Christmas Cards

In case you aren't one of the 100 people I am sending Christmas Cards to this year, here's one just for you!

Merry Christmas! Love, The Turner Family (Dennis, Christy, Danielle, Kaitlyn, Cameron, Aedan, and Sadie)

Six Quirky Things About Me:

This was a tag from my awesome cousin Chaunette, so I decided to finally play along.
1. Like Chaunette, I also love Diet Coke and usually drink one right before I go to bed. I also have my first one before 7:30 in the morning. I have to really watch myself or I could easily drink 6-8 in a day. I have been trying to limit my D.C. intake to only 2 a day, but that has happened only a few times. I also have been trying to drink one glass of water for every diet coke - that way I even out the dehydrating effect of the diet coke. I know it's bad for me, and I know it is slowing down my metabolism and it makes me hungry so I end up eating more, even though I am saving calories by drinking the diet soda. But I love the stuff. Oh did I mention it turns your teeth yellow. Man I should really quit! It's just a good thing I don't drink alcohol or I would be writing this about Tequila.

2. I am a stress eater! When my kids are driving me nuts I usually find myself yelling at them and then standing in the kitchen eating, and drinking a diet coke.

3. I am more efficient when I have more things to do. I get more done and do a better job on the projects I do when I am doing a million of them at once. I have always been this way - it's weird I know, and makes absolutely no sense.

4. I am really good at rearranging messes, but not so good at actually getting anything picked up and put away. Good thing my husband is good at this one. I am really good at deep cleaning - Lock me in the bathroom for 30 minutes and when I come out it will be shining - every inch. I like to clean the baseboards with a toothbrush and when I clean a toilet - I clean the toilet - the entire toilet - even the little caulking around the bottom and faces the wall. My problem, when I do my cleaning I cannot be interrupted or I never get back to doing what I was doing. I have found that it is better to pay a babysitter and do my cleaning then pay a maid or try to do it with the kids home.

5. I love to do crafts and art projects with the kids, but I hate the mess they make, so I never do them!

6. I love to cook, and would rather work out for hours than sacrifice my eating.

More Cancun and Cameron's B-day

OUR AEDAN- Isn't he cute?
Note to self: When you are a little chubby in your bathing suit, if your child has a swimming party, make sure you are behind the camera not in front of it. We only got a few pictures that I wasn't in, in my swimsuit - yuck! I guess I will be hanging out with photoshop before scrapbooking that birthday.
I did make an awesome clone trooper cupcake cake, if I do say so myself.
At the airport! Don't we look relaxed? We haven't even left yet! Man what a few moments without children will do for you.
This is me lounging in our hydro-spa! The Mexican Restaurant at the resort. This was our first night there and yes, those are virgin margaritas. They were so yummy!
Doesn't Dennis look young? At 42and 3/4, he looks an easy 25.This is me enjoying the way cool dessert - Banana Foster- the waiter made it at our table flames and all.

This is mom, me, and Sherrie at the Time-Out for Women Conference in Las Vegas! It was awesome!

Elections - What's important?

As most of you know California voters voted no to same sex marriage with a whopping 85%. Well, the supreme court decided that they wanted to change that law. So they did - just like that. So once again the Californians are having to vote again to save the family. Proclamation 8, vote yes!! This is to insure marriage is only between a man and a woman. The Catholic Church has put out an awesome video on this issue. Check it out at www.CatholicVote.com you can also find out more information on www.protectmarriage.com I know most of us aren't registered to vote in California, but this is important. Remember what passes in California will soon ripple throughout the entire country. I thought the Supreme Court enforced the laws, not change them. Just wanted to share some thoughts. More Cancun Photos on their way.

CANCUN

Dennis and I just got home from a fantastic vacation. We went to Cancun for 6 days. We stayed at the Excellence Playa Mujeres Resort. It was an awesome, all inclusive, adult only resort on the tip of Cancun - 45 mins. from anywhere. We went sailing, snorkeling, and to the Isla Mujeres, Tulum, and got 80 minute massages, 1 hour hydrotherapy, and swam, hung out on the beach, and much more that I won't mention on the blog. ;-) (wink)! I would so recommend this vacation to anyone, especially those of you who, like us, haven't been away from your children for 11 years. And just incase some of you may not know - MY SISTERS ROCK! and MOM TOO! Jenni flew in from Michigan with her two little girls to stay at my house with my 4 wild children while we went. Mom helped for a few days and Tiff came and helped for 4 days. I could have never done it without them. They are AWESOME!!! So here are some pictures to make everyone jealous!

The cute couple at the resort driveway right before heading home.

Yes! That is a boa constrictor I am holding.

This is the Resort from our room.


Our Roof-Top Terrace with private Hydro-Spa. We also had a jacuzzi in our room and a covered balcony for the two days Ike was in the neighborhood and it rained all day.

This is me dining at one of the 7 luxurious restaurants.
Underwater and beach photos to come, as soon as I find the waterproof camera.

He's HOME!!!

Dennis is finally home and we are sooooo excited. We are totally wearing him out, but he is loving every minute of it. School starts next week and life will finally be back to normal. Whatever that is. I am so thankful for all the friends and family who helped us through the last 7 months. Your thoughts and prayers meant so much to me and my family. I am thankful to My Father in Heaven and the Holy Ghost who was always there to comfort me in times of need. Thank you all. I LOVE you! Photos to come!

Our Vacation to Panguitch

The kids and I spent a very fun month at my parents house in Panguitch. Here is a little update in pictures. Only two weeks until Dennis gets home. We are sooooo excited!
Fishing with Grandpa!
The Balloon Festival with the Hall Cousins!

Hiking at Red Canyon.
Swimming at Bloomington.

Danielle cut her hair and donated it to Locks of Love.

4th of July Parade
All the cousins - except Aubrey and Joni - we missed them sooo much. The three babies - Aedan, Calee, and Mckoy were in the strollers and missed the photo shoot.
My new boyfriend! Okay -so I went to the darkside, do you blame me?

I love to read

I finally finished "The Book Thief" it was good but a hard read. I enjoyed the way the author took a different style, telling the story of a young German Girl by the Soul Taker (grim reaper) during WWII in Germany. I liked the view of life during WWII from the eyes of kind, loving, Germans being stuck in the mix up of Nazi Germany. It was good, it was sad, it was way too easy to put down. This was good since my time is so limited I could easily pick it up for a few mins here and there, but bad because it took me almost 4 months to read it. I didn't like how the author left nothing in suspense. He basically told you what would happen and then you had to wait until it did - already knowing chapters ahead of time that it would. I did read two other books while reading this one. Twilight - which I enjoyed but I need a little more action. Last Man Standing by David Baldacci - a great book (as most of his books are). Did I mention I love to read. I love murder mystery, romance, historical, and uplifting feel good books. I just listened to a Nora Roberts book on tape, and it was pretty naughty. I was all alone in my car and blushing - that is bad. I have read some great Nora Roberts books - this one just wasn't one of her best. I love the Circle Trilogy she wrote. I have several James Patterson and a few Baldacci waiting for me, I am so glad the lazy summer days by the pool have arrived. Happy reading to all my friends!

Look at me now!

After I got into the swing of life with Dennis gone, I started going to the gym and walking - a ton. I was walking about 5 miles a day and lifting weights twice a week. The sad thing is I wasn't losing much weight. So I decided to hire a personal trainer. I had my first meeting with her April 8th. We met about once a week the first few weeks and then we started meeting twice a week. So here's my story. I started out with the following goals I wanted to achieve in 12 weeks:
1. lose 20 lbs.
2. drop two pant sizes
3. run 2 miles without stopping
4. do 15 boy push-ups.

Goals number 3 and 4 were good goals to set, since when I started I couldn't even run one lap around the track. I have never been able to run. I don't think I had ever ran an entire mile without walking - EVER! I could do maybe 2 boy push-ups when we started.

So here we are week #9. I have lost 15 lbs (since April - 24 lbs since Dennis left). I have dropped 2 pant sizes. I can do 30 boy push-ups. And I ran 3 miles without stopping on Monday.

I am writing this stuff - not to brag, but to say first, a personal trainer, especially mine, is awesome. Sandy pushes me far beyond what I ever thought I could do. Physically she knows what I can do - I just have to mentally tell myself I can. She can always scream a few more minutes, sets, punches, whatever we are doing, out of me when I am thinking I will collapse. Second - If I can do it, anyone can. I am 35 years old. I have 50 lbs still to lose, and I can run 3 miles. I have a long ways to go before I am at my ultimate goal, but I am getting there. As for diet. I haven't really changed that too much. I watch what I eat, but I still have a double scoop of ice cream every once in a while, and I do splurge with that whopper now and then. I know the eating will have to start playing a huge roll to lose the next 20 lbs., so thank goodness for Lean Cuisine and Weight Watchers. Portion size is my hardest thing - that is why I like the premade meal choices.

So here's a before and after picture - remember I still have a long way to go. This was so hard for me to post - because I still have so far to go and I still see myself as fat, but my persistent friends won't stop until I post it.






What I am learning from a lifetime of fighting with my weight:
1. The quick fixes are simply that - quick - you lose it quick and gain it quicker.
2. Exercise is a must - and weights are very important - muscle helps you burn fat and it also increases your metabolism. You may weigh more with muscle but you will feel better, look better, and be healthier.
3. Set your goals small and realistic. I could have easily set my goals as run 5 miles, lose 80 lbs, and wear a size 6, but I would have looked at those goals and been frustrated from day one. Remember take it one step at a time.

Next Goals: to be achieved by CANCUN _ Sept 8th
1. Lose 15 lbs.
2. Drop 2 sizes
3. Run 5 miles
4. 40 Push-Ups
5. Be able wear my one-piece swimming suit without the cover-up.

When it Rains it Pours!

My cousin Robin posted about a bug that bit her family, and I couldn't help but write about this one at our house. My sister, Tiff, was visiting and Cameron had been up all night puking - in fact, he slept in the bathroom with a bucket. (see photo). It was every 30-45 minutes for 6 hours. I coudn't believe he had anything left and then presto more puke. The next morning things were going pretty well, I was sanatizing the bathroom. We had just bathed both puppies and things were looking up. We were all sitting watching a movie, Danielle on the couch, Tiff on the floor beneath her with a dog on each side. Danielle kneels up on all fours and pukes all over the couch, Tiff jumps, but not fast enough before the second strand comes from behind flying all over the floor - hitting Tiff and both,once clean, puppies. Danielle then attempts to fly for the toliet only to splat again in the hallway. Kaitlyn has had enough after watching all this, and has decided she too is going to puke, so she takes off down the hall, only to slip in the puke and land on her back in the hallway. Tiff and I look at ourselves - puke all over us and all over the house, Kaitlyn laying in the hallway covered in puke, the puppies are slurping it up as fast as they can, and we just start laughing. We couldn't stop. It was either laugh or cry. After cleaning for hours, shampooing the carpet, washing the dogs and all the kids, the stench remained. Tiff also got the bug the night before she was suppose to go home, so we got to keep her an extra day. That is how the bug bites my family. BRING IT ON!

Much Needed Vacation!

We have survived almost all of the events Dennis will miss. We just made it through my birthday and mother's day this week. Now it's just Father's Day, and 4th of July. I am sure there are more holidays but I am only counting the big ones. I have been a slacker on my blogging. It has been crazy busy out here in the desert. The sun is shining and I have been enjoying every minute of it. Softball/T-ball is officially over as of yesterday. The kids all did very well. Danielle really did super! She was the catcher and really found a sport she loves. We start TaiKwonDo again next week and swimming lessons as soon as I get the kids signed up. School is out in 2 weeks and then the summer will fly by - hopefully. We are heading up to some cooler weather for a month and then we will be anxiously waiting Dennis' return sometime around the 1st of August. It has been a long hard journey but once again we have almost done it. I find everyday that the Lord will not give me more than I can handle.

To thank me for all my hard work at the gym, my dear sweet husband is taking me to CANCUN! For an entire week. My wonderful sister - Jenni - is flying out to stay with the kids and we are off to an all inclusive adult only resort for 6 days. I can't even express my excitment in writing. You would have to be here to see my daily Cancun Dance to really know the extend of my excitment. The last time Dennis and I had a night together without kids was 10 years ago, and that was for only one night. I so need this!

We are well past the half way mark to Dennis' deployment and I can't help but look back on the past 4 months. The Lord has truly blessed us, and I am so thankful to those who acted on the inspiration they recieved. I will start with my cousin Chellie's super sweet care package she sent not long after Dennis left. It really touch me and the kids loved all the little goodies. I have had friends who have droped by to help with kids or clean up dinner while I get kids to bed. One friend in particular has really helped me a ton. She calls me late at night when I may need some adult conversation, she encouraged me to go to the temple while she watched my kids, and she made sure I went to a special road show the church had that I would have never went to without her insisting. My neighbors have been so great to check on me, watch out for my kids while they run wild through the neighborhood, and just be there when I needed someone to talk to. My sister came and stayed for a week and was such a huge help! I want her to move in! My dad came and watched the boys while mom and I took Danielle on her long awaited Birthday Party to LA. The Daisy scouts made me a fabulous birthday dinner and a birthday cake! My kids made me breakfast in bed on my birthday and made sure I had a super mother's day. The random phone calls from friends all around the world have also meant more than I am sure they realize. All-in-all we have been blessed. 10 weeks or so to go- we are more than half way and so ready to be done. Thank you all for your great comments on my blog. They are always so sweet and make me feel so good. I also have to give a shout to my personal trainer who has helped me to find my true potential and taken me way beyond what I ever thought I could do. Sandy you ROCK!

A Must See Video

This was produced by a soldier in Iraq. It's very touching. Have a box of tissues handy.
http://www.flashdemo.net/gallery/wake/index.htm

A simple act of kindness!

Today after staying home all day watching conference I was feeling a little closterphopic, I also realized it was the last Saturday we could leave post until May d/t softball - Tball. So I said, hey who wants to go to I-HOP? Of course, they all started jumping up and down, and so we were on the road at 6:30 for the 40 min. drive to IHOP. We get there and the kids are coloring, Danielle is telling me some huge story about something, and Aedan is throwing stuff all over the restaurant. They were actually being pretty good (I guess the huge lecture in the car helped).

There were these two older men sitting in the booth near us and after they finished one of the men came over to our table and said to me, "You have such a beautiful family. You are doing a great job!". I didn't know what to say, so I said,"Thank You." and blinked back the tears. What a nice man - I am sure he had no idea his kind words made my entire day/week/year!

I feel so blessed I don't have to worry about supporting my family financially. I think of all those single moms out there who do it alone every day. They are working one, two, three jobs trying to makes ends meet, and then trying to be a mom,dad,housekeeper,coach,referee,etc. all at once.

Kudos to all you single moms out there! Just thought I would share that with everyone! Maybe when you see some single mom with all her kids - you can just walk up and say - your doing a great job. Who knows you may just make her day!

First Crazy Day

We made it through the first day of craziness. It started after school as we rushed through homework and got dinner in the crockpot. Then I loaded all 4 munchkins in the car with TaiKwonDo uniforms in the front seat, camera, entertainment for Aedan, stroller, snacks, and water, oh and Baseball gear of course. We start pulling out of the driveway and Danielle announces that Kaitlyn is wearing moccasins to play softball. So I stop - run in the house, grab shoes and socks for KK, and run back to the car. We arrived at the first drop off point at 4:50. I signed the girls in at softball, and then rushed to Cameron's T-Ball practice. (they both started at 5 pm.) I chased Aedan around while Cameron fought with his teammates over who got to pick up the ball - since they don't quite get the my space/ your space, part of the game. Then at 5:40 - it's to the car to change into TaeKwonDo uniform, then run to the graduation (start time 5:45). Luckily a friend is there and agrees to watch Cameron and Aedan, while I run get the girls. I get the girls at 5:55 and as Danielle changes in the car while we are driving - we skid into the parking lot and run into the gym for the graduation. We make it just in time - two kids left until Cameron. He marches up to get his green belt with a big grin. Get a few photos and then breath for a little while until Danielle's turn. Danielle got her much deserved yellow belt. (After fighting with Kaitlyn for over 8 weeks about TaiKwonDo, I finally gave in and let her quit.) Then we load up and head home, have dinner on the table by 7 pm and baths and in bed by 8 pm. Wow - What a day - I crash into bed at 9 pm. It wasn't so bad. I can't wait until we have two games at the same time at different fields and different parts of base. I'll let you all know how that goes. (I couldn't get the new pics off my memory stick, so these are old - Danielle is a yellow belt now - and Cameron a green belt.)

Happy Easter!

AEDAN
What a joy! He keeps me running that's for sure. I dash from one disaster to the next. He likes Capri Sun mixed with his hotdogs - this was today's invention on the kitchen floor, while I was cleaning up the VHS Movies he had thrown all over the family room, my pants were wet from cleaning up the bathroom where he thought he'd help by turning on the tub and dumping bucket after bucket of water on the floor. I am still cleaning up coke from yesterday when he decided to throw my full coke across the room. The angel is sleeping, thank goodness. But when he's awake even after all the disasters - that smile just melts your heart!


CAMERON
Mr. Popular, Professional PS2 player, Pokemon Master wanna-be, Prince Charming -Usually, Pain in my butt - sometimes. What more can I say. Cameron is the most popular boy at school - he has play dates every day. The doorbell never stops ringing for Cameron to come out and play. He loves Star Wars most, but all his friends like Poke-mon so he is trying to get into it. He lost his gameboy at the park - broke his heart - he got the PS2 taken away since he wasn't taking care of the games, and now he just lives outside - causing havic throughout the neighborhood.


KAITLYN
Kaitlyn is our middle child - who sometimes gets forgotten. She does well in school, she loves to read, she does well at all sports she tries. She usually does what she is told, and causes very few problem, therefore - she is usually forgotten. It's hard to get attention with a very naughty older sister and a baby brother who keeps your mom running. We are trying hard to recognize all of KK's great qualities. She has her moments - believe me, but she is definately an angel most of the time, a devil some of the time.



DANIELLE
Who ever knew the teenage years would start at 9! This one gives me a run for my money. Sassy, Sarcastic, Spoiled, Sweet - are just a few. Danielle loves horses! She loves to play board games and do puzzles. She is a very caring person to everyone except her family - she will carry a hurt kid home from school but won't pick up a pencil for her sister. She sits quietly in class and never questions her teachers, yet yells and screams at her mom and thinks she knows everything. (my mom says I was just like her - yeah right!) A funny story about Danielle is she was doing very very poorly in school - the teacher was worried she'd have to repeat the 4th grade. We got her tested for a learning disability and wouldn't you know - she is so dang smart - the psychologist has never seen someone score so highly on the tests. Once she was told this she all of a sudden is the smartest kid in her class - she gets 100% on her tests, her reading level has jumped 2 grades. What a SpitFire! She is a great babysitter and loves responsibilty but everything has to be approached very carefully - to make sure she is doing what she thinks she wants to do. good thing she has a super smart mom when it comes to mind games.

CRAZY CHRISTY

Okay, just so you all can know how totally insane I am. I am not only going to be running three kids to soft ball/ t-ball, and Tae Kwon Do, but I just got elected to be the PTA President for next year. Oh did I mention I am temporarily a single mom of 4 until August. Oh and I have hired a personal trainer and I will be meeting with her twice a week (that is what will keep me sane). I also have a puppy that I am trying so hard to train. BRING IT ON!!!

100 things about me. (25 at a time) Part IV

76. I love it when my little Aedan does something wrong and then comes and shows me what he did with that smile, like he is saying, "Look at what someone did?" or "I have no idea how that happened?"
77. I give my weight too much credit. I blame everything on it. Maybe that is why I can't lose it b/c I would have to find another scapegoat.
78. I haven't even finished Chaunette's first challenge of the 100 things and now she has another one, so I am going to add it to my first. So the next 8 things are the questions Chaun posted on her blog.
79. Where was I 10 years ago? I had just had Danielle, we had bought our first home, and life was so simple then.
80. Where was I 1 year ago? We were living in Germany, getting ready to move back to the big USA, and we were planning our final vacation to Holland.
81. What are my 5 favorite snacks? I am not really sure. I love nuts, pringles, yogurt, sushi, and of course chocolate.
82. What is 5 things I would do if I was a millionaire? 1. Get out of debt. 2. buy my dream house. 3. buy an Antique store. 4. go to Europe and buy tons of antiques to put in my store. 5. TRAVEL, TRAVEL, TRAVEL (Greece and Ireland would be first)
83. What are my 5 bad habits? 1.emotional eating 2. yelling at my kids. 3. picking the skin on my the sides of my fingers. 4. Not cleaning up one mess before I start making another one. 5. only being able to do one thing at a time. (reading a book - can't do anything until I finish it.)
84. What are 5 things I like doing? 1. making cards. 2. walking. 3. reading. 4. watching my TV shows without commercials. 5. shopping with my sisters and my mom.
85. what are 5 things I would never wear again? 1. shear white shirt with a colored sports bra underneath. 2. leggings with babydoll dresses (not at all flattering on me) 3. blue and white striped socks that went up to my knee with a red miniskirt and blue shirt. 4. one piece jumpers - not overalls the jumpers that zip up the front that are pants and a shirt all in one piece. 5. bikinis
86. My 5 favorite toys? 1. ball blower by playskol. 2. Kitchen Aide Mixer. 3. Jogging stroller. 4. high capacity washing machine 5.Garmin running watch.
87. I am so glad that that just used up 8 - really 10 things.
88. I love to take pictures - I just wish I was better at it.
89. I am very forgetful - I don't have a camera that works right now because all the batteries are dead - I keep forgetting to charge them. I lose my keys daily.
90. I am 50 pages behind on the Hinkley Challenge.
91. I love to read books with Danielle - I just wish I had more time to read with her.
92. I read for 20-30 minutes everynight with each of my kids. That makes bedtime quite long. I start with Cameron at 7:00, Kaitlyn at 7:30, and then Danielle at 8:00. Danielle and I usually read longer than 30 minutes. Aedan and I read in the daytime. It is hard and doesn't always happen but I have noticed a big difference in their reading at school since we started doing this at the beginning of school this year.
93. I just did the stupidest thing and signed up all three of my kids for soft ball - cameron -tee ball. How am I ever going to go keep up with three practices and three games a week? Oh and they also do TaiKwonDo twice a week. Am I crazy or what?
94. Am I finished yet?
95. My husband is my ROCK. I lean on him when I am tired, I talk to him when I am frustrated (he just listens), and sometime I need him to hit me in the head when I am stupid. Obviously he wasn't here to hit me in the head over the softball thing.
96. I wrote 210 reasons why I love my husband and sent them with him to Iraq. He opens one a day while he is gone.
97. Just over 2 years ago I couldn't even think of 10. That is how much our relationship has grown the last few years.
98. I truly believe we have to have the bad times to appreciate the good times.
99. I hate the bad times.
100. I AM SO OUT OF THINGS TO WRITE. Sorry this was so lame - but I AM FINISHED!!!

100 things about me. (25 at a time) Part III

51. I wish I would have stopped at 50.
52. I hate that when I go to the hospital I get treated like crap until they find out who my husband is and then they are all bending over backwards for me. Not that I don't like the special treatment but I think everyone should be treated as if their husband was the Chief of the Anesthesia Department. Why can't we all just be nice to everyone all the time?
53. I am so thankful for the Holy Ghost, who guides and directs me every day.
54. I am so thankful for all the wonderful people who have done so much for me since Dennis left.
55. I am going to buy a CostCo membership this week.
56. I am not allowed to have candles. I have nearly burned down several homes d/t candles, did you know if you set a candle too close to mirror, the heat will actually crack the mirror in half? If you set a candle on the back of a toilet, make sure there isn't a really neat dried flower swag hanging above it.
57. I actually started my house in Washington on fire. I was heating oil to make taquitos and I forgot about it and the pan started on fire so my smart husband covered the fire with the kitchen rug, but forgot to turn off the burner - so the rug also started on fire and then cabinets and the fridge. It was pretty exciting.
58. My renters insurance is awesome. My kids colored on the walls in Germany and d/t the paper textured wallpaper there they needed to repaint the entire house, so I called my renters insurance and they paid for most of it.
59. I think being a mom is the hardest, worst paid, most exhausting job in the world.
60. I think people should have to take a class before becoming parents (I don't think I would have passed the class)
61. I hate husbands who say mean things to their wife's, like - you are fat, when are you going to lose weight, you have big legs, etc.
62. I am so glad my husband is not like that. He would never say anything mean to me. (I guess he knows better, I'd probably shoot him)
63. Being a mom has it's good benefits too, I just can't think of any right now - maybe in the next 25.
64. I have kissed so many boys, I don't even truly have a clue how many. That is sad - my daughters better not be like me.
65. I use to drink in college for liquid courage. That was soooooo stupid.
66. I have never smoked a cigarette. I think I have always known I would be totally addicted after one puff.
67. I hate cigarette smoke - I hate that most people who smoke are totally selfish and inconsiderate of those around them. Kaitlyn has asthma and I have had to ask many people to please refrain while she is nearby.
68. I am so thankful that my mother-in-law understands my dislike for cigarette smoke and tries so hard to make us feel welcome at her house by not smoking while we are there.
69. I hate the wind here! It blows so hard and so much - they call the wind Mariya - well I call it *#*!!**^.
70. There are many days I stay in my workout clothes all day. Today will probably be one of them since I am blogging instead of showering right now.
71. I know Heavenly Father gives us the kids we have for a reason, and should be honored that He would think I could handle the ones I have. I just wonder if He made a mistake.
72. My children are artists- Aedan has decided the world is his canvas - including my walls, furniture, his toys, sisters, etc.
73. I switched from diet coke to diet Pepsi because Pepsi is 50 cents cheaper for a 12 pack.
74. I don't like diet Pepsi as much as diet Coke; therefore, I have cut my soda intake in half since my big switch.
75. I had to pay $18 in late fees when I picked up Cameron from preschool last week because I was 18 minutes late. They didn't even care that I was walking my dog and looked at my watch and I was about 2 miles from my house and it was 7 minutes after. Good thing my friend lived nearby and let me take her van to go and get him.

100 things about me. (25 at a time) Part II

26. I love to makes cards and scrapbook, I just hate to pull everything out and then clean it all up before I am finished. Someday I will have a huge Christy's Craft Room with a door that locks. Then I can lock myself in and lock kids out when needed.
27. I love old things.
28. I love antique furniture, and new furniture that looks antique.
29. Some day I hope to have a house to fit all my old stuff, and furniture in.
30. I would love to start selling stuff on ebay, but I am afraid I will sell everything I own. When we have garage sales Dennis has to hold me back from going and getting more stuff from the house, because I could make money.
31. I can't do anything half way - it's all or nothing. This is why I can't work and be a mom - I have to put all my energy into one project at a time, and work would probably win.
32. Most of the battles I choose not to fight may appear to be battles worth fighting in other peoples eyes. i.e. what my kids wear to school.
33. I hate dog hair and the smell of dogs. Since I got out voted on having a dog and it's too hot to make her live outside, I bath her once or twice a week, and vacuum 2-3 times a day. I also bought a steam cleaner I use once a month. She is not allowed on the furniture, but the other day I caught her on my bed and had to wash all the bedding. As if 4 kids isn't enough!
34. I hate cats! I am also allergic to them - I get a hairball in my throat when I am around them and I can't breath. I call them hairballs with an attitude.
35. I hate Mr. Bean, but laugh every time I watch him. I just want to beat his head in about half way through the movie.
36. I love to exercise. My dog and I walk a ton, but since that wasn't really helping I added the gym twice a week, and when that wasn't really helping as much as I would like, I added the Firm aerobics three times a week. So now I walk about 2 miles a day, go to the gym twice a week for cardio and weights, and then I do the Firm 3 times a week. This is week two of my program and I have lost 3 lbs. but the best part is I lost 4 inches. I just hope I still love to exercise after doing this for a few more weeks.
37. I invented a great salad for the late night sweet tooth. It's spinach, spring salad mix, sunflower seeds, craisins, and coconut - topped with the Raspberry vinaigrette spritz. YUMMY!
38. I love to go to lunch with my friends.
39. I loved the German Flea Markets.
40. I love to go shooting pistols with my husband.
41. I am a very good shot with my pistol, and if anyone broke into my house they would be dead. I want to put a sign on my front door that says, I have a gun, I know how to use it, I shoot to kill, should you enter without being invited, You have been warned.
42. I am making my children all t-shirts that say My Daddy, My hero with a picture of their dad on them.
43. I sell Close to My Heart stamps just to get the discount because I love the stuff so much.
44. I hate that my husband bought a pure bred, silver lab, that had to be shipped from one of the few breeders in the world, instead of going to the dog pound or Pet Trader and finding a nice dog who was well trained and needed a good home.
45. I love to read with my kids.
46. I also love to read without my kids. I love James Patterson, David Baldacci, and some Nora Roberts.
47. I love to country dance, but my husband doesn't know how - we keep planning on taking lessons but in 11 years it hasn't happened yet.
48. I love to snow ski, my last two years of college, winter quarter I only had classes on M-W-F, so I could ski every Tue and Thurs.
49. I love doing fun craft projects with my kids, but I hate the mess it makes, so I tend to not do it as much as I should.
50. I love my DVR (Direct TV Recorder thing) I can watch CSI, Criminal Minds, Law and Order, CSI NY, Without a Trace, Cold Case, Moonlight, Ghostwhisperer, etc. anytime I want, without commercials. It is awesome! I usually do laundry once or twice a week and I just sit and watch as many shows as I can while I fold clothes.

100 things about me. (25 at a time)

1. I hate how the military treats soldiers and their families.
2. I get nervous every time we have to move, but end up loving the new place as much as the last.
3. I love that I have friends all over the world, but hate that my kids can't really have a good friend b/c one of us always moves after a few years.
4. I love that d/t #3, my kids are each other's best friend.
5. I love and hate having a dog all at the same time.
6. I hate that I am wasting time on the computer when my house is a mess.
7. I like having a clean house, and I finally realized the only way that can happen if I hire a maid. So I did, and my house is really clean for about 2 days after she comes and then it's messy again until she comes the next time.
8. I cut my finger open so bad yesterday I had to use dermabond (medical version of superglue) to put it back together. After I was finished gluing, my teeth started floating and I thought I was going to puke. I had to lay down before I passed out. That was a lot of blood.
9. Blood doesn't bother me, but puke is the worst thing ever. I would rather rush a kid to the hospital with his head gashed open to the bone than clean up throw-up.
10. I think my husband gets sexier the older he gets. I am way more attracted to him now than I was when we got married.
11. It amazes me how you can love something/someone so much and then find out 10 years later you love them even more, when you thought you could never love anything more and you do. (that doesn't really make sense, but you know what I mean)
11. I love to cook and my sexy physic shows it.
12. My kids are terrors, I just hope they all survive until they are 18.
13. Every time I fail as a mother, I just add a few bucks to their therapy fund.
14. Retail Therapy is the best way to overcome stress, but it tends to add more stress in the long run, but during the therapy session I feel great. I should just shop like crazy to feel better, and then take it all back a few days later.
15. Lately I have just told the Lord to bring it on! I can handle it. Since every time I just seem to get it all together it all falls apart, I figure just bring it on let's just see how much superwoman can handle!
16. I want a new choice for president. It worries me that one of the candidates will be running this country. Is the end really that close?
17. I am determined to see Austria, even if Austria doesn't want me. While in Germany I had planned a vacation to Austria 3 different times, Hotels books, the whole works, and something always happened that kept us from going.
18. I want to spend a few weeks in Ireland someday soon.
19. The Netherlands is by far my favorite vacation spot - Germany, Belgium, and Italy were also very fun. Paris was cool but not really on my top 10. San Antonio is #1 for the U.S. except Lake Powell with the Bulkley gang, but that isn't really traveling.
20. I love to travel! hopefully one day I will be rich enough to travel for a month every year.
21. Being rich is not determined by how much money you make, it's how much money you have.
22. People that know everything bug me.
23. The fattest I have ever been was while pregnant with Aedan and I had gained over 100 lbs since I got married. I still have 65 to lose.
24. I am done having children. Emotionally I think two was my limit but I pushed it to four and now I am way beyond my mental capacity. Although my last two are so much fun - maybe because I am a little insane now.
25. The Autobahn in Germany was awesome. It was so nice to determine your speed by how late you were, and not have to worry if that white car coming the opposite direction is a policeman. The U.S. could never have an autobahn d/t the following rules all Germans follow:
1. absolutely NO passing on the right - no matter what!
2. Never slow down to let someone in your lane of traffic from an on ramp. You move over or they wait- slowing down to let someone in - is very dangerous (especially when the guy coming behind you is probably doing 120 mph).
3.Diesels can't drive at night or on the weekends, and they can only go 100 kph (65 mph)
Well, there's the 1st 25 - more to come!

Danielle's Birthday Party

What better way to celebrate a 10th birthday than a week early on a 4 day weekend. We started celebrating on Friday when we checked the boys into the base daycare and the girls headed to do some shopping for some SPRING SALES - since it's been in the 70's here. Then we headed to the Spiderwick movie (Danielle read all the books so I promised I would take her). We were alittle disappointed with the movie since it did not follow the books very well at all. But it was still a good flick. We then headed home to wait for the arrival of our guests. Grandma and Grandpa! They arrived around 9:30 pm. We were all up anxiously waiting for them. The next day was the big party. Grandpa stayed home and tended the boys and did the honey do list that was waiting for him, while the girls headed to..............

AMERICAN GIRL PLACE, L.A.
Danielle took a friend and her sister to the American Girl Place for a day of fun! (of course mom and grandma got to go too) We went shopping, to a great show, and more shopping. The girls had sooo much fun. Mom and Grandma even had a blast.
We arrived at the Grove shopping Plaza in Hollywood, at around 11 am. We found the closest bathroom right away for mom (me - I had been holding it for 30 mins). While walking out of the store with the bathroom we were talking about how we had no idea where the A.G. store was, then the girls looked up and right outside the window was the big A.G. Star. It was right across the street. So we headed over and this was Danielle as she entered the store and then after a few minutes into our shopping.




"I WANT EVERYTHING!"

We then dropped the dolls off at the Salon to get their hair done. We went upstairs to the hospital and admitted Molly for some major surgery. (She needs a new wig, but unfortunately they can't just do new hair, so she will be getting a whole new head). Then we went to the Theater to see the American Girl Revue. It was a musical about the historical characters. Way fun!


We then shopped some more. Danielle had a great time spending all her birthday money. She got some great things for her dolls. We then picked up the dolls from the salon and they looked fabulous.




What a fun day! We were so busy having fun and shopping we didn't even stop for lunch until 4 pm.


Sunday we went to Church and then just hung out with grandma and grandpa. It was so much fun. We were all very sad to see them leave this morning.

The above photo of us in bed was suppose to go on a pillowcase we were sending to Dennis for Valentine's Day. Except after wasting three pillowcases and using all my transfer paper, we gave up. So enjoy the photo Dennis - Sorry you can't sleep with it. WE LOVE YOU!

FYI

Just wanted to let everyone know that if a 21 pound, 18 month old gets into your purse and opens the childproof Extra Strength Excedrin Migrain bottle - it takes 5 pills to cause alarm; however, if you did not watch how many he actually ate and although you are 99% sure that the chalky residue on his chin was simply from the one he bite into and then quickly spit out, you will need to go to Emergency Room and have an IV stuck in his arm, a vial of blood drawn out and then wait for 2 hours for the results of the lab work, to confirm that there is indeed no drugs in his system. What a fun Friday!

Motherhood/Toddlerhood - YIKES!

This is an excerpt from my journal I found. I went to a MOPS meeting this week and they were talking about finding joy in toddlers. I kept thinking of this day, and I thought I would share it with you, so you too can know you are not alone on this crazy roller coaster. Remember this was in December 2004. Danielle was in 1st Grade, Kaitlyn in Preschool - almost 4, and Cameron was the terrible 2 years old. I now have Aedan, but it is a little easier since the other kids are all older. I had forgotten how hard toddlers were, and now Aedan is reminding me every minute.


I awake at 0530 with gun fire being exchanged across my back, cars zooming up and down my legs. Then between the "pew pew, Vrooom" I hear, "I nt (I want) baba peeese. So it's out of bed. I can't find my glasses. Feeling around blind I discover them under the bed, after I unbend them and try to fix my ponytail tighter so the ear piece will stay lodged into my hair since it no longer fits behind my ear. I am then off to get the babab (sippy cup). I make it to the kitchen to discover that the cupcakes I stayed up so late making the night before, hence my tired states this morning, are now one big squished cake, thank goodness for saran wrap - it held everything on the plate. "Wow" I think to myself,"my Cameron must have been up pretty early to get this all done and then re-in act WWII". So upstairs I head with milk in hand, sure enough he was tired. (sound asleep on the floor).
Two hours before the bus and I get started on the 2nd batch of cupcakes. Cupcakes are cooling and I get #1 (Danielle, age 6)up. She's pretty easy as long as I have my cattle prod.




Then for #2(Kaitlyn age 4). Peed the bed again, so it's off to the tub, while I change the sheets and get laundry going. Out of the tub and then the war begins. "I don't want to go to school" "but it's your birthday tomorrow and I made cupcakes for your class." "I don't want to wear pants." "but it's freezing outside." "I want to wear a dress and my little pony sandals" I then proceed to dress her in appropriate clothes. She continues to bawl, rotating between "I don't want to go to school and I don't want to wear pants."
The 2 year old wakes up with a poopy diaper, but no time. I have 10 minutes until bus. It's cold cereal. #1 eats while I do her hair and put her shoes and socks on. #2 eats and watches a little cartoons. She forgets about school and pants. While #1 brushes her teeth, I put coat on the baby and slipper with soles and coat on me (yes, I still have my pjs on.) Get #1 bundled up and backpack on. Then I hear, "mom I need a lunch. I am out of coupons at school." I send #1 ahead to bus. I rush in to make PB&J, grab OJ and an apple. Throw it in lunch bag, and grab baby. Run to catch up with daughter who is dawdling along the sidewalk. I see the bus ahead and yell to my daughter to run. We make it just in time.
Few - #1 is gone. Now for the rest of them.


Feed baby while frosting cupcakes. Oh yeah - the diaper. change it and dress him. Shoes on #2, brush teeth, bawling again. Put kids in car, drive #2 to school (German Kindergarten), carry her in bawling. Teacher takes her and cupcakes and I am off.
#2 gone.
Once home it's dishes, oh no, I forgot to start dishwasher last night. Push start. Wash sink full by hand. Take sheets out of washing machine put in dryer, start water for another load. (2-3 loads a day is about average).
Phone rings answer phone, get on computer, check bank account, pay bills, check email, open diet coke. Check laundry - forgot to add clothes. Start again. Head upstairs to make beds, clean up toys, think about shower, hear crash, fly downstairs, find Cameron standing in the middle of family room floor with empty 5 lbs bag of flour. You guessed it - the rest is on the floor. Clean up flour, start Nemo for Cameron, back upstairs to shower, decide to grab laundry on the way. Fold laundry, switch laundry, put laundry away, look at clock, grab baby - off to get #2. I can't believe it is noon.
#2 had a great day at school, doesn't want to come home. Get home, drink diet coke in two swallows, make chicken nuggets. After lunch movie for #2 and nap for #3. (Cameron lost his crib at 18months after crawling out of it.)



#3 doesn't want nap. He screams, and I have to lay by him and hold him down for 45 mins. before he goes to sleep. I sneak into the shower and get dressed. No time for make-up, hair or such. Rush down stairs, laundry, dishes, and then #1 is home from school.

Then the after school drama, "can I play with ---?" "after your homework." "can I just play for a little while, then I promise I will do my homework.". Mom gives in, within 10 mins. friends come taddeling and Danielle ends up in Time-out. Then she does her homework. Get dinner - dad comes home - Yeah!!!!
"how was your day?" he asks. "it was great" I answer - I did get to shower after all.