This is the face that says, "I trust you"

I promise this is still Kara's blog and I have no intention of posting frequently, but as I downloaded this photo of my wife's look of TERROR...I had to share.
Jack had a baby tooth that was hanging around too long and before his teeth start looking like Hugh Grant's I figured this is my 'thing' and I should do something about it. For weeks I've been telling Jack to come into my office and let's pull the tooth. Each time it was received with much crying etc...So a couple of weeks ago, after church on a Sunday, I was playing with him on the couch and happened once again to look at his teeth and ask him the golden question. To all of our surprise he said okay...but lets go now. I took him up on the offer. He did GREAT!!! His mom not so much. What does she think I do all day? Is this the face of confidence? Here are a few fun photos of the kids joking with Jack while he was waking up from sedation. Max would say, "wake up little girl" and of course jack would lie motionless with no come back or response. Jack did well and I'm proud of him.

*Kara here...Okay, once again, I feel I need to explain! I do not usually get nervous, and NEVER get grossed out. (Three of my kids have been under general anesthetic before...Jack three times) But, SEEING your child put to sleep is a whole other thing. I did not anticipate that it would be hard for me to see, but it was. Here is your child, laughing (yes the laughing gas made him laugh...a lot) and then all of the sudden he's out cold taking deep wheezing breaths. It's a little unnerving. Of course they had him hooked up to every possible monitoring system, so I knew everything was fine. I think it's just that 'mother instinct' that kicks in because no one was more surprised than I was that it was hard to watch. Paul commented to me that my reaction is exactly why they don't let people come back into the room to watch usually. We just don't understand I guess. So...yes...I became one of those emotional mothers...and we all survived.*

Photography anyone?

I have long wished I was a great photographer. I have been inspired by my friends, relatives, and many others. I see how important it is to capture life's moments before they so quickly slip away. Lately I look at my kids and think, "they will be adults for most of their life, but they will only be kids for a short time. I need to capture that!"

I've taken a few little classes here and there, but I'm bad a taking notes, practicing, and following up. So, a new chance is awaiting me...HERE at the Picture Life Workshop. Holly and Amanda
are putting on a day long photography workshop that I would LOVE to attend. They are also giving one spot away free. That would make it even better. So, if you are in the greater Phoenix area, or are willing to travel here...this is for you. Perhaps I'll see you there!

Drumroll please.....

I am so excited to announce the winners of my giveaway. You were all so nice with your compliments and comments. I honestly have so much fun making and giving things away. So, without further ado...

The winners are:

Angie b. of 'Mommy moments 365'

Sarah of 'Orange you glad'

Jodi of 'The patience of JoD'

Send me an email (address is in my profile) telling me what you like. If you need some help/ideas I'd be glad to help!

CONGRATS!!

I want all of you to know that I wish I could give one to everyone. If you want a chance to bid on one of these necklaces please visit my 'Thursday's for Nie' blog (sidebar) tomorrow morning.

Like I said, I don't do this as a business necessarily, (like my blog states...my life is crazy) but will consider any requests that you have. Just email me with what your thinking and we can talk about it. Stacey P. - please email me. I would be honored to do some bridesmaids gifts for you. Thanks again everyone and hopefully you will now go out and 'share the love'!

Scroll down to Feb 14th post for a giveaway!

NBA Jam Session

Paul does it again!! He is such a fun dad. He had the foresight to get tickets to the NBA Jam Session that they had here in AZ in preparation for the All-Star game. The kids had a blast (in part to the fact that I kept Nora home). The kids got to pretend to be broadcasters and if you want to see it you can go:

HERE, and then click the big orange play button...wait for the 30sec intro from Ahmad

HERE and then click the big orange play button...wait for the 30sec intro from Ahmad

I think they did a great job. The boys video is a bit painful to watch, but it's funny. Max realized once they were filming that he can't read, so Jack had to feed him his lines. My favorite part is the intermittent head pats that Jack keeps giving Max. Love those kids.

Here are some other highlights in pictures.

FBR Open and Pebble Beach Pro Am

My husband loves golf. For the most part I do too...as long as it becomes a family activity and not one that takes him away from us too much. Luckily, I think it will be the former! He took the boys to the FBR Open last month and they had a blast. Here is a blurb about this tourney:

Jan. 27, 2009 -- Take whatever image you have of watching golf, on television or live in person, and throw it out the window this week. This is the week of The FBR Open; the largest, the loudest and the craziest event on the PGA Tour. There may only be one course that could handle such a raucous event and PGA Head Professional Greg Wolf of TPC Scottsdale is ready to welcome the world.

PGA.com: Many golf fans think of quiet, classical piano type accompaniment when they visualize golf. It's a serene game. But you guys, at this tournament, it's rock and roll!

This was the right event to take these guys to because they can be a bit loud and crazy themselves. I guess the only reason not to take them might have been that there was a lot of this...

focus on what's behind the boys

...walking around, but they are still too young to notice...at least I hope so. Paul wasn't too young to notice, but thought it was hilarious how all these girls were more interested in Jack and Max than anything else. I guess he got a lot of attention with them. At least I know that if anything happens to me...my kids will be an asset and not a liability!

Anyway, he said the best part was at the 16th hole. They completely surround it with seats and it gets quite crazy.

They also took some time to watch some of the players warm up. They were up close and personal here and even got a souvenir out of it. Camilo Villegas, aka "spiderman" (because of his unique way of lining up shots) was there. After loading himself on the golf cart, he rolled a signed ball to the boys. Pretty cool. Admittedly they were more interested in their 'foam fingers' than the pro's they were watching, but someday they will appreciate it.

This past weekend, Paul was able to go to the Pebble Beach Pro-Am with my brother Dave...thanks to their wives. That's what we gave them for Christmas. We figured we were being extra generous because not only were we giving them a weekend away...it was VALENTINE'S weekend. The pressure was off for them. Yes, we are nice.

They had a great time, but unfortunately only had their less than stellar camera phones to document the trip. Here is the highlight photo.

Paul with Padraig Harrington - the reigning PGA Tour Player of the Year.

Like a good dad, he came home bearing gifts. The kids were thrilled.

In closing...more photos of celebrities at the tournament. Can you tell me who they are?

Love is in the air!

*ALERT* I know this looks like one of those many and varied Valentines posts that list the activities and 'goings on' of the family. Okay, so it is that, BUT if you make it all the way to the end you will find your chance to share in the love!! You won't be disappointed.
After making over 50 of these little beauties, I was reminded why I reverted to the store bought valentines the last two years. It was a cute idea I saw in Family Fun magazine (along with a million other people) and the kids loved it. Once I committed to it I couldn't disappoint them, but the box of ring pops was looking genius at 2:00 in the morning as I put the final touches on.
Every year we 'heart attack' our kitchen (just like my cousin Shawni) and it is always a hit. It's hilarious to see what the kids write. It also serves as the sole valentines decor in the house, so it's a 'must do'.
We ordered a heart shaped pizza and had movie night Friday to ring in the holiday. We've done the pizza thing for the last few years. I'm always up for not worrying about dinner. What a good excuse?!
Paul sent all his girls (yours truly, Ella and Nora) roses. They are beautiful and the girls feel so special.
Paul enjoyed himself here. The kids were WAY TOO excited for him to come home. It was cute. We had a balloon bouquet, brownies, and notes. I forgot to take pictures, but believe me...it was great!
I decided to shake off my bad attitude about lots of holiday activities and did a fun treat project with the kids. We made these rice krispy treat pops and had a ball. Of course they took seriously half the day, but it was a lot of fun. We delivered several to some special people and had a great time.

Now...it's the time you've all REALLY been reading for (or you just scrolled down to see what the excitement is)...
It's...
A...
GIVEAWAY!!!

I am feelin' the love this year and would love to share it with a few of my favorite blog readers. I am giving away a personal and custom hand stamped sterling silver necklace of your choice.

I've been making these and giving them as gifts for a while and I truly love it. I don't sell the jewelry I make that often because it's just so much more fun to give it away. I've made them as fund raising items too and have had a great response.

So...
here is your chance to have one for FREE!! Just leave a comment on this post by 10:00pm on Wednesday February 18th. It's that easy. I'm not doing this to increase traffic to my blog or anything, so don't worry...you don't have to post about it on your blog. I really am just wanting to sp

Publish Post

read a little love.

I will take the names of all commenters and randomly select three names. For as much traffic as I've had lately that's pretty good odds! The winners will be able to choose anything they would like. I have put some pictures of some of the gifts I've recently made to give you ideas, (sorry about the poor quality) but if you have one of your own GREAT!! So, help me feel the love with your comments and check back Tuesday to see who the big winners are!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

Click to enlarge

FOCUS...Gratitude

Nora's new yellow bed.

I'm taking any and all suggestions on how to decorate a room around it.
I'm thinking vintage.

So, we reached a BIG milestone this past weekend. We gave away our crib and got a 'big girl bed' for Nora. I have gone through this process with mixed emotions. In some ways it is very emotional...like I don't want to let go of the baby stage. I should be moving a baby from a pack and play to the crib if the toddler is getting a new bed. That's how it's always been for us...every 14 months...getting pregnant again (and I'm so grateful). It was great, and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Of course this transition magnifies the voices in my head. I keep wondering if I'm done...and people keep asking. Why do we burden ourselves and others with that question hovering over us day to day? I do it. I know many other mothers do it. I'm not saying we shouldn't ask ourselves that question, I'm just saying it shouldn't be a burden. I want to live and enjoy what my life is...not what I wonder what it will or should be. There are so many amazing mothers of 5, 6, 7+ kids that pull it off with style and grace. I applaud them. I want to be like that. I also know incredible mothers of one, and two kids that put me to shame as a parent. It is a personal decision and I hate that so many women feel like they 'should' have a certain number because so and so does, or because that's what they always thought they would have. Or, that somehow they are less if they don't/can't have children. Again...it's personal.

I LOVED being one of 6 kids. It was the best. Paul was one of 6 too. Do I wish I could provide that for my kids? ABSOLUTELY! But sadly, I am not my mother. I'm tired of worrying over these questions and my heart breaks hearing so many mothers beat themselves up the same way. Yes, I know it's human nature, but aren't we supposed to overcome the 'natural man'? So, in honor of doing just that I choose to FOCUS on how great this stage of my life is...it's all I can do. And no, I'm not writing off the possibility of having more, but for now...I'm done...and that's okay!!

photo by SEP photography

Here are a few of the great things about my life in this stage:

#1 I don't carry around a diaper bag. Okay, I haven't done this FOREVER because I just keep a diaper in the car, and I refuse to bring extra nourishment and entertainment for my kids on routine days. I know...I'm mean. However, they have learned well to fill up when food is available, and be entertained by scenery and conversation.

#2 They play together and independently really well.

#3 We can ALL go to a movie together.

#4 The directions left for babysitters are minimal. Okay, let's get real...they are often non-existent. As long as the kids are alive and well when we come home we are good. Okay, let's get even more real...the state of the house/kitchen often becomes a higher priority than the actual entertaining of the kids. Did I say too much?

#5 I LOVE getting rid of things we don't use anymore and getting rid of all things 'baby' means a lot less 'stuff' in our house.

#6 There are a lot of homes, tables, cars, rides (think amusement park), deals and activities that are highly conducive to a family of 6.

#7 Everyone in our house has a brother and everyone has a sister. That makes me happy.

#8 I often have only one little 'helper' when I do my errands if I play my cards right...and we have so much fun. I love having that one on one time with Nora.

#9 I may actually be loosening up in the motherhood thing. I don't want to speak too soon, but I think I feel it coming on. In all areas of my life I'm really easy going. Motherhood?....not so much. I really think I'm starting (hear that...starting) to get it. Stressing out does us no good.
#10 On that note...everyone dresses themselves...and I'm okay with it. I'm over being embarrassed by my kids clothing choices, and am now just proud of their independence.
#11 My family is healthy, happy, and full of the most amazing people I know. I am truly blessed to be able to interact with and possibly even influence them on a daily basis. I could never complain about the state of my life. It would be truly ungrateful and ugly.

photo by SEP photography

Hopefully in the next couple of months I will be able to add NO DIAPERS to this list. Nora is threatening to be my toughest potty trainer yet. It's not a really hard title to earn as Ella and Jack both trained in about 2 days at the tender ages of 27 and 29 months respectively.

So there you have it. My FOCUS on being grateful for what IS. May we all cherish everything we are blessed with, and not let the worry of ifs, should, why, lack, and future get us down. The future is bright...we all should be grateful.

On a lighter note...

Wow! I must have really scared people with my last post. I expected lots of opinions and have gotten...NONE! You probably think I'm just not posting the comments because they are mean and nasty. I would probably post one like that if I got it just to prove someone read it! So, I'm not really sure what the lack of response means. I'll just assume everyone agrees...it'll make me feel better.

*UPDATE* Looks like I'm the idiot! (I know some of you aren't surprised) I thought that when you had comment moderation on it would email you the comments to accept and/or reject. I was wrong. A friend emailed me and said they were probably in there somewhere. She was right!! I feel better now. I didn't even have to reject one comment. I love to hear how everyone feels...even anonymous...who disagreed with me....nicely!

Anywho...
I wanted to write a bit about a new rule we implemented in our house. I LOVE it and no one is more surprised than me. A couple of weeks ago we decided that there would be no T.V on school days. Even if school work and household duties were finished...no T.V. (okay, Nora gets an hour a day...while the kids are in school) I was expecting weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. I got a phew "oooohhhhh"'s, but that's it. They don't even ask any more.

Do you want to know what's more surprising? They keep themselves...BUSIER!! I thought they would be needing me more and the house would be loud and crazy. Nope...just the opposite. The one concession is that the house is messier, but I'll take it. They are the best kind of messes....the ones that show a lot of creativity and togetherness have taken place. I'm seriously loving it. So, if you've ever considered ditching the T.V....do it. Your only regret will be that you didn't do it sooner.