$1.60

(Peyton closes his eyes on purpose for pictures because he thinks it's really funny.)

I failed to mention sooner that Josh did something really awesome. Awesome? Does anyone say that anymore? Anyway, first I'll tell you what I did this morning. Me and the kids drove over the the local FedEx Kinkos, which is now re-named FedEx Office. I trailed behind the kids into the store and found my way to the fax machine. While trying to keep one eye on the kids and one eye on the fax machine I put my credit card into the machine, typed in the fax number, and faxed one sheet of paper for $1.60. Who charges $1.60 to their credit card especially when they have a five dollar bill in their wallet for just this reason? Me, but I had no choice, I couldn't use the fax machine until I gave it my plastic first. Stupid, seriously. $1.60! So anyway, are you wondering why this is all significant? Well, none of it is actually, the important part of this story is the piece of paper that I faxed. It had Josh's address and phone number and social security number on it, and his signature and his name exactly how he wants it to appear on his diploma. His diploma. For his MBA. That he just finished officially last Sunday. That he has been working towards for 6+ years. That he did really just for his family. Because he loves us and wants to do his best to support us. Because we're worth it.

And now that that piece of paper is officially in the hands of GCU there is a weight lifted off of Josh's shoulders that has been there, like I said, for 6+ years. (my shoulders too because I was his editor.)

And he didn't just pass his classes, but he did really well in them. He probobly doesn't want me to share his GPA, but it's good. I'm not sure I can really express how proud of him that I am, but I am. Not just anybody can do this, and he did it. And he made the choice to do it for his family.

And now he's done and it feels so good. He's still got a little bit of work ahead of him but this very large chunk of school is done and over with.

He will walk in May of 2009.

And we will celebrate.

So many years of hard work, and it's finally over! Hallelujah!

Congratulations Josh!

(that $1.60 was so worth it.)

Chili, Lemonade, Games and Treats

The End.

Now and Then

Remember this movie? Yeah, we had a moment like that last weekend when Kellan, Alerie and I got together for a late dinner and a long chat. It was nice. Read what Kellan wrote about it here . She put it beautifully, but that's just how the night was.

Little girls (jr. high-ish)


All grown up with mortgages and babies.

Detour

Okay so this is not on my To-do list but I feel that this needs to be done.

Dear Nissa,

Has it really been as long as it has since we last talked? Of course it is all my doing. Life is busy. Not to excuse myself from being so rude and not calling you back when you called me a few weeks ago. A few weeks ago?! Holy cow, that is way too long to not call back. I promise I am not ignoring you. Please forgive me for not returning your call.

I am in need of a conversation with you. I feel a void that I know you can fill. Isn't it about that time when Ella turns 1? Has it happened already? I cannot remember the exact date of her birthday. I can't believe she is one. I can't wait for the day when I finally get to meet her spunky self and hear her screams (of joy) in person. We have babies! And husbands! Wierd.

But life is good and I need to talk more about the goodness in our lives with you. So, if you're not too busy this weekend, sometime, is it a date? I have a cell phone now so I can call you!

Love, Bre

To do for this Friday:

-Shower (but not until 9am)

-Finish doing laundry (put away clothes that have been in a basket on my floor for.....who knows how long.)

-De-clutter my armoire. (we just keep stacking things on top of things on top of things)

-Make some yummy treat for my best friend Amber (who watched my kids for 3 hours yesterday! (along with a couple others, there were 6 kids!))

-Make Halloweenish cupcakes for Peyton's birthday party tomorrow.

-Put together goodie bags for kids.

-Hopefully by then I will be enjoying my free-time (aka naptime) oh it can't come soon enough.

-When the kids wake up we will go in the backyard and play baseball (with Peyton's new tee ball set)

-Then we'll water the new flowers in the front yard. And alll the roses. (oh those roses make me so happy.)

-Then we'll count down the minutes until daddy comes home and the kids will run and scream to him the second they hear that key go through the lock.

-Enjoy the evening, maybe we'll make our usually weekly Friday trip to DQ.

-Kids to bed, alone time with Josh.

-And then sweet slumber.

Phew, I didn't realize how long of a list that was going to be, I better get showered NOW!

How Beautiful is this little girl:

Very!

I want to remember this:

Hope is the anticipation that the outcome will be good.

Worry is the anticipation that the outcome will be bad.

Faith is the anticipation that whatever the outcome, it will be for our good.




I truly truly believe that not only things happen for our good, but also that good will come out of everything. Every situation, every trial, every problem, every setback, every devastation. I may not experience the good right away, or even on this earth. But that's okay. I know there is a plan for me and that we are taken care of from our Heavenly Father, he's doesn't leave us to figure out life all by ourselves. That's comforting because even though I feel like I know alot more than I did 6 years ago, I still have a whole lot more to learn. Learning faith is hard, but it's something I know is necessary. My brain feels like it's all over the place, so sorry if none of this is making sense. Just go back and read the first part again, it really says it all anyway.

Writer's block, but here's some pictures anyway...

Mommy and the very grown up birthday boy.

The birthday prince.

Peyton had a Transformer/Ben 10 themed birthday.

Peyton had a great birthday full of play, and presents, and ice cream cake. His reactions to everything were priceless. We all enjoyed the day very much.

An Early Post for a 3 year old

Happy Birthday to Peyton today! We let him open up one present before Josh left for work so he opened Paige's present to him. He was very excited to get his "girl transformer spider" as he called it. Here are the pictures from just this morning!

We have many fun activities and treats planned for the day to make it very special including: decorating the house with streamers, go to Sonic for a "fizzy drink", play, and play some more.

Life is so simple

Thanks to CJane for this idea. You can watch almost anything on YouTube. And the old Charlie Brown classics, and other classics, are the best. Like I said, life is so simple when good old Chuck is on the screen. I think we are going to simplify and lose the cable. I think it's better that way.




Happy 100th post to me! Yipee! I am so accomplished.

What to write, what to write...

Just to let you know, this is my 99th post. Just thought I would tell you. That would make my next post- 100. Just letting you know.


Well, I am not usually one to proclaim my love for my husband on the internet, but I thought I would just tell you a couple reasons I love him.

And just for your enjoyment.

I guess I figured out what to write about after all. It doesn't take many words anyway.

To be continued durring naptime.

Spiritual Enlightenment for me to finish reading later.

A Story of a little girl.

A Rare Appearance

Here are a few things I am thankful for and enjoy:

The kids keeping busy. (This was durring conference.)

Arts and Crafts, this is our latest art project for Halloween. He is Peyton's friend.

Deliveries waiting at the door for me.

Fresh flowers on the clean table with windows wide open.

And blogging. I love it. It is one of my many artistic outlets. When I say this Josh says,"How many outlets do you need?" Well, as an artist (and a mom) I need as many as I can get! The more the better, right people?! Here I am today making a rare appearance on my own blog (since I am the one taking the pictures usually.) Guess what I am doing....

M.M.

Here's our next game: Can you guess what Paige is going to be for Halloween? This is a sneak peak!

Farm liv'n is the life for me

Happy October 1st

In honor of my favorite month of the year, for many reasons, we celebrated.

First we went to the grocery store to get apples, caramel, and sprinkles.


Then we counted down the minutes until Josh got home.


Then we ate a delicious dinner of chicken cordon bleu with spinach on the side and crusty french bread with bruschetta on top. Mmmmm. The kids had corn dogs.


Then we started our movie night. First was The Corpse Bride, then (and currently) Monster House.

And while the movies were being watched we made caramel apples and ate them and they were delicious.

Paige enjoyed an un-caramel apple on a stick.

Peyton did not enjoy eating his caramel apple with extra sprinkles so he opted for the container of sprinkles instead.

Josh enjoyed his caramel apple with coconut very much.

And I enjoyed watching everyone enjoy themselves as we begin our family traditions. It was a very nice night. I hope we have many more just like this.

When I grow up I wanna be famous

Sara wins! She was obviously motivated by my very delicious offer of a prize. She will be recieving a full pan of yummy sticky buns, made by me fresh and hot. If you are disapointed you didn't win or didn't check in time, you better just check more often! Don't be sad, I will do it again! We will play 'Guess the song Peyton is singing'. He's got a few. So congratulations to Sara again and I've got a question for you too: Nuts or no nuts?

*Note: These are not the actual sticky buns, I haven't made them yet!

By the way, the line Peyton is singing goes, "Be careful what you wish for cause you just might get it."