We are packing like crazy and going through closets and drawers, getting rid of stuff we don't need. Tyler finished packing the garage and we've moved a bunch of boxes from the house to the garage. Things seem to be moving along well!

This is our soon to be new home!

In other news, I finally broke my weight loss plateau last week and lost 2.8 pounds!

I hope everyone has a great Sunday!

1. We're moving! We will all be very happy to have more space! The kids will still share a bedroom but they'll have a playroom as well. Our pup will have a yard to run around in and the downstairs is all hardwood so the carpet won't be getting thrashed. I'm so excited! The part I dread is the actual moving. I've started packing a box or two a day that I'll be moving over gradually once we get access to the house. When Tyler gets back from IT he'll move all the big stuff. We'll be in the new house the weekend before school starts!

2. Cole: "I'm being gross right now."

Me: "Why? I'm washing you off."

Cole, shrugging his shoulders: "I'm just gross."

3. We started watching Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead last night. Man, that movie sure opens up my eyes to the way we Americans treat our bodies.

4. The kids love to help pack and go through things. Cole is really great at giving things up that he doesn't use. Kayley, not so much. She loves to keep everything. It kind of drives me nuts. Just wait, for those of you with kids who aren't in preschool or school yet, kids come home with so many art, writing and craft papers and Kayley loves to keep it all. I tell her she can go through it with me and keep a few things or I can throw it all out while she's sleeping. Such a nice mom, I know.

5. The people in our HOA are so nuts. I'm so glad we're moving.

6. If we ever see the cat that poops in our front yard it probably won't live. Hartley eats that cats poop. Don't ask me why. It's disgusting. Did I mention I'm glad I'm moving?

7. Kayley and I went to my neighbor's Lia Sophia party on Sunday. The sale for July is amazing. Buy one item (it can be the cheapest one!), get two for half off. I ordered Kayley the necklace below.

Click here and here to see what I ordered for myself!

8. It's a pretty day!

9. I'm thankful for my life!

10. I'm excited that my birthday is next week!

Ten On Tuesday

1. Cole and I went to Target on Sunday. I forgot to pay for the milk underneath my cart. Cole noticed on the way to the car so we turned around, went back in and paid for it. Cole made sure I understood that stealing on purpose is wrong and that stealing on accident is OK as long as you go back and pay for it. It's nice to know my child is learning something!

2. After going to a nicely organized Ross in Idaho I realized how different the one in Ventura is. You can still find good deals here but it's harder to find them through all the people and mess. Cole was so excited to pick out his backpack and lunch box for Kindergarten!

3. On Sunday Josh turned 30! When we talked I made sure to call him an old man and make a bad joke about his receding hairline. What kind of sister would I be if I didn't?

4. The kids and I went to the beach with Krista, Rachel and Becca on Saturday. I haven't been to the beach in probably a year. The weather was amazing and the kids had so much fun! Below is a picture of Cole's "hot tub" creation. He had help from Krista the great and the other kids and then he decorated it very nicely with seaweed.

5. The Marine Corps ball will be held somewhere in Huntington Beach this year. Time to think about a dress!

6. I made an appointment with a new doctor this morning. I'm hoping this woman can help me figure out what the deal is with the migraines I'm experiencing.

7. Here's a fabulous sample of my recent savings: I went to Vons because my coupons matched the sales they were having on Tide laundry soap and fabric softener. The large Downy liquid softener wasn't marked properly (I knew the price was way to low for the big bottle) so I took it to the front and told them. They are required to check and give me the low price if it's marked wrong. So I used my coupon and was given the low price. So I walked out of there with a huge bottle for $3.99 that would have been $12. These are the sorts of things that excite me. Is that sad?

8. Today is such a beautiful day! It's supposed to be hot one!

9. Kayley lost tooth number seven last week. Here she is with Cole and Charisse after the beach.

10. I love that my husband goes out of his way to do things to make me happy and to make our lives better. Aw, shucks, what a nice guy. :)

Flashback Friday

I love this picture! This was taken at Sybil and Ed's in Idaho on the 4th of July two years ago. Kayley had her cast that summer. Look how little they are!

Ten Today

1. Vacation was so much fun! I loved every minute of it! Jeff and Kindra were so great to let us stay with them. We really love it up there. Next time we go I hope it's for a while longer. Five days makes for a quick trip. I have pictures to share that I'll post soon.

2. Tyler's Aunt Lisa, Aunt Wendi and Grandma Aloha were in town this weekend for Taryn's baby shower. We spent time with them at Corey and Raeleen's house and then went to the Olive Garden. The next day they all came swimming at our pool and I family hopped between my house and Grandpa Frank's 88th birthday party. It was a really busy weekend but lots of fun.

Baby Riley is so sweet. He was less than seven pounds when he was born! His little froggy legs remind me of tiny little Kayley when she was a baby. I think he looks like Corey.

I took these with my phone and the lighting was weird and, well, I never really take good pictures.

3. Uncle Bob (after he farted): "Don't tell my wife I farted."

Cole (running to Aunt Nancy): "Aunt Nancy! Your wife farted three times!!!"

Uncle Bob: "Hey, I told you not to tell her! You're a little snitch!"

Cole: "Sucka!"

Me, and everyone else: "haha!"

Please note that I do not approve of my children calling anyone a sucker. But it was funny at the time and we couldn't help but laugh!

4. I gained some weight over vacation but I've almost lost it all. I have a training session at the gym Saturday morning so that should kick my butt pretty nicely.

5. Kathrine lent me Bossypants by Tina Fey yesterday. I tried reading some at work but I kept laughing outloud. It's hilarious!

6. I'm thankful for Coffee Bean's iced tropical passion tea latte with no sugar added. It's only a point and so very satisfying in the morning when I'm half asleep.

7. I signed both kids up for swimming lessons today. They are very excited! Cole says he will be the second kid in his class to be in swimming lessons. Apparently that's cool or something.

8. Tyler had an appointment with the surgeon yesterday. What we thought was a tendon getting caught is actually his iliotibial band. A thick band of fibrous tissue, if you will. He has to record every time it happens in the next six weeks. If the surgeon is not happy with how things are at six weeks they'll have to go in and remove the plate and screws and replace it with a rod that attaches at the hip and goes down the leg. If you would, please pray that it will not come to this. I can't even imagine the pain Tyler would experience and the stress that surgery would cause. But you know, even if it did happen we would get through it! We always do!

9. The kids asked for something hot to drink tonight so I made them caffeine free tea. Kayley kept asking for sugar but pronounced it "cigar" and she thought she was very clever. Then she went on to tell me all the reasons why I should never smoke a cigar.

10. Tired doesn't really describe what I feel right now. I'm frustrated that my house is dirty. I did get a new vacuum and it's a pretty teal color. That's a plus!

ps. My dog is like a third child. She makes me want to pull my hair out. Especially right now. She's licking her crate, running around like crazy and just being weird. Much like my other kids. And Tyler. And me.

I'm falling in love...

...with Idaho!

There's just something about this place. Life moves a little slower and people are much nicer. If we packed up our stuff and moved here in the next couple of years I would be ok with it.

I'm sitting outside in the yard at 7:30am. There's a slight breeze and the sun is shining. The dog is wandering around aimlessly like she's been doing all week. The boys got up early to go fishing and I'm enjoying the quiet before the kids wake up.

Thank you God for Ventura, Idaho or wherever you might have me go in my life's journey. I'm so blessed to live in this country! Happy 4th everyone!

Oh, and I forgot to mention that Corey and Raeleen welcomed their new addition on June 30th! It was a nice surprise that she turned out to be a little guy! Riley Batten, welcome to the world!