Spring Chicken

You Belong in 1953

You're fun loving, romantic, and more than a little innocent. See you at the drive in!



(see that, it said I was a little innocent! hehehe)

Click here to see what decade you belong in.

I Wish For World Peace.........

In case you didn't know, this past Saturday was National Museum Day. (I hope you all marked it on your calendars and sent flowers and cards to your fellow museum goers...) So Chip decided that he'd take the girls while I was at work, and go visit the Columbus Metropolitan Museum, it was free admittance after all. They had a great time together looking and discovering the many works of art that are in the museum. Maggie was hooked on sculptures. She LOVED the Chihuly sculptures that were in there, and didn't want to leave them. Alli loved a seashell painting so much that she need Chip to take a picture of it so she'd always remember it. Things were going along quite smoothly until Alli ran into this painting that she just couldn't leave, and I honestly think that painting will never leave her either.
The painting was of the KKK brutally beating a young black woman to death. Alli looked at Chip asked why they would do that to her. Chip had a tender moment with Alli explaining how some people didn't like others just because the color of their skin was different. Alli took it all in and started crying and asked him why people couldn't just love everyone for who they were. I think it really struck Alli that some people just really don't like others because of their differences. In Alli's school class, she is one of only two white students... so she is actually the "different" one in her class. She loves everyone equally, if you have a body and a smile, and are willing to play with her, she is your best friend for life, and would do just about anything for anyone.
I really am sad that Alli had to learn about such hatred and unkindness in the world. I wish that Alli will remember this lesson to love everyone so that she could help to make this world better. I wish I could wrap her little heart in bubble wrap so it wouldn't ever have a chance to get broken. I wish that there was tolerance for everyone. I wish that everyone could get along. I honestly... just wish for world peace.....

It's already starting to happen!

Oh No! "It's" already starting to happen. I almost died when "It" did happen. I had to call Chip right away and let him know what was going on. He got a good chuckle out of "It"... I don't know how he'll feel in a few more years though....You are probably wondering what "It" is. I'll share with you right now what "IT" is....

As I was picking Alli up from school today a little 2nd grade girl came up to her on the sidewalk and said "Hey, Are you in Damien's class?" Alli was like, "Yeah"... and then the girl said, really cocky like, in a tattle tale voice "Damien's got a huge CRUSH on you!" Alli gave her a puzzled look and just walked off.
I am soooooo glad that Alli doesn't know what the real meaning of a crush is... she probably just thinks that Damien wants to hurt her and crush her. :o) No wonder why she was puzzled.
I know that I will probably have to explain the birds and the bee's sooner or later and how boys like girls, and girls like boys, ect.... But I'd much rather have that conversation later.... not sooner. Heaven help me in my time of parenting need!

Life Lessons Learned In A Month

As I was looking back through all of the photo files that we have and reminiscing about past times in my life, I stumbled across photos from December 2006/January 2007 and realized that in that Month and a half I learned pretty much all of life's lessons that needed to be learned. So, In true blogger spirit, I thought I'd share:




Lesson #1: Don't let your 4 year old get their ears pierced. If you are thinking about it, Call me... I'll talk you out of it! Can we say Nightmare?





Lesson#2: When in life you get stuck, keep trying and eventually you'll overcome your obstacle








Lesson #3: Even when you feel you really NEED a beauty change, sometimes timing is everything. I.E: don't wax your eyebrows when you are suffering from the flu and lack of sleep. Tired skin just rips right off with the wax.







Lesson #4: Don't let your 4 year old pick out their outfits with out supervision. Note: Sheer red skirt, purple panties, Purple long sleeve shirt, White socks, and sneakers. Nice.









Lesson #5: Don't let your brother-in-law find your camera at Christmas. This was one of about 20 self portraits of Brian that I found when I went to process the pictures.











Lesson #6: Cousins are the best friends to play with.








Lesson #7: Even when you aren't looking for it, small moments take your breath away. (Looking upon a beautiful earth that Heavenly Father made for us)









Lesson #8: There is just so much I can say about this photo. Cherish your grandparents. They aren't going to be here forever. Learn from them, Love them, Enjoy them.








Lesson #9: Sleeping babies are the best!







Lesson #10: Sometimes in life you just have to tell people to kiss-off. (Pose courtesy of Ashley....)











Lesson #11: People surprise you with a little bit of humor once in a while!











Lesson #12: Tents are the coolest things ever.






Lesson #13: Even when things are "Pretty" they are sometimes Satan in disguise (seriously... this cat is pure evil!)









Lesson #14: Sometimes we just need a snack to make us feel better







Lesson #15: Sometimes life gives you Lemons, So make Lemonade
(As I was going home to Idaho for Christmas.. a week before Chip... alone with an almost 4 year old and a 6 month old, I missed my flight to Lewiston by 5 minutes... the plane was still there.... but they couldn't let me on due to security reasons.... so I spent 12, YES 12 hours in the Salt Lake City Airport.... FUN. Let me tell you, we know every nook and cranny of that airport.... Alli and Maggie were Champs! Luckily the SLC airport has a toy shoppe and 3 little play areas, they also have power jacks when you need to plus in your portable DVD player and cell phone. This is something I don't want to do again if I can help it, but we had "fun" while we were there.)


Lesson #16: The coolest snowmen are made from paper plates










Lesson # 17: When it's still 60 degrees in winter, Thank Heavenly Father for the blessing, and then go play at the park!









Lesson #18: Smile like you mean it.










Lesson #19: Sometimes it's just fun to let yourself go and be adorable.

I. Am. Me

i am: getting older every day
i think: way to many random thoughts for any normal person
i know: that I am loved
i want: to be out of Limbo
i have: the most awesome family ever!
i dislike: things in between my toes.
i miss: My family. Living away from them stinks!
i fear: somebody i love is going to die
i feel: blah
i hear: the fan and sleeping children.
i smell: crisp autumn air
i crave: peanut butter M&M's and Diet Pepsi
i usually: stay up waaaaay to late every night.
i search: for the right words to what I want to say
i wonder: what the Lord has in store for us next
i regret: a few things, mostly my behaviors at times.
i love: my family
i care: too much about everything
i always: love hearing gossip. (It's my vice... I can't stop!)
i worry: that there isn't enough time for everything that I want to accomplish in life.
i am not: coordinated
i remember: falling in love with my children the first time I met them.
i believe: in miracles.
i dance: alone, with family, and wildly
i sing: a lot. I love it! I long to be a back up singer!
i don't always: prioritize my time well.
i argue: too much
i write: not enough
i win: always at games. hahahaha.
i lose: not so much. Chip does.
i wish: Chip could have his dream job.
i never: want to hurt people
i listen: to books on tape to keep me occupied while crafting
i don't understand: alot of things
i can usually be found:in the kitchen/eating area.... it's where the crafting happens.
i am scared: when I am alone at night.
i need: sanity
i forget: EVERYTHING
i am happy: when my family is happy.

Castle Park

Chip brought the girls to this park in Westerville on Saturday. It reminds me a lot of the castle park in Lewiston that I adored when I was younger. The girls absolutely love this park, especially since it has a train that they can ride. Ever since we went to that EnterTRAINment Junction a few weeks ago, the girls have been absolutely obessed with trains!
I am so thankful that Chip is such an involved dad. He adores his two little girls and would do anything for them. Chip has a HUGE imagination, and he is teaching the girls how to use theirs. I am sure this will only bring more silliness in the future, but for now it's good.

Chillin'

Just Chillin' out with Dad, watching Saturday Morning Cartoons.

Kick It!

On Friday night Alli had her last belt test for her Little Ninja's class in Tae-Kwan-Do.She loved taking that class, but sadly we are going to have to quit due to all day kindergarten totally wiping her energy out, and the next class up from Little Ninja's is a two day a week program. Way too much for her!

I love watching little kids do things. They yell their loudest, over exaggerate every movement, and generally aim to please the crowd by giving them lots to laugh about.
Through out the whole program, after Alli did ANYTHING she would wink very dramatically at us! How funny.
This is one of Alli's teachers, Mrs. Kissel. Alli thinks she is awesome.

Cute

Today I met my friend Tracie at the park so our little girls could play. I took these way cute pictures of Maggie. I love what a happy little girl she is, and the fact that she is a total cheeseball so she fits right into our family!

Fashion thy name is Comfort

I was walking through Kohl's yesterday with Maggie, just killing some extra time waiting for the fabric store to open,when suddenly, out of the corner of my eye I spotted what might be the most comfortable things in the world. That's right...Grandma style PJ's! As I took a mental inventory of what I had just thought I was like... "Ohh My GOSH! I am officially OLD!" It made me have a good little chuckle at myself....
Now we're just going to play the waiting game to see when they go on sale. :o)

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday Mom!

You are such a wonderful lady. We are so happy to have you in our family. Thanks for all the stuff that you do for us and for all the things that you put up with us for. :o)
You rock our socks!

All Our Love
Chip, Breezi, Alli and Maggie

Blessings in Disguise

This week started out with a huge smack on our heads. Sunday night the effects of hurricane Ike came up to Columbus and we had a hurricane of sorts here. The winds got upwards of 75 mph. It knocked out power to 2.6 Million Ohioans, from Cincinnati to Cleveland. We were one of the 2.6 who lost power. We were very fortunate that we only lost the power for 31 hours (heck yes were were counting!) We were also fortunate that we happen to have a gas powered hot water heater and gas stove/oven, so at least we could cook some food and didn't stink.
It's amazing how the world stops without power. Chip and I took the kids on Monday morning to McD's for breakfast, as we didn't want to risk opening our fridge only to loose all the cold air that was trapped inside. Apparently the rest of Columbus thought that they'd go to McD's too (it was one of only a few places that did have power... go figure), because it took us 15 minutes of waiting inside to order, and another 30 minutes of a wait for our food to arrive. Seriously, 45 minutes of waiting to eat... at McDonalds! (Luckily the only impatient people were the ones who ordered just coffee. They didn't understand why they had to wait for a drink.I can understand their point on that one.) Most of the gas stations were out of power, which means that they didn't have electricity to pump out the gas. Credit/debit card machines didn't work. The water plant lost electricity, which means that we were under a water boil alert. Fine for us, not fine for the people who didn't have gas stoves to boil the water. The local company who makes ice lost power, so everyone looking for ice to keep their food from spoiling were pretty much S.O.L. Stop lights were out of commission, which made for lots of accidents due to really stupid people.
The electric company was giving estimates of 5-7 days for power to be restored. We still have friends who don't have power. It seriously is a mess! I am thankful for the few thousand power workers who have been working their fingers to the bone to reestablish power to our community.
Needless to say, Alli didn't have school this past week. They finally got power to her school yesterday afternoon, and much to her (MY) delight school was back in secession today.

We lost everything in our fridge, and lost half of the food in our freezer.

This past week I have seen many of my blessings that have "popped" out to me because of this power outage. I know how blessed we are that we had food, shelter, clothing, hot water, gas stove/oven, warmth, a nice cool breeze when it got a little too warm, the girls were playing wonderfully without any distractions, the girls actually went to sleep right away despite not having the "ultimate boogie-man protection" (night light), We got to eat ice cream the second night for dinner (there was no way we'd let all that good ice cream go to waste!) Chip and I got some quality time in, We got to eat by romantic candle light two nights in a row, the really loud ghetto neighbors are apparently afraid of the dark because we never heard their rap crap blasting both nights!, we had cell phones that were charged, enough candles to make it through... (and they smelled yummy too...) and enough gas that we didn't have to wait in line at the gas pumps for an hour to get it, Chip's work didn't loose power so he was able to work and support our family (much to his chagrin), we had wonderful friends that called lots to see how we were doing and see if we needed anything, we got to serve others, and really the list goes on on what blessings I re-discovered that we really had. I am glad that we got to go through this little trial. (I am even more glad that it didn't last the 7 days it was predicted.) I am just happy that Heavenly Father gave me a little pause from everything I thought was sooo important and just let me have a little break without worldly intrusion. It's good to be grounded and realize the blessings that we truly have (with or without power!) day after day.

Now to get back to the laundry that has built up this past week......... It's too bad that I didn't have a washboard or a clothesline......

V is for Victory

I consider myself blessed to work with the youth in our church. I love how awesome they are, and I love how they make me feel young again (for the most part... minus the frustrations that come with teenagers!) But tonight, I had totally annihilated the kids in PING-PONG! (actually I only won like 3 out of 7 games). that's right, I beat a few 12 year olds, and I feel good about it! I royally kicked their cans. I brought home the bacon. I did the victory dance. I made them cry. (not really)
I forgot how decent at the art of Ping-Pong I actually was. I guess the last time I picked up a paddle was in like 8th grade gym class, but it's like riding a bicycle...... you can just get back on again and remember how it goes!
Anyways, the point of this post is I beat some kids pretty badly and now they are going to go and cry to their mama's. Nice.
Anyone wanna play with me?
Bring a tissue. You're going to need it.

Horse Power

Yesterday I went out to lunch with Maggie, just the two of us to have some mommy/daughter time. We had such a great time together and I really enjoyed our little date. While we were waiting for our lunch to be served to us, I was over hearing a conversation that was going on between 3 strapping young men (they reminded me of Matthew McConaughey in his roll in Failure to Launch). They were talking about how the term "horse power" first came about when it came to cars. Now, I am certainly no master when it comes to automobile topics, so I can't be sure it is accurate, but according to them Horsepower was " the power of combined horses that it would take to match the vehicle." (I just found the real definition here if you were really interested in what it was.) It made me start thinking that the olden day makers were wrong for naming that term after horses. I mean, there are so many other powerful objects that they could have chosen to represent "POWER". I personally think they should have named it Toddler Power instead. If you think about it, Toddlers have a will of iron. Horses give in after a while, Toddlers don't. When Horses get tired they stop, rest, eat, sleep, drink: Toddler's don't, they keep going no matter what. Toddlers can run along in bare feet without stopping, Horses need constant attention on their feet/legs. Horses have to eat a lot of food to keep their power and strength up, Toddlers don't, they find loads energy in the smallest amounts of food. Horses know their limits, Toddlers have no limits that they know of. *I am currently drawing a blank on any more analogies, as my toddler is having a will of iron moment and screaming at the top of her lungs because she doesn't want to nap*, But I am sure there are many, many more reasons why it should have been called Toddler Power.

So, next time you see a herd of wild horses racing through the fields (or you just get an opportunity to see the movie Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron), think about how much energy your toddler has compared to those horses.

A Toddler's Game

Maggie was so clever to come up with such a fun game lately. It's called "THIS -OR- THAT". This game does not have many rules, so it is one that anyone can follow. Here is how it goes: Observe a person doing normal activities and find an object similar to the one being observed and do the same thing with said object. Here are two of the most recent examples on how awesome of a game player Maggie really is:
1.Observe Mom getting out of the shower, and watch as she puts on deodorant.
Answer to challenge: Maggie finding a GLUE STICK and opens it to use it as her deodorant!
2. Observe Mom, Dad, and Alli brushing their teeth the tooth paste on their tooth brushes.
Answer to challenge: Maggie finding DIAPER RASH CREAM putting a huge glob on her tooth brush and brushes her teeth with it. YUM.


As you see it really is a simple game, so anyone can play along. I hope you can win just as much as Maggie is. Good Luck Gamers!

Greatest American Dog

Ok, So I can't figure out how to upload videos from YouTube, (Let's face it... I don't do computers that well) Anyways, Chip and I were watching the finale of Greatest American Dog tonight and were laughing hysterically at it. They had to do paintings with their dogs? Have their dogs go under elephants??, I mean, COME ON PEOPLE!! these are dogs, nothing more. Don't get me wrong, as a kid I was absolutely attached to my dog Ceejay and she was the coolest dog in the world, but I don't think I'd be crying if she wasn't crowned "GREATEST AMERICAN DOG".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DGr7SPOkOk

Now days people will have a competition about ANYTHING. You have an ugly couch, you can enter it in a contest on Regis and Kelly, You have a recipe, there are countless places you can enter to receive a "greatest" award of some kind, you have a photo, a cute baby, and ugly baby, an ugly dog, the largest nose, the largest feet, the smallest butt, the rustiest car, the computer with the most viruses, the most amount of warts humanly possible on your big toe, and there is a competition about it. Why else would there be a Guinness Book of World records? These books just aren't for saying "Wow, these things happened... cool!" they are nothing but COMPETITION! I guess people have decided that they can't compete physically with the dumb jocks in the world (and truthfully, what a vein existence to be so into yourself. Get a mirror and a room), that they have to find some way to feel good about themselves, so they make up other silly ways to compete. Why can't we all just get along and do the best that we can do ourselves, and not worry about everyone else? Just try to make the world a better place. And hey, why not make the world a better place and SHARE your talents and gifts with others instead of competing and getting your heart broken and all depressed because you didn't "win". I guess that until that day comes, Chip and I will continue our rigorous training with Finn for "The Greatest American Cat" competition. Cross your fingers, I know we will win... I just know it.

hideous monstrosity

This quilt all started off with some funny cat fabric that I found at a quilting fair in Columbus, I bought a yard of it because it made me giggle. It is the purple fabric with black kitty heads and flowers growing out of the top of the head (Imagine the Teal swatch at the end of the posting as purple. I couldn't find a picture of the correct color on the internet)
Anyways, my thoughts were ones of, now what the heck am I going to do with it? So I went to a fabric shop and got some coordinating fabric and I thought I'd make a lap quilt. Don't get me wrong, I have a cat, I like cats, but I am not a cat lady... I don't do cat "things".... but it still made me giggle.
After I got all of the fabric I had to find a pattern. I couldn't find one that I liked, so I made this one up. I started with the middle part, decided it needed a boarder.
Then that boarder needed another one, and so on and so forth and 6 boarders later I decided it was good (and huge)enough. My only problem now
was that this monstrosity that was meant to be a joke was now a king size bed spread! What the freak am I supposed to do with it?
So, my answer is that somebody will be getting it as a Christmas present (belated from last year). I can't post the name yet, as I want it to be a total surprise who's getting it. All I can say is that they "love" cats.
I brought the quilt back home to Idaho when I went this summer and my mom did the machine quilting on it (on her huge "big burtha" of a quilting maching). I think she did an awesome job! (Thanks mom! I owe you lots and lots of Chocolate for all of the surgery you had to do on it!)
So anyways, what was meant to be a joke is now a huge monstrosity. Chip wouldn't even consider it living in our home. It's too bad. Because out of the 1 yard of fabric that I originally had, I needed more, so I scoured the internet and ended up buying 15 more yards of that fabric! Soo... I have one yard extra left over (which as you read at the beginning of the post is all that was needed to start this adventure!) Guess what he's getting this year for Christmas? :o)

Diary of a Cat

Hi. My name is Finnlickens Kohrman I, however I usually go by Finn. I really am an evil mastermind plotting to take over the world one day, but as of right now I am stuck here in this house with various torture devices. One of the torture things always grabs me and carries me around, traps me in her room while she tries to "calm" me down by singing to me. It never makes me happy and I usually swat at this creature from the evil abyss. The other creature knows of my evil plans and sometimes helps me carry them out. I don't mind her as long as she doesn't touch me for too long. The tall hairy creature is my favorite. There is something in his manly ways that keeps me calm. The woman in the bunch is only acceptable when she is watching TV. For some reason she makes me purr with her incessant petting rituals. I hate that about her. This picture is me making my evil face.
She thinks it is the funniest thing to walk into a room that I'm in and say "Hi Finn" (hyphen). The hairy one calls me Dorsal (Dorsal fin).
My routine for the day is a simple one. I usually start off by waking up the hairy one up with a nice bum to the face. I know he likes it. He follows me down stairs and gives me fresh food. I surprise him with offering him a fresh dump. He pretends not to like it, but I know I am making him proud. He, after all, loves cleaning up my litter box... so why not give him something to clean up? Once he is in the shower I like to lay on the bed with the woman and wait for the man to get out of the shower. It is usually then that the two creatures get up from their slumber, only to tick me off with their high energy state. This is when I bow out and run to my secret lair under the computer desk. It is only there that I can fully appreciate the pure amount of evil deeds that I want to accomplish in my life time. I will take over the world one day. Just wait and see.
When the elder of the two creatures goes away (finally) to a magical place called "school" for a few hours and the younger of the two goes down for a nap, I usually come out and look at the wonderful world that will soon be my own. (If only I had opposable thumbs I could leave sooner.... ) This keeps me calm, until someone walks by the window (I hate those of lesser worth to look at me) or the younger thing wakes up and tries to jump me (She is just jealous of my evil ideas and is always trying to take them from me) The woman tries to tempt me with turkey or cheese occasionally, but I always flick a paw at her, just to put her in her place. I would hate to think she could win my affections by meat and dairy products! I am not a simpleton.
At the end of the day is my favorite times. They put the creatures of the abyss into their cages for the night and I can finally come out and rule. The hairy one tries to make me dance, but he doesn't have rhythm so why would he think he could make me dance and look good? The hairy one also gives me drugs. He calls it cat nip, all I know is how good it makes me feel. When the two older creatures finally retire, I like to retire also. My favorite place is between the hairy one's legs, or up in his arm pits. I just want him to know that even though he is bigger than me, I can still limit his mobility with my sheer presents. Then off to sleep and dream blissful dreams of taking over the world.

Monkey on the bed

Once while browsing through a fabric shop on one of my adventures, I ran across this sock monkey fabric that made me giggle and I new that I "needed" it for something... I was absolutely sure of it. You'd be proud of me though, because I never bought any of it (I am compulsive with fabric...)..... Until one day in Idaho when I was with my mom and I found a pattern to go with it. So I decided that Alli needed a sock monkey quilt. She had been begging for me to make her a quilt for quite some months... so I guess it was a win/win. And after all, who could turn down these cute little monkeys?! I even made her a matching pillow case. I hope my little monkey will cherish her quilt just like I cherish her.

A picture of the back, nice flannel that is quite cozy and warm.

A top view of the monkey quilt

Discovery

As I was just uploading pictures off of the camera on to the computer I came across these pictures. There were more, but they were of the same high quality... so I only needed to post the four pictures. I was looking at them and trying to figure out what was happening in the photos, and then I realized with utmost clarity..... Maggie took a "nap" in our room this past week and must have found the camera. I guess anything is fun when you are supposed to be napping.
So... here are some of the premier pictures from a future famous photographer. Keep these in your blog archives as I am sure they will make money... someday.

*note to self... keep all electronic things away from toddlers until further notice. *

Another adventure of being a mom.........

Last night at around midnight I heard the dreaded words: "Mommy, my tummy doesn't feel good!" as followed by a quick trip to the bathroom which leads to many whines and cries as this poor little kid just can't figure out why the poo won't stop. 30 minutes later after I escort the same child back into bed and just get relaxed enough to almost be asleep... you know the stage, where you are almost but not quite there... just got into "the position" that is most worthy of you sleeping in.... and I hear "MOM!! I'm gunna throw up!" which leads to a mad rush to the bathroom again and also leads to about 4 hours of puking. My life has so much glamor in it.
After the puking stops, Alli insists that I "sleep" down stairs with her (her on the couch, me on the chair... how comfy huh?)
A question kept coming up in my mind through out the whole ordeal... Why did Alli NEVER call once for her dad? I mean he is calmer than I am in most situations, he has more sympathy for sick children, and most importantly, he didn't have to work the next day!
Good thing that even with illness Alli woke up at her standard time of 7:45am. Being the very tired mom that I was, I over slept my alarm (I didn't even hear any of the 3, yes count them three alarms on my phone!) and I had to leave for work in 15 minutes. What a fun night huh?
*a little side note: This is not a picture of my toilet. I wish it were, but sadly I don't have a fish tank toilet... don't worry though, that dream will come true some day...... *