new posts

I have posted a bunch of new stuff over at A is for Amazing. Check it out..you know you wanna! ;-)
I also think that I will delete this one after all. I just like my other one so much better! So you guys should put my new blog up on your pages. I'll give it a couple days before this one goes bye- bye!

Ha Ha...

So today I figured out how to change the URL on your blog. The whole reason I got a new one was because I didn't think you could change your blogspot address once you got it. I was wrong. So I have two blogs...but its ok. Its fun to see how different they are and it is really nice to have one thats kind of just for me. Im sticking the link to it on my list of friends in case you dont want to have two spots for me on your pages. Is there some way to get notifications when another person posts? I always have to just go into a page and hope there might be something new! Anyway, thanks for reading and caring everyone!

First day of Preschool

So it was Seths first day of school on Tuesday. He was really excited. A couple of friends from his class last year are in with him again.

And his favorite girl friend from church is in the class as well. I love these pictures because Eden is so trying to do everything Seth does. I was laughing so hard while I was taking them. They are both so cute, I really don't know where they came from!

Ok

So im not going to delete this blog..I am just going to add the link to my new one under my friends list and when I post something there I will tell you guys on this one..that way I can keep this one to. I guess this one will be more for family stuff and the other one more for me..and whatever the heck else I want it to be! I just was kind of sick of the name " the happy Brown family" and I don't think you can change the URL. So anyway, thats the scoop..so keep an eye out for " A is for Amaizing!"

Re-vampness

So, I decided that I should get rid of this blog. I never write in it and its just a little cheesy, wierd. So I am going to delete this one and start a new one that is a little different. We''ll see. Anyway, I think I am feeling a little off latley so I need a change. A few changes actually. I will post the name of my new bog when I get it, before I delete this one.

I love Coeur d'Alene!

So, we are off for the weekend to cda! I am so excited! Nathan has a job interview up there. Pray that we might get it and that they will give us enough money for us to want to accept! The cost of living up there is way higher than Boise, so we would have to be making a lot more than we do now in order to have a house and other such nice things. Anyway, I'll fill more in about it later.

Must one pray to get some creativity?

Ok, so lately I've been in a really wierd funk. Not like a, " Ugh, I don't want to do anything" type funk, but a " I really want to learn a bunch of new things at one time so how do I pick which one to start with?" type funk. I know, wow, that was a lot to say right? Well, here is the low down.
I have a friend who is incredible at sewing and she paints and does cute furniture, blah blah blah. So I thought to myself, " I could totally do that." Yeah, right. I have started a really cute shelf thing for Edens room and its part of the way done. But now I am at a stand still. I can't decide which paper to use and pictures I want to mod podge onto it. I also want to stencil some stuff on there, but I don't know what would look good. I have no creative imagination I guess. Like I said, should I pray for it, or is that wierd? I also want to take up knitting. And I wan't to learn how to eat better and all about cool homeopathic remedies and such. I wan't to make these really cute shirt dresses for baby girls ( and have them actually look good and fit!) That means I have to learn how to sew better. Ugh, see what I mean? Too much stuff at one time! I don't really want to have ten unfinished projects around the house! I want to have a creative outlet, something Im really good at that I can be proud of. I guess I will just have to pick one and work on it, but which one to pick? Any Ideas? oh, and I wan't to get better at photography, so that fund to get Ashleigh a really nice digital camera is still open for donations! =-)

But mom, you're already fat.

So, I randomly asked Seth today ( and this is just a random question here people, so don't get any ideas!!) how he would feel if we ever had another baby. He said he thought that it would be pretty neat and then proceeded to explain to me me how babies got into my tummy, " The people make the baby and we go and get it and then they put it in your tummy, right?" (Well, close Hun.) Then I said," remember when mommy's tummy was big with Eden? I would get all fat again, huh?" Seth then ever so sweetly repied, " but mom, you're already fat!" Ugh..stick a knife right into my heart kiddo and turn it quick!! I laughed though, cuz it was pretty funny and made sure he knew how uncorrect that statement actually was. " Mommy's not really fat, right?"; " no mommy, not really..." =-)

One whole month!

I told you guys I am not very good at this blogging thing! Maybe I should do the ABC day thing. Anyway, there is really too much to write about today, so I will just put up some pics! We went to National Night Out Against Crime last night. They had all kinds of fun things. The kids got their faces painted ( a spider for Seth and a lady bug for Eden, though neither of them really look like what they are supposed to be!) and they each got a balloon creation. Seth got a sword with a matching cap, hat type thingy and Eden got a flower, which is pretty darn cute! All in all it was a fun family outing.Is that a lady bug on Edens Cheek..or a smooshed and bloodied frog with the chicken pox?And Seth's " spider" looks more like a..well I don't even know what to compare it to.... ( good thing all this was free huh?)

Housework makes you ugly...

I whole heartedly agree. I mean, my hands get pruned and nasty from doing the dishes. I breath in deadly chemical fumes from all the cleaners I use. ( Im sure my face sucks up those fumes too!) I get stressed out from the vast amount of cleaning there is to do, which in turn causes pimples. So its proven, house work makes you ugly!
I just can't believe the amount of crap that piles up around my house over the weekend. You would think I would be smart and employ the help of my significant other on the days that he is home so cleaning would get done faster ( or done, period...) and marital bonding could occur. But no, in my mind I think, " It is Saturday, the one day we have to go do something fun as a family and the day Nathan has to not have to worry about work. So we shall skip cleaing for now..." What a stupid thought! And do we clean on Sunday? No, that would be working and thus breaking the sabbath( my own point of view of couse). However, I do confess to a few " quick, everyone clean up something really fast because mommy can't take it anymore!" sunday moments. So then here I am am, monday morning, staring down the biggest pile of weekend build up I have seen in a while and I say to myself," tell me again why we don't clean on Saturday?" Thus starts another week in the life of Ashleigh Brown.

Dangerously HOT!!!

No not me! well maybe me..but Im not what Im writting about! =-) Today the weather people said its supposed to get up to 105-106 degrees! I can't believe it! We didn't move to Las Vegas for a reason people! So we are stuck inside trying to think of fun things to do. We have to clean the house of course ( not that fun) and I turned on some music to help it be a little more entertaining. Right away Seth and Eden start dancing! Its sooo funny to watch, seriously. Seth does this little booty shake where he sticks his butt out and shakes it from side to side! I laugh so hard! And then he fugured out something new..the pelvic thrust! Oh my goodness, it is sooooo funny! Imagine this little three year old dancing around with a HUGE grin on his face while shaking his booty and pelvic thrusting, its almost looks like circling your hips! It has really brightened my morning. Eden loves to dance too, she just bounces up and down on her legs and waves her arms around. She spins a little circle too, if she's feeling a little crazy! So funny! I don't know why some days I go crazy with my kids and then some days every thing is fine and dandy. I guess It all just has to do with my own reaction to everything. I can either freak out and yell and make my kids sad and basically be a not so good mom, or I can try to realize my children are three and one and they aren't perfect and are most likely bored out of their minds and thats why they are acting up and I can calmly address the situation. ( ha ha..yea right,and that was a really long sentance!) I don't know..that was just a rant.

Swimming and sadness

Well, I thought this summer would be a perfect one for Seth to start swimming lessons. We have a membership to the YMCA here in Caldwell, but their lessons are 25 bucks for like two weeks two or three times a week. I thought that was a little expensive, so I have been asking around. I found out that the Caldwell comunity pool gives lessons for 15 dollars for two weeks and its every day! So we were all over that! I thought I would be good and get to the rec center the day the sign ups started. The office opened at 9:00 am and we got there at 9:02. You think that would have been perfect timing right? Wrong. When we got there, there wass already a huge line wrapped around the building. I thought, "this couldn't possibly be the line for swimming lessons." It was. I waited in line for two and a half hours! ( with Seth and Eden in tow) I thought for sure there wouldn't be any spots left for us, but sure enough, he was the first on to sign up in the time slot we wanted. I couldn't belive it! There was only one girl working so thats why it took so long! Man! And to top it all off, I had woken Seth up early so we could get there on time and told him I would feed him breakfast when we got back. I thought it would be really quick. So he was starving by the time we got done ( 11:30) and we walked across the road to free lunch at the park. I felt really bad! But we got in and Seth is really excited to start going!

On a different note. Nathan's Grand father passed away this tuesday. He and his wife are from Rupert Idaho, which is about two hours away from here. He had been taking some blood thinners and a rare side effect occured and causeed him to start bleeding in the brain. The hospital in Rupert didn't have the ability to perform the surgery he needed so they life flighted him to Boise. However, they did not get here fast enough and he passed away. Its been a pretty hard week. He had such a strong heart and body, he probably would have lived for another ten years, if not for these drugs he had been taking. Thats what makes it so hard. Anyway, we are headed down for the funeral this week, He was an amazing man. He is who we named Seth after. Its too hard to even write about him!! ;-) Death is always a sad time, but also a happy one, which is weird, but we know he is a far better place and look forward to seeing him again.

I love black and white!!

ok, so this is going to be very long blog due to these pictures! I don't know how to get them to go across instead of straight down! Anyway, here are the black and whites I was talking about. I decided that the day I took these was too bright of a day. They are a little overexposed. But all together I think they turned out well. Other than the fact that I should have cleaned my childrens faces before taking the pictures, but oh well. More true to life this way I guess!!

Beans, beans the magical fruit...

This blog isn't really about beans but I couldn't think of anything else to put up there! I don't know why I find it so hard to find things to blog about. You would think, with me loving to talk and blab on as much as I do, I would have plenty to write about. For some reason i just can't get myself to talk about all the little mundane things that go on around here. Maybe I feel like if I did, people would realize how non exciting my life really is!!
Anyway, here are some random things that have happend and things we have been up to:

1. For some reason Eden keeps choking on everything I give her..choking to the point of puking the entire contents of her stomach back up onto her highchair tray. And not just in the highchair but on the road as well, when we are driving..(trying desperatly to get to the post office to buy stamps in time to get back home and mail the bill thats due in exactly two days. They had sent it back to me because I had a 39 cent stamp on it, I needed two more cents to mail it...) And she wasn't even eating anything in the car, it must have been waiting in the back of her throat for that exact minute in time! And then as I am frantically looking for a side road to pull off onto so I can save my child from sure death by puking..I find the perfect spot..a mud hole!! Oh sure..it looked dry enough when I drove onto it, but as soon as I stepped out I almost did the splits! One foot slid one way, and one foot the other way! I couldn't even walk because my feet kept sinking and sliding all over the place! ( meanwhile Eden is still choking and puking) So I hop back in the car, with a grimace for all the mud being spread and ground into my carpet, and slam on the gas. My wheels turn and turn and spray mud ALL OVER THE CAR!! I did manage to free myself and drive about ten feet down the way where it wasn't muddy. Finally I got to Eden who had, by this time, stopped her seemingly endless fountain of bile. I took one look at her and almost wanted to puke myself. It was bad people, bad! And then to top it off, I had just cleaned out the car not two weeks beforet, there was nothing in there! As I looked futilely around for something to wipe her off with I remembered that Nathan had put an "emergency Kit' of diapers and wipes in the trunk. It took forever to wipe it all up with those little things!! ( keep in mind here that I am still racing time to get my letter mailed...) Thankfully there was a pair of shorts and a sweater in the trunk as well, so she didn't have to go into the post office practically naked and there wasn't a line when I got there, so I did beat the Post Lady to the mailbox. But I am seriously wondering if there is something wrong with Eden, like some weird gag refelx thing. It sucks. I basically have to give her one little peice of food at a time and it can't be anything that could be sticky in her throat! I tell ya, the things us moms have to go through! (ok, that was really long....)
2. We have started going to the library and then to free luch at the park. For those of you who don't know what free luch at the park is (nathan) its where you go to the park and they give you a sack lunch for free! Its a summer program sponsored by the schools. Its really cool. I take the kids and they get to play at the park and I don't have to make lunch, its really a win-win stituation. We have also just gotten a membership at the YMCA. It so cool! We went swimming with the kids and they loved it! Well, Seth did any way. Eden wasn't to happy about the water, and all the people, and all the noise. But after a little while she stopped crying and gave me her, " I will tollerate it if I have to" look and just let me hold her. They have two big water slides ( which Seth went down..once and that was it, but still..) and a lazy river and all kinds of water features. It really is nice. And now I can go work out whenever I want to and that is the best part! I can't wait to get started and get all of this chocolate off of my hips, thighs and butt!!

So thats about all that is really happening around here. There is probably more, but this one has gotten too long already! You guys probably stopped reading about halfway through, but thats ok! I do have some pictures I have to go and develop so keep an eye out for those. I experimented a little bit with black and white, so we'll see how they turn out. Oh, and since angela keeps starting all these funds for people in her family, I have decided to start my own, for myself. Its a " get Ashleigh a digital camera so she can take lots of pictures and her husband can't get mad about wasting film and then she can post them and send them via email a heck of a lot faster than she does now" fund. I know..its a good cause right?

A compliment...but not.

So this weekend was memorial day and Nathans parents came down to spend it with us. It was so much fun! We went out to a couple different places and monday we went to the zoo. The Zoo here in Boise isn't much to brag about but the kids love it. Eden is just about old enough to care about looking at birds and big cats! After the zoo we went out to lunch at a place called Joes crab Shack. Its obviously a seafood place and its pretty good. The place is covered in all kinds of crazy decorations and signs. I saw a sign ( and it opened up my eyes...Just kidding!) and it read, " housework makes you ugly!" I laughed so hard, got Nathans attention and made him read it. I said, " Isn't that so funny?" and he said," yes, and no wonder you are so beautiful!" What? did you really just say that? How am I supposed to take that? Thank you that you think Im beautiful..but oh so rude that you think I don't do any house work!! Ha Ha..he was, of course, just joking around ( he knows I work my butt off around this place!) but it was still a funny, weird non compliment..but a compliment still!

Now I know how mothers feel....

Ok, so summer time is rapidly aproaching and no one is more excited about it than me..believe me. We have been stuck inside for what seems like eternity and we have had nothing much to do but drive each other crazy. Now, when I say "we" I really mean Seth and Eden... driving me crazy! So why then, do you ask, do I have a small but nevertheless there sadness about it all really starting? Well, I'll tell you. I think it has something to do about the ending of a wonderful two and a half hour break that I get from the crazy, stressful rigors of juggling two children, a dirty and laughing at me house, and a tiny furball rat dog. Thats right folks...preschool is at an end! My three days a week "mommy only" time is now taken a back burner for three whole months! AAAAAHHHHHHHH!

I know it might seem as though I am over reacting, that really it isn't that big of a deal. On the contrary, it is a very big deal. Eden usually would take nap during this time thus leaving me free to do whatever I darn well pleased. Now, she has gone to one nap a day usually after lunch and Seh is home all day...every day. Im not complaining about Seth at all, or Eden for that matter. I am complaining abut the lack of time I get to clear my head and regain my sanity. The time I need to feel like if I want to to absoultley nothing at all, there wont be anyone to stop me!!
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!!!! Ok, I am starting to sound like a crazy person! ( I told you I needed that time or this would happen...) Now I know how all those mothers feel who have children in school. Only they have it worse off than I do, they are used to at least seven hours of no kids time, five days a week!

Man, I really need to get it together! ;-) I am actually looking forward to all the summer activities that we get to do as a family and all the sunshine we are going to have. I take comfort in knowing that even if my children are driving me nuts...at least in the summer I can shoo them into the back yard and not worry about them freezing to death!!( not hat I would have done that in the winter..come on now)

Mothers Day

So, today was mothers day and it was really nice. Nathan suprised me with breakfast (we go to church really early, so it was a big deal! ) and he got the kids ready for church so I could just focus on myself. You might not think that was a big deal, but around my house..it really is!
The primary kids sang " I often go walking" in sacrament today and it went really well. For those of you who don't know I am the primary chorister in our ward, well one of two primary choristers. So I got to go up to the front and lead them while they sang. It was Seths very first time singing in sacrament and he actually did really well. He moved his mouth like he knew the words ;-) and waved to Nathan and smiled. It was kind of sad to not be able to just sit in the congregation and watch him while he waved at me, but he did watch me lead and I was proud of him for doing so well up there!
After church I didn't have to do one thing. Nathan did the dishes and cleaned up the house and I got to take a nap. Seth made a really cute satchel in preschool for me as a gift. It has his hand prints on it and cute flowers glued around it. I decided it would be great for all my primary stuff.
It was a really nice day all together and I am so thankful for my family who love and appreciate me. I love being a mommy, even though it can be challenging at times, and I wouldn't trade my job for any other one in the whole world. My babies are so special and I love them more than words can express, even my biggest one ( nathan! ;-) hee hee hee) I am also in awe of all the other mommies out there who give so much of themselves for their families. I have many amazing friends who are incredible mothers ( including my own mom!) and who are great examples to me. Thank you so much for that. I miss you all! Happy Mothers day to you!

CRUNCHES!!!

So I have been going to aerobics for about a month now at the church we go to and I bring the kids with me. The last couple of days when ever I go to change Edens diaper..she will lift up her head and do a crunch! I say " CRUNCHES!!" everytime she does it and she just laughs histerically! Well, today at aerobics I was lying on the floor stretching out and Eden came over, layed down next to me and precedeed to do her crunches! It was the funniest thing I have ever seen! I was laughing to hard to finish my stretches, so now I am soooo sore! Though I am sure my soreness has nothing to do with working out so hard! My butt hurts so bad I can hardly walk up my stairs! Not to mention my thighs are killing me too! man, the pain it takes to be beautiful really stinks sometimes!!

A little Bon Jovi anyone?

So, the other night I was watching American Idol and I was pleasantly suprised to find out that Bon Jovi was the guest mentor. I don't think anyone knows this about me ( because its a deep, dark secret) but I am secretly obsessed with him. I think he is the most gorgeous rock star ever to be created. Sooooooo, I think Nathan thinks I am crazy, as he is watching me get all excited and flustered to watch some man whom I have never met, and never will( and who is like 20 years older than me)....talk to the contestants and then take the stage and sing! Ooooh baby! I know, I am married with kids and I'm a little old for celebrity crushes, but I can't help it. The man has a smile that knocks me over!! Anyway, thats not really what I wanted to blog about!

I am sooo excited for summer! Let me just tell ya, we have been going INSANE!!! I feel like we have been couped up in the house for years. Its so nice to just send the kids out to the back yard when they are getting too much for me! It's great to have a house, I am so thankful for Nathans job and the opportunities it has given us!

Well, I don't really have much to say today. I just wanted to write something so I didn't look like a slacker!~ ( I don't know if my secret crush was the best topic to have come up with...;-)

A new edition to the Brown family!!

I hope you didn't think I was pregnant..because I'm not!!! I do however have a new baby! His name is Koda..and he's a 7wk old pomeranian puppy!!! (Sooooooooo cute) Nathan and I have been contemplating a dog for a while now and we have been looking into all different kinds. Though, a 6-8 pound ( when he's all grown) toy dog wasn't really what Nathan was going for!! He had envisioned something bigger..and more of a retriever. He just went soft after we saw some Pomeranian puppys at the pet store and he decided they weren't so ugly after all! We didn't get Koda from the store though..800 bucks just wasn't in our price range. We found a lady online who was selling some and got him for 250,much better! He's almost potty trained,he goes outside really well and he sleeps in his kennel all night ( with only a few whines..) The kids adore him and so far he's been really good with them. Eden loves to give him his little toys and basically points, stares and says " doggy!" over and over. If he comes to close, or tries to lick her she says "no!!" Its pretty funny. Though she is like me and if he does lick her, she'll break out in hives! Other than that the kids, or myself for that matter, haven't had any alergic reactions. Normally I get all itchy and can't breath. But I have been holding him and cuddling and i'm fine!

Koda is only allowed in the kitchen and the back room for now..until he is fully potty trained we have to keep an eye on him. And, contradictory to some peoples opinions..he will NEVER be sleeping in my bed with me! ( Nathans taking bets if you care to wager...) Here are some pics of the baby boy. They aren't the best since we took them with Nates camera phone..but you get the general cute factor idea! Nathan has declared me officially spoiled.

More pictures!

Such a soccer stud!

Easter Babies!

Its been long enough...

So time for a new post. Seriously, I don't know why I never get on here and write anything. I have plenty to say and lots of time. So, I don't know.
Anyway, things have been great. Nathan still loves his job and is is doing awesome. The parade of homes is coming up soon and his company has a home they are currently building and decorating to be featured in the parade this year. We are hoping to get tickets to go. I really wan't to see all those awesome houses and get some decorating ideas. We haven't even painted or done anything around here really. We hung a few pictures, but when you have a lot of wall space a few pictures doesn't look like much! We did get some grass in our back yard. Heres that story:
Nathans company was ripping up some grass in one of their subdivisions to put in some new trees. They told us we could take all the grass we wanted. So off Nathan and I go to roll up these huge, long peices of sod. Nathan and I..all alone..just the two of us. (Oh and the kids in tow as well!) It was heavy, and hard! I am not in the best shape of my life, so you can imagine how I felt, all huffing and puffing to get these things in the truck! Anyway..so we got as much grass as we could before it got dark and then took it home and immediatly put in down in the back yard. I thought we had gotten so much that we would have extra, but to my dissmay, it barely even covered half the yard! So we have grass from our back porch to about three feet from our back fence. On the sides..don't even ask. I tell everyone that we have the ghetto yard of the neighborhood! And to top it all off, the other day we accidentally left the sprinkler running ALL NIGHT LONG! We woke up to a lake in our backyard..and the neighbors back yard behind us as well. It was so bad!! And funny at the same time! Our grass seems to be taking and coming in nice and green now though!

On another subject I have just recently taken up going to aerobics at the church here in town. Its three days a week and I get to take the kids with me. They have a blast with all the other kids there and its been so good! At least 15 women go and a few of them are from my ward. I thought it was going to be pretty easy when I first started. Ya know, how hard could a free aerobics class at the church be? Well, i'll tell ya..pretty darn hard!! My arms are hurting while typing this. My butt is so sore I have a hard time sitting and when I laugh, agony my friends, agony. (Nathan likes to take advantage of that one!) Not to mention that when I walk..it resembles a plate full of jello jigglers! Especially when I leave from the church. I seriously can barely walk! That little gal who teaches has no mercy, I swear! But it really feels great to get up and out and moving. I am hoping to lose some weight in the process of getting beat up, that would really make it all worth it! So far...I have gained two pounds. Great!! I guess I will have to give up all my junk food as well if I really want results!! :-)

The kids are doing great. Eden has learned quite a few more new words."no" is her recent favorite,( thank you Christian!) along with " go" and " yuck!" and she knows a whole sentance now! " I gotta pee!" I wonder where she learned that one...
Seth is still in preschool and I just discovered that his teacher is teaching them sign language along with their letters! Every day he holds up his hand and says " what letter is this mom?" And he signs "a" or "s" He is doing awesome! He is also in a little soccer leauge and absolutley loves it. They play on saturday morings and it isn't really "soccer" per say. Just stations that they rotate through that are supposed to help them learn the basic skills. They pass the ball to each other, jump over obsticles and try to kick the ball through two cones. They have a blast and he is so stinkin cute in his little uniform! i am going to post some pics so I will do that know..since this is getting really long!!

Edens birthday pics

Pretty good cake!

Seth is always so helpful!

Mommy made the cake!

Brother and sister!

yet again I have too much too write!

So, Here it is in the short version!
I went to Rexburg this last weekend. It was Awesome! I got to hang out with my mom and my sister and just get to be dumb for a few days. Its been a while since I got to just relax and have fun by myself. I didn't have the kids with me, so that made a big difference. Nathan had them all weekend and he did an awesome job. The house was sparkling clean when I got back and both children were alive...so I'd say it was a succes on both our parts! Now that I know he can handle it and I won't freak out at not being with them, I think I will take mini vacations from my life more often!
Rexburg was fun, but it was nice to return home to the people I love. Even though Eden was absolutely sick! She had (still has) bad diarrhea and was puking up everything she tried to eat or drink. Funny how things are perfect for Nathan and then as soon as I get home...it all goes to poop! (no pun intended!) I just feel so bad for her. There isn't really anything we can do but let the sickness run its course. Its that darned stomach flu again. I hate it! She is doing a little better now. She had a pretty high fever and we almost took her to the doctor, but I didn't want to pay obscene amounts of money for them to just tell me that she has the stomch flu and all you can do is give her pedialyte so she wont get dehydrated! That's what the nurse from the doctors office told me(well, my mom) over the phone, so I didn't feel that there was much else the ER could do.
So, other than that life has gotten back into its normal routine. Seth is at preschool today. They are going to the airport to see the helicopters, so he was so excited to be going. I was rushing out the door because we were almost late and just about as soon as we got there I heard a little voice from the back seat say, " mom, we forgot my little treat so I wont be cranky!" Shoot! I always give him a peice of cheese or a granola bar on the way over to preschool so he won't be hungry and therfore won't be cranky! I forgot it today, so we'll see how he does. I hope the overwhelming sense of joy at seeing a helicopter up close will overpower his urges to be mean!
I think I will post some pics of Edens birthday, since I can't get the vidoe up onto youtube. Have agreat day!

dumb computers...

Why am I so computer illiterate? I can't figure out how to get my home movies onto You Tube to post them on here. Am I just dumb? Everytime I go to put the movies on my computer it brings up "windows movie maker!!" and you tube doesn't accept that format...grrr! So Angela how do you do it? let me know and then I can put some cute vids of the kids up!

Anyway, so this last weekend for Presidents day we went up to Coeurd A'lene. It was sooo much fun! Its nice to get away from normal life for a while. Nathan and I actually got to go out on a date to a movie! I don't remember the last time we went out, just the two of us.
Going to Cda is always fun, but the drive is not. Its seven hours from here to there and I have a little girl who HATES being in the car for longer than ten minutes! Seth Does awesome. He'll just play or look out the window or watch a movie. Eden on the other hand just screams! The way up wasn't bad because we went late and they slept almost half the time. But coming home was terrible. Eden kept crying no matter what I did, and then she puked all over everywhere! (And angela, it is sad when your kids puke and it doesn't really phase you anymore..you just clean it up and thats that. I used to almost puke myself whenever anyone else did. huh...funny how that changes..) I get really frustrated and cranky whenever we are in the car and Eden acts up. Like, I am totally helpless to make it stop. She wont play or eat or anything! Except for baby einstine!! Oh my goodness, if it wasn't for that show, I probably would be in jail for strangling my own child! (just kidding...) She watches Baby Einstine so good! So we played that show over and over and over..Nathan and I got sick of it..but I wasn't turning it off for anything!
Now we are back and its nice to be home! Im excited for next weekend though. I get to head off to rexburg all by myself, without the kids, for mothers weekend with my mom and sis. Its going to be awesome! I hope Nathan can handle it! We shall see!

ok

So, I am going to attempt to make some you tube videos and post them on the blog...we shall see! Wish me large amounts of luck!!

why do I stink at this?

So, its been a while. I don't know why I don't get on here and post like every day, it's not like I have anything else going on that would keep me from it. Housework usually comes last on my things to do list anyway! Procrastinating just makes more work later. Now I have to write a ton of stuff to get everyone caught up..darn!

So here goes:
First, we have been sick, again. Its like never ending puking and, well, other nasty things no one wants to hear about. We get sick, get better and then get sick again! I don't know what to do! I guess I will have to spray down the house with Lysol and hope for the best. Poor Nathan had to stay home from work yesterday, which sucks because its basically vacation time he uses up. But there was no way he could go in. Man, being in the real world is no fun sometimes. If we were still in school it wouldn't have been a big deal to skip a day, or three!

Second, I don't know if I have mentioned that I got called to be the second primary music leader in our ward. I say second music leader because there are two primaries in our ward!! yea, its that big. We switch off primaries every other month. Its actually one regular jr and sr primary and then one smaller jr primary in a seperate room.
I have never done a calling like this before. Sure, I was the music leader in releif society but that was nothing compared to this! I didn't have to teach them anything and make sure they knew it in time to sing for the entire ward! Ya, so needless to say I am stressed out almost every week of my life as of late. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE those kids, especially Sr. Primary. They are awesome! But sometimes, after a month of pretty much blank stares and mouth drooling from the jr primary, I am ready to throw in the towel! Is it really fair to give up after only a month? I say, yes...a month is plenty of time to decide that the Lord gave you this calling, not for your benifit, or even for the benifit of others, but mostly for His own enjoyment!
Really though, I do love it most of the time, and there is no way I would just give up on a calling. But it still gets pretty darn hard sometimes!

Third, Eden turned one last week! I can't believe it! It seems like it hasn't been that long to me. When Seth was born it felt like it took forever for him to grow up. Im actually more happy than I thought I would be. I'm not really sad that she's not tiny anymore. Its nice to have her play by herself and feed herself and start walking and talking. The thing I am most excited about though is no more nursing, yea I am done! Its nice to have my boobs back! Well, technically they aren't all they used to be, but at least I get them all to myself again.
Also, she has a really bad rash! I mean, bad! Its actually a recurring rash. She has it for a while, it goes away for a while and then it comes back. I think its a yeast rash and it hurts so bad that she screams and cries and basically freaks out. It breaks my heart to have to change her diaper. We have been using the lotramin and the rash creams and I really think it has to do with yeast in her body that we have to deal with. Maybe no more sugar and some asadopholus (sp?) I don't know. We have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow. I tried to do everything I could before we took her, but it just keeps coming back and I don't think thats normal. I just don't want her to be in pain anymore!

Fourth, Seth has started preschool. I think I may have mentioned that in the last post but its official now! At first he had the hardest time. I think he just wasn't used to having to deal with other kids in a socially accepting way. He has only been around me since we got here almost a year ago. Other than nursery, he hasn't had much social interaction. But he has been doing a lot better lately. We always discuss the good choices he can make while he is in preschool and he eats right before he goes. When he gets hungry, he gets cranky! So its helped a lot. He loves going and I love seeing how much he has learned in just a few short weeks.
I also just filled out an application to the charter school here in Caldwell for him. I know its like a year and a half away before kindergarten, but they have along waiting list. The school is really great and the classes are small. They emphasize (sp? man I cannot spell!) kindness and respect and they have a crazy dress code! The school goes up to ninth grade and you cannot wear anything that has no sleeves or cleavage or belly showing. Shorts and skirts have to be fingertip length and no make up! Weird huh? but pretty cool nonetheless. So its going to be a good place for Seth. I am kind of sad to know that he will soon be big enough to go to kindergarten, but excited at the same time!

Well, thats pretty much all that has been going on. Oh, Nathan had his year review and got a 2000 dollar raise. Not much, he wasn't too happy about it. Its seriously like not even 30 bucks more on our paychecks. Since it boosted his yearly take home to 50,000 it put us in a different tax bracket and now they take out more taxes than they did before. So basically it didn't do jack crap for us. Oh well! They did say they were probably going to be doing another review in a couple of months so, well see how that goes.

Well, we love everyone and miss you guys! I will try to be better about keeping up with my blog and I will be putting up pics and video of Edens birthday! It ws so fun!
P.S. I LOVE YOU JESH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =-)

I love Angela Stone!!!

OK, well, my last post sounded kind of mean and Im sorry if I offended anyone!!! I didn't mean to!!! and this post is for Angela!!!

Today was Seths first official day of Preschool!! It was so fun to see him walk in there with his new outfit and cute little back pack!! and guess what? did I have any film to take a picture!! of course not!! I am such a prepared mom!! not!!! I really hope he does good..because when we went in for the "trial" day, he got in fight with another little boy!! it was soooo sad!! i almost cried! This just goes to prove my piont about how he has been acting..or how I've been acting toward him, which is making him act that way!! Its hard to tell him..don't hit anyone..but if they hit you its ok to defend yourself!! ya right!! like he knows what that means!!! So we had a nice long talk today and hopefully there wont be anymore incidences!!!

So its just me and Eden at home today..kind of quiet! And my house is calling..but I am ignoring it! Although, nathan and I had a big long grown up disscussion about my house work abilities..he seems to be a little frustrated with me! So what if i haven't put my laundry all the way "away" for like a month..at least its clean right?!! =-)
No, I see what he's saying. I do need to work harder..we just bought a house..we want it to be nice! so..I better go and see all the things I need to do to make it that way, and maybe actually DO them!! =-)

Im a bad mom!!!! Actually..just a continually learning one!!

So two bloggs in one day!! Can't say I don't update enough now!! Actually I just posted this same blog on my My Space page... so I thought I would post it here as well! So here it is!!
Our house is still amazing! Though somewhat of a heat sucker! It always seems cold, and we just got our first real gas bill..and let me tell you , I almost had a heart attack!! I couldn't believe it, it was soooo much! So we have decided to just wear more sweaters and pile on the blankets cuz we gotsta turn that heater down!!!! I think the surrealness of home ownership is out the door and reality is settling in, darn!!
My baby girl is going to be one on the 31st and I cannot believe how FAST time has gone. With my son it seemed like it took forever for him to reach this age..but not with her! I just want it to slow down ya know? pretty soon she'll be walking and talking and hating me!! ha ha! maybe not hating me, but the walking and talking part still makes me sad! and happy all at the same time! I'll tell you what, being a mom sure is a jumble of emotions, strong ones too! I really don't know how we do it!! To all you other moms out there reading this...I commend you!! And all those non-moms...just you wait!! =-)

On a more personal note...I have been wondering lately why my son has been so, well, bratty! I know thats a terrible thing to say, but there is really no other word to best describe it. He yells and talks back and does whatever the heck he wants to with no regard for anything Nathan or I say to him. Well, maybe its not that bad...its not all the time, but a lot! I have been contemplating why the sudden change in his behavior. I mean, he is usually a very sweet, obedediant kid, as much as a three year old can be anyway! I have come up with many theories....one, we have moved four times in the last year! Thats hard on a little guy, especially when he had just made some new friends! Two, he just moved from the nursery ( in our church its for the babies 18 months to 3 years old, they basically jusy get to play with toys and have fun!) to sunbeams. No more running around and playing, now he has to sit still and listen to the teacher. I think this has been very hard for him to get used to! In fact he was put in time out in his class this last week because he wouldn't sit still and stop running around!!! Three, ( and this one is the suckiest one of all!!) I was thinking about how I treated him. I mean, how do I handle stressfull situations with him and my daughter? much to my chagrine I realized I do exactly what he does....I yell, talk mean, freak out..ya basically Im a brat! no wonder my child is acting this way..he learned it from me!! I have no excuses..I can't say, well I'm tired or stressed or basically incompetent to be a mother. There is no excuse for the way I handle things. How old am I? Who is the parent? I know how I felt every time we moved, or had to do something that was uncomfortable and new...and my mother hardly, if ever..raised her voice to us..and I can count on one hand...not even needing all the fingers..how many times she spanked me!
So after all of this thinking and realization I have decided to freakin lighten up and go easy on the poor kid! Like I said he is three! I cant expect so much from him that its absolutely rediculous! And I need to find better ways to communicate with and discipline him! I tried sooooo hard today to talk softly and kindly, and to not yell or get angry. I think it was the hardest and most stressfull day to date!! But I feel so much better about the whole thing!! My son was in a way better mood, and although we still had a few rough moments..all in all it was also the best day we've had in a while! Nathan even commented on how better my son was acting..so that means we definitely did something right!!
Ok, so I know this went on forever!!! I really didn't mean for it to! I just needed to vent!! I appreciate all the comments I get on these bloggs you guys!! Its nice to know you have people out there who care about you! I love you guys!!!

I'm not very good at this!

So, according to some people, I do not update my blog frequently enough! Well, all I have to say is " does it not feel like you are basically having a one sided conversation with yourself?! " Not when Im told I dont blog enough, but when I actually do the blogging. I mean, what if no one is really reading this and I am just talking to myself? That would be really sad and pathetic!! So, I haven't really posted in fear of being a total geek!!
Actually, the reality is I just haven't been interested in doing it! And, I haven't had the time.

Fist of all, my whole family got that stomach flu that has been going around! Nathan, then Seth and then me, and I think Eden got it too! She puked all over me in the middle of Charolettes Web..in the theater.. yes it was sick! Though, I actually had it twice!! Stomach pain so bad you can hardly stand it! puking up anything, everything and nothing at the same time!! and other things I won't mention..but are just as gross!! We just barely got over it!!

Second, my family was just in town and so I was entertaining them!! Seven people in one house is a lot!! And as soon as they got home..they were sick too! Right after they left is when I got it the second time! Thanks a lot guys!! =-)

Third, Nathan went out of town this weekend and I was home alone with the two spawns of sa.....I mean the two beautiful, loving sweet babies of mine!! =-) J/k!! They did great! I on the other hand seem to have difficulty dealing with two kids and the stress by myself, with no one to give me a break!! I really don't know how single parents do it!!

So, needless to say, my little family blog has been sent down the list of priorities to close to the bottom!! But today I have a little time...(while my children run, scream, jump and cry all around me) to update every one who I KNOW reads this!! I hope you are happy!! =-) Love you guys!

Its a new year, and resolutions suck!

I was just thinking about it already being 2007. I can't believe it!! I remember in elementary school being excited to write 1994 on the tops of all my papers and trying so hard to remember that it wasn't 1993 any more!! weird!
Anyway, resolutions...Im not so sure about these things! Who thought of spending the fisrt day of the new year deciding to make a goal that you are supposed to stick to for the whole next year..or for the rest of your life!!? Whoever did, was a retard! Not to say that I can't stick to the goals I make, because I can! I stick to it when I decide to finish off the last of the Ice Cream, or make sure the chocolate cake gets eaten and none goes to waste!! Those are pretty important ones too, let me tell ya!
Ok, who am I kidding!! Those arent really goals..just fat inducers. When it comes to real life changing...um..changes, I am no good! I try, sure, but then it gets hard, yada yada..and boom! I fall off the wagon!
So needless to say, this year Im not really making any resolutions...I might sound like a big pansy..but who cares!!
I do want to loose weight, who doesn't? So, I'll be working on that (and a few other things to) But if you ask me, "Ashleigh, what is your news years resolution?" I will either give you a dirty look and the silent treatment....or tell you that this year my resolution was to give every single person who asks me that question a nice big wedgie!!! Your choice!!
Ha Ha!

I know Christmas is over but..

I just wanted to show you what Christmas looks like around our place....