Sunday, December 27, 2009

Blizzard conditions

Christmas was great. V loves all his toys. He is always playing with them. His favorite is the Chatter Telephone from Fisher Price. He also likes the bouncy ball with water and glitter in the inside of it. He likes to throw in it in the cage that holds the cat stuff that he isn't allowed into.

We had Cinnamon rolls and oranges for breakfast. We tried to go to a friends house for Christmas dinner but there was a blizzard going on. We couldn't get the car backed out. I suppose it is a good thing. The blizzard lasted all day Saturday and the snow kept drifting up on top of the car. All roads where closed and no one was going anywhere. Even if they wanted to. So V, M, and I stayed indoors and enjoyed being together for an extended 3 day Christmas break. M didn't have work.

I got some great pictures of it all but they aren't letting me load it. So I'm sorry for that.

That is how Christmas was for us. We got some great movies. Including UP!, Pete's Dragon, and Mr. Magorium's Wonder Imporium.

We are so greatful for all the Lord has given us. May you have some happy Christmas' and a Fabulous New Year.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Christmas Update!!!!!

There are only a few days (Ok maybe closer to two weeks) left until Christmas and I thought I would let everyone know that we have some decorations up. Still no tree but hopefully by tuesday.

I went to the relief Society Christmas party and there was a swap table. So I picked up some wonderful gifts for V and found a glass Nativity, a sign that says "Home for the Holidays" and a snowman hanging. I also hung the stockings and put up a holiday chain. I also cut out snowflakes that don't look anything like snowflakes. Oh well.

I am excited to make cinnamon rolls and a ham dinner.

Ok so with the cold weather we have had a few car troubles. First M's car doesn't start at all. He has the stuff to make it start but we just haven't had the time to do it. So in the mean time he has been taking my car to work. Until one morning he went out there and my battery was dead. So we had to get a new battery. Oh there was also the day that he got my tires aired up and learned that one wheel was low because there was a nail in it. How does that happen?

We had a great time at M's work Christmas party. V went to a baby sitters. I participated in the Holiday game show of trivia. In return I got to pick a present. Of course the present I chose was a can of soup!!!!!! And the owner of the shop was willing to buy it off of me for $30. That was before I opened it. Oh well. The food was good and it was great to meet the guys that M works with. Oh funny story while we were there. There was alcohol and there was one particular boss of M's that was drunk. We were getting ready to go home because V needed to go to bed and church was early the next morning. So we said goodnight to this guy. He started gushing about how much he liked M and what a good worker he is and that he only gives him grief because he likes him so much. He kept shaking M's hand and a hug or two. I honestly thought he was going to start crying. He had us cracking up the whole way across town to pick up V. It was great.

Oh and another thing because of that party. M's boss calls me Holiday girl. Because I was so willing to participate when none of the other better halves did.

Some V things:

He loves to pull the books off of the book shelf and then try to get them back up there.

He spent 20 minutes this morning moving the pillows on our bed around. They had to be stacked on top of each other. They went from one end of the bed to the other. Way tooo cute.

He likes to scream.

He says Hi!!!!!!

He always wants to be in the sub-zero temprature in the snow.

He keeps us laughing and always amazed.

Merry Christmas.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

DECEMBER!!!!!!!!!!!

In true Christmas fashion and a little wierd for me. It snowed today. In fact it is a winter storm warning until 9:oo tonight. Plus the highs are supposed to be in the 30s and the lows in the single digit area. I LOVE MINOT!!!!!!!!
Any way. It doesn't seem possible that in 24 days another Christmas will come. I'm not really excited because I have nothing done in prepareation. Maybe when we go get a tree and have it up. Or maybe when the cinnamon rolls are baked. Yes I like that idea.

I am seriously hoping that there is a Santa at our ward Christmas party because I REALLY want to get a pic of V on Santa's lap.

Speaking of V he knows there is snow on the ground and so all morning that is all he has wanted: to be outside with the snow.

He also thinks that he needs to hold your hand and lead you around the house. Very opinionated.

We did go out in the snow this morning and he loved running around in it. Never mind that his snow boots are too big. They kept falling off. He didn't care. He kept running with one boot on and nothing but a sock on his other foot. He doesn't have gloves yet so every time he fell down it was on his bare hands but that didn't bother him either. What did bother him was comming back inside and taking off his boots and coat. He started to cry.

That's another thing he has started. Temper tantrums. He gets down on the floor and hits his head on it or he whacks his head with his hand and then looks to see if you are watching. If you are he does it again. If you aren't he gets mad and starts to cry. I try very hard to just ignore him but it is so funny to watch.

M is still working hard. We have a work Christmas party this saturday and until today with the snow there was talk of cutting back hours. But with the snow comes people who panic and NEED snow tires ASAP. So when he goes back to work tomorrow we will see what they say. He may be working long hours. Which both stinks and is great for us.

Ok so I have a few ideas for Christmas presents:
V-
Toy tools i.e. wrench, hammer, etc.
wood blocks that he can stack and easily nock over.
M-
a tool box
Me-
a crepe maker. Too bad its soo expensive.

Last night I made pizza and I must admit that it was delicious. In fact right now I'm going to see if M wants his piece or if I can consume it. Even though I already had one today. That is how much I love food.

OH and as a fun fact:
The shortage of Christmas to Xmas is not sacriligous. It is in fact just an abbreviation. In the Greek alphabet X is the CH version of our alphabet. So it doesn't take Christ out it just shortens it. I thought that was so cool when I saw that.

Happy Forthcomming Christmas preparations!!!!!!!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Tis the Holiday season!!!!

The count down for Thanksgiving has begun. I am feeling a little overwhelmed with what I WANT to have happen this Thursday. I don't think it will happen.
I want to:

Truely clean the house.

Have a cute center piece for the table.

Be able to pull out the leaf for the table and actually set a nice table.

I want one more chair, just in case.

To be organized and ready and plan meal preparations so that everthing turns out at the same time.

Make rolls, pies, and stuffing from scratch.

Have a nice moist turkey that is delicious.

Here are the reasons that I think it won't happen:

I am unbelievably unorganized.

I get overwhelmed easily.

I don't know where to begin.

I've never cooked a turkey.

But I have a plan. I am going to start unthawing the turkey tuesday night so it has all day wednesday to thaw out. Then I'm going to cook it in an oven bag. Oh I should probably find out if it fits into any of the pans I have. Maybe I should go get a pan to cook it in that has a rack and other things that I will need for cooking. A turkey thermometer. I will also need the makings for stuffing which means that I need to go shopping!!!!!! And I will find a center piece and a table cloth. I think I will also pick up some disposable eatery.

I'm just excited for this day. I've decided the reason they call it the holidays is because there are 6 holidays in 4 months. 1 in October, 2 in November, 1 in December, and 2 in January. Crazy!!!!!!!

V has been up to some pretty funny antics. He loves his dad and copies everything that Daddy does. Yesterday it was trying to go to work with M and blowing his nose the way that daddy is trying to teach him. Today it was V being unagreeable because he didn't get to spend much time with his morning buddy (Daddy.) Yesterday M had a parade following him around. V would follow M and Adolf would follow both of them. If Moose went anywhere other than the living room and dining area. I'm sure that he would have been following them around too.

He also likes to have your hands do things. He will grab your hand to point at things and pick things up and hold them and open them.

Another thing I want to mention is how our ward gave us a Thanksgiving dinner. That was very nice of them and it gives me a whole new appreciation for giving things like that.

I remember in Mutual one year we took Dinners around to families. But I always thought it was for families that wouldn't have A dinner if we didn't take it too them. I never thought of it as a nice gesture.


HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Monday, November 9, 2009

Do I remember it all?

All right for the past few day there have been things that I was wanting to remember for this post. WILL I REMEBER IT ALL? I don't really know.

Ok so obviously I haven't taken the time to figure out how to show off our pile of leaves yet... COMING SOON!!!!!!!!! In the mean time. Saturday night after V was in the tub and M was having me help him cut his hair we decided that V needed one too. So we pulled him out of the water that he had actually drained out by that time and plopped him on a chair buck naked. He was ok with this for a time. It was also interesting to watch M use V's baby comb and some dull hair cutting scissors to trim his hair. We had to move on to clippers. That made it go by faster but not super fast because every single moment of that hair cut V was turning his head as M put the clippers to head. I'm just glad that M didn't draw blood.

So now V's hair is the shortest it has been in his entire life and maybe his next hair cut will be next year. I am seriously keeping my fingers crossed on that one.

The weather has actually been nice up here the last couple of days and so we played outside some. It wouldn't be so bad if we had a fence. But because we don't this is how outside play goes for V!!!!!

Down on hands and knees inside the door. Crawl backwards on the porch to the steps.

Go down the steps.

Run to the back of the house to the other side of the house.

Go around the back of the trailer next to us.

Run back.

Run across the grass that is not part of our area.

Run back.

Think about playing on the slide.

Dive into the pile of leaves.

Chase Adolf to the front of the house toward the road. Send mom into a panic. Pick him up as I spot a car on the road.

Put V in his wagon to sit while I continue to rake up the endless leaves in our yard.

While he is in the wagon go to the end of the street and check the mail.
He definately keeps us on our toes. M continues to work and that is pretty much all we do. Last week I was invited to a party given by a girl in the ward. It was out on base. I got to get a voucher to go on base. They had to check the car for bombs. It was really nice to get to know some more girls in the ward. It is amazing but I already almost feel at home in this ward. Today V and I went to lunch with the "Lunch Bunch" group in Relief Society. It was lots of fun. V was fascinated with something in that restuarant that I'm still not sure what it was. Either the waiters or the parrot that he could see.
Now that I see it is late. I'm cold, and my contacts are starting to say "take us out." I am going to go to bed.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

To start Saturday we tried to take V trick-or-treating and that didn't go so well. He was dressed as a farmer with a hat, wrangler shirt, over-alls with a rag hanging out his back pocket, and his trick-or-treat bucket. We missed the mall trick-or-treating. Which would have been the place to go because he would have been indoors and could walk around and be supper cute without a coat on. Instead we tried to find a nice neighborhood around that we could go to a few houses. But it was the end of trick-or-treating so we didn't even get out of the car. When we got home we put all of our candy in his bucket and took pictures. Oh well. Next year will be funner any way. He will know how to say trick or treat.

And for some reason I'm not going in order so we will do Friday now.
We did go to the mall after M got off work on Friday. He needed a new wallet really bad. In Barnes and Noble we let V out of the stroller and he listened to music. He danced and he waved his arm around like he was conducting. When he got bored with that he decided to push his stroller around. Mommy helped stear. He didn't want to push it any more so we walked around the shelves of books. He knew where he wanted to go and he didn't pull anybooks out of the shelves. He behaved very well. We found daddy. We passed daddy. We went and looked at little kid's books. We played on the story time stage. We got tired. We got stuck back in the stroller. Mommy looked at a Wizard of Oz picture book companioning the movie. We didn't fall asleep until 11:30.

He actually sort of behaved in Church. As much as a 14 month old can be expected to behave. He did have a little trouble falling asleep for a nap.
Waking up from a nap was quite the adventure. He had taken of his dirty diaper and there where brown spots all over his crib sheet. *sigh* So he got a bath. And his bedding is being washed. So are his clothes.

He is such a busy body. He knows how to get undressed and he knows how to help put on his coat.

He has rescently started to walk backwards. I don't know where he learned that from.

He thinks he is helping when he shakes the dirt out of the rug at the door. He leaves it in a pile right there too. So of course you are going to trip over it if you come in or go over to the living room.

Why are his favorite things buckles? Car seat buckles, high chair buckles... just buckles.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Suprises

It is only noon and already there have been a few suprises in the Harper household.

1st. V slept until 10:00! That is about 12 1/2 hours of sleep. And because he slept in we did too!!!!!

2nd. V got stuck in the floor heater vent. He knows how to take them off and then he gets down in them. He can fit both legs. But this time around he got all scraped up and it was hurting him. You would think that he learned his lesson. But he didn't. After getting hugs and snuggles he went right back over to it and was lifting the top off again.

3rd. V has officially learned that he can take his diaper off. Maybe its because he didn't the one he had on. It was one that I had left over of a different brand I had been using that I just didn't like any more. Apparently neither did he.

M says he way too smart. Last night I had to get into the dresser but there was a laundery basket in the way. I moved it to where V could get to it. Well it has a lid and he took it off. He placed it on the floor and was going to start taking the contents of the basket out. Fortunately it was time to put the basket back where it was. Out of his reach. I then asked V if he could hand me the lid that was still on the floor. I didn't point I just looked at him and asked. He turned around, bent over and picked up the lid. He didn't exactly hand it to me, but he did pick it up cause he knew what I was asking. M was very impressed with this.

He has always been way too smart and way too strong.

But we love this little bundle of boy. And he is all boy. He plays rough, he loves hard, and he screams loud. He is a quiet observer of everything. He doesn't want to miss anything that he might learn how to do. Unfortunately one of his teachers is Adolf his cat. He will bite you because that is what his kitty does.

I don't like to discipline the little tike but if I don't he will think that he can do anything. He already thinks its a game to climb on top of the freezer and see if mommy will come take him off. But he is just so dang stinkin' cute with those faces he gives. Or the noises he gives that are so originally his.

Ok if I can figure out how to do this. I have a few pictures of our front yard. Completely layered in fallen leaves. You can't see the grass because of it. So if I get it to work I will post some of those.

I have been thinking and there are a few things I want to do.

I want to learn to take better pictures.
I want to take a cooking class.
I want to take a creative writing class.
I want to sew with a sewing machine.
I want to be good at making blankets.
I want to get picture frames for our family portraits back when V was a
month old.
I want to go clothes shopping and get three pairs of pants and 5 shirts
and 3 knew dresses.
I want to fly home for a visit. I miss Nevada in the fall. All the changing colors.
I want to explore Minot with M and V.

Man what a list. I guess I should get started on that.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Jam

V is a very silly boy. This morning we had cream of wheat and toast for breakfast. V loves toast. But this time around he was licking the jam off of daddy's toast. He has a jam mustach.

Saturday was our bi-ward Halloween party. V went as a farmer/scarecrow he wore a wrangler plaid shirt and striped overalls with my palm hat. Big rimmed and too big for his head. He was so cute. Well all he wanted to do was run around and take all the other kids trick-or-treat buckets. He loves buckets. Every day he has to bring me the mop buckets. He also puts various things in them.

The other thing that he loved at the party was the pumpkins that people had decorated. So now he can sort of say pumpkin. Although his favorite word for now is appo. Apple. We had to go look at them several times.

All the leaves have fallen off the trees here. And yet it is still green. I think the wierdest thing is that even though it freezes at night there is no frost on the windows in the morning. What is up with that?

M was able to get new headlights for his car. Now they don't bounce around when he drives and they don't point directly at the ground. He can see when he drives at night.

I have been staying busy cleaning and baking the things I love. Brownies, cupcakes for the party, breadsticks. YUMMY! On pay day I have plans to get some vanilla ice cream and making brownies so that we can enjoy brownies with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream. I have plans to make waffles for dinner tonight, I have to go to the store today for animal chow, maybe I will get strawberries and whipcream. Ooohhhh that sounds sooooooo good.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Minot is the coldest place on earth

Being from Nevada has some definate lows, but for the most part it is a great place to live. Unlike here in Minot. We got snow on Monday! And this is just the start. Everyone up here talks about how the -25 degrees is barable, its the extra -15 degree wind chill that will get you. And the blizzards. Church is actually let out early for the men so they can clear sidewalks and cars because of all the snow that falls during church. Oh and I get to have a block heater put on my car so we can plug it in at night to keep the fluids from freezing so I can start my car!!!!! I wanna come home. (Yes that was a little whine!)

With the snow comes something good and bad at the same time. M's work is supper busy. He has been told to come in to work half and hour to 45 minutes early for work so that if its busy they can just jump in and help out. And then plan on staying to close no matter what time you started. We aren't sure if he will be able to have days off anymore. He didn't this last week. So while we may not get to see much of our husband and daddy we sure do appreciate his hard work and the income he provides. Which is ladden with overtime hours. So it is going to be easier to make ends meet.

Wednesday night the bishop called and asked if I would be willing to be on the Halloween party commitee. He called at 7:30 and said the meeting was at 8. I was in the middle of dinner and mike wouldn't be home till almost 9, I told him I would and they will let me know what I am going to be in charge of or help out with. I definately think the Lord doesn't want me to be lonely up here.

Oh I have to add this little story. Last night in bed M and I were talking and he said that he had been praying that he would be able to make ends meet and that we wouldn't be stuggling with rent and things. He said "the Lord really gives us what we need and not what we want." He was hopping it would be in the form of a better paying job with regular hours. Not the same job with a lot more hours. So true.

V is as big a stinker as always. He climbs on everything. Last night he thought it would be a good idea to smack his daddy on the face. He was a little suprised when daddy didn't find it cute or funny. He also didn't like that daddy wouldn't give him hugs and loves because he was crying. He has been way to cute for way too long.

He is cutting another tooth on the bottom.

He has learned to run.

He loves it when he thinks he is going out side. He will try to sneak out when you let the cat or dog in or out. If he sees I'm going outside for any reason he wants to come too. Even if he is only in his diaper and there are a few inches of snow on the ground. He will get downright mad about it.

We think he swallowed M's wedding ring.


Love to all our friends and family

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

sad things.

I was planning on giving everyone an update for our little family... But instead I want to express my feelings about things that have been happening to my friends and family.

First to my cousin and her little girl who was diagnosed with diabetes (and I know I spelled that wrong). I can't imagine how upsetting and scary that must of been. But I am so glad that she has all kinds of family close by for support. You even have family far away who is thinking about you and praying for Caylee. We love you guys.

Second of all. One of my closest friends just lost her little sister to lukemia. I feel horrible. I feel that she needs me. She was there for me when I was terrified that I was pregnant and didn't know what to do. She helped get us enough food when we needed it and was there when I had worries and concerns. A truely awsome friend. Now she needs me and I am so far away and have no way to get to her. This is soo different from the "aww I'm so sorry for your loss. Tell me if there is anything I can do" kind of sympothy. This is the "Your my friend and I'm hopping on the next plane to be there for you" kind of sympothy. And I don't have the means to get there. So anyone out there reading this who knows them please be what I am unable to be for her right now. Give her a hug, take care of things she needs without her asking for it. Let her grieve.

How hard to lose a sister. So call your sisters and tell them you love them.
I'm thinking of you Jess and Family.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Two weeks

Life in the Harper house for the last two weeks!
So about two days after we got the internet connected I took our computer tower in to be cleaned of all viruses. I was unplugging everything when I came upon the last cord. I pulled and tugged and wiggled and tugged but it just wasn't comming out. So I pulled harder. Why wouldn't it come out?

Because it unscrews!

Well I completely bent the plate in the back. The guys at the store kind of make fun of me for it. And then I wait for them to call to tell me what they have done to it and how long until I can pick the computer back up.

8 days!!!!!

That is how long it took them to finally call and tell me that they had cleaned it up and replace the video card that I bent out of shape and past all workability.

So I go to the bank to make sure that there is enough money in there to cover the cost. There isn't!!!!

We have to wait until Payday to pick it up. So instead of it being gone for a week it is gone for two weeks because payday was a whole nother week away.

In the mean time M comes down with a cold. Runny nose, sore throught, coughing. Poor M I'm helping him feel better when he isn't at work.

V has this wonderful habit of throwing his covers off when he sleeps. Well the temprature is cooling off because it is fall. We stack those blankets on him while he sleeps. Hopefully that will keep him from waking up in the night cold.

I get called to Relief Society choirister. wheew at least it wasn't primary. I think 6 years of various primary callings is enough.

Friday: V breaks my phone of 2 months in half! Payday!!!!!!!! Get the check, less than what I was expecting. So we cash it go pay for the computer and head over to the Verizon store. Luckily I get a free phone that has a cracked face, but its free.

Next grocery shopping. Can't forget to pay rent. Ok now we need to take the remaining money and make sure that Mike can get gas, I need gas, V has a car seat waiting that is a donation for $25. Well that leaves $40 for the rest of the next two weeks. Have to save that so I can buy Milk for V. I think we POOR.


Now this morning! V can climb up onto the kitchen chair. When did he learn to do that? Oh and he pulled his high chair out from where it is stored out of the way and tries to climb up it while is is still folded up. hahahahaha silly kid.

Words he now says: Apple, juce, hi, bum ba (bottle)

I can't wait for him to get a little older so I stop pulling my hair out with him.

OH he loves to ride in his wagon.

This week the weather isn't supposed to get up past 45 degrees. Possible snow fall tomorrow. What kind of Fall is this? Oh well I don't mind the rain. It definately does it more here than in the Nevada desert.

Friday, September 18, 2009

North Dakota

Phew I didn't realize how much I would miss doing this. Ok so it has basically been a month since we left Fallon so I'm going to try to condense our experience down so you aren't reading a book.

To start we had a small birthday party for V. I can't believe he is one now. The next morning we loaded up and headed to idaho. We stopped in West Yellowstone for the night. The next morning we started the last leg of the trip. Two days of driving with a 1 year old, a cat, and a dog. I'm not doing that ever again.

We got into Minot late that night. But we were able to unload some things and put up beds to sleep on. The next morning we finished unloading the Uhaul and I unpacked the kitchen. M had to work, but that was ok.

Saturday we drove 4 hours over to Fargo to take Dad to the airport. When we got there we found out that the blue angels were there. They did their low show because of the clouds and we got to see them while waiting. I was a little sad because I wouldn't be able to see them at the fallon show, but we still got to see them. V watched and pointed and had a lot of fun. Until they flew directly over head and were really loud. Then he just cried and screamed. I think it hurt his ears.

We have most of the boxes out of the house but we are still working on getting things hung up and put away. I still haven't baby proofed the place. But by the end of this week it should be done.

Some wierd things about Minot: They don't believe in through streets. They stop and start in several different locations. The streets running North to South are streets and the ones running east to west are Avenues. Then if that isn't easy they have to complicate it by giving you directions For example our address is 3100 11th Ave SE this means that we are on 31st street 11th Ave on the SE part of town. Not quite like Utah streets but close. Minot was set up along the Souris River and there are two hills on either side of it. North and South hills. All though they are more like rises because they dont go back down. It isn't as big as Reno but I still haven't seen all of the town yet. The two major roads are Broadway and Burdick. They have a mall and quite a few restaurants.

Oh some good news. The ward is very friendly. We haven't been asked to speak yet but we will see what happens after conference.

We have had some rain storms and the thunder and lightning wake me up at night. It is loud and brigtht.

V antidotes:
-He walks!!!!!!!! It is so cute.
-He thinks he has to play in the cat litter. ARG
-he can say Mom, jewc, moos, mawl (ball) shoon (balloon), up, ba (bottle)
-his favorite toy is his high chair. He climbs in and out of it.

We are going to get him a front forward facing car seat and bumpers for his crib. Maybe this is long enough for now.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

MOVING

I have been soooooo busy the last few days. Mike told me Thursday that we got the single wide! So ever since then I have been packing and trying to take care of everything I needed to on this end of things. I am picking up the uhaul today and we will get to start putting things in it. I still am not quite sure if we are leaving tomorrow morning or Thursday morning but we will see what dad wants to do. Either today or tomorrow M will be able to get the keys to the place. In the midst of all this my in laws are prepareing to go to the Oregon state fair and putting up peaches. On Sunday we did my box and were able to get 21 pints out it. I was a little ambitious and made peach cobbler this morning. My mom has a great recipe for it and I had about 5 peaches left over that I wanted to eat but now I just want to use them up.



With all this activity V knows something is going on, he just isn't sure what it is.



As a side note we get to take the animals with us. This trip is going to be very interesting. An old dog spread out on the back seat of my car and a cat in a carrier. Plus a 0ne year old in the middle of me and my dad. We have to get at least one hotel room that will allow me to bring the animals inside. Which I think I need to look into. I am nervous about the actual traveling to move. But I am excited to be back with M.



On a sad note I don't really want to leave all my family in Fallon. Plus there is so much here that I am familiar with. I grew up here when I go to church I get things like I know your mom and dad, or I remember when you were little. I wont get that in North Dakota. But I am excited for it at the same time. I am looking forward to the new experience it will bring.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Going on a ride.

I think I have been a touch lazy. Things are happening everyday and I haven't posted anything in a while. I guess I have been stressing over the whole situation my family is in. V and I have been busy with life: shopping, running around, going to appointments, wedding receptions, and church. His two cousins are a day apart and thier birthdays were last week. We didn't go to them because one was kind of later in the evening and the other was three hours away. No thank you. So we had a restful sunday instead. Well execpt for the part were I bawled during sacrament meeting because it hit me like a ton of bricks. M and my's anniversary is this up comming Monday. SAD!!!!!!!!!!!!! And we wont get to spend it together. What a crummy week. Other than that I've been trying to stay busy. I am working on M's horse Speedy. She is almost 4 and has never been ridden. So that keeps me busy.

As for the whole moving situation. M is supposed to go look at places today. I am praying that he finds what we are looking for. We almost have the money we need to get up there. The only hold back is that he is still staying with his friend and sleeping on the couch. It has started to affect both of us being appart this long. I am irritable and cranky and unfortunately I take it out on him. In turn he is on the defensive in case I lash out at him. We seriously need to be together it is wearing on our marriage. I don't like it.

V is getting closer to walking. I can stand unsupported when he wants to. And he can almost go from sitting to standing without much need to pull on something.

Tuesday we got stuck out in a rain storm and V thought it was great. He also liked when the big draft horse morgan took us for a ride. I was holding on to his lead rope and he thought he would go check out the mare horse. Because he is about two feet taller than me and weighs about a ton more than me he jerked us along. I couldn't stop him. But V was laughing. So that was good that he didn't get hurt.

I am trying to teach V to say hello and he almost has it when he decides to copy me. Also he says gross when I tell him that the bird tray he is sitting in is gross. OH how smart little children are.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

LITTLE BLUE CAR

So yesterday Mom, Dad, Kitty, Penny, Lo and I went up and floated the Truckee River. What a blast that was. Everybody was having a good time. And I'm not just talking about everybody in our raft. I mean everyone on the river. I recommend if you have the time and money to do it sometime.

Well I have to tell you that on our way up we barely cross over the California border when we start to see signs for road contruction ahead. Then we see signs that the left lane is going to merge into the right lane. So Dad goes with the flow of traffic and gets over. Before long cars start to pass us. That is typical. What wasn't typical was the blue car up ahead of us getting over to the left lane and bringing all other traffic in that lane to a halt. Ok maybe not a halt because he kept moving. But he did not go any faster than the traffic in the right lane. Causing all the people who thought they could get ahead by going around the slow traffic to slow down. Every one in the car thought this was great. Of course the thing that was great was that all these cars start honking their horns. What is that going to do? Wait your turn like everyone else.

Now behind this blue car is a silver car. And this silver car is bent on getting around everybody else. He rides the blue car's bumper so close that you couldn't squeeze a book between the two. Oh it was so great.

By the time we get to the cones that ease over to the right lane all the cars behind us that had been in the left lane have managed to merge into the rest of the traffic. We let a car in that is in the left lane. But that blue car doesn't get over until he absolutely has to and he has made sure that all the other cars have gotten over. Including the silver car who has no choice but to stay where he needs to be.

So to this wonderful person who decided he needed to do something. I say THANK YOU!

The best part is that he had california license plates!

As a tag on V decided to put pieces of toilet paper into the toilet and then play with it. I'm just glad that he can't flush the toilet yet.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Elephant sounds

OH boy have I been lax on putting anything up. We have been trying to get the money we need to get up to Minot. It is going to take everything we manage to save and help from both of our parents. There is some bad news in all of this. I went to apply for a credit card and they said no because I don't have enough credit. Oh well guess that won't be helping us. And then I got a letter from the DMV about M's car not being insured. What ever it has been since April. So that is a sore spot. However in all of this M has been finding out about a job with the Air Force base there that would be more income which I give a HUGE thumbs up.

My sister K is going to be in town this weekend so V will be getting his 5th hair cut over the course of 11 months! Thats right only a few weeks left until his first birthday.I look forward to it. And yet it may be bittersweet without his daddy there.

I have learned over the last two days that if I do my errands in town before V's nap he usually falls asleep in the car on the way home and has a nice long nap. He also is starting to get cranky when he is hungry. So that is new.

He can make the noise of an elephant. Except that he is trying to make the noise of a car or tractor.

I'm so glad he keeps me laughing. It is truely a bright spot in my day. Now if I could just find my own personal back rubber. Then I wouldn't get headaches and feel cranky.

Did I mention that I can't wait to see my sister? Cause I can't.

Oh grandma and I took V to the outdoor pool and he loved it. There was a child there that had a floaty thing and V couldn't take his eyes off of it. So when we were done we went to Wal-Mart and got him a panda floaty thing. Now on Saturday we will be able to test it out at a pool party/dinner for the 24th of July celebration. It should be fun.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Forgotten Reunion Things (and other things.)

I'm going to go into a little more detail with things that V did at the reunion.

Favorite activity: Going up and down the stairs. Especially if you chase him.

Favorite person to beat him up: Cousin P. When he got knocked on the forhead like the should've had a V8 commercials and gets knocked on his butt!

Favorite word: OOHHHH and COW

New word he learned: Sound that trucks make when playing with them- brrrmmmm

New action learned: High Five

Favorite outside thing: riding with Grandpa on the fourwheeler.

He has been busy learning and growing. For example when I was washing his legs last night, V had hair growing on his legs.

He was quite grumpy today but he got to go swimming in the irrigation ditch water and loved it. Now if only he could enjoy his bath like that again. I don't know what happened. He used to love his baths.

I'll keep things updated and let you all know what is happening with the M situation.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

FAMILY REUNION

For the last five days V and I went to my Tidball family reunion up in Island Park, ID. And oh what a time!

For starters we stayed with my parents Thursday night so that we could get up nice and early on Friday to get on the road. Thursday night we had a bbq at my grandparent's house. That was fun I spent most of the time chasing V so he wouldn't go into the gravel. He also thought he could play ball with the big boys.

There were some wiffle balls out that everyone was playing with and V was having fun with them also, well during the prayer a little girl that was there went up and handed one to V. He looked at her and right after she turns away he drops it on the ground. I thought I was going to die from laughing.

Friday: Spend thirteen hours in the car!!!!! Fill up the gas tank every 126 miles!!!!!! Get to our destination. Fall asleep!

Saturday: Wake up. Eat wonderful crepes with strawberries, peaches, pudding, bananas, and whipcream. Hang out, talk, have fun, go on a nature walk down to the creek by the cabin. See a frog. Aunt P and Uncle D get there and everyone wants to head off to the source of Henry's Fork of the Snake River. NO THANK YOU! No more walking with V strapped to my body. But it was good because V took a nap while they were gone. I practiced my pool playing skills. I stink. That night everyone gets inducted into the Good Indian Club. And we all have a great time. Peach cobbler for dessert and we sing to my sister J for her birthday. I finally have an opportunity to get into the hot tub! Talk to M on the phone and become sad. Play phase ten with my cousin and his wife until one in the morning. Great Fun!

Sunday: Head out kinda early for Mesa Falls. See two Moose! The falls are Beautiful and V sleeps pretty much the whole time. Almost everyone leaves after Mesa Falls. Have taco salad for lunch and take a wonderful nap. Relaxing day. Play pool with my sisters, dad, and cousin B. Kalua pork for dinner. Talk to M on phone and become discouraged. He needs a new front axle for the car. Now think that Minot will happen around Christmas. Very sad.

Monday: Get woken up by mom at 6:30 to get ready to go to Yellowstone. See a bald eagle, very cool! Go to some hot springs and V the whole time sits there and goes ooohh. Go to Old Faithful, always neat. Head back to West Yellowstone for lunch. See a coyote. Stop and and watch some Elk. Eat some ok pizza. Use the restrooms and the gender signs read Pistols and Holsters. And you can decide which one belongs to which gender. Walk around West Yellowstone. See some cool shirts. Get back to the car. Put V in his seat and start buckling him up. Look down and he is sound asleep. Poor guy! Go back to cabin have a nice long nap. Eat left overs for dinner. Play bananagrams. Sit by the fire that is burning wet wood and eat a toasted marshmallow. Go to bed.

Tuesday: Get woken up at 6:00 by mom. Eat breakfast,pack stuff up and get out on the road. In car for 12 hours!!!!! Get to parents house load our stuff in car and drive 15 more miles home. So glad to be home.

Unfortunately I left my camera in Fallon so I have no pictures of any of the things that we did. But I will find a way to get them from my family. So I will let you know.

Oh M's thing now. Sunday him and his friend drove to Fargo to visit a friend who broke his back. M now wants to move to Fargo. He thought is was so nice and better than Minot so we will see how long that takes. He has definately said that we have to build up a cash reserve. I told him that I have to get to Minot first and he has to have a job in Fargo first.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Same thing every day

We are about to get M's second paycheck and I feel no closer to our goal than when we started two months ago. It is harder to save money than I thought. V is constantly needing something and food is bought by both M and I in two different states. I just want us up there. I would sleep on the couch with him! But that house is small and there really isn't any place for us. We need at least $1,500 for an apartment or house to rent and then we need another $2,000 for a u-hal and all those expences for the trip. So we have at least two more months of saving up, if we can save more than $600 each pay check wich it doesn't look like it with all things we are buying.

Ok that is all for my rantings I just had to get it off my chest. Tomorrow we leave for Island Park, ID and I am looking forward to seeing family. Lots to do and see. I need to work on the packing of the trip. I just know I'm going to forget a few things.

V likes to clap now. It is so cute. But he has a runny nose and I feel bad for him. He likes to be outside but it gets him frustrated because I won't let him down on the ground because he can't walk yet. I don't like his hands and legs to get all cut up from the rocks, which he also likes to eat!

I haven't seen M since May and he posted some resent pictures of himself so that I could see. He has grown a fu man chu, or how ever you spell that rediculous word, and he has lost some weight so I think he looks incredibly handsome. But a part of me worries that I will act differently around him because he looks different from the last time I saw him. He thinks HE is way out of MY league, but I feel that I am way out of HIS leaugue. So maybe we are just perfect for eachother. I miss him so much. I want more than anything to be with him.

Ok so I don't just sit here all day pining for what I can't have at the moment. I do have packing and laundry and lunch to do.

Monday, July 6, 2009

cranky and tired

I don't like that when I am tired and V is cranky that I lose my patience with him and get very angry. Ok not a lot angry just put him to bed already and don't deal with his antics and being funny in any way shape or form. It doesn't help that right now I'm missing M like crazy and so I am not the happiest person out there.

Ok so here's the thing. My family is having a reunion on my mom's side and I said that I'm not comming. Well my sister called to talk to me today about it and now I'm thinking that maybe I should go. It is in Island Park, ID. Everybody wants me to come but I'm thinking that its too late now.The reunion is this weekend. Everything has been planned. I don't know what to do and I hate that feeling. Like I said I'm not the happiest person anyway. If I suddenly change my mind, I have a strong feeling that it will stress my mom out to end and I try to avoid that at all costs. I just want to get a good nights sleep and not get woken up before 8 by V. That is all I'm asking. Is it possible?... I don't think so. This is where the missing M comes in. I need a hug.

On a better note... Here are some things that V has been up to.
At church he saw another little boy clapping his hands so now he can too.
His cousins where here and now he can make sounds that his older cousin was making.
He thinks he can go anywhere outside on his hands and knees in shorts!
Oh no he can't!
And he likes to sit on the rocking horse and other little rider that his cousin pulled out of the toy box!!!

I've decided that sleep right now is the way to go.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Yard Sales and Sun Burns

Oh my goodness what a day it was yesterday. I woke up at 5:30 to head over to my parents house so that I could help them with the garage sale we were having for my grandmother's things. She passed away last year. It was hot and there was hardly anyshade until later in the afternoon. All the things that I didn't want to have sold did, so I guess I can't claim them later. So I was there from 6:30 until 2 in the afternoon. I didn't wear a hat or sunscreen. My face is nice and red. It doesn't hurt, which is good. OK maybe a little by eyes.

But when I get home I receive an update from my mother-in-law what V had been up to during the day:
-Good boy
-no nap
-played with Adolf during nap time in his crib
-rode with grandpa in the swather
-talked to everyone in the store
-didn't fuss or fight getting dressed by Aunt J (why can't he do that for me?)

Ok so there was no nap thats ok he was having way too much fun. And being silly. Well we have to take grandpa more water in the swather and we let V take another ride. When we are leaving the field V runs his hand along the chicken coop for a few seconds before I grab his hand so he doesn't get hurt. Well he starts to cry and I think its because he didn't want me to do that. Wrong. He has cut his finger on something on the chicken coop. Ok lets get him inside and wash him off and get a band-aid on him. What was I thinking. The band-aid lasts about two seconds. Well he can play in the pool that grandma got. And boy does he have a lot of fun in it. Until he starts to get goose bumps and shivering. Time to go inside and put some clothes on.

Aunt J takes him outside in the stroller so that he can watch what grandma is doing. About two minutes later I go outside and V is alone in his stroller asleep. Ok so it's finally nap time at 6 at night. But then I start talking loud and he wakes up. Not happy. Take him in to feed him dinner and put him to bed. Doesn't want to eat. Ok bed then. 7 at night he goes to bed in his clothes. He woke up this morning at 7. I loved it. I went to bed at 9:30 so that was almost 10 hours for me. I loved it. Well Happy 4th to all.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

one of those kids.

Out at my parents house again. We went into town to help run arrends? While we were in a craft and antique store V grabbed a bowl and I tried to grab it but it fell to the floor shattering into a ton of pieces. After it was all picked up we offered to pay for it and the price tag said... drum roll please... $50.00. I couldn't believe it. I was so embarassed. All I could do was stand there and look at the mess on the floor. So now I know my child is "one of those kids." I thought he would be so well behaved. He isn't. In church he is the kid that tries to escape and makes noise and yells.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Hope and Fairy-God Mothers

What another hot day. And for excitement V slept for a long time when it was nap time so yeah for that.

There is the slightest hope that we will be able to join M in Minot sooner. If the guy staying with M and his friend is kicked out. From what M says he is "creepy." Then M and I can have that room and V can have his own space. Just until we can save for a house. But it makes more sense for us to be together able to save more money than three states apart. The only thing keeping us apart is that there is nowhere for us to stay nor the funds to get there. But if we don't have to wait for an appartment or a house then we won't have to save as much money before we go. Just the amount for the uhal and gas and hotel room for the journey.

I don't know what to think of this turn of possibilities. A big part of me is saying yes because then we will all be together maybe by the end of july. But on the other hand I really want to wait until we have a place of our own.

This is were I need a fairygod mother to tap me on the head and all of this will be over in the twinkling of an eye. No more worrying about if M will miss V's b-day or our anniversary or V walking. No more lonely nights and tough days. But this is reality and that won't happen.

Maybe I need that DQ Blizzard from the other day!

Monday, June 29, 2009

Scares and pie

Sunday was too hot to do anything V was roudy in church but that was ok. Stayed inside most of the day.

After V's nap he started getting into everything that he shouldn't:
-Golf Tees in his mouth with the sharp end poking out.
-An Altemeter? in his mouth and trying to see if Adolf had an electric current.
-The kitty food
-The bird food
-Trying to climb in the bird tray EWWW GROSS

Then this morning he almost gave he a heart attack. The bird was on the floor and V saw that so he starts racing over there. Charlie has his head turned toward V. I knew that V got too close Charlie would try to bite him in defense. So I screamed V's name and he stopped an inch away from Charlie who started to back up. Terrified me half to death.

My mother -in-law made strawberry reuhbarb pie. YUMMY! And right now V is trying to climb up on the rocking horse, but isn't quite managing it.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Good news

I've been waiting for things to happen so I could share them, but like a tipical saturday it has been relaxed and sort of boring. I told a friend on the phone today that I am driven by my stomach. So in true following of this, I ran to my parents house for lunch. To my dismay lunch was already over and there were no leftovers in fridge. What did they eat??? Time to improvise... Ah they had bisquits for breakfast and there is one left. Ok what else that wasn't filling. I see yogurt. Perfect. So maybe I should come with a WARNING: IF I AM AT YOUR HOUSE I MAY BE HOPING TO BE FED! DO NOT FEED THE MOUCH!!! That sounds about right.

There is a big part of me that hopes I keep plenty of food stocked in the house in Minot so that I don't have to worry about what we are going to eat.

V went with grandpa to check the water for the field that is being irrigated and was watching the cows saying"mooo co-ow" for whatever reason he has picked up on that and is one of his favorite things to say.

When he woke up from his nap this morning he was more interested in playing with me while still in the crib than getting out. Thats fine by me, just not in his typical behavior.

Some hope and excitement from M in Minot! He got payed yesterday and mentioned that someone had told him about a house for rent that is two bedrooms. So here is putting faith into hope that this will work out combined with tithing and prayers. And my fingers are hypothetically crossed. I think I need more faith in faith.

Ah I get to teach some 12 and 13? year olds in church tomorrow maybe I should actually read it!

Friday, June 26, 2009

DQ blizzards

M is in Minot working hard for us and I love him for that, but at times it leaves him exhausted. In the mean time V and I are here in Fallon doing a wackjob routine. V has discovered he prefers finger foods when it comes to eating. And I have run out of ideas on what to feed a 10 month old. String cheese, graham crackers and cereal are not the best thing to ALWAYS feed him. But he doesn't complain... yet. So he sits in his high chair making a mess of the cut up veggies I gave him and gives a huge grin with his eyes squinted. So of course I over look the mess and just smile and laugh at him. He really is too cute! When he makes a mess like this I know he's actully eating some of it, ulike when he has to clear his tray of everything and then it just lands on the floor, with nothing eaten. Maybe he will drink some more apple juice.

I can't help but think I must be a scatterbrained mother who thinks its a good day when I remember to feed my child more than twice a day. Oh sure he gets milk when it is his nap times and for bed, but breakfast and dinner can't be healthy for the poor boy. And yet he continues to gain weight. I know cause everytime I pick him up he seems heavier. Maybe I will let Adolf in to play with V for a while. But secretly it is so I can read a little bit in Breaking Dawn.

Earlier I realized that V needs a better high chair situation. He currently uses the wooden one that grandma got for all visiting grandkids. To keep him strapped in we use an old belt. But he can still stand up that way. DANGER!!

I have been trying to shed a few access pounds so I feel healthier and it doesn't work so great. Just a short time ago I had visions of DQ Blizzards dancing in my head. I need more self restraint. Maybe the fact that I have to drive 10 miles to get it will help me in my hour of need.

How does one sweep the floor when your child can escape the exersaucer you've been using as a jail? I think I will have to come up with a better solution.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Things I Missed

I woke up this morning at 8:30 and in a hurry. Transformers started at 12:30 and I had things that needed to get done. Get V out of bed and he wanted on the floor not to cuddle up with me, dissapointing, oh well I have shirts that need washed anyway. I was going to grab the blueberries out of the freezer to make blueberry muffins but space it. Bring V into the living room and make a call to my mom to see if she would like to go with me to the movie. Then call Dad to see if he wants to come too. Almost 9 so I call M before he heads to work. He saw the movie last night and I'm trying to get info out of him, it doesn't work. V is now in the washroom eating who knows what. It's breakfast time. That is when I realize I forgot to get the blueberries out, oh well guess its cold cereal again! But to add something healthy V gets to eat an apricot. Now he's getting grumpy maybe a little seasame street will work. It doesn't. Time for a bottle and lay in the crib for a while.

Fastforward to the theater. I get there ahead of my parents and save seats. Let me just say that I think that this sequal was fantabulous. So we get out of the movie after three or something. I have to give my mom a ride home because dad didn't end up comming in. We sit in road contruction for about 10 minutes. And then I get on facebok. One of my friends has said something about Farrah Faucet sp? and Michael Jackson. What is she talking about? So I look it up. They died?????? Shocking. I'm not sad I never knew them, but they are big names. I've been hearing MJs name since I can remember! But now who am I going to make fun of every once and a while for doing strange things? Oh well. Their poor families.

And so these are the things that I missed because I am a scatterbrained mom who doesn't watch the news and goes to movies in the middle of the day to save two bucks.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Musings and thoughts

How does one child make such a big mess? V is so busy. He goes from one thing to the next. Clean off the coffee table, help Adolf eat his cat food, clear out the dvds and tapes, pull out all the shoes, throw his toys in the bird tray. Oh and the temper tantrums he has learned to throw. If I didn't love the little stinker so much I may have to sell him to the zoo. And yet there are those rare moments when he is dragging a rope string around by the mouth when he looks up and grins and all you can do is laugh and give hugs and kisses.

One would think that now that he is down for a nap I would get loads of things done, but I think I am the slowest house cleaner in the history of housewives. It takes me ten minutes to sweep the floor, even if I'm in a hurry. So never ask me to sweep cause it will take forever. I also do not enjoy the dishes doing. I for some reason prefer to clean up messes, but not the deep cleaning. For example when cleaning off the table it is ok to clear the dishes and take them to the sink, but some one else may wash them, wash off the table, and put the left overs in the fridge.

So M made breakfast this morning up in Minot. I was teasing him that it was my job to do that. He told me to get my butt up there and do it. So now I am going to tease him about it and tell him that I'm headed up there. Unfortunately there is so much to do before we can get up there:
V needs his birth certificate
I need to gather up medical records
The things we've been using on a regular basis need to be put in boxes
The Uhal needs to be rented and picked up
I need a driving companion so they need to to take time off work
The three of us need a place to live. That one should be at the top of the list.
So you see there is still a lot to get done before there will be any moving to begin with. I suppose the milk containers can't wash themselves and I need clean shirts, plus Vernon needs clean pjs for tonight. But I much prefer to do this and when I'm done here I have every intention of continuing to read midnight sun on Stephenie Myers official website.

Which is another thing I used to read books very quickly. I am currently reading the same book I was reading 5 months ago! And when I complete this one I can finally move on to the final book in the twilight series. May I finish it much faster than this current book!

I would really like to go one week without making a trip to wal-mart. Maybe that is what I will start doing. Go everyother week and if I run out of something in the meantime, I will just have to do without it until the scheduled shopping day. Sheesh when did I start having so much to say?
I guess always. I have always wanted to write so maybe this is a good way to go about it. One time in high school the author Chris Himerdinger or how ever you spell that came and did a fireside. Afterwards I went up and talked to him about being a writer and he told me to write every day. So maybe one of these days I will post a little short story.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

THE FAMILY

For a rare day V is sleeping in. I am truly greatful for that. Once he wakes up, it is a constant chasing around the house. We are staying with my in-laws and their house is not baby proofed. So in the midst of all I do I have a constant eye on if he is in the Macaw's bird tray or pulling dvds off the shelf or going into the bathroom.

I can't wait till we get into our own place again. You see I like to cook and I love to cook breakfast, but all my cookbooks are in a box in storage so I can't wait to get back to making all those good things that I make each morning. This morning I decided to make German Pancakes and I had to get the recipe from my mother last night. But now they are done and taste so good I am glad that I did.

M is working at a tires plus in Minot ND. He has an advantage because he was in the Air Force for four years. He worked on ground vehicles. He is a good man and a wonderful husband.

V loves all animals. He has a kitten named Adolf and they play so well together. Last night in the bath, that his grandma gave him, he played in the tub as long as his kitten was watching. As soon as Adolf left he was done with his bath. And when he is done in the tub he stands up and refuses to sit back down. In fact it is a fight to finish washing him up if he is done. The other animals he loves include the Macaw Charles who he wants to touch soooo bad. But Charles is not a super friendly bird so Vernon has to get a little older before he can touch the bird. He also sits on the floor by the cage and just watches him. He says "cow" so we spend much time watching the cows out here eat. He also likes the big draft horses and the regular horses. V will touch their noses and giggle. V also likes to sit on them and then sort of jump off. He gets so excited when he sees them. He has only met one dog that he didn't like and that dog licked his face and scared him for some reason.

V gets ever closer to walking and I am so afraid that M will miss his first steps. He has woken up so now it is beakfast time.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Starting Out

It's official I have decided to join the blogspot world of sharing information. This first one will be short because I am getting sleepy.

It is kind of wierd to celebrate a father's day without the father of your child around. But I tried really hard to make it a good Father's Day. I sent M footprints on paper, pictures of the process, and candy. Can't get better than that can you?

This evening I left V with the grandparents to help my mom and dad move furniture. We are buff three women and my dad and we were able to move a refrigerator.

Other than that I can't wait to get up to North Dakota to be with M again.