Do as I say...

not as I do. Lane loves reading books filled with facts so it was no surprise to me that he brought a book home from school titled Don't Try This at Home by Laura Layton Strom. (I really don't feel like the title and author is extremely important but I figured I'd give her her dues for making my life harder). This book basically reinforces things we've been teaching our kids about from an early age. LDS families know of it as the "Word of Wisdom" which encourages a healthier lifestyle (no drugs, no alcohol, no tobacco, everything in moderation, early to bed and early to rise, etc.). This book gives cool statistics and facts and really helped Lane understand why these substances aren't good for us. So of course he had me stumped when he preceded to tell me that I was addicted. "WHAT?" (I think I know where he is going with this and I am quickly trying to come up with a very good parent response to save my skin.) He reads to me from his book, word for word,

"People can become dependent on things other than drugs. Some people feel the need to drink excessive amounts of a particular brand of soda every day."

See, we all knew what was coming. I just wish he wasn't so quick to put two and two together. My "very good parent response" was, "Well, I'm not drinking one now. Look, what am I drinking?" (yeah, it sounds a little bit defensive to me too). Lucky for me that day it just happened to be water. I'd already had my excessive amounts of a particular brand of soda that day. My mature response now is, "We can't all be perfect" (yeah, still sounds a little bit defensive). Maybe if I'm lucky they'll send me to rehab where I can sleep as long as I want, no stress, no running errands, and crafting or doing whatever I want all day.

Or then again maybe you could just give me a taco.

Cat Questions???

1. Is it okay to "banish" Jimi to the basement while we are sleeping and during the day when I'm not there or does that seem too mean? The basement has full windows, glass doors, litter box, food, and plenty of rubbermaids to climb on because I'm lazy and haven't put them away. Plus it has a cozy beanbag or two.

2. We think Blake may be allergic to Jimi. What is there to help him (Blake, not Jimi. He thinks he owns the house anyway)? Does Claritin actually work?

3. What do I do to keep him from jumping on the counters?

4. Is it normal for them to stretch their fingers and claws out and then pull them back in while they are laying on you and how can I get him to stop or will he grow out of it?

That's just a few questions for now and I'm sure I'll have others. I'm so animal ignorant. Lane told me that he wished he could have a deer for a pet.

We've added on to our family

Blake finally decided that we can have one. It makes our small family of four bump up to five. Paige has been wanting one forever. Here's Jimi (that's the name he had at the shelter and he's been there for 1 1/2 years so we thought we'd stick with it). Don't let that glare scare you he's really gentle.

He's a 2 yr. old Tabby and really easy-going. At least he was for Blake & I. Now that the kids are home and haven't left him alone he might not be so relaxed. I keep checking in on Jimi to make sure he's not cowering in a corner somewhere. He'll be smothered with love. So far our favorite toy is the red laser light. He goes crazy for it. He even stalks it like prey. It's neat to see his stealth. It'd scare me if I was a red laser dot. Blake and I went to pick him up while the kids were in school so this was a real surprise for them. Blake got a picture of their reactions.

It's a little blurry but sums up Paige's shock. Just went to check on Jimi and he was sitting in the litter box to get away from the kids. Desperate attempts... I think it's time to do homework. For Jimi's sake.

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...

it's a beautiful, sunny, crisp autumn day. I just wish the deer would not sneak up to my cozy porch at night and eat my mums. It really is a cozy porch, I can't fault them for having great taste (not the mums, my style).

I am thinking...

hmm... give me a minute. Nope, not thinking.

I am thankful...

for smart TV repair men even if they are a bit chatty. They fixed our flat-screen for free. Maybe I should be thankful for the warranty. Finally one came in handy.

From the kitchen...

I smell RAMEN noodles from last night. I know, gourmet. I really shouldn't out-do myself.

I am wearing...

a lightweight gray sweater that I bought on clearance in the summer and have been waiting for chillier weather to wear it. It's so perfect that I could curl up on the couch and snuggle with myself.

I am creating...

a new business. Shhh... it's still in the works.

I am reading...

nothing. I'm trying to be a productive mother, wife and all-around over-achiever. (Okay, that was for Blake's benefit in case he sees this. :) What I'm really reading is Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. She's the one that wrote City of Ashes, City of Bones, etc.

I am hoping...

that the spiritual habits we are trying to instill and achieve with our kids will continue and not get pushed aside for worldly things.

I am hearing...

the weird knocking noise my fridge makes. It sounds like there is a little man living back behind it and hammering something. I'm not going to move the fridge to find out the truth. I'll just leave the little man alone.

One of my favorite things...

are these fuzzy, fuzzy oh so cuddly blankets I found at Sam's Club. I bought 4 of them to see which colors I like best with the intentions of taking a couple of them back. But no such luck. I still have all of them. (Insert evil laugh: Mawhaha.) They're what you might think a cloud would feel like... Heavenly.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

to redo the PTA volunteer list (150+ names) for the 3rd time. I keep messing it up. I'm not very good with the computer stuff anymore.

A picture thought I am sharing...

Washington, D.C. Temple

This is from our trip this summer to D.C. with my parents. Beautiful. There was such a special feeling there and I loved being able to share it with my kids and to remind them that families can be together forever. Whether we like it or not. :) ha, ha!

Welcome!

We have now lived in our house for about 5 months and things are actually feeling like they are getting done. I'll share with you some changes that we've made. There are other rooms that are pretty much done but they have loads of laundry that need to be folded sitting in them so I'll save myself the embarrassment and not showcase them today.

Our front porch is finally done. And our flower beds are getting there. Sorry about the fuzzy photo. A humid day + a crappy camera= fuzzy photo.

Before.

(The door was actually green like the side panels. I just was experimenting and painted it black before I thought to take a picture.)

After.

Blake and I love sitting out here in the evenings before the mosquitoes get us.

Dining Room: Before.

Dining Room: Afters.

I love this green color. Blake was a little nervous but couldn't say 'No' to me when I was choosing. It looks a little more yellow in the pictures but I think that is because the sun is shining through the windows. The color is Spring Botanical from Lowe's but I had Home Depot match it because I like their Behr with primer brand.

(That's a real bird's nest in the middle of the table, not a pile of poo.)

So there is a couple of things we enjoy about our new home. It's fun to update it and put our touch on it. It's been a long time coming and we are still enjoying the extra space even though I'd rather not have to clean 3 bathrooms and Blake would rather not have to mow the hills of grass. But it all evens out when we'd rather not have to hear our kids screaming and we can yell, "TAKE IT TO THE BASEMENT". Oh, the joys. Now back to folding those clothes I mentioned.

38:42:47

Those are minutes, not hours. I finished the 5k and I'm glad to be done. I will admit that it's a wonderful feeling to have accomplished something I've only ever joked about doing. I was able to run the whole thing (if that's what you call what I was doing) except for a little stop to drink water. I haven't mastered the technique of drinking and running--too dangerous. Here are some pictures of the victors. Now I just need to powder my thighs--chafing has occurred.

(L to R): Roadrunners- 2nd place, Stewarts- 3rd, & Gibsons- 1st

Even the kids got in on the action. Lane and Andrew ran the race also and made their parents look bad.

The missionaries got the best dressed award.

12 years!

12 years ago yesterday I was lucky enough to marry "twinkle toes". We spent our day zipping across the sky and roller coasting down the mountain (minus the kids). We'd still like to think we are light on our feet and young at heart and then you see pictures like this and they make you giggle and think "maybe not so much". We had a blast and I'm acutely aware of how lucky I am to have him in my life (even if this picture makes you wonder... hmmm). He brings so much joy and love into my life. I've included a more "man-ly" photo below of Blake for his own sake.

These mountain coasters R O C K E D! Alpine slides have come a very long way in the 20 years since I've ridden one in Park City, UT.

This is more like it. I love you, babe, whether you're light on your feet or hanging from a tree! You're still perfect for me and I STILL choose you! Here's to many more adventures!

10:59:58 left!

Tomorrow is the day to run, walk, or crawl to the finish line. My sister had a great idea to make "Team Roadrunner" t-shirts but considering that my husband has twisted his knee and broken his toe it seems a bit arrogant (not that it wasn't arrogant before the injuries). There was one thing that I managed to make... my playlist. I'm hoping that it will take my mind off of the long and painful journey but I think it will merely become the soundtrack to my death. Hopefully this experience will not permanently ruin these great songs for me.

1. Something Beautiful- Needtobreath
2. So Obvious- Runner Runner
3. Secrets- One Republic
4. Animal- Neon Trees
5. This Afternoon- Nickleback
6. This Ain't Goodbye- Train
7. The Only Exception- Paramore
8. The Boys of Fall- Kenny Chesney
9. The Truth- Kris Allen
10. King of Anything- Sara Bareilles
11. You Run Away- Barenaked Ladies
12. We'll Be A Dream- We the Kings
13. Belle of the Boulevard- Dashboard Confessional
14. Into Your Arms- The Maine
15. Love Left to Lose- Sons of Sylvia
16. Like We Used to- A Rocket to the Moon
17. Stuttering- The Friday Night Boys
18, Superman Tonight- Bon Jovi

And there is the official list. I'm hoping 18 songs will get me through 3 miles. I know, I allowed a little extra music...Blake doesn't think my music is upbeat/obnoxious enough. I'd rather die with a smile on my lips and "angel-like" music in my ears.

I'm not 10 feet tall and bullet-proof

So I was invited by our church ward Scout Master (who happens to be my buddy Scott) on a youth activity to go whitewater rafting at Wisp Resort in Maryland. We had a great time. The only downfall is the fact I twisted my knee pretty bad upon being thrown from the raft in which my foot got stuck and I end up bent over backwards with my head underwater. After swallowing several gallons of water, I manage to unstuck myself and abandon ship. At this point the guide informs me I'll be taking on the other Class III-IV rapids on my own floating on my back. Just what I had in mind. I survived. Just barely. I think the others in our group thought I would drown. I thought so too. Anyway, this injury indirectly led to my mishap in the shower the other day in which I broke my big toe which leads to the probable withdrawal of the Labor Day 5K I'm supposed to run. My wife wants to trade me in for a newer model. One without so many miles. I can't argue her point. I just need to convince her I'm a collectable and will be very valuable some day. Enjoy the pictures.