Devanie.com

Everyone’s sick.

“Zach is still a cutie even when he’s sick. One thing about guys is even when they are young they are still easy to read” – Nathan

I love Nathan. He’s the best husband ever and takes such good care of me.

I’ve had a hard time getting internet connectivity here in this new house so when Nathan’s computer is free, I get to read the emails form eBay customers telling me their item isn’t in 1 piece or something else. With an occasional, Thanks SOO much! Nathan just finished building this computer (Darth Maul) he bought to play games with his brothers on it gave him a lot of trouble but it can “dance circles” around anyone else’s computer.

I still need to check my emails. I’ve had very little sleep between Zach up most hours of the night with a stuffy nose, fever, little cough, some bumpy skin irritation all over – I think from too much fabric softener in our laundry. And sleeping with pregnancy this far along is getting harder and harder to do. I find myself in extreme pain from my “round ligaments stretching” every other night and it takes 1 – 2 bottles of water to make that stop. Then I fall asleep and an hour later have to go pee, and again 2 hours after that. Then we are up between 6 and 7:20 am screaming to get out the door to school – well not screaming – but trying to get everything done in the hopes that we will make it out the door on time.

Sierra had a melt down this morning. She’s had a headache off and on for a few days now. This morning I picked out a very cute outfit for her to wear and she completely refused to wear it. I just don’t know how to get it thru to her that at least she has cute clothes and some kids hardly have a choice in the matter. She’s already very materialistic and is very picky about her attire including shoes which we had another meltdown over yesterday, oh and he bun in her hair today she hated but wouldn’t do anything about it but scream at me.

Hailey has become very attached to Nintendo games. She doesn’t have a ton of time to play them between school and homework and meals, and when she does she has a hard time turning the thing off! She’s still very slow at getting her homework done. I used to think it was because she wanted to be perfect and think things through. It’s the same math problems over and over she practically knows them by heart now but takes her sweet time getting any of it done without a LOT of prompting and encouragement.

This afternoon Zach and I were playing in the “Dance Room” tossing a big bouncy ball around. We were having a lot of fun. He was passing it to me and catching very cute. Nathan was off work and walked across the hall to join us. We had a blast! We turned on the radio and hit the ball around for a long time. Soon enough the girls joined us. We played Monkey into he middle with Hailey. Played No hands tossing with Sierra and had ourselves a really good time. Zach would get bumped every so often but couldn’t care less, Hailey got whacked in the face a few times but still enjoys tossing the ball back and looking at herself in the mirror. And Sierra managed to get her fingers bumped back a few times as well. I think we aught to play there more often now that I have cleaned it up a little more.

Speaking of cleaning
yep – I got myself a cleaning lady! It’s only for a few months and every other week but man I felt so great after the last time she came, I may be addicted now. It was so nice to have things clean. I usually do a pretty good job, but with baby 4 in tow it’s been a lot harder to keep up and bend over and I just want to be lazy I’m so dang fat there isn’t much else to do!

Wow I didn’t think I had anything to tell about. Guess I was wrong.

We are laying low keeping close to home and hardly trying to make any friends. Maybe this spring when the disgusting smog clears and the baby is ready to show off and flu season is over.

Seems like I had something new to say. Let’s see. . .

Hailey and Sierra’s school has started a reading minutes incentive and Hailey has been right on it. This past week any time she could find to read – even if it was for 1 minute she counted. I figured with all the reading they have to do in their Nintendo game like “animal Crossing” Surely I could add a few minutes for that. Especially sierra whom I make sound out the words if I’m there to read them with her. She’s getting along with reading pretty well, but gets frustrated easily. She just doesn’t want to assert herself. But we are determined to get her reading more and add minutes to her chart. We count the minutes we read when they come home, Hailey counts the ones she does in the car to and from school and when she has time at home, and Sierra and I count Nintendo minutes reading- I think she is really leaning a lot of words from her games.

We passed in the papers with the minutes they read and the both won minutes for their classes.

Well they won! One of the privledges with winning that they both got was to wear a Basketball jersey from a local official NBA team. They were pretty excited to tell me about it!

They also got a pencil. And a wristband bracelet with the Elem school name on it.

I don’t drink carbonated drinks very often. For a couple reasons;

1. They just aren’t comfortable to drink
2. Usually they are packed with calories and the diet just isn’t very good.
3. I think they have something to do with my kidney stones rumbling around scraping up my kidnesy and making my back uncomfortable.
4. I just prefer smooth drinks – not too cold.

And the airplanes always serve soda – and some juices but he only thing the serve with few to 0 calories with no carbonation is water.

I asked for water with no ice and I got a cup of water with no ice. Which was OK but the airline I flew on didn’t just give me one of the little bottles of water that most airlines carry. Maybe it has something to do with the Liquid expolsives on airplanes scare, you know, having a bottle that can be opened, filled and sealed again.

I being pregnant need to drink a ton more – I never had to with babys 1 and 2 but 3 and 4 I almost consume my weight in water each week. The security guards took away my water bottle – as I expected would happen but that menat and hour wait before I could get some on the plane or have to spend another $1.50 on a bottle of water, so I took the chance and waited.

When I asked for a little bottle of water the attendant said I have a can of water. I was hoping for a bottle becasue I had a little packet of crystal light powder I could shake into it to make it a little more tasty. When she came back with a can of water I was thrown back a bit because I don’t ever recall seeing a can of water in my life. So I had to make up this silly blog about it and I took a picture while I was on the plane. Oh – And asked for one to go. Interesting? I though it was.

Canned Water. Why not? If they can juice, soda, baby powder, soup, why not right? It’s just a bit harder to pour the drink powder in, close and shake up, so you have to ask for a straw to stir with.

Black & Whites

The wedding turned out beautiful.

There were many decorations.

The bride was stunning. The groom, very sentimental and gleeming!

The daughters georgeous!

The wedding almost went off without a hitch! ALMOST! Almost WITHOUT a HITCH – yep. . .right before the wedding we hunted and hunted for the GROOM. ALAN was no where to be seen in the church. The wedding procession music started without him at the front of the audiance. Grandma Lay, Grandpa, an official, and I all called out his name – trying to whisper as not to upset the crowd. Then we finally found him outside on his way in, tinted glasses from the sun, but ready to rush in and make his appearance. THANK GOODNESS!

One of the Bridesmaids couldn’t make it – Rachael – and her dress didn’t make it either – they were going to try to alter it so that I could fit into it (Molly said it would have wrapped around me 3 times even in my 8 month pregnant state)- if they had it. Her 1 year old ended up in the hospital for a couple days with pneumonia.

The music had to be stopped and restarted, thanks to our D.J., my brother, Thomas whom got the procession on the way.

My camera decided to run out of battery so I ran and grabbed some and got some of the best moments captured. Plus I was taking pictures so fast that the flash didn’t go off well on some.

There was another hitch that I wish I had videotaped. Was the Wedding Cake!

They went to cut the wedding cake and the whole thing toppled over! YEP! cake on the floor. Alan – the groom was quick enough to grab the second layer and was able to catch it before it fell to the floor like it’s top layer. I was able to capture some shots while managing to steer clear of the cake on the floor =)

There were many events.

I worked my tail end off thru the whole thing. Setting up centerpieces for the tables, attaching bows, Decorating arches, making sure there was a gift table andso forth while Mom Dad thomas, Leejoe, Kelli and Leonard all pitched in, I also started helping Molly get ready, taking pictures, and the groomsmen didn’t even think to decorate the car so I ran out with some of the decorations just before they left and Thomas came to the rescue as well helping to write JUST MARRIED on the back with his stick of deodorant he happened to have in his truck.

They both said, “I Do.” And that my friends, is the most impotant part. Right?

Anyways, here are some pictures.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPS98eWYd0o]

Off to the airport!

Hope to see you at the wedding!

Kids scheduals have been juggled and readied.

Nathan will be back tonight.

I’ll be getting a pedicure tonight with the Bride and setting up and watching her get married tomorrow.

Take care!

Have a good weekend. I’ll post pictures when I can.

What a delight little Zach is in my life.

He’s 14 month old and knows how to use a stud finder just like his Daddy can!

A must see event!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfRLJIaabbo]

First he needs to get in his car to go to work:

10 or more things about each of my kids.

Hailey

Is very outgoing and can express her opinion.
Will be baptized in July.
Has her sights set on becoming an Art teacher.
Loves being indoors.
Enjoys Computer and Video games.
Takes her time to do things well.
Is always drawing, writing or sculpting something with paper.
Dances pretty cooky crazy.
Hardly eats anything.
Likes to be a leader.
Can be slow do do things because she’s a deep thinker.
Speaks well with Adults.
Loves to read.

Sierra

Is very photogenic.
Loves to dance.
Loves playing games.
Sucks her thumb when she is bored.
Loves to be outside.
Eats well.
Enjoys playing with other people
Remembers people, faces, names, things they do.
Has a “book” in her head that she changes the pages on.(Memory)
Loves listening to music.

Zach

Is very easy going.
Loves to be tickled, but can be very ticklish.
Likes to play with toy cars.
Loves feeling included.
Enjoys Father figures around him.
Can go a long time without a nap but still be in a good mood.
Try’s to speak and is working on his vocabulary.
Loves to be the center of attention.
Cuddles and sits in your lap enjoying the friendship.
Likes to be moving and walking.

Aurora

Still growing.
Is working on her personality.
Getting a little stronger each day.
Makes her mamma’s belly sore.
Had cute ultrasounds.
Will enjoy her name.
Wants to be here before her due date because the noise outside sounds fun.
Can kick.
Can punch.
Has all her body parts.

We love you all very much kiddos!

I’ve been summoned for Wedding Decoration duty.

Molly’s Wedding Colors:

Red, Black and White
Date: January 20, 2007
Commencement Time: 1:30
Set up time: 11:30
Pedicures: Before 11

For Molly’s wedding I’m making the 4 girls and 2 bridesmades crowns/halo type and bows for the chair rows plus a bunch more. Molly has asked that I help with the table centerpieces and really make it an awesome looking wedding. I’ve also been burning and buying music for her reception. She didn’t give me much time for 20 or so big bows for the aisle, 6 crowns, Music, etc. Sure wish I’d known a month ago. I’m VERY glad she’s asked me to help. I love to do that sort of thing.

She’s Marrying a really nice – Drug Free Guy – That she met in Nevada after she left Jeremy and worked on the divorce. The divorce has been complete since September. He works as a manager at a Auto lube mechanic place. He’s very good to her and the girls. He was married once. He wasn’t able to have kids with the other woman. Molly wants to try to see if they can make babies – I think she’s crazy but it’sher life. She’s had a steady job working at a blood and plasma lab for about a year now. She works with Joey E, Nick P -Ian P’s (X-C running)big brother, and hangs out with Cheryl T and some other VC”ites”.

His name is Allan. I don’t even remember his last name. But I’m SOOOOO glad she won’t be Roberts anymore! =)

The wedding is Saturday. Assuming my plane doesn’t get delayed or stuck in snow Friday night I’ll get there Friday afternoon and leave Sunday morning – All by myself! One kid connected to the womb, but pretty much hands-free! YIPPPEEE.

I have to make all kinds of things for it. I think I’m procrastinating and I don’t know why. Nathan’s been out of town for a week and a half of his 2 weeks and I feel like I’ve had a lot on my plate. Plus I am trying to sell a bunch of stuff on eBay so I can pay for a house cleaner to take some of that load of my belly. Sitting at the computer selling things is easier than housework. I think it’s a fair trade with this pregnancy.

A pretty good night at the Mall with 3 1/2 kids =)

Yesterday I spent quite a bit of time with Aunt Suzie and her kids. We went shopping together and she came over in the afternoon and we chatted for a while.

They had to leave but had planned to come to the mall with me.

I went on my own and found:

A bouncy castle for the girls to jump for free in. They went 3 times about 7 minutes each time and really had fun.

Then We went to the play area. Much smaller than the ones in CT but still a play area with fun foamy toys for kids to climb around on.

I shopped at Gymboree and got clothes for Zach next winter because they were on sale and I had my $25 off $50 voucher from spending $50 before Christmas.

I also took the kids to Bath and Body Works and got a $2 Rubber ducky and used a coupon for a free Mentha chapstick – I got orange cream.

We headed upstairs to the Food Court and picked up Pretzels and McDonald’s. The girls both recognized kids from their school and they happened to be in the same family. That was when I met John and Amy. They have a girls in Hailey’s class and a boy in Sierra’s class. And 3 year old twin girls. She incited me to sit with them and we got to chat and start figuring out carpool options. And I found a Piano teacher as well. She teaches piano – by ear – the Suzuki or Yamaha method =) That would be great for Hailey and at 12 per session I think it would be worth it. Plus if She picks them up from school I can just pick them up after lessons. Humm . . We had ice cream from DQ with them at the mall. And they went to the bounce house with after. They aren’t in our church ward because they live about 10 streets north of us. That’s part of the culture shock we are experiencing.

I made a deal on eBay. I sold 2 glade candles – the older kind that I got for .34 cents each last year with Thomas Kinkades art on them and someone paid $24.00 for the set. Unbelievable aye?

I’m going to call maid services for myself since I just don’t get around to the nitty gritty so well anymore and I have some money from EBay to pay for it. I think that’s how I will rationalize it besides being pregnant – can end up on bed-rest on a moments notice and I have 3 kids to chase around all day, Plus car registration, groceries, laundry, snow shoveling, eBay, and relatives to attend to. House cleaning can be someone else’s job for a while. Say 3 months?

I just called a cleaning lady about 12PM today. and but 4:05 I have done more housework in a day than I have in a VERY long time. What more motivation do you need than knowing a housecleaner is coming to assess your home in 4 hours? She will be here at 5. The house is nice and clean so I can say to her is:. . .”This is how I want it to look after I’m through with you.” =)

She charges $15/hr and I asked her how much it would cost to wipe down 2.5 of the 3.5 bathrooms and Dust the house. She said about 2 1/2 hours. I may add to her list of chores. But I think $15/hr sounds reasonable. I better take it easy or She will end up coming over every once a week and cleaning for 4 or more hours like I just did =)