.............a funny thing happened the other night

Jaxson was......well he was whining about what I had made for dinner

and I have been trying to deal with his.........behavior in a positive way

Since he is like over the moon for STAR WARS

(Master Yoda being his FAV)

I did what any self respecting mother of 4 after a long day having just made a beautiful dinner would do

I snuck into the bed room phone in hand and called a family friend

then putting my self respect aside

I asked if he could call my house and pretend to be YODA and demand that my first born eat his dinner

...the crazy thing is he said YES

and just as we begun eating

The Phone RAng

and

Our dear friend

put on a rather convincing YODA

not only did he convince my eldest to eat his dinner

he also spoke with the second and third of the family

&

made their night

THANK YOU THANK YOU RICH

they totally bought it

NOW YOU

NOW YOURS

YOUR TURN

Too much lipstick....& other fancy things

Sometimes I don't tell her her nails are dry.....it's kind of fun to watch the way she holds her hands so {fancy }
not to mention the lipstick......oh my is she something


****note from the author***
I don't put lipstick on my child ( like some pageant Mom ) I try to stop her but she desires to wear beautiful PINK lipstick....and tells me......all the time
so
a special shout out to wet n' wild who make lipstick that is PINK and looks like mom's for a mere $.99

a word about my blog

i am in the midst of some changes

and as i thought about how to explain my choice

i decided to leave it at this

i will be in charge of my children's education {for at least the next few years}

what this means :

tomorrow is Jax's last day of "public" education

Monday will mark a new day

my resolve is to watch, learn from, & aid my children as they

flourish

{be healthy or grow well... to be strong and healthy or grow well, especially because conditions are right... to sustain continuous steady strong growth }

i am very blest...for i live in a State that has set up an online "public" school

so as we transition i can be sure that my children are getting at least the education that they receive in public school

***note from the author***

these are books that have aided my decision as well as educational planning

The Well Trained Mind ( a guide to classical education at home)

Susan Wise Bauer & Jessie Wise

First Language Lessons

Jessie Wise

Thomas Jefferson Education

Oliver Van DeMille

Read Aloud Handbook

Jim Trelease

Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading

Jessie Wise & Sara Buffington

Slow & Steady Get Me Ready

June R Oberlander

Everybody has a Body

Robert E Rockwell

Robert A Williams

Elizabeth A Sherwood

The Mr.'s Company had a formal party this weekend

( the food was AMAZING......and the location oh MY )

so I did what any wife would do

went to the salon for a fresh cut

tweezed & such

then with my cutest thigh high fish net under the greatest

little black dress since Breakfast at Tiffany's

I was his arm Candy

until

My stockings would not stay up..........yup

I noticed while we were walking from the car

that something was amiss

so we stopped behind a vacant car for me to check the problem

nothing worked

pretty soon they were around my ankles

LOL

at least no one had seen us yet

so

I did what I had to

I ditched the fish nets

and had a great

Bare Legged Evening

**note from the author**

the Mr. & I danced the salsa.........I love that man

your turn

your turn

your turn

your turn

Happy Birthday to...........the boss

My baby is ONE

holy smokes ( as Liam would say)

one year ago today

He is truly a light in our home

he is rarely with out a big smile

when you talk to him it seems he understands not just what you are saying

but what you are feeling

"the boss" uses his eyebrows and eyes to communicate

although he is beginning to use some baby signs

& the occasional word

He is walking..running..giggling..following his older sibs around

WE ARE BLEST to have

this

ONE year old in our home

Happy 1st My Son

THANK YOU { in no particular order }

Brandy

MOM

MY LOVE

Christmas was GOOD to me this year

Christmas ponderings......better late than never

This year I found it harder than ever to keep the RUSE alive

you know the one I'm talking about.....right ?

Santa

St. Nick

Pere Noel

Kolyada

Father Christmas

when " the inquisitor" { Jaxson }

asked the question

my response was simple

Santa represents the great feeling of Christmas & giving

when that failed to do the job

We looked up Saint Nicholas on the Internet

and came up with

a list of the many wonderful things that great saint

did-- because he loved the Lord

I spoke to my children about the lessons that Jesus taught people while on this earth

the lessons that we should learn and know

the lessons that St. Nicholas took to heart

Next I bore my testimony to my little ones and I felt the spirit witness of it's truth.

the moment was fleeting

it is a lot of work to keep the spirit strong in a home full of very young children

i just hope that they have stored the lesson they learned that day

somewhere

As for the ruse......I am not sure that they understood completely what I was saying.

But when they are ready to understand..they will

and

they will know that I know what the true meaning of Christmas is

I love Christmas..I love the Lord...and I am grateful to live in a nation that still celebrates the birth of our Savior.

RESOLUTE

To understand our most apparent New Year's resolution

we must travel back....a month

The kids were snoring in the back seat of the family SUV somewhere between Utah & Seattle

the Mr. & I chatting about how blessed we were

next I mentioned something that had been rolling through my mind for the last....um

YEAR

"Maybe I will make you a deal" says I

"What kinda' deal? " his reply

"if you give up SODA...I'll wake up with you every morning & while you shower I'll make breakfast"

{ the Mr. is a very early riser, which fits his profession..just not his night owl wife}

" You mean........ALL soda ?" he questions

" Well maybe to start with just the soda during the week & each day of the weekend you could have ONE " I respond

"OKAY ! I EXCEPT " with vigor in his voice but concern written across his brow

"ALRIGHTY.....it is a deal"

And Since DECEMBER 1st the

MR.

hasn't had soda any day of the week

even when

his co-workers taunt & tease

open soda cans in front of him

his friends

do likewise

and every time he has a moment of weakness he calls me

and I say sure

if you really want to trade our mornings together for CAFFEINE

I guess it's your decision

and he always chooses OUR MORNINGS

and that is because

for the last Month

I have been a pleasant morning person

don't believe me.....well some of you have seen me in the mornings and I am sure that it is hard to imagine me HAPPY in the Morning

Each morning I simply awake

put a smile...a apron.. & some beautiful music on

and

Voila

A self made morning person

do I still loathe the A. M.....yeah kinda

but I wouldn't trade what I am getting for even a few more seconds of shut eye

I love my husband, I love that he gave up soda to spend more time with me, I love that I gave up sleeping in to spend more time with my LOVE

Since this resolution began before the ball dropped...I am not worried that it will fade as the light from the New Year's Eve fireworks( as many of my past resolutions have). This is my New Years resolution to be a better version of myself...so simply early rising will not fill that bill....more resolutions...maybe...More Life Changes...CERTAINLY

Happy New Year EVE

To celebrate 2009 this blog will get a new look & title

c-ya in 2009

the Wii debacle

our Wiimote claimed it's first victim
with one over zealous
throw from the resident 6 year old
my candle never saw it coming

what do we do when we are snowed in.....

so now i get it

why the snow is a big deal here

THERE IS NO SNOW REMOVAL

and when i say none I mean NONE

when i did venture out to the store for some last minute things

the parking lots were covered with about a foot of ICE yup the snow had been left so long it was like driving on icebergs

in our parking lot they didn't remove the snow from the top of the covered parking so

they collapsed....on the cars

YUP...guess it was a good thing we don't have a covered space ( never thought I would say that)

now we have finally witnessed Seattle's snow removal plan

It has begun to rain--and the rain--is REMOVING the snow

so now we have PUDDLES everywhere

but at least everyone here knows how to drive in the rain

PROBLEM SOLVED

here is what went on in our home during the snow days

daddy snuggled, cuddled, teased, & giggled with the kids

Emme cooked up so treats



the boyz escaped the house to build a friend

and make some Angels


And i BAKED

chicken pot pies...among other things

recipe will be posted HERE

then she decided she didn't want any hair in the front & was less than remorseful about using the present wrapping scissors to take care of her perceived problem.

so

TODAY WE GO OUT

pacific science center --Ahoy !

Christmas in our Home

On a day like today....

I wish to keep my home decorated for Christmas year round. The Christmas tree is lit, the children are giggling while playing with their treasures, the beautiful smell of pine wafts from the oil burner, the kitchen is full of homemade delectable(s), & Christmas music still plays. Yet maybe it isn't that I want to keep my home decorated...maybe I want to freeze this moment. My children are all still young & free from most outside influences. Could they really stay this way forever....please

Yet as I write this...I realize. We are celebrating Jesus Christs' birth and his plan for us. Which is a plan of happiness....a plan that includes facing adversity....a plan that through trials we can become as we were intended from the beginning.

Although I would love to freeze this moment, I realize the importance of the NEXT moment.

So....I will drink it in...I will appreciate this time I have...I am the only one who can let the outside invade my home & I will not let it !

CHristMAs DAy

Well it hit our home like a ton of bricks

well a ton of bricks that fell at 6 AM

after a night of late praying for the UPS man to deliver

( to no avail )

the boss dug his new ride

Grandma sent homemade aprons for the GIRLS
And the 'rents finally gave in to the boys dream of owning the elusive
{Wii }

and domestic diva EmmE enjoyed the best

fully loaded kitchen

EVER

FUNNY MONDAY..it's back

The other day.......

i took the kids to see the Nutcracker ( 11 o'clock kids showing)

and

Emeline who was soooooooo super thrilled to see the "balletd"

enjoyed the ballet

endured the intermission

ewed and ahhhed at all the tu tu's

then about 10 minutes from the closing curtain

she said in her LOUDEST SHRILLEST voice

" MOM..I HATE this....I JUST WANT TO GO EAT PIZZA"

LOL..well i wanted to

your turn

your turn

your turn

your turn

retracted {ISH}

so i guess a little bit of an

apology

is in order

to the good people of SEAttLE:

I am sorry...you do have a lot of snow this year

i realize that without

snow ploughs

general snow & ice driving knowledge

&

salted roads

you have adequate reason to be concerned for your

vehicular safety

thus it is more than understandable

that you would

call a ENTIRE week

of snow days

why the change of heart

you may ask

because

today not only was my eldest able to stay home with me

but the Mr. was encouraged

via email

to stay at home and build snow men or make snow angels with his family

THANK YOU

Washington snow

THANK YOU

i loved & appreciated the day spent with my

family

chess was played, dolls hair combed, tuna melt bagels devoured, furniture rearranged, fire made

&

joy was felt

Quirky

well the snow fell here.......just enough to whiten the trees

and

i guess freak out the entire city

we are going on the THIRD snow day

yup

Jaxson has yet to step foot in Kinder since

the ummm......inch of

SNOW FALL

giggle giggle giggle

even the Mr.'s colleagues are concerned....so each evening they prep their work for the next day and take it home..just in case they are unable to return to work the next day

WELL I guess coming from UTAH where the

SNOW is SERIOUS

and yet I am straining to remember even ONE snow day

I just don't get what all the fuss is about

yet, I enjoy having ALL my children at home with me

and am planning GREAT things for the WEEK before

CHRISTMAS

i hope the snow finds you all well & if you are lucky out of school

Pictures of my Mom's THANKFUL event

How do you seat over 50 people beautifully....well if you are my mother this is how

the pumpkin themed table seats

each person with their own place card..of course

the feather table/ thankful table......thankful to be sitting at that table

the acorn table...complete with acorn bowls to hold the cranberry sauce

the pear table.....red chargers for all

and the famous table named for the main dish

and you mustn't forget the children...

each with their own coloring book ( turkey shaped of course) and turkey with markers for feathers

We are SOOOOOO very THanKfuL my Mother stress's herself out over these amazing place setting...thank you thank you thank you for your many Robert's Visits

ode to M201 on our one week anniversary

Dear new apartment,

we know you never thought you had a chance

winning our affection seemed impossible

and only one week in

you have almost won us over

with your

pool

hot tub

sauna

beautiful fireplace

and mantle seemingly made for our nativity

yes it helps that

you have been decorated

for

our favorite season

yet, there is something about you

is it that we are all forced to be closer together?

is it that we never needed more space?

is it that we are finally doing the things we feel are most important?

or is it simply that you are very easy to clean?

for all the reason above & many more we are sure

that our year here while waiting for home ownership will be

just as delightful

as any we have had before

thank you

thank you

thank you

for being so accommodating, warm, and lovely

***pics to come***

Funny Monday

9 & 1/2 hours into a

13 hour drive home

1 am

middle of

NoWHERE

we

got a flat

yup

FLAT TIRE

not unexpected

earlier

we had tried to change it

because it wasn't holding air

but it wouldn't come off

so we filled it

and hoped

it wouldn't pop

at

1 am

shucks

the MR

bundled in every coat we could find

spent uuuuuu

about an hour

until he finally gave up trying to get the tire off

then drove it off ( carefully )

funny ?

maybe someday

un {packing}

re {designing}

very {tired}

no {internet-yet}

super {crazy}

no {new header}

4 {restless kids}

great { vacation}

blessed {carvjal's}

saturday we are "supposed" to get our Internet set up

more then

WE are ThANkFUL for GranDMA's THANKSgIvINg DinNER

photos

of our very blessed & thankful event

to come

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Rumor Control

WE are staying in Washington to live

we are leaving for Utah to VAca

for Thanksgiving

sorry for the confusion

(what you cant all read my mind.....shocking)

can't take it with you

this season as usual has me thinking about

purchasing

why because "it's the most wonderful time of the year....." and i truly believe that it is

however while watching the office

this evening on my compu

i was subjected to the same ad over and over...and over again

it went something like this:

Americana's are known for wanting it all

and that isn't a bad thing

the truth is there is just so much cool stuff to have

that sometimes we get carried away

....yada yada not if you have a discover card

HUH........i thought to myself

really it isn't a bad thing...i kinda think it is

i have been noticing the feelings of want washing over me

i want....i need...wouldn't it be fun to have.........

i am kinda..well to tell you the truth I'm kinda

disgusted with myself

i don't need much

really

we are so very blessed that we don't really have any

enormous needs

and as i think of this

another thought entered my mind

we could HAVE

a lot more

STUFF

if I were working..we could stay in this house

and have plenty of money to save

we could go to Costa Rica annually at least..

we could....

and........

also have.....

but i guess what I am getting at

is that

nothing worth doing comes easy

so...because we are a one income family in order to save the money we feel is necessary

we are moving...I'm not going to work

so...in order to be a truly Christ-like person

I need to get my head out of the wants

and into

thinking about WHO is in need this season

i am sure, it would take less clicks of my mouse to find

someone in need

than to find

a pair of great boots ( which i have been looking for)

so...i guess where i am going with this

is

I am re-dedicating myself

to the TRUE

Christmas spirit

the holiday

which i observe in remembrance of my older brother

who gave his life for me ( and you)

because

he has a pure love

and wants us to have a chance to obtain celestial glory

i am going to work

on my insides so that i can feel that pure

love for those around me

and I hope as I work on me

my Heavenly Father will

guide my actions this season

so that this season

can be.....for me..mine..and those around me

TRULY

"the most wonderful time of the year..."

**note from the author**

sometime i share these thoughts because i need to have them written down to remind me of my late night pondering....if you are inspired as well, i am glad for it

sorry for the absence

I AM PACKING

4 children

1 husband

1 ME

oh and yep

ONE 2700 sqft HOME

so

hope you don't mind if I take a couple of

personal days

***note from the author***

I CanT waIt tO See aLL mY UtAHN's

we roll in the 22nd early in the AM

c-ya soon

carvajal = gypsy

you may ask...but why are you moving?

1. because we are part of the witness relocation program (shhhhh..don't tell)

2. because we are deficit in the our home attention span ( and out of Ritalin)

3. because we long for the comfort of "apartment home " living with it's many amenities

4. because we want to save for a home of our very own

5. because we don't really know how to purge without moving

6. because our neighbor is in charge of ALL the trees ( trust me this story you want to hear)

7. because we listened to our children.. who LONG for our previous home

(which they affectionately refer to as 2A)

8. because we have developed this little program to test our moving capabilities

We will one day grace the pages of the

Guinness Book of World Records

(we will remember all of you once we are a big famous speedy moving family..promise)

9. because of the current economic woes we feel the time is at hand to not only have

food storage but more savings

10. because we had signed the new lease before we remembered Angelo already became a citizen ....so immigration is no longer looking for him (now that I think of it maybe they never were....huh)

11. because we heard that the 13th move is the most fun & just couldn't wait, isn't #13 lucky

12. because we always move when it is time to clean the carpet.....who doesn't

13. because after Michael Phelps won the gold medals Jaxson decided he would go into swimming (our new place has both indoor & outdoor pools) The minor problem is he just informed us we are not going to receive any money from him EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER no matter how much he has... unless we buy him a bionicle!

(we don't negotiate with the 4 terrorists that share our last name, so should he become famous I guess we are still on our own......even when we move)

above are a few answers you may receive if you should choose to ask us..........my favs are

#1 & #8 pick whichever makes you feel most comfortable or whichever makes you laugh the most!

a s h o r t visit

mi amiga, my sister from another mother, my pal, MY F R I E N D.......came for a visit well she and her fam were going to Alaska and they arranged a 5 hour layover in my city.

seeing this big guy in a bib
p r i c l e s s

kids n' bibs n' friends

the crab pot is definatley the place for 4 adults & 8 kids..yup

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

grossology....funny moday

A funny thing happened the other day..........

we the whole carvajal crew were doing what we do best....boys wrestling with the Mr. & Emme and I singing and playing with dolls.....then all of a sudden the Mr. yells gross while pointing to a gnarly boogy on Liams arm... Liam assures his grossed out fam that he will "take care of it"...then he proceeds to take the boogy off his arm and back to it's place of origin.......yup my son put the booger back up his nose while we all watched in HORROR.......in fact he put it so far up that when we were having him blow his nose moments later to retrieve the afore mentioned muci, it took a very long time....

your turn
your turn
your turn
your turn
your turn