Grandma Jean

As most know I lost my Grandma earlier this month. It was semi-expected, but no matter how prepared we all thought we were, it couldn't compare to actually going through it. I took it really hard. I was in a fog for the two days before I left for CA. Luckily I was blessed with peace before the journey.
It was a wonderful opportunity for our family to be together though. My sister Mary & I were able to fly out for the funeral (thanks Dad!). We ended up flying out on my Birthday. We had a wonderful family dinner at Mel's (my FAVORITE burger joint). Can I tell you how wonderful it was to be together again. I can't remember the last time my family, just us kids (no spouses) and our parents went out together.
The next day we made the trip down to Escalon for the service. It was great. I got to sing "Nearer My God to Thee" with my sisters. We went out to lunch and laughed and shared memories of Grandma.
She is the coolest Grandma! Can I just say that. I mean look at the picture. This was taken at Mason's birthday party, I think his 3rd, 5 years ago. I know I have "better" pictures of her, but this one's my favorite. It just shows how cool she was.
So now I will share one of my favorite memories of my Grandma Jean...
Turn the volume up on my playlist. There's a reason Vanilla Ice is on my playlist.
The year is 1990. I'm 12, my sister Mary is 14. Our parents are out of town and Grandma's staying with us. It's a Wednesday night, so we're headed up to "Mormon Center" for mutual. We're in Grandma's hatchback Honda Civic with at least one, maybe two friends. Ice Ice Baby comes on the radio. Yes, she let us listen to whatever we wanted even though she only liked country. We tell Grandma to turn it up. She does. We tell her to turn it up again. She does. This goes on. Mormon Center is on a hill, a big one. So picture her little Civic, packed full of girls, rattling with the base from Ice Ice Baby, chugging up the hill. I wouldn't be surprised if we blew her speakers that night. If we did she wouldn't have cared. That's just the kind of Grandma she was. She loved her Kids, her Grand kids and Great Grand kids. We will all feel her loss till we are with her again.

biRthDaY pReSenTs

(those aren't my legs, btw)

Hey Mom & Dad,

That's some of what I got with my birthday money you sent me.
I also got black tights with a subtle floral print and gray tights with a diamond print.
Bargain shopper! Cute huh? Thanks!!!

Love,
Meliss

Peanut Butter and Tabasco Sauce

I'm in California right now. My Grandmother passed away, so I flew out for the funeral. I was able to go to the Sacramento Temple with my dad this morning. While in the temple one of the workers was so sweet to find my father in law, who was working there, so I could say hi. It was so nice to visit with my Dad and father in law. My father in law shared a memory with me that I had forgotten to get down here, so I thought now was a great time to share it.

While my in laws were in town for Mason's baptism, in September, Willson was being his usual naughty self. I was upstairs and heard an odd noise. I went down to investigate.

The smell hit first. I was so confused.

It was such an odd mixture of smells I couldn't tell what it was. Bet you can guess from the the title of this blog.

He had gotten into the peanut butter and the green Tabasco sauce.

Let me tell you from experience, that this is two smells you do not want mixing.

Seriously.

They should have a label on them, like the cleaners where if you mix the two it will produce toxic fumes.

The most amazing part in all this is where the mess was.

The floor.

The bottom cupboards.

The counter.

The upper cupboards.

And the ceiling.

Yep, that boy's talented.

chRisTmAs DecOraTioNs

One of the table runners I made with leftover fabric and the cute Christmas countdown blocks I made.

Yes, Willson participated FULLY in the ornament hanging. It was too cute. I had to leave it.

The other table runner I made with leftover fabric.

Stockings I made this year, LOVE how they turned out.

Our Family Room tree.

Santa picture we found at a Garage Sale for $7.

sNow dAys

We got out first snow last week. We were all so sick it was hard to take advantage of it, but Andy made an effort to get the kids out, at least for a little bit. I watched from inside. Here's our front window. The kids were throwing snow balls at me. Andy didn't want to be outdone, so he threw a shovelful at me. Thanks.

Andy's tribute to me. "I <3>

Willson's little footprints running out to the road, then back in when he got caught.

Christmas Tree Skirt

I finished my tree skirt! I'm so excited to use it.
I'm feeling Christmasy!

My favorite part, fabric covered buttons!

My Baby

My little man is 3! I can't believe my baby's growing up. He is the cutest little man ever and so much fun. His energy is never ending. Seriously. Nobody will make you laugh more. He wants to eat constantly. He moves so much, nothing sticks. Candy is a food group in Willson's world. He loves books! He loves animals. He loves to talk. He loves to be naughty, not out of curiosity, but for the shear pleasure of being naughty. He'll tell you he loves you and give you hugs and kisses, but he won't cuddle. That requires holding still. Love you Willsie.

Skype-ing with Grandpa and Grandpa Dude on his birthday.

wHatChA mAkiN?

Can't wait to show ya!

Grateful

We had an amazing lesson in Relief Society today about being Grateful. She invited us to make our lists of things we're grateful for. I'm going to list 25 things I'm grateful for (in no particular order). Here we go...

1. My Parents
2. My Husband
3. My Kids
4. My Home
5. My Heavenly Father
6. My Savior, Jesus Christ
7. Scriptures
8. My Sewing Machine
9. Good friends
10. PE, I know, I sound crazy here
11. Jewelry
12. Internet
13. Fires in my fireplace (thanks Andy)
14. Salt and Vinegar Chips
15. Books
16. Cuddles
17. Willson kisses
18. The Temple
19. My Siblings
20. Winco in Everett
21. Orange Converse
22. Going to School
23. My kids going to school
24. My cat
25. My bed

Now, I know some of these things are really shallow, but the point is I'm grateful. That's something that I need to remind myself of. I tend towards pessimism, so this is huge for me.

I'm taking it one step further. I've started a grateful blog. It will start with this list and every day I will add something new that I'm grateful for. Chances are there are going to be days where all it says is McDonalds or Bedtime, but again, the point is I'm grateful.

Here's a link...
www.iwillbegrateful.blogspot.com

Biceps

That's right folks, Biceps, and I have them.
PE is awesome.

Laney Gaga...

Night

The other night I had a rough night. All of you mothers out there know what I'm talking about. I went to bed about 10:30, falling asleep VERY quickly. My body's really adjusting to this early school thing. At 2:30 I was woken up by Savannah. She was coughing a ton. We got her some medicine and she went right back to sleep. Not so for me. After a half hour in bed with sleep nowhere near my mind I headed downstairs to read. 3:30 I would have been awakened by Lane, but I was still up from the first time. She'd had a bad dream. I sent her upstairs to my bed and told her I'd join her shortly, which I did. At 4:30 I woke up when Andy woke up with a headache and headed downstairs. 5:30 was Willson, who had lost his pacifier. 6:30 was Sid, our cat, who had to go outside. 7:30 was Mason taking a shower. Now, seeing all of this you would think I was complaining. I'm not. I'm putting things in perspective. Given all this, I wouldn't trade a single one of them, yes even the cat. I love my family. They give me peace. They give me love.

(my) first week of school

I did it.

I went back to college.
I'm taking English, Art History and PE.
Go ahead, laugh at the PE.
Everyone has.
Oh yeah, it starts at 6:30 am.
Go ahead, laugh again.
So, Melissa, how did your first week of school go?
Well, lets see...
Monday. Really tired.
Really Nervous.
Really Excited.
Tuesday. Really tired.
Excited.
Wednesday. Could I be anymore tired.
Good thing it's my Friday (for this first week, anyway)
I have so much freaking homework.
When you have to read, because someone tells you to, yeah not so fun.
Good thing I have the next four days off.
Online courses might be quite a bit harder then I originally anticipated.
At least I only have one.
Still excited!
Thursday. 4 am.
Oh, crap, I have the stomach flu.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Heavenly Father for keeping me well long enough for my classes to end for the week.
8 am. Savannah "I think I'm gonna puke!"
Okay, the kids were sick. It lasts 12 hours. I'll be fine by 4 pm.
Fevered haze, that I later find out is called Thursday.
Friday. Okay, I'm gonna be better today.
I make it downstairs, that's something at least.
Fever returns Friday night.
Saturday. I've got to be better today!
Still feel like crap.
Sitting at the computer trying to write an essay, that's due by Sunday, on reading that I haven't completed because my brain is so freaking foggy.
Crying.
Mind clears enough to get it done.
(the paper, not the reading)
Go to the Relief Society Broadcast.
Can't make it through the whole thing.
Too tired.
Wake up Sunday morning.
Wonder if I actually slept the night before because it sure doesn't feel like it.
Trying to get ready for church meeting.
Just can't do it.
Attend church.
Start feeling better.
Eat a really yummy dinner.
Feeling a lot better.
Get ready for bed and remember.
I have to go back to school again.

diapers

I forgot to put a footnote on the diaper post...

When I first saw the commercial for these diapers, I laughed, hard.

(The commercial is hysterical...check out youtube if you haven't seen it)

Then I said that was the stupidest thing I ever saw and I questioned who would buy something so ridiculous.

Then I thought about it.

I thought about how Willson never wears clothes.

His choice, not mine.

I dress and redress him 5 times a day.

Well, if he had these he might pass for wearing pants.

Not really, but when he pulls his clothes off at home I won't feel the need to immediately redress him.

So, I looked for the ridiculous diapers.

I found them at Walmart.

$38 for 60.

WHAT???

I can get 82, regular ones, for $19

There went my giggles of watching Willson wear the jean diapers.

Then while laughing about it with my friend she told me I could get them on Amazon.com.

(thanks Amanda)

$19 for 60.

I ordered immediately.

I added a book, so I could get the free shipping,

and ended up saving money.

The book was less than the shipping cost.

Love them. I want to buy more.

1st Day of School 2010

5th Grade...Seriously!

3rd Grade

Kindergarten!!

"take a picture of my foot!"

Special Day

To Our Mason...

Mason, we couldn't be more proud of you. The step you took today, being baptized and officially becoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I wish I had a picture of your face as you came out of the water. It made me smile and cry a little at the same time. I've already noticed a change in you since you received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Listen to his promptings. You will be blessed. So many people, who love you, were with you today and celebrated with us. We had a fun time, huh? Tonight, after you went to bed, I noticed your door shut and your light on. I was gonna get mad at you. I opened your door and you were laying in bed reading your scriptures. Sigh. You're amazing Mason. I told you to turn off your light when you were done. Always remember this day. This love. This strength. This peace. Love, love you Mason!

i poo in blue

when i go number 2 i look like number 1

for baby Ruby...

Windows

In our home, with the nice weather comes open windows. In house and in the car. I'm a huge fresh air gal. The other day we were driving down the road, with all the windows all the way down, the only way to drive in my opinion. Delaney calls, from the far backseat, "can you roll up the windows, my hair's in my face." I roll up the back ones and continue to enjoy the air from the front windows. After making a stop, we again get in the car and I automatically roll all the windows all the way down. We're driving along and again I hear Delaney from the backseat, this time a little irritated. "Ma-awm, I'm having issues with my hair again."

Lovin' Bows

I haven't been making hair bows lately. I've been too busy doing other things. That and I have no one to make them for. We got an invite for a little neighbor girl's birthday, so I went to work. These were all new styles for me.

Tuxedo Bowsdouble layer lace bows


My favorite ones.

I might have to make a flower one just for me.

Fresh from our Garden

This is the first time we've ever had a garden and I am so excited! I got 2 more squash today and 1 more zucchini. We're still waiting on the tomatoes and the spaghetti squash, but they look like they're doing well. We're already planning what and how we're planting next year.

Vinyl, for real this time

I really did come home with something. My friend is not a jerk. Blogger won't load my pictures. I'll post them as soon as I can. You're gonna love it!

Vinyl

I was at my friend's house today and we played with vinyl.

Here's what I came home with...

Funny Faces

Here's our best funny faces.

(Some are quite scary...cough, mine, cough)

Vote for your favorite....

The prize for our winner...

10 peanut mnms

(nmns if Willson wins)

Swim Lessons

The kids had swim lessons at the local Y with some good friends.

They loved it!

This is their last day with the certificates.

Idylwood Park

We took the kids to a lake with some good friends for the beach and a picnic. They loved it! It was so hot I was wishing I would have worn my suit, even though I'm not a fan of "dirty water"