The Barbeau Family

Cpt Barbeau Is Home!!!

2010-11-03T21:07:00.000-04:00

This is a post I have dreamt of writing for the last year and FINALLY here it is. We got our beloved solider, husband, and dad home from Iraq! He came home on Sunday the 24th in the evening. We decided we wanted to surprise the kids so my dear friend Dana (huge huge thanks) kept the kids over night for us and we surprised them on Monday (more on that in a minute)

The whole process of them coming home is crazy. They land at Hunter Army Airfield where they are shown a "welcome home" video told their work schedules and sign up for classes they need like the motorcycle safety class then they are bused over to Ft Stewart. When they get to Ft Stewart they march onto the parade field and after the Anthem, a short speech, a prayer, and the Dog Face Solider song they are released to find their families. Thank heavens Ben and I had our phones...I text him where I was standing and didn't move...in fact he came to me. I wasn't about to loose a limb or an earring for that matter in the chaos of girls jumping and running for what they think is their man...hey lets be honest until you're within 3 feet one Solider looks the same as another. I know I'm making light of this ceremony but in all honesty I was in tears the whole time. I can not explain the sense of pride, love, and appreciation you feel standing amongst a group of others who have carried the same burdens, cried the same tears, and celebrated the same milestones as you for the last year. Its in awe that I watched all 300+ of those Soldiers come home to their families physically intact. I hugged Ben and instantly felt 1000 pds lighter and an unspoken stress washed away within seconds. I love this boy of mine and am so so very proud of him! Words can not begin to explain how excited I am that he is here with us. Here's a video of the Soldiers singing before they were released. The kids love this song...

On Monday Ben and I went to breakfast and then to the kids school to surprise them. I'm so mad at myself for not recording this I had told myself all morning I would and then it all happened so fast and I was too excited.

I had told the kids I had to work so they were staying at Danas house Sunday night but I would have to check them out early for a dentist appt on Monday. The Secretary was so excited when we told her what was going on she went and got the kids herself and Ben stood in the hall where it turned so they couldn't see him and I stood at the end where they could see me. As they walk up Pais saw Ben and just says "Daddy!?!" and without taking her eyes off him walks right to me. Easton saw Ben though and went for it...he ran over to him and wouldn't let go. After we checked the kids out they were in disbelief and loved the surprise. All the rest of the day Pais was on Bens lap and Easton kept saying I cant believe dad is home for good.

We have tried to break him in slowly but we cant help take him everywhere and show him off!

WELCOME HOME!!!

Fight Night At the Barbeau Hizzle

2010-10-14T18:28:00.000-04:00

This video needs no explanations but I do wish I could bottle Paisleys laugh and keep it forever!

Its all very "Silly"

2010-10-14T18:07:00.000-04:00

Each and every time I buy my kids a pack of these darn bracelets I cant help but wish I was the weirdo who invented these! Honestly stretchy lil bracelets that are shapes? Who knew they could be such a hit. The kids have millions...I do mean millions. In fact dear Pais who has about double the amount as Easton can layer them from her wrists to her elbows on both arms and still have some on her ankles plus a few laying around the house. I find them all over, the car, laundry hamper, floor, bathtub, they even stick them on me when I go to work to share with the sick kids (which never happens since Michelle steals them!) I can bribe my kids to do anything for a pack of Silly Bandz though so for that I am grateful for the dumbest invention ever!

Here the kids are decked out after church one day...

yes they wore all those with their

nice church clothes (I'm picking my battles!)

Amongst the millions they each manage to have a favorite.

I'm not sure what Eastons is but Pais of course is her

favorite princess Sleeping Beauty.

After we took pics of all the Silly Band fun I put the camera down to take a lil nap and here's what happened....

Pais took a self portrait...a pretty good one even

Then E got in on the fun...cute kids!

Then of me napping...

They are so proud of this...in fact they said they were going to tell Grandma on me. The more I think about it the more I'm convinced I learned this from my mom. In fact...I remember growing up and my mom would make us have quiet times conveniently during the hours of Oprah or General Hospital...hmmmm yes I remember mom! Plus we all know Sunday naps are a must and she always indulges! So go ahead and tell on me dangit!

And just a few more blog worthy items:

We get our Benji back in about a week! Can you believe we survived a year...a whole year!?! Its funny because I can remember so vividly when he first left and thinking about the day he had a month left then a week then a few days and I thought it would never get here. So much has changed this last year and its funny how different of a place we are in now then we were when Ben left. I cant decide if its all been good or bad but I know for sure I am ready for it to be over. I'm done living in survival mode and I'm ready to be a family who lives together and get on with our lives and not have another deployment luming over us in a year or two. Two is plenty for this family. Ben is getting out of the Army the 1st of Jan and he is going back to school for Physical Therapy. I'm excited for him since I think this is a great field and he will be awesome in it but I'm nervous for the move. I enjoy moving but this one is different because of a few things and its not to my ideal location but it is only for about a year and then Army Baylor in Texas is our goal. I'm sad to leave our home and our dear friends but somewhat relieved to move on from Ft Stewart and I'm sorry but I'm going to admit it but my church responsibilities as well. We are headed to the St. Louis area which puts us closer to my fam (yay) and since it appears they have winter weather there I suppose its time to invest in winter shoes and actual coats...I will miss my warm SAV!

Pearls go with everything...

2010-09-15T22:06:00.000-04:00

I have to wonder if bedtime is this "fashionable" at everyones house each night. As I was calling kids in for family prayer tonight before bed I couldn't help but laugh at their bedtime attire. Honestly...pearls, a headband, and a leotard!?! Then we cant ignore E in his UGA hat (he considers himself a fierce fan) and the house robe. E insists on sleeping in his under roos but bc of 6 yr old modesty issues he walks around in his house robe til hes ready to be tucked into bed. OK fine I will admit it...what cute kids!

I took the first picture and then dear Pais says "do it again mom and let me get comfortable" so she throws out the hip...hmmm.

I truly do love them but I find myself wondering "why o why me"...a lot.

Heaven On Earth...

2010-09-15T21:53:00.000-04:00

When my hunka hunka man was home on R&R (yes I know that's been a few months ago) we were able to ditch the kids (million thanks Christensen Fam...Holla!) and escape to the most amazing place just 2 hours from our front door. For 2 nights and 3 days we lived in style here....

The Ritz Carlton on Amelia Island

With a lovely private beach

And a cute to boot husband...how lucky was I and am I!?! (Hes mine!)

It was just what we needed! We ate amazing food and layed out on the beach...I think I was born to lay in the sun. There is not a more peaceful and relaxing place on earth then the beach. When it got dark we swam in the pool and chilled in the hot tub, we stayed up late and slept in and guess what...NO KIDS or dog! Of course we did a little shopping at the adorable shops downtown. It truly was what the deployment dr ordered and I love that we will always have this special place we can get away to with great memories. A million thanks Benji! I love you...more then lipgloss and diet coke. (that's a huge place to be in my wee lil heart)

xoxo

This weekend....

2010-08-31T20:46:00.000-04:00

We wont be found here...

because we are escaping to here...

seriously...

this get away couldn't come at a better time!

The only thing missing will be Ben but we will love

every minute we get to spend with our dear friends Muthu and KJ

I cant wait. I feel peaceful just looking at the pics

Hurry up Friday and get here!!!

Just Another Day At the Office!

2010-08-29T21:17:00.000-04:00

When Ben was home on R and R he left his camera here, well today I happened to pick it up and start looking through ALL the pics on it and please let me share these lil gems I found. I guess after this Ill know if he ever looks at the blog. Clearly this day was both hard and very productive!

My guess is this is the end of the day! Look at that cute face!!!

Their So Vain They Probably Think This Post Is About Them!

2010-08-25T18:31:00.001-04:00

(This is an awful pic from my cell phone but I love how they let me dress them alike! E doesnt love it but he lets me!)

See those cute lil faces above? Well... I have come to realize vanity is a problem at our house. Neither one doubt their cuteness and value in society...especially in the world of 5 and 6 yr old love. Every mother wants confident children but sometimes I wonder if they both could use a bit of reality. Here are just a few of our everyday conversations we have had lately.

Me: "Easton you look handsome today." Easton: "MOM! I know! I hear about it all day long at school please don't make me hear it at home!"

Easton: "I don't have a girlfriend because how do I pick just one when they all love me?"

Easton: "Pais the girls in your class think I'm cute and stare at me that's why I come and sit by you in the car line now."

Pais: "Mom, have you ever known a 5 yr old with so many ex-boyfriends?"

Me: "Pais, how was school?" Pais: "Good, everyone loved my hair bow and shoes" Me: "Really everyone?" Pais: "yes mom, everyone ALWAYS loves my shoes and hair bows!"

Paisley was asked out for ice cream by a little boy Easton plays football with and her response to him asking her "Perfect timing I just broke up with all my other boyfriends!" then as we are walking away she says "I knew Christian always loved me!"

Sometimes I'm tempted to lock my kids in their rooms and hope and pray the world wont touch them. Ben has his hands full with Pais and the boys now what o what will he do when shes a teenager? We are already running into the issue of Eastons friends like Pais and Paisleys friends like Easton. What happened to girls and boys are icky!?! PLEASE make them stop growing up and PLEASE I pray they start believing in cooties!

Being An Army Wife

2010-08-17T11:27:00.000-04:00

Much of this post is truly written out of hurt because of some things that have been said to me recently but it had me thinking this morning about this identity I carry around of "Army Wife"
First let me say this...I have always considered myself Bens wife. Yes being his wife makes me a wife of a solider, a solider who's currently serving our country for the second time. I have never considered myself "HOOAH" enough to be waving my proud Army Wife flags and wearing the shirts but that doesn't mean that I love my husband less.
When we first moved here Ft. Stewart was indeed the first place we had lived together especially in this whole world of Army. During Bens last deployment the kids and I stayed in PHX which was close to an AFB which I am familiar with and comfortable with due to the fact I was raised in the Air Force. My first impressions were awful. I meant countless lady after lady who not only proudly wore their army wife tag but they wore their husbands ranks, his awards, and counted down the days til they left because they needed a break. I was disgusted. Is this what being an Army Wife is about? Their cars are decked out in "I love my Solider" and "Half my Heart Is In Iraq" and yet their excited for this extra deployment money and breaks from their marriage. Maybe this is just a way of dealing with this chaotic lifestyle of separations and moving around but I have always tried to value my marriage and put it before Bens job.
Here's my question. If you don't support Obama does that mean you don't love America or support our troops? No...right! So tell me this. Why is it that if I miss my husband I no longer support him? Why cant I hide under my covers and behind closed blinds when it seems a little too lonely or never ending? Who are you as everyday Americans, family, or friends to judge me because I don't answer my phone enough or I loose touch because its one more thing to deal with when I'm already dealing with enough. I support my husband and I am truly grateful for his job and the living that he provides for our family but guess what...I MISS HIM! I am in this location for him and because of him. This is NOT where my family is this is NOT where I would settle if it wasn't for him but I do it and want to know why...because I love and support him. Deployments are not like all the sudden being single again. It is having your best friend, soul mate, support, and lover (yes I blushed) taken from you and then you are forced to spin 25 different plates of your own plus your kids and his and not let them fall. People need to understand we are not victims but we struggle...this is a hard life. Deployments are NOT an excuse...they are truly something that limits us as individuals and as families. We love and support our Soldiers but even though we picked this life the pain of separation isn't any less.
I have learned some very important life lessons this deployment...
1. I am a better person with Ben
2. When I'm overwhelmed I shut people out
3. Not everyone in your life needs to be there
4. Distance does not make the heart wander or even grow fonder
5. Our house makes a lot of noise and its not a burglar its just a noise!
6. I can fix plumbing issues
7. I can feel joy, love, resentment, happiness, and shed tears all in a matter of 30 min
8. We are fortunate to have Bens job despite the distance
9. Never bite off more then you can chew
10. I can be 5 places at once
but most importantly this too shall pass!
All those life lessons make me an Army Wife...not the magnets on my car (which I don't have)
Don't judge me because I let one of those plates fall and don't pity me either. I have a beautiful life and what doesn't kill us does make us stronger. I have a light at the end of my tunnel and for that I am grateful. These last 2 months are like the last part of a road trip...they take the longest but in the end we will be together in person as a family again so for that fact alone Ill wait...maybe not patiently but I never claimed that as a virtue of mine.

Oh How They Grow!

2010-08-17T09:37:00.005-04:00

It is that time of year already...back to school! I think I am in the handful of moms who actually dread sending my kids back. I love having them home during the day with me. The kids love a break from me though...can you blame them and now that we are adjusted to it I will admit I enjoy it as well. It feels like such a long day for them now I drop them both off at 8ish and I pick them back up at 3:15. I'm in utter disbelief and shock that time has just flown passed me and I now have a first grader and kindergartner now. I didn't realize until I walked back into an empty house that maybe our family isn't complete and I'm not done having little ones at home. Guess I better open a daycare ;)
Their first day was fantastic and they loved every minute of their new school. The schools out here are like a compound. There is one school that has Pre-k and then the next one has Kindergarten and 1st grade, then the next school has 2nd and 3rd grade, then the next school has 4th and 5th. All of these schools are separate but in the same giant area. There is a chaotic yet totally organized driving route to drop off and pick up and each school just has one way in and one way out. I remember when I was in school and when the bell rang we were out the door and on our way but not here the kids are all "held" in the cafeteria and then as each car pulls up they write down the info off the tag and go into the cafeteria and call there little code names and then bring the kids out and load them.

We had our dear friends the Heywood's staying with us while they moved into a new house (welcome back Heywood's...yay!) so all the kiddos got to start the first day together. Look at how Easton towers over Dylan...they are both the same age and Nov babies. Miss Maggie is in PreK. These kids love each other and its great having friends that all get along so well!

Didn't they all look smashing!?!

I have said it before but this time I mean it!

2010-08-04T21:54:00.000-04:00

Did you miss me??? Yeah didnt think so ;) I fell off the face of the blog earth but now I am back...I cross my wee lil heart Ill try harder to blog more!

Walk 2 Iraq...

2010-03-15T19:02:00.000-04:00

The kids and I joined the "walk 2 Iraq" and we did our 100th mile today!

Now if only we really could walk and see Ben.

(the kids were so confused by the title...Pais kept asking "when will we see Dad")

We were supposed to do 100 miles by the end up April...

maybe I should get some new running shoes

and go for another 100 miles before then. Maybe.

Somehow the kids and I have become the family that Marne TV follows for this...we have been on there 4 times now but I have yet to watch any of it...I hate my voice too much to hear it on tv.

Dad your services are needed!

2010-03-01T17:22:00.001-05:00

I havent posted in forever...thats the story of my life with this blog and the RS one of course. Did ya miss me!?! Bummer I didnt think so.

BUUUUT let me catch you up a lil on life anyway. While my loverly parents were here for a visit...yes that was allllllll the way back in 2009 (December to be exact)

(loverly parents)

They did this

Yup...correct DESTROYED the kids bathroom. In fact I worked the night before and when I woke up I saw that and

this

and this white dust covered the whole house

but then after a few days of hardwork, countless and I truly mean countless trips to Lowes my Dad managed to make it look like this

yes we are now void the nasty molded 1980s shower walls and broken faucets

and guess what!?!

It still looks just like that...well except now theres a shower curtain. Nope I havent even painted the walls around the shower.

Pais informed me just last night "mom...Im not going to shower in here anymore until you fix the paint!" That comment didnt motivate me...in fact it just made me pitty her lil friends at school bc Puff is gonna be smelly!!! Dad...please come finish what you started in the bathroom...dont you know the rules...you should always leave it better then how you found it!!!

ooh look! Heres the proof you started this job...now come finish!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY....

2010-02-01T01:51:00.001-05:00

To...

BEN!!!

Today my lil Benji Barboner (yes the nickname is officially out) turns the old man age of 28! Get him a walker already right!?! Just Kidding! So as always I must give ya an aw inspiring burfday post on my main squueze. So here ya go!
Im gonna go for 10 random facts and reasons hes the BEST...and for the record to only give you 10 is like saying you can only have 1 M&M from a bag....yes hes just that awesome!
Drum Roll Please...
#1. Who cant help but love Ben and his sarcasim...oh the sarcasim and how we miss it
#2. Ben makes running...like long long long runs look easy...I kinda despise him for that actually
#3. Ben is passionate for chocolate (the darker the better) and ice cream
#4. He makes you want to be smarter just beacuse hes so dang smart and up with all the current events
#5. He burps like noone you have ever met...its disgusting yet strangly lovable
#6. He can see past ugly..........hence the reason he loves that mut Bella Bop
#7. He is an AMAZING cook...like pack the fat onto your hips and you cant stop eating good!
#8. Ben is the calmest person I have ever met (thats good with a wifie like me)
#9. If a movie has been made then he has seen it and if its really a bad one then he probably owns it ;)
#10. Ben is the BEST dad ever! He loves Easton and Pais and has amazing patience with them and they remind me several times a day how much they miss him!

I hope 28 is a FANTASTIC year for you

I cant wait to see where you are in a year from now!

Can we please get a WOOT WOOT

for the last Birthday ever in Iraq!

I couldn't live without...

2010-01-12T23:16:00.000-05:00

2 things...

My Blackberry Curve

and

Skype

These 2 beloved pieces of technology keep me connected to a husband far away! Words alone do not express my love for them...

I might not get to hear his voice everyday but I do get IM's on my phone and when we Skype I see his handsome face. How wives did these looong drawn out deployments before these amazing devices I will never know nor do I care to.

Happy Birthday Princess P Bop

2010-01-04T19:38:00.003-05:00

I'm a day late on this post but who cares because Pais does not have a birthDAY she has a birthWEEK. I cant believe my lil Puffy P Bop is 5...seriously I am not ready for this. Its like shes 15! I think shes the funniest little thing ever and obviously the most adorable Paisley you have ever seen! In true birthWEEK fashion Grandma and I interviewed her so you can get to know the new improved 5 yr old Puff a lil better...ENJOY!

Grandma: Whats your favorite color?
Pais: Pink!

Grandma: Who's your favorite princess?
Pais: Aurora

Grandma: Whats your favorite food?
Pais: Chicken Nuggets

Grandma: If the house was burning what would you grab first?
Pais: my babies, my strollers, my purses

Grandma: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Pais: a dance teacher and a mommy who lives with Grandma

Grandma: Whats your favorite movie?
Pais: Sleeping Beauty

Grandma: Whats your favorite animal?
Pais: pigs!

Grandma: Who's your best friend?
Pais: Prissy and Miss Katelyn

Grandma: What do you want for your birthday?
Pais: 55 $5 bills (nice)

Grandma: Whats your favorite place to eat?
Pais: Chickalay (thats how she says it)

Grandma: Whats your favorite thing to wear?
Pais: Pajamas

Happy Birthday Paisley Bop!

Please Please Please

stop growing up so fast...

I miss your chunk a lunk

baby legs and squishy hugs!

Christmas...Its the most WONDERFUL time of the year!

2009-12-30T20:37:00.003-05:00

Our Christmas Home...

Our Christmas Traditions:

*We have an Elf who comes and stays with us (the kids named him Mr Fixin) he leaves every night and reports to Santa and comes back in the morning and its a race to find his new watching spot

*The Wiseman took Jesus 3 gifts so Santa only brings Easton and Pais 3 gifts

*Mr Fixen (the Elf) brings us all new jammies to open Christmas Eve

*Christmas Eve we have a Birthday cake for Jesus

*Christmas Day we go to the movies...this year Princess and the Frog

Our Thanksgiving Feast...

2009-12-30T20:24:00.003-05:00

This is the most inexpensive Thanksgiving I have ever fed my kids and the easiest clean up! We had turkey legs from Animal Kingdom for our Turkey Day feast. Easton was very concerned with where we were going to get turkey from on Thanksgiving and this was our solution! It might even become a tradition.

Lets Play Catch Up...

2009-12-30T19:54:00.004-05:00

We went to Disney and stayed at the Nickelodeon Suites for Thanksgiving. Yup just the 2 kiddos and I. We had tons and tons of fun and after going through all 300 pics I decided I would just post the kids character meetings since they loved them the most. Disney was magical and just the vacation the kids and I needed. Heres who we met, hugged, dined with, and shared very magical secrets with...

The night before we left for Disney Easton had a lil birthday party with his "bestest" friends. We met at the pizza place in town and then ventured to the movies to see Astro Boy. Fun was had by all! I still cant believe your 6 dude.

You're invited to our pity party...

2009-12-04T20:52:00.005-05:00

Life has been busy busy around our house lately but today I finally stayed in and did nothing...I mean nothing... but I did miss this boy (see pic below if your not sure who) and maybe even shed a tear over him. I pulled it all together in time for Easton to come home and it all to fall apart again. It started with Pais who stubbed her toe and in major tears proclaimed "I need daddy to kiss it better" I thought gee wouldn't that be nice. Easton then came to me with frustrated tears and said "Mom...I miss dad...I cant get allllll these Lego sets together alllllll by myself" so of course I cried with him and then because mom was crying we all cried together.

I hope America loves and appreciates this husband father and solider tonight because his family sure misses him and I would like to think maybe just maybe our sacrifices will one day better this country.

Ben we love you...words are just not enough.

Happy Birthday Easton!

2009-11-25T09:50:00.003-05:00

Today is this kids 6th birthday!

YES...hes 6...and isn't he the coolest 6 yr old ever!?!

In true Birthday fashion

I must post lots of heartfelt loving things about this dude

BUT we all know how much I love him

and how fantastic of a kid he is so instead

I'm interviewing him for you...

ENJOY!

Me: whats today?

E: Going to disneyworld and the Nickelodeon Hotel and its Wednesday

(OK hes apparently in denial hes getting older)

Me: whats your favorite color?

E: BUHHHLUE

Me: Whats your favorite breakfast?

E: Cinnamon Crunch Cereal

Me: Wheres your favorite place to eat?

E: China food or Waffle House

Me: Who's your best friend?

E: Bella (yes the dog) Uncle John and Ili

Me: What do you want to be when you grow up?

E: A Vet and a dog rescuer

Me: Who do you love the most? haha

E: MOM (of course)

Me: Whats your favorite toy?

E: My G.I. Joe toys

Me: Whats your favorite movie?

E: Cars and Transformers

Me: What are you an expert on?

E: sports

Me: Do you have a girlfriend?

E: Yup Bella and Ili

Me: What do the girls love about you?

E: I'm tall and funny and I protect them and I took them to the movies (his bday party)

Me: Whats your favorite thing to learn in school

E: Math (ew yuck!)

Me: What would you buy if you had a $100

E: a new puppy

The End!

Happy Happy Birthday Easton!

Your the BEST 6 yr old EVER!

October Happenings

2009-11-02T21:04:00.003-05:00

More of our busy October...

I "ran" a 5 K with my dear friend Sam and didn't die or come in last place...

whats that...ooh yes a woot woot!

(FYI: friends don't sign eachother up for 5k runs)

Proof we didn't die

and I would dare say the sweat is proof I worked hard

We had our annual dinner in a pumpkin.

I experimented this year and came up with a super yummy recipe...

watch for it on the cooking blog.

Doesn't look that good I know but it was fantastic and the kids LOVE it!

We dressed up for Halloween..

.as a witch and Superman to be exact

we trick or treated with our friends

the ballerina and a dirt biker

we even paused for a group shot...ooh tender

that snitch witch came along snitched the candy

and left calorie and cavity free goodies in its place

We also found time to pose for cute pics with Dad

Weekend in the ATL

2009-11-01T13:29:00.007-05:00

October was a busy busy month for us! Ben had 2 weeks off work so we took advantage of that and skipped town. Our first adventure was to Atlanta for a weekend of baseball, the aquarium, and shopping! (My favorite was the shopping...go figure)

The kids had lots of fun at the Braves game...we gave into the hype of it all even despite the fact were not fans...well Ben claims the Cardinals.

(The a on my hat is clearly for awesome, amber, and amazing)

The Braves were tied so we went 2 extra innings so Easton put on his rally cap and we all cheered but they still lost. Oh and do you see proof that the said St. Louis Cardinals fan was participating in the cheering...

Atlanta has the worlds largest Aquarium so we ventured there for the day. It was cool and the kids loved it. We saw lots of fish...ooh go figure right. Eastons favorite was the whale shark...which I might add is H U G E!!!

I got in my own fun and hit up the outlets on our way home. Sorry no pics but I would hate for Ben to be reminded of the damage and have a full grown man twitching and rocking in the corner of his tent. Here's him and I at some point during that weekend...clearly before the shopping.

Our Solider

2009-10-31T16:02:00.003-04:00

As many of you know so I'm sorry if your sick of hearing it we sent our favorite and much loved Solider off on a deployment this last week. We have a few things to be thankful for even if the situation sucks...the first is he deployed to Iraq as opposed to Afghanistan...seriously THANK HEAVENS and also this time is a mere 12 months unlike last time which was a grueling 15...yes 3 months makes a big difference in the long run.

I hope Ben reads this because I want him to know how much we love and miss him already! He is the best thing that has ever come into my life he is my best friend and my rock. I'm proud of him for all that he has accomplished in his career and I personally feel the Army is a better place because of him. I miss him horribly...I miss him shutting off the light before bed even though he usually beats me under the covers, I miss hearing him play and tease the kids, I miss all the unmentionable married stuff but mostly his kisses, I miss knowing someone pumped the gas and I have a full tank (yes already!), my list can go on and on but Ill stop...just know your missed by every person in this house!

I had the sweetest experience last night while I was at dinner with the kiddos. We decided to go out to eat and I will admit I was having a baaad emotional day so instead of sitting at the table without Ben we left the house. We let the fat man trapped in a 5 yr old lil boy body pick and he requested a buffet so off we went. The kids and I were fine...we were laughing and having fun when the sweetest older couple came up to our table and this is what happened. The man told us he had bought our dinner and left a tip, of course I was like wow thank you and then the lady said and I'm pretty sure this is word for word "the Lord impressed upon my heart that we needed to buy you dinner and let you and your kids know you are cared about" she then told me my sad spirit left such an impression on her. Ok I lost it, were talking tears almost a full on bawl. I of course was like thank you so much and Easton and Pais told them their dad had just gone to Iraq. The man then told me to tell my solider thank you and that his family is being taken care of and cared for in Richmond Hill...then I really cried. In that moment I did need to feel like I wasn't alone in my trails, and I am grateful that their are people who are open to the spirit and its promptings and are willing to help that lady who's only holding it together for her 2 kids. Im grateful for a community that does love and support their soliders and their families. The fact that I do not walk alone in this brings me such comfort and peace.

This war sucks and I don't at all see eye to eye with our current President but regardless I am proud to be an American, Ben's wife, an Army wife, and I whole heartedly support our troops and their families.

Hug your husbands tonight and don't forget our troops in your prayers!

Ben...we love you come home safe baby!

You Might Be A Redneck If...

2009-10-19T22:16:00.002-04:00

You use your leaf blower to help your wife dust...

the fan

the skylight

the wreath

Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar?

2009-09-02T12:08:00.005-04:00

BUSTED....they did!

This actually happened a few weeks ago while Ben was gone... I had sent the kids off to their rooms to "read" before bed and Pais snuck in the kitchen claiming to fill her water cup. About ten minutes later I could hear a lot of giggling and Easton telling Pais to "SHSHHH" so I popped my head in Pais room and there were 2 lil cookie monsters looking proud as ever and an empty Oreo package. I couldn't be mad...I wanted to but I mean really have you seen cuter thieves ever? Didn't think so!

Ooh look ONE left...they even offered it to me...

NO thanks Oreos are not my thing

Caution this is a very deep conversation...

2009-08-19T18:04:00.002-04:00

I would like to sum up for everyone our dinner conversation this evening.

Me: Easton what was the best part of your day?

Easton: well I got a new girlfriend

Me: Ok, wait a NEW girlfriend? I wasn't aware you had a girlfriend.

Paisley: Molly was his girlfriend mom, now its Sara.

Easton: Yeah mom! Molly WAAAAS my girlfriend but now its Sara

Me: Whys that?

Easton: Sara plays horse better at recess and Molly has a hurt knee and cant play right now

Me: Well I hope your still being nice to Molly

Easton: I am but she gives me lots of mean looks like this...(insert hilarious "mean face" by Easton here)

Me: Well that's too bad...I don't think you need a girlfriend

Paisley: yeah huh boys have girlfriends mom

Easton: And mom its very important to have a girlfriend that you like.

Ok....where do a 4 and 5 yr old learn all this? I'm also left wondering how everyone but Mom is aware of his girlfriend situation...even Pais. I couldn't even argue with his last statement. Boys! When does the girls are nasty phase start?

I'm missing 2 things today...

2009-08-17T19:20:00.003-04:00

Cafe Rio's Sweet Pork Salad (YUMMMMMMO)

Ben Barbeau!!!

Whats a girl to do!?!

My baby went to Pre-K

2009-08-17T16:36:00.003-04:00

First, let me apologize for the pictures, it was so humid this morning everything on the camera was fogging up. Totally annoying and I didn't realize it was this bad.

Today my lil Paisley ventured into the big world of Pre-k. Ok yikes...I'm totally old and all alone now...just me and the mutt at home.

Paisley loved it and didn't even hesitate in going. Last night she asked me if I would just drop her off at the door of the school because she was big enough to find her own class. They grow up way too fast!

I was one of those moms...ya know the ones that get all teary and sentimental over sending the kids off to school. I lingered too long and Pais invited me to leave and told me not to hurry back to get her....WHAT!?! Where is the love? Last year I couldn't get rid of her this year she apparently feels she cant get rid of me. She did inform me though the best part was playing and the worst part was doing work...uh oh!

I filled the void of being kid less with a delish breakfast with my dear friend Lori who happens to make alot of Pais clothes so she took advantage of my traumatic morning and gave me a lil one on one designing and retail therapy...her new fall line is out and Pais is going to be decked out and fabulous!

Paisley Bop...here's to 4 days a week of silence and not being yelled at for not making your hair bow match ooh so perfect...despite our differences and occasional clashes you my dear dear child will be missed!

I love you...guess your no longer my baby!

Isnt she the CUTEST Pre-K girl you've ever seen!?!

Time Flies...

2009-08-11T15:52:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was Eastons first day of Kindergarten....I can not believe he is old enough for that! Where did the time go?
He was excited of course and had his uniform laid out and ready to go since Sat night. The first day was a hit other then a few mom mistakes (no drink in his lunch, almost late on the first day, some missing supplies, and he was the last to get picked up...OOPS!)
Most of the same kids from his pre K class are now in his Kindergarten class which he loves. He was quick to inform Pais and I he's the only boy at his table and then told us probably 20 times he sure was glad to see Molly. A Girl huh!?! All I heard all day once he got home was "can you believe it mom, Im a kindergartner, Im going to be so so so smart now." Nope, I cant belive it! What happened to my fat squishy baby?
Today his day didn't go as well and upon further prying this was his explanation "Molly, ya know my friend thats pretty and nice to look at, threw up and had to go home this morning even before lunch! I had no one to look at" (Yikes...hes a starer and a stalker!?!)
HMMMMM my 5 yr old has a lil crush I think.

Look how handsome he looked all dressed for school

(doesnt look like that at all when I get him back though)

I LOVE YOU my lil KINDERGARTNER

I can't wait to see how much smarter your going to be when this year is over!

Super Cute...Super Easy...Super Cheap!

2009-08-07T15:43:00.002-04:00

Pais has been seen around town sporting this newest fashion trend and let me tell ya I'm getting waaaaay too much credit for these shirts! First of all my mom helped with them (OK wait, she did most the work) second of all they are super easy...I mean 15 minutes easy and third like $5 cheap...whoa nelly right...yeah I know! So let me tell you about them. Sorry about the model...she refused to be cute she said...yup she succeeded.

Get 2 bandannas and some ribbon (that's it...told ya cheap and easy) Pull out you sewing machine dust it off and here we go...

Pick the tops of your 2 bandannas then take the width of your ribbon plus a little, fold over and sew. This will be the "neck" and the casing for your ribbon.

Measure down from the ribbon casing 6 in and sew to the bottom on the side. This will make the armholes and obviously sew your front to your back.

Cut 2 pieces of ribbon the length of the shirt plus about 10 inches and thread it through and TA DA your done!

So here's the best part...ya ready...one size fits all. Have a baby? Perfect its a dress. Have a toddler? Pair it with leggings and its a shirt dress. Have a older child? Put it with shorts and its just a shirt. Is it cold where you are? Who cares put a turtleneck under it...super cute I promise!
If you live by a Hobby Lobby consider yourself lucky...they have tons of way cute choices for bandanna's...even some with rhinestones! Love it? So do we!
Get creative! We have one with boa type feathers on the bottom...jealous...I knew it!

HAVE FUN! Pais has about 6 of them and we cant stop ourselves there toooooo cute!

Feeling Lucky? Well I'm feeling generous so leave me a comment and on Monday night I will randomly pick a winner and send you a FREE one! What can I say...I'm a giver!

The Good Life...

2009-07-31T12:41:00.006-04:00

Easton and Paisley LOVE Utah...

to them there is no better place to live or be then at Grandma and Grandpas

on good ole Antelope Dr in Layton. Maybe this is why...

Bees Baseball Games with Grandpa

and allllll the junk hes a sucker to buy

ie: peanuts, ice cream in lil baseball hats,

popcorn, cotton candy, and soda

(mom and dad are just not that cool so nope doesn't happen in Richmond Hill)

Going to Spencer's new house and playing on giant dirt hills

(we don't have any hills on Robinson Loop, no Spencer, and definitely not that view)

Playing outside minus your shirt with a dirty face
(doesn't happen in Richmond Hill on Robinson Loop)

Roasting Hot dogs outside on the fire pit for dinner promptly

followed with marsh mellows for smores...again shirtless

(never has nor will ever happen in Richmond Hill on Robinson Loop)

Having mom teach everyone the perfect way to torch a marsh mellow...

YUMMY! I LOVE them burnt like this
(sometimes we do this in the fireplace on Robinson Loop
but according to them not as cool as in Grandpas fire pit)

Doing acrobats shirtless for an audience of Grandparents

and an Uncle with no shirt on and your bum crack peeking out
(yup never happens on Robinson Loop)
BUT
Lets not forget the number one reasons they love Utah...

Grandma and Grandpa
Uncle John

Bailey the dog

Thanks for a great visit...we had fun...

so much fun you get us for a whole year come October!

Hookers...

2009-07-31T11:54:00.005-04:00

My 5 year old is an "expert on hookers!"

Yes, you read that right and it came straight from his mouth. Before you judge me read and you'll understand why.
As soon as we arrived in Utah Easton started asking for Grandpa to come home from work because he was bringing him home a "hooker" Goodness kids grow up so fast right? Well the "hooker" was taken care of and I thought nothing else about it because the "hooker" was no longer discussed for a few days. A few days later a very upset, disappointed, and frustrated Easton came in explaining Grandpa gave him a "bad hooker" and he needed a new one, because the other "hooker" didn't work when he backed up. Grandma explained he would have to wait until Grandpa got home from work. Not even 5 minutes later a very excited and proud Easton came and informed me he was an "expert on hookers" because he was able to fix that "bad hooker" on his own.
Curiosity killed the cat and I walked outside armed with my camera to see what a "hooker" was and this is what I found...

Hooker: an object, preferably a very thick piece of wire Grandpa bends so a 5 year old and his uncle can hook a wagon to a car and pull things.

(PHEW! Thankfully that's all it was)

Thanks dad for teaching Easton about "hookers" one less conversation for Ben and I to tackle.

Lazy Days of Summer

2009-06-22T13:31:00.002-04:00

The kids and Bella are enjoying their days of doing nothing this summer. If we have nowhere to be this is where they hang...we miss having a pool at fingers reach in PHX and all the hours upon hours we spent last summer getting tan and swimming so this was a must have to them...they were very disappointed with the size :)

On a different note...Now that I have accomplished braids in Pais hair the fun has not stopped. Today we did 2 fish tails in her hair. I am by no means a professional but we have been having lots of fun lately "experimenting" all the fun different ways we can do her hair. A girl (Valorie) who we go to church with has 3 heads of girls hair to do and every time I see them they are perfect looking...Valorie I admire you! Pais and I thought this one today turned out fun...now if only I can get those perfect straight lines in her part.

We are going to attempt a star pattern in her hair she saw done for the 4th of July...so stay tuned maybe we will post it!

I Love Ya Lots Mommacita!

2009-06-15T00:03:00.002-04:00

This post is to let my mommacita know how much I love her! My mom is not only the best mom ever, but she is also the best grandma and one of my best friends. I think she did a fantastic job raising me until I was about 12 and then we raised each other ;) Some of the best moments I can recall include her! I wish I could have an ounce of her organization, cooking, ironing, wifey, gardening, mothering, and crafty skills. I am truly lucky to have her to look up to and have been blessed that she has helped me develop many of my own talents.

I LOVE YA MOMMACITA!!!!

Today is what we'll call phase 1 in treating her colon cancer. Please keep her in your prayers and thoughts, as well as my dad.

Get better fast mom...I'll be there in less then a month and we have some lunch dates and shopping to catch up on.

A MAJOR Milestone!!!

2009-06-03T23:38:00.006-04:00

Every mom anxiously awaits little milestones in their kids lives...

today one of ours was reached!

DRUMMMM ROLLLLLL PLEASE...

After 4 1/2 LONG years I was FINALLY able to put lil Miss P Bops hair in

french braids!!! Not one but TWO! Words do not

express my excitement nor joy

in this accomplishment!

I have envied Alisha for having girls with tons of hair

(I know thy shall not covet other childrens hair)

and every time I see her hairy lil kids I

braid, comb, style, and torture them...

finally it's Paisley's turn!

FINALLY!!!

And they were kung fu fighting....

2009-05-26T22:49:00.002-04:00

This is how we spend our Sunday evenings around here...the boys Kung Fu fight and so Pais isnt left out Ben uses her as a weapon.

I posted I posted!

2009-05-21T13:12:00.005-04:00

I haven't posted in forever, so caution this one is gonna be long! We have been super busy this last month but mostly because Ben ditched us and played Army in Cali for 4 weeks leaving the kids and I to juggle school, work, tball, dance, and lots of other ridiculous events. It was fuuun, but boy were we excited to welcome him home! The kids and I replanted flower beds, painted the dining room, painted the sun room, de-flead the dog and house (just in case), had the house get hit by lightning, paid double in babysitting ($150 a night...yikes) and of course Easton had to get the funky gunk and miss a whole week of school... all while he was gone. Just in case you wonder Ben...you were missed! Here's some more of what we have been up to...

The weather warmed up for awhile so we took advantage of the beach a few times...good thing we did because now we have had rain for 2 weeks. The rain has brought much cooler weather so despite the flat hair and wetness Ill take the rainy days with non humid cool temps any day!

We ventured to South Carolina with the Blackwell's for a Marine Airshow...the Blue Angels were there and something about watching them that makes you feel very patriotic! Sorry no pics of them we slacked! The kids got to climb inside Helicopters so they had a great time and it wasn't too hot so that was a bonus!

If you look inside Easton was the "pilot" for that flight. I think the Airshow made Ben all that much more anxious to find out about his branch transfer to Aviation. Keep your fingers crossed for us that we get it since its the only reason we didn't get out in May as planned.

Paisley had her first dance recital. Words do not describe the cuteness of it all and watching those lil girls prance around like they were stars! They did a ballet routine and then a tumbling routine. Our pics are really bad but the pic below is of Pais showing off and holding her back bend FOREVER and the teachers having to physically move her off the mat. She held it and held it and then put all her weight on her head and was waving her arms all over...shes a mess!

Today was Easton's last day of school...its now 1:50...we got home from the indoor "field day" about noon and already him and Pais have done a timeout for fighting and have been separated in their rooms twice. This is going to be a loooooong summer. I cannot believe that next year I will have 2 kids in school and no kids at home...what will I do with myself!?! I'm not ready to have my kids gone from home all day yet.

A little more from Texas...

2009-04-13T20:51:00.003-04:00

I had to post a picture of this lil beauty who I fell in LOVE with! She ALMOST makes me want another one...almost!

Please note Baby Bashs bright pink cast.

This is the kids at the Alamo

Bet ya never knew Ben was a deer whisperer...

yeah me neither

Mi Familia

2009-04-13T19:53:00.006-04:00

While we were in San Antonio visiting my family we had the ever sooooo lovely Becky take some pictures...here is some of what we got

The whole famdamily

All the darling grandkiddos

Mr Eastaroni

Princess P Bop

The Boss Man and Lady

We had a GREAT trip and it was beyond words good to see everyone! I hadn't seen Jared since his accident so it was good to get my hands on him, we got to meet lil Miss Blakely who of course is a DOLL, and Ben got to see his lil toe head Briley aka Baby Bash. Coming home was the worst part of the trip because it reminds us just how far we are from everyone. A special shout out to Moe and B word for letting us crash at their casa and for letting me squish your 4 lil divas and braid their hair. WE LOVE ALL YOU CRAZIES in this here Nelson Fam...being adopted into this MIGHT have been the best thing that ever happened to me! haaaaaaaha

(Go check out some super cute pics at Becky's blog...I'm too lazy to post more)

If your bored blame it on Ashlee!

2009-03-19T09:41:00.002-04:00

Ashlee tagged me so being the nice girl that I am I decided to do it PLUS it gives me something to blog and I havent really lately so here yall go...

8 Things: (which by the way 8 is my favorite number)

8 Favorite TV shows:
1. Biggest Loser
2. 24 ( I heart Jack Bauer!!!)
3. Brother and Sisters (Even Ben is all into it with me)
4. Anything that keeps the kids occupied and interested
5. Anything on Food Network
6. Anything on HGTV
7. Anything on Bravo
8. Any of the Real Housewives (Atlanta was the major trainwrecks so Im all about them!)

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Hooters (thats for Ben)
2. anywhere with GOOD breakfast food (ahh Sills!)
3. Michael Angelos
4. Tucans
5. Julias Thai Place
6. Panera
7. Cheese Cake Factory
8. All the delish places in UT I miss...like Cafe Rio! (lets all have a moment for them)

8 Things That Happened Yesterday:
1. Took Easton to school
2. Went to playgroup with Puff
3. Vacuumed the couches
4. Did some major yard work
5. Made Dinner
6. Ate ice cream sundaes with the fam
7. Yelled at the Dog...gave the dog away...felt guilty and kept her...yelled at her some more...signed her up for obedience classes
8. Played babies with Georgia Ann and Pais

8 Things to Look Forward To:
1. Meeting my new neice Blakely next week!
2. Seeing my whole family next week in San Antonio
3. Planting flowers
4. Having my mom come visit
5. Going to the MAC makeup store (AHHHH Heaven!)
6. Sunday morning when I leave work and know I wont be back for a few days
7. Pay days!
8. Having some much needed girl time and lunches with my mom and sister! YAY!

8 Things I Love About Spring: (it said Fall but Im changing it up)
1. Green Grass!
2. Flowers
3. Yard work (I actually really enjoy yard work)
4. The kids playing outside
5. The cool nights and warm days
6. Airing the house out with all the windows open
7. Spring cleaning the house
8. Yard Sales!

8 Things On My Wishlist:
1. Healthy kids
2. Ben to go Aviation
3. New boobs
4. A dog that listens and doesnt chew up Eastons new sandals
5. Teeth Whitened
6. A new Louie V...ahhh the smell of a Louie!
7. No more deployments for our Military
8. Big beautiful bright weed free flower beds

8 People I Tag:
1. Mom
2. Moe (DO IT!)
3. Julia
4. Anyone who wants to!
5. YOu
6. You
7. You
8. You

Our New Family Picture!

2009-03-18T15:10:00.001-04:00

As you can see I was having a rather nice hairday...the others not so much!

We were lost but now we're found!

2009-02-20T01:34:00.002-05:00

I haven't posted in FOREVER and not much but a ton has happened since my last post so here's a recap for ya'll.
Ben turned the big old man age of 27, got approved for Laser eye surgery (now he can turn his Aviation packet in as soon as it gets done on March 2nd) and he made the Captain's list. Congrats on all of that schnookums!
I took a job at Memorial Hospital and am currently working Tue, Wed, and Thu nights over on the peds side...and let me tell ya its rough and Im tired but I love taking care of the babies and kids soooo much more then adults, I also got called to the Relief Society Presidency as the Enrichment Counselor (2nd counsler) hopefully I can get adjusted to working nights and do some fun things with that new calling. Life for me feels a lil nuts and I have been told lately Im being a bad friend soooooo Im sorry but we're busy and Ben and the kiddos get my extra time for now...hope everyone can cut us a lil slack!
Easton has mastered writing his last name...and boy hes pretty proud! Hes also learning to read and doing great...he was having such a hard time with blending but since Christmas break he has made tons of progress! I must admit I was pretty proud when we sat down with his lil book and he knew the words. Boy is he getting big! He also is signed up for Baseball and is super excited for that...all he talks about is getting a glove...hopefully he wil make his Grandpa proud and be a baseball player!
Both of the kids have kept us pretty dang busy with being sick but Pais has taken the crown! She has had a few ear infections, mono (yeah where did she get that!?!) pink eye, and a few sinus infections and so now all of that has put her on the list to get her tonsils and adnoids out. Poor girl, not sure when the surgery will be yet. Pais has also started at a lil school in the neighborhood and is loving every minute of it and mastering her letters! She kinda writes her name but it depends on the day and her mood.
That's whats been happening since we went MIA...I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff and hopefully the computer will be fixed ASAP so I can blog more. We've missed yall on here!
OOH and Im still off diet coke...even working nights I havent caved!

All Good Things Must Come To An End!

2009-01-20T18:52:00.005-05:00

I am sad to report that I am jumping off the Diet Coke bandwagon...SHOCKING...yes I know! I have come to realize Diet Coke is a scheme...yes a scheme! I have to thank it for all the years of tuff times it has seen me through...it truly has been my liquid sanity! This morning when I awoke to find NO diet coke in the fridge (end of the world really!) for breakfast and almost had a nervous breakdown it was then and there I realized I'm attached, it has taken control, and I'm gonna kick it for no other reason then to prove to myself I can. I enjoy every cold delish sip but my hiney is still BIG, my thighs still jiggle, and I have hit rock bottom drinking it for my first meal of the day...so good bye friend you are a scheme and there is nothing diet about you! Wish me luck and pray for anyone who comes in contact with me the next few days (especailly poor ole Ben and the kiddos) and consider this an apology in advance for whatever might fly out of my mouth.

Paisley's Birthday Week

2009-01-10T22:19:00.003-05:00

Paisley celebrated turning 4 for the whole week...it was fun but Im happy its over...now she no longer can reject chores and picking up toys because its her birthday! She started the celebrations on her actual birthday with dinner at Chick Fila (her all time favorite food place) with our friends the Sullivan's followed by cake and presents with the family.

She is now an official Rockstar thanks to new dress up clothes and a guitar

Everyday after the 3rd was a mini party and count down for her and Easton til her "real birthday" I tried to convince them that Pais already had her "real birthday" but they firmly believed that it wasn't "real" and she wasn't really 4 til it was celebrated party style with friends. After Eastons ginormous birthday party I took the easy route with Pais and let her invite 4 friends plus Easton and we went Friday morning and did pottery. Pais requested cupcakes and chocolate dipped strawberries...which is a surprisingly delish combo and New Years Resolution wrecker! We painted, ate, played with toys, opened presents, and had tons and tons of fun and the best part was it wasn't at my house so I had no cleaning to do after.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE her birthday shirt!

The Party Crew (minus Georgia Ann who didn't want to be in the picture)

Chloe, Reagen, Pais,Easton, and Katie

Everyone picked something to paint...Pais and Chloe did ballerinas, Katie did a dinosaur, Reagen did a puppy, Georgia Ann did a kitty, and Easton did a monster truck piggy bank

I hope her birthday wish FINALLY came true!

My BiRThDaY GiRL!

2009-01-03T10:52:00.008-05:00

4 years ago today we welcomed into our lives the cutest lil baby Paisley Ann. She came a month early, weighed 6lbs, and was 19 in long. She spent some time in the NICU because of Resp problems and weight loss and then came home on lots of meds, an apnea monitor, and blow by O2... and boy was she scrawny weighing only 5 and a half pds! My personal goal was to have a healthy baby girl so once she got home I worked hard and diligently to plump her up despite her HORRIBLE reflex...I think I succeeded because let me tell you she was one HEFALUMP as we all lovingly called her! Pais was the best baby ever and was on a sched and sleeping through the night at 4 weeks...I really think this was because of all her time in the NICU. She was content as long as she was fed, clean, and wrapped up...she seriously never cried! Some people were worried (or I guess just one) that she was too laid back and was going to be shy...WELLLL hmmmmm if they could see her now they would know that the moment this girl learned words she never shut up. Here's some fun info about Miss P Bop herself...

Paisley has lots of nicknames (nickle names as she calls it) she responds to...Pais, Puff, Puffy, P Bop, Puffalump, and Puffaluscious.

Pais is ALL GIRL! She obsesses over hair bows, accessories, babies, the color pink, her clothes, and shoes! When she leaves the house she is decked out and packs a purse accordingly for the outting. I'm telling ya there is no doubt in her mind that she loves all that is girly. I'm never surprised and am working on not being annoyed with the countless outfit changes that take place in one day...she loves to dress up! She is the best shopping buddy and appreciates all the finer things in life...I almost cant afford her! For her birthday this year she requested a red and white mini cooper...sorry girlfriend its not happening.

Puff LOVES to dance! She is always asking when dance is and talking about what she learned there. I can not remember the last time she walked through this house all she does is bop around here shaking her hips and twirling!

Pais does not want to go to school she would rather stay home and be my "helper". She is my best lil bud and reads my moods perfectly and has this sweet way of saying just the right thing if the need be. I think shes a lil manipulative but hey were keeping it nice!

If you know this girl then you know her hiney crack too! I'm soooo sorry for this and I have tried everything under the sun to fix it but it just wants its presence to be known. We went to our friends Jill and Mike house for New Years and Mike had asked Jill if she thought Pais crack was gonna be hanging out the whole time...and yes it was! I think she inherited this trait from her cousin Brinkley!

When pais grows up she wants to have 16 kids...mostly twins! She loves babies and is always asking us for a baby brother or sister...maybe one day girl!

Pais is a major klutz! She is our lil crash dummy and Ben thinks she needs a helmet for her birthday. Knock on wood but so far in her life there has been no broken bones or stitches. She seriously walks into a door or wall or just randomly trips at least 5 times a day...its always followed by a ton of tears that magically shut off when she feels the need!

This post does Pais no justice...to know Pais is to love her...she has the funniest personality and her 4 yr old mouth needs a filter already!

Happy Birthday Paisley...we love you TONS and cant wait to see what being 4 brings you!

xoxo

My Wanna Be List

2008-12-29T13:17:00.003-05:00

SOOO its that time of year...ya know when you make those "New Year Resolutions" and dangit you didn't stick to em last year but this year you will. Well Ive been thinking about mine and let me be real honest I stick to them for MAYBE the first 5 and half days. Basically what it boils down to is I'm a big ole wanna be for about the first 5 days of Jan. Here's my list for 2009...try to be supportive and DANGIT if it kills me I'm gonna make it 7 days this year!

For 2009...

I wanna be... 20 pds lighter and able to run 5 miles with out that O I'm gonna die from that burn in my lungs feeling...hmmm we shall see wont we but I'm not thinking it will happen in the 7 days!

I wanna be... super organized...so organized that when Ben says hey Amber wheres the (insert any item) I can say O yeah that's on the 3rd shelf on the left in front of the (blank) and behind the (blank) OOH the thought of that excites me!

I wanna be...more of a saver then a shopper/spender...wish me luck on this...I can smell shoes and sparkles from a mile away!

I wanna be...better at reading my scriptures...I'm bad at this...really really bad!

I wanna be...caught up on my Scrapbooks...this might happen thanks to my Moms Christmas present this year!

I wanna be...more patient...see here's my problem I'm very patient until I reach a point then something inside me flips and its all yelling swearing and 26 yr old fits...yeah I want to find a middle ground...ya know maybe just an eye roll and one swear word (baby steps!) and then all is fine and calm again

I wanna be...able to put all my hair up in a ponytail and not have any of it short and fall out...I want me some long luscious locks dangit!

I'm sure this list will be revised once or twice before I sign the bottom and commit! Good luck to all of you with your resolutions and let me know if any of you have kept them...maybe it will inspire me!

Santa made a stop at our house!

2008-12-26T15:54:00.008-05:00

We hope everyone had a very merry and fun Christmas! We had a great day here and the best part was we got to be together as a family! It was fun to be able to start a few new traditions with our lil family of 4. We missed all our Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Brothers, Sisters, and Cousins tons and tons though and hope next year we will be able to celebrate and share the Holidays with them!

On Christmas Eve we hung out with the Sullivan Family (aka the Sullys) Chaos was had by all and some yummy food...but really what better way to celebrate!?! Julia and I got to cook together for everyone and that was loads of fun. The men and had some Army talk, Julia and I wrapped a few gifts, and the kids ranamuck...how much more fun can 9 people have. We had a birthday cake for Jesus then parted ways and went home to open one gift each. SURPRISE we each opened new PJs!

The kids were not disappointed Christmas morning with what Santa brought...and from the looks of it Santa must have not been sneaking a peek on their bad days bc only good kids would have made the haul they did! Some of their loot included: a doll house, a baby along with a giant horse for it to ride, new barbies, movies, games, new kitchen toys, a remote control monster truck, a helicopter, art easle, a pirate ship, giant floor puzzles, and lots more junk thats cluttering the house! Ben and I just did stockings for each other but he did a great job on mine and I would like to think I did a great job on his! We went and saw Bed Time Stories later in the afternoon...that was a fun trip out on Christmas Day and it was a really cute movie! I'm sad the big day is over but I'm happy to see the Holidays almost gone, I'm not looking forward to taking down all this Christmas garb but I'm excited to see it go...I'm sure I'm not making much sense...guess its just mixed emotions! O and let me add it was 80 deg here on Christmas...hmmm thats just not Christmas weahter!

Now its on to wishing a Happy New Year to y'all!

Oink Oink...Im on a diet now!

2008-12-22T17:30:00.004-05:00

Paisley has a million and a half babies BUT her favorite is a stuffed pig that my parents got her when she turned 2. So here I am sitting here looking at my moms cute new table on her blog (which I claim when she passes to the greater side) and Pais asks me to hold her baby while she puts away her clothes. Stupid me says Pais why don't you play with one of your dolls and this is the response I get......

"Mom this is my baby and she looks just like you and your her Grandma!"

O my thanks for that self esteem boost girlfriend! I know Ive kinda been indulging on the Holiday goodies but I didn't think I had totally oinked out...guess the truth is out now!

This pig is such a part of our family it even appeared in some of our family pictures...look close and you'll see Juicy Petunia yourself.

Ben is carrying the pig in this one

Pais has her on her hip in this one

Husband Tag!

2008-12-19T10:43:00.004-05:00

I have been tagged twice with this and never have done it then I got tagged in my email (weird huh) SOOO to avoid folding some laundry and mopping my floors (this house needs more carpet) I feel inspired to finally fill it out....O wait and also just because I love him!

How long have the two of you known eachother? since we were in 7th grade...but we werent in touch for all that time

Where did you meet? He says the story goes like this...Hi Im Amber let me see your schedule I think we have every class together...which we did both years of Jr High excpet one class or soemthing like that

How old is he? Almost 27 ...old man ;)

Does he have a nickname for you? uhhhhhh not really

What's your favorite feature of his? Ok I love everything dangit BUT Ill go with his smile bc I love his dimples...O and his lips I cant resist the lips

Is he taller? YES thank goodness...I can still rock the tall shoes and not be taller then him

Who can sing best? Its a toss up, were both pretty much rock stars

Who is smarter? Im going to be honest and say Ben...I would like to think Im smart but he teaches me something new everyday and is always having to correct things I say or think I know

Who does laundry? welllll lately we both do...I really hate laundry and hes such a good helper dangit!

Who pays the bills? Ben does...well I think ;)

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do

Who mows the lawn? Ben...but I have done it due to loosing a bet with him

Who cooks dinner? Mostly me but he fends for himself really well if Im slacking and when he does cook he makes some fierce breakfast food!

What's your favorite thing to do as a couple? WELLLLL...its a family blog so lets go with just being together! I do love watching movies with him though...but only if he doesnt fall asleep

What is your favorite quality about him? He is such a patient person (which you have to be having me as a wife) hes an AMAZING dad, what you see is what you get and I really admire that bc Im so used to having to be pretend nice and act social all the time and Ben just doesnt care what people think of him (altough this can be bad bc noone thinks he likes them) hmmmm

What do you admire most about him? The person that he is...I admire everything about him

Who is the first to admit their wrong? Im never wrong and hes stubborn so we just let it go knowing that I was right

When and where was your first kiss? he kissed me on the cheek and ran off in the 8th grade...funny huh

Who wears the pants? he wears the pants but I control the zipper and really that is a way more powerful position to have in a relationship!

Will he read this? probably not

Now I tag....My Momma, Moe, and Julia, and anyone else who wants to share about their man!

Leaves, Leaves Everywhere!

2008-12-17T16:59:00.006-05:00

The kids had fun playing in the leaves with their friends Timmy and Katie. We have a HUGE tree that covers our whole house and so Ben refuses to rake leaves, so instead he mows them over (we would probably have to rake them every other day so lazy me supports the mowing). We did however talk him into raking them into a pile so that the kids could play...he had to borrow a rake from the neighbors, hes so anti-raking he wont even buy one. So this is what you get when you turn the kids loose in random piles of leaves in the yard...

There was lots of throwing and rolling around

The boys buried themselves

Which inspired Pais to bury herself as well

Miss Katie jumped in them so much she was tuckered out and needed a nap

Timmy caught onto my camera obsession and paused for a cute pic

THEN...Big Brother Daven showed up and thought he was way too cool to get in on our fun soooo we tackled him and DOG PILE! No children were injured in the process do not worry I did not lay all my fattiness on the 9 yr old

If your bored come rake our leaves...the driveway is missing from being covered in them...we'll even let ya jump in them...free of charge ;) O and Julia thanks for letting me torture your kids!

A visit from Santa

2008-12-16T17:36:00.002-05:00

We had a very special visitor come to our house...On Sunday night Santa made his way down our street to visit all the lil kids. The Reindeer were resting in preparation for the big day and the elf's were all busy finishing up toys so he was accompanied by a few Richmond Hill firemen and rode in on an Ambulance/Firetruck instead of the usual sleigh. The kids were impressed, well Easton was, Pais informed him when asked what she wanted that she already told the Santa at the mall and she just wanted a candy cane...shes a tough crowd. I have to say I do love all the things this town does for families...it makes living away from family just a little bit easier... but only a lil.

Here's Easton waiting for him...pj's, cowboy boots, and a jacket...nice!

Santa told them hes going to keep a special eye out all next week to make sure their in bed and not out roaming the neighborhood in pj's...thanks for the help Santa ;)

Our Festive Saturday

2008-12-06T17:51:00.005-05:00

We had a busy busy day filled with lots of Christmas fun...here is what we were up to

We started the morning off with the Richmond Hill Parade

Eastons favorite part was the Marching Bands and Paisleys favorite was the Disney float

Our friends the Sullivan's were in the Parade and we watched it with our friend Chloe and her mom Sheri

After the parade was over we snuck off to our favorite Chinese restaurant for lunch (YUMMM) and then we ventured to the Fair on the Square...they had fun rides, fake snow, lots of kids crafts, and even some shopping

We then went and shared with Santa our Christmas wish list and Mom was able to sneak in a few Christmas purchases unnoticed by the kiddos (nice!)

We ended the day with a ride on the train in the "Caboobs" as Pais called it

Merry Christmas Everyone! We are so lucky this year to have the Holidays together as a family since Ben was deployed last year for them all. Many of the floats at the parade today paid tribute to the Service Men and Women who are deployed...please take the extra time this Holiday Season to put them in your thoughts and prayers, both them and their families...I found myself choked up a few times remembering my feelings during the Holidays last year while Ben was gone.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

2008-12-02T16:31:00.003-05:00

I can not even begin to express my love for Christmas! My obsession started when I was little and no not because of the gifts but I have always always loved the decorations! I remember growing up and feeling like my mom truly transformed our house at Christmas. The memories will be with me forever...the decorations all over, the Christmas music, the smell of Christmas all in the house, my dad making peanut brittle and popcorn cakes....I LOVE IT ALL! This feeling is something that I strive for my kids to remember...yes the gifts are fun but most of all I hope they remember my love for all that is Christmas and the warm feeling I try to bring into our home each year for it!

Here's some of our decorations...

Living Room Tree...Santa delivers to this tree according to the kiddos

Holy Moly I HEART this Nativity! This pic does it NO justice what so ever

...and the stockings were hung by the chimney with care

The kids tree in the "playroom"

This one is in the dining room

I would loved to have 4 trees and sadly I have enough ornaments to do that many but the look on Bens face put the major brakes on that idea! So sad O well maybe I can sneak up 2 big ones next year. ALSO I need a vote here...Ben is super upset that we only have white lights so after hearing all the comments about it I caved and we did colored lights outside (cringe! yeah I know) sooo tell me do you prefer white or colored lights on your tree and house?

One more thing...go to my sisters blog (Alisha Barton) she is giving away some super cute Christmas vinyl for your home so go check it out and leave a comment to win!

O My...Easton's 5!

2008-11-25T09:58:00.012-05:00

Today is Eastons birthday and hes so excited to be 5! I personally can not believe how fast he has grown up and I wish that he would slow down a little. Of course everyone loves their kids and say they have the best but if you knew Easton you would know I'm truly blessed with the sweetest most loving boy ever! He is the peacemaker around our home and is very rarely in a bad mood. He loves life and for being 5 is amazingly on track with his priorities and he loves his family above all! Easton is anyone and everyone friend and loves to play with others. I remember when he was born I wondered what he would be like when he was 2, then 3, then 5...and now that's its here I know I couldn't ask for a sweeter lil guy! Happy Birthday Bud...Mom loves you...we all love you...you're just easy to love!

Here are a few random and fun facts about Easton...

Easton came into this world weighing a hefty 9pds 12oz and was 22in long. He was all bruised up because he was stuck in the same position for 2 hours...I'm sorry bud I did such a bad job getting you here!

Easton didn't ever crawl, he would scoot all over on his back and boy was he fast. Bryce used to ask if he knew how to use his arms. He was also a late walker, finally at 15 months he took his first steps!

Easton LOVES his lil sister...he gets more upset then she does when shes in trouble. He has been known to sneak her snacks and drinks if Paisley is in timeout or on her bed. Pais hates to pick up her room but Easton is always quick to help her so she doesn't get her toys thrown away!

Easton is all boy! He loves anything that has 4 wheels especially 4 wheeling! He has successfully rolled his 4 wheeler twice, dented his Uncle Anthons truck driving into it, and been told by a Forest Ranger he drove too fast, that is one of his highlights of life, to a lil 5 year old thats like getting your first ticket. He loves camping with his Grandma and Grandpa and tells me all the time hes gonna get me a trailer for my birthday so we can go campin...no thanks bud.

Eastons middle name is Terry, after my Dad and one of his best friends. He so far is the only grandson and although he claims to want Auntie Moe to have a boy I think he loves all the extra special grandson love he gets since hes the only one. Grandpa is also who is responsible for Eastons long time hat obsession. Hes not as bad as he used to be but it used to be a fight to get him to take a hat off for school, baths, church, or bed...the red one my Dad gave him is still his favorite! My dad calls him Tank, but if I call him that forget it only Grandpa can call him that special nickname. So around here he's Eastaroni and E.

Uncle John has always and will always have a very special place in Eastons heart. Easton loves his Uncle John and still tells me on an almost daily basis how much he misses him. We all miss family but Easton begs to see him and every cool new thing he gets or does he wishes Uncle John was here for it. They really are the coolest friends ever and I love that he is an awe of John.

Easton loves chocolate like I love shoes! This boy is easy to please when it comes to food. When I asked him what he wanted for his birthday dinner I was hoping he would want to go out but nope he requested homemade chicken noodle soup and chocolate pie. This kid lives for soup its funny how excited he gets when I make it for him.

Easton loves anything Army and Pirate related. He tells us all the time when he grows up he wants to be in the Army...which quickly I discourage but he has dreams dangit! He loves to learn about the human body and can tell ya all about the lungs and heart and how your blood flows from one to another (yeah thats my boy!) so his new dream is to be a real hero and be a doctor in the Army. O we shall see wont we.

Happy Birthday Easton...I hope 5 is all that you hope for and more!

xoxo!

Ahoy Me Mateys!

2008-11-23T18:49:00.003-05:00

Easton celebrated his 5th birthday with friends on Saturday...yup you guessed it...we did it Pirate Style. I'm totally bummed because we didn't take any pics really but we had 12 kids at it plus Easton and Pais so truly it was CHAOS! We did have lots of fun and I was told by Easton that I'm the best mom EVER so really that made all the pain and suffering worth it! We started it off coloring Pirate pictures while we waited for everyone to get here...let me tell you that was the best idea I have ever had bc not a single kid ventured into our bedrooms and destroyed while we waited that weird half hour for everyone to get there. I was excited because we had put on the invites that they needed to dress in their Pirate best and almost every kid did it was so cute! Again I'm sad theres no pics! We played sink the ship and the winner got to be the Captain of one of the Treasure Hunt teams (Birthday boy was the other captn of course!) Then we did a Treasure Hunt outside that I'm weirdly proud of and at the end there was the "loot" aka party bags filled with necessary pirate accessory's. After gifts, cake, and ice cream we were done but everyone lingered and the kids ran a muck outside. It really was so much fun...if any of you ever want to do a Pirate party call me I have ENDLESS ideas now of things to do!

The Birthday Boy in his Pirate Best

The croc is gonna get the Pirate hat! Ahhhhh! This cake was such a pain but its my own fault! I tried to take the easy lazy way out and use store bought frosting when I should have made my own so that it would be easier to decorate with and of course waited til way last minute. Ben had a friend he works with and his wife over Fri night for games and they stayed til almost 1 am so I didn't even start the cake til Sat morning. Of course the icing was so soft it was running right off the hat...when I finally wanted to give in and go buy a cake Ben jumped in and saved the day and made the skull and cross bones with marsh mellows...TA DA what a genius! Reason a million thirteen and a half hes a keeper ;)

Chaos! Ben tried one picture and then declared defeat! So sad...but this is the opening presents mess

And I have to post the treasure hunt...we divided into 2 teams both teams had the same clues just in different order and they ran between the front and back yards looking for the clues...we ended up dividing boys against girls and of course bc Ben helped the boys cheat they won...wait we actually just let them who wants weeping boys at a Pirate party;)

Ahoy Me Mateys, the time has come to find the hidden treasure, ye'll sure have fun. Follow the rules along ye trip or walk the plank and sink yer ship. Now mateys listen, here are ye rules. no fighting, no pushing, stay a group and no running ahead. Me Hearties, the hunts to begin, may all ye ships come in to win. Here is ye first clue, the game has begun, lets all be sure to have lots of fun.

Clue 1: A pirates life is the life for me, look for a birdbath under a tree
Clue 2: As any pirate ought to know...this is where the palm tree grows.
Clue 3: To find the next clue, all hands on deck...hurry up, before the ship is wrecked
Clue 4: Shiver me Timbers theres lots of gates but ones a double so take yer ship through it and don’t be late
Clue 5 :Land lubbers Cove is next, sea dog...now look for a caged white dog
Clue 6: Cannon balls wont knock down this tree its limbs are so long it stretches to the sea
Clue 7 :One more clue and the treasure is yers...look for "Capt'n Quarters" on the doors
Clue 8: Sit down and wait for all ye ships to arrive,and then yell get the big surprise

I Heart Edward!

2008-11-22T08:46:00.006-05:00

YES Please do Edward!

My friends Sherri, Julia, and I went out with all the teenie bopers Sat night and braved the Twilight craze! I had fun and loved it! I thought Edward was not very cute on the internet when I saw his pics but watching him be Edward made him O SOOOOO TASTY! We were the oldest in the theater but its ok we had fun! We went out to dinner at the BEST and I mean BEST sushi place ever called Tangerine...if you live out here go there! Its a lil spendy and dress a lil nicer but it was o so delish! I'm excited for movie #2 to come out and cant wait to get #1 on DVD and torture Ben with it...payback is H E double hockey sticks babe for all those boy movies you make me suffer through ;)

On a totally different note...

You know your in for it when your 3 year old daughter is sitting on the couch with the Pottery Barn Kids magazine YELLING..."Shut the front door! This is SOOOO CUTE!" If it was pink she wanted it for Christmas, if it was pink with polka dots she NEEDED it, and if it was anything baby doll related she HAD BETTER get it. Uhhhh hello doesnt she get thats Santas on a budget. After about 5 minutes of listening to that I went and got the Toys R Us add to try to persuade that instead but nope she wasnt interested. The complete doll house set with furniture, people, 2 buildings, and a table for it to go on out of Pottery Barn was over a $1000...can I get a HELL NO!

Knock Before Entering!

2008-11-20T09:21:00.007-05:00

The dear adorable absolutely delicious Baby Briley and her mama Alisha (aka Auntie Moe or Moesha) were here visiting us for a very very short 5 days. We had so much fun but I was a lil bummed she wasn't able to bring all her girls. I hadn't seen any Barton's since May and she hadn't seen my kids since last Thanksgiving or Ben since Jr High...haha! According to Moe the highlight of the trip was when she walked in on Ben doing push ups naked in the living room...Bens version is that he jumped out of the shower to check on her crying daughter and was casually streaking back to the bathroom when she walked in the front door...I was outside so the truth will never be known! This was also the highlight of the trip for Ben because he seems to think Moe was very impressed with the free "show" he gave. Consider me sharing that story somewhat of a public service announcement...ALWAYS ALWAYS knock before entering the Barbeaus house! We had fun other then just nudity, Alisha and I were able to ditch the kids leaving them with Unka Ben (who Briley LOVED) and do some dining and shopping...really its what the 2 of us excel at thanks to years of teaching from our dear Mom. We went to Paula Deans restaurant Lady and Sons and had us a buffet of fried food and butter...just what my thighs needed! My mom sent Pais and Baby Briley matching church dresses for Christmas so we dolled them up and took them hand in hand to church looking the cutest they ever have! Seriously it was adorable! Thanks for the dresses Mom! Easton looked handsome in his new outfit but he took it off before we got to the pictures and there was no putting it back on him. We had lots of fun and it was a very much needed trip...Ive been missing family so bad and we haven't been able to get anywhere to see any so a trip to see us is greatly appreciated! We love ya Moe and Bri...Thanks for the fun and baby squishes!

Ahhh...so sweet!

Paula Deans! Too bad we didnt get a pic with our cute lil 12 yr old waiter!

I got tagged....

2008-11-12T12:09:00.003-05:00

This is a long one and I really had to think about it but here it goes...

5 things I was doing 10 yrs ago
1. I was still in High School
2. Living at my parentals house in Layton
3. Hanging out with friends and being up to no good most the time
4. Working at Gordons Copyprint
5. Planning a very exciting escape from life in Layton to College (didnt happen how planned)

5 things on my To-Do list today
1. Playgroup
2. Make Eastons bday invites
3. Wash bedding for my Sister
4. Make dinner for the Missionaries
5. Find and catch the Lizard I have seen twice in the Living Room but havent caught yet

5 snacks I enjoy
1. chips and salsa
2. Italian Sodas...yummmmmm!
3. Ice cream
4. apples and carmel dip
5. ok who am I kidding Ill call anything a snack and eat it!

5 things I would do if I was a Millionaire
1. Pay of any student loans for family
2. take a super nice vacation
3. go back to school
4. invest it
5. redo my house...o think of the fun in all new furniture!

5 places I have lived
1. Belleville, IL (thats where I met Ben...ahhh)
2. Layton, UT
3. Kaysville, UT
4. Phoenix, AZ
5. Savannah, GA

5 jobs I have had
1. Gordons
2. Dick Kearsley
3. MDSI
4. Clinicals (trust me it was just like a job, full time hrs, crazy busy, but no paycheck)
5. a mom (my favorite one!)

4 things Im passionate about
1. Ben
2. my kiddos
3. family
4. my home

4 things I say often
1. ya know
2. O sh*&% (yeah its still a problem)
3. because mom said so!
4. dont make me take your birthday away (this one works!)

4 things I want to do before I die
1. Have all my scrapbooks current
2. take a photography class
3. go back to school (again)
4. go somewhere super exotic and lay on the beach and actually look good in my swimming suit

4 things I want/need
1. new dishes
2. a new blow dryer (I keep forgetting to get one)
3. new boobs!
4. my GA state RT license so I can work out here

4 places I want to see/visit
1. Australia
2. Hawaii
3. I have a dream of going antiquing in an Amish town
4. Italy

4 TV shows I cant live without
1. House Hunters
2. Any thing on Food Network
3. Mickey Mouse Club House (its the only thing Puff sits still for)
4. Biggest Loser

4 things you dont know about me
1. I cant swim (pathetic!)
2. Im married to my Jr High "boyfriend" (some of you knew that but its funny to me)
3. I have a major fear of parking garages and bridges...forget it they dont make sense
4. I cant have my feet covered when I sleep or they cant "breath"

Tag 5 people
1. Victoria
2. Lisa
3. Marla
4. MariJo
5. Anyone else who wants to go for it and fill it out!

Friday Cancelled

2008-11-12T11:58:00.001-05:00

Im not going to be having the get together at my house Friday...Ill have to let you know when its rescheduled for. Im taking custom vinyl orders all the time though so let me know if theres anything you need.

I'm just bored...

2008-11-07T23:00:00.003-05:00

The kids and I went with our friend Sherri and her cute lil girl Chloe today and saw Madagascar 2...super cute! Both the kiddos walked around singing "I like to move it move it..." the rest of the day. The movie kept saying butt and Pais in her o so loud voice blurted out "don't say that its a bad word!" Ahh thats my girl...its a hiney! Anyway it was fun take all your kids to see it.
Ben has a friend visiting from Belleville soooo the boys are out tonight, but since there was no Ben distraction hanging around I FINALLY got the extra room off the kitchen (scrapbook/office) a lil more organized and pictures hung...hopefully now I can be inspired instead of looking at blank walls. My seester Moe and the luscious baby Briley are coming in less then a week to visit...YAY I'm sooo excited! I miss family big time lately so this will help. If anyone has some suggestions of fun Savannah things to take her to let me know I'm still a newbie and hardly venture out of Richmond Hill. Last but not least...next Friday at 10:30 I'm having a fun little get together at my house. All is invited so bring a friend and come shop, chat, and eat some delicious goodies with us girls. I'm going to be selling boards with Holiday vinyl sayings and taking custom vinyl orders, Jill will be doing Pampered Chef, my sis is bringing Scentsy candles, and Julia will be there with Premier Design Jewelry. So come on over the more the merrier and Easton and Pais are happily excepting playmates.

Stray Puppies!

2008-11-04T15:53:00.003-05:00

We have come across 2 stray puppies that we need to get rid of...STAT! Although they are adorable we cant justify making Bella share a "cave" and plus they foam at the mouth which clearly cant be healthy for us to be around. Any takers?

Halloween Fun and Traditions

2008-11-01T23:24:00.005-04:00

We started our Halloween night off with dinner in a pumpkin. Pais chopped the veggies for it, Easton gutted the pumpkin and then we all enjoyed our festive dinner!

Then the Army Guy (minus the "itchy" face paint this time) and Cheerleader got their costumes on and off they went, dragged by Ben kicking and screaming to collect him some candy

The "loot" was combined and feasting was unsupervised for one night because then the Snitch Witch (AKA Ben...hence the reason he wanted them to get lots of candy) flew in on a broom, took the candy, and replaced it with a much loved Transformer and Ballerina Barbie.

Halloween was fun this year and the kids loved being a part of the traditions!

Here's Pais cheering about her brother being an Army Guy and Bella wanting to be in on the Cheerleader fun...

Block Party

2008-11-01T23:14:00.002-04:00

The school that Easton goes to had a Block Party this last Wednesday so off we went and fun was had by all!

Easton and Mrs. Fowler (his teacher)

E got to hold a baby Alligator

It felt just like a FABULOUS pair of shoes!

Ryan, Mrs Andersen (Asst teacher), and E

The line for this slide was long but Pais cut right to the front and boy was she proud and not the least bit guilty

Easton and Pais both got stuck to the wall

We are LOVIN the cool weather and gas prices...FINALLY!

2008-10-26T15:41:00.009-04:00

The ward had a Fall Festival on Saturday...we had lots of fun and the kids were excited to get dressed up and trunk or treat. Ben and I got some pretty funny arm sleeves that looked like tattoos and they worked great everyone was double checking to make sure they were fake, Ben wore one on each arm and I wore just one. Those and my nice new red eyelashes were the extent of our costumes but we had fun and the Primary did a great job on all the activities. There was a chili cook off, lots of games, trunk or treating, hay rides, costumes contests, and of course kids running around.

Pais and Georgia Ann are the cutest lil friends...if only you could hear how she says Paiseeee...too cute...anyway they sat on the stage and got in some girl time

Easton went on the BEST hayride ever...the girls got ditched so we couldn't tell ya if it was the best or not

Here's Ben's tattoos...pretty funny huh!?! They look so real even up close.

Our Army man and Georgia Bulldog Cheerleader

Here's some more of what we were up to this week...

We played at the park during Corey's b-day party (Corey and E are best lil buddies out here)

Pais found a nice bug muddy puddle and landed in it

But bubbles made it better!

We bowled with the Missionaries...we LOVE Elder Brunson and Jenson! We have the Elders over once a week for dinner and then they have been teaching the discussions and I don't think we could ask for better Elders ever! I love cooking for them because they are always so excited for anything and everything and are so cute with the kids and of course always leave us with a message to ponder. I think Ben is more attached to them then anyone and loves awing them with his guns and motorcycle. Elder Brunson might get transferred this coming week and if he does he will be sooooo missed by the Barbeau Family...hopefully one day he will truly understand all that he has done for us. WE LOVE YA ELDERS!

And did a lil licking and baking.

Also, Easton had a dr appt this week and I couldn't believe how much he has grown. Of course I know hes tall but the lil dude is only 1/2 and inch shy of 4 ft. That's a foot a year...hopefully he doesn't keep that trend up. Everyone assumes hes so much older and are always so shocked when they learn hes only 4...well almost 5...in fact we hes been practicing telling everyone hes 5.

Our Weekend...

2008-10-20T13:24:00.004-04:00

Again this was another busy weekend. Who would have thought 2 months ago when I was going batty from boredom I would now be sitting here thinking o how lovely boredom and a weekend with nothing to do sounds. Not in the future do I see this happening. Soooo here's what we did. Friday night I ditched the man and kids and went to a Pampered Chef party...ahh how I love Pampered Chef. My ditching was a success and apparently I was not missed. Ben and the kids went to the church and played volleyball. The kids reported unsupervised FUN and running around, Ben was moving like a sore old man but was grinning, and everyone at church on Sunday made me promise he was allowed back bc apparently he is a bit of a showoff at volleyball and they "NEED" him...so goodbye Friday nights I guess;) Saturday Pais and I went to the cutest lil 1 year old birthday party and the boys went to an Airplane Museum followed with shoe shopping...thanks a lot Ben I wanted to go shoe shopping! After we met back up we went to the Richmond Hill Sea Food Festival. Guess what we dined on for dinner...ding ding your right sea food. Well the kids had hot dogs but hey who really knows whats in those. After dinner we partook of what the south does the best and had us some fried food...a fried snickers and some funnel cake...YUMMM! The kids rode a few rides and the whole time I was panicked and positive the rides were going to break down and fall apart, but nope they didn't. It was very chilly and despite the ridiculous amount of money we wasted I would dare say we had fun!

Sorry the pics are lame there from the cell phone.

Easton Terry

2008-10-17T14:41:00.004-04:00

This post is just about Easton! First let me tell you he is the best lil guy ever and I'm lucky to have him in my life! I think that this move of ours has hit him hard the last few weeks despite his new school, soccer, and friends which he loves. He tells me on a daily basis he lives too far from his Grandpa, Uncle John, friend Georgie, Bobby, Andrew, Spencer, and Anthony. Easton is the sweetest child I know and is so kind to everyone I hope that he settles in again and makes as good of friends as he had before! I love ya E I promise it gets better! This morning was a baaaaaad morning in our house for him and all I kept thinking was WHOA when did Pais become the easier child. Easton has such a cute lil testimony, he looked at me and said mom maybe I need to ask Heavenly Father to help me be good today...it blew me away that he thought that...his prayer went basically like this.

Dear Heavenly Father, thanks for my mom, dad, and dog (no sister) please give me super powers Ive asked before and all I want to do is fly. Ill be a superhero and help people and fly to Grandpas house. Help mom to give me my dollar back (he broke something in a temper tantrum and had to pay me a dollar) Today will be a good day starting now. Amen

Ok the fly to Gandpa part broke my heart but what a cute/funny lil prayer! I love this kid and I'm thinking Grandpa needs to use his super powers and fly here!

(This picture is from over the summer while he was camping with my parents...look at that white hiney)

Family Pictures

2008-10-12T21:20:00.006-04:00

Ok first let me set the scene for you...
We had to be up and have E to soccer pics by 8 on Sat (of course after going to bed at 11 the night before) then we spent all day at Tybee and then got home cleaned up prayed for a break in the rain and met Lisa Brown at the park at 5 for family pictures with 2 whinny grumpy less then cooperative kids. As soon as we got out of the car it started to rain again so we just went with it anyway in hopes to at least get a few good ones. About 2 min after the last picture was taken and as far from the car as we had been all day it started to down pour on us and we were drenched! Despite all that I think Lisa did a great job and I love them! Thanks so much dear! Her site is linked in my blog so go check her out and use her! She is awesome! So here's a preview...the rest will be on our family wall!

Shiver Me Timbers!

2008-10-12T21:11:00.002-04:00

We took the kids and ventured to The Pirate Fest on Sat at Tybee Island. There was lots of Pirates and some were a lil too authentic looking and acting for the kids taste but it was fun. Next year we will have to dress up more then we did and see if we can make it into the costume contest...ARRRRR!

2008-10-10T13:53:00.002-04:00

If you are interested in contributing to the recipe blog I just need your email that you use to log onto your blog so that Alisha can invite you and then you can post recipes...the more the merrier!

Rain Puddles

2008-10-10T13:26:00.004-04:00

It has been raining a ton here the last few days and I think the kids and I have still have a lil PHX blood in us because boy do we get excited to see rain! We have a sun light (is that what its called?) in our living room so when it rains it sounds like its raining inside which the kids LOVE. They of course could not resist the puddles that were outside so I let them play...at one point they were barefoot but I didn't take pics of that...sure would hate to ruin my mother of the year award! Que the pneumonia and ring worm now ;)

A lil proof this white boy can jump

Pais was jumping so hard she lost her shorts...

These boots were made for puddle stompin and that's just what they'll do....

(Sorry the pics turned out so dark I couldn't find the good camera)

Hot Mamas Who Cook...

2008-10-06T18:32:00.003-04:00

Us Nelson girls like to cook...this possibly could explain my thunder thighs and Oprah arms but despite that scary fact ALisha has set up a recipe blog. I hold her cooking in the highest regards so I was more then flattered that she asked me to contribute to the blog so here's my shout out to all the other cooks out there. If you love cooking like we do and want to share recipes let us know and she will invite you so that you can log on and post on the blog. The only rules are you have to have made the recipe and a picture with each post is preferred.
Happy Looking and Cooking!

Some Fun Weekend Stuff...

2008-10-04T20:50:00.009-04:00

We decorated for Halloween and I'm thinking that I must be rubbing off on Ben over here because he meticulously hung us some spider web...Martha ain't got (insert my favorite bad word here) on Ben Barbeau! This was probably a bad idea though given the nasty bugs we have around this casa...guess we shall see! Hes for hire by the way if you need his decorating skills!

Friday night after dinner the kids wanted to go for a walk. I had to laugh when we were half way down the street and I realized their outfits. I'm not sure why the cowboy theme but I'm thinking they were mighty stylin!

The Garden Club out here did a Pumpkin Patch today so after soccer we walked over to it...the kids each picked out a pumpkin. There was lots of games and kids stuff but given the lack of enthusiasm (cant ya see it on their faces) we paid for the pumpkins and left and didn't partake of any kiddie fun.

As we were leaving I just couldn't resist this sign...maybe I'm a retardo but I was a lil surprised by the Alligator part...we live about a mile and a half tops from this sign...Alligators don't wander do they?

Easton had his first soccer game today...I'm not sure who won (is that bad) but I do know they all had fun. He did great and was really into for the first half, but he woke up not feeling well so by the middle of the game he was hardly even walking down the field and didn't care about keeping up. I feel bad for the lil dude...by his own wishes he was in bed asleep tonight by 7... hopefully hell be spry by Monday for school.

Sorry this is sideways but this is Puff cheering E on at soccer...I think its cute but ya know I think my kids are amazing, cute, and scrumptious!

6 Quirks...maybe I need therapy!

2008-10-01T13:20:00.006-04:00

My dear friend Marla tagged me to write 6 unspectacular quirks about myself. Really how sad that I have to confess my less then desirable qualities but whatever here it goes anyway...I'm sure there are far more then 6 but lets stick to the basics shall we...

1. I have major issues with things being left open! It drives me NUTS when someone doesn't close the shower curtain, kitchen cabinet, or closet door...grrrrrr! I realize its such an easy fix but it still drives me bonkers to the point of brief grouchiness.

2. I'm a picker and I bite my nails...ASHAMED...yeah so am I! Seriously though if I'm gonna have such bad skin at this age I'm gonna sit in front of the mirror at night, pick, and take the days frustrations out on my pimples...its gross and I know better but I cant help it. If I don't have a fresh manicure game over I chew my nails...I know I know licking a toilet seat is cleaner blah blah but again I cant help it.

3. I have a potty mouth! Its horrible and I'm ashamed and yes this is a family blog but seriously what better word out there expresses every emotion then the word shit. I'm serious, happy, sad, mad, excited, surprised, whatever it works. I'm working on this though and I think its getting better...well unless of course someone does the thing #1 speaks of ;)

4. I am obsessed, hooked, addicted, call it whatever to Sonic Happy Hour. This wouldn't be bad if Sonic wasn't so far away. Nothing tastes as good as a diet coke with vanilla from Sonic smack dab in the middle of the day. Its o so refreshing, but you figure a dollar a day adds up to $5 a week (I don't get it on the weekends) and thats $20 a month PLUS all the out of the way driving and after a few months thats a babysitter and a date night. Yeah maybe I should get help and give it up.

5. I can keep a super clean house but I have junkie closets. So sad but its like my out, that one space I can open and toss...it feels so good to be a rebel! Its so frustrating at the same time tho because I know theres something good lurking somewhere in the back but forget being able to find it. I will say I have a fabulous hot pink closet in this house that I do keep o so tidy.

6. The worst for last. I hate admitting this because I am 26 years old dangit and I should know better but I HATE being told no in any and every retail situation. I have a shopping issue and man o man do I hate that Ben puts the brakes on me and buying stuff. I swear when I get told no I want to lay on the floor kicking and screaming and throwing the biggest fit ever but I dint, only because I know how nasty those mall floors are. For real tho I need a money tree in my backyard and a husband that's oblivious to my spending habits. His mom shops so why doesn't he grasp the vital concept of girls just want to buy stuff? Sigh...life is rough ;)

Phew I'm glad thats all over! Ok so now I'm gonna tag some of you lovely ladies to confess 6 undesirable quirks about yourselves. I'm gonna go for the fam so get confessing Moe, Tara, Hodo, JBB, and Erin!
Here are the rules:Link to the person who tagged you
Mention the rules on your blog
Tell 6 unspectacular quirks about you
Tag some more people if you so desire.

Weekend Recap...

2008-09-29T11:31:00.004-04:00

We had a very fun, busy, and exciting weekend! Here's some of what we were up to...

We started it off with a very scary icky BIG unwanted spider friend...seriously have you seen such an ugly thing? I was freaking out and just and FYI mosquito spray doesn't even stun an ugly giant spider...EWWWWWWWWWWWW...thankfully its dead now.

Pais so very very kindly tried to help Ben out Sat morning by giving him a makeover. Ben thinks he looked like he had black eyes but really that's the look on maccosmetics.com, we promise! He had blush, eyeshadow, and lip gloss...I think he looked HOT ;)

Easton had soccer practice...games start next Sat. Hes pretty good with his ball handling! Sorry the pic is a lil lame, Ben was supposed to be in charge of the pic taking task while I sat and chatted.

P Bop finally got her bed finished! She loves it but its super tall and she has to use a foot stool to get in it, but that's how Princess's sleep!

We got a new neighbor...well that's according to Easton anyway. This is Fred the very fat toad that lives in the tree in our backyard. He is very kind and lets Easton catch him several times a day and squeeze him a lil too tight. Since I wont let him have him for a pet he informed us hes the new neighbor...maybe I should charge rent.

I don't have a picture of this but it was so fun I thought I would share. We had the Blackwell's (our friends from church) and the Wentz's (our new soccer friends) over Sat evening and we grilled pizzas on the BBQ. Trust me it was fantastic tasting and lots of fun to try something new. Every couple did their own pizza and then we did a basic one for the kids. The best I would have to say ended up being the BBQ chicken one. We used a calzone dough recipe I have for the crust and it was great so I'm sure any basic dough recipe would work. Try this everyone it was great!
Well anyway that was our fun weekend adventures! Enjoy!

Whats in Your Purse?

2008-09-23T11:48:00.004-04:00

This morning when I was leaving to take E to school I picked up my purse and my first thought was hmm that seems heavy. So when I got home I decide to clean it out. I found all kind of random treasures mostly lipgloss, but hey you can never have too much of that! Seriously though it was kinda funny all the junk I found...here's a list of what WAS in mine...whats in yours?

wallet

checkbook (no one in this town takes debit cards...grrr)

2 bottle of various pain killers (haha my life isn't that bad)

iPod

7 pens and 1 black sharpie

tons and tons of receipts and some random mail

a tractor

3 Cinderella dresses (but no doll to put in them)

purple hair clip and hair band

silver hoop earings

Paisleys headband

lotion

2 hand sanitizers

gum

keys

3D glasses for the movies...OKKKKKK?

and last but not least

11 lipglosses...a girl needs options

O and I pulled my camera out of the pile to take the picture

Cake and New Shoes!

2008-09-23T11:21:00.004-04:00

We are going to dinner tonight at a super cute couple in our wards house so Pais and I decided to make a dessert to take. I hate hate hate baking...I think its because things have to be measured and recipes have to be followed and I don't do either when I cook so I was more then willing to have help. Pais is a pro at baking...she has the 2 basics down...stirring and licking. What a smart girl!

See that black gift bag in the corner Moe...its your late bday gift...I'm holding it hostage for my package!

Of course I am Paisleys biggest fan and find her far more then entertaining but here's a conversation we had while making the cake. I wish you all could see how animated she is when shes telling me something or the way she shakes her hips and cocks her head...shes seriously too cute! Ive truly enjoyed the girl time we have had with E bring in school 4 days a week.
Here its goes...O and if anyone knows how to get to this mall give me directions STAT!

Pais: Mom do you hear that big jet in the sky

Me: I sure do

Pais: We should go outside stop it and go for a ride

Me: Where will we ask them to take us

Pais: I dunno away from the stinky boys and naughty mutt (haha shes so SMART)

Me: hmmmm but I would miss the boys

Pais: Ok they can take us to the mall for new shoes...there is a really big one that you have to take a jet to and all it has is new shoes...we NEED new shoes mom! I think its on the moon.

Me: Hurry Pais go wave that jet down

Pais: No, you mom, I'm stirring

I think my work as a mother is done with her! She wants to be a mom when she grows up, she thinks McDonald's is nasty and Chick Fila is the way to go for fast food, she loves sparkly stuff, lip gloss, gigantic hair bows, and she always always needs new shoes and is up for a trip to the mall. Mission complete shes officially raised ;)

Ballerina P Bop

2008-09-18T11:29:00.009-04:00

Pais is currently OBSESSED with anything and everything dance or cheer leading. So after much begging and prancing around the house proving her worthiness we put her in a dance class. Her 3 year old mind is convinced that its Ballet but its really a creative movement and tumbling class. She loved it regardless and told the missionaries tonight shes a ballerina that tumbles...too cute! The class was an hour long and no parents allowed in and I sat there the whole time hoping and praying she was playing nice! To my relief after it was all said and done her teacher came out and sang praises in how well she did and participated. After dinner Easton set up a "stage" for her and she showed us what she learned...all I saw was alot of flopping around with a few somersaults and some pointed toes but watch out all you dancers because this girl has moves!

Being the o so FABULOUS girl that she is Paisley recognizes any and every chance to accessorize so when she saw this hair bow with ballet slippers she HAD to have it. To my amazement the hair bow was still in place after her class and she loved all the attention she got for it. I'm a proud momma that she grasps this vital concept of accessorizing at such a young age!

First Day if School

2008-09-18T11:29:00.006-04:00

We finally got off the waiting lists for schools out here and found one just yesterday that had one spot left in the Pre-K program, so today was Easton's first day of school. He was so excited yesterday after we went to the school took the tour and signed him up he told the lady to stop talking to me because he needed a haircut and lunch box. So haircut he got, (a horrible one that hes proud of because he got it done at the Barber so no girls allowed and he calls it an "Army Haircut"...blahhhh) and lunch box too, gave endless detailed instructions on how to care for Bella while he was gone, and off to school he went this morning. He wasn't at all nervous, he walked right in showed off his soccer bag told everyone his name and asked where he could sit and rest. He towered the other kids in his class and made them all look like midgets. As I was leaving a little girl walked up to him and asked if he wanted to be her boyfriend...I had to chuckle when he told her no he only wanted to be friends. Hes a heart breaker all ready but good idea and stick to that thinking til your 28 1/2! I am left wondering though why I didn't send the difficult child to school and leave Easton at home with me...Pais at school Mon-Thur 9am to 1pm sure would do a world of wonder for her and I relationship! Hopefully he will make lots of new friends and really be able to read sentences by Jan as they promised...o we shall see! I was a lil bummed that the Pre-K class doesn't wear uniforms, I couldn't get over how cute all the lil kids were lined up in their uniforms yesterday...O well maybe next year.

GOOD LUCK E...mom misses you already!

So handsome!

I think hes going to miss Puff...he sure was sweet with her this morning!

He was worried I didn't get a good enough picture of his new lunch bag...hope this will do for him!

Rockin Birthday Moe!

2008-09-16T22:06:00.005-04:00

Today (the 17th) is my very most favorite seester in the whole wide worlds birthday! Shes kinda my only sister BUT I am positive shes the BEST! I'm not just saying this because it is her day and I really really really want her to mail my package, but shes truly an amazing person and I am lucky to have her to look up to. She is an AWESOME wife and mother who manages to pull off a straight out of a magazine decorated home and food network worthy meals while looking o so fabulous at the same time (seriously her talents are endless)! Alisha is someone I have and will always look up to in every aspect of life and I cant imagine any other person to be my big sis.

Happy Birthday Moe...I hope its a good one because you deserve it! Rock out with your bad birthday girl self! xoxo

(Your gift will be in the mail today...sorry its a wee late!)

In the Army...

2008-09-15T20:52:00.006-04:00

Our extra room has been filed with Army junk ever since Ben has come home and now that I have plans in motion to make it a Scrapbook Room I have been encouraging OK nagging him to get it organized. Wellllllll Ben had helpers and I'm not sure who figured it out but someone figured out E and Pais could fit in his GIANT sized pack. So basically that explains the pictures...they had fun playing with all his stuff and of course nothing got organized. Grrrrr!

We're cookin wih FIRE!

2008-09-15T20:35:00.003-04:00

I think tonight was the closest I have ever come to catching my house on fire. I was making dinner and had taken the chicken out of the oven and THOUGHT I turned the oven to broil but I really (without noticing) turned on the back burner to high. So I'm going about my business cutting the kids chicken up so it can cool and all the sudden I hear a LOUD pop and then crash sound. At first I look at Ben like huh then at the stove and there was glass everywhere and a dish towel on fire. Ben was to the rescue in no time at all and had the fire out. Good thing he was there because it took forever for me to register what was going on but no I didn't stop drop and roll ;). Here's the o so sad part though...of course it wasn't my towel or casserole dish that fell victim. We had a friend over for dinner last week and she so kindly brought and left dessert and of course her stuff had been sitting on that burner for a few days waiting to be returned. Hopefully she can forgive me!

Im an addict!

2008-09-13T16:34:00.003-04:00

I have a new obsession! I went to Barnes and Noble last night and bought the first 2 books of the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer and I'm HOOKED! In fact (and I'm a lil ashamed)I read the whole first one already...yeah I'm being neglectful today as a wife and mom. Luckily Ben thinks its funny so far and has played Mr Mom! I promised I wouldn't start the next book til the weekend was over and he was back at work BUT to my dismay the first chapter of the second book was in the back of the first one and I couldn't help myself from peeking! I'm dying to know what happens...dun dun dun. Guess Ill have to wait tho because Ben is motivated to organize the attic...really the attic? Ugh. Anyway if you haven't read them read them and if you have thanks for encouraging me to jump on the Twilight bandwagon!

I used paper and scissors like a big girl...

2008-09-12T08:41:00.003-04:00

I finally started the process of putting together my scrapbook room. I have been itching to make something creative. I was able to find the supplies to make a card for Ben (trying to win a few wife points) and then had these wallet sized pictures of the kids so I made a mini fold album. I have a weird obsession for making cards that look like file folders...you can paper clip the note on the inside or a picture whatever its just super cute. Just wanted to share some ideas with y'all...enjoy!

Handy Boys for Hire!

2008-09-09T20:32:00.004-04:00

There is nothing to say about this picture really its very self explanatory! Its alarming to me though how much the 26 year old acts like the 4 year old...hmmm. Hopefully these two can get hired on and do a few side jobs because Momma needs a new purse. Let me know if your interested in their services. O and the pictures were taken by Paisley...I'm telling ya never leave kids unsupervised with a grown man because its all fun and games til someone looses a limb playing with tools or moms camera gets broken!

SHOUT OUT to Sonic...thanks for making me a better mother!

2008-09-09T20:21:00.003-04:00

Do you ever have those days where nothing is wrong but nothing is right? Today was that day. Apparently Easton noticed my mood and approached me with his solution. I was informed by my 4 year old that a Diet Coke with vanilla easy ice (I swear he knew the PERFECT drink to the t) would make me be a good mom again! At first I was like a WHAT? a good mom AGAIN... (just for the record, I wasn't being a bad mom I was just avoiding certain situations with them so I never stopped being a good mom ) After about 2.5 seconds of muling it over we were all in the car headed for the Happy Mom drink! Guess what that kid is smart because it turned the whole day around...or maybe it was listening to them try to sing any and every hip hop song on the radio...who knows but next time the day is BLAH fix it with a sonic!

A VERY Important Health Warning From Paisley Herself...

2008-09-09T01:13:00.003-04:00

While eating the O so delicious dinner that I prepared Paisley informed us that she would not be eating her O so delicious potato's because... (please picture Paisley in her I know it all and I'm about to fool Ben look when you read below o and her only volume level is SHOUTING)

"when people eat potato's they make their feet hurt so I'm NOT going to eat my potato's, OK can I have dessert now?"

I personally did not eat the potato's because its Monday and every Monday I start a new diet (that lasts til Tue afternoon usually) and this Monday I decided to go low carb so no potato's, but I would still take her word for it! I'm sure this was NOT an attempt to get her dessert faster...so put your potato's down...your feet will thank you!

Tybee Island

2008-09-07T20:26:00.011-04:00

SHARKS!

He made a fort and noone was allowed in

Almost time to turn over

These tractors go everywhere with those 2

Against better judgement we dipped a toe in that NASTY water

A horseshoe crab

We took the kids to Tybee Island and let me tell ya they loved it! We're all a lil sunburned now but it was a fun day! We even saw sharks...okay I lie they were dolphins. The boys did their thing and dug holes and us girls handled the suntanning like the champs that we are. I read once that a suntan makes ya look 5 pounds lighter...thank heavens for that! I think Ill go again tomorrow and try to loose 5 more!

It's all brand new to us...

2008-09-07T19:24:00.012-04:00

A new home

With a SUPER cute new mailbox

A shiney new mommy mobile

New boy toys

And somehow we collected a new kid along the way

(Please do not be fooled by the cuteness of this picture...it is not at all how it appears!)

2008-09-07T19:19:00.002-04:00

Hi all...I have finally given into the world of blogging! Mostly because I know I am one of the worst people about keeping everyone updated on our life! Sooooo hopefully this will help!
We finally are living in Georgia, Ben is home for good, school is over for me, the boxes are unpacked, and now were a lil bored! The bugs are GIANT sized here and it rains often, but I must admit we are lovin it! I have even mastered not having nasty hair from the humidity. How much better can it get!?!