tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55316346075065939742024-02-21T04:18:47.144-08:00Me & My Mischief MakersFrom the crazy world of an over-worked, anxiety ridden, OCD mother of 4Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger272125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-31880825238198260162011-10-12T12:03:00.000-07:002011-10-12T12:05:22.515-07:00School Pictures Are InI am hoping to update the pics of my kids to the right --><br /><br />We just got school pictures done and yes, I officially have the cutest kids! The pics turned out great! I'm also going to try an overhaul on the whole set up. So look for changes coming soon. It's all a part of the new and improved ME!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-4141161754092621412011-09-28T03:08:00.001-07:002011-09-28T03:15:44.111-07:009 day stretchFinished a 9-day stretch at work and am glad I get to be off for 2 days to be with my family. Tonight, however, my "I'm thankful for..." is what helped me get through the LONG nights of typing and boredom...<br /><br />Have you downloaded the IHEARTRADIO app? Well, you should! I heard about it so much on the radio that I downloaded it not too long after it was released and have totally enjoyed it since then. I have a few favorite stations on there, but I really only listen to one. UMMM, 24/7 comedy radio. Yup, I get to listen to hilarious short comedy skits and laugh so hard I disturb the people around me. I know we are supposed to be quiet to allow others to type and focus on their work or whatever they are listening to, but sometimes there is just something too funny and I can't help but laugh out loud. Yeah for comedy radio.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/z03lwK8NaBQ" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-13529814072710171602011-09-27T01:39:00.000-07:002011-09-27T01:53:00.474-07:00Name Change Winner...I am LOVING the new name and hope that y'all like it too... as it fits my life so well. Me & My Mischief Makers. They all love the mischief and I am continually baffled at what their brains come up with. :)<br /><br />Just a little rundown as to our current life...<br /><br /><ol><li>We moved downstairs in the house we share with my older sister and her family. This was a good thing for so many reasons, but mainly it has forced me to go through and de-crap my house. There is still a constant mess but that is because I prefer to sleep and/or be lazy during my few waking, non-working hours. But you would not believe the amount of papers I have shredded, the bags of trash and boxes of items taken to DI. It's amazing how freeing it feels to get rid of things. </li><li>The kids started school at the end of last month. Second year at this school and all seems to be going well. I am blessed to have my sister here to help my kids with their homework most days since I have to leave for work before the kids get home from school. But I am doing my best to schedule time in each classroom to see them as often as possible.</li><li>We took a trip to Texas before school started, to visit my sister and her family. It was AWESOME... except for the 24 hour drive (me being the only driver, it was split into 2 days) in a 5-seater car... hmmm, don't recommend it, but we did all survive it, and have GREAT memories from it. When I finally download the pictures I'll try to remember to post some. The kids keep asking when the next trip to Texas is going to be. My response so far has been, "When mommy can afford plane tickets for everyone." :) Doubt they have any clue that that means probably never... but a mom can dream, and so can her kids.</li><li>I got hired as a career employee with the postal service FINALLY! After working as a contract/temp for over 3 years I was blessed with a full time position with benefits. It was a stressful time, but couldn't have been better timing in my life. The hours right now stink but I can't be sad that I have a job with perks. I just keep praying that eventually I will be able to work during school hours so I can be with my kids each evening.<br /></li></ol>I just had to end telling what my favorite part of each day is...<br /><br />Right now... I just got in my room from kissing each of my kids, tucking the blankets around them and whispering to them how much I love them. Some nights I just stare in amazement that they are mine, and at how grown they are. Tonight, this is what I am most thankful for.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-49469865933758212362011-06-28T04:00:00.000-07:002011-06-28T02:57:15.618-07:00Dear Irony...<span style="font-style: italic;">I wrote this post a little bit ago, but am finally posting it as we have now talked with our kids and making it official...</span><br /><br /><br /><br />Dear Irony, I have to congratulate you on your fabulous part in my life. As I look at the name of this blog I giggle... and am sad... Love, ME<br /><br />For those who don't know, there are many reasons I stopped blogging. But the main reason I didn't start up again as I was setting my life straight was that I was dealing with some major changes. Not to go into many details, but there will be some changes in my blogging, namely, the title of this blog since it is no longer applicable to my life.<br /><br />My husband, previously known as FiM (my Fix It Man), and I could no longer fix what was beyond repair. We are currently separated and will be filing for divorce as soon as I can get a job with insurance. In the meantime I am trying to deal with sadness, change, shock, loneliness, and the ever-present judging of other people. Unless there is a bit of funny going on in my life from the offspring or from work or anywhere else I might be able to find humor, there won't be a post for that day. I appreciate all those who have been supportive and loving to me and my family. I also appreciate those who haven't judged or just assumed they knew the full story. We both played a part, and for now we are both accepting our parts for messing up what should have been eternal. So for now... here is your assignment America (or world if you are from somewhere else)...<br /><br />If you have kept up with my blog and kinda/sorta/bitsa/maybe know me then in the comment section give me suggestions for a new blog title. It can be silly, appropriate, or whatever... I just can't deal with ironic anymore. :)<br /><br />Oh, and one more thing... I don't know what y'all think about this but I am toying with the idea of shutting off comments. So if you have crap to tell me forget about it. One bad comment and they'll be shut off for good. I don't need anyone hating me for JOKING about being a bad mom. I love my kids more than anyone EVER could. The private comments I got about the Neglectful Parents group and awards have convinced me that our society has lost its sense of humor. Buck up people. I need a laugh every once in a while.<br /><br />Song of the day... Say Hello to Goodbye by ShontelleUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-5580210278167396782011-06-11T00:46:00.000-07:002011-06-11T02:04:52.164-07:00Wish ListSo recently I have discovered 24!<br /><br />I know, I know... 24 is already over... but when I was down recovering from surgery I finally had time watch the show. And it is a good thing I didn't watch it until now. I admire those who had the patience to wait week after week for ONE SINGLE EPISODE. I for one, am not that patient. I stay up way too late on my nights off to watch Jack Bauer ROCK the world hour after hour! Okay, I'm watching him ROCK MY WORLD! :)<br /><br />On a related topic I have heard SOOOOOOO much about this Bentley moron, from the Bachelorette , that I thought I'd find out what all the hubbub was about. <span style="font-style: italic;">Ya, I said hubbub...</span> So tonight, before I began my 24 marathon I watched the most recent episode. I used to watch this show all the time, but since I began working nights I have dropped most of my show addictions.<br /><br />How do these topics relate besides both being TV shows? I'll tell you how they relate. <span style="font-style: italic;">That's why you're reading this right? You wanna read what I think... can't for the life of me figure out why, but since you're here sit down and stay a while.</span><br /><br />My wish for tonight?<br /><br />Real life and Fiction... I wish it were the <span style="font-size:180%;">RIGHT</span> way in life.<br /><br />The sexy, strong, brave, brilliant man, Jack Bauer, should be <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">REAL LIFE</span></span>!<br /><br />Retarded, egotistical, ugly jerk-offs, like Bentley, should be <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">MADE UP/ FICTION</span></span>!<br /><br />I'm sure we all can make a list of people that would be awesome to know, if only they were real. My list would also consist of all the NCIS characters (mainly the male ones since I am a lover of the male species), Patrick Jane from the Mentalist, and most of the characters from Castle, especially Rick Castle cuz he's HOT AND FUNNY! Wanna add to my list? Add a comment.<br /><br />People I wish were Made up/fiction? My list isn't very long, but it is private. So we'll leave it at that... Bentley, I will say out loud (or in type), should be fiction. Why? Because then we either can rewrite his character into someone honorable and kind or we can write his character out of the show. Wouldn't that be nice? Let's just hope that no other Salt Lake City women fall for his suave fakeness! And with all my heart... I hope whatever business he is heading fails. Men like that shouldn't succeed in life because he just steps on people... he thinks he can and there won't be any repercussions...<br /><br />I do have to admit that I let Oldest Child, who was having a hard night, watch most of the show with me. Go ahead and judge away... I really don't care! She wanted me to explain what was going on. It was interesting to try to explain the whole thing about lying and such to her. She asked if I would have known that Bentley was lying if I was Ashley. I told her probably not... I think that surprised her. She asked me why not. I went into just a bit of detail with her about the guys I have dated and my experiences with being lied to... WOW! Humbling experience to share with my daughter and admit to errors in judgement and flaws in my character. All I can hope is that she loves me anyway.<br /><br />Song for tonight... Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. Mainly chosen for the opening lines that go well with my topic for tonight. "Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality..." Good times, brilliant lines! Nite y'all!<br /><br /><br />OH.... And are you still wondering about my surgery? I think I'll probably share that next. There are a few funnies to be shared with that story!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-74352256901294753012011-05-30T01:53:00.000-07:002011-05-30T02:04:28.068-07:00Books...I love to read... and with my super exciting job I am able to listen to audiobooks every night. It's pretty dang cool. Between books and music I stay well entertained at work. However, I have recently discovered a weakness. In discovering this I have made a short list of books I should not allow myself to read and/or listen to anymore. Yes, it is a short list, but here it is...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">1. any of the Twilight series<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhEvk-olsvWvJT64voazEmp9U6huNevQQlDzKQeVjOMMckCcoD8u71996nBVSvQ7PkGapD31atYZK9SkuSIUrpbr06-f7aMeTOqj0yZ8bzCMoqVT0lGO0HMxkwBXQqoZY9HGe2r8Nkwk/s1600/twilight.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhEvk-olsvWvJT64voazEmp9U6huNevQQlDzKQeVjOMMckCcoD8u71996nBVSvQ7PkGapD31atYZK9SkuSIUrpbr06-f7aMeTOqj0yZ8bzCMoqVT0lGO0HMxkwBXQqoZY9HGe2r8Nkwk/s200/twilight.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612431742440878162" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">2. any of the Outlander series<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2owfxshFBRhw1B1_x3rq1zVqnZoJ-QOiGgK2WUwbEv-t74YLah3HJRt4WjlKcxH3Ge-0dIbheUU-DUX7chnK2r7Ku9BV-BXvh_BbQ9cvY-bAjQ-9kHvknxnc2nI5R_R8oLo1LzsO4BzU/s1600/outlander.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2owfxshFBRhw1B1_x3rq1zVqnZoJ-QOiGgK2WUwbEv-t74YLah3HJRt4WjlKcxH3Ge-0dIbheUU-DUX7chnK2r7Ku9BV-BXvh_BbQ9cvY-bAjQ-9kHvknxnc2nI5R_R8oLo1LzsO4BzU/s200/outlander.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612431740195348114" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Have you read these? They are addicting! Life ceases to exist outside of my brain when I am either reading or listening to any of these. This can be good in some circumstances, but when there is so much to do?... not so good. It's as bad as trying to watch just one episode of 24. NOT POSSIBLE!<br /><br /><br />...And even as I am saying this... I won't stop. A girl can dream about having her own Edward Cullins. And a woman can fantasize about have a Jamie Fraser. YUMMY!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-74215187483626994842011-05-15T01:28:00.000-07:002011-05-15T01:38:23.279-07:00Something to make you smileIf there is ever a moment of sadness or depression I now know what to do...<br /><br />watch videos of my kids.<br /><br />For a little over a year I was EXCELLENT at taking pics and videos of the kids (ironically it was when I was totally into blogging before, AND had a working camera). Tonight I was downloading pictures from my external harddrive onto my NEW laptop that Dalen just gave to me. I thought I check out what was on there. And found some FABULOUS videos of my chillins. They are just awesome, in case you were wondering.<br /><br />It made me miss the cuteness of how young they were. It made me smile at how much they've grown. It made me happy to be their mom!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwh56fW2R6rN7cNtYvRpKNAzOF-kDc04mACEaub2grGATQHznTM3hRjD6U5bRBKbTvrQAWozb7HOfcSJhY0vQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-73035756633297360362011-05-06T22:36:00.000-07:002011-05-06T22:54:06.076-07:00SillinessPeople,<br /><br />Y'all are just silly.<br /><br />I guess I am too.<br /><br />I have missed blogging but have abstained for various reasons.<br /><br />I have hated to disappoint, but really??? I have been uber-busy with life. <br /><br />Yes, that is my EXCUSE. It is an excuse not a reason, cuz I know that I could have made the time to entertain the masses with my cunning wit and sparkling personality.<br /><br />I'm at a loss as to what to say right now. There is so much churning in my brain matter, but nothing that really can be told or wants to be told. So help me out here... what do you wanna hear about. Leave your comments on what you wanna hear. If it fits the following criteria you just might see your topic posted in the near future.<br /><br />1. MUST be entertaining. I need a few laughs and to get the creative juices flowing.<br />2. MUST be something I am okay with talking about. I know that with all my openness in the past (what with my bad parenting skills and messy house) it seems silly that there is anything I wouldn't be okay with talking about... TRUST ME, there is! At least for now.<br />3. IT CANNOT have anything to do with politics. There is enough crap in my life without having to start world war 3 via the world wide web!<br />4. And for the moment it CANNOT have anything to do with my recent surgery. I want to keep y'all in suspense as to what kind of fantastic surgery I underwent earlier this year. Keep in mind I am 35, have 4 kids and breast fed all of them.... Curious? Heehee... get your mind out of the gutter!<br /><br />Song for today... Tonight Tonight by Hot Chelle Rae. Why? Cuz I wanna dance and this song makes me boogie!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-43300635830220154402010-05-17T16:19:00.000-07:002010-05-17T16:26:02.212-07:00All I Ever Needed To Know......about myself I learned from my son.<br /><br /><ol><li>"You're almost Beautiful." (He said this to me when I was not quite finished getting ready for the day. Apparently all I needed to do still was fix my hair. Then maybe I would be all the way beautiful.)</li><li>"You know the wiggly part on the back of your arms. When it wiggles like that it means you're chubby... But that's okay mom. You're working on it." (Said as we were leaving the gym. I had my workout clothes on, which afforded him a perfect view of my wiggly arms.)</li><li>"Do you think Malia's hair will ever be dark like ours? Well, not like your's mom, cuz yours is white." </li></ol><p>Is it a wonder why some days I just don't wanna get out of bed?</p><p>Really, kids are just too honest. He loves his momma though. He tells me everyday, "You're the best mom." Now, I don't think I qualify as the best mom, but I do think I can forgive the chubby, old, and almost beautiful comments when he tells me he loves me.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-73077294204121607382010-04-08T14:50:00.002-07:002010-04-08T14:54:11.052-07:00Did you know?Trying to survive Spring Break... so I took the kids to the park today. I know it isn't the same as taking them on a super cool vacation to California, Florida, or even St. George, but it is free and the best I could do.<br /><br />Anyhow, at the park the following conversation actually took place.<br /><br />Oldest Child: "I hate being short. Everyone that is my age or younger are all taller than me."<br /><br />Mom: "That's not true. You are just right for your age. Besides, I'm taller than all my sisters. I'm even taller than my mom. You can't control how tall you are."<br /><br />Oldest Child: "Of course you are taller than your mom. Old people shrink."<br /><br />True Story!<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-13861311589541460572010-04-08T14:50:00.001-07:002010-04-08T14:50:51.100-07:00I'm Slow... Deal With IT!<div style="text-align: center;">Thought I'd post some pics of what we have been doing at our house lately!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjor0tyWoyGw0hC5AdgccCg6cth5o0YEsvs-EnXfC4NtlMIUemNUXm0EuEl1dt_jpacG5Qen8P27A5_oCV0aTwCMw_7rLbqo7yJKHfWHbT_MwCFlnPFqzVCGj__s7xp4gN6OdvvwIS2hEc/s1600/April+2010+011.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjor0tyWoyGw0hC5AdgccCg6cth5o0YEsvs-EnXfC4NtlMIUemNUXm0EuEl1dt_jpacG5Qen8P27A5_oCV0aTwCMw_7rLbqo7yJKHfWHbT_MwCFlnPFqzVCGj__s7xp4gN6OdvvwIS2hEc/s200/April+2010+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457882701498064066" border="0" /></a><br />Perfect place to fall asleep, right?<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKYv8hQ4rmvyh5jiaEQhVNGxIEIONY_k-e4ToEhIt23PkC1A6GN2GpV-4nWbgDd7AOZIfc7VA1pXsZzzUXIhf-4zsZ9TIJM5hWzLWrILo1WoLuCrBwqNNlA5pcNUZ64NuSKg6ewSqQt0/s1600/April+2010+007.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKYv8hQ4rmvyh5jiaEQhVNGxIEIONY_k-e4ToEhIt23PkC1A6GN2GpV-4nWbgDd7AOZIfc7VA1pXsZzzUXIhf-4zsZ9TIJM5hWzLWrILo1WoLuCrBwqNNlA5pcNUZ64NuSKg6ewSqQt0/s200/April+2010+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457882682278246802" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We were pirates...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHzgqq5ntIbFxoBTa8aArD59yWnvK9rIwGx58CDotGmlsdV1u1pZYNOmoBuZz53aCbCaBoCmDCr1WQUlbwsGWrFZZvhSy0Nmwrvx0RxYo7K4sqVg4UYiT2MPOO_6gm2PuGX4xduavp5A/s1600/April+2010+009.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHzgqq5ntIbFxoBTa8aArD59yWnvK9rIwGx58CDotGmlsdV1u1pZYNOmoBuZz53aCbCaBoCmDCr1WQUlbwsGWrFZZvhSy0Nmwrvx0RxYo7K4sqVg4UYiT2MPOO_6gm2PuGX4xduavp5A/s200/April+2010+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457882695508290978" border="0" /></a><br />Malia was a cyclops :)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUst7WWJWdGtCy9fe1C-slBvBd4yZ-bHQ87cmORXXAyrMBwfjiAofkpwefH4axk-w52Kw9hCK3sOFL_FBeGXsByv4ra8EUJF4DcYoDBZi609kp2m-kJ15uWfs5HN54YJfB-giLaTDIh2E/s1600/April+2010+006.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUst7WWJWdGtCy9fe1C-slBvBd4yZ-bHQ87cmORXXAyrMBwfjiAofkpwefH4axk-w52Kw9hCK3sOFL_FBeGXsByv4ra8EUJF4DcYoDBZi609kp2m-kJ15uWfs5HN54YJfB-giLaTDIh2E/s200/April+2010+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457882672782848898" border="0" /></a>Mommy and Daddy put a super cool shelf up in our room after we painted.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydTghAzmVUBB3s-fO-xiH9fDjhZ3wyMD8CMgFY1QUNuyz_GC4BXcduJYNghtZGqHZ_rXY_wq42ZkdB1BSGIp3OOT49fnck2OqorPBW2vybwGcrjoWPE5DhnZC6megh5idl1HK_dPsEmQ/s1600/April+2010+005.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydTghAzmVUBB3s-fO-xiH9fDjhZ3wyMD8CMgFY1QUNuyz_GC4BXcduJYNghtZGqHZ_rXY_wq42ZkdB1BSGIp3OOT49fnck2OqorPBW2vybwGcrjoWPE5DhnZC6megh5idl1HK_dPsEmQ/s200/April+2010+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457882664530112258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The shelf actually runs along 3 walls. It's AWESOME!<br /><br />Then we started work on the front room.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpWO91HRLp2HP_3QlPGQfSerkGKzwRjHaQnar3bWDRdBILSgpHjnIL8nZdt3Hk0zra23h7GYTsduxCkWVmdbEREgkRUJxalEneoGhE3ZQhyOEjUbbZ2xZfzhXF-bMPL-b7_G2Vs9uD-E/s1600/April+2010+071.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpWO91HRLp2HP_3QlPGQfSerkGKzwRjHaQnar3bWDRdBILSgpHjnIL8nZdt3Hk0zra23h7GYTsduxCkWVmdbEREgkRUJxalEneoGhE3ZQhyOEjUbbZ2xZfzhXF-bMPL-b7_G2Vs9uD-E/s200/April+2010+071.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457884616013245378" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRiTrqRKmRLa88yOe1Kx39Sw9KDSt4LB0-uPC0dgaBKGq4B54F1_1z-RURB2om2Q_xSGvRwsuhLQx1nMb2GYq1RgO-5HAlM2VqMGtuE64eX7Z43PrqP51dnWIPM5tsVs8JRumnzH2o-k/s1600/April+2010+073.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRiTrqRKmRLa88yOe1Kx39Sw9KDSt4LB0-uPC0dgaBKGq4B54F1_1z-RURB2om2Q_xSGvRwsuhLQx1nMb2GYq1RgO-5HAlM2VqMGtuE64eX7Z43PrqP51dnWIPM5tsVs8JRumnzH2o-k/s200/April+2010+073.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457884622602020290" border="0" /></a><br />What do you think of the colors?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_M9B8379CCw4ppj7Uxw6FJahc-i6ReDrBVY9ODGVJv8JmdQMzIJOFM7obJOls0NP2UJaEm-xJhRGZ0fJePQBJD_8yxyMCjZ4NgcCRp3FgzmxSUMEE9_8DG2ZJwsn_zXTm3YabMVeMQQ/s1600/April+2010+039.jpg"><br /></a>Then we had Easter at Aunt Gramma's house. So much fun!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLJOURkSn7-nsdTr4n7bnG0bYQfUBg3esi9RN3Mf_6W1YVio90NXyNx5kpOjANQNPMlgdImZFKBKUCm1COdxtOwEQdLA0OWDhVqFEc4KEwlSqCh6ygWPpF6Mf_Ror7oVosIyI1jleUcc/s1600/April+2010+031.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLJOURkSn7-nsdTr4n7bnG0bYQfUBg3esi9RN3Mf_6W1YVio90NXyNx5kpOjANQNPMlgdImZFKBKUCm1COdxtOwEQdLA0OWDhVqFEc4KEwlSqCh6ygWPpF6Mf_Ror7oVosIyI1jleUcc/s200/April+2010+031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457884634656514898" border="0" /></a><br />Aunt Gramma reading to the kids while the parents and teenagers hid the candy and eggs for the kids' hunt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNU3wWlTgfvxLOaX66bslV5B4YxEFRylrBNfg3aUfhdXH6k4-vsZ0Z3j3tDVgDt15o2srBz7G8nnCELqWubNymlm-GqjC5oYSQ4YLK9LqJZxHCOEyXMIDDYFdP578LdvsNtbQh0hfsZmg/s1600/April+2010+037.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNU3wWlTgfvxLOaX66bslV5B4YxEFRylrBNfg3aUfhdXH6k4-vsZ0Z3j3tDVgDt15o2srBz7G8nnCELqWubNymlm-GqjC5oYSQ4YLK9LqJZxHCOEyXMIDDYFdP578LdvsNtbQh0hfsZmg/s200/April+2010+037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457884649079323554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZ_1WXmt5_MhqucozJgIXNvt5N-g0iYoUkAUGAo4ood7ygGyzYF34jC2dGiDtMhRAOcb5HVKzojsKUjAllTSlB-o0QS2lPmr61p7JQS2U1bVeUvFJ8SDRtoy_GaVzcTnHyPSWCypYO6A/s1600/April+2010+045.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZ_1WXmt5_MhqucozJgIXNvt5N-g0iYoUkAUGAo4ood7ygGyzYF34jC2dGiDtMhRAOcb5HVKzojsKUjAllTSlB-o0QS2lPmr61p7JQS2U1bVeUvFJ8SDRtoy_GaVzcTnHyPSWCypYO6A/s200/April+2010+045.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457885596292021554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfGcgnbgYAgzaAlW_5FPlED8Oo1FAv7-7IwshZiffVMJ411_gVgHoHyTc-lT-uy3AqaqmEyoWtPqazhD02OU7HHe76eSwLaKrODX1mfkM9MBmPRpcWVr0PfPgd5n-5nRSn5TyhYx-sLA/s1600/April+2010+044.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfGcgnbgYAgzaAlW_5FPlED8Oo1FAv7-7IwshZiffVMJ411_gVgHoHyTc-lT-uy3AqaqmEyoWtPqazhD02OU7HHe76eSwLaKrODX1mfkM9MBmPRpcWVr0PfPgd5n-5nRSn5TyhYx-sLA/s200/April+2010+044.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457885588512119778" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLWxOUgCmjKS4JsHMbuStoot85zaGDFmhYC6uDTvMnsVdOPaIF-zHuscrZt1xokZ_2eX6ExPU_5uY0wZqUF0ARxBXGArcPubtitJPRHzZgcvCUFcO7_wrnuRYrnqJuDI75FCoSbhDZI4/s1600/April+2010+043.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLWxOUgCmjKS4JsHMbuStoot85zaGDFmhYC6uDTvMnsVdOPaIF-zHuscrZt1xokZ_2eX6ExPU_5uY0wZqUF0ARxBXGArcPubtitJPRHzZgcvCUFcO7_wrnuRYrnqJuDI75FCoSbhDZI4/s200/April+2010+043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457885573895933170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOO4k5P8lD2HYCK-gNQ6qndSxy7oQD1RuEz5CCOLrR5dK9uWXFHsP-dv8AtnCz4Me5iVrz9W0j54xzYopZWvsTQ-49eoLpT26Ax5OkLtLaGgwRuSj1f-aqOo5HmQGc-erD3Mcgy3Xyzk/s1600/April+2010+042.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOO4k5P8lD2HYCK-gNQ6qndSxy7oQD1RuEz5CCOLrR5dK9uWXFHsP-dv8AtnCz4Me5iVrz9W0j54xzYopZWvsTQ-49eoLpT26Ax5OkLtLaGgwRuSj1f-aqOo5HmQGc-erD3Mcgy3Xyzk/s200/April+2010+042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457885570304753522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NCqYjjLNpL7GrXclexJM73ea3CZ7uDdDEat8I0yHSiUxAfLqafQGCaxpu1FNX2xZMWf4HQRIQMfHyvcBcTZslA4DYGO7RhsjeByiD0FBMLn2F3UyRBw7dOjwDgBJ08EC7-EFGgg10fU/s1600/April+2010+040.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NCqYjjLNpL7GrXclexJM73ea3CZ7uDdDEat8I0yHSiUxAfLqafQGCaxpu1FNX2xZMWf4HQRIQMfHyvcBcTZslA4DYGO7RhsjeByiD0FBMLn2F3UyRBw7dOjwDgBJ08EC7-EFGgg10fU/s200/April+2010+040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457885561329777010" border="0" /></a>Then, Easter Sunday we went to Gramma Reyes' house and had lunch and another candy hunt!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8slbWx5tUWhzqUGf8HzQga1gIwg8q-VOEcK5kldE_K_iEPBdhSLbysDQ9kuuJOsebs60P-0V8AtBmJYEVv3cUO3Xx_V2unmcln2-toDKUxLISBnYfzg5nzsbfwVobtq2a3QfoYNX3WJY/s1600/April+2010+061.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8slbWx5tUWhzqUGf8HzQga1gIwg8q-VOEcK5kldE_K_iEPBdhSLbysDQ9kuuJOsebs60P-0V8AtBmJYEVv3cUO3Xx_V2unmcln2-toDKUxLISBnYfzg5nzsbfwVobtq2a3QfoYNX3WJY/s200/April+2010+061.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457886245489422274" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNraMNeYNzOtChI18je-XEWH9d3M8YcTgpE2f3U47SNsroBDpvmJV7R7-u9CxFrrN9YATR56L2lXsAUesktWOxUdktqqCojXVh20Ha2Clp5H17pT-LgTXoLEEP4Pd47E5gfLABrTT-Sgg/s1600/April+2010+063.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNraMNeYNzOtChI18je-XEWH9d3M8YcTgpE2f3U47SNsroBDpvmJV7R7-u9CxFrrN9YATR56L2lXsAUesktWOxUdktqqCojXVh20Ha2Clp5H17pT-LgTXoLEEP4Pd47E5gfLABrTT-Sgg/s200/April+2010+063.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457886236809373522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcOFZB-dWTqII15IATZDUTsru0qr92LDXOWTx8MXquXGY9efjGqtc0EvGb_BRforNN86plKn6KwT6njOqAOORfbxfaD2WZ0vLc_mzysHYOEx3QPfwTHV546X_iWmnH2luvZI0nhA7Lis/s1600/April+2010+052.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcOFZB-dWTqII15IATZDUTsru0qr92LDXOWTx8MXquXGY9efjGqtc0EvGb_BRforNN86plKn6KwT6njOqAOORfbxfaD2WZ0vLc_mzysHYOEx3QPfwTHV546X_iWmnH2luvZI0nhA7Lis/s200/April+2010+052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457886230132761570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8Wij4Ryyd9vWeVLkfn7SsICVCB6URY0fafZaDs5bGt6AZI_A48LoEmUvyRYDMX8fvecSqOGWMaEoZW7l9Ajoyd_ZJY1iLlZl5hAHukgWcYBF5Nli0djhWro8Iw47gRLcMUcf3bE3q3Y/s1600/April+2010+050.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8Wij4Ryyd9vWeVLkfn7SsICVCB6URY0fafZaDs5bGt6AZI_A48LoEmUvyRYDMX8fvecSqOGWMaEoZW7l9Ajoyd_ZJY1iLlZl5hAHukgWcYBF5Nli0djhWro8Iw47gRLcMUcf3bE3q3Y/s200/April+2010+050.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457886221352011858" border="0" /></a>Now we are just trying to make it through Spring Break alive!<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-13133391022910937872009-12-19T19:29:00.000-08:002009-12-19T21:24:50.176-08:00It's Not ALL BadI'm not dead (although I walk with the living dead- working the nightshift). I am not sick (although I sometimes am sick to my stomach and constantly tired). I am really alive and kicking (sometimes kicking mad- but that is not for today's story).<br /><br />So, since I haven't died I thought I would bring some holiday cheer to y'all! True story! (and I'll try REALLY hard to only add the important details since I am famous for too many details)<br /><br />FiM lost his wallet today, while he was at an unnamed store (Ross Dress for Less- which to me is the equivilent of ghetto shopping- sorry for those of you who love the place, I'd rather shop at Wally World- never had a good experience at Ross). Anywho... He was at the counter, checking out and reached for his wallet, which he knew he had with him. Apparently he had to go back and look for it, people just stared, no one offered assistance. UGH! Where is the Christmas Spirit of kindness, love, charity, giving???? It was totally missing. No one offered to help look, so he ran home to cancel all the cards.<br /><br />A little side note, which is uber-important to this story, FiM worked a side job this month to make some extra money for Christmas. He was paid in gift cards... which happened to be in his wallet.<br /><br />Missing items : license, debit card, work debit card, temple recommend, library card, social security card (don't even get me started on this one) and 4 gift cards (non-replaceable). Other things too, but this just gives you an idea of the stress he had when he lost it, and the stress I had when I found out.<br /><br />After confusion and annoyance on the phone with the credit union and such to cancel said cards and shaking from frustration with whoever thought it was okay to take it right before Christmas I just wanted to cry. Thankfully my wonderful friend/sister Sherry was here and she helped me through it. <br /><br />THEN....<br /><br />All of a sudden....<br /><br />I kid you not....<br /><br />a car pulled up to the house (like 2 or 3 hrs later).<br /><br />Sherry and I looked at each other wondering who the heck was parking in front of my house. Didn't recognize the car, didn't recognize the lady...<br /><br />But I did recognize what she had in her hand as she walked up the front steps. I ran to the front door and pulled it open before she even had a chance to knock. Think I probably scared her. I already had tears in my eyes. She said she found it at Ross (yup). She had called the library to get the number, they wouldn't give it but they tried to call us to let us know. They didn't know we disconnected our house line. Oops! Then the lady called blockbuster. Same problem. Oops, again! So she then decided to just drive over to the address on the driver's license. She apologized for looking through the wallet. Ummm, I don't care, she brought it back. I only wish I had something to give to her to tell her thank you. I hugged her and thanked her and told her she was so wonderful. <br /><br />So for all of you out there.... no everyone is a selfish, rude, obnoxious, awful person this time of year. There are good people out there who will do the right thing. I doubt this lady will ever look at this blog, but I want to thank her and tell everyone I know that an angel touched my life today!<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-64562992525986025842009-11-05T14:14:00.000-08:002009-11-05T14:21:01.794-08:00Lesson from the BitsI was on my way to the instacare (Snake has Strep throat) when I got stuck behind a man riding a bike. Now, I don't mind sharing the road with bikers, but this guy was literally in the middle of the road. The road was wide enough for a bike lane (and to my understanding bikers should ride in the understood bike lane if possible). If I am wrong don't bother telling me. It isn't like I care. I only tell you this to set the stage for what happened.<br /><br />Me: Oh, come on! Move over guy! (there were cars coming the other way so I couldn't just go around him)<br /><br />Bits: (as we passed him FINALLY) MOM! Hims can't ride fast. He is an old man.<br /><br />Me: (smiling) Oh, really?<br /><br />Bits: Ya, we have to be nice, mom!<br /><br />There you have it. Straight from the mouth of a 4 year old. Guess I needed my kindness lesson for today.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-62994132452720625662009-10-27T14:47:00.000-07:002009-10-27T16:22:20.952-07:00Halloween PrepI am not a huge fan of Halloween. Never have been. Wanna know my reasons? No dissing on the list (yes, I am making another list cuz I'm all about the lists).<br /><ul><li>For 364 days a year we teach out children not to beg. Then magically on Oct. 31 we decide to make our kids go out, door to door (or however you do it in your family) and make people give them candy. </li><li>I am not an actress. I don't enjoy dressing up. I don't enjoy pretending to be someone else.</li><li>I don't like the competition of "who has the best costume."</li><li>People hand out the crappy candy. If I want candy I am not going to waste time or money on the crap like smarties. I want the chocolate. GIVE ME THE CHOCOLATE!</li><li>I am the biggest scaredy cat you will ever meet. I don't like horror films, I hate haunted houses, and don't like to have to crap scared out of me.</li></ul>All of this aside, some of our friends host a Halloween party every year and it is a blast. I could do without the dressing up personally but I love to see what other people dress up as. But, since it was a Halloween party, couples party at that, we needed to get into the spirit. After consulting a number of out of town friends and the internet I had a few ideas. At first I was going to use some of the TOTALLY AWESOME 80's clothes I got when I was visiting my mom in California. But that didn't feel right. So then we thought about going as Father Time and Mother Nature. Pretty easy, right? Just get a whole slew of watches and a big clock on a chain for him and sew leaves and branches all over clothes for me. But, then we stopped at a Halloween Super Store to check out the merchandise. Guess what we found? You'll never guess, so I will tell you. Stuff for FiM to be a pimp. AWESOME! So, we got a hat, cane and nasty accessories for him. Fishnet stockings and a monster nasty wig for me. Put that together with a corsette, my 5 inch hooker heels and thick makeup and I was my pimp's hooker. Now, mind you, this was a party with a ton of friends from church, so if you are thinking that I am gonna look totally immodest, think again. I was a modest hooker. Just ask my bishop, he was there. We both even topped the outfits off with a few fake tattoos (cuz you all know I have a thing for tats).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OTwxCT5lta4LdDYwWl1_swisVghG5Xi4JeAbKlhd2t5ddQtxoVQihVMbitS8cobL4Y3su76d8ON4BEHoBQ98WWKvXiSbQXWvWKdDxcNJ0ml2qKKy3bQqyztCZYqJAy5K7hsinETL5cI/s1600-h/October+2009+045.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OTwxCT5lta4LdDYwWl1_swisVghG5Xi4JeAbKlhd2t5ddQtxoVQihVMbitS8cobL4Y3su76d8ON4BEHoBQ98WWKvXiSbQXWvWKdDxcNJ0ml2qKKy3bQqyztCZYqJAy5K7hsinETL5cI/s400/October+2009+045.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397406726057202594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcJbXGFzXcINkkocuyqGOlnKfj9XurX93_j6BwT945W7dJxirk4v9dIT6-8an05tQJyILm60tlHmcuTWI_8tVaWCJDpxy2pE21KGP08yke4O4nDzhfEWbNK4LA4aHCC53B9jaVHKDYgA/s1600-h/October+2009+054.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcJbXGFzXcINkkocuyqGOlnKfj9XurX93_j6BwT945W7dJxirk4v9dIT6-8an05tQJyILm60tlHmcuTWI_8tVaWCJDpxy2pE21KGP08yke4O4nDzhfEWbNK4LA4aHCC53B9jaVHKDYgA/s400/October+2009+054.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397406740376484434" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_TYV8teLD-batfGXk_9Zf77VS0dllYxg0_v5F61QOiaU4JttNTVfZbv-gQQ0lJx6KU3agGlsrSl4w8NN-x8KODJKV-DxZ2DMTWoDA7qACDW2nZOUuOU0FzY98DBsy66M0uuYklchSh8/s1600-h/October+2009+053.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_TYV8teLD-batfGXk_9Zf77VS0dllYxg0_v5F61QOiaU4JttNTVfZbv-gQQ0lJx6KU3agGlsrSl4w8NN-x8KODJKV-DxZ2DMTWoDA7qACDW2nZOUuOU0FzY98DBsy66M0uuYklchSh8/s400/October+2009+053.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397406736462019410" border="0" /></a><br />I have to say, it was probably the most fun I have had in years... especially at a halloween party.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_XrhGJ9kh1dC3Sck8q7obEK7AJ6giN1gDyMh_I66aU5F3pZLCg3g-vmve5B3KmqN5PQamHf7xIWlasa9BPjljVDNkl4gK6ALeQka4Jpcp47VWGdrV0wYXFg-qay0bJKaYttDnuARYRM/s1600-h/October+2009+049.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_XrhGJ9kh1dC3Sck8q7obEK7AJ6giN1gDyMh_I66aU5F3pZLCg3g-vmve5B3KmqN5PQamHf7xIWlasa9BPjljVDNkl4gK6ALeQka4Jpcp47VWGdrV0wYXFg-qay0bJKaYttDnuARYRM/s400/October+2009+049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397406746457659266" border="0" /></a>Our Fabulous Host and Hostess, the Grays.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nfvony2rBcJzEqr48t0fEUMUHsB7VDGmo4CQ-kkz2Bh5goJobrJPZ5cd6f76CvdgR6pD7vpMEmS0-mi8n40oe8zctyBn5M4HuS65bl_fgjXCuTHf7-qPkYYb5tA1fFp7BmLK2FV0ipg/s1600-h/October+2009+051.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nfvony2rBcJzEqr48t0fEUMUHsB7VDGmo4CQ-kkz2Bh5goJobrJPZ5cd6f76CvdgR6pD7vpMEmS0-mi8n40oe8zctyBn5M4HuS65bl_fgjXCuTHf7-qPkYYb5tA1fFp7BmLK2FV0ipg/s400/October+2009+051.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397406753458152162" border="0" /></a><br />Our Friends, Sick and Tired Lefler...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzX-ndVsZ5Zci6n0cosxuHNB-AosyugygCtLXzI-nr3BmGXDShkTITnlsPQVSThpmpE42D1wA8M8-UVASyZ3NBrnpT-wPzbb6zsposAl9qW_SnuMRCiTFCX9KhdLgljQVBxDR91VdcokY/s1600-h/October+2009+046.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzX-ndVsZ5Zci6n0cosxuHNB-AosyugygCtLXzI-nr3BmGXDShkTITnlsPQVSThpmpE42D1wA8M8-UVASyZ3NBrnpT-wPzbb6zsposAl9qW_SnuMRCiTFCX9KhdLgljQVBxDR91VdcokY/s400/October+2009+046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397407177170843506" border="0" /></a>Bushman Zombies<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqyc_NJwHCpvmV8-bufIuAR6OJj0SGbxDdlfMQxwVoxJhfgfo_qFdk_zq8YIee0jVZ0w4Pa7uba_6moFEK1dGQXUvVFAEjBdL3rYdJ8gBCue3OfmApHd3_fIYzcvPcoK2XzHDMInhwQ4/s1600-h/October+2009+039.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqyc_NJwHCpvmV8-bufIuAR6OJj0SGbxDdlfMQxwVoxJhfgfo_qFdk_zq8YIee0jVZ0w4Pa7uba_6moFEK1dGQXUvVFAEjBdL3rYdJ8gBCue3OfmApHd3_fIYzcvPcoK2XzHDMInhwQ4/s400/October+2009+039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397407185248158690" border="0" /></a>Love this pair! The Joneses<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaPdRbmYpwu7PUhA9q-dwXgXxz2VnOfbnHh0iCOskVPcfknq4WPxh-82pIUKh_G8eWbi402O7-9dJmgr-jd6ytsTBzARHmhJ4_p5MhUMpbr9P9n8c981an9QNJwSB8vG79kic38Kti7Y/s1600-h/October+2009+048.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaPdRbmYpwu7PUhA9q-dwXgXxz2VnOfbnHh0iCOskVPcfknq4WPxh-82pIUKh_G8eWbi402O7-9dJmgr-jd6ytsTBzARHmhJ4_p5MhUMpbr9P9n8c981an9QNJwSB8vG79kic38Kti7Y/s400/October+2009+048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397407193703590242" border="0" /></a>No, he isn't Obama... he is too dark. He is Buckwheat of course! The Harrisons.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLLlbeJOghzS4XX9hD1l4FO7U4-6GGDyYuc-ddrPI9ocGczzeHRIxtptf91RS2G2ai2O_WAet9Q-ESlRGFB3KRrFrvomNTnPn_WiS1I-HHoIQ9snl1Qd6U5v3ZT5jR0X4wf5Seph7iS4/s1600-h/October+2009+047.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLLlbeJOghzS4XX9hD1l4FO7U4-6GGDyYuc-ddrPI9ocGczzeHRIxtptf91RS2G2ai2O_WAet9Q-ESlRGFB3KRrFrvomNTnPn_WiS1I-HHoIQ9snl1Qd6U5v3ZT5jR0X4wf5Seph7iS4/s400/October+2009+047.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397407199871374146" border="0" /></a>The Burger King with his Dairy Queen... the Macbeans.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWJ0jcSpwCucBV_hlXE1tocvmvFT3CICtqnJvDlteBEM885wCAcJHiFJgk-3_5iBFXTUi9inXZP-UBsNjdK_ImOj91JZfFoHRccZ8g5THwTHsyJyPucNImKHZXuA42dKmHITsgVP00OE/s1600-h/October+2009+050.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWJ0jcSpwCucBV_hlXE1tocvmvFT3CICtqnJvDlteBEM885wCAcJHiFJgk-3_5iBFXTUi9inXZP-UBsNjdK_ImOj91JZfFoHRccZ8g5THwTHsyJyPucNImKHZXuA42dKmHITsgVP00OE/s400/October+2009+050.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397407207334920178" border="0" /></a>So much silver! The Johnsons<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPa4QspYxbo1crKn-EJNZsKJ9Z2T9CeVoIjUjXdTxZxaPNBLf1dGBdVDYLjHW6UubhnFyO4wUdxMaaEJNQiKsTRcTu8KXHuOM7_luDzVwu_ABkAOU_L5I0B0AezpLtuxVjbUXYRG80D8/s1600-h/October+2009+043.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPa4QspYxbo1crKn-EJNZsKJ9Z2T9CeVoIjUjXdTxZxaPNBLf1dGBdVDYLjHW6UubhnFyO4wUdxMaaEJNQiKsTRcTu8KXHuOM7_luDzVwu_ABkAOU_L5I0B0AezpLtuxVjbUXYRG80D8/s400/October+2009+043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397407507949344834" border="0" /></a>The Barretts... my super hero and super star.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsOWOj0jKyNQ3WTqj0f6looEFhfPFGpuW2Ur1RdWru5YzwolqZD88YJ7YFmBmlb3GUkEjorssGGXfx7j1M9b3zNwBPFlaJb_tjaPRoNRjIT65_wCDas29CoCC6lx_8lf-UTrNhEu63Sk/s1600-h/October+2009+042.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsOWOj0jKyNQ3WTqj0f6looEFhfPFGpuW2Ur1RdWru5YzwolqZD88YJ7YFmBmlb3GUkEjorssGGXfx7j1M9b3zNwBPFlaJb_tjaPRoNRjIT65_wCDas29CoCC6lx_8lf-UTrNhEu63Sk/s400/October+2009+042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397407517057345890" border="0" /></a>A pair of blue jeans (and genes)... The Belkas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZkDsiCjpLszgB_JSvZQulHP1r6kiZzxzoDXwCy-tx0du-6YvooXgYe1U5rYV2fCn1RboOHlRXug10RH7WRodRoXwc-ScHe0UeLWY2p5Zr7uPnxwNjscpctoqQvcLkOD2wL9YgzX7sww/s1600-h/October+2009+040.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZkDsiCjpLszgB_JSvZQulHP1r6kiZzxzoDXwCy-tx0du-6YvooXgYe1U5rYV2fCn1RboOHlRXug10RH7WRodRoXwc-ScHe0UeLWY2p5Zr7uPnxwNjscpctoqQvcLkOD2wL9YgzX7sww/s400/October+2009+040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397407527938273778" border="0" /></a>The Thurbers... I mean Cruella and her dalmation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJ1q5vbc_HZtZYX9iAQAVV54oU5wmgXMu2SU_1Dw-nCvafct8aw9TM574EusbtxAHXlN-9PcT9a6lw49mwB3Ra2ICuI80h3EqOyjBt9gvq-6hp6yU1UCC5-u5Aeoxt2rfvqboSx7eCYM/s1600-h/October+2009+038.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJ1q5vbc_HZtZYX9iAQAVV54oU5wmgXMu2SU_1Dw-nCvafct8aw9TM574EusbtxAHXlN-9PcT9a6lw49mwB3Ra2ICuI80h3EqOyjBt9gvq-6hp6yU1UCC5-u5Aeoxt2rfvqboSx7eCYM/s400/October+2009+038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397407531630202274" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DKv48SrcpXDWRHqq_OlQeEPv8-wrfvT2GwDxuUWEBqmeztlD66SLe7P7MIpRaMH3aSnEZ8eK-hFm53lsb-0GOYnHqGVV6vWynXeJ1CUh9pB14Q6auQgvA1wwnN_b0W4pH7ukJQz6Lc8/s1600-h/October+2009+037.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DKv48SrcpXDWRHqq_OlQeEPv8-wrfvT2GwDxuUWEBqmeztlD66SLe7P7MIpRaMH3aSnEZ8eK-hFm53lsb-0GOYnHqGVV6vWynXeJ1CUh9pB14Q6auQgvA1wwnN_b0W4pH7ukJQz6Lc8/s400/October+2009+037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397407539041390994" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The kids had a little fun as we were getting ready.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"></div><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-55585595945059103842009-10-20T13:22:00.000-07:002009-10-20T13:52:03.909-07:00We are attempting...I'm trying to manage my computer time better so as not to neglect my wifely/motherly/homemakerly duties. We'll see if I can hack it!<br /><br />This isn't gonna be the most uplifting post ever because I thought that maybe I should tell y'all a little something about me that most of you don't know.<br /><br />Almost 3 years ago I was pregnant with my little angel/devil MMIT. She is a gem. However, about 3 months into the pregnancy I noticed my heart was doing some really funky things. I would just be laying down and all of a sudden my heart rate would jump like I was running the 100meter dash. I had a lot of light-headedness and dizzy spells. I'd get winded really easily and such, so at one of my regular appointments I asked my midwife about it and she and I decided I needed to just have a check up with a cardiologist.<br /><br />8 weeks later- the soonest I could get in to the appointment... I found out a list of things:<br /><ol><li>I have a heart murmur</li><li>my heartbeat was WAY too high</li><li>my blood pressure was in the normal range</li></ol>The blood pressure thing is what really threw them off. The EKG didn't really give any enlightenment to the situation so we schedule an echocardiogram. Another month of waiting. This was getting scary/ridiculous.<br /><br />The echo enlightened us as to the problem, though... but maybe it would have been better for me not to know.<br /><ol><li>Yes, I did have a heart murmur (duh!)</li><li>I have an enlarged heart (cardiomyopathy)</li><li>My left ventricle is weak (causing the left side to have to work almost twice as hard, causing the excelerated heart beat.)</li></ol>So, I was given 2 options...<br /><ol><li>terminate the pregnancy to stop the strain on my heart</li><li>go forward with the pregnancy but be under a drs care the whole time.</li></ol>There were a lot of stipulations if I went with #2, which I obviously did.<br /><br />No more details. Suffice it to say, I survived the delivery, and since then I have had to have yearly checkups with a yearly echocardiogram. I did pretty good until 2 weeks ago. My ejection fraction is not good. I have a leaky valve and my heart is still enlarged (more so than when I was pregnant). So I have had to start on medicine which makes me even more tired. Ugh! Like I wasn't tired already with my heart not working right. <br /><br />We are surviving... I am surviving. Another appointment to come in 2 more weeks and we'll see how the medicine is doing. We probably won't see a change in my heart for at least 3-6 months, but as long as my blood pressure doesn't dip too low we are hopefully on the right track.<br /><br />Sorry for the depressing crap. Just thought I'd get it off my chest.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-49047478634862116472009-10-11T21:03:00.000-07:002009-10-11T21:08:55.138-07:00SometimesSometimes in life we are lucky to have a chance to be happy.<br /><br />Sometimes in life we are lucky to have a family.<br /><br />Sometimes in life we are blessed to find THE ONE!<br /><br />Sometimes in life we are happy in our jobs.<br /><br />Sometimes in life we feel good about ourselves.<br /><br />Sometimes in life we have the best friends EVER.<br /><br />Sometimes in life we feel content.<br /><br />Sometimes in life we have everything we could ever dream of...<br /><br />and yet we still screw everything up.<br /><br />This is a fairwell... for the time being. I need to focus on being a wife, mom and friend. Hopefully I will get over to the library to check y'alls blogs, but I can't guarantee how often that will be since I currently have a late fee due there and I am boycotting the outrageous late fees! I'm really gonna miss ya! You probably have no idea how much I'm gonna miss ya. But at least for a little while I am gonna have to take a hiatus. Hopefully I will be forgiven for my absence by you later and you will want to come by and visit again. But for now... so long, farewell, (whatever the heck the next word in the song is), adeiu.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-44660309511470105182009-10-05T08:23:00.001-07:002009-10-05T08:26:58.994-07:00Funny to come homeSnake showed me one of the "creations" made by the Bits while I was gone. It is 2 blocks taped together. <br /><br />He handed it to me and said, "try to break them apart." <br /><br />I took it and tried- but the tape was layers thick and I couldn't do it.<br /><br />Oldest Child looked at Snake and said, "it is too hard, no one can break it apart."<br /><br />Snake said, "Uh huh, Dad can. He has a table muscle."<br /><br />Heehee!<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-71952011753346034822009-09-29T17:10:00.000-07:002009-09-29T17:29:58.489-07:00the week continues<ul><li>Finished shopping for the freezer meals</li><li>Mixed and bagged meatloaf for freezer</li><li>Cooking chicken (currently) for the rest of the freezer meals.</li><li>Checked my emails, FB and Twitter, but haven't been around the Blogosphere to do my daily visits...sorry! I need to catch up when I get back, but I won't be doing much in the way of visits this week. Don't judge me.</li><li>Laundry for my parents (which is SO much easier than doing laundry for 4 small children)</li><li>Still helping with the daycare</li><li>Have not caused any harm to any of the kids - I'm not really violent, I promise!</li><li>Took a few pics of places that mean something to me so that I can have a super-cool post after I get home. <br /></li><li>Vacuumed the downstairs</li><li>Showered today... yes, this is a major accomplishment for me because I am not sleeping so well so to get up early enough to shower was a HUGE deal!</li></ul>That's all folk...<br /><br />Oh, and for the 3rd day in a row- UMM cried while we video called. She has yet to make it through talking to me without crying. It is breaking my heart. I miss my kids! (Never expected that, did ya?) If being gone for 9 days doesn't make me the winner of the Most Neglectful Parent Award this year, I really have no idea what will clinch it for me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-18184526454465902622009-09-27T21:13:00.000-07:002009-09-27T21:18:19.991-07:00I HAVE ARRIVEDYes, I am in SoCal, enjoying myself. However, getting here was interesting. Pretty sure my plane neighbor was ready to HUCK the last half of the flight...I spilled water on him when the flight attendant decided that maybe he didn't want to take my trash from me...my plane neighbor thought he should have been allowed to have my seat too!... oh, did I tell you that my plane neighbor was annoying? Ya, but at least he didn't huck!<br /><br />Quick update...<br /><br />Mom is home from the hospital, doing good.<br /><br />I haven't killed my brother yet... I'll keep you posted on this one.<br /><br />Dad is much happier now that his "Wifee" is home.<br /><br />Had a fun Denny's Run with my sister, Jen and brother, Dave. Learned that the guy sitting in the booth next to us was a professional name-dropper...heehee.<br /><br />Defrosted the freezer and cleaned it out already.<br /><br />Starting tomorrow- daycare... Can you feel the excitement OOZING out of me?<br /><br />no theme song...I'm not on my computer. No complaining.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-12307090922688238342009-09-24T14:28:00.000-07:002009-09-24T15:39:26.862-07:00M.I.A.I was MIA for 2 days... lay off! I am a crazy girl, trying to get everything prepared for leaving.<br /><br />That is right folks, I am taking a vacation.<br /><br />Well, not really... I am going to SoCal to help out with my Mom's daycare while she recovers from hip-replacement surgery. FYI- she is doing much better, although her blood pressure was really low this morning.<br /><br />So, I am going to be gone for 9 days. Yes, 9 days without my gorgeous FiM. 9 days without my kids. BUT- that is 9 days that I have to prepare for. And most of the time I fly by the seat of my pants. But how am I able to do that being 3 states away from my family? 9 days away means being prepared. 9 days of clean clothes. 9 days of meals. 9 days worth of clean dishes (actually I am thinking we are going to go the route of the paper products), 9 days of EVERYTHING. <br /><br />K- so as I was thinking about getting my family all prepared for me to be gone I pondered on my friends. I have to tell y'all... I have the greatest friends E.V.E.R! I thought about the many things/blessings my friends bring to my life.<br /><br />Each friend adds something unique, something special, and that includes my bloggy friends. I don't want to go into specifics because I am the dork that would totally forget to put someone on the list and feel uber bad for the rest of eternity. But, I thought that I would tell you all what my friends have added to my life. I am all about lists.<br /><ul><li>Happiness- just a phonecall or a text...</li><li>Service- I have friend who know... friends who do... and I love them for that.</li><li>Listening ears- I doubt I need to explain this one</li><li>Helpful advice- this one is self-explanatory, too</li><li>My sounding board- when I think I have had enough... I can let it go</li><li>Silliness- sometimes a girl just needs to be silly, and I have friends that are okay with my silliness- or at least they don't hate me for it.</li><li>X-Ray Vision- they see right through me, know when I am in need...</li><li>Strong- in the physical, emotional, and spiritual sense.</li><li>FUNNY!- cuz I can ALWAYS use a good laugh</li><li>Thoughtful</li></ul>These are just a few of things I was thinking about. Each friend adds to my life and I just wanted to give a BIG <span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;">THANK YOU!</span><br /></div>to all of you. Love ya TONS and BUNCHES... and as my friend Michelle told me the other day- Love you Big Fat Piggy Bunches!<br /><br />Song- I was looking up the friend song that I wanted and the one that kept popping up was Friends are of the Devil by the Grateful Dead. Not really what I was looking for! The one I finally found...the one that I wanted is by Michael W. Smith "Friends"<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-25717551081345923562009-09-21T09:31:00.000-07:002009-09-21T10:15:29.183-07:00I'd like to thank...I'd like to thank the academy, oh, I mean JennyMac for giving me a blogging award. She made me smile, which was much appreciated by my husband who is concerned by the thrust of hormones that hit me (and therefore hit him and the offspring) this weekend. So, thanks!<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Wanna see what I got? Do ya?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73U4QbWpcs9K3YlRZmjq91w1SEdyRZzVks9fsqjr_eUx5vC-v-nV-cwNDOq5zujTNIgdlqyaxnQizUla6ryrAgpd05mqS-Vq7CeavKCGMVaKZMFa8t9yoqCly4IbDlTb9HFcqky44abM/s1600-h/goodblog6+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73U4QbWpcs9K3YlRZmjq91w1SEdyRZzVks9fsqjr_eUx5vC-v-nV-cwNDOq5zujTNIgdlqyaxnQizUla6ryrAgpd05mqS-Vq7CeavKCGMVaKZMFa8t9yoqCly4IbDlTb9HFcqky44abM/s400/goodblog6+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383960139785758178" border="0" /></a><br />Oh, ya! I give good blogs! SWEET! Aside from being a totally sexy award, I feel so privileged to be the recipient of any writing/blogging award. I was never a "writer" growing up and I love that now, when I don't have to get graded on my style and proper use of the English language, I am being recognized... (did that make any sense whatsoever? Well, it did in my messed-up mind).<br /><br />So, the rule is that I need to pass it on to 4 other phenomenal bloggers. So, here it goes...<br /><br />1. Sage @ <a href="http://jsgotgame.blogspot.com/">Welcome to Sageville</a> cuz could he be any greater? Love this country boy! And what makes it even better is it is Sage's birthday today. Just so you know- his blog is not G-rated or even PG-rated...<br /><br />2. Missty @ <a href="http://misstyslifeisgood.blogspot.com/">Life Is Good!</a> cuz she loves food...and she is funny...and I love this girl!<br /><br />3. Betty @ <a href="http://sublimelifeofme.blogspot.com/">My Life in a Multi-Leve</a>l cuz I can always count on a good life. I totally relate to this girl, even with we aren't related (which is probably lucky for her since I have the curse).<br /><br />4. Crash @ <a href="http://crashtestdummydiaries.blogspot.com/">Crash Test Dummy Diaries</a> cuz I have been following her for a long time and it never gets old. She is AWESOME! And what is even better is that she recently moved to my town... WOOHOO! (well, not for her since she moved here from Hawaii, but WOOHOO for me).<br /><br />Well, there you go. Take your awards. Pass it on to 4 other bloggers, if you wish, or just put it up on your sidebar for you and others to admire. No need to pass it on if you don't wish. I am not the blogger-award-police.<br /><br />Theme song- The Winner Is from the Little Miss Sunshine soundtrack.<br /></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-35326434116834063012009-09-18T14:39:00.000-07:002009-09-18T14:56:02.965-07:00That's my boy!<div style="text-align: center;">My son came home from school today... he had a great smile on his face, as usual, cuz he is my son!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgXJdCnQxxBiTmZbnk_IqXEjTIG9Vi8nlSXbRlSh-U7iuDuw8j2ia7XwpwH7sRI9FuDb7YTOqrWvUXPdzUBrZBJlIpkKkaD-UuAV7XcTWbxhzeKkYGsAwTqi6KlRNO6mQ75EjPEzaBZI/s1600-h/August+2009+070.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgXJdCnQxxBiTmZbnk_IqXEjTIG9Vi8nlSXbRlSh-U7iuDuw8j2ia7XwpwH7sRI9FuDb7YTOqrWvUXPdzUBrZBJlIpkKkaD-UuAV7XcTWbxhzeKkYGsAwTqi6KlRNO6mQ75EjPEzaBZI/s400/August+2009+070.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382927948279916226" border="0" /></a><br />Anyway, while I was at the store earlier, picking up milk and some fruit I also picked up some suckers for the kids.<br /><br />So, when he came home I hugged him and kissed him and whispered to him, "Mommy got a treat for you at the store."<br /><br />His honest, open little handsome face lit up and said, "Cowboy boots?"<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UXigJqfJ25T95JZZLWATQSO0y5ozhDiuBgqmnf5sqQZJl1TXjTJPjxfq4gqtT7lVBzs1xDIgcpCbR-waVCS3ymY_VgR0YzFT0mmGsVEsihKONyDht9d01eaAqyudCtZ0RH6icRX5bKA/s1600-h/boots.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UXigJqfJ25T95JZZLWATQSO0y5ozhDiuBgqmnf5sqQZJl1TXjTJPjxfq4gqtT7lVBzs1xDIgcpCbR-waVCS3ymY_VgR0YzFT0mmGsVEsihKONyDht9d01eaAqyudCtZ0RH6icRX5bKA/s400/boots.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382927276110813266" border="0" /></a><br />My little cowboy. Ya gotta love a boy who wants to be a cowboy...<br /></div><br />Theme song? Mama, Don't Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys by my man Willie.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-48520263637232027522009-09-16T16:00:00.000-07:002009-09-16T16:09:59.491-07:00Note to my daughterDear UMM,<br /><br />I am fully aware that your little body is growing. I know that your mind is growing. I know that right now you can't really read, which is okay since you are only 4. However, you should know enough by now to NOT do the following:<br /><ul><li>Put Bengay in your eyes. I know you thought it was lotion, but even lotion does not belong in your eyes.</li></ul><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoD6fcZVg6MiyL2AJe9muXDffUfKDX4q-Y-URCNkRyPCQI8kquDxpTXBJ_jRds2LfvOtIO-uUka81UMdVu9hzpOi3c49GG8we-YjJ7KRTTdvLN31lwtbGLRCGK7_pDMD8ns2fTKpBZ8c/s1600-h/bengay.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 135px; height: 101px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoD6fcZVg6MiyL2AJe9muXDffUfKDX4q-Y-URCNkRyPCQI8kquDxpTXBJ_jRds2LfvOtIO-uUka81UMdVu9hzpOi3c49GG8we-YjJ7KRTTdvLN31lwtbGLRCGK7_pDMD8ns2fTKpBZ8c/s400/bengay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382206325503383458" border="0" /></a><ul><li>Write on the outside of the house with a large permanent marker. I know your life-long dream is to be a gangsta-tagger, but let's wait until you can actually write words.</li><li>Play with your sister piggy bank. You know she is just gonna get mad and hit you and then I am going to have to intervene, which I really hate doing cuz that means I have to be the Mom.<br /></li><li>Ask for a snack every 5 minutes. Again, I know your body is growing, but I don't have enough money to feed your every hunger pain. And really, it isn't hunger, it is boredom. Go play!</li></ul>I'm sure that as each day goes by I am going to have to remind you of things. That is something moms do. But once more, let me tell you... Bengay will sting if you put it in your eyes. Yes, everytime. So don't do it again.<br /><br />LOVE YA Sweet girl!<br /><br />Your Patience-Challenged Mom!<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-11722542796963814652009-09-15T14:00:00.000-07:002009-09-15T14:26:59.128-07:00(Part VII) Well?K- so remember I was over at FiM's apartment? We were having dinner? BBQ chicken and such.<br /><br />FiM's roommates had helped him clean up the apartment. Made it look really nice. Candlelight dinner at the table. Lights are low. Soft music playing in the background. So romantic.<br /><br />Okay, the dinner was fabulous. The conversation great. And then... FiM popped out of the room to "get ready". He came back in with a goofy cowboy hat (most cowboy hats are great- this was a goofy one, and he knew it!) and his guitar. At this point I am pretty embarrassed because he has gone to so much trouble to make this a special night. All his attention was on me and I wasn't used to that. It was so nice, though.<br /><br />So, he sat down with his guitar and started playing and singing a song he wrote for me. Picture if you will (I love saying that, and if you can name what it is from you are my hero!) this sexy man, singing his heart out to me. It was a funny song, but serious too, because it was the actual proposal. Asking me to marry him. Kinda like the song from the Wedding Singer... the one that Adam Sandler sings to Drew Barrymore on the plane. (Coincidentally, that is today's theme song.) I really wish I had a video of him singing the song, even the words, but that was before I blogged and I wasn't great at taking pics. The gist of the song was about making me happy, doing all the wonderful things for me that I deserve, and then ended about being a great dad to our future offspring. It was so fun.<br /><br />I actually do have pics from that night, somewhere, but remember my utter hatred for all things HP? Ya, my 3 in 1 POS (s stands for stupid junk) isn't working at all now. It is having electronic seizures. So, even if I knew where the pics were I wouldn't be adding them today because I'd have to scan them in, which is a total no-no until I replace my POS.<br /><br />Back to my story- YEAH! We are officially engaged. Or at least we will be when I answer him. Ya, that's right. The song ended and I just stared at him, probably with a goofy grin on my face to match the goofy cowboy hat. He just stared back. Finally saying, "Well?" Oh no, the yes in my head didn't make it to my mouth.<br /><br />"Yes, of course I will." Whew, that was close. Some great hugging and kissing went on after that, but I won't bore you with details. Suffice it to say, he has a goatee (even did back then) and I looked like a woman with major whisker burn!<br /><br />k- So now we are engaged. Time to pick the date.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531634607506593974.post-88952284410757560392009-09-15T12:24:00.000-07:002009-09-15T12:45:08.333-07:00Double Duty TuesdayI will stop torturing you and will add the next part of my story later today. But I had to share this priceless moment I had with UMM just a few minutes ago.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8vj4Gjja11mVOmlof_G8aTKxIi7kakp-XabqIF3LKJgaRUVYSu4NaK_Bui3rRjGZuAP91V6FLj55IHy3wdtmYi0qeoMyz851VsKY09FkpUlRxnmvB443VaEwMkU4Iv6icSl36E128Lc/s1600-h/September+2009+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8vj4Gjja11mVOmlof_G8aTKxIi7kakp-XabqIF3LKJgaRUVYSu4NaK_Bui3rRjGZuAP91V6FLj55IHy3wdtmYi0qeoMyz851VsKY09FkpUlRxnmvB443VaEwMkU4Iv6icSl36E128Lc/s400/September+2009+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381777909107441970" border="0" /></a>While eating lunch the following conversation really happened...<br /><br />Me: <span style="font-style: italic;">**sniff**</span> Did you toot?<br /><br />UMM: No, it just smells like it.<br /><br />Me: I'm pretty sure you did. Can you not do that at the table?<br /><br />UMM: I didn't. It just smells like it. It was you, Mommy.<br /><br />Me: Um, nope. Sure wasn't.<br /><br />UMM: Haahaa! It just smells like I tooted. (said with a BIG smile on her face)<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com