Only Us . . .

Well, probably not only us. But mostly us.

I was brushing my teeth this morning and heard some commotion downstairs. Sadly, that is a normal sound, so I kind of tune it out these days. Anywhoo, Grady comes bolting up the stairs with Grayson not far behind. I look at Grayson crying with blood all over his hands. He moves his hands and there is blood gushing out of his mouth.

Apparently (and I haven't completely been able to reconcile the 3 different versions of this story) there was some sort of argument/wrestling match (some say playing, some say fighting) and Grant knocked Grayson's tooth out.

At least it was a tooth next to the one he lost a couple of weeks ago - so it was destined to come out soon anyway, but with the amount of blood, it is quite clear it was not ready yet.

After a wet washcloth and a promise of a visit from the toothfairy, all is now right with the world!

Operation Beautiful

Go to http://operationbeautiful.com/ and check this out - you will NOT be disappointed. I found this through another blog, and I am inspired. I hope you will be, too.

You ARE beautiful and you can accomplish anything in this life!

Love to you all!

What On Earth?!?!

Last week, the kids went to get the mail. They all came running back in yelling, "Mom! Mom! You got a package in the mail!"

I thought, "Hmmm. I know I didn't order anything and it's nobody's birthday. What could it be?"

Lo and behold it is a can of Enfamil. "What? Huh?" I thought to myself. I actually got a good chuckle out of it.

Oh, but never being one to squander an opportunity, I carefully placed said can on the dining room table. I was waiting for Travis to see it and think I was trying to tell him something. Did he even notice? Um, no. I guess that we've had so many children that a can of formula just seems to belong around here.

Fast forward to today. I get the mail, and there is a postcard from Sears Portrait Studio. I didn't think too much of it until I read it more carefully. "Congratulations! Your new baby has finally arrived."

SERIOUSLY??????

I am NOT pregnant. I might look like it, but I'm not. AND THIS IS NOT FUNNY ANYMORE!

At The Risk of Sounding Old

I've always wondered this myself. Now I know. -

The Silent generation, people born before 1946. -

The Baby Boomers, people born between 1946 and 1964. -

Generation X, people born between 1965 and 1979. -

Generation Y, people born between 1980 and 1995.

Why do we call the last one generation Y? I did not know, but a cartoonist explains it eloquently below...

I think it was time for a laugh! Hope you had a great Monday & here's hoping for a fantastic week!

Quick Update

thanks you guys for leaving your sweet comments. i really appreciated them. they lifted me up. we are home now and thankfully i got some sleep last night. it was really difficult to be in her house without her. i didn't get much sleep while we were there.

i am wearing her sweater because it smells like her. is that weird? it's just like i can be close to her that way.

i feel God carrying me through, though. i really do. it is so clear to me that He was guiding her. she had a junk drawer and it was oddly cleaned out except for her will and a poem from a gentleman's funeral. she had written "I like this - very much" across the top.

she had removed everything from her safe deposit box without telling anyone, and the contents were finally located in a bag in her front hall closet.

she had told my aunt that my grandad was visiting her in her dreams the last couple of weeks.

it was her time, and now she is with God. i still feel like there is a hole in my heart, but i do feel comforted. we will get through this.

Prayers, Please

Hi dear friends - I am posting this from my grandmother's home in Portland. She passed away very unexpectedly during a heart cath procedure this morning. We are not doing well. Not at all. I am praying to feel the Lord comfort us, but I just haven't felt it yet. I know she is where she is whole, and no longer in any pain from her knee or her back, reunited with Grandad, but i am quite selfish and just plain wish she was here.

I have been wandering around her house tonight just taking in her smells. Smelling her lotion in the bathroom. Looking at all her fab shoes - My "Mymy's" was incredibly stylish, and from a young age, i have always wanted to be just like her. Remembering spending the night in her bed with her. Wearing her bathrobes everytime I came to visit. Seeing her grab the kids' cheeks when she went in for a kiss. There was a brand new tube of lipstick on the counter. I remember she always used revlon moon drops. i have been carrying around that tube of lipstick for hours now.

Please pray for us - my mom, aunt, uncle and the rest of us. I feel so lost right now. My grandmother was so special to me. I miss her like crazy already.

Thank you guys.

PETA Strikes Again!

Did you hear? PETA is now targeting President Obama. Why? Well, if you must know, he killed a fly.

GASP!

Yes, you heard me correctly. And he had the audacity to say he was proud of himself for smacking it dead. And the people filming the interview in which it happened actually clapped. And then they released the video.

GASP!

They are sending him a humane bug catcher so he can release the fly into the wild after he catches one next time.

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-politics/20090617/US.Obama.Dead.Fly/

Funny, funny PETA. Again, I've let them down. They should see me chase down those yucky, disease and germ carrying pests when my kids leave the door open and they come parading in. I don't rest until they are dead.

Have You Seen Me?

Or should I say them? And by them, I mean my kids. I finally got around to downloading 140 pictures off my camera - and here are just some of them.

Last Baseball Practice

These are the muddy toes of two of my favorite girls - Chloe and Kate (look at the nailpolish under the dirt!) Of course, Chloe is in a frilly dress - can anyone say tomboy?

Grayson's Graduation

These photos aren't too bad given the fact that I had blood literally pouring out of my foot.

Moses Lake

Really this one just cracked me up. What is Grant trying to catch?

We had the best time playing Rainbow Tag in this huge field with all of the families. Chloe loved just running around.

Chloe channeling Bono

Cama Beach Field Trip

Grant & Grayson wearing the bird masks they made - Grayson is a bald eagle and Grant is a robin.

The kids thought finding all these little crabs was the best thing ever - they reminded me too much of spiders. Yuck!

Seriously, though, Cama Beach State Park is a refurbished old fishing camp with little bungalows and cabins for rent right on the beach. There are trails everywhere and so much to see and explore. It was fantastic. We are already trying to plan a trip out there to stay with friends.

Grady's Space Play

Seriously - isn't he handsome?

He was the only boy in a bunch of girls - and when they announced them to come up for pictures their teacher kept calling up "The Twinkle Girls"! I have no idea why she kept forgetting Grady! Sorry for the bad lighting

My Peonies

I didn't do anything special this year, but my peonies are spectactular. This is the first fully opened one, but I have 15 buds on this plant!

Okay, whew. That's it. Hope your retinas aren't burning!

The Fish Is DEAD!!!!

Okay, so I was just sitting at the computer checking blogs and e-mail while the news was on. There was a story about a veterinary conference who had planned on having the Pike Place Market fish guys show a fish toss exhibition. If you aren't from around here, you probably have seen pictures of it somewhere, but basically at the market there is a seafood shop. When you purchase a fish, it is whole - complete with head, and the guy behind the counter tosses it to a guy in front of the counter who catches it and wraps it in paper for you to take home. It's actually pretty impressive they can catch the heavy, slimy things.

Well, PETA has declared that to be abuse of marine animals.

REALLY?????? The fish is dead????

You can read the story from the AP if you click on the link below. Totally worth it for a good laugh!

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gvNuT2_3EQ7pFP6NKmaQ4xxELEegD98NHAL00

What do you think they'd think of this . . .

or this . . .

Travy just got back from a 4 day Alaskan fishing trip - we have lots of fish now!

Awesome Giveaway!

My friend Evy @ Yes They Are All Mine has made this beautiful bag as a giveaway for her Blogiversary. Please visit her blog (because you know I don't know how to do the hyperlink thingy, you can click on her blog on my sidebar!) and leave her some "comment love" to enter for a chance to win! Don't forget to tell her I sent you! Good Luck - but not too good of luck because this is my perfect beach bag!

Contemplating "But"

I have been thinking about this word a lot lately. Weird, I know. Do you realized that "but" is the only word in the English language that makes being two-faced socially acceptable. Think about it.

"Oh, Chloe! I love your artwork, but not on my wall!" Translation: "No, I don't really love your artwork - now I have to paint the wall because even a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser can't fix that!"

or

"I love what she's done with her hair, but maybe it's a little too short." Translation: "Her hair is too short, and since I didn't have anything nice to say, I probably shouldn't have said anything at all."

or here's the coup de gras - I know we've all said it

"I'm not one to judge, but I can't believe she lets her children eat Lucky Charms for breakfast!" Translation: "I am actually one to judge. I can't believe she lets her children eat Lucky Charms for breakfast!"

Seriously, this last one is what got me thinking. I really say that. Clearly I am being judgemental, and just because I say I am not, doesn't make it so. I'm not a big Dr. Phil fan, but I once heard him say that when you use the word "but" in a sentence, it negates everything you said up until that point. That is so true! This word allows you the comfort of slamming someone/something with a smile on your face! It's almost a free pass!

There are times, however, when using this conjunction is justified. Such as :"I would love to go to the beach with you, but I have a dentist appointment." Clearly (for most people) you would rather be at the beach than having a root canal. Unless, you are using the dentist as an excuse and you don't really have an appointment, and then you have some other issues!

So, as of today, I am working towards striking this word from my vocabulary. It seems ridiculous, probably, to most people, I am sure. I think it's one step for me in beginning to live authentically. To say what I mean, and if I don't have anything nice to say, I won't say anything at all!

P.S. - The stitches were taken out yesterday. It didn't make me throw up, which is what I was totally anticipating. It actually looks like it healed pretty well and there wasn't any infection which the nurse who took them out said was great. I think I might end up with a scar, though. No swimming for a couple of days she said - ha! ha! Like I was going to be able to fit relaxing in a pool in my schedule!

A Meme

Gramma 2 Many @ Yes, They are all mine tagged me. I am to come up with 7 personality traits about me. This is really difficult. I can come up with all sorts of odd facts, talents, etc., but personality traits? Hmmm.

1. I am very shy until I get to know you - then all bets are off. You usually can't get me to shut up!

2. I am very cautious by nature - not adventurous at all.

3. I am a creature of habit - I do not care for change.

4. I love very deeply.

5. I am fiercely loyal - to a fault sometimes.

6. I have issues with irrational fears - things that make no sense to be afraid of and that are not at all likely to happen, I fear.

7. I am not organized.

If you are on my sidebar and are game to participate - have fun! Let me know you are in so I can come visit and learn more about you!

P.S. - Don't forget to leave your comments below on the topic of your favorite cars!

This Was Fun!

I stole this post idea from McMommy @ http://www.themcmommychronicles.blogspot.com. Her topic was wanting to know what her readers' favorite car was. It got me travelling down memory lane, and I realized I want to know the same about you guys.

Mine is a tie between two cars. I should start by telling you that I love German engineered cars. I had a love affair in high school with most things German anyway: my Birkenstocks, my boyfriend - aka Travis, Nivea body lotion just to name a few. And I always longed for a VW rabbit. Not even a convertible. I always wanted a yellow rabbit. My dad was (and still is) a vehemently american car purchaser. And when I say American cars, I mean GM. So, my first car was a Chevy Celebrity station wagon. Nay, I never planned on getting my rabbit until I was out on my own.

But, as luck would have it, when I came back from college, he took me car shopping. I found a 1984 silver VW jetta. It was a 5 speed and the most adorable car I have ever seen. I begged. I pleaded. He made me go look at a Chevy Citation. I tried to be grateful. I begged. He gave in! I brought home that Jetta and named her Jetty. She was the love of my life! I got that car in 1995. I drove it forever. I brought Grant home from the hospital in that car in 1999. Sadly, we sold the car to friends of my brother-in-law, and it was totalled while parked on the street in front of their house. I cried. It was a sad, sad day.

However, just before we got pregnant with Grayson, a new VW entered our lives. It is a 1999 VW Eurovan. It is the bright VW blue. It has awesome blue dash lights. It has a pop up table. It has curtains! We've actually had a few dates in it, complete with champagne (and no, they weren't those kinds of dates!). It is adorable. When my grandmother passed away, she left us her Suburban. We didn't need the van anymore. Did I sell the van? No, that would be logical. I am not logical when it comes to VW's. I would rather keep making payments on a van when I could be car payment-free! We now own it outright, and I'm glad we never sold it. I love this car.

All this to say, take your own trip down memory lane. Let me know what your favorite cars were. I want to hear all about it!

Always Late

Most of you who know me, know that I am perpetually late. So, since I would hate to break tradition, here are some photos from Grant's championship football game. We didn't win a game all year, but we still came in 2nd place :) Do the math and you can figure out how many teams were in our league! Most importantly, though, we had a great group of kids on the team and the boys had a lot of fun! Even after losing, all the boys always had smiles on their faces.

In this last game, Grant scored the only touchdown, so he got to keep the game ball. He has literally not let the ball go for weeks. We are going to have the team sign it at the team party and I'll put it in glass to preserve it.

I have to give thanks to my friend Laurie for these photos, as after Grant's touchdown, I promptly dragged my two youngest children screaming from the arena to sit in the car. They were fighting with each other over gatorade, where to sit, what to play, etc. They were actually quite embarrassing. I missed all the festivities and trophy presentation afterwards!

I just thought I'd post this picture so you can see where I spilled bleach when loading the washer and it dripped into the pedestal drawer where I keep the boys jerseys! Fantastic aim, huh?

In case you didn't see it the first time :)

Giant trophies

Tired boys

The team and their "inspired" coaching staff - Travis is in the back.

Grant & Riley - BFF's. Don't know why Grant has his head like that, though . . .

Love this picture of the buddies

As a side note - the foot is much better. It is still really bruised across my toes, but I can actually walk on it now. I took off the compression bandage, and I found a pair of sandals that have straps that won't rub it, so at least I don't have to wear my stylish red garden clogs with everything! Now, I'm just stressing about getting the stitches out on Wednesday. It makes me want to vomit just thinking about it . . .