No Good

The equines will be arriving this week.  Well, one we know of for sure.  Mr. Cocoa has successfully completed his training course and will be delivered to this new pasture come Tuesday...

While some of you might be thinking "oh, look at all the pretty yellow flowers," horse owners (like myself) know that these pretty yellow flowers are no good for equines.  With the help of a "grass expert" next door (literally, he has a PhD in grass), we spent Saturday spraying all those dandelions, in order to allow for nice, green pasture grass to grow through.

We also spent the day cleaning up and moving out what seemed like 4 tons of sheep shat out of the barn.  While the wind was blowing.  Yes, it was disgusting and yes, I'll spare you the photos.

The horses had better appreciate all the hard work preparing for their arrival.

Quote

Occasionally, I come across something while reading the newspaper, a book or a magazine.  Something that hits me -- smacks me right across the face -- and gives me new perspective on something.

Believe it or not, it's only 7:47 a.m. and that very thing happened already this morning.

Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.  -Robert Fulgham, LDS Living Magzine

A commonly occurring phrase (usually yelled) at my household is "why do you never listen to me?!?"  Although I still don't quite know how to fix this problem, I think I'll approach it differently from now on.

Who Needs Law School

I have a lawyer in the making.  

Her skills at arguing her case are second to none, I'm telling you.  She tries to argue her way out of everything, even when it's clear I'll always win.  This is really getting on my nerves.

There's a bully at school.  A horrible girl that just wouldn't leave Brielle alone.  We've tried everything, from not talking to her, to asking her to be kind, to talking with the teacher.  Nothing's helped.

Over dinner this evening, Brielle informed us that she had "Mean Bully Girl" sign a contract.  (What???)  This contract dictated the terms of their friendship.  If "Mean Bully Girl" wanted to participate in activities Brielle is playing, she has to agree to be kind and friendly.  Brielle indicated it was several pages long, and that this was her idea... not the teachers.

Arguing.  Check.

Contracts.  Check.

Who needs law school?

3 Birds... 1 Stone

We've lived in our home for a week now, and thankfully for those around me, my attitude has improved.  We are slowly getting things put away, all the while still trying to complete the projects that need finishing.

I've had many requests for pics of our home...  Brielle has been begging me for a "project"... It's Mother's Day, you know... so we are going to kill 3 birds with 1 stone.  

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What can I say about being a Mom.  It's the hardest, toughest, stress inducing, craziest job I have.  But, it's also the most rewarding, most wonderful, most joyful job I have.  Miss Brielle is the absolute love of my life. 

I love taking part in every milestone, despite the fact that I'd wish they'd stop coming.  I love watching her ride, play soccer and ride her bike.  I love listening to her read, and her snoring while sleeping make my laugh.  The phone call I get from her after school saying "Hi Mom!  I'm home!" is the most favorite part of my day.

I don't need special treatment, or gifts or anything like that.  Just give me a day that I get to spend with Brielle and I've got everything I need.

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The "project" we chose to do was a simple Thank You gift for those who gave up their Saturday to help us move.

We found the idea HERE, but modified a bit for what we were trying to do.  You take fruit cans with the tab tops, and cut out the bottom.  Fill with treats, slap on some ribbon, cute paper and a label....

... glue the bottom shut and Ta-Dah!  You've got a super easy, super cute, super fun gift to give to neighbors, teachers, mom, etc.

(For those of you who helped us move, you will be receiving one shortly).

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I've successfully unpacked two rooms in our new house.  I can't say finished because... well, you'll see from the pictures.

The Kitchen.  You'll have to imagine the newly painted, shaker style cabinet doors which are currently in our basement, waiting to be newly painted and hung.

The Family Room.    

We are still working on all other rooms in the house.  

Milestones

Occasionally, things happen in my life that makes me realize my daughter's growing up.  Sometimes, those things are suttle and other times, it slaps me across the face.

Brielle rode her bike to school today, for the first time, equiped with her brand new bike lock.

I freaked out!  I was worried about her safety, possibly running over kids on the side walk, getting side tracked and not making it to school on time.  Oh, and could she figure out how to use her bike lock?

So, I followed her.  She made it just fine.  Chris thinks I am nuts.  Maybe I am nuts.

Thing is, even though I'm proud of the things she's doing, and the independence she's gaining, it seems to be coming a little faster than I expected.

Drowning in Boxes

While drowning myself in boxes, cleaning, orgainizing, etc., I decided I needed a kick in the pants.  You see, I haven't been tracking my meals, let alone trying to maintain healthy eating.  Diet Pepsi once again became my go-to thirst quencher during my recent move.  And CrossFit?  I've almost forgotten what that is.

I prepared myself for the scale to break under my feet.  I knew I'd been bad.  Oh, so very bad.

So check out my Project Skinny stats to the left........

That's right.  I've lost another 3 pounds.  Woot!  Woot!  I was worried for nothing.  I've been told that when you rev up your metabolism with diet and excercise (namely stregnth training), you continue to burn calories for a while even if you take leave.  Of course, I never thought that applied to me.

Well, apparantly it does.