Me and My Big Ideas

I have a vision of a wonderfully composed picture with my two children smiling happily and my two dogs smiling happily... HOLD ON, WAKE UP, It's only a dream. First of all although I swear I've seen Sadie smile, I don't think that dogs really do smile that much. Secondly, I have a teenage boy and a pre-teen daughter. Erick hates pictures and Jordan thinks she is a diva always needing to strike a pose. So obviously this picture is definately in my dreams, but it never hurts to try. Even though you can see the garbage can , cars and the sprinklers in the background, I do have my smiling children and it really does look like Sadie is smiling :) I am also posting a couple of the other pictures that show what my big ideas usually turn out like.

Extreme Makeover - Jordan Edition

For months Jordan has been very upset about the current state of her room. In her words, "It looks like I am a baby!!!" " It was cute when I was 8, but I am NOT 8 anymore!!!" You get the picture, so we made a deal, if she could keep her room clean for 1 month, 30 days in a row we would paint her room. You do have to understand that Jordan has an aversion to picking anything up or putting it away, this was tough. You also need to know that my standard of clean is pretty high, so after 6 months of failures, I lowered my standards and she did pick up most of her stuff. Plus as darling as her room is she did have a point, I picked the decor, and she is growing up. To avoid having to redo her room any time soon, I let her have some say in the process. She has some pretty interesting ideas. Polka dots for instance. It has been an interesting process of compromise between the two of us. But, I think that it turned out pretty darn cute.

Before
During
After
It is definately Jordan's room now :)

Last Days

This week brought the end of an era so to speak for our family, the end of our days at Salina Elementary . Jordan participated in her last elementary school program. The 5th grade puts on an American History program. Jordan got a speaking part and looked absolutely darling in her way too big bonnet.

She went on the last elementary school field trip, the hike to Capitol Reef, by herself of course (she is very embarrassed by her parents being within 50 feet of her in public, especially when her friends are around) so I sent the camera with her. She did get some great pictures. The top one is of her friends Alica Beach, Kristen Coates and Kodi Curtis. The ones below are of the scenery that she took. It's hard to believe that she will start Middle School in the fall.

It runs in the Family

Erick had the opportunity to take a cabinet making class this year. It was a miracle that he got into it in the first place. The class is usually full by the time the freshmen sign up and originally he didn't get in. But the desktop publishing class that he had signed up for was cancelled due to lack of students. Luckily Mr. Edwards let him in the class. He decided to make a cabinet for his stereo. It turned out awesome. A lot of people think that it is a bench, and I guess it could be, but it works great to sit under his window and put his stereo on. Between Erick and his Grandpa Mike we have some pretty great talent in the furniture industry. On another happy note, Erick will be taking cabinets again his sophomore year for the entire year. I can't wait for my new end tables and entertainment center :)

New Addition

I guess it would be safe to say that we come from a family of "dog people". We have 2 labs, my mom has a shitzu , my dad had two pugs that passed away earlier this year, my sister has a shitzu, you can see where this is going. Well, we have a new puppy edition to the family. Dad and Maryanne got this cute boston terrier, Beaner. He has absolutely the sweetest face and biggest brown eyes. What a doll!!

Porcelain Dolls

Jordan has a collection of porcelain dolls that for about 10 years now have been in their boxes on a shelf in her closet for no one to see. Luckily her very talented Grandpa Mike came to the rescue. He built her this BEAUTIFUL cabinet for her dolls. And lucky for me that Jordan doesn't have enough room in her bedroom to put this cabinet, so it gets to be on display in the front room for everyone to admire.

Happy Birthday To Me

As one gets older, your birthday just becomes "another day". As an adult it isn't nearly as exciting as when you are young. No anticipation, perhaps a little hesitation. Nevertheless, I did have a pretty great birthday thanks to my wonderful hubby and kids. They were so sweet, they went shopping all by themselves and picked me out two really cute outfits (that fit perfect :) and they got me a really yummy ice cream cake. Erick was even nice enough to photograph the event so reluctantly I am posting a picture.