Broken Arm # 4

Well, this is the 4th broken arm we've had in our family.  First broken arm for Kyle.  He was climbing up a stool to get on the kitchen counter when the stool fell back and he landed on his elbow.  It hurt like crazy at first.  This was a Thursday night.  He said it was killing him on Friday- so I let him stay home from school.  My neighbor who is an orthopedic surgeon came and looked at it.  He said to put it in a splint and give it till Monday- if it still hurt on Monday he would x-ray it.  So we put it in a splint for the weekend.  On Saturday it was feeling a little better, and on Sunday he was acting just fine! We thought for sure it wasn't broken.  He was moving it around like normal and everything. It was so weird. He woke up Monday morning and it was killing him! So I took him in, and sure enough- broken!  He was a great patient getting his cast on.  He said he hoped he would have to get a cast so he would have to write because he is right handed.  Little did he know he could still write with it.

A Few Days of Paradise

My mom came to visit a couple of weeks ago, and we had a BLAST. Do you know what we did the whole week she was here? Projects! And we loved it! We sewed curtains, pillows, cushions, painted furniture, took down wallpaper, sewed more curtains, shopped a little, and went out to breakfast.  We stayed up late and slept in. It was so fun to have her come for a whole week! If you don't know my mom, she is a shining example of someone who is kind, unselfish, fun, and Christlike.  She worked harder at my house than I did.  She cared every bit as much about decorating my house and she would about her own. I am so thankful for her example to me. 

We put 12 paint samples on the wall. We are going with the top right one. Timid Blue from Sherwin Williams.  I can't wait!

My mom organized my art area, and folded all my fabric to display.

We just moved my office downstairs to the old dining room- which was just a waste of space.  Now we have another bedroom upstairs- which is so nice!

My office/art room.  Still in the process, but getting there.

This was where the magic happened.  There is my mom in the back busy at the sewing machine.  That was where she stayed pretty much the whole week.  See those curtains behind her? She made them. Yup. Awesome.

This may seem messy- but there is actually a lot of good projects going on here.

We moved our TV room into the front room. Someday this is going to be the "before" picture. I have lots of plans!

This is standing at our front door.

Trying to decide what color to paint my Master bedroom. I still haven't decided. I'm not sure if any of them are what I'm looking for. The top right blue was the color in my Tennessee master bedroom, and it was so pretty. Any thoughts?

Look at these fun fabrics! It makes me happy every time I look at them.

Look how cute my mom is!!! I just love her so much!!! We had a great time. I don't think we went to bed before 1 am the entire time she was here. LOL

Athena braved the drive from Portland with her 2 kids to come help.  Here she is taking down wallpaper.  It was so fun to have her here to visit with her and my mom. What is better than visiting with your sister and mom while simultaneously having them BOTH doing projects for you?  Nothing!!! Hahahaha! I loved it!! Thanks for coming Athena!

Some more fun curtains my mom sewed.

Some shelves in my master bedroom.  This is just thrown together.  I am going to use most of this stuff down in our front room after we build an awesome entertainment center.

Thanks mom for coming. You are the best.  I love you forever!

Church With a 2 Year Old

Most of the time Gabe acts as if someone let him drink a cup of coffee for breakfast.  The toddler is insane, INSANE I say!!  Last week in Sacrament meeting is one of many occurrences with that kid.  We were sitting in the middle pew, 3rd rode back from the front.  The Sacrament prayer had just been said, and the Deacons were getting the bread from the table.  Gabe was playing on the ground by me, when suddenly he crawled under the seat to the pew in front of me, he stood up looked around and then bent back down.  I thought he was going to crawl back to me- instead, he crawled to the front and stood up in front of the very front bench.  He looked at Darren and me, laughed and started out running right towards all the Deacons who just got the bread.  Darren jumped up and ran around the entire front of the meeting chasing Gabe who was squealing with laughter. The entire congregation was watching at this point. The Deacons just stood still and watched the crazy baby and dad running right at them.  Gabe rounded the corner and started down one of the side aisles when Darren finally caught up to him and grabbed him.   Darren scooped him up and started carrying him down the side, trying to exit as quick as possible when Gabe started screaming, "I have to go pooooooo!!  I HAVE TO GO POOOOOOO! I HAVE TO GO POOOOOO!!"  I was watching this whole thing with eyes the size of silver dollars.  This whole incident was very exciting for the whole congregation. I heard some people who just couldn't hold back the chuckles.   I couldn't help but think about the recent talk in General Conference about how we need to be more reverent during the sacrament.  When I don't have any more toddlers, I will definitely start working on that. For now, well, I'm just grateful if I 'm in the room.

Paul's Business

Paul is CONSTANTLY trying to start a business or find ways to earn money.  I am always telling him he can do extra jobs for me and earn extra money working for me- but for some reason that's just not good enough for him.   Tonight he put this message on my Facebook page.  So if anyone is looking for someone to work for them- Paul is a very responsible 12 year old: 

Hey all ward friends in Hermiston! I have been wanting to earn some money lately. Call me at 208-501-3752 or send me a g-mail at spinolover60@gmail.com. I can: Babysit-$2.50 per hour
Walk dogs-$3.00 per animal per hour
Watch animals-$2.50 per animal per day
Rake leaves-$1.50 per yard
Wash cars-$4.00 per car
Water plants-$0.15 per plant
I am a responsible 12 year old and perfectly capable of completing all these jobs. Thanks, Paul Ernst

Random pictures of Gabe

This kid is soooo cute!!!! I can't help taking pictures of him all the time.

In the shower.

While he is sleeping.  So precious!

Look at how proud his is of himself for dumping out a whole box of spaghetti all over in the pantry.

This one he put a whole bunch of water in this peanut butter jar and then put his hand in it.  He was so proud of himself.

But then I told him he shouldn't do that and he got mad at me and wouldn't look at me. 

Hahaha! Cute little guy!!

Titanium Man Triathalon

Recently Darren did a Triathalon in Kennewick, Washington.  It is about 40 minutes from our house.  The kids and I went and cheered him on. We had a great time.  He did awesome! Finishing 52nd overall with a time of

						02:26:12.  Good job Darren!

When I Grow Up

Kyle is pretty much the perfect child. He is easy, obedient, cool, and just a really sweet kid.  He is a peace maker and hardly fights with his siblings. I rarely have to ask him to do a job twice.  He gets up easy and gets himself ready, makes his lunch, does his homework and jobs without me asking him more than once.  I am so honored to be Kyle's mom.  Her is a fun chart he did for school.

Kyle says he doesn't want a pet because they are messy and you always have to clean up after them.

Once again, Gabe cut up a piece of paper into tiny bits. Notice Kyle's favorite color is pink?  He says tough guys wear pink!

This one he was asked what he would grow in a garden.  He says, "I would grow a stradary, because it is yummy and sweet. On the other hand I would not grow a piccle because it is gross."

Spiritual High

After Education Week, we were all on a spiritual high- including Paul.  He bought gifts, and cute cards at the BYU Bookstore for Ellie and Kyle.  He wrote the following notes to on the cards...

Hello dream child!