This & That Friday...again.

This is what going to the doctor with three children
under the age of four looks like.
Also commonly referred to as "HELL".

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I have another SINUS INFECTION!
I have only had three in my entire life.
Two of those have been in the last 2 weeks.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

For the second week in a row
I can't even get my sh#! together enough
to write a collection of random thoughts
on an actual Thursday.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Wow. Elementary this week was pretty amazing.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Read this if you love Nutella.
But, seriously, what kind of Nazi doesn't love Nutella?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Cecilia is being blessed this Saturday afternoon.
We are hosting 40 family members - with a luncheon afterwards.
That's an awesome time to have a major sinus infection.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Last week I dreamt
that I looked in the mirror
and I had stretch marks on my neck
from my rapidly growing double chins.

I think my psyche is trying to tell me
it's time for a diet.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

You guys. I am dying.
Jenny Lemmons...MY Jenny Lemmons...and her family
are moving to Idaho!!!

I already have big plans that once a month
I am going to drive the 4.5 hours to her place
and craft the entire day away while our kids play.
Then the next month she comes to me.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

RELATED TOPIC:
I told Ella she needed to marry Todd Lemmons so we could be related.
Before she could even respond, Evangeline jumped in and said,

"No way! I am going to marry Todd!
I have wanted to for a long time!"

Fair enough.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The schools here are much easier than where we came from.
So we have had a reprieve from Ella being so far behind....for now.

I am just holding my breath for when the school catches up
and we are back in trouble again.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Today I spent a serious amount of time
picturing the horrid sweatshop where underage workers
are making Elf On The Shelf.

It must be a jolly sort of Hell.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

2

PRODUCT REVIEW: Younique Moonstruck 3D Fiber Lashes

So let's talk eyelashes. I have pretty long eyelashes and I have always been happy with their length. But they are pretty sparse. For this reason I'm always looking for mascara to add volume. I currently use CoverGirl Lash Blast and I'm pretty happy with the results.

Recently a friend of mine, April, gave me a tube of  Younique Moonstruck 3D Fiber Lashes to try. (Wait...should we discuss what a stupid name Younique is? Nah, let's just move forward). When I first opened the package I was a little perplexed. It comes with two tubes in a little case. I read over the instructions three times to make sure I had it right. 

First I curled my eyelashes - because I always curl my eyelashes - they are very straight. Then I put on my regular mascara....just one coat.

One Younique tube has gel in it - the gel is black. It looks like a regular mascara wand. The other tube has a tiny little wand that's covered in little dark brown fibers, which just look like brown lint. So, first you sweep the gel over your mascara-ed eyelashes. Then you put on the fibers - you brush them on just like as you're putting on mascara - root to tip. 

You'll notice immediately the fibers making your eyelashes look thicker and longer. Then you put on another coat of the gel to set it. You can repeat this process as many times as you want for a more dramatic look. I did it twice. 

Now I have to say there is a bit of a learning curve with this process. The first time I did it my eyelashes were totally clumpy. The second time I did it I used an eyelash separator and got much better results. The third time I did it (which was today) I got even better results. It seems like with this product practice makes perfect. 

This product came off easily with my regular make up removal routine, which includes a pretty heavy duty make up remover by Almay (because I always wear waterproof mascara). 

I took a picture today (sorry for the extreme close-up) of one eye with my regular mascara (on the right) and the other using Younique on top (on the left). You can see there is a huge difference! You'll notice I got slight clumps on the inner lashes, but I'm working on it.

I have not yet cried while wearing this mascara but my friend assures me that she has and it doesn't smear or run. 

What I recommend this product? YES.

I'm sure if you were to use it daily it would get easier and easier to apply and take less time. At this point I don't see myself putting this on every single day. I would definitely use it for special occasions or a date night, etc.  I think it's definitely worth having in your arsenal of make up tools. It's $30, but seems like it will last forever. I'm really stingy and I do think it is a good value.

To purchase Younique Moonstruck 3D Fiber Lashes (it's $30) CLICK HERE.

P.S. I don't get any money from sales. I would never write a bogus review of a product....unless someone wants to give me a free car or something, then I'm totally selling out. 

1

To Be or Not to Be...a Project Lifer.

I really considered doing Project Life in 2015.  

Then I decided I was crazy and this year was going to be hard, really hard, with these Irish Twins and three other kids, adjusting to a new State.

Then, last week, Evangeline said,

"Mom - Can we make a book with pictures about our family and stories of what we are doing now so we can look at it a long time from now and see what we were like?"

Ummm...yeah.

She kind of made that decision for me.

So, this weekend I bought a Project Life Core Kit off of Amazon (on Clearance for $14) 

and tonight I bought an album (this one...the dots!) and pulled out my big stack of PL page dividers.

Each Sunday afternoon, after church, me and Evangeline will sit down and document that week in Ahern Family life.  

It is a good idea since Ella and I are taking Spanish Class together.  

This will create that same 1 on 1 time with Evangeline.

((plunge!!))

4

This & That...ummm...Friday.

Ella and I are taking a Beginning Spanish class together.
Last night was our first class.
Here she is intently studying and here are some of my notes.
I am excited because Spanish seems MUCH easier than English,
but freaked out because I am an "old dog", you know?
I have never attempted to learn a language.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

This Saturday Amazon Prime memberships are only $72.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Utah is making me itchy.
Also, my nails won't grow, they keep cracking.
Oh, desert. I loath you.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Jude has begun throwing himself, face-down, on the floor
with a very dramatic flourish when he gets upset.
We have never had a kid do this
and I'm not about to start now.
Sheesh.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

My sister-in-law gave birth to TWINS this week.
I can't even imagine.
She's amazing.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

If you haven't listened to the Serial podcast yet you're a fool.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Earlier this week...

Bianca: "Mom, you are small and cute."

I don't know if I've ever had a better compliment in my life!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

This week Jude discovered his passion for Runzas.
Sorry, non-Mid-Westerners. You will never understand.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Matt and I went to the Opera this week.
It was glorious. 
Opera fixes everything.

More details soon.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I got to meet a Bloggie this past week.
You know how sometimes you meet someone
and it feels like you've always known them?
That's me and Cindy.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bianca's favorite song is "Hollaback Girl" by Gwen Stefani.
My kids are the coolest.

3

Checking In

Man. I never, ever, take breaks from blogging like this. You probably know that.

So far, 2015 has been filled with organization, new responsibilities, more order, and structure. No, it's not super-fun, but I feel it is laying the foundation for creating beauty and peace in our HOME in the coming months.

I did a massive overhaul of our family chores. The truth is, we've never really had consistent chores before. And it's not like it wouldn't be easier to clean it myself (because it would), but as our kids age I realize that years are skipping by without them learning discipline, stewardship, and cleaning skills and routines.

I plan on sharing a larger, more detailed, post on our new chore system (with free printables of course, but for now I'll just say that our kids are absolutely thriving under this new regime of order. And so am I.

Rooms are cleaner. There is less fighting. And, most surprisingly, I see the personal satisfaction our children are feeling from accomplishing these small tasks. It's a very unexpected result.

Now, before I get all glowy on you, let's just say that we are in the first flush of these new routines. I am prepared for the novelty to wear off and the moaning to begin (although there is a penalty in place for that). For now, I am happily basking in the glow of success while it lasts.

3

Day in the Life | 14 January 2015

6:00 AM | Up with Cecilia for her morning bottle. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

7:30 AM | Out of bed and wrangling all of the kids. A fight starts because no one can find Noggy NewYear. I coach Bianca to look under her bed. A new fight starts because Bianca found Noggy first.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

8:00 AM | Breakfast for everyone. Yogurt with granola for the redheads. Bianca cries because there is only plain Corn Chex and no more Cinnamon Chex. I mix up some cinnamon sugar and sprinkle it on to appease her. Jude doesn't mind the plain Chex.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

8:15 AM | Do the redheads' hair. They put on their socks, shoes, and coats. I give Evangeline a dose of cough medicine before she leaves and line her pockets with kids' cough drops. She's had a cough, but I don't want her to miss more school. They head out and hop on their scooters to go to school.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

8:20 AM | The redheads leave for school and Evangeline hits a patch of ice on our sidewalk and wipes out. I run outside in my pajamas (sans bra and shoes) and help her up. Once they get on their way I grab some rock salt from the garage (still sans bra and shoes) and sprinkle it everywhere there is ice. Stupid Utah Winter. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

9:56 AM | Watching "Wonder Pets" with Bianca while playing blocks with Jude.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

11:10 AM | I thought maybe I could sneak in a nap while the kids played. Nope. Not when Jude's seat of choice is my face. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

11:51 AM | Cecilia wakes up for her lunch.  Somehow she managed to get one side of her diaper undone just by kicking her legs furiously within her sleeper. Pee is everywhere. Awesome.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

11:58 AM | Lunch for Jude and Bianca. Whole wheat pancakes with syrup and fresh fruit. Jude throws most of his on the newly mopped floor. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

12:05 PM | Just remembered I didn't take my prescription this morning for my ear infection + sinus infection.  Done.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

12:08 PM | Hop into the shower and remember I forgot to wax my eyebrows - hop out of the shower, grab the wax and put it in the microwave while totally nude. Sorry, neighbors.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

12:32 PM | Bianca is off to Pre-School. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

12:58 PM | Bath time for Jude. Cecilia was supposed to be in here to, but when I went to get her she had fallen asleep. Blerg. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

1:17 PM | All fresh and clean and coiffed. Now it's nap time for Jude. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

1:36 PM | With Jude asleep I seriously considered doing the dishes, but instead I am eating potato chips, drinking Crystal Light Energy, and watching some DVR-ed old lady quilting shows.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

2:37 PM | Cecilia finally woke up so she got her bath. And this baby really loves her bath.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

12:55 PM | Fresh clothes. Fresh bottle. Fresh baby smell. Happy.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

3:11 PM | This Little monkey is home from preschool and having an after-school snack of home made granola. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

3:19 PM | With Bianca's help dinner is in the slow cooker.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

3:59 PM | The Redheads are home from school and are having a healthy after-school snack before they start their homework.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

4:53 PM | Enjoying a much needed chat with one of my favorite girls while making dinner.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

6:02 PM | Trying to finish up dinner with these two monkeys under my feet destroying my kitchen.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

6:12 PM | The whole family is seated for dinner. Sweet & Sour Meatballs over brown rice with fresh veggies on the side.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

6:39 PM | He took a nap today, but THIS went down at the dinner table. Not sure what the issue was, but we moved his bedtime up by 20 minutes....to now.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

7:32 PM | Designing, printing, and laminating new chore charts for the kids.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

7:58 PM | Family scripture reading.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

8:16 PM | Time for my wild beasty to go to bed (15 minutes late), but first I have to wrestle the Yoda hat off of her and double-promise she can put it back on first thing in the morning.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

8:43 PM | Laundry.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

8:50 PM | Matt doing 2 days worth of dishes while listening to sports radio.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

9:01-9:20 PM | Cleaned this pig sty that started clean just this morning. Ridiculous.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

10:02 PM | Watching "Top Chef" with Matt, Cecilia, and some peanut M&Ms.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

10:14 PM | Cecilia laughs for the first time when I inadvertently tickle her feet!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

10:54 PM | Hide Noggy NewYear in Jude's bedroom. It's a good thing we are disorganized enough to have an empty wipes container laying around.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

11:47 | Filling out online feedback forms as a recipe tester for a future cookbook.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

12:11 AM | Playing "Words With Friends" with friends.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

12:45 AM | We're installing child locks on our kitchen drawers. That's what everybody does at 12:45 AM...right?  P.S. Jude is going to be LIVID tomorrow morning.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

12:51 AM | An insomniac (me) texting a crafting night owl (my sister-in-law). Yeah. I knew she would be awake.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

1:03 AM | I picked up the stray pair of black pants from the middle of the hallway (Eva), filled my water bottle, checked tomorrow's calendar, brushed my teeth, took my medicine, put on chapstick, and now I am tucked into bed. I have to say this was a fairly typical day...maybe slightly less busy than usual.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Documenting today was good for me. It showed me how many things our family is doing well and I needed that.  There was absolutely nothing on my calendar today, besides Bianca having Pre-School, so I wondered if it would be boring, but I should have known that life with 5 kids could never be boring.

3