Merry Merry!!

Phew, we made it through. Barely! Sam picked up tons of shifts at the MTC and I still had school everyday but Christmas day. So it was crazy but great. I made Christmas Eve dinner for the first time and have to say it was dang good. I was running out of time and did NOT iron my table cloth. I know my mom will be mortified. I know, I know. Talk about a thrown together table.

The kids were so excited for Santa I thought 1 or 2 of them may pass out.

and the most wanted gift in the house.

BYU bedding! A happy boy!!

Lucy was so cute with all her "wow"! She was in heaven.

Hope everyone had a very blessed and happy holiday.

Pink Slip!!

Yup, it happened. We had our first pink slip. You know the one you get when you go to the Principals office. I know you are thinking wait...Henry is not in school. Lucy, well...she needs to be sent there but she's only 17 months.
The one we never thought. The good one. It happened.
I pick her up today and she hands me a slip.
"What is this?"
"It's a pink slip" (looking down and very distraught)
"What for?"
sigh....."throwing snow balls."
"Didn't you already getting a warning for that?"
"I forgot, Mom."
"Let's go home and talk to your dad about it."
Now, picture same beginning of conversation with dad. Only at, "for throwing snow balls"...
replace it with a smile of  "couldn't prouder".
His tone changed and all of a sudden it was a..."well you shouldn't even if you want to. I picked up snow on campus today and was ready to chuck it too. I forgot too."
"dad, another boy did it first."
"he did?"
This is where mom steps in with a..."doesn't matter who else does what, you know the rules".

Dad agreed even though he kind of wanted to high five her. He signed and told her not to do it again. Pink slip! It's a slippery slope from snowball throwing to, heaven for bid....food fight?!?!?

She get's it from her mom!

I'm so excited!!!!

I saw this ad on craigslist for a lady that is in charge of remodeling hotels. She was doing one downtown a few weeks later and had 189 armoires for sale. I have been looking for YEARS. We have had the same old falling apart one from Ikea for 10 years. I started selling on ebay to make the money thinking they would be atleast 100.00 if not more. I looked up the model she gave me and these were 600.00!!!

Well she called last week and it was $40.0!!!! This thing is so heavy and HUGE and nice. Now I just don't know how I want to refinish it. Sam said no time soon since we barely have time to sleep. I can't wait to get it all redone!!!!

The baby is the bully!!!

We looked over this morning to see Lucy taking down Henry. He could not get away from her. Yes, we stood there and laughed and were amazed at her strength and the fact that she did NOT let go. Go get 'em baby!!

Tri for Parkinson's Disease Team!!!

It's all coming together!!!! YAY!!!!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Tri-for-Parkinsons-Disease/157468724292038

It's never ending around here!!!

I've never been one to pretend like everything is perfect or even put up a fake front. LIFE IS HARD. And I'll say it. I think I have done a fairly good job at staying positive with everything going on, but I don't pretend it's perfect. Sam was in an accident yesterday. THANK HEAVENS we are covered and don't have to pay anything out of pocket unless we actually fix the truck. (Probably not going to happen unless he decides to donate plasma to pay for it.) ;)

We still are waiting on financial aid so here I sit on eBay to put gas in the cars, food on the table, and toilet paper....well you know. The bills are begging for that check. But I can make a dent here and there when I sell.

I am so thankful for my coupon, bargain and selling ability. It has saved us. A silly hobby has turned into a much needed skill.

But IT's OK! We're ok. Some days are hard and others are REALLY hard and then some days I think I am the most blessed person alive.

We do have a crazy schedule and barely survive the week but that's ok. There is ALWAYS going to be someone better off and someone worse off. No matter where we get in life. I just am choosing to take it one day at a time.

I'm so glad to say I am done with Christmas and this year again I did it for free. It's VERY VERY VERY small this year. I am just glad to say my kids will have something and it's one more thing off my shoulders.

I mean how could you be depressed or down when you see this everyday?

First PBJ and she wondered why we have been holding out on her!

Check out those cute cowgirl boots we scored for free!!!

Only 2 gifts away!!!

from being DONE with christmas and I did it for FREE again!!!! So glad to check that off my list. One of the last ones is BYU bedding for Henry. I am hoping that when my mom gets here in December she will just be dying to help me(aka do most of it) with it! Than I will be DONE!!! Yay!!

Creativity in all aspects of our life!

We decided to get domestic today and make some cupcakes to take to our friends in the neighborhood. Henry's had to stay home since he was licking all of his mess ups straight off THE cupcakes.

I went for a run today and left Sam with the kids. These are the things that happen while I am gone...

She climbed in to get the frosting knife...

1 wild baby + 1 dad left to watch her + 1 rope + 1 dad wanting to work in the garge = disaster waiting to happen!

Trying Christmas for free again this year!!!

Why not, add someting else to my plate. HAHA. But, I can't spend money that we literally don't have this year so I've started my free christmas challenge. Click over on fancy mommies blog to take a look. The link is under that cute baby on the right.

Is it a laugh or a cry?

Mom and Daughter date!!

Sophie and I see pretty little of each other these days. So today we ventured out for some time together. We took all of our coupons, freebies and gift cards and had a blast. We got a couple christmas presents with our freebies, had lunch and ended the day at Krispy Kremes for our free half dozen.

Sophie was in AWE and can't wait to work there when she turns 16. HAHA!

Lucy fully enjoyed the end result. Her first Krispy Kreme!!

This baby is drunk happy on Krispy Kremes.

Who said Cosmetology was an easy way out???

Holy CROW this is harder than I thought. The studying, the tests, the cuts. I mean its not the hardest thing ever but I had no idea it was so involved. Sam is studying pre-med and I have most of the same stuff he has. I really didn't know I was going to have to work so hard. Do you know what...Sternocleidomastoideus is? Yeah, well I didn't either. It's the main muscle in your neck. It's gonna be a long year and half!!

So naughty to so sweet!!!

Well we went 6.5 years with no coloring on walls, furniture and so on...It had to happen sooner or later.  Maybe he should try a different letter next time if he doesn't want to get caught.

Just when I get ready to get mad I find him like this. Rubbing Lucy's back and comforting her.

They love each other.

I found them like this the other morning as well.

makes it all worth it!! <3

Henry says...

"Mom, if a bear or an eagle ever tries to take me I'll just put on Sophie's cat mask and karate kick them. Cause I'm awesome like that."
Wise, wise boy!

Such a sad little wubby...

We had yet another trip to the ER. I think we are on the mend now. She is still a sad sick little muffin but hopefully we are on the road to getting better.

baby x-ray. Thank heavens Sam was with her. I would have lost it.



Totally wiped out from screaming during the x-ray!

Our sister goes to the hospital and we get stuffed animals!!

I was up eBaying till about 3:00am last night. I crawled into bed and could hardly keep my eyes open to pull the covers up. At 5:00 am Lucy wakes up and sounds awful and can not breath. We steam her in the bathroom, give her meds and try everything. I finally call and they say to bring her in now. They could hear her on the phone and it wasn't good.
Sam left for school so I dragged the other 2 kids out of bed and we all headed to the ER.
I have to say they were fast at the American Fork Hospital and VERY attentive to the kids. Lucy got all set up with meds and breathing treatments while the nurse comes in with 2 brand new stuffed animals for the older 2. They thought they were just to play with but then they were informed they were to keep. Sophie then says it's awesome to go the ER. Henry was in heaven because his was a Seattle Mariner's baseball player. Don't ask me why they are giving those out in the American Fork Hospital.
So 3 hours later and one tired kids and mom we head home. They wanted to keep her but she would NOT sleep in the ER and was miserable.
I got to take an hour nap which was much needed! She slept for 4 hours!!!
To top my day off even better...tonight is waxing male backs and chest at school. I mean really? I must have luck on my side right now.

How are you doing it???

People keep asking me how we are doing this crazy schedule...

Sam gets up at 5 and heads to school.
I get the kids up at 7:30.
Get everyone ready and head to take Soph to school.
The other 2 go to the gym with me-If I miss a workout I have a harder time coping with the stress.
The kids play in the kids area while I do a run or other work out. If we have time the kids and I do a quick swim lesson in the pool after.
Head home for lunch, nap, moms shower and clean of the house.
If I have time this is where I am working on eBay but as of late I have been working on Scholarship essays or had to study for tests.
Sam gets home about 2:30 while I finish picking up the house, get things ready for my school and then go pick up Sophie.
I drop Sophie off at home and head to Provo.
I get home from school at 10:30. I then pack lunches, finish up dishes, throw laundry in and do whatever needs to be done for the next day.
This is how we do it. We are still trying to find a way to fit in a job for one of us. Not seeing much time open. But the .90 in our bank account thinks this should change.
Just a day in the life of our cRaZy life.

Our Lulu!!

I'm so in Utah!

I was talking to one of my BFF's, Cara, the other day and she said I needed to blog about our conversation. It started with I am soooo in Utah.
1. The radio. How can you go from Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N Roses to Criss Cross's Jump Jump. I mean REALLLLLY? What is with that. They also tend to get stuck on a song that's new and play it over and over and over. If I hear California Girls one more time....
2. Utah really does know how to eat. There are so many good places to eat. In Seattle I was not really a fan of eating out since I am picky and didn't really LOVE anywhere. Here, it's a whole other world. Mormons can eat and are good at it.
3. THE DRIVING- I mean realllllly. It's bad. Really bad. I have to drive into Provo for school every day. I have to leave an hour early because I NEVER know if there is going to be an accident. For 4 days in a row I was stuck on the freeway due to rollover accidents on 1-15. It's CRAZY! And can I say the exchange students driving in Utah....Ill leave it at that.
4. Wandering Kids-I don't know what it is but Utah has wandering children. I see very young, 3 or 4 years old, children wandering around by themselves. I know I just came from Seattle and I don't let my kids out of my sight, even to go next door to grandma and grandpas, but COME ON!!!!
5. All dolled up- In seattle my besties and I would meet up with the kids in our yoga pants and t's. No problem. No make-up, hair in a pony. We were good to go. In Utah....NO WAY. These girls are dolled up ALL THE TIME. I think it's a good thing, but don't make me do it. I like my slobby Seattle look most of the time. Thank you very much.
6. Very kid friendly- I have to give Utah props for being so kid friendly. In Seattle we would have to search for things to go do and usually end up at the play space at Mcdonalds. Utah has sooo many kid friendly and usually cheap or free things to do. Props to you Utah.
7. The weather- so unpredictable it makes me crazy. So far I am ok, but give me a couple weeks when it goes from 80 one day to snow the next and I may be losing my mind.
Oh, Seattle. I miss you!

We've moved, we've camped, we've educated!!!

Sam just finished up his second semester at the BY. He is really loving it. It's hard to get back in the swimg of things but he's has done well. He has turned out to be quit the anatomy student and they have asked him to TA for his second semester in a row now. We're so proud of our little anatomy nerd. ;)

We finally moved into our own house the end of July. We all feel so much better being settled.

I start school on the 24th. I've decided that while we are poor and out of our minds anyway...I was going to do something I have always wanted to do. I'm going to cosmetology school.

I thought why not. It's BEAUTY school right? How hard can it be. I showed up for the regisration and they handed me an entrance exam. I laughed. They didn't. I had to take a test of 100 some odd questions to get into beauty school. Do you know how long it has been since I solved a problem like 7n-4r(8)=

A LONG TIME. Apparently lots of people fail it and I am a super star for only missing one. Who knew?

For Fathers day this year I bought Sam a tent. It was fairly out of character since I LOOOOOATHE camping. I mean a motel 6 with no room service is rough enough don't you think?

But as part of the gift I shocked even myslef by saying I would go camping...FOR 1 NIGHT.

So we just got back from out first ever Eastman Family camping trip.

Sam promised it was "easy camping" and there were no animals around where we were going.

Imagine my surprise as we pull up and I see this...

Ummmmm, I'm sorry...WHAT???
I followed the kids like a hawk picking up every skittle every piece of tiny trash. I was sure a bear was going to eat Lucy in her sleep since she had skittle slobber all over her pjs.

Why oh why am I not in a motorhome like those people to the side of us??

couldn't be trusted for 2 seconds. AMEN for pack and plays.

The river was very fun and only about 6 ft from where the car was.

I told the kids I would pull them across the river...

it got away from us a little and I was saving my children from flowing down stream before I knew it. (Sam was standing on the side laughing and yelling as both the kids were SCREAMING their heads off)

Mom, I have to pee...like NOW!!!

jammies and smores...

Bed time...which was really

deflating mattresses, bathroom trips, growing pains, noises and not much sleep.
Sam kept telling me there was NOTHING to worry about. But when he made me wash off my smelly lotion and made Henry sleep on the inside of the tent I came apart. Nothing to worry about??? For the love a bear is going to eat us all.
Sophie then proceeded to stand up and announce she was going home!!!

But my kids think I am "so awesomest" cause I know how to start the fire and save them in the river. That's all the matters. Mission accomplished

Team Carter!!!

I ran a 5K with my friend Heather today. I joined Team Carter up in Clinton, Utah to run with them for Carter. She is truly amazing. Her strength and her family were awesome!!!
http://www.teamcarterjay.blogspot.com/

WE DID IT!!!

It wasn't pretty and it wasn't fast but we did it. We finished in 1:54 min.
I have never been so tired or so proud of both of us. I am hooked. We are going to stick with triathlons!! The kids also did their little triathlons. Henry started to cry and got embarrassed during the run and I had to carry him running across the finish line. Like I hadn't worked out enough that day.
Sophie was a RIOT. She didn't even want to get dressed after the swim.
"Mom, let's GOOOO!" she jumped on that bike swim suit and all and took off. She is new on the bike and had a little run in with a driveway and through tears told her dad, "I want that medal. I'm still going".  That's my girl!!!

Sophie is 6!!!

I can NOT believe she is already 6. She is such a blessing in our family. She really is a good kid and has been an easy kid for us. She is a funny kid as well.
All she wanted for her birthday was new bedding and a barbie razor scooter. I had the hardest time finding the exact ones she wanted but worked my magic at the last minute.

For her party she wanted to go get makeovers with her girl cousins. We went to the local beauty school and then headed to the cutest little bistro and boutique in Highland called Dear Lizzie.
It was a hit!!!