Rachel Young

It's going to be a long day

It's Lucas' surgery day.  Out with the ginormous tonsils to stop the sleep apnea that all of our children have had.  He can't eat before the surgery so he's been food and water free since 9pm last night.  I'm keeping him downstairs in the family room with me and so far that's fine with him because I'm letting him watch TV to his heart's content. 

We've had snow.  A lot of snow!  It's gorgeous outside and as soon as the kids came home I let them go sledding with the neighborhood kids.  They were gone for 2 hours before I went down to get them (it was getting dusky) and as I was rounding the corner I heard them talking to each other.  I yelled out to them and ALL of them had huge smiles on their faces and were excited to tell me stories of them "catching air".  Lucas started across our neighbor's lawn and just fell on his stomach.  I asked if he was tired and he just looked at me and laid his head back down.  I said "C'mon, Lucas.  Let's go home." and he just laid there.  "Come get some hot chocolate, Lucas!" and up he gets as fast as can be and takes off running to the house.  The hot chocolate was totally worth it.  I asked him.

I was glad to hear that Maddie is no longer afraid of sledding.  That will be helpful with her playing with her friends this winter.  Last year she'd go down to the hill with them and sit and watch.  It's so fun to see her grow up and concur fears!

Countdown To Christmas Sneak Peek

Today I got my first two fillings in my first two cavities I've ever had in my life.  Because I am with child, I had to do it with no nitrous oxide and because I forgot to inform Nate, I had to do it without holding his hand.  AND I'm still alive!  I made it.  And now my mouth feels weird, but my teeth don't hurt anymore!  YAY! 

After that I ran into the store to grab some things and I ran into an old friend who told me some wonderful news that's made me happy all day!  I got home, put groceries away and Kati came to bring Lucas home (she watched him while I had my dental experience) and also brought her kids so I could watch them while she went to the candy store in Provo.  We had a bunch of fun and Lucas taught little Nate "The Russian Dance" (set to The Trepack from The Nutcracker) and we read 3 Christmas stories.  Lucas also got Alphabet Soup for lunch so his day was made.  He's also decided that "KAPOW!" is his favorite word because it sounds SO COOL!.  (I had to do it in all caps...you'd only understand if you heard him say it)

After that I had to finish something...something that turned out cuter than I thought it would and I'm so excited that it's going to be featured as the ScrapArtist Countdown To Christmas product tomorrow.  I can't show it all to you yet, but here's a small teaser:

Curious?  Come on over to ScrapArtist tomorrow morning bright and early and check it out!

Well I'm off to a Christmas Party with some of my oldest (and dearest) friends!  I've made a delicious salad (a recipe from my Aunt Kerry - spinach, cinnamon toasted pecans, pears, feta, amazing dressing) and I can't wait to eat it...is that weird?  Nope.  Not for me!

She's clearly delusional

I hear yelling upstairs. A  lot of yelling.  I get up to go see what's gone down and in tears Lucas.  He looks at me with his big sincere eyes and says "Mom.  Carrie thinks I hit her, but I didn't.  I only lightly Karate Chopped her."

Well then...If it was only a light Karate Chop...

Kids are awesome.

A Skype conversation between Lucas and Nate

[3:00:40 PM] Nate & Rach: i love you so much
[3:00:54 PM] Nate & Rach: we will so love you that we can love you very much
[3:01:05 PM] Nate & Rach: from Lucas
[3:02:18 PM] Nate Y.: :)
[3:02:40 PM] Nate Y.: I love you too Lucas and I miss you so much. 
[3:03:38 PM] Nate & Rach: and when we got a dog we are so happy
[3:03:46 PM] Nate & Rach: and we love you very much
[3:03:50 PM] Nate & Rach: but when you go to work we miss you
[3:03:56 PM] Nate & Rach: but when you come back we don't miss you
[3:04:01 PM] Nate & Rach: -lucas

Giving Thanks

It feels like it's been a whirlwind of a November.  Caroline turned 8 on the 21st and the day was full of 8 year old fun (and also 34 year old fun because I think Nate enjoyed the trip to "Jump on It" more than any of the kids) 

But Nate got really tired and kind of sick after:

He did actually get up and move and drive us home after it was over, so that's good

Caroline did have more fun than this picture of her would have you believe.

Lucas also had a ball

All of the kids had a glorious time, except for Claire (one of Caroline's 2 friends she invited).  She was worried about germs the whole time (she's totally adorable).  Toward the end she came over to me and said "Your husband is REAAAlly sweaty."

me: I bet he is!  He's been jumping like crazy!

Claire:  I wonder what happens if someone's sweat gets on you.

me: trying not to giggle

Claire:  Can you get swine flu?

me: Nope.  Not from sweat.

So cute and so funny.  Caroline also got to go to the Boy Scout breakfast with Nate early in the morning.  She was SO excited to be included.

No...she didn't eat all that food :)

She's getting so big and is now just crazy about playing the piano.  It's hard to peel her off of it and she's nearly memorized every song in her beginning Christmas book.   We just adore her and we're so happy that she's in our family!

More about November coming soon.

40% off at Rachel Young Designs

40% off of my shop today and tomorrow only!  Enjoy!

Things I'd Never Thought I'd Say

Today's is "Do you think Superman's mommy wipes his bottom?"

Just in case you haven't seen this yet...

Kate is having a contest.  And it's one of the coolest contests I've ever heard about.  Check this out!

So go check out her blog and post.  Be thinking of all the cool things you could have Mrs. Hadfield make for YOU! 

Better than mirrors

When I was growing up, there was a house down the street from me who started putting lights up very early...because it was crazy Christmas light house.  It was always amazing and always done by the family that lived there.  It was especially fun walking past it while wearing THESE glasses:

(they made all the lights say "Noel" or have snowflakes around them...seriously awesome.)

Jan Shelton used to joke about just putting up mirrors on her house and calling it good...but isn't this so much better?  Isn't it?

Thanks for the pic, Gina!

Paint Like You Mean it

I painted.  I painted an alpha...and I meant it.  Check this sweet thing out!

I love these colors too...you might be seeing more of them soon.   Have fun putting paint on those layouts!  And remember that coupon in the post a couple below this one...