Wordless Wednesday a La KJ

Easter Mania!

First of all, I have to say sorry for my last post. I'm pleading temporary insanity. I think I was having a blogging identity crisis. But, I'm better now. I will go back to posting pictures of my kids doing funny things.
For the record, I did NOT receive any extra blog traffic for posting the names of a bunch of controversial famous people. It doesn't work. Oh well.

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Oh boy, did we have a fun Easter weekend.
The kids got to play with their cousins A LOT! So fun.

And on Sunday, in an effort to keep the kids occupied (and quiet) during conference, we did project after project after project.

Do you use those conference packets that people email to you 47 times right before conference? (I really think I had 10 people email me a conference packet. One person even emailed it to me twice).
Well, I never have, but this time, I decided to print them off. They really worked!!...for about an hour of the first session of conference on Saturday.....for my two older kids who can read.......the 4 year old lasted about 10 minutes. But, maybe I'll keep doing it and eventually they'll all be able to sit through at least one session of conference. It's a start, right?

Saturday night, after a fun night at Grandma's house (C's family has a tradition: every conference Saturday, his mom orders pizza, we all gather together to eat, then the guys go to the priesthood session while the kids and the moms play), I..er...uh..I mean the Easter Bunny, stayed up late filling eggs, and baskets with way too much candy (cuz the Easter Bunny bought WAY too much candy), and making a scavenger hunt for the kiddos.

By the way, Mr. Easter Bunny, I think it was a dumb idea to put an egg on each of the kids pillows with a note inside to come see Mom for your Easter basket. Who knew Easter was just like Christmas (maybe worse) and the kids would wake me up at the crack of dawn? Ugh.

Thank goodness for Sunday afternoon naps!

The monkeys were so cute trying to find the next clue. We had a total stampede of elephants going through our house with the kids running around trying to find eggs with clues inside. I tried to get a picture of them reading the clues, but they couldn't hold still long enough to take one. It's funny how excited they were.

After finding their baskets, we decided to color boiled eggs for breakfast. Apparently, blue, green and pink eggs taste better then the regular kind.

After breakfast, we turned on conference, and made some candy nests. They were supposed to be green, but the kids insisted that they wanted blue, so we compromised and made turquoise nests. Silly kids.

After that, we used the eggs shells from breakfast, and colored sugar sprinkles to make Easter pictures. I have very creative monkeys.

Then, I made a strawberry shortcake to take to my Mom's for dinner later.

By the time the 2nd session of conference started, I was, needless to say, exhausted.

So, I took a nap. I'm looking forward to reading the talks I missed while I was sleeping.

Apparently, the monkeys filled up on candy, while I was out, because as we were getting ready to go to Grandma's for dinner, Peter decided she needed to throw up. It was all brown. Chocolate vomit, yum. I'm not sure if it was too much candy, or she's getting another bug (she was sick two weeks ago with croup), because she slept on my Mom's bed almost the whole time we were there). Then, she threw up again when we got home.

But, she's eating like crazy today so, I guess she's better.

Good times, good times.

So, what did YOU do for Conference Easter?

Random Sherisms and Random Tunes

I've decided I need more blog traffic. I want to be popular like all my popular friends. I think as far as blogland goes, I'm like the kinda dorky girl, who thinks she's part of the in crowd, because all of the popular girls are nice to her at school, but they really don't think she's really their friend.
So, after reading a few blog posts this week, I've decided I just need to talk about more controversial issues on my blog, that make no sense to me and that I know nothing about (because let's be honest, I'm a shallow thinker). You know, like Harry Reid, and Health Care Reform or Lady Gaga or Jesse James and Sandra Bullock or Tiger Woods.

Yes, I can read the grocery store tabloids. That's where I get all my news. That and the Daily Show with John Stewart, and The Colbert Report. And occasionally, some Internet news from Daniel Tosh. I'm sooo up on current events.

(Let's see how much traffic finds me now!!)

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So, I may have mentioned a few weeks ago how this amazing up and coming author, has asked me to write a song to go along with his amazing up and coming book?
Well, I wrote the song! It was a really spiritual experience for me. And I'm amazed at how the music just came to me. I really feel like Braden was inspired to write these words and that I was inspired to set them to music in the way that I did.
It's not totally done, yet, but what I have so far, I really, really love.
I can't WAIT for everyone to hear my song, and read the book!

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I need a blog makeover. I've been around the blogosphere...stalking. And you all have these cool headers, and streamline designs and I want one. I'm still totally using one of those free, blog background templates. I know, I know, that's sooo 2008.
Thing is...I'm a cheap bastage (not my word). I don't want to pay for a blog makeover.
Anyone who knows what they're doing and would be willing to fix it for free, let me know.
Otherwise, I may be knocking on your door and begging for hand outs.

You know who you are...look for an email in your inbox with promises of my first born, etc. in the near future.

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Oh! By the way. I had this brilliant idea the other day. I'm having a huge, ginormous sale on my music website. So, if you haven't gotten my CD yet, or you have it, LOVE IT, and want to give it away for Easter or Mother's Day, or Father's day, or just because, go head over there and check it out.

I'm doing buy one CD, get one half off. Buy a bundle of 10 for $85. (That's an awesome deal because one normals goes for $13, so you're saving almost $50!!) I've also got a package deal to buy the CD and the songbook together. And on sheet music downloads. See? All sorts of awesome deals.

So, go on over there and order some music!

BTW, if you refer a friend to my site, and they make an order, have them put in the comment on the pay pal order form that you referred them, and I'll give you back 5% of the order. You could totally get paid for referring people to my site. So, grab my button, or my player on my sidebar, put it on yours, write a blog post, tell your friends!

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I'm also trying to work out some concert venues for this spring and summer. Hopefully, for FREE.

But, if you want to see me perform live, then come to the CBC Girl's Night Out on Thursday, May 27th (after you register for the conference). I will be there, performing, partying and selling CD's and stuff!

Thanks! Love ya!

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I've been all country girl lately. I don't know if it's the Spring and I've been working in my yard, but I've been feeling the country lately.
So, recently I downloaded Lady Antebellum on my iPod. Holy Wow, I love it!

Here's my {country} random song list:

1. Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace - Big and Rich
2. Cowboy Bill - Garth Brooks
3. In Another's Eyes - Trisha Yearwood
4. Ole Slew Foot - Chris LeDoux
5. Lessons Learned - Carrie Underwood
6. Brand New Whiskey - Brooks & Dunn
7. Any Man of Mine - Shania Twain
8. Last Dollar (Fly Away) - Tim McGraw
9. Need You Now - Lady Antebellum
10. Love is Everything - John Berry

Bonus: What Might Have Been - Sammy Kershaw

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p.s. Happy April Fools Day!

The Big Wind

The wind is howling outside right now. I can hear the deck chairs scooting around and banging into each other. I'm hoping the kids brought in their jackets after jumping on the tramp last night because otherwise, they're long gone.
I hear the violent whispers outside my window, and I feel a chill. It reminds me of one of my very first memories as a young child.

It was Easter, 1983. I was five years old.
In my journal, I wrote (with the help of my Mom):

"Yesterday was Easter. In the morning we hunted for our baskets then
we talked about when Jesus was resurrected. My Mama made me a blue
lacy skirt and a slip. Then the big wind came. I was scared. The neighbor's fence tipped. We said a prayer that our house or we wouldn't get hurt. And Heavenly Father blessed us 'cause we didn't get hurt, just cold. And our house didn't get hurt. Some people's houses got things ripped off and their trees tipped over and their trailers tipped and mashed."

It was a long time ago, but I remember. I remember the power going out. I remember my parents, my older brother and my two little sisters, all huddling together in our family room for a sleep over to stay warm. I remember the dark. And my Dad's railroad lantern he used for light. I remember lighting candles. I remember the patchwork carpet, that my grandpa, who worked at a carpet store, made out of carpet samples for us. I remember the brown couches. I remember not being able to sleep because I was scared of the noise and the howling against the windows. I remember waking up the next morning, and going outside and seeing shingles all over, and fallen trees in the road, and broken shudders, and broken fences. I remember feeling scared, and cold. But, safe in my house with my family. Now, almost 20 years later, I still remember the Big Wind.

Do you remember it? Were you there?

Blah, Blah, Blah. (Question of the Day)

I've been meaning to sit down and write a post for a week. But, really, it's only for the sake of writing a post. I really have nothing to talk about. Life is moving along.
Do you ever feel that pressure? Like you are supposed to write something on your blog on a regular basis or you're letting your readers down? (Ha! What readers?)
I know you've (my readers) dwindled and perished due to lack of interest or material.
I need to get over my need to please. I keep telling myself this blog is for me, and no one else, but let's face it, that's simply not true.
I am a little self indulgent on here, though. I basically get on here and whine and blab all my drama, and expect you to leave me happy, supportive, loving comments.
If this blog really was just for me, or for my journal, or just for posterity's sake, then I wouldn't care about my traffic, or my comments. Heck, if that were the case, I'd probably just go private.

I can't stand the idea of going private. I don't know why...I guess I like the attention.
But, I just can't stand the pressure...and the drama that goes along with blogging.

So, my questions for you is....how do you cope with the pressure? Some of you post everyday. And you never seem to run out of material.

I know some of you just write a bunch all at once and schedule it out, and I've done that in the past, but lately, I can't seem to find time to even sit down at my computer to read my email, let alone write something.

I feel like creatively, I've been completely bled dry. I'm sapped.
Although, I did just write a song last week, and I'm really kind of excited about it, because I think it's pretty darn good!
But, word-wise, I'm fresh out.

How do you keep up with your blogs? Do you schedule it in your day, so you have the time? Do you use the post ahead feature? How do you find things to write about?

Wordless Wednesday

Actual Conversation

TJ: "Look, Mom! I can lick my armpit!"

Me: "You can lick your what?!"

TJ: "My armpit! Look!"

Me: "EWWW! Don't do that!"

TJ: "But, it's cool, Mom!"


2 seconds later...

Me: "Wait, do it again, I have to take your picture."


Click, click.


Me: "Now, never do that again, that's so gross!"



Boys!

See? I can be a Fun Mom, too....

My kids love eggs. All of them. I think it might actually be the ONLY food item that everyone in my family likes.

I was feeling slightly less stressed and chaotic this morning than usual...KJ actually caught the bus for the first time this week...so I had 2 seconds before I had to leave for the gym, so I actually made green eggs for the 2 little monkeys.

See? I'm such a fun Mom.

Happy Leprechaun Day.

Random Sherisms: Survival Mode

First, let me apologize for the misinformation I gave you on Thursday. I thought my post was going up that day, but it was bumped. You will be able to read my post on MMB on Monday.

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Since our last virtual rendezvous, I've kept myself pretty darn busy. About three weeks ago, we threw a bridal shower for C's brother's bride-to-be at my house. I got a little gung-ho crazy, being on the upswing of my manic depressive state, and decided two days before the shower to paint my kitchen.

I wish I'd remembered to take before pictures, but I think I might have one from Thanksgiving...

Before:
After:

And I gotta say, I really, really love it! Red calms me.

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That same night (after the shower), all of my sisters-in-law got together to sew little dresses for the wedding since we couldn't find any to buy in the right color. I think they turned out pretty darn cute.

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At the beginning of March, I decided to start teaching piano again, and added 6 new students within the first week. It's been two years, since I taught more than just my brother and my niece, so its been an adjustment for both me and the kids to get used to Mom having "busy" time after school again. Especially for the little one.

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Speaking of the little one, Peter, who really isn't so little anymore, has been a little holy terror lately. She's so naughty. But she's so stinking cute, I can't resist her. This week, she was so naughty in her karate class that she had her belt taken away, and she had to re-earn it. I was humiliated. And it was a rude awakening for me as a parent.

I suddenly realized that my "baby" is not a baby anymore, and I need to quit treating her like one, because she's turning into a spoiled brat.

So, I grounded her from TV and friends permanently until she earned her belt back, and made her have quiet time every day.

I'm am seriously amazed at the difference. She finally earned her belt back on Wednesday, and I can tell she's been trying harder to be good.

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We also had a visit from the tooth fairy this week. This cute little monkey had a snaggle tooth for two week, and he finally lost it at school.

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Thursday, C's youngest brother got married. We all helped out with the wedding, and for some reason I was really stressed about it. Each of the sisters-in-law, Mom, Grandma on our side made the food for the luncheon. I also played piano for the wedding. In the end, though, it was a beautiful wedding and they do make a lovely couple. I'm happy to welcome my new sister in law into the family.

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I've been doing this little Healthy Contest thing with a few of my family and friends. We each put in $20 and basically we just have to eat healthy and exercise. I gotta say, I'm liking it. Except that Thursday, at the wedding, I had a piece of cake. C told me that is shouldn't count because it was carrot cake, and that's like healthy or something, but it also had like 2 inches of cream cheese frosting, which I totally licked completely clean.

It's been down hill from there. Today, I ate a whole sleeve of Lemon Girl Scout cookies. But, that has fruit in it, so that shouldn't count, too, right?

Oh well, there's always next week.

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Friday night a group of my most wonderful amazing besties took me out to dinner for my upcoming birthday. Yep, I'm finally going to be 21!

I sure do love all these girls!

I was showered with gifts, too.

Thanks, my amaxing friends, for making me feel special!

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I've also been rehearsing for this:

Except, this weekend I decided not to sing in it because of the massive time commitment and I just don't feel like I should be away from my little family that much.

But, last year, it was one of the most amazingly spiritual and musical experiences of my life, so I want to tell all of you to go see it. I promise you, you will be truly touched and amazed. The pic links to the website where you can get tickets.

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I was asked by an up and coming author who is publishing a new book, to write a song to go along with the book's release. I feel so honored. And overwhelmed. I now have to write a new song (thankfully, he already wrote the lyrics) before May. I will be doing a lot of praying for inspiration.

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I've been playing a few "gigs" these past few weeks, too...mostly accompaniment gigs, but it's something.

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My birthday is on Tuesday.

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You know, honestly, when I write it all down, it doesn't seem like that much, but I had a little mini break down on Friday after I woke up to realized that I had a flat tire, so instead of gettiing to go to my spin class, I got to haul the monkeys to Les Schwab instead. It just started my day off wrong, then other stuff happened, and I was just a speeding train heading fast down a collision course. I guess Friday was my low in my manic cycle. Gotta love those gosh darn hormones!

I'm just grateful to my husband and wonderful friends who are there for me to talk me down from the my ledge, over and over again.

I guess I just need to know my limits.

Don't Get Around Much Anymore...

...at least not in blogland. I'm sorry I've been MIA, but I've been IN.SANE.ly busy. I really don't even have time today to be writing this post. I've been meaning to write a post illustrating what I've been doing for the past few weeks, but I just can't find the time to do it. Maybe later.

I just wanted to get on here and let you all know I am posting today over here at 11:00 am.


Later.