Bridal Show and the launch of my website

The bridal show was a success. It was a long week, a long Saturday, but so much fun. I hope I get some good clients for all the work we put into this. Here's a picture of about half the cakes I did this week. I think it turned out just as I hoped it would.
I couldn't have pulled it through without the help of so many people. Friends & family for stepping in and babysitting, my mom for taking charge of getting everything ready for my booth, my VERY, VERY supportive husband who believes in my more than I believe in myself, Swensen's for giving me the opportunity to even be in the show, and mostly my brother... He put as much time and sleepless nights in this week as I did trying to get my banners, brochures and website designed. They all look amazing and I am so grateful for everyone's support this week.

So, thanks to by bro... I have an awesome site up and going!!! It's still got a little bit of work we've got to do on it, but it looks awesome!! We will be launching a blog on it where I'm going to post lots of fun things. I may even offer some cake decorating classes (still stewing over that one). Check out the site. Hope you like it!!!

Computers Make Me Cry

So my computer crashed Friday night. With no warning, no clues that something terrible was about to happen, we said goodbye to hundreds of pictures, files of digi scrapbook stuff and all the other stuff that is on a computer. Ahhhh, I am sick. Why we rely on electronics for everything is beyond me right now. If I was smart and normal, I would have backed everything up on my external hard drive, but did I do that? NO!
All I can say is THANK GOODNESS FOR BLOGGING! At least I've got a few pictures of my kids this year from the posts I've done.

To my smokin' hot wife

Turia Rocks!

This is going to be a bare bones post... No pictures, no sound, pretty short and to the point. I just had to publicly say how proud I am of my wife. She had her own "Hell week" and weathered it better than I think anyone could have. Her cakes turnedout amazing, the booth at her show was one of the best there, and she did it all with a smile on her face. I married the most amazing woman I know! I love you Turia. I couldn't be prouder!

Life This Week has NOT included blogging

As much as I should be blogging this week... documentation via blogger of all the daily fun events of my children have been put on the back burner for now.
I am not dead, I am not on vacation (oh how I wish I was), I am just VERY BUSY!!!
Let me sum it up for you.....
Last Friday, I had the opportunity to be invited to do a bridal show!! (YeAH)
The bridal show is Saturday... exactly 8 days from when I found out (Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!)
I had NO, nothing, zilch, nada prepared for something like this... so here is how my week has gone down.

Friday afternoon--- stressed out, scared out of my mind, pacing around in circles trying to figure out how I could put all this together in time all while trying to finish up a wedding cake for a client. (ya... a little crazy) Then I realize I need styrofoam... and LOTS of it.. so I run downtown and buy loads of styrofoam for my "fake wedding cakes". Went to the store to buy fondant twice. (So did my mom)

Saturday-- Deliver my actual wedding cake, went to buy more fondant (so did my mom) go to sniagrab with my family.... (It's a must when you are married to the worlds most obsessed skiier) But I was excited.. I actually talked Brian into getting a helmet for Kaden. He's too stubborn for one himself, but at least our kid will be safe. Oh ya... did I mention I have to speak in church tomorrow?? Guess I should start thinking about my talk (11 pm) Oh ya.. Oh ya... went and bought more fondant. (The cheap kind was 50% off this weekend... yeah!)

Sunday-- Went to church and gave my talk. I guess it went ok... not one of my better ones. Came home and put the kids to bed and off to the drawing board I went. FIRST writing a full page of "To Do's" to get ready for the Bridal Show... then figuring out how I can divide and make the most of the help that would be offered. I passed off the entire "Booth" set-up stuff to my mom (MAJOR LIFESAVER!!!!), got my brother working on finishing up my website and designing the printing of brochures and a banner, then started drawing up cake plans, color schemes, variety, etc, etc. Whew!!! Plans for 8 cakes. EIGHT CAKES IN LESS THAN A WEEK!!! (this is going to be one heck of a week)

Monday--- Labor Day and Brian is off work (Hallelujia!!!). I spend almost all day in the kitchen working on cakes. I get two finished and start on my chocolate leaves. Chocolate leaves looked awful, so scrapped them and decided to do them in gumpaste instead (that's going to have to wait for another day-- I'm going to bed) Did I mention me, brian, mom, dad, callee, duncan, jordan... ALL bought fondant today? (hooray for 50%off and AWESOME family! )

Tuesday-- Back in the kitchen.. Still working on cakes. Don't get nearly as much done today due to hubby at work, but spend most of the day shopping for other cake needs. Guess what? I didn't buy fondant today! (Just everything else.. including more styrofoam) Worked on 2 more cakes and finally crashed about 2 am.

Wednesday-- Slept in and didn't make it to the gym. (not good) and went straight to the kitchen (surprise). My poor children and not being taken care of, watching too many movies and being ignored until my great friend saves the day. When Kaden gets to Emily's house he tells her "this has been the more boring day ever!". (whoops... bad mom)
I form my autumn leaves, paint flowers on one of my cakes, and color fondant for another cake.
It's Wednesday, so off I go to young womens. We have a fun activity, I get home and straight into the kitchen with me!! Here's the big night. I airbrush the autumn leaves, paint my snowflakes silver, finish my flower power cake, do a tradition white on white cake, and make loads of royal icing... Do you think I'm tired yet? I SHOULD BE.. IT'S 4 AM!!! Ok.. I'm almost done at this point, only 1 1/2 cakes left to finish, but I'm exhausted so off to bed.

Thursday-- Get up, get the kids breakfast, send them to my other wonderful friends house to play. While they are there, I rush to finish as much as I can. The kids come home and we head out to preschool. WE get home.. the two younger kids take naps and TADA...... (drum roll please)...... ALL EIGHT (yes I said 8) cakes are finished!! 8 cakes in 3 1/2 days! whew!! I made it.
Now it's thursday night and I'm finally able to sit down, check my email, blog a little bit, and try not to fall asleep.
Tomorrow will bring photo shoots of the cakes, more last minute details to get done and my nerves to start up again because Saturday is the big day.

Hope it turns out well.

Avery's Two Favorite Things

Avery LOVES, ADORES, is EMOTIONALLY ATTACHED to two things in life:

Her "Straw Jammies" (strawberry jammies) and her "Sleep bag". These poor jammies are so loved, I often have to wash them without her knowing and have them back in her room for the evening. There have been times in the middle of the day that we reward her for things she's done well by letting her put her jammies back on after lunch. When she's not wearing them all day long, she never has to be asked more than once to go get ready for bed. Often she will run in her room yelling, "Yeah!!!! Straw Jammies!!!" Life is so simple for a two year old.

As for the "sleep bag". We got this for her earlier this past April when we were heading down to Moab for the weekend. Her brother had a sleeping bag, so we thought she needed her own as well. Little did we know that this poor bag would never be tied up again. It is dragged around everywhere, cuddled with each night and movie time, and usually ends up wherever Avery is going. When she's sad, tired or in trouble, the tears start out and then it's "My Sleep Bag... I need my sleep bag!!" It's cute she has a comfort blanket... just wish it wasn't so big! I've finally figured out it is more effective to put "sleep bag" in time out when she does notty things instead of putting HER in time out! It's amazing how much better it works.

Goin Shishin with my Daddy

Avery was so excited to spend a day out with dad last week. She has been asking to go "shishing" (fishing) and was thrilled that today was the day! She was running around the house collecting different things that she and Brian would need. She would have nothing to do with me because she thought I'd make her stay home I guess. They had a great time catching worms, going to the pond and then out to lunch just the two of them. When Avery got home, she said, "the shishies ate all my worms!'. She hasn't stopped talking about shishing with her daddy since.
As I look at this little moment in time, it makes me realize the power of a few moments. The hour and a half Brian took out of his day was the highlight of a two years olds day, week.. even month! So little time out of our busy schedule to make time for a child can be life changing. They sense when we are "too busy"... but do they really understand that? What does too busy mean? Looking at it right now (when I'm not stressing out about all the zillion things I have to do today) I ask myself... WHY are we too busy for a few moments with our kids? NOTHING is more important than giving them our time. They should NEVER have to hear, "I'm too busy to come out and play right now". What in our homes is so important that we can't take 10 minutes to go throw a ball around? The dishes? The vacumming? Laundry? Phone Calls? The computer? All those things can wait. But the way our kids see how we manage our time with them will not. They quickly learn where our priorities lie, and I hope with me...I can show them my priority is with them.
I am lucky to have such a great example of this quality in my husband. Brian is so good about making special time with each kid. Our family is so blessed that he sees the importance in making these "special moments" count. My kids have such a wonderful relationship with their dad because he spends time with them. I hope moments like this will be something that they will continue to do into adulthood.

A birthday Note to Kaden

Dear Kaden,
Today you turned 5 years old. I can't believe you are so grown up! You are the sweetest little boy I know. Your smile and sparkle in your eyes makes me the happiest mom in the world.
This year you LOVE many things that are all "BOY". You love rockets more than anything else. This past year you have learned how to build model rockets with your daddy and that is your FAVORITE past time. You enjoy building them, but you enjoy launching them even more. You know eery engine and which one to use for each rocket. You are still a little afraid of the noise when they blast off, so your dad always plugs your ears while you count down.
You are in your last year of preschool and are learning so much. You are a hero to your little sister Avery. She wants to do everything you do. Even though she is a "princess" in a lot of ways, she'd rather be shooting guns and playing swords and rockets with you. She looks up to you so much and you are a great example to her. I hope you will always be great friends. You also love spending time with baby Brighton. You are my BEST helper with him! You love to crawl in his crib and try to make him laugh when you are suppose to be asleep in bed. I'm sure this is only the beginning of many late nights having fun with your brother. Little Brighton laughs for you more than anyone else in the family.
As for me, I am so happy to be your mom. You brighten my day and help me with so much. I am so proud of the little boy you are becoming and sometimes find it hard to believe that my little baby Kaden that we waited so long to get to us is now 5 years old. You have the most special, tender personality of anyone I know. You always make people feel happy because of your kindness and your ability to talk with others. You are kind and loving, and I especially love that you still want to sit and cuddle on the couch with me every once in a while.
Your daddy also loves you so much. You get to do a lot of fun things with him all the time. You love to have "boys only" adventures where there are "No Girls Allowed!". You are so blessed to have a father who spends so much time with you. I hope you become just like him when you grow up.
You are the greatest little dude I know! Happy Birthday Kade!!!

First Day of Preschool

Kaden started preschool today. He gets to go with his cousin so it makes it even better. When we got into his class, he said to his teacher, "Hey Miss LaDawn.. I haven't seen you in a long time". I'm sure he's going to have a great year, he couldn't wait for school to start. Now if I could only bottle that and save it for when he's going into 8th grade and not excited anymore!

Rocket Party

While I was at girls camp, my dad had a "rocket party" for all the grandkids over the age of 4. Kaden (a little obsessed with rockets right now) was in charge of "teaching" everyone how to launch a rocket. They had a wonderful night full of rockets, awards, treats and prizes!!
I am so grateful to have such a great family who makes special time to participate in my kids interests. Brian's parents do this all the time as well. I am very blessed.

Girls Camp - Bluffdale Idols.. Rockstars for Truth

A day and a half after our St. George trip, off I was to Girls Camp... (whew!! What a busy month!).
Girls camp, as always was awesome!! We had an amazing time at the Heber Valley Camp that is designed for LDS young women in mind. We slept in cabins, had running water, refrigerators, running water, showers, and a covered pavillion... ya... I know, it was rough!, but SO MUCH FUN!!
As I've been thinking about girls camp, I thought it would be entertaining to point out why girls camp is SO MUCH COOLER than scout camp.

#1- We have a camp theme! (This year we based our camp on American Idol- each group of girls were broken up into different music genre's.)

#2- We do crafts... ok.. usually, I think this is a little cheesy, but hey, it's part of girls camp. We made "Rock Stars" (people out of rocks) but I spiced things up a little bit and made a rock princess and a "rock"et for my kids.

#3- Skit night... (Always a highlight) Instead of skits this year, we put on our own "Bluffdale Idol" night. We even had our own Ryan Seacrest, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell. They did their parts perfectly! The girls and leaders needed to re-write a song from their given genre and sing it at our Bluffdale Idol competition.
This was a highlight of the whole camp. My stomach was sore from laughing so hard.

#4- No peeing in the fire

#5- Girls stay up late, paint nails, braid eachothers hair and sleep as many as they can in a twin size bunk just for the fun of it!

#6- Gotta have the secret sister gifts!! This year the leaders were getting mysterious "gifts" on our beds. When we opened them, they were random feminine hygene products. We kept blaming a couple of the "wilder" leaders, but to no avail.. they'd never give in. Later we found out that one of the girls had given us the gifts. It was pretty funny.

#7- Faith promoting hikes and other experiences-
We went on an incredible hike (which I'll share in a later post)

#8- Awesome food... So this camp was a little different than most. The food was great and healthy as well. We snacked on chocolate of course, but we also had tortilla's and hummas, fruit, veggies, and all sorts of hidden healthy foods in all our meals.

#9- The leaders are just as goofy as the kids (who knows... maybe scout camp is the same on this one)

#10- Girls can't go to girls camp without decorating their sleeping quarters and their tables for dinner time. It's always very festive.

Here are just a few of the fun things that took place. It was a great week.

St. George

A few days after we got home from Bear Lake, we dropped the kids off at Grandma's house and headed down for a much anticipated weekend with my family. The best part... NO KIDS ALLOWED!! For Christmas last year, my parents gave us a "Christmas in July". They got all 6 of us kids, our spouses and themselves a weekend away to St. George including tickets to Tuachan to see Les Miserables.. (Incredible production by the way), we chilled at the Marriott for three days and had fun shopping, eating, going to a movie, golfing, and hanging by the pool. It was such a fun weekend. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
I hope this becomes a yearly tradition.

A Life Lesson on Judging Others

An interesting thing happened yesterday while I was at the grocery store with my kids. Avery wanted to go on the little rides outside the front of the building, so we headed over there for a quick "horsee" ride. I rummaged through my wallet to find the 50 cents it required and found I only had a quarter. As I was telling my kids that we'd have to ride it after our grocery shopping was done so I could get some change, a man came up to me and asked how much the ride was. I told him it was a 50 cents and he bent down into his backpack, fished around for a minute as gave me 4 quarters and exclaimed, "Good for two rides!".
I thanked him and tried to give him the cash I had, but he wouldn't take it. I sat there in awe of my own "judgemental attitude" I could have had toward this man. He was a man in his 60's I suppose with several earrings in his ear, a dirty old tank top, several gold chains, teeth missing and a prosthetic leg. He carried around a dirty backpack. Upon first glance, I would "assume" he would be coming up to me to ask for money, but instead, he wanted to make a little kids day by letting them go on a silly ride.
I used his quarter and the ride started. The kids were giggling, the man was saying how he loves kids and he doesn't ever get to do things like this for anyone. I was so touched by his kindness. As I tried to give him money, he acted as if it was an insult, because all he wanted to do was do a good deed. As I stood there and watched my kids, the man was about to leave and he bent down again in his backpack and handed me 8 more quarters! He said, "Let your kids have a good time" and he walked off. I watched this man walk away and I had a sense of gratitude for the goodness in people. I tend to dwell on all the evil in the world a lot of times and forget that there are still SO MANY good people here as well. So, I say to myself as the hymn goes, "Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need? Have I cheered up the sad, or made someone feel glad, if not, I have failed indeed!". So the next time I have the opportunity to do a good deed, I need to make sure I do it. Don't be afraid to help a stranger or someone in need. It' amazing what a little act of kindness can do to your soul.

Tradition

There is one thing I have learned from being a "Larsen" for the past several years. They do many things in the name of "TRADITION". The 24th of July holiday is no different. For the past 30+ years they have been going to Bear Lake as a family. It's one of Brian's favorite summer memories, and I'm sure it's going to become one of our own kids favorite memories with their grandparents.
Over the past 15 years or so, I too have been apart of this "TRADITION". Nothing much changes. Ever since I've been going with them, we camp in the same place and if possible.. the exact same camp site, we eat the same meals, we play on the same beach, grandpa makes the same sand castles with the grandkids and grandma sits in the same spot cuddling the little babies under the canopy. The adults play the same games in the water, the kids get the same dirt in their diapers. We go to the same shake joint and we order the same flavors. Nothing much changes from year to year. Maybe a few extra kids running around, but for the most part, it remains the same because it's... "TRADITION".
As I thought about this as we were here this year, it made me appreciate Brian's parents for their ability to keep "TRADITION" alive. I am one who likes change and always seems to want to do something different, but I discovered something within myself this trip... there is a sense of comfort in things that are the "SAME". Our very "same" Bear Lake trip doesn't ever result in un- necessary stresses that planning and going on vacation sometimes brings. There is nothing to be expected, except what we've always done. There are no rules, no plans... just a set of imaginary guidelines of years past that lead us to our next activity.
I have come to love this "TRADITION" and it's "SAME-NESS". I have come to love and appreciate my in-laws for who they are and how they work to bring their family together. For them.. it is the "SAME-NESS" that works. "TRADITION" is everything. I'm sure my kids will look back on these trips and have the exact same memories as their dad had when he was a kid. How cool is that? So THANK YOU, Larsens...for giving us wonderful memories.

Lake Powell Bliss

I think of all the places I've been in my life, and my all time FAVORITE place in all the world is Lake Powell. I'm sure part of it is the nostalgia of my growing up years, but it's mostly just the pure beauty of the place. I can't think of a better place for me to "become one with nature" than boating down small canyons and looking up at the monstrous cliffs surrounding me. In years past, it was a time when I'd sit in the nose of the boat, soaking in the sun for a killer tan, listening to the "Nylons" or "Deep Breakfast".. the typical Lake Powell Canyon tunes and bask in the beauty. Today.. it's not much different, but instead of getting the killer tan, I'm content with my kids sitting on my lap as we look up at the beauty surrounding us. I didn't get the great tan of yester- year... but I DID get hours on end of intimate, priceless moments with my children cuddled around their mom in pure bliss. All of this added to the majesty of this remarkable place. The time with family, the beauty surrounding us, the water, clear as glass and the rum of the boat as it speeds out of a canyon at dusk all together makes Lake Powell my FAVORITE place on earth.
Growing up I wanted to work down at the marina store JUST so I could spend the summer on the lake. I never did that. I wish I had. As I'm taking a look down memory lane, it used to be that all I cared about was getting that killer tan and spending as much time as I could improving my form on the ski. I would spend every moment I could out on the water jumping the wakes, making big sprays, and going fast. I'd get frustrated when I wasn't doing as well as I wanted to and as my family still teases me.. would "smack" the water as if it was the waters fault.
I haven't done much skiing for the past few years and it disappoints me a little bit that I've allowed myself to give up something that I enjoy doing more than any other sport. But I do find that I enjoy just the sheer joy of being on the boat with the wind blowing in my hair and watching my kids enjoy something that I love to do. It's pretty cool.
In saying that, I'm not about to say I'm never going to ski again. I've made a personal goal. By next year's Lake Powell trip, I'm going to be much more fit. I'm going to get out and ski my heart out and let my kids (and my brothers) see that I can still rip it out there on the water!
Hope you enjoy some of our Lake Powell Adventures!

Serious Questions from your 4 year Old

Kaden and I were in the car last night and he started talking about being together forever. He started asking me a lot of questions that blew me away that a 4 year old would ask. I think it all stemmed back to this morning when we woke up to find one of our little goldfish down at the bottom of the tank. (good bye little goldfish)
Don't feel too bad for my kids. They didn't seem to mind so much. Avery called Brian and said, "Shisshee die, I go store, more shisshee". Kaden didn't mind so much either, but I think it did spark a conversation later in the day.
So we are driving and Kaden asks, "Mom, when are we going to Heaven?". I proceeded to tell him that we don't know when it's our time to die. He then started asking a series of questions, that for a mom... got really hard to answer. Some of his questions were these:
"Mom, when are we going to heaven?"
"I DON'T KNOW, BUD, WE ALL DIE AT DIFFERENT TIMES"
"But how old are you when you die?"
"Will we go to heaven at the same time"
"PROBABLY NOT KADE, IF MOMMY GOES TO HEAVEN FIRST, THEN YOU WILL WOULD COME TO HEAVEN LATER"
"Who would watch me?" (me thinking he's in Heaven, I said "Heavenly Father would take care of you"
"No, mom, if you were in heaven and Daddy had to go to work, would would be here with me? (Ahhh, OK, tears start swelling at this point and getting a little nervous why we are talking about this... he better not have kid intuition or something)
"WELL, BUD, THERE WOULD BE LOTS OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD TAKE CARE OF YOU. YOUR GRANDPARENTS, YOUR AUNTS & UNCLES, EVEN MOMMIES FRIENDS WOULD WATCH YOU"
"When would you come back?"
" I WOULDN'T COME BACK. I'D WAIT UP IN HEAVEN UNTIL YOU GOT THERE"
"Will we all be together?"
"WE SURE WILL BUDDY." (Then I was able to talk about the temple and how families are forever... you know.. take advantage of the teaching moment and all)

It was a touching conversation with your son. One's that depth far exceeded my expectations coming from a little 4 year old. A mix of emotions flooded my mind as I reflected back on the conversation I had just been apart of. My little guy is growing up so quickly. He is capable of understanding things that are so hard for us as adults to even talk about. I am so grateful I had the answers for him. I feel incredibly blessed to KNOW that my family WILL be together after we all die. That this earth life isn't the end. It would have broken my heart if I had to tell him something different. It was a small testimony builder to me to be able to explain to my son a simple truth the gospel brings us. I hope I have more of these tender, thoughtful moments as my kids grow up.

Summer Harvest

I've never been much of a gardener. When we lived in Arizona we bought a goofy little cactus to fell more like Arizionians.. and well... I killed it. Ya.. I killed a freikin cactus. Since then, I have not been allowed to have plants. Last year I thought I'd give it another chance with a hanging basket in our front yard.... well, it died too. I'm just no good taking care of them. I've got way too many other things in my life to worry about keeping a plant alive.
Brian on the other hand LOVES gardening. He's pretty darn good at it as well. He enjoys working outside which I despise. Luckily, he has taken full responsibility of our yard and I don't have to worry about it. (Don't look at it at this very moment... it's been a little neglected due to crazy schedules) I think my distaste for yardwork stems back from the daily yard work chores I had as a kid. Grantid.. my mom worked harder than all the kids combined, but I still hated it.
So, thanks to my hubby, I get to reap the benefits of fresh grown peas, carrots, radishes, tomatoes, raspberries, strawberries, peppers, and hopefully some apples soon. It's pretty cool to go out into your garden and pick some veggies for your dinner.

Kaden the Ring Bearer

We had a blast this weekend. It was jam packed with fun! First and most important, it was my mom's birthday. Happy Birthday Mom. I love you!
On Saturday, Kaden participated in my good friend Idaliz's daughters wedding. Kaden was the cutest little ring bearer you've ever seen! Not only did he do a great job, he LOVED every second of it! He was great at posing for the camera, holding the rings, and just looking plain old cute! The reception was a blast. It was a great Puerto Rican wedding reception. Great food, a ton of dancing, lots of fun for hours. Kaden was a riot the whole night. He ran around like he was the reason for the party. He flirted and talked to everyone. He danced almost every song and even went up to my friend Jackie while we were talking and said, "Will you dance with me?" What???? a four year old asking someone to dance? Can it get any cuter? He was so much fun to watch. Of all his dancing adventures, my favorite was when he and Avery started to dance together. It always ended up in wrestling on the grass, but it was still adorable.
I'm so excited for Linda and Jose. I hope they are enjoying their honeymoon. Linda and her family have been through a lot this year and it was really great to see them have a good time.

Is there any thing better than S'mores and Hot Dogs??

In answer to that question, I would have to say.. on a taste stand point... Ya... just about EVERYTHING! I'm not a terrible fan of either of those summer staples. But if you look at those food items as an excuse to sieze the moment and spend time with your family... ya just can't beat the taste.
Brian was off yesterday and we decided to ditch our everyday lives and take the kids up to the mountains for dinner. This is about our favorite place to be in the summer. We are mountain people. We try and take any opportunity to get up there and yesterday just happened to work out for us. We stopped and got some dogs and the ever popular treat involving chocolate, graham crackers and a toasted marshmallow. The next 2 hours were pure bliss. Avery and Kaden excited to go "rock climbing" on the boulders near our table, Brighton kicking his feet because he was so happy to be outside, Brian building a fire and taking the kids to find "caves" and me being the family photographer trying to capture the moment as I think about how great life is. These precious "adventures" are what life is all about for me. Life shouldn't be about filling up our lives second by second with places to go, things to do... we need to take time to just stop and enjoy the moment. So next time you feel stressed... get in your car, head east and roast a hot dog, a marshmallow and enjoy watching your kids love life. They can teach you alot if you just sit back and watch.

I vacuumed today

I used to tease my mom because she vacuums her house JUST to have the nice lines in the carpet the vacuum leaves. You can tell she is now an empty nester... I'm lucky to get the vacuum out to get the Cheerios off the carpet! Well, I will no longer tease her for this because I have CRAVED a nice vacuumed clean home for the past week and it has not been in the cards for me this week. Vacumming, may not seem like such a difficult task, but I tell you.. it's been one of those weeks. Since last Monday.. (yes a week ago) I have had the lofty goal of staying home, cleaning my house, doing laundry, paying bills, you know... typical mom stuff. Uhhh, ya... never happened. Every day this past week has been packed full of adventures. From swimming pools to hospitals (not related incidents by the way), we have been doing about everything BUT cleaning my house.
Weeks like this make for happy (and tired) children, but it also leads to frustrated and stressed mom. I don't know if any of you get this way, but are you more stressed when your house is a mess? Oh my gosh! I could not get caught up this week. It's been nuts! If I could just have a few hours alone to get my house in order, I may get back to some sort of normalcy. So, I began while the kids were napping. I didn't have much time so I turned on some tunes, gave myself a time limit and there I went. First to the bathrooms, then separate the laundry, start the laundry, clean the kitchen, pick up all sorts of junk off the floors that I hadn't gotten to in a week, dusted.... (OK.. didn't really dust, but realized I needed to-- that happened with the ironing as well!). Fed the fish, swept the floor, thought about mopping the floor, but that's going to have to wait, de-cluttered my computer area. clean my room, think about going to the play room (yep.. that's going to have to wait as well) then looked at the clock and it was almost time for the kids to wake up. I figured I had just enough time to do what I'd been looking forward to doing for a week... Putting deodorizer on the carpet and turning on the good ol Kirby. Ahhh the sound of the motor running,the smell of the deodorizer, the lines in the carpet (they are pretty cool I must say. Is this the first clue that I'm becoming my mother?) It was wonderful! I finished, put the vacuum away, sat down to enjoy the moment, JUST in time for the kids to wake up and mess it all up again. Ahhhh that 5 minutes was heaven!!
So to any of you who are able to keep a clean house, I envy you, I want to be you and I hate you! :)

Introducing Tidbits

I decided to start a new blog dedicated to all the funny stuff my kids say. I've only got a couple posts up right now because it's late and I'm tired, but check it out. If you want to join in the fun, just let me know! You can either put your email and name here, or just your name if you don't want your email out there for all to see. If I know you, I've probably got your email anyway!
Hope you enjoy Tidbits!