Time Well Spent

Last week, we stopped by my parents house on the way home. It was a quick stop, you know the routine, "we're just picking something up, everyone stay in your seat belts, we'll leave the air conditioner on, Grandma and Papa will come out and say HI."
So the whole thing went as planned, we said hi, my mom brought cookies out to the car for the kids and we headed home.
Two seconds after we got home, my Dad pulls up the driveway in his truck. Just because he didn't feel like he had enough time with us. Time, that was it. He didn't need an excuse to come over, He just came. After about 30 minutes and a nice visit, he goes to get back into his truck, and Luke noticed something.
My Dad got into his truck and came to our house with NO SHOES ON!

Now some people would look at this as odd, crazy, or a little scatter brained, but not me.
I know my Dad just didn't care that his shoes were on, he just wanted to come over and wasn't willing to take the time on himself to put them on.

In All Honesty

I love my house. I mean it took an act of God to get this house to begin with. But it's funny how even though you have everything that seems to be perfect, you just want to peek over the other side to see what it might be like.
My major complaints for the neighborhood are....

*about 40% renters (which makes for lousy neighbors -most of the time)
*our house is in a direct flightline path(which you get used to and dont notice until your at someone elses house)
*our HOA dues are atsronomical - yet they cant get the guy to move his car that's been dead and parked on the wrong side of the street for two years.
*it's really a trek to drive anywhere and I typically have to plan everything around a twenty minute comute or more.
*the lot size is ridiculous and there is no RV parking whatsoever (which means everything goes in the garage...my car is slowly being pushed out)
*we're suppose to be getting annexed, and that's going to cost more (who knows how much more)

The plus side to staying here and being content with what God gave us....
*We wouldn't have to go into any more debt
*we already have three years of mortgage payments behind us
*We've already built strong memories here
*It's an absolutely beautiful house
*We would have to hire moving people, because there's just some stuff that is going to be impossible to move (and I hate moving)
*we can always remodel it if we need to
*I can always find someone living somewhere that I wouldn't want to live in a million years.

Luke and I took a drive, looking at houses that were available in the areas that we desired the most. After walking through a few, knowing one was too small, the other was ok and was nice, but was it going to be worth all the work and effort and memories lost? After pulling into the driveway of my completely comfortable, memory filled, 3% paid for house, I think we'll just stay home.

Get This!

Grandma Marge stood me up!


I was prepared for everything that she could do, but didn't really expect this.
I'm still not sure what to make of it.

CRAZY GRANDMA!

I'm Determined!

Well, the time has come to take up the ever tedious task of entertaining obscure relatives. My husband's grandmother and her new husband...at the age of 87...is visiting from Florida.

I'm determined not to freak out when:

1. They ask me for the one hundredth time if I'm having any more kids.

2. I see them kissing (they are newlyweds after all). Still, it's kind of...

3. They grab silverware out of the droor that didn't make it past inspection after going through the dishwasher.

4. The kids forget to flush the toilet.

5. The kids whine or ask for something they know they aren't allowed to have.

6. They decide that a restaurant is my idea of not having to work for dinner. (Like it's easy taking 5 children to a restaurant)

7. One of the kids picks their nose in front of them.

8. When Grandma decides it's important to tell me about her bathroom habits.

9. When they decide that Luke is commodity for running errands.

10. Last, but not least, If they come over and the house isn't perfectly clean.

I'll do my best, but that's all I can do...and NO MORE!

PEEEEYEEEEW!!!!

The kids have been bored all summer, so today I decided to let them have a project day.
First we started with construction paper, scissors, glue, and crayons.

Then we moved onto a tea party, including a very special tea set from Germany.

Finally, we moved on to my daughters birthday present. A perfumery lab chemistry set.

After about an hour, my nasal passage just screams NO MORE. You know when you get that sick to your stomach, if I have to wiff one more thing, I'm going to hurl. So I tell Bethany, "ok, that's enough...put everything away, exactly the way it was before."

But, I had no idea the events that were about to ensue.





The next thing I know...my entire house is filled with the concentrated version of peppermint, jasmine, apple, lily of the valley, and some other smell that when used correctly smells like soap.
It smells so bad in my house right now...I have had no luck looking up ways to get it out of the house. Opening up all the windows didn't help, hours later it's still just as offensive. I need help...any suggestions????

Embarrassing Moment of the Day

Ugh!
Like I don't have enough embarrassing moments just being blond.
Today, while I was doing Bethany's hair, getting ready to leave for ballet class, I hear Cody crying. "Mom, the dog ran away!"
Oh great, my big obnoxious dog has decided to run off and hit the town. I grab a bag of dog treats and go for a walk.
I turn the corner, and spot her...whistling and calling her...but she completely ignores me....grrrr!

So I have to walk straight up to her and grab her. Oh how embarrassing, but it's not the worst part. My dog decides her defiance is not over, and she lays on the ground and plays dead.
So, there I am, dragging a full grown Labrador retriever, on her back down the sidewalk. Yep, my neighbors now know me as the lady that drags her dog.
I'm so mad at her I could just spit. Stupid Dog!

41 Girl Confessions

1.Is it cute when a guy kisses you on your forehead?
Completely, it shows admiration and respect

2.A big poofy dress or a short party dress?
If I have to wear a dress, it's a short party dress

3.What would you do if you received a long love letter?
Be completely shocked!

4.Group dates or single dates?
BOTH


5.Do you hate it when guys act different around their friends?
Of course

6.Are diamonds a girl’s best friend?
I really dont think so, but I love them.


7.Is your hair up or down today?
actually, it's up...can you believe it


8.Do you straighten your hair?
ha ha ha ha ha ha...my hair couldn't get any straighter if it was wet

9.Favorite mascara?
maybelline..waterproof, black


10.Do you get your nails done?
no..I dont have the time and I dont like to waste money


11.Small or large purses?
definately small


12.In your purse, what are your must haves?
hmmm..let me check....3 pens, a rubberband, stamps, rewetting drops, grocery list, keys, wallet, cellphone

13.Jeans or sweats?
in the winter...jeans, summer...shorts...almost never sweats

14.Do you wear clothes/shoes/jewelry that’s uncomfortable?
unfortunately...I can't pull off the hippi look

15.Do you text message a lot?
it cost money, no way

16.What would you do if you got pregnant?
roll my eyes and say "here we go again"

17.What’s your favorite color?
depends on my mood and the season

18.Heels or flats:
heels...I need all the height I can get, even my flip flops are on an incline

19.Did you ever cry during a romantic movie?
yes...west side story was the first


20.Would you ever leave the house without make-up on?
not often

21. Walmart or Target?
I find Target to be the lesser evil, but Walmart has more

22. Do you wear collar shirts?
sometimes

23. Do you think lip gloss is the best?
definately

24. Do you own any big sunglasses?
I try to find small ones, but they aren't popular so...yeah

25. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
about 10 minutes

26.Do you like to wear band-aids?
wah?

27. Do you often wish there was something you could change?
are you kidding...I'd change the color of my car if I could

28.Gold or Silver?
hmmm tough question

29. Do you like to recieve flowers?
Of course

30. Do you dress up for the holidays?
only Christmas and Easter...next year I'll make a point to dress up for presidents day

31. Do you like to wear dresses?
no

32. On a scale of 1-10 how much do men confuse you.
I'm assuming 1 is the least, 10 is the most....I'll go with a 2

33. Do you like to hold hands?
since kids, it's usually little hands that I have to hold on to

34. Would you kill for chocolate?
well obviously never, but there are days when its better just to have some and defuse the situation

35.Did you ever spend all day getting pretty for a guy?
Oh I like this question....MY WEDDING DAY!

36. On a scale from 1-10, how fun is shopping?
With kids 1, without kids 10

37. Do you freak out if you miss your favorite show?
ha ha...like I have one

38. Do you yell a lot?
"sigh" on days like today...it usually sounds like this...CODY TYLER MURRAY!

39. Do you wear sweatpants or pajamas to work?
Well I dont work, but the same rules apply...never out of the house

40. Do you have cramps?
dont we all

41. Do you think you have the bestest friends ever?

I know I do

My Patience Builder

I've asked other parents...do you have "the one?"
You know "the one" child that tests your patience until the outer edges have been thoroughly tested. The one, that would make even Mother Teresa explode on occasion. The one, that has made silence in your house terrifying. It's the child that has made all of the hiding places for things like scissors, sugar, glue, cookies, knives, sharpie markers, seem like not a good enough location.
Yep, I have one too.
And today, my patience is being tested to the very fibers from which it came. After spanking him the very second I got out of bed for kicking his sister. (This is obviously not allowed) Next spanking was for sneaking the carrots upstairs and attempting to make chopped soup out of them with his sisters toys.(Yet again, not allowed) Once all of the pieces were cleaned up onto the next spanking. Sneaking cereal and cookies, just after breakfast. (not allowed)And when I think this has got to be the last time, I go upstairs after I hear the water running. Surely this could not be Cody, since he asked and I just told him no...he could not take a bath. As I approach the upstairs I see a streak of naked, wet little boy running to his room. "SIGH!"

Happy Clean Sheet Day!!!

Is there nothing more comforting than going to bed after a long hard day to perfectly, fresh, clean sheets.
It's like a moment from a laundry detergent commercial. You open up your dryer and smell those perfectly bleached, crisp sheets.
I know this is completely ridiculous, but sometimes we need a little ridiculous in life. All day I go around the house saying "happy clean sheet day!" Every time you walk past the washer and dryer, hearing those sheets getting clean, "happy clean sheet day!" Then, finally you put them on your bed, straighten them, and cover them up, it like a present waiting to be opened at the end of the day. Ahhhh, at last, but honey you have to take a shower first before you come to bed.

So I pay homage to the clean sheets and celebrate "HAPPY CLEAN SHEET DAY!"

Focus!!!

For the past few weeks everything and everyone has been chaos. Even though, the house is clean, the kids are dressed, food in the fridge, bills are paid, and appointments have been made on time, things just still seem to be out of sorts.
I can only think of one thing that really makes life seem this way, summer and a lack of focus.
We've been off of school now for a ridiculous amount of time. Since we started early last year, we finished early this year. Not a bad concept, just bad timing. So now, the kids have been done with school since early April. Ugh!
Enough is enough. I've decided to start some serious study time for Justin, Bethany, and Cody. We've been doing little things here or there, but nothing too strenuous.
For now, we're beginning with a page of hand written math tables, followed by a paragraph of handwriting (usually a Bible verse), then a 30 minute reading time.
Any suggestions or helpful tips?

The very first blonde GUY joke...

Usually, by the time I get these, everyone else has already heard it, but I think it's funny (ok, maybe a little sick and wrong too)

An Irishman, a Mexican and a Blonde Guy were doing construction work on scaffolding on the 20th floor of a building. They were eating lunch and the Irishman said, "Corned beef and cabbage! If I get corned beef and cabbage one more time for lunch, I'm going to Jump off this building.



"
The Mexican opened his lunch box and exclaimed, "Burritos again! If I get burritos one more time I'm going to jump off, too.



"
The blond opened his lunch and said, Bologna again! If I get a bologna sandwich one more time, I'm jumping too.



"
The next day, the Irishman opened his lunch box, saw corned beef and cabbage and jumped to his death. The Mexican opened his lunch, saw a burrito, and jumped, too. The blonde guy opened his lunch, saw the bologna and jumped to his death as well.




At the funeral, the Irishman's wife was weeping.




She said, "If I'd known how really tired he was of corned beef and cabbage, I never would have given it to him again!"
The Mexican's wife also wept and said, "I could have given him tacos or enchiladas! I didn't realize he hated burritos so much.



"
Everyone turned and stared at the blonde's wife. The blonde's wife said, "Don't look at me.



He makes his own lunch

FEELS SO GOOD!

With 90 degree weather everyday, it's so much fun to get wet!




Dad vs Cody (score Cody 2, Dad 1)


Cody vs Dad (score Dad 0, Cody 3)



Justin vs Dad (score Justin 3, Dad 0)


Justin vs Cody (score Justin 2, Cody 3)


Dad cheats and get the hose


Dad vs Justin (score Dad 5, Justin -soaked)

Don't Say It!!!

I know most people think I'm a glutton for punishment, but I'm really not. Luke and I have been told several times now (by lab owners), that if you get a second lab it really actually helps. Finally, after hearing this enough, we decided we would start looking for another yellow lab. I called on one and Luke didn't even say anything, he just started getting everything in order for a new puppy. Before I had even seen him, Luke asks me "do you have you checkbook?" It's like he knows me or something. The second I saw him, awwwww! But just
see for yourself how cute he is....


We named him "Patriot"

My New Favorite Website

WWW.MUSICNOTES.COM

No longer do I ever have to drive down town, pay for parking, drag all five children out and keep them from getting into everything that looks somewhat interesting, and sift through piles of sheet music to find what I'm looking for...
All I have to do is look up artist or song, use my paypal account, which is so convienent, and print it up.
Wa La, sheet music...hurray!

Happy Independence Day!!!

Today is the day that we celebrate our independence. I've always loved this holiday. I mean nothing could be better than fresh corn on the cob, fresh watermelon, or burning yourself with those all so neccessary 1800 degree sparklers. The smell of sulfer, smoke, and barbecue. Yes, it's true! Nothing compares to the fourth of July. Although, it's not justice and just plain criminal to not remember all of those who have served, fought, and died for this great country.


So here's a glance,


IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
Thomas Jefferson wrote The Declaration of Indepence


IN 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote what we now know as the star spangled banner


From 1861-1865, the United States of America was engaged in the Great Civil War (North- losses 360,000 dead and 275,200 wounded) (South-losses 258,000 dead and 137,000 wounded)


World War I, the united states joined in 1917 and was engaged until it's end in 1918 (116,516 died and 204,002 wounded)


World War II, the United States enters in 1941-1945 (291,557 dead and 670,846 wounded)


Vietnam War, United States joins in 1961 and was pulled out in 1973 (more than 50,000 dead)


Persain Gulf War, the United States 1991 (145 dead, 467 wounded)


Current War in Iraq (2003- current) 4,000 dead as of March 2008. As of March 2008 there were 8,914 wounded requiring medical air transport. 20,416 wounded did not require medical air transport. Of all the wounded 13,109 were unable to return to duty within 72 hours. Medical air transport was required for an additional 8,273 for non-hostile injuries, and for 23,052 for diseases or other medical conditions.

Hi, my name is: Kimberly

but you can call me: Kimberly

Never in my life have I: bungee jumped

The one person who can drive me nuts is: Luke, definitely Luke...especially during PMS

My high school was: sometimes fun, sometimes boring, sometimes frustrating, sometimes educational

When I’m nervous: I get a lump in my throat and I blush, cold sweat ( this could be the worst feeling in the world)

The last song I listened to: Avril Lavigne

If I were to get married right now it would be to: silly question

My hair is: blonde and short...and I have no idea what I'm going to do with it now that every other girl has the same hair style

When I was 4: I had a pink Ms pac man swim suit, I had a little brother and a baby sister, and I don't remember much else

Last Christmas: was white (yeah)

I should be: folding laundry

When I look down i see: my new jean shorts (woo hoo)

The happiest recent event was: wow, it's been a while, but I guess I would have to say when Anna-Claire was born....May 23, 2006

If I were a character on ‘Friends’ : A cross between Monica and Pheobe

By this time next year: gas prices might come close to those in Europe and we have a new president...hmmm

My current gripe is; I hate laundry

I have a hard time understanding: the global stock market

There’s these girls: whom I love, they each have a wonderfully different personality and no one else could compare...they are beautiful, brilliant, and talented each in her own way.

If I won an award, the first person I would tell would be: probably my kids since they always seem to be surrounding me

I want to buy: a cello, a violin, and a drum set....I know I'm a glutton for punishment

Where do you plan to visit : MAUI (big smile, hear choir singing, feel the spray of the ocean)

If you spent the night at my house: good luck finding space

The world could do without: sin

Most recent thing I’v bought myself: new jean shorts...so cute

Most recent thing someone else bought me: I got flowers for my anniversary and a new laptop

My middle name is: Michelle...hence the SHELL

In the morning I: have coffee and clean the house

Last night I was: watching tv...I know, can you believe it?

There’s this guy I know who: stole my heart, took me around the world, and gave me five beautiful children

If I was an animal I’d be a: a mountain lion

A better name for me would be: Momma

Tomorrow I am: cooking dinner for friends

Tonight I am: well I was at ballet, then grocery shopping shopping, and now doing this

My birthday is: going to be fabulous, absolutely fabulous

What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

The very second that Luke told me to book my birthday trip to Maui, I went out and bought a book and began doing all the research I could about it. I mean, there are certain things you just have to know, before you go anywhere.

What hotel to stay at, what hotel not to stay at

What to do, what's not worth the time

And of course, the best beaches

As I'm reading through the "Adventure" section of the Maui book, I turn to Luke and say" look at this, they have zip lines." I really didn't think he was listening and I certainly didn't think he had any intentions of taking it seriously. It was just a side note. Anyway, he comes home the next day and says that the zip line is his pick of things to do when we go. "OMG! Are you Serious!?"

We are now booked for an insane 4 hour tour of zip lines.

Note to self - plan your fluids, wear pants, and don't forget the Dramamine