The Big Date!

Yesterday was the big surprise date that Stewart planned for us. Let me just say that it was SO FUN! It was just like old times! {before kids} :). Stewart had the whole date planned out ahead of time, and he wouldn't tell me anything ahead of time. I asked all sorts of questions to try and crack him, but he knows me too well. (He wouldn't even tell me what to wear... boots or sandals? capris or long jeans? nice shirt or t-shirt? hoops or studs?... you know... serious stuff!)

So first we went to Shoshone Falls. It was BEAUTIFUL! The falls were really flowin! It was a beautiful day outside. There was a slight breeze, which made the mist spray us. I've never ever felt a mist when I've been to the falls and it was really neat -very romantic! :)

Just for the journaling record, this date was like a flashback to our {very} "newlywed" days. We held hands everywhere we went, Stewart opened my door for me everywhere we went, and we managed to sneak in a ton of kisses everywhere we went. It was a very sweet date. Made me remember how much I like that kind of sweet attention.

Stewart planned a picnic too! {I know you are jealous of my sweet husband}. He bought all the food while I was in the shower, packed it in a duffle bag, and put it in the back of the car. I didn't even notice it! {He's so clever}.

We had quite the spread! The menu consisted of PB&J, potato salad, capri suns, lofthouse cookies (AND) chewy chocolate chip cookies, cheesecake jello, and Salt & Vinegar chips {it kills me how well he knows me!}

Then we went to a movie {which Stewart bought the tickets for earlier in the week}. The new Priates of the Caribbean movie just came out, and we went to it in 3D baby! It was our first 3D movie {besides my Disneyland Bugs Life 3D experience), and I have to say I have mixed feelings about 3D. It was really neat, but sometimes it kind of gave me a headache. (Like when they were sword fighting, it was too high def). I think that movies were made to be watched in 2D, but it was fun, and I will say that I will probably watch more 3D movies in the future, because it was pretty neat.

After the movie started it was neat to look around at everyone, so intent on the movie and wearing these awesome glasses! Personally I think WE ROCK these glasses!

Thanks for the date Stewart! It was nice to be able to spend time with just you, and be able to remember how much fun we have when it's just the two of us. I Love you and am so glad that we have a whole eternity to spend with each other!

Here I GO!

I am officially trying to lose weight. I still can't decide what my goal weight should be. I'm thinking like 160. {I haven't weighed 160... like... ever I think}. I'm still not sure, but that would mean losing 40 lbs! {yes you math whizzes... go ahead}. Before I was married I was in the best shape of my life. I think I weighed something like 165-170 {ish}. Of course back then I rode my bike everywhere, and I did Jazzercise like crazy on top of that! I gained 40 lbs when I was pregnant with Addison, lost 40 lbs after her and while I was first pregnant with Brogan, then gained 10 lbs in the last 2 weeks of being pregnant with him. Since then I haven't really lost much weight. BUT, I am officially sick of feeling huge. I'm ready to get a body back that I can be proud of, and feel comfortable {and hot} in.

I absolutely HATE the word diet. I have a strong belief that all things are good in moderation. I also have a strong belief that a person shouldn't skip out on the good foods in life just because they want to be skinny. {If I want a cookie darn it, I'm going to eat a cookie!} (I just have to make sure that I only eat one cookie, and not the whole package of cookies!) So I haven't quite decided exactly how I want to change my eating {it can't be too hard, or else I'll never do it}, so I'm still debating on that for the moment. I have however, taken my first steps of action to get the ball rolling.

1. stop drinking pop. -Yes... I drank pop like a mad woman. {I figure if it wasn't pop it'd be booze ;) } So far I haven't had any pop since Monday! {and it's killing me}. Today was officially the worst of the caffeine headaches! Hopefully they will go away and I won't feel the need to have a Wild Cherry Pepsi at the end of the day
2. Jazzercise at least four times a week. This one will really be a challenge. So far I've gone twice this week {so I have to go tomorrow and Saturday}. I like to go to the evening classes but should go to the 5:30 am classes. {Sooner than later I'm going to have to figure out how exactly to get motivated to get myself out of bed that early!} {perhaps once the need for caffeine wears off, I'll have more energy right?}
3. Make a chart! :) I am going to make a chart with a box for each pound I want to lose. When I lose the pound, I'm going to X it out. It will be good to be able to look forward to crossing off the weight, one pound at a time!

Okay- it's official. I've started my "weight loss journey" {as they always like to call it on the Biggest Loser} And just so you can help me stay honest and on the ball, my starting weight loss is 203 lbs. Wish me luck!

Today

May 19, 2011

{A bit all over the place, but hey- what do you expect for 1:15 in the morning?}

• This is what Addison's hair looked like this morning. {and she totally rocked it!} :)

• We spent a TON of time outside today. I love to be outside, but I think Addison loves it more. She loves our kitty Roger {even though she's a mean little kitty}. She loves to sit in the chairs we have on our porch. She also loves the horse across the road. She often tries to sneak over to see it without us {naughty}. After a few good spankings, she's starting to learn that it's not okay to go over there without Mom or Dad. On some of the nicer days I've been going outside when the kids go down for a nap. I usual put on a pair of shorts, bring out my sudoku book, the radio and my phone and just enjoy the sunshine while the kids sleep. On this particular day I was all prepared before the kids went down for naps. Of course Addison had to do exactly what I was going to do. :)

• I got almost all of my flowers planted in my pots. Hopefully I'll have some time tomorrow to finish them. Addison helped a lot. She liked to use the garden trowl to scoop dirt OUT of the pots. :)

Brogan was tuckered out at the end of today!

• Grandma brought us lunch today. Along with lunch she brought some special circus cookies for Addison. That girl sure knows how to make a mess with food! She managed to get it all over her hands and face. I clicked a picture, then washed her up {like any good mean mom would do} :)

• Our trees are in full bloom and they are beautiful! They smell good, look good, and they have attracted SO many bees!

• I got Addison this sandbox a few weeks ago. I've been on the lookout for good outside toys for cheap and found this bad boy at DI for $6! {SCORE}. She loves to play in the sand, but she won't actually get IN the box. {what a girl!}

• Tonight me and Stewart spent some time looking at Craigslist together. It was actually quite fun to look at some of the stuff people put on there, and it was hilarious the number of people who wanted big bucks for their "very nice, no stains, good condition" couches. Most of them looked like they were from the 60's. It was kind of a good way to spend our "after the kids are in bed" time, just laughing at the silly people on craigslist :).
• The other day I found this note on my calendar on the fridge. (Don't worry- he didn't erase any plans on it, I still had April up there). He is such a sweetie!

• Stewart is taking me on a date tomorrow. He won't tell me where we're going, but we need a babysitter. {I'm totally excited!} It's been too long since we've been on a "date" date. I'll be sure to take my camera and fill you in on all the details! {Have I mentioned before what a great husband I have?}

Who?

Who wouldn't love to be as cool as this girl?!?!

She's pretty much... awesome!

(And she knows how to rock those shades!)

Just a Simple Wave

Just driving down the road today {again, by myself with two sleeping kids in the car}, on my way home from my parent's house. I usually wave to people I pass {especially on the country roads, or people in pickups}. As I was passing cars and waving to people I don't know, I realized that a simple wave from a stranger actually made me happier. I think I'm going to be practicing my "Idaho Wave" a little more often these days! :)

This Guy

Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE this little guy? He is such a sweet little man who loves to smile at his Momma and watch his Sissy, and listen intently whenever he hears his Daddy's voice. He's so precious and I just love him SO much!

He constantly has a very serious scowl on his face. I know that someday I'll have to remember that he's not scowling... that's just his thinking face :) Love you Brogie Boy!

SHEEP!

Addison LOVES animals! She can even tell you the noises most of them make! Not too long ago Faulkner's had a whole bunch of sheep grazing in a field not far from our house. We would take Addison down there in the evenings to look at the sheep for a while. They would always run away from us as soon as we pulled up to the fence, but she loved to go and see the sheep! So one night we went to Shoshone to Barry Dalton's house. He seriously has the perfect little set up of farm animals! He's got some cows, horses, chickens, dogs, cats, and even SHEEP! We thought Addison would like to go see some baby sheep {something more close up}. She had the time of her life! As we were getting ready to leave she spotted Barry's boys playing on the trampoline. I didn't think we were going to be able to leave! She liked the boys almost {if not more than} she liked the sheep. (Stewart's going to have to keep his eye on that girl!) We had a lot of fun seeing all the animals. {I think lots of animals are inevitably in our future!}

I didn't realize how many pictures there were until now...

{there's a TON}

What can I say? Addison is just too cute not to post them!

The sheep were intrigued by this little pink jacketed girl. She hadn't quite warmed up to the idea of being IN the pen with them, but these guys helped ease her into things :)

Not quite sure if she wants to pet the sheep yet or not... but that sheep wanted to be pet!

I used to take lots of pictures of me and Stew this way. Even though we're getting older {and I'm starting to go downhill} I still feel the need to document us too :)

"Hello Cowies... are you in there?"

"You guys got chickens?!?! Oh I love chickens!"

{Ten points if you know what movie that's from!}

("Middle America surfin' the fields!")

Playing on the trampoline with the boys {she's going to be just like her Momma! -always wanting to play with the boys!}

Okay- this dog looks IDENTICLE to our first puppy Tess! It's a pup from the same Mom of Tess (Nub). I saw this dog and swore that Barry stole our puppy!

"Brogan, don't you want to come see the sheep?! This is Family Home Evening!"

Stewart climbed into the fence with Addison. {I had to take a picture of him climbing the wobbly paneling- it was SO funny to watch!} (I Love you Stew!)

"Okay Mom- got him cornered! Now what?"

She got pretty brave after awhile! Decided it was time to mingle.

{Is this not the cutest picture?}

"Come on out little guy -I won't hurt ya."

Hands down one of the most fabulous family nights yet! We will for sure be doing this again when Brogan is a bit older!

Bugs on the windshield...

• I was driving home from Dietrich the other day after mowing Nancy's lawn. I had mowed {almost} the whole thing by myself and was feeling pretty darned accomplished. I had even gotten my first sunburn of the season! {To some that might not be awesome, but to me it means in a week I'll have established my base tan! (smile)} It was just me and the {sleeping} kids in the pickup. {The pickup now feels like an "old" pickup to me}. As I drove closer to Gooding bugs started hitting the windshield. At first I thought how annoying! They were blurring my vision and I had to turn on the old streaky wipers and run the windshield fluid several times till I could see again. As I was thinking about all these bugs and how annoyed I was at them, I starting thinking of what a BLESSING they were! SUMMER IS COMING! :)

Bob the Bunny

For Easter Addison got a bunny! {Although I think I'm the more excited one about it}. By the time we got to the store they only had white one's left (and a black one, but he looked evil). The man that sold them to us {might've been a tad bit "special"?} knew EVERYTHING about bunnies we could ever want to know. {I deemed him the "Bunny Whisperer"} And even though we got to the store only ten minutes before it closed, he took the time telling us how to take care of our new bunny. {I thought it was sorta cute the way he showed off his bunny intelligence}.

We brought home the bunny and Addison wasn't very interested in it. (She still likes the cat {whom we've named Roger} better). (Yes we named our GIRL cat ROGER, but I forgot it was a girl until Stewart corrected me (and by then Addison had already associated Roger with our cat... so what the heck?).

We were trying to come up with a clever name for our bunny, but when we asked Addison all she said was "Bob". (I think it may have been her attempt to say bunny...) SO BOB IT IS! Bob is just a teencey bit neglected. I don't hold him as much as I should, but he does have food and water and has lasted well past the "one week" mark that my friend Evyn gave him to live. ;) Stewart has big dreams for this bunny. I think it includes some type of body harness, a leash, and Addison taking part in the Lincoln county kid's pet parade. {I'll be sure to keep you updated on the progress of THAT dream}.

Petting Bob the correct way.

Aunt JoAnna helping Addison "hold" Bob {in a towel so he wouldn't crap on them}.

Addison just wanted to pick him up by his ears.

{Pretty sure the "Bunny Whisperer" would've said this was a no no} ;)

Kids Blogs

I know I've said this before, but I just want to let everyone know that I'm going to be updating the kids' blogs more frequently {along with our family blog}. I'm going to try to update the big stuff here and the little things about each kid to their own blog. Hopefully this will be a good way for me to be able to "journal" for each kid somewhat individually. My goal is to post to their blogs once a week {fingers crossed}.

You are more than welcome to follow their blogs too {although I've been tending to write them TO them... so they may be a bit more personal} Just FYI. If you'd like to follow

Addison's blog is: Addisonkaybingham.blogspot.com

Brogan's blog is: Broganleebingham.blogspot.com

{tough, I know}

To my Mother

I seriously don't know where I'd be today without my Mother! I don't know what I'd do if I didn't live close enough for her to come over throughout her busy days. I don't know what I'd do without her to gossip with, or vent to. She understands me, has a lot of the same type of problems I do, and is totally supportive of me. This Mother's Day I have been thinking a lot about my Mother, and how much I long to be like her.

When I was little I didn't treat my Mom very good. I even ran away from her one time. {Not even kidding}. I remember I was being mouthy so she told me to get out of the car and walk home.... so I did. I got out and just started running. I ran through several people's yards, and hid under a camper trailer. {She never told me to walk home again}. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I remember going home and getting some pretty good spankings from my Dad. I remember the look on the guy's face standing in his yard raking his leaves. But the thing I remember most was my Mother. I remember when she got out of the car and she was crying. I didn't expect her to be crying. We'd always fought and I guess I just figured she'd be flaming mad and want to beat the crap outta me. I won't ever be able to erase the image of her coming toward me crying. That really left an impression on me, and although I wasn't immediately nice to my Mom, looking back now I'd say that day was a huge turning point for me. I remember I didn't ever want to see her that broken up again. We've come a long way since then. Now sometimes I wonder why she doesn't try to run away from me? Whenever she comes over I bombard her with my good news, bad news, frustrations, latest gossip, Addison's latest tricks, or anything else I need. She listens, helps, teaches, and most of all, sets an example for me.

This Mother's day I only have one real desire, to be more like my Mom. Someday I hope my kids will look back and say they owe everything to their Mother, just as I do. I hope my kids will feel that I have taught them and prepared them for the fierce world, just as my Mom has. I hope they will praise me for my loving example and for never giving up on them, just as I praise my Mother. My Mother is my hero. She is my Best Friend. I know she doesn't get near the credit she deserves, but I hope she knows how much her love and support has meant to me in my life. Thank you Mom. Thanks for sticking with me, loving me, teaching me, and for being the best definition of what a Mother is. I sure love you! I hope you know that!

First ER Trip!

We made our first trip to the Emergency Room last Thursday night. Addison had thrown up a couple of times earlier that day {I figured it was no big deal -she throws up quite frequently}. She had gone to bed just fine but woke up at about 12:30 screaming. She threw up a few more times, had a terrible fever {104 degrees}, and couldn't stop shaking. We decided we'd better take her to the hospital. When we got there she knew it was bad news. They decided to run the routine set of tests on her to try and figure out what was wrong. They took her temp {rectally} (which did not make her happy AT ALL), tried to insert a catheter {she's too big for an infant catheter... it didn't work}, took her blood, swabbed the back of her throat, and gave her a shot of strong medicine. The nurses were very nice, but some of them didn't have the steadiest of hands (especially the one who drew her blood). I felt so bad for my poor little girl as we held her down screaming, to try and find the problem. Her blood work came back normal and they weren't quite sure what was wrong. Addison was much better after the Dr gave her a Popsicle {which she chomped gone within seconds}, and the medicine started to kick in. By the time we left the ER she was showing her sad face to everyone, and even telling them all the sounds her favorite animals make. (She's such a little ham).

We took her to a routine follow up visit at the pediatrician's in Twin the next evening. Turns out Addison had "Fifth Disease". It's a viral infection that shows it's symptoms first {vomiting, diarrhea, fever, irritability}, then ends with a light little rash. {By now Addison had the light rash}. After the rash appears it meas she's no longer contagious. (Go figure that out of all the weeks I stay home day after day, this was the week I ventured out to lunch with my girl friends and ALL their kids!) So we've been taking it easy around here the past couple of days. Addison has not been feeling up to herself at all. She's only eaten a nibble on a cracker, here or there, but we've been trying to keep her drinking anything she'll take. She really has wanted to feel better. She'll walk around the house, find a pillow or blanket, and just crash on them for awhile.

Today however, Addison has seemed to return to {almost} completely normal! she woke up this morning and the first thing she signed was "food". I put her in her high chair {something she hasn't been letting me do} and she ate some gram crackers. She ran around all day with only a few small crashes, and she even took her regular afternoon nap. It makes me feel better knowing she is feeling better! {It sure is hard to watch your kid be so sick!}

As far as Brogan goes- at the hospital he was a champ! Slept through the WHOLE thing! He even stayed asleep when we got home and put him back into bed! {I sure love that little guy!} I am a little worried that he's not feeling so great now. He's not throwing up, no fever, and no signs of diarrhea, but yesterday and today he's been very fussy and REALLY needy to be held. {which is not like him at all}. I hope it's just a phase and hopefully he'll get over it quick! It's no fun to have sick kids!!!! {and we gotta bless him on Sunday!!!} :)

BEHIND...

I've totally been slacking in the blogging department, and since I REALLY don't have time to write in a journal, I certainly better be blogging about the things I should be journaling about. That way, a long way down the road when my kids say "What did I do when I was a baby? Did I ever get this or that..." etc. I can say, "Well {child}, let me just pull up the blog and we'll see! (my goal is to be like my cousin Jami Bingham and just write a few things about each day {like I should be doing in a journal} :0)

So here's what's been heavy on my mind lately. {This is probably long and boring, so don't feel obligated to read it. There's really not anything "new or exciting". I think I'm just going to ramble on for awhile so that someday I can look back and think "Man I had it easy back then" and "why was I such a dork?" ... You know... things you always think when you look back at how far you've come?} (And keep in mind I'm not trying to impress you with my great writing, spelling, or grammar skills). {smile}

Life has been more crazy than I could have EVER imagined and it's starting to take somewhat of a toll on me and my sanity. Some mornings when the kids wake up (which is usually not too terribly early) I pull the covers over my head and just try to ignore the crying and hope they will just go back to sleep for ten more minutes. Some days if I only had ten more minutes I think my sanity would somehow magically mend itself. (Some mornings I am lucky enough to get ten more minutes, and I have to say, I don't think much happens for my benefit). When I finally do crawl out of bed to fight the daily battles (baths, changing diapers, putting on clean clothes, brushing hair {the hair usually is the first thing I'll let go}) I have to try my hardest not to sabotage myself. Let me tell you I've had my share of "shoot myself in the foot" experiences. Just a fewtrue examples include {and are not limited to}; knocking a full bowl of rice cereal off the counter (onto the floor and any surrounding surfaces), microwave ravioli explosions, spilling whole bottles of milk, Missing the trashcan with an explosive diaper, leaking Tylenol from the TOP of the dropper right into the neck (a neck with a double chin), of a freshly bathed child.... and my personal favorite -When I give Addison a crappy leaky sippy cup (usually all the rest are dirty from my lack of housework) and don't take it back from her when she's done. It's my favorite to find an empty sippy cup accompanied by a huge wet spot of carpet. (Have I mentioned how much I LOVE cleaning carpet???)

Now I do all these things day after day because I love my children. (and don't get me wrong, I do love my children, and I'm very grateful that I have the opportunity to stay home and raise them). But some days it's all I can do not to just sit down and cry. This is the way I've been feeling lately. The kids have been sick, my house is a DISASTER, and we had to reschedule Brogan's Blessing day (which means my brother and his family came from Rexburg for no reason, and won't be able to be here when we do bless him). {I'm also starting to worry that by the time we get around to blessing him he'll be like six or seven}. I'm just starting to feel OVER-WHELMED. To make matters worse, I've been looking forward to going to the temple to do sealings with our ward. You know how they say "do service for others and you'll feel so much happier?" (There's some very nicely put together quote with this idea behind it... {and ya right if I know what it is}). Well I knew that if I could just go to the temple it would be a great opportunity for me to clear my head, forget about my problems, and feel peaceful. Ya right. My recommended expired two months ago. The guy at the door scanned Stew's, then scanned mine and looked at the date and said, "I'm sorry this is expired". My heart sank. Stewart had even checked to make sure our recommends weren't expired (We thought we got them at the same time). {Nope.} I thought for sure since it was only two months expired he'd just let me in. {Nope}. I just smiled at him, turned around and made it to the door before I started sobbing. I walked to the car, sat and cried for a good ten minutes then went and got a Pepsi. By this time a Pepsi was ALL that could save me {although it didn't make me stop crying}. I sat in the car while my parents did sealings and Stewart did initiatories. I just sat there and cried thinking to myself, "shoot if I died right now would the Lord not let me into Heaven because I'm two months expired?" {isn't it sort of the same concept}. I thought about going back to the desk and saying "I've been having babies for two years in a row now. Don't I get something for that? Some sort of 'temple credit'? I'm doing as the Bible says and 'Multiplying and Replenishing'!!" But I just sat there and cried. Thankfully Mekala texted me and made the hour go by so much faster {and made me quit crying}. We went to Golden Corral afterwards (even though I didn't think I was that hungry), and I ate steak and shrimp till I was stuffed. {Made me feel a little bit better}. We came home and I was greeted by a little girl who wanted her Mommy. {Made me feel a little bit better}. Then I held a little boy who just wouldn't stop smiling at me all night long. {Made me feel even more a little bit better}. Now I'm sitting here at the computer, eating WAY too many of these chocolate caramel Peanut Clusters {which Grandpa Funk gave me for Mother's day}, listening to Stewart snore {Sounds like he's sawing logs the size of the California Redwoods!}, and "journaling" {more like venting} about my horrible feeling day. And you know what? It's making me feel just a little bit better.

And I had to post two very cute pictures.... {looking at them also makes me feel a little bit better}.

This caption could read "Stop your Whining and Feed me!"

(This boy is always eating!)

{I Love this picture}

Hoppy Easter 2011!

This year we did Easter with my family at our house. Traditionally we do it at Grandpa Funk's, but this year Grandpa wanted to do it at our house. {He was very excited to have a little one to find eggs and even brought his own special money eggs for her!} We threw a couple of eggs in the yard for Addison to "find" but once she found some candy she wasn't too interested in "finding" any more. Even after we took away the candy she just really wanted to play with Rambo (and by then it started raining so we just called it good). We ate yummy food, shared stories, {Great Grandma Jensen shared a lot of neat stories from her recent trip to Jerusalem} and just about everyone got a nap. We also spent the better part of the afternoon playing outside with Addison. That girl just LOVES to be outside! I also got some AWESOME pictures of her and Brogan. (Now I can finally change my pictures on the walls. :) Overall it was a fantastic day.

Addison's favorite Aunt JoAnna!

Addison's favorite Uncle! {Don't know what we're going to do when he leaves on his mission}

Brogan even got in on the Egg Hunt fun! I can't believe how fast this little guy is growing!! He'll be six weeks old on Thursday!
Just one of the adorable pictures I have of Addison and her dog.

Grandma feeding Addison chocolate eggs.

{Isn't this just so adorable?!}

Such a cute easter outfit!

Brogan and Grandpa -already buddies!

This is such a wonderful time of year to be reminded of our Savior's love for us. As the flowers bloom and new life is all around it makes me even more grateful for all our Savior sacrificed for us. It's good to know that we will all live again and that we will be with our families forever.

Oh the Joy of a Boy!

Yesterday afternoon I was changing Brogan's diaper on the footstool {and of course Addison was there supervising my diaper changing abilities}. I usually open his diaper, and give him a minute to decide if he wants to tinkle or not. After a little bit there was no spray so I went ahead with the diaper change. All of a sudden Brogan peed and the stream shot right in front of Addison's face. The look on her face was priceless! At first it was a "WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT MOM!?!" Then she just started laughing so hard. It was the cutest thing and absolutely made my day!

(And just for the record this was the first time I'd been "spray attacked" by Brogan. I always say it's because of all the preventative precautions I take {unlike the unlucky Stewart and aunt JoAnna} bahahaha!) :)