10 For Tuesday

Okay, my friend Lisha had this on her blog today-and even though it's officially Wednesday, I'm still calling this Ten for Tuesday and giving it a try. Don't know if I'll have it every week, but I'm going to give it a try today.

1. I love Fall. As much as I love summer, and hate seeing it go, I'm always a little excited when the weather starts to turn, the leaves start to change and I can smell "harvest" in the air. I guess growing up in Osgood is the main reason for that. (For those of you who don't live nearby, I grew up in a small farming community and now live right next door to where I grew up. Right next door being a couple of acres away.) I love smelling the dirt at harvest time and seeing the fields all plowed up. I love getting out my jeans and my sweaters. (Most of the time...:)

2. I recently (mid-July) stopped drinking Diet Coke. To any of you who REALLY know me, you know that is a huge feat. Do I miss it? ABSOLUTELY! Do I feel better without it? Most days. Can I now run 3 miles without stopping and feeling like I'm going to DIE? Yes. Will I never ever drink it again? I don't know. But for now, I am all pop free. A love affair ended after (literally) 20 years.

3. I am amazed by my kids. Each of them are so amazing in their own different ways. Parker is reading like I could never have even hoped at her age. When we read scriptures every night, she takes her 5 verses in stride and only needs help with words like "condescension", which I find myself even needing help with. Pacie is so so tenderhearted. She is always watching out for "the one." I am so proud of her for always being the girl to notice and to reach out. Landon is seriously talking up a storm. I love to hear him say things like, "Oh, okay!" and "Okay, I see." Adult talk from one wild little man. Presley is the sweetest little thing. That said, I don't think I've heard a more piercing scream, ever! That girl has got some lungs. I'll have to utilize it at some point.

4. I recently took up embroidery. Just getting started with it, but I am really liking it! I'm starting off with some really simple projects hoping to work up to some more difficult ones. I would really love to learn how to sew. I did make a tooth fairy pillow for Parker a few months back, but that has been the extent of my venturing. I would like to do some aprons for my girls. Encouragement or ideas anyone?

5. I love teaching. I had forgotten how much I love being with children and working with them. I am so grateful that it is one of my talents. It has been so much fun to be able to be creative again and to remember what it's like to do more than just the day to day things that we do as moms.

6. Scott is the best. What more can I say? He is really such a blessing to me and is such a great husband and dad. I know that I am not the easiest to live with all of the time. I leave lights on. I don't always pick up after myself. I am not very structured (although I feel that I am getting better) I am NOT good with finances. But despite my faults, and yes there are many, he loves me anyway and always makes me feel special. Our anniversary is next Monday. Year #8. Sometime I will post our story. Just know that we met on July 7th, were (unofficially) engaged July 24th-(officially August 4th) and married on October 6th. He really is my best friend.

7. Speaking of friends, I love my friends. I feel so fortunate to have been blessed with so many women who "get" me. I can't list them all for fear that I will miss someone. But-I hope-you know who you are! And really, we need to plan a girls night soon! I guess Twilight is coming out in a couple months....can we wait that long?

8. Reading is so my escape! I love to read. I was in the library the other day and was just thinking that maybe I missed my calling in life. I should've become a librarian. (just kidding, but I do love the library) I am in heaven in the library and could spend hours there. Call me a nerd. I know. I am a bookworm...and I love it!

9. I don't want to admit this...but I am addicted to the computer. I am compulsive about checking my e-mail, facebook and blogs that I follow. Okay. It's said. I know Scott will agree. Any suggestions on become less attached?!

10. I love my life. No, things are not perfect. I would like more money and less stress on our household each week when the bills roll in. I would like a years supply of food in my food storage so I don't start panicking when I get e-mails (maybe I shouldn't check so often) about how the prices of things are only going up and up and up. I wish I were more organized. And that I was more disciplined with my time. But ya know, despite these things-I just feel so very very blessed. My family is amazing, my marriage is holding strong-my kids are the joy of my days. What more could a girl ask for?

Pacie's Fieldtrip to Reed's Dairy

Pacie went with her Kindergarten class to Reed's Dairy on a fieldtrip. Scott had today off, so we both went along with Landon and Presley. We all had a great time seeing/smelling the cows, both full grown and babies. (Okay, so the smelling wasn't the greatest, but it IS part of the whole dairy experience.) They also had an enclosure with goats, sheep and a miniature horse that was seriously mean. A duck walk and a yummy ice cream cone later, we were ready to go. It was really fun to see Pacie with her classmates and to see how her personality is a little different when she's not around family. She has a new best friend to add to her growing list and was so excited to go to her house to play after school today! So, here are just a few pics from our fieldtrip! Landon and Presley both had a great time too.

The mean horse getting a little close! Checkin things out and Pacie looking at the ducks.

How I love this sweet little girl! She is so much fun! So so proud with the ice cream. She finally resorted to eating it out of the cone with her fingers.

Here is Pacie with one of her new BFF's.

And of course Landon loving his ice cream too. He joined right in with the kids in line and was acting all big like a Kindergartener. He was devestated when he didn't get to get on the bus with them....in a few years, boy. And even that will be far too soon.

Just for fun

Here are a few of our other happenings over the last few days. Just for fun.....Landon decided he wanted to "help" me make brownies. As you can see-he is a HUGE help!!! He did dump in the sugar and then turn on the mixer so fast that cocoa flew all over the counter. But seriously, look at that face!!

Photo shoot with my girl Pacie. She always wants to do the silly face at the end...gotta love it!Our bathroom downstairs is finally completed! (Just for you, T.L. Thanks for going shopping with me!)

And Scott sitting atop the slide of doom with Presley. Our ward had a harvest party complete with bouncy house and slide. My batteries died after taking this one token photo. I have to say though that I think Scott was the only dad that braved the slide. What a man! The kids had a blast. Landon was flying down it like superman! No surprise there!

Eastern Idaho State Fair-2008

I LOVE the fair. The food, the people, the attractions, the photo section-pretty much all of it. This year turned out to be a little different than usual. We are good friends with the Smith family from Pocatello. They run a food booth at the fair and occasionally need help working it. So for the past three years, Scott and I go and "work" with them at their booth. (Terriyaki/Sweet & Sour bowls, Philly's, and deep fried candy bars, twinkies, oreo's) Anyway, we each work a night alone and then a Friday night together. And then usually we take the kids a different day all together. But this year, my mom and dad offered to watch the kids on the night we worked together and then offered to take them to the fair! We did not argue! So, while we were working, mom and dad got to take the kids to see the animals, eat cotton candy and carmel corn, and just see all that the fair has to offer. Sadly, I did not get to see anything this year! And I really did miss it. Even though I was there 2 nights, I didn't see more than the inside of the Yankee Kan Kook booth. It is always a great time though to be with our friends! Lots of laughs and deep fried chicken. What's better than that?

Thanks, Mamie and Gramps for taking the kids. They had an amazing time!! We love you!

My mom and dad with the kids. Checking out the animals! Looks like petting the horse was a highlight, while being by the pigs...not so much! I love the look on Landon's face!

Oh my sweet darlin'! She is such a joy! I think the one of her just laughing is probably my new favorite of her. How cute is she? And what tastes better than cotton candy? Pure sugar just melted on your tongue! The girls were in heaven!

I love the cow just drinking in the background. No big deal! Just drinking.....

Our own little Hillbilly.

BEFORE 1ST UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT

Parker finally lost her front tooth. It had been a little wobbly for a while and then last week she accidentally hit it with a water bottle. It knocked it really loose and then she kept wiggling and wiggling. Scott tried two different times to pull it with no success. Then, Tuesday night he tried again and.....

There it is! Out-and the hillbilly smile!

She hates when I call her that. So I told her it was that or Vikki. Jen, Jess, Krys...you know who I'm talking about! It's a little lady at the Sonic in IF that doesn't have any teeth! She makes good drinks though! Of course she lost it 2 days before school pictures. Oh well! I'll always remember my little hillbilly first grader!

And just for fun-a picture of the girls as they left for school this morning. It was picture day-I don't curl Parker's hair like this every day! We had to get up at 6:15 to get it done. I think Pacie has never been so glad to have cut hers short. She would've had an afro if I would've tried to curl hers like I used to. I love my beautiful girls!

It's all over but the cryin'....I hope!

Well, miracles do happen. Somehow, my basement is set up, ready for preschool tomorrow. I must give thanks where thanks is due.

1- Scott. Seriously, you are amazing. You are a tireless work horse! Always willing to do whatever needs to be done. You notice the details and take care of things that I probably couldn't do on my own. So thank you so much. I couldn't do this without you!!!

2- Matt. What an amazing birthday gift to paint our entire basement, doors and all of the trim. And it looks amazing. Oh, not to mention putting together two cabinets and organizing my hundreds of books. (I appreciated the diversity of your piles....very creative!)

3- Ashley- Girl, you are a lifesaver. One that can't put anything up straight on the walls, but that's an oversight! Glad Matt was there to keep you on track as you were sorting books-could've taken all day! You're welcome to come and check them out anytime. Saving me AGAIN in the morning. I have ONE thing to say. Team Lift, girl. Team lift.

4- Dad. Even though we didn't quite make our midnight deadline, and your gun was double shooting-you managed to make it look amazing. You are SO talented and I am SO thankful that I am yours, forever. I love you! (And I'm not just saying that so you'll come and finish the baseboard....but will you?)

Tyler & Ashlee-Your spur of the moment trip to IKEA!
Rachel-Calling and calling and calling to secure those chairs for me! (I don't know what I would've done without those.)

Okay, it is super late and I have things yet to do. I will post pictures tomorrow. I just wanted to write this tonight before I go to bed.

Thanks to my family who encouraged and supported me to start this little adventure. I have a feeling it's going to be a good thing for years to come.

The "Color Cave" was Parker's idea. It has a little bookcase in there with color books. We'llprobably change the name through the year. The "Bat Cave" in October and focus on counting....The color isn't the greatest in my pictures, but you get the idea!

The First Day of School

Our two beautiful girls started school yesterday. I've been dreading it for about two weeks now, but I'm proud to say I didn't cry. Until today when they both got on the bus together, sat together, and then waved at me until I couldn't see them anymore. To my credit, they couldn't tell I was crying, and it only lasted a minute. I just love having my kids around me. And my house is really quiet right now. Landon and Presley are still asleep so it's just me and the radio. I guess I'll get used to it....

Parker is in first grade and has Mr. Cronin. Pacie is starting Kindergarten. She has Mr. Byrd. (Yes, both male teachers which seems different for such young grades and both first year teachers as well.) We had an open house for her yesterday and she was just excited to see that her teacher was wearing a Sponge Bob tie.

So today was the first day that Pacie got to ride on the bus. It was a big moment for her. And Parker just took her under her wing and is showing her the ropes. The benefits of having a sister that is only 17 months older than you. I just hope their friendship lasts for years to come.

We love you, girls! We hope you have a wonderful school year and know that you will be missed while you're away.


So tired! their bus comes about 7:45am. We weren't sure what time it would come on the first day so we were out there by 7:30 to wait!

The first real day for Pacie. I love how proud she is. Such a special day for them!