We've Been Living in a Bunker...Here's What We've Been Doing

Chris here, Thanks for reading. No seriously, if you still care enough about us to check on our blog that gets updated once every four months know we're very flattered to have you as friends. I think we owe you an aplogy. Not just for the blog thing, but for the "Diggins family limited social life" thing. We realize we have been blowing off just about everything trying to get some projects done that we have been working on forever. Some we've wanted to do for years. Some we've wanted to do as long as we've known each over. Some we've been working on for over a decade.

Curious? You should be that was a heck of a leading statement. Anyway, we want to give you a full update and let you all back in to what has been going on and let you know we're both really looking forward to hanging out with you again sometime in the near future. Anyway, here's the list

1. Stop for the second and visit http://www.digginsdesign.com/ . Remember those classes that Carrie was taking over the summer? She's done and we have the Web site up for her freelance graphic design work. All of the samples up are stuff she's done for work over the last year or so. I think she's really talented and getting better all the time. If you know someone who needs anything designed give us a call. This has been a great side business for us and with the added skill of Web design Carrie's taken our work from home business up a notch.

Should be satisfied to stop here but we're not. All this has been leading up to a business idea Carrie and I have had for almost as long as we've known each other. Carrie is working late almost every night and during the day when she can to get our samples, marketing materials, and more complex Web site up. I'm contributing where I can until I take over as a the one man sales department in November ( but only in the evenings, OD still owns me from 8-5 for which I am very grateful). That's all the details for now, we'll spill the beans on everything in about 4 weeks. Needless to say, lots of time.

2. While we're following up on the last post. I finished P90X. It works fantastically, it just takes over an hour every night. So in the last few weeks I've backed off and been using the Jillian 30 Day shred DVD. It's not a step down at all, I do her level 3 workout and it's really tough and gets me done in a half hour. Can't ask for more than that. I did hit every weight loss goal I had, I lost 40 lbs, I weight less than I did in college (which is fun to say, but not extremely impressive given I wasn't all that thin in college) and I just ran 10K the other night to see what it feels like. It felt great. I have pictures but they'll never see the light of day because posting that stuff on your blog just isn't right/cool. Anyway, It can be done. I thought I could never make the move to a healty lifestyle but it's really not that hard, and buying new clothes feels great. I've wanted to do this since I got home from my mission. It's nice to finally get it done.

3. Home Rennovation. Our basement was a beast. lots of grey concrete. Not alot of light. Kids are scared to go down there. Spiders. You get it. I always had dreams of sinking several grand down there and turning it into a sweet mancave. Sadly, I came to the realization that having the largest room in the house be a mancave wasn't going to happen, especially with toddlers and more on the way ( Not and Announcement! Just an aknowledgement that we would like to have more kids in the future...at this rate the distant future) So, we decided to finish the basement on a budget, and now have a sweet playroom/office out of the deal. Special thanks to the Coopers for the couch, Carrie's folks for the executive desk, and the Gardner, KS Walmart for having all the stuff we needed on sale right as we needed it. I cannot believe what a difference concrete paint makes when brightening up a room. Anyway, Cami and especially Josh love their new playroom and I feel like we just got half a new house.

4. Republican paper boy. I won an election in August and I am the Republican Precint Committeeman here in my neighborhood. Don't get too excited, I was unopposed. I was unopposed because spending free time going house to house distributing campaign literature isn't on the top of most people wish list. Still it was neat to vote for myself, which I hadn't done since 7th grade ( lost then...complete popularity contest BTW, if those 7th graders had only understood the issues!) We've been trying to get more active within the local Republican party and this year we're getting out a lot more. Still lots to do before November 2nd and I feel things have picked up lately. I'm enjoying serving, it's alot of fun. Try it yourself if you have time because we do really need all the help we can get.

5. Captain Coupon. Since Carrie is booked up in the evenings and we still have a need to save money I've taken over at the coupon shopper in the house. It's not nearly as bad as it sounds. In fact, I find couponing addictive, and extremely easy since there are hundreds of Web site run by obsessive coupon Moms who find all the deals for you.You just have to clip and shop. I do still like finding a few myself, and the feeling of walking out of the store with $100 worth of groceries for $15. Or in the case of a few weeks ago looting Hen House for 31 Cakes Mixes and 45 bags of Frozen veggies for less that one dollar. You heard me.

6. Oh yea, We're still Parents. Josh and Cami are great. I feel like Josh is really starting to assert himself. He's still pretty clam most of the time, but he's gotten in the habit in yelling when he wants attention and slapping the table. Sounds bratty, but its funny the way she does it right now. When it becomes not so funny in six months we'll deal with the problem then. He's also huge and eats a ton, but I think that's part of the bargain with having a boy. I still have high hopes that Josh will, against all odds, be large and athletic. Check with me again in 15 years when I'm sitting through chess club matches.

Cami is still a big fan of princesses, but also of singing and dance in general. If a dancing show come on TV she grabs me from up off the couch and asks for a dance. It's just as adorable as it sounds and it makes my day. Also she likes singing the songs she learns at church and will as for "Family Home Evening" when she wants to sing one. Again, that's even more adorable than it sounds and makes me feel like I'm being a good parent for thirty seconds. ( As opposed to the screaming two year old at Toys R Us that's lying on the ground shouting "MORE PRINCESSES!" . That makes me feel like a bad parents for much longer than thirty seconds)

Anyway, that's what we're doing for the most part and we're still bunkered down. We miss you and we're glad youre still reading out blog.

Perennials, Baby Smiles and other Random Stuff

Well, I am once again guilty of waiting too long to update the blog. I find the blog is like a friend - if you talk to them daily, you have a lot to say, but if you wait a really long time or don't keep in touch, you find yourself thinking of what would be important enough to mention. So I will take a cue from my sister-in-law and just mention random stuff, numbering it (she usually does 10, but we will see how many I get).

1. Perennials - Last year I got the gardening bug (flowers) and decided I wanted to beautify my outdoors Better Homes & Gardens style. I've always loved the look of perennials, plus not having to replant them every year just seams like a logical bonus, and cost-effective. So I ordered a bunch of stuff, very cheap, from a mail-order site, and when they arrived, in one tiny little box, was shocked to see that my plants were but tiny little strands of green with two or three leaves - not quite as I had pictured (or for that matter, what the picture on the site looked like, but it did state they would not be full-size, so there you go). Well, my Mom came over to help me plant these little things, and we hoped for the best. Granted, not everything survived, and I'm sure my profound neglect could not have helped, but we sure do have some pretty flowers this year. The ones in the backyard are the best, as they get the most sun, but I am appreciating everything we've got. I hope to separate and spread them out next year, to fill in the gaps, as these plants have a taller, more wildflower look.

There are a few more varieties, but you get the idea. I did finally get a hanging basket for the front when the local nursery went 50% off this past week, and that made me very happy too. Lack of a planted veggie garden though, sad - the compost facility has had issues with all the rain, but after a month of waiting, I am very close to picking up the "unsifted compost" and taking my chances - the little plants I have waiting out back won't make it much longer.

2. Cami - in seeking out the best photo to describe where she is at right now, I think this one fits best:

First off, she is in motion - constantly, except for when she is sleeping or watching TV, I guess. I am sure this is very typical for a two-year-old, but I find myself pretty exhausted by nap time, and again by the end of the day. She is doing great though, and I feel her getting older all the time. We are going to try potty-training in a week or two (I am gathering all of the supplies -book, potty doll (dressed up like a princess, as those are the only dolls she will pay attention to), rewards, pull-ups for nighttime, etc.) and will be booking Chris to do all the Joshy-care as we try the "potty training in less than a day" method on an upcoming Saturday. Also, she is outside in this picture - like all kids I think, she likes to be outside. Too bad Joshy isn't big enough to entertain her out there yet -

3. Josh -

Here's the little guy now...

Oh wait, you wanted to see a CUTE baby photo...luckily Daddy walked in and cheered the little guy up. He has some good little smiles -

This is his content smile.

This is his alert smile.

And this is his really, really happy smile. He does it when we make him suddenly happy, and it's basically just opening his mouth as wide as he can with a baby grin. Sometimes when he is close to me it seems he might try to eat me.

As for him, he's still growing like a weed (or perennial :)) and will be six months old on the 24th. He is about this close (picture me holding my thumb and pointer finger really close) to crawling, and can scoot about anywhere he wants, but still can't do it fast, so gets grumpy when he is impatient. As you can see from the little bruise on his forehead in the picture above, he had his first bonk this week when he scooted over to the TV stand and cracked his head on the shelf below it. Later he knocked his head on the wood floor, so I am sure he is learning that not everywhere is as safe as lying on his blanket. Also, since he won't stay on a blanket, I now have little spots of spit-up all over the carpet, that I have to try to scrub out before they dry - TMI, I know. He is a really sweet little guy though, and quite zesty in his own right, so we are having lots of fun with him this summer.

4. Carrie - So I know this was all supposed to be random, but it looks like it's going to be just one number for each member of the family, and then one for the perennials - odd. Anways, so for me, I am mostly doing the same old Mommy thing, and trying to stay ahead of it each day. Some days I feel like I am doing great, and then other days, not so much, but I think at least I will have many more years to try to get it right. I am also taking a class at JCCC (the community college) in web design and learning a lot. It is all summer long, for roughly 7 hours each week, and covers quite a few programs, with Flash being our current subject. I was already quite familiar with some of Adobe's programs, but many, like Flash, are new to me, and I am really enjoying filling the gaps in my knowledge (and hoping that I can use these enough to not forget the mass amount of information I am being fed).

5. Chris - P90X! While I am not sure Chris is ready for me to announce to the world (or the 5 of you who read this blog) his workout plans, he isn't up here right now, so I'll just go ahead with it. He is two weeks into his "90 days to being in the best shape of your life", and is pretty darn sore (and 13 lbs lighter - great job Chris! - disclaimer: that does include the two weeks before that I made him ride the exercise bike 6 days/week to show he was committed before I would let him buy the P90X program on Craigslist). I have been impressed with his dedication and am "this close" again to joining him to get rid of the baby pounds, but it is a pretty intense regimen of home workout DVDs, and I'm not sure if it jives with my class schedule. He is enjoying his wardrobe expanding (by virtue of more clothes fitting :)) and just feeling better in general. If anyone wants to see him do a pull-up, just give us a call & come on by :).

So while I can actually think of a few more things to say, I can't actually think of anything to make for dinner, so I better head that direction (trying to think of dinner at 3:50 - The Food Nanny would not approve - but that is another blog post). Hope everyone is enjoying summer!

The Family Update

Chris is at Buffalo Wild Wings watching the NFL draft with the Elders Quorum, so I figured it was a good time to post. Whenever you don't post for a really long time, it seems like it should take something important to actually do it, but I will disappoint you now & tell you I have no news to that effect - still, feel free to read on....

Chris: Still enjoying his new position at work, and taking day trips to places like Springfield & Branson, MO (I don't have the driving stamina for this, but he manages). Working in the public sector (selling office supply contracts to schools & gov't accounts vs. businesses) is always a little different, but he's done it a lot now, so he has a good feel for it. He is also always such a big help with the kids, and even with dinner, that I feel pretty lucky to have him most of the time.

Cami: Recently has become obsessed with the Disney Princesses. First it was Ariel, and then they all kind of joined in. She now visits the elaborate Disney princess web site whenever we will let her, and shouts out each of their names excitedly as we visit their respective kingdoms.. oh boy! We've garage saled/craigslisted some My Little Ponies and sets of little dolls, so she now has some girly toys to play with, in addition to her mass of educational toys (she was so into all the educational stuff, that it dawned on me a few weeks ago that we really didn't have to much just "fun" stuff - it's nice to be able to get some so cheaply, though I realize that this kind of stuff also just tends to amass itself over the years).

Also, if anyone has any tips on how to get a two year old to not think that laying down & kicking at you (or doing it during diaper changes) is funny, please let me know :).

Josh: Growing, growing, growing... his nine month onsies are none too loose at this point, at least not in the length. I am actually really need to get some longer sleepsacs for him too, as he only has a couple that don't really hug his little feet. His four month appointment is coming up, and I'm excited to see his stats to confirm that Chris's nickname "Gigantor" really is legit.

He also learned how to roll from back to front a few days ago, and now won't stay on his back for more than a minute or two at a time. This wouldn't be a problem, except for that he would just lay underneath baby gyms for literally an hour at a time before, swatting his toys and smiling happily... and now he grunts and pushes and gets all grumpy because he can't crawl away! At least that is what it looks like he is trying to do, but either way, his disposition has been unusually poor this week. (This may also have a little bit to do with the fact that he hasn't really pooped since Saturday - poor little guy! I have read this is normal, but I'm still not so sure. I called the doctor's office today, but was out when the nurse got back to me, so I think I'll try again tomorrow.)

As for me, I'm just up to the usual child care/housekeeping/graphic design on the side type of stuff. I am planning to take a Web Designer course at JCCC this summer, to learn how to fully produce web sites vs. just designing the layout, and am excited for that. I got a new laptop for this which is great, and have ordered the CS5 Adobe Suite which is coming out next month. Hopefully I will be able to pick it up pretty well, and we'll see where it takes us. At the very least it should help me do work more quickly and easier at my current job, which I'm very grateful for.

As a family, we are also doing some Spring cleaning! We cleaned out the garage a couple of weeks ago, and organized it for the very first time (yes, after 2+ years in this house). Saying that it needed to be done doesn't begin to describe it, and the joy I feel when parking in it, again for the first time, also knows no bounds. We're trying to update some of our photos too, so I made a couple of poster-like collages of the kids for our front office room frames, which are pasted below. Other than that, we just really need to get going on our garden, which has been completely emptied out due to it's former use as a litter box :(. Yes, our cat Peaches has gone to live with my parents for the time being, which is why we can actually use our garage & make our garden again...victory! You never realize what a pet person you are not until you have children. (Nothing against other people's pets - we all just have different abilities when it comes to how much we can handle.) Well, I realize for having no news, this post has gotten really long! Happy Spring!

The Redecorating Bug

I think it started with the joy at finally finishing decorating Cami's room (weeelll, I do want to get a rug & this cute ladybug beanbag chair still, and maybe something for her nightstand that she won't destroy, but for all intensive purposes, it is finished), or maybe it is the desire for creativity or control when I am in a crazy house with kids all day, but either way, I have been bit by a major redecorating bug!

Here is Cami's room, complete with her new crib & all:

(New crib, why would you get a new crib for a two-year old? Let's just say the cute little toddler bed that Daddy painted wasn't containing her so well for nap time, and Cami after two weeks without naps was driving Mommy crazy! So I went to Toy's R Us and bought the cheapest crib I could find, but at least the white matches... Needless to say, she learned to crawl out of the crib in about 24 hours, just like she learned how to get out of the pack and play, but she will still stay in it most of the time, so it hasn't been a total loss.)

Here are some letters I did for one of her walls - I now have an abiding love for Modge-Podge sealer!

So I just love these vinyl flowers! Target has all of these decals & they are great - you can move & reposition them, and they're really cheap for all the space they cover - maybe they aren't for everyone, but they are for me! (I can tell my lens is dirty- little fingers...) FYI, she has lots of toys in her room - the organizer is on the other wall - and she rarely keeps it this clean.

So on to the point: I have caught the redecorating bug! The only unfortunate piece of the puzzle here is that I have neither tons of spare time or tons of spare cash to work my magic (or what I envision my magic would be, based on looking through all of my Mom's "Better Homes & Garden's" magazines). I know in the grand scheme of things, home decor is pretty inconsequential, but after being in this house for almost 2 1/2 years, I just want to put my own stamp on it & paint a wall or two! So while Chris was out of town this last week, I had a small triumph. Most of the light fixtures in this house look like this: Not terrible, functions, but not really my preferred style. Needless to say, the enormous brass chandelier in the living room was not my favorite, and though I did fail to get a before picture, so you'll have to settle for the after, it was exactly the shiny gold color of this one above.

Well, my sister Becky discovered this glorious metallic resurfacer (basically, craft paint with flair) that does wonders to old light fixtures. I had already used it in my bathroom with oil-rubbed bronze-esque results, so I knew it worked, but it takes great patience to make cover a large surface, as well as some time. Two nights, five hours of work, and two dirty paint brushes later, the results:

So it would be nice to have a trendy centerpiece, great to have fabulous curtains, but instead of just okay, I now actually like my chandelier! (If anyone has any other free or low-cost decor ideas, feel free to drop me a line...)

More of the kids

So I am trying to keep posting a little more often, and since kids is what I am usually doing, here they are! First some updates on Josh. He is holding his head up really high now, and can roll over front to back in both directions (he is still working on back to tummy & he grunts with discontent when he tries & fails). Most of the time he is cool as a cucumber - just very content. When he cries, I can usually be sure he is just hungry or tired - this is nice.

He is a little smiler - smiles at us, smiles at his toys - you get the picture. Also, he is 10 1/2 weeks now & most of his 0-3 clothes are getting a little snug - many of the onsies no longer fit. I failed to post his 2 month doctor's appt. stats, but here they are:

weight: 12 lbs. 15 oz. - 80th %

height: 24 3/4 inches - 95%

So as you can see, he is a big boy!

Here is Cami in her big sister pj's, sent by her Great Aunt Leslie - very cute (ingnore the laundry on the steps please :)).

This picture proves it is better to catch candid smiles, rather than asking for one - nice.

Josh at 8 weeks & Cami has hair

Well, Josh is getting past that newborn age & I finally got some pictures that look like him, so I thought I'd post. And yes, I know it is not July yet, but I had to change the wallpaper- anything to encourage the snowy weather to pass & the sun to start shining.

To accompany the pictures, some notes on Josh:

- He really loves toys! When you lay him underneath his baby gym, he will just bat away at the little objects like crazy, often for long peroids of time (Mommy likes :)). I have occassionally caught him giving the toys one of his sly little smiles.
- This baby can eat - and dirty those little diapers. He is doing a great job growing.

- He is starting to make cute little coos and baby noises - you have to love it.

Now for the pictures -

This is pretty much the way he is looking these days. I think he is starting to resemble us more & more. He is continuing to lose hair, & now his old man patch in front extends almost all the way back.

This is a cute little face he makes. He is generally a content little guy, except for when waking up from naps - I can relate to that - waking up from naps always makes me grumpy too.

Here's a good smile - I know I put it in the banner too, but I just love it that he's smiling so much now.

On to Cami - despite her early baldness (forever), she is finally getting a good amount of hair. She's had one haircut, and I am debating getting another, I am just not sure. I want to grow it out long, but I also don't want her bangs in her eyes. I am hesitant to trim her bangs though, because unless I have her hair pulled back (see below - I usually just do one ponytail, but I thought this was fun), they come from WAY back on her head. If anyone has any good solutions, just let me know.

Cami still loves books, with Clifford being her favorite. She is also obsessed with water, and loves all things related, including "The Little Mermaid" and "Finding Nemo". She started a swim class this week, and I'll have to get some pics of her in her suit before it is over.

Chris has a new territory at work & is busy making new sales. I am still adjusting being Mommy to two and can't wait for spring. Josh is letting me know he is unhappy - until later...

Blessing Day

Well, we haven't been great about posting photos, but it doesn't mean we haven't taken any. In fact, since today was Josh's blessing day, he was happy to pose for a few shots. Chris gave him a beautiful blessing and it was wonderful to have so much family there with us. It was also his first Sunday at church, and we were told by a few that he seemed big for his age (6 1/2 wks), but you'll have to judge for yourself. In other news, Chris turns 29 on Tuesday, and we plan on having a date night this week, both things which are really exciting here in the Diggins household. As for Cami, she is beginning to acknowledge her baby brother, and is asserting her independence as a sassy two-year old with commanding phrases like, "Now catch the pickle Momma!" as she throws it repeatedly around the room (referring to a fake pickle from her kitchen set - she is a funny girl).

Here are some pictures with very little explanation because I fear if I don't finish this post quickly, it will never happen!

Cami is just zany these days - it's hard for any picture to capture her silliness & energy, but you get the idea.

A rare photo of Chris and I together...not bad for holding the camera out in front of us.

Josh & I snuggling - he is a big cuddler.

Another Josh & Momma photo...

Chris & Josh - the boys of the house.

We are enjoying Josh's sweet spirit in our home - he is generally quite peaceful and happy. Having two kids though is much harder in some ways than I would have thought, but we're getting adjusted little by little. In short, life is good. (I will try to post some more coherent thoughts at a later time, but at this hour, my tired clock is leaving my brain very fuzzy. Attaching photos is about all that I can do. :))