Lesson NOT learned

Claire is ALWAYS in the bathroom getting into the drawers, sucking on everyones toothbrushes, dumping out containers of clips, messing with my make up, squeezing lotion, pulling toilet paper out and around... anything an 18 month old can do in a bathroom Claire somehow manages multiple times a day.

Today I have been packing and cleaning and I had SO had it with Claire going from one bathroom to another as I followed her cleaning up over and over.

Today is the first day I decided to give Claire some consequences for her guilty pleasure which she knows is a NO NO.

I decided that if I caught her doing this, I would put her in the pack and play and close the door- then come back in and not let her out until she said 'sorry'. She has never really been 'punished' before, and I was sad for her because she was in shock. She bawled her little eyes out in that pack and play. And it took her a good 10 minutes after the first time to utter anything that sounded like 'sorry'. And the thing is that she knows how to say 'ah-wee.'

So... I didn't really realized how much I just clean up after her and am constantly pulling her out of the bathroom until today when I started counting her times int he pack'n'play for her naughtiness.

10 times! between the hours of 9 am and 12 pm, 10 times! and that only ended because she had to take a nap- not because she learned a lesson.

The only thing that changed about her behavior because of punishment was that she decided to test out the kitchen drawers and cupboards and that she got more and more and more stubborn when I demanded an apology.

She used to be this

and now, she is so... this.

ALMOST finished

this picture gets bigger for those who want a better look

The house is pretty much finished except for black shudders and a nice iron black Front door hand set with dead bolt.

We are also working out some landscaping issues that might happen now and might wait until spring. Landscaping will make this place look TONS better. Not that it isn't amazing as is. We are trying to get them to just cut us a check for the landscaping since Ty knows how to do sprinklers. We might get more bang for our buck that way.

There is blue tape throughout the inside marking spots they need to touch up or check. Other than that it is totally done. I tried to get in to take some indoor shots, BUT it is all locked up. Ty and I went in the other night and hung all our blinds.

Once all the inspections are finalized WE ARE IN!

Can't wait. Merry Christmas US!

Hopefully the next HOUSE update will be of us with the house and some serious moving boxes in the background.

And after that A brightly lit Christmas tree in the bay window with us inside wearing turtle necks and sipping cocoa. :)

You CAN go wrong

I didn't know that there was so much to say about shoes...

So apparently my husband hates these boots that I mentioned in my last post.

His exact words were "maybe if you lived in mid-evil times or were Robin Hood himself" It was hilarious. See the thing is is that I hate buying things my husband hates and he is very conservative in the clothing department- which is an OK thing- usually... for him.
I bought this gold-ish knee length skirt once and he HATED it. I thought it was awesome, but whenever I put it on, he would beg me not to wear it and tell me all the reasons why I shouldn't and there were a lot of reasons. Not worth it.

I just wish he knew about all the boots I wasn't picking in my hunt. There are some things in life where you can't really go wrong- like chocolate or flip flops or socks(usually). But with boots, you can go very... very wrong.


Exhibit A:

Exhibit BReally, a converse boot? Really? Someone was just SO lonely for their converse shoes while out in the elements that these had to be extended up the ankle? Come on.

Exhibit C

Do these honestly have heels?

Exhibit D

Chains? Seriously?

Exhibit E

Ok, what the heck is this little number? Why don't you just buy a white- out of style heel and wear just the neck portion of your 4th grade Christmas turtle neck up your ankle instead of spending $79 on these pieces of perplexing garbage.


And don't even get me started on
Exhibit F
I have some friends out there with some pretty brave/different taste and you will remain nameless, but if you like these... YOU NEED SERIOUS HELP.

Exhibit G

Ok, what is this? Is it a sandal or a boot? because I think it is listed in both categories online but technically sandals are the opposite of boots so frankly this article of clothing blows my mind and to top it all off, it is purple.

Exhibit H

Unless these hook to a snowboard, they are unacceptable- and even then.

You get my point.
Hey Ty,
these
aren't looking so bad.

UPDATE FROM TYLER: Katy went ahead and bought the buckle boots, I took a picture of her when she got home. You know what, she's right, that is a good look for her. And when she storms the gates of Mordor astride her valiant steed, she's sure to get a few double takes from the Orc Heard. You can scale my battlements any day, my lady.

another post about shoes

You would think I would be posting more about a house right about now, but still we haven't moved. To distract my anxious mind, I will post about shoes.

Can you believe that I scored THESE
today for 6.50? I can't. I needed a pair of shoes that were comfy and warm and although I am still looking, these should keep me happy for$6.50 until I find the perfect pair.

How about these
for Ty for $7.00. I think they are quite stunning myself.

I am wearing these
BROWN boots now- trying to decide if I should return them or keep them. They are my early birthday gift, I just have to figure out who is going to give them to me. I think they are sorta awesome esp. for $34. But I'm not sure, I kinda wanted black because I have TONS more black church attire, but these have a distressed suade look that I kind of couldn't pass up. Opinions? I swear I need a fleet of friends to shoe shop with me.
I might like these in black for my flat boot option. (?)

Clothing Woes

I still can't find the perfect shoes (as mentioned in a recent post) and believe me I HAVE LOOKED, a lot. And I am going to continue to look until I find what I want and I really hope the winter season isn't over before I find something..
I might need some help from someone who knows my taste and my... qualifications:

Not too Pricey

Socks- a must

Not too tall

Can't be flip-flops or too slipper-y

ON the subject of slipper-y, I almost bought these today. I just wanted something warm and Winter-y but they look a little slipper-ish and I need to find a pair worth my money. But I really do love these... but maybe not for the price... I am still considering. I haven't owned clogs in 12 years.

Here was an, almost, winner today. This option is still pending in my brain.

Also, I can't decide what I think of the flat boots- but they interest me- a little. Only because I am already tall. But I am wondering if they are going to go out of style too soon.

I almost bought this coat the other day at Old Navy (during their 50% off outerwear sale), as a total knock off of the afore mentioned Macy's coat. But when I tried it on, I looked a little pregnant.

More on the HOUSE called 1084

If you are sick of viewing an incomplete house on this blog, then remove your eyes from the following.

For our friends and family far and near, who continue to express interest... I hope you enjoy this as much as we are!

prepped for stucco

It is hard to see, but there is a decorative band halfway between the window and the garage and at the roof line above the bay window. We wanted it about 12 inches wide... but they got everything prepped with a 4 inch band- which, in my opinion, looks a little bit dorky. I called a meeting with the builders and got the stucco guy to agree to add some inches.

living room (looks bigger with carpet (that I love))

kitchen...

We aren't ecstatic about the vinyl in here, but I wasn't thrilled about any vinyl. We are planning to tile this area sometime in the future. The door in the kitchen is just a construction door. We have a full windowed door with an in-glass blind (hurray!) that will go here.

don't you love my pendents?!...it took some serious serious creativity and budget crunching to get these babies to hang this far from the vaulted ceiling.

I am wishing they were a little farther apart- too late for that change.

The banister is still missing because it is going to go in un-stained and has to be put in last. We decided to save $300 and stain it ourselves.

down the hallway

on the left is first a half-bath and next a laundry room with a big under-the-stairs closet and a door to the garage.

on the right is first a bedroom and then the master.

This is the upstairs loft with one bedroom (the window in this bedroom is the one above the garage) shown. To the right is a bathroom, then a closet and then the last bedroom.

This final phase (paint, flooring, lights, trim, doors) has been my favorite. I love all the details much more than the trusses and the HVAC hoses.

The yard and fence returns won't be in until the spring, which is a major bummer. Tyler has plans to build some shelves immediately in some of the closets and the storage areas. We have also talked about painting the ceilings white sometime soon.

Scheduled move-in date is still pending.

#11 Addition to: 10 Random Updates

11. I have been searching, like crazy, to find how to get the members of my family the H1N1 vaccine. I called Southern Idaho Central Health Department and when I asked where I could get it or what I should do to plan for it, or look for it, I was treated like I was asking for a million free dollars.

Me: "Hi, I am wondering if you can tell me where or when I will be able to get the H1N1 vaccine, at least for my 2 young children?"

Lady: "Ha! Ya, you and thousands of other people" (seriously- that is what was said)

Me: "Oh, I am sure that is the case, anyhow- can I find out where it will be avaliable and if my children will qualify?"

Lady: with a snicker..."I can't tell you that!" (this was said not like "I really don't know where it will be or if you will qualify" it was said like "that is top secret information, and I don't know who you think you are- but you certainly won't get me to spill my guts... my lips are sealed sister)

Seriously- a very weird conversation that ended in me using my bluntness and still getting no answers- but very sure that the list of places the H1N1 would be, the dates and who could get it was sitting on a clipboard right in front of her.

So far I have scored Lucy the first dose, we are still on the look-out for Claire and Tyler and I will probably never get it.

So yesterday- Tyler comes home and tells me that he heard on the radio about the terrorists being held in the detention camps such as Guantanamo Bay will be receiving H1N1 vaccine. I have been reading about this online.

Don't mean to be political here... but apparently Claire will have to commit a Federal Crime or kill others be be saved from Swine Flu.

10 Random Updates

1. Our house is near completion. All the lights, carpet, sinks, toilets, tile back splash... ect are in. The stucco will be completed tomorrow and the rock (special order) is still being tumbled and gathered in the Rockies and should be here next week. I will take some pictures soon and post them. I love our house number (1084) I has a very McGee feel to it!

2. I need to post this because later I won't believe myself that this is actually happening. Claire has decided to tell me most of the times she needs to go #2. She says poo-poo-on-potty. NOT KIDDING. She is making it there with about a 65% success rate. Lucy did this too and just sort of knew about #2 needing a different residence. I never make a big deal about it with Claire if she doesn't make it... but if she does we do a happy dance and she loves it. Weird Stuff... something I didn't know we would be learning or starting to learn this soon.

3. Claire is also stringing other words together, which is adorable. For example she says ocks-n-shoes (socks and shoes), and will list our whole family, minus herself as she is playing "mommy, dada, see-see (Lucy). Also, she has a baby that she sleeps with with is just a regular soft human baby but she calls it Pooh, instead of Baby, because Lucy sleeps with an actual baby version of Winnie the Pooh. She calls her binkie 'blah' and sticks out her tongue at the end- usually letting drool fall to the ground. This really bugs me- but she won't change her mind about calling it 'blah' with an extra long 'ah...'

She LOVES animal books and points and lists either it's name or it's sound or points and looks at us to fill in the blank. She is starting to say prayers with us and will put her head all the way on the floor (or on her tray at dinner), in the seated position, usually with her hands at her side- this is a mega bow of the head and we are SO proud. We are working on folding our arms but this is a bit of a joke. We are also working on her repeating the last word of a sentence in a prayer so she can feel like she is saying it. To sum this long rambling about Claire up... let me just say I love her to pieces.

4. Lucy hates jeans (khaki's are included in her definition of jeans). The problem with this is that we inherited the CUTEST slew of jeans, in her size, from a friend. They are all embellished or embroidered or flat ADORABLE. Her hate of them is a bit frustrating since I really don't want to go out and spend money on six colors of sweat pants. After arguing every morning about pants, discussing the fact that 'undie-bum' is not an option, and some serious melt-down time about the fact that her summer shorts disappeared into an undisclosed location, we decided to head to Old Navy and hand over the moola. I decided to buy every pair of non-jean pants they had in her size. We then spent an hour,at home, trying them all on. She was forced to sit, stretch run, crawl...etc. until she could determine whether they were as she would say 'comfy cozy' or not. She was very distracted by the fact that some of the pants were pink. She was not allowed to put them in the comfy cozy pile just because of their color. I had her sort that stack of pants in every way I knew how "Lucy, if you were going to pick a pair of pants to wear today which would they be?" When she would select... I would hide them, and then ask her to look at the pile and choose again. We did this so I could order them according to like.

Her top choice was fleece.

She noticed right away "hey, I can even wear these to bed!" That is exactly my problem with them.

#2 in the running was a pair of velor pants. These are OK except Tyler claims that velor makes him sneeze and when I showed him her number two selection he said "they are great except I won't be able to be around her when she is wearing them."

Here is number 3. They are OK.

I am tempted to keep these two only and have Ty get over it and just force the jeans on when we are going somewhere jean-appropriate.

I will keep you posted...

or not- since I have bored myself. Yes, you can talk to much about your daughters hate of jeans. Lesson learned.

5. Winter, I don't like you. You are cold and expensive and make everything take longer. California survives just fine without you and I believe Idaho can too.

6. I need an adorable pair of winter shoes. I am still, for the most part wearing my rainbow flip flops in normal life- that or flats which look HORRIBLE with socks (no good solution there). I want some boots or something that doesn't resemble something I could also work out in, use as a slipper or use for hiking. They can't show my socks and must be comfortable. Do these shoes exist? I submit that they do not. Any options I am missing?

7. There is an AMAZING coat at Macy's that I covet and many others I would settle for.

8. Sign me up for this dream bedroom. LOVE the wall color with the white trim and tray ceiling and the black furniture. I am planning to do a King-sized upholstered headboard once we move. I am on the lookout for an awesome shape and fabric.

9. I need a new Blog Title. "Moments of our Lives" is not doing it. I didn't even really think through it carefully. I just sort of happened. Can I change this late in the game? Wouldn't that be sort of like having everyone all the sudden call me Kathryn?

10. Currently on TV or Hulu for us:

Glee- stop promoting teen sexuality and I would like you more, but Tyler will still only tolerate you to be with me.

Flash Forward- you got me, make episodes more quickly please.

PBS- You are one of our only 7 channels that is always clean, that gives me a love/hate relationship with you. The gorillas you are always showing make me very uncomfortable. Why? because they ARE JUST LIKE HUMANS with too much hair! They row boats, as in they literally ROW BOATS- and it just plain freaks me out.

Biggest Loser- Tracey there are no words for you, you should be on PBS and studied by experts.

A McGee Halloween

Lucy has been planning her costume since June. We were thrilled to find all the parts and pieces down to the actual 'Jessie' braid without starving for a month.

No matter how awesome the costume... pictures are never fun.

Lucy was so excited to get started but it was a bit early... so we had her practice at our door.

Claire was sick this Halloween and her costume sort of evolved. She was orginally going to be Sleeping Beauty but I knew she would hate the dress all night. I considered a doggy, a shoe or a piece of candy... since those are her current obsessions- but went with a butterfly of sorts that looked a little bit like Richard Simmons with wings. Oh well, if you are as cute as Claire... doesn't matter what you go as on Halloween.

Here she is later at our ward parade. Lucy wanted her in purple wings instead.
We left early because, despite this happy picture... Claire wasn't feeling great. Funny though... I brought a pie to the ward party and I didn't know it was going to be a contest. I went with Pillsbury Pie Crust and Great Value Cherry Filling. I knew this would taste better than anything I could make. The funny thing is that I won the pie contest. I hope no one who reads this is in my ward and labored all day over homemade crust- that would be embarrassing.

a part of her

Lucy REALLY wanted to do hair and make-up with me this morning. I pulled out my straightener, just for fun, because she said she wanted really long hair. It is surprising how long it actually is.
She was busy with make-up while I did her hair and didn't really look at it before we went to snap some pictures. Afterward she headed off to check herself out in the mirror. She stood there, stunned. for a really long time (her disturbed expression was actually VERY funny)- then she suddenly burst into tears. For the next 10 minutes, she was sobbing about how much she missed her 'curlies' and she thought this hair was 'too weird'.

I must agree with Lucy. I know I have said it before but Lucy's curlies are part of who she is. When Tyler came home for lunch he felt the same way. We are all missing the curlies today.
I told Lucy that the only way they would come back is to wash her hair (which she hates). She is suffering with straight hair instead- but barely surviving.