Fabulous Foushee's

January Sunrise

2010-01-28T22:08:00.000-08:00

I was sitting on the couch with Andrew before school and looked outside to see a truly amazing sunrise. I pointed it out to Andrew who exclaimed "Wow!" I jumped up to grab my camera and took a few pictures. They don't even do it justice - it was beautiful!

Mt. Hood Meadows Birthday

2010-01-14T21:25:00.000-08:00

Happy 14th Birthday Michael

2010-01-14T10:49:00.000-08:00

14 Things that Are Unique and Fantastic About Michael

1. He has lots of energy!
2. He has figured out how to get good grades. - Yes!
3. Michael has a great eye for balance/colors etc. This year he helped me design the back of my friends necklaces - he knew exactly what they needed and they turned out great!
4. He loves to be a silly kid at heart and will come up with the most creative things to do with his brother and sister.
5. He's a fabulous fun dare devil snowboarder.... we are up at the mountains skipping school for his birthday with his friends!!
6. He is good in a crisis - I swear his life so far is slowly teaching him for some big disaster some day.
7. He is not afraid of much - minus the telephone. Scared to death to call on it or answer it....
8. He loves Mexican food just like his mom!
9. He will kill me for repeating this but he has a knack for writing poetry!!
10. He has never been jealous or disappointed on birthdays or Christmas - he loves to give rather than receive.
11. His room is a constant disaster.
12. He has broken the same tiny bone in his same toe twice once on each end.... go figure!
13. He might be half vampire - he showers in the dark, eats breakfast in the dark and is always closing the blinds....
14. His favorite shows to watch are on discovery channel - he might hate to read but he actually learns a lot watching these random shows!

Happy Birthday Michael - I love you soooo much!

Black Butte 2009

2010-01-03T14:21:00.001-08:00

Every year we go to Black Butte after Christmas thru New Years. This year my sister came with her two kids Trevor and Ashley. The boys hit Hoodoo everyday and we went swimming and sledding. The weather was terrible - no snow and bare ground or snow at night and pouring rain in the day. Oh well, it was good together and spend quality time with everyone!

Michael shreddin up Hoodoo.... He got to snowboard everyday.... the perfect vacation for him!

Lady Gaga Snowman - Snowgirl - whatever!

A few cute pictures of the kids and my niece Ashley. Zach hates his picture taken and hides whenever I take it. So that's what you get with him....

Random Thoughts

2009-12-18T14:16:00.000-08:00

1. School programs and parties should not be scheduled for the last few days of the week before school gets out for break - with multiple kids you have to be way ahead of the game to be able to navigate it along with getting ready for the holidays kid free....

2. My daughter is an excellent writer and she has a very loud commanding voice!

3. I love getting texts from my teenagers during the day - in school.... hummmm - at least they are thinking of me! :)

4. They idea of Christmas is great and spiritual but actually trying to pull it off - almost not worth it!

5. It is very important to let the garage door open all the way before backing out - sigh - yup didn't remember that this morning.

6. If all else fails replace the belt on the vacuum - presto works like new again - wish I would have thought of that a few months ago.

7. Thinking my random vertigo is finally going away - what's up with that - feeling like I spun in circles all day and night!

8. Finally feel like I belong in West Linn - had a get together with friends the other morning and I was thinking about how I have really great friends here in West Linn!

9. Actually super excited to have lots and lots of kids here tonight for pizza and fun. Everyone is bringing multiple friends over, Sean is gone and we can just hang..... really I am excited!

Twilight New Moon Necklaces

2009-11-19T17:25:00.000-08:00

Here are my finished pieces - exciting! Each necklace has one 2x2 frame and one 1x3 frame with pictures on both sides. The pictures show 2 necklaces but that's so you can see both sides :) too fun! The Edward one says "Because he dazzled me." and under Vamp Girl it says bite me. The Jacob one says, "Because real men don't sparkle." and under Wolf Girl it says join the pack. Enjoy!

The Digital World....

2009-11-18T10:20:00.000-08:00

I knew once I started I would be hooked - I held off as long as I could. I am completely entranced with photoshop and creating digital "stuff". I made the cute Halloween tags then went deep and found a free Christmas Kit online and created posters and flyers for an upcoming church activity. Then I went deeper and I have been creating frame necklaces for the New Moon premiere tomorrow night. They are so cool and Andrew is convinced I like Jacob more than his dad. I am having so much fun and could create all day! I haven't scrapbooked any pictures yet - I will still try to hold off on that one. I love using my hands and creating those but the flexibility and options and the cost might get me to go to the dark side one of these days! (shh I didn'treally
admit that!)
The larger squares are on a 2x2 frame and the longer ones are on a 1x3 frame. Such fun! I really need to get off the laptop and go clean the stupid house!

Trick or Treat

2009-11-03T15:58:00.001-08:00

Flipping through the pictures to post I realized my older boys are missing.... made me sad that they are growing up so fast.
Anyways, we had a very busy Halloween! Andrew was Dan from Bakugan and Emily was little red riding hood; she hated putting her hood up! We had Andrew's last soccer game then went to the church for trunk or treat then off to the Bailey's for a pre party then off trick or treating with a bazillion kids down to the Edwards. We had yummy soup and hung out while the kids recuperated from walking forever. A few of the kids even went to a haunted house down in Willamette -where they were chased by a joker and a man with a mask and chainsaw - Emily had to sleep with a very high watt light bulb all night! Michael hung out with friends and trick or treated dressed as 4 amigos and Zach hung out with friends watching movies.
A fast but fun filled day - of course Sean thought its all ridiculous but I dressed up as a good witch just to embarrass him :)

Halloween Goodies

2009-10-28T19:41:00.001-07:00

Because I had nothing else to do today; only a class party to plan and a costume to sew.... I had some much fun though! I made these fun treat bags for the girls at Emily's cheer - I love photoshop!

40 Years and 40 Things About Me

2009-10-12T08:34:00.000-07:00

1. I could easily live without television.

2. I could not live without my computer

3. I love Mexican Food

4. I’m short enough to be able to join the Little People’s of America

5. I love taking pictures

6. I think I am fairly creative

7. My favorite creative outlet is to scrapbook

8. I dislike the water

9. I can’t swim

10. I absolutely cannot cook – I can bake though

11. I am so blessed to have my family nearby

12. Running outside with a friend on cold dark mornings is the best

13. I love to read and read and read; Stephen King to Stephanie Meyers

14. Sometimes trucks pass me on the freeway

15. Crooked things drive me crazy

16. Fall is my favorite time of year

17. Spring is my least favorite

18. I dislike change but I’m getting better at it

19. I am fairly quiet until I get to know you

20. Andrew makes me smile at the things he says

21. Emily is my girly athletic girl; the best of best world

22. Michael’s outlook and creativeness inspires me

23. Zach there much he can’t do (maybe drive….JK)

24. Costco chocolate cake is die for!

25. Ann Taylor Loft is my favorite clothing store

26. I haven’t bought a new pair of shoes in forever!

27. I have only lived 6.6 miles away from where I grew up….

28. I am honest and I do not like to break rules

29. I love my tiny wrists:)

30. A good wind storm is the best

31. A snow storm is almost just as good.

32. I would love to storm chase and see a tornado

33. I have jumped out of airplane

34. I can kick butt sledding in the snow

35. I would rather be cold than hot

36. My stupid mini van is extremely functional

37. I would love a black Mercedes wagon

38. Halloween is favorite holiday

39. If I could go back in time I would be Pioneer

40. Life just wouldn’t be same without diet coke!

Autumn in West Linn

2009-10-09T17:21:00.000-07:00

I was in awe last fall at the drive into my neighborhood, the leaves changing color was spectacular -this year I made sure to get a few pictures. It is truly beautiful; it seems to change daily and increase in intensity. I am so blessed to witness this amazing view everyday!

Happy 7th Birthday Andrew

2009-07-24T22:08:00.000-07:00

Andrew was thrilled to have 3 birthday - one more than Emily. Its always a contest ya know. We were in Klamath Falls for a golf tournament for Zach and so Andrew celebrated his actual birthday in K Falls. He woke up to donuts and a new bike! What a great deal since we rode bikes all over the Running Y! With Sean never home we celebrated a family party the night we drove home. We pulled in and Jenna had decorated the house all perfect and Sean wrapped all the gifts and Grandma and Grandpa came over and we had a great celebration! So here are 7 things I love about Andrew:
1. He says the funniest off the wall things
For Example: In explaining before his friend party we talked about saying thank you etc. and so I said "What do you say when you get two of something or you get something you already have?" "That's easy mom, I say Thank You very much it will go perfect with my collection!"
2. He still likes to cuddle
3. He is a fantastic story teller
4. His front teeth are loose and so he talks funny
5. He loves to wear pajamas
6. He loves to be outside
7. He could go days without watching TV

Happy 7th Birthday Andrew

Fender Bender

2009-07-18T08:43:00.000-07:00

This summer all I do is drive everyone every where. Last week I had to drive Zach to his tournament in Woodburn race home to get Michael and take him to SK8 camp in Lake Oswego come back and get Emily and Andrew ready to go back to get Michael then back down to Woodburn to get Zach and bring everyone home. Somewhere in there we picked up Michael's friend Taylor in Tigard and took Zach back up to the Oregon Golf Club before we headed downtown to North East Portland for appointment. Traffic coming home was awful on I-5 so Emily and Andrew and I took highway 43 down thru Lake Oswego and we made awesome time 15 minutes - yes! Then bam literally out of know where we went flying forward hard. You know those commercials where the happy family is chatting and bam the get hit - well that happened we never saw it coming or anything. Thank goodness the kids were tired and gelled in front of the tv watching Sponge Bob and not squirreling around in their seats. So much for me making great time! The police came and apparently the girl behind the car behind me grabbed her phone and slammed under the SUV in front of her and the SUV rammed into us. Great - that's all we needed because I have all the time in the world to deal with this. None of us were hurt and they car is still completely functionalble - I just look more stupid now driving the ridiculous mini van around all beat up. We ended the day too with the long drive out to Newberg to stay out there so we could be an hour closer to Zach's tournament the next day. Ugh! The car is still not fixed - what a much un needed headache!

Creature Feature

2009-07-18T08:25:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Emily's 9th and Andrew's 7th Birthday with a birthday party at home with the reptile man. I have to laugh that I figured no one would really come considering it was during the week and during the middle of the day and during the middle of the summer and with only 1 week notice but just about everyone came and it was so cool! Unfortunately Emily developed a fever in the middle of it but despite that glitch it was amazing and so much fun! He brought a viper and rattlesnake, a kissing lizard, a wall climbing gecko, a huge boa and an alligator and much more. The kids all got to hold a snake, alligator and everyone helped to hold up the huge boa. So much fun!

4th of july

2009-07-10T20:39:00.000-07:00

We use to celebrate the 4th with a big barbecue and parade in our old neighborhood so when we moved last year we were lost - this year we decided to start up our favorite tradition and invite family, friends and neighbors to celebrate with a good old barbecue and family fireworks. Hot Dogs and Hamburgers with lots of fruit and chips and yummy deserts along with cans and cans of silly string (thank you Jason) and delicious homemade ice cream (thank you Leslie) made this old tradition in our new town super fun plus Ian learned to ride his bike and Emily and Olivia sang a bueatiful duet of the star spangled banner! We will definitely do it again next year so please plan on coming!

Happy 9th Birthday Emily

2009-07-10T20:11:00.000-07:00

Every year we celebrate Emily's Birthday on the 4th of July by going out to breakfast at Elmer's in Tigard. We all eat a huge breakfast and then they bring her ice cream with a candle in it and we all sing her happy birthday.

We then come home and open gifts and eat yummy cake. This year she chose the costco 7 layer chocolate cake. Good choice Emily; Zach and I both had that cake too! We put sparkler candles on and it took her forever to blow them out! Her face cracks me up in the picture she is blowing so hard!

I have a friend who on her blog writes things she loves about her child on their birthday according to their age - I love that idea so Lisa I am going to copy you - thanks!
Nine Things I love about Emily
1. You are a girly girl
2. Your a great leader
3. Your not afraid to get up in front of people
4. Your kind and thoughtful to others; minus your brothers!
5. Your a great athlete - especially at cheerleading and tumbling
6. I love that you can out arm wrestle the boys in your class last year!
7. You write amazing stories
8. You are extremely responsible - maybe even too much sometimes!
9. You bear your testimony every fast Sunday

79th Junior Amateur Golf Tournament Champion

2009-07-10T19:50:00.001-07:00

Zach finally won his division this year at the state match play tournament. He placed second during the stroke play on day one and was seeded number 2. On Tuesday he easily won his match and then realized he would probably be playing his two good friends over the next few days. On Wednesday he play Nigel Lett and did a great job winning 8 & 6 and the next day he played Max Carter and again won - watching Max not watch Zach's putt on 14 to win just about killed me. It is so hard to watch good friends play each other - it actually brought tears to my eyes. This day however, Zach played awesome and on hole 9 Max was way off the green and down a hill in the dirt and bushes and he chips it up and the ball lands less than a foot away from the hole. Zach being in the bunker I was thinking uh oh Max might get him on this hole and Zach chips it out of the bunker 6 inches from the hole. It was an amazing shots for both of them - it was like Max had 4 aces and Zach said yea well I have a royal flush. Friday came and Zach had to play Sulman Raza his rival friend Eugene. These two have gone back and forth for years and it wasn't until last year that Zach and the other golfers learned they could beat Sulman. Sean flew back in on a late flight to come and watch and we were confidant he was going to win. It was finally going to be his turn. Starting off both boys were nervous and Sulman missed a couple of shots and gave Zach a 5 up lead that Zach never gave back until Sulman birdied 13 & 14 and I have to admit I was a bit nervous because when Sulman is on he is on and he does not give up. Well on 15 Sulman missed a putt for birdie and Zach chipped it in from just off the back of the green and it dropped right in the hole and he sealed the deal and won. I was thrilled for him and so excited - he did it and after a fantastic week he definatley deserved it! Great job Zach and congratulatons.

We were "knifed".....

2009-06-18T07:09:00.000-07:00

I woke this morning to look out the window to a bunch of white things sticking out of my lawn. I walked outside to find toilet paper on the bushes and a lot of white plastic knifes sticking in the front lawn.... to funny!

The thing is Michael was with his friend when he took the knifes from his house to TP the other night which they didn't do. We laughed and I guess being "knifed" makes for easy clean-up. Oh, the life of teenage middle schoolers!

Happy 15th Birthday Zach

2009-06-14T11:08:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe I have a child old enough to get his permit to drive a car! (Well he failed the first attempt to get his permit...) He has finally grown into his own. He has his opinions and thinks he knows everything about everything. (Like knowing everything about driving so the permit test would be easy - yeah proved that one right!) Zach is a great kid, he is polite and thoughtful. The other day he sees the neighbor unloading his car and Zach jumps on over to help... He is responsible but a huge procrastinator! He is constantly growing out of his clothes - finally - and one of these days he will get his permit and he will pass and drive a car....

Kindergarten Graduation

2009-06-14T11:02:00.001-07:00

I can't believe my youngest is finished with Kindergarten! What a great year at a great school. Andrew loves school and loves learning about everything. He has made great friends and even though I might not like him growing up so fast he is ready to be a first grader!! Thanks to Mrs. Aguilar and Mrs. McKelvie for a very successful year.

Dirt, Water and an Imagination

2009-06-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

You can always count on Michael to come up with a creative activity..... We have an empty spot in our front yard that the boys have found. Andrew had been using the area to build beaver dams and create sculptures in it but then he got Michael involved. After a few hours with lots of dirt and water they built a really cool track to race monster trucks on... to fun!!

OSAA High School Golf State Championships

2009-05-24T06:36:00.001-07:00

Zach took 3rd Place at his High School State Championships as a Freshman. I am so proud of him and it was so exciting to watch. He had an okay round the first day starting off with 3 bogeys in the first 4 holes - I thought oh my but he kicked into gear and ended up in 6th place with a 75. The second day again he bogeyed the first hole but again pulled it together and was on fire. He even kept it together even when the U of O coach followed him for 6 holes (Zach mellowed once his coach told him he was wasn't just watching him so to relax) it worked because he was 2 under going into hole 17 and with the buzz that he was up there in contention to win. He pared 17 but the nerves finally got to him and he pulled it left on 18 and ended up with another bogey to finish the round 1 under which tied for low score at the tournament. Unfortunately, the seniors on 18 birdied and eagled to tie for 1st. It was surreal to watch and see he was up there with the big boys. His friend and rival Sulman Raza from Eugene placed 5th and throughout their OGA careers they have been the steady players - it was neat to see them in the top ten and both on the All American Team as freshman. It was truly an exciting day and a positive one in Zach's desire to play golf in college and professionally. It was also well deserved as he is constantly practicing everyday to become a better player - he recently told me "If I'm not up practicing someone else will be...." Great job and as your mom I am so proud of all that you have accomplished with bringing your team to state and bringing a cohesiveness to the team as well. Job well done!

Basket Case

2009-05-14T22:11:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I really feel like a basket case.
Its a huge balancing act and I feel like I cannot even speak in correct sentences let alone handle all that needs to be handled.
I apologize to all those who look at me and think she is off her rocker - I probably am but what choice do I have.
In little over one hour tonight I took one child to a baseball game in WL, did a photo re shoot, took another child to cheer in Clackamas, arranged an overnight sitter for Sunday, tried to find a sub for church, went back to baseball and watched my son make a great out at tee-ball, photographed an impromptu baseball team (my boss forgot he had one scheduled and I was there with the camera mmm...), had a quick meeting with my boss when he arrived after I was done taking all their pictures, got my children fed (McDonalds....), ran home and checked in did a few dishes and scrapped hot glue residue off my floor, chatted with my husband on the phone and went to a meeting for fundraising at the gym. No wonder my head spins - I'm not even sure on where to cut back - that's the sad part. My kids are not over involved; there just is a lot of them going in different directions. I wouldn't change my life for anything - I love being a mom and I suppose being a basket case. So for now I will
embrace running around with my head cut off...

What's New....

2009-04-26T00:44:00.000-07:00

Seems like I haven't had a moment to post anything while so much has been happening!

1. Emily's cheer team won 2nd place at the Pac West Nationals in LA. Her team now goes on to a virtual competition - judged via video. Her routine will be posted on Varsity.com mid May.

2. Andrew started t-ball. Its so cute and funny. The first couple of practices they didn't even know what base was what. They always think they win and they always do because they all hit and run all the bases... Two of his good friends are also on the team - Hunter and Ian!

3. Oregon Golf Club Sock Hop (Daddy Daughter Date Night)
This year they got to dress up in their 50's fashion and hit the dance floor. They always have such a good time together... to fun!

4. Zach is doing great this season with his Golf at West Linn High School. Its so different than his competitive golf during the summers. Its easier and harder - he is having to work for a team and not just individually. This week he was West Linn's athlete of the week. He is down in Arizona with Sean being custom fitted for clubs. He has grown so much over the last year and he is stronger too.... hopefully now he will be unstoppable!!

5. I've decided what I want to be when I grow up. I love my job, I love fiddling with pictures to make them better. I love taking zits off teenagers and having them get their pictures back and go wow I look good without really knowing what I have done. Its fun. I recently also made a DVD for the cheer team. It had pictures and video to music - it was a blast to create - very time consuming but so much fun to see the final result! So if anyone ever needs help restoring or wanting a picture fixed I can do it for you... :)

"I know the "C" word....

2009-04-05T12:50:00.001-07:00

I'm on a roll with Andrew so here goes another one! We were at his friends birthday party last night and Andrew's friend's mom tells me that her son came home from school the other today and told her he had learned the "C" word at school. Horrified she said "What?" he said the "C" word, Andrew told me." She said she was thinking oh my, does he really know the "C" word. She asked him "Did Andrew talk to you about the "C" word or did he call you the "C" word?" He replied "He told me all about it!" At this point the mom said she was shocked and worried and so she asked what was the "C" word Andrew taught him and of the course the boy couldn't remember exactly. So she asked him what did it sound like. He replied, "uh...monoxide or something". She said, "Carbon Monoxide?" "Yeah , thats it!". So just so you know, Carbon Monoxide is the new "C" word! :)

Andrew's April Fools Joke

2009-04-03T10:54:00.000-07:00

I have to write this down so its documented.... So Andrew had been talking all about April Fools Day this week - I told him I wasn't a big fan of the day but anyways he had decided that he wanted to wear braces on his arms and tell everyone he broke them. So the morning of he decided instead to wear his brothers big huge boot he had to wear after his surgery last year. Its huge and awkward and we were running late so I said fine just bring an extra shoe to put on afterwards. We also talked about how you say April Fools to the joke etc. I pick him up from the bus and I have forgotten all about it until his teacher calls. Apparently he was in tears because the kids didn't believe he broke his foot, he caused a huge commotion all day long - wore the stupid thing to recess and played the part all day - he never fessed up that it was a joke. I giggled when the teacher was talking and said it was suppose to be his April Fools joke - oh my. I could have died! He says he was waiting until the end of the day for sharing to tell but he didn't get picked to share so he didn't say anything. What a booger! One of those great parent moments and if you know Andrew he is almost convincing and believable to the stories he tells! Oh my!

An Andrew Quote....

2009-03-30T19:50:00.000-07:00

"That was my 1st best movie ever!" Andrew exclaimed after seeing Monsters vs Aliens.... I guess we all eventually have to start our favorite movie list sometime! He is too cute sometimes!

Sunburns and Snow

2009-03-23T18:47:00.000-07:00

We spent the day in Arches National Park near Moab Utah. After spending 12 hours to get to Utah we headed back in the car the next day to Arches. It was amazing, the sun was shining blue, it was warm, we all got a bit of sun on our cheeks and the scenery was unbelievable! We hiked up to Delicate Arch and it was so windy. The Arch is huge and amazing and it was so scary standing up on the ledge. Sean said he was glad the Emily was holding up all those rocks (she wouldn't let go). Once the wind starting blowing it did not let up. We visited a few more amazing rock formations and headed off to Canyonlands to see Dead Horse Point. It was freezing and so windy; I refused to get out of the car with the little ones (they might have blown away - seriously). Sean and Zach could not refuse the opportunity to hit a few golf balls off the edge into the vast beyond... On the way home we hit snow in the Spanish Fork Canyon and it has been snowing down in Lehi ever since.... Glad we got to experience the Arches and get a bit of sun too!

"Boo The Dirty Dog"

2009-03-16T14:53:00.000-07:00

I just gave him a bath last night.....

Random Thoughts

2009-03-10T13:44:00.000-07:00

Lately I have a few random thoughts that I want to share but they aren't long enough to really blog so I thought I would make a list of a few....

1. I was downtown yesterday when it was snowing and raining and I probably saw over 50 people walking the streets and only one had an umbrella! To funny! I didn't have one either...

2. Being in an elevator is awkward. Riding down the elevator 10 stories in complete silence with random people is weird. At least the men let the ladies go out first - chivalry does still exist.

3. I dress like a mom. Being downtown and seeing all the tall skinny fashionable women made me look at my sweatshirt and athletic pants as a bit pathetic! Oh well I was comfortable!

4. My dog is a pain in the butt but cracks me up. He has his stupid routine of coming home from dropping the last kid off to school and jumping out my car door and running with his tiny legs to the neighbors to see if his best friend Maxi can play. They actually have play dates - my dog - weird.

5. This time I miss Sean being gone - before it was fine, almost easier, but this time I want him to come back -maybe its because he has delayed his trip by 4 more days - ugh!

6. Arby's is disgusting. Emily wanted to try Arby's after cheer the other night so we stopped by and got dinner for everyone - gross! Nobody like it... guess that's a good thing!

7. I hate working out - use to love it now I can't stand it. I'm lucky to get in a few days a week before I was running 5/6 times a week at least 5 miles a day. Oh well!

8. The last random thought is Facebook... that's a time sucker! Its fun but probably not real necessary. I've found a few friends from high school and from years ago. Its so fun to see how everyone is doing etc. Thanks Debbie and Zach!

Random thoughts - enjoy! :)

My Secret Passion - and I Almost Got Caught Today

2009-03-02T12:15:00.000-08:00

Reading would be my secret passion. Its a secret because it can consume me. I can read for hours and hours. Today I was reading while on the elliptical - its a safe place to read and when I was finished working out I wanted to keep reading so I sat on my bed thinking I would read one more chapter well two and then I heard the garage door - Sean was coming home (he works from the house now) anyways the guilt set in and I threw the book in closet and turned on the shower and jumped in (still freezing cold). I felt so guilty for reading when I have a million things to do. I feel guilty because I love to read. It started when I was little and would read those choose your own adventure stories then I started reading the V.C. Andrews series Flowers in the Attic. I eventually fell in love with Stephen King and would spend hours reading into the middle of the night. Once I hit college the pleasure reading stopped, I met Sean and had kids so the only reading I got done was kid books at night. Well I started reading again in the past few years. It can really get in the way of being married, so I only read while working out, on a plane, or at night when Sean is gone. I felt so guilty crossing my boundaries today - stupid book too! I still love Stephen King novels ("The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon" my favorite), and historical fiction ("Fire of the Covenant" my favorite) and of course the Twilight series. "The Great and Terrible" series by Chris Stewart is amazing too (LDS fiction of sorts). I was into True Crime for awhile but after reading the "Green River Killer" it put me over the edge, plus one of the girls bodies was found in the Christmas tree farm on Bull Mt. (I could see the farm from my master window in Tigard - creepy). Anyways, I thought it was funny that my heart was pounding being caught doing something I love and good for you too. I guess I would make a great employee and a very loyal friend as well! Off to do the real chores to make our house run smooth and Joanne love that you have read almost all three Twilight books in less than 2 weeks - you go girl!

Thank You Mom & Dad

2009-02-25T22:12:00.000-08:00

Can I just say that I have the best parents in the world. They are always looking out for me and checking in. The call just to chat and they are the best grandparents. My kids actually come home wanting to call Grandma to have a play date. Too cute! They are great sports with it all - one on one works best as they do get a bit overwhelmed with more than two kids.

For example, Michael spent 3 hours over there tonight to work on homework. He has a big science test on Friday and also a Social Studies test. Homework is a huge struggle anyways for Michael so I forwarded the teachers info of the tests to them and put them to work with Michael. He argues to much with me and cannot focus with the other kids around. When I arrived to pick him up he had memorized all that he needed too and my parents and Michael are confident he will pass with flying colors on Friday. Yeah! Too cool!

Thanks so much for all you - taking Emily shopping and doing fun crafts with all of them. Going that extra mile like photocopying extra info for Zach's science paper and driving it over just because. I am so lucky to live by you and have you so involved in my children's lives - thank you and I love you!

Icky Sicky

2009-02-25T21:52:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe how many sick people I know. This is crazy. Everyone in my family has been sick in the last week. Ending with Sean last night and today. This is gross and I am tired of using Lysol and washing my hands a bazillion times a day. The checker at Safeway cracks up when he sees me because I have been there so often picking up Gatorade, sprite, soup, bread and all that good stuff that is suppose to make you feel better. 1/5 of Andrew's kindergarten class was absent today and his new nick name is horizontal boy. He has laid down everywhere we are for the past 5 days. In the car he rests his head on the arm rest or he lays on the couch watching the millionth repeat episode of some Disney show - its quite sad. Michael and Zach have said there are so many sick kids at school or kids absent in their classes. Michael had only 14 kids in his PE class... crazy! I just hope the bug Sean brought back from Arizona stays confined to my room - no one else can be sick! Lots of friends are sick and I want you to know you all are in my prayers to get better soon and be healthy again!

Shopping

2009-02-20T14:07:00.000-08:00

With all the kids healthy today and not having to go to work I splurged and went SHOPPING! Oh my - I so have missed going into a store - any store and just looking around. We sold Sean's fridge that was in his office so I had some cash and I went right ahead and spent it! Shoes for Andrew and Michael, a way cool green golf shirt for Zach for his first day of high school golf tryouts at West Linn, new church pants for Michael, and a pair of polka dot flip flops for Emily and for myself a few pairs of capri's that actually fit! I was very careful and didn't splurge to bad - Nike had an awesome jacket that I loved but put back on the rack. I had so much fun and even treated myself to Baha Fresh on the way home! Funny how I felt so liberated and joyful - maybe pathetic is the right word! Anyways I had a blast - Yeah!

You Know Your In A Recession When......

2009-02-15T19:18:00.000-08:00

1. You unlock a used family cell phone for your child to use that originated in Arizona went back to Newberg then back to Arizona and back to Newberg then to West Linn! Michael now has a cell phone (for my peace of mind) that I unlocked successfully by myself for free online by doing a bit of searching for a forum that gave them out for free... Yeah!

2. Your husband turns into a Dog Groomer..... I laughed so hard! He actually doesn't look that bad!

3. You finish emptying out the Accent Residential Homes office in Tualatin. All I have left to do is vacuum and he will be officially gone. He has temporarily moved an office back into our house. It will be nice having him around a bit more when he is in town. Its so sad to have that that chapter behind us - maybe its more just sentimental. I remember sitting in his truck years and years ago trying to think of a name for his company.... Wow! He did a great job and Accent was a huge success for so long - dang economy!

4. Your husband has to start commuting across the country back and forth to work! As much as I hate him being gone and I dislike Arizona (its way too hot) we are blessed that he is finding work when so many of our friends and family seem to be unemployed and looking for work. We will miss him lots but it will be a growing and strengthening lesson for us all.

5. You have to give up your Blackberry phone.... well just the internet part. So if you want to get a hold of me call or text me or wait until I can be home to check my email. Its all good!

6. I have had to learn to budget my time so I can clean my own house and keep up the outside. I have learned to shop with coupons, buy house brands and even venture out to Winco... I have even learned to deal with paper blinds in my house (can't wait for those to be replaced)! I have even started back to work part time (which I love) We have all become more creative and more resourceful which is a huge life lesson to all of us! I am so thankful for our families who support us to all ends of the earth! Its been an eye opening experience that will only make us all better in the end! I hate to say I am thankful for this but in a small way I am!

Sharpie

2009-02-09T20:18:00.000-08:00

Andrew has been experimenting with Sharpie Pens - everywhere! Name a surface and it has seen a sharpie in the last few weeks. I have no idea what or why he is doing this! Its a big pain and he actually as done a lot of damage.... The carpet, counters, coffee table, hardwood floors, walls, toys, clothes, computers, and the list goes on - seriously! The other day he came in with designs all over his pants and shirt and then proceeded to write on the computer - consequence now is that if he draws on anything besides paper I get to draw all over his face with Sharpie and he can go to school with it all over - couldn't come up with anything better off the top of my head. So today he explained how I would be doing the same thing by coloring on his face as he had done and that it wasn't right so I couldn't punish him that way - smart cookie! To bad Andrew - you do it again and you'll be colorful big guy!

When it Rains it Pours

2009-01-27T20:16:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, I was commenting to my mother in law how I wish I could just catch a break. It's been one thing after another. I know their are ups and down and I was wishing for a few ups instead of so many downs.
So after attending a cheer meeting to discuss fundraising and everyone having opinions and no one making decisions I was exhausted and ready to head home after a very long day. Low and behold I go to my car and Michael has run out the battery listening to music while I was in my meeting. Okay, no big deal I find a friend and some jumper cables (remember it was freezing out too) so we are cold and we cannot find the latch to open my hood. Its dark and I am getting frustrated. So we finally find the latch (thank goodness for friends with flashlights) and I get out and we hook up the cables and I go to turn on my car and I have locked my keys in the car! I was laughing so hard - I could not believe it! Its 7:30pm the kids are starving and we are stranded! (Sean is still in Arizona looking for job opportunities - yeah I know it the worst city to be in the building business in but what do I know) - anyways.... The gym feeds my kids cup a soup and my sister rescues us and brings the kids home and I go back to jump the car again. After an important errand I finally get home and crash.

With the snow this morning and cramming in extra studying with the boys I run into work (well crawl - it was snowing) and I have been running full force ever since (did I mention Emily has fifths disease and Michael can barely speak his throat is so swollen and I am waiting for the return call from the middle school vice principal again...). Needless to say the house actually looks like a tornado has been through it. I am not exaggerating - that whole OCD thing is way out the door. Its gross, the dishes are over flowing (Zach finally had enough and did those - thank you) laundry is piling up and you can barely walk through my kitchen and family room.

The upstairs is a whole other story. Andrew has been coloring with permanent pens everywhere and somehow the bonus room toys have ended up on the roof - yes the roof. Emily and Andrew have also created a "store" to sell things in the hallway.

So what I am doing - updating my blog. Sean comes in tomorrow late (hopefully) and I have the day off....

Glad I am not PMSing and I can just laugh at this so called life. Ugh!

Cheer Bid to LA

2009-01-18T09:59:00.000-08:00

Emily competed in the Pac West regional cheer competition in Tacoma yesterday and her team rocked! They did so awesome! Their pyramid was flawless and as one of her coaches described it it was so perfect it looked illegal. At the end they announce the awards and out of the 7 teams they kept on saying all the bronze winners (everyone gets a bronze if they didn't place) and they didn't mention our team and it was then that we realized they had placed in the top two and then they announced Metro was the silver place winners with a 1st place bid to the International All-Level Competition in Los Angeles, California! It was amazing and exciting and the girls were crying and we were jumping up and down. This was huge on so many different levels - they did it. Their coach and girls did it with all the ups and downs we have had this season! So exciting! Now its time to polish their routine and fundraise like crazy! Disneyland here comes Metro! Yeah!

Brittany Spears & the Chicken

2009-01-14T09:34:00.003-08:00

I found this in the bottom of Emily's backpack - not exactly sure what she was thinking! To funny!

OCD no more.....

2009-01-08T09:53:00.000-08:00

About 10 years ago I had a bad case of Step Throat that somehow enlarged some part of my brain that triggers OCD. Weird I know - I was obsessed with having my house clean and straight and balanced. I would walk around even straightening the fringe of my rugs - pathetic I know. I also became very leery of going into public places with my kids for fear they would get sick. Long story short after some not so great therapy and some not so great medicine I had to have surgery and I was on a heavy antibiotic for a few weeks - this some how took the edge off the whole OCD thing and ever since I have slowly let go of all those fears and compulsions. Yeah! Well to prove this I realized that I didn't really mind that one night Andrew had taken all his gum and some of his brothers that he got for Christmas and taped it all to is walls around his bed. He found some posters and stuffed animals and taped them up too. He even photo copied various items in our house and glued them with glue stick to his walls and doors. I got such a kick out of it - he is very proud of he is masterpiece and I am too. I am glad my compulsion for things to picture magazine perfect are out the door (not that I don't like a clean straight house) but its okay that my kids have the freedom to be creative their own way. So here is to you Andrew! Thanks you!

Ringing in the New Year

2009-01-01T20:45:00.000-08:00

Andrew is the man! He was the only one who managed to stay up with me to celebrate the New Year. He was so excited and pumped all day. He even convinced Sean to light off a few fireworks at 10pm! He was not going to give in to sleep like everyone else. When the magic hour came he was grining and so proud. He watched the fireworks in the neighborhood out our master bedroom window. And let me tell you how proud he was to tell his brothers and sister and even his dad that he stayed up and they didn't. Thanks Andrew for celebrating this New Year with me - your awesome. As a footnote he beat both Emily & Michael at bowling tonight too - he is thinking he is way cool and he is!

Zach, lettuce does not come from a bag....

2008-12-31T11:31:00.000-08:00

I had a friend at church ask me other day how was Christmas. I replied that it was fine and that we were snowed in. She asked if I got lots done with being stranded. No I replied but we did hang out as a family which was nice. She said they played games and hung out as well. It did dawn on me that it was nice to have Sean and Zach home though. Those two are on the go constantly. So with Zach being home I learned a lot about my teenager. Here are a few highlights.

1. Zach is very kind and helpful for the most part. He grumbles about doing chores and helping but he takes pride it what he does and he does a good job.

2. He likes the smell of Pine Sol - he actually doesn't squawk at cleaning the bathroom. Whatever works right?

3. He is a gentleman. We had walked with the two little ones to Pizza one snowy night and on the way home he took us down a path and he saw a grate ahead and he actually stepped over it and turned around to hold both Emily's and my hand to make sure we got across safely. For real he did this and I was ever so impressed.

4. He is a fabulous big brother when he wants to be. He chased Emily and Andrew home that night we walked in the snow and he made them giggle and laugh. He knows just how to play rough but not to much with them.

5. He likes to be in the kitchen, and is pretty good at it too. That's a Foushee thing definitely not from my side of the family.

6. The boy did not know that lettuce does not from a bag. He wanted lettuce for something and I said it was in the drawer in the refrigerator. He pulled out a bagged salad mix and I said not that use the head of lettuce. He went back and took it out - examined it and said he never knew lettuce came like that. He had no idea what to do with it or how to get the leaves off - pathetic mom moment huh?

7. He can be determined to accomplish something when he sets his mind to it. He can now solve a Rubik's cube, he can play hours upon hours of online games to get to the next level, and he even taught himself to ski down our hill. Now we just need to focus that ability onto his biology grade and he will be set!

I am proud to say Zach is my son and I love him dearly - I cannot believe how fast time goes. He is way taller and stronger than me and his voice is changing and cracking and in a short 3 1/2 years he will gone. Wow. I am glad we were snowed in and to be able to spend an extra few more days observing and hanging out with him and our family.

I love Jesus but I drink a little...

2008-12-30T16:00:00.000-08:00

My mother in law sent me this one:
http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2007/ellen-gladys-hardy-p1.php?em

Christmas Eve

2008-12-24T20:44:00.001-08:00

We spent Christmas Eve morning at the Showell's for breakfast and gifts and then headed out thru the ruts and melting snow and ice to the Foushee's. On the way home it even started snowing again! It was a great family day and we are excited for Santa and Christmas tomorrow! Yeah!

The Storm that Lived up to its Hype......

2008-12-22T19:49:00.000-08:00

This is so ridiculous! It keeps on snowing and snowing and snowing. It finally has stopped this evening and they are saying maybe more to come on Christmas Eve. We have at least 8"-10" of snow then a good 1/2" of solid ice followed by another good 8" of snow.

I am getting a bit stir crazy. I have been playing around with my pictures on the computer - taking out cars, fixing teeth etc. to get the perfect picture. I recently started working part time for a photographer - he has me digitally altering and composing memory mates. I love it and I have learned a ton so far.

My little ones keep wrapping up anything they can find to put under the tree - my wrapping paper, tape and gift bags are all but depleted. They are happy though! Sean is way ready to go back to work and get out of the house and Michael even had a friend from Tigard brave it over and he will be staying with us for awhile; yeah a built in friend!

What an adventure!

Zach and Andrew have even learned to ski down our hill.

5 Household Essentials

2008-12-21T19:18:00.001-08:00

5 Household Essentials when stuck at home from a snowstorm that won't quit! Who needs more milk and bread or flour and sugar (that was what was gone from the shelves at Safeway anyways)

1. Dishwashing Detergent - who would of thought! We are eating and baking 5x more than normal and I have run the dishwasher at least 4x today! Ugh!

2. Laundry Soap - With not much else to do I have been way on top of the laundry to the point of running out soon!

3. Gloves - how can we constantly be running out of matching pairs of gloves - I think some must be hiding in the snow and ice - geez!

4. More laptops or computers - no brainer - 2 teenagers, a mom who loves tinkering on the computer with her blog and photographs, and a daughter who creates and plays games. 2 computers is just not sufficient!

5. Built in friends - my kids have had about enough of each other. Really they have :) LOL

Beautiful and Insane

2008-12-21T11:46:00.001-08:00

Woke up this morning to a tremendous amount of snow with about a good 1/2" - 3/4" of solid ice on top, and the freezing rain keeps on coming, they are forcasting possibly more snow and or more freezing rain! This will take forever to melt, but its beautiful!

And it Keeps on Going....

2008-12-20T16:31:00.000-08:00

The snow and ice and cold keeps on coming. Its been a solid week of something to keep us on our toes. Today has been crazy. We woke up to flurries that have just increased all day long. The snow has not stopped coming down. Its windy and almost blizzard like conditions. A few friends came over for awhile and we sledded and snowboarded - goggles were a must just to see! Now they are saying ice tonight and tomorrow - not that I am complaining - I love it and its so beautiful!

The longest break ever....

2008-12-19T10:02:00.000-08:00

Its still snowing and we are actually going on day 5 of the kids being out of school. What a long week and we have two more ahead of us for winter break! So much for preparing Christmas with the kids being gone and in school. Now I just have to be creative and stay up later :)!

The kids love it - actually I am really glad the older boys didn't have school today - I could only imagine the extra work they would have been given over break to catch up. Now it will be stress and homework free! The little ones were disappointed about missing their class parties, wearing their pajamas to school, and giving their teachers gifts this morning.

Its funny how when it first snowed they were out all day long - hours and hours on end. Today there is snow again on the ground and they could care less about being outside - whatever! We are hoping for the huge storm the news media is promising this weekend! Can't wait to be stuck at home with the whole family! And I really wouldn't mind a little sledding again myself if it really snows hard - I am to old to land on the hard concrete under 1/2 inch of snow!

Take care and stay warm and be careful of neighbors trying to get up hills in their little Honda's - what a crack up I tell you! (You can't tell we have one of those in our neighborhood - honest people get a clue! If 4 wheel drives are slipping you will not make it up - plus it ruins the road for sledding....)

Going For It!

2008-12-15T20:47:00.000-08:00

Okay, with the weather so cold and my kids sledding non stop I had some time to kill and decided I should break down and create a blog. Its a little bit intimidating and I am a bit worried that I might become a bit obsessed but I decided to go for it! So here goes - enjoy! Thanks -Polly

Artic Blast 2008

2008-12-15T16:56:00.000-08:00

The kids are loving sledding down our hill here in West Linn. Michael has even figured out how to jump thru the bushes off the rocks in the neighbors yards - only Michael.

School has been cancelled again - I really need to finish up with Christmas and go into work for a few hours but we also have to enjoy what we are given. The weather is just a big excuse to lay low and enjoy life and each other. Hope everyone else is enjoying this winter weather as well - stay warm!