Now

Often my posts are 2 week behind, because that's just how life is some times, at least around here. But despite the fact I have tons of pictures and things I need to write about, I thought I'd take some shots of what's going on right now over at La Casa de Goodrich.

Right now I'm working on a couple non-jewely related craft projects. Hate to say I'm a little 'jewelryed' out after making it non stop for pretty much a month and a half. But I'm just about ready to do some orders and get back to it. Also I've been admiring these bad boys Jason put up for me a few days ago. Aren't they awesome????
I'm doing an office re-model for my side of the room because while the system I was using to run my shop was working a year or so ago it's just not cutting it for me and the amount I do now. I've been wanting to do this for almost a year now and it never seemed like a good time but now things have slowed down enough for me to get to it also I made a good amount from Christmas sales and can afford it. So tonight one of my tasks is to continue cleaning out my desk and craft area. It's a mess. Ok, more like a disaster.
This is the reason why I'm getting it all cleaned up. Jason's been working designing and now building my custom desk. What a fella.
Tonight I made chicken and dumplings with smoked chicken brought all the way from Moses Lake. The boys actually loved it. Max vacuumed not only his carrots and my carrots but another bowl full of it. Levi just wanted meat.
Then we made some rice krispies. Green ones.
The boys are enjoying a Friday night show, some episodes of "Wild Kratts" they got for Christmas. They sure love those guys. And now Levi knows more about many animals than I do!

Card Parade

Every year I love getting cards and family pictures of some of my favorite people. I usually have them up around the house or in my office then at some point around February I realize I can't keep them because I'm trying REALLY hard not to be a pack rat, so I end up throwing them away. This year I thought I'd scan them then I'd have them forever!!! Here are the ones I've scrounged up.

Oh, by the way, I don't do Christmas cards but rather Valentines Day cards. It has helped to lessen my holiday stress level a number of notches.

The Baileys - I love Jen, she was in my ward in Bethany and we went to a number of playgroups together, do FHE group together and she is one of the reasons I'm really sad I'm not in that ward any more. I could talk to her forever.

The Carriers- Krissy was my visiting teaching companion for a bit in my other ward and I love talking with her. We did a number of craft shows last year and I got to know her really there. Her daughter is a hoot, Paige, and was in Levi's primary class.

The Hancocks - I've visit taught Tanya ever since we've lived in the house and now am in the primary presidency with her. She's pretty much amazing and I think of her every time I hear a Justin Bieber song.
The Keelers - I serve with Corrin (not pictured) in the primary presidency and could hang out with her all day long. She's fun, crafty and always has great ideas. Also her son is in Levi's class and they're getting to be pals.
The Sanders - My long lost friends who moved to Utah. I love Nicole, she was one of my best friends when she was living here. You know one of those people whose house you could stop off at and hang just because you were around and had some time. It was great. We have a lot in common and was sad when she moved. I got to photograph a 'birth experience' for her with Gavin and it was my first time seeing a live birth. Amazing!
The Youngs - They are a ton of fun. I love it because both our boys are pretty much the same age and have some similar personalities and I can totally relate to what life is with two young boys. Also it's always a good time when Danielle is a girls night. Yeah!
The Wilmarths - This is my Aunt Kathy's family. I'm so glad we found them. We didn't think we had any cousins but turns out we did! I also got to photograph Andrew and Lisa's wedding last year, it was a challenge but I learned a ton and am grateful I got the chance.

Time for a Change

Last year when we got money from the boys from grandparents and other family members for Christmas we decided we would get a bunk bed when the time came. We hid the money and forgot about it and found it, then hid it, forgot and found it again. So awesome to find a big chunk of cash you totally forgot about. Probably not very responsible but fun.

We decided a month or so back to finally trade in the boys beds for a bunk bed. They love it and were thrilled about the whole thing. Jason even let them watch a movie on the top bunk the first night. He snagged a picture of it all. Some how a movie is much better on the top of a bunk bed or in a fort. I think it's a law of nature.
We let them sleep together that night because they just looked too cute. Not a great idea though because they ended up kicking each other and waking up pretty early.
One of the sad things though is I can't really kiss Levi very easily when I check in on him before I go to bed. Also since we have an awesome popcorn ceiling and dark carpets the floor is an even bigger mess than it was before. But overall operation bunk bed was a big success.

Stuff.

I'm working on getting stuff posted but I have been in insane work mode for the past 2 weeks. I haven't gone to bed before 2am, sometimes 3. It kind of feels like I have a newborn. Kind of.

I'm just going to let my fingers and mind go at it because I have visiting teaching in 10 minutes and need to get something written.

Levi has been gone since Wednesday. He's with my dad and his cousins in California. That spoiled kid. He went to Disneyland, Seaworld, had his first trip on an airplane. Lucky duck. I kind of wish I could have been there for his first time doing some of those things but in reality none of that was going to happen any time soon. And he got to be with his family.

I miss him terribly. The house is definitely quieter without him but I miss his hugs, his constant "I love you's", his asking me everything about everything. At the same time I have also been able to get a ton done with only one kid. So good and bad. I just can't wait to see him tomorrow (or the next).

After a 8 year absence of church choir, I have finally started going again. Weird to say that long, but I counted. I haven't done it since sophomore year at BYU. Then I went on my mission, got married (Jason wasn't a choir person and I didn't want to go alone), and I had kids and then NEEDED my Sunday nap. Now I still can kind of nap but get to sing. It's been good so far. I miss singing a lot sometimes.

I have some fun surprises for Christmas for the kiddos, friends and family. We'll see if I can pull it off. I wish I would have gotten started earlier on some of it. Last year I had most of it all done really early. Oh well. Live and you learn.

Got to go. I'm exhausted and never got my nap today. Only a week and a half of this craziness (well of staying up past 3 most for me). Ahhhh. But I'm not sick of making jewelry yet. Still fun, so HA!

Tis the Season

Of craziness that is. At least around my neck of the woods. But it's all good , life would be boring without a little bit of insanity.

The boys are getting excited for Christmas, mostly Levi. Max doesn't really realize what's going on but he's excited because Levi is. He told me his list and everything on it involved a remote control. If you let him talk about Christmas, Santa or the countdown he gets really excited and his voice gets really high pitched. It's adorable.

On the subject of Christmas I'm trying to go simple (well, simple for me) and have been thinking more and more about the true meaning of Christmas and trying to figure out how to teach that to the boys. It's so hard sometimes with all the stuff going on, sparkly fun things, and other great holiday events. I'm just trying to find a balance. I guess I was just really put off with the over commercialization of Christmas when I started seeing holiday stuff in stores in Halloween. Really people?

Speaking of commercialization at Christmas....I am almost done with craft shows. This year has been interesting, some were very good and some were very bad. I think next year I'm going to be very selective and not do so many. Maybe just a couple. It's a lot of work to do them and a big sacrifice for the whole family. But I usually have fun and get to meet interesting people at them.

Yesterday we had our ward Christmas party, which was fun. I almost had a mental breakdown trying to figure out how to get my gingerbread birdhouse to stand up. I survived it and so did Jason. The result was great but involved many tears of frustration and a lot of hot glue.

Also at the party my mom, Levi and I sang. Mom was asked to play her guitar and do a song so she choose 'In the Bleak Midwinter', which we've done dozens of times. As she and I were practicing an hour or so before (yeah, that's how we do it round' here) in the last verse I saw Levi mouthing the words as we sang. So I asked him about it and he said it was a poem they were learning at preschool. It was adorable to hear him repeat it and he knew it all. So we roped him into singing the last verse with us. He was reluctant but obliged.

What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepard, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what then can I give him, I will give my heart.

He's such a sweetheart and did a great job singing loudly, though he was a little on the squirmy side for a lot of it. But twas to be expected. As we sang together I realized why my mom was always roping us kids into singing with her growing up. Heck she even does it to me now. It's just an amazing feeling performing with your child and to see them do something well.

On a sad note a dear family friend, Tiffany's, husband passed away very suddenly this week. Brooke, her cousin, happened to be over at my house that morning she found out. We both just burst into tears, and I'm not the crying type. I can't even imagine what she is going through. Especially to be so young, and they're expecting their second daughter. I've been thinking about her all week and at the same time trying to appreciate the wonderful boys in my life. I don't know what I would do without them.

It's All About the Hair

Good news. Levi (and of course Max who is sure to do anything Levi does) will let me do his hair! He finally let me in time for his preschool picture day. Here's Mr. Max with his 'crazy hair'. Yeah baby!

Intense

Any time uncle Isaac is around you will be sure to see this image at some point. I watched him play the other day. He's quite good and I'm pretty sure he's better than me.

Produce

After harvest I got right to work with all the produce. I canned salsa and spaghetti sauce.
Dried tomatos, onions and tons of apples. Here's to a tasty year!

Grapes

This years birthday was great. I knew it wasn't going to be big and fancy because I had my first holiday show a couple days later and it was really just bad timing. But it was still wonderful none the less. I actually had the boys off to the babysitters for a lot of the morning so I could get some work done which is really what I love to do. I don't need fancy parties or a big dinner. My ideal day would be to be in peace and quiet (no fighting) and creating. Maybe watch some good movies or something. I'm not picky.

Jason made sure it was a good one. He cleaned the house, took care of the boys and got me my 'cake'. This is what I ask for every year. Fruit. Not the apples and oranges but more 'expensive' ones that I don't keep around the house, especially when it's not in season. So I got a big bowl of grapes, mango, papaya, pineapple, pomegranate, avocados and Greek yogurt.

I was nice and shared the grapes with the boys. They brought it to me and we ended up sitting down right there in the middle of the hall and munching on them. Yumm-o.Jason also had the perfect day planned for a month later when things were a little less crazy. He got the nicest room at the grand hotel. It was the fanciest hotel I've ever been to. Then we went to Cinatopia to watch the new Twilight movie in their fancy parlor room, which was amazing. We don't go out to movies a lot and never like this. I loved it. Then we did some shopping and I got my hair cut. It was perfect. I am so lucky to have such amazing boys around me who love me and spoil me.

Sugar High

This year's Halloween was full of fun, parties and tons of candy. The boys loved every minute of it.
We had a big ward Halloween party and Trunk or Treat. In the building each room was filled with fun kids games and activities. They had a blast.
Dillan, Sienna, and Nancy came and they seemed to like it. I think at first the kids were overwhelmed because there were SOOOOOO many kids and people running around. It was a little crazy. But after a little bit they got comfortable with the insanity and were all smiles.
Cuties.
Then the boys went home and counted their loot.
Max very carefully stacked his goodies. Once they'd arranged it just so, we let them go crazy. They even shared with everyone else.
The next day, the real holloween day, we went to circle park and everyone in Bethany ward parked there cars around it and we all did another trunk or treat. Again, the boys loved it. Max was so cute saying 'trik, treat!' and 'tank ou'
That day Levi had decided he didn't want to be superman that time, and decided a king was a better fit for him for the day. So we dug through our costume box and here's what he came up with.
Someone did the in the back of their truck. I was mesmorized. But who doesn't love dry ice?
Licorice anyone?
For the most part my kids ran around the playground. One of the boys we know was a mummy and part of his costume came off leaving a big strip of fabric to play with. These two chased and chased each other. She was tough!

Kid Day

This year was our second annual Kids Halloween Party!!!! Fun again, as always. It was a divide and conquer sort of thing and I love doing it with these moms because I know they will do what they say they are going to do. Being on so many activities committees in my life there are always some people you get kind of nervous about that they might not do/bring something or even show up. So it's nice when you don't have to worry about it at all.

Levi was Superman, Max was one of three Spidermen, there were two pumpkins, and an alligator, dinosaur, a lizard and a lady bug. It is fun to see these guys run around in costume.
Buffness.
As always the trains were quite popular. A candy walk. They were so funny because you could tell they were still all learning the game. Max loves these things and spent quite a lot of time in it.
Isn't Brady awesome?
Food. Even better if Jackson's there. They both insisted on sitting next to him.
We'll see everyone next year!

Thankfulness

A lot of people I know have been doing their 25 days of gratefulness and I thought I'd do it as I went along here. So be prepared. This is a long one.

Day 1 Today I'm grateful for carpooling and great friends who are always there to help. It's amazing and Levi loves it. It lets me relax and just have fun with Max before nap time and not have to stress about anything. Thank you Katey and all my other amazing carpooling buddies.

Day 2 I am grateful for my husband. Oh so grateful. He helped me set up for a show today and has always been so wonderful and supportive with my 'work' though it took him a little bit to make him believe I could actually make money doing it (it too me a while to believe that myself!). He has such great ideas and can turn my crazy rambling plans and turn them into not only a reality but usually something much better than I would have ever done myself. He's amazing and I'd be completely lost without him.

Day3 I am grateful for the roof over my head. Never in a million years did I think I would be living in my grandparents house and with my grandmother no less, but I am so grateful that we are here.

Day 4 I am so grateful for visiting teaching. Sometimes, ok, many times, it is hard to not only do it but to have people do it for me but I am always grateful that the time was made. Through the visiting teaching program I have met and made countless friends and sisters who I otherwise might not have naturally been drawn to. They teach me, inspire me, help me in times of need and I know, no matter what there are so many wonderful women who would, in an instant, drop everything they had to help me.

Day 5 I'm grateful for my madre. She works SOOOOO hard. Puts in 14 hour days at work at times, sometimes more, finds time to come be with my grandma several times a week, is with her all weekend long, takes care of her medicine, finances, and does all her shopping. I am pretty positive she is the best daughter ever. She has always sacrificed so much for people. Growing up it was us. As I think back I realize how little I comprehended how much of a sacrifice she made. But she was always there to take us to our dr.'s appointment, which were many. My sister and I had braces that needed to be adjusted at least once a month sometimes twice and thinking back that must have been HUGE for her to do. She worked across town, our HS was miles away but she always took time off to do it even though she had a very demanding job, had 5 kids and was going to school full time. She was always at every single play, choir concert, or any other event we did, and even paid full price each time. Yeah, she's amazing. Oh, and she's never said no to babysit either. Yeah, we're that lucky.

Day 6: I'm grateful for my knowledge of the gospel. I know it's true and no matter what happens I know that will always be a constant in my life. On days like today when my kids are crazy during sacrament (Max screamed out the loudest dinosaur roar you've ever heard when the bishop was speaking. Talk about embarrassing.) or while Levi was being the wiggliest little sunbeam during program practice and overall church was a bunch of craziness, I had to remember dispute it all, it is true. I have gotten astonished looks when I've mentioned church goes for 3 hours or the fact that we give 10% of all our income or spend hours and hours on a serving in a calling for free. I'm sure they think to some small extent that I'm insane. But I know it's true and it's not hard when you know it's true.

Day 7: I am so thankful for mail. Weird to say but I really am. Often times as I see mail trucks going around doing their business I think about how absolutely amazing it is that we have a system that can get mail from one side of the country to the other in a matter of days, and if needed hours. Logistically speaking it is incredible what they do every day. And while I might whine and complain that such and such didn't arrive in time I fail to remember that even 50 years ago I would be waiting weeks and a hundred it would be months before reaching a given destination. What a marvelous time we live in.

Day 8: I am grateful for good friends. Tonight I got to go to two girls nights and hang out with some of my favorite people, people who I love and who I know love me. It's great to know that while you are leading your life and it might seem like your the only one struggling with whatever it is your dealing with, that there are people around you who are doing the same thing and together you can somehow make the burden seem a little bit lighter. I am so grateful for people who I could say pretty much anything to and it wouldn't phase them at all. They wouldn't judge or think less of me for saying it. Girls nights are definitely the cheapest form of therapy.

Day 9: I am grateful for my office. For my place to be away from everything (kind of) and create. It is where I compose myself from all the insanity that is constantly flying at me. I am not joking when I say I might go insane without it.

Day 10: I am grateful for my pregnancies. I know, if anyone knows me they know I hate being pregnant. I'm pretty much a big, uncomfortable meanie for a year. But today I talked to someone who has gone through a number of miscarriages and I can't imagine how hard it must have been. It would not be something that is easily forgotten. And for that I am grateful for my health and being able to 'easily' bare children.

Day 11: I am grateful for modern medicine. The boys and I went to McDonalds for dinner to give dad a break and Max got his fingers smashed in the bathroom door. It was awful, blood everywhere. I panicked and it was just a very emotional night. We ended up in urgent care and the next day getting an x-ray (nothing too serious, thankfully). But I am grateful we have doctors, medicine and so many things to keep us strong and healthy.

Day 12: Today I am grateful for children. Not just my own but for other children as well. Childhood is something you only get to do once and it goes by so fast. I love to do fun stuff for the kids around me and hope to bring smiles on their faces. After being a mother I can really see why we must 'be as little children' if we want to enter into heaven. They are such amazing examples to me!

Day 13: I am grateful for my primary calling. Today we had the primary program and they all did such a wonderful job. I can't believe I get to work with them and serve them. For 8 years I did activities, activities, activities and I am so lucky to get to be around these sweet children.

Day 14: I am grateful for work. I've pretty much worked since I was 16 and the only 'break' I had was during my mission and a couple months after Levi was born. I have always been blessed to be able to work when I've needed it. I am grateful for my little store and how much I have been able to do because of it. I never really though I'd make real money at it, but I have always been abundantly blessed with income when I've needed it.

Day 15: I am grateful for this blog. It is a TON, TON, TON of work on top of everything else that I do. Some days I just want to quit it all because it is just one more thing I have to do in my already busy life. Then I go look at pictures from a year or two and am grateful I took the time. These next 20 years or so are going to be crazy busy raising children, but one day they will be gone and out of the house and I know I will be eternally grateful for the time I took taking pictures and writing their stories.

Day 16: I am grateful for the temple. No we didn't go today. We've been trying to find a time to go with our temple swap family but we've got some tricky schedules, especially with the holidays approaching. The last time we went I loved it and realized how much I truly missed it, not because of any huge epiphanies I had while I was there but merely because of the peace inside. It literally felt like I left all my stress, worries, and anxieties (which are a lot) right at the door and all I felt inside was peace and calm. I can't wait to go back.

Day 17: Today I am extremely grateful for my Max. He is such a sweet heart and I can't resist that little voice of his and how he is learning new things each day. One of my favorite things in the world to hear is his giggles. It melts my heart. I can't imagine our family without that little guy.

Day 18: I am grateful for the opportunity to serve. It is such a great feeling to do something nice for someone, even if it's something small. And I am always grateful when people have allowed me to do things for them. It makes me happy.

Day 19: I am so grateful for my Levi. We spent pretty much the whole day together, just the two of us. We were mostly doing errands for me, stopping at a bazaar then going to the gemfaire on the max. He was such great company. I just love that kid. He asks about 10 questions a minute and is so curious about life. He has an amazing imagination and love of life. It is never a dull moment with him around. Today would have been extremely boring without him.

Day 20: I'm grateful for tithing. I know, it might sound odd. But I love it. Today was tithing settlement and it felt so good to say we were full tithe payers. Tithing is pretty much the only commandment I can comply with completely and it feels good knowing that despite my lack of faith, charity and patience I do pay my tithing perfectly. What a blessing.

Day 21: I am grateful for Family Home Evening. We have gotten better and better at the whole thing and now have Levi getting into the act. He always reminds us what day it is and what we are all doing. When he chooses activities it usually involves playing cars, trains or a game and if we let him decide for treat he like to pick the ice cream shop. I look forward to many a fun family home evening with those boys.

Day 22: I am grateful for good teachers. Today was Levi's preschool's harvest feast and I am got to see him interact in his school environment. His teachers are wonderful and you can tell how much they love these children and the work they do.

Day 23: I am eternally grateful for my husband. Today, when he got home I was pretty down. Tired, not feeling great and sick of my kids fighting. So he put me to bed, took the boys and made waffles for them for dinner and when I woke several hours later the boys were playing downstairs and the whole house was clean and everything set out for thanksgiving dinner. He's amazing and I am so lucky to have him for my eternal companion.

Day 24: I am grateful for modern technology. I love it, though it can be a source of distractions at times. I was able to do most of our Christmas shopping online and get a number of ideas for some handmade ones I'll be doing. What did people do without it? I've used it for so many great things. Like preparing lessons or music time. It's an amazing resource.

Pumpkinness

This year we never really ended up carving pumpkins, it just didn't happen. But we did get to decorate some over at our cousins house. It mostly involved them putting stickers on pumpkins. But they loved it. I love how kids can be so easily entertained sometimes.
Sienna and Nancy with the princess pumpkin.
Levi worked VERY intently on his. He definitely worked on it the longest, even stayed while the other kids ate cupcakes. Now that is a true artist. Dillan, also very engrossed. Man that kid's adorable.
And Mr. Max with his 'M' pumpkin. He was very proud of it. Then dad started putting stickers on his face to which he started laughing hysterically which of course made everyone else laugh hysterically. And then there were mini cupcakes. The end.