A "boy" room!!

We finally got the upstairs done…it’s so weird to have a “boy” room up there! We’re about 9 days away from the due date, and two weeks from induction, so this is my last chance to get the pictures up! I could just post the pics, but I’ll explain them in too!

Thanks to my sister-in-law and all her vinyl, we finished the playroom (well, all the rooms)! I love decorating, not that I’m great at it, but I really LOVE doing things myself and creating the rooms as inexpensively as possible (since the decorating budget is limited :D) Sometimes I pretend I’m on Trading Spaces- except my carpenter is way hotter than Ty Pennington!!! Decorating has become the only activity my right brain gets these days. Anyways, I found this Amy Butler fabric a long time ago and loved it, so that became the inspiration for the room. I picked my very talented friend’s brain last year on furniture placement, and she gave me some of the ideas…thanks Leslie!! We hit Ikea to get all the accessories- which happened to be the perfect color scheme! Troy and his Dad built the art desk and metal display board, hung the lights, and hung the swing on their last visit...so it’s officially done! If you can’t see from the picture, the quote above the board says, “It took me four years to paint like Rafael, and a lifetime to paint like a child. –Picasso”. The girls love the room!!






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So, we debated on the baby’s room for a while. I love all of the trendy boy stuff, but then became really sensitive to the fact he’s going to have to grow up in the pink dress-up world with 4 sisters…so, I wanted it to be all boy- I even looked into camo, guns, and dead animals for the walls! After slaving on the big girl’s nurseries and turning around in two years to re-decorate a big girl room- I decided this one would start as a big kid room with a crib, and in a few years, I’d just have to take down the crib and add a train table. We ended up with “vintage” sports (since that’s all his Daddy is really into)… “vintage” just meant I didn’t like the primary colored “sports” look- so we made do with the darker colors (the flash makes the walls look different in every picture- but it's really the more navy color). I called Troy’s old lacrosse coach from BYU (actually his wife Megan…. thanks again Megan!!) and got his jersey from the National Championship in 2000. My girlfriend made the matching baby jersey and our good friends gave us the old lockers they were getting rid of. They were taken out of a high school years ago… we painted them and added all of the boy cousin’s names to the front- it turned out cute. Then, I got this idea for Troy to make a goal over the twin bed in the room, but I wasn’t sold it would look good- and didn’t want to waste the money if I didn’t like it, so we found the goal at academy we could return (exactly like what I had in my head) and ended up really liking it. I found some awesome vintage sports pics online at a really expensive baby boutique- I was trying to budget for them when my friend called and found these pics at a tent sale for 10$ each. (way better then 110$) My hot carpenter popped off the stars on top, painted them brown, and Cara made the vinyl words- and the other lettering on the walls. Then, we took some vintage golf clubs Troy had and hung the curtains and topped them with a handmade baby gift with his name on it my friend made us. We just need to add his pictures when he comes!

Now, my next project is the upstairs bath, I think it’s only fair we bail with the big chenille flowers and lady bugs and go with something more masculine- but Troy reminded me he won’t even use it for a couple of years. Any body got any suggestions for a neutral bathroom?

Ok, there it is, thanks again to all involved in the group effort…especially to Troy, after two long months of late night projects, he can finally get some rest! Well… maybe only for 9 more days!

Oh, and here's a pic of the Eifel tower Trent and Cara made for the twins room too- it turned out perfect!

January Update...

We just had our first little boy shower!! My sisters threw a party at my mom's and here's a few pics from that..the camera didn't exactly make it around that night, so I didn't have too many! It was really fun, and I love my friend's who came in all the way from Houston (AmySue and Brie)! I am especially proud of the pic of Sara, Brie and I because for the first time in 8 years, I am not the only one pregnant in the picture- we all are!! It was so weird to open blue stuff and boy clothes, but really fun! (Since my brothers are worried, I promise my hair won't get any shorter)!! We're getting ready for our little guy, and I'll post one more time before he comes, since I promised to put pics up of the room!

Here's a few pics to update the last couple of months...I wish I was better at this, but since I wait so long in between the task gets bigger and bigger! Maybe when the baby comes, I'll keep up on it (yeah right).

Gracie turned two!! She’s fabulous. I know, her personality is challenging, but she’s really funny! So, this year, I had this bright idea of a “traveling party”. Instead of a crazy, chaotic party at my house where Gracie doesn’t get to see anyone, we would take our kiddos and a mini party to our families individual houses. This way, she could spend a few minutes with all of her favorite people. I baked a ton of cupcakes (my kids had to have mini sized since they would have 6) and hats and balloons, and off we went. I was very surprised how well the scheduling worked out with 6 stops and my busy family. So at 8:30 we started @ Grandma Connie’s (her great-grandma’s) retirement community. (Those people really love kids, it’s always a treat to go there and be reminded of how blessed we are and how quickly our kids will grow up). Anyways, we had a cupcake, sang Happy Birthday, and opened a present at each home. Then to Mama and Papa’s, to Aunt Shellee’s, to Aunt Wendy’s, to Aunt Chelsea’s, grabbed lunch, and ended at Aunt Sara’s. (Aunt Stacey just had a baby, so we thought it would be best to leave them off the schedule!) My little idea really wore us out completely and we didn’t get home until 2pm exhausted and full of cupcakes. But Gracie loved it and it was nice to spend a few minutes with everyone. So, here’s some of that fun!

Addie’s run in with the sidewalk. So, she comes inside - not crying - just to tell me something was really wrong. Then she moved her hand, and I almost threw up. You can’t really get the full impact from these pictures, but it was awful- Massive Headwound Harry. She was out on her bike jumping the ramp with the boys and fell over. Troy was kind of proud that she was taking the jumps- and wanted me to know she did it 5 times before she fell off.
After the drama wore off, she wanted to go do it again. And no, she wasn’t wearing a helmet…nice I know.

Copie and Brookie were inducted into the Hall of Fame at school. Their teachers decided they deserved their own day, so they did them a week apart. Thanks to Mama and Papa for the early morning trips- they were so excited! They are loving school and have done really well in their own classes, I’m really glad we made the decision to separate them. So here’s Copie’s quote from the week…Brookie was throwing a fit the other day, and a really good one-crying, screaming, the whole nine yards. After I sent her to her room, Copie looked at me with a serious, concerned voice said, “Mom, I think I know what’s wrong with Brookie.” “Oh, really, what is it?” I said. “I think she’s special needs.”

Christmas was great- the girls were very spoiled by all of their grandparents! We stayed around here and were able to get lots of things done around the house, well, Troy was able to get lots of things done around the house :0). He sure loves me! Or he’s unwilling to pay anyone else to do anything he can do. Love that guy! Troy’s parents came down at the beginning of the month and he and his Dad yet again tackled some great projects. They made an art desk in the playroom, a big metal display board, and I even convinced my father-in-law it was a good idea to hang a swing from Ikea to the rafters of our playroom. (Still don’t think he thinks it’s a great idea, but he did a great job anyway)! Thanks mom and Dad for all your help- we love you!! I’ll post those pics when it’s done.
And the quote for this week…comes again from Copie, concerning the new Wii games they got for Christmas..
Copie: “Mom, Addie called me a name..”
Addie: “No I didn’t”
Copie: “Yes, you did. You called me ‘I win, you lose, now you got a big bruise’”

Fall Update...

Well, this time of year is always busy for our family, so here it goes!! In October, Troy and I were able (thanks to the group effort of my family and neighbors) to take advantage of a Tax conference in Austin and take off for a few days. We celebrated our belated birthdays and anniversary…eight years...boy am I glad the years are beginning to catch up with kids—barely! We had a wonderful stay at our favorite B&B in Fredricksburg-http://www.chuckwagoninn.com/, we stayed in The Bollinger Cabin (I highly recommend it in case you ever need a get-away!!) And then to Austin for a few days. I got to spend a whole day relaxing in hotel room by myself- it was wonderful! Then back to real life of crazy schedules…Addie turned 7 years old October 23rd! I know, she’s so big- how did I get a seven year old?





She opted not to have a birthday bash and instead wanted to take her cousins to see High School Musical 3. I jumped on the idea to skip all the planning and took 18 people to see the movie. It was a cute little (FULL length) musical, but I must admit I was a bit shocked at how the cast had “matured” in the last few years. They were so innocent in the beginning, and dressed a bit too sexy this time around!

So during the movie, Addie pulled out her front tooth, and of course had to show it to all of us. I don’t know what it is about the mouth, but the hanging threads of a tooth really gross me out.

Anyways, then there’s Halloween and the debate of what are the girls going to be…I’ve enjoyed the years of the “themed” costumes, but that has come to an end (due to my lack of creativity). So, this year I talked them out of the cheerleader thing, because we could use that one next year and easily add the boy to the mix. And they talked me out of the three blind mice thing with Gracie being a piece of cheese, and we settled on pink fairies. Not too exciting I know, but we thought we’d do one more big she-bang of all pink…pink clothes, pink tights, pink tutu’s, pink hair spray, pink wings…before we throw in the blue!

They were very cute and had a blast. Someone please take all the candy out of my house. I’ve hid it high from the girls, but how do you hide it from my prego rear end? It’s time to just throw it away! Anyways, now we move onto to Gracie turning two, the Holidays and all the work we have to do before Feb. Anybody got any cute ideas for the baby’s room? We are debating making the trip up to visit Troy’s family in Utah for Christmas, but we’ll see- I’m sure that trip would make for one very entertaining blog!!

Looking for a "Tummy Mommy"!

As most of you have seen, most of my blogs have been on the lighter side of life- a means to add some humor to my life (see video on the Grace-Face post). But this one is different, I wanted to post about my sister and brother-in-law. As many of you know, Chelsea and Clint were chosen by a birth mother in June to adopt a baby girl. Long story short, the birth mother changed her mind, and went home with the baby. We were all at the birth per the request of the birth mom, and after holding and loving her for a week, Chelsea and Clint had to move on. I know many of you, if not everyone of you, have been touched by this pain in someway, so you can understand my efforts to help in any way possible!

I should take a minute and just say how wonderful Chelsea and Clint are- but for those of you who know them, there isn’t much that needs to be said. They are truly the salt of the earth and the two of them have the biggest hearts I’ve ever seen, and are always an example to me! How blessed I am and my children are to have them in their lives…

Feel free to comment on my blog (or theirs) and I’ll get it to them and of course you can email either of us if you need! Here's the direct link to their profile through their adoption agency...their full story is in the links in the blue line above the picture

http://www.providentliving.org/ses/birthmother/viewsingleprofile/0,12272,2133-1-10165-1-1,00.html

And here’s their blog link they recently set up for “tummy mommies” as they call them, and hopefully their story will stay in your hearts to pass on if ever needed.

http://www.clintandchelsea.blogspot.com/

"Grace- Face"

“GRACE-FACE”

Wow, I fell off the blog bandwagon, but lot's of things are going on around here, so I'll get updated! Tonight was a great night.... I had the missionaries and my neighbor over for dinner and I wanted all 9 of us to sit around the table, so we were all pretty close. I just got everyone served and as I pulled my chair up, Gracie puked all over her plate, the table, herself and me...it was awesome- I was waiting for one of the missionaries to puke on me too- oh well, all that matters is we tried, right? So, on that note, I thought I'd dedicate this post to Gracie! I had some great pictures of her, but I also wanted to highlight her in a “Top Ten” manner when I post these great pics so you can get to know her little personality. She is her own little person, full of...let's say "spark". I love the cereal on the head, and being totally naked when I got her up from a nap...nope, the other three never did this! She is really cute and I secretly like it when she’s not feeling well, because she will actually sit and let me snuggle with her- other than that, she is always on the go! Anyways, her best friend is her Aunt Chelsea and she loves her sisters too! She’s not around me much when they are home, but don’t worry, when they are at school, she needs my constant attention. When I leave the room, I give her about 5 seconds until “Mommy, where are you???” and it’s constant talking. She cracks me up and she has renewed that sense of “first time mom”, as she throws stuff at me I haven’t seen my others do!! So, here it its…the Gracie top 10!


10. Transition child-- She is preparing the way for a boy…like, by standing on the kitchen table and as I walk to get her, she begins jumping and then says “Look, I’m jumping.” I’m not stupid. I realize I have somewhat let her get away with way more and have some ownership, but she really was born with an extra spark in her spirit. I’m hoping I can crack down on some of the issues, but I am grateful the children who are sent to the world at this time are strong - they will need it!!

9. The bathroom--we have to be really careful to keep the bathroom door shut, because she pulls the toilet paper off as fast as she can and goes running through the house. My favorite was the other day. She came out with a huge wad of toilet paper- wiping her nose and said, “My honk is running!”

8. Let’s see how mommy handles this one in public???-- She is my Humbler…So, we’re at gymnastics the other day and I said it’s time to go, so she hit me on the shoulder and then kept hitting me several times in the waiting room at gymnastics with all the other moms...seriously, I know what they were thinking… “I would never let my kid do that”—well, she already did, and it took me 4 kids to get one that hit me! She’s got all kinds of tricks to pull out for the first time, but only when there are other people watching her!

7. Is she your first?-- I love this question when we are out in public. No, she’s not my first, she’s my fourth, I know exactly what I’m doing …it’s called surviving the first trimester. The last few months I’ve been too sick and puky to take her on, and she screams the loudest- so, if we’re in the car and she’s screaming, she’s going to get what she wants. In fact, if she’s screaming anywhere, her sisters give her what she wants. I’ve made my bed, I’ll have to lay in it, but sometimes you just have to do what works until you can stop vomiting and handle the situation like a grown up! And yes, honey, when you’re in the check out line after a big trip to the grocery store, and she’s on her last leg, cell phones are a toy!! I’m totally understanding why the “youngest child” gets such a bad rap!

6. Tantrums--- My favorite tantrum is the sad boo boo lip, the dramatic “Oh No”…then slow motion fall to the knees, then down to her face- all in a dramatic slow motion way. It’s still funny to me, not so much when they are five, but the under two still cracks me up. Seriously, who taught her that? It’s as if they all come down with the inherent gene to throw themselves on the floor. I assure you, Troy and I have never shown this to her.

5. Can’t catch me---How about the running from me?? No, I’ve never been a fast athlete,
(as some of you I played with over the years know I was generally there to provide comic relief, not trophies), but I’m really not fast 5 months pregnant. I can appreciate that my girls all seemed to get their Dad’s athleticism and speed- except when it makes me look stupid. There is no question she is faster than me, and let me tell you how awesome I look chasing her down in the middle of the field during the twins soccer game. And right when I think I’m going to catch her, I go for the grab, and she seriously jukes me and spin moves the other way…of coarse everyone is laughing, not to mention I’m running in public!! And Gracie thinks it’s a hilarious game and yells “Funny mommy?” So, I’ve decided, I don’t care if Daddy’s is on the field coaching, he’s catching the one year old who is faster than me the next time she gets her big break.

4. Crazy vocabulary and Repeating—So, I dropped my cottage cheese on the floor loading the groceries into the car at Wal-Mart and said “ oh crap”. So, she immediately threw her sippie cup and said “oh crap, I dropped it.”
It’s kind of weird to hear vocabulary, she’s just a tiny little thing, but she can fully communicate very clearly what she wants to say, it’s kind of frightening.

3.Most embarrassing moment-- Let me paint the picture for ya…It’s the week before school started I took Gracie to Wal-Mart to get stuff for the girls lunches. The “lunch” isle was packed with other parents doing the same thing, and as my hands are occupied slowly pushing my cart and my eyes looking on the shelves, and she does the double squeeze on the “you know what’s” and cracks up. I assure you again, she has never seen this done before, and I’m pretty sure she hasn’t seen Sixteen Candles (Tune in Tokyo). See, this is what I mean when I say she throws me curve balls I’ve never seen before. What do you do in this situation?? Seriously??? I tried not to make a big deal and just calmly say “No Gracie”, but I was quite embarrassed and yes, several people saw it!

2.Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde---She’ll scowl her eyebrows and shout me some orders like, “No, mommy, no like that...no want that!!! (Then she’ll throw it) Then she’ll turn her head like a puppy and in a sweet high tone, say, “K?” We’re proud that we’re noticing principles of self- correction at such a young age! Self-correction…multiple personalities, whatever…

1. Dad calls her King Kong--She got this name several months ago as we watch her play with toys. So, I wanted to catch her tantrum on video (because it’s still funny to me because she's so little), so I pulled out the camera when she was cranky to see what I could get. She didn’t throw the tantrum, but she shows us the “King Kong” element…you can see why she was coined the name! If you can't hear her talking, you'll have to pause the music (all the way at the bottom) so you can hear what she says... but check out Copie's eyes and the very end, it's classic!