Hello, My Name is Siri...

...and I have a clutter issue.  The first step is admitting it right?  I have been "amending" my New Year's resolution to include a couple of other things and one of those is de-cluttering my life.  (Literally and figuratively!)  I am in awe of people who can organize so well.  I told myself for awhile it was difficult because I have kids but I know that is just an excuse.  I was cooking the other night and was wishing for a bigger kitchen.  Through conversation and inspiration I realized, I don't need a bigger kitchen, I just need less stuff!  Thus the de-cluttering begins!  I am going to periodically post about it, because I need to hold myself accountable (lucky you right?!).  I started this weekend, when Amy G. was here by cleaning out my closet.  It was the most amazing feeling to get old clothes out and take them to the Goodwill.  She is my guru of organization and will ride my a#$ until it is done!  Today, I started on the hall closet and next will be the kitchen!  I am actually very excited to have more space to keep what I really need.  Part of my issue is that I will buy something and then not use it.  Then I hold on to it from the guilt of spending the money on it.  No more!  If I don't use it...then it is donated or thrown out.  When I go to the store, my new mantra is: do I really NEED this?  If not, then nope:)  Here are a couple of "before pictures" of places I plan on starting and "after pictures" of places already completed!  Here's to a less cluttered 2011!

Before: The Kitchen

Before: the file cabinet

before: ok organized but need to go through it for the next picture...

OMG!  This is Chris' side of the bed.  He stresses me out!

I am in the middle of the hall closet!

Ahhh After...so beautiful!

Patience is a virtue...

I am having a difficult time deciding what to title this post.  I am in no way trying to potty train Maggie actively, but after her 2 year well child visit and Dr. Matt asking me whether she is interested (she is a little), I decided to get on board with this whole thing.  I will be the first to admit that I sometimes have little to no patience.  I waited until Matthew was OVERLY ready to potty train (he was literally telling me he was peeing in his diaper) before I did it.  It was a pretty smooth process but still.  Maggie is young so I am not thinking it is going to be quick but I need to be more patient with her.  I have been known to tell her to just go in her diaper when she tells me she has to go potty (bad Siri).  After having to confess that to Dr. Matt (he is very understanding and sweet...after all, he has 6 kids!), I realized that I needed to take a deep breath and just try and be more patient.  I bought her a seat cover which made me laugh because I realized that one day I will be sitting on one of those (circle of life?!) and seeing her little bottom in those Hello Kitty underwear was just too much!  I am putting her in a diaper by day but taking her when she tells me even if it is just to sit, and at night when we are at home and can pay attention, we let her wear her underwear.  Maybe it will work and maybe not?!  We actually potty trained Matthew on our last trip to Hawaii about 2 years ago and we are going back to the same resort so I figured...Let's go 2 for 2?!  Maybe a bit of wishful thinking but having my kids out of diapers does sound pretty nice.  Wish me luck!!!

That is a serious pinchable tush!

I'm Over It!

I am over this snow.  Completely over it.  I liked it for awhile and then it just got to me.  I am not sure why because the winter Maggie was born we had a lot more but I have just been grouchy.  The worst part is, it melted and then this morning George Maupin told me we could get 1-2 more inches!  (ok he didn't tell just me:))  Anyway, we decided we are so over the snow that we booked a week long trip to HAWAII!!!!!  I have that cheesy count down clock on the side (the only one I could find!) reminding me that yes it is 70-some odd days but that is getting me pumped for a week in the sun.  We are taking the kids and having a vacation all about family and relaxing (I guess as much as you can with two kids but I am wishful thinking!)  Anyway, looking forward to a bit warmer weather and spending time with the kids:) 

PS: The header picture is one of my favorites of Matthew!

She's *tear* not my little girl anymore...

I am so excited to report that we finally went furniture shopping for the kids:)  Walker's Furniture did not let us down (again) and we purchased a new bunk bed (for Matthew), a twin bed (for Maggie) and two twin mattresses (we had a full for the bottom bunk) all for $900!  Delivery and set up included!!!!!  This made me double happy.  Not to mention they delivered and set them up today!  I have to do some creative positioning for Maggie's room until she learns not to roll out of bed and the changing table is out of there, but so far so good!  It was strange to take the crib out but exciting because I am tired of lugging that damn pack n play around.  I guess that means no more trapping in the crib though when we travel!  Oh well!!!

Maggie went upstairs after her nap to get her baby doll and I heard crying.  I went up there to see what was wrong and she was laying in bed and told me that she couldn't get out!  YESSSSSS!  I wonder how long that will last until she realizes she can get out on her own...

Be careful...these are gooooooddddd!

For those of you who read this, or know me, or both, you know that I have been on a weight loss journey for about a year now.  I am happy to report that I have lost and maintained a reasonable weight and am very happy.  Of course in a perfect world I would like to lose 10 more pounds but I am very happy where I am at!!  I have to give credit to this amazing cook book.  Seriously this has saved me and reminded (I would say taught but I already knew) me that cooking can taste good and be healthy.  We cook out of it at least 5 out of 7 nights a week!  There are so many great recipes and I really haven't found one I don't like.  It also solves another issue of the "what do you want for dinner...I dunno" conversation.  I got so tired of asking Chris and getting that response.  So the deal is, he goes through it on Sunday and picks out some recipes and then I shop for them and cook!  It's a win/win. Tonight we had some beer braised chicken which was delicious. I spied these bars a couple of days ago and I thought "what the heck".  They are amazing!!!  Only 155 calories each which is awesome except you won't stop at one!  They are also super simple and a kid pleaser:) I will admit that I deviated from the recipe by melting a *bit* more dark chocolate and covering the bars but hey, I am only human!!

Swag Bars:

Ingredients
1 3/4 cups creamy peanut butter
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup light-colored corn syrup
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) chopped lightly salted, dry-roasted peanuts
3 1/2 cups (4 ounces) whole-grain flaked cereal (such as Total), finely crushed
Cooking spray
1/3 cup (2 ounces) chopped dark chocolate

Preparation

1. Combine first 3 ingredients in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook 4 minutes or just until mixture begins to boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in peanuts and cereal. Spread mixture evenly into a 13 x 9–inch baking pan coated with cooking spray.
2. Place the dark chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 1 minute or until chocolate melts, stirring every 20 seconds. Drizzle chocolate evenly over peanut mixture. Score into 36 bars while warm.

I know you are going to make fun of me and I don't care!

I will spend money on a lot of things that others may find ridiculous (shoes, purses, hair straightening) but on car detailing...no thank you!  It's not because I don't think the detailers won't do a good job and my car won't smell great but it is because I know I will spend a lot of money and then my kids will get in the car and in about 30 seconds remind me why it was ridiculous to spend the money in the first place.  So lately my car has smelled like a dirty foot and I have been putting off cleaning it.  I finally decided today was the day!  I went to Costco and bought rubber floor mats to put down after I was all done.  (Why I didn't do this like 4 years ago I have no idea!)  I am happy to report that I got 8 mats for roughly $36.00!  Yay me!  Then I drug the kids to Fred Meyer and rented a Rug Doctor.  (If you have ever stood in line at customer service at Fred Meyer with two children then you are applauding me right now!)  Finally, I put Maggie down for a nap, turned on a movie for Matthew, and proceeded to clean the car in roughly 20 degree weather!  (I posted that picture so you can get a visual for what I am working with right now.)  I spent 2 hours wiping, vacuuming, and finally "rug doctoring" the carpets.  I then took the newly purchased floor mats and cut them to size.  I cleaned the kids' car seats and finally to top it off, added a vanilla tree to our rear view mirror!  I can hardly wait to drive Matthew to school tomorrow.  I have to wait for the rugs to dry which better be faster than 24 hours but all will work out:)  Now that I am thawed out after a hot shower I am sipping tea and revelling in my happiness.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011!

Wow 2011!  I created a new folder for these pictures and called it Jan 2010 at first before I corrected myself.  Crazy!  Anyway, we spent New Years Eve at Dave and Jess' condo at Mt. Spokane.  So awesome:)  The boys skied while Maggie and I hung out.  Jess and I went snow shoeing which was really fun.  I had never done it before and it is quite a work out.  After that, we just had some yummy dinner (Dave is an amazing cook) and had a few spirits before ringing in the New Year!  The kids were so tired from being up late the night before that we actually got them all asleep by 8:30 pm so it was quite fun to flit from condo to condo chatting up the other residents.  It reminded me of living in a dorm except it is ok to drink and not just in the shower...haha remember Amy?! Anyway, here are some really beautiful pictures of Jess and I snow shoeing and some not so great ones of me without a shower for a couple of days:)


I am not usually the type to make resolutions.  Instead I am going to try and just take one day at a time.  Be happy, be healthy and don't sweat the small stuff too much!  I am very excited for a few things this year that I already know are happening.  We are going to New York in May which is something I have been wanting to do for a long time!  Also, I just signed up for another 1/2 marathon and I am going to try and beat 2:30.  The last one I did was 2:33 and it was a more difficult course so I know I can do it!  Other than that, I am going to try and enjoy the moments with my children because they are growing up so fast.  A funny thing Matthew said on Friday up at the mountain was "Dad, I am calling it a day.  I have already peed my pants and I am tired!"  He is so funny!  Hope 2010 was what you had hoped and 2011 brings you cheer!

View from their condo

view of their condo

snow shoeing

The lake in the background is Spirit Lake, ID

Our drink of choice!

Jack being silly (D and J 2nd of 4!)

Dave and Jess

Chris thought this was sooo funny

That's better!

Crazy boys:)

This is what we get for trying to take our own picture! 

The end of the night!