Believe it or Not, it's true

Well my church had it's 2nd annual children's Christmas play. My daughter and hubby were in it again and they were fabulous!!! My husband made people laugh and my daughter, well she's just so darn cute who wouldn't love to just watch her up on stage (No, I am not bias in the least) And one more person from our family was up on that stage...... ME!! I can't even believe it my self. It was a tough roll to play, let me tell you. But after 3 months of practice I think I have the part of Jessica's mom down. I was so nervous and I kept going over and over my lines and Jessica say "don't worry mom you know what helps me calm down, getting up on that stage and seeing everyone there watching me" OK if she didn't look like a little mixture of me and Jer I would so think that child had been switched at birth! Sorry I have no pictures at this time. Due to that fact that I was on the stage and so very nervous I didn't remember the camera. Brian probably would have taken only one picture any way. Oh and one more thing, my friend Jessica's son Jake came up to me after the performance and told me I play a good mom. HAHA that made me giggle for hours.

Christmas Program

This is my first attempt at putting a video on my blog. This is Jessica's school Christmas performace. I thought it was so cool I wanted to show every one. It's not a good quality video because I am taking it with my still camera but it's all I got. Oh and I didn't get the whole performance I must of hit the button but I got enough for you all to see how cute they were.

Rats!!!

Last week my Girl Scouts and I walked in 17 degree weather and delivered 100 fliers asking for donations for an animal shelter. We are trying to earn our Bronze Award and this was there service project choice. Then on Saturday we took Jeremy's truck and drove around to pick up the donations. Every house was empty. They were supposed to put the donation on the porch and no one had anything on there porch. When we got to the top of the second street we saw a plastic bag sitting on the porch. FINALLY!! Jessica jumps out of the truck and runs up to get the bag. Next thing I know the bag goes flying in the air and she is shaking her hands saying "ewwie ewwie" and runs back to the truck. I ask her what was in it and she says a rat. I start laughing and asked her are you sure it wasn't a "toy rat" after all we are looking for donations for an animal shelter. She tells me there is not way she is going to go and double check so with much laughter we drive away. When we realized we were done and no one set out any donations for out troop's service project I said "well rats, girls" Jess gets the heebie jeebies and says "mom don't remind me". Ha. Bottom line is I have a very disappointed girls and we have to go out again in January to another neighborhood. Cross your fingers for us that this next neighborhood will feel more giving.

how do you know

How do you know you have a static electricity problem in your house? When the kiddos you babysit are running in a circle in the livingroom and you get shocked and they didn't touch you!




How do you know it's time to up grade your 20+ year old windows in your home? When you wake up and the frost is on the inside!

OH MY

About 5 years ago I lost my transmission. It was horrid to be with out a car for so long but I was thankful it was summer and I just walked everywhere. We got lots of exercise. When it was done they asked if we wanted to buy the extended warranty for somewhere around $1000. YIKES. We were all ready having to put it on the card because we didn't have $3000 for the rebuild. We talked and decided to go for it, I don't have plans to get a new vehicle and who knows it could happen again right.
I told the boys lets go to the library (words I am learning I should not say out loud) and I get them one in the car and walk around the back of the car to put the other in and there is liquid all the way up my drive way from the street and it ends just under my car. It's red and oily. I know that transmission fluid is red because of my mom coming in the house when I was a teen and saying her car was bleeding, turned out she lost her transmission. So I call Jer "Hun we've got a problem. "
So now I have to explain to the boy again we are not going to the library. This time they are not quit as bummed and I get to tell them about the tow truck that is on it's way.
The huge bummer is that I now have to figure out how to have my busy schedule with out a vehicle. ::SIGH:: I am wondering if God is telling me to slow down. If I put too much on my plate. If I need to take a breather and realize the world will go on even if I am not wonder-women.
I guess I should just praise God I am not out in the cold with two 2 year olds and a broken car. I should Praise God that I have a smart husband who thought that a warranty might just be a good idea. And I should also Praise God that my husband doesn't usually leave for work until after the kids go to school so I can use his truck to get them there and that he did leave early today so he can be home to run out and get the Girl Scout supplies I need for this afternoon. again ::SIGH::

Dieting

So I started my weight watchers journey almost 2 years ago. WOW two years. It's been a long time. I thought for sure that at a year and a half and I would be at goal. I also thought a year and a half was giving my self a few screw up weeks. Realistically you can lose 1-2 pounds a week and remain healthy. So I should have been able to lose the weight with in a year being I only needed to lose 60 (ish) pounds. But I didn't want the pressure. Here it is almost 2 years later and I am 20 pounds away from my goal. ::SIGH:: I have been 20 pounds away from my goal for a whole year. Last year November was the last time I had a significant weight lose.

When I made the decision to join Weight Watchers I decided it was a life long decision. No opting out for any reason. Over this last year I have thought several time about quiting. I am happy where I am at, I just can't justify spending the money when I apparently am not taking it seriously, this is the weight I have always gotten stuck on so maybe it's the weight I am supposed to be. ALL LIES!!!!

I am NOT happy with where I am at. I have never been content at this weight I have always dieted, trying to lose a few more pounds. This is the weight I was when I got married and I was always trying to lose then. This is the weight I spent most of my teenage years being and I was always trying to lose then too. I am not happy here. I want the best I want the -20lbs. I will achieve this.

I can't justify spending the money when I am apparently not taking it seriously. Well I am taking it seriously I just can't figure out what needs to change. If my exercise needs to increase or if my diet needs adjusting or both. If I wasn't taking this seriously than I wouldn't be going to my weekly meetings, I wouldn't be calculation my points, I wouldn't have reached out and asked for help.

This is the weight I am always stuck at so maybe it's the weight I am supposed to be. Yeah I don't think so. I have been smaller I just forget. And I just need to look back at my "before" picture and see how far I have come and know that I can do this. If I have made it this far I can go the distance.

Last week I reached out for help on a blog site that I know fellow weight watchers post and someone answered my cry. I am meeting her this Thursday. She is a life timer (means she is at goal and has kept at goal for a while now) She wants to take on my case, so to speak, and see what needs to adjust and how to help me get to goal. I am so excited I can't wait to slip into my new body. I can't wait to look at myself and say I DID IT!! I can't wait to post how much I weigh (only me, my doctor, and the weight watchers instructor know) Some have a guess and they are close but I won't reveal the numbers of where I have been or what I am until I get to post the "after" picture.

Wish me luck, say a prayer, cross your fingers. I need it all. I just think that for someone who went on her first diet at age 10 she should be able to reach her goal by the time she is 35.

Build A Bear date

I haven't taken my nieces on a date in over a month so I have been raking my brain for what to do. I don't want to repeat a date with the same girl. Well Jessica is a faithful shopper of Build A Bear Workshop and every year for her birthday she gets amazing coupons. Which is funny because for three years in a row all she wanted was build a bears. Anyways a few weeks ago we get a coupon for $12 off an animal purchase. That means you could get a free bear!! So Jess and I talk and since she has plenty of animals and Ana is as much of an animal lover as she we would take Ana out on a date and get her the some accessories. Every weekend has been busy busy busy, so we were going to squish in the date on a week night just before the coupon expired. Well she got sick :( so Jess and I went to build a bear last night to see if we can get an unstuffed bear and bring Ana when she was no longer sick. They said no problem. Not only was it a free animal they gave us a coupon for $7 off a $10 purchase. WOW this is going to be a very inexpensive date.

oops

Yesterday I went to hancock fabric store to buy some material and ended up standing in two lines that took 1 hour and 20 minutes total. The boys were so good. I kept telling them how good they were and that I would take them to the library for a reward. ::sigh:: I completely forgot that it was Veterans Day and the library was closed. Poor little Tyson, when we pulled up in the parking lot I said " OH no I am so sorry the library is closed." Tyson stuck out his lip (and boy he can stick it out far) and said "oh no how can this happen." and started to cry. Talk about ripping out my heart. I felt so terrible.

Zuri

Today I took the kids to the zoo. Zuri our new baby elephant was so active. I took some video on my phone and I will make it Jeremy's homework to put it on here. I tried to get her trying to dive into her water bowl but by the time I got my camera out and working she decided that wasn't no fun any more. I got her running around and digging in the dirt. Oh I could just sit there for hours watching that cutie pie. The other baby animals are cute an all but they just sleep all the time. Zuri is so entertaining and full of personality.

Stupid Dog!!!

I just went to have Holly shampooed because the cold weather has hit Utah and she pretty much stays indoors during the winter months. Jess let her out to go potty and I caught her rolling in the dirt. OH I am so mad I could just spit. You can't even tell she was clean a few minutes ago. Worst part is she so knows what she did is wrong because she is cowering. I swear that dog hates me.

ADD overdrive

OH my goodness. I went into the kitchen to make myself breakfast and this is what ended up happening. Had to unload dishwasher because the pan I wanted was in their but they were too hot to unload, Jer walks in which reminds me to talk to him about washing hands and stuff so that we don't bring the flu into our home, which leads to sanitizing the counter tops, which leads to cleaning off the dust from the kitchen aid, which almost lead to baking bread but bread made me think about the toaster oven and that is when I decided to clean out the crumb catcher and that is about the time the boys started to fight over a toy and I went to the play area to finish the vacuuming that I started yesterday but didn't finish because I got distracted then I went back into the kitchen but couldn't remember what I wanted to do in their and so I proceeded to clean the stove. Then my tummy reminded me that I was hungry and I finished unloading the dishwasher so that I can get back to my original plan and make my breakfast. Sheesh.

preprgramed or influenced

So I was once told we program our children to be masculine or feminine. Such as, we buy dolls for our girls creating them to be feminine and truck for our boy creating them to be masculine. I have always felt that was incorrect. From the beginning there was no mistaken that Brian was all boy and Jessica was all girl. Jessica had a choice what toys she wanted, because of having an older brother, to play with and she always chose dolls (well honestly stuffed animals that she used as dolls). Now I am babysitting little boys and I have some of my kids old toys and I have bought a few new stuff. But truly none of the toys favor one sex over the other with the exception of baby drowsy which has been renamed to Gracie. I find it so funny that before I bought the boys toy cars they were taking every toy and making it act like a car. And I don't have toy guns and yet one of them is right now using a toy and making gun sounds and shooting everything is his path.

Music for Kids

I want to start doing pre-school like songs for the kids I watch so I went to the library to get some music CDs for us to preview before I buy any. Thank goodness I did. There is a song called "I am my own grandpa". It's a very strange song to say the least. I want fun songs that can also teach the kiddos like, 5 little duck went out to play and Days of the week (sung like the Adam's family theme song) Where does one find CUTE preschool songs. And and all suggestions welcome

Hmmm.... Ads on my blog?!?!?!

So I notice today that some of the words in my blog were highlighted green. I put my cursor over them and they are ads. I don't know how they got there. I didn't give permission to anyone but my hubby to be an author on this blog. How can this be?

My first complaint

Sometimes I have no backbone. I am sure most of you are not surprised at all. I get very upset with myself for some of the things I put up with. Like the time I was at Wal-Mart and the lady grab the twisty bag holder thing and twisted it aggressively and using a mean voice to yell at my daughter then froze to realize she twisted it out of my hand. I should have asked for a manager right then and there, I should have left the store without making my purchases. I really should have done something but instead I tried to give her a look of disappointment. It didn't work because she wouldn't look at me for nothing after that. I am learning my lessons.
So this last weekend I went to Joann's fabric store (mind you I love Joann's and I don't usually get negative attitudes form most of the employees there. I assume that she is a hired on seasonal helper because she is new and it's that time of year.) I went to get some fabric cut. The counter was full so I had to grab a number. Jessica squatted down like she was tired and didn't want to stand but changed her mind and stood up. Well on her way up she bumped a shelf and it made a loud ruckus. Everyone looked at her and she turned a million shades of red and ran to hide behind me. One of the lady's cutting fabric looked at me with a glare and said "she deserves it". Holy Cow deserves what!!!! She didn't do anything wrong. So I thought maybe just maybe she wasn't talking to me. So I was watching her out of the corner of my eye and she was continuously casting glares my way. So I assume she had to be talking to me about Jess. Jess didn't see or hear this lady and she was already embarrassed and I didn't want to call more attention to her so I just waited until my fabric was cut (by someone else) then I went around the long way to cash out so that I could see her name tag. I waited until I got home and I called the store to complain about this. The manager was in SHOCK and apologized and reassured me she would be getting a talking too. I don't think that she should have said that too me even if Jessica was being obnoxious and did deserve it.

Brownies

OK you have got to try these brownies. It will sound weird but they are so YUMMY and healthier. And if you have an egg allergy you can eat these brownies because you do not add the egg.

Ingredients
1 fat free or reduced fat brownie mix
1 can of fat free black beans

Pour the black beans into a colander and rinse well. Also rinse out the can. Put the beans back into the can and fill it up with water. Pour into a blender and blend well. Put the brownie mix in a bowl and add blended black beans. Stir together and pour into an 8 x 11.5 pan bake at 350 for 30 minutes. They are like cake brownies and so good. I can't even tell the difference. I was very hesitant to try them at first but I have made them twice now. If you live near by and are nervous to try them just let me know I will let you taste mine.

Brace Face No More

Today Brian got his braces off. I didn't get to go with him because I was babysitting 3 kids. So Jer took a few hours off of work to help me out. While sitting at home wondering how it was going I actually almost started to cry about it. For four years I have been taking Bri to the orthodontist once a month to have adjustments, new brackets, band changes and much much more. It has become a huge part of life. I remember in the beginning how incredibly sore he got, and the nights he woke up begging me to make it stop hurting, the days I wasn't thinking clearly and would make his favorite dinner, shredded beef burritos, on an adjustment day and him just sulking because it hurt too bad to chew. It seems I always plan that dinner on the painful days, mind you not on purpose. The end never seem to come, and then it did. His teeth are beautiful. They are perfect. He loves them. I hope this means all that pain was worth it. I found it so funny that the orthodontist gave him a bag of candy that contained, skittles, star burst, twizzlers, jaw breakers, and jolly ranchers. All the forbidden candies to a brace face. Although they didn't put gum in there. He gets to be care free for one whole week but next week starts the retainer which he will have to wear 24/7 for the first few months and then I believe it will go to just 12 hours a day after that. If anyone out there needs an orthodontist I highly recommend Dr. Poulsen and Dr. Endrizzi, they are awesome and so is there staff. Plus Brian get life time check ups for free. I don't know if all orthodontist do that or not but I thought it was nice of them. Kid #1 done, kid #2 still in braces for a while.

Potty training

Ok I have been trying not to blog about the kids I babysit. I do think I have said this at least once before. But it is getting harder and harder with them getting older and funnier. And quite frankly I have a boring everyday life so unless I blog about my kids (not really mine. well not biologically but in my heart they are) then I really have nothing to blog about. And this will keep me form telling my husband about someone elses kids everyday when he gets home from work. I guess for the momma who ready this blog she can look at it as a way to see what he has done for the day.
Yesterday I decided to start round 2 of the potty training adventure. It's a much different experience when it's not your kid you are potty training. It's much more funnier and a lot less stressfull. Yesterday I declare a success. Today well there was success and laughs. Of course I had to laugh away from him because I just don't want him to get a complex about himself. Yesterday we peed, we were rewarded, was great. He loved it and smiled for hours over his success. Today he figured out you don't have to let all the pee pee out in one sitting, that way you get more rewards. So we spent and hour peeing a drop and being rewarded. Then when he ran out he had to get creative, right? He pulled a string out of my bath rug and told me he pooed. Oh the laughter was so built up inside of me but I had to hold it together and explain to him I knew it was string and he couldn't get his reward. He just said "Oh".

Size matters

OK I need to vent!!! Why is it that manufactures of men's clothing skip the size small and 29 inch waists. I am going crazy trying to find clothes for Brian. He is in need of P.E. clothes and I cannot find his size anywhere. Do they think that boy go from lg. boy to med. men's over night so there is no need to create a small. Or is it that now days small is so far fetched in our fast food nation. Hello get a clue Mr. Manufacturer I need a men's small. And seeing as I have slow growing children and there momma practices the ancient art of cooking at home with out the microwave even being involved I don't think that he will be gaining super fast anytime soon so please start making his size.

The first day of school

Well the first day of school went well. They both came home with smiles on their faces. Brian gets two first days of school, they have A days and B days. But first day of A day was great. He likes all his teacher so far. He like being treated like an adult (those are his words) He LOVES open campus lunches especially with an Arby's, Carl's Jr., Panda, Mc D's, Burger King, and Papa Johns pizza so close to the school. Oh yeah and Starbucks which is what he had for the first day of school. He came home and rested about 10 minute and got right on his homework without being asked. I was amazed at that. This is a first in all his many school years. Jessica likes her teachers as well. They tested her reading with the dibbles test (BTW, I hate dibbles) and she did very well. This is a first for her she normally scores 6 months below to right at reading level. At there standard if you score at reading level you are a low reader. Don't ask. But they went as far as testing her at a 9th grade level. Well that's what they told her and she struggled at the 9th but did very well until then. I am proud of both of them. Let's hope this is a sighn for what is to come; lost of smiles and doing well in school

School starts today

Yep that's right. They are off to school. Looking cute in new clothes. Brian is off to high school (10th grade here) and he is excited and nervous all at the same time. I can't believe he only have 3 more years of school and then he gets to make his life choices of college and career. Doesn't seem possible. Jessica is in 6th grade this year. She is very very excited to have gotten the teacher she wanted (Brian's 6th grade teacher). Inside I laugh at her because she will have all the teachers. They change teachers for different subjects like jr high and high school. But she got the home room teacher she wants anyway. She is doing crossing guard so I have to have her there by 7:40. Also she keep telling me 180 days of school and she will be a jr. higher. OK I don't want to hear it. Especially since I am so thankful to have a year break from that school. I really didn't like it at all. If I have to deal with a certain teacher one more time I am going to have to tell her off. I was speechless last year although rumor has it she retired. In my opinion 3 years late.

Miss Edith

Dear Edith,
Today you went to be with our Lord. Even though I know where you are I can't help but to cry selfishly for myself. You once told me you couldn't wait to be able to sing again. I can almost hear you singing your praises to our Lord. I will miss you so much and I will never forget the times we spent together giggling like little girls and playing word games. You have touched so many lives and you will not be forgotten. I made a promise to you once that I will always pray for your daughters especially after you were gone. I will keep my promise to you. I will pray. Miss Edith I love you so much.

Brian the commedian stricks again

So last night our power when out. Only for about an hour, thank goodness. In this heat who could stand to live with our AC and fans running. Any way we were all settling down for the night when the power when out. Jeremy and I were in bed watching a show Jer got us hooked on called Man Hunter. Jess was on her way to bed and Brian was in the shower. When he got out of the shower he came into our room to discuss with us what happened
Brian: "that was weird"
Us (Jer and I): Yeah the power went out
Bri: I know but I thought I did it
Us: what?
Bri: Well I was washing my hair and when I opened my eyes it was dark. I re-closed them and finished rinsing and when I opened them the lights were on again. So I though maybe I was magic so I closed my eyes and opened them and it was dark. I though no way so I re-closed them but when I opened them it was still dark so I figured it wasn't me after all just a power outage.
Us: laughing hysterically at our son
Sometimes I wonder about that kid.

The story of the young buck and the old stallion

One night while the young buck and the old stallion were eating their oats, the young buck started talking smack to the old stallion. "Oh you old stallion you have nothing on me. I can run faster than you any day." The old stallion warned the young buck to watch it or he would have to eat his words. The young buck said "bring it on old stallion, right now." Old stallion got up and went to the center of the pasture, young buck joined him with a grin of satisfaction, just knowing he had the race was in the bag. Ready, set, go! Young buck was off in a sprint. Old stallion set his pace. It wasn't long before young buck slowly started to lose steam and the old stallion came up from behind and passed him. But the young buck couldn't give up, he kept on going. The old stallion finished the race first and then slowly but surely young buck arrived at the finish line. Old stallion was very pleased with himself but those oats started to turn in his tummy and off to the backwoods he went. Young buck didn't lose his oats, but doesn't feel very well and is off trying to get better.
Why oh why does this competitive nature run in my men. Do you think they would learn, NO!! Young Buck (aka Brian) is plotting his come back after a week or so of practice he wants a re-match with the old stallion (aka Jeremy) Hopefully they will be smart enough to race before dinner.

Striker is found

Here is Houdini trying to figure out how to escape again. Crazy snake, I have got my eye on him now. Hopefully no more escaping for him. Striker was found in the guest bedroom on the floor in plain view by Jeremy. Thank goodness. Both snakes are in there home safe and sound. And I plan to keep it that way!

The case of the missing snakes

Sunday morning we woke up to find that the snakes were missing. Both of them. Now I am not really a snake person but as long as I don't have to touch, feed, water, or clean up after them they can live in my house (preferably in their tank) Since the lid was on the tank I found this to be suspicious but who knows. They are known to be sneaky creatures. We did what we thought was a pretty thorough check of the house. I knew those buggers could hide in plain view but I figured with two of them on the lamb we were bound to find one of them. No such luck. So I started to come up with scary thoughts of someone breaking in to my house and snake-napping them. Well today I was doing laundry and quite often the sound of water causes nature to call so I went into the restroom and I noticed something on top of the shower door frame. I looked up and sure enough there is one of the snakes. Now how the heck the snake got there is beyond my imagination but he was. After freaking out I called Jer half hoping he would say " I am on my way to the rescue." No he says "OK can you put it in the tank for me. good luck" I try hard not to be one of those annoying girls, unfortunately it is in me to be one. I found Jeremy's ski gloves and went to get the snake. But he had to be difficult and grip the shower and make his body bigger in the area that was wedged. Afraid to hurt the snake I got a wrench to pull the metal he had wedge himself into so I can get him out. It took quit a while, and lots of heebie jeebie and squeals, and one loud call out for God to help me, before I finally got him free. I carried him to his tank and put the lid on and tightened every screw and latch. And then I had to hide Tyson's fake snakes I bought him to play with because they made the heebie jeebies run up and down my spine. And can you believe that snake is trying to get out again!! I just saw him poking around the top of the cage. He must have liked his freedom. Unfortunately for him I am sending my husband to the store tonight to buy another tank topper that is better!! One more snake is out there. I sure hope he is found when Jeremy or Brian is home and I hope he isn't in a dark hiding place that I stick my hand into and scream so loud that my neighbors call the police. OH why did I ever agree to buy them snakes!!

WARNING NOT A PRETTY SIGHT

Alright, as embarrassing as it is, here is my backyard. Not to appealing I know. It's a work in progress. I have decided not to fix the grass until I have finished the landscape. I want a flower bed right in front of the porch with lots of colors. Hopefully my peach tree will give us peaches next year. No blooms this year.

Here is Jer cleaning out our free pond. This is were it's home will be when we install it. We are thinking of putting a water fall in the corner there by the house and porch, there will be a garden surrounding the front of the pond. And maybe even misters around the porch. I can't wait to have cold lemonade on a hot summer day relaxing.

I also have flat rock that will be making a path from the shed to the RV parking. The RV parking is going to get it's new wood chips this year and up against the fence to the left I am adding another garden for squashes and pumpkins because the take over a garden quickly so they get there own. And yes I do know that pumpkin is squash. Keep checking back I will, hopeful, have new pictures soon of progress. :)

Jessica's Performance

Jessica was is the Up with Kid production of Enchanted with Alvin and the Chipmunks. They spent 9 months working on this performance. Of course my daughter was awesome. She has a minor roll of Dorthy. There were a few kids who were INCREDIBLE. Josie was great and boy can that girl sing. Her mom say some days it gets old though because she will sing every word she speaks. Being that it's not my daughter and I don't have to deal with it I think it cute and funny. I am sure I might not think so if Jessica did that. There were some others that did very well like Tinker Bell but I don't know them as well as Josie. Over all I was quite disappointed in the performance. Given that the had 9 months of practices I expected more. Especially after Lori had 3 months to put together our church's Christmas program and it was pretty much flawless. All except one of the only 2 adults had a brain fart and forgot for a second what his next line was. But I wont say who. (I love you Jer.) Jessica has already decided not to do this again next year. She thinks that she might like to have some piano lessons for a while. I guess if she does a piano performance I might have to learn to put video on here.

The nose KNOWS

Spring is here for sure. Who needs that darn old groundhog, just follow me around to know when it's spring time. ah... Ah...AH...CHOO. The weather warms up, birds begin to serenade us into our day and the flower make there appearance, along with the weeds. Who could resist a warm beautiful day outside weeding, soaking in the vitamin D, smelling the flowers, and enjoying life. I can't at least not that first day. But day two I can't make it more then a few feet from the tissue box. Thank goodness those things can go outside with me. Since I don't have a grassy back yard Missy and I are going to have a huge garden back there. She said she wants to plan a million tomato plants but I think I might just talk her down to 20 or so. We are going to plant all the ingredient for salsa, then we want some corn and a pumpkin patch. My brother suggested watermelon. Why not, I have nothing better to do with all that back yard. I can't wait to post picture of our progress. So stay tuned. Oh and if you live near by and need tomatoes please don't go to the store, stop by here and get them for free. Missy is very persuasive she might get her million.

The 100 year old Bible (at least)

I have decided to make it my mission to return this bible to it's rightful family. Years ago, about 1983 or 1984 ish time frame, my family acquired this bible. Legally mind you, but it's not a very interesting story so I will skip it. Anyway upon it's arrival my sisters and I were interested in it and opened it up to look through it's very old pages. I realized that it not only was once someone else's bible but that is was a precious heirloom. This bible contains hair clippings from some ones first hair cut, lots of births deaths and marriages are recorded in it's pages along with news paper clippings. I figure this blog would be a good start to begin. I will be posting this post about once a month or so with different titles so that maybe some day someone surfing the web looking for their heritage will stumble across one of my postings. I will gladly hand this bible over to the family. Although I do have to mention that this thing is HUGE and if it needs to be mailed I may need to ask for shipping cost, I estimate it to come to $25+ dollars at least.

Family names in bible:
This was presented to a Mr. George Fred Hale by his mother Mrs. Annie Hale
Other names that appear William W. Hale a civil war vet. who died in 1910. My guess is this would be George's father. Then there is a McLean family mentions with death dates in the mid and late 1800's and my guess is this would be Mrs. Annie Hales parents.

The deaths and burials of these people were Prince Edward Island and Dorchester, Massachusetts. The bible was acquired in California near Fontana.

I pray that the rightful owner shows up someday so I may return this heirloom. I have no idea what to do with it if no one ever clams it. Also I am up for suggestions on how I can get this more public so it can be found.

Tyson

When I started to babysit I realize how easy it would be to blog all day long about this cutie pie. But I decided not to because it wouldn't be right. I would be taking away from him momma and it would take away from my kids. But toddlers give you so much to talk about and laugh about. Not that my kids aren't funny it's just well they are mostly funny in there words not in there actions which is more difficult to blog.
Well the other day Tyson just did something that cracked me up so much Jeremy heard me laughing from the shower. So I asked his momma permission to share and she said yes. I had my Wii fit out and he had got one of the Wii motes stood on the Wii fit and knew exactly what to do. Now not only do I use mine as much as I remember but I know his parents also have one. I thought oh I have got to take a picture so I got up and got the camera. By the time I got back he was done. I told him "oh but I wanted to take a picture of you" so he got right back on through his arms up in the air and yelled "CHEESE". That is when I lost it.

April Fool's

Jessica really wanted to get her brother and father in an April Fool's joke. Her rules were not hurting anyone and no making food taste yucky. She got an idea from the Disney channel to switch the cereals to different cereal boxes, i.e. the Trix cereal was put into the Lucky Charms box and vise versa. This morning both kids arived to the counter at the same time and Jessica patiently waited for her Brian to choose his cereal. When he did he became confused and Jessica's tiny morning voice said "April Fools". Brian just smiled that ' you got me' smile and went about with his breakfast. She counldn't see her dad's reaction because she had to go to school but I was getting ready to take a quick shower when I here "Why is the Lucky Charms in the Trix box" in a very accusing tone. I told him "Oh yeah, Jessica told me to tell you April Fools" I could tell he was proud of her behind his smirky look. I also know my husband well and Jessica watch out dad is going to be thinking all day long how to get back at you.

A day with Aunt Tiki

It's no surprise that I love being an Aunt. I enjoy so much seeing there faces light up when I walk into the room. It's the best feeling ever. So I have to spoil them a little so that I can keep their faces lighting up like that. So from time to time I take the girls out on a one on one date. Recently I took Ana to barns and noble for a "special" drink at Starbucks (coffee free of course or Missy might end my dates with them) and to buy a book. She adores books. Unfortunately I didn't think to bring the camera on our date so you will just have to take my word on it when I tell you that she loved it and had lots of fun.
A couple of weeks later I took Mia to the living aquarium. She had so much fun saying OH WOW over ever little thing we saw. Even the not so interesting things. I loved to see the amazement in her little face every time she saw a new fish. Her favorite was the octopus. He was pretty cool. Then at the end of our date we stopped at the gift shop and she instantly fell in love with a stuffed fish she carried it around while Jessica picked out her prize. Then right before we were leaving she threw it down and didn't want anything to do with it anymore. We picked out a new prize and left before she had time to change her mind again. It was fun. I can't wait to go on our next date.

BTW Tiki is the nick name Ana gave me. Isn't it the cutest.

I am so confused

Yesterday I had to punish Brian. When I told him the changes what would take place until his grades improved he sat there for a second and then came back with. "Fair enough."
What does that mean?!?!?! I didn't punish him hard enough if he approves? That he would have countered the punishment if he felt it wasn't fair? Or that he honestly think I punish fairly? I felt defeated when he said that like I didn't punish him at all.

Scoliosis

Today was Brian's scoliosis check up. These are annual check ups he has had since he was 2. It turns out that he is not done growing, there is still a space between his growth plates, so the doctor feels like surgery is still out of the question as of now. The scoliosis is expected to get worse as he grows. He is already at almost a 50 degree curvature and this doctor does do surgery at 50. But because of Brian's uniqueness we wait a little longer. Brian has been having some back pains that I have been recording them over the year and presented to the doctor and he thinks I should keep up on monitoring it and if the pain becomes unbearable then I take him back in because we would have to worry about spinal core stuff. I asked my questions and one of them was about his hunch back and will surgery help it a lot but not eliminate it. Brian at that point educated the doctor on a moob ( translation "man boob") Because of the twisting in his spin one of his pecks is bigger the the other and he calls it his moob. The doctor actually laughed. (This is the same doctor that when he was checking Brian's reflexes in his knee last year Brian kicked the other leg he just sat there for a minute and then, with a straight face, says "Oh I get it he is being funny" and never once cracked a smile.) He might not have such a predominate moob after he is fixed. Brian is a little bummed about that. He says it's his staple. So until next year Brian is free from being cut open. But if probably can't be avoided for ever.

The laundry basket incident

When Jessica was 3 I found her one day sitting in her room silently crying. Tears were just rolling down her cheeks but not a sound was coming out. I went to see what was wrong and her little baby chub finger was stuck in my laundry basket. I gently tried to put her finger out but it was VERY stuck. I told her don't worry there is nothing to cry about I will be right back with the scissors. Then the crying wasn't so silent any more. She went hysterical and was freaking out. I grab the scissors and told her to clam down she was being a little bit to crazy. "Mommy don't cut off my finger"
I was in shock. I knew exactly what she was crying about and I couldn't believe she remembered that. It had been at least a year before and she was sticking her fingers into every little hole she saw. I teasingly told her that if she got her finger stuck I would have to cut off her finger. So when her finger got stuck in the basket she hid in her room so I wouldn't cut off her finger. And of course I don't remember this and tell the poor thing I am going to go get the scissors.

Dumb Dogs

I finally get to read some of my friends blogs. I went and saw Marley and Me tonight. I think we were the last of the last to see it. It seems that everyone is blogging about it.
So I like dogs but love them, come on, they are just dogs right. They are not humans. She eats her own vomit. She licks her butt. She smells. She sheds hair every where. Yet when she doesn't look like she feels well we rush to take care of her. I say I would never spend hundred to thousands of dollars on a dog to keep it alive yet I know I would if faced with the decision. Well maybe not quiet thousands. You have to draw a line some where. And tonight in the middle of the movie I realized how this movie was going to end and I had the over whelming urge to go home and let Holly know I lov.... I mean appreciate her. She has never destroyed any thing of mine. Only her stuff. She listens so good. I rarely have to tell her anything twice. Sometimes she puts her front paws on the good carpet. I yell at her but inside I am laughing at her and think it's kinda cute that she is trying to be near us. But don't tell her, I don't want her to think this behavior is going to be tolerated. I think the worse part is some day we too will have to say good-bye to Holly. I know I don't want another dog. It is tough to travel sometimes. And I do long to have a hair free home. But I sure hope I get a few more year before we part. Alright I love her but we don't have to say it out loud. I have a reputation to live up to as a dog hater.

Wii Fit

I started to run about 4 months, or so, ago thanks to my friend Jessica. She sort of tricked me. She called and invited me to go for a 'walk'. After a few laps she says lets run just to that marker up ahead. I tried to tell her I don't run unless there is an emergency and I don't see an emergency so no. Well she talked me into it. Then the next day she called and said hey do you want to 'walk' again. When I showed up she says "OK this is what we are going to do. I have a running plan for us." I was speechless. Reluctantly I started running and now I find myself highly addicted to it. I actually crave running if you can imagine that. I am not fast but I can now run about 2 miles. But I sometime want to work out and don't feel like going to the gym, mostly because I don't want to drive in the weather, and the thought of an exercise video sound boring. So I got this bright idea that the Wii Fit would be fun. I asked a few people who own it to see what they thought and all of them recommended it. So after a week and a half of trying to locate one Jeremy found one at Best Buy and brought it home to me. There are several exercise categories such as Aerobic, Strength, Yoga, Balance. Then within the categories there are appropriate exercises. I tried the strength training the first night. I was wondering how the heck a video game was going to help me out with strength. Not only did it just about kick my butt, but it could tell when I didn't do the lunges correctly and now that I have done them a couple of time it has upped the amount I am supposed to do. I am so sore in my tummy muscles, thigh muscles, and back muscles. Now there isn't any arm stuff yet. I am hoping there will be soon. As you exercise you earn points for every minute you do and it unlocks new exercises. It is fun and exercise. But I still go to the gym as often as I can I just added the Wii Fit to my work out.

ATTENTION ALL UTAH DRIVERS

OK so maybe I should title this attention ALL drivers. Wait let me get out my soap box. OK I am ready. SLOW DOWN!!! There is this very cool invention call the TV and it airs something called the news. On this show called the news you get the weather report and traffic report. It's not all ways right but it is pretty darn accurate. Not only that but you can look out the window in the morning when your alarm goes off and see if that fun white stuff is falling from the sky. If this is happening please leave early and drive slower. I am so fed up with drivers trying to make it to work on time in bad weather and causing accidents because the didn't leave early.
Yesterday my son who is in Jr. High came home to inform me that the crossing guard who was hit by a car just before Christmas break died. It was very very bad weather that day and yes stopping was hard but if you are driving 20 miles an hour, which is the speed limit in front of the schools, you should be able to stop. Now there is a lady out there that now calls herself a widow. She probably has Christmas presents she bought for him in her house wondering what to do with them. On Christmas morning she woke up to a house that felt foreign to her. With presents addressed to her from her late husband. She didn't have him to drive over to their kid's houses with her to watch the grandkids get their gifts. That is if she was even able to get out of bed on Christmas. I know that loosing a loved on any day of the year is hard but loosing them near Christmas is a little bit different.
A few years ago when my son was in 5Th grade he wanted to ride his bike to school. I reluctantly let him only because my husband made me. I left the house about 5 minutes after him to take my daughter who was in 1st grade to school. This was during a time when we had a crossing guard who left too early or didn't show up at all. There was a car accident when I got to the cross walk. I looked for my son all the way to the school but never saw him. When he got home that afternoon he told me the car accident was his fault. After hearing the story I tried to convince him it was not his fault. He had stopped at the cross walk the crossing guard was not there. A nice lady stopped to wave him through. While he was crossing another car came up and hit the car stopped for my son. The one who did the hitting got out and chewed out the first lady in front of my shook up son. So he not only witness the accident but heard them fight about it. I thank God that my son was in just the right spot that he wasn't hit.
So please people slow down, pay attention, and leave a little bit earlier. I love my children too much to loose them.

AHH back to 'normal'

It's funny to think that I freaked out at the thought of being home alone when Jessica was getting ready to start kindergarten. I didn't like silence, I missed my chaotic house in CA when people would just stop by to hang out and eat the food, I missed my home in Fort Huachuca where all my neighbors were stay at home moms and we sat outside all day talking and watching the kids play. It was a huge change for me. Now after a very busy Christmas break with lots of people I am sitting in the silence wondering why I haven't loved this my whole life. Ahh it so peaceful. Although I am not alone. Tyson is sleeping and my other day care kids are due within the hour I am sitting here loving the quiet for now and I am glad that I have it. I still love the chaos of family visits but I do love the quiet after they have all gone. I missed my 'normal' schedule I missed nap time. Welcome back normal.

New Year Resolution

Here are my new years resolutions...

1. To finish loosing weight

2. To smile more often

3. Find the positive in everything

4. Praise Him more often

5. Be more faithful in saving for my Hawaii vacation

6. Learn to be more organized