*SIGH*

Today is one of those days I would like to strangle Murphy and his stupid law!! It all started with Ellie breaking a  glass of soda on the floor (that the older kids got for her after I said no) while I was in the bathroom, obviously it created a big mess by the time I got all the glass off the floor I decided to mop since I hadn't mopped in a week anyway. I proceeded to sweep and mop my kitchen floor, then while it was drying I was moving everything out of my front room so I could sweep and mop that floor, grandma called while I was doing that the kids decided since I was distracted they get themselves some cereal and Ellie decided it would be funny to cover the floor in chocolate frosted flakes, so she dumped a bunch on the floor and stomped them real good all over my newly swept and mopped floor, when I turned around and saw what had been done I was NOT happy. The older kids watched her make the mess and no one said a word to me. So I dismissed everyone and re-swept the floor, and finished the other half of the house, now while I was in the laundry room putting stuff away Ellie snuck out of her room found some cereal ( I have no idea where she got it from) and dumped it on the floor AGAIN, she just smiled that says " you won't be mad I'm too cute", but she was wrong she got a time out, while I cleaned it up.

I finished cleaning the rest of the house took a quick potty break when I came from the bathroom I found Kaleb and Ellie in the middle of the kitchen floor with spoons and the sugar jar and sugar EVERYWHERE *SIGH*, as soon as they saw me they booked it to their rooms I cleaned that mess up while cursing Murphy's Law I would have like my floor to stay clean for at least an hr but apparently that was to much to ask for. Now I'm sure your saying you would have made the kids clean up the messes and normally I would have but I needed the work to relieve my anger, and I thought of some other things they could do that were worse than sweeping up dry cereal and sugar. I had them scrub the toilets by hand, meaning no long handle scrub brush, just a had scrubber and a pair of gloves, I also had them use old tooth brushes to clean around ALL the sinks in the house, I also had them sweep and mop the bathroom floors the old fashioned way no steamer for them, just a bucket of water and a mop!

Once the house was clean and since they didn't complain I thought I would take them to the park and pick a pizza up on the way, all I asked was that while I went to shower and get ready for them not to fight (since Kaleb and Ryne had been at each others throats ALL morning), and to stay out of the kitchen, that lasted literally about a min as soon as I shut the door behind me the shouting began *hangs head down and sighs*, I stuck my head out long enough to tell them they lost the park and pizza privileged, that soothed things over instead of being mad at each other they joined forces so they could be mad at me! I hid in my shower for about an hr, by the time I got out they were back screaming at each other, I sent them to their rooms all except for Ellie she was just sitting on the couch being entertained by all this. They spent most the afternoon in their rooms.

Now they finally decided that it was a small price to pay to be civil to each other, mom was happy and they got to play outside for a bit, it was nice everyone was getting a long and my ears were getting a much needed break from the bickering. We came in so I could make some dinner, while Ellie and I were getting dinner ready Ryne and Kaleb started fighting again no big surprise there! I sent them to their rooms where they both slammed there doors as hard as they possibly could then they were both lying on their bellies with their mouths under the space of their doors screaming at each other REALLY REALLY, they thought that was going to help!? Ellie looked at me shook her head and said "dey CWAZY!" I agreed and we ignored them, eventually they stopped since there voices were just about gone. I went to the bathroom and checked on the older kids just to make sure they were still awake, when I came out I found Ellie using my baster and the wings sauce to mop my floors stick a knife in me I'm DONE!!!! Seriously what a stinkin day!

Monday, Monday

WOW! That's all I have to say about how last Monday (January 30th) went! It wasn't just a regular Monday it was Ellie's 3rd birthday and Uncle Ethan was flying in. I had the whole day planned out this was the plan:


6-7:15 a.m. Get up take the kids to school
7:30-8:30 a.m. Shower get ready and take Ellie for her birthday hair cut
9a.m. Get Ellie's hair cut
10-11a.m. come home clean,make the cake
11a.m. lay Ellie down for a nap
11a.m.-1:30p.m. wrap presents, frost cake, put up birthday decorations
1:45p.m. wake up Ellie
2:15p.m.Get the kids from school, run to the dollar store for balloons
3-4p.m.  help kids with homework
4-5 p.m.get the kids rooms clean and the rest of the house tidy
5-6:30 p.m. relax before meeting daddy and Uncle Ethan at Organ Stop Pizza
7-8 p.m.Have dinner come home, open presents, eat cake and put the kids to bed.
8:30 p.m. pass out from exhaustion

This is how the day really went:
 Woke up at 6:30 instead of 6, got the kids up and going around 6:45, they took FOREVER to get dressed, by the time they were dressed and hair was done it was 7:10, they had 5 mins to eat before we had to leave so pop tarts for breakfast it was.
7:20-8a.m ish got everyone in the car and off we went to drop the kids off, dropped them off at 7:30, then ran to Walmart for a couple of essential things then home
8:30- 9a.m. Showered got ready to go
9-9:30a.m. chased Ellie around the house and got her dressed.....again. Headed out the door to get the hair cut when suddenly I heard grunting, and a "uh, oh I poop" from Ellie, she didn't just poop she had explosive diarrhea!
9:30-10a.m. gave Ellie another bath and got her dressed.....again this time I had her wear a pull up "just in case"
10a.m. Finally got out the door and on our way
10:30a.m.- 12p.m. got Ellie's hair cut, she did great I meant to take pictures but I forgot. After her hair cut we stayed awhile and let Ellie play(it was at a gal's house, and there were oh so many toys), while I talked to this gal that has a son that sounds just like Kaleb, it was great getting to know her.
12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. drove home and Ellie fell asleep in the car instead of risking waking her up to carry her into the house, we stayed in the car with windows open while she napped.
1:30p.m. finally woke up Ellie went into the house long enough for potty breaks and a quick bite to eat then headed to get the kids
2:15- 3p.m. picked the kids up from school, came home remembered I needed to go to the $1 store turned around went back out, hit the $1 store waited for ever for them to change out their helium only to find out the girl who thought it was empty didn't know the valve was turned off! Got the balloons went home
3:30-4p.m. got home decided to check mail, turned off car, checked mail got back into car tried to turn it on and NOTHING, not a sound, nothing worked, battery died CRAP! Made the grumpy kids get out of the car and walk home ( we were lucky we even got to our neighborhood), let the manager know that my car was the one in front of the mail box dead.
4-4:30p.m. yelled asked the kids nicely to get started on their homework, while I went out and found someone to jump my car for me. Luckily my neighbors husband had just gotten home from work. Went to jump the car only to realize the cables are in the trunk and the only way to open the trunk is with electricity CRAP, I had to climb my big butt back there move all the crap tables that were in the way and get the cables, finally got the car jumped drove it home
4:30p.m. talked to the hubs he was coming home to help, I may have gotten mad at him on the phone cause I was a little overwhelmed, I still hadn't made the cake, cleaned the house completely, wrapped presents, helped kids with homework or decorated for Ellie's birthday and I didn't know how I was gonna manage all that and get a new battery for the car to meet the guys for dinner. Made cupcakes, helped kids with the homework they never started and started cleaning up the house while we waited for the hubs to get home.
 5-5:30p.m. the hubs got home the neighbor helped him get the battery out, he took it to checkers they were super busy said it would be an 1/2 hr before they could even test it, so he left it there and went to the airport to get Uncle Ethan. Got a call from checkers the battery was deader than dead. Called Dane told him to just pick up pizza on the way home, along with frosting for the cupcakes cause I didn't want to make any.
5:30-7p.m. Mean while the kids and I got the house clean, not polished till I could see my face in the floor clean, but clean enough, got the presents wrapped
7-8p.m. we waited for the guys to get home, I had to hold off the extremely hungry kiddos from eating the cupcakes, and opening Ellie's presents
8-10p.m.the guys got home we cooked the pizza while they went out to put the battery in the car, we ate cake and opened presents, got the oh so tired, I don't want to go to bed kids in bed
10p.m.- 12a.m. watched a movie, then went to bed and passed out from exhaustion knowing that tomorrow the kids were going to be a pain in my bum cause they didn't get enough sleep and had tutoring early in the morning!

It was quite the day and I didn't mention, there are no pictures cause I couldn't find the camera, when I did finally find the camera the memory card was full and I couldn't find the spare. Dana did take some pictures and video with his cell phone when I figure out how I will post them on here.

The kids were oblivious to the day I was having, Ellie had a blast and enjoyed every minute of the day, especially when she got cake and presents. Hopefully next year will go a little smoother! I can't believe my baby is 3, she is getting to be such a big girl, she seems to have finally gotten the idea of going potty in the toilet, and let's me know very vocally (especially when it's explosive diarrhea) which is awesome I was getting to the point were I thought she would never get it. She is talking up a storm, she copies EVERYTHING anyone says, she's quite funny when she gets mad she stomps her foot and glares at you, nine times out of ten she hurts herself when she does it! She loves to help do the dishes and laundry, she's a great help around the house (most the time), she loves playing with her brother and sister. 

I will blog about the rest of the week, it did get better which was awesome!

Christmas Day

The kids were up at 5:30 a.m. yup you read right 5:30 A.M.!! Let's just say Dane and I weren't very pleased especially since we didn't get to bed till 1a.m. anyway we were able to hold them off till 6 impressive eh? Anyway they sat patiently for me to get the camera;

Don't ya just love the look on Kaleb's face? Ellie was perfectly happy with the candy she got in her sock, forget the playdough and other toys! We had them line up youngest to oldest Kaleb was a little put out by that he thinks it should be by gender, boys in front girls in back! The second Dane opened the bedroom door the kids charged this was the best pic I could get;

Now much to their surprise they didn't see their typical unwrapped Santa gift with their sock next to it, but there was a note hanging from the light. Now I figured when they didn't see their normal gifts they would be upset but they weren't Kaleb explained that the note must say that "I was been a good boy this year!", here's what the note said;

To the Lamps children 3,
just between you and me,
My sack was full I couldn't get in.
What could I do? I said with a grin.
I sat awhile and thought about you,
then it came to me just what to do.
You have been good the whole year through,
so I left something you all could do.
If you will run fast out the back door,
you'll see more than you asked for.
I hope you like it have fun and share,
be good to each other and always play fair.

Santa

The rhyme was courtesy of grandma Clause! Anyway you can guarantee my kids rushed to get their shoes on, again as soon as the door was opened they charged, I wasn't quick enough to get in front of them to get a first look reaction but Kaleb's words summed it up " a PARK in our yard! We have a PARK in our YARD!!!!" of course he was speaking of this swing set;

Santa done did good with the swing set! So the kids played for a bit while Dane and I froze our bums off, once we got everyone inside we let the kids open their socks and 2 presents before church the first being their church clothes the second their secret Santa gifts.

Now there is a little story that goes with the girls dresses, I had been working on them in secret while the kids were at school, but one day I accidentally left some evidence as to what I was up too Ryne quickly surmised that I was making dresses for them so I came up with a quick fib I said I was making them for a friends little girls that were the same age as my girls yeah Harlee and Jordyn were gonna be some lucky girls (I hope ya don't mind Kym :) ). Needless to say Ryne was a little let down but she still thought the dresses were gonna be neat and was soon excited to see the final product. Now I know ya shouldn't lie but this turned out to be the best thing, cause I wasn't able to get them done before the kids were out of school for winter break so I was able to work on them in front of the girls without having to worry.

Kaleb's out fit was a different story I didn't even have his cut out yet! I was able to get his vest done after the kids were in bed on the 23rd. Dana took Kaleb to run some last minute errands on the 24th I had about an hr to get the pants and bow tie done! I didn't have a pattern for the pants so I  pulled a pair from his closet that fit pretty good except the length and went off of those, I have to say they turned out super nice Kaleb was thrilled to have more church pants "and these ones are long!".

So after the kids opened their presents we got everyone ready for church, I did simple french twists in the girls hair, I curled some pieces around their face and called it good. When I was getting Ellie in her dress she smiled and said "pincess, I pincess?" I thought it was so cute and once that dress was on and zipped up she was twirlin around in circles!  I wanted to get pics of them BEFORE we went to church when they looked their best, but we were runnin a little late (Ryne and I were suppose to be early for choir) so I had to settle for after church pics. They were excited to get home to open their presents that I couldn't get them to look at the stinkin camera and smile! We took several shots I finally just gave up and and figured I would work with what I got.

Yeah I didn't have much to work with! Now this is where the pics end cause I didn't take any of them opening the rest of their presents I know an epic mom FAIL!! But know they were thrilled with all their stuff even if most of it was clothes! After presents were open we made our traditional Christmas breakfast complete with little piggies (sausage links) and homemade buttermilk syrup ( thanks sis for the recipe it was delicious)! After breakfast or rather brunch Ellie and I took naps while Dane and the other kids watched some of the movies we got.

We had a great Christmas, Dane and I each only got one present so the kids would have what they needed but ya know I was thrilled with what I got and so was Dana. Dana got a wet/dry vac and I got a beautiful Nativity set. Oh and we also got this painting from my brother-in-law Mike isn't it awesome!?

A BIG thanks to grandma Nancy and grandpa Bill for getting us started with the essential oils and to Uncle Dave and Aunt Becky for the pure vanilla! We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and we wish you the best in the upcoming new year!

Christmas Eve

We were super busy Christmas Eve, I was finishing up Kaleb's church clothes, Dane and Kaleb were doing some last minute shopping, once everyone was home the baking commenced. After baking and delivering our Christmas treats the kids took baths and then got to open their Christmas jammies which was delightful!

 Once they were open we made many attempts to get a nice pic of them in front of the tree, we took so many I had to start deleting them because of lack of memory.  This was like attempt 10!!

 Attempt..... I don't know I lost count!

 This was the final one I took and like attempt 20 ,instead of saying cheese Dane said cookies now that got their attention!

After taking a million pics in front of the tree we did the kids favorite tradition of jumping on the bed and singing Ti's Christmas Eve Dear Santa Clause.

It was a riot watching Ellie trying to jump with Ryne and Kaleb we had to make the older kids stop so Ellie could get in some quality jumping time! One of the best things about the kids jumping on the bed is how much energy it gets out, they all went to bed without a fuss it was fantastic!

Trunk Show

Come check it out, I will have my stuff there!!

8 years!!!

Today Dana and I celebrate our 8th year anniversary!!

I have to say this year has been the toughest and best year. We have been through a lot this year for anyone who doesn't know we had 2 miscarriages one in Sept 2010 (6weeks) and February 2011(16 weeks a boy), my heart broke shattered. Dana picked up all the pieces and is helping me put them back together, this is the hardest trial we have had to endure so far in our marriage but it has made us stronger and brought us close together as a couple and a family.

The other day Ellie was watching one of her princess movies the line "true love conquers all" stood out in my mind I know there are many times when I have laughed at this and never really taken it seriously. As I look back at this year I can truly say I feel that our love for each other did conquer this trial, love does make you stronger, even though we struggled our love held us together. Our love grew stronger, we have a much deeper appreciation and understanding of each other now than we did before. I am so blessed to have Dana in my life to love me and to pick me up when I am down, our marriage is far from perfect we make mistakes and we have our trials but that's part of the journey if everything was easy then what would we learn? Happy 8 years to my hubby Dana Lamps I love you and can't wait for more years to come!

ALA Holiday Boutique

I'm gonna be at this boutique today come see me and all the beautiful crochet Christmas Ornaments I made just for this even!