Child of Convenience

This has been an interesting year in lessons for me. I was laid off from my job in May, and Chad and I decided that we'd make the sacrifices necessary for me to stay home with the kids. The hardest lesson I learned was how NOT to spend money like we both still had jobs!

In an effort to be a good steward of my family's new financial situation, I started researching budgeting topics. The ones of most interest to me were related to my new job - so grocery shopping for a family of 6 without going broke! I found a website that had great information (www.budget101.com).

I learned that I could make my own...well, anything. I read the list with a growing excitement - this was going to be an adventure!

Make my own baby food - check!

Make my own bread - check!

Make my own pasta - check!

Make my own brownie mix - check!

Make my own........wait...what was that? Did they say I could make my own BROWNIE MIX??? You mean to tell me that the box of brownie mix I buy at the store is made from ingredients just ANYONE can walk into a store and buy? People made brownies before brownie mix?

Oh, but there was more. Did you know that people can make their own cake? CAKE without a CAKE MIX?? Onion soup mix, ranch dressing, refried beans, yogurt - you can make all of it without having to buy a package!

My mom and dad had a good laugh at me as I shared this revelation with them. I am a child of pre-packaged convenience. I am a remote control child. I am an indoor plumbing, color tv, video games, McNuggets, brownie-mix child.

I made my first batch of completely home-made brownies - in total wonderment. My children fell over themselves trying to get to them. They exclaimed for days that they were the best brownies EVER. And now, they ask me if everything I put in front of them is 'home-made-from-scratch.' They, too, are mystified at this new world where Convenience Mom has turned into Homemade Mom.

Facial Expressions

This one is really just for fun. I'm looking through pictures to take with me on a scrapbooking weekend in February and I find myself laughing at Cade's facial expressions. I give you permission to laugh at my baby.

"Are you really going to take pictures while this toy is being so agressive?"

"Why do you keep blinding me with that light box?"

"Mmmm-hmmm. Whatever."

"I don't think I like your tone of voice, Mr Lion. Don't make me go all ninja turtle on you. "

"Shhhh...wait...did you hear that?"

"We meet again, my musical toy nemesis. This time I will conquer your buttons."

"Paparazzi. You disgust me."

"Hey, Bubba, check out my De Niro imitation!"

"I just know this is going to end in a headbutt."

"God? Is that you in the musical toy?"

And finally, because he really is a cute baby, I'll end with these two pictures:

Pictures I will definitely show to their significant others someday...

Each year, Chad's parents buy all the kids pajamas. I didn't grow up in a 'pj' family. Getting dressed into a 'pre-bed' outfit never made sense to me and I certainly can't sleep in pj's because I have a tendency to twirl my legs into a giant, claustrophobic taco made of sheets. But, the kids love their pj's, so I love the gift because, like I said, I never think about buying pajamas.

This year, the pajamas Pearce and Cole received had one of those devices sewn in that flashes when the fabric moves. You can't just hit the device - Pearce tried that - it only flashes with movement.

These are the pictures I took of Pearce and Cole trying to get their pajamas to flash.







P.S. - I'm writing this while wearing pajama bottoms. I've been partially converted. I still prefer t-shirts on top, but I LOVE the pajama bottoms for wearing around the house.

2008 - Year in Review

This isn't going to be a chronological review of our year. This is a random pass through our year and the random thoughts I have that go with it.


This is one of the first pictures of Stone in 2008. He's still just a baby, but looks so much more grown up now. He's watching a Spider Man trailer on the computer in this pic.



Here's a picture of Stone's big birthday present and the people who enjoyed it the day he got it:




This was a big fishing year. Chad sold the ski boat and bought a fishing boat. Pearce and Cole caught their first fish:




...and Pearce discovered of himself, after watching Chad fillet his fish, that he's a catch-n-release guy:




I watched Pearce and Cole fall effortlessly into their roll as big brother to Stone:



I know that the trampoline was a good gift:



Pearce and Cole are growing up so fast. I realized this while looking at these pictures of them in a relay race. When they were younger, they ran with glee. Now, they run with purpose:




I noticed that my kids have a 'pool personality'

Pearce is the weapons expert:




Cole is the camera clown:



And, after taking an unexpected fall into a pool, Stone is a side sitter/splasher:





Oh, and there was one more small thing about this year that is noteworthy:


I can't wait to see what my camera reveals to me at the end of 2009. Happy New Year!!!

Christmas through Cade's eyes

Ahhh, Christmas morning. I remember it well.

Getting up at 3am to go through my stocking and then trying hard to put them back the way they were. Waking my mom and the bear (a.k.a. Dad before coffee) up at 5am to shred wrapping paper. The disappointment when it was all over. The realization that I had a stack of new stuff to play with. Those special sugar highs that can only come from Santa's candy.

Yes, Christmas is exciting.

Well...for most people.

Some people just can't get in the mood:

Here's the "What the heck did you wake me up so early for?"

The classic "What is this thing you keep waving at me?"
"Mom, could you please explain to Dad that a lack of expression is directly related to a lack of enthusiasm?"

"That paper looks yummy. Put it in my mouth."

"Great, now Mom is in on it. People, if you want to put something in my hands, make it one of those candies the big boys got in those huge socks."

In the background, you can see him. "Am I the only sane one in this family?"

"Do they really think a Santa hat is going to make me perk up?"

"Someday I will escape this tyranny!"

I'm sure he doesn't share my sentiment, but here it is anyway -
Merry Christmas!

Why I love Christmas

Based on the title, I wish I could post about something heartfelt and meaningful, but that's not the purpose of this blog. The purpose of this blog has always been to share laughter. So, here's a picture tour of the reasons I love opening presents at Christmas.


1. It tends to bring out the model in everyone, even those who don't normally model. Check out Chad's attempt at 'Blue Steel' and my 'Magnum.'



2. Dad gets to wear a goofy hat:


3. Obligatory pictures of people 'presenting' their gifts:


4. Action shots:


5. Pearce's reaction to his presents:


6. Pearce's reaction to his brother's presents:



7. And finally, there's always the truly spectacular moments that no one expects, but everyone can appreciate (for years to come):



In fact, I chose this moment to make a Christmas card out of (just for the fun of threatening to send it):