Memorial Day/Meat Day Fun in Salem

Aaron, Eddie and Ian all had fun with about 15 of their Salem friends. I had fun with some of my "old" friends as well. Michael even got to hang out with some of his closest Salem friends.

Ian's 1

My baby is 1 Year Old Today. Wow how the year has flown. I'd post a picture but I lost my camera during the move. He's a cutie and although he's not walking yet he is pulling himself along the walls and furniture(aka cruising). Anyway I should probably go get him out of his crib.

Update: Michael e-mailed me a picture that he took of Ian recently.

We're in Portland

What? You might be wondering. I thought you lived in Salem. You might say. It is true we've moved. In January Michael e-mailed me a very long letter that included his desire to move. Basically the commute was draining the life out of him and he felt the distance between us and him everyday. So we put our house on Craigslist as for sale and for lease option. We were actually able to lease option it really quickly and feel that we were meant to be here. Our house in Portland that we are renting is older(it will be 100 next year), smaller and our garage is non-existent but I'm happy to have moved. As I told Michael I love him more than my dream home. So far I like the neighborhood and the school and being so close to the big city but I'm really missing my network of friends in Salem. I don't know who to call to ask for someone to babysit for me so that I can go get my hair done or volunteer in Aaron's classroom. Poor Eddie, his birthday was last week and we had a party at my mom's house just because he doesn't have any friends up here yet. He finally had friends in Salem and we moved and left them all behind. Being a military brat I know that it takes a year or two to feel at home whenever you move. It's this in between stage that I hate. I'm not patient and I don't like feeling like an outsider. I'm the type to insinuate myself into people's lives. I guess that's how I get my reputation of being pushy. Well now I'm just rambling and I'm starting to feel slightly sorry for myself so I should probably just stop now. Anyway just thought I'd let you all know that we've moved and I'm relatively happy with the move.

Please watch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPo2E-JaDkk




I really like the idea behind micro finance. This seems like a great way to help people without it being charity. Plus at a 1-3% interest rate it's totally repayable. Plus most banks aren't even paying that much in interest these days for a savings account. I don't think the true intent of micro finance is for banks and entrepreneurs to get rich. I know if I were to invest it wouldn't be with a goal of getting rich. However if I lost everything I were to invest I'd feel better about it then when I lost 5k in WaMu stock.

Investment Property Nightmare's

To the right are a before and after picture of the kitchen.

So some of you know that we bought and rehabbed a property in Springville Utah a few years back. We tried to sell it unsuccessfully so instead rented it out. The renters were in there for over two years before things got hairy. In November their rent was late and then in December they paid just slightly more than half and then in January it was only half and then they decided they just needed to move. I started freaking out. We had already been supplementing the rent to pay the mortgage when they were only paying half now we were looking at two house payments without the capitol to pay for it very long. I immediately put the house on and marketing it as both for sale and for rent. My sister-in-law who lives there and had found the property in the first place just signed papers for a new renter and our prayers have been answered. The property won't even be vacant a day. I'm so thankful for answered prayers and for life's lessons. I don't think I would have bought the place knowing what I know now but I am grateful for the opportunity to mess up and learn from it.

Let's all Keep our New Year's Resolutions

I'll lose those last ten pounds
I'll ride that pretty pink bike
I got for my Birthday/Christmas
I'll read more and watch less TV
(except for Glee, of course, don't want to miss a second)
I'll not yell at my boys for reading over my shoulder
and making fun of my blog-That means you AARON

Christmas 2009

I love this picture mainly because not one of my munchkins is looking at the camera. Even Aaron who is faced toward the camera has averted his eyes.

My thoughts on Mom's and Sons

I love this Picture of Paul and my Mom. Paul is the favorite even though mom insists that she doesn't have a favorite. It's okay with me though because I'm the favorite girl. Just kidding(kinda) If mom reads this she'll be mad because she hates favoritism. She was always really fair with us but given the fact that Paul was twelve when I left home for good she had a lot of one on one time with him and he's been good to her throughout her many Multiple Sclerosis episodes. Having three boys myself I understand the bond between moms and sons. Love you Forever by Robert Munsch helps explain some of that.
When putting the boys to bed I've often repeated the words from it.

"I'll love you forever.
I'll like you for always.
As long as I'm living,
my baby you'll be."

Aaron and Eddie don't like being called babies though so I'll say their name instead of Baby. Or when they say it to me they'll replace baby with "Momma". To me it is one of the sweet wonderful moments of motherhood.

Who knew saving money for college was so easy?

So I've finally joined upromise.com. All of you mom's out there that like to shop on-line should try it too. I've already saved 18.00 just by doing normal Christmas shopping and that's only in the past couple of weeks. I wish I'd joined sooner. If you don't have anyone to save for feel free to click on the link below and help me save. However I'd definitely recommend joining.

http://www.upromise.com/guest/2234556427

As of 2/7/2010 I've saved over $70. I'm so glad I joined.

It's My Favortie Time of Year

From about April on through the beginning of January I love life here in the Northwest. Come February though I'm ready for Spring to come back. Reasons I love this time of year...
Halloween
My Birthday
Thanksgiving Weekend
Aaron's Birthday
Christmas
New Years

Halloween, seriously does it get much better than taking your kids door to door begging for candy? This past Halloween though Ian and I were both sick and so Ian didn't even get to really have his first Halloween. I didn't even dress him up in the cute pumpkin sweatshirt that I've used on both of the other boys. So I guess we'll celebrate his first Halloween next year. So despite the lack of celebrating due to illness Halloween rocks.

Then a couple weeks later I get to celebrate my birthday. I threw myself(with the help of friends) a first 29th birthday party. Which I joke about not wanting to turn 30 next year but seriously, what's the big deal.

Then after my birthday I get to have Thanksgiving and seriously it's my favorite meal of the year. Then I get to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving which to me is a lot of fun. I usually end up talking to the random people waiting in line next to me and just enjoy the whole experience.

Shortly after Thanksgiving weekend we celebrate Aaron's birthday and from there we rush full force into decorating the house, wrapping presents and baking for Christmas. But if it's my favorite time of year why do I turn into the Christmas Nazi? Seriously the boys were trying to help me decorate the Christmas tree this afternoon and I wanted them to help and enjoy but yet I found myself being short with them and frustrated in general. Surely this is not what Christmas is all about. I guess there is always tomorrow and I'll try to be nicer and put into action the spirit that should go with Christmas.