March Randomness

3/3  We bought two "love sack" bean bags from some neighbors up here for a whopping $60, which is a fantastic price.  The kids are in love with them.  

Well Justin and I decided we'd put one in our room to watch movies on our computer monitor.

We were taking it up to our room and he stopped at the landing.  "Ammon, jump from the top of the stairs on to the bean bag!" egged Justin.  

So yes, Ammon jumped, missed by about 6 inches on one foot and really hurt his heal.  

It was so horrifying to see his little face.  I could read what was going through his mind by his expressions.  It went from shock, to "oh it hurts," to "I don't want to cry," to crying his little heart out.

Long story, but a good ending.  He's walking around fine today.

Jacob on the other hand is having a major depressive episode.  This is totally uncharacteristic of him and I hope we can get him the help he needs.  Prayers are always appreciated.

3/12  Fun family filled weekend.
Corinne got married to Tyler Bradshaw.
One thing that I missed until my heart would squeeze was spending time with family.
I craved sitting around chatting about everything and nothing, reminiscing about past trips and trips down memory lane.  This weekend was no exception to what I've been missing.  It was great!
I guess an exception could be that Ammon was sick with a fever and a sore throat which he shared with me.  I'm still sick.  He's still sick.  Justin is getting sick.  Poop.
He did a spur of the moment family night out to Trafalga square to use our passes.
Two rounds of laser tag.
I made Ammon ride the hopper, which he hated and grimaced in pain the entire time.
It was a test to see if he might be able to cope with Disneyland.  He didn't pass.
I've been finding some fabulous props at thrift stores and at my mom's house.
It's moving along    s   l    o      w       l           y    but surly.
3/14  Allison woke up with a 100 degree fever and a VERY sore throat.  Fingers crossed it isn't strep.
I'm starting to feel cruddy again.  Thought I was on the mend yesterday, but feel slow again today.
Justin is in Vegas through Saturday night for work and a bike race.
I have a sty in my eye.  Again.  Haven't had one in months.  Wish they'd go away forever.
Jacob has been working on getting in all of his late and missing assignments.  There are many.
Isaac is having this problem as well, but not  as momentous as Jacob.
Ammon is still sick.  Runny nose.  Cough.  No energy.  It's been 8 days for him.
Do you ever feel like there was supposed to be something going on, but your calendar day is empty?
Talked with some great friends yesterday and it's making me feel lonely and homesick.
I'm so glad that I made friends that understand me and my quirkinesses; and even like some of them.
I had two neighbors ask why I was shoveling [some] snow back on to our driveway.
I thought it was obvious.  But for those who are wondering, it was to melt the snow faster on our lawn.
It was over two feet tall, but not anymore!
3/15  Allison woke up at 5am with a 102.7 fever and a very sore throat.  Uh-O.
3/20  One of my besties from MN has been in town (Lyea) and I've been able to spend LOADS of time with her.
Salve for the Soul.

Love Is In the Air

Corinne and Tyler Bradshaw tied the knot on March 8th 2013 at the temple in Logan, Utah.

I took a bagillion pictures.  Seriously.  Bagillion.

Roman, Grandpa, Nate

Me eating Reases Pieces, Jacob, Grandma

Justin and Nate drawing faces, Erin and Kevin

Roman and Chelsea

Grandpa checking out the Logan Temple rocks, Nate and Jude, Tylers jacket

Corinne, Tyler and Corinne, Nate and Jude

Shawn Thomson siblings, Corinne, Tyler Grandpa and Grandma, Jude contemplating the tree

Corinne and Erin goofing off, Aunt Marilyn and Grandma, Corinne and Tyler

Corinne and Stefanie, Uncle Andy, Isaac and his cousin Dax

Grandpa, Justin and me, Nate (huh?)

Allison and me, Tyler and Corinne dancing, Isaac with Dax

Grandpa with Roman, Me and Allison, Allison and Dad

Dance with Dad, Jude, Me and Allison goofing off

Fun weekend.  Ammon was sick.  Then I got sick.  Then who other people got random sicknesses.  Blerg.

I love my family.

Pre-Easter Egg Hunt

Suncrest HOA puts on an annual egg hunt.  They tried to have one outdoors this year, but alas we got 8" of snow overnight so it was indoors.  And it was squishy!  

Allison and Ammon were the only Dittmer participants and they were rewarded with large amounts of eggs.  Although quantity wasn't an issue:  the prizes and candy were about the lamest I've ever seen.  I guess I expected more from the HOA.  The kids were happy regardless.

How do you like Allison's basket?  At least they didn't fall out.  Ammon was in the far corner (top left picture, next to a girl in a purple coat).  He found a spot with about one hundred eggs and started loading his basket until it wouldn't hold any more. 

Both kids were kind to share their eggs with some latecomers.  

*TIP*  Don't be late to an egg hunt...EVER.  

They are over in about 60 seconds and usually start on the dot.  I saw several forlorn little faces. 

Sledding Hike

Justin wanted to go for a family hike Saturday evening.  He had the kids sled down our hill and I picked them up in the car, then drove by the Draper temple to hike around.  Isaac, Allison, and Ammon had a fabulous idea to bring their sleds along.  I thought I would hear whining the whole time, but it turned out be something that might become a new Dittmer tradition.

She's 12!

I can't believe my little girl is now a beehive!

She has taken to her new class at church with ease.  The girls and leaders have really welcomed her.

For her birthday, she requested strawberry crepes for dinner and strawberry cheesecake for her cake.

 This girl is rotten, spoiled rotten (just like her mommy).  And the boys all know it.

She skyped her bff Grace (lower right pic, look at the computer screen) during the opening of presents.  She was rained upon this year, due to over buying at Christmas (saved some for her birthday) and getting random normal purchases (clothes and a new school bag).  She was lucky enough to get a beautiful birth stone my mom faceted for her (amethyst).

She also got a Samsung mp3 player (we made her pay for a portion, which Jacob thought was hilarious).  This girl took to texting like a fish in water.  

We love you Allison and are so happy you are in our family.  I love your constant enthusiasm for life and smiling face.  You bring a special spark into our home.  

And thanks for always being on top of your homework!

February Randomness

2/3  Justin helped me make yummy lo mein noodles.  

Sat in with him for the kids' PPI's.

We saw The Impossible yesterday.  I love natural disaster movies and I love Ewan McGregor.  

A win win.  

Made a new job chart for the kids.  So far so good.  

Expecting a month or two out of it before it wears off.

REALLY kicking around buying studio lighting.  It's hard to justify when I have zero business.

Plus I'm not sure where I'd set up a studio.  It's so cold downstairs.

I've been feeling depressed almost every Sunday.  It's not a good thing.

Not loving our ward yet.

2/4 Got my Kindle back from the high school.  Sigh of relief.
Been helping Allison with her science fair project.  She's trying to determine if people like brand name soda pops the same as store brands.
Wanting to get my studio equipment.  I had a long talk with Justin about it and came away more frustrated than ever.  It comes down to no cash.
Which is making me feel a constant battle with our cash flow.
Which in turn is making me feel depressed.
Equaling not wanting to make dinner or basically do anything.
I need to snap out of it!
No more pity party!
Isaac won a case of A&W root beer from his bus driver for guessing the closest score for the Super bowl match.  He was excited to say the least.  That boy loves pop.
2/9 Subbed a first grade class yesterday and came home w.o.r.k.e.d.
NOT worth $7/hour.
Justin took Isaac and Jacob to a fight/boxing match last night.
Jacob said there was a heckler that yelled, "pull his armpit hair!"
I stayed home and helped Allison with her science project that is due Monday (almost done!)
My laptop is working again.
I was able to update my photography income/expenses and am now in the black!
It's unbelievable!
It might only be $20, but it's something!
I guess that's why I've been feeling impressed to get a studio started; can't stay in the black.
2/14  Justin and I ate at Del Taco for our Valentine dinner.
We were going to eat at Cafe Rio but it was packed.  Packed.
Allison had a nice birthday.  That girl is rotten.  Spoiled rotten.
I subbed for Jacob's high school English teacher today (although Jacob didn't have him today).
It was my best subbing day so far.  It was great!  Much more independent students.
I teach Ammon's class tomorrow.  That will be three full days this week.
$1000 to fix Justin's car this week so it would pass inspection and emissions testing.
I bought a studio light and soft box :)
I also got two props tonight.
2/18  Justin is in Seattle for the day.
I know, right?
His work flew him up the for the day.
Allison had her first day of Young Women's and seemed to really like it.
Our family went on a hike Saturday night by the Draper temple.
Isaac, Allison, and Ammon all took sleds on the hike and loved it.
2/21  It was so windy last night that it blew away all of my kids tracks in the back yard.
Finished crocheting around two flannel blankets for Humanitarian Day.
Allison is sewing dolls for it.
2/27 I've been really wanting to go to Disneyland.  Now that we're a 10 hour drive, it's almost attainable.
Justin informed me that I'm the most excited to go and should go with his family this May.
I wish Ammon wasn't such a boob with rides or I'd take him in a heartbeat.
Isaac's birthday went fine.  We made him roll four dice to = the number 15 (his age).
If he didn't get 15, he had to do a push up.
He did a lot of push ups.
I got my softbox yesterday.  It took me ages to figure out how to set up my lighting, but I finally got it.
Now I just need to get Justin to build me stuff (back drops etc).  I also need to figure out which wall I'm going to use.  That light is huge, HUGE I tell you.

January Randomness

1/1/2013  It's a New Year.  We have nothing planned much for the day except take down the tree (which is already naked).  And do our 2013 goals and All About Me papers.

Tree down.  Christmas boxes carried downstairs.  Shelf put up.  Kitchen sparkling.

Kids went sledding.  I took a nap.  

Painted two dresses for Allison's room.  Read lots more Book or Mormon.

All in all, a good day.

1/4  A phone call from the high school informing us that our child has not bought a year book yet.
A.N.N.O.Y.I.N.G.
I've been sick in bed for three days.  Caught up on all my tv shows.
Funds are getting tight.
My house makes me jumpy: static electricity.  KaPow!!
dog hairs dog hairs dog hairs
1/6  Do you ever feel like you were supposed to email/call someone, but don't remember if you did already?
There is a missing 55 year old woman that lives about five houses up from us.
Police, search parties, helicopters.  Scary stuff.
I got to babysit our neighbors little girl for a couple hours when they went out to search.
Allison is almost done with her Faith in God booklet.
Made very yummy egg rolls.  Made not yummy chicken lo mein.
I don't like chinese five spice.at.all.    And maybe not hoisin sauce either.
Ammon is MVP in his class this week.  Got to make him a poster.
I only have two...TWO pineapple lumps left!  Disaster!
1/7  Our neighbor was found in a construction site, VERY close to where Justin was searching.
I am thanking Heavenly Father that he didn't find her with all my boys.
What was I thinking?  Sending Ammon out on a search party?!
My heart truly does go out to this poor family.
1/10  It is blowing snow outside something fierce.
I had a teaching assignment for tomorrow but smartly cancelled it this morning.
It's going to be ugly out there.
And Justin is out of town.  Which means I get to shovel when the boys are gone.
Also means Justin will be driving on the awful roads with even more awful tires.
I have substituted two days now.  Both happened to be at the same school.
Yesterday went well; it was a half day.
Today, well...today was more tiring.
I woke got up after not much sleep with a nice headache, so didn't have a good start to the day.
Came home exhausted.  I don't know how teachers do it!
And I earn pretty much minimum wage.
1/15  Worked a half day today.  Cha-Ching!
Finally made it to DI and found a few good finds.
Justin went snowshoeing with Kevin and saw a pack/herd of mountain goats.
Isaac got his new glasses and was amazed at the clarity around him.
1/18  I've been a working mama the past two weeks.  I've logged in five substituting jobs.
It's making me tired though.  And our house is messier than ever.
End of the semester for Jacob and Isaac.  Isaac did okay.  Jacob on the other hand, well one F and two D's, plus other random grades.  We spent several hours trying to get something figured out.  I'm upset with the school.  They were supposed to have someone tracking him and his school work.  FAIL.
Although I take 90% of the blame.
1/21  Ammon played with a neighbor friend this morning.  The rest of us -Justin walked to get him then walked the loop home; a little over a mile.  It is a nice day out.  The kids had fun playing with icicles and sliding on the ice.
1/28  Mannequins freak me out.
Finished a valentine pillow.
Justin is in Las Vegas.  He got to ride with John Tomack.  Justin was in star heaven.
He also got to see Blue Man Group for FREEEEEEE!
1/29  Woke up to a large amount of snow on the driveway.  Justin knows how to time his overnights.
It's snowing about an inch every half hour.  I cancelled my sub job/volunteering.
1. So I don't kill myself on the roads.
2. So I can pick the kids up from the bus stop so they don't get killed by drivers.
(They don't plow the sidewalk very often so kids walk in the road.)
Update:  about 18" so far.  We have to shovel our piles so we can shovel the driveway.
The kids look forward to Toasty Tuesday.  They get free hot chocolate from the HOA.
It's nice fantastic now that Ammon can put his snow clothes on by himself.
1/30  Jacob was getting himself milk for cereal and noticed we were all out of whole so he had to resort to skim with a "gross."
Claimed my kitchen table back after a week of puzzle building.
Justin brought me some presents from Vegas.  A pad of paper and pen from Monte Carlo Hotel.
And a few hotel toiletries:  soap, body wash, and a shower cap.
Justin was getting the mail and helped a neighbor (never talked with or seen) get a new snow blower out of their truck.  He gave Justin their old one that needs a carburetor overhaul.
Wonder if it's going to work. (not yet as of Sunday)