Grandma I got a bump

Mom called you but you didn't answer :(

I think I am ok now, but mom is still breathing heavy

UPDATE -- I had one hand while bloggin earlier. What happened was Ella was pushing Cora in the stroller whilst I chatted with the neighbor. When she broke in to a jog 

I hollered at her to be careful which startled her and she swerved. The wheel caught the grass and the stoller flipped and Cora ate concrete (she was buckled and 

remained in the stroller kind of like a sad turtle). I had a heart attack while running full speed to rescue her. Ella remains devastated. I should'nt have hollered.

I needed Grandma to calm me down from the urge to rush to the emergency room or call 911. Luckily I calmed myself down and all are well sans huge ER bill.

My hero

This is not new information, the church has been teaching it FOREVER, but I have to say there is something about Dave Ramsey that has changed me for the better. He can do the same for you. Check out this video - he outlines the Baby Steps which are brilliant and simple.  Want even more encouragement? Listen to him - you can get streaming audio on 570 KLIF everyday from 1-4 or on the Radio 570 AM.  

Kyle and I are going to see him live next month and I couldn't be more excited. Well yes I could be more excited if I was on the last baby step :)

If

Just imagine an "Excuse our Dust" sign here

Please ignore me on your feed

I am practicing bigger pics on the blog

Signs of the time

Some photographs I took on a recent solo excursion to downtown McKinney, a place I love

Empty seats and stage moments before showtime at the McKinney Performing Arts Center

Yes CJane my mom does read my blog...

And she gets me what I want!!!! The side swipe blade is on its way for my Kitchen Aid.

Man I love her. 

I remember growing up and shopping for clothes and there would be those times when I wanted BOTH cute outfits and she'd leave me to decide which one I'd take home. I'd fret and fret and finally pick one. Then she would go up to the counter and buy both. My mom is cool like that.

Bib on backwards because she is super-baby

"Hi I am the best book ever for moms!!!!"

So besides being grateful for my mom today I was just thinking how grateful I am for reading Babywise. I seriously think that they should give that book to all new moms.  

Cora naps 2.5 hours in the morning and 2.5 hours in the afternoon.  Today I was so grateful for that because I got a migraine that rocked my world in the all the wrong ways.  My head hurt so bad I lost my lunch - literally.  After puking my brains out I decided to lay Cora down early. I swaddled her, gave her a paci, laid her on her side and felt bad that she was really awake and not quite ready to go back to sleep. BUT SHE DID. And as I laid next to Maiya watching cartoons - I curled into the fetal position and thanked my lucky stars! Since Cora was so good and Maiya stayed by me and fell asleep too I was able to sleep off the migraine just in time to finish getting ready for Cub Scouts! Small miracle, since some of my migraines have lasted for days on end.

just found this: http://babywisemom.blogspot.com/2008/02/index.html

Oh one more thing to me thankful for....

ASK AND YOU MAY RECEIVE....

I wrote a letter to one doctor asking her to forgive the remainder of my bill due to our financial situation. Well I got a call two days ago from the billing department. The woman said the doctor appreciated my letter and forgave the remaining balance.  Another small miracle.

OOOOOOOooooooooo I want this

http://www.sideswipeblade.com/solution.html

Shelf Reliance is having a recipe contest!!!

Here are the details:

 

At Shelf Reliance we’re fanatical about food storage! And why shouldn’t we be? We developed THRIVE, the best-tasting food storage the market has to offer. Because we know how fun and rewarding using food storage can be, we want to get you involved! Despite what some people may think, food storage does not have to be stowed away in dark corners. Really!

 

For all of you food storage lovers out there who understand the value of rotating your food storage and using it in daily menu planning, we have a recipe contest just for you!  We are looking for great tasting, nutritional recipes that incorporate food storage.

 

In exchange for your recipe, you will be entered to win one of following three prizes!

 

Prizes:

 

1^st Place = One (1) Harvest Food Rotation System ($459 value)

2^nd Place = THRIVE Fruits and Veggies Essential Package ($283 value)

3^rd Place = Three (3) Cansolidator Pantry systems ($135 value)

 

To Enter:

1)      You may submit your recipe through email to contest@shelfreliance.com

2)      You can mail in your entry to: Shelf Reliance Contests, 810 N. 2800 W., Lindon, UT, 84042

 

Rules:

1)      All recipes must be submitted by Feb. 28, 2009 by 6:00 PM MST

2)      Multiple entries are allowed, but each entry must be submitted separately

3)      All entries must include the recipe name, number of servings the recipe yields, clearly understandable ingredients and ingredient measurements, step-by-step preparation instructions, and cooking directions.

4)      You must include your name, phone number, complete address, and e-mail address with each entry.

 

Judging:

All entries will be judged by a qualified panel of judges to select (1) grand prize winner, (1) second place winner, and (1) third place winner. Recipes will be judged on taste, creativity, and practicality.

 

For all official rules and details, visithttp://www.shelfreliance.com/pages/contests

Oh and here his how the swing is attached. The swing is from Ikea The swing endeaver prompted a new purchase. Kyle has needed a good drill for a long, long time. It seems like every project sends us borrowing one from someone. So with a little Consumer Reports research we found the best drill out there - curious?  Its this one Lowes had it on clearance. Man how we love saving money and how we love consumer reports. Seriously I think its one of the best ways to save money!!! 

For he's a jolly good fellow!!!

Dad installed a swing upstairs in the gameroom!

It is oh so awesome!

Valentine Parties at school

sweet big brother

sitting with the big kids

Patches the class pet

Ella the teachers pet

Playing tag with Benjamin

Ella climbing the tree - she was up higher than the neighbor's roof

Poor Valentine's Days are awesome too

We did our V-day thing last night.
Had an in home date.
Here are the instructions:

Step one - One parents stays home and puts all the kids to bed. while other parent goes out and gets movie and take out
Step two - Enjoy dinner
Step three - Enjoy movie
Step four - got to bed early and enjoy each other, wink wink....

Wow I just made myself blush.

PS. I just included this song because it is awesome. It was on the soundtrack to Henry Poole was here - great movie, even better soundtrack

I miss late night TV sometimes

What we do for fun

We feel better... finally. I don't have my voice back - almost but not yet. Meaning I can't quite yell at the kids yet :)

Yesterday we (me, ella and maiya) took a long bath. Because nothing feels better when you are sick than a nice hot bath right? And you know what is tons of fun during bathtime? Empy shampoo bottles. Ella had just finished off a bunch of travel sized bottles and we thought it was fun to suction them to our chins and act like turkeys. Well our fun left its mark... literally. I have circular hickeys all over my chin today. So if you see me don't make fun of me... too much.

This is how I found Cora living it up the other morning.

Ella said "I read her a page then I let her have a lick"

Oh, there are many benefits to being number 4!

I send emails that are way too long.

Kyle on the other hand is very precise and to the point.

This is an email that went out a few hours ago  

"Everyone in the Oyakawa house has the flu so there will be no den meeting tomorrow."

Its now 2:30am and Ella and I are up for more medicine and to compare who feels worse or who has gotten less sleep. I watched a Duggar marathon, not sure why I am fascinated by them. Probably that she has been pregnant so many times and I haven't once heard the words morning sickness come out of her mouth. Makes me jealous. I also caught the dateline about the Octupult's mom. I think I was bothered most by her ability to have her nails french manicured - when did she find time for that and who paid for it?

Penny Pinchers POSTPONED and I love my vacuum cleaner

thats it, unless you really want to come and talk saving money and possibly catch the flu

Wait I lied there is more, because it falls under saving money

testing was done at the Consumer Reports headquaters and ...

65 pounds of wood flour and 33 pounds of sand and talc later 

My vacuum wins again!!!

My Hoover Tempo Widepath on sale at Ace Hardware for around 65 bucks was #3 this year beating all the big wigs: 

Kirby $1350 was #9

Kenmore $350 was #6

and The over loved Dyson "absolute animal" $550 was #13

the Dyson complete $400 came in the abysmal #19 spot 

 I know this will cause controversy  for all ya Dyson lovers but my vacuum is better than your vacuum - just kidding, but it was WAY CHEAPER

and before I get the comments because I know I will, yes mine takes bags but I prefer that, Even with all my kids and animals I only have to put in a new bag like every 10-12 vacuum jobs but with my last bagless I had to dump it every time (sometimes twice) and the cloud of dust it caused sent me outside to dump it - which was a pain in the butt. So I officially prefer bags. But still most of all I prefer only paying 65 bucks on a vacuum that does an amazing job.

one last thing, yes I know I am rambling, I found my vacuum bags at Dollar General - so little cost on the bag issue.  love it!

I love consumer reports...

cuz it saves ya money

Aunt Beth would have yelled at me about not bloggin by now

But, We're sick

Mommy "why do you chew on my toes"

"because they are soo yummy" - I mean look at that little crooked toe

This is what the boys did this weekend

Cora wasn't as excited as they were

Arrangements

Just wanted to let everyone know what our family has planned and to thank you all for the offers of help. Aunt Beth's wishes were to be cremated and those arrangements have been taken care of. Aunt Beth lived most of her life in Texas and extended family is all over the South, the only family in Virginia is my Mom. So we have decided to hold a small memorial service in June at our Family Reunion.  That will make it easier for extended family.  After that Meg and I will arrange a covert operation to sprinkle her ashes along with her husband's on the Ranch in Kerrville (Texas Hill Country) where they built their dream home. Its is a large ranch so I hope we can accomplish our mission without trespassing.

I will need some help during spring break. Me, Meg and Cora are going to fly up there to finish taking care of the belongings in her house and drive back in a UHaul with stuff and her two dogs. The kids are thrilled that we will be adopting them into our family. I can't say I am thrilled but I am happy to do it for Aunt Beth. She was most concerned about her 'babies' Buster and Noel.

Mae Elizabeth Harris

was her given name but she went by a few names:

Her older sister called her "Bay Sister" for decades, it started as "baby sister" but became bay sister as many nicknames do.

Her husband called her Cuticles, she made fun of "cutsie" pet names couples used, so he said fine I'll call you cuticles then.

I almost forgot "MaeBeth" what her mother and my mom called her. The true nature of a good southern name, the many nicknames

Most called her Beth even though mail only came to Mae E. Harris

We called her Aunt Beth.

Although sometimes we called her a cheater if she won the card game.

Mae Elizabeth Harris

February 7, 1938 - February 6, 2009

 

This world is not conclusion;

A sequel stands beyond,

Invisible as music,

But positive, as sound. 

Emily Dickinson

Its the 100th day of school

so you dress up like you are 100 years old. 

I think I made Benjamin look a little like Anderson Cooper.