THE HOST!

I just wanted to put a little pitch in for this new book by the author of Twilight. She wrote a novel for us grown ups and it's fantastic. It's totally different than Twilight but equally good. I couldn't put it down. The way to tell if a book was really good is if you can't stop thinking about it days, even weeks later. Well I finished The Host over a week ago and I still think about it. I really am a total geek!

This is going to be A CRAZY DAY!

We were up all night with Tate. He has the nasty croup. It got so bad that he was having a hard time breathing in. We got him drugged enough to calm the cough and get him to sleep. He's still laying in bed hacking up a lung. Between Tate and Lula I don't think I slept more than a few hours last night. When my alarm went off this morning I barley opened my eyes. Somewhere in my semi-conscious state I registered that Alan was still in bed. He rolled out and I think I lost consciousness again. A little while later I could hear the kids getting ready for school. I heard Alan on the phone with work, brace yourself...he was calling in sick! If you know Alan you know this does not happen. He has called in sick twice in 10 years. When I realized what he was doing I lost consciousness again. I woke up at 8:30 and realized I needed to make Tate a doctors appointment before they're all taken. When I pulled out my planner I realized that Tanner had a dentists appointment in a half an hour, YIKES. Alan jumped up and ran to the school to pick him up. They're now in the throws of hundreds of dollars in dental work. Meanwhile I've got the phone on my ear, on hold for 20 minutes, Lula's screaming so I'm sticking a boob in her mouth. Of course this is the perfect time for Tate to wake up. He comes hacking into my room with his diaper around his ankles. He looks at me all sad and sick and I can't move because I have the baby on me and the phone to my ear. I finally convinced him to go lay back in bed naked until I could help him. So now I've got Tate banned to his bed and I'll soon have Tanner coming home with a sore, numb mouth. I can't tell you how incredibly grateful I am that Alan took a sick day. It's nothing short of a miracle!

My whole purpose in posting today was to show you all a picture. It has nothing to do with the post I ended up writing but I still want to share it with you. Taylor has been a serious trooper during the last year of insanity. When I got sick in the first trimester of pregnancy I had her take over dishes duty. She's been doing them ever since and it's taken a huge burden off my back. I'm so grateful for this amazing little 10 year old. I couldn't function without her. She does a lot more than just dishes, she's my right hand man. Here's a picture of her doing her daily dishes. I bought her these gloves because she is really grossed out with the whole experience. She uses them religiously.

My sisters here!

My little sister Elaina got married last summer to an awsome guy, but he stole her away and carried her off to Utah. Ok, really she had been living there going to school for a few years already. He grew up there and wants to stay so that's where they call home. We all really miss them though and wish they would move out here...hint, hint, hint. We'll soften Jake up one of these days and convice them to give Washington a try! We haven't seen Elaina since the wedding and she was really itching for a visit. Her sweet hubby surprised her with a plane ticket home (notice home is Washington) and we got to enjoy the fruits of his generosity. We spent Saturday and Sunday with her and had a great time. My kids all really love her and needed the reminder that she actually exists. When I told Tanner she was coming to visit he said, "Oh good, I almost forgot about her". Now they'll remember her for another six months or so. Here's a picture of her with Baby Lula.

When Jake and Elaina were in Washington for their open house last summer Jake taught Tate how to say "WORD" and hold up three fingers like a "W". So basically he taught my 2 year old how to be a homey. So this pictures for Jake...Tate hasn't forgotten the wise knowledge you gave him!

I HATE LAUNDRY!

This is what I should be doing today. Folding and putting away 4 loads of laundry. Not to mention the 6 more loads of dirty clothes that have piled up since having the baby. Now don't judge me and think of me as a slob, I don't normally let it get this bad. I just would rather sit and stare at this...

...so that is what I choose to do, the laundry isn't growing up any time soon!

Happy 31st Birthday Alan!

Alan turned 31 yesterday. Saturday Alan and I went out to dinner and a movie and discovered the best Japanese restraunt ever. Japanese is Alan's favorite and he's never found a place that is authentic enough for him. Well we happened upon a hole in the wall little place in down town Puyallup called Ichiban. The sushi was amazing (not that I would know personally, I won't touch the stuff), he had calamari as an appetizer and it was the real deal. When the sushi chef picked up a four inch wide octopus leg with suction cups all over it Alan's mouth fell open. They sliced it like a steak and deep fried it, Alan was in heaven.
Sunday we layed around like lazy bums most of the day and enjoyed the incredible 80 degree weather. Alan couldn't make it past breakfast without opening his presents. He's so much like a kid, it really cracks me up. I am so proud to say that for probably the first time in 11 years I suprised him!!! He can guess his presents like a magician, but not this year. I wish I had a picture of his face when he opened his present, it was priceless. I got him an 80 gig ZUNE. He's been wanting one forever but I had him totally convinced that was a big waste of money. When he opened it, his eyes closed and he kinda gasped. I couldn't help but laugh out loud it was so funny. Sunday evening we had some friends over and had a BBQ. It was really relaxed and fun. Alan told me last night that it was the best birthday he's ever had.

TWILIGHT

MY ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOK IS BEING MADE INTO A MOVIE AND I CANNOT WAIT!!!! THERE ARE ACTUALLY 3 BOOKS AND THE 4TH AND FINAL ONE IS BEING RELEASED IN AUGUST. IF YOU HAVEN'T READ TWILIGHT YET, RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN TO THE NEAREST BORDERS AND BUY IT. I THINK I NEED TO GO READ THEM AGAIN!!!
P.S.
TALLULA'S MIDDLE NAME BELLE IS OUR VARIATION OF THE MAIN CHARACTER NAMED BELLA. BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT!!!

APPRECIATE EVERY SECOND

This picture's for you Natalie. I didn't have anything exciting to post but your dying for new pictures, this is all I've got. Life is busy with 4 kids. I may have a newborn but I still have to go on with gymnastics, ti kwon do, soccer, scouts, achievement days, keeping the house clean, the kids clean, Alan clean (no time for my shower), laundry done, groceries bought, dinners made, kids to school and homework done. All of this and much more on about 6 hours of broken sleep. I haven't exactly had time to dress the baby up and take pictures of her in all her glory. Taylor was the only child that had that privilege. I think I like it best the 4th time around though. I may have a more hectic life but I appreciate every single second. I wouldn't change a thing.