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.