Daily dose

A daily dose of mauling
makes the
4th child
all the wiser.

~musings from a 3rd child.

Bed Head

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!

Santa came a night early due to Paul working
{today, tomorrow, the next day- bummer}
Dont feel too bad- overtime baby- ya!

The chitlens could not figure out where in the world Santa had brought their toys this morning.
(it was crackin me up)
Because Santa was smart this year and set up shop
right in the toy room.
Brilliant!

Santa was so very kind to me as he gifted the kids with a
tv/dvd combo for the toy room.
So I dont have to hear
Barbie in a Mermaid Tale, Avatar, and The Labyrinth all stinking day long downstairs.
(we will see how long it lasts in the there)

Maya obviously looking hot with the best bed head I ever did see.
All weve eaten today is goodies...
m&ms, cinnamon rolls, sugar cookies, sodas,
caramels, cookies, fudge....
Just the way it should be.

Enjoy the weekend one and all!

Cereal Smarts

Just a few household tips
courtesy of
the back of the box of my
Corn Chex.

1. Fresh lemon will remove onion scent from your hands.
2. To keep ants out of the house, find where the ants are entering and sprinkle a barrier of cinnamon or ground pepper to block their way. The spices are too hot for the ants to cross.
3. Stuff a mini marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.
4. To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.
5. The freshness of an egg can be tested by placing them in a large bowl of cold water. If they float, do not use them.
6. Dont throw away leftover wine, Freeze it in ice cubes for future use in casseroles or sauces.
7. Use egg whites to remove gum from clothing. Brush egg white onto gum with a toothbrush, let sit for 15 minutes, then launder as usual.
8. Baby wipes are miracle workers on stains. From motor oil to blood, they remove almost anything!
   
9. If you have a problem opening jars, try using latex gloves. The non-slip grip makes opening jars easy.
10. For a clogged shower head, try boiling it in 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 quart water for 15 minutes.

Who knew my bowl of cereal drizzled with honey and 2 % milk was so educating?

like dark chocolate...

My heart aches a bit tonight
Today starts the beginning of a new chapter in our lives
as a for sale sign pegged our front yard this afternoon.

Bittersweet.

Nebraska has become wonderful
Ill be sad to leave.
Really really sad.

Bittersweet

The friends I have here really truly are the best.
We live a front porch life.
We love it.

Bittersweet

But a new opportunity presented itself
and its time to move on.

Bittersweet

So Ill savor each day I have left here
with people I adore
an old house I finally like
and even the snow

Bittersweet

Since snow is unknown in the land where we are headed.
Closer to family.
And hopefully to stay.
Arizona.

Bittersweet

Looking forward to the next chapter....

Atta boy son.

I was beginning to lose faith in my offspring and their abilities to be dorky in school pics. Beginning to lose faith that is until Asher brought home his pre-k picture of 2010.
Goofyfied
Just like his mother.
How proud I am.

Paul's mother came to town last week to spend with her new grand baby.
So the Hagen's of Kansas City (Paul's sisters fam) came up to spend a day with us.
Since Auburn isn't exactly thriving right now (or ever),
the best we could come up with to do was
head to the local Sun Mart
and buy items we had never consumed before.
Thus resulting in a
Tasting Party.
Thumbs up= like like like
Thumbs down= barf
The peppermint ice cream sandwiches from blue bunny took home the gold!
I highly suggest playing sometime.....

Scarlet was lovin on all her cousins...all 5 handsome young men.
{how cute is she?!!}

Just a shout out to Sarah G for snapping these of my 3rd born.
My 3rd born of whom Id like to give away most days.
These precious pics remind me of the sweet she is.
Cause most days, her sweet is covered in noise, mess, tears, and boogers.

nesting motivation

In the last few weeks in the womb
this little darling,
re-vamped the kitchen.

Wells,
she didnt do it-
but mother nature,
in the form of
[nesting]
kicked my butt into gear
which in return kicked Pauls butt into gear
and we tore down the last bit of horrid wall paper in this house.
Hallelujah! Praise the Lard!

-Before-
a pic of the kitchen covered head to toe in wallpaper- before we bought the house.
It sat like this until Bertha kept kicking my ribs telling me to
TAKE IT DOWN!

-During-
What was hiding under the wall paper.
Such loverly detail.

But wait- theres more!
A breath taking teal green wall.
How very 90's.

-After-
All we did was paint and add new decor.
There is still more to do.
There is ALWAYS more to do.
(like get rid of the flourescent lighting, get new flooring, new appliances,
countertops....bla bla bla)

A little face lift never hurt nothin.
'cept Mr. Wallpapers feelings...

We love Scarlet yes we do

We were SO very lucky to have these sweeties out here the past week.
I love my billy goat laugher, butter eating, baby Cole so much.
I cried when they left.
Im still crying.
Imagine that.

One of the best pictures so far...

Julie took the kids to Harry Potter the night before she left.
Gettin their wizardry on.

Scarlet loved Julie too.

We did a lot of hanging out in the car...
mostly because I had to have my food fixes
Pho
Chick fil A
salt
salt
salt

There is a baby in there...
I think.

Feeling good, feeling thankful, feeling blessed.
Lots of changes coming our way....
I cant think of a better way to start it all off
than a sweet little straight from heaven babe.

The Scarlet Story

-Monday-
In a surprise twist of events with my doctor and her change of mind,
I got a phone call around 1 pm telling me to be at the hospital later that evening to get the baby ball rolling.
My swollen feet and I spent the night contracting on and off.
And ready for the events of the next morning.

-Tuesday-
6 am
called Paul to come meet me.
Only to find out he had been up all night with the flu.
FREAKED OUT.
But I had Saving Graces in the form of-
Pauls sister April- who was on the road in 30 minutes from Kansas City.
Ashleigh B- who rushed up to make me laugh all morning.
Kayleigh W.- who came prepared with massagers, tic tacs, diet coke, and girlfriend support.
Melissa M.- who rushed to get my kids, take soup and gatorade to Paul, and sneak me Pepsi.
I decided I could in fact have a babe with out my husband.
And a few hours later, before my epidural could kick in
Little Scarlet Wanda Melessa
made her debut.
I now know what the "ring of fire" feels like...and its a damn good thing Ill never feel it again.

Melissa and Ashleigh- her proud Auburn Aunties

Aunt April- who held my hand while I cried and {screamed}

Sweet little thang...

My sister Julie and her babe Cole got here just in time to say goodnight to Scarlet on her birthday.
This kid is hilarious.

Maya- no longer the babe.
Which Im sure she is just fine with.Paul felt good enough later in the evening to come meet his daughter.
And what a sweet meeting it was.

Happy to be going home.

Feeling ever so blessed.
Life is good.
The Lord loves me.
And I love it all.

My inner sexy

I just couldnt help myself.

I have a weakness
for really ugly
old lady style
super duper
oober comfortable
pjs.
Plus it was 1.00 on clearance.
Im so sexy I know...
Paul is a one lucky man.
(no knocking until you try one...for real yo)

Kinnygartner Leah

Leah G.
a month shy of 6
Kindergarten pictures 2010

I was expecting a
hilarious
goofy
awkward
silly
picture
(since my school portraits were ALL that way)
don't believe me? proof here.

but honestly- how can this little beauty be anything less?

Even toads can be gorgeous

Kindergarten started out rough
like a lot rough
but slowly
things got better.
And now Leah shines.
She loves
school
friends
lunch
picking out her outfits
being a member of the "cheetah club"
where she chases the boys
{cracks me up}
music
swings
coloring
reading
writing
playing teacher

And I couldn't be happier.
The girl can be completely frustrating sometimes {a lot}
but
she is the kindest soul I know
Which is weird- since her parents are such mean spirits :)

Paul loves Mormons ;)

Halloween 2010
Friday- trick or treating at the businesses down town.

We live a block and half away from "downtown"
it was a long walk

Pillsbury dough boy aka Jackson
is Leahs 5th grade love crush.

Maya donning the same costume she wore when she was 6 months
after # 43 costume change

Saturday
we headed to Kansas City
stuffed our faces with Chick-fil-A
then trunk or treated in the biggest ward Ive ever seen.
dem Mormons are crazy yo.
[Paul was in heaven-not]

Sunday
The Hagens neighborhood is awesome
when it comes to little walking/lots of candy
But you have to get by this handsome guy first.
Freak man.

He belongs to this house
among every other creepy thing sure to scare you to death.

It was chilly
But that didnt stop us.
(well, it did for Asher- the party pooper)

Heres how Maya felt about 3 days of candy.
actually it was her socks.
the girl is
psycho
when it comes to socks
(she gets it from her padre)

Leahs favorite?
eyeliner

And thats it folks!

What-once-was

It really is amazing what can be documented unknowingly through photo booth.

March 2008
little Maya in the womb

Nov 2010
little Bertha in the womb

Pregnant bellies just gross me out.
Okay
MY
pregnant belly just grosses me out.
i cant take the stretching any longer!

p.s. got a sneak peek of Bertha today- she looks like her
crazified sisters.
Maya specially.

Human Flesh

Please learn from me.
Por Favor

When going to pick out paint color
Do not
I repeat
do not
become capitavated by the shades name.

I was.

Coral Stone.

Pretty sounding?
Very.
It should have been called

Human flesh.

Because
Then I would have kindly put down the sample and walked away.

With out further ado-

Our human flesh toyroom.

Before:
After:
[it does look better than 1991 spongy rose]
but may cause you to want to lick or chew your hand repeatedly.
In other news: an end to my quest.
I have found the
most delicious
cheap
Vietnamese
Pho
Ive ever had.
I was so damn happy.
[please admire the food, not the face thats inhaling it]
Just look at the soup for the Gods!
I suggest you scout your area of living for the
biggest or smallest
hole in the wall
scary looking
Vietnamese Restaurant
and go.
You wont regret it.

-For the Aunts-
Proof that I have toad faces for children.

noted items
*I did not purchase that Husker jersey- nor will I ever
*never buy a huge plastic wand- it will turn into a weapon
*we need to rake
*by we- I mean Paul
*I better find a witch costume
*and hide the jersey

{Monday Meanderings}

Bible Study.... Listen to Paul's daily general religious issues ;)

Memory Verse...---

Husband Encouragement...
* Paul is on nights this week- which means no squawking like a parrot (name that tv show)
* Trick him into thinking raking the leaves will be fun.
* Wash all work clothes, and pack lunches in a timely fashion

Train Them Up...
* Make a trip to the library, pay off fines, and rent Strawberry Shortcake- since Maya will not zip it with it.
* Encourage Asher to be more open at preschool. The kid is shy.

* Its red ribbon week at school. Which means crazy days. Which means Leah can get away with her crazy antic outfits- so let her :)
* Keep movie watching to a limited proportion- just like my salt ;)

Personal Goals...
*We have paint for the toy room- finally! The color-coral stone. Let it begin.
*Organize baby clothes into months and arrange in dresser.
* But first-find a dresser on craigslist for cheap!

New Habit of the Month...

*Vacuum ever-day.
*Keep shoes out of entry way.
*Sweep porch off regularly.

MUST Do...

*Make treats for ward trunk or treat.

*Not eat salt. :(

*Get packages in the mail.

*Take my vitamins.
*Research cameras- I'm in the market.

Zone...
*Toy room- de-toy, organize, paint.

Menu -

M- manicotti and broccoli
T- salmon, brown rice, snow peas

W- mac and cheese?

Th- birthday dinner somewhere.

F - chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes.

S - Kansas City- Halloween candy

Su- Kansas City- Halloween candy

FUN THINGS!

* Punkin patch with friends Tuesday.

* The big 29 for me.
* Trick or Treat with cousins this weekend in Kansas City!

* Of COURSE Chick-fil-A.
* Painting the toy room.

3 things I'm thankful for today...

1. The gorgeous Indian Summer we keep having.

2. Scentsy scents- Welcome Home, Cinnamon Vanilla, Sugar Cookie.

3. 1 week closer to baby Bertha

relapse

There was major relapse last night with the game of salt.
You see- in my need for salty and sweet I lost.
Big time.
I got the bright idea to make big fluffy soft sugar cookies with candy corn and m&ms and orange and green frosting.
In honor of fall of course.
Made them.
Devoured them.
Then needed salt.
BAD.

I piled a big plate full of Wavy Lays, pretzel crisps, carrots, pickles and heaps of onion dip.
Devoured it.
Remorse set in.
Went to bed at 830 pm.
Dreaming all night of what I had done.

A pregnant mind really messes with you.

Nightmares on 14th street.
Anacondas under my house.
Babies being born as cats.
That was eaten by the anaconda under the house.
Me looking like a sausage forever.
You know- things of that nature.

So I awoke with a new attitude.
And filled my plates accordingly.
apple juice and crushed ice all day long.

-no more anaconda dreams please-

Salt

Sunday
39 days to go
My body is overcome by b-i-g.
Say what you want about it being a beautiful natural thing.
Pelvic pain bites.

Bertha better be cute.
She better be worth it.
Cause this past Thursday
Dr Blume took away my salt.
And gave me blood pressure pills.

No more Queso
or Alfredo
or Wavy Lays

I went straight home and shoveled in 69 tootsie rolls.
Then watched as my phalanges and cheeks and chin inflated to balloons.

So I drank 6 bottles of water
and peed 85 times.

Then I vowed to meticulously take my vitamins.
And eat yogurt.

And be a good mom.

So I bought how to Train Your Dragon
Sprinkled cereal, fruit snacks, and popcorn around the house.
And took a nap.

See what happens when someone takes away your chips?
Green peppers strips just arent cutting it.

I need me some Chinese.
sodium infused garlic pepper beef please.
in 39 days.

here piggy piggy

Meet "bug bug"
A glass piggy bank that sat in Asher's room for a year or so..
He eventually filled up.

So today was the day.
The day to kill bug bug.
Fruity pebbles for dinner.
Toy room cleaned.
Bath time over.
Rooms picked up.
Its amazing what you can get kids to do when you bribe them with a hammer to smash something.
Try it sometime.

{Asher dressed appropriately}

The whole concept of a glass piggy bank is not the smartest.
Neither are the mothers who purchase them.
Glass shards, hammers, coins and greedy hands.
Not a good combo.

But we managed with only a few slivers in the hands.
Which were picked out in a timely fashion.

We sorted, and talked about what we could do with it all.
-Start a savings account
-Bury as pirate treasure by the tree
-Throw at each other
-Put in a new piggy bank
-Save for Christmas
-Go swimming
-Eat at Subway
-Buy skeletons to put in basement
-Or my personal favorite-Sonic Happy Hour

-Grand Total-
$89.20
That's a lot of route 44 cherry limeades!
boo ya.