Said in prayer...

By Tanner.

"Please help mommy not to be fussy."
and
"Please help me to keep my clothes on at church." FYI- he de-clothed a bit a couple weeks ago and Ryan & I were not happy. It's not like it's hot outside- it's the middle of January.

Worth Mentioning

Several things have occurred over the last few weeks.

First, we went to a Construction Auction and bid on some pre-finished hard wood flooring. We bid against an Amish couple. Interesting. We won 510 square feet at an excellent price. "Congratulations" is said- even if you win the toilets.

Secondly, came the installation. I should have took pictures. No, actually no, I am glad it is done. We thought we were short, but miraculously we made it being shy with just a few planks. Back to the auction for us in August to get the same exact match.

Third, Emma is no longer sleeping in her pack-n-play. This was an option for her. She has a full size bed in her room. Yes she is almost 3. And yes, we are hopeful for the potty success next.

Fourth, Landon says, "Daddy"- not "Mommy". It is as clear as day and he yells it to Ryan as if he won a touchdown with both arms up in the air. Ryan "says" he's working with him on Mommy. I don't buy it.

Fifth, I was bringing a warm loaf of bread and honey to someone whose Grandfather died. I placed it on the front seat passenger side. And yes, Tanner sat on it perfectly flat. It looked like a pita. He had no idea and I asked him, "Didn't your bum feel warm at all Tanner? Like you sat on the bread?" Nope from him, and yes, it was my fault. I left it there. They just got the honey and a hug.

Sixth, we had a roaming big beastly dog in our neighborhood that has a chain like Mr. T would where around his neck. It followed us and the neighbors home from the bus stop and seemed a little friendly. BUT, beastly and I am not a fan. Later in the day I was tending my LDS neighbors happens-to-be-the-girl-I-VT children so she could go to her OB/pregnancy check-up. Oh, don't you worry, that dog bombarded my house when she entered and ran up my stairs and sniffed out my rooms and I stayed downstairs so the more pregnant girl could get him out. I was so brave. The dog FINALLY left and the kids recovered and I hate that dog. It belongs to my neighbor 2 doors down. You would have thought I would have recognized it.

Seventh, we have new pet. In the form of a great shag rug that sheds like a dog. Ryan thinks in a year the rug will look like a hairless rat.

Eighth, we had a visitor. Ryan's sisters husband Nate. He is crazy. And was truly moved by the Louisville Slugger Museum. And he thinks it is incentive enough to move here. And he is crazy- not about moving here- but made us laugh our fannies off.

Ninth, I bought a new table. And got it home thanks to a neighbor. It was from Costco. And Ryan set it all up and guess what? I don't like it. (Laaaacey! was said by him and among other nice things) and so, another nice neighbor helped him take it back. And I bought another table. I have to pick it up Wednesday. Which leads to...

Tenth, I am totally undecided about several factors of insignificance in my life. But am almost decided that I want to be surprised by the gender of this baby. Totally not me. I am a planner. But, I am okay with the surprise. Although, I "feel" like I know what I am having. (Will not be disclosing this in case I am wrong.)

*pictures to come

Christmas events

I wanted to make sure I wrote about Christmas this year. Ryan and I both felt that this was the most enjoyable Christmas through the eyes of our children so far- Tanner and Emma were so excited. We experienced the Polar Express Train earlier in the month... which took us to the North Pole. I wish it was as magical as the movie- Landon does too.

Ryan was able to go to church the for the Christmas program- Landon's favorite place is not yet church.

We spent Christmas Eve with some friends and re-enacted the Nativity. Tanner was a wise man and Emma an Angel and Ryan and Landon were shepards. The company was great and everyone walked away with a raffle gift (coloring books and fake jewlery- thanks Golds!).

We got home in time for our tradition. We hide the baby Jesus (a little people nativity piece), darken the house, share a flashlight and search for Him like the Shepards did of old. He was found and then sang to. I looked forward to this the very most. We cannot sing- okay, I cannot sing- but I was particularly touched as I watched all 3 children kneel by him.

Cookies for Santa, oats for the reindeer on the porch, scriptures and prayer and "It was the Night Before Christmas" and off to bed most of them went. I watched a bit of the Christmas Story and Ryan worked as an elf.

Christmas morning was perfect. We started if with a family prayer in our room and then they raced down the stairs. Emma's highlight was a bistro size table and chair set and kitchen accessories (for last years kitchen) Tanner got some transformers and lego stuff and of course Santa brought the Star Wars Lego Wii game (that Ryan really wanted). Landon got a ride-on truck but really prefered Emma's gifts. We had a yummy brunch with friends at 11 and then were home to play and play. Thanks to Paul for the Honey Baked Ham- we were getting ready to eat our Christmas Meal about 3 when I noticed I started bleeding. My doctor told me to come into the ER and so off I went. Ryan stayed with the kids.

After many minutes they finally found the heart beat and at a doctors visit the next day they found I have a Subchorionic Bleed (when a blood clots form within the layers of the placenta. More often than not, they heal themselves.) I made it home just after 7 to hungry kids and a husband that said, "I couldn't get anything done!" I know! Christmas dinner was reheated and finished in minutes.

Just a side thought, as I was driving to the hospital really thinking that I had probably lost the baby, I felt so grateful that I have 3 perfectly happy healthy children. As much I as I thought I was going to receive heartbreaking news for this pregnancy, I really felt so content with these 3 little people I have been given to care for here.

Ryan worked a 12hour the next day at an urgent care clinic, my SI joint in my lower back finally gave on me & I got adjusted and we took the kids to the Science Center, hit Costco for groceries and Ryan took the house lights down, and the Christmas tree and all the rest came down yesterday. And it is over. I loved almost every minute of this with our kids- minus the whining that tends to happen. And I would have loved to be near family... I thought of everyone together and then tried not too think about it too much.

True joy

I'm grateful for visiting teachers and being a visiting teacher and my companion. I have seen my simple (I really need and I don't know what to do) prayer answered by this service. I am so grateful for the unexpected but perfectly timed meals that have been dropped off at my home in the last few weeks "just because" they knew/suspected I felt lousy. They fed my family but really fed my heart. Thank you! I am grateful that we have a heartbeat. I am grateful that Tanner thinks "Dad wastes his time on too too many meetings." He really doesn't, but I am thankful Tanner wants to spend so much time with him. I am grateful for my 2 1/2 year old constant helper in the kitchen even though it is another mess, everything is always "delicious" to her. I'm grateful to miss all my family right now- it reminds me how much I still need them and that we should move closer. I'm thankful for babies, however they come, and that one of my dearest friends will be sealed to her sweet baby this month- forever. I'm grateful for Christmas cards and Alabama Christmas. I am grateful for my sisters and friends who are just like. And, I am joyfully grateful Ryan is almost half-way through residency.

Grandma's having a baby?

We recently discussed the nature of keeping "appropriate" secrets in our home. It led to this conversation before Thanksgiving:

Ryan and I- Sometimes it's okay to keep some secrets. Like things that we talk about as a family that are private. Can you keep this private? We want to share this with Grandma and Grandpa when they come this week and we wanted you to know first.
Tanner (smiling)- Yes!
Ryan- What is this a picture of?
Tanner (looking quizzically at an ultrasound picture)- A baby?
Ryan and I - Yes..... what do you think?
Tanner (looking) - Is Grandma having a baby?

Ryan and I laughed and laughed. Nope. But, I am. Due July 2nd. And the recent cause for my absenteeism in cooking, blogging, and overall un-motivation. But. I am almost 3 months. Hopeful that I will be on the upswing soon.

As a side-note. Tanner told my neighbor I was home "resting" one day as he was out playing. She asked if I was sick. She said he thought, and then said, "No, it's a family secret."

We had a feast

Ryan's parents came into town and left too soon. There was no delay in there grandchildren remembering them, the same thing happens when my mom comes too. I could not help but wish we were closer to family. It really makes my heart ache. Especially for my kids.

Yes, Grandma left the digital thermometer in the turkey while in the oven, Grandpa said he appreciates no matter what Subway Sandwich you go to, even in Louisville, you always can be greeted by nice Indian people, we half-way made it to the zoo before a rainstorm hit, I took them on a very long (out-of-the-way-yes-I-know-where-I'm-going (not) ) scenic drive, we had Grandpa's true Wednesday Birthday Dinner at Marks Feed Shack (where I had the best BBQ hamburger I have had in my life, oh and the Buttermilk Crunch Pie sundae in the cup for sure is worth every bite). We watched Evan Almighty, had a very official "Lighting Ceremony" for our house Christmas lights, the kids stayed up way too late every night. We trekked to cut down our own Christmas Tree and they helped us set it up and then we had to take them to Graetar's Ice Cream. And before we knew it, they were gone. But, we think it should be a requirement to come back next year for Thanksgiving. It's our new tradition.

Don't miss it!

Go here (my cute little sister) to enter her Pay It Forward contest. She's sending out her favorite things! (Did I mention she is one of my favorite things?) I bet her favorite things will be a treat to get.

Thanks

Landon's walking almost everywhere, Emma thinks her feeted zip-up jammies are one large "pocket"- she zips notebooks and babydolls and sippy cups away to be slept with all night, Ryan's 32nd birthday was met and ended with all his family calling to talk, I've about nailed down the plan of attack for my new "party girl" calling, Tanner still makes me smile with his toothless "evey" (even) sentences, the family reunion postcards are about in the mail (check out my moms blog for the proof), and I've watched friends here care for another- seeing endless glimpses of love and service, encouraging me to be better. A Harvest House indeed.

Happy Birthday Ryan

I am so glad that this smiling picture of you

is still exactly who you are today.

Almost always happy and optimistic, and surely the favorite parent in our home. That's okay, you're still my favorite too.

Happy 35th Birthday!

(okay, 32nd)
xo

Falling Behind.....

It's no lie that I love love love blogging. I love seeing all my family and cousins and dear good friends from everywhere that I have lived. YET, I've been falling behind on commenting. This is like my favorite hobby! So, I'm sorry. I will catch up. Please excuse my rudeness for the time. (ps- thanks for the "Tags", I will get to them!)

Our Fall Break

Monday- Kazooing Day (indoor playground)

Tuesday- Discovery Forest Museum in Starlight, Indiana (yes, the museum is empty, and yes, that is an artifical tree and yes, you only ever need to go here once.)

Wednesday- Rainy day, whine, whine, whine day
(I looked up this article to see where my parenting had failed.)

Thursday- Library Day

Friday- to the Zooooo

Saturday- Ward Trunk or Treat. Go USC!- Tanner's the team mascot "Tanner Trojan" (it's really "Tommy Trojan") Emma the cheer girl and Landon the QB (says Ryan) .

(The pom-pom and sword were in movement. Happily none were harmed.)

Sunday- Day of rest, please (can that really happen?) and pulled pork sandwhiches.

Back-to-school on Monday for Tanner.

It's Thriller Time

Don't you love good old mormon folk? We can make anything better than the original- yes we can! Happy Halloween.



BYU Vocal Point

Our Plan of Attack

I think people wonder what we are doing. Sometimes I wonder what we are doing. Like is Ryan a resident or a medical student or what? So, this post is just to clarify and vivdly express my undying love and support to my husband- I mean look what he has put me through :) And, for my records. (it's boring)


PART 1: THE PART I KNOW
Ryan went to BYU and then finished at UCSD in San Diego (the La Jolla school, not to be confused with San Diego State.) He finished up in MicroBiology. We had just had Tanner and were in process of applying to medical schools. Ryan did okay on his MCAT (pre-entrance exam). Yet we just didn't know how competitive medical school was. We were jaded. Most things have come easy for Ryan. We thought he would get in. He tests very well. But, not well enough and we got wait listed and options for podiatry programs and DO schools and if "you go here for our Master of Public Health program, we will possibly take you into our MD program" offers. All good options, but not where Ryan's interests or timeline were. Also, we had application issues. One professors car was broken into and Ryan's application was stolen from his car and then 9/11 happened and mail was stalled. We just did not have things going in our direction. We missed deadlines.


So, Ryan started researching Foreign Medical School options. He went to some open houses. He talked to doctors. I networked and had a poignant experience. Tanner was born with a minor heart defect and was under the care of a TOP pediatric cardiologist. I took Tanner in for a follow up exam and the Doctor Fellow (in his specialty training) who saw Tanner and worked under this top cardiologist was a graduate of St. Georges University (the Grenada Caribbean school). It is a very clear memory to me, here was someone in a competitive specialty and a foreign graduate. From that point on I was supportive of whatever decision Ryan made. And so he decided on St. George's University. There was no delay- we got accepted and moved.

We lived on 2 islands in the Caribbean. That is a post in itself. The program works you there for 2 years and then integrates you into the states for the last 2 years of medical school, known as the Clinical Training portion. That was how we ended up in Bakersfield California. He took the same board exams as US Medical Students took and went through the same application process for residency. We ended up here at University of Louisville for his internal medicine residency- actually his first choice.

Ryan's currently a second year resident. He has about 18 months to go until he will be a board certified doctor. His residency will total 3 years. He could possibly stop training and just work as internist (doctor for 18 and up) at a hospital or practice or something. More likely a hospital. He doesn't like clinic work. But it is never that easy. He wants to specialize (ie- get a fellowship)


PART 2: THE PART I DON'T KNOW
We signed with the Air Force this past January. There salary contracts for doctors are quite competitive. There were several reasons why we did this. As a foreign grad when Ryan applies for a competitive specialty spot he will not be as competitive as a "stateside" applicant. We knew he might have to sit out a year or 2 to get that Allergy spot or GI spot and inside the Air Force the game is not played like that. He will most likely get into a specialty spot faster. Hopefully. We also needed the financial assistance they could give us now and a commitment with them did not scare us. Ryan could possibly get deployed and we can't control that. But it seemed to be a fit for us. We are just getting ready to put a placement request in for where we would like to be stationed- maybe Italy or Germany. I like adventure you know? (not really) When specializing within the Air Force they pay at least 3 times as much as compared to the non-military route. We will owe them more time but, there is compensation in pay. So where we go next and what Ryan settles his specialty on is still up in the air.

That's the plan. 4 years of undergrad. 4 years of medical school. 3 years of residency. 3 more years for fellowship. Possibly 6 military years. Almost 10 years of training down and 4 more until he is working as the doctor he wants to be.

And yet what stay at home Mom could really complain about seeing the world while her husband persues his passion? I would say I have had it almost perfect. Okay, minus the colicky babies. And moving is a pain. And poverty isn't fun either, but the Caribbean put that into perspective for me. But still, doesn't Europe sound fun while our kids are young? Okay, even Texas ;) we could go there too.

Golden Weekend

That's hospital doctor lingo for "no call: no pagers." Ryan got home and he was surprised with a half-packed suitcase going to:So we were off. Just 90 miles away to visit the Newport Aquarium.

Cincinnati was surprisingly a really beautiful city! We stayed at the Millenium hotel and saw this guy at check-in. He was surrounded by an entourage and I finally asked someone what the hoopla was about. Of course (shouldn't I have known?) he was an Ultimate Fighting Champ. (Are you impressed Cory and Cari?)

Ryan said he felt like he had gotten "call" night sleep though. Emma fell off the bed twice. We all shared 2 double beds, alternated sleeping arrangements like 10 times throughout the night, and yet still made it to the Aquarium right before it opened.

At the otter exhibit:

Ryan trying to close the jaws of a simulated shark:

We walked through several long tunnels giving us the impression of being in the tank. It really was amazing. Sometimes the floor was even glass.

The "Dive Team" workers were great with the onlookers. Ryan played (best out of 3) Rock-Paper-Scissors with one of them.


Right over our heads. We could stand still and yet were so entertained with the constantly moving scenery.

Petting the safe sharks:

and we could not believe the speed of these guys:

An above ground shot of the tank. This is just a portion if it.

We left at noon, drove to put the babies to sleep, I had a nap, we found a great park on the river and had a picnic and then went back and did the whole museum again. It was so perfect- I wish we had more "golden weekends", but perhaps with a bit better sleep.

(Oh, one more thing. I was so happy to have Ryan home for church! We had a great breakfast and everyone was ready on time and then we got to church and no one was there. OOPS! It was Stake Conference- 2 hours earlier. So, we had "church" at home. On "Good, Better, Best" . We used a single chocolate chip, a small candy bar, and a large candy bar to illustrate this. The day was salvaged.)

To My Mom:

One of the biggest reasons

I love my Grandma so much is that she had YOU

51 years ago today.

Tanner says, "Happy Birthday Grandma today." I'd like to add, I think you are due every year for a repeat of your 50th Surprise Birthday party. That was a serious paaaarty. And I hope you have just as good of one this year... minus all the family. But still with a great, to-die-for,chocolate cake (that you will probably have to make yourself since you are the best at it.) How I really really wish we were there to enjoy (the cake) and celebrate you. To the Happiest Birthday of all Mom! I love you. #2

A Form of Communication

(Let me try this again.. dang Blogger)



I mentioned in a previous post that Landon has some crazy signing skills. I bet the Jones 2nd cousins would be impressed. And yes, he is hitting his face. But it sure doesn't slow his speed. Emma is the background chatter.

Translation anyone?

Just check

check, checkn' in.

I didn't respond quickly enough to Emma and the "Helll-lo" left her mouth. The kind of "Helll-lo' that I say. And my sisters says. And it completely stopped me and made me laugh. Oh the things I hope never come out of my mouth to be repeated by my 2 year old.

We went and got flu shots this past week. Ryan was home to help. True fear emerged from Emma provoking Landon's panic and the shell-shock look on Tanner's face. He was stoic though and did not cry a tear. Emma on the other hand? I think she would have ran away from the nurse if she could have. (Mom swears I did that once, but I think she is confusing me with sister #1 Summer. She was there at the time too.) We have to go back for a booster shot for each of them in one month. Oh dear. I will admit that Ryan and I had a nice laugh during the whole event. I like that Ryan sees funny in most things. That is not my strong point.

At this point: Halloween costumes almost ready (check). PIF boxes gone and a distant memory (check). Save-the-Date Postcards for the infamous Bergloff family reunion (almost done... although I think cousin Jess could do them better.) New calling for me (check). That is... Ward Activities Dinner Group Organizer. Pretty fun stuff. I'm just working it out in my mind still but if there are any ideas floating around out there send them my way. (Someone has to know more than me about this-)

Tanner has school pajama day tomorrow and then he is off Friday and all next week. I am actually looking forward to it. Landon is too- he thinks Tanner is the craziest thing around. Oh, you know what's crazy? Watching Landon do sign-language. Thanks to some cousins, via my mom, I have some kid signing movies. Wait til I show you Landon's version. Stay tuned.

And the PIF winners are:

To clarify and legitimize my drawing:

Names were written on strips of paper placed in a cup, held by me, and drawn by Tanner witnessed by Ryan. Completely worthy of a legal stock exchange, I'm certain.

Congratulations To:

1. STEPHANIE H.

2. MELISSA B.

3. CARLA H.

and I scraped up one more box for the final draw of

4. HEATHER D.

That's how it went down. Thanks to all who entered. Thanks for the newbies that introduced themselves. Thanks to this blogging world that I am so treated to read and enjoy the lives of so many of you ladies. I am inspired and motivated and am at times fascinated with all that is done in each of your lives. Thank you for sharing with this plain old girl like me. I can't wait to see what these girls do and who gets the gets the joy of receiving these girls PIF's. OOOOOO (that's hugs to you all.)

So, winners, please email me at: rlw0625@hotmail.com your mailing address. I will drop these in the mail tomorrow. Or maybe the next. But soon.

Pay It Forward Exchange

ends tomorrow. I'll post results at night, my time. Thanks for all who entered!

Pay It Forward Exchange

I'm finally ready to send my boxes. Whew, finally! Do you want one? Just as a premise on how this happened. I frequent the blog of The Mandee Grant, whom I've never met, and noticed that she was "interviewed" via blog on the well-noted c jane . C jane was "Paying It Forward" (PIF) to her readers by using her personal interview skills on 3 of her readers that would be posted on her well frequented blog. Mandee was picked and according to Mandee "this was the HIGHLIGHT of her blogging life!" and in return for this interview Mandee had to PIF to her readers as well, some craft or personal like. So, myself a lurker and reader, I left a comment on Mandee's blog when her exchange was posted. I was brave. It was my first comment there. Well, she picked me. She also picked my good friend Jocelyn. Jocelyn launched her own PIF and I won that too. DOUBLE WHAMMY. And, I really never win anything. Ever. I even try to hit the mega-millions every once in a while. No luck.

So, I get to Pay It Forward to my blog readers.

Here's how it works:

1. You must have your own blog to perpetuate the Pay It Forward Exchange/Craft. YOU MUST Pay It Forward! I would love to know what the chosen do- I'm nosey like that.

2. You must enter by making a comment with something interesting about yourself.

3. You have until Monday night, October 15th. We will draw at Family Home Evening.

4. I will pick 3 of the commenter's randomly (or Tanner will). Now, I know I should technically do 6, since I won two PIF's, but I can't. Let me explain.

I am not "perfected" (so to say) in much. I can sew, but would never sew for anyone. I can't paint, or draw, or sing or quilt or make pots or blow glass or do a handstand. So, I really struggled to define my craft. This I do know about myself. I love Christmas. Hence my Pay It Forward: Christmas Package.

I did spend some thought on this (too much says my husband). It began to take over my home. It has also kept me in stall mode for other things I have needed to get done. That's why I only have 3 boxes. But, I tried my very homemade best on some items and purchased the rest. It includes: cookie cutter tree ornaments, felted snow mitt clothespins for gift bags, an oil burner from The Body Shop with a gingerbread oil, a leather jingle bell door knocker, and a well-loved treat. (HEY- Don't knock this stuff! I very much like it all!)

So, this was fun. It did require effort. I will be glad to pass this on. Especially to Jocelyn and Mandee (yes, I have a box for both of you ladies). How often do you get to give a gift of just things that you like and like to craft with no thought of what the recipient likes? Not very often. I was able to take some time thinking just about me. That's okay to do once in a while. I hope whoever gets my boxes will come to like these things as much as I do. And I tried my best, "So that in little time everyone on this planet will have some sort of craft from the heart- cjane".

If you want my PIF box, but mainly the attachment of starting your own PIF, let me know it now. All 3 of you please.

ps- thanks Kathryn for the photo

_____________________________________

UPDATE 10/9: Thanks Mandee! I got your PIF package today. It was nicely waiting on my porch. I felt like it was Christmas! I loved it all- but mostly that these are things you like. Thank you. I will especially savor the Dear Lizzie- alone by myself. And I'm not sharing. Even with Ryan. (Check out Mandee's blog for a great package description. I fear my posts are too long. )

Landon's First Haircut

Landon was looking shaggy. To cut his hair we went. In the chair:
Finishing up:
"All better," said Emma. She thought we were at the doctor.

On my mind

I am glad that Tanner told me his runny nose was "crying" it reminded me that he is still so little and exactly what I am blessed to have. I struggled to keep calm in my house for General Conference weekend, Ryan was working and did not get home til mid-Sunday and yet I still was able to jot down a few things that resignated when spoken, especially Elder Packer saying, "All are capable of Heavenly Father's help". Yes, even me. And I loved Sister Becks talk. Because I felt the truth of what she said, that a mom does know. I have been to visit with a new adoptive mom and think of my dearest friend and it makes me love her more for her faith and all the hope she shows. I spoke to my sister-in-law who just had her new baby. She prays for faith to not worry and feels His help. I needed to hear this. In the morning after Tanner gets off, I get the other 2 up and hold them and kiss them, one in each arm and Emma won't let me let go. Of her or Landon. Perfect. I could sit all day.

Five Stars

My family knows I am always in search of the best roll recipe. In case I can't make rolls from scratch, I found these:
These rolls are as good as homemade. I PROMISE. They are in the grocery store freezer section. $2.79 for 10. And Sam's has them in bulk. Ready in minutes and I swear they can compete against the best Parker House roll you've ever had. Don't believe me? Believe my kids and their friend Ellie who said, "These are better than doughnuts!" Perfect for Dinner of course and General Conference weekend.

Just hatched!

Ryan's littlest sister had her second baby girl this morning. How much I wish I could be there. Dangit. That always happens, we miss all the big events. Congratulations to Jill and Joe and the cutest big sister, Macee Maryn.

Kynzlee Dawn

8 pounds 9 ounces

20 inches

6:40 in the morning

What I Know:

If you are going to watch Cinderella- a Twist in Time you must wear the blue dress. Not the pink, according to Emma.

Crafty

I'm in the middle of trying to craft something for my Pay It Forward contest. Certainly it should not be that hard? I'm trying. Anyhow, my box is a holiday box and I will release more info later to those (few) of you interested in winning my craft/likes and thus giving your craft/likes away as well. Get it? Pay It Forward. (Blame it all on first, The Mandee Grant and then my really talented friend, Jocelyn Delgado.)


Well, I ventured down to Hobby Lobby today. Okay, it was a bit of a drive and did put me at my max of manageable time out with the kids. And they each had 3 or 10 suckers or so while I shopped. But, let me just say what a HIDDEN GEM. What in the world! Get to your Hobby Lobby. Great prices, great selection, CLEAN, organized and I spent 90 minutes there. With the kids. That must mean I really liked it. I know, I know, Melissa B. and my mom told me. And a few others. Now I get it. I gotta get my craft on now.


For my Bakersfield friends: Michaels x 12... you girls would love it.

Balloon Glow- the best festival around

The annual event of the Louisville Balloon Glow started this weekend. Touted to be in the top 5 in the nation for hot air balloon festivals, a gathering of 85 balloons at dusk "light" their inflated balloons. The glow and warmth from the balloons is awesome. You can get as close as you want and I love watching the teams work together to get them up. Every balloon rise from the ground got an applause from Emma and it really is so fascinating. It's almost as magical as Disneyland. ALMOST. I'm a dork like that.

(Forgive my camera. It's lived its' life. I'm still trying to replace it. Pictures are spotty.)

(That's NOT Ryan between the kids.)

(THIS is Ryan squinting. He's blaming the camera.)

( And this is blurry. But, shows the magic.)

I need a new camera~ before next years glow.

I'm a serious cook now.

Thanks to this super cute apron from Heather D., these turned out well. I feel so gourmet when I wear it! Just a shout out to this girl that sews and paper crafts and shares all of her talents so well. I am graced with her goodness often. Her blog will be a fun one to read. She's just getting started, and I bet Martha Stewart would claim her "A good thing".

He Placed in Weird Science

Ryan's research project this past month:

"Healthcare Associated Pneumonia Treated as Community Acquired Pneumonia Compared to Community Acquired Pneumonia Patients Treated with the same Therapy."

Yep. That's it in a nutshell. He won 3rd place in his conference and has an invitation to go to Washington DC in May. There he will present again.

I am hoping to join him, without the kids. I have a babysitter (mom please come) in mind.

Don't you love when you see your spouse succeed? And excel too? But, the best part for me is that I have this best friend and husband and father that no matter what success he has, puts us first. Always. 100% non-negotiable. That's what makes him the gold ribbon, first place, grand prize. And he didn't even have to win the 3rd place for me to know it.

Up in Flames, Down the Drain

So I have these little brothers that did something ghastly once. I was in the 9th grade when the first one came along (Jacob) and 13 months later came Isacc. I thought they were the cutest babies to ever exist. I would be so excited to come home from school to see them and hold them and if someone ever asked me if they were mine (like they thought I was a teen mom or something) I remember being a little flattered. They were that cute.

When Jacob was 3, and Isacc was obviously 2, I left for college at Utah State. (They really have never remembered me living at home with them, but my mom swears when they really hit those rough teen years they are coming my way. So, maybe I will live with them again.)

Well, on a frequent call home during my first year, I could tell I had called at the wrong time. My mom was a bit "overwhelmed" sounding. She mentioned that "the boys" had started a fire. A plastic spewing, seriously smoking, stenchy fire. That escaped from the living room fireplace to hit the ceiling. I knew my Grandma was coming to help. What in the world I thought? Who was watching them?

Come to find out, the fire started as a small appropriate fire in the fireplace. But while my mom was on the phone they took their blankies and piled their toys on them and then dragged their blankies to the fireplace and threw each of their toys in. Hence the plastic spewing. When I came home for break the smoke damage was still present. And 10 years later my brothers still have not lived it down.

This flashback memory hit me tonight during bath time for Emma and Landon. I was bathing them and vacuuming at the same time. ( We were watching them people.) We had a really full afternoon and Ryan was talking on the phone trying to get out the door for his night shift and I heard normal laughing and saw them both. They would yell at me and I would talk back to them and there was a sporadic THUD but it did not cause me too much concern. Until, I went closer. Their electronic toys were in the bath with them! The toy closet is right by the bath tub and Emma must have hopped in and out and grabbed them one by one (I said we were watching them!) So, as I looked in the bath of toys and just a little water, I instantly thought of that toy fire. And thought once again, "Who was watching them?"

I say Ryan for sure.