Family4Ever

I moved!

2009-02-10T22:39:00.002-05:00

Not far:)
Just right over here at www.mamacowx6.wordpress.com

This lovely little blogger blog will stay put for now, I just won't be adding any new posts:)
Get your passport stamped and come have a visit, we'll chat over Dove chocolate and Chamomile tea. It'll be fun:)

Tapdance!

2009-02-05T15:59:00.005-05:00

Sick today, except for when everyone left, then I put on an American in Paris and got my tapshoes on and scared the freaking daylights out of the cats.

I lie, the cats were cool with it but shuffle-shuffle-tap doesn't sound so very awesome on carpet.

So now that my path to the scary hot place is firmly established by my web of deep and never ending lies how is your day going?

I am sick, so I think is Caleb or maybe the Thera-flu hasn't kicked in yet, don't know, I do know that there is enough dry ramen noodle around to comfortably feed that nice mouse family who moved in last week, I saw the kittens helping unpack so I know it will be useless sending the eviction notice thru them, anyway were was I? Oh yes my house, its dirty, I am sick, but even in my grave affliction I bring you Glad Tiding Of Great Joy via the book Horseradish I don't want to spoil it for you but here is one of my favorite bitter truths:)

Ahem, Lemony Snicket ladies and gentlemen a quote from his book Horseradish,

Siblings who claim to get along all the time are most definitely hiding something

Pure Genius people:)

Going to drink some more Theraflu and buff my tapshoes.

K~

Sunshine and Daisies, oh ya and whining kids

2009-02-03T09:38:00.002-05:00

You hear alot about what kids pick up from public school (besides the flu and lice) well I confess to being surprised and annoyed to find out the thing at our elementary school is baby talk, I know it comes from school for a couple of reasons:

1. My kids know better then to talk like a baby, it makes me want to harm cute cuddly things. Even my babies talk better then babies:)
2. I went to the school the other day and a couple of girls came up to me Mrs. Atwater can Awice come pway , pwease, pwetty pwease! Typing cannot do justice to the way these girls talked, and it is not just 1st grade its Kindergarten and 2nd too! Those poor teachers.....

So when I was folding laundry the other and two of my darling daughter came up to me with full out pouty lips I warned them and warned them well, listen children If One Baby Word Comes Out Of Your Pretty Little Lips You Will REGRET IT TILL THE DAY YOU DIE!
Happily the lips went back to normal and we had a nice little talk on talking like babies.
I don't think this is the end of it but at least we have had the talk so now when bad things happen they can't say they haven't been warned:)
K~
My kids receive punishments by having dearly beloved things taken away for a little while, the length depending on the crime, so stop being worried I take them out to the woodshed for a nice long spanking session, which from personal experience teaches nothing but fear, not right and wrong:)

Inner Rage

2009-02-02T14:05:00.002-05:00

Staring at the wall today, calm, still and silent. At least that is what it looked like.
Inside my soul I was having an all-out tantrum, ranting, raving and cursing life, it really doesn't matter what it was all about, the point is that we all have are pretty little I am so blessed and happy and my oh my maybe even lucky days, then every now and then the paranoia sets in and we know, we know, that life is out to get us, sunshine and daisies are the illusion to keeping us docile and compliant.
Me? Right now I feel better, I think I would even better if I could throw something or better yet break something but whatever maybe that will come later, we will see:)
K~

A tad obsessed maybe?

2009-02-01T20:11:00.002-05:00

So Elli is two and she still has a bottle ( I know, I know I swore to never let my kids have a bottle past one, I am a miserable failure, blah, blah, blah.)

There are a few signs she is a bit obsessive about her bottle, it wasn't until yesterday I realized just how far she has gone. Here is what happened;

Elli's aunt Cindi made her a small crocheted blanket for her doll, all is well until she ditches the doll after a couple of days and adopted a pink elephant, the elephant is loving the matching new blanket until yesterday when I find the poor elephant abandoned and crying underneath the dining table, apparently he was blanket-less and cold and headed straight for the island of lost toys, I went in search of the blanket and neglectful momma, I found her snuggled up to her bottle on the couch the little crocheted blanket wrapped lovingly around it, she looked up at me smiling, bottles blanky she said and then she literally shhh'd me.

Is therapy the next step? My plans for going all cold turkey on her seem somehow cruel and destined to cause severe mental trauma at this point, I already tried a phasing out and that didn't work out to well, this is a girl who is dedicated and loyal.
I'll take either suggestions or crochet patterns. Or both:)
K~

Snow!

2009-01-28T22:54:00.004-05:00

Now this might be hard to believe, but bare with me, stretch your imagination and have a little faith.
Are you ready?
It is snowing here, loads and buckets of the white stuff, rumor is this is happening all around the country. I can tell you now that I am quite shocked at this rare and strange occurrence and you can bet I will be praying for sun melting rays tomorrow.
God bless and keep warm in this a time of winter:p

This post is not meant to be read by anyone who reads the New York Times, as after all I would not want you to actually believe me:)

K~

P.S Snow-cream and Hot Cocoa to be served in the library shortly, expect to see you all there;)

To sit and Think

2009-01-26T16:42:00.002-05:00

You know those movies, set in olden, rusty times when people sat very still and just thought? Well that is because they didn't have the Internet, I know because I don't have the Internet and every now and again I sit and just think. I think mostly philosophical thoughts, I wonder alot and I want to know just about everything, sometimes this is not good, this can be very bad actually. I realize after I figure out whatever I was dying to know that I was better off not knowing it.
I like to do math, now I know, I know I have vowed a pure and devout hatred for math, but that applies to certain kinds of math, specifically the math I don't know and people want me to learn. But math can be comforting, it is logical and there is always an answer and you know how I love answers:)

I am bored easily and this being a really cold, cold winter and us living for the most part in our living room without the Internet or TV, well I write alot, read some and mostly just think, I have been practicing meditating (anything to stave off the boredom!) and I am getting quite good, especially as I am trying to meditate in a room with toddlers practicing for bit parts in cheap horror flicks.

So lets see what else is new....hmm...
Oh I have it!

Felicity got married! to a kid named Jarrett, the ceremony was held on the playground at school on Friday.
Joff is not happy.

It is cold here, -18 degrees last night. I dreamt of summer. I usually dream of winter come summer so its all good.

A wish for joy and happiness to you, especially on your darkest days:)
K~

Think Happy Thoughts

2009-01-23T18:46:00.002-05:00

So I have been hanging out at the Atwaters today being anti-social and trying to catch up on Internet life, which I know isn't spectacular but hey its a life:)
I have been attaching stuff to the blog that used to be here before the whole I need a new layout so I can feel fulfilled happened, I had alot of junk on here, I love my junk:P

I have been on the Internet for a long time now, I feel guilty and happy and guilty I need to get off, I can't though! There is so much more to read, research and download, its not all play you know:)

I am hoping to be online again by March and then I can go back to moderation, for now I have to take my Internet in binges and hasty gulps (its dinnertime, food talk is bound to happen).

Dinnertime.......................hmmmm......................
gotta go.

Katherine Atwater

2009-01-23T11:31:00.001-05:00

This is my baby:)

She turned 8 last week:)

She was baptized on the 17th:)

I am so very proud of my darling little kittycat:

"Waves Hi"

2009-01-21T16:55:00.003-05:00

Here I am dashing out the door, but I had to come by and say hullo to my dear old blog, I have been cheating on you dear thing, I have been writing on paper, with a pen. A red pen and a orange pen and sometimes a purple pen.
I love to write.
Writing, driving and running water (hopefully in the form of a hot shower) are my favorite ways to relax.

Caleb got his hair buzzed today, he is always stuffing food into the nest that was and I was always trying to wash it out. And being a able to look down at my darling son and finding tucked amongst his blond curls the cookie I set down yesterday was a bit more then I could take. He looks like Charlie Brown, Elli says his head is "naked". Everett says he hates it and I better not cut his. Elli says Ev's shouldn't talk to "her boy" like that. Alice says it is cute and funny, Felicity says "whatever", Katie- "no comment" and Joff is heartbroken.
Me? I am supremely Happy:)

It was so very warm yesterday, a balmy 25-30 degree's, that I didn't were my coat all day because I was warm. Sad huh? I love it though. I went walking through the woods yesterday, winter has a certain absolute silence to it that is so very peaceful. I could hear the crunch of the snow, dripping ice and the occasional bird chirping away, as happy as I that she could spread her wings and bask in the sun which we both have been missing ever so much:)

K~

Birdie Says

2009-01-19T11:22:00.002-05:00

I was in a hurry when I put up that last post. This lovely template is made by Gisele Jaquenod, she does custom templates as well:)
K~

Color me Happy!

2009-01-16T12:19:00.002-05:00

I love, no heart, this template and when I get rich I am going to have her design me one similar but with cows:)

K~

No One Should Ever

2009-01-15T14:07:00.003-05:00

No one should ever have to hide in the bathroom because there one and two year old children plotting to take over the world and you are in fear of your life for knowing too much.

No one should ever drink out of there cup if the toddler just dumped a handful of soggy spaghetti in it, unless of course you didn't know it was there.

No one should ever, ever accidentally doze off when your kid has an ice-cream cone in hand.

No one should ever think that tortillas and chocolate syrup don't play well together,because I assure they do.

No one should ever leave a heater vent open and the bag of dog food on the lower shelf.

No one should keep any food at all in the house when there are monkey's in residence.

No one should ever wake up on Thursday mornings when the day and children have already plotted against you and there isn't any hope of a counter-attack.

K~

You won't believe this.

2009-01-14T11:03:00.002-05:00

I was just home, sweeping my floors and doing laundry when I remembered Evs had to come down to Grandma School and that I would get to use the Internet (Heavenly Hosts Sing) and then I realized I was Annoyed, yes annoyed at having to stop what I was doing and take my son to Grandma School and Waste and hour and a half on the Net!
It didn't last, here I am happily posting away and pshhha on the laundry!

Katie is getting baptised on the 17th. I am so excited for her and proud that she has made the choice to be baptised.

Adam(nephew) and Laura (niece) are here to watch our kids when we go apply for jobs as Census takers, I haven't seen much of Laura, her and Felicity who is home sick (cough,cough;) have been playing happily in the bedroom all morning. Laura is Felicity's Idol.
Adam is a riot ( I say riot, because I can't spell hilarious) He is a great kid and fantastic with little ones. He also likes Bleu Cheese and Primates. He wants to adopt one of my fur-babies but I doubt his mom would be very happy if I let him do that.

It is windy and cold here, plenty of snow and icicles hanging all about. It is wonderful to curl up with a good book and some chocolate and dream of spring.

As poetic as that was I have to confess I am not in love with the Spring, it tends to be wet, muddy and brown. I love the summer, I love running around barefoot and grilling hot-dogs, country fairs and swimming in the ocean. I adore the Fourth of July. And best of all my Birthday is in the Summer!
The fall is my absolute favorite and I really don't mind the winter when I have a warm home to hole up in.

Caleb is now telling everyone NO! And Elli is the worlds best mimic. Evs is a Pirate, T-Rex, Shark, Samurai Jack and occasionally a cat, horse or dog. Alice is reading the Magic Tree house series and loves to read other books to her younger siblings. Katie loves word-searches and crossword puzzles and still plays with stuffed animals. Felicity is loving Kindergarten and waits anxiously for Laura visits:)

That will have to do for a while. My time is up.
K~

I AM

2009-01-14T10:15:00.003-05:00

Faithful
Loyal

I am NOT:
Patient

I Am:
Lazy
Restless

I am NOT:
Humble

I am what I am.

I Cannot Stand:
Laziness
Dirt/Germs
Speaking in Public
Cruelty to Animals
Show-offs

I contradict myself

I Am:
Simple
Complicated
Young
Old
Naive
Pessimistic
Hopeful
Happy
Worried

I am ME.

I Believe In:
Everyone, no matter who they are or how much they tick me off.
Eternity
Love
God

This is who I am. Even if it doesn't make sense:)
Love to you all
K~

Hello old friend

2009-01-12T10:39:00.003-05:00

You see I have this horrific case of not knowing what I had till I lost it. The internet is sadly indisposable, how people live without it I do not know, what if you wanted to know something?Nothing, absolutly nothing is faster this a quick google search. What if you were feeling lonely and wanted to chat with friends? How about IM? What if you were bored mindless or the kids were in serouis need of entertainment that did not include glitter and glue? Where do you go?
The Internet!
This is my last whine post. Honest:)

So this is not the template that I have been coveting but I thought it was rather clever, actually check out the sight, lots of very useful information and very well written too over at Free-blogger XML templates.

My sister Sharyn (SIL for you purists) wrote this post which I thought was ever so cute, little girls are such fun!

K~

Not so Patient/Tinkle Tinkle

2009-01-08T15:23:00.002-05:00

I know, I know there are a billion blogger templates out there, I really don't like this one but it doesn't matter it is staying till the one I really really want is available again.

Evs is potty-training, he is trying anyway and it can be blah for me alot of the time, but well this morning when he went streaking through the house to the restroom singing:
Ah tinkling we will go, ah tinkling we will go
well I don't know that kind of made it worthwhile.....for the day at least.

I now have a New Years resolution, I have been racking my brain for one as everyone keeps asking me what mine might be, so here it is, I can make it because I know I will break it.
I will have my whole house cleaned by the end of the year!
There.

I finished Super Granny, in some sort of internetless depression I stayed up the whole night a couple of days ago and played till I fell asleep at the keyboard and the evil kitty snatching poodles had me for supper (or early breakfast, you decide).

I have also written an entire six season screenplay. Soap Opera. It is fabulous.

It is snowing.

My kids are watching Horton Hears a Who up at the house, lol, the best part is when Katie (not my Katie) says:
On my world everyone is a pony and they eat rainbows and poop butterflies
Even better is when she goes ahhhhh and slides back in the bushes.

K~

Tedious Bore

2009-01-06T18:50:00.002-05:00

That's what NOT having the Internet is, I really am going thru some serious withdrawals, on the other hand my two year old is learning her alphabet and my dishes are getting done so oh never mind it is isn't worth it, give me back my 'net darn it all!
I feel like Scarlet O'Hara
"As God is my witness I will never be internetless again!"
Or something like that.

Anywhoo I will be adding a pay-pal button to the side there, if you have any compassion at all, any for a good cause, do me a favor and make a donation of any size, the proceeds go to me getting my Internet back and I really want it back so ya know a HUGE thanks if you do help a girl out:)

OK so My cats say hi, all five of the sharply clawed pretties.
Oh ya, the other day we were just sitting at the table, the usual whining, hitting and yowling was going on:

I'm first

No me

mommy she hit me

mommy she spilt my drink on purpose

why can't I have the black bowl waaaaaaaaaa

can I be second (as she sticks her tongue out at first)

etc.

Elli, bless her wee wonderful soul, stood up in her chair and shouted:

Your all PUNKS!

Amen baby girl, Amen.

Lets see oh ya I watched Vertigo, freaking creepy.

Ta for now folks, I'll try and drop in tomorrow.
Love, mush and hugs.
K~

Comfort

2009-01-03T00:36:00.004-05:00

Having not been at home much this week due to That holiday you can imagine how very comforting and enjoyable it was to sit at home this evening and watch The shop around the corner while eating a very, very rich box of chocolates that my dear sweet husband bought me:)

I absolutely adore James Stewart Movies even the cheesy westerns:) I am working my way thru them all which makes Netflix all the more wonderful as they have been sending me an extra DVD the last week or so.

So my Faves in no particular order are:

Harvey

Rope

Rear Window

The Shop Around the Corner

Its a Wonderful Life (of course, who doesn't like that movie?)

Lets see, oh yes

Vertigo was pretty good

Flight of the Phoenix (haven't seen this one in a while)

and

Mr. Hobbs takes a Vacation (That's not a light, that's a dark!)

Happy Birthday Everett!

2009-01-01T22:46:00.006-05:00

What better way to start the new year then with a birthday?

Evs 4th birthday was actually on the 30th of December and we had a small party but he had his big party today with all his cousins:)

Check this out we didn't notice till we were looking at his new vehicles but the bus says "Everett Transit" and "City of Everett" how freaking cool is that?!

SO my little boy is four, wow, right? Evs is very sensitive and sweet although not afraid to show his dark side now and then. I love him with all my heart and wish him the happiest birthday a boy could have.

In Haste

2009-01-01T00:14:00.002-05:00

Thats what I am always seem to be in when I am posting. Well we were just playing Apples to Apples (love that game:) when we were told to stop because the New Year was upon us, my reaction was who cares and who's turn is it, everyone elses was all whoo-hoo and la-de-da and whoopy-whoopy joy-joy. I find that I have alot to love about life, I try to look at the bright side of things and enjoy it all, but New Years brings out the snarling pesstimistic grump in me, I have had very few good experiances with the wretched day and having got over (mostly) my Christmas grinchyness I figure I do not need to let go of all of my past, this is one day darn it all when I can cry foul on life and you bet your bottom that I will be dragged into the new year with claws bared. So just in case you didn't notice 2009 I just gave you the cold shoulder. Boo-ha-ha!

Now before you go off thinking I am a total party pooper you must know that I heart the 4th of July, I adore St. Patricks day and my fave of all (sides my birthday of course) is Thanksgiving, now there is a holiday!

K~

Bah-Humbug

2009-01-01T00:00:00.003-05:00

So everyone is celebrating, making lots of noise, cheering and kissing, it is disgusting I cannot express how very much I detest New Years Eve, it is the worst holiday hands down.
So Happy New year, blah:(
Please don't make any resolutions you can't keep.

If you are interested in signing a petition to get rid of New Years as a Holiday, email me:)
K~

Happy/Sad/Angry/Blue

2008-12-29T13:52:00.003-05:00

I just read this post over at "Navel Gazing At Its Finest" A blog that should be on everyone must read first thing in the morning list, she is so funny and original that Dr.'s should start prescribing her to sad and/or depressed people her only side effect (and it is dangerous) is that she is highly addictive:) Personally I would prescribe her even if you weren't depressed which gets me to another interesting point that I have been mulling over for the last couple of weeks, apparently my sweet wonderful husband who loves me very very much ( I think ) believes that I am hopelessly pessimistic, constantly negative and extremely depressed.
Sorry just give me a minute I have to go laugh my butt off...........................

OK I just have to wonder you know, why? My soul is constantly running with unicorns and dancing with fairies and blowing bubbles in the shape of hearts, OK so maybe not that bad, but you know what I mean. I will confess to being realistic, just in a cheerful happy sort of way:

"darling daughter if you don't clean up your room I am sure a happy family of moles will move right in and eat your clothes and nibbles your toes while you sleep"

See?

OK, Life is hard and we all have our dreams, I have them, Joff has them, we all do but sometimes certain dreams need to die and now that I think of it that could be what he means, I am not so much of a pessimisticly negative depressed person as I am a dream killer, dream assassin (how much does that pay I wonder). Well OK things are becoming clearer as I type, I am gleeful in my new found role. Wonderful. Hallelujah. Dream Assassin now taking contracts, call me and we can work out a deal:)

I feel better! A major problem solved!
K~

On the Surface

2008-12-27T19:51:00.004-05:00

Did everyone have a fantastical magical Christmas? We did, kids woke up whooped and hollered because Santa had not only come and left there stockings full of wonder he had also eaten there not so edible sugar cookies and the reindeer had nibbled at our soggy carrots, he truly is a great guy.
I won't bore you with what we all got, girls got girl things, boys got boy things etc. I on the other hand must tell you about something I got! I received the ginormous edition of the Uncle Johns Bathroom reader, a series of books that I not only revere but will become the core curriculum of any homeschooling I might do in the future (pray for my poor children:)

But I am impatient there are so many tales to tell from the last couple of days but I have to tell this one the most:

I was driving on our road back to my house when around the corner comes a man walking down the road, it was apparent from the direction he was coming from that he had been walking for a little while, he was not an old man, perhaps Joff's age, he was not dressed well for the weather which was a balmy 12 degrees, as I drove passed him I slowed down and noticed that he was carrying a beautifully wrapped package in his hand and for some reason I went" wow!" Oh I don't know who he is, who the package was for or anything else, but it struck me as so wonderful somehow.

One last time.
Merry Christmas and love to you all.
K~

Christmas Eve, Eve

2008-12-23T20:24:00.003-05:00

Thats what my kids are saying anyway, yesterday was Christmas eve, eve, eve just so you know.

This morning when Felicity didn't come out of her room at her usual and horrific hour of 7:00 am I went in and said
"Hey Lollypop what's up"
she replied
"Shhh I am trying to stay asleep till Christmas"
Ok then, goodlucky with that........

Later this afternoon............

"Mommy they cats opened the presents............again."
Uhhuh, sure they did.

Dinner time.................

"Its Christmas we should get icecream and cookies for dinner"

Heres to hoping your Christmas week is turning out as fun mine:)
K~

Waa and Boo Hoo and a very Merry Christmas too.

2008-12-22T20:18:00.004-05:00

Well we are going to be without the Internet for a while (GASP!) I have no clue how I will survive, thankfully I have wonderful relatives right next door with the net so I can still make an attempt at survival but it will be iffy, we will see. Blogging will more sporadic then ever:(

But hey I want to wish everyone A very Merry Christmas, I sincerely hope that you have a day that if nothing else you will be filled with contentment, happiness and the joy of Christ's birth.

Love, Hugs and Kisses.

K~

Speaking of a White Christmas.........

2008-12-17T20:47:00.003-05:00

White Christmas Cartoon Song

2008-12-17T20:46:00.001-05:00

I think I have watched this a hundred times now and I am still laughing.

Its the final count down now folks, if you don't buy it now chances are it will be gone or can't be shipped without a sum that will be three times the amount of what you are buying, lol.
In anycase what ever your last minute Christmas woes are this video should at least make you go back into the ring smiling.
Cheers!
K~

Happiness

2008-12-10T13:06:00.003-05:00

I woke up this morning not wanting to get out of bed at all, with a to-do list a mile long I would rather have stayed in bed,now I am back from running some errands, listening to The Chipmunks Christmas CD and straightening up and putting up a few decorations, I just wrapped a few more presents and I just had to stop in and say hi and Merry Christmas.
Does the stress of life really matter when Christmas music is playing, when there is wrapping paper being mauled by kittens, when the whole house smells of cinnamon and bread, when you are sipping a cup of cocoa topped with whippedcream and sprinkles, lots of sprinkles:)
Merry Christmas and Love to you all.
K~

No title

2008-12-08T14:38:00.004-05:00

Well we are still having issues, oh well it will have to wait for a couple of days I am working on my other blog ( Photography), finishing up my last sessions for the year and trying to get all my Christmas decorations up, I should be done decorating by New Years:)
I will toss up a link to Giraffic Design, can't promise it will stay though, things keep appearing and disappearing, but I would be heartbroken if you couldn't download the newest coloring pages:) Oh and tonight (maybe tomorrow:0) I will be uploading some Christmas tags, I will have them in color and B&W.

WoW is it cold today.

UhOh Something is Wonky!

2008-12-06T19:54:00.003-05:00

We are having some bloggy issues, I found the most fantastic blog and of course I backed up all my widgets and such before uploading it, but it is just not working correctly, hang with me I will figure this out.
So much for a early bedtime tonight..................:)

Catnip for Kids

2008-12-06T18:54:00.003-05:00

That's what Christmas is.
Just the mention that Christmas is a mere 19 days away sends my kids screaming for joy, climbing walls and running in circles till they pass out.
Don't tell my kids but if I here another performance of "We wish you a merry Christmas" I might cry or scream or check into the nearest asylum, maybe a combination of all three.
And then of course we have one kid who is totally NOT getting it, everyday he reminds us that he needs to go buy presents for himself, so he can wrap them, then unwrap them and scream for joy (again).
Where is January when you need it?
K~

P.S Did you check out Giraffic Design yet? You didn't did you, well its never to late and I am going to be posting some Christmas coloring pages on Monday, check it out, check it out:)

P.S.S My fabulously talented SIL Patty is going to be opening her Baby Accessories store in just a few short weeks, as soon as I get a link I will post it:)

Merry Christmas

2008-12-05T10:21:00.004-05:00

I am following a debate going on over in another place on the net.
Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
My Thoughts?
What the heck does it matter? Truly I would love it if everyone was LDS, but hey everyone isn't and I am content with that (for now ,muhahahah:) I say that the Lord teaches to Love thy Neighbor, he didn't specify that neighbor to be only Christian. People are so worried there faith/culture will not be recognized they will get offended over anything anymore and I find it downright ridiculous, I cannot read minds, so I just wish everyone a Merry Christmas and if they wish me a Happy Holiday/Kwanzaa/Chanukah I will say thank you and wish it right back at them because anyway you look at it they are wishing something Happy at you, they are extending goodwill toward you, receive it kindly and put aside your bitterness I promise you will go to bed a happier person.
K~

Check it out!

2008-12-04T19:29:00.008-05:00

Who has a new bloggy, hmmmmm? ME! Ok well its all about Joff and his art, or actually its not even really about him just his art, lol:)
Check it out, just click on that lovely (and huge, need to fix that) Giraffic Design button to the left, please tell me what you think, I will be adding a few of his childrens stories as I go along along with pictures and downloadable coloring pages and such, I have such wonderful plans.......... Thanks for looking:D
K~

Cinnamon-Orange Chocolate-Chip Cookies

2008-12-04T17:57:00.006-05:00

Oh I know I was going to do a Christmas Goodies post and I will but I it will have to wait till next week, as I am jam packed this week with other things ( like watching the entire last two seasons of CSI, lol, I wish......). Anywhoo for our cookie swap I made Cinnamon Orange Chocolate chip cookies, they were surprisingly good and if cooked for just the right amount of time are perfect, I am not fond of crunchy cookies but if you cook them too long dip them in milk and they are back to there nummy goodness:)
Okay then this link-a-dink will take you to the Taste of Home page featuring this exotic classic.
Oh one more thing, for some bizarre reason they ask you to roll out your dough and then cut the cookies, well I just don't think so, no way, uh no thank you, use a cookie scoop, tablespoon, make them rounded little dough balls, they will taste way better.
Go on then, bake and be merry:).
K~

The Gobble Song

2008-11-28T19:15:00.001-05:00

Christmas Challenge. Amazing

2008-11-28T15:46:00.004-05:00

I haven't been on Craigslist in a while, so today when I went on of course the first place I stopped by was the free section, I was intrigued, then amazed by the generosity I saw going. It all started here and so many people have taken her up on the challenge in so many ways, I am so very happy to see that in this "me" oriented society people can still get together and show love and concern for others.
When it comes down to it no matter how are hard off we are there are ways we can bring happiness to others. I am going to take her challenge, will you?
K~

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T20:57:00.002-05:00

I have no prose, no witty comment, no joke.
I have only thanks to God for all he has blessed me with.
May your Thanksgiving be filled with Joy and Happiness.
K~

First Snow (that sticks)

2008-11-25T09:39:00.008-05:00

Hey look! Its snow!

Lets Eat it!

Not too bad................

Ohhhh now lets throw it at mommy!

Then we can skate on our "pond"

F: My legs are cold

M: Well I told you to put pants or tights on

F: My legs are cold

M: Go put some pants on

F:My legs are cold

M:Whatever.

P.S

2008-11-24T11:05:00.002-05:00

I told ya'll I had some big news coming, well I have gotten behind in my preparations and all but everything will be a 1,2,3 GO in a couple of weeks, I am super excited and wicked bad at keeping secrets so I will just shut-up and leave.
Leaving now.........
K~

10:17 AM

2008-11-24T10:17:00.001-05:00

This morning I am thankful for my Joff who has let me sleep in, I love to sleep:)

Only three more days till Turkey Day!

It has been one of those Twilight zone days

2008-11-23T18:38:00.002-05:00

Sundays can get that way sometimes around here.

I have been cleaning, organizing and getting ready for the Christmas season, I have dug out all the Christmas stuff, found all my scrapbook paper, made a list of stuff to get that I don't have. Like Glitter. I found this marvelous bottle of Glitter, the most beautiful glitter in the whole wide world, it even came with a handy dandy shaker top and a little handle, it came in white and silver, gold and green and red and I want them all, I want them all!
But at $9 bucks a bottle I must remain sad and alone and without that super duper glitter.
(or maybe I will collect them all one month at a time!)

I am missing ornaments for the tree, but have enough lights for the entire White House, I have garlands which my sweet little kittens have shredded and I have re-arranged my living room for our tree. Can you tell I am just a tad excited?:)

But this is the week! The week to be thankful and eat and have fun with family! As much as I have been going on and on about Christmas, Thanksgiving truly is my favorite holiday.
So today I am Thankful for Family, I love my family every single one of them:)

Homemade Christmas Part 2

2008-11-21T16:39:00.020-05:00

I need to start labeling stuff.

OK then what do we have for you today! My Crafty blog list (on google bookmarks, there is no way I could fit them all on my blog list:) is huge and now I feel I have more then plenty of ideas for Christmas, Hurray!

This first one is sort of the end and beginning of everything, I love the way she has stuff organized so neatly there, If you go anywhere go to One Pretty Thing because chances are half (more then that all of them!) the links I could provide she already has, she is that awesome:)

This ornament by Handmade Parade is too freaking cute and it is pretty easy to make. We are so making some for our tree this year!

I love the way Heather Bailey personalized a gift card with this ultra cute gift box, plus she has a awesome pattern we can download, how cool is that?

A bowl of moss and pebbles is by a very sweet and extremely talented 17 year old girl, check out this Adorable doll she made for her niece. Although this is a little more labor intensive then I have time for this Christmas I am keeping this homemade doll on my to do list.

A cute idea to make custom made tee's or onesies (or handbags, customize a quilt etc.) is using Freezer paper stencils, I looked around for a tutorial and I love Celtic Mommy's best. Also check out the Flickr freezer paper stencil pool for a lot of awesome ideas!

You can find a handmade holiday list for 2008 over at Sew, Mama, Sew! Which I am just barely starting to explore so check it out for way more information:)

And then of course we have Better Homes and Gardens I love the Sock Snowmen the Matchbox Advent Calender and the Felt-Wool Santa Pillow.

So are you ready? I confess that when I was making my list of stuff I was going to make this year it was way to long, I just don't have time, but that is okay because I will make some of this stuff this year but come January 1st I can really get a good head start on Christmas 2009 (getting ahead of myself maybe?:)

Don't forget to head over to One pretty thing I promise you will love that site! Coming up next on the Handmade Christmas Agenda is treats and goodies! I already have several recipes bookmarked and ready to share plus I will be trying out some to give a first hand review!

Animal Rescue

2008-11-21T12:17:00.004-05:00

My wonderful friend Liandra sent me a email the other day about this site Animal Rescue, perhaps ya'll were aware of this but I was not. Here is how you can help (This is pasted from there website)

The Animal Rescue Site focuses the power of the Internet on a specific need — providing food for some of the 27 million unwanted animals given to shelters in the U.S. every year. Over 10 million animals are put to death every year in the U.S. alone because they are abandoned and unwanted.
Each click on the purple "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button at The Animal Rescue Site provides food and care for a rescued animal living in a shelter or sanctuary. Funding for food and care is paid by site sponsors and distributed to animals in need at The Fund for Animals' renowned animal sanctuaries (including Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in Texas and The Fund for Animals Wildlife Center in Southern California), pet shelters supported by the Petfinder Foundation, North Shore Animal League, and other worthy animal care facilities supported by the GreaterGood.org foundation.
100% of sponsor advertising fees goes to our charitable partners.

But wait there is more! You can go to there store and buy something! A portion of your payment also goes to there Charities and trust me they have some really awesome stuff.
So please go check it, click and maybe even pick up a stocking stuffer or two.

I Cried for you

2008-11-20T22:53:00.001-05:00

It was only a year and a half ago now when Tianna died, she was 16. She was beautiful and smart, she was my niece and I will never forget her or how she made my life that much more wonderful just by knowing her.
I love you Tianna and I miss you.

A Puppet Show

2008-11-20T18:45:00.003-05:00

As we quietly sit around the living room, just finished dinner we hear from downstairs, a quiet and muffled voice "we wish you a merry christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas........what comes next?"
A few more lines were tested, deemed right and out she came from behind the sofa, flitting and pirouetting in her fairy tutu, her wings fluttering behind her, she abruptly stopped when she saw us and head bent, tippytoed quickly to hide behind a chair, we watched as slowly her eyes appeared above the chair, looking around the room, "are you ready?" she whispered, we nodded and slowly her head disappeared, a few muffled bars and a little humming, and Sparkles the Polar bear puppet appeared and bowed, hesitantly looking down behind the chair, he coughed and began, "We wish you a merry Christmas! We wish you a merry Christmas! And a Happy New year!"
Amid Applauding and cheering, two sparkling eyes and blushing cheeks appeared then she tippytoed, pirouetted and flitted away with Sparkles dancing happily behind her.
Merry Christmas.

Just to prove I am totally mental...............

2008-11-19T20:32:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, if you happened upon my blog at a certain time you would have seen a post that is no longer there. It was one of my confessions. I felt you weren't ready. But since you appear to be so sad at missing such a grand opportunity to get practice in for your future job as either a Priest or a Blackmailer, I shall give you one of my deepest darkest secrets.
Are you ready?

Are you sure? Because I am about to divulge.

I eat bacon bits, I go thru bottles of them, I have been known to carry a bottle in my bag (right next to the chocolate) I have one in my computer desk and I put them on everything, I love them so much I even tried them on ice cream once and well I love them a lot but don't put them on ice cream, trust me on that one. I am not particular about brand, I have tried pretty much all of the them. I cannot quit. I am not ashamed, I do not need bacon bit rehab. I am fine.

Is your need to know everyone's dark and dirty secret satisfied for the moment? I hope so, but that was hard, way hard.

A world full of Kristal clones would be very, very scary. Terrifying. I am going to hide from myself in the closet....................................with my bacon bits.

A Dedication

2008-11-19T20:27:00.002-05:00

So maybe I will regret this in the morning, I haven't written poetry in years but this one just happened as I was thinking about the trials and traumas some many people go thru in this life.
This is for them, everyone and all of us.

We have our special place

Secret space

Chat and laugh

Free ourselves

Let me into your

Hidden soul

Imperfect grace

We cannot all be

Wonderful

Slow, Slowly

Rushing forward

Hectic pace.

This is no test

No pass and fail

We should all just let it go

Breathe

Erase the pain

Come out, come out

Of your secret space

Your soul imperfect

Beautiful and whole

Strong and proud

It is you I embrace.

K.A

Gonna Make you Happy

2008-11-18T23:09:00.001-05:00

I have for you one of my all time favorite youtube videos! Whooohoo! Watch, Laugh, Enjoy:)

Happy Birthday Felicity!

2008-11-18T08:33:00.004-05:00

Felicity had her 5th birthday on Sunday. She had her hippo cake and a lot of great presents and even better a lot of her cousins were there. She was pretty happy about it.

She is a girly girl, a princess to the core. She still loves hippos and fairies and her favorites colors are pink and purple and she idolizes her cousins Laura and Ivy. She will be starting Kindergarten in December (moving up from pre-K) and is very excited about it. She loves to dress up and be pretty, but she is also very independent and can take care of herself. Her Favorite song is I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, she loves junk food and has a dislike for anything that might even look like it is healthy for her. She is very social (goes along with the whole princess thing) and I believe she has the mythical Atwater charm vision. I love my little princess Lulu and I hope she has a wonderful year being all grown up and five:)

I wish to Post today

2008-11-14T12:44:00.003-05:00

We had a heavy frost the other morning. I ran out as everything was melting so I didn't get any really cool (haha) shots:)

WoW I am just so out of news!

ThankYou

2008-11-12T11:13:00.003-05:00

I do not know why people say "Happy" Veterans day. There is nothing happy about it, there is pride and gratitude, but there is also sadness, loss, heartache and sadly there are those who do not understand what our military men and woman do for them, they take for granted what is so generously given.
Our Military can't catch a break, They are the ones who put there families, hopes and dreams on hold for us the rest of America, they are the ones that must risk there lives for ours, they are the ones that must live for the rest of there life with the images of war inside them. Not just on Veterans day should we share our appreciation, but everyday, and not just to the soldiers themselves but by how we take care of our country and how we defend our freedoms in public and private, because those freedoms our a gift they give us by there service.
Thankyou.

Navel Gazing at its Finest

2008-11-12T10:56:00.004-05:00

Is a freaking funny blog (here), there was a bit of controversy because of a blog she started anonymously, that some people got way to invested in and got all upset when she confessed it was a fake story! It is very well written and cute, Its called my Super Hopeless Romance and I don't care if its not true:) if you head over don't forget you have to start at the beginning.

But that is not why I started this post! Right not she has this wicked funny YouTube star wars song video on her blog and you really must check it out:)

I have kittens. They are cute. I have a cat his name is Buddy. He doesn't like my kittens. He has security issues. He needs therapy.
K:)

Good Timing and a pot full of Chowder/Chili

2008-11-10T10:51:00.003-05:00

Alice woke up this morning and got down the cereal and a bowl, sat herself at the table and poured out the cereal just as Joff walks in the door with a jug of milk, Alices sais "ohhhh good timing daddy!"
Ok well I thought it was pretty funny.

Last night I put down a pot of Chili on the seat of the van and put Caleb in his seat and ran back in side to grab Elli and when I came back out Caleb was on my seat sitting very happily in my pot of chili.

Really after that there isn't anything else to say.
K~

Tra-la-la

2008-11-08T19:26:00.003-05:00

WOW that last post was written at 1:30 in the morning!

I so had something to tell you but I suffer from "I forget" syndrome so here is this instead.

OK this is so cheesy but sometimes jokes are so bad you laugh anyway:)

What did the turkeys sing on Thanksgiving Day?
God save the kin.

What did the turkey say to the man who tried to shoot it?
Liberty, Equality and Bad aim for all.

What happened to the Pilgrim who was shot at by an Indian?
He had an arrow escape

Then of course we have the traditional Thanksgiving song:

Over the River and Through the Woods

Over the river and thru the woods,

To grandmother's house we go;

The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh,

Thru the white and drifted snow, oh!

Over the river and thru the woods,

Oh, how the wind does blow!

It stings the toes and bites the nose,

As over the ground we go

.Over the river and thru the woods,

To have a first-rate play;

Oh, hear the bells ring, "Ting-a-ling-ling!"

Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day-ay!

Over the river and thru the wood,

Trot fast my dapple gray!

Spring over the ground,

Like a hunting hound!

For this is Thanksgiving Day.

Over the river and through the woods,

And straight through the barnyard gate.

We seem to go extremely slow

It is so hard to wait!

Over the river and through the wood --

Now Grandmother's cap I spy!

Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done?

Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!

Over the river and thru the woods,

To grandmother's house we go;

The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh,

Thru the white and drifted snow, oh!

Over the river and thru the woods,

Oh, how the wind does blow!

It stings the toes and bites the nose,

As over the ground we go.

Check out Tip Junkies post "Thanksgiving Centerpiece" . For the next six days ( I think she has six left) she will be posting Thanksgiving related tips and idea's:)

Tra-la-la thats all for now:)

Thanksgiving stuff and Christmas Confessions

2008-11-08T00:44:00.004-05:00

First I am about to admit a sin or two, so followers of the Great Turkey do not pelt me with Pumpkin Pies.
I listened to Christmas music today
and
Was wishing for snow
and
I got caught in the Christmas aisle at Walmart.
As penance I offer you these really great Thanksgiving links for all your Thanksgiving viewing pleasure. Great Turkey forgive me, it was Frosty the snowman and I was weak.

First check out these Chocolate bar place cards over at Martha Stewart Living
Danielles Place has some really fun Thanksgiving crafts for you and the kids
Sugar Doodle has some great links on her Random Ten page
Something that I see alot of people do and that we also do is the Gratitude Tree or Thanksgiving tree, We have a poster of a bare tree on our wall and everyday we add a new leaf, every one has to write something on the leaf they are grateful for.
We are also trying something new this year, we are going to be making Thankful for you Pies and giving them to people we are grateful for, I thought this would be a good idea for the kids to show there gratitude for the people who mean something to them. We will see how it works out.

All righty then, penance over with. I hope I am forgiven:)

Homemade Christmas

2008-11-03T08:50:00.006-05:00

I am not the craftiest person around, the creative side of my brain is lazy when I am wide awake which isn't often but there is something about glue, fabric and markers that just makes me want to create:)
So I have for you today some of my favorite things around the web that you can make for Christmas.
First we have Bizzy Bee Creations I personally love her altered clipboards and Holiday Garland
I Love, Love the Garland:)

Perhaps this next one is more then you want to take on for the Holidays but I have to at some point in my life make this. But if you are the super crafty type it would make a super awesome present.

I have seen the Crayon Holders all over the web, personally I think they are uber cute and would make one for Katie but the rest of my kids probably would just dump them all out and then stomp on them, Skip To My Lou is a really great place for gift ideas and easy to understand tutorials.

If you really, really like to get creative check out this amazing Snowman over at Simple Flourishes. I was definitely wowed.

I am making these for the kids for Christmas (shhhh) the pattern is easily adaptable so I can make all there favorite animals:)

Little Birdie Secrets is one of my all time favorite blogs and i want to make Lots of these Memory boards. Again great easy to understand tutorials.

I want to make all my kids a quilt again this year, I really love the Ragged Squares quilt over at Crazy Mom Quilts and she does a awesome tutorial.

So that's my list for the day, I have more (lots and loads more) but I will save those for another time, right now my house is crying "clean me! clean me!"

2008-11-02T10:20:00.001-05:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T08:52:00.004-05:00

So Joff doesn't like the Middle one, he says it is too creepy, others have repeated that comment, it disturbs them because its a child and so on. I like it! It was exactly what I was looking for out of whole photo shoot! So Happy Halloween from your wierd and Creepy Friend, Boo Hahaha!

Candy Apples are Evil

2008-10-29T18:03:00.002-05:00

I don't like Candy Apples, never have.
But I do love my kids, So we made Candy Apples last night. I just used the recipe off the back of the caramel bag. I Combined the caramel and water in a saucepan at medium heat and I stirred. And stirred. And stirred. And stirred. At some point my arm went numb and I threw the caramels in a bowl and nuked emm in the microwave. Then I dipped the apples, pouring the caramel around them like the stupid bag said and I got stuck, alot, I finally was satisfied that there was enough caramel around the apples to pull more then one set of teeth and put them in the fridge.
After dinner we got them out, they kids managed to get caramel all over themselves, the table and the kittens without actually eating anything. I am never making them again. Ever.

I need a new Blog template

2008-10-29T17:40:00.002-05:00

Yes I really do.

Happy Halloween

2008-10-28T16:57:00.003-05:00

I have some catching up to do

2008-10-27T20:31:00.004-05:00

Tonight (this Evening) Chowder and I went on a walk, he got to play with leaves and sticks and laugh at the cat ( my buddy follows me everywhere) and I got pictures:) we were both pretty happy.

Check out my Flickr for the rest of the pictures, he is a cute chunky monkey that's for sure, there is also a serious possibility he will be a linebacker someday, there ain't nothing fluffy about him, he is SOLID!

Lets see, Oh, don't forget to vote! Gag! I swear I already can't stand either one of them, four years will be torture in any case.

Yea Halloween is almost here! Friday! We are having a big family dinner (spooky!) and then going to the branch Trunk or Treat, Joff will probably take the girls to Hartland for some extra candy. Joff and the boys will be Pirates and Elli and I are going to be Witches and the girls will be Cats in Capes, I am making there treat bags and the capes and so need to do that before Friday, yea right;)

Big news coming, shhhh can't tell you yet:D I am horrid at secrets sometimes!

Halloween Party

2008-10-26T16:09:00.004-05:00

Argggg I left church without asking how to spell the Hearboths name, Argggg thats not how to spell it! OK I need to know, we went to there (very fun) Halloween party yesterday, the kids had alot of fun and Elli won 1st place in the 2-5 year costume contest, so forgive me for spelling your name wrong! I will correct it as soon as I can figure it out.

Tagged

2008-10-19T13:07:00.004-05:00

So Susannah "tagged" me a couple of posts ago, I have been trying to ignore and avoid it. Its like chain letter that has gone terribly wrong, but since my momma taught me to never be rude and I love Susannah, We'll see how it goes, besides it says seven random and weird things, anyone who knows me will say I am a weird thing!

Without further ado:

1. I got married when I was sixteen.

2. I have never ever been to public school (this could account for some of my weirdness:)

3. Before I die I Have to do some serious cliff diving.

4. I hate minivans.

5. My journals entry's from when I was nine till I was sixteen all start "Today I did dishes".

6. I collect cows.

7. Joff and I are going to bike from Maine to California (someday when the kids are grown-up).

Now who to tag? Hmmmm. I think I will suffer the painful death option and let it die on my end (gasp! horrors!)

Seriously, if you wish to put down 7 random things about you, go ahead claim I tagged you then there is know pressure on either of us:)

Christmas Shopping (or Window Browsing if you want to be technical:)

2008-10-17T17:52:00.013-05:00

OK so I think this has got to be the cutest Booster Seat Ever. Found over at Warm Biscuit it comes in Blue, Pink and Blue gingham and Pink Polka dots:)

Remember this! They also sell Classic Toys I haven't finished looking yet, there is so much to see:)

My girls are crazy for My Little Ponies and Littlest Petshop, I adore these Calico Critters as maybe something different? I found them over at
Wonder Brains .

Also check out Oompa Toys they have made in Europe and America toy options if you are feeling in a lets not support China mood:D

Sometimes I just want something a little more unique then the typical chain store fare and you gotta love the net for some awesome buying ideas! Happy Shopping Ya'll!

Testing

2008-10-16T20:28:00.003-05:00

Ok so maybe this is REALLY dumb, but I am so freaking happy:) look I made a link button! True it goes right back here to my blog but so what! It works! Now I am going to see what else I can make:)

One of Those days

2008-10-16T18:37:00.005-05:00

You know the one I'm talking about, rainy, cold and kids bouncing off the wall. I gave up when Joff came home and ran outside, rain is nothing compared to six kids in cramped quarters:)
I discovered that I adore the Maine woods for reasons other then there stunning beauty, they allow me to Hide. Thats right, when my kids stepped out onto the porch yelling out; Mooooommmmmyyyyyy! Caleb threw the cat in the toilet! Mommmmyyyyyyyyyy! Can I have the chocolate I found in your desk! (this is a ploy often used to get me to come out, but I can buy more chocolate, plus I have a secret back up supply that so far hasn't been found).
Its not the poor angels fault, who ever designed trailers was both sadistic and had no children, they purposefully built them with the worst possible layout, styrofoam walls and trampoline quality flooring. I just remind myself, soon Joff will out of school then I can build my house and all kinds of sound proof walls and secret rooms to hide in:) Imagine our hide and go seek games!

I love my sweet punky little chicklets, even when they eat my chocolate, throw the cat in the toilet and the cheerios and all my Family Circle magazines and the phone. I love them even when they take all the books out of the bookcase, setup a sale outside then forget and it rains.
I love them when they take all the clean clothes out of there drawer try them on just long enough for them to get dirty and then they thoughtfully put them back. I love my sweet little punks and wouldn't trade them for a world of chocolate (well maybe:)

Sad news

2008-10-16T18:36:00.002-05:00

You know your house is dirty when........

2008-10-11T09:40:00.001-05:00

Your kids come running and say "Hey! lets play in this junky house!"

Truth

2008-10-10T22:23:00.003-05:00

1. Don't wish for perfect health. In perfect health, there is greed and wanting. So an ancient said, " Make good medicine from the suffering of sickness."
2. Don't hope for life without problems. An easy life results in a judgmental and lazy ind. So an ancient once said, "Accept the anxieties and difficulties of this life".
3. Don't expect your practice to be clear of obstacles. Without hindrances the mind that seeks enlightenment may be burnt out. So an ancient once said, "Attain deliverance in disturbances". Zen Master Kyong Ho [ 1849-1912], in Thousand Peaks

Recent Pics

2008-10-09T18:01:00.008-05:00

I have quite possibly the most beautiful children in the whole world:) I haven't posted pics here much lately since I found Flickr.

Faith

2008-10-09T16:08:00.004-05:00

How can you have peace when the world tells you there is none?
How can you have hope when everyday is a struggle to survive and the world tells you there is none anyway?
Stop listening to the world and start listening to God.
If only it were so easy, if only the world was a little quieter and if only I wasn't so flawed that I sometimes think the world is right.
The world is wrong though, deep in my heart I know it and this last conference confirmed it. Now more then ever is a time for faith, because despite the world hollering at the same noise level as a jet engine, we can find Hope and Peace if we have Faith in the Lord.

*********************************************
I started writing this yesterday, but it needed thinking over and really I haven't come to a conclusion, because well it doesn't have one. The moral of this post is that I am struggling to have Faith that all will be okay. I know the answer.

Greetings from the Chill and Windy North

2008-10-04T14:17:00.003-05:00

Its a hot Cider day.
Its a warm blanket and cuddle kind of day.
Its a black and white classic movie day.
I love days like this:)

Costumes~Politics~Birthday's

2008-10-03T09:18:00.002-05:00

We went to Jo~Anns Fabrics. My girls bless there dear, sweet wonderful little hearts, love Jo~Anns. So much possibilty for the creative soul in that store and my girls have alot of creative soul:) My Girls want to be cats for Halloween, but all that fabric was too tempting, so they decided to be Cats in Capes, I made them swear on every Petshop they own that they wouldn't change there minds in the remaining 29 days till Halloween. Then Felicity spotted a Giant Plastic Axe and went simply mad over it, so my girls will be Cats in Capes, except for Felicity who will be a Cat in a Cape with an Axe:D
Jilly-Boo will be a little Witch and right now the boys are going to be pirates, because I haven't bought there costume materials yet they are free to change there minds.

Joff watched the Biden/Palin debates last, I refused. I have stepped away from the news:) I am quite passionate about politics, but there just isn't anyone to be passionate about anymore. They want to regulate everything, they want to put is in padded rooms and spoon feed us. Yuck.
So I have pretty much decided to NOT vote for anyone, I'll write someone in or something, maybe I'll vote third party for the fun of it.
I'll save the rest of the rant I have in my head for another day.

We are having Jilly-Boo and Chowders birthday party today. I have blown up about 25 balloons and there are more that need to be blown up, I wrapped there presents and Elli helped me make her birthday Pie (Pumpkin, because she is my Pumpkin Spice:). Her whole names is:
Princess Elli Elephant, my Shining Light, Pumpkin Spice, Punky Doodle, Snuffleufugus, Jilly-Boo.
We Call Caleb Chowder he has alot of other names too, but they are always changing, lol.
Elli has started calling Felicity (who we sometimes call Lollipop or Lulu) Lissy, which I think is rather cute:) Alice is Gorgeous and Piglet. Katie is Kitty, Kittycat, Kitten or Cat, lol. Everett is my Ever ready or Evs.
Happy Birthday Elli and Caleb.

Sloppy Order

2008-10-01T07:13:00.003-05:00

I like to think I am a fairly sloppy person. I make messes when I eat. You should just see my computer desk! I rarely make my bed. I can't draw straight lines without a ruler. I can and do leave dishes in the sink all day. I make little piles of stuff all over and where ever I happen to be at the time. But one thing I cannot stand is when stuff doesn't line up right. Walk in to a room and someone has a couch halfway across there window and all I want to do is fix it, move the couch or the window, something. You can hang a picture/clock/shelf straight, get a level. Or just let me do it. It will make me happy. One more, I love it when I see a bookshelf were the books are lined up according to size, it looks so nice! Oh and just for the record my little piles all over the place (mine, not Joffs or the kids) are very neat and organized:)
Happy First of October.

Blog Stalker+October

2008-09-30T20:33:00.003-05:00

OK maybe nothing that serious, but still, one of my favorite things to do in the WHOLE WIDE world is to blog surf, I heart TipJunkie, I usually start there then get stuck:) I love to read about what everyone is up to (if only certain members of the family would write more!) I am just this evening a convert to the Meanest Mom blog, she is wicked funny! The only problem with all this catching up on whats going on at my favorite blogs is that it can takes hours no, wait, it can take days! LoL.

So I have to write today, its the last day of September (Cindy its Tuesday:) and the last day of the month always makes me sad and happy all at the same time, sad that another month has gone, my kidlets are all another month older (I"M another month older!) life is flying past and I still haven't finished sanding my bookshelf's (I have been talking about sanding those bookshelves for months). The last day of the month makes me happy because I can't help but feel excited about all the things that might happen next month, tomorrow I will wake up and it will be October, how awesome is that, I can finally hang up my bats and get out all those scary fuzzy spiders for the corners of my house, I love putting up fuzzy spiders. It also means putting those window clings (that don't cling without gorilla glue and duct tape) on the windows. The first day of October means baking something involving pumpkin and googling new ways to scare my kids, it means the cozy glow of a wood-stove early in the morning and trying to convince to my girls to be something mean instead of something sweet for Halloween. October means Chocolate!
October definitely means leaf collecting, pumpkin carving, warm sweaters and knit hats and cold feet when everyone piles into one bed on a Saturday morning (who am I kidding! That's happens most mornings!)
I love October

I LOVE the Fall!

2008-09-26T17:46:00.004-05:00

I kicked myself out the door today. Felicity was my semi-willing victim er subject.

Joff was so sweet and cleaned my kitchen for me today:) you would understand how awesome that was if you have seen my kitchen recently! My least favorite thing to clean is dishes!

Happy Birthday to Caleb! We are officially celebrating his birthday on the 5th of October with Elli, I love saying I have two 1 years in the house now:) Sweet, wonderful terrors that they are!

Busy.

2008-09-23T09:54:00.011-05:00

Went to TOFW Friday and Saturday. It was fun and I will write more about that later:)

Caleb will be 1 tomorrow!

There was frost on the ground this morning!

Editing sessions today.

Arggggg taking pictures is awesome, but when it involves six children that are YOURS, its near impossible, Add in that they are 1(tomorrow) almost 2, 3,4,6,7 and you are in for some trouble:)

Needless to say, people who think that photographers have all those awesome pictures of there kids are sooooo wrong:D Other children are incredibly easy in comparison! Oh ya, it was also breezy and cold that evening too.

So there you go, here are a couple I have edited, more to go through, hopefully I come across something amazing!

Sick.

2008-09-18T08:18:00.003-05:00

Laying here, sipping on thermaflu. Browsing houses on Realtor.com. Yuck.
Joff is bundling up the babies, they are going out to stack wood.
I need to crawl out of bed and go sort laundry.
Watched the 2nd episode of Fringe last night. Freaky.

K~

Hullllo!!!!!

2008-09-17T12:40:00.006-05:00

So does two posts in one day mean I have no life?
Felicity is doing sooooo good in Gymnastics, you should just see her on the beam, she is doing fantastic!
I hate doing dishes. Did you know that if you read my journal from the time I was 11 till I was about 16 all of my entries start with "I did dishes today....." no kidding!
Jilly-Boo is adorable, aren't two year olds (ok almost two) the cutest?
Papa is Celebrating his 80th this year, I am very excited and really would like to get down there for his birthday, so if anyone wants to send donations my way for that trip............I do paypal:)
My Papa has Parkinsons, I feel like a total loser when I compare myself to him, he is amazing, he just goes and goes and keeps busy and does so much more in a day then I can ever do. He has accomplished so much I don't even know were to begin, I just hope that I can take everything he has taught me and do justice to it! I love my Papa.

K~

Odd Ramblings

2008-09-17T12:40:00.002-05:00

I ENJOY brushing my teeth, yep that's right. It makes me happy to have clean sparkly teeth.
Why? For a couple of reasons.
I hate going to the dentist. With a passion. I am fairly sure that my list of fears goes something like:
1:Dentist
2:Death
Dentistry is inhumane and sadistic.

I also like to brush my teeth for a more happy reason, Chocolate. I don't feel quite as bad about eating it when I am know that a toothbrush is standing by, ready to brush away the evidence.

I also have this weird fascination with toothbrushes and toothpaste. I like to "try out" different brushes, make notes ect.

I can get excited about toothbrushes, they are usually on my list to Santa and the combination of a box of chocolates and a new toothbrush is to die for:)

K~

wedding dance: I heart this video it makes me smile:)

2008-09-15T17:36:00.001-05:00

Do you want to laugh?

2008-09-15T17:31:00.001-05:00

Its Sunday:)

2008-09-14T18:48:00.002-05:00

Bet you didn't know that did you?
Well today had been a mishy mashy day, I have been feeling sick and headachy and stayed home from church with Caleb.
My Genuis Husband has finished his first animation (for a class at school) I am going to see if I can get him to Youtube it so I can share it with you all, I personally think it is quite clever:)
Ok going to post some funny youtube videos for you.

First day of Grandma School

2008-09-13T14:26:00.002-05:00

Evs and Milton are going to Grandma school this year. Elli walked with her brother down to Grandma's house, she was so excited that she brought her favorite book and backpack:)

Evs was so proud of himself when he got home, he already loves Grandma school as much as Felicity did.

They call me Chowder

2008-09-06T19:25:00.002-05:00

Do you notice the trend? My kids refuse to smile for me, of course I don't ask them to, but still when they are in the middle of a belly laugh and someone (me) points a camera at them how in the heck do they always manage a straight and serious face?

Color me Vintage

2008-09-06T13:54:00.001-05:00

Ella covered in honey and dirt, but still absolutly adorable:)

And then there were three...................

2008-09-02T08:26:00.001-05:00

Happy first day of school Felicity!

We got you Stinky!

2008-09-01T15:39:00.002-05:00

We have a skunk problem.
He is big and won't give up despite many scraps with the dog, the other night Woffy and Joff trapped him in our culvert, Joff stuffed the ends until morning when he could have him removed. Evs the next morning was excited to hear about the adventure the night before and ran outside with Joff shouting "We got you Stinky!"
Sadly Stinky escaped and (happily) hasn't been seen since, for his sake I hope he stays away.

Some more Back to School~Dan~Hanna~Ivan

2008-08-27T10:32:00.004-05:00

This year is my nephew Ivan's first year of school, he has been very excited, on the way to school this morning he was counting to 200! He is smart and is going to do awsome.

Back to School~Katie and Alice

2008-08-27T09:59:00.007-05:00

Well the girls are in school, despite feeling sad that summer has come and gone way faster then it should have I am excited for the girls, I am excited to hear all about the first day.

Shoot in the RAW

2008-08-24T19:27:00.002-05:00

For some reason I can't explain but camera was set to JPEG Fine, I have been shooting RAW for a couple of months now and realized today how much I really LOVE RAW. I was just taking snapshots of the kids as we went on our walk, but when I came in and uploaded, there was this darling picture of Felicity and Everett, badly underexposed, with RAW I would have been able to save it, because its a JPEG I won't be able to do much. Lesson learned:) A snapshot is a snapshot,I don't need everything perfect;)

Oh sad news:
I was happily biting into a bite of Pizza at the dinner table, when Katie pointed to my slice and said "ewwww a slug" she was talking about a piece of mushroom that did indeed resemble a slug. I am no longer hungry.

Jo Biden? Really? What a freaking mess.

The Fair and The Circus

2008-08-19T14:55:00.002-05:00

We went up to the Skowhegan Fair last week, They had a camel and a zebra and a kangaroo and some wallabies and TWO giraffes! Besides of course the usual collection of farm animals. There was also a small circus that was really pretty awsome. The kids had alot of fun and Joff loved the giraffes of course:)

Guess who is walking! Caleb! He took two steps today!

Hmm well thats it.

Happy Birthday To Me

2008-08-10T15:32:00.001-05:00

Alright, I am early, shoot me:)
I'm gonna be 25, not sure how I feel about it, chocolate and lots of presents will help me decide:D

I am not done with my website, I have to add session info, pricing and a about me page (I don't want to write the About me page, I can't I have been trying for a week) but the galleries are up, I have to finish adding pictures to the pet gallery and a few more besides, but overall its presentable, so please check it out and let me know what you think:) its www.kristalatwater.com I will be adding a link on the side. Feel free to email me any suggestions or comments.

Ella is a sweety she is talking up a storm nowadays, sentences even! Its kind of suprising sometimes, today in church I had just picked her up from nursery and we headed out to the lobby, when she piped up "hey its daddy!" lol.

I'm loving my D70, I love the grid in the viewfinder, my D50 doesn't have that, its really nice when composing a picture.

Joff is working on a website, it will be fun he will have games, stories and other stuff on there, plus some of his artwork for sale, if you need a fun picture for your kids room, I'd be looking out for his site, which of course I will link to when its up. I'll post a sample of some of his stuff when I get home.

I'm dreadfully boring I have nothing more to say!

HI!!!!!!!

2008-08-06T19:32:00.002-05:00

Relief settles in as things begin to settle down, things are coming together and I am feeling pretty chipper:D

Caleb going to be walking soon, he tried walking today, stood up in the middle of the floor and tried to take a step, it was awsome, soon!
I am such a dunce sometimes, I JUST realized I am going to have TWO one year olds in the house for a month!
Katie and Alice have developed an addiction to Bella Sara cards ( www.bellasara.com) Joff told Katie if she worked hard this week he would pay her and of course you know what she is going to buy! Thats right Bella Sara cards, All I have heard this week is "I Can't WAIT for saturday, I Can't WAIT for saturday!"
Garr you would think I would be full of news, I'm just not.
Oh its cold, at least for August anyway.
My birthday is Monday.

Grumble Grumble

2008-07-31T22:06:00.002-05:00

I have ALOT to be thankful for, ALOT, but this whole photography buisness overwhelms me sometimes, like right now. I am not quitting that would be insane considering how much time has been put into it the last month (feeling guilty I haven't been doing as much with my kids and summer vacation is almost over) No I love this, I love photography and hey I even love people (:D) it will take a bit but I know its going to work out, but right now I'm feeling overwhelmed I need to go to bed and FORGET about it for a while........
Oh I did this wicked cute story board of elli eating a flower very funny haven't resized it yet so can't post it. I got the new computer on tuesday (Joffs birthday, another reason to feel guilty didn't "Do" anything for him, too busy) I got fitted for contacts today and that was wierd, I keep pushing my glasses up!
Evs is an angel, a frustrating angel, but still he keeps emptying my bookshelfs and giving me boxes for of books, sometimes he will try to wrap them and go thru rolls of toilet paper or wipes and then if I put them back he's sad that I am not enjoying them properly!
Okay then heading off to bed.

Heres a couple from "Grounded for Life"

"Fine, put me on hold. I love listening to the ‘Music to Kill Yourself by’ collection. "
"Three juice boxes for six kids? It’s gonna be like ‘Lord of the Flies’ out there."

I gotta say this one had me laughing my butt of
From the Cosby Show

"Your mother and I are rich. You have nothing. "

Full house - "That’s not a big problem. A big problem is like, well, if your butt fell off."

Back to Bill Cosby - "Women don't want to hear what you think. Women want to hear what they think - in a deeper voice. "

Bob Hope - "I do benefits for all religions - I'd hate to blow the hereafter on a technicality"
"She said she was approaching forty, and I couldn't help wondering from what direction"

"In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move"

"It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes."

"The moment at which two people, approaching from opposite ends of a long passageway, recognize each other and immediately pretend they haven t. This is to avoid the ghastly embarrassment of having to continue recognizing each other the whole length of the corridor. "

"Experts say you should never hit your children in anger. When is a good time? When you're feeling festive? "

I don't know whose quites those last ones are and I am too tired to look them up but they make me smile. Night!

Happy 6th Birthday Alice!

2008-07-24T20:51:00.003-05:00

HI
WOW busy is an understatement but I had to stop in tonight and tell everyone that my Alice is SIX!
She is getting so big and it breaks my heart but I am proud of her all at the same time. We were headed down to the coast today but because of problems with the truck we stayed home and the A's and Cindi's family came over (also Chelles kids because Cindi is babysitting) She got a ton of petshop and MLP stuff, a camera and some skippyjon jones books. I'll post pictures tomorrow:) She confessed she is begining to like horses more then pigs! She says she still loves pigs, now its just a tie, waaaaaa! My little piglet is growing up.
Sorry this is so short, I'm short on news and all I can think about right now is getting this photo buisiness GOING, I am sure its driving my family nuts, its good in some ways I need to set bounderies, I NEED certain days of the week were I don't have any work, so this is teaching me right off the bat, that while its important to do my job well and cover all bases I need to remember I have a life and a family:D LOL Joff has this running bet that I CAN"T not get on the computer for a whole day, Confession! It would be very, very hard! Even Sundays I go online to read up on lessons and stuff for FHE, alright and I usually catch up on emails on Sundays, I figure thats an OK Sunday activity:) I have to admit I spend at least two hours on the computer a day, not all online and I certainly don't play games, but I do need to spend less time on the computer its just there is so much to learn! OK I gotta go. Better get off the computer;)

Plant life around the property

2008-07-14T09:15:00.002-05:00

Allright flora and fauna nuts, I might just very well be wrong on the names here, but this what we have always called them, sooooo If I am wrong go ahead and let me know, I'll probably leave the names anyway:D

Blah

2008-07-12T20:37:00.002-05:00

I just finished watching "27 Dresses" I am pretty sure I just wasted and hour and a half, it was ok, but I am so horridly busy nowadays that if I am going to watch a movie shouldn't I watch something at least entertaining? Can you tell I didn't like it? I have been pretty slothful all day really, well except for this morning I did a shoot with Katie, that was fun and then I spent a while this evening taking pictures of different plant life around the property, now that was fun! My pretty lense is such an awsome thing to use:) Posting one of my pics from this morning with Katie, maybe not the best but I like it anyway. Ok I will posting some pictures tonight, then I have to work on the my photoblog because I haven't touched it in a week, I couldn't I just got so stressed over it I had to stop. OK stay tuned for pictures coming in the next post!