How Does Your Garden Grow?

Wow - it's been a while!

I've been sick. I've had 3 colds in the past 6 weeks... not baby colds, but full fledged wipe you out colds! I'm sick of being sick! I've been so unmotivated and had the blahs. I'm happy to be coming out of it. The fact that it is the FIRST DAY OF SPRING helps too! I HATE WINTER!

So, my friend Tiffani posted about this on her blog and I'm sooo excited about it!

Have you ever heard of Square Foot Gardening? (Isn't that beautiful!?)

Our yard was fully landscaped by previous owners. All along the fences you'll roses, apple tree's, and long needle pine trees. Yes, I truly hate those long needle pines that make a mess of everything. There are 4 of them in my back yard.

So last year we tried to plant a garden. My father even came over and helped us plant rows of corn! Guess what. It didn't grow. There are so many tree's back there, it didn't get enough SUN! So last fall we plowed the few measly plants down and put a sandbox in the back corner instead.

No garden. :(

Until NOW!

We are going to do this in a sunny location in our back yard. Prior to this, we thought we'd have to dig up landscaping, chop down a tree (or two!), in order to make room for a traditional garden. I think THIS is going to work MUCH better! I'm so excited!

What do you do for a garden? What is your FAVORITE thing to plant? I'm going to try my hand at some herbs. I've NEVER done this before, but I think I'll like it!

A Giveaway On My "Other" Blog

So I found this awesome new budgeting software called, You Need A Budget (or YNAB). I decided to approach them and see if they'd sponsor a giveaway for my coupon blog. And they said, No Problem! I'm really excited about it! Go check it out, I'd love to have someone I know win!

Or feel free to just go check it out. They have a free 10-day online course that is awesome, and they also gave my readers a discount coupon code to save 10% on their software purchase... just enter "FABULESS" in at check out!

Cool stuff.

Check it out!

One Year Older and Wiser Too...

So, I'm 34. Yep, that's right. I'll say it. I'm happy to be 34. I'm getting smarter! Yesterday was my birthday. Of course, it wasn't as exciting as it was to have a birthday when you're little. I didn't get a slew of gifts, I wasn't necessarily queen for a day (they tried, but you know how it is). I pulled the "It's my birthday so please don't fight with each other" card. It didn't really work either. But I did get lots of hugs from my kids!

Saturday my sister Jennifer took me out for my first ever professional pedicure! What fun it was. We got to sit in relaxing massage chairs while our feet soaked in nice hot bubbly water. I even got a foot and a leg massage. And of course, when it came time to choose my color, I chose red. As they call it, hooker red (shhh, did I just say that?).

Later that night Roman and I spontaneously went out to dinner (Hugo's Deli - The Pilgrim sandwich which I had been craving for a few days!). I'd been locked up in the house all week sick (again), despite being a bit under the weather, I HAD to get out! After a quick dinner, we went and caught a flick, thanks to the movie tix I got from my mom for my birthday. We went and saw Confessions of a Shopaholic. I'd give it 3 out of 5 stars.

With 3 sick little boys, we had a pretty rough night. Once I got back to sleep, I was able to sleep in til 9am!! I still wasn't sure if I was up to going to church or not, but decided to do it, since I certainly wasn't going to get any rest at home with the 3 boys (who we kept home from church for obvious reasons).

Before church I had an Enrichment planning meeting, where I got the most delicious big fat oversized brownie from Monica (So good, and guess what - Roman didn't eat it while I as at church!)

We had a great sacrament meeting. Our old Bishop and his wife returned from their mission in Africa. and gave wonderful talks. And of course, Relief Society was just what I needed to hear, after experiencing one of my most discouraging weeks I've had in a few years. Thank you Stephanie!

Later that evening, not one, but TWO of my sisters ended up coming over and bringing me some BIRTHDAY PIE!! YUMMY!!! Melanie brought her world famous Dutch Apple Pie - baked with her home grown apples! It is THE BEST Apple Pie recipe I've ever tasted (and the crust is to die for!). Then my little sister Carolee stopped by with some Cream Cheese Cherry pie - a long time Anderson favorite, and my dads standard birthday, fathers day, (etc) dessert. Yum Yum Yum! So which one did I eat? BOTH!!

See the crazy bunch I live with! I love em to pieces. Yes, I look tired and worn down, that is because I was!! Thank goodness for a good nights rest (only up once), I'm feeling much more productive today!

Oh, and Roman mopped the kitchen floor for me for my birthday, per my request!

Thank you to my wonderful family and friends for making it a special day!
{{hugs}}

Y Ball

Megan is playing Y-Ball for the second year in a row. We were bored on Saturdays, with nothing to do, so we thought it would be great to put another child in sports. Here she is, while waiting her turn to play. You can see her face as she realizes I'm taking pictures of her.

She got hit by the ball a few times during practices... which has led to this:
Moments later, you could see her trying to get open, asking her team mate to again, pass the ball to her. (Hey, at least she's persistent). The moment I captured above has become more and more frequent... Her team mate did not pass the ball to her.

Did she have fun? Most times she always does. But by the 4th quarter, she was doing this down the court.

Finding Joy in the Journey

My friend Tiffani has this really neat thing she is doing on her blog, called "Finding Joy in the Journey". It's about doing things for yourself to become spiritually prepared... we always hear about "be prepared" and we think monetarily. This is something I need, and I'm grateful to her that she is doing it! I met her in a weight training class at BSU my freshman year. We were then reacquainted in the young married ward. She watched my baby Aaron for me so I could go to an institute class. She is one of the most kind people I know, and is such an example to me.

Go check it out and get signed up! You'll also want to be sure and read this.

The journey begins on Sunday February 22nd (what a great birthday gift for me!).

Thanks Tiff!

6th Folder 6th Picture

It's been awhile since I've done a tag. My long lost friend, Jaycee, from BHS is a newbie blogger and tagged me, so I thought I'd do it!


This happens to be a page I made for my photo book, of Christmas 2007. Man my kids look so much younger. Especially Aaron! Ah, five kids... how would it be. Ha! Isn't it funny how you can't even imagine life with out your littlest one!

In the bottom left hand corner, you'll see a picture I took of all the grand kids on Christmas day after opening gifts from Grandparents and each other. That's a lot of kids! We now have 25 of them and we have a great time together! I love each one of them to pieces! And there is my and my pa (just in case you're wondering, I don't call him "pa" to his face).

This picture reminds me of how much I love our big family!

I tag whomever is in a blogging rut and needs a quick little subject to blog on! Or anyone that just wants to do it! Go for it!

Cathy is...

My ma and pa are serving a mission in San Diego. We got a letter from them today and they are doing wonderful! But they are missing their family and grand kids. I decided I need to get more diligent about blogging (eeek!), and realized that I've been spending more time on Facebook updating my status, than blogging. Facebook is easier. It is so easy to type in Cathy is changing the 10th diaper of the day. So I decided to give my parents (and all you non Facebookers) a glimpse at my boring life, I'm going to copy and paste a few weeks of my status updates. Wow. Desperate for a post. Yes.


Here we go... starting with January 28th!

• Cathy is going to finally blog her week in pictures that she hasn't started... and work on preschool for February.
• Cathy is FINALLY getting to her preschool calendar. EIGHT HOURS LATER!! gRRrrrrR!
• Cathy is FRIED!
• Cathy is looking forward to hearing Ginny Gilman speak tonight!!!
• Cathy just saw that all three boys are napping! Including the one I didn't force to have a nap!
• Cathy thinks that Sis Gillman ROCKS!
• Cathy is finally eating breakfast. (11:24 am)
• Cathy just figured out how to do this: ♥.
• Cathy is going to stop wasting time and get her 3 things on her list done now. OK, maybe 2.
• Cathy is going to Crapital to watch my hubby ref!
• Cathy is getting off FB for the rest of the weekend. SO THERE!
• Cathy is moving preschool to my house today.
• Cathy thinks this has been one of the longest days ever.
• Cathy teeth are killing her.
• Cathy 's teeth are killing her... that's right.
• Cathy is now feeling the burn (and a bit like Jello), thanks to Stephanie's Kickboxing class!! AARGHH!
• Cathy is hurting - teeth, legs, shoulders... and yet I want to go to another class tonight!
• Cathy is contemplating Pilates at 4:30... anyone? anyone?
• Cathy is making a birth announcement for her little sis. (Never got past opening PSE)
• Cathy is getting ready for my preschool friends.
• Cathy knows never to buy Frigidaire again... 2 years new and dead... repair man says to chuck it.
• Cathy is listening to her husband wash the dishes while he listens to Jim Rome.
• Cathy is posting her "week in the life" pictures.
• Cathy is leaving all the mess for tomorrow and hitting the sack.
• Cathy is tackling the messes and all those horrible dishes in the sink that she has to hand wash. Grrr.
• Cathy is listening to Dave Ramsey while doing the books.
• Cathy just had two kids throw up within 1 minute of each other.
• Cathy is sick now too. :o.
• Cathy enjoyed Shish-Ka-What about-Bobs tonight. And is glad the sickies are gone!
• Cathy is going to recipe group! Good food and company ahead!
• Cathy is up with a poopy baby and a up chuckin 7 yo. (3:08 this morning)
• Cathy just made her Valentines Day reservations at Tucanos.
• Cathy just read a great letter from her ma and pa!
• Cathy is making Bubble Pizza
• Cathy is headed towards a vegetative state.

Now wasn't that just a lot of fun. There is the gist of my life over the past 2 weeks. What is more fun is the conversations these "status" updates bring.

So why in the heck aren't you on Facebook yet?

I Posted!

I got all my "Week in the Life" photos - scroll down to see... Here are a few others that I like that I didn't post... I'm sad to see that I never got any pix of my girls! Bad mommy!

Bella's Lullaby

Some one wrote out the sheet music for Bella's Lullaby (LOVE IT!) - thought I'd share where I found it - check it out here.

Loo Hoo... Zer Her

(Do you get it? Jim Carey, Ace Ventura)

Yes I totally stink at the attempt of a daily blog post. It just isn't happening right now. Friday I did my freezer cooking co-op for the first time, Saturday and Monday I worked on rearranging my house to make room for preschool (moved it from my parents to my own house... long story - I'll tell you later, although at the rate I'm going, that will happen next year!), and since then I've been trying to function in all these new work spaces... I'm not doing so hot. So all the fantabulous pictures I've taken are still on my camera. They'll make it here. Hopefully by Saturday. That's my goal. And don't worry - I'm totally going to back date them so it looks I'm way on the ball... you may want to scroll and take a peek next week!!

Quick recap on my familia:

Roman -

• busy with new position at work (enjoys),
  
• travels to Pocasmello every other week for an overnighter (for work).
  
• Referees city league and High School basketball one or two evenings a week to bring in some extra cashola.

Me

• trying to work out more. just tried pilates for the first time ever today.... nearly died at kickboxing last night... going to torture myself more tomorrow!
  
• Enjoying not preparing dinner, as I did it for 6 hours last Friday night (oh yes, you'll get pictures)
• Needs some major organization at the moment

Aaron

• All A's and 1 B on Semester Report card
• Loves school still
• Went on first winter overnight camp out (holy cow - COLD!)

Haley

• Straight A's on semester report card
  
• Still very obedient and enjoyable to be with
• Started reading Harry Potter Monday

Megan

• Playing Y Ball
• Got a tackle/hug from a 2nd grader boy today - fell in the mud... she wasn't too upset (wink)
• Is dying to start piano lessons (I'm not ready for it!!)

Zack

• Unenrolled from Pre-K class to simplify moms life... is doing quite alright with it!
• Totally rocks on the Wii Fit and Mario Kart
• Is most often the last kid awake (on school mornings)

Seth

• Becoming more enjoyable to be around
• Will compromise and do things "together" instead of all on his own (like pouring cereal and milk)
• Can totally use the bathroom (#1 and #2, in case you were curious) - but would rather wear a diaper (I'm not going to start that battle).

Logan

• Rolls all over the place
• 8 months old this week!
• babbles "ma ma ma ma", still loves to growl, and I can hear him snoring right now through the baby monitor

There mom - that was for you. Sorry I'm a slacker. I just can't do it all at the same time, you know? :) {{hugs}}

A Week in My Life - Day Seven

I almost missed pictures from this day! Took one of my new Living Room/Family Room... you can't see the desk or piano in this picture... some how we got it all in there!

A Week in My Life - Day Six

Moving Preschool to my own home entailed combining the Living Room and Family Room. Here is the Family Room with furniture out, kids in... soon to be Preschool Room.

A Week in My Life - Day Five

Freezer Cooking with the Girls - yes I know that is an ugly picture of me

A Week in My Life - Day Four

My Sleeping Handsomes

A Week in My Life - Day Three

Much better today of course. Oh, and by the way, I do have other children. they'll make an appearance I hope!

A Week in My Life - Day Two

it was a terrible, horrible, no good, ver bad day - almost.

A Week in My Life - Day One

shhh. I know I'm doing this three days late. don't tell!

A Week in The Life

Have you ever thought about doing this? It's called Project 365. You take a picture everyday and post it. No words necessary. Wow - too much commitment for me right now.

But this sounds a bit more doable - for me anyway. My life, in pictures, for 1 week. 7 days. I can do that, right?

Anyone want to join me?

I'm going to start posting Monday.

Here are more examples of A Week in The Life:

http://blissfullydomestic.com/photo-bliss/photojournaling-your-week/
or
http://secretagentmama.com/blog/category/week-in-the-life/

Let me know if you're going to do it in my comments. Maybe we'll see our daily lives aren't so boring after all!

We Eat Dead Cows

A few nights ago we had a roast for dinner. (Yes, I know what you're thinking, "Cathy? A fancy roast?" - I just happened to plan ahead for once... if you call eating at 7:30 planning ahead).

As we're eating, Seth starts complaining about "the chicken" getting stuck in his teeth. I laugh to myself, as he calls any sort of meat, chicken. Then Roman points out to everyone that we're not eating chicken - we're eating cow. I made a face, because it just sounded so gross, and I hoped none of my children would stop eating it because of the news. A few little comments and sounds are made, and then Roman says, "We're eating Grandpa's cow." Zack then says, (in that hello-you're-dumb-voice), "This isn't Grandpa's cows... Grandpa's cows are DEAD!!"

I love it.

Moo.

100th Post

In celebration of my 100th post, I shall share 100 things about yours truly.

1. I love the color red
2. I get headaches a lot
3. I go to a chiropractor fairly regularly
4. I am a republican
5. I like to exercise, although I rarely find time to do it.
   
6. I don't like figuring out when to exercise.
7. I love chocolate shakes.
8. I LOVE ice cream.
9. I always misspell icecream ice cream.
10. I often eat for no reason at all.
11. I love to watch Biggest Loser.
12. I wrote a rant letter to our local NBC station when they preempted Biggest Loser for some dumb local debate show. After I sent the email, my sister pointed out that I spelled LOSER like LOOSER, which really made me look like a loser.
13. I truly enjoy having six children.
14. I'd rather give birth than go through the pain of nursing.
15. In some ways I'm very lazy (I shan't admit which ways)
16. I do not enjoy dusting (as I look at my dusty desk).
17. I LOVE to vacuum, especially with my Coltrin Central Vac!
18. I attended 3 semesters at BSU.
    
19. I was going to major in Elementary Education.
20. I may go back one day. Some day. Very far away.
21. I really really like to play boxing on the Wii.
22. I like to read.
    
23. I enjoy LDS Young Adult Fiction.
24. I've never read a Jane Austen novel.
25. I'm an immature reader.
26. I do laundry on Mondays only.
27. I'm more talkative on the computer than in person.
28. I make up dumb nicknames for people (Huffys, Needys, Pam-a-loo-lah, Hazelnut, A-rone-ee-us, Zack-a-roni, Romain Lettuce, Lettuce Boy, Megalicious, Seffers, just to name a few).
29. I was a bill collector for Citi Cards for 3 years.
30. My first job was a hostess at Plush Pippin.
31. I've been a waitress at 3 different restaurants.
32. I like Prison Break.
33. I think Wentworth Miller is a hottie.
34. I have too much clutter in my family room.
35. I like to paint rooms.
36. I was born with a small birth defect - a soft clef palate.
37. I had surgery to fix that when I was one.
38. My high school GPA was 3.2... I'm just an average girl.
39. I am a night owl.
40. I am in braces for the second time.
41. I just learned that I have tongue thrust, which is why these braces are taking FOREVER to correct my toofers.
42. I was born with very dark hair.
43. My hair was blond when I was young.
44. My hair is naturally dark again.
45. I waited for a missionary.
46. I got married the day before he came home.
47. I love his family to pieces to this day.
48. My husband is from Florida.
49. I met my husband one summer in the student ward. He was here with a roommate working for the summer.
50. I blow my nose very loud.
51. Apparently I snore too.
52. My siblings are my best friends.
53. My mom and dad are my best friends too.
54. I would love to have a maid come to my house every 2 weeks.
55. I put off cleaning my bathroom, and make my 9 year old do it instead.
56. I'm teaching my children to work.
57. I am tempted to start singing aloud at the gym as I listen to my play list.
58. I won't ever do that though, I'm way too chicken.
59. I am a thrill seeker. I love roller coasters, and would love to go sky diving one day, and take a ride on a hot air balloon.
60. I enjoy high school sports.
61. I love my Lettuce Boy.
62. I think Glenn Beck rocks.
63. I think Dave Ramsey is da bomb.
64. Doctor Laura's book, The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands, got me through "the 7 (and 8, and 9) Year Itch".
65. I am in debt.
66. I am working to get out of debt.
67. I water skied in February, and it started to snow.
68. I am thankful for spell check.
69. I like stripes.
70. I've been to Hawaii once (with no children) and would love to go again (with no children).
71. I want to go on a cruise one day. (Maybe after I get out of debt, hu?)
72. I love to snuggle up in bed, lay on my tummy, and let my feet hang out the bottom of the bed.
73. I don't wash my face every night.
74. I wear contacts.
75. I have horrible vision, and astigmatism. AND I most likely have coned shaped corneas so I can never have laser surgery on my eyes.
76. I love sunsets.
77. I would love to watch a movie be produced.
78. I can't figure out how they are going to make "Book Four" into a movie.
79. I very much enjoyed "Book Four" and can't figure out why so many people hated it.
80. I love the spring and fall.
81. My naps are most often the 15 minute kind. This works for me.
82. I enjoy all sorts of music, but strongly dislike Gloria Estefan, Rod Stewart, and Melissa Etheridge.
83. I consider myself a weird and silly mom. I make up dumb things to sing or say to my kids.
84. I like going on road trips.
85. I am at times very guilt driven.
86. I enjoy going out with my husband to dinner and a movie.
87. I am happy to have a built in babysitter.
88. I am willing to pay my children for good grades.
89. I love the Parenting with Love and Logic books.
90. I consider myself a pretty easy going, laid back person.
91. I hate it when people get in the right hand lane, when the left one is empty, and don't turn right. I'm not laid back about this at all.
92. I am the 5th out of 6 children.
    
93. I have 2 brothers and 3 sisters.
94. I grew up on The Muppets, Dukes of Hazard, Little House on the Prairie, Smurfs, The Cosby Show, and Growing Pains.
95. I like to teach myself things.
96. I will be 34 next month and am proud of it.
    
97. People tell me I run funny.
98. I don't run much.
99. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and know that it is the true Gospel on the earth today.
100. I am happy with my life.