On The Go Mom Of One

• Mar. 19, 2007
Moving Blogs

Hi everyone, I have decided to move my blog to Blogger. Please click on the link below, and it should take you to my new site. If the link is not clickable for you, just copy and paste it in your address bar above.

http://lifeofalistmaker.blogspot.com/

Thanks, and hope to see you on the other side!

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• Mar. 15, 2007
The night of the scary hairy cookies REVISED

Sorry folks but the first post was only suposed to be a draft, so to enjoy this post to the fullest you must re-read it. Thanks!

My brother Lee and his wife Cherrie were out in Washington a few months ago and we all spent the weekend at dennis and Trina's. They had some extra boys there that weekend too, so all in all we had; 6 teenage boys, 1- 11 year old, 1-5 year old, and 2-1 year olds. On Saturday night us adults decided to have a night out. The older boys were staying home to watch the younger ones, but they seemed to have no problems because they had a movie, computer, video games, and they were going to make some yummy snacks.

They started making chocolate chip cookies before we left. They seemed quite excited, as is shown on zacks face below.

However, when they got the cookies mixed up it looked like there was oatmeal in the batter. The boys all said they hadn't added any oatmeal but the cookie dough looked strange. There was definately a mystery ingredient in there.

while we were away the boys baked the cookies and had a great time all around. When we returned, I noticed there was still some cookie dough that hadn't been baked, we baked it so that us adults could have some fresh chocolate chip cookies.

They looked a little flat,probably from the mystery ingredient, but they seemed warm and inviting. That is until Cherrrie broke her cookie in to 2 pieces before taking a bite and right between the 2 pieces was a nice long hair. eeeeeekkkkk!! yuck!!! caugh!! GAG!!!

And that was the night of the scary hairy cookie!!

Levi is enjoying one of those scrumptuous cookies.

Andy and Isaiah can't hold back the yummy feeling they get from the cookies!!

Of coarse there was milk involved!

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• Mar. 9, 2007
Me and my honey

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• Feb. 26, 2007
My Valentine

My husband is a wonderful man. He is the one that makes me laugh and cry, mad and glad. I love him so much. He gave me a valentine gift I had wanted for sooo long, however sometimes his timing isn't always the best or is it? You decide.

My parents live in oklahoma and they came for a visit earlier this month. Before they came I went over the usual with my hubby. " Can you fix this and that before Mom and Dad get here?" We were having such conversations when I mentioned our bed. Our bed is the most comfortable, so we always give it to my parents. We have a queen size bed with no headboard, just hollywood frame. At the time our room was arranged with the bed caddy-corner in the corner with a beautiful curtain draped from the ceiling. The problem with this was that the pillows always fell off at the head of the bed because there was no wall or headboard behind to catch them. I asked my construction hubby to put a board or something across to solve this problem. He ever so casually mentioned that maybe he would build a 4 poster bed instead. My hysterical laughing and jesting did not detour him on his mission.

I have only wanted a 4 poster bed for a mere 15 years!! 6 hours of his Saturday and $20 later, he had the bed far enough along that we slept in it that night! 1 hour the next day and ta-da that bed was complete. I have waited 15 years for this kind of effort!! I took pictures and let him know it was a momentous occasion. As I help him hold this or screw that, I keep up the ribbing,"oh yes, I see why it took you sooooo long. All this work, are you okay?" Honestly though, I love my new bed and my dear, dear hubby who finally took the time to make it for me. It was for me , and not because my parents were coming, right?

The truth is, I know it was for me even if it had to be when my parents were coming to make it a priority. He is so good to give me the things I need and want, putting me far above himself. He always wants me to drive the nicer vehicle and he never complains over my shopping, as long as he doesn't have to go! He is always willing to give me time I need away with friends and yet makes it crystal clear that he wants his time with me too. I love him so much and I'm very thankful that God allowed me to have him. I also love my new bed!!

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• Feb. 7, 2007
Girls Night Out!

With Trina's awe-inspiring story of a girls night out, my good friend Gale and I decided it was time for us to hit the town. We mapped our stops. Costco was a definate and then walmart. We were going all out!

Well it had been at least 6 months since we had left everyone home and headed out for some fun (ooh groceries, how much more fun can we have!), so I decided to make it special. I rented a movie, but since we didn't want any kids or hubbys interupting, I took my laptop to plug into the inverter in the car. My laptop battery is on its last leg and gives out after 5 minutes of use. Why not just go to the movies? Well I am a true tightwad and infact get much enjoyment on thinking up ways to save money. (The tightwad gazzette was on my christmas list!) I thought this was a brilliant idea personally.

We started our night at costco because they close early. After and hour in there we were ravenous and went in search of a taco bell and a place to watch our movie. The nearest taco bell just happened to be in the cinema parking lot. Perfect!

We were surrounded by groceries and use a green bean box to prop up the computer stand. I turn the keys to the car over to where we can use the computer without starting the car. No such luck. Have I mentioned that I have a testy computer? It wanted the car running in order to play the movie. So much for a tightwad idea. But still, I use minimal gas, maybe 3$. Half way though the movie, the coputer froze up. Gale and I just looked at each other and laughed.

We decided to do our walmart shopping and then try to finish the movie. So after we bought some junk food we head out to finish our movie. We were now in a new part of town and the parking lots were lit up like football stadiums. We are 2 women on a mission: FIND A DARK PARKING LOT. This was a lot harder than you can imagine, but finally we find a light that has burned out.

We started the movie, but now the computer decided that not only does it want the car running, but also my foot on the gas pedal. So, for the last 30 minutes of Steele Magnolias I am pouring money (gas) out the exhaust. This is becoming a tightwads nightmare! To end a perfect evening, the computer froze up again in the last 10 minutes of the movie. Gale will probably never see how Weezer and Clairee made up in the end, but through it all we laughed and cried and decided to try to make this happen more often.

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• Feb. 1, 2007
The internet delima

For those of you who know me, you know that I must trek down here to the library to post because we do not have internet connection. My husband has for the most part left this decision up to me. I have been praying and talking to friends, and for now I have decided to keep things as they are. Yes it is a pain to come during library hours and it would be so convenient to just hop on at home, but I think it would become to convenient. I don't want any thing to consume my life and time. At the library you have a 1 hour time limit and I only come twice a week so I can handle that kind of time. OOOps I only have 6 minutes left. Better go. Til next time...

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• Jan. 30, 2007
The rest of the story

Ok The rest of the trip was great. We loved it out in Oklahoma and just missed a big snow storm. We got to spend christmas with all of my family. That was the first time in 3 years, so it was very nice. We saw Jeff and Sylvia, and Ron and Sherry (Dale's siblings) The time is always too short. We were able to come home through California and spend a few nights in Tulare at Mike and Tammy's. We had never been there. So much has happened since our trip, it seems a long time ago now. God blessed us in many ways. We came home so encouraged.

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• Jan. 11, 2007
our wonderful vacation

We had a wonderful time on our trip to Oklahoma. I already miss everyone back there again. Our first stop was at Bill and Becky's in Idaho. It was a very quick stop. We arrived at 1:00 am and left at 5:00am. Bill and Becky were away on work, but Steena was there and seemed happy to see us because she was home alone. At first she thought we were strangers up to no good, but once she realized who we were she was very relieved. We got a little chuckle out of that. We slept a few hours and headed back out on the road.

Our niece Ashlea was with us, so we had 3 drivers. That was so nice. I hate to drive and she assured me that she loves it and in fact in their family they fight over the drivers seat. I was overjoyed to hear that and from then on I let her do a lot of my share of the driving.

Our next stop was Grand Junction. WE were able to visit with Aunt Betha there. She is very sick and it was nice to be able to stop there.

to be cont.....

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• Dec. 2, 2006
Examples

While Andy and I were on the computer today, I noticed in one of his emails on my space he said, " You should put me on the top of your friends list because I am so fly."

Feeling kinda silly and not "in the know," I said, "Andy what does I am so fly mean?"

He said, "I have know idea, but River says it all the time."

I got quite a chuckle out of that and told Andy how silly he was. He said," Well my friend put me to the top of her list, so it worked."

Now I am really enjoying picturing the person on the other end of the email using the "fly" word, having no idea what it meant, but Andy said it so it must be cool. Before we know it the whole world will be using the "fly" word without knowing the meaning.

I am so glad that I can trust my sons friends, otherwise, it could be very scary!

River-

What exactly does "I am so fly mean??"

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• Nov. 29, 2006
Just good reading

Recently Andy had a "sick day", and instead of just blowing the whole day, I decided to do some reading aloud. I searched our bookshelves for the perfect one to hold my 14 year olds attention.

After making my choice, you can imagine his expession when I declared I would be reading "Papas Wife." When I compared it to cheaper by the dozen, ( a must read , the movie is nothing like the original story) Andy layed back on the bed ready to give the book a chance.

We made it through the sick day with many laughs and good times (as much as could be with sickness). The book has several short stories about Papas wife and her many ambitions, the first of which is becoming papas wife! It is a wholesome and funny book. We didn't finish it yet, but we are going to be driving to Oklahma for Christmas and I plan to bring it along to read in the car. I highly recomend "Papas Wife" and "Cheaper by the Dozen" for reading to the whole family. They are very entertaining!!

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• Nov. 21, 2006
Across the World!

One of the problems of homeschooling an only child is knowing exactly what to expect. I find myself comparing his work to what I would have done on the assignment. With this in mind, and many other motivations, I recently started having a geography class for some local homeschoolers. It has worked out wonderfully.

I am using the same geography unit study we were doing before, but now we do it at the library with other homeschoolers from ages 9-14. The kids seem to love the class. It has given me the opportunity to see that maybe my expectations were a little high before, because Andy's maps and reports are as good as any. He is also excited about geography now. It has always been a big interest for him, so this year I really wanted to focus on it.

In the class, we have maps to fill out, questions to which we must find the answer in atlases, encyclopedias, internet, ect., and the kids always have a small research project to get started on and finish at home. I am really enjoying the class too!

I don't think it's good to go comparing our childern in everything they do. I realize children learn different things at different times, and it's nothing to stress over. I just need reassurance sometimes that Andy is on the right track, and that I am not too demanding or not demanding enough.

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• Sep. 28, 2006
Friends

We had some old friends drop in yesterday, and it was so much fun! About 11 years ago, we moved to Denver, Co. We lived there for a total of 3 years. In that time, we made some lasting friendships. 2 older ladies from our church there were out here and stopped in yesterday. We had a great time laughing and visiting until late in the night.

In our lives, we have chances for finding great friendships. Sometimes those friends are people we talk to everyday, and sometimes we may not be in contact with them for years. However, when we are able to see them, it seems like we were never apart. They are special.

We have lived a lot of different pllaces, and that has meant starting over many times with friendships. It takes effort to be a friend. I have always found the effort well worth it. I feel very blessed with the dear friends I have in my life. I felt a sadness as our precious guests left this morning, but also a privilage to have been able to have them in my home and in my life.

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• Sep. 28, 2006
Friends

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• Sep. 5, 2006
Back to school

We started school last week. It is going very well. The planning for the year is done, now we just need to see if we can stay on track! Week 1 so far so good.

Andy seems to have taken a shine to science this year. It has always been one of his favorite subjects, but now he always chooses to do it first. We are using apologia biology and He loves it. We have the computer version, so he does the reading and answers the questions right on the computer. The lessons are prinable, which is nice for later on if he gets tired of reading on the computer. There are many experiments for him (he loves experiments!!) some using our new microscope. It's our first year using Apologia, and I know it is very early, but so far I am excited about his enthusiasm.

Another area that is going good is math. Andy has always been good at math but hated it. This year he seems to be getting even better grades and understands the concept before I do. He doesn't complain about math anymore. He is excited to excel. We are using Math-u-see Algebra. This is our second year in Math-u-see and I can't say enough good about it. It has a dvd with lesson by lesson explainations. They are also very helpful if you have any questions. We moved into this from saxon, and it is so refreshing!

Good luck to everyone this year, as we all contine on the homeschool journey!

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• Aug. 18, 2006
Getting ready for school

We will be officially starting school the week before Labor Day. I am getting very pumped. I am excited to start using our new curriculum. Geograghy will be one of our main focuses. I found an awesome program that combines mapping and graphing with research. I can't wait. This is something I've been looking for for years!!

We will be doing apologia biology, writeshop for witing (another one I'm looing forward to!), and continuing in Math-u-see algebra. This is our first year using apologia science. It looks like a good program. Anyone tried it??

Highschool will be an adventure. Hopefullly, a joyous one!!

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• Jul. 17, 2006
Summer homeschooling

It was my intention to get some schoolwork done this summer. Well, we are half way through the summer (can you believe it!) and we have worked on math just one day. It was a review day and it went pretty well. Looks like Andy remembers most of what he learned. That's always a good thing. It was good for me to watch the lessons again. This algebra is sometimes sticky stuff, but I am sooo thankful for math-u-see!!

Andy has a rafting trip coming in less than 2 weeks. He is very pumped. He will be reuniting with good friends there. Hopefully, his best friend Isaiah will be coming home with us for a week.

Things are still as busy as ever, and we love it!!!!!!!

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• Jul. 3, 2006
Back Home

We have returned from our Colorado reunion. It was great!! spending time with family and friends couldn't have been better. We went on fabulous hikes, had late night ice cream cones, swimming, horseback riding, and lots of visiting. It was a blast!

On our way home, we caravanned with 2 other cars. There were 5 adults and 9 kids. As you can imagine, we made lots of potty breaks. We also spent the night in the Salt lake area. Wow! It took us almost 2 hours to agree on and find a motel. (which ended up being a roach coach! YUCK!)We did eventually arrive home at 11pm the next night.

My 14 year old nephew Tristin came home with us for 2 weeks. It will be very interesting. We've already had some exciting experiences at what 2 14 year old boys can come up with. They are having fun fishing in our creek and camping out back. We are planning to take them camping this weekend, then Tristin will head out on Monday.

I am quite busy this summer and wanted to let everyone know that I will try to post once a week. We'll see how it goes.

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• Jun. 10, 2006
An Unbelievable Shopping Trip!!

Yesterday was my niece's 14th birhday. Her mother and I took her shopping, with plans to purchase several new items for her because she will be going with us to Colorado and the latest growth spurt has left her with a closet full of clothes that are too small.

My niece has 7 siblings, but we managed to escape with only the 3 youngest. We are off to the mall with 2 women, 1 14 year old, and 3 children under 5. Sounds a little scary, but doable.

Okay, let me start off by stating that I am a very girly girl. This is probably pretty obvious by the big, pink polka-dots you see in the background. I love pink and anything delicate or girly. (How did I end up with no girls!!)

Anyway, at our first store we are looking at the shirts and my sister-in-law and I are getting quite excited. They have some very cute stuff. My niece however isn't picking out a single item. She takes the shirts we picked out and heads to the dressing room uncertainly. She comes out all stiff and strange looking. Her mom and I just giggle and say, "Act natural, loosen up." We end up choosing a blue shirt with a little poof in the sleeve that looks awesome on her. She is less than enthusiastic, but willing to wear it.

Next stop is Mervyns where we are in search of a pair of new tennis shoes. I find some darling ones and begin to show her. They are white Nike's with pink swooshes and a little bit of other pink. Adorable!! At this time, she informs me she doesn't like pink. What?? Okay, okay, I recover the shock and set off to find non-pink tennis shoes. Not a problem, there are lots of options. I bring back some cute plain white ones. She says, " No, Aunt Chantel, I won't be able to keep white ones clean." No pink and no white. At this point, you won't be surprised to hear that we came home with no tennis shoes.

Now, mind you we have 3 toddlers and have now been in the mall for 2 hours. Our mall has those strollers you can check out for free. They are little cars and all three kids love them. They each have their own. The oldest has mastered driving the car herself, which meant as soon as we let go of the stroller, she would find an interesting place to go. Also, before we knew it, baby had thrown her bottle who knows where. We try to retrace our steps without any luck. There are spare bottles in the car, so this is not a desperate situation. All in all, the kids did great.

We eventually found some clothing for my niece, (and me too!!) but I was amazed at how little enthusiasm she had. She never did pick anything out and almost seemed bored at the whole shopping experience. I just giggled at this. I know when I was 14 I would have been thrilled to be going shopping for my birthday! Everyone is so different. That's what makes the world go around I suppose!

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• Jun. 8, 2006
Help!! I'm the mother of a 14 year old!!

Oh, where has my sweet boy gone? I'm being forced to live with a grouchy, arguementative beast. I must add, that my son feels the same way towards me. Honestly, there are moments when this thought makes me happy.

I remember back to when I was 14...It was miserable!! This makes me have some compassion for Andy. I know that he is growing, changing, and his hormones are going crazy. He's fine one minute and then, before I know it, the beast makes an appearance. I've tried to explain to him that there's only room for one moody person in this house, and that's me!! lol

We went to see some friends today who hadn't seen Andy in a few months. The mother commented on how much he had grown since she had last seen him. I'm sure his emotions are tied up in the growth spurt. I need to remember that and try to be a little more patient.

We have our trip to Colorado coming up. I start thinking about 19 hours in the vehicle each way. Andy is definately a grump when he gets woke up and always has been. I cringe when I picture us making bathroom stops. Here's how they normally go:

We start to take the exit, so we say, "Andy, wake up, we're stopping." Andy's snoring doesn't miss a beat. We say, " Andy! Come on, wake up and get your shoes on." Andy moans gruffly, "mmm.."At this point, my husband, who is getting a little irrate, says, " We are pulling into the gas station, get up!" Andy now has on the worlds biggest frown and says something like,"I don't see why I have to get out, it's completely stupid!!" And so, the fun continues as we get back in the car and head down the road.

My husband told me today that his brother has invited Andy to ride with him and his boys to the reunion in Colorado. Hmmm.... Let me think about this for about 2 seconds. Yeehaw!! We would be caravanning, so Andy would still be close. I wonder if Uncle Bill knows what he's asking for?

Somehow, this to shall pass... Thank goodness!! If I remember right, 15 was much better. Only 6 months to go...

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• Jun. 6, 2006
My Crazy Life

It seems that life is just crazy. I always think, "OK, it will slow down after christmas," or, " When summer gets here things will be different." HAHA! It never changes. I feel like I'm on a treadmil going uphill at a very fast pace, which is ok for a LITTLE while, but soon I'm exhausted.

Our company from Colorado left this morning, and we completely enjoyed them. It was awesome. Very laid back. But, I had just gotten home from a 4 week trip to Oklahma 9 days before they came. Next week we leave for our trip to the family reunion in Colorado. We will be gone about 10 days. I'm really hoping that when we get home from Colorado things will slow down. Am I dreaming??

My husbands nephew is in town and we are very close to him. Tonight is the only available night to have him over. Again, he's an easy person to have over, but I'm ready for some alone time!

Today I intend to be very lazy. Make it all about me. Recoup before starting to think about dinner tonight, or even better, planning our trip.

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