Trailer Mansion

Our friend Ben sent us this picture of a trailer mansion, and I thought it was pretty funny, and actually really cool looking. Blame it on my hippie/farm upbringing, but wouldn't it be fun to stay here for a bit? Maybe a vacation home? I imagine that it is some sort of commune where people all share BBQ responsibilities, and everyone chips in working in the community garden. And, to make it more perfect, is that a pool out front???? I get dibs on the orange and white one.

New Links

I am in the midst of spring cleaning/nesting/collecting and purging junk for my garage sale, and I happened across some magazines that I have not had time to read yet. I put the kids to bed early last night, threw on my ultra soft plush robe and slippers and fell onto the couch to power through them. I found some cool links while I was reading, so I dog-eared the pages to check them out when I had more time. Here are a couple, and I added them to my "Cool Things to Check Out" section as well.

Kids Off The Couch - not quite what it sounds like (although I do wish most days that we didn't own a TV). The website gives an idea/theme for the week, and then several things to do with it. A movie to rent, books to read, activities to do, etc. Most of the movies are rated PG (which is not something that I will allow Brynn to watch at this point) but I thought they could be adapted to work for younger or older kids as well. The archives are full of week themes, and I didn't have a chance to check out more than 3, but they looked fun, and idea inspiring.

Gas Buddy - I am seriously frustrated with the rising costs of EVERYTHING in this county. My grocery bill has increased, my PG & E, water, etc. The only reason why my gas bill is relatively the same is because I don't drive to work, my friends and family all live close by, the church is 2 miles away, and all the kids activities are within walking distance (not that we actually walk...) I would love to say that our gas guzzling SUV is next to be sold on Craigslist, but in all truth I love my car (especially the sunroof) and wouldn't trade it for the world. Anywho, check out Gas Buddy, type in your local zip code, and it will direct you to the cheapest station in your area. The list comes complete with address and dollar amount. You can even contribute to the list if you feel like it. Just thought it might be helpful.

Last but not least - Get Rich Slowly - is a website that has some great all around personal finance info. We just finished looking over our budget last night (a little late start, but better late than never) and were shocked to see how much money we DIDN'T save, and how much money we spent on items that are worthless. I don't agree with all of the site, but there are several categories that helped to answer some questions for me. Although Rich and I are in no debt (besides a house payment) it was cool to get some frugal ideas, some retirement saving advice, and read up on personal finance topics. The author is entertaining, and easy to read, so even I (tend to glaze over when the CPA who does our taxes attempts to explain the refunds to me) was willing to read more.

Alright, back to life in the Andre' house. More pics and stories from the kids coming soon.

Good Morning

This morning, like every morning since Cannon has not been confined to the crib, we were woken up with the sound of our bedroom door being opened, the grunt of two little bodies climbing up on our bed, followed by intentional body slams. Sometimes it's fun, but most of the time it's not. I usually get my hair pulled (thank goodness for short hair), my head bonked, or my belly stepped on (the abuse to the third child has already started). Rich takes the hits better than I, but it's a rough and painful way to be woken up.
Yesterday, I made a conscious effort to try to change my mentality about all the "love" and "affection" that the kids pour onto me. If you are familiar with the 5 Love Languages and you know me, you know that touch is not my way of showing or receiving affection. I am more of a quality time/acts of service girl. Well, because of my "languages preference" I forget that my kids sometimes really need my touch, and my lap to sit on. I was right in the midst of vacuuming and tidying up the house, and I sat down for a minute to rest. Immediately they both climbed on my lap for a quick snuggle. My first impulse was to get back to my tasks so that I could finish my work, and relax in the afternoon while they were sleeping. Suddenly, I had a little prick in my spirit which reminded me that someday they will not want this type of time with me, and I should take advantage of it while it lasted. Someday they will not hold my hand in the parking lot. Someday they will roll their eyes when I ask for a hug or kiss. Someday they will laugh at me, not with me. Someday the first person that they want to see in the morning will not be me...
Maybe it's not so bad to be bombarded, bruised and battered first thing in the morning. I even think I might be able to handle it for a few more years.

Happy Valentines Day

Mommy gets a baking lesson when Brynn demonstrates how cookies should be properly placed on a cookie sheet. It was pretty rough convincing her that they needed to have some space between them. Apparently she knows some top secret baking tips, because convincing her that the standard method was right turned out to be impossible.

Sleeping Habits

Ok, so the transition hasn't been too easy, but I think that it is getting better. They love to share a room, but they(meaning mostly Cannon) definately have some weird sleeping habits.

Where did he go?

Really?

That can't be comfy!

Slightly obsessed with balloons?

Can we say choking hazard? Bad Mommy!!!

Long Awaited Pics of "The Room"

The journey began with green and purple striped walls.

Unfortunately I didn't know to use primer. Apparently it would not have taken 4 coats of white paint if I had used primer...
The yellow goes on the wall...
Then the task of the diamonds... I think we painted 150 or so...What a nightmare, but totally worth it!

Long Awaited

The Room...

Long Awaited Pics of the Room

The final touches....

Yeah Right!

I wish I had a shirt printed up that said, "No, its not a hickey!" and had worn it today. I really needed it, and even though the story is funny, I am getting tired of telling it over and over. SOOOO, for the last time -
Rich and I are inspired to finish a bunch of house projects before the baby comes. I am actually the mastermind, and he is my workhorse in this situation. (He is cheerfully going along with all my ideas though, and for that, I am truly grateful.) Our latest endeavor was our bedroom and bathroom. I wanted to slightly change a few things in the bedroom, and the bathroom needed a new paint job, and some serious updating.
Rich got all prepped for the job, took down the lights, mirror, shower doors, etc. I helped as much as I could, but you know, in my delicate condition...
So we worked all weekend, busted out all the major things, and really finished a lot. I was so proud of us!
Sunday night, we were putting our room back in order, and I moved the lamp that we had been using in the bathroom for light, back onto our nightstand. As I leaned over to plug it in, I accidentally pressed my neck on the BLAZING HOT BULB that had been on for hours while we worked. Oh, the agony! It stung like the dickens, and immediately turned red.
Well, being the trooper that I am, after all, I have survived labor, I went on cleaning and tidying up with tears in my eyes. After the burning and stinging subsided, I even managed to forget about it. We had company over that evening, and I looked truly cute in a tank top and hair pulled back, completely forgetting about the red mark on my neck. After our guests had left, Rich comments, "Nice hickey". I laughed, thinking that it was possibly still red, and irritated looking, but not really taking any initiative to check it out in the mirror.
Next morning I get out of the shower, give myself the once over, and notice that my neck has a full-on burn/red/scabby mark on the neck. Perfectly matching where and what a hickey would look like. Luckily, I didn't have to go anywhere, and could hide the mark with some strategically placed clothing. (Remember, now, my hair is pretty short!)
Well, today, different story. Still red, burned and hickey-ish, I have to survive the world staring at me while at the dentist (getting teeth cleaned - awkward conversation starter), grocery shopping (cashier did a double take), running errands (got the knowing 'wink-wink' from a creepy sales assistant) and picking up the kids at the in-laws (oh gosh, what were you and our son doing?????)
We will see how quickly this little marking will heal, but if it sticks around for more than 1 week, I am going to go crazy!!!! And the worst thing is, that my excuse sounds so lame, people think I am making it all up! "No, its not a hickey, I burned myself on a lamp..." Yeah Right!

Sharing Rooms

In preparation for this new baby, we are putting the kids into one room early so that they are all set into the groove before #3 arrives. It has been an ordeal! First getting the room ready...
then organizing two childrens' toys and books to fit all in one space....
then figuring out how to actually get them to sleep in the beds....
Ok, so we are still working on that one. My kids are tired, cranky and not so much fun to be with as they transition to one room. They love playing together and the fights over toys have not been too outrageous yet, but the sleeping...we have yet to figure out a good system for that.
Pics are coming soon. Still waiting for the bedding to be done...