School has started...

It seems that every summer goes by quicker than the last! And, this summer went by way too fast. We had a long list of things we wanted to do, but only got to a handful of them! We did successfully do swim lessons (unlike last year), play with our friends, started going to church, shopped and we made it to Seattle not once, but twice! Now it is time to settle down, go to bed early and get up early. With all of those things also comes a schedule, which gives me some sanity (as well as the kids too!)

Here are some pictures of the kids on their first day of school. Garrett is going to the same school I teach at- he is in the first grade this year! Wow, am I old enough to have a first grader? I have always been the one to critic others parenting skills- now I am on the chopping board! Claire has started her second year of preschool (the same preschool Garrett went to- and we absolutely love!)

101 things about me...

Here are 101 things about me that you may (or may not) have known about me...

I have lived in 5 states.
My parents divorced my senior year of high school.
I make a green salad every night with dinner.
I dreamed of being a pediatric nurse practioneer when I was growing up.
I absolutely hated fresh tomatoes until very recently.
I have 1 brother, 1 sister and 4 step brothers.
I volunteered over 500 hours at the local hospital when I was in high school.
When I met my husband I was wearing wranglers and cowboy boots!
I taught 9 years and 5 days of 2nd grade in Kuna, Idaho.
I went to Washington State University for a semester and only spent 2 weekends there.
I have never played a musical instrument.
I took tennis lessons when I was in 8th grade.
I am addicted to Myspace and Facebook.
I love to go out to lunch or dinner.
My feet grew one size during my last pregnancy.
I am scared to death to throw up.
I love Nicholas Sparks books.
My parents remarried someone I knew from my childhood.
I have a VERY deep belly button.
My house is never clean!
I don’t like sleeping with a top sheet.
I was married for 2 months before I became pregnant.
I had 10 cabbage patch kids (one named Claire)
I lived (for a short time) with my boyfriend in college
I can’t take a shower without shaving my legs.
I love birthdays (especially mine and my kids)
I can’t remember anything about my 2nd grade experience.
I changed the spelling of my middle name (not legally)
I have had my ears pierced several times- but don’t wear earrings.
My first kiss was when I was 13- on vacation in Chelan to a boy named Ken. I ran away from him the next day when I saw him.
I can’t stand eating pizza without salad.
I don’t like any kind of soda.
I am a Ranch dressing snob.
My first job was at a stuffed animal store.
I don’t have any tattoos- and never will
I hate going to the dentist.
I love fresh brewed ice tea with lots of ice and a straw.
I don’t like to be hot.
I delivered 2 babies with no drugs (not by choice)
I babysat for the same family every Saturday night when I was younger.
I love to buy new shoes.
I get lost in movies often.
I can’t stand being serious for very long.
I took a parenting class in high school and had to carry around a bag of flour as my child.
I will only buy Huggies diapers.
I love taking pictures of my kids.
I am a rule follower.
I was a bigger partier in high school than in college.
I love to catch up with old acquaintances from high school.
I went on one date with a guy that had one arm- and he ended up picking up on the waitress.
I didn’t date anyone from my own high school.
I really want to go to Paris one day.
I am not good at saving money.
I got a parking ticket almost every day when I was in college at BSU.
I am not a morning person.
Lots of my memories revolve around food.
I am the baby of the family.
I love Mexican food.
I don’t like watching TV
I read the obituaries in the newspaper every day.
I met my husband on a blind date.
I don’t cook dinner on Friday or Saturday night.
I have to work for adult conversation and friendship (the money just an added benefit)
I really don’t like dogs.
I had a bird when I was in 2nd grade- it got sick and made me sick too (it died, I didn’tJ)
I don’t like yard work and kill all flowers!
My coffee table is older than me.
I cry when I hear about babies being born- but didn’t cry when any of mine were born.
I am very self conscious when guests are at my house.
I would rather get money for Christmas so I can go shopping at all the sales the next day.
I love iced vanilla lattes with 2% milk
I have only been in the hospital to have my babies.
I do all the cooking, my husband does the cleaning.
I can’t stand when my kids are dirty.
I have to shower and wash my hair daily.
I don’t like showering with the door open.
I don’t like taking a bath with the door closed.
I love to talk on the phone.
I went to Scotland when I was a sophomore in college.
I actually enjoy going to rodeos.
I love to hear about labor and delivery stories.
I like watching baseball in person, but not on TV
I loved high school and would go back any day!
I don’t iron.
I have an eggo waffle with peanut butter and honey every morning for breakfast.
I am not a good decorator.
I don’t like popcorn.
I would rather have a juicy hamburger than dessert anyday!
I am an emotional person.
I don’t like rap music.
I like to know about current events.
I didn’t go to church as a child
I have never broken a bone.
I think my mom is a fantastic cook (she even makes better PB and J sandwiches than me)
I went to college to get a MRS degree- I ended up with an actual degree!
I don’t like wearing clothes again until they are washed.
I am a better mom when I work
I really don’t like open casket funerals
I love newborn babies, kittens and new shoes.
Drama drives me nuts.
I visit Seattle every summer.

New to this stuff...

So, I have loved reading everyone else's blog for the past couple of months, but always thought "I don't have time". Well, I have come to realize "You have time for what you want!" and what I want is memories for my children. Poor little Anna does not have the baby book, or scrapbook like the older two- so maybe this will do! Hopefully I can keep up with this and let others see what the Dines do on a daily (or weekly) basis!