Reunion Time

When I heard we were going to go camping for our family reunion, I cringed. I do not like camping for several reasons.

1. Bugs, mostly mosquitoes
2. Dirt
3. No beds
4. Heat
5. Few showers
6. Small children and camping . . . .not my idea of fun.

But then I was told that we were going to Camp Zarahemla, and there would be:

1. Strict dress code of sweats and t-shirts
2. Cabins with beds
3. An actual kitchen to prepare grubalicious food
4. I could go shooting
5. Lake
6. Volleyball


COUNT. ME. IN. I figured I could let all the other things slide.

We just got back and let me tell you, it was a BLAST! My kids had a fabulous time, Damon's middle name should be "Camper" because he is just so good at it, and I held up pretty well, although I did scour in the shower for quite some time tonight after we got home. So now that I am all clean I will post some pictures for your viewing pleasure.

It was a great time. I wouldn't have changed a thing. I can't wait for the next reunion.

Look Who's Home!

After 20 hours of traveling with her two adorable boys, she made it on Sunday night, and we have been partying ever since!

LOVE THIS GIRL!!!

Confessions: The Third Installment

Like I said, I could write a book of all my confessions, but I try to break them up, as to not shock people with my evil/gross/lazy ways.

1. I "start eating right" every Monday. I get myself all geared up to eat right and exercise every Sunday night. Monday morning I wake up ready to conquer this weight loss thing and get me a killer body, FOR REALS THIS TIME. After a bowl of Weight Control Oatmeal, I go strong til approximately 10am and I just can't take it anymore. So what do I do? I eat. EVERYTHING. Its like I'm an animal! (Nursing doesn't help. It make me ravenous.).

Now, some would think, well, you can do better tomorrow. But me, not so much. I figure, since I've blown it today, I will eat as much as I want for the rest of the day, and the remainder of the week, and then start again next Monday. Its like I think there is something magical about this day, that I am going to somehow get some self control on Monday. Why can't I start on Tuesday, or Wednesday? I will never know. I do think I am going to have to come up with a better system, as I am no where near having a killer body. Sometimes though, I just think it is worth it to carry around 15-17 extra pounds, just so I can enjoy eating my brains out.



I do know that I have some self control, I just have to dig down really deep and find it. I have lost the weight before, and I know I can do it again. We'll see how this coming up Monday works out for me.

2. This morning I took my girls to the dentist. (Sidenote: Ava was cavity free so now I don't feel like such a dirt bag mother, because I do exactly the same dental care for both of them, and Edyn of course had another one, to add to the ten she had in January. So apparently, Ava has a little more going for her in the teeth department.) While there, Ava had to go potty. Of course I took her in there, and do you know what the first thing I do is, after I set her on the toilet? Well, I head over to the mirror, to do some inspecting of my face.

I LOVE TO POP ZITS. I always have, and I always will. Not only do I love to pop my own, but other people's too (only if those "other people" do not gross me out, so consider yourself lucky if I have ever popped your zits. That means I don't think you are gross). The worst part of this disgusting habit, is that anywhere I go, if there is a mirror, you can bet I will stop and pick at a few of my blackheads. This includes at the dentist office, any dressing room while shopping, any bathroom, other people's houses, etc. I can't stop myself. I also need to find some self control in this area. So if you ever see me out in public with fingernail marks on my face . . . now you know why. Rest assured, I do wash my hands thoroughly after popping/picking.

3. Edyn and I have come to a compromise. When I cut her nails, I leave one of her thumb nails just long enough to pick her nose. She is completely satisfied with this.

4. My kids are quite the artists. We go through so much paper in this house, its insane. Anyone who knows me well, knows that I HATE stuff. I LOVE to throw things away. I am constantly throwing away their "precious"drawings. I feel so mean, but I just cannot for the life of me save all of them. They are always finding their "art" in the garbage. Then comes the ranting and raving from my little princesses. "Mom, you DO NOT throw away my pictures." Me, "Oh, how did that get there? We better save that one." And in my head I am thinking Crap, I have to be more careful, and not get caught next time.

So am I supposed to keep them all? I just don't see how this is possible.

5. Why I didn't teach my kids to go pee in the pool like all the other kids is beyond me. Oh, except for the fact that its DISGUSTING. I don't want to swim around in anyone's pee. I know, I know, the chlorine kills it. Yeah Yeah. I still grosses me out, BIG TIME.

I swear, Ava has to go pee like 8 times (this is NOT exaggerating) when we go to the pool. I used to take her to the bathroom every time. But that meant, I had to pack up Lila, get Edyn, and anyone else I am responsible for out of the pool, and cart them all into the bathroom. After a day of doing this over and over, I'd had enough. So ridiculous.

So I decided that she could go back very discreetly behind the garbage can and sit on the lower rail of the fence where no one could see her, and squat. She also enjoys this. for her its an adventure! So, every time we go swimming now, I secretly hope that there is no one there who catches me. Then I would really feel like a dirt bag.

My Superb Saturday

Well, I've gone and done it . . . . . got myself a CPL (concealed pistol license). It only took me about 8 months to actually get it, due to my laziness and lack of time to go to the Police Station and actually fill out the application and get fingerprinted. And guess what? I must be squeaky clean cause I got it back in three days. Yep. Squeaky clean!

So I spent today at a gun training class, as I have not the slightest idea about guns. I just know that I want to be able to protect myself and my family if need be. I just PRAY that I never have to use it, but am so glad that we live in the best country on earth, and that I am allowed to have a gun.

I loved the class. We spent the first three hours getting educated. Then we spent four hours at the range. Let's just say that I was basically sucking it up. I could not hit the target for the life of me. In my head I was thinking, Gee Whiz, what is the point of me having a gun if I am going to miss some thug who is trying to kill me?

All my other classmates were doing just fine, and there was another girl there who had never shot a gun before. So I asked my instructor if they had Special Ed classes for people like me. No dice. I was trying to explain to him that my eyes would get blurry when I was trying to line up the sight and all that jazz. It would take me forever, and then I would shoot, and every time I would be high and right. So come to find out, I am a right handed shooter, but my left eye is dominant. Hmmmmm . . so all I have to do is shut my right eye, and what do you know . . . I was hitting that target like no one's business. It makes me feel just a little . . . well, more like A LOT empowered!

I realize this isn't the best, but I assure you I got better. I just neglected taking any more pictures. After all, I was there to shoot ammunition, not photos!

I still have a ton to learn, so I will be taking many more classes and putting a lot of time in at the range. Especially since I bought myself a new toy . . . Its a P22 Walther.

My new boy "Walt"

(Yes, yes, I know that 22's are small, but I wanted to start off with something little that I could get comfy with and work my way up). I don't see myself packing Walt around with me for a long time, until I get WAY better and more comfortable with guns. And don't worry . . . . . I am being very VERY safe. Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am probably the most cautious person on the planet, especially with three little princesses in my house.

So there you have it. This is how I spent my Saturday. And I loved every minute of it!

An Eventful Day

Today I took Lila to the doctor for her 4 month well baby. She is pretty much a chub chub. She weighed in at 15 lbs 12.5 ounces (83 percentile) and 26 inches long (92 percentile). I Love her!

After that, I of course packed up my brood and headed to the pool. Of course I didn't wear my swimsuit because as most of you know from previous posts, I don't usually end up in the pool because my darling Lila just won't allow it. But look . . . . . . . . . .

I got her to sleep. Isn't she cute!

As I was relaxing and enjoying not holding her, I was of course watching the pool with my eagle eyes (i never take my eyes off my kids, or the other kids I am responsible for, which today, just so happened to be a lot). As I was watching the pool, I noticed my almost 6 year old nephew jump into the 4 feet section, you know the section in which he cannot touch and the section I told him to absolutely NOT go in because he doesn't know how to swim and there are plenty of other places in the pool where he can touch and play. So as he is struggling, aka, nearly drowning, lifeguard Libbie to the rescue dives into the pool and saves the little turkey's life. I lift him up to the side of the pool where I give him a severe scolding for not obeying, telling him that I did not tell him that he couldn't go in the 4 feet to be mean, but I told him that because I loved him and didn't want him to DIE!

So I get out, soaking wet, because of course I didn't wear my swim suit, and realize that my precious NEW iPhone that Sugar Daddy bought me was in my pocket at the time of the "rescue" and soaked up enough water to be completely ruined. Dang (and Dang is an understatement becuase I really want to swear). I mean, how selfish am I, my nephew nearly drowns and I am totally worried about my phone.

So after the severe scolding, not even three minutes later, guess who is making his way back to the 4 feet? You guessed it. This is when we packed up and left. I am sure all of the people at the pool were quite satisfied with the entertainment for the day. Life saving, yelling, and more yelling (hey, I was mad, give me some credit). Thank goodness Nicole was there to document this. I am sure she was also amused. Let's hope this is our first and last incident of the summer.

Yes, I realize my nostrils are flared. This is a talent that comes out when I am mad.

The moral of this story is:
1. Always wear your swim suit to the pool. 2. Always make your nephew wear a life jacket, even if he isn't sent with one, just march your lazy bum to your apartment and get him a pretty pink one. 3. It doesn't matter that my phone is broken. It only matters that little guy is alive.

So to all of my fans who I communicate with on a regular basis through "cellular" phone: Know this . . . . . . the reason I am not answering is because phone is out of commission until I can get a new one. Your going to have to try me at home.

Sugar Daddy, I know you are out of the country right now, and cannot call me and you are finding out about this via blog, so can mommy please have a new phone when you get home?

Cutie Sweeties

Math

One Holiday Weekend Celebrating Our Wonderful Nation

+ Trip to Nampa
+ One house full of 28 people, 5 crazy dogs, and two pet rats (gross)
+ One gigantic blow up slide/obstacle course
+ One Damon, schooling small children on obstacle course/slide
+ One dunk tank
+ Loads of delicious grub, which I ate PLENTY of
+ Huge Block Party with tons of neighbors and family
+ Hundreds of Fireworks and Sparklers
+ Outdoor movie in the yard
+ Rock Band Mania in the Bonus Room
+ Three very late nights visiting, eating, and relaxing
+ One float down the Boise River
+ One very happy Lila who was held all weekend+ Two very happy girls who played so much with their cousins I barely saw them+ One happy Libbie who got to spend time with brother, sisters, SIL and BIL's+ Three very worn out little girls+ One trip home

= Fun, FuN, FUN Weekend

Nerd Alert Twins . . . Yep, they planned it.

I'm not sure why I even packed her clothes . . . . she wore her swimsuit nonstop

Little Cuties...... they were such good girls