Catching up

So my husband, who doesn't have to update this, has been pointing out how long it's been since I've put anything up. That... and where did the rest of Paris go? So I'm finally here to show that yes, we spent more than one day in Paris, and hopefully in the next few (i will not specify hours, days, months.. I can't be held accountable) I'll have some our summer in Canada up too. :)

On the second day, we visited the Palace of Versailles. Gorgeous. Probably one of my favorites of anything there. The entire thing was just amazing, and if you ever go.. you HAVE to make sure to visit while the fountains are going. Makes a huge difference. We saw it with both, and there is no comparison!

so this is the back of the palace, facing the gardens.

and this is part of the queens palace gardens. Yes, she had her very own palace and gardens. As if they couldn't possibly share the huge first one.

one of the most expensive rooms. mirrors, gold and chandeliers lining the whole thing. I think there were 17 chandeliers total?

I know, so cute! There are the gardens behind us. Freezing and rainy weather of course. And this was when the fountains were going. It was raining too much when they were on to take a picture. Sorry. You can't even see as far as the palace owned. The queens palace is down by the lake, but to your right a way.

this is to one side of the palace. Stretches past that lake over there. This is the small side. The other side is much larger.

Gone a little too long, but then again.. not really!

That's the last time I'm allowed to go to a photo conference! Look what happens... I forget about my blog! Okay, not really (and trust me... my sister has made sure I didn't), but just couldn't get the time to post. I've been slammed... but it a good way! Being room mom of two classes and getting that stuff squared away for the end of school.. the kids activities, church stuff, and my man's travels. It's been insane. Throw into that mix an awesome trip to Paris, and I think you're caught up! And yes, Paris France!! So thankful for my bff who was willing to take the kids for 7 days so we could go out there. I OWE her, and I will be making up for in early next year when it's my turn to watch her 4 kids. I'm sure you won't be hearing much from me that week either!S So yea, um, back to the trip. Although we had all the bad weather, a wonderful dose of jet lag.. it was all worth it. No kids, and my husband. Life was great! I'll just take you through a quick play of each day, since I can't figure any other way to do it. So buckle up and here we go.

I was going along getting way too much done before my flight out (Matt was already in Paris) and feeling rather accomplished.. I hit stopped traffic. It's then I realize it was a holiday weekend. You NEVER travel on a holiday weekend around here, unless you like traffic, and lots of it. But I made it. Barely. Then after about a 9 hour flight with the meanest stewardess' EVER to fly, I arrive in Paris. The trip started off very French (no offense). Rude, and very unhelpful! After wandering around the airport for an hour with my new friend to whom i bonded from my flight, we finally both figured out how were supposed to get our our hotels and we tentatively went our separate ways. Got me a cab (very smelly driver!) and made my way to the hotel where Matt was. When I finally get there, it was about 8:30 am Paris time. When I asked the desk asked if they could check me in I told them my husband was already checked in and I just needed to find out what room he was in. They guy looked at me and said, "are you sure it's not too early"? Um, HELLO! I just flew 8 hours to see this guy. It had better not be too early!! After a quick 2 hour nap in the room we were off. I didn't have much in me since I hadn't slept on the plane at all (yea, too busy talking to that new friend of mine) and we decided to take it easy. We actually did one of those bus tours. We sat on the top, and completely froze the entire time! I came all the way there, I was not about ready to sit below and ruin my view! It was a perfect way to start the trip because we got all the little stuff out of the way in a quick and time efficient manner. We could get off whenever we wanted, and get back on. So here's some random picts from our first day in Paris!













And can I just say that in Paris, they seem to always build everything big. And if it wasn't big enough then they'd just build another one... bigger. Ugh. Such a little man complex. lol!





While on our adventure, it turns out that around the Eiffel Tower there were some HUGE parties going on. The Rugby team was going to win the championship, and so they were celebrating in support... crossing their fingers for a win. So while that was going on, they were also having some roller blading world record for the highest jump ever. This thing was propped up on the Eiffel tower. So we did as everyone else was doing and just packed in to watch, having no clue what was going on since it was all in French. We figured, something cool to be going on since there were so many people and tv crews and a dj there. So you can see the crowd behind us. And that arrow... lets just say there were at least 1000 more back behind that fence. And yup, there he is just jumping off the platform. He slipped on the way down so it didn't count. He was going to do another jump a little later that day. It was so un-exciting it was almost sad. But hey... it was an experience, in FRANCE. Am I right?!

keep looking

Since I don't want to post it twice, go ahead and check out here where I was for my convention. There's not a lot there... but if you're interested it's a little something. :)

on my way back

So this really isn't what I've been doing with my time (or depending on how you look at it, this IS what takes up all my time. my kids!). I swear! I've got some pictures I am going to post from the convention, and so much I wanted to say from it, that I might not say much at all. Just too much to say. :) But here's a start. Here's the last week of my kiddos. Yes, I have still managed to keep up on pictures every day. I may miss a day here and there (or the entire time I was gone), but for the most part... I've done it. At least there's one thing I've kept up on.

Only 2 more days

I miss you all. :( It's been way WAY to long. But I've been busy, and gotten SO much stuff done it's good. No, it's great. So Monday, when the biggest consumer of my time and attention is back on the road, I'll be here. Number one thing on my list! :)

yes, we did have snow and I never showed you.

Okay, okay, so it wasn't quite tomorrow, but I'm here now. I'm back. It's been a busy couple of days. We are putting in new carpet Saturday, (yay!!!) so I've been emptying out all the rooms upstairs. It's a strange task. I can't decide if I want to spring clean EVERY little nook and cranny, if I want to paint, or if I just think I need to put it all in boxes and move. We've been in this house longer than anywhere else, and so it's a very forgotten but familiar feeling of having the empty rooms. The ones with the kids sleeping on their mattress on the bedroom floor and nothing else in the room. At all. They echo again. I want to say I'm more than half done, but I doubt it. The fullest, messiest room is last. The toy room/office. All those toys... two desks... no fun! Man Matt has it easy traveling all week like he does. Come home Friday night just in time to say good job. 4 rooms isn't bad though, right?! I still have tomorrow. :)

So anyway, the infamous snow here in the ATL. Everyone else has their pictures up, but not us. I got tired of feeling left out, and wanted to share. It was my kids favorite day EVER. Really. They've prayed for snow every night since. Maybe should move. But do you see that snow??? It made me SO homesick. That was Utah snow right there! Big huge flakes. The kind you can make snowman out of. Have snowball fights, and have stick around for two days. Oh, I really did love it! And this first picture. I love that too!

Here's Ase and I on our way back home. She was too cold to really "sled" but managed to love running through the snow covered field.

Helping Nutmeg get back up the hill after a run down.

Think she's having fun at all? Didn't think so.

Throwing snowballs at me. Turkey.

Yup. This is why I called it "sledding". Should it be lidding? Just doesn't sound right. That and no one but us Southerners would possibly know what I'm talking about.

Okay, maybe one of my faves. She was having a snowball fight with Matt. Can you just see the fun factor written all over her face?

And I LOVED watching the kiddos build their snowman (well, and then two more for the neighbors!)

On the 6th week of....

I know. I really need to be posting normal pictures in between these, if I'm going to do these. I'm going to loose everyone really quick here! And trust me, I have another one coming... tomorrow. But here's the kiddo's last week. mmm. Love these guys! (oh and please don't judge that Ase is wearing the same outfit two days that week. I'm sure it was actually two days in a row. shhh! guess I kind hide it anymore!)

Week 5

So I was going to talk about something a little more interesting, but I didn't have anything more interesting. Today was a nothing day for sure. I did get to go to school and help Nutmeg in class... which I usually love... but had a hard time staying awake. It was cute, but not the same. Tried out some unsuccessful shopping. Watched a lifetime movie over lunch, and napped when the kids got home from school. Poor kids. Thank goodness they don't mind playing instead of doing homework. They were a little confused when it was time to go to bed and I told them not to worry about homework, but I think they were okay. ;)

So instead of waiting to post this tomorrow, and telling you some great story about today, I figured I'd keep it real. There was no story. I'd probably still be in my pj's, if it wasn't for me going into the school. I have to get going tomorrow. You should see what this place is turning into. And the fridge. Impressive! So glad we have the food storage we have, although I do realize we could NEVER, ever live off it for too long! Ahh, one more thing on that list to do.

Instead of words for this week, since it would be rather short... here's the pictures instead. Imagine they were great, wonderful days full of fun and adventure. We'll leave it at that!

Enough just isn't enough

Do you ever have those days where you just feel you need more of something? But you don't know what it is? Today was one of those days. I just couldn't figure it out.

More of a clean house (which is usually all it takes for me to feel better)? Nope, tried that and still felt like I was looking. Like I was hungry.

Talking to one of the people who usually always makes me smile? Nope.

Worked on the computer? Caught up on every blog of everyone I know? Payed bills and finished all the HSA forms? Got more sleep? Took an extra long shower? Organized? Read? Spend time with my husband? Time without my husband? Shopping? Clothes? Food? NOTHING???

I just couldn't figure out what it was that felt like I needed more of. This constant almost starving feeling for which I couldn't fill the appetite. Somehow amidst all this I was able to get out the door to our church's youth group, which I work with. And funny thing, it filled me up. I was content and happy. It seemed to be exactly what I needed. But then I got home and was back to that same starving feeling. Then it hit me. There was a great spirit at the activity. And of all the things I tried.... to fill my spirit was not one of them. Sad. How is it that sometimes the most basic and important thing is the forgotten one. I hate that I can be such a slow learner. So here's to adding fuel in the right direction. Besides, I won't go broke or gain ten pounds on this one. ;) Hopefully I won't be so hungry by tomorrow!

You didn't really believe me, did you?

You didn't really think i would get the weekly colllage up ON TIME every week did you? Somehow, although it's been a good thing, my computer hasn't been a big part of my life this last week. I know. Read it again. Slowly. On that note, I'm REALLY REALLY behind on all computer work. So first thing up... the blog of course! I mean really.

Of course it is.

:)

So here is our last week. We had some sick days, and some days where I wish they were still sick days. But it's okay. We made it!

irrelevant

* while doing laundry, I was complaining to myself about the fact that my son leaves all his dirty clothes inside out. The 2 shirts are still layered together, leaving me to pull them apart. I find lego after lego falling out of the clothes. Grrr. Then it hits me. He's 8. In another 8 years, he'll be 16. He will be so close to being out of the house and doing this on his own. These 8 years have gone so fast, I can't imagine the next 8. I'll stop complaining. I'm nearly half way done doing his laundry.

No more griping. Just appreciate.

* my youngest could possibly be in part time school next year for pre-k.

No, no.... not yet.

*when my husband is always traveling, there is usually something I really don't want to do, that I'm kind of waiting and leaving for him. Finally, I can't wait any longer. I give myself a pep talk. If I didn't have him in my life, I would have to do this.. no matter how gross or scary or "guy-ish" it is. I finally convince myself I am woman enough to handle it, and I do it. While sitting at the sink doing dishes, trying to give myself this pep talk about a project needing work, I stopped. NO! I DO have him in my life. So why am I having to pretend I don't. I won't!! I am married, and I'm going to use it.

The project is still waiting. :)

*I think I'm going back to school.

I think.

*I look at my daughter, and realize she's not so little anymore. She has moments where I just see someone so much more mature than should be. Someone longing for love and acceptance, but also her place in life (which in her world is IN CHARGE). I love seeing her emerge into this little person.

Beautiful.

*I'm trying to convince my daughter that when I turn on cartoons in the morning and cuddle up with her on the couch, and then proceed to fall asleep that it's just because I just want to spend time with her 'cause I love her.

Not because I'm lazy. OR a bad mom. Right?

*I realized I really only do my thinking in the shower. Maybe that's why my showers are never shorter than 20 minutes. Maybe that's why the days I don't shower, I just don't get things done, or function well. I never turned on my brain. But when I get in there, I can't stop myself from thinking. I've tried. I stress myself out when I try.

Not so normal. Is it? Mhmm.

*Love doing homework with my kids. The fact that they are doing homework. That we are doing it together. Why?!? I guess if you knew me in my later years of school, I didn't do enough of it. Maybe, just maybe I'm making up for that now.

Check back in 5 year and we'll see what I say then.

*Would drop everything if I could to go to Haiti and just serve the relief effort. I want to be there, tangibly helping. It's not just there. I'd love to go to Africa and help. I'd love to adopt an entire third world orphanage and rescue them all. I'd love to be a doctor and go serve medical missions. Oh, the good you can do.

Maybe I really should have done better in school!

*Love taking pictures. Hate the fact that it's a growing process. It takes practice, and finding who you are first in the pictures you take. I just want it all now. I sometimes feel like I'm starving for it, because I don't have it all now.

NOW

*Just felt like sharing some of the thoughts going through my mind today (although I thought there were a lot more, until I started writing this at... Akkk 1 in the mornig). Why not? I'm the only one who hears them, or I guess whoever might be on the phone with me. So now it's out there for everyone.

Fascinating, isn't it.

:)

pitter patter, drop

That's how it all started today. Just a little here and there, and then whoosh right back into the down pour we seem to know all too well here. Some days I welcome this weather. I actually enjoy it. But today, no. Not so much. Maybe it was dragging three kids out to the car to get home from church. Maybe it was the darkness that came with it when I was already so tired, but didn't have a husband to help relieve the responsibility. Maybe, it just wasn't supposed to be a rainy day in my mind. But thats okay. It rained, it poured, and we all survived. Just please let there be sun tomorrow! (that and i can finally start editing some photos i've been dying to get to. That always makes for a happier day!)

Toodles!

Last of our kids

Poor thing is always last! So this catches us up to date. Yay! Here are the last three weeks of Ase. Lets see if I can actually get THIS week without missing any days! And I promise to not bombard you with these constantly. After this you should only see these every Friday.

* and just to clarify for all those poor confused souls out there... this is my 365 project, and the other one is my 12 on 12 project. I know. A little bit of the same things all at once, so I'm sorry! The 12 on 12 is more just for fun, and for me (one day, 12 pictures). The 365 is something I'm actually going to make the kids books out of, and it's really only for them (a single picture every day of the year). Although I'm sure I'll appreciate it more than they will! So you'll have to bear with me while I do both of these projects. I really wanted to take on more that would make sure I picked up that camera every day, and document the smaller things. So why start small... just start them all! haha. I think that's my new theme this year. Home projects, service projects, photo projects, school projects -why start small... just start them all.

Bring it on 2010!

Impatient

I did say I was going to post the next set today. Right? Well, my daughter couldn't stand not seeing her's yet. She LOVES these, and wanted her's made right away. And did I mention I can't get her to Not pose for the camera? The one who always runs from the camera, waits for me to pull it out for these. Good thing I'm not going for top quality photos here! She cracks me up. So here I sat, with a million other things I would like to do (like say, shower), creating her pages. It was good though. Frees up my evening.

At least that's what I'm telling myself.

*wink*

A picture a day

is quite the undertaking. It's one of the things I've been working on this year. Which has actually turned out to be really quite fun. So far, I've missed only 3 days, which I don't find to be that bad. 1 a week! That, and I'm not looking for hang on the wall quality per say. Just something to document them that day.

So I'm finally getting these up. Today are bugs. Week 1, 2 and 3 (well, actually you'll be looking at them as weeks 3, 2 and 1). Tomorrow it will be Nutmeg's turn, and Sat I'll get the youngest. Then hopefully I'll keep up with them and not have to stay up all night putting pictures in a collage!

having difficulties

(getting in the car coming home from Walmart)

Me: "Ase, buckle up"

Ase: hides in the backseat

Me: "Really Ase, buckle up now so we can go"

Ase: More giggling

Me: "I'm going to start counting..... 1.....2....

Ase: "Mom, why are you being so difficult? Really. You are being so difficult. "

Me: "uh, what?!?!"

My Jauary 12 on 12

Inspired by a blogger friend (it's a one sided relationship, but I'm okay with that!) to try this, I had to give it a go. I have many photo projects I'm working on this year, but thought squeezing in one more wouldn't hurt. On the 12th of each month you take 12 photos, kind of journaling the day. And of course, there are 12 months, so it all works together with perfect symmetry. Now if only my days could be so well planned! So here was today. Happy 12th! By December, I can't wait to see the results. And hopefully, I will start before 3pm the day of!

As for what I did, lets see if I can list it, or at least some:

*woke up at 6:40. Right on time. The kids were both up and happy already. Great start.

*got the kids off to school

*worked on laundry, and then more laundry

*got the youngest in the tub

*organized and cleaned

*finished painting and hung paintings in the hall

*still working on the stairs. beginning to think the project will NEVER end.

*had Pandora running for most of the time on my phone.

*kids came home from school

*started working on homework

*took the garbage out and saw a glimpse of the sun. Very happy moment.

*read books with the kids

*put away another section of Christmas. Should be done tomorrow. Worst part of Christmas

*fixed tacos. One of my favorite dinners from growing up

*fed the fish. haven't forgotten a night yet

*got the kids to bed. thank you.

*read a book just for me. hasn't happened in a very long time

*went to bed WAY too late. dreading the wake up in the morning.

it's all in an outfit

I know. I've disappeared.

Trust me, I've been looking.

I think I found myself though. And I was back into these clothes. My painting/staining/home improvement "outfit". Maybe not attractive, but looks good to me. So many things on the list that are finally getting crossed off. Stairs are nearly done. Halls painted, pictures hung. Basement light fixed, under counter light fixed. 4 light switches and an outlet changed out and repaired. Garage cleaned out. Christmas nearly down. Girls room reorganized. Closet getting overhaul. If you showed up, you'd still think I was mia. The house is torn apart. But it's good. It's okay. It's has to get worse before it gets better. At least, thats the way we do it around here. That's the way I do it. There were way too many things I wanted to getting working on and felt like a bird looking for the perfect worm to start the day. So I didn't pick one. Instead, a bite of all I see. I'm just starting a little in all of them. Crazy backwards, I know. But there you have it. If you're lucky enough to find me, I might look like this. Don't be scared. It's still me. And hopefully, I will be back soon. This attire is exhausting me.