Life--whizzing by!

Do you ever feel as if life just goes by way to fast? I do! It seems that as I've gotten older (I am not ageing mind you!) it just seems to go faster and faster. I don't know where the time goes! I remember when I was a kid- waiting for Christmas. It seemed like it NEVER came! My birthday was the same. Summer couldn't come fast enough! The school year seemed to draaaaaag on FOREVER!!! Then when Lorin and I were first married with only Darci- I remember when she was born thinking- Eight years til she is old enough to be baptized.... That is so long and far away! Now I am thinking- HOLY CRAP! Darci has Madeline who will be getting baptized in 4 years! 4 YEARS!!! That is like a blink of an eye! How does this happen? Why do I run out of time to do fun stuff with my kids during the summer? Wasn't Christmas just yesterday? Weren't my kids just born the other day? How can my cute baby boy be turning 11 this year? HOW??? I hear that as you get even older than I am- time seems to just whizz by!

Time is an interesting thing to think about for me also- When my Mom died- Time for me seemed to stand still. I couldn't comprehend that life was still moving forward for everyone else. How could it when this horrible tragedy has just happened. And yet, time rolls on. Always moving forward.

I guess that's why it is important to sometimes just stop and take a snapshot of your life- watch the kids play in the sprinklers, enjoy those flowers growing in the garden. That bike ride you've been meaning to go on- Do it!

Time is precious. Oh so precious. I need to be better at making better use of my time. Filling it with moments that will mean something in the eternities.

Bucket List

These are 10 things that I have on my bucket list-

1- Visit Australia
2- Go on a couples mission
3-Have a house with a basement
4-Get ALL of the projects in my laundry room done
5- Become an ultra sound tech
6- Take my kids on a cruise
7-Sing in public
8- Learn to sky dive all by myself
9- Weigh my goal weight
10- Attend the temple with ALL of my kids in attendance

Dinner outside

We have a really great Sunday tradition- I hope it goes on forever. Sunday evening we all get together and have dinner. We try doing it every week and most weeks it happens. Once in awhile it doesn't work out. Brighton is having a bridal shower for one of her friends on Tuesday so yesterday we worked our butts off cleaning the yard up and getting it ready for the party. We even cleaned out the wedding trailer. In the trailer we found this really cute canopy thing so we set it up (we didn't stake it down though and during the night it went flying across the yard. It got a bit bent up.) We put 2 long tables under it and ate dinner out there tonight. It was so awesome! It was all shady and there was room for everyone. Then we just sat and visited. Darci and Devin went and jumped on the trampoline with their kids. Juston and Tevin threw a football around for a long time. Then Darci and all the kids went and swung on the hammock- Devin pushed them really high, Madeline screamed her head off. Then one of the kids threw a football up onto the roof so Devin lifted Hadley up onto the roof to get it off. She was all excited to do it until it was time to jump off, then she wasn't so excited! So Devin put Madeline up there to show Hadley how to jump off, but then she didn't want to jump off either. They finally did get off when Juston brought a table over for Devin to climb on to get them. It was hilarious to watch. It was just a nice, relaxing, fun evening. It was just nice to be together. The only draw back was that Lorin had to work and we missed him being with us.

1/2 WAY THERE!!!

I set a Personal Progress goal on March 5, 2012 to lose 40 lbs by Girls Camp on August 13-18, 2012. GUESS WHAT!!! This morning I weighed myself and I am 1/2 way there! I have to say it really feels good to be 20 lbs lighter. I cant believe it is even possible! Just a few months ago I was really considering doing some sort of stomach surgery. I know a few women who have had that type of thing done and it just seems like it is the "magic pill". That is works like a charm. And life is great for them. New clothes, new zest for life- just everything seems grand for them. But then I have a really cute friend Cara who I talked to about it- I actually wanted to see if she would do it with me. Her response has really stayed with me. She said- Ya- that's not for me. I would like to do it but then I think about the next life and I really think that if I cant show Heavenly Father that he can trust me with this body, that he wont really trust me with creating worlds. I feel like I need to show him that I can control my passions so he will know he can trust me with bigger responsibilities. She just made me think of it in a different way. I really, really don't have much self control when it comes to food. I see it, I eat it. But since she said that to me I have been trying a lot harder to be better. I really do want Heavenly Father to trust me with bigger and better things. It hasn't been easy by any stretch of the imagination. Playing Game On has been a big part of it. If I am accountable to my teammates- I am sure in the heck going to try my hardest to do my best. But it truly does feel good to be able to breathe better- not feel like I am going to pass out if I go up stairs or chase after Madeline. I like that I can fit into a smaller size of pants. I LIKE IT!!! So- pat on my back! I am going to keep going and SMASH that goal!

IT IS FINISHED.... almost!

Today is a very momentous day! And I don't mean just because my neighbors are moving! I have been working on a project for the past 2 years (OK that's a total lie- I have had this project for the last 2 years, but I haven't been working on it for that long! It is DONE!!!! Finally!!! Weeehaaaa!!!

 2 years ago our ward did a pioneer trek. Just us. It was seriously one of the hardest, most amazing torturous, uplifting things I have ever done! It was an overnight trip out towards Glendale. Desert, rolling hills, sand and dirt. Hot- terribly hot. We weren't expecting any water or mud. We got both. We pulled handcarts through a river that was up past our chests. And yes for us short people, it might've been a bit higher. Then through miles of thick, black, sticky mud. We also did this monstrous hill that seemed like it went on for infinity. It was super HARD. But so extremely worth every ounce of anything we put into it!

Back to this project- The cute girl (Laura) who made the trek possible- she was the chair person over it, she made this huge banner for us to walk under as we entered "the Valley" at the end. It had our theme painted on it- Courage to Continue. It was so wonderful to see that and know we were almost to the finish. After the trek was over- I asked her if I could have the banner. She said that I could BORROW it for a bit but that she wanted it back. I asked her if I could bring it back to her in an altered state. She looked at me weird and was like ooookaaaaay, what does that mean? I wanted to make it into a quilt as a surprise for her. (I did ask permission from her husband before I started cutting it up) She has only asked me for it back like 5 times in the past 2 years. It is getting harder and harder to stall!

So the middle of the quilt is the banner and the outside patchwork are pieces of the kids clothing. (We had an activity where the girls made their own trek skirts) There is even 1 piece of bright blue that were my bloomers. I would be excited to have a quilt with someones underwear in it. Wouldn't you!!!! I embroidered all of the names of anyone who had anything to do with the trek on it in different colors. Then I outlined (quilted) the words in red yarn and tied the centers and corners of the patchwork. And let me just tell you- I will not be making another quilt where you have to quilt for a very long time! I made one once years and years ago and swore then that I never would again but this time I really really REALLY mean it! I still need to bind the edges but that will have to wait until next week.

IT IS HUGE!!!!! (It is covering my entire couch!)

I am really excited to give it too her but at the same time- really scared because I didn't really ask her permission to make it into a quilt. I hope she likes it because if not- I will not be excited to undo it. So my plan to give it to her is to wrap it up in cute wrapping paper with a note and doorbell ditch her with it. That way I wont see if she hates it. I hope she likes it. I hope that it brings her some really great memories and that she will know how much I so appreciated all of the hours and hours of work that she put into that wonderful trek.

Now I guess I will have to start dusting the living room again! I think I may be a little scared to go in after those dust bunnies! They are probably about 4-5 months old! YIKES!!!! And I guess there is room for our Home Teachers to sit next time they come....

Crazy Week

Have you ever had one of those days that just seems to be totally crazy? I think I have been having a few of them in a row but this week it just seems to be catching up to me and I am going crazy. OK maybe I already was crazy but now I think its a bit worse. So let me just tell you about stuff I need to do this week. You might say- What the heck is she whining about! I have 10 million more things going on than her. If so- I applaud you! And feel sorry for you.
Monday- Exercise- 5:00 am, wake Tevin up at 6:10 am, keep waking him up for the next 30 min. Finally get frustrated with him, send him out the door with a chicken/ cheese tortilla for breakfast, picked kids up from seminary, take them to school, supposed to clean the house- didn't because I was watching a really cute boy. OK- I did sneak a nap in there with him. Cutie Pie. Then Slate to an Ortho appt. (Across town- And I mean CLEAR across town!) Then Slate & Dakota to Jamesons office for him to sign some physical papers. Then home for approximately 37 seconds to pick up Tevin for batting practice. Then hurry and straighten the house up before bed.
Tues-Exercise- 5:00 am, wake Tevin up at 6:10 am, keep waking him up for the next 30 min. Finally get frustrated with him, send him out the door with nothing  for breakfast (I did tell him to eat breakfast at school), picked kids up from seminary, take them to school, went to volunteer in Tevins class. Stayed almost 4 hrs. Then off to do errands- Bank, fabric store- looking for upholstery material to recover my swing in the back yard. No luck on that one, Darn it! I know there were about 10 more errands I did yesterday but I sure cant remember what they were.
Wednesday- Exercise- 5:00 am, wake Tevin up at 6:10 am, have the most wonderful surprise of my life- Tevin jumped out of bed and ran and got into the shower before I even started to wake him up! AWESOME!!!! Send him out the door with ALFREDO for breakfast (I know- who eats Alfredo for breakfast right?) and yes I did make it this morning, it wasn't leftovers! Picked kids up from seminary, Made Slate & I a really super delicious yummy mushroom, onion, asparagus and eggs on a whole wheat tortilla. MMMM! Then got ready for my YW Presidency meeting. Went to the Post Office and Winco, went and picked up Darci's cute kids to watch them for a little while while she had her awesome Activity Days Tea Party. (It sounded so fun!) Then came home and made 4 poodle skirts for the 5th grade teachers at Tevins school for his 5th grade end of the year party.

 Made mac and cheese for the kids for dinner. No- I didn't make anything for anyone else, they had to fend for themselves.

I am sure you didn't notice how they may or may not have looked like homeless children- yes, I left the house with them like that, no, they did not arrive at my house looking like that and also did you see that Hadley is definitely ready in case the wind starts blowing- her "baseball" hat is velcroed under her chin instead of in the back. 

Then off to Tevins tournament baseball game. Stopped at Wal-mart on the way home (At 9:30 pm) arrived home, made all of the kids super happy when I asked them to help clean up the house and now I am writing this.
Whats left for the week- Tevin has scouts tomorrow. I need to make 150 necklaces for Tevins 5th grade party. I need to go to the temple. Clean up the yard for the bridal shower Brighton is having for her friend on Tues. Clean the house up before someone sticks to the toilet and has to call 911 to be chipped off of it. Mail some 2 month over due thank you notes, finish some vinyl for Darci's friend, find some pictures for Tevins party, drop off some stuff at the DI, call the eye Dr. and schedule my eye surgery and exercise everyday at 5:00 am. I think I am tired just thinking about the rest of it.

Fireside- Jason Wade

Last night I was able to attend a fireside at the Meadows Stake. The speaker was Jason Wade. He is the main character in the LDS movie 17 Miracles. It is about the Willie and Martin handcart companies that came across the plains to late in the season for it to be safe. Levi Savage (Jason Wade) tells the pioneers this but they ignore his advice and publicly rebuke him. He decided to go with the company anyway and do as much to help as he could. He was never bitter about being rebuked in public, ever. He was a really good man. It was really interesting to hear Jason Wade talk about making this film, the characters in it and some of the experiences they had while filming. This movie was shot in just 18 days. That’s really incredible. He said he was also chased by real wolves. But the things he really spoke of were- anchoring your life in prayer. ALWAYS pray and ask for help and inspiration. He gave personal experiences of this in his own life. He also spoke of (especially to the youth) defining yourself. Decide now who you are going to be. Don’t let others do that for you. You decide and then become that person. Don't let anyone stop you. You might make mistakes but you will learn from those mistakes and move on. It was a really good fireside. I was really glad I was able to go and listen. 

Dance recital

Last night we were invited to Madeline and Hadleys dance recital. It was Madelines 3rd one and Hadleys very first one. I know I have said this before, but I am pretty sure I have the cutest grandkids in the universe! And just from looking at this picture, I know you agree! It was so much fun! They were the very first number. Madeline was on the front row but poor Hadley was stuck in the very back row. (She had been so excited all day- Darci said that when sh woke up that morning, she was so excited to be dancing on the stage that she said she was going to barf all over the place. Where does she come up with this stuff?) We couldn't even hardly see her. Then later on their 2nd dance- she was stuck back there again- what the heck? But not to worry- Hadley totally took matters into her own hands and snuck up to the front row next to Madeline and there she just did her own little version of the dance! It was the most awesome thing EVER!!! Then- on the 3rd dance- There was Hadley on the very back row AGAIN! Now let me ask you- is that fair? I think not! But Hadley is a girl who knows what she wants in life and it is not the back row! She was on the front row again by the end of the first verse. But then---- she spied the microphone! She stared at it. You could see she wanted it soooo bad! It was right there! She started moving towards it. The song ended before she got all the way to it or I am sure she would have been singing her little heart out. They were so the best performers of the night! I was so glad we got to go! And I am so glad Darci bought the DVD of the show! It is going to be priceless! They both did such a great job! Madeline was so perfect in her dancing! She knew all of the moves and right when to do them! They both had their hair and make up done (blue eyeshadow!) They were definitely the stars of the show!

I think someone should talk to the dance teacher and tell her that it is not fun to watch your kid on the back row every single time- rotate them all to be on the front row, even if it is just for a minute! Let them all have a turn showing off and shining for their families! They all did such a great job!

The adventure begins

So as you know, Darci and Devin want to start foster parenting again. They got turned down for the twin girls but then yesterday they were called for a little 3 month old baby, his name was Ivin. They said yes only to later that night during the girls dance recital get a call saying- just kidding! You don't get him. Then late late that night (10:30 pm) get another call asking them to come and get him. Darci said yes. She called me and asked if I would go with her to pick him up. Devin was asleep and it is in a pretty scary part of town. If you are white and a girl, you probably shouldn't be there by yourself at 10:00 at night. I was actually pretty excited to go with her. That would mean I got to see the newest addition to our family before anyone else. So she came and picked me up and down we went. The social worker had told her to drive all the way to the back of the parking lot to the building on the right, park in the closest spot to the door- even if that was a police vehicle spot and to hurry and ring the bell and someone would come and let us in. So we pull in and are driving back there and we see this big guy walking back there. Totally freaked me out! Then as we parked I opened the door to get out and there was a sound like a gunshot and a lot of screaming. I seriously thought someone had just died.  (I realized later that we were right next to a baseball field and someone had just cracked the ball. WHO PLAYS BASEBALL AT 11:00 AT NIGHT???) We (I) ran to the door. And there we saw the guy that had been walking. Yes, by this time I was a bit nervous. And it didn't help anything that I had just drank a huge amount of water and was about to pee my pants! When we got in, they wouldn't let me go back with Darci to pick him up. So I waited out in the front office part. I did ask if I could use the bathroom and she said "Yes, it is in the body check room." What the heck is a body check room? After about 10-15 minutes Darci and the social worker came back with Ivin. HE IS CHUBBY!!!! He has some serious rolls going on. I got to snuggle him for a few minutes while they got the car seat adjusted for him. I just sat and stared at him and wondered what he has already been through and seen in his short life to land him in that place. 3 months old, what has that baby already experienced? It just made me sad. He slept all the way home. Darci had to stop at the store and get formula, diapers- you know immediate need stuff. He slept, slept, slept! He is a really cute baby. Welcome Ivin!

Tevins last baseball game

My friend Jennie was going to sign her son up for baseball this year. I kind of jumped in and invited myself to sign Tevin up. We were hoping that they would get onto the same team. No such luck. I guess at this age you have to try out. It would've been so nice to be able to carpool to practices or games. Bummer! Tevin was really worried about it after he found out that he wasn't going to be on his friends team. He fought me every step of the way- I HATE baseball! I don't feel good, can I stay home........ He really has a hard time with change or trying new things. Its a good thing it cost a buttload of money to sign him up- otherwise I might have caved and let him quit. OK, I wouldn't really have let him quit, but it sure would have been a lot easier than listening to all the whining!  But the crazy thing is, that he is really good at baseball! He has done really well this season! Especially considering that he has NEVER played in his entire life and that he has pretty pathetic parental support too (I really don't know how to play so I am not much help). He made an amazing pop-fly catch out in right field that was the 3rd out for the other team and helped his team go on and win the game! His whole team ran out and high 5'd him after that one!!! His coach told Lorin and I that Tevin has the most amazing hand eye coordination he has ever seen in a kid his age. He said if he continues with it he will be a really great baseball player. I hope he does continue, at least for a few seasons. Anyway- it is his last game this weekend. I am sad to see it end. He has made some new friends, learned he can do things he's never tried before and also that he is really good at this. It has been a good journey. Good luck Tevy! Good luck!

This is him and his friend at tryouts! Crazy boys!

These are of him at tryouts. He was so nervous but he did so awesome! He was actually one of the only ones that hit the ball when they were batting. And he has an awesome throwing arm!

Pterygium

I have had this growth on my left eyeball for about 2 1/2 years. My eye Dr. at first told me it was no big deal and that if I did have it removed it would probably just grow back anyway. The medical term for it is Pterygium. The non- medical term for it is sun damage. (My Dr. also told me it is fatty tissue. So now I can officially say- not only is my body fat, so are my eyes! How many of you can say that?  It doesn't bother me, this lovely piece of fatty tissue hanging out of my eye. Or affect my vision or anything like that. It just looks like a hideous nasty growth in my eye. Well, this last time I went to the eye Dr. he told me that I REALLY should go have it removed and that one was beginning to form in the right eye. He said that when it is removed, it will leave a big white scar in my eye. Now I have a few scars here and there on my body, most of them no big deal. But when he told me that- I visualized something along the lines of my eyeball cut in half with big jagged saw marks going through it. Not a pretty picture I tell you! Not a pretty picture! So I went to see (pun intended!!! See, get it! Eye Dr!!!) I am seriously so funny sometimes! a specialist. He acted like it was no big deal and he removes these monsters every 5 minutes from peoples eyes. He did say that if I didn't have it removed, when it got to my pupil, it would cause permanent damage. Ya, that's just a little nerve wracking! It is only my sight after all! He recommended surgery. So it looks like I will be getting this fatty tissue cut out of my eyeball. At least I will lose weight right? Do you think he could cut other fatty tissue off of the rest of my body? Just a thought..... Anyway- you probably shouldn't look up eye surgery on the internet! Those pictures will totally creep you out! They hold your eye open with these clamp things and you are awake during it! C.R.E.E.P.Y!!!!! I guess now, we wait for the insurance to OK this adventure and then ---- Out comes the eyeball!Ok maybe not the entire eyeball- just the fat part!

PS- for those of you who don't think it is necessary to wear sunglasses- Just check out Pterygium images on the web and you will be converted!

No these are not my eyes but they are creepy are they not!

Amazing Daughter

I am not really sure where my oldest daughter Darci came from! She is seriously one of the most amazing women I know. She has taught me many great lessons over the years. Here is an example --- She and Devin were foster parenting and they had a little boy. He came from very harsh circumstances. They didn't end up having him for very long. Before they got him, Darci had been stocking up on baby boy stuff. T-shirts, toys, clothes, blankets. You know all that basic stuff you need for a baby. So she was really prepared when he came. When it was time for him to go to wherever he needed to next, Darci packed up all of the stuff she had acquired and sent it all with him. I asked her why she did that when she could've used it for the next baby. After all she had spent a lot of money on it. She just looked at me and said "Mom, I know where he is going back too. He has nothing. I know what his life is going to be like. If I can make it even a little better for a short time. I'm going too." What a great unselfish lesson she taught me that day. She truly has a big heart.

They have decided to start fostering again. (I secretly always wished they would again) Yesterday they were called about 6 month old twin girls. They turned them down thinking it would be just too much for them. Let see- Madeline- 4 yrs old, Hadley- 3 yrs. old, Bridger- 1 yr old. I am pretty sure it would be too much for most people. 5 kids under the age of 5!!!! Holy crap! But then they reconsidered. And if they can get approved for that many small children, they are going to take them. (I knew they would change their minds when she told me they had said no). I can't imagine doing that! My kids were all spaced at least 2 years apart. (I also always wanted twin girls! Just think how fun it would be to dress them!) Someone upstairs knew that if I had them any closer, or more than 1 at a time, I would have ended up in the looney bin! I still might end up there but not because my kids are too close together! She is pretty amazing to give this a shot! I truly admire her, not just because she is doing this but for lots of things. She has many wonderful talents. She is awesome at crafting. She has a great eye for color and texture and she's not afraid to be bold. I sometimes look at things and go- what the heck are you thinking? And yet, her projects always turn out to be spectacular! She makes time for her kids. She plays with them, makes cookies with them- she just spends time with them. As Hadley says- mom you're my bestest friend. She is a go getter, if there is something she wants, she figures out how to get it or if it is something that needs to be done- she figures out how to get it done. She does her church calling 100%. She goes above and beyond. She has a testimony. She is teaching her kids to pray and learn of Jesus Christ. She looks for the good in other people. She is just an all around amazing daughter! I am so proud of her. I am so thankful Heavenly Father sent her to our family.

PS- This is an update- I wrote this post this morning, since then Darci & Devin received a phone call saying that they would not be able to have the twins after all. That it was too many young kids. Bummer- yes. Sanity still intact for the moment- yes.

Mothers Day

Yesterday was Mothers Day. It was a really nice day. I was worried about it because sometimes I look at myself and see all of the dumb things I do and all of the ways I fall short and need improvement. And then to have to go to church and be reminded of all that and I know I shouldn't do this but I do- I compare myself to others and see all of the great things they are doing in their families and I sometimes feel as if I just don't measure up. And then also to think about my mom, that she is no longer here with me. It isn't as painful as it used to be but I still miss her every single day. But what a wonderful woman she was! She taught me so much! But as it turns out, yesterday was a really good day. Juston and Slate made me a really yummy breakfast in bed. Chocolate milk, cinnamon roll pancake, bananas and oranges. It was pretty delicious! The pancakes had really delicious crispy edges. Love that! Then I started waking Tevin up. He was being a little slow getting up but when he remembered it was Mothers Day, he jumped right up and got ready. He was even ready to go early which was nice since he had to be there at 8:40 am to practice singing with the primary kids. We even got to sit on the benches instead of the seats in the overflow. Lorin did call me and apologize because he had to stay late at work for someone. But it was OK. Lorin and the kids also got me their traditional gift- lots and lots of plants. There was also 3 fruit trees included. 2 apple trees and a peach tree. YAY!!! I love that traditional gift. Then at church one of the youth speakers spoke on honoring your mothers. She had a different view that I hadn't ever thought of. She spoke of Christ and how he was the perfect example of honoring your mother. That even though he came to this earth and had so many things he had to take care of, his last act as he was on the cross was still to honor his mother and make sure she would be taken care of after he was gone. It really was beautiful and touched my heart. Then in RS our Bishop spoke and he started out by saying we shouldn't ever compare ourselves to others. That if we could see others "real" lives, we would be so thankful for our own lives. But he didn't focus on that. Instead he changed to the subject of our successes and how we as women find joy in our lives. But I think my favorite part was listening to him honor some of the women in our ward for the things they do- one mom for supporting her son as he has decided to join the military and serve our country. Even though she knew it would be a decision that could possibly take his life. He honored another woman that is pregnant for the second time and has been really sick. He was impressed with her because she did it willingly, knowing she would be so sick and yet still willing to go through with it. And others. It was just beautiful to hear but even more to see the emotions on their faces as their bishop spoke of his admiration of them. They truly knew he loves and admires them. He is a pretty awesome guy! Then after church, I got to take a nap. It was pretty wonderful! Then Madeline and Hadley came over and came running into my room. Each of them had a beautiful bouquet of flowers they gave me with a big hug and kiss. Madeline also gave me some super delicious chocolate covered caramels. She was pretty excited to open it and eat them. She is so cute! LOVE THEM!!! Jackson also gave me a cute card with his footprints on it made into a heart. Love it! Then it was dinner time. And I didn't even have to cook it. I did try and make stupid Rhodes rolls though. They turned out to be about 1/2" tall and were not that lovely. For dinner Lorin made- Steak, potatoes, sweet potatoes, mushrooms and Cesar salad. It was really tasty! Juston made some yummy peanut butter cheesecake brownies and Devin brought stuff for banana splits. Devins mom Alisa and her twins came for dinner also. It was nice to see them. And to top it off. Lorin cleaned it all up. I didn't even load one dish into the dishwasher! But the best thing of all was that Slate and Tevin didn't fight at all. At least not when I was around. AWESOME!!!!
It was a really nice day!

Finished Glider

Da Da!!!! It is finally done! IT LOOKS SO STINKIN' GOOD!!!! If I do say so myself! I decided I need more color in my life so I have started to paint stuff in my yard lots of different colors. So this wonderful glider would be perfect purple and green. I LOVE IT!!! I do have to say that I was having a few doubts about it. It was sooo rusty! And when I went to buy new bolts for it. It is so old that NO ONE makes them anymore. Trust me. I know! I went to 4 different stores looking. I finally just got bigger ones and Slate redrilled the holes. He had to drill them all of the way through with 1/4" drill bit and then he had to drill them half way through with a little bigger drill bit so that the stop at the top of the bolt would fit flush with the slats. And actually I must admit, Slate finished it for me. He put it all back together. That kid is pretty handy to have around! He can fix almost anything. Well actually, we haven't found anything yet that he couldn't take apart, fix and put back together again. I am glad he still has a few more years at home.... just think of all the projects I can have him do for me!
Total cost-
$25.00 for glider
$10.00 for bolts
$24.00 for spray paint
$10.00 for new wood for slats
$5.00 to pay Slate to put it together again
--------
$74.00- I don't think I could've bought a new one for that- OK maybe I could've but it wouldn't have been such cool colors and the proud of myself factor would be ZERO whereas now it is a million plus one!

A place of their own

Brighton and Juston have found a house!!! I am seriously so excited for them!!! I remember back in the day Lorin and I looking to buy a house. We looked at all sorts of crazy houses. The one we finally found was a 1208 sq. foot house with a huge yard for $68,000. We were so excited! It was ours! I remember those feelings. It is fun to see them being so excited! Excited to say things like-- we can paint this or we will put the TV here or I am going to paint stripes in Jacksons room. All these fun dreams coming forward. It is a really cute house. It has wood floors, awesome ceiling fans, blinds in all of the windows and super nice appliances! They yard is all landscaped and everything. Other than painting they will only have to get the carpets cleaned. (They might also put tile in the kitchen) We went over to see it last Sunday and found a push mower in the backyard. Juston was so excited that he mowed the back yard. It will be good for them to be in a place of their own, but I will miss them. They will be moving into a good ward. YAY for them!!

I DID IT!!!

So 2 months ago we started playing Game On for the first time in a long time. We played on teams with people we didn't really know. Our family played also- a game within a game. For our family it was boys against girls. I lost 13 lbs during that game. After it was over, I did gain 6 of those lbs back though. Sad day! We started playing Game On 2 one month ago today. My goal was to lose 10 lbs this time. I was really worried that I wasn't going to make my goal and let our team down. Guess what!!!! I did it! I went to bed last night still needing to lose .6 lbs. The rule is you have to weigh yourself within 10 minutes of waking up and before you exercise. So I did. I had only lost .2 lbs. I was freaking out! So instead of going to exercise, I went back to bed for an hour. And during that time of sleeping  (I must have been exercising really hard in my dreams) I lost .8 lbs!!!! Can you even believe that!!! .8!!!! I was so excited! I didn't let our team down! I did reach my goal! And as I am sitting here writing this, I am wearing some capri pants that haven't seen the light of day for who knows how long! Yes, they are cutting off my circulation and I may pass out at any moment, but they are on AND zipped up! I do have to take the 1 point deduction for weighing myself more than once but heck! That beats losing 20% of my points! Happy! Happy Day!

So total lost for both games is......... 17.4 lbs!!!!

Now I just have to figure out what I am going to do to keep those pounds from taking a ride on my butt again!!

Favorite things

Today I decided to write about some of my favorite things. These are in no chronological order. Just things that are good in my life.

1- Lorin. I sure got lucky when I married that man! He is a good man. He is adventurous, smart, fun, a worthy priesthood holder, responsible and obviously handsome!!

2- My kids. They are really good kids. All of them. That's not to say they haven't made me crazy a few times. But they are good, good kids. And the 2 that have married into our family are just as wonderful as the rest of them.

3- MY GRANDKIDS!!!! They just make me happy! They are so full of unconditional love. They hug and kiss me just because!! They are my sweethearts!
4- Chinese food! One day when I have so much money that I don't know what to do with it all, I am going to have A China Go Go built in my house. I will go there everyday and have orange chicken, walnut shrimp, string bean chicken and noodles!!! MMMM! (there is also an Italian place in Carlsbad that will be built next to A China Go Go in my house).

5-The beach. That house I mentioned before..... will be located on the beach! I will leave my windows open all night so I can hear the waves crashing. And all my previously mentioned favorites will be there with me!!!
6- Reading. I so love to read! Books just take you to far away places. They introduce you to characters that are fun to get to know. They make you feel good.

7- The DI. I love the DI. It is always an adventure going there. You never know what you might find. Treasures abound in that place. Sometimes you just have to have an eye for the inner beauty of things! One time I was there with my friend Cara, she pointed to a box that was on the floor. It was a camping toilet. I was so excited! I had been wanting to get one for our emergency preparedness stuff! And don't worry, it was brand new in the box. Never been used! (I did make her check that out for me though!) See, treasures abound!

8- Crafting. I love, love , love to create things with my own hands. I love to look at stuff and figure out how to make it myself. And not to boast or anything but I think I am pretty good at that. Reading directions? Not so good at that. But copying---- really good at that. Just don't ask me to sew you a dress. You will end up with something horrible! Seriously, HORRIBLE!!!
9- Gardening. I love being out in the yard. I love digging in the earth. I love planting flowers. I love seeing all the hard work that has gone into our yard. I love looking out of our windows and seeing green, it makes me feel as if our house is part of nature. I love seeing humming birds flitting to and fro out there. It just makes me feel good.
10- A clean house. I love going into a neat, clean and organized room. It is just peaceful. I am not the best housekeeper. And with all of the living that goes on in my house, it is sometimes hard to keep up with it all. But it is nice to have a clean house. Even if it only for 5 minutes at a time.
11- Finding a great bargain. Doesn't everybody love finding a great deal!!!! My mom was the best at finding great deals! I don't know how she did it but she was awesome! My sister Gaylynn has her super power skills at that too! So does my friend Cara. They are all pretty spectacular when it comes to that kind of stuff!
12- The Gospel. I LOVE the Gospel! I am so thankful for it. Always! I am so thankful for a Savior who loves me enough that he came here and died for me. Me. Someone not extraordinary. Someone who makes many mistakes. Me. I am thankful for the Atonement. That it is there for me to fix the mistakes I make. I know that if I didn't have the Gospel in my life, that my life would be very different than it is. And I don't mean different in a better way. It would be much harder. Less comforting in the hard times.

Slate is insane!!!!

Last Friday night our ward had a talent/ no talent show that was put on by one of the YW as a Personal Progress Project. Right before it started Slate and his friends came over to me begging if they could cut Slates hair on stage. I didn't care but I did tell them to OK it with Devyn (the girl who's show it was). She said- AWESOME!!! So they ran home and got some clippers. Slate said they could if they kept the #3 clipper thingy on. Of course his friends said OK to that! Then up on stage it went horribly wrong!! As you can see by the second picture! They went a little closer! Actually they went straight razor- no guard at all! And they left it like the old man hair. Slate was really not happy about it. Imagine that! I have to just keep thinking to myself- Slate, you HAD to know something like this would happen! YOU. HAD. TO. KNOW!!!! Lorin thinks I'm saying it was OK for them to do this- I'm not. But I do know that if it was me up there with those clippers, I would do exactly as his friends did. And I know Lorin would've too! Even though he says he wouldn't! He totally would! Now, everytime Slate comes into a room where I am, It kind of freaks me out! He looks weird! He was really funny though. After this had happened Friday night, he clipped the rest of it himself. He came over to my table and was saying he would let it grow out until Sunday (2 days later) and have Juston even it out. Did he think it would grow back in 2 days? Really? Juston did try and even it out as best as he could. But he still has some razor lines across the side of his head. I wonder if Slate will ever do this again? Lesson learned? Hmmmm? I just hope he wears sunscreen on his head. Can you imagine how nasty it would be if his head got sunburned and started to peel?

PS- One of his teachers at school on Monday didn't even recognize him. They thought he was a new student and asked him where the papers were that they had to sign to admit him to class.

Dakota Prom

Last night Dakota was able to go to Prom. She looked drop dead gorgeous! Her dress was perfect! It fit her perfectly. She decided to accessorize with pearls. Pearls are my favorite! They are just so classic! She wore her hair down long. Her friend Breanna did her hair and make up for her. They started about 10:00 am. Her eyes were stunning. She has to die for eyelashes! Long and thick!

Her date was Blake Truman. He looked very dashing. He was nominated to be Prom Prince. (He did win by the way) Dakota was so nervous. This was her first real date. (She did go to the Mormon Formal on a blind date but it didn't really go so very well. I guess when your date starts off by telling you if he is a little distant on the date it is because he is going to be a dad in 9 months, that it kinda kills any hoped for excitement! But that's another story!) Blake was a gentleman, he held her door for her to get into the car. He even held her shoes for her when her feet started to hurt. He walked her up to the door and everything. They went in a group of 7 other couples. Dakota was the youngest. She was the only sophomore. They started off doing pictures at this really amazing house. Yes, I did sort of covet it for a moment, until I decided I would rather have my house payment than that house payment. Then they went to dinner at PF Changs. Can I just say I love that place! Crispy honey shrimp! Lettuce wraps! Mongolian beef! MMM!!! Then they went to the dance. They weren't able to stay for very long, just  long enough for Blake to be crowned. So they didn't get to really dance but then it was off to the next adventure of Blue Man Group down on the Strip. She said they sat in the 3rd row and that it was really fun. She said they had to wear poncho's so they wouldn't get stuff all over them. She also told me about a really dorky drunk guy that was sitting close to them. He sounded like he was quite the entertainment. She also told me about this girl that was there that was wearing practically nothing and I was really impressed with the YM in that group. She said they were really embarrassed and were doing everything they could to not look at her. They finally speed walked to get past her. Good job guys! Impressive!  Dakota is a wonderful amazing daughter! I am so proud of her! I am really glad she had a great time! Love ya Missy!

One of my many addictions..... Food

Hi my name is Jackie and I'm an addict. A food addict! I LOVE FOOD! I love almost any food. Except liver! My mom would bring bags of it home when I was growing up. She would come in the door and say "Look what I found on sale!" BARF!!! I became very adept at hiding it. I would make sure we had grape juice for the drink on the nights we had that disgusting blood clot crap for dinner. Did you know you can hide almost anything in a cup of grape juice? Put it in your mouth, pretend to take a sip of juice, spit it into the juice! Awesome!!! I found out years later that my brother would just stick his in the side of this old cabinet we had by the table. The things kids will do to not have to eat horrific foods! But, I digress---- I really like almost any food. I especially love Chinese food. MMMM! If asked where I wanted to go for dinner- I would ALWAYS pick Chinese! Love it! I have also decided I am an emotional eater. I eat when I'm happy. When sad, angry, frustrated, excited. You name the emotion, I will eat! Sometimes I eat just to be eating. Even when the food isn't really that good, I will still eat it. Why? I don't know.  Why was I blessed with this particular talent? I think it is because Heavenly Father is a really funny guy and thought this would be a funny prank. (JUST KIDDING!!!) I think it is so that one day maybe, I will learn some self control. Someday. I wish that day would come sooner rather than later. I am learning though. I know that if I just don't stick that first piece of something sweet in my mouth, I will be fine. If however, I do take that first bite--- ITS ALL OVER! I will be shoving things in my face as fast as I can for the rest of the day. Most days I do have some self control. Others I just go to town. Now if I could just figure out how people can take 1-2 bites of something and be satisfied I would be in heaven. Baby steps right? Baby steps.

Summer

Did you guys know summer is almost upon us? Only about 4 more weeks of school! At first I can hardly wait! No more schedules! No more nagging kids to do homework. No more kids fibbing--- I don't have any homework for the 3rd week in a row. No more bedtimes. No more waking grumpy kids up!!!!! And then reality sinks in---- I AM GOING TO HAVE TO ENTERTAIN FOR 3 MONTHS!!!! What am I going to do for 3 months? I always think we will take these awesome field trips or do these great adventures and really, we don't usually do anything except sit around and the summer just seems to fly by!

So-- here are 10 things I would like to do this summer. Maybe if I write them down they might actually happen.

1- Go to the beach 2 times. The first time for our annual week. The 2nd maybe just for 3-4 days.
2-Go to SL for 2 weeks. I want to make a bunch of projects for our yard (Grape arbor, Gate panel things for the leach field and maybe  some BBQ door panels)
3-Dutch oven at Mt. Charleston
4-Spring clean my house (Yes, I know this isn't a fun activity and the kids will hate it but I need to get it done. And my slaves kids can help.)
5-My Dad's 70th birthday party.
6-Dakota and I fly somewhere and stay overnight.
7-Get a hotel, stay overnight and play tourist.
8-Family Reunion.
9-Take Slate on a 50 mile bike ride for scouts.
10-Homemade rootbeer and icecream!!!! MMMM!
11-Free movies at the theater (if they are still doing them)
12-FHE at the temple.

OK- now they are in black and white! WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME FUN THIS SUMMER!!!!

I think I'm going to die!!!

I think I'm going to die! Not a nice peaceful death either! A long drawn out painful death, 1 hour at a time. At the hands of my friend Nan! She is my friend that I have run with over the years. I am pretty sure we were quite the funny looking pair. She is tall, thin and beautiful. Then there's me- short and stubby. She always used to make fun of me saying- if we got attacked by a dog or some crazy, all she had to do was run a little faster than me. She actually did push me into an oncoming dog one morning. I am pretty sure I almost wet myself that day! I had to take about 4 steps to her 1. Anyway she has started a new form of torture. She is doing a total fitness class every morning at 5 am and 6am. I've been going to the 5am class. She does a really good workout. She is very knowledgeable about all that health stuff. And she is helping me realize that I have muscles in places I'd forgotten about long ago! I am actually excited about getting back into shape. Maybe if I lose 20  OK who are we kidding- 50! pounds. Maybe my back and feet wont kill me all of the time. Its also time to be able to go shop in the cute clothes section of stores instead of the tent section. Nan is really great at motivating me to get my butt going! She got me to sign up for a half- marathon and a real 26.2 mile marathon. I never would've done those things on my own! Thanks Nan! Now---- if I die, you all know where to send the cops to to investigate.

Jackson

Jaxy Waxy! That is this cutest babies name!!! I remember his birth. It was pretty exciting! It was 3 am. Brighton's water broke and she left a river of fluids all over the floor. But she wasn't certain that's what it was because she wasn't really having any contractions. She came and got me- yes I was on the couch because I was still canning something or other. And she was a bit (A LOT) nervous and freaked out. She was bummed because she wanted to take a shower and was worried because she didn't have her hospital bag packed. I told her GO TAKE A SHOWER. You have time. And all you need to take to the hospital is your camera. So she and Juston both did. Then off they went to the hospital. I was so excited! I called Lorin to tell him. He was at the fire station. He was bummed he wasn't here to share in the excitement. Well, a couple of hours later, back they came. The silly nurse at the hospital said she had just pee'd her pants. WHERE WAS THAT NURSE WHEN THE BIG FLOOD NEEDED TO BE CLEANED UP??? That was definitely not pee. If it was, Brighton has some serious bladder control issues! Anyway- Brighton started having hard contractions. She was super uncomfortable. I told her she should go for a walk, if they were real, they wouldn't go away. If they were Braxton Hicks, they would go away. They didn't go away. And back they went to the hospital. By the time they got back, she was dilated to an 8!!! Dumb 1st nurse! Sending her home! He was born just 4 short hours later. He was beautiful! Although he was an almost perfect clone of his dad! Holy cow! He looked just like him!

Jaxy is now 7 months old! Can you believe it! He laughs and smiles all of the time. Juston can really get him to giggle. He has THE hugest tongue I've ever seen! And he sticks it out all of the time. He will definitely follow in Lorins footsteps and be able to touch his nose with his tongue. He will probably be able to lick his forehead! He is also learning to sit up and wiggle around. He is really a lot of fun. I am really glad he has had his first few months here in our house.

 Love you Jaxy Waxy!!