Problem

I have a problem ... I like food! 

I know, everyone does, but my problem keeps me from actually cooking all those oh so great recipes for fear that I will eat the ENTIRE dish.  So how do you make good food, but not eat it all?

See my dilemma?

 

Can't Help Myself

Just a quick blip... cause I just can't help it! 

 

I started trying to loose weight again last week.  It was a good week and in just 7 days I'm down over 5 lbs! 

 

Wahoo!!! 



Hail the Conquering Hero... Na Na Nu Na

My friends... do you remember that lumpy mattress that I was talking about?? You don't! Well let me remind you...

 

Well here it is!  Pretty ain't it?!  :) 

 

Brian and I took the plunge yesterday and attempted to FIX our own mattress.  That's right... you heard me... FIX it.  :)

 

So here are the pictures to tell the story.  Enjoy!

 



Brian preparing to climb INSIDE the mattress to spread out the padding.

Brian climbing inside.

Brian inside the mattress.

We ended up having to pull out the padding and open up the bottom as well.  We thought about leaving the padding out, but it just didn't feel as comfortable without it.

After struggling with the padding for a while, we decided we'd have to take apart the other side as well, leaving only the top attached.

Vwalla!  Padding nice and flat.  Now it's time to sew.

Brian was a stud and started sewing.  We got into a nice groove where I would thread a needle (it was a bit of a proccess since I just had regular thread and needed to triple thread the needle).  We had 3 needles threaded so that he didn't have to stop and wait.

One side down, time to work on the bottom.

Kayla sewing up a side, I wasn't doing as good as Brian.

DONE!!!  Yipee!! 

 

Perfectly flat bed, and though last night wasn't a great test of how nice it was to sleep on a non-lumpy bed (kids were sick and we were up most the night), I am so happy that we now have a good bed to sleep on again.  YEAH!!  We saved some money too since we didn't need to buy a new mattress.  It took us about 5 hours of solid work.  I'd say it was well worth it. 

Kenya Update

We've been on the potty training spree for a week now and Kenya is doing great!

 

The first morning was terrible and she wanted so badly to go back to diapers.  She had a few accidents and that was it, she was back on track and determined to win the battle.  She has been doing great ever since!  She's even sleeping through the night and staying dry!!!  I'm stoked!! 

 

The first night we tried to convince her to wear a special pull-up but all she wanted was her pretty undies, so we let her.  I was worried the whole night that I would wake up to her screaming and soaked.  Happily all my worry was for not, she did FANTASTIC!!  So now we basically have a wonderfully potty trained little girl who goes all on her own when she need to go (not telling me most of the time) and she's ready to start Preschool! 

 

Luckily I found such a preschool and she's signed up to start in just 2 weeks!  I can't believe that on 2 days a week for 2 hours each time she'll be in school!  Crazy!!

 

More Than You Can Take

I have felt like this summer has just been insane... one tumble after another... one challenge on top of another.  I've surprised myself with my endurance through it all. 

Yes, I have definitely grumbled at times... cried myself to sleep... spent sleepless nights praying that it all would just end, but what I didn't seem to be realizing was that I have it good in comparison to some. 

Then, last week something even more difficult presented itself and I thought I might break.  And then I heard this on the Christian Radio Station and felt the warm and protection I had been missing. 

God won't give me more than I can take,

He might let me bend,

But he won't let me break.

Though the situation was frightening and uncomfortable and I wasn't sure how it would play out, this simple song gave me hope that no matter what was happening, I would be able to handle it.  Don't forget it, it's what HE said!

(I've given up on regular radio, the kids and I... and even Brian (he got me into it)... are fully hooked on the beautiful music from the Christian Station, Air 1.  I just don't ever have to worry about what my kids are hearing.)

And Then There Was One...

... In Diapers!  Only ONE!!

You have no idea how long I've been waiting to say that!!  About 8 months ago I tried potty training Kenya and that blew up in my face.  She was in no way interested in it and I pushed to hard.  So she's 31/2 years old and still in diapers. 

The other day we dropped Ian off at school and Kenya announced that she wanted to go to school too.  I told her that only big girls who wear big girl panties were able to go to school.  She promptly told me that she was now a big girl and would wear big girl panties. 

I was a little skeptical and worried because of how this had played out before.  I also felt that I didn't have a whole lot of free time on my hands to help her because I've still got a whole house to unpack, but we went ahead and took the rest of her diapers away and put her in big girl panties. 

We're on our fourth day and though there has been a few mishaps, she's done amazing!  She refused to wear a pull up to bed the first night and I was worried, but she has been dry every morning.  I think I can finally say goodbye to her diapers. 

She's been a little challenging... more so than Ian was, but we're making it through.  On the second morning she wanted very much to go back to diapers... but a gentle push got her back on track. 

So here's to changing only one bum... not two.  :)

Kindergarten

All summer long Ian would ask me when he got to go to Kindergarten...and all summer long I told him, in a couple months.  Now it's happened.  I can't believe it, but my little boy is now in full day public school!  It's nerve racking and exciting and everything all at once. 

He's got a great teacher and loves school.  We've had a few minor problems, but things seem to be settling into a nice rhythm.  His first day of school was insane since our boxes and stuff had only been dropped off the day before he started, but we seemed to have made it through. 

Doesn't he look like such a happy school boy?  I kinda think so.  I'm kinda amazed that the kindergartners have all day school with the rest of the grades, but that's what the deal is here in SoCal.  I am liking the extra time I get with the other kids though. 



Lumpy

When the movers set our master bed up, we noticed something out of place.  Can you?



Yup, that's right, our bed has a tumor.  We've tried many a thing, but that tumor just won't go away.  Sadly it takes up almost the entire middle of the bed only leaving a slight bit of flat space on either side, so my legs usually end up dangling off the bed or above my head, neither of which are terribly great.  Don't worry, the insurance will take care of it, but for now, this is the way we sleep.  (Should I be worried about that much blood settling in my upper body and head at night?)  :P

Dreams Do Come True!

It always seems to me that there are some dreams that you dream and you know that they most likely won't come true, but you dream them anyways. This is always how it's been for my Baby Grand Piano dream. I've always wanted one, always known it was bound to be just a dream and was okay with that.

The day after we got the keys to our house we spent a the whole Saturday at our new home putting up blinds and curtains. We also had an HVAC guy come in and put 2 swamp coolers in our home (to try and reduce energy output and expense).  Brian had been a little sneaky all week, but I didn't think much of it because I was way too stressed about other things.

About mid afternoon the doorbell rang.  I answered and the guy told me he had a delivery for Kayla.  I was bit curious because I wasn't expecting a delivery.  When the 2 delivery men rolled in this beautiful Baby Grand Piano I was floored!  I was as giddy as a school girl and so excited that I had tears running down my face.  Brian had gone out on Craigslist and bought me a Baby Grand!  I couldn't believe it! 

So I'm here to tell you, Dreams REALLY do Come true!  

There's kinda a cool history behind this piano as well.  It was built in the 1930's, or so we believe due to the tuning sticker on it stamped 1931.  The gentleman Brian bought it from said he bought it from a Jewish Orchestra hall where it had been for a while.  He was also a concert pianist himself.

The piano is in wonderful shape and although it could use a simple wood refinish and tuning, it plays beautifully!  It's a gem.  Brian told me he set out to find a spinet piano and stumbled across this beauty!  He went to see it hoping that it was in as good a shape as the owner professed and he was please with what he found.  I'd say I'm a pretty lucky and loved woman! :) 

IN

It feels like I've been roaming around all summer long... not a place to really call home.  And although I have so many wonderful friends and family that are always so willing to let me and my kids stay with them, I was ready for my own home again. 

Well... (drum roll please)... we are finally IN our house!!  Yes, we spent the first 4 nights on the floor (so not comfortable, I can feel my age starting to creep up on me with every tiny bone that ached from the long nights of tossing and turning on the hard floor) but we were no longer dependant upon anyone but ourselves.  :)  Yippee! 

So, welcome to our new home.  Hopefully we'll be able to stay here at least a little while.  :)



Family Pictures

While we were in Utah my mom wanted new family pictures, so here are some of the good ones.  There were over 800 pictures taken and I loved so many of them, but I can't post them all here.  If you want to browse through them, just let me know and I'll send you a link to them.  Enjoy!



Trying to catch my breath...

... And not succeeding very well. 

So it's been a while since I've posted and things have been crazy.  I'll give you as much of any update as I can without driving you all nuts. :)

In June, while we were still in the hotel, Trey got sick with Hand, Foot & Mouth.  It's a viral infection and it was horrid.  The poor kid ended up with blister like sores all over his hands, feet and some around his mouth.  He wouldn't eat, wouldn't walk, and was very unhappy for almost 3 weeks. 



The picture is of Trey's feet when he first started getting the blisters.  They got much worse as time went on and it was sad. 

Because Trey had Hand, Foot & Mouth, we had to seclude ourselves in the room so the we didn't spread the infection to every kid in the hotel.  It was a long three weeks and though the kids handled it well they were ready to mutiny the ship by the end of it. 

The weekend before the 4th of July we moved out of the hotel and into Elena and Victor's house.  They were generous enough to let us use their house as our own while we were homeless.  We spent a lot of the week of the 4th with family and for Independence Day we had a blast.  Elena and Victor invited us to join them at a Real Salt Lake Soccer game and watch the fireworks afterwards.  Brian and I both love soccer so it was super enjoyable and they company was fabulous!  The game ended in a tie, which left us kinda disappointed, but the fireworks were probably one of the best shows I've ever seen.  It was awesome! 

Brian headed back to California and work on the 8th, leaving us in Utah.  We were very blessed to find some amazing people in the ward that allowed Brian to stay in their spare room.  I was sad to be separated from him again, but we hoped it wouldn't be long.

Before we left the hotel we did find a house, put in an offer and got the process going, but it's been a difficult ride.  The house is a flipped property and so the lender has to take extra precautions.  It's been a long and frustrating road, but we should be getting the keys to our house this Friday (August 3rd).

While in Utah the kids and I traveled back and forth from Elena's house in West Valley City (Salt Lake City area) to my parents house in Utah Valley.  The kids and I had Trey's 1st birthday party at Grandma and Grandpa King's house and though it wasn't as great as I'd have like it, my family made it fun.  Trey though wasn't really interested in the cake so I don't have any wonderful pictures of his face covered in cake.  :(

Trey playing with his new toys.

Towards the end of July my parents moved out of their house and the kids and I were able to be there to help and say goodbye.  It was kinda an emotional move for them and us.  It was nice to be around to see them through all of it. 

About a week ago the kids and I made our way down to Las Vegas.  In California you sign papers for your house, give them the money, and then 5 days later you get the keys.  Because of this I needed to be able to get to Cali for signing.  Las Vegas is only 4 hours away and we were suppose to sign on July 27th, but it got pushed back, so Brian came to Las Vegas to pick us up and bring us back to Cali.  On July 30th we finally signed papers for our house.  As of now we should be getting keys in 2 days.  YAY!!!  I'm so ready to be back in a home of our own. 

Ian's off to Kindergarten this year and I'm nervous.  I think I'm only really nervous about it because we aren't settled yet and I don't even have him registered.  School starts on the 9th of August (next Thursday) and I should be able to get him registered by Friday.  I hope that he'll move smoothly into school but I worry that because things have been so crazy with us lately that he'll have a hard time with another change.  Hopefully all will work smoothly. 

Well, that's been our crazy life lately.  Hope you enjoyed the read. :)