Tour de La maison

Here are some pictures of the new pad...



When we moved in the new paint on the front door was bubbling, so we spent a month stripping off all the paint, sanding it, and picking out leftover paint from every nook and cranny. We primed and repainted it. It look great for a couple weeks and it started again. Arghh! Our front door looks like it's got a terrible case of warts! Bleh!

My sis-in-law recently got me hooked on garage sales (I always figured people were just selling crap, so I was never very interested) and I have found quite a few treasures! The table in my entry way was $10! The headboard in our guest room...free! I plan to repaint it darker brown. The trunk came from an elderly lady who said it was her grandmothers. It looks about 100 years old. When I brought it home I asked Dave if he liked it. His reply, "Sure, if we were Pirates!!! Where did that come from, the Titantic?!?" He was happy when I suggested we put it on the ledge above the front door (he figured at least up there hopefully no one would see it). I think it's oozing character. If only it could tell me where it's been! I also got this really cute bed for Audrey's room for $40! I'm sure it was worth ten times that. So, the couponer in me has now officially been converted to garage sales!




For our next project...painting the cabinets. We started in our laundry room (Mom, I know how you cringed when I mentioned doing this, so you better just close your eyes- I completely covered all that beautiful oak). Some girls at work said it made their homes look way better, so we decided to try it. We are hoping to have the kitchen cabinets painted in the next 2 weeks.



And just because I'm crazy (or overambitious) I started painting Audrey's room at the same time. I'm trying for a soothing Shabby Chic feel. I decided since she's still young enough to not fuss over paint color that I would skip the basic pink and do a color I love, blue, like the ocean in the tropics (or as Dave refers to it...third world country blue). I'm sure in a year or two she will be adamant that it has to be pink, but I'll enjoy this while it lasts. I still need to finish painting and decorating it, but I'm loving having a little girly room to decorate!


*No computers were harmed in the making of this post, but it was pretty close. Thankfully my computer savvy husband showed me how to unzip the zip file I created from photobucket. Did I ever mention computers and I don't get along???

Funny Things

From the Mouths of my Babes...

Sam (telling on Audrey for throwing a toy at him): "Mom, she thinks cause I'm dressed like Spider Man that I AM the real spider man, so she's trying to fight me; she doesn't realize I'm not the REAL Spider Man!!!"

Dave was teaching a family lesson about reverence...
Dave: "If you are real quiet you can feel something special."
Logan: "I don't feel anything."
(Me-trying not to burst out laughing at Logan's comment)
Dave: "If you are quiet you can feel the Holy Ghost."
Audrey (frightened, yet intrigued): "The Hairy Ghost?!?"

Dave overheard the boys playing superheros...
Logan: I'm going to be Batman, you can be Superman.
Sam: No, I don't want to be Superman, I want to be Batman!
Logan: How about you be Batgirl?
Sam: Okay, just don't tell anyone.

While in the car we see a guy driving in an older Civic, shoulders exposed from wearing a tank top...
Logan: "Mom, is that guy NAKED?!?"
Me: "Do you really think someone would drive around naked in their car?"
Logan: "No, I just thought he wasn't wearing a shirt...or pants...or underwear."

Random Reflections, Part 2

* I started writing this in the spring. I never got around to finishing it, but since it is random reflections, I figure it can be just that; random. I must have been reading a book at the time cause I seem to be into the imagery???


I was driving in my car recently and saw an old man, sitting in his front yard quietly reflecting as he rested on his red, aluminum, four wheeled motorized scooter, oxygen tank supplementing his every breath, mesmerized as he observed the passing cars. As I looked at him, I couldn't help but wonder where his life had been. What was he thinking about? Was he wishing he was us, free to maneuver around as we please in our steel contraptions of momentum?

I watched the other cars as I drove; everyone in such a hurry to get where ever it was that they were going, like marching ants, rushing to obtain their morsel and carry it home.

I look at my daughter. What is it about her? I love all my children, but I never thought SHE would be mine. I had resigned myself to have a house full of boys. She is Daddy's little girl. She begs to be with him, pushes me away when I'm embracing him, as if she feels threatened that I am the central focus of his attention. Despite the fact that I know I come second on her list, I am enchanted by nearly everything she does. I absolutely have moments when she drives me to the brink of insanity, but most of the time she can do no wrong. I suppose it has a lot to do with the fact that she reminds me so much of myself as a child. There are times when gazing upon her I feel as if I'm looking at a reflection of my past.

I stare at the platinum overcast sky, tiny droplets of moisture scattering as they hit the chilled earth. This has been the coldest, most rainy winter I remember since we moved here. I suppose most are exhausted of this season, greatly anticipating the ever nearing summer, with its warm sunshine and the evening serenade of crickets lulling us to sleep. I, however, am content with the present season. It's reminiscent of the place I once called home. I love the crisp feel of the air in my lungs, the sensation of raindrops dancing across my face, and the sight of the picturesque hills covered with droplets of color from the emerging blossoms.

Who Needs California Pizza Kitchen???

Okay, Keyonna, at your request I am posting my recipe for Dave's favorite dish.

Chicken Garlic Pizza:

1 Pizza Dough (see recipe below)

2-4 Tbsp Ranch Dressing

Garlic Salt

2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

4 Diced Green Onions

1/2 cup Diced Tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes cut in half)

1 Chicken Breast (cooked, browned and diced-I like to season it with Creole Cajun Seasoning when I brown it)

Spread ranch dressing over pizza dough. Sprinkle with garlic salt, as desired. Cover with cheese. Top remaining ingredients. Bake in oven according to dough directions until cheese and crust are beginning to brown (mine takes 20-25 min to cook).

*Hint-If you wait until the last 10 min to put on the chicken, tomatoes, and onions, then sprinkle with a little more mozzarella to help the topping stay put, they don't get so dried out.

Pizza Dough (courtesy of Valerie Smith) -I love this dough!

1 Tbsp. Yeast

3 Tbsp. Warm Water

1 tsp. Salt

6 cups flour

2 1/3cups Warm Water

Dissolve yeast in 3 Tbsp warm water. Combine salt, flour, and water in a large bowl. Add yeast mixture. Mix, knead on counter a few minutes, return to bowl and let dough rise until double in size (about 1 hour depending on room temperature). Cut dough in half and separate (makes enough for 2 large pizzas). Roll out dough. Slightly oil bottom of pan with olive oil. Put on desired toppings. Bake at 400F for 20-25 min.

Check out this post to see my favorite dish, Barcelona Chicken. It's incredible!

Grandpa Shaw's Railroad Completion Party!

So it's been a little while since I updated my blog. Okay, more like forever. The blogging world would be ashamed of my neglect! Anyway, I've had several people ask me when I'm going to, so I guess I better start cracking.

So my father-in-law is a train fanatic. That's actually an understatement. He eats, sleeps, and breaths trains. Well, at least he has centered almost every family vacation for the last 4 decades around trains.

Several years ago Dave's parents had fallen in love with this 3 acre property in the rolling hills of Auburn, CA (it has this serene campground meets modern day amenity kind of feel to it). They were still living in San Jose at the time and weren't quite ready to retire. They knew they wanted this place, so I suggested they buy it and rent it out until they were ready to move (If I recall correctly, Dave's dad was so excited by my idea that he said they would create a monument to honor me on the property. Still waiting for that one! :) Anywho...

He has spent the last 4 years constructing his outdoor railroad, complete with a train station/playhouse. It's hard to depict in a picture how long this is. It is quite impressive! Last Saturday he finally installed the final "Golden Spike." To celebrate he invited about 80 people over to participate in the unveiling. We had a blast! I'm sure my kids will remember it for a long time!

Random Reflections

It's another ordinary lazy Sunday afternoon. Dave is serenading us with his delightful piano music. I'm pulling Audrey off the counter for the "um-teenth" time today and the smell of the cinnamon brown sugar cereal she was munching on sent my mind on a journey. The scent was strikingly similar to a Halloween candle I have stashed in my garage.
I started to think about the upcoming holiday and Sam's nearing birthday. I thought about how this Halloween will be spent watching Dave's brother, Dan, and his soon to be wife, Cori, (who we adore) getting married. I think about all the holidays I didn't celebrate that year, when I was 18, that I studied with the Jehovah's Witnesses in my attempt to find God. I think about that summer night before my senior year of high school, when I was driving back from Seaside with my old boyfriend and our car went off a 25 foot embankment and flipped several times before slamming into a tree; how tired I was, just wanting to catch my breath, unaware of the danger, when he pulled me out of his burning car. The police told us that someone had died in almost that same spot a few weeks earlier, and that we shouldn't be alive. Whenever I wonder what my purpose is on this big planet, I remember that HE preserved my life for a reason.
I think about one of my favorite blogs, NieNie Dialogues, and how she nearly died in that fiery plane crash with her husband last year; how she was in a coma for months afterward, and how a year later, she showed such courage when she revealed how the burns have completely changed her appearance. Her inner beauty is so overwhelming that it radiates right through her external appearance; she is still beautiful. I think about the scars on Audrey's hands from her burns last New Years Eve, how comforting it was to read NieNie's blog as I was struggling to deal with our own daughters burns and eventual skin grafts. I felt like although people were so thoughtful of us, no one else really understood how difficult it was to go through. It helped me to know that even though we didn't fully understand what Stephanie had gone through, and although we've never met, she understood what we were going through. Her life has been a pillar of strength for me.
I think about how that resembles my relationship with our Savior. We can never fully comprehend all that he suffered for us, but we can feel comfort knowing that he understands what we are going through because he suffered through all of it too.
I think about a friend who spoke in church today, who lost her seemingly healthy 6 week old baby a few months ago. Their faith has astounded me. I know that she KNOWS she'll see her daughter again and that it is her driving force to be the best she can so that she will have that opportunity someday. I think about how terrified I am to endure a loss so deep, seeing how difficult it was just to watch Audrey suffer from her burns.
I think about how blessed my life is. What a great husband I have. He has always been so patient and good to me. He is the eternal optimist, and always helps me see the bright side of life. He has more honesty and integrity than anyone I've ever met. He genuinely tries to be the best he can, even when no one is watching. He is good to the very depth of his soul. I attribute much of this to the great example his parents, especially his mother, set for him. I think of how much Audrey adores him, like no one else in this world. She was cuddling him for quite a while after her nap today, and Dave relished all the attention. She has him wrapped around her little finger.
I think about what a sweet family I have, and how blessed I am to be a part of their lives. And most of all, I think about how this sometimes seemingly monotonous life is anything but that. That all the little things I stress over everyday are so insignificant in the whole scheme of things; that all that really matters in this life are family, God, and love.

Amy was asking to see photos of our bedroom since I redid it a couple months ago. It's not completely done yet. I still need to get some stuff for the walls and a few other things. It turned out a little different than I was imagining when I started this process. I was looking for a low sitting dark wood platform bed with a foot board, which apparently doesn't exist. I was trying to go for a modern upscale hotel look and it transformed into more of a tropical country style, whatever that is. It's so much more relaxing though.

Family Photos

Some recent pictures, since our last ones were done in Oregon last summer. These aren't as nice as the ones Steve and Heidi did, but it was time.

An hour in the life of Audrey

This girl wears me out! What was I thinking when I thought girls were easier than boys? Dave's mom watched her last week and said the same thing, "She sure is busy!" I decided to post a few pictures of a typical hour with her. I can't wait for this climbing, playing in the toilet, dumping soap all over the counter, crawling in the sink stage to pass. I have resorted to tying the chairs to the table to stop her from dragging them to the counter to crawl up on them. Unfortunately that has led to a new discovery. She now can climb the drawers to get on the counter. Arghh! Anyone want to rent a 19 month old for a few months?

Sam starts Preschool!

Dave finally got his new computer around the same time Sam started school, so I haven't been able to post pictures for a few weeks. Dave was more excited for his computer than I have seen him since the birth of our children. It was Christmas day for him when he brought it home. It looks strikingly similar to a Transformer. I keep waiting for legs to pop out and watch it run away!

So, anyway, Sam had his first day in "Miss Piggy's" aka Miss Peggy's class two weeks ago. He had a great time. He carpools with a couple girls and always informs me that he doesn't like girls, only boys, although he has no problem chatting away with them in the backseat. I think it's just a show he puts on. I guess I should just appreciate this stage while it lasts. He's such a funny kid!

I've trained them well

The other day I was getting ready to drive Sam to school and the house next door had some people out front. It's been in forclosure for a few months, so I was excited, hoping that it might be a new neighbor (there's something that just creeps me out about having a big vacant house right next us)! Anywho, there was this cute little girl out front that looked to be about Audrey's age, so I mentioned to Sam how exciting it would be if they are our new neighbors. He replies, "Yeah, but she doesn't look pretty," (she was ADORABLE). "Sam, that's not really nice to say that about everyone you see," (which he has been doing lately). I ask him "Then who is pretty?" His response melted my little heart..."Only you are pretty!" (with his tone of voice to sound like "well, duh!")
It reminded me of the beginning of the summer when I had on my new bathing suit and Logan walked in the room and looks at me and blurts out "WOW, you look incredible!" I didn't even know that word was in his vocabulary. I know this stage won't last much longer. Soon they will be too embarased to give me a kiss and hug and tell me they love me in front of their friends, but I'll take it as long as it lasts! I have definetly trained them well!

Today I was driving Logan and his friend, Jadon, home from Kindergarten and Logan is telling him "when we have our baby it can sit right in the middle (between Audrey and Sam)." Curious as to what he was refering I asked him " Am I going to have another baby?" to which he replies "Yeah, I think so!" Not wanting to dissapoint him down the road I informed him that I wasn't sure if there was going to be another baby. He proceded to tell Jadon that he was going to "ask Jesus for one." Jadon explained to Logan"You can't see Jesus unless you're already dead!" Logan replied, "You just say a prayer! Jesus always answers your prayers." Too funny!

(Warning: No, this is not some kind of announcement.)

Silly Sam, again!

So we are at church last Sunday and Sam is quietly playing on the floor with his toys and I hear him mumble under his breath, "I hope you know CPR, cause you take my breath away." It was so hilarious, it was hard not to burst out laughing! Watch out girls, this kid is going to be a lady killer!

Logan's first soccer game!

Getting a little aggressive, aren't we. Logan is the one in the red jersey 

I tried to get a picture of him kicking the ball in the goal, but camera delay caused me to only catch the aftermath, as the coach is clapping and Logan seems to be taking a bow.

Logan has had a lot of first recently. He seems to be mellowing out quite a bit and now takes great satisfaction in helping us out. Friday morning he got himself completely dressed for school (shoes and all), got out all the stuff for every one's breakfast and fed Audrey a bowl of cereal before we had even gotten out of bed! It was awesome! In the last few months he has learned how to ride a bike, swim, lost his first tooth, started school and today he had his first real soccer game. We missed the teams first game last Saturday because we were still on vacation. This is his first year playing and he's been really worried about it. He said to me before his first practice, "Mom, I'm nervous." "Why?", I asked. "Because I don't know how to play soccer." He's always had really good strength, so I knew it wouldn't be a problem, but it was kind of sad and sweet to see him open up his feelings to me. I just told him all the other kids were new at it too, and the coaches would help them to learn, that it's just for fun. After his first practice he was still a little unsure if he liked it. By the second day he was warming up to it. I mostly wanted him to play because I think it will help him feel more self confident because he is really good at these types of things and he seriously needs to burn off some of his energy to keep him out of trouble. 

This morning before his big game he was once again a little nervous about it. He got there and had no problems. He is quite a bit taller and probably a year older than most of the other players, so I was worried he might be  a ball hog. I think it actually went really well. At this age group they don't keep score, but Logan managed to get 3 goals! I didn't really care if he scored, as long as he was having fun, but he felt pretty good about it, and that was really fun to watch. 

Logan's first day of Kindergarten!

Logan, 

I'm so excited you are finally starting your first day of Kindergarten. I have been greatly anticipating this day! I wasn't exactly tearful to send you on your way (I can blame that on my mom, who sent me away to college 700 miles away, without a second thought, all by myself, sleeping at rest stops just long enough to rest my eyes, while my head was covered with a blanket, afraid someone was going to realize I was a young unattended female and attack!).  Anyway,  I know you weren't terribly excited to go, and quite a bit nervous, but you'll be one of the oldest in your class and you can already read like a champ, so I think you are officially ready to go. I am so excited to start this new chapter in our lives. Starting your education makes me wonder what kind of man you will turn into, what you will do with your life. I'm ready to let go (at least a little ) and watch you soar. I know you will! You will always be my little man! I love you!

Love, 

Mom

Logan showing off on his skateboard. Notice the missing tooth? It fell out on our way to Oregon.

Welcome to good old Sacto! Where there is always an abundance of artrwork on peoples property. I wonder what's under the sign?

Miss Suine (Sweeney). Our second day to school Logan informed me that her name sounds kind of like "Weenie". I begged him not to ever tell her that and reminded him it's not nice to make fun of people. Doesn't she just look like a Kindergarten teacher? 

Logan and Henry, anxious to get in and go!

Oregon 09'

We had a really good trip back home to visit my family last week. The boys had so much fun at the trout farm last year that we decided to go back and do it again. I think they enjoyed the blackberries growing over the fence better than clubbing those tiny little fish though :( I prefer to see my food after it has stopped writhing in pain. Poor Sam got really worried about all the blood. Yuck!

Tennis near the beach house.

 

I think Logan plays better than me. I guess that's not saying 

much!

OK, Dad. This picture is kind of weird. I look like I'm levitating?!?

Afton, Bryce has Superhuman strength. He clobbered me a few times!

Mount St. Helens

This is at Mount St. Helens. It's pretty incredible the destruction it caused in such a short time. Scientist believe the last eruption at Mt. Shasta was 10 times the size of St. Helens! The boys were terrified that the volcano would blow up on us. Whew, we made it out of their alive! After all the fear subsided it ended up being their favorite part of the vacation.

We also spent a few days out at Mom and Dad's beach house in Rockaway, OR. Dave and I got to go out a few days early while my parents watched our kids, so we could celebrate our 9th anniversary! It was so strange not to have the house full of the sounds of children laughing, playing, and fighting. I've almost forgotten what it's like. We did quite a bit of hiking. We took a couple hikes along the coast. Both of them were on peninsulas straight up over the ocean. Too bad I left my tennis shoes back in Sacramento. I think my fear of heights started coming back. Flip flops + muddy trails + 150 foot dropoffs within inches of the trail = one scared chica. I got many looks at my choice for footwear, but only one lady had the guts to say it, 

"Oh, your gonna get muddy, hunny!" I'm not afraid of a little dirt. Bring it on! It was pretty funny! The views were amazing though! There is nothing like the forrests in Oregon. Of course our camera got left behind with the kids. When the kids met us a few days later we managed to convince them to go for a little walk. They were rather unenthusiastic as it transformed into a 2 mile uphill hike to the top of the hill behind their house. We took turns carrying Audrey the whole way. The boys grumbled quite a bit about how we were trying to kill their legs, but alas we made the summit! I was so proud of my little men!  

Triumph!

We also got a lesson in skim boarding from my 8 year old nephew. He creamed me at that one too. I'm not all that coordinated, but I had a blast trying to stay up on that thing. Maybe I'll try surfing next year?