Isn't what I thought

I had this great idea of putting a little bench in our front hall closet and putting up a shelf and hooks in our front hall for all the kids coats and backpacks that frequently annoy me, especially in the winter. I went to get all the wood I would need and came home and painted it all. I was so proud of myself for getting all that done in one day. So today I started screwing wood into the walls and then things went horribly wrong. The piece of wood I measured for the bench wasn't the right size. It was all my fault! So annoying. Then the shelf and hooks I wanted to put up for the kids stuff didn't work out either. Thinking I was hitting studs I put huge screws in 3 places. Nope, not in the studs. Shelf is wobbly and I am more annoyed. Then I think, okay well while it's up I'll put the hooks into the wood. Well  the top of the hooks hit the top of the shelf, thus making it impossible for anyone to hang anything on it. I scrap the shelf idea and think I'll just put the hooks I bought straight into the wall. I use those plastic things your supposed to use before you put screws in the wall, but they just kept braking and not working. Just then Jay calls me about something from work and I complain about all the problems that are happening with this project and he promptly tells me in the calmest voice ever to "just stop, put everything down and just stop". I'm laughing and am grateful that he's so calm about it, because I was getting very frustrated. I packed everything up and just left the stupid too small bench and shelf that didn't screw into studs and the hooks half in the wall with holes everywhere. I really thought I was more crafty than that. I guess I need to plan things out a little better than I did. I really like to just think about something, do it, and get it all done as quick as possible. Definitely one of my weaknesses is impatience. Well when it's done (meaning when Jay fixes all my mistakes) I'll have to put pictures up. In the mean time here are some ideas I took from for my inspiration.

 Okay so I'm starting in June, is that bad? Oh well I wanted to update everyone on what's been happening. In June we went to the Calgary Zoo and Drumheller with our awesome friends! We took my parents van so we could all travel together and it was a blast. Crazy? Yes, but as the song goes "we don't even have to try, it's always a good time." I think it's Katy Perry or some other girl singer.

 This is Brittney and I, still smiling after 2 days with 7 kids.

Dinosaurs are always cool. They all loved them, and loved to run from room to room. There wasn't really time for us to read about the dinosaurs, just look and move on. That's what happens with kids I guess.

I thought this was a pretty sweet grass stain on my soccer socks. You can see me shin pad outline pretty good. Soccer was fun this year and I met some pretty awesome chicks.

My parents build their new fence this summer and the boys loved to help. They really felt like "big" boys. Cole love using the hammer and Owen loved being "strong".

 One of the last kids lunches together with our friends before they left for Mississippi. I love these kids.

Owen and Cole playing nicely together. Only happens occasionally so I had to document it.

We ended up getting a trampoline from some friends who were moving across Canada. The kids love it and one morning while it was still crisp outside the boys wanted to jump on the trampoline, but they ended up just huddling in their sweaters.

My family had a Korean exchange student that lived with us for quite a few years, but then she ended up going back to Korea. Well she came to visit and we loved it. Here we are at the Fringe.

 We went to Crankpots with Ji-Ang and of course she made this monkey look so cute. She is super talented with artsy stuff.

Just last week I went to Fort Edmonton Park with Kali and her kids. It was a long day and the kids loved it. They were all actually surprisingly happy most of the time. Owen didn't complain that much about walking, which he normally does, so that was nice.

 Oh by the way, we bought the house we've been renting for the past 2 years. And first on the agenda was PAINT.

I was hoping the color would be more grey, but I still love it. And the door is RED!
What a great husband I have, he bought all the paint and had all the supplies ready and told me how to paint. I think I'm pretty OKAY now. Haha.
We started out the Saturday with the kids helping us prep the house, which was really great of them to want to help, but kinda hard. So my amazing mom came and took them away for the day and Jay and I got down to business and painted the whole day long. I told Jay he could call me his young Padawan learner and I would call him Master Yoda. He then explained I could just call him Master. I was fine with that cause he is the Master at painting. He taught me so much about all the painting tricks.

1st Annual Olsen Cousin Carnival was a success. The boy in the middle was an honorary member of the cousins for the day. (just in case some of you were wondering who he was)

Lawn bowling.

Bean bag toss.

The best part for the kids was Amy and Tyler running the Fishing Pond. The prizes were awesome and they loved every second.

The princesses looking dashing as usual.

Owen and Jackson got paired up for three-legged races. They didn't last very long. But really funny to watch.

 Ready to try it out.

 The whole gang minus Sarah and Eric's kids. Boo!

Also it was a going away party for Ji-Ang. The next day she went back to Korea. We love her so much.

Brody grade 2, Jenna grade 3. First day was easy peasy!

Cole and Owen saying good-bye.

Brody found a bag of fishy crackers on his desk and the note with them said "you are O Fish ally a Grade 2er". His teacher was Jenna's teacher last year so he's happy about that.

Jenna excited to be at school again and see her friends. Her class has 34 kids in it. Is that even allowed?

We celebrated buying our house by going out to eat. Our server brought us a surprise dessert after she heard why we were celebrating. Very nice of her and yes I think she got a better tip for that.

Done, caught up and feeling good.

Two is trouble

Man potty training two kids at one time is rough. Cleaning up one mess and then to find another one messed and rubbing it into the carpet is a little too much. We're on day 2 of underwear all day! I hear you're supposed to give it 3 days and by then they should have the hang of it. We'll have to see about that. Anyway off to make sure no one is making a mess somewhere else....

Update

Well, I guess I will write today. I've been up since 2am and it is now 6:45am on a beautiful Fast Sunday morning. There have been quite a few changes in our lives since I wrote last. Jay got a great job with Epcor (still teaching in a sense), we were informed that we would have to move out of our house because our landlords were selling it, and also everyday little things that happen. Jay's knee is causing him more pain, Jenna brakes her tooth, Owen gets 5 stitches in his nose, Cole still isn't sleeping well, Brody got an ear infection, and I guess I can't sleep either! 
Man when I write it down it seems like a lot. Anyway the main concern we've been having is where we are going to live.... that's probably why I couldn't sleep tonight or last night or the night before. I am going to be soooo tired this week! Plus I am making the biggest wedding cake I have ever done this week, for my friends wedding on Saturday. I'm guessing the craziness of life never ends (if anyone reading this is older and has more life experience and can confirm this theory, please do so). 
Needless to say I feel as though all I've been thinking about is me and my families situation lately, I have felt the need to serve but have been struggling on how to do that when I feel so busy in my own life. 
I've worried about friends and family and wanted to do more for them. Upon going to the temple yesterday and talking with Jay, I've realized that I can always pray for others! I may not have the time during the day to spend it outside of the home serving them right now, but I always have time to pray. 
Also I need to not worry so much, which is a lot easier to say than to do. But I definitely worry to the point where it is probably not healthy for me. So I will try to begin the journey of letting things go and maybe just worrying about the most important things.

Okay so lots of great things have happened too since the last time I wrote. Jay had his birthday and we went to an Oilers game, Jenna had her birthday and she turned 8 and was baptized, quite a few new little babies were born to many of friends, many more friends and family announced they are having babies, Mother's day, Father's day, my mom's birthday, siblings birthdays, Canada Day and an amazing Harker family reunion. We are blessed so much!

Karen and Matt and their new twins, Thomas and Laura

Us at the Oilers game, "Classic Jay"

Beautiful sisters and in-laws (minus Lindsey, who was doing Jessie's touch ups and Jessie who just got married)

Jenna at her pijama party birthday. She had a blast!

My super special princess on her baptism day. I made her dress from leftover material from my wedding dress.

 After my race in Utah with the in-laws. I was nice and glistening.

Jenna and Brody ran a 1km race on Jenna's 8th birthday.

On Mother's day with my boys. Jenna was in a mood so she didn't make the pic.

The kids ready for a bike ride. I love this picture!
I'm a pretty lucky mom to have all these munchkins!

Busy

Wow I feel like since March I have been so busy and non-stop events have happened. It won't end either till maybe the summer. Right now I'm preparing for two soccer seasons I'm in charge of, one for little kids and then my adult city league that I'm managing. My sisters wedding is in two weeks and I'm preparing things this week for a shower for her. I am preparing for a running race in Ogden Utah in the middle of May and trying to prepare Jenna and Brody for their first running race as well. I have Jay's birthday coming up next week and then Jenna's birthday in May which will entail her baptism as well. I'm trying to plan a trip to Calgary with one of our best friends and their kids sometime in the next few months. Our 10 year anniversary is in July and Jay and I have been trying to plan a trip of some sort to take, a little stressful. How much money do we want to spend, where do we want to go, when exactly are we going to go, who's going to watch the kids? Aaaaaah, my brain hurts thinking about all these things that are happening right now. Plus on top of all this I need to do my calling, which is Music Leader in Primary and support Jay in his calling of Stake Young Mens counselor.  I still have to do laundry, clean, cook, do dishes, change diapers (yup that's right, the boys are still in diapers), do swimming lessons with kids, do piano lessons with Jenna, read to my kids, have FHE, have family scripture study, read scriptures my self, go to the temple, play with the kids, think about family and friends more than myself, and do service for them.
Wow, can all these things really get done? I'm not sure!
I guess I need to take it one day at a time.

This is what I need to remember most of all. The temple will keep me on track.

Random Pics

 Owen's birthday Cake

 Owen's Ninja turtle party

The jean blanket I made my sister for her wedding, more like a picnic blanket.

Cole looks very creepy when he got into my mascara.

 Amy and Tyler

Easter sunday

 Amy's reception. The house built by my dad and brothers.

Brody one night when I thought he was asleep.