Friday, June 27, 2008

I've been tagged

Ten years ago I was...
20 years old rebellious and fearless. I lived a crazy young life!

Five things on today's "to do list"
1)go to the pool for the summer calendar activity
2)supervise children
3)take a nap
4)do some homework
5)try to stay sane and level headed without a husband at home.

I enjoy...
hanging out with family and friends, cards games, going on dates with my husband (which I haven't done in months).

I have lived in...
La Grande, Keiser, and Woodburn Oregon, Boise, Idaho, Tri-Cities, Washington, Asheville, North Carolina, Athens, Georgia, San Diego, California, and Greenville, South Carolina.

I tag Diane, Michelle, Tawnya, Camille and Laura!!!!!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Shoesday Tribute - What NOT to wear

Ok, so my husband comes home from Wal-Mart a couple of weeks ago with these brown Dr. Schols loafers for work. They didn't look bad, but I could tell they were cheap. He said they are the most comfortable shoes ever for standing around in. He is a car salesman (temporarily) and dresses in slacks, a dress shirt and tie. So, he mentioned that he needed a pair in black. Dr. Shoals didn't make the loafer in black so he was gonna try another pair. This is what he came home with....



notice the wholes in the leather (like a sneaker)


I could not believe he was serious, but he was. I tried to convice him to let me find another pair that was equally as comfortable. I left at 12 last night in search of a pair and came back with two, one being a Dr. Schols pair. He tried on both this morning and left for work with the "short bus shoes" on. Seriously, sometimes I am just embarrased for him!

Scary!!!

This is sort-of a tribute to Jen's spider story...We hiked around Lake Conestee today for our calendar activity. We saw the lake, which really wasn't one, just a real marshy area. I think we picked a bad time of year for the water, also the drought doesn't help any. We also had the wonderful priviledge of walking right past a copperhead without even being bitten, or really even seeing it! That was really scary for me because I am terrified of snakes. In fact it was so bad that my friend Lindsay that was there had to hold my hand while we walked past the snake! Anyway, we were protected by the Lord I am sure and made it past the snake to enjoy the rest of our hike and the snake was not by the trail when we came back. I was gonna post a picture, but I couldn't handle the sight of one on my page. Sorry for all of you who desperately wanted to see one.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Choo Choo!



Today we went to ride the train at Heritage Park. The kids had a ton of fun! Here are a few pics from our activity!

Aysia, Amaya, JR and our neighbor Chloe at the train!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

the cutest thing

Saturday morning Aqeel left for work at 8:30. He had gotten Jr out of bed and fed him before he left and then gave him to me with Jr's fav dvd. So, I continued to sleep while Jr watched his movie on the laptop next to me in bed waiting for the girls to wake me up. I assumed I would be woken within the next 20-30 mins. However to my surprise I awoke at 10:30 with Jr still in the bed next to me. I went out into the living room and found Amaya dressed and watching a movie. I proceeded to the kitchen where I found Aysia making scrambled eggs for everyone. She had also made sure that she and Amaya had taken their showers and gotten dressed for the day. Needless to say I was pleasently shocked! I mean I knew aysia was growing up, but wow! I was so pleased and loved every minute to her grown up attitude. It is moments like this that show me I am doing the right things with my children.

Tribute to Dads

Every Mother's Day there is an overwhelming amount of praise and gratitude given to mother's and women around the world. Then Father's Day comes and we say thanks, but it seems the same praise and gratitude is not given to men as women. So, for this blog I am doing so.

In praising father's I must start with my own. My dad is a fun dad. Growing up he always took us camping. This became one of my favorite activities and though I haven't been in years it is still something I get excited about. My dad was the man who taught me to start fires while camping, change oil in the car, fix leaks, and pretty much anything that had any mechanical aspect. He took us to Wallowa lake to feed the deer and ride the go-karts and bumper boats. He taught me to have a tough skin and brave the cruelty of this world. He showed me by example how to follow the commandments and not to stray from them. He taught me to swim, by throwing me in, ride a bike, and set up a tent. Through all of the practical knowledge I gained from my father I also learned about trust and love. My father was and is a great man! He is loving, kind, and generous. Here a pic of me with my dad...



The other man I would like to mention is my husband, Aqeel. He is a wonderful father. He has the right mixture of stearness and compassion for our children. He loves them and is interested in their interests. He finds time everyday to have a connection with them even if it's just over a bowl of cereal. He is a wonderful, patient teacher. He is the one who taught Aysia and Amaya to write their names and recognize their ABC's. He has also taught them how to empty the dishwasher, sweep the floor, and pull weeds among many other things. He has also helped to take care of them by bathing them and getting the clothed and off to school in the morning. I know that if I ever needed to be away he could handle the children as good or even better than I. There would be no running around crazy and eating out of the pizza box if he were in control! He has great potential to be the closest to perfect that a father can be and I know he will reach that potential! Here is Aqeel with the kids...

Working with Aysia in the yard


Playing in the backyard

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Swimming

Here is some footage from my phone of the kids swimming. Jr wanted nothing to do with me when the camera was out. Earlier he was jumping in the pool and having a good time. I guess he got over it. Amaya just remembered that she could swim without her floaties, but she still won't go far from the steps or the side. I suppose I should be grateful for that!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Need opinions, Please

Ok ladies, I need your input on this piece. It's made of amazoninte and crystal, with swarovski crystals and glass heart bead, and sterling silver toggle and wiring. There's even a bracelet to match!!!











Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Yeah!

I love to play these games. I know I am simple, but it's ok with me! Here goes...

1. The kitchen sink, cleaned by my husband who has taken over KP duty to help me out while I am doing my online studies...



2. Fridge - inside and out...





3. Toilet - the cleaning supplies are there, but sadly have not been used yet this week...



4. Laundry - I just finished it yesterday and already there is more...



Tide and bounce remind me of my mom because it's the soap she used. I have tried others, even knock off tide, but I can't stray from good ol'mom's brand.



5. What the kids are doing - sleeping....

Aysia & Amaya love sleeping together so much they will even sleep on the floor just to be with each other. Isn't that cute? I think so...



Seriously how can you not LOVE a sleeping baby!



6. Favorite room - this is the room where everything happens. It is actually not my favorite, my kitchen is, but you have already seen it's highlights, so...


Notice the treadmill...I know it doesn't belong in the living room, but if it's anywhere else I will ignore it and not use it.

7. Closet - This is ALL of my clothes, except pj's and under garments which go in my dresser, sad I know, but oh well!



8. favorite shoes - I wear these every day! LOVE flip flops!!!!



9. Self Portrait - Aqeel took this. I am in my pj's. Seriously this was the hardest pic to take. I hate the way my body looks.



I tag -
Sunshine
Melissa
Michelle
Laura

Today

Today was a wonderful day! We started our summer calendar events for this area, which I had to promote because it wasn't being done here before. It was not so much of a good turn out, but a lot of the ladies have their kids in swim lessons during June right before calendar events. Anyway, after swimming I took Aysia and we went on a mommy daughter date. Really it was just running errands, but I told her it was a date and so it turned into a date. We went to the mall, costco and target and really had a blast. I forget how much fun Aysia is. She is a much calmer, easy going, and aggreable person when the other kids aren't around. Sometimes I think about how much easier my life would be if I only had one child. There would be no fighting, no unfairness, no having to share everything. Then I think about how much I would miss out on. I love all of my children and they each bring something special and unique to our family that I feel we would be lost without it. But, this is just me. Anyway, our day continued with a trip to Steak and Shake where we had an awesome cookies and cream shake together! This may seem like a dull day, but I loved it!

On a comedic side note, Amaya, while in the pool today, very plainly said, "Hey mom that lady is fat like you." Don'tcha just love the honesty?

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Here's one more



I don't know if I really like this one. We'll see what you guys say. This piece is full of jade and onyx. Simple and easy piece, but beautiful if you love green.



What about this one

Ok Michelle and Tawnya you guys didn't like the bold colors from my first necklace. What do you guys think of this one? It's a 14 inch with 2 inch extender, irridated quartz with cultured fresh water pearls and swarovski crystals. All wiring and findings are sterling silver.





Thursday, June 5, 2008

Jewelry Making

I have decided to try out jewelry making to help supplement Aqeel's income. I am not sure how good I am so I need everyone's input. Please be completely honest even if it may seem brutal. I made this necklace out of jade, with swarovski crystals. It has sterling silver wiring and lead free toggle clasp. I don't even know how much I would sell it for, but it cost about $20 to make. Please give me your opinions.

Monday, June 2, 2008

my best day ever

Ok, So my best day started like this...
I woke up at about 8:30am and went outside to set up the table for our neighborhood garage sale. Aysia and I sat outside til noon trying to sell odds and ends. I had an old singer sewing machine I was trying to sell and wasn't able to, oh well. Aysia had some random toys and things, plus she set up a lemonaide stand. Apparently there was another one in the nieghborhood charging 75 cents a cup. I thought that was ridiculous. Aysia sold hers for 25 cents and ended up making five dollars between the lemonaide and a few random toys she sold. Then at 1pm we were off with our neighbor to go visit some local farms. The kids had a ton of fun seeing the chickens and pigs. I have been around farm animals before, but this was the first time I actually saw the pigs rolling around in the mud. It was cool and the kids got to go into the pen to get a closer look, which they loved and didn't want to leave. We returned home at 5:30 had sandwiches for dinner and were off to the pool. I traded kids with my neighbor and took her 11yr old daughter in exchange for Jr. Chloe and Aysia are best of friends and have a ton of fun together. It was great fun. We had jumping competitions and holding our breath under water competitions. We played monkey in the middle and searched for the submarine on the bottom of the pool. It was a lot of fun, even for me!!! We were back home by 8 and I threw the kids in the shower. I put the kids to bed and relaxed for the rest of the evening with a pint of Eddy's chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream and a movie. Aqeel got home from work at midnight (he sold a car late in the eve) and we chatted for a bit and then went to bed! So, that was my first best day ever! Sunday, however was a challenging best day ever, but I tried really hard to have a good attitude despite the bad experience I had that day. At the end of the day I could say that I had a lot to be grateful for and went to sleep peaceful and hopeful for the next day!!!