Serious about Blogging

Ok, I think it is time I either get serious about blogging or just delete the whole thing. My previous post which was 7 months ago. I explained why I blog or why I don't. The bottom line....... I don't want it to feel like 1 more thing on my to-do list. But, for purposes of updating and trying to keep a journal, I think it will be a good goal to try and update at least once a month. So as soon as I get my new power cord for my laptop (which has all of my pictures on it) I will start! I just hope that I still have readers. I may have lost everyone by now. But oh well! It really is for me and journal purposes.

Why do I blog? Or why I don't?

I just read a my sister's blog and realized why I don't blog as much anymore or haven't in a long time. She states how some use their blog as a creative escape, some as a journal and some to share memories with others. Then she goes on to talk about a blog that she stalks that the life of this person seems all to perfect and makes her look and feel like a bad mom for several reasons.

AAAH well, I think I figured it out, for me at least. I am not quite sure what type of blogger I want to be........ I think it is because I read others blogs and I LOVE the blogs of my friends that are witty, fun and creative! (yes Andi this is your's) But I also enjoy checking in on friends, family and others and see how they are spending there holiday or vacation or something crazy that went on in their home. I makes me feel like I am not alone in what I go through in the day to day. But sometimes I feel like, why do people care what we did for Easter or not. And I worry about my spelling and grammar and being judged so rather than blog and make my life seem like the fairy tale that it isn't, I just don't blog.

But really, I think that I have figured out that If I blog I need to do it because I want to, because I want to share my life with others, the good and the bad. And if someone wants to judge me for not being as witty or because I don't have a strong vocabulary or my grammar isn't used appropriately then oh well. That is their problem because this blog is for me and for those that care to see what is going on in my life.

The fact is, I am NOT a perfect mom, I am NOT a perfect person, I do NOT have a perfect life and for those that like to blog like they are perfect and Do have a perfect life. Well, for them I am sure that, that is what they need to do to help them cope and feel better about the crap that is going on in their life.

Ok, now....... the first person to count my mistakes in this post will win a prize!!

The past couple months in a nutshell

So this post will be starting from most recent. This was actually taken today! Jan. 29th, 2010 pictures of the winter storm here in the panhandle of TX! School was cancelled yesterday and today. The storm started yesterday with an ice storm, then snow and more and more and more snow. It really hasn't stopped. And being from UT and being use to having snow I will tell you that it is different here. As I shoveled there was a thick layer of ice underneath the snow and the snow wasn't light and fluffy. It was heavy and thick! Then we get the terrible wind drifts. It is almost 2 feet deep in some spots and if it was light and fluffy it would be a lot deeper. The kids could pretty much stand on top of the snow without sinking in.

Raegen, having lived the majority of her life in TX (that is weird to think)really isn't used to snow. She was excited to get all bundled up and go out. But that lasted for about 5 minutes and she was ready to come back inside!

This is the front tire of our car, buried in ice. The back tire looked about the same.

Trenton recently received his Arrow of light. The highest acheivement for a cubscout. On Wed. Jan. 27th we had the Arrow of light/crossing over into Boy Scouts ceremony for him. Here is a picture of the cupcakes I made for the event. Let's just say that I made more than enough and I am thankful for all of the youth that were happy to eat one so that we didn't' have to take any leftovers home!

We are so proud of him and all of the time and hard work he has put into scouting.

So for Christmas We told the kids that we would be getting a dog. They have been begging and begging us for years. But we have always been able to put it off. Well, they all wanted one so badly this year and were willing to give up all other gifts to get a dog. We weren't able to get the right dog for our family by Christmas but we gave the kids some last minute gifts. A leash, collar and a stuffed dog to let them know that we were in the process of getting a dog. They were soooo excited. We originally were trying to get a male poodle/mix but that just ended up not working out. Andrew had been talking to a lady that he goes to school with about some pups that she had. We went and saw them on Jan. 14th. They were female Schnoodles. We ended up picking one and the kids wanted to bring it home that night. We had to tell them no, because we didn't have anything for a dog yet and I needed to go to the store the next day and get some things. So the next day I did get all things for her and we brought her home. I also picked my mom up from the airport that day. She was coming to celebrate Trenton's birthday with us.

This picture is of our new puppy "Chloe" We just gave her a bath and my mom is holding her.

Malory and Chloe.

Raegen and Chloe

Jan. 18th, Trenton is 11 years old. As mentioned before my mom flew in the previous Friday. My dad was able to fly in on Sunday the 17th. For Trenton's birthday we went to Brunch at IHOP then went to see Sherlock Holmes. After that we came home and later we made Steaks for dinner and had cake and ice cream. Happy Birthday Trent! This cake that I made was a yellow cake with vanilla pudding in the middle and of course yummy chocolate frosting. MMMM.. it was delicious!

Trenton sporting some of his new attire.

Chloe taking a snooze. She is such a sweet little puppy!

Trent and Chloe cuddling.

We had a wonderful Christmas. We sure do miss family though. Here are the kids Christmas morning, waiting to get the approval to come downstairs. They all had a great Christmas. Santa brought Raegen a new little tricycle, baby doll and some accessories. Trenton got some boxing gloves and mitts. Malory got some hair curlers. As a family we got the Wii fit and as mentioned before they found out we were going to get a dog!

On Dec. 18th Andrew and I went to an "Ugly Christmas Sweater" party. We didn't have sweaters but I found these fantastic matching vests! It was a fun party with great friends and full of laughs! What a good time.

The same night, Dec. 18th, Malory had her friend birthday party. She had seen this cake done before for a girl at church. So I got the idea, pattern and help from her mom. (Thanks Melanie)

But it was my first attempt at using color flow. It turned out pretty good for my first time. I just didn't allow enough drying time so I had to leave the zebra on waxed paper and set it on top of the cake.

For Malory's 13th Birtday on Dec. 1st. My mom flew in to celebrate. On her birthday we checked her out of school for lunch and went to Subway!

Happy birthday my sweet Malory. I can't believe that you are 13 and a teenager now!! I love you very much and it only seems like yesterday that you were born.

So that is pretty much what we've been up to lately. I wish I could post pictures of our sweet little boy Alex that we are taking care of right now. But I can't (oops there may be one with him in it) Don't tell. But he and Raegen keep me very busy during the day. And our evenings our filled with all sorts of extra curricular activities. I would say that I will try to post more frequently but lets not get our hopes up!!

Andrew's Birthday Party

Andrew had his birthday on the 5th of November. With everyones busy schedule we really didn't have much time to celebrate. We had from 4pm to 6pm exactly. In that time he opened presents, had hamburgers for dinner, had cake and ice cream and then he watched part of Transformers (one of his presents) before he left for class. The cake that I made him was a German chocolate torte. He said it was very good and I thought he would like it because it included 3 of his favorite ingredients; chocolate, nuts and coconut! He was happy because the kids don't like nuts and I haven't been eating sugar so he doesn't have to share!

Raegen turned Three!

We celebrated her special day mostly on Sunday the 20th of September because that is the best day to get us all together.
Here is the cake I made. My first one with real buttercream icing. And check out the flowers I made..... I think they're pretty good for my first time.
Trenton was so happy to read the cards to Raegen. Malory and Raegen. These sisters love eachother lots!Rae Rae and her daddy. She has him wrapped around her little pinky. Not the best quality picture but cute anyway. Daddy was happy because She picked to have hamburgers for dinner. They are one of her favorite meals right now, without the bun! Daddy is so proud.
My baby girl and I! Well don't tell her that I said baby, she would say, "NO! I am a BIG GIRL!"Our Good friends the Nugents came down from Borger to celebrate the special day. It worked out great because this particular Sunday was Stake conference so they had come down on Saturday, spent the night at our place and then came back for the festivities. This is Lacee (Nice glasses Lacee) with their two sweet boys Kolby (in her lap) and Kaden. Thanks for joining us!Ready to make a wish??!Here is the inside of the cake. It was supposed to have more of a marbled affect but I messed up. It still turned out nice though. Luke Nugent, Daddy, Rae and Trent enjoying the cake! And Lacee in the background.Then we went over to the park for a while.All ready for bed in her new Dora Jammies.So the next day, on her actual birthday. I made her one of her favorite things for breakfast...... Smoothies! (Nice afro with the sun shining in on it huh?!)

Then she wanted to go to McDonalds for chicken nuggets, fries and a sprite. After that I took her to the cheapie theater at the mall to see Ice Age 3. And after we got there, got her a popcorn, sat down and 5 min. into the show she tells me......... "Mom, I gotta pee" and is uh uhh. I say, "Hold it" But it was a little too late for that. She had an accident. OOOPS. So I did what any good mom would do. Because she was sitting in one of those plastic booster seats, there were only 2 other people in the theater, the theater smelled like pee anyway (hence the cheapie theater) I wiped up the seat and we finished the movie. (Don't judge me, I know you would've done the same thing!) By the way...... Her hand in this picture shows how she does the peace sign.
One of her other favorite meals is spaghetti so I made that for dinner.

And of coarse we had to sing again. So we put the candle back in what was left of the cake, sang and she made her wishes again.

All in all, she had a really great birthday!! We love our little Angel and can't imagine our lives without her. Happy Birthday sweet baby Rae!

School has started.......... again :(

I don't know why but I was trying to write above the picture of Malory and Trenton but kept deleting the picture. Anyway..... the above picture of them was taken right before we took them to their first day of school. Malory 7th grade and Trenton 5th. So sad...... I can't believe that summer is over and school is starting. I really do miss my kids while they are at school and I love summer and hate having them go back. Maybe it's just that I like summer so much because there is no set routine to follow by and less structure. But it's probably everything combined.

Here is Raegen on the way to take them to school.

It doesn't look like she is to sad for them to be gone! Well she really was and kept saying all day, "Mommy? Mal and Trent at school??"
Right after we dropped Malory off she was walking up to the school and I called her name and she turned and this is the picture we got. How perfect, right in front of the school marquee and no other kids in the picture. I don't think I could do that again even if I tried. Did I mention she is in Jr high now?? Oh I think I did. CRAZY!!
As soon as we got home Raegen ate her breakfast and then enjoyed "her shows" (Dora) after a summer with mostly not getting to watch what she wants because of 2 older siblings! So I guess she isn't missing them anymore. And doesn't she look comfortable??? She is funny.
And here is Trenton after his first day of school. We just picked him up and he had a great day but said he was HOT! Can't imagine why??? He wore 2 shirts and one long sleeve and long pants. It was only 96 degrees today. Silly kid. But he looked handsome in his new school outfit!!

Baseball Season

It is Baseball season again!  Trenton really enjoys playing baseball.  This year he is on the Yankees, if you couldn't tell.  

Our first game was supposed to be last Saturday but the winds were 60 miles per/hour so it was cancelled.  So last night was the first game.  He plays mostly in left and right field, but last night he was short-stop for one inning.  And at practices they have had him practice catching.  He really likes to play catcher so hopefully they'll use him in a game some time.
He made some great hits the first two times he was up to bat, sending two other runners home.  But because league rules state that every time a team gets 5 runs per inning they switch to the other team. So that happened both times.  And the 3rd time he was up he walked to first base.  

Up to bat.........
waiting at first........
Coming in after a 5th run was made.  
The final score was 15 to 2 for the Yankees!  Go Yankees!!