When it rains, it pours. volume 12

Well it seems as if I write nearly the same post once a quarter or so.  It has happened again.  We have been blessed beyond measure.  If I don't laugh about it I will certainly break down and cry (but to tell the truth I'll probably do both).  Here's what we are looking at.

-finding a house in AZ (lots of rentals on the market, but most would be gone 24-48 hours after posting. making it extremely difficult even with several family members going to open houses for me. oh, but we did land a good one)
-figuring out how to start a business in AZ
-packing, packing, packing
-throw in a surgery (minor, but a big step back considering I can't lift for several weeks. oh, and I was down and drugged for a good 5 days too.  crazy to do right before we leave?  well, it was vital to my health, and with the uncertainty of insurance after we leave...totally necessary)
-while we are at it throw in 2 ER visits in the same week (making it impossible to ask friends for help)
-2 girls miserable with the croup and ear infection
-one other little girl a bit sad about leaving "her world"
-worrying if Lance will have enough clinic hours in to graduate (he will eventually, just will it be in time to move?)
-did I mention packing (while unpacking humidifiers and medicines numerous times)
-trying to say good bye and wrap up this chapter of our lives (enjoying/hating the last of everything)

Life is all up in the air and I feel as if we are barely surviving.  We seem to face trial after trial, without being able to take a breath in between.   I am trying to stay positive, although I do cry pretty much twelve times a day at the minimum, and I haven't had more than a 3 hour block of sleep for... days? weeks? I have faith we will be okay in the end, but it's getting there that is hard.

2 more days.  I can survive anything for 2 days, right?  I hope Lance can too!

p.s. prayers on our behalf are welcomed and encouraged at this point

Vintage Pearl Give-a-way

LOVE these necklaces...maybe someday i will win one!

http://thevintagepearl.blogspot.com/2010/11/chunky-love-and-layers-giveaway.html

Family Pictures 2010

Ok, ok, I know we get load of photography sessions.  But it really helps when you have a talented family member at your disposal.  These are the photographs NOT chosen for our Christmas card this year.  But I LOVED them ALL!  I really don't think there is a picture I didn't like!!  thank you kathy!

If you would like to schedule a session for your Christmas card go to her site HERE.

can't resist

Ummm, really, REALLY want to win this so I can get a christmas present this year!

http://nienie-reviews.blogspot.com/2010/11/tamron-lens-review.html

Halloween 2010

Kams aka "Tinkerbell"

Syd aka "little chick" 

(also take special note of the baby doll she is holding.  G'ma Crouse gave it to her for her birthday present only days before, not knowing this was her halloween costume and it was a PERFECT match.)

Gracie aka "Fairy Princess" (for preschool) and "Tigger" (for Trick-or-Treating)

We took the girls to the ward Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday night and then Trick-or-Treating Sunday.  We went to a cute little neighborhood that is quite popular for Halloween (probably because it's not in the ghetto and not too scary to walk around the neighborhood).  (Also where it says "popular" please read "CROWDED".)  The girls LOVED going door to door and getting treats.  Kami's favorite part was asking permission and petting all of the dogs she could find.  We have kind of had a Halloween tradition of letting the kids eat whatever candy they want for one night and then the candy disappears (sadly, most of it is thrown or given away).  We thought it was genius, and it had worked in the past to get rid of everything so it wasn't a temptation to them or us later.  3:00AM hit and Gracie was puking chocolate (Reese's PB cups if you want to know the gory details)--YUCK (I think it's going to be quite a while before she or I can eat one of those again).  Luckily we had made it to the bathroom, although not to the toilet.  We are good parents, I tell you.  Poor Lance always ends up getting puked all over, and so then I always end up cleaning up the mess while trying to breathe through my mouth.  Good thing I love them!!  

First Day of Preschool (Round 2)

We have a girl so proud to be in the Kinder-bound class at preschool.  She LOVES going to preschool, but it wears her out.  We are lucky to be able to attend the same program as last year, as she will only be in attendance for six weeks before we move.

Sydney turns 1!

Sydney, Jack, and Ronin all turned 1 within a few weeks of each other. It seems like last week that we (Carly, Kinsey, and I) were all pregnant and delivering those babies! We decided it would be "easier" to have a combined birthday party so we could save on cost and time. Let's just say nothing is "easy" when I am involved! We added so many details, which by the way were super cute, that took a lot of time. But the plus side being we got to spend many evenings together (big plus, I LOVE these friends), and the party was a so much fun.

Seems like the theme for the moms was how many blog tutorials can you put into one party? Like those poms hanging ? I almost killed myself getting them up there. Ok, I didn't but it was a bit scary teetering on a small table.

Love the cupcake tower carly made? uber-cute!

quite simple decor overall

We had a lot of fun making the banners. I have made so many now that i am a pro!

Birthday babies on their thrones

my little princess

Jack tore his cake apart, well really he just enjoyed every bite!

proof i was there.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR BABIES!

and thanks to Carly and Kins for a great time!