Multiple Blessings

A Trip to the Dentist

Julie — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:55:54 +0000

Jared finally had his appointment with the hygienist yesterday, to get his teeth cleaned and get a check-up. He’s been TOTALLY stressing about it, sure he was going to have a cavity… Especially since Josh had two little ones, and Josh spends a lot longer brushing and flossing than any of the kids.

Jared thought he was doomed.

But, he came out grinning, as the hygienist took his picture for the “No Cavity Kid” wall. Yay Jared!

He’s also been stressing about the color of his teeth… It’s really strange, but as soon as Jared gets a permanent tooth, it turns a bit yellow. We’ve been buying whitening tooth paste, and everything, but it doesn’t seem to help. So when Dr. Barichello came in to check his teeth he asked her about it. She told him that it was perfectly normal, and that it was nothing he did that caused them to turn that color. She also said that they may even whiten back up as he gets older.

I can’t tell you how relieved Jared was. He talked about it all evening… Then spent longer than usual in the bathroom blushing and flossing… Let’s hope he keeps THAT up!

I feel bad for Josh though… I hope he doesn’t inherit my weak teeth. He takes the best care of them, and he’s the only one who ended up with cavities… They gave him sealants last week though, so I hope that helps.

I So Don’t Do Bugs

Julie — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:10:37 +0000

So this morning I was in my bedroom, I had just taken a shower and dressed, and was brushing my hair. Jared calls through the door that there is a moth in the house.

*shudders*

Jared said it was in the laundry room, so I had them put Cuddles in their bedroom (so she couldn’t escape outside) and open the back door. Then I had Josh spray bug spray at it, in the direction of the door, hoping to chase the moth back OUTSIDE where it belonged.

At one point Josh had to use the bathroom, so while he ran off to do that, Jared started teasing him about being chicken. So I said, “Josh’s not the chicken, you are! He’s the one chasing the bug out!” (I was teasing too) and he’s like, “But I opened the door and put Cuddles in the bedroom!”

So anyway, Josh and the bug spray finally chased the horrid thing out the door, so they quickly shut the back door, before it could come back in (not to mention keep the neighbor’s cat out, who was trying to make it’s self at home).

With the door shut I was finally brave enough too……

Come out of the bedroom where I had been hiding behind locked doors.

Guess who’s the chicken in this house.

(I don’t have a very good track record when it comes to bugs and things, do I? *rofl*)

Protected: Almost Done

Julie — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:05:02 +0000

20 Years Ago…

Julie — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:00:31 +0000

I’ve been tagged by Tammy to do the following meme:

20 years ago…

Who was President of the United States: President Ronald Reagan
Who was the Vice President of the United States: George H.W. Bush
How old were you: 17
What grade were you in: Going into my Senior year
Who was your best friend: Lisa Say
What was your favorite record/tape: Carman “The Champion”
What was your favorite show on T.V.: Working as much as I did, I didn’t have much time for TV.
Who was your favorite Actress: Honestly don’t know if I had one…
Who was your favorite Actor: Honestly don’t know if I had one…
What was your favorite Movie: Honestly don’t know if I had one…
What was your favorite subject in school: Advanced Art General
What was your favorite book: Terry Brooks “Magic Kingdom for Sale; SOLD”
What School did you attend: John Marshall High School
Who was your teacher: I had many, but I don’t remember all their names…
What did you want to be when you grew up: A photographer
What was your favorite activity: Reading
What was the most fashionable thing: Acid washed (or stone washed) jeans and jackets
What was the hair style: Big bangs *lol*
Were you a “rebel without a cause” or “on the straight and narrow”: Straight and narrow
What was the greatest thing that happened to you: Ummm… Nothing. Was the start of the worst period if my life… (Which is why I can’t remember much. I’ve blocked a lot of it out…)

I was tagged by Andrea for the following two meme’s:

*Four, Four, Four, Four…*

A ) Four places that I go to over and over:
1. Wal*Mart
2. Joe’s parent’s house
3. Joe’s sister’s house
4. Crazy

B) Four people who e-mail me (regularly):
1. Crystal
2. Andrea
3. Jenn
4. Ian

C) My favorite places to eat:
1. San Blas (Mexican)
2. Shari’s
3. Wendy’s
4. Taco Bell

D) Four places I would rather be right now:
1. At the hospital; giving birth ;)
2. Vacationing with Joe and the kids at Disneyland
3. On a deserted island resort with Joe and the kids
4. Camping with JUST Joe and the kids, at the beach

E) Four people I think will respond:
1. Antonia
2. Mandy
3. Gina
4. ???

F) Four TV shows I watch all the time :
1.  Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
2.  Little House on the Prarie
3.  The Waltons
4. Road to Avonlea

50 Things about Me:

1. Do you like blue cheese? Nope
2. Have you ever smoked a cigarette? Nope
3. Do you own a gun? Does Joe’s hunting rifle count?
4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? Never been to a Sonic
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Yes, because who wants to be poked and prodded?
6. Do you like hot-dogs? Yep… Especially roasted over a camp fire
7. Favorite Christmas Song? Do You Hear What I Hear?
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Bottled water (our tap water is gross)
9. Can you do push-ups? Not anymore *lol*
10. What’s your favorite meal? Beef enchiladas
11. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? My wedding ring
12. Favorite hobby? Digital Scrapbooking
13. Do you work with people who idolize you? No one would idolize me! … And they shouldn’t… Reserve that for the Lord!
14. Name a trait that you hate about yourself? Not good in the willpower department
16. Middle name? Anna
17. Name 3 thoughts at this moment: I shouldn’t have eated out for dinner, my kids are beyond adorable, and I wish I was caught up on my scrapbooking
18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday: I downloaded a movie off iTunes, but that’s it.
19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? CF Diet Pepsi, water, and tea
20. Current worry right now? About a blogging buddie’s very premature baby
21. Current hate right now? Myself
22. Favorite place to be? Home with Joe and the kids
23. How did you bring in New Years? I was on the computer while the rest of the family slept *lol*
24. Favorite place to go? The Beach
25. Name three people who will complete this? Antonia, Mandy, and Gina… Maybe
26. Whose answer do you want to read the most? All of them
27. What color shirt are you wearing? Red
28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Nope… Cotton for me all the way!
29. Can you whistle? Nope
30. Favorite color(s)? Purple and Navy Blue
31. Would you be a pirate? Nope
32. What songs do you sing in the shower? I rarely do, but the other day I was singing “Who put the bop in the bop-tee-bop-tee-bop?…”
33. Favorite girl’s name? Alicia, Amanda, and Alyssa
34. Favorite boy’s name? Jared, Joshua, and Joel
35. What’s in your pocket right now? I don’t have any pockets
36. Last thing that made you laugh? Joe (private joke *lol*)
37. Bed sheets as a child? I had a sheet set that looked like a box of animal crackers. *lol*
38. Worst injury you’ve ever had? Slammed my finger in the door… Three times… On my 10th birthday
39. Do you love where you live? Yes
40. How many tv’s are in your house? 5
41. Who is your loudest friend? I don’t know if I have any loud friends… Jacob and Jamie are loud. *lol*
42. How many dogs do you have? None, I’m not a dog person (sorry!)
43. Does someone have a crush on you? I hope it’s my husband.
45. What is your favorite book? The Swiss Family Robinson
46. What is your favorite candy? Twix
47. What is your favorite sports team? None… Not a sports person either
48. What song do you want played at your funeral? I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me
49. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Sleeping
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? Man, I gotta go!

More Painting

Julie — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 02:44:55 +0000

I got some more painting done today… I had hoped that we would be farther along than we are… Oh well… I guess we’re not on a time limit. *lol*

Anyway, today I got the breakfast nook painted. Since it’s small and opens up between the kitchen and the classroom (aka the family room), it was a pretty quick job. I had it prepped and started painting by 10 am, and was done by noon. Not too bad.

Here are some “before” shots… Like a moron, I forgot to take “after” shots. Guess I’ll have to do that tomorrow.

Now I need to get the two shelves we bought put together and up in there… I actually need 2 or 3 more of them, but the kind we bought (that had the right dimensions for the teacher books and workbooks for homeschool) are spendy… Like $85 each. *sigh* … So it’ll be a while before we can buy some more (we bought these with Joe’s bonus check)… I hope I can at least get one more before school starts, because I’m going to need the space for our books.

On Sunday Joe and I got the trailer all cleaned out, after the fiasco with the mouse. After putting out the mouse poison, we haven’t seen any more signs of them… And since we will be camping this coming weekend (for the Johnson Family Reunion), we wanted to make sure that it was all bleached out. Joe also bought a bunch of upholstery cleaner and did the couches too… And I took all the dishes inside and ran them through the dishwasher… twice… just in case.

BUT… We’re going to toss the pots and pans. I actually saw mouse poop in those, and I don’t think I could EVER eat anything cooked in those pans again. *shudders* … They were all old and icky anyway… So for this weekend I’ll just take my kitchen ones camping, and we’ll buy some new ones for the trailer later… Actually, I’ll probably get new ones for the kitchen, and put my kitchen ones in the trailer.

Well… Not much else going on, so I guess I’ll catch you on the flip side!

Looks like Alicia Comes By it Naturally…

Julie — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:30:47 +0000

Can you believe this picture? I was such a hormone crazed dork! … How immature was I? *rofl* … This was taken when I was 21, and we were in California on vacation. I believe we were in San Luis Obispo (where I was born), visiting Mom’s friend, Pat.

I can’t write much… I am so far behind!… I have become consumed with getting my old pictures scanned in that I have let some housework slide, that I should have done yesterday. So, as soon as I am done blog hopping, I have got to deal with that.

BUT… Before I go… GINA! I want to THANK YOU for leaving comments on my new Flickr account! You so made my day!

Real Men Wear Goatees

Julie — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 05:18:48 +0000

So… Have I mentioned that Joe has decided to grow a goatee? Have I also mentioned that I’m not sure what I think about it? … I’ve never been much of a beard person. I don’t mind a mustache, and to be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Joe without a mustache. *lol* But a beard? I think I can do without it… But it seems like it’s all the rage with the men in Joe’s family, and they are all getting one (or have had one for a while)… Joe seems especially thrilled with his new facial hair… So I think I am stuck… Guess that’s one bad thing about his taking a leave from the gas station. He wasn’t allowed to have one there… I guess I’ll get used to it in time.

Today Joe pulled down some shelves that were in the breakfast nook… That’s where we used to keep the kids’ videos, but now that we moved the classroom, I’m going to have to keep the school books in there… But, naturally, the shelves that were on the wall in there are too small for teacher books and such. So, after we paint in there, we’ll be putting new shelves in there.

I can’t wait until it’s done, because then we can start working on Jared’s room… And trust me, Jared can’t wait for that either. *lol*

I was hoping to start painting tomorrow, but Joe wants to clean the trailer tomorrow. (We’ve got a family reunion to go to next Saturday, and we’ll be camping for the weekend). I guess I’ll do it on Monday or Tuesday.

We took the kids to the park in Molalla yesterday, and let them play at the splash park… But we didn’t get there until just after 7:00, so they didn’t have much time… Joe got off work later than normal, and then we went to Ricky D’s for dinner. Oh, and we also had to go feed Scott and Debbie’s cat one more time before they came home from their vacation… Anyway, next time we go I hope to get their earlier, and I hope it’s warmer… It was only 70* out. There is no way I would have gone in that water! *lol* Brrrr! But the girls had fun. The boys didn’t get wet either, and though I pretended to tease them about it, I couldn’t blame them at all.

By the time we were ready to leave, the girls were soooo cold. Alicia’s teeth were chattering. All she could think about was getting home and putting on her warmest jammies. *lol*

Oh… I almost forgot! Jenn sent me a link to a major digi-deal! So I thought I would share it with my digi-scrapping pals and lurkers. Go check out Strawberry Wine Designs. Not only does she have a free kit for you to download, she is also is selling a monthly membership that gives you access to around 100 kits/templates/products… All for $4.99 for ONE MONTH! For the price of one kit, you can get ALL of them! It’s too good a deal to pass up!

Well… I spent too much time scanning pictures and posting them to Flickr, that I haven’t done any blog hopping at all… So I best get at it, before ya’ll think I’ve abandoned you! But, before I go, here is a video montage of the kids playing at the park:

Two FREE Digi-Scrap Group Mega Kits

Julie — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 08:00:28 +0000

I think I have some digi-scrapping lurkers out there, so I thought I would share some links with you. … My friend, Mandy, shared them with me.

The first is a mega kit with over 40 designers contributing to it, and it will only be available for the month of July (sorry I am late getting this to you!). It’s called “Backyard Playground” and is really good for kids/parks/etc type layouts.

(Part of me wants to have this alphabtized… But the part that says I don’t have time and no one will care anyway, won *lol*)

Munkin Scraps Parts one and two
ScripityScrap
Life in the Texas Panhandle (page down on this one)
Lighthouse Designs
Ahhh Scrap
DigiScrapalicious
The Amazed Scrapper parts one and two
Beckmoore’s Scrapalittle
Designs by Crazy Diamond
Mamadukez Creationz
PinkuPixie’s Bits-n-Pieces
HS Designs
Share Joy
Lighthouse Scrapping
Carolina Girl Scrap Creations (Warning… Loud music *lol*)
The Scrap Loft
Grandma’s Pixels
KSH Scrapping
Kim’s Scrappin’
Krisi’s Kreations
Lara’s Digi World (This is my favorite part of the kit)
Busy Scrappin’
By God’s Design
Scrapping Life as it Happens
Sweet as Mel
Burkhart Scrap Zone parts one and two
SwordaScrappin’
Random Inspirations
Scrappinmamma’s Digitals
Scrappy Cats
SecondHand Angel
Just Passing Through
Creations by Rachael
One Scrap at a Time
Abyscraps by Sheila
Stellarific Creations
Scrap Stew Sue
Scrapping with Tammy (post from July 1st)
Utski Can Scrap

This next kit isn’t quite as big, but it’s still great! It’s called “Mango Tango” and something like 20-ish designers contributed to it… This one is *really* pretty!… (This will take a while, because I’m downloading it while I get the links *lol*) … I don’t know how long this will be available, but it’s only been up a couple days so far.

Amy Sumrall Designs
Beckie Wallace Designs
Boyerville Scraps
Claudi Designs
CrystalBella’s Scrap Stuff
Dani’s Delusions
Denise Liemert
Designs by Sherri Tierney
Ellie Lash Designs
Flergs
Franziska Altmann
Greedz Graphics
Jen*unine Artistry
Kawouette Designs
Kiki Halbert Designs
Lliella Designs (page up)
Madame Wing
Mimi’s Digi-Scraps
MGL Scraps
Moon Scraps
Polka Dot Plum
Shawn Headley Designs
Stephanie Ogren
Sugarplum Paperie
Web Designz by Kristi

If I find any more, I’ll let you know… And if you know of any, I would love it if you’d let me know! … Because FREE is a very good price!

Dino-Grrlz

Julie — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:49:16 +0000

Dino-Grrlz (page 1)

Credit: Jurassic Art Collection by Angela Sharrow
Program: Photoshop Elements 5
Font: SlashHmk
Links:

Digitals:
Kit: http://digitalscrapbookpages.com/digitals/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=26_165&products_id=11358
Addon: http://digitalscrapbookpages.com/digitals/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=26_165&products_id=11362
Alpha: http://digitalscrapbookpages.com/digitals/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=26_165&products_id=11359

ScrapDish:
Kit: http://scrapdish.com/store/product.php?productid=1847
Addon: http://scrapdish.com/store/product.php?productid=1849
Alpha: http://scrapdish.com/store/product.php?productid=1848

Digital Freebies:
Kit: http://digitalfreebies.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=3126
Addon: http://digitalfreebies.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=3128
Alpha: http://digitalfreebies.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=3129

Dino-Grrlz (page 2)

Journaling:

In our house, dinosaurs aren’t just for boys. The girls love to play with them
too. The Land Before Time movies are favorites, and both girls know the
names of all the different types of dinosaurs… Certainly better than I do…
Much better! *grin* … They will spread out blankets to be the “lakes” and
they will sometimes bring out the “zoo keeper bucket” that has all the toy
trees, rocks, and such and really make a jungle (or whatever) for the
dinosaurs to play in… Sometimes I wonder if the girls would be as into
dinosaurs if they were older than the boys, instead of younger. It seems like
what ever Jared is into, all the other kids get into it too. He’s the leader of
our pack, with three devoted followers… Not that it matters. If the girls want
to play with dinosaurs, it doesn’t bother me and Daddy at all. We’ll let
them choose their own likes and dislikes… Whether it be dinosaurs
or not… Sure wouldn’t mind seeing some Barbie dolls though!
*wink*

Credit: Jurassic Art Collection by Angela Sharrow
Program: Photoshop Elements 5
Font: SlashHmk
Links:

ScrapDish:
Kit: http://scrapdish.com/store/product.php?productid=1847
Addon: http://scrapdish.com/store/product.php?productid=1849
Alpha: http://scrapdish.com/store/product.php?productid=1848

More Tidbits

Julie — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:40:51 +0000

Tidbit #1

There isn’t anything going on, which is why things have been so quiet on my blog. We’re just enjoying a do-nothing week. The only non-home thing we’ve done this week is to go to the dentist on Wednesday, and then stop by to feed my SIL’s cat (they are camping this week)… We are hoping to take the kids to the splash park in Molalla this afternoon, so maybe then I can have something more interesting to write about. *lol*

Tidbit #2

Amanda did lose her fingernail, with some help from me. On Wednesday night it was 75% off, and I was afraid that it would catch on something and hurt her. So I asked her if I could clip it off with the clippers, and she was OK with that… The thought of that would have freaked the other kids out, but Amanda tends to be brave about things. While I clipped, the boys were totally freaking out.

Anyway, her finger looks so sore!

Alicia was TOTALLY grossed out by Amanda’s finger yesterday, and Amanda was having fun with that. They were eating breakfast, and Amanda started waving her finger in front of Alicia’s face, and Alicia was turning 3 shades of green. *lol* So, even though it didn’t need one, I put a bandaid on it, so that Alicia wouldn’t throw up or something.

Tidbit #3

I spent all my free time with my scanner yesterday, and am now scanned through June of 1990. I am glad that I finally made it to that point… As some of you may know, from August ‘88 through May ‘90 was a dark time in my life… One that I would not want to repeat for ANYTHING. Going through all those old photos was hard. In fact, I almost didn’t do them at all… But I am OCD enough that when I say I wanted ALL my pictures scanned and on Flickr, I mean ALL of them… So I went ahead and scanned them. BUT, even though they are all on Flickr, there are some that I made private, so that only I can view them.

Now that I am through that period of time, I can have fun walking down memory lane again. Lots of photos of my niece when she was a toddler… Man, was she ever cute!

I’ll be scanning more maybe tomorrow, as I plan on doing some scrapbooking today. (Well, that and laundry *lol*)

Give Daddy a Heart Attack, Why Don’t You

Julie — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:05:12 +0000

Today Josh and I both had dentist appointments to get some teeth filled, and while we were in there, Joe hung out in the waiting room with the rest of the kids. Joe tells me that Alicia was flipping through a People magazine when she said, “Oh my, isn’t that a lovely sight!” … Joe looked over to see her grinning, while looking at a picture of some muscled manly man in swim trunks.

Joe about had a heart attack.

We are sooooo in trouble! … My goodness! She is only SIX YEARS OLD! *sob*

In other news, Amanda’s nail is just about off… It’s barely hanging on, but she’s babying it like no one’s business. *lol* … If it were me, it would be bugging me like crazy, having it hanging there, and bumping things. I predict that it will fall off tonight, when she is sleeping.

Oh, and Gina was right. (That was Gina, wasn’t it?) … It isn’t all dirt under the nail like I thought. Now that I can see under there better, I can tell that it’s a scab.

Not too much else going on… Haven’t been anywhere, except for the dentist… Yesterday I added my newly scanned pictures from 1988 onto my new Flickr account, and today I spent my time scrapbooking for a couple of my creative teams. I am currently downloading another kit with dinosaurs in it, that should be fun to scrap with.

Well, catch ya’ll on the flip side!

Independence Day Layouts

Julie — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:00:27 +0000

Indepedence Day Parade (page 1)

Credit: Celebrate America by Kathryn Estry, Stitching also by Kathryn Estry
Program: Photoshop Elements 5
Fonts: Duchess and Copperplate Gothic Light
Link:

http://www.gottapixel.net/store/product.php?productid=20001

http://digitalscrapbookpages.com/digitals/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=&products_id=11228

Independence Day Parade (page 2)

Journaling:

We were up early, as we needed to leave the house at 8 am. The parade started at 9:30,
and we wanted to make sure we found a parking spot, and places to put up our chairs…
People come from all over, and it fills up FAST. We went to McDonald’s drive through
on the way and got some egg mcmuffins, and then ate while we waited for the parade
to start.

Credit: Celebrate America by Kathryn Estry, Stitching also by Kathryn Estry
Program: Photoshop Elements 5
Font: Willing Race
Link:

http://www.gottapixel.net/store/product.php?productid=20001

http://digitalscrapbookpages.com/digitals/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=&products_id=11228

Independence Day Parade (page 3)

Journaling:

The parade itself was 2
hours long, and it was
probably one of my
favorites… Though I do
miss the marching bands
from local schools.
There used to always be
2-3 different marching
bands in the parade, and
for the last couple
years, there hasn’t been
any. I am wondering if
it’s because of budget
cuts… Maybe the schools
don’t have marching
bands anymore. *shrugs* …
Anyway, there were lots
of fun stuff, and music.
It was a nice parade.

Credit: Stars and Stripes by Lynne Simmons
Program: Photoshop Elements 5
Font: Willing Race
Link: July Designer Spotlight Kit at Gotta Pixel

Independence Day Parade (page 4)

Credit: Stars and Stripes by Lynne Simmons
Program: Photoshop Elements 5
Font: PC Casual
Link: July Designer Spotlight Kit at Gotta Pixel

Independence Day Parade (page 5)Credit: Lady Liberty by Kathryn Estry
Program: Photoshop Elements 5
Font: PC Casual
Link:

http://www.gottapixel.net/store/product.php?productid=20000
http://digitalscrapbookpages.com/digitals/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=&products_id=11227

Independence Day Parade (page 6)Credit: Lady Liberty by Kathryn Estry
Program: Photoshop Elements 5
Link:

http://www.gottapixel.net/store/product.php?productid=20000
http://digitalscrapbookpages.com/digitals/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=&products_id=11227

Independence Day Parade (page 7)

Credit: A Little Independent Bracket Album by Dana Conditt, Papers from the July 2007 Color Starter kit by Dana Conditt
Program: Photoshop Elements 5
Font: Scrap Rhapsody
Links: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.php?productid=17705, http://www.deco-pages.com/product.php?productid=17026

Independence Day Parade (page 8 )

Independence Day Parade (page 9)

Independence Day Parade (page 10)

TidBits

Julie — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:40:03 +0000

Tidbit #1

On July 4th Amanda accidentally slammed her finger in the door. … Poor thing cried and cried. After a while she seemed better, and her finger didn’t get a bruise, so we thought all was well.

Well… I think she’s going to lose her fingernail! It’s completely separatedfrom her finger, and is only attached at the top of the nail. (And when she “plays” with it, it completely gags Alicia *lol*) … It’s got some dirt under it, from playing outside, that doesn’t want to come off while she bathes…

I took that video on Monday… Yesterday I tried soaking it in hydrogen peroxide, to get the dirt off. Some of it did, but it still looks dirty.

Tidbit #2

This clip is from last night… Amanda loves to sing, but always has trouble remembering the words to songs. *lol*

Tidbit #3

The kids have been playing outside a lot… Well, mainly in the evenings, after dinner. Jared says that by then it’s the perfect temperature outside. Anyway, the cat HATES it when the kids are not inside. While they are gone she is either wandering around the house meowing pitifully, or she will park herself next to the back door, waiting for them to come back inside. It is so amusing. *lol*

Tidbit #4

What is up with the kids in this neighborhood?!?!?! First we have Kid #1, who is the one who tells the kids I am ugly, abuses their things, etc (I’ve told you about him before…)

Then there is Kid #2, who strips in front of the other kids.

Now yesterday, there is a third annoying kid…

Jared and Josh were playing in the front yard when some kid rode by on his bike. He looked at Jared and yelled, “You suck!” as he drove by… Now why would he do that? Jared doesn’t even know this kid. *sigh*

What ever happened to manners, respect, and kindness?

Before He Speaks

Julie — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:00:27 +0000

Sorry Amy, couldn’t resist…

Good Morning

Julie — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:32:53 +0000

Hey all! … Thought I would check in, even though we haven’t been up to anything interesting to write about.

Had a leisurely day yesterday. I did some scrapbooking, and other than making dinner, that’s about it. *lol* Dinner was easy too, as we had a chef salad and croissants. I didn’t even have to do dishes, because it was Alicia’s turn…

Jared, Josh, and Alicia all do dishes once a week. Jared does them on Mondays, Josh on Wednesdays, and Alicia on Saturdays. If we eat dinner out (like we did Saturday), then they do the dishes the next evening instead. It works well… They only have to do it once a week, but I only have to do it for half the week… Which is REALLY nice. *lol* It’s a whole lot better than doing them every night.

Alicia had a bit of an accident while she was doing them last night. She wasn’t thinking, and filled the salad bowl up with water, and then when she tried to spill the water into the sink, the ENTIRE bowl of water spilled down her front and all over the floor. Water and suds EVERYWHERE. I wish I would have thought to take a picture, but I was too busy laughing. *lol*… I think that at first she thought she was going to get into trouble, because it looked like she was going to cry, but when I started laughing, she started laughing too and got silly about it. *lol*

Anyway, I got some towels and the boys helped clean up the water. I gave a basket to Jared and told him to “put the wet things” in it… He grinned and said, “OK!”… Then picked up Alicia and pretended like he was going to put HER in the basket. *rofl* … Well, she WAS wet!

I don’t have too much planned for today. I have laundry to do, and I need to pay the bills. That and some regular housework… I promised Josh that I would make french toast for dinner… Jared won’t be impressed with having to wash plates with syrup on it. (Have I mentioned that it’s nice when your kids are old enough for chores. *lol*)

Jared’s Birth Story (pages 9 - 16)

Julie — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 05:00:34 +0000

Jared’s Birth Story (page 9)

Journaling:

I was more awake on
Sunday, and I felt
really good. I was
able to get out of bed, but I wasn’t able to
shower, which
didn’t
impress me too much…
But at at least I got
to hold you in my
arms! That’s what we
spent the morning
doing… Daddy and I
would take turns
holding you… It was
such a wonderful,
quiet morning… our
first morning as a
family… Awesome!

Credit: Sarah Meyer; Worn and Torn Denim Paper and Elements, and Indigo Blue Papers
Program:Photoshop Elements 5
Font: Willing Race

Jared’s Birth Story (page 10)

Journaling:

Since we didn’t know that I would have a c-section and would be in the hospital for 3 days, we didn’t
pack enough stuff for Daddy. He didn’t have enough clothes, and we couldn’t really afford to
have him eating in the cafeteria for every meal… But our family pulled through for us!
Even though it has snowed for most of the day when you were born, Uncle Rudy and
Aunt Crystal drove all the way in from Gresham and picked up Grammy from our house.
Grammy had packed some extra clothes for Daddy, and had made him some
sandwiches and snacks. Then they stayed and visited with us for a while. We had
a really nice time. We chatted, and swapped birth stories… We also got to introduce you to
Melody, and we hoped that you two would become great friends. Auntie Crystal had also
written me a letter, telling us about what went on in the waiting room while you were being
born. I read it allowed to Daddy after they left, and the letter
touched us so much that we both ended up crying. I have that letter
still, tucked into your baby book. A reminder of our family’s
love for us all.

Credit: Sarah Meyer; Worn and Torn Denim Paper and Elements, and Indigo Blue Papers
Program:Photoshop Elements 5
Font: Willing Race

Jared’s Birth Story (page 11)

Credit: Little Boy Joy by Kay Miller Designs, and Template by Kay Miller also
Program: Photoshop Elements 5

Jared’s Birth Story (page 12)

Credit: Little Boy Joy by Kay Miller Designs
Program: Photoshop Elements 5
Font: Willing Race

Jared’s Birth Story (page 13)

Journaling:

On Monday we finally got to see
Dr. Prescott. The first thing he did
was to go take a peek at you in
Daddy’s arms. He said that you
looked like your Mama, and I was
so thrilled! Then he checked my
incision, and said that I could take
a shower… As soon as he left, I was
on it! *grins* … Since the roads were
very icy, we didn’t receive any
company at all… Daddy and I spent
the entire day just talking to each
other and taking turns holding you.
It was such a nice, quiet day (since
I wouldn’t let Daddy turn on the TV
at all during our entire hospital stay!
*grins*) … I am glad we had the day
to get to know you better, and just
be together as a family.
After over 3 years of
waiting for you, it was
exactly what I needed.
I had you all to myself!

Credit: Little Boy Joy by Kay Miller Designs, and Template by Kay Miller also
Program: Photoshop Elements 5
Fonts: Willing Race and CAC Camelot

Jared’s Birth Story (page 14)

Journaling:

Before you were born, Daddy always acted a little
nervouse around babies… Though the older the baby
was, the more comfortable Daddy became. He was
also always good with toddlers and
kids, because Daddy likes to behave
like a kid himself. *grins* … So I was
surprised to see what a baby hog
Daddy turned out to be. He was
always wanting to hold you, and
would reluctantly give you back to
me when I needed to feed you… But,
when it came to diaper changes, he
was more than willing to give you
back to
me… He
didn’t
want to
do that!

Credit: Little Boy Joy by Kay Miller Designs, and Template by Kay Miller also
Program: Photoshop Elements 5
Font: Willing Race

Jared’s Birth Story (page 15)

Credit: Little Boy Joy by Kay Miller Designs, and Template by Kay Miller also
Program: Photoshop Elements 5
Font: PC Casual

Jared’s Birth Story (page 16)

Journaling:

On Tuesday, Dr. Prescott checked my incision and said that I
could be released, and I was more than a little thrilled. While it
was nice having quiet time in the hospital, I was quite through
with having to deal with nurses who kept telling me what to do,
and what not to do… It wouldn’t be so bad if they all had the
same advice, but most of the time they just contradicted each
other, and that got old… I just didn’t feel like I was a “real”
mom while the nurses were telling us when and what to do.
You know?… Most of the
morning was spent waiting…
Waiting for Dr. Prescott to
release me and do your
circumcision. Then we had to
wait for the nurse to come and
check us out… They also said
that since your weight had
dropped to 5 lbs and 13 ounces,
that before they would release us,
we had to make an appt with
Dr. Gyerko first, to discuss
your weight…. So begins the
worries of parenthood!

Credit: Little Boy Joy by Kay Miller Designs, and Scattered Frames by Michelle Swadling
Program: Photoshop Elements 5
Font: PC Casual

Multiple Blessings

A Trip to the Dentist

I *So* Don’t Do Bugs

Protected: Almost Done

20 Years Ago…

More Painting

Looks like Alicia Comes By it Naturally…

Real Men Wear Goatees

Two FREE Digi-Scrap Group Mega Kits

Dino-Grrlz

More Tidbits

Give Daddy a Heart Attack, Why Don’t You

Independence Day Layouts

TidBits

Before He Speaks

Good Morning

Jared’s Birth Story (pages 9 - 16)

I So Don’t Do Bugs