Gems

Here are a few bits of conversation:

(I told Jenna to be good or Santa wouldn't come)
Jenna: I don't believe in Santa Claus anymore.
Me: Then why did you write him a letter?
Jenna(picture the eye roll): Just in case.

(After Ty spilled water in his bed and got in trouble)
Tyler: Can I have some water?
Me: No, Daddy already told you no.
Tyler: Daddy said it louder.

(I dyed my hair darker)
Rilie: I like your hair, it is only two colors now. (The roots are still darker.)
Me: Thanks Ri.

(Tyler put a piece of a foam letter up his nose)
Tyler: Mom it hurts!
Me: What hurts?
Tyler: In my nose.
Me: Let me see how far it is up there. Ty, I don't think I can get it.
Tyler: But you're the mom!

*Countdown*

It is the twenty-second of December. My house is a crazy disaster, I haven't finished shopping yet, needless to say I haven't finished wrapping yet, my refrigerator is empty, and I still have part of my quarterly job (which is due tomorrow) to do. Does anyone else feel like me? I loved watching the girls' Christmas dance concert and hearing the school choir that Rilie is in sing, but I am too harried to really enjoy myself. I remember when I was in elementary school singing a song, "There are six pink peppermints 'til Christmas, and there's lots and lots of things for us to do..." If you went to school with me you just had a flash-back. I keep thinking I can get caught up tomorrow, sadly my tomorrows are numbered, as all three of my children keep reminding me. There are three pink peppermints 'til Christmas, and there's lots and lots of things for us to do, like sing Christmas carols 'round the tree, then you and I can bake a pumpkin pie, and pick a purple tie for uncle Lou... Merry Christmas!

Touching news story

Subject: Utah Courts and Custody Hearing of a 7 Year Old
Salt Lake City, UT. (AP) - A seven-year old boy was at the center of a SL County courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him. The boy had a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child custody law and regulation requiring that family unity be maintained to the highest degree possible. The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more than his parents had and he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried and said that they also beat him. After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him.

After two recesses to check legal references and confer with the child welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the BYU COUGARS, whom everyone firmly believes are NOT capable of beating anyone.

Christmas Memories

One year my mom and her sisters (who are almost as thoughtful and fun as she is)had a great idea for a gift for Nana (their mom.) We started our family Christmas party at my parents house, which was unusual, but we sang Christmas songs and waited for everyone to arrive. I can't remember the story to get Nana outside, but there was a huge horse-drawn carriage at the top of my parents' street when we all looked out. My mom suggested that we go ask if we could go for a ride. Nana was beside herself that one of her daughters would be so forward. After my mom talked to the driver for a couple of minutes they started coming down the street, horses, carriage and all. It was a set-up of course. We all got to ride the trailer-sized sleigh to Nana's house a few miles away. It was a riot. Cars honked and people waved and we caroled the entire ride. (This was long before Dave & kids, hopefully we can do it again someday!)

The difference between BYU and Cheerios...

...Cheerios belong in a bowl!

The Utes are going to Louisiana. In light of this most favorable event, I received a poem that any Utah fan (and probably BYU fans with a good sense of humor) will love.

This is BYU Quarterback, Max Hall's 4th Quarter Prayer.

It's me again, Lord, Your quarterback, Max.
Me and the brethren are flat on our backs.

With precious few minutes to go in this tussle,
Our halftime prayer service didn't give us the muscle

To beat down Paul Kruger, Sylvester and Newman,
Misi, A'asa, Beadles or Vroman.

We don't have a Johnson, Asiata or Mack
to strengthen our puny and hapless attack.

Sakoda is flawless; Casteel is too shifty.
If they score any more points, they'll beat us by fifty!

Have we offended thee, Lord? Are Cougar fans sinning?
We're not playing well, and, STILL WE'RE NOT WINNING!

That just isn't fair. This wasn't our Quest.
Our coaches have told us we're clearly the best.

We know we are Your team! The cream of the wheat.
The heathens assail us! We can't stand the heat!

I just don't believe it! It's just not very FAIR!
Our Quest is now over. We just can't compare

To Utah's fine record of unblemished fame.
I guess we're off now to lose another bowl game.

Written by: Phil Johnson (I did skip a few lines in the middle)

Utah, Utah, Utah Man am I! Utah Man Sir, and Will be 'Til I Die! GO UTES!

*L*O*V*E*

Once upon a time... Just kidding. Eleven years ago today Dave proposed. He took me to the places we had gone on our first date. We started with dinner at Red Robin, followed by a trip to Murray Park. Yes, he made me go to the park in December. When we got to the park there were candles and music and pie (my favorite.) After we ate our pie we danced! I love dancing. Funny how when we were dating Dave had me thoroughly convinced that he was romantic and would do anything, no matter how embarrassing, just to make me happy. While we were dancing (to the cassette that he had made no less,) he asked me to marry him. I thought he was joking and told him no and to ask again when he meant it. Then he pulled the ring out of his pocket and asked me again. What can I say, I am a sucker for diamonds. No, I knew that I wanted to be with him forever, so of course I said yes. After that he drove me home to show my parents the ring. My hat is truly off to them. If Rilie comes home four months after she turns eighteen and tells me she is getting married I will ship her to an all girls college in Siberia. They were happy (or they feined happiness well) and wished us luck. Six months later we were married. As a side note, I should probably have figured out that he was really not at all romantic because one of the songs on the cassette was Red Hot Chili Peppers' Suck My Kiss. Which is the song I didn't listen to and so embarrassingly put on my blog in preparation for this story.

How EMBARRASSING!

I am MORTIFIED! I had no idea that the Red Hot Chili Peppers song that was on my playlist was so foul! I have the edited version of that CD. Leave it to me to be naive enough to think that the song didn't have anything wrong with it. I didn't even listen to it until today when the girls asked me which songs I had on the blog. That was awkward. I do have a story about that song, a different day. Sorry again!

Eight really is Great!

Rilie was baptized yesterday. It was such a special day and it was so disappointing. Let me explain. Rilie was beautiful, happy, excited and nervous. Dave and Jenna were pale, greenish, and throwing up. We asked Rilie if she wanted to wait another month so that Dave could baptize her, or if she wanted Grampy to do it. Lucky for her she had options. Rilie has always had a choose the right attitude, and didn't want to wait. Dave and Jenna were sad to miss it, but happy Rilie was making a good decision. Jenna was also appeased by the fact that eventually Rilie's baptism dress would become a hand-me-down. So Tyler and I took Rilie to the church leaving half of our family at home. Tyler called the church a castle as we pulled up to it, which was appropriate, since Rilie truly is a princess. Rilie was radiant. My dad gave her a beautiful blessing (that reminded me just how quickly she is growing up)after he baptized and confirmed her. We are so lucky to have her in our family.
Footnote: Thanks to Becky for letting us have lunch at her house so everyone didn't get sick. Maybe I should be thanking Aaron, since he was the one who had just cleaned the day before.

EW GROSS!

A quick rant. I went to dinner last night with some of my favorite friends, which is always a greatly needed escape from kids, work, sleep deprivation, etc... We went to Applebee's. We waited 20 minutes for our order to be taken. A little frustrating. We ordered sandwiches and wraps. An hour later we got our sandwiches and wraps - no, they weren't filled with steak or anything else that would even require cooking. Even more frustrating. I took a bite of my sandwich. Then looked at it more carefully seeing the big green mold spot in the middle of the bread. What is that!?! How do you prepare food for a living and not notice something like that? The manager came over and told us she would have the sandwiches re-made for us and that they would be free. I told her I was reluctant to give it up, mold and all, because it had taken so long to get it in the first place. She promised five minutes. It was more like ten. I ate my sandwich quickly, without looking at it, afraid of what I might see. I don't think I will be going back anytime soon. I would like to go out again, maybe next time we'll just go to Chick-filet.

Jesus Loves "U"

We went to the game yesterday. Of course we went to the game yesterday. I consider our family to be of the die hard Utah fan variety, until I see some of the crazies. First, there are the parents of the (extremely) overweight 10 year old that let him paint his stomach red and do the truffle shuffle(Goonies)for the camera. Next, there is the guy, that for some reason dresses up in a Utah football uniform with a cape and a Jack Sparrow hat and wig and wanders around. But, yesterday was the absolute best. A man with long dark hair was wearing an old Jerusalem get up. I wasn't close enough to see if he had on the sandals or not, but the cream robe and sash looked pretty authentic. He was surrounded by very pretty girls that had red devil horns and tails. That was comical, and we had a good chuckle, until we saw the sign he was holding. The front said "Jesus Loves U" the back said, "Even I hate BYU, GO UTES!" Then, we were laughing hysterically. Talk about people taking things too far. We had a great time. We ate treats. We snuggled in blankets. We heckled some Y fans as they were leaving early (with their tails between their legs.) And, WE WON! GO UTES!!!!! Footnote: I took some pictures with my phone, if I ever figure out how to get them onto the computer you can all laugh at the signs with me.

Trick - or - Treating still?

This morning I decided not to go to church. I am still not feeling great. But, I got the kids ready, then gave Ty the option to stay home and take a nap (like I am supposed to be doing) so that Dave wouldn't have to put up with him during Sacrament Meeting. He didn't answer me right away so I asked him again, "Ty, church or nap?" He looked at me and said, "Let's go trick -or- treating." I don't know when it is going to end, but that kid sure has a drive to get more free candy.

A Rockstar, A Christmas Tree & Yoda

Halloween: Candy, costumes, fun and friends. I have strep (AGAIN) and couldn't go Trick -or- Treating with the kids, but Dave said they had a great time. Ty, who was very upset to be wearing a ridiculous outfit, was calmed quickly when he figured out if he yelled trick or treat he got candy, he wouldn't even let Dave touch his bag, let alone carry it for him, even though it was way heavy. This morning he woke up and asked if he could trick or treat again. Rilie and Jenna have spent most of today asking for "one more piece." They are so cute, how can I refuse?

Sad but True

Stocks: Down
Bonds: Down
Funds: Down
Commodities: Down
Confidence: Down
Credit: Down
Sales: Down
Jobs: Down
Only one system in the universe is resilient
enough to defy the trend and go in the exact
opposite direction.
Just in time for winter - a time for sweats and
comfort foods.

Weight: UP

*M*I*C*K*E*Y*M*O*U*S*E*

These are a (very) few of my favorite pictures from our Disneyland trip with Grammy, Grampy, Becky's family, Karl & Kim. We got to spend six days, including Rilie's birthday, with some of our most favorite people in the Happiest Place on Earth. Thanks again for a great trip Grammy and Grampy!

*Two Thirsty Two Year Olds
*Rilie, Jenna, Goofy and Goofy!?
*Seven Spoiled Grandkids
*We're a Happy Family
*Birthday, Trick or Treating and Disneyland
I think the pictures are out of order, but you get the idea.

Happy Birthday Tiny!

Rilie turned 8! I have seen this a few times, but I thought I would tell you my eight favorite things about her, and then her eight favorite things.
The things that I cherish about Rilie:
1- She is a peacemaker
2- She will do anything to make someone happy
3- She loves to read and has a great imagination
4- She loves me no matter what I do
5- She is always up for anything(without complaining)
6- She is very selfless
7- She strives to make the right choices
8- She always does her best

The eight things Rilie couldn't live without:
1- Webkinz
2- Her family & friends
3- Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
4- Sunsets
5- Reading
6- Going to movies with Daddy and Jenna
7- Playing outside (bike riding and monkey bars)
8- Holidays, specifically Halloween & Christmas

Ewww, Snow!

It's finally here. The wait is over. The best part of living next to a mountain in Utah. Am I laying on the sarcasm thick enough? Right now it is snowing. I hate snow. The whole winter season is not much better. The seemingly endless gray skies. The bitter biting cold. Having to be inside with bickering kids and know that I am neglecting the cleaning that needs to be done. There are two things I am looking forward to. Sledding. We had so much fun last year with the kids. Even though Ty was only one he was a trooper, until Dave helped him face plant into the snow. The girls love racing and taking turns making new trails. And, the holidays. Starting with Halloween. I decorated a month ago. I love when each new holiday season starts, seeing the excitement on my kids faces. In the bleak winter months I have the shining faces of my beautiful children to light the way back into spring. I am only feeling this way because they are getting along and playing quietly in a different part of the house. I can't even hear them. Ahhhh, bliss.

Oh, the things they say.

Tyler is my favorite for the hilarity that leaves his mouth. Some of the great things he has said recently are:
* "No they are just shoes." -When Jane asked if she had cool kicks like his.
* "But I'm so handsome." -When we had to change his too small church clothes.
* "Give me knuckles." -To the strangers behind us at the game when the Utes scored.
* "Ooo, you are pretty princess." -The last time I wore make-up and did my hair.
* "The baby girlfriends will get my shovel." -When he was playing with the twins and had to stop for a minute.
* "What the hell is that milk doing?" -After I spilled it and proceeded to cuss.
* "That baby has my hat." -When he saw Jonah wearing his old Utah hat.
* "No, I'll just watch T.V." -When I told him it was time to get Jenna from school.
* "Good job Daddy." - When Dave turned down the street to go to his parent's house.
* "I can't get it off, I need clothes, I'm not a princess." -This morning when I put on his overalls for the first time.
He is still telling me he is stuck in his pants.

YOU KNOW IT'S BAD WHEN THE DOCTOR SAYS, "WHOA!"

I gave into the pressure and went to the doctor today. Now I am kicking myself. Why didn't I go Friday when I started getting sick. I don't consider myself a masochist, I just thought I would get better. I still feel so crummy that my mom (like a trooper) had to drive me. It is times like these that I wish I had never gotten married and moved out. Who takes better care of you than your mom? She doesn't ask if you need something, she is right there with your favorite shake, and she already knew the flavor you wanted. Not to discount the fact that Dave has taken over my jobs this week, or that cute Jane brought me not one, but two flavors of ice cream. I hope that my mom does not catch strep, even more than that, I hope that she knows I can't make it without her. Love you Mom!

September 11th Memories

I got this idea from someone else, but I thought it was a good one. Because of the date, I was reflecting on my own September 11th experience, and I thought I would share. (As a preface, I will say that our bad luck really does come in threes, but fortunately for us, it is not nearly as tragic as some peoples'. The week before we left on vacation a Semi-Truck hit Dave and totalled our car.) We were in a hotel in Anaheim getting ready for a fun filled day at Disneyland. I went to the little cafe in the hotel to get Rilie (almost one at the time) some yogurt. The people in the elevator told me I needed to get back to my room and turn on the news right away. I thought that was odd coming from strangers, but I did what they said. How awful! When I clicked on the television they were playing and re-playing the plane hitting the first tower and speculating what had happened. I got Dave out of the shower, and we watched, horrified. When we couldn't take any more, we decided to go to Disneyland (the happiest place on earth.) We didn't get very far when we realized something was wrong. The gates were locked. The park was closed. We later learned that L.A. and surrounding areas were also targets. We drove every where looking for something to take our minds off of reality. The malls were closed. The beaches had chains across their parking lots. I think we finally settled on dinner from McDonald's and went back to the hotel. We were stuck in Anaheim for a few more days. I don't know if I would have been brave enough to fly even if their had been a flight available. We took the only rental car available and to our great relief we were able to come home. I think that is the only time we weren't wishing to be on vacation longer. (Bad thing #3 - In October Dave was laid-off. He was working at the Marriott Hotel Reservation center in the service support department. Business decreased so much that they were letting people go left and right.) I am so greatful for all of the people that fight in so many ways to preserve our freedoms! God Bless America!

I am not a hermit, just a soccer mom!

SO, this week starts our favorite time of year. Dance twice a week and soccer three times, not to mention the Utes football season. I keep telling Dave that Ty can play soccer, and the girls can just dance. He says they can give up dance and play more soccer, regardless of what Tyler decides to do. Since neither of us is going to give in, I get to put the rest of my life on hold to make sure we are to practice, games, recitals, etc... If I don't see you for a while, give me a call (on my cell - I'm sure I won't be home!)

NO WAY!

Anyone who is as obsessed with the Twilight Saga as I am already knows that a partial, unfinished version of Midnight Sun was published without permission online. To my great dismay (not to mention Andrea's) Stephenie Meyer has put of finishing this book "indefinitely." So all of you Twihards and Twilight Moms and anyone else that cares- write to Little Brown or find a chat group, or e-mail Stephenie herself (if you can do that last one PLEASE let me know how.) For now I guess I deal with the fact that I won't get to hear as much from Edward as I was hoping. How easy it is for me to get sucked into a fictional world. Oh well, everyone needs some kind of escape.

KINDERGARTEN?!

I know, I know. I have said all along that our house would be more peaceful when our precocious five year old started kindergarten. It has been twenty whole minutes since I dropped her off and I still haven't pulled it together. Dave thinks I am either hilarious or a hypocrite. Jenna got in her line, and without a glance back toward her (embarrassingly) teary-eyed mother, was on her way. It has been ten years since I last attended a class, but I still HATE the first day of school.

Ty the Wonder Kid

Yesterday, after Jenna's meeting with her kindergarten teacher, I was curious about how much Ty knows at this point. I already knew that he could point to and correctly name all of the capital letters (and most of the lower case), so I started asking him what each of the letters said (you know, two year old speak for what sound does that letter make.) He did the entire alphabet. I really need to go to college before the little maniac's knowledge surpasses mine. But, by the time I get my degree, he will probably be teaching quantum physics or something else I have to use spell check to even write.

First Day Of Second Grade

Brody and Rilie are in the same class again. Becky and I agree, as they get older it doesn't get any easier!

FOR REAL?

Rilie (who is the opposite of her sister in oh, so many ways) was helping me sort the laundry and put it in the washer. When we were done I said, "Thanks my biggest helper." Rilie responded, "You're welcome," then she paused, took a step, turned around and asked, "or was that sarcasm again?" I assured her I was sincere in my gratitude. SHE seemed satisfied, but I desperately need to change.

I WANT FABULOUS!

So, the other day we went school shopping with Dave's mom and sister. The kids were troopers and endured 9 hours of store after store after store. Jenna is the 5 year old embodiment of "Sharpay" from High School Musical. When we made it to Nordstroms (one of our very last stops) Jenna found these sunglasses, and what could I say?! I told her to put them on so I could take her picture. The pose was her idea. Very out of character for her, she does not have platform shoes or a pretty dress on, but she is still overflowing with attitude. All things fabulous for her.

Birthdays and Sleep Deprivation

On Tuesday the best neighbors and friends anyone could ask for took me to dinner. I had the greatest time, and I got to eat my favorite food (Rumbi.) We got home at a decent hour for any normal person. I, on the other hand am still trying to catch up on my zzzzzz's. It probably doesn't help that I was awake 42 hours straight for Breaking Dawn, the things I will do for an Edward fix. This morning at Target I told my boss that I was an idiot for thinking that I could come back to work. She asked me if I was giving my two weeks notice, I said, "Only if I make it that long." I didn't really give going back that much thought. It is just another job. But, not much longer for me. I need to be able to focus on the important things. I can't believe I am old enough to have a second grader and a kindergartner. Then there is Ty. His new favorite expression is "That's not funny!" Usually followed by "Jenna!" I do not want to be the cause of his temper tantrums when the girls go back to school, so I had better be alert and on my toes (instead of on the couch half awake.) So, back to just cleaning and newspapers. I know that everyone at dinner on Tuesday was thinking WHY? It just took until today for my sleep deprived brain to catch up. Thanks Guys.

I NEED HELP

One more thing. Obviously by the dates on our pictures, the computer is not the only thing I have problems with.

What you see is what you get!

So this is as far as I can get setting up a blog with how impatient I am. I know that I am not a computer expert by any means, but my Grandma always asks for my help.