BANG BANG BANG...

....BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG *silence* "Aaaaiden, do you want help out?" *silence* "Ya!", he calmly replies (insert a big toothy Aiden grin). This is, apparently, a new found delight for our 20 month old mischievous son. Aiden is surprisingly happy these days, though certainly not at night! Three new teeth have sprung up in the past week, with a definate two more on their way and a mouth-full of bumps also ready to spring forth! Yikes, I do not envy him!!

A new business in the making.

And that business is Mary Kay! To be perfectly honest, I was less than pumped to consider this idea initially. I had a big stereotype image of Mary Kay women in my mind, and didn't consider myself to be the "perfect hair & makeup, pink Cadillac driving, jewellery covered, suit jacket & pencil skirt", type of person. Also, I don't consider myself a great sales person b/c don't enjoy the feeling of trying to convince someone of a product. However, I came to see that Mary Kay has been around for so long that women (and men! not just makeup here you know) have come to trust her products - and from the feedback I've been receiving I'm hearing that most everybody already knows of the quality. I also respect the business, and earned success, that she has built up with a faith & family motto. So... I thought I'd sign up and give it a go! My goal in starting this business is to earn money to purchase photography equipment... which is funny b/c I used my saved photography earnings to purchase all my start up supplies for MK! I admit to feeling weary about that last part, however I've been praying for an opportunity to earn some money, knowing from experience that nothing earned is without risk, I think that this could be a good one. Without that extra photo-earned money, I wouldn't have been able to purchase my first chunk of products and supplies. Besides, MK has a 90% buy back, which means if I change my mind at any point in the future, I can resell all my product to MK for 90% of what I purchased, no matter how much is used or unused (under the condition I can't consult for MK again in the future). So I'm actually excited! I've been experimenting with the products from my start up kit and have been pleasantly surprised with, literally, everything! I get all my products (skin and makeup) at half price, thus earn 50% profit on everything I sell! I'll tell ya right now that I'm not out to earn the pink Cadillac (which is actually a VERY nice car!) or to set up a million skincare appointments per month or set a record for number of recruited consultants... I just want to learn the business and do well at which ever level I choose to do it. I am, after all, still working on my photography, babysitting during weekdays and looking forward to camping outings with my family this summer!! I think that should do for now;) So, if anybody needs some amazing skin products and fun spring eye colours, let me know!! If you have something in mind you'd like to try, I am more than willing to send you a full size product to sample -- and if you don't like it you can send it back to me with no strings attached! :)

Mmmmmm... chocolate!

FRIENDSHIP COOKIES These cookies taste like cake...why? B/c they're made from cake! They're made from the simplest cookie recipe I've tried yet... I made them b/c I knew that while I was away this weekend, Kevin and the kids would appreciate something a little "less" healthy in the desert-department of our kitchen (and gobble them up before I return, hopefully!!). You'll need to mix up: ~ 1 Large Egg ~ 1/2 cup Cooking Oil ~ 1/4 cup Water ~ 1 Box Chocolate Cake Mix (2 layer size) ~ 1 cup White Chocolate Chips ...drop 1Tbsp dough onto cookie sheets, bake 12 minutes @ 350 degrees (F), let cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes, transfer to cooling rack -- DONE! (makes about 40 cookies)

My WEEKEND AWAY!!!!!

I'm about to embark on a lovely 48 hours away from my family! I have to laugh as I re-read that first sentence... I already know it will be strange, and a little sad, as I give kisses and hugs goodbye and watch the truck drive away without me in it - infact, has that ever happened other than when Kevin takes the kids to the park after dropping me off at Superstore for a massive grocery trip? Nu-uh, nope! Soooooo, the idea of sleeping in for two whole mornings, reading a book (wait - a book? I haven't picked up more than a Parenting magazine in ages!) without having to jump up to wipe a bumb or runny nose, sitting down to a meal that isn't luke warm b/c I've been cutting up kids meals or getting 6 different drink orders from the fridge, even possibly sitting in a hot tub without having to entertain and keep afloat a little person ~ ~ ~ are all astoundingly attractive options!!!!! The girls (girls, being some other women whom I've yet to get to know very well), from the First Baptist Church in Cranbrook, are heading to The Lodge in Fernie for two nights this weekend. What's instore? Nothing but relaxation. Hard to believe isn't it? I'm definately excited about this:)

Computer + Technology Illiteracy = Frusteration

So I admit to having frusterations with my old computer b/c the monitor was small (couldn't see the whole screen for most webpages) and we contracted a nasty virus which eventually ate up the whole motherboard and toasted the computer. That sucked. Overall though, there are many days in which I wish I had my old, tiny piece of crap back... it seems that the simplest tasks have become dauntingly irritating these days. I'm sure I could spend hours infront of this thing, googling Troubleshooting problems, fix the problems, and then contract new problems b/c everything is advancing so fast that it feels impossible to keep up without spending your life infront of the computer to do so!! If anybody knows the solution to one of the following problems, I'd appreciate a quick note from you in the "comment" section of this post. Thank you greatly ahead of time!!! Otherwise, consider this a venting post and move along:) 1st Problem: My printer has been working perfectly (though never as good as my old one, I'm learning) until yesterday when I tried priting various things. It won't recognize that I want to print. I've tried photos, letter-type documents and online forms (all of which I need very soon!). It prints fine but won't receive the signal or something... I've tried restarting my computer, checking for viruses (none), holding the power button on the printer for a long time (was recommended at one point by the HP guy trying to help solve a different printer problem), checking the print settings, everything that I know - which I admit to be very basic. 2nd Problem: We can't seem to burn CD's properly. I'm usually able to burn photos onto a disc, however we've never been successful with music. Is it something to do with Windows? We have Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit), and although I've heard negative comments about Vista, overall I've had no problems with the program - until now... having said that, I'm not so sure Windows is even the problem. Ideas?

Lately...

Ok so here's what's been on my plate a-late: - I've dedicated my body to 3 months of exercise and being conscientious of what I eat, in an effort to lose 15lbs by the end of July. So far it hasn't gone too badly, however I admit to great frusteration: #1) Every time I attempt this great task of "getting into shape" I tend to gain weight before losing any (I'm hoping this is muscle gain!); and #2) I have come to realize that I have to maintain a pretty high degree of "strictness" - it seems near impossible to get back into a healthy routine once I slip... I don't enjoy jogging and I love food. Not an easy task thus far! - I haven't been terribly motivated to pick up my camera in the past month or so and I'm trying to decide if that's terrible or not... I think it's ok but I really wish I was more motivated in this area b/c I want to learn more and I'd rather just play around than read-up on the latest lighting technique on Strobist (although fascinating, I don't understand any of the technical terminology on these sites and it frustrates me). Anyway, even though these times of lacking-motivation come, I'm usually not terribly worried. Just a little irritated by it. - I have been avoiding making a dentist appointment for myself b/c #1) it will cost around $200 and that seems like a total waste of money to me, although I realize it certainly is not; and #2) I don't want to give the dentist the opportunity to tell me that my now-in wisdom teeth need to be pulled - I've been praying against the idea since I was in either Junior High or High School, when the detist back home told me there was a good chance I'd need them pulled!! So far they have not bothered me but I've noticed my teeth have moved slightly in order to make room for them and I've had to subconsciously retrain myself to chew with everything being so close-quarters. We'll see... ;) - Our yard is in serious need of attention (insert huge sigh here) and although I have plans (on paper, I might add!), I see the reality between our funds and our hopes: #1) our kids need a place to play and less holes to fall into (literally); #2) we need to train Koda TO NOT DIG! and that is unthinkable; #3) most the projects around the yard need Kevin's carpentry skills (building lattice, finishing the shed siding, building a wood shed, cutting down and bucking 10-15 trees for next winter and assembling/building(?) a playground)... so I feel a little helpless for the most part. I'll probably get to stain alot, play "labourer" while assisting Kevin in his duties and possibly plant a few measly flowers. Although, I admit I'll really enjoy watching the kids play on their playground when that one happens!!! - A great piece of news is that we finally feel a little more "afloat" in our finances! The mortgage remains huge but somehow (and I say this with empathy to others who are not in our position), during this time of remition, we have been blessed with an ease of living. (Thank you Lord!) It's been 6 years waiting (and struggling) to be able to look at our finances and actually count what we have left over after paying all the bills! Up until now it's been in-out-in-out-in-out of debt. I am SO greatful for Kevin's job, being able to walk to work each day, saving us $300 in gas each month; for the 15% rather than 22% of income tax taken off each paycheck which saves us yet another $300 each month; and also SO thankful for the opportunity I have to stay home with our kids and earn an income through babysitting two other wonderful (and very well behaved) kids! - I'm realllllly looking forward to this summer! #1) Tyler (my brother) is getting married at the end of August, to a great girl from Kelowna, and I'm quite excited to go to the wedding!! #2) We'll be taking a week off following the wedding, to do some camping and visit Kev's parents in Seattle for a bit. Yay!!! #3) We're also looking forward to introducing our kids to camping this year! We think Aiden might be old enough to keep confined to an un-boarded sleeping area (I'm expecting a small degree of difficulty here, with high chance of little sleep at first). We took Atalie when she was a baby and it was great, however Aiden is a totally different character and we will have to be on constant watch this time around... That's that. There's probably more mind you... but those are the biggies which come to mind first. It's now getting close to 10pm and I wouldn't mind grabbing a yogurt and some tea before heading to bed:)

Have a listen...

I'm very likely the last person to hear this woman and the praise she's stirred up, but none the less, let's hear her again! Susan Boyle everybody:)

Easter

So I'm finally updating the blog, after a few weeks having gone by... how did Easter come (and go) so quickly?! Happy late Easter everybody:) It was a funny Easter for me, without my husband that is. On Friday we drove to Calgary so he could catch a flight to Seattle and surprise his Dad for his (uh, let's say 50th...) birthday shindig; then I drove South to Coaldale with the kids to spend Easter with my family. We would have all loved to be together but flying the whole family to Seattle wasn't really feasible for us - next time;) So on Tuesday morning I drove 2.5hours back up to Calgary to pick Kevin up again and continue another 3.5hours home... that's alot of sitting in the truck for two little ones... and alot of sitting in a dog house for a dog (yes, we brought the pooch so she wouldn't be lonely and dig her way to China while we're away - she sits in her dog house which is strapped into the truck box)! Anyway, here's some pics from my weekend in Coaldale: (above) Mmmm paska!!! I mean, Mmmmm icing!!!! (below) The "Easter Hunt" :) Fun on Gramma's trampoline! Daddy came home from Seattle with presents!!! They hit the Disney store in the mall and both Nana/Papa and Daddy got gifts for the kids here... I even got a gift, which I love!! Thanks Kev (and Lisa!) :)

Lil Rockers;)

This first pic is just one of the birthday (2nd) cake I made over the last few days. Atalie and her friend decorated 24 cupcakes on Atalie's birthday but she still wanted a chocolate cake; then we had a 3-way birthday party on Sunday which required a vanilla cake (the one below, which I made with buttercream icing for the first time and took me nearly all morning!!) and now I am officially caked out! So when Kevin's birthday came yesterday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEV!!!) I asked him to please put in a different desert request;) It was coconut cream pie, by the way. Mmmm! The rest are pictures of Atalie and her friend (the little girl I babysit) dancing their little hearts out! :)