I'm so naughty!!!

I can't believe I haven't posted in a month???? where does the time go? not much, yet much to update. I'll do a quick recap. I need to get pictures of Micah's first bday up, but our comp with all the pictures on it totally crashed, so we're working on recovery right now. One of my cousins is moving back to Spokane with her family soon and I"m totally excited!!! Um, been working on a lot of projects. I've gotten the following done:

3 baby hats
3 blankets
2 pairs of booties
several christmas wash clothes

I still have a ton more to do
I also just became a Scentsy consultant. For those of you who don't know what Scentsy is, it's AWESOME!!! it's a wickless alternative to burning candles. It uses a melter with a 25 watt bulb, and scented wax. So, it's safe around your kids and won't burn them should a spill occur. It's also as safe to leave on when you're gone as a regular lamp. It comes in over 80 scents and is pretty dang affordable. If you want anymore information on it, you can email me at homershippo@yahoo.com or check out my website at www.scentsy.com/jsherwood!

Thankful

I just felt a little sappy today and wanted to just put it out there that I'm thankful for Fall. I know, I'm a freak, I love everything about the fall and winter seasons. I love how whenever it starts to get fall, when that first tiny nip is in the air, I start to get excited. I get the urge to nest, to bake, to make my home a cozy place. I want it to be a time that my kids will remember when they're full grown and appreciate (although we know how that'll work out) as they're teenagers. When they can come home and take that big deep breath and let it out on a satified and happy sigh, that now they're home and it feels like home. Where moms got something awesome smelling baking in the oven. I want them to have those smells that they inhale and it just transports them back to the days when they were carefree and innocent. I want crackling fireplaces, hot cocoa shared under snuggling blankets, quiet discussions and meals spent around the table as families. I love fall and winter for that reason I think, it drives you together as a family. Of course I also love all the other stuff too, the smell in the crisp morning air of the first wood fire of the season. I love watching my leaves change color and drift to the ground like confetti sprinkled by Mother Natures hand. I love when you get the first twinkly frost on your grass. And don't even get me started on snow.....
Anyhow, I've started my Christmas crafts now. I've just finished my crocheted christmas lap blanket. Let me tell you, that thing weighs a TON. Next up is finishing Logan's snuggly blanket with arms for Christmas. Then come the projects I'm really looking forward to. Snoflakes for the tree and windows. I'm so excited to start them!

Hysterical Micah

This kid giggles at the weirdest things. Most of the time it's Logan. This is probably the hardest I've ever heard him laugh!

Random Loganism

As heard when we were driving down the road the other day:

"mommy?"
"yes Logan?"
"when I get older, I'm gunna change my name to James Merkel."
"James Merkel? why?"
"that's it, I wanna be James Merkel."
"well I like Logan, can you please stay Logan?"
"why mommy?"
"cause that's what Mommy and Daddy named you."
"oh, ok."

So much uploading

Well, I thought I'd upload some of the pictures that were taken over our summer. We went sooooo many places! and of course (thank you blogger >:( ) they're all out of order!















I love this picture. It's Logan going on his first fishing
trip with Papa, dad and Uncle Bryce. Here's Bryce with his little shadow,
if you blow up the picture they're both dressed alike!
Backpacks, walking sticks, boots the works.















Logan reeling in his first fish! (Uncle Bryce caught it and
let him reel it in.)














Fisherman Logan ready for his first trip!















Some scenery from our diaper change with Micah.
See the below picture.















I realize this is totally gross, but for some reason, whenever
we go on a big family reunion with our little ones, natural
dissasters occur. With Logan, it was puke, allllllll over the place
down the front of himself and Forrest, thank heavens it was only
formula then. This is Micah's natural dissaster. We kept wondering
why it smelled so bad in the car, obviously he needed a diaper change,
but we weren't expecting to find this. It was ALL OVER THE PLACE.
Tennis rackets, arms, legs, carseat, pillows, Roscoe, hippo and face
just to name a few, and no. that is NOT chocolate.















some nice scenery while we changed the "Diaper of Doom!"















Did I mention it was a sweltering 105 out there?















Micah asleep with what we've now named "poo poo bunny"
or "poo poo Roscoe."















Yes, Logan really did fall asleep like that.















Aunt Birdie found someone to brush her hair for an hour or so.















The boys playing in the sandbox/swimming pool.














Look at these lilly white boys!




























daddy posin with his dudes!





























Logan being and awesome big brother and holding
Micah's hand so he didn't fall in the water!















After the banana.















Micah's first banana, fed to himself. It was like
he'd died and gone to heaven from the first bite.
I guess he really is part monkey!















I came upstairs once while doing laundry to find
Logan sitting like this in the livingroom. He then moved
and I saw this....














He'd trapped his brother in the laundry basket! After about 3 minutes, Micah no longer found it fun. Well, that's all for now. I'll post more soon!

Random Loganism

Wow, I was surprised to see no comment since I've posted for the first time in a couple weeks.
anyhow you dirty slackers!

We were watching The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross

Logan says, "I don't like his hair mommy."

"why?" I ask him

"he needs a hur-cut. He needs to shave too." He replies

Wordless, wordless Wednesday!!

This time 365 days ago, I lay drugged up, groggy and shaking in a hospital bed. Waiting to hear word, see and hold my youngest son for the first time. He was in the NICU being given some sugar water and being monitored for low blood sugars. I was still in recovery waiting for him and thinking a hotdog at the fair the night before had been a realllllllly bad idea! Forrest had come in to inform me that Micah was ok, just being monitored for his blood sugar and hopefully he'd be in in another half hour. What a torturous wait, having that child close to your heart constantly for the last 200 and some days and then to not be able to hold him was almost unbearable. I thank my mothers for keeping me company during that time. I would've gone mad had someone not been there distracting me! Since that beautiful day, there have been nights where I wanted to curl up in a little ball in a room where no one could find me, just so I could get some sleep. Nights of nervous breakdowns from lack of sleep and a crying baby. But, those small cons are greatly outweighed by the pros. A year of happy smiles, babble, splashing in the tub, laughing at your big brother, crawling, getting into stuff, learning there's water in the toilet and stuff in the cupboards, loving your mommy and crying when she leaves the room, reaching for mommy when someone else holds you, walking, pointing, laughing at the hippo in your bedroom, laughing at pictures of Logan, laughing at the pictures on the mantle, loving your Roscoe so much you giggle and reach everytime you see him, just to bury your face in his and find his ears to bring you comfort, saying mamamama and dadadada, learning you can carry things around when you crawl, loving your feet, discovering sippy cups, teething, family trips, loving your great grandparents, responding to the word yahooooooo, smiling, smiling, smiling has gone by in a heartbeat. It makes me ache that this year and these years go by so quickly. I want to savor these sweet memories and make them last because I know they'll be gone far too quickly. Happy 1st Birthday! I love you my little Micah, I cherish everyday with you. I've loved you since the moment you were created, from the first moment I felt your tiny little body moving inside my womb and from the moment I first laid eyes on you. My wonderful, happy sweet little Monkey!

Oy! Fun Times at Sherwood High!

Well, a lot has gone on in the last couple weeks. Nothing too productive, but stuff none the less. Last week, Logan decided to get the flu. Then promptly the next day Micah got it. Daddy was at an appt. and Logan was into stuff, Micah puked all over me about 5 times and then to top it off I finally get to sit down and have some dinner of enchiladas and then shortly there after, I start to feel a little crampy in the stomach. It progressively gets worse. Finally, my stomach hurts so bad that I have to call Forrest to get him to come home. About a half an hour later, guess who else gets the flu? that's right, mommy is the 3rd casualty. So Forrest got to stay home from work the next day to nurse a sick mommy, a slightly sick Micah and a rambunctious Logan back to health. Friday we decided to try the motor home out again for our trip coming up and drive to Missoula Montana. All went well surprisingly, considering the last time we tried to take it up a hill let alone a pass, it was like being in a pro rodeo. Anyhow, we camped in the Wal-Mart RV Park in Montana. Seriously, there were like 20-25 campers in that parking lot. And let me tell you, I wouldn't recommend it, unless you like sleeping in daylight like conditions, with noisy people and carts being smashed together at all hours of the night. So, I think we finally got the dang kids to sleep after about 1 am. We got to sleep shortly there after. About an hour later Forrest wakes me up and tells me, that he is the latest casualty of the flu virus. My sleep fogged brain started to process it as...oh goody. I get to drive this monstrous camper alllll the way home. Sure enough, the next morning, I got to drive a 20 foot long camper from Missoula Montana all the way home! So, then the next day? or the same day we went and had a birthday party for Forrest, his loving wife made him a peanut butter chocolate cake from scratch. It took her 2 1/2 hours to make and was about 8-9 inches tall and very delightfully rich. So, we had a barbecue, it was pretty cool. Forrest still felt a little puny, but better. Sunday (Forrest's birthday, yay, 32) we get home from my parents house and there's a message on our answering machine from his sister. She was casualty number 5. Yesterday Forrest informed me that #'s 6 and 7 were his mother and our niece. I just actually got off the phone with his mom, who then assured me that casualties # 8,9 and 10 were the neighbors who attended. Trying to find my mom today I found her to be number 11. So, it's the gift that keeps giving. We apologize for spreading our love around, and thank the wonderful person who gave this to Logan in the first place. you suck.

Anyhow. With the weight news the good thing that came about from the flu is I ended up losing 3 lbs. I doubt I'll be having another loss this week. I won't be surprised to gain any. Today was one of those days where I loath working out. I wish I could just be one of those people who are addicted to working out. It would make all this flipping fat come off faster. I'm officially now at the lowest I've been in at least 3 years. I'm almost to the 20 lbs mark. Last weigh in was 19.5.

Today's goal is to get some canning done. I have 11lbs of peaches, 6 lbs of apples (to be made in to pie filling) and 4 lbs of strawberries (to be made into jam) in the works. Wish me luck!

Another Random Loganism

So, Logan and I are sitting downstairs at the computer the other day, all the sudden he screams, "AAAAAhhhhh."
"What?" I say.
to which he extends out his legs that he's been sitting on and props them on the desk.
"What's the matter?" I ask again
"My feet are alseep." he says, then proceeds to yell, "Feet! Feet! Hey Feet! Wake up, it's not time to sleep!!! It's not night time yet!!! Feet!!! Feet!!! Wake up!!! It's not time for a nap!!"

I about fell out of my chair I was laughing so hard. He was serious, yelling at his feet to wake them up!

Anyhow, so on to some progress for me. Forrest got me a Wii game called My Fitness Coach for my birthday. I think...notice the word think there...that I've committed to working out with this psycho thing everyday now.
Holy crap!! Today was the first day, I just did upper body. I was sweating like a pig!! of course the push ups didn't help either. All I know is I'm tired of being the fattest person in my extended family. It's really quite sad. I'm the one of these things that's not like the other!

Random Loganism

As heard while we were at the dinner table. I was trying to get my brother Bryce to try a little Hummus.

Me: Come on Bryce, just try a little bit of it. Be a big boy!

Logan: Yeah, Bryce, be a big boy! You're wearing big boy underware now!

New Hur-doo

Just thought I'd show off some pictures of my new doo. I cut about 12 inches off a couple weeks ago. Here ya be!

Feeling the Urge

Wow, it must be that time of year again? I'm starting to feel the urge for fall/winter projects. Who know's if I'll get them all done, but here's what I'd like to do:

Halloween shower curtain
Christmas Shower Curtain
Christmas quilts for two beds
couple pillow cases
crochetted snowflakes for our christmas tree
a tree skirt
finish my halloween quilt from a couple years ago
crochet a snowflake garland and a couple snowflakes to hang in the window
crochet a christmassy afghan.

lol, big list...hopefully I can get it all done....

Flashback Friday

Leaving the hospital after my little loving Micah was born. I can't believe how different he looks now compared to his baby pictures. He was soooo tiny compared to Logan. Well, Logan wasn't THAT big, but still, Micah was a pound smaller! and he actually fit into newborn socks!! Almost makes me want to have another one....almost.

Random Forrestism

Ok, I have to warn you, this is the best randomism ever! So, Forrest and I are driving down the road last night and we see this guy walking down the side of the road. Dark t-shirt, skinny jeans and dark touseled hair. Forrest in his usual weirdness says,

"Should I run him over?"

to which I reply, "No."

he says, "dang." then in a detached and somewhat quiet voice he says, "Maybe it's Edward."


I laughed so hard!!! I was like did you just actually say that? that was the coolest thing you've ever said.

Flasback Friday

Seriously...was Logan ever this little? This was my favorite face that Logan made. He always looked like a little salty pirate when he made this face, but believe it or not..this was his smile! Oh how the years fly!

Long Overdue!!!

I know, I know, I finally decided to post our Memorial Day pictures. I've been a little busy! We went to Lolo Hotsprings in Montana. It was a lot of fun, except for when it rained on us! oh, and the nekkid people, I coulda done without that too. We watched Vince and Renee's kids while they went and had a hour to themselves. Then they did the same for us. I go walking out to meet Forrest and he's got this...odd...look on his face. I turn the corner and BAM!! naked man, right in front of me!! mind you, this isn't the first time that this's happened to us...(don't go to Jerry Johnson Hotsprings, if you don't want to experience nature in every sense of the word!) but luckily it was only one naked dude as far as I can see. So, I took off my glasses (not that it helped much, I'm not THAT blind!) and we got into the pool and hovered in our own little corner. Next thing you know, the pool is invaded by a bunch of people sporting the Fully Monty! I'm talking there were suddenly like 40 naked people swimming all around us!! *shudder* so, akwardly, we, who were fully clothed vacated the pool quickly. Vince and Renee were puzzled by the fact that we came back early, until we let them in on the nudie secret. Their faces were priceless. Anyhow, aparently we missed the sign on the door that said, nudist nights were Wednesday and Sunday after 9 PM!! Yay, lucky us! I've now had my fill of naked people for a lifetime!!!



Too slow on the picture taking, Logan was kissing Micah too!


Vince and Renee. Lilly girl was sick that morning!

A little bit of Logan Cheese! He's so silly, I love that kid!



My sweet happy little Micah. When I put this on my computer as the background, he looked over at it and squeeled in excitement!

Another Cheesy Logan face. He likes to strike poses for the camera, complete with goofy faces!



Dominic being the cheesy dude that he is. Hardly holds still long enough for you to take the picture!

Forrest and his little dudes!




I think this was at breakfast, with me trying to take the picture without falling into the river! And our camper that was waaaaay fun to drive in. Bucking Bronco anyone?

He's an angel!!! The sun was just perfect!! Had to take the shot!


Us girls in the kitchen doing what we do best! Man, that was good dinner!!

So, all in all it was a fun, eventful trip. I loved when we all got to go up Lewiston hill in the camper like we were on a bucking bronco! YEEEEEHAAAAAWWWW!!!

Parks, Sick Days and Overheard

While Mary and Eric were in town last weekend we went to Riverfront and played with the kids for a little while. Here are some random shots from the adventure!


The 3 Amigos!
Micah having a swing ride for the first time by himself. He absolutely loved it!! Kicked his feet the whole time!

Emma and Logan chillin in the stroller right before we fed the ducks. Phew, all that water and all those kids made me so nervous!!!

I love this picture, Logan and his big cheesy grin, then theres the clueless look on Emma's face! Totally cracks me up!

It was such a fun day, til we came home! Logan had lain down for his nap, woke up and had dinner, but was complaining that he didn't want any. He was made to eat several bites before he got down without finishing it. I was in the bathroom when I hear him coughing, next thing you know, Logan has puked all over the kitchen floor. The poor little kid then proceeded to look like death warmed over all weekend!! On Sunday, ironically I was in the bathroom again and Micah started coughing, then he threw up all over the livingroom floor! (our new carpet.....NOOOOOO) We almost had to take him to Urgent Care on Monday, but the dr. decided he would be ok if we didn't. Logan finally started feeling better on Tuesday and Micah was perky this morning and playing. I'm assuming he's back to his good old self now. Doesn't have all his appetite back, but he's eating!!

Last but not least, sadly overheard yesterday at the mall while eating: One teenaged girl, bragging to a teenaged boy about how she once had alcohol poisoning and was sick for two weeks afterward!!

HELLO!! McFLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Renee's going to laugh

This my friends is the #1 reason you should be watching Dancing With the Stars!

And #2 which is a relatively minor thing, if you've seen the above picture. The man can DANCE!!!

Seriously?

What the heck?????



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-ZjOEk4-dI

What a weekend

wow, we had quite the weekend. We had 7 members of my family staying with us and it was pleasant. My Uncle, his wife and a couple of their kids stayed here. I got to snuggle on my littlest cousin Russell, who looks just like my uncle. JUST like my uncle. We had a baptism for my cousin Samuel (I can't believe he's 8 already) on Friday, Grandpa Bruce's funeral on Saturday and Russell's baby blessing on Sunday. So, it was quite the jam packed weekend.
The funeral was wonderful. I was fine til I hugged my nana. She told me that she loved me and that she was so proud of me and I cried. Bruce looked a little different without his glasses, but I guess you don't really need them then. The eulogy was given by my uncle Kent who gave us a brief history of our grandpa's life. What an example he was! He always had a positive attitude. It made me want to strive to be a little more like him, in dealing with the things life gives you. The thing that killed me the most, just broke my heart, was seeing my littlest brother just sob. (makes me tear up right now!) This is the first grandfather that he's lost...How well I remember that ache in your chest when your grandfather passes away. I loved Bruce and I loved my Papa. It was so sad to watch my little brother live that. He doesn't remember our papa, he was a year old when he passed away, this is the first person he's been related to that's passed on. All I could do was try and comfort him. I hope he realizes that for all my big sister bossiness I love him so much. I cuddled him as a baby, I've watched him grow. I hope he listened to that eulogy and the music and I hope it helped him feel closer to his Heavenly Father. I hope it helped him realize the type of man he wants to become. I hope it touched him. I know it touched me. What else really impressed me was that my dad's Seargent and Captain came to support him along with a couple other co-workers. They came dressed in their uniforms. It makes me remember when papa passed away, I was only 12, but I still remember all those troopers that came for my father, the respect and admiration they gave him. I remember on the way to the cemetary, we had a full entourage. We went down Pines with troopers and lights at the front and at the rear. I hope I can make fond enough memories in my life time that my kids will remember me with kindness, love and understanding. I hope we can make them some fond memories of times spent together as a family.
On another subject, I've decided to make myself a small goal. We have a family reunion in August, which I'm greatly looking forward to, even though I just spent a whole weekend with them. I've decided that I'm going to try and make a big enough dent in this weight loss battle that when everyone see's me they'll realize the difference. Is that vain? I feel like the 17lbs I've lost already isn't very noticable? But, I've also made it a goal to work out everyday. So far I'm 2/2 days!

News...

I came home today to a blinking light on my machine.
It was my mother.
I think she was a little in shock. But then after I listened to the message, I think I too was a little in shock.
My Grandfather passed away today.
I was ok until I had to explain it to my sweet little boy who's been praying for Grandpa Bruce's recovery, and thanking Heavenly Father that Grandpa Bruce could feel better. I told him that we no longer could go see Grandpa Bruce, that he went back home to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus again. I couldn't do it without crying. Bless Logan's tender little heart, he was so sad. I don't think that he fully understood what I was telling him, but I think that he gathered from mommy crying that it wasn't a good thing. As I sat on the couch relaying the message to my husband who was a work Emma and Logan were sitting at the table and this is the conversation I heard:
Emma: Why is your mommy crying Logan?
Logan: She's sad
Emma: Why is she sad?
Logan: She's sad cause Grandpa Bruce went to live with Jesus.

Maybe he understands more than I give him credit for.

I find myself filled with regrets. Though this is probably not the proper place to air them, I feel I need to get them out. I regret that I didn't listen to the prompting I received more fully. I'm disapointed that I didn't get out to see Nana and Bruce more. I love him, I hope he knows that. I'm so very thankful that I get/got to have the opportunity to be blessed with 3 grandfathers when normally people only get to have 2. He loved us so much, I know that. He came to the hospital to see us when we had both of our precious little boys. The love he had for my children as he cradled them in his arms was akin to the Savior I think. The joy he got as he held his grandchildren was plainly aparent. I'm so glad that he could be a part of our lives, that we could get to know and love him as a grandfather, I'm glad he made my Nana's life so happy. After Papa passed away, she was still our Nana, just a little diminshed, then when Grandpa Bruce came along, he lit her up like a candle. She was so happy. I hope in some way, I can be there for her. Though my part may be insignificant to her greif, if I can be there and help it will be a blessing. I love you Grandpa Bruce, I'm sorry that I ignored things that I should've listened to, it'll be one of my deepest regrets. Thank you for blessing our family with your love. I love you.

Poor Me Post

I know I've mentioned this before but it's still bugging me? if you don't wanna read a poor me post look elsewhere, lol. I just want to know why people find our presence so repugnant? I mean, we never get invited to do something with people other than the two sets of people who are our closest friends. (and some people just can't help that they don't live in town)I kind of feel like an outcast in our new ward, well I did in our old ward too. I feel like I don't fit in. Like I don't have all the nice clothes and well put together outfits. I feel like our ward has already formed little circles of friends and I'm on the outside looking in...still. It really kind of knocks at your self-esteem you know? I just want to know if I've offended someone or if people just generally don't like us? I feel like I always have to invite myself places/to hang out with people just so I can feel like I have friends. I know this is probably stuff I should just put in my journal, but I really need to get this off my chest. I don't want to be someones charity case, that would be more insulting than the whole situation. I just want someone to want to be friends with me because they like me and my personality and want to get to know me better. I don't want it to happen because they feel bad for me. How can you be surrounded by people and feel so alone all the time?

Catch Up

Well, I guess no one but my mother found that last post funny. I've been busy with a couple projects. I swear Stephani those earrings are on their way. We've had a really busy week/end. Friday night my dad called to inform us that my grandpa/his stepdad had had a stroke. He was on his way to the hospital to see how things were going. This is my Nana's second husband and I'm hoping she can hold up under all this stress that's going on right now. His whole left side was paralyzed. We went to see him on Saturday, I must admit I was a little apprehensive about going up to see him. It wasn't him though, I don't like seeing people in pain when there's nothing I can do about it and I always feel akward in those situations like I'm doing more harm than good or I'm just in the way or something. Anyway. He was having some swallowing issues, and last I knew they thought he'd had anoter mini stroke yesterday or the day before. He was on a breathing machine and I didn't know that meant he was on life support. Here's the moral of this story and I'm very sad that I had to learn this the hard way.
About a month ago, I had a prompting that I needed to visit Nana and Grandpa Bruce. I thought I'd make them some banana bread and take it over for a visit. I ended up getting busy and pushing it aside. When we had conference a couple weeks ago I was watching a talk and I had the prompting again that I should go visit them. Again, I got busy and didn't end up going and pushing it aside again. I forgot about these promptings until the night we found out he was in the hospital and we were saying family prayer and it hit me. You didn't listen to the promptings now, look at what has happened. I didn't listen and that could potentially haunt me for the rest of my life. I'm very upset at myself, I should have listened.

Random Loganism

While spending the night at my parents house, watching National Geographic with Papa and Bryce:

Lions on T.V. had captured a poor hippo (sniff, sniff, poor hippo) and were in eating process when the camera catches one lion licking it's chops. Logan turns to Nana with a smile and says:

"That lion just said, this hippo tastes delicious!"


Later on:

Papa to Logan (probably trying to spare his young mind the horror of a fresh lion kill):
"I think that hippo got away."
Bryce: "nuh-uh!"
Logan: "Nuh-uh, they're eating it!"


I thought these were too hilarious to pass up. My mom had to call me to tell me them and we all laughed so hard!

First Pictures

The first pictures are now up on my jewelry site, drop by and let me know what you think. Can't wait to hear from ya'll.

Giving It Another Try

I've decided to try again at online selling of my jewelry. I'd love for you guys to take a look at it. I'm going to try and get the site up and running in the next couple days and put a few things on there. This is something I'm really passionate about, I'd love to see my jewelry adorning ears, necks and wrists all over Spokane. I was selling it in a little tea shop called Mad Hatties, but she closed down so I've got to find another way to sell it. I hope my prices are reasonable enough to tempt you to buy...hee hee. If anything ever breaks on you, just bring it to me and I'll fix it for you. If you'd like to take a look at my stuff there's a link right at the top left of my blog. It's called Babioles. There's instructions there for buying if you wish. Please take a look and let me know what you think.

I found it, I found it!!!

Well, I found the camera finally, in, of all places, the glovebox in the van. What the heck was it doing in there? anyway here's a couple pictures that were on there that I thought I'd post!