Rampage

I had such a hectic day and I ended up losing it (kind of) by the time night rolled around.  Here is the story...

I woke up and went to work (once Matt got home from graves). When I got home, the kids had not been fed lunch (arg) so I ended up getting them fast food (not good) then we hurried to Jaiden's allergy shot appointment at which I edited while we waited.

We got home and Maddie's two friends came over and one of Jaiden's. Have you ever had to keep 6 kids downstairs and quiet (even in the backyard) while you work, so you don't wake your sleeping husband?!! Stressful!

Once the neighbor kids left, I went and picked up a pizza (hey, cut me some slack). Got home and worked once again while it was cooking and then promptly after.

Matt woke up and got the kids in the hot tub to play while yes, I worked again.

Then he left for work, and I got the kids to bed, did laundry, dishes, cleaned and again, worked until 12.

I still need to finish up household chores and hurry to bed as tomorrow will be worse.

I am going to work in the morning, take the kids to Oaks Amusement Park all day and come home to edit, grade and do more household chores.

I am ready for Wednesday to roll around so Matt will be off work and can help more. Sigh......

And I always said I didn't need a maid. Bahahaha.

I will pull it together....it just gets hard juggling so much.

~S

Milwaukie Days!

My friend who lives in Clackamas, OR invited us to Milwaukie Days. Basically, it was a fireworks show, some carnival rides and snack shacks. Super fun. Matt could not go due to working, but we still had fun.

The rides gave new meaning to Carni Rides. There were three bounce houses and one really small ferris wheel. I am pretty sure all of the ride operators were on meth. The best part, the way they set up and created their games (see picture below). It was fun though and entertaining.

And yes, I let the girls ride it! Ha! They loved it.

Now that is a carni ride. Scary!
  

Yes, those are indeed toilet seats. LOL.

I have to say though, the fireworks were simply amazing. The BEST I have seen actually. They even beat out the 4th of July ones. We sat next to the river as the fireworks were set off on a ship. You could feel the BOOM in your chest. Awesome. Totally going to make it a tradition.

 I bought the kids these really yummy snow cones. I was good though and only had a taste :).

 

The best part, getting to spend time with my friend (I have known her for 10 years) and her family. I also recruited two more gals for the Zombie 5k! Thanks for inviting us Michelle! ~S

Date Night!

This is our "serious" pose right before our date :).

We decided to go on a date last night, so we told J he was babysitting, fed the kids dinner and got out of the house by 7:45.

We went to La Center in WA to a little casino for fun. We were only there about 40 minutes. Matt gambled (starting out with $100) while I watched (I am NOT a gambler). He made $75 and I convinced him to give it to me since I just had to sit there. Hehe.

Then we headed to the Pearl District in Portland to our friend's restaurant called Shiraz. We ate some yummy, healthy food (I would highly recommend this place if you have not tried it) and then promptly headed to a Rite Aid as I was having an allergic reaction. Hot huh?

I really need to go get tested for food allergies. This is the second time I have had instant throat swelling, mouth and neck itching, eyelid itching, wheezing and a cough after eating something my body did not agree with. I know I am allergic to Chives, but not sure what I ate last night that was so toxic for me.

While I am smart enough to know that food allergies could not cause LS, I often wonder if it does not contribute to the itching.

Long story short, I drank some Benedryl and we headed home. We were going to get in the hot tub, but decided to watch a little Lost. That show is soooo addicting!

We had a great night and the girls were sound asleep when we got home :). Thanks J.

I am really excited for August to be here in just a few days. We have a trip to Oaks Amusement Park, Portland Zoo, movies at the theatre, a camping trip and our annual PD BBQ that Matt and I do.

Summer is going by too quickly! I can't believe school starts on the 5th of September for the kids.

~S

Life on Graveyards

After 3 weeks, we are finally on a schedule with Matt working graveyards.
(This is more for my record than you..so sorry if it is boring.)

This is a glimpse of what a typical week looks like around the Barbee clan.

Monday & Tuesday:

Matt gets home at 9 am.  By this time, I am usually ready to go to work and the kids have been fed breakfast and are dressed (and doing chores).

I leave and Matt spends an hour or so with the kids (usually in the hot tub) then goes to bed (Jaiden babysits).

I get home just after lunch. I make the kids lunch, they have friends over (and I constantly have to remind them to be quiet), I sneak in some work (either editing or grading), we go on an outing (Oaks, Skateworld, grocery shopping, swimming, a park, playdates, etc.) and then come home for dinner at 6.

Matt wakes up between 5 and 9 (depending on when he went to bed) and we have family time.  Sometimes he is up for dinner and sometimes he is not. We may go on a walk, watch our favorite show or just spend time together.

We get the kids ready for bed and he leaves at 9 pm for work.

After the kids are in bed, I clean up the house, work, workout, watch TV and go to bed (usually around 2am). It takes me forever to get to sleep because I hate sleeping alone :/.

Wednesday:

Matt gets home again at 9am. This is his Friday, so he will take a long nap (assuming he does not have court), I go to work and then we have the rest of the day together as he has the day off.

Thursday & Friday:

Matt has these two days off as well. Family Time! I work a few hours.

Saturday & Sunday:

Matt goes back to work Saturday night at 9. He usually will take about a 4 hour nap during the day or in the evening. I pick-up work on Saturday then grade and edit over the weekend.

*Our days are really strange sometimes because if Matt has court or a doctor's appointment, he won't get to sleep (on the days he works) until later and then I don't see him at all due to me being at work in the morning. :(.  We try to limit these days as much as possible.

Coordinating two schedules is really hard, but we are adjusting. Thank goodness it is only until the end of December then he will be back on days or swing shift :).

Once the kids are in school, I will get them on the bus (at 6:45) then get ready for work.  Matt will get home at 9 and I will leave. He will take Ash to preschool at 12 then come home and go to bed. I will get home before the kids (including Ash) get done with school and have a few hours to kill :). I am not going to lie, I am kind of excited for that. Lunch with friends, shopping, grading or just getting some work or organization around the house done!

I am so grateful that I can work and still be there for my kiddos.

~S

In the Mood

I am in the Mood for...

-Kozy Shak Rice (w/ raisins) pudding.

-to get my craft on. I am thinking a wreath for the front door.

-to go camping for at least two nights.

-to watch more Downton Abbey (I LOVE that show).

-to watch more LOST (LOVE that too).

-to have a fire in the backyard with the kids.

-cold Fall weather to better enjoy the hot tub.

-caramel popcorn.

-a daytime nap.

-time off of work.

-a date night with my love.

-a girls night out.

What are you in the Mood for?

~S

Health & Wellness

About a year ago, Matt got diagnosed with a disease. Not fun.

Recently, it has been brought to our attention that there may be an allergy to food (Celiac Disease) which will require some major food limitations (we will know for sure next week).

It is always better for the Whole Family to change than one person trying to do it alone.

So, our house will be (for the most part) free of sugar, wheat, gluten, alcohol and carbs.

It is fun to start getting healthy, learning new ways to cook and experimenting.

Today, Matt made the most delicious vegetable soup with no noodles. It was simply divine.

So lucky to have a talented husband who can cook amazing food.

I am also training for a 5k, so giving my body what it needs feels good.

Don't worry, my kids will still get their occasional treat :).

Last night, my son's friend slept over and for a snack I gave them rice cakes. They ate the whole bag!

For breakfast, we had yogurt with fresh berries. Yum.

Jaiden is in puberty as well and so he is getting self-conscious about his body (as most kids chunk up before they hit a major growth spurt around puberty) so we are educating him about food and he started weight lifting with Matt.

We are also meeting with a nutritionist in the next few weeks which will help.

Here is a tasty recipe for you to enjoy!

Spiced Lentil Tacos

 It's really yummy! Hard to tell it's not beef.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup dried brown lentils, rinsed
1 package (2.25 ounce) taco seasoning
2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, finely chopped (use half for less heat)
2 teaspoons adobo sauce
8 taco shells (or you can just do lettuce wraps)
1 1/4 cups shredded lettuce
1 cup chopped tomato
1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat (2 percent) cheddar

Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook onion, garlic and salt until onion begins to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add lentils and taco seasoning. Cook until spices are fragrant and lentils are dry, about 1 minute. Add broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until lentils are tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Mix sour cream, chile and adobo sauce in a bowl. Uncover lentils and cook until mixture thickens, 6 to 8 minutes. Mash with a rubber spatula. Spoon 1/4 cup lentil mixture into each taco shell. Top with 2 heaping teaspoons sour cream mixture, lettuce, tomato and cheese.



~S

Zombie Run!

My friend asked me if I wanted to do a 5k the other day. I did some research and found this one.

http://www.nomadadventureseries.com/

It's a zombie run. Basically, a 5k trail run with zombies chasing the living. We will wear "life" flags on our waist and the zombies will try to take them. Ahhhh!

So far, I have convinced two gals to do it with me. It is going to be a blast. Three friends, zombies chasing us and a goal accomplished. What could be more fun?

I start training tomorrow. Wish me luck :).

~S

Finally!

My second oldest brother Bryan came to visit yesterday. The visit was brief (only a few hours) as he was on a business trip.

He has lived out of the country for over 6 years. First in Montreal, Quebec and then in Dubai (in the Middle East). They (his family) just moved back to the states (Chicago and soon to be Vegas) a few months ago.

I have not seen him in 5 years! He looks exactly the same :). It was fun to spend some time with him, go out to dinner and have him visit with my kids.

Maddie will be going out (her first flight alone!) in August to stay with his family and play with her cousins. I am really excited for her.

Now that they are moving to Vegas, I am excited to let our kids finally meet and play with each other.

~S

Summer Fun

With editing & grading, I have worked 50 hour weeks the last two weeks.  So I have to make sure to fit in fun things with the kids.

Yesterday we went to the beach (Matt even came along despite having to work graveyards and slept on the way) and today I met a friend at a park to play in the fountain.

I have tomorrow off and I plan on cleaning! I am also going to take the kids to see Brave.

My older brother that I have not seen in years (he lived in Dubai the last 3+ years) recently moved back to the states (Chicago) and is here this week on business. He is going to spend Wednesday night with us and my house is a wreck :/. Time to get organized. He he.

I am excited for Maddie to meet him as she is going to fly out (to Nevada where he is moving) to spend some time with his family in August.

Luckily, I only spend about 2-4 hours a day at the office (4x a week) and the rest of the time I work in the evenings when the kids are in bed or mornings when Matt is here (from home). So, I get to spend ample time playing with the kids and planning outings :).

Did I mention that a friend of mine (from graduate school) hired me to edit his dissertation?
He is going to pay me 2k. How awesome is that?!

Now just to find time to fit it in! Haha.

Happy Summer! I am loving these sun shiny days :). ~S

13

Today, I have been married for 13 years!

From the beginning:

1.  We met at a grocery store (Smith's) in Sandy, Utah.
2.  We were married after six weeks (in July of 1999).
3.  We had our first child (Jaiden) in 2001.
4.  We moved to Oregon (from Utah) in 2002.
5.  We had our second and third child (daughters) in 2005 and 2007.
6.  We moved 5 times the first 5 years in Oregon.
7.  Matt became an officer in 2006.
8.  I graduated from college in 2006 (BA) and 2010 (MBA).
9.  We bought our first home together in 2007.
10.  We bought our first "new" car in 2012.
11.  I started working (since having my first child) in 2011.
12.  We got our first pet (as a family..meaning "after" we had kids) in 2011.
13.  Our son starting babysitting our girls (hurray) in 2012.

Funny Facts:

1.  The first time I farted around Matt, I pretended I was coughing. LOL.
2.  I am known for belching in public while pregnant.
3.  I have said some embarrassing things meant for only Matt's ears in public.
4.  I am known to leave "mom" stuff (random things I pick up off the floor during the day)in the pockets of his hoodies.
5.  I still sleep with my baby blankey and Matt has accepted that :).
6.  I am going on about 30+ years of biting my nails and have no plan to stop.
7.  Matt says "uh-uh" in his sleep which is really cute.
8.  I like to be covered from neck to ankles when I sleep (in clothes), Matt prefers the buff.
9.  I still talk in a baby voice when I feel too shy to say things.
10. We may have "lit" our farts on fire while camping (or attempted to) before we had kids. Side note: I grew up with three brothers :). Explains a lot huh?!
11.  I made a wish at a waterfall while visiting Oregon (before we moved here) to get pregnant and it came true. I conceived Jaiden while on vacation :).
12.  We may have dumped some junk in the middle of nowhere when we were first married and took off in our car with our hearts thumping (I know, so bad!).
13.  I made Matt pee in bottles on the way to our honeymoon (we drove to San Francisco) so we didn't have to stop so much. Teehee. (Don't worry, he still does this!)

Truths:

1.  He is my best friend.
2.  He makes me laugh daily.
3. I can be myself around him.
4. He still makes my heart race.
5. He has accepted that I am a book worm and perfectionist.
6.  He lets me be independent.
7.  He believes in me.
8.  He is the best cook I know (and does most of it!)
9.  I could not ask for a better father for my children.
10.  He is creative and comes up with the best stories.
11.  We have great plans in store for our future.
12.  He surprises me all the time with random gifts (flowers, jewelry, cards).
13. I can't wait to renew my vows next year on the beach with all our friends and family.

Love you Matt.

Happy 4th

Today, we are headed to a parade, BBQ and then fireworks.  

Hope you have a safe and fun 4th of July.

To my Utah friends, I hope you are safe, away from the fires and can celebrate with fireworks another time when the fire danger is not so high. Thinking of you. ~S

Not the fireworks Dad wanted...he likes to do the 4th BIG, but we compromised :).

Parade Time.

Change

Matt's work has been going through much change. They decided to go to five-eight hour shifts instead of four-ten hour ones. Not a big deal right? YES! Especially when you have work planned around it (me) and you are used to three days off.

So, Matt decided to go to graveyards for this rotation (because they are staying on four tens). After he did the bidding for his shift and so did everyone else, they decided to also keep swing shift on four tens! Ugh! I think they should have re-bid because that is not fair to the people on graveyard who only chose that to keep their three days off. Now there are guys under Matt who have the desired shift. Argggg.

Sucky. We are trying to be positive though. I know there are many people who do not have work and so forth, but this is my blog and I want to complain. LOL.

His first night started yesterday and boy was it tough. Due to my working, he only slept about four hours before he went in. Then today, as soon as he got home, I went to work. So he did not get to bed until well after 4. He has to go in at 9! Boy is he going to be tired.

Eventually I know we will get this thing worked out. I keep reminding myself it is only for 6 months, but then I think, 6 months!

Another hard thing is not sleeping together. I woke up about ten times last night. I am so used to staying up until he gets home (when he worked swing shift) that it is hard for me not to wake up and keep checking the bed to see if he is home.

At least this is the first time he has ever been on graveyards and he has been a cop for almost 6 years. When you first get hired, you have to work graveyard due to the seniority. Luckily, when Matt got hired, they hired many more under him so he bipased that :).

~S

Ideas, Ideas, Ideas

It occured to me on the way home from work today, that I needed either a chalkboard or corkboard for my porch.

Why? Because I think it would be neat to announce birthdays, leave messages for my kids, decorate for holidays, welcome grandparents or just hang up cute pictures.

So, I stopped by Home Goods and found this. I like it because the cork is covered with linen.

What do you think?

It makes me smile :). Jaiden made me that paper bouquet five years ago and Maddie painted the ship. So cute. ~S

How Do Your Kids......

Set the Table?

Mine used a parachute and Christmas placemats :).

Dress for Dinner?

Love them. ~S