daydreaming

We are thinking of finishing the basement. It's funny how a simple conversation can end with John and his brain can think of other things, but not mine. Ever since I have been envisioning what it would look like, how I would decorate it, paint colors etc. The playroom that the bottom of the stairs would open up into has taken over my thoughts.

all images via flickr.

there might be something wrong with me

I have a weird confession to make.

Ready?

I'm obsessed with my babies binkies. Like, obsessive compulsive, borderline crazy, super in love with and can't live without them.

I have no idea why, but I think I love them more than both my kids do.

I'm proud that I have 2 binky babies.

I'm super anal about not losing them, if fact, I went a REALLY long time without ever losing one.

I take (what I call in my head), "binky inventory". This means I go through diaper bags, car, crib, toy box, about once a week and count and make sure we have every. last. one.

If one, or heaven forbid two, go missing, I can't sleep or think of anything but where those binkies are. I will tear the house apart to find them.

They each have 6.

I'm aware that this is nuts.

I have absolutely NO INTENTION of taking them away from them anytime soon.

The very thought of it makes me jittery and anxious. This is a sure sign of a problem.

The thing is, I'm not obsessed with them for the reason you might think - it's not because it comforts them, or keeps them quiet, even though it does.

It's not because they are great for the car and bedtime and emergencies, even though they are.

It's just because.... I'm crazy, and for some reason I'm super attached to them.

My feelings are totally irrational. I know at some point they can't have them anymore. Some of Boston's friends are already being separated from them.

But not us. I'm not ready.

And please.... don't let that day come soon.

**proof of the crazy. When I googled MAM Pacifiers to find a picture - I found tons online that I have never seen in store before - and I really want them. All of them. Like a binky collection. They even have Christmas ones! CHRISTMAS!! What?? Don't be shocked if I buy them. Really.

Adoption Awareness Month

I had some plans of how to recognize Adoption Awareness month (which is November), but life got the best of me and blogging hasn't been the priority as of late. I do have a few things I want to share this month. The posts will be random and interspersed with my regular blogging topics, but stay tuned if this adoptive mothers insight interests you. For now, here is my favorite adoption video.

in other news...

These days are over as Boston got his cast off last week. Thank heavens, but a few days later we put a splint back on because it still seemed a little sensitive. At least he can bathe and shower normally now. I'm not complaining.

Next, we went up to our Bear Lake cabin with some friends.

Boston fell in love with this little elephant that was Ava's, I went straight to Pier 1 when we got home and bought him one. He LOVES it and named it "Elf" (how he pronounces elephant).

We also hypnotized the kids using Baby Einsteins. Works every time...

We had some fun on the beach even though it was dang cold, got some lunch and raspberry shakes, and called it a fun weekend...

This week, we took the kids to the Aquarium in Sandy.

The highlight was that Naomi LOVED it. Like could not take her eyes off the fish. So cute. And when we put her up to the glass, she would stare and then slowly press her face to the tank. Probably really germy now that I think about it, but we just thought it was cute.

Last but not least, we cannot believe it's mid November and we have no snow. That is supposed to change tomorrow, but today the kids and I hit up Mills Park while it was sunny. Yet another reason to love Woods Cross. This park is awesome and I wish I knew about it sooner. The trail running through and around it will definitely see a lot of me and my double jogger come spring.

So, we have had a few crazy weeks. Explosions, birthdays, way too many Dr's appt's and enough x-rays to cause cancer, weekend getaways and day trips. Phew, I am excited to wake up to white powder in the morning so we can stay in our P.J.'s all day and not go anywhere. Except I haven't grocery shopped in weeks... crap.

Oh, one more thing - good news today. Woop woop.

30 years of special (like 2 weeks ago)

so far behind... John's birthday was Nov. 2nd and I think I started this post the day after. It's now the 13th... don't even worry about it.

Yesterday was John's 30th. He apparently isn't that into big celebrations, so we kept it low key. 4 1/2 years of marriage and I'm still figuring out how to make John's birthday right. I have failed miserably many times, but that's another story for another day. This year, he worked and I spent the day running around town getting a few things to make his "low key" birthday special. We finger painted a poster for him with the kids sloppy handprints, wrapped his presents (movies, Scrubs season 8 and a Nintendo Wii) made his favorite treats (reeses peanut butter cup cookies) cleaned the house, decorated the table, got balloons, picked up take out, and then waited for him to come home. I thought it was a success.

I love you honey. I'm lucky to have you and our kids are lucky too. Remember that promise I made to you on your 29th birthday? I kept it! What is the new goal? 4 by 32? Possible, possible.

this is our hood.

Scariest.five.minutes.ever.

I'm so glad that John was home yesterday. We are really thankful that the damage to our home is very minimal. I'm so so so glad that it happened at 9:15 instead of 12:15 when the Horne's (one of the 2 houses that are practically demolished) home would have been filled with every toddler in the neighborhood for Ashlynn's 2nd birthday party. I'm so grateful to live in such an awesome ward and community that came together so quickly to help each other out. It was incredible, really. I love these people. So far the refinery is being pretty great about taking care of all the damage their explosion caused.

Now, if you want to get personal, and get me fired up, read the comments on the articles KSL has up on their site about the explosion. 9 out of 10 people want to blame us homeowners for being dumb enough to live here and blast us for taking advantage of the situation blah blah blah. If you want my response, go here. I'm clowfam, towards the bottom of the page. I wanted to end my comment with something like "suck it", but decided it was probably a little inappropriate. But on my own blog, hey, why not? So all you Woods Cross haters, suck it. Because we love it here.

Homes Damaged In Blast At Refinery

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Treeeat!

We had a great Halloween last night. John's parents neighborhood does a huge trunk or treat that makes it easy and fun for young kids to get lots of candy. John and his dad made the kids costumes this year and I can't take any credit, because it was all John's idea and it was a big hit. Boston LOVED trick or treating. He wouldn't say "trick or treat" so he would say "treeeat", or "pleeeease". He thought the whole thing was fantastic, and couldn't take his eyes off some of the crazy costumes. Naomi was of course an angel baby, so happy all night. Seriously, how did we get so lucky? After trunk or treating was over we had homemade soups, breadsticks and cider at Grandma and Grandpas, and there is probably not a place in the world my kids would rather be.

Happy Halloween!