{Legos}

This boy just fell in love with the Lego store! Whenever we go to Eugene, he likes to tinker with the old ones I played with as a child. But, we never knew he was this excited about them until entering the Lego store. He admired and played with tons of Legos in every color and even I was excited to see ones in Pink and Purple. Ryley must have asked for every set in the store and now we know what to get him for his 3rd birthday in April!It turned into a family event when the set that said 4+ contained over 310 pieces! I decided Ry gets the bigger Legos (not mega blocks but the toddler Legos) because it was as many little pieces as Polly Pockets!
Chad and I each took his order and began building. He was so excited. Then I tool the remaining 150 pieces or so, and put them in a Rubber Maid and hid it in the kitchen.

Happy as a clam! He even slept with them tonight!

{Saturday}

On Saturday we went to the NW Children's Festival. It was pretty, what's the word, um, ghetto. But, at least the kids had fun! It was something to do indoors in the Winter and well, we like to try new things.

Maisey had a wonderful time doing a whole lot of petting!And of course this girl loves anything being applied to her face. Paint or make-up, what's the difference anyway? Ryley did a LOT of watching because he is still timid when put on the spot (workers staring at him and talking to him, heaven forbid).My favorite thing to look at was this 6 yer old 96 lb turtle who is expected to grow 4x it's size now!

Maisey also rode a mechanical bull... She loved it and stayed on the entire time but said her hands hurt afterwards. I guess that's what the gloves were for... I think she just likes to look like a cowgirl but she's no prepared for the real dirt of it all.

Ryley found happiness in the bouncy houses.

There was almost something for everyone...

{1/3}

This is probably about 1/3 of Maisey's Cookie order (some were already sorted and back out to the car, or delivered). She sold 152 so far and booth sales start this next weekend. Although it's Sunday, we did a bit of delivering because many people were anxious to have them before Valentines Day. Now we have to deliver the rest, and collect money. But, I am hoping people will also remember so we can collect when we run into them. Cookies sales are very time consuming, but they mean SO much to Maisey.

I think she's taking after me in her goal setting! She was such a help and wanted to hand me all the cookies while taking inventory. She also put rubber bands around many. See this adorable smile? Well, do you think she put this shiner on while delivering? NO! Sure she's was excited to deliver, but she is selectively quite and I cannot figure it out. She has a mind of her own and she gets a lot of her attitude from me... Enough said.She wants to do modeling right now, along with a million other things of course. Luckily, her schedule is full so I don't have to negotiate with her. She also thinks she needs a horse.

Yes, a horse. In the last month she has even shed tears over the fact I won't let her wear scrunchis (sp? And yes, they still make them) and equestrian clothes like the girls in all the books she keeps getting at the library. Oh, and it is so hard to say NO to this pretty little girl! But not that hard!

Kids and dreams!

{Excitedl}

The biggest news in our lives right now is that I will be going back to work. I am excited about this position, beyond words.

A job opportunity was open at LDS Family Services and I couldn't keep myself from applying. I was just offered the job and I couldn't be happier! I will work part time as an adoption caseworker which will be perfect for my busy school schedule and the rest of life.

Now, about school...

I don't think I ever "announced" what it is I am doing. I get this feeling because people keep asking me, saying they read it on my blog that I am in school, but don't know why. So, forgive me friends if you've heard it a thousand times and forgive me if I've been vague. I am earning a Master's Degree in Counseling online with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy. I hope to open my own practice after I am licensed.

School full-time, work part time, and EVERYTHING in between will keep all of us hopping.

I wouldn't have the opportunities I have without the strength and stamina my Heavenly Father has blessed me with. Also, I have to give credit to my dedicated husband. He tries his best to help me each and every day. Recently, (and by choice) he has started taking over some of my deep cleaning. We are both clean freaks, but I am more detailed so I usually do the deep cleaning. However, we continue to grow as a team and we are both sacrificing certain things as times change, like perfectionism. He even wants me to teach him how to cook! One step at a time.

Along with cleaning we are also working a little on grocery shopping.

This concludes the joy I wanted to share. I cannot wait to be back in the field working with families. These families will be a bit different than my DHS families and I already know I welcome the change!

{Round 2}

You may remember this room re-do from October. And, as much as I will miss that delicate little princess bed, a change was in order.

You see, Maisey got a roommate thus the need to reconfigure. If I had to "double up," at least I ended up with something I like after tons and tons of scouring every source for white bunk beds. I know I am picky but I cannot sacrifice what I think is style.
Maisey has decided her new favorite color is light blue. Yeah, and this is only 5 months after picking pink for her walls. What can I say, she is her mommas girl! I would still change my decor with the seasons if possible. Luckily, I outgrew that when we had kids.

This was the best I could do to work the colors in. Of course, the Shabby Chic will never cease.

Ryley even got to join the club with a light blue linen duvet cover. I also spent hours and hours searching for bedding for him and the prices were either unreasonable beyond compare, or the fabrics failed to fit the bill.

The room is still a work in progress. The wall on the side with the vanity looks a little bare.

I am also trying to find a Shabby bookcase. Wish me luck.

(Note: see the box fan? I have one too! What have I done to my kids? We need white noise to sleep, still! And, I only need it because they got me hooked! At least I can vacuum next to their heads when they sleep.)

So, you are wondering how the sleeping arrangement is going thus far, eh? Well, it's not really. Ryley has been staying up till the wee hours and when he does sleep, he wakes up repeatedly. I decided it is his thermostat. He likes a cold room like ours, not Maisey's. So, we shall test the waters tonight since I ended up getting him a lightweight down comforter. I hope it does the trick!

{Awkward}

My kids sleep in very awkward positions. Ry has started taking after Maise and so I decided to document his movement. They are both restless to say the least.

The kids in our bed when we got home from ward temple night.