After four kids, ten moves and nearly two decades, we are still blissfully in love (most of the time) and I found myself back in the state I was born and raised in. It has definitely been a journey. In fact, on our 18th anniversary we pulled the last of our stuff up over the pass and into Montana, leaving our surprise love, Idaho, behind. But Montana is a great place. The last best place according to some. And we fully intend to explore as much of it as we can! Join us on our continued adventure through life, love and other stuff that comes with it.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Tell you what . . .

. . . my husband says to the girls tonite WELL after their bedtime.

You two just stay in your beds and stay awake all night. If you can do that I'll give you a dollar.

Really?

Yes. If you stay in your bed and stay awake all night, I'll give you a dollar.

But I can't stay awake that long.

Well, if you go to sleep in the next 5 minutes, I'll give you two dollars.

(10 minutes later)

I think I owe Grace two dollars.

And Calla pooped her pants.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Love my mom friends!

Some tidbits from today:

Bread is the underwear of the kitchen. -Lisa. We love Lisa.

They've got boobs in there and they're not afraid to use them! -Kate *warning* the men working in the garage that there are nursing moms in the house and they should enter at their own risk. Poor guys.

I'm glad my husband approves of my friends.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Chopsticks

Last night a friend took the girls to a Japanese restaurant. It was one of those ones where the chef comes to your table and cooks and throws food and knives (just what my almost 3-year-old needs to see). They had a grand time.

And they came home with chopsticks. This morning Grace tried them again.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Ummmm . . . no I didn't.

My two oldest have been fighting non-stop since we moved. I'm sure it is the move and all that, but it's been totally out of control. I even seperate them and they still fight across rooms and halls and oceans.

No I didn't!

Yes you did!

No I didn't!

Yes you did!

No I didn't FIRST!



I had kept telling myself that they were still just adjusting to the move. Moving is hard on kids. It's hard on everyone.

But yesterday I realized that the problem is my almost 3-year-old. I was changing the sheets on my bed and she walked in.

What are you doing, mom?

Changing the sheets.

Why?

Because you peed on them.

No I didn't. You did.



Houston, I think I found the problem.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Thanksgiving shots

We did more than dust the ceiling and change lightbulbs.

We ate turkey . . .



And whipped cream . . .



And pumpkin pie . . .



And sat on the couch and took our own pictures.



We're still recovering from all the fun.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

I'm thankful for . . .

It was a small gathering this year at the in-laws. Our family of five, grandma and grandpa (my in-laws), great grandma, the brother-in-law and his new little wife, and the neighbor. And a 22 pound turkey.

After dinner (which was very good by all standards) we partook in normal post-meal activities--dusting the ceiling and changing light bulbs. It's very important you know.

It started with the new sister-in-law (bless her heart) and her concern about the dust on the smoke detector that was a good 20 feet up, mounted on the ceiling. It's a legitimate concern. That much dust could affect the smoke detecting ability of a smoke detector.

My mother-in-law is never caught unprepared. It's something I've learned in my 12 years as part of the family. I think somewhere in that purse of hers she might just have a cordless drill and probably a ladder and a hat rack and a full length mirror and a nice plant for the corner. Her purse doesn't even resemble a carpet bag. That's the amazing part.

Grandma (my mother-in-law) went into the garage and pulled out a telescoping pole with various attachments--a duster and a suction cup--that she had recently purchased because she "thought it might come in handy." She handed it to my husband who promptly attached the duster, extended the pole and dusted the fire detector. And since he was up there, the ceiling.

Then the other brother called. "Yea, we're just dusting the ceiling. Doesn't everyone do that after Thanksgiving dinner?"

Not a football game in site. Really. And nobody was asleep on the couch. Although the newest sister-in-law was thinking it was a good idea.

"Mom. Do you have some more lightbulbs?" Of course she does. She's like this real life Mary Poppins who just pulls things out of her bag. He knows that.

The ensuing activity was one I did not want my dare devil 2-year-old to watch. They couldn't get the suction cup to stick to the burned-out light bulbs. My brother-in-law wanted a ladder on the island. But his mom would only let him have a step stool. Bless her heart.

All 6'5", 230lbs of him standing on a step stool. On the counter. I prayed my 2-year-old was still glued to the television in the other room.

My new sister-in-law looked at them and asked, "How many Donnellys does it take to change a light bulb?" Well, the way they work, it depends on how many of them are in the room. It's a team effort.

I'm happy to report that nobody was injured in the changing of that lightbulb.

The second light bulb was not over the island where he could reach it. It was more between the island and the refrigerator. I suggested they get a 2x4 and make a ramp between the counter and the fridge--kidding of course, but you never know. They thought pulling the fridge out and standing on top of it was a better idea--not kidding of course. "How much do you weigh?" my husband asks him.

They settled for a piece of Scotch tape on the suction cup. I was pleased. Nobody was injured. My 2-year-old didn't see it. And now we won't have to do that for at least another year. Unless they burn out before Easter.

Yes. I'm thankful for Scotch tape.

Happy Thanksgiving! And happy babywearing!

Friday, November 21, 2008

A small miracle

For once in my life as a wife and mother I don't feel buried in laundry!