what a beautiful mess

We have one last move in us. That's it~just one.  And we're doing it this week. We closed on our house in Rexburg last friday...HAPPY DAY!!!! I love this house. I love it more than any house I've ever lived in. I can say that now that the papers are signed and it's ours. I want to live there now but Trevor says we have to at least have beds there...dang it. We went over tonight to move in some boxes and do a little cleaning. On the way home we drove through an awesome thunder storm. They always make me think of my dad... Here's the back of the house: The kids on the side porch: And Trevor and I on the front porch: We're going to be spending a lot of time outside. The views are beautiful. Horses out the back and a farm out the front. Heaven.... First order of business after we are all moved in is installing my clothes line. There's not much better than clothes hung outside to dry in the sun. It's been a few years since I was able to do th...

is one of my favorite towns. I have loved it more every time we go back. We got to go to the Haslem family reunion there last weekend and it was awesome! Scott and Jenee and their kids and TyRel and Stacie and their kids all came also. It's always fun to stay up late visiting. Which we did plenty of... I loved sitting around listening to Trevor's aunts and uncles tell stories and experiences from their life. If I ever get old (ha!) I want to be just like them. Just a couple of weeks ago, I was thinking about how much I dread getting old. But after last weekend I've decided that if I age like Trevors family, then I can't wait for it (okay, I can wait but I no longer dread it)! We also got to see Grandpa Haslem while there...I do believe that was the kids favorite part. He is always so kind and generous. Silly me did not get any pictures of them together. But I did get one of all the kids! We got to go visit Aunt Nilas farm; the pigs were so fun to watch. And later th...

I was busy last night doing Jenee's hair and asked Trevor to send out my Play Group email. Here's what he sent: Hey girlfriends! SarahJean is in the HIZZOUSSSSS!!! I am soooooooooo excited for playdate tomorrow, aren't you all?  Same time.  Same place.  11:00.  McOwin Park. Be there or be square y'all .  Hollaback! Lol.  Rofl.  LYLAS!! SarBear   I had to send a retraction this morning so people don't assume I'm some Valley-Girl-Gangsta. Cause I'm not.  But he definitely makes me laugh... I wonder if this email is the reason no one showed up....

I realize it's been four days since I have updated my blog...Oh the horror!  So here we go... We all smell like chips here in our house. Lays Salt and Vinegar, to be exact. We went swimming on Saturday and all six of us got burnt. After lots of tears from the pain, Trevor was given the suggestion to put vinegar on the burns. It's suppose to relieve the pain and prevent blistering. We tried it and we got hungry, dang it. And we're all still in a little bit of pain. This week we are busy packing up. We move in a week and I have one box packed. I'm in denial that the closing on the house will go smooth with absolutely no problems. Which is why I've put off the packing. No worries though. I shine under pressure (I'm just saying that. I don't actually shine...pressure sucks.) Today the boys played this game: You can't really tell from the picture what game it is they're playing cause I took it through the window. But I think it's cricket...

It's true. We are. Sometimes our necks are about as red as they come... (and our legs just as white) More proof that we should have about 10 cars littering our yard: Wanna know who's not a redneck but about as cute as a button? She's hiding in this blanket... That would be Leeanna. We got to celebrate Cameron's birthday with him tonight. It was "Army" themed and this was one of the games. Poor Leeanna was one of our wounded victims that had to be wrapped up (in toilet paper) and carried back to the finish line in a blanket. She was the sweetest soldier ever to be in a battlefield, I'm sure. ********************** Hey! Guess what??? Tomorrow's Friday. Hallelujah.

We were hungry, the kids had already eaten so we went totally crazy.   Okay not that crazy, but instead of a Big N' Tasty (which McD's no longer makes) Trevor ordered me an Angus Burger.  I am NOT a McDonalds fan.  I shun it. I make fun of it.  I avoid it as much as possible.  But tonight.... it was absolutely delicious.  I mean it.  It was so freakin' good.

Do you ever have those times when you feel as if you almost completely failed as a mother? And the only reason you didn't fail is because your children were clean, well fed, educated (by a trip to the library), and you could tell them you love them at bedtime...and completely mean it? I have had that day today. I could look in the mirror and see all my imperfections (and I don't mean zits or wrinkles); they are written plainly across my face. Maybe not to the world but at least to me. I went for a bike ride tonight. A relaxing and thoughtful ride. So relaxing in fact, that I just about got passed by a runner. I was going that slow. But I was enjoying the evening and the breeze and the farmland and everything around me. And I came home to someone who sees all the bad in me also and loves me anyway. I have much to be grateful for.... namely, my goofy kids:

*I'm smiling at bedtime and not from relief. *Trevor comes home for lunch. *My InStyle magazine comes in the mail. *I get to watch one of my favorite movies (Run Fatboy Run). *No one complains about a very boring dinner of lentil soup and garlic bread.  *We have a very successful FHE, learning about Pioneers and taking a trip to the Visitors Center. *And it ends with a double rainbow. A good day for sure.... 

Do you have an annoying husband who likes to carry you to the couch, take every blanket in the house and wrap you up in all of them, then put a princess cape over your shoulders, and pour Diet Coke in your mouth with a funnel? All because you're a little ornery? (okay, maybe a lot ornery...us girls get that way sometimes) No? You don't? Well, I do: And then he allowed our children to take pictures of it. I stayed in that position for two hours and it cured my orneriness. There is never a dull moment with that man.

We took a "mini" date tonight. While out and about, driving through town, we sat in relative silence. It was comfortable and relaxing; especially compared to what we're use to. But as we sat there, I was reminded of an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond where Ray and Debra go out to dinner and have nothing to say to each other so they talk about the butter. I started to think about what Trevor and I have in common and was hoping it was more than just butter (although we both really like that stuff). So I asked him. And we came up with a lot of stuff. And it reminded me that we have things in common that I don't think about. Here's just some of what made our list: *reading *country music *kissing (edited for children's eyes) *thrift shopping/garage sales *Chili's chips and salsa (which we had just gotten) *watching movies *horses *kids *fishing *hiking *camping *soda (although not the same kind) *eating (then we got a little carried away wit...

It was Annabelles birthday on Sunday so  we had our family over for chili dogs and cake.  We were so glad to have lots of extra family around! Jenna and her family, Candice and her family and  Grandma Haslem all were in town visiting for the weekend! (thanks for the pics Jenna!) The kids had so much fun playing with all their cousins. Monday night, after a relaxing day, we went and  watched Idaho Falls awesome fireworks.  They were definitely as good as everyone said they would be... We got there early but the time went by so fast.  We ran some races, rolled down hills, ate lots of good food  and enjoyed each others company. We had so much fun this past weekend!  We saw some movies and played Rock Band  at Scott and Jenees. I was shocked to see Anna and Stephen get up and sing.  And they did sooo good! And now we had two more FUN weekends ahead of us this month! Plus, a move to Rexburg, maybe, probably. It's never for sure until the ...

is 9 years old.  I am not exaggerating when I say it feels like we just brought her  home from the hospital, screaming and crying.  What started out as a rough year has turned into a fantastic nine years.  I always knew, even when she was crying,  that she had a wonderful, sweet spirit in her.  And she definitely does.  Here's Anna as a butterfly when she was 4 years old.  And here she is just a month ago: Annabelle reminds me of sunshine and sand and Popsicles.  She is was always messy; my little orphan child  who loves nail polish, art (of any kind), to laugh and be crazy  and loves taking self portraits. She rarely stops moving, loves to laugh, has a temper, and is so kind.  We love our Annabelle.

This was a deliciously smart dinner... I wish we had been the ones to have made it up. We saw it about 4 years ago at a fair we went to and have wanted to do it ever since... And now, I present to you: (drum roll, please) The Walking Taco!!!!! It took very little effort to make. Heat up chili, grate cheese, cut up onion and tomato, cook bacon, open Frito bag and layer ingredients on top of chips.  I'm sure we'll be having it again soon...

I can't wait to see your fat face tomorrow! Thanks for the laugh that lasted forever! (I am so sorry if this is offensive to you.)