Instruction Manual?

Why don't kids come with an instruction manual? Or even just a little warning label? I could be attached to their umbilical cord or something. I've needed one for Hyrum. It could have been as simple as, "Will test everything himself." Saturday I was sewing some school bags for our ward Humanitarian Aid project and had the iron set up next to me. I got up to iron something and Hyrum came over to check things out. No sooner did I say, "Be careful, Hy, it's hot," than he reached up to prove I was right. Result - blistered finger. End of sewing for the day.

Then yesterday I was trying to work on them a little more (I know, it was the Sabbath) and Hyrum wanted to be invloved again, so I had him on my lap and he was in charge of pushing the backstitch button. I'd done the same thing many times with Sterling and just warned him that he would get an owie if he put his fingers near the needle. I gave Hy the same warning, and again he had to test to see if what I said was true. Result - sewn finger. Major cringe. Fortunately Brandon was sitting right there to help and knew exactly what my huge gasp and "Help me, HELP ME!" meant.

I can't decide if that was my penance for sewing on Sunday or if I just needed that major epiphany that he is my child who will have to test everything himself, but it was a highly traumatic lesson for me, whatever the reason. I cried, but then it made Hyrum cry harder so I had to pull it together.

Honestly, a litle tag on their umbilical cord is all I ask.

A lot of little stuff

Ahh, the simple pleasures of summer. Did you ever get Push-ups from the Schwann's man? We had them every summer and I was totally excited when Sterling requested them from the popsicle section! What could be better than sitting with your brother on the porch steps enjoying an orange sherbet push-up.




And Sterling totally takes after me. This is about the fourth snake he's found in our yard and he's totally fearless about them. (Please still come to our house, Aunt Brook!) Anyway, he's really proud of himself. The other day they were out catching bugs and frogs too. I love where we live!
Ok, now this is serious stuff. Strawberry Freezer Jam. Heaven. In a Ziploc container. It so takes me back to being a kid at my Grandmother's in Idaho. Whatever was for dinner also included biscuits with butter and strawberry freezer jam. It makes me miss my grandma. And my dad. I'm so glad I have that memory.

And finally, chopped! My hair was getting ridiculously too long and I had enough to donate to Locks of Love, so I cut it off!! I'll admit it took a little getting used to and about an hour in the bathroom trying to figure out how to style it, but I really like it! My poor friend Paige was shaking in her boots cutting it off. Thanks for biting the bullet Paige!

Fun movies and saving $$$

We've rented a couple of really cute family movies that I can highly recommend. First, Bedtime Stories with Adam Sandler. Really cute and not at all "Adam Sandler" gross. Second, Hotel for Dogs. Really, really cute. Even makes you tear up at the end - please note if you are prego (Robyn!). They were really good. Our boys kind of stayed with it but they aren't animated so their attention kind of waxed and waned.

OK, now on to saving moolaa! I've been really trying to up our food storage and save money wherever I can to build up that all important rainy-day fund so I've been paying particular attention to the flyers and coupons that come in the Sunday and Wednesday papers. I can scan through the ads and make a mental note of good deals then scan the coupons for any that will add to that deal. Then I make my list, take the flyers and head to Walmart! I know that Walmart isn't always everyone's favorite place to go, but they will honor any advertised price if it beats theirs. So, for example, the other day there was an in-store Walgreen's coupon for Scott fresh wipes for $1.99 and you could buy up to three. Then there was a manufacturer's coupon for $.50 off two, so I got my fresh wipes for the boys bathroom for $1.75 a box. They are normally like $3.50 and I am paranoid about making sure bums are clean so I will help with a wet wipe. Now I don't have too and they are flushable! Maybe that is a gross example, but it was the best saving of the day. Also, Fred Meyer had Big G cereal on sale for $1.99 a box. Got a ton of that. You just have to make sure you get what is in the picture or that the ad specifically states sizes and kinds.

Oh, also pay attention to your cashier. Try to get one you've seen there or looks friendly and competent. That makes a huge difference in getting through the line smoothly. I've had one lady who was really fast and great and then the next time I wasn't paying attention and ended up with a trainee who had to run everything past her shift manager. That always makes me feel awkward, like they think I'm trying to pull a fast one on them. And I've found if the store coupon says like $1 off whatever, they don't honor that. It has to have a specific price on it.

Anyway, I honestly think I saved about $25 the other day and I didn't have to run all over town, which still made the over-scrutiny worth it.

Hope you all are having a great day!!

Jonah's blessing... and I hate blogger

OK, so I am extremely frustrated and want to get these posted, so you'll just have to get a little flexible. Even though they are on my desktop correctly they will not load right onto blogger! ARRG!

Anyway, if you can flip your head over, here is Jonah in his blessing outfit.

That day ended up being really crazy so we didn't get pics of him that day. To make up for it, we had a photo shoot later that week. I got one picture of Jonah by himself and the rest had someone's hand or shadow or foot or face... I gave up and got some of the three of them. Again, you'll have to tilt your head. Jonah is supposed to be at the bottom of the shot.

This was before I changed the big boys. They were having a lot of fun. Oh, you like Hyrum's fat purple lip? That's another story entirely. You can adjust your head however you please for this one.

Can't leave out the proud parents!! And I just noticed I was wearing a purple shirt and Brandon a purple tie!! Embarrassing and totally unintentional.

It was a beautiful day and a special blessing. I was overwhelmed by the friends and family we had there. That is why we are back in Washington. There were thirteen men in the circle. Totally incredible.

Please note new posts

My sister-in-law told me I don't blog enough so I'm trying to play catch-up. There are three new blogs following this. Take a look.

The much anticipated...

... pictures of our house!! It has only been seven months. Truthfully I wanted to make it look at least halfway decent. I had a few projects that HAD to be done before I would post any pictures.

Here it is before. I think the front "hay" had been cut at least.

And now the after!!

I have been working hard trying to make it presentable. The porch rail was the worst. It made the house look really crappy so I painted it white. It was easy to hide it at Christmas. I draped cedar garland over it and wrapped red ribbon around the posts, but when I took it down I just hated it. We had a couple of nice days in January so I got out my primer and paintbrush. Just getting the primer on made a huge difference. Oh, and if the grass looks unnaturally green it's because Brandon photoshopped it!

This is the left side of the yard. It's hard to tell, but our property goes to the road which is just before the red house.

And the right side. Again the property goes way over. Almost to the neighboring house. In all it is 1 1/4 acre. We love it!!
I've put in a garden and we are tearing out stuff that we don't like, including some very pokey Hawthorne trees and a dog run. Next to move is this random arbor in the middle of the yard. That will become a greenhouse. All the "working" stuff will be on the left side so we have the right, more private, side of the yard for fun and entertaining. It will be a few years until the yard is really what we want, but we've made some pretty good strides so far. Anyway, we'll keep you updated.

Hyrum

Mischevious...

and super sweet!

He is ALWAYS asking to hold the baby. He loves Jonah so much. Maybe a little too much. Lately he's been squishing Jonah with his hugs, but it's better than the alternative, a one-two punch, which is how he shows his affection to Sterling. Ah, the joys of being two. He is also really concerned about Jonah. Whenever the baby is crying, Hyrum yells, "Baby's cryring!" That's not a typo, that's really how he pronounces it. Hy is a sweet boy who loves to cuddle and play outside. He is a ton of fun.

Our preschool graduate

This is a little late but I try to pretend I have an excuse. Ok, I really do. Keeping up with three kids is a lot of work! But I digress. The real reason for this post is to celebrate Sterling!! I can't believe I have a kindergartner :(.

Sterling has had a great year in preschool with Brandon's mom as his teacher. It has given them a special time to bond that not many grandkids get! Plus, he's made great strides socially. He takes a lot after me and is very shy. Really doesn't like to step out of his comfort zone. He's also made a very good friend named Colby who will be going to the same school for Kindergarten. We're pretty excited. And without further ado, the pictures.

Sterling and his friends Grady (middle) and Colby.

Getting his diploma from Teacher Bobbi, aka Gram.

Cousin Tanner who was in the same preschool but a different class, and...

Cousin McKade, same deal.

Singing songs for everyone. Hyrum had to join in. The funny thing was these three were way over at the end and totally rocking out to Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. It was really cute!

Anyway, it was really emotional for me! Last year was nothing because he was just moving up, but now he's moving on to Elementary school and I'm not sure I'm ready for school buses and class everyday. But, such is life. My Sterling is so sweet!