A.H.C.'s

(Avoid Homework Creations)

My Valentine's wreath...

Okay and quite honestly that is the only one I completed this month. Busy, exhaustive month.  Here's hoping I avoid homework a little more next month...

January Extras

My new shoes I LOVE

Jersi - too cute

She was frantically yelling "Mom! Mommy" in a total panic.  Apparently she had climbed onto the bathroom stool and could not figure out how to get off...

This was on my application I had to go back and fill out for my job (after I was already employed) - Look closely, this specifically asks me if my contacts are dead or hot.  Um, what? What if they're dead-hot? And am I willing to admit that?

Kyndi's mini-celebration at grandma's house for her birthday (while she was visiting her one weekend)

I found these three hanging out in Dayton's bed watching a movie together.  Wow, good kids! (No worries, it didn't last)

Cool Dude

Dayton dressed as a cool dude:

Oftenly Found

Many many many many many times throughout the day, Jersi can be found in the same "spot"

It's usually food that intrigues her to that spot - but apparently the canisters were just as tempting this time...

German Pancakes Indeed

I was makig German pancakes for dinner. Kyndi was in the kitchen with me.  I had put the pans in the oven with only lumps of butter inside (to melt them as the oven pre-heated). This method wasn't working fast enough so I pulled them back out and ut them on the stove.  Kyndi freaked out a little: "What? All 7 of us have to share those tiny German Pancakes?!" She was certain that I had just finished cooking and somehow the finished product was miniscule in size:

Loves to Read

Apparently Jersi loves to read.  She'll crawl up on my bed (with help), snuggle herself in her blanket or mine, and read herself a story.  She's just cute, plain and simple.

This Just Happened

Um yes, this kind of stuff happens at my house.  (That is me, upside down...)

Stolen Apple

I was eating an apple whilst doing my homework.  As I was contemplating something I was holding it in my hand.  Before I could even blink this little thief had stolen it and was attemping a bite or two or three...

When I tried grabbing it back she ran! This is an often occurence, her running I mean.  Anytime she obtains something that she knows she shouldn't have she bolts for safety. (She does this when I tell her I need to change her diaper too)

Almost 18 months

Jersi is almost 18 months, so I thought while I have a quick moment I will do a quick report on her...

She knows a lot of words - I think she knows more than she lets on.  Let's see how many I can remember...

up (She really emphasizes the 'p' - she says this when she wants up of down)
boot = book
bah = ball
ah! (this is done in a surprised voice, anytime she thinks something is surprising or exciting)
mommy, mom
daddy, dad  (Many times she'll say "daddy, mommy, daddy" in a hgh pitched sing-songy voice)
dee-dee = Kyndi
Oat-ee = Oaklee
date = Tate
dys = Tyson
bundy = buddy = Dayton
Hippy = Sippy (her sippy cup or any drink in general)
tay = ok  (jersi, let's get you dressed, k? "tay")
dis = this
hi (usually while holding a phone to her ear)
me (her response to various questions such as, Who's cute? or Who looks like an octopus?)
ew (Everytime I change her diaper, or if she farts)
Ho Ho (When she sees santa or Mr. Smee on Peter Pan)
baby (she calls herself baby, also all other babies and dolls)
boopy = poopy
beep beep
oh-oh
appy = happy
Oooh = shoe
ummy = yummy
Boh - remote control

I'm sure there's a ton more, I just can't think of them all.


She started two words this week...

hippy-k?
daddy-k?

Any animal she sees she either barks or does the rabbit sniffy sound

She knows a little Sign language
cookie
candy
more
please

*She's Craziest dancer I've ever seen
*Loves dad brushing her hair... the other day she had the brush in hand and went around calling out   
     "daddy"  When she couldn't find him, she came to me "daddy-k?" I told her he's not home and she cried.
*She's a show-off, she's hilarious and she knows it!  She laughs and squeals at herself all day long.
*She bites on her toes alot
*She gives real kisses (just last week she kissed you by licking your lips when you kissed her...she's
     finally learned and it is way too cute!)

Zasters and Psychos

Jersi and Dayton were in the tub this morning.  Jersi kept pulling all the shampoo's and such in with her.  I finally just removed everything from the tub area and then she grabbed the curtain and pulled it in.   Dayton exasperatedly said, "Ew her a Zaster!" (disaster)  The things he comes up with.  So funny.

A few days ago he and Kamron were talking, Kamron started saying silly things to Dayton to make him laugh, it went on and on until Kamron left the room - then Dayton turned to me and said, "Mom, him such a psycho!"  Where does he get this stuff?

Little Monkey

A little monkey after a bath...

Kyndi Hair?

Jersi's hair is so crazy! It's Oaklee hair in the back and Kyndi hair on the top!  Look for yourself!

(No clue why she's in a swimming suit...)

And here's her hair doing it's best impression of a lion...

Love it.

Spark

Apparently our carpet is very electrically charged - everyday someone shocks me at least once.  Its weird. The kids love it though, and Dayton calls it "giving a spark"  "Mom, you just gave me a spark!"

Hair and Make-up

Oaklee spends a lot of time with Morrissa lately because Morrissa does her hair, nails and make-up.  I tried to get pictures of the total gorgeous-ness but it doesn't always work out so well...

 Here we go:

 Jersi's turn!

Oaklee Fashions inc.

Oaklee's latest fashions... (and some kissy-face attempts)

 The above outfit is a lovely mix of Morrissa's shirt, Jersi's vest and Oaklee's stretch pants and kissy face. 

 This is how Oaklee dressed to go out in the snow - 2 swimming suits, Dayton's Buzz Lightyear Hat, capris, socks for gloves, and snow boots.  At least she's wearing a coat, right?

Not Awesome

I discovered a new website recently that has amazing daily sales - where I get $40 boots for $7.50 and sweaters and jackets for super cheap too - I was in desparate need of new clothes for my new job (So I could look more professional and not so soccer-mom-ish) so I got me a few things.
 When they arrived at my house I started trying them all on, showing them to Morrissa and her friend Addie... After changing into my final outfit, Dayton spoke u with his opinion: "Mom, that one just isn't awesome for me"  At least he's honest...

She Loves Shoes

Jersi can often be found trying on everyone's shoes when she can't find her own.  On this particular day she found my big ol' fuzzy boot slippers...

Back to School

The day after starting my new job, my school is back in session. It was a long 3 week or so break - I found myself bored and wishing I was back in school.  Now that school is back I think I should have enjoyed my break more.  Blah. 
We'll just hafta see how well I keep up on school, work and home stuff.  I have a research class this semester and a very vigorous DSM class - I think those are the 2 that scare me the most. BUT I'm already ahead in all my classes!  woohoo!!
Blogs may be slim to none for a while...

Dayton Does Laundry

Kyndi got a play ironing board for her birthday (from grandma) or was t Christmas? I can't remember now... It's a big hit! Especially for Dayton.  He offered to do my laundry today...

He was ironing the clothes, then laying them flat and putting hangers in them. (if you look closely in the pictures, you'll see he's got himself a pile of hangers in addition to the pile of laundry)

Discovery Ranch

Sometime the beginning of December I spur-of the moment in some weird moment of mine, applied for a job.  ... I was actually searching for a job for Kamron, and came across a position as a Office assistant something-or-other at Discovery Ranch, just 3 minutes up the road from me. I applied, then freaked out that I had applied and then never thought another thing of it.
Christmas day my phone suddenly notified me that I had a voicemail - when I listened to it, it was from the previous Wednesday offering me an interview that day or Thursday.  What?! I had totally missed my opportunity and I was bummed (I didn't think I'd be bummed).  Kamron suggested I call them the following day to see if I still had a chance at an interview.  I called them Tuesday and Wednesday with no answer and finally left a message.  Nothing.  Never heard back.
... until the 3rd of January... Jessica (the girl doing the interviews) explained they had been out of the office for the entire Christmas break and were just now back, and yes they still want an interview with me, can I come in that afternoon? 
I went and interviewed and was told they'd let me know by Monday if I was going to get a 2nd interview. The very next day I got a call that they were so impressed with me, they want to just hire me without a 2nd interview.  WHAT?!?  She wanted to know if I could start the next day or Monday - I opted for Monday. (The Administrator for my dept said, "Anyone who has 7 kids can definitely do well in this job" - I knew I had a plethora of children for a reason!)

I LOVE my job!!  Discovery Ranch is a residential facility for troubled youth ages 13-18.  There's a house for boys, and a house for girls, there's the ranch where the kids do a lot of farm-type work (milking cows, etc.) There are things like rope courses and horse riding for different forms of experiential therapy.  Then there's the school, that's where I work.
 I work in the "concept room" which is basically the foundation for the whole school.  Everything that goes on in the school originates in my office.  I am responsible for school related things like grades, course work, testing, class placement, etc.  I am also responsible for detention points, APOH (All Privileges On Hold), Reward points and comments, problem solving, reporting incidents to the uppers, communicating all their test scores and such to those who need it, keeping the therapists up to date on how each child is doing in school, etc, etc, etc.  I have quickly learned that although I am just "Office Assistant", me and Jessica (the other office assistant) pretty much do everything and then report it to the school administrator.  It's crazy.

I love it.  I love being in the residential facility environment, I love self-managing myself on the job, Jessica is a hoot, and I am busy from the second I walk in until the very second I leave.  LOVE it!!  (I even get free hot dinner from the cafeteria every night!!)

I'm sure you'll hear much more about it all later!

Tyson?!

I have no words...

2 Offers

Kamron got a job offer - and not only one, but 2 in the same day!!  He was thrilled at the first one (to finally be getting a job)  but a few hours after accepting the job, he got a second offer.  The second offer seemed better on all sides (Smaller company so less lay-off potential, better pay, potential for closer jobs, nice boss-guy that called him, etc).  The problem came in having to call the other company back and tell them he got a better offer.  Kamron was also worried about making sure what he was doing was the 'right choice'.  It caused him a lot of stress and anxiety, but he finally called the first one back and nicely declined.  The guy on the other end was rude, "we'll be putting this in your file".  And he accepted the second one.  So he now finally is back to work.  This job he now works for (Zarbock Plumbing) has never laid anyone off in 20 something years... so that in itself is a comfort to me - here's hoping it stays that way - at least until I'm through school. 
  Now, with all that said, and him finally back to work, and knowing we'll finally have income again, I miss him.  I get acccustomed to him being here - even if its for nothing more than adult conversation from time to time.  I miss that.  But I'm happy for him.

Put a Ring on it

This is my ring before dinner:

This is my ring after dinner:

What happened? I have no idea.  Suddenly the stone just fell out.  Crazy.
No biigie! We hopped in the car, headed to Wal*Mart and got this beauty for less than $9.00 (Kamron picked t out and everything):

I love it! Who needs an expensive ring? This one is just as pretty and if I ever lose it, etc, it's a $9 replacement.

First Snow - Finally!

It finally snowed! Crazy spring weather that I loved so much left us and brought us snow.

The kids were immediatly out in it- making a giant snowball (Oaklee is too girly to enjoy the snow apparently, it gets her "too wet")

Jersi was not impressed.

That about wraps up the snow experience at this house.  Not too exciting.

Fun with Mustache

I brought our littlest rabbit (Mustachio) in to visit - I think the pictures pretty much say it all...

She sure loves that rabbit!!