Who's Hungry????

Is anyone else super excited to see The Hunger Games????   I can't wait.  I read all three books in just under a week.  Who doesn't just love Peeta?!?!?!?!?

I have a feeling I'm going to have to be a total nerd and go see it by myself......me and the billion teenage girls that'll be there.  I don't actually remember the last movie I went to that wasn't a kids' movie.  How sad is that?!?!?!?  There's no way I'll be able to talk Jake into going with me.

New Job and a knee pop!!!!!

So, first things first.  I got a new job........way back in August!!!!  I don't think I've ever adequately put into words how much I HATED my old job.  They were just horrible to work for.  Horrible, I tell ya!!!  I love my new job...well, for the most part.  I did have to take a pay cut, but it's soooo worth it.  My day is usually done by 11:30a.  That's right, that little "a" is for A.M.  Totally awesome!!!  I do have over time each week, but no biggie.  I also get to keep Drew home with me.  No more daycare.  It totally more than makes up for the pay cut.  My work day is already half over before I wake Shea up to get ready for school in the morning.

Drew found some long-lost mustaches my mom gave him a while back!!


So, I got back into running again last year.  I love it.  It's a total stress reliever, energizer, make me feel young again kind of thing.  I'm training for the Drake Relay 8k run in April.  But then something horrible happened last night, my knee popped as I was bending down, and I'm in horrible pain every time I bend my knee the slightest, like even going up and down my stairs.  No, I wasn't getting ready to run or playing with the kids, or jamming out to Just Dance3, I was just kneeling down to pet Ruger.  How in the world does that happen!?!?!?!?!?  I'm thinking I might have to go get an X-ray if it doesn't get any better.  I'll give it a few days.

The kids stretching with me before the Des Moines race.

I am sooo wanting to run a half marathon.  There are a few here in Des Moines, but I'm wanting to do one in Minneapolis that they have in August.  I'll never be a full marathoner.  Something is just not right about willingly running 26.2 miles.  Something's not right about doing a half marathon either, but I do want to do it at least once.  The Disneyworld race would be totally awesome!!  You run through all four theme parks with a lot of fun stuff to do.  It's a whole weekend event with different distance races.  How fun would that be?!?!?!?!?

The kids and I at the Des Moines marathon.

Hope everyone's having a fantastic weekend wth no silly knee injuries!

Dam to Dam and a blog you just have to read

You all need to go to this blog Kelle Hampton...well, everyone except Betsy.  Betsy, you are absolutely not allowed to read this blog until AFTER you have your baby.  Deal????  When you pull up her blog, go down to the very bottom.  There's a heading called popular posts.  Start reading the first post that says Nella Cordelia: A Birth Story.  I've been following her for a while and have read this particular post many a time.  She has an awesome way with words.  She's a photographer and her pictures are awesome.  She must take a bazillion pictures a day.  Maybe some of you are already following her.  If you all aren't crying by the end of the post, well, then you're all just dead inside....dead!!!

If you're not dead, then you'll thank me for sending you over to her blog.  Maybe I'm overhyping it, but I just happen to like her blog a lot.

Anyways..........I ran the Dam to Dam earlier this month.  I only ran the 5K, and believe me, that was plenty.  Maybe I'll actually keep running and do the 20k next year.  That's a big maybe.  I have a feeling I'll be running the 5k again.  It was super fun and SUPER crowded.  It was a zoo.  I finished 20 seconds under my goal time.  No, I won't tell you what it was.  Let's just say that I'm certain I could have done a ton better if I would have trained more than once every two weeks....pathetic, I tell ya.

They have a kids' run where they break the kids up according to their age.  I ran with Drew in the 100 meter.  He had a lot of fun.  I can't believe Jake didn't get a picture of him running.  He didn't get a picture of me either.  He said he was right at the finish line but didn't see me cross.  I totally believe him.  With 11,000 people running, it was super crazy.

Shea did awesome in her run.  If you know Shea, you know that she lives to run.  She totally kicked butt in her 200 meter and WON her race.  She was so stinkin' fast.  There were about 50-60 kids in her race.  Drew and I got her to the start line and then hussled to the midway point to watch her.  Drew was such a good little cheerleader.  Jake caught a  pic of her crossing the finish line.  According to Jake, the boy behind her was way behind her but was trying to make a last ditch effort.......good try little guy but not against my girl.  She's dying to do another race now.

This next one is only about a tenth of the people getting ready to run the 5k.

 
I hope you all had a great weekend celebrating Father's Day!!

I-Cubs baseball

Jake and I took the kids to go see the I-Cubs play against the Tucson Padres this past weekend.  What fun!!!!  The kids had an absolute blast.  Truth be told, I don't think they watched any of the game.  They were just there for the atmosphere.  Shea and I got on the big screen.  Shea thought that was the coolest thing ever!!

The I-Cubs mascot Cubbie made his way over to us.  The kids loved him.  This is a HUGE deal that Shea is giving him a hug.  She has always been freaked out by people in big costumes.  That's why we don't have a single picture of her with Santa or the Easter Bunny.  Now that she's cool with it, I think we need to finally visit Disneyland.  It was never an option to us before.

So, here I am waiting to caption the postgame show for the Sharks and Canucks game.  It's in double overtime right now.  I should have started an hour and a half ago.  It's almost midnight.  I'm tired!!  Poor me.

Hope you all are having a great week!!

The Royal Wedding

Yes, I got up early to watch the Royal Wedding.  Why?  I have no idea.  I'm not into the royals.  I'm definitely not a fluff chick.  I've never dreamed about marrying a prince.  I've never been super girly, but I totally wanted to watch the wedding.  Shea wanted to watch it too, so I got her up as Kate was getting ready to walk into Westminster Abbey.

How awesome was her dress???  Wow!!!  She looked great.

Shea and I got a kick out of some of the hats.  What in the world was up with some of those hats...YIKES!!!  Did any of you see Princess Eugenie and Beatrice's hats?  They were a little frightening.  Shea did her best to stay up, but I guess 4:30a is just too much to ask.  She asked me to wake her back up when they were ready to kiss.

If I were a really good mom I would have made scones and tea, but sliced apples and peanut butter just had to do.

I'm now off to the Puppy Dog Relays at Shea's school.  The kids have tons of fun. I'm so glad it's a beautiful day!!

Have a great day everyone!!!

Holy Homemade Marshmallows!!!!

I've been wanting a Kitchenaid mixer for a long time...like forever!!!!  I finally got one.  It only took me selling my steno machine.  Jake just couldn't believe that I wasn't ever going to use it again.  No freakin' way!!!!  I didn't even have the urge to try it out before I packaged it all up.  Take a look at this beauty though.

The kids and I made these super awesome peppermint marshamallows with it.  They are totally delicious.

YUM!!!!!  I combined these recipes from Our Best Bites and Martha Stewart.

Drew and Shea are turning into quite the sous chefs.  It's great until they end up fighting over who gets to do what.  It can get pretty ugly.  Shea has marked almost every page in her kids' cookbook for things that she wants to make.  She's been getting into writing out menus and taking our orders.  Her b-day is coming up in a couple weeks, so I'm thinking I'm going to get her a couple waitress pads so that she can really take orders.  Fun, right?!?!?!?!?!?!

Speaking of b-days, can you even believe Shea's going to be seven?!?!?!?!?!  For crying out loud, where have the past seven years gone????  It's mind-boggling that she's going to be seven.  I don't like it one bit!!  What I do like is that my parents will be coming up from Arizona for her b-day.  I love it when they visit.  They can stay forever as far as I'm concerned!!

Anyone keeping up with the NCAA basketball tournament??  All I have to say is U of A....U of A...U of A(University of Arizona).  Beat Duke!!!!  Go Wildcats!!!

Have a great rest of the week!!

Stacey New Year - Year of the ??????

Okay, so here goes.....I've had the crappiest couple of months, totally due to work, so I'm starting the year over.  How can I absolutely LOVE my job but not like my employer?  Someone, please tell me.  I'll spare you all the pity party.  Some of you haven't been spared and have already had to listen to me....THANKS!!!!!!

Anyway, I'm at the point where I can't take it anymore and something's got to give.  So with that in mind, I'm starting the year over now and am going to go after some serious changes.  Just getting this out is already taking a load off of me....WA HOO!!!!  Why should the Chinese have all the fun and have an animal every year.  I want one.  What should it be?  Nothing creepy like a rat...crazy Chinese!!!

Luckily, I'm the only one going insane at my house.  The kids and hubby are wonderful. 

Here's my little sweetie helping roll out pizza dough.



Shea will be seven next month.  Yeah, you read that right, seven!!!  How in the world did that happen?!?!?!?  My parents are coming up for her birthday....totally cool.  Now, where to have her party??  We usually have it at our house, but I think we'll have it somewhere this year.  The obvious places are Incredible Pizza or Pump It Up.  I'm totally leaning towards Pump It Up, but then I thought that Metro Ice for an ice skating party would be fun.  Yes?  No?  There's also Monkey Joe's, which is like Pump It Up.  I better decide pretty darn quick.

Drew is still just the best little guy E.V.E.R.!!!  He wants to do everything that Shea does.  He talks up a storm and still loves to snuggle with me.  I'll take it while I can.  I think we're going to start tackling that whole crazy potty training thing with him this weekend.  I should say I'M going to start tackling it. First thing in the morning I think I'll have a delivery truck drop off a load of Clorox wipes and M&Ms.  You know, Clorox wipes for the clean up that I'm sure will be needed until Drew gets his aim down and M&Ms for the rewards...for me not going crazy for having to teach a boy how to go potty. 

Jake is working on our mud room.  I loved our mud room before, but now it's going to be even more awesome.  The whole thing is gutted and a complete mess.  So, what did Jake do yesterday instead of work on the mud room???  Right, he went fishing!!  I can see how that's more important.  Can't say I blame him.  If I EVER had a whole day to do anything I wanted, it sure wouldn't be working on the house.  I wasn't mad at him...promise!!!

Is anyone else as excited as I am about Ralph Macchio being on the new season of Dancing With the Stars??  Oh, yeah!!!!!

One more thing!!

I need to take better pictures.  My pictures never seem to be very good.  I've been trying to take a pic of the sock monkey shirt I made Drew, but can't seem to get a good shot.  Well, Hell's bells, Jake's work is photography and video, don't you think some of it would have rubbed off on me......not even a little bit!!!!!  I've been telling Jake I need a new, fancy SLR camera, but he's been trying to convince me that I don't.  He's not really trying to convince me, he's telling me I don't need one......we'll see!!

So, here's my pic of Drew's shirt....sucky pic, but super cute shirt (in person).

Thought I'd sneak in a pic that Jake took on one of his jobs.

Jake worked on Keith Urban's music video when he was in town for his concert.  How cool is that!!!!!!

Have a fantastic day!!!!

2011 resolutions

Happy New Year!!!!!

I know it's already the 5th of January, but it takes me a good week....or two to get into the swing of the new year.  I'm just barely getting around to taking down some of my Christmas stuff today.  I absolutely love all the Christmas decorations.  I hate to take them down.....so sad!!!

Now, onto resolutions!!  I thought a lot about what I wanted to happen this year and then went back and looked at my resolutions from last year, and guess what?!?!?!?  They're EXACTLY the same.  Guess I haven't made much progress since last year.  So, yes, once again, I am going to keep in better touch with my friends, become more organized and find more time for myself, to do what I want.  I really am going to accomplish all these things this year.

Along with organizing, I am going to declutter.  I know they go hand in hand, kinda sorta, but we just have so much STUFF!!!!  While the kids are at school, I'll get rid of the things they don't need.  I would never dare do this while they're around.  For crying out loud, Shea still has a birthday invitation stashed in her closet that she can't bear to give up because, "It's so special."....of course it is, sweetie!!!

I am totally going to get better about updating my blog.  I really like blogging, so I'll stop making excuses and fit it into my sked.

I am going to take better care of myself from head to toe, inside and out.  It's all going to start with training for the Dam to Dam race in June.  I've already started training.  Long ago, back in the day, I used to run in races.  I can't wait to get back into it.  They also have a kids' race, so I'll have Shea run in it.  It's right up her alley.  Anyone who know Shea knows that the girl is born to run.  Holy cow, the girl will take off at the drop of a hat.  Don't ever challenge her to a race, you will then become her new running buddy....F.O.R.E.V.E.R.!!!!

This is the key to helping me with my organizing.

Yes, I have resorted to an organization book to help me get my butt in gear.  Hope it helps, I'm sure not managing it on my own too well.

I have a few other goals that I need to start working on, but I'm completely stumped on how to even go about accomplishing them, so they'll just keep driving me crazy until I can figure them out.

Every single day I brainstorm and dream about how I can quit my job and stay home with the kids.  Don't get me wrong, I love what I do for a living, I just happen to love my kids a whole lot more.  It's driving me to the point of insanity!!!!!  No need to call the crazy doctors on me yet, but something's gotta give.  Hope I can figure out something that works for me and the family!!

I'm off to finish putting Christmas decorations away....fa la la la la la la la la!!!!!

Arizona

Yes, I was lucky enough to get out of the icky Iowa weather for a few weeks.  We spent two weeks in Tucson visiting family and friends.  Have I mentioned a time or two that I would move back to Tucson in a heartbeat to be closer to my family????  Well, I totally would.  I don't miss Tucson so much, but I really need to be close to my family.  I do miss the mountains though; they're absolutely beautiful!!  We lucked out with awesome weather.  I'm talking sandals and short sleeves......Oh, yeah!!!!  Look who came to my parents house to visit on Christmas.

It took forever to talk Shea into getting this close to Santa.  She loves him to death, but she just doesn't want to get close to him.  I'm talking tears and hiding in the bedroom scared.  We couldn't get Drew near Santa no matter how hard we tried.  He wasn't having any of it.

We did get down to Tombstone, the crazy Iowa tourists that we are.  Yep, just like I remembered it, crappy gift shops and no charm left in the town.  Here's a bit of trivia for ya.........did you all know that Jake was in the movie Tombstone as an extra???  He was in film school at the UofA when the movie was being shot, and he got to be an extra.

On the way down, we stopped to visit Mater on Route 66.  We are now, officially, the coolest parents E.V.E.R.!!!!!!

Hope you all had the best Christmas!!!!

So super yummy!!!!

Have you guys tried these wonderfully scrumptious cookies?!?!?!?!  Wow, are they good!!!  Don't expect me to share though.  Jake had the nerve to find my hiding spot and helped himself to a few....WHAT!!!!!  How dare he.  What was he doing looking there anyway??  Then he managed to make it worse by uttering these blasphemous (do you like that, Beth??)words, "Shea, I'll give you two cookies if you eat your asparagus. "  Wouldn't the cookies cancel out the health benefits of the asparagus?  How could he take my precious cookies away from me?  What have I done to him??

So, with my hiding spot sacrificed and some of my precious cookies gone, what am I to do?  Right....get over it and get to finishing some of my Christmas presents I'm making........right after I find a new hiding spot!!

Now I just need a peppermint mocha coffee, and I'll be in peppermint heaven.  It's a real place, ya know!!!

I'm Baaack!!!

Where to begin!!!!!
It looks like I wasn't up to the challenge.  I never made it past day12 of the 30day challenge.  I'm such a slacker!!  Well, I'm not really a slacker, just with my blog.  I have been busier than ever with work.  They have forced me to switch over to TV.  I dragged my heels as long as I could, but they won.  I'm so thankful that I don't know anyone in North Carolina, Orlando or Oregon that will be watching my captions.  It's not pretty sometimes, but I'm getting better every show I caption.

I just finished up the kids' advent calendar......yes, on the 8th day of the month.  What can I say, I've been busy.  I still need to Mod Podge the clothespins, but I really like the way it turned out....so does Shea, just as long as there's chocolate in it.

I'm thinking of making another one, but knitting little stockings instead.  The kids can't really be expected to share advent calendars, now can they?!?!?!?!?!?

Here's my new favorite coffee mug I fancied up for Christmas with vinyl.  I'm loving the vinyl.  I have several other ideas in mind.....now if I could only find the time.  Where, exactly, does the time go??????

Jake just came back after two weeks in Arizona elk hunting.  We're headed down to Tucson next week for a couple weeks for Christmas...YAY!!!!!  I can't wait!!!!

Here's a picture of my cuties from Halloween.  They had so much fun.  The weather was great for being out.  Van Meter Parks and Rec has a get together at one of our parks before Trick-or-Treating with hot dogs, hot chocolate and treats.  It was fun.  A big group of us ended up Trick-or-Treating together.  Shea and her friends ran crazy throughout the neighborhoods.  We would just see a flash of their glow sticks every once in a while.

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving.  Christmas is right around the corner....is everyone ready?!?!?!?

Day 12 - 30 Day Challenge

Something you are OCD about -

I'm not really OCD about anything that I can think of.  Let me dig real deep.  I'm thinking, thinking, thinking.  Nope, can't come up with a damn thing.  I'm not OCD about cleaning, although I sooooo wish I was (Yes, Beth, I want to be more like you...really).  I don't plan things well in advance.  I don't have dinner planned out every night.  I don't make the kids take a bath/shower every night, although it's a terrific idea.

I've got it.....I'm OCD about procrastinating and not putting plans into action.  I knew I was OCD about something!!

Now I'm off to go start cleaning!!

Day 11 - 30 Day Challenge

A photo of you recently -

This one was hard.  I'm always the one taking the pictures, not in them. 
Here's one of me holding my neice's new baby, Lindsey.  I was in Tucson in July for my high school reunion and got a chance to go see her at the hospital.  She was born early and had to spend quite a while in the NICU....such a sweet baby!!  She was so tiny that Shea was afraid to hold her.  Poor thing, she had been waiting all day to hold her but then chickened out.

I look just as young as I did in my last post from my wedding, don't I!!!!  I'd twist all of your arms to say yes if you were anywhere near me.

Day 10 - 30 Day Challenge

A photo taken of you over 10 years ago -

I'm looking for a specific picture but can't seem to find it.  This will have to do in the meantime.  This is from our wedding (duh, obviously) 12 1/2 years ago.  Doesn't Jake look super young???  I swear he's my age. Well, he's six months older to be exact.  Oh, to be young and skinny again.

Here's one of my brother, Beau, and I.

 

Day 9 - 30 Day Challenge

A photo you took -

Well, 99.9% of the pictures I take are of the kids.  I really should branch out more.

Here's my little sweetie a few days ago.

Day 8 - 30 Day Challenge

Photo that makes you angry/sad

Well, I don't really have a photo to post....sorry!!  There are plenty of pictures that make me sad but none that make me angry.  Here's where I get all deep and everything.  The pictures that make me sad are either ones of the kids when they were younger....oh, how I wish they wouldn't grow up, or they're ones of me when I was younger, say 5-20 years ago.  They make me sad because of all the things I thought I'd do but haven't done and probably never will. 

For instance, I was positive I was going to move to either Boston, Vermont or Maine.  But where did I end up??  Iowa!!  How in the !@#$ did that happen???  Have you guys ever been to the Northeast Coast?  It is so crazy beautiful.  Without letting you all into my crazy mind, I'll just leave it at that one example.

On the other hand, how can I be sad for what I haven't done/accomplished when I'm surrounded by the absolutely most beautiful accomplishments ever.....my family.  So there you go, I'm sad and happy at the same time!!!

Oh, on a side note, I finally finished Shea's quilt today....WOO HOO!!!!  I'll post pics tomorrow.  Shea absolutely loved it...exactly what I was going for!!

Talk to you all tomorrow!

Day 7 - 30 day Challenge

A photo that makes you happy.

Well, of course it's going to be of the kids!!!!

I have so many favorite pictures of the kids.  I wish you could zoom in on this one.  If you look real close you can see Shea's hillbilly front tooth, the one that took absolutely forever to come out.  I'm so happy it came out the week before school pictures. 
It seems like almost all of Drew's pictures are in this shirt.  I promise you he has other clothes. 

Day 6 - 30 Day Challenge

20 of my favorite things -

1. My family, of course!!  They're all so wonderful, including my dog, Ruger.
2. Heated floors.
3. Coffee with Peppermint Mocha creamer.
4. Working from home.
5. Watching Shea run.  The girl LOVES to run and run and run and run!!!!
6. Having funny kids.
7. Dancing With the Stars.
8. Pretty fabrics.
9. Working on my 1st quilt.
10. Listening to Drew talk.  He no longer sounds like Curious George.
11. Fall weather.
12. Being pregnant.
13. Listening to Shea sing....just not Justin Beiber!!
14. Pillowtop bed.
15. The Tennis Channel.
16. Shea telling me about her day when she gets home.
17. Drew getting into bed with us in the middle of the night.
18. Tasty Taco.
19. CHEESECAKE!!!!!
20. The color green - lime green to be exact.

I really have about 50 million favorites, who doesn't!!

Have a great day!

Day 5 - 30 Day Challenge

Favorite Quote -

Where there's a will, I want to be in it!  

There are some good quotes out there, but this one is definitely the best, don't ya think????