re-entry...

Whoever said that a mom returns home from a vacation all rested & refreshed and renewed and ready to be a combination of :

,

and,

needs to be punched.

Thanks Mal...

John and I were able to get away this weekend for some much needed R&R. My fabulous, fantastic, lovely, fun, phenomenal niece, Mal offered to come and stay with the kids so we could get out of town. Is she crazy??? No, she is wonderful!! The kids love her and she doesn't put up with any of Sam's crap! Seriously, what could be better?

We wanted to go for the bed & breakfast thing, but I'm not really into sharing a bathroom with my neighbors, and don't really want to be BFF's with the owners, let alone know their names & vice versa...so, we found a happy medium. I can't remember the last time I was so relaxed. It was a great weekend!

I told John that the "mean Annemarie" would probably return once we got home, and the "nice, relaxed Annemarie" might go into hiding...his response..."It's like my own version of polygamy. I love you both!"

THANKS MAL!!!

{another} friday fashion foto...

This lovely little fashion escapade just occurred this morning...and seriously, how could I wait a week to share it?

I am going to be in a lot of trouble in about 10 years.

friday fashion foto...

Cuz nothing says "SPRING TIME" like jammies, a hat, mittens and...orange boots.

total wash...

Yesterday (Sunday) needs to be a complete "do over" day...actually, there is very little that happened yesterday that I would like to do over.

We have renamed the 3 hour block at church to the 3 hour wrestling match (one hour of that in particular...) I just KNEW last Sunday when my 2 year old sat quietly on my lap that this Sunday was going to be a nightmare, and I was right.

After my sweetie pie bit, pushed and screamed in Nursery (where I am the teacher), I remembered (much too late) that I had forgotten to schedule the VT appointments, was told of a few ways I was lacking in my other calling, etc, etc...I was ready for a little Sunday meltdown. The three boys had to sit (reverently) in separate rooms for 20 min after church...if you can't be reverent at church, you're going to give it a try when we get home.

I am quite certain that I offended/scared a few people at church (and at home) yesterday.

Why is it that the day of rest can be such a stressful day sometimes???

look out...

My cute, hilarious, fun nephew, Alden got his mission call!!!!

BRAZIL

You are awesome Alden! We are sooooo happy & excited for you! Not to mention, proud!!

friday fashion foto(s)...

She's discovered her big bro's baseball hats...and shoes...and a basket?!? And seriously walked around like this for almost two days...

my passion...

I have been a cooking/baking fanatic lately...I went from "Oh crap, what can I throw together for dinner?" to "I wonder what cool, delicious recipes I can find/make up for dinners this week!!!" I have always enjoyed baking (but wasn't that great at it...) but I despised cooking (and definitely wasn't great or even good at it) I don't know what changed, but I LOVE TO COOK & BAKE...I even dedicated another blog for my madness...because I didn't quite have enough going on...not so great for the butt & thighs, but if I keep my 6am appointment with the eliptical machine, it all works out.

I'm not going to lie or even to begin to lead you to believe that everything that comes out of my kitchen is gourmet, sometimes it is an absolute flop, but at least I'm having fun making said flop!

Plus...I have the cutest sous chef...EVER!!!

The point is...this is a happy medium for me...I have found something I absolutely love to do, that is all mine, but has been a great thing to share with family and friends. Sometimes (as we all know) it can be sooooo easy to lose our identities. When what we are used to being called is mom, wife, cub scout leader (yuck), etc...sometimes we forget our own name...but mine is sl-ow-ly coming back to me!

Deep enough for you? Tomorrow (ok, maybe in a day or two)...more funny pics of the kids.

my new BFF'S...

My friend Alison had these beautiful baby girls about 10 days ago & I've been lucky enough to spend a little time with them...jealous? You should be!!

Claire...

Kate...

Anyone who will watch "Dancing With the Stars" with me is a fast friend!

(Don't worry, I turned the car seats around when "The Bachelor" started...)

Aren't they precious!?!?!

new math...

Kid goes to school with $4.00 to spend at the book fair.
Kid gives $2.00 away to a couple of moochers.
Kid comes home with a $6.00 book & two sweet hi-lighters...
You do the math?!?!?
All I know is this kid will accompany me on any & all shopping trips when I really want to score a deal.

(After "kid" got a tongue lashing from mom about swindling, handouts & mooching...mom was able to have a little laugh about it)

friday fashion foto...

This pic is about 5 years old...but in all fairness it is the pic that started it all...Matthew has taught his younger siblings well. They have all successfully learned the "art" of dress-up from him.

It's a good thing this kid loves his mom so much, or I would be in A LOT of trouble for sharing this!!

Lizzie's the winner!!!!

Idaho, Boise Mission!!!!

My nephew, Jordan received his mission call today. This southern California boy is spud bound! He brought the unopened envelope to our house and John set up a web cam so his parents (Diane-my sis & Tom), and any other out of state family (we have a lot) could join in the fun. Diane put a "where in the world" post on her blog a couple of weeks ago and...Lizzie guessed right...hee hee! Um...I believe there was a prize involved...!?!?!

Afrin de-tox...

After one of the LONGEST weeks of my life (BAD cold=stuck at home feeling crappy and trying to entertain the little people at home while still feeling crappy)...this is the part where you feel really sorry for me...I have to say goodbye. My sister recommended Afrin at the beginning of the week when nothing else was working for me. You're only supposed to use said nose spray for 3-4 days tops...I'm on day 8...woops! Tomorrow I have to fly solo without my new BFF...Afrin. Wish me luck...

CONGRATS!!! & YEA!!!

My dear friend, Alison gave birth to the cutest twin girls EVER on Thursday! I got to go hold them (at the same time...thank you!), change diapers (I even got a little poop on my cheek...don't ask me how...I have no idea!), feed them a bottle, etc. It brought back some fond memories of newborn twins! I did get some darling pics of them, but in all fairness I will wait for their mom to post them. Welcome Kate & Claire! Alison...I'm here for you. It may have been 10 years ago, but I remember it well!!!

friday fashion foto(s)...

I don't encourage it...I just photograph it.

(always in front of my pantry for some reason)

hmmmmmm...

NOTE FROM PRESCHOOL TEACHER...

"Just want to mention also that "SPRING FEVER" has definitely hit our Preschool!! The kids have become very chatty and aren't listening as well as I know they can. I even know who is going to marry whom!!!!!!!!!! I would appreciate it if you would remind them to be on their best behavior when they come to school. We will be going out to recess soon and that will help too."

What makes me think that my little preschooler had something to do with the issuing of this letter??? (I asked him if EVERYONE got one of these...or just him...) He's pleading the fifth.