Can I Have that in Writing?

There have been times when I say something to my teenage or adult kids like "let me here you say it" just to get them to tell me and admit "yes Mom, you were right" or "that's a great idea" or some other profound Mother-ish statement I've made to them. I then will follow that up with "Can I have that in Writing"? Which most times is met with snicker, a kiss on the cheek and a "NO!" But not this time!!!

On Sunday Amber was working on a project for a presentation at church for tonight. She was stuck so she ask me "Mom, do you have any ideas for ...?" So I told her the first thing that popped into my head. With that she said "Mom, you are a genius!!!" And you know what I said. And look what she did.

See Mom's (and Dad's) there are those parental paybacks. I am keeping this FOREVER!!! Carrying it around in my planner and will whip it out any chance I get :D Especially to the next child that thinks this Mom doesn't know what she's talking about.

Thanks Amber!! It made my day!!

Are you in a candy coma?

We're doing pretty good here.

We started with our Bug Juice.


Then ate some Mummy Dogs and Bugs in a Blanket.

We managed to get rid of the majority of our candy.


The secret to not collecting tons? Let you kids go outside without a coat!!! They come home VERY quickly.




Rob and David had a "boys night" and Amber and I headed off to the church for a youth dance. Let me tell you, you can't expect to be taken seriously when you are wearing a ketchup costume.


Everyone kept asking me where the mustard was. One girl was really cute and said "awwww, the mustard stayed home to take care of the little mayonnaise". That made me laugh.

We stayed up way to late but enjoyed the extra hour of sleep. Now to tackle the month of November!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!

Hope your night is SPOOKtacular!!!

I (Amy) get to chaperone at the church youth dance tonight. So Amber and I get to party together. Rob and David are having some "guy time". Rob will take David out for what may be his last time trick or treating. Then I'm not sure what they will do besides hand candy out. We'll eat dinner together first with some traditional Halloween junk food!

Pictures to follow!!!

Bleck! It's the Creeping Crud!!

It's hit our house AGAIN!!!! Sore throat, stuffy nose, coughing. So far it's just Amber and David. Let's hope it stops there because neither Rob or I want or need to get sick.

So before I head off to take them to the Doctor to get a strep culture, here's a little fun from our Friday night.


David and Amber playing together in the high school spirit band. Yes, David has been asked to play the trombone in the band. It's fun and challenging for him. And he's sounding GREAT!


Amber with her friend Carlie with the high school mascots. Love their new sweatshirts?

And here is where Rob and I sit. Spirit band behind us, high school fans and cheerleaders in front. Friday night this song was played 4 times ~ every time there is a touchdown.

It's been a rough week

But not as rough for my sweet friend Dawn whose husband unexpectedly passed away at the young age of 41 and leaving her to raise 4 children, ages 19 - 9 without a Father. She has SO many people around her to help. But it gives you pause to think about all the "what if's" of life. It gives you pause to think about what really IS important. And when either one of you or your children walk out that door, make it a happy and loving departure. Because seriously, you NEVER know what might happen. "Life is remembered by moments not days."

This video gave me such strength and filled my soul with peace. Because THIS, our Savior, Jesus Christ IS what it is all about.

Amber's Surprise

Amber was trying to keep this a surprise from us. That was until she got wind that we might not come to the football game after all. So she had to tell us. Rob and I couldn't have been more proud of her. And yes, she made us both tear up!

Here's Amber singing the National Anthem (accapella) at the Lynden High School homecoming football game.

Look who is turning 2 today!!!

It's our sweet little Elizabeth Nicole!!

Jessica took her in to the doctor for her 2 year check up and Lizzie is in the 75% for weight and 90% for height. And to quote the doctor (clearing my throat in pride)
Lizzie is "extremely bright and has an amazing vocabulary"!



Hello!!! We could have told you that!!!


We love our little buggy. She has brought such joy to our lives.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIZZIE!!

THIS is why we live in Washington!!

Enough said!

Oink! Oink!!

Is this how humans get the swine flu?

So I knew something was up when David fell asleep in the car trip down to Bellingham on Monday and stayed asleep the entire time Amber was at bassoon lessons. He didn't even budge when I took this:

The next morning he looked like this:

Notice the Star Wars pillow turned to the dark side? That's the clue that he doesn't feel well.

We didn't think too much about his illness as it just seemed routine coughing, snuffy nose, and tiredness. And there was NO fever. Last night David complained his ears were starting to hurt. "Uh oh!", I thought. "Ear infection starting". Well, you can imagine our surprise when Dr. Dickson said his ears were clear but the eustation tube was closed, like it is when you're on an airplane. And all the other symptoms? "Suspects he has the SWINE FLU"!!! WHAT?!?!?!?! Complete shock! This illness is SO mild. Especially if you compare it to the seasonal flu he had back in March. And the Dr. confirmed that as well. From what he has seen, the seasonal flu is way worse than the over talked about H1N1 virus. He also said yesterday there were 50 kids out sick at one of the local schools and he saw 6 patients (all kids) in his office yesterday with these same symptoms.

So Mr. D, more than likely, gets to stay home for the rest of the week. Mom gets to clear her calendar. Woohoo!! Never a dull moment around here is there!

Me thinks we have a .....

...PUMPKIN PILFERER!!!!!

So really, tell me. How can we go from this in July

Remember this post about 3 separate pumpkin balls and all the blossoms.


to THIS??? In October!!


Can you believe this? Only ONE pumpkin!!! An itty bitty baby! Lizzie size :D

Upon closer inspection, I discovered there are actual plants missing. So either it's a pilferer of the human kind (which I really hope not) or we have a bunny, squirrel, or raccoon lurking nearby. I guess I should be thankful they left us one pumpkin that is almost ready to pick. I need to turn it over to face the sun so the green part will go away. Or maybe I should just pick it now before something or someone else does. Hmmmmm, decisions!

So sorry to those of you who had such faith in me to have a bounty to share. This City Girl is still learning. So do you have any ideas of what went wrong here? Should we put up a little fence next time around? What are your thoughts?