Is it bedtime yet???

First Day of School

2011-08-22T15:59:00.001-07:00

Ryan and Gabe started school last Monday, August 15th. Ryan started 8th grade at Desert Hills Middle School and Gabe started 6th grade at Sunrise Ridge Intermediate School. I was more excited than they were. Gabe was pretty nervous but is doing well so far. I think keeping him focused and organized may be a challenge but we can do it! I'm so proud of what wonderful young men they are becoming!

Jason's Birthday

2011-08-07T19:42:00.000-07:00

It is OK to kiss your pilot when you are related!

I have an awesome brother in law, Brad, who is a helicopter pilot. For Jason's birthday I bought him an hour long trip with Brad. He loved it so much and was in awe of Brad's talents as a pilot. He said it was one of the greatest experiences of his life, aside from marrying me of course!

Marathon

2011-08-07T19:27:00.000-07:00

I ran my first and probably only marathon September 18, 2010, in Logan, Utah. Jason ran with me (his 3rd) and his brother Mike, and sister, Diane also ran. The training was hard because I work and we trained in the summer we often would get up at 4 am for the long runs to beat the heat and make it to work on time. It was quite an accomplishment for us all.

New Post

2011-08-07T19:18:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in over a year. I don't journal so I really should do this more. It has been a busy year. I've always thought things would get easier once my kids get older but it seems that every year presents new challenges. I am going to do several posts in no particular order...

Father's Day 2010

2010-07-18T20:21:00.001-07:00

For Father's Day we took our pop-up camper to Kolob. We found a perfect camping spot and roasted hot dogs and made s'mores. We fished but the only thing we caught was a crawdad. It got caught on Jason's fishing line. I am so grateful that my kids have a father like Jason. He is patient and kind, hardly ever raises his voice (we do have 3 boys, it's hard to always keep your cool), loves his children unconditionally and is a great example to us. He is fun and can always make us laugh. He loves someone elses child as his own and has never once acted as though he didn't belong to him. I couldn't have picked a better man to be the father of my children.

This is for you, Tonya!

2010-07-18T19:56:00.000-07:00

I have been a lousy blogger basically since I started. I am going to be posting several things not in any particular order. This statement is by no means me proclaiming to improve my blogging skills. I'm just giving Tonya something new to look at!

Life is busy!

2010-07-18T19:45:00.000-07:00

We have been to a lot of baseball games the past few months. Gabe made it to the majors so he and Ryan were able to play on the same team which was a blessing. I love, love, LOVE watching my boys play any sport. I am so proud of both of them. Gabe got to play in the outfield and Ryan was the catcher for the team and would pitch when they needed him. Ryan made it to the Allstar team. We had a tournament in Cedar City this last week. We lost all 3 games but we had fun.

It has been 6 months!

2010-02-08T10:59:00.001-08:00

Halloween. Gabe was a scary clown, Ryan was a granny, and Zane was Spiderman. It was shocking to me that Ryan dressed up as a woman. Last year he would rather have died a painful death then let me put make up on him. It was great!

Jason does the Humpty Hump

2009-08-16T19:30:00.000-07:00

Jason had a work party last night and I didn't go because I hurt my back and I was stuck in bed. One of his employees took video of Jason singing karaoke and posted it on You Tube!

Resemblance

2009-08-08T08:51:00.000-07:00

So...about a month or so ago I received a forwarded email from a friend with pictures of a jaguar covered in post it notes. I'm laughing as I scroll along looking at all the pictures. I come to one of the pictures and I had to pause and call all of my family in to look at it. Without hesitation they ALL asked me when I did this.

This isn't me.

More formal pictures

2009-07-31T19:11:00.001-07:00

These are some of the pictures we purchased from the cruise ship. I scanned them in crooked. Forgive me. :)

Formal nights

2009-07-31T18:56:00.000-07:00

We had 2 formal nights while on our cruise. Yes, Jason and I matched. Please don't make fun!

Also, Jason surprised me one night by having our room decorated for our anniversary. We had non-alcoholic champagne (yucky-I don't recommend it) and white and milk chocolate dipped strawberries. I also got a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Last but not least, Cozumel, Mexico

2009-07-31T18:44:00.000-07:00

Our last port was Cozumel, Mexico. We rented a jeep and wandered around where ever we wanted. Our first stop was at some Mayan ruins. Some of the buildings (ruins) have been there since the 1200s. It was amazing. It was blazing hot there and I had to keep pausing everywhere that I could find something even resembling shade and attempt to cool off.

As we were walking around I kept seeing little piles of droppings (aka poop.) I couldn't figure out what in the world was leaving them until we stumbled across several iguanas. I kept picturing the lizards that are in the movie "Holes" so I was a little disturbed by them.

After suffering from a heat stroke walking around the ruins and getting into our dark blue jeep without a/c we stopped at a restaurant at the side of the road that opened to a beautiful sandy beach. The sand was so fine and soft. I loved just burying my toes in it! We had a blast driving around and touring the island. We can't wait to go back so if anyone is interested let me know and we can plan a group trip!

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

2009-07-30T19:26:00.000-07:00

I didn't want to post everthing about my cruise all at once so I'm spacing it out over a few days!!! Our 3rd port was Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. This one was my favorite because we chartered a catamaran out to a reef and snorkled.

After we snorkled we went to Stingray City and played with the stingrays which was against my nature because we have them in Mexico where our cabana is and the last thing you want to do is make any contact with them. We do everything we can to keep them as far away from us as possible. The stingrays in Stingray City were very large but very friendly. They are used to people and were a lot of fun to hold and smooch (see photo.)

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

2009-07-29T20:10:00.001-07:00

In Ocho Rios, Jamaica we hiked Dunns River Falls. It got frustrating at times because there were, literally, hundreds of people climbing up these falls. You go with a guide and are forced to hold hands with complete strangers to prevent people from falling down. The waterfall is 600 feet long and empties into the ocean. It was beautiful!

Labadee, Haiti

2009-07-29T19:55:00.000-07:00

The first port that we went to was Labadee, Haiti. We didn't do anything too exciting besides sit on the beach all day. It was so relaxing.

Best Wedding Entrance Ever

2009-07-27T21:09:00.000-07:00

I don't plan to ever get remarried but if I did, it would be a blast to do something like this. I think that sometimes people get too wrapped up into the most perfect wedding and they forget that it is a celebration.

Wade Robson

2009-07-27T17:23:00.001-07:00

I love this guy! He is genius!

Freedom of the Seas

2009-07-02T18:24:00.001-07:00

Here are some picture of where Jason and I are going to be for the next 7 days. We sail on Sunday the 5th of July and return Sunday the 12th.

We are going to Cozumel, Mexico

George Town, Grand Cayman

Labadee, Haiti

and Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
It is a rough life!!!

Too Funny!

2009-06-18T22:43:00.000-07:00

Swine Flu

2009-05-04T10:58:00.001-07:00

Long Beach, CA

2009-04-27T11:46:00.000-07:00

I'm a little (lot) behind on my posting. We went to California for Spring Break. We went to Disneyland for 3 days and visited beaches in the area. The first full day we were there we went to Long Beach. We went to the Aquarium and then had lunch at Bubba Gumps Shrimp, Co. After, we went for a walk on the dock. My older boys forget sometimes that they are supposed to be kind and love each other so it was nice to see them playing and having fun together.

Gabriel

2009-04-27T11:28:00.000-07:00

Gabriel turned 9 on March 31st. I can't believe how big he is getting. I wanted to take a minute to sing his praises. You guys know me and the struggle I have with this kid but he couldn't be any sweeter. I wish I could bottle up his energy (I think I could supply my entire neighborhood with it.) I have never known someone more considerate of others. If you pay him a compliment he will ALWAYS have something nice to say in return. I tell him he is the best 9 year old I know (even if I don't mean it) and without fail he will tell me I'm the best mom. If I ever say something negative about myself like my hair looks like crap he will say, "I think it looks good, Mom." He is also so much fun to give gifts to because he is so grateful for anything he is given. No matter what it is he thinks it is the best gift ever. He is also a good example to our family because he is so quick to say "I'm sorry."

These are pictures of his various birthday parties!!!

Zane's new tie

2009-04-06T09:54:00.000-07:00

There are no words.

Zane's Christmas Album

2009-03-30T19:14:00.000-07:00

It drops November 2009!
This is from Christmas time last year. I had to post it anyway 'cause it is so stinkin' cute.
Song #1 "Frosty the Snowman"
#2 "O Christmas Tree"
#3 "Jingle Bells"

Crazy Hair Day & Gabe's Pinewood Derby

2009-03-30T10:39:00.000-07:00

Crazy hair day!

Gabe's sweet pinewood derby car. It is a corvette! My son is the one with the wicked scar down his cheek. :)

"Stret Froat"

2009-03-30T08:08:00.000-07:00

So...Zane spent the majority of our trip for Spring Break not feeling well. One night he woke up throwing up or "choking" as he calls it. Another night he had a fever and EVERY night he would keep us all awake with his coughing. We finally thought he was better when on Saturday we noticed he had a slight fever. Sunday morning at 3:30 AM he got in bed with us and threw up in our bed. Long story short, we took him to the doctor yesterday and he has Strep or in Zane's words, "stret froat." Last night he had a fever of 102.9 but sometime in the night it broke and he seems to be doing better.

Pay no mind to the raggedy couch. We have decided we will buy new furniture after all of our kids have left the house!

Valentine's Weekend

2009-03-28T11:11:00.000-07:00

For Valentine's weekend Jason and I drove to California with no particular destination in mind. We spent our first night in Las Vegas. The second night which was Valentine's Day we spent in San Diego. We woke up and shopped, watched a movie, then we went to Long Beach. The third night we spent in LA to stay in Hollywood. We had no agenda and stopped where we wanted and did what we wanted.

I suck at blogging.

2009-03-13T21:45:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry that I suck at blogging. I'm sorry that I said I "suck" too. That's a potty word in my house. I have several pictures and posts to share but it is going to have to wait until after I get home from VACATION. It is kind of hard to call it a vacation though because we are taking our children with us. We are on our way to Cali to do some Disneyland, some beach time, some Hollywood...maybe Sea World...

I will get caught up in April.

Seriously...

2008-12-17T20:56:00.000-08:00

School has been cancelled. I never thought as long as I lived in St. George, Utah, that we would have a snow day...I stand corrected!

Thanksgiving

2008-12-17T20:07:00.000-08:00

Better late than never...right?!?

My handsome boys...

2008-11-21T11:01:00.000-08:00

Zane

2008-11-21T10:39:00.001-08:00

I wanted to get him saying "It's delicious Mommy, thank you!"

Mom Song

2008-11-21T07:46:00.000-08:00

I'm sure some of you have seen this before but it is worth watching again...

The Mom Song- LIVE from Northland Video on Vimeo.

Tag: We all have "Quirks"

2008-11-19T07:54:00.000-08:00

O.K. friends and family...stop tagging me!

I am supposed to tell 6 quirky things about myself and tag 4 other people (and leave a note that I tagged them on their blog), so here it goes:

1. I hate to disappoint people. It makes me physically ill. That is why I'm doing this post. I don't want my sister in law disappointed that she tagged me and I didn't participate. Please don't take advantage of this now that you guys know this about me. In addition, I am very empathetic. If you cry, I cry.

2. Like my sister in law, I easily get addicted to things. Unfortunately I have never been addicted to vegetables or working out. I am currently addicted to a game called Ranch Rush that I downloaded off of MSN Games. I am a GameSpring subscriber so I can play all of the dumb games that interest me such as Diner Dash, Luxor, Wedding Dash, Dairy Dash, Cake Mania, Farm Frenzy, Farm Frenzy 2. It can be a book series (Twilight, Stephanie Plum, etc,) my current favorite color (aqua), what I want to eat (love Coke Icees and Coke Slurpees,) what I do, what I watch... Also like my sister in law, I can't start something until I am fully committed. It have to be able to give 100% or I feel like a failure. I am "all in" when it comes to movies, TV, and books. I think that is why I enjoy them so much.

3. I can't take credit for a meal that I didn't fully cook from scratch. When I make chicken strips out of the frozen food section, Rice-A-Roni, and have a bagged salad and my family tells me dinner was good I always apologize that I didn't make it myself. I don't consider it cooking. Jason always gives me a hard time and says every other woman in the world considers it a home cooked meal. I just have to disagree and say that it is cheating.

4. I make chocolate gravy for my family on Sundays. Remember, I lived in Arkansas for 8 years or so. I do have some Southern roots. I make biscuits (hardly ever from scratch by the way..the frozen ones are just too good) and you eat the gravy on your buttered biscuit. I also cook bacon with it because I love the salty and sweet together which leads to my next quirkiness...

5. I mix foods together for what I consider really yummy combinations. I LOVE Red Vines and Popcorn at the movies. It has to be Red Vines, Twizzlers can not be substituted. I eat fries and Frosties (who doesn't) but I also eat fries with McDonald's apple pie. I do not like apple pie either but I love eating McDonald's apple pie but only with fries. I like to mix whatever is left of my salad with my spaghetti. It is really good. There are other combinations but I can't think of them.

6. Finally, I CAN NOT lie, seriously! I can't lie even if I really, really need too. There are a few exceptions with my children and things I need to protect them from or things I need them to still believe. If I do manage to get an untruth out it will eat at me until I set the record straight. I really do lose sleep over it. I know a few wives who lie to their husbands about where they've been (shopping) and how much they have spent. I am fortunate to never have to do that because I have the most amazing husband alive but I am the type of person who would tell him and if he had a problem I would tell him to "shove it." Along with the fact that I can't lie...I have an internal justice meter. If I feel like something isn't fair I will also lose sleep until I can speak my mind. If I think I was blamed for something I didn't do or if there was some kind of misunderstanding I have to set the record straight. I have a "friend" from high school that lied to her boyfriend (now husband) about something so stupid and I got blamed for it. He has hated me ever since and thinks that I am a liar and it still bothers me. Just now typing this I got a tightening in my chest. Trust me, if I ever get a chance I will set that record straight!!! I am very, very honest. I am honest about myself and I appreciate people who are honest with me. I have so much respect for people who can tell things the way they are. One of my motto's is "Thank you for caring enough about me to be honest." I think the type of people who are willing to tell you if they have a problem care enough about you that they don't want an issue lingering like a dark cloud. So, if any of you need to talk to me about something, I'm here. :)

I'm not going to tag anyone. I thought this was a great way to get to know things about people that you wouldn't usually find out. If anyone would like to do this on their blog I would love to read it!

Tag

2008-11-17T14:45:00.000-08:00

My friend Aubri tagged me weeks ago on her blog and I'm just now getting a chance to respond. Can you tell I finally had a day off?

Tag . . .

One Word Answers Tag!
1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Where is your significant other? work
3. Your hair color? brownish
4. Your mother? Arkansas
5. Your father? depressed
6. Your favorite thing? boys
7. Your dream lasts night? marriage
8. Your dream/goal? "debtless"
9. The room you're in? laundry
10. Your hobby? reading
11. Your fear? loss
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? debtless
13. Where were you last night? vegas
14. What you're not? fit
15. One of your wish-lists items? wii
16. Where you grew up? Vegas/AR
17. The last thing you did? blog
18. What are you wearing? jeans
19. Your TV? off
20. Your pet? Ozzy
21. Your computer? full
22. Your mood? content
23. Missing someone? friends
24. Your car? yukon
25. Something you're not wearing? socks
26. Fav. Store? burlington
27. Your summer? fast
28. Love someone? yeppers
29. Your favorite color? aqua
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? days

So, anyone who is up for being tagged and even if you aren't up for being tagged.

Not for the squeemish!

2008-11-17T14:04:00.001-08:00

Let me set the scene...it's Friday night and I'm just leaving the Mirage in Las Vegas with Jason. We had watched Danny Gans and had just finished a relaxing dinner with several of Jason's coworkers and the owners of his company. We retrieved our car from the valet and were on our way to check in to the Monte Carlo where we were staying when we got the call. My phone rings and I check to see who it is thinking it is probably one of our friends that are with us and they were going to let us know our next party location but...alas, it said "Home." I check the time...11:48...I know instantly that this isn't going to be good. Ryan is on the other end of the line and he says, "Mom, guess what just happened to Gabe!" I hear Gabe in the background sobbing and of course Gabe being Gabe I have no idea what could have just happened. There are so many possibilities. Ryan tells me that Gabe just cut his face on a light bulb and that Jason and Malinda Whipple are on there way down to assess the situation. I told Ryan to have Malinda call me when she gets there. I wait about two minutes and call back. Malinda gets on the phone and says, "He is going to need a plastic surgeon." The Whipples take him to the ER for us and of course we come flying home. We called in a plastic surgeon and it took 35 stitches to close his little cheek. He is going to have a great scar. I told him he would have to tell everyone he saved his family from knife yielding robbers.

We later found out that Gabe was climbing out of a pop up tent that he was sleeping in in our living room and he bumped a lamp he was using to read with. It didn't have a shade on it and it had a compact flourescent light bulb in it. When he bumped it it bounced off of our DVD stand and bounced back and cut him in the face.

Halloween!!!

2008-11-17T13:56:00.000-08:00

Ryan was a scary chef, Zane was Mr. Incredible, and Gabe was Indiana Jones. We had so much fun. After trick or treating in our neighborhood we went and visited Gran & Grammy. After that we went to a spooky house in Bloomington that handed out full sized candy bars.

Zane...being all boy!

2008-11-17T13:27:00.000-08:00

The video speaks for itself...

All Dogs Go To Heaven

2008-10-14T14:04:00.000-07:00

My Daddy sent an email to me with these church signs on them. Even though according to snopes.com this is just something made up by someone using the Church Sign Generator it is still funny. Unless you have a magnifying glass you will have to click on the picture to read what the signs say. Enjoy!

My favorite T shirt.

2008-10-10T20:43:00.001-07:00

My friend Mindi(check out her blog at wordtoyourmother-mindi.blogspot.com)gave me the idea of posting this shirt on my blog. I saw one of the "So You Think You Can Dance" dancers wearing it a couple of years ago and I fell in love with it. I thought it was so funny. I called Jason laughing histerically and he didn't think it was nearly as funny as I did. I love it. It's my fav!

Twilight Music Video

2008-09-22T15:28:00.000-07:00

2008-08-27T21:24:00.000-07:00

I wanted to post this cute picture of my baby Zane who is going to be 3 years old on September 19th. He is my 3rd and final child and I just want to say, "Where does the time go?" On one hand I can't wait for him to grow out of all of the stages he has gone through and I can't wait for him to start school...but on the other hand I would give ANYTHING to have him this size again...

Funny Faces...

2008-08-27T21:03:00.000-07:00

This is what you do when you have taken the more economical Honda Accord versus the comfy, roomy, Yukon on a trip to Montana and you think you are going to kill someone...

Also, yes, that is Jason's bedroom face. Hot, huh?!?

West Yellowstone

2008-08-12T13:46:00.001-07:00

On our way to and from Bozeman we drove through Yellowstone. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. I could live without all the sulfur smell in the air but the scenery was amazing. Jason and I want to go back with just adults and spend some time hiking and exploring.

4th of July

2008-08-12T13:33:00.000-07:00

Yes...I realize that it is August 12th but better late than never, right?!?!? We were in Bozeman, Montana, staying with Mike and Donna Kroff and family. (Jason's brother and sis-in-law) Our kids were in a parade at the LDS church where Mike and Donna attend. They had a blast decorating their scooters and Zane's bike. In Montana you can still buy "real" fireworks that shoot high into the air. Not the fireworks that you can buy in Utah that barely even emits a spark. We had a blast and hope to go to Bozeman again soon!

Venting...kind of...

2008-08-09T21:02:00.000-07:00

O.K. I just want to get this off my chest...I am not someone who aspires to be a stay-at-home mom. Please don't take me wrong. I have nothing but respect and admiration for moms that can stay home and cater to their children's needs and keep their homes clean and their men happy...it is just not for me. I think I am just too selfish. I love my children and I love spending time with them but I am a better mom for working. My house may be unorganized and my laundry may not all be folded and put away but I am just someone who is fulfilled by being employed. So as the two of you that read this blog already know I have been working for Dr. Shawn Davis who is a new oral surgeon in town. I have been there for about 7 weeks now and I was promoted to office manager and given a raise. I love it!

By the way, what sparked this whole desire to vent was a blog that I read where in the "about me" section she put down that she is a wife who has the opportunity to be a stay at home mom and she keeps her house spotless (she really used those words) and cooks meals for her family. I guess my own issues have come forth and prompted me to feel insecure about the fact that currently my house is a disaster, my husband is on his way right now to pick up food for dinner, and instead of doing anything to be productive I'm blogging.

Thank You Detective Wilson!

2008-07-15T17:00:00.000-07:00

At 4:30 P.M. today I got a call from the detective on our robbery case and he said he needed to meet with me because he needed to talk with me about a few things regarding our case. I met him at Harmons-because I was just leaving the LDS church cannery-and he asked me some silly questions that he already new the answer to. He then unfolded his arms (where he had his hands hidden) to show me my wedding ring and my class ring that he has recovered for me. They are working with the girl that had my social security number to get her to "squeal" on some other people regarding drugs and part of the deal they worked with her was that she had to tell them where my ring was!!! I am so grateful and I feel so blessed to have my wedding ring back! Thanks so much Detective Josh Wilson!!!

One of the websites I frequent daily

2008-07-14T19:40:00.000-07:00

We got robbed a month back and they arrested one of the girls who was in my house for an unrelated crime. She had my social security card and a check that one of my Scentsy customers had written me in her back pocket. The arresting officer called me and asked me if she was supposed to have the social security card and check and of course I said, "Hell, no!" The scariest part is I hadn't even noticed that my SS card was missing...Anyways...I couldn't wait to get on the Washington County website to see what the bee-atch looked like and now I'm hooked. It is surprising the amount of people that I recognize on the website that are getting arrested. One of my husbands old friends, one of our friends' brother, etc. Click on the title to take you to the website!

I did it!

2008-07-14T09:06:00.000-07:00

O.K. I finally opened a blog account. I have been stalking everyone else's blogs so I felt like it was my moral duty to open one of my own. Please feel free to give me any tips.