12 X 12-October 2010

We started off the day in the usual way, by getting ready for school.

Sadie followed everyone around, wearing this ensemble.

As you can tell from the picture, she is talking. That is because she is ALWAYS talking. I am not complaining (because she is cute and hilarious), however it is impossible to watch T.V., talk on the phone, read, or pretty much concentrate on anything with this little chatterbox around. She is also holding a plastic dog, that she has been toting around for days. She has named him Boulder.

Lunch for Megan and Jackson. It would make my life significantly easier if they liked the same foods for lunch. But alas, they do not.

Megan had to go to school early for student council, so Jackson, Sadie and I had about 20 minutes in the car before Jackson could go in. We opted to work on the weekly homework.

Check out how long Miss Sade's hair is getting.

I spent nearly all day doing housework. Including tackling a vast laundry pile.

Jackson's after school mess. Everyday, he takes off his shoes and socks, empties his backpack and lunch bag, and leaves them in the middle of the floor.

My beautiful girls.

I spent some time working on my Young Women's lesson for Sunday. I have so many things to do this week, I have no idea how I am going to get everything finished, including preparing for this lesson.

We loaded up the kids in our new family car (Eric's truck) and headed out to dinner. The kids look surprisingly happy, nice, and well-behaved in this picture, but they fought the ENTIRE way to the restaurant and the ENTIRE way home. The fight revolved heavily around Jackson's feet touching Megan, and Megan sticking her tongue out at Jackson. Oy Vey!

Here is my spot in the truck. Right smack dab in the middle.

We went to Macayo's. I was reflecting that it must seem like we eat at Macayo's all the time, since I often  blog about it. And although we are regulars, we are not there ALL THE TIME. Just when were not at Chipotle! J/K

Wordless Wednesday-60 Seconds Of Sadie

Farming

This year we went back to The Farm! In case you have not been, it is right by the Gilcrease Orchards, is FREE, and is open on the weekends through Halloween. We arrived kind of late, so we missed the pony and hay rides (which are not free), but there was still quite a bit to do.

We first checked out the small hay maze.

We also spent quite a bit of time with the animals. Last year Sadie was terrified of all of the birds, but the fear seems to have left her this year.

It wasn't busy at all so the Farmer brought the pig, Violet, out for us to pet.

Megan was her usual entertaining self. I of course bought no pumpkins, since I refuse to spend skads of money on them. But I am tempted to go back and purchase a hay ride.

Bar Trick

Megan is a woman of many talents. One of which she picked up when she was 6. Eric tied a knot in a cherry stem with his tongue, so she decided to try it too. About 1 minute later she was successful. She has somehow made it to 10 without me yet blogging about it. Until today.

My Birthday Celebration

Well.......My birthday was pretty great! Megan, who is always so thoughtful and puts major effort into all holidays (and my birthday counts as one, right?), started off the day by making me breakfast in bed. She also made me this cool crown to wear:

And this awesome Mom banner:

Megan also helped Sadie draw me a picture. And not to be outdone, Jackson made me this fantastic drawing on the computer:

 Eric didn't make me anything, but he shopped very well.

Among other things, I received this ring that I told him I wanted, and he followed through and got it for me.  It is copper and has our wedding date stamped into it.

AND, I also received the very exciting gift of PHIL VASSAR CONCERT TICKETS.  Phil Vassar is my very, very favorite, so I am thrilled!

After dinner and some shopping we came home for cake.

Thank you to everyone that called, emailed, facebooked, texted or just thought about me!

bday

I love my birthday. And lucky for me it's today! Since I have exhausted my 100 things about me lists, this year I am going to cut my age in half, and examine how my life is the same and how it is different from 16 and a half years ago. In case you are not great at math, that means I am 33 today! Whenever I think about being 16  I am reminded of the John "Cougar" Mellencamp (whom I have always been a big fan of, even when he dropped the Cougar), Jack & Diane song lyrics, "Hold onto 16 as long as you can, changes come around real soon make us women and men." Ain't that the truth. For me 16 was all about having fun and hanging out with my friends. Things started changing during my 17th year, so 16 is a pretty good one for me to look back on.

This is how I looked then:

And this is me today:

Then: I enjoyed wearing bright pink lipstick:

Now: Still do:

Then: I drove this car:

Now: Still do

Then: I had a flat stomach:

Now: I don't:

Then: I had awesome friends whom I pretty much spent every waking moment with:

Now: I have an awesome family that I spend every waking moment with (and I still have awesome friends too):

Then: My boyfriends name was Eric:

Now: My husbands name is Eric:

Then: I loved a cut-off short. Especially in the winter with tights underneath and Mary Janes:

Now: I still really love a cut-off:

Then: I traveled to Spain:

Now: I am trying hard (but not so hard that I am actually accomplishing anything) to become fluent in Spanish:

 

Also,

Then: I was boy crazy.
Now: Still Am
Then: I had a lot of freedom.
Now: Still Do
Then: Had pink hair.
Now: Wish I had pink hair.
Then: The only thing that got me out of bed at 7am on a Saturday was waiting in line at Smith's for concert tickets to go on sale at 9 am.
Now: The only thing to get me out of bed at 7 am on a Saturday is my kids begging me for breakfast.

Then: I was carefree:

Now: Not so much:

For me my teens, were tumultuous. Some good years, some bad. My 20's were pretty much great.  But my 30's have been introspective. I have lost aspects of me that I really loved. I think I knew myself better in my 20's. I think I was more fearless. I think I was more outspoken. I miss those things. But my 30's have made me a better mom. I am kinder. I am less judgemental. I am smarter. I am more patient. I am looking forward to my 33rd year.