Trick or Treat

smell my feet, give me something good to eat.

Introducing Butterfly Princess and Little Orphan Annie.

And Jack the Bumble Bee

My niece Alexzandra, Sam, Megan, and my nephew Johnathan.

Sam, my niece Aubri, my nephew Mitchell, Megan, my nephew Noah, and my niece Mady.

Mady's first halloween.

No words are necessary. Samantha LOVES Mady.

I hope you all had a fun halloween. Check back tomorrow for another installment of soccer saturday.

And Erin I did see that you tagged me. I promise to get to it this weekend.

Until next time,

Jaime

BOO!!!!!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!

Last night we finally carved our pumpkins. Samantha and Megan both drew the faces and then Rick cut them out. Megan's pumpkin was like 3 inches thick so it was not easy. They had a lot of fun.

Now I have a big bowl of pumpkin seeds to cook this afternoon. Yummy!!! And then we will spend the evening trick-or-treating. I will post pictures tonight of my cute girls all dressed up for halloween. Right now I am on my way to the school for Megan's class party.

Have a safe and fun halloween!

Until next time,
Jaime

Happy Birthday

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY NOAH!!!!!

Today you turned 5 years old. You are such a sweet boy Noah!! I hope you have a wonderful birthday and we are looking forward to your party on sunday.

We love you very much!!

Love,

Aunt Jaime, Uncle Rick, Sam & Megan

Christmas Already

I just saw a Christmas commercial on TV. It is October 29th and there are already Christmas commercials. I love Christmas but it is two months away. Yes there have been stores with Christmas decorations out for close to a month, but hearing Christmas songs on the TV already was a bit much. Granted I do start decorating the day after Thanksgiving and the radio station in my car is set to Christmas music from black friday to Christmas day. But this is just too soon. Besides, I don't have any money to start shopping yet.

And the closer it gets to Christmas the colder it gets. I am already so cold. I hope we don't have as much snow as last year. That was a bit too much!

Until next time,
Jaime

Drumline is Money

Here are some pictures and videos from this past weekend in Everett. The band placed 8th overall, and the drumline placed 6th. They had their best performance of the season, and the staff was very proud of them all. It has been a pleasure to spend the weekends with this group of drummers. They have named me DT, designated taper. It has become a tradition for me to tape their sleeves before each performance, and hold onto Logan's phone. Rick has really enjoyed being their instructor. This is what he really likes to do. The end of the season is bittersweet. It is hard to believe that the seniors won't be there next season. I wish Mitch and Austin the best in the future.


top l to r: Lovie, Rimejob, Ivanna, Princess, Chody, Red Jr

bottom l to r: Goomba, Rosie, Grizzly, Becca, Eddie Haskell, Sven

(nicknames)

The University High School Marching Band and Colorguard

Until next time,

Jaime

My Favorite City.....

is Seattle. We are staying in Everett tonight in preparation for tomorrow's final band competition. We stopped in Seattle for a few hours on the way. I love Seattle!!



Here is Mt. Rainier on our way this morning. It was a little cloudy so it isn't really clear.



Our first stop was Spud. It has the BEST fish and chips and clam chowder ever!! The fish is so big you only need one piece. And if you don't believe me just check it out:

I really like going to Alki Beach in west seattle. I think it is so pretty and the colors are really beautiful right now.

Then we headed over to Pike Place Market. I love how it smells there. It is fun to just walk around and look at all the beautiful flowers and fruit stands.

I thought it would be fun to buy a bouquet of flowers to put in our hotel room. Here is my beautiful bouquet:

Tomorrow we will spend all day with the band. Hopefully it won't be too cold. And then the plan is to go home a different route through Leavenworth. I can only imagine how pretty it will be this time of year. I plan to try to take some pictures of the fall colors. Hopefully the weather will be nice on sunday so that I can get some good shots.

I am going to go soak in the hot tub right now. Rick is at rehearsal and I am hanging out, enjoying some peace and quiet at the hotel.

Until next time,

Jaime

Guilt

Lately I have been feeling a little guilt about going back to work. And then today I feel even more guilt for wanting more hours. I can't have more hours because there aren't any more to be had right now, but I am kinda wishing I had spoken up when there was a full time position open last week. If I worked full time, or even close to full time, Rick could quit his part time job. That is what I should have been thinking about last week. But of course I think of it today after the new girl has been training since monday.

The guilt I feel is about the time I don't have with Sam after school anymore. I have picked her up from school everyday, except on a rare occasion, since she was three years old in preschool. I don't get to hear about her day on the car ride home. And by the time I get home she doesn't want to talk about school. She has asked me if I am ever gonna pick her up from school again. That just makes me sad. And she has melt downs because she says that she doesn't get to see me very much anymore. Which is true. By the time I get home from work I only get to see her for like two hours before it is bedtime.

And the house is suffering as well. I had no idea that working part time would cause me to get so far behind in the housework. And suffice it to say, we have not been eating very good either. I don't have time to make good meals anymore, as if they were good before anyway. But they definitely aren't any too healthy. I don't know how full time working parents do it. I am so lucky that Rick is home in the afternoons. At least that helps a little.

The thing that makes it all bearable is that I love my job. I really do enjoy going to work everyday. Even though my chair sucks and my back hurts at the end of the day. All my coworkers are great and it feels so good to be appreciated. Today my boss told me he loved me because I can do so many different tasks that need to be done. I have been trained on pieces of everyone's job. I have so many different little tasks that I have to accomplish everyday, but it is so much fun.

When I realized that I was going to have to get a job I was worried about what kind of job I would find. I really haven't worked since before Sam was born. (I don't really consider that Realtor thing I did much of a job) I didn't have a lot of experience or qualifications for very many jobs. I started praying about it during the summer, while also trying to think of something that might be interesting. Then my sister-in-law Tonia mentioned to my mom that the company she worked for was thinking about hiring somebody to work part time. Suddenly the pieces started falling into place. I just know that God had a hand in me getting this job. It has worked out so well for us. This has been such an answer to prayer for me.

I am sure that if the time is right for me to work more hours then it will happen. In the mean time I will enjoy still being able to pick Megan up from school everyday.

Until next time,
Jaime

Band Nerds

Our weekends have been full with marching band competitions during the month of october. This weekend we will be going to Everett and that is the final competition for the season. Rick's drumline has come in first place in their division twice.

Here is a video of the show that Rick and the other instructors have been so diligently teaching since august.

Rick and Logan had some fun together in the gym in Yakima this past saturday.

Rick and Mark (the Band Director) had some fun as well.

I actually do enjoy going with Rick and helping out with the drummers. They are good kids. Sorry boys, if you are reading this, you are money.

Hope you enjoyed the little videos.

Until next time,

Jaime

DRUGS

Cost before insurance: $5,496.38

Cost after insurance: $60.00

Prescription insurance: Priceless

So I had to pick up a couple of Rick's refills today and it struck me how much there was when it was all put into a big size grocery paper bag, with handles. And the amazing thing is this isn't all of it. He still has another one that needs to be refilled next week. The nice thing is that this is a three month supply of everything except for his Humira, which is his weekly injection. So if you add another prescription into the mix it would bring the total to well over $12,000 for a three month supply of everything, including three months worth of Humira. I would consider the insurance priceless, wouldn't you?

So just for fun I added up how many pills this is for three months. And the total is 2,340. Rick swallows 2,340 pills every three months. Yikes. And also that makes 12 shots as well. Double Yikes!!

Anyone wanna trade places? Any takers? I didn't think so.

Until next time,

Jaime

Seven Things

Here are seven things that you may not know about me:

1. I am scared to death of driving underneath bridges with trains going across them. I do not like the fact that a very heavy train is just above my head. I mean seriously, the train could fall off onto me. What? It could happen.

2. I do not like escalators. It isn't even that I don't like them, its just that I can't go down them. I look at the moving steps and then look down and I just can't step onto them. I get dizzy and I just can't do it. I am being serious, don't laugh.

3. My favorite sport to watch is college basketball. I don't know what it is but I seriously enjoy watching college basketball. I do not like watching professional basketball. Go Zags!!!

4. I am not a morning person. I do not like having to get up early. I would much rather sleep in and take my time getting going in the mornings. Maybe that's why I love summer so much, because I don't have to get the kids up early for school. Oh I wish it was summer again.

5. I LOVE Christmas. And I am being very serious. I love everything about Christmas. I love the decorations and the shopping. I love spending time with family and the carols. I love the Christmas tree and the way the garland smells. Only a month and a half and I can start decorating.

6. I love Starbucks. That probably wasn't news to a lot of people. But I really do love starbucks. If I could afford it I would buy it everyday. Seriously, everyday!!

7. I love my dog, but I don't like to be licked by dogs. Jack is great but I really don't like it when he licks me. I have never liked it and it totally grosses me out when I see people let their dogs lick them on the face, and even worse, on their mouth. I mean it, don't you realize where their mouths have been?

If you would like to post a few things about yourself in the comments section under this post I would seriously love it!!! Seriously!!! It would be fantastic.

Until next time,
Jaime

Littlest Pet Shop

The Littlest Pet Shop is my favorite toy that the girls play with. I love it when new pets come out. They are just so cute! I thought the girls looked so cute laying on the floor playing together. I thought it was a good photo opportunity.

Until next time,

Jaime

Soccer Saturday

Can you say BRRRRRRR?!?!?!?!?!?!? It was freezing outside this morning, and the wind was terrible. And Sam had lead in her butt today. Let's just say that today's game was not good. Not good at all! There's always next week, except Rick and I won't be there to cheer her on.

Until next time,

Jaime

"Mom I have a question."

After we got home from getting one of Sam's teeth pulled at the dentist's office today she asked me the strangest question.

Samantha: "Mom I have a question"
Me: "What"
Samantha: "Do you have lots of songs and words running around in your head?"
Me: "No, why, do you?"
Samantha: "Yes, and sometimes it makes me crazy. I sounds like lalalala wewewewew."
Me: "Oh, okay."

So that answers the million dollar question of why Samantha is the way she is. LOL!!!!!!!

FYI: No puppy accidents today. Yippee!

Until next time,
Jaime

Poop Deck

When we first brought Jack home Samantha asked where we were going to build the poop deck. I laughed so hard!! She was serious though. And then she offered to help pooper scoop the back yard. Lately that hasn't been much of an issue since I basically have to pooper scoop my living room. I don't know what to do. Jack was so good about only going outside for the first couple weeks, but the last few days have been filled with lots of accidents in the house. I find it totally disgusting!!! And now today he has also been peeing in the house as well. I can't have him doing this inside the house. Not only is it gross but it is not good for Rick's health.

Jack has also been nipping at the girls as well. Tonight Megan was laying on the floor and he bit her nose. He wasn't like this until a few days ago. I can't have Jack biting my girls.

I don't know what to do. I don't know how to train a dog. I was so excited when he was so good at first. I thought that I was really lucky. Now I am just peeved. Maybe I just haven't been giving him as much love. He is a puppy and maybe he just needs some lovin'. Afterall, his big giant stuffed dog can only take so much lovin' if you know what I mean.

Until next time,
Jaime

Grandma's doing good

I talked to my mom and was told that my Grandma is doing good tonight. She will have another procedure in a few weeks and after that the results from the pace maker should be more evident. She is a tough old bird LOL!!

Until next time,
Jaime

Exhaustion and Prayers

I am so very tired today. Yesterday started at 5 am and ended at 1 am. It was an interesting day in Pasco. Marching band competition is usually a busy day. And to top it off, it was really cold and windy. I kinda like going with Rick to these things because it is about the only time I get to be with him during marching band season. Percussion placed first in their division for prelims. Good job Rick and Heather!!

I am also asking for prayers for my Grandma. Tomorrow morning she is going to have pace maker surgery. Her heart has been out of rhythm for a long time now and we are hoping this is going to really help her. My new little niece Madylin Ruth is named after Grandma Ruth.

And one other thing tonight. There has been a gun threat at the high school that Rick does marching band at. The school has been shut down for tomorrow due to the district feeling like this is a real threat. This hits too close to home for me. We know so many students there and the high school is literally just a couple blocks from Sam and Megan's elementary school. I pray that the threats were just threats and that the teenager is found before anything could potentially happen.

Until next time,
Jaime

Busy Weekend

I am writing now because I won't have time later tonight. I have to get the girls packed up because they are spending tonight and tomorrow night at my mom's house. For those of you that don't know, Rick teaches the drumline at our alma mater U-High. They have a competition all day tomorrow in Pasco. I always travel out of town with him. We have to leave at the ungodly hour of 6 AM tomorrow morning. For those of you that know me, you know that I am not a morning person. So it is a little rough going for the first part of the morning. I have to go to the store tonight to get some serious caffeine.

Tomorrow is also my Grandma's birthday. The entire family is going out to dinner tonight to celebrate with her. It will be loud and we will probably annoy the entire restaurant but it is worth it. Happy Birthday Grams!!! I love you!!!!

Until next time,
Jaime

LONG DAY

Today was one of those days that reminded me work is called "work" for a reason. Now don't get me wrong, I have really been enjoying my job and I am glad that I am back working. But today was just one of those days. It felt like time was standing still, I think the clock actually stopped moving at one point during the day. This was the first time I actually kept looking at the clock. I am doing the most boring project that is tedious and totally sucks!!! I will probably still be doing this project for the next couple weeks. I just hope that the clock starts moving a bit faster while I am at work. The good thing is that a paycheck comes every two weeks. Yippee!!


This was the best part of my day:

Until next time,

Jaime

Sweet Baby Girl

I made this little video of my sweet new niece Madylin. As I was downloading the pictures I realized that I didn't have a single picture of my sister or brother-in-law with their new baby. I am going to change it up a little bit after I get some pictures of them with her, but for now I wanted to post it as it is. I hope you enjoy it.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I just adore this sweet little girl. I could go over to see her everyday but I think I would drive my sister crazy. I am bringing Sam over tonight to hold Madylin some more. She is very excited about the new baby and she is old enough to really enjoy holding her.

Until next time,

Jaime