Reasons why...

I love Tim.  In honor of Tim's 32nd birthday today, I am making a top 10 list.
Top 10 reasons why I love Tim...
10. He is just the right height 5'10 1/2"
9.He can get a car from being parked 30 years to running in a couple of hours.
8.He hates to do chores, but who doesn't
7.He is an amazing cook.
6.He can identify a vehicle under a tarp.
5.He can buy that vehicle and sell it to make money.
4.He can make girls cry, scream and laugh all in the same minute.
3.He is the best to cuddle with on rainy days.
2.He is so handsome, really, he is.
And the number one reason why I love Tim...

1. He is mine forever, and like anything of value, he gets better with age.

Happy birthday honey. You are the best, and I love you.

Thank you February

As a follow up to a previous post, dear February, here is a thank-you note including some of her accomplishments and musings.
Dear February, here we are, all but finished.  We had a great time.  The Olympics were quite astounding, amazing and awe inspiring.  It is good to feel the ache of wanting to do something so badly like when I watched those downhill skiers.  Man I miss skiing.  I also missed playing my violin, so I was fortunate enough to share my violin talent with my ward and stake (church) for 2 different conferences.  As nervous as it makes me, I would rather play my violin than open my mouth in front of a crowd ten times over.  I also am so appreciative of my job at my new office in Fountain Hills.  It is good to be appreciated, and I will share something my co-worker/office manager shared with me the other day, " Kellie, you're the best person I've ever hired!"  Needless to say, I really like working there and it must show.  I won't go as far to say I love the drive (45 min each way) because it takes me away from my family time, but I am making the most of it by listening to the Ensign and New Era on MP3 during the drive.  Those are magazines that really make me feel good and help me focus better on my family during the few short hours each evening I have with them.  As far as my family goes, Tim has been sprouting new vegetables in the living room, and now they are ready to go outside, as soon as it warms up a bit more.  The rain has been great for our garden prep, but terrible for the 2 British Convertibles parked on our side-yard, they have been more wet this month than they have for their whole lives.  Although, the'67 is moving on.  As part of our first eBay sales experience, the baby blue triumph spitfire was sold to a fellow just yesterday that plans to ship her to Paris, France where she will live happily ever after.  Emma has gotten ever more proficient on the piano with her "DO, RE, MI's" and Audrey loves to go with Kennedy and Dad to get a culture pass to have her weekly adventure.  Emma has been doing really well in school, we've found proper motivation for her to get 100% on her spelling and dictation each week.  If she does, she gets to choose her favorite meal for the night.  It has made a world of difference.  I never realized the true value in "taco Tuesday" until now.  Audrey is so sweet with Kennedy and looks forward to playgroup each Friday.  She keeps me and Tim rollin' with her the crazy-silly things she says. For example, we were home after Stake conference church today and I gave Tim a hug and kiss and we heard Audrey say to Emma, "Eew, yuck.  When we grow up, we're gonna have to do that, too."  She thinks it is so gross when we kiss.  She never fails to "yuck" at us when we do.  She'd better get used to it, it's not stopping anytime soon.  Kennedy is experimenting with using the potty.  Tim and I are not yet ready to give up the convenience of diapers, so we'll leave that adventure for March...or April.  Well, I'd better get back to my bread in the oven, we burn through 4 homemade loaves each week, sometimes more if I make it midweek.
Well February, it has been a great month, and so far 2010 is shaping up splendidly, and I thank you for all of your rich efforts in making moments out of minutes.  All the best when you come around again, may we all be healthy, happy, and wiser for the time passed.  Until then, Thanks again for listening to all of my random mumblings and helping me to remember and enjoy them as well.

Did I do that?

Our Valentines celebrations started on Friday when Tim asked me if I wanted my present.  I am the self-proclaimed WORST gift giver EVER.  So of course, I did better than that and didn't get him anything.  He said Valentines is for girls anyway.  So I said yes to his question, and he told me to close my eyes.  He then got a box and put it on my lap.  I opened to see a beautiful box (I didn't know boxes could be beautiful but this one was) and it said "Coach" on the corner.  WHAT!! He was so cute, and so excited to give it to me.  He said "You really deserve it."  He got me a beautiful new tote.  His favorite part was telling me the great deal he got it for on Craigslist. So, he hadn't spent a fortune, but I can wear it like one.  Yay!  I'm not usually ever like that, but when I look at it, I think of him and so it isn't just functional, but makes me happy.  Thanks again Honey.

Then, Saturday, my cell phone contract ended so we went and got new phones to carry out the process of minimizing our media cost/time.  We went to costco and got some cool phones and so we can text and we feel like we're on the cutting edge, okay, at least the edge for us.

Sunday was Me and Emma at church because Tim was home with sick Kennedy and Audrey.  We watched the Olympics and had a lazy day.

Then, on Monday I was off work and Emma was off school so we did some yard work and played around the house with the kids.  I took Kennedy to the pediatrician to find out she had 2 "humdinger" ear infections and a possible penicillin allergy so we paid many pretty pennies for meds and dr visit, but she is good now.  We then went to the park and tried working with Emma some more on riding her bike without training wheels. I am so glad when I am off work that I enjoy being with them and not worrying about finding more work.  It was so relaxing.

Then I had to do something silly.  Now I can say that but I just said out loud to myself over and over again, "did I just do that?  I just did that!!"  While driving to work Wednesday morning, I dropped my brand new phone in my cup-o-milk. REALLY!  Did I just do that?  I just did that!  I reacted quick though, I quick popped off the battery, opened it up as much as possible, and shook the @#$& out of it. I hurt my wrist bad doing it too.  I cried the rest of the way to work.  When I got there I googled "what to do when cell phone drops in milk" and explained to Dr. Hansen what happened.  He's a computer guy, so he helped me doctor it.  He took it apart even more and asked if he could soak it in alcohol.  I saw that solution online so I said okay, and it looked so wrong to see my phone submerged in liquid.  He said he does that with computer components so I trusted him.  If it was gone anyway, oh well.  So, I called Tim and told him what happened and that I was so upset that this accident happened (when it now wasn't such a big deal) and thought he'd be upset with me but he said it didn't matter and don't worry about it.  Okay, now I had to get my patient back and try to hide my red cry eyes.  Three patients later I retrieved my phone from the alcohol and used compressed air to blow as much moisture out as possible.  Later that afternoon I dared put the battery in and fire it up.  It worked.  I called Tim and was so happy!  It continued to dry out over the next few days.  There is still some white stuff flaking out (dry milk) but so far as I can tell, it works 99%. If you get a text with extra letters that's because 'w' comes up with half of the letters and there are some other sticky features, but at least now I can call from it to insure it!

Then Thursday morning our good friends Rob and Tara finally had their baby.... GIRL!  After 32 hours of grueling labor she delivered 8lbs 11oz healthy girl.  Marley...Roussel.  She has got some lungs.  Aaaahh. Parenthood.  I remember when we had Emma.  We thought we were ready.  We so were not.  Three kids later we are starting to get a handle on it.  We went and visited them in the hospital on Saturday and got to hold the baby for a little bit.  She can fill the "babyfever" for us for a while until Tim is done with school then we'll court the idea of another one later.

Yesterday was fun, I was home with the girls until Tim came home with another British car.  An 1960 Austin Healy "bug eye."  It is cute, and the car actually smiles at you!  It is tiny, red and really cute.  He posted his first car on EBay yesterday, so that is a new adventure for us too.

And today, while getting ready for Church, I had done Emma and Audrey's hair pretty and was working on Kennedy when I decided to give her her first haircut.  She had a bunch of long wispy hair on her crown that just made any styling impossible.  So, I trimmed them off and she has the cutest curly bob cut.  Her hair is so much slower coming in that the other girls, and she is blonder too, but it really matches her personality.

Well that is the longest post in forever, but I'm glad February has listened and not escaped me.  The Olympics have been amazing and make me miss skiing like crazy, but I'll get back to it.  I'm planning on running Pat's run in April, and from there getting ready for a 10K and eventually (hopefully this year) a 1/2 marathon.  It's very ambitious for me, but I want to believe I can do it.

On the docket for this week is turn in our DVR and go cut out TV.  We will lose our home phone number, but I'll email everyone Tim's phone number, and mine will stay the same.  We'll let you know how it goes... till then, I'm surprised anyone stuck around this long!!!

Dear February,

Please don't slip away from me. I know you are the shortest month of the year but you are so important.  I understand being stuck between January and March can be tough, because January is so full of recovery business from the holidays and March holds spring break and the beginnings to plan out summer vacations.  Trust me though, I know you will be great.  We are only 3 days in, but I anticipate you will buy and sell a few cars for Tim, I'll be working most of the days and our girls will begin to get used to me working every day.  Our house may get a bit neglected, but we will use it well this month, watching movies, playing games and doing lots of puzzles and reading stories.  Audrey and Kennedy are planning to make lots of messes and I don't think they plan to clean them up, but I would be really worried if my 3 and 1 year olds spontaneously started being clean.  Emma will probably read about 25 books this month and memorize 2-3 poems, because she loves to rhyme.  There are some great things I hope happen this month of February, so please, don't let the opportunities for this month get away.  I'll do my best to keep up and report back.
Love, Me

The entire yield of our grapefruit tree. The size of Audrey's head.  It was delicious, but totally not worth watering for a year.

Tim and Jeff (Dad) in the latest project.

Aaaaahhhhhh!

Sigh of relief and gratitude all at once! I got an offer for a position to work on Thursdays/Fridays so I'll be working full time for the first time in over a year. It's at Parkview Dental  I can't believe what a huge relief it is and I feel like I have been unstuck from a place where I was stuck and having a really hard time being patient with lack of control of my situation.  The best part of the job is that I LOVE IT!  I feel at home there.  Everything about it is so good.  I am glad too, because I was worried about the strain on my body working 40 hours/week, but this office has good equipment and great help and lots of smiles.  The only down side is it is in Fountain Hills (50 min one way) but my view out my op is amazing.  I'm in a second level building across from the fountain lake facing east and it is beautiful.  Even with the rain it was amazing.  I was pinching myself knowing I got the job to be sure it's real.

It will be an adjustment being away from home, but it is so much better.  For the last year when I was home, I was worried whether I'd have enough work to make it.  Now, when I'm home, I'm really HOME and it feels great. Aaaaaahhhh!

Saturday stuff...

We started our Saturday morning with a fun run/walk with our ward.  It was 2 miles around a neighborhood by our stake center and it was beautiful!  Emma walked half and ran half, she did great!  Kennedy even walked/ran half of it, and so did Audrey.  I tried to ride in the stroller, but nobody would push me (ha ha).  I was inspired enough by some women in my ward who are training for the London's Run 1/2 marathon.  I may go for the 2 mile walk with my kids so they can feel the race atmosphere.  That's about all my knees can handle right now, till I'm in better shape, but that is on Jan 30 in Queen Creek.  Anyway, the girls loved it and I'll probably include them at that race too.  Also, the Race for Africa's Children associated with Care For Life  should be coming up and I'll post info when I get it.

After the race there was a classic car show in the parking lot of the grocery store by our house. Tim thought it would be a great place to show off some of his, uh, hobbies/work.  He is amazing. He got this 1970 Triumph (white) that hasn't run for over 10 years and had it running and shinnied up for the show in just 10 days.  "Little Red" drew some nice attention, but who wouldn't want to look at her twice!  (MGB)

Emma and Audrey loved this pink get-up and wanted their picture by it.  There was also a fire truck there they were letting kids in to look around. Pretty fun, and absolutely beautiful overcast 70 degree day here in good ol' Gilbert.

They wanted to buy this one!

Audrey is looking nervous because there is another kid that jumped in right next to her...

So it doesn't confuse you, (where do they get the money to buy these cars?)  Tim is starting to flip cars to make some extra cash.  Tim has a great talent for buying low and selling high.  This Triumph was a good buy to try out selling on Ebay motors. I'm so glad he has a hobby that makes money rather than takes away.  We have owned more than 30 cars in our 10 years of marriage and only lost money on 2.  That's pretty good stats if you ask me.  He's happy and it gets him away from 3 (sometimes 4) whiney girls!

Stuff I saw over the Holidays...Really

and thought, nice try... or maybe you shouldn't have.

Really

Then was a bit hungry, and thought, "Gee, I could eat 501 double melts from Arbys...

dang limits of 500.

REALLY? I mean REALLY?!!!

Happy New Year! and an update...

YAY! 2010! I got a feelin' this is gonna be a GREAT year!

That is what I've been thinking about this new year, now that we're a week into it.  We have had so much fun with our girls.  We went to the Botanical garden on New Year's eve to get some pretty pictures of pretty things, and it was a beautiful day.  We had our friends over for some games and celebrating (eating) and played a game called Settlers of Catan. It's addicting. A great way to pass time an have lots of fun.

As far as New years goes, I have always been a die hard resolution setter, but this year I surprised myself by opting for little monthly goals to include my kiddos.  The reason for this, I'm not sure, but I think it is because I tend to write down the same goals every year.  Rather than set myself up for disappointment, I decided I want to help my kids do new things.  It is gonna be a great year.

First off, we are gonna cancel our cable for 2 reasons, Time and Money  It takes both. and now that I've proclaimed it, we must follow through.  Our date is set for "quit" is in February.  We spend so much time just "seeing what's on" and we want that no more.  So in so doing we will lose our home phone as well and get another cell phone. More info to come on that.

Emma has started to "get it" on her bike without training wheels. Yay!! She pretends to be scared, but then she laughs because she is so proud of herself. Go Emma!!

Audrey is a Sunbeam at Church and is a sponge for information.  She keeps us on our toes to keep her entertained and interested, and gets along with Kennedy or is her worst enemy, all in 10 seconds.

Kennedy is talking more and more.  The other night Tim asked her if she was his "buddy" and she laid her head on his shoulder and said so sweetley, "bubbeee" and it melted my heart. She has been taking her turn saying family prayer at night and repeats Tim and says family, Audrey, Emma, Daddy, Mommy, Jesus, and Amen.  I think we might be doing something right.

Tim got released from Primary.  He and I were teaching the Sunbeams (3-4year olds) and have been in primary for most of the 5 years we've been in this ward.  He is happy to talk to adults for a bit at Church. We'll see how long that lasts...  He's plugging along through school, and surfing C-list for good deals to flip and make some coinage on the side for fun in the garage.  It is a great outlet and I'm so happy he has a hobby that makes money, instead of money pit.

I switched from Sunbeams to 7yr olds.  It is so fun! They sit still, answer questions, read, and actually pay attention.  I'm really excited for my class this year.  I'm still working 3 days/week in Mesa and really like the office I'm at.  I am temping where ever I can the other 2 days and have enjoyed being home when I am.  We are so blessed with enough work to get by with our finances, and enough ambiguity that it is a great test of faith and trust in the process.

Tuff and Tillie (our long forgotten dogs) live outside most of the time, and lay around like lazy spoiled dogs.  We are going to change that eventually, like take them on walks or something. Sounds good.

Well, I've been having thoughts about what to post, and well, that's as far as they've gotten.  We'll see if they actually publish.  It'll be good.

Now, for pictures...

this tree looked like something out of a Dr. Seuss book.  Where's the Lorax?