Our Little Artist

Q. has been enjoying a new hobby in art. She makes these creations in Microsoft Paint. Here are some of my favorites.

I Don't Get the Title but it's Still Funny to Watch...

this came to my e-mail titled, "Democrats on an Escalator".

i'm not even sure why i find this amusing except that this just gives us perspective on what close-mindedness and stupidity looks like, which we all can relate to one way or another.

Another Game Post About Nothing At All...

Sorry for nothing posts...this one is a five things post. who knows how much longer i can continue on this road. this one came from ashley.

Joys

1. My kids laughter and the funny things they say.

2. Sleeping.

3. The gospel.

4. Cooking.

5. Learning stuff.



Fears

1. Losing my kids or hubby.

2. Getting in a car accident. I am really freaked out about this. (ashley wrote this and i completely agree).

3. Raising my kids wrong.

4. Not becoming and accomplishing what i should in this life before its over.

5. Pain.



Obsessions/Collections

1. Books.

2. Sheep.

3. Computer - reading blogs, emailing, posting on my blog.

4. My kids health, nutrition, and well-being.

5. Money. (i worry about it ALOT.)



Surprising Facts

1. my first job was for a lumber yard, to pick up trash and clean the office.

2. i used to play the oboe but really wanted to play the bassoon. originally i was into the flute but the music teacher said my lip wasn't right so i was going for the drums or trumpet but my mom commanded me to play the clarinet which led to oboe cuz my music teacher didn't think my hands were big enough for bassoon.

3. i had no direct cousins that i knew of, until a couple years ago, when i found out my dad's brother fathered a kid illegitemately and didn't tell anyone about her. i've never met her and she's probably only six or something. my mom has a half brother too that we have never had contact with so i may have some half cousins i don't know about.

4. i was half-way hypnotized by a professional hypnotist when i was in high school. it was an interesting experience.

5. one of my dreams in life would be to participate in a "Beauty and the Beast" musical where i get to be the main gal, Belle...seriously...this is a day dream of mine. i know i would need to have a little voice training before i could try out but my voice is too bad.

A Game...

haven't had time to blog much but christian made this suggestion on her site so i'll do this quick and try to make time for a real post soon...have fun...

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Books...Again

Alright...I can't seem to be able to escape the fact that books is one my most favorite passtimes. I love, love, love, LOVE books. Books BOoks BooKs BOOKS!!!!

i feel i am beginning to border on getting obsessive when it comes to good reads.

i know i have my "currently reading" over there but i realize i never review the books i read. well why the heck not?!

i have never tagged my posts but i think i will start tagging book reviews. that will make it easy for anyone who needs info. on a book-- you can just click on the label "book reviews". i am also going to compile a list of my most recommended books, essentially, my own "exceptional reads". please keep in mind the disclaimer though. i will try to be forthcoming with book "ratings".

does anyone see an over use in this writing? i think i like inserting "" ! haha hoho! i am NOT in a great mood but for some reason writing this post has me all excited. its gotta' be the subject matter.

The Age Issue

I am writing this in response to a post my friend ashley wrote, which i think is HILARIOUS! because...

OMG! i know EXACTLY how you feel! i have more stories than all the handfuls in my household (some are little hands, people) about situations people have mistook me for being in my teens, including at church AND on the phone! i even have a young sounding voice, i guess!

one of the places i've gotten it the worst is at the temple. just last week when i went to houston, one of the temple workers got brave and asked my age. i told her and her jaw dropped. she said all the other workers that saw me were discussing how i could not be old enough to be in there. she had defended me by saying i must be early twenties. she asked emphatically if it was genetic and wanted to see my parents to see if they looked young.

one time when i was in the temple supervising a youth trip for baptisms, the first counselor of the temple presidency came running, I am not exaggerating, he bolted down the front hall to demand that i was absolutely NOT allowed to be behind the desk! i patiently explained i was a leader.

even superman has to suffer at times. after q. was born, we decided to leave her for an hour and grab a quick bite for some quiet time. after ordering, the waitress came stomping back to our table and insisted i tell her my age. when i said, "i'm 25", she sighed and with a look of relief stated, to superman, "phew, i thought you were a pervert." OMG!!!!

perhaps laughing about all these silly experiences keeps us young. but i will tell you, having kids helps, just a little. i am getting more gray hairs!!!!

however, those could be from watching people look incredulous when i walk in a store with three or fours kids (depending on if i have a niece with me) and you can see it in their eyes, " someone needs to show that kid where to get birth control..."

This is What I did Today

i traveled to houston in order to attend the wonderful sealing ceremony of this beautiful bride and handsome groom. it was an uplifting and emotional day.

i have known this young woman for twenty plus years. we basically grew up together and she is like a little sis to me. i am so proud of her and what she has accomplished so far in her life. and she has chosen a excellent man to be her companion.

this guy is very fun and energetic. but when he brought his bride into the room where the ceremony was to be, he looked so serious. i thought he must be really nervous however i realized he must be thinking about the great undertaking of the future. these two have begun a family today and it was touching to see how he realized the responsibility and gravity of his vows to his bride. i know he will take great care and consideration with her.

as they knelt at the alter and looked into one another's eyes i could not help remembering when i was there, kneeling across from the man i chose. and then something happened to me.

my left eye mysteriously sprung a leak.

later, the sealer had these two look into the double mirrors and pointed out that from their perspective, their companion looked "ahead" of the "yourself". he said they should remember that when they put their spouse first, then the greatest happiness will come.

it was a great feeling to be in the temple again. i sat next to my SIL who is sooo sweet. we were able to spend such quiet time together talking after the ceremonies--well i did most of the chatting--about my impressions.

today was a reminder of the promises i have made to myself, my man, and my God. i am so grateful to have the opportunity to be reminded of what i need to be doing for my family and my own happiness. i am such in awe of all the marvelous blessings my Father has to offer me if i will continue striving to do my part. i have missed the temple much more than i thought. i hope i am motivated enough from this inspiration to renew my committments and accomplish more for my family through my own sacrifice. especially in the small, everyday things.

in the evening i had the privilage to see this:

and this:

plus more. that house is on the texas historical society for historic homes in alvin, texas. this is where my grandmother and great-grandfather were born and raised. my great-great grandfather purchased this home in the early 1900's. that is his gravestone. there were six other stones as well. they are in the confederate cemetery in alvin because one of my progenitors served in the confederate army.

i did not expect to feel so connected to this place, but as i walked near that home, it was hard not to imagine my grandmother as a little girl, and some of stories from her girlhood began floating through my head. i wanted to go inside and see where she learned to cook and where she may have slept and played. seeing and being in this place was such a neat experience. i hope one day i will be able to go inside.

it has been fun being with my parents and brother as well. we still plan on going to galveston which i am looking forward to. even though it may not have the prettiest coast line, i love the ocean and cannot wait to walk along its shores once again.

Still Pretty Quiet on the Homefront

Yesterday was quite a day but overall we do not have alot going on. I am getting anxious and excited for school to start.

BBB is growing fast. he can pull up on stuff and his right bottom inscisor cut last week. the left one is visible but taking its time. BBB says, "Bababababa" and "Dadadadadada". So we are working on "Mamamamama".

Our yesterday included this:

Plus some. The gals were playing with the pots and pans--i didn't think much of it. Then i heard Q. say, "Uh-oh. You broke my pot." broke my pot? huh? what pot could they break? my thoughts as I went to check on them. i found my pots and pans, kitchen and kids coated with a layer of cinnamon and my mini-crock was minus a bottom.

Audi had set it down too hard and the bottom just cracked off.

Audi had "one of those days". Not an hour later a bowl she was carrying to the sink slipped and shattered on the floor and while i was cleaning that up, the BBB lunged out of his bumbo and landed in his baby food (my fault), on purpose (he was hungry). So then i had sweet potatoes and peas all over my carpet and BBB.

while i was uploading the cinnamon, i found this from the other day:

Even though Audi should be in trouble, i had to get some photos anyways. The funny thing is, it ALL goes to the lips: the eyeshadow, the blush, the lipstick...and it was ALL over my sheets too.

okay funny things Q. said:

Q. is wearing her "cape" and underwear; a common practice for her. Her cape is a hooded towel. so superman wiped his face on it at she walked by and she says, "Dad! thats my cape! say you're sorry. tell me you're sorry, dad!"

superman is going into the garage to open it so the kids can ride their bikes. I'm not sure what he did, but it evoked a comment from Q., "How dare you! What were thinking...how dare you, dad!"

so i left my breakfast bowl on the couch. Q.'s take on it, "Mom, you are such a slob. i'll pick this up for you."

i think i might have an idea where she learns this stuff...

Welcome to My New Space

I finally figured out how to make my background what i wanted; with the sheep there. And i had fun adding the slideshow. Hope everyone enjoys!

we have done a whole lot of nothing around here. Q. is in KC with her aunt 'till tomorrow. She's gonna start pre-K at private school in a couple weeks. I can't believe my gal is gonna be losing her first tooth in less than two years.

Time really flys.

its gonna be back to grad studies for Superman. He's got a year or a little more left now and is gonna be diggin' in hard.

and so life goes.

I think I've got the Picasa Working...

Let me know if you can see it???anyone?can you see it? more soon. kids need a nap. i need a spa-cation. like my playlist?...okay a quick mommy moment curtesy of Gramma C.

Q. walks in on gramma making cards. There are the backs of photo mounting stickers all over the floor so Q. says, "there are stickers all over the floor!" and Granma says, "yea you can pick 'em up if you want to ." and Q. says, with hands on hips, "I didn't make this mess!"

This looked like fun...

1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember! If we're only blogging friends, write about a post that is the most memorable for you.

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I'll be sure to write one about you.

I found this on ashley's blog and it looked like something fun to do. thanks ashley! I'll be checking everyone's blog to see if you post it too so i can leave my memories of you!

The Aftermath aka Hindsight: Its a Glorious Thing

thanks, joyce, for your comments on my blog. you had me laughing and (sniff, sniff)...oh nevermind, i think i just had something in my eye.

everything you said is the truth. you mentioned feeling guilty alot. you shouldn't. life is life. i'm trying to learn to live in the present. i'm still inexperienced in life, but i think living in the present might be the most fulfilling ways to go about things.

THANK YOU for your honesty. i've always seen that as a strength in people. and BTW, i'm lucid enough to know i'm not going anywhere...no other careers lined up for me in the near future. i think superman might actually be the one fighting more to get in MY job then i am to get out. ha! he's dreamin'! he wouldn't survive long though i'm willin' to give him the benifit of the doubt. luv you superman.

one thing my mission taught me was that when you make a committment you stick to it, do it to the end, do the best you can while learning to do it better, improving all the time (even just by teeny bits) , through all the discomfort and pain that accompany it at times.

it requires compromise, adaptability, and a sense of adventure with some willingness toward spontanaity. and a buttload of patience, please excuse my cough.

i think its a wonderful thing to know people come from all different walks of life and circumstances yet we basically feel and experience the same stuff. from the mouth of a hick implant, "its real comfortin'".

This is me...venting.

**Disclaimer** the following post is a brutally honest look inside my bad day. keep in mind i recogonize some irrational content. this may be painful for some people to read. let alone depressing and un-inspiring.

**P.S. i am sorry this is what i post after a month's hiatus.**

actually i talked to charity this morning so i'm feel better. thanks charity. you're a true friend and for all the challenges life has thrown in your path lately, you have really made a difference in mine. i hope i can one day do as much for you.

i try to be an honest person. i try to be "all me" when i'm with people. i am not going to fudge the truth here though--i am not an easy person to get to know. unfortunately, my middle child appears to have inherited this quality from me. the people that "make it" are those that endure my endless un-talent for tactful communication; those people who can see beyond my exoskeleton into the really mushy insides. i think superman compared me to an M&M once. Hard shell with a melt in your mouth interior.

I have discovered in my life that most people are not up for the challenge. The ones that have been, tell me it was worth it but maybe they are biased besides the fact they have a gift for unconditional forgiveness. If it weren't for those beautiful souls, i would be completely and utterly alone in this life. At any rate, i know i gave them a run for their money. so my baggage amounts to one word--trust.

basically, earlier today, i decided i hate being a mom. the way things are, is not what i thought i was signing up for. i hope some of you who aren't mothers, won't let these comments disturb you. like i said, there are some irrational bits here but this is me. so you can imagine how you feel about the worst job you've ever done and thats about how i feel about doing my job most days. very sad pity party, i know; i really need to write down ten things i'm grateful for, i recognize that.

the good moments, the worthwhile ones, just seem too far apart. i am frustrated about being exhausted ALL the time. superman says, "Go to bed earlier". it doesn't matter how much sleep i get, its not necessarily physical exhaustion. its an inward, character-draining exhaustion. God help us that our kids even turn out decent and whole as people, not as damaged goods because i am so terrible at this job; not liking it doesn't help me be better at it.

To my beloved Superman--it seems that being able to change your career path anytime would be a welcome blessing. at least if you're not happy at home, God's given you a chance to have some form of success outside and be able to see your accomplishment sooner than 20 years from now. your assignment in life is to provide physically for us and to keep guard of us spiritually, which i am sure is a challenging situation, i don't want to minimize your role in this, but in your case at least you are using your strengths (in my opinion). you love religion and you can get a new job, new faces, new assignments, new scene.

i do the same tedious, boring, never-ending, bottomless work everyday just to see the people i love most come along and destroy it without realizing they are supposed to be grateful for it. they seemingly don't respect me or my work but there is the adage that respect is earned--you give it, you get it. so i must not respect them as people or maybe we'd have more of a symbiosis going on. my fault.

our kids ate 2500 calories of pringles today. that's a WHOLE can in one sitting. okay so its my fault. my fault. my fault. my fault. where was i? in bed still. craig was still sleeping. they were watching cartoons. usually they ask me if they want to eat. they had eaten breakfast, by the way.

they have gotten really good about asking, but i guess i'm such a millitary freak-show mom that they knew i'd say no seeing as it was seven in the morning so they just helped themselves. my fault, my fault, my fault.

yea so its just chips right? big deal? they're just kids, barely out of babyhood. calm down, j. why do you have to be that way? whatever (rolling my eyes).

one kid continues to wet herself so is now grounded from swimming till saturday under the conditions of staying dry and of course the other kid won't go pee on the pot--she's traumatized from seeing how hard it is for the older kid; ever since she can remember there has been this constant battle of the pee and poo. its a no brainer why she's not going ahead with the training.

another by the way, i'm not worried about her training; she's clearly not quite ready but Superman, once again is putting the pressure on. God help us, maybe by the time we have our last kid he'll finally learn little people cannot be rushed in these private matters. Love you forever Superman.

God, when will the pee and poo stop? God,why do we pee and poo? God, why can't these things just be automatic, like with a cat? a kitten sees the mom go in the litter and they will go in there too. period. its okay if you cracked a smile. who doesn't when they see pee and poo refered to this way?

God, why do kids have to be blank slates? don't you see we write the wrong things on them about 80% of the time? Why do you even think i can do this job right when its so obvious i cannot.

Just another day in the hickville neighborhood here. All in a day's work.
G'day or at least what you've got left of it... j

My Favorite Thing to Do

weeelll...i absolutely love books! i have a strong belief that books keep your mind active and smart and that one of the best ways to inspire your kids to read is if they see the parents reading.

superman and i read ALOT. we read completely different genres though. he prefers to learn and read in religious studies. my preferences tend to be more varied because i basically read what i have questions about or want to learn about a.e. i have had major interest in the english monarchy so i have been reading alot of historical fiction related to that. another time i didn't believe what my dentist told me about cavities so checked out a book about dental hygeine and when i got pregnant with Q., my first-born, i read a text book called "Reproductive Biology" from cover to cover so i could know exactly what was going on everyday from day zero.

i really love historical fiction and if i get stumped with finding something to read next, i turn to the best seller list.

my friend Ashley recently asked for some suggestions and opinions on some books so i decided to post this. i'm open to more suggestions as well about good reads cuz i am always looking for stuff to read. superman wants me to read about Teddy Roosevelt but i haven't got to it yet. sorry love.

a couple summers ago i read "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" and it's one that i still recommend and sticks out in my mind. i thought it was great! Anything written by mitch albom is at the top of my list. ALL of his are awesome and short, easy, inspiring reading.

there is a really interesting book that stood out to me called "the glass house". i don't remember the author but it was autobiographical and wonderful.

i've been hearing tons of raves about the twilight series (even superman brought this one up cuz the author is LDS) and wasn't really impressed by the subject matter but after one of my BF's read them and suggested it to me, i caved and am waiting for it to arrive from half.com

i watched what i think is the best movie of the year..."p.s. i love you". it is based on a book so i'm gonna read it and i'd recommend reading it first before the movie. that's usually better.

i am serious about my disclaimer there above what i am currently reading. i don't read a book if its really bad but a love scene or two and a couple swear words typically don't turn me away if its in context with the writing and not obscene. a good example of a book like this is "The Horse Whisperer." there is a really bawdy, nasty love scene that must be skipped over lest you want it engraved on your brain forever after. i learned my lesson from that one when i was 17. there was this book once written about this amish guy who murdered someone (it was non-fiction); about half way through it started getting really heavy into nasty details about this guys really nasty private life so i quit reading it. my MIL lets me know too if some books have lots of swear words...especially the "f" word. i don't understand what that adds to the context of the book. usually if a book is gonna have alot of cussing it almost in every sentence so you can tell just by glancing at a few lines if its appropriate.

after a chapter or so i feel i can usually get a feel if the book is gonna be rude, crude, and socially unacceptable. i don't consider the ones i've recommended to be that but that is my own opinion.

some authors also go overboard with details and some books i'll just skim or skip a few pages. if i'm having trouble with a book dragging on, sometimes i'll just graze through it...i hate to start one and not finish...i try not to get em that way in the first place though.

some books come highly recommended like "Love in the Time of Cholera" and that same author has another book he won the Pulitzer Prize for but i am really struggling. i am trying to give it an honest chance but i'm not sure if i can keep on going with it. i'm not sure what's wrong with the writing besides its not going anywhere fast enough for me. i keep wondering if the guy is gonna start getting into the story or if he's just gonna build character for half the book. anyone else read him?

i'm gonna follow some of the leads through Ashley's other comments too.

OH! my MIL is reading some stuff by Dean Hughes (he's LDS)--i think its the Children of the Promise Series. it didn't really look interesting to us (its based in world war II) but she started them and can't put them down.

if you want to know if i've read something or heard reviews about something, just ask. my MIL works for a library so i am always asking her about books. and please, if you have any books or subject matter you thought were great post them in the comments. i google stuff all the time too to find who's written the best about stuff i want to learn about. and amazon offers tons of reviews on books too. g'day and happy reading everyone!

The Mattress: Conclusion of the Brad Pitt Moment

I went to pick up some bunk beds and when the man loaded them he insisted we do it a particlar way as to keep the cherry finish on the bed from getting scratched up. The mattress was on top and its one of those box frame types with the foam on top. My trailer has almost six foot sides on it so i never even gave a thought to anything blowing out.

When i got on the highway (major four lanes 70mph), about a mile up a semi truck passed me and i felt the trailer jerk. Mr. Semi was going pretty fast so i thought the wind difference is what caused my trailer to jerk. its pretty light weight and the bed didn't really make that much difference. Unfortunately, i had taken too long at the Wal-Mart andthe sun had set so i could not see my cargo.

When i stepped out of my van once i arrived home, i immediately noticed the mattress was GONE! My pioneer woman bliss and delirium was instantly replaced with dread. My stomach went from being stuck in my throat to dropping in a super milli-second to my toes. Sort of like when you go down that first 87 degree slope on a hundred foot drop steel roller coaster?

I go inside and sit on the couch. Superman wants to know what's wrong. i guess something about my face doesn't look quite right. I tell him about the mattress. He's a bit perturbed.

He says he'll go find it but i don't know how he's gonna when he doesn't know exactly where Mr. Semi passed me. Of course, i may not know either because of my pioneer woman coma. Then i tell in a very shaky voice about seeing her. And then i start laughing. I laughed harder and harder until i was laughing so hard i was crying! and Superman definately thinks i've totally gone off my rocker.

I cannot believe that one minute i can be so elated with joy and the next be in the dumps because i am simply this--A Woman. A Female. A Girl. i believe if a man had to endure the never-ending, ever-changing emotions of a woman than they would be a heck of alot more: #1. grateful to be a man and #2. way more understanding of their womenfolk.

Superman did go back and find that mattress. He couldn't believe that the thing blew out of that trailer. Actually, his exact comment went something like this, "i don't know how you could lose anything out of that trailer" and when he got home i endured a lecture on how to load a mattress. i tried to explain that i did let A MAN load the thing but i'm not sure that sunk in.

On a Lighter Note...

Mommy Moment

Q. is doing something extremely silly, again, and I say,"Someday when you have a boyfriend i'm gonna tell him...". Q. cuts me off and says very enthusiastically, bouncing off the ground, "i'm gonna have a boyfriend? i can't wait to have a boyfriend..." then thoughtfully, " when i turn five." Not the reaction i was hoping to get here.

Obama Rhymes With Osama

*Warning*: This post may contain inflammatory remarks.

I absolutely cannot figure out what is wrong with Americans anymore. That we could even consider a man like Borak Obama for the presidency is ludicrous and insulting to everything America should stand for. I just heard something on the news about Obama requesting that people please disregard anything that is said about his background or beliefs and that "can someone please introduce me to this man, Borak Obama, because he sounds pretty scary."

The crazy thing is, Obama seems to have successfully used the reverse psychology tactic on the democrats and others of this nation.

i personally do not claim to be for either party; i prefer to elect the best man for the job and i think it is time for the United States to stand up for our old world values. i don't believe this is the vision our founding fathers had when they fought for our independence.

the fact that the largest percentage of Obama's supporters seem to be African American proves that racism still exists and that no matter how many years ago the Civil War took place, the war will never be over for this country. There will always be an undercurrent of racism among blacks and whites between blacks and whites.

The idea of this infuriates me. We would rather be a people acting as a fighting married couple in an argument trying to prove who is "right" and going to every last ridiculous possibility to be the "right" one. We would sacrifice what we know is honest and true in our hearts to prove a point no matter what the cost. We would trade our American integrity for selfish pride to win a foolish, man-made, and losing battle against who? Our brother in liberty? Our neighbor in freedom?

The media contributes the reason for Obama's success as a need for change; enough of the same old, same old. How ignorant...Obama's way of politicking is just as twisted and dishonest as the rest of 'em and i am starting to wonder in Superman's words, "is there a decent man (or woman) left...?"

ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDIN' ME!!!! We have to choose between MCLAIN and OBAMA! I thought the last election was bad. I guess I need to start prayin' real hard that i might be allowed to live to see a day when a decent, moral, upstanding man will be chosen to run for president; when my vote counts for a man i whole-heartily support rather than just counting in order to keep another man off the podium.

As for those of us who are not racist and are supporting Obama because it would be a great moment in history to elect the first black man as president, please, PLEASE, do us all a favor and go educate yourself on his background! and PLEASE DO LISTEN to the reports on his background and childhood education. PLEASE DO BELIEVE the reports of what his pastor, his wife and Obama have said about this country being un-American and racist.

This man has been raised to believe this country is run by white supremacists and racists. Some of the reports may be exaggerated but i know some of them are true. How else could they all stand as such great witnesses to one another?

Superman's advice to me in my fury: "Lord grant me the patience to accept the things i cannot change, the courage to change the things i can, and the wisdom to know the difference." (unknown to me whom i'm quoting.)

This is frustrating advice because i dislike feeling powerless to make a difference in this world. it seems more and more to me that the a very small percentage of people have all the control and the rest of our voices do not matter. of course, i believe there are alot of voices not speaking out or simply not givin' a dang which leaves the others stuck in the mud.

can i blame the older or younger generations for sittin' around? for one, i remember being the younger and just NOT KNOWING and for the other, well, i can see where my road is headed--to a frustrating dead end. how much can a voice take before it decides to give up?

today i'm a fighter. today i'm determined. tomorrow is tomorrow.

even if i'm the only one to read this, so what. i can't say i didn't speak up somehow, somewhere. i can't say i'm not completely off the mark here either, but i don't think i am.

those of us wanting to make history--let's be patient and elect the "right" black man, not the "first" black man!

My Brad Pitt Moment Part II

I was at Wal-Mart. It was the night before we were to depart for our much anticipated family vacation to San Antonio. It was about 9pm and i was at the check out counter worrying about the time. I was running behind. I had wanted to get home before dark because i was hauling a bunk bed in our trailer whose lights do not work.

I catch a glimpse of motion out of the corner of my eye so i take a quick look to see. Its a boy...a very pale boy who i guess to be about four or five. He stops his figeting when he realizes he caught my attention. He looks up at me with these huge blue eyes. I turn back to my check book and then look at the boy and realize he's very familiar. This all happens in a split second. His dad is there and i glance back and our eyes meet. The man quickly looks away.

My heart is now racing and about to pound out of my chest. My ears are ringing and I can't breathe. My head is swimming, my stomach is in my throat. It can't be...or can it? I try for a glimpse of the lady with them who is very absorbed in writing the check for their purchases which appear to be some long, skinny boxes (perhaps florescent lights?) and some light fixtures (very nice ones) and other stuff i didn't notice. I've never seen them in person so i can't be certain but these people were spitting images of my favorite hang-out online--the pioneer woman.

It was Marlboro Man in the flesh. It was spunky Ree in all her glory and her "not favorite" boy. He's as white as he appears in his pic's.

Did i try to say, "How the heck are ya?" or "i've got your chocolate pie in my fridge right now" or "your apple dumplins' are the talk of my hubby's engineering department" or "Is this stuff for the lodge?"or "You are my role model, mentor, internet superstar person whom I idolize even though you think i'd have outgrown that phase in my life, every recipe i've ever cooked from your site is to die for, my family and friends are sick of hearing me talk about you, they should know the answer to 'where'd you get this recipe?', i love you, thank you for your photoshop tutorials, i think you are hilarious, and did i mention you are a blogging superstar and i think you should meet Oprah someday and my family thinks i'm crazy because of you?"

YEP. That was a huge run-on sentence but that is what was going through my mind as I took my cart, walked by with my eyes glued to MM's SHOES...they were very worn out looking tennies covered in dry wall dust, old cement, and dirt...they must have been working on the lodge that day (which her blog confirmed for me later)...and...and...KEPT WALKING. I walked out the double sliding doors, out to my van with the trailer without lights, loaded my groceries, got in and drove 20 minutes home to my little country town in a delerious daze and by the time i got there my face hurt because i had a smile plastered there that wouldn't come off. And my heart was still pounding and my chest was still tight. I climbed out of my vehicle, trying to decide how best to tell Superman of this event and instantly noticed the mattress that should have been in my trailer must now be somewhere out on the highway...

My Brad Pitt Moment

Recently, a trip to Wal-Mart took me down memory lane. It all started a little over six years ago when I got assigned to serve my church mission in North Sydney, Australia. After spending three weeks outside Salt Lake City, UT in the mission training center (MTC), i received my flight itinerary. I was traveling with some other "greenies" to Australia and we were to fly into Los Angeles in the evening, have a couple hours layover, than board our fourteen hour flight to Sydney. When we got to LAX, we hung out for awhile and then decided we would takea stroll around the terminal.

We were a little anxious about our journey...anyways, we are strolling along...me (Sister Philippi), another young lady (Sister Roberts), and a young man (Elder Gann). *In case you've never met one, a missionary from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints aka 'Mormon Church' is known as "Sister" or "Elder" along with their last name.*

ANyHoo... This guy passed us and we all kinda' took a minute to register who it was but it was Elder Gann who stated the unbelievable first. "That was Brad Pitt." Yea! It was the GUY in the group who noticed first! Sister Roberts and I said, "yea it sure looked like Brad Pitt" or somethin' along those lines. SisterRoberts may actually have this recorded in more detail than me.

Brad Pitt had walked by to grab a smoke in the outdoor smoking area. We followed him and tried to non-chalantly confirm it was him by glancing sideways out the window into the designated smoke area. Brad had on a colorful knit cap, was completely unshaven, and shorter and slighter in build than he appears on TV. But it was him. We turned around and walked by again. Elder Gann said we should talk to him. After all we are missionaries. This is our job now. To talk to people. My palms started to sweat, my heart was racing and felt like it was going to pound out of my chest. My ears started to ring and my head was swimming.

I guess Brad had finished his cigarette because he passed us on his way to wherever. This time we weren't the only ones who noticed. Some flight attendants walking towards us (and Brad) said "That was Brad Pitt".

This was our chance. We could walk a little faster and catch up to him and introduce ourselves. We could shake his hand...actually touch Brad Pitt...look in his eyes...my stomach is turning flip-flops still today just thinking about it...but we didn't. We didn't walk faster, we didn't introduce ourselves, we didn't shake his hand. The first person we could have talked to as new missionaries could have been Brad Pitt but we let the moment go. We let the opportunity pass. We chickened out.

And the other night, when i was at Wal-Mart, when i glanced behind me and saw Pioneer Woman, THE Pioneer Woman, Ree, all those queasy stomach, head swimming emotions rushed back at me like a tidal wave. To Be Continued...

Wilmott Update

Superman stopped by and visited with the Wilmott's this evening. The funeral will be held on Sat. May 31st at the Tulsa Ok. East Stake Center at 10am. Early investigation of the skid marks on the road appear to show that as Les came over the hill, he did not realize the tractor rig was stopped on the downhill, on the highway. There were marks to show he tried to turn at the last minute. Why the rig was stopped on the highway is unclear yet. The driver and passenger have conflicting stories. The family is as good as can be expected at this time and Superman plans to visit with the Wilmott boys very soon. There have been really good news tributes to the Wilmott's on local CBS and ABC.

A Dear Friend Has Moved On

My morning slumber was disturbed twice by Superman calling and i thought, "He can wait," however i decided when he called the third time i'd better get up. He called with the unfortunate news that our good friend, Les Wilmott, had been in a collision last night. The Lord has decided to take Les home. A short while later another woman who is very, very close to Jerianne (Les' wife) called to make sure i knew and said Jerianne is "pretty torn up."

My heart is breaking for her. This could not have happened to a sweeter lady. Superman was pretty close to Les, having served with Les in various callings, not to mention being close to his sons as Young Men's president.

And Superman dated Les' daughter before he met me. She's beautiful too--like her mom. One of Superman's favorite memories is of picking his date up and Les coming down the hall all dressed up in his S.W.A.T. gear with his guns spread all over the kitchen table. It did the trick. Superman was thoroughly cowed!

Les and Jearianne lived in Inola for a while when Les was employed as the Inola Chief of Police. Early word is that the funeral will be this Saturday. One thing i feel grateful for is that Les had the joy of knowing a grandparenthood through his little grandson and new baby grand-daughter and that he saw all his kids go to college. Les was supposed to graduate from college this December. Jerianne had told me he was working really hard. This is what Superman e-mailed out:

Les was a Great man.



Kiefer police officer killed in crash

COURTESY
Sgt. Leslie Wilmott




By KELLY HINES World Staff Writer 5/29/2008 6:47 AM
A veteran officer for the Kiefer Police Department was killed early Thursday in a collision in Rogers County.Sgt. Leslie Wilmott, 54, of Oologah died at the scene of the crash on U.S. 169 northbound near State Highway 88 shortly after midnight, according to an Oklahoma Highway Patrol accident report.Wilmott's patrol car, a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria, ran into a tractor-trailer rig, troopers reported. The semi's driver, 33-year-old Luis A. Lara of Laredo, Texas, was not injured, nor was his passenger.The cause of the collision is unknown, the report stated.Wilmott has been in law enforcement for about 30 years, according to the Kiefer Police Web site. He served as chief of police in Inola and Beggs.

Thanks for that, Superman. We would like to offer our thanks to Les and his family for their years of service and sacrifice on our behalf along with our condolences and love. The Wilmott family is in our prayers and our hearts this weekend as they go through this difficult time. We love you.

Here We Go again...

Mommy Moments

Q. walks into the kitchen chanting, "Boobie, boobie, boobie, boobie, boobie..." This isn't the first time. She likes to sing this chant to BBB. Seeing as he's a boy and that he still gets his main form of nourishment from something very similiar, he finds this chant amusing. I tell her this is not an appropriate thing to say. "But why?" The infamous kid question. Because its actually a part of our body that is supposed to be private and when we talk about it we should refer to it as a breast and only when there's a problem with it. In the back of my mind i am thinking i need to have a chat with Superman because i'm certain Q. may have overheard some hushed or maybe not so hushed talk in the car or sumthin'? Anyways, Q. loves to drag these conversations out probably because i'm not very good at putting this in terms she can understand...isn't it obvious i'm not good at this? Granma K. (my mom) walks in while i'm chatting with my runt and i have flashbacks to when i made my mom suffer through these same conversations. Does parenthood seem like its all about payback sometimes? Huh.

Another Tag

Okay this is fun. Even if i haven't blogged about anything all week. It was a pretty exciting week too. Well more so for Superman i think. i really felt for the guy. anyways here's the tag list. What was i doing:

10 years ago? lets see that was may of 1998...i was in the middle of nowhere, idaho living on a sheep ranch owned by the feds. i was still working the lambing though it had slowed down alot...it was just the late lambers by then. and it snowed the weekend of mothers day. yep. i was still freezing my hiney off and wearing quadruple layers of clothes while my family was here enjoying tornado weather. in fact, i believe that was the spring that a tornado ripped through stroud (off I-44 halfway to OKC) and blew away the outlet mall. that was kinda sad cuz the owner decided not to re-build it.

**OOPS! i realized the other night watching the news that i was a year off. the news lady mentioned the anniversary of that tornado from 1999. so here's my real '98...i had just returned home from Ricks College 20# heavier than when i left. I couldn't really remember what was going on so i looked up may of '98 in my journal.

Looks like I was still figuring out where my life was going, especially spiritually, and worrying about meeting the right man. I was also going to summer school at the community college in tulsa and attending bible study with a group of young single adults. I do remember hiring a personal fitness trainer to learn how to manage my nutrition and metabolism. It worked. Just FYI: I lost all the weight by the end of the year and have managed my nutrition pretty well (everyone slips up) since.**

5 years ago? may of 2003...well i was a newlywed...i was commuting from inola (east of tulsa) all the way to stillwater (west and south of tulsa) attending OkState. it was 1 hour and 40 minutes one way and i usually rode BOB, that left from OkState Tulsa. this week would have been finals week. fun stuff.

5 months ago? i was still recovering from the birth of my third runt, BBB. except he really isn't a runt. the kid's up to 14# now. WO! my lil' gals' weren't that heavy till they were around 9 months old. he's almost 5 months now. where does time run off to? we had just celebrated my niece's 3rd b-day and i was fixin' (like that?) to close out a Pampered Chef show for my SIL.

5 things on my To Do List today: (so far i've gotten to 1, 2, and 4)

• go for a walk with the neighbor and all the kids (5 total)
• clean my house
• fold the laundry
• check my email and craigslist
• watch greys anatomy online

5 snacks i enjoy:

• ice cream
• cheese and ritz
• chocolate milk and raisin bread
• 1/2 bagel
• scrambled eggs

5 things i'd do if i became a billionaire:

• go to australia
• go to europe
• pay off my house and student loans
• buy as many acres as Superman wants and build a house, barn, and monkey shed (for Superman)
• take my ENTIRE family (including in-laws) on the vacation of their choice (within reason)
• PS the rest of the story: there's about a million other things i would do with it (trust funds for kids and missions...including me and superman's, shopping, a home gym and trainer, get a maid...)

5 bad habits:

• go to bed late, get up late
• washing laundry and never folding and putting it away
• spending too much time on the'puter and not enough time reading/playing with my kids
• pickin' my nose (just bein' honest folks...i learned it from watchin' my mom...yep i see the implication)
• not leaving enough time for myself to get anywhere on time--i'm a bad judge of how long its gonna take to geter done. in other words, i'm late.

5 places i've lived: did this before but here goes...

• sydney, australia
• carson city, nv
• rexburg, id
• moscow, id
• provo, ut

5 things people don't know about me: which people??

• i had at least four cats that were named after some form of ice cream throughout my childhood (fudgescicle, vanilla, pistachio, blizzard)
• i have never, ever changed my hair color
• i was a tae kwon do champion (yep on the state and national level)
• the most sheep i owned at one time was 18 (i love sheep)
• i didn't get my first kiss till i was 19

5 people i am tagging: i don't think i know five people who read this who haven't already been tagged...

• ashley (sorry mate)
• sharon and charlie
• michelle (i know you don't blog but email it to me and i'll post it on mine)
• melissa j.
• someone want to volunteer?

okay that took up my entire afternoon. at least BBB fell asleep finally. till next time...

Food for Thought

This is an e-mail of Larry the Cable Guy's Wisdom i received from Superman today. Some of you may have seen this but i thought it was something worthy of posting. just for fun. let me know your favorites.

1. A day without sunshine is like night.

2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.

3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.

4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.

5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.

6. He who laughs last thinks slowest.

7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.

8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.

9. Support bacteria. That's the only culture some people have.

10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.

12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.

13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.

14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?

15. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.

17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?

18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines. (That's True)

19. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?

20. Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?

21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, 'What the heck happened?'

22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.

23. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

24. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.

My Latest Never-ending Project

Some of you may recall i received Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0 for my birthday last month. well my friend jenn is the bomb lady at figuring this stuff out so she has been soooooooo nice and very, very, very, (i could go on) patient in giving me a crash course on how to use the program. i'm sure she's gonna stop answering the phone when she sees its me...again! so here is my first page.

digiscrapping is a good fit for me cuz my kids have their hands in all of it if i do get it out. and they want to do some too, which is fine, but it can get crazy and then they start coloring where they shouldn't, grabbing pics and bending them, ect, ect, anyone who knows kids gets this. they see mommy cut paper so if they happen upon some scissors tomorrow or next week then they just cut whatever paper they come across first, never mind that its, say, daddy's diploma or some important such and such AT GRAMMA's (just a scenario, could happen, hopin' & prayin' it won't).

so this is really fun and i am now well on my way to becoming a pc freak--yep my housework went down the tube the last two days. but i found a reason to do it (housework)...cuz on most days i'm gonna hafta do my work THEN reward myself with some scrappin'. YEe Haa! bye bye for now naps...

Easter

Alright I had a little "to do" list down there in my blog. And i realized i didn't really have any good pics of Easter. We went to church in the morning with my parents and then went back to their house and the girls blew bubbles with gramma. These aren't good pics of their dresses but i plan on having their portraits done soon in the dresses. The gals picked their own dresses--Target clearance special. I was happy about that, especially because they looked more pricey. We put t-shirts over their dresses to keep the bubbles off.


thats all i can get this blogger tool to upload for now. i don't know whats wrong with it. frustrated. maybe more later.

TOFW

On Friday and Saturday i had the opportunity to attend this amazing women's conference in OKC. Deseret Book puts these on all over the country as a way to inspire and uplift women from all walks of life. i just thought i would share what were some highlights for me.

Michael McLean and Kim Nelson did the friday night seminar. The focus was on how men and women are different but are complementary. Michael sang a song about how being of one heart doesn't mean we are the same or "singing" the same part, but we are actually "singing" our parts in harmony. "You sing you, I'll sing me. Our life song is sung in harmony." Michael McLean also talked and sang alot about being tired of being unhappy all the time. He said when we get sick and tired of being sick and tired eventually it will be enough that we will want to change. He sang a song about being called on a mission to be happy. "i set myself apart...I'm on a mission to be happy and my first convert's gonna be me." He was hilarious and his message was touching.

Hillary Weeks was there again this year. She taught us that she believed being happy is connected to having the spirit in our lives and that the sacrement plays a huge role in that. She sang alot (of course). I love her voice and music. It is so soothing. Whenever i need to calm down i pop in her cd--its great while i am driving. Here she sang a song about believing in ourselves. "Believe in what you do, believe in who you are, believe in who you're becoming. Hold tight to the truth that you're a daughter of God. He does!" PS that quote is probably not exact but close.

Carolyn Rasmus asked us "What are you NOT doing that prevents the spirit of the Lord from being with you?" She said, "Bad things CAN and DO happen to good people." She quoted Boyd K. Packer (?), "A study of the doctrine of the church will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior." She said the gospel is NOT insurance against pain. It is a resource. She said we must not "plow along with everything [we] do without acknowledging or asking for His help. We can do nothing without His love. His love is everything...He offers so much more than a morsel. We must come to his banquet of love, given without price...his gift of grace [is] given when i least deserve any gift but that IS the gift of grace." And she refered to Isaiah 49:15-16 and Doctrine and Covenents 6:34,36 "Yes Jesus loves us. Yes Jesus loves us. The Bible, the Book of Mormon, the living prophets, testify it is so. Call on Him. He will succor you, He will literally come running to you..." I hope this grants a little insight into the power of her talk.

Merrilee Boyack taught about caring versus response and asked us to take "5 split seconds" a day for people(s). And jason wright challenged us to hand write a letter to someone and include in it that "i know God lives."

BBB was an angel and hardly made a peep. If one of these seminars comes within a few hours drive of where you live, it is really worth attending. We got these cute little bags too. Just the right size for scriptures and church manual or as a diaper bag or day bag.

Have a joi fuhl day, mates!

The Mom Mantra

I love what this lady did so i thought i'd post it. Some of you may have seen it already but its great to watch again. And for those who haven't, I hope you enjoy. We all have moms or we are a mom so everyone on the planet can relate.

I've been Tagged!

What a way to get me back in the game Ashley! Thanks for the tag. I would love to share. But first, i know its been a few weeks. The good thing is that we have upgraded to DSL so doing this and viewing online will hopefully be alot quicker and easier. Today is the first day for the upgrade and i am pretty excited. i don't have to worry about missing calls anymore either.

There are some things i want to write about but today i'm just gonna stick to the tag. However i am going to make a list here to remind myself:

1. post pictures of Easter
2. post Q's big day
3. updates on BBB
4. mommy moments

Here it is:

4 jobs I've had:

1. veterinary assistant
2. newspaper deliveryman (bundledrop)
3. waitress
4. english tutor

4 movies I've seen:

1. most recent was "States of Grace-Gods Army 2" liked it until the last third
2. Enchanted was awesome!
3. Phantom of the Opera (the music is incredible)
4. Dirty Dancing is one of my all time favorites

4 places I've been:

1. Australia
2. Yellowstone
3. Las Vegas
4. Mexico

4 places I've lived:

1. Rexburg, ID
2. Sydney, Australia
3. Carson City, NV
4. Owasso, OK

4 tv programs I watch:

1. Desperate Housewives
2. Shark (when we can find it on)
3. King of Queens
4. Dexter (recent discovery on CBS)

4 radioshows:i don't really have radioshows but i'll list the music stations

1. 98.5 country
2. 95.5 KRMG (country)
3. 96.5 MIX 96? 80's 90's mix
4. 92.9 it mix too but they may have more oldies

4 favorite foods:

1. Ice cream
2. Seafood (except mussels and oysters)
3. Good ole home country cookin' (any homemade bread or pastry, roast, green bean casserole, nanny's fried sweet potatoes, fried okra, ect.)
4. probably anything with chocolate as an ingredient

4 places I'd rather be:

1. In Sydney (i want to go back for a visit)
2. At a Spa pampering myself
3. At a pampered chef kitchen meeting
4. At the Ice Rink (i like to skate)

4 people I'm tagging:

1. Jennifer
2. i don't know anyone else who reads my blog that has a blog so if you read this and want to participate then go ahead but leave a comment on my blog so i know where to find your list?
3. I could re-tag Ashley but i don't know the rules.
4. Melissa?

Our Stuff and Naughty Me

Well i missed MLM but i'll get it next week. i would like to post some pics too of our stuff but my camera batteries need recharged.

so this is the first time i have got to type with both hands in ages. see, Q. went with her aunt to see her other aunt who lives several hours away. she just left and will be gone for FIVE WHOLE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!! i don't know what to do...i wanna cry, for joy, for sadness, for worry, for relief. my baby is growing up so fast. i never thought i would i have trouble seeing her off for her own little vacation but i guess this confirms i am her true mother and she is really my child because sometimes i wonder... then i remember i guess i wasn't a perfect kid either.

the thing is, i forgot i wasn't perfect cuz my mom always told me i was but i did teach my brother how to get out of his crib as a baby. when we got a little older we'd eat peanut butter with a spoon on sat. mornings during cartoons. i used to use the back of the couch as a balance beam, and i peeked at all my christmas presents, showed my brother his, then he felt bad and tattled. i also baby powdered him head to toe when i was a wee one and watched quietly as he spread ashes all over the floor with his dump truck. i put my cat in a bucket once and put the lid on. the cat almost died for lack of oxygen, literally, the cat was two minutes from death. sorry mom i didn't mean to. and i was very picky about my clothes. i even tattled on my brother for a whole week about how he would hit me and mom would punish him. she finally lost her patience and asked, "WHY?!" and he said, "J. told me to," very matter-of-fact like.

Once we went through all my parents drawers in which we discovered where dad hid his money (more than one place) and other things not for little eyes. mom never found out until she was saying how she needed some money so we showed her where to find it. and i cannot forget our adventures with matches. we burned a spot in the fake grass carpet on the back porch while we were burning the hair off of strawberry shortcake (it more or less just melted instead of flaming, which smelled funny). we turned the toy box over on top of the burned spot (which was significant) and weren't discovered until we moved houses.

My Q. is much more like me than i want to admit. i think i'm gonna miss my baby. and she's gonna miss me. but neither of us will let on cuz that's how we are with each other...we need our own space or we couldn't survive in the same house...we must be that much alike.

okay enough of that. Friday was my birthday. i was wondering how this year was gonna beat last year. i went and took BBB for portraits and then met mom for lunch. mom hasn't been well for about six months but we were able to get away for awhile and we had this great time! we ate and chatted for three hours. first, we shared a veggie stacker at MiMi's Cafe. It was YUMmmy--grilled squash, mushrooms, red bell peppers, with tomato basil pesto on grilled sourdough. the dessert menu wasn't impressive but The Cheesecake Factory was next door so we went to split a slice.

Except we ended up getting our own. Anyone who knows my mom knows she loves pineapple upside down cake. there was a pineapple upside down CHEESE cake. i'm gonna go back and get a pic and put it in this post. it was like six inches high and three inches wide. cake on the bottom and top with cheesecake in the middle. OH MY GOSH!!!! my mom ate the whole slice. i had a couple bites--it was heavenly. my mom was so stuffed--that is the most she has ate in six months! i was thrilled. now i know what it is like for Superman to watch me eat shrimp (one of his favorite activities). That was the highlight of my day.

Of course, my gifts were pretty cool. Superman got me Adobe Photoshop 6.0 which i am absolutely excited about and revving to get started. mom got me the Pages By Design layout kit. i think i'm going to test it out tonite at a crop.

more our stuff: BBB is funner than ever. He smiles, chats, and laughs all the time. he loves to play patty cake and he loves to get kisses. i can't resist kissing his big fat cheeks. i'm gonna enjoy it while i can cuz someday soon he won't want me kissin' on 'im anymore and oh the heartbreak! did i mention i am utterly and eternally in love with BBB? did i mention Superman has competition now? (sigh)

this is getting very, very long. this is what happens when i have both hands to type with. maybe one hand isn't such a bad thing! till monday.

A Word From J.'s Dictionary: Frustcouraged /frust-ker-ujd/ adj. 1.frustrated 2.discouraged

This is how I feel today so I am going to enter 10 reasons why I love myself b-cuz as Wild Daisies told her daughter the other week, "You need to ALWAYS like yourself, ... in case no one else does...then you will at least have one person that does".

1. i'm mostly a great cook
2. i made three cute kids (with help)
3. people still say i look under age
4. when i say i'm gonna do it, i do--even if it takes longer than expected
5. my Superman still looks at me the way he did five and 1/2 years ago
6. i have "to-die-for" in-laws
7. i'm growing up
8. i like to read (probably too much)
9. i tend towards thoughtfulness and consideration
10. i do not give up easily (except for arguing with Superman...i have to win quietly)

Now, so ya'll think i'm completely self-absorbed, i'm gonna go read "100 of the Many Reasons I Love My Auzzie" by Superman while i feed BBB...and sleep (just a little cuz this UTI is kickin' my butt). The girls don't know it yet, but its gonna be a "Beauty and the Beast" afternoon--popcorn included. They're gonna luv it!

My Six Word Life Memoir

"All work, more play, every blessing." ~J.

Flu Freakout

I am suffering from a case of anxiety-ridden mommy hysteria. The flu outbreak is now being classified as an epidemic in our state. We had our shots but one of the Influenza A wasn't covered and that's the one getting to everybody. I even lied to Q. and told her school was canceled today. What kind of mother am I? Very crazy and paranoid, that's what! I am terrified of my two younger runts getting sick with the flu. Audi never handles colds well and BBB, what more can i say? he's still tiny and vulnerable to URI's. so I am initiating our first real world boycott. we are going to avoid everyone and public places (except the park on nice days--the park is ok cuz the sun kills the crud) and Superman is going to have to put up washing his hands and changing his clothes obsessively when he gets home at night. I am struggling with the church issue though. i think i'll take a can of Lysol with me and give it to the nursery leader. No one is touching my baby. And we are going to learn to love the smell of orange alcohol. I know how to push my family's patience levels to the brink. Poor peeps. Pray for 'em.

Its Official: I'm terrible at this!

I get so gosh darned frustrated with waiting for this stinkin' internet to upload pages and pics. Time is a valuable commodity around my house. Well i'll try to get the long awaited pics of our BBB (big beautiful boy) posted now.

FYI--Born on Dec. 8; 7#14oz 20 3/4 in. So that makes him 2.5 months old. His requirements are to be full and dry. Beyond that BBB loves to smile, coo, and play. He doesn't like to be alone. He wants a part of the action all the time. He's got a lot of energy minus the drama. So he's a very easy going guy. I like him alot.

The girls like him too. Q is my helper and Audi is the loving little me. FYI--Q goes to preschool, is potty trained (T.G.), and says the silliest, laughingest things. Shes a sunbeam now. Audi is getting clearer words everyday and she has begun to exert will towards independance (frustrating at times but part of life).

And these girls have TO DIE FOR eyes. Q with her striking baby blues in some hue only God could make and Audi with large green saucers. Superman keeps tellin' me my oven knows how to cook 'em just right. LOL

Some of the Darndest Things:

As Q. sneaks a sucker into her room, she shuts the door and then laments, "OH NOOooooo! How am I going to get you out of there!" The stick had pulled out of the candy, leaving it trapped in the plastic.

Q. says, "Mom, can i get somethin' for nothin'?" Suppose she's tired of doing chores to earn treats?

Audi, our little princess, prances and postures around the house in her genuine Disney cinderella gown, " I'm Cinerwewa. I'm Cinerwewa." She's obsessed with all things princess and there is a dramatic scene each time we have to change her clothes because she can't wear her princess shirt everyday or her princess nightgown all day. Not to mention all the singing, "ah, Ah, AH" from 'Part of your World--Little Mermaid'.

MMmmm...this one's pretty good to end with...

We go to a playdate and Q. comes running out of the bathroom behind her friend saying very excitedly, "He peed from the front Mom!" Now I periodically find the seat of the toilet up in her bathroom. So instead of griping at dh to put the seat down, I gripe at my 4 yr old little GIRL to put the seat down! who could guess?