My life as of today!!

Ok, For starters here is my clipboard titled "Cowgirl" This was a gift for my Mother-in-law for her birthday. The old fashioned picture is of her on a phony as a little girl dressed up as a cowgirl. My mother-in-law teaches piano so I thought that this would help her with keeping organized. The green square is for posted notes the flower in the bottom left corner is a clip so she can keep her check that students give her in one place. On the right corner is a little book that she can write numbers in. And the reason for the clipboard was to clip her calander to it. So she can keep track of dates and what not. So this was 112 points for the challange. Now I need to get towork and get another few things done. I think that she liked it. We will see as time passes if she uses it or not.


Well, as many of you know last week my car was hit by my neighbor across the street. Why many people want to know was my car in the street and not in the garage. That is answered very simple. we were getting our driveway and sidewalk redone. Anthem flippped the bill for that. It had been on the street for a week. It was Sunday night and on Monday we were going to be able to park the car on the driveway or in the garage. At 10:30 pm I have a knock at the door I answer it and there is a girl standing there all upset. She informs me that she moved in across the street and she has no insurance and no licence. So here is the car. I am trying to keep a sense of humor about this. Today we turned it in to get fixed and now are driving around in a rental car. So here is the damage.
















As you can see the front passenger door got most of the love from the other car. Looking at my car it is like a picasso painting gone wrong. I am still not sure how anyone can hit a parked car. But where there is a will there is a way or i guess in this cases Murrphy's Laws hit full force. I took these in case I would need to recover my costs for getting the car fixed. And of course Lexi thought oh Mom is taking pictures of the car. Lets get a few of me. She was so funny wearing the overalls, tank top, hat , scarf and sunglasses not shown in the photo because how can anyone
she my pretty eyes mom was her reply,

When I asked her to keep them on for the photo.
She is just a little ham in front of the camera when I do not need her to be but when I need her to work with me that is when I throw in the towel. I have been trying to get a picture of Logan and Lexi that is cute together sense November when we took family pictures. I have not been able to. No added pressure that I need it or anything like that. This is the best one of them being sweet . It is what I will probable go with but it is not my favorite. The only way that I could get the kids to even think about sitting near each other and sort of smiling was to put

Tali in the picture with the kids. SOme man that was walking by stood behind me, and got Tali's attention so that I could focus on the kids with Jared's help a nice guy and me this was the best we could do.

So that is some of the Drama that is my so called life. Each day is definately a new adventure. Best wishes and Hugs to all.
Brit

WHAT!!!!

Ok I thought that you would like to know what is on my iPod right now. There are only 154 songs at this point.
I am going to tell you my top favorites this week!

Ok Go / "Here it Goes Again" ( Go to Utube to see the really cool video)
Michael Buble/ Feeling Good, Home, You Don't Know me, Save the Last Dance for me, Try a little tenderness (These songs help to get me to relax. If you have not listened to his music it is HOT!! He sounds like Frank Sinatra.)
Usher/ Yeah!
Vannessa Hudgens/ Come Back to Me
Justin Timberlake/ What Goes around, Sexy back, My Love
All American Rejects/ It Ends Tonight, Move Along, Dirty Little Secrets
Weird Al/ White and Nerdy ( if you have never seen the video you have go to go to utube. SO FUNNY!!!)

My life right now is filled with painting my house and taking care of my kids and others. I have also gotten the chance to go to the Arabian Horse show. If you enjoy watching horses and being near them if is the place for you. They have great shops, the costumes are wonderful and the horses are groomed to the hilt. They are a joy to watch. I love to go every year when it comes to Scottsdale. My home town.
Awhile ago I talked about my kids love for webkinz. I think now it is an obsession with them. LOL!!Lexi has 15 and Logan has 14.
I tried out again for the design team for Devine Memories ( http://www.devinememories.com ). Well, I can not believe it but I got on it again. I am very excited. The ladies are great and everyone of them. So fun to hang out with and all have great personalities. I can not wait to see what some of the new people are like and get to know them.
well until next time!!
Hugs and Kisses
Brit

Here is my little Karate Super Strong Kicker! He got first place in the tournament that he was in. He loved Karate. He thought that he was so cool walking away with a first, thrid and participation tropheies and three medals.

A little about me questionnair

I have always liked those get to know more about me questionnaires. Here is one that I saw on someones blog.

Aprons - Y/N? I have a lot. I love the old fashion ones that are more like a top then an apron. I can not tell you how many times I wipe my hands on my back to answer the phone and know there is crap on my back. Plus you have got to love the funny sayings and cute designs that you can find on them.

Baking - Favorite thing to bake: cookies, i love to make easy dishes. Anything that is created by Rachel Ray.

Clothesline - Y/N? No, but I do have a drying rack.

Donuts - Have you ever made them? I have made them. My sister in law makes the best homemade donut.

Every day - Cleaning cleaning and more cleaning. The kids and the toys the clothes Boy oh boy!!!

Freezer - Do you have a separate deep freeze? YES!!!! I love mine. I got it about a year ago. I can get things when they are really cheap and use them as I want.

Garbage Disposal - Y/N? Yes

Handbook - What is your favorite homemaking resource? I love anything Martha Stewart. I know that she can be a weirdo but think about she has some classy ideas!!

Ironing - Love it or Hate it? Hate it!! I did not mind it until I got married! I iron now what I need.

Junk Drawer - Y/N? No. I had one and could never find anything in it so I got rid of it.

Kitchen - Color and decorating scheme? It is a khaki color with rust and stuff

Love - What is your favorite part of homemaking? Spending time with my kids and being in control of the way the house is running.

Mop - Y/N? Yes, I need to. Currently lol.

Nylons - Wash by hand or in the washing machine? I do not wear them. LOL but I do use a wash bag if I need too.

Oven - Do you use the window or open the door to check? Open the door.

Pizza - What do you put on yours? I love everything on it but pineapple. I am allergic to it.

Quiet - What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment? I read, look online and sit with my kids .

Recipe card box - Y/N? What does it look like? I don't have a box. I have a folder that I keep it in.

Style of house - What is the style of your house? I love pottery barn and am trying to go for that type of a look.

Tablecloths and napkins - Y/N? I have them only use them on special days;)

Under the kitchen sink - Organized or toxic wasteland? Organized.

Vacuum - How many times per week? I have to do it everyday in the family room and 2 times in the bedrooms.

Wash - How many loads of laundry do you do per week? average 1 a day probably

X's - Do you keep a list of things to do that you cross off? sometimes... when i have to get a great deal of things I want done .

Yard - Y/N? Who does what? I do everything even though I should not. I am allergic to the plants a weeds but husband is either to busy with work or to tired to work.

Zzz's - What is your last homemaking task before going to bed? I check the door to be sure that it is locked, check on the kids, and turn off the lights.

Sorry that I have been away!

Sorry that I have been away for a while. I have been really busy with life. Which looking back is sad to say is just the normal way of life. You know the hum drum of life that not seen by the outside world. The bills the shopping, taking care of sick kids, teaching the 4-5 year olds at church. You have to love CTR kids. They are a blast. I miss them. I have been sick and have not been able to see Last Sunday.
Oh My, you know it is late at night when the Bible hour comes on after Jerry Springer. I love the tivo remote while looking up stuff online and got stuck with that. Now there is some weird old guy trying to preach the word of God but is creepy. What a contrast to the sweet young men that are serving in the church on Missions. ( HERE IS A SHOUT OUT TO CHASE!!!)
I think that the Smart Family is going to celebrate CHristmas all year this year. I can not seem to get ride of the decorations this year. The christmas village is still up. I got sick of looking at my bare fake tree in my house so I dragged it out into the garage right near the door so that Jared will know that I want it gone. I am tired of asking. Logan and his friend William laughed and Laughed. They thought it was so funny watching me stack christmas boxes and the tree out in the garage. I told better out there then in here. I think that now the tree is out of here I will be more likely to want to even try to take down the village.
So today is Wedensday. I get to see my therapist. I am finding more and more out about myself now that I am going to her. Looking at my life and who I am I can see that it is through constant chage within us, whether by growth spiritually, metaling or any means that we gain true happiness.
I am reading more and more than I ever have. Books that I would never have considered before I am reading to gain a better understanding about money. How it works for you and can also work against you if not handled properly.
I am working on scrapbook pages and an altered item for the store that I am/was a design team member for, Devine Memories http://devinememories.net. They are having everyone try out again. I hope that they will like the pages that I have doen and the altered item that I have done. I love the altered item something way up my ally. It is a clock that I got on clearence at Target. ( you have got to love that place) I have loved working with the ladies there. I hope that I will be able to keep my position on the Design Team. If not then I guess I will just have to start looking again for a design team. But that will be sad.
HAVE YOU EVER FELT LIKE YOUR LIFE NEEDED A LITTLE CHANGE?
Well, I have felt that. I am going to fix up my house. make it less cluttered. I got a book to help me with this. I am hoping that I can get help from my mom, and I think I might ask my sister Terry to come and help me. Although I am good about getting rid of things that I do not need. I have a tendence to want to keep things that just take up space because they have meaning to me. Let's see if Pottery Barn Home the book can help me with this task.
To family and friend far away I hope all is well!
Brit

A New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can not believe that another year has gone by. It seems like only yesturday that it was 1997 and now we are in 2007.

Well, I have finally gotten one. Lets see I have wanted an ipod for awhile now. Well, today was the day. I know it is only a 2 GB and that you can not watch video on it. But I like it just the same. I am hoping that this will help me to be motivated and go to the gym that is very nice out here in Anthem.

My New Years resolution is to get health. I want to beable to look and feel health. Ans if on the way to that I lose the weight then great.

I have heard that I can download books to this at the library so I am really excited to beable to enjoy the books that are out there.

I hope that you all have a wonderful new year and keep your resolutions. I will be trying to as well. Brit

Logan and Lexi are nuts about these small stuffed animals. You can get them at different toy stores. They cost about 7 to 10 dollars. Each stuffed animal comes with a code and that code helps you to adopt an animal. These stuffed animals a big out here in Anthem. On the website you can build you animals a home and buy them clothes and other things for them to play with. There are all kinds of gamesto play and this is how you get money to buy different things for your animals. The website is called webkinz and can be found at. http://www.webkinz.com

As you can see Lexi has very girly stuffed animals and Logan has very boyish looking ones. The names that the kids have come up with are a so cute. Logan's Monkey is Jack, his Tiger is James, his Lion is Little Man and his tree frog is Climber.

Lexi's Yorkie is Puff, her cat is Snuggles, her Unicorn is Pixie and her Poodle is Sunny. We laugh because she think that the Yorkie is a Poodle and is not quite sure why it looks different from the little poodle that she has.

Last night we went to a Squad Party for Jared's work. The kids had fun and everyone was really nice. It was fun being around members of Jared's work again. Not that the Ladies at communications were not nice. But his job was for police work. It is nice to see him doing what he loves doing again and interacting with others from his squad.

I can not believe that Christmas is almost here. It is scary to think that it is less than a week away. Jared says that he has one more gift to get me. And I still need to get stocking stuffers. But other than that I think I am ready for it to come.

Warm Wishes and HUgs

Brit

MERRY FREAKIN' CHRISTMAS!!!

Ok! So we put the lights on the house trimmed the tree, the stocking are hung. The Christmas cards have been sent out all, 35 of them. So what is left on my list of things to do before Christmas Eve. Get the Kids Pictures taken with Santa. I always try to beat the mad rush to see him as it gets closer to Christmas. So, Jared and I decided to make the day of it on his day off. We would walk around the outlet malls here in Anthem and then go to Santa's house for a shot with the Jolly Old man himself. As we entered the buliding Logan is trying to remember everything that he wanted. Although his list was short he wanted to make sure that the colors and names were right and where Santa might be able to get them if His elves were not able to make them to his exact specifications. Lexi on the other hand is singing a song about Santa and how he says HO HO HO! Everyone thought she was a sweet little angle. LOL!! As we got closer to Santa Lexi turns to Jared and says I need a list. So jared runs her to a little table to jot down the two things that she wants from Santa. As we get closer to it being our turn LExi decides that PIctures with Santa are not such a good idea. Santa was very sweet and talked to Logan as it got time for Lexi , the camera people were on their toes ready for the shot. AND BOY DID WE GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!! Here is what is being said as this wonderful picture is taken Rolling his eyes he say she is always like this. Santa tells lexi "OH it is not so bad." Lexi just sits and frown at the lady with the rubber raindeer that she keeps squeezing hoping to get the winning smile. Who come to the rescue to her remove the frown Jared. Although the good picture Lexi is not frowing I do not think that you can call it a smile either. But Logan and Santa look cute.

So here is the good photo. I think that both were cute but when the Lady told me I got a free 5x7 of my choice I had to get the unhappy face one. The Following pictures are of the decorations that can be found in our home. THe tree is the main thing in our small home. I love to get and buy ornaments for the tree. At this rate I will need a Christmas tree grouping and just a Christmas Tree.

I think that one of my favorite things on the tree is my alarm system. One year Pottery Barn Kids had bell garland. I ran over the day ater christmas and bought enough to cover my tree. I also got 5 large grouping of bells that match the garland. Now when little hands are not where they should be the tree rings for it own safty.

I love Hansen porcilen figures. I have many in my home. But the one that I love to show off at christmas is the nativity.

I like things at are old looking or that are different from the norm. I love this little grouping of santas that I have. Each one different and fun to look at.

Well LIke I said before Happy Holidays!! Hopefully I will get to see each of you in person to give you a proper Christmas greeting. If not Merry Christmas.

HUGS AND WARM WISHES!!

Brit

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!!

I can not believe that Charistmas is 22 days away!!!!!

My christmas cards are ready to go out in the mail. I am making cookies and wraping packages. I have a few more to buy which is normal for me. The tree is trimed the decorations are up and the outside lights are just about done.

I will post the picture of the house and what is going on.

sorry this is so short but I have a lot to do with Christmas only 22 days away. AHHHHHH!!!

LOL!!

Brit

Photo touch ups!

I love to work on photos. It does not matter if they are mine or someone elses. So When my sister in law told me that her sister had a camera that was producing bad images I told her send me a few and lets see what I can do. Here are a few of the pictures that I touches up for her.

ORIGINALAs you can see there are lines that run all over the picture.

TOUCHED UP IMAGE

This has been touched up I was able to get ride of the lines and have worked on the coloring.


ORIGINAL


Like with the first one the lines were all over the picture!

TOUCHED UP IMAGE

This image is touched up. The lines are faded and the coloring has been worked on.

By the way this is on cute little girl. Knowing the parents I bet that she is an angel and a doll. I can not wait to see her in person.

Hugs Brit

Thanksgiving

Well, here is this years family photo. I think it turned out really cute. I actually think that everyone liked their pictures this year. The group photo turned out good with some minor touch ups. Looking at the photo is great. It is sad that Chase was not in it this year, but he is where he needs to be on a mission serving the people of the Ukraine.

This year I bought stolls so that we could sit. And we used them but in the group shot we used a bench that we moved. I was nice not being in the front for a change.

Here is what Greg's family photo looks like. I think that it turned out good. But then again I am the one that took the photos. LOL!!

Here is Terry's family. I got them to hold a frame. There was no picture in it. Plus the frame was pink. I altered it so that chase is in the frame and the frame is black!!

Here is the Princess!!! She was the one to give us fits this year. She wanted things her way. But then again what do you expect from a princess!!!

Here is my sweet little boy. He is doing great!!! I spoke with lots of doctors and read many books. In the end we decided to try medication. He is still Logan but with a twist. He can focus.

Here are my two little ones with Grandma. Well she is their favorites person. They love her to death.

Well, thanksgiving was great as usual. You have got to love going to a hotel and having a wonderful meal. Little America is a wonderful hotel. We love the place. This year was no different. We went shopping and enjoyed the sites that are found around Flagstaff. Once again I battled the early morning shoppers on Black Friday. I got some movies and toys for the kids and a gift for Jared that I dare not say for fear he might read this. I also got a book for me to read while we were up there. Boy was that a joke. Jared took one look at it and he decided to read it. The title of the book is Eragon.

We went to two movies while we were there. The first one was Happy Feet. That was a funny cartoon that Lexi would have enjoied if she had not fallen asleep in my arms durning the previews. But the rest of the kids enjoyed the movie. And boy were the graphic great. The lead character was so neat to watch. The next movie that we watch the movie Deck the Halls. I thought that it was a funny movie BUT I thought that Mathew Brodderick could have been a little less robotic. But other than that Danny Devito did a really good job as a the neighbor that would not stop putting up lights on his house.

While in Flagstaff, we decided to stay an extra night and enjoy the lighting of the hotel. It was a nice little thing not as crazy as last time we did it a few years ago. We did lose Logan for about ten min. He was trying to be a good helper and get all of us a table. I was filling cups with hot chocolate for the family and when I turned around he was gone. I thought that I could have died. He did not realize that he was lost until we were back together and he saw that I was upset. then he started to cry and tell me how much he loved me.

Now we are home and glad that the trip was a BLAST!!! But boy do I wish I was back in Flagstaff!!!

HUGS TO ALL

Brit

I Love the Movies!!

I have always loved the movies!! Ever since I was a little girl. I love the way the room gets as black as night and it is cool and you can smell the popcorn always cooking out in the lobby. I use to go see lots and lots of movies in the theater. Now a days it is getting hard. With tow kids and the cost of tickets I have to be really picky about what I want to see. Today I took Logan and LExi to the movies. The movie that we saw was Flushed Away. And boy was it ever funny. They laughed and sat quietly!!! Which I really liked. It is definately worth going to see. I think that it is really good and anyone with or with out kids will like it. IF you want to go and check it out here is a like to the website: http://http://www.flushedaway.com/flash/index.html I think that every family that goes and sees it will get swepted away in the cute storyline.

Hugs!!!!!!!!! Brit

Time Flies WHen Your Having Fun!!

HALLOWEEN WAS A BLAST!!!!

Logan was Mr. Incredible and Lexi was Minnie Mouse. They were both so cute. I can not believe that we got costumes that look cute together although they do not go together. Logan was not liking the mask that he had to wear so he ended up with no mask in the end, but he did look really cute. Lexi wanted to be Ariel originally, but she could not walk in the dress. I think next year the costume will be made better and she can be Ariel then if she wants. I made the ears and the shoes because the Disney store was sold out in her shoe size and there were no ears here in the valley of the sun.
Here is a close up of Logan. You have got to love the cheesy grin. It makes me laugh all the time!

Here is Lexi in her costume. If I saw so myself I think that her shoes turned out GREAT!!!

Logan thought he looked so good. It was funny.

Here is my little Minnie Mouse. She did not want her picture taken but I think it is still cute!

I can not believe that Logan is in the First Grade. His teacher's name is Mrs. Hackash. He loves her. Soccer has started I can not believe that I have now becaome an offical Soccer MOM!!! LOL!!!

These are the pictures that we kept from Lexi's Photo shoot. I can not believe how big she has gotten. She is such a big girl. She did not like what she was wearing but I think she looked cute. I still can not believe that she is three years old.

The two pictures below are the pictures that we decided not to keep. the two above were much cutier we thought!!

Well Hugs to All

Brit

Lexi's Birthday Party

This was the first year that although it seems like we did a lot for Lexi it really was a small little get together. Lexi and her cousin meet up and went to build a bear together. Lexi picked out about five different friends to take home and then ended up with a with rabbit. Jessah is Lexi's cousin, they are best friends, she picked out a purple bear that was very cute. In the end the girls picked out matching outfits for their new friends. They each got a got to bring their friends home with her. The following are the pictures from there fun day.

Lexi was so excited to choose a new friend she was jumping up and down with excitement.

Lexi just loves Build a Bear. She waves at the camera as her Bunny gets filled!

Jessah is getting her bear filled with fluffy until it is huggably soft and fun to play with!

Now that the Bear and Bunny is made we have to clean them up and fluff the fur!! Brushing the fur makes them look so pretty.

You have got to love two little girls that have fun together!!!

A day in our life!

Lately I have been busy with kids and life in general. I have found somethings that I love. Rachel Ray is a great cook she is on the food network and has her own magazine http://www.rachaelraymag.com/ . Her food is YUM-O!! Next I have fallen in love with these clips called giddy giddy, http://giddygiddy.com/. They are felt and work great in little girls hair. Still love Nikon cameras http://nikon.com/. Oliva the pig is great!!! Still the funniest children books out there. Totally want a digital one. Lexi is loving American girl stuff. She has Coconut and loves to dress the little dog up and carry her everywhere.

Logan is doing karate and Lexi is dancing. They are really cute and love doing it.

Just a photo update!

Our Little Dancer!!

"I hate Rocks! I hate trees! I want to go shoping!", is what Lexi kept telling us as we walked down to the lake. Once we we were there she was climbing all over the place.

Look at these innocent faces. You would never think that they would cause you to spend hours getting a toothbrush out of the toilet.