Animal Safari

A good friend of mine suggested that we go to the animal safari that is just over an hour from our house. I guess there are only three like this in the US. It was hilarious. We had such a good time laughing our heads off. The girls were so scared that they sat on my lap for the first 15 min and screamed.

They say the Zebras bite. Yikes, that would hurt!

Adams 1 year Photo Shoot

OH MY I am LOVing DIa T PHotography. She did an AMAZing job on the PICtures she took of the KIDS. I must Say they are cute kids but these PICTUres are INCRedible! SEE for YOUrself....

Christmas when I was a kid

I remember when I was really little and Santa coming. It was magical. The presents and candy. I loved to sleep under the lights on the Christmas tree and dream of wonderful things. Life was so simple and good. I remember crayons and bikes. Those were Christmas' out of the books. Then I got a little older. My parents got divorced and Christmas for us changed dramatically.

I lost the magic or the magic was lost on me. Christmas wasn't like it used to be. My dad usually would buy us something and pack us in the car and drive us 6 hours to drop us off with our Mom. It always bothered me that my Daddy was alone for Christmas. I would try to get him stuff or hide notes of Merry Christmas around the trailer for him to find. I couldn't understand why he did all the hard work and my Mom got all the Holidays. It killed me.

My mom bought us stuff for a couple of years and then gave up all together. Mostly I remember Christmas as a brown lunch sack of Halloween candy and 25 dollars to spend after Christmas. One year I even asked my Mom if she would just get something for us to open and she said that we had our candy and any way stuff is way cheaper after Christmas.

The last Christmas I spent with my Mom was in 1999. She had had Breast Cancer for six years and decided she wanted to die while we were there so that no one had to buy more plane tickets to come to her funeral (she was super frugal). She was sick and I wanted some of that magic back from when I was younger and I tried so hard. But it didn't happen. She passed away while we were there on New Years Day 2000. She was 41.

Now I look back on my Halloween candy as a fond memory. It wasn't the ideal american Christmas, but it was mine.

And now at least now my Daddy isn't alone for Christmas. He comes here and watches my kids experience the magic I once had.

I have learned some things over the years. What I have learned is life isn't perfect, and sometimes our best memories come from our hardest trials. That people are more important than stuff. That Christmas changes for us as we grow and the magic of Santa Clause for me has changed to the Miracle of the birth of our Savior. And understanding that changes EVERYTHING. I hope that we can remember that above all the tinsel and gifts.

Merry Christmas and a bag of Halloween candy to all and to all a good night!

Photo club and a bunny in our garden

A friend of mine started a photo club. I have always enjoyed taking pictures, but never had a very nice camera. She talked me into doing it anyway. Our assignment was an action shot. This was my favorite out of over 130 pics.

In the meantime I let Adam wander around the back yard for the first time. He is still crawling and I hate for him to ruin his pants. But I was on a mission to accomplish my assignment, so I let him go. When I hear Kaely yelling "There is a bunny in our garden!" and to my suprise, I found the cutest bunny ever. He was so happy crawling back and forth, even though it doesn't look like it. I had a lot of fun and the kids were glad I was playing with them and not cleaning.

The Meaning of Christmas

I have tried to get my kids to understand the true meaning of Christmas. This year I decided to question them the see what they said and how I have done. "I asked what do you think about when you think Christmas?" This is what they said:

Skyler "To be honest I think 'cool I'm gonna get stuff '. Then like second or third I think about Jesus being born."

Kaely "Fun, like when we get the tree down and Jesus' birthday, presents and how happy we are."

Jane "Jesus' birthday." Kaely then asked "Do you think about presents?" Jane responded "Not much."

Elly "I never do..."

I guess I am left confused as to how well I have taught them. At least most of them mentioned the birth of our Savior.

I just want to testify that I know Jesus Christ was born to Mary. I know he lived and will live again. I know with everything I am that he loves me. I know because I have felt his redeeming love when I have repented. I am so blessed to know this and pray that you know it too. I hope that we don't lose the purpose of Christmas, but that we will be reminded to follow His example and love and serve our fellow man.

Merry Christmas All!

Teacher Gifts

It is that time again and I am room mom for Kaelys class. I did a search for ideas on teacher gifts. This was my favorite.

Teachers who teach young children often like to wear clothes with characters on it. Winnie the Pooh and Disney characters are favorites. One piece dresses adorned with such characters or Disney jewelry is great Christmas gifts for teachers in the early childhood grades.

Have you heard of any better than that.

The State Fair and a crapy leg

We went to the state fair because Shay really wanted to see some 4-H pigs for some reason, I guess he was having a Charlottes Web moment, so off we went. Sadly after what seemed like hours in the hot baking sun we learned a valuable lesson about using a phone to ask if the pigs were at the fair before driving 2.5 hrs each way to see for yourself. They were not there, if you were wondering.

We walked FOREVER and found cows!

There of course was cow dung all over the place and some got on the stroller wheels. I kept telling the kids not to get in front of me but Skyler couldn't resist. Needless to say we laughed our heads off and made fun of poo poo leg and I had to bribe him to get this picture. It still makes me laugh.

We let all the kids pick a ride. This should help you understand how cheap I am, each kid picked 1 ride. Also some one noticed (well I think everyone noticed) our big family and gave us a ticket they had left over. So I showed it to the kids and told them to look on the ground for tickets. They found three! I was so excited. Anyway, Jane and Elly both picked the ferris wheel. I talked Skyler into riding my favorite ride from back in the day. It cost 1 more ticket than he had so I told him just ask the guy if you can ride anyway and he said yes. It was brutal. He was really shaken up and thought for sure he would die. Kaely got the raw deal, she took forever to pick and then went through the mirror house, totally lame. She cried, thats how bad it was.

Adam was just a sweet cute baby all day. I am sure when people saw him they knew why we had 5. By the end of the day we were beat, spent and happy. The fair is always fun, even with a cheapskate mom.

This ones dedicated to Jefferson

We went out to dinner with some good friends the other night, which was really fun. But I got stuck taking the three girls to the bathroom 4 times. The fourth time I made them all go because I didn't want to go again. There were three stalls and one was occupied so two went in one and one in the other. A minute later, a teenage girl walks in and says "is anyone in that one?" and I say "yes there is a midget in there." (talking about Elly who is in the stall she pointed to) And before I can say anything else, a midget walks out of the other once occupied stall. Yes you heard me, a midget. When I just referred to my 5 yr old daughter as a midget. How could I have known?

With shock on my face, I quickly look at the ground as I see a glimpse of a dirty look as she walks over to wash her hands. What? What just happened to me.

When we come home Shay and Skyler are on the stairs and I relate the story. Shay is laughing hard, real hard and saying how could that happen and Skyler is laughing and questioning if it really did. Then I tell them the truth, all of it was true until the part where the midget walked out. I thought of that happening when I had said that about Elly being a midget and how terribly awkward it would be.
It was sooo good to see Shay laughing so hard. Just thinking about it, I can't help but laugh. I hope you laughed a little too!

Where I have been.

After my mom passed away, I was given one of her journals. It was the one she wrote in when my brothers and I were born and small. Every time she had one of us, there was a gap of a year or so, with sparse if any entries. I learned a lot from seeing this. I learned that life is busy with a lot of little ones but not as busy as the first year or so after a baby is born. They need so much of you, to feed them, cuddle them, kiss them, nap them and so on. Adam is ten months old and I have been loving him like there is no tomorrow. Every time I see him I love him more. His crooked smile, snotty nose and teeth just half way grown in. He has already taken his first steps. I can't believe I can love something so much. I have paid more attention to the process of falling in love this time. And realizing this I see that the process is continual. I am still falling for and loving each of my children and Shay as well every day. When they triumph, I triumph, when they cry so do I, When they battle I am right with them. And this process of fighting, winning, falling and overcoming, smiles and tears, that is where love is developed. The process is so beautiful and completely encompassing that sometimes we don't see that we are involved.

So if you are wondering where I have been, I have been birthday planning, costume making, trick or treating, caramel popcorn eating, cookie baking and most of all falling in love with, and loving my family and this sweet baby.

Budget and temptations

I have been the worst in the world at budgeting. I just have other talents. Well I am trying to save and not spend, but whenever I do I am tempted. Tempted to upgrade to a laptop. Tempted by wanting a sewing machine to sew things for Christmas. Tempted to redo my living room. Tempted by Halloween and our 11th Anniversary. Oh so tempted. I just need to be happy with what I have and find something I already have to fill my time and wants. I know I can do it. Words of encouragement would be much appreciated.

Frugally Minded

I love to save money, buy things cheap, and now I am loving telling people about it. Check out my blog frugallyminded.blogspot.com We are having a contest on what you do to save money. Tell your friends and lets see how many ways you save.

Memoirs by a lady with a broken toe

When my toe wasn't broken I didn't think too much about it. I assume most parts of the body are that way. They do their job and stay in line everything works out great. But when a part of our body get bored and decides it wants some attention it sometimes throws a fit like a two year old who has already had two cookies but wants more. Okay so maybe not that bad. And maybe my toe wasn't the one throwing the fit. I will tell you the story, you decide.
I woke up at 6:45 and was trying to 1. Organize the pantry 2. Make breakfast 3. Make Lunches, when my two oldest contiued arguing, but this time over who was gonna get which cup in his/her lunch. I was sick of it and for the sixteenth time was telling them "Satan is the father of contention, cut it out!" When I pulled a can of cream of mushroom soup down from the top shelf of the pantry. I was too busy telling my kids to cool it to keep it from landing on my foot or toe I should say. The pain was tremendous and I was sure the can had worked as a Ginsu knife and chopped my toe right off. I couldn't look at it. I finally asked the kids to tell me if there was any blood. Nope, no blood. I still couldn't look at it for at least another five minutes. I was sure it was broken, but too cheap to go the doctor, taped that baby up and have only cried twice about it since. Not fun breaking a toe, if you are wondering, take advice from someone that knows, don't try this at home. Protect your feet and love them for doing what they do best, and not throwing any of those attention fits!

Sleeping what a beautiful thing

There is nothing like falling asleep. I love it, you probably love it and well babies love it too. At least for a little while. I love when you find your sweet little one conked out in the most random of places, like the toy box(Kaely), under their crib, or under their crib mattress for that matter (Skyler). So now our sweet Adam has begun falling asleep in funny positions.

With his head on his teddy.

In this one Shay was working on the computer and just let him fall asleep in the jumper. Poor baby, his legs must have been asleep as well. He was so out of it, I moved him to his bed and he didn't even make a peep. FYI this was all in one day.

Brothers

Adam was welcomed into our home by all, but Skyler was so happy to finally get a brother. To me it is funny that they look so much alike. But I guess that shouldn't suprise me considering all of our kids look so similar. But back to these guys, even though they are almost ten years apart, they have a special bond that only brothers could have. I am so happy that these guys have each other and pray that Skyler is the example Adam needs and Adam is the reminder that Skyler needs. I love my boys!

Serving is so selfish, I just can't help myself

Since the kids are back in school, I have been finding myself bored, lonely and at times feeling down right sorry for myself. Throughout out marriage whenever I see Shay moping I always tell him "Stop feeling sorry for yourself and do something". But for some reason I couldn't pull myself out of it. Sunday came, and the themes for the day were, humility, service and charity. I immediately knew what my problem was. I was not going out and putting my shoulder to the wheel and because of that my shoulder was becoming rather pudgy with the rest of me. I put my mind to work and found opportunities to serve and help people. My week was so nice. I was happy and felt so good. Except for waking Wednesday morning with a breast infection courtesy of breast feeding. I have always loved helping people. I think it is because without the generosity and help from others growing up, my life would have been much more difficult. When I serve I have a sense of self, that I have a purpose and an importance. I know it is what my Savior would have me do and I feel that every time I serve. So yes, for me serving others is totally selfish and I love it.

Movin' N Groovin'

He is a crawler! Eatin' crayons, chokin' on green beans, this little baby isn't just sittin' around any more. Now the hard part begins. Before they move it is all smiles and kisses, now its lockin' cupboards and puttin' up gates. He is still the cutest thing I have ever seen. I just can't believe two not so perfect people can make such a perfect thing. God is real! Watch this baby make his first attempts and you'll agree, he is a super cutie.

Back to School Bash

Well of course the last week of school gets me thinking, did we do enough this summer? We sold fireworks, got season passes to Six Flags, went to the beach, so on and so on. But I always want to go out with a bang. So I planned a week of fun. Monday we took my sister and her kids to Six Flags. I guess every one was thinking the same thing, It was packed. Tuesday, picnic and splash water park and a movie at home with friends. I bought Shay a clearplay DVD player that edits movies and we watched Sixth Sense. The rest of the day I kept telling the kids to move out of my way they were blocking my dead people. I just didn't want them to be too freaked out. Wednesday, swimming with the MacDonalds and swimming with the Urbanawiz Family. The kids were beat after that. Thursday, meet the teacher and a Back to School Party. We had 8 families that ended up being 28 kids and 11 adults. We played games and had hotdogs. My favorite part was the pie eating and donut eating contests. I think it was a party to remember. Too bad Skyler got sick and couldn't come. We really missed him. I hope everyone is as ready for back to school as I am. What a wonderful summer. Nothing like making good memories.

Schools in, So is the TV

There is something about the fall I have always loved. Whether it is the kids going back to school, or the cool evenings that give you a reason to cuddle with the one you love or apple pies, I am not sure, but I love the fall. I know one of the biggest reasons for me anyway is TV. I love to watch TV in the fall. I go on the shows websites and look for the cool new shows and my old favorites and put them on my calendar. I don't overwatch I just pick out the shows that excite me, like Survivor and Amazing Race. Then there are shows I watch just so Shay will sit next to me like Lost and Fringe. And then I am always looking for that perfect girly show with drama that makes me dream about the characters and hope everything will work out. I used to watch Gilmore Girls and haven't found a show that is as good to fit the bill since it went off the air. So here comes another season, I can't wait to see what will be on the calendar this year. So far we have Shark Tank and Flash Forward. Check them out on www.ABC.go.com and tell me what you think. Can't wait to cuddle my honey and enjoy some good old and new shows, Happy Watching.

What? Your old. No way. Me at Thirty.

Sometimes we just have to write the random thoughts we have. So tonight I write of thirty years of memories. My last words as a twenty something so that one day I may look back on this time and think that girl was so naive. I do think that I have made progress, but at times I still act 9. I think it may drive Shay crazy, well I know it does, but I tell him that's what he gets for robbing the cradle.

I think I have lived a good life, I have been severely happy, like the time Shay kissed me for the first time, or when I beat my brother wrestling. (I think he probably let me win) Or when I held my perfect babies for the first time and smelled their sweet hot breath.

I have also tasted sorrow, like when I have sinned or when I lost my Momma. I have forced myself to be tough when I was scared or lonely. But I have also allowed myself to cry for fear when my brother yelled while I was stranded on the toilet as a six year old, that a witch was coming through the window.

I have so many things to laugh about with so many wonderful friends I have made. Like the time Holli and I shaved our heads at school. Or when we would tell ghost stories all night and be scared out of our minds.

I have had to overcome, rise above and sometimes fall to get where I am. I have been blessed with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so that when I fall He catches me and helps me back up.

I remember as a kid my momma saying for years she was turning 29, I would say "didn't you turn 29 last year?" She would always say "if I turned 29 last year how could I be 29 this year?" It took me a long time to realize she just didn't want to be 30. I couldn't understand why and promised myself that I would embrace thirty, I would tell myself thirty is the new twenty. Now here I am, about to be thirty and I ask myself if I will embrace it? Will I be true to that little girl that some how became me? I say why not. I realize that there is something about the body of a twenty something that has nothing to do with mine. So that lets me know it is time to move on, bigger and better, and I am not necessarily referring to my body on that one. I know that we don't know how long we have on this earth but if the next thirty years are as good as the last, I can't wait!

Baby Yoga 101

Meet our Baby Yoga instructor- Adam. He specializes in relaxation and new maneuvers. His strengths are his chanting and flying toes(his favorite position). He accepts payment in the form of kisses, tickles and milk. He accepts large groups and enjoys doing FHEs because their is a treat involved. If you are interested shoot him a line at yogaisforbabiestoo.org. (not a real URL)

For fhe we did baby yoga. We put Adam in the floor and everyone copied whatever he did. It was lots of fun, Skyler and Shay liked to cut corners. They couldn't hold the flying toes position for long.

The kids got the Camera again!

Elly loves taking pictures. I loaded the camera tonight and these are the images it held. There are over a hundred more wonderful photos of fans, toes and eye balls. I overheard her when she was taking them saying, "Oh, now that was a good one."

She is pretending to be asleep in this one.

Fireworks spell Exhaustion

So Shay and I decided to try to rid ourselves of the evils of credit card debt once and for all. To speed the process we managed a fireworks tent over the fourth of July. We had been told it was hard but we were not prepared for the ninety degree weather, hour commute each way, late nights, early mornings, Shay sleeping on a flat air mattress at the tent site, utter and complete exhaustion, achy and I mean achy legs and back from standing 10-16 hours a day, the list could go on and on. The kids were there all day Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. By the last day they were beat. Let the pictures tell the story. We also were given 3 counterfeit 20 dollar bills.

Really, now that it is over we made some good money and I am pretty sure I lost some weight. Nothing wrong with that.

Got our product at around Eleven.

Finally got the tables set up at about 6.

Left at about Eleven.

The finished setup. Shay and Skyler worked until 2 am.

I forgot to bring something to lay Adam in. We just layed him in a box under the cash register so no one would steal him. Every time I saw him I would sing "Baby in a box". Nathan said that it sounded like a real song. Maybe I have potential after all.

My brother and nephew helped a ton. It also made it lots of fun. Punch buggy yellow Nathan!

Store Core Frankie.

Kaelys display, the wind blew it over three times and she kept rebuilding it, a little stronger each time.

I finally remembered the bouncer, no more baby in a box.



Elly loves taking pictures.


Jane fell asleep coloring. I told them they could have a sucker if they colored the whole page. I guess it wore her out! This is how Shay and I felt.