Thursday, October 20, 2011

I've been working sooo much...

... so that is why I don't want to talk about it any more till next post--maybe. So here are some pics to make you smile.

First runny nose and hot chocolate face of the season... she was in Heaven watching Sesame Street on the computer while eating melted marshmallows out of her hot chocolate!

First pigtails ever!! I can't believe she is going to be ONE next week.

Here is a picture, as promised, of her hiding till we say "Where's Katie?" Every piece of clothing, and towel, etc. eventually ends up on her end. She is so stinkin' cute!

And here's what we like to do with our empty grapefruits, when we can afford to buy them...
and what a perfect language building activity. Warning... don't do it with your kids unless you are prepared to make them laugh every time thereafter! Gracie laughs and laughs and... so do I.

Happy October!

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Zip Track takes the prize!

We have had so much fun with this flexible track. I think it wins the prize for garage sale find that gets the most use. It is a discovery toy that normally costs around $40 and I bought it for $1. If you are looking for a great Christmas gift, this is it. You can pull it out when you need to entertain some kids quickly and yet it cleans up quickly too. It is flexible so you can make all sorts of shapes. One kid probably spent 30 min just changing the color pattern by clicking different pieces together. We have used it inside and outside and made hills with our legs/arms since we don't have the bridge and tunnel pieces. We think it is more fun that way! We have had 5-6 kids all sticking their feet in at once to make the bumpiest track ever. Notice how the little dog in this picture is creating a tunnel for the little motorized car to go under?
Most recently, we made this humdinger of a drop track ending in a plastic bucket! I had fun helping Gracie make it and then she played with it by herself for a while. It is the perfect toy. Sometimes I want to get rid of all the toys in my house but this one wouldn't go for sure. I think I will order some expansion track and extra cars for Christmas. Look I just found another brand
on Amazon for only $23.90.
Disclaimer: Gracie did get the car stuck in her hair once when she was looking at it real close. I all the sudden heard this screaming. When I got there I knew what had happened because her beautiful Goldilocks were detached and wound tightly around one back wheel. I am not responsible for any lost hair!!

Friday, October 7, 2011

Fixed a zipper today...

...yep, I didn't think I could do it so I am feeling pretty good about myself. I told my neighbor "no" about a month ago when she asked me if I could fix a zipper. Then she asked on our ward facebook page yesterday and the suggestion was to ask me. So I gave it some more thought and googled it, "Zipper off one side of its track." Out of all the methods suggested to fix it, I thought I could figure it out. So as I babysit her daughter today, I fixed her favorite jeans!! Last time we were together we fixed a whole in her daughter's favorite shirt by making an applique to match and sew over top. I have her baby's vest zipper to fix next (zipper slider missing). And in return, she is going to cut me a vinyl monogram for my new toy box I mentioned earlier. I love sewing and salvaging/renewing/upcycling stuff. I do believe I have said that before (ha ha). And bartering on top of that is a win win for everybody! Thanks for teaching me how to sew mom!!

and in other news...

... Katie is obsessed, and I mean OBSESSED, with putting everything on her head and waiting for you to say something. It is so funny, I will have to get snap some pictures of her doing it. Today she put the chip bag (full of small chip crumbs) on her head upside down!!! Crumbs in her shirt, crumbs in her pants, crumbs in her socks, and crumbs in her diaper. Ugha...Why is there a "b" in crumb and thumb? Hey and don't throw away your stuff with broken zippers, I can fix them!!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Katie and Her Ice Cream Cones...

Katie is in heaven when she has an ice cream cone in her hand. I think her record is eating (all by herself) 3 complimentary twist cones in a row from Arctic Circle. And don't try to take that cone away from her or you will get an ear full!
That is why our friend Kristin McNinch's suggestion to go get ice cream at Thanksgiving Point was the perfect mommy/daughter date. For 50 Cents we got one yummy mommy one and 2 free kiddie ones. And the cutest Halloween decor inspiration.

Ghost garland made from white plastic cups on white Christmas lights with googly eyes, and picket fence cut from coordinating scrapbook paper and strung, and white balloons covered with tulle and accessories like pearls, binky, bottle, and I would have given the dad a mustache or tie! The pendant light has ribbons on it and a bat/spider. So cute and simple.
This is right after I had licked clean. Usually she has a death grip on it.
Look at Gracie's face. She loves ice cream too.

And here's Gracie and Sofie (Kristin's daughter) driving an awesome during a trip to the D.I. together. What can we say? We found some good friends who are patient with my kids' shenanigans, talk about Gracie in their prayers, and like the DI too.
And I convinced her to play volleyball too even though she says she is naturally afraid of the ball. She is learning quickly am I am so proud of her. And I have to honestly say I am not half bad myself anymore. I am not an expert but I am "consistent" at bringing my game. Go Pilgrim's Landing 1st.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

I got a job!

We can't let a day go by without documenting that the Barbers are only going to unemployed for 1 more week. Yep my start date is Wed Oct 12. I will be doing tele-health (speech therapy over the internet like skype) for an online school called Connections Academy. The phone call offering me the job came this morning, just 30 minutes after being informed that our renter in our house in Florida has decided to move. Coincidence? I think not!!

Even though I really wanted a 9-5 job for a little while and wanted to get some more experience with adults/geriatrics in a hospital, nursing home or home-health, I really couldn't justify turning this one down and waiting any longer when it pays really well, it's somewhat flexible (match students' schedule with mine), and I get to work from home.

The working from home thing might be hard though because it might make me feel like I can't do either of my jobs (mom/speech therapist) as well as I want too. I don't want work to negatively impact the kids or my husband or ability to help others. Maybe it will be easier than I think. I am starting out with 10 hours in Utah and then can take on more students in other states if I want to. (And I can still keep seeing my same students no matter where I live - that's the beauty of the internet.) At least this will pay the rent and a few groceries and take the time pressure off of Luke to get a job.

And hey... if I am working, I will be making money and I will have less time to spend it!!!!
(Score, Fist Bump, Chest Bump, Potato Explosion, Victory Dance, and Pose)

Monday, October 3, 2011

There is sign of life...

I just haven't blogged about it yet!

Since Luke hasn't been consistently working at his dad's house since August, Papa Rick pops his head in at ours every once in a while and we love it.

Aunt Megan also popped her head in to see us all the way from Kentucky, not really, but we are glad she didn't forget to tell us she was in town when she came for Grandpa's funeral. We feel for her deeply and had fun with her at this awesome park/gardens in West Valley.

Katie loved the slide (I am feeling bad because I don't think she has had the same playground experience as Gracie did at this point because I am always helping Gracie do bigger girl things).

She loved petting her first dog. She went right up to him, not even scared. Way to go girl!

And for once Katie did not look like she was going to throw up on the swing! She actually enjoyed herself and no face of terror.

And for once Gracie was not in a swing! She loves to swing and does not want to get out.

She was so sad and cried when Megan said she had to go home. She loved Megan and how much fun she was. She even said she wanted to go home with her and leave us. I am afraid she would like it too much with Megan's fun momittude, 6 kids for best friends, and Karl's mad dad skills.

We have found some awesome finds at the D.I. This toy box triggered some deep nostalgia inside me despite the hot yellow color, cobwebs, and leaves. It is exactly the same toy box that my brothers and sisters and I used to throw our toys in with a place to sit on top. ONLY it was blue. I snatched it and now I have some big plans involving a monogram "B", seat cushion, and paint. Can't wait.
We also officially "started" our blog for Home Speech Home. Unfortunately the major writing of it will fall to me which means it won't always be consistent but results are promising! I already have a couple of posts and video logs (vlogs) in the works. And hooray for us, we sold 3 more e-books today! It was a return customer from a couple of months ago. Of course it didn't hurt that we dropped the price down to $7.00 to see if it made a difference. We are tortoise-ing it for sure, but hey he still finished the race! I will include a link to the speech and language blog on my next post, then you can get the meaning behind the TP... ha ha!
Gracie tried on my boots and they fit her whole leg... ha ha!

I didn't get the home health job I interviewed for about 3 weeks ago and I was bummed. After calling about 4 times with no response over the 3 weeks, I emailed her and asked if the position was filled or if they did not have the caseload to warrant hiring another speech-language pathologist at that time. She wrote back, "We do have the caseload to hire another SLP at this time. Good luck in your future endeavors." And to think that I came away from the interview thinking I had it in the bag. I guess they wanted someone with more experience with adults. I have been sad because I was thinking that I usually get things I try for, but then after thinking a little harder, I remembered quite a few things that I went for that I didn't get and wanted real bad. My brain just didn't want to remember those times. Funny how our brain just tries to remember the good! (That reminds me, I need to get the results of the study at BYU that Katie was in studying whether positive or negative memories/experiences were stronger in infants.) One huge thing that cheered me up after not landing the job was... my parents and my sister Lisa and brother Michael called up one Sunday to say they felt like taking a drive to see us. Even though it was only a short quick, short visit, it meant ALOT! That is the first time they came to see us just to see us. There is just something about having your parents see you trying to be a good parent- just trying to be a good girl! Can you see how Michael had fun being SCARED of our spider? And how the neighbor kids love it too? I am ready for a house not attached to anyone, and even far away from everyone (and the freeway) sometimes. All in good time right?

We thoroughly enjoyed conference time at our house. I had the best experience setting up and serving at the RS Broadcast dinner and then sitting and listening to the Broadcast by myself with no kids or friends for distractions. I felt the spirit so overwhelmingly like I haven't in a long time. I LOVED IT and I have a STRONG testimony of Jesus Christ, God's Love, the Book of Mormon, and His Church the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I loved President Uchtdorf's talk on 5 lessons to "Forget Me Not" and how my dad has always loved the "Forget Me Not" flower as well. We loved having our newest (a couple of months) fun friends over for breakfast in our pajamas on Sat morning conference, a new tradition I think. Then Luke and his dad looked great going to Priesthood Meeting together. I am so proud of them and their good relationship despite the rocky business road they have been down together.

Then Sunday Conference we enjoyed having all to ourselves. Doing puzzles, coloring, cuddling, (Luke trying not to doze), and making cinnamon rolls for the first time ever. We have usually had cinnamon pull-aparts or refrigerator orange rolls, but this time I had to try. I am proud to say I am never going back. I have found the BEST CINNAMON ROLL RECIPE EVER. I can't wait to share one or two rolls (not the recipe) with all the people I care about. And that is another tradition we started. We will pick out at least one family who is need to share a plate of cinnamon rolls each conference.


All in all, we are doing well even though the stress of unemployment is beginning. We did not anticipate getting a job in our field would be this hard cause it hasn't been before. It truly is a hard economy and apparently not being formally employed for 3 years even though you have been doing private therapy here, doesn't help my chances. Don't worry, I am just waiting for my Utah license to practice for a telehealth job I think I have. It is a race between Luke and I to see who can get the "best fitting" job first. Ready GO!

P.S. We asked 4 specific questions before watching conference, even with a little doubt on how 3 of them would be answered because they were such specific questions and unique to us! AND DRUMROLL PLEASE... 4/4 questions were specifically and directly answered! SO COOl. Oh me of little Faith! Never again. I will not doubt that the Lord will answer my questions in conference and at other times, even if it is not how I expected or when I wanted it. I think that is the hardest thing -- having real faith that what you desire can and will come to pass, but being humble and submissive at the same time that if it doesn't happen, you won't be mad, or disbelieving, and just understand that God has a better purpose and design.
Did you get your questions answered? If you haven't tried it before, you have 6 months to figure out your questions and try it! I LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE... and so does Gracie, hee hee.