Random July

Our good friend, Damian, left his cute little cow in our basement [the place all toys to to get lost forever]. Luckily, we actually found it a few weeks later and sent a picture to him to let him know that we found it!

Easton lost his 4th tooth (upper middle left).  Here's his before picture.  This is a great candid smile - I love it.

Laughing boy.

And after daddy pulled it.

One night in July I went running outside and had a little pain in my left foot.  Then as I was finishing up (2+ miles later) I felt like my shoe was wet.  As it turned out, it wasn't wet, but bloody.  I'm sorry if this grosses people out, but the fact that I can run and then run and not know that I am bleeding seems like it needs to be documented.

Cute baby, passing time in the library.

Grandma and Grandpa Cali sent all the kids Minion shirts and money to go see the Minion movie.  We had a great time!

KaLee's Birthday

Another year! I had a pretty great day and was spoiled rotten.  I had lots of help opening my gifts (which I loved, but the kids always wonder why I am excited over "mom" gifts).

 Ron was on baby duty, so I lit my own candles.  Don't worry, I didn't also have to sing to myself. :)

32 years. Apparently the blessing of being in your 30s is that you can never remember how old you are.  I seriously have to do the math every time it comes up. I am one lucky gal with so much to be thankful for.

The hard stuff...

I love this little blog of mine.  I love that I can document my life with my kids and share it with friends and family.  I love that I am creating a family record in a way that my parents and grandparents didn't have available.  Stories with the pictures? Amazing.

Sometimes though, things happen in life that don't seem so "bloggable." Things that you want to remember and to have your posterity know about, but things that are hard to share.

It seems easier to just get them out. Quick. Like ripping off a band-aid.

In 2013, I had two miscarriages.

I didn't see it coming. At all.

I had three healthy, beautiful children that were the products of three normal, uneventful pregnancies. I knew many people who had miscarriages and struggled with how to convey my feelings of sorrow for them.  I also felt like none of them could really talk to me because I honestly had no idea what they were going through. And no matter how "open" we are as a society, miscarriages are one thing that is just hard to talk about.  Hard for the ones who have gone through it and hard for those that feel that they have nothing to contribute.

When I learned I was pregnant in May 2013, it was as if Heavenly Father wanted to give me a warning.  From the moment I found out, I had a feeling that the pregnancy wasn't going to last long. I was right.  A little over three weeks later, I miscarried. Even though I was prompted, I was not prepared for how it would feel.  How I would feel.  The weeks of crying myself to sleep and crazy hormones. The sorrow. The disappointment. I obviously talked a lot with Ron and I needed an empathetic, crying shoulder, so I talked to my sister as well. Other than that, I kept my mouth shut.  Overall (despite what you might think due to this blog), I'm fairly private about things that I consider, well, private.  A few months passed and the pain eased.

I was excited to find out I was pregnant again in September 2013. This time, I thought that everything would be fine.  I didn't have any of the promptings I did the first time and took that as a good sign. Surely, given my history, this pregnancy would be just fine. But, again four weeks later, I miscarried.  All of the feelings came flooding back, but seemed to be intensified.  I again leaned on Ron and my sister and a few weeks later shared with my mom and dad.  I'm so grateful for my faith in Jesus Christ, as that faith, my study of the scriptures and prayer helped me greatly as I worked through the emotions.

After the second miscarriage, my doctor started doing tests.  Apparently, it is pretty rare for someone to have three healthy pregnancies followed by two miscarriages.  She determined that my progesterone levels are very low naturally and wanted to put me on progesterone supplements as soon as I was pregnant again. It wasn't a proven fix, but it would hurt anything either.

So, in February 2014, I received exciting news again and immediately began taking progesterone supplements.  Whether the supplements were the reason or not, this pregnancy has progressed just as it should and we feel so blessed.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Greetings to all of our Family and Friends! [this letter has been slightly edited for internet reading]

Let’s get right to the point, shall we? Because I love a nice bullet point list, and I’m the one who makes all Christmas card decisions around here, we’re keeping this short and sweet.

·         Devynee (2) has perfected the temper tantrum (just ask any store clerk in Cheyenne).  She got glasses in January (she is far-sighted and cross-eyed, I’ll spare you the technical name) and wears them like a pro. Devynee tries to do everything her siblings do (with moderate success) and talks in full sentences.

·         Kendree (will be 4 in February) has more energy than anyone else you know (seriously). She loves to help and has an uncanny sense for when I am going to cook (she knows before even I know, it seems). Kendree loves her one day a week preschool and thrives on everything social. She is comfortable talking to kids and adults alike.

·         Easton (6) is a mighty kindergartener and loves every minute of his all-day school time. He is learning to read and I am realizing that my window of “spelling” is quickly closing. Easton continues to love all things sports (especially what is in season currently) and played t-ball and soccer this year.

·         I continue to chase kids around, work part-time for [insert employer here] and even picked up a new part-time gig handling social media and workshop preparation for [insert 2nd employer here].  If any of you have another part-time job I can do, let me know.  I have plenty of extra time on my hands. I am currently serving as the Young Womens Secretary and Beehive Advisor at church.

·         Ronnie seems to at least sleep here (we see evidence of such) but between doing lawyer-y things (that we would rather not hear about) and serving as the Bishop of our ward, the kids hear the phrase “Dad has a meeting” quite a bit. He did find the time to bag a 6-point elk this year, so all is well.

In summary (since I know a few of you skipped that middle part), the kids are getting bigger (shocker!) and we had a great year.  May the spirit of our Savior penetrate your homes and hearts. 

Love, the Just KaLee Family

My Birthday

I turned 31 this year! Crazy talk.  Good thing I don't feel nearly that old.  In actuality, I don't really care how old I am, as long as I am getting a good nights sleep. :)

I drove to Laramie and worked that day and then Ronnie brought home my favorite pizza for dinner and cheesecake for dessert.  Perfect end to the day.

The kids were excited for me to open up presents, but it is always funny to me how disappointed they seem when my presents aren't what they should be (toys, obviously).

A little video of the cake process.

Ron + KaLee

Recently, I was asked about the story of Ron and I.  I couldn't remember what I had documented on here, so I did a little digging.

You can read the very brief story here:  http://kaleeronnie.blogspot.com/2008/02/3-years.html

And more about our wedding day here: http://kaleeronnie.blogspot.com/2009/02/four-years-down-eternity-to-go.html

Then, about three years ago, I told the long version here: http://kaleeronnie.blogspot.com/2011/02/6-years.html

I went through my journals to see if there was any additional information worth sharing [Ron just informed me that no one cares about this, so you can stop reading now]. I did write in my journal every Sunday (roughly) from 9th grade all the way through college, so there is some good stuff in there.

Ron is mentioned in October of 2002 when I was dating his roommate.  We went on a double-date or two during that month, etc.

Then, he isn't mentioned again until the summer of 2003, when I flew to San Diego to visit my roommate Cheryl and we drove up to Huntington Beach, stayed at his house and went to a dance, the beach and other general fun.

Fast-forward a few months and he takes me out for my birthday dinner in 2003 and gives me a charm for my italian charm bracelet (it had a heart with the words "best friend" across it).  Everyone say it with me now, aaahhhhh......

For the next 9 months Ron is mentioned here and there with different group outings, or hanging out.  Then, there is a two week break in my journal writing and all of the sudden we are dating. :)

Basically, our relationship came down to guts.

Guts when I asked him if we could date in the summer of 2003 (let's remember he shut me down) and guts when he told me his feelings in the fall of 2004.

Ultimately, while we loved each other as friends, the truth of the matter is that we would not have been able to stay at that same level of friendship forever.  Eventually, if we didn't get together, one of us would have gotten a boyfriend/girlfriend and our relationship would have changed anyway.

Obviously, I'm glad it worked out the way it did and as I read my journal I can see that several other relationships didn't work out that for all intents and purposes, should have.  The Lord guides and directs us and allows us to make decisions.  If we listen to His promptings, we will be blessed.

Bad habits

We all have them. (well, at least I hope we do).

One prompt I saw for NaBloPoMo was to name the bad habit you would give up in an instant if you could do it without difficulty.

This was a no-brainer for me.

I would stop biting my nails.

It seems so easy, I've even gone months without doing it, but as time moves on I always, always come back to it.

I can give you excuses (a bored habit, my nails are super weak anyway, etc.) but the bottom line is that I do it and I'm not sure if that will ever change.

Any magic potions for this one? :)

Currently {November 2013 Edition}

Reading: North and South by Elisabeth Gaskell (have seen the movie countless times and never read the book.  Who AM I?)

Watching: Barbie in Swan Lake (well, Kendree is, which has allowed some work, some emails and a little blogging).

Procrastinating: Dinner. I will regret this at 4 p.m.

Wanting: To go back to Disneyland. Man, that place is magic.

Craving: Pumpkin pie, but only because I just read about it from my "currently" last November.

Wearing: Jeans and a v-neck tee. Also my moccasin slippers that I like to pretend are shoes. You would too if you had some.

Relieved by: The relative slowness of life lately.  Kendree is in ballet once a week and that is our only "sport" or activity currently.  Makes me want to always have it that way. Somehow I don't think that will fly with Ron and Easton.

Missing: All the family we just left in California. 

Stressing about: You know? I can't think of a single thing to be stressed about.  Do I have it good or what?

Addicted to: Hart of Dixie on Netflix. Also pedicures.

Dreading: Getting up off my chair to get some stuff done around the house.

Needing: A coat closet.  The coats drive me insane.  You can bet I will never forget to look for one in a house I purchase again.

Annoyed by: Inconsiderate people.  Nothing in particular necessarily, but when things like that do happen, I want to remind them that the world does not revolve around them.  But then perhaps I am being inconsiderate if I say something? 

Suffering from: Exhaustion.  I need a few days to recover from our family trip.  Midnight is not an hour I regularly see.

Feeling guilty about: Regular mommy guilt things, yada yada yada.

Tired of: My carpet. 

Thankful for: My life, my kids, my husband. 

Enjoying: A cold soda.  The power that little can holds is amazing. :)

Looking forward to: Getting back to a routine.

Hoping: To find ways to enjoy the holidays with my kiddos and keep it simple at the same time.

Loving: Sharpie markers. The labeling!

Books

I go through a cycle of "free-time" activities. For a while I read like a crazy person, then I may sew for a month or two, then make some cards, and start it all over again.

Recently, I've been reading. This is the easiest activity to do, as I don't have to drag out a sewing machine or stamping supplies.

A few of my recent (in the last year) favorites: [you can also find me on goodreads here. I'll let you go there for my reviews as well, but just know if I am posting it here, I loved it]

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Ruby Red Trilogy (reads like one long book) by Kerstin Gier

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

Princess Academy (re-read this one) and Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale

Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielson

Tuesdays at the Castle and Wednesdays in the Tower by Jessica Day George

Hopefully you can have a few distracted hours! :)

Why hello there!

After a two month hiatus, I am trying to get motivated to begin blogging again.  It honestly feels like I am starting over completely, but I cherish the pictures and stories I have recorded on this little blog of mine, so I know I need to get back to it.

Things are relatively the same around here.

Husband who is so busy we sometimes forget his name? Check.
Mama working, playing and driving like a crazy person? Check.
Cutest kiddos ever? Double Check.

We are enjoying our BACKYARD (since we finished on labor day weekend last year, this summer has been amazing.  We bought the cheapest swing set known to man, but the kids don't know the difference and Easton especially swings his little heart out.

Our neighbors are so gracious to put up with Easton's batting practice (he hits at least one ball into their yard daily, no matter what I do) and Easton just finished tee ball for the year.

Now we are enjoying our last week of swim lessons, weekly kid movies and lots of outdoor time.  Mom is in denial that she has a kid going to school in the fall and tried to block out the view of the school supply lists that are already out at Wal-mart.  ahhh!

Here's to getting this little thing going once again.

The time that turning 30 was no big deal

I feel like I am in the minority on this, but turning 30 had no effect on me whatsoever.  I'm another year older.   I am as beautiful, cool and amazing as always, except I've had an additional year to perfect myself even more. [ha]

Seriously though, 30 was not a crisis in anyway.  The gray hair I am finding consistently is a bit more alarming to me, if we are being honest. I'm sure that some of this is because I'm kinda where I imagined myself to be when I was a Beehive.  I'm married to a hott husband. I have three mostly fantastic children. I own a home. We make some money. You get the drift.

I realize I am incredibly blessed and I thank my Heavenly Father many times a day.

In case you are wondering, having a birthday on a Sunday in December when your husband is the Bishop and in the middle of tithing settlement is not the ideal situation. Keep that in mind for future reference. I'm sure it will be immensely helpful.

My wonderful parents offered to come over and cook me my birthday dinner since Ron doesn't normally get home from church until 7pm or later (this was when we had 1-4pm church, it is better now).  It turned out wonderfully and wonderfully delicious!

My mom made sure we all mourned the death of my youth appropriately...

 And the Cheesecake Factory cheesecake I purchased for myself at Sam's Club was as good as I hoped. :)

I had lots of help blowing out my 30 candles! It was determined that 30 may be the end of the "actual number of candles on your cake" as the smoke was pretty intense and we were concerned about sleeping Devynee getting awoken by the fire alarm!

I was as spoiled as one should be.  The biggest surprise being that Ronnie purchased a water softener for our house!  This may seem like the lamest gift ever, but I LOVE soft water.  Love what it does to help my dry skin and hair.  On the flip side, Ronnie hates soft water.  For this reason, I assumed I would never have soft water unless we purchased a home with a water softener already installed.  So, this gift was like the Gift of the Magi if you will.  Ronnie will suffer everyday so I can be happy. I'm convinced that he will grow to love it as well. :)

Funny

It's funny to me how much my outlook can change in the course of one day.

I went to bed last night feeling a little stressed.  My to-do list seems daunting. I haven't figured out what I am gifting to everyone for this holiday/birthday season not to mention the Christmas cards I have yet to make, etc.

Then, today I taught preschool which actually left me feeling pretty good (not that it leaves me feeling bad usually, just sometimes a little tired of preschool aged children).

I've had the opportunity to just "sit" a bit more than normal today as Devynee is feeling a little under the weather and lets me cuddle.  I even caught a 45 minute nap this afternoon (can't tell you the last time that happened).  Finally, I got to spend the entire evening with Ronnie (something that doesn't happen often in the month of December due to tithing settlements).

Life is looking pretty dang good.

And no, the length of my to-do list has not changed, just my perspective.

Ready, Set, Go!

Quick, someone just let you know that they will be at your house in 15 minutes.  You have had a "normal"day at home and haven't focused on making the house neat and tidy. What would you rush to do in those 15 minutes?

Me?

• Pick up toys on living room floor
• Put away clothes on couch (it seems that I ALWAYS have a load waiting to be put away there - and by put away, I really mean move the pile to my bed)
• Clean/straighten the part of the kitchen counter that is visible from the living room
• Straighten desk/top of piano (as this is my work station, it gets paper clutter throughout the day)
• Finally, if I still have some time left, I would do the dishes that I KNOW are in the sink.

Assumptions

As the ever dutiful wife, I like to think I know everything about Ronnie. 

That is not quite true, but over the years I have answered questions (all about food) from friends and relatives and gotten it wrong.

Let me give you a few examples.

• I had noticed that Ronnie preferred homemade strawberry jam to raspberry jam which I thought was crazy.  I asked him about it and he said that he doesn't like the raspberry because the seeds get stuck in his teeth and drive him crazy.  A few months later someone was asking me about a food with raspberries in it and I told them that Ronnie doesn't like raspberries.  He has since clarified that he hates the seeds in raspberries but loves raspberries themselves.  I'm still not sure when the seeds are worth it and when they aren't. :)
• Ronnie had refused eating a few mint truffles that I purchased.  He also does not like mint chocolate chip ice cream.  I assumed he didn't really like mint except for actual mints that you suck on.  Apparently I was wrong again (although between you and me, I still don't really know of a food with mint flavor that he does like).
• Again, I had noticed that Ronnie either turned down things with nuts in them, or made comments when I made things with nuts that they were good "except the nuts."  And once again I assumed that he didn't like nuts and expressed that to someone.  I have since learned that he does not like desserts with nuts in them, but loves nuts by themselves. 

Good thing we are in this marriage thing forever, because I still have a lot to learn!

10 things

I love:

• Sitting right next to a portable heater. I loooove that warmth.
• The smell of Simple Green cleaner. 
• Walking slowly all by myself. Funny how being alone is so valuable after a kid or two (or three).
• Blue Bell Pistachio Almond ice cream.  It is better even than the Baskin Robbins version.
• Amazon.com. If I had to choose a favorite online retailer, they would win hands down.
• Jergen's Original Scent (Cherry Almond) lotion.  The smell is the best.  I can't do "smelly" lotions on a regular basis, but this stuff is the perfect amount of "smell."
• Post-it notes. Preferably the super sticky kind if I have an unlimited post-it note budget.
• The look of a heavy frost over trees, grass, etc.  This should not be confused with a heavy frost on my car.
• Talking to/getting to know others.  Don't get me wrong, I hate doing the awkward getting to know you/breaking the ice part of that, but love getting to know about someone new.  Perhaps that is one of the reasons I love blogs so much.  You get to know thoughts of, peer into another person's life and don't have to do the awkward bit to get there.
• Sticker books.  I say that I am buying them for my kids, but since they two that can appreciate them both need "help" to place the stickers in the designated place, I get to help organize.  Plus, I know WAY more about all of the Avengers and their back stories than I ever thought possible.

I dislike/miss:

• Membership cards.  I should be able to shop at Safeway/King Soopers/Kmart and get the same deals whether or not I am a member or have a reward card.  Can't we all just be "membership" friends?  In all fairness, I do get the value from a marketing/research standpoint but that doesn't mean I enjoy digging a card out/entering a phone number when I shop.
• Speed dialing.  In the day of the flip phone I had all eight available numbers programmed with those I talked to most. 2=Ronnie, 3=Mom, 4=Dad, 5=House, 6=Erica and 7, 8 and 9 were a little more floating (current roommates, close friends, co-workers, etc.).  Now, my smart phone has a way for me to have favorites list and all of those people are listed, but it just doesn't give me the same satisfaction as flipping open my phone, pressing and holding the 3 and then chatting with my mom. 
• Alarms.  Well, specifically the alarm on my smart phone.  When I set it, it tells me down to the minute how long until that alarm will go off before I can exit the screen.  I know I am only going to get six hours of sleep. I don't need the phone to tell me that and make me uber-aware. This is sounding like I hate my smart phone, when in reality I love the little bugger.
• Packing and then unpacking. If there is anything that can suck the fun out of a vacation (or family trip) it is the packing and unpacking.  Especially as a mom.  The lists I have to make! The laundry I have to do! ugg.
• Pinterest. I know, I know. But my to-do list and life are busy enough without the outside influence of thousands of people telling me about other things that I should do or have to do. I have tried it and have an account, but I just can't do it.  I can't.
• Presidential debates. I know that they only have three shots to sway those that aren't going to go out of their way to study the candidates, etc. but there was nothing that happened in the debates that swayed me in any way.  They only agitate me.
• Changing a crib sheet. Why can't this be easier?
• The subject line of a Microsoft Outlook email. They are NOT spellchecked. What kind of world do we live in?  Can we not set up the automatic spell check in the subject line?  I have sent more emails than I care to admit where the subject line looks like this: "HEllo Friend!" Okay, so maybe not with that subject as I only use Outlook at work but still, you get the idea. I just want that lovely red line to draw my attention, that doesn't seem like too much to ask.
• Green screen scenes in television shows.  Not the sit-coms where you expect the cheapy stuff, but the action shows where they really want you to believe something and then give you crappy special effects.
• Junk mail. The trees killed. The money wasted. Enough said.

I'd love to hear 10 things about you!

Currently [November 2012]

As if we haven't learned enough about KaLee in the last two posts, I thought I would throw in one more.  Hey, this is my blog after all.

Reading: Nothing. I finished These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner yesterday.  I loved it.  It is a well known fact by those close to me that I love a good pioneer story.  Give me some Little House any day.

Watching: Teen Witch. Gotta love the cheesy 80s movies.  Anyone have the rap memorized?

Procrastinating: Putting away the rest of my folded clothes.  I just hate it.

Wanting: A lot, but considering I just bought some new boots, I suppose I can suppress the rest for a bit.

Craving: Pumpkin pie.  Luckily I have some in the fridge...

Wearing: Khakis and a teal v-neck shirt from Target.  Classic mom uniform if you ask me.

Relieved by: Kendree having got the whole "potty training" officially figured out. (knock on wood)

Missing: Downton Abbey

Stressing about: Everything I have to get done before Christmas.  I'm regretting not having my gifts at least "planned" by now.

Addicted to: Pretty much any Halloween candy. The small sizes, they are too convenient.

Dreading: The full blast of winter.  It's coming. I know it is.

Needing: A cleaning lady. I know I can do it myself but I just. don't. want. to.

Annoyed by: My lack of patience.  I start every day with the best intentions.  I actually think the days that I don't think about it as much go better.  I know I have a 4 year old, 2 year old and 11 month old.  I should just expect the chaos and chill a little bit.

Suffering from: Lack of crafting motivation.  That never happens to me.  I have chosen reading over crafting for the last week.  Crazy.

Feeling guilty about: My neglect of meal planning for the last 2-3 weeks (so long I don't even know).  It has to stop.

Tired of: Dirty floors (wonder who has the power to change that...)

Thankful for: Loving family and friends.  I seriously have it so good.

Enjoying: Any quality time with my husband that I can get.

Looking forward to: Thanksgiving.

Hoping: To get a handle on my to-do list.

Loving: November temperatures in the 60s.  Just remind me of this in April/May.

Perhaps I shouldn't compose these at the end of the day.  I feel that this came off on the tired and crabby side, when in actuality, things are pretty great.  Just leave with happy smiling faces on your mind, instead of my whining. :)

A day in the life... (numero dos)

A few months ago, I did a post outlining my days when I travel to Laramie to work.  I thought it was time to bring that back, but on a day that I stay in Cheyenne so you can see what my life is like (and I can remember in the future). 

6:30 a.m. Easton wakes up and turns on his room light.  This signals to Kendree that she can make noise, I guess, because she starts calling to me from her crib. I get Kendree out of her crib, Devynee out of her crib and meet Easton in the living room.  We just sit.
6:40 a.m. I decide to get moving.  I change Devynee's diaper and put her in her high chair.
6:43 a.m. I make breakfast for both Kendree and Devynee. 
6:51 a.m. Food in front of the girls, I get clothes for the girls and bring them out to the living room.  I ask Easton to get dressed.
6:55 a.m. Kendree wants more toast, which I make. I start feeding Devynee baby food.
7:15 a.m. Girls are clean and playing.  I jump in the shower.
7:40 a.m. I'm dressed and have make-up on.  I throw my hair up for now and go out to get the girls dressed.
7:52 a.m. I do Kendree's hair.
8:00 a.m. I get Easton's breakfast (he wasn't interested earlier).
8:05 a.m. I start the first of many loads of laundry I need to do today.
8:11 a.m. Gather everything for the day and put it in the diaper bag.  Check my recipe for pumpkin pie as I'm sure there is at least one thing (pie crusts) if not more that I need to grab at the store.
8:20 a.m. Get jackets on all three kids.  Make sure that Easton and Kendree have gone to the bathroom.
8:23 a.m. Open garage door and send older two kids out to get in the car.  Easton being able to open the car door and make sure Kendree can get in is a lifesaver these days.
8:25 a.m. Finish getting Devynee strapped into her car seat and head out the door.
8:28 a.m. Everyone is buckled and we are off to preschool!
8:29 a.m. I see a text from my mom come through on my phone.  I call her back (hands free of course) to chat about a baby shower gift).
8:38 a.m. I pull into the parking lot to drop Easton off.  The preschool situation is a little annoying as the teacher expects parents to come in with their child and help them practice their name and another short activity when you drop them off.  Easton's friend Bianca is in his class, so Chelsea (Bianca's mom) and I take turns taking the two kids in.  The other adult stays with the four younger siblings in the parking lot we can avoid a sibling parade every day.
8:50 a.m. I walk back out to the car after successfully dropping off Bianca and Easton.
8:52 a.m. After chatting with Chels for a minute, I pull out to head to Safeway for my pie crusts.
9:04 a.m. Arrive at Safeway, shop.
9:29 a.m. Pull out of Safeway, head to voting polls.
9:33 a.m. Get to voting location. Wait in the frigid wind (it is 50 degrees, but the wind is killer!) with two cute, but cold little girls.
9:38 a.m. Realize (after asking) that the line I'm in is to register (I've done that!), so I move inside. Would it kill them to have a sign up informing people?
9:58 a.m. Finish doing my civic duty. Load up to head home.
10:03 a.m. Get home. Immediately put Devynee in her crib so she can get an hour nap before we have to leave to get Easton from preschool.
10:06 a.m. Unload groceries from car.
10:15 a.m. Sit down to answer a few emails for work.
10:37 a.m. Put groceries away.
10:41 a.m. Help Kendree set up some toys so she can continue playing.
10:46 a.m. Switch laundry over, start new load in washer. Dump dry towels on couch and procrastinate folding them.
10:55 a.m. Clean up last of breakfast mess, talk with Ronnie on the phone about the rest of the day.
11:02 a.m. While talking with Ronnie, realize I have to leave NOW to go get Easton.  Put Kendree in the car, run and grab sleeping Devynee out of her crib and head to preschool.
11:15 a.m. Arrive at preschool and head into the classroom to pick up Bianca and Easton.
11:20 a.m. Come back out to the cars and head home for lunch.
11:35 a.m. Kids are unloaded. Heat up spaghetti for Kendree and Easton's lunches.  See how Devynee likes Vienna sausages (she likes to make a mess with them, not so much eat them).
11:47 a.m. Sit down to feed Devynee baby food.
11:51 a.m. Other kids are done. They request a little Sprout to wind down before Kendree's nap.
11:57 a.m. Finish feeding Devynee.  Hand her some goldfish to entertain her.  She throws them on the floor.
12:01 p.m. Call mom to see if my measurement for evaporated milk in the pumpkin pie recipe is right.  She's not home.
12:03 p.m. Call Jordan (who is at home) to look up the pumpkin pie recipe. My measurement is correct.
12:05 p.m. Get Devynee out of the high chair and let her roam free on the floor.
12:08 p.m. Clean up lunch dishes.
12:13 p.m. Make myself an elk roast sandwich for lunch.  Sit at the table to eat like a normal human being. (hooray!)
12:30 p.m. I get a call from my office. Talk to a nice man about a scholarship.
12:41 p.m. The kids are glued to the TV so I decide to let them finish the show they are watching. Sprout is educational, right? I start making my pumpkin pies.
12:50 p.m. Pies are in the oven. I clean up mess.
1:00 p.m. TV off. Kendree heads to the bathroom. I change Devynee's diaper.
1:10 p.m. Both girls are in their cribs. I start sending a few more emails for work. Easton has started on his chores.
1:15 p.m. Kendree is having a dance party, which is keeping Devynee awake.  I go in and remind her to lay down already. I go back to my emails.
1:32 p.m. Easton is done with his chores.  He requests the ipod to play some games.
2:05 p.m. I'm finished with the really pressing emails for work and start writing this post.
2:41 p.m. Time to change the laundry! I take out the dress shirts to hang up, but start the rest again (jeans are still wet).
2:52 p.m. Put pumpkin pies in the fridge to chill completely.
2:53 p.m. Caught up on personal email and a few blogs.
3:11 p.m. Sent a few more work emails and continued working on a electronic filing project. (See how my work is all of the time? Most don't know how I do it, and the answer is in 10-20 minute stints).
3:16 p.m. Officially changed over the laundry. :)
3:20 p.m. Folded laundry
3:32 p.m. The girls woke up from their nap. I get them both out.
3:35 p.m. Empty and load the dishwasher and hand wash dishes as necessary. Also wipe down counters and sweep kitchen and dining room.
3:57 p.m. Get out frozen shredded chicken to thaw. Check on other ingredients for kid friendly "enchiladas" we are having for dinner.
4:04 p.m. Change Devynee's diaper.
4:10 p.m. Do general clean up of desk area, taking random things to their random locations
4:20 p.m. Read Kendree three books
4:32 p.m. Changed over laundry again.  Folded load and put away everything I had folded all day.
4:51 p.m. Preheated oven and read Kendree four more books.
5:02 p.m. Made enchiladas
5:10 p.m. Put enchiladas in oven.  Set table and got out all other dinner stuff. Moderated a fight between Easton and Kendree.  They were both put in time out during this time. Also fed Devynee her dinner. 
5:32 p.m. Daddy is home!
5:35 p.m. Dinner is ready, we all sit down to eat.
5:54 p.m. Done eating.  The kids want some pumpkin pie. Easton inhales his (mama's boy), the girls taste a bit and decide they are done.
6:02 p.m. Ron leaves for church. He has a few interviews. I clean up dinner, kids, etc.
6:14 p.m. Get jackets and shoes on kids. Change Devynee's diaper so we can head to the church.
6:23 p.m. Finally in the car, head to the church.
6:33 p.m. Arrive at church. Drop off Easton in nursery, Devynee with Ron and Kendree decides she has to go to the bathroom (or just try out the church pottys, which are oh, so, exciting!)
6:40 p.m. Drop off Kendree in nursery.  Ron will take all three kids home when he is done.
6:40 p.m. Arrive late to the Relief Society meeting.  Etch some Pyrex, make a gratitude journal and an "I love you because..." sign. Chat with lovely women. Enjoy kid-free time.
8:29 p.m. Leave church to head home.
8:38 p.m. Arrive home. Ron is watching election coverage. I complete kitchen/dining room clean up that didn't get done before we left.
8:50 p.m. I decide that I just want to read my book (These is My Words) and settle in on the couch to do so. Ronnie continues to watch election coverage and enter his time for work.
9:45 p.m. Ron gives me our legal documents to look over (we are finally getting our will, power of attorney, etc. all completed.
10:02 p.m. All looks good, I go back to my book.
10:30 p.m. Ron heads to bed.  I can't quite tear myself away.
11:15 p.m. I finally decide I have to just stop. I get ready for bed.
11:25 p.m. Read scriptures and say prayer, then lights out!

If you made it to the end, three cheers for you!

And...ANOTHER 25 things about KaLee

These posts take me almost a year to compose.  It is hard to come up with 25 things that seem worth sharing.  My other two posts similar to this one are linked at the bottom.

Enjoy! (or just skip to the next blog on your reader, whatev).

1. I have anxious energy. Most days it is almost painful for me to just sit and watch a movie or television show (there are those days when I can manage :) ). All of the other days I am sewing, working on cards, crocheting, etc.
2. I keep a wish list in the back of my planner so I can add to it whenever I think of something I would like to have (but don't have the money for myself).
3. Cooking is not my favorite thing.
4. I can not remember the outcomes of movies.  A lot of times if I haven't seen it in a few years, it is like a totally new experience all over again.
5. I love online shopping.  The thought of skipping stores altogether is heavenly.
6. I love my freckles.  Funny how something you despise as a child/teen can be one of your favorite things about yourself later on, and one of the things you find so cute on your kids.
7. I talk really fast and really loud when I am excited.
8. I'm really blunt, which leads to me apologizing to several people a month for things coming out that I really should have kept to myself.
9. If I know that a story is funny, I spend the entire time I am listening with a big grin on my face ready to laugh at any given moment (this happens most often when members of my family are telling a story).
10. I do not suck on hard candy.  I bite it and chew it.  Even when I think to myself "I'm going to suck on this entire (enter name of hard candy here)," I never, ever make it to the end.
11. I am not someone who has to get out of the house.  A few weeks ago, it was Saturday morning before I realized that I hadn't left the house since attending church the Sunday before.  This is working out splendidly with three kids, as going out with all three is quite the ordeal.
12. While I feel like we had little choice (what with two stainless steel appliances coming with the house when we bought it), I only like the look of my stainless steel appliances IMMEDIATELY after I have cleaned them.  Dumb stainless steel.
13. In the winter, super glue is my best friend.  My thumbs crack all of the time and super glue is the only thing that works so I can continue to do laundry, wash dishes, etc.
14. I totally make my own laundry soap.  I know, I am THAT cool.
15. I always feel sorry for people that are allergic to nuts.  I love them and can't imagine some desserts, salads, etc. without them!
16. I think I am getting over my extreme hatred of sweeping.  Mainly because I recently realized what a quick, instant gratification chore it is.  I can sweep for two minutes (if that) and the kitchen feels totally clean.  It's not quite up to the "make your bed and your room is instantly clean" standard, but it is pretty darn close.
17. I purposely hide books from myself so that I can function as a normal human being.
18. I now understand why our neighbors in Laramie vacuumed every. single. night. after they put their kids to bed. They had five kids and I had one and I couldn't imagine why that was necessary.  I am now on the nightly vacuuming schedule.
19. I perform best when I am tightly scheduled.  I'm still learning balance in my life, but I get a heck of a lot done on days that I am busy!
20. If I could have any ice cream stocked in my freezer, it would be Baskin Robbins.  I would need all of the flavors though, because I have a hard time committing to a single flavor at a time.
21. I can't resist mini sized Heath bars.  They are my first choice every time (when available).
22. Also food related - I can eat anything if A1 sauce is slathered on top.
23. I am always, ALWAYS shocked when I walk out of the Dollar Store having spent over $20 when I went in for just two things. Yet, it happens again and again.
24. I like to talk on the phone while I do my chores.  Makes the time go faster.  This is also why my mom, sister and close friends get a daily phone call.
25. Don't tell anyone, but I don't even feel that guilty for my love of Diet Dr. Pepper.  Anything that tastes that good is meant to be consumed. :)

Wanna learn even more about me?
50 things about KaLee
25 more things about KaLee

And just like that, its been a month

So, how are you?!?!

I'm not real sure where September went, but I do know that we've been busy!

My weeks have suddenly gotten very busy. I still travel to Laramie for work two days a week, then Easton has preschool through a school district run program two other days and I teach preschool with my friend the remaining week day.  The latest we have to be all ready for the day is 8:45 a.m. which means I've stepped up the organization a notch. I know you are thinking, "But KaLee, is that possible? It is you we are talking about."

I've put myself on an actual cleaning schedule and am doing an index card system that a good friend from our Provo days introduced me to years ago that I've never actually implemented.  So far (one week in) it's been pretty great. I'll report on it in a few weeks if anyone is interested.

Also, the kids have chores that we follow through on daily (well, pretty much daily).  This includes cleaning up toys TWICE a day and that has been life changing in and of itself.  Easton also has to do all of his chores before he gets to do anything electronic and that motivation has really helped him.

September also included a work meeting/event for me (Now I have a 6 month break from those. Love that) a trip to Jackson, Wyoming for Ronnie (for work as well), soccer games for Easton and more work on the house (another flood in the basement if you can believe it!).

I'm tackling potty training Kendree this weekend.  Considering she can tell me in paragraph form the condition of her current diaper, I think we are ready.  Now, if I can just get that strong will of hers to work with me, we'll be set.

I have a 10 month update on Devynee in the works (10 month! Are you kidding me?) and hopefully more posts as well so family far away doesn't start sending me hate mail. :)

A Few of KaLee's "Mama" Hints

We all have things that work for our kids, but I know that I am always looking for good ideas.  I'll admit, most of my advice will have more application for those with multiple children, but I'll try to think back to my time with only Easton and come up with a few. :)

I'd love to hear your hints, etc. in the comments!

• I always try to have fruit snacks and stickers/a piece of paper in my diaper bag.  These two things have saved MANY a doctor office waiting room or other store waiting experience.
• The timer is your best friend.  Even kids who can't understand "time" can watch numbers go down and understand that when it rings it is their turn, etc.
• I started counting backwards from 5 when I'm serious about them obeying and need them to make a good decision quickly.  Then counting up from 1 is used for races and other things.  I think that distinction has helped.
• My kids take one nap per day in a crib/bassinet.  This is hard to do when you have those snuggly newborns and grandma/grandpa/dad/anyone is dying to hold them but really keeps the "arm sickness" as we call it around here at bay.  So far, none of my kids have gotten too used to napping while being held.
• As evidenced by the weeks that Devynee spent with socks on her hands, I try really hard to not have my kids be thumb/finger suckers.  I figure I can take away a binky or blankie, but I can't cut off a finger. 
• When nursing with multiple children I do one of the following: 1. Turn on a television show for those 20 minutes so you know where the child/ren are and they are semi-entertained. 2. Start the timer for 20 minutes so they know how long it will be before you can help them with that puzzle, etc. 3. Have them gather books and read to them while I nurse and they hold the book and turn the pages. 4. Be okay with them crying.  Every kid has to learn to share. :)
• Speaking of nursing.  It is okay to set the baby down (who will definitely cry, by the way) while you discipline/deal with the others.  I never let nursing be the "do anything you want to do and get away with it" time.  The baby survives and picks up nursing as soon as the other children are dealt with.

Without getting into sleep training and discipline (two very controversial topics) that is all I can think of for now. I'm sure as soon as I hit post I'll think of something awesome that I should have added.