8 Things...

8 things I’m passionate about
1) My kids
2) Dalen
3) Family
4) Friends
5) Gardening
6) Stickers
7) Getting out of debt
8) Messing up the guy that did our loan!

8 Songs I can listen to over and over again and never get sick of
1) Anything by Collective Soul
2) Anything by Garth Brooks
3) Anything by Matchbox 20
4) I'll Be by Edwin McCain
5) Soundtrack to What A Girl Wants
6) How to Save a Life- the Fray
7) I'm Still A Guy by Brad Paisley
8) Cry by Faith Hill

The past 8 books I’ve read
1. Eclipse- Stephenie Meyer
2. New Moon- Stephenie Meyer
3. Twilight- Stephenie Meyer
4. Book of Mormon
5. Running With Angels
6. reread Twilight
7. reread New Moon
8. reread Eclipse

8 Things I say often
1) CRAP!
2) Good times!
3) What were you thinking??? (this is mostly to my kids)
4) I love you!
5) Who's Beautiful? (to my girls)
6) Show me your handsome. (to my son- his smile!)
7) STOP!
8) ARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH!

8 Things that attract me to a friend
1) loyal
2) nice
3) funny
4) loves to talk
5) likes similar stuff
6) doesn't drop me- heehee- don't laugh too much, it has happened!
7) loves food- okay so I love food and I love talking about food and exchanging recipes!
8) likes to get together!

8 Random things about me
1) I didn't want kids when I was younger- then I got married and I couldn't wait to have kids.
2) I don't like having dirty feet. This is the reason I don't really like going to the beach- I don't like sand between my toes.
3) I have to sleep with a lot of pillows! (currently I sleep with 4 pillows- that isn't including Dalen's pillows)
4) I have to take a shower every day (if it wasn't considered OCD I probably would take a shower more than once- I like to feel clean).
5) I don't think I am a very funny person.
7) If I could have one surgery to improve myself it would be to have a tummy tuck to get rid of the excess skin left over from pregnancy.
8) I have the same favorite color as my brother and President Monson- Yellow!

8 Things I want to do before I die
1) Pay off my house
2) Get out of debt completely!
3) See all of my kids graduate and go to college.
4) Go to Hawaii
5) Go to Culinary school
6) Get my masters in family therapy
7) Love my kids better!
8) Enjoy my 50th anniversary with Dalen!

8 Things I’ve learned this past year
1) I need to be a better friend.
2) A lesson my grandma taught my dad YEARS ago- my kids will not remember how clean my house is, just the time I spent with them.
3) The gospel means everything to me!
4) When you have a trial to go through friends can make it so much easier to handle!
5) My husband is a very hard worker (I always knew this, but this year he has worked even harder- if this is possible).
6) There are some people in this world that will screw you just because!
7) Being a mom is the best and hardest job ever!
8) Green beans canned from my own garden are the best!!!

The 8 People I want to do the 8’s
1. Laina
2. Shanna
3. Raechal
4. Shauna Bushman
5. Shauna Searle
6. Natalie
7. Ali
8. Amy

Surviving Today- someone throw me a life jacket!

Okay, the theme of today was survival...

I went to bed late last night, or I should say this morning. I had to stop off after work to get medicine for Malia, who is still working on a couple of teeth. So, this morning was a little hard, and I went back to sleep after getting Kylie to school, Dalen off to work, Malia fed and back in bed for a nap. I thought Britin had gone back to bed (yes that's right, she was up VERY early this morning- or maybe she didn't really sleep last night, I'm not quite sure on that one). I was so wrong. She and Jacob were up and doing what they do best... creating mischief.

I was only able to stay one step behind them, yup, behind, not ahead. Who can anticipate what is going on in their little minds?... especially when you combine those two minds...

When I got up I found them jumping in Malia's crib, playing swords with the curtain rod (the curtain now laying on the floor in a crumpled mess). Luckily Malia was not in her crib with them or she may have been slain by the warriors. Maybe lucky isn't the word, because I don't think I really want to know how she got out of the crib and on to Kylie's bed.

After cleaning that and sending Jacob and Bits downstairs I went in to the kitchen to fix a little breakfast to give me a jump start. To my surprise, well not really, there was milk out on the table still (Jacob can get his own breakfast and usually does a great job). That wasn't the topper. It was what I saw all over the table, the floor and one of the chairs that sent me into a fit. They had let Malia climb on the table, apparently, and she spilled Jacob's first bowl of Cocoa Krispies. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the worst cereal to clean up. And yet, my children discovered how to make it worse. They dropped DRY towels on the spill to pick up the milk. Now I had mushy cocoa krispies drying all over my kitchen. I was thinking of busting out the hammer and chisel to get it off everything when realized I needed to do my morning constitutional and head to the bathroom.

In the bathroom I found a roll of TP in the toilet soaking all the water it could hold - man that tp is absorbent. After fishing it out of the toilet I did the usual activities in there. While trying to have a relaxing moment I let my eyes take in the other chaos in the bathroom. There were wipes all over the floor behind the tub crushed goldfish crackers on the floor behind the tub and to the side. Not to be outdone by the fishies, the laundry got in on the action and scattered behind the tub. I am not sure why this is the area of choice for messes, except that maybe it is next to impossible to get it cleaned without getting on my hands a knees and doing the ElastiGirl stretch.

Back in to the kitchen after cleaning up that mess, I decided on cleaning up as much as possible with the dry towels, and rinsing them out to put over the dried chocolate mush to soak.

Then I was downstairs to switch over laundry when I discovered a burning rubber smell. Come to find out the kids were "helping" and sucked up some unknown substance (I don't even want to know) leading to the vacuum burning its belt. Great!

About 2:00 I finally jumped in the shower to make sure I was at least presentable to pick up Kylie from school. When I got her home the kids all wanted a snack- bag of chips, no problem. While taking care of Malia, Britin and Jacob snuck into the front room and spilled their chips on the entryway floor. Malia enjoyed that mess, and participated in the cleanup by eating as much as she could.

I still had an order of stickers to do, so, thinking that I was sort-of caught up on the messes I headed into my office, where I discovered velcro dots all over. Britin thought they were lovely decorations, so she put them on everything, using the rest of what I had which was supposed to be for a project for the kids.

I then called my friend, Laina, to tell her about an email I received. She said she had missed Jacob today. Oh NO!!! It is Thursday. He had preschool and I forgot. In all of the chaos I had forgotten to take him. You mean I could have had one less troublemaker for 2 1/2 hours? Yes, that's right.

Seriously, am I ever going to get this mom stuff down???

Meanest Parents EVER!

Okay, so Jeanne can attest to the beginning of this story. I was on the phone with her on Friday when Kylie came running in the front room, telling me that Britin was outside screaming. I was running to the back door as I told Jeanne goodbye. Britin was walking in the door holding her hand. My immediate thought was that she had broken her hand or something like that. She was screaming bloody murder- I really thought she was hurt. Taking a closer look, she was holding her hand, shaking because she had a bug on her (the size of an ant- but with wings). She kept looking at it and screaming, so I blew it off of her hand.

I was still shaking, but had to call Jeanne to tell her the story. Later I told Dalen the story. He died laughing.

The next day (Saturday) we were sitting at the table having lunch when Dalen decided to trick Britin and tell her she had a bug on her. She immediately went into hysterics. Dalen and I couldn't help but laugh. Unfortunately we didn't have the camera to capture the moment so later that night we tried to trick her again. The video doesn't do justice to the previous "performances" but it is still a good one. I swear we are the meanest parents, but to see her face when she thinks that there is a bug on her, it is hilarious! When you check out the video turn off the sound for the music or pause it because you need to hear what is being said.

All Alone... with Dad

This past week I have been working up in Salt Lake, training for my new job with the postal service. I have been gone from about 5pm until after midnight. The kids have been with dad, having dinner without me and getting ready for bed without me. I have one more week of this and then I will only have to be gone on the weekends. Training is going well. I am really liking the environment (and it helps that the pay is MUCH better).

Anyway, last night when I was gone Dalen took some precious pictures of the kids. The top one is my favorite! He took so many with the precious faces of my children. I think he needs a little training on getting the focus, but the pictures are just wonderful.

Our Engagement Anniversary!

Okay, so Mom was talking to me the other day and was thinking that Jacob's birthday was today (April 17th). I told her it was the 16th. She said she knew something was on the 17th but could not remember what, so I will let her (and therefore everyone else checking out my blog) what today is...

Exactly 9 years ago I went over to Dalen's apartment in Provo. He had made a nice dinner for me- BBQ chicken. His roommates had helped cleaned the apartment really well, and had set a candlelight table for our dinner. Shortly after finishing our food Dalen pulled out a cheesy, goofy cowboy hat he had picked up at DI and picked up his guitar. He had written a funny/wonderful song for me. Then he asked me to marry him. When he tells the story, he adds that he got down on one knee, but honestly, he didn't. I know he was nervous, so that probably made him not remember, and I also know he had every intention on getting on one knee, however, nope, he didn't. (man that was a LONG sentence) Anyway, he looked at me for my answer- I had forgotten to say yes right away. "Yes, Of course I will!" And I am so glad I did.

My Big 5-Year Old!

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

My Kind of Shoes

I saw this on a friends blog and thought that you all would like to know what kind of shoes I am... pretty funny (and accurate- at least with the kind of shoes that I like to wear!).

You Are Flip Flops

You are laid back and very friendly. Cheery and sunny in disposition, you usually have something to smile about. Style is important to you, as long as you can stay casual. It takes a lot to get you to dress up! You are a loyal and true person, though you can be a bit of a flake. You tend to "play hooky" and blow off responsibilities a lot more than most people. You should live: By the beach You should work: At a casual up and coming company

What Kind of Shoe Are You?

Weekend of Too Much Excitement

I was waiting to write this until I was a little more sane, a little less crazy- if that is possible. This weekend seemed to be going well. I had an orientation to go to for my new job. I was gone Saturday from 7:30am - 2:15pm. I got home and Dalen and the kids had cleaned the house, had lunch, gotten dressed, did all the things they should have done. I was a pretty happy wife and mom. The kids went with Daddy to the park to ride their scooters (it was a beautiful day).

When they got home we all piled into the car to go get Daddy some new work pants. The kids were a little too crazy, so they weren't allowed to go to their friend's house after dinner. We picked up Del Taco and went home to eat. Dinner went okay- it is what happened next that made the weekend too exciting (not in a good way!).

We all went outside to work on the garden and play together as a family. We were playing "Monkey in the Middle" with the ball and jumping on the trampoline. Well, the trampoline was a hit with the kids, and they were having so much fun I was running in the house to get the camera. While looking for it I took the opportunity to return a phone call to Sherry. While on the phone- heading on my way outside- I was met at the back door with Dalen holding Jacob in his arms, convulsing. Jacob's eyes were rolling in the back of his head, and he was kind of limp, but jerking at the same time. (Is that possible?) I was freaking out, Dalen was crying. He said he had bounced Jacob and he landed hard and said his back hurt and he then he started to jerk.

So you all don't freak too much at this point, I will hurry the story along. We all jumped in the car, Dalen in the back, holding Jacob still. By the time we got to the instacare Jacob was wiggling his toes, he was breathing easy and doing much better. The instacare is only about 3 minute drive from our house. Apparently he had the wind knocked out of him and he was jerking to try to get breath back in him. All in all, too much excitement, which I don't care to EVER relive. Since then, we have restated some trampoline rules, which are going to be followed- no getting laxed on them! Only 2 kids on the tramp at a time. No double-bouncing. No adults on with kids. No more than 1 adult at a time. And the general rule of BE CAREFUL!!! I don't recommend this experience for anyone else. Learn from our stupidity!

A side note- Dalen used to work at a wheelchair shop in SLC. A good number of children's injuries that caused them to be in a wheelchair were caused by trampoline accidents. And yet, we still were relaxed on our rules. We had no reason not to be careful- we had heard all of the scary trampoline stories, and we still were reckless on the trampoline. PLEASE BE CAREFUL on your trampolines!

Dinner Discussion

Okay, so tonight I was having dinner with the kids. . . Dalen was still at work. I was having a hard time getting them to eat the eggs and toast that I made for them. Kylie had asked earlier that she wanted to have some of the donut gems that I had gotten at the store earlier in the day. So I used this to my advantage. I told her and the other kids that in order to be able to have a treat they needed to eat all of their food. Kylie told me that her throat hurt when she swallowed. I said that if that was the case how did she think that I would let her have a donut after dinner. She then replied- quite confidently, "it only hurts when I swallow healthy food." I laughed, she didn't like that so much.

General Conference Weekend

I am still working on doing a makeover for the blog, but until then you all are going to have to deal with just checking out this plain-jane blog. Hope you like it anyway.

Last night the kids were being a little crazy. After a whole day (at least it seemed like a whole day to the kids) of watching General Conference they had a lot of energy built up. The funny thing was that we only required them to be in the room when the sustainings were happening. Today we are asking that they listen to the prophet, but other than that they can do what they normally are allowed to do on a Sunday. I listened to the whole conference (minus the Priesthood session- which Dalen told me all about- he took excellent notes).

As I was in my office in the afternoon- watching the afternoon session on the internet- I turned around to see a darling picture of Malia- so with the fun that I have been having with my new camera I just had to snap a few pictures. This just made my day. I love looking at her beautiful little face. The smile just melts my heart.

Later, Dalen came home from the Priesthood session and was playing with Malia. Again, I had to grab the camera. Have you ever seen a baby that was more of a Daddy's girl? Sometimes I think that it is more the whiskers that makes her laugh than just being ticklish, but maybe it is a combination of both. I'm not even sure that sentence make sense, but hopefully you all understand what I meant.

One last thing- Britin came in to the office while I was downloading music in between sessions. She heard the music and started to dance- as usual. She is my "tiny dancer." What a diva! Sometimes she looks like she stops, but really, she is still dancing. So keep watching. My favorite part is when she wipes the hair from her face. She is a dramatic little girl. Don't forget to clap at the end.

I will keep you posted on Malia's walking. Last night she got up to 7 steps in a row. What a big girl!

Trigger Happy!

Okay, so on Saturday, March 29th we bought a new camera to replace the one that we beat to death on Easter. (that is a dumb story, but one that made it so we got a new and improved camera- YEAH!) Anyhow, I have been a little camera happy with it since then, playing with the new features. I don't really know how to use more than the shutter button, but I am determined to learn all I can. I learned how to download pictures today and will hopefully improve my skills with it. Chicks dig skills, you know.

Anyway, so last night Dalen was home- finally from Wyoming- and he was working with Malia, trying to get her to walk. So I was able to capture this video of her taking a step.