Sunburned!

This is what happens when we don't lotion up!

Trampoline!

So, we've had our eyes opened to the possibility of getting a trapoline for the backyard for a few years now but never have the money when they are on sale and can't afford them when they aren't... Sunday, while in Wal-Mart, we came accross a deal that we couldn't pass up! Now we have a safe, fun way for the boys to burn off more of that Summer energy! YEAH!Since this was pretty-much an impulse buy on our way to a friend's house we weren't able to set the thing up before Brad's work week stared. The boys understood that it takes 2-3 people to set it up and they were going to have to wait for Dad to get home from work and if there was enough light we'd get it up... hopefully. They were so good about NOT bugging me (it's as if they'd forgotten we even had it, but for the whispers) that it made me yearn to want it set up for them to use, so I called a friend over and we tried, but to no avail due to the heat causing the metal to sear our skin! Later, after she had left and the weather cooled off, I made the attempt alone... who says you need 2-3 people? I know how to get things done! Wooo Hooo!I got the trampoline set up to where the older boys could jump freely, but I was nervous about letting Hayden on there, good thing he was asleep til Brad got home and we were just putting the finishing touches on the enclosure when he woke up, came outside and screamed, "It's so awesome! Can I jump?" That was the first of many remarks of extreme appreciation that my boys have been uttering ever since. What a blessing to hear, "you're the best, Mom! Without you we'd have to wait for Dad to get off work" - "you're so strong, Mom" - "Thanks for the trampoline, it's what I always wanted!" - "Can we sleep out here, like, instead of using a tent?" (This may have to be in the near future) - many, many words of appreciation... I just love my family!

Happy Birthday {Garrett,7 & Hayden, 3}

Happy Birthday to Garrett, now 7 (June 21) and Hayden, soon-to-be 3 (July 8)! Great party!

Project Curtains

Hard at work on these new window coverings to update my front room. It took me about 4 days (not straight working) to go from fabric shopping to fabulous! Next project? Throw pillow covers to enhance the look of the curtains and make a whole "room" of the scraps left from the curtains! Stay tuned for the updates!

Welcome to the Family

Back in April we extended our family once more, but these are our family members you don't hear much about or see very often.

Kayser was Mom's (Diane) dog for almost 3 years but with Jim traveling for work so much and her having the freedom to go with him (if only the dogs had a sitter), it got to be too much for the dogs (and the sitters) to be left without their masters for so many extended periods of time. I had told them from day one that if EVER they had to find a new home for this sweet little pup, I would be more than happy to take him and make him my own. We have a sweetheart of our own who has been with us longer even than Garrett and Hayden but every time we attempted to bring a new pet into our home, well, let's just say she's... territorial. Sadie has never shared her domain and since she was here first (and the others belonged to people living with us at the time or we were "sitting" them) we never thought she'd take to us having a new dog that wouldn't be temporary. I don't know if this really has anything to do with it, but all the others were also female, Kaysar is a male and the first pet that Sadie has taken to. She's older and doesn't know any tricks but she loves us as we do her and I'm glad she's allowed Kaysar to adapt to our lifestyles (and vice versa). They are polar opposites but they are friends.

Garrett and Hayden are my two boys who have always shown the most love for animals, they LOVE how Kayser dances for treats and comes when he's called.

And even though Sadie doesn't do those tricks, they love to just sit with her and show love (she shows love by licking... anything... bare feet to forheads, she loves to lick).

We all love our furry family members and we're glad they love us back!

Funny things happen: If you have siblings or are a parent of multiple children you know that sometimes you shout the wrong name for the wrong child. Well, today while getting pizza on the boys' plates after church I left the front door open for these adorable pups to go do their business. A neighbor was out walking his dogs and that's all it took to set mine off... they took off running through their choice of gaps in our front yard fence and I got all tongue-tied hollering for "Casey" and "Sader" to come back! We all had a big laugh and then Seth said, "Mom, that's why I like you as a mother, you're just so funny!" and everyone bust up laughing again, except for me; I almost cried.

Indio

This is how we spent the last week:

At our WorldMark TimeShare (in Indio, Ca) we were checked in, unpacked and ready for the lazy river within 20 minutes!
Brad had the whole week off from work but still had his online courses to keep up with. He had no problems doing his homework while Hayden napped and the rest of us stayed at the pool!

As always, Hayden, so cool!

Even though it was a NICE 90-something degrees out, the wind was blowing like mad and when we got out of the water it felt more like 50-something degrees!

Swimming is a very tiring sport, it sure took the life out of Hayden! Tired as he was, he made sure to tuck his Dinosaur and Spiderman Venom toys in next to him before fully crashing.

One afternoon while Hayden napped, the boys chose to stay indoors so I took the opportunity to roam the complex; it was a natural (well, not really) wildlife reservation! Just look at what I found!

What's a hot Summer day by the pool without some fresh and juicy watermelon?

I made many attempts to capture the entire family in a single photo but alas, I just wasn't fast enough for the timer! LOL! This is the best I managed to get!

New Car

Sunday, May 31, Brad and I were going over our budget and getting irritated at our gas bill of $800 a month due to his gas-guzzling, repairs needed, uncomfortable, Dodge that he uses to carpool 5 days (sometimes more) a week over 100 miles round trip. On a whim we went to a dealer to see if getting into a car with warranty and good gas mileage is even a thought that we could continue to entertain and let me tell you... God really smiled on us that day! For the first time in our lives, we made an impulsive decision that worked! Being that it was a brand new 2008 still sitting on the lot and the last day of the month... not to mention, they give military discounts... we drove away in Brad's new commuter car! The money we save in gas will pay the car note... yep... it's THAT low... or we'll save THAT much... however you look at it, it's a long-awaited blessing! Good things really do come to those who wait! Praise God!
Oh, to continue in my Praises to my Savior... I booked a wedding! I'll have my first PAID GIG June 27, 2009! Keep me in your prayers that I am able to bless their family and mine at the same time!

Top Chef

Tristen went to "career day" at school last week (yeah, in 4th grade) and after listening to a speaker the students were given the assignment to choose a career and do a report on it. Tristen chose a Chef and part of his report was to cook something. He wanted to learn how to make his own omlet so I told him what to do and the rest was up to him, the pictures tell the story and show the end result.

"First, one must wash their hands."


I told him to get out the eggs, cheese and ham, then whip the eggs in a bowl and put them in a hot pan.


Once the eggs look cooked, add the cheese and ham to one side.


Fold the egg over and put on a plate.

Enjoy!

And he sure DID! He used three eggs and you saw how much cheese and ham he put on there! He ate it all and loved it! Now he offers to help with dinner almost every night and I am enjoying teaching him how to cook.