Room for Improvement

I *almost* wish I had a before picture of this room. Filled to overflowing with two sets of bunk beds, a dresser, toys and clothes. Oh yeah, and kids. Cra-zy.

This room has evolved a few times - even in the time deciding how to decorate it. There are still a few things I'd like to do in here, but for now, I am quite content.

Olivia and Henry's Room
also the Guest Room

remember that fabric I fell in love with?

I refinished this dresser to match the headboard, spray painted
some knobs and put them on.

remember this sweet little chair? I'm thinking the red doesn't go anymore..but I
found the cute little pillow at Target for $5. Speaking of $5, I refinished this little
night stand found at Goodwill for $5.
(ignore the hoop it moves around the room like the others, daily..hence the wrinkles and oreo smears.)

Need a Chuckle?

Thoughts on a Thursday

It's Thursday, right?

It's been a bit of a longer week this week.
Ryan's back was slowing giving out until last Friday when it
became almost completely uncooperative.
Then Monday came infecting Ryan and Clay with Strep.
Poor guys.
Ryan went back to work today, feeling less than tip top.
Much less.
Clay is still home from school today, but is joined by Lucy who has a stomach ache...

Clay missed an ortho appointment this morning.
He's been on meds for a few days and we thought he'd be better by now.
Obviously not.
I need to remember to re-schedule.

There's a Winter Storm Warning in effect for the Denver area now thru Saturday morning.
6-12 inches expected by morning in the metro area.
I knew I should have gone to Costco yesterday.
(Does anyone else love getting their coupon books in the mail??)
Today is the first day of the coupons.
Have you ever been to a crazy Costco on the first day of coupons?
Or when a BIG storm is headed your way?
Or both?
Gross.
It's giving me anxiety just thinking about it.

But, we go and do, right?
I better get going.
And doing.

Have a great Thursday!

As Sweet As It Gets

I found this poem by Clay.
A treasure.

Better Late Than Never?

We’re now just getting our neighbour gifts out….

Ah well.

When My Heart Takes a Picture

I came home late last night from a Relief Society Activity. The kids were all in bed so I quickly changed into my pajamas and jumped on the couch to snuggle with Ryan - and Burn Notice. Popcorn and hot chocolate soon joined us.

It wasn't long after when Ryan was called away to assist someone with a blessing. I stayed on the couch and finished the episode. About 40 minutes later, I decided to go back to bed. Shortly after lying down, I could feel my body twitching. With or without Ryan, sleep was coming.

As if right on cue, right before I completely fell asleep, I could hear Olivia crying. Olivia's crying turned into Henry waking up and rolling around. I laid down by them for a few moments. I could hear someone else in the bathroom.

Olivia had fallen back to sleep, but Henry was still tossing a bit. I snuck back to my room and Lucy followed complaining about her stomach. I rubbed some oils on and sent her back down stairs, just in time for Henry to come waltzing into our room - ready for a new day.

I texted Ryan - kids fussing/crying. Please come home.

I brought Henry to bed with me, but laying down was clearly not what he wanted to do. Thankfully, I heard the door.

Ryan came in quickly, changed and took Henry. From my sleepy eyes, I watched the silhouette of my husband and son leaving our room.

My heart took a picture.

Just like it did when we became parents for the first time. Rylee was just days old and in the middle of the night, Ryan so exhausted grabbed a burp cloth, swaddled our babe, and gently carried her back to our bed to snuggle her on his chest.

Yesterday morning, as I was visiting teaching, my friend was talking about the difficulty that Sundays brought when her children were young and how she would bring her Ensign to the mother's lounge so she could get something out of being a church. I thought about that and then thought about my dear husband. I rarely felt like that at church. My husband handled our children so much better at church than I did/do. More often than not, he had our young ones with him in his classes. He still does.

I've told him several times that if I could make as much money as he does, that he would be so much better staying at home than I am. He has that nurturing bone that I wonder some days if I have at all. (I remember coming home from a Women's Conference and our house was bursting at the seams with children. Not only where their children everywhere, but Ryan thought it would be fun to have them decorate cupcakes! The kids loved it and I stood there in awe at the amazing-ness of my husband.)

He is amazing. And, there's nothing like when my heart takes a picture that I thank my lucky stars to have him.

She’s In!

Our new dining table that is.

After a lot of sanding,  staining, and polyurethane-ing, she’s finally joined us inside.

For $140 off of Craigslist, she went from:

to

Ta-da.  A fabulous square table to seat all 8 of us. YAY!

(well, Henry still hangs from the table in his seat…and we only got 7 chairs with the table…but we fit!)

And So It Begins

It has begun.
I could tell a couple weeks ago that something was up when Rylee would tell me that her friends were getting love notes.
She wasn't acting jealous, but I think she was subtly trying to bring something up.
I played it cool and reacted casually.

Last Thursday, Rylee was lingering while I was making dinner.
I made small talk to she if she would open up - I knew she wanted to talk.
Finally, she asked how old I was when I first liked a boy.
There it was.

I smiled and looked at her.
She was a little embarrassed, but I asked who he was.
She told me his name and showed me his picture in last year's yearbook.
Cute kid.

Right after school, I got a text from Rylee.
He asked me to be his girlfriend! What do I do?? Help me!
(Me) Your mom says your too young.
I know! What do I do!!!

We exchanged texts while she informs me that her friends already told him yes.
Here comes Mama Bear.
Tell your friends to stop!

It's a good thing Ryan had been included in the texts because I could feel myself losing my cool.
This surprised me.
But more surprisingly, Ryan coolly and calmly says
Just tell him you're not ready for a boyfriend (but then, of course, adds) and that your Dad will ground you forever.
Okay. That works.

Now to schedule The talk.
I've been afraid of this.
I thought I had more time.

Any advice?
Blah.

Don't Tell His Dad . . .

While waiting for Kaycee at the dentist, we put 'lips' on Lucy and Olivia.

Henry didn't want to feel left out . . . it's not like it's nail polish!

The Best Way

Henry Christmas morning.

We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas out in Utah this year. I am always impressed with how much thought and effort go into everything my parents prepare. From meals to gifts to costumes for our ever growing Nativity cast. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t pull my camera out more, but we had such a great time. The holiday weekend we ate, we visited, we played games, volleyball (for the Championship of the World!) and we even had a talent show this year.

Another fabulous Christmas.

We rang in the New Year when the East coast did…meaning we all ended up in bed before midnight. In fact, I think I fell asleep at about 11:45. So close. I must be getting old.

New Years Day, after attending just Sacrament Meeting, we drove up to Sandy up to Sunset Gardens to visit Baby Honey’s grave. She doesn’t have her own grave stone yet, but after four years this was the first time we’d been back. I didn’t know what to expect, but thankfully I think with time, I was ready.

Ryan and I agreed that this was the perfect place for a family picture. All together. We will treasure those tender moments.

On our way back to my parents, we decided to stop by the place where it all began, back in 2000.

The Jordan River Temple

Our first visit back since our wedding (apparently we aren’t this area very much…) and unfortunately, the gates were locked. I was happy to snap a few photos though and the kids seemed happy to see the temple their parents were married in.

This day was the best way we could have started this new year.