Watch this. Now.

So moving.

I really feel like I can identify with this fathers message.

Word for word.

This may be his story, about his daughter... 

but in a way it is my story too, 

and every one who has an Autistic child.

I find it so perplexing, with how common it is these days... that it still feels so isolating.
Maybe because each child on the spectrum is so different, every parent feels like they have it harder.
I don't know.
I sometimes feel so alone in the struggle, like no one understands how hard it is, for me... and especially for Harry.  BUT there are so many parents (just like Lou in the video above) who feel the exact same way.  It is comforting to know I am not alone, not that I ever really thought I was, but it is nice to know there are other people out there who feel the way I do.
It doesn't make the day to day things easier, but it helps.

I am thankful for the tremendous family support I have, and understanding from my friends.

 .

Different, but not less.

The past couple weeks I have been reading the book, Thinking In Pictures by Temple Grandin.  It is probably one of the most fascinating and insightful books I have ever read.  Every night when I would read another passage, I would feel as if my eyes were opened a little more.  Even though much of the information wasn't new to me, the way she explained it, made it easier for me to take in, and apply it in my life... and in Harry's life.  I can not express how much reading this book had changed my view, on a lot of things.  This book opened my eyes, to all of the possibles out there (and also not just for Harry or others with Autism, but certainly more so)... not that I didn't know they were there before, but sometimes when you are down in the trenches, it is hard to see the silver lining.
I admire Ms. Grandin, and her passion.  The book explains how she thinks, and how other individuals with Autism may or may not think.  It also documents how the unique way she thinks propelled her career, and allowed her to see things from another view, a cow's eye view.
Since last summer I have had her HBO movie on my dvr.  I have stopped and started it many many times.  Most of the time to overwhelmed by how close it hit to home to finish it.  Today I finally finished it, and I am so glad I did (I am also just as glad I read the book before watched it).  I thought it was nothing short of brilliant.  It showed perfectly the way she thinks, and how much she fought to be heard, and understood.  Going through her many symbolic doors, to a new world and new challenges.  It is very inspiring, not just for those with Autism, but us "normal" folk as well.

I have spend the better part of this last year coming to terms with Harry's Autism diagnosis.  Then, even when I thought I came to terms, and I embraced it, and I decided to fight for and help Harry, I still had to come to terms with the fact that he may never be able to express the genius that is hidden inside of him.  He may never speak, or be able to explain to me how he sees things, or what his hidden passions will be.  He may never get past his sensory issues enough to be a part of everyday life, school, colleges, relationships.  This time next year Harry could be talking in sentences, asking me for things, laughing at jokes, singing songs... or he could be exactly the same.  Seeking comfort in his blankets, and being alone, and hardly ever participating with the family.  This has been something that I have really struggled with.  I can get over the little every day things, if I know where we are going to end up, but it is so hard not knowing.  I have to believe it will be something more, something great...even something "normal".  And just as much as I have to believe that, I think I also need to be okay with the fact that he may not be those things.  He may always live with us, or maybe a group home.  He may never go to college, or even a main stream school, he may never serve a mission.  We don't know.  And I think now I am okay with that.  It took awhile to get there, and some days are better than others, but we are all okay with it now.

I am really so excited for this next year.  It is going to be scary, stressful, nerve racking, and hard for all of us, BUT it also holds so much hope.  I'm excited to see how Harry is going to do it school.  I am excited to start his ABA therapy (just as soon as I find someone, I am thinking October).  I am praying for positive change, and a better understanding of my little guy.  I am excited to learn new ways to teach and help him (and hopefully more energy to do so after I have the baby).  I feel like I understand now, more than I did before, how important it is to introduce my children to as many opportunities as possible. Different ways to look at the world around them.  It seems like such a simple concept, and it was something I already knew, but I feel more ready and able to do it. (It is so hard to explain).  I pray, whole-heartedly, that I can be the Mother that my children need, meet their different needs.

So in conclusion, read the book.  Whether you know someone who is Autistic or not, whether you think you know all about it or not... I think it will change the way you see things.

Happy Birthday to ME!

A couple years ago I made a Bucket List.  Since it was my birthday a few days ago I decided to re-visit that list, see how far I've come, change what I wanted, add some new ones.  

There is no better time than on your birthday to re-evaluate where you have been, 
and where you are headed.

Here is the old one, June 2009:

"Travel Europe...Scotland, Germany, Italy, England.

Sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir...like join it, you know.

Learn to knit, and make my family matching hats and scarves.

Run a marathon.  I would like my first one to be the Honolulu Marathon, but I am not that picky.  I just want to be a runner.

Write a book.

Write another book, that doesn't suck.

Make quilts, I want to be a quilter.

Swim with the sharks. 

Own a home...our own home.

Learn to speak another language...Spanish, French, I am not to sure yet?

Visit and attend as many Temples as possible, all over the world (right now I have 6 different ones under my belt, in three different states).

Go sky diving.

Get a Masters Degree in anything.

Go to Africa.

Be debt free, and financially secure.

Have a big family...maybe 4 or 5 kids.  (Ahh, did I just say that out loud!?)

Be a guest judge on the Iron Chef America.

Road Trip across America."

Most of them are still the same.  Some of them I have no interest in anymore.  

Some I accomplished!!!
 I have become a quilter, I think.  I am not super good, but practice makes perfect.  I have made 3 quilts so far.  And I am even in a quilting club that meets once a month.  It is something I really enjoy, and when I have time, I love to see a project to come together.   Right now I am working on my first real quilt, that has a pattern, not just squares, and I'm starting a block of the month project next month.  So goal accomplished, I say :)
I don't really care about swimming with the sharks or learning a new language anymore.  It would be cool, but there is other things I would rather spend my time on.  
Also, we did kinda travel across America last summer, we hit 19 states!
I'm going to take a lot of the travel goals off, cause really I just want to travel as much as possible, I don't care where.  We also saw a lot a temples on our way across country, but I would like to keep that goal forever.  We are no where closer to being debt free, but I did finally make a new plane, a 3 year plan, with Jason last week.  And we are working on the big family thing ;)  Our newest addition will be here in about 8 weeks!

Here is my new one, July 2011:

Travel Europe...Scotland, Italy, France, Greece.

Join the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Learn to knit and crochet.

Run a marathon, or even a half marathon.

Write a book, that doesn't suck.  

Visit and attend as many temples as possible, all over the world.

Get a Masters Degree.

Be debt free!

Be a published photographer, I don't care where, but my blog doesn't count :)

Be a guest judge on Iron Chef America.
Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, in NYC.
Go sky diving.
Be a size 10. (Weight loss goals are going to consume my next year.)
Read more, 75 books by my next birthday.
I would like to have my own business.  Some way to make my own money, something creative.  It doesn't have to be big, just something I can do on the side of my family life.

There you go, my new bucket list.  A lot to work on. 

It is so weird to me to be 31.  It seems so old, but I don't feel any different.  

I had such a nice birthday.  Jason surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of roses, and some fun gift cards.  My awesome friends came over to help me paint the baby's room, and we had a pizza party.  And for a big surprise, Jason got me a new phone!  I wasn't expecting any other gifts since he gave me the flowers in the morning. But after he got home from work he had Clark give it to me.  Clark was so sweet, he was hiding it behind his back and said, "Mommy, I have a prize for you" all bashful and quiet like.  I was half asleep on the couch and I thought he was just going to give me a toy, or a picture he drew.  Then he threw my new phone at me, and laughed.  It was funny, and I was confused, and so surprised.

Jay is always so thoughtful when it comes to holidays and gifts, I am pretty lucky.  
It may take him 4 weeks to mow the lawn, that has grown past our ankles.  And his half of the bedroom may look like he is competing to be the next subject on an episode of Hoarders.  And he never, EVER, listens to me.  

BUT he is thoughtful, and kind, and he really always tries to spoil me... even when we are supposed to be saving money.  He is a good man, and a good Dad, and I am happy.

We also had a nice little dinner with some friends.  Fajitas and guacamole!  My friend Trisha surprised me, and made me favorite cake in the world, Granny's Apple Cake!   She even called my Mom to get the recipe. (She spoils me to no end, and I am thankful to have such a sweet friend.)  The kids played in the pool outside, and we just enjoyed each others company.  Simple, laid back, and fun.  

The only thing missing was my sisters, and  family other members.  

A great birthday!

Last night as I was falling asleep,
 I was thinking that next year on my birthday I will have 3 kids.

Crazy.

Baby Shower!

Last weekend my bestie Trisha (and her sister), threw me a Baby Shower!  

It was so unbelieveably sweet, girlie, pretty, and fun.

Me and Trisha

Super cute diaper cake and decorations.

They had made a little clothesline, and pinned baby clothes on it, that I got to take home!

Trisha always makes tasty food, but these cupcakes were one of her best!

Salted carmel, chocolate cupcakes, with little Heath Bar candies on top... to die for.

After I ate all the guacamole, and we played some fun games, I opened presents.

 Look! A cool video monitor, so I can watch the babe while she sleeps.

I got a lot of cute clothes, a quilt from my friends in my Quilting Club, and some very useful items.

It was so fun, and I am so thankful for my friends.

I really never thought I would have another baby shower (after Clark's), so it was a nice surprise.

 I felt so spoiled.  

And I am really overwhelmed with graditude for my friends.

The End of an Era

Well, it's over.  

This past weekend Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 came out, the last Harry Potter movie.  The end of an era.  I've spent the last decade waiting for some sort of Harry Potter thing to come out, whether it was the books or the movies... I was always anxiously waiting.  

It is so sad to say goodbye.

You may notice that this picture is very old.  It is from when the 6th movie came out.  Someone -named Jason the Meany- was so so late coming back from a work trip that he missed dressing up in our matching Deathly Hallows shirts and waiting in line with me :(  I'm still kinda sad about it.  He did make right in the knick of time, so I didn't have to watch any of the movie alone (that would've been a disaster), but I'm still kinda sad we didn't take the traditional shirt picture.  

(Maybe we will take a pretend one later...)

Wearing our shirts for "Harry Potter Night" (take 2).  Do you know it took me 6 movies before I could convince Jay to wear a matching shirt with me... he is such a good sport.

The movie was amazing, brilliant, and everything I ever hoped it would be...except a little short (I would've like an extra 20-30 minutes to maybe give the other characters a chance to say good bye, proper death scenes, and so on).  It followed the book so well, much better than some of the other movies.  Even though I knew everything that was going to happen I was overcome with the emotion and excitement of the ride.  This last week I was re-watching (for probably the 500th time) the first movie with Clark.  I was amazed at how far the three actors have come (Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint), from cute little 11 years olds, raw with talent and so new, to these amazing young adults.  During the movie I could hear other audience members crying and getting caught up in the story, the last time I remember that happening during a movie was when the last Lord of the Rings came out.

I left the theater feeling a little hollow.  Sad because it was over.  Sad because it was such a heavy movie.  And sad because I don't know how I am ever going to find something else that I love as much as Harry Potter.  I'm feeling rather forced to grow up and move on...  

I went through my pictures to try and find an harry Potter related ones.  You would be surprised at how many I don't have.  Why didn't I take more pictured over the years????

Here are my babies, being forced to be little Potters.  Clark on the left, and Harry on the right with his own little wand.  I am so glad that I have my boys (and my sweet little girl on the way) to share the books with again.  I can't wait for the day Clark is ready to start reading the books!  

Then Harry.  Then the new babe.  

After that I'm sure the panic will set in again, 

and I will have to find some other way to keep Harry Potter alive in my life.  

(Do I sound properly crazy yet???)

Here is Auntie Laura and Clark the night the last book came out, July 21, 2007.  

Since we went to the midnight release party I like to think that it actually came out on my birthday.  

That night hanging around the book store was my birthday party, and oh so much fun.

I was happy I could share it with my sister and my baby boy.  

Here is the only picture I took of that night, with me in it.

(Why don't I take more pictures????)

I hate that it is blurry, but it is all we got.

Jason has gone to almost all the movies with me on opening night, the older we got and more kids we had we stopped going to the midnight showing, but we still made it to opening night every time.  I remember some summers making all my friends go with me over and over again.  I remember staying up well past my bedtime reading my books, over and over again.  I remember how excited I was when my Grandpa decided to read the books, and then he dressed up for Harry Potter for Halloween :)

Isn't he the best!

So many fun memories over the years. 

It has been an amazing ride.  I'm sad to say goodbye. 

NYC Girls Weekend

A couple weekends ago, me and a couple of my girl friends took a trip up to NYC!

My friend Sharon found an awesome deal on a room (in a nice nice hotel) and the whole weekend only cost $100.  Super savings! (Well, that is not counting food, and tickets to a show.)  

The bus ride up was uneventful, and I had butterflies in my stomach the whole time, I was so excited.

Brooklyn Bridge

The first day we did a lot of walking around, a lot.  We went down to the pier, Fulton Market, for lunch and the tastiest frozen yogurt I have ever, ever had.  (Seriously, forget any other fancy fro-yo place you have heard of.  Even Pink Berry is total crap compared to the heavenly goodness of Strawberry Fields.)

I didn't take nearly enough pictures, even though I felt like I had my camera out like a geeky tourist the whole time.

I was taking a picture of the comic store, when I noticed right underneath was a L&L Barbecue.

A little piece of Hawaii, all the way in the Big Apple.

A pretty lamp light.

Wendi, Sharon, Trisha, and me and the little babe.

Outside our hotel, ready for a night on the town :)

 Dear NY Public Library,

Next time, me and you, we are gonna spend a whole day together.

Love, April

That's one lucky door.

This is how I was feeling all weekend... Lucky.  Very lucky.

I somehow managed to get away from my kids for the weekend, with my besties, and a new friend.  Went to NYC, of all the places.  Somehow convinced my friends to buy tickets to the show I wanted to see.  Didn't even spend much money at all. AND, got to take home some really fun memories.  Lucky.

Al Hirschfeild Theater.

How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.

Starring DANIEL RADCLIFFE!!!!

I've seen my fair share of shows, in lots of different cities.  But this was my first Broadway show in New York.  A total dream come true!  A dream that has been 30 years in the making.  

The best birthday present I could ever ask for.

It only takes a moment... me and Daniel sneaking in a little private time.

I felt so giddy with joy, like I was a 13 year old girl again.  

My cheeks were aching by the end of the night with all the smiling I was doing.

My Harry Potter, in real life....  And he was brilliant!  

Singing, dancing, putting on a great show, he was amazing.

I was a little nervous that I wouldn't like it, and my memory would forever be marred by a crappy show, but it was perfect.  John Larroquette was funny, the show was funny, the big numbers were great, and Daniel (we are on a first name basis now) was simply perfect.

It was such a wonderful night, it still seems a little surreal to me.

(Okay, I am done gushing.)

Me and Sharon outside the show.

Thanks for cooking up this weekend.  

You are always a lady with grand ideas, and I love you for it.

The next day I was EXHAUSTED.

With all the walking we did the day before, I went to bed trying to calm the contractions I was having.

(A whole hour of contractions.  I never had contractions with the boys until after my water broke, and I was in labor.  A totally new experience for me.)

I was scared for a little while that I was actually going to have the little babe in NYC.

The next day I just tried to take it as easy as I could.  Me and Trisha took the Staten Island ferry, to Staten Island... we didn't want to wait in line for tickets to the Statue of Liberty.

We ate, we walked, we got stalked by a cute pedi-cab driver, and we took the Subway a lot.

It was such a nice weekend, and it went by entirely too fast.

One of the things that surprised me the most was how much I actually missed my family.  I missed the boys, a lot.  Not that I would've wanted them to come with me, it wouldn't have been as fun or easy... but I did miss them.  Jason is already busy planning my next trip (he thinks we are going to be able to go before the baby comes, I think he is crazy).  

He was a little sad he missed out on taking me to things this time around.  

As much as I miss the west coast, and I long to move closer to my family... it will be hard to leave the east coast.  I'm glad we have a couple more years here, and I hope we can cram all the things we want to do into that short amount of time.

Wordless Wednesday- Umbrella

I long to be lying under this umbrella,

on a beach somewhere (preferably in Hawaii),

cool breeze blowing across my skin, 

and no kids in sight.

The One That Is Trying To Kill Me

We are having a baby!

  A really mean and sadistic baby, that is trying to slowly kill me.

I know I've already made the big announcement, so much of this post will be anti-climatic.
 Mostly just a little journaling for me, and my growing family.

I found out I was pregnant at the end of January.  It was not too big of a surprise, since we had talked it over for some time and knew we wanted to try to have a baby in 2011. I just didn't think Heavenly Father would take that date so literally....  I am pretty sure we conceived January 1.  (Is that to much information??? Ha ha ha.)  Jason was out of town in Utah when I found out, and even though I was dying to tell him, I had to wait and tell him face to face.  I told him I was pregnant with Clark over the phone, and regretted it ever since.

Clark and I drew this little sign to take to the airport and surprise him.  Clark was so excited to tell him about the new baby, although I suspect much of the actual meaning of the surprise was over his little curly head.  As our luck would have it Jason's plane arrived early, and instead of ambushing him inside, he was waiting for us.  Which meant he had to read the sign in the dark car, and completely missed what it said.  I had to redirect him to it twice, and tell him to read it all, carefully.  He was so happy and excited.  A little shocked, and then of course he couldn't hide his manly pride of having made another baby.  Jason stated immediately that it was a girl, he was sure of it this time.  However, I like to remind him that he thought both Clark and Harry were girls, even though I told him over and over Harry was a boy (I knew right away with that one).

I was sick almost immediately.  With Clark and Harry I had a few bad days, mostly through the 2nd and 3rd months.  I don't remember it ever being as bad as this pregnancy has been.  Starting around week 5, I couldn't eat anything, and if I did, I just barfed it up. Everything.  After a while I couldn't even drink anymore.  It would take me an hour to gag down a glass of water, only to barf it up minutes later.  I tried sipping soda, cold tea, ice water... anything and everything, and nothing would stay down.  I was sure it was all in my mind, and I was embarrassed for feeling so sick, so soon.  Finally one day, when I was about 7 weeks along, Jason dragged me to the doctor.  She told me leave and go straight to the ER, I was severely dehydrated.  I spent the next several hours being pumped full of fluids and meds.  They checked the baby while I was there, and much to my relief it was doing fine, heart beat and all.  They sent me home and I was great for about a week.  They gave me Zofran and Phenergan, and even though I didn't like the side effects, at least I could eat and drink again.  Then slowly I started getting sicker and sicker.  Dizzy, headaches, unable to eat anything again, then drink anything.  I tried to get into the doctors again, but the wait was so long for my Ob-Gyn.  I kept on thinking I was crazy, how could I honestly be THIS sick, it must all be in my head.  We were canceling everything, school, Harry's therapy appointments, church, playgroups.  I just laid on the couch, trying not to move, trying not to barf... trying not to cry.  I had lost about 18 lbs by this point -which is not that outstanding considering how over weight I am.  It wasn't long before Jason forced me to go to the ER again. Once again, severely dehydrated.  I was sure they were going to tell me I lost the baby, positive they weren't going to find a heartbeat.  But everything was normal, she was growing quite nicely, and the heartbeat was really strong.  The doctor did diagnose me with Hyperemesis Gravidarum, which is just a fancy word for "pregnant lady who can't stop barfing".  Ok, so I wasn't totally crazy, and this wasn't normal "morning sickness"... but I still needed to be able to take care of myself, my family, and the tiny mean baby growing inside of me.  

I got more meds, and the ER doctor helped me to get into my Ob-Gyn sooner.  My new doctor is fantastic.  Best one I have ever gone to.  She did a really thorough exam, gave me more than enough meds and help.  I'm starting to feel more like my normal self, albeit pregnant and tired... but thankfully  not barfing.  As of now,  I am 15 weeks, and I haven't had to take any medicine in 3 whole days, and I am still eating, and drinking.  This baby has sure done quite a number on me.  We don't call her anything but Mean Baby... and yes you heard that right,  I do think it is a HER this time (even though I am trying not to get my hopes up).  We are going to have to think of another nickname, since I am sure she won't appreciate being called Mean Baby :)
I'm so thankful the baby is healthy, and I'm glad we have made it this far.  These past 10 weeks have been really rough on me, and the whole family.  I pray everyday that everything with the baby will turn out fine and normal, and that I don't get sick again... I read that most women who suffer from Hypermesis Gravidarum will be sick off and on through out  their entire pregnancy, I hope I am part of the other half who doesn't.  I will never take my health for granted ever again.

I'm so excited to be having another baby, so excited and nervous!!

Toddlers

We're genetically wired to think everything our toddlers do is amazing;

 otherwise we wouldn't want to keep them.

This is my life right now.  Busy and stressful.  

Not to mention a new baby that we are expecting, 

that I suspect is trying to kill me.

I promise to get back to blogging soon, I have so much to share.

All of it very interesting...well to me, and the Grandmas :)

Last Night

I dreamt of Hawaii last night.  

It was so vivid.  I swear  I could feel the warm breeze on my skin while I was standing in our old backyard, looking at the bright colors of the trees.  In my dream I was taking people around, giving directions, showing off.  I don't know if I was living there, or if I was vacationing, but it felt so nice and calm.  Seeing the beautiful ocean and hearing the crash of the waves again... I loved it.  

The feeling of home, warm, sunny, breezy, home sweet home.  

I am not saying I don't feel at home here, I do... it is taking time, and it is so different.  

I woke up cold, really cold, and a little sad.  

The novelty of all the cold winter weather here is getting old. 

I miss being warm, and tan, and going to the beach.

My Crafty Weekend.

November 6, 2010

This past weekend I drove up to DC to visit my friend Sharon, and have a crafty weekend :)

It was so much fun!  We spent the day making homemade Christmas cards at the scrapbook store near her house.  I am normally not very scrapbooky or crafty, but this was so easy and a lot of fun.  It felt nice to make something, something so pretty.   I kinda got the card making bug now :)  Thanks to my super friend Sharon for thinking of me, and inviting me up! I can't wait until next year.

Here is a sample of my finished cards.  I love the blue and brown snowman one the most.

Fall

I am loving our first real Fall in years!

The cool rainy days.

The changing of the leaves.

All the colors, beautiful fall colors.

 (I love red leaves so much.)

The chilly nights, with piles of extra blankets.

The soups and stews that I keep cooking, and cooking.

My favorite hoodies, that I finally get to wear again!

The smell of lit fireplaces, and the crisp cool air.

I love Fall.

It's my most favorite time of year.

Now I know.

Guess what opened up walking distance from my house?

My favorite Papa Murphy's Pizza!!!

The first one on the east coast, 3 miles from my house... how's that for fate.

It has been my favorite pizza since I was 16, and worked at Papa Murphy's.

In fact, I don't really like any other take out pizza, like at all.

Now I know why we were sent to Virginia Beach, now I know.

ps.

Also, other good news.  My Mom met a lady from our VA Beach, who used to work for the early intervention program here, or something like that.  She mention that our area was the BEST for Autism specialists and programs in the state.  Good news!  Now I know...

Meeting Diana Herself

September 25, 2010

Jason took me and the boys to DC for the National Book Festival!!
It was the funnest day ever.  There were books everywhere, authors, readers... heaven.
There was a lot to see and do, but I was most excited to see and meet one of my favorite authors,
Diana Gabaldon.

Look at my huge cheesy grin, I was a mix of nerves, joy and excitement.

For those of you who don't know, Diana Gabaldon is the author of one of my favorite series, the Outlander series.  

I love her books, and I think she is brilliant.

Me totally talking her ear off, gushing and gushing.

She was so kind and gracious to take her time to meet and speak to all of us (there was a small group of 10-15 people gathered around to meet her).  I told her how my Grandpa introduced the books to me, and how we read the last one together.  I told her how I have shared the books with almost every one I've met, and loaned out many copies.  I thanked her for her time and talent, and I tired to make some lame joke about her last book being a graphic novel, but I am sure it made no sense.  

She just nodded and smiled (sincerely, with kindness in her eyes) and let me talk, waiting for the chubby crazy lady to stop yammering. 

It was one of the highlights of my already super awesome summer.

After meeting Diana, we toured the rest of the festival.  

It was such a hot day, but we kept the boys happy with lots of popsicles, they were so well behaved.  

We made our way over to the author's signing pavilion, to get some books signed.  I tried to get Suzanne Collins to sign my book, but the line was so long they had to close it, maybe next year. 

 I waited an 90 minutes to get Diana Gabldon to sign her newest book, The Exile (the graphic novel-not my favorite-but still good).  Even though it was hot, and tiring standing in line, it was worth it.

After all my Diana madness was over, we made it over to the PBS tent to meet our good friends, the Pomeroy's 

(that we finally get to see more often now that we live in Virginia again!!!).

Clark enjoyed all the activities they had for the kids there, and the boys even got some free books.  

They had characters from some of the PBS shows, but Clark was too bashful to get a picture with any of his favorites.

I can't wait to go to the Book Festival again next year!!

After the festival we went to The Museum of Natural History. 

Clark, discovering the joy of a magnifying glass.

Clark and Taryn, little buddies. 

Clark ran around the museum like a crazy person, but Taryn did a good job keeping an eye on him.  Every time we meet up with the Pomeroy family, he gets so excited to see "my friends" he says, no matter how much I try to teach him Taryn's name, he just calls her friend. 

He loves having someone to play with. 

It was such a fun day trip to the city.  It made my heart ache for DC, and all the fun things we used to do when we lived there.  I was wishing that we lived in Alexandria again, rather than VA Beach, but I KNOW we are here for a reason... and at least we can drive up whenever we want.

Pretty Please

Just trying to win this awesome bike.

Isn't it so cute?

I can just imagine how much the boys would love to ride around in the back of it.

Or, maybe I could even get a cute little doggie, like this lady with the awesome boots.

Click on the link to learn more....

you know you want to :)

ps. Thanks, Michaela for sharing the link.

Happy Meals

Ew! No! Not these uber gross Happy Meals.

(Seriously, doesn't that make you want to BARF.  I loathe Mc Donald's, I just wish everyone else in my family felt the same way.)

Anyway, back to my happy meals.

Look! I made homemade Chinese food!

In an effort to be a more organized, and save a little money, I have started planning out our weekly meals.  This is not a task I particularly enjoy, especially since my children would rather eat crap than anything I cook, but it needs to be done.  We spend entirely too much money on food, junk food mostly, and eating out.  The first couple weeks were rough, I was so used to shopping for two weeks worth of food, that I over bought.  But, I am getting the hang of it, and if I don't take Jason along (the junk food king) I can even stay on or under budget.  

Every Thursday I make a menu for the following week; Friday night homemade pizza night, fancy Sunday dinner, a couple favorites, and a NEW recipe to try (see, my homemade egg rolls).  Then I go shopping on Friday...it has been such a blessing, to finally have my own car to do these homemakery type of things.  It has been so much easier to have all the food we need for the week, and not have to make emergency trips to the store to get bread, milk, cheese-and of course 10 other things we don't need.  Dinner time goes much more smoothly too, cause me and Jason aren't arguing what to make for dinner for 30 minutes.  I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner.  

Now, I just need to work on my coupon clipping.

My 30th Birthday!

July 20, 2010

My 30th Birthday Party!!

Me all plumpy and 30!  I can't believe I am 30 years old!!

How is it possible???

I still feel like I am 28...

Jason and my parents helped me throw a super fun BBQ and birthday party.

Since we are always so far from our family and friends this was a perfect way to spend my birthday,

surrounded by the people I love the most.

(Also, part of my birthday was our five day trip to New York!)

AND, Jason got me a bouncy house!

Trying to take a family picture.

Bosko Family picture, take two!

Me and my little Harry.

Here is a slide show, some highlights from the super fun day.

Thank you to everyone who came and made me feel like a princess,

I love you to pieces.