Termite Troubles

I hate termites. The idea of a little bug eating away at the wood in the walls of your home gives me the creeps! Not to mention how scary it is to learn that your home has had termites. How long have they been there? How much damage have they done? Is my house going to fall over? These are the first questions that ran through my mind when I first found out that our home had termites. Since that day I've learned a lot about termites. I will share what I have learned in the hopes that it will help out someone else out there. Termites live deep under a home, they can come in through a crack in the floor or walls of the basement. They drag mud up with them, the mud must stay wet for them to live. So usually where there are termites there is also a lot of mud. They can eat 5 lbs of wood a day. The Queen termite lives deep down in the soil - really deep anywhere from 50 to 100 ft below your house. Yes below your basement. From her nest deep below she spends the "worker" termites up to get food (wood) which they bring back down to her. The queen is very large. I was told she can be as big as a grown mans foot. (So gross!). Anyways spot killing the worker termites will not stop your termite problem, only move or repel them temporarily. In order for a termite treatment to be successful you must kill the queen. I met with a couple different termite treatment companies to get two bids and two different opinions (two opinions is always better than one). Most companies use a product called termidor. Termidor is mixed in between two to three hundred gallons of water and is applied to the foundation, almost creating a mote. The idea is to saturate the basement wall of your home. The chemical is also applied to the area where the active termites where found. For us it was in our basement bathroom wall. So the pest control company drilled several holes in our bathroom floor and poured the poison down there. The reason the treatment is done this way is so that the worker termites are exposed to the chemical as they go about their merry way. The chemical does not kill the termites instantly but it is rather a slow process. The chemical is meant to work slowly so that the worker termites get it on them and on the food and they take it right down to the queen. The chemical ruins her reproductive system so she can't produce anymore termites. The worker termites eventually die from the chemical (takes about two weeks) and then the queen starves because the worker termites are no longer bringing her food and she is so big she can't hardly move. Another interesting thing is that the queen uses pheromones to control the worker termites and tells them where to go. When my brother originally found the termites it was mid afternoon and by the evening when I was able to get away and go look at the damage I couldn't find a single termite. They are very sensitive to light etc. But the queen is not likely to send the workers back to the same spot at least for a while. I was also fascinated to learn that the same termite "nest" can infect several homes, not just ours. The pest control guys said that a lot of time several home may have termites but its usually the home that discovers them first that will treat them for everybody.

I did this little illustration to show just how deep down the termite queen is. This picture IS to scale so this is how far down they may have gone in relation to our house. This whole experience has been so fascinating to me. But I really hope we never have to deal with termites again! Here is a website that has much more information in termites: http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef604.asp

My New Job - Holding Paper

My son found his passion today - cutting paper with my scrap booking scissors. The only down side to this is that it take both hands for him to run the scissors so he has me hold the paper. I've been holding paper for almost every free minute, all day :(. Haha silly boy it's painful to watch honestly - just because its so hard for him to work the scissors (it requires using both his chubby little hands).

Aqua Blue and Yellow Wedding

My sister got married two weeks ago. I loved the colors she chose light blue and yellow. I did the flowers, the bouquet, the boutonniere, corsages, and throw bouquet.

Blue flame on tiki touches.

Here is a picture of the little flower girls in their yellow dresses. I made the dresses and I think they turned out well (no bias!)

San Francisco

We just got back from San Francisco where we spent two fun filled weeks.

Fort Point

Muir Woods

Bath House

Palace of Fine Arts

Palace of Fine Arts

Our Triplet Stroller

One of the most used and most needed baby items we own is our stroller. We bought a quad stroller because when we go places its still nice to have our two year old still in the stroller. We really liked the Foundations Quad Stroller and we were lucky enough to find one used, and a great deal on it! We are so grateful to the wonderful couple that sold it to us! Here is a picture of all of us in the stroller.

This picture was taken back in December right after we got it.

Sunday Afternoon

We went on a little Sunday drive and stopped off at Bridal Veil Falls. We took a tripod and took some family pictures. Look at how big our girls are getting. They are at such a fun age! Stephan found the only dirt hill and slid down in his nice white shirt. Sooo grateful for oxyclean! I married such a hottie! Me and my triplet girls! I'm sooooo lucky!!!! My new flip flops. I love flip flops and wear them everywhere during the summer and I currantly have only one pair. Rob was so thoughtful and bought these for me on our anniversary. Also please notice the crackle nail polish :) I love crackle nail polish. Found a great quote. Its a quote that propels me to DO. Not to just be satisfied with "mediocrity". I liked it so much I thought I would post it here.

Five Year Anniversary

Our five year anniversary is coming up this Saturday. What a wonderful five years it has been. I love Rob so much! He is so patient and kind. He is a great man and is able to take all our unique adventures with a touch of humor. He is always the first to know if I need a break or an outing. Thank you Rob for always making me laugh!!!

Sprinkler System

Front yard Sprinkler system on the last stretch!!! I am so excited. We will be planting grass soon. Rob and I have installed it ourselves. I'll post how we did it one of these days.

My Baby Angels

Today I got our girls dressed up in their new outfits. A dear friend gave them to us. It was so fun to watch them fight over chewing on the tags and hangers. After a while we were able to sneak them away without the girls noticing.

Triplets + Church = Organized Religion is So Outdated

Church...ahhh! Could it be anymore work? Today Rob was holding a baby, I was holding a baby, then there was a baby in the stroller next to me (our arms were full) and Stephan spilled his cheerios everywhere, Rob and I were both bending down (remember we were each holding a baby and at the same time trying to keep that baby happy as we picked up cheerios). Lucky for us though I brought a spare bag of cheerios which kept Stephan from a melt down. But right after we finished picking up all the cheerios from the first bag. One of the girls grabbed the second bag of cheerios and flung them everywhere! There was a lot more cheerios this second round. This off course made Stephan upset so he started screaming in frustration. So Rob put down the baby he was holding and ran a screaming Stephan out leaving me with three squirmy, mischievous little girls and a whole mess of cheerios. Beside Libby constantly trying to crawl under the chairs and/or reaching to eat the spilled cheerios or Lily reaching for Lexy's hair somehow I managed till Rob got back.

Me and my children! Lily was asleep. I'll get a better picture later with all of us.

Orange Polka Dots Everywhere

Thats what it often looks like when feeding my babies homemade baby food. Without a doubt someone gets the chance to "splash" or "slap" their tiny little hand in recently prepared large bowl of baby food, most commonly right now is orange carrots. Today the oldest of my triplets got in a good splash and it went everywhere all over her all over me all over the nice carpet, her chair and orange dots all over her sisters as well. You would think that having had this happen once or twice I would figure out how to avoid it but somehow she pulled it off again only minutes after cleaning up the first mess. (AAAAHHHHH!). The bright orange dots went clear up the wall, even above the light switch.

"How Do You Do It?"

"How Do You Do It?" I must hear this phase at least ten times anytime that i go anywhere with my four kids age 2 and under. I usually just smile and come up with some quick casual statement. But I thought today I would explain just "how" I do it :). For me its simple planning, organizing, and support.

Simple planning: I say that because you just don't have time to "plan" unless its simple. For example while feeding and holding babies I try to come up with five meals that would be good for next week, I write them on a sticky pad on my frig so that when I go grocery shopping I know what we will be eating and the ingredients that those meals take. I usually plan simple meals (Tacos, chicken and rice, potatoes and gravy) things that i know what the ingredients are. If I want to make something more elaborate I put the recipe card in my purse so that when I get to the store I'll know exactly what goes in that recipe. Occasionally I get some free time when the girls are all fed and are either sleeping or playing, Stephan is down for his nap when I get a few moments to myself. Its easy to want to take "me time" but in order to avoid the chaos that comes when everybody wakes up at once crying for food or complaining of a dirty diaper instead I use this "free time" to wash dishes or bottles, mix formula, make babyfood (I make all my own babyfood its much cheaper and healthier), etc. If I don't do these preparations when the babies wake up its very hard, because more than likely they will all be crying at once and rather than have to leave them crying while I spend 15 minutes washing bottles, making food or mixing formula. Instead I'm able to run to the frig and grab their formula or babyfood, which is already ready! Nothing wears on a person (especailly a mother) more than three or even four (Stephan my two year old) babies crying at once. Those are times when you really wish your life was different or you think you might crack. I avoid this situation at all costs.

Organizing: Once all the kids are in bed I tidy up the house, put away toys, do dishes that I didn't get a chance to do, throw in laundry. This way I wake up to a clean house which is such a relief in the morning rush to get everyone fed, diapered and dressed. When I wake up to a messy house usually I don't get a chance to pick it up until mid afternoon. Which is just one more stress that could have been partially avoided. I say partially because it doesn't take long for one two year old to turn a clean house into a mess. But if I can get my house clean at least once a day and see the bottom of my sink at least once a day its a relief and the rest of the challenges are so much more doable. Support: Most important! I could not do it without the support of my husband. He is amazing! When he comes home and senses that I had a rough day he will insist that I get in some "me time" go to the gym, go shopping, go gardening etc. This is wonderful and I'm so grateful for his understanding and support. I couldn't do it without him!

Dream House

I wouldn't say my dream house has anything to do with the "house". I guess a better title would be my "dream living situation". The reason I clarify is although I would like a nice house more important to me is the land or acreage that it would sit on. I grew up a out in the country on thirteen acres. I also spent at least 9 years of my childhood living in the city in a residential neighborhood. I have fond memories there too. But when we lived out in the country as children we were able to dirt bike, make pallet forts, make mud pies :), we had dogs, ducks, chickens, goats and even cows, we were able to roam all over and thoroughly enjoy the beautiful outdoors. I would say that it was here on the thirteen acres in Jerome that I developed a lot of horticulture and more specifically plant propagation. From then on I have loved plants. To this day I ache to be planting something. I guess its in my blood. Before even unpacking here at our new house I had to plant my vegetable garden (granted it is small - 2 peppers, 2 basil, and eight tomato plants). I planted a bunch of container plants (seven color bowls i.e flowers). So to sum up my "dream home" would not be about the home itself but rather the land that it sat on. If it had a lake, river, pond or spring that would only make it better. I would want acres and acres to plant trees, shrubs and flowers. I would start a nursery in my backyard - HEAVEN! But with that I would have it full landscaped with paths, patios, bridges, arbors, firepit, gazebos, children's play area, secluded seating areas and a pool would be nice. It would have irrigation shares so that it could be watered without too much expense. This to me would be heaven on earth for me! Here are some of the pictures that I've taken at some very beautiful landscapes that I have been to.

The Big Move

Yes we have moved! We are excited to be in a four bedroom house now instead of the small two bedroom home that we have resided in for nearly five years. Admittedly we miss our old house very much but are very grateful for our new house with more space. I love putting the girls down in their own room for bed at night and still being able to stay up and finished laundry or dishes without waking them. Yes we love the new house! There is a large Honeylocust tree in the front yard that we attached a swing too - Stephan LOVES it!!! Its almost impossible to get him out without crying. It swings very wide as where its attaches to the tree is almost 20 ft up.

I have a talk in church on Sunday (eeek!). I'm so excited to go back another time to our old ward. We miss it so much! It really was an incredible ward with incredible people. We were definitely meant to be there.

Bathroom Partial Remodel

Finished re-tiling the bathroom. Can I just say it looks great! The top picture is the "before" and the bottom is the "after"

Less than a Month

I've been crazy busy lately trying to get ready to move. We are moving to a new house in less than a month. I have mixed feelings. I have love this home for all of nearly five years that we have lived here. We have put a lot of work into this home and got it to a point where it has suited us very well. This home has been a place of so many happy memories. This home is where we first moved to as a newly wed couple, this home is where I cooked our first homemade meal as a newly wed, this home is where we brought our first son home to, this home is where we first brought our tiny little triplets home too. THis is where we got our first dog. Where we mowed our first lawn. Where we bought our first van. There are so many wonderful memories attached to this home. I'm so happy that we are able to keep it. Hopefully Stephan or our daughters can live her when they go to college or first get married. This is a special home with a special spirit and we are so sad to leave.

Stephan has an Audience

Isn't this cute? I can't help but think that Stephan was enjoying the attention of his triplet sisters. Stephen is the "big brother" now. He has three little triplet sisters constantly watching him. They love their big brother very much.

Our triplet girls - how we love our three little ladies!!! Aren't they beautiful!

Triplets Blessing Day

Rob blessed Lexy Lily and Libety yesterday in church. He did a beautiful job and I felt the spirit so strong. I know what he said was inspired.