Big News!

I drove past the house today...

So, I don't know if I posted about it, but there was this ugllllllly farm scene on the wallpaper boarder in the formal dining room, that's going to be our office/craft room. And guess what?? They took it down, and painted it white! YAY! No farm scene. I mean, I love Iowa, I love farms, I love corn. But that has no place in my dining room.

Moving

Why does nobody tell you just how HORRIBLE moving is. I mean, granted this move? Nothing like the great move of '08, where we packed up our Penske truck, and headed to the great unknown. Seriously, we picked out our townhouse on the internet, sight unseen.

But I think it's almost more of a hassle to move only 10 minutes away. I mean, I'm like eh why do I have to pack my clothes into a box? I'm just going to take them out in 24 hours anyway! I think I'm gonna be a little lazy with this move. We get the keys on Friday, so I think I'm going to pack up my car with random stuff, my clothes, boys clothes, maybe some of Barry's clothes and put them away stat. Then at least we'll have something to wear when our house is covered in boxes.

My plan of action for the new house?
Priority 1. Basement/Toy room.
Why the basement you may be asking yourself. Well to me? It makes the most logical choice. If my kids have a TV, DVD player, plus their infinite number of toys, then I think they might be less likely to drive me completely insane.

Priority 1.5 Kitchen. I mean, we need to eat.

Priority 2. My computer/office area. Because duh. I'm addicted.

Priority 3. The family room. We have until Sunday to get the Family room all organized, that's when the direct TV guy comes, or is it Dish? Anyhoo, you get the idea. Sunday between 12-4. Yay! TV. I am really, really quite distraught though. I've got almost the entire season 5 of Bones DVR'd on my Mediacom box. The box that I have to give back to Mediacom on Monday. Bye, Bye Booth! And Bones doesn't even start up again until April or something.

I'm not worried so much about the boys and their room. While I'm in Washington, we're going to order them bunkbeds, and Barry's going to put them together, and make their beds! We got the CUTEST bedding. When we get home, I want to paint their room the moon color, kind of a putty/liiiiight khaki color. And get a red area rug to cover the inevitable jewel toned carpet in their room.

In Washington, I'm going to work on transitioning Gabe into sleeping in a bed. There's not a crib upstairs anyway, and he'll be two (sob, sob) so I think it's about time to transition him. Plus, he's getting less and less happy in his crib. He doesn't climb out, yet. He does, however, climb in on occasion. I'm probably crazy, but what better time than the present! :)

And before I end this post, I've been told, a blog post is worthless without pictures.

So here are my crazy boys.


This was at the bouncy house place, Friday. They look thrilled, right?

Besty's Birthday

Today marks the day of my remarkable BFF Stacy's birthday!

Let's take a stroll down memory lane...will you stroll with me?

Stacy and I met in 6th grade. Luckily, for us, I don't have any pictures from 6th-8th grade.

Here we are in 9th grade.

From History Lesson

This was pretty typical behavior for us.

From History Lesson

This one is a doozie. This is the first time I sprained/injured my right ankle. I was chasing that there boy, and fell down those stairs. Stacy and Jeanette accompanied me to the ER. Fun times

From History Lesson

My baptism...

From History Lesson

Sr. Prom

From History Lesson

From History Lesson

Fast Forward. Year after graduation, so what 2003? Stacy and Tara, 2 of my BFFs were baptized.

From History Lesson

Stacy's Wedding

From History Lesson

I just want to say how thankful I am for Stacy. She's one of the smartest and most brilliant people I know. She takes the most amazing pictures, I want to soak up just 1/5 of her talent. Stacy has been there for me during ALL of the hard times in my life, as well as the good. She was with me when I was married, came to see both of my boys in the hospital after they were born. She was the first friend/family to come visit me in Iowa. I don't know how, or why I have been so blessed to have her in my life, but I have been! And I have a feeling, we're going to be BFF until forever! 6th grade until now...gosh I'm kind of scared to do the math. But I think it's like 14 years! We've been friends longer than we haven't!

Julian wants a baby sister!

And not for any real reason, aside from this


He wants a baby sister, so that he can be the doctor, with his baby brother. Ugh.

Wanna see my Valentines?

Ok so you've seen them before. Barry, Julian and Gabriel. Here's what I did to celebrate Valentine's Day for my special men.

Using my new Pampered Chef Batter Bowl (I have seriously wanted one of these for years. I even asked for it for Christmas, from everyone, but nobody took me seriously!) I made red pancakes


For my litter carnivore, Julian, sausage.


I have to put the same things on their plates, Julian and Gabriel, or else a fight ensues.

Red Pancakes...kinda freaky looking


Pink Daisy? Someone knows me VERY well! (My bouquet also had stargazer lily, my other favorite!)


The breakfast!
Pink Heart pancakes-Check
Heart Egg-Check
and sausage for the carnivores- Check!


I had a super Valentine's Day. We don't really celebrate Valentine's Day, because it's a super commercial holiday. I hate that florists charge double for roses, because they know that people will spend it. I hate special Valentine's Day menus and the crowds at restaurants. I'm a little scrooge-y when it comes to Cupid. I do however, quite enjoy, the pink, and red, and hearts that are so present during this holiday! I love pink, red, and hearts, and flowers. Oh, and chocolate.

The Gala...er sorta.

Here's a little playbook of our night last night.

Gabe's list of things to bring to Jackie's?
1. Blankie-Check
2. Puppy- Check
3. Bumblebee- Check



J and his dirt moustache's list of things to bring?
1. Blankie- Check
2. Patches- Check
3. The Fallen?- Check


Barry's ready for dinner! Just guess where we ate!



I'm getting better with the self portraits. The D90 is a LOT heavier than the D40 was. This one turned out pretty good


Here's where we went to dinner-


Just kidding. That's where the boys ate dinner





And here's where we ate dinner.


So. I tried to take a picture of my delicious dinner. I had the spicy sausage rigatoni. The little (he was seriously 14, max) busser came right as I'd busted out my camera, and he looked at me like I was a little crazy. But ZOMG. So. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Seriously. I ate it for breakfast. And I don't eat leftovers. Like, ever. Barry had the chicken and proscuitto (i know I spelled that one wrong...) and then we had the best desert. Chocolate. Creme'. Brulee. Seriously. They combined two of my favorite things. Creme Brulee, and chocolate. Oh man. So. Good. I think next time I'm getting a huge Centro Salad, it has some yummy goat cheese and walnuts, and red onions, and yummmmmy spinach and mixed greens. And a chocolate creme brulee for dinner. That with their focaccia bread? It'll be a full meal.

So I'm covering my sparkles, but they're there. I would like to thank my BFF Carly for the confidence to wear the red lipsitck. And for the how-to on my hair/makeup.



I'm already asking Barry what the next special occasion for Centro will be. So. Yummy! The gala itself was a little bit like an awkward American Idol audition. They had a live band, and the singer sang the most random songs. For instance....Fallin' by Alicia Keys...and Womanizer by my BFF Britney Spears. Random. I was happier when they had CDs playing. IT was fun though to see my friends, and hear some exciting news from one.

Just in case you were wondering

Team Peeta f'real.