I wish...

I really wish I could just let my hair dread, without people thinking I was on drugs or homeless. I REALLY like that look, and my hair is in a constant state of about 3 days away from dreads. Ah me...I guess I missed that window. I should have done it when I was young and less inhibited.

Dancing...

At our house we are quite fond of "Dancing With the Stars." As some of you may know, the new season started last night! We have been waiting and waiting, especially since Jake Ryan from Hannah Montana is on this time. So, those of you that didn't watch, you should start, and those that did, who's your fave? I'm with Misty May all the way! I also like the big football player (I don't know his name) and I think Kim Kardashian will really improve over the season. But Brandon can't stand her. And what's up with 82 yr. old Cloris Leachman? Please....that was NOT fun to watch! We didn't see "Jake Ryan" dance, but of course the girls love him...Should be entertaining!

...and happy birthday, Phoebe Jane!

Phoebe Jane was born September 20, 1998. Her name was chosen before we even knew she was a girl! It means "bright, shining one." In Greek mythology, Phoebe was the goddess of the moon. The name fits like a glove. and no, she was not named after the character on Friends...(although sometimes I see some similarities :)
Phoebe is my child that we have a hard time reigning in. She loves to always be going, going, going, and doing, doing, doing. She is definitely the busiest child in the family.
Phun Phacts about Phoebe:
Smart. She loves to read. She has been in the spelling bee every year since 1st grade, has had the highest AR goal in her class, and one of the highest reading levels in her grade.
Music. She sang her first solo in sacrament meeting when she was barely 4 years old. She has a natural ability to sing. She has had roles in 2 plays. She also plays the piano.
Sports. You should see the girl play soccer! She is getting better every year, and loves to play goalie like her dad, but is also quite the little hustler as a defender or a forward. She also started on a competition softball team this fall with one of her lifelong bff's Emma. She is having a Blast, improving her game and being coached by the best.
Dance. Tap, Jazz and Ballet. She loves them all, and as a toddler/preschooler couldn't wait to get big enough to start ballet.
Friends. Phoebe is a great friend. She is very lucky to have so many great girls that live in our area. She has several that she has known since birth, but she just keeps making new ones, too.
Tween. She has been the definition of the word since the age of 7. All things fashion, social, music and movies that are on the tween scene. Something I should worry about? Probably...

I could obviously go on and on. Girlfriend is SO busy! But she likes it that way. She's a good girl, and we LOVE the special spirit that she brings to our home. Happy Birthday, Phoebe Jane!

Happy Birthday, Lucy!!!

4 years ago today, at 5:20 a.m. a little baby girl was born, weighing 8 lbs. 9 oz. and 20 inches long. We named her Lucy, which means "to shine, to bring forth light". At the time we thought it was fitting because she was born so early in the morning. Now we realize the real meaning of her name. Truly, Lucy shines, and has brought light into our home every day of her life!
We were so excited to have another baby girl in our family. Abby and Phoebe were such good little helpers, and Will was, and still is, the best big brother any little girl could have.
Another special thing about the birth of Lucy- the morning after she was born, my Grandpa Birt passed away. I like to say that when she came to earth, she opened a window of heaven so that Grandpa could return to heaven at the age of 96.
Happy birthday, Lucy. You are definitely a light in our family. We all love you very much!

kitchen chaos...part I

I've had several questions about my kitchen remodel. We are now one week into it, I finally took some pictures. Today they are sheetrocking, so it's getting pretty exciting. The demolition was kind of upsetting too me, and I started second guessing everything I had planned. I didn't get any pictures when it was totally gutted, like when the floor in one spot was ripped up and we had dirt crawl space floor for a few days. But it's still pretty bare. I got lights yesterday! Something that my 80 yr. old kitchen had very little of...very exciting! But still stressful. So many decisions!

insulation! something else we didn't have AT ALL in the old kitchen.
what was the "back porch" before...soon to be dining area.
there used to be a bathroom right here.

this is where my kitchen sink was and will be again. only a better version! and look at all those outlets! We only had 2 in the entire kitchen before, and they were the old non-polarized kind.
here's how we're living for now. (don't look too close, everything is messy) I feel like we are staying at an extended stay motel- table, fridge, microwave and various bags of groceries etc. strewn about the family room. The tight quarters are very frustrating to me! recycling is not happening for now, and I am using strictly paper and plastic dishes! UGH...the kids feel like we're on vacation, though.

Preschool...finally!

Buggy finally started preschool! She has been SO excited since the big kids started school, and last tuesday she finally got to go all by herself. She was a little confused, she thought the bus was going to pick her up and that she would have a desk and school lunch. Those were her 3 most exciting elements! Once she got over the disappointment, she settled for recess, a back pack, and snacks. She was hesitant for me to leave at first, but I just had to grit my teeth and leave the room, putting total trust in Miss Laney and Miss Sheryl. By the time I came to pick her up she was hugging her teacher and not ready to leave! This really was a big day for Lucy, because the girl hasn't left my side in the past 2 years. She wasn't quite so clingy as a baby, but since about 2 yrs old she has really been a mama's girl. Which is fine with me about half the time. The other half it makes me crazy! So now that she is learning to be independent, it is really making her a nicer girl. Finally getting over her terrible twos, I guess, just in time for Little Odie to enter them...and boy, is he ever!

Grandma Bev

This has been an emotional week for our family. Brandon's Grandma Bev passed away last Saturday. I've been struggling with this post all week, not quite knowing the best way to convey what we are feeling and thinking right now.

For FHE on Monday, we reminisced about Grandma Bev. It was fun to hear what the kids remembered about her, and some of the things Brandon told we hadn't heard before. (surprise, surprise ;)

Abby said she always thought of Grandma when she had Sunny D. Abby got a Sunny D every time she went to her house. She also will remember the $2 bills Grandma gave at Christmas time.

Phoebe remembers when Grandma Bev came to see her in Babes In Toyland last Christmas. Grandma told us how much she loved that every time we saw her since! Phoebs also said when they used to visit her that she liked to just sit and have little conversations with Grandma Bev.

Will remembers helping Pop mow Grandma Bev's lawn when he was really little. I think he was probably 2 years old. He used to almost knock Grandma Bev over with his running hugs he used to give. He always had a hug for Grandma Bev. He liked to get a Sunny D over there, too, after working in her yard.

Lucy remembers Grandma's teddy bears. She used to let her push the button on one that played a song. She also remembers giving her the sock monkey Gram made for her at Christmas.

Owen shares the Argyle name with Grandma Bev. When he got his Argyle sock monkey from Gram on his first birthday, Grandma Bev declared that she wanted one, too. My mom made one for us to give her for Christmas, and it was so fun to see how happy she was when we gave it to her. Also, one of Owen's favorite blankies was made by Grandma Bev.

Brandon remembers lots of things, of course, but I'll just share a couple. He remembers her taking him to get his haircut when he was a child. He remembers when his mom and Grandma Bev would come in to Taco Time while he was working. He said you always knew when Grandma Bev was there. She'd start yelling, "Brandon! Where's Brandon?" if he was in the back. That made my kids all laugh. I think they could picture it and hear Grandma Bev shouting his name.

When I first met Grandma Bev, Brandon and I were just dating. He took me over to her house to see his mom and sister, and cousin Amy. Grandma Bev's first words to me were "I'm Grandma Bev, and that's just what you'll call me!" So I have, ever since. I can't think of her without seeing her twinkling eyes and smile.

Brandon and I have both always felt the love Grandma Bev had for us and for each of our children. She will be missed dearly. We'll wear our Argyle plaid with pride, and love for Grandma Bev!

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Today is the birthday of my mother-in-law, Debbie,(a.k.a "Gramnell" at our house) For those of you that know what a super nice guy Brandon is, he got it straight from his mom. She is seriously one of the nicest people I know! She is a wonderful mom and is close to all 7 of her kids, who range in age from 34 (is that right, Michelle?) to 18 and are all very different! And as far as being a grandma goes, she is amazing. She makes all 5 of my kids feel special, and does super fun stuff with them whenever they are together. She is very selfless and giving. She is a wonderful cook and always puts together fabulous parties. She is also a great seamstress. She has made my kids awesome halloween costumes, and she made Phoebe's Little Miss Muffet dress when she was in Babes in Toyland. Mostly she is just fun to be around and is loved by all of us!

Debbie, I know you are having a rough week and may not even read this in the near future, but please know how much we all love you and appreciate every single thing you do for us. We hope your birthday is a good one, and we'll be thinking of you and praying for you all week.

So.....

So after the big speech last night, what do you think about her?


I think I like her. I'm not really into politics, but I think she is a good choice strategically for McCain. She has chosen some interesting names for her children, but she is very likeable, don't you think? Funny thing is, I get very annoyed at people who support Obama just because he is "likeable" or some kind of superstar or something.

pardon me, but....

I am CRAZY about this girl right now!

She positively glows! She is absolutely loving jr. high, and life in general, and it is such a relief to me.... She is by no means perfect, (her room is rarely clean and she is still mean to her sister sometimes) But wow, 12 is a super fun age! I wish I could bottle that enthusiasm for life and give it back to her in a few years, when I'm sure she'll be making me crazy in other ways. Right now, I'll enjoy every minute of it. Sometimes I am amazed that I gave birth to her.