Fun Friday

I've tried to be committed to Wonderful Wednesdays - especially since we are sending Jacob back to school in March and I won't have this special time with him. When he was in treatment, we didn't venture out much because it was safer to keep him in a bubble. He didn't feel like himself either and it was so much easier to take care of him at our house.

But life is still chaotic and it's not always easy to follow-thru with great ideas. A couple weeks ago we postponed Wonderful Wednesday to FRIDAY because James was off of school also. I dragged the kids on my Sam's Club run instead. They were also invited to help me sort through the 8 loads of laundry too - no takers. They should count it as Wonderful because I bought them a churro. That Friday we were rained out from the zoo (rained out AGAIN on Monday), but I took them to Chuck E. Cheese. That was A TON of work to go there with busy body Jayson, but the other kids were delighted. Seems like it takes a lot of effort to get out with the kids, but I feel like it is worth it. At the end of one of these marathon days, I find MUCH satisfaction in remembering that a new episode of LOST is on TV. Makes Wednesday all the more Wonderful for me!!!!

Here's our most recent adventure. This activity was nearly cancelled due to the extreme level of arguing between a certain pair of siblings. Simple mother requests such as clearing the desk or putting toys away were not acknowledged making for a frazzled mom. Can you hear my brain saying, "we only have a couple more weeks. I'm going to all this work so we can have fun together. Why are you making this so difficult? Don't you know that I'm doing this for you? for us? If I cancel the activity, we won't have time to do it again. Why can't these two kids just be nice to each other? I don't know if I can stand listening to them fight all day. Why is the baby so grumpy. I've got to get out of here so he can snag a nap in the car. Am I just expecting too much? Why am I so exhausted? Won't it be nice for me too to sit near the rolling ocean waves?"

Jessica acknowledged that James doesn't get to come to Fun Friday. I do feel bad about that. I know that I need more special time with him too.

Laguna Beach, CA

Happy Heart Day!

Your Valentine's Day Personality is Friendly

You think of Valentine's Day as the perfect chance to show people you care. It's not exclusively a romantic holiday for you. You like to celebrate with your friends too. Valentine's Day makes you nostalgic for cute cards and cheap candies. You love the idea of a Valentine's Day where everyone feels included.

What's Your Valentine's Day Personality?


I love doing something sweet for the kids - because that's easy. I can get a heart balloon for the kitchen or red paper plates for dinner to make the day. They love cheap candies in cute little character wrappers. I like making heart cookies and would bring a plate to a friend or two if life wasn't so crazy.

Valentine's for Jon - more complicated. I always want a card (NOT a funny one) that expresses some kind of sentiment. Most of my favorites include lines written in his handwriting. I try to have a card for him too. I get frustrated by the store cards because they don't say it right, but I bought one that was close because I don't see myself making a handmade one that I'd be satisfied with. I was kind of TICKED to find out that I paid $4.99 for it. When did the price of cards triple??? I like for us to have a night out where we can talk in regular voices - not hollering over the kids, but we don't like crowds on THE weekend. We grabbed a bite to eat together on Thursday and hopefully will have a nicer sit down dinner in the next couple of weeks. I don't buy Jon gifts. He gets a card and if he's lucky, I come to bed on time :0 - did I just say that?

I love chocolate covered strawberries and wouldn't send back flowers, but I'd take those anyday - not just on Valentine's day.

KidSpace

Doesn't this look like a Wonderful Wednesday?


Just one for now. Hope to share more about our adventure, but first I need to:

Get kids sent off to school and preschool with Valentines
Take Jacob to Physical Therapy
Drive carpools
Confirm babysitter
Return call to Make a Wish Foundation
Schedule Jacob's baptism in Utah
Take kids to birthday party
Pick up babysitter for little kids
Attend James' 4th Grade Class play
Take Jacob to hospital for CT scan - check in 30 minutes early
Take Jacob to oncology appointment for labs and to flush line

AND note to self-
still haven't taken January birthday pics for James or Jayson

Time to Get Up

Jayson was so happy to see me working on the computer when he woke up from a recent nap. I made him wait while I changed lenses and he still smiled a grin of glee.

One Year Older & Wiser Too

I just turned 36. I have to figure it out EVERY time (2009-1973=36). Can't believe it. I had Jacob snap some pics to update my profile pic. I've never used Botox or had plastic surgery, but you better believe that I used PhotoShop to erase back some of the wrinkles off of my forehead.

Things I know because I'm another year older:

*The joy of being a mother to FOUR children
*The discomfort of remaining a post-pregnancy size for a whole year
*The fun of having a redhead - thank you Jayson for joining our family.
*How to use my camera better - I LOVED the Picture Life Photography Workshop I attended in Utah last summer.
*I like camping from a cabin more than a tent
*I should buy hoodies & jackets for me, not the kids - I'm the only one who wears them anyway.
*My marriage may be practical and lack cinema-style romance, but it is completely reliable and that works for me.
*I love teaching
*Friendships form from varying circumstances
*Some friendships endure the test of time
*Facebook is NOT my style of communicating
*I am absolutely in love with Blogging - and I do secretly wish that I had a huge fan club that couldn't wait for my next post
*I'm trying to live an ordinary life in an extrordinary way - sometimes it works
*Kindness begins with me
*Once I get out on a bike ride, I like to keep on going (even though my thigh and calf muscles rebel for DAYS after)
*Childhood cancer doesn't just happen to 1 in every 330 strangers.
*Every family who is dealing with childhood cancer is my friend.
*Life brings surprises
*When faced with overwhelming trials, I turn to God and not away.
*I've never been alone in my grief
*The Holy Ghost really is a Comforter
*Bald heads aren't slippery - actually kind of rubbery
*I know more about rhabdomyosarcoma than I ever wanted to
*Knowing what I know about rhabdo, I'm very thankful that Jacob has not experienced the full wrath of this very mean disease
*I cry most of my tears in private
*I have been blessed by the power of prayer
*Some things just aren't important to me anymore
*Some people mean more to me than I ever expected
*I still love to watch television
*I've been deprived of much sleep this year and it's messed with my mind
*I'm surprised that my memory isn't any better even after doing 100s of Killer Sudoku Puzzles
*There's a lot of stuff that I don't know the first thing about
*I married the right person

Well, I can't upload anymore photos. I've reached my limit. So, I'll just leave you with the back of my hair. Layers were cut higher up in the back and left long in the front. I've been liking it.

Why JJ?

Did you know that nobody actually calls me JJ? Sometimes Jon & I use it in a rare text or email message. JJS are the initials I use, not because I don't love my Ottley heritage. Because believe me the Ottley's are lovable, talented, noble, amazing people. I'm thrilled to be numbered among them. I proudly write it on the "Maiden Name" line. I was actually called "Ottley" back in high school by most of my closest friends. And a few people got away with calling me, "Hotley Ottley." There was nothing as great as being called, "Hermana Ottley."

I've been proud and privileged to be an Ottley all my life. I still am one even though I proudly wear Jon's family name too. The other "J" is after my mom Jolene. Talk about an incredible woman!!! I've proudly carried her name as part of my own all my life. She has remarkable strength and is always the greatest fan. She recently sent me a copy of her 18 month photo.

People always ask, "Where did Jayson get that red hair?" Well, Grandma Jolene is happy to see a little bit of her blazing through.

Finding Treasure

Jacob spent all morning tying knots with the rope Jon got for the the Cub Scouts. Jacob tied the ropes in the shape of a guy. Then he set up a clue-filled treasure hunt - just for me. I saw him working on it and taping papers around, but he didn't want me to look until he was ready.

I was on the phone, cleaning the kitchen, pulling baby back in behind gate, helping Jessica & friend with dress ups, arranging carpool schedule, & whatever else. Jake kept following me around, so anxious for me to enjoy his surprise. I knew it would be super fun, so I grabbed the camera.

So join me on The Treasure Hunt (I'll type the clues in case you can't read them)


So the journey begins in the hall leading away from the kitchen. Lined papers with the word, "Mom" and an arrow send me on my way. Jayson begins to follow, but I latch the gate to his dismay.


Rounding the corner I'm led up the stairs and greeted by Tied Guy. Jacob was able to get height by attaching a series of rope to the cord on our blind :)


I was directed to read the note on Tied Guy. It said, "Enter unless you are Jennifer Stock. say the password. clue on my belly.

And if you glance down there is a smaller note which says, "go to the front door." I should just note that at this point, my friend had arrived to pick up her daughter. Baby is still trying to escape the gate. My daughter is in pajamas (again - she dresses up in them) and nowhere ready for school.

But I press on following an eager Jake to the front door.

"Go to the TV"


Look closely - that one's a little tricky to find. "Go to the downstairs bathroom sink."

Clue 4


"Go to the laundry room"


Clue 5: go to the dinner table

There I found the code: "How ya doing - silent g - not part of the code" This is a phrase ~how ya doin'~ that Jacob says all the time.

So now that I knew the secret password, I could return to Tied Guy and he would let me pass - only to find this note by the treasure box.

"Look in Box" I opened it up to see the big note, "I love you."

I'm telling you - this kid and all the love he gives back is treasure that any pirate would seek.



P.S. Later that day Jacob came to me and asked, "have you blogged the treasure hunt yet?"

Real Life

I like to have a bunch of posts that are deliberately written with photos that are carefully enhanced. Who knows if I succeed with that, but the perfectionist in me comes out that way. But those of you who REALLY know me - those of you who happen to drop by or have caught me screaming at my kids (how embarrassing) can attest that I'm far from ideal. I try lots and by trying lots - I get it right sometimes. But in the interest of keeping it real - let me give you the tour that you would NEVER see in a real estate listing.

I began my day greeted by 7 loads of clean laundry. It's tough to fold on the floor with Baby Jay crawling. I don't like to stand while folding because of my feet drama, so this is the place. I wasn't completely done with all of this before the timer went off to bake the chilled cookie dough (Wonderful Wednesday project with the kids). I did, however, finish eventually and even got some of it upstairs.

When all the folding was done, I was reminded that all THIS was still left in the laundry room.


Here's my pretty kitchen. I love the window that overlooks the backyard (Jayson was recently introduced to the sandbox). I love how the light spills in. There are always dishes in the sink (preferably RINSED dishes - I don't mind them being there as long as food isn't attached to them). It appears that we need to run our dishwasher 1 1/2 times daily.

Veggie/Rice steamer on counter - I use this nearly every day. Filtered water pitcher - never fits in fridge, so always on counter. High chair demands attention multiple times daily. Tupperware on table was a child's stacking project.


Other side of kitchen - Items have to be on TOP half of fridge - Jayson pulls all magnets and attached papers off. He also gets the broom and dustpan out EVERY time he crawls through here. Perhaps it's laying on the floor behind the island. Big huge 6 gallon buckets - aren't they attractive decor? That's what we store lots of our oats or white flour in. The oat bucket was recently refilled and I finished off the white flour baking cookies with the kids - now what do I do with those giants? See the big brown bag on the counter - it's been there for a couple weeks. It's COCONUT - 50 lbs. Do you want to come get some???? It was purchased for homemade granola, but it can't be safely stored in cans - freezer is best option. Ours is full of wheat germ and sunflower seeds (also purchased for homemade granola making). Behind the fridge is the pile of everything (bills, school projects, and whatever else filters into the kitchen).

Jessica saw me taking pictures and wanted "IN." That's a rare thing - her wanting to be in pictures. I probably haven't been in a picture with Jessica since our day at Sea World when I handed Jon the camera.

Family Room - the frames are filled with pics from July that Sara did. Fireplace mantel - full of Jessica collectibles. She puts them up high so Jayson can't get them. I wish she'd just bring them to her room. The overflowing blanket basket - this thing gets emptied daily even in high temperatures. Blankets, blankets, everywhere. Oh, I spy MORE 6 gallen buckets. I think those are filled with rice and pinto beans. They are strategically placed in front of the fireplace because Jayson likes to get in the soot. Now we have extra space in the pantry :)


So the pretty ledges along our stairs are supposed to have nice photos or plants on them. They were never put back together properly after the Christmas stuff went down. Instead they've become a dumping spot for bills, books, items to go upstairs, and MORE spots for Jessica's stuff.

Our front room/entry with the nice leather couches is supposed to be a serene beauty that guests can be greeted in. Instead, Jacob's homeschool desk has overrun the place. James likes to do him homework in here too. So backbacks, pencils, worksheets, reading books, etc. are regularly strewn.

THIS is where I blog. The little corner on the right. My office/baby nursery/guest bedroom are the staging area for everything. I don't have enough desk space or drawers, so the bed serves as countertop. PLUS I dump all the clean laundry on the bed or lined on floors until I can do folding. Truthfully, I don't get the ironing board out but once a year. Jon takes on the task of ironing his own stuff. I had it out to iron on the boys' cub scout badges (have a nasty burn on my arm to prove it).


Evidence of baby is everywhere - the gate, his walker, misc toys that have been tossed or dropped everywhere.

Apparently nobody know that there is a coat closet across from the stairs. And that ONE pink flip flop - I haven't worn it in several years, but Jessica thought it would be nice to bring it downstairs for us all to trip over.

End of day - recliner still buried with need-to-be-folded kitchen towels and need-to-be-hung up jackets.

And stealing a line from the Gosselin family, "it may be a crazy life...but it's OUR LIFE."

Keeping the SWEET in Wednesday

Tuesday passed through like a hurricane. I was exhausted, but knew it still MUST be a Wonderful Wednesday. So I decided on a stay home activity. SUGAR COOKIES!!!






Don't cha just wanna take a bit out of that!!!

Cosmic Bowling Birthday

Cosmic Bowling Birthday, originally uploaded by JJSPhotography.