Housework Avoidance

This morning I sucked a nasty boogered metallic pink bead out of Izzy's nose with a straw. Gross, I know. I also saved myself a trip to the doctor, and decided that I'd have a great day afterwards, I mean, what could be worse than putting your mouth to the end of a straw and sucking at a place that mouths and beads have no business going near!?

So, I was right. A good day it is turning out to be. I have one kid at school, two at Grandma Pat's having a Halloween craft day, and that sweet little one is napping as I type. I may or may not have a Dr. Pepper in front of me, and I may or may not also be dipping into the trick or treating candy early. I just received a sweet email from my brother, a box of Halloween goodies from my Mom, and I've had a really great birthday week. Life is good. Thank you everyone for the notes, cards, gifts, etc. Thank you for making me feel special and loved. That's all anyone ever wants on their birthday is to feel remembered, like they matter to someone. It makes sucking slimy beads out of kids' noses really seem trivial, although I'll hold onto that story because I'll want to share it later when Izzy is old enough to realize how funny it is, maybe when she has a kid of her own who likes to stuff strange objects up her schnoz.

So a week or two ago I came across this blog with a list of journaling topics. I've been thinking about how important it is to keep a journal, or to write at least occasionally about life's events and how you feel about them. It helps you remember what you feel, it helps give perspective, it helps get the angry or the mad or the sad out, it helps you work out internal conflicts, and it helps you see your life more clearly, and in your own handwriting. I think too, that writing helps you to sit down and look at your life and see all the good in it, it helps you have a grateful heart. So I do it here on my blog, but during this season I hope too to write in my personal journal about my life at this moment in time.

Sweet and SImple

This week I've been going through the pictures from this year and conjuring up memories of outings, special occasions, birthdays, trips, and everyday activities. I'm working on an album for Brett and all the while feeling blessed by all of the sweet and simple times we've shared and the silly things too-like this face that Izzy gives me to make me laugh...

This was from a drive through the mountains, eating bagels and enjoying the perfection of fall.

This was from last weekend, we took the kids to the corn maze and they LOVED it! Brett and I, we enjoyed chucking corn kernels at the kids and following them in circles.

This was another drive-a "3 Moose Drive" up Mantua we took recently.

And this is just a sweet picture of my favorite people. Okay, so all of these pictures are from this month, but I have 10 months and hundreds of shots-2010 has been so good.

Have you been through your pictures lately? Nothing makes time feel so short or your life feel so great as looking through pictures of all the big and little events that have mattered to you. Take time today to look through your albums and remember the little happy moments that give life meaning.

Laughter, tears, gas, and anxiety attacks

So why the picture of my baby brother "Taffy" in his undies on the beach you ask? Simply because it's funny. And because he LOVES any chance to show off those boy thighs of his.

Last week we went to San Francisco to celebrate Browski's 40th birthday by scattering his ashes. There were tears, we had tissue. There was gas, Jill brought Gas X. And there was sadness, but we had some smoothering buggles and laughter to cover that too. There were also rodents of unusual size, but the only remedy for that is to RUN! Dad was good enough to escort us around to see the sights, like the manscaping of Castro, the park, Chinatown, and the area where he grew up. We also did some scavenging for sand dollars, but only came up with 50 cent pieces, Ashley determined that we all had bad credit.

This week as the announced layoffs are weighing in heavily on my mind and I'm working on my first ulcer, I'm trying to stay focused on the good things in my life and the multiple blessings I have right now. I have an amazing family. They are quirky and innappropriate and eat unhealthy amounts of cheese and bacon but they are so much fun, I wouldn't trade them for any other family out there. I have, hands down, THE BEST husband around. Brett truly gets me, he never judges me, he rubs my feet, he laughs at my jokes, he loves my music, and he encourages me and appreciates the little things. I have four healthy sweet kids who are silly and dirty and who's laughter is the most beautiful music I have ever heard. I have a healthy body, my mind however is questionable. So we may or may not have a job at the end of the week, but we still have each other. Sadly, I still have gas too.

Summer Fun

"What's up?" Our summer has been so busy, the weeks fly by but the days are SO LONG! Anyone else feel that way?

Here are a few shots from some of our adventures...

we've gone camping and fishing,

four-wheelin',

and out on the town.

We've had some laughs,

some cuddles,

and some good times with friends and family.

Some of us have hit milestones: losing teeth, riding a bike without training wheels, scaling stairs, and potty training to name a few.

And we recently welcomed the newest member into our family, baby Hopper.

Oh, and this sweet baby just turned 1!

Life is good. I can't complain too much, but man, I sure could use a maid to cover our tracks!

The Big Ten

Brett, at this time ten years ago you were sitting in the temple waiting room, anxiously waiting for a bride who was, and still is, always just a little bit late. Here we are with ten years under our belts. Ten years of drives on dirt roads, inside jokes, sarcasm and laughter, moves, camp outs, hikes, bagels, sunsets, movies, births, deaths, Christmas mornings, autumn sweater weather, Scrabble games....and more.

We have such a blessed life with four little fountains of frustration and joy in our hands, and one another to balance out whatever life brings. Thank you Brett for loving me through it all, for getting me through the bad times and for making the good times unforgettable. Thank you for being you and for letting me be me, even when I'm late. I can't imagine my life without you. Thank you for ten incredible years! I love ya Babe!