Appreciation for husband Sunday the 5th (Actually just something I thought was cute and fun this week about Corey)

This week was Pine Wood Derby for our son, Rhett. Rhett and his dad worked on the car together. Rhett sawed the pattern he chose and painted it the way he wanted and worked hard on it. Corey added the weights onto the bottom of the car. To my surprise and I think even to Corey's surprise, Rhett car won almost every race! We have never had a winning car before (its hard to beat those bought off eBay!) and we were quite excited. Of course you have to contain your excitement because you don't want to make the other little kids feel bad or act like your bragging.

Rhett's car: 3rd car from left. (It took all my self control not to fix his red stripe down the middle)

I found it especially cute after it was obvious that Corey and Rhett had a produced a winning car that Corey was sitting in his chair trying to act all nonchalant about it.

I teased him about trying to act cool like he wasn't too excited and he flashed me a smile and asked if it showed to much.

Funny!

I truly believe a dirty kid (not smelly, though) is a happy, learning, kid!

Because Pine Wood Derby is upon us and there has been sawing and painting by big brother Rhett...

Bo was DYING to do a project! I happened to have this bird house that I let him paint. He was in pure HEAVEN for hours. That boy loves to PAINT! Because Bo looked like he was having so much fun...

Kate wanted to paint. It started out not so bad...

but quickly deteriorated to THIS......... ACK!

Childhood is that wonderful time of life when all you need to do to lose weight is take a bath. ~Author Unknown

Appreciation for husband Sunday the 4th

Don't you just love it when your child is misbehaving at church, and you can get your husbands attention with a poke to his shoulder and a point of your finger to the misbehavor, and all he has to do is put a fatherly hand on misbehaving child and tell him to be quiet, and it actually happens!!!!!!!! Love that! I deeply appreciate that. Fathers are ultra important! They can do things easily that for some crazy reason moms just can't get done.

I love a baby with back fat!

She plays with her pony tail and it always makes it stand up straight. My friend calls it a banana peal.

Thanks Corey for helping me raise all these kids!

"Ugly cry face" is never a good thing!

Well, the "ugly cry face" my dad warns me about made it's freak appearance today at a meeting for Bo at his preschool. The teacher, aid, and the lady in charge of the developmental program were all there. Unfortunately the meeting already started off on a bad note as I had forgotten to go and had to be called to come in! I HATE that. My true self has never forgotten a meeting! This zombie mother of six, crazy, active, ADD riddled, children, forgets everything! Who have I become? The old me is one ultra organized chickadee, but this zombie me, is pure ciaos! And I hate it when people don't believe me. I tell everyone, "this isn't me, I'm usually beautifully organized. Six kids one husband, a bazillion pets, have taken over my life!" And they look at me. They smile and nod with fake sympathy. And... they don't believe me. I can tell it is true. They think they could handle it better. I know this because I use to think this when I saw others in the ciaos of large familyhood. If they were just more on the ball they'd be fine, I'd think. NOT TRUE. Unless you are my beloved Mrs. Duggar, you would be in ciaos too!

Anyway, back to "ugly cry face." There are some people in this world who just should not be crying in public. Sadly, I am one of those people. It is just not a great look for me. It is very unfortunate because I happen to cry a lot, and at the stupidest moments, in front of everyone, exhibiting "ugly cry face" for the world to see. I HATE it. So the meeting started with casual chit chat and I was literally and truly about to say "I think Bo is just coming along so well!" When the lady in charge says, "I think Bo is not improving at all." WHAT? Break my heart. So I am telling myself, they don't know everything. I see him. He is improving. And he is. But he is not improving in the area of... let see... not shoving your class mate friend on the ground for no reason, or..... not tackling your class mate friend for no reason, or...... not stealing toys and then beating up your class mate for no reason, or.... not overpowering anyone who crosses your way, with your skinny little self, for no reason. Those areas apparently are not coming along so well. Also he is exhibiting extreme defiance. Is that not normal? Oh. I thought it was. So I am starting to feel really bad because he is sounding a bit sociopathish. Shortly after, "ugly cry face" made her dreadful appearance, and I had to cry for a while about my woes. As tissues are being thrown my way, I try to cover "ugly cry face" up but there is just no redeeming yourself from that kind of a scene. ACK! (I saw someone type that the other day. I think it is hysterical) ACK! What is a mom to do! So the solution for now is to switch him to a different preschool class to see if that will help. It is so sad. I just love that "little critter" (his new favorite book) so much that I am apparently clueless to his high level of naughtiness. Look how nice he can be? He is hugging our dog. He eats a bite, hugs the dog, eats a bite, hugs the dog.

Actually the sad fact is, I thing he is a product of his environment. Around this house, with three boys and one rowdy dad, it is ALWAYS wrestle time. It is not uncommon to see Corey beam a ball (just a Nerf) at the boys head just for fun. The boys love it. So Bo probably just can't help it.

On a happier note, I also got a call from the school's acting principal about Nathan. This school is very strict (I adore that) so it is not unusual (okay, not unusual for me) to get a call occasionally. Apparently, Nathan and a buddy were walking down the hall when his little brother, Rhett, was walking down the hall in the other direction. What is an older brother to do but bop his younger brother on the head as he is walking by. It is a law of nature right? And what is a buddy of an older brother to do but... the same. So two bops on the head and one crying 2ND grader later, I received the call. Nathan had to miss recess and gym and apologize and write notes to Rhett. ACK!

So, thus another day in my crazy world.

Isn't this the cutest picture ever? It is more than a few years old but don't those look like the too sweetest brothers in the world? Hopefully a few bops on the head won't damage their brotherly love.

This is why I can't keep the house clean, Corey!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

This kid LOVES a good mess! She keeps me busy!

Fare thee well, my sweet...

I just might literally die today.

Due to huge type 2 diabetes factors in my gene pool, and my husbands gene pool, I am giving up sugar. (and food that turns into sugar). My girls are doing this with me. We are gonna be some grumpy chics this week! I need to be weened off sugar. Like a druggie. Which I am. A sugar Druggie. Once when we had cable, I watched this show called "Intervention" (love it) and they were taking this cocaine addict to rehab. He was totally sniffing all this cocaine in the cab on the way to the rehab place. It was sad. I related to him so much. Seriously. In fact I have had sugar ALL day today.

Wish me luck. I am not looking forward to it. I don't know how one sticks to a life time of this. I am hoping to ween us down to where we don't really want it but if we have a special occasion we can have a treat and then have control the next day. Is it possible? I have my doubts but I have to try. In fact, I think I am going to work on changing the whole family's diet. It is just as well with the diabetic curse we have. I feel a desperate need to teach the kids now. Unfortunately healthy food is more expensive and with all these kids...you know. It is ALWAYS on my mind though. I think about all the processed food and sugars they are getting and how that can affect their learning etc. Anyway, say a little prayer for me.

Good bye Peanut Butter Panic Ice Cream.
Good bye Hershey Chocolate Without Nuts.

I'll be thinking about you.

Appreciation for husband Sunday the 3rd

My journey to coupon queen ship has been coming along. It is slower than I hoped, but from what I gather it takes time to learn the ropes and acquire the coupons. This week though, I did succeed in scoring what I thought was a GREAT deal. See below.

I bought all of the laundry detergent for 18 dollar! It's like 300 loads worth of laundry detergent. Sweet! Corey had gone shopping with me and thought I was crazy. After we successfully bought all the laundry detergent, we had a few other places to go. We were at Target (my favorite store) and I was helping Kassidy shop for something. I hadn't noticed Corey was gone until he came back all excited and said, "Do you know how much money you saved on laundry detergent?" He had been checking out how much Target's laundry detergent was and he was quite happy.

So that is it! That is my appreciation of Corey this week. He gave me "words of affirmation" and that is my "love language". Have you all read those books? "The 5 love languages"... They have a variety of series, love languages for children, spouses, teens, etc... They are really great and helpful. They help you learn how you and other,s feel loved. Some people feel loved through physical touch, others time, and mine is definitely words of affirmation.

I felt really great when Corey validated my efforts in trying to save our family money.

(The one sad note is, I learned the coupon queen is getting her exact same laundry detergent for only 50 cents a bottle. Mine was 1.50. BLASTED!)

Along with my national holiday for running water, I am now going to start one for door knob child lock thingys. BEST INVENTION EVER!

Who is that girl?

My mom

Isn't she elegant looking?

I NEVER have been elegant looking in my ENTIRE life!

I love her with the cat. We always had a cat growing up. I really do like a good cat. (Not the one we have now, refer to past post-"our cat is a jerk!") I just think the black cat with her dark hair looks so beautiful. I always thought my dark hair came from my Armenian side. (My paper chain friend says I am a gypsy! Imagine that! I am going to have to research that a bit. I think that sounds exciting! I like it! She says that is why our cat doesn't like me.......hhmmm) But my mom has pretty dark hair in this picture so maybe it comes from her as well as my dad's Armenian side.

I am amazed by these pictures. It is funny how you never think your parents were "people" before you came along. Who is this sassy, interesting gal? My mind can't wrap around her.




My children certainly don't think I ever had a life before them. All I ever was, was their mother, old boring mother! I am actually very okay with that. I like it. I like them thinking I was always, only, all,... theirs.







Someday they may find the following pictures and wonder, who was that girl?







Sometimes I am wondering that!

And remember, no matter where you go, there you are. ~Confucius

I took a deep breath and listened to the old bray of my heart. I am. I am. I am. ~Sylvia Plath

Looks like along with "Appreciate husband Sunday" I am going to have to start "The ongoing saga of Bo gets kicked out of Primary Sunday!

How could this angel hurt a flea?

Actually, he didn't get kicked out today...but after church his teacher told me an inappropriate thing he had said. He is too little to know it was wrong but.... Sheesh! Do you think the kid could give me a break next week?

When I dropped him off to class, his teacher didn't know I was watching, she rubbed his shoulder and said hi and was super nice, so at least they are good to him. It is dang hard to be a primary teacher. I am glad that it is not my job! Did I mention I don't really enjoy kids? Just my own, and a select few. I think I am burned out. I hope it comes back before I start my orphanage.

I do know of a girl from Highschool, whom I saw on Facebook, was adopting children from Ethiopia. That makes my heart leap and skip a beat all at the same time! I would so have loved to do that. Maybe in years to come, if I get any momenten back, I could adopt an older child. I don't know. We shall see. It was my greatest wish once upon a time, to adopt and save children. I totally picture myself as an elderly woman serving in 3rd world countries with children. I'm going to drag my GNO buddies with me and we are going to go change the world. Someday... when we are done muddling through what we already have going on now....

Appreciation for husband Sunday, the 2nd

Corey came home from work Friday evening, we had a "discussion" on something, and I was agitated at him. I was working upstairs and when I came down the stairs, into the kitchen, I was shocked beyond belief when I caught him doing this!

He told me, "Darn!"

"I was trying to get this done before you saw!"

For a very long time now, the burners on our oven worked selectively, when they felt like it. Super ANNOYING! You could have a pan of water to boil, sitting their forever, before you would remember, "Shoot, the burner isn't working!" Drove me almost mad! Then you would have to jiggle the burner and SOMETIMES, if it felt like it, it would work, or...not. We weren't quite sure what the problem even was, (although now looking back it seems obvious), because of other oven electrical issues and, because we had just never taken the time to deal with it. Raising kids and hiking the States tallest mountain, had frankly, just taken precedence. So it was a joy to my eyes to see my man fixing the oven! Look, it was melting!


And even better, he apologized for the reason we were having the "discussion"! I knew I was right!

I love manly men who can fix things, and haul things, and chop things, and hike things, and provide meat! Here are some pictures of Corey (and Kassidy) probably 10 years ago, right after hunting season, thus the beard. Fun.

Is this scarey to anyone else or is it just me?

I swear it freaks me out a little. She looks like she is from "The Omen" or something. (not that I have seen it...with my anxiety level? Are you crazy?) But that is a scary little look!


For a long time now, though, our "baby" can make a mean face at you. And I mean she gives you the skunk eye! You tell her, "make the mean face", and she automatically does it. Of course, the older siblings taught her. This last month, after she makes the mean face, she breaks out into a huge adorable smile and laughs like she is now in on the joke with us. Love it.

You have to be fast to catch a picture of the mean face. I wasn't fast enough. It always starts with her head way down staring up at you. You can hardly see her eyes.

She is a mad woman. Today I peeked in at her to see why, after an hour, she still hasn't taken her nap. This is what I see...Clothes off, sheets off, the bazillion blankets and stuffed animals she loves out of the crib, hair undone and hanging all around, like the mad woman, wild child she she is!

>

>

Does anyone else see it?.....

Not that I am a Tom Cruise fan, (don't get me wrong, he's fine, but he's not up there with my Glenny or the Dog), but does anyone else see a resemblance to Suri here? Around the eyes?....The hair color?

Tell me you know who Suri is? Am I the only one who reads the People magazine? Don't answer that. It is my moms subscription. Shamefully, I could definitely win a game of Trivial Pursuit regarding all things Hollywood. It is much to my abhorrence, though.

Anyway, google Suri.

Now the following story I have been hesitating to tell because I would like her to actually find a spouse someday, but I can no longer contain myself.

I think my daughter is spending way to much time with brothers!

Prepare yourselves people....

This, my folks, is sadly her ginormous outie belly button!

I have always hated outies, but when they are on your own kid, you love it. I have to pinch it. She can wear it tucked in... or out. Today it was out. When she has eaten too much, it's out. When it is in, it is super cute like a little pigs curly tail. When it is out, it is like a mini marsh mellow. Like I said when it is your own child's outie, it is not near as grody... Sorry for all that, truly.

ANYHOOO, on with the story that just may keep her single her entire

life....

Lately, she tells me, "Potty"

Most people would be cheering, right?

Then, she takes her ginorm belly button into our new fabulous bathroom, and pushing her stomach out, holding on to the enormous outie, as if it was a little boys private part,

(I will spare my mom in law and not say the real word)...

she proceeds to "pee"!

(or as my dad would say urinate. Peas are something you eat.)...

Then she tells me, "all done", and continues on her way. She does this several times a day.

Uhhh...Do you guys think this is something she may need treatment for?

I have discovered the secret to Heaven in the home...

It's the recipe for homemade Winger's wing sauce!

I know you don't believe me. I know you don't think it is true. I know you think it can't possible be! But it is! Thanks to the blogging world I stumbled across the recipe. Winger's is my FAVORITE! The one thing Corey and I have always been able to agree on is where to go for dinner. Wingers is in the top 5!

Try this recipe, you'll love it! Unfortunately for my health, fat frying the chicken is the best way to go.

For the sauce:
**Covers about 8 sticky fingers
3 Tbsp. Franks Hot Sauce

(It has to be Franks Hot Sauce)
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. water

Heat up hot sauce, brown sugar and water in a sauce pan until all the sugar dissolves. You can also mix it with a little bit of ranch to make their creamy amazing dressing.

Then, I just buy Tyson chicken tenders and use those. One day when I was at Wingers I ordered a hamburger (I don't understand why either when the wings are so good) but it had this sauce on it and it was so good. You could do so much with this recipe!

The only problem is Corey wants to go to Wingers and I don't think I'll ever be able to go and pay full price now that I can make it on my own!

uuuhhhh......couponing SUCKS!!!!!!

Pucker up, Baby!

It worked! I had my first ever super successful couponing transaction! Hallelujah! (is it bad to say that?) That is how I felt! I could see how this can become a new way of life fast! Once you've worked hard to save that money you aren't going to want to spend it frivolously else where!

Okay- Here is how it went down. Walgreen's is besoming my new best friend.

I read these coupon queen blogs and I used 2 coupons I printed off (the blogs tell you exactly where to get everything) and I bought two containers of chap stick that I have never before used in my life (but for free what the heck, right?) So each chap stick was $5.49 but when you buy two they were $8 total. Then I used two coupons for $3 off each which brought my total down and with tax it was $2.48. So yes, it cost me $2.48. But then the cash register shot me out something called Register Rewards (RR) and it was for 3 dollars. So you use it just like cash. So technically I earned money! Awesome, huh?! So with all the money I am going to save I can send my kidlets to ski club with their Neosporin Lip Health chap sticks and they will be good to go!

I mentioned in the past he has super human strength, remember?

Don't you just love it when your 4 year old gets kicked out of primary church class early for slamming a classmates head on the table and leaving a bruise?

What? That's never happened to you? oh. Awesome.

Good thing my friend Kirstin loves me so much!

Appreciation for husband, Sunday!

Being the fabulous wife that I am, and wanting to improve upon our marriage, I asked Corey what I could do better in our relationship and I learned he feels under appreciated! I actually probably am really bad at that because most of the time I think, "yea, that's your job, want a medal?" or I think, "did you thank me for the 15 or more loads of laundry I did this week that have been dirtied, washed, and put away so fast you never even saw them?" (Okay maybe not quite that fast but still...) So in an effort to be more appreciative and thankful (and because our church time changed and I'll have more time) for my husband's efforts, I am going to recognize him every Sunday with something I appreciate about him.

Today it is the fact that he has made Sunday dinner for three Sundays in a row! That takes an incredible burden off my back and gives me an actual chance to possibly, maybe, relax for a while on Sunday. Today he made homemade buttermilk pancakes, sausage and eggs. (as I have mentioned before he is out to make me the perfect eggs and today he succeeded. Yum!) I like mine way over easy. It is super demented but when I was a kid my mom use to say something like, "Let the little birdy out", when you would break the runny yoke. Weird I know. I can't have any white not cooked though and the yellow must be warm but still runny. It is a very fine line and Corey tries every time to get it right. My dad use to make me the perfect egg before school wen I was in high school as well. Love that.

Anyway,

THANKS COREY!

I LOVE it to death when you make Sunday dinner. It takes a huge load off my back!

Here is Corey in the newly treasured Steelers shirt that Baby New Year left Corey. He loves it! The football is the Christmas present Rhett wanted desperately so during football games he and his dad could toss the ball.

Did you get a visit from Baby New Year? WHAT...? You didn't?

HAPPY NEW YEARS!

I made some goals:

• Monthly temple attendance
  
• Daily personal and family scripture study
  
• Write a novel
  
• Order the 4th season of Dog the Bounty Hunter and a bumper sticker!

Another new year started off right with... food,

Nielsen's gourmet hoagies, see the avacodo spread? Heaven!

MUST HAVE oyster! MMMMMmmmm.....Love them! I have one kid eating them, otherwise they are all mine! Tradition from when I was a kid!

and also sleeping in, and gifts left by Baby New Year! What did you say? You didn't receive gifts from Baby New Years? Oh...Sad. I love Baby New Year! (although I have been a little disturbed ever since I saw the grown man in diapers at Time Square. Our Baby New Year is NOT creepy like that!)

We are the only people I know of whom receive gifts from baby new year. As far as we know it was started by my dad's parents, Charles and Zarman. It occurred from the time my dad can remember. One time they had an extra big Baby New Year, (usu sally it is only one present). Charles and Zarman, ordered all the children's Christmas presents through Sears. Unfortunately Christmas Eve day came and the presents had not. They had to rush to the store and buy all new presents. After Christmas, but before New Years, all the presents arrived. That year they received extra presents. So every year my brother and I received a gift from Baby New Year! I love it. Sometimes when the let down of Christmas being over hits there is just that one last thing to look forward to. For what ever reason my dad's family also received those yummy frosted animal crackers with the sprinkles on them. I only learned that two years ago so that hasn't been part of our tradition. I specifically remember one year getting "Babe" perfume. You know, the all pink one... Fun memories.

Well that cat is out of the bag!

What did my wonderful BFF's do for me that I have kept a secret?

They got so SICK of me not having a cell phone they surprised me with one! (I know... we totally could end up on Judge Judy over it!) One night, after Christmas, me and my friends were standing around Viki's most FABULOUS new soap stone island talking, when Camy handed me a phone. On the screen it said, "Susan this is your new cell phone." I was confused and didn't want to take something so nice. But they, in their gracious way, made me feel like I was doing them a favor by taking it because they were getting so sick of not being able to get ahold of me the second they wanted to. That is the kind of friends they are. Amazingly sweet, huh? It is an amazing gift to have girlfriends who care about you. We (all of us) are not alone in the world! Heavenly Father has given us each other and I am very grateful for His most perfect plan.

Thanks GNO BFF's. You are the greatest! I love this phone from the bottom of my heart. I have been the last person on earth to have a cell phone. My Sister in law has had one for 12 years! My husband gets one from his work so we have never justified me getting one financially. But now I am keeping up with civilization and I am SUPER excited! And the best part is, I have UNLIMITED text! I didn't know what I was missing! I can see how those kids text so much on one day! I love it!