it's SNOWING!!!

Proof...

I'm crazy...

AS IF you didn't already know that! Well, I started back to school today. I'm going back to finish my masters in elemtary education. I have 5 credits and need only 38 more. I know only 38. And I'm scared to death. I do well in school and normally I wouldn't bat an eyelash, BUT I've had more than a few people tell me I'm nuts. I'm doing it all online through the University of Phoenix. I do remember the classes I took before were hard. LOTS of reading and writing. But I THOUGHT I was up to the task. Untill I started telling others. Now, I'm not so sure.

This is where you come in. Reassure me I'm not in over my head. Lie to me if you have to. I'm desperate. I need a boost.

Well, I better go because I have LOTS of reading to do.

And btw, I only did the first day of the Journal Your Christmas class. Not because it's not good, but because I'm a serious slacker and was worried about starting school and getting all my paperwork in order before class started. Which I did, but then today they delivered to my inbox a whole mess more. Lovely.

Take care my friends.

a birthday fit for a princess...

We spent Sara's birthday at Disneyland. We only managed a few rides, but had a wonderful time nonetheless!

First up was her hair and face painting...

And then we rushed across the park to California Adventure to have lunch with Ariel and her friends at Ariel's Grotto. Very expensive (thank you Grandpa Ted), but it was so worth it to see her face light up when each of the princesses came to our table to sign her autograph book and to snap a picture.

After lunch, it was back over to Disneyland where we rode a few rides. Sara finally got to ride Indiana Jones, so she was thrilled to say the least. Between the three times she's been there she has rode nearly every ride. And her favorite? The roller coasters! I have to admit Space Mountain is one of my favorites!

So Sara's birthday was decidedly more exciting than Austin's. But I don't think I could have handled anymore and he doesn't care at this point. Thank goodness!

Stay tuned for my daily musings from the Journal Your Christmas class. I'm hoping they'll be daily, but we'll just have to see how THAT goes! Have a good weekend ya'll!

Journal Your Christmas

Hello all! I wanted to tell you guys about an online class called Journal Your Christmas. It's with Shimelle Laine. I've never taken one of her classes, but I've heard great things about her. I was turned onto this class by reading Donna Downey's blog. Love that girl, she is SO funny. Anyway. I decided to take this class because Christmas is my absolute FAVORITE time of year. No lie. I love all the beautiful sights, wondrous sounds, and not to mention all the delicious smells! Yum. I want to document all this warm and fuzzy goodness.

So...won't you join me? You can either click on the picture over in the sidebar or here. Christmas is a very special time of year and we all have traditions to various degrees. So why not document them for posterity!

And just for fun...

These are our stockings...what's wrong with this picture?

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Short Birthday Recap...

Okay, basically just pictures. :) Austin only got a couple of gifts for his birthday because he's 2 and doesn't really care.

But he did score big on one...

He loves his little quad. And so does Logan. So it's a bit of an issue right now, but it'll all come out in the wash. I'm praying. :)

I'm going to keep this short because my wrist is killing me right now. More updates soon!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUSTIN!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday baby! We love you!

reading...

This little guy right here loves to read/be read to. This is how I found him the other day...just laying on the floor flipping through some books.

I've been rearranging things around the house to improve work flow/ease of use. And kids books were one thing on the list. Austin used to dismantle the kids books on a regular basis. And we have enough kids books for our own public library. I love that. But I don't love cleaning it up. So I put most of them up out of his reach, but still within the reach of the other two children in the house. I left about a dozen or so down for him. And he goes through them EVERY day.

We are still a tad bit worried that he is nearly 2 (Nov 10th) and still doesn't speak. The Dr said to read to him and we do. Alot. And he still doesn't speak. There is no mistaking what he wants, but he doesn't talk. Yet. He has about 6 words that we can make out. I'm sure he'll get there, but just not yet I guess.

Here's to wishing you a Happy Halloween!

Disneyland

Just a quick picture post... We went to Disneyland on Friday. It was the first time for the kids. They were so excited. And we had a great time. We took the camera but didn't get many pictures because we were just flitting around here and there. But while Sara and I were waiting in line for the Matterhorn Jason took the boys on the tea cups again. Notice Austin's facial expressions.

Before the ride started (mind you he'd already been on it once)

And during the ride. My poor little baby looked scared to death. Poor little guy.

And then Jason tried to get a picture of Sara and I on the Matterhorn, but it didn't turn out quite right.

Anyway, I just wanted to share and say that we are all doing well. Hugs to all of you. :D

so he says...

"It's my rocket ship. I built it myself."

Normally I would be more than a little bit irritated that my couch was in such a disarray. But who can argue with imagination?

First Day of School

Okay... I know it's a little bit late to be posting about the first day of school since it's October and everything. But, better late than never is my philosophy! :) We were all very excited for the first day of school.

Here's the traditional first day of school outfit photo...

Should I be concerned with a look like this?

The whole family walked Sara to school...

It's only a half a mile, so we walk it most days. Unless we are running late...
On the kinder playground waiting for the bell...

Bell rang...time for school...

Just like most moms out there, I was a little heartbroken to see my first born heading to school. But I'm excited for her too. She's got a great teacher and loves it so far. She's learning to read, which is SO fun. I love having her read books to me. And the 3 hour break is nice. :) If only from one child.

Science Experiment

Some of you may or may not know that I’m home schooling Logan for preschool. It’s just too incredibly expensive here in California. To put it into perspective, it would cost us significantly more to have Logan in preschool here in CA for 3 days a week than it did to have both Sara and Logan in preschool in VA! (a total of 6 days a week) We purchased the A Beka curriculum and have been using it for about a week. Logan LOVES his “school” work. So much so that I have to tell him that’s enough for today. We even got him a “bell” like at Sara’s school. He totally got a kick out of that.

So this was his “Science” lesson. Just kidding, but it was a teaching moment! My husband Jason is fixing up his 1969 Roadrunner so that’s why there are lots of car pieces in our garage. Luckily for me he cleans them up when he leaves so I can park my truck back in the garage.

So let the instruction begin...

Notice the very large block and tackle hooked to the rafters...

He's pulling and pulling and pulling...

Look at the excitement in his face. He was thrilled that he got his tricycle that far up in the air...

In this picture he's like, now what am I supposed to do with it. Daddy made sure that he didn't get rope burn. Gotta love the guy.

Now here's a lesson for ya...

And we didn't show him this or nothin'. He just waltzed around there and started driving. Diaper and all.

Now isn't that a face only a mother could love! And boy howdy, do I!

And back to the block and tackle. I think it was actually heavier than Logan's tricycle...

sewing project...

So I got my "newer" sewing machine several weeks ago and am LOVING it! (Thanks Des)! And recently I got the latest issue of Quilts and More. It has so many darling projects in it that I've already completetd one (pictures below) and have ordered the fabric for a different project.

This is the crayon roll that I made for Sara. I made it from leftovers from the quilt that I'm making her. Oh how I love this line of fabric.



She loves it and uses it everyday. It was my indoctrination to hand sewing the binding onto a quilt. And I'm NOT liking it very much. First of all, I dispise hand sewing and second of all, a quilt is a big thing. But for creative sake, I'll have to suck it up and do it. Enough of that before I have to go hide in the closet and change my mind. :)

GIVEAWAY!!! - We have a winner!

Okay, so I know I'm a little obsessive, but I wanted to be completely random. So I asked the Random Integer Generator to pick a number between 1 and 2. Isn't that funny. And well it told me...

#1

Congratulations to Bella! Email me your address at marearick@hotmail.com and I'll get it in the mail to you! Thanks girls! Have a wonderful night!



Thought that might get your attention...

I’ve been thinking about a quote by Anias Nin that I’ve seen on 2 different blogs lately.

“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospection”

So I want to give away a copy of Heidi Swapp’s book “Love You Handwriting”. Some of you may or not may not scrapbook, but hey, it’s FREE! So enter anyways. :)

If you scrapbook or otherwise have your hand writing out there for the entire world to see and if you don’t already feel confident, this should help. I have this book, I haven’t read it yet. So I can’t give you a personal testimony, but I do believe in getting your writing out there. There are people in my life that if I see a piece of mail or something from them, I know exactly who it’s from. There’s something comforting in that. . And I treasure the handwritten letters from my grandma. (Hi Nan!).

I know blah, blah, blah. So any who. I want to give away this lovely book. Just leave a comment and tell me whose handwriting you know just by site, besides your spouse or significant other. Actually, just post SOMETHING and you’re in. You have until Wednesday 8pm Pacific time. See, we’re in California now!

much ado or is it much to do???

Regardless, I have much to do. Definitely been a bad blogger. But you guys love me just because I'm me and not because of my blogging skills I'm sure. Any who. Been reading about The Nielson Family. A very heart wretching story. I won't go into too many details, but it's a man and woman that were in a small plane crash. She has a blog that people would frequent and that's how the word got out. They are in a burn treatment facility in Arizona. They also have 4 children that are staying with family. Click on the link and you can find our more about them or even donate to their recovery.



It continually amazes me that the Internet is such a powerful tool/format/monster. You have people around the world pulling for this family that they have never met. Maybe it's not the Internet that amazes me as much as it is the kindness of total strangers. It gives me hope that in this crazy mixed up world of ours that there are many, many, many people with kind hearts that are not only pulling/praying for you, but also going one step further and actually doing something tangible to help. So awesome.



So I'm going to make a little request. I want to ask anyone and everyone that reads this blog (I know all 2 of you) to just tell someone about their plight. Donate if you can. But at the very least tell someone about them. And pray for them if you are so inclined. Ah, the miracle of prayer.



Okay, off my soapbox. And on to some photos. So what are you in the mood for? Humor, transformation, transvestite??? Well, we have them all!!! First up on our photo parade is a combination of humor and transvestite-ness. I know that's not a word, but you get the drift.




Ah, my little imp. He DEFINITELY marches to the beat of his own drum. And might I add very loudly too! I truly hope he doesn't have issues later in life. He wants to do everything his sister does. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.


And now the sweet transformation photos. My baby got his first haircut about a month ago. It's not like I was super attached to his locks, but we were really just waiting until the front of his hair needed a haircut too.

The "Before" photo. Awwww, my sweet baby.

And a series of "the work in progress"...


Okay, I have to tell you that this picture cracks me up. His little feet sticking out from the cape look like strange arms to me. Yes, I know I have issues.

I get this face alot...

And the "After" photos...HELLO!!!! Where did my baby go? Who ran out the door with him? Oh, there he is...

Are you sure? I'm not totally convinced... Sara told me yesterday that she likes his long hair better. Me too girl.

A very long winded post, but sometimes I just have a lot to say. Okay, I usually have a lot to say. But only if I know you because I'm kinda shy. I know shocking. Any who. Have a superb weekend. Peace out people.