i'm learning french

Really... I am! In my digital scrap endeavors lately, I seem to be running across lots of freebies from designers who speak FRENCH (at least I think that's the language.) Since I'm really just on their blog for the freebie, it's a little detective game I play reading through words I MaayyYY recognize, and guessing what I'm supposed to click on to get the download. Sometimes it takes me a few trys, but I managed. Who knew an E-town girl could be so cultured?

Since I fessed up to my latest scrapping binge that I've been on, I better show you a few pages, huh? I've just recently learned the miracle of TEMPLATES. So easy folks, so easy. Someone else puts together a grayscale layout for you, and you just plug in the papers, pictures and elements that you want to see in it. A few tricks applied to make this easier and WA-la! Ctrl+G is my new best friend.

On to the pages...

is this week over?

I love my job. Don't get me wrong, I do. I love my husband and family too, and most times I think I juggle everything really well. I'm organized. I plan. I adjust. I sacrifice sleep. I'm peppy and perky to boot. But this week... this week might have just done me in. For those unfamiliar, March 1 is the date that all farm tax returns are due (at least if the farm was profitable, that's when they are due.) Needless to say, the week prior to March 1 is really, really busy at work. No matter how much I plan and schedule to not be in a crunch, it sometimes happens. This week has just been one of those weeks. Thankfully I have been able to do a lot from home, but after running into the office a few days in a row, and asking my husband to watch the boys for a few hours each time (something he is always willing to do) I think I might be pushing my luck. He should know I would much rather be home with him, it's just my gosh darn sense of obligation. Oh well. Almost done now. Did I mention that I have a horrendous head cold, and that the evil thing called "morning sickness" that for me lasts all day and night, has reared it's ugly head again? And that all I feel like doing is sitting? I actually WANTED to work this morning. Sitting in a chair and using my brain takes FAR LESS energy than keeping two little dudes happy and SAFE. Weston and safety don't always end up on the same side of the fence. Anyhoo, that's another blog post. Later folks!

checking in...

Just checking in. I'm home with the boys all day today, and have never been so glad to be snowed in! Tyler took the Jeep in to work, and I am stuck here at home (Praise the Lord!) It's been a big week, and it's not over yet! But today... I don't have to work until tonight, and today I am going to rest, sleep, play with the boys, bake, and clean a little. I may even take Wayne's 3 year pictures (I just took Madelyn's 6 month pictures... stay posted, once Tara hands them out I'm allowed to blog them! They are SOOOOOO sweet!) We'll see what the day holds! And dinner will be an easy one, why overdo?

Please be a girl...

I sure hope this new baby on the way is a girl, because if it's a boy, I'm scared. I've been home all weekend with the boys, and Tyler's been working. They are CONSTANTLY up to something together. I spend half my day chasing them, or picking up after them! Our days are not boring, that's for sure. Here's what they've been up to...

- Wayne found the licorice, got it out, got the lid off, and him and Weston were sitting on the floor snacking away. All this happend while I was in the bathroom.

- I was cleaning Weston's room, and he and Wayne took off down the hall. I ran out to stop Weston from getting near the top of the stairs, only to find Wayne standing on the top step, legs and arms spread wide, telling Weston, "No, no Weston! That is BIG owie!" while pointing down the stairs.

- Wayne made a HUGE pile with all the blankets and pillows he could find, and pushed Weston into it. Weston was laughing, laying there on his back, and then Wayne attacked him screaming "tickle tickle" all while Weston was having fits of laughter.

- Weston saw me make his bottle and wanted it, but it wasn't time for bed quite yet so I tried to hide it, then grabbed Weston to go distract him. Wayne grabbed the bottle again and came running up to us saying, "Wesson needs bottle! He wants!"

- The two of them unloaded all the books on the bookshelf, squealing all the while.

- Pants... The issue we have with pants. If you come to visit, please don't expect our kids to be more than half clothed. They won't be. Amanda came and they each had diapers on, but not much else. Breanne came to watch the boys, and when she knocked on the door I had just finished dressing Weston in his pajama's and was going back to the bathtub to get Wayne. Wayne came streaking through the hallway shouting, "I got it!" I opened the front door for him, and all Breanne could see was a buck naked Wayne shouting, "Hello!." Wayne's still potty training, so his are always coming on and off. Weston likes to protest by taking his off. And he's also been pooping at least four times a day, and since I can't smell it's WAY easier to check his diaper if he doesn't have pants on. So... that's how we roll around here these days!

- Wayne helped Weston into a wicker basket, then picked him up and carried him around.

- Wayne made Weston stand. Then he pushed him down and said, "Sit!" Then he pushed him down more and said, "nap!" What, does he think he's a dog?

So, there's just a snippet of the last three days with the hoodlem's. Wish Tyler luck tomorrow, he's got them while I work all day!

{it's a GIRL!}

The other proud Auntie. I ticked Paige letting everyone know she was in the room!

Proud big sister!

Now that's more like it... a very tuckered out Paige sound asleep!

The McPhail girls.... Todd's in trouble!

Trisha and Todd had their baby this morning at 6:07am. She weighed 6 lbs. 4oz. and was 20 1/4 inches long. Whoopeee! I can not tell you how relieved I am that little Paige Elizabeth McPhail has finally entered the world. She is healthy, and Trisha and Todd are beyond belief excited and proud. And I must say, big sister Brenna is all smiles too! I made a quick trip in this morning to visit them before they got some much needed rest after being up all night in labor. The labor was "easy" (that was Trisha's word!) and things went very well. She so deserved an easy labor!!! Praise the Lord, everyone is doing well, and I am so thrilled to have a new niece. Trisha likes to remind me that this will be me in 5 months, but I'm staying in denial until after April 15!

if i've said it once, i've said it a thousand times...

Let's go pee in the potty!

Don't sit on your brother.

Don't steal your brother's toys.

Let's wash our hands.

Obey!

_____ or naughty step, which one?

You don't go stinky in your undies, you go stinky in the pot!

Where are your pants?

Did you stinky.... again?

Pick up your toys please!

Want to snuggle?

I'll love you forever, I'll pray for you always, forever my baby you'll be!

{it's Thursday}

*Sigh* It's Thursday, and I can't hardly believe it! Where has the week gone? Time is going by so quickly it's making my head spin these days! I am always glad to be at the end of a productive day, and grateful that I had another day to be here with my family, and I'm usually tired, but lately.. I can't sleep at night because my mind is racing with everything I need to do tomorrow. I even had to change the format of my typical to do list... Usually it just says, "Tanya's To-Do's" at the top, but now it's been changed to two lists, "Needs" and "Wants." So in other words, what I need to do, and what I want to do. With the wedding coming up (6 flippin' weeks from tomorrow folks... that's fast!) there are lots of things going on. I so love my new sister to-be. She's only asked me to do things she knows I like.... photography and design things on the computer! Leave the artsy-fartsy stuff to those more talented than I am. Trisha is also 37 weeks pregnant, and we are SO looking forward to meeting our new niece/nephew. I am thinking it's a girl, but time will tell. Trisha is such a trooper... she is one tough cookie! I am impressed by her every day. She's really got the "mama bear" mentality that she will do whatever is necessary to protect her baby. She's been on bedrest for high blood pressure, and has such a great attitude. What else... I've got the spring "itch." I am sick of this cold weather! I need sunshine, warm afternoons, and tulips popping up! Hmm... Weston's walking like a little animal! It's now his preferred method of transportation, unless it's me carrying him. I also think he's saying "ma-ma" too... he says it when I come get him after naps, and when I get home from work. Way to go little buddy, it's about time I got a "first word" around here.

Hello to all!

Hi all! Just thought I'd say "hi" so... Hi! The boys and I have had a busy but productive day. We left this morning and they went to Auntie's house while I got my haircut. We then took Ethan back home with us, while Tanya got her hair cut too. The boys played, ate lunch, and then all three went down for a nap, and I came downstairs with a smile on my face! :-) I spent the afternoon dusting, Pledge-ing (I know that's not a word, but how else do you want me to say it?) and cleaning, making dinner (Ham w/ peach glaze, scalloped potatoes, and green bean casserole... comfort food!) I scheduled for the nursery for the next three months at church and... oh a bunch of other stuff! If Tyler asks though, I took a nap, okay?!?

The rest of the week is pretty typical... I work tomorrow, and Tyler and Dad are going fishing on Thursday. Tyler works this weekend, so I'm sure the boys and I will stay busy and find projects while he's gone! Hmm... Weston's up from his pretend nap (3o minutes in his crib is NOT the real thing!) so I'd better scoot. Wayne and Ethan are watching Madagascar 2 (I promised Ethan he wouldn't have to watch anyone being mean to Alex, I'd skip those parts! I love that kid....) In the words of Mickey Mouse.... Toodles!

Valentine's Day ain't just for girls!

We had a very fun day with the boys... They each got a new movie, Madagascar 1 and 2. And they both loved them! I got a big kick out of Wayne busting a move to "I like to move it, move it." He even sings along! I was gone in the morning bringing Trisha to a doctor appointment, and Tyler hung out with the boys. They had fun, and Diane and Duane came to visit and bring out goodies. I got home early afternoon, and walked and rested, then my parents came over for more Valentine goodies.

Weston is having a love affair with Grandpa these days. He even kidnapped him from the nursery this morning at church! Weston LOVES Grandpa, and just smiles and giggles at him. Dad doesn't really do anything to encourage it, Weston just thinks he's funny!

Grandma always makes the boys their own special cookies... and she always leaves a few unfrosted for me! (I HATE frosting... blagh!)

Weston got a little "popper" car. It's loud. I think I'll leave it at Mom and Dad's next time we go by "accident." See how they like him tearing around on their hardwood with that thing!

And the hit of the afternoon... Thomas undies, "like Ethan's" according to Wayne! He always wants Ethan's undies, so now he has his own. He kept telling me, "No stinky, no pottie on Thomas, Percy, James.) Very good Wayne... now if only you practiced what you preached!

fourteen 14ths!

I realized today that this is our FOURTEENTH Valentine's Day together. I still have the card Tyler made me February 14th, 1996 in Spanish class (he had no idea what the card said, he wasn't very good at Spanish! :-) I feel so blessed to have know Tyler for such a large part of my life... He has ALWAYS been there for me, and he is always on my side, in my corner, and directly behind me supporting me in all that I do. He makes me laugh when I want to cry, and he makes me cry because I'm laughing so hard. I find new ways each day to love him more, and we grow closer together the more memories we create. Of course the fact that in a few short months we're going to be outnumbered by our children has also brought us close in order to band together against the wild animals! :-) Really and truly, I can't gush enough about him. I am thankful to my Mom too, for praying for Tyler from the time that I was born. What a gift, and it is one I am trying to also give our boys. To pray for their spouses, wherever they may be today (who knows... sometimes I just pray that if she's not born yet, that God would guide her parents!) Then again, maybe they shouldn't ever get married... Just kidding. I pray that they will one day have marriages like ours. I love you Tyler!

Tradition rules in these parts... I am a firm HATER of eating out on Valentine's Day... We ALWAYS get chinese food from the Dragonfort in Canada, and eat it on the china we got as wedding gifts.Tyler always picks beautiful flowers, and as much as I love them, I also love that they are a steal of a deal at Costco!

Valentine's Day Treats

We had a fun night eating chinese food on china (our annual tradition) and then watching Madagascar with Wayne. We even paused the movie for snack time! I love that little boy to pieces....

{happy EARLY Valentine's Day from Wayne}

I asked Wayne if he wanted to color a picture for you all, and he did. So, we went to www.playhousedisney.com and he picked this picture to color. After he colored, he placed it on the scanner and told me, "Put on TV mommy!" So, I hope you enjoyed his almost 3 year old coloring. I think he's pretty talented, don't you?

this and that...

Hey all,

Well, I am home today, after a long day of work yesterday. Man, it sure is BUSY right now! It's hard to keep my head above water. Of course, things on the home front are completely under control, thanks to my most amazing husband. I am really and truly sooo spoiled... I probably don't even begin to know how much!!!! Not only did he watch the boys all day yesterday, but he also cleaned both bathrooms, vacuumed, cleaned the oven, and did all the laundry, including washing the sheets and making the beds. He also had hamburger fried so I just had to quick throw together the spaghetti sauce when I got home. Is he amazing or what? So today... I have had a VERY lazy morning around here. Wayne and I snuggled a bunch, Weston took a 2 hour nap (I never know what to do when he sleeps that long!)and I did a bunch of research on a new camera lens I am shopping for... Which by the way is confusing as heck, but I think I finally decided on the one I want to use for a majority of the wedding pictures! I can't believe the wedding is 7 1/2 WEEKS away... Argh! So much to do, so little time! This afternoon I am working for a little while, making a cheesecake, and then taking Trisha to the doctor. I love chauffering her around, we have so much fun! I also can't wait for that little baby of hers to make her/his debut on earth! I have my boy and my girl clothing lines picked out, so I am ready to go!

That's all on this home front.... Have a good day all, and don't forget to nicely organize your tax stuff for your accountant! :-)

Caught in the act!

My new favorite website!

I found this website, and you can upload 12-15 pictures and it puts it into a video clip for you, and then you can add music. This whole video took me less than 60 seconds to make (minus upload time.) It's my first one, and it didn't like the 12x12 scrap page, but I think it's super cute! 3o second clips are also FREE, and even if you want a longer one, they are super reasonable and well worth the pennies because they are soooo easy to use! I should've found it a few weeks ago when Weston turned one!

http://animoto.com/

25 random things you didn't know you didn't know about me!

Okay, I got sucked in too! Here they are, read at your own peril.

1. I have 2 emails in my personal inbox, and 4 in my work email. I HATE it when emails accumulate, so I deal with them ASAP.

2. I really, really, really love caramel Cadbury eggs. I know, gross.... but they are good!

3. I always wash my hands when I walk in the back door, before hugging the boys.

4. I am neurotic when it comes to organizing files on my computer. Everything has a place, and should be in it's place.

5. I lose socks ALL the time, so there are plenty of socks without mates around here.

6. I couldn't care any less about the lost socks. Who cares? They are just socks!

7. I once lost a necklace Tyler gave me... He replaced it. I lost it. He replaced it again. He should have known back then I'd lose my head if it wasn't screwed on!

8. I am a compulsive digiscrapdepot.com downloader. I have to go there every day to get my fix.

9. Coffee makes me super sick when I'm in my first trimester of being pregnant.

10. I rarely make my bed (sorry Mom!)

11. My two favorite songs are "It is Well" and "Blessed be the Name." They make me cry every time I hear them. They should be played at my funeral someday.

12. I can't handle seeing children abused, or being treated meanly. It makes me physically sick.

13. My new favorite show is "17 kids and counting" on TLC. Amanda, don't you DARE tell me about any blogs that will ruin it for me! :-)

14. When I was in jr. high, I planned on becoming a lawyer, never marrying, and taking care of my aging parents. I was not EVER going to have kids. God is good!

15. Speaking of God... I believe that he is all powerful and all knowing. I believe he is just and good, and his ways are higher than my own!

16. I have figured out how to be a good wife, mom, friend, employee, co-worker, and follower of Christ. I just haven't figured out how to be good at all of those things at once.

17. I love where we live, I love our house.

18. I love that Tyler takes the shop-vac to our flower beds each spring to get rid of the last of the leaves from fall. He rocks my world!

19. I can't talk straight when I'm pregnant. My words get locked in my brain, and won't come out, or I say the completely wrong word from what I intended.

20. I love to go to bed exhausted. It means it's been a day well served, hopefully serving the Lord and not myself!

21. I'm addicted to reading blogs. Go figure.

22. I have never smoked or had even an ounce of alcohol. Not ever.

23. My heart aches for people who can't get pregnant, have difficulties getting pregnant, or who have difficulties when they are pregnant. I believe that they are a very, very special group of women loved by God in a very special way.

24. My Weston is walking way too much! I guess I forgot to tell him that Wayne waited until he was 17 months to be walking this much, and I'm still in shock every time I see him toddle across the room.

25. My Wayne is getting too big! He is talking too much, and doing way to many big boy things. (Like ditching his car seat for a booster!) Thankfully, he still loves to snuggle all the time too.

Are you still reading? Good for you... you better go to bed now though, I'm sure I bored you to tears!

* pot problems *

I should have posted this a few days ago, and I can't promise it will be posted for long, because if Tyler reads it he'll make me take it down!!! Read while you still can folks!



On Wednesday, Tyler watched the boys while I was at work. It was a rough, rough day of potty training. After being 5 days accident free with me, Wayne had two potty accidents, the second one being so severe that Tyler through Wayne in the bathtub... only to have Wayne hold out his hand full of _ _ _ _ while saying, "uh-oh daddy, I stinky!" Tyler does not handle _ _ _ _ well. He cleaned up, and the moved on, but I do think Wayne actually had another #2 accident later in the afternoon too. To top it all off, just before bed, Tyler took him pottie one last time, and.... Wayne's binkie fell in the toilet!!! At that point, I think he was done pottie training. Oh well... we will persevere!

I'm baaack!

Weston - once again in protest of being in solitary confinement in the pack and play... strips off his pants and socks!

Wayne was making a fort one night... him and Weston were underneath a web of laundry baskets and blankets.
The Scheib's were over, and I snapped this picture 1 second before diving for Weston to catch him from falling off the couch. Alyssa knows he's not allowed on the couch anymore! :-)

When the brother's in bed... the little brother gets cookie dough!
And he LOVES cookie dough!

Thanks for all of your questions and concerns on the last post. Very sweet to know my faithful followers missed me (although I have no earthly idea why folks... we Silves' are boring!) First off, I am perfectly fine, just busy and tired. Here's the low down since last Saturday, in no particular order....

Tyler had last weekend off, which is always LOVELY. It goes too fast though. I worked on Monday, and Wednesday too, and have had been pretty swamped as far as work goes... February is my BRUTAL month. I've got March 1 farmers, financials and special projects all coming to a head this week. I will not confess how many hours I've worked this week, but it's been more than my committment. Oh well.. I'm just going to focus on making it until March, and I'm looking for cheap flights to Las Vegas or San Diego to go away as a family of four before we become a family of five! I try to really stay low key on Tuesdays. I think I cleaned a bunch that day, and had Aunt Shelly over, and Breanne came and we finalized her invitations... and I can't remember what else... Thursday was a blur too... I worked from home, cleaned the house, and made a nice dinner. Today... today was just full, even though I didn't plan for it to be. We left here around 7:45am, and got back at 4pm. Super BIG thanks to Tanya for taking the boys for me! I ran errands in the afternoon in Bellingham, and it is just so much easier doing it without the kiddos. I am feeling better, definitely less nautious. I am still tired, and started taking iron for being anemic (no wonder, I think my body knows how much its either been pregnant or nursing in the last 3 1/2 years! For those of you who don't know... that's been for 35 months on, and 7 months off! Oh, and worth every month!) Oh well...

Everyone else is doing well too. It seems like between helping out here and there on the wedding, work, scrapbooking, and taking care of the boys... the days are busy!!!

{do ya miss me?}