No pants and no shoes

Well I always believed my mom when she told me that you needed to put babies in shoes because they'll give you a problem about wearing shoes when they're older if you always let them go around barefoot. So, I almost always had Taylor in shoes or some kind of something covering her feet. With Cagey I haven't done so well. He has always had such a tiny little bum that everything I put on him slipped off. So there were lots of days I would just put him in a diaper and shirt. It's come back to bite me. Every time we get home from somewhere or Cagey comes in from outside- he strips off his pants and his shoes. He drives me nuts!! Especially when he strips down where ever he wants to in the house and leaves his pants and shoes behind. Here's a pic of him today wagging his pantless bum at me.

And here's Tates trying to smile normal and not encourage her brother.

Another Baby Shower

We had another baby shower for Wendy's baby. Everything turned out really cute- thanks to Melissa's dang cute banner and diaper cake. They really pulled everything together. We did a whole sweets and treats theme. I'm just going to post some pics and let them do the talking.

The guest of honor all in pink.

This is Wendy- she just had her baby 5 weeks ago. I almost hate her.

4 years ago today

My sister passed away exactly 4 years ago today. It's always a rough day and I have to make myself not think too much about the last few days with my sister. I made the mistake of laying in bed last night and thinking too much. I cried myself to sleep, but fortunately I had unisom running through my veins so I was able to sleep easier.

My sister was one of the best people ever. She was such a great example to me my whole life. I remember when I was pregnant with Taylor and she was on a mission. I was so sad that I didn't have my sister there to share in the whole pregnancy thing with. Taylor was 9 months old when she met Yang for the first time and she just took immediately to her- which with Taylor that was saying something. I didn't have any qualms at all about leaving Taylor with Aunt Yang Yang. I think Taylor knew she was the closest person to mommy and that her aunt loved her almost as much as if she were hers'. I remember one day when Taylor was about to turn 1, Yang and I went to Old Navy to get her a cute outfit for her one year old pictures. We were so excited to find the cutest sweater, cord skirt, and ribbed tights for her. It was always so much fun to shop with my sister because we have the same love for shopping and the same tastes in most things.

When Yang was diagnosed with cancer we were all sure she'd be okay. We didn't want to accept any alternatives and I just knew that my sister, who was so full of life and the love of life would pull through somehow. She had so many friends that just knew she was going to get better because they could not believe that something so bad would happen to someone so good. I think about my sister everyday and we pray for her every night. I hope she is still happy with the life she is leading now. I get so jealous sometimes of the people that get to be around her on the other side and benefit from all of her talents, happiness, and goodness. I have to say I'm so thankful for a righteous sister that taught me so much. I can't believe it's been 4 years- Jeebs says I should just look at it as one year closer to getting to see my sister again. I am so thankful families are forever. My sister used to say she just wanted us to all live together in one big house (meaning our parents, sibs, husbands, wives, children) so we could all see eachother any time we wanted. She isn't with us in the flesh, but I know she isn't far. I miss you gee.

Rainy Days

Today was not a tropical storm, but we had more wind and rain than we did with tropical storm Hanna. Weird. I have had some kind of stomach bug today which has just been wonderful!! I felt like I had a knot in my stomach and it wouldn't leave!! Normally when this happens I would just not eat anything and it would pass, well, that presents another problem. Lately when I don't eat very often I get sick- guess why? So, I've been laying on the couch or in my bed all day and hopefully it's getting better because I was able to eat a half of a turkey sandwich, but now I'm feeling gross again. Anyway- I did get to drink some Dr. Pepper for the first time in many years- it really wasn't too enjoyable. Maybe I've loss my taste for it. After this I'd say - yes probably won't drink any DP for a while.

We listed our house for sale today. It's officially on the market again. Hopefully we'll get lucky. James had yet another call from Harry and David saying he'd be more qualified for an art director position (which is what he thought he applied for) but they don't have any openings for that right now, but they want him to keep checking their website and apply as soon as he see's something. Cool, eh? Maybe Oregon would be a possibility some day.

James' aunt posted a comment on here, so I would just like to say HI! Thanks for the comment! I was also the nursery leader for a while in my ward, so I know how that goes!! I"m now in the Primary and love it!! James is the new YM pres. in our ward so he's going to get a lot busier. Please- anybody feel free to post a comment, I love reading them!

Random Randomness

Well, since nobody else is blogging, I thought I'd put something on here for all my adoring fans. Today is Tuesday and it's so nice outside, windy, cool and a lot less humid than usual. It makes me happy!! We are in the process of trying to re-list our house. We'll consider ourselves lucky if we come out even :) James had a call from Harry and David in Oregon today. They don't pay much and there is no relocation package, so, no Harry and David gift baskets for everybody for Christmas:) dang it!

In other news, Taylor has karate again tonight and she is so excited. She actually has the black pants and shirt to wear so she won't stick out like a sore thumb. I can't think of much else to report right now, hopefully I'll have some good news later this afternoon! stay tuned

Target, nice weather, and spending money

All of these things go hand in hand. I went to Target to get Taylor's karate stuff and I came out with 72$ worth of stuff. Yeah, I know I got to keep my bum out of Target- especially when the weather is nice. When the weather cools off all I want to do is go out and shop!! I'm always in such a better mood and I have the energy to stroll down every isle and look at every clearance end cap! I saw a really cute shower curtain for 15$ on clearance- almost, but decided against it. I got some pillows for 5$ to put in my shams and I got Cagey a frog clock on clearance because he says all the time he needs a clock in his room- I don't know why. Anyway, I just wish there were more stores to meander through here in New Bern when the weather gets nice. I love going to Raleigh and shopping, but it is always a big chunk of change because you know you're not coming back for a while. Annoying.

In job news- Jeebs applied for a interactive art director/ web developer position with Harry & David!! Everybody keep your fingers crossed!! If you haven't had Harry & David chocolate blueberries and bing cherries- go out and buy some you won't be disappointed. They have already looked at his website, but no email or anything. It would be in Oregon which would make James happy :)

Tates and KaraTE!!

Tates has just started doing karate every Tuesday night and all I hear about all week is how she has karate the day after Monday. Every time we drive pass HJ MacDonald she says, "that's where I go to school for karate." Seeing how we drive pass that school just about every time we go somewhere it gets old fast :) Here are some pics of Tates at karate. You'll notice that I'm the #1 mom of the year because Taters is the only one in navy polka dot pants instead of black or white. Yeah I'm good- I'll get them eventually:)

I love eggs

I love eggs, from my head down to my legs, scrambled or fried- with the family or guys I LOVE EGGS. Okay so I really love eggs. They're good for you, lots of protein and they're fast and easy to make. We go through over 2 1/2 dozens of eggs a week. This last flat went fast because I tried a new frittata recipe that used 10 eggs. It burned and all went down the sink. Stupid new recipes. I've been ruining a lot of things lately. Oh well.

So my parents made it through the storm. They just got power back after almost 24 hours without it. My mom says the storm was bad and it just kept on- they were under a tornado watch all day yesterday. Anyway, my mom had her TV, freezer and a little fan hooked up to their generator so she was living large. They didn't have church today either because our stake center was full of evacuees.

I made a gymboree order last week. I'm so excited to get some new fall clothes for my children. I wish I could go to the store, but with gas prices going up Greenville is getting farther and farther away :) OH, in other news, they just opened a Red Robin in Jacksonville. For about 2 seconds a chili chili cheeseburger sounded really good, but now...not so much- I think a salad or a wrap would be better. The whiskey river bbq chicken wrap is dang tasty. After putting on my denim skirt for church and having it feel significantly tighter on my hips and thighs-yeah a salad would definitely be the wise choice :) RED ROBIN YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Spoiler Alert

I've been reading Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince because I'm sick of waiting on the movie to come out. It was supposed to come out in November but has been bumped back to JULY!! I'm glad Twilight has been bumped up, but dang, I've been following Harry Potter for a lot longer. Anyway, this is the first Harry Potter book I've read all the way through. I have to say- it was really good- but what the heck kind of messed up world are we living in when a great man and main character like Dumbledore is killed!!?? I know I sound like a freak-o but I've always loved Halloween. I love the weather, or the hope of fall weather (if you're in East Texas or NC), the fun of dressing up and the stupid light-hearted tricks. Whenever it starts feeling like fall I pull out all the Harry Potter movies and spice candles. So, now I have to wait until summer for Harry Potter and it's not going to feel like fall, it's not going to be spice candles time and it will just feel weird to be watching Harry Potter and now to top it off, Dumbledore will be killed!!! Woe is me.

Today I bought some fall smelling plug-ins and life is smelling better already. I just wish the weather would start cooling off- yes I know I have at least another month to wait before that happens, but hey, a girl can dream right? I just thought in Harry Potter they would start clapping or something, chanting "I do believe in wizards, I do believe in wizards". I don't know why I care so much- it's just a book, but dang, how much more are they going to take from Harry. :) Now I've got to get Deathly Hallows or whatever the heck the last one is.

Leading Music

I have lead music for a long time. My grandma taught me to lead music when I was a little girl. So, when I'm asked to conduct the music for any meeting, no biggie, I'd rather do that then have to sightread hymns or songs that I've never played on the piano before. Today I had to conduct the music in sacrament meeting. Yeah- it was a totally backwards music day. First hymn went fine. Second hymn it was 2/2 and so I lead it 2/4 AND I did it backwards. Oh well, no one really notices that kind of thing, so on to the next and closing hymn. This time the organist messes up- gets way off where the congregation is and I have to pull it all back together- so what do you do? you take everybody to the chorus. The second verse went fine- no mistakes. Then the third verse- same mistake- then I make the mistake of looking down at Jeebs who is looking down and chuckling- well that was it, here I am in front of the whole congregation leading the music and I'm losing it- I lost it for a quick second, pulled it back together to look up and smile at everyone and - there are at least FIVE people chuckling and smiling back at me. Well it was over, I just looked down and laughed and kept waving my arm until the end of the song. Embarrassing! Reminds me of the many Sundays my sister and I would lose it in the middle of the Sacrament and mamma would pinch us to make us stop- which would only make it worse AND we're sitting on the stand by the organ- so again, in front of the whole congregation. oh my stupid giggling.

Happy Hurricane Season!

Well, tropical storm actually, but it didn't have the same ring. We survived the storm, only an hour or so of power outage and a lot of wind. All is well on the eastern front-unless Ike decides to turn. We couldn't help getting out and taking some wind pictures. Enjoy...

Percy really enjoyed the wind- kind of like sticking your head out of the window of a moving car.

Unfortunately, Cagey and Jeebs don't have enough hair to demonstrate the windiness so we just have pics of the hairiest ones in the family. Hair on the head that is :)

Ya know what sucks?

Tropical Storms and Hurricanes! Our weather was really nice this week. It was a lot less humid and not quite as hot- Holy Hanna has blown that all out of the water. We have disgusting humidity right now and heat. We are just waiting for Hanna to make landfall and it should be an interesting ride.

So I said I would post some pics of shoes that I really love for fall and I haven't posted any but that one, so I've found a bunch that I really like and here we go...

I these are some of the cutest boots I've seen- they're around 600$. Let me just get out my credit card ha!
I think these are dang cute boots, but I can't really see myself wearing them- what would you wear?


I think these are weird and funky and purple is supposed to be in for fall. I like a little funk in my shoes- just wonder if they'd make my cankles look worse :)These are also funky weird oxfords- different enough to catch my attention. I'm loving DSW.com.


And now for the cutest bedside table and lamp for Cagey's train room...

Tada!And a cute table- it's on sale too hehehehe

Yay for Fall

So for some reason Jeebs always gets most of his job interviews in the fall. He just got an email from a place in Colorado wanting to know if he wants to move out there- and yes we would love to move to Colorado. Nothing will probably come of this one, but it's always fun to have possibilities coming in. In other news, Cagey's room is starting to look like a real boy room- I just need some shelves in there and a bedside table. I found a really cute lamp and nightstand on pottery barn kids. I'll post the pics later of those- I know everyone is waiting with bated breath. But, for now here's how cagey's room is coming along. I really don't like where his name is, and I really wanted each letter to be in a different font, but that is a long story. Otherwise I think it's starting to look pretty cute. Even though he never spends time in it- it's fun to make it look like he does :)

)

More blah blah blahing

So, in the last few days Jeebs has gotten 3 calls from random jobs out west that he hasn't applied for. Two in Utah and 1 in Vegas. He turned down the job in Raleigh because he just didn't feel good about taking it. I hope he doesn't regret that decision. Apparently we need to put our house back on the market because everywhere out west has suddenly discovered his resume. Now that it is at the end of the summer and school is back in and it's the worst possible time to sell a house- let's put it back on the market!! Yeah, that's how we roll.

We did get more sod layed today, however!! That's worth something, right? :)