this is me in a nutshell: "help! i'm in a nutshell! how did I get into this bloody great big nutshell? what kind of shell has a nut like this?"

K, I know I've gone a little scarce and become a tad boring, but there just hasn't been much going on in the Wild World of Amie.

I've worked four days this week, which is cool and I'm grateful for the hours and experience. For the many who have inquired (thanks!) I am an independent CNA for a wheelchair-bound man. I work with him in his home, getting him ready for the day, set up on his machines, and if he wants, I take him out to run errands or have a bit of fun. Last week we went to see a movie. It was a scary thriller and I hope it's not his usual choice! Ha! It's just part-time, anywhere from 1-6 hours a day depending on what he wants and needs. I'm enjoying it very much. : ) From here, I just wait for Nursing School to accept me. Emails go out Oct 5th in order to fill up the January placement--mine is on the tail end of the application period being considered so I may or may not make it in this round. It'll be a bummer to wait all the way until August 2011 if I don't get in this year, but, there's nothing I can do about it now. I've been doing the HCG diet off and on since May and am down 27lbs so that's fun! I feel good, I look better, and I'm about 10 pounds from my final goal. : )

My kiddos are bringing on their own kind of crazy to our world.

Ethan's had bad behavior 3 days in a row at school (he's such a little stinker, good thing he's so cute) and has lost so many privliges because of it! He lost a library book for about a week--then, when it turned up, he put it in his backpack along with a container of grape juice which he unfortunately squished and ruined the book. He got to pay for the replacement. He broke my ipod earbuds and got to pay for those too. He's started reading Dr. Suess-type books and is doing pretty well with "Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?", "Are You My Mother?", "Great Day for Up!", and "The Cat in the Hat." He struggles, but he's learning.

Cameron is just the most unique piece of work I've ever known. He's so flippin' creative it blows my mind. Last night I was cleaning off his dresser and found this piece of pencil artwork he'd created. to best describe it, I can only compare it to a Where's Waldo? drawing--there was so much going on, so interesting and detailed--I told him it just needed some colored pencil and that he should show it to his art teacher. It's seriously amazing. When he's done with it, I'll scan it and show it here. :) He's lovin' Scouts and got his Wolf badge months ago--he's already earned 4 arrow points and I think something like 8 or 10 belt loops. He makes it easy for me to keep him on track. He has flag football Wednesday nights and although he really enjoys it, he lacks focus. He is an ANIMAL on defense. The coach loves him for his defense, but says that if Cam could just focus and keep his concentration, he could be great at offense too. I think he grabbed the flag 4 or 5 times last game. And this week, he gets to be quarterback--he's very excited, but I don't think it's as fun as chasin' down the offense to snag their flag!

Sean also impresses me so much with his musical abilities. You know he's taking his second year of clarinet, and that he picks up so so fast. But then he applies what he's learned to the piano and has taught himself piano. For his school talent show he's playing and singing a song that I wrote (more info on this coming as soon as I can get my hands on a camera with video!) and I couldn't be more proud! He's totally into books right now--in fact, we're reading the same ones, the Percy Jackson series, the Fablehaven series, we just finished the Twilight series and he's interested in the Hunger Games series as well. He's also in Boy Scouts but doesn't get into it quite as much as Cameron--of course at this age and stage, badges are harder and take more work to pass off. But he enjoys his group. He's discovered that he's really good at tackle football (among friends, not on a team) and is called the Monster of Defense--all his friends say he's the best at tackling and stopping the ball.

Dan's been working a ton. This week he works four 24-hour shifts and a 12, making 108 hours in one week if I'm doing my math right? Fortunately, none of his shifts have been too strenuous, so he still gets sleep at night which makes all the difference. He recently finished up his final class (Humanities) in order to earn an AA. Took a while, but he's very pleased to have it done and behind him and accomplished! He lost 15lbs last month when we did the HCG diet together and looks so good--he never had much to lose, but had a little bit of a tummy on him which he lost: 4 inches worth! He hasn't gained any back, either. He's always hard at work fixing stuff in our yard and house. *side note, our door bell died last week making the 6th thing that's broken since hitting our 8-year mark in this house!* He put in a drip system for my garden a few days ago and now he's currently adding to the cabinets he made from scratch in our garage. He loves working with his hands as a hobby and is so good at it.

Well, that's us in a not so small nutshell. Hopefully I'll have more interesting things to post about in the next few days or weeks. Don't forget to enter the contest for $150 Visa gift card on my review blog. Just comment and you're entered, easy peasy. *smile*

weekend update

No clever posts roaming around my head today, but wanted to just mention our busy weekend.

Saturday started with Flag Football pictures and game for Cameron--he's really enjoying it and getting much better. He's awesome at defense and loves grabbing that flag!

Later we all went to the Primary Program practice at the church. All year long, the kids have been learning new songs and concepts in preparation for a big annual program. Dan happened to be working on Sunday, so he went with us to the practice at least.

That evening was the Relief Society General Conference broadcast, which is always uplifting and fulfilling. Following that I went out with a bunch of gals to Macayo's--I didn't eat (am on my 3rd round of HCG) but I still enjoyed the talk (and smells and eating vicariously through them! ha!) and had a fun night.

Sunday was the actual Primary Program and it couldn't have gone better! Both Ethan and Cameron said their parts perfectly and had ideal behavior during the program. Sean did a short clarinet solo to "Follow the Prophet" and he, too, did his part perfectly. I was a proud momma! Later, many people came up to him and me and commented on his talent. I was very pleased that he'd get over his anxiety of doing something new and performing in front of people and do it so well. :) And thanks to Grandma and our friends who came to watch.

What did you do this weekend?

secretariat review

Blogher gave us 5 free tickets to see an advanced screening of Disney's "Secretariat" last night, not because they wanted a review out of me, but because they're nice peeps like that. :)

So we headed on down to the theatre and joined several others in line waiting for seating. As I was standing there with my book, I worried a bit that the movie would be a bit too grown up for my kids. It's not a children's movie, but it did look like it was marketed to be a family movie, so I was hopeful.

We sat down in the way way back, passing several roped off sections--which always makes me wonder, who are those roped off seats for? I always assume its for press or media or other 'professional' reviewers. After Danny watched several people talk to a woman with a clipboard and then seat themselves in this special section, he asked Sean to go see if we were on the list. I rolled my eyes.

But when Sean came back and said we were on the list *jaw drop* we got up and moved ourselves to the special seating right in the front middle. Very cool!

Anyway, the movie was long and started a bit late, but I think its safe to say we all enjoyed it. There was enough action with all the horse racing to keep my kids interested. In fact, several times I looked over at them and noticed them literally on the edge of their seat, or bouncing up and down as they willed Secretariat to run faster!

This movie is based on a true story. For those of you (like me) unaware, Secretariat was a champion-bred horse in the 70s. He was the first horse to win the Triple Crown (3 big races in a row) in 25 years, and his stats from the third race have not been rivaled since. The story follows Penney (played by Diane Lane), a middle-aged housewife who inherits the horses from her parents when they fall ill and pass away. She basically turns the farm around, changes up the trainer (who is played by John Malkovich--not my favorite person, but in this he is brilliant and the comedy relief...my kids really got a kick out of his lines...and golf swing), and throws her heart and soul into training this Big Red horse.

It was very exciting and the pace kept my children interested, no small feat considering my youngest is 6. Again I wouldn't say this is necessarily a kids' movie, but it served really well as a family movie. It was rated PG, and I can't think why except for the presence of alcohol being consumed in several scenes?

The release date is Oct 8th, I believe, and if you get the chance I suggest you take your family to see "Secretariat".

win 150 smackers!!

Over on my review blog there is a new chance to win a $150 Visa gift card. Just make a comment and you'll be entered.

I wrote a really long blog post about our bedtime and nightly rituals in the H-home, and the question-for-the-comments is as such: What do you use to keep your days and weeks on track?

Again, don't comment here, but over on the review blog for your chance at a nice prize. Good luck!

is there an eight-year curse on houses or something?

Cuz in the past 6 weeks we've had to fix/replace 5 different things in our home--and not little cheapo things either!

It started with the $350 water heater in the garage, then the garage door itself ($150) followed by the springs in our door-leading-to the garage ($12 each, but still). Then, the day before our Labor Day trip our garbage disposal went out, started leaking all over the place, everything. ($100)

Yesterday we found out our sprinkler system had sprung a leak underground. When our bill was about $15 higher than planned I was a little concerned, but just thought, "Oh, we'll have to be more careful next month." But fortunately, Danny decided to set up a drip system for my garden, and in doing so, unearthed the sprinkler system and found a huge leak. $100 later for all the replaced valves, he's just about got it fixed.

Sheesh! I'm starting to think any future home we live in has to be 7 years old or less before we move...

just the way you are

I'm not much of an R&B gal, but this song and its sweet sentiment get stuck in my head. What do you think of Bruno Mars' song and video?

thirty-five and still alive

I've been trying for a few days to put this post together about my birthday, but honestly, it was so low-key and tame, there's not much to write about.  :p

I started my new job that morning, just a short while for training.  While there, I found my van decorated as such:

Pretty impressive being that Dan didn't even have the address of where I work.  Fun surprise.  Then I met up with him at Kohl's (and he had accidentally met up with Chris) so we all shirt-shopped for an hour or so.  I got this for Dan, knowing that I'd mostly be the one to wear it.  Hee-hee.

We then headed out to the new Japanese Tempanyaki place in town (yum!); we were the only ones there, since it was the middle of the day, and our chef didn't do a ton of tricks, but he was very personable and chatty, friendly and nice.  And the food was terrific.

Later, Chris brought over some fun gifts for me, and I got lots of nice emails and calls from all of you.  Thanks!

We rented some movies for us to watch later on ("Killers", which was stupid and I don't recommend, "The Backup Plan" which was ok, but predictable, and "Furry Vengeance" which was pretty funny), and I made fry bread for dinner. 

A week or so ago, we bought a laptop that's gonna have to serve as both our birthday presents I think, so there was no big gift opening or birthday cake.  Ethan was shocked.  "What?  No cake??  You have to have birthday cake on your birthday!!"  So, during the movie, we made a donut run.  My day (as usual) was all about the pleasures of food.  *smile*

Thanks, everybody, for easing me into middle age gently, gracefully, and full of love.  :)

down. . .set. . .hike. . .? I guess?

I only say that because this is our first experience with a kiddo playing Flag Football, and I know next to nothing about it.  I don't know how to cheer, I don't know what to yell, other than "Get the flag!  Get the flag!"  Cameron's generally a wide-receiver (I guess?  what is that anyway?) so I'm not exactly sure what it is he does other than block the other team, but it seems like that is everyone's job except for the quarterback who usually runs the ball. 

I guess all but one kid on this team are brand new players, so it'll be an interesting season.  Actually, they were only one touchdown from winning this one, got really close. 

Cameron had fun, and it wasn't too unbearably hot, only 97 so it wasn't completely miserable.  Again, I'm not really sure what's going on in these pictures, I just tried to make sure to always get him in the middle of the shot.  :)

So, this is what our Saturdays will look like for the next 8 weeks or so.  Just think, if I'd had any girls, I could be spending this time indoors cheering on ballet recitals.  "Plie!!  Pirouette!!"

Great job, Cowboys!

news! and updates! and stuff!

I know, I know, I have only blogged once this week, get off my back. :p I think I have spoiled all you faithful followers by blogging consistently 5 times a week these past several years...sometimes, a girl just have other stuff to do! Or nothing to do, ie, no blogging. Or something.

Speaking of...hello...faithful followers?...is anyone still there? (echo, echo, echo...)

A-hem.

Anyway. :)

News! I had two job interviews this week, and I am now officially a working CNA. Woot woot! Just part time (which is what I want) semi close to home (yee-haw!) pretty decent money for a brand new graduate (cha-ching!) and flexible hours. I am happy. It looks like the second job I applied for is going to work out as well for additional hours when I want them, so things are looking up.

Yay, Amie has an identity again! *rolls eyes*

Tomorrow is the very last day for you to submit a comment and earn an entry for the $100 mentioned over on my review blog. So if you haven't already, why not? It just takes a minute. You don't have to be logged in, you can sign in under 'anonymous', but please do leave me some way of knowing it tis you. I'd hate for one of my faithful followers (*really...is there anyone still out there??*) to win but not be able to collect due to lack of email. Or name. Or post office box. Or blood type. Or something. So go enter. At this moment in time there are 190 entries. Your 191st might be the winning one! I can't promise anything, but you have a decent chance. :)

And lastly, next Monday is my birfday. *smile* I will officially (in my opinion) be considered middle-aged. 35. Thirrrrrty-five. This many:

I realized today that I will be celebrating the anniversary of my birth by...wait for it...starting my new job. LOL Maybe this is my mid-life crisis.

OK, to sum up: I am officially employed, buzzing on chocolate, and urging you to enter my contest.

Have a great weekend everybody!

labor day vacation to honor heather's labor day

In other words, we just spent 4 days in California visiting family in honor of my sister-in-law's family and their brand new twin boys.  How sweet are these guys?!

Incidentally, this is how Sean could be found most of the weekend.  He loved those little babies so much!  (and they took quite well to him too!)

Now I have to apologize to Heather, but for most of these shots, I'm not sure if we've got Jordan or Joey-I'm sure she knows-but just know that whoever it is we're holding, we're so happy they are in our family and growing strong!  (6 weeks old and at about 7 lbs right now)

I wasn't very good at taking pictures this year-really only one day worth-but here are some of the best of the bunch.

 

I took this one in the middle of church.  Don't judge.  It was just so sweet.  Uncle Jason gave the boys beautiful blessings, and both so different.  He later bore his testimony (and so did Cameron) so it was a lovely Sacrament meeting.

 

Here's the whole group!  Lots of grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins in there!

Great Grandma with the boys.

 

Grandma and Grandpa's turn.  This is Dan's Dad. . . can you see the family resemblance?

 

And our little family, all looking (or not looking) at different cameras.

All 15 grandkids.  Isn't this a great shot?  You can certainly see some personality in there!

The stars of the weekend.  (and guess what, they're not even identical twins, they're fraternal!  crazy huh?)

I think I have Jordan. . . ?

 

This little sweetheart was quite a star of the weekend as well!  (she and Sean got along really well too!)  She's grown so big and so cute since we attended her baby blessing in San Diego last March!

Next up, some swimming!  I didn't get pics of everyone, but just about. . .

 

And then some diving and launching. . .

  Brianna totally looks like she's walking on water after this launch!

 

We finished up by breaking in the firepit and making smores.  Mine were made out of Reeses Peanut Butter Cups (thanks, Lorie, I finally did it and they were divine!!) and ohhhh my gosh.  No joke, I gained 6lbs this weekend!

We had a fabulous time!  Not pictured, attending the kids' football games, babysitting the twins, huge delicious lunch at Heather's, dove hunting for all the guys, pizza at Me and Ed's, and more.

What did you do this past Labor Day weekend?

**also shout-out to my AZ sister-in-law Kelly who had her second baby this past week.  Madi was born on Tuesday and already weighs more than Joey and Jordan!**