Blogiversary Giveaway & 5 of 52

My Blogiversary is here! I was looking at my counter and I almost made it to 20,000 hits in my first year. So close....

But first..... I cannot forget my "52 Weeks" challenge. If you have only recently been visiting I'll fill you in on what I am doing. Every week for 52 weeks I will be in a picture with 1,2 or 3 of my boys or even my husband. When was the last time you were in a picture? Last week? Last month? For me I was rarely in the picture. "52 Weeks" insures that my children will know what I looked like when they were growing up. Please join me if you would like. If you do let me know so I can visit your blog. If you don't plan on doing a picture a week and don't want to participate, hey, no problem. Just remember to occasionally get in the picture with your family.

Now, on to week #5: My youngest and I were building a snowman today so I had Lineman snap a few pics for me. I don't know, the word "snowman" should be used loosely for what we made, it looks more like a stalagmite. Anyhooooo, we had fun.

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On to my Giveaway!

I love a good laugh every day and it's good for your health too! Baby Blues is a fun comic strip I read every day. I have two of the books that I will read when I am in need of a good laugh, so pretty much every day I read a few strips. My first giveaway will be this fun book.....

239 pages of laughing, right at your fingertips. Hey, we all need a laugh! I have not read this book so if you win you will have to fill me in on all the good strips.

And up next, an awesome Wyoming Made candle. This is a Madelines Scents candle in Vanilla Bean. Mmmmmmm, I burned one of these all last winter and this fall. She makes fab-u-lous candles and you will not be disappointed.

So, to enter just leave me a comment about winter. Yes, winter. Do you like it? Do you hate it? Is it even cold for you? What do you do?

I like to build stalagmites out of snow with my kids, that's what I do. Oh, and I must confess I have a pet peeve about winter...... I hate when the parking lots are covered in snow and suddenly people are unable to park in a straight line. Try going to our mall the next time it snows, you will see what I mean. But all in all I LOVE winter, it gives me a chance to burn Madelines Scents candles.

Leave me a comment about winter and you will be entered =)

Now go build a stalagmite. Or a snowman. Whatever.

A look back at how it started....

My blogiversary is right around the corner, on the 31st it will be one year.

If you haven't been with me since the start, I'm glad you hopped on this crazy ride. If you are wondering about the name, here is an idea of how it all went down.

When I started I had no idea what to call my blog. It was fairly generic to start with. That was until one day when I was doing laundry. Piled on top of my bed were pairs and pairs and pairs of Wranglers. It was nearly overwhelming, those little brown Wrangler tags staring back at me. I looked at those jeans, faded and full of holes. Then I looked at my three boys and my husband, each in a pair of Wranglers that were faded or had holes in them. I realized right then and there that it would be Forever in Blue Jeans at my house.

I set out the jeans on the bed, snapped a few pictures, made a new header and that was that. Forever in Blue Jeans had begun.

We are a family that likes to play when the opportunity arises. I realized that even if I had thought about having a girl, God had a plan for me and I was going with His plan. I have embraced it, even if it means a premature gray hair along the way!

I get out with the boys whenever I can. Please notice the only pink in the picture above. Yep, that's me. (There is another sweet little girl third from the right. She only has brothers and is out with the boys too.)

We had the oldest riding motorcycles at age 4.

And our middle boy was riding by age 3.

Our youngest just turned 1. He should be riding next month. Kid, I kid! Probably 3 more months.

While in college I met this man. Ornery, oh so ornery. But I fell. And a good thing I did too. He is my best friend, I couldn't ask for better.

I had always enjoyed photography but during the spring I got a DSLR. It has been a learning experience and a love.

Lineman works hard to provide for our family. It's a story I haven't delved into yet but after about 9 years as a lineman he was able to get on with the government as an inspector. The boys love to see him at work on a line job or at the substations.

The middle boy has always said he wants to be a lineman when he grows up.

I try to be some sort of Super Mom, but that rarely works. I just try to keep it together the best that I can.
I just love each of these boys that are in my life. Without them, I wouldn't be "Forever in Blue Jeans".

**** Stay tuned::: I'll be having a small contest for my blogiversary****

Bringin' out the big guns for #5

The middle boy turned 5 and wanted to have a Laser Tag birthday party. Knowing this won't be possible once we move I really wanted him to have the chance to do this kind of a party. It worked out great.

Here he is with the Laser Tag outfit on.

One of the dads putting on a vest. I think the parents that tried it had a blast.... I know I did!!

The vests were a little big for the smaller kids but it still worked out okay.

Or some had the adult wear the vest with the child shooting. I tell you, it was fun being an adult in there!

The vest records the amount of times you have been hit by other players and how many people you hit. Afterward you get a printout telling you how you compared to the others in the group. It was in a dark room with black lights and blinds to hide behind. They had some cool music playing but it was really hot in there.

After Laser tag the kids had pizza and cake.

I have never seen this face before. He must really want that cake. Actually, he doesn't like people to sing Happy Birthday to him, so that is probably what this face is. I think I'll go sing to him again now.

He wanted a pinata also. Both the older boys have always wanted a pinata and I had never gotten one, until this party. I had the kids go in order from smallest to tallest. So of course I had to have Little Man give it a go first!

Who doesn't love whacking on a pinata. In fact, my birthday is coming up very quickly, can I have a pinata? Filled with Photoshop and lenses? I suppose whacking on lenses may not be the best thing, so how about chocolate, chocolate is always good in my book.

I think they all had a fun time, maybe for my birthday we'll go back and do some ice skating. That is, unless I boycott my birthday. Which is very possible.

Trampoline Shots

These next pictures are from last week.... Obviously, since we are now in sub zero temperatures and we just got more than 10 inches of snow. This is me doing the feet to back jump. Lineman's cousin taught me this when I was 19. I was young and fearless.... and didn't have aches and pains. Actually, I still don't have aches and pains. Something about carrying around 29 pounds on one hip while doing chores has made me immune to all aches and pains. However, if my sweet neighbor is reading this.... can I come soak in your hot tub? No reason. No reason at all. Nope, my back doesn't hurt. Nor does my neck. Really.

This is my sons friend. Not that anyone for even a remote second would think it was me. I don't think I was ever this skinny, not even at that age. Besides that, I could NEVER stretch. Seriously, I can't even touch my toes with straight legs. It's sad. I know. Moving on.

The sun was just gorgeous that evening.

What better time to try and "hold the sun".

Sunday Sunsets

It has been too long since I have posted one of my "Sunday Sunsets". I took this picture during one of the nice days we had last week. I was in awe as I watched the colors change. These pictures are SOOC, they had so much color in them it was just breathtaking.

My son and I

I had meant to post this picture yesterday as well but forgot what I was doing. Nothing new there. Anyway, I think this was my favorite of the two of us. The sun was setting, the temps were fabulous and the company was a blast.

I hope you like trampoline pictures because I think I have one more post trampoline related.

4 of 52

This fun time was with my oldest. We bought him the trampoline for this 3rd birthday. I mean, come on, who buys their kid a trampoline for their 3rd birthday? Well, I had always wanted one and having kids gave me a reason to finally get a trampoline. Of course I'm not on it very much but when I am I just have a ball.

Side Note: I guess you could say this is a self portrait because I set up the tripod and used my remote.

From 4 to 5

What an amazing year it has been for my middle boy. Looking back throughout the year it's amazing how he has grown.... in many ways. In February we were just trying to burn off energy at gymnastics lessons. We learned that no matter how much energy he burned there was always an excess of energy.

By March they were playing in the coulee's. We learned that he can take a fall, get hurt and get right back as if nothing happened.

By April the snows had melted and the puddles were deep. We learned that even the smallest puddle would ALWAYS call his name. We were even more helpless with the big puddles.

By May we learned that he would do anything for a laugh. Even putting on his dad's glasses with a Cheetos mouth.

By June he was in the fields, picking flowers for Momma. I learned that even though he is very ornery, he is incredibly loving and kind and thoughtful.

By July we couldn't keep him in the house. We learned that he had a love for the animals and a love for motocross. We figured by the time winter rolled around he might come inside.

In August we watched him have a ball in vacation to the Black Hills. We already knew this kid would and did soak in as much fun as possible.

In September he made me very happy. He learned to put that ball in the back of the net like it was second nature. I knew then he took after his mom and I was thrilled.

By October he was getting bigger. I learned he was not so big that he couldn't still fit in a baby seat.

In November he was driving my golf cart. I learned that he found another sport he enjoyed. I also learned you should never let a 4 year old have complete control of a golf cart!

In December he showed a complete lack of fashion sense(please notice goggles and slippers as well). I learned that this boy that likes his hair done and likes to look "cool", also finds a way to look totally wacky.

We also learned in December that he really, really likes to cook. He made incredible cookies like he had been doing it for years.

Now we are in January again and his birthday is here. It's been such a wonderful year and I can't wait to see what another year of growth and learning will bring us.

Happy Birthday to a wonderful son!

I am in love with another....

I am in love with another... and I think the time has come to tell my husband.

I have been thinking of this since we first learned we would be moving. I knew then that I would have to say good bye to my love. I thought it was only right and proper of me to tell my husband before we moved on.

I have also been contemplating whether or not my husband knows of this love. I think he may. I'm almost certain he has me figured out on this one. The more I think of this, I think it's very possible and even probable that my own mother knows. My own mother!

The reason I think my mother knows is because she is already trying to set me up with another in her own town. Was I that obvious in front of her. Was I that transparent. But for her to step in and already have something in mind to fill the void I will have.

I wasn't sure if I should say much more. I mean, I've already said so much. I might as well just come out and say it so all know and I no longer must hide in the shadows.

I am in love...... with.......




Sam's Club.

I mean, their milk prices are incredible! Oh, the milk I go through. And eggs. And dog food, and cat food. The chips are almost like buy one get one free. The pricing on books is exceptional. I love to just browse through the middle isles, the books, exercise equipment, clothes, toys... ah the middle isles. Stuff I just look at and rarely buy.

Sam's Club is so good to me. On my last visit with Sam's I went in for milk and left with a new pair of snow shoes.... Sometimes Sam's just lures me in.

My mom has told me that I can have this same relationship with Costco when I come to visit her. How thoughtful of her. My in laws have a Sam's there so at least I will not have to go cold turkey.

There you have it. Now my secret is out. When I have moved to our tiny town and you are shopping in bulk.... please think of me ...... and buy and extra gallon of milk.

Walls

Last week I had a comment on my blog wondering if there was anything I wasn't good at. Oh sure, there is plenty, let me tell you that. But one thing I am really good at is walls. Yup, walls. I put them up, leave them up, don't take 'em down. When they are up I don't allow anyone in. Even better yet the walls are really good at keeping any type of emotion I wouldn't want others to see. Oh, I'll let you see the fun Carin. Crazy Carin. Daring Carin. Maybe even loving Carin. But there is a lot I keep hidden behind my walls. I wish I didn't but it's just who I am.

Most of the time I bet you think I am like this little punk: We could call me strong Carin. While that is pretty true, I will go so far as to say I am strong, there is so much more to me. I AM strong but sometimes I feel like this....

..... Like I've been beat up, tossed around, thrown to the ground... exhausted

So, this is me. Attempting to bring down the walls. Well, maybe just one wall for now.

Thoughts of Spring.....

The other day I stopped in to our Botanical gardens to take a look around. The boys had fun exploring and I took in the greenery, flowers, warm temps and wonderful smells. Here are a few pics I took while I was there. These are all SOOC (straight out of camera). Things are busy so no time to edit, as my son learned in Kindergarten: "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit". I hope you enjoy a little peek into spring.

Room Tour

Two posts ago I posted about my middle punk climbing a post in his bedroom. I thought I would follow that up with a tour of their room. My oldest and middle boy share a room. From day one I had always envisioned a loft in their bedroom, the vaulted ceiling provided unused space so I thought it would be perfect. Lineman was NOT very enthused about the whole idea. However, I must be mighty convincing because before long we spent an entire weekend making the loft. The loft measures 6 foot by 8 foot with 6 feet of clearance below. As far as paint is concerned... I painted FOREVER with those bright colors! I enjoyed painting before my baby was born, now I would cringe at the idea of him getting into paint or wet walls.

This side next to the window is our middle punks side. I think he has about the best view since he has an island out his window that has pines and aspens. Maybe we should have traded rooms with them.

A few years ago we were at a motocross track just having some fun. As we were leaving we passed a trash can with two tires that were being thrown out. I yelled at Lineman to stop, I proceeded to get out and grab the two dump bound tires. Lineman looked at me like I had lost my ever loving mind. Well, I took those two tires and cleaned them up really good. Then I Armor All-ed them and we drilled them to the wall. I thought it was pretty creative and frugal.

Here is the other tire. I used to have posters and pictures inside them but I'm trying to de-clutter with selling the house. I absolutely love that wood toy holder there. It steps up giving dimension and it holds different size boxes that slide in. I keep the cars in one, blocks in another and so on. It is from Ikea.

Another little corner has some motocross and soccer trophies and pictures from a race.

This is my oldest sons side of the room, directly under the loft. We added an adjustable (or dim-able) light for reading. The quilt was made by my grandmother. The quilting portion of it looks like race cars, let me tell you she is one talented quilter! The posters are just out of motocross magazines, again, frugal =)

This is upstairs in the loft. I have baskets to organize the toys which still gives them lots of room to play up there. I'll be honest, it is usually messy up there but with selling the house we've kept it pretty clean. It needs vacuumed but that's one downfall, I never seem to get up there to vacuum. The space from the floor of the loft to the ceiling is enough for an adult to sit comfortably so there is plenty of room for the kids.

One problem I have is with the main support post for the loft.......
I have all the kids' measurements recorded on it. Do you think the next owners would mind if we removed the post when we move? Naaa, didn't think so.