Hurray for Sleepovers!

We don't make it a common practice to have sleepovers. In fact, when we do have them, it is usually with cousins.

Jamie and Nathan are on a campout tonight (in the rain--poor guys!), so Kirsi invited her cousins to a sleepover. Here they are a cuddled up (in my bed) sound asleep. So sweet! I love those little girls. Hmmmm...where am I going to sleep?

St. Patty's Day

As promised...green shamrock waffles!

Grace Family Academy

I started a new blog to track our home schooling. I thought it would be a good way to track the kids' work and progress. If you want to get a glimpse of very nontraditional schooling, check it out! www.gracefamilyacademy.blogspot.com

The Birds and the...uh...Cows

So we are driving to Pea Ridge today and Kirsi says, "Ah, Mom. I just saw two cows playing together." I asked her what she was talking about. She said that she saw one cow on top of another one. Hmmmm. How do I proceed? She is almost nine. Now remember, my kids are homeschooled, so they aren't on the same sex ed. schedule that most kids are. They are told on a must-know basis. So I said, "Oh Kirsi. That is how cows make babies." She says, "Really! That's a weird way to make babies!" Silence... "Is that how you and Daddy made me?"

My response..."kind of."

Now this was a funny conversation that just tickled me to death. But, the best part about it was Nathan sitting next to me (who has had "the talk") uncomfortably shifting in his seat, counting the seconds until the conversation would come to an end.

I post this story not to make fun of my children, but to tell them that they can talk to me and ask me anything!!! I hope they are never afraid to ask me any questions! I love you Kirsi and Nathan!!

A Few of My Favorite Things

I started a gratitude journal a few years ago. I thought I would post a list of some of my favorite things to kick off my rededication to writing in it everyday...

1. The sound of my children playing together

2. Getting everything on my list checked off (Rarely happens, that's why I rarely make lists)

3. Brownies and ice cream...which I can't eat anymore

4. When the socks come out even in the laundry

5. Days when I get to stay home

6. The feeling I have after I've completed a daunting task

7. I Love Lucy...of course

8. Searching the web for fun school ideas

9. Eating a meal without someone begging for a bite

10. The Reach flosser

11. Game Night

12. Eating M&M's one at a time (can't do that anymore either)

13. Cuddling up with Jamie in front of the TV

14. A clean house...I've forgotten what that's like.

15. Disney World...it just makes me feel like a kid.

16. Scrapbooking overnighters at my mom's house

17. Finding a bargain!

18. Learning a new craft...learning how to make jewelry right now.

19. Actually having the right sized battery when I need it (the batteries just died on my cordless keyboard)

20. Getting stains out

21. Taking the perfect picture

22. Eight straight hours of sleep

23. Cold cereal...can't have that anymore either

24. A groomed Sammy

25. Rainy days...if I get to stay indoors

Waffle Full of Love

For 15+ years we have enjoyed heart-shaped waffles for Valentine's Day. Jamie and I got this waffle iron as a wedding gift and it is still giving. I'll be so sad when it dies. It makes great Valentine waffles and St. Patick's Day four-leaf clover waffles. This year the waffles turned out exceptionally pink. Love it! Of course, with my weird diet I couldn't eat any of the waffles. But they were fun to look at and kids love them!

17 Years of Bliss

Jamie and I are celebrating our 17 year anniversary today. We have know each other for 23 years. We first met in middle school. I was in 7th grade, Jamie was in 8th. We had the same gym class. He sat in front of me. I thought he was obnoxious then. I was the quiet goody-two- shoes.

A couple years later he moved into our ward, and my neighborhood. He hung out with my big brother and I got to know him better. Before long we were the best of friends. We were married in the L.A. Temple. Four years later we had Nathan...and four years after that we had Kirsi.

I never would have imagined how great life with Jamie would be. It just gets better and better all of the time. I can't imagine being happier with anyone else!

Happy Anniversary Jamie! I love you!