Life goes on...

I am making a new commitment again this year, to spend some time on this blog again. I have been writing, thanks to a class I took in the BYU I Pathway program and have remembered how much I do love writing. So... I am announcing this to no one...but plan to be here often, more a journal of sorts since I am pretty sure no one follows this anymore anyway! Haa! So instead of blasting out my thoughts on facebook, to be lost forever, I think I miss the record of my thoughts that I had for so many years here on this blog. See ya soon!

Image Source: http://www.hdwallpapers.in/view/cool_summer-1680x1050.html

Summer is here! I can't believe it! With our move in may, and wrapping up PTA for the year, then scout day camp one week, and 11 year old camp another week, and sending Vance off to boy scout camp this week, it is just beginning to feel like summer!!  I LOVE summer. But to be honest it is so rare here in Washington that even when the calander says it is summer, that it feels that way.

We had Kjari's 5th birthday party over the weekend, which included great sunny weather, swimming, water balloon fights, tons of good BBQ foods with friends and family!  It felt like it had truly begun.

Life has been so busy, that I really want to enjoy it when I can this summer. I want to soke up the little sun we get, and not stress about my house and laundry, I want to play with my kids in the pool and not think about all I should be doing inside. It is so short... summer and time with my kids. I hope I can hold on to this time as long as I have it.

I give up....

I am done with the 30 day, whatever...  I should really never set my self up for those sorts of things!!  Ok so lets see if I have any pictures I can post about to get back to normal and off of that train wreck...

This was on our trip to Idaho for Christmas!! We had an unexpected stay when on our way to a job for Kjell to look at his truck broke down!!  The kids didn't mind at all as you can see!!  

Ok, I have now officially moved on from that craziness and plan to post more of my normal randomness!!  

Skipping Day 3 and on to 4, Habit...

Ok, so really annoyed now, I seriously do not have any pictures of my self with friends that I would want to post....I hate pictures of me period. So I let that craziness get me off track!!  That is going to be my new years resolution, to try and not let one thing hang me up for it all. I do it often. I guess that leads me to Day 4...A habit you wish you didn't have.  I have no idea how to explain it, but this really is a perfect example. If I set out to do something and a stumbling block shows up, of any size or shape, it puts me in freeze mode and I can't move forward.  Why do I do that?  Really no one is actually reading this anyway, its really truly for my own journaling purposes anyway, is there anyone out there that was going to go, wow, her blog really sucks, she didn't even do day 3!!!  Haa haa, I know it is crazy, but it is me.  I do it with alot of aspects of my life, if I can't do something the way I really want to, or as good as I vision it happening, then I simply stop and don't do it!!  Any ideas of how to change that are welcome!!  I think I need to let things go.. I truly put too much on my plate and then I can't do anything as well as I would like.  Ughhh how to begin choosing what to cut out of my life for the new year. I know what I would like to cut out, but what I actually can is a whole other story!!  :)  I am crazy, but guess what.... I posted day 4!!! :)

Day 2: The meaning behind my Blog name

Well, this is interesting because I have been thinking recently of changing it!  I wish I could say there was some real creative thought behind the title, but It just came to me, long before blogging, but back when I was trying to send out monthly updates to my parents and family who lived away. So i guess since those updates were about our latest news....it just became that!!  Not too exciteing, but that is what it is!!

Day 1: Recent Picture and 15 interesting facts about Me!!

day 1- recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

Ok, Kjellsen took this of me playing with the camera sometime in September. I honestly could not find anything else of me....note to self. I played with it and edited it, but he is a pretty good little camera man!! I now have black hair....so if you know me well, my  look changes on a monthly basis....so oh well!!

Ok this will be tough.... I am not that interesting.... 15 things.......

1. I miss my family and friends in Idaho alot. I hate that we have always lived away from home, and as much as we have always made "homes" where ever we lived, there is ALWAYS apart of me who hopes we return to Idaho someday.

2. I learned to play the piano by ear when I was young. A curse and a blessing. I have a strong ear for pitch because of it. But I can't read notes very fast.  I LOVE to sing, wish I sang in perfect pitch. The curse is, it is really hard for me to sing around or hear someone singing off pitch.

3. I secretly wish I was a home school  mom. I love NOT being forced to live on a schedule, NOT having to answer to others about MY children, just simply having time with my kids and being apart of those moments when they add things to there brains they will keep forever.

4. I am easily distracted. I can be very passionate about something one day and on to something new the next. 

5. I worry alot. I have a hard time getting things out of my mind. Especially things about my children.

6. I am easily pleased as far as gifts go. I don't really take alot to be happy or to feel loved. Works great for my husband. I seriously would be annoyed with expensive jewelry. I honestly don't see the appeal. Its not just my stage of life either, I just seriously don't see why you would spend so much money on rocks, no matter how pretty they are. Take me on a trip, a vacation, or an experience I won't forget, not some jewelry that could be lost in a second and gone forever. Flowers too, I think roses are pretty, but not worth the money, now pick me some wild flowers to fill my house with, and I am a happy girl!!  Chocolates, ok, but give me some Greek olives and Gouda cheese... I will smile for a long time. If someone, including my husband, forgets a birthday, or anniversary or whatever, no big deal, I get it!! I am the worst at remember such things. If he tells me he loves me everyday, I am happy! 

7. I love funny things my kids will say. Especially when they are not trying to be funny!! 

8. I am a consistent parent.........on two thing, and two things only. My kids know that I love them. Unconditionally!!  My children know that I know, why I am here and what our purpose on this earth is.

Other then that, I could use alot of help, getting on the consistent train!!  Hence my wild children...whom I love.

9. I LOVE going to the movies!!  It happens about twice every 3 or 4 years, but I love it!!  I need to live in a town that has a dollar theatre!!  I would defiantly go more often, like maybe 4 times in 3 or 4 years!! :) (Yes I know I live in a town that has a $7 theatre, but I am just that cheap!!)

10. I love my mom. The older I get, I realize how sooo much alike we are. She loves me unconditionally. And she doesn't wine when I don't call her every week!!  We love the talks we both have, but we don't hold it against each other when we don't get the chance. My mom is an amazing, strong women. I hope to be more like her when I grow up!!

11. On that note, I am not a good friend. Interesting? I don't know, but its true. What I mean is, I am not a very consistent friend. (there is that word again...consistent...hows a girl like me with so many thoughts and ideas, suppose to be that way!!)

My family comes first. Always. And Always will. Like it or not, it just is. But even before family, I was kind of the same way. I will be there when you need me. No question. Just ask and I am there, to listen, to help, whatever. But if you don't tell me you need me, you  might not hear from me for a while. My best of best friends know this about me. We can pick up from where we left off, and no one is hurt by it at all. I want to be better at this, but it is what it is for now. I have been this way since I was a child. I think it might come from being born with two best friends. I never had to really learn to make friends, they were just there. And when you have known each other that long, you sort of have to take it how it is... you know, you are locked in for life!! haa haa  So I hope to be a better friend someday.

12. My husband is hot. This is really not about me, but it sort of is. When I was younger, I was very, very dumb. I dated a guy, who lets just say, wasn't the best looking guy around. He ended up not being so nice either, It didn't go so well, From then on, I simply thought that looks were sooooo important!! HAAHHAA so little did I know.  I was really mean, first off, I would never have even considered going out with any guy who was shorter then me. And if he didn't have just the right look, I would seriously become really annoyed and avoid them. Mind you I am almost 6 feet tall!!  I am sure I missed out on some really great guys who simply were inches shorter then me....but I digress!  I am very fortunate to have ended up with a really good looking, but also amazing, giving man. I say lucky, because I am sure I couldn't have know all that during our short dating period before I agreed to marry him!  But I did know that one thing.... He is hot!! :) 

Ok this is really hard...... what else????

13. I hated reading growing up. I am sure with my Narcolepsy I just simply could never get into a book before falling asleep, so I understand why, but I always felt really dumb about it. Now that I am older I have learned that when I read something I am really interested in, then I love it!! I need something new to read though, it has been  awhile since I have read much that keeps me interested.

14. I really hate the daily tasks of keeping a house up. BUT... something I LOVE to do, is to have the house empty... with no children around.... with good music cranked up really loud, and have a whole day to clean. The kind of cleaning when you are done, your house smells clean. Your sheets are new and crisp, and smell of fabric softener.  It is seriously mood altering for me....I am sick I know..... :)

Ok, one more, I think I can do this.....

15. I have an unwavering testimony of who my Savior Jesus Christ is, and what he has done for me. Because of this, I am very forgiving. There is nothing that I cannot get over, and nothing that goes unforgiven in my book. I am grateful for this, and I take it as a blessing.

Wow, I did it, I don't know if it is very interesting, but it will be fun to look back on this someday and learn more about who I am now! If anyone actually read all of this! Feel free to comment!!



Boost to get me Blogging again!!!

This is a challenge going around and I decided to take it. I have really been slacking on blogging. I know not to many people even read this, but that was never my goal. It is my way of journaling my thoughts, and pictures of our growing family!  So....in order to re boost my goal, I think this will really get me going!!  I challenge anyone else out there who wants to joing me to go for it!!  :)

Here are the rules....

day 1- recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself (this will take some time... I hate talking about myself, I am not that interesting!)


day 2- the meaning behind your blog name

day 3- a picture of you and your friends

day 4- a habit that you wish you didn’t have

day 5- a picture of somewhere you've been to

day 6- favorite super hero and why

day 7- a picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

day 8- short term goals for this month and why

day 9- something you're proud of in the past few days

day 10- songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad

day 11- another picture of you and your friends

day 12- how you found out about blogger and why you have one

day 13- a letter to someone

day 14- a picture of you and your family

day 15- put your ipod on shuffle: first 10 songs that play

day 16- another picture of yourself

day 17- someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why

day 18- plans/dreams/goals you have

day 19- nicknames you have and why you have them

day 20- someone you love.

day 21- a picture of something that makes you happy

day 22- what makes you different from everyone else

day 23- something you crave for a lot

day 24- your last five facebook status'

day 25- what I would find in your bag

day 26- what do you think about your friends

day 27- why are you doing this 30 day challenge

day 28- a picture of you from last year and now, how have you changed since then? "

Halloween Jib Jab Video

Check this out!!! I always crack up with these silly things!! Enjoy!
http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/itui6sgeOURxGUJd?cmpid=hw_fb_self

Idaho Cousins......

Last month I was able to attend Time out for Women in Idaho with my sister, mom, sister and law and some friends and there mom. It was so fun. In the meantime, my truly amazing husband had the kids and they got to hop around and visit all of the Idaho cousins. They spent Friday evening with my Brother Aaron and his three kids. They Spent the night and had tons of fun. The next day, Kjell drove out to see my sister's kids, and took them all seven fishing!!  They had so much fun!!  I wish we had pictures of that, Vance says he took some but can't find his camera.... could come later! That evening, my brother's kids came over. By this time we were home from the conference. They had a sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa's. I caught them all in the middle of watching a movie!!  My kids love to visit all of there cousins in Idaho. It too bad there is so much time between when they can see each other!! 

Summer 2010........Kjari

Kjari turned four this summer!!!  I know it is hard to tell from the picture, but she just slightly LOVES all things girly! She still loves these girly toys she got as gifts! She is tough, but oh so sweet! We love our little wild, loveable, sweet Kjari!!  She adds so much to our family! Sometimes I forget she is only four! She suprises me daily, with her funny sense of humor, that would make you think she was much much older! She LOVES her older brothers and misses them desprately when they go off to school!! 

A few 2010 summer highlights.......Kjellsen!!

 Kjellsen, our little artist!!  He was so proud to have his painting be apart of the all things beautiful Art exhibit this summer!! He truly has a talent I hope he continues to grow and do more as he gets older!! Kjellsen has a sweet tender side, that brings out beautiful artwork that suprises even me at times. I love this little guy!!

Back again!

Ok, so I have really been slacking lately and want to renew my commitment to keeping my online journal. We have been so busy with alot of current things going on, but for now I want to catch up on a few important things that have happened.  So if the next few posts are a bit out of order, then you will know why! Enjoy the ramblings of a crazy women!!  I love my life as crazy as it is.

Contest giveaway.....

A favorite blog of mine is giving away this adorable dress and headband....wouldn't Kjari look adorible...You can enter the contest too, check it out....

http://hairbowsforgirls.blogspot.com/2010/09/its-big-one-dress-and-matching-headband.html

9/11 Day of Remembrance Service Project

Last Saturday our family participated in a Day of Rememberance Day of service for 9/11. It was really a great way to teach the kids to do good things and make negative things positve. This was Kjari getting ready to pull weeds. Our friend shot this picture, I thought it was adorible of course.

Here is Vance helping scrape paint at the high school football stadium.

Vance and his Scout trip had a beautiful heart touching, flag ceremony and moment of silence. It was an amazing thing and for a moment you could see the honorable, good men these young crazy 12 and 13 year old boy will be someday!!  Makes a mother proud!! :) 

A friends blog...

Thought I would pass on a cute giveaway going on over at a friends blog. Her blog is really cute, and she often has such fun ideas!!  She is currently haveing a fun givaway and a link to a place to find really cute fabric... check it out!!
http://mcillecespot.blogspot.com/2010/06/sewing-frenzy-giveaway.html

That day at recess...

My cousin Jo, one of the coolest people I know by the way, shared with me a blog that is currently having a contest going on by a teacher who writes the blog. She wants to find out, or should I say prove to her students that recess is not all its cracked up to be. You know, how every child if asked what there favorite part of the school day is, will always answer recess. Because of all the things a teacher does to make the day what it is, it seems hard for her to understand why the only part of the day that a teacher is not apart of, happens to be the favorite. So... she is asking for our stories. We all have them, but the kinds of stories that we remember something dramatic happening in school, and yes, it was usually during recess. If you are intersted in entering her contest here is the link to her blog: http://spinmewriteround.blogspot.com/2010/05/ridiculous-recess-or-my-first-contest.html
So... here is my story...

I remember sitting in class with my 2nd grade attention span, waiting for our teacher Mrs Jo, to dismiss us for recess. It was nothing new for Mrs. Jo, who was only a few inches taller then most of us, but had us scared into believing she was taller then most of our fathers, to keep us in to the very last second. In fact I am pretty sure she enjoyed watching us wiggle in our seats as we would watch all the other 2nd grade classrooms march down the hall, watching the back of the person in front of them, as to not step out of line and have to return to the classroom to "try it again". As the last child could be seen walking out the door, then and only then, we would be released!  As long as we walked quietly to the door and remained that way until we were out of site of Mrs. Jo, then we were free!!
This particular afternoon I was very excited to meet up with my best friend because we had each brought a brown paper sack, full of picture of our favorite song artists, and secret crushes. My friends bag was full of pictures of Micheal Jackson, and mine full of the singer Prince!!  Our future husbands of course! (Gag...) We were so excited to share them with each other, and met up where we had planned the night before on the phone, at the merry go round.
We were busy swapping, and dreaming about our pictures as we straddled the seats of the old wooden merry go round. Oblivious to anything else going on around us, the time flew quickly and eventually we heard the bell ring. I will never forget that moment, as I stood to run inside, and the back of my navy blue polyester pants caught the rusty bolt  near where I was sitting. I can still hear in my mind today the slow rip.....and feel the cold breeze on my then exposed back side!!  My friend had ran ahead, and I was left standing alone. Watching all the kids running into the back side of the large brown building of our school and seeing kids snickering as they ran past me, I felt frozen in time.
It felt like hours before my friend realized she was running alone, and stopped and came running back to rescue me!  I explained to her what had happened and we stood wondering what we could do to get inside with out anyone else seeing me, and in time to not receive the wrath of Mrs. Jo, for being late.
Eventually, my hero, and friend to this day, helped me transform our brown paper sacks into a mock skirt, and she walked with me slowly all the way to the office to make that 911 call to mom.
Looking back, I am sure this is not the worst thing that could have ever happened to a child at recess, but it is one I will never forget. Those moments that cause insecurity in our minds, truly believing and fearing to myself that I would aways be known as the kid who's pants ripped open at recess, was a fear of mine for the rest of second grade!!
 As I got older, I realized through experience that there would be many bigger and much more embarrassing things to become known as. More things that in those moment seem to change our lives forever. Funny thing is I would guess, that not one person from Lincoln school that year, besides me and my hero, even remember that day. But when we live those moments, they are so real and seem so important.  Each event is written in the journal of our minds, and I suppose in away, made us who we are today and not to forget, gave us funny stories to write about in the future!!  

6th grade Science Project

Vance did a great job on his sixth grade science project. We picked a pretty simple project because he sort of forgot to tell me about it during spring break!! :)  We still had two weeks though, so we did fine. Vance is such a smart kid. I was very proud watching him, and talking with them about all the aspects of why the planes flew or didn't fly as well, and how we should arrange things. I love my little man! 

Our Visit to Grandma Zola

It was so nice to see Grandma Zola during spring break this month. We went down with Kjell on some jobs in Portland. We visited some of our old homes we lived in, and even dropped by Vance's elementary school and got to see his teacher that he had for kindergarten and first grade. He loved that!! 
It was really hard seeing Grandma this way, she is very tired. Kjari and her really hit if off, it was so cute, they were dancing together!  It was really special to see. The boys were a little nervous, but I think it was good for them. I stayed for an extra hour alone and Kjell took the kids back to Aunt Linda's house. It was bitter sweet. It is hard seeing someone you love in front of you, but not sure if they really know you are there. Kjell gave her a blessing before we left. She did not want us to go, adn that was heart breaking. I love my Grandma. She is an amazing women who has lived a wonderful, honorable life.

St. Patricks Day

I didn't catch any photo's of the mischief the leprachans left this year, but we did have a fun "beautiful" dinner as Kjari would say!!  I love the fun simple holidays!!! 

Great Job Gjori and Kjellsen!!!

This last friday, Gjori and Kjellsen participated in there school Talent show!! It was SOOO fun, and they both did so well. Kjellsen has a love and a talent for drawing. He ended up being the only one to submit art, so they actually had him do a reviel type thing as the first act. He was so cute after he revieled it he ask if anyone had any questions, but the lady didn't here him ask, so they moved on, and so his anxiety started up and he ran off the stage  and we found him in the corner of the gym crying. I felt so bad for him because he really was so excited about it and did such a good job. We finally got him to come sit down and watch the rest of the show, and with in a few minutes he was having a good time again. Gjori chose to do a magic show!! It was really awesome! He did three tricks including one where he had his principal come up. He did such a good job!! My only worry for Gjori was that he would giggle thu it and he ended up having everyone in the croud laughing and it was just really fun!!  I was so proud of both of them. After the show, Kjellsen was overwhelmed by how many people came and looked at his drawings and loved them. So many people talked to him and it really made him feel so much better. The best part is his principal ask him if it would be ok if they displayed them in the new school display cabinet for a few months. That made his day.  I think he is going to love seeing that at school today.
They also had a bake sale silent auction, so I made up 5 plates of truffles!! It was fun and I really like how they did it, I think they raised a lot of money for the school.

Monty's 40th Birthday Party

I thought I would post the awesome party that our friend Carrie threw for her husband Monty's bithday.  Kjell and some of there friends went and played air soft to keep him busy while we set up everything at the church building. Carrie worked for months on this party and it turned out so cute. It was a hunting/red neck theme. She had all sorts of decorations, a slide show, and tons of games, including a gunny sack type race that she used deer bags for.  Everyone came in camo or hunting clothes. It was really fun. Carrie actually cut and shaped the deer cake made from Red Velvet cake!! It turned out really cute!!

Kjari......

Before.....(This was in October)


After.......

From the Salon fix up....

Ok, now that I have dried my tears, and can talk about it...(sort of teasing..) I had to post about Kjari's self hair cut!!Another thing we do for Valentines day is, for the month of February, we each have little mail boxes, and I have supplies for Valentines to be made in hopes that everyone will leave little notes to each other. So hence scissors were out.......Gjori was home sick that day and I was upstairs cleaning. Gjori came running up telling me, "mom you are going to be so mad at Kjari..." Then around the corner comes the little princess herself!!

I was so impressed with what the stylist was able to do!! Her hair actually looks really cute now, but not exactly what I would have chosen for her!! The funny thing is the last few days she has gotten upset with ME because I wont put braids in her hair!! :)

Classroom Valentines

I had fun making the kids Class Valentines this year!! With Kjellsens allergy to red dye, I decided no candy this year on the cards. (He got plenty at the party to give away!) So I found this adorible idea on the Insanity blog, (you can find link on my list of blogs, she always has fun party etc.. ideas) Anyway. I made up 5 batches of play dough and made it as red as possible, and we cut out 55 3/4 inch hearts and put them in celephane bags, and attatched little cards the kids signed!! The picture only shows the first half!! It took forever but was worth it! I was at the parties and the kids loved that they got something they could take home and play with!! It was sad that Vance, now a big middle schooler, didn't need Valentines this year!! He didn't seem to mind, but sad for me!! :) For the teachers this year, I found the cutes little fuzzy Valentines Socks!! I couldn't resist and got a pair for me too!! :)

Valentines Day!!

I had lost a cord to get pictures on my computer, so I am way behind on our blog. Since I plan on printing this off someday as my make shift journal, I will be posting over the next few days some photos from our adventures over the last 6 months, out of date but at least they are here, for today though, I am going to post our fun annual Valentines Dinner, as Kjari has now named them our beautiful dinners. Everynight since that night she asks if we can have a "beautiful dinner"again, meaning I think that she wants candles and our fancy glasses. Here are some pictures from our dinner!

Happy Valentines Day!!

Kjell and I both LOVE Valentines day!! We make it all about our family!! Probably because we celebrate our anniversary just a few weeks before!! But I still wanted to post a picture of my Valentine and me!! I won't get too gushy since I did just post about him, but to be honest he is pretty great and it is hard not too!! I love being married!! Married love it so awesome, I never have to wonder if I have a Valentine or not!! I am glad to know that forever and all Eternity, I will always have not just any Valentine but I will always have him!!

Last night at Family Home Evening, we were talking about standards, and why it is important to protect our standards that we are given, because Satan is always trying to get us to break them even in little ways. We talked about how the next 10 to 15 years for them will be so important and that Satan knows that, and he will try to get them to break the standards our Heavenly Father has given us to protect us. Now is the time more then ever that Satan wants them to break those standards because some of the most important decisions they will ever make such as going on a mission and who and where they marry will be effected. Making little choices that break there standards can make it very difficult to achieve these goals. So we talked about how, it was important for both Kjell and I to find someone who honored those standards in the same way....So Gjori piped in right away and said, "wow, you guys are really lucky, no more challenges for you." Well... that gave us a pretty good laugh, and made us both think hard. By no means has Satan left us alone... and he never will. We have seen his influence in our lives many times and had to really hold to those same standards to fight him off. But it did make me so grateful for my temple marriage and for a man who knows what is right and knows what he needs to do to protect himself and our family from challenges that we don't need so that we can have the strength to fight the ones that come anyway!! I love you Valentine!!