Ice Crystal
My Mom sent me this picture and I just had to share. They had a frost and these huge ice crystals formed. I thought they were beautiful so I'm sharing! :)

The Snitch
This is a picture of my dh and baby girl, also known as, the snitch. We have been married for almost 9 years. Every year dh has talked about how fun it would be to have a RC airplane. But, each year we have not had the money and there was always something else that was needed. But not this year. This year I wanted to surprise him with a very simple RC plane. So, I loaded baby girl into the car and off we went. The first store I went into I was not impressed. I felt like the guy I was working with wasn't being very honest with me. So, I went to another hobby shop and had success in finding what I was looking for. Now, the entire time we are shopping I am explaining to baby girl that this is a surprise. We don't tell Daddy about the airplane. I had her help me wrap it all the while telling her that we can't tell Dad. I thought she had it figured out. But then dh came home from work and I hear her sweet little voice saying, "Daddy look - it's your present. It's a airplane." AACK! All my planning and plotting! At first, I don't think he understood what she was pointing at or talking about. I had stuck the box behind the tree in the corner because it was quite large. So, she took him around the tree and said "See, there it is. Your airplane." Sigh. On Christmas morning dh jokingly asked "What could this be?" And there she was... the snitch saying, "Daddy, that's your airplane!" I chuckled and made a mental note (for the 10,000th time since we got the plane) not to take her shopping with me ever again! She is my golden snitch!

Snow in Palm Springs
I grew up in Idaho. Snow is nothing new to me. In fact, the years when we didn't have a lot of snow were more surprising than the storms that dropped 6-12" of the white fluffy stuff. My kids don't know a lot about snow. As is obvious by the pictures shown above. My oldest remembers snow and sledding from our previous home. My other two... well... a picture is worth a thousand words, right? The snow shown in these pictures was found in a park in Palm Springs. No, it didn't fall from the sky :) There is an annual even that takes place at this park. They bring in snow and make a sledding ramp. Then the kids can visit Santa (which we didn't do because the line was TOO long), play in a jump house, pet a few animals, climb the rock wall or go for a pony ride. And the best part - it was all free. All in all it was a good day - with the exception of the sledding for my two younger kids. Maybe next year they will do a little better with their 5 seconds of snow time here in the California desert.

AOL
I hate AOL. I'm sorry that I have been absent from the world wide web. I have to lay the blame completely on the shoulders of AOL. It completely shut down. Couldn't even get to the sign on screen. So, we went for awhile without the internet. I didn't realize how much I relied on the information I could pull from my computer! We needed maps one day and I couldn't pull up my trusty MapQuest to find them. I wanted to review flight plans of family members that will be coming in January, couldn't do that. Wanted a recipe from Allrecipes.com, couldn't do that either!! So, we have now joined the ranks of high speed internet. Hopefully we won't have any problems with it. I apologize to my 2-3 faithful blog readers :) But now I can say... I'M BACK!!

Christmas Spirit
I am lacking in Christmas Spirit this year. Usually I'm feeling the warm fuzzy glow about this time. And I'm not even stressed out this year! My shopping is done. I finished my wrapping tonight. Christmas cards are out. I'm working on getting goodie plates done for neighbors. Everything is falling into place nicely. And yet, I'm just not feeling it. Perhaps it's the craziness that is surrounding me. I live in a warm area. And every winter the snow birds come here to get away from the cold. So, there has been a HUGE influx of people. And now this city seems busy, crazy, and almost insane. Nothing against the snow birds, it just means that there are a lot more people around these days. Maybe I don't feel the Christmas Spirit because of the weather. I can't say that I love having snow for 6 months out of the year (I grew up in Idaho... and that happened on occasion). But, there is something wonderful about watching the snow. Unless it is a raging blizzard, it usually comes softly and just kind of floats down. In Oregon we would get rain in the winter. It made everything seem filthy because of the mud. If it did snow then it would make everything seem clean and pure. It's such a perfect analogy for this time of year. Our Savior came to the earth, not with fanfare and parades... but softly, quietly. He came to cover our muddy spots with His clean and pure love. Maybe I'll cut out some snowflakes from paper this week and hang them around the house. Perhaps I'll even write a blessing on each one. Maybe this will help me feel the true Spirit of the Season.

Digital Photos
I love to take pictures. I have a Canon Rebel SLR that is a really great camera. I like to take it on trips or to school events or just snap shots around the house. The problem is that I never get the photos developed. I have lots of undeveloped rolls of film lying around the house. I'm sure that some of them got lost in the move :S This is one of the many reasons I love our digital camera. First of all, I can print out whatever pictures I want. Second, I don't feel bad taking pictures like this one. I never would have taken this picture with my regular camera. It would have felt wasteful (not sure why since I never develop the pictures...). But now, I can take pictures of whatever I want and if I don't like them, I delete them. I especially love to play with the colors in the picture. I have pictures of sand, these beans, my parents kitchen floor... all kinds of odd little things. And I love it! I love the way they turn out. Someday I might even print these strange photos and make a display with them. Or, they might just sit on my computer, kind of like the rolls of film that sit in my closet!

My Girls
These are my girls, Maya is the golden and Maggie is the chocolate. I miss them so much. I've been thinking what it would be like to have dogs again. You see, when we were in Hermiston I tried to talk DH into getting a puppy. One of the ladies at our church was selling some, but DH wasn't quite ready. So, we waited. A little while later a guy from DH's work invited us to bring the kids over to see their puppies. We picked one out, but she wasn't quite ready to leave mom. A little while later this poor little dog got stepped on by a cow. The man who owned the dogs kept this little pup and nursed her back to health, but she had become rather dependent on him. So, we picked out another pup - Maggie. She had such a hard time... lots of crying because she was alone. We took her back to the man's house to get her first shots and DH asked how we could help her... he told him to take another puppy... so, here came Maya. They were so good together. They were gentle with the kids and really good dogs. One night, there were prowlers in the back yard and they went nuts. Woke us up so that we were able to scare these people off. When we found out we were moving we looked for a place that would let us have pets. We found places, but they wanted $500 per pet... $1000 to bring our girls with us. So, we began looking for a home for them. Nothing. No one needed, or wanted dogs at that time. The people who lived behind us offered to take them till a home could be found, but, they would be on vacation when we moved. The people who bought the house offered to keep the dogs till our neighbors got home. We loaded up. And cried. A lot. We were on our way to California when I got a call from our realtor. The dogs had dug out. They had followed a group of kids to the school. I think they were looking for our oldest son. Pet Rescue had picked them up. I heard conflicting things about Pet Rescue. One said it was a non-kill shelter. Another person said that they give them 3 weeks. I have no idea what happened to my girls. I pray that they are okay. I think about them so much and my heart just breaks. I try not to let the kids see. They had a hard time leaving them too. Now, I wonder if we made a mistake. Maybe we should have tried a little harder to find a way to get them down here. It felt so impossible at the time. Sometimes I wonder if we should get another dog. But, I know that no dog could ever take the place of my girls.

Tired
I'm always complaining that I'm tired. And I shouldn't because it's my own fault. I am a night owl. I love to be up watching a show or doing something online or trying to beat my dh in a game of Phase 10. It's a quieter time. The kids are sleeping and sometimes, I just sit around and enjoy that silence. Of course, going to bed at midnight doesn't make me much of a morning person. I'm more like a morning bear than a morning person. I am usually exhausted and cross till later on in the day when I can finally shake that morning crankiness. My children, on the other hand, are morning people. They get up early (if it's before 6:30 I have them go lay back down for awhile), they are chipper and happy in the morning. They are even up early on weekends! This is not the best combination. I want them to go back to sleep for awhile, they want to play Hungry Hippos (which, as everyone knows, is the loudest game on this earth). But, since two of the three have to be on their way to school by 8-8:15, I don't have the luxury of sleeping in. Now, the obvious thing to do here is to go to bed earlier. That way I would have enough rest and I would be a functioning human being in the mornings. But that would be too logical. So, I think I'll go do some email... after all, it's only 10:45... I've still got time.

My Nativity

I have coveted this nativity set for a long time! Is that bad or what? But, I now own it! On the day after Thanksgiving I picked one up at a craft store in Idaho Falls. It was 25% off, which is a rare thing for the Demdaco Willowtree items. They don't ever go on sale. But this store has them once a year at 25% off. So, I'm slowly going to build this up. Next year I'll probably get the Wisemen or the star backdrop. There is also another shepherd and a creche... but I don't know if I will get those. First of all, I have one shepherd. Don't know if I want another... I'll have to look at the other and see... and the creche is $90!! Now, to some people, that may not seem so bad, but that's a lot for me. So, they may just have to sit on top of the entertainment center or piano each year!

Christmas Dangers
I always love to get my Christmas shopping done early so that I can relax and enjoy the holidays. But, I have now decided that this is a VERY dangerous thing to do! I get done shopping and I'm feeling pretty good about things and then WHAM!! All of the sudden I see it... the PERFECT gift for that special someone!! DH and I had set a limit on our gift giving before Thanksgiving. I was doing so well sticking to it and then on Monday I was shopping. I came around a corner and a light from heaven lit on the item and the angels began to sing! It was perfect and I had to get it for him! (I'm not going to say what it is because I have finally told him about the blog... and I never know when he's reading it!) So, I totally blew the budget we had set. But I HAD to! Now, I would take back some of the other things I got for him, but I bought them in Idaho at stores that aren't found here in Southern Cali. Now, DH isn't the only one I have over spent on. My kids are a tad over budget too! And just the other day I saw a horse that I would love to get monkey girl, a game for my red head and a Thomas train set for my little silent man. It's so hard to not snatch all of it up and just forget the budget! I'm trying, but it's hard!! Maybe someone should lock me up and throw away the key. I am clearly a danger to myself and my bank account!!

The Beach
I'm just in a blogging mood tonight :) I love to do creative writing and that's something that I haven't done in a long time. I have become very good at writing lists, but there's really nothing too creative about milk, cereal and eggs. Anyway, I love this picture. I love to go to the beach. We are so close to it now that I think we will try to make several trips each year. There is something so calming about the ocean and yet, it scares me too. I don't like not knowing what is out in the water. Rip tides, sharks, or even broken glass in the sand... it all scares me. This picture was taken this last fall. My kids would wade farther and farther out into the water till I just couldn't stand it any more and I'd yell at them to come back. There were times when they were knocked down and tumbled around by the water, but they were always okay. Someday, one of them is going to want to try something like surfing and it's going to make me insane to watch! I try not to pass my fear onto my kids. I want them to be brave, but I don't want them to be stupid. Have you ever noticed that it's a fine line between the two? So, I guess the question is, how do I teach them the difference? I don't want them to go throughout life being afraid. I've already planted a few fears unintentionally. I don't want to do that anymore. I guess the best way would be to conquer my own fears. Or at least pretend to.

The View
I don't usually watch the morning tv show "The View". But, I have seen it a few times and I noticed one day that they say good-bye the same way each day. They say something to the effect of "Take some time to enjoy the view". I don't know why, but I have been thinking about this lately. It could take on so many different meanings. Enjoy your own point of view or the point of view of another. Enjoy nature (like my picture from the backyard). And then there is God's point of view. I have a good life. Good kids. A great husband. A fairly normal extended family :) Friends who love me. We are all healthy and well taken care of. He has given me all of these wonderful things. He has the best "view" of my life. And if I take the time to see things as he sees them, my perspective changes. My view is good and I'm going to take a little time each day to enjoy it.

O Christmas Tree
This is our finished product. Not the most beautiful tree in the world, but we love it! :)

Candy Can
Yes, I know it should be candy canE. But, my little girl calls them "candy cans". My kids say the funniest things. The other day my oldest son asked if we had electricity when he was born (he'll be 8 in January). My Dh told him no and that we used to have to go outside to go to the bathroom too. Good one dad ;) He also asked me if I believed in Santa Claus. I turned the question back to him and he said, "Well, I don't know if I believe in Santa or the Easter Bunny. But I do know that I believe in Jesus." That's good enough for me! My middle child is 6. He has autism and does not speak. But lately, we are starting to hear a few things from him. The other day he said "excellent" and I threw a little party right then and there! On Saturday we were at Toys R Us. We were looking at Toy Story toys and there was a miniature set that he has always loved to look at. I handed it to him and he said "Please want.... please want...." I was so excited that I called my mom right there and then tried to get him to say it again in the phone! We did get the Toy Story toys, but he doesn't know it. It's going to be a Christmas gift from his big brother. I know that he will be so excited to open it! I'm excited for him to open it! My kids are my love and my insanity. It's a good thing they do these fun things every-once-in-awhile to remind me how cute they really can be! Now I'm off to go share a candy can with my monkey girl!

Crafts
I love to try out new crafts. Of course, most of my crafts look like they came out of a kindergarten class room. Not always well put together, but lots of heart went into it! I have more fabric than one person should probably be allowed to have. I have boxes of flowers and craft supplies! And for some reason, I like to buy craft items. Maybe it's so that if I ever get the urge to do something crafty, I will have all of the supplies right at my fingertips. That way I don't have to drag my kids out shopping at a craft store - which, by the way, is one of the most horrible places to take small children!! I like to picture things in my head and then attempt to make it look right. Sometimes, it works and other times it's a complete disaster. Now, I am not one of those super crafty gals. I can't paint or draw anything with great detail. Stick figures are my best work and I now LOVE the new vinyl lettering so that I don't have to try and make my own writing look legible. My sewing skills are fairly limited. I have made several quilt tops, but I hate quilting. Kind of a strange thing about me... so, I sold the tops at a yard sale. I kind of regret selling one of the tops, but that's okay. I can make another! My DH thinks I'm crazy to go through all the work of piecing a quilt top together and then sticking it in a box or selling it at a yard sale. Maybe I am crazy! In fact, I'm almost positive that I am! I've also made some pajama pants, but that is the extent of my sewing skills. I like to do floral arrangements, but have never taken a class. I think I'll just keep plugging away at my craft skills. Maybe one day I'll be a super crafty gal! And all my projects will look professional... till then, could you pass the Elmer's glue?

Laundry
I hate laundry. It just never seems to end! As soon as I think I've got it all done, it starts to pile up again. I don't actually mind throwing it in the washer and then the dryer... it's the folding and putting away that I hate. Usually I get it all washed and dryed. The things that absolutely need to be hung up get hung up and then the rest sit in baskets. Then, eventually, I'll drag all the clothes out to the living room, put in a movie (or two) and fold and fold and fold! Then, I'll put all the clothes away and then I star the process all over again! I used to do just one batch every day so that I never got behind... I need to do that again. I have already done 7 batches today!! Yeah, I really let it pile up... :S I've been trying to think of a solution for this problem... maybe I need to throw most of our clothes away. Everyone can have two pairs of pants, two shirts, two pairs of socks ect. That way I can be wearing one and washing the other. Sounds a tad boring, but a lot easier! So now the question is: do I sacrifice fashion for a life of ease? Hmmm... probably not. So, I guess it's time to do some more laundry!

The Hunt
I am a bargain shopper. Nothing makes me happier than to get a great deal on an item. This is why I am addicted to things like eBay and garage/yard sale shopping. I buy anything and everything on eBay. I have gotten kids clothes, a GPS unit, fabric and toys on eBay. I've even sold a few things, but I prefer to get the bargains myself :) There is something exciting about digging through someone's old trash to find a wonderful treasure! For example, yesterday I went to a garage sale. In the back of the garage was an old chest filled with purses. I had no interest in the purses, but was excited about the chest. I asked the lady if she was going to sell the chest, she said she would for the right price. I asked what that price might be... $30. SOLD! I snatched it up right then and there. I knew that a wonderful item like that wouldn't last very long. I also found clothes for beautiful monkey girl for .50 each. She has a whole new wardrobe. I got a few videos and some new games. It was a great trip! Now, I just need to get my junk organized and have my own yard sale! Maybe there is someone out there that would treasure my old trash! :) Besides, I have to clear out more room so that I have places for all the new treasures to come.

Beautiful Monkey
This is my baby. She's a tom boy princess superhero. She loves movies like "Cars", "Toy Story", "Dinosaurs" and yet, still makes room for "The 12 Dancing Princesses". She plays with toy snakes and digs in the dirt, yet wears a crown at the same time. She chases her brothers with squirt guns and is a tad of a bully. Yet, she is polite and sweet. She hates to have her hair brushed, but loves to have her nails painted. She'll wear a "pretty dress" over jeans, but it will be a mess in 2 seconds flat. She's her daddy's girl, but loves shopping with mom. She wears a cape while pushing her baby doll around in a stroller. She's my only kid that will eat veggies without reservation, except for potatoes. She prefers to ride in Daddy's truck. I wasn't sure what I would do with a girl. After all, I had spent the previous 5 years with my two boys playing with snakes and learning the names of every dinosaur that has ever walked the earth. Luckily, I didn't have to change much of that at all. She fits right in.

The Perfect Cup
I love hot cocoa. Almost as much as marshmallow peeps, but not quite. I love to put new things in my cocoa to find just the right flavor. Today, I just did the chocolate and marshmallows. I wonder if you could put peeps in hot cocoa? Hmmm... I guess I'll just have to make another run to Target to get a new stash (of course, I just bought two boxes 2 days ago... they are GONE). I love to buy different flavored candy canes and melt them in my cocoa. Peppermint is always a good one, but I also love the strawberry and raspberry. Another fun thing is to melt ice cream in a boiling hot cup of cocoa. It makes it extra creamy and using different flavors gives it an extra kick. I also love to put carmel or white chocolate in it. Almond bark is yummy too. For an extra chocolatey flavor I throw in Hershey's kisses or pieces of chocolate bars. This year it's been to warm to drink too much hot chocolate - until the last few days! It's finally a little chilly here and I'm loving it!! It's perfect weather to get my favorite cocoa ready, snuggle up in a blanket and read a book or watch a favorite movie. One thing I do need to get is a bigger mug. I usually end up making two cups because it's just not quite enough with the mug size we have. Maybe I'll have to get a big mug while I'm out getting my peeps :)

The Secret
I have a secret. It's my blog. I have not told any of my friends or family that I am doing this. My dh doesn't know. Not that it's some big secret. It's not like I'm writing anything bad or posting pictures that I shouldn't be (not that I have any pictures like that anyway). I'm not sure why I don't want to tell them. Maybe I'm afraid that they will think I'm silly. And in a way, I am. I write about marshmallow peeps on here! Can it get sillier than that? Well, I'm sure it can, but that's for another blog entry. Maybe I'm worried that they will be critical. Of course, I've never worried about that before. I already know that they think I'm weird, so that's not an issue. Perhaps I have some Freudian fear of rejection. If they don't like what I write, that must mean that they don't like me. But really, I think it's just fun to have a little secret. There's a little thrill about knowing something that others don't. It gives me something to look forward to each day. Something that is just mine. My spot. So, I'm going to keep my little secret for a little longer. Maybe someday I'll share my writings with them. But, till then, I have a secret!

O Christmas Tree
I love to decorate the Christmas tree. And usually, I have a theme that I stick to. The kids and my dh love to have the totally random look for the tree. The ornaments that don't match. The pieces of paper that were glued together and then glitter thrown on them so that they look like... well, I'm not sure what they are supposed to be. But the kids made them at school and they want them on the tree. It's not that I don't love their creativity, but I like the look of a well put together tree. But, this year, I'm giving in. I usually use white lights on the tree for that more uniformed look. We have got the colored lights up. I took some of my matching ornaments from last year and put them in baskets around the house. This year, the tree is gonna be about glitter, and paper, and having that wonderful homemade look to it. And you know, there will be PLENTY of years for my precious tree to look just the way I want. But it won't be too many more years before the kids will be too busy to help decorate and they won't care how the tree looks. So, I'm putting down my icicle sword used to protect that perfect tree, and I'm gonna relax and enjoy my kids while they enjoy our tree.

The Day After
Shopping on the day after Thanksgiving has always been a tradition. I'm not the cut throat kind of gal who will kill for that last Barbie, but I do like to get a good deal! But, this last weekend, I found out what it's like to have the one item that everyone wants. And I'm not sure I liked it. My Dad wants a GPS for Christmas. So, my mom, myself, and all my siblings went in together to get him one. Mom and I got up early and went to Sportsman Warehouse to pick up a GPS that was on a wonderful sale! It didn't open till 8 a.m. and apparently everyone decided to go there last. When we got there at 7:30, we were the first in line. A few minutes later there were 100+ people in line. I could hear people talking in line "I HAVE to get that GPS"... "I'm gonna be TICKED if I don't get one" (these comments may be edited for content :)) When the doors opened I ran in. I have no idea where my Mom went. I ran up to the guy and told him what I wanted. He reached down and grabbed one. While he was getting the right one a girl ran up, shouldered her way in front of me and said, "Hey - help me now! I need the GPS thing!" But the guy handed the first one to me. As he was handing it out, some guy next to me reached for it! Then the employee realized that he hadn't taken a tag off of it, so asked for it back. As I was handing it back, someone else said "I'll take it!" and tried to grab it. I reached out and took it back as soon as I could! Then I made my way out of the crowd as everyone watched me so closely that I felt a tad afraid... hearing comments like "Look - she got one!" didn't really help my unease. I found my mom and we ran to the front. There were only about 10-15 GPS units back there and I had one. I was not going to be the lead story for the 5 o'clock news! We paid for it and got out of there quick! I know that I wasn't in any danger, but it was still a little frightening to be in that situation... of course, this won't stop me. I will be out again next year! Watch for me, I'll be the girl with the GPS running for cover!

The Addiction
I think I may have an addiction. It started out as something so simple, so small. Now, I think I just may be out of control. They're out there... every holiday they show up and I devour them at every chance. Marshmallow Peeps! They make ghost and pumpkin ones for Halloween. Christmas trees and snowmen for the winter holidays. Hearts for Valentines day. And then the original for Easter, the chicks and bunnies. I ate a box of snowmen for breakfast the other day. When I was done, I wanted more! I steal the chicks and bunnies from my children's baskets at Easter time. I wish there were more holidays where we celebrated with candy! Wouldn't a flag shaped peep be cute? And delicious? I forgot to get some today. I had too many other things on my mind. And now, I'm in withdrawal. I need more peeps! It's a good thing that WalMart is open 24 hours a day. I may have to make a midnight run to appease the monster within.

Children's Museum
I am taking my kids to the local Children's Museum. I don't know why, but I always think of an old Twilight Zone episode when I hear "Children's Museum". It was a story about a young boy who got an invitation to go to a zoo or museum type of a thing. His parent's were pretty ornery to him, but he talked them into going. When they got there the parents went to the left and the boy went to the right. The parents were then put into a cage. The boy was then allowed to walk down a long row of cages with different parents in them and pick out new parents! I wonder what my kids would do? Do they feel that they would like to trade me in for a different mom? Are my DH and I too hard on the kids? Will they look back on their childhood as a happy thing? I hope that I'm doing okay. I'm sure there are times they would like to send me packing. Of course, there are times when I wonder, "What was I thinking having kids???" But, I think, in the end, all of us are fairly happy. I love my kids and try to do what is best for them. And hopefully, that will be enough.

Painting
I think I have a painting addiction. We had our own home for 2 years and almost every room was painted before we moved. Now, we are renting. I can't paint the walls in this house. So, I've moved onto furniture! I just finished my first piece the other day and I loved it! I want to paint everything now! I told my dh that my next task is dd's bedframe, bookshelf and dresser. I also have a little table in her room that I might redo. I'd love to do a fun mosaic on the top, but that may be a bit much for a 3 year old's room! I think that I love to paint because I love to see transformation. Taking something that didn't look so great and making it into something wonderful again! I still can't get this program to upload pictures or I would share my latest things. Maybe I'll get it to work tomorrow. Tonight, I think I'll start sanding something so that I can paint again tomorrow!

Weather Blues
You'd think that moving to California would cure anyone's winter weather blues. But, I've decided that I must have the opposite problem from those that suffer from depression caused by lack of sun. I live in Southern California - the area where I'm at gets sunshine almost every day of the year. Most people would be in heaven... not me. I wake up each morning and wish for a cloudy sky or a little rain. I love the smell of rain. And that chill in the air is a wonderful feeling to me. It is strange to me to live in a place where there are no seasons. All the people around me say that fall is almost over... but I don't remember seeing any leaves change. No crisp autumn air. No fall harvest. It's still in the mid to upper 80's here. That's called "summer" where I'm from. And winter gets down into the 70's here. That's still called "summer". Maybe I'm crazy, but I am looking forward to my trip home. There is snow on the ground, the high for the day was 40, and when they say "winter" they mean it!

The Plan
I try to have a plan for each day. I want to get up, do some email, get a few things done online and then tackle a project around the house. The problem is, I have children. Kids don't believe in plans. They believe in running wild and doing the first thing that pops into their head. Spontaneous action fills their lives. I remember a time when I was more spontaneous. I loved to get and idea and just do it. No planning, not figuring out schedules, no making lists. I would just get up and go. At times, it was a bit chaotic, but always fun. But now, I wonder, is loosing your spontaneity a sign of aging? Do we need more stability? Do our plans make us feel more in control, when in reality, we are at the mercy of the universe? Can that get up and go feeling ever be restored? Maybe I will try to do something spontaneous tomorrow (I have a sick little one today)... hmm... first I'll need to make a list...

I've been thinking about going back to school. I don't know what I would take though. I just want to take a class here and there. Not necessairly get a degree. There is a community college close by. I have checked into their classes and there are a few that I would like to take. But it's hard. Does anyone else have a hard time spending money on themselves? I can spend like crazy for my kids or my dh... but when it comes to putting down some cold hard cash for myself, it's almost impossible! I can't remember the last item of clothing that I bought that wasn't at a yard sale, a second hand store, or on clearance at Wal-Mart. I guess it goes hand in hand with what I was talking about before. I don't spend enough time or money on myself. I have put myself last for so long that I'm not sure how to change that. Maybe I'll go to the mall and splurge... one of these days :)

Good morning again :) What a day we had yesterday. I had sick kids and was not feeling well myself. I know, poor me. It is hard when my 6 year old is sick though. He has autism and can not talk yet. He had really high fevers - which can indicate all sorts of problems. We have no idea what is wrong. It is one thing to have a child that can say "My ______ hurts", but it's a totally different story with my son, J. It's almost like still having an infant. But he is an amazing kid. His smile lights up a room. When he was little, everyone said he looked like a Precious Moments doll. I know every parent says their child is adorable, but he really did look like one of the Precious moment kids. I love my kids. There are times when they make me scream, but I do love them so much. I remember a friend took off for a week. Her kids stayed home with Dad and other family. When she came back she told me that she could now be a better mom. I didn't understand at the time, but I'm starting to. I am like every other mom out there - kids first always. And that is the way it should be. But, that doesn't mean I should be neglectful of myself. It's a hard thing to remember. And and even harder thing to do. I always tell myself, "Maybe tomorrow or next week or when the kids get older". But, I've decided to take a day off. We are going to Idaho for Thanksgiving. My dh is going to take the kids to his parents house and I'm going to go stay with my family for a night. I know it's just one night, but it will be a wonderful night! We are going to watch movies that night and then be totally insane and drag ourselves out of bed the next day to shop till we drop at 5 am! I think we are going to go out for breakfast and lunch. I love to shop and I love finding a good deal. I'm not one to draw blood for that last Barbie on the shelf though. Not cut-throat. Just enjoy getting out! Wish me luck :)

Good morning - I'm new to this blogging thing, so we are just trying this out for a little bit and see how it goes. So, welcome to "My Spot". I'm feel odd... I'm not necessarily writing to anyone, yet, there is always the possibility of someone reading this. Not sure who. Maybe it will just generate spam posts. Who knows? Just a little about myself - I'm living in Southern California with my family. We are pretty laid back. Nothing too exciting. I'm a stay at home mom to my 3 kids. It's a great job, just wish the hours were more flexible ;) We moved here about 2 months ago. Still a lot of adjusting, but hopefully we will get used to everything here soon. I love to cook and sew, but I'm not very good at either one. I'm trying to become a decorating diva, but it's pretty slow going. Well, enough about me for today... maybe more tomorrow.