Despite it all, Life is Beautiful...

A few Sundays ago I was having some serious back problems, and I was laid up on the couch. Madison was very adamant about helping me feel better. Prior to everyone leaving for church, Maddie decided to do what was unusual, but oh, so necessary. As I was lying on the couch, she proceeded to decorate me like a Christmas tree. She found all of her favorite things, and piled them sky high on me. The first 12 layers were dedicated to heavy blankets (mind you at the time, we were going through a heat spell). I now can empathize completely with menopausal women.

This is how I felt about having 4 fleece blankets, 3 down comforters, and various miscellaneous blankets placed a top me.

This is where I look like a corpse, and frankly I felt like one, but Maddie persisted that I was not to take one of the blankets off.

The next phase of "decorating" the invalid was dedicated to primarily placing random yet essential items around my face.

Exhibit B:

Some of the items you see are: her favorite pink shoes, a coin purse, an I Carly sticker, her magic wand that makes obnoxious noises, her pink fuzzy bear, and to top the ensemble off, a bedazzled tiara.

This all was very effective for my recovery, and I thanked her quite generously for her assistance. It was amazing how quickly I felt better. It was a miracle! I just won't inform her about the Ibuprofen 800 and muscle relaxer that Corey popped into my mouth while Maddie wasn't looking! What she doesn't know won't hurt her!

This is how concerned Gibson was about me and the torture I was enduring. He paid me no mind at all, it was as if he didn't see the spectacle that was surrounding him. That's a man for ya!

First and foremost, if my title seems a little harsh, it actually has a bit of history behind it. When my sister Jolene lived with Corey and I she would always make the comment "even a jerks got to work" before and after Corey and I would leave for our jobs. All the while she was making this statement she would be lying on the couch tuned into the Tivo, and surrounded by sweets. (Totally random story, but I love it, and the thought of it always makes me chuckle!)
A few Sunday's ago, Madison decided it was time to earn her keep, and make some mullah. Maddie felt the quickest way to make some doe was a yard sale. She spent quite awhile rummaging through my mothers things, and then set up shop outside. She waited patiently for a passersby (which aren't frequent in the country) or awaiting some shmoe to take advantage of.

My mom and I ventured out to see how our little entrepreneur was fairing, and this is what we beheld:


Not only was Madison selling on the Sabbath, but she was also selling LDS gospel items. Talk about a double whammy! She is going to have to do some serious Hail Marys!

Here we have Uncle Bryce showing off his purchased item, and yes it is a weekly store ad from Safeway. Bet you didn't know that free grocery circulars are a hot item!

And here we have my father (aka President Armstrong) he should be ashamed of himself with supporting such behavior on the Sabbath. I am so reporting him to the Stake President! My dad's big ticket item is a coupon to Pizza Hut. When my dad asked Madison how much it was, Maddie asked "How much you got grampa?"

Counting her loot, too bad she still doesn't know what each coin equals!

Even though her yard sale was a complete abomination in the sight of God, she actually had a very successful business. Maybe its because she pays her tithing?

This gal of mine is seriously going to give me a run for my money....LITERALLY!

All loaded on grandpa's boat, and ready to go catch a "big one!"

Grandpa (or as Maddie calls him "crampa") doing some serious fishing.

Madison started kindergarten this past week, and I am pleased to announce that when I dropped her off for her first day that I did not shed a tear. Although, I must confess that I have done my mourning and grieving prematurely over the past couple weeks prior to her starting school. It wasn’t a pretty picture that is for sure, it included: rocking in a corner crying(okay a little exaggerated on that one, but I did cry excessively),eating mass amounts of chocolate (wish I were exaggerating that one, but my waistline will tell the truth), attacking poor unsuspecting Maddie with kisses and hugs every time she walked past me (I think she tried to find alternate routes to get around me), and having a montage in my brain of Madison from birth till now that played non-stop (mind you I only put good memories in this montage, which means all the time she was a little pill were edited from my memory. Needless to say the montage wasn’t too terribly long in length.)

While I was driving Madison to school she stated to me “mom, apparently this is going to be a very busy day.” I then retorted “Madison if you are already using vocabulary such as, apparently, and in context, I don’t think you need school at all.” At this point I almost justified to myself that she was smart enough, and didn’t necessarily need a “formal education.” All the while Maddie was looking at me like I had totally lost my mind, which in all honesty wasn’t too far from the truth.

She did very well on her first day, most mom’s are probably hoping their children weren’t scared or cry, I was more concerned with pressing matters, such as: she didn’t join a gang (or more thankfully didn’t START a gang), she wasn’t caught kissing a boy during recess, or start smoking under the bleachers (glad to hear her school doesn’t have bleachers.)

Madison was beaming when school was over and couldn't tell me the details of her day fast enough. Then she proclaimed to me “the teacher asked everyone to say their name and something interesting about themselves,” at this point I started to perspire, “what did you say?” I asked with fear and trepidation in a quaky voice. Madison replied, ‘oh, I just said my name is Madison, or you can call me Maddie Marie, and I love the video game Street Fighter 4!” I just stared at her with my mouth wide open and my eyes the size of saucers. “That is what you said? “ I asked, hoping she was being silly. Madison had a very mischievous look cross over her face, and then asked me “well, that is interesting, isn’t it mom?” Although, it was more of a statement opposed to a question.

Now, for some serious explaining before anyone calls CPS or thinks I am a terrible mother for letting my 5 year old daughter play Street Fighter 4, which is a game for 17 or older, and severely violent. Madison’s uncle Bryce loves to play his video games with her, but mind you, I thought they played his milder sports games with her. I guess this means I need to have a talk with Uncle, and that I actually need to pay attention to what my daughter is participating in. Don’t you hate when more parenting is the answer?

Well back from trying to justifying my parenting, or lack thereof. In conclusion Madison has a wonderful teacher, who is a member of our church (that way she can pray for Maddie’s soul from time to time). Her class is great, and she has 4 children in it from her previous preschool class. It was a smooth transition, and for that I am grateful.
Oh, the crazy roller coaster ride that we call motherhood…

Off to school for and edumacation. Doesn't her backpack even make her look smarter?

Entering the school for the first time as a kindergartner. Mind you at this point I had Gibson on his monkey leash, and he was trying to bolt in the opposite direction. This made my supposedly special moment into a chaotic moment!

After school and feeling quite proud of herself, as she should!!

Our business, Compass Painting has some exciting new developments. We have created a new division of our company called TreeFrog. It will be an all green company, ranging from paint, plaster, counter tops, and more. Not only do we specialize in these green products, but we are also trained to apply them.

We are excited to take on this new venture of our business. We know that by going "green" it will not only benefit our health and well being, but also our beautiful Earth.

Please take some time to view our website for Treefrog, and let us know your thoughts and feelings about it!

Thanks so much to you all! We couldn't do it without the best support system in the world....which is YOU!!