I am away. I know that I think more, just about life and what I want for my kids and my family. I think about what I want to accomplish and how I can be a better homemaker, mother and wife. Somehow, when I am away anything seems reasonable. I think I can do everything. (See previous post, I know that I can't). I always come home with goals and ways to implement things to make life better. I'm not sure any of it ever happens but I know that when I get back I am better at just about everything for at least 1 hour. That's better than nothing, right?<br /><br />Have a great weekend!Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-89767569341393511662011-01-20T13:24:00.000-08:002011-01-20T13:26:57.344-08:00THE BOOTS THAT DO IT ALL!<div align="center">All one of you that reads this blog requested a picture of the boots </div><div align="center">that make me look like I do it all. </div><div align="center">So here it is...</div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1lAwGlHIJYlboJSy-JITxPDwzjkPkzFoqDHo-NhYE_HFB4H5jLInL6jmIOvF1-TvLIQo98dQxxFF3BYfZQ-hE7aTrrO7uceA-PE0eba3fsdN6qR40lBh9Dg8KoFAMNMbJ8c5hXUnkT32/s1600/anthro+boots.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564382397589446050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1lAwGlHIJYlboJSy-JITxPDwzjkPkzFoqDHo-NhYE_HFB4H5jLInL6jmIOvF1-TvLIQo98dQxxFF3BYfZQ-hE7aTrrO7uceA-PE0eba3fsdN6qR40lBh9Dg8KoFAMNMbJ8c5hXUnkT32/s320/anthro+boots.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><div align="center">Aren't they spectacular?</div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-15379757223200504712011-01-19T14:08:00.000-08:002011-01-19T14:21:16.875-08:00Thoughts... and really cute boots<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutUGvM1gZHGtWhk_wUqFqpivKyLrAUd7b6_EuJVAuC0uX9W2LD2FNDMbE2ZaaGN5YP4ppzi94fhQniAILBr0oXAWk8t1FRF1q-pNTesEuUCg5I8BYt-83eEcCieGCDizmUVvUYWczQ29v/s1600/day19.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 221px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564022602253234178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutUGvM1gZHGtWhk_wUqFqpivKyLrAUd7b6_EuJVAuC0uX9W2LD2FNDMbE2ZaaGN5YP4ppzi94fhQniAILBr0oXAWk8t1FRF1q-pNTesEuUCg5I8BYt-83eEcCieGCDizmUVvUYWczQ29v/s320/day19.jpg" /></a></p><p><br />Thoughts...<br /><br /><br />If you pick up after yourself and everyone else in your house right away it never gets overwhelming. I'm not sure this is totally foolproof but it has worked for me for a week now and I am blissfully happy when it comes to the state of my home. I'm not sure anyone else is learning anything but I know that I am. This doesn't mean that no one else is cleaning but it does mean that the state of my home is pretty much clean so when I do ask them to help out they don't seem quite as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">resistant</span> because it doesn't seem overwhelming. I am sure that this can not last but it has been a little over a week and so far so good...<br /></p><p><br />I bought these really great boots. I want to wear them constantly! So last <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Sunday</span> I wore them to my mother's for dinner. She has a pretty strict no shoe rule in her house right now but I couldn't bring myself to take them off. I love them that much. Sorry Mom. Oh, and my sister in law asked me how I did it all (meaning my super organized super awesome totally in control of everything life)and of course I said I don't. And I really don't, but part of me wonders if the boots are the reason for the question. I think they make me look that good!<br /><br /><br />We turned the desk in my den to face the wall. I know that this is totally tacky. I am over it! I love how much room there is, I love that the sun won't shine in my face while I am trying to read <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">facebook</span> (since there is an absence of sun today, I cannot know that for sure but I am pretty confident), I love that I will be able to do homework with my kids using the computer and not feel like we are sitting on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">each other</span>, I love that its different and feels new even though its all the same old stuff.<br /><br /><br />I think that Adam and Christina are totally right to not let Hatty see Alex on the show Parenthood but I think they are totally handling it wrong. (If you don't watch Parenthood you should, its really good)<br /><br /><br />That's all. </p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-80191305813115325722011-01-15T21:08:00.000-08:002011-01-15T21:13:13.511-08:00Giggling...<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKT3A4Qd-OWeK8yKUSkcsxAYTzKFCC5jLW3AlhznNr22swzcZK7zo_r-EGCKVzLgyzAzoDG3G7b2QP1Qea-ysbtMeL0_ZHk6PNFWTDMzGqXL4Vbfh51c29XPu6BjqAmlowy6t5VB6z8A8n/s1600/day15.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562646472832953282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKT3A4Qd-OWeK8yKUSkcsxAYTzKFCC5jLW3AlhznNr22swzcZK7zo_r-EGCKVzLgyzAzoDG3G7b2QP1Qea-ysbtMeL0_ZHk6PNFWTDMzGqXL4Vbfh51c29XPu6BjqAmlowy6t5VB6z8A8n/s320/day15.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><div align="center">This is a picture of my twins and I watching the Miss America Pageant. </div><div align="center">There was a lot more laughing than I expected.</div><div align="center">I don't want to talk a lot about the Miss America Pageant but ...</div><div align="center">It is really bad, and a little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">painful</span>. </div><div align="center">I would elaborate but if you didn't watch it you won't be able to fully understand how bad and if you did, well then you know exactly what I am talking about. </div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-13191889130703166592011-01-13T13:58:00.000-08:002011-01-13T14:02:12.415-08:00Sonic!<div align="center">Today, this is what I needed. This is what got me through. I'm sure it should have been something better for me or more expensive or something but not today. Today, all I needed was a Rt.44 Vanilla Diet Coke and a Water. </div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPKy_XQTbngFH7eESHfEgnQY6EjXzSxIsXPg9mMqdl1YQ7w6D8P0wFGtWMJn_Pl0MI_HQKuVwZP55Nukx9L8aBu9ujahHYzA_F1eVQqmqBpKnzNsjWqJjjJPJRYhnfooA5FaJHp5SClPe/s1600/day13.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 297px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561793997643295954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPKy_XQTbngFH7eESHfEgnQY6EjXzSxIsXPg9mMqdl1YQ7w6D8P0wFGtWMJn_Pl0MI_HQKuVwZP55Nukx9L8aBu9ujahHYzA_F1eVQqmqBpKnzNsjWqJjjJPJRYhnfooA5FaJHp5SClPe/s320/day13.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center">What that says about me, I don't know.</div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-78010827452372585972011-01-11T17:09:00.000-08:002011-01-11T17:17:40.530-08:00Very Dirty Closets<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3b4xuI8KnlUC9Xcc0y2_FB1Yfeam_KqBLultlrWu8mqzphbM9ELwDt66Fwi1xZP4mW_y5xi46_IpD1tkHDmvonDkgRR68oTD_xWzUxohewiV0wB3i_Q4zlrunZ_zEwM6PJktHVIqFhno/s1600/day11.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 192px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561100691568100642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3b4xuI8KnlUC9Xcc0y2_FB1Yfeam_KqBLultlrWu8mqzphbM9ELwDt66Fwi1xZP4mW_y5xi46_IpD1tkHDmvonDkgRR68oTD_xWzUxohewiV0wB3i_Q4zlrunZ_zEwM6PJktHVIqFhno/s320/day11.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div align="center">Believe it or not I spent a good amount of time organizing this closet today. </div><div align="center">Can you believe that in my house with 9 people living in it there is only one linen closet and it doubles as my bathroom closet. </div><div align="center">In other words there is not enough room for all the linen needed for our family. </div><div align="center">We have tried to put the sheets in all of the bedroom closets upstairs but for some reason no one can leave them folded nicely on the shelf. They must pull them off the shelf and play in them and on them and around them until their closet resembles a very dirty closet. </div><div align="center">(I couldn't think of anything, sorry.) </div><div align="center">So, I finally gave in today and moved them into my bathroom closet. </div><div align="center">There is not enough room for all of it and I think that I will regret it. </div><div align="center">I have a feeling they will end up on the floor being played in and on and around and I will be furious because it will not be one of my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">childrens'</span> closets but my bathroom that will resemble a very dirty closet.</div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-32475872679092029362011-01-10T07:57:00.000-08:002011-01-10T08:04:03.326-08:00Where my pictures will be...Because I know that all of you were really broken hearted to not see a day 9 picture I will explain. I have decided that asking the 3 of you that read this blog to come here everyday for 365 days would be a bit mean. So I have a button over on the right that says 365. That button will take you to a page that has all of my pictures for everyday of the year. I struggled with this page for a long time last night. I really want the pictures next to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">each other</span> but blogger has absolutely no intention of letting me have what I want. So for now they are just on the left hand side in order. Hopefully I will figure out how to make them look how I want before I throw my computer down the stairs.<br /><br />I am still planning on blogging, in case any of you 3 were at all broken hearted.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-50977577352956764422011-01-09T16:12:00.000-08:002011-01-09T16:28:46.748-08:00Blogging difficulties and other non interesting stuffI'm pretty frustrated. I really want to add a link to my blog and make a kind of collage of my year in pictures so far and add to it daily but I can't figure out how. I know it really can't be that difficult and yet I am finding it tremendously hard.<br /><br /><br />Sunday was good! Another successful 9:00 church day. Primary went well. I think the kids are learning the words to the song well. I do find that I feel like I need to take a shower after church because I sweat so much when I am up there teaching/entertaining.<br /><br /><br />This weekend was somewhat of a mini vacation. Our live-in is out of town camping. Yes, you read right CAMPING! It's freezing here, he is crazy, which is somewhat not funny because it is a little true, but regardless, he went with some friends camping. It has been nice to have our basement back and not worry that my kids are bugging him. He really has been quite pleasant lately so I find myself feeling a little guilty that I enjoyed not having him here, but it is true and I am trying to be truthful.<br /><br /><br />My two year old did finally go to sleep last night. He woke up at 2:00am screaming about stuff that I can't remember but it was hard to get him to go back to sleep. I found myself wondering if I will ever get a full nights sleep again in my life. I'm sure it hasn't been as long as it feels because it feels like its been at least 50 years and I'm not even that old. Someday...Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-38082730096847888272011-01-08T20:46:00.000-08:002011-01-08T20:48:13.156-08:00Bright eyed and bushy tailed way too late in the day...<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EwxfUQmu-YTIfMrBKguUJ7pFu-EL8aQJxy6KtqxeX-KsYiajbmxzGtoGzoUGIb2ijT6D2kLB0XBNa2rAjoIBI2_plpify33rG1-lXSqgZ40jZDwnay_YbtdDI4E0lSN_1cvNSsn3t2fN/s1600/day8.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 262px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560043368604113538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EwxfUQmu-YTIfMrBKguUJ7pFu-EL8aQJxy6KtqxeX-KsYiajbmxzGtoGzoUGIb2ijT6D2kLB0XBNa2rAjoIBI2_plpify33rG1-lXSqgZ40jZDwnay_YbtdDI4E0lSN_1cvNSsn3t2fN/s320/day8.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />This is a 2 year old at 10:00 at night with no signs of being tired. Mama ain't happy.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-83201104522371937092011-01-07T17:57:00.000-08:002011-01-08T20:51:19.903-08:00clean car and a bright future<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16FcqQN7DsLspVJ6edNxa5E58pn4BztEjCR7IMZAZGYLtryQ3KkeBEqplEdPYSddflOjyG3-FlfgxZe4b9hFdsSgV65cz37NmMUcjMXxuc8G_qwiLzEL6ZuDffQCmFk_1YqqM0M3S69bB/s1600/day7.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 227px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560044104059257202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16FcqQN7DsLspVJ6edNxa5E58pn4BztEjCR7IMZAZGYLtryQ3KkeBEqplEdPYSddflOjyG3-FlfgxZe4b9hFdsSgV65cz37NmMUcjMXxuc8G_qwiLzEL6ZuDffQCmFk_1YqqM0M3S69bB/s320/day7.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFfTANQu1rDrw0JZIu3E-mRyhQGFI7MJrKsc2slpXhkqn6aUaTC3AM6OY1_zZTtfptjmvjFb4iJKVgIPelvfKv5uMj0I3zTfr6E83yJP5L9VCr7MuA9LNi0MC68aNftzxQs0FeiG5L2Tq/s1600/day7.jpg"></a></p><br /><br />I asked my girls and their friends and my 7 yr. old son to clean the inside of my car today. I asked that they get everything that doesn't belong in it out of it and that they put it away. I asked that they <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">vacuum</span> and clean the windows and scrub the plastic. They did an o.k. job. Not great but maybe just maybe a little better than I expected.<br /><br />I feel the day coming when I will actually think that it is worth it to have them do their chores and not just think as I am nagging them, why don't I just do this myself, it will get done right and I won't have had to yell at anyone to get it done.<br /><br />I can see the light!Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-1647466403459664122011-01-06T16:18:00.000-08:002011-01-06T16:24:17.255-08:00FROZEN MEAL GROUP FUN!<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYANhhjHA5ZL4Bvk0Pag6vEpcR3WbhgqxS9_wrlEv2nF_DVzEDqzOLmtzzvnVGMvw6pKEZjfT4tKNuUqvsTw0n-ke6otzBAJaqDhuFj7YzQDp6q103QP2FTyHR3BnRQkk7R_6lf5Pxvrg/s1600/day6.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 263px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559232118760195634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYANhhjHA5ZL4Bvk0Pag6vEpcR3WbhgqxS9_wrlEv2nF_DVzEDqzOLmtzzvnVGMvw6pKEZjfT4tKNuUqvsTw0n-ke6otzBAJaqDhuFj7YzQDp6q103QP2FTyHR3BnRQkk7R_6lf5Pxvrg/s320/day6.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />I'm in a frozen meal group with the funnest ladies. We meet once a month and exchange frozen dinners that we have made. Everyone makes 9 of the same meal (their are 9 of us in the group) we exchange and then we go home with 9 different meals. It is the greatest thing! I have been doing it for almost 3 years now and I really don't know how I could ever go back to the cooking everyday thing. We had our exchange this morning so I thought a little collage of the joy of sharing would be a great day 6 picture. I love these women! <br /><br />Disclaimer: Not all women are pictured due to fast running away while the camera was snapping. This does not in any way reflect my feelings for the women not pictured. I love them just as much as the ones that were, although I may harbor a little resentment since they ran from me this morning!Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-27363940230144869532011-01-05T19:16:00.000-08:002011-01-05T19:23:34.813-08:00new running shoes and more...<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVG4-47hB-d2zIAqeq1mezSYea9zLfVGPIdn4Jmc0pqdUZind2SwF7bAeFzQwTqVU8IyI37a3og0-gHvgfZ5jFHqKYrgyoEHBJ5JaNs-ApDJQxR3Qac_Js_PYV9i0Y2uNvvIkvRqM_Sff/s1600/day5.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 248px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558908224083396530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVG4-47hB-d2zIAqeq1mezSYea9zLfVGPIdn4Jmc0pqdUZind2SwF7bAeFzQwTqVU8IyI37a3og0-gHvgfZ5jFHqKYrgyoEHBJ5JaNs-ApDJQxR3Qac_Js_PYV9i0Y2uNvvIkvRqM_Sff/s320/day5.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCburKIbslZRHYS1EkNerbn1_peEGk5VFaBCQG5SYY9Gml6tF9BWftKsDPYv1Bbu43aWPVx5MioswXMzheHjIm5KaQHbQXmUwnlT7aTHyoncKcqBRjX_XUIkT8pCHNS8_pq3v_PeZlwp8n/s1600/day5b.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 205px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558908230633167634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCburKIbslZRHYS1EkNerbn1_peEGk5VFaBCQG5SYY9Gml6tF9BWftKsDPYv1Bbu43aWPVx5MioswXMzheHjIm5KaQHbQXmUwnlT7aTHyoncKcqBRjX_XUIkT8pCHNS8_pq3v_PeZlwp8n/s320/day5b.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>These are my two favorite things right now! New running shoes and a compression sleeve for my very unsightly and painful varicose veins. I'm so excited I found these. They made running today a breeze (and by breeze I mean bearable).</div></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-37804596534402770092011-01-04T14:29:00.000-08:002011-01-04T14:53:08.277-08:00email purging and picture taking<div><div><div>So I have been purging my e-mail the past few days. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Unsubscribing</span> to everything, fixing my settings on good reads and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">facebook</span> so that they don't notify me when one of my friends picks their nose. I am so excited! I can't wait to have less e-mail to look through everyday. The problem is that I can't remember what I have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">unsubscibed</span> so I am sure I have done it more than once to a few places. Do you think two <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">unsubscibes</span> equal subscribe? I hope not.<br /></div><div>My live-in downstairs called me today while I was out. He was trying to take a picture of the herd of deer in my back yard. He was determined to do it but couldn't seem to make my camera work. I think we spent a good 10 minutes on the phone trying to figure out the problem, but since he can't think of any original words so he just kept repeating what I said to do and saying he had done it, we did not fix the problem. He was just so determined. It's funny the things he gets excited about. The deer are beautiful and it is fun to see them, but they are literally out there everyday, its funny that today was the day he decided he had to have a picture of them.</div><br /><div>When my sweet husband got home he was able to help him take a few pictures. I thought it would be appropriate if they are my day 4 pics. So here they are...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3KtzN4NyqFGC6dxJINdXH3VbeAXnDURiISi-H4VhowLVZiYbQc58VPYwsD1aLscgOeqK66_iQRIBt0RCLRJLzpksIapOHzJgkN5K-fRFiofvCp9tXrXZll2gTCUMwGZxaaTO2ZPem26C/s1600/day4.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558466628078858642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3KtzN4NyqFGC6dxJINdXH3VbeAXnDURiISi-H4VhowLVZiYbQc58VPYwsD1aLscgOeqK66_iQRIBt0RCLRJLzpksIapOHzJgkN5K-fRFiofvCp9tXrXZll2gTCUMwGZxaaTO2ZPem26C/s320/day4.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPxZM2bPOfLN5x1vU8Uc31IMsqFOMBj-VaK2m8jrTPN0bPMPzkYdGqloR9Xe8zuUolPn_9IwsPVfVHkSL_EqPzjN7me3Odfrj7rLXkpLA-atsDAEnxYWK_X34uDs-0rBUggSSXchyphenhyphenwS5O/s1600/day4b.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558466638477215058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPxZM2bPOfLN5x1vU8Uc31IMsqFOMBj-VaK2m8jrTPN0bPMPzkYdGqloR9Xe8zuUolPn_9IwsPVfVHkSL_EqPzjN7me3Odfrj7rLXkpLA-atsDAEnxYWK_X34uDs-0rBUggSSXchyphenhyphenwS5O/s320/day4b.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiKsmTuWEivWWs2kOdJ9hftxIAs_K-cj2idd_7_aLVfxvJ7wg-dGfmL2SUdJ8DXM7A8AZIo6k5g88_KyF32Qj2yRY6QsNKj1glXRkmvVL9H3xqpwn5SQjDXHNWUINEclTogtrLOIKhg2s/s1600/day4c.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558466643662291618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiKsmTuWEivWWs2kOdJ9hftxIAs_K-cj2idd_7_aLVfxvJ7wg-dGfmL2SUdJ8DXM7A8AZIo6k5g88_KyF32Qj2yRY6QsNKj1glXRkmvVL9H3xqpwn5SQjDXHNWUINEclTogtrLOIKhg2s/s320/day4c.jpg" /></a></div></div></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-42205631647252901012011-01-03T17:35:00.000-08:002011-01-03T17:39:46.751-08:00Buttercream or Cheese and Fruit<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2-O1XZMBcGzLSqoI3ljxy08BIYuewDNq3oeR6gG-1CAnJrgURRPF2TkEWGvV9pB33_E8EOHBG5O5OsdeblaknQGihzQJm1ud7fXGPT9cy2ou0JaUFvKyB-cEU8OU-UUM53zr4wBDm4DC/s1600/day3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558138908390309858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2-O1XZMBcGzLSqoI3ljxy08BIYuewDNq3oeR6gG-1CAnJrgURRPF2TkEWGvV9pB33_E8EOHBG5O5OsdeblaknQGihzQJm1ud7fXGPT9cy2ou0JaUFvKyB-cEU8OU-UUM53zr4wBDm4DC/s320/day3.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Lest you think I am showing you my food for the newly committed to eat right me, I would like to point out that the tub on the left is in fact not cottage cheese but buttercream frosting. I chose to show you all today my horrible horrible quandry. Do I eat smart/healthy or do I indulge with a little buttercream frosting. So far I am staying strong but I can't promise how the rest of the week will go.</div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-67469135489597271922011-01-02T15:48:00.000-08:002011-01-02T16:17:05.297-08:00Sunday is a happy day when church is at 9am!<p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZVYJDk0cLvnV8ZJJMmqBQFxtJvdjQy-u7DnSdE7wUnJdxfs4Yvq1cIDw13R20dJX_vKySItPjlVF1xY_xfxTMxqjT0gyMM_znjIuQAeoTd88KoQ88zZr8lU7j06_3b3wVwFHx7nF_07H/s1600/day2b.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557745256592838834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZVYJDk0cLvnV8ZJJMmqBQFxtJvdjQy-u7DnSdE7wUnJdxfs4Yvq1cIDw13R20dJX_vKySItPjlVF1xY_xfxTMxqjT0gyMM_znjIuQAeoTd88KoQ88zZr8lU7j06_3b3wVwFHx7nF_07H/s320/day2b.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWafror-QN9QTvVHUI7v8vAN_rheYJqpN7FhHnc0NUt4In64Bzbkmr29P9-Ew8MCp4Dj6R28IeY1TsvCmLg3GkMlU1tlYxomEBZCkI9EweC86FWg9-Bz9HU_bj_onz4oQ-nvEITOu3ukW/s1600/day2a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557745247968200930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWafror-QN9QTvVHUI7v8vAN_rheYJqpN7FhHnc0NUt4In64Bzbkmr29P9-Ew8MCp4Dj6R28IeY1TsvCmLg3GkMlU1tlYxomEBZCkI9EweC86FWg9-Bz9HU_bj_onz4oQ-nvEITOu3ukW/s320/day2a.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center"><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">It's a new year.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">It's Sunday.</span> </p><div align="center">To us Mormons this means a new church time. </div><br /><div align="center">We share our church building with 2 other congregations so our services are spread out throughout the day. So last year our family went to church from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. </div><br /><div align="center">This in my opinion is the worst time to go. </div><br /><div align="center">My littlest was always ready for a nap and the rest of my kids were <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">rowdy</span> from being kept inside all morning. </div><br /><div align="center">Our new church time is 9am. </div><br /><div align="center">I love love love it. </div><br /><div align="center">It is spectacular! </div><br /><div align="center">It is great. </div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">It makes me want to dance.</span> </div><br /><div align="center">I can get up at 8. </div><br /><div align="center">Get everyone fed and dressed by 8:45. </div><br /><div align="center">Walk out the door. </div><br /><div align="center">Make it in plenty of time to sit a breathe for a minute. </div><br /><div align="center">Then worship for a few minutes at least. </div><br /><div align="center">That's usually all I get, with six kids I am calling it a win. </div><br /><div align="center">My job in the church is to teach all the kids 3 through 12 songs for 40 min. </div><div align="center">I teach the younger kids for 20min and then the older ones for 20min. </div><br /><div align="center">This is hard for me but I am learning slowly to love it and to not be quite so nervous every week. </div><br /><div align="center">At 12:00 we head for home and then I have the rest of the day to spend with my family. </div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">Time for a nap, if I want one.</span> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">That might be my favorite part. </div><br /><div align="center">The pictures I am sharing today are of Riley and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Colton</span>. </div><br /><div align="center">They are having fun on the couch. </div><br /><div align="center">They can do this because we have 9:00 church and we are home by 12:00 and then the possibilities are endless. </div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">I love Sundays!</span></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-80118656608805765992011-01-01T15:38:00.000-08:002011-01-01T15:42:15.628-08:00Day 1 in pictures<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_c2jg6RFQ1SbcjkLR40ThRnTKjZ3ONSRZwwUfwedDX33OEdl0GqhRVACudzm-gqHDpk6yn0JAP1TvCJ-DsYTdTb4PZL_0vxDUNgxAoBz2zRIuuoQSf9wfGYCugbSFAY7todtfWs5Z19T/s1600/day1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557366193304027842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_c2jg6RFQ1SbcjkLR40ThRnTKjZ3ONSRZwwUfwedDX33OEdl0GqhRVACudzm-gqHDpk6yn0JAP1TvCJ-DsYTdTb4PZL_0vxDUNgxAoBz2zRIuuoQSf9wfGYCugbSFAY7todtfWs5Z19T/s320/day1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I'm going to try and take a photo everyday. Not <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">necessarily</span> of me but just something to document everyday of the year. It's just a thought. I'm not sure I can really do it, but I'm going to try. I think it will be fun and I might even learn something.</div><div></div><div>This is me starting the first day off right taking a picture.</div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-51730489040973770172011-01-01T13:15:00.000-08:002011-01-01T15:38:02.311-08:00Lots of stuff...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sEJlOUTfigZrKsUMMgrrN54WK82pWDdlt77VyXvBgAPO12DoaSsF_8YKs5ppmnXvAbEAZiwmnbo-yKktOefOe8p1VQuNeO_CfQ18EYNIekX4DqW8zzP9V6vgCUgxSm1fpDqXA69VPBRI/s1600/day1.jpg"></a><br /><div>Crazy stuff going around in my head as of late...<br /><br />Need to start exercising again. It's gotta happen.<br /><br />Need to start making my time for me more meaningful. I spend a crazy amount of time escaping from the chaos that is the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mellenthin</span> home but I am not sure I am making that time count for anything. I want it too!<br /><br />I have been reading this blog I recently found and I believe that it is changing me. I mean, I know you have to choose to change, but I really think this might actually be the catalyst to make the change. The blog is <a href="http://www.lemonademakinmama.com/">http://www.lemonademakinmama.com/</a> She has started a journey with her family. It is inspirational to read. I actually even bought the book Crazy Love by Pastor somebody or other and am committed to read the book. I want to be more committed to be more Christlike. I want people to know when they meet me that I am a Christian and I am living my life the way Christ taught us too. Sometimes I wonder how apparent that is in my everyday. I'm not sure it is.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">I haven't written on here in quite a long time and much has happened in our home. </div><br /><div align="center">In April of 2010 my husbands' very best friend for High School had a tragic accident that has resulted in a traumatic brain injury. </div><br /><div align="center">We chose in August to allow him to come live in our home. We felt that it was the only realistic option for him. </div><br /><div align="center">When the decision was made it was made on the contingency that I could reevaluate every 30 days if it was working and we could move him home to his parents in Idaho if it wasn't. </div><br /><div align="center">This has been a hard time for me. </div><br /><div align="center">The first 2 months were great. </div><br /><div align="center">He had regular therapy scheduled and although he can't communicate very well he can do most things on his own. </div><br /><div align="center">He was upbeat and determined to heal his brain by hard work. </div><br /><div align="center">He tried hard. </div><br /><div align="center">He did really well with my kids. </div><br /><div align="center">This was a hard adjustment for him. </div><br /><div align="center">He has had some hard months of late. </div><br /><div align="center">He is depressed a lot and short tempered. </div><br /><div align="center">This has been hard on me. </div><br /><div align="center">I want to fix it. </div><br /><div align="center">I can't. </div><br /><div align="center">We are all doing the best we can and I know that. </div><br /><div align="center">In the past week he has rallied and is much more upbeat and I am crossing my fingers that this will continue until we can find him an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">apartment</span> to live in and a job that will keep him somewhat busy. </div><br /><div align="center">This is a very condensed version. </div><br /><div align="center">There have been many <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">highs</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">lows</span>. </div><br /><div align="center">Hopefully, if I continue to write on a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">regular</span> basis I can explain more of how things are progressing. </div><br /><div align="center">There is still very far to go. </div><br /><div align="center">He will never be where he was and we will most likely have to continue to help him with the day to day things for the rest of his life. We didn't know when we were making the choice to let him move in that we were committing to this. </div><br /><div align="center">We have discussed it and decided if we had known we would have made the same choice.</div><br /><br />I am going to really try and be more diligent about writing on here. It is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">therapeutic</span> for me. Please don't feel the need to read it. I am sure for most of you it is quite boring. For that, I am sorry.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-11885714263050722912010-04-15T07:31:00.000-07:002010-04-15T07:35:58.839-07:00April 14th and 15th, 2010<div>4-14-2010 and 4-15-2010<br /></div><br /><div><span style="color:#990000;">I am thinking...</span>I haven’t yelled this morning and I feel good. I hope it can last. I have been on vacation in VA for the last 6 days and that has definitely helped with my perspective.<br /></div><br /><div><span style="color:#990000;">I am thankful for...</span> My sister, and life, and good friends and my security. I love that I know who I am. I learned a lot about myself in the last week, being virtually free with nothing pressing. I like to read books and spend time with family and good friends and just be.<br /></div><br /><div><span style="color:#990000;">From the kitchen...</span> Chicken noodle soup and breadsticks. I haven’t actually made them yet but I need to do it before enrichment tonight so hopefully they will soon be “from the kitchen”, right?<br /></div><br /><div><span style="color:#990000;">I am wearing...</span> My robe… not feeling great today and so I haven’t forced myself to get dressed.<br /></div><br /><div><span style="color:#990000;">I am creating....</span> I will get back to you on that one<br /></div><br /><div><span style="color:#990000;">I am going...</span> I have to go to Costco today for groceries and then drive dance. Oh, and I have book club tonight! Yay! I love book club!<br /></div><br /><div><span style="color:#990000;">I am reading...</span> On my trip I read, Daddy Long Legs, which was so fun and light and lovely! Then I read, House Rules by Jodi Picoult, it was an excellent book. It gave me tons of insight into autism and aspergers. I learned a lot. On the plane ride home I read Candor, which was very The Giver-esque which is always a winner for me. It needs a sequel though.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#990000;">I am hearing...</span> Colton is playing Donkey Konga (Konga drum game for the gamecube) It’s a little annoying but at least I know he has rhythm.<br /></div><br /><div><span style="color:#990000;">What I have learned about parenting this week…</span> Well I was gone for a while and had some time to reflect on that. The things that I am hoping to do better at are to be more patient and take things in their stride. It does no good to fly off the handle. I know my kids tune me out when I do that. I am trying to do better with that. Sadie told me yesterday when I told her to do something “You know Mom you aren’t God” when I said “what did you just say?” she said “Are you?” with a very confused look on her face. She is funny and I love her but she is in major need to some good parenting. I hope I can measure up.</div><br /><div><br /><span style="color:#990000;">Blog I am enjoying…</span> <a href="http://frugalwifewealthylife.blogspot.com/">http://frugalwifewealthylife.blogspot.com/</a> There are definitely some good ideas here!<br /></div><br /><div><span style="color:#990000;">One of my favorite things...</span> Life Cereal! I had a bowl today for the first time in a long time. It was so good!<br /><span style="color:#990000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#990000;">A few plans for the rest of the week...</span> Jillian has a dance competition on Saturday so Brian and I are planning on spending the day up in Clearfield. Should be fun.<br /></div><br /><div><span style="color:#990000;">A picture to share...</span> This is me and some friends from high school in VA this past weekend. It was so fun to catch up and spend some time with them.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460372769705665938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-tphvRIrh9yeJHQszDJUw3vYVTQ2IN3dp_2yVnQlRN8YemoCld2n_4iN8bMgCHt63EPiwiLxmKjwEE-sadzKVFOtq6MLGBi4HSVw1dG9ICDwy20wO5brBmh6-pHFYZqW_aJQjjMFrCCu/s320/highschoolgirls.jpg" /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759945056155238216.post-47843829870657976312010-02-24T14:24:00.000-08:002010-02-24T14:28:12.023-08:00February 24th, 2010<div>02-24-10<br /><br />I am having a really hard time right now. I am convinced that nothing is going to change soon and it is not helping. I just feel really overwhelmed and I can’t get a handle on it. I am spending so much time cleaning up messes that my three youngest make when I take a shower or hang out on the computer for 5 min. or whatever. I honestly can’t take 5 min. for me before they have destroyed something new. </div><br /><div><br />I am thinking...I need help, not fake kid help but real professional cleaner help.<br /></div><br /><div>I am thankful for... my phone that keeps me connected to my sister who really wants to be having her baby but isn’t.<br /></div><br /><div>From the kitchen... breakfast for dinner tonight. I am in charge of the cub scout blue and gold banquet tonight and that is what I am serving. Yummy!<br /></div><br /><div>I am wearing... gray shirt and rock revival jeans. I always feel skinny in these jeans. Yay for something happy today.<br /></div><br /><div>I am creating.... nothing right now but I am supposed to go to a craft day tomorrow so hopefully </div><br /><div>I will come up with something by then.<br /></div><br /><div>I am going... Pack meeting and Chinese Immersion meeting at the elementary school. I am hoping to get Colton in the program.<br /></div><br /><div>I am reading... North and South. I am not sold yet but it is early yet. I have a feeling I will love it by the end.<br /></div><br /><div>I am hearing... “Button” Which is to say “Little Joe” a Veggie Tales movie. Marcus’ favorite!<br /></div><br /><div>Blog I am enjoying… I have been following this blog for forever and I love it. <a href="http://www.aliedwards.com/">http://www.aliedwards.com/</a> She is spectacularly talented. I of course do not scrapbook but I do make Brian a digital book every year and have it printed and her pages inspire a lot of what goes into my book. She is a genius and so great at helping with journaling and the like.<br /></div><br /><div>One of my favorite things... I don’t know, I can’t think of anything. Maybe the internet, it makes my life go round, is that a bad thing?<br /></div><br /><div>A few plans for the rest of the week... We are going skiing on Friday with the kids. It should be quite an adventure since as I have said before I am not very good and I don’t really love it but here’s hoping I will improve.<br /></div><br /><div>A picture to share... well I promised my sisters I would post pictures of the cake I made for my sister in laws shower and I never did so I guess now is as good a time as any to get those posted. Here goes.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441940011851260210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplE35517WZex70XVh0Y-D1m0uMCvTCth67POFcga1A35iKGJ4xg7OSClz6rKsccdGRxAo9VB-wzbJgVJkJQA7AZE_WbRsU_Nm1bIXSAXxh3heXhLCmld-94P9ZU7N3gBi-F-dkXlh76gj/s320/DSCN0313.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Mindy did her whole nursery in animal prints, hence the chetah print cake and paw prints.</div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360404272307183127noreply@blogger.com2