Winter Wonderland

Slade has always been a believer in "don't worry about things you can't control." So he never understands how weather is such a fascination for people. (However, he does watch the weather for snow for skiing.) This week a co-worker has warned him about the first winter cold front. Nothing really happened Friday night. Nothing really happened Saturday. "Shaw," he said when the kids talked of the chance of a snow day on Monday.

But this morning we were awakened to Kennah screaming, "It's snowing! It's snowing!" I chalked it up to a sneaky trick, but she was telling the truth. And the snow hasn't stopped.

Two of my meetings and church were cancelled. So, we have had a wonderful day cozy at home. I know this is the only time it will happen. After today, snow means, "Hit the slopes" so the cozy days together at home will be no more.

That's OK, I'm living in the moment and will take what I can!

Here's what the kids did when they came in to warm up before going back to play in the snow:

Ulitmate blanket forts.

And a hostage.

SOM

Last Monday Avy brought home a sealed envelope addressed to "the parents of Avy Watts." She's been around the block a time or two so she figured out that she was chosen as the Student of the Month for her class.

She dressed up Friday morning and made sure her hair was presentable and headed off for her day and eventually receive her award.

The theme was "cooperative." The funny thing is she has received the cooperative award the past two years. I guess she'd consistent in her behavior. (And being the baby of the family probably has something to do with it.)

40's NOTHING!

Lotte celebrated 40 years on Friday. We enjoyed spending the evening with her and friends in her warm home. (I wish I'd taken pictures, but I get busy doing other things.)

She's got a whole lot to show for her years (she survived 10 different schools growing up, been to all 50 states, successfully worked in corporate America, has a fabulous family, flown airplanes, worked for $5/hr at Blockbuster with a Master's Degree, designed her own home, blown up a building and these are just a fewof the things.) I know she has a lot more to look forward to in the next 40.

Here's to you Baby!!

Endless Entertainment

OK, this is a face only a mother could love! (And do I ever!)

Or someone in a creative writing class. "Look at this picture and finish the story . . . "

Some of my ideas (my entertainment for the night):

--"I told you sooooo!"

--"Pardon me" (in a French accent)

--"That toot was a little juicy. I'll just act normal and see if anyone notices."

--"Tsssk, tssk, tssk. Nooooo one wears white in winter."

--"Who, innocent meeee?"

a choppin' we will go

thankful

I just have to say how perfectly happy I am at this very moment.

I am sitting in my dad and Sharon's beautiful and comfortable home "working" (i.e. playing around on my computer.) Two kids are playing Tripoloy with their grandfather. Their conversations are, "I'll bet Sawyer is bluffing." You're RIGHT - I am bluffing! Hahaha!" That's when I interrupt their happy bubble to remind Sawyer that his poker face is compromised when giving away his secrets. But there is something sweet about a little boy whose honesty comes shining through, even when it is to his detriment.

And the game wouldn't be the same without Grandpa Bruce's deep choral break-through. "Bringing in the chips. Bringing in the CHIPS! . . ."

Then on the other side my little girl is reading The Giving Tree to her sister's dog. Such a sweet book. Such a sweet dog. Such a sweet girl!

And Slade is quietly reading to himself. But I love just knowing he's close by.

And so, I sit here quite contently loving life.

Not Another!?

Tuesday afternoon I drove a little girl from our ward to Activity Days with Kennah. No big deal. She lives in the neighborhood and we were heading to the church anyways.

Sawyer and Avy ran to the post office with me and we were headed back to pick the girls up. Avy asked if she could sit in the front. I said, "No. Sawyer can." I figured I'd save him from the estrogen filled back seat. But to my surprise, he assured me that Avy could have a turn in the front. "What?!" I thought. "Is he thinking of his sister's feelings and putting them in front of his own?" I began to smile smugly that my child is maturing. Then I realized it was not altruistic. When in fact, he was choosing to be WITH the girls! Correction, the ONE girl, the one we were giving a ride to.

Ahhh. Sawyer has hit the crush stage of life. (Remember Kennah at the ice cream parlor?)

Two in one month! I must be getting old after all.

Spock

Vulcan Logic vs. Emotion

We are going on week 3 of the latest family addition, Spock. Today as I walked him in the rain ("Let's hear it for the mom! Let's give the mom a hand! Whoa. Whoa, whoa, WHOA- let's hear it for the mom!!" Imagine this sung to the old Footloose song back from the 80's) I couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of this little dog's name-sake, a carrier of logical thought. Logically, he was a good decision for our family. But he is becoming an emotional attachment as well.

Yesterday Slade rode his bike home from school, just like he always does. Check on his exercise for the day. (Sigh from me and my NOT doing the same.) The kids did their homework and everyone was enjoying themselves. But then Slade grabbed Kennah and Spock and off on a walk they went. Later that night Slade noted what a fabulous day it was. But more than that, he knew that because he spent additional time outside, not from his bike ride home. Had we not had Spock, he would've stayed inside. Because of the dog, Slade enjoyed the world and his daughter a little bit more. What a great emotional advantage to the logical decision.

random things to just get out there

1. I made incredible enchiladas last night! Usually, my opinion is that they are too heavy and feel like it's a blob of flavors in my mouth rather than light with distinct flavors. But I have mastered it! I called Slade during his lunch just to remind him how good I am. (Obviously I am a little confidence deprived these days if a few pans of Mexican food makes me feel at the top of my game. Sad, eh?)

2. Slade has agreed to finish off the master bedroom! This was a project that was on the back burner until Spring Break or summer (or another decade?) He and Dad hung the ceiling pieces Monday afternoon, with that being the only expectation. (I admit, I was willing to sleep in a bedroom with only a ceiling to be warm this winter) But once they got started, they think they can finish it off with a little (lot) of work. Slade asked me how I felt, if I wanted him to do that. I had to stay REAL calm and say, "Whatever you want to do" but inside I was jumping for joy!! The closet won't have doors right away, but at this point our "room" in the basement doesn't have doors so I think I am really moving up in the world. I should take a "before" picture this time.

3. Kennah is a big flirt. Not a ditzy "blonde" (no offense to blondes), "hahaheehee" kind of flirt. Just a "I choose to hang with boys" kind of flirt. Last week the girls' Brownies troop had a very cute, fun ice cream party at Little Scoops. (It's 50's ice cream parlor where they dance and play games and make ice cream sundaes. So VERY cute!!) Kennah, although she can maneuver a soccer ball down the field, isn't the most rhythmic person. She tried to dance but came back to the sidelines repeatedly, "This is a silly game" or "Why are they doing this?" etc.

But last night Avy's soccer team had their end of the season party there (brilliant idea if you ask me--enough pizza in crowded rooms!) There was a boy from Sawyer's team who had a sister on Avy's team. Needless to say, there was not a single complaint of silly or stupid games from Kennah this time. She had a grand time hanging out with Quade. Oh the perspective.

Sawyer's Historical Election

Yesterday Sawyer talked to me all afternoon about his knowledge of the "electrical' votes.

He then dropped our ballots in the box.

We then enjoyed a fun evening at Mimi's home watching the election results. We've talked for months about issues and political ideas. I vaguely remember my mom liking Reagan, but I don't have a clear memory of the details of Carter's loss. (Could be the change in communications in the past few decades as well. . .) I wanted the kids to have memory of this election.

Luckily we didn't have to stay up much past their 8:00 pm bedtime since the votes came in quickly. On the way home Sawyer wrapped up his "historical" experience, "We don't have to move to Canada!" 11-4-08 is the day Sawyer remained an American citizen.

Time Out for Mom

As I finished my last Halloween shoot of the day, I thought how sad that I wasn't able to get my own kids. Slade is hard core about his trick or treating. There's not time for fluffy stuff like pictures.

But there was a tap at the door and in came my little kiddos. They had 1 minute to jump in and jump out so the next could jump in. They may not be perfect images, but I'm happy to just HAVE them.

And now I'm off to clean for our open house tomorrow. . .

Definitely a TREAT

One day, I'll get my h.h. watts photography blog up and running like it should be. But for now, our personal page will moonlight.

I am excited to introduce my 1st Annual Halloween Pictures! (Any ideas for a fabulous name for the future?)

Who: All those who love to dress up on Halloween

Where: My studio (3 different backgrounds)

When: Halloween

2:00-4:00 p.m.

Why: Fun, of course!

But all proceeds go to Parrott Creek Child and Family Services

http://www.pcreek.org/overview.html

Pricing:

$15

1 - 5x7

8 - wallets

Doggie Train

Our cute little niece, Savanah, counted down the birth of her baby for months by saying she was coming in the baby train. Sure enough, that Savanah was right on. Her little sister did come.

We may not have the "baby" train coming to our home ever again. But we have a very cute girl who has an aching in her heart for the chance to love and care for something. Although I fully admit I lack that desire, we have agreed to a dog. We've talked about responsibility. We've talked about our unwillingness to be the primary care giver. We may be loco. We may very well be proven wrong--our girl may grow weary of constant responsibility.

But, isn't love about putting someone else's feelings first? As much as I don't have the "ga-ga for dog gene," Kennah does.

So, maybe this entry is a pre-emptive record for me to come back to; a reminder of the WHY. A reference point to my current state of mind. A place to say, "This is where it all began." And hopefully, of no regrets.

Last stop, Watts' home. ETA: Saturday afternoon.

She's an Artist

One of our favorite lines from Toy Story is when Woody is taken next door to Sid's house. A Barbie doll reassures Woody that everything will be OK because he is in the great hands of the little sister. "You'll like Amy, she's an artist!" Then shows her chopped hair and drawn-all-over face.

I am a sucker for kids art. I have plans to make a book for each kid of all their art pieces that I just can't fit on anymore walls. I am excited to have the time to do it in 2009.

But, as we think about finishing off the basement, I saw this product and loved it! How cool would it be to just let the kids go for it? Plus, think of all the fun to see the ever changing wall.

For a sample of an entire wall:
http://www.landofnod.com/popup/zoom.aspx?url=%2fpopup%2fzoom.aspx&c=3144&f=4884&&fi=4884&t=room&n=%3cspan+style%3dcolor%3a%2372A541%3eNew!%3c%2fspan%3e+Frames+Wallpaper

Here's a more "permanent" adult option. I don't think I can give up that much control:

Here's the link to a full article:

http://www.kentucky.com/147/story/532854.html

Halloween Costume

This year, I think Slade should shed the grunge/gore theme and go trick or treating as:

Han Solo

or

Indiana Jones

or

Dr. Richard Kimball

or

Jack Ryan

"Why?" you ask. I'll show you why:

His locks are tamed. I love it.

A Little Advice

I am writing from the beautiful mountains of Utah. A chance to get all caught up with my photo life. But a day after arriving, my external hard drive (with all my sittings that I hadn't closed out) crashed.

I knew something like that would happen at some point. As much as I use technology, the odds are clear. Luckily, I have all my original files backed up on discs. The painful part is, all the editing to images, pages designed for albums and the last 2 years of my TIME are NOT backed up.

It is not a suicidal event. But it is still painful!

So, the moral of the story is: BACK UP, BACK UP, BACK UP!!

One Track Mind

If a stranger were to look at my postings over the past couple of weeks, they could easily (and rightly so) think, "This woman must live in a dive. She must have never cleaned in her life. Get this poor woman some help!" And this post would only add to that theme.

After telling my hairdresser about my newly cleaned house (see, I don't limit my cleaning conversations to blogs), she recommended one of her all-time favorite cleaning supplies.

Being the easily swayed person that I am, I purchase the product within 12 hours and tried it a few hours later. And all I can say is, "WOW!!" I thought our tub was old and stained--that's just the way the cookie crumbles. But, "say it ain't so Joe!" My bathtub is white. Shiny white. Gleaming white. And all for less than $2!

Christmas Early

Yesterday, being the 7th day of coverage with our new insurance company (ODS), brought a box on the porch addressed to Sawyer. It was his first month's growth hormone medicine.

No denials. No letters written. No appeals. Just the boy's medicine.

We are still waiting to be trained on how to properly mix, load the machine and give the shots, but we have the medicine and we're thrilled!

Sawyer was so excited he couldn't go to sleep. He unpacked the box and then packed it all up. A couple of times. Tonight's agenda includes watching the instructional DVD. Warm up the popcorn maker!

It's Official

After a long week of sprucing, cleaning and gutting we officially listed our house today. You may check out our RMLS link:

http://www.rmls.com and enter 8096199


I think it is a very LONG shot to sell in the current market. But part of me hopes it doesn't because I love it here so much. So, why list it, you ask? After all the work, that is a fine question.

One thing is for sure, I love elbow room. I feel like I am in a new house!

PS My clean oven is dirty already. I forgot to put aluminum foil in the bottom and lasagna bubbled over. I try.

Perspective

Today is the day we start emptying out the house. Boxes have been packed and soon they will be hiding in a storage unit, ostracized from their pals. As if they had feelings. Too bad they couldn't sprout legs and march themselves up the road and move themselves into the storage unit.

As we packed some boxes a few nights ago, Sawyer said, "I don't remember moving being this hard."

Funny because at the same time, with the kids' fabulous help, I was thinking, "I don't remember why I thought moving was so hard."

I guess it's all a matter of perspective.

"Sushine in the morning makes me happy"

Chalk off another item I've wanted to do for a very long time. Painting our mud room.

It WAS light blue--like the bathroom. And a bedroom. And another bedroom. (C'mon folks, a little variety would be nice!?) So, after living there for 4 years, I searched mistint paints at two Home Depot, Sherwin Williams and Fred Meyer, and found a wonderful, warm buttery yellow paint-similar to Avy's old bedroom. (C'mon Heidi, a little variety would be nice.)

Then I painted the trim black. Yes, BLACK! And I love it! Although my eyes still see the trim blue. But nothing that a black rug will fix. So now my (clean) kitchen looks like it has a little sister, not a reject appendage tagging along for kicks.

I think I'll play John Denver in there this afternoon when I get home and admire it some more.

The Big Easy

In news of the week at the Watts' Homefront, we are putting our house on the market. Three weeks ago, we had absolutely NO inkling to move. Then we had a hairbrained idea and next thing you know, we are listing. It wasn't an easy or rash choice. And part of us will not be sad if the house doesn't get lookers. We love the home, the view and the endless possibilities for fixing it up.



So, I have begun the quick, but deep, cleaning and de-cluttering to make it show ready. (Even THAT in itself is a good reason to list a home--all the projects that can be put off have an up front and center due date.)


Yesterday I worked on the kitchen. It looks marvelous to me. All the cupboards are clean, dishes we never use are gone and it sparkles. (But I think that is stuff that only I would notice, Slade had kept it clean long before I came along.)



I'd tried the "self clean" oven latch but it was not working. Darn, I'd have do use the elbow grease version. I skeptically bought oven cleaner. Slade applied the foam last night and this morning, all I had to do was wipe away the foam. Lots of foam, but it was SO easy! Why did I think it would be hard? Why didn't I do it 3 years ago? I have a new love . . .

Wish List Season

This weekend, out of the blue, Avy came barreling upstairs excitedly yelling that she knew what she wanted for Christmas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocsxKZg5LGs

This is no joke. She is completely serious. Every few hours, she'd bring the subject back up. We even heard her talking to herself about it, "When I get the H2O Mop, I can clean this . . ."

I guess I can't complain if the girl finally has caught the cleanliness vision.

Momma's Toy & Buster

Yesterday I had a shoot in Richland, WA. Since I was driving right by Corbett, I stopped to meet Lotte's new family member, Buster.

He was like a blast from my childhood. I can't help but think those little wiener dogs are cute. My kids would love one, but I am armed and ready with all my reasons not to get a dog.

But this dog was not a yapper and didn't even run away from home, even with the door open. Other than the poo, the hair and responsibility of keeping something alive, my kids' odds slightly improved. Cute little Buster.

The girls loved him. I know my kiddos would love one. I did hear a good pro this week: just getting the kids out and moving more. Hmmmm . . .

While there I tried out a new toy. A fish eye lens. It distorts things to the extreme. Sometimes that is good to see more of the surroundings or intentionally distort things to bring attention to a particular feature or item.

Sophie was standing right in front of me, but look how tiny her feet are. That green tomato is larger than life.

Or how the flat lawn looks round. It reminds me of a mini planet. Truly, this is Buster's WORLD.

And I love how it makes me want to squeeze Jordan's little rolls even more! Yummy baby fat. Soon enough it will be gone, so pump it up.

The Perfect Birthday

Today Kennah is 9 years old! She has had a flawless weekend of partying, friends and FAMILY! It was an absolute delight to have so many of our family members celebrate. We enjoyed having those we love so much share a few hours with our "little" girl.

All on her own, Avy made this wonderful sign to round out (and only) decorations for the evening. In the hurry to get everything done yesterday, I neglected the work that she did. What a great little sister!

Grami made a delicious and beautiful cake. "Vanilla with vanilla," the birthday girl's request.

And the best part--no tempting leftovers! It was devoured by this group. MMMMM...

Music was in the air . . .

. . . and will be in the next few years, as Kennah puts her new guitar to use!

Let's hear it for the beauty of September and the IDEAL weather in Oregon. The kids played outside. Dominic's expression could tell a million stories.

Reevkah sampled Sam's latest creation and hobby--bottling his own sodas.