Is It Time for Prayer or Story?

Fam picture from Christmas Eve--hard to line it up just right.

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Tonight when we were putting the boys to bed Cam said his prayers first then it was Spencer's turn. It is kind of comforting to know that my mind isn't the only one that wanders at times when prayers are being said. Spencer kneels on his bed, folds his arms, bows his head and says, "Once upon a time...." Oh, so stinkin' funny. How I love my boys.

The Aliens in my House

Picture of the Aliens. They may look like adorable little boys in their Christmas outfits (they even chose their own ties), but looks are deceiving.......today they might as well be aliens.

ALIEN #1--otherwise known as Spencer: I would like to know what 3-almost-4-year-old gets the concept of delayed gratification. Because this little alien does. Cameron has been an angel to share his DS with Spencer. Despite his generosity, we have had many a fight over the DS. Since Spencer's birthday is Feb 1st--we thought we would get him his own DS and the exact same game as Cam. Sweet, problem solved. Or so we thought. The fighting has escalated to the point where we told Spencer last Saturday that we would go to Wal-Mart that very day and get his birthday present early. We explained that he will still get other presents, but that will be his main gift. The little stink wanted to wait for his birthday. In fact, I ask him every day if he still wants to wait and he does. Dude, I would take it early---birthday, schmirthday. See---alien.

ALIEN #2--Cameron. This might have more to do with him being a boy, than him being Cameron, but it's still weird to me. What is it with boys and video games????? Seriously. Cam had a playdate today with a boy in his Kindergarten class. They pulled out their DS's and I went to clean the bathrooms---20 minutes later I come out to total silence. Cameron on one end of the couch and his friend on the other. No talking, no interaction----hello boys. I told them to turn off the DS's and go play with toys. They obeyed right away, but 5 minutes later I headed down to clean the basement bathroom and they were setting up the Wii. Holy Crap----I kept my cool, but firmly told them to turn off ANY video game they had and to pull out the imaginext castles and play. There was seriously 20 minutes of whining and " we're bored". Finally they listened to their mommy and got out all 3 imaginext castles and had a ball for all of 20 minutes before his friend's mom came to pick him up.

So to all of my friends and family reading this with boys---what do I do about the friend/video game thing???? Video games are only played on Friday/Saturday, unless a friend comes over, then I normally allow 45 minutes, but it is NEVER enough for them. They are like lost little creatures when it's time to turn off the games. I understand that it's winter and when the weather IS nice they are good about playing outside. If anybody has any hints or strategies I would love to hear it.

Welcome New Year!!

Even though I don't have pictures to post right now (computer is DEAD!!). I was in the mood to say a quick hello. Hello!! Chad spent from 2am to 7am on New Years trying to fix our computer to no avail. So I am typing this from my new netbook---love it love it love it. Chad will have to work his magic to get our pictures from the hard drive--I'm not stressed about it right now. I just love my new little toy. Cam likes that I can be upstairs checking email instead of "always in the basement".

We had a magnificent Christmas!! Nice and quiet. Chad had the entire week after Christmas off of work. I totally thought I would be sick of him, but we really do get along well and I hated seeing him off on the 4th. Believe me, so did the boys. The three of them played and played the entire break. We did one activity every day--which was perfect. Then the three boys disappeared into the basement for hour upon hour of video games---meh-it was Christmas. Although, they got daily reminders that once school started up again they would only be able to play video games Friday after school and Saturdays. Which is where the three of them are at this moment. Coming from a fam of all girls I am still mystified by the video game thing, but it definitely has its good points.

January and February are normally my most disliked months. Big time!!! But it is nice to have my mind distracted with preparations for little Abby Kate. This little fam is so stinkin' excited to have her come. Although I still get a little nauseous when I see another newborn---the thoughts of everything that comes with a newborn makes me a bit sick. Hopefully time and Zoloft at 34 weeks will help with that. hahaha!! I have been making hair klippies like crazy---matching all of her cutsie little outfits. The other night I couldn't sleep and I stumbled on organza flowers on Etsy. So I googled the instructions and yes, we have a new obsession. Oh, they are fun and so pretty. Although there are little bits of organza all over my house and I have burned my thumb more times that I can count.

Chad gave me the complete Ally MacBeal collection. I am enjoying it so much. The series started my first year at Weber State and all of my roommates loved it. We all made sure to be home at 8:00 on Mondays to watch. Such good memories. Seriously great memories. At the time I thought it was kind of naughty, but it really is tame in comparison to todays standards. Not really a good thing.

So my little fam is starting 2010 off well. The boys are happy, and I am busy with Ally MacBeal, making hair accessories, making an embroidered receiving blanket, piecing a baby quilt, designing and making birth announcements, getting a nursery ready. That should seem overwhelming, but it's actually "Kami Nirvana". And I wonder why I don't get much sleep sometimes.

Major Update

Figured I had better get pictures downloaded before I got so far behind I bagged blogging all together.

Chad working on the paper mache' spider project he wanted to do with the boys. Of course, the boys lasted---oh-10 minutes. So Chad spent the rest of the evening on his own. Don't worry, Cam and Spencer would come in every so often to check on the progress of their spiders.

A bit too messy for my clean boys.
We had grandparents over for our annual chili and pumpkin carving. Spencer kept squinting for pictures--so we told him to open his eyes wide.

a pumpkin masterpiece

The spider minus the black paint.

Spencer showing off Jack Skellington.

Cute little fam

Cam's halloween parade

Spencer showing his muscles. He RARELY hams it up for the camera--I got 3 or 4 great shots of him being silly.

Helping with Grandpa's trunk or treat---as expected for my kids, they liked handing out the candy more that collecting and eating it.

Cameron's 6th Birthday. So fun!!! Chad took the day off of work--and was able to take Cameron to class--oh he loved that. After school we went to a movie and had both fam's met us at Red Robin for dinner.

For the life of us--Chad and I can NOT remember what movie we saw--we are getting old.

This one's out of order. After the trunk or treat we came back and watched Nightmare Before Christmas while Cam handed out candy to the stragglers.

This one is blurry because I was laughing. Cameron doesn't like "soft presents" ie. clothes. So Grammy wrapped his soft presents in a big box. Let's just say, he was bummed (with a good sense of humor about it all).

A candle in the egg-free Snickerdoodles Cameron requested.

Spencer is loving pre-school and all the fun projects.

Cameron's friend party. Pizza at Two-Jack's. It was a hit and they gave us a killer deal--seeing as how we eat there EVERY Saturday (seriously, every Saturday).

This has been the second year in a row the weather has been nice enough to keep all the kids outside. My house is just not large enough for ten 6 year olds.

The boys put their bean bags in the closet and Cameron read a book to Spencer--so cute.

Cameron was not happy about me making him put on his indian costume--and even more upset when I wanted a picture of it.

Sunday morning fun!!! My little rapper.

Watching A Christmas Story while Mommy and Daddy finished decorating the tree. Spencer sat with his arm around Cam for the longest time.

Modeling in front of the tree.

Grandma trying to give Spencer the courage he needed to sit on Santa's lap.

Nerf guns!!

A little bit of DRAMA. Cam let Grammy pull out one of his front teeth---and regretted it after. I couldn't handle it and tricked him into letting me pull the other one right before bed. Yah,,,he really wasn't happy about it. I still need to get an after picture. He looks so cute and has a darling little lisp.

Gingerbread houses with Grammy and Grampy--before the tooth extractions.

Hmmm...all caught up.

Christmas Jewelry Deals

I am so excited for these affordable pieces of jewelry for all the girls/women you might need gifts for this Christmas. I am also offering 25% off my regular Etsy prices, if you would like something from my shop, http://www.versajewel.etsy.com/

Just leave a comment, call me, email me....whatever. We can work out shipping as well if that is needed.

Items come in a cute little organza bag---ready for gift giving (while they last). Do hurry---I am limited on some items offered.

Little Dangles Bracelet (shown on left)--$2.00
Ball chain can be cut with regular scissors for custom fit. Comes with 5 dangles.

Little Dangles Necklace--$3.00
These same dangles can be put on a tiny ball chain or snake chain to be worn as a necklace.

Flower and Spot Necklace (shown on right)--$3.00
An 18mm colored enamel disc sits behind a flower dangle on a tiny ball or snake chain. Lots of colors to choose from.

Flower and Spot Bracelet--$2.00
Can also be put on a ball chain that can be cut with regular scissors for a custom fit.


Stacking Spots Necklace---$5.00

18mm, 12mm and 6mm colorful enamel discs are stacked to make this fun necklace. Comes on either a ball chain, tiny ball chain, or snake chain. Lots of colors to choose from.

Spots Earrings--$3.00

18mm enamel discs make these great earrings. Tons of fun colors to choose from. If you need sterling silver ear wires just add $1.00.

"Spots" colors to choose from:

Row 1:Teal, Cobalt, Sky, Sea foam, Turquoise

Row 2:Green, Lime, Yellow, Orange, Deep Orange

Row 3:Burgundy, Red, Pink, Rose, Peach

Row 4:Caramel, Purple, Lavender, Black, White

Triple Metal Earrings--$4.50 --two styles shown
Hand formed and hammered 1/4 inch circles of brass, aluminum and copper make these rustic and fun earrings.

Sterling silver ear wires can be added for an additional $1.00.

Triple Metal Sterling Silver Necklace---$6.00

Hand formed and hammered 1/4 inch circles of brass, aluminum and copper are strung on a 16,18 or 20 inch sterling silver chain.

This is a version of my best selling item on Etsy--Itty Bitty Circles Necklace.





Frame my Initials Necklace
$2.50 for each initial frame. $8.00 for the 24" ball chain with 3 dangles (heart in frame, flower/bead, long beaded). Necklace shown would be $13.00 and comes in a necklace gift box.

This is my newest and most favorite piece to make and I have done some FUN color combinations: Neutrals (shown); black/grey/white/bright pink (or red); grey/burgundy/dark blue; lime green/slate blue/brown/cream. I would love to try any combination you might come up with. I have made anywhere from 1 to 5 initial frames and they all look great.

Earrings to match your Initials Necklace---$6.00

I can do very dangly, to not-so-dangly--whatever your style.

Again--sterling silver earwires can be added for $1.00.

It's a....

GIRL!!!!! Oh, yah!!! Shell-Bell is getting all of my boy stuff!! And I couldn't be happier to put those bins in her car.

When the tech was doing the ultrasound and measuring her brain---Spencer calls out, "hey, I have a brain in my head too." Funny little guy.

Cameron is so excited to be getting a sister and Spencer is finally ok with the idea as well---he really wanted a brother.

Everybody tells me to get ready for drama,,,,so here we go.

Getta Little Help From My Brother

I took Cameron to the eye doctor yesterday (no glasses needed--woo hoo). It was so much fun to see him interact with the doctor--just like a little man. When Cam was reading through the letter charts and it got too small for him, Spencer would blurt out the letter. The doc and I got quite the laugh out of it. I was especially impressed, because despite my efforts the last 2 years Spencer has shown almost no interest in learning to recognize his letters. He knows his letters better than I thought and he could even tell what they were backwards and small. Oh these two surprise me everyday!!!!