The Countdown, and other stuff

Just two more weeks until we open store #2. This is where the incessant hand clapping starts in my head, and I try to keep up with the marching, even when the beat gets to an unsustainable pace. Turns out, it's already backfired. Peter and I left to go to a Papa Murphy's convention on Monday. I worked and worked and worked to get the house ready for the in-laws to see after 6 months. It was a mild success. I still had things that I had left to do, that didn't get done. I had to let it go. On Saturday, two days before we left, I noticed some small eczema developing on my nose. It was a few bubbles, and that happens to me occasionally when the weather changes, although the weather isn't changing, I didn't think it was too suspect.

By Monday morning, the day we left, the bubbles were bigger, and festering. I found myself desperate to hide them from people I would be mingling with at the Convention. I brought some Hydrocortizone cream with me and that night, lathered it on, in hopes to stop the rampant spreading on my face. By morning, I had a boil. I popped it, in desperation before heading off to our meetings. I was careful to not to remove the skin, but just let some of the fluid out. That would turn out to be a colossal mistake. The sore got worse, and started to show signs of infection. By the time we left convention  I was definitely concerned, and planning on seeking  medical advice. Thursday morning, my eye was swollen, which lead me to a hasty Dr.'s appointment at the dermatologist. Their conclusion? MRSA. Just what EVERYONE wants to hear when they have a break neck work schedule for the next two weeks, including an event on Friday. I started stressing about how I was going to cover this event now looking like beating victim with a large sore on the side of my nose, and a swollen eye.

The next morning, after starting a heavy round of antibiotics, my sore had worsened, and I was in full panic mode. Already panicking and stressed over a possible MRSA diagnosis, and now trying to determine why I wasn't getting any better. I returned to the Dr.'s office first thing in the morning, and begged someone to see me immediately. They did. And now, that I had yet ANOTHER bubble forming on the tip of my nose, the dermatologist determined it might be SHINGLES, or SHINGLES AND MRSA. Of course, the culture that they took the day before would not be ready for 24-48 hours, and that would be, oh, SATURDAY. Of course. So, I get to worry all weekend long if I have MRSA, SHINGLES, OR BOTH.

They put me on an antiviral medication as well. With a cream for my nose, and told me to go to the Ophthalmologist to ensure permanent nerve damage wasn't being done to my eye. Awesome. That is ALWAYS news that you want to here. AND they told me to go to the ER if things didn't get better over the weekend. (Another great tidbit of news, don't cha think?)

Luckily, things are progressing, although I still have a quarter size sore on my nose that is practically black and disgusting. I have been taking all of my medications, which leave me feeling queezy, and having a low grade headache all day long, along with aches and pains like I am recovering from the flu. The stress I am feeling is absolutely un-measurable. But I figure I better document this kind of thing, because I am sure when I look back at this time in our lives, I will wonder if it REALLY happened, because it just seems completely UN-REAL. Seriously.

The Dog Blog

We got a dog.

Abby wanted a bunny for Christmas.

It was all she wanted.

That was it.

I looked into it.

Supposedly, they are as much work as a dog.

So, we got a dog. (It's been a long time coming)

I wanted an adult dog.

But I was afraid of the baggage it might have.

Let's face it. ALL adults have baggage.

I changed my mind from wanting a full grown, full sized adult dog, to wanting a crate-able small dog that we could train from puppy-dom.

I'm nuts.

I regretted it instantly this morning when Abby woke me up at 6:30.

She got the talking to of a LIFETIME.

I doubt she will ever forget it.

Oh the lessons we learn.

We do NOT repay our mother for granting us the dream of our life by waking her up at 6:30.

So far, Mini Murph, is a mellow, sweet, loveable and stinky dog.

EVERYONE likes her,

except for the cat.

Who is going to have to get used to sharing.

Enjoy the pix.

It can't be skipped.

I just downloaded 96 pictures from my Camera... I mean, my cell phone. Yes, I am one of those people who have resorted to taking pictures of my family at events on my cell phone because I have forgotten my actual camera. Which makes for really stinky pictures for sure.

However, when I was downloading all those pictures, there were a few events that I could not pass up. One of them happened 5 months ago, but who's counting anyway?

Not me,

I was busy moving.

And starting a new business, but whatever.

You will know what I mean, when you cast your eyes on this first pic.

This is Jaxon applying my make up on Mother's Day. If that doesn't say "make-up artist" I don't know what does.

How about this one, better no? Do you see the passion in his eyes? oh... I do... and if you can see me at all, you can see I am on the verge of giggling hysterics because he was so, "into" it.

My toes, he chose the color. . . . I mean, colorS.

This is probably the most focused I have ever seen him in his life. Bar none.

I hope you think they were worth a 5 month delayed post... I SURE DID!

What's it like?

I am sure some of you are wondering what exactly goes on in those months before opening your own store. I wondered, and now, we are right in the thick of things.

It is mostly good.

And it is mostly done by my husband.

But the responsibilities have gotten to a fever pitch. He has around 20-30 things on his "to-do" list on any given day.

It might look like this.

Rent Truck for trailer,

Pick up trailer,

take trailer to wrap guy,

Wrap guy takes measurements,

take trailer back to storage lot,

call Papa Murphy's marketing dept about wrap,

Call contractor,

Call Marketing People,

Order flyers for wife's marketing event,

Proof flyers,

Call insurance lady about trailer,

Go to DMV,

Register Trailer,

Return more urgent phone calls,

order wares for the store,

order signs for the store,

order more stuff for the store,

return a million phone calls,

field questions from you wife about what is happening and when,

schedule grand opening events,

schedule VIP night events,

order stuff for said events,

clear all of the events your wife is scheduling,

decide whether or not she is crazy,

blah, blah, blah, blah.

Yeah, that is all in a day.

I should have had him make this list, because I am sure that is not the 1/2 of it. I just try to stay out of his way.

I think I am doing a semi-good job at that.

I'm not gonna lie. It is exciting. Especially now that we are getting closer. And closer and CLOSER!!!!

I can't wait to see it all come to fruition. Months and months and months of planning and talking, and finding a site, and signing contracts and finding contractors and on and on and on. We are about 30 days out, and I can't wait! I am sure you have questions, if you do, please feel free to ask them!

I will post more pictures as we get closer!

I won a CAMERA, (Not a paid advertisement, just in love)

I went to a Dancing With the Stars taping, and won a camera. Here is how it went down. We asked a guy who had been trolling the line talking to people to take our picture. He said, "Why don't you give me your camera, and I will give you this!" I said, "NO!" Thinking he was going to run off with my phone. Mechelle, (with the black shirt on) said, "OKAY" rather excitedly... She took the pic with his camera, and then he proceeded to tell her he was going to GIVE IT TO HER!

Here is me, green with envy. I just turned down a new camera.

We all stood there while she filled out paper work, they took her picture, took a video blah, blah, blah. We were all jealous.

She asked a few times if her friend could have a new camera too, and they just kind of laughed and smiled, (She wasn't even talking about me!) Then, right before they were going to walk away, they all turned back to us, and said they would give us ALL a FREE CAMERA! I love Hollywood... It is called the PEN READY project, and I was happy to oblige..

I took my new camera to the beach on Friday, and fell in love.

With crystal clear shots,

Fun settings... I think this one is called "Dramatic"

This is a regular shot of Kaylie sitting in our beach chairs,

This is a setting called "pop-art" It really brings out the colors, huh?

This is called "Grainy" I love the pieces of sand in her teeth.

Regular Shots

I love that I don't even need photoshop because it is all in my camera that way, and I love rapid fire so that I can capture everyone looking, because we all know there is only one second to capture that! I am loving it! And can't wait to take more pictures!

What do YOU wake up to?

I wake up to this. . .




I.know.

That is buggy for you. Notice that she is not in pain, in duress, or anything of the like. She goes from one or two "Momma's" to full on shrill screaming.

It isn't my favorite way to wake up, but I felt like it is something that needs to be documented, FOR SURE!

Because you know she is never going to believe me when I tell her she screamed like a banshee when she got up in the morning. That said, my days with her in a crib are numbered, and I had to be sure it was documented!

Best Week EVER!!!

I really feel like I am having the best week ever. Seriously. EVER!

Alright, I guess that could be disputed, since I have had 4 children, and have a great husband who I did marry, and that week was probably pretty good, BUT. . . this has been the BEST WEEK EVER! (In recent and long term memory)

FIRST: I got some clothes that I ordered from Old Navy- There is NOTHING I love more than a Spring Wardrobe, and I know some of you are suffering from the coldest/baddest winter in a long time, but here in AZ, spring starts February 1st. And I am ready. I wore this cute top, with a cute matching sweater today with a pair of jeans (not capris as show) rolled a titch at the bottom. I am not gonna lie, I looked good! I LOVE that I can do my clothes shopping guilt free thanks to my Pampered Chef cha ching. It is the best. But, I also love scoring a deal. I got all of these 30% off, and had a $10 reward card to boot. (It pays to be a card holder at Old Navy)

Last night I wore this cute new sweater with the fun tank and capris below them. Yes, I know, it is January, and I wore capris. I couldn't resist. It was freezing, but I liked it.


And I also got this shirt. I am not sure what I will wear it with yet, but I love it. And it looks great on!


THEN: A special package arrived. Three years ago I bought a trampoline on-sale for Black Friday for $150. It used to look like this. (HI HILLARY!)

Now, it looks like this:

Believe it or not, I have already replaced the trampoline once to the tune of $100. Just buying the new trampoline part was almost as much as the whole thing! Trampoline, frame, mats, and net included! I figured since it was so cheap, that is just how it would go. HOWEVER, I called the EXACT same customer service number to replace my trampoline, again. She asked if I still had the receipt. I said yes, and that I had already submitted it once for my prior replacement and asked her if they still had it on file. She asked me to send pictures, so, I did. I told her I would need all the replacement pieces. She said she would get back to me. Within the hour, I received an e-mail that she would be sending me everything. . . . FOR FREE.

I am not sure why they changed their minds about the charge this time, but since it would have cost me probably about $300, I'll TAKE IT!

THEN: I closed 4 Pampered Chef shows over the weekend which would allow me to buy the bedding set I have been wanting to buy! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Stay tuned for a room re-do update. I can't wait. It has been a LONG time since I have "updated" my room, and I am super excited for it.

THEN. . I went to Pier 1 for my room re-d0 to look for some bed side tables, found 'em. (got them for 30% off) AND found an amazing steal. I got ALL these necklaces for around $5 a piece. AMAZING. And they are great!

The earrings were only $2! I LOVE a great deal. Especially on hand made jewelry. The great part is, I can always take it apart and change it if I don't like it! (Sorry, I can't get the picture to turn around)

And the LAST thing is:

I dropped off a nice down comforter to be dry cleaned in March 2009. I got a phone call saying they still had it. . . AMAZING. I went to pick it up today! It is all ready and clean for my new bedding YAY! Can you believe they kept it for almost 2 years???? I can't. I really, really can't.

I will be available tomorrow for "lucky dust" at $5 bucks a pop.

But let me just say, I am blessed. I was blessed BEFORE this week, but it is always nice to have some things going your way. NO?

You have to read this story.

I know my page says Happy Thanksgiving. I like it, so, just get over it ok? And we are 11 days away from staring thanksgiving down anyway, so, why not.



When I was in college. . (I was a wild one in college) a few of my girlfriends and hopped in my White Acura Integra (that had the cool fin on the back. . it was my dream. . I loved that car) and we drove to Vegas.



We had a hot date with BONO.



We had bought our tickets on-line (or was it in-line? I can't remember) and we were pumped... as pumped as 5 or 6 college girls on the way to scream their heads off at a concert might be. I don't remember where we stopped. I don't remember where we ate. I don't remember much of anything. Except, when we got there, we were like wild animals. Pulsing with wild anxiety and excitement. (Was that too much of an explanation? I'll think about that one some more.)



Anywho. We found some friends at the concert. They were in the nose bleed section. We were on the floor. At first, we had no idea WHERE our tickets were. We had to ask several people until we could figure it out, and then we were told they were on the floor. . . 11 rows back from the front. We were screaming. . shouting and clutching each other. . jumping up and down and telling our friends our great stroke of luck.



Just as we were doing so, a guy with a U2 t-shirt on told us to give him our tickets. He insisted. We rejected him and said we would NEVER give up our great seats. He smiled at us. . me, my friends, and my friends with the nose bleed seats and said, "I'll give you front row seats."



I guess Bono wanted to stock the stage with some screaming chicks. We were just the girls he was looking for. We grabbed our new seats and headed down with our friends. To be honest, the 11 row seats were better and next to the cat walk. Bono knows how to work a cat walk my friends. He does. Yes. He. Does.

Photo courtesy of some site I just snagged it off of. (Zimbio)

I don't even remember the opening act. I didn't care. Public Enemy maybe? I know. I just wanted to see Bono. The concert was amazing. Seriously. Amazing. I hadn't been to many concerts, but you don't have to stretch your imagination too far to realize U2 is going to put on an awesome show.



Bono walked the cat walk SEVERAL times. I finally climbed the fence. Realizing that my freakishly long arms could maybe grab his pant leg. I am not sure what I would have done with it after that but, I wasn't thinking that far ahead. Here he comes... down the cat walk. . . He picks up someones shoe... he is walking toward me. . REACH... REACH... REACH!!!!!



Bono handed me a shoe.



Who's shoe?



I don't know.



I don't care.



I have a shoe bequeathed to me by Bono. It is a miracle. (ok, maybe that is going too far)



Of course there was a major frenzy in the stands where I was. My friends causing the most of it. A few seconds later security approached me. . .



"You have to give us the shoe."



me: NO!



"It doesn't belong to you"



me: SO!?



"The girl wants it back"



me: I don't care! She chucked it up there!!!!



"Give us the shoe"



They were big. I am Mormon. I gave them the shoe.



U2 is going to be in concert here tonight. I bought tickets. . .





6 months ago





without talking to, or asking my husband.



We have never been to a concert together. . . Married 9 years. I know! 6 months ago, when I bought them, I figured we would be far enough past all of our drama to celebrate. I was close. We still have a lot of drama, but I want to celebrate anyway.



He has no idea.



I wrote this two hours ago.



I am driving to his work right now.



He. Has. No. Idea.

Reality Bites.

Click on this picture:

Look closely.

This is my life.

Chaotic.

It is our "FALL BREAK".

To me,

there is nothing "BREAK" about it.

Maybe I caused a little of this chaos.

By buying 10 lbs. of Strawberries. (On sale for $1 a lb!)

And canning 10 1/2 pints of freezer jam.

And canning 6 pints of cooked jam.

And canning 18 pints of meat today.

Except for I didn't do that here.

But, it looks like I may have.

Take a nice look around that picture.

It is crazy.

It won't be clean.

Until next week, when my in-laws show up.

I love cleaning for the in-laws.

NO REALLY!

Because, if they didn't come.

My kitchen just MIGHT look like this EVERYDAY.

It didn't used to.

But,

I blame a 4th child.

I REALLY DO.

I just throws my world out of wack.

Or maybe she is just wack.

I should be in bed.

Goodnight.



****Thanks for helping my can my meat today Danika! YOU ARE AWESOME! And your pressure cooker too. AND your clean house too! :)

Still a little good in the world . .

I don't watch the news... Unless you call THIS the news. It is just too grisly. Especially in a big city like PHX. I like to live in my nice sheltered life and not really know what is going on in the world around me. It is bad, because then I don't catch important news either. . . . but anyway. . .







Today, I am here to tell you that there still is some good in the world because yesterday, I set off to get my oil changed. I am WAY over due. But tell me getting your oil changed is high on your list when you have a 2 year old and 6 month old. Yeah, me neither. But, I did a babysitting swap and dropped Wade off so that waiting for an oil change would only be 1/2 as bad and it would have been. . if I would have ever gotten there.







I just happened to stop off here for some gas. . . to GET to my oil change. Recognize it? It is the Costco Gas station. . .

I pulled in, started pumping and left the key in the ignition. Then I hopped in the back seat to try to deal with K who has decided that she H.A.T.E.S her car seat again. She hated it, then she got used to it and then I had to put her in a REAL car seat (not a carrier) because she is so stinkin' big and now she is back to hating it. I can't win.

Anyway, I finished up, put her back in her seat and she started to scream right away and I went to turn the car on and NOTHIN'. . I mean, SOMETHING. . .But not enough to start the car! It is definitely at the top of my list to be stuck outside in 100+ degree weather with no car battery.

A nice lady in front of me offered her jumper cables and Trevor (the guy manning the station) came over to help. He told me that if I went to buy a battery at the store, and brought it back out he would put it in for me. . . NOW THAT IS SERVICE!!!

But the store wasn't open. I drove around until it was open and hopped back on over for Trevor to help me out.

Before I knew it, another guy had come over and was helping out too! He said, "I just changed my wife's battery! She has a Honda too!" and then he just went to work. . . talking about how he has kids and he wouldn't want his wife out here in the heat with his baby and so on. They were so amazing. As a matter of fact. Here they are. . hard at work.



If you go to the Gilbert Costco gas station EVER, say hi to Trevor for me, and thank him again for helping me. It meant the world to me! (He said he changes brakes too! I can't wait to go back to him with my brake pads in hand!)

And the other guy. . . I asked his name before he left and asked him what on earth he was doing at Costco in the middle of the day. He said he was going to buy his wife some jewelry . . . GOOD MAN. . GOOD MAN. . I asked him what he did and he said, "Well, I am not soliciting business, but if your husband needs a vasectomy. . . " I took his card with GLEE and said, "HE DOES." (If your husband needs one, please see Dr. Lin. . he is GREAT at changing a car battery, so, I am sure he would do a great job with your husband's plumbing!)

LOVIN' TARGET STEALS!

The other day I posted on my facebook page that Target was having a "clearance sale" on all of their toys. It just happened to be on Abby's birthday. I had just dropped Jaxon off at therapy and was going to stop off at Target for "just a few last minute items." I mean, after all, we were ALL in our pajamas, so I wasn't gonna stay. . . .


It started off innocently enough. I saw there was a "clearance" aisle in the toys section and I started thinking about Jaxon's birthday that is coming up. There were lots of boy toys and I even snapped a few pix on the cell to text to Peter and get approval.


Here was the first item. . Star Wars. . slam dunk. . I can't read the tag (cell phone pic) but it was around $2. Normally $10.


Just as I did that, a woman went by me with an entire cart full of toys. I though, wow. She is really going crazy!! I started to go up and down the aisle and realized that there were "clearance" items on EVERY AISLE! And before you know it, I was throwing stuff in my cart right and left. The Target employees were unloading boxes of toys as I went and was even patient enough to score a Transformers talking helmet (?) for 75% off! (Definitely a coveted birthday item)

Wade of course wanted THIS.

It was NOT on sale, but is on my short list for "Black Friday".

Wade had a hard time with "NO".


My last text included this image. And the words:

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING: DONE!

Peter and I carefully sifted through the toys I had grabbed and made a yes/no pile. This the the pile that stays. . . I added up all of the tickets because I was curious to see how much I would have "spent on Christmas" this year. It added up to $367.80. (Ok, a few of those items were earmarked for Jaxon's birthday, but still). . . My final bill? $94.36. Just to give you an idea. . there were only 4 items on my list that were over $5 and NONE over $10!

THAT IS RIGHT!

Oh, and that lady with the full cart? I told her that she seemed to "know" this was going on. She admitted to it and said that it happens sometime in the last two weeks of July every year. NOW YOU KNOW. . .put it on the calendar for NEXT YEAR and save some Holiday bucks! :)

HOW TO TRAVEL WITH KIDS

We have completed the first part of our trip and have made our round trip flight from SLC to Spokane for the 4th. In all honesty, the drive from PHX to SLC is what scares me the most. . I mean, shakin' in my boots scares me. We stopped in Las Vegas which helps tremendously when you are traveling with small kids. YES there are shorter routes to SLC, but lets be honest. . would YOU drive 12 hours with a 4 month old? Um, no. . . You wouldn't. We head back that way in a few days. . . can't wait to give it another try. Seems like I am tempting fate. But, we will see.

Our trip has been so far, FABULOUS, and we have had tons of fun with family and friends and even a few BLOGGERS! I will do more trip details later, but as promised, I wanted to post my tips for TRAVELING WITH KIDS!

There is NOTHING like the ego boost of traveling by yourself with small kids. Everyone ooohhhs and aaahhhs at your bravery. For the most part, it REALLY isn't that bad. However, I have learned some serious tricks of the trade. I will share them with you FREE OF CHARGE! You're welcome. These tips probably only work best if you are traveling with a 7, 5, 2 and 4 month old baby though. Keep that in mind and adapt to your own children's ages. But SERIOUSLY! YOU CAN DO IT!

I had one woman who sat behind me and said to her neighbor, "I am just watching this lady with her four kids and I just can't believe how well she is doing!!" (Insert ego boost). I told her it wasn't that bad and she proceeded to tell me that she has to fly to her daughter, pick her and her kids up and fly back with them just to get them to visit! You REALLY don't have to do that people. . REALLY. Here are my best tips for getting through it WITHOUT making someone come and get you!

1. FLY DURING NAP TIME. Now, this can be tricky, because your kid might fall asleep on the way TO the airport, but if you can keep them awake and you know they won't throw a fit in security because they're tired, DO IT. It worked on the way there, but not on the way back. It was still ok on the way back because I . . .

2. BUY YOUR TODDLER HIS/HER OWN SEAT. I know your kids fly free under 2 and Wade is over 2. . but I am almost THANKFUL for the day that I have to buy him a ticket because that means that. .

3. HE WILL BE IN HIS CAR SEAT! Put your toddler in their car seat on the plane. You may think you don't want to haul that buggar down the corridor. Especially if you have an infant with you like I did, but DO IT! It is TOTALLY WORTH IT.

4. One other trick I learned, is CHECK THE STROLLER AND BAGS CURB SIDE. It is worth every penny of the $2 a bag charge they give you, and if you are traveling by yourself with small kids. . IT IS WORTH IT and you DESERVE IT.

5. You might think you want that stroller but. . DON'T BRING A STROLLER IN THROUGH SECURITY. Check it as a bag if you need it, but there is NOTHING worse than having to take everything off that stroller that you stuffed into it just to take it all out at security where you THEN have to fold it up and put it on the conveyor belt. Seriously. If you have a toddler, just let him be. Hold his had until you get to the gate, and then

6. TRAVEL WITH YOUR BABY UNDER 1 YEAR IN A FRONT PACK CARRIER. Seriously. That is what I did with K and it was great because my hands were totally free and she was totally entertained, and it left a hand free to carry Wade's car seat in one had and my bag on my other shoulder or even Wade's hand if I had to. However, I usually relegated that responsibility to Abby. If you are REALLY worried about having to carry that car seat, rent a luggage carrier in the hall. It can also act as an impromptu stroller if you put the car seat on in and then put your kid IN it!

7. TRAVEL AROUND MEAL TIME. We traveled right around lunch and it is a great time kill and keeps your kids in one place if you can feed them right before you get on the plane. In the SLC airport they have little "kiddie playlands" which are great, but, if you are traveling to an airport that doesn't. Just take a lunch, or buy one there. It is worth it to keep them busy and in one place until you are ready to board. It also keeps them from wanting to get their toys out and losing them before you even get on the plane!

8. When you board. . You have to have your toddler in the window seat because that is where their car seat has to be. PUT YOUR TODDLER IN HIS SEAT FIRST! I was lucky to have Abby to hand the baby to when I was putting Wade's seat in, but I put him in, handed him his blankie and binkie and NO TOYS. I wanted him to get the idea there was nothing else to do and so he would just go to sleep. WORKED. :)

9. BRING A VIDEO ON YOUR IPOD. You can rent videos on itunes and it is a great way to keep ONE child (your most difficult i.e. Jaxon) busy on the plane. They have to wait until they are in the air, but, that is ok. . you can usually keep them entertained until then with looking out the windows and watching the plane takes off. NOTE TO MYSELF AND ALL YOU IPOD USERS! IF YOU RENT A VIDEO YOU MUST COMPLETE WATCHING IT IN ONE DAY OR WHEN YOU TURN IT ON AGAIN IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY DELETE!!! I didn't know this and actually still don't know if I really understand it since rentals are SUPPOSED to be like 20 days long, but when I went to turn on the movie on the way back to SLC for Jaxon I couldn't. . . it deleted itself because it had not been watched all the way through. If you know what I am talking about and know a way around it, please leave a comment and TELL ME! Anyway, Ipods are WAY better than bringing a HUGE BULKY video player with you. But remember to down load the day before because sometimes it can take a while and then you have to sync! I learned the ipod trick for THIS trip.

10. oooh ooohh. I forgot one thing. GO TO THE FAMILY BATHROOM BEFORE THE FLIGHT! This is my most favorite activity because it is always mass chaos. Changing TWO diapers and washing at least 4 pairs of hands and all watching each other go is all very exciting but saves you from having to take them on the plane. . which is totally not fun. So, just do it. . it is a good time burn too.

Any other tips and tricks I missed? You can leave them in the comments! I would love to hear YOUR tricks for traveling! If you are reading this post because you googled "How to travel with kids" GOOD LUCK! Will post more vacation details later!

I NEED A VACATION. . Wanna Come?

Friday, after spending almost two hours at the DMV getting a new drivers license that was expired by 4 months even though I just got it two years ago, [I know, long run on]. I came home, furiously packed the kids up for 3 weeks, and left the house in a crazy frantic mess of boxes and move in blow-up. It seriously looks like a tornado hit my house on the inside, but no where else. Sad.

I called my husband and I told him how miserable I was. . how hard my life is and how bad I hate it. How horrible it is to have to drive 4 kids by myself to SLC and what a down trodden life I lead. I seriously did. Please tell me you, at some point in your life, have done the same thing. . . cuz, he wasn't very impressed with my attitude.

I drove to Vegas. Stayed overnight. Drove on to SLC the next day and got there by dinner on Sat. I chilled out on Sunday. Woke up Monday morning and hopped a plane with all 4 kids to Spokane to stay with my in-laws. By the time I hit SLC, I had recovered from my melt-down for the most part. I had made it. I knew I would. But that didn't take the fear from spending 12 hours in a car with a 4 month old baby. It just didn't. No confidence in the WORLD can take that fear away.

By the time I hit the SLC airport I was back to my old self. Confident. Self assured. The security guy checked my tickets and said, "Four kids, all by yourself. . .huh?" I said "Yep. It will be fine." Little did he know I had already conquered 12 hours in the car with the little angels.
It was no biggie. Seriously. It went ridiculously smoothly. I will go into more detail on that later.

Yesterday and today, I have spent time 'keeping my husband updated' with what I am doing. You know, I don't want him to worry. . . Here was my first text. . .

“Miss you, wish you were here!”


Then for some reason, I started to feel a little snarky. . and texted this.
“Neener Neener”

I am sure he replied with something extra witty, so, I sent this. . .

“So, so, suck your toe”

You’re impressed with my level of maturity. I know.
I was starting to feel so much better about my life. I mean, who could feel bad about their life when they are doing this. . .

I texted: “Geez, this is so awesome. I wish you could take a week off.”

I really wanted him to be here with me.

Then I texted: “Someone likes boat rides.”

She really did. . out like a light.

This morning I woke up so happy to be here. You know, everyone needs a vacation now and again from their regular everyday life. EVERYONE. I don’t care if you can’t get to the most beautiful lake and river in Washington. Just take a trip. Get out. See something else beside the catastrophe that is your house (read 'life').

So, this morning, I wanted him to know, I was still ok. . and getting better. So I sent this. .

“I am so, so, sorry.”

Then I wrote. . .

“Holy CRAP. This is the LIFE!”

(Yes, I am in my pajamas and had not showered yet in this picture. . that is right. . I am on VACATION!)

I am doing much better now. Personal crisis meltdown averted. Thanks for asking. If you would like to join me on my personal vacay, please check facebook next weeks for days and times that I will be hostessing visits to my personal vacay. I would LOVE to see you, and wouldn't you LOVE to come sit at the lake with me?

Mkay, see you there.