Cheesy laughs

need a good laugh? this guy is hysterical - sometimes to crack meg up I make up new lyrics to songs - its never this funny!!

I saved the funniest for last:

I love...

to see the Temple.

Temple Worship: The Source of Strength and Power in Times of Need

Kyle and I, it seems are going to make it to Ward Temple Night after all

new dress - check (thanks mom)

babysitter - check (thanks Kedra)

temple recommend - check (thanks Bro. Egan and Bro. Tolbert)

- no thanks to you Maiya who I am blaming for losing mine - since you like to dump out my purse.

Ella's look back

Ella saw yesterday's blog and wanted some pics of her first day of kindergarten up too:

I am not blogging because

first a look back - Here is Benjamin on his first day of Kindergarten - You are not going to believe this but I did not step foot in that school on his first day - He got on the bus and then he took the bus home - WITHOUT ME. And he was SOOO proud of himself for doing so - I consider it a gift I gave him - a gift so few kids get a taste of anymore- Independence. He is now nine and he can go into the store and buy something without me, go into the library without guidance, go to the park, meet new people, jump into situations - without a parent hovering near.

and then this past monday...

my kids getting on the bus on the first day of school - gasp.

I caused enough controversy on Facebook when I criticized helicopter parents - This time of year makes it soooo hard for me to bite my tongue. Its everywhere - parents stunting their childrens' growth and independence with affluence and worry and general overbearing hovering. I can't read another blog, or have another conversation about picking kids up, walking them in, whispering about gifted and talented, or which teacher has the "bad" kids, or which teacher has all the kids who need help with reading.....

I am GOING TO SCREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love texas, I love the schools here, but

the moms here make me want to box up the house and move

" Hothouse parenting has hit the mainstream - with disastrous effects. Parents are going to ludicrous lengths to take the lumps and bumps out of life for their children, but the net effect of parental hyper-concern and scrutiny is to make the kids more fragile. When the real world isn't the discomfort free zone kids are accustomed to, they break down in myriad ways. Why is it that those who only want the best for their kids wind up bringing out the worst?"

- Hara Estroff Marano

update - after I walked away I thought this will just come off as purely judgemental - and it is in a sense but I really wrote it so other mothers who feel the way I do will know that they don't have to keep up with other helicopters at all - its like we breed fear within each other instead of common sense - so that is my goal to be the voice of common sense. Put your kids on the bus, don't email the teacher daily, don't care where your kid's reading level compares - LOVE them and let them be free and then you will be also.

Last Saturday ever

As we went over the hill to Lake Ray Roberts - Ella said "it might be busy because its the last Saturday ever - I mean the last Saturday before school starts"

It was a little busy but not as bad as the malls I would guess - being "tax free" weekend and all.

I figure tax free only saves you $8 for every $100 you spend - so we shopped for school shoes before the rush. Besides my mom has spoiled me big time as of late. She made my life easier by buying the kids some school clothes online - and she got me that AWESOME FOOD PROCESSOR, light switch extenders for Maiya, and resuable drinking straws - I mean what else could make life easier???? Photos of the food processer doing awesome things to follow!!! For now there are towels from the lake to be washed.

Remember that pretty bride?

I was honored to attend their sealing ceremony at the Dallas LDS Temple - I couldn't help but daydream of attending my children's sealing ceremonies one day. Then I read this article today - its an old article but I found it today - and it made me smile - because one of the best things about a Temple Marriage is you can go to the Temple again and again and remember those crucial covenants.

Mormon Weddings are built to last

Questions I get a lot

Just in case you want to ask too I'll answer them all:

Is you hair naturally curly?

why yes, yes it is - and yes I have hated it at times, but I love it now. life is too short and unpredicatable to not love your body!

Are you ready for school to start?

No not really, I like having my chicks in my nest. I like sleeping in - yes I am one of the lucky ones - my kids let me sleep - till about 8 or 8:30 - sometimes almost till 9 - Benjamin watches Cora until they are all too hungry. I also like making them help with chores - Having Lots of kids means lots of mess - but it also means lots of helpers. I haven't baked alone in years - and one day I will miss little fingers in the flour and picking out egg shells.

Is Maiya going to preschool?

No...The beauty of a financial crisis is you go back to the basics. I am a stay at home mom to be with my kids. The early years are special and important. We did "preschool" before - I thought it was needed. Then I went through the kids' boredom of kindergarten when they start back at what they already know. Isn't kindergarten supposed to be prepatory for school - why do we have to prepare them for the preparation? The article in the Ensign captured how I feel about it perfectly:

Instead of hiring professionals to teach your children skills and hobbies, consider doing so yourself or calling upon neighbors or extended family members. Teach your children skills that will help the family now—and help your children later—to save money and generate independence. My father taught our son carpentry one summer; another summer my mother helped me teach our daughters how to bottle and freeze vegetables.

Trade lessons with other families. Perhaps while you give your neighbor’s children art lessons, your neighbor could give your children music lessons.

With time and dedication, a mother can give her children a rich preschool experience. Consult the Internet for ideas, and use your local library. Using the library is a great way to save money. Rather than buy books, CDs, and movies, check them out from the library.

How are things with Kyle's job?

Good, very good, but not perfect. He will be working more at his night job (tutoring Anatomy and Physiology online) and one of us will probably be taking work on Saturdays - we are in a mad dash to pay off the A/C. - But my biggest overall feeling is just pure gratitude that he has a steady good job when there are so many still looking!

Are these all your kids?

yes

Do you know what causes that?

yes, yes we do and we enjoy it very much

Want a good deal on Kid's clothes?

sign up to volunteer at the Just Between Friends Consignment sale and you get in way early to shop the HUGE consignment sale before the other shoppers!!! - don't need clothes? - come Christmas shop - the toys are in such good shape your kids will never know!!!!

Volunteer opportunities HERE

I think I can, I think I can

get it? canning? get it?

I know its not that funny, but I did can some more peaches today...

I have got the food storage fever - I always put off really organizing and planning out our storage better - Even though my Aunt Beth always said I had enough food in the house to feed an army - I really didn't and there was not a concentrated effort toward food storage. But a few things have happened:

1. the obvious - Kyle got laid off and it scared the HELL out of me - I refuse to be unprepared again. - If you were uber impressed by Janette's blog stating the same sentiment, with pictures of her gobs and gobs of canned goodies - I feel the same and she is a total inspiration!!!

2. I thought it would cost more to actually get "food storage" but thanks to all I've learned from friends and the wonderful world of blogging I can see its so much cheaper to stock up when prices go down. - These peaches for example were .39 a pound.

3. Our budget and "spend with cash" system has actually given me more freedom to plunge into buying MORE food storage - I have money earmarked each paycheck (not much either -about 20-30 dollars to double up on things - and its SAVING us money!!

Now if Aldi's would just come to North Dallas already I would be a happy, happy girl!!! I honestly daydream about that grocery store - seriously its sad. Having done a price list for a while now I obsess about rock bottom prices - this store would be a dream come true!!

future goals:

• converting an upstairs closet for food storage with an awesome system in it - like shelf reliance
• canning with a pressure cooker
• making my own salsa and tomato sauce/ spaghetti sauce -- do I dare?
• canning something I grew

sidenote update -- my hanging garden worked out just fine. My squash took off, except I am an idiot and only had one squash plant so it couldn't cross pollinate so nothing ever came from its pretty flowers. The tomatoes did ok but I got lazy and unmotivated because of the lost squash and didnt' water enough.

I do want to garden but I think I save more by buying produce in bulk when on sale than spending lots on gardening.

here is some video of Cora saying hello on the phone...

oh mercy

why do things get the price reduced by 100 dollars when you are broke?

If you have more money than me and want a good food processor this one is now $148 on amazon - normally 249 - it has a good rating on consumer reports, but the feature that makes me drool are the flat front buttons - no buttons to hold junk in between them that you can't quite get out no matter what you do

do you have an amazon wish list? - they are awesome, a place to keep track of all the little things you want one day when there is enough money at the end of the month - or when Grandma asks what the kids want and nothing immediately comes to mind - now its on the amazon wish list!

Miss Maiya - first in a series

take not of the trim she did to her bangs - rrrrrrrr

Miss Maiya has had a little bit of a hard time competing for mom's attention and finding her place in the mix of things without fighting or annoying (on purpose) her way through this summer.

So she goes first in my interview series:

Hello Miss - what is your name:

rolling her eyes at me "Maiya Ohyahkawla" - its a tough last name even if you're born with it

Tell me a little bit about yourself:

"I play with Ella"

What is it that you like to play?

"Hide and Seek"

What makes you happy?

"Being nice"

What makes you sad?

"People sneeking up and jumping on me"

Where is your favorite place to go in the car?

"Chuck E. Cheese" we have never gone there with her - I think maybe Meg took them

What would you like to be when you grow up?

"A big kid"

Do you think you will learn to read this year?

"uh-huh"

What is your favorite outfit?

"T-shirts and jeans" - she is totally lying here - she hates jeans and she wears 2-3 outfits a day mostly pajamas, swim suits, and dresses

What do you think about President Obama's Healthcare reform initiative?

"I don't know what that is"

How much money do you think it costs to feed your family for a month?

"I think 5 dollars"

What is your favorite Primary Song?

"I lived in Heaven"

she runs off singing I lived in Heaven a long time ago it is trewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww....................

Slow summer ending

Is it that time again already? Time when back to school commercials interrupt cartoons?

I never really want to be the kind of mom who asks everyday of summer when the kids will be back in school. I like being with my kids and having them home. Even when I think they will push my sanity to the brink. I even attempt homeschooling in my mind (but I know better).

This has been a fun summer - even if it was a "lets do what we can that's FREE" summer - it was a lot of fun. The journals I tried to make them write in everyday has offered a lot of fun for Kyle and I as we read them late at night.

I feel like we got to a do a few more things than we did last summer when a newborn joined us and I did all the fun things that a mom of a newborn does - which isn't too much.

The other night at dinner as we talked about backpacks and haircuts and meet the teacher night - Ella says "When are you going to give us a blessing Dad? My heart was touched that she had this on her mind and she was very excited to receive it. Kyle told her that the Sunday before school starts he will give all the children blessings. My heart was full -

How very cool

My first Bridal Portrait session

Rest in peace my cinematic HERO

John Hughes dies at 59

Seriously I just talked about you this week. Riding in the car with Sarah conversation turned to favorite movies (don't get me started on favorites - movies, books, foods, I could go on and on.) Well I was going on and on and along those lines the words came out of my mouth "Well any movie by John Hughes really" and She said who is John Hughes?

John Hughes is the director who changed the landscape of the teen angst movie. His work is brilliant, hysterical and poignant all at the same time.

I was waiting for the next one, even though he was done with Hollywood.

I suppose I'll have to see that one another day.

You will be missed man.

Here we come...

I am going to celebrate someone's AWESOME birthday (I won't say which birthday it is except that it starts with a 3)

we are going here:

and staying here - the mighty google says its haunted:
We will be kid free for two days - we won't have a lot of money - but we are planning on having a LOT of fun.....

Late Night Funeral

Last night we were skyping with Nana, when I sent the kids off to bed. Not soon after I heard an incessant squeaky toy - I looked over to see who had snuck down and instead I saw Popper with some creature in his mouth. At first thought it was a rat, so I did what any sane woman would do - I stood on the couch and started screaming.

Kyle came to the rescue and figured out it was a baby bunny (or at least a juvenile) - right at the time Popper triumphantly dropped him at Kyle's feet. The bunny hopped all over the living room, Kyle caught him, found no immediate signs of trauma, and the kids came down to see. Without barely pausing there was a chorus of "CAN WE KEEP HIM PLLLLEEEEEEAAAAASSSSSSSSEEEEE"

Kyle sits there holding him not sure what to do - He noticed a little bit of blood so he sends the kids to get a box I had filled earlier in the day at the Cannery - misunderstanding him the kids each brought back a can of food storage for the bunny instead of the BOX - We all laughed wondering what the kids thought the bunny needed with food storage.

Once little Bunny was set free to his box and just laid there instead of trying to escape and Kyle discovered much more blood - We realized Popper had been much more ferocious in his endeavor than we had originally thought.

We watched little Bunny leave his mortal shell and the chorus of glee turned to sadness. Nana watched from afar (Skype). We told her goodbye so we could hold proper services for little Bunny.

a very sensitive soul

a very inquistive soul

is it proper to attend a bunny funeral in your underwear?

Much discussion was had to where we should make his final resting place. Popper was too interested for him to buried by Princess (the attacking Hermit crab) in the backyard - so a late night drive to the woods by the playground seemed right.

Mr. Bunny was laid to rest under a tree with a note of love from Ella as his bed.

Kyle's shoes are COVERED with burrs this morning - the true sign of a loving Dad.

as for me, I did some crappy photoshop for some crappy late night pictures and printed them portraits of Little Bunny for them to hang on their walls. As Ella says "If we had kept him I would have named him Buddy"