the perfect....

thanksgiving.

at our house for the first time......

the PERFECT bird chef (and his assistant), cooking our first bird ...

anna picked the PERFECT place for a pre-dinner nap....
the PERFECT spread (prepared for over 6 hours....eaten in about 6 minutes!)....

i created the the PERFECT centerpiece...

justin found the PERFECT part of the bird for him...while my mum served him.anna discovered the PERFECT spot for her during dinner nap.....

my sister amanda made her PERFECTLY gorgeous (and yummy) blueberry pie....


my dad offered PERFECTLY wonderful headlocks...
the PERFECTLY GINORMOUS sink full of dishes is no more (thanks mum and aunt tanya)... my step-brother Aaron posed as the PERFECTLY stereo-typical teenager....


and to end a WONDERFULLY PERFECT day....the kids were locked in, ready to head over the river and through the woods (to their grandparents house of course.).....so mommy and daddy could.....
fall fast asleep, exhausted from the PERFECTLY EXHAUSTING (and wonderful) thanksgiving day!

to do

1.
read this
....for the first time.

like those who have gone before

with only a "little" help

2.
of course i'll fit in lots of "visiting" with dallin

and make sure to offer easy access to the cheerios, ricemilk and straws. 3.
oh...and i should take care of this too.

wish me luck.

i'm hanging on the bandwagon for dear life

for this:


not that i'm a twerd...

just a wannabe.


i'm just thankful for this newly greenified spot:


....and 75 degree weather in NOVEMBER!


now to decide what to bring for potluck...any bright ideas?

when a bloody nose is funny...

i always have a sticky note handy. when the funny words come flying out of Justin's mouth i want to be ready to catch them. today, i did.

while in time-out (an unfortunate frequent thing for Justin...his mommy is just picky about not being talked to in a meanie way) anyways, while Justin was in for it...

he was being "picky" in his very own way.

the yucky kind of picky. i didn't see it, but i made a few assumptions. when he called out in desperation for a band-aid, i ignored him. yup. i assumed it was the typical distraction tactic of a boy in time out or pathetic plea for early release. plus, i didn't hear any crying. i imagined a sad hangnail or paper cut or something of the sort. there he remained. eventually he was freed. it was then that i saw the reason for the desired band-aid. justin got his first bloody nose (which i am NOT going to note in his baby book...which is mostly blank anyways.) he had wanted a band-aid for his nose....but had since changed his mind about wanting a band-aid, which i can only assume.

i noted, "justin, you had a bloody nose. can you go to the bathroom and wash it off?

then, he replied in the most genuine tone,

"can i leave this until halloween?"

"why," i quizzed.

then, he expounded,

"because, I want to be a vampire for halloween!
then i could suck my own blood."

i hope not to have scarred him for life, but, i laughed. a lot. hard.

after taking his bi-monthly bath, his childhood dream was washed down the drain with the the dirty bathwater. but, now that he knows how to painlessly produce blood, this is probably NOT going to be the end of the yucky tale.

so, i thank justin for adding some enjoyment to my day. a day when i got to: dance with two of my lovely children, waste nap time on the computer, prepare food for all, listen to lovely music on KZION, read wonderful blogs, smooch Dallin's chubby body, read stories to little anna, feed the mom juice to dallin many times, mop the filthy floor, run numerous loads of laundry and stare out my sliding glass door and enjoy the NEW scenery....and i'm NOT talking about the rapidly reproducing fingerprints!


isn't life beautiful...
and wonderfully hillareous in a gross kind of way!?!?

(photography courtesy of Justin Morris.)

for the potrfolio (s)

just when i thought anna's sleeping abilities had reached their height....

she surpassed all of my expectations with this sleeping trick.

oh yeah....pay no attention to the 10lb diaper please....
i'm sure you would NEVER allow such a thing to happen.

what cuddly concrete!

post-breakfast napping....it's what happens when you like waking up at 5:30 a.m.

i can't get enough of dallin's little smirks an occasional full on grins. he has been grinning for 2 or three weeks but not often enough to get a picture....until yesterday.
If only i had a picture of me holding my large camera next to my head...which is probably what he actually thinks is funny!

Through the Lens of a 4 year old...
I guess Justin wanted create his own portfolio too.
I just thank the heavens for digital cameras!

firsts.

dallin had his very first "solid food."
homemade, whole wheat, organic pie crust with ground flax seeds.

he gives his compliments to the chef.



anna created her first (and hopefully last) monotone wall mural.
it's title - "baby"
she did NOT earn a blue ribbon...just a job as a housekeeper.

on a positive note, i was ecstatic that she happened to find "crayola" and not "sharpie" like justin, her predecessor did as a 2 yr. old.
i have renewed love of semi-gloss paint.


justin successfully accomplished his first ice cream purchase from the pedro, the neighborhood ice cream man after several unsuccessful, teary-eyed attempts.

however, it was NOT his first time wasting his allowance money .
when did twin pops start costing a dollar?!?

i'm just glad he willingly shared his spoils with anna.

arrrr halloween voyage.

me thinks that i love arr little family.
we got lots o loot and had fun wearing our peasant pirtate costumes...
here arrr some pictures for ya of arrrr halloween highlights from the the trunk r treat halloween night.

the highlights

the long awaited day when justin could eat all of the candy he wanted FINALLY came...and is now gone...and so is most of the candy. thank goodness.

i met sarah pallin (at my dad's ward trunk 'R' treat of course.) i was delighted.

justin got to wield a sword (until it was confescated of course.)

anna just walked around amazed at all of the interesting costumes trying to define reality.

i saw my first virtual digital halloween decoration display. i just laughed.

patrick was a good sport...letting me rip up one of his older church shirts and all. i just think he looks cute with such a long mustach.

dallin did what he does best. sat there and looked cute.

it was an eventful week and we had lots of fun, ...i'm just glad it comes only once a year. whew.

Rebel Mother

This notice was just a suggestion, right?

Not intended to hold children....but it does dang good job.

Too bad the seat belt is only velcro.

Kid tested, mother approved

My excuse.

My Camera is HOLDING MY PICTURES HOSTAGE....

.....but only until I find that dang USB cord which has been MIA fo a month.

Too bad the missing cord is an indicator of the lack of organization around here.

So, in my camera, the cute pictures I would be sharing right now remain until further notice.

As a result...not much blogging been going on around her....which is not a really bad thing sadly enough. I've actually been getting a lot done...which is a good thing.

*this post became irrelevant when my brain (which obviously isn't running at full strength) remembered i could even post pictures from the past. however, i would still like to find the aforementioned cord.

I had an hour all to myself to do WHATEVER i wanted to.

i had it.

but it's gone now.

forever.

it was sucked into the computer, never to return.

i don't even know which direction it went in.


if it does return, i'll let you all know.

well, to you all who just might understand what i'm talking about, have a lovely fall night.:0)

and oh yea....hold on to your time (what's left of it at least.)

i did something hard today....

i was thinking.

well, at least Ralph said it was hard. i just think it was fun.

"What is the hardest thing in the world? To think."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have been thinking about the power of our thoughts/how we think about things and what we can create in our lives. Basically,
I have been thinking about thoughts.

This is mainly regarding to the power of our thoughts to create satisfying and wonderful circumstance. I can't remeber the exact quote but it basically said, You can't always change your circumstances, just the way you think about them. I've been trying this lately and have LOVED the results...less drugery, more pleasant feelings about daily things like laundry, changing diapers, mounds of dirty dishes and waking up at 6a.m. to workout. Just for fun I thought I would record what has been going on in my brain.

I just wish I had a thinking chair like Steve and could project my thoughts above my head.

From this point on I share nothing deep here, just a random sampling of what I thought about today. I present to you: thoughts from me, mom of 3, having a regular day...full of RANDOM thoughts.

My random thoughts:
9:30 Will this be interesting to anyone but me? Well, at least sometime in the future I'll enjoy knowing what was going on today in my mind today.

10:30 I just finished nursing and hugging Dallin. I just wish I could preserve the smell of Dallin's milk breath in a jar to smell later when I really miss it. I just love to constantly smell his warm little breath. wierd, i know. :)

I LOVE Ether chapter 4 (which is what I read today) and think Moroni is a stud!

I got a calling last week in our newly formed ward as primary secretary in my ward...I already enjoy it probably because I really love creating documents and routines... and I love the kids too.

2:30 I just got back from a 2 hour primary presidency meeting and I'm thinking about the many documents I need to create and modify before Sunday...and I need to create the roles...I also think I need to wear more comfortable shoes to church on Sunday. I had no Idea all of the running around that would be required. I see visions of white sneakers, socks over nylons and a knee length skirt. I'm not serious...but it sure sounds comfy.

I was just realizing that Dallin is wearing the pj's I put on him Sunday night. That's probably gross to you. I'm just amazed that his diaper hasn't leaked in 2 full days.

I'm wondering whether or not I should buy that kids kitchen set at the Pickled Peppers consignment sale. (Which I LOVE to frequent when they have their bi-annual sale...and I LOVE the location. )Its a cute wood one, the type they use in a preschool for only 60 bucks. If I do, I should sell some stuff to clear out space and earn the money to justify the purchase...

I wonder what else I can sell and how much to charge for several things I've already gathered to sell. I can just hear it now..."mommy, why are you taking all of my toys to that big garage sale!?!?.

3:45 How much longer Dallin will be sleeping...he's been asleep for an hour.

I marvel at the fact that mopping the floor was 1st on my to-do list and it still hasn't gotten done...yet.

I'm wondering what I am going to make for dinner....something with rice since it's already cooked. Maybe stir fry...again. I really wish I had some salmon to cook for tonight.

Weather or not I'll give our parents calendars w/ my kids on them for Christmas this year.

3:55 I was thinking how the back door is wide open! That means that Fall weather has finally blown in! I'm so excited. I think I am even ready to put out fall decorations.

I'm wondering when I'm going to get around to organizing the office...that's been on my to do list for months.

Where I'm going to get my hair cut next. I wish I had a regular hair lady!

I wonder when I'm going to finish handing out the thank you notes from my baby shower from a month ago1!?! (sorry to all you out there.)

4:00 Should I pick Anna up or feed her since she is tapping and clawing at my leg and saying deet (eat) in her saddest voice?

O.K., she's crying on my leg now I guess I'd better ....wait, she gave up, walked away, got a stool and has found a kiwi. I wonder how that will go. yum.:0} One bite out of the kiwi. She just brought me a bag of pitas instead. Smart girl.

I just remembered that I need to change over the laundry from this morning. I thought I was going to run laundry all day. Oops.

4:20 How I need to get off of the computer and start on dinner, use the restroom, mop the floor, change the laundry over, price my stuff and turn off t.v. I looked over at Justin who is completely absorbed in Arthur. I'm thankful it has occupied him for 20 minutes so far.

10:00 p.m Final thoughts: I'm just so happy I get to go to bed...and do it all over again tomorrow. Oh...and I think it's wonderful how Patrick just changed over the laundry from this morning without me even asking...I thought I was going to get to that. I guess not. Oh well.

I leave you with a thought from dear Buddha.
“What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow: Our life is the creation of our mind.” Buddha.

So...what's been on your mind lately???

by the way, i did get the fun kitchen set. i have the perfect spot for it and am excited to set it up.

these are a few of my favorite things....

i just thought i'd share some things i'm enjoying lately....
to get the full effect of this click here to insert sound of music song mentioning doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles.

now, sit back, relax and....

imagine me prancing around the
nursery with my children
in matching nightgowns....
or not...that would be way too much.

1.

1. i just adore sleep grins. i'm still working on getting a full fledged sleep grin in a picture, but they are soo quick that i usually miss the great ones. this is the best i've gotten so far. i have one thing to say....these are NOT grins he makes when passing gas. i'm convinced that he's just having great dream. i can just imagine him having wonderful dreams of wonderful things like mom's juice, westling with justin someday, getting dressed up by anna in girl clothes and hevenly father. what a nice little face from the little guy that usually stares at me as if i am an alien.

2.

2.dang, PATRICK sure is cute! one of my favorite things is seeing a man...my man....wearing a sling. this is the 1st of our children he has carried in a sling and i sure do love it...and so does dallin. they just look so cute together. i also enjoy patrick's face with a hint of extra cheeze.

3.

3.i love how much justin LOVES dallin. he can't get enough of him. he just repeats over and over, "mom, his is just soooo cute." then he gives him a really tight squeeze and a kiss...or 10, but who's counting.

4.

4. i have a strange love for buckets. this cute mop bucket that rings out my dirty mop is handy and great to have around, even if it doesn't get used as often as it should. why is a mop bucket one of my favorite things? the floors in my house are entirely hardwood. nuff said.

5.

5. i think the perfect hair swirl on the back of dallin's cute little head is perfectly YUMMY. it must be in the genes. justin has it too. so cute.

6.

6. at times, i cant get enough of whole foods...no, people, i've not gone crazy throwing my money around, i like whole foods only under VERY special circumstances: when they are closing the store and selling off inventory at rediculously cheep prices. and just because they knew that i couldn't stay away when there would be more stuff i hadn't seen yet , they put new stuff on clearance every day. i'm sorry to say that i went there 10 times in a two week period. i paid 1.99 for a lg. bottle of delicious olive oil...then i bought 12 more just like it and called it food storage. i just couldn't pass up that 50# bag of sea salt for 10.99 either...it's name: food storage.

7.

7.the GOPHER is my true friend!!! i have never had such a fondness for a tool in my entire life. if you've ever been pregnant or have conastantly carried a baby around, while helping pick up after 2 young children you can imagine why i would love gophie so. i love his suction cups, sturdy construction and fancy trigger lock. i'm just lazy enough that even when the kids are grown and gone, he'll still be my friend.

8.

8. i just laughed when i saw anna's "rain" dance as she pranced around her puddle on the floor.
(and i'm not talking about the kind that falls from the sky).....

i also love that i have hard floors cause it's rains in our house more than is does outside ever since anna discovered that she REALLY enjoys that free feeling and has learned to take her clothing and nappy off.

9.

9. you may find this hare to believe, but: i LOVE laundry (hold on while i paste a VERY fake happy grin on my face.) come on, repeat with me...."I LOVE LAUNDRY." "I LOVE LAUNDRY." "I LOVE LAUNDRY." until this afternoon I did NOT love laundry. but i do now.

laundry is a crazy thing to love, but I've decided i've got no other choice. for as long as i can remember, at the very thought of doing laundry i would simply repeat the folllowing mantra in my head and from my tired lips:
"once i gave up all hope (of EVER keeping the laundry done on a regular basis) i felt much better." the only problem is that no matter how many times i would repeat this, i never felt better. i would just think, i hate laundry, then wait until it got so bad that our family would get together, put on a movie and have a LAUNDRY PARTY! yes. it was incredibly fun, right!? whenever justin hears that we'll be watching a movie he begs, "can we NOT have a laundry party while we watch a movie?" poor child.

the picture i posted i took 3 weeks ago. at that point i had had it and spent all day sorting, folding it and putting it all away. now, today, it is just as bad. but now i am NOT going to dread doing it because....
I LOVE LAUNDRY. yes, yes i do. i can love such a neverending monotanous task. last week when i went to TIME OUT for women, Virginia Hinkley Pearce , mother of 6, said something i needed to hear about housekeeping. she shared. "there are no insignifigant tasks, no matter how small." thanks virginia, i needed that.

i think she was even talking about my laundry, even if it's not exactly a small task.

the other day, my friend alissa wrote a post about how she LOVES ironing. so, if alissa can LOVE ironing, julie can LOVE laundry.
hopefully this is true love...but only time will tell.

I SIMPLY REMEMBER MY FAVORITE THINGS....AND THEN I DON'T FEEEEL SOOOOOOO BAD!