Taquito night...

Every Saturday and Sunday night my husband mosies into the kitchen and makes me a wonderful spread of Mexican food. It's a tradition that has taken place nearly every weekend for the past 11 years. Sounds healthy doesn't it?? If his taquitos weren't so darn good, I wouldn't be so darn addicted. I love that he does this for me. He's my Mexican food buddy.

Loud...

Do you have any idea what it's like to have three boys in the house playing board games? Well I will tell you....IT'S LOUD. It's obnoxious. It involves yelling, teasing, and even a little tormenting. I have a feeling that the older they get the louder it will get. I couldn't help smiling to myself at how fun it is to have all these kids. Loud yes, but also a whole lot of fun.

Christmas Day....

The kids had us up by 7:30am today. Not bad compared to the usual 6am christmas wake up call. What a great day it has been. I love when the kids open their gifts. We don't buy stuff for our kids all that much so when Christmas comes it's super fun and exciting for everyone involved.

We also cooked a big turkey dinner and have pretty much been hanging around in our pj's all day. We're getting ready to have some pie and watch the sound of music....the original. (The one with Carrie underwood was not worth watching)

Merry Christmas!!!!

Christmas Eve heaven...

Let's face it, Christmas is fun, but Christmas Eve??? It's the very best of all. All the anticipation is what makes me christmas giddy. We baked all day yesterday. I made myself go running in the morning because I knew if I did I would be in a good mood the rest of the day and I was right. 

We reinacted the nativity and ate goodies. And of course the kids opened up their christmas Jammie's... One of our treasured traditions.

The girls left cookies out for Santa and then Chris myself and the older kids watched its a wonderful life. Our favorite.

This dad is on fire.....

Literally. Chris was leaning against the stove today telling me a story when suddenly Christian yells "dad! Look!!!" Chris felt the heat permeating his back and yells to me "sweetie I'm on fire!" (I think it's pretty sweet that he called me sweetie in such a crisis.) I started beating his back with a broom...and he was saved. Thank goodness he had on two shirts today. 

When mama gets sick...

Just the other day I was saying how I haven't been sick with the flu in I don't even know how long. Why do I say things like this out loud? I woke up in the middle of the night completely down and out. I absolutely and positively hate being the sick one. I like taking care of my children and husband when sick...but hate being the one who has to lay in bed feeling like crap.

On the bright side...Chris has done so much to run the house/kids. Connor took my temperature...his idea. And grace and Scarlett made me pics and wrote me notes about getting better. And all the others have made an effort not to argue and fight. Sheesh I'm a lucky girl. Now if this can pass quickly I will be even luckier.

Surreal...

Do you ever feel like you're living in a dream? After finding these photos I felt this way. I couldn't believe how little my four oldest were. It was so vivid and yet so blurry and far away. I miss these angels. My life was so different then. I had so many young ones and plans for more. Now I'm raising teenagers, middle schoolers and thankfully I still have a few young ones. At this rate though, they will all be in college, serving missions or married before I can blink. I can tell you this much, these days they wouldn't be caught dead in the bathtub together.

Distractions I'm thankful my mama didn't have...

My memories of childhood are sweet and good. I was never lonely and always had someone to play with. I'm so thankful to both my parents for the lovely memories I have been blessed with.

I especially want to say how thankful I am that my mom didn't have a computer. I can't even imagine her being on Facebook, or blogging...or texting, or looking at safari on her phone. She was always there. Yes, she had laundry and cleaning and all that motherly stuff, but I am so glad I grew up in a time where I didn't have to say "mom?....mom?...mom?" Before she finally looks up from her phone. I make this mistake often. I recently read an article titled "how to miss a childhood." It named several mistakes I personally make regarding how to manage time. I'm grateful because it reminded me once again to put it all down. To pick up a book and read it to my children. To put my phone where I can't hear or see it. 

I'm thankful for my sweet sweet wonderful babies (and yes...they are ALL still my little babies.

Whatever it takes to stay young...

Okay so about a year ago I started to realize I wasn't getting any younger. I wondered if there was any kind of creams or lotions that I could use that might actually help prevent wrinkles. So being the OCD person that I am, I went a little research crazy. I found about 1000 different creams and lotions, all priced skyhigh that claimed to help prevent wrinkles. I thought to myself "well there it is, I'm too poor to be pretty...oh well."but luckily I didn't give up on my research, and I found the simplest tool to help prevent wrinkles. And being that I am a cheapo, I found a way to afford it. So I will pass this along to those that don't want to get old either.

So ready for the big beauty secret???? Retin-a. Yep, remember that stuff people used (and still do) to clear up acne? It's a miracle drug for beautiful smooth skin. In fact, when I started using it a year ago I noticed a difference about four months into using it. I have used it 3 to 4 times a week ever since and my skin has never felt softer. It feels as soft as when I was 25. (I know I don't look 25 but my skin feels comparable to when I was that age.) My only regret, is that I didn't know about this in my 20s. Research shows that the longer you use it the better your skin will be. It is outrageously priced in the states, so I get mine through a Canadian pharmacy. I save bucks this way...big time.

One other beauty secret (not that I am the best example for beauty) is Latisse, for growing eyelashes. Mine have always been short and flimsy, and about two years ago I found latisse through an online pharmacy and again I can get it for way cheaper than in the states. My eyelashes are twice as long as they used to be.

I do have to say, that as I get older I find I have to find little tricks likes these to continue to feel young... But if it makes me feel younger, I am all about it!

An angel and a mouse...

One thing I love about our town is The Nutcracker performance that is put on by our local ballet where we live. Grace had the opportunity to participate last year, and this year both Grace and Scarlett had the chance. Scarlett was a baby mouse (just incase you couldn't figure that out) and Grace...a sweet little angel...very fitting. Chris and I were so proud. Especially of Scarlett simply because she's soooo shy. Yet, she was brave, and never once complained. They are both so lovely and so very loved. 

36 years ....

I can't decide which I love better...mothers day, of my birthday. I love both these days because Chris and the kids really do make such a concerted effort to make me feel loved and appreciated. It also means I might not have to do laundry. I like that part. Chris started celebrating my birthday last night by asking things like "can I make you a special breakfast?" Or "I'm going to make dinner tomorrow night." Things like this mean more to me than any gifts I could ever receive.

How do I feel about turning 36? Well it helps that my husband is 8 years older than me...I know I can't catch up to him so I always feel younger, and since he's a guy and doesn't really care about his age he's cool with this too. 

I'm thankful that in this day and age, pics can be edited. You'll have to see me in person to know I have wrinkles and that kinda makes me happy.

Cheers to not being 40....yet.

$7...

This morning I went running. It was 15 degrees out. Less than five minutes into my run my hands were so cold they became numb. 15 minutes in, they began to seize and I kept having to stretch out my fingers to keep them from cramping. 30 minutes in they began to ache and throb. 45 minutes later when I finally finished all I could think about was getting my hands warm. It was my only priority.

This made me think about those that have no place to call home. This topic always is a sad one but at Christmas time it's even more sad. 

Last week while visiting family we were getting ready to leave Fred Meyer. We saw a man about 50 years old with a long beard searching through a small trash can outside the store. He found a Starbucks coffee that had about a 1/4 cup left in it. He devoured it in seconds and walked away. My heart broke. We decided to follow him. We stopped beside him and asked if he needed anything...he said in a childlike voice "food would be nice." I looked back at Halee and the tears came from both of us...we had an unspoken heartache that is hard to explain. Chris asked him to meet us at Burger King a block away. We purchased the biggest burger, fries and coffee we could find. It only costed me $7 to feed a man who needed food. The smile on his face as he walked away stuffing fries into his mouth, is one that I will not soon forget.

I learned a lesson in the process. I need to give more. In all honesty I'm not very giving. I could do so much better. I'm so grateful this opportunity came up because my children had the chance to learn how important it is to love.

Family, I love you...

Yes...we FINALLY got our little sister out to visit. It's been over five years since she came this way. She has four children that have fallen in deep love with...not that kind of love. The kind where u want to pinch the crap out of your nieces and nephews cheeks. They are terrific, respectful, loving, obedient children. Gina, you done good.

April, Gina and I all went out by ourselves one night and that was a blast. I loved watching April laugh so hard she thought she might pee. I don't know what was funnier, her having to pee, or the panic in her eyes that she might. It was fun and only could have been better having David and Joely with us. My kids always say we all sound alike and have the same mannerisms...and that's a huge compliment to me, because I think they are all hilarious and amazing. 

And as always, I loved seeing my mom and dad. Without them I wouldn't have all these terrific siblings.

More cruise photo's...

Cruising down the ocean...

Okay, so my best friend Tammy and I escaped from witch mountain...just kidding (isn't that a movie?) we escaped from home to go on a cruise to Cozumel and Grand Cayman islands. We were gone one week. It was so relaxing and rejuvenating. I don't know that I have laughed so hard in a long time. Tammy even laughed so hard she cried... Literally. We both find the oddest things completely hilarious. 

I learned a few things that I knew already but had solidified. I have a husband that is truly a keeper. The fact that he would sacrifice like he did touches my heart. He gives me wings and I am eternally grateful to be married to such a giving, loving man.

The other thing is that I realized what a great friend I have in Tammy. We never once got in each other's nerves. We can laugh together, support each other, listen to each other. It's truly a two way friendship. I know she would never say an unkind word about me, even though she might have good reason. I feel blessed to have her as such a devoted and most of all FUN friend that "gets" my quirky weird personality.

Not only did I miss my husband but I missed my kids, and my goodness, they are happy to have their crazy mama home again.

Tammy is the only one who will get this but...ELVIS LIVES.

The joys of family photo's...

Boy do I have a patient best friend. I begged her (actually all I had to do was ask) to take our family pictures. She is super talented and super cheap (free) it pays to know talented people. But I gotta tell you, my kids...at least a few of them, were kind of a pain in the neck about the whole process. I mean, my friend did every trick she could possibly think of to get the giggles and silly faces out, but my kids were not budging. In the end though, we got one photo that I love. One is enough for me. :)

Trick or treat...

I was kinda super happy this year when Halee decided she wasn't too old to go trick or treating. I mean, yes...she really is too old, but I'm not ready for my baby to be too old yet! I love Halloween and it makes me smile to see my kids experience what me and my siblings got to experience. Halloween is one of my favorite childhood memories of all time.

This is me...

Um, I can honestly say I've done this more than a dozen times. I think I'm a little OCD.

Bloody brains....

Sorry the pics are dark. Last night I made bloody brains (meatloaf that is) and pumpkin shaped potatoes via my friend who has a cooking blog (Lauren's latest.)It was super yummy. We also carved our pumpkins and ate apple pie. A truly fattening yet delicious and fun night. I love Halloween.

Sleeping beauties...

Sleeping pictures touch my heart, I won't lie. The more I can get of them the happier and fuzzier I start to feel. Especially when they are snuggled up together like this. Oh my goodness, I love my children.

Harvest hustle...

Tammy and I did the harvest hustle 10k today. Talk about a hilly course. There was a total of I think 5 people running the 10k. You gotta love a small group of runners. You kinda feel like family. It was sweaty, fun, tiring, and a bit of a mental challenge but totally worth it.

Champion...

Connors last game of the season was today. They won their championship game today and I just want Connor to know how proud I am of him. None of us missed a single game because we all love him so much and have been so happy to see him succeed. He had an excellent coach that we will miss. He really helped give Connor the confidence and playing time that he needed. Great job Connor.

This makes me smile...

Um I LOVE THIS FACE....even if it is covered in leftover Cheetos.

Game night...

So Friday night I decided to do something a little different with the kids. Sometimes we get sick of watching movies, so this time we had our very own game night. I bought monopoly and nuts and candy, put the younger ones to bed and stayed up late with the four oldest. It was hilarious watching the kids laugh their heads off. They may fight like no other but when it comes down to it, they are best of friends. Ahem...I won by the way.

More museums and good news...

Ok so halee took her learners permit test and while the kids and I waited we visited yet another museum. This one was fun because everything was old days, big time. Using a type writer was seriously so flipping weird. I miss those days. P.S halee passed!