1.23.2009

...and how was your evening??

I should have known better.. it was the too-instant calm before the storm really. Yesterday I was ridiculously sick with strep but was blessed with an all too rapid release from pain once I started taking the antibiotics last night. The Lord says he'll never give you more than you can handle.. I should have known something was up when I suddenly felt fine again this afternoon!

In talking with Brandon, he notified me that the realtor would be coming any day to take pictures of our home to put it on the market. As any honest home owner can admit, I have a rather long "fix it" list to accomplish BEFORE that happens! First on the list was filling in nail holes and touching up scuffed paint. I went into the hall closet to retrieve the paint and heard some scuffling behind the cans... don't get me wrong, we've had a mouse before (product of a dog who doesn't eat all of her food and lets it sit outside all night.. bizarre animal!). However, in the past, Brandon has been home to do the dirty work! So, I panicked and did what any woosy girl would do... I called my neighbor who grew up on a farm and is way more woman than I'll ever be!:)

So, here's a picture of my neighbor, and new best friend Stacie.. only she can look so good accessorizing with a mouse nest (made out of what used to be my paint throws)! Long story short, after pulling out all of my paint cans, and other "stuff", the little booger (aka the mouse) ran out and into my laundry room under the dryer!
With all the commotion, we caught Bailey's attention.. she came running over to check out what was going on, and tripped over our paint can "barricade" we had made for mousey. Well... how fun would a paint can knock over be without a gallon of paint spilling out all over your carpet for everyone to see?! ..and not just any paint mind you.. PINK paint.. pretty...:P (*this is the picture BEFORE I tried scooping it up with a dust pan.. the saturated area at least doubled in size after that!)
And now you're asking yourself, "what on earth did you do?!".. well, we groaned for about half a second, but mainly laughed because really.. what else is there to do??? SO.. I did the only logical thing I could think of: I called one of my best friends with 5 children who owns not only every cleaning gadget in the universe but knows how to use them too!:) Ashleigh came running to the rescue with helpful tips on cleaning and her incredible Spot Bot(everyone with children NEEDS one of these - I'm a believer)! After a good oh 1.5-2 hours (really, I lost track of all time), I have to admit, the once painted carpet looks even better than the rest of it... THANK YOU ASHLEIGH!!!
After the festivities died down, I retrieved Hunter out of his room (I had put him there for safe keeping.. and because I already had WAY too much commotion around me)! Of course he had a massive diarrhea diaper (and why not?!) and needed a bath PRONTO. Then, I rescued Landon who also had some bowel issues.. all over my bed. Wow. So, I ask you.. how was your evening???:)

On a different note, last night Bailey lined up all of her favorite animals to "watch her sleep".:)
And.. can you believe how big Landon is getting?! I have to admit, I am SO blessed! Even if we do have our CRAZY evenings!:)

..and for those dying to know.. we never did catch our little friend this evening.. but he's blocked in the laundry room with only one place to go. But not to worry, it's one of those humane "catch and release" traps, and while the little sucker is in there, he'll be enjoying a feast of delicious peanut butter.. YUM YUM! Bon apetit little buddy!:P

1.22.2009

Birthday Girl!

Better late than never...:) Bailey turned 3 years old on the 12th! It blows my mind at how fast time has gone, and how much has changed these past 3 years! Although Brandon wasn't here for her actual birthday (it was his first official day at work), he was able to fly home for her party with her friends that weekend. It was GREAT having him home, even if only for a brief while. Bailey had a terrific time having her very first birthday "breakfast in bed", going out to lunch with mom (it was her 1st happy meal at McDonalds!), playing with Grandma who came out for the festivites, and singing happy birthday to herself all week long!:) 3 is such a GREAT age, it's bound to be a wonderful year with her!!!:) I LOVE YOU BAILEY!

1.19.2009

The difference between one and three...

I remember when Bailey was born, I did everything I could to be "that" mom... burped her every ounce on the dot, took a picture of every "first" moment, sanitized pacifiers, and provided three 15minute increments of "tummy time" daily. Being a "3rd" child myself, I swore I would bless ALL my children with that same vigor and discipline in daily routine. Now, imagine my dismay when I took Landon to his 2 month check up (2 weeks late mind you) and sheepishly answered "oops" when asked how he was doing with his precious "tummy time"!... yeah... Well, destined to not have poor Landon now be behind his older siblings on the lifting your head up without aid schedule, we attempted his first "tummy time" right when we arrived home. That's when I realized, I love him SO much, I'd rather him be a little slow to develop and ALIVE, then risk his life on the floor again... comfy?!

1.09.2009

On the road again...

Well, Brandon is officially gone... he left for Michigan Wednesday morning and we already miss him SO much!:( The kids and I are doing alright - hopefully the time will pass quickly.:) It's strange, we feel kind of homeless this way. Brandon "lives" in Michigan now, but without myself and the kids it isn't quite "home" yet. And, although I still live in our "home" I feel oddly misplaced now... He will be visiting every 2-3 weeks which will definitely help!:) On a happier note, on Tuesday, we made as many family "Phoenix" memories as we could! We took the kids to the Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium and had a BLAST!!! Enjoy some of our pictures!:)

1.05.2009

UT Times

The day after Christmas we loaded our family and headed to Utah to visit family! We had a GREAT time playing in the snow for the first time with the kids, visiting temple square, riding horses and seeing old friends. It was a wonderful break and we made some great memories!:) Enjoy some pictures from along the way!:)