Our Halloween costumes!

The kids are all ready for their Halloween debut! Livia first wanted to be a forest fairy so I bought her this beautiful dress that looked like something Shirly Temple wore. (Maybe I bought it more for myself). Livia received this hand me down ASU cheerleader dress up from Nicole and lives in it! she loves to be a cheerleader and now insists that she wears it for Halloween. Tate is still at the age where I can decide his costume and luckily I picked one that he adores. He is the cutest cowboy there ever was!The first pic. is from last year's halloween when Livia was a cowgirl. I love this picture and I think I have already posted it on my blog in the past.

I am addicted!

I have a serious problem getting off of Nutella! I used to eat it when I was in Europe on fresh baked bread. I saw a jar of it at the store while buying peanut butter a couple of weeks ago and thought I would get some just for a stroll down memory lane- now I can be found with a spoon in the jar eating it without any bread close by.(Have I ever mentioned I have a really high sugar tolerance?) anyways it is grossing Chad out and setting a really bad example for my kids- I have to stop.

Fall Decorating....................

Believe it or not Liv is still on the mend from her evil cold! So yesterday while she took a four hour nap, Tate and I decorated the front porch for fall. It was a blast- Chad hates hearing this but Tate loves to decorate!

Tate loves to go bear hunting.

On Saturday Tate went bear hunting with Chad near Prescott. They always have so much fun on their adventures. Chad recently bought the kids their own binoculars so they can glass along side Chad. Tate is absolutely thrilled with his new optics and loves to wear them on his belt when they are in their case. We even caught him checking himself out in the mirror the other day while wearing them. I am so happy my husband shares his hobbies with his kids. It makes so many fun memories.

The stupid chills!!!!!!

My friend Nicole always says that when you do something so humiliating and ignorant you get the "stupid chills". that is exactly what happened to me Saturday morning. I went to Wal-mart to get some medicine for my sick patient and to check out the fall decor they have for my front porch. I was feeling really happy that morning and when I was walking towards the entrance I noticed a man with a long scruffy beard and a back pack sitting on the steps of the strip mall. I just happened to have a 5 dollar bill in my pocket and since I almost never have cash I felt that it was meant for me to give to this poor homeless man. I walked up and handed him my money and he was just looking at me like I was a complete weirdo. "I don't need that- he said- I am not homeless or anything!" at a closer look I realized that he was just your everyday run of the mill Flagstaff hippie! He had on nice prescription glasses and was even drinking a Starbucks coffee!!!!! I was so embarrassed- I quickly walked into the store and even now when I think about it the "stupid chills immediately come back!!!!

103.5!!!!!

This morning I woke up with so much energy.I made the beds, took a shower, got breakfast together, got the clothes for the kids- (this was all before Chad even left the house!)- after we got ready for the day I loaded the kids in the car to accomplish my list of tasks I had made the night before. I was running all of my errands and the whole time having a battle with Livia. She was whining and throwing fits over every little thing. I lost my patience with her more than once and ended up throwing all of my parenting skills out the window! When we finally got home Livia was really quiet. I went to help her with her shoes and coat and then I realized that she was burning up! I took her temp and sure enough 102.6! I felt so bad when I realized my little bug was not feeling good at all. My guilt continued to grow as did her fever which reached a whopping 103.5 before it finally broke a little over an hour later. I was so mean to her today- we are talking getting down on a three year old level mean and here she was sick as a dog and probably irritated that her mom was ripping her all over tarnation. Anyways- Livia is doing much better now. I am spoiling her and making her some homemade chicken noodle soup!

Mia Ray is finally here!

Here is the newest addition to our family. My sister in law Jill delivered beautiful Mia two nights ago. She was eight pounds!!!!! That is so huge to me-remember I am the one who has 5 pounders! Welcome to the world Mia. Max sure looks like a happy big brother!

I wish I could clone myself!!!!! (does that sound like I think I am just wonderful?)

I have been getting tons of requests for help with organizing and decorating projects. It is so exciting! a part of me could so get lost in this type of service to others. I feel so happy when I make others love their homes again and find motivation to continue to make their space special. I have even been told to make a business out of it- here is the problem- I have an all or nothing personality. I think that is why I am either loved or disliked by those around me. I am working on this trait but it ain't easy. I tend to throw myself into a project to the point of forgoing food and sleep (just ask anyone that has had me work in their home) I just can't leave things half done- it kills me! this is why I have to be selective of how I use my energy each day otherwise I just get all used up! I struggle at times with knowing that my first priorities are my family and my calling. I know this is where my energy needs go right now and what ever I have left over will definitely be put towards helping all of you! so- no business right now- there will be a season for that sometime soon in my life.............besides I find that once you put a paycheck with your passion it becomes less of a passion!!!!!!

"Stand up straight- Amber!"

So- I am finally understanding what my husband and my mother mean when they harp me about my poor posture. I never really thought it was that bad until recently looking at a couple of pictures of my self. I had no idea how slumpy frumpy dumpy lumpy I look to all of you! I am really going to have to fix my posture- I am determined!

just curious................

I have had many people tell me that there is an actual way to save your blog. I have even heard that you can turn it into a coffee table book. Has anyone heard of this too? If so- please clue me in- I am the worst at keeping a journal and scrapbooking- this whole blog thing really works for me and I just hate the idea of it being stuck in a computer!

Gordon B. Hinckley

This weekend Chad and I were able to watch/listen to most of all four sessions of conference. This was mainly because we were scared to leave our home with all of the kids and do anything else! Livia will be turning four next month and we tried to have her sit and listen to a few talks with us. She was such a trooper- here are some of her drawings of the speakers she watched on Sunday. My favorite is the first one of President Hinckley- it really does look like him. I especially like how she puts ties on them.

Da Boys!!!!!

4 kids ages 3 and under!

Since Saturday I have had two additions to our family! my sister in laws- Kellie and Tess- took their girls to Disneyland and I am watching their baby boys so they could actually enjoy their time in California. It has been surprisingly pretty easy so far. I am not saying I want to continue doing this for a week or something but i have to admit I am a pretty capable parent after all! It also helps that these little boys are really good kids. I will post some pics of our adventures and please know that if you don't hear from me until Wednesday this is why!

our little ghosts......

Livia and I made the classic sucker ghosts yesterday. I was impressed with the scarey faces Livia drew on them. Tate mostly watched and ate suckers. The sad part is- it rained all day today and now our little ghost have blurry faces!

Back from New Mexico..........

I am back from spending the best week with my family. My sister had a little girl two weeks ago and I was able to come over with Livia and help her out. Thank you to everyone who watched my little Tate while I was away. I am so greatful for friends!!!!

My Sister's new angel girl!

honesty.................

I asked Livia if she got into the chocolate- she said no......................

Livia started preschool!

Livia started preschool last week and we are so lucky to have the best teacher possible. Ms. Stephanie lives down the street (walking distance) and has more energy than anyone I know! Livia begs to go there even on the days she does not have school!

Varsity team of hunting wives (I am the captain!)

I just stumbled on this pic of Livia when she was just a little squirt with her hero, Chad. I know it is fuzzy but it is cute none the less. I think I am ready for my 8th hunting season with Chad. You would think I would be a pro at it by now but I always feel the same- sad to see him go- sorry for myself for being left with the kids- and of course happy to see how excited and full of life Chad is during this time of year! Chad is so excited for the hunt coming up this week he can hardly sleep at night. I love how he positively gleams with happiness. Who can ask for anything more than a happy husband?

Thought for the night...........

Do we judge one another? Do we criticize each other for individual choices, thinking we know better, when in fact we rarely understand another’s unique circumstance or individual inspiration?
...We also lose sight of that good part when we compare ourselves to others. Her hair is cuter, my legs are fatter, her children are more talented, or her garden’s more productive—sisters, you know the drill. We just can’t do that. We cannot allow ourselves to feel inadequate by focusing on who we aren’t instead of on who we are! We are all sisters in Relief Society. We simply cannot criticize, gossip, or judge and keep the pure love of Christ.
•Bonnie D Parkin

My friend Rach posted this on our book blog and it really hit home for me. I find myself at times judging others when they do not do things the way I would and I forget that we all have individual inspiration. I might not parent like others would but I know my children and their needs. I am really going to work on being mindful of others and their own uniqueness.