Hello again!

Well.... my life has somewhat clamed down since my last post. We sold our townhouse (which is a TRUE blessing in this market). We tried selling it on our own for 2 and 1/2 months and then decided to list it with a realtor. Just 2 days after putting it on the market... we got an OFFER! We are now living in Jason's parent's basement (with a beautiful remodel job by my husband and my brother). THANK YOU!

Jason is now living the football life. He is eating, drinking, breathing and sleeping football. Honestly... we don't even see him anymore. He is working 7 days a week! I know I need to keep telling myself that this is just TEMPORARY (and I know it is), but this has truly been a test of my faith. I struggle everyday, but I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I hope I make it there. hahahah.

As for the kiddos... Taliana has just entered 2nd grade and is LOVING it. And Ammon is now in 1st grade. Malia wishes she is in school and asks throughout the day if we can go to school and get Taliana and Ammon. She misses them so much.

I am keeping myself busy by working my several "jobs" and being a single mother. I am SO thankful that Jason's mom is upstairs to help me with the kids. It has been so nice!

I am so excited to get back to the blogging world. Check back for updates!

Living Without!

So... we have decided to cut back on our expenses.  We are sad to say good-bye to cable & the internet.  When I told the kids we were going to be shutting off the cable they were pretty sad, but when I said we would be turning off the internet as well.... they were hysterical!  My kids love to go on the internet and play games.  But... they can find other things to love now.  I am pretty sad to say good-bye to cable because I love love love TLC, Discovery Health, and HGTV.  But... I too became a little hysterical when Jason said we would be turning off the internet.  "WHAT?!?  What am I supposed to do all day?"  Jason's kind response... "um, you can play with the kids."  ha ha ha ha.   

But now that I think about it... it is for the best.  I do spend quite a bit of time on the computer, so now I won't be tempted to sit and surf the net all day long.  I will be able to finish up my MANY "unfinished" projects.  I know it is going to be an adjustment, but it will be for the best.   

Okay.... I won't be completely without internet.  I will be able to get on with my iphone and also when Jason is home I can hook up the internet from his phone.  (thank goodness!)

Wish us luck!

ps... I will be doing weekly posts for updates, so just check back from time to time.  

playing catch-up

okay... life has been pretty crazy for the past little while, so I have neglected updating my blog. So.... here you go. It will be a short version because I should really be doing other things right now, but of course, I am procrastinating. That's what I do BEST!

Taliana turned 7! What?!?!? Where has the time gone? I can't believe she is sever years old already. But... believe me, by the way she acts she should be turning 12. hahahah. She is such a great student and LOVES school. She is still dancing at Tanner Dance. (FYI... they have their show on Saturday May 9th @ 10am at Kingsbury Hall - if anyone is interested). Taliana is also playing soccer and taking piano lessons. She has been very busy lately, but she is really enjoying it all.

Ammon is playing soccer and has become quite the athlete! We all know where those athletic genes came from. (not me!) He is doing great in school as well and can't wait to go to first grade.

Malia... well... she is still our little princess. (aka... drama queen). She definitely rules the roost around here. She experienced her first sleepover at Todd and Alesi's last weekend. I was worried that she would miss us, but nope.... Alesi said she was an angel. Okay... I'll admit it... I was affraid I would miss her too much. However, I did almost go and pick her up on Saturday morning. It was just too weird having her gone. Taliana and Ammon on the other hand... we couldn't wait to send them over to Todd & Alesi's. hahahah. It was a great weekend, and we were able to get a LOT of stuff done.

Well.... we have decided to make a few changes in our life. We are going to sell our house so Jason can go back to school in the fall. He has wanted to ge back to school for over a year now, and we have finally found that NOW is the time to do it. Honestly.... I am sort of jealous that he is going back to school. I wish that were me. There is just something about going to school and learning new things that thrill me. I know.... I'm weird. Anways... for all you readers out there (all 3 of you) ... we are moving. That's the only exciting thing that is going on in our life.

okay... there you have it folks. Consider yourself updated!

**ps... the top picture of Malia was taken by my friend/neighbor Renee Bath. She gave me a mini photography lesson. Thanks Renee!

Advice from Ammon!

While we were in California this past weekend we had time to burn while Jason was in meetings.  We stopped at a Target so we could walk around and "look" at things.  I stopped in the shoe isle to see what they had for clearance (which is always my first stop at Target) and I picked up some REALLy cute shoes and said, "Oh, these are WAY cute!"  And Ammon just rolls his eyes and says... "Mom, you need to stop wasting your money."  There were too other women on the same isle and they started laughing.  And one woman said to the other, "Oh no that boy did NOT just say that to his mother. HAHAHA!!"

Yes... thank you Ammon for your insight, but I think I am doing okay with not "wasting" my money.  

Happy Birthday Meesha!

I can't believe it has been four years already.  I remember the night she was born.  I was just leaving the Jazz game with my mom and her friends when I got the call from Jennifer saying that her dog (Sammie) had her puppies.  I was SO excited!  The first thing I said was... "I get the runt!"  I went down the following week and held her for the first time.  It was love at first sight.  I knew we were meant to be together.  Then... after waiting for 8 long weeks I finally took her home with  me.  Of course Jason knew nothing about me bringing home a puppy until I called him about 10 minutes before I came home with her.  Jason was never excited about getting a dog, but I knew Meesha would grow on him.  

The first day we got her we went out of buy her a bed.  She had fallen asleep on our bed, so Jason (being that wonderful father that he is) puts pillows all around her so she won't fall off the bed while we were gone.  It was SO cute!  Then at the store he had to feel every single dog bed to see which one was going to be the softest for her.  And then when it was time for Meesha to get her vaccines, Jason (of course) had to take her into the vet.  I hate it when the kids get shots and so Jason is the one who takes them, so it was only fitting that he do the same for Meesha.  I remember one time Jason had to work and so I was left to take Meesha in for a check-up and they told me that they had to draw blood for a blood test of some kind.  I called Jason and he came over immediately to hold Meesha in the room while she has getting poked.  He says he doesn't really like her, but I catch him from time to time cuddling with her.  I know he loves her!

The kids LOVE Meesha too!  Meesha loves Taliana and Ammon and tolerates Malia.  Meesha had always been my baby until Malia arrived.  Meesha has been very jealous of Malia, but Meesha is getting better.  

Happy Birthday Meesha!  We love you!

I've become my mother!

The other day while I was doing Taliana's hair we had an interesting conversation...

• Taliana: "Mom, why do you always talk to yourself?"

• Me: "What do you mean?"

• Taliana: "You know... when you are moving your lips and nothing comes out but you are moving your head and eyes."

• Me: "Oh, all moms do that."

• Taliana: "Does your mom do that?"

• Me: "Yep!"

• Taliana: "Oh" -- then she says under her breath... "I hope I don't do that when I'm a mom." Funny thing is... she JUST DID IT! hahahaha!

I remember observing my mom when I was younger. She used to talk to herself while she did the dishes (probably because she was upset that she was left doing them by herself - SORRY MOM!) and she used to talk to herself while she was driving. Which is what I have adapted to doing. I used to be SO embarrassed that she would do that (but NOW people are talking to themselves all over the place (aka. bluetooths)). Anyways... I just thought it was funny and a GREAT observation on Taliana's part! Don't worry... ALL moms do that!

ps... Mom, I still love you. I now understand why you NEEDED that time to talk to yourself!

Rude awakenings!

This morning was a COLD morning in our humble abode. We all woke up complaining that we were freezing, so Jason went down stairs to check the thermostat. Low and behold... our gas went out some time during the night. Yep... we didn't even have HOT water to warm up our bodies. Jason tried to restart the pilot light several times but no luck. Then we decided to check the outside meter to see if everything was okay. This is what we found....

Our poor little meter was burried under an inch of ice. I don't blame it... I would have shut off too if I were covered in ice. So... we got out all our pans and filled them wih water and started heating them on the stove. We boiled the water and pored it over the frozen meter to try and help the gas come to back life again. (I'm not sure if we are actually allowed to do that, but it worked so I'm not complaining).

I don't know how people can actually survive living in COLD weather. I don't know if I can take much more of this COLD. I need to head to the beach and unthaw.