RazNoggle

I’m listening to Jungle Jam with Qade. ha ha ha! It’s funny. Luckily for us my sis-in-law Joy said they have several more disks of Jungle Jam stories! Whew! We’re in serious danger of having these ones memorized. Strangely though there is one song, (a nice melodic lullaby like song) that Qade thinks is “scary” at night. He’ll scream and cry while that song is playing. So I need to make sure that particular one doesn’t end up on the bed-time play list. Weird.

We’re guarding our internet bandwidth jealously. So I’m not on FB much again. It’s outrageous what they charge you for just a bit of internet. If you have a smart phone you should check your bill. You’ll be plenty surprised that you’re probably paying $30 or more for just a few gigs of internet. And they’ll tack on significant fees for going over as well. Since our options out here (a mile from nowhere) are nil we went with a Verizon wireless card, but we still have to be very careful not to go over our “limit.” *sigh* Whatever happened to unlimited internet??? Oh well. I’m happy that I can update my blog and check FB now and then. It’s really no big deal since I’m spending less time in front of the computer anyway.

It’s been raining recently in a Monsoon like pattern which is nice. It’s been SO dry out here the bushes are chasing the dogs around! Seriously! But the past few days it has rained in the late afternoon/evening, and that cools things down nicely! Not that I’m complaining about the heat, mind you!! I feel like I’ve only recently thawed out so it’s welcome to be warm for awhile. I was sorting the lad’s winter clothing this week, and just looking at the long sleeves and sweaters made me feel cold! Ha ha ha!! We should move to somewhere tropical…. if it wasn’t for the bugs I might be tempted!

My camera is in the shop, and I miss it badly!!! Apparently something “major” has to be replaced on it. Their service orders are so unhelpfully descriptive. So I have to approved that repair online tomorrow. There’s a wedding coming up that I’m really going to need the camera for, so I hope it can be a quick fix. I was also hopeful that the warranty would still cover it, but apparently Nikon lenses have a 5 yr warranty but the camera body’s only have a 1 yr. So no luck there. I should be happy that it’s only so much after 3 yrs of pretty strenuous use, but I’d rather not have to sink money into it right now since I really want to save for an upgraded camera. Oh well. Stuart has several “entry” level DSLR cameras for his class at school and he brought one home. Yesterday I tried to take some photos with it, and could NOT figure that thing out to save my life!! How in the world do you shoot Manual on a D3100?? I couldn’t figure it out at all, and was really shocked when the flash just pops up all by itself. Ha! Who would have thought that an automatic camera would be so difficult to use?! Anyway, Stuart will be using it as my second shooter for the wedding. I wouldn’t trust myself with that one in any way! I hope my baby comes home soon! *sniff*

Anyway, I’m off to enjoy another Summer day! Toodle-oo!

Somehow this post never got posted. So here’s our camping trip in a nutshell.

I am happy to say that our first family tent camping experience was a success!! I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I went into it with some fear and trepidation as I was sure that none of us would sleep and that it would be more miserable than not. But I underestimated my kiddos and they did so well!

We went with Stuart’s family and it was fun to hang out in the woods/mountains together. The boys had a blast playing with their cuz Aiden, and it was interesting to listen to all their little made-up adventures. Myles got the biggest kick out of putting gravel and dirt in his shorts till they could hold no more and then standing up to have it all come pouring down his legs. Yeah… he was filthy!

Ella did phenomenally well! She had her little pack-n-play bed and didn’t mind taking her naps in the tent one bit. She LOVED watching the 3 dogs who came along on the trip as well, and now says “Doh” repeatedly if you say something to her about a “dog.” She had her own personal little play tent to roll around in courtesy of Auntie Tiff and Uncle Curtis.

The first night Myles kept squirming out of his blankets and waking up cold, but that was the only challenge. Ella had a little “suit” to wear thanks to her Auntie, and it had a hood on top and feet to keep her nice and toasty. She slept like a rock so it must have worked. Qade slept very well also, though I don’t know how he could not with as hard as he was playing all day! I will say that I do prefer my bed to any kind of sleeping on the ground, but the little air beds that we had worked really well. I was only slightly sore. Okay, I’ll admit it, I’m a wimp!

I think that 2 nights is about the max that I can do the whole camping thing right now. Stu said he was ready for 2 more nights!! Even though I had a great time, and the kids all had a great time, and even Ella had dirt under her nails, I was very ready to pack it all up and head back to a shower after 2 nights. We’ll work our way in slowly to more, but now I’m not dreading it so much since I know it can be a ton of fun!

Today was the doctor visits for our oldest lad and our little lass. I hate the “well-visits” because typically they involve shots. Shots make me sad. I think they bother me ever so much more than they ever bother the kids. BUT all things considered I’d rather go through the immunization process than face debilitating diseases.

Anyway, we missed Ella’s 6 month visit which the doctor asked about because she said, “That’s not like you.” Ha! I told her the truth, that it fell right in the middle of senior portrait season and since I’m a photographer (I’m trying to get used to saying that) it was impossible to bring her in. They put all this weight and importance on these visits every 3 months, but if there’s something I’ve learned since having 3 kids it’s that mommy instincts are usually more “right on” than doctor advice, and while it’s nice to see where they ‘line up’ on the lists, it’s no big deal if they are ahead or behind a bit on certain milestones. Anyway, Ella is in the 90% for her height at 29 inches, and I didn’t see what she was on her weight, but she weighs in at 18 lbs 11 oz. She’s a tall skinny gal for sure.

I also didn’t see Qade’s percentiles, they don’t offer that info and I’ve stopped asking because of the stink eye the nurses gave me when I’d ask before….. just curious, really! But he weighs 34.5 lbs and is 40in tall. He’s also a skinny shorty, but I’m sure he’ll be just as tall as he needs to be. I feed my kids as much as they’ll eat, and more actually because sometimes I insist that they clean their plates, so I know they aren’t starving. Stu and I were both string-beany kids, and I imagine they have fast metabolisms. Not worried at all, and in fact am rather relieved that they don’t already suffer from the childhood obesity that I see so often in the small children of this area. Breaks your heart really.

They both had to have 3 shots today. Qade went first because I kept telling him that he was going to have to be a brave boy, and I didn’t wan him to see Ella’s reaction before his turn. He did well, but by the 3rd poke he did start to cry. Then it was done, he earned his tootsie-pop by being SO brave, and he was fine. Stu was with me in the doc’s office today, I determined NEVER to try to take more than one child by myself ever again! Ugh! So that was a huge help, but he told me ahead of time that I would have to hold Ella when her shots came up. He doesn’t like for anyone to hurt his sweetie-pie so I understood. My mommy’s heart doesn’t like it either, but I’d rather be able to hold them and comfort right away, so it was okay.

After all the doctor drama was over we met up with Grandma Noggle, who was hanging out with Myles, and then she took Ella home while we took the boys to see Cars 2. Since they are HUGE Cars fans we figured it would be the perfect outing for them. We were right! I had seen some stuff on FB about other mom’s opinions of the movie and was a little unsure of if I’d like it or like them watching it, but it was really fine. 007 cars style would sum it up pretty well. I’d have to say that the Harry Potter preview that came before was MUCH more disturbing to me, and we tried to keep the kids’ attention away from it with popcorn. Good grief!

We watched in 3D and the boys each had their own little glasses! Ha! I so wish I could have taken a picture of them sitting on the edge of their seats (literally) with those glasses on their face! I thought for sure that Myles at least would be taking his off, he’s not one for sunglasses even, but I guess the movie actually distracted him from the fact that there was something on his face.

It was fun to have that time with the lads. Qade was really sore after the movie from his shots and probably his legs dangling off that chair. But some lunch from Wendy’s and a frosty later and he was good. I was a sucker and picked up one of the “new” character cars for each of the boys. Qade keeps asking me what their names are. They aren’t as familiar as “Lightning McQueen” but they will be, I’m sure. Ha ha!

So it was a good day over all. I’m hoping that the kids will sleep well tonight and the shots won’t make them too miserable tomorrow. It’s usually the day after shots when my kiddos don’t do so hot. Good thing we have Tylenol and Motrin at our fingertips.

Toodle-oo

Ahhhhh, Colorado! (HUGE SIGH)

We went back to Southern CO. for our 4th weekend to spend with Stu’s family. Wow! Just driving in is amazing! The Mountains on the north western side of the state are amazing, but I just have to say that this section of CO is my favorite. We drove through Durango… well, just skipped it, but that area, and from then on it just got more and more beautiful!!

It’s been so dry everywhere, and here is no exception, but to our desert parched eyes, it looked like a lush oasis! The mountains are magnificent but even the valley farmlands are amazing! As we drove through, Qade would pipe up from time to time, “Mom, I saw a pretty tree, did you see it?” or “I saw a waterfall!! I saw three ones!” And at the top of the pass, “There’s SNOW on those hills!! May I go touch the snow?” ha ha ha!! Our little lad loves CO too and he has only spent very small bits of time here.

It really is like a cool refreshing drink to come back up here and breath the mountain air, and see the rivers, that actually have water in them, imagine! See the mountains with the snow, and all the green growing things!

My photographer side was thinking things like, “Oh that would be such a great backdrop.” and “Look at those amazing flowers, that would be the perfect spot for a photo of Ella!” and “That green field would be awesome with a chair in the middle” and “Wow, what an awesome old barn! Wouldn’t that look great in a Senior portrait?” Ha ha ha!

I’m trying not to be too jealous of all this amazing scenery in this place. I know we have awesome stuff around us as well. Colorado colors are more to my taste, but AZ is beautiful too. Gotta grow where you’re planted, even if you don’t get enough water. Ha ha ha!

So anyway, it’s been fun to be in Colorado. I’m writing this before our amazing camping adventure which is about to begin, so be prepared for that one. I can make no promises at this point what “tone” that post will be in. Ha ha ha!

Ha! I bet you have been waiting for this! I know I’ve been talking incessantly about the conference, but it really was a great time. I’ve come to the firm conclusion that getting away for a few days by myself for some me time or me related activities is something that I NEED! I’m going to make a very strong effort to have that happen once a year from here on out. Not necessarily that I’ll go to a conference every year, but that I will get away alone, and recharge. It was great to come home after the conference and just have renewed energy for my daily life activities which before had been growing very monotonous. Good stuff!

So the kitchen plan is in full swing. Our garage is full of drywall, cabinets and countertops! I’m not thrilled about the process, but I’m very excited to see how it all works together in the end. Now that I have seen the colors of the cabinet and counter I need to get some new paint! I love color and want to go a little more bold and bright in the kitchen. My first inspiration was the fresh color of cantaloup when I was chopping one up for dinner one afternoon. I just happened to find that EXACT color when I was meandering through the paint aisle last week. I haven’t sold Stuart on it yet, but I hadn’t seen the cabinets yet either. Now I need to put the swatch up to them and see if that’s even a possibility. I do have some other ideas so if I cant have a cantaloupy kitchen then I’ll have a different one I’ll like just as much. Ha!

Anyway, Our camping adventure is coming up. I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand I’m happy we’re doing it as camping is something that we’ve talked about always wanting to do with our family. On the other hand I cant help but think they might be a bit on the young side for this to all be fun and games, ha ha! Either way it’ll be memories in the making. I’m sure we can survive anything for 2 nights right?? Right?? Hello???

I have had to send my baby #4 in to the doc. In case you’re all holding your breath, that would be my camera! Ha ha ha!! I’ve been having issues with the auto-focus function on the camera. At first I thought it was my lens. The one I like to use the most for portraits doesn’t really have an option to manually focus, so it’s just about impossible to use w/o autofocus. I sent the lens in first, but it came back saying it was all good, and the problem was still obvious so that means, most likely, that it’s a camera issue. I hate to send it in. Mostly I hate to be without it. But I’m hoping that it will be something that can be taken care of easily. *sigh* In the meantime I still have my point and shoot, but it’s so hard to go back to using it. Ha!

So that’s about it for now. Stay tuned for more non-conference news.

So today began the chicks who click conference. This is my first conference of this kind, so I didn’t really know what to expect, but I am enjoying it. Social situations aren’t my most comfortable place to be…. okay…. they stress me out, how’s that for some truth. But honestly I am/do work on it regularly. I realize that it’s a weakness of mine and I make conscience effort to do better. And I believe that I am seeing progress, but it’s still not my favorite thing. But I’m more than willing to tackle an army of strangers to get some more tools in my photography belt. Oh yeah.

The first day didn’t start till late afternoon because it was registration and all of that. I did meet some other photogs and get to chat some about what makes them tick, and that’s fun! Since I’ve found it so difficult to find an actual mentor I have been finding them in other places like FB and such. That makes this a prime opportunity to really learn a lot and pick up some great inspiration as well.

Last night I met Tira of Tira J Young photography, and Jennifer Price of Focus Photographers. It was fun to get to chat with them, and swap cards. I for sure feel like the “greenie” of the bunch, though I know there are other newbie photogs there as well. I met a jolly gal from the Fort Worth area who I’m sure has NO issues getting people to smile as her’s just lights up the room. I also met Heather from AZ who does awesome work with babies and gave me some advice on some “must have” baby workshops.

So I’m soaking it all in… well, almost all. I avoid the “happy hour” free wine and such. Just the smell makes my stomach turn. Part of why I’m not much of a socialite I suppose. ??Still I’ve been very pleased with the gals I’ve met and haven’t felt the least bit snubbed, which was a bit of a concern considering some of the drama that goes on with photogs on line. Ha! The last session I went to last night was a lady who’s been doing photography for a long time, and is good!! She shoots film, still, and doesn’t know a thing about photoshop which I find absolutely awesome! It’s one of my major goals to be a “first capture” shooter, though I will probably always play with the levels a LEEEETILE bit. Anyway, she talked about a gallery show that she did and how she got all of that together. Stuart and I have already come up with a personal project of that kind that we would like to do, so it was neat to see it worked out with what she did.

Great times! I’m really looking forward to today and what they have planned. I’ll be skipping the evening “girl’s night out” gathering, but don’t worry, they’ll have more fun without me, and I’ll for sure be having more fun. I’m really excited about some of the break-out sessions that are coming up on Saturday. So I’ll keep you all informed.

Have a great weekend! Wait… it’ll be over when you read this. Hmmmmm… Hope you HAD a great weekend in that case. Toodles!

Qade’s favorite audio stories right now are Jungle Jam stories. We were introduced to these hilarious stories by my bro James and his wife Joy. They are stories with morals extracted from Bible verses. Somewhat like Veggie Tails, but not… better actually. They have quite a few memorable characters and it totally cracks me up that Qade will discuss the characters and quote the stories from time to time. Two of the characters are Carl and Olaff. Yesterday while the lads were washing the daily grime off in the tub I asked Qade what they had done outside. They had been playing in the wagon. He told me that they were in a “boat” and went to see Carl and Olaff. Then he informed me that it was, “just pretend” in case I was concerned that he was really sailing across the sea to Razzelflaven Island. LOL!! That boy’s mental processes are too quick for me to keep up with, but it keeps me humored as well. ??This morning at breakfast Qade asked, “Can we listen to the Whistling Frichetta’s” story. Ha!

Anyway, Jungle Jam is by Fancy Monkey Studio, so if you’re interested in them for your own small ones you can give that a try. I’m going to be looking at getting some more since the ones that we do have are practically memorized already anyway. I don’t know if they are still “around” or not, but its on my list of things to look up when I get to an internet spot.

Ya know, like cactus/cacti, only it’s status/stati. Ha ha ha!!! Okay, guess I’ve been on my own a little too much out here. Or maybe too much sun? Anyway, I thought it was funny! Here’s the stuff I would have said on FB if I had an internet connection.

I went sleeveless for a couple of days on my walk and now have a scathingly uncomfy sunburn on my shoulders. Stuart is convinced I’m going to get skin cancer. Guess I’ll wear sunscreen next time!

The oven is home!!! I think now that it’s working well and we are friends I may come up with a name for it. Any suggestions? Hmmm… was there an oven on “The Brave Little Toaster?”

Ella has figured out how to move via rolling. She finally “gets” the rolling back onto her back part though she leads with the head so it makes a startling “thud” every time she does it. Cracks her up though so it must not be as painful as I think I would find it.

Stu and I did INSANITY today. It’s fun to do the workouts together, but man those things are killer! We’re going to do them 2 or 3 times a week rather than the actual 6 that the program calls for. I think I can handle that much insanity.

I sent Qade outside after his shirt that he had taken off and when he came back in he had a worried look on his face and said that a noise up in the sky scared him. I asked him if it was a plane and he said no and tried to mimic the sound. Then he said, “Maybe it was God sewing.” It was all I could do not to burst into uncontrollable laughter!!! Oh my!

Need to do some shopping. I don’t think one really worn pair of carpis are going to last me through the summer, and I know it’ll be too hot for jeans.

We’re planning a tent camping trip. Yep, that’s right, 4 kids 4 and under and 6 adults. At least we outnumber the kids!

Swamp cooler is hooked up now. We held out for as long as we could, but it was time. Ahhhhhh…. Summer! I think I we should lobby that summer last from April to November. Any takers??

Glad I found the kind of shirts that help hide the jelly-belly because I begin to think that nothing but a tummy tuck will work on getting rid of it! *sigh*

Have been enjoying fruit smoothies lately! Glad I invested in a stick blender! Since there’s no Kiva Juice in a couple hundred miles of here, this works great! Plus I probably paid for my little blender in the first few smoothies considering what I’d be paying AT a KJ.

Despite the prevalence of LOTS of different poking plants and stickers, the lads refuse to keep their shoes on outside. I can see going all Tom Sawyer in the lush green grasses of the South, but here??

I read in a parenting magazine that it is now recommended that children ride rear-facing till the age of 2. My question is, where in the world do their feet go?

The Qade-man loves watermelon nearly as much as me (no one can really love it as MUCH as me) and he often says, “Don’t eat it all, Mom!” as if he’s never going to get his fair share. Ha!

Tonight was the first night in forever that bedtime went smoothly with the lads. I needed this!

Goodnight Moon!

Wow, I am SOOOOORE today from that INSANITY workout! Wouch!

Ella is getting good at sitting up these days. I still put the boppy around her for support, but she enjoys sitting up now.

Bread baking today. Gonna do a few loves so I can take them and share with friends and fam.

Got a kick out of watching Myles try to sort out the illustrations in a Shel Silverstein book! Ha ha!

My daughter’s favorite toys these days are her brother’s cars and tools. Uh-oh!

Pickles and Pistachios, great combination! You have GOT to try it! Really!

Wondering what to make for dinner. Yes, I had a menu and I’ve been recklessly ignoring it recently. Partly because of the oven problem and partly cause it’s summer and I just don’t want to cook.

I’m SO tempted to pull a Brittany Spears and just shave this mop off! Ugh! My hair has become such a thorn… just don’t want to have anything to do with it.

Read a couple of Kipling’s “Just So” stories to the lads this morning. They were totally over their head, of course, but we had fun anyway. Need to dust out my drama voices so I can do the “Elephant’s Child” properly!

Trying to wrestle 3 kids to get a decent portrait is not an easy thing…. especially when they are my OWN kids! We’ll see if any are salvageable. I can always try again when we go to CO, there are prettier backdrops there anyway!

Sounds like our kitchen is going to get a much needed make over. Stu is already planning to send me away during the process. Ha! Guess they don’t need a kitchenless female prowling around while they try to work. Ha ha ha!

There are about 14 million things that I could be/should be doing right this very minute, and I am ignoring them all!!!

I think an iced coffee is a must for this blustery summer afternoon.

Tis Monday. I’d do a “not me” but I can’t remember all the funnies to put into it this week. I’ve had too many headaches. Remember the ‘water’ headaches I mentioned? Well, I don’t think they are from water. I’ve had one nearly every day for hmmmm…. too long. I can’t think right now. I am however going to attempt to see a chiropractor soon and hopefully that will help.

Anyway, I miss having an oven. I didn’t really fully explain what happened with ours did I? Well, one day last week I thought I’d be oh-so-smart and do my baking in the evening. I don’t know why this seemed like such a good idea to me other than the fact that I hadn’t been able to get it done in the mornings or afternoons for some reason. Ha! So I set up the bread machine to do my dirty work for me around dinner time and I was going to pop the loaves in the oven a couple of hours later. Things went as planned except I kinda forgot about the loaves while they were rising so they got a little bigger than usual. Not a problem though. Nothing in this world was bound to save those loaves from the oven of doom!

Just about the time I was going to pop the loaves in, I heard Ella crying, “Mum-mum, Mum-mum!” It just wrings my heart when she cries my name. She’s been teething so has a harder time getting to sleep. So I put the oven on to pre-heat and asked Stu to stick the pans in in a couple of minutes. Ella calmed down quickly and I came back to watch more of “Miss Potter.” Have you seen that movie?! If not, you should. Really! And a few minutes more I started smelling “bread smell” only it went quickly to “burnt bread smell” which is not pleasant. I rushed to the oven and flicked the light on to find 4 very black loaves of bread in the oven. I turned it off as fast as can be and tried to pull them out without burning myself.

Meanwhile the house filled with smoke and the detectors started buzzing. Ugh! I turned on the fans and opened the windows trying to get some of the smoke and smell out of the house. I was also watching the oven waiting for it to go “off.” It’s a gas oven/range, and I’ve had a love/hate relationship with it since we’ve known each other. Cooking on gas hasn’t been something that I’d had a lot of experience with. So I kept my eyes on it, but it didn’t seem to be going off like usual. Eventually I mentioned it to Stu and as we both stood in the kitchen pondering the problem the kettle which had been on top in the middle, on a trivet, started to whistle. Uh-oh! That meant that the oven was REALLY hot!!! Stuart went outside and turned off the gas at the tank since we couldn’t figure out what else to do.

The next day Stu took the oven to get fixed. Unfortunately the ‘fix it” guy called back to say that “there was nothing wrong with it. It ran fine for him” which is not very comforting to me when something was very obviously wrong with it while it was here. Stuart insisted that there WAS something wrong with it and that they’d better check it again, so they did. The guy who had been on vacation came back to work at the place and whipped them into shape and they finally figured out what was going on and hopefully it’s now fixed.

Anyway, not having it has helped me realize how much I like to have an oven. Ha! I’m so spoiled, I know! We have plenty of means of cooking without it, but I’m picky about my bread loaves, don’t care for their shape out of the machine, and I like to be able to cook things on the stove top and bake in the oven. I used to think I would have loved to live as a pioneer, but now I know that I probably wouldn’t have been very good at it since it involved so much hard work! Ha ha ha!