Happy 100!

Wow - this is my 100th post - I wouldn't have thought it back in March when I started-

I've been in a busy cycle lately

Just to start - I must say Middle school is very trying...Tyler is doing a great job - but it is very hard. She wants to get straight A's but - and this is very cute - she'll come home saying, I did great, I only missed one or two answers - but hello - if there are only 5 or 10 questions on a quiz or test - you aren't going to get straight A's honey....

Secondly - my mom is here - mostly to help my grandma but she stays with us - my grandma by the way is home from the hospital which I'm grateful for - she did lose 3 toes however - but she sure is spunky. My mom is a good help with the kids but you know when you aren't on your own it's just a little more to do in your day. (meaning - I can't pass out on the couch on the middle of the day when I want to!)

Third - Mike is still working about 70-80 hours a week - I'm so tired of every night him coming home just to go into the office for a conference call in Asia. So I do all the homework and food and baths and carpooling and.... and...and

Then lastly I'm just crazy with my regular stuff - still 2 days of speech therapy for Lucas, church calling, 2 days of preschool, 2 days of physical therapy (hooray I graduate next Tuesday!) but I did keep my ceramics class - when they fire the last batch I'll bring them home and take pictures and post them. I got to throw on a wheel last week and made a cup! I love it!

Last week is a blur now - I know I had a mall trip, lunch with Linda, bunco, a visit to my grandma and lots and lots of driving of children around - soccer, football, dance, dance, dance.... I must sound like a broken record - but sometimes I feel like writing it out makes it slightly more sane! I hope everyone else is doing well with all their activities!

William Tell Overture

You will love this, my friend sent this to me...

Darn

So I had Bunco at my house last night and got out my cute Halloween decorations and had my camera out and totally forgot to take pictures! Oh well.... we also decided to have a spur of the moment Couples Bunco night on Friday night so we'll see if I can remember to take pictures to post that night.

Today was a good day - my mom & I along with Lucas went to visit my grandma in the hospital - she lost 3 of her toes (instead of 5) and she is doing so well! She is even walking with a walker already - I just hope she continues her good rehabilitation and that her toes heal without infection. She is 85 and is doing really well. Lucas was really good - I brought along those color wonder books and he was thoroughly entertained for almost an hour.

Tonight I got to go to a Stamp Technique class (I sell Stampin' Up! but only to my close friends - just kidding) it was fun - I'm more of a hobbiest and for the last couple years have sold cards in sets for Christmas gifts - so I went to my upline's house for a class tonight - it is always nice to have a night away - except my poor mom was the one that had to watch the kids because Mike just walked in the door at 10pm....

Today is my brother's birthday - My brothers are a bit younger than I am - they don't have kids yet, but Gavin is married - it was hard growing up because I was always the odd man out because I was older and there were two of them - always hard with 3. When my brother first got married they lived in the town just over and it was so fun because he had afternoons off and we could go eat or he'd come see the kids sports on the weekends - but now they live 45 mins away and they work all the time so we never see them. We miss him - like tonight for his birthday the kids would have loved to go out and visit him but oh well...

The chores chart is working out well now into day 3 - they almost fight to do the bigger point chores - like taking out the trash and putting dirty dishes into the sink - it's pretty funny. We'll have to see how it goes...hope all is well!

Oh what fun

We had a busy week - first - here are a couple pictures from Tahoe - my friend Michelle & her new husband Matt. They are very cute together and the weekend was fun.



I have to do a tribute to my very handsome husband Mike - he was teasing me about the whole Colin Firth blog - so here is my man looking quite dashing when we were in Tahoe. Mike makes my life special and I can't believe the life we have together. I love him so much even though I don't show it as much as he does - or let me rephrase that - he tends to be more affectionate, I'm more of 'show love with service' type person. So I show him how much I love him by doing his laundry, taking care of his kids, cooking, cleaning & paying the bills.....but seriously I love everything about him and he plopped right in front of me - literally - in my path - we lived in the same apartment complex, when he was on the landing when I was coming home - he looked so cute I was slightly speechless. We became friends and dated for 2.5 years before we finally got married. We're going on 15 years of marriage - we met on Sept. 1, 1990 - he has it written down in his journal. Mike is the nicest man you will ever meet - he would do anything for you and give you the shirt off his back. It balances me because I think I'm stingy but I so try not to be! So no, it's not his birthday (yet) or our anniversary but I just wanted him to know I love him so....

This is us in Tahoe - I'm trying not to have my skirt fly up for the picture - it was so windy & cold!

My friend Louise left for Italy - I was so sad to see her go, but before she took off she helped me string a few of my Venetian Beads - so now I have a bracelet & earrings!

This is my new attempt at the chores - instead of a grid sheet that I've had for a while I came up with this - the kids can do a chore or pick a chore and the different colors hold different weights (points) some days some of the kids aren't even home so this way if someone is supposed to sweep and they are not home I can still ask a different kid and they'll get points. So far they like it, it's the follow-up on the reward/allowance I need to be more consistent on! I'll let you know how it goes after a week....


On Saturday we had a small belated birthday sleepover for Chandler's birthday - he had the same 4 friends over that he had over from last year - it was so easy, he just wanted pizza, he had his friends bring their Ninetendo DS's and they watched a couple movies and played Game Cube. He didn't want a cake, just cupcakes. They were mostly passed out by 12 then they woke up by 7 and played video games. I made pancakes & sausage and then they went home by 10am so we could still make 1pm church! Easy peasy! No theme, no decorations, just his buddies and they played. Nice.....

MIA

Well I'm still here, barely...things have been so hectic - Mike was in China for 2 weeks - for obvious reasons I don't like to broadcast when he is gone but after he is back seems okay. I always make sure our alarm is on 24/7 and have lots of help from friends. One day I will have to go private too I'm afraid but not quite yet....

It was a tough couple weeks but we made it through. He said it is really congested there - no wonder there is global warming!




He also found the Hong Kong Temple - he missed the last session but he gets points for seeing it anyway. It is built on top of a regular building with accessible floors beneath it. Good use of space I guess!


Mike came home on Thursday then on Friday we left for Lake Tahoe for the weekend - my friend Louise's sister got married - it was really nice - it was really cold already - unfortunately it rained before the wedding and it was very cold so it was supposed to be an outdoor wedding, they had to move it inside - but that is okay - it all worked out in the end. Mike's parents watched the kids so it was nice to get away.


The next morning we had breakfast with Louise & Max - I'm so sad they are going back to Italy next Saturday - our summer was so short together!

The kids have been great - the chore chart isn't working so well - I have to figure something else out.

I have to catch up on all my blogs and thanks hotmama - I've got some good sites to check out!!

Ready, Set......Shop!

Well I had a good day at the mall today - first real time since before my accident - I was sore by the end but drugs are great - I still take 800 mg of ibuprofen.

I went to the torture-chamber for my quarterly treatment (aka - Macy's brow bar) and got my S&M treatment on my face - looks pretty good for not having it done in 3-4 months.

Linda & I met Meressa (get a blog girl) for lunch at CPK and had yummy BBQ Chicken Chop Salads. My mother & father in law came into town - they went to Monterey for a couple days and then came here - which is nice because they always help with all the homework and cooking and bedtime - so nice.

Mike & I are actually going to Lake Tahoe for the weekend - my BFF Louise's sister Michelle is getting married. Michelle is 2 years older than us - so when we were in high school - she used to go to the library (across the street from HS) everyday - so we knew if we wanted a ride home we had to make sure we were there by 4pm everyday! We used to run to make it after our practices or whatever!

Well we have had a super busy week here - I'll fill in more later - but hope everyone is having a great day!

I'd Like to thank the Academy

I'm speechless - I never would have thought I would be nominated!!! Okay, end of my pre-Oscar acceptance speech.

Very fun - Thanks Christina & Linda for draggin' me into this cyber-world - it sure is nicer keeping my hands on a keyboard than shoving popcorn in my mouth every evening. Although - I think I'm getting carpal-tunnel syndrome from all the blog-stalking I've been doing.

It's nice to know there are people just like me out there! You know who you are, wink wink....there are so many really talented & beautiful new friends out there - and it's nice to know we're all on the same ( sometimes sinking) ship.

So here's to all of you - in the words of Sally Field, "you like me, you really like me!" Thank you!

Tag you're it you blogging rock stars! (I have to ditto many of the ones already chosen, so here are some new stars)

1. Jenny
2. Christina
3. Lauralee
4. Stephanie
5. Michelle H

Thanks for all your love on my spot - I always enjoy reading about your days and you always help me with mine!

Status

I guess I haven't given an update to my leg in a while. It has become such a daily occurrence that I hardly notice anymore. I've graduated from my crutches and only use my leg brace when I got out. I did get a renewal for my handicap sign though through Oct. - I've been going to therapy twice a week and within the last 2 weeks really feel like I've turned a corner. It doesn't hurt (as much) to bend down anymore - I can actually put weight on my left knee now as well.

At PT I start with 5 mins on a stationary bike - which the first time terrified me - but now it is much better - however after 3.5 minutes I have pinchy feelings in my hip flexors.

It's funny the kind of exercises they give you to help build up strength. I have to sit on a stool with wheels and using my heels - scoot myself around the room. Then I have to do it only with the bad leg - now that is hard! But I feel better and I take less Ibuprophen, (yea for my kidneys!) I cannot run the Nike 1/2 Marathon next month - but I'd love to start walking around the neighborhood soon. Well actually the mall - Linda & I are going to try it next week ;)

But I'm excited to give up the nickname "Hop A Long"

Lucas' Big Day

Well yesterday was Lucas' first day of Preschool - my how time flies - it is just so sad to think he is my youngest!!! It was very funny to see all the new mom's out there, they couldn't leave their kids - one mom the director had to reassure her that her daughter would be fine - it was cute.

Yikes I need to learn to stand straighter!

At the end of the day - he's happy!

Ms. Lyn - she's been there a long time - what a Saint!

After preschool we signed up for Bumper Bowling - He was so cute - I wish I had my camcorder - he was doing a happy dance after each one - so cute - we'll be doing this for the next couple months

Last night we had the Ice Cream Social at the Elementary School - it was fun to see all the old friends - better than back to school night because you can visit. Louise, Max & Sophia came to visit and got to have Ice Cream with us. We had to stick the 2 stinky kids in the tub - so the pictures are for ransom for when they grow up - oh la la~


I already put on Christina's comments that Linda & I went to have our Hump Day Lunch today at the fine restaurant Chuck's (as in CEC) today - they served Flatbread covered with Frommaggio - all you can eat Salad & Diet Coke. We sat there while the entertainment came on every 15 mins and the boys sat like Angels in their seats no moving a muscle (ha ha yeah right)

The best part was it was so uncrowded and the babies could care less about getting a prize!
So here's what Lucas looked like when we got home -

But actually before we went there - thanks to carpooling I didn't have to pick up today! Lucas & I ran into the newly opened Ranch 99 - Asian Market - I got some asian candy -

My mom & dad are drooling I know (see move back - california = good, las vegas = bad) - I got - Roasted Duck, BBQ Pork, Steam Buns, Siu Mai, Haw Gao & Chow Mein - oh yummy yummy yummy for me!!! It's what's for dinner!

It's called Jute

Well here is the picture of our house - I love the new color - it is called Jute by Kelly Moore - I really like it - I finally got my lights too - thanks Jules - at Lowes - although it is a trek to go out there and get it. We're getting one built closer so I am so so so excited! I totally agree that Lowes has a better selection - I also like Home Depot Expo but they are too expensive.

Lauralee the cutie boys were a snake - they are Sidewinder snakes - the soccer league has a cute system of having all the same age groups start their team names with the same letters - so you run out of "S" names after a while - makes it a little more challenging to make costumes and banners. So you know they don't have names like, Spitters, Slashers, Slimeys, Slugs..... they have to be tough like Scorpions, Sorcerers, Snakes & Sidewinders :) The girls are always funny - Dots, Daisies, Dalmations - you get it...I could go on with less flattering names :)

Today was nice - we had a real FHE - we talked about our "Chores". and I'm trying to figure out a reward list - I think we are doing a point system. I'll see if it workds after a week and then I'll let you know - it might be too complicated!

Thanks for all the love last blog - hope school is going well for everyone - our homework is going to kill me! Tomorrow is another busy day. Today went to the dermotologist by 8:30 and Costco with Linda - gotta love the hot dogs - so it was nice.