Merry Christmas Barley Way!

As the city of Saratoga Springs did not manage their budget, after raising taxes and cutting the budget...one item on the chopping block was snowplowing the city roads! Unfortunately for the residents of our little city, this has caused some trouble. We recently recieved 13 inches of snow at one time and like many others in my neighborhood, I got stuck in the mess and could not make it up my street to my home. So today, Chris remedied that situation on our street, in Chris fashion of course, and made sure hardly a spek of snow remained. Merry Christmas Barley Way!

Chris also purchased a snowblower this year back in September and it is known as the "Mercedes" of snowblowers amongst some neighbors. That's my hubby for ya, GO BIG or GO HOME! I am thankful for my nice clean street that I can now drive on (as long as I can get to it), too bad it is supposed to snow again tomorrow!

So for all those on Winter Wheat Way....Our street is now better than yours! :)

The Energizer Bunney's Snow Adventure

Brady's oldest cousin spent the day with us yesterday and I am pretty sure Brady had her worn out by the end of the day. They spent most of their time creating adventures in the snow. They built a cool snow castle, tried their hand at sledding down the slide, and of course the deck stairs has been turned into a sledding louge. They also went over to the elementary school and sled down the enormous hill there. I am pretty sure Courtney was ready for the day to be over! Thanks Courtney, we love ya! And of course Brady, aka the energizer bunney, is ready for round 2!

All I want for Christmas...

This time last year Chris and I were setting sail off the coast of sunny Florida on a Carnival Cruise ship. As the depression of winter has arrived, our thoughts and hearts turn to the Caribbean Ocean and our wish that we were again there....so for now, all I want for Christmas is a real good tan!

Nothing Exciting

I figured it has been about a month since my last post, I should probably put SOMETHING up here. Nothing too exciting has been happening around our parts lately...but a few things did happen. A lot of mixed up ramblings.....

First off, I turned 30...that was lovely. It came and went and I don't really feel older. Just the same. It is hard to feel exceptionally young when I go to work and look around at those in college and think..."oh my heck..." and they look so young. I see girls in cute little outfits and think "I could wear that..." and then realize I would look completely out of place because I am not 20! Truth hurts a little when I look in the mirror and see all the wrinkles. Oh well, life happens.

My car died at the daycare when I went to pickup Brady and Chris had to tow it to the dealership to be fixed. At that point I was thinking the thing wasn't worth fixing. It has approximately 116K miles on it, but it is paid off!! It needed a new starter and only cost about $600 to fix so I figured that was better than $30K price tag of something new. However, I feel the day is coming soon.....ugh. I of course would LOVE a new car, but I would not love a car payment so I have decided I am definitely driving the Maxima until it will no longer be worth it (might be next week...who knows).

Chris has commented that he thinks I am "nesting." However, that is impossible....no bun in the oven for me. But I have been happily on an organizing spree and LOVIN' it! My entire house is pretty much organized, every nook and cranny and closet is awesome at the moment if I do say so myself! One place left...the medicine cabinet. That will be soon. :) I organized and cleaned out my basement, it is GREAT. All my food storage is organized and visible and I know what I have and am now using it much more because I can SEE what is there! However, the one drawback to this organization is that I was very reluctant to pull out all the Christmas stuff! So I pulled out the essentials, and kept it very simple and low key this year, managing not to make a disaster in the meantime. ;)

I took the entire week of Thanksgiving off of work to just stay home and veg with the kids. That is pretty much what we did, I don't recall even getting in the car before Thursday of that week and hardly spent anytime on the computer. I ignored email, facebook and blogging the entire time! My sister came in town from Colorado with her kids and it was fun to hang out with them for a couple days and be able to spend a little time with Brady and take him to a movie, etc. I don't get to do that too much with my hectic schedule. Chris and I did make a new resolution that we are no longer going to try to accomodate both families at Thanksgiving, it is a pain! We had Thanksgiving at my parents and had to turn around and have it at his the same day! Not fun with kids that have to be pulled away from cousins and face a long, exhausting day, everybody, including the adults got cranky. Yuck. So from now on, rotation has begun like the rest of the real world......

It was a little bit difficult to come back to work (mostly getting out of bed) but the week has gone by so fast! It has been really busy, yet productive. I am facing the 2nd round of budget cuts and have had to make some tough decisions and will soon be cutting a few positions as of July 1. I feel bad for those struggling in these economic times. Currently, my brother is out of a job as well as possibilities for others in my family. We have felt the crunch, but I am more and more grateful that I GET to wake up and go to work everyday. The last few months have been a real eye opener for me in feeling a bit of the crunch and then worrying about family members and their financial situations. It is a good reminder to all of us that have only half-heartedly followed the advice of the prophets to be prepared, live within our means, etc. to get our acts together. That is my goal this upcoming year. I want to get to a place where I feel more secure than I do now.

I have been struggling for quite a while with trying to figure out how to help Brady. Chris is convinced that he has ADHD or something, but my research on the symptoms, etc. has not supported that. He is very difficult at times....ugg. Church is really hard and he just will not behave there. This past Sunday, by the time we made it to primary and before the 2nd hour was over I had to call it quits or I was going to have a meltdown in front of everyone. I took him and by the time we got to the parking lot I was in tears! I just don't know what to do with him. It is not only at church, he is such a strongwilled person and sometimes is just so angry! he has a very difficult time listening (doing) anything he is asked to do. I know he sometimes struggles at daycare/school...but not anymore than any of the rest of the kids. Most days he does pretty well there from what I can tell, he even won the "quiet game" the other day and didn't get any checkmarks or go to timeout the whole day. That is pretty good for him! I feel like I try to not sweat the small stuff and let him have his freedom as much as possible, but somedays it doesn't seem to matter. I got home on Sunday and he immediately went to his room for like an hour! I was so upset that if he came out I would pretty much kill him......such a bad mom....I ordered 3 different books from Amazon that day on parenting that I hope might help me figure this thing out...I am sort of down to my last straw...he can be the sweetest, most loving kid one minute and then the most hateful, screaming that he is no longer your friend/son and that he hates you the next. I wonder if he is crying out for attention from us. It breaks my heart because I think to myself "is it because I work?" but I have to tell myself I am doing the best I can and when I am not working I try to do as much as I can with him. I don't even think taking a lot of time off work and making sure to spend quality time with him is even working anymore......ugh. Anyway, a lot of rambling and I just hope it gets better.

We went out with some friends this past weekend and had a great time just hanging out without kids and as adults. We definitely need to get out more......LOL . Well that is my boring life in a nutshell. Hopefully I will have more FUN posts soon. One more week of work and then I am off until 2009!

This is what we did YESTERDAY!

Living in Utah always has its surprises. It is cold here! The snow is all gone now...but we had fun while it lasted. I am sure it will return soon.

Favorite Picture

This is one of my recent favorite pics of Carter...just thought I would share it since he is so cute! ;)

Spooktacular October!

Some pics from the last week or so...

Why did Jesus only give us one!?

I want to try to remember all the cute things my kids say. So I am going to try to post something at least once a week so I don't forget.

Today driving in the car Brady and I were talking about babies because we had just babysat for my sister and had her little one over the night before. Brady was insisting that he wanted a little sister and then he asked why we didn't have one. I told him that Heavenly Father gives us what he thinks will be the best for our family and that he and baby Carter are who Heavenly Father decided should be a part of our family right now. Then he got really mad and said "why didn't Jesus give us two babies? I wanted two babies, just like our neighbors!" I sort of laughed (my neighbor has twins) and said "well I guess Heavenly Father knew what we could handle." He didn't want to drop the conversation so he again insisted that he get a baby sister....I told him that dad and I would have to talk about that. And in Brady fashion he says "But dad doesn't know, only Jesus knows! it is not up to dad!" So in time, if and when we have another baby....if it is a boy or isn't twins...we are in BIG trouble!

Brady is such a good big brother and he is so protective of Carter, he would never trade him for twins or a girl and neither would I!

This Week's Favorite Brady Quote

I walked into the daycare to pick up Brady the other day and they were practicing getting under the tables in case of an earthquake.....so as we are walking out I ask Brady what he would do in case of a fire (if he was on fire) and he says

"Stop! Rock n' Roll!"

Well he may burn to death, but at least he will have fun doing it!

Cornbelly Adventure and Halloween Fun

Today we took Brady and Carter to Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point. Chris's sister Elise came with us. It was fun for Brady, but Carter was really not interested as you can tell.

Our porch has been invaded by a GIANT spider! We usually don't decorate much for Halloween, but we got into it a little more this year. Carter has a hard time leaving the pumpkins alone and is always picking them up and moving them around. We will see if they survive until Halloween. Our adorable twin neighbor boys came over to show us their costumes, aren't they cute?!

What was I thinking??!!

So I finally got my hair cut off because it was in dire need and I finally got my eyebrows waxed for the first time! So I am thinking, WHAT TOOK ME SO LONG? I can't believe that I waited until I was 29 years old to get my eyebrows waxed, what a nerd was I?? I love the new look! It is always humorous when the girl doing the waxing says "I love eyebrow virgins!"

Miracles DO happen!

For those that read my previous post about Froggy....here is an EXCITING update. I called Tai Pan this morning to see if he happened to get turned into lost and found since yesterday and sure enough...he had! So all is right in the world once again! Welcome Back Froggy!!

Goodbye Froggy

So today I decided to venture out in search of nothing, really.....ended up at Tai Pan (HUGE store). Anyway, I am getting Carter out of the car and he is insisting that he bring binky and froggy. I really hadn't wanted to and tried my best to convince him to leave froggy in the car, but finally decided it wasn't a big deal. We do our shopping and I get to the check out and look at Carter and ask Brady if Carter had frog with him when we came in...he says, "I don't know." So we get to the car and I frantically look for him thinking maybe I did leave him in the car....nope. So we head back in the store, ask the nice lady at the front if she has seen him and then begin retracing our steps...nothing. Froggy hadn't been turned into customer service yet (or ever) so they will call us if he is.....

It is always hard losing a loved one, and thus far....Carter has refused the multiple other stuffed animals that I have tried for nap time and is therefore in his crib crying and not sleeping...It's going to be a long weekend....:(

You were a good friend Froggy, we will miss you!

Politics from a 4 year old

While watching the presidential debate and the topic of tax credits came up Brady says "Tax Credits?!" I don't want any tax credits! That guy is crazy!".....made me laugh.

Men!

Chris had been complaining for 2 days that his tires seemed to be getting low. So yesterday I get a text from him while at work about this:

Chris "I need 2 new tires"
Me "Ok"
Chris "but I can't have 2 new tires and 2 old tires...they need to match."
Me "whatever.."

I get home that night, take a look at the 4 beautiful new tires on his truck.....

Me "your truck seems a little bigger all of a sudden...hmm"

Chris "yeah" :)

He of course had to get "BIGGER" tires, not to mention the price tag of this purchase....

When I pulled out the 2 lamps I had bought that day and we had a conversation about it:

Chris "we only needed 1 lamp"

Me "yeah, but I can't have 1 new lamp and 1 old lamp....they have to match!"

Conversation over! :)

Sister Visit

This weekend we took a trip to visit with my sister Adrienne and celebrate with her my new niece Sadie Ann's blessing. She is so cute! Adrienne and Travis have the cutest family and I miss my nephews' goofiness already!

*I'VE BEEN TAGGED*

8 TV shows I love to watch

House

HGTV - anything (this counts for at least 6)

and more House....

8 Favorite Restaurants

Olive Garden
Chili's

PF Chang

Mimi's

The Chef's Table

Outback

Taco Bell

Carl's Jr.

8 Things that happened Yesterday

I went to my niece's baby blessing

I made my sister cry

I ate lots of yummy food

I rode a train

I flew on an airplane
I rode on a bus

I slept in my own bed

I watched a rerun of House

8 Things I am looking forward to

Another trip to my sisters!

Halloween

The weekend

No church this weekend because of General Conference!

The economy getting fixed without hurting the average joe

Lower gas prices

Picking up my kids after work and playing with them

Being with my husband

8 Things on my wishlist

A cute house like my sisters!

A new car
Traveling with my family more
New furniture for my bedroom

Healthy family

Happy family -including extended family

To be able to spend more time with my kids

Financial security

8 People I am tagging

Whoever wants to do it!

The Johnson Mill and Chris' Injury

August 28 was our 9 year anniversary and we celebrated it this past weekend by spending two nights at a bed and breakfast in Midway, UT, The Johnson Mill. This place was great and was very beautiful. It is located on a ton of acreage that is covered in ponds, waterfalls and wildlife. It was a relaxing time away for the two of us.

Unfortunately, earlier this week Chris got injured at work. He fell off of a ladder and hit his tractor and messed his back up pretty good. He has been in a lot of pain the last several days, but we are seeing slow and steady improvement. Our trip to Johnson Mill was a no cancel thing, so Chris braved it and we went. He did really well, although I don't think he slept much. He was a good sport and even went on a paddle boat ride with me. Hopefully he will be back to his normal self again soon. Thanks to our great neighbors for their concern and help out these last few days, we are blessed to live in such a great place.

Definitely not 20 anymore....

It is a sad reminder that I am getting old every time I think I can do things that I shouldn't. My back hurts all the time and the chiropractor has not been helping this go around. I started playing soccer again....I haven't played since I was about 3 months pregnant with Carter, so it has been a while. First game was Saturday...OUCH, I can now barely move. Every muscle in my body is sore, I have a huge blister on the back of my heel too. I am not complaining, I did this to myself...but I keep asking each year I choose to do this --WHAT WAS I THINKING?? It gets better as the season goes on, I think (and hope). Definitely don't have the skills nor stamina I had back when I was 20.....10 years ago I wouldn't have been caught dead playing keeper,I wanted to be running around for the full 90 minutes, but now, I gladly take my turn and relish in the rest. :) Although I think I faced more one on one's this last game than I have my whole life, but it was fun and for being a lazy forward, I thought I did pretty good! LOL

I am gonna start playing ward volleyball too...but that is less intense and should be fun. Haven't played that in years, but it is like riding a bike right??

So Chris came back from the bow hunt empty handed. Sorry hun, but I am glad it is over and you are home to stay. :) There's always next year. He did have some pretty neat encounters with a few other wild animals while he was gone, but after hearing about two of them...I told him to stop telling me if he ever wanted to hunt again.

I did accomplish a few more things this past weekend while he was gone. I made new drapes for my sliding glass door and got all the wainscoating and chair rail painted for my powder bath. Now I just have to put Chris to work in getting it up. :)

Hunting!!!

So Chris has been gone on the bow hunt since Thursday and I am HATING it. It has been much harder to have the boys all to myself, you never get a break! I don't know how you mom's with traveling husbands do it or with more than 2 kids! Chris apparently "missed" a 2 point this morning....so tomorrow is the last day for them this week and he has to come home and go back to work....but if they (he and bro-in-law) don't get one tomorrow that means that I have to suffer through weekend after weekend of this...I don't like this hunting thing. Last year was the first year since Chris and I have been married that he has actually hunted...have to thank my sister for moving back to Utah for that one! Way to go Jer! LOL. Well for his sake I hope he is having fun, although I think he is freezing in his tent...

On another note, Brady had his first soccer game today and overall it was a success. He even scored a goal between his coming in and out of bounds during the game, taking off to the top of the hill and rolling down it during the middle of the game! 4-year olds!! I think Brady has a lot of potential and will be really great, if we can keep his attention on the game! First game - survived!! :) I wish I had some pictures....but Chris took the camera. Guess it is time to purchase a second one!

So I had big plans for when Chris was gone, I was going to do a little decorating and paint the powder bath and maybe redecorate my kitchen a little.....but I am way too exhausted and haven't even made it to the paint store. I did however shampoo the carpet tonight, so at least one thing was accomplished. Oh well....now I need sleep.

St. George!

When we want to do a quick trip, one of our favorite places to head off to is sunny St. George. Thanks to mom and dad for having such a lovely second home down there so we have a place to play! While we were there we did some shopping and found some great deals at the Children's Place where we loaded up the boys with new clothes. The most expensive item was $2.99 and most items we bought were only $.99! We spent $70, so there was a lot to be had. I wish I could find deals like that on MY clothes! I probably could have spent another 45 minutes or so in the store and stocked up for next year, but the boys were not born to be shoppers!

We also went and visited with some of our former Harvest Hills friends the Dutson's! They are so much fun and I miss having them as neighbors, but it is fun to watch them on their blog as well. I didn't have my camera with me at the time...so all pics were taken by Julie who said she was going to post them on her blog. I have to give her a little grief that they are not up yet, as I was chastized for not updating my blog often enough! Ha ha, I love that girl.

(thanks for posting today, Monday, Julie! I stole the picture.)

We took advantage of the warmth and went swimming a couple times while we were there as well. Brady is a serious fish. We also roasted marshmallows in the backyard and just played card games and hung out as a family. Sometimes it is nice to just get away from all the distractions of home and just be together.