All I want for christmas.....

Is a private shower.

 A long time ago I knew what is meant to have "a minute to yourself". That is just laugh able these days.

I once was able to take ten minutes for myself to relax, think, de-stress, along with smell great and feel refreshed. Now I fight for time for myself. And an uninterrupted shower is HARD to find these days. 

I don't think there is a good time for a mom to shower. Now maybe it is just me and my crazy family but showering is a public affair. If I shower in the morning even before the girls get up I am usually interrupted by someone crying, or needing to use the bathroom in my bathroom WHILE I shower. No they can't use the girls bathroom four feet down the hall no, they must use mine. 

And then if I get in the shower when the girls go to bed it may be quiet and private but I go to bed with wet hair which inevitably gets gross over night causing me to need yet another shower that I can't seem to find. 

Now I can shower during the day, and by that I mean I have the time. But if the girls are NOT fighting it is simply because they are talking to me while I shower. And of course they come in and ask the most popular question around our house, "what are you doing Mom?" Really kids is it that mysterious what I am doing behind the shower curtain with the lights on and the water running and the bathroom door shut. Really you didn't get the hint when I TOLD you where I was going to explained where I would be. Or neatly set you up with whatever I felt would buy me the ten minutes needed to find that ALONE TIME!!!! 

No no the kids fight and come into the bathroom bawling and tattling on each other. Of course this means someone's head is going to pop through the curtain to ruin my moment. Either the girls pop in and comment on every bottle of whatever in the shower or I pop my head out and see the many sites I hate to see. (these include but are not limited to tears, bruises, makeup, marker, new outfits meaning more laundry, my clothes on little people, etc.) kids are fast you know that can do just about anything in ten minutes if left alone. 

So this year I want an uninterrupted shower once a week. I want to go in and come out without hearing a scream or my name being called. Oh I can dream right, I can dream!

My Christmas List

Blogging apparently has fallen by the waste side lately. I don't know if it is simply that my life is now boring and the same from day in to day out that I find myself lost on what to blog about. So I thought that I would post the dozens of things I want for christmas. I know selfish right. But I will post some well earned wisdom that is driving the want behind the gift. You will catch on I am sure once I finish the first post. I will try to put up some nice stories and such to go long with these for your reading pleasure. And let me know what all of you are wishing for this holiday season.

Letter to the Editor

Dear Marilee,

This is Mrs. Wash, after reviewing our year's work and noticing how much we have done the last four hours, Mr. Dry and I have a request. When we finish the two cycles we are currently running and the three additional loads we see stacked up in the hall, might we be able to take the day off tomorrow for the holiday. We have been very busy the last few months since Layla went to school and Isa began her eclectic look, and we would thoroughly appreciate a vacation. For evidence of our hard work we have attached a few photos our mornings work!

Thank you so much for your love and attention, we really do know how much we are appreciated by the care you take to clean us, pat us at the end of a job well done, and the talk to us daily to inform us of our days work load. And thank you for not comparing us to those new fancy models that we could never compete with. We love that you care for us just the way we are.

Sincerely,
Mrs. and Mr. Machine

New Blog Obsessions

Okay so I was reading my friend Miriam's blog the other day and found a wonderful post about the blogs she reads. And there I found a new little treat for my eye, The daybook is by far a go to place when sitting here at the computer at 10 am thinking I need to get dressed, what in the world should I wear, I can't go chat up the ladies in the pick up line in pajamas and I have no concept of what is fashionable these days unless it comes in 6x and worn by my adorably sassy 6 year old! 



I love her blog not only because it is hilariously funny or because she could make footie pj's look good but because the other day her post on snow made my little heart melt. Not only because I love snow, look at it not driving in it of course (only crazy people LIKE to drive in it), but because I saw the familiar background. She commented that it was the view out her window and suddenly I realized it used to be mine too. She lives across the street from my sweet little home in Rexburg. Oh we still miss Rexburg. We don't miss that fact that here is no shopping or restaurants, not a bizzion things to do with kids like our good ol' KC home. We miss the friends, the little amount of money needed to survive and the quiet. I like watching Rexburg news, it is like reading an old book about a small po-dunk town, not the crazy "is it safe to go outside" news we have now. Seriously do people murder people EVERYDAY???? '


The after a week or two of reading her blog someone else fell in love with her fashions and posted a tribute to her video and then I decided that is yet a blog I must read, cause who doesn't need to fill that little Hussy void everyday! Seriously I need to spend much more time writing than reading others blogs but I am taking a break and trying to just enjoy the moments for a while until I know I will have all too much to write about. And if you think that I am totally leaving the blogging behind it could be cause I have two and this one is more for the general public and family as apposed to the friends that won't mind my totally honesty on the other. Don't worry go read and enjoy my little place but I make no apologies that the words don't stop between thought and computer like most civilized people tend to do. 


Here are a few more blogs that I frequent you might like:
Wearing it on My Sleeves, totally Tess, Clothed Much

Refashion Heaven

Okay I finally decided it was time to stop talking and start sewing. So I have been busy at work today doing many projects that I have put off for months. I am in refashion heaven making a new winter wardrobe. Let's face it being a student wife means there is NO money for frivolous things like shopping. And anyone who knows me knows I LOVE TO SHOP. So since I can't shop I window shop for things I like and I will attempt to make them at home. I will post photos soon but for now I will just leave you hanging! I will also either make a tutorial or post the ones I use if I don't just make up the project. Get excited!

Super Mother Power

*******CAUTION- This post is not for the weak of stomach- however does state true accounts. *******

As most of you know by now Isa has some sleeping issues. Call them night terrors, seizers, bad dreams, sleep walking, stress, anxiety attacks, whatever! If she gets up it is at exact times every night. No matter how tired, the time of bed she hits the sack, or amount of sleep the night before she sticks to this schedule. So last night when I woke up and say an Isa size shadow I blinked my contacts clear to see the clock said 2:08. This made me jump out of bed swoop her up and rush her to the bathroom. I caught her just as a mouth full of vomit went flying at my bed. Of course the stupid sheet had to roll up on the side so it totally got the mattress a bit, but thankfully motherly super power made me get up fast enough to catch 80% on my arm. 

Now the poor kid has only puked once when she was just 7 months old and doesn't know what to do. She stood at the toilet letting it splash the sides. I helped her aim, held her hair, rubbed her back, and smoothed her. (Note i have not mentioned cleaning up yet!) I then helped he whip up her face, tie back her hair, and sat and talked with her until she was calm enough to sit. I cleaned up the toilet while explaining what is going on inside her little body. She was so cute she thanked me about every third heave for the help I was giving. "Mom thanks for holding my hair." "thanks for whipping my mouth." "what is this stuff, oh thanks for letting me know." Poor kind thing! Anyways after I got her settled, the vomit off the toilet, I put her in bed. Then I went to clean my arm. Yes I cleaned my arm after everything else was done. WHY???? cause you can with motherly super power. This is a power that allows you to be covered in puke and comfort a kid without dry heaving. Now the sad thing is that this power doesn't  last forever. It lasts only as long as necessary to take care of a needy little one. Once they settle long enough to take a break the nausea sets in. But really dads are not usually as talented. Brian get sick just listening to the girls. I am able to jump up and do whatever is needed without getting sick. However the moment they settle I am wanting to run myself to the toilet. 

And I have learned that this super mother power comes at all times you need it. When Isa first had her "attacks" I could calmly hold her until she stopped screaming. I didn't get hysterical or sob until well after the fact. This power is something we women must cherish. this is why motherhood is ordained before we are born. It is in us all from the beginning. That is also why Layla was able to run to get a rag and help clean up her sisters face while i held the bucket and rubbed her back without batting an eye or getting the slight tinge of ill feelings. I am proud to be a mother and thankful mostly for my husband. I am thankful that after two hours of sleep I am able to stay home and continue to care for my sick child. I don't have to work, I don't have to head off anywhere. And I have someone to run to the store, my parents, and a friends all at 6:30 am. He then heads off to school with not much more sleep then me and does it happily. He does it because it is providing us a life we want. We can live the life we always dreamed of. That doesn't mean lots of money or a home of our own for now. Everyone knows grad student families are poor. But it is a life where we go to a fabulous school, have a nice home that we don't have to fix ourselves, plenty of money for food and basic needs, and I get to stay home. I get to, I don't have to, I want to. 

So I am off now to take care of my little weak one who thankfully has kept some water down for an hour now. Lets just hope it stays that way cause trips 11-20 to the toilet i am sure won't be a fun as the first ten we have done so far. 

Wish us all luck today and the rest of the week that no one else gets sick! 

nothing to cook

Okay after seven years of marriage I am finally sick of all our meals. So I am putting up a suggestion post for any and all recipes. I am a pretty good cook but lately I am tied and don't want to put more than thirty minutes into dinner. I don't mind the hour or two of baking, or the all day stewing in the crockpot. I just need to be able to whip it up in the morning to bake later to fix just when we clean up to eat. Think simple and flood me with suggestions. Oh and you don't have to send me the recipe if I can look it up point me in the right direction. THANKS A MILLION IN ADVANCE. And if you are like me I can send over my recipes to you. I have our whole cookbook typed up so seriously it is just a click away.

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Every child is unique

I have two very cookie cutter molds of myself that constantly keep me on my toes. However I have learned that each kid tends to take just a little part of you and a little part of dad and then part WHERE DID YOU COME FROM to make a unique blend of child. I love the girls to pieces but sometimes i find myself staring into my eyes on them thinking "why oh why, I just don't understand." Now sometimes that means that they are me. You know those moments good and bad when you see yourself in miniature standing there doing things you always hope no one notices. Like Miss Layla who stomps off and huffs out a big burst of air when she gets mad. That is the nine year old, "my parents just think I am a kid when i am not" miss Marilee. I know I was like that. And I distinctly remember WHY I "knew" my parents did not know what they were taking about.

However now that I am 28 and my almost six year old is doing that same thing i think to myself, my poor parents. And thus begins the many, "sorry mom and dad" moments I am sure my parents have been waiting almost thirty years for. Ah the payback!

Now lately these two gems of mine have been showing us how much they have picked up from us over the last few years. Layla is a seriously a perfect blend of her mother, father, and collected attitudes from those she has spent the most time with. (this includes but not limited to her grandparents, church friends, classmates, and Uncle Keith.) The other night after FINALLY getting her to go to bed I was talking with Brian about her recent attitudes over the most random things. I am not sure what it was but when I complained about how she hates it when I attempt to show her how it feels when someone ______ (fill in the blank with anything annoying or hurtful she does) Brian burst into laughter. You know the can't help yourself, I think I might cry laugh that just doesn't seem to stop. Yep that was Brian. And for all those that know him you know it must be SERIOUSLY funny to warrant such laughter. But after he caught his breath and could explain he realized, Layla is just a little Brian. He does the same thing. When he bumps into me or jabs me in the chest because he didn't realize how close I was I instinctively want to show him what he did and how the "oh sorry" is not enough cause it stinking hurts to jabbed in the boob! Sometimes I think I could just go crazy because they are so alike. When it comes to your husband and the fact that somehow or another he manages to knock over a glass of something every stinking day you say to yourself, "he is an adult I am sure it bugs him just as much or more then it bugs you." So you let it go and laugh it off. Now when your kid does that and they are not capable of properly cleaning the milk that is bound to stink up your home if it isn't correctly soaked up and scrubbed, it drives you bonkers.

Layla also on many occasions mostly at the dinner table is very much a tiny Uncle Keith. One might think we starve the child to death at the rate she shoves food in. And the fact that she needs to clean every last bit of ranch or ketchup with the remaining broccoli for fry astounds me. She has to get every last bit no matter how gross she gets.

And really Layla have you heard of a napkin? Not your clothes, mom's clothes, not the table cloth. Blah eating is a serious chore at our house. I do not look forward to feeding her knowing she is going to bug me one way or another while she attempts to eat her food. I threaten manners bootcamp about 3 times a week.

But when she loves you she loves you and you know it. She does not love you because you are simply her mother. No no as she has told me on several occasions she could go find a new one if she wanted to. She loves me because I take care of her and show her she is important to me. And then she looks at me with those big beautiful brown eyes and I realize why I had a car at 16, "dated" at 15, owned every barbie, read every book on a snuggly lap, and went on weekly outing for no other reason then because I was me. Those eyes melt my heart just as I have found they did to my parents. They are my eyes and I LOVE IT!!!! Sometimes they make you cave when you shouldn't but really they tell you how she feels even when she tries to hide it. They are where I find out if she is mad that she isn't getting her way or because I really hurt her feelings. They are a little window inside that crazy drama queen.

Miss Layla is constantly on a roller coaster of emotions which scares me to death for the future. But with that heart of gold of hers and her sincere desire to do what is right, i think we might just survive. So thank you Layla for helping me see what I need to do to change and do better, understand patience for you and your dear father, and laugh all the time. And if I don't come out looking 10 years older than I should when you marry I will be the happiest mother in the world to have you as a daughter and proud of the woman I know you will become.

I will post about Isa when i get a minute but since Layla's birthday was yesterday I thought I would start with her.

A Birthday Cake postmortem

I am so stinking proud that I came up with a good cake this year. I really love to make them but seriously have the toughest time coming up with what to make. And I haven't taken the well known fondant class that is the big rage these days so if you can't do it with ordinary frosting from a can it ain't happening. So here is Layla's toy story cake. She loves it lately with her costume and the movie coming out, it was just fitting. The best part is that I love Toy Story as well. I still remember taking my little sister and Adrianne to see Toy Story 2. It is one of those movies that everyone loves. I really hope Layla likes it. As of now it is hidden in the kitchen until our family party this afternoon. I have decided to do a big birthday party for the girls every other year. Isa will get the even birthdays and Layla will get the odd ones. It works out good for us until 16 in which I am sure every year will be a big year after that.

Anyways without further adieu.......

THE CAKE

I will explain that I wanted to use some chocolate wafers but there were none at walmart so instead I went with oreo sticks. And the stars are made of starbursts that I melted and then cut out. And note to self get mini cookie cutters because cutting shapes freehand is not my strong suit. Also the pillow is made of a keebler cookie covered in starburst. And to top it all off I got the figures from the Disney store. We use these a lot in the bath tub because they have NO HOLES with mean there is no water stuck in and rotting which is totally one of my pet peeves of bath toys.

All in all this is one of my favorite cakes thus far. I think it is because it is another non princess cakes. I loved Isa's Wall-e cake last year too. And I think if I ever have a boy I am going to love the world of trains and cars and such. I will be sad when all my kids want is a cake that tastes good and I don't get to make fancy ones anymore. But at least that is why I have Brian around to bake for. He loves fun cakes and if he doesn't he is a good husband and pretends to because it makes me happy.

Halloween!!!!

Okay so I don't have many picture of the actual Halloween night. Most are on my phone or my parents camera. But I will just say that we hit the best neighborhood. And since my parents have to buy about 10 bags of candy to cover the crowd we don't feel bad going there and trick or treating. We made back about half of what they gave out. It was a hit and the girls had a blast. Everyone is super nice and we recognize lots of the kids from the pool when we used to live there. Next year should be fun when our little girls can teach their tiny buddies (like Shannon and Jheda) about this wonderful holiday where adults ooh and ah because you are cute and then give you treats. This year was the first year it wasn't work. The girls ran up to each house and did their best smile and thank you and then off to the next.

HOWEVER- they REFUSED to go to any house that had skeletons. They understand they are simply our bones but they freak them out too much to go near them. So after a while one of them would peak at the door and then yell to the other, "it's safe no skeletons!" or "nope not this one, too many bones we better pass!" They were too cute and so tired. This morning we got to wake up to no kids moving at 9 and then spend the next half our is the quiet of the morning. Yeah of wearing our the kids! All in all it was a fabulous halloween and I will post the final pictures soon when i can get them from my phone and my mom! Hope all of you had just as much fun as we did!

Trunk or treat!

Okay so I HATE the photos Brian took of us going around mostly because I look fat and nothing bugs me more than a bad photo of myself. But oh well since they are all we got i will post them! But the ones of the girls are cute as they pose in front of the church. They had a blast and came home with TONS of candy! by the way they are counting them now. Somehow Isa is at 79 then 40 but then corrected herself and is at 80. Layla is still in her 20's so who knows what is going on!

 Isa is at 200 and something and layla is on 48 I think someone still needs help counting or else someone stole some candy!!!!

Halloween Time

So the Girls thought instead of going to a pumpkin patch this year we would spend our money and go to Boo at the Zoo. Such a good idea. The girls had a blast and completely wore themselves out. Here are some highlights! 

The girls had a blast seeing the animals and trick or treating. And since we hadn't gone to the zoo this year it was a perfect time to go and the weather was beautiful. I am noticing that my photo skills are lacking these days and I don't take time to take photos but you know I am taking more time to be there for things instead of simply photographing it so you know i think i am good!