Friday Fabulous Five!!

1. No lines at the DMV! Alex got his learners permit yesterday, as part of his driver's ed class. I had to take him from school and head over to get his permit. When we first got to Andrews, there was one DMV lady who traveled between a few cities. We only got her on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-3. That was a pain. Especially when you didn't know that because you're new in town.
I took Alex yesterday during his lunch break and the new girl entered all his info, and tested him and he still got back to school in time!

2. Having a full tank of gas is more fun than always having 1/2 tank. Last time I filled up the car, the gas station was only taking cash, so I only wanted to part with a $20. The time before that, the pump kept clicking off for no reason and I didn't want to hold it on while it pumped slowly all night. SOOO.... today, I got a WHOLE tank and it was GREAT!

3. New Furniture!! When we moved from Washington, we had a sofa and love seat, and another set for the other living room, a sofa and oversized chair. We gave them away between moves and had no living room furniture when we moved into our Andrews home. Which was fine. But then, we had company coming sooner, rather than later, and didn't want NOTHING, so we got SOMETHING. I liked the sofa okay, but it was the only thing we could get in the shortest amount of time. I was supposed to keep looking for the REAL living room furniture. I finally got tired of not finding the "perfect" ones, and got some that I liked. It's awesome. Now we have seating for more than 3 people, without having to pull in the barstools and kitchen chairs (which is what we've done for a couple years.)

4. Delivery guys that are on time!!! Seriously! Our furniture was supposed to be delivered "between 10 and 11," which customarily means 11:30 or 12, right?! The guys rang the bell at 9:58!!!! I might have been more excited about that fact than the furniture itself. :D

5. The magic of being 4! Aidan and I were talking about his day at school, and gushing over his bear paper bag puppet. He told me his great idea. "When you get little and 4, you can be a boy like me and go to my school and make your own puppet too!" Awesome!! I love that you can get young and get old....you know, whatever works for you...

Friday Fabulous Five!!

1. After a downpour in our bathtub the last time it rained, Dustin was able to crab-walk the very steep roof and make some repairs. Today looks like it might bring rain, so I'm thrilled that our home will be well-sheltered.

2. The dishwasher works again!!! Although I have cleaned it semi-regularly to decalcify it all, many of our friends told us it was just shot from the hard water here. I decided to attempt to prove them wrong. After removing the racks and bringing a screwdriver into the job, Dustin quickly stepped in the repair it himself. Good thing too. He had that thing torn apart in ways I would have been intimidated to do, and the pump is once again its happy self.

3. Visiting a friend today and her new baby. New baby smell makes every moment great!

4. Crazy busy Saturday tomorrow, and the great thing is that it should all fit in just perfectly! It's almost as if everyone checked my schedule to plan all of the events. Thanks, friends.

5. Aidan went to school yesterday without crying, kicking, or screaming. He waved to me with a cheesy smile (mimicking my over-the-top attitude in preparing him, I'm sure.) That event alone could make my week!

Friday Fabulous Five

1. Girl's Night Out is at our house tonight. Aimee plans to do makeovers with her friends and watch Twilight. It should be totally fun.

2. Since we are having GNO tonight, we actually got the kids (specifically Aimee) to help clean and actually do her chores. Total score!

3. Looking forward to General Conference this weekend. I don't need to prepare a lesson, but I still get to be fully spiritually nourished!

4. I cleaned out my kitchen junk drawer (which had become 2 drawers actually) and the kids coloring box. Yes, that phrase shouldn't really exist, but it does. And it's clean.

5. I bought cucumbers today at Sam's Club. Unfortunately, when I got to the car I realized that one was squished at the end and totally gross. I was so happy that I discovered it before I got home...they are returned and I don't have liquid cucumbers at my house!

The coloring box...it tends to drive me crazy when all the crayons, markers, colored pencils aren't separated and in their proper containers.

Friday Fabulous Five

My last two Fridays must have been so great that I couldn't even pause to blog about it.

1. Our neighbor called last night to ask one of the kids to babysit this morning--from the time her husband needed to leave for work and the time that she would get home from her night shift. She only works one or two nights a week to keep up her license and skills and sometimes has a grown friend come over to stay with the kids during that gap. The friend is on vacation, which my kids LOVE! They argued about who would get to wake up (at 6:20 on Spring Break) and head over to babysit. Granted, they did want the money, but more importantly, they wanted the experience and the networking. Enthusiasm like that is just Friday worthy!

2. My muscles are sore today. I actually like sore muscles.

3. The basket of magazines under my coffee table is now cleaned out. (This is usually my kids' dumping ground when I ask them to tidy up in the LR.)

4. Spring Break has been lots of fun this week. I'm actually a little sad to see Friday this week, because that means that Spring Break is over. :(

5. It's a beautiful spring day...fresh and clean. Slightly overcast to keep off the glare, but warm and perfect. Today's weather is the perfect kind of day for me.

Happy Friday! Enjoy!

Friday Fabulous Five

This week, my Friday isn't quite the same. Dustin is working this weekend and Aimee has a math competition tomorrow that she needs to be at the school for at 6:30, so it's not quite the break it's supposed to be. But, it's still great...regular break or not.

1. This weekend is Stake Conference, so I don't need to prepare for Sharing Time/Singing Time for church on Sunday. (I know this is slightly contradictory to my previous fab 5, but really, there's a plus to both ways.)

2. Today the weather is only supposed to get up to 78. This is great news because 2 days ago when I was loading edging bricks into my car, it was 90... 90 in February is just too hot.

3. I crossed two items off my to-do list today. It's a very long ongoing list with things that would be great to get done, but other things usually trump the list.

4. Fresh air in my house. The windows are open and the house feels happier.

5. This morning, we are watching Aidan's friend for a few hours. They play so cute together, but she has breakdown moments when she misses mom. I have gotten in 2 really great walks this morning since they both love the stroller. (Right now they are enjoying a snack and chatting happily...and occasionally typing here with me.)

Happy Friday!

Friday Fabulous Five

Hooray for Friday!

1. It goes without question that the day I mop the floor, someone spills something major. NEVER FAIL. Of course with our busy house, I spot mop somewhere on the floor daily and sweep at least that much. But, something about Murphey's law makes our floor never clean for long. I mop, someone spills a pitcher of juice (don't ask.) I mop, two bowls of cereal end up down there. I honestly don't know what to think. This week, nothing! I mopped...the floor stayed clean...one day, two days, three days...have I entered the twilight zone?

2. The door connecting the house to the garage has been squeaky since we moved in. Instead of the graphite (or whatever the grey/black powdery stuff on the hinges is) working its way in and stopping the squeak over time, it just got worse. This week, Dustin finally WD40'd it (that can be a verb, right?!) I love it! Love WD40, love the door, but mostly, I love my husband!

3. I have a fun new haircut that is great!

4. Since the previous Primary President is now YW president, she isn't going to be doing sharing time/singing time this week. It's fabulous because I always learn something and feel re-inspired.

5. I did all the laundry yesterday (including folding, putting away, and ironing), so I don't have to do it this weekend!

Friday is always great!

Friday Fabulous Five

I absolutely love Friday! I love the thought that if I don't make a super great dinner, my kids won't care because they love that it's Friday too. I love that I don't have to set the alarm for school in the morning...if I have to set if for something else, it's fine...it's just a break from the norm. I love that tomorrow morning I won't have to keep reminding everyone of the time. The air feels a little fresher on Friday.

1. I had a cold on Wednesday night and now it's mostly gone. I will have a healthy weekend to fully enjoy!

2. Dustin has the whole weekend off!

3. I vacuumed my car and it's Se Magnific!!! I love that the windows are clean (squeegee clean, so no Windex streaks) and the floors don't have any rocks, grass, sand, crumbs...they are just carpet! It's fun to drive again!

4. My son knew enough about his religion to know that his history teacher was wrong.

5. I hung up my beautiful mirror this week (well, Dustin did, while I directed) and I love it. It's been sitting in a corner since we moved in. I want to get everything out of that corner and up on the walls now!A Breath of Fresh Air

Friday Fabulous Five

I love Friday...party because the week is ending, and partly because the weekend is beginning...wait that's the same thing! I love Friday!

1. Aimee has a friend sleeping over tonight, so she was happy, which makes my job easier, which makes me happy!

2. With a friend coming over, I was finally not the only one cleaning; in fact I was slightly on strike for a few hours, and somehow it all got done.

3. Okay...actually Dustin did a lot of it...he even cooked dinner, which was wonderful!

4. I'm planting bulbs in the morning and getting a haircut in the afternoon (hopefully). Both of these things make so excited just thinking about them!

5. I've been painting beds this week, to give them a new look, and the room is coming together!

Hooray for the weekend!

Friday Fabulous Five

Today I had breakdown moment ... because our internet was down all day (since yesterday evening.) It truly took its toll. Then, the power bill came and I was grumpy all over again. I can honestly say that it was a passing moment, but maybe only because the internet is finally back! But, I still see a definite positive in that...

1. With no internet to distract me, I got the whole house clean and 3 boxes unpacked...the odds and ends kinds of boxes, no less. I even did my kids' chores because I was too bored!

2. Yesterday my friend threw herself a birthday brunch and we all thoroughly enjoyed! Laughing, talking, partying and 10am...can't beat it!

3. Aidan went pee on his potty without prompting from anyone...followed by a few misses, but still....I'm thrilled about the 1 time!

4. I finally watched Mama Mia tonight! It was totally fun to watch it with Aimee since she was a way better movie bud for this flick than Dustin would have been! We sang along and I'm happy to report that, despite some negative Nelly's, I definitely did not find myself cringing when Pierce Brosnan sang...in fact his first song was totally fun...the second one...not as good, but hey, I still loved it all! (the negative Nelly's would NOT be referring to those of you who simply didn't think he was the best...only those of you who repeatedly said how awful it was and that it was the worst you've ever heard...can we say...exaggerating?)

5. My kids are great! In addition to everyday greatness, we got report cards today and I'm totally proud of all three! Congratulations guys! Love you!

Friday Fabulous Five

Another Friday already. I didn't even post last week because I was so blessed with Fabulous people surrounding me in love!

1.I'm off to donate a big box to GoodWill...with more to follow...hopefully today or tomorrow. Cleaning out and getting rid of those things always makes me feel like my deep cleansing breaths are even cleaner and fressher!
2. Soap scribbles on the mirror. Not too tricky to clean up and pure enjoyment for the child. I love those reminders of simple joys!
3. A new year, a new day, a new start to be the best me.
4. Holiday sentiments and chats with family and friends from afar. I treasure all of you; you lift my spririt and encourage me to be more...even when you don't realize it!
5. All the days off over the holiday to spend with sweet husband. It almost made the weekend days worth it...almost.

Happy Friday! Have a fabulous weekend!

"Picture, Right There"

Friday's Fabulous Five!!

1. Friday luncheon with the ladies is always totally awesome! Many thanks to the Dutch ladies for hosting us today!

2. Crazy Holiday Sweater party with friends provided plenty of comedic therapy!

3. Shopping tomorrow to pick up "small item" for school gift exchange. School gift exchange??!Weird.

4. I totally got my wreaths finished and up on the door! Love it!!

5. Christmas baking and decorating is finally sounding appealing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, I baked pies yesterday to free up the oven for the turkey today. It's rubbed down and waiting to go in. I'm taking a break before the busyness begins.

Although I'm not near all the people that I want to be today, I'm feeling totally blessed and completely thankful. Parents, sibling, in-laws, husband, children, home, freedom, religion, peace, happiness, good food, good company, friends, work, play, love, books, technology, health, strength, thoughts, feelings, country, rain, sun...

I could go on and on. I'm truly blessed. I love you all and wish you a very blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.

Friday's Fabulous Five

1. Laughter. I love the therapy that it gives me. My kids are often the source since they can say some pretty cute things on their journey of life.

2. I got to sleep in 15 minutes extra today and yesterday! It rocks.

3. Lunch date with my husband. Perfect time to catch up.

4. Music! I love how it can change my mood and wake up my brain!

5.TGIF!! The weekend is here.

Manic Monday: Bounty

Light and peace await with open arms

if only we will allow ourselves to see

the bounty that surrounds us and give thanks

for everything that completes us.

sun.moon.mountains.sea.blue skies.calming rains.changing seasons.food.water.home. family.love.music.dancing.amazing body.photos.kids.babies.mom and dad.sisters.brother. husband.marriage.home.massages.smiles.good books.clean sheets.peace.safety.security.

Friday Fabulous Five

1. My perfect husband who loves and adores his wife and family. He lets me ramble about the good, the bad, the inbetween of the day, and his interest only looks slightly sarcastic.

2. My children who remind me that there are worse things than having to cook dinner with a jillion things going on...I could be in middle school again...thanks, but no thanks. (oh the drama)

3. Freezer food...for when I get too wrapped up in the other things and everyone is still hungry (go figure.)

4. The beautiful full moon that reminds me that simple joys are a natural prozac.

5. Clean water, nutritious food, warm shelter, and plenty of love. Sometimes these things are underrated.

Friday's Fabulous Five

1. TGIF


2. My personal masseur who can fix my foot and back without driving across town. He is well trained. LOL

3. I'm happy to be healthy. Everyone seems to get sick at this time of year...increased intake of sugar, less outside play, whatever. I'm healthy and loving it. I love that my family is as well.

4. Children who give me hugs whenever I want or need them.

5. Internet and phones to keep me connected with loved ones far away. I love you all!

Friday's Fabulous Five

1. It's my standard...TGIF!!! Yay...no school or work tomorrow. That means everyone can help me with the yard work!

2. Luncheon with our neighborhood gals was great...great food, great chatting, great fun.

3. My new barstools look so great...glad I held out until I found the perfect ones.

4. Kids that make me laugh and keep me on my toes every moment of the day.

5. Amazing freedoms in our Fantastically Fabulous country! I voted in early voting yesterday.

Friday's Fabulous Five

1. It's Friday!

2. I'm so happy that chocolate melts. That way, I know that Aidan didn't actually eat all of the chocolate square that he had, as at least half of it was on his face and hands.

3. I figured out how to work around the whole "scan button doesn't work with vista" Aargh to vista, but yay! for ways to work around it.

4. Halloween carnival tomorrow!

5. Prescreening of Twilight soundtrack tonight with Alex. (That is, if I don't feel too out of place hanging out in Hot Topic with him. Maybe I'll go try on clothes somewhere else and he can let me know if he likes it. LOL)

Friday's Fabulous Five

1. Aidan is speaking in small sentences and it is totally adorable! He loves to copy everthing Allie does, so we're lookin' at a pretty big kiddo!

2. Autumn in Texas is like summer. We have yet to wear a jacket outside, so we're hoping that we won't have to cover up our Halloween costumes with layers of coats.

3. I loved my online chat with my friend today. It's always great to catch up and reconnect.

4. Alex is in the trusted hands of his scout leader tonight for a campout at the caverns. I love when my kids are involved and excited and having fun.

5. Healthy family and healthy me. I don't want to take a minute of it for granted.

Friday Fabulous Five

Today I'm feeling the need to appreciate the superficial blessings in my life. Call them shallow, but sometimes they are essentials.

1. Computer/Internet: Yeah, they're pretty much linked together in my mind. I can't do much that I need and/or want on the computer without the internet too. Our service was out yesterday afternoon and evening and I truly missed it.

2. Phones: Yep, cell phones were out yesterday too (and long distance lines). All I can say is somebody is in trouble and that somebody's supervisor is as well. I felt stranded in the middle of one of those disaster/end of the world movies...no cell service, no internet. I almost wanted to throw a party when it all came back on.

3. The Mall: I knew I liked shopping, but now that I have to drive to the mall 45 minutes away, I know just how much I NEED shopping. It is seriously a means of relaxation that I pretty much require sometimes.

4. Rosa's Cafe Chicken Enchiladas: Call me crazy, but I'm thinking they put some illegal energy stuff in there. I always feel on top of the world after eating there (and I'm pretty sure it's not just the Dr Pepper w/lime, even though that's usually the only place I have it.)

5. Hair Straightener: I love it when everyone thinks I got a new haircut just because I "did" my hair. Well, I kind of hate it, because, dang, how bad did it look before? But, yeah, I like my straightener.

Yep, they're cheesy and shallow...whatever... I like them.