Cousin Band!

A group of 4 undeniably adorable cousins rock out!

Flynn is going to be a DADDY!

How in the world does something like this happen?! I mean I am well aware of how this 'happens'--I have 4! But my Beaner! My word! I am so very happy for he and Krista! And how wonderful it is to hear the excitment in his voice as he relays this information. He is going to be such and Amazing Father! Patient, consistant, loving and warm! Wow! I can't wait to meet the newest addition of our family. How wonderful!

Hi. My name is Erica and I am a Coke-aholic!

I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be doing what I love as "homework!" Drawing floor plans and furniture placements, cabinets and kitchen lay-outs-- I do that as free time! Lucky me!

Carly made THIS for our dinner! It was AMAZING! How come she does Everything well? Cause she's Carly!

Photo Shoot

Grace decided she would set up a Photo Shoot this morning with Michael and Noah as her muses. The couch was draped with the perfect floral background aka her blanket and all sorts of wonderful props were brought in to really give the pictures life. The best part though, in my humble observer's opinion? The two darling boys huddled together in each shot!

My NoahD

The most darling, loving, affectionate, considerate, enjoyable young man you will ever meet and a character to boot!

Go T-Birds!

My Sweetest Lexis! Lexis and her friend slept here last night! YAY! The girls are getting ready for the big football game tomorrow. We went to Cozy's to get some orange and blue earrings. So cute! Lexis and a group of friends are going up to Rice Eccles Stadium with Verl tomorrow because TimpView is in the State Championship game! They canceled school because they sold so many tickets and Lexis said some kids bought half a dozen to help ensure school would be canceled. The game is at 11am and I guess pretty much everyone is going up. Lexis and her friends are getting all dressed up in orange and blue! I'll post pictures! Tonight Lexis came and gave me a hug and said "You're the best Mom!" I love her so much! LOVE having her with me! LOVE IT!

IEP Meeting

Today a USDB Family Plan Coordinator came to the house. She met with myself and Miss Terry to create a Student Profile for Michael to use as part of his IEP and introduce to his class. We went through a time line of events since his birth. It was honestly hard. Hard to remember all that has gone on from finding out Michael was blind to hundreds of sleepless nights and terrible fits. It reaffirmed the positive steps he was taking this summer with Maggie coming. What a blessing that was! I long for my happy boy. What struggles he has been asked to face!

A special envelope

This was sitting on the couch for me tonight after Verl picked up the kids! A beautifully colored envelope from Grace with a stack of coupons inside. "Make Brekfast!," "Paint Nails!" and "Musash!" No special occasion! Just a loving, special child! What an amazing girl I have! So thoughtful! I am so very lucky! I love you, Grace!

3 plus Hours in the "Salon"

Michael Ethan just before a haircut! His hair was getting so long! Mama loves it that way but we must see his eyes so after 45 minutes sitting with him in the bath and another hour on my lap once he settled down, the hair cut is done! But, Oh, what a handsome boy!

A new trick!

Feet of the ground as he stands against the couch! Michael has also learned how to get off the couch by himself. And all done in his fireman Halloween costume!

Pumpkin Carving

Noah quite serious about pumpkin carving and apparently we do it shirtless out our house!

Latest project is a complete remodel of this Kitchen/Dining Area. I am doing the whole house but this is the concentration now. My cabinet plan went out yesterday and walls are coming down. Not sure about that yellow wall color! I think that might have to go :)

NYC Bound

Lexis is taking an Interior Design class at school. The teacher is taking a select few students to NYC this year but Lexis was told that freshman weren't allowed. The newest news it that her teacher decided she could be the "exception!" She brought home all the forms today and she is so excited about the idea! Of course, Mom would just love to go as well. Perhaps, they need chaperons? We will find out on Monday! In her forms she mentioned that her Mom is working on an Interior Design degree and that she has become very interested in it as well. That was fun to see.

Super Man

My little Super Man!
Tonight Michael got a little grumpy and so needed his swing AND his helmet. It seems that no matter what his bottle is always upside down and dumping formula out on him. When the swing wouldn't put him to sleep I had to lay down next to him in my bed. I snuggle up behind him and he calms down right away. I always know when he is just about completly out because he rolls away from me, getting comfortable on his own. He has developed this habit of sleeping with me in my bed and if I didn't love it just as much as he seems to I may be calling a bad habit!

Noah has been working hard on his Multiplication Facts and passing each one off! This week he passed off the 6's!! Way to go, Noah! He is really great at Math!

Pre-School Update

Today Michael had another good day at Pre-school. We met with the Pre-school's Director and discussed with her how things were going for us. I had to be firm regarding the need for a swing in the classroom, she said she would get that taken care of. She also indicated that they were interviewing a few people this afternoon for the other Preschool teaching position and so there would be additional help in the class- which they need.
I am spending each day with Michael while he is at school and have not been able to leave him there on his own. Partly because he won't tolerate being away from me and partly because they are quite literally afraid of him.

Michael sat on my lap today and sang along with me as I sang the tiny turtle in the bathtub song. He says, "Bubble, Bubble" very clearly and his teachers were very impressed.
I couldn't help but post another one of these pictures of Michael in his cute school clothes from the other day!

Crafty Gracie

While it is technically Verl's weekend, Grace came over and spent the night with me. We had a really nice time together. Lexis went with her friends to eat dinner and see a movie, Noah and Verl went to play Laser Tag and so Grace came over with me! Michael had gone to bed early and so then the two of us snuggled next to each other on the couch and I helped Grace sew a purse to hold her Bunny she got at school today. Her teacher has set up a "store" in their classroom and the kids earn "money" by completing assignments, behaving, that sort of thing. The items in the store are mostly toys that the students have brought in to donate to it and so you can imagine some of the choices. Grace, herself, went down in the basement and gathered up a bag full of toys she "didn't want anymore" to donate. It included a monkey that Sophie loved to play with, a coloring book which had only a few pages not colored and Noah's Rescue Ranger guy! So, anyway, today Grace was able to buy something from the store and so she came home with a pink stuffed bunny wearing bunny slippers and when you press it's tummy it sings, "Jesus loves me this is know..." She loves it, was carrying it around with her everywhere today and that is where her idea for making a purse to carry the bunny in came from. We cut out a piece of fleece from some fabric I got to make Lexis a blanket and then Grace chose a few different colors of embroidery floss and sitting down next to each other I showed her how to stitch up the sides and she took off. She wanted to add a pocket and we did! We braided the purse handle with three strips of fleece and attached that to the purse as well. She really did to it herself! The best part was obviousley that she and I got to spend time together just the two of us oh, and, of course the fact that every once in a while she would just look up at me and say, "I love you, Mom!" I LOVE YOU TOO GRACE!

Computer Time

Michael Ethan loves using the computer at Pre School. He sits up at the desk by himself and the "Feet" song begins to play. Every few seconds the song stops and Michael has to push the red button to get it to turn back on. He caught on to this immediately!
We were able to meet with the Physical Therapist today and she seems very helpful. She is going to come in again next week and we will write down some goals that we would like to work on for Michael. We already talked about working on his walking and getting him to tolerate wearing shoes. This will be a good thing...Notice Mr. Sock Feet :)

Carrying on the Tradition of #6 !

Today was Gracie's last soccer game for the year. Lexis and I go there at the very end and I was very disappointed. Her schedule in particular has not been communicated well between us parents plus I have been feeling really sick. She said that she played the whole game, though, and her team tied the other, 2 to 2. She is a very aggressive player and so fun to watch!
Basketball started yesterday!!!

Mixing fabrics can be tricky but a fairly fool proof method when choosing is to apply the rule of 3. Three fabrics, one with a large scale print, one a medium and the third a small print or solid color.

In this lovely space the soft palette evokes fairy tales and femininity. What little girl wouldn't want to rest her head here? And for that matter, what woman adore it just as much?

Grace's Best friend?

Grace brought home this picture from school today along with a fantastic story of what she likes to do with her friends. Mom's favorite part of the story? Has to be where she lists "Noah" as one of her best friends!

Absolutely a Favorite!

This is one of those photos that should be overtop our fireplace mantel it is that great! I found the original copy in a box this morning while going through the storage room and it immediately brought a smile to my face. Such cute kids! Dressing in up in their most fabulous outfits, eating muffin tops with the most perfect "cheese" a Mother could ask for. Looking at it closer, not only would it make a great poster size wall decoration but this photo most definitely needs to be added to my Possible Black Mail moments bin... Perfect for scaring away eager Utah suitors and future expected "I never did that!" replies.

An example of Grace's writing. Mrs. Barlow's 2nd grade class. She's a FANTASTIC student!

PEEP Fall Party

Miss Terry invited us to the PEEP Fall Party this morning! It was rainy and quite cold but we went nonetheless. It was at Pioneer Park and all 4 kids were able to come. They had set up tables under the pavillion as different stations. One table had all kinds of fruits and garden vegetables for everyone to taste. Michael put a carrot in his mouth and then promptly tossed it. Lexis also tried to give him a piece of a raw potato but he didn't like that either. There was another table with all sorts of pumpkins and squash that the kids could feel. Michael did check out some ot their bumpy and smooth surfaces. At yet another station the older kids painted pumpkins and then we were able to take them home with us. It was very nice to see Miss Terry again! We have missed her. Michael said his own little hello to her but became quite fussy about the whole thing not long into the Party.

My beautiful Teenager!

Lexis and I were able to go to her very favorite shopping spot last night, "Cozy's" and get her a new sweatshirt! She had babysit Michael for me and the weather is getting quite cold and so the one sweatshirt she has was just not going to cut it. It is a pretty color that compliments her hair and skin tone very nicely. Here she is heading off to Young Woman's...

Noah vs. Bowie

Today Noah's team played against Bowie's Soccer team! There was only once or twice when the two were spotted chit chatting like buddies out on the field. Noah is a great soccer player! He continues to amaze me with his aggresive and determined skill. It is so fun to watch!

Flag Girl

Grace was the Flag Person today at Noah's game. She was very serious about it and insisted Mom teach her all the rules and specifics and so she could do it just right. Of course, she picked up on it all immediately but then refused to pose for a picture. She was just too busy! The referee shook her hand after the game and told her she did a fantastic job! Grace's comment to me after the game was. "Can I do that at all of Noah's games?" Sounds like they wouldn't mind it at all, Red! Not mind it at all.

Dear Michael Ethan,

It is difficult for Mama to think that you were this small not so long ago. New to this world, ready for life. Many things that were not expected, challenges we had not anticipated and yet, you, my child, are as perfect today as I knew you were that very first moment on that very first day I held you in my arms-and more so!I love you, Michael Ethan

A fun assignment where I got to create a bedroom plan for homework.

Pre-School Pictures

Here he is, fresh from the bath and all dressed up. Michael had School Pictures today! We had to go into the Elementary school's gym with all of the other kids and after filling out the picture form it was his turn to sit in front of the camera. Mama sat right next to him and sang his favorite songs and tickled his feet to get him to smile. The photographer was very patient and took a number of pictures until Michael had his head up.

I think these are Sensational! Now if only they were textured 3D! from rompstore.com

No Helmet AND sleep!

Finally fast asleep! Michael had a long day today. I had errands to run and we had one sports game or practice after another this afternoon it seemed. He, however, is seemingly doing much better at preschool. He is tolerating the other children's noises and has not had to have his helmet on while there for the past number of days.

Dude!

Noah lookin' cool before school this morning. He has become increasingly aware of how he dresses and insists on wearing his "Vans" to school every day! The mohawk hair-do? That is Mom's good idea!
P.S. Notice anything else in this picture? Or should I say anyone else?

It's a Frog!

Michael made a frog today at Preschool! He put his hand first in a green stamp pad and that Mama helped him put his hand print down on the paper. His teacher helped him add eyes (there were 2) and some soft felt shapes. Michael helped by taking off one of the eyes and trying to eat it and when that wasn't allowed he took a bite out of the corner of his paper! Our first Preschool Art Project!

First day of Pre-School

Today was the first day of Preschool! Michael was not ready to wake up this morning and unfortunately did not sleep well last night. The school van came to pick him up and I had to take him out to it, buckle him in his car seat with three other children inside and say "Good-bye!" Needless to say I was more than apprehensive about it all. Within two hours of being at school I got a phone call from Michael's teacher, Sue Anne, who let me know that Michael had been throwing a terrible fit since arriving, that he was blooding his mouth and hand from hitting himself and that they really needed me to come down because they didn't know what else to do. !!! In the background I could hear Michael screaming and I couldn't get into the car fast enough...continued later

Would you jump off a bridge?

So, these "blogs" are all the rage these days so I'm succumbing to peer pressure, following the pack and starting my own! Really quite a fantastic idea, actually. A free service that gives one the template for recording events, photographs and the like. Some use it for business endeavors, self promotion, that kind of thing but mine will be created as our family's online journal. I started out thinking I would do a separate blog for each child, mimicking my journal keeping from previous years but time has gotten the best of me and reality will only allow one blog as being more than enough for me to try and keep up with. So here we go...My fantastic family!

In 1929 Mies Van der Rohe was commissioned to design the German national pavilion for the 1929 Barcelona International Exhibition. It was built from glass, travertine and two different kinds of marble. The flat roof set on top of the walls. The architecture was distinctly forward thinking and many found it too modern in design. In fact the Pavilion was taken down in 1930 as it was said to be an eye sore. The Barcelona 2-Seater was designed specifically to furnish this magnificent building.

Mom painted this of Grace and I LOVE IT! She is Amazing!

Love!

My window boxes are beginning to overflow and I couldn't be more excited!

Without a doubt one of my top three chairs of all time. The color, the shape...fantastic!
I guarantee my first major purchases will be made at Category Twentieth, http://www.twentieth.net/, post lottery win of course!

The mixture of colors and patterns on texture here is timelessly flawless.

a very, Very short video of my darling little RED recorded by her brother and the giggle I never want to forget!

my girls

I am so lucky to have TWO Beautiful Daughters! While they are seven years apart in age, they share many similarities in personality, looks and character. Both are leaders filled with determination and blessed with brilliant minds. Both excel academically, make friends easily and adapt to changes in situations like champions. Both are strong willed and have an innate sense of humor. Both are beautiful! Both have big, light eyes. Lexis' the color of the Mediterranean Sea to match her namesake and Grace's ever-changing like her Mother's. Both have big smiles they freely give away and light skin that has proven over the years that although it is light like their Mother's it tans like their Father's. Thank Heavens! Both are loving, caring and compassionate girls whose presence in this world will only aid in its betterment. I am so lucky!