"Love for my homies!"

Yes, that's what she always says. Along with "peace out" and "sup". She is one cool kid fo shizzle!!! Clint and I are so proud of this girl... she's creative, fun and clever. She loves animals, wearing bright colors and playing WII. She is learning sign language from Amanda and Kaitlyn but can't wait to take a class for it next fall at EHRC. She love to eat Grandpa's steaks, Nana's mash potato's and gravy and eats popcorn almost everyday. She still likes to wrestle with her dad and being like her mom. She is not a morning person. She is a night owl. She hates milk or any kind of juice and only drinks water or coke. Oh wait, she likes chocolate milk shakes too! Her favorite restaurants are Red Robin and Susumos Japanese Steak House. She loves going to our community group and often can't hardly wait for Friday nights to come. She plays soccer and likes to ice skate. She has 2 frogs named Diamond and Pearl. She hates to brush her hair but loves to accessorize. She often helps me cook and take care of her siblings. She would rather empty the dishwasher then load it. When she grows up she wants to run an animal shelter. I could go on and on but I'm off to a birthday breakfast with my little lady.

December 31st 1999

8lbs 3ozs and 22 inches

8:22 am

The BEST gift ever!!!

This year hubby gets extra points for cluing in on the the wants and needs of his lady! His gift for me this Christmas was a maid!!! Not indefinitely, but for 2 separate times. Clint's logic behind this was that now with his new job he finally gets paid vacation, so he thought I should get my own version of that too. The funny thing is that he was pretty self conscious about giving this to me. On Christmas eve he asked me if he could tell me what he wanted to get me cause he wasn't sure... I was like "Are you kidding me? This is the BEST GIFT EVER!!!" I told him he could get this for me every year for the rest of our lives! I cannot wait to cash this gift in. I'm hoping to do it early January and then maybe again in the spring (and you know what I will be asking for in may for my birthday and Moms day) . Of course the house has to be picked up first but he says they will scrub the floors, bathrooms, windows...even my base board!

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it! I'm about to lose control and I think I like it! OH yeah!

This post deserves a song, but not that one cause the video is totally inappropriate.

Click on THIS and do the happy dance with me :)

The Atonement Christmas

When we arrived at my Mom’s house I think we were all a little unsure how it was going to go. It had been years for Clint and I and the first time for our children to spend a holiday with her. We sat and visited for a while and it was nice and relaxing. Then while the enchiladas were in the oven she let the kids open their gifts. She was absolutely over the moon at the kid’s joy. My Mom has never really had much money and when she did she never did anything good with it so it made her feel real good to be able to treat the kids to some nice gifts. I was pretty surprised how well she did picking gifts out for them when she doesn’t really know any of them that well. She had gotten Gus these really cool wooden blocks and he used all 150 of them to make village on her living room floor. It was clear to me she had Lilly figured out when she opened a very fancy dress and fancy hair bows. And my little artist Drew was excited to get some Blendy Pens! We gave my Mom a framed family picture and she was thrilled. She even had Clint hang it up for her before we left.
After gift opening we had a yummy dinner followed by a pogo stick jumping competition in her kitchen. My Mom and Willie (her boyfriend since I was 12) had a kick watching all of us. Clint and I smoked the kids on the pogo stick!!! Well, Clint smoked me too. We could tell that my Mom, though having a great time, was getting a bit tired and the kids were about ready to get going to so we took a photo of all the grand kids with them (- Cameron) and said our goodbyes.
It was a real nice time and I know we all hope to be able to do it again. My Mom has called me 3 times since then telling what a wonderful time she had and how special it was to her.

I do believe for my Mom this was her atonement Christmas.

Spoiled Rotten Kids

Gifts, gifts and more gifts!!! I guess there are far worse problems to have. Thankfully I am proud to say I don’t have the problem of spoiled rotten children, despite all of their Grandparents efforts to spoil them rotten. LOL!
Clint and I were just blown away by how appreciative the kids were and how quick to say thank you they were. No matter what the gift, Drew lit up like a Christmas tree and expressed her thanks. She is a super example to the little critters watching her closely. Just a few pick of the festivities…


There's some of that appreciation I was telling you about!

Evie got some cute bows for that pretty hair of hers!

Don't you just love when they are this surprised? (digital camera)

First reaction to the train table!
They're even excited for a gift they new they were getting!

Finally she won't have to beg Drew to use her DS!

WARNING!!! WARNING!!! These next pictures might shock you…

Proceed without judgment please.

This is what 1400 square feet, 2 adults, 4 children and 3 sets of grandparents will do to your house at Christmas time.

The living room with the rug rats playing WII rather then cleaning...

The playroom...I believe it had a floor a couple days ago???

and just where will we eat dinner now?

It's far worse then you can tell from this picture.

once again this picture does not do justice to how bad it really is.

I would have taken pics of our room and Drew and Evie's room but they both had people sleeping in them.

Don't worry, I am working on this mess. Hopefully will post "after" pictures soon (ish).

Twas the day after Christmas...

...and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except Mom and Evie.

Aaaaaah, the day after Christmas. A day when I typically rip the tree and decorations down with a vengeance and look about our cozy little home in utter despair wondering how in the heck am I gonna find a place for all this stuff. But this year I will wait until tomorrow to start that process cause we have another Christmas party to attend today. Believe it or not my Mom is hosting a little party today for my sister and I's family. (is I's a word???Help Abbey, help!) I have already titled this event and future blog post "The Atonement Christmas" I can't remember the last time my Mom attended a family holiday function let alone hosted one! Oh wait, I actually do remember the last one she attended. It was our first Christmas in this house and the year Clint proposed to me. And as I ponder that year while writing it was the same year both of my Grandmas past away. That was a crazy year for our family. (Alert, alert...3rd creature officially stirring. Good morning Lilly) Anyways, back to what I was saying. She has bought presents for the kids and is making dinner. She has been calling me like 3 times a day giving me updates on everything she she is doing. It's been a long time since she has seemed this excited and I am happy for her. However, I will not count my chickens until they are hatched. Historically it is like my Mom to suddenly become very ill or even drop of the face of the earth the day before an event. So we will see. I haven't even told the kids about it and I don't plan on it until I hear from her this morning. If it happens they will be pleasantly surprised. But if things in my Moms world suddenly change, my children will be shieled from the pain of disappointment. A disappointment I have endured far to many times in my life.

And I am now laughing at myself because when I decided to go ahead and blog again this morning I was not planning on talking about that at all. I was going to share about our Christmas celebrations...

I'm back. You didn't know I left did ya? I just went to the bedroom to awake my husband by smacking his foot and saying "hey, wheres the camera?" "grunting and throat clearing sounds followed by- I left it at my parents." Boo hoo, because I was gonna show you some pics of my absolutely adorable children. But we will have to wait. Besides Evie is getting fussy and as I see it is now 10 O'clock I better go stir the remaining creatures myself.

Until next time...

An oldy but a goody! "I AM"

Remember this one ladies...

I am: blogging for the 2nd time in one day
I think: we need more Christ and less presents for Christmas
I know: I have bad spelling and grammar
I want: to have a relaxing day with no kids whining or bickering
I have: to plan my lesson for Sunday still
I wish: our loan modification would go through
I miss: my Grandparents
I feel: tired and sad
I hear: my loud computer fan
I smell: nothing
I regret: yelling at my kids
I love: peace and quiet
I always: miss my kids when they are gone
I am not: done wrapping presents
I believe: everyone should dance like no ones watching
I fear: many of my family members will never now Christ
I cry: not nearly as often as I want to (tough girl)
I don't always: eat breakfast
I fight: the urge to curse at bad drivers on the road
I never: return my books to the library on time
I listen: for Evie to wake up
I need: a personal assistant, maid, chef...
I am happy: that my husband loves his new job

If you are reading this then you are next! Copy and paste to your blog with your own answers.

A Gus"ism" and a whole lot more...

This cute little guy has us cracking up multiple times a day. So far today this is how he has entertained us with his words...

Last night Lilly hung up an 8x10 picture of Gus in their room. He was so excited! So today Drew was in his room and he points it out to her and says " That's me! Mommy says "That's my handsome guy"." So cute! I do say that ALL the time to him. Happy to know he's listening.

Then later when I was in the shower Drew comes in and tells me about this conversation...

(as Lilly is pouring his water cup into the sink in her effort to clean up) Gus- "hey, that's my water yilwy (Lilly). Don't throw that away. That's diculous (ridiculous) !" Ha! He was so proud of what he said cause of his sisters reactions he had to come and tell me all about it too. "I said diculous mom. I said Yilwy, that's diculous!" I have to say that I know he got that word from me and it doesn't sound like that nice of a word when I hear my 3 year old say it. Live and learn...

Now for a whole lot more...

On online socializing-I know I said this last time I posted but man do I miss blogging. I am guilty of online social network swapping! First myspace, then blogger and now facebook. While I do not miss myspace in any shape or form I do really miss blogger. I like blogging way more then facebook because you get the whole story, not just a snip it. But facebook wins out on the quick and convenient factor.

On posts that should have been- I really actually blog all the time...its just in my head. I title them and everything. Like SAVING LIKE MAD-funny stories of being a coupon queen, or My TOP FIVE-Top 5 things I love about my five favorite people, or THE BIG TOE SAYS TO THE LITTLE TOE- Good and ugly stories of relationships in the body of Christ. Not to mention the countless homeschooling posts I have thought of doing.

On being so busy I can barely breath sometimes- Whew...I'm actually already about an hour and a half into this post so far. Partly because I'm a slow typer but mostly because I've had to stop to nurse the baby, take a phone call, check a post on craigslist, discipline Gus, light a fire under the girls butts to get their chores done, rethink dinner since my meat didn't thaw (still don't know what I'm gonna cook) call my hubby, and go to the ladies room.

I have much more to write but its almost time for the man to get home so I better just sign off and save my thoughts for the middle of the night when I can post with no interruptions. Ha! As if I don't get interrupted in the middle of the night...

Evelyn's first month

We are enjoying every minute with our sweet baby girl. She has been the perfect blessing to complete our family. She loves to eat sleep and poop... but most recently she loves to smile. Big sisters love helping mom take care of her and big brother Gus wants to be sure he gets a good look at her eyes at least a couple times a day. God has blessed us immeasurably and we are truly thankful. Here are a few photos from her first month.

(smiling at mama)

PS- It has been FOREVER since I've blogged. I have missed it a ton... I hope you will be seeing more of me on here.

Feeling word Friday

Tired...

This weeks shopping

Total spent= $42.21

Total saved= $234.19

84 items = $o.50 an item

That's some ROCKIN' GOOD shopping if ya ask me!!!

It feels so great to stock up on toiletry items that we use everyday.

and just in case you want a list of items...

1 Vaseline lotion, 8 Sauve Body washes, 14 Sauve kids shampoos, 12 boxes Q-tips, 2 Dove deodorants, 2 All detergents, 2 Chinet paper plate packages, 4 Bic pen packages, 6 boxes Hershey brownie mix, 2 Honey nut Cheerios, 2 Cookie crisps, 2 boxes fruit snacks, 4 Best foods Mayo's, 2 packages Pillsbury pre-made cookie dough, 2 boxes micro popcorn, 1 individual box of Teddy Grahams (for my shopping mates), 1 mini Ben n' Jerry's ice cream (for the baby, of course!), 1 box of juice boxes, 2 bags tortilla chips, 2 Artisan garlic breads, 1 Gallon milk, 1 bunch of cilantro, 1 lime, 3 avocados, 3 apples, 3 bananas

Happenings and thoughts

Sleeping in*Enjoying pancakes the girls made for breakfast (yummy)*So happy to have Drew home*Reading Feminine Appeal for the 2nd time (a MUST read)*Nesting*Doing puzzles and pattern blocks*Playing catch*Paying bills (yuk! Feels good to have it done though)*Watching a movie with my hottie*A bit of couponing (its WAY too hard to pass up a good deal)*Visiting with a friend*Washing baby clothes (their SO cute)*Packing for the hospital*Long chats with Clint*Snuggling with the kids*Imagining what this next one will be like... A boy? A girl? When will he/she come?*Planning and packing for our last family vacation as 5*Happy for cooler temps*Thinking about Grace Women's Ministry stuff*Thankful for an awesome husband*Experiencing much joy and discomfort from baby's movements*Wishing they would invent a laundry folding machine*Missing sleeping on my tummy*Surprise! Simple and sweet date w/ Hubby that he arranged*Staying up late to blog

Happy Birthday Carrie!!!

She listens and encourages me, my dear sweet friend.
She is patient and smart, my consultant and editor.
She prays for me and speaks truth, my sister in Christ.

I know she'll probably hate this picture but I LOVE it because...


and I can always make her laugh.

I love you Carrie, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

The way to Gus' heart

Gus: (screaming and crying) I need more ice cream!!!
Mom: No Gus, you already had one and can't have anymore.
Gus: (still screaming and crying) Nooooooooo, I need more.
Mom: I'm sorry Gus but you ate your ice cream.
Gus: No I didn't, I dropped it, waaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Mom: Well Gus I didn't know you dropped it. I thought you ate it. Mama will get you more.
Gus: oooooookaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.
Mom: (hands Gus his ice cream)
Gus: (happy as a clam) I like you Mama!!!

Flashback Friday: "Birth" days past

I can't believe will be doing this again in just a matter weeks!!!

Gus and Sam's first photo together.

This next time around I'll be the one holding the baby for the first photo opp!!!

Thankful Thursday

Still going strong...

Q and A

Question:What does $9 get you when you're a

crazy coupon lady?!?!

Answer:

1 dozen eggs

4 boxes of Kotex panty liners

6 1pt bottles of Nestle Nesquick chocolate milk

and

9lbs of Jennie O ground turkey!!!

(thanks Red for the tip off on the turkey)

Celebrating Independence!!!

And I'm not just talking about the 4th of July kind, all though we did a lot of that this weekend in Chelan. Just a few of those highlights for ya...

...and when it's all said and done, they are exhausted.

We Mitchell's are also celebrating another kind of Independence this weekend. The kind of independence you get when you are NO LONGER CHANGING DIAPERS!!!! That's right folks, I'm just as shocked as you are but it is for real. Gus became a potty trained man this weekend. How I'm not really sure...I'm mean, who gets potty trained while on vacation??? No sticker chart? No candy rewards?

Here's the story if your like me and you want all the details...

Well, this summer, between backyard water play and vacations my kids have been spending a lot of time in their swim suits. I have not been putting swim diapers on Gus but rather letting him make a mess of himself a few times. While we were camping for a week in June he decided he didn't like to potty on himself while in a swim suit and kept asking me to take him to the potty. After a couple long and unsuccessful trips in a row I just told him to pee in the grass at our campsite the next time he asked me. So down I pulled his pants and peeing in the grass is exactly what he did. I of course cheered him on cause to me, it was a step in the right direction. So since then he has been peeing in the grass in our backyard but only when he is wearing his swim suit. (sorry if you think that's grose but it worked for me) On Friday we started off our holiday vaca with a trip to the water park. I thought I better put a swim diaper on Gus cause I didn't think the water park would appreciate my son peeing on their grass. But he refused. So I told him he better tell me if he had to go potty and sure enough he did. He used the toilets all day at the water park with NO accidents. You're probably thinking sure, I bet you just didn't realize he was just peeing in the water... But that is not the case! He would be standing in water up to his belly and then tell me he had to go potty so off we would go. Clint and I decide it was best to go to the store and buy him some big boy underpants because he was even beyond pull ups at this point. So the whole rest of the weekend we made it to the bathroom every time but once. In his defence I had just woken him up from falling asleep in the car and he was super tired and grumpy and while we were walking to the park he had an accident. Poor guy. But he recovered very well with a fresh pair of underoos and shorts. Oh ya, and for those of you who are wondering...the answer is YES. He's using the toilet for #2 too!

So we are all very proud of our big boy Gus!!! I am so thankful to get this small break from diapers and the budget will be happy to only have one in diapers. Permitting this sticks of course. I am all to aware of that fact that this could change but I'll do my best to keep the momentum going.

WOW! Who knew I could make such a lengthy post about going potty?

PS-Moms out their who have or are struggling with potty training your 1st...Take heart cause my first was a lot tougher then the 2nd and 3rd. Big sisters and brother are a huge help in potty training their younger siblings.

Have I lost my faith in her?

America the beautiful

Land of the free and home of the brave.

A nation that was founded under the term "In God we trust"

yet...

A nation where abortion is not only accepted, it's encouraged

A nation that wants to take Christ out of Christmas

A nation who's public school system wants to educate my 4th grader on sex, birth control and homo sexuality

I could go on and on...

Sorry to be so unpatriotic so close to America's 233rd birthday. I guess sometimes the values of this country just get me down.

Heavenly Father, in you I do trust, and when all the faith I have in my country is gone, I will still have peace, because I can continue to put my faith in you.

Today was a good day...

...in the couponing world!!!

I got ALL this for...

FREE!!!!

That's...

6 Peanut butters

8 chocolate/strawberry milks (2 not pictured cause we already drank them)

3 boxes of bandaids

2 bags of cat food

5 travel size packs of flushable wipes

2 deodorants

1 $5 target gift card

I love couponing!!!