the wild rumpus

the kids aren't fine

2011-03-01T15:57:00.001-06:00

I guess I jinxed myself with my ending lines next week. The kids have all been sick starting last Tuesday night with Colt, then the girl, now Canyon, it's terrible. No school, no church, nowhere. Ugh. Last night I started yelling at everyone for who knows why and then felt horrible. So my sweet hubs came in our room (of course, where I had run away to) And told me I've been pent up to long with the kids, I needed to leave and he wasn't waiting up. I love him. I went to costco and since it is next to a mall..... I even found a really cute peacoat for 10 bucks at pennys. rad. had fun, all by myself and didn't bankrupt us in the process. Now I'm looking forward to visitors and getaways, and my kids being healthy!!! still chocolate free!!! And I found a chiropractor with magic back manipulating skills!! One visit and my out of whack neck is loving him. yeah!!
Oh and I found out my brother is dating one of my old girlfriends of yesteryear, sorry to all my friends whose brothers I dated. I actually don't mind, surprised at first but, she's a fun girl.
Colter is a monster (even when he's sick). I can't count the times I have found him sitting on the counter and dumping out sprinkles, salt, or other various foods and seasonings that make huge messes. And he took half the keys off my laptop keyboard. It's annoying. He has found out where "time out" is. He's just too cute though, hasn't been there near enouigh.
We also had tornadoes sunday night. The sirens went on, the twisters luckily didn't touch down in our city though. All is ok here, we are surviving.

no more chocolate again

2011-02-22T14:23:00.000-06:00

I"m going to be chocolate free again. I had two migraines last week. That's not regular for me. It was terrible. I think I'll have to be soda free too. That is harder for me. But after a week of terrible headaches and couple be quiet and turn out the lights ones, something had to give. I went walking/jogging last night and I felt so much better. Exercise really is good for you, go figure. I'll be getting in a repeat of that tonight. Sorry, all I have to talk about is my health and the weather. It's been nice. Life hasn't been exciting. The kids are fine. Have a nice day.

happy it's over

2011-02-15T09:28:00.000-06:00

I'm glad V-day is over. Some years, I'm into it. Some not. So much pressure on one little day. Yeah, it's nice to get surprised with some romantic little treat, but isn't that nice any day of the year? And the kids had so much candy yesterday I almost feel sick for them. I found wrappers everywhere this morning, not all empty mind you. I found chocolate kisses melted under Sher's pillow. Nice. I guess she forgot she was hiding them from me. Anyway, we are looking forward to March. We have G-ma and G-pa coming and they are watching our kids while Chris and I get away for the weekend (Best kind of house guest you can have right?) We are going to a different state. To a resort, on the Hospital's tab! woohoooooo! Chris has a conference and asked if I really wanted to just hang out by myself during the day. I thought it was rhetorical at first. So when he asked again I had to answer with my own Q & A. Are there going to be kids tearing up the room and asking me every five minutes for something? No, I think I'll be great!!!! I'm so excited.

2011-02-08T16:31:00.000-06:00

We have gotten so much snow this year. Just like I said previously. But here are the caves and forts that the boys built They made the bricks with a tupperware bin mold.

I was ignoring Sheridan the other day as I tried to get something done and I heard, "MOM I'm running away". My reply; "ok hon, where are you going"? A few minutes later she said "this is my new house". So I went to find where she was now living. I helped her decorate with flowers and she ate her lunch there. She moved back in when I let her watch cartoons.

i think i'm back

2011-02-01T13:41:00.000-06:00

Well I'm trying to come back. One wrong button and my whole post was deleted, and of course before I could hit control z, it auto saved. argh. I usually like it but this has happened before, just not usually after I'm done typing and trying to add my craptastic photography. Lame. Well i'm not typing the whole thing over again. We are iced, sleeted, and snowed in right now. Yes, we've been having all of it. Sleet coming down sounds like rice krispies, in case you were wondering. We had very busy holidays just like everyone else and while I like the snow. I'm sick of snow days that my kid has to make up during the spring cycle break. They don't make them up for preschool, which I wouldn't mind, because I pay for that. whine, whine, whine. I know. But we have had a lot of fun in the snow. There have been snow balls, snow angels, snow men, snow caves, snow sledding, and even snow fortresses made of what else but snow bricks. We've enjoyed it. I hope you all are have a wonderful new year so far and making the most of it. I'm trying to be more organized .Not really a resolution to say, just something I decided I need, to help fight off some of the chaos and crazy which is life. Well label maker here I come!

summer is over

2010-08-25T15:18:00.000-05:00

Ok, well summer ended in the middle of July for us. So it's been over for a while. The boy is on year round school schedule. We have had quite the time since my last horribly depressing post. June ended and not to soon. that month was awful but in came July. Chris had a very easy schedule and we got to go to the perfect place. Yellowstone. We found the kids namesakes and after we got home found out more about their names. John Colter was the first mountain man and first white guy to find Yellowstone. For a while it was referred to as "Colter's Hell". Philip Sheridan was an army general that had shady war tactics, but was one of the leaders in preserving out favorite place but his wife Irene Rucker (my maiden name, I can't find the relation) loved him. Then there is the grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
Since then we've tried to recuperate from our vacation. We were canning tomatoes from our garden all July and August. Thankfully that has slowed down a bit. Our garden has been great though. I mean 6 foot tomato trees people. We have an abundance. And we are grateful.
I've been trying to fight my depression more than ever it seems. Even with it being easier around here, I'm still down. I'm not exactly sure why. I've been back on chocolate again, maybe that's why.
Oh and we've had some birthdays. Colt turned one. He's so big and he got his first haircut. Canyon is 6 now and is loving first grade. I just hit the big 2-8. I got a cricut and I'm so excited to use it. Sher took the scissors into her own hands, but it worked out because now she has a cute a-line bob. I've been trying to get some craft on so you can check my other blog soon. Crafting pulls me out of my crap-tastic-ness. I think the cricut will be great for me.
Well I don't really want to write a novel, I'll leave that to the professionals. I just thought y'all should know I haven't been committed and things are better than they were two months ago. mostly.

struggling

2010-06-26T01:38:00.000-05:00

i feel like i've been struggling lately. it's been over a month since i've posted. we had some really good time with my parents who came for a week. It was wonderful. we had loads of fun and the kids and i all basked in the glory of their attention. once they left it kind of sucked.
the doctor has been working non-stop. it's taking it's toll on us all. including him. it's been rough. his transition month from lowly intern resident to a second year has been very taxing on us both. the hours are ridiculous. he's doing triple the work that he did in the same rotation a year ago. and working every weekend. I want you all to understand that chris gets paid salary for a 40 hour work week. this month has been full of 84+ hour work weeks. no overtime, so we get nothing extra for his work. a typical week is 60+. that i can live with. that means i have the same work week with three kids by myself. it's rough. i know, some people might judge and say i chose this lifestyle for myself. i know my kids are a blessing, not a hindrance. i'm doing much better at recognizing that. but i'm telling you, this sucks. i feel weighed down and like i am barely scraping by. i'm trying to stay busy outside the house so 1. i don't have to deal with the house and 2. i don't have to think about how lonely (and disastrous) it is here. I feel sorry for chris that he has to come home to either his zombie bride or the psycho mom most days. I know it will pass. i mean this month is almost over.
two birthday's are coming within days for my boys. i want so much to be happy and celebrate. but i'm having a hard time finding the gusto to even think of, let alone decorate, a cake. something i love to do.
this is depressing. i know. i'm depressed. i needed to vent. i feel an ounce better. maybe.

secret hideout

2010-05-21T12:29:00.004-05:00

Colter has taken his first steps i just have to figure out how to put a video on here.
Sheridan is always in a "secret hiding place" that I set up for her. The dumb thing is that i forget and end up looking for her everywhere and get all nervous and think she ran away, but really she just under the coffee table that has blanket hung over it. She has also mastered rolling her eyes. Hard to stay in the stern tone when your 3 year old is rolling her eyes. (don't you roll your eyes at me young lady) teeheehee)
Canyon only has two weeks of kindergarten left. holy moly, time has flown.
My mom and dad are coming to visit after that. yeah!!!

Anyway I was thinking of hideouts (not just Sheridan's) because you know how easy it is to find people now-a-days. But then there are like the two people that you actually want to find forever, and you can find their siblings on facebook or a blog but you don't want to look like crazy stalker face and ask how they are. You know who I'm talking about, exes, old bff's you haven't seen since high school. I mean what if they died and that is why they still haven't joined the rest of us on the unholy Internet (thanks Brice). I've slowly found most of the people. But there have been two or three that i wanted to find the most and will randomly google or search for on fb, and no luck. They have managed to stay free from Internet searches. So today I found one. yeah! I lost touch about 9 years ago and found her today. Through a sibling on FB. Yeah! Anyway people, let me be a crazy stalker face (i just want to know if your ok) and come out of hiding.

Oh and it's been days since I've had any chocolate and a week since I've had a caffeinated soda. You didn't think I could do it? Did ya? Well I wasn't sure I could either. I feel pretty good.

pink peonies

2010-05-16T16:13:00.001-05:00

I love that my living room smells like fresh flowers from my yard. I've been putting these large beauties wherever I can. I'm even pulling out mason jars for vases. I have three of the light pink bushes and one fuchsia. I love them. They really are so big and heavy that they fall over. So much better in my house than dragging on the ground.

my oven is toasted

2010-05-02T20:47:00.000-05:00

There may have been a small fire in my oven. Now it will only broil. A new oven was on the list, but it just got drastically bumped up. It's been really ugly, but it works and I wanted other things first. And, I just cleaned it last week, that cleaning is supposed to last much longer than a week. (There may be a small part of me that is just thrilled to get a new oven) My rolls were totally raw on the bottom today, annoying.
Well on to better things. Yard sales!! I have so many new project materials. I actually gave up my parking spot until I can finish them and get them in to the house. Fun!

it's been.... around here.

2010-04-21T10:33:00.000-05:00

Miserable.
Colter won't sleep. I take him in for his 9 month check up this morning and he has a double ear infection. He had his first two teeth come in this week and you can see all the swollen gums on top. And allergies have taken over us all. Poor poor colter.

Wonderful.
Allergies aside, how can we stay indoors. It is perfect outside! Chris scored a couple days off in a row this weekend and school, rain, allergies, you can come but you are not stopping us from camping. Also, I painted our chandalier, made Sher a dress and started painting our birdhouse outside in the yard, and weeded, and planted flowers. (which all the rabitts have eaten, but it was nice to plant them) Yes I've been busy, don't ask about the laundry. {we all have clean undies!}

so it's been a mix of things around here. I'll update my other blog with my projects later, now i have to go to therapy and learn how do deal with the miserable parts.

busy busy busy and now you want food?

2010-04-14T09:12:00.001-05:00

OK so the kids are whining the kitchen is cluttered and laundry is in the machine (or piled high). As if you don't have enough to do, now it's dinner time. OR you've been working or have been out and about all day, you are exhausted and are feeling kinda whiny yourself and need to eat something. Soon.
I know one of these sounds familiar, at least some of the time! I want your fastest recipes (anyone and everyone who reads this will benefit so don't be shy)! Ok I love the crockpot plan ahead recipes, the pull out the meat the day before recipes, ( i will want those too in time) but right now I want your, dinner's in 20 or 30, I forgot to plan ahead recipes. I will share my favorite but I want yours too.
Ok I like to make wraps in a hurry.
Flour tortillas
bacon (cook it- you can even nuke it)
sandwich meat, or leftover chicken
lettuce (we have switched to cabbage recently)
cucumber
cheese
any other veggies on hand
ranch
bbq sauce

mix some ranch and bbq together to make a new sauce. spread a bit on tortilla then layer up your goods and roll like a burro, leaving one end open.
See I told you it was fast!! Now most of you may have already thought of this but I had to share something, so now need your fastest ideas. Oh and one disclaimer, Chris hates breakfast for dinner (I know), otherwise I would have listed french toast or something. But biscuits and gravy has somehow been acceptable and come up as a quick fix before.

Thanks!

blog frog? what is it?

2010-04-13T11:07:00.000-05:00

ok, i just joined blog frog as part of the spring fling going on and i don't really know what it is, i mean i already have new followers (awesome and thanks) but can someone tell me what i'm supposed to do and what the point is?
oh and i updated lacycakes with more new projects. check sidebar for link.

now for important stuff. colter is getting a tooth! he is also starting to lose some of the chubkins-ness. NO! I want him to be my fat baby forever. he just wants to be one of the big kids though. and the big kids are busy, easter was fun! the bunny hopped through our very own back yard for the first time, and what a beautiful spring filled backyard we have. It's fun!

yeah me

2010-04-03T19:06:00.001-05:00

ok no i don't have any pictures but i'm so excited. I changed a light fixture all by myself today! I went and bought it, brought it home then replaced an old light, just me. (ok the kids handed me the wire caps ) yeah for me! So now my bathroom has a new vanity light. hooray! and our room has a new ceiling fan. chris went into the nasty fiberglass fluff filled attic and hardwired our room for lights. so i now have two wonderful new light fixtures in my room and got rid of the one crap floor lamp that had seen better years. It is too wonderful not to share, ok and i wanted to brag a little too.

YUM

2010-03-22T09:06:00.002-05:00

Ok, No I'm not talking about food right now, well ok I actually did make really yummy cinnamon rolls to devour last night (really the first time I have ever made yummy ones, ever!) but that is not what i'm talking about. i found a website with dresses i love but really can't afford but Chris is invited to cocktail parties and semi or formal events a lot that he is expected to attend and well I don't have the funds to dress up for all these parties, last time I managed to score a deeply discounted ($10) dress from kohls. this time i'm hoping to win a yummy dress from shabby apple. This mama rocks is giving one away. PLEASE pick me. If anybody else has any other modest dress sights that are their faves please share them with me.

i mean who wouldn't want to show up to a party in a dress like this?!

a few reasons..

2010-03-18T13:18:00.002-05:00

I wanted to write a few resons why i love my children so i can look at this and remember it when they are driving me batty.
I love Canyon because...
He is such a kind big brother, especially to baby brother. He always helps when asked, even if he's grumbling. He teaches me new things all the time, like who Ashoka is. And he always makes sure someone is ok after they fall down, he is just a sweetheart. And he is tender hearted too. I love that he is trying so much to understand this world we live and asks thoughtful questions. He is also an observer of things, who knows what is going on in his bright little mind. Oh and his sprinkles (freckles).
I love Sheridan because...
She is so playful, she flips, leaps, dances, skips, runs and hardly ever walks. She actually gets me to skip with her in parking lots because who could resist such cheer. She is overflowing with it. She is also sassy as can be and quick witted. I love even her meanest face because her big gorgeous eyes are glaring at you through it. I love how she wants to be a grown up ariel when she grows up and wants to get married in a castle just like the one mommy got married in (temple). That I can't get her to slow down on the learning front. she is looking out for baby brother too. And the fact that she is rarely shy.
I love Colter because.....
He is so happy. He loves to eat, when I put him in his high chair he kicks and says mmm mmm mmm very excitedly and I just laugh every time. he is a jumping bean, he loves to kick and bounce for long periods of time. I love his chub. I mean I would love him w/o it to but would I love him this much? ;-} And his expressive little face could tell tales with those bright blue eyes. And I love that he get's really excited when mom or dad walks in the room (but especially mom). And how he sucks on his bottom lip and looks like a cute old man.

There are countless reasons why I love Chris too but I will keep those for me, and I already made him a jar of a 100+ reason why I love you.
Remember the love, It's just like counting your blessings.

Oh Canyon just read this and started telling me why he loves me too. My heart is melting.

chubalicious is crawling.

2010-03-09T19:06:00.000-06:00

This boy is chubby, i mean cellulite thighs, belly hanging over diaper kind of chub. I just want to eat him like a marshmallow? Have I mentioned that before? I'm obsessed with his fatness. I love it!

yesterday was good

2010-03-07T14:23:00.000-06:00

So the day after the suckage, things improved and am now feeling better. I'm probably like 90% chocolate free and I feel good about that. Yesterday was gorgeous outside so we took the kids to the shriner parade and they loved all the little cars and so did I. Then we came home and raked up 13 more bags of leaves to add to all the ones we did in the fall. we cleaned out the garden beds and there are things sprouting that we didn't plant. Can't wait to see what they are. Made the kids play outside the whole time we were out there. They thought it was ok at first and then they started begging to go inside. Winter has ruined them. I am getting so excited for spring I can barely wait. Then we fired up the grill and had burgers and it was just all great. I had one little bout of depression when it was brought to my attention that I was missing Lehi days in AZ. I love it. So we were driving by costco and I had chris stop and we just wandered around and ate all the samples. I think I started feeling better right after the chicken and mozzerella ravioli. yum. Canyon is on shcool break right now for a couple weeks, Sher really wants to go to school and talks about "her school" all the time. Colt is crawling now. And it seems since he was my latest crawler he is making up for lost time and already pulling him self up on things. I keep telling him he has 4 months (at least) before he needs to walk but he seems determined to catch up to his siblings. ugh. Oh it's a good sunday. The damn roast (thanks huntingtons) is on, and the bread is rising. I have to go play princess with Sheridan. Hope you all have a wonderful day.

so yesterday sucked.

2010-02-25T11:28:00.000-06:00

I don't really want to go into the details of sheridan cutting up colters s.s. card that I just got in the mail because the first one never came. Or little miss being told to stop doing something more than once and then getting hurt, all day long. Or how I finally ended up yelling at her while she was crying because I had told her to stop. Or about how Colter wants to eat all day long! Or about how a root canal is more pleasurable than arguing with Canyon just to get him to read the next two pages of his book. (my kids can't ask me for anything during a root canal). I love my kids but my insides look like this sometimes. Not always, not even most of the time, but most of yesterday. Oh and the only chocolate I had was when my absent minded brain cut out and I thought I can't order a chocolate shake so I'll get a butterfinger one. My brain is chemically engineered to crave chocolate. I mean I get it without even realizing it. Other wise since my last post I am definitely 95% chocolate free.

kicking depressions arse!

2010-02-20T09:30:00.000-06:00

I'm trying to beat my depression with diet and excersize. I need your support! I can't do this alone and I fugure if I have someone to answer to, my few followers, it will give me more encouragement. I'm starting with excersize and cutting at least 95% of my chocolate (100% would be like murder). I started with slow-robics. I'm sore. And now I need to remove chocolate. This is going to be the hardest part. I will slowly be removing other unhealthy things from my diet, like ton's of sugar, ton's of goods baked with white flour, and I've already cut caffienated soda. How do I cut chocolate? I survive on it, I turn to it when I'm stressed or just craving something yummy, I've eaten more bags of chocolate chips than I've baked with (ok maybe not that extreme). Help me out, wish me luck, send me some sweet carrot and whole grain wishes. And hold me accountable!

Heaven! I mean why would this kid complain?

2010-02-08T21:57:00.000-06:00

lacy-cakes.blogspot.com. check it out, it's my new crafting sanctuary. I will display my work, others work (with their permission) and creative ideas. let the crafting begin

who needs an electrician...

2010-02-07T21:03:00.001-06:00

when you've got a doctor in the house. Chris hardwired and installed a new over the range microwave, in our house recently. He then was so proud of his work he decided to hard wire the kids rooms and install light fixtures, because our house was built in the 80's when they could only figure out how to hook up switches to outlets. He did have a wonderful assistant who held up the hefty microwave and crawled into the dark fiberglass filled attic. (shudder) He has to find a new assitant to install a light in our room. It's much farther away from the attic opening. no thanks. I think we can call a real electrician for that. And here is a little happy boy updated pic. he is such a doll we just love him. Oh and I chopped off my long locks yesterday. i tried to take a picture but me and the camera have a love hate relationship - it loves to take gross pictures of me and i hate that. so just imagine me with a short steep a-line cut. It is the shortest I've ever cut it and the camera and I will work on our relationship so that i can get a picture to show you soon..

i have a shining sink!

2010-01-25T22:21:00.001-06:00

the flylady changed my life. Well she has at least changed my week so far. I've been reading her book sink reflections and my house is clean. i mean the sink is shining, the floors are swept the toilets (and behind them) are scrubbed and no i'm not expecting company. I'm not depressed, i'm in control, i'm decluttering, my house is wonderful, i don't feel guilty when i craft. (guilty as in i "should" be doing something else) the should word is leaving my vocabulary slowly and being replaced with could- it really makes a big difference and holds much less guilt, give it a try. when you see something in your house just ask yourself, does this bless my home or mess my home. that is my new motto when i'm cleaning and purging "stuff".

coming out of a candy coma

2009-12-29T22:15:00.006-06:00

The holidays look, smell and taste so good. Here is a random sampling of our wintery house. Gingerbread goodness. Snow; playing in it, and coming out of it. Christmas eve pj's and Colt's new favorite toy.

merry merry christmas

2009-12-22T15:27:00.001-06:00

I hope you all are doing well this holiday season. I know I asked several of you for addresses but alas there was so much to do and so little time, something had to give and cards it was. I was too busy making cards as gifts for others to finish the Christmas cards I started, but hey, I've got a great head start on next year!
This year has been amazing, We've witnessed miracles, my uncle shattered his heels and he is walking, my friend walked out of the hospital after breaking her neck in a car accident. We've also had sadness, my Aunt is in the ICU after having a stroke, friends have divorced. It's been an eventful year, Chris matched for a residency. Chris and I celebrated our seventh anniversary. We moved into our sixth place. We had a new addition; Colter. I have a therapist. Canyon is in kindergarten. Sheridan got bit by a dog. Life is just full of good and bad and we just have to take it all in, some of us need a little more help than others so remember to try and lighten someone's burden. A wise woman told me, "never suppress a generous thought", I've been trying to do better with that. I love my family and friends and I'm so blessed to have each and every one of you in my life. I wish you all a very merry christmas and wish you joy this new year.
Loveyoumuch-
Lacy

the winner is....

2009-12-20T19:57:00.002-06:00

EMILY!!

Lady you won the cute changing pad! You can go to the site csnbaby.com and pick the one you want!

a time for giving

2009-12-14T14:14:00.007-06:00

I'm doing a giveaway through csn for this awesome changing pad by skip hop. It is super cute and an all in one convenience. Just fold it up and you have it all with you.

You can check out the rest of the website for adorable nursery decor and other baby and kid accesories.

Just post a comment and I will do a drawing and post the winner this Sunday the 20th. I can't promise you will get it by Christmas but what a cute gift to receive or give!

This will only be shipped to U.S. residents.

yes, yes it has been two months

2009-12-08T11:23:00.011-06:00

So much is going on. Everyone wants Martha to come to their house for Thanksgiving. Well folks, I got her! ha ha! T-day is my fave, the Cox's came to town and we were in heaven! We barely saw the kids the whole weekend (unless someone was screaming or pooping) Martha and I got to see New Moon! Uh I know some may be underage but half dressed guys dripping in the rain is my kind of fun! yum! pasty guys that sparkle not so much. i liked the movie. the food, the games, even chris was loving life with the weekend off and ry-guy in town. We even took a trip to the zoo because the weather was so gorg! Oh it was an awesome staycation for us and I'm so glad we had our wonderful visitors. Then our friends had a little incident on the way home and well I'll just say I hear Ryan looks good in orange.

Then my mom came to town and it was good. Sometimes a girl just needs her mom. We had a pretty low key time, shopping (what else), talking, crafting, she even got some playstation time in with Canyon. I was so glad to see her come and so sad to see her go.

Chris is loving work, and somehow managed to get T-day and Christmas off in the same year. Don't get me wrong he will be working 30+ hr shifts before and after C-day but we are excited to have him whenever we can.

Canyon is growing and learning and loving grade K. He is becoming more and more sarcastic, which is funny and he loves loves loves his little bro.

Sher is three. ugh. this so far has been my least favorite age, inquisitive little buggers that just wont let things go and the fits, wow! but she still is really sweet at times and always tell me she loves me, then lists all the other people she loves. The poor girls did get bit by a dog this month.

Colter has all sorts of new tricks. he rolls, he eats his toes, he eats food, he reaches. The chubber bubber is just a happy guy for me but he is pretty whiny for Chris. Kind of sucks when mom needs to get away.

That is a quick recap of things past and now I need to overload this thing with pictures, can someone please teach me how to do those 4square ones. Halloween happened too, yes I know it has been forever, and we got our Christmas tree last night, and now my house smells wonderful and piny. mmm.

the fam

2009-10-12T21:34:00.011-05:00

My family in AZ last March. I love that only a few of us are actually paying attention.

i know what you need

2009-10-07T00:13:00.003-05:00

ok seriously, if anyone gets in a slump, if you're feeling blue i have got a pick me up for you. it works for me every time. you go to youtube.com and search flight of the conchords or here is a direct link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbbxA8a_M_s . you will love it and many of their other songs, like jenny or business time, or albi the racist dragon. some other people like charlie the unicorn which makes me laugh but also makes my iq drop. you'll feel better soon

p.s. or you can listen to my cousin sing, she is really good http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m73IdFJqADI

who can deny

2009-10-05T23:06:00.003-05:00

the adorableness of this baby boy. Ooh I love him. I tried to catch his smile and pudge and you get a little glimpse of both. He is 3 months now. He was 13 pounds at his two month check up, outweighing big brother at that age. What a bruiser.

some serious crafting!

2009-10-05T22:37:00.006-05:00

ok, this is the last four months of me squeezing in craft time. I didn't realize how much i have done and wish i could do so much more!

This free primed shelf from a yard sale turned into a shelf fit for a princess with a little paint and help from some cute kids. I got the princess from the dollar store and spray painted it and added a little glitter. gotta have some glitz!

horrible pic of the cute wood boxes i decoupaged with scrap paper for shers room

Craft time with the kids, this was so much fun. I am a huge fan of craft foam! A little goes a long way. we also made dracula, caramel apples, ghosts, and candy corn from foam. Fun!

some paper crafting

a few before and after crafts. ugly tray had huge paper sunflower picture. now a lovely green with filigree stencil i made by printing an image, tracing it. and adding a little extra.

plaque was cute before but didn't match decor. so i painted it.

table was free and ugly yellow at a yard sale but with some paint stripper, black spray paint and new hardware it is wonderful.

go cards!

2009-10-05T22:31:00.002-05:00

ok, last year we were saying that in AZ and now we are saying it in MO. Canyon got to have some daddy time!

princess sheridan

2009-10-05T22:18:00.004-05:00

She is three! We celebrated by spoiling her rotten and eating chocolate cupcakes with fluffy pink icing.

What do you do all day??

2009-09-24T22:12:00.004-05:00

i got this in a forward but i just thought it was too funny to keep to myself. enjoy!

A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and 20 wrappers strewn all around the front yard.

The door of his wife's car was open, and so the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog. Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall.

In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing.

In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.

He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife.. He was worried she might be ill, or that something serious had happened.

He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door.

As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls.

As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel.

She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went..

He looked at her bewildered and asked, 'What happened here today?'

She again smiled and answered, 'You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world I do all day?'

'Yes,' was his incredulous reply.

She answered, 'Well, today I didn't do it.'

This is priceless.

trying every day..

2009-09-12T22:09:00.003-05:00

to fight off the crazy within. Sometimes I say that in jest but today I'm feeling a little melancholy or something. I'm sure I have a thousand bad pictures to choose from to post, but I'll skip it today. I just caught up on some blogs after way to long and even longer on the private ones. One talked about acceptance, I liked it. I've been struggling lately. I don't really like my life some days. Some days I can't imagine a better one. I feel I've been blessed. I've had the chance to see and live new places, meet wonderful and interesting people wherever I go. Some have influenced me more than they can ever know. The women I have met are serving and kind. Fun and creative. I'm amazed at my talented friends. Some are amazing decorators or photographers or cooks and some are just good at being a friend. So that always makes me wonder, where do I fit in? I've asked myself this question most of my life. I think it stemmed from being the only red head in the family. I'm ok with my hair now, in fact I love it. But it grew into so much more. I've struggled for acceptance since fifth grade. Gosh I didn't realize I could pinpoint it like that. But that is when it started; the horrible comparison game. She has breasts, she has straight teeth, she has a tan. Well some boobs grew, braces did their job and freckles resulted in place of a tan. I don't compare so much anymore, I don't feel I have as much to prove as I did in school. It's not a competition anymore, sad thing is, my competitors didn't even know they were in the race. So that is how it all started, but now I'm having a hard time fitting at home. After a third baby, a move, a much bigger house to clean, a new job, kindergarten, a regressed potty trainee... things have been a bit more difficult for me. Fighting off the everyday crazy has been harder and harder to do. I decided to seek counseling. Something I've wanted for a while, because I think it can help me. This week I'll have a medical evaluation, and while I'm afraid of what she'll say, I have to accept the fact that I need help. I can't go on feeling the way I feel. It isn't healthy- for me or my relationships in life. I'm sorry this post is so depressing and after I post it I'll probably feel even more an outcast. Not many talk about the crazy within, maybe it's because not many feel it the same way. I'm not really sure. But this is my blog, and I'll post on it what I feel. After all honesty is the best policy, right?

Ok, so I realized no one has seen my beautiful house. So I added a picture and we can end this on a good note.

how do you make it seem so easy?

2009-08-15T09:48:00.006-05:00

I mean how do some of you moms blog so often? You are amazing! I have a friend who just moved and blogged while traveling! How? I can't even blog at home. Anyway, things have been getting back to what the new normal is, I guess? I mean everything is new. New house, new school, new baby, new job, new calling in church (enrichment leader). I'm even trying to make new foods. Chris was complaining that I have cooked the same food for 6 years. My argument - I COOK! Anyway, I am tired of my food too. My cousin has a cooking blog, you should try her creamy Italian chicken recipe. It is delicious! And it's a wonderful crock pot meal, I think those are the best. You should try some of her other recipes too, I also made pizza! Yum. The month so far:

The Papa's and Colter. They were here for the blessing. My mom was too but my camera seemed to be missing that whole weekend.While they were here we went to see the arch! It is just huge. And the kids pretended to like each other while we were there.

Canyon is playing T-ball this summer and while he is playing Sheridan rolls around in the dirt, literally. T-ball is funny. Just like any pee-wee sport all the kids chase the ball and half of the parents are standing on the field trying to keep the peace and some organization. Canyon has confused T-ball with soccer and tackle football both this season.

Sheridan and I stay home and make treats while canyon is at school. I know she is just the cutest girl but things have been a little more rough now that Canyon isn't home to blame things on.

This guy eats like a champ (maybe its all the rice krispie treats I'm eating). He may have started my smallest but he is quickly making up for it. At one month he was already 10-10. At that rate he will pass up his very big brother's growth rate very quickly. I love the little chubber.

the first month

2009-07-31T12:09:00.004-05:00

week one.
everything is great, Chris has to work for the first couple of days but amazing church sisters take care of Canyon and Sheridan. Canyon turns 5! He is so big. Chris takes the kids to fireworks show and the 4th of July happens. The Hospital gives Chris a week for paternity leave. No big adventures or surprises, I'm on the mend.

week two.
Gramma J comes to town and takes care of everything. I mean really, plants flowers, paints bedrooms, makes quilts, does laundry. The woman is absolutely amazing. We find things like "oops" paint at home depot and Lowe's for $5 a gallon and have two bathrooms and the kids rooms painted. And we re-floor one bathroom, I love peel and stick vinyl, so great! So I'm healing just fine. Colter has already gained a pound and a half. Chris is also working very hard on the house and kids are loving that grandma is here. They all go to the amazing free zoo together and have a blast.

week three.
G-ma is still here; great! Still taking care of me and the kids. Canyon starts KINDERGARTEN. Oh yeah, the big K. I can't believe I'm old enough to have a kid in school. It weirds me out. First day of school Colter gets a fever. Bad news. New infants get admitted immediately into hospital for 24-48 hrs. They get blood cultures, urinalysis, and spinal tap automatically. So we spend 24 hrs in a hospital, all tests come back normal. Doc says it's a virus, you can go home. Sheridan gets a fever. She gets Tylenol and gets over it within a day too. Chris is back too work and I'm doing fine too.

week four.
Canyon seems to be enjoying school, Sheridan is trying to adjust to a new way of life around the house. Grandma went home. I get a fever, well I must have finally got what the other two had. Next day I can't get out of bed, not just a fever, must be the flu, ugh. Time passes on and week 5 is quickly approaching and I still has a fever, and other various flu symptoms, but its never lasted this long. Chris wants me to get better, he hates taking care of everything and me all at once. Finally Colter is exactly one month old and I'm going to the doctor. Not a flu, kidney infection, go the the ER. I'm dehydrated and they keep sticking me with needles to find a vein. They take my blood give me anti-nausea meds, antibiotics and lots of fluids. Now I can go home and get better. Wait, hold the phone! Doc calls, all my blood cultures come back positive. So now I sit at this computer with a full blown E-coli infection of the blood, hypothermia is a symptom of being septic, that's what they call it when you have dirty blood. So I'm sitting at a nice 95 F . I'm actually getting better, hypo is better than a fever so they assume my antibiotics are treating and beating it.

Needless to say it has been a full month. And hopefully you'll forgive me for not posting sooner.

I guess you never know

2009-06-29T21:59:00.008-05:00

Chris and I were pretty sure this baby was going to be a girl. In fact Chris was so sure that I couldn't even get him to discuss boys names. Hence the poll on the side of the page. I have now witnessed something I never thought I would, Chris- absolutely speechless - when our second son came into this world!
A boy! His name is Colter Sky Allphin (I know it wasn't in the poll). He came to us June 27 at 4:58 am. He was 7 lbs and 21 in long. Just a skinny little thing. So far he sleeps a lot and hasn't realized that he can be happy when he is awake. I'm sure he'll figure it out.

for those in the know

2009-06-25T10:55:00.002-05:00

4cm and 80%. Baby, it's time! We are almost half way there already! Why are you not listening to your mom's body? How long can you stay in my belly at this rate? Stop being so stubborn, you aren't even here yet and we are already at odds. You must be a girl.

And do any of you remember that little chantey from back in the day? "my back aches, my bra's to tight, my butt shakes from left to right" Sometimes that comes into my head as I'm walking around and I think; why did I sing that in elementary school? It really applies now.

fat and lazy

2009-06-21T22:09:00.003-05:00

I know I said I would blog more and so much fun is happening around here but really, I'm finally taking the time to be fat and lazy. Chris said it was ok that I finally do that. I'm too lazy to walk up the stairs right now and get the camera to upload pictures. I know where it is, I just don't want to go, I mean I already walked down them, and don't intend to do that again tonight.

The kids have been having fun playing with the neighbors. We live on culdesac and all the neighbors have kids and they come and knock on the door every night at dinner time; motivation for the kids to eat and then they get worn out before bed, it's wonderful! Running in the sprinkler and playing on the new swingset are also providing good times right now.

Which brings up my fun (Chris finds most of it). Everyone has garage sales here. Every weekend right now, before it gets too humid and gross. We also love craigslist, what people can't sale on Saturday ends up listed on Sunday or Monday!! But by spending around $150 we have gotten, a bench freezer, lawn mower, large wood swingset (free), wooden porch swing, wing back chair, end table (free), lamps (free), toy box, house phones, nightstand, twin bed, free weights (free), bookshelf, and a grill (free). There is probably more, but my pregnant brain cannot wrap it's mind around it right now. Some of the free stuff comes from when you hit up the garage sales as they are putting it all away around noon. The grill we passed with a "free" sign on it on our way to a garage sale, where we got the twin bed. The swingset came from a neighbor who helped us unload the freezer and said, "Oh I was going to post my swingset on craigslist tomorrow, you want it?" Rhetorical question. Who doesn't want a free swingset?

Anyway, I'm just hoping the baby comes soon, my body is done, even if I'm still freaking out about three kids (aaagh). I think I'm getting a cold or maybe allergies, and I'm hoping that one good sneeze will come along a break my water. But it will probably be much farther after my due date of July 1st that I finally post what I had. Well here comes a good contraction, hope for me!

We survived!

2009-06-06T13:54:00.010-05:00

We survived moving out of our apartment, into my parents house, a trip to Boston and a drive to Missouri in a matter of two weeks. The kids seem happy too. I 'm not sure how we pulled that one off.
I have to thank my sis-in-law Heather for cleaning my apt with me, she is amazing. Then we stayed with my parents for a few days, I don't think it went too bad, I hope they think the the same.

Then we had an amazing trip to Boston for Chris' Graduation. It was so special and even though we couldn't afford to go, I'm so glad we did. It really made everything final and was a very nice close to the whole schooling thing. We also got to see people we hadn't seen for a couple years and got to see Boston's historical sights. In one trip we traveled on planes, trains, automobiles, subways, and even a duck (ww2 truck/boat). There were all sorts of things to see, hear, taste and smell. We had tons of fun with the In-laws (thanks for the duck tour), and I'm so glad I got to go with the big belly.

Then we had to drive for 24 hours to Missouri, I got pretty grumpy for some of it but it's all OK, and the kids were amazing. My aunts, and one of Chris's too put together travel bags, with movies, money, coloring books, pjs and new toys. The bags were so great! That was such a terrific gift. My dad and mom hauled all our crap out here, and I can never thank them enough for all they do for us.

So far our house is a much bigger project that we remembered it being. It started with cleaning because the people didn't clean it before they left. We had the carpets cleaned yesterday. Yeah! And an electrician came and gave us quotes today, ouch. My dad kindly reminded me of that movie Money Pit, thanks Dad! I don't think it will be that bad, but we are also getting a mower today and probably plants for the garden. $$ So I haven't taken pictures yet as no large projects have started but wish I had with the carpets, they look 95% better and are sanitized which makes me feel better. I cannot wait to paint! I know it isn't as bad as some houses (sorry Mel) but I get grossed out looking at dirty wall paper and spackled spots. I will take any suggestions you have on painting large rooms with vaulted ceilings, I really have no taste.

Well I should be blogging more now, no more working and a few weeks before baby #3. We still don't know what we are having! Any guesses?

squeezing in craft time

2009-05-08T22:30:00.007-05:00

Here is some craftiness that I have been able to squeeze in over the last few months. It hasn't been much and I have now packed it all up. That a was a sad time. But I wanted to share some of my copied ideas from others genius. The cards were for people for reasons obvious on the cards and the journal was for my mom as a favorite moments of motherhood / grandmahood. I hope she uses it and that I and my siblings get to enjoy it later in life.

the yellow and black card is a tri-fold and tied together with the ribbon, it was super easy and way cute I think. The journal was just coordinating ribbon and paper with torn edges. BJ typed and printed off. Add some flowers and your pretty much done. Make a wish card- straight lines, layers, ribbon and stamps . I was feeling rather citrusy for the thank you card, it was another simple one. I love doing crafts and wish I had more time for it all. I have no idea why this is all underlined and I don't know how to turn it off.
Stay crafty!

a little time for fun

2009-04-29T15:11:00.003-05:00

Well yes, I'm still alive and counting down the days until we move. But before that there is only 17 more work days. That is amazing. Chris and I have been very busy, both working as much as possible and trying to have a little fun on the side, while packing up the house. We usually forget our camera for all the fun things.
I'm 31 weeks now and growing more everyday and the constant rib pain has begun. Canyon thinks that my belly will "crack" like an egg for the baby to come and I haven't any notion to tell him different. Sheridan is talking all the time. I called Chris after work the other day and asked how his day was going, the first thing he said -Sheridan will not be quiet. Well if she is anything like her mother, she won't grow out if it. So we will just get used to it. Canyon is so big and the clothes we bought on clearance last summer for this summer of course don't fit him. Sheridan is totally potty trained!!! Life is hectic but it isn't too bad.
We had a lot of fun when Chris's Brother and Wife came to town. We miss the family a lot and it was fun to play. (And shop) We swam and roasted hot dogs in the desert and it was almost like getting a vacation for us, even though we worked. We were sad to see them go.
We were offered D-backs tickets the other night and after 2 feet of hot dogs, 1 pound of peanuts, another pound of red vines and one "take me out to the ball game" we called it a night. It was a lot of fun for us! Well that is a quick recap of all things pertaining to us.

match location

2009-03-19T15:32:00.003-05:00

ST. LOUIS, MO!!! Here we come. It was Chris's first choice and we are so excited. I can hardly wait to see what is in store for us there. We already busted out the Martinelli's and we are going to celebrate!

game -set- MATCH!

2009-03-17T17:22:00.005-05:00

So yesterday was "match day" for medical residents. This day determines the rest of our life. Ok, so there has been a few of those along the path (marriage, med school acceptance, kids, whatever). It at least determines whether or not we can get on with it.
The way it works for you all not in the know, Chris interviewed at different residency programs then he ranked the places and they rank him and then a computer matches you up together. HE MATCHED!!!! We don't find out where we go until Thursday, but the most important part is that we are going. Chris will start in July and we can buy a house and we are just extremely grateful. There was a lot of stress and much staring at a dark ceiling instead of sleeping leading up to yesterday and now relief has settled in and we are excited to find out where we will be going. I will be posting soon.

Lehi Days...

2009-03-06T14:45:00.004-06:00

Is tomorrow!!! All of you near should make sure you come. My dad is doing the food again and I can't wait to watch the kids chase chickens. I haven't been for like 7 years people, I'm excited. I hope I see tons of Lehi residents there, past and current, so make sure you are one of them, and buy some bbq, I just might be serving it to you. Hope to see you!

Oh and Mel, don't think I haven't noticed your private blog! I would love an invite! Just leave a comment on an old post (it's moderated and I won't post it) with your email so i can send you mine.

simple pleasures

2009-02-08T16:54:00.003-06:00

Well I'm still alive for anyone who cared. I can't believe it's been a month since I updated. Sometimes I think of it but my moments for me are fewer and I hold them precious. Blogging takes too much time and I'm so far behind I feel guilty. I realized I never even posted Christmas pictures and Chris had a birthday. We sang in church, I barely had a voice and you could barely hear me so as far as anyone knows I sang wonderfully. Immediately after I really could not speak, I could only hack and sniffle. Chris really did do well. Well let's move on, what's new with us?
Canyon has learned something new almost everyday when I come home. He can now tie his shoes and tell the time (even like 2:55, that is tricky). He amazes me every day and he could school us all in Lego Batman for ps2.
Sheridan is much better, we all ended up doing a round of antibiotics to get over what we had. She is still sassy as can be. The other day Chris asked her if she was a pretty girl. "NO PRETTY GIRL DADDY, I'M A PRINCESS". Wow, is all I can say about her. She still has everyone fooled though, thinking she's all sweet and what not.
Chris is loving being Mr. Mom. Loving it!! He has a routine and if I mess it up on my day off he gets annoyed. He seriously told me "to get out of [his] kitchen" recently. It's great but I do feel a little useless at times.
I'm now a pastry cook. I haven't started the 4am shift yet it's been 6 or 7 but tomorrow it's 5am and then I think next week I'm going in at four. I'm tired. Our new bishop even asked someone if I was doing ok and told them to find out if they could do anything for me. I'm sure that is because he only see's me on sunday while I'm thinking "would someone please teach these hellians how to behave". So I'm good, just exhausted. We all went to our pre-opening of the reastaurant I work in and people around us commented on how well behaved our children were. WHAT?!!! Yes, seriously, they were actually amazing and sat still with their napkins in their lap and ate their food.
So as for the title of this post, I now do have fewer moments for me and find pleasure in the little things in life. Such as grapefruit with sugar, it makes me happy. I also got to make a skirt for Sher, maybe for Easter. So far ahead you say! I'm so on the ball! RIGHT. I bought the fabric last March, for Easter 08'. So really it's year late, but I still love it and I have never done pleats, they aren't perfect but I like 'em anyway.

For any of you who haven't heard My little Sis is going to be our first missionary. I have no idea how our mother will deal. She is going to Knoxville, TN. I'm so excited for her and Canyon has added her to his nightly prayers. (along with me having a good pregnantly ,yes, tly and daddy getting a residency). Oh I love my family. I love them even when my back kills and they want to climb on me. I've figured one of the best ways to entertain them is to take them to the hot tub, pain relief and fun!
So even if my day is totally lame I'm trying to take pleasure in the little things (like my little paycheck). Actually, I was so excited to pay tithing today, it's been forever since we had an increase and I was so happy to finally contribute, another pleasure! I'll try not to make it a month before I post again.

Well it's 2009...

2009-01-08T23:50:00.007-06:00

and things are staring to change for us already! Chris and I have not had cash flow since our last loan disbursement in March (2008). We luckily had a bit in savings and have been living off that for a while. But we have both been feeling a lot of stress lately as the money is dwindling into nothing. Part of our stress was totaling the car but we got an upgrade for the same price as the totaled check. Score! Dad actually helped us out with that and we are extremely grateful because the check is the only thing left in our account. And I'm pregnant and you all know they aren't free. Well Chris got the part time tutor thing but that doesn't pay too much.

Now for some good news, (pregnant is good too, but it has added a little stress) I got a job and I will be the bread maker! literally and figuratively, ah punny. I am starting the 4 am shift as a baker in Scottsdale next week. My Dad laughed when I told him what time I'd be working, yes he knows me well enough that I didn't really know that 3am existed (the time i have to wake to get to work in time). Maybe I shouldn't be sharing our financial situation with everyone but I feel like I have just been under a grumpy fog lately and it seems that the weather is finally clearing a bit. Chris received his diploma in the mail yesterday, it actually declares him a Doctor of Medicine. Yippee Skippee. I am just overjoyed for him! Things are already looking better.

Although, Sheridan is sicker than a dog and actually got a breathing treatment tonight at the urgent care (which did absolutely nothing). And if you want a private room instead of sitting in the waiting room, just have your kid vomit everywhere, twice. They'll take you right back, even if you aren't registered yet! We finally got some drugs (three of them) into her and the poor sweet thing is actually sleeping instead of coughing tonight.

Canyon is good. The boy is so smart. I wasn't going to be one of those moms that thinks their kid is gifted (I'm satisfied with average kids, their great too!) but now I think Canyon is. Not really, I just don't know what average is, and I think he's above for an unschooled 4 year old. He reads, he can read! long vowels, short vowels, silent h's, consecutive consonants (i.e.; st, sm, pl , you might be surprised how tricky those are!) He is amazing!

I hope the year is fantabulous for you all! Oh and Chris could be posting blogs on a trial run or just occasionaly as he said this blog sucks. I know it does. Sometimes I try to be witty, but it doesn't come out that way; just lame. Oh and Chris and I are singing in church on Sunday. Should be interesting. I'll update you on how it went.

We are having......

2008-12-25T14:38:00.004-06:00

A FISH! Well that is what Sheridan shouted out when we we asked what was on the ultrasound monitor. (Canyon guessed a baby; smart kid) Yes, I'm pregnant! After months and months of not getting pregnant we finally did with a little help from those reproductive drugs. There is only one baby. I'm due July 1st. Canyon's birthday and the first day of Chris's medical residency. Yep, great timing, I know. But we are so excited!
Just wanted to let you know the news and tell everyone Merry Christmas! I hope it is good for everyone. I know it's been a rough year for many of you financially or emotionally, but I wish you the best for the new year, and hope you have felt the spirit of Christmas in your home.

play that funky music....

2008-12-20T23:22:00.004-06:00

So this week is finally over. I'm so glad. I was very busy this week making scrappy goods for my you ng women and even better, making Uncle Terry's birthday cake. It turned out ok, (it's never as good as it is in my head) but the best part was disco Terry (aka Moses) He was so cute! You might be able to tell by the pics that it was a Saturday Night fever themed party. Chris and I got some spiffy new (to us) digs and got down on it (lyrics, you gutter dwellers). Chris actually scored a velvet shirt and some nice polyester pants, they even had a bonus handkerchief in the pocket. I found my stylin' dress at the goodwill for $4.99. Major kudos to my shopping genious! Yuck, the colors in the cake picture are kind of off. so just ignore that.

wishes do come true

2008-12-16T19:16:00.003-06:00

So people always win blog giveaways right? OTHER people. Well guess what, I WON the Glitz stocking! I am so happy that I get all this wonderful goodness! Real life got to stop for just a few minutes while I skipped around my house telling my husband I actually won a giveaway. Now I have to get back to my kids and making stuff for the young women. Oh and another thing I'm totally excited for is I get to decorate a cake this weekend, I haven't done a real one since January, and it's disco themed! Yeah, so fun. I think it's fun now, wait til I'm Halfway into it, then I won't be so giddy. oh well. I'm so excited I won!!!

glitz

2008-12-12T10:40:00.002-06:00

I've been suckin it up on the blog front, life just keeps happening. You know some times it's just a little too real. Don't worry though, I've still been reading your blogs, your popularity level hasn't dropped! I've just been getting ready for a Christmas we can't afford, we did score a $25 tree though; awesome! Chris got hit by a suburban in our neon (it's totaled) but he's ok, and for that I'm grateful. Chris has been tutoring students in bio and phys and can also do math, if anyone needs a tutor, but he does have a job interview this morning. I did get to have a lot of fun with my girlfriends this week, and I can't believe Rita posted that old school picture of all of us.

One amazing link I found this week was Glitz. Well I didn't just find it, it's my sister's ol' friend Laura's scrapbook company, and they are awesome. Some actual creative ladies! They are doing Christmas giveaways, and you should check em out! Maybe you will get a nice stocking for your chimney!

more card craftiness

2008-12-04T15:41:00.004-06:00

Well, I've been at it again. Making cards! I made some for Chris to send thank you cards where he has interviews, and my mom hired me to make her Christmas cards. She offered me more than I'm going to take, but is it tacky to charge my mom? I need to know these things, I know she is trying to help us out ( I hope she doesn't read this entry) and this is what I can do in return. So let me know, is it wrong?

thanksgiving did happen

2008-12-04T15:09:00.005-06:00

Yes the turkey comes to our house too. It's just taking me a week to be grateful enough for it I guess. Not really, Thanksgiving is my fave. And we had a super fun weekend with our AZ family. My sister came into town and the rest of us are here, and we all got stuffed. My parents made three turkeys for us too eat, ( my dad actually made like 8 or so for other people)
Busy folks! We had roasted, fried and smoked turkeys. Of course there was much of the other trimmings and mom's cream cheese pie (it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without it). The kids had heaps of fun riding on the tractors and playing outside in the gorgeous weather. Later, even though we were still full, we went to my grandma's house and had another dinner. It was too good to pass up so we all crammed more food into our bulging bellies. Yummy! Grandma even had divinity, oh it was wonderful. Oh and I did have to remind Canyon it wasn't Halloween (and he isn't a three year old girl) hahaha! Oh, good times!

bold tag

2008-12-01T21:26:00.002-06:00

Sad day, I've done less than half of the things on this list. Time to get busy!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung Karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance [not the patient]
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check [not on purpose]
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

I tag anybody who wants to see how many things they've done on this list

Just paste this list into your blog and bold the ones that you HAVE done, and unbold any I have done that you have NOT...

see it, love it.

2008-11-21T11:05:00.002-06:00

I saw it, I loved it. I really don't need to say anything else.

A date to cherish

2008-11-19T08:57:00.003-06:00

Every year since 2005 I've cherished that Canyon is alive on November 19th. He made it to another one! Every Nov 19th I remember how I almost lost him, and I'm glad he is still here. I don't usually do sappy blog entries, and I didn't write a letter to my kids on their birthday, when I should be grateful that I have them. But on this day in 2005 Canyon was 16 months old and was knocked out of our friends arms and was washed away in a very large wave at the beach on Saba. I'd never felt panic before that and I've never felt anything like it since. It was only maybe 10 seconds before they found him swirling around in the foam, and two more before he was in our arms, but it felt like hours. I've never been able to rid the image from my head of watching the white surf swirl around that was supposed to have a boy in it, but didn't. Of course true to our baby boy he came up out of the water, hardly sputtered, then said 'football' because someone else had it. I'm glad he made it through that November 19th and that he has made it to another one still. Our Heavenly Father must have some plans for him here, and I'm so grateful.

sycamore

2008-11-17T21:59:00.003-06:00

The boys and my Dad went to sycamore creek to go camping. Canyon had so much fun! He hasn't stopped talking about how they had a boat race (sticks in the creek), caught frogs, shot the gun and slept in the little tent. Chris has a little two man tent, and Canyon just loves that he gets to share it with dad. Today he sat by Chris put his arm around him and said "Dad aren't you so glad we're best friends"? I almost died at the cuteness. I just love that boy. Of course that came after the running around like a madman and throwing up at the restaurant where we ate tonight. Yes, he actually threw up on the floor on the way to the bathroom. The kicker is they actually gave us coupons when we left. They were really nice. It is a fry bread restaurant on Main in Mesa. Go there, it's ok and the food takes awhile, but they were super nice to us. Chris really liked the green chile taco and the burgers are even served on their fry bread, and the dessert one looked so good. Yum. Didn't mean for this to turn into and ad for the place, but eh what can you do?
Oh and Chris has his first interview for a residency in St. Louis this week, so send some good luck prayers and/or vibes his way. Thanks!

Deal of the day!

2008-11-14T11:00:00.002-06:00

My friend Emily watches Oprah (and I'm grateful she did), and well while I have mixed feelings for the woman, she does give away great stuff. That is why I would love to go to her show!! So one of the things she did this week is give out FREE photo books at snapfish.com. It is awesome, they normally cost 30 bucks . You have to start today though! And all you pay is shipping. Makes for great Christmas gifts or play catch up for you scrappers! Thanks for the tip Em, and hope the rest of you enjoy it!

some unoriginal craftiness

2008-11-11T10:53:00.008-06:00

Since I changed the name of my blog, I wanted to share some of my craftiness as of late. Of course the majority of it is copied from something else. I am rather proud of my work even though I didn't think of it. I did think of the little round gift card and it is super easy to make. I will tell you how. First you cut out two circles. I use a 2 1/2 inch punch. Then you cut around one with scalloped scissors (If you have a scalloped circle punch that would probably be easier). I ink the edges (drag the edges through your ink pad) then stamp a sentiment. I attach them together with a brad, eyelet or punch two small holes and tie with ribbon. Then you write who it's from on the inside. I love these little things. You can adhere it to a package or slide it onto the top of the bag. My favorite card of this bunch is the red one, It has boots on the front and the inside says "You can deal with anything in the right pair of shoes". It just reminded me of my friend Martha, who's basement always floods. The skirts are dress ups for Sheridan, I'm a big fan of Fancy Nancy and decided to make her a Nancy inspired skirt. I do love doing all this stuff, I just have so much fun.

GrosgrainStore.com Grand Opening & Giftcard Giveaway!!!!!!!!

2008-11-09T11:59:00.000-06:00

GrosgrainStore.com Grand Opening & Giftcard Giveaway!!!!!!!!
this blog rocks! this lady is so talented, i just can't even imagine making the stuff she comes up with. You should check it out

crafty dreams

2008-11-08T13:20:00.002-06:00

So I finally came up with a name for my blog. I seriously wish I was way more crafty. I can figure out how to do things but seem incapable of original creativity. But that's ok I know there are more of you out there. And that is why there are crafty people, I just copy things off of all their fun blogs that I stalk. I wasn't really aware that I was a blog stalker, until I had a few people tell me that's what they did to me and I became a blog stalkee. Now I know it's got a name. I love finding all the wonderful craft blogs and their amazing ideas. I find them through other people of course, because I'm not creative enough to find them on my own. So I've become a fan and linked them for you, just in case you, like me, need help finding crafty things to do.

horsies

2008-11-08T10:42:00.004-06:00

While we were in Utah Aunt Kara taught Canyon how to ride a horse. He got to ride two different horses; Heartbreaker and Kara's horse Red who is huge. When Canyon first got on, he was a bit nervous and shaky, but Kara is a very good instructor, soon she had him turning circles in the saddle. Heartbreaker is a considerably smaller horse and Canyon was a bit nervous about getting on Red after her but when it was all said and done he liked big Red much better. I even rode the ginormous horse and she was really sweet. When I asked Canyon what he thought about riding aunt karas horse he said "It was awesome, but I only want to ride Red next time not heartbreaker". I guess it's a boy thing, the bigger the better. Sheridan had a lot of fun getting dirty and eating dirt while we were there, I don't think about what was in the dirt, just that she had fun. Just to tell a little of how sassy Sher-bear is whenever we tell her don't eat that, it's yucky, she then takes a handful of whatever it is, looks us in the eye, shoves it in her mouth and tells us Mmm, Nummy. You know and I know a handful of dirt couldn't be nummy, but she is just so belligerent, she goes to extremes to make her point. I'm so glad Canyon got to have this experience, it totally beats lame-o pony rides at carnivals.

ever changing

2008-11-06T13:16:00.003-06:00

Some of you may have noticed that I have been changing my blog frequently. I'm indecisive, I keep making cute headers and can't figure out how to make them my header, and I'm trying to figure out a good name for my blog. Any suggestions? I currently dislike my background, it's too small so could be changing repeatedly throughout the day.
Well to do some more updates I'll start with the beginning of October when we first got to Utah and met with the Cox's. We went to to Aspen grove near Sundance and had a nice time in the beautiful colors. I felt like I was inside a Bob Ross painting surrounded by lots of happy little trees that were glowing in there most beautiful state. I do love the fall and I'm glad that I got to experience the beautiful turning of leaves, maybe this season has something to do with my constant changing mood.

a batty boo from me to you!

2008-11-05T14:50:00.006-06:00

So I have a ton of catching up to do on my blogging. I will start with Halloween and then back track. It is great to be back in AZ right now with this gorgeous weather, a computer with an SD slot, and all my card making supplies!
Oh and one more thing, I cannot tell you how happy I am that prop 102 here, prop 8 in CA and prop 2 in FL all passed. That means their state constitutions define marriage as between one man and one woman. So far, one thing good came out of this election, we'll just wait and see for the rest, I'm skeptical.
Anyway back to my cutie Halloween kids! Sheridan was a cutie rag doll, i made her a totally different costume but grandma dressed her up in this and it was too cute to pass up. Then we have little lord Vader. We took the kids trick or treating at the mall and it was so great. We actually went more that day. I took Canyon to center street in Provo and then we all went to a trunk or treat that night too. For breakfast that day we had jack-o-lantern pancakes which the kids just loved, ok, grownups did too. We had a really fun Halloween and we capped it off with the Allphin Chili and Chowder party which we haven't been to in years, it was totally great!

which twilighter are you?

2008-10-29T14:26:00.002-05:00

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

So i'm back in az and wondering who wants to go see twilight? Does anyone want to go to the midnight show? amc mesa isn't sold out. I'm up for just about any time to see it and don't have to see it on opening day, but want to!! My phone is gone so if you want to contact me leave a message on this or email me.

just a few more hours!

2008-10-27T10:45:00.003-05:00

More like 96 hours until Chris is finished with med school!!! hip hip hurray! We are so excited to be this far! We still have some time to go. Chris does interviews for residencies in Nov, Dec, and Jan. Then we find out where to in March and then it finally begins in July. So now we have to find jobs to fill up this no more student loans time. Let me tell you how much his M.D. is worth without a residency. -Absolutely Nothing- even though he is way more edumacated than an OB tech he doesn't have the certificate to go with it. So we will see what kind of temporary job he can get. Anybody need a cake decorator? Because that is about the extent of my skills. Maybe I'll start e-baying cards. But that would actually require me making them. Hm predicament. Well they always say everything will work out. I just pray it does sooner than later!

Dana?

2008-10-23T12:04:00.001-05:00

I just got picture mail on my phone. Didn't recognize the Colorado number, opened it anyway. So i get a picture of I LOVE DANA! Well Dana, if your out there, you are loved and I have the proof! So moral of the story is make sure you have the right number if you are professing your love to someone or sending embarrassing pics!

reunion .com

2008-10-23T11:26:00.002-05:00

The shady people at reunion.com had made a profile about me that had pictures! I mean hello I have a public blog that is easier to find on google than the reunion one. But I don't list my address on it! You have to call then to have them remove it! Go see if they have created a profile for you! Oh and their privacy policy is great! It tells you that they get info from public records and they only share with oh say ten other websites they listed! Nice.

as if i don't have enough blogs to read

2008-10-16T13:09:00.004-05:00

So I'm in Utah right now for two more weeks then we are back in AZ. I get so bored everyday! Chris drives the car to work and i stay home. This is good because Sheridan is being potty trained and it is only going so so. The more time at home, the better for her. Not so much for Me and Canyon! Today the lego star wars game stopped! What are we going to do? Run out and buy another used copy? I think so! I have the car for the next couple days because Chris is out trying to nab another deer! I've started my third book in the last week and a half!
I need some advice! What do I do in UT? (What did I used to do? I have no idea.) It's got to be cheap people.
I can't upload pics on this old school comp without an SD slot. I have taken some great ones of our trip to aspen grove with the Cox family and the kids playing outside on gorgeous autumn days.
Seriously, my friends aren't updating their blogs frequently enough (more than once a day) to satisfy my needs , so I started reading complete strangers blogs! As you can see to the left I added the Mormon mommy blog. Some of them are super fun and very relatable. So bored me will keep reading strangers blogs until I figure out what to do next. HELP!
P.S. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad
P.P.S Happy Happy birthday Martha!

top 8 tag

2008-10-14T11:23:00.003-05:00

I got tagged by Tiffany

8 Favorite TV Shows...
• The Office
• Scrubs
• HGTV - just the channel in general
• What not to wear
• Heroes
• Sid the science kid
• Dirty Jobs
• Ace of cakes

8 Favorite Restaurants...
• Texas Roadhouse
• Red Robin
• El Salvador Kitchen
• Magelby's Fresh
• Mesa frozen yogurt
• Bajio
• Rocky Mountain Drive in
• Cafe Rio

8 Things that happened yesterday...
• played lego star wars with chris
• got chris a new suit
• was a hot lava monster to keep kids in dressing room while daddy shopped for suit
• made enchiladas for dinner
• laundry
• made a card for Martha - sorry, you wont get it on time!
• started reading Holes
• Ate a grilled cheese for lunch

8 Things to look forward to...
• Halloween chili and chowder party
• Oct 31, Chris is MD
• Sheridan being done with potty training
• Christmas
• family dinner on Sunday
• Vegas in November
• Thanksgiving - my fave
• the day we own a house

8 Things I love about fall...
• The leaves changing color
• The cooler air
• Halloween
• Thanksgiving
• Pumpkin pie, pumpkin cookies, etc..
• Eating lots of soups and stews
• Apple season, fresh apple juice
• General Conference

8 Obsessions . Collections...
• Scrapbook paper
• Card making
• Reading
• Shoes
• being crafty
• shopping
• junk food
• cherry pepsi

8 Things on my wish list...
• new shoes
• travel to British isles
• A residency for Chris
• A house
• A happy healthy me
• More babies
• cricut
• endless supply of glue runners

8 People I am tagging...
• Martha
• Megyn
• Heather
• Skeeter
• Shana
• Analee
• Ashley
• Andrea

free hand bags!

2008-10-12T10:45:00.003-05:00

I got two invites this week to this awesome website that gives away free purses. You guys should check it out! handbagplanet.com have fun!

i can make a cake!

2008-10-01T11:51:00.006-05:00

I felt I just needed to prove myself, I haven't really felt this way since high school. I am on some new meds, I think they are effecting my moods. Anyway just so you know that I can make a cake I'm posting the very first cake I ever did, and it will probably be similar to a future sheridan cake.
One I made in a cake class, I made every flower on that thing by hand, what a pain! and Kara's wedding cake.

birthday shinanigans

2008-10-01T11:13:00.006-05:00

Some of you know I'm a cake decorator but please don't judge me. My water was shut off for maintenance and I only had an hour to do Sheridan's cake. So I went with the starfish as the care bear would have taken like two days. Sheridan made a haul,
all the gifts didn't make the photo. Sheridan was a a lovely little birthday princess. She loves to put on all her pretty new things and push her grocery cart around. Thank you to everyone who came over, it was fun.

oh bla di, oh bla da

2008-09-20T13:59:00.003-05:00

Nothing fun has happened in this Allphin house. I decided I would change my blog for the season, I do love Autumn, even though it doesn't really happen here in the valley of the sun. I'm now a Young Women's advisor, I really like it so far. I've been able to make some cards recently which I love doing.
Chris has to go to Utah for 4 weeks, because his last (that's right, very last!) rotation here fell through. So I could be going with him, it's still under review. He golfs once a week, usually with Canyon. I'm so glad he is Canyon's best friend.
All Canyon can talk about is star wars and which character he will be for Halloween. If any of you knew of his fascination with transformers, triple that for his star wars obsession. My brother Brice gave us his old PS2 console and the Star Wars Lego games, they are super fun, it is all the boy wants to do. Canyon has to do things (chores, eat all dinner, etc..) to earn time for video games, and he's already figured it out, he gets dressed, makes his bed, picks up his toys first thing in the morning, then comes to me to ask if he can play star wars. At the time I'm still not dressed and eating my cheerios. The boy is in in love!!!
Sheridan is potty training and it's going alright now. She will be 2 on Monday, I just can't believe it. She is still sass mcfrass. I'm excited for her birthday though, I still don't know what I'm going to do for her cake, it alternates between share-bear (carebear) and a starfish. I guess you'll see pics next week or so to find out. Hope all is well for everybody.

a saturday at the allphins

2008-09-08T12:17:00.004-05:00

Every Saturday morning chris plays basketball at 7am. This saturday the kids woke us up before then and we all played and snuggled in bed. I stayed in bed a few extra minutes after everyone else got up until Canyon came to me and said "Mommy, Sheridan is in trouble" (this is his way of telling on Sheridan). Then as fast as Micheal Phelps beat the Serbian, I was running and saying "oh my gosh it smells like nail polish". Sheridan had dumped out three bottles of nail polish, and it was only 7:15! What a start to my day! I got 95% of it off my floor, burning lungs, and a very flammable headache from the polish remover fumes. Chris walked through the door, and shouted "who's playing with nail polish", our whole house reeked! Any ideas how to get the last 5% off my vynil flooring? Oh and believe me I'm thankful it wasn't on the carpet! Then we had to go to Costco, uneventful thankfully. I went to the eye doc in search of new glasses to replace the ones Sheridan mangled. Watched the last bit of the BYU game, way to block that kick! Then we went over to Uncle Terry's again for some swimming and food! What fun! Anna, Christie and Amanda (Terry and Lisa's girls) were there and my kids just love them! We even tried out the Kareoke/theatre room at the end of the night. He has a huge selection and I got to even try out my new found love of ABBA. So while my saturday started out insane, the house was finally aired out by saturday night, and it ended very well.

camping

2008-09-08T11:36:00.005-05:00

We have been camping a few times this summer and managed to stay dry and unstruck by lightning as we had thunderstorms every time. Our kids do so great with camping and love to get dirty. Canyon and Chris love to play Frisbee all the time, though in our house we call it Husby. That comes from Canyon mispronouncing frisbee and even making up a song about husbies, so we play with a husby, and play husby golf. Sheridan loves to play with, eat, and basically roll around in the dirt. The last time we went it was our big Rucker campout at Green's peak and there were quads to ride and skeet shooting competitions and all sorts of fun. Sheridan was so glad to have papa there (so was I) and the family had a blast. Oh and the food was amazing, way better than our lame ol hot dog on a stick camping, I'm talking full camp kitchen with marinated chicken and the best buttermilk pancakes I've ever had. (sorry dad, but you've got some more learning to do from aunt cheryl) I can't wait for next summer!

august birthdays

2008-09-08T10:58:00.006-05:00

So I have a bit of catching up to do. First we started having family home evening with my family and it landed on Skeeters birthday, although she was in Vegas we had cupcakes and celebrated for her, we had to pressure wash the kids (Canyon, Dezirae, Simeon & Sheridan) afterwords, but we all love a good mess sometimes. For my birthday we went to the temple and later my dad took some of us (Scott, Heather, Buck -Heathers brother, quickly becoming part of the fam, Brice, Chris, Me and our kids) out for dinner. I chose Golden Corral. I love that place. I've always been a fan of the buffet and we had a great time. My mom brought me a cheesecake too, my fave, and it was a good day.

i love abba

2008-08-27T23:52:00.003-05:00

So I got to go see Mama Mia with my sis in law heather, my friend Jaymie and her sis and the movie was so fun! I never knew I was such a an ABBA fan but I am newly devoted. It was so cute and funny. If you are a fan of musicals I recommend it. Meryl Streep was Awesome, Pierce Brosnan tried, and Amanda Seyfried (the other main chic, from mean girls)was amazing. Go see it!

saguaro lake

2008-08-10T23:14:00.004-05:00

Uncle Terry took us to the lake with him and two of his girls; Christie and Amanda. We had a great time and got to try all the fun things we used to do when we were teenagers. We all rode the tube, even Sheridan. I haven't gone wake boarding for 7 years, and I got up on the first try. It was like riding a bike I guess, though it's been way longer than 7 years since I've done that. Christie got up for her first time too. She was a natural; she started trying to jump her first time up. We had to force Canyon on to the tube at first but right after we started going he was giving the thumbs up to go faster. Sheridan was just loving everybody and was jumping off the boat all by herself while we were stopped for swimming, and Chris got to try out knee boarding. Now us old ones are so sore but it was so much fun and totally worth it. Thanks Uncle Terry!

take me out to the ballgame....

2008-08-10T22:47:00.003-05:00

I bought Chris some braves tickets for fathers day and we finally got to use them! Friday night was totally great, the Braves won and then we got to watch fireworks and it was a super fun night. Chris decided to take Canyon to the Saturday game and the boys had a blast eating peanuts and diamondback dogs. They gave out shirts that night and Canyon was so excited about that. I'm so glad he has his daddy for his best friend.

Memories

2008-08-01T14:34:00.001-05:00

I saw this on my friend Jaymie's page and thought it would be so fun!
1. Leave a comment on my blog of a favorite memory of you and I together. Whether we know each other a little or a lot, just anything you remember.
2. Then, do this same post on your blog and see the fun memories that people leave about you. If you leave a memory on my comments, I will go back to your blog and write a memory about you. Fun stuff!

Skinny Chris

2008-07-26T12:29:00.004-05:00

Above is Chris in January and below Chris now - 40 lbs. I think he looks great! Chris made his own diet plan and others in his family followed it and have lost weight too and everyone looks so good. It may not seem to obvious in these little pictures, but it's the same belt (it's reversible) and his collar went down from a 17 to a 15 1/2 (XLto Medium). What a handsome guy!

fun filled week

2008-07-08T00:58:00.003-05:00

What a fun week we had! Canyon is now four years old! I cannot believe how big he is! Grandma Betty came over to celebrate with us and Canyon got a bike, among other things. We took him a few times to look at the bikes and he didn't want the green one ,well the green one was the right price, so we got it for him and the first thing he said was "It's the exact same one as I wanted!" We were relieved. Three days later we celebrated the 4th! We had a church party at 7am, it was already too hot to be outside.

There we met Sheriff Joe Arpaio. And Chris sang a patriotic number in a quartet. That night we watched fireworks at fiesta mall (mcc show).
Sheridan was so funny. It would go like this F.W.: "Kaboom". Sher: "Yeah (Clapping). Thats funny, huhuhuhuh". Also on the 4th (I had been sick the night before) Chris let me take it easy and I finally got to read Twilight, great book. On Saturday we went to the museum, the kids seemed to enjoy it. Canyon really liked climbing on the cars they had. Oh and another thing, I totally believe in miracles, our car didn't pass emissions, the engine light was on and we had to have something replaced (which we so can't afford) and they told us we have to get the codes cleared from our car for it to pass, even after it was fixed. Well the engine light went off (w/o fixing), so we were still suppsed to get the codes removed, but Chris decided just to go to the inspection place and it passed! hallelujah! Miracle! What a totally great week! Oh and the bald baby days are so over.

camera found!

2008-06-23T13:26:00.002-05:00

So I found my camera and thought I would do some catching up on my posts, this might be kind of long. First we were in UT in the middle of may, Aunt Talara busted out the water toys and the Allphin cuosins got to slip and slide and swim/ get eaten by the frog pool. Then back in CO for memorial day it was very cold and wet but we decided to brave the elements and had a hot dog roast and made smores. We were all dripping on the way home. But we had so much fun with the Chapmans and Coxs, it was very memorable. Then we loaded up the Penske, Chris was truly amazing loading that beast, and came to scorching AZ where the kids got re-acquainted with their Rucker cousins Dezi, Jeryn and Simeon (Roenen too and met baby Carter). It has been great to be close to the fam again.

the mom lingo -bingo

2008-06-20T14:33:00.000-05:00

So, I have no idea where my camera is. That's why I'm suckin it up in the blogging district. I was just having a few thoughts as i was reading some friends blogs and decided to type. A couple different friends have typed up their kids nick names and I just think that it is so funny, i love them and i love when people post them. But it also made me think about the mom language. I talked to a couple girls about it before but I find it amazing that when you become a mom (it seems) you begin rhyming all you words, like canyon is canyon manyon, sheridan becomes sheridan meridan, or sher bear, i don't think i ever would have uttered wowie kazowie before i had children. Or filling in words like Grumplestiltskin or Frumplestiltskin . Or trying out new forms of descriptive words -what a cutey cuterson? or pretty von frump girl? What possesses us to speak this way?

hot mama!

2008-05-31T18:29:00.000-05:00

We have made it to AZ! It is rather warm. I'm excited for this new part of our adventure and wonder what it will bring. It was so sad to leave Colorado but it is nice to be near my family and old friends. I've gotta send a fat thanks to all who helped move us, THANKS. And now almost all the boxes are unpacked and we have something that resembles a living space. Well, I have already been reminded of how hot the car is when you open the door, and how hot the seat belts and steering wheel are. Chris thought I was so weird when I moved to Utah and had a steering wheel cover, he'll learn. Sheridan is now out of the crib, and doing ok with it. Canyon has been swimming everyday since we got here, so he's happy. Chris is studying for the second part of step 2 of the USMLE. I'm finally crashing from my stress high, and am feeling rather tired. Oh and I can't wait for my Grandmas Sunday dinners! It's been way to long.

3rd tags a charm

2008-05-14T17:28:00.000-05:00

I got Tagged By Tiffany

1. The total number of movies I own:
Maybe 100

2. The last movie I bought:
101 dalmations, for the kids

3. The last movie I saw:
Baby Mama, so funny

4. Five movies that mean something to me:

1. Love Actually, I just love how it all works out
2. Lonesome Dove, Whenever I need a really good cry, i can turn to that one
3. Paint your wagon, my dad always sang "i was born under a wanderin star" growing up
4. The man from snowy river, watched it a lot growing up
5. Can't hardly wait - takes me back to the old school

i tag jenn, talara, crystal and andrea

second tag

2008-05-14T16:57:00.000-05:00

tag rules:
1. you link back to the person who tagged you.
2. post these rules on your blog.
3. share six unimportant things about yourself.
4. tag six random people at the end of your entry.
5. let the tagged people know by leaving a comment on their blogs.
6. enjoy the results.

Tiffany tagged me.

1. I can still do the splits
2. I have trichotillomania, not an extreme case
3. I loved living on moldy Saba
4. I have lived in 5 different states and another country
5. I love people watching
6. Open cupboards bother me

I tag Ashley, Cassie, Megyn, Talara, Skeeter, Heather

first tag

2008-05-14T16:11:00.000-05:00

I got tagged three times in the last week, and they are all different so here i go.
Talara tagged me with this one.

What was the best thing you cooked last week?

broccoli cheese soup, yummy

If time, money and babysitting were no object where would you go and with who?

travel to british isles and or europe with chris

go to hawaii with chris

go to disneyland with mom and sisters (and of course i couldn't leave talara home)

When was the last time you cried?

when i was all by myself in Colorado last week, I got pretty pathetic

List 5 things you were doing 10 years ago.

I was a sophomore in high school.

I was completely boy crazy

I was trying desperately to fit in somewhere

I was sporting my first pair of doc martens
Looking fine in short shorts and tank tops

List 5 things you were doing 5 years ago.

Being a newlywed with no kids

Cake decorating at Sam's Club

Living in Utah

Getting to know my new sis in law, Jenn
driving a ford ranger

List 5 things you were doing 1 year ago.

Hanging out with Chris parents in Utah

Still trying to adjust to dry weather after the Caribbean

Breastfeeding a baby

looking forward to the summer

stressing over not knowing when or where our next move was

List 7 of your favorite hobbies.

Shopping

making cards

Reading

Scrapbooking

Sewing

traveling with chris

Camping

List your 5 favorite foods.

Steak

Fried chicken

Roast

potatoes, baked, mashed, roasted, funeral

cheesecake

List 5 places you have been.

Las Vegas, NV

Yellowstone

Sequim, WA

Saba, N.A.

St. Thomas, V.I.

List your 5 favorite memories.

Dating Chris while living in Yellowstone

Having Canyon and Sheridan

Getting a cow for Christmas

Driving to Payson, AZ on a Sunday, getting donuts and playing at the park with the rocket

Many Thanksgivings

I now tag: Tiffany, Jaymie, Katie, Skeeter, Heather

empty cupboards

2008-05-07T14:20:00.000-05:00

Well this week has been so much better. My Mom and Skeeter came out and we packed like crazy(thank you), and there isn't much filling up the house anymore. So now that the cupboards are bare, the kids play in them. It's a little bittersweet for me, but I'm glad we are getting some fun out of the emptiness. Hide and seek just got more interesting too. Chris is taking Step 2 of the usmle in CA right now but I get to see him in just a few more days in Utah, yeah!

hell week

2008-05-01T01:50:00.000-05:00

So, for real, mad props to single moms! I'm just single while Chris is doing a rotation in Utah right now, and I'm strugglin'. It hasn't really been a week from hell just a couple days but the week isn't over yet and it's supposed to snow tomorrow. Anyway, I've heard about kids frantically screaming in the dentist chair, but I've now experienced it first hand! It was a nightmare!!! I took canyon to the dentist last week, and he had a cavity on each side, so I had to take him back yesterday to have them filled, they eventually had to wrap him in the velcro blanket thing, switch dentists and i started crying on top of it all, yeah that's exactly what the nice dentists need, a crying mom who can't control her kid. It was so traumatic, and he has to go back and get the other side done, because they couldn't finish. He is going back with Chris, that's all there is to it. So today, Sheridan goes down for her nap and 1/2 hour later is crying, not typical, so i go in and she is covered in what else but poop. So gross. I don't remember signing up for this! Then we had soccer practice where I chase Sheridan around for a half hour, and I did my visiting teaching. I seriously cannot wait for my mom and big sis to come and help me pack this weekend, I'll probably cry when they leave. Also when they get here as relief pours over me, I won't be alone for two days!! I do love my kids, and I keep trying to remind myself the joy of motherhood comes in moments. But the dentisty, poopy moments are not in that category my friends.

Go Braves!

2008-04-27T21:59:00.000-05:00

Chris and I got to go to a Braves game (well technically it was a rockies game) and it was super fun. It was an awesome and yummy date because ballpark food rocks! It was also freezing! Sadly the Braves lost but it was all still worth it.

soccer mom

2008-04-26T23:49:00.000-05:00

We put Canyon in soccer this spring to get out some energy and it is so fun to watch! He is quite competitive we've found. It took a while for the concept that the kids in the same color shirt are on his side. And he had a fist fight during his first game. But he is the youngest kid (though tallest) on his team, so what can you expect? And then there is me and Sheridan, his adoring fans! Of course daddy was there too.

lets try this again

2008-04-26T22:16:00.000-05:00

Ok so I started out really bad with the whole blog thing, I guess I'll give it another go. the problem is I have no idea what I'm doing! I can't make my page cute and I don't know how to find my friends. this sucks. Myspace is way easier to figure out! Anyway, we are moving to AZ at the end of May. It's going to be so hot, I know. I haven't been there in the summer for like 6 years folks! I'm just remembering how the car feels when you open the door and your mascara melts and I keep thinking - man I wish I didn't have leather seats in the car, ouch. But I can't wait to be close to my family and old friends, I hope they remember me!

bandwagon

2007-11-30T17:45:00.000-06:00

So I decided to jump on the bandwagon and start a blog for our family. I have no idea what to put into now but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.