Pumpkin Patch 2009

So, you'll find I may be blogging current to past events...but I don't want to miss 'journaling' all our fun and adventures.

Yes, we made it to the pumpkin patch.
Bierwagens pumpkin patch (yeah, know I know how to upload a link so you can go to it, too). We've been going since Colby was a baby....and now it's so fun to be there when all my kids can walk and enjoy it.

Pumpkins, hay bales, lots of animals, and family!
My favorite....oh, besides the yummy treats.
We got the boys their pumpkins and will carve later this month.

Not Me! Mondays!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.


This fun blog that I follow and laugh and learn with has a Not Me! Monday! I thought it'd be fun to give it a try.


I don't every stay in my sweats after working out for the whole day, and then just before my hubby gets home change.
I don't enjoy emailing while my kids are first waking up.....
I don't every feel like my 3 kids and I are going a hundred different directions.
I don't enjoy watching my kids splash in their spilled milk, and then have to tell them all to stop.
I am most defiantly not watching my kids make a mess of the end of breakfast as I write this....


Oh, and after the pumpkin patch this weekend, I didn't for sure rush around my house a min ahead of my in-laws arriving for a meal not even started, no, Not Me!
Ok, that was fun!


Now to see if I can finish the fun.

My birthday

All the girls, minus a few who had to get home after frozen yogurt

This blog is late in coming, but my motto is better late than never (most of the time).

I just have to blog about the best birthday time or week.

I am blessed with many who love me....and was asked by my good friend, Mary (Mary, I don't know how to add your website in reference...help?), if she could throw me a birthday party.

Let me just preface that I really love my birthday, reasons to party, reasons to give gifts (or receive them). Now, being a Mom, you really appreciate the time and love that goes into organizing a little shin-dig. This year I thought I don't really care what I do (but deep down I did).... was so glad when Mary organized a small gathering of moms to go out on the town. We really lived it up in Grass Valley, by visiting our local frozen yogurt shop {we've not had one for a long, long time until the past few months}, and then seeing a chic flick. We saw Jennifer Aniston's movie, Love Happens, a good film, but not really a light and funny one, the way they'd like you to believe. I really wouldn't recommend seeing it to someone who's recently lost a love one or lost a love one in a car accident. Still a good movie, just a deeper more serious one than the previews portray. On a lighter note, I was blessed with some great lotions and candles, a hand crafted purse ( Mary), and a new pattern, oh, and a cooking magazine...what a wondeful nite out!

I love when birthdays don't end there.....lots of phone calls and the Happy Birthday song sung or left on my voicemail. Facebook messages....and of course birthday cards, which I display proudly for a month at least...(yes, they are still up).

The weekend following my birthday we went camping {another post to come...soon} and my family and close friends surprised me with a decorated cabin, some fine wines to taste, lovely jewelry and lots of love. It was so fun to celebrate all week long.

There are probably a few fun things I'm forgetting since it's been almost a month, but my lovely sister (in-law), Gaia, made me a beautiful bracelet (which now that my kids are older, I can now wear jewelry again). {Gaia makes some lovely jewelry, I have received it as gifts and also purchased from her to give as gifts...}.

Oh, I can't forget my shopping spree, yes! About a week before my birthday, I {started eating better and excersising} felt frustrated at living in sweats that don't fit, yes, sweats that didn't fit right...that's pretty bad. I had a few outfits that would work for the public {and no I don't wear my sweats out like some Grass Valleyians believe is ok}. All the clothes I have, and yes, Mom, I do have lots! But they are all smaller than my current build will allow to fit into. I've given a lot to my sisters, Megan and Kara and still I have more...that somehow don't fit. So, even with the fact that I knew from living healthier, I'd again be wearing some of my clothes that were packed away, I need a to get some new clothes, and FAST. Of course, I wish someone was there to help me pick things out, but being that Heather was watching my kids, I had to speed through the consignment store and quickly find myself a few good outfits. I did ok.....I found a pair of jeans for now, and one for later (risky, but once I make the choice in my head I'm usually set) - my goal jeans. A few good skirts (yes, I know it's Fall, and almost too cold already, but I realize skirts fit the build better and are way more comfy, too) and a few nice tops. It is hard when 1/2 the styles are still focused on looking maternity, even if they aren't, and so I tried my best with what was there....I am a happy girl. My shopping trip was a much needed therapy, and clothing fix, as well as, a birthday present from Adam's Mom and Grandma (birthday $). I don't want to forget to mention, that I finally used my make-up gift certificate, this same day! Yes, thanks to Heather watching the kids while I shopped (she was with me), I was able to use my Christmas gift certificate to buy some much needed make up (that I still find I rarely have the time to put on). It felt like a shopping extravaganza.

And last but not least.....I got to shop downtown for my sister (in-law), Mallory's birthday and also, found (with a birthday $ from my Grandma Jackie) a wonderful pair of jeans at this boutique shop I love (and on sale)! www.latedaboutique.com

A really great birthday, another year older, and feeling better with each year! I could say I'm like good wine, but that would be cheesy. And now to celebrate more birthdays...in October.

Shabby Apple

I have ran across this dress on http://www.shabbyapple.com/ via http://makingmyamericandream.blogspot.com/2009/10/fall-into-fashion-for-mom-shabby-apple.html?sand am in love with the Carousel dress

I am entering Piece of Me to see if I can win a fabulous dress. I am still learning all this fun blogging stuff and have now shrunk my font....but follow my link and see....it'll be fun!

Things that people say...

I know we all ponder and wonder at the things people say. I know, I for one, have not always thought before I spoke.....(still current at times and find my foot in my mouth).

But...these are the things I hear when I go out with my boys, and even with one of my sisters to help.

#1: "Wow, You've got your hands full." - I hear this the most, and just smile and say "Yes, and I'm blessed", or something like this...but after literally saying this 10 times even on the same aisle at the grocer store (that is, when one of my wonderful sisters or parents aren't watching them so I have some alone time at the store). I begin to wonder what I should say....so I'm practicing on whoever is listening.....I'm also wondering what you say or would say to respond?

I've thought I could say: "My heart is full, too." Or...."Yes, and I'm so blessed", or "Actually, I don't have enough hands, do you want to come over and help".

I have to admit I must look like a funny show to some, as I maneuver my kids, in strollers and back packs and carts.....to peruse (a word I for sure picked up from Adam) the aisle in search of my food and other items.

I have found some people shocked at me, others tell me what a wonderful job I'm doing, and even the same person will tell others through the store how amazing I am. That's nice to hear.

I now...can't remember really any others for the moment, I guess this one I hear so much, and wonder how people come up with this stuff.....I don't think I'd ever even think to say that to someone.

Ok, now I remember...."What a beautiful family you have," "I was a twin," "All boys?" - I always respond truthfully to this one, "I'm hoping for a few girls, next". Others say "You must have a lot of fun" - which is so very true!

I know growing up....people were not always kind. They were rude, to my Mom, in front of us....even (especially) Christians, so odd. I don't know what is so bad or sad to 'people' about a large family. I was so blessed and loved growing up. I hope God blesses me with many children. I am so glad my heart agrees with Him, Children are a blessing, a reward (paraphrased)....I can't imagine my life any other way.

For those who may not know me...I grew up in a wonderful family. I am the oldest of 13 kids. We also were blessed to have a few cousins and friends live with us from time to time. I felt so loved, spoiled and surrounded at all times with wonderful relationships (I still am). We always had our 'needs' met and then some. So, yes, I know my 3 boys are blessed to have one another, besides all of their uncles, aunties, cousins, Tita/Grandmas, Pappas, and more....

I may sometime talk more about this.....and let you know how I do in really saying what I think, since so many others seem to have that freedom already.

{And while writing this post, it got very quiet in the living room....we all know what too quiet means! Yes, my twins somehow had the fortune of find the bathroom door open, as well as, the toilet seat up! Their first time...and wish I could say the last to make toilet soup. Colby came and told me and found them just in time before the toy giraffe became soup, too.}

The boys - September update

Update on my babies, they are now toddling into toddler-hood.

Twins (1 year, 2 months -I had to use my fingers to count):
Kyle (the older by seconds)- serious - independant for the most part, when he knows I'm there.

Ryan (the younger of the family)- clingy, socialite, and recent development= doesn't like strangers. I know it doesn't make sense how he could be so social and now all of the sudden such a mommy's boy.

Kyle/Ryan- obsessed with throwing away their diapers in the trash can for me and so proud as they do it (I only give them the damp ones, not the stinky ones, and sometimes they try to grab a clean one to toss, gonna have to watch what goes in the trash now. Once my sister {Laura} threw out my Dad's paycheck).

Kyle and Ryan don't share a crib, but do share a room. They shared a crib till about (trying to remember) 6 monthes or so.....but they only play together in them now.

They are using bowls and spoons, with pride....so cute (and messy).

Eating: kyle loves fruit and not too fond of cheese, Ryan loves most things

self feeding, pretty much every thing, so you can imagine the clean up

When I call the 'babies' this means run and laugh and hide, till I have to get up and find you....

Kyle = silk blankies, all of the sudden they're his favorite and won't get out of bed without, and I have to pry out of his hands at breakfast, but luckily forgets about until nap time.

Cuddles = all 3 at once jumping in/on my lap....so much love.

I recently got them a leash...for the twins, but it's a process to train them to both walk the same way, next to me....a lot of teaching going on, with a back up of security for me, if we are in the street. I think we'll try it when they are a bit older, as they fall a lot and it's hard to make it 10 feet as a group.

Baby wearing = so this is a new term to me as of the twins. I used a sleepwrap for them as new borns, they both fit in this big piece of material. Then I proceeded to use the wrap for the front for one, and the Ergo as a back carrier for the other twin. Now I tried a sling and the Ergo, but find you can't do both....so I'm looking into buying another one called a Mei Tei or something....so that I can tie that on the front with the Ergo on back....I really must take more pictures. I've had so many questions for other moms of twins, one being on how to 'wear' your babies. Wish I could have run into more twin moms sooner, but when you're so busy you don't have time to come up for air. Now, I have time, but don't know many moms of twins around my boys age or just beyond. I love having my 'babies' close to me. I realize they aren't babies much anymore, but they are the youngest of my kids, so they remain babies to me.

The favorite new thing is to all pile in my lap to read stories....usually it's the twins, Kyle and Ryan = my lap w/Cobly to the side of me. They love to read as much a I do!

They also love to all be in one crib, including Colby, at once. So this is my new routine, since I don't usually plan my shower till the end of the day....before Adam gets home. I put them all in the Twins room....and then either all in one crib (I'm afraid of it breaking w/3) or 2 in one and 1 in the other crib. Sometimes when we are in their room, they just beg to go in their cribs together.....funny, and a good way to vacuum when they are in there.

Colby will belt out in singing, jumping, running in any order at any time. He likes to serenade us all day, it's either reading or singing. And now I think with enough coaxing, he's beginning to beg to play outside more....yeah for activity. He always is asking us "you" want this...that...which means "I" want.....the cookie, etc....I've been working with him, and he's beginning to understand. It's always weird when he says "he" wants it....etc....but someday we'll get it.

Um, don't get me started on strollers for 3 kids, I've been searching, found the one I like, but will have to wait till I find a second job (and being that I have 3 kids, that won't be anytime soon).

Well, my jumbled thoughts should end soon....as I need to pick up so we can begin fresh fun tomorrow. I get my hair cut/styled for the first time in months.....and I always love the time and miss my kids more, too.

Good Night!

Sunday mornings with out Adam

Days that start with Adam heading off to work, mean I usually treat the day about the same, but still had to do some Sunday morning baking, even if it means I'll be eating the hot cinnamon rolls alone.

Adam left early and I was in bed cuddling my early riser, Colby. Then, of course, he's hungry, early! So, we got up and made some yummy oatmeal pancakes with coconut milk. We had a our bonding time, and his breakfast. Colby ate quite a few and went back for more. I decided since my kitchen was now a mess (well, dinner didn't get clean since I hadn't seen Adam all day), to bake some cinnamon rolls my sister Michele suggested.

I enjoyed my cool morning, with yummy smells (still waiting on the last rising of my rolls, before baking them), and now my twins, Kyle and Ryan, are finally up. Sleepyheads, love it!

I think we'll go for a cool walk today, then they'll want to play outside before my twins go down for a nap. Later we'll head to town so I can finish buying my fabrics for a project I'm beginning tomorrow night with our girls sewing class. I've got spaghetti on the menu for dinner, easy and good.

Well, now my baby boys (1 year now and 1 1/2 months) are done and it's time to get some walking shoes on. I may try out my new leash system for our walk, instead of the stroller.

Enjoying this day that the Lord has made.