the facts about ice.

to diane: it doesn't necessarily need to be sonic ice. the better term would be pebble ice, but sonic is the only place I know of close to me where I can buy it by the bag and bring it home.

so, let's talk about ice. I've always liked eating ice. It's always bothered my mother. you know, fingernails-on-the-chalkboard-bugged her. She can't be in the same room with someone eating chips or popcorn if it's too quiet so you can imagine how much she enjoys me chomping on my ice.

I never bought ice until my ice maker broke. I don't feel the need to buy what I already have provided for me, but when it was gone... well, that was a problem. so if I needed to buy and put it in my ice dispenser, well, I was gonna get the good stuff and it's not like it's more expensive. so I ate it by the cup-fulls for the better part of a year and I was hooked.

the thing about pebble ice is that it's not as hard as other ice. really. dad, don't roll your eyes. it's got more air in it or something, but it's not as dense and therefore easier to chew. it's "softer." and my dentist says it's just fine. just in case you were going to tell me it's bad for my teeth.

some people have their diet coke. some people have their chocolate. whatever. I like my ice. it's calorie-free and completely delicious to me and bringing me a bag of ice is just like bringing me a big present. I wouldn't forget ya. I have lived here for a few weeks without an ice maker or dispenser and have been trying to get by with grocery store ice out of a bowl in my freezer and it just wasn't cutting it anymore.

so now I have my ice. my mother doesn't have to listen to me eat it and my husband is patient. most of the time. no ice during 24. it's a rule.

sorry. everything I said yesterday is totally true. I don't mean to diminish any of that by posting again so soon, I just couldn't handle the furry spider legs at the top of my blog anymore. so I made his picture smaller and need to move him down a little.



to take up a little more space, let me review the errands of the morning:

- mail katy and christy's packages from the auction.
- drop off birth certificate and immunization records at potential new school. praying about that one.
- maybe drop off proof of residency at the library.
- pick up cooper's club pack we forgot yesterday.
- hit the park to celebrate miss olivia reaching her one-year mark... hooray!
- do not return home without bags of sonic ice. I already have the cooler in the car ready for transport.
- there was one more stop I needed to make. what was it???

I also need to mop my floors. been procrastinating. need to order mop michelle recommended.
glad it's friday.

today I learned…

 

- Heavenly Father will turn a day completely around for me.  This one started with me feeling stressed out and overwhelmed.  A quick minute to pray and it has turned out quite well.  I have had adequate energy to accomplish all I needed too.  I love help from heaven, there’s no better kind.

- I love hours without my children.  no, this is not new, but I enjoyed a few blissful, productive hours without them this morning and it was good for all of us.

- the right school for cooper is one that feels like home.  comfortable.  I think I might have found it.

- I still love fresh and easy.  a lot.  the lady didn't quite know what to say when I was checking out with six bags of granola and four bags of pretzels.  can't get them anywhere else, lady!

- I don't really need to shop at basha's again.  I paid twice for bread what I could have paid somewhere else.  and they don't have swim diapers.  they were friendly, though.

- I will not actually faint when faced with the narliest spider I've ever seen in real life.  big, hairy and completely heebie jeebie.  I will be totally freaked out, but I will woman up and take care of it.   

- I love good neighbors who like my kids.

- The second day of swimming lessons is not nearly as traumatic as the first.  for any of us.  This will be good.

-  I miss sonic ice so badly.  so much so that we went in search, only to find that the one we stumbled on had a broken ice machine.  curse.

-  cooper is quite tall for his age.  like taller than some 7-year-old friends.

- the african savanna has many interesting animals as well as countries.  I enjoyed my education today.  my child was a rhinoceros and said his part well. 

- If you happen to be without a diaper, a swim towel arranged just right will do just fine.

- the wind disrupts many plans and is kind of a pain.  but I'll take over the blizzard happening in the state northward.

wednesday

I had a bug in my ear tonight. It completely freaked me out. It was buzzing and flapping around in there, driving me batty!! I think I drowned it by putting water in my ear but then I lost all equilibrium. So, so, so weird. But Cooper said a prayer for me and now I'm fine. Thank goodness for five-year-olds and they're faith.

Swimming lessons for the little ones today was pretty much torture. I know they'll be fine, but, oh, the trauma. Can't tell you how much I miss Miss Erin today. That woman was magic for me, my kids and all of our confidence.

I'm so tired I can't think straight. Busy day tomorrow. hitting the sack.

today I heard...

the birds in my yard.
the toaster popping up waffles for breakfast.
the pool guys outside my bathroom.
toilets flushing.
crayons coloring on the table.
"mom, I need help with floppy." spelling words.
"mom, I gotta go potty!"
"popcorn popping" a dozen times.
the rrrrrrip of packaging tape at the shipping store.
the pleasant voice of the teller at the bank.
primary songs in the car
squealing on the tire swing at the park.
"mom, my state is botswana!"
tears on the phone during a great session
the buzz of a very loud insect stuck in between my window and screen.
complete silence during naptime.
"diaper, mom."
"push me higher!"
scooter wheels flying across my patio.
my refrigerator running.
the weed-eater next door.
water washing strawberries.
three very loud boys in my backyard being complete boys.
doors opening and slamming.
me crunching tortilla chips.
"oh man, broccoli?"
pork chops sizzling on the grill.

monday at home.

cereal for breakfast.
got spreadsheet and invoices out for joete's playground.
ran on the treadmill while kids watched a show.
took a shower (and scrubbed the shower) while beckham explored my bathroom cabinets.
cleaned the bathrooms.
practiced tracing triangles with the littles.
practiced counting by fives with coop.
assisted with spelling words.
reinforced that crayons stay on the paper 17 times.
sent the kids outside 57 times.
went for a walk/bike ride/ scooter stroll.
sent lunch outside.
changed beckham's sheets.
kicked myself for not taping on the diaper at nap time.
watched brothers and sisters.
killed a scorpion.
immediately called my pest control guys.
folded sheets.
washed more sheets.
ate popcicles.
updated budget spreadsheet.
went through all the mail.
made tuna pasta for dinner. everyone loved it.
attempted to teach the fact that cleaning up can take a long time or a short time. tonight it took a very long time.
dust-mopped all of the hard floor.
got through one lighting catalogue while hiding outside on the porch.
read stories.
brushed teeth.
said prayers.
sang songs.
reviewed african animal facts.
completed reading worksheet.
used oils for allergies.
hoping dad gets home soon.

updates.

My mom just left. What a bummer. I thoroughly enjoyed having her here. She got so much done around my house that I feel fully functional. I enjoyed her conversation, her spoiling all of us, a lunch date and unexpected shopping trip. I enjoyed her input as to what to do with certain spaces and such in this house. Taking her to the airport to head home was much too soon for me, but she was probably ready for a break!

The Mother's Day auction for Joete's Playground is over. It was fun to help organize and follow bidding. Not everything made it to value price, but enough went over that I think it can still be called a success. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Do doorbells ever wear out? Mine reminds me of my grandpa callister's grandfather clock when it would hit the top of the hour. It's long and loud. While I was nostalgic at first, my children ringing it incessantly is getting old.

Beckham found aerosol hairspray today and emptied a good portion of it in my bathroom. I'm not sure if the fumes will ever go away.

Katelyn ran the Ragnar this weekend. She killed it, I'm so gosh darn proud of her!

We have a new slide on the playset outside. The old one had a hole and while the kids learned to play around it, we are now free of any liability when visitors come over.

Denten is in Supai for a hearing, we're eating breakfast burritos for Sunday dinner without him.

I have broccoli, asparagus and summer squash in my fridge, cut up and ready to go. I'm going to throw it in all sorts of stuff this week... tonight it's eggs, tomorrow maybe pasta?

The weather is gorgeous. I have new flip-flops. The booster pump for the pool arrived this week... Summer is coming!

this week.

my mom is here. that means lots is getting done, blogging not included!

it's turned cold here. yes, cold. I'm back in my layers and slippers but my children are running barefoot in the backyard.

I've been having a hard time making a decision about school for coop next year. lots of great options is a good problem to have, but it's still a problem!

my laundry room is completely unpacked and organized. mom is a saint.

the den is almost there... fewer and fewer boxes every day.

music class is over for the summer. loved what he learned, looking forward to doing it again in the fall.

enjoyed pedicures with shellie thanks to ashlee. an hour is not enough time to catch up, even when getting our feet pampered.

went to get a physical today at native health services. it was a trial run for using their medical facilities. good care, but took a long time. then went to get fingerprints taken and that took even longer. was grateful for sodoku on my phone.

going on a date tonight. not sure where or what, don't really care. just excited to go.

gram just pulled in with dinner... I'm out.

don't forget to take advantage of the last day!! http://www.joetesplayground.com/

getaway!

are you kidding me?

a full weekend away for less than $150??

including meals, hotel stay and entertainment...

this is an awesome deal!

Meal for two at Cracker Barrel

Two tickets to Tuacahn Amphitheatre

Gift Certificate to Cafe Rio

One night stay at Best Western Abbey Inn

Swim Towel

Speedo Flip Flops

Shell Necklace

Sun Hat

Small vintage floral trunk


Value $230.00
Starting bid $120.00

only two days left... please be generous!

thank you very much to those of you who have been supportive of this cause, you have no idea how much we appreciate it!!

more fun!

This one is fantastic!

There may have been a certain member of Joete's Playground that might have seriously considered keeping it for herself when it came in... (and no, it wasn't me! although I think it's darling.)

The "self-reflection" package contains:

A fun green tote bag AND a brown w pink polka dots tote
Brown Photo Album with Green and Teal Polka Dots
"Life's Alphabet Soup: When your Children Make You Eat Your Words" by Terri Ferran
Mead 8.5 x 10.5 inch journal
"Live Happy, Inspirational Thoughts on Life, Love, and Laughter"
Italian Leatherette Journal
"Mother's Daze" by Jane Isfeld Still
Liberty Tapered Bin
Socks to Stay Home In
Stuck on you-laugh notes
Studio C Monthly Planner/Calendar
Two packages of Hallmark Blank Notecards


This package is worth more than $130 and the bidding begins at just $70!

It's adorable and would be great for any wonderful woman in your life.

I'm also going to throw out there that there is an energy session up for grabs, valued at $100. It's combined with other great stuff that makes another amazing gift.

Go to www.joetesplayground.blogspot.com

Pick your favorite and let me know. I'll very discretely let your husband, son or significant other know that they should get on pronto and bid on your behalf! Really, I will. And I'll be clever and sly and they'll never know you told me. What a great plan.

A major thanks for those of you who are spreading the word about this... we love you forever!

Eat Cake

How darling is this?!

There is a woman in your life that would think this was a fantastic gift!

and we'll ship it right to her... easy-peasy for you!

This "Eat Cake" gift collection includes:

Floral apron
White cake stand
Red and white mixing bowl
blue measuring cups
blue measuring spoons
2 wooden spoons
blue spatula
cupcake baking papers
polka dot sprinkles
cupcake decorating press
Betty Crocker Cake Mix
3 dish towels
2 quilted hot pads
wooded blocks ‘ENJOY’
Devils Food Cake by Josi S. Killpack



This collection is valued at over $105.00, but you may start the bidding at a mere $50!!

wanna see more super stuff??

visit www.joetesplayground.blogspot.com

for fantastic mother's day baskets!

and spread the word... 'cause I know you're good like that.

THIS IS IT!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, the time has come!!!

Joete's Playground is hosting its Mother's Day auction HERE and it begins tomorrow!!

Joete's was founded a few years ago by my amazing sister, Lindsay.

You can read all about the non-profit organization HERE.

We have had fabulous people and companies donate fantastic things to this auction... so please check it out, let your friends know and bid on something great for the women in your lives!

All proceeds from the auction will go directly to new playgrounds that Joete's has in the works, so be generous! Give the mothers in your life a fantastic gift and help impoverished children at the same time. We'll ship the gifts directly to mom, or wherever you'd like them to go, it's so easy!

And... if you'd be so kind, it would be very much appreciated if you'd repost this on YOUR blog to get the word out. Thanks, bloggies... you're the best!!

it’s the little things…

 

-like finally getting to rosa’s after months of hearing it’s the best place to eat in mesa.  and in good company, no less.

-  brushing my teeth with cold water.  the cold water knob in my bathroom has been leaky so we have had it turned off since we moved in.  it made today’s project list… cross one more thing off!

-  having ceiling fans installed instead of random wires hanging from the ceiling.

- two boxes of oranges fresh from the tree ready to go to supai next weekend.

-  belgian waffles with cream and fresh strawberries for dinner.

-  cooper having a blast with his new neighbor friends.

-  navigating home depot on a saturday morning with three children who can not, for the life of them, sit still in a cart.

-  an afternoon at the pool with great friends.

-  stellar naps from the little ones.

- everyone playing basketball outside after dinner.

 

a good friends day.

** note regarding previous mopping post: that IS a new mop! Denten bought me "presents"... he came home with an industrial-sized dust mop and this thing. The little sponge mop doesn't even come close to cutting it with this floor. The mop is a beast... it's heavy! but it helps my floors sparkle. and mom, I'm all for a maid! Bummer there isn't a "maid" category in my budget!

On to today...

We found our new library today and then hit the park. Just so happened another ward was having playgroup and we jumped right in. One of the kids also attends Cooper's new preschool and after getting over the initial shyness, they had a ball together. Coop has been asking to have a friend over every day, but has had trouble remembering the names of his playmates at school. He was in heaven today with someone his own age to run around with. We will definitely have to make that happen more often.

Shellie just "happened" to be in the neighborhood today. That has happened a few times and Denten thinks it's hilarious. Somehow we've still managed to see each other a couple times a week and I hope it never ends. After spending an hour scheming about my house, her career, children, school, projects and such, she went on her merry way.

Then I wandered to my new neighbor's house to find Cooper who had been whisked away by two boys next door. I spent the next hour visiting with my new next-door neighbor and watching our children run and play and splash in her pool. She is absolutely no Shellie, in fact shellie would probably die if she saw my neighbor's house... but it was nice to get to know each other, compare notes on the kids and this new area. Her boys are great kids, fun and polite. She is a super resource for all of the home projects we've got in the works. There was a slight bit of discouragement knowing that no matter how great a person is, it takes a lot of time to develop a completely comfortable relationship, but it's reassuring knowing that we are connected in our desire for the best for our kids, the things we love about this neighborhood and fixing up an old house! And, it's a very good thing to have someone that I can borrow a cup of sugar from, when the time comes.

mopping

 

mopping has become very serious business.

 

events

*two minutes after I put beckham down for a nap he had stripped his shorts and diaper and wet in his sheets. this was two minutes before I was supposed to be on the phone for an energy call. I was superwoman changing his sheets and duct-taping a diaper on him and putting him back to bed quick as a bunny!

*seneca has been in agony for an hour. I let girls keep their blankets when they stay in their beds. It was so so so sad. Her blanket went straight into the washing machine and it was like I cut off her right arm. I'm sure she'll remember to stay in bed tomorrow.

*my children are learning that roses are not friendly. I'm not really a rose bush person. They are not especially pretty and there are other plants that I'd prefer in my yard, but we have them nonetheless. seneca can't help herself when there are flowers present, she just has to pick them. she learned rose bushes are pokey. and so did cooper.

*cooper is learning about africa in preschool and has been reviewing all sorts of cool facts about african animals.

* denten is using his new shop. he's building us a stand for the tv so we can use the hideous entertainment center that came with the house. this house is making him so handy!

* my new relief society presidency came to see me today. I will sorely miss sandi grandberry, but these ladies are nice. I'm excited to get to know the people around me.

*I finally organized my pantry today. I've been stalling hoping that lindsay would just show and do it for me, but seems as though she has her own life and it doesn't revolve around me, dang it.

* I shopped with coupons for the first time in a long time today. I'm trying to decide the best way to do that without it taking an extreme amount of effort to catch a great deal.

* I am missing dinner group big time. Having to plan a meal for every night of the week is killing me! I need to get organized in that area.

The Homestead

  

 

here is the listing if you’re really that curious.

http://www.thosecallaways.com/Visitor/listings_fetch.php?id=2088&update=true

things to note when viewing the listing:

- we did not pay that much for this house!

- the living room is red in the photo.  is it now a lovely shade of “favorite tan.”

- the kitchen is not that color anymore either.

- the master bath is just as amazing as it appears in the photo.

- the grass is green now!

when I have time to wander around with a wide-angle lens, I’ll give you my own tour.  this will have to do for now.

I have a new toilet. I love it. It is white, normal-sized and of this century rather than ivory, quite short and ancient. And it has a dual-flush option... this was denten's choice. He installed it all by himself last night. I have enjoyed it all day.

He is currently giving me a new kitchen faucet. It looks good in there, but I'm steering clear as there are grunts and expletives coming from under the sink.

Enjoyed a swim date today. It was a little windy, but the water was nice. It's nice to have amy close seeing as the rest of my friends are oh, so far away.

Our yard looks fantastic. Well, compared to what it looked like when we moved in. We had a couple of guys working out there all day today finishing what we started saturday. they hauled away A LOT of yard waste. and my old toilet. I could barely communicate with them, but they did a stellar job.

My room is finally unpacked. and my bathroom, which I was procrastinating. Perhaps now I'll take a picture for you. Then you will understand why I was dragging my feet in there. oh, it's a treat.

Joete's Playground is hosting it's Mother's Day auction next week. It is going to be fantastic! I'll post soon about the details and would be forever grateful if you would do the same!

observations.

 

- my new ward does not get new people often.  we were a novelty today.  quite the change from sophx where people were in and out all the time.

-  everyone, and I mean everyone, arrives at church early.  it was 10:50, the chapel was full, everyone was quiet and listening to the prelude music.  quiet.  as in there were not 10 two-year-olds squawking about, there was not visiting or people scurrying to their seats.  I was thinking, this is how things should be... this is what prelude music is for.  although, I wasn't sure about the extra 10 minutes of trying to get my kids to sit reverently.  one sacrament meeting is enough for them.

-  seeing as the other children were either asleep or out in the hall, my children seemed to be wearing microphones. 

-  I have not been that impressed with a ward choir ever.  the turnout was amazing and the quality spectacular.  I remember being blown away by the Babidges in NY, and honestly, nothing can top that, but this was quite impressive.

-  both the relief society and gospel doctrine teachers were very well-prepared.  they delivered great lessons and after being in primary for the last while, it was a treat to just sit and listen.  I liked the reminder that the holy ghost functions for us in the same way that the liahona did for Lehi.  as long as we are doing what we should, it will guide, direct, comfort, teach, protect and warn.

-  my little ones increased nursery numbers by 50%.

- this ward is not home yet.  it's not comfortable and I missed the familiar of vineyard, but I'm holding out hope that this will be great.  we knew when we moved here that there would not be as many young families, and that we reiterated today.  it felt a little like visiting one of our parents' wards.  the youth program is strong and huge.. which means great baby-sitters for me!

-  the pasta sauce was nearly perfect tonight and I didn't burn the cookies.  maybe I'll get the hang of this kitchen yet.

- I slept for a solid 90 minutes today.  that was heaven.

pre-haircuts, pre-move. 

saturday

I filled more black garbage bags with yard waste than we know what to do with. Denten cleaned and trimmed the heck out of this yard. He cut down more than a dozen weed trees. seriously, they had trunks.

I am much more familiar with home depot than I ever cared to be.

I own a new toilet and a new kitchen faucet. I am very excited about both. I hope it isn't a month before they are installed.

I had a man spend two hours laying out the options to redo the cabinets in my kitchen. I appreciated his time, his opinion and the quality of product, but really... does he think I'm made of money?

to answer a few questions: deirdre, this is far from a mansion! that word holds the idea of "fancy" to me and this house is far from fancy! although, I do have gold-plated faucets...
shellie, when the time comes to rid the walls of the church carpet, you may be the first to tear it down.
katelyn, there are so many weekend projects here I'll be doing them until I die. come on over anytime and set up a schedule for me!
torey, as for seeing the big picture, you'll have to be patient. I don't have any one room put together enough yet to photograph!

I did finish unpacking the kitchen today. found my cookie sheets and put my crock pots away (I only have two..)
met some neighbors today, we have good people around us.

the homestead: surfaces

this should be a game…  guess where these are found in my home… or, which is your favorite??  seriously, I’ve got some winners here!

all sorts of random

today I am grateful for:

- functioning appliances.

my family room carpet shows EVERYTHING. I am realizing how great the carpet was in sophx... it hid a lot of dirt! I love my vacuum and the fact that my carpet is now clean. although, that is a monstrous piece of carpet to vacuum.

I am grateful to have a functioning washer and dryer. they are modern conveniences I would not want to do without for very long. I also appreciate the invention of the microwave.

- I am also grateful for repairmen who show up the same day I call. I have been grateful for this every day this week.

- I am grateful that my children do not know how to fully tell time. They are all going to bed early tonight.

- I am grateful for fantastic weather.

- I'm grateful for pest control guys. we have all sorts of good stuff here!

- I am grateful for a functioning vehicle. we've spent a lot of time in it lately.

- I am grateful for fresh and easy. it is not intimidating to shop there when I have all my kids with me. for some reason it is exhausting to me to go anywhere bigger.

- I am grateful for cooper's cute face.

- I am grateful that I do not normally live in this current state of exhaustion. I could seriously just sit down and fall asleep at any time. This is not normal for me and I don't appreciate it very much.

Things I could use my angels' help with:

- organizing the pantry
- finding a place for my crock pots
- finding places for the piles of stuff on my kitchen counters
- lining my bathroom drawers so I can unpack in that room
- unpacking the den
- getting the laundry room put away
- helping beckham sleep normal hours
- putting $100,000 in my bank account
- hanging pictures on my walls
- getting my printers connected and functioning
- creating about 5 hours of time for me to sleep
- putting away toys. someone ought to take pity on my children. I figure if the toys are still packed in boxes, they aren't making a mess in my house!
- find the rest of my clothes
- find my cookie sheets
- find coop's music bag
- unpack my shoes

Right now I love that my children are in the backyard eating cookies from the neighbors and pushing each other on the swings.

how's that for random?

the homestead: at my feet

the stuff I walk on.  don’t be jealous.

    

at the homestead: looking up

 

A photo tour for you.

These are images I see when I look skyward in my new (old) home.