My Baby and Me

Larry was home to catch a sweet moment between Ben and I. Lately he's been a little clingy to me. So I decided to just sit down and watch a "Baby Einstein" movie with him. It was the best 15 mins all day long. **note to self: spend more time on the floor with the kids**

A Photo Trip Down Memory Lane

Recently my Dad has been loading his old photo negatives on to his computer. And after a disagreement with my mom about exactly who was in the photo he forwarded some on to me for my opinion. Here are some photos of a trip I took with my Dad, brother Dave and friend Tiffany. I was about 13 years old. Even back then my Dad was GREAT at photography (without digital)!

Emma's Got The Belly Blues

Poor Emma-Girl isn't feeling well this morning. She woke up complaining of not feeling good and insiste on joining us in bed. Larry was nice enough to let her, I on the other hand told her to go back to bed. ( I lack a little compassion in the wee morning hours) After Larry was up and getting ready for work, Emma coughed/burped and then christened our sheets. Lovely! (every mothers dream...already behind on the housework before she can even get out of bed) So we are spending the day indoors...hopefully this is only a 24 hour thing AND it's not contagious!

Although I am thankful that she was sitting still long enough that I could get some good pic's of her. She is so beautiful. Even when she's sick!

Moving Prep

I have spent the last few weeks collecting boxes and slowly packing up the house. This weekend we took apart the girls bunkbeds and put their matresses in the front room. We've got some serious chaios going on...but it's fun. Although I'm not sure how much longer I can repress my cleaning urge!

We also purchased a great old wood table from craigslist with 6 chairs and a leaf. I'm VERY excited to get it in the new house, sand it down and paint it black. The countdown to moving day is on!

An Electrical Outlet, Hairspray or Some Good Genes?

Who can't deny a great hair-do like this? I can't believe I'm actually posting this. But I think it's hysterical how big my hair can get. Especially when it's cut short! Shocking as it is, but I didn't do one thing to my hair to make it look this...great. I happened to fall asleep with wet hair and whal-la this is what I wake up with. I should find a Halloween costume that could fit with this massive fro!

Called Home

The dear prophet of our church has finished his work here on earth and returned to his Father in Heaven. Yesterday evening on January 27th, President Gordon B. Hinckley passed away. Words can not describe this amazing man. He had the ability to touch each and everyone of us when he spoke. I felt comfortable and relaxed as he preached the Lord's word. President Hinckley was warm, loving, funny, positive...I felt like he was just another one of my grandpa's. He has accomplished much and broken through many misconceptions of our religion. I am glad that he has reunited with his dear wife. He will be greatly missed, my millions! May he rest in peace.

Designing Dumby & Color Challenged

Larry and I have been debating back and forth about which colors to paint the new house. I guess the makes it sound like we doing agree. Which is completely untrue. We agree, but we keep changing our minds. Thankfully we've got friends in "low" places that have excellent taste and a degree in interior design for sounding boards. Everyone has been very supportive and I know many people believe we should just wait and do it later. But I know me, and I won't want to move the furniture again for at least another 6 months. Moving just zaps my energy!

So we took the initiative to overlap our homes and was hoping to get some deep cleaning and wall painting done before we move it. Heck, paint is the cheapest up-grade around! RIGHT!?! For the past week we are gushing over everything from blues, to reds, to greens, to yellows. We are all over the places. My biggest worry was going overboard. I don't want the house looking like some circus tent. Plus the apartment drab, grey, dirty walls are so last year. It's time to spice things up.

However, I couldn't help but loose myself in piles of little paint chips with so many different shades to choose from. Then I remembered my favorite kooky designer Candace Olson from "Divine Design" on HGTV. She always said that a painting or fabric inspired her for the room she was asked to do. Sounds like great advice to me and I ditched the paint samples, rounded up the kids f and zoomed off to Joann's Fabric. We stumbled upon a great sale with last year designs previously reduced being dropped 50% more. I love it! Thankfully I found the perfect fabric. The colors and design just shouted "HOME" to me. It made me feel cozy. And that's definitely what I want my house to say. So here it is. There is also a sample fabric I found with dragonflies on it that I hope to score another day!

In normal light, this fabric is a kaki color and the flowers are more red, and less pink.

I plan on using this fabric to recover the chairs on a dining room set we plan on refinishing.

GORGEOUS!

What Goes Around Comes Around

Today justice was served. And oh, how sweet it is! Ever since Emma could walk she learned to tease and torture Sydney. She was quick to see how easily Sydney's attention could be won by taking toys, dolls, etc...the list goes on. I have always tried to convince Sydney to ignore Emma and wait a few minutes for Emma to drop the highly desired toy. Which, of course, didn't work. Sydney still squeals like a girl chasing Emma around the house pleading for what's "rightfully" hers. The hardest part to watch in this daily scenario is the fact that Emma laughs joyfully holding the desired object up high as she runs in circles around the house. I have even resorted to encouraging Sydney to take the toy back. Maybe even a little hint on how to get on top of Emma and exert her "older & wiser" sister skills. This was to no avail. Gentle, loving Sydney could never do such harm. But, I mean, come on...Emma totally deserves it, right?
Well thank heaven for the food chain. Because watch out Emma here comes Ben. He has finally perfected his little saunter, bull-legged run and put it to good use today! He eyed a toy that Emma had and snaked it from her when she wasn't looking. Emma shrieked like a banshee and chased him. Ben ran straight to me and dived into my lap...laughing and holding the toy away from Emma. I was so excited! Finally!! Sydney and I cheered Ben on for retaliating on that sneaky Emma. Poor Emma. Life will never be the same. This is why younger siblings are a necessity!

Ben is a Big Boy

Yesterday we celebrate Ben's 1st birthday. I would love to say it was with a huge birthday bash. That we filled our house with balloons, presents and friends. But in reality it was the opposite. The house is filled with boxes. (Just not filled with toys) There are a few scattered balloons. (those are just leftovers from chick-fil-a) Thankfully we are planning a trip down to San Antonio in a few weeks and we'll be able to wish Ben a proper 1st birthday!

A quick flash back: Ben joined us last January 19th in the morning hours. I was induced to avoid the pains of labor that big babies provide (thank you to my over-active thyroid). My mom and Larry were there to make jokes, laugh and tease me with chocolate cake. They were a BIG help! LOL! Although it was nice to have my mom there to keep the girls entertained while Larry finished up his last semester of law school. 4 days later we were out of the hospital and walking around IKEA. (there's NO rest for kid #3)

Ben's favorite things: I wanted to show a few of Ben-Boy's little quirks. A few weeks ago he had his fingers smashed in a door jam. Nothing seemed to calm him down. Not even hugs from mommy. So we got him his super-duper favorite blanket (thank you Aunt Mimmie) and a pacifier. He was instantly calm. He even spent the next few minutes dragging his "comfort" toys around with him.

Can't you just see the pain on his face? He was so sad!

Here's Benjamin wedging himself into his sister's doll stroller.

I'm surprised his big diaper butt didn't break it!

This is how I find Mr.Happy Bottom every afternoon as he wakes from his nap. All smiley and wrapped in his blanket. I told you he couldn't get enough of that thing!

Ben has a new found joy of climbing everything! He's conquered the coffee table, the couch and now the packing boxes! Heaven help me!

Here's the cake I threw together. In case you can't tell...it's a basketball. (which is fitting for Larry and I!) Although I did have to shoot down Larry's suggestion of writing "Go Lakers" on it!

Get it? He's #1?!?

Ben had absolutely NO problem getting himself dirty and filling his mouth full of cake!

"Mommy, it's delicious!"

"Do you want a bite, too?"

Ben practices make a 1.

Oh look, Ben climbed his present. SHOCKER!

Gotta use that horn!
Everyone was VERY excited for Ben to get his "Push Around Buggy".

(thanks for the suggestion Ria)

Don't Forget...

Get organized with the new year by using Google "Reader". It is a great way to manage all of your friends blogs!! Just sign in with your blogspot account and start adding in the web addresses of your favorite blogs. It will even let you know when someone has something new to read! It's a great time saver!!

Holy Hallway Moments

Over the years Larry and I have traded off spending many hours of our Sunday church meetings in the hallways with our children when they are young. For some reason once the little ones learn to walk there's just NO stopping them. And it is a HUGE undertaking to keep them contained until they are finally old enough to be shipped off to nursery (18 months is a joyous time for us). Sometimes it can be fun to catch up with friends that are in the same situation while roaming the halls. But mostly I go home wondering where the 3 hours went and bothered at how little spiritual "fullness" I felt. And then disappointed at the thought of trying to slug through the week only 1/2 filled. Personally I need my 3 hour charge every Sunday to endure the week ahead to help me to be ALL that is required...without it the daunting tasks seem like mountains instead of bumps in the road (this would probably explain my crazy desire to go to church the week after my kids are born).

However this past Sunday was different. The hallway finally delivered a sweet, spiritual moment. I brought Ben out of YW to keep him from banging on the metal chairs and completely destroying the chance of a testimony building experience for the girls. Surprisingly the foyer was deserted and quite. I relished in the chance to sit and collect my thoughts. I started to catch the words being spoken at the pulpit in the other wards sacrament meeting. The speaker began to quote Joseph Smith. I tried to listen while I fed Ben cereal. And then it came...the Men in my ward began to sing "Praise To The Man" simultaneously with the speaker. It was beautiful! The timing was perfect! I had felt the warmth of the spirit testifying to me the truth of the words that were being delivered.

Once a wise women (OK...my mom) once told me "There is a time and a season for everyone. And right now your season will take place in the hallway for most of church. But remember you are teaching your children that church is important. This is what we do every Sunday, regardless." She also taught me that there will come a time when your child is old enough to stay in sacrament meeting. This is the time when you do not let them off your lap or put them down on the ground if it is necessary to take them out of the meeting. Quietly you explain that there are wonderful fun toys in church. And they will learn that the hallway isn't as fun as sitting with the family in sacrament meeting. These words helped me survive. I hope they will in turn help you, my friends too!

Playing at the Park Robert's Style

Most of our afternoons are spent cruisin' around to the different parks that Dallas provides. There are about 10 to choose from that are less then 5 minutes away. I guess there are some positives to living in downtown. We were lucky enough to join up with some great friends the Brinkerhoffs and Tophams. Daddy even surprised us by showing up. From the pictures you can see we are still having Fall/Winter like weather. Sydney couldn't leave without digging through the piles of leaves.

I took a quick pic of Ben and I to make sure the camera's battery was up to the usual photo bananza at the park.

Sydney experiments with leaf angels.

Sydney uses her softball pitchers wind-up to throw leaves at me.

"Look Mom, I'm making a leaf-ball instead of a snowball!"

(what can I say, we know how to improvise here in Texas)

Ben is at that age where all he does is wander around or run away!

Sydney uses all her strength to help Ben up the slide to Daddy.

"Hey Dad, aren't you a little big for this slide?"

(by the way nice playground attire)

Like Father, Like Son

(Scott & Asher Brinkerhoff)

"Look, I can fit 3 whole fingers in my mouth!"

Sweet Savannah Topham enjoys the swings.

For The Home Fanatic

If you have ever stopped at a new housing track and walked through the homes, even though you have absolutely NO intention of purchasing one. Then this blog is for you!

Larry and I spent that last few evenings putting together a floor plan of our new house. It's not perfectly to scale but we don't claim to have any such graphic design skills anyway. So here's the 411 on the new place...

The Tug-of-War Is Over

As I have previously mentioned in the past million entries (a little exaggeration, but it feels that way) Larry and I have been on the search for a home. We began with rentals. After a long process of weeding through we finally found a GREAT ONE. We checked out the inside, submitted an application and then it hit us like a ton of bricks...if we just sucked it up we could own a home!! I know, sometimes us stubborn people need something hard to hit us over the head. The most grueling part was finding something within our price range that our family could fit into. When most people purchase their first home they are usually planning on starting their family or have 1 child. NOT us! Our first home needs to fit a family of 5 and have room for more (yes we'll have more kids). We weren't looking for some 6 bedroom, 6 bath 4000 sq ft. mansion....just something bigger then the traditional 1300 sq ft home.

After many hours of driving around housing tracks, crunching the numbers, researching property taxes (which is big in TX, since we have no state income tax), searching through the massive amounts of properties that are desperate to sell before foreclosure...we found a super great deal. We'll spare you the bragging details about it, but lets just say it's much bigger then Larry and I thought we would be able to own for a LONG, LONG time. Plus it's in a wonderful community, filled with half our ward, a brand new elementary school 200 feet away, swimming pools, parks, spray parks, and only 15 minutes away from Larry's new job. I can't believe what a great deal we got on this place. Even the sellers Realtor was shocked the Bank settled on our mediocre offer. Go figure!! So here it is...isn't it cute?!

Doesn't it make all of you overpaying suckers in CA want to move out to good ol' boy Republican filled TX? Maybe if I told you that we got this place for under $140k. Does that make you salivate? Good, now all of our dear friends and family in CA need to sell your homes and come get your self a mansion here in TX!! We would LOVE to finally live near you guys again.