The Saga Continues

Today it was A&D bum ointment and grease (as in oil grease). She should have THE softest skin in the world! Maybe someday Aubrey will use this early experimentation to make us (I mean her) rich!

Some Say Love.....

I won't break out into full on Bette Midler but I just had to share my latest planting. Sage gave this beautiful little rose bush to me for Mother's Day. I couldn't help but sing the song as I planted it! LOL! Am I a sap or what?!

Just when I thought...

we had the whole facial obsession over with....it happened AGAIN. Except this time it was hand/foot cream instead of vaseline and this appears to be greasier! And I guess to mix things up a bit, Olivia was involved with Aubrey this time instead of Kyle. Whatever shall I do?

Aubrey was quite upset her session was interrupted!

Vaseline Night Rub

Let me set the stage a little. The kids have had a really fun weekend but LATE nights and somehow still managed to be up at the normal time. We thought for SURE coming home from Idaho today they would sleep. NOPE!! At least not Kyle and Aubrey so it was early bedtime for them. I felt such relief having them in bed because I was tired of the whining, the crying, the overall unpleasantness of over-tired children. For some reason, they just couldn't seem to settle down so Sage and I sent many "SHHHHHHHHHH!"'s their way. I noticed after awhile there fell an eerie silence and thought I should investigate. Apparently, the children must've been feeling like their skin was a bit dry because "skin specialist" Aubrey got the jar of vaseline off of Kyle's dresser (yes, bad mommy for having it there) and decided they both needed petroleum facials.




I'm tired.

Meeting Tyler

We were so excited to have Debbie, Darrell, and little Tyler come visit us this weekend. Tyler is one of the best babies I've seen (what does that say about mine???)! He is SO sweet and the kids just loved him! There is absolutely nothing as precious as a newborn! And this one even smiles! MELTED my heart!

Kyle and Tyler:






Aubrey and Tyler:


(notice the burp rag over her shoulder--she put it there--a natural mom for sure!)


Olivia and Tyler:

Happy 90th Birthday, Grandma!

WOW!! Can you believe 90 years? My dear, sweet Grandma turned another year older but her sense of humor hasn't aged at all. Our family reunion this year was a celebration of this wonderful woman! Born in 1918, she's definitely seen many changes in her life--and what a life she has lived! I LOVE to hear the stories from her childhood. I only wish I had half as many interesting ones from my life to share with my posterity. I LOVE YOU GRANDMA!

Our family with Grandma:


Grandma and her newest great grandbaby (Tyler):

Silly Gator...pools are for warm weather!

I know, I know. We live in the northern part of the country and therefore should expect snow any month of the year. But last week's weather REALLY got me hoping that I wouldn't see the snow fly again until oh...I dunno....at least the end of August. BUT this is what greeted me this morning:




PURE SLUSH in that there water!! UGH!

Compare those to last week's pool time:




The weather here is "almost" as moody as me on a diet!

"The Prophet Said to Plant a Garden..."

...so that's what we did! Last Friday we had a lot of cow poop to spread over my parents' 2000 sq ft garden! I am finally not as blazing red on my arms from the sun. But I LOVE working outside and know that soon little bitty plants will sprout new life and eventually FOOD (LOVE food!). It was also rewarding this year to have the kids help. They all got their chance to plant some seeds! They each had their own gloves (VERY exciting for a youngun!) and looked so cute!

Olivia--who, by the way, thinks cow poo is just as great to sit in and play in as any dirt!




Kyle and Aubrey working the sunglasses and shovels!

Personal Spring Cleaning

I have been a little blogging MIA lately. The reason being, I have been doing a personal overhaul on various areas of my life and therefore, less computer time!

Things have been a little stressful as of late and therefore, I decided I needed to take control of the parts of my life I CAN control--my actions, my feelings, my body (to a certain degree ;)), what I do with my "free" time, how I treat others around me, especially my dear husband!

Last week I started reading, "The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands" by Dr. Laura Schlessinger. VERY good read for those wondering how to best love your husband and get the love you also deserve and long for. I have a LOT of work to do but have been implementing some of the suggestions and they REALLY work!! I have often taken for granted how hard Sage works and that it is truly him working so hard that makes it possible for me to stay home with our children! He sacrifices SO much for our family and for me in particular! Why has it taken me FIVE years to figure this out? Well, I really thought I had it figured out but have lately realized that I can do so much more! What more can a girl ask for than a man who puts her first above all (just realizing in how many ways!), loves his family, plays with his kids, works SUPER hard with SUPER hard hours, and still has energy at the end of the day to hug and kiss me!

I also started Weight Watchers again this week. I did WW last year with wonderful results--nearly 30 lbs GONE! Once I started having health problems, it was easy to use that as an excuse to not exercise and therefore, not eat as healthy. The weight has crept back on the past year and finally, I have HAD it! I do not like to sleep next to my floppy tummy! Much rather have it tucked firmly ON me! So far three days into it, I have lost 3 lbs! I have about oh, 50 to go to look really good but know that even if I can get the 30 off that I did last year, I will be doing well--AND I have made it a whole whopping 17 months NOT pregnant! This is the year to look HOT! =)

Do the Stink Bug!!

I think stink bugs are one of the FUNNIEST four-legged crawly things around. I mean, they can give me HOURS of entertainment just by stomping my foot by them and watching their rumps raise in the air. Yah--I live the life.

Kyle found one the other day and decided the best way to understand the bug was to BE the bug.

Little Boys = Mini Men

After dinner tonight, Kyle wanted to go out and play. He asked if I would come out but I told him it depended on how long it took to do the dishes. Then he asked Sage if he would go out and play. When Sage said "in a little bit" Kyle asked, "Are you going to help mom with the dishes?" My ears perked up, my heart quickened, my pulse increased....can it be? Is daddy REALLY going to help mommy with the dishes? But Kyle answered his own question by saying...and I quote..."Mommy knows how to do the dishes. She doesn't need any help."

The door closed and off Kyle went. I commented to Sage, "Now, those are words to live by." To which Sage responded, "Yah!" but I am sure he was thinking "OH YEAH!"
Here's the rest of the convo:

Me: He's already learning."

Sage: He's just figuring it out. In order to be learning, he would have to be taught."

(anyone see where this is going?)

Me: EXACTLY!!!! He's learning by example! (cha ching!)

And yes, Sage DID stay in and help me with the clean up. Ahhhh....in the mouth of babes!

The Miracle of Life

This morning at 5:23, Tyler made his long-awaited arrival into this life! Proud parents Debbie and Darrell are overjoyed to have their precious son with them after a long, long process to get him here! I have to say that I am a VERY VERY proud aunt! He weighs in at 8 lbs 6 oz and is a long 22.5 inches. Babies are incredible reminders that miracles do happen everyday and in this case, he is especially miraculous!

My Curly Girl!

It's no secret that my kids are folically-challenged as babies (much to my dismay). I have LOVED having Aubrey's hair grow in and not only that but it's curly and beautiful! She wouldn't look at the camera for me (she's got one stubborn streak) but I thought I'd post what I could get!