Made.

When you add time...

...and patience......with some talent...

...AND a whole bunch of ♥LOVE♥...
Carson & Cassie get handmade extra special quilts from their Oma.

What a very special 5 years old birthday present.

Made just for them to snuggle up in.

You two are LUCKY.

I want an "Oma" quilt to call me own.
I guess being 5 is more lucky then being 30.

(I might just have to steal them when no one is looking.)

Finding the slivering lining...

Tonight the television was on.

The AMAs (American Music Awards) were about to come on.

Rihanna was the starting act of the show and before I could turn off the tv until the kids were in bed, this was the image that kids saw...

Here is the conversation:

Kenzie and Lanie: Her outfit is not appropriate.

Cassie: No, it's not.

Kenzie: She is not being modest.

Me: Nope it's not. You girls are right.

Lanie: ...BUT her boots are cute.

(I am trying to giggle under my breath.)

Leave it to Lanie to find that silver lining in ALL things.

Even if "someone" is not dressed modestly, Lanie is my one kid to find the good in all people or things.

I am glad to know that she remains positive in her beliefs and will stand up for them, but can be nice/respectful as well.

Makes a mom proud.

P-A-R-T-Y!

Throw 6 girls together,

and 6 boys.

(that is 12 kids in all.)
A pinata.
Ice Cream Sundaes.

Lots of Pizza.

Games and Presents.

AND you get HAPPY kids at the best birthday P-A-R-T-Y ever.

Now, that the party is over, where are my cozies. I am tired.

And C&C are on a party sugar high.

Not a good combination.

Thank goodness birthdays are only once a year.

I Can't believe it...

Carson and Cassie are 5 years old!!!

(And that Dan and I have actually made it to their 5th birthday.)
So, in honor of the two of them, C&C...

TODAY is THEIR DAY!After preschool, the first stop was Mickey D's for lunch with Miles and Gracie.
Not much food was eaten due to the Thanksgiving feast at school the same morning, but the four of them did have a fun time in the "Playland" (There was a moment when another mom came and confronted Christina, "Gracie's mom" which had me thinking about how the other mom approached things, but I will save that for another post...for today is C&C's day.)

After lunch, Carson, Cassie, and I headed home, where Cassie and I were resting shortly on the couch to take a breather, until Opa came over to take the "birthday twins" out to the gas station for a pick of ANYTHING they wanted.

They came home with powdered doughnuts, milkduds, and each of them a bag of red licorice, which was gone in a mater of minutes.

The "Sugar buzz" and the excitement of the day was growing rapidly.

For dinner, the two of them picked one of all of our favorites: Pizza Factory.

Carson and Cassie both decided to have the NEVER on SUNDAE dessert instead of a birthday cake and I think it would be an understatement to say that they both ENJOYED it!

I don't think the dessert even had a chance.
Here is what was left (or what was not left) of the birthday dessert.
Off to the house to open presents.
By this time, both of them were bouncing off the walls.

With the presents opened, bedtime couldn't come fast enough for them; (and me) I know that we all are exhausted after a day like today.

With all the celebrating, turning 5 is tired some, but fun all in one.

Happy Birthday Carson and Cassidee.

Barry Manilow said it the best..."Looks like WE made it."

Love you whole bunches! (X2)

Hitting a Milestone.

After just over three years, I am hitting a milestone in the blogging world...

I can say that this is my 600th post.

With my blog that started as a way to prove the naughty things that Carson and Cassie would do, because no one would ever believe me with the stories that I would tell, to now, currently, as still a way to write down the naughty things they do. (but knock on wood, the naughties have started to slow down.)

I have been able to write the good, bad, happy, or sad things that happen in our lives.

From pop culture to allowing me to get on my soap box and having the ability to write what is on my mind, I am thankful for this silly blog.

AND IF, you are one of the ones that read this blog from time to time; allow me to thank you for loving us and accepting us for who we are...

The Springers.

I look forward continuing this blog and write about US and what life has in store; allowing bit and pieces of our every day life; real and uncut as part as...

SPRINGER SPLATTER.

A feast of wisom and food.

The table is set with the nice linens and real china...

The "Indians" are dressed; ready for the Feast.

...And the lady "Pilgrims" are dressed in their best, waiting for the yummy food, which fills the air in the room, teasing and taunting them.

Before any feast, a blessing is giving,

the turkey is cut,

and the feast can now begin!

With turkey, rolls, stuffing, corn, potatoes, gravy, and even pumpkin pie, the kids had a good time with their reenactment of the First Thanksgiving.

Carson and Cassie love their preschool and their awesome teacher that does fun things with them. (oh, and I love the fact that I get a 2.5 hour break 3 days a week from C&C.)

So, in honor of being thankful for our blessings, I asked C&C, What They are Thankful:

Carson's Blessings:

*Jesus
*Monkey Blanket

*Family

*The Wii

*My Bike

*Food

Cassie's Blessings:

*Jesus

*Family

*My Birthday

*My bed

*Bentley (our dog)

*Gracie, Addie, Josie, Hannah, and Kayla (her birthday invites)

*McDonald's

Kind of a funny list, but I guess at any age, we need to be grateful for the blessing in our lives, big or small, silly or not.

I am glad to know that my 5 year olds seem to have the "being grateful" thing pretty much figured out and know what brings them happiness and what they are blessed with.

With each Thanksgiving, I get a full heart of gratitude and a belly of food.

a early morning date.

9:oo am is early for a date, but well worth it...

Each year the kid's school does a doughnut date for each grade level.
The kids look forward to it every year.

The kids invite a "special" person into the classroom for a 30 minute mini reading date served with a side of doughnuts and memories.

Mackenzie, this year invited Aunt Feef to her doughnut date.

I know that both Kenzie and Feef had a good time.

Kenzie felt special to have her "Feef" there and I know that being there with Kenzie got Feef excited to have "school experiences" in years to come with her own kids.

...And while those two were having fun at school, I was able to spend the time with Kinlee Rae.

Looks like we all had fun on our early morning dates.

(Who says "sleeping in" is always a good thing? Look at what I would have missed.)

The invites are out.

...that means there must be a party.

Carson and Cassie are excited to turn 5 and with that means a "big kid" birthday party with friends and lots of FUN!

This will be the first party that C&C will have to host.

The list is getting longer of the different things they are wanting to do at their party.

* Pizza.

* Ice Cream.

* Games.

* Friends.

* Prizes.
* Gifts.

* Candy.

* FUN.

Oh, to be 5 again and to be able to plan a birthday party without a care in the world.

*And that is how it should be.*

Here's to this upcoming Friday. It can't come soon enough for these two.

Being prideful is okay sometimes.

Today I am proud of my Dad.
What daughter is not ever proud of her dad?

BUT today, I am even more proud of my dad than normal.

TODAY my Dad got a job!

Costco is his place of employment.

After almost a year to the day of being laid off from the Paper Mill in Albany, after my dad had been working there for over 30 years, the mill had to shut the doors and close it down, causing my dad to be out of a job.

***Right before the mill closed, my dad slipped on black ice on the job causing him to brake some ribs and messing up his back and legs.

Causing him to visit the doctors weekly and not allowing him to not get a full time job.***
In that year, my dad would work on odd jobs around here and there, but the main income was my mom responsibility (which I need to throw in that I am proud of her for stepping it up and taking care of the both of them financially)

Finally after 9 months the doctor released him and my dad could go find a job, but due to the economy, that was easier said then done.

Well, I am proud to say, that my dad is now working at Costco and out of all the resumes, and out of 8 people Costco interviewed, he was one of 4 people they hired.

So, YEAH for MY DAD!

He is now a master baker for Costco.

(I hope that he will learn the recipes for the chocolate muffins and rolls.)

So, even though Dad might not be here for Christmas this year; (like when life throws things your way that may mess up your plans, look to the bright side and realize that blessings come and there are other things that people can do to sacrifice to support one another.)

we will manage and make things work out. (Thank goodness for SKYPE)

But we will deal with that when the time comes, till then,

I couldn't be more proud of my dad!

There is a first for everything.

Look closely at this picture...
Notice anything?

Look even closer...Question: Why is my ceiling starting to bubble?

...AND WHY IS WATER NOW COMING FROM THE CEILING??!?!?


That isn't what I wanted to come home to after spending my afternoon at church.
For the entire time (3hours) at church, standing water from the toilet in the master bathroom had started to make it's way through the floor and since it is upstairs, what is up, MUST come down through the ceiling.
Carson had plugged the toilet and being too embarrassed to tell Dan or I, just kept flushing, causing more and more water to come.
THE OUTCOME....
A giant hole in my ceiling and a good old fashion lesson on how to use the toilet and just how much toilet paper is the right amount to use.
I totally could have gone without THIS "first time for everything" lesson.
***Side Note: the mess was more of a headache if anything, I didn't even get new carpet out of the deal..."not enough damage." REALLY??!!?
This was NOT a remodel that I was planning and/or excited to do.
Sometimes, lessons are not fun to learn or experience.

TONIGHT!

You better believe that I will be watching TONIGHT.

After what seems like FOREVER, the wait will finally be over.

Conan O'brien will be on television once again, doing what he does best...

Making People Laugh.

Should be good.

Welcome Back Mr. O'brien.

Please don't let us down.

For TONIGHT is the night that America will laugh AGAIN.

Introducing...

Sebastian the Crab aka ME.

Yes, you heard me right.

I am considered "Sebastian" now in our ward.

Let me explain...

Today in church, I was called to conduct the music...not for the entire ward, but on a smaller level (and thank goodness for that) as the Nursery Music Leader.

My very own choir of children in the age group of 18 months to 3 years.

Yes, some of the kids aren't even bearing talking yet, but I am ready to take on the part as "Sebastian."

From songs like Old Mac Donald had a Farm to I'm a Child of God or like The Wheels on the Bus to Once there was a Snowman, my little choir of children are going to rock the songs each week.

Mi Mi Mi Mi-my vocals are ready.

So, bring on the kids, music, my apron of songs, and me looking like a dork;

(at least I will have fun all at the same time.)

***I am proud to introduce the Jordon Willows 5th Nursery Choir...watch for the cd to hit stores late next spring ;) ***

FOREVER.

FOREVER is a L-O-N-G time,

BUT when we are MARRIED to your BEST FRIEND,

FOREVER doesn't seem that long at all.

Today Dan and I were able to go and see Laure and Preston get married in the Salt Lake Temple.

It was a beautiful Fall mid-morning ceremony and we all were lucky enough to be in the presents of Elder Oaks and even saw Elder Nelson who was presiding over the wedding in the other room.

Weddings are a happy thing:

You get to see two people who are happy and in love, who want to be together, share life experiences together, grow and bond in a relationship together.

To live happily ever after together.

It also gives us (family and friends) the opportunity to fall in love with our spouse again and remember why love is such a wonderful thing.

Whether it is someone else's wedding day or if it has been 11 years of marriage like Dan and I, looking forward to FOREVER is a great promise and experience that I am excited to see what life has in store for us TOGETHER.

CONGRATS to Mr. and Mrs. Preston and Lauren Anderson.

May you have many years of happiness and remember that you have each other to lean on, grow old with, experience the good and bad, and love each other FOREVER.

watch my mouth.

Scenario of this morning:

*Kids got up late for school.
*2 of the 4 kids in tears.

*Kids yelling at each other.

*Trying to get 4 heads of hair done.
*Kids eating candy for breakfast.

Lanie comes into my room with no shoes on...

...finally, Lanie comes back into my room.

"Mom, can I wear these? (black churchy shoes)

Me: Fine Lanie. I just DON'T CARE.

The kids finally do get out the door in time to catch their friends to walk to the bus.

I am able to sit down for a minute and it hits me......I needed soap in my mouth.

I didn't realize what I had said till it was too late.

"I Don't Care" should NEVER come out of a parents mouth.

What kind of example am I if I don't take time out to stop and see what my kids need of their mom. I need to make sure that I keep that bond/trust/communication open with all of my kids, even if it may be silly to me, it is important to my kids, therefore, I need it to be important to me as well.

Yes, it was a crazy morning.

AND

Yes, I was at my wits end.

BUT
I need to never use those 3 words again to my kids.

Them + Me = "I really do care!"

Thank goodness I was able to learn this little lesson before it was too late and make sure that I watch my mouth in the future.

Dreams do really come true.

YES!!!

You see it right!!!

New Kids On The Block & Backstreet Boys are coming together the Summer of 2011 for the most awesome concert experience ever!

You better believe that I WILL be there!

(even IF Eliza and I have to get a paper route to help get us there, I WILL be there, this I promise you, even if we have to go to another state, I WILL be there...I hope you get the point. Being there is NOT an option.

(Add n'sync to this concert and that would truly be haven on earth, but hey, I won't complain with what I have been given.)

Whether I was age 15 or now 30, once a FAN, ALWAYS A FAN!

I ♥ NKOTBSB!

When the going gets rough...

...I grab my computer and blog what is on my mind.
So, here I go, about to spew all the thoughts that are going through my head.

We are all entitled to have tough times...

...and for some reason, I am going through some now.

Without getting too personal, it is something that I have had to deal with for a long time.

Have you ever had something that happened in the past, something fairly significant that seems to haunt you, not allowing to get get over it.

Well, call me crazy or call me strange, but this is what I am dealing with.
Like I said, it happened years ago, but for some reason, I can't let it go; well let me rephrase that, I want it to be behind me; something I can forget, but I can't seem to break from it.
You might be wondering WHAT IS IT? But I want to be a vague as I can.

We all make choices and with those choices come consequence, and dealing with this "hard time" on regular basis, is something I thought was my consequence...

Well, It has finally caught up to me...I had a brake down, and it was a pretty good one at that.

Something I am still learning about myself is that I can be one tough cookie...

so, with this tough time, also comes lessons learned and I am reminded of some great things...

* I have a wonderful husband.

* I am loved by many.

* It is not my fault.

* Saying things out loud can help release things.

* the priesthood is powerful.

* Friends are important to have around.

* All things happen for a reason.

* Prayer is awesome.

* I have been forgiven.

* A good cry can help.

* I am not perfect, don't be too hard on myself.

* I am NEVER alone.

* This Experience has made ME STRONGER.

We all have "Tough Times" and how we decide to deal with them is up to us.

I am hoping that sharing my feelings out loud will not only help me, but also help others.

I hope to one day be free from the haunting trial, but till that day, I will try to find the positive in things and remember that every cloud has a sliver-lining...

...To remember what I have learned from this "hard time" and continue to grow from it.