christytomlinson

Happy Birthday to my best friend :)

I just wanted to wish Ben a HAPPY 37th birthday! He certainly doesn't look 37.. that's for sure! LOL

He is not only my best friend, but a wonderful husband and father and i know my kids all truly appreciate all he does for us.  I know I have said these before, but he is amazing. He can do anything.. I mean it! If it's broke, he can fix it.. if it needs to be built, he can build it, if you have a question about something.. I swear he Always has the answers to it.. even really weird stuff. He is just one of the smartest guys I know. I can't image my life with anyone else. I love spending time with him.. love talking with him, I love just snuggling with him. I couldn't have asked for a better friend or husband.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN! WE LOVE YOU!!

I will be back later this week to update you on our family spring break vacation.. what a blast we had just hanging out with family and friends...

more to come :)

Happy Birthday "Nova" :)

Our "baby" our youngest son, turns 3 today! EEK! I can't believe it.. he has just started really making fun conversation, "big kid" talk in the last few months. I mean like having opinions, talking about funny things, repeating stuff people say, for his answers (which aren't always nice when you have 5 older brothers and a sister to repeat).

HE is our BUBBIES.. our "NOVA".. .. our chubby luvs (though I do realize we need to stop calling him chubby luvs, or he will get a complex).

His real name is actually Noah, but we have called him Nova, since he was like 4 months old.  Funny story about that and since it's his birthday, why not write about it and document it. I had just gone to CHA with Chatterbox and they needed me to fly straight from CHA to CKU in Florida, to represent Chatterbox and teach. (CKU is an event Creating Keepsakes holds for scrapbooking) and being the great company that CBX was, they also flew Ben out with my little baby, Noah.. so I didn't have to be away from him very long (I had already missed him for like 4 days at CHA).. so I met up with Ben in Orlando airport (i was coming from Chicago, and Ben from Boise).. and when he got off the plane, this cute couple from Korea, came up to us (actually up to Ben) and just nodded and smiled, and cooed at  Noah.. and then went on their way. SO then Ben had to tell me the story about his plane ride. He said he had sat by the couple on the ride over from Denver, and the couple where newlyweds from Korea and on their way to Disney-WORLD for their honeymoon. They got to talking (the didn't speak much English, but did a little).. and asked what the our baby's name was. Ben told them it was "Noah" and then husband said"  OH how cute! Nova! Nova, your so cute nova! your so cute!" and then through the rest of the trip they just called him "Nova , cute nova, your so cute! In his cute Korean accent.

When Ben told me that story I thought it was SOO cute! LOL, so then I started saying it and calling him that.

SO then we headed to CKU, and Ben came to my classes and brought little "nova" with me, and sat in the back, but everyone would ask, how old Noah was and his name.. so then Ben would say "nova" and we would tell the story of the couple on the plane!  So then we just started calling him nova.. and we would always say to him.. oh.. your so cute nova, your so cute! Then my kids started calling him that and saying the phrase to him and so did my family and Ben's family and so now we just call him "Nova". IN-fact he calls himself that. If you ask him what his name is, he will tell you it's Nova, and if you correct him and say Noah.. he says.. NO! Not Noah, NOVA!!!.. so funny..

We don't tell everyone the story now, but I think alot of people think he real name is Nova and that we named him after a car or something! LOL.. but we didn't.. we nicknamed him after a cute Korean newlywed couple on their way to their honeymoon.. what a fun story to tell him when he gets older.

Anyhow.. HAPPY BIRTHDAY NOVA!! we love you!  We will celebrate tomlinson style.. as usual, with cake, ice cream and family.. He loves books and he loves games.. but not really to "play", he likes to make up his own games with game pieces (like he loves Othello, risk, up-words, etc).. but since he looses pieces here and there when he plays the games, we starting going to second hand stores like DI and Salvation Army and picking up used games that may or may not be missing pieces.. for a couple of bucks, that are "Nova" games. He loves it! So that is what we got him for his Birthday.. some good used games from DI and some books.. oh and a Diego Bike for summer.. such an easy kid to please!

Have a wonderful Tuesday!
Hugs!
Christy

update!

Just wanted to send a quick update that my sisters website www.helppaymyway.com that I mentioned in an earlier post, was down for maintenance this past weekend.. so if you got on and couldn't see all the products, that's why! BUT.. it's back up and running! So make sure to check it out :)

Did I also tell you I started exercising again and back on a TRUE low calorie HEALTHY diet? (normally my low calorie diets consist of cold cereal.. lots of it! not good).. but this time.. trying to do it the healthy way, with lots of veggies, fruits, protein, and the right carbs.  I also went walking yesterday with my good friend Kara.  She warmed me ahead of time that she liked to walk "fast".. like speed walk..and I thought.. no problem, I can handle that.  Except I forgot the fact that I am 5' 2" tall and she is like 5' 10" tall!!   I swear I took like 5 steps for everyone one of hers! LOL.. We walked for about 30 minutes and there were times I thought I was going to pass out because my little legs couldn't keep up with her! LOL.. I just kept thinking.. (she must think I am so slow!!!LOL).. when really there were times I had to run to keep up with her. Keep in mind she is ALL legs too.. and my lack OF legs, didn't help the situation any..

When we got done.. she was like.. okay.. same time tomorrow? I just kinda looked at her and winced.. okay...   SOO looking forward to getting my behind kicked again today! LOL

But love her for making me do it.

On another note.. DON'T EVER attempt to wash the actual CUSHIONS on your couch. We usually just take the covers off our cushions to wash them.. but I got into this germaphobic mood last Thursday night and freaked out because one of my youngest, who is just getting potty trained, had an accident on the couch. SO i decided I was going to put the cushions in the bathtub one at a time (without the covers on) and wash them with fabric soap, hot water and alot of scrubbing.. well we have one of those couches they have like the 18" thick cushions and THEN another layer of batting around the outside. What a mistake! LOL.. that foam was so dense, it just sucked that water up right away. Almost so heavy I had a hard time getting them out of the tub even AFTER i tried to squeeze the water out of them. So then Ben tried.. and the water just wouldn't come out. So he took the cushions outside (keep in mind it's below freezing here and snow and ice still on our driveway and ground).. anyhow.. he wrapped the cushions in something, then one by one, place a cushion between two boards (as big as the cushions) then he ran over the cushion back and forth with our Excursion (it's bigger and heavier than a suburban).. That seemed to work.. but didn't get it all out. SO here it is.. 5 days later? and most of our cushions are STILL wet.. we have had fans on them straight (you know the big ones huge square ones).. and also had them each sitting over one of our heating vents throughout our house.. since Friday morning.. and they still aren't dry! LOL.. and it's NOT fun sitting on a couches without cushions.. the springs just aren't that soft.. and since we don't have a family room in this house.. this is the ONLY room in the house for our family to gather. Anyhow.. just had to share. wish I had taken pictures of Ben running over them with his SUV.. that was pretty funny.

So that's my story for today.. Sunday I didn't get any scrapbooking done. I slept and then made meatloaf for dinner. Then we hung out with our kids and watched this great show on BYU TV. It had John Bytheway, giving a talk to the youth about standing tall. It was pretty good! and funny.. he's a funny guy. We went on a cruise a few years ago, with him on it as the special speaker.. it was great.

Anyhow. have a wonderful Tuesday!

Christy

Cool stuff...

Soo.. this week and last week has been crazy.. we went out of town last weekend to my friend Liz's baby blessing (oh my goodness her baby is so beautiful!!).... and also watch our Shelley High school basketball team play in the state BB tournament.. which happened to be in the same city as the blessing! So it was great.. it was a fast trip and we spent most of it with family and at the games.. but it was still nice. IT was so much warmer in Boise than where we live.. so I was in heaven! LOL..

THE ONLY person I didn't get to see while I was there... was my friend Jenn Jacobs! (I know you are reading this and thinking.. WHY DIDN'T YOU CALL ME!!).. I swear I had plans too.. I was going to surprise you and show up at your new house.. but it seems like we spent the whole weekend at games and with Ben's family, so I didn't get a chance.. BUT I LOVE YOU!! and miss you :). We are coming back in a few weeks for Spring break.. so i will make sure we catch up then..don't hate me..:) :) :)...

SO then we got back and had a millions things to catch up on for Scarlet Lime.. BUT my goal, is to update my blog every Sunday. That is my new goal. It's our day of "rest" and a day for us to relax with our kids at home.. go to church, visit family, take naps.. those types of things.. and then I thought, it's also the perfect day to update my personal blog, to let my family know how life is going. So that is my NEW goal. ALSO to do some sort of scrapbooking related project, whether it's writing in my journal, sorting through old pictures and putting them into albums.. or doing a page. But getting on the road to getting my life and my kid's life, documented.

Okay.. but NOW, onto the cool thing I have  to share something with you.. I it's this COOL NEW Site for kids, teenagers, young adults.. it's kinda like an etsy or a ebay.. but it's a place for young people or i guess not just kids.. but adults too.. to sell stuff.. homemade stuff, new stuff, old stuff. etc.. to earn money for college!

My sister and her daughter.. came up with this idea about 8 or so months ago.. My sister's daughter is 13 and she wants to be a doctor or a scientist and they were talking about how that is going to cost alot of money and she better start saving now! but since she is only 13, how does she earn money?

SO they started thinking.. why not create a website.. where she.. and other kids, adults, whatever.. like her, can sell stuff they have or make, to earn money for college. So they DID! it took them a few months to get it built.. but it's been up and running now for a few months.. and NOW all it needs is PEOPLE! Kids, teenagers, young adults, old adults (like me! LOL).. to list their stuff they want to sell.. so OTHER people.. like me, you, anyone.. can come buy it, to not only have something fabulous.. BUT also help others earn money for college and their future.

So.. if you think this sounds fun.. something you could get your kids involved in.. or even just something for yourself.. you HAVE to check it out.. it's a great concept and a GREAT way to encourage our kids to earn their own way for their future.  My kids are working on making some things that THEY want to post and sell on the website.  My sister was giving us some ideas.. things from handmade jewelry (for adults and other kids), to hand drawn pictures, painting, craft things they make..  BUT also just stuff.. for instance,  my son, wants to sell all of his Pokemon cards.. or some of his star wars Lego's.. stuff he is outgrowing, but would like to sell, to be able to save money for when he goes onto school or a mission.  There really is a limit on what you CAN sell, the idea is though for kids and young adults, to have a place where they can earn money, to help save for their future.

the website is called www.helppaymyway.com   

So.. watch for some of the tomlinson's kids stuff coming soon.. and I can't WAIT to see what you and your kids come up with! Seriously.. encourage your teenagers and young kids to get involved :)..

anyhow.. just had to share those things with you. I wanted to tell my family.. Braden is NOW taller than me.. by a couple of inches!! he is ONLY 12 and he is taller than me! We were standing by each other last night, doing dishes and I could see our reflection in the kitchen window.. and I freaked out because he was taller than me! LOL.. now i am just waiting for his voice to change. Another big thing happening in our family? Noah is OFF The sippy cup and official in his OWN BED! We are finally almost out of the Baby stage in our house.. we have had babies for the last 12 years.. and I am almost sad that the time is almost over.. and I have to wait for GRANDCHILDREN until I get to have that time again.. that is kinda sad! LOL..

I told Ben today.. that my DREAM job.. when my kids are all gone, would be to be a nurse for Labor and Delivery.. but since I am not good with blood and stuff.. I would only work in the nursery, feeding, bathing.. holding the babies! LOL.. oh.. my dream job.. LOVE newborns.. love em.. I don't know how many times I have offered to watch newborns of my friends, while they took a much needed weekend getaway with their hubbies.. and I swear they always think I am kidding.. so they never take me up on the offer.. I Promise.. I would LOVE It :). anyhow..

better go.. gotta get dinner going..

make sure you check out the website though!

www.helppaymyway.com

IT ROCKS!