Painting Underway

Well it is Labor Day weekend and we have decided to take on some painting. We are in the midst of painting our dining room and living room. We picked taupe as the color and it is really showing off the white moldings. Mark is really a perfectionist when it comes to painting. The dining room is down to touch ups and we will start the living room in the morning.

Max of course is in the middle of all the paint, tape, tools, brushes, electrical plate covers, screws, ladders and having a grand time. All of his help is making the weekend memorable! Hopefully we'll be able to post pictures when it is done. We are still saving up for a new digital camera. Big bummer on the old one.

Serving is a Good Deed

Today Max and I had the opportunity to help another family who is in need. We spent several hours with children who needed extra help. We made cupcakes with these kids (not good for the diet - I only had 1 and about a 1/3 of Max's) but the feeling I got from helping others was wonderful. I do enjoy service and feel as though that is really what we should be doing - to help others as we can is really what the Lord would want us to do. Plus the added bonus is that I did not think about our problems or frustrations for a good three hours . . . . a nice break. I should of stayed all day and night! But, when I did get home, Max took a wonderful nap in HIS bed and gave me some time to be inspired about our dilemma's.

The shower did not give me any problem this morning . . . whew!

Gas prices are down to $3.39 a gallon!

The temperature outside this morning was in the low 60's - perfect for walking. Although about 10 minutes in to our hour walk - Max announces he is cold! It was a little chilly so we did cut the walk short so we could keep our morning moving.

Tonight, I am grateful for my family and the ability to share, help and be inspired.

Pray for the Pipes!

This afternoon Max decided to provide us a little more excitement than normal. Currently for Max to go to the bathroom he feels the need to strip down even if he is just going pee. This afternoon after going pee he picked up his underwear and as the toilet was flushing I saw him set his underwear free down into the toilet bowl as the water was swooshing in a circle! I gasped and said, "Max what are you doing? Are you crazy?" as I was practically doing a head dive into the toilet to retrieve his underwear out. As gross as this sounds to dive after your kids underwear, I was also thinking to myself, the last thing we need right now is a plumbing bill.

So no worries . . . the underwear was retrieved.

When Max gets finished with his dinner, if his tray is not removed right away, he will then get bored and start using his food as shampoo in his hair. We've had everything from syrup, to mangos, ranch dressing, etc. end up in his hair. This is his way of requesting a shower in mommy and daddies bathroom. Our bathroom is much easier to shower in then his. Although we do wash his hair in his tub just fine. So every now and then we let him shower in our bathroom. Today he did get a shower in our bathroom this morning as he claimed he too was sweaty from our walk. Tonight, after dinner he got another shower to clean out rice and smashed mango.

Mark took him up to shower while I attempted to make a couple of work calls. Then . . . I heard the screams from Max - "I want my mommy" "Mommy will fix it" . . . . Max had opened the small plastic drain cover (which he has done before) and shoved his baby wash cloth down the drain. Mark was working on retrieving it out with coat hangers but, the wash cloth had made its way past the initial 2' straight drop and down the elbow of the pipe. Mark and I both attempted to retrieve the wash cloth but, with no luck. We then called the handiest people we know, Danny and Jo Greene, who have every tool in the world. They proceeded to come over and help us retrieve the wash cloth. But with Danny's "snake" we still could not retrieve the wash cloth. We decided to run the water for a bit and the drain did not back up. We'll see how the shower looks after our morning showers but . . . I really hope the wash cloth has made it through the pipes and into some large plant that has received more than one baby wash cloth from a 2 year old!

May our pipes be blessed this night and for many more nights to come . . . that they too will survive a 2 year old!

On A Roll with Canning

Our Relief Society has focused in on gardens this summer and we have worked on learning how to can various things from our gardens. To date, I have canned 9 pints of green beans, 18 quarts of peaches and 4 quarts of tomatoes. The tomatoes came from our garden and I have been able to get green beans from another members gardens. The peaches came from a local farm market. I have really enjoyed learning more about canning and adding to our families food storage.

I Have a Meeting ...

Mom: Max, what are you doing?

Max: I'm getting ready for my meeting.

Mom: What is in your bag?

Max: Everything I will need for my meeting.

Mom: What exactly is in your bag?

Max: My cards (playing cards or old hotel keys that I bring home for him), my zebra, my wallet, a tissue, some cars, a computer cord, random church magazines or pamplets (he has no doubt found in a non-secured area).

Mom: Where is your meeting?

Max: At Sacrament meeting.

Mom: Who is going to your meeting?

Max: Dallin & Josh (friends from nursery and playmates)

Mom: Ok, well let me know when your meeting is over with ok? Did you take any snacks for your meeting?

Max: I need to get some . . . . (now digging through the pantry for pretzels or teddy grahams)

Pretty soon I see him set up shop on the landing of our stair case. Everything is now out of the bag and thrown in various directions.

Max: Mom, my meeting is over with now. I need to go to work.

Mom: Where are you working today?

Max: Las Vegas

I've tried to tell Max over and over again that he will have plenty of time for meetings and work. Just sit back and enjoy your juice and chocolate milk for a little longer. Pretty soon he'll be off to college and on a mission!

Biggest Loser . . . . Starts Up!

Well I decided to step on our scale the other day. At first it read "ERR" which made me quite nervous. Had I exceeded the scales capacity?

We did upgrade our scale last year for Christmas since the first one had been attacked multiple times by Max. Our new scale allows you to program in your age, height, weight and then some how miraculously gives you a boby fat percentage. I don't really buy in to the percentage weight idea since it has been engrained in to me about pinching arms, stomachs, legs, etc. While I am interested in dropping weight I know my fat percentage is will come down.

So here is the deal. I am prepared to share with the world that I am now on a course to lose 55.5 pounds before June 29, 2009! This will give me a little over 10 months to complete this goal and really I am determined to make it - perhaps even before June 29th.

For years, now I have been wanting to put myself first with my health but, it really is so easy to put it aside and eat when I am sad, depressed, stressed and of course when I am happy! I have tried almost every program out there in my adult life including Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Body for Life, The Carboyhydrate Addicts Diet, various versions of all protein, etc. Really, what losing weight to me boils down to is cutting back, no snacking, more water and consistent exercise. I am not not going to say that I am going to stop eating one type of food or the other, etc. That really just does not work for me in the long run.

So I will keep a running total of my weight loss updated on this blog and keep you posted as to how I am doing. My reward in the end . . . well, the first reward will be a healthier me which will be most important. I will enjoy taking our kids to the pool much more and of course doing even more activities outside. The big reward . . . well hopefully Mark and I will be able to spend a little time in Hawaii to celebrate our future and the first 40 years of our lives! And to see many more sunsets like the one above together.

So keep asking me on how I am doing . . . this will help keep me on track. This morning I told Max to say "Keep up the pace mom!" while we were out on our walk. I started back walking this week and I have really enjoyed the early morning cool air of August!

I challenge all of you to make any changes you may need with your health and keep me posted on how you are doing!

Which is Cheaper?

So I need to pose a question. Which is cheaper in your part of the world -

a Gallon of Milk or a Gallon of Gasoline?

Answer: Here in Winchester, VA buying a Gallon of 2% at Walmart was $4.05. Buying a Gallon of Gasoline in Winchester, VA (87 89 Oct.) is $3.69 and 10 miles down the road I saw it for $3.59!!

Pretty soon we'll start carpooling to Walmart, Target and Giant/Martins for groceries and use our powder milk from food storage!

Who Am I ?

Recently I have had the opportunity to describe myself and let others know who I am. The past two mornings while I have been out walking with Max I have really contemplated this question. I know there are both physical and spiritual sides as to who I am and I think that I have changed or shall I say evolved over the past 20 years.

So today I thought I would share who I am.

I am a daughter of our Heavenly Father
I am a daughter of wonderful parents (youngest of three - two older brothers)
I am a wife to Mark
I am a mother to Max and a step mother to Justin
I am a homemaker
I am a gardener
I am a counselor in Relief Society
I am a charitable person who enjoys helping others
I am a person who enjoys baking and cooking
I am a person who enjoys hosting events and parties
I am a hard worker at my jobs
I am willing to give a 110% to the projects I take on
I am often stubborn with what I want to do
I am willing to share my opinions on just about anything I am knowledgeable about
I am confident in the knowledge that I have (probably too confident)
I am willing to teach others and counsel others on things I am knowledgeable about
I can be stubborn at times
I want to succeed at the challenges that currently face our family
I enjoy playing the piano
I attempt to cross stitch-usually projects that are too big and end up turning them over to mom
I am a person who suffers from stressed induced eating
I am a football fan thanks to my husband and mother
I enjoy learning new skills and hobbies
I take satisfaction on getting the laundry washed, dried, folded and put away all in the same day
I like a clean and orderly house
I am a customer service driven person

While this list is not complete, I think it is ever changing as I am constantly learning and trying to improve on my mistakes. Life certainly can deal you a heavy stack of cards some weeks and I want to take my strengths and use them for the good.

Right now motherhood is calling me from his new big-boy bed so I am off to check on my little miracle!

Max is no one-hit wonder!

For the past week or so, Max has been asking me to sing him "the missionary" song. Tonight, he decided he would sing it to me. Here is his version:
"I hope they call me on a mission
I hope they call me on a mission
I hope they call me on a mission, when I have grown a foot or two
By then I think I will be ready, to teach and preach and work as
missionaries do!"

I was so proud of him! We called Grandpa and Grandma so they could hear him sing his new song but, Grandpa was the only one home. Grandpa told him it was "wonderful". So after we hung up, things were "wonderful". I am so impressed with how all children can learn songs so quickly! Other songs Max will sing are:

Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars - also sometimes called "poopie poopie little stars"
You are my Sunshine (a favorite of mine)
"Help me find the Way" is what Max calls I am a Child of God
Families Can Be Forever
Popcorn Popping
Jesus Once was a Little Child

He usually selects one song each night before he goes to bed that we sing at least five to ten times before he can go to sleep. I love to hear him sing! While the tunes still need much improving (for all of us that is) at least he is learning the words and knows how to make himself happy!

I hope that Max will always have a song in his heart!

PS - Still working on broken camera problems! Ughhhhh

Ouch!

Well today was the day we have been dreading! Warning . . . this story may make you queezy!

I was getting ready in our bathroom, Mark was out in our bedroom as was Max. The next thing we heard was a high pitch squeel from Max . . . you know the ones I am talking about? The cry / squeel where his face turns red, tears are running down his face, his mouth is open but he is not breathing? I've heard this cry a couple of times now in Max's short almost 2 1/2 years of life. It just makes me want to cry for him. What had happened . . . ? This was our question to Max as both Mark and I go running to him. Turns out Max decided to put his left hand on the "just unplugged still very hot iron" that was sitting on our ironing board in our bedroom! Oh boy, the burning was still hurting so we rushed him in to the bathroom and got his hand under the cold water. We then were able to get a cold wash cloth on him and we were off to the store to look for some time of burn cream.

After administering some Tylenol, we found out from our friend Darren, the pharmacist, that you apply Neosporin to the burn and Neosporin comes with pain relief medicine in it. We also found the "spiderman" bandaids that were just the right size for his fingers. All day today we has barely used his left hand but, tonight things were looking better. We have reassured Max that it will be ok . . . but, I did feel so bad for him. Especially when I should have just put the iron up instead of leaving it to cool on the board. Ughh . . . motherhood is certainly a learning experience.

As for some good news . . . I had a sister in our ward reteach me (because I am sure my mother taught me more than once) how to bottle and pressurize green beans about two weeks ago. This week I was able to pick fresh green beans from a garden that was over flowing with green beans. A friend lent me her pressure cooker and I decided to give it a go. With some help as to exactly how much water to put in the pressure cooker . . . I was able to bottle five pint jars of green beans. I was very excited to put in to practice what I had been shown and of course to add something to our food storage shelves! This week I will be "relearning" how to bottle tomatoes and peaches. I'm really looking forward to that.

Going to the Baptism

Max heard me mention that I was going to a baptism tonight at our church. We have been teaching him about baptism and that when he turns 8 years old he can choose to be baptized by his dad. So for two days now, he has been asking me to go to this baptism tonight to see a young woman get baptized who has been investigating the church. This morning after dropping him off over at Josh's house, it turns out that Josh's parents were planning on going so that Josh could see the baptism too! So all morning long, Josh and Max were excited to go! They even read a book on the topic and could hardly wait. And, thus the baptism became the bribery of the day. If you don't do this or that . . . . no baptism!

So after dinner, we got ready and headed to the church. (A little drama for getting our Sunday shoes on of course.) We arrived just as the baptism started and the room was packed. Max and Josh waited as patiently as 2 year olds could to see Kelly get baptized down in the water. They were anxiously waiting down in front so that they could see up close. As the baptism was performed, both boys watched anxiously and excitedly. Once the baptism was completed, Max then exclaimed, "Can I go in the swimming pool?" For those who are not familiar with our baptism ordinance, we practice baptism by immersion. So our church fills a faunt with water which Max had interpreted as the "swimming pool". We then explained again to him that he can be baptized when he is 8 years old. There was a small chuckle from those who heard his comment, which was just about everyone. But, I am glad that we have the opportunity to teach him the importance of baptism and that Jesus Christ, himself showed us the way by being baptized himself.

Although the evening ran late into bedtime I am happy to teach and show our son one of the most important ordinances we have within our gospel knowledge.

Catching Up

We have had a very busy week. Uncle Mike (my brother) and his oldest daughter Kiley dropped in for a visit and business trip. Kiley is 16 now (which I can hardly believe) and we were able to spend several days down in Washington as well as a day shopping in Leesburg at the outlets.

Of course our camera desides to give us trouble during all of this but, I think I was able to capture a few pictures of Max & Kiley along the way.

Kiley was able to see the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Washington Monument, White House, Air & Space Museum, the movie "To Fly", The Capital, Eastern Market (although most of the vendors were not out) the Holocaust Museum and the Jefferson Memorial. While this was not her first trip here this was trip she will hopefully remember for sometime. Max was a trooper and thank heavens for strollers and good shoes. We spent many hours walking, waiting in lines, getting tickets, looking for parking and of course driving back and forth!

As soon as I can get the camera batteries worked out I hope to add a few pictures.

Uncle Mike also taught Max a few new words while he was here. "Bar-hoppin" is Maxs' new favorite expression - although he has no idea what it means! After Mike & Kiley left the other night, Max cried out many times, I want to go bar-hoppin with Uncle Mike & Kiley. While I must of told him that really they were going back to the hotel room, he was not convinced. I was very glad to know that Max did not share his new word with the nursery today!

Thanks for visiting us and we welcome any other visitors to come East!