Last baby woes

Lately I have been getting so weepy about my little baby growing up. Since he is 99.9% most likely my last child, I am just not ready for him to get big. I know it is what everyone says and goes through, but I can't get over how fast he is growing up. He'll be one in just over two weeks! AHH! The question remains of whether it makes me so weepy that I'd be willing to go through it all one more time....hmmmm.....????????

Fell off the blogwagon

Okay, I have not done much with this lately, but I hope to get caught up here and then get back into this! We had a fun filled, candy gorging Halloween (the gorging was done primarily by me, as I wouldn't allow the kids too much candy, of course). Levi was a mummy and so was Spencer (or some kind of masked mummy that made Caden cry every time he looked at him. To be honest, I knew it was Spencer and it still kind of freaked me out). Levi managed to keep his eyes crossed for every picture that day, and he really was a sight. Kiara was a witch who lost her hat and did her own hair. Emma was an angel ballerina or a fairy princess depending on who asked on what day.

Caden started walking (if you can tell from the pic below) and I am so sad, my baby isn't a baby anymore. It is so adorable how excited my whole family is though. When the other kids learned how to walk, none of the kids cared b/c they were too young...this time there is giggling and whooping and clapping and mass excitement. Caden is really going to have a big head when he gets older I fear. He is just absolutely adored by his whole family.

We also got our family pictures taken, and I will put one or two of them in, but I'll save the rest for our annual Christmas card.

Oh, and football and soccer are over. I was Kiara's coach this year, which was a lot of fun, but made the fall sports season even more chaotic. I don't know what to do with myself if I am not running one kid to or from practice during the week. We get a break until basketball starts in a couple of months. Luckily I don't play basketball and won't get suckered into coaching, but Spencer won't be so lucky. :)

This is Derek and his wife Jaymie and their kids. We took this to frame and give to my parents for Christmas.

Caden walking. Is he proud of himself or what?

The things nightmares are made of.

I won't take credit for this adorable hair do. she did it all on her own.

I am blessed with a husband who actually likes carving pumpkins b/c I loathe the activity. It is messy and sticky and smelly and did I already mention messy? I find pumpkin seeds for weeks after. Ugh. don't let this angelic looking face fool you. There is a devil within. Trust me.

I'm so Quirky

I don't normally participate in tag, but out of due respect for one of my favorite friends, I will do it this time. Love you Meliss! :) Anyway, more info than you ever wanted to know but here goes:

My 6 unspectacular quirks:

1. I must have a blanket on my face to sleep. Even if it is 90 degrees in my room, I have to pull the sheet up over by my face to sleep. It must be from having a "blankie" as a bambina.

2. I am an overly obsessive budgeter. I don't even like gifts from my husband b/c I know where it has to come from. I am also terrible to shop with, b/c I will spend hours collecting things I want, only to leave them at the store, or worse come home and have to bring all the kids to do returns. ugh.

3. I make a menu and a grocery list EVERY time I go to the store. People think it is b/c I am organized, but it isn't. I can't shop without a list and I can't cook without a menu. I am NOT exxagerating about this. My pantry and fridge can be completely stocked but if I don't have a menu telling me what we are eating that night, we will have grilled cheese. if I go to the store without a list, I get cereal, milk and animal cookies. I am totally dependant on my lists!

4. Cooking. I love to try new recipes. This is good in some ways b/c we are always eating new and different things. It is bad in other ways b/c we never repeat (too boring) and Spence and/or the kids will ask "can we have...like we did...." and I can't bring myself to do it. It is also bad b/c I have large amounts of precious storage space used up in cookbooks!

5. I love to read. but, I never have time to do it...so when I finally get a book and decide to read, NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING gets done. My kids don't eat (unless they find their own granola bar from the pantry), dishes don't get done, the phone doesn't get answered, and the TV stays on for longer than it should. Equally bad, I don't go to bed until it is finished. I have stayed up till 3, and 4am just to finish a good book! Haven't I learned about "moderation in all things"? Apparently not when it comes to a good book.

6. Food. I do not like any food on my plate to touch any other kind of food on my plate. The worst is if fruity stuff touches vegetably stuff. And dessert can NEVER be put on the same plate that dinner was eaten on. Ever.

I am now tagging: Nancy, Michelle, Kim, Mari, Havva, and Mikayla.

Rules:1.Link to the person who tagged you
2.Mention the rules on your blog
3.Tell 6 unspectacular quirks about you
4.Tag 6 following bloggers by linking to them
5.Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger's blogs letting them know they've been tagged.

I DID IT!

Okay so running marathons are HARD. Is anyone else surprised by this? Holy cow, I was shocked at how difficult this feat was for me. I am SOO freaking proud of myself, it is probably sinful, but you have to know...I am just NOT a runner. I don't love doing it, I am not driven by this innate need to move quickly for long distances...hmmm....don't get me wrong, I love to exercise, but really running for over four hours straight? that is just plain craziness!

Okay, so for the dirty details: My girls weekend was SO much fun. We got in on Thursday night, stayed up (foolishly) late chatting and watching 27 Dresses. Then we went to the Salt Lake temple on Friday morning (well, closer to afternoon since we were sort of exhausted from staying up so late), and one sleeping pill and a decent night sleep later it was 4:00am and time to head up the mountain! Unfortunately, the altitude was a bit more exhausting than I had predicted and I was plagued with side aches from mile 3 on, but other than that the exhilaration and adrenaline of what we were doing got me through the first 18 miles fabulously. I started to feel my two blood blisters, loose toenails and and aching feet about then, but trudged on and was facing what I had anticipated in weariness...until we hit mile 24. The phrase "hitting a wall" came freshly to my mind at this point and the last two miles seemed to last like 4 hours. I started to feel nauseous (I think due to altitude...and lack of oxygen adjustment), but managed to plug on. If one more side liner said "you are almost there" I MIGHT have hurled my Ipod at them, but we eventually rounded a corner and I saw the finish line and like any normal sane person I started to cry, like the hiccuping cry and laugh at the same time kind of cry. Oh brother. As if I had any energy or non-evaporated water left for tears! But crossing that finish line was a feat more difficult than I could have imagined and i was so so so happy! More importantly, I beat Oprah.

Okay, so moving on...after the marathon we were exhausted and sore, but that didn't slow us down...it was a girl's weekend after all, so we had to eat, shop, and get a hair cut...so now that I am officially a marathoner, i thought it appropriate to drastically alter my style:

After all that partying was done, we stayed up ridiculously late again (I mean really we have to enjoy every moment of non-child-interrupting time don't we?) and we tried on all of our new clothes, ate our deserved extra calories in skittles and Peanut M&M's and laughed (gossiped, but just a bit...)and had a great time.

I am purposefully not mentioning the few glitches that occurred during the short weekend (losing cell phones, PUMPING every several hours or not getting to pump every several hours and having bowling ball boobs, my mental breakdown over not getting my suitcase packed in time for church and scaring everyone with a burst of unexplainable and quite laughable tears at the sight of the mess of my stuff, losing boarding passes, and questionable Sabbath day activities) but overall I wouldn't change a thing (okay, next time I am NOT breastfeeding) and had a great time. I learned a lot and got to know my friends even better. Here is us at the airport after all the fun was coming to an end, looking forward to our next big adventure (which may involve husbands and a half marathon in some exotic place if we can talk the men into it!).

Top of Utah!

Okay, this weekend is my big marathon! Yeah! I am sooo excited for this to be overwith mostly. I can move on with my life and not spend every weekend running, sore, and blue toenailed. I don't have expectations of time, though I will be admittedly disappointed if I don't beat Oprah...but even if I don't, I'll be happy to cross that finish line! :) I have trained, so now I just hope it all pays off and it is a good experience. I leave tomorrow for Utah, and we get to hang out Friday, run on Saturday and come home Sunday night. It is my first EVER girl's weekend away. I have never left my kids and I am weirdly sad about it. Caden is so little and Kiara cries every time she thinks about it (though Emma point blank told me she won't miss me and she won't be sad...hmmmm...). I need them to miss me and I really need to miss them! I have the greatest friends I am going with and I can't wait to have some me time, it will be SO much fun (well, if I survive, forecast shows snow on the mountains and between the cold and the altitude there is potential for disaster here...ahhhh...excited but nervous...).

I'll take lots of pictures and do a real post when I get back!

The WinCo Miracle

Okay, for those of you not familiar with this particular grocery chain...let me indulge you. It is huge, it is crowded, it is cheap (no comments about why this would attract me there please), and it is a mother's nightmare. It is one of those exciting places where you not only drudge through the giant warehouse, but you unload all your groceries onto the counter, you pay, then you bag your groceries, load your cart, load your car, drive home, and unload your car and inevitably need a pill or at the very least a nap immediately following. I have not ONCE entered this facility without anxiety, grouchiness, a little sweat and I have more than once shed a tear or two in the produce isle (coincidentally the first isle you enter when coming in the store).

Now, if you are concerned that I might have some kind of clinical grocery phobia (I am not denying this), it would be different if I shopped alone, but lo, I rarely do. Since Caden was born I go on weekends, weeknights, or (bless him) send my husband. I am quite literally terrified of what might happen if I bring more than one child into this particular store.

This brings me to the point of this rambling...this weekend, while my husband (and nearly all my closest friends, I might add...) were off running Hood to Coast, I was stuck at home without any food. What is a good mother to do? Let us all eat Pork and Beans for every meal since that was the only virtually edible thing in our pantry? No...we bribe. That is what we do. We bribe our children. With candy. Or popsycles. Or in my case...both.

I gave them the lecture of "no racing, no climbing, no yelling, no begging, no fighting, no throwing..." (all of which are done on a regular basis while at WinCo). Not one ounce of me truly believed I would survive this hour of torture, but we had to eat and I was desperate. Heaven was looking out for me this particular Saturday afternoon, however. My kids were absolute angels. I kept pinching myself so I'd wake up...are these really my kids? When Emma was looking at some Scooby Doo fruit snacks and I said "come on Emma" she said "okay mom!" and walked RIGHT NEXT TO MY CART. It was honestly, truly better than Christmas.

I came through on my end. They got to EACH choose a box of popsycles (okay, they had to choose from the green sale labels only...I didn't totally go crazy here...), and they each got to choose a candy from the checkout isle. I tried to explain to them that when they make mom happy, THEY are happy. I am not sure they heard me between chomping of Bubble Tape and slurping of suckers, but I think the point was made...mom can and will be bribed.

Camping Fun

I love summer. I love the lack of structure, the warm summer nights, camping, sleeping in, staying up late, swimming, the whole shebang. I do grow weary of the whining, fighting, MILLIONS of Popsicle sticks in my grass, 13 extra kids in my backyard, and the laundry that has officially tripled in the last two months. We went camping at the beach this last weekend. It was really fun. Caden wasn't a HUGE fan of sleeping in the tent (thus, neither was I...Spence still managed to snore through it all...), but other than being a wee bit tired, we had a great time. Here are some pictures of all our camping fun:
I carried Caden around in our backpack most of the time to keep him from eating dirt, bugs, and leftover hotdogs...he would just crash right on my back!

The Hornet

I am actually a bit numb with shock just TYPING this blog post since I never dreamt I'd be a wife of a motorcycle man...but what do you know? Here I am, wife of a motorcycle man. It all started with the rising cost of gas (he drives a suburban to work every day), my neurotic complaining of budget problems, and my husband's desire to drive a two wheel death defying machine. I said no the first probably 35 times he asked, but when he did a full spread sheet on how much gas money it would save (sick that this is what had me sway slightly on the topic...) I managed a "hmmm...we'll see" instead of a "are you crazy? NO WAY!". Well, my husband took the "we'll see" as "go on Craig's list the next day and BUY ONE". I was visiting up the street with my neighbor when I see my husband driving up the road followed by a motorcycle and the guilt was written all over his face. You should have seen my march home AND the look on the poor bloke who drove the motorcycle when he saw MY face. Well, a few weeks and lots of practice later (oh and a new jacket and helmet...which is why I now affectionately call him "The Hornet") he is officially licensed and on the road. Heaven help us all!!

My little fatbaby

A day at the park...

He does not love peas, just like his mama!!

Sleeping fatbaby at the pool.

Elvis or John Travolta?

Okay Caden woke up with the funniest hair the other day and we couldn't get over it! His bedhead is pretty glam.

half marathon, father's day, and the last day of school

The last week has been busy! First of all, it was the last week of school and all the assorted parties and hoopla that entails. I seriously can't believe I have a third grader and a first grader now! We are all so excited that it is summer. I love not having such a rigid schedule and a million things to run around to. Now I just need to embrace the chaos and try and remain calm amidst the arguing, fighting, whining ("I'm bored...what can I do?") and running back and forth to swim lessons.




For Father's day I got Spence a firepit, some roasters and marshmallows (and graham crackers and hershey's chocolate). We had a blast making smores in our backyard. Who says you can't have outdoor fun when you live in suburbia????






Finally, it is my half marathon! I finished and felt strong...it was great. I can't even begin to comprehend running 13 MORE miles, but I can't really think about that, or I will get very discouraged. In the meantime, I really enjoyed the race and was surprised at how NOT unpleasant it ended up being!



I'll throw in a few other pictures of the zoo, swim lessons, Kiara's first piano recital and some friends and anything else I can find since I haven't posted in ages.

Birthday and Running (again)

Okay so you might be sick of me talking about running all the time, but it seems like that is all I am doing as of late. I will not drone on about it for too long, other than to say I am up to 11 miles and I am surprisingly enjoying myself. Yesterday the weather was gorgeous, we got up early and ran in a really beautiful area. The entire run was flat (yeah!!) until the end where there was about a half mile stretch up hill. I plugged in both headphones (usually we talk the entire run, but I needed some Creed to push me up the hill) and made it! I was so proud of myself! It wasn't like I was smokin' fast or anything, but I have to say, running long distance is such a great feeling. Pushing your body longer and harder than ever and realizing how strong you really are... I love it!

Okay, I will quit droning on and on about running...but it is a bit all consuming! Better topic...my birthday!! I turned 31 and let's be honest, is there a more boring number? It wasn't a dreaded birthday or an exciting one, just a boring one. BUT, I did something a bit unprecedented...I hired a house cleaner to come and I left and took the girls to our gym where we swam (Caden sat and watched) and then I ran a few errands and came home to a sparkling house. Spencer thought I was crazy to not spend my birthday money on clothes or something more exciting, but you have NO idea how happy having a clean house made me! I sang "happy birthday to me" ALL afternoon long (much to my children's chagrin). Then, a friend of mine gave me the all time most coveted guest pass to the Nike Employee store and I spent a little too much money on running gear (probably not a good idea to go shopping on one's birthday b/c suddenly I felt very justified in making more purchases than necessary). I have a bag full of returns (the ever present "buyer's remorse" that I am painfully cursed with), but the day of shopping and house cleaning was glorious. There was a bit of guilt as I went to bed thinking about how I was living like a rich person when I don't have the paycheck of one, but it was my birthday and we all need to live like the rich on occasion, right????????? (Everyone nod and say, "Yes, Chelsea", I don't need any more guilt on the subject). Anyway, some of my great friends took me out to lunch at Panera bread (my all time favorite lunch hangout) and so it was an all around great birthday. Who ever said turning 31 was boring? Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me...hee hee.

Da Scoop

Okay, so I was very surprised by my disappointment of not getting selected in the St. George lottery...so disappointed, in fact, that I ended up researching another Saturday run and signing up for the Logan marathon. I have heard it is relatively flat and well organized, so I signed up and booked my flight. My girlfriends and I are already planning the massages, the Mustang convertible rental car, sleeping in, and the hot tub after. Sad that a marathon is my excuse for a fun girl get away...next time it will be shopping, eating out, and pedicures fo sho! I told my girls about getting into the race, and Kiara (my 6yo) enthusiastically says: "Mom you are a rockstar!", I was pleased that I was getting the respect I deserved for this until Emma (my 3yo) says: "Yeah mom, you are a BIG rock!" Unfortunately at the speed I run, Emma might have been more accurate in her compliment.

So the picture has nothing to do with my post, but I like to look at pictures, and well, he's just so cute!! :)

Marathon Insanity

In an effort to get in shape this summer, I joined a running "group" (Portland Fit) to train for the Helvetia half marathon. The group actually trains for the Portland marathon, but that has been of NO interest to me. (Who knowingly CHOOSES to subject themselves to such painful torture???). Well, after agreeing to run in the group with a few of my good friends, I somehow managed to succumb to a whirlwind of peer pressure and sign up for a marathon.

I am in the lottery for the St. George marathon, which with any luck I'll get denied and then I can get the aching pit in my stomach to quit reminding me of my stupidity. I am not a runner, and though I have run hundreds of miles in the course of my life, I still can't claim to be a runner for two reasons: 1. I am slow. 2. I hate it. The ONLY things that keep me running are that it is great for losing baby weight, and I really love the feeling of being DONE running. We find out whether we made the lottery on May 8th. Then I get to look forward to spending my ENTIRE summer and EVERY weekend for the next 4+ months pounding pavement...really, seriously, I mean what in the WORLD was I thinking? I better look pretty freaking HOT in my swimsuit this summer...

Cutie Patootie

I haven't had five minutes to spare to post anything of interest, but I thought I'd put up some pictures so all my blogging friends don't totally give up on me. These pictures are all courtesy of my adorable SIL (Jaymie Leinenbach) who is a really great photographer. Lucky me to be related to someone of such talent! :) Oh, and Levi was at school the day we took pictures, just in case you are worried that we love the other kids more...

Finances

In our house, I am in charge of the finances. This is a double edge sword, so to speak. I don't ever have to ask permission to make purchases and I can also "hide" unnecessary ones. However, those benefits are VERY short lived. I often wish my husband would just hand me my weekly allowance and I wouldn't have to fret over every penny spent or saved. The whole equal ownership in the money does nothing for me. I'd love it if I had no idea where we stood financially.

Every morning, I balance the books, check and enter it into our budget, rearrange where money can and should go. I also spend several hours a month researching investments, finding better ways to spend, save, earn. Every afternoon when I walk to the mailbox I am filled with a loathing disdain for what awaits me...more bills. Will it ever end? The supposed benefit of "hiding" unnecessary purchases is a myth, b/c I see the bottom line every day and I know that we can't or shouldn't make that purchase, so I rarely do. I think it would be better if I just didn't know.

I am working on an emergency fund these days and I finally transferred money from our savings into a money market account where I am making a whopping 3.5% interest...which is about 3.48 more than I was making at my savings account! I also opened up 529's for my kids. Now I need to research some mutual funds and an IRA b/c I have heard those are good to have too. It just never ends. It is always haunting me that we won't have enough to pay for college, missions, retirement...never mind all the things I want to spend my money on right now!! My goal is to be so on top of our finances that I don't have to go to work to make money, but b/c I invest, save, and spend so well it will be almost as good as me bringing in an income. If only I didn't love to spend money so much, my goals would be much more easily attained!! :)

I am on a bit of a kick right now...this is Emma in her pillow case dress. They are super easy and way fun to make. I am in a constant look out for cute pillowcases to make dresses out of for my girls. This one came in a set of two for $4 at Ross. Since I have two girls, it makes for perfect matching sister dresses...Love it! Then, my SIL taught me how to make adorable headbands and bows and so now the girls have a matching hair thing to go with each and everyone of their outfits. Since I can never find five minutes to do anything big (like quilt or scrapbook like I used to), I am enjoying small scale projects I can finish in a short period of time despite a million and one interruptions.

Thumbs

My fourth child, and I have my first thumb sucker. It is the most adorable thing, as if he could be any easier than he already is! Now when he gets the least bit uncomfortable he just pops his thumb in! Of course, when he is 12 and headed to highschool that won't be as cute, but for now I am enjoying it.