More Holiness Give Me

Just keep swimming!

2012-01-29T17:18:00.000-08:00

When I was 16 I worked at a pet store. Aside from being a Mormon, my pet store life was just "who I was!" I loved every inch of that place. I would go there on my days off because I couldn't get enough of it. My co-workers, the pets, the costumers, the gigantic amount of pet supplies, I loved it all. I know it seems weird. I felt often misunderstood and a bit alone for being kind of "weird". But I loved caring for those animals. I got great satisfaction from giving them clean homes. I still feel that satisfaction when I change my kids sheets and get their beds all clean and tucked in for them. I don't know why but I love knowing they are going to bed in a clean environment. And I loved knowing my little pet store pets had clean homes.

When I was working at the pet store, I never did much with the fish but I loved them just as well. I had a tank at home full of Tiger Barbs. They are just nasty enough to keep the tank constantly full of action. But they never kill each other. Just feisty, pretty, fun, little fish.

I was able to get a tank as an adult by trading babysitting. Not big enough for my tastes. Only a 29 gal. I had it for years until, OF COURSE, some kid put a crack in it. I have gone probably 8 years without an aquarium and I have sorely missed it.

Justine and I were breeding rabbits and trading with a pet store for credit to earn another tank. We had 100 dollars when the pet store went out of business and wasn't able to give me my credit. Made me super sad.

Happily, thanks to friends , Eric and Sandy, I inherited one a few months ago that they were taking down. A 39 gallon. Eww, Ahhh. I was so happy.

The kids were so happy when they saw it filled with water! After you fill it with water you should wait a week before adding fish. The kids thought it was torture waiting. I was really happy because both Rhett and Justine were super genuine when they said they couldn't wait to get fish.

One reason it took me a bit to put the tank up was because I wanted to do something different about the stand. It was an oak veneer tall stand. I really wanted a stand that put the tank at eye level for the little kids. I was so excited! I just took the stand, chopped about 10 inches off it, lowered the frame edge down, glued it back on and repainted the whole stand. Then because I had so many painting errors, I rubbed the whole thing with dark paint and then rubbed it off and it made it look old. Then I sanded the edges. I think it turned out okay. Doesn't deserve to be on pinterest or anything but I really like the height of it. Why do I never take a before picture?

Here are our first fish. "The boys". I thought we had a boy and girl but after we got home they weren't. That's okay. Boy fish are prettier than girl fish. Doesn't it figure? Just like men look better than women as they age? That totally gets under my skin! Sheesh!

Love all the little peering eyes peeking into our boys. Super cute.

Bo is officially all better from his pneumonia! Yay!

2012-01-28T17:12:00.000-08:00

After coming home from the hospital, Bo spent the week asleep on the couch. He still has lots of little kindergarten worksheets to make up from his time missing school. He took the last of his antibiotics yesterday. The firt day we were home from the hospital he was suppose to take his antibiotics in liquid form but he hated it so much he threw it all up. So I contacted the Dr. and because we had taught him how to swallow his pill form ADHD medicine (by practicing with tic tacs, lol) we were allowed to get a swallowable antibiotic. It was a horse pill so I had to chop it up into 8 pieces but he was a trooper! He was just glad not to have the liquid. After he had thrown up and was crying he couldn't catch his breath for a minute. That is so sad.

One time when Bo was up and playful he kept trying to tickle me. I tickled him back. He tickled me and then I tickled him back. He was laughing until I saw that it had turned into crying. It had hurt to laugh and then he couldn't breath. Sad. He was mad at me. Sadder. But he had started it and I thought it was fine and didn't know it was a problem until he was crying. I should have known better. Oh well.

He slept on the couch the first few nights. I don't know why but he was comfortable that way.

So Kate and I had a quiet week with no Bo to play with. Here are a few pictures she took. She was thrilled to have access to my camera for a bit. We deleted probably 20 pictures of the floor! Ha ha.

I know it is blurry but cute!

more Kate

Profile of Bo

Here is a great one of my with no make up and my messy bookshelves behind me. Lovely.

My Glenny has done it Again!!!!

2012-01-27T20:49:00.000-08:00

Thanks to my true friend, who reminded me to check out one of Glenny's awesome going ons...I was able to read about his George Washington Challenge. Super inspired. Really want to do it.

He gives a different virtue each month to work on. This month is Diligence. And he has a tracker to track how you are doing. And here is what he wrote for starting ...I love it. I am going to train my children in it for Family Home Evening and I am going to make some goals and maybe encourage the older ones to do it with me. And of course we all mist have great journals to track it in!

Yay!

"THE STARTING POINT

Below are some items pulled from the writings of Washington and Franklin (with additional items added by Glenn) that we've identified as key things to start with and focus on every day. Think of these as "baseline" items to have in your life that are in addition to those things you add as part of this challenge.

Many of these will seem daunting at first, but by adding them to your Monthly Tracker and concentrating on them each day they'll become more and more routine."

■EVERY ACTION MUST BE DONE WITH RESPECT TOWARD OTHERS AROUND YOU.
■SHOW NO DELIGHT IN THE MISFORTUNE OF OTHERS, EVEN THOUGH HE BE YOUR ENEMY.
■IF ANYONE COMES TO SPEAK TO YOU WHILE YOU ARE SITTING, STAND, EVEN THOUGH HE WILL BE YOUR INFERIOR.
■BE NOT HASTY TO BELIEVE FLYING REPORTS TO THE DISPARAGEMENT OF ANY.
■ASSOCIATE YOURSELF WITH MEN OF GOOD QUALITY.
■IF YOU ESTEEM YOUR OWN REPUTATION, TIS BETTER TO BE ALONE THEN IN BAD COMPANY.
■LET YOUR CONVERSATION BE WITHOUT MALICE OR ENVY.
■SPEAK NOT INFURIOUS WORDS NEITHER IN JEST OR IN EARNEST.
■ALWAYS STAND WHEN A LADY ENTERS YOUR CIRCLE OR STANDS BEFORE THE TABLE.
■READ YOUR SCRIPTURES DAILY.
■HAVE A PICTURE OF SOMEONE YOU ADMIRE. WHEN HAVING A TOUGH DAY MOVE IT NEAR YOU.
■MAKE A GOAL EVERYDAY. WRITE AND PONDER IN THE MORNING, REVIEW YOUR SUCCESSES AND FAILURES AT END OF EACH DAY.
■GATHER OTHERS TO SUPPORT HONESTY.
■ALWAYS LOOK A MAN IN THE EYE.
■ALWAYS HAVE A FIRM HANDSHAKE.
■PRAY FOR OTHERS.
■LOOK FOR WAYS TO SERVE OTHERS AT ALL TIMES.
■ALWAYS SAY WHAT YOU MEAN AND MEAN WHAT YOU SAY.
■BUILD TRUST THROUGH YOUR ACTIONS.
■DO NOT PARTAKE IN BASHING THE BIBLE.
■DO NOT FIGHT WITH THOSE WHO ARE NOT WILLING TO SEE ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE. WHEN IN BATTLE (ARGUMENT) REPEAT THE OTHER SIDE UNTIL THEY SAY YOU HAVE THEIR ARGUMENT.
■BUILD, NEVER DESTROY.
■ASPIRE TO INSPIRE.

Aren't you INSPIRED!!!!!!???????

I love "Build, never Destroy"! Which one do you love?

As if I didn't think about doing laundry enough already! Sheesh!

2012-01-27T17:08:00.000-08:00

When I saw this quiet book page I KNEW I had to make it. I thought it was so cute!

So here is my best effort! Sewing all these little socks was hard! I still have no idea why I am even making a book that you can't wash!!!! But I am. I don't spend that much time on it. Only at night sometimes. Just in case anyone thought I was neglecting my house hold duties.

Don't you love that little clear dryer window? I think it is cute. I added the bubbles as my own special touch. Which really doesn't make any sense. Because if there are bubbles n the outside of your dryer then you got problems. And it just occurred to me that bubbles don't even have anything to do with dryers! Crud. I guess this is a washer. See? I can't be a nurse! My brain doesn't work! Now I have to take them off. Grr.

I fell today outside my kids work on a sheet of ice. Luckily it was in between cars and no one saw. Why is that always your first concern? When you fall you hurry to get up so fast so no one sees and then you decide if you are hurt or not. Silly. I fell with my arm under me and that hurt my ribs and my shoulder. So now I am SORE! I walk around terrified all winter long because I am a klutz when there isn't any ice let alone when there is ice. On ice I am just DANGEROUS!

Wax on...Wax off!

2012-01-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

I guess I should explain whatever happened with my darling boy and our ADHD predicament.

After much thought and a lot of desperation and a constant prayer in my heart, I decided to medicate him. I do not love the idea AT ALL. I hear a lot, the comparison...If one has diabetes they would take medicine...and yes, you would. But for some reason this just doesn't feel like the same thing.

But....he has done very well since he has been on them. He is much more calm, better behaved in school (although not a complete fix) and in jujitsu his time outs have been way less if even at all. Any of the parents there who saw the before and after in Bo, if they didn't believe before in ADHD before,they do now. He was SO MUCH BETTER BEHAVED.

There is another boy in Jujitsu who is very young. And because of his age he is running around a bit and a little rowdy.B o actually tattled on him like he was just this pro at behaving now. He would watch this little boy like... what is up with that!? It was funny. And good that he becoming aware of how one is supposed to act.

And to ALL OF THE JOY in my heart, Bo received his first "bar". Who the heck decided a little stripe of tape on your belt is your promotion? I haven't a clue, but he received one. A black piece of duck tape with a white piece of medical tape and he was promoted. It represents attendance, behavior, and learning new skills. It was so stinking darling I could hardly stand it.

So there you are. That is what I have done about ADHD. I have no idea what others should do and I have no advice for anyone else but it does seem to really be helping Bo. As always...ADHD is just a puzzle but it greatly affects our family.

2012-01-21T00:49:00.000-08:00

When I was 18, I got a really serious case of pneumonia. I was OUT for days, in a world of delirum and slumber. I was hospitalized for 7 days racking up an enormous amount of hospital debt for my parents, whom had been unemployed and without insurance at the time. They didn’t get that bill paid off until I was well into being a married woman (should I have taken that one on? Maybe?). I remember my mom calling me to tell me when they had finally paid it off.

When I was in the hospital I remember I had a few not so helpful nurses. I am sure there were some great ones but I remember the two not so great ones and the incidents surrounding them. My mom had to stay with me practically the entire time to insure my care.

But I also remember I had one male, really nice, nurse. Back in the day (ha ha, I love to say that) male nurses were not common. I remember implications and teasing being made about my male nurse being feminine. I never thought so or even cared. I felt very defensive for him because I remember so much his kindness. One night when I was in my delirium, I remember the male nurse coming in and putting my oxygen back in my nose. I remember he stroked the hair away from my face. And that was all.

Well, fast forward 20 years….What in the world happened to male nurses!!!! No more teasing around these parts. Male nurses are HUN-KY

I had to take Bo to the ER for his pneumonia, because of course these kinds of things can NEVER happen during the day. Holy Moly, the ER was full of very manly, very handsome, very kind, very manly, (oh, did I say that one already?) male nurses! I didn’t think that much of it at first but after a bit I was like…Wow! What is up with all the male nurses!

When I asked one of them about it, (I had four hours of free time to talk) he said there were so many of them in the ER because of the adrenaline rush involved there.

But then there was another one in the Peds unit. They all did a GREAT job and were every bit as kind and caring as a female nurse. And nice to look at.

Pneumonia hides in X-rays!

2012-01-20T11:07:00.000-08:00

My little Bo is such a lovie. He really, really, is. I love how each mom is just in love with her own child. Just as it should be. And I think my Bo is the sweetest little guy around.

Friday the 13th Bo told me, while he was in his bed going to sleep, that his tummy hurt. I got him a bowl in case he threw up in the night. I moved books and debris from the floor because any mother knows the worst thing is for a kid to puke from the top bunk down onto whatever lays below. Uck.

Saturday was a busy day for our family, involving basketball games and a few trips into town. Bo told me about noon, that his stomach hurt and it was making him so he couldn’t breathe. I though, “huh. Strange”. But he was playing around and didn’t seem bad so we went about our day. That night I got home from a major grocery trip and when I finally sat down and watched Bo play, he was holding his little shoulder up super high and kind of walking around contorted. It was quite strange. And as he would talk he would stop to catch his breath a tiny bit but then he would continue on being active. I also saw him just breath strange every now and then. Like he would suck in every so often. And when he would talk he would run out of air.

Watching him I started getting so worried. I get totally freaked out when my kids are sick. I told Corey I wanted to take him to the Dr. but by that time it would have to be the emergency room. That is such a HARD call to make. But by about 11:00 (yea, my kids were still up, no one will sleep at my house!) I just couldn’t contain it any more. I was getting sick inside. I had turned super grumpy and was just sick. "There's yer sign!" So I just got him and decided to run him to the ER. I din't even tell Corey. I just left.

The ER couldn’t decide what was wrong either. SO they did X-rays, didn’t show much. They did blood work, didn’t show much.
My little Bo did not even CRY for the blood work. He just took his IV so great that the male nurse commented about him being tough as nails. We were in the ER about three hours. Thankfully we had a TV and I just held him in the way he was most comfortable. He couldn’t lie on his back or he couldn’t breathe. So sad. He could barely even tolerate the X-ray where he had to lay on his back. He sat up from it and just gasped for breath. I just assumed it was from something causing him pain. He wouldn’t let me carry him. When I tried (because he had to walk all the way to and from the parking lot) he wouldn’t bend his body at all and he just stiffened like a board.

It was really heartbreaking because of the strange way he held is body. And he was very pale and very slow. The Dr. decided he was miserable from constipation. But he was definitely perplexed. He sent us home with magnesium. So by the next afternoon Bo had gone to the bathroom but was still uncomfortable. I did what the Dr. said and called the ER and went back in. It was so confusing because at the same time he had these symptoms of losing his breath and walking with this contorted little body, that I can’t even describe adequately, his hips even looked crooked and his shoulder was raised up so tight to his face it was just strange,, he still played throughout the day.

So back to the ER. They were so very busy. They put me into a room with no TV. The night before I had brought a big book for Bo and I to read. But this time I took it out since we had had a TV. But this time, no TV. So we colored, blew up blue latex gloves and drew faces on them, and fortunately, Rhett had cashed in all his change for two buck in my purse and I had oodles of change. That truly kept him busy for hours. Sorting, counting, recounting, making pictures out of them, etc.

Holding up his shoulder...

The people in the room across from us were getting very angry. How much longer did they have to wait? Not to sound all wonderful or anything but I was just so grateful to be somewhere safe for my boy where they could monitor his illness, whatever it may be, that I didn’t even care about a wait. And it was a good thing too! The nurse came in and told these annoyed people the the average national wait time in an ER was 6 hours. WHAT THE WHAT?????

Guess what? We were there for FOUR hours!

He had to have the IV again. Same nurse did it, same brave little boy didn’t even cry. Had to have X-rays, blood work, the whole bit again. And they found nothing. A little elevated white blood cells that indicate an infection of some kind but they didn’t know what. At some points I was near tears filled with worry and weary, second night at the ER until 2isham. What could this be? His little body was so very contorted.

Here is a not very good picture but you can see how high up his shoulder was.

He could lower it but wouldn’t. Because he had to get up and down several times off the bed, he and I had it down as to how to carry him with the least amount of pain. I would just scoop him without putting any pressure on his stomach or lung area. It was all about holding his weight through his sitting area. Me helping him was really a bit of a bonding time. I couldn’t have loved him more. And he kept telling me, I love you mommy and kissing me and telling me I was awesome. Lol. Love him.

Finally at 3 in the morning they came in and said they were admitting him for observation because they didn’t know what was going on. I hadn’t expected that and hadn’t prepared for that but was relieved to be in their care. What if he coded or something? I was scared of his little breathing issue.

We went up to the peds floor. They put us in a room and the nurse was ready to lift Bo in the bed and hisn body language was very clear and he said “I wan’t my mom to do it”. He knew that I knew the most comfortable way to pick him up.

So we put in movies for Bo and just let him watch TV. I drifted in and out on the bed and Bo kept paging the nurse to take him to the bathroom. And then I would have to tell the nurse that I was there and could do it. Then I would take him and an hour later he would page them again. It was hilarious. So the little booger stayed up until seven o’clock the next day!!!! I just kept putting in new movies for him! It was a long night. He was literally up the whole night. And he was SO VERY proud of that!

So because we played so much in the ER the night before, and he was so lively in the hospital that next day (they finally gave him some pain killers) I was started to second guess the situation. Maybe it was just constipation, and he was feeling better after taking care of some business. They wanted to do a cat scan but because he seemed to be doing better I wasn’t sure what to do. But thankfully, the Dr. wanted to anyway. An hour and a half and one beyblade later, he had finally dranken all the barium for the catscan and was good as gold for the actual scan. He earned a white teddy to add to his orange one.

A few hours later my favorite Dr. P. came in and said “that was an expensive way to diagnose pneumonia!” I was surprised and relieved. That sounded like the lesser of illnesses to me and the Dr. agreed. I had been so worried about what in the world was going on with my sweet boy. Why was his body so distorted and achy?

So we stayed another night. Bo was very happy with a new Lego set from Grandma and Grandpa, a puzzle and coloring book form Aunt Sherri and Uncle Frank.

It was quite a relaxing little hospital stay for me. Just one little sleepy kid to take care of compared to my wild life at home…I quite enjoyed myself. We were released the next day and now he is on the mend.

Thank Heavens. So grateful for medical resources and the people who help us. So so grateful. Did I mention grateful?

He put together this 100 piece puzzle all by himself!

Thanks for all the concern!

Uncle Frank and New Years Eve

2012-01-18T18:32:00.000-08:00

This is Uncle Frank. We like him a lot. He knows a lot about everything. And I mean that in a good way. Bo took this picture. I think it is the greatest.

Uncle Frank is Corey's sister's husband. They got married when she was 4o and he 52. It was both of their's first marriage (did I say that right?). I always tell people that Sherri loved Frank her entire life. I think it is true too. She first started loving him when she was 15 at his 26th birthday party. He was kind of foxy back then.

And she loved him all that time until they finally got married. Before they got married they were sort of on again off again. They were often buddies and would do lots of things together. But then there were times they weren't friends.

I remember when Sherri's dad died though. Frank came to the house and Sherri sobbed big gigantic sobs in his arms. I remember him wearing a brown leather jacket. It didn't matter that they were "off", he was there for her.

Frank is always up for a good session of teasing the kids and they love it. We have to watch him though. He says a few curse words that he swears aren't real curse words. But they are, Frank. They just are.

Anyhow, we love them both. Sherri knows how to make things nice. THAT.IS. FOR. SURE. And she has mad cleaning skills that would make any OCD person jealous.

So... about New Years Evening....

I loved that when I was growing up, on New years eve my family would hang out together and watch movies and have snacks. Which ALWAYS included Spanish Olives, which I ADORE the taste of, oysters, which I totally adore the taste of, and Vienna Sausages, which I really liked.

My brother and I would sleep on the hide-a-bed couch. If both of us sat at the back where our heads would lay, the whole end of the bed would rise all the way up. We thought that was great and then we would crawl to the end and the bed would fall back down. So exciting back then.

When I was a teen and the hide-a-bed days were over we would still celebrate Family New Years Eve. I liked it that even as a teen. I really had a HARD choice deciding whether I wanted to hang out with friends that night or hang at home with my parents. I was always so torn.

This year, I felt like our family must be doing something right that Kassidy had plans to go to a dance New Years Eve but changed her mind to stay home and party with the family.

We had tons of food and tons of games. Which is just as it should be...
Shermiester!
New FIL Dale, Kassidy, and new Nephew in Law, Jason. Our family is GROWING huge lately!
I love that Aunt Sherri and Grandpa Dale took time to play with the littles.
Aren't they darling? Bo, Kate, and cousin Macie.
Bacon covered chestnuts are Justine's favorite!
Stuffed Mushrooms? You know it! Justine will only eat the stuffing because she hates mushrooms. Ha Ha. The inside is mushed up mushrooms! I love it.

My cute boy! (Sorry Dave, I should have edited you out.)

Head Bandz. You know it!
Bo loves cousin Ethan. All the boys do. Glad they have such a nice cousin who still will spend time with them.
We LOVE Clue! Corey and Uncle Dave like to psych us all out like they know stuff we don't about who it it. It annoys me! Because I get sucked into believing them. And I don't think they even know more either!

I thought this was a cute picture of my Kate and her cousin Aubrie. Kate loves people so much! She just does. She is so open and loving. Aubrie was carrying her downstairs for some reason and she just snuggled right into her.
Little Niece, Ellie
My BIL Dave and SIL Tracy
Justine and cousin Aubrie
Isn't that a beautiful picture of my MIL? (Secretly she has food in her mouth. Hee hee. I made her pose anyway. I didn't have time to wait.)

My new FIL Dale always has sea food on New Years Eve.

Because we wanted him to feel happy, I wanted to make him homemade oyster stew. But the recipes all looked like too many steps for me.

So Frank(who knows a little bit about everything, remember?) said it was easy and he whipped it up right there. It was great! And I think the pictures I took make it look so beautiful! Don't you? I totally should be a food photographer.

He's a Silver Fox.

It was yummy! And a tiny bit yucky. Those were some big oysters. For a minute I thought I was eating poop! But Frank assured me it was seaweed. Phew. See? A little bit about everything.

I was so happy when Ethan had to try a gigantic oyster. He cracked us all up. "It's chewy. And Gritty" Bahaaaa. If you eat them you'll know what I mean.

My boys LOVED every second of it!

And....Baby New Year made it. Yay for Baby New Year! Come on! Everyone should do it.

Kassidy only got some left over party poppers. I totally messed up and didn't buy enough color wonder sets. I wrote her an IOU. She was a great sport about it. I told her ahead of time. I figured she was the oldest and would be the least to care. Thanks, kid!

More to come later this week about my crooked little Bo. It was so sad.

I actually made some stuff I pinned!!!! Oh yeah! Oh yeah!

2012-01-17T10:53:00.000-08:00

My little niece, Ellie, got married and was never given a wedding shower. So my SIL, Sherri and I decided to throw her one. I really wanted to do those cute fancy things you see on Pinterest. Thanks to my SIL and all of her hard work, I think we pulled off a really pretty table....

I was thrilled over it.

I made these little rings in boxes party favors. I saw them on Pinterest. They were by Martha Stewart. hers looked a little better but she has "people" and I just have me. So mine were less fancy but I thought they were adorable.

I saw a cute banner on Pinterest and decided I could make one! I messed up. The paper was supposed to alternate every other one but oh well! I couldn't bear to print off another one. Whatcha think? Cute?

And I really wanted to make some of those tissue pom poms. I heard a million times how easy they were. So imagine how stupid I felt when I thought they were hard. Mine didn't come out that great. But still cute.

And we can't forget cake balls. The newest trend. Where you make eating cake four times the amount of work.

So....my friend Amy came over and taught me how. And I loved our visit and I loved the finished product, but the whole time I kept thinking....why not just slice a piece of cake? It doesn't take four hours to make?

So....you bake a cake. Then you pour a tub of frosting into it and stir it all around so it is all mushy. ARoll the mush into balls. Then you melt chocolate, roll the balls in it, and put on sprinkles.

The finished product were SO CUTE!!!!! They were a huge hit. And a tiny bit of a waste of time. Except that I had a good friend to hang with during the making process.

And they looked so fancy and cute on the cupcake stands on the white papers....

but this.....

tasted to die for!

It was a fun shower with lots of "cousin" time.

My nieces....Aubrie, Ellie, Ally, Macie

Gerolyn, Sherri, Myrna, Carolyn

Cousins- Tori, Ellie, Justine, Aubrie

If you get on my Pinterest....I decided to make a "board" on my "Pinterest" of all the things off of there that I have actually done. I decided I had no business pinning if I wasn't going to try some of the ideas. I think everyone should make a board of ideas they have tried. It would be fun.

Next up? Justine's 16th birthday! Aaaannnnnddddd.....She wants cake balls. And a photo booth. Thank Heavens for Pinterest.

I guess mercy is the answer.

2012-01-06T12:38:00.000-08:00

I am so touched. I KNOW some very loving people. A few days ago our neighbor brought Rhett a cute little blue pencil box chuck full of mechanical pencils. Rhett had been begging me to take him to the dollar store for a pencil box! And you probably remember his desperation from the other day for mechanical pencils. Isn't that so terribly kind? Thank you, friend.

Then today at church Rhett was given another nice mechanical pencil from my friend. He was so excited. Thank you, other friend!

He just beamed from both encounters. I just think it is so wonderful to be able to be on the earth with our heavenly siblings and to be able to be each other's earthly angels. I totally hope I can be peoples angels even in little ways. All those little things mean so very much.

Now...on to the topic of Corey being such a goofball. What else is new, right?

He has been covetous of my five gallon buckets, with their snazzy screw top lids, ever since I brought them home. I make my home made laundry detergent in them. It is working out well except for the fact that the laundry detergent is gelatinous and very liquidy. So it is messy and sloppy. And I haven't had a decent scoop. So I just grabbed a canning jar that was laying around. And yes, I have made a huge mess trying to get the soap in the washer. And the buckets are sitting right next to each other and often (I do probably three loads a day every day, sometimes more) I slosh on the lid of the bucket sitting next to the other bucket. Big deal!

Well, I brought my buckets upstairs to make new soap but they have been sitting in the kitchen for a few days because I haven't gotten around to it.

So the other day Corey looks at my buckets all disgusted and totally serious, gets annoyed and says, "Susan! Respect your buckets!!!!"

BAAHAAAAaa! I laughed a ton over that.

Eating deodorant isn't advisable and saving drowning bull dogs.... is! It just is!

2012-01-04T20:05:00.001-08:00

Tonight Rhett encourage Kate to eat a bit of his broken deodorant. He let her believe it was a marshmallow.

Therefore...what kind of a parent would I be if I didn't "encourage" Rhett to do the same? He was good natured about it. He tried a little nibble.

The two of them spent quite a bit of time drinking milk hoping to get the taste off their tongue. They shared a cup and took turns drinking..

Ahhh...life is funny.

One of the reason Kate so easily believed it was a marshmallow is because Corey made all three boys marshmallow guns for Christmas. They turned out great and the boys really enjoyed them. The rest of us? Not so much. Those little things kinds of hurt and now I keep finding dried marshmallows everywhere. But I was impressed at his efforts to make the guns.

My cute friend, who gave me the owl from the other day, blogged that she wanted an English Bull dog.

It sent me back into time remembering when I worked for a veterinarian. I was maybe 17. I so loved that job. Had LOTS of fascinating experience.

One included watching a lady, grief stricken over the death of her ferret. She literally spent all day in the faculty lounge mourning the loss of her little pet. Just holding its lifeless little body. For HOURS and HOURS. It was so sad. Makes me thankful for my religious beliefs. I hope that lady is okay.

I also really grew fond of Grey Hounds. There might not be a more loving, sweet breed of dog. There were two dogs that lived at the veterinarian's office. They were blood donor dogs. They were used for transfusions. If I remember correctly, dogs all have the same blood type. The Grey Hound and the other blood donor dog, which was a sweet mutt of some type, were walked twice a day and given treats. Some people were critical of their lives being used just for that purpose but at least they were living and taken good care of when so many other dogs are put to sleep. I would love to get a Grey Hound dog now.

One day I went into work and I told a dog, "You're a fat dog". The technician I worked with was highly offended and truly, truly believed it could understand the gravity of the words I spoke. What? I had said it in a nice voice. Jokes on me, I guess. Ha, Ha!

At the clinic, once a month, an animal orthodontist would come and take care of dogs teeth. Mostly English Bull Dogs! That Dr. made a fortune!!!

Once we treated a fawn. As in a deer.

I was bit by a dog. I was fine until the fat dog defender found out and was so kind and compassionate towards me that I started to cry over it. That dog actually sort of hurt my feelings.

I worked the night shift for a week. I was in OVER my head but they hired me because they needed a night person while the main lady went on vacation. I was to give shots, read confusing charts, give fluids, and all sorts of things I had NEVER done. I remember every time I had a question (in the middle of the night of course) I would call a different Dr. instead of the one on call. I was too nervous to call the same one each time. So I spread it around the different Dr's. because I was COMPLETELY inexperienced, there were a lot of calls some nights! They didn't love that so much. They told me to only call the Dr. on call. Ha ha. That makes me laugh.

I worked for a very intelligent and well known reptile Dr. I was so grateful to get to work with him. I learned so very much. I loved reptiles. His name was Dr. B. I called him that FAITHFULLY. He told me EVERY time to call him Tom. I just never could get it through my head. Looking back I bet he wasn't even thirty. Lol. There was a room in the basement where the sick reptiles would go. Because I loved them so much I would always go in that room and clean bowls and care for the room and check out the sick little reptiles. He once told me how much he appreciated that. And that out of all the kids who'd ever worked there, I was the only one whom ever had taken care of that room. Me, being a words of affirmation girl...I still remember that. And feel good about it. And still take pride in it.

And to top my stories off.....I saved an English bull dog from drowning. He was waking up from anesthetic and someone had given him a water bowl. He was so drugged he had his face in it and couldn't figure out how to get out. I mentioned to the Dr. "Hey, is that dog drowning?" We all stared. Indeed it was! In my memory they had to do CPR. Later the Dr. thanked me for being observant and noticing it. The owners LOVED their dog and that would have been a HUGE deal, of course. I always loved that breed of dog as well. Strange though they are.

Now that I have been a house mom (house elf, ha ha) for almost 18 years...I wonder who that brave girl was! I would be so chicken now to have all those experience. It is so good to be youthful and without fear.

Night!

The new Cherry M&M's are super yummy.

Also I wrote once I thought typing lol was stupid. I changed my mind. GAL (Giggle a little)

When do you teach a lesson and when do you show mercy?

2012-01-03T21:31:00.000-08:00

I don't know.

But Rhett really struggled today. He was SUPER tired. And a bit sad. I think we are hard on him sometimes. He is pretty loud and wild and the family is often on his case. But he gets emotional sometimes. Angry and sad. I don't know what it is quite about although I suspect he is frustrated about stuff.

He told me when his teacher reads chapter books he doesn't ever really understand what she is talking about. I wonder if he just can't listen long enough to comprehend before his mind is drifting.

Then he got upset and said he wished he never told me because I would tell his teacher. The last time he told me something I went and talked to his teacher about it and now he doesn't trust me. Sad. Makes me really sad. :(

The reason he told me about not understanding the books is because I asked him if he'd like me to read a chapter book to him. He brightened when he said.." I don't have to read?" I said no. He could just listen. It broke my heart a little that he seemed pleased about reading together. I thought he'd fight it. I should be doing it all along with him (I have tried in the past, he didn't enjoy it)but it is so hard with the chaos that is going on constantly. So we read one chapter of a book about a modern day Peter Pan. We talked about it along the way. It went okay. I explained a lot. I think it will be good.

So later I caught him sneaking mechanical pencils out of Kassidy's room.

Mechanical pencils are a huge deal to him. He loves them. I made him put them back and gave him a mini lecture about it.

That night Kassidy was looking for her favorite pencils. I told her to look in Rhett's back pack.

She showed me when she found them in there. Ugh.

Then it was so sweet. She wasn't even mad or anything. She just said she had some other ones he could have. She just said it so sweet and compassionately to a little brother who just wanted some pencils, by golly!

Love moments like that. When your daughter is gentle instead of lashing out when you could see why she would have reacted otherwise.

Rhett's has a few smiling issues for the camera. He cannot give a natural smile to save his life. Funny.

I don't know how this happened!

2012-01-02T11:59:00.000-08:00

>How did we go from this....

To this!!!! In only a FEW MONTHS!!!!! Honest! CRAZY!

Changes his entire look! Still a darlin' though!

Near Years Goals? I'll pass, thanks.

2012-01-01T22:22:00.000-08:00

Last night...Coolest new years ever! (Minus the ones I spent with my family as a kid. Can't beat some of those child hood memories.) I'll show some pictures later(of our homemade oyster stew! Yummy! And a tiny bit yucky. What is up with oysters anyhow! I love them so much but they are kind of ewwy little creatures...We are too busy right now...having our Lord of The rings marathon and I keep getting trouble for being on the laptop. I am down loading pictures...honest. Trying to get some projects finished.

Shmeegal is the creepiest little thing ever. Except for that one part where he bawled like a baby after they caught him. That was just down right cute. I might have had a kid who sounds like that before. "Wahhhhhh!" I think I blogged about this last year but Eomer is my fav. Also...hello Sam the brave! Not much more noble than he!

Anyway, I just dropped by to tell you that last year I set five new years goals which I blogged about here...

Didn't get any of them done. Not one.

I started a pea patch instead of a strawberry patch. But never finished it.

Didn't fix up my house.

Didn't get healthier.

Didn't bear my testimony more than twice...

I was given a free fish tank (WAHOO, Thanks "Blue" and Sandy)but wanted to redo the stand and don't have it set up yet...I'm close tough.

I only taught my kids two verses of one hymn instead of...FIVE HYMNS....

Didn't finish BOM or do better on Family Prayer. Ugh.

And what is up with me setting SEVEN goals! That was ambitious of me!

So....I think I wont set any goals. I am just going to try to do better everyday. Reading the Scriptures and Exercising. Being nicer to my kids. Not shushing them when I get tired of talking. Same old same old. But super important.

Oh...P.S.....Baby new Year brought me my Glenn Beck book. Yay. It was inevitable since I am baby new year. LOL. Bo asked Justine "I wonder what all the other kids got to day from baby New year?" Cute. Cause I don't know anyone else who does it. Since my grandparents invented it. You could if you want.

Sorry for bad editing. I am getting stink eye from Corey for lap op usage. it is dark so I can't see him but I can feel his stare down. *shudder*

Home Depot Santa and Christmas day!

2011-12-26T06:58:00.000-08:00

Here is Home Depot Santa I was telling you about. He is seriously like 7 feet tall! The first item we saw him he looked just like this and gave Kate a candy cane. The next time we went to home depot Kate wanted to go find Santa. I was thinking the chances of this guy working again on the exact time we were there was slim so I decided not to go looking for him. Surprise! Somehow he found us! He is Santa! Bo didn't buy it. But Kate sure did. She loved him.

Why am I at Home Depot so much you wonder? I decided to make the girls fabulous wood projects. I was going to do it at my dads because he is quite talented at all things "building" and...he has a cleaner garage. And the better tools. And himself for advice.

I have been accused several times (much to my extreme annoyance) that I like to drag everyone else into my projects. I sure did this time. I took the projects to my dads, worked a bit on them, basically freaked out because of lack of time, and left my dad to finish them. Without even really asking.

He did a great job. He is a very loving Grandpa and I hope the girls will cherish these gifts and know the love that was put into them....

First...

A rabbit stand. All the cool kids have them. Justine will use this at rabbit shows to groom her rabbits and get them ready for judging. Up until now we have just borrowed our friends, but it will be so nice for her to have her own!!! And with that green color... watch out....the judges will see her coming.

Second.... I saw this great jewelry case made out of a crib here...http://www.infarrantlycreative.net/2011/08/jewelry-organizerroadkill-rescue.html. LOVED IT. Got an old crib and....my dad had to finish the entire thing. I was in over my head. But it turned out great. It still needs the quote on the front but Kassidy spent three hours Christmas morning stocking it full of her jewels. My dad worked on it clear up until Christmas evening. Yea...It's huge. And AWESOME!

Kassidy doesn't look super happy because her brother had shot a Nerf arrow in her eye. She doesn't recover quickly from these kinds of things.

Thanks, Dad. Love you tons.

My mom spent hours making these darling crochet clothes for these little babies for Kate. They are the cutest. My mom has such talent. Dying art I say!

Our new ornaments...Lol.

Bo really wanted them.

Us hanging out...

Dad and Corey

Sherri and Carolyn

My mother in law had us over for a WONDERFUL meal and we basically had a great day. Even on only three hours of sleep. Ugh. Exhausted.

The kids loved all their presents and I think I am finally learning that less is more. Too many presents and they are just lost in the shuffle.

Loved that our sweet girls got Corey and I presents to make up for us not getting any for each other.

Added another reptilian collectible to my collection this year. Last year Justine got me a frog and this year I got a lizard. I just love them. Really. A ton.

Someone very dear to me got me this little ceramic owl. I am NUTS over it.

Also received a few AWESOME salt and pepper shakers to add to my collection.

(These are from Justine)

GREAT CHRISTMAS.

Bo got his Beyblades. He kept singing "oh yeah, oh yeah, I got bey blades!" Great reaction.

Kassidy bought herself this stylin' new coat with the Christmas bonus she received from work (nicest employer EVER).

She pretty much admitted she thinks she is hot stuff now. She is a crack up.

Corey always teases Justine that her real parents were big foots and we found her in the forest. It's there little game and it can get quite funny. Well, now we have proof! Crazy new boots!

Flying their helicopters.

Kate and her Christmas morning yawn. We had to wake her up. Then she was so cold we had to put on a coat and Nathan's snuggie. Yes. We own a real life snuggie. It is hysterical.

It's always fun until someone gets hurt. See the helicopter in her hair?

Wait...No new Glenny Beck book. Hmmm...Corey?...

Oh well, There is always Little Baby New Year. He brings one gift per person in with the new year. It's a long lived tradition from my father's childhood. Don't let me down Little Mr. Baby New year!

Oh yeah....coolest present of the year....LORD OF THE RINGS PEZ DISPENSERS!!!! I mean come on, you know they rock! We each got one last night while we started out LOTR marathon. Corey can do a most incredible impression of Gimly. "My axe!"

I noticed once again that my comma ussage is awful. Sorry. Also I could not get this post to cooperate so excuse it's craziness.

Merry Christmas peoples! I havden't forgotten about Freak Flag Santa. I hope it is still up so I can get a picture tommorow. My SIL taught me the term Freak Flag. Cracks me up.

I am seriously lame. Second year I have written a Christmas letter and never gotten it mailed. So this is all I got. Sorry people who care.

2011-12-25T13:04:00.000-08:00

Merry CHRISTmas!

We failed to get our annual letter out last year and it has driven me crazy ever since. With all of the technical advances we have and the price of stamps I have a feeling Christmas cards are going to be going by the way side. I sure hate to see the sweet tradition die. So here is our effort to keep it alive. (even if it is late!...or via Internet. (That counts a little, right?)

Katie(3 ½) spends most of her time talking. And repeating questions. And bossing us around. And did I say talking? She’s smart and sassy and silly. We love her and she drives us crazy. But mostly we love her. A lot. She pretends to be a dog in her free time. She loves her class at church, and her teachers there, so very much!

Bo (6) is the most cuddly sweet little guy around. He is doing the best he can in kindergarten despite battling a serious case of ADHD. He received his very first bar in Jujitsu. Martial arts is supposed to be very good for discipline for kids with ADHD and he loves it. His top big tooth is coming in and trying to turn my baby into a big boy. Breaks my heart.

Rhett (10) has proven himself to be quite the sports guy. He enjoys and does well at all the different sports I can manage to get him into. He is coming along in school and is the hardest worker ever. His idea of a fun time is hauling fire wood. I think he is so cute, and that certainly he must be the boy that all the girls in school love the most.

Nathan (12 ½) got braces this year. He also had oral surgery to expose two top teeth and try to get them to grow down instead of sideways. He has grown more inches than we have kept track of. He is almost as tall as Corey. He is a pretty easy going kid and has let me persuade him into furthering his violin by signing him up for orchestra. He has enjoyed it along with his private lessons, although playing with his star wars Legos might be first on his list of things to do. He is working hard in Boy Scouts and I love that he still makes sure to hug us goodnight every single night.

Justine (15 3/4) has the longest thickest hair around. She is pulling off excellent grades and spends her free time taking care of her rabbits and doing craft 4-H. She refuses to take drivers education and is terrified to turn 16 lest some boy actually ask her on a date. She is so shy. But she is a doll and I so appreciate all her help. I almost cried the other day thinking of my helper going on to college someday. She and I had a great time this summer taking a class to make Nativities. We collected rocks and spent time gluing and painting and watching Dr.Quinn. It was great time.

Kassidy (17) is happily employed at a movie theater. She treats us to trips to the movie often and we love it. She makes the best popcorn around. She is saving her money for college and is mostly very responsible for herself and her general needs. We have to keep her away from the boys as she is very boy crazy and the boys are liking her back. Terrifies her parents! She loves to do anything that involves friends! She likes big earrings, doodling, and DATING!!!!!!

I have been happily regaining my life back as my babies are growing up, although it is still crazy most of the time. I am like every other mom and live to chauffeur my kids to all of their activities. I have started some crafting projects and some wood projects this year and am really enjoying doing some creative things. I love to document our lives on my blog and have a lot of fun with it. I take great joy in a clean house (doesn’t happen often) and getting projects checked off my to do list. I’m basically a nerd.

Corey is always up to the same stuff. Hiking, hunting, and camping. He would love to add more things to his hobbies like skiing and snowmobiling but money prevents it. He hiked several mountains and has lost a lot of weight jogging. He took first place in our town’s local marathon. It was his FIRST marathon. He and Nathan jogged it together and both got excellent times. So fun! Next year I think our whole family will walk/jog it.

This year we lost our sweet, old, beloved Josie. She had to be put to sleep. She was 12. Broke all of our hearts. Corey and I cried that whole day. Our family is patiently waiting for dad to let us get a new dog. (Justine isn’t patiently waiting…just waiting.) We miss our girl. I don’t think there will ever be a better dog. Honest.

We are grateful to be employed with a company who still sends us a ham each Christmas season. We are thankful for family close by and miss the ones far away. We are thankful for our little community and for the incredible people we rub shoulder with. We are grateful for warm beds. We love America. We love the peace and health and happiness we enjoy and pray not to take for granted.

We are grateful for a Savior. To do for us what no one else could. We seek to know Him better.

Love you all!

Our Family!

Thanks to our photographer friends, Emily and Nate. If you need some great ones, especially for weddings, let me know!

(The kids were so grossed out at us kissing in the background of these pictures. You can tell by Kassidy's face. Lol.)

Visit to Santa

2011-12-22T06:05:00.000-08:00

I keep saying this over and over but I feel like I am doing things "wrong". I want to simplify life but when I go over my to do list I just don't think anything can go. All the things on my to do list are things that care take my children. I am just so busy. I hate it. So.... no closer to Christ today. And no treats made to give to friends. And no time sitting around reading to kids. We are either cleaning house or running...and not as in exercising. Well, I guess Justine is because she has been seeing a physical therapist for a softball injury... That is the cool way of saying she rolled her ankle at practice running for the ball. The injury is from last season and still bugging her.

Anyways, just a going all the time. Huge thanks to my dad for working so hard on all of my Christmas projects. To my disappointment he has done most of the work. I simply ran out of time. But they are INCREDIBLE. I think. And I learned something. All these great ideas you see on pinterest and blogs and such...they take some work!

We did squeeze in a trip to see Santa in between dropping Nathan off to orchestra class.

The Santa people at the mall make me M.A.D.

SIXTEEN DOLLARS FOR A 5X7 picture of Santa? Are you K.I.D.D.I.N.G. me?????

Two years ago I about croaked when I paid twelve. But all six kids were in it so I went with it.

But NO WAY for sixteen dollars. And anyone who knows me KNOWS I hate not to document all these moments (because then I completely forget them).

So I was grateful when I learned I WAS allowed to take my own picture but I had to be on the outside of the perimeter.

I was thankful Santa turned my way and was gracious about letting me get a picture even though I didn't pay.

But I was livid that they would try to rip me OFF that way. The mall should just pay for Santa as a gift to the patrons and call it good. Whoever is earning the money for pictures shouldn't be able to sucker us in with the black mail of pictures of our babies with Santa. Grr. I mean, charge a little if you must but S.I.X.T.E.E.N. dollars????????

So...that being said....

Kate pulled her normal cutesy darling self and snuggled right into Santa's super soft coat and she closed her little eyes and just inhaled all the beauty of Santa. It was sweet. She will do that sometimes when she loves something. Closes her eyes and snuggles in with all the love in the world.

She told Santa she wanted a scooter...which she isn't getting. Bo informed my mom that Santa doesn't get you what you ask for. It is generally true at our house. Not that I am opposed to getting what they ask for, it just has to fall in line with my ideas.

Then Bo took his turn. He was insistent on waiting for Kate to be done before he took his turn. Bo wants Bey Blades. Which he is getting. I WOULD NEVER HEAR THE END of it if he didn't get those. He has been talking about them for months. And he wants the case to carry them in also. Which was so cute to me. But the carrying case was A MUST. Bey Blades are all the rage. Basically a little zip cord that sends the bey blades spinning into battle. Like tops.

Kate is getting little pet store animals and the tree that goes with it. If I was a kid I would so be wanting that.

And this was the year I told Rhett Santa is a sham. He asked me over and over and he really wanted to know the truth. So I told him. I actually love when the gig is up. It makes life easier. He told me he DID NOT want to go visit Santa.

"I mean think about it...since Santa isn't real...Why would I want to go sit on some strangers lap?"

Kids got a point.

Seriously need a better camera.

I still need to show you the Santa freak flag house and I need to show you Home Depot Santa. Tommorow.

Also forgive me. I am done with my Closer to Christ project. I am going to keep it going after Christmas though. Like maybe a every Sunday thing. I am just too frazzled. Do you get tired of hearing that?

Quiet book page number two

2011-12-20T08:28:00.000-08:00

Before I show off my next page I feel like I should state...

Yes. I know that my kids are getting too old for this type of thing. I am just doing it because it is fun.

Yes. I am really not that great at hand stitching. When I see others hand stitch I am wondering if they know some trick I don't. I mean, it is only a needle and thread....why is it so hard! But I CANNOT get them perfect and even a straight as others I have seen. Not sure what is up with that!

Yes. I know these pages are darling (I can say that because I totally stole my ideas from here , LOVE her work!) but is it maybe nuts to turn a toy over to toddlers that can't be washed? And actually if you have a destructo child these quiet books may not be indestructible. No one is going to be able to touch these with out using wet wipes first. I am going to make a wet wipe page. Lol.

All that being said...Here is my newest pages. Yea. It pretty much takes hours. But you know that time at night when you are too tired to get much accomplished but you don't want to go to bed because you enjoy TV? Well, that is when I am working on them.

The chord keeps Bo attached to the moon when he is on space exploration. Sewing that plastic stuff for his helmet was hard!

I have never done a zipper. And I did it wrong. And bad. But it works and unless it breaks I am not changing. it!

I didn't want Kate to feel bad that I made Bo his very own page. So I assured her I was making her one also. It is going to be a pound puppy page where she can adopt a dog. She loves dogs!

So Rhett, age 10, asks me....."So how come you made Bo a page?"

Me...."Because I thought he'd like it."

Him...Quiet lingering.

Me...."Why? are you jealous?" said super compassionately of course.

Him...."A little."

ADORABLE.

If I keep enjoying this I am just going to make them all a page. I am keeping this book under tight wraps so I hope I will have it around for a while and even if my kids are too old for it their kids might enjoy checking out their parents or aunts and uncles pages. A little far in the future but those are my thought!

I am working on a sock page right now. This same site I mentioned before just has adorbale ideas. I also REALLY want to make a mail box page. With real letters to the kids printed on fabric... I know.... To die for.

Closer to Christ Day 19

2011-12-19T21:55:00.000-08:00

We are grateful to be invited to a little get together each year where our kids preform the nativity.

Is there anything more sweet? It is sacred even to me. These little kids acting out Christ's birth. I am so grateful that through someone else's great efforts, my children get to participate in this tradition. (Note...Nathan and Rhett weren't able to come. Their daddy peer pressured them to go watch a STEELERS football game. Boo.)

So here are some of the sweet pictures.....

Bo on the right dressed in his little Shepard's costume. Friends, Lane and Brady as the Shepard and the camel. Too funny.

Ashlynn and Sadie as the Angels.

Bo as a Shepard. He rocks it.

Bo's class mate, Eli, and friend, Cache, as the wise men.

Regan as Mary. She was a great Mary!

On the couch, Justine, Maelynn, and Ciara.... narrating. Cute little girl, Kessia, really wanted me to take her picture!

Mary and Joesph played by Rhett's class mate Regan, and friend, Brittan. (Don't you love that name?)

Gathering around baby Jesus. Kate was right on that. When they said to come worship Jesus she told everyone to come ship Jesus. Cutie.

I would dare to say this is Katie's BFF. He is two. His name is Miles. He is a Cuuuutttiiiieeeee PIE! Kate plays happier with him then anyone else. I think it is because he is two. And doesn't talk much yet and is game for anything Kate suggests.....or demands. He just toddles about happy doing everything her way. It is quite cute and she LOVES him. He probably loves anybody but I think he loves to play with her also. I keep thinking I should borrow him for a few hours to keep her busy so I can get something done.

Look how cute Kate is sitting....

The other day I realized we only had 8 days until Christmas. I SERIOUSLY thought we had TWO more weeks! What the heck!!!!

The projects I was so excited about and was working on with my dad....He is finishing. Out of the kindness of his heart. Because it is absolutely impossible for me to finish them. Time is out of control flying BY!!!!

Closer to Christ Day 18

2011-12-18T21:18:00.000-08:00

Yeah. I missed some days. I'll make it up later.

Today we talked about some of the things that were the same in Christ's time and in our time. The sacrament, baptism, etc...

On a different subject....

Later Kate was crying in her bed..."I'm scared of Santa's reindeers!". It was stinking cute.

I told Justine she was abusive with Santa. she can't quit telling the little kids that they are going to be on the naughty list. Or that Santa's watching them....through the WINDOW! No worries there. Sheesh.

And I will show you tomorrow why sometimes people let their Santa freak flag fly!!!!!!

Mr. Sparkles

2011-12-15T23:24:00.000-08:00

I drive Bo to school everyday and on the way are some very popular horses. Super friendly and people are always petting them.

Kate and I decided to pet them one day and whenever I smell a horse it brings back so many good feelings. I really loved horses at one time in my life. And when I smell them I remember just how wonderful of creatures they are. And I feel sorry for myself that I don't get to live a life with horses in it.

Kate and I decided to give the horses names. Brownie....for the brown one.....and Pepper.... for the BEAUTIFUL black and white one.

SO a few days later somehow Pepper turned into Mr. Sparkles. I love it. I think it is so cute. Kate asked me if Mr. Sparkles was a boy or a girl. Good question.

Huh? What? Closer to Christ day 12, 13, 14, and 15. you say? "What chu talking about Willis?" I know nothing about it. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Closer to Christ Day 11

2011-12-11T20:45:00.000-08:00

Today was a busy and good Sunday. I taught the kids about when Christ calmed the sea. I tried to really visualize that. Uh...no wonder they were terrified. Being on a small fishing boat in a storm! That would be scary! I wish the Savior was with me all the time. Wouldn't you feel so safe?

Corey and I spoke today in church, Bo gave a little talk, I taught in primary, my primary leaders and I delivered gifts to the primary kids and teachers, and we went to tithing settlement. Busy good day. And Justine babysat so our neighbor could go to the church choir and they took Nathan so that he could count it for his orchestra assignment. I actually would have liked to have gone but our van has died.

Anyways....

I don't know WHAT got into me last Sunday. I already have a CRAZY life but a sign up sheet crossed my path at church. It was a sign up sheet to serve the other group of LDS people that go to church in our building at a different time. They served our dinner for our Christmas party and then we were to serve their food for their Christmas party. There are tons of people in our church group (which is called a ward) who could and would do it but I found myself signing my name to the sheet. And My daughters. Why? Someone else could do it! But I just felt like I should. Also I saw that my friend Kirsten was preparing a turkey and that made me feel guilty for not helping. I am so vulnerable to peer pressure. Oh...and the other people who signed up to serve were people I loved so I wanted to work with them.

So Saturday night Justine and I went and served for 31/2 hours. It was a joy. Nathan's cute little 7th grade teacher, whom I love was, there helping and when people would thank her she was so bright and cheery...."It was fun!!!! She would say every time. I want to be more like that. I do.

Anyway, right before going to the church to serving we were discussing the miracle of the fish and bread with the kids during our Closer to Christ project.

Then, while serving the food to ALL of these people I just started thinking about Christ. And that story. And how he would probably be serving all these people if he was here. And I felt GREAT love for all these people. Maybe a few hundred. It felt like a privileged to dish up their plates as they came through the line. I literally got teary standing there serving ham.

What an honor to serve. So glad I did. And guess what....it was fun!

And my other great serving friend, Angie, swears we were having a miracle of the corn that night. We should have been out of corn but every time she was scooping it wasn't gone! Ha!

Tonight I am drinking two diet Pepsi's. I haven't had any all week. That was my goal. I am not a huge pop addict but I like it. But I thought I better reign myself in before I add anymore bad habits to my list! I am drinking them late because I have to stay up until midnight so I can watch Dog the Bounty Hunter, which with our cheap cable doesn't come on until midnight on Sunday night. WuZ up with that??????

I can't help it. I just love him.

Closer to Christ Day 10

2011-12-10T20:04:00.000-08:00

Bo and Kate LOVE getting their binders out and coloring pictures to put in them. That part is fun. I wish we had more time to actually STUDY the scriptures but sometimes it is just enough to get through one little story. I have seen some great ideas lately about coloring pictures that go with what ever your studying. I love that idea. We might try that.

Today we learned about a man who couldn't walk. And Jesus was surrounded by all sorts of people and the mans friends were not able to get get him to Jesus. So they CUT a HOLE is the ceiling and lowered him down on a slab of wood or something. We discussed how much the mans' friends must have LOVED him to go to that effort to get to Jesus.

I also read a really interesting article to day. I liked it and I just thought how very true it was. I discussed some of it with the kids.

I talked with them about how why do we put so much emphasis on Santa and we get so excited about the presents he's going to bring us and blah blah blah. But why do we get that excited when we have Jesus who gave us the most wonderful gift of all. Why do we even need Santa when we have Jesus?

Why do we trivialize Christmas and the real meaning of it with the stupidness of fighting over good sales and maybe even... Santa.

I should mention here that I REALLY love to give my kids present for Christmas. Really love it.

Here is the link to that interesting article. I also cut and pasted it on my blog so that when I make my blog into a book I have a copy. I know nothing about all these links she posted about slavery. But is sounds like it would be something worth learning about.

The Christmas Conundrum
by Jen Hatmaker November 29, 2011

When I was in sixth grade, I received two Christmas presents I distinctly remember:

1.) The most coveted, desired beautiful "Forenza" tag on a pair of black leggings with a corresponding purple and black plaid shirt. (The outfit could've been anything, as long as it was from The Limited. Outback Red, anyone? Omg. If I could've conjured riches back then, I would've spent every red cent on OBR.)

2.) A fun, quirky red "football jersey type" sweatshirt.

I loved them both. Loved, loved, loved. I was certain these gifts were my ticket out of Dorkville. The feathered, product-less boy haircut and Bargain Selection glasses would become moot in light of my new, stylish garb. The popular kids would wonder what they ever didn't see in me. The cute boys I pined over would fight over inviting me to Sadie Hawkins, and they would say things like, "Why haven't we noticed her before? We're like Saul after the scales fell from his eyes." Or at least something very, very similar to that.

Until one very unfortunate eavesdropping session.

Supposed to be in bed but creeping in the hall listening to my parents' conversation which simply seemed like a naughty, awesome thing to do, I heard my mom say this:

"Her red sweatshirt? I found it at Walmart for $3.00."

Oh. No.She.Didn't.

And just like that, the sweatshirt was ruined. In front of my eyes, it lost all its charm and it simply became something a Walmart girl would wear because she couldn't afford Esprit and her mother refused to buy her Guess jeans. All of a sudden, it communicated: I'm poor. (I was in sixth grade, people. It was a very dramatic time.)

Here's why I tell you about my persecutions: That is the only thing I remember from Christmas 1985. Not Jesus. Not reverence. Not generosity. Not gratitude. Just a selfish, materialistic reaction because every single gift of mine wasn't from an overpriced store with a namebrand I could casually brag about wearing. What a brat.

This sort of bull crap is still happening every year.

What happened to Christmas? What on earth happened to it? When did it transform from something simple and beautiful to what it is now? How insiduously did the enemy work to slowly hijack Jesus' birth and hand it over on a silver platter to Big Marketing, tricking His own followers into financing the confiscation?

We all know it. We all feel it. Every year we bear this tension. Each December, the world feels off kilter. But in the absence of a better plan or an alternative rhythm or - let's just say it - courage, we feed the machine yet again, giving Jesus lip service while teaching our kids to ask Santa for whatever they want, because, you know, that's really what Christmas boils down to.

I just cannot take it anymore, yall. I cannot.

What if a bunch of us pulled out of the system? What if we said something very radical and un-American, like: "Our family is going to celebrate Jesus this year in a manner worthy of a humble Savior who was born to two poor teenagers in a barn and yet still managed to rescue humanity."

I'm going to throw out some ideas for what I hope is a more meaningful Christmas; you may take some and leave some. Good reader, you may take none. Maybe you'll tweak an idea to fit your family. You might say, "For the love of Baby Jesus! She's ruining everything! We'll try one little thing this year, ok?! And then we'll quit reading her blog." Here goes:

1.) Because I'm anxious to make enemies and isolate myself from any goodwill you've ever felt toward me, let me just start with a biggie: We've pulled out of the Santa charade. Our newest kids are 5 and 8, preparing for their first Christmas in America, and we're just not doing it, yall. Maybe because we've spent the last four years trying to unravel the mess we've presented to our other kids all these years, but hear me say it: We are giving Christmas back to Jesus. Not a corner of it; all of it.

There is no fake benefactor this year my kids can petition to get more stuff. Because honestly? For a five-year-old, how can Jesus compete with Santa? Our children don't have spiritual perspective; when faced with the choice of allegience, they have a baby in a manger, or they can get a jolly, twinkling, flying character who will bring them presents. This is going to be an easy choice for them. My friend Andrew, who identifies himself as a member of the "non-believer corner" put it this way:

I always thought it was strange how Christians will tell me they have this giant and awesome truth they know is true deep in their soul and want to share with me, but when 12/25 comes around they lie to their own progeny because, apparently, that giant, liberating, and awesomely simple truth is somehow just not enough. It may be a good narrative, but it needs a little something to give it some panache.

As importantly, it sets this tone for Christmas: Be good and you'll get stuff, which becomes so deeply seeded, undoing that position is almost impossible. When we teach our children to understand Christmas through this lens, then tell them at nine-years-old: "Never mind! It's all fake! Oh, and stop being so selfish because Christmas is about Jesus"...we shouldn't be surprised when our kids stage a mutiny and ask to move in with Grandma. Young parents, this is so much easier to do right the first time rather than try to undo later. Give your kids the gift of a Christmas obsessed with Jesus - and no other - when they are little, and it will be their truth all their lives. Some practical points:

* When faced with Santa everywhere, everywhere, everywhere, we told our kids the story of the original St. Nicholas from the 3rd century, and his devotion to Jesus and the poor. We explained that Santa is a character based on his life, but one was real and one is pretend. We also told them some children believe Santa is real, and it's their parents' job to talk about that with their friends, not theirs. In other words, DON'T BE THAT KID WHO MAKES EVERYONE CRY IN THE MIDDLE OF CLASS. You're welcome, teachers.

* For the most part, we are not watching TV this month. We're allowing movies and Netflix, but the less commercials our kids have to digest, the less confusing this month is for them. Um, ditto for all of us. When there are commercials that say, "Hey? You know how to avoid the terrible Disappointed Face when you give your loved one her gift? Buy her a Toyota!"...we have seriously derailed, folks.

* Take a big breath: I got rid of all my Santa paraphernalia this year. No more severed ceramic Santa heads up in here. Try not to flip out. (I am in the "undoing" category I mentioned above. So freaking hard.)

* This is big: I AM NOT JUDGING YOU. If you put carrots on your front lawn for the reindeer and stamp bootprints all over your living room from Santa's shoes, that is fully your prerogative. You don't need to hide your Santa wreath when I come over or defend your position to me or anyone. For us, Christmas has gone through four years of reconstruction, each year progressively more simplified. I know God is doing all sorts of different things with different families at different times; everybody be cool.

2.) While you're stewing over Santa, let's go ahead and tackle this one: spending. Whatintheworld? We recently watched a video from Christmas 2004 when our kids were six, four, and two. (Sidebar: Those of you with a 6-year-old, thinking he is so big? You will die one hundred thousand deaths in seven years when you look back at videos and realize he was just an infant baby. And then you will cry drippy, sad tears because you'll realize that when all those old women told you to enjoy early childhood because it will pass so quickly, and you wanted to kick them in the shins, they were right. It is over in a nanosecond and the next thing you know, your "six year old" is texting and getting ready for high school and smells like the inside of a trash can.)

I digress.

When we saw the mountains of presents in front of our P.R.E.S.C.H.O.O.L.E.R.S. and watched them rip through boxes so fast, they had no idea what they even received, I caught Brandon's eye across the room and mouthed, "We were freaks!" Not to mention all this bounty was brought into a home burgeoning with loot already, so we had to get rid of a bunch of toys just to shoehorn in the new stuff. Kindly note that the recipients of all this commerce couldn't even wipe their own butts yet.

Insane at best, sacrilegious at worst.

Four years ago, we started this gift-giving policy for each kid: Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read. That's it. (This year we are adding something to give, and I'll talk about that in a minute.) Brandon and I don't buy for each other, and we draw names with our extended families, so each adult only buys one gift.

Friends and countrymen, we simply need to spend less on ourselves. There are plenty of practical reasons, like debt and financial strain and untold energy and stress. But even if we could afford to spend $500 on every important person in our lives, that sort of egregious consumerism is unbecoming for the Bride of Christ during a season that is supposed to be marked by the worship of Jesus.

We can find alternative rhythms to show each other our love. My mother-in-law is so very, very good at giving meaningful gifts based on making memories together. She takes my kids to plays and museums and day trips. She invites them to her house individually and spends precious time with them. My kids gobble this time with her down. Let's give the gifts of time and experiences and our creative talents and words this year. They will last long after the electric griddle has been forgotten.

3.) Let's MAKE DADGUM SURE the products we do buy don't come to us courtesy of slave labor. Like Ashley Judd said in Call+Response, "I don't want to wear someone else's despair. I don't want to eat someone else's tragedy." Our little church has joined the dog fight against human trafficking, and let me tell you something: When I refuse to carefully examine the vendors I buy from because it is inconvenient or overwhelming or I just really want that, I am turning the key that shackles the enslaved hands forced to produce my little goodies. I am as complicit as the abusers who exploit these laborers. And please don't tell me, "Not buying this one thing produced through a corrupt supply chain isn't going to make a difference." All that means is I don't care. If it was our children forced to work relentlessly in bondage, we would we hope and pray rich consumers across the world would battle that injustice by directing their consumer dollar with purpose, communicating to capitalistic opportunists "NO WE WILL NOT." We will call unethical business leaders to task with our words, our votes, and our money.

So many fantastic resources to help us become responsible consumers, calling vendors to reform and repentence using the language they truly understand...lack of profits:

* Download the Free2Work app, which allows you to scan barcodes and find out if that product is made responsibly or by slave labor.

* New to this conversation? Learn from our friends at Not For Sale. They are LEGIT.

* Need convincing? Download this Slavery Footprint and see where you land: "How many slaves work for you?" (Holy moly.)

* Know the top products made by slave labor, so you can be extra diligent on who you purchase them from. Careful...some of your faves are on the list (coffee, chocolate, cotton, sugar).

* Learn trusted vendors and stick with them, even if they cost more. We will not finance the slave industry because we are addicted to artificially low prices made possible by not paying the labor force.

4.) On the other hand, we can do so much good with our dollar! I think about the Acts 4 church, redistributing their resources "to anyone who had need." Such beauty. We can direct our Christmas dollar in two ways for great good:

Buying Products with a Conscience

These products range from beautiful artisan crafts made by former sex slaves or recipients of microloans; they include companies who use profits for international justice or employ vulnerable workers. Fabulously, these options are legion, and you don't have to look hard to find them. I'll include a few, then hopefully readers will add to the list of responsible vendors in the comment section:
http://www.cometogethertrading.com/
http://www.redearthtradingco.com/
www.furnacehillscoffee.com/index
http://www.preemptivelove.org/
http://www.noondaycollection.com/
http://www.bethejoy.com/
http://www.goodnewsgoods.com/
http://www.theopenarmsshop.com/
http://www.commonthreadz.org/
http://www.globalgirlfriend.com/
http://www.3seams.com/
http://www.ravenandlily.com/
http://www.tradeasone.com/
http://www.thehungersite.org/
http://www.funkyfishdesigns.com/

Giving

The second stream we can choose to float down this Christmas is out from underneath the consumer umbrella altogether (mixed metaphors, anyone?), and it is simply sharing our resources with those who need intervention to break the cycles of poverty and despair. This year, we are giving each of our children $100 to spend on the vulnerable. This is part of their Christmas present, because as you and I know, it just feels so awesome to be a part of Jesus' redemptive story. We will give them some options, and they can distribute their money however they want. Here are some trusted, responsible organizations to partner with, donating in increments as low as $10:

www.IJM.org/GiftsofFreedom
http://www.worldvision.org/
http://www.mercycorps.org/
http://www.miraclefoundation.org/

5.) Finally (and all the readers breathed a sigh of relief), instead of just pulling old habits off the shelf and leaving a vacuum of void and guilt, let's replace American practices with - and I mean this in the most sincerest sense - Christian practices. Let's fill our homes with Jesus and find ways to worship Him with our little families every day this month. Let's join the Advent Conspiracy, daring to believe that Christmas can still change the world. May beautiful words fill our houses; lyrics like Come and behold him, born the the King of angels. As much as possible, let's mute the competing chatter trying so hard to invade our spaces; turning it down, turning it off. Celebrate Advent with your kids with diligence and anticipation. We ordered a fun version of the Advent Calendar, and each night the kids open a new envelope full of Scriptures and family activities. (Tonight we are reading about Jesus, the Light of the World, talking about what being a light in the darkness means, then playing flashlight tag. Yes, I'm sure someone will get hurt.)

Believers, let's do beautiful things together this month like serve and share and spend time with one another. Let's invite the loneliest people we know into our homes and show them Jesus. How about we make lovely food together, then share it. Parents, talk about Jesus' impending birthday like it is the most precious, thrilling, miraculous moment you have ever heard of in your life. Can we be brave enough to say "enough" to any further ruination of Jesus' day? Can we risk difficult conversations with grandparents and friends and our own children, understanding that Jesus called it the narrow way for a reason, and he wasn't kidding when he said few would find it? Let's listen to divergent thinkers and spiritual leaders who are courageously leading us in the ways of Jesus this December, helping us resist consumerism and selfishness and giving voice to our radical thoughts and inner tension.

Despite what your mother might say when you tell her you're scaling back this year, I am not trying to ruin your Christmas. On the contrary. I'm dying to rediscover what is simple and magnificent about the Savior of the World coming to earth, putting on flesh and saving my life. I so want my kids to marvel that Jesus came, just like God said he would, and he split history in two, forever transforming the concepts of hope and peace and salvation. And I just feel like when I create a season revolving around wish lists, frenzy, and alternate characters of honor, my kids will never understand any of this.

And neither will I.

Together, we have the opportunity to show a watching world something truly hopeful and sincerely beautiful this Christmas. We can live alternative rhythms in front of people, showing them something better than stress and spending and tension and exhaustion. We can raise children who understand exactly why the songwriter wrote: Oh come let us adore Him. We can partner with Jesus and bring good news to the nations yet again, fighting injustices and carrying hope to the ends of the earth through something as simple as sharing our money. Most importantly, we can render to Jesus the reverence he is owed, pushing all substitutions to the side and making our homes holy ground. This is why (from my favorite singular lyric in any hymn ever):

Long lay the world in sin and error piningTil He appeared and the soul felt it's worth.A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoicesFor yonder breaks a new and glorious morn...

The weary world rejoices indeed. Thank you, Jesus, Lord at thy birth. Joy to the world.

The Nativity Bandit strikes again

2011-12-10T14:04:00.000-08:00

Bo did the same thing to a different Nativity that I have!

Sorry if this is just one of those things where I think my own kid is cuter and cleverer than he really is but come one all ready! Adorable right?

AND..... the Snowman Nativity was all on the table after being played with (K.A.T.E. ugh) so I put it back on the piano in normal old fashioned Nativity scene way and I came back later and.....this....

I love him!

Want a good, insprational, touching cry? Check out this post.....

http://www.kellehampton.com/2010/01/nella-cordelia-birth-story.html

It's longish. But worth it. And the girl has like 17,000 followers. Wow!

And here is my pathtic little picture of my son playing the violin with his teacher at our church Christmas party. It was B.E.A.U.T.I.FU.L. Even the part where he had to stop the whole song and have his cute teacher show him where he was at. Twice. It was still B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. And I dare anyone to say it wasn't! Which they won't becasue it just was! And I may or may not have been BEAMING. Okay, I was.

(I need a new camera! Giant GRRRRRR) (And my blog spell check is broke. So there. I don't have time to go back and edit)

Not Closer to Christ Day 9

2011-12-09T20:50:00.000-08:00

Seriously guys! This was my schedule today!

I had a normal stay home and clean with most kids in school day until 2:30

2:30-Picked up Nathan for orchestra...I drive him to a different school EVERY.DAY. for his class.

Took him to orchestra and ran to pet store to check a part out for my new fish tank. Yep! you heard right. Some sweetie friends gave me their old fish tank. I am so excited. I have been wanting a nice sized one for YEARS.

Picked Nathan back up at 3:40. 10 minutes late.

Drove to take Justine to Physical Therapy for a sprained ankle only to realize I didn't even know where I was going or who the appointment was with. Ran into two places, not the right places. Even went into a chiropractor office only for Justine to remind me I was looking for a physical therapist. Called no less then 8 physical therapists until I finally found the right place. Keeping a phone book in my car is my most smartest idea.

Dropped Justine off and stayed with her. Still have Nathan and Kate with me. Done at 5:15.

Then we ran to Shopko to buy jeans because I don't have one single pair and have been wearing brown hospital pants everywhere that my sil insisted could pass for slacks.

Drove homeish and van dies. So grateful it didn't die in town. Huge thanks to Heavenly Father for saving me that pain as town is nutso right now and it would have been terrible to be dead in town.

Anyways, wait for a bit and Corey comes and tries to start car. Kids love the excitement of being broken down. Except Justine who is too worried about everything to enjoy a little broke down excitement. Corey's fix job wont work, (the battery is just DEAD) he drives us home. He and I drive back, jump it with truck battery, (ward members driving by to go to ward party) and I take off for home. With no lights on because the car was trying to die. It dies again as I pull in drive way.

Go in house at 6:40. Change into new jeans. Grab Nathan and go to Christmas party.

Corey comes a bit late and Nathan plays violin at Christmas party and we eat and chat. (I was BEAMING with pride as Nathan played. Even when he messed up. He is so handsome and it was so lovely to see him dressed up playing. He is now taller than his teacher.

Home at 9:00.

Dealt with one temper tantrum girl, and one feverish boy.

Preparing talk for Sunday.

Not closer to Christ. Closer to nervous break down.

Closer to Christ day 8!

2011-12-08T23:15:00.000-08:00

Today I only got half the kids! It is so hard to get us all together!

Kate and Bo get so EXCITED to "work on their sheep" as they call it. Even though we have moved on from sheep. But they know it means coloring, cutting, and gluing. And that is right up their alley.

Anyways today we learned how Christ preformed a miracle with 5 loves of bred and 2 fish. He made it feed 5,000 people with leftovers to spare! My kind of food preparation I tell you! I love having leftovers.

Sigh

2011-12-07T23:04:00.001-08:00

Glenn Beck has a new book out. I want it for Christmas. I heard it was REALLY good, from Glenn...on his show. But I am pretty sure it is going to be excellent.

And....whoever the heck is in charge of his look these days...they are doing a most excellent job, wouldn't you say? Look how handsome Glenny looks? Love the scruff.

Closer to Christ Day 7

2011-12-07T19:59:00.001-08:00

Refer to yesterday's post.

Too busy to get close to Christ...day 6

2011-12-06T22:36:00.000-08:00

Wow! I had a seriously packed day to day.

I feel guilt over it all the time. Being so busy. Packing my life so full that I have no time for solitude and for time to mediate. (Which is really really really difficult for me to do anyway) But I just worry that someday I will be accountable for being so busy and not having time for the important things. The REALLY important things.

How do you raise six kids and give them each a chance to do one activity, hold a church calling, get asked to speak on Sunday, make two home made Christmas presents, volunteer at school, visit teach, keep house, make meals, which are all important things...without making your self too busy.

I don't know. I am doing the best I can. I hope it is enough.

Closer to Christ Day 5

2011-12-05T20:00:00.000-08:00

Alrighty then.

That was completely one hundred percent unsuccessful.

Tonight I followed this idea. It was a great idea. But sometimes the people in my family are stinkerish. And I don't think we can do this with the two littlest kids. They just wont shush up and I can't ever talk without completely having to stop every. two. seconds. to correct them.

Ugh, Ugh and Ugh.

So we tried to discuss how I had a secret person and I wanted them to guess who it was. He could see if we are naughty or nice, he gives us very special gits, he dresses in red or white...etc... Just some really interesting things that make you instantly think of Santa.

But the secret person was Jesus.

I thought it was very interesting....It was a good idea. I don't know. I guess you win some and lose some. I just want the Spirit here so much but it is hard because kids are kids....and they fight. And they get up a million times when you are talking. And you are yelling at them. That sort of takes away from the goodness of the lesson.

ANYHOO!!!! SUPER HUGE THANK YOU to the secret Santa who left goodies on our porch. We feel the love!!!!! Honest, thanks!

Closer to Christ Day 4

2011-12-04T20:14:00.000-08:00

Today I taught the kids about when Christ was crucified and died. If you read it in the Bible and really think about it and picture how Jesus was with his friends and just really put yourself into the whole story, it is astounding. Sometimes it is easy to just think of it as something that happened without really, really thinking of it as something that really happened. And the interesting details before the Crucifixion.

Once I saw a one man show by Bruce Newbold on the last day of Christ. It was super interesting.

In our church Hymn book there is a song entitled "There is a Green Hill Far Away". I wanted to find it sung on You Tube to share with the kids as music and bring the Spirit to things so very much.

I must be living in a cave. I had no idea this song was sung outside of our religion and I had no idea it has so many different tunes then the one I am use to hearing. Tunes that are familiar to me from something a but I can't figure out what.

Here is one version I just really liked....

http://youtu.be/3mUrbhy3YPg

Here is the way it is sung in our church....

http://youtu.be/poWFdcUTOe0

and here was the version I shared with the kids....

http://youtu.be/JYEiS18MH8A

It was good. Then we colored a picture that showed a little road and path the the Garden of Gethsemane.

I hope you all don't get sick of reading what we did. I just have people ask me sometimes.

Won't somebody please "follow" me....I get tired of being stuck at 39 every. day. Just someone please make it an even 40. It bugs me.

Closer to Christ Day 2 and Day 3

2011-12-04T14:52:00.000-08:00

Holy Schmoly! Did we have a project on our hands! I mean how hard is it to cut out some sheep and lions, color glitter and glue! If it was just the big kids I was working with, no sweat, but add in the little two lovelies and we had a major event going on at the kitchen table.

Kate and Bo LOVE projects of course. They had a blast. The big kids enjoyed it and actually learned something I hope.

We discussed the things that we believe would happen when Christ comes to the earth again. (Do other religions believe the same things in this regard as to the LDS religion? I don't know. Please share if want! The following is what we, as an LDS family, believe about the coming of Christ.)

1,000 YEARS of peace (Wahoo!!!) which will include...

The lion and the lamb will be able to lie down together!

and...

Rhett told me he was excited for Christ to come now! Success!

Nathan wondered if we weren't going to eat animals anymore what would happen to the beef jerky in our fridge.

Kassidy was disappointed that we wouldn't be able to watch anything less than wholesome on TV anymore. (If we can watch TV.) Oh....I hope so. The Middle is just too dang funny!

A few things I forgot to mention on previous posts....

Turns out...Policeman have lots of writing to do. REPORTS people! For every ticket or encounter with a law breaker! That must be why I have been let go free, without getting tickets for my lead foot, 4 times!!!! I have reformed lately though. I guess Rhett will have to stay in school.

My dad told me that he thinks what Bo did with the Nativity was the smartest thing he has EVER seen done with a Nativity. And that is coming from my dad who is a non certified certified genius! Way to go Bo!

Remember when I said my dad was very handy... but I also said he thinks I am a pain? Well, here is why... I stepped on Kate's doll house table and broke a leg off. It is a very important table because it is the ONLY table that the babies booster seats can slide into. And of course it is only sold with the doll house.

I tried to glue the leg back on with gorilla glue (my dad's arch enemy) but it didn't work. I chucked the broken leg.

Then I decided my dad could fix it. He grumbled at me and chastized me for throwing away the leg and then grumbled some more. And pretended he wasn't going to fix it. But I saw it. Oh yes I did! Sitting there on his work bench. Awaiting a fixing.

And later, this masterpeice!

He told me he was going to carve it so it would match the other leg but then his senses took over. Lol.

It's perfect. And Kate was so happy. "Now I can play with my doll house!" Yeah. Because that one little broken table was stopping you from playing with the whole doll house. Funny girl.

Today when Nathan was passing the sacrament it was very quiet. Nathan just so happened to be passing to us. Kate said...."Hi Nathan. Nathan's a good kid. He's our kid." She is so funny.

Today I decided I would have personal interviews with the kids. I decided to just ask them each a few questions about life and how they were doing and if they were praying and reading their scriptures.

And I gave them some warnings about safe usage of the Internet and YouTube and asked about how they thought I was doing as a mom. It was such a sweet little moment with each of them. We started with a prayer and it was so nice. They, of course, having never done this before, were totally embarrassed and thought it was completely WEIRD! But it was sweet. I am going to do it one time a month. I remember as a kid my dad doing this with us. I remember sitting on my parents bed for my interview. Love it.

Also here is a picture of Bo's beautiful collage. Remember I said he had so much fun with it?

Good, huh?!

And just so you know life is real here (I'm big on showing that) here is what sassy teenager did during our Closer to Christ activity.)

Dear Santa, I am ready for my new tools......

2011-12-03T18:26:00.000-08:00

Today, I don't know what got into me but I decided to clean the atrocious garage. The mess is mainly my fault but I blame it on Corey for not giving me enough room to be organized.

I don't know why we do it, but Corey and I fight over the garage. It is silly and stupid but we fight over whose junk might be edging over to the wrong side of the shelf. We fight about how much junk the other person has. We fight about why I have the least amount of space. Because I DO and he KNOWS it's true. (You know it's true, Corey)

The majority of his crap is camping and the majority of my crap is family oriented. Holiday decorations, memorabilia, hand me downs to grow into .

With no room for a storage room inside our home, and with a large family, our garage has never stood a chance of seeing a car inside of it. When I need to get a tub out for something, I have to move a bunch of other tubs, and then when I have to put stuff away I can't get back to that tub. So I just toss it on my pile of junk that is always growing there because.....I don't have as much space as Corey.... He knows its true. (You know it's true)

It has been a chronic problem. I clean it several times a year. For some reason this time I think I solved the mess problem. I built a wall of tubs. I can get to them all without having to rearrange a million of them and it also is serving to give me a little...

wait for it...

WORK ROOM!!!!!

Or I should say work section! I have my OWN work table now. (This is my side of the shelves and sort of my side of the garage. (Corey built shelving that could survive a tornado.)

I have huge dreams of being able to build wood things and now I have room to maybe finish that oven for Kate that I started a year ago. (or was it more?)

Also....I have hinted at it before but who can guess what this old crib is going to be????? If you can't guess you'll just have to wait.

And see this little gem I found at the thrift store? It is part of the project. And it isn't going to be Christmassy.

Because I have had no space, I have several projects living at my dads this past month. I am making some elaborate Christmas projects. I REALLY love to do work with my dad. He is brilliant in so many ways including building stuff. He thinks I am a pain because he has to help me but I love to be with him. It is also nice because he can't stop himself from working on the projects while I am gone. So each time I go back over he has done more.

Please enjoy this picture of me stablalizing him while he climbs on a ladder propped against the wall to look for some wood. He told me to push on him to keep him from falling my way. We are kinda lazy that way. You know, unfolding the ladder is a lot of trouble.

My dad has every saved piece of wood or bolt or hinge you could ever need and I will be able to make my elaborate projects for virtually free. Thanks to a SECOND free crib I received. What is it with cribs!

You will have to wait for pictures of these projects lest little people see their present.

I have actually been quite disappointed however, at my wood working ability. I have great desire and thought I could just whip this Christmas project out. Not happening. My dad is having to babysit me through the whole thing!

Sometimes he will give ma a pity hole to drill but other than that, I am in over my head. Hurts myself esteem. I thought I would be good! He keeps saying..."How did you think you were supposed to learn all this stuff, never doing it before?" Basically trying to let me know that it was okay to not know it and that I was being taught.

Anyways, Now I have my work space and I need some tools! Of my own! I have a thing about that. I appreciate Corey sharing with me all this time, but I really want my OWN. And trust me!!!! Corey wants me to have my own also. As we often fight about me not putting his tools away.

Also I used his tool box as a table and I sawed on it. And I sawed about two inches into his plastic tool box. Shhhh! He hasn't noticed yet and this post was way to wordy for him to get through. So don't tell!

Bad boys Bad boys whatcha going to do whatcha going to do when they come for you! (theme song from Cops)

2011-12-02T07:02:00.000-08:00

It was an exciting day for us a few months ago! In trying to help Rhett get his "Bear" for cub scouts we were able to go have a tour of the police station.

AND WE GOT TO SIT IN A REAL LIFE HOLDING CELL!!!!!!!!

From a girl who loves the show "Cops", it was a thrill!

See the chain? Where one would be handcuffed and everything? The boys were pretending to be handcuffed, too bad the two of them couldn't get their acts together to look good in the same picture! :)

I was totally grossed out at all the germs that just might be in there from the criminals but that didn't stop me from getting a picture of my boy posing in the room. Will you all pray with me that that will be his only time there!

Also, the boys got to sit in the interrogation room. I commented how I maybe wouldn't want to sit that close to the interrogatee. There are top secret camera everywhere and the boys got to check all those out as well.
They were in a bit of heaven.

SO the cop that gave us a tour seriously had a New York accent. It was the perfect atmosphere. He gave a most thorough tour also. It was great.

He taught the boys how to grip their hands so they can't get away...

He let us check out all the details of his cop car...

and he showed us the awesome .....I want to call it the criminology room....room where they have all the finger prints in the world (ya think?) and then they showed us on the computer a finger print that they had found on a burglary and they found it matched a finger print in the computer which led them to the name of the criminal! AMAZINGLY cool! I could have a job like that!

So there was one really sad part of the tour. I know the police officer was just trying to help encourage the boys about how important education was but it was a pretty painful moment.

You see, for years and years Rhett has wanted to be a snow plow driver or a police man. (Bo wants to be an ice cream truck driver! Ha ha)

I think a police man is a noble profession and although I would be a worried mother I would also be proud. Also, I assume since policemen are out saving the world they are not spending a lot of time reading and that might be a good fit for my boy.

So this sweet "old timer" police man says to Rhett and his friend....

"If you want to be a policeman you have to learn to read and write".... *crickets*

"Really, reading and writing is a must. You have to stay in school and learn to read and write!" *chirp chirp*

"Reading and writing is very important if you want to be a police man." *chirp*

"Reading...." AAHHHAAAAAHHH! Enough already!!!!! You are destroying the dreams of my little boy with every "read and write" you say!!!!!

So later Rhett and I discussed it. And I explained the situation to him. Yes. A policeman need to read and write but what that policeman was really saying was to stay in school and learn.

Rhett admitted that when he said that it hurt and discouraged him a little. That was one of the first times he has expressed a little sadness about his dyslexia.

I assured him that he will for sure be able to read and write enough to be a police man and he needn't worry about it anymore.

Then I out him in a choke hold so he could practice being a police man caught by a bad guy. Boo. That didn't really happen. But it should have. That would have been right up Rhett's alley. He is a VERY physical boy!

I love him. He's a darlin'. I hope he behaves as a teen. It is just so scary that my heart has to walk around attached to them and being subject to pain with their EVERY decision!

Bo has the right idea!

2011-12-01T21:16:00.000-08:00

I admit I was a little annoyed when I had just set up the Nativities and I see Bo rearranging them. Normally, I have more patience but so much of my work gets undone every two seconds and sometimes it is frustrating. But then when I stopped to think about it I realized that really all Nativities should be set up just like Bo set up this one. Every piece circled around the Savior. He, at the center, just like He should be in our lives.

Today was Day 1 of our learning about Jesus. Any long time followers of my blog will probably remember the year I made it a goal to focus and teach the kids of Christ everyday. That is what we are going to do again. I blog it, not to be annoying, but just because it is my blog and I can if I want to. Ha ha. No, I blog it so I can remember it happened. I blog most everything for me, so I can remember it.

Justine chose the name of our theme this year. "Closer to Christ". How wonderful is that?

We spent a bit making collages on two pieces of card stock to fit in the front and back of binders. The pictures were all of Christ. I didn't take a picture but I am telling you...Bo's collage was AWESOME! I'll post it tomorrow. He is the collage king. He worked on it for over an hour. He really enjoyed it.

Also...my kids really need to get out more. They went nuts over double stick tape! They never knew it existed before.

I'll tell you more later about what we are going to put in the binders...

Night!

P.S. I bought an electric blanket. Can we say H.E.A.V.E.N? Yeah. Who knew? Our room is always freezing. But now I am so warm and toasty. You should go buy one.

2011-11-30T11:26:00.000-08:00

We put up the Christmas decorations this week. Mass CHAOS!

Loved hearing all of the "I remember whens" and the excitement. And a whole bunch of fighting also!

Below the kids are wanting to help put up the Christmas village which is really an excuse to sit on the "landing". Which, whenever I sit up there I have this bizzaro temptation to jump. And Nathan actually has. FREAKS me out!

Aunt Debbie sent us this cute book a few years ago. It has envelopes with letters from the north pole and little doors that open and the kids love it so much.

Can you believe it is Christmas time already? I mean I only just took my decorations down a month ago. I seriously am not in the mood already. I never had time to even get excited for it because...IT. WAS. JUST. HERE. Also, I don't like the clutter of all the decorations. Am I bad?

Life has truly sped up. Time is flying by. Even the kids notice it. When I was a kid it was FOREVER until Christmas. Now, even the kids can't believe Christmas is here ALREADY again.

For some reason....Something demented, crazy, nutso, freakoness, came over me and I bought a NON...you read correctly... NON prelit tree. And it sucks. Which is a word I don't let my kids say. But it does.

So last year I spent like 4 hours weaving every light onto each branch and covering every section. It was beeautiful and totally over the top sparkly. But not worth the time! So this year I was already dreading it. But I have a little OCD and I still wanted the tree very twinkly and very bright and very....evenly strung.

So Nathan is working on a merit badge for scouts and he chose on his own free will, without me even suggesting it, to string the Christmas lights "so I can have more time".

Which thrilled me so I wouldn't have to do it...but didn't thrill me because I want them to look the way I want them to look....but thrilled me because if Nathan is trying to do something sweet for me....how can I argue with that!

I had to give him some basic decorating directions. And I began to turn into freaky monstrous mom and I just had to leave (have you all see that funny youtube clip about this lady who wants her tree perfect? So classic). And just let him go for it. And he did.

And it's a bit heineous. But I don't care. That much. Okay maybe only a little. But I ain't TOUCHING it.

He didn't understand that you string the lights end to end. So instead

we have a very cordy situation going on.

Let the decorating begin!

We have pictures of Christ as our decorations.

Last year, I didn't follow through on teaching the kids about Christ everyday for Christmas. The year before, I did pretty dang good. And I have some good plans for this Dec. Starting tomorrow. I'll keep you posted!

P.S. It will begin with making papers to slip inside our folders with collages of pictures of Christ, that I cut out from all our church magazine. That took a few hours!

I decided maybe the most important thing I need to give my kids before they leave my home as grown ups, is a testimony of Christ. That is what we are working for in Dec. Can I just pull them out of school for the whole month? I really need them home so I can teach them the very most important things. Who needs math?

2011-11-28T19:41:00.000-08:00

Justine has been taking a 4-H class on quiet books. That, and glorious pinterest, made me want to make one! I don't even know why. my chickies are probably getting to old for them. But I have been receiving SUCH joy from working on them. They have been fun and creative and....did I say fun? I don't know what it is lately about me but I have been feeling creative!

Is it still creative if I totally copied the exact page off of this blog? I think her pages are dar-ling! But then I did invent the volcano page all by myself and I think it is cute and I had so much fun.

So look for future posts of my completed pages. You know, unless it ends up in my closet with the rock people I was painting. What? I am still going to finish those! I swear!

Dear Santa, I want Brenda Breyer Horses.

2011-11-27T08:46:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid I remember the COMPLETE JOY of scouring the JC Penny toy catalog. I L.O.V.E.D. it.

My top toys were ALWAYS the Brenda Breyer Horse Stables and those creepy big ventriloquist dolls. (Thank you mom for ignoring that on my wish list.)

Anyways, These pictures reminded me of something I heard once that was just like BAM! SO TRUE. I thought it came from the famous Paul Harvey poem which I love but it didn't. So I don't know where I heard it but it is this....

The majority of the joy of Christmas (concerning the gift department concerning the kid department) is the DREAMING of what they might get. Kids love to scour the toy catalog and dream. At my house they circle everything they want so I know. It is a joy. The actual getting of the gifts is not near as fun as the dreaming. That is also why one shouldn't give them everything they want or things before they are ready for them. Because then they never had the chance to wish for it. Which is the fun part.

Just sayin'.

We kept this catalog around for a month and it became shredded from wishing kids loving on it. Then I chucked it and my oldest son dragged it back out of the trash and kept it. Funny.

Since I mentioned it...

Paul Harvey’s Wishes for Children:

We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better.

I'd really like for them to know about hand-me-down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meatloaf sandwiches. I really would.

I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.

I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car. And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.

It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.

I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.

I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.

When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her.

I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.

On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your mom.

If you want a slingshot, I hope your dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.

I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.

When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.

I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy/girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what Ivory soap tastes like.

May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove, and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.

I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend.

I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your grandma/grandpa and go fishing with your uncle.

May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.

I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Hanukah/Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.

These things I wish for you — tough times and disappointment, hard work, and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life.

I prefer chocolate pie, thanks.

2011-11-26T17:07:00.000-08:00

You all know of my one sided love affair with Glenny Beck...

Well, in all honesty, raw unadulterated honesty....He freaks the holy crud out of me.

He's beautiful to look at, and when he's funny he's dang funny, and when he's hugging me in Driggs, Idaho...well not more to say there, but when he is talking about the government and the decline of the economy...

I get beyond terrified. Cause I am already sort of a nut case to begin with.

He makes me do things like bottle FIFTY quarts of apple pie filling. And we don't like apple pie.

But it sure was a fun family day doing it.

Seriously, I don't have pictures of all the kids helping (how did that happen????) but the kids were FIGHTING over whose turn it was to work the apple corer.

And Kate had a great time stirring the apples in the bowl of water to keep them in the fruit fresh stuff...

And I let Bo use a knife the whole time and he sliced the apples after the kids peeled them and he did an awesome job.

And having all of those bottles of apple pie mix that were practically free made me oh so happy and reminded me why I love to can so much. Did you know there are people who aren't aware that canning is still done in the world? Weird.

Anyways, thanks to my friend Terri for helping me learn how to do apple pie filling and thanks to my parents who got me two free boxes of apples. And thanks to my MIL who taught me how to can in the first place, and the neighbors can thank me that I will be keeping these all to our selves since they were prepared with lots of kid help. I was thinking they could be Christmas gifts but after all the help... maybe not so much. I know the germs will cook away but what can I do about all the peels that accidentaly got thrown in!

Owls Rock!

2011-11-23T10:58:00.000-08:00

I love owls.

I loved them before they became trendy. Just like Glenny and Hugh Jackman.

When my mother in law moved from her beloved farm home, that her husband's family hometeaded, to a smaller condo, she had to get rid of many things.

The only thing I requested were these little stone owls, which the rest of the siblings thought were ugly anyhow. I love them.

So you can imagine my delight when I was cleaning out my boy's backpack and I saw this little gem. Love it! I hung it in my bathroom.

After a few years of being toothless, Bo's top tooth is coming through! I think my heart might break. Big teeth? Big boy. Not ready for this luvkins to get any older. He is too darling just the age he is. So glad I got this picture of him before it happened!

DARLIN?, right?

(photo taken by my friend who is a great photographer. Let me know if you need one!)

I learned how to make photos coolish!

2011-11-18T08:12:00.000-08:00

The other night was a joy.

Our church went roller skating. I took all the kids.

I spent my time not in skates because I couldn't keep them up and myself. Everyone kept saying, "why are you not in skates?"

I'm thinking...does that really need to be explained?

#1) Its a hard fall for me these days.

#2) How can I keep two little people up and myself?

SO for the record....I CAN roller skate.

Ha ha...That reminded me last night I went downstairs to start the fire and Kate yelled at me

Her: "What are you doing?"

Me: "Starting the fire."

Her: "You can't do that! Only boys do that!"

Me: "Uh...no girls can do it."

Argue...argue.... argue....girls can do it too...no, only boys.

Her: "Well, I'm asking dad!"

Me: "You do that."

Silly girl!

Anyways,

Back to skating... it was such a sweet joy to spend some time with the little people in my family and to help them learn and try to skate.

And Kate was seriously in heaven.

She has been awfully bratty lately. Demanding, frustrated and more frustrating. Repeating the same questions 4000 times and not liking my answers.

Mainly...

Her: "Is grandma coming over?"

Me: (ha ha, I love this her, me, stuff) "Nope, not today"

Her: "YES SHE ISSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" (only way louder than that.)

And we go through that truly no less then 25 times a day. Maybe even more.

Not sure what the deal is but we have been struggling a bit. I read a blog the other day and the lady said three year olds were not her cup of tea. Because her's was bossy and demanding, etc.... And I thought, I can relate. This little stage has not been my cup of tea.

So to be able to spend time with her doing something fun reminded me how super cute she was and we had a good night. And she really loved it.

Bo!

I just need to slow down with her. Do some projects with her. Read to her. Life is just so busy.

And you know that whole stupid guilt ridden poem about cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow.... Well, what if you like a clean house? Just to keep a little less chaos from swallowing your life? Or what if you want to watch some people's court? To have some quiet time? It's hard to do it all. But I love my girl and hope for less bossier, demanding times.

And some more times playing! In between commercials... Oh, I joke.

Phew! The last of Halloween.

2011-11-13T07:56:00.000-08:00

Before I share the final Halloween pictures I just wanted to say... I recently heard about some study about depression in women....caused by....READING BLOGS!!!!!! Isn't that sad...and crazy.....and true??!!!!!

I know that happens to me sometimes. Where you read some fabulous blog and you think everyone is doing better than you. I hope you all have seen that is not true in my case. I don't want to ever share things and make anyone else think I am doing so much better than they are.

Because the truth is I am just struggling to get along the best I can, just as I am going to assume you are also. Even if your blog is glorious.

I have struggled for years to try to do scripture study in the morning with my kids before school. I. can. never. ever. never. get. out. of. bed. Even when the night before I say to myself, "Do you love the Lord or sleep more?" And then I still sleep in.

I was grumpy to BOTH my cute sons the other morning because I still have to get them out of bed in the morning. And we were late to our six o'clock appointment to put out flags for Veterans day. And the man whom was waiting for us to be on time was a military Navy man and it was humiliating because promptness is something I care so much about and I am assuming he, being a military guy, does also.

I have 45 boards and 500 pins and I have only made one idea thus far. But the plans I have. Which let's face it. I won't ever do.

I never even had a shower yesterday.

My house is messy and I am fat. (Although I swear I am just not changing that on purpose so I won't intimidate anyone else.)

I told Bo the other morning it was quiet time even. though. he. just. woke. up.

So no matter what things you might read on my blog that might make you think I am doing better than you....NOT TRUE! I am muddling through just like the rest of most of us are! You read my horrible basketball blunder yesterday!

Anyways...on to Halloween costumes and then I am officially OVER Halloween. I am sick of it myself at this point!!!

Bo started out as a dinosaur but was a little uncomfortable with the resemblance to Barney.

He changes into Pikachu.... Kate was a Snow White Princess... And Rhett was a were Wolf! I spent no money on costumes this year. It was great.

Nathan was a giant which was super fitting since he is growing so MUCH!

Bo LOVES Pikachu right now!

Snow White ready to go!

We have a great neighbor hood for trick or treating. I appreciate the neighbors making things fun!

Kate went to one of the scariest houses which happens to belong to her church nursery teachers. Her teacher was showing her his face so she wouldn't be scared and dropped his sickle (?) on her head. Bonked her a bit but kisses from his spouse (her other teacher) made it all better. I was amused. "Don't be scared..."...Bonk!

In other exciting news....

Kate won a Halloween coloring contest at the dentist office! When I saw her picture I thought it was pretty cute!

So when she won and it literally broke Bo's heart. He couldn't understand why his picture wasn't good enough. It killed me. Sad.

And Kate..... could have cared less! She wasn't even nice and cute when she went to the dentist office to pick up her prize. She didn't even acknowledge them or the prize or anything. She just wanted to play with the stupid electric toothbrushes!!!

So, because the dentist office threw away her prize winning picture.....

(uh...may we pause on that for a moment? WHO DOES THAT?????.....)

...I only have this bratty moment of her winning because I had to haul her to the car crying and the picture was long gone in the trash. Oh well!

FUNNY!

It's hard to be the mother of a super star.

2011-11-12T21:45:00.000-08:00

Ugh! Broken heart today.

I don't know why I have to get so devastated by stuff.

Today Corey and I drove Rhett to his 11 o'clock basketball game which really started at 10.

So.... we. missed. the. whole. thing.

And we played a hard team, (well, not us, because we were late and missed it) and we (well again, not us) were creamed.

And all of Rhett's team saw him arrive and were so disappointed saying to him things like, "Where were you? We needed you". And they were sad. The coach's son was so cute though, telling me that they only lost by 16 points and that they were able to keep the other team from getting 30 points when they usually got more than that.

And Rhett was trying to act like no big deal but I could see him take a drink of his bottle and he was trying hard not to cry. And I could tell his sweetest coach known to all mankind was disappointed and frustrated too.

And so on the drive home I cried the whole way. And I cried the whole time Rhett and Corey and Justine when in a fast food place for a corn dog. I sat in the car and cried. And wrote this blog on a piece of McDonald's bag that was trash in my car. Because that is my release. Writing. Sort of. Because I could still cry now over it.

I cried because I hated so much disappointing my boy. And missing his game and watching him play because he is a joy to watch. Because he is pretty good, as in.... (can I say this humbly?).....he is the lead player. And that is why his team was sad he was gone. All because I wrote it down wrong on my stupid calendar.

After crying and driving, and driving and crying, which is totally humiliating in front of the whole fam, Rhett finally said, sweetly and perplexed over the girly emotions, "it's only a game..." and for the rest of the day he could have cared less and I could have started crying about it at any point throughout the day.

I even called one of my friends who is a parent to ask her to tell me I was okay. (I am words of affirmation, you know) and she was napping so I even cried a minute over the phone to her sweet husband who was also there, and he had to tell me I was a good mom and that it was okay. Basically because I told him I needed someone to tell me I was okay. And he did. And although he probably thinks I am mental now I felt loads better. And what a nice guy. He said he would contact Rhett in twenty years and make sure he knew how much I cared.

I just take things like that so seriously. I wish I didn't. but I do. Like thirteen years ago I still remember and feel sick over forgetting to send Kassidy to preschool in pajamas on pajama day when I had just had a new baby. I was so crushed that I did that. I cried then too. And like the time I bit Bo trying to teach him to quit biting his little vampire fangs into Kate, only I bit too hard, and then felt terrible and cried ALL day over that. Or the time I forgot to sign up Justine to show her rabbit at the fair and we went there and she wasn't able to show and it was all my fault. I went to plead with the people in charge but it was in vain and I cried my head off walking through the fair. Sometimes it just hurts to be the mom.

I mean the One Thousand and One appointments and scheduling I DO get right and I should recognize that I am doing pretty good but instead I just have a broken heart over the one I screwed up on. Cause I just remember the sad face when we realized we had missed the whole game. And it was mine!

:( It was very sad, but I take comfort that Rhett doesn't even care anymore. So why do I still?

It was a spooktacular night. Yea, I know. everyone has moved on to Thanksgiving. But I wasn't done yet!

2011-11-07T18:34:00.000-08:00

Our family has held a "Spooky Dinner" for probably over twelve years now. It's just fun. Here are the different foods we had this time. (In the past we have had more but I am getting old and food is getting too expensive! I seriously want to cry about it.)

Shrek sludge shrimp dip...See the green cream cheese on the bottom? Thanks Sherri!

Bread stick bones in bloody dip! Thanks Jessi!

Mummy meat ball eye balls!

Pumpkin pizza! Thanks mom!

Vampire Blood punch!

Goblin Guts! Thanks Carolyn!

Of course, Black Witch Chips! Thanks, Mom!

Bloody Monster eyeball! Thanks Carolyn! (These were little calazones inside!)

Spider Deviled eggs!

Spooky Sprinkled cupcakes! Thanks, Mom!

A huge favorite! Hoot Owl cookies! Thanks, Carolyn!

Candy corn cookies! Turned out super cute! Thank you Jessi and of course, pinterest!!!

The food was all spooky, which is a requirement, and yummy, which is optional.

I have tried for years to buy dry ice. It never makes it home. I open the bag and the ice is gone! So this year, since my dad lives close to the grocery store, I ask my dad to get dry ice.

Here is the gist of how the conversation goes. (And this is how most of my conversations go with my dad...)

Me-"Dad, I thought of something cool and I want you help."

Him-"You know Susan, I don't know why you think I have nothing else to do but follow through on all your ideas."

Me- "Because I want life to be fun and I need help!"

Him- "Well then maybe you just can't do all these things you want to do"

Me- "Well, I can if you will help me. It's called delegation."

And then we argue a bit more about it.

And then of course he buys the dry ice.

And then of course they have major excitement with it.

And he is glad he did it. Even though he never admits it to me. And the next time I call him in need, he will complain at me like crazy. And then follow through.

I finally told him this time, "You know you're going to do it so can we just skip all this conversation in the middle?"

See? Cool!

Thinking about putting some in their mouths...

I enjoy bantering with my dad. I don't take him too seriously. It drives my mom nutso. But it is part of our routine. He usually gets into my ideas.

Like this! The cute little guy decorated the living room with a spider web.

I was telling Justine how cute it was and she turns to me and softly mumbles...."yea, there is a squirrel tail in it."

Hello little pet shop of horrors!!!!

"and bones."

Sure enough....in proper Kent style....there was. And other natural things he found out side.

Including a random pumpkin he found in the road that looks like it is barfing bead parafanila.

I loved it!

That is just my dad. I would have not expected less from him. And I am glad to be a bit like him.

Wanna see our costumes?

Justine was Face Book

And her sister was "poking" her. LOL

The Princesses...Lily (my great niece?) was Aurora, and Kate was Snow White.

And Bo was feeling lazy today. So he decided to just stay in his church clothes and he told me he "was a boy going to church." Cute.

My dad... Just a cool shirt.
My creepola mom! It was classic!

Corey's "costume", a Steeler's fan. Don't let him fool you. He was home watching the football game in this exact outfit.

Uncle Frank and Sherri...The tourist!

Princess Kassidy

Me! I told the kids I was Halloween's mother. Corey digged my wig! He said how cute I was all the time I was wearing it.

My beautiful fun niece! Just her cool self in Autumn colors. She's a hippie girl. Not her costume. In real life.

Pregnant with my 2ND little great Niece(?)Saige.

And Jessie sewed this cute skirt.

New Grandpa Dale....An Indian!

Snow White again...

Nathan the Giant!

More Face book!

More creepy mom....

More Princess Kassidy...

Grandma Nielsen as a tigeress! This picture was taken about a week after a strange amneisa strokish issue and one week before a heart attack. But she is home and well and funny as ever! Love you!!!!

Meow! Rawr! Ha Ha!

Hanging out fun....

You can see Rhett on the left in his were wolf costume...

Anyway, thanks for looking. Love me some spooky halloween!

Does life on Halloween week get any better than this?

2011-11-03T20:42:00.000-07:00

Watching the "Peanuts" Halloween special? Especially with dad? (Kate was scared to watch it alone.)

"Peanuts" specials just fills my heart with home.

Good life, huh? Old fashioned trick or treating with your little sis under the American flag. We are blessed. I pray everyone may enjoy such freedom. And I thank those who gave it to me.

More Halloween later!

Be still my spooky soul...

2011-11-01T15:35:00.001-07:00

When I saw this.....

my heart fluttered a bit. Can you think of anything more GLORIOUSLY SPOOKY then this head in a jar?????

*Squeal!!!*

I love it. I tried to make one but had little success. I need to find a better picture on the Internet to print. It all has to be some fancy 3-D something rather. (Thanks to my buddies Michelle and Ant for trying to help me by printing me a picture off their laser printer and delivering it! Super nice. And thanks to Lara for the jar.)

It will have to be one of my lofty goals to make one before our next spooky dinner.

So....I really love Halloween. Therefore you may just be seeing a week of Halloween blogging. I know it is totally stupid that I am going to be blogging it when we are moving on to giving thanks holidays but I can't let it go.

I haven't had time to blog because I have been painting rocks. SUPER FUN!!!!

So back to me loving Halloween....one of my BFF's called me a dichotomy the other day. Because I love Halloween and all it's creep factor but I am also too scared to drive in the dark, Or walk anywhere in the dark. Or be in the dark.

I cannot even watch spooky movies without literally feeling physically ill because of the terror of it all. Then I can't sleep peacefully for like months. No lie.

If Corey has gone to bed first I have to travel from the bathroom to the bed in the dark. I will do so, super fast and fly into the bed and land as close to him as possible (hoping to wake him up a tiny bit so he will roll over and do his manly job of protecting me) and hide under the covers until my anxiety goes down. And that is after NOT watching scary...... yea...I have a few issues.

But I love Halloween! I just think it is good creative fun. And good safe scariness. And I am okay with that.

So...without further adieu....I will now present to you a picture of what every FAMILY should OWN!

A a a a a a a......BRAIN JELLO MOLD!!!!!!!!

yea, I know. It's pretty GREAT!!!

Rhett came up to me and said....."What is that?"

Me...."It's a brain"

Him..."Yea, but what is it?"

Me..."It's a brain"

Him...."but what's it made out of?"

Me....."Brain"

Him...."but...."

Me...."How long have you lived in this family!!!!!! It's a brain."

(I never disclose the ingredients of spooky dinner food. Not on Halloween anyway!)

Then the other kids start....."what is that?"

Me...."It's a brain"

Them......"Yea but what is it?"

Me....."It's a BRAIN!"

Anyway! Spooky dinner was great fun. I'll post some pictures tomorrow on it.

Also, I'm totally a blessed mom.....Tonight I made tator tot casserole. Which is a tiny bit..... ewwww. And Corey wont touch it. But it is cheap and easy. And Mrs. Duggar makes it and I love her. Actually, I think her kids make it. Because she is more organized then me and trained her kids to be totally useful....you know....instead of some other kids...that....are around. Ahem. JUST Kidding! My kids totally know how to make some stuff. Toast. Top Ramon. Marconi and Cheese...sort of.

So Rhett found out what I was making for dinner and he got super excited and told me...."You do not know how much I love tator tot casserole!"

uhh....Score!!!!! Take that Mrs. Duggar! No, just teasing. I love you.

Spooky Family Home Evening!

2011-11-01T10:46:00.000-07:00

Yay for spooky porches! The kids couldn't wait to get the spooky porch up.

And....

I get super excited when I see sights like this....

Pumpkins! I just really love pumpkins. I love the beautiful oranges. We always love to carve pumpkins. And for the past few years we have made pumpkin seeds. Sometimes they aren't that great but we still like them enough and feel so good not wasting them!

Jacko lanterns on the front porch with their soft glows is one of my favorite sights.

SO here is us at work....

Bo did his all by himself. I thought it was great.

Muffins from a box for dessert!

Carved and glowing!!!!

Bo's....Pretty creepy, huh?!

Nathan's cracked me up in a disturbed sort of way! That's a butter knife jabbed in his head....

yea. I'm raising good kids. Lol.

When we painted Justine's room lime and aqua Corey almost died. Now it's the coolest room in the house!

2011-10-28T10:38:00.000-07:00

I love Taylor Swift.

Is that teeny boppy of me?

I don't care. I love her.

I help my kids clean their rooms. I admit it. Most of the time I make them do it but very often I go in and clean also. I don't have any philosophy on if that is right or wrong. All I know is I can't stand the mess and I do it. Sometimes I make them help and sometimes I just do it while they are gone so I can trash stuff. Also sometimes the rooms just get so bad the kids can't get it done to my expectation so I do it and give them a fresh start. Then they maintain for a month and then I go in the trenches yet again..

I also help Justine because she is sharing with a little sister who helps make the mess but not the cleaning up part. Although sometimes when I get in there I realize Kate's mess is only a quarter of the mess and the rest of it is Justine's. She is just like I was as a kid.

So one day I was bored and pushed play on the CD player and listened to Taylor Swift's new CD. It was delightful. I fell in love with her right there.

Because I picture my sweet teenage girl locked in her room doing her own thing and listening to this sweet song about never growing up. This sweet little song about enjoying your child hood. About giving your mom a break and not making her park down the street when she drops you off somewhere. I just picture her in her room, which she has put so much love into, and I just bet she is happy in there listening to Taylor's beautiful song. I love her, I'm tellin' you. I love her for giving those good feelings to my girl.

Justine LOVES little knick knacks. It's cute.

Taylor also has this great song to Kanye west. If you are up in the Hollywood stuff you would know that he interrupted Taylor's winning speech to, instead, give Kudos to Beyonce who didn't win but he must have felt she should have. Kanye actually took Taylor's microphone and ruined her winning speech. Which I am sure was a huge deal to Taylor. Being young in the industry. (I sound like a producer! Heck ya)

So it was a shocking and scandalous moment and was all over the talk shows. But Taylor handled herself so sweetly. So wisely. So without guile.

Then she wrote this great little song. The critics say the song is just marginal but I think it is beautiful. It speaks of making mistakes. And who you've been is not still who you are. And Kanye's light is still bright to her. I don't know. I just like it.

That's all. Bye.

ADHD is a big fat poo poo head. Or is it pooh pooh? Ha ha. That looks funny. ADHD is a big fat pooh pooh head. bahaaaaa!

2011-10-26T05:44:00.000-07:00

Remember I have been reading the book, "ADD, The Answer"? Well, I have found the answer....

Ready for it.....?

There is no COTTON PICKIN' ANSWER, Dang it!

I read the entire book. I ran all the ideas past Bo's doctor. He answered my questions with contradictory answers that he firmly believes.

The Dr. who wrote the book firmly believes his answers.

Bo's Dr. recommended four more books.

I have one another book already waiting for me on my night stand. That is actually due back at the library this very second! Ack!

The "ADD The Answer" book says that if you have ADD in your life you must read and become an expert on ADD. That is what I am aiming for.

But for now... I have no answer. It is an extremely confusing, millions of different opinions, topic. I don't know what to do.

Here is how Bo spent the majority of his jujitsu class....

Sitting on the side line , for poor behavior, waiting to be invited back in to train. But the poor behavior is honestly impossible for him to control. At one point Bo just started crying and said he wanted to go home. It made me think about the part in the book that says kids with ADD have a lot of negatives going on in their life. He is just being his normal little self and it is negative. And I am not blaming the jujitsu instructor. He is teaching. He can't have so much disruption. Plus he is trying to teach Bo. But why does it have to be so hard for my little guy?

And one thing I did think hard about is how I kept saying if Bo was going to be in so much trouble at school then I would just home school him so he wouldn't have failure all the time. But what about when he goes to church class. Or jujitsu, or to a birthday party. He has to be able to to control himself.

Bo's neurology Dr is an advocate of medicine. He says the front part of your brain is missing some chemicals or something that is controlled by medicine. So as much as Bo tries, he can't fix himself. And he disputes the other ideas in the book such as vitamins, fish oil, magnets, nutrition and such as a fix for ADD.

Which you all might be interested to know is now NEVER called ADD anymore. It is only called ADHD. Even if they don't have the hyperactive part. Still ADHD. Because the H means other things now too.

I know that because I am in ADHD training to become an ADHD Jedi master!

It is all just so much! And I don't know as though I have been given any huge inspirations on the subject. I am just trying to sort it all out.

BIG FAT "OH WELL"!!!!!

So....because I cannot stand how cute Bo is in his Gi, here are some more glorious pictures of him when he was not in time out.

Totally love his instructor.

Learning all the moves...

Corey and I went and saw this great movie called Warriors. It had some actors that were up and coming. And one of my fav....Nick Nolte. I like his goofy self! But the movie was about mixed martial arts and it was super cool. And it had a interesting story line. I may or may not agree with the ending. I need someone to discuss the ending with. (It does have a few bad word in it though)

Playing partner tag...

Love it!

After a while of Bo's poor behavior and several time outs the instructor finally just cradled him and demonstrated the moves on him. Bo really loved that. I think it somehow centers him. I know in his old kindergarten he would sit still during circle time when he had a heavy large bean bag on him. Interesting, huh? The weight or the constriction helps somehow.

After it was over he told the instructor "I want a hug." And the sweetie instructor said "I want a hug too." I thought that was so gentle and loving. And then Bo gave him a kiss as well.

I don't want him suffering so much. I don't want him in trouble all the time. I want him to be able to be the good little boy he is. I don't want him set up for this CONSTANT failure.

If you just knew him you would be able to see he is actually one of the most loving and sweet boys around.

ADHD can go where the sun don't shine. Opps. I didn't mean to say that out loud.

Except then I think about how ADHD is part of my kids. It is part of them. And then I have to love it a bit. Because I love them. And all that makes them...them. Dear ADHD, Can we be friends? Can you be more gentle on us and I will be more gentle on you when I am condemning you on my blog. Deal?

My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it. -Mark Twain-

2011-10-25T07:59:00.001-07:00

Rhett turned 10!

Rhett is full of character. Not the kind of moral good standing, but the kind of lots of personality.

Sometimes it is super annoying. He is the kid who punches me with slug bugs super hard in the car, super hard. His constant whistling almost makes me scream in his face to shut his little whistley pie hole. If he decides he wants a little attention he can give me a friendly little side bump hello that will almost knock me off my feet with his strength. I can barely stand it when he is the sick child home from school because he does noting but agitate his younger siblings. I have to constantly remind him that I can take him to his knees with one smoosh of his bent pinky finger if I need to. And sometimes I have to. Just to remind him. And. he. loves. every. minute. of. it.

He never ends a phone conversation without saying "I love you". I love this kid! He is great annoying fun.

Today he came up to me with a blob of... left on the floor, black, Halloween, play doh.

And he tried to trick me (of course), "look, a piece of burned wood".

Being the party pooper I was I told him exactly what it was.

He said, "How do you know?"

"Because, I'm not stupid Rhett."

....and I turned to the microwave where I had been cooking Kate's lunch. And. I. removed. an. empty. bowl.....

*crickets* *chirp, chirp*

Empty. As in.... I cooked a bowl of Kate's lunch but never put the food in the bowl. That kind of empty. Cause I am super smart that way. Pffttt!

Actually there are many a day where I think I am TOTALLY losing it!!!

Speaking of Rhett.....His reading his improving!!!!!!!! It is still far from where it should be but he is making progress. Yay. Spelling? Not so much.

The one thing I hear over and over again about Rhett is what a hard worker he is. That will take him a long way.

Rhett LOVES it when it is time to go help dad chop and prepare the fire wood. He asks to mow the neighbors lawn for fun. He just loves work. I love that.

Speaking of firewood....

Here is Corey's haul for this year....

The little kids help dad....

I think it is totally amazing. The amount of work it takes to get that much wood? And chop it? Amazing. Thanks Corey. For keeping our family warm.

P.S. I have been trying to lose weight. Again. And the "Litehouse" brand, ranch, made out of yogurt is pretty dang good for "light" dressing. Just letting you know.

Who knew gluing rocks was going to be so much fun?!!!

2011-10-24T20:03:00.000-07:00

Justine and I have been having tons of fun gluing rocks together.

In our neighborhood lives a wonderful kind lady named Gwen. For years and years and years Gwen has opened her home to children to come learn many things such as crafts, rockets building, gingerbread houses, cooking classes, sewing classes, junk art, sand art, mosaics, ceramics, everything you can think of I bet she had taught. (Including the one my daughter keeps trying to talk her into but she refuses to try ever again. I don't know it's name but you basically dip a furry cute stuffed animal in wax an then it hardens into a waxy, stuffed sculpture. I have no idea it's purpose but Gwen refuses to try it again.)

Anyway, Gwen usually just teaches kids through 4-H but this time she opened up a class to the adults also and Justine and I are taking it with a few other friends from the 4-H club.

We are making these.....

(These are Gwen's set)

Cute huh!

So Justine and I have been very busy gluing rocks and creating. It feel good to do something creative! I have been really proud of Justine because she just went for it. Gluing and creating with confidence. Not worrying if she made a mistake. It took me a little longer to get going because I want them to be PERFECT.

Then I couldn't stop having fun making a whole orchestra.

Too much fun!!! And sort of a waste of time. But doing something fun is okay, right? I think so. We are almost done with the gluing and will begin the painting. I hope that is fun also!

Mature people truths

2011-10-22T10:53:00.000-07:00

Justine told me she thinks she knows lots of diseases from watching Dr. Quinn.

"I knew what Cholera was!" She told me all happy with herself referring to a discussion they had in science class.

Lol. She Loves Dr. Quinn. Just like me.

My friend Kelly had this on her blog. (She has a cool blog, check it out, she is basically too cool for me, but oh well.)I thought it was funny. Number 12 is stinking funny! I edited one bad word in case anyone cares. And I don't like the beer one. I'm prude that way. Oh.... and the mother in me disapproves of number 10 even though it is a bit true. And 21 cracks me up because there are so many movies my mom let me watch (can we all say dirty dancing? I know this applies to you too!) and now that I'm a mom I wonder what my mom was thinking! And just because we talked about dirty dancing it reminded me to say how much I always loved Patrick Swayze and that I miss seeing his face around. And at the bottom of this post I put a really just beautiful picture of him and his wife. Case you care. Sorry, is it too risque?

Also Kate keeps breaking my heart when ever she gets in trouble. She tells me "mom! You can't be mad at little people" and she gets all broken hearted. Tonight I yelled (yes, it's true :( ) for her to go to bed. "But mom! You're our mom!" Or she'll say "I like you" or even "I love you" She has got all these really great guilt laden one liners down.

32 Truths for Mature People

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this - ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Damn it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

19. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

20. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

21. Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.

22. I would rather try to carry 10 over-loaded plastic bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

23. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.

24. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

25. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

26. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

27. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

28. Is it just me or do high school kids get dumber & dumber every year?

29. There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

30. As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate bicyclists.

31. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

32. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet my ass everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time! From Daily HaHa

I miss my blogging!!! But I have been busy with rocks. I PROMISE to blog about that tommorow.

Something bad about me

2011-10-08T16:15:00.000-07:00

I have a really bad quality.

You might have it also. But I have had it for a very long time. I have learned that it is a great tool of Satan's and that it quickly leads me down a path of depression like nothing else can. In fact it leads me down more than a path of depression. It leads me down a path of envy and sometimes mean feelings towards those I am envious of.

It is that of comparing myself to others. And it is almost always me comparing my worst to their best.

Or comparing their wonderful qualities of discipline, decorating skills, and musical ability to my.... lack of them. Not remembering my own wonderful qualities that they may not possess.

We just can't be everything. We are some of some things and less of other things. And I have learned that aside from sin and yelling at my children(which likely falls under the sin category), comparing is one of the things that me the most unhappy. And it is something I do. I wish I wouldn't.

I am thinking about this because I have been very depressed today. And aside from staying up until 2 am watching a GREAT MOVIE (go see!!!!) and talking and laughing with friends which has made me super tired and grumpy today, all this comparing has made me sad.

I need to switch it around. And remember the key to happiness. Gratitude.

2011-10-04T11:50:00.000-07:00

Corey and I have a fairly new dishwasher. And about 3 months ago it began leaving debris in all of the dishes that would be on the top rack. It was driving me crazy because I for sure do two loads of dishes a day. And I need all my appliances to behave themselves...(*hint hint* washer machine!)...because I have a hard enough time keeping up with everything as it is. I can't be slowed down by faulty equipment! (*hint hint* left side of the toaster!)

I took the whole dishwasher apart and cleaned every inch of all the crud built up in it. It took hours. And I was super disappointed when that did not solve the problem.

So when the repair guy came to attempt to fix our wonderful 17 year old washing machine (It is dead by the way...boo! I love it because we bought it in preparation of Kassidy's birth) I mentioned the dish washer problem to him.

He sold me a bottle of this....

for five bucks.

And then after he sold it to me he told me I could buy it cheaper at Wal-Mart.

Ha Ha. That cracked me up!

Anyway....my dad being the scientific man that he is, took home some debris and declared to me that it was glass and minerals.

The repair man gave me a handout about how dishwasher detergent no longer has phosphate in it which leaves dishes, that are washed in hard water, with minerals and other stuff still stuck to them.

SO...I PROMISED you yesterday I was going to do you a huge favor. And this is it! Go buy Lemi Shine. It works like nobodies business! And now my dishes are super shiny and super clean!!!!!!!

Can I get a Wahoo!!!!!!!

Seriously! Wahoo!!!!!!!!

And here is a recipe I want to try....

make your own soap here!

Today my dad asked me why I was into making all these home made things.... laundry detergent , butter (that was just for fun),...I almost yelled...I DON'T WANT TO!!!!! But life is just so expensive right now! Dads are so cute.

Bo has a playdate!!!!!!

2011-10-03T08:47:00.000-07:00

I bet the sweet mom who sent this note home in Bo's back pack doesn't really know how very much it means to us!

Bo is going over after school and he took his stuffed wolf so he wont be scared (that's a new one for him..he's not normally scared) and two apples from Uncle Frank's tree.

I think the clue to this mom that Bo and E wanted to play was when she found them both in the back seat of her car when she went to pick up her son from school.

Happy day for Bo!

Tomorrow I am going to do many of you a HUGE favor! Just wait and see! Unless you have soft water. Then you won't care...

Sassafras goes to Homecoming!

2011-09-30T07:48:00.000-07:00

Don't you love it when your oldest child causes you a little normal teenage drama and you have to ground her from FB for two weeks, which quickly turns into 4 weeks, and then you spy on her phone conversation and you hear her telling her friends... that she knows you are just protecting her and a few other really sweet things that you can't remember!!!????? Seriously. Love. that! (Thanks Janny, for all the great advice. It worked, see? I owe you!)

Kassidy went to her first Homecoming dance. She looked super pretty and had a great night.

We splurged and she go new jewelry and head band and shoes. She and my neighbors helped sew her dress. It was so pretty and I now have a little obsession with tulle skirts. I also got a neighbor friend to come and spoil her by fixing her hair. And Phew! Am I glad. Because the next day I tried to recreate her hair and....it just wasn't happening...at all. What is up with that? What makes it so stinking hard?

Kassidy and our neighbor friend, Marissa.

This was her date Cody. Super nice, ultra polite, boy. They had a fun evening.

I know in a past post I made a big fuss about how annoying day dates are, but they went on one and had a great time. It wasn't all day so it seemed just right.

Now...on to another REALLY important subject. What the heck is up with the pinning of the boutonniere! WHY. ARE. THEY. SO. HARD. TO. PIN. ON? Kassidy didn't stand a chance of getting it on and you can see the TERRIBLE job I did! Awkward!!! They went back to his house so his mom could get pictures of them (super cute idea) and his mom was able to better pin it. But what is going on with it in the first place!!! Why is there not an invention to make it easier! I mean seriously, it was SO hard. I am not exaggerating.

What do you do when your dyslexic child writes worse than he reads?

2011-09-29T07:15:00.000-07:00

Love him more. That's what I do.

And make arrangements with his teacher that these kind of papers aren't sent home anymore. She didn't mean for it to be sent home. Someone else graded it and didn't know of our arrangement that he would only be graded on 5 words...and that they would be which ever random five words he would get right....Except he isn't even getting one right.

My new plan is to only work on five. To ignore every single spelling word but five. His teacher has been great and willing to do whatever I think. And that is what I think.

We bought him this cool "Franklin" tool for like 50 dollars. He types in the word he thinks and it spells it to him correctly. It can also speak it and it can also define it. It is really cool....was really cool.

He broke it. Already. By lugging it around in his backpack. *sigh*.

Yesterday when Rhett and I were reading his book together Bo came up and finished reading the last two words for him. My heart soared. My little Bo is learning to read!!!! My heart broke. How hard it will be when Rhett's younger brother, by 4 years, can out read him.

Rhett was excited that Bo could read. He doesn't get down. I think it is really because he is super smart and VERY competent in other ways. I can't tell you the hours he spends outside working on our old crappy bikes. And he FIXES them!

We NEVER speak academics to him. EVER. We do his homework and encourage him and that is it. I never EVER mention low scores. Honestly....I don't care. I mean of course I care that he is struggling but his scores....I could care less. He is more than his low scores. He is a brilliant, beautiful boy.

I can't wait for his basket ball to start. He is hilarious. He is good and he is big! He should be playing football but I just can't get into that for some reason. But last year on the basketball court I heard a man next to me joke about Rhett (not realizing he was my kid)...."watch out for that kid, he is a bull!" And it is true. When he gets the ball he is just BARRELING down the court like a bull to try to get to the other end. Funny. And probably a bit dangerous.

Rhett's teacher told me a really sad story about reading time. Rhett went and got an enormous book off the shelf and was "reading" it and telling the kids all about it. As if he could read it. Now that breaks a mama bull's heart!

My boys... Nathan made it to 5'6" and a quarter. He's 12. He has a few inches to go and he will be as tall as Corey. I don't think COrey is going to take tha so well.

Found this one of Rhett on my camera. He took it of himself. Goof ball.

Want a present?

2011-09-28T07:11:00.000-07:00

Kate is a little cutie pie. She wears me down with her non stop TALKING but she is a cutie pie. (By the way, my parents once rewarded me with a hamster if I would shut up for an hour! A hamster! Hilarious.)

She loves to cut paper. And the she will draw me presents on the cut up pieces. And fold them into these crazily small little packages. And then she tells me to close my eyes and open them.

And they are really. really. small.

Really. small.

And my gimpy, carpal tunnel ruined, man hands, can barely get those little suckers open.

But my present is always worth it. It is her happy, proud, little self smiling when I open it..

She makes me laugh because everyday she tells me..."It's turdy o'clock. Time for Grandma to come!" Ha Ha. turdy. *snicker*

Happy Anniversary! Next anniversary I will have been with Corey as long as I was not with Corey. Weird!

2011-09-27T11:16:00.000-07:00

This is what you get when you let your husband HUNT on your anniversary....AGAIN!

I deserve it, don't you think?

The color is AMAZING. They are beautiful and the scent of flowers is filling my kitchen. I especially love the orchid and it's smell. So yummy. Maybe my favorite flower... and flower smell.

By the way...Corey actually PICKED out the day for our wedding. And ever since he became a bow hunter he has been kicking himself!

Here's how the stinker celebrated....

We'll still have a date though. Standard dinner and a movie. My FAVORITE!!!!! I want to go see the new Planet of the Apes.

No one took the bait!

2011-09-23T11:52:00.000-07:00

I tired to tease you a little bit yesterday with my comment about not judging each other because they might be driving with a fish bowl in their car. NOT one of you asked me what the heck I was talking about! I was very disappointed. So I guess I will have to tell you anyway because it is too good to waste in my own little head.

I have had the privilege of knowing and befriending one of the most miraculous women and teachers in the whole world. I have so much love for her.

She is my sons 7th grade teacher but before she was that she was my friend and ward member. (Which means she goes to church at the same time as our family.)

She married a equally wonderful man and she has been raising his 6 children plus her daughter. She is FABULOUS.

She teaches the kids super fun things. They do plays, they make mid evil models and dress up to display them, they READ the OUTSIDER!!!! (Love that book) ....They MEMORIZE a 1000 worthwhile quotes! She is funny, she is cute, she is kind. I love her.

She was a teacher in our church once. She told a story about not judging because you never know! The people might be driving the car with a fish in a bowl.

I could be wrong but the way I remember the story is....She was driving somewhere with a fish in a bowl. And people were mad at her and annoyed at her slow crappy driving. But she was like "I can't help it. I have a fish in a bowl!"

And she learned a little lesson about judging. And I love it.

Also...Make sure to read this. It's long but LIFE CHANGING!!!!!! When I was told to read it I didn't because there is just too much to read on the Internet. But really read it.

Discouraging day yesterday...

2011-09-21T18:25:00.001-07:00

Bo had a bad time at the dentist. No cavities (let's hear it for brushing! Who knew?). He wouldn't open his mouth and he cried and cried his little scared heart out. I had to bribe him with Pokemon cards and the dentist had to force his mouth open anyway. Weary.

We went to our second Jujitsu class.

He spent a 1/4th of his time resting his hand on the bald Masters head,

a 1/4th of his time falling on the ground after every move,

a fourth of his time TALKING (little chatter box),

and the other fourth learning.

So the learning part was good. The instructer is EXCELLENT. Patient and gentle and kind. And Patient and gentle and kind. And Patient. And patient. And soft spoken. And he seems to understand we are training a little boy riddled with ADD and not just teaching a jujitsu class. I really love him already.

Watching Bo....it is so obvious that he just cannot hold still or stay on task. It breaks my heart. Makes me want to cry. I may not be able to stay and watch anymore. Except he gives me like 10 thumbs up during the whole practice and that turns me to mush. But still...weary.

I don't like walking around feeling like I have to defend myself when it is a little embarrassing when he is wildish. Or rubbing bald heads. I don't like feeling like I have to defend myself that I am a good mother and do believe in discipline and that he just struggles and it isn't my fault or his fault. I hate feeling like that. Weary.

I don't like people looking at him and thinking he is misbehaving without knowing his struggles. Weary.

We shouldn't judge people. They might be driving with a fishbowl in their car.

The Jujitsu instructor taught Bo two rules. He is to do what he says fast and he is to do it his best, so he can learn. He never even once removed Bo's hand from his head. It cracked me up. He would just always tell him that was not respectful. I mean he is really amazing with him. Really amazing. Serious.

Oh well. On a funny note....

The Master was having him do the crab walk. Bo was struggling with coordination and strength. He told us "I can't do it! My butt is heavy!" We all laughed.

And being a big butted girl, I can feel his pain. :)

I love my boy though. I wish all of the rest of the people could see how wonderfully special and loving he is.

I can't get enough of how cute he looks doing his jujitsu....

Energy Smenergy?

2011-09-20T03:59:00.000-07:00

I have mentioned before that I like Oprah and some don't but I still do.

I heard another really great tid bit from her show the other day. It was from a Dr. but I missed her name. She had a stroke or something but she was able to feel energies when people would come into her room. (I always only half heartily watch T.V. so I never know the whole story)

She left Oprah a sign that said this...

"Please be responsible for the energy you bring into this space"

THAT IS SO TRUE! We should be responsible for that. We all should be paying attention to that!

And I am going to try to be a good energy for my kids when they are around me!

Like that.

Speaking of energy....that kind of talk always use to seem crazy to me. Then Corey hung a gigantic elk head in our home. And all my good energy left the building. It totally threw me off kilter. I hated it. I was so glad when we found it another home. Then I became a believer of energy.

Great quote for a Sunday

2011-09-17T21:44:00.000-07:00

Justine and I were watching the 2002 version of The Count of Monte Cristo movie last night. The old Priest jail friend told Edmund something about how to spend the money he was leaving him. He spoke of God. Edmund said,

"I don't believe in God..."

And on his death bed the old friend and Priest replied,

"It doesn't matter....... He believes in you."

I love that. Love, Love, Love.

I love that movie and really need to read the book.

And I really think James Caviezel is beeeeaaaaauuuutiful.

Also....

Today Rhett was helping me take somethings out to the garage and Kate asked me what he was doing. I told her and she said. "Aww. Rhett's a good boy." Little cutie. I also have only met one other child stubborner than her. Her big sister Kassidy. I am in for a ride! Again.

Dear Sons, Love Mom

2011-09-17T21:25:00.000-07:00

Dear sweetest sons on planet earth,

You boys are the BEST!!!!! I am so glad you are all MINE!

I have a friend who told me one day that her husband refuses to tell her how he likes her hair best. He won't tell her if he prefers it long or short.

That might not mean much to you,...but to girls...holy cow! To not have to worry about wearing your hair a certain way so your husband will think you are prettier? That would be awesome!

I wear my hair longer because I know your dad likes it that way the very best. As in A LOT. I really want to cut it because I just always throw it in the pony tail any way and I would like a cool style. But I don't cut it because I want dad to think I am pretty.

When you become husbands someday, I think you would be very kind and wise if you would not tell your wife if you like long hair or short hair on her. Then she could be free to do her hair however she wants with no pressure.

Love Always, Your most favorite mom ever.

Don't mess with my boy! He knows the choke hold!

2011-09-16T08:51:00.000-07:00

No stinkin' way! You know there is nothing cuter than this kid in a Gi!

(Unless you have your own kid in a Gi, Viki) But little kids barefoot in Gis are DARLING!!!!!!!

So please enjoy these ADORABLE pictures of Bo's first jujitsu class. It may not last long!

My most favorite picture as of late. Look at my boy doing the move! Love it!

Look how good he is being! Just listening to the instructor. Can't wait to find out if the instructor is really called "The Master". Oh, I hope so!!!!

aww...His arms are supposed to be in and not out but the other kid is doing it right because he has taken the class before. So Bo is just learning.

The reason it may not last long is because my friend warned me that Bo's "scholarship" was given under the one condition that I would not have my feelings hurt if Bo was not mature enough to take the class and we were told he could possibly have to wait a bit.

And...sadly, after watching him I won't be surprised if that ends up being the case. He was so stinking cute but he did also get silly and smart alecy. And then he starts to show off.

I think he was a tiny bit tripped out that is was going to be okay to do choke holds and stuff (6 year old boys dream!!!). The teacher was teaching them how to properly do a choke hold and he was practicing on another little boy and Bo told the teacher matter of factly, "You could have killed him."

The "Master" was demonstrating another choke hold. I think Bo is like..."What the crap???? I thought I WASN'T supposed to choke people! Nooo WAYYY!!!!!" *eyes a sparklin'*

When his time was up the teacher came over and said to me... "It's okay".

I thought it was so observant and nice that he would know I was worried about his behavior and that he had it under control. And he did. He handled him VERY well. So did his assistant. They had to work with him because he kept stepping forward instead of back on one of his stances. But they did great with him and I am super excited about it.

Bo knew the moves at later home:

*Attention (Arms down at side, listening)

*Get Base.... (I think it is to step back with one foot and hands up to protect self.)

Ugh! It was so CUTE!! I just wanted to eat it all up.

And just in case Corey reads this....I am SO signing Rhett up! I can really see how helpful it would be for children with ADD because it works on control and discipline (you know, so you actually don't really choke someone during practice). And it seems to be associated with dang good people. ( Judging from the whole three people I met.)

That is one goal I have with Rhett. To keep him rubbing shoulders with good men. I think with his energy level and desire to be doing ALL THE TIME he needs that. Something I have learned about him that is different from my other kids...he NEEDS to be busy all. the. time. And he needs good examples so he stays out of trouble.

I just signed him up with the same basketball coach as last year because the coach is such a kind, gentle person. Goofing around at school, Rhett made a shot at half court, with one arm just flinging the ball! Pretty cool. Also he can take off all the bike tires and fix them. I think that is pretty good! Also Corey just took him on a huge hike where he hiked over 10,000 feet high and 1 miles round trip! That's Corey's plan. Hike them to death and they can do know wrong!

TTYL!

My husband spends at least once a month looking like this....

2011-09-14T08:57:00.000-07:00

I had a financial guru once give me this book called The Millionaire Next Door. It said something in there I shant ever forget. The people who are richest (you know, aside form the celebrities etc...) are the people driving the crappiest cars. Yep! That is what it said.

And that is because the rich people aren't spending their money. They are not splurging on big and fancy things. The richest people are not those that look the richest. Mostly those that look the richest are just those with the most debt.

So anyway...We own three old cars. All from about 1990. And you know that thing I just told you about the rich people drive the crappy cars? Yeah..... That's totally not us.

Anyways, about once a month Corey has to do fix up work on one of the three crappy cars. It can become quite stressful actually. Today the van broke in the school car pool line. So that was awkward because all the people had to go around me and I wasn't over to the left far enough and they kept hitting driving over the curb on their other side. Ugh!

Corey came and rescued us but we had to go home and then come back with the truck and tow it. Of course Rhett had to come. That kind of thing EXCITES him. He loves stuff like that SO very much. He was quite excited when it was time for Corey to tow us. He rode with me in the van being towed.

And I had time to explain to my young son who will someday be a husband that when he is one, he needs to tell his wife in detail, what to do in regards to being towed or if they are moving furniture. Guys always just expect us to know. I need communication, man!!!

Corey actually complemented me on my "being towed" skills though. And because I am "word of affirmation" I appreciated that. And I guess I did alright because I didn't crash into the back of him. But that can be scary! Just being pulled along for the ride. Through stop signs and intersections.

I'd love to say the reason we drive old cars is because we love Dave Ramsey and refuse to be making car payments. That IS actually part of it. The other part is....new/newish cars are expensive! And apparently we'd rather our kid have straight teeth. (Cause the price of his straight teeth would have bought us a newish car. He OWES us!)

Thanks to all the people who chauffeured me and the kids around today!

Rhett checking out the tools. He loves that stuff so much!

So many wonderful things going on in the cyber world I can barely stand it!

2011-09-13T11:31:00.000-07:00

My researcher friend posted this link on FB!

Uhh...LOVED IT! Wish I had done more of ALL of it! Not to late!!!

Go check out her blog. She has lots of good stuff there. her name is Alicia. For my own reference (when I turn my blog into a family book) I put her list on my blog...

"What should a 4 year old know?

I was on a parenting bulletin board recently and read a post by a mother who was worried that her 4 1/2 year old did not know enough. “What should a 4 year old know?” she asked.

Most of the answers left me not only saddened but pretty soundly annoyed. One mom posted a laundry list of all of the things her son knew. Counting to 100, planets, how to write his first and last name, and on and on. Others chimed in with how much more their children already knew, some who were only 3. A few posted URL’s to lists of what each age should know. The fewest yet said that each child develops at his own pace and not to worry.

It bothered me greatly to see these mothers responding to a worried mom by adding to her concern, with lists of all the things their children could do that hers couldn’t. We are such a competitive culture that even our preschoolers have become trophies and bragging rights. Childhood shouldn’t be a race.

So here, I offer my list of what a 4 year old should know.

1.She should know that she is loved wholly and unconditionally, all of the time.

1.He should know that he is safe and he should know how to keep himself safe in public, with others, and in varied situations. He should know that he can trust his instincts about people and that he never has to do something that doesn’t feel right, no matter who is asking. He should know his personal rights and that his family will back them up.

2.She should know how to laugh, act silly, be goofy and use her imagination. She should know that it is always okay to paint the sky orange and give cats 6 legs.

3.He should know his own interests and be encouraged to follow them. If he could care less about learning his numbers, his parents should realize he’ll learn them accidentally soon enough and let him immerse himself instead in rocket ships, drawing, dinosaurs or playing in the mud.

4.She should know that the world is magical and that so is she. She should know that she’s wonderful, brilliant, creative, compassionate and marvelous. She should know that it’s just as worthy to spend the day outside making daisy chains, mud pies and fairy houses as it is to practice phonics. Scratch that– way more worthy.

But more important, here’s what parents need to know.

1.That every child learns to walk, talk, read and do algebra at his own pace and that it will have no bearing on how well he walks, talks, reads or does algebra.

1.That the single biggest predictor of high academic achievement and high ACT scores is reading to children. Not flash cards, not workbooks, not fancy preschools, not blinking toys or computers, but mom or dad taking the time every day or night (or both!) to sit and read them wonderful books.

2.That being the smartest or most accomplished kid in class has never had any bearing on being the happiest. We are so caught up in trying to give our children “advantages” that we’re giving them lives as multi-tasked and stressful as ours. One of the biggest advantages we can give our children is a simple, carefree childhood.

3.That our children deserve to be surrounded by books, nature, art supplies and the freedom to explore them. Most of us could get rid of 90% of our children’s toys and they wouldn’t be missed, but some things are important– building toys like legos and blocks, creative toys like all types of art materials (good stuff), musical instruments (real ones and multicultural ones), dress up clothes and books, books, books. (Incidentally, much of this can be picked up quite cheaply at thrift shops.) They need to have the freedom to explore with these things too– to play with scoops of dried beans in the high chair (supervised, of course), to knead bread and make messes, to use paint and play dough and glitter at the kitchen table while we make supper even though it gets everywhere, to have a spot in the yard where it’s absolutely fine to dig up all the grass and make a mud pit.

4.That our children need more of us. We have become so good at saying that we need to take care of ourselves that some of us have used it as an excuse to have the rest of the world take care of our kids. Yes, we all need undisturbed baths, time with friends, sanity breaks and an occasional life outside of parenthood. But we live in a time when parenting magazines recommend trying to commit to 10 minutes a day with each child and scheduling one Saturday a month as family day. That’s not okay! Our children don’t need Nintendos, computers, after school activities, ballet lessons, play groups and soccer practice nearly as much as they need US. They need fathers who sit and listen to their days, mothers who join in and make crafts with them, parents who take the time to read them stories and act like idiots with them. They need us to take walks with them and not mind the .1 MPH pace of a toddler on a spring night. They deserve to help us make supper even though it takes twice as long and makes it twice as much work. They deserve to know that they’re a priority for us and that we truly love to be with them.

I feel like I met a celebrity!

2011-09-12T08:17:00.000-07:00

The cute, orphan saving, lady from "Good to be Crazy" responded to me. I felt so special!

Her response made a lot of sense and it made me think....they have thought of everything which made me think obviously Heavenly Father has to be helping them.

Sooooo....... here is her response.

Hi Susan --

Thank you so much for your heart for SixtyFeet. I am so blessed by you!! If you and your blog family really want to help, the best way is through cupcakes. Yep. You heard me right.

We like to buy supplies and needed items in Uganda so we are supporting the local economy -- so when people want to contribute for a specific need, we ask them to fundraise for it.

Our fundraising arm is nothing fancy. Just a bunch of kids. But last year, those little ones raised $60,000 for SixtyFeet. Please check it out and let me know if you're up for this year: www.thecupcakekids.org

Blessings!
Shelly

And I think we should check out her referred site. And then I think we should ponder it and come up with our own ideas on how to make this happen in our own situations. My brain is spinning and I have some plans. I'll share later. I need more time to think about it and decide if I am ready to tackle it!

Until then, read her really great post. I love it.

9/11

2011-09-11T22:00:00.000-07:00

10 years ago we lived in kind of an "ify" neighborhood in an apartment in Boise. My husband had a dream job with Micron. Although we had three kids (and possibly pregnant with the fourth) he had just graduated college (again) and this was his first job in his new field. He really, really, like it. Sadly, hundreds of people were laid off shortly after, including us.

I remember waking up, going down the stair and turning on the news for a minute. I was getting ready to drive Kassidy to school. I can't even remember exactly what I saw now but it was the twin towers on fire and the attack. I ran back upstairs to tell Corey who was home for the day. I remember he was sleeping and didn't really believe it was as bad as I was telling him.

As I drove Kassidy to school the newscaster on the radio said the words I will always remember "Ladies and Gentlemen...We are at war!" SHOCK!

Later that day at school, Kassidy had the flu. When I went to pick her up one of the teachers told me that Kassidy being sick helped her so much that day. That she had been walking around in a trance and Kassidy being sick snapped her out of it.

Several times in the next week I remember calling my dad for comfort because I was confused what this all meant. The grocery store was EMPTY and I was hearing they were going to be shutting down, that everything was going to be shutting down. None of that happened.

Instead of shutting down, America "snapped to" and came alive. It was great.

I also remember calling my dad confused. "Am I supposed to hate Muslim people now?"

I had a neighbor who was my friend. She was a few years older than me. A Muslim lady would walk through our street to go to work or the store, I assume. I had never really crossed her path but my friend had, and they would always say hi to each other. After that day on 9/11 my friend chose not to speak to her anymore. My friend was mad at her for what her people did to us. I was astonished.

I remember looking out my window and seeing the Muslim lady walking, the first week after the attack. She was walking down the street in her usual Burqaa. One of my biggest wishes, now that I am older and wiser, is that I would have gone and spoken to her, or walked with her. I am sure it was a very scary time for her as well. I regret that I didn't do that.

I still remember my dads sound voice of reason saying how nuts it was to hate all Muslim people because of the attacks. He was a comfort at that time... to a daughter who thought the world was about to shut down. Love him.

There isn't anything else I can say. I just remember the horrificness (not a word? should be.) of people jumping out of the buildings. The people running through the streets, grayish white, covered in ash. All the stories of suffering and also amazing heroism. I was glued to the TV the whole time as was probably the rest of the nation.

‎I got this off Face Book:
2,997 people died. 411 people risked their lives to save others. At least 200 people jumped or fell to their deaths. 2 beautiful buildings destroyed. 246 people left on an airplane & never got to see home again. 2,997 innocent people left their homes one day & never got to see their families again.

Loved what my Glenn Beck said about the next day...

"On 9/12 no one in the government had to tell us what to do. We just did it. We went and we found a place to give blood. We went and we gave money. We gathered together. We gathered our family around. We prayed. We were the people that our grandparents were and nobody had to tell us"

Best wishes on this day of remembering.