It is Time...

Time to blog again!

Wow, how time flies when you're living life. We really don't have much to report. A few things here and there but whatever it is that we do with our time...it sure keeps us busy!

I'm not at my home computer so pictures will have to come later. But maybe a little timeline will do.

March 3-13
         David and I went to Argentina. The kids stayed with my in-laws. The trip was filled with lots of hiccups. It was good though. Definitely an adventure for the books. (more details to come with the pics)

End of March
         Lots of swimming, A visit with our cousins, a lot of new recipes tried (thanks to pinterest), and some crazy storms.

April
        General Conference. My family came for a nice 24 hour visit. I'll take what I can get but it definitely was NOT long enough.

         Easter. It was a quiet weekend. Just David, me and the kids. They loved the egg hunts!

See...not a lot to report. My Chelsea is growing up WAY too fast! I am constantly amazed at what she is able to do by herself. She uses so many words together and is very good at communicating. Sometimes it is loud and annoying...but hmmm, she is her mother's daughter--Stubborn & insistent. Now, her insatiable curiousity is a little more hard for me to place. She has begun to pass it on to her brother too. Needless to say, I have two very busy toddlers to keep track of. Speaking of.....


......til next time.

11? about ME

Okay Chan, I will be happy to humor you. Plus, I thought your questions were interesting.

1. Were you named after someone and if so whom? Malerie Elizabeth...My middle name is my dad's grandmother's middle name. I only knew her as a baby.
2. If you were another person, would you be friends with you? Are we using the term 'friends' loosely? I guess when I think of friends its like how close-knit my friendships were in highschool. I don't seem to find a lot of those in my adult years. But Anyway, yes I believe I would be friends with me. It would depend a little on what type of person I was. As long as I loved to talk, talk, laugh, watch movies, not shop, talk, and laugh some more...then yes, I would be my friend.
3. What is the first thing you notice about people?The way they talk and their expressions while doing so. If people are animated and interesting when they interact then I'm interested. If they're dull, quiet, or never move their face into any new expressions then I wonder what sadness or lack of excitement they've experienced to lead to such boringness. I also really like to look at shoes...not sure why.
4. Who do you miss at the moment? Can I change this to what?...I miss seeing and living close to all of my high school friends. They have kids I've never met. We are all experiencing the joys of motherhood and I would love to experience and share it with them. Maybe that's still a who.
5. Mountain hideaway or beach house? Mountain hideaway--Especially since this is an all seasons answer. I would prefer winter though.
6. What is the farthest you have been from home? South Korea. I say this because it really felt farther away then when I went to Australia since I was only 14 went I went. So I was missing my mommy. When I went to Australia I was married and went with my Hubby.
7. City or country?Country. I like the city but if its one or the other then always country. Its bigger to roam free and its quieter.
8. Would you bungee jump? Nope. Sounds like a cop-out... but I have kids. They need a mommy.
9. Favorite sport to watch? If I have to....BYU football. I enjoy it but I always think of what better things I can be doing during that 3-4 hour time period. Plus its a pain for me to try and engage in it when I've got my kids in and out and all around.
10. Favorite school teacher and why? Amy Smithson. Algebra II, 10th grade. I actually understood her. And she is quite funny.
11. What do you want to do when you retire? Retire? RETIRE? from what? I'm a stay-at-home mom. I will never retire. ANd I don't really think I want to :) But when my kids are grown and out of the house I want to go on a mission with my husband and I want to be crafty. I want a room where I can just create things without little hands trying to help. Its fine for now...I enjoy it a little, but I look forward to a time where I can just go and do with out planning and failing.

I don't really have time to make up my own version right now. But if anyone wants to continue this along....

 RULES

*You must post the rules

*Answer the 11 questions that the tagger posted for you; then create 11 questions for those you are tagging.

*Tag 11 people and link them in your post

*Let them know you have tagged them

Still here...Just distracted

I've been MIA--at least when it comes to my blog. We've been busy potty training, keeping up with David's 2nd year at school, and trying to keep the house somewhat clean! I've done a few here and there in the past few months but its been pretty poor...and i don't think I've had any picture for awhile. SO.... Pictures is what you'll get.

Carson's 3rd Birthday 

Opening very carefully --This is how he approaches most things

My silly, but super adorable kids

On our cruise in December

Body surfing on the very top of the ship

Flow Rider surfing

At the end of the day

This was my day:

Woke up and started Potty Training Day 4. Not bad. I only had to wash out one pair of poopey underwear. No other accidents.

Watched 2 other little boys for a little while. The awesome part was that it kept my kids busy and entertained while I got to do a few things around the house. The not so awesome part was that it was quite a bit more chaotic, messy, and LOUD!

The day was filled with incessant whining from my teething 16 month old. She is getting all her molars in (has been for about 2 weeks--why is that always the case?). The sound coming from her was annoying. We're talking the kind of sound that makes the hair on your neck stand up and you don't think you could possibly stand to hear it one more time!

Of course we had tears, fighting, yelling, tantrums, and plenty of NO!s to go around.

It was (and still is) husband and fatherless.

To sum up...The day was hard. No that's not the right word. The day was difficult. No, how about tiring, stressful, nerve racking, possibly a disaster.


AND YET.....


Here I am, sitting on my bed, eating Bon Bons & sparkling cider (ok, gummy bears & water)--trying to relax and enjoy complete me-time; And yet, my first assessment of the day, before I even opened the lap top, was Today was a GOOD DAY. Seriously, I'm not lying. I had that thought first. [I may be finding it difficult to have that thought now after rehashing my day] But really. As I was holding my sleeping daughter just moments ago, I sighed that end of day sigh, and thought, "ahh, today was a good day."

That is a gift. A blessing from God. To end a not so great day according to "the books" and feel good. To have the weight of the good things that happened in a day (however small, few, and far between) to be all that I can remember. Its a blessing and gift that I know comes so that I can get up tomorrow and do it all over again.

3

Three years ago today,...

I was laying in the hospital bed, unable to move my legs, feeling EXHAUSTED, wishing the pain would be taken away, wanting so badly to be dressed in something other than a drab gown,... and yet completely & utterly euphoric.

Three years ago today...

I became a mom.

Three years ago today...

Will forever be one of the BEST days of my life.


Carson, Mommy loves you more than you will ever know. The joy you have brought into my life is greater than any I've ever known. Your sweet spirit, incredible intelligence, and unconditional love gets me excited to get up each day--just to see what you will come up with. You're the BEST!

Carsonisms

such a funny boy my son.

here are some of his sayings and interactions of late.

"mom, what's your deal?" --i guess I've said this a few times

carson: i need a thing mom.
mom: ok. what thing
carson: a thing I can use
mom: use for what
carson: cleaning this mess (there is no mess around)
mom: ok, how about a rag
carson: how about two. one for you to help.

"mom, stop being a butt!" ---seriously!? Ok, yes I do say this. often. to his dad. seriously though?! Ahh...

singing I am a child of God (loudly)  "Lead me, guide me, how I miss you!" he knows its wrong but thinks its hilarious

V.T. today: Carson what's your favorite show
carson: (barely audible) lewis
V.T: what, I couldn't hear you.
carson: oh, hmmm...
V.T: (to me) he's so cute
carson: (loudly interrupting) Meet the robinsons!
       He remembered that lewis was not the name of the movie and corrected himself. proud mommy moment

Carson is the language police at our house. he will call out anyone who uses a bad word. and then try and put them in time-out. unfortunately, he doesn't understand that but is different than butt. so most people say bad words around him.

mom: carson, here is your apple, come sit down.
carson: no thanks
mom: why?
carson: cause i don't like you
    says this to multiple questions that have nothing to do with his preferences of people or things. it also doesn't matter who is asking.

Love that little crazy. He really is super fun to have around

New Years 'goal' Numero Uno

As posted to Facebook yesterday,  "Ok, I'm ready for the new year to begin. So for me, Today is Jan. 1st."

Which would make today January 2nd. Before now I've still been in vacation mode and trying to get 2011 wrapped up. I just got back on Sunday from being in SA for my brother Garrett's homecoming. (YAY!) he was in Norway on his mission. We LOVE having him home!

Anyway so now that I'm not leaving in the near future and Christmas is packed and the house is back to normal messes....We can move onto 2012!!

Starting today I am going on a 7 day Cabbage Soup Cleanse. The holidays, my cruise, etc were not kind to me in the feel-good-about-my-body department so I want to start anew and get back on a healthy track. I made the cabbage soup last night and am ready to go today. My hubby is doing it with me so hopefully together we can do it! We are also having a competition of sorts with personal goals to lose some weight. (get in shape). More to come later.

But today is Soup & Fruit day. I can have all the cabbage soup and fruit I want. yummy?!

We'll see how it goes :)

Fall--Football, Pumpkins & Leaves

At the Pumpkin Patch



Waving to Grandpa at Jake's Football game



Goo was such a good sport!

There and Back Again....

I think maybe I'll just post the pics and basically be done from our summer trip.

Here is our last stop of World Tour '11
                  Spokane. With all the Daines' Family.

Some of us LOVED the tubes...

Others not so much.

The 'big kids' get a bit rough---

But Carson always wants in on the action!

After awhile he's content to just be in the boat

There was lots of great cousin time

Grandpa time at the helm

Isn't my Boy super cute!

We had 5 of us do our SCUBA diving certification. Emi, Nathans, Lindsey, Mindy, and Dad had completed theirs earlier in the year. David, Pam, Jake, Emily S., and myself all did it the first 3 days we were there. We started in the pool for beginning training and then passed the test in Coeur d' Alene Lake.

I might look really happy here...but it doesn't show how nervous I was about the whole thing.



David sailed through it all and I think enjoyed most of it!



We did it though, and we're ready for Cozumel and Grand Caymen!

We made it home just in time for everyone to start school. The kids and I were SO ready to be home after a month. It was a great trip though, with so much excitement and lot and LOTS of familY!

There and Back Again...part 2

See, I'd get to it someday....

Back to our Summer:
Week 3

City #5, Brigham City, UT

Monday morning, after we had loaded the boats, trailers, and tons of food---we headed up to Brigham City for the Facer Family Reunion. We have this every 2 years at the same spot. Its a camp ground with a nice little lake.

We wakeboard, wake-surf, tube, sunbathe, and have an awesome time!

 Chelsea,who had recently learned to crawl, got FILTHY! What was I going to do? Not let her down--yeah right. I went thru an entire Costco baby wipe package.

These 3 are 2 months apart. Hank and Jeffrey are born on the same day

 We taught each other lots of cool, new tricks

 The WORST part of vacation was the sickness. While in Provo, the kids and I all got a cold. Achy, runny noses, sore throat, the works. It wasn't fun. Then on the 4th morning of our camping trip I woke up around 5am and went into the bathroom (yes they do have a disgusting bathroom). I walked right past Angie and threw up in the toilet. Soon after, my mom came in from "getting some air" and told me she wasn't feeling well. Angie then piped up and said she'd thrown up twice already. As I was moaning in the stall, Andelyn came in to tell me that Carson had just thrown up all over the tent trailer. Great.

Throughout the next 24 hours, out of my parents and siblings, everyone got it except Chelsea and my dad. It was awful! I couldn't decide if it was awful because I was sick camping or wonderful because I had help with kids because my dad was there to help.

We packed up on Saturday morning..with James and Canon throwing up. I was finally better since my 24 hours were up. The flu continued to make its way around the entire Facer clan...all 105 of us!  We drove straight to the airport so that the kids and I could get on a plane and fly to Seattle. From there we would fly to S______ for the Daines reunion!

Chelsea is ONE

Happy Birthday my baby girl.

We are so blessed  to have you in our family! We love your easy going, carefree, wonderful personality.

You're easy to please, quick to find humor, & frequently self-entertained.

From the very beginning you've been such an easy baby.

Its fun watching the difference between you and your brother.

He is crazy, loud, & a total mama's boy.

You are calm. You like to observe, not really participate in Carson's business.

You love your independence--and you love your mommy too!

By your 1st birthday...

             You had 4 teeth

             You were able to take 3 steps at a time

             Most nights you slept from 8 to 9

             You still prefered to nurse or drink a bottle

             Your blankie is your favorite thing

             18 month clothes are your size

             Yogurt, bananas, bread, and beans were

                    favorite foods

             

Mommy loves you Chels.

Thanks for being the perfect 2nd child. It makes me excited and hopeful for a 3rd someday.

Don't leave the baby stage too fast..I know the next year is going to fly by!

Waiting

Today (and for the last several days) I have been waiting for....

*The weather to get cooler. I really am ready for 50-60 degrees. I want to wear jeans and longsleeves and not get hot playing outside. I am ready for jackets & fuzzy crocs, hot chocolate & spiced cider.

*The holidays. With cooler weather comes decorations, fall baking, holiday shopping, birthdays, & family time. I already told David that the Christmas decor is going up after Halloween this year. I love pies, caramel apples, all the food of the season. I love family football, late night games, caroling, and wrapping presents. I love warm fall colors and bright Christmas colors. I love the nativity story and think maybe this year it will make more sense to my children. I love smiling neighbors, door bell suprises, & people bustling about as they conquer their own holiday agenda. I really love this time of year.

*David to finish school. I know, I know, he is not even halfway thru. I miss my husband. I miss Saturdays. It is no longer a family day. Just another day without Dad. We don't have the whole family cuddle time in Mom and Dad's bed because he is always absent. I am grateful for the opportunity that he has to go to school and the sacrafice is worth it. But I'm waiting.

*My brother to come home. Elder Facer will be home from Norway Janurary 12. Just today he wrote in his email of his relief that he was once again reassured of that departure date and not the sooner possibility. I have to feel a little guilty for in his joy, is my dissapointment. I wish he was going to be home for Christmas. I am stoked that Seth, Hansen, and Angie will be there. I can't wait to see them!!! It would be perfect if Garrett was going to be there too. Guess he's a better person than I am. Who can blame him? He wants to serve the Lord in that capacity for as long as he can.

*My friends to come see me. Doesn't any one want to come see me? I come back to visit them...and I look forward to it SO much. Maybe its not recipricol. Or maybe its not as easy I think it is.

*A car. We knew that a new car was enevitable in the next few years. David's just doesn't have the life capacity to hold out for long. It seems like it may have served its time. To fix its most recent repair might not be worth the cost of the vehicle. David won't drive it to work since we aren't sure how reliable it is--and I absolutely HATE driving the thing. Let's just say I wasn't there when he bought it. That was pre-Malerie era. That leaves us with the next decision. What do we do...and what do we get...and how much do we spend?

*That right feeling that we're ready for another baby. I can't believe I was already 8 weeks pregnant with Chelsea when Carson was her age now. He seemed so much older than she is. So much less baby like. Did I mentally make him older because I was expecting another? Maybe, but Chels is still my baby for now. I do miss the little newborn/infant stages. I think I'll always love that. I'm just not ready for another human being in the family. Babies do grow up! For now my two are perfect. But that third will come, sometime.

*The exercise bug to bite me. Maybe I will NEVER have that push, that desire to have a consistant roustine. I know what I don't like, but there are things that I DO like. Why can't that be enough? Why do I have to make it happen? Why do I have to have a lengthy conversation with myself titled, "To work out now or not", only to have it fizzle and die with "NOT". Anyone have tips?

*My kids to wake up. They are both down for a nap (yay!) but---I'm ready to see them again. To hug and kiss their cheeks. I LOVE my kids! I miss them when they're right here, in the house, sleeping! Isn't that funny? They're just great kids like that. You always want them around.

I guess I'll just keep playing the waiting game. Its one I don't particularly mind.

Chelsea: Months 10 & 11

I guess since my goo will turn 1 next week!!!....I better finish a post about her before then!

Here is a picture timeline. You can see how much she grew & changed over the summer.

My fat baby girl :-)

this was a favorite skill for a long time

I love these shoes!! I think they're adorable. I didn't buy them but once she starts walking.....

This is how my Chels throws a fit....make sure everyone is watching...

...and then really show them how tough life is!

Her first ponytail

The two kids have really started playing together; its so fun to watch.

Just last week Chels finally got tooth #3 in. She hasn't really been interested in walking. Sometimes she will lean forward to walk but can't and topples over. She then crawls on ahead like nothing happened. We'll see what happens in the next little while.

I'll probably be more verbal in her 12 month post and give details then!

We love you little girl!