Benjamin's wonderful Day!

I am almost done with the pomp and circumstance of my son's baptism. I wanted to rush and get these up so that Grandma and Aunt Beth can share the day with us from a far! It was a great day! Benjamin had a good grasp on everything, and beamed when he sat next to me after his confirmation, as he whispered: "Mom I got baptized and I got the Holy Ghost" Nana said a very lovely closing prayer. Many special memories were written on my heart. We had a great time at the house afterwards with our friends and all the kids got a chuckle out of Benjamin's slideshow. Oh and I was under too much stress, so I made many mistakes with my camera - for the next big event I need to stay in auto mode!

Eight Years in Eight Minutes

This is the slideshow that Meg made for us to show at Benjamin's Baptism party today - more pictures to follow of his wonderful day!

Sweaty Excitement!

Nana and Gram get here today! And the best news is my house is almost clean! The kids are having field day today, and that translates into roughly getting them ready enough to send to war. Getting ready this morning included - packing lunches in all disposable containers, sunscreen, hats, Ella's hair in an interesting do - to keep it off her face and neck, packing towels and labeling them, extra labeled water bottles, etc. This will be the first field day I am not volunteering at. But I am using pregnancy as a big fat excuse. Besides my back hurting if I stand for hours, I also can't stop sweating! I don't feel like standing around hundreds of kids with my back hurting sweating all over them! Its disgusting. I sweat all the time! I sweat in my sleep, I sweat in the shower. If I actually exert myself its quite disgusting. I am jealous of Jody's blog where she says it was in the 40's the other day. That sounds absolutely WONDERFUL to me. Snow Angels naked sound even better!

My Happy Place

Very cool website:

I thought I'd share - http://www.pandora.com/

If you listen to music on your computer like I

Ella's new haircut

The plan is to let her bangs grow out this summer - so we started the project with a short bob - I dont' know if I will be able to stand it though - I hate hair in her face...aaaaaagggggggghhhhh...

Yes that is sidewalk chalk on her face!

Can it be? My baby boy is eight years old.

Happy Birthday Benjamin! We love you!
Breaking the birthday board at Taekwondo:

Poop bubbles...

Let me explain- Maiya's first and only reward thus far for pooping in the toilet was a new bottle of bubbles at the store. She can't really let go of the fact that she should get new bubbles every time she poops. Today after properly defecating in the appropriate portal. She stood up and literally started dancing, while at the same time chanting "Yay, yay - Poop bubbles for me " repeatedly. It cracked me up. It sounded like something one would say if they were trying to replace cuss words - "RRRRRRRRRR.... Poop Bubbles!"
So here is one reason I have been trying to find words to replace cuss words this week-
Our Freezer broke! We bought our illustrious freezer on sale from Home Depot to the tune of 136 bucks about 18 months ago. It has been wonderful. I found out quickly after moving into this house the down side of a side-by-side fridge = The Freezer doesn't hold CRAP! It won't hold a single frozen pizza - not well anyway and it most certainly will not hold enough food for a household of seven. So now that the magic has left the lovely Magic Chef we face a decision that breaks down like this:

• Why call a repairman for an appliance that new was only 136.00
  
• So I call the city for special pickup - where I am informed I need it "tagged" by a repairman certifying the coolant has been emptied.
  
• List of prices: $70.00 service call to see what the problem with it is OR:
  Tagging fee: $150.00 - yes folks you got that right it will be more expensive to dispose of this freezer than it was to buy it!
  
• POOP BUBBLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Onto better news:
My gorgeous, beautiful camera arrived! I took about 200 pictures with it in the span of 90 minutes and I have now hid it from myself because I have a to-do list a mile long and I could just sit and kiss the thing, oh and take more pictures with it. Here are few from my first minutes with it:

Close up shot
Practicing Depth of field
The cool thing about this shot is Meg is spinning the wheel as fast as she can - the shutter speed was 1/1000 of a second.
Another close-up

More depth of field practice

and more depth of field stuff

Kisses

Zeke matches the background

Black and White

Oh and I ordered Photoshop Elements today and have two more classes arranged before the baby comes! One for photoshop and one for Studio and Portraiture. Just an FYI Photoshop Elements 6.0 is on sale at Amazon for $52.00

Happy Mother's Day

Wow... some people...

Stop embarrassing Texas!

The anxiety and the joy...

Started my photography class Tuesday night. Quickly learned two things - WOW I really don't know a lot about photography and my Sony cybershot (non - SLR) was not going to cut it with the big boys. Upon the advice of many and a full on obsession of investigating my options, Kyle ordered my mothers day gift: A Canon XTI with a separate 50mm 1.8 lens. Being the frugal gal that I am, this is very stressful. It's hard to spend this kind of money on something that at the heart of it depends on my skill level! There is a lot of practice in my future and I think my kids are already sick of me taking pictures of them so send me an email and let me know when I can come take pictures of you and/or your kids.

Part two of this post:

I rarely put my testimony out there especially in blog format, but I just have to say how this photography class has effected my faith. Strange I know. The first class focused on "white balance" a feature that most cameras have - check yours out to see if it does. We are always bathed in a "color" of light. Morning sunrises are bluish, sunsets are reddish, incandescent light is yellow, fluorescent light green, etc. Only really pure mid-day light is white. Our eyes constantly adjust for this so we don't see those colors specifically. Cameras do though. Despite all the technology that exists there is no camera yet that can perfectly adjust for the color of light. If you stay in Auto mode on your camera, often your pictures will not be consistent. It made me think how amazing Heavenly Father really is. The only really true "automatic" lens that can accommodate color, lighting, etc. is our eyes. The focus is broken on my eyes - hence the lenses that I have to add to them or put in my eyes. But still it is truly amazing. We are here to experience these wonderful bodies and what they are capable of. Its even more amazing to me that I can be part of the process as I feel Cora kick me daily. And when she comes into the world she will be ready to see my face and probably won't notice the harsh greenish light of the hospital room. Here we are listening to her sweet heartbeat:

Lake info-

Many of you have asked and I am sad that you didn't already know about one of my favorite places! Lake Ray Roberts is awesome, and not too far away! Check it out. It wasn't too crowded on Saturday, but it can get crowded. We will be there on Memorial Day. It's Meg's signature birthday - She'll turn 26 on the 26th! Just find us by the rip-roaring barbecue!!!

Its the most wonderful time of the year...

It was not quite warm enough yet, but it was sunny, so off to the beach we went. We have to maximize "fun" days before the kids are stuck in the house with me and a newborn. Even though the water was too cold - we had a blast.

Pictures are up at Flickr

Thanks Ryann

Ryann got my blog up to par with the three columns - what would I do without friends to lean on their expertise. She got info from this website: Tips for new bloggers - I tried but couldn't do it on my own. So thanks again Ryann!!!

Bye-Bye Icky!- cont.

I meant to blog the story of "bye-bye" icky but was out of time. We put in the snipped off corner of Icky. She kissed it and made a wish - I cried, but kept my face hidden by the camera! She insisted that her bear was male - even came up with the very original name "Boy" and insisted on boy clothes for it. - Would have got pictures of that but ran out of battery juice in the camera. Saying bye-bye to lovies, must be commonplace now at Build-a-Bear, lady said three other kids had been in that week to put their pacifiers in a bear. I just hope there isn't bear homicide at a later date to retrieve said lovies. Maiya hasn't been tempted yet. Probably because she knows the whole thing is not in there. In fact she has handled the whole thing remarkably well. Only has asked for it twice. She did have a night terror/walking in her sleep episode last night - Meg found her wandering downstairs around midnight - she claimed Daddy was "lost" through her tears. I think that had she had Icky she would have had the bad dream, then grabbed that and went back to sleep. But she is fine overall - It is like everyone says harder on me than her!

Bye-Bye Icky!

They're here...

Ella's Kindergarten class became a foster class for 12 chicken eggs, that are now adorable baby chicks. Next week they leave for their official farm home. The teacher said anyone can have one if they like. ARE YOU SERIOUS??? I don't know why she told the kids that, because Ella has been bugging me nightly since the offer was presented. Even if our HOA allowed it, we are not going to own a chicken. But since she was so sad I asked the teacher if we could take care of one for the night - and she said "Actually they can't stay at the school over the weekend - could you take care of them" So here we are with a dozen chicks until Monday morning. I admit I am just as excited as the kids - I get to be a farm girl for a couple of days. And they are soooo cute! So come on over to the Oyakawa petting zoo and check out the baby chicks!!!

It is true...

You would do anything to take your children's pain away. Maiya had a mysterious random fever on Monday and since has started complaining about her throat hurting. Because the fever had gone away I figured she was just getting over a cold or something. Well it turned out to be the "or something" category. This morning (and all last night) - thanks for helping SO MUCH Meg!!! her complaining had reached a new height so off to the MD - turns out it's Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease minus the hand and foot involvement. I felt so dumb at the doctors - because as soon as he shined a light in her throat he called me over to see - blisters all in the back of her throat. I could have done that at home, but it never occurred to me - I just thought it was a sore throat. Poor little girl is totally miserable, and I feel like there is nothing I can do. The medicine - which in case your kid ever gets this is just benadryl and mylanta mixed in equal parts - doesn't really give her much relief.

So anyway I am frustrated because I can't help her, but I did get out some frustration today. I love a lot of things about Texas - but I can't stand the one fact that has become apparent to me. PEOPLE IN TEXAS CAN'T PARK!!!!!!!!!!!
It seems like everywhere here people drive huge vehicles and can't for the life of them get them in one spot. Our doctor's office is in a building attached to the hospital. Its parking lot is so notoriously small people regularly park in the fire lane and are never ticketed (that I have seen). So you think of all places you would at least try to be considerate. Nope some dumb jerk had a Ford F - three million parked with its butt in two spaces. I'd had enough, so I left someone a nasty note today - it read:
"If you are going to drive something this big - LEARN HOW TO PARK IT" - I left out bad words - it took much constraint. Which this website doesn't really have but I thoroughly agree with them: "you park like an a-hole! - .com" I love this site and I am pre-printing some of their "tickets" for next time!

Sarah and I are going to Little Shop of Horrors at Mckinney Performing Arts Center (in Downtown Mckinney) at 8:00 on Friday night - let us know if you care to join us!

World about to enter an Ice Age...

Make up your minds scientists!!!
Forget Global Warming

I am sick of hearing about them too, but at least it can be funny!

Can we do it?

Maiya had her first dentist appt. today. She did a great job - They told her to hop up in the chair - she looked at me and said in her little voice "Me a scared" - Everyone assured her it would be fun and she did it all with no tears. She even let them do the fluoride treatment. Then the dentist came in and the conversation quickly turned to her overbite. He asked if she sucks on her fingers. To which I replied, with a sigh, no but she does suck on her blankey. She has since a few months old and I failed a few weeks ago at prying it from her grip. He then says to me well mom its time for the blanket to get L-O-S-T. I said oh she can hear this. I turn to her and say "Maiya - the doctor says its time to give 'icky' to another little baby" He gets this look of death on his face. "hey mom, I don't' want her to get mad at me" - Are you kidding me, are you worried about a little two year old holding a grudge against you?

So back to the battleground. Can I do it? I hate pacifiers - and have had no remorse cutting them throwing them away, etc. with Benjamin and Ella. But there is something about "icky" (Maiya named it that because I call it that so often - fabric sucked on all night is quite gross) I don't know why I am being soft. She just looks so cute in the morning dragging her little pink blanket. I know how fast they grow now - I kind of like her babyish Linus thing. But the overbite, not so much - so I must bite the bullet, for good.

Now my other baby - the weary business traveler has another problem:

This current trip Kyle left on this morning is a conference which involves a lot of people from his company - I think close to thirty of them. The company decided that because of the number of people it warrants sharing hotel rooms, to save money at the $300/night conference center. Now for those of you who know my man - he is hmmmm what are the words?: shy, very private, sometimes anti-social and to top it off takes a VERY, VERY long time in the bathroom in the mornings. Him sharing a room with someone from work? - not a good idea. The rumor is there is an odd number of men, and since he has the most seniority will get a room to himself if that is the case. I am keeping my fingers crossed for him. If it doesn't I hear him yelling in his head, very George like from Seinfeld "SERENITY NOW" Can he do it...

I am sorry... Part two

I couldn't do it. I tried. Really. I do have the tendency to give up on books too easily. Quit Memory Keepers daughter, because it was just too sad and I couldn't picture any ending that would satisfy me. This one I don't know for sure - no offense to the big fans or Mrs. Meyer - but it was cheesy, not scary enough (or if it gets scary it took to long for me), it just wasn't my style.
I found myself not reading it, and not reading anything else, because I wanted to finish it first. So I have officially thrown in the towel so that I may move on. Feel free to tell me any plot details that will make me feel bad for not having persevered.
PS. I hope this doesn't stop anyone from reading my book club selection this month out of retaliation - I can't wait to discuss this one with people!!! I think Sarah is done with my copy if anyone needs to borrow - I think its a very quick read.

You Are a Life Blogger!

Your blog is the story of your life - a living diary. If it happens, you blog it. And make it as entertaining as possible.

What Kind of Blogger Are You?

Thanks Sarah for making my blog look awesome!!!!!!!!!!

Wahhhhhhhh.....

I hesitate to blog this, because it could all be easily blamed on my size and I don't want that can of worms opened. But I just have to say HOLY CRAP I am in pain. Sometimes I call it "back pain" because that is easy to understand - but its really my pelvis. And in the last couple of days it has gone above and beyond the frustration of not being able to sleep in the bed. Despite nights in the recliner I am still constantly in pain. If I sit too long its bad, If I stand too long in one position its worse, and if I lay down its excruciating.
So the official name is Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction and one site explains the symptoms perfectly, I felt I could write it myself:
Any activity that involves lifting one leg at a time or parting the legs tends to be particularly painful. Lifting the leg to put on clothes, getting out of a car, bending over, sitting down or getting up, walking up stairs, standing on one leg, lifting heavy objects, and walking in general tend to be difficult at times. Many women report that moving or turning over in bed is especially excruciating.
Anyway I do not want to be a whiner, the point of this post was to get some opinions on Chiropractic care. I am not against chiropractors (maybe), but I am willing to try anything at this point. I'll put up a poll, but if anyone has specifics on the pros or cons I should know about let me know.

Hodge Podge...

Well lets see - I think of so many witty things to blog about late at night, then during the day think, wow I haven't blogged in quite a while... So this is just a plain ol whats going on with us kind of blog.
Fun things:

• Meg was reminded that it is crawfish season and came home friday night a woman on a mission. She found a great restaurant for authentic Louisiana food (Dodies) and promptly ordered us seven pounds of crawfish! It was delicious!!! The Ragers joined us for the experience, though Sarah didn't quite partake LOL - she did try one and I was very proud! Dylan had a few after he washed them off in the sink. Meg and I dove in, and Kyle joined every once in a while. He says its too much work for so little seafood. We couldn't quite make everyone understand that its the sitting and talking that is just as fun as the actual eating!

• Disney: We found out late last week that we did qualify for the free dining plan on our Disney Vacation!!! We are beyond thrilled - this will save us almost $1000 - plus we get to see much cooler restaurants than we would have on our dime.
• Baby: Had a check up today and everything is going great. The doctor added Cora's full name to my chart. It made everything seem so real to me. Oh and I think I felt her have hiccups the other morning for the first time. Either that or it was very rhythmic kicking.
  
  Not so fun things:
• More tornado alarms, this time in the middle of the night - meant back to the bathroom for us. And this time thanks to American Airlines' canceled flights - Kyle was not here. I politely told him he was not allowed to be gone during anymore tornado alarms.
  
  

Aunt Beth is having a rough time of it with Chemo - two hospital admissions in two weeks. Say a little prayer for her. She is due for a break!!!!

Comparing Prices to Gasoline

Think a gallon of gas is expensive?
This makes one think, and also puts things in perspective.

• Diet Snapple 16 oz $1.29 ........ $10.32 per gallon
• Lipton Ice Tea 16 oz $1.19 ...........$9.52 per gallon
• Gatorade 20 oz $1.59 ...... $10.17 per gallon
• Ocean Spray 16 oz $1.25 . $10.00 per gallon
• Brake Fluid 12 oz $3.15 . $33.60 per gallon
• Vick's Nyquil 6 oz $8.35 .... $178.13 per gallon
• Pepto Bismol 4 oz $3.85 ..... $123.20 per gallon
• Whiteout 7 oz $1.39 ......... .. $25.42 per gallon
• Scope 1.5 oz $0.99 .............$84.48 per gallon
• And this is the REAL KICKER...
• Evian water 9 oz $1.49..........$21.19 per gallon?!$21.19 for WATER And the buyers don't even know the source. (Evian spelled backwards is Naive.)

So, the next time you're at the pump, be glad your car doesn't run on water, Scope, or Whiteout, or God forbid Pepto Bismol or Nyquil. Just a little humor to help ease the pain of your next trip to the pump.

Braggin about my baby sister...

only eight lessons...Mozart's Melody aka Twinkle, Twinkle or the ABC song

Tornado alarms and a Sick dog...

You know what is fun? Painting your stairwell, having Sears come out and shampoo the carpets - then waking up one morning to your dog's projectile diarrhea all over the stairs. Kyle and I gagged our way through the clean-up and banished Zeke to the backyard. I noticed a few hours later he had not moved a muscle. That afternoon when I cut the grass I had to literally mow around him, and usually the noise sends him straight for the door. This morning his mood had not changed and he didn't want to walk much, so off to the Vet. He has some sort of bug and our account is missing 300 bucks. The funny thing was they had to give him IV fluids which you would think goes into a blood vessel, but for dogs they put it under their skin between their shoulder blades. So he came home looking like Rocky Balboa the dog. He looked super evil with these big honking shoulders. The medicine Kyle is waiting to give him is anti-diarrhea stuff that can cause nausea - brilliant!!! Oh and to top if all off the fluid began leaking out of the injection site so the kids are doctoring him now. Let's hope he feels better by morning, or this could be something more serious like pancreatitis.
And I thought I'd add what we did during the tornado alarm. I went straight to the bathroom with blankets and pillows. For a girl who has had her home hit by one of those suckers - I don't play. Kyle was the one in the backyard staring at the sky.