Spring

Well, it's been some time since I've last posted, so I figured it's due-time. I'm always procrastinating updating the blog, until I realize I could write a novel with all of the happenings going on at the Bartel household.

February was a busy busy month for me. It was the start up of my Gold Canyon business, which is going wonderful! Thank you, thank you, thank you to those that supported me and continue to do so. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I just LOVE Gold Canyon, and I know that I've gotten some of you addicted to their products as well. I'd like say I'm sorry,....but, that was my goal. :)

I've mentioned before that we live next to an Elementary school. It's not just any elementary school, it was ranked 15th in the state. That's pretty impressive. The small school was the only reason we purchased our house. I am so sad to say that our school board has voted 4-3 to close our school the very same year McKenna was going to attend kindergarten. I am just devastated. Seeing that we practically live on top of the school, we have become the "poster family" for Winchester school closing and all of the local News media. I've been on the news about a dozen times in the past 2 months trying to get the public involved in our feverish efforts to keep the school open. Seeing that our community's attempts have failed thus far, I have decided to do something I'd never thought I was capable of.....homeschooling. Yep, you read that right, I am going to teach my child. My first thought on this was, "NO WAY! I'm not crazy." then I was like, "Well, I guess it wouldn't be that bad, after all, it's better than sending her on a bus for a 2hr commute per day to get to a school almost eight times the size of our beloved elementary school next door." now, after extensive research, I'm like "LET'S DO THIS!" I'm super excited, and I'll admit, a bit scared too. After all, I don't want to screw up my kid. This is only a temporary set-up. My goal is to get through this year and we'll see how things go. If they go exceptionally well, then I will home school both McKenna and Zander the following year. If McKenna decides she's ready for the "big" school and to ride the bus to "far-away land", then I know at least she will have her brother Zander with her. Because of this decision, we are turning our playroom into a Learning center, and the storage space under the stairs will be the new "cool" kids room. I'll post some pictures of the new set-up.

March was a BIG month. It was McKenna's birthday! My little baby girl, my first born, continues to get bigger, stronger and smarter. It was 5 years ago on March 26th that I left the Mesa, AZ hospital with my beautiful baby in my arms and experienced this life with a whole new outlook. I had a little person that depended on me for everything, literally. It was the most AMAZING and scariest thing ever. Here I am, my heart swelling with pride, to know that my daughter is five years old.

McKenna continues to bring our family joy and animation. She is still a princess and loves anything princess related. She still acts like a little mommy to her two "little" brothers. Gage is too much of a chunkeroo for her to lift up and tote around, but that doesn't stop McKenna from trying. It was no surprise that the theme for her birthday party was her favorite princess, Ariel. Once again Grandma Bartel made the delicious cake.

The kids had a blast. I cherish these moments when they are still so young and have their little high pitched cute as ever voices.

April came, I blinked, and now it's practically over. Within a couple of days we went from almost 80 degree weather, to LOTS of snow, and then 2 weeks later, the kids were running through the sprinklers.

 Only in Wisconsin do you get to experience all four seasons within one months time.

I can't believe it will be May soon! Swimming lessons start in only a month. Just unbelievable how fast time is passing.

Zander has officially passed up McKenna in weight. They were at 45.4lbs for the longest time, and all of a sudden Z shot up to 47lbs! He's still a good two inches shorter. They both wear the same size (5T) in clothing and fit into each others shoes. (12-13 for McKenna and 11-12 for Z) Zander is into worms, snakes and dinosaurs now. He's also getting Gagers into it. Last week I heard a McKenna scream, "MOM, THERE'S A WORM IN MY ROOM!".....and I knew exactly how it got there.

(Z & G with a worm)

(Zander passed out with his worms)

 Because Gage has older siblings to look up to he is starting to grow up even faster than the others did. His vocabulary is so extensive. It amazes me how much he is able to comprehend at his age. I think because of this he is more capable of being a little stinker. Gage is going through a biting, hitting and pinching phase. It's seriously driving me bonkers. I've tried ignoring him, giving him time-outs, even biting him back, and NOTHING works. I'm embarrassed when my friends bring over their kiddos for play dates because Gage will always end up making one or all of them cry. The other day he bit my parents 4yr old neighbor girl in the BUTT! Just a little devil. I've never had a child that challenges me so much. Gagers gets into EVERYTHING too!

 If it weren't for his big hugs & super cute dimples.....

(SO big!)

Hopefully summer will bring new distractions and this phase of his will disappear.

Well, I know there is so much more to include, but I will have to write in a later post. I will make it a point to post more frequently. I know, I've said that before, but I'm going to really make the effort. These kiddos are growing up way too fast for me not to appreciate & document it. As crazy as my life is right now, I wouldn't change it. I am so blessed.

How does that Jon & Kate saying go?...."It might be a crazy life, but it's OUR life".

(pathetic I know, I just couldn't resist!)

(My little devils!)

(couldn't resist...now THAT is a grundy!)

(Yep, Kenna still pretends she has a sister....and Z goes right along with it)

(Z refused to take his shark PJ's off for McKenna's B-day party)

(Gagers checking out his Easter eggs.)

(The kiddos helping make our Easter Lamb cake. A Lepak tradition.)

(Priceless expression to her Ariel card)

(I had to include this one,...just so I can look at it when it doesn't look this clean....which is almost ALWAYS!)

My Debut!

I am having my debut party as a Gold Canyon Demonstrator! When you ask? This Thursday, March 4th at 6pm. Where? My lovely abode of course. If you're interested, please email me at kristi.bartel@goldcanyon.us and I'll give you details and directions. This stuff is pretty awesome, plus it will be a fun time!!

I am so excited to share my new business with you!

Current Promotion thru March 31st: Strike it GOLD! If you find a gold coin inside, you could win $5,000! I'm burning my 26oz Pomegranate candle now! Every 26 oz Heritage candle also has instant bonus offers including free shipping, discounts and more valued over 2.5 million!!

There is no better way to rid those winter blues but by lighting a candle and getting together with friends and family!

 We are the World's Finest—very fragrant, even burning candles! Also you will get to check out our aromatherapy and eco-friendly cleaning products by Homology and our pampering bath & body products!

Gold Canyon Demonstrator

Gold Canyon provides the Worlds Finest Candles, Candle Scents, Home Decor, and Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Products.

I've finally done it! After years of ordering these fantastic candles, I've finally become a Gold Canyon Demonstrator. I've been a candle junkie as long as I can recall. I remember in college when our heat went out in our apartment, and I lit up every candle in hopes to have a little heat.I had SO many candles that our apartment actually warmed up! After graduating I moved to Arizona (leaving all my "crappy" candles behind), and my sister-in-law Tracy introduced me to Gold Canyon and their wonderful products. Seeing that I've tried practically every kind of candle out there I was suprised that I became hooked from first "scent". My personal favorite since day one is Pomegranate.

I'm so excited to start this new adventure. I love that I can have flexible hours, bring in some income, stay home with the crazy kiddos..... and hopefully I can share these awesome products with my friends and family here in Wisconsin. PLEASE let me know if your interested in having a Gold Canyon candle party. I have ALL 90 (yes, 90!) candle samples. It's always a fun time to get friends and family together, PLUS, I guarantee you'll get hooked at first "scent" too.

Have doubts?...let me prove it to you! I'm having a party next week. If your reading this, please come! More information to follow. This is also an amazing fund-raising opprotunity, as we donate 40% of each purchase to your cause.

Check out my website here.

Happy Birthday Jason!

I love you SO much! You're the best daddy, husband and friend!Happy Birthday!

xxooxxoo

Bribes, they're not beneath me....

Of course I love it when I ask my children to do something & they so kindly oblige my request.....but the reality is that doesn't always happen. Sooooo, the occassional bribe gets tossed in. My youngest son is teething & getting ALL of his 1yr molars plus a 4th bottom tooth in & he just loves to have popsicles. On top of tasting delicious he probably gets some pain relief from them.  Seeing that Valentines Day is nearing, I bought some Valentine suckers, which Gage thinks are popsicles as well.

When Gage woke up yesterday I could immediatley smell poop. I swear it was smeared on the walls & up my nose it was that strong. When I noticed his soiled pants, & brown on his ANKELS I soon realized the next step was bathtime. I stripped him of his clothing & turned on the bath. He usually loves bathtime, but of course, not now. Instead, his cute smelly little jiggly butt & ankels take him as fast as they can to the freezer where he struggles with all his might for it to budge & screams "pockaple! pockaple!" Now, I know, & he knows, that if I make a run for him he will run away onto the carpet. As I approach him like a wild animal ready to pounce on their prey, I look to the right of me & see the bag of suckers on the counter. I decide to lure him in...."Gage, look what mommy has...popsicles!"........

As you can see, I lured the little beast into his "trap" & carpets remained clean,... while the beast became clean.

Sometimes bribes are just the way to go....

Purpose

My son's new thing is to ask, "Who made this/that?".....

so I always tell him...and body parts are no exception.

Z: Mommy,.. who made the table?"
M: "The Amish."

Z: "Who made the sky?"
M: "God."

Z: "Mommy, who made this?" (pointing to his face)
Me: "Definitely your daddy." (he's a spitting image of Jason)

Z: "Who made this?" (pointing to his eyes)
Me: "Mmm. They look more like mine, so I made them."

Z: "Who made this?" (pointing to his nipple)
M: "That's all Daddy." (chuckle)

So it appears that he knows he came from Mommy & Daddy, so I wonder if he can put it together who made me....

M: "Zander, who made Mommy?"
Z: (Looking at me thinking real hard)  "I DID!!"
M: (Me, thinking real hard) "You know what......you sure did!"

It was only when I had children, that I realized why I was made...

Wintertime Blues...

Today it's cold. Yesterday was cold.....& tomorrow.... it will be cold.

In fact, here in WI it's probably going to be cold for another 4 months. (shiver)

I hate cold, & I hate winter. I still can't believe that we moved back here from beautiful, sun-loving Arizona. 

Today I really miss what I used to call home. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm thankful to live in a place where we don't have hurricanes, earth-quakes, monsoons, etc... and I know that wherever my family is, will always be home, no matter where....

but today, right now, I'm sad, & I just miss Arizona.

I miss the drives in the mountains to Canyon Lake and finding peace in God's beauty, stopping by Ghost town on the way back and picking up some fresh fugde.

I miss hiking at Pinnacle Peak and the view of it from our bedroom window...or driving home past the McDowell Mountains, & seeing the gorgeous Superstition Mountains.

I miss going to Carrabas, PF Changs, Rubios, & Sonic with my brother, Tracy & Jersie. I miss the Cheescake Factory too.

(03' Christmas dinner taken at Cheesecake Factory, yum)

I miss wearing flip-flops and driving in my Audi TT with the windows down on the 101.

(Goodbye Audi, Hello Mini-Van)

I miss taking road trips to Vegas with my beautiful,crazy friends...whom I miss too.

(Their motto: suck in and stick out! Oh those crazy girls!)

I miss going to "our spot" at Sedona and again, looking at God's amazing creation.

I miss the smell of the orange blossoms, the palm trees and cacti, and most of all, the mountains.

Oh how I miss those mountains!

Now, I'm going to find a nice cozy blanket, or child, and snuggle.

Maybe a road-trip is in store....