"Cardigan"

When Brayden had the stomach flu last week, he threw up all over his beloved & all time favorite stuffed lamb, Cardigan. We got Cardigan when Brayden was just 2 1/2. I remember because it was a quite a few months before Kosty was born. We found him at Kohl's & he is the softest, cutest lamb ever. Brayden instantly decided that his name would be "Cardigan." (which he copied from the lamb on Charlotte's Web 2). I thought it was such a clever name & was perfect for him. He stole Brayden's heart from day one. From then until now, every time we pass a Kohls, he reminds me "that's where we found Cardigan." He has brought him to California on vacation, to school for show & tell, and he is the first thing he wants to snuggle when he isn't feeling good.

After we realized "Cardi" had suffered as the flu target, I put him in the laundry room till I figured out how to get him clean (his tag said 'surface wash only' & his hooves have some little plastic beads in them, so I was nervous) Brayden has been sad ever since & every night claims that he "can't fall asleep without Cardi." Today, I went to the dry cleaner & they told me that they don't clean stuffed animals. So, after some talking into, I took a risk & put him in the extra delicate cycle. Brayden was on full watch. He yelped a big "NO!" when I put him in. I assured him he would be ok (I hoped) & then he stood over the washer & with every spin, he would say, "Mama, he doesn't like that. It really scares him." Meanwhile I was yelling "Woohoo Cardigan! Hows the ride?!!" Trying to make it seem FUN, of course. Well he wasn't buying any of it & continued to stand guard. Anyway, he SURVIVED in one piece!! No lumps & no missing eyes or anything else. Victory! I told him he would have to air dry & then I found him in the bathroom drying him with the blow dryer. I love how tender he is with him, & how he genuinely treats Cardigan like he has feelings & a personality. Its so cute. HOORAY! He's back!! Brayden is finally at peace, and out of excuses for not falling asleep at night!

he's got it bad...

Today Brayden devulged his deepest, darkest secret to his friend at the park, as they were making wishes by throwing rocks into the sewer hole...they both came running up & she told me, "Brayden said he loves Mikayla!" During the confession, Brayden was yelling & doing everything he could to get her to not spill his beans. Well once the word was out, he went a little ballistic. A lot ballistic. I would like to call it rage. Instant tears streamed down his cheeks, screaming, clinched fists, veins popping out of his neck & all. It was quite embarrassing for me that he was so embarrassed! I have never seen him react so out of control!

When I tucked him into bed just now, I told him that its OK that he likes Mikayla, I like her too, she is a sweet girl. Lots of boys & girls "like" each other. I told him he wont be embarrassed about it when he is about 25 & ready (allowed) to get married. He said, "I can't marry Mikayla because she is bigger than me though. She's 8 & I'm only 5." I told him not to worry about it for now but sometimes a girl is older than the boy when they get married. I told him again, he can tell me anything & I don't want him to feel that embarrassed like that again. He said, "But Mama, that is the 'syest,' most embarrassed 'fing' in my whole life & earth!" Oh the turmoil, what am I in for...he's not even in Kindergarden yet.

What a man

Peeee-you...I am gagging from the odor as I type. You may remember around October, Brayden insisted on spending his birthday money on a pet fish. Well we ended up with 3 because the bowl was pretty big & he didn't want them to be lonely. No biggie, since I was thinking in my head that they will all die in the next 3 weeks, right? Well true for 2 of them. Mario and Wario Quickly passed. But as for Luigi, that stubborn little-life-loving fish is still hanging on tight with no sign of slowing down. Unfortunately. I know I'm terrible but honestly Brayden was "over it" as I knew he would be after 2 weeks. He is not capable of cleaning the fish bowl out himself every week, so Jer and I made a pact...to each take a turn every other week. Well I dropped out after week 2. The smell is by far the most putrid I have ever experienced. It literally fumigates the entire left side of the house for about an hour, post cleaning. It smells like you literally fell into a sewer hole. I told him that I was sorry for breaking our pact, but he had to understand that it was too much for me to handle! Thanks for taking one for the team Jer! I'm sure Luigi thanks you too.

Next up.. this week both my kids got the stomach flu. There were many times when I thought to myself, what on Earth would I do if I were a single mom or had a not so nice husband? There is no way I would've survived. After each throw up/diarrea explosion, and there were MANY, I would take the kid & clean them while Jer cleaned up the horror. I don't know how he did. Again, the smell/view was enough to make me throw up myself. And we are talking about 3,4, 5 in the morning. I seriously wondered, if I were alone, is there a person/company you can hire to clean up grossness that you really seriously CANNOT!? Because I really, truly promise I could not. I won't get into the details, but I know most of you have been through it a time or two. I have no problem cleaning up the child & throwing stuff in the washer, but come on cleaning it out of the carpet & getting rid of the stuff that can't go in the washer, that's where I am worthless. Now here is the aftermath..the infamous Mount Rushmore. Which is not including 2 more loads that are still in the laundry room! Jer is always kind enough to help me fold the laundry. Thank heavens since every single towel, sheet, pillowcase, clothing, and bath mat is in that pile from the week we've had. Who wants to come help? :)

love. love. love.

In honor of Valentine's Day, I wanted to post some things I just LOVE! In no particular order.

Kosty's face of pure joy while watching his all time favorite part of Harry Potter--- the flying car! Tell me that's not LOVE!Oh, and his muy importante sound machine! A good nights sleep for all!!! Hooray!

There are SO many good ones this year, I don't know how I'll ever pick a fave! Oh, and I have to mention how much I love Simon this season! Talk about a major heart softening, that guy is as cuddly as a kitten...he must be in love. Yay Simon!

Whoops!
Loving Grandparents. Jer's parents are the best ever & I am SOOO grateful for the close bond they have with my boys. They are such good people & I love em!

Jer surprised me with my favorite shampoo ever for Love Day. I consider it a small luxury that I never buy for myself. My hair is so thin & limp & needs all the help it can get! Thanks Jer.

Speaking of hair...I am in love with my hair girl from my ward, Crystal. Crystal just had a baby so I was forced to try a new girl at a new salon & she missed a major part of my hair...uhhh the roots!! Hello!? So I went back for a re-do & OOPS! she did it again! GRRRRRRRR! Crystal-- I NEED you!

Something I swore I would never let my kids do...tacky up their walls! But when he grabbed my hand to show me "a super awesome surprise!" Followed by, "do you like it?" how could I not??


Rob & Big. This is Jer's fave show & he always persuades me to stay up way too late watching it. It is SO funny & on the last episode the little one (Rob) dressed up in a fat suit for the day & Jer & I were both crying we were laughing so hard.


Kosty's super cute feet...I could seriously eat them. I adore his little feet! Speaking of yum, Jer got me a bean & cheese burrito from Some Burros one night & I have been hooked ever since. Simple, cheap, & delicious!


Apples in the tub!

The Pampered Chef garlic press, my favorite & most used kitchen utensil




A thought occured to me one day...I get a whole heck of a lot more done when: A) my hair is pulled back, and B) I am wearing my magic Nikes. So, yes, I should wear them every day but I don't particularly enjoy running myself raggad! Usually Monday's are my Nike day.
As much as I love an easy & delicious crockpot dinner, I HATE cleaning it more than anything. You just toss these & your done. I loved them even more before a certain someone (ahem, Jamie) brought it to my attention that they aren't as well priced as I thought they were. $1.97 for just 6, I thought there was like 20 in there. Dang. Oh well.

Oreos. Mmmm. Eating oreos with Brayden. I like mine super soggy & he likes his crunchy. I never let him eat them without me!

skateboard lessons from my boy

Everytime we're out front, Brayden "coaches" me on how to skateboard. I've mentioned before how much he gets a kick out of things I can't do or am scared of...and he eats this up! I am terrified of going over the hump on the driveway & no matter how many times I try, I always jump off at the last second. Grr! He cracks up & he can't believe I am more scared than he is. But he is so insistant on me learning, & he never stops trying. SAD that my 5 year old has more guts than I do. I am almost envious of his fearless attitude! He does it with no qualms..I almost have a panic attack. I can't believe he hasn't given up on me yet. I love his encouragement, he is so adorable. There is no other coach I'd rather have!

A selfish, flaky chameleon! Dang.

What "Chelsea" Means...

You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily.You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind.A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out.Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia.Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily.Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong.You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know.You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality.

What's" Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

I guess my age is starting to show!

So Brayden & I were looking through his "Friend" magazine & in it was a kid friendly 'Plan of Salvation' that you can cut out the shapes & place everything in order. Anyways, I was telling him about Earth life, we all die someday & then live again. He was concerned exactly "when" we die. He wanted an exact age! Its so hard to explain these things but that magazine helps SO MUCH! I told him he would be really, really old, like 100ish (he better be!) then he said, "I want to meet Jesus so I can get his autograph!" and he asked if his Grandpa was one of the really old people, sad. Jer's dad is actually the youngest of all the Grandpas but he has been sick for years & Brayden notices. Anyways, I told him, "No, Grandpa is not very old at all, he doesn't even have grey or white hair yet!" (how to put it in kid terms?!!) and he said, "Oh, well you are getting really old, because your hair is almost white, huh?"