When it rains...

... it pours.  Seriously, anything else going to bring me down today?  It's only 8:30.  We were supposed to close on our house two and a half weeks ago.  Hopefully today's the day.  If it's not, I'm going to cry (again).  My only sanity saver lately has been Jazzercise.  Seriously- I love it.  Love that I get a full hour of butt-bustin, hip shakin, movin and groovin, HARDCORE workout.  Love that I can go push my body to the limit, and get results.  Last week I hurt my shoulder, and I haven't had the same enthusiasm for my workout.  In fact I've been dreading it!  Over time I've worked my way up the weights and have been lifting 10 lbs for quite awhile now (a true sign of progress).  Today, I felt like a little weenie in class when I couldn't lift my arm above my head (I didn't even attempt to use weights)  (and oh, you bet I stood in the back).  So- I ask again- anything else today?  (and just for the record, diet?  what diet?)  (Stewart has been one dedicated dude though!  He's looking goo-ud!)

House news...

...there's no news.  So far these Binghams are just "hanging in there" as everyone has counseled us to do.  I've been "hanging in there" for about two weeks now, up to my neck in boxes packed up with our life.  We were supposed to close two weeks ago, but Rural Development decided that Stewart only makes half of what his paycheck says (REALLY?!?).  So we've got a different lender, and we're still jumping through hoops to try and get this house to belong to us.  It's really been very difficult for me to sit around in this house (which seems to be getting smaller), and wonder if tomorrow is the day we'll close, (if I'll need to have all the laundry cleaned by tomorrow)!  I've been told about 4 different times that we'll close on a certain day.  (uh-huh).  So now I'm just being optimistic that we'll close before the 31st (since we have to clean and be out of our trailer, as to avoid being prorated) (who wants to pay to stay a few extra days??? NOT ME!)  So fellow family and friends- just stay tuned- I will NOT forget to update you as SOON as I know something solid :)

The Big News....

This Bingham family has some BIG news!  You've probably already heard it (because I'm just so excited I can't contain myself), but now that Stewart actually believes it, I can't keep it from my blogger followers any longer! No- sorry, I'm NOT pregnant (even though every little thing that happens to me, that's the first thing people ask!)  We're buying a HOUSE!  We've been in the works since the begining of December, and we hope to close soon on our very first home.  It's a nice house, with great square footage (2100 sq feet, +an  unfinished storage basement, and garage).  The only thing that's not our favorite, it's in town.  But we figure we'll live with that for the great price we're getting it at!  I figure I'll be able to take advantage of living in town by riding my bike everywhere, hanging out with friends, and going to the library (just a few of the things that make me a little excited to live in town).  We are so excited about this awesome opportunity, and couldn't be happier!  I will post a bit about our current rental house later.  I have a video (a little "home tour" if you will).  Hopefully I can get that posted soon, and do a little post about this place.  So that's our biggest news.  (Also the reason I've been a total blogging slacker -I've been packing like a fool!).

2012 Resolutions

It's a new year- and that means resolutions!  I'm going to try my hardest not to be a band-wagon resolutioner this year.  So I've written down my goals (it doesn't become a goal until you've written it down), and even wrote down what I need to do to accomplish these goals.  So these puppies are not just being posted on the blog, but also on the fridge, the bulletin board, and every other place I will be reminded to stick with it!

Here are mine!  

(Now what are yours?)

• Lose 50 Pounds
• Need to: Count Calories (have to eat about 1500 calories a day)
• Workout- Twice a day (or at least one high intensity workout in a day)
• Kick Processed foods!
• Be a Better Wife
• Make Meal Plans (And MAKE them!)
• Keep up with my weekly cleaning schedule (including laundry!)
• Adopt the "touch it once" rule.  Pick it up- put it away.  Spill it-wipe it.  Clean up as messes are made.
• Be a Better Mom
• Start waking up at the same time every morning (a decent time).
• Get the kids on a more structured schedule
• Designate time for learning and playing everyday
• Give my sincere and undivided attention when I play with them!
• Turn off the TV!!!!  Limit "Tube-Time" Everyday
• Go to Reading time at the Public Library
• Eat Meals at the table together
• Remember Family/Friends Birthdays and do something nice for them
• Do at the beginning of the month so you won't forget!!!
• Do More to invite the spirit
• Stop swearing (ya- I'm almost a sailor)
• Do my Personal Prayer and Scripture Study
• Do FAMILY prayer and scripture study
• Have weekly Family Home Evening
• Do my visiting teaching every month (with a willing and loving attitude)
• Be more grateful, and more positive.  Always have an attitude of Gratitude.  
• Love everyone, and judge others less.  "Jesus said love everyone, treat them kindly too". 

This may seems like a big list, but there are 365 days in a year.  I have 5 major goals for the year.  If I can cross off any of the smaller goals in this year, I will have had success (fact).  So here's to hoping that 2012 will be another great year filled with many happy memories, and lots of love and laughter! 

Happy New Year!

2011- A Wonderful Year

Happy New Year Everyone!  We rang in the New Year in Dietrich Idaho this year, with a great round of Napoleon (Wally Actually WON! -Guess this'll be a good year for him), and Stewart and I shared an awesome kiss as we watched the ball drop in Times square.  The kidlets snoozed away the New Year in their beds, and didn't notice any change in life (imagine that).  This time of year always makes me reflect on the year and wonder "what the heck did I accomplish this year?!"  It seems that my days meshed into each other, and time marched on whether I was organized and ready, or not.  All of my resolutions from last new years (awesome resolutions... things I REEEALLY needed to work on) are pretty much the ones I have for this year, meaning I didn't lose my baby weight, I didn't plan meals and cook regularly, I didn't clean like a dedicated house-wife, and I didn't have FHE every Monday night!  I found myself asking, "just what DID I do?"  Some accomplishments that I am very grateful for (and some pleasantly surprised by) that happened in 2011

• I gave birth to the sweetest little boy I could ever know.
• I had the opportunity to stay home and raise my two babies.  I was able to witness all of their "firsts" and was able to play and giggle, and sing and dance the days away, not a sitter.
• I fell in love all over again with my sweet husband Stewart. We spent more time this year working on heart-felt (and inexpensive) dates that we could surprise each other with.  What fun!
• I went to the circus for the first time!
• I met new friends, was able to get together for birthday lunches and girls nights, and shopping days!
• I coached an amazing set of young women, and got to be a part of wonderful growing experiences as a coach and as a person.
• I got to know my Mom SO much better, and was able to better appreciate her more fully.  I was able to seek advice, vent about silly things, and laugh so hard at silly things.
• I got to watch my younger siblings turn into wonderful young adults.  I got to send my little brother on a mission, and see my younger sister turn into a more confident, more beautiful daughter of God.  I got to see them both love my children, and treat them with such love and patience.  
• I had the opportunity to tighten a budget and pay off debts.  I had the opportunity to scrimp and save for a down-payment for a house, and have even seen that savings pay off!
• I was able to get to know my other mother Nancy, and my sis-in-law Lindy SO much better.  I have loved the time spent with them, and have felt like a daughter and sister to both of them.  
• I have had the opportunity to work with nursery children, and feel of their unconditional love.
• I have had the opportunity to strengthen my testimony of Jesus Christ, and learn so much through my small obstacles.
• I was lucky enough to have a strong body and mind, and not have any serious injury or illnesses.  
• I was pretty good about keeping up with the blog (aka my blournal).  I know for a fact, someday my kids will enjoy reading about all these good times!

2011 was a very good year for me.  I have never felt so blessed.  I truly have a Wonderful Life.  Sometimes I'm not grateful enough, and I don't love it enough.  Sometimes I get so caught up in what I think life should be like, I don't stop and take it all in.  In 2012, I am going to try harder to stop and take time to enjoy my babies, and let them be little.  I am so thankful for my family, my friends, and those of you who take part in my life!  I hope you all take the time to count your blessings, and make some new goals for the new year.  

Happy New Year Everyone!

Simply Bliss

just got back from an AWESOME trip to Twin with my sweet little family!  Went to trade my boots (for a different size) at Target, ended up shopping there forever, only to walk out with kids clothes and a turquoise paper towel holder (NEW KITCHEN HERE I COME!!!) then went to a fantastic Chinese dinner (where Brogan insisted on yelling around through the whole meal) then finished off the trip with a traditional trip to wal-mart, where I made Brogan laugh SO HARD by pushing him then chasing the cart.  Did it throughout the whole store.  (Love that kid and his giggle!) Over all- funnest trip to Twin with the kids and Stew, EVER!  Love them so much!

Great Pictures

My kids are so cute, giving me plenty of opportunities to get cute pictures of them.

Addison likes to feed her horse Indy oats.  Below she is practicing on her fake horse with some Kix.

 Tuckered out

 We rolled the odometer to 99,000 miles the other day.  We had to stop the car in Wendell to get a good picture of the numbers (Stew's silly about numbers lining up right... and I love it!)

 Got this picture of Addison in nursery having a great time!  She's too cute (but sometimes naughty).  Since Mom and Dad are in Nursery she thinks she has free roam of the class (she's going to be in a different world when we switch wards!)

 Our Cute, simple Christmas tree.  Addison actually helped me put the ornaments on this year (which was quite fun!)

 Addison has this thing about not wanting to take a nap (I KNOW RIGHT?!?!)  She prefers to take a "short rest" (which doesn't include sleep) in the rocker with Mom.  On this day she just couldn't hold out.  Fast asleep in minutes :)

 Look at this stunt-stunnin girl!  She's rockin her Christmas boots, her new found hat, that adorable sweater, and a mischievous smile.  Sure Love her!

 Today Brogan was being a silly silly boy!  It doesn't take much to get this kid laughing, and he has such a contagious giggle, I couldn't help but join in.  He's so fun!

 This picture does a lot of justice to how quick this guy is growing!  Doesn't he look so much older?  He's not my little baby anymore (although he's recently taken to snuggling!!  SCORE!)

I have the best kiddos and have too much fun with them!

at the end of the day...

...all it realy takes to keep the kids smiling is an empty box of zebra cakes. :)  

(It's been a really long day here without Dad!)

Just Wondering....

...when's it gonna snow?  Christmas in Idaho is supposed to be snowy and bright.  Lately it just feels like spring time (minus any precipitation).  At first I liked that it's pretty warm, and I don't have to worry about driving in the snow, but now I just want to make a stinking snowman.  So- let it snow let it snow let it snow!!!!  SOON please!  Thanks! ~Juniel

Hunting a Christmas Tree (Idaho Style)

This year we decided to "cut down" our own Christmas tree.  So we loaded up the Tahoe with our family, and Micah, Lindy and their baby Alli.  We headed up to deer Creek (past Hailey) and headed into the woods.  We drove around for a bit, but the kids started to get cranky, so we decided to put on the kids' snowclothes and let them get out with us (bad idea).  We had to get back in the car as soon as we got their clothes on and they weren't happy at all!  In fact it was like we were at a concert featuring crying/screaming babies.  It wasn't terribly funny-but all we could do was laugh about it!

Bagged our prize tree!  Stewart shot it down with a 12 gauge shotgun, only took him 7 shots. Way to go babe!

Brogan had to wear pink snow pants since they were the only ones that fit him.  (We now know that even though pink snow pants are cute, black or blue are easier to put on a boy or girl).  But no worries Brogan rocked those pink snow pants!

Brogan, Alli and aunt Lindy having fun in the backseat while the men tie the trees to the roof!

Addison decked out and braving the snow.  She didn't much care to walk in it by herself though.

In fact she wanted to be carried the whole time we were outside.  :) What a goof!

Getting ready to load Micah's tree to the roof.

The kids got to ride in the back back of the car and they enjoyed being able to see everyone in front of them for once!

What good buddies!

Micah and Lindy's tree

Micah climbed to the top of the mountain to find his tree. I hiked half way up (with the intent to help him get the tree down the mountain), lost sight of him, the decided to go back down before I died of exhaustion.

Okay- this is my sister in law Lindy.  She lives in Dietrich and we see each other all the time.  Since she's the only sister in law that lives by me we're super close.  It makes it even better that she's just a year older than me, and has a lot of personality quirks that are very similar to mine (resulting in some very silly times).  I love Lindy and all the good times we have.  

A roll of toilet paper fell out of the car (where'd that come from?) and Stewart ran over it when he pulled the car out of the way for another car to pass.  Lindy (being the awesome human being that she is) put it in her pants and was acting the part of "goof ball".  And now the best part of this story- while I was snapping crazy pictures of toilet paper in her jeans, a car came down the road and we didn't even notice till it was right there! Some Hailey family is going to have a Merry Christmas with visions of Lindy's dancing in their head hahaha!  Love you Lindy!

Addison the Mommy

Addison loves her baby. When I put Brogan down for a nap, she puts her baby down for a nap. When she wants to go somewhere, she gets her baby in her carseat and says "out". Grandma Jensen got this little bike for her this summer (actually she got one for Addison, AND one for Brogan for next year). I let Addison ride it in the house. One day she decided she'd take her baby for a drive. She had a ball (although she wasn't sure about hooking her baby's car seat onto the handle bars ;)

Having a little trouble... her baby wanted to bale!

State Volleyball 2011

This year our Varsity Volleyball team went to state and took third place! During Districts, Declo (our only rival this season) beat us in the first round, we beat them in the second, but they ended up winning the District Title. That had our girls out for some blood! We beat Malad in a play in game, and packed our bags for Couer d'Alene Idaho! We were able to raise enough money to take a charter bus (which is such a good thing!) We split the trip going up into two days. We practiced and stayed the night in Grangeville Idaho. It's a nice little town, reminded me of Gooding. We played the very first game on Friday morning, and ended up taking down Nampa Christian. Declo lost {twice} that day, and went straight home. Needless to say our girls were in a great mood! On Saturday we played Butte County and lost. Later Saturday we faced Ririe (who beat Declo), and the game was on. There were some touch and go moments where things looked a little iffy, but the girls fought hard to pull out the win, and take home that third place hardware! I was so proud of them!

with the C-Team Coach Kari Pease, and Varsity Coach Megan Millican. This was Megan's first year as a Varsity coach. What a way to start your career!

This group of girls couldn't be more special to me!

Kelsey Norris, Laramie Turner, and Kayleigh Erickson. (Amaia Demmary is missing from this picture. She was having knee surgery and couldn't go to State. She was really missed on and off the court. She was our team libero, and was one of the best little liberos I've ever seen!)

This group of girls was one of the last groups I remember from being in school with them. They were still in 8th grade when I graduated, but having known them through small town ties made them super special to begin with! These girls provided so many laughs and {some maybe not so funny} stories. I had a ball with these girls and will REALLY miss them next season!

After we lost to Butte County they put the hardware on a table outside the gym. I told the girls to touch it and rub some on their face... it'd be good luck. It seemed to really work!

(Thanks Kayleigh for making it look like I'm kissing you in this next picture! Freak!) haha! I really am kissing the little statue's head!

And I can't forget Stewart! Jon's farewell was on Sunday, and he was worried I wouldn't make it back in time. {We weren't sure that they'd drive all night- especially if we happened to be in the championship...} anywho- he drove me home. I slept {almmmmost} the whole way home. I guess he stopped somewhere for an hour to sleep. The best part is that the bus beat us home by 15 minutes. :] Fail. But I can't lie- it was fun having him there with me!

Ketchup...

....No not as in the red stuff you eat hot dogs with.... but more like CATCH-UP! I'm SO behind... so here it goes. (and it's a really long post).

• Brogan probably wins with the most exciting news. This little guy is growing up SO fast! He's got his first tooth poked through, he's crawling (hands and knees) EVERYWHERE, and his latest trick is pulling himself up onto things. He pulls himself up onto EVERYTHING he can. HE really loves his new mobile abilities. He's still not very good with his feet, but it doesn't take too long for this boy to get it! His hair has seemed to grow really fast all of a sudden. I like to play with it. He's too cute with some spikes (or the occasional comb over ;)

• Addison has taken on her terrible twos (like yesterday morning at 9:42 am) I haven't been able to catch a break from her. Her favorite thing to do (besides intentionally drive me nuts) is to pester Brogan, or do the opposite of what I'm doing (ie- cleaning up toys... she takes them out and puts them back on the floor). She hasn't been all bad though. She recently learned that pushing chairs around will get her up to counter/sink/stove/microwave level, and life hasn't been the same since. She's a "helper" at the sink while I'm doing the dishes, she likes to microwave random items (binkis, bowls of already popped pop corn...etc). She has also taken to cooking with me. (This doesn't bother me like dumping cups of water on the floor does). In fact I enjoy having her help me (to a point) when we're making dinner. I try to give her her own utensils and piece of whatever we're working with. She's growing up, and is definitely interested in what Mom's doing!

(And don't think that I didn't have to wrestle her down to comb and fix that hair!)

(Actually we bribe her with candy)

(Yes... I'm a horrible Mom)

• My Mom's birthday is in November (the 4th) and she put on her Birthday list "A to-die-for Chocolate cake". So I went to work. I found a good recipe online and made cake #1 which overflowed in the oven (which resulted in a very clean oven). I didn't get down. I just tried again. Cake #2 didn't come out of the pan in one piece, but I snagged a taste of the cake, and it was "to-die-for"! So I decided to try yet AGAIN. (This time I greased and floured). Still didn't come out clean. SO I just smooshed the cake together into a cake form, frosted it, and put dark chocolate shavings on top. It was pretty darn good, but I think I'm going to have to find a new "to-die-for" recipe (one that comes out of the pan!)

• Aunt JoAnna is the best aunt ever! She spends a lot of time with my babies, and sometimes they don't cooperate the way they should, but JoAnna always loves them no matter what! Addison's favorite room at Grandma Jensen's is JoAnna's room. It has so many cool "off limit" things she likes to play with. JoAnna let's Addison listen to her i-pod, and that's one of Addison's favorite things!

It's pretty safe to say that JoAnna is Brogan's ultimate favorite. I think he'd almost rather have her over me {almost}. He LOVES JoAnna!

One day Aunt Jo did Addison's makeup. (Um...a little hookerish... but Addison still had fun).

• I babysit kids at Jazzercise on Wednesday mornings. Charlie Turner is one of Addison's favorite friends. On Mon-Wed-Friday mornings the only way I can get Addison to willingly get up and dressed is to say "Don't you want to see Charlie!?!" She loves Charlie!

Um... No- I don't spend waaaay too much time on the computer... haha!

Phheeewwww! Tough day today! I feel like I need to just vent for a bit, but Stewart's already mad at me, and whatever I put on facebook will be criticized by my peers for being too negative (and at the same time I sorta want my kids to know someday, that it wasn't all puppies and fun dates). So I figured... hell- why not blog about it!

So we took the bars off of Addison's crib (now a toddler bed). It's been three nights. And tomorrow the first thing I'm going to do is put the bars back on. I seriously can't take it. Not that she just wants to sleep with us at 3:00 in the morning, but the fact that 1)she has not slept through the night since we took them off 2)she can't find her own to our room (no lights throughout the whole house 3)when she ends up in our bed, she sleeps ALL OVER ME! Not Stew- ME. (Even though Stewart will tell you how horrible he slept) 4)I'm the only one who hears her crying. Yep. And if I do manage to get Stewart awake to go get her, he has to wake up, (which takes forever) and go pee. By that time I'm so worried that Brogan will be awake I usually go get her myself.

Last night I put her to bed like usual. Read her 2 stories, said prayers, then put her in bed with a bottle, binki, and her bunny. (Don't hate on the bottle and binki- the girl is not even 2, and I like to choose my battles). Then I laid on the floor (like I do EVERY night. The only way I can get her to stay IN bed). 45 minutes later I snuck out of her room, and she was fine. Fast asleep. At 2:30 I heard her crying and screaming, and decided to let her tough it out. Until I heard her throw up (which she can make herself do). Yup. Love that. I can't just leave her in her throw up, so I got up, cleaned up the puke, changed her diaper and jammies, then did the whole night time routine over again. Every time I tried to get up- she cried. I ended up sleeping on Addison's floor for 3 hours. By the time I got back to bed she was screaming again- so I brought her to my bed (at which point Stewart wakes up and says -she was crying?) Um- yes- and I've been gone for 3 hours. HELLO!?!? So Addison is in bed with us and she starts burning up, and acting fussy. I took off her jammies, Stewart got her a cool washrag, and we cracked the window. At this point I was supposed to be getting up to go to Jazzercise (5:00) which I had a goal to do 5 days in a row this week. Ya- no way was I going to be able to make it through a whole day on such crappy sleep! So I slept in till the blessed hour of 8:00 (which is sleeping waaaay in for Brogan), then started my day with diapers, bottles, and breakfast.

I decided today that I should get out my Christmas decor (since it takes so long to put out with the kiddos around- I might as well be a step ahead- because there's no point in getting it out the week before Christmas just to put it all away again). All day while I was trying to put the garland above my cupboards, Brogan just kept crying and crying! And he's got a pair of lungs! He's changed his cry to a scream these days, and the only way to get him to stop is to pick him up. He just wants me to play with him 24/7. Which, most days- it's all that seems to get done. But today- I needed to get the stuff out, and the clutter cleaned up (because between that and the crying kids- I was going insane!) As the day dragged on, Addison felt worse and worse. I could tell because she'd come snuggle me wherever I was, no matter what I was doing. At one point, I was holding Brogan on my lap on the floor, and Addison crawled onto me (in front of him) and tried to push him out of my arms. I tried to set him down and it was like setting of an alarm! So I picked him back up and he started pulling Addison's hair. She started crying, which made Brogan start crying, which almost made me start crying! I was holding BOTH of them, and they were STILL crying!!!!! By the time Stewart got home, I could barely cope anymore. We were supposed to go to pack meeting, but I told him I wasn't going with both kids, but he'd have to take one. He was good about taking Brogan (I knew if there were people to play with him, and new space to crawl around he'd be fine), and he was. Addison spent the rest of the night in my arms. She fell asleep at about 7:00 and I attempted to put her in bed (which only pissed her off). I finished picking up the toys, and got the boxes out of my kitchen/living room. When Stewart got home from pack meeting I felt officially defeated.

Addison isn't going to bed tonight (hence the late night rant). I can't sleep (because of all this pent up frustration), so I folded a bunch of clothes and picked up a bunch of crap in our room. We tried to let Addison cry it out tonight- but she lasted a good 45 minutes before I went in there and played good cop/bad cop with her. that didn't work. So now Stew is in there laying on the floor next to her bed (which seems to be the only option of putting her to bed). I'm pretty sure that first thing in the morning, those damn bars are going back on the bed. I can't handle this crappy night/crappy day/crappy attitude thing. It's killing me.

So that's my rant. Stewart is a great dad and an amazing husband (so don't think he's worthless), I've just had a tough day. I just needed to be able to vent, and in this case it'll make good reading for Addison some day (the little stinker!).

Buddies

Addison loves her uncle Jon! Before he left on his mission they did everything together!

Here they are coloring on the floor.

Eating Jon's taco Wagon Birthday lunch. Addison would NOT sit in her high chair. She wanted her own plate like Jon, and she wanted to sit by him (scooch over Grandma! ;)

Jon smashed his finger while he was working at Turner's, and he was pretty helpless without it. Simple tasks like buttoning up his pants, were difficult. But it wasn't anything Addison couldn't handle. :)

Uncle Jon is going to make a great missionary! When he gets home Addison and Brogan will be so much bigger, but I know Addison will still love him just as much!