Penelope "Penny"

This is Laurel's baby (our nanny). Isn't she adorable? The girls are so excited that the baby "poped out".

Trailer Fabulous......

So anyone who really knows me, knows that I have the largest extended family known to man. When you have a large family you have lots of diversity. When I say diversity I mean I have one uncle who was in politics to homeless siblings. My paternal grandmother was a German Jew. I could go on and on about the extremes in my family.

My sister, Nelly (this is not her real name but I can spell it), always teases me about the fact that I have trailer park/hick gene's. I grew up with a mother and grandmother who were VERY proper. I learned the proper way to set a table, greet your guests, write thank you notes for everything, table manners (til it hurt), no matter what goes down at the party you ALWAYS keep your composure, and so forth. I can't believe I'm admitting this but I did not know that people did not have matching silverware, slept without a top sheet, did not set the table for every meal, that people just opened presents at Christmas with out taking turns and thanking everyone for what you received, or talked about "bodily functions" while eating a meal until I was older. I am not kidding when I tell you I was absolutely shocked when I went to a friends house to spend the night and she had a bottom sheet and she slept with her sleeping bag every night and that was "normal". People that rocked my world. I was never snotty about it (because I had manners), but my poor mind was always tortured by my discoveries. So when my family became extended through including my birth families and marriage my eyes were opened even more. My husband loves to tell the story of when I went to see my birth mom Debi, sister Catherine, and new nephew Hunter in Olympia and everyone wanted to go to JJ North. I had NEVER been to a buffet before (my mother feels it is gluttony). I whispered in Gregg's ear "what do I do"......his response "grab a plate and dig in"....I was horrified, kept my composure and grabbed a plate. It has been over ten years that I have learned the ins and outs of how people really live. (For goodness sakes my mom got white carpet when I was a teenager and it was kept clean.) I have to admit that I have embraced the "other side". I love hanging out and just being. My house is not spotless (or even clean). However, I struggle with the fact that I know what is not clean and what needs to be cleaned on a daily basis. I do not know how to just pick up. I only know how to deep clean and my life does not allow me to deep clean so I struggle with this delima on a daily basis. It drives my husband crazy.


I threw a baby shower for my sister Nelly and on the invites I put "regrets only" and who to call. Apparently people wanted to know who died. This second time around for my sister Crystal I have wised up and just put RSVP. So I know I am using my sister Crystal and Nelly as examples but they tease me about it and so I know they will not be offended. So when my sister Nelly received an air conditioner she sent me a picture......it really sums it up and I love it. I would not change my life for anything.

Take careful note of the Huggies and Cheerios's boxes that are displayed.

Nelly I love ya! You make me laugh. Thank you for accepting me with all my craziness, not judging me, and laughing with me. You have truly made my life better!

UP Date on Summer Fun!

Our summer has been full and the past week we have been trying to be creative in how survive the heat. Today we decided to hit the lake. Apparently EVERYONE else was also thinking the same thing. I phone my friend Maria, who seems to know everything around town, and ended up on a little beach down the road from all the crowds. It was fun. The first picture is the kids with "snacks" . Snacks are always involved.

Madison in her tube. It was so wonderful to float in the water. I could of stayed there for a few hours more.

Patience and Emma enjoying the waves splashing them while they look for rocks.

Emma was extra safe!

Patience and Emma they really are the best of friends except if one of them touches the others things. We always ensure to bring double.

The girls and I went to the Library for thier live concert on Friday. It was great! We had fun and then went to the spray park to get relief from the hot weather.

VIP.....

Each person in Madison gets to make a VIP poster. It was her turn. Yes it is late in the school year apparently I missed the sign up. Surprise, surprise people I do not have it all together. As a teacher I just would of assigned kids a week not have parent's sign up, but whatever. So I had to make it up to my poor traumatized child. I spent from 9-11 printing, rumaging through my craft closet, clueing and cutting to make this poster. In the end it turned out well, considering I am NOT a scrapbooker.

Mi Mexico....

My father-in-law works for Wrigle's as a sales rep. His territroy includes Whatcom County and this means he comes up at least once a month. Everytime he comes up we meet him for dinner. The girls absolutley love it. Its fun to catchup and the girls get to tell him about school and their friends. He is always willing to watch a swim class or go to a talent show when he is up. The girls always pick Mi Mexico and most of the time they win (although we do try to switch it up). Thanks Grandad for great meals and great conversation.

I Graduated from Kindergarden!

Thats right folks, on Friday I graduated from Kindergarden. For the past year I have been working in a Kindergarden Class as an Aid for the sweetest girl you have ever met. I, Mrs. Hill, got to graduate with my class. I am hoping to continue next year with all of them into the 1st grade. They are a great bunch of kids and I have learned so much. I have learned how to converse with a Five year old, they have told me stories about all their dead (or soon to be dead) animals, thier pets, thier siblings, thier art projects, thier adventures at home, and about thier family. I have learned to really appreciate my children's teachers and come to really understand what it is like for my kids during the school day. I have been challenged to be creative with discipline, projects, and teaching. It really has been a great year. I know everyone thinks I'm nuts adding this to my already crazy life. This class and experience has been a very bright spot in a very emotionally tough year. No matter what they are so happy to see you. A big thank you to the Kindergarden teacher, Mrs. Squires, who mentored me through the year.

The New Addition.........

This is SQUIRT or as the girls call him "SQUIRTY". He is a guinea pig. He was living at mommy's work and needed a home. We are going to take Squirty on a trial basis to see if he is a good fit with our family. The girls are in love at the moment and have been sitting with him watching their shows.

Visiting the Farm

As we were having our family Saturday Starbucks date I noticed an add for an open house. The open house is at a farm one of my co-workers volunteers at. It is Animals for Natural Therapy. Since I had my nephew with us I decided to go check it out. It was so much fun. They have bunnies they take to senior living places, horses they use with rehab, chickens, llamas, a goat, and a silly dog that loved my nephew. Madison has decided that she now would like a bunny. We will have to see how that will work out for her. We only stayed an hour as it was threatening snow but here are some pictures.

Responsibility by Emma Hill

Our family was getting ready to leave on an outing for the day. Getting everyone out the door is a process in itself. I only have two kids, I feel for my friends who have more. Emma, my three yr old, decided that Mommy needed to be driving her car. Side note...I thank her for her confidence in my driving abilities. Once Emma gets something in her head it really takes much convincing to get her to change her mind. So everyone is in the car and Gregg, my all knowing leader of the family, tells her to get in the car. She refuses and walks to our front porch where she proceeds to stand until Mommy drives her car. Gregg tell her he we are leaving, Emma does not move, Gregg gets in the car, Emma does not move, Gregg starts the car, Emma does not move, Gregg throws it into reverse and rolls down the window. Emma yells "DAD....you don't leave your peoples". As Gregg puts her in her car seat she tells him "Dad...you don't leave your peoples that's called RESPONSIBILITY". Gregg and I laughed so hard we had to sit in the driveway till we composed ourselves.

A Personal Ice Rink.....

Sunday I was feeling like I had accomplished many of my tasks on my list. Everyone has that one room/closet/area that never seems to get cleaned because it is the last on you list. This would be my bedroom. Simply no one sees it but me and that is where I shove everything when people come over. (My secret is out!) So that morning I had heard my sweet husband tell Madison to "listen to your mom and help her out today because she is tired". Oh I think how sweet is that? It proceeds as a typical Sunday and I am thinking to myself .... self look at what you have accomplished today....then Emma started yelling that Madison wasn't letting her slide. I run downstairs to see that they have turned my kitchen into a ice rink with apple juice and chocolate chip mint ice cream. Why that combo? I have no idea. Well MEAN mommy came out. I yelled "what are you doing?", "Why would you do this to me?". I told Maddy she had to go to her room and no TV (yes my kids have TVs in their rooms....whatever if your judging). People I had to strip Emma, her hair was sticking straight up from her head. So while she stood naked in my room watching Noggin and Madison was screaming about how I never am any fun I started cleaning my floor. I was on my hands and knees in the mess trying to clean it up when my husband calls. I tell him the horror his comment...."Where were you?".....to which I said "Sitting on my ass eating Bon Bons".....he did not think I was funny....Hours later it was resolved...Emma was bathed, Madison had to vacuum and owed me 2.50 for the apple juice and no TV for the night and the next day til she paid me back with her time. (Thanks Love and Logic I owe you for that one).

Ode to a Saturday!

So I had my nephew spend the night on Friday night to give my parents a break. I then had my wonderful niece who is spending the night Saturday.
12:01 - I think to myself "what can I do with four kids that wont mess up my house and where I maybe could read my new book my wonderful husband bought me?" McDonald's! For those of you who are laughing already it gets better. McDonald's is by far not my favorite hangout. After one spilled pop, four happy meals, a spilled milkshake, two "small" ice cream cones, a boy in a green shirt stepping on Emma, Emma getting stuck on the equipments, and a grandma giving me the evil eye we leave. Did I get to read my book or phone someone....no. But my house stayed clean.
2:02-Take kids to park to run off milkshakes and "small" ice cream cones. Also hopping all germs will freeze off my children.
2:35 - Everyone has to go pee. Rush home.
3:15 - Give Emma a bath to try to calm her down and clean germs off of her.
3:30 - Everyone decides to do nails.
3:45- The girls decide to do make-up.....even Emma......she just took a bath people
4:00- Make girls take off so we can go to movies.
4:15 - Go to leave for movies realize my mom took my keys.
4:20 - Go in another vehicle.
4:45 - Hotel for Dogs
6:35 - Olivia and Madison talk about how they can save dogs, Madison wants a dog, Liv knows what kind of dog she wants.
Now trying to watch my shows while putting people to bed, and blogging.

Today....

Today was a Wednesday. Halfway through the week. Nothing came easy today, work was "work". As I get ready to crawl into my bed to read my book I ponder these things:
- I am thankful for my sitter, Laurel, who is basically family for without her my home would be a disaster, I would be on much more medication, and I would not know my name
- I am proud of my sisters Nelly & Crystal.
- I cried with my sister Catherine
- My office was painted and is clean, this makes my happy
- My husband called at the right moment tonight from work and helped calm my little divas down
- Madison just wanted to follow me around so that she could tell me about my day
- I have dinner for tomorrow ready to go :)
- I am proudly reading the Twilight series and am add it will end soon.
- Thankful my hubby makes the kids lunches and does breakfast (or else I would always wear a pony tail and no makeup)
-Its been nice to see my dad everyday this week.
These are just random thoughts as I prepare for yet another day in the Hill household.

Never Underestimate My Jesus!

So this song has been going through my head. My sweet daughter Madison was also singing it. Life is really tough sometimes. People are human they dissapoint you, they hurt you, and they fail you. Sometimes I have no answers to the hurt and disapointment in our lives. I however know that I can gather strength through my faith and that in the end goodness will "win" in the end. Don't ever underestimate your faith.
Never underestimate my Jesus
Your tellin me that there’s no hope
I’m tellin you your wrong
Never underestimate my Jesus
When the world around you crumbles
He will be strong he will be strong
I throw up my hands
Oh the impossibilities
Frustrated and tired
Where do I go from here?
Now I’m searchin’ for
The confidence I lost so willingly
Overcoming these obstacles
Is overcoming my fears
OOoOoOoO
I think I can’t I think I can’t
But I think you can I think you can
Gather my insufficiencies and
Place them in your hands
Place them in your hands
Place them in your hands.
You will be strong

SO PROUD!!

Madison created this picture today at school. She did it with pastels. The "copy" does not do it justice. Madison's teacher was so excited to show it to us. There is shading and so much detail. I'm framing this one. I know I'm a proud mama, but she has been able to be so creative with her current teacher.

Memorial Video

I created this video with two of my sisters (Nelly(D) and Crystal) for my birthfather's memorial. It was a great way for me to process this relationship, the memories, and to continue to bond with this part of my family.

Back in the Saddle...

The new year is upon us and it is time to get back into the swing of things. We have experienced personal disasters and natural disasters. My Aunt Carol's advice "medication and a glass of wine everyday"...tempting I'd have to say. But I observe those who have taken that advice things haven't really changes. My advice "throw yourself into a good book series and sign you kids up for dance and swim...act 'normal' and it will come".
Emma started dance class and is soooo excited that she is in her own class with her friends. She is also thrilled that she will get to take the stage in June for the performance. Emma is also taking swimming lessons by herself (no more mommy and me!!!). I thought I would be able to get in a few minutes at the gym while she swims but she likes to "dive" right in. So I feel I need to stay (apparently I feel better witnessing the near drowning then just hearing about it). Emma is loving preschool and being three.
Madison has been sick and so school has been a little scarce. She has been loving her ballet class and had no problem in her swim class. Madison grew a few inches so we had to purchase some new clothes (she was excited).
I started the Twilight series and have flown through them. Loving every minute and also wondering why in the world I love this series as it is NOTHING I would read.
Gregg started in with school and our routine.