Harris Family

Takis

2012-01-12T12:36:00.000-08:00

What is the deal with Takis?? For some strange reason I bought a bag for my kids yesterday at the store. This morning they couldn't seem to function because they were too worried about who was getting more than the other for their school lunch etc. Even my little Thomas (18 mo) eats them as if they are good. He does grab one and say "hot". I won't even mention the mess that the red stuff makes all over their faces and hands and everything they touch. I don't get it and I don't like them.

Kacie is 9

2011-12-08T10:50:00.000-08:00

Kacie was born 2 days before Thanksgiving. If you are married to or know someone who is into hunting you will know that this is a big time hunting season. I happen to be married to one of these hunters and in 2002 he was drawn for his first ever elk hunt. Yes, first ever. His hunt started Friday the 29th of November. That means you need to leave the night before to get set up, sleep and be out hunting before daylight. Yes, Jon went on his first elk hunt the day I came out of the hospital. (Not his first hunt to attend, but his first to actually be the hunter). My mom was willing to take me in and help me with my new baby and my other baby Savanna who was a year and a half. I know it sounds crazy but it was okay and if I remember correctly, he shot his elk and was home as fast as possible which I appreciated. It also allowed me to have one of my favorite memories of my sweet Grandma "Muttie". She was at my moms house for Thanksgiving and held that little baby like her life depended on it. Even more, she protected her and wouldn't let anyone touch her. Muttie couldn't remember many things short term, but holding that baby took her back the days of her mothering when immunizations were not in full swing and you kept your baby from public for a year. If you walked up and tried to touch Kacie, Muttie would gently brush your hand away. When Kacie was hungry, she would say," where is this babies mother? This baby didn't get breakfast yesterday". It was sweet. Oh, things have changed since then. Kacie was born with a strong personality but a no fuss personality. She is not bothered by too much, she wants things done just so she can move on, it takes a lot for her to cry and she really has one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard. She can sing about anything and hears music in a way that I never will be able to. Our goal in life has been to channel her personality for good without ruining it. I don't know if we are doing a perfect job, but it sure has been fun watching her.

When Kacie was a baby she would spit up all the time. I used to put blankets all over my family room floor so she could spit on that and I could just wash it. AMazingly she always spit up right between the blankets. Her stomach was not hurting and she gained weight just fine so we didn't do much for her. We think she was so bothered with having to take the time to eat that she would eat too fast and too much. She was never fussy.

Kacie is so smart and talented. She is doing well in school and lately loves reading. She also loves animals. One of her best friends is Lily our dog. These are some of her friends from her birthday party Adrienne, Amy, Katie, Braylin, Ambria, Leah, Macy, Amanda, and jane. Her amazing cake was made by her aunt Lindsey who can make anything out of cake and they taste so good!! Here is her link http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001393053907#!/pages/Lindseys-Layers/236254126405048

Happy Birthday Kacie!! We love you so much.

All He Wants for Christmas...

2011-12-07T11:38:00.000-08:00

Michael lost his front left tooth last week at school!! He lost his right one a few weeks ago. Savanna did the exact same thing right before Christmas. I love it.

Holidays

2011-11-14T13:28:00.000-08:00

Today I was thinking what I love best about the holidays and this is what I found.. That these people come into townNate and Abby who are going to be having their own little boy in a little over a month

Aunt QT or Katie ( I don't know why but Grace has started calling you QT and I really love it)

and Aunt Heather and Uncle Brandon ( didn't have a ready picture of him unfortunately). We have missed them and I love excuses for them to come home!!

"Slug bug"

2011-10-30T22:14:00.001-07:00

This morning I was doing Grace's hair for church in my bathroom when she yelled,"Hey mom, there is a slug bug!!" What? I look on the wall where she is pointing and it is a reflection off of a shiny thing in the bathroom. We found the source and made it dance a bit. I am happy to now know what she means when she is yelling slug bug in the car all the time like the older kids.

2011-10-03T20:37:00.000-07:00

Tonight the front door was open for half a second which meant Thomas was gone. I let him go out and just followed him. He is in that toddling stage where he can get off balance pretty easily but is so irresistible with his big blue eyes and blond hair. We stopped at the curb to look at jets then walked down the sidewalk pausing every now and then. When we got to our neighbors drive way, I turned him around and herded him back the other way. I would try to hold his hand, but he would hold it for a second, then let go. Luckily he kept coming back to hold it for a second again just to let go again. Suddenly he grew up before my eyes. He wanted to be independent and yet almost reassure me that I was still important to him. He is growing up way too fast just like the rest of my children. I fail them more as they get older, but they are patient with me.

The other night we went to visit a friend and her family. Grace was riding bikes with her 3 year old son and they disappeared around the corner. I didn't realize they were gone so I went out looking for them. Suddenly Grace came running around the corner straight for me. She frantically started telling me a story about a boy who was telling her to go to this place and was taking her bike so she left the bike there and ran to get me. I was terrified thinking someone was trying to take her. The little boy she was with came around the corner with 2 sweet angel neighbors who knew the kids and were pushing Grace's bike. They boy she was talking about was the little boy she had followed. As we were walking back to the house she says "mom I am so sorry for doing that. Can you forgive me?" then chokes out a pathetic sob. (she isn't dramatic or anything). I had to suppress a laugh because little does she know I had already done that and was thinking Can she forgive me for not being there?

Finally from the beginning of our trip!!!

2011-09-28T11:15:00.001-07:00

So here we go from the beginning. We flew out of Phoenix to JFK on the 10:30 flight. I don't know if you remember that crazy dust storm that was so dusty outside you couldn't see across the street? Yes that was the night we were to leave for our big trip. As I looked outside and noticed not many airplanes flying I was pretty down. I also have a HUGE fear of flying so any added variable such as this is not good for me. Anyways we got to the airport and I was exhausted. I couldn't get on the plane soon enough so I could sleep. ( part of that may or may not have been the pill I took) We were grounded for 15-20 minutes then were off. The flight was not full so we spread out a bit. Jon and Savanna were on one bench together which ended up being Savanna on the floor and Jon laying on the seats. This was my row with Katie and Kacie. Kacie was in her little seat, Katie was on the floor of our row and I sort of had 2 seats. Surprisingly we slept really well except for Jon. It was a really fast flight and also my girls first time flying. ( Savanna went on an airplane when she was 6 months old) It's a good thing my sister is tiny. I can't believe she fit down there.

Walking to the connecting flight at JFK to take us to Rochester

WE were all excited because we got to walk up to the airplane. It felt so old school!

We got to Rochester, got our rental car and unpacked at the Christiansens home, had lunch at a sub place that was amazing and so inexpensive, then went to Niagara Falls.

A rain drop got on my camera. Right after we got off the Maid of the Mist the skies opened up and it was a complete downpour. Kacie didn't care but I was done with water coming out of my tennis shoes. It was beautiful

One of my favorites of Katie. By the way, Katie is my baby sister who is 20 and a Junior at BYU. She is a smarty pants and was so willing to come along with us. She was such a good sport and we loved having her along.

Bridges are sort of a novelty when you are from AZ so I found myself taking pictures of them. Also this summer my girls did a science camp and one thing they made was a bridge out of toothpicks. We found ourselves interested in the style of bridge and how they were reinforced.

The Big trip day 3 & 4

2011-09-14T09:09:00.001-07:00

Heading out in the morning. This is at the mission home in Rochester. We stayed with President and Sister Christiansen's home also known as Aunt Mel and Uncle Jack. This is our little rental car. These blankets were ones that we stole off the airplane our first leg of the trip from Phoenix to NY.This morning we went out to visit Jon's Aunt Tina Evertson who is also on a mission in Rochester working in the mission office. She and her companion Sis. Price live in the John Young home. We were trying to meet up with her before she needed to go into the office. This was one of the major highlights of our trip. This is Jon in the basement of the home and it is all original. The main part of the home has been remodeled and updated, but there are a few original places.

The attic. All original. Sis. Price took the girls up there before we got there and in the floor boards there are knot holes so when we walked under them they started dropping nuts on our heads. They thought they were so funny and in reality it was. I thought the house was falling down.

We went to the upstairs and there was this little attic hole. They had never looked up to see what was there so Jon did the honors for them. It was a normal attic with insulation. We laughed so hard and made a mess in their nice home. Thankfully they were so happy for the entertainment.

Aunt Tina took us for a walk on the farm property. The girls caught a tiny frog and I think Kacie fell in love with Tina when she took it from Kacie and actually held it.

Jon, Katie and Tina. I can't even begin to tell you how beautiful it was here. It was also cool.

In the forest Jon found a tree stand. Of course he did

The girls found snails all over the plants.

We fell in love with this flower called Queen Anne's Lace.

Jon needed a nap but we wanted to climb the Hill Cummorah. Here we are on the top. It was warming up by then. You can see the top of the stage for the pageant.

We ate lunch with Craig and Suzette Done who are cast members in the pageant and friends of ours. That night we had dinner at the mission home and had special dinner guests Elder Costa and his wife. It was wonderful to get to talk to them and meet them.

We went to the pageant that night. Kacie was so tired so she slept through most of it on Tina.

Saturday we returned the rental car and were back at the airport to go to JFK.

We flew on Jet Blue. I highly recommend them. The seats were so comfortable, the girls each had their own direct tv, they gave us all the drinks and snacks we wanted and the flight was 15 minutes early. Loved it.

Out our cab window. Our driver was crazy. We were on a freeway and it was a dead standstill. Our cab driver reversed down and on ramp and took surface streets. We couldn't stop laughing of course after we realized we would survive it.

We checked into our hotel which was about a hundred yards off Time Square then headed out to M&M world and anywhere else we could on Times Square. Then we went and bought our tickets to see Mary Poppins for that night.

Before dinner we ate at the Stardust. Food wasn't great but we would have stayed there all night. The girls were mesmerized by the singers. Our waitress would be talking to us, hold up her finger, pull out a microphone, then start singing. They were all really good too. The highlight there was we swear Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley from Harry Potter) was there also. As we were walking out of the restaurant my sister Katie pointed him out. They had just gotten there and were in a little corner booth. We were almost out of the restaurant when we noticed him otherwise we would have taken cel phone pictures. she was so bummed she didn't get to meet him. Mary Poppins was good except for the statues in the show. I don't know if anyone has seen it but really gray body suits leave nothing to the imagination. My girls were embarrassed of both the women and the men. Other than that it was fantastic. I also heard that Bert walked on walls. Well, in this one he didn't.

The Big trip day 5

2011-09-13T14:56:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning in Manhattan. We had breakfast in our hotel of muffins and juice then took a taxi to church to the West of central park. After church we walked into the park for a nice stroll. We had clothes to change into in our backpack and of course walking shoes. Did you know that there really is a statue of Balto in central park??? Here is the proof. There is a kids movie called Balto that my kids watch every time we go to our cabin and in the movie they mention that there is a statue in Central Park of Balto. Now we can say there really is a statue there and let me say, this was a highlight of the trip!!! Who would have thought!

The Boathouse in the backgroud

On the castle in Central park. (Katie what was the name of this place?) We were so tired, hot and hungry and looking for the waffle truck in central park. Don't you worry, I got the "throwdown" waffle and it totally lived up to its name. I loved it!

After food and a short nap in central park, we went to the Museum of Natural History. Dum Dum

On our way back from the museum Jon was tired but us girls were by Rockefeller Center and had Crumbs cupcakes to eat, so we did just that. After our cupcakes we went to the top of the rock. It was so great because we paid less than empire state and had no wait.

We had dinner at a pizza place in Times Square (people I kept a journal with names and dates, but obviously forgot it already and don't want to look it up.)

The girls riding the ferris wheel in Toys R Us

Captian Jack out of legos

The building of the set for Phineas and Ferb

The BIG Trip Day 6

2011-09-12T08:24:00.001-07:00

Our last real day in Manhattan we at breakfast at our hotel diner then headed out to Times Square to meet Phineas and Ferb. The night before we were told to come in the morning at 9:30 for some fun. We got there and they were letting all the kids in the fenced area and gave them Perry the Plattybus t-shirts(the bright blue ones). Radio Disney was there handing out all kinds of free shirts, shoe laces (if you have seen the show, it is from that)an frisbees. We came away with 12 shirt total, 2 frisbees, tons of shoelaces, popsicles (because it was so stinking hot that day) and the opportunity to meet the voice people. Katie looks a little too excited!!! Savanna and Kacie meeting Alison Stoner who plays Isabella on the show. Uh, if you think that I knew this information before this day, you are wrong. My sister Katie on the other hand was our informant.

All of the voice people that came. The kid in the plaid shirt is a radio disney guy. Check out how tall Alyson's shoes are. She was short!

After our famous people meeting, we went on our first subway ride. I know our last day and our first ride, but we walked almost everywhere and took a few taxis to the other places.

This is where we were headed. Those Frisbees came in handy because it was so hot, we used them as fans. ( I keep complaining of heat. Yes, I am from AZ, I know heat, but this was way worse, stagnant air and humidity in the 70's and 80's and the temp in the high 90's).

Riding the Staten Island Ferry

Taking a nap on the way back

This was Tuesday morning at the Newark NJ. airport. We were headed to the airport and after about 20 minutes of driving realized we were headed to the wrong airport. Our driver flipped around and we started heading the right direction. I was so stressed about making our flight. I was sick because it was my fault we were going to the wrong airport. It cost us a bit more for the ride, but at that point I didn't care. We got to the airport, there was not line for checking in, no line for security and we had almost 45 minutes to wait.

yes we all wore our Phineas and Ferb shirts on the flight!! An added bonus was Jon and I got asked if we wanted to sit in and emergency exit. Yes more leg room please. Only downside, no reclining seats. Katie sat with the girls, they ordered food and watched tv the whole flight home. It was such a great trip and already feels like it never really happened. It has been neat to watch some of these documentaries on 9 11 because my girls got to see Ground Zero and the beginnings of the new buildings going up.

2011-09-09T09:56:00.000-07:00

This is one of Thomas' favorite poses. One time he did it in a store or something and a woman asked me if we do mom and baby yoga? Uh, yes this is my one privileged child and we do all kinds of special things like that!(yeah right) Then my baby boy had then nerve to turn 1!!! These are his cupcakes that he ate at least 3 of.

One Friday me and the girls went to Canyon Lake with the Zubers. We had so much fun. Grace was not afraid of the water at all. Whenever we stopped she would jump in. The girls tried knee boarding with Sue in the water holding them on the board. They both did great and I was proud of them for trying. Once Kacie got the hang of it, we couldn't get her off of it.

At one point Grace was so tired so she slept in the front of the boat. That is her arm hanging over the edge.

Me and Sue on "Mermaid Rock". Thanks Roy for taking this picture. It makes me laugh!

Thanks Zubers for the awesome lake trip!!

Summer part 2

2011-08-31T10:10:00.000-07:00

This was our last trip to the cabin before school started. We headed up for the 1st week in August and took along April Tingey. We ended up meeting up with the Peirces and had Daisy and Madds and Kylerm, and also the Porter's were up at their cabin. It was fun to catch up with cousins we dont see often at home. These girls did this for hours. My mom brought up her little cars (total mind blank. I can't think of what they are called.) They would hike up to the top of the hill and see how far they could go without having to let go of hands.

Oh yeah, Braylin went with us too.

Grace and Grandma Treats playing Grandma's new I Pad on the front porch.

One of the highlights of my kids lives is when we get irrigation during the day and not on Sunday. Yes, a little white trash, but this will never change.

Tuesday before school started we were given tickets to Sunsplash. We went and really had a good time. Michael was upset to have to leave. (thanks Molly)

Traditional 1st day of school pictures. Savanna will always have her eyes closed and is now teaching the kids the same thing. Buggy...

The first week of school I took the girls to get their hair cut/trimmed. Kacie got a trim but Savanna got a chop. We were going to cut it but then Savanna decided to donate it to locks of love so we had to cut more than anticipated. It looks so cute and she was so willing to donate it.

Oh, and both of the girls wanted bangs. I don't know how I feel about them because they look way too grown up all of a sudden.

summer happenings

2011-08-30T14:21:00.001-07:00

So here is one small portion of our summer. These posts will go backwards starting in August. Yes, lame I know but really, I will be happy if I get even a portion of the summer covered. My little Grace turned 3!! I don't think there is anything more fun than a 3 year old little girl party. Okay so I didn't really do much but have cake and ice cream for a few family members and neighbors, bought her princesses, a princess bike and a pink tea set. Yes she LOVES pink!! We also went as a family to Peter piper pizza (the Bingham's showed up too) for some fun. Thanks Kelly for the gift certificate!

I love that James and Michael are having a tea party with the girls.
These are pictures at the Gila Valley Temple. We went to visit my sister Heather and Brandon for the weekend and had such a good time.

Thomas kept emptying out her cupboards and them climbing in them. He also decided that he wants to walk so he did.

They took us to Cluff pond and it was so much fun. I highly recommend never going on this rope swing because the water is literally 2 feet deep and you will hit the bottom, not that anyone we know tried it or anything and has a really sore shoulder from it.

Bedroom redo

2011-05-02T14:55:00.000-07:00

I tried my hand at redoing the girls room to make it more them. Here I am pulling down the molding and setting it aside to paint black.

Savanna helping to scrub everything down.

The new blue color that the girls chose out. It is really fun. That cage thing is a butterfly treehouse that we have loved having. Every spring we order more catapillars and watch them change into butterflies.

Yes I did stripes again because I had to or else I would have to re texture the room which I really didn't want to do. They are the same color but glossy. In the pictures they are way more "loud".

I am still working on new bedding that is black and white and still need to make covers for the chords on the chandeliers. Yes my girls beds are on food storage boxes. Where do you keep yours because I would love to have under the bed storage..

Grace

2011-03-08T07:49:00.001-08:00

This morning I was doing Grace's hair and she says,"Mom I don't want to be good." Pause for a few seconds, "I want to be perfect!" She said it in this sweet little innocent voice. If anyone knows what movie that came from or who it came from, I am dying to know.

2011-02-01T12:43:00.000-08:00

I was so prepared for my friend Julz to come over tomorrow and for us to tear the junk out of one room in my house. She said I could pick any room!!! The saddest thing has happened. My little Thomas is so sick. Not just a little sick, but alot sick. He has a high fever and cried/whimpered last night for about 4 hours straight. I don't know what I would have done without Jon who was a champ and took a shift, then again this morning at 7 am when I crawled back in bed until 9. I wouldn't be functioning right now if he hadn't done this. When Julz called this morning and I had to tell her to stay far away from my house I was so bummed. I don't know what was more hard on me, Thomas being sick or not having Julz's help. If you don't know Julz, she really has the cleanest and most organized house I have ever been in. I am not exaggerating either. When she says her house was so messy, it was mine on a good day. She has a serious gift for it. She is also 9 months pregnant and it would be a real tragedy if she or any of her other kids got sick right now. It will happen, I am not discouraged and right now, Thomas is actually taking a nap, so that is a good thing.

"Someday"

2011-01-28T10:21:00.001-08:00

I am sick of saying the word "Someday". How pathetic!! This week I was supposed to be on the Disney Cruise with alot of other people but here I am thinking about Someday going on a Disney Cruise.. Is that bad? No, but get over it. I am the one that made the decision not to go and I really think it was the right one. Is is bad to set a goal to go on the cruise in 2012. No, not bad either (Yes I want to go in 2012).

Many years ago (7 1/2) Jon and I bought this house we currently live in. I love most things about living here. I love the ward, the neighborhood, the friends, the outdoor living and the random parties we have out front all the time. Yes, there are negatives to everything, but I have always had a dream of remodeling my house. We did a few repairs to the house, new floors, texture, paint, bathrooms, and no more popcorn ceiling. It was perfect. Now that our family is growing, it feels like my house is shrinking. On top of it, I am not a good housekeeper. I really struggle with organization as many of you know. I have always thought, hmm, someday.. Well here I am to say to myself,"get over it". Be happy with the house you have because you have a house. Be happy about the fact that you have gone on some fantastic vacations and probably will in the future, just not right now. Be happy about the fact that your kids are happy in their environment." In saying this, I am not saying that I am unhappy by any means. I just need to learn how to be the me that I want to be right now. I need to love my house just as it is. I need to learn to live in the space that I have and how to organize it. With all that being said, I think I need help too. If there are any people out there who would not be shocked or appalled by going through my junk and would be willing to help me I think I am ready for it. I need to go through every corner of my house and get rid of stuff. Even if you have suggestions of things that work for you, I am listening. For you that are natural organizers and don't understand how a person can't be, well I really believe that it is a trait that is born in you. It was not born in me for sure but I will win the battle!!!

Ps. Have you ever gone back and read your post and it didn't come across quite as you envisioned it in your brain? Well that might be how this one is. If it sounds negative, I didn't mean for it to. I don't feel down about it, I am just ready to change. With that being said...

Cheers

2011-01-22T22:11:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my nephew Jake's 2 year birthday!!! Many of you know that he only lived 19 of the sweetest, longest, yet shortest days. If you would like to read more about him and his story click here .

Also if you click on the button, it will take you straight to the information about the blanket drive. If you can we would love for you to support my sister Liz's "Jakie's Blankie's" drive so we can help other families who may be struggling with their own heart battle. Grab a button and let's get the word out!!!

Spelling Bee and Reindeer Run

2011-01-07T09:22:00.000-08:00

Just because we as parents aren't busy enough, the school crams the last week before Christmas break with so much stuff. Literally I was at the school everyday. I know this is nothing to what other parents do all the time, but it was a lot for me, but fun also. Savanna made it into the school spelling bee. She was so excited. I was so nervous but she didn't seem to be. I love that about her. She loves to try almost anything. Here she is on the stage doing her word. She did great and I was so proud of her. I didn't realize how emotional you could feel as a parent when you child is in a pressure situation.

This is the annual reindeer run that Emerson holds at Christmas time. It was almost rained out, but no luck that morning. Michael's class made reindeer hats to wear. They take them over to Carson's track and let them run around it for 20 minutes or so.

Kacie, Michael and Grace

Grace and cousin Dallas

Savanna and Teila. Their class made these shirts to wear. First only the K-3rd grade ran, then 4-6 came.

I can't forget to mention, Thomas had a major blowout during this even and I had to strip him down, then wrap him in a blanket. I couldn't even put him in his carseat because it was soiled also. I just wrapped him up and hauled him home.

2011-01-04T15:24:00.000-08:00

During Christmas Break we took a trip to the zoo with my sister Liz and one of the heart nurses at ST. Joes's Nicole. Nicole just had a baby about 4 weeks prior and the zoo was a central meeting spot for them. We stayed together for a short time, then my kids only wanted to play in the playhouse which we never do. I let them and they got so wet and dirty from the little stream that runs through it. I decided to leave but on the way out decided to let the kids see the stingrays. It was feeding time so they got a great show. This is how Thomas watched the stingrays...Right when I put Grace up on the wall to see them a stingray swam by and flipped its wing?? I don't know what it is but splashed her and made a flapping sound that freaked her out. She then would stay on the stroller and kind of lean over to see, but would not touch them. This was after about 30 minutes of being there so she started to get a little more brave. (notice Michael's rear from earlier stream time)

We literally stayed in the stingrays for 45 minutes to an hour. The kids were having so much fun, Thomas was sleeping and it was so enjoyable to them. Some people around them gave them little fish to feed the stingrays and the worker kept tossing the leftovers where the kids were so they would swim by them. Notice how everyone else has left stingray bay? The kids were soaked and it was a nice day, but they were pretty chilled.

Christmas 2010

2011-01-03T15:48:00.000-08:00

Dec. 20th Jon's family sang at the temple lights in downtown Mesa. They started singing there last year. Granny (Jon's Mom) worked with Savanna, Kacie, Keaton, and Sam and taught them the song "Jesus Lord at Thy Birth." They sang it again this year and did such a great job. I am so proud of them for being so brave to sing in front of all the people and they really do so well.

Christmas Eve we used to go to the Harris' house and Robin and Debbie would make everyone's favorite dish which included jerky, orange rolls, broccoli soup, mashed potatoes, ham and much more. We would all sit down and have a candlelight dinner then read Luke 2. When the family got too big, we started doing it on our own. This year we had shrimp scampi, ramen, shrimp boil,and pot stickers with sparkling apple cider. It was magical for all of us and a tradition we will keep up. This year we bought sparklers (the big ones)for my mom because she loves them from a firework stand and were so excited that we had her open them that night and went into their culdesac and lit them all.

Christmas loot. All the kids got PJ's and bikes. Here is Savanna with her new bike

And Michael with his. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of Kacie because she really is too busy to stop for a photo.

I love this shot. We go to my parents every year Christmas morning and eat breakfast, then exchange gifts. This picture started out as Russ and Jenn, then I started grabbing more and more people and eventually we had almost everyone. Grace was already back asleep and Thomas was down for a nap. Heather and Brandon were in Safford and Nate and Abby in Ogden. We really missed not having everyone there. This picture is still missing some...

This was too funny I had to post about it. I bought some awesome shelves with canvas baskets for Michael's bedroom and they came in these boxes. I saved the boxes because I knew they would love them but I never thought they would sleep in them. Yes last night I found them all in the girls room in their boxes.

My favorite memory of New Year's eve. It was about 11:50pm which is crazy because we never stay up until midnight and Heather and Brandon were over and Thomas and Grace were sleeping. We got out our champaign glasses and martinellis and said "hurry we need to have a toast." A few minutes later Michael says, don't worry Mom, I am making the toast." He had gotten out the toaster and was popping in bread for each of us. We laughed so hard so when I tried to get a picture he was way to embarassed. It was so sweet and I loved it.

Needy

2010-12-16T20:12:00.000-08:00

No, this is not the much anticipated nutcracker Ballet review, but insight into my day.. This morning Savanna was in the spelling bee at Emerson and did really well. I don't think she will ever misspell crocadile again in her life. I think that the kid with the least amount of nerves wins whether they are a good speller or not.

After the spelling bee I headed to the dreaded walmart for some (lots) of things. A shopping cart full of junk, a fussing baby and a toddler who was shoved out of her spot due to needing more room in the cart later I was in line checking out. As I went to pay low and behold, no wallet. Yes, my worst nightmare had come true. But then I looked up and who was there??? An angel?? Yes it was in the form of Granny Ruth Shelley. I ran over to her and asked if she could pay for my groceries and I could pay her back? She thought it was the funnies thing, payed for me and continued to laugh. The cashier and the lady behind me in the line asked who she was. I told them,"that is Granny Ruth, she is my neighbor." They kept saying,"I wish I had a neighbor like that." They were in complete shock that she would do that for me. Thank you Ruth for saving me.

This 5 kids thing has made me loose my mind. Tonight I found a full bottle sitting on the counter full mind you and for the life of me I couldn't remember when I had made it or when I put it there. I was even more bothered that I had to dump it down the drain and waste all that good formula.

I also forgot that I was supposed to have a fire pit to the church for cub scouts pack meeting tonight until after it had started. Jon was home literally all day for abt 5 minutes and it slipped my mind. I called my Dad and yet another neighbor Roy and between the two of them I had dry wood, newspaper and the firepit at the church for the boys to roast marshmallows.

I guess the moral of these stories are don't be related to me or my neighbor, but if you are, thank you for helping me and I only hope that I can return the favor someday.

Nutcracker

2010-12-10T21:16:00.000-08:00

I just returned from our annual trip to see the Nutcracker ballet by Ballet Etudes and I have many choice words about it. In fact I had so many thoughts that I began texting them to my cousin Emily who lives in Washington. Yes texting during a show is rude and goes against many of my beliefs, but what can I say... Guilty. Anyhow, so I am sending her all kinds of things, the good the bad, best dress etc. and she says," you should write a review"... HMMM I think I may have found my calling in life. I struggle with going to many things because it is akward for me which is funny, I am not on the stage, yet I feel discomfort. When I began thinking in terms of writing out my thoughts instead of storing them, a whole new world opened up. Now to find the time and this is not it. So hopefully soon I will post my "Nutcracker review and give you a detailed description of the sugar plum fairy King's tights including my dad's insight on them and hopefully it will make for some interesting reading. Very Intriguing.

Kacie's Baptism

2010-12-03T09:49:00.000-08:00

Darn reverse order. I have so much to learn. These are some of the kids at the dinner after the baptism. Kacie was so excited about everything I really only got a few shots of her the whole evening. That is how it is with her anyways. In this picture: Sam, Keaton, Nellie Harris, Maddie and Lexi Dennison, Sydney Viramontes, Michael and one of Aaron and Rachelle's puppies (which are for sale!! Great Christmas Present!!)This year we bought a Costco cake for the party and before I knew what was going on Kacie had hacked into the whole thing and was giving all the kids HUGE pieces. It was so funny and she enjoyed it so much that it really was no big deal. This is what we sang to her with.

Kacie with another one of the puppies. They are pure bred and Aaron and Rachelle own the parents. They are so cute. Kacie my little animal lover "needs" one.... But since mom is so mean...

The last shot is Kacie with her primary teachers Steven and Betsy Clouse. They are so wonderful and we were so happy they could make it to the baptism and dinner after.

Thanksgiving week was crazy for me as it is for most people but I did have a few extra things on my plate and Jon was hunting with my dad. I just have to say thank you to everyone who helped me with so much. Mainly my mom for running countless errands for me and letting us use her house. Katie for watching my kids or taking them to the movies and making truffles!!! Zuber's for always opening their door when I knock or one of my kids, and for giving my kids something to look forward to everynight with lighting up your house. (Your labors are not in vain) The Wright's for bringing the projector for movie night and spending some of your date night with the 20th ward primary. Crystal for doing anything and everything or nothing and just being a sounding board. Dallin for cooking hamburgers and hot dogs for the "lighting ceremony". I know there are countless others, but for now these were on the top of my head. Thank you thank you.

surprise!!! no i'm not pregnant

2010-11-29T14:16:00.000-08:00

Warning... Ugliness ahead. Proceed with caution....Today is the last day that I will have to deal with this (notice the chunks of food in the braces). So gross...

I headed off to the orthodontist Dr. Wright to have my "pretty teeth" as Grace calls them removed. This has been a day that I have looked forward to for over a year now. Last October Jon and I both went in and had braces put on. I have been the annoying patient who likes to hold a mirror through the entire appt. and see what is going on. After multiple checkups I started to pick up on some of the lingo. I was a faithful rubber band wearer. I am sure I was annoying to some of the gals there, but sorry they are my teeth and I wanted to be happy with the end product. They were great with me.

Here I am in the hot seat having the brackets ripped from my teeth. This gal Brooke did a great job and was very sensitive with my sensitive teeth. Photos taken by Dr. Wright's son.

Here we are taking the impressions with the worst part over. I am seriously throwing up in my mouth right now. Even worse were the little chunks of goop stuck in my mouth. I am being dramatic, it was not that bad.

Don't you just want to kiss this??? Watch out Jon. This is some of the said goop stuck to my lips.

My home for the past 14 months and the people who put up with me.

Colleen and Lisa at the front desk. Yes they both hate me for taking their pictures, but they needed to be documented also.

The only picture we could get of Dr. Wright. He is a little camera shy unless he is at Disneyland.

The finished product. Now I noticed that my smile is crooked. Ha Ha. Hooray for me!!

2010-11-28T20:32:00.000-08:00

We had our own little pilgrim at our house for Thanksgiving.
I am really struggling in the picture department and you are all being deprived of seeing my beautiful little boy, but my pictures are waiting patiently on my camera until all of my old stuff is put on the new computer. I am still trying to figure things out too.Here is a cute picture of Thomas pre buzz. He also is rolling over and occasionally tucking his knees underneath him. I just pull them back out.

A walk down memory lane... This weekend was the big elk hunt. My brothers put in for it every year up on the rim somewhere and I believe it was a bull tag. My dad and brother John both got drawn so off they went Thanksgiving night and came home yesterday with their prize. Today I went to my parents house and hanging from the basketball standard are pieces of cut up elk.(you know legs and shoulders). I had to laugh to think about this and apologize to Mark Nunes who took me to homecoming. He showed up at the old house for the dance and literally had to walk through peices of deer or elk all over the driveway. My brothers had just come home and were cleaning, cutting and packaging the meat when he came to pick me up. There were guns, knives, blood and guts everywhere. He still took me and i was grateful and I had a fun time (even if I look ridiculous in the picture). Fun memory.

Tonight Kacie was baptized. The experience was beautiful and I am so proud of her. She turned 8 on Friday. When Kacie was younger our whole goal in life was simply not to ruin her spirit. She has always been very energetic, talkative, a storyteller, happy, and full of life. It can be draining on a parent, but these along with many others are what make Kacie who she is. We love her for it and it has been so fun to see her grow and become more of the person she has. If you don't know Kacie, she sings literally all day and only stops when she is sleeping and I bet that as she lays in bed, songs are going through her head. She has the most amazing voice I have heard on a child and can hear music in a way that I never could even dream of. She is an animal lover, takes care of the underdog, self entertained, smart, looks so cute in her new glasses, shoe less, lisps a little, curious, uninhibited, tactless at times, all about nature, a caregiver, creative, an artist and the list could go on and on. Kacie, we love you!!!

Also tonight Savanna and Michael got in a little tiff in the car. Jon took them for a drive to talk to them and Kacie started crying and said,"is dad going to take them to an orphanage?" My reply,"if they are lucky he will take them to an orphanage."

We also had the Zuber's 3rd annual(I think) house lighting party the day after Thanksgiving. If you haven't seen the Zuber's lights yet, drive on by and check them out. They work so hard and we are the prime benefactors of their labors. Thanks Zubers.

Shocker

2010-11-16T05:49:00.000-08:00

I almost forgot my password to log onto this thing because it has been so long. My computer doesn't have all of my pictures or anything yet so no photos, but this was funny discussion I had with my girls the other night...

Girls, do you know what pornography is?
No (I was in a serious mood, but they were not mind you)
So I give a little definition and part of it was saying people who wear very immodest clothing.
Kacie replies: So I should say to the people at school who are dressing immodestly You are Pornography???

Really?? end of conversation and I apologize in advance if she ever tells anyone even in a tank top that they are pornography. We will continue this discussion later.

Graces funny sayings lately:
When we get in the car whether the other kids are there or not, Grace yells "I get shotdun on the way back!"
While we are driving she randomly yells "Slud bud"(slug bug) and a random color like"blue one"
Anytime me or Jon walk in the house even if we just walked out to take the garbage Grace says," Mom you home or Dad you home"

Michael had strep last week, that was fun. Poor kid

Thomas is almost rolling over and last night he got his 1st hair cut. It is so cute I can hardly stand it.

Alive, but computerless

2010-10-12T07:25:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am still kicking, but I am without a computer. Hopefully these issues will be dissolved soon because, well I like having a computer.

Not a "legitimate" reason

2010-09-11T08:48:00.000-07:00

This morning Michael and James were "fishing" from Michael's top bunk of his bunk beds. James came running in and said "the fish got stuck in the fan." Uh-oh, this could be bad. I ran in there and it was all wound up under the blades of the fan. I started the daunting task of unwinding it and as I was doing it James says," you know how to do that?" To which Michael replies," of course she does, she is a mom. It would be really bad if we didn't have a mom." I am so glad I am of some use to them.

Last night I had tickets to go see The Lamb of God at Gammage auditorium. Jon and I wanted to go but as the time got closer I could not find a babysitter. Yesterday afternoon I realized it was not going to happen so I called ticketmaster to see if I could get them switched for tonight. The man said "we need to send in a request. What is the reason you can't attend tonight?" I responded," I have 5 children and can't find a babysitter." "I am sorry mam, but that is not a legitimate reason." That really bugged me. Maybe not legitimate to you, but it is to me. This is my reality. Long story short, they did switch the tickets so off we go tonight.

Overload

2010-08-23T11:54:00.000-07:00

These are all backwards, so Thomas gets younger at the end. I know this picture is blurry, but I love it. Michael was taking pictures and this was a little gem.

Grace got some kitchen supplies for her birthday. I love this picture because she even has on the oven mitt.

Grace is 2 today!!! Yes we had her birthday yesterday. This picture was at 7:30 am. We had cake for breakfast and it was good!! She woke up, walked right to the fridge and said "Birthday cake". She then proceeded to pick it up by the plastic hard top and carry it around. Luckily the thing was on tight and it never fell. .. There are so many wonderful things I could say about Grace, but she pretty much is such a blessing. She was born at the right time and has brought so much joy into our home. Her older siblings adore her and cater to her every need. She especially loves Kacie because Kacie will play hard with her. She misses them when they are at school and looks for them in the house. She loves to sing anything and everything and does it really well. We just love this little girl.

Priceless

Impromtu photo shoot. Grace had on this purple dress, her hair was all disheveled and was carrying around these purple flowers my sister gave me for my birthday. It inspired me to at least try so I did and I love the results.

Playing in the rain with Jane and James Wright. Notice the popped knee on James, the fists under the chin on michael and Jane about to attack the camera. I love this. These kids are going to laugh at themselves when they are older. We drove around town looking for the biggest puddles to drive through and it was more than the kids could take. they wanted to get wet. We found a huge puddle on Westwood and Mt. View, dropped the kids off and they stood back then we drove through the puddle and repeated this many times. Then they all ran home in the gutter while we followed them.

Sister time

Thomas and his new cousin Trax. Russ and Jenn had their little boy on the 11th. He is so cute, and has huge hands and feet. Thomas is still such a light weight that at one month and Trax birth they are the same size off maybe by a few ounces. We have to fatten this boy up.

1st day of school. Classic, Savanna has red eyes or is squinting because it is too bright, kacie has some notebook clipped onto her pants and Michael is making his "whistle" face because he learned how to wistle the day before. I am so sorry Mrs. Stewart..

He might be a thumb sucker. He finds it and goes to town, but I always pull it out and give him his pacifier or bottle. I have never had a kid who did a pacifier or thumb so this is all new to me.

Right after Thomas was born he was a week and a half, my mom and I went up to the cabin. Liz had taken my other kids except Grace up a few days earlier and Julie was up there with her girls. We ended up staying for a week and loving it. My mom helped me so much with the kids and nap after long nights with thomas. Liz and Julie both left after a day or so with their kids so it was just my kids. It was very relaxing. Our California cousins the Latulipps were at my Aunt Kay's cabin down the road so it was fun getting reaquainted with them. the Layton's were also at their cabin so we spent a little time with them. I love this picture of my little monkey and Lizzy.

Thomas and his cousin Charlotte. She was born in May. It is amazing at the difference 2 months makes.

Brother Love because you know,he is "mostly Michael's"

APPS...

2010-08-15T21:57:00.000-07:00

I need some suggestions on new apps to put on my ipod touch. We have a few, but I really could use some more for the kids. Any suggestions???

shout out

2010-08-11T17:57:00.001-07:00

First, to April, thanks for the long distance hug!!! Yes your mom delivered.

Bekah, awesome 1st day of music. He loved it and is so excited to go back. Bravo!! (this is Michael's Let's Play Music class and if you don't know what it is, it is an amazing music theory method. I will give you details if you are interested and she has 2 openings Wed. at 2:45)

Julianna, breakfast was amazing and everyone who brought stuff. Sorry I am so lame and didn't contribute, but I sure did enjoy the yummy goodness topped off with sonic ice...

The best sister/sisters ever. So this one has a story. My brother Nathan got married last month to a girl from Denver, CO. When they got engaged I was so excited because I knew it meant a trip to Colorado and that I would get to go to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. So I am a big food network and love to see the different places and factories that they visit. One of them was this place in Colorado and I said, "when we go to CO I am stopping and getting some chocolate from this place." Well as you all know, Thomas was born and I couldn't go to the reception there. So my amazing sister Liz (I think this is how the story goes) remembered me talking about this place, googled it before they left and picked me up some fudge. Not a big deal but it meant so much to me and that she would remember me even talking about it is huge. So, thank you so much for the fudge.

To my sister Heather who passed her Nursing test yesterday!!!! I am so proud of you. She has worked so hard for this and is now a RN. (anyone needing a RN she is looking for a job especially in the Thatcher/safford area but she would go as far as Globe)

To the Bride of Chucky... Your days are numbered and good riddance.

To the pounding headaches I have been getting, thank you excedrin.

Katie's date who came and played Hand and Foot with us last night, sorry if I was hard on you, but really if there is a second date I will be nicer. From the look on Katie's face last night, I don't think there will be. In your behalf, you did pick up the game rather quickly. Good job.

My Visiting Teacher "Granny Ruth" who showed up at the perfect time this morning. She helped me accomplish my one goal this morning... a shower. I love you and am so grateful for your friendship.

Oh, I think I could go on but now to myself... Get off the computer!!! Thomas is sleeping, Grace is watching Dora's Birthday Adventure and the other children are at school. Take a nap...

2010-08-10T20:56:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of thoughts and mixed emotions running through me. Tomorrow is the 1st day of school. I have been dreading this day for so long, but suddenly this morning and for the remainder of the day, tomorrow couldn't come fast enough. Thomas had a rough night and finally fell into a good sleep around 6am then Grace came out about 6:30am. I did sleep off and on, but I knew it was going to be one of those days.
I had all of these great ideas of things that I wanted to do for the kids for their first day and each of those had a back drop of a clean home and organization. Now that it is 9pm I have thrown the idea completely out the window and will be surprised if I get it done tomorrow. To top it all off tonight as I was putting the kids down, I came out to see a big pee spot on the couch from Thomas. I just had to laugh because this is reality.
More reality, have you all seen the sill infomercials that they have nowadays??? I certainly have. Most channels except Nick Jr and Disney go to infomercials for about 2 hours between 2am and 4am. Yes I have DVR and trust me, that saves me, but there are some funny ones out there. Right now my all time favorite has to be the "booty bump." Yes I am serious. They are little boy short type underwear with a bump to accentuate your booty. As I am sitting on my ever enlarged booty, I am thinking to myself "Why would anyone want that?" Hilarious. Maybe it is only funny if you are absolutely sleep deprived. There are others but they are all slipping my mind right now.
I have to give a shout out to my dear friend who showed up this afternoon out of the blue with dinner in hand and a brief conversation. It made my day and is probably the only reason why my kids got a good meal tonight. Thank you so much, it really was just what we needed today.
Oh, just one more fun thing, my AC unit keeps popping the breaker so probably 5 times this evening I have had to go outside and switch it back on. Thankfully it keeps coming back on, but I think that it is only a matter of time before it doesn't switch back on.
Really, these are not all complaints. My life is good, but sometimes I just have to laugh at myself. I think back to my childhood days and the worries that I had with the first day of school coming up and compare them to now. Oh, gotta go, got a baby boy who needs me...

2010-08-07T21:40:00.000-07:00

No photos tonight. I really have a hard time expressing what I truly feel on this blog. Most of the time I don't even try. I keep a journal for that but then when I read others blogs who do "tell all" I like them so much more than my own. With that being said, I don't know if I will change the way that I blog, but maybe at times I will try.
Late last night I was catching up on blogs because I had been out of town for a week. I was sitting in my computer chair reading and holding my sweet, little new baby boy. I was savoring his new baby smell and just loving having him sleep against my chest. I can't describe the feelings of peace, and love I felt holding him. I love being a mother. Some days are extremely hard, I get very tired, and sometimes to change one more "blow out" poopy diaper is more than I can handle, but then I get to have moments like last night and it makes it all worth it. I think that this is as close to heaven as you can get here on earth.

Summer photos

2010-07-24T10:29:00.000-07:00

Michael turned 5 while we were up at the cabin. He got a few lego sets and some dinosaurs.

We went to Safeway in Pinetop and he chose out a Monsters Vs Aliens cake. He loves that movie and loved his cake!!!

Grace was pretty much obsessed with these flags the entire time we were in the mountains. Every morning she would wake up and find her 2 flags, one small one and one big one.

This is "Bulldog" He showed up on Michael's birthday just for him!! I was sitting with Michael in the cabin and we had the front door open and suddenly Michael jumped and made a scared scream. I asked "what was it" He just bolted out the door and said "a dog mom for my birthday." We have no idea where this dog came from but he stayed all day and not only that, he would not let anyone near the kids and would go everywhere with them in the mountains. He was such a wonderful birthday surprise.

Grace and Elyse eating some licorice. Grace decided that she needed to wear a dress everyday because Elyse had a dress on everyday.

Show Low 4th of July Parade. I was really irritated through this but the kids had fun. They started out fighting over candy, but by the end they wouldn't even run out to get it because they had way too much. Some floats gave out a hot dog to each kid and each of them had at least 3 otter pops.

Greens peak. We drove up one Friday when Jon came up to go to the lookout tower. It was beautiful and about 63degrees up there. This is one of my favorite pictures because Jon and Liz walked down the mountain with the kids and I drove the car with Grace and Lexi. Michael wanted to beat me to the bottom so Jon said that he literally ran all the way down the steep grassy mountain then sat right by the cattle guard. When I got there he looks at me all casually and says," Mom what took you so long?" That mountain is steep and it didn't even phase him.

On top of the lookout tower. I was having a lot of anxiety with my little kids up so high.

Pregnant belly 36 to 37 weeks, holding my other baby... By the way, I hate to see pictures of me pregnant and I don't like to put them on here, the only reason why I have done it is because I think I have seen 3 pictures of my mom pregnant and she had 10 kids. I would like a little more documentation then that.

Michael and Grace blowing bubbles on the front porch. They don't wear shoes in the mountains either.

On my drive up to the cabin my car hit 100,000 miles so I had to stop and document it. I was at the ace hardware in Heber. By the way, my sister Liz and I went up to the cabin the end of June and came home on July 13th or so. We came home for Nate and Abby's wedding which I will post about later. We had beautiful weather the entire time. the hottest it ever got was 85 degrees and would still be breezy. It felt so good to not be hot. The kids had a great time. We had 2 scary events. Savanna opened a tube of super glue and the altitude made the pressure blow it up and it exploded in her eye. It turned out okay but just now the red is almost gone. It didn't get on her cornea at all and luckily her eyelid didn't get sealed shut. Also Julie came up the 4th weekend and stayed with us also. Her little Addilyn was doing the monkeybars by herself outside and she fell and broke her arm. They were in the ER that night where they splinted it and said you need to go to an Orthopede on Monday which they did. They took her in for surgery on Tuesday where they didn't have to operate because everything went back in smoothly and now she has a pink cast from fingers almost to her shoulder.

2010-07-22T12:32:00.000-07:00

Michael and Thomas in the hospital.Michael is so happy to have a brother. When they came in to see him, he hopped right up on the couch and said "I get to hold him first because he is mostly mine and mom's."

Our cute little family

This is my favorite picture. My dad came by and brought lunch and met Thomas. He was wide awake for him.
Yes, I was 2 weeks early which has never happened for me before. I think that I was the most in denial about being in labor on Monday. I went in to Dr. Beck Monday morning and he stripped my membranes because he is leaving out of town tomorrow until next Sunday. I wanted him to deliver the baby so he said we will see what happens. Nothing did at first so I went grocery shopping and took a nap. Later that afternoon4-5 I started having consistent contractions and by 7 I was in pain and we left for the hospital. We got there and Thomas was born at 8:53pm. I did have a dose of the epidural. It didn't take away all the pain as they have in the past, but it really helped. I did have a partial placenta abruption which could have been very bad but ended best case scenario. I can't say that I wasn't a bit scared. We are home, he is healthy and doing great. Savanna is the best helper and is spoiling me. Oh, he was 7lbs 19 in. My smallest, but also the earliest. Thank you to everyone who has helped me already.

A fun June

2010-06-23T05:17:00.000-07:00

Here are some fun photos from the last little while and I have no idea why that first little part is underlined... Last Saturday for Father's Day we went up to Granny and Pappy's cabin for the day. The only really great picture I took was in the car getting ready to leave our house. We had such a great time. The stream was running by their house so the kids literally played in it all day. It was quite cold but of course they didn't mind a bit. They have put up bird feeders around their cabin and all the birds in the area know about them. Grace loved to watch the hummingbirds come and go. It really was such an enjoyable trip. On our drive home that evening we saw a small herd of elk which included one baby with spots still. It was literally right on the side of the road so the kids all got to see it really well.

Why not have an early morning Popsicle???

My two nephews Dallas and Bryson were on the Mesa Westwood little league all stars team. We went to 2 of their games and they were awesome. One night Kacie brought Marshmallow the kitten which was quite a pain. Grace loves these big cousins of hers and they obviously spoil her.

My brother in law Justin does photography and he does a great job. For father's day for his dad he got all the cousins together and took some photos for his dad. These are not from him, these are from my little camera that my sister in law took. We were not planning on getting any family shots, but I like it. Too bad it will be outdated in a few weeks!!

Of course we had to feed the ducks while we were there. We took these on that one beautiful Saturday that we had in June where the high was in the 80's. We really got lucky.

My sisters make their own laundry detergent and when my store stuff ran out I decided why not try it. Me and the girls made it and I am liking it so far. Grace loved to just stir it.

My neighbors across the street go to the lake every Friday (that they can). It has been this way for as long as I can remember and they have it down to an art literally. One Friday in June they took me and the kids (minus Grace who had a fever so Jon worked from home and tended her). This was only like the 2nd time my kids had been out there so it was a total adjustment for them just to even be in the boat. They really liked it but were nervous at the same time. We got the girls in the tube and Kacie being the little dare devil that she is wanted to go faster while Savanna kept saying slower! We gave Kacie her own ride a few times and she got to go fast. Michael also took a turn on his own and did pretty good. Roy slalom skiied, did the air chair, wake board, and knee board. Sue also slalom skiied. At one point Roy dropped us off on a beach and the kids found shells and swam. Thank you Roy and Sue for taking us and of course they were so patient with the kids!

Kacie tired after one of her turns

Michael having fun in the boat.

The girls getting ready for their first ride!!

Vacuum = happiness

2010-06-17T18:09:00.000-07:00

You might think that my life has hit a low point when I get such a thrill out of vacuuming out my car, but really, it is reality. So yesterday morning I dropped Savanna off at swim team then ran to the oasis car wash to quickly vacuum out my very (understatement) dirty car. I had 5 quarters. it takes 4 to get 3 minutes of time. I looked at my car and realized it would take more than just 3 minutes so I was debating which part was going to go without getting done. I hated that I had made the trip and didn't have the quarters. I got everything ready, put my first quarter in and low and behold, the vacuum turned on. Someone had put in 3 quarters and left. I couldn't believe how happy I was. It made my day and the first thought that went through my head was "it is going to be a good day!" I still have to laugh because something so simple was going to determine my day. Needless to say, I got my car all finished because I got 6 minutes and it looked great. I know, pathetic, but for me, it felt more like a little tender mercy.

On another note, we went to my 2 nephews all star baseball game last night and it was so much fun. I am not their parent, but when Bryson got an awesome hit to left field and slid into second safe, then jumped up and did a fist "Yeah" it almost brought me to tears. This is the big stuff and they might as well be playing on the field at US Airways. The other fun thing is watching my brothers coach these boys and it is just as important to them if not more so. It was awesome and we can't wait to go to more.

Cantaloupe, my choice of weapon??

2010-06-17T18:00:00.001-07:00

This morning I went to the grocery store at 6:30am. It was wonderful. No kids and no one in the store. I was walking out and loading my car when a man started walking my way. He didn't move really fast and he looked at me so I immediately thought, grab something that you can swing in a bag just in case. The nearest thing was a bag with a cantaloupe in it. I held it in one had the entire time this man was trying to give me a pamphlet on prejudice. After I turned that one down, continued loading my groceries with one hand all the while holding my cantaloupe in the other hand. Next he pulls out a pamphlet on finding a "true" or "good" religion. Which I replied, "I have a good religion." Man,"that's what most people thing." I was done at this point. I finished loading my groceries and started to push the cart to the cart rack where this man followed me continuing his lecture and finally I just said,"I believe in the Bible, and I believe in Jesus Christ." It was enough for him to leave me alone so off he went. I got to my car and started laughing at myself because I was still holding my bag with my cantaloupe in it in one hand. I found it pretty comical.

2010-06-07T08:29:00.000-07:00

Here is Grace hiding behind the curtains with Marshmallow. They love to play back here together.

Michael really did fall asleep with this kitten many times wrapped up in a blanket, but this one he was posing. The cat was nice and comfortable.

Our tortoise Sparky is getting huge. For those of you who don't know, he can open my back door (it is a sliding door) and let himself in whenever he wants to. It drives me crazy. I have to keep my back door locked just so my turtle doesn't come in??? We got him 4 Christmases ago and he fit inside of a child's shoe box. He really is a pretty low maintenance pet, but just like a dog, you do have to shovel his poop!!! My life is so glamorous isn't it??

Right before Grace got her cast off, we were in downtown Mesa and had a little time to kill, so I took her to the temple grounds to get a few more photos of her with her cute "pink shoe". She didn't like the saw that made a loud noise, but I held her on my lap and she just hid her face. She was so brave. Her Dr. was Dr. Freed and I would recommend him to anyone. He was so kind and I felt really comfortable with him. As luck would have it, the next day Grace was jumping on the trampoline with the kids and hurt the same foot again. She has been limping for over a week, but this week she is starting to get back to normal. She still runs really funny, but she doesn't say it hurts anymore.

Grace attempting to get Sparky out of the house. Not a chance, he is way stronger than she is. It is cute because she will yell," NO Partys". That is how she says Sparky.

Kacie, Savanna, Teila Jarman and Grace after Saturday night's performance
I know, I know, can't we be done with Annie already???? Well... We are!!!! The girls had their performances this weekend and they went great. I was so impressed with how it turned out. The cast ranged from ages 6 - 17. I am not saying it was perfect, there were a lot of microphone issues and a few other things, but really what do you expect. I loved watching my girls on the stage living it up. The Saturday afternoon show Kacie was totally hamming it up so much. I was just laughing. She does the orphan thing very well. I must say, Savanna made the cutest little Maid and school girl I have ever seen but it freaked me out to see how grown up she looked. They loved getting to wear makeup and lipstick and me and Savanna got really good at doing her hair the way they wanted it.

So many people were so kind to come and watch the girls. They loved getting to see their friends after the show in the lobby and felt like superstars with me taking their pictures all the time. Luke Larson, Sam Williams and Janie Dale were at the Saturday night performance also. They were all being shy because Luke had just given Savanna a rose. Don't worry in school he called her "Sweet Cakes." This has been going off and on since Kindergarten and Me and Julianna encourage it. Go LUKEY!!!

Out of order I know, but this was at the cast party after their show Saturday night. We all went to Denny's. The girls had a blast.

Kacie with Addie and Haylee. They came to the 3pm show!!

Savanna, Haylee and Addie

Our biggest supporter next to our mom!!! GRANDMA TREATS!!! She came to all of the shows and tried to help me out whenever she could with Michael and Grace.

Kacie and Savanna getting ready to go Friday afternoon for their first show. They were so excited!! To be honest, I was a nervous wreck.

Annie Jr.... Yes again

2010-06-05T08:49:00.001-07:00

We made it through opening night and all went pretty well. There were quite a few glitches with microphones that will hopefully be fixed for today but otherwise I was a proud mama sitting in the audience watching my girls love every minute of performing for a crowd of people. I can hardly describe the feeling. Both of my girls turned it on so much on stage and I don't know where they get their braves from. So... If you are not busy today and want to go to a fun little show, come to Gilbert High School at 3 or 7pm to see Annie...

By the way, I learned last night that it is cash only to buy tickets at the door. Hello, minor detail. They do have an ATM machine in the lobby also I believe.

Annie Jr.

2010-06-01T20:43:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know (and those of you who do) Savanna and Kacie auditioned for the play Annie Jr. 3+ months ago and made it. Kacie plays the role of Molly and Savanna plays multiple roles in the ensemble. If you are familiar with the movie Annie, this is a little bit different and the whole show is done by children. They have been working so hard having practices 3 times a week and everyday this week. It has been a huge sacrifice, but they really have loved it and finally it is payoff time. This weekend they will perform at Gilbert High School. Anyone is welcome to come. The tickets are $10 per person and there is no reserved seating. I am not too worried about any of the shows filling up because it is a huge auditorium. I will attach the link to the website for anyone interested. You can also buy tickets at the door for the same price or I can pick them up for you in advance.

http://studio3arts.com/Theater%20Black.htm

Thank you for everyone who has supported us in this so far.... Only 2 days before the first show!!!

How can you say no?

2010-05-20T13:32:00.000-07:00

Every day my Kacie goes out in the backyard after school and goes lizard catching. She will work at it until she has 4 or 5 in the lizard bucket and even then she is constantly checking to see if another has emerged. Her method of catching lizards is to turn on the hose to full blast, spray the little suckers until they either fall off the fence or are in shock, then grab them. (Jon taught her this) Also she is able to scare them out of any cracks, or crevices in the wall or the wood pile. Every evening she lets them go again on the wall so they can be caught another day. She recognizes many of them by the markings on their belly or the regrowth of their tails.

Two days ago Kacie was out on her routine hunt with the hose when she came running in to show me what she caught. Since this happens everyday I am less than impressed with seeing yet another lizard and only on really rare occasions does she even show them to me. She was so excited but a bit nervous as she came and revealed her catch. The cutest little brown and white kitten. We took it back out to the alley where she found it, placed it in the same location and waited to see if its mother would come back for it. Of course it didn't come back. Someone dumped a baby kitten behind my house behind the pots that our veggies grow in the alley. Really??? Come on people???? Like I need a cat at my house.
We walked around the neighborhood to see if anyone knew of a cat who had kittens and was missing one. To no avail. To top it all off, the kitten is still so young that it doesn't really know how to eat. Kacie feeds it faithfully when she is here, but she does go to school for 6 hours everyday. I did all I could to get rid of the thing, but later that night realized that my kids and the majority of the neighborhood, were all entertained all afternoon by this little kitten. That night Kacie was making a bed for it and putting it down when she said, "Mom, now I will never be lonely because I have Marshmallow." Yes that is what she said. What is a mom to do? I can't rip her only companion from her right now. It has also been good leverage to get her to do anything. She gets ready for school faster than ever and her shower at night I still wonder if she really washes her hair.
So to the world out there of cat lovers which I am not.... In a week we will have a cat ready to go to a wonderful home. It should be a very friendly kitten that is used to being handled and played with. I will post pictures soon.

2010-05-18T09:32:00.000-07:00

Heather "Tootse" Grissom graduated from Nursing school in Thatcher this past weekend. We are so proud of her and all the hard work she has put in and dedication. We went to her pinning ceremony at 2pm then dropped her off for the actual graduation from the college. I got the whole day off with no kids. It was wonderful and I know it is the reason that I have been able to get through the fun weekend that I have been having..Last Tuesday was beautiful weather so Molly and me took James, Michael, Grace and Mark to the zoo one last time until it cools off again. We got fresh kettle corn of course and the boys played in the water a bit. It really was still too cold for them but they are boys and it was water.

I got my new camera just in time to take a few photos of Michael at his last game of the season. Go Orange Crush!!!

Kacie decided that she wanted to take some photos with our new camera and Savanna was her model most of the time. Her is just one or two of many of her pictures she took. She did a pretty good job. I just love digital cameras!!

I am usually so anti-pregnancy photos, but really this could be my last and I think that I have maybe 3 pictures of me pregnant with all 4 of my kids. Lame. Not that I want them so much, but someday my girls are going to go through it and I guess I want to give them a dose of reality. Just kidding, just a memory. I am 28 weeks here and getting bigger. My boys certainly do a number to my body.

I am sorry, but this has to be one of the cutest things. Grace was out front playing with all the kids when they turned to run the other way and didn't see her. She was bumped over then her little right foot was stepped on while it was turned sideways. It is not broken that they could tell, but with little ones like that they like to cast them for a few weeks and let it heal.

2010-05-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

No such luck... It is only 9am and I wish I could start the day over again. I did get up and go exercise for a little while but when I got home I looked and Jon and asked why our whole house smelled??? I started following my nose to the source...

GRACE!!!

She had thrown up and had the runs and it was all over her bed. I bathed her but that is still tricky with her cast on and she is acting fine this morning, but no fun.. Really, we will be fine, I just feel so bad when they are under the weather and I get so sick of the TV being on.

Hiccups

2010-05-17T15:37:00.001-07:00

The baby had hiccups today for the 1st time. I am 29 weeks I believe and this is just a fun little thing for me.

Not so fun, having 2 sick kids home all weekend and today. Hoping for a better tomorrow...

9 allready...

2010-04-22T22:24:00.000-07:00

I can't even find a photo that does her justice. Savanna will turn 9 today and I don't know why it is affecting me the way that it is. She truly is a special girl and always has been. She is the oldest granddaughter on both the Palmer and the Harris sides of the family and plays the mother hen role very well and naturally. She is smart, a good friend and always fun to be around. I can't say enough good about her. When people say that many things are learned behaviors, I believe some of it, but Savanna was born with so many of the qualities and talents that she has. I am happy that I haven't ruined her (I guess there is still time for that) and that she forgives me of my weaknesses and inadequacies. Savanna, I love you and Happy Birthday!!!
By the way, all she wants for her birthday is a hamster. Oh the joys...

2010-04-20T21:42:00.000-07:00

Just a few thoughts...

This morning I was taking Grace to swimming lessons and Michael came along. We passed a school and there was a big group of kids out smoking. I asked Michael,"are you ever going to smoke?" He replied ,"no mom, but smoke what?" "Cigarettes like those kids?" "No mom, I would never do that!" "What if one of your best friends asked you to try it when you get bigger?" Michael relpied,"I would punch him in the face and tell him I don't want my heart to turn black." I hope that he does punch the kid in the face if the opportunity ever arises.

Next, never and I mean NEVER go to the Jiffy lube on Mesa Drive and University. Long story short, kids are absolutly an inconvenience there and unfortunately the man couldn't focus on getting my car finished because he was too worried about Michael carrying around his empty water jug that was sitting on the floor of the super filthy waiting room. To top it all off, speak ENGLISH!!! No this man was not hispanic, but he chose to speak in a language that we as the human race don't understand. I can't tell you how many times I laughed out loud and said ,"What did you just say?" I don't know what I was thinking taking Michael and Grace there, but trust me it won't happen again and I will never step foot in that place again...

Now my tribute to my babysitter Ashley...
Jon was out of town and I had 2 meetings to be at tonight. I left to the meetings feeling as though I should call off the whole night and stay home with Grace who is not feeling great and Michael who is going through a very needy phase. I decided that I would be a better mom if I was gone for a short time even though it wasn't for a pedicure or something of that nature, but off I went. I came home, opened the door and my home was clean!!!! She cleaned the playroom, bedrooms, kitchen, family room and even wiped down the countertops. (Jon hasn't learned that skill yet, but really I am not complaining) I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders knowing that tomorrow morning I can start my day running my errands instead of cleaning then hoping to get out of the house and back again before nap time... Thank you Ashley!!!!

Michael Buble

2010-04-09T08:49:00.001-07:00

I wish that I had a photo to post of the amazing concert we went to last night, but I don't have a camera remember??? For Christmas I gave Jon tickets to Michael Buble. If you know Jon, he is not much of a concert-goer so this was an expensive risk. I took it and it paid off. The concert was probably the best concert I have ever gone to. When it was over it I wanted to hear more but of course it had to end. It really was amazing and I would recommend anyone who likes his music to go if you ever get the chance!!

New Camera???

2010-04-05T14:49:00.000-07:00

People, come on here. I don't have a functioning camera right now and it is killing me. I bought one from costco at Christmas and I returned it because it was pretty much a piece of junk. I want help here. What camera should I get??? I don't need fancy, just something to document my children's lives..

2010-03-05T10:18:00.000-08:00

Here is a random shot of my kiddos all doing their own thing. I love this picture

This is another photo that I can't get enough of. ( Sorry Julie) So, we went to the cabin for a snow trip and there was a ton of snow. The kids tried snow boarding down the road, sledding and making snowmen. This was left over from the storm in January and in many places there was still 3 feet if not more. Now the story of this picture.... We hiked up the hill and were sending the kids down on little snow toys. Michael and Savanna had taken Grace down many times and she loved it so I was thinking for a cute picture for Julie to put all 3 of her girls in a sled and send them down. Yes, I take complete blame!!! They didn't even make it half way down the hill when a leg hit, took them off course and literally threw little Elyse (1yr old) out of the sled which then proceeded to flip over and everyone landed on top of her. Everyone was fine even though they were all crying. Haylee was crying because she didn't want to be in the back, Elyse (the only one with a legit reason to cry) had a little blood on her lip, and Addie was crying because Elyse had blood on her lip. Really, this picture is one of my favorites of course because everyone was fine.

Grace and Elyse just eating snow and watching the kids sled down the mountain...

Me and Grace

My dad has some weird brand of sheep at his farm and they have babies anytime of the year instead of spring like normal sheep do. They also are wild and act more like a deer but their babies are cute. We caught this guy when he was only a day or 2 old.

Doesn't everyone drive down to the river to see it flowing??? Well we do and I remember when I was younger going and watching the Salt River flowing after some huge rain storms. It was really neat to see but as a mom I had so much anxiety with these kids running around...

Braces

2010-03-02T15:59:00.000-08:00

I have to write about the braces that I chose to have put on. I went to my ortho yesterday for a checkup/new wire, tightening, whatever. My last appt was 2 months ago and it hurt for a day or two after my appt but no more than that. I was upset because to me pain = getting them off sooner. I told them I want them off fast so do whatever it takes. Well, I really got what I asked for so anyone who has talked to me since yesterday afternoon, I apologize. I can hardly open my mouth. I got rubberbands in the back that go from the inside of my top teeth to the outside of my bottom teeth. My whole purpose in getting these bad boys was to correct my bite and we are working on that now. I woke up all night exactly 4 hours after I had taken the tylenol and would load back up. This is no fun, but how can I complain??? I am the one who chose to have them put on and am paying for them. I laugh at myself. My children will get them when they are younger so they don't have to go through this later in life. By the way, why was I the only daughter who didn't get a full set of braces in High school???
Speaking of High school, I went to a wedding reception and saw some friends that I have not seen since the good old days. It was so good to see them and get reacquainted with them.

10 years and counting...

2010-02-24T12:40:00.001-08:00

( this is not the best picture of us, but one of the only ones I could find with our braces. This was abt 1 month after we got them on)
I just got back from lunch with my wonderful husband. Today is our 10 year anniversary..I really can't believe it but honestly they have been great. We both have a full set of braces and went to a Mexican food restaurant for lunch. For those of you who have had braces, the complications that come with cilantro and tomatoes are understandable, but for those of you who have never had them, just know it is not always pleasant. We just laughed at each other and were glad that we were in the boat together.
I am not a profound writer/speaker, but I do know that 10 years ago today I made the best decision by being sealed to Jon forever.

2010-01-25T09:55:00.000-08:00

Michael woke up ready to play with James Wright like he always does. When he asked if he could go to his house I said," Not today, it is Sunday and we are not going to friend's houses." I gave him a few options of playing a game on the computer, doing a puzzle or playing with some of his toys. He said," Mom, I don't want to play with those things, I want to play with a REAL person."

Disclaimer: The no friends on sundays doesn't always work. (Sorry about last sunday Molly)

2010-01-20T18:11:00.000-08:00

Me and Molly Wright took our little kids to the zoo one Tuesday in January. Pathetically these are the two best photos that I got.

Mark and Grace looking at the elephant. I couldn't get them to look at me.

Every year on New Year's Day the Palmer family goes out to the desert, we cook hot dogs, shoot grapefruit and ride quads/artic cats... We love this tradition especially when the weather works in our favor like it did this year..

Grandpa taking Grace and Michael for a ride.

Aunt Heather, Sophie and Grace

Safford, AZ

2009-11-29T19:21:00.001-08:00

For fall break everyone was sick so instead of going up to the cabin with my sister and her sick kids I loaded up the kids and went to visit Heather and Brandon in Safford. We had such a great time and my kids still ask when we are going back again. This first picture is from Discovery Park up by their telescope. The kids were fascinated by this, we were just sad that we wouldn't be there on the weekend to see them open the roof and actually get to look out of the telescope.

This was Michael's stick bug that he found on our way out of Discovery park. We also went down by a pond where they were doing a project with frogs and the frogs made the strangest noise. the kids loved it.

They also thought that Brandon was the coolest guy getting to work at a prison. They enjoyed punching him in the chest and stomach when he had his special vest on.

We had to stop and take a picture of the new temple. I can't wait for it to be finished.

Heather and Brandon, thanks for having us. You are so brave. As we drove off, the kids kept saying," I wish that I lived in Safford." We watched the cotton feilds get picked and made into bails also. What simple pleasures...

Tragedy...

2009-11-10T07:59:00.001-08:00

This morning I was up bright and early ready to step in the shower. When I put my foot in, I almost fell on my head. There was about an inch of shampoo on the floor of my shower. My foggy brain started to remember a sleepy conversation that Jon had with me when he got home late last night. He had just gotten out of the shower and said ,"There was shampoo all over the floor in the shower." My next thought was, why the heck didn't you clean it up instead of leave it there for me in the morning??? Strange. So I picked up the shampoo bottle and it was completely empty!!! No big deal right???
Yes it is a big deal!!! This was a brand new bottle of shampoo from costco that I literally opened yesterday. I was mad. I thought that my girls when they had showered the night before had dumped it out so that they could do slip-n-slide in the shower. I investigated a little bit more and realized that there is a huge crack in the bottom of the bottle and it had oozed out all night. Now I have to go get more shampoo... I should have checked when I opened the package and there was a little bit of stuff spilled in the package. UGGGG.

2009-11-09T14:12:00.000-08:00

Finally, I will update my blog. Here are just a few of the happenings from the last two weeks. My brother Aaron and his wife Rachelle had a pumpkin carving party/contest at their house. We took our kids out and our 3 pumpkins. We had so much fun and the kids loved it.

Michael's favorite thing was to scrape out the seeds and "guts" from the pumpkins. He worked for so long on his and then helped anyone else who wanted (or didn't ) want help.

Here are some of the cousins after they each got an award for their pumpkins.

Grace would put this cute witch hat on and would run around the kitchen. It was so funny because it fit over her whole head. We couldn't get a really good picture of her, but this was still fun.

Friday before Halloween the kids school does a costume parade and parents can go and watch the students walk around campus and see each others costumes. We found Sue Zuber and Michael wanted a picture with her and her way too life like fish.

My kids on Halloween night with our neighbor Ashley.

Grace decided to lay down on our walkway for awhile. I don't know if she was hot or something, but she kept doing it.

Every Halloween we go to the Clark's house and sometime the kids get to feed their corn snake(oh I can't remember his name right now). Savanna was the lucky one who got to hold the mouse as the snake attacked it. We had to stay and watch until every bit of the tail was out of it's mouth.

On Tuesday I saw the Wendy's balloon flying in the sky and if anyone knows me, I love to chase hot air balloons. Michael, joe and James were running around the neighborhood so I loaded them up and we went on our adventure.

We found the balloon, but it landed in an elementary school feild so we couldn't go up to it. I have followed this sam e balloon many times and the people who own it are so great. They always let the kids help them take it down and load it up. We still had fun getting to watch the whole process.

Savanna had an overnighter at the Zoo for her ELP class. Jon volunteered to go along and chaperone. Here was his car full of girls from the neighborhood. Savanna, Macy Tingey, Daisy and Mads Layton, and Helen Porter.

I am pretty sure this group of smarty pants had way too much fun.

2009-11-01T20:29:00.000-08:00

Sooo, I was driving down 8th street the other day and there was this cute old couple walking on the sidewalk together. The man had a walker and the woman was not moving too fast herself and was pretty hunched over also. I watched them for a minute and saw her reach over and grab the walker and start to use it. I don't know why I thought this was so funny but it was. I also thought how I can't wait to be old with Jon and take my turn using the walker.

"A" Mountain

2009-10-16T20:28:00.000-07:00

One Saturday morning I had a "good mom" moment. Jon was out of town and the kids wanted to go hiking. I was really hesitant to attempt to take the 4 of them with me alone, but decided to go for it. We drove to Tempe and hiked up the mountain. The kids did great. Savanna held our water in a backpack and I had Grace on my back. It was so much fun.

You can tell Grace was thrilled. She wanted me to put her down the whole time. She did alright as long as I was moving.

When we reached the very top a girl came running up the trail. She was kind enough to take pictures for us. I had just a bit of anxiety when Kacie started climbing up these rocks. Needless to say, we didn't stay there too long.

From the top overlooking Tempe town lake. These kiddos did GREAT.. I can't wait to go on a bigger mountain.

What would I do without my mom, neighbors and Brady???

2009-10-05T21:01:00.000-07:00

Today started out pretty well for me. I woke up at 5:15am and went to my running class that I do on Monday mornings. I did okay at it and felt really good so good start to the day. Then I stopped by the garden and picked okra for my dad and dug up a few potatoes then came home. Savanna woke up and said "Mom I don't want to go to school because my head is so itchy." Are you itching yet? because you will be. She was practicing the piano and i started to dig through her hair. I found it. One little nasty bug. I bagged him and googled him and one of my worst nightmares was a reality.... Lice.Panic, dread, I was sick inside and wanted to curl in a ball and cry. Instead this is what happened... I called my mom and being the amazing person that she is, ran to the store to buy shampoo and spray. She came over and we began the daunting task of ridding Savanna's beautiful hair of these violators. I was being completely irrational and jumped on the opportunity when Savanna asked if she could get her hair cut. I didn't even think, I just picked up dull scissors and cut. My mom got the camera to document it. Here I am cutting away.

After I realized what I had just done, my mom once again came to the rescue and fixed Savanna's hair so that it looks good short. "Thanks again mom." We also treated everyone's hair in the household except Jon because he doesn't have any hair. Poor Kacie got the treatment also even though we haven't found anything in her hair. They were enjoying the free day off of school.

The finished product, but not done yet.

Michael even got his hair cut and treated. He was not too happy about that, but he did enjoy getting to ride on Grandma's "bum bum scooter". (these things are really fun by the way)
Are you itchy yet? After literally hours of combing, treating, picking and loads of laundry the girls got the clear from the school nurse to go back to school. I took them and went in to visit with their teachers. Kacie bounced in and was fine, but Savanna's class was still at lunch. I knew Sue (my neighbor) would be in the library so we stopped in there and I really had my breakdown. I lost it. I couldn't stop crying. I don't know what the tears were for, Savanna's chopped hair, all the work I still have to do at my house, Lice, repeat offences, other kids with it??? The list goes on and on. Sue just hugged me and said "this too shall pass." of course she is right, but in the heat of things, it doesn't seem like it will ever pass. I did speak with Savanna's teacher who also reassured me that I was not a terrible mom and then mentioned that other kids at Emerson had been reported of having lice. WHAAATT?? I have had no notes brought home, nothing. Yes, other kids. Today when Savanna came home I asked her if the nurse sent a note home and she said no!!! So it didn't just pop into her hair out of nowhere. For some reason, it did make me feel a bit better.
I came home and then got to clean every floor in my house so Brady Breinholt could clean everything. He did mattresses, couches, and my floors which were a nightmare. He does such an amazing job and I would recommend him to anyone. I have his number if you need him or want it.

It is now almost 10 and I finally took a shower. I also treated Savanna's hair tonight with vinegar and alcohol then combed it again with the fine tooth comb. It made me feel better but still violated. I only have about 10 more loads of laundry(literally) and a few rooms to put back together, but all in all I am a bit more chipper then I was this morning. I have to apologize to anyone who we were around this weekend which was just about 50-100 people. I have tried to text or call anyone we were around. You can still keep your distance if you want, that is fine. I am sorry though and do hope that no one else gets it.

Helllpppp!!!!

2009-09-21T21:23:00.000-07:00

I am in need of a new pillow, but I really don't know what I need or I guess what is out there. I tend to be a feather pillow person, but I think I need more support. Any suggestions??????????

Seattle, Washington

2009-09-19T21:47:00.000-07:00

I know that I am not great at posting on my blog. I wanted this to all be in reverse order, but oh well. Here we go. This was in the Hoh Rainforest which is a part of the Olympic Rainforest. We were walking down one of the trails and these two big trees had fallen and the path went right down the middle of them. When we got to the other side and looked back, it looked like they were attached at the bottom or had grown together and then they fell together.

Jon and Stephen climbed on top of this fallen giant. I loved this picture because it makes me laugh when these two were trying to get up on it. It seems like an easy enough task, but even if you took a running start, there was nothing to grip onto to pull yourself up. Jon finally gave Stephen a boost, then Stephen pulled Jon up.
So, we traveled all this way to see the Olympic rainforest and what did we end up doing the majority of our hike???? Looking at elk. There were quite a few of them and all of them were not afraid of humans. The park rangers didn't want us anywhere near them because they have been coming after people. Obviously Jon didn't listen to that one. What guy could really???
This was a trail called the Hall of Mosses. I don't have words for it. It was unlike anything I have ever seen before and absolutely breathtaking.
We drove to La Push and took some fun photos and ate lunch there in the only restraunt that exsists there. All I can say is if you do eat there, don't eat their shrimp and cheese sandwich.....
Here are the girls at La push.
Me and Jon posing at La Push. This was unlike any beach that I have been to. The logs that have built up on the beach were enormous. It was beautiful.
ON our way to the rainforest, we had to take a ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge??? I could be very wrong on that. Anyways, this was my first time on a ferry and it was quite exciting. We drove our 15 passenger van onto the ferry then hopped out and watched from up top. Here is me and Hattie freezing and looking a little windblown. We loved every minute of it, then we went inside and got warm.
Jon and me waiting for the ferry. It was chilly and 6:30am.
Stephen blowing out his candle on his tiramasu.
Robin blowing out his candles on his desert. He made it to the big 60.
We took a boat tour from lake Union around to the Puget Sound and pier 50. To get from the lake to the ocean, we had to go in a lock. I was so fascinated by all of this. We also went under a drawbridge, saw hundreds of salmon jumping out of the water, sea lions and the house from Sleepless in Seattle. What a classic movie.
ON the boat tour
ON our bus taking us to Lake union to board the boat.
Jon waiting for our boat ride. I took him and Justin running that morning. We ran up to Kerry Park and all over the neighborhoods by it. WE also ran around the space needle and the park around it. There was fog all morning. In some places it was so thick it almost felt tangible. It was beautiful but it made JOn's legs hurt.
Stephen won for the most drinks on the flight to Washington
Here is most of the group on our flight out. Nice barf bag and eyes Jon.
At the airport at 5am waiting for our plane to take us to Washington.This was such an amazing trip. Thank you so much Robin for the fun memories and experiences. We had wonderful babysitters here at home so we could really enjoy our vacation. I loved it and would go back in a heartbeat.

2009-09-09T13:44:00.000-07:00

This was a project that I did last week. I hate to brag, but I am pretty proud of myself. My sis in law Melanie helped me do most of it. She has made one for her rear facing carseat for her new baby and her upright for Sophie so she knew how to do it. Thanks for the late night Mel and all the help. I love it.

Michael went back to his room to get dressed and came back so excited because he had on his "Heather" shirt from their wedding dinner and his "westwood" shorts.

Teila and Savanna were going swimming at Daisy's house and came out looking like this. I thought it was so cute.

For family night one night we decided it was time to "take back" our back yard. We all got involved and the kids wanted to mow the lawn. We don't have a bag on our lawn mower so we always wear sunglasses or goggles so the grass wont get in our eyes. I love this picture of Kacie with the grass flying everywhere. She is one tough chick.

Michael and Savanna double teamed and mowed a lot of the yard. Jon's favorite part was getting to re-mow the back yard after the kids did it. They did a great job.
Grace eating her cake on her 1st birthday.
Grace just staring at the candle on her cake. There was no way she was going to even attempt to blow it out.
Michael on the girls first day of school. Just like most younger siblings, he got dressed by himself, packed his own lunch and tried to stay at school when I dropped the kids off.
Kacie. Yes she also dressed herself and no, the earrings did not go to school with her.
Savanna, totally classic. Every year we go outside and take our 1st day of school photos, and Savanna has the most sensitive eyes ever so she is either squinting, is covering her eyes, or her eyes are watering.

Grace is 1... Amazing

2009-08-23T08:07:00.000-07:00

My baby is one today. Really, time is flying by. This was from Heather and Brandon's wedding. You would think that I staged it, but to be honest, these little boys love Grace. For the past year anytime they see me the ask,"where is Grace, and can I hold her?" I love it. Even better, Grace has been such a good baby that she would let anybody hold her and would make you feel like a million bucks.
I love this picture of Grace in the doll stroller. I think that I have a picture of my other girls doing the same thing, but they were much younger. Grace has been my smallest child and she is not that small but we usually have chunky ones.
Every time I look at her I feel so much Joy. We all love Grace so much and have loved every minute of her being in our family.

The Big 30...

2009-08-16T21:28:00.000-07:00

This picture has nothing to do with my 30th, it is simply a cute picture of me, Kacie and Grace when we went camping at Knoll Lake.

I really made it. Now I know what 30 feels like. (It feels the same as 29 for those of you who haven't experienced it) I have to take a moment to look back because this is one of those days as a kid that you don't ever think will come. All I can say is Life is Beautiful. Jon is so great to me and our kiddos, I have 4 wonderful children who I could talk about all day, I have an amazing family and wonderful friends all around me. I don't do anything glamorous or really above average,I am not an exceptionally good dresser, decorator or housekeeper, I drive a minivan and am seriously contemplating a 12 passenger (WHAT!!) I still love to play volleyball, I love to read a good book, I love laser eye surgery, i like to mow my lawns, i have 10 chickens, and a weird turtle. Really can it get any better than that??? Like I said, life is beautiful.

2009-08-01T21:08:00.000-07:00

Tonight me and Savanna have been having a great time customizing our blog and her having a voice. She chose our background and told me what to write. I love this girl and am so blessed to get to hang out with her.

Erin's party... Still Savanna

2009-08-01T21:01:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was my friend Erin's birthday party. She is 8. It was a tea party. At first we were dancing in her living room, then we got to try all the food and choose what we wanted to eat off a menu. She gave each of us a hat, gloves,a ring to go over the gloves,and a boa. Thanks Erin, it was fun..

Today me and Teila went to my friend Elizabeth's house because she started a club called The Crazy Kitty's. We made peanut butter and jelly snails, and banana split centipedes. After we made the snacks we played games. We had fun.

This is Savanna...

2009-08-01T20:33:00.000-07:00

My mom is letting me post. last night my aunt Heather got married and at her reception she asked me,"what job would you like?" I said,"I would like to work at the candy table."

We went to the temple and saw Heather come out with Brandon. She looked like a princess. Before that, my mom did my hair in a high, messy bun with a few curls coming down. Grandma Treats made each of us girls dresses. Heather made us hair clips that were green flowers and Mel made each of us necklaces.

My aunt Jenn decorated and she does a great job.

Funny

2009-08-01T19:44:00.000-07:00

Tonight we went swimming as a family and as we got out of the pool Michael said," Dad can you give me a volcano?"

What is a volcano? you might ask??? we were asking the same question. We looked at him and he was trying to wrap the towel around his body and we were able to figure out what he was talking about. He wanted a Lava Lava...

Also, the other day Pappy was over telling us a story about a man riding a horse and how he had just finished killing a rattle snake with a stick, by himself, miles away from anyone. As he was heading home on his horse he said," it just hit me how foolish that was.( referring to the rattle snake) I understood what he was talking about, but Michael and Kacie both kept asking Pappy," why would he do that Pappy?" They repeated this over and over. Finally Pappy said "stop interrupting the story." Then Michael said ," but Pappy, why would that horse hit him?"

Maybe you had to be there...........

Hello well rounded middle child...

2009-07-24T20:54:00.000-07:00

My poor son turned 4 on July 8th, and I don't have a single picture to prove it. His birthday was the day after we left on our trip to New York. I called him that evening and before I could even say anything he said "Mom I got 3 big dinosaurs and a game I can play on the TV. I need to go because I am winning". That was it. I didn't even say "Happy Birthday" or anything. The funny thing is, he didn't care one bit. Before I left I got him a few dinosaurs and I found this pac-man/atari game that is an old school joy stick and you plug it in the front of the tv. He loves it and I now have a new way to get him to do ANYTHING I want him to.
This picture was taken at skateland a few months ago, but for me it represents alot. When we first got to the skating rink, Michael could hardly even stand up, by the end of the night he could go around without even falling. I wouldn't say it was graceful or really even skating, but he was doing it and loving it. He does that with everything. I love this little guy and might have to make a cake and put candles on it so I can at least take one picture.

2009-07-15T21:28:00.000-07:00

I will journal later.

2009-07-06T21:43:00.000-07:00

The girls doing their "That's Entertainment" performance.

Savanna and a few friends on the last day of school. The 2nd grade all got to tie dye shirts. Don't they look amazing???

We went to the cabin for Memorial day weekend and picked up Erin McGuire from Pinedale on our way up. We took the kids to Lotus Garden in Pinetop for getting good report cards.

Our neighbor Roy Zuber had his 50th birthday party at Skateland. They rented out the whole place so the kids could skate to their hearts content. Each of the kids started out pretty rough, but after 2 hours of working on it they all got it. Michael was even doing it. Thanks Roy and Sue. It was by far the best experience I have ever had at skateland.

What can I say, Grace is way too cute!!!

For activity day, Savanna's leaders planned a mommy daughter spa day. Us moms came with clean faces and empty stomachs. The girls got there an hour before us, cooked us dinner, set the tables and set out the spa equipment. The moms showed up and we ate dinner, then the girls got to do our hair, makeup and nails. Savanna did an amazing job and thanks to the leaders to plan such a fun activity. ( I know I look awesome)

If anyone knows my Kacie, this is so classic Kacie. I cannot tell you the number of birds we have tried (keyword) to raise and here was another opportunity. Oh, but look closer. This is not a dove or your typical baby bird, but a baby quail. She found it in the alley and brought it home. I am such a good mom and had her put it right back where she found it so that the mother could come find it and take care of it. Adam and Annie Williams were with her on this adventure.

I was at the cabin with Hattie and her kids and we went to the lake one afternoon where AZ Game and Fish was letting people take turns kayaking. Each of the kids got in and did it (except Kacie and I will explain later). They even let Michael and Nellie just sit in the kayak and a man pulled them around.

Now her is Kacie literally minutes before she had me pull her life jacket off and then went up the hill a short distance and puked behind a pine tree. I didn't know it was happening until she was all done and came to tell me. The best part was she said that people were asking her if she needed any help and she said "Mom, I didn't answer them, because they were strangers." The sad thing is, she was up by herself throwing up without me there to hold her hair back. She is a tough little thing.

Grace in the swing at Woodland park.

Hattie and my kids on the slide. I love this picture. Hattie I will get you a copy.

Bonnie and Matt Merrill came by our house literally for a few hours ( not long enough) so I snapped some shots of Grace and Julia.

4th of July parade in Show low

cousins at the cabin.

2009-06-03T14:46:00.000-07:00

Savanna Turned 8!!!
This first picture is at the luncheon after the baptism and it was so funny I had to take the picture. Yes Sophie has a sharp knife and was licking the frosting off of it. I took it away quickly, then she posed for this picture for me. She is so dang cute. Sophie is Todd and Mel's little girl.

This is Savanna with cousin Elijah. He has stitches under that bandage. He thought Savanna was irresistably beautiful and needed to be by her side all day. It was really sweet.

You know in school when the teacher sends home a sprouted seed in a little paper towel? Well this is what Savanna's turned into. She put it in one of our pots that had a pea plant growing. The pea plant has long since died, but Savanna's plant is thriving. I am still not sure what the heck it is, but it is huge.

This was a group photo of the kids at Savanna's baptism. Needless to say, it was not one of the most reverent baptisms, but we are so happy that everyone came.

Utah Trip

2009-05-15T10:25:00.000-07:00

These are pictures of our trip to Utah for "Papa's" 90th birthday party. It was so much fun and we have so many good memories of this trip. Here are a few of the highlights. By the way, these are all in backwards order. So here goes...
This picture was taken at Candy Mountain rest stop on our drive home. The kids needed a bathroom break. Michael wouldn't cooperate and get in the picture. We came home on the 89.

On Saturday night we drove to Manti and stayed with Troy and Arlene Valentine in their beautiful home. It was so wonderful that my kids were begging to get to stay and really I don't blame them. I wanted to also. It was literally freezing there and on our way to church one of the Valentine's neighbors had left their sprinklers on all night in a field and everything was frozen with icicles on the barbed wire fence. (kind of a novelty for us Mesa people)

This was the whole reason that we planned this trip. Papa turned 90 and we had a big family celebration. There was a party on Friday just for family and on Saturday his children invited some of his friends. It was fun to be up there with him and we love him so much.

We stayed with my roommate from the good old CEU days and her husband Matt Merrill. They have this beautiful home in West Jordan and were so nice to let us invade their home for 3 days. We had so much fun getting to talk and getting to know each others families. They have a cockatiel named Cosmo and needless to say Michael and Kacie were obsessed with the bird the entire time. I hope he has recovered since we left. Thank you Bonnie and Matt, we love you!!!!

Grace and her "snaggle tooth". There are more growing in on the top, but she sure was cute for awhile there with her one top tooth.

Here we are on top of the conference center. This was our first time on top of the building and what did Michael and Kacie do the whole time??? Play in the water.

We went on top of the church office building and looked at the whole valley. It was beautiful and the weather was perfect. They had been predicting rain all day, but it cooled everything off and held off until the evening.

Inside the Tabernacle. Savanna loved every minute of this and we bought her a new navy blue book of Mormon with her name engraved on it for her 8 year birthday.

Here we are on top of the Church office building again.

Thursday was Savanna's birthday and we spent most of it in the car. That night we went to Ian and Alana Williams house for dinner. Ian and Jon served in California together and they are so wonderful. We bought Savanna a tinkerbell cake for desert and the Willam's gave her a beautiful butterfly necklace

One thing Ian is know for is his cooking. He made us these hamburgers unlike any I have ever had before and probably never will. Mine was so good. He stuffs them with seasoning, cheese and whatever else then piles them with other goodies. I was in heaven. The only dilemma was trying to get all the flavors in each bite. Impossible... Thanks Ian and Alana, we loved seeing you again.

Alana got the kids bubbles so before dinner this is where they were.

We started out our trip on Wednesday, April 22nd in the afternoon and drove to Kanab. We stayed at the Perry Lodge in the Ronald Regan room. It was fun, but Savanna left her pillow and we never got it back. I don't know how they misplaced a pillow with a huge butterfly on it or got it "accidentally" mixed up with theirs.

Easter Tradition

2009-04-13T21:38:00.000-07:00

When we were kids, every Easter my mom either made each of us girls a new dress or bought us one from a store called Minni world? I don't know if I spelled that right. Anyways, after church or before church, depending on when Dad was home, we would all go outside in our front yard on 9th street and take Easter pictures. My Dad would set up his tripod and snap photos of the whole family. Us girls got fluffy socks and sometimes a pair of white gloves to wear. It was a big deal. Now that I am a mom Easter comes around and I am not so good at all the details as my parents were, but here is proof that I can't get away from it.

Grace was just too cute, I couldn't resist.

Funny Kacie

2009-04-13T21:32:00.001-07:00

On Saturday night Jon and I went out and the babysitters put Kacie's hair in a million little sponge curlers. On Sunday morning Kacie was MIA and it had been awhile. I finally called out to her and she came into the family room in tears. Her curlers were halfway out and I could see that she had been working hard on them. I asked her what was wrong and she said,"Mom, I look ugly". I helped her take the rest of the curlers out and luckily she let me take a picture. I thought it looked cute, but she didn't want to go to church like that. I told her that all she had to do to get the curls out was get her hair wet and she bolted for the bathtub. It was really cute.

2009-04-13T21:20:00.000-07:00

Here is Savanna and me in the waiting room before they took her in for her surgery. We were both nervous at this point, but Savanna was being so brave.

This was right after she came out and she was coming out of the anesthesia. This was really hard for me to see because I didn't know what to expect. She was crying and saying that her throat hurt and she wanted me to take her home. I didn't understand why she should be in pain when she had an IV in and all they had to do was give her a little more of the good stuff. They didn't agree with me.

Here we are leaving the surgery center. Savanna was so happy to be getting out of there but was still in alot of pain. Grandma Treats gave her new HSM pajamas that saw her through it all and she got these cool green slipper socks that she was pretty proud of.

Today is day 10 post surgery. We have turned a corner and are making progress. Savanna's appetite is back and she is starting to have energy again. Today she went to school for about an hour and did pretty well. I am so happy that everything is turning out alright and that we are on the tail end of this. Thank you to everyone who helped me out. Jamie, thanks for the spaghetti, it really was wonderful.

2009-04-10T14:32:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a fun week I have had.. (I am being sarcastic) Anyways, if you or your child ever need their tonsils out, call me so I can tell you how miserable and hard it is. I would never have believed it, but living it for the past week has been anything but fun. I didn't get mine out, but Savanna did. I know many of you are saying"finally." We did put it off for as long as we could and hoped that the strep would clear out, but it never did and this was the result. On top of it Grace has been working on getting her top teeth to break through the skin. One has finally come through after a week of showing signs of it and now we are waiting for the other. I think that all 4 top might come in about the same time. Basically, I have been on house arrest for the past week. Thanks to my sister Katie, I got out for a few hours this morning so Easter wont be completely shot this year. If you are wondering where Jon is, he had a work trip to Florida for 2 days, got home last night, then left for our ward Father and Son's outing. Michael was really excited to get to go. We are surviving and through it all I am learning some amazing lessons. Today is already looking better.

2009-04-01T20:27:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I climbed Camelback Mountain for the first time ever. I went with Delight and Mitchell Clark. You really couldn't ask for better hiking weather. The trail was packed.

Mitchell and I had a bit of fun along the way. He found this huge hole in the rock and had to climb in it. My favorite was getting to the top and overlooking the whole valley. It was beautiful.

2009-04-01T20:16:00.000-07:00

My dad's sheep just had 2 lambs last saturday. On Monday night we went over for FHE
and let the kids hold them. Grace loved them.

These are our chickens. There are only 2 that are laying eggs right now, but the others should start in a month or so. The two that are laying, lay beautiful blue/green eggs.

Here is our "pot" garden in our back yard. We have onions, a pea plant, a random bean plant that Savanna sprouted at school and it is doing amazingly well, a tomato plant and the dirt pots have squash seeds. The white buckets are the pots that are out in our alley along the fence. They also are growing a squash plant of some sort.

2009-03-14T16:28:00.000-07:00

So, two days ago I was out front watching the kids play and decided to see if Michael could ride with no training wheels. We borrowed Jane Wright's purple bike and I ran up and down the street holding onto the back of his bike. After a few passes I realized I was holding him back and I needed to let go. I did, and off he went. He was so excited that he got his "fire bike" and took it to Roy Zuber to take off off his training wheels. Of course Roy helped him, then we all cheered him on as he rode away. He is mobile. I don't know how much I like this.

2009-03-05T21:39:00.000-08:00

These kids will grow up together, and I think it is so fun to have pictures taken all along the way. I love the chickens, they really add something don't you think?
What would we do without friends? I snapped this photo in January of James, Austyn, Michael and Lexi.

2009-03-05T21:31:00.000-08:00

This is a photo of me and Jon in Cabo San Lucas. It is crazy to think that we were there less than 2 months ago. One morning I got up early and decided that I was going to go down to the beach and watch the sunrise and try to snap a few shots. I thought that I was so original, but when I got down to the beach, there was a guy there with a tripod all set up and this amazing camera ready to snap some photos. I had to laugh at myself. I asked him for a card and if I could maybe get some copies of his photos. He thought that I was joking.
The scenic photo was taken off of our balcony at the resort. We stayed at a place called the MI. I had never heard of it, but it was really nice and I would recommend it. Thanks Aetna for the wonderful memories.

2009-03-05T21:15:00.000-08:00

This is Grace at the heart walk. Her shirt was by far the cutest one. Here are Lizzy's kids and my kids just arriving at the heart walk. Here is some of the gang at the start line waiting to begin. I don't have any idea who these people are, but they were really dressed like ghost busters and they were in full character. Uh.. kukoo..

2009-03-05T21:09:00.000-08:00

Here is Michael getting our first eggs from our chickens. I will have you know we are getting one a day now!!!

Molly, this one is for you...

2009-03-05T20:51:00.001-08:00

So, this is my first attempt at doing anything remotely different or interesting on my blog and Molly, this one is for you. I love it. This is my neighbor James and he found this friend while we were digging the hold for our orange tree. I did not put him up to it one bit, I just made him wait until I had the camera ready.

park day

2009-03-05T20:46:00.001-08:00

How can you not want to be outside ever second of everyday in this weather? A few of us girls went to the park today and had such a fun time getting to visit while the kids just played. I love this weather. Every evening my kids go out in the back yard and jump on the tramp. Our neighborhood comes alive around 5pm. Sis. Rogers rides her bike, Bro. Rogers is on his bike with a homemade engine, couples are out for walks, and every kid in the neighborhood is outside just playing. I LOVE IT.

2009-03-03T12:19:00.000-08:00

I am already not good at keeping this up. I realized that my life is not as exciting as many others, or things that I think are exciting are probably not so much to all of you. I still haven't learned how to do photos yet.... JULIE HELP..
A little update on our lives. On Saturday we went to Tempe Town Lake and did a heart walk to raise awareness of heart disease and strokes. It was a sweet experience because all of the kids had a picture of "Baby Jake" on their backs. I don't know why it touched me so much, but I loved it. Kacie was the first one across the finish line on her scooter Katie (my sis) was 2nd and Savanna was 3rd. I realized that Kacie is extremely competitive and was in pain from riding the scooter on a dirt path, but she had to be first. (it was only a mile)
Yesterday morning I took Savanna to an ENT for her check-up. Her tonsils are coming out on April 9th. Poor girl. Funny thing is, she is really excited. Ignorance is bliss. Grace is also on the road to tubes. She goes in on Friday to get them checked again.
This morning I had the opportunity to go to the 5:30am session at the temple. All I can say is Peace...

Oh, I almost forgot... Our chicken laid it's first egg last week. Yes we have 10 chickens and finally all of the work, food and poop has paid off in one little ( and I mean little) blue chicken egg. She is now laying one everyday. The others should start in a month or so. I am crazy, but it is huge news in our neighborhood and our household.

Happy Anniversary

2009-02-25T20:40:00.000-08:00

Sooo... Yesterday was my 9 year anniversary, and unfortunately it was lame. If you know me and Jon at all, you will know that flowers don't do much for me, and that going to a movie is not our choice of "dates". We really are lame. So, yesterday we honestly did nothing at all. I had a volleyball game at 7:30 that I played in and the team was so bad that we beat them in under 30 minutes so I ran to my favorite treat place in the whole world...BAHAMA BUCKS to redeem the day. I ordered my usual strawberry colada with cream but thought, "Oh, I will be good and order that sugar free". I did, and then I got Jon strawberry colada bahama rama mama normal. I was so excited at least my day would end well. I was so let down. It was terrible to say the least and I have never had a bad shaved ice from there sugar free or not. The cream was wrong and I don't know how you can mess that up!! Jon's on the other hand tasted amazing. I came home and gave him his and was trying to eat mine thinking that at some point it might taste good (it didn't) and what did Jon say,"if you want mine you can have it." It was like music to my ears. I threw mine in the garbage and ate his. The day was saved and I was reminded of what an amazing man I married. That really is true love.
So tonight Granny came over and watched the kids for us so we went out to dinner and then I got my gift. I have a brand new set of corell dishes in my dishwasher being cleaned as we speak. I can not tell you how happy I am. Life really is good.

At Home

2009-02-23T12:00:00.000-08:00

It is so hard to have sick kids. My poor Savanna is home again with Strep (I think) and possibly a virus on top of it, but who knows. She is on antibiotics and has an appointment next week for her consultation to get her tonsils out. I am a bit nervous, but I hate that she has been in so much pain in the past year from her throat. She is really fun to have around when she is sick because she is such a great helper. Grace loves having her here also. Grace has also had another ear infection and is also on antibiotics. Will it ever end???? Oh, the joys.

Jon Turns 31!!!

2009-02-22T08:43:00.000-08:00

Today is Jon's birthday, but I doubt that we will really see him. Late last night me and Savanna bought donuts and milk for breakfast for him. His favorite are the sour cream donuts from fry's. He took them to his meeting this morning. We also have the stuff for root beer floats for later tonight. He doesn't care for treats too much,(you can tell) but these are probably his two favorites. Happy birthday and I love you baby!

Changes

2009-02-20T10:21:00.000-08:00

I just got home from the hospital visiting my sis-in-law Hattie who had baby #4. His name is Corbin and he has copper colored hair and is perfect. I always think when I have a child or when someone else does that all of our lives continue on the same, but for someone else, their world just changed dramatically. I never thought about that with death, but it is the same. I have always thought that we continue on with our happy little lives when someone else next door maybe going though something we may never experience. Just my thought and I don't know if it makes any sense to anyone else.

First Post

2009-02-19T13:38:00.001-08:00

Hello to the world of blogging!! It is official I am a blogger. Take advantage now because I don't know if I will always keep it open.