Stinky Bums & Vacations

Do not get me wrong, there is a part of me that wants kids. In fact, I have always wanted kids. I have always known that I wanted to love other people's kids, by being a step-parent or adoption too.

Today, after a long week of screaming children, with lots of bugers and spit-ups, I have decided it is a good thing I don't have any at the moment. I look forward to the selfish "me time" at the end of my day where I am not holding hands, settling fights, digging stuff out of mouths and checking for "stinky bums". I am tired of parents who are just as burned out as I am not caring that their kid is screaming, they just have to take two classes at the gym. Or who don't seem to care much if their kid is the bitter. I have just had enough.

Do you think that this is a sign that I need a vacation? I think it is. Unfortunately none of my friends have spare time in the summer (with the exception of one that I am putting a call out to today!) and while a vacation on my own sounds fun...I kinda like having someone to hangout with.

Who knows, I will see what happens. All I know is it better be soon, once I start my biggest loser competition I am back to heavy duty workouts and hard core food restrictions again. Blah. But worth the money and the weight I will lose. Totally worth it.

Spoiled Rotten...by Me

I love kids. We all know it. While I am slightly bummed that I don't have little ones of my own, I am also super happy that I don't. I love the great kids I get to love and spoil regularly.

I have a collection of adorable and sweet kids who I just adore. I spoil them rotten and I know it. I am the best aunt you could ask for, money to spend and cute kids to spend it on! So, I spoil my little "nieces and nephews".

My girls are the most beautiful girls and I spoil them with puzzles, paints, books, make-up and clothes. Livy loves birds and is very into fashion. Kiki loves tigers and horses and loves to climb on things. Kayli is the most beautiful 9 month old in the universe. Seriously. She loves blocks and hugs.

My boys are pretty amazing, I won't lie. I have the best 2 1/2 year old in the universe with Kade. He babels about any and everything, loves trucks, blocks and gives the most wonderful hugs. Milo couldn't be more boy. Trucks, airplanes and trains are all the matter. Oh, and it is a requisite that at least 1/2 of everyday is spent jumping on the tramp with this 20 month old. I am always on the look out for new trucks and books about trucks and movies about trucks...my boys get them all.

So all in all I am the luckiest girl in the world. I get to adore 5 of the most amazing kids. I may not be related to one of them but they are my family and I have been adopted into theirs. Who could ask for more?

Remember...

...when we thought being a grown up meant sleeping in, eating whatever and whenever we wanted. When you didn't have to clean your room or have a curfew?

Remember when you realized while it was all true, it also meant that you had other things to do and that while you could do all those things you almost didn't want to?

I am just having one of those stressful weeks when I wish I could go back to being a teenager (not because I really want to do that again) just so someone else could deal with all the grown up stuff for a few days.

When I mentioned that I was stressed in front of one of the kids I know you know what they told me? "Maybe you just need to go take a nap and not play with your friends today. That is what my mom makes me do."

Hm. Sound advice from kids.

Happiness and Joy

I have so much fun with my girls. Really, they bring more joy than I can tell you. I love that I get "craft time" regularly and am amazed at their creativity. Check our this super cute bird mask that Livy made!

She mixed a few colors for the face and then a few for the beak and diluted them so they were more water based and blended really nice. Then, after they had really dried (more than 24 hours later) we dry brushed the white around the eyes and some dark blue (you can't really see in the pictures) and some darker yellows to outline the beak. She hand picked the feathers and added them and trimmed them to look just right. Then added the little diamonds at the corners of the eyes so that they would sparkle. This project took hours but she was bummed when it was finally done. Loved the project but didn't want to be done. I love her enthusiasm.

My cute Kiki worked just as hard on hers. She mixed the perfect oranges and reds and yellows to make the perfect tiger color. After wet painting the mask orange we let it dry then dry brushed the white down the nose. We added stripes in all the places she thought Tigers should have stripes. She looks pretty tiger like if you ask me.

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I find happiness in little things lately. In the 5 boxes of girl scout cookies that I ordered. I found joy in putting 4 boxes of Girl Scout cookies in the freezer and then eating the other one. In finding cute summer shoes that fit. In finding great new gym clothes. In compliments from strangers and people I know and love. In knowing that I am in the right place.

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I also find joy in Black & Whites. These gems are a big thing in NYC and whenever my friend goes to NYC (every month or so) she brings one back for me. I was happy when she came back late yesterday and had one for me. I have been savoring every amazing bite. Check these out the next time you are in NYC. Worth it.

Stinky Face

Carrie and I share a birthday, same year and everything. It is always fun to watch her with her three completely adorable kids. Emily is the youngest and she is such a cutie. Unless she is not happy with you. If you say no, take something away or just plain doesn't like what is happening, she will give you her stinky face. It just kills me!

Oh Emily...one day these pictures may haunt you.

Oh, Wow

I can hardly believe that it is almost Friday. It was a super fast week with a bunch of slow days. Does that make sense to anyone but me?

I did manage to do some crazy and entertaining things in the last week or so. I headed to Denver this week and it was warmer in Denver than it was back home! Crazy. We were walking around without coats and enjoying the wonderful clean air that Denver has. If there is a draw back to living in Utah, it is the air quality. Yikes. The drive there was pretty awesome. Started out nice and calm and about the time we hit the Wyoming state line the fog and snow hit. It went from about 36 (at 6am) to 0 degrees in a matter of a few minutes. There was two inches of ice caked onto my antenna. It was crazy. By the time we hot Rock Springs it had cleared out but still, it was crazy for a while there. The rest of the drive was great. The flight home was nice too. I slept most of it though, I was just wiped out.

Speaking of being wiped out, that is what I have been lately. No cold or anything, just wiped out. Not fun.

On Wednesday morning I was working and had about 13 kids and was waiting for the other two teachers to come. One of my regulars and totally sweet little girls came up to me with tears in her eyes and wanted me to hold her. I did, wondering what was going on. Then the burps started and I had the presence of mind to turn her off my shoulder and toward the floor right before she threw up. She was upset and not feeling well and the other kids were all curious. So I had to comfort the one and occupy the others on the other side of the room. Once I got them settled for a split second I opened up the door and made frantic hand gestures to the front desk guy. He came running and looked scared out of his pants as I asked him to just sit with the kids while I went and got the mom. I ran down the stairs and into class and back up the stairs with the mom trailing behind. I got my kids calm again and started the cleaning up process. Have I mentioned I hate cleaning up puke? I do. But it was that or kids crawling in it or trying to pick up and put in their mouths. Babies don't have any sense of grossness. About the time I got everything cleaned up, kids settled and the sick one out the door (mom didn't know she was sick, by the way. She was happy and didn't seem sick when she got there) the other teachers showed up. Needless to say it took half an hour for the adrenaline to wear off.

I spent one afternoon making yummy cookies that I should have taken pictures of, but I was too busy enjoying them to take pictures. I kind of love making cookies. The best part? Leaving all but a few at someone else's house. No cookies to much at home. Too bad I caved at the store and bought some this week. Oh well. One a day wont hurt me too bad. At least that is what I tell myself.

Ouch!

I fell down the stairs on Friday night, while holding a baby. Bummer. Luckily the baby is fine, not a problem at all for him, I on the other hand, have had a harder time with it. Big bruises, swelling and burning pain plagued me today. I can't really get comfortable so I have been a little annoyed.

It did give me a chance to take a day to do little things. I watched some movies and went to work in the morning. It worked out great.

Sometimes I wonder about myself.

Masks

This week my girls and I made Masks. It was so much fun and they loved it. Livy got very elaborate with her and Kiki wanted hers to be basic. I thought they were both very cute.

Such beautiful butterflies and how cute are those Elephants?

Milo enjoyed just getting to play. He is always so happy playful with me. He is getting so good at his sign language. Whenever I leave he signs "bye, bye Car" and makes the car sound of vroom, vroom. It is so cute.

I couldn't love these kids more, and yet, I do everyday. I am just so happy that I love my job.

Cute Girls

I give some pretty rockin' presents to little girls. This year my three favorite girls, Kiki, Livy and Hailey all got tutu's. I made each one with favorite colors and styles in mind.

Hailey's is being modeled by Sophie, I wanted to see how it fit before I actually passed it on to Hailey, isn't it cute? A shiny pink and brown toile with different sizes of pink and brown shiny ribbons. I made it long so they can grow into them and with adjustable waist bands.

Ivy is modeling Kiki's tutu. We put the tutu on and she was looking at me straight on and as soon as I said smile, she struck a pose, all on her own! It made me laugh and yet it was perfect. It is one of my favorite pictures now. Not to mention that the tutu is super cute, shiny and a matted pink toile were used with a few splashes of shiny blue toile to liven it up. Pink ribbon was also used in various sizes and shiny factors for some pop and interest.

Livy is modeling her own tutu. It is her favorite colors, bright blue and bright green. Both are the shiny toile and with 1/8 inch lime green ribbon randomly spread through out. She thinks it is very cool, something like Miley Cyrus would wear. For her, that is a big deal.

All in all, I had three very happy girls. I enjoyed making them and really enjoyed the looks on their faces when they got them. I love giving gifts to my kids. I spoil them rotten because I can and all their parents can do is love me for it.

The Eve of Christmas Eve

I am so grateful today for great friends who love and watch over me. For people who stop me at the gym and say, "You are skinny!", for the smiling girls whose faces lit up as they gave me the blanket they so lovingly made for me. I am so over come with gratitude for people who have adopted me and made me a part of their families this year.

The blessings have abounded in my life in the last few weeks and I am so grateful.

A Day in the Life

I have been so busy in the last week or two that I haven't had time to update! Here is what I did today...

Off to work bright and early and enjoyed a morning of some interesting discussions with kids. Apparently Santa is bringing me shoes and diamonds and lots of money. Haha! I wish he was bringing that.

Today I apparently made plans to have lunch with two people...opps! I couldn't be in two places at once so I had lunch with Liz at 12:30 at Chili's and enjoyed our weekly session of venting and giggles. It was a blast, as always. Then at 2pm I met Logan at Patricia's. We chatted and enjoyed our monthly gab session. I am so lucky that he has such an amazing wife that let's him still hang out with me. Needless to say I was really full. I ate with Liz, nibbled a salad with Logan and brought it home to eat for dinner.

Then a run to the dollar store to pick up thank you cards for those who participated in the Angel Tree we did at work and a few bits and pieces for tomorrows Christmas festivities.

I ran home to change, feed the cats, check the mail, vacuum the house and mop the kitchen/dining rooms.

Off to a training session, where I got my butt kicked. I wonder why I do it sometimes, because I hate feeling like I am absolutely done and exhausted. My muscles don't work by the end and I push like crazy just to finish sometimes. I work hard and I always am glad I did it, but man does it hurt some days.

Then off to cover a shift for someone.

I came home to eat a wonderful dinner of cereal. I finished up the last of the Christmas projects for tomorrow and decided I had to update. Ah, a day in the life of me! I am grateful for the chance to have a few down days coming, not just for the joy of Christmas, but for the chance to just nap and not have to go and do anything!

Enjoy the last days before Christmas.

Ah, Isn't it Funny?

I am amazed today. I checked my friend Liv's blog and she got this comment that just made me laugh! I laughed because it was oddly similar, yet different, to a comment I recently received. Go check it out on her blog to see what the fuss is all about.

I, like many others, believe that my blog is my little piece of Internet real estate that I get to write and share what I want. My ability to share good and bad times and bits and pieces is completely mine and I am happy with that. People who try to sensor what you say and post on your blog are not worth the time. You have that all amazing power to do something, not read it. If you don't like what is being said or talked about, don't read it. Don't feel the need to go crazy and complain about someone else's feelings and thoughts. Everyone is different and there is nothing wrong with me or anyone else voicing those opinions.

On a lighter note, we got a ton of snow today. A ton. Roads were icy and scary this morning and into the afternoon. The plows have been going but they haven't kept up with the load. I spent many an hour today shoveling driveways and sidewalks.

And my bit-o-Christmas today was coloring Christmas pictures at work and watching with a bunch of 5 year olds The Santa Claus 3. Christmas through the eyes of children is amazing.

Christmas Spirit Day 1

I have decided that I am going to do something everyday until Christmas to get into the holiday spirit. I do realize that is a lot of stuff, but I am happy about it. Part of my own holiday tradition.

Today, I made a ginger bread house with my three favorite kids. I missed them a ton over thanksgiving but we made up for it today with all the details following the Arizona vacation and everything I missed including Milo getting 3 teeth in a week! Ouch! Two of those puppies being incisors.

So, I will have to blog everyday this month about how I celebrated the season. What a great way to remind myself of the wonder of the season as well as share a little of that wonder with you.

So Grateful!

I work for some of the most wonderful people. Really. They asked me to come last night and watch the kids (I nanny for them and occasionally do a late afternoon/evening thing). So I packed up my bag-o-tricks and headed over to spend an evening with my three favorite kids. Once getting there I was greeted with smiles, hugs and laughing. Then was given a $30 gift card to my favorite restaurant (ate at sonic and saved gift card for another day), tickets to a New Moon screening at 9:15 (day before it opened, yes!) and some cash for theater treats. I got instructions to enjoy an evening out on the family because they were so grateful for all I do for them. Can we say, ah?

After lots more hugs an a million thank yous I left and started calling fellow New Moon fans. I have read all the books and such, I like them but I am not a fanatic by any means but I do have to say, Go Team Jacob! Edward annoys me, thus the reason I don't like the books, but I have always loved Jacob. Jacob did NOT disappoint in this movie. I liked it much better than the first one, adapted better, flowed better and just in general was good.

All in all a great day. I just felt loved and so appreciative.

Laughing

Kids make me smile. I love this one in particular. Kade, while he can be a bit of menace, makes me smile every time I see him. Every time. I love his laugh in the video, I could hardly keep from laughing. They did this for about 10 minutes before they moved on. I was happy to get a little bit to keep with me.

My Crafty Girls

Kiki and Livy love nothing more than doing crafts. All kinds and the more variety the better. So I have pulled from my creative stores, which are full of fun things, to please these cute little girls(hair clips are on the agenda for next week).

While I can't take credit for this idea, Emily first showed off this idea and I adapted it for kids. We used some bright summer colored cloth napkins and made perfect kids sized aprons. These little budding crafters were in heaven!

Livy decided on yellow with a bright pink tulle fringe coming out from under the fold that made the napkin the right length. See, finished edges and some style! A creamy/pink ribbon to tie it up with and an added pink silk cord got added as well. Some buttons made the bottom in the shape of a pink flower and then we embroidered her initials in the corner and she had an apron perfect for all her future crafting adventures.

Kiki on the other hand went with fancy red satin napkin that was all the fancy and beautiful things that she could ever want! Her tie was a red satin ribbon with pearls in various sizes hot glued around the waist. While that may not be the most comfortable idea, she is willing to suffer for fashion! haha! An organza ribbon decorates the folded over portion of this perfectly beautiful apron fit for a four-year-old fashionista.

Kiki couldn't wait to model this for anyone who would look! She wanted to walk around to the neighbors house to share it. I love this cutie pie!

And mixed in with these two adorable little diva's is me. I have been working hard lately, lots of hours at all four jobs (why do I have four jobs? I have no idea. I wish I knew how I got them!) and at the gym. I made it back to my 15 minute mile, which isn't that fast or anything, but coming off my stress fracture in march is a big accomplishment. I am building leg muscles (which have always been my best muscles) and can easily do 100 pound presses and am almost up to five minute wall sits. I can do more sit ups than I think is possible and am surprised that I can push out a pretty decent number of push ups too. My hair gets curlier and curlier by the day, which while is kinda nice is also a pain, how do I deal with curly hair? Thanks to my dad for that delayed gift I suppose.

All in all my life is hectic, crazy, full and wonderful. Except for that dratted accounting class. Not cool. But I have pushed myself through the first 4 chapters in two weeks so I am almost half way through the class so that I can be done with it and just concentrate on my research. Much more fun anyway.

Have a great weekend and enjoy your family and friends.

Love It

The things I love:

* Rainy Days- I love the jolt of humidity (since we have so little) for just a day or two and then back to the blessed dryness.

* New challenges- I love when you first make a choice, decision or have a project given to you and you have to figure out how to get to your desired end result. I love that initial jumble of ideas and thoughts and making plans. I love making plans.

* E-books- I love them. I love having one at my fingertips at any moment without having to add the bulk of a sometimes un-needed book, since I only like to read long ones apparently. I love that I can whip out a favorite quickly and enjoy it.

* Un-expected Hugs- mostly from kids, because lets face it an unexpected hug from some random strange guy is not really as appealing as it is scary. But I love little arms that wrap around and the moments of happiness that come. There is nothing like it.

* Spoiling nieces and nephews- I freely admit I don't get to do it as much as I would like, since I don't have many close to me, but you just ask my sister Robin and she will tell you I have stuff for Caius every time I see him. In fact, I have a bag full of stuff for Caius and the new baby that is months away. It will be like Christmas morning the next time I see them. If I had more nieces and nephews around I would spoil them as much. I spoil the other kids in my life just as much.

* Personal Training with Zach- I wish you guys could spend one session with Zach. I wish you could see the things he has me do! I wish you could see what a change in my muscles has happened in the last few months with the guidance of Zach. He is big and scary looking but can't raise his voice to save his life! It is great to push to the point of dripping sweat and muscles giving out and him pushing just that much further and you realizing you just barely had it in you. And the next time, do almost twice as much as the time before, and smiling through the pain. Nothing better.

* New deodorant- Not something you think of, but I hate to buy I just complain to myself that if I didn't stink I wouldn't need it and what a load of pumpernickel it is to spend $7-$8 dollars on the stuff. So new means I don't have to buy it for a while and that makes me happy.

* Notes from Old Friends- there is nothing like notes from people you knew best when you weren't your best self, not always your worst, but not as refined as you like to think you are now. That they like you enough to keep in contact or recontact and have things to say makes me smile. Not to mention the little things about them you remember and the memories that we associate with them. Always the obscure, but fun nonetheless.

* Free Bagel Day- I love bagels, I do. I always have. I do not buy bagels. I do not need the temptation because I would make bagel pizzas, bagel bites, sandwiches and all sorts of other bagel concoctions with them around. So I look forward to the once a month free bagel day at work. I get to indulge in one of my favorite things (and I do love cream cheese too...all kinds!) for free without having to fight the urge to have buy them I just think to myself, "its almost free bagel day!"

* Freshly colored hair- it doesn't matter the color, the method, it just matters that for at least a week I can look in the mirror and not see grey.

* Fall- it is almost here. I already have the decorations ready to put up, the apple cider ordered, planning thanksgiving dinner, Halloween parties, corn mazes and a bon-fire or two. I am pouring over new sweater purchases and allowing myself the chance to glance at the new coat selections. I am excited to try a couple of new soup recipes I have found this summer in the most yummy bread bowls. There is nothing better.

* Lunch with my friends/family- my friends are my family. Since I have a lack of family around, my best friends are family. I am so lucky to get to share lunch with my dear friend Liz regularly and of course Logan. It makes me pretty happy to know that a chance to spend some great quality time with them for an hour or so comes so regularly. I get to enjoy lunch with Logan today and Liz on Friday (maybe Thursday). I am pretty stinkin' blessed.

Cute Kids

This was a cute video of 9 month old Stella...her sister Lili was making all the background noise trying to get her to laugh and spit. I had fun with the girls, but a 9 month old is a little hard with her two big sisters. They were all so good though.

More Pictures Tomorrow!

And

Tired. Long day. Still alive. Baby sick. Will I ever be normal again?

If this is what having kids is like, maybe I would like to change my vote on having them.

Not that anyone cares...but the world does not need one more frazzled mommy. So, I will refrain. Leaving that task to those of you already having them or the suckers who are pregnant. I don't want to pass my genes on to anyone anyway.

Simple Pleasures