Just recording a cute Clara moment

Clara, what does a doggie say?

Voof, voof!

What does a cow say?

Vvvvvvvvvvoooooooooooooof!

What does a monkey say?

AH AH VOOF!

What does a kitty say?

*blank stare*

and this picture has nothing to do with that but I love it.

PS...I turned 30.

I feel like my age has finally caught up to my life. I mean, who has 4 kids, a minivan and a mortgage in their 20's anymore? Yeah...me.

All my old friends ;) say people take you more seriously once you hit your 30's. I'll let you know if they're right. So far...30 and 3 weeks, doesn't feel much different than 29 did.

Dave did good this year. He's finally understanding that I hate surprises so he talks to me about his plans. :) (and really, it's kinda like an ultrasound. I'm still surprised...just a little earlier than the actual event). So he called me from the store and told me what he was trying to decide between for a gift (a flip video camera and the new iphone). Well, considering the price difference was minor and the iphone could do exactly what the flip does plus about a billion other things, I voted iphone and he agreed. And the anticipation once I knew was really fun.

He also took me out to PF Changs. I LOVE PF Changs but we don't go often so it was a real treat. I was sad to find out that they changed their desserts and I couldn't get the crazy eights dessert, but the ones I got were super yummy. We got the meal for two that came with a shot glass dessert for each of us and since it was my birthday, I got a second one for free. I went with the strawberry cheesecake and the chocolate cake. mmmm....

We ended with our fortunes which were surprisingly accurate to us. Can you guess whose is whose?

(taken with my iphone...I was playing with it all through our date)



and my empty dessert glass...

Did you know? Audiobooks are magic.

It's true. I've been sick for almost a week. I don't know what I had but it was bad enough that I almost went to the doctor, but then it finally took a turn for the better. So I haven't really left the house in days but as long as I took tylonol or motrin I could function okay.

So I had a lot of time on my hands since I wasn't going anywhere and I was getting awfully bored.

Enter Audiobooks.

I've listened to them before, but usually only when I'm driving or exercising. So I didn't completely understand them yet. Their true function is to distract you so you can actually get things done!

You see, I'm the sort that can't fold laundry unless I'm watching TV at the same time. I hate to do mundane chores with only myself for company. Being entertained makes all the difference.

So, I turned on Eclipse and started doing things. Now, my room is clean, organized, and rearranged in a very zen manner. My kitchen is clean and has stayed that way. The playroom, kids rooms, bathrooms, etc are all clean. I'm caught up on laundry. I revamped our budget. I organized all my baby girl clothes to sell on Craigslist and listed them. I actually made a real dinner. I proofed 4 photoshoots which means I'm completely caught up with those.

See? Magic!

After 3 years

I finally went and took pictures of the Spokane Temple. I couldn't have picked a better day. The clouds were perfect. (I hate totally blue skies. They're boring...lol...same goes for a full cloud cover).

I'm really hoping the local church bookstore owner will carry these for me.

I really havn't seen many pictures of the Spokane temple that I love. The most common one I've seen is one taken at night. It's pretty, but kinda typical.

So I decided I had to get something interesting. I spoke to the bookstore owner and she requested a straight on shot, so I did that too. Anyway...wanna see?

This one is my personal favorite.


And the others.

Baptism Day!

My baby was baptized today. I'm having a hard time coming up with the words to say. Maybe there aren't any.

It was....momentous.

Apparently the water was cold but right after they got out Nathan said he felt warm already.

I just love that kid so much. He has this quiet strength that radiates from him.

But at the same time, he's delightfully goofy.

I'll just get to the pictures. I communicate better with those anyway.

Nathan and Dave.




Then it was my turn and he starts rolling his eyes. lol




Our area does stake baptisms, so there were 4 kids from 4 different wards getting baptized today. A very cool thing was that Nathan and Aria's good friend Jackie was getting baptized today too. I couldn't believe I didn't get a picture of her and Nathan together. (Kristi, did you?) We got permission to have our two wards go into the baptismal area together instead of separately like they usually do. It was awesome to be able to share the day with such close friends!

Nathan's Grandpa and Great Grandpa were his witnesses. They, along with Nathan's primary teacher and my cousin's husband and the Bishop from our old ward stood in the circle while Dave confirmed him.




The family that came.


We had a BBQ following the baptism. Check out Dave's stylin' threads...

because everybody likes to play at abandoned buildings...

It was time to do an actual shoot of my kids again so I can replace my wall photos. I've been wanting to take them to this site since a client told me about it (thanks, Rachel!) and the opportunity presented itself when a friend asked if I would show her some photography things.

I said...well...why don't we take our kids to this old feed store some morning and play? And that's exactly what we did. We also invited another friend. So, 3 moms with cameras and 9 kids took off for some fun.

The results were a.mazing. I must do more pictures there!

Also, this is a very good example of why sitting and smiling is not always the best option for pictures. ;)

Because sometimes...they can't hold still so you have to tell them to hold each other down.


and sometimes...they'd rather glare at you than smile.






and sometimes...they get very, very dirty.


and sometimes...you're better off just locking them up.


but then...the heavens align and the magic shots begin.


because you catch her for the split second that her eyes drift by the camera.


in fact it happens twice!


and you find the best letters and signage...which you happen to adore...


sing it with me now....go, go, go, go for G!


and then your kids come walking up to you with a couple of random letters that were lying around and they're absolutely perfect. I wish I could have kept them!




and then you turn around and see your friends kids and it's just the cutest thing ever so you have to take a picture.


Amy and Hilary, I want to see your pictures, too!

Top ten reasons to have a front porch couch

10. It'll annoy at least one of your neighbors enough for them to send you anonymous letters about pride and sugar daddies and laziness.

9. Said letter will then provide hours of entertainment.

8. It's a great place to sit and enjoy the weather on summer mornings. Summer evenings too, for that matter.

7. You can sit and chat with the JDubs in comfort and you don't even have to invite them in.

6. Your kids can eat on it and jump on it and put their shoes on it...and it's okay.

5. It makes you unique.

4. It's a conversation starter.

3. And if it doesn't prompt conversation with you, at least you know you provided fuel for gossip. :)

2. It's more comfortable than the steps. Or most porch furniture for that matter.

1. It completely and effectively removes any misconception that you live your life to "keep up with the Joneses"...plus it makes you giggle every time you see it.

Party time!

I chose the activities based on visual appeal. I really wanted fun pictures from Nathan's 8th birthday.

Turns out having thirteen kids ages 1-8 all in one place and only one other adult because she took pity on me doesn't leave much time to be creative with photography.

So, I slapped my 85 lens on and just snapped pictures when I could.

The popcorn relay...






The balloon toss.


The 3 legged race. I used really flimsy ties, apparently. They started out tied together...


They snapped fairly quickly...


And then I had to run away because they were coming for me!


The pinata was blasted from it's hanger with the first hit by Nathan.


So we set it up on the tarp and it only took two more hits til it was destroyed.




The cake was a huge hit. And very easy and fun to make!






They ended with a water balloon fight with the leftover balloons.


Then I bribed them to pick up the water balloon pieces. 4 of them took the bribe. The nice thing about the popcorn was animals came and ate it during the night. Easy clean up for me!

The most nerve wracking thing was the trampoline. I don't like being liable for other people's kids. Luckily only one kid fell off and it was one of mine (Aria). She's fine and I don't have to worry about someone suing me, lol.

Just one more big activity and that's the baptism and BBQ following (which you're all invited to, btw).

Ugh

After years of trying to diagnose Gabe's "allergies" the hard way with elimination diets and testing foods out, always only seeing minor improvements to the main problem (his poop) I finally got him tested.

Today I found out he has no allergies and he does not have Celiac Disease which was the one my "mommy sensor" was stuck on.

So...either it's a false negative or we're back to square one in figuring out why he's had diarrhea for his entire life.

It was implied that I was being one of "those moms" that's just trying to get attention by having an "allergic kid" but I'm really not. I've been changing diapers for 8 years now and I know there's something going on inside that kid that isn't normal.

Oh well. Next plan of action. Do nothing. Let him eat whatever he wants and see what happens.

Other good news...he's potty trained! (did I already blog about that? I can't remember).

This morning

I woke up early and cried because my boy is really 8. That's it. He's accountable now...well, in 3 weeks when he gets baptized. It's like my 8 years are up and now he has to learn things the hard way and I'm just along for the ride. It's like I switched from the enforcer to the adviser over night. "Because I said so" probably isn't going to fly for much longer. lol.

Or maybe I'm just a mushy mess because it's a milestone birthday and I was up entirely too early with Clara. (4:30)

8 years ago right now

I was in the hospital. The dr had put cervidil in me to soften my cervix. They didn't think it would put me into labor. They kept telling me nothing was happening. An hour later they broke my water and 2 hours later I gave birth to my first child. 1:30 AM on June 22nd.

I wrote this a few months ago. A rather different take on a birth story. This is how I remember it though. It was surreal and disjointed. But amazing. I was induced because of mild toxemia (high blood pressure) but was able to still have him drug free.

"I think someone should check me."

This had to be it. The books say it feels like you're going to poop. The nurses aren't listening though. Why won't they listen to me? Just because I'm a first time Mom? Don't they realize I'm the one having this baby? I think I know what's going on! Oh well, maybe they're right. Maybe I should just go to the bathroom again.

Ohhhh, this hurts! What was I thinking wanting to go natural? They keep telling me I'll be here all night. Nothing is supposed to be happening yet. The Cervidil was just supposed to soften my cervix. Labor isn't supposed to start til tomorrow. If this isn't labor, I don't want to know what is. I might as well get back in bed. They don't want me up too much because it makes my blood pressure spike. Whoa...that's a lot of blood. I wonder if that's normal?

"There's a lot of blood in there. And I still feel a lot of pressure, I need you to check me."

I saw that. I saw her roll her eyes. And now she's telling me (again) that I'm a first time Mom and it's too soon. But at least she's listening to me this time and checking me. An eight! Holy cow! No wonder it hurts! I'm in labor! Ohmygosh, I'm about to have a baby! She's running all over and setting things up. She yelled at someone to page the Doctor. I'm glad he stayed past his shift. I like him. He lets me have an opinion.

Oh boy, here we go. I can't believe it's going so fast! Wait. No. I don't like this. Make it stop! OwieOwieOwieOwie. Ohhhh, nonononono.

"I have to push!"
"Don't push yet!"

Don't push? Yeah right. Why is Dave breathing in my face? That's annoying. Great, now my mom's doing it too. They're breathing fast, what's their problem? Do they think I want them blowing on me like that? Oh. I get it. They want me to do it. Right. Breathing. I think I stopped there for a second. In, out, in, out...no, I don't like the fast breathing. Why does everyone want me to breathe like that? It's not helping. Oh well, at least I'm breathing I guess.

"Ok, Misty, push with the next contraction."
"AHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
"Don't yell! You're wasting your energy. Just push."

Right, just push. I'd like to see him push a baby out. Ugh, here we go again. *gasp*

"Good job! You're doing great!"
"I can see the head"

I can't believe April is still in here. She's being awfully quiet. I'm probably scarring her for life. Oh geez.

"PUSH!"

Do they think I can't feel this? Natural child birth people. I think I know when I need to push. Oh boy. This hurts. Holy crap. *gasp*

"Good job, Misty! The heads out, one more big push!"

Well, that was weird. Who knew the body coming out was so slimy and slippery? It felt like a fish. Interesting. Where's my baby? Oh, he's over there. What's he doing over there? He's not crying but nobody seems to be too bothered by that. Must be okay.

Still not crying. Wait, apgar...I know that word. Why's it so low? Why isn't he crying???

Oh, there we go. He's crying now. And breathing. They're doing the apgar test again. It's higher now. Normal. I wonder if they'll ever bring him over? Why do I have to push again? Oh, right. The placenta. That sucks. Ok, I'll push. Huh. That was weird, too. Oddly soothing. The Doctor is stitching me up. He seems chatty. I don't know what he's talking about. I'm cold. No, not really cold, but I'm shaking. I don't like this. Someone is saying it's normal. Someone else is bringing a warm blanket. Oh, that's nice. I'm tired.

8lbs 13ozs, huh? That's kinda big. Someone's finally bringing him to me. He's so cute. He's my baby. Holy crap. I'm the Mom. When he cries people are going to give him to me to fix it! Oh boy. He's so cute, though. My Nathan. I can do this.























I came across this while I was looking for pictures. I had forgotten about it. I think he was 4 when he did this.

It's an invisible bunny hug.