Prom Date- Part II

This is how Brenn's Prom date asked her to Prom -

On my Front Porch

With this note....

and each mouse had a letter on his back so you could unscramble them and figure out the boy.

Needless to say - EEEWWW!! - and probably the fastest way to get a response from a girl (Dallin's date still hasn't answered and its be a week and a half) I made Brenn return the mice with her answer THAT night, we heard his brothers snake was hungry. For that last part of the note (the naked part) he left a bottle of Naked Juice.

In other news, it was brought to my attention by a close and frustrated friend that I do not finish or tell the result of a story, unfortunately (maybe) that is not true - my bathroom looks just the same today as it did in that post - no time to even think (or argue with Ken) about what to do with that tile. Hopefully we will get it done before summer and I promise to post a picture of the after. I also promise to post pictures of the PUPPIES!! We are so excited!

Mostly I have been enjoying the wonderful weather and trying to plant a few roses and flowers in a sad attempt to make my front yard look a little better.

I am planning Easter dinner with our families. I hope everyone has a lovely Easter and remembers our Savior and the example he set for us to follow.

CITY CHAMP

Logan is the Mesa City Champ for 98 lbs - He wrestled really tough!

We are Expecting!!

No April fools on this one!

Yep - Zara is officially Pregnant. We have been waiting and waiting, trying to decide if she is or isn't. But yesterday one of Dallin's Friends Spencer, who breeds Jack Russell Terriers, said,

"Wow, your dog is pregnant!"

That was as good as an EPT test for me. Actually we have noticed she is getting a little fatter and her nipples are getting really big so....

12-14 puppies! I am really excited for my kids to experience this.

On to another thing - Prom.

Last night Spencer was trying to figure out how to ask his date. He invited several friends to help, including Dallin and so that brings Brenn and Logan into it too.

They brainstormed for a while, much to Grandmas delight (she was laying in bed listening and laughing hysterically), here are a few of the suggestions:

Toss a cow tongue on the lawn with a poster saying:

"Go to Prom with me, and you will get a little tongue"

or

Put a cow heart (cut in half) on the porch with a poster saying:

"Don't break my heart, go to Prom with me"

Catch a chicken - write your name on a feather and let it loose in her house - she must catch said chicken and find the feather.

Ken then asked the boys,

"You don't date much do you?"

Along came Brenn and I to the rescue - we took this picture:

And made a poster that said:

"I will be your knight in shinning armour if you go to Prom with me."

Much better don't you think?

Now on to Brenn and Prom - we have a mess - when we sort it out and figure out what to do I will post the whole story, right now we are in trouble.

Wrestling Banquet

Yes, I am crazy. I was in charge (with Marilee) of the end of the year banquet for the High school wrestling team. All was planned and we had a lovely venue (King's backyard). Even coming up with tables and chairs for 130 was not so bad (for free, of course). I sent letters for money and it showed up. I ordered the food from a local BBQ place and the food was set. Marilee and I made some cute coaches gifts (t-shirts and pillowcases), got lots of pictures printed and hung on the wall. One of the Dads did an awesome job on the DVD (of which I made 25 copies, 1 copy about 15 mins, this took forever) we had a screen, player and even a sound system!

The tables were set, the decorations were great, the Coach was 45 minutes late. Well, actually I knew this was going to happen. There was a freestyle tourney that same day and about 8 of the wrestlers (Dallin included) wrestled, they did not start until after 2pm so I knew 6pm was not possible. However I figured we all would eat and socialize and it would be fine (it was).

What went wrong?! After verifying with the catering guy - I went to pick up the order. I (thinking I was smart) took some of my big coolers to put the food in to keep it hot and not spill BBQ in my truck. I get there pay my bill ($784.44) and they point to these huge pans (8 or 9) and say that's my order. The buns are on a rack I cannot have and the pans are about 30 lbs a piece and HOT. Ok - through the whole crowded restaurant, through the double door they have narrowed to one, through the Saturday crowd of snowbirds (retirees who winter in AZ), into the parking lot and down 1 store to my truck, heft the weight on the side of the truck and balance so does not fall, open door, open cooler and try to fit the huge pan in said cooler - no dice, balance weighty pan on side of truck again, haul both coolers in to bed of truck, open door, put first pan into truck, head back through the crowd at door to get next pan, repeat! At no time did any of the staff help, only when I was down to 2 pans and taking up the last available table did two guys who work for Southwest ambulance help!! Yes, I am going to call and complain today. He should at least have warned me to bring some help.

So now I am late - a little frantic and I have to drive CAREFULLY! Not my best. I speed. I know it is bad and yet.....

I arrive at the banquet and get HELP to carry all the food. We get it set up and I am filling a pitcher so I can fill the chaffing dishes - water is slow (did I mention the speed thing?) so I grab the sprayer to see if maybe it is faster, yes way faster, turn off the water, return the sprayer and get the food on, come back to the sink to wash my hands.....full in the chest I get the great sprayer! Water everywhere, what else is there to do but laugh.

I froze the rest of the night. Luckily, I brought a jacket and I was wearing 2 shirts - one light and gauzy so you really couldn't tell my undershirt, and underwear and Bra were very wet. Oh well that was the only bad thing that happened - the rest went really well. Except lots of leftovers! I bring it home to bag up and freeze (concession stand on Saturday) and go to open the 3rd pan of meat leftover and it was the BBQ sauce - we could not figure out why it wasn't included - another thing to complain about - should have told me what was what!!

I am tired! I am taking today, which is Celcee* day (my favorite) and relaxing (with 2 sick kids) and going to Jens to play.



* Celcee is my house cleaner, she comes everyother Monday with her sister Melee and her cousin and they clean from top to bottom, is it any wonder it is my favorite day?

RELEASED!!

No I did not release any captives taken over spring break. I got the release from Young Women's (this is the youth group from church, girls ages 12-18). I have not had another calling in this ward except for YW. Did I mention I have lived in this ward for 6 years? Now I have been shuffled a bit between Beehives (12-13) and Mia Maids (14-15), in and out of the presidency, but this is all I have known. I think I have been to Relief Society maybe 10 times in 6 years and I am not too sure how I feel about that. I am sad to leave the girls, most I have had in class at one time or another, and some have had me almost the whole time they have been in YW, but I was getting tired of some of the old lessons I have given about 12 times in my life (always love the choosing a vocation or Preparing for change).

So on to new stuff - they changed the RS Presidency too........

Nope - my friend I worked with in YW is the new President.

Me - I get to teach Sunday School to the 13 yr olds. Logan is in this class. I am excited. It will still let me love on some of my current YW and yet introduce me to teaching BOYS!! Do you think I still need a tablecloth? Picture of the Savior? I finally made my own YW bag about 2 months ago - to fit a framed picture of the Savior, easel, notebook, Scriptures, and assorted things need for object lessons - now what? I have a skinny manual (I use the online stuff anyway) and only my scriptures now. I guess I will figure it out.

Such peace and quiet at my house today. All kids went to school. Although at the wrap party for spring break I got an award for Best Mom. My house is a mess - the back patio is worse and the half pipe is not done yet. I guess we will see what happens this week.

Still Spring Break!!

Every day so far there has been a passel of kids at our house - it starts about noon and they have made food assignments (yesterday hot dogs, today hamburgers). Notice the foreman grill - yes, this is Spencers Christmas present and they are having a ball.

My backyard and kitchen look like heck!! My great house cleaner was here on Monday and she and her sister came today for a massage. I was embarrassed that the clean did not last! Celcee was done with her massage and then she did my dishes!!! I told her to sit and enjoy but she couldn't. She is such a great help to me. I would go with out cable before I would go without Celcee!!

Our pool is cloudy - too many bodies and not enough chlorine! It is winter you know, the water is really cold, of course it is about 88 degrees today.

I really have enjoyed having all the kids here - they are nice and polite, it makes you realize our future is in good hands.

SPRING BREAK at the Cole House!!

This is what is going on at our house this week! Lots of sun tanning with boys in speedos (why, I have no idea!!)



By the time I got home from helping my neighbor there were about 8 guys and a couple of girls in the front yard having a great time. My sweet neighbor bought them pizza and 4 pizzas were gone in about 3 minutes.

The pool is really COLD!! I told Dallin that Zara (our dog) doesn't trust me around the pool because I keep trying to get her to swim. I pushed him in - Spencer (his 'twin") was already in because I dared him.

All the while the kids were outside - they filed in one by one to get a free massage from Brenn. She has to make up hours for her class and so if you are in the neighborhood and would like a FREE massage (tips are welcome) just stop by or give us a call.

My Grandma

This is my Grandma Young. Mildred Frances Hamilton Young - Born December 9, 1919 in Sligo, Colorado. On the prairie or dry land, in the middle of a snow storm, in her parents bed.

She lives at our house. What a blessing the last 4 years have been for our family. How else do you teach 3 teenagers to serve someone.

My earliest memories of my Grandma (Gram) are of crafts, and sleeping on the floor in the living room in silky sleeping bags she made. Chicken and noodles, and Super Sugar Pops (I hated but ate because she always bought them for us as a treat). The candy dish between the lazyboys (black licorice for Grandpa - yuck) and playing cards for hours. Dean (my brother) cheating at Uno by sitting my Grandma in front of the china cabinet that had mirrors lining the back. Playing in the ditch in the back yard and building the tree house with my Grandpa. Gram always had feather pillows, and hot pink feathers for crafts - I love feathers - in my previous life I would pick out the soft fuzzy ones and with my thumb in my mouth, rub the feather up against my nose (until I was 12 and at a slumber party, talk about scarred for life.)

When I was in 4th grade my Dad retired from the military and we moved to Grand Junction, Colorado where my Grandparents lived. We even got to live with them while our house was being built. I graduated from the same high school as my Mom, and they all knew my Gram. My wrestling coach (I was the manager) was my Mom's high school boyfriend, my Grandparents practically raised him and he still comes to visit her. Because we lived so close we got to spend the night (except for Ryan who would never stay) and play in the camper, go to the dairy for ice cream, and watch movies late into the night (this was before VHS, when you watched whatever was on the 5 channels that came thru the rabbit ears.) My Gram came to my gymnastic meets in Jr high, my cheering in high school, and even the Mormon events that were important (ie: Roadshows, and talent contests.)

I am so LUCKY!!!

When I was a teenager and my sister was getting married we took my Gram to the open house at the Jordan River temple so she could see where Kelly (my sister) was getting married. I distinctly remember her telling me how disappointed she was she could not be there and how I wouldn't ever do that to her. I told her I would do that to her and the only way she could be at my wedding was to become a Mormon. Alas, she never did, but she has such a strong testimony of God and Jesus Christ and the Bible. She has been a big part of my life. Such a strong influence for good and an example on how to have fun and still meet your responsibilities. Although she did all of the flowers for my wedding and enjoyed the little program we had just for her right before the reception started.

Even now in the twilight of her life, when her memory is not so great and her ability to reason is not so good, her sense of humor is intact. She is right on, great timing and we always laugh. I think I get my irreverent humor from her. I know my body came from her!! I am shaped exactly like her.

Here are my Grandparents dressed for a Halloween party. They were such fun, my grandpa would sneak up behind you and growl on your neck. My Gram could make anything, copy, invent, whatever.

I think this is at their 40th wedding anniversary. Aren't they cute?!

I am so grateful my kids have gotten to know her better. When someone lives at your house there are not many secrets. When I yell at my kids she just laughs and says she is glad shes done and now it is my turn. Sometimes when I could strangle a child its her that defused the situation.

One great story:

Dallin had longer, shaggy hair, as did my nephew who lives across the street. They were reluctant to have a haircut, so my brother Dean offered $50.00 if he could buzz their hair. Dallin, who was not as attached to his hair as Kai, thought about it for about a second and said

"Yes."

So off came the hair, he also got paid for his lawn mowing job. So in he comes waving $75.00 talking about how rich he is, and my Gram tells him to be careful with all that money or someone might take it. Dallin, being 14, and rather smart alecky replied,

"Like who?"

To which my Gram said,

"me"

and she snatched all $75.00 and put it in her 'bank' (her bra has been her bank for as long as I can remember). I wish I could have taken a picture of Dallins face. My sister in law Kirsten (and Kai's mom) was sitting there and we almost died laughing. Gram just looked at him and said,

"now what are you going do?"

It was priceless and typical Gram. She did give the money back, although Dallin was a little leery of touching it because it was, you know, in Gram's bra. I loved it and her!

What a blessing to care for someone you love and you have felt unconditional love from your whole life. I really wanted my kids and grand kids to know what a tremendous lady she is and was. How much she influenced my choices, but mostly that she was the perfect Grandma for me.

A Very Weighty Matter.

Do you shower with music or without?

Like I said, very weighty - I for one shower with, today Lynyrd Skynyrd. I have indoctrinated my children (if you ever knock on the door, no one answers, and there is music blowing off the roof we are in the shower, except Ken).




It all started in Jr high. Our science teacher let us play music during our study time, you were allowed to bring a cassette tape to play in his player. I realized everyone in the whole world played music but me (it was Jr high). Luckily, I got a clock radio for Christmas (Thanks Linda and Jerry) and I played the radio all the time (KEXO am, no fm on this radio). Pretty soon I took it to the bathroom and started to play it while I showered - a doctrine created. Yes that below is the clock radio and I still have it and it still works, unfortunately am radio around here is all Spanish music.








Of course it changed over the years, I got a portable tape player a few Christmases later and would place it next to the radio and record the songs I wanted to replay. Then I would just have the tape player in the bathroom with my "mixed" tape. As I got into High School my parents actually bought a stereo, recording became easier because the tape player was attached to the radio and my brother yelling no longer showed up during the songs. The only problem was it boosted the volume to a level (while recording) that my father hated (also made them listen to Physical by Olivia Newton-John and got it banned from my play list). But I could now buy records (black vinyl round things) and record them for my bathroom enjoyment (BeeGees were really played alot). I did learn that Kmart records are exactly like records bought at the expensive record store in the mall, but that is a story for another time.




I bought my first tape when I worked at the Fun Junction (some would call it an amusement park - we called it child labor camp) for $2.25/ hour, that tape cost me 3 hours of work, but Russ Johnson said he liked it and I was willing to do anything (with in reason) to have something in common with Russ Johnson! Styx - Paradise Theater played in my bathroom for months. No, I didn't understand the references to cocaine and drug use, I just loved to sing along (still do).


All through college my roommates either joined up or I'm sure hated it. Ken just thought it was weird. Twenty, almost, one years later it is still going on and most of the teenagers in the house do it too soo...



All mothers of little children, if you want to like your teenagers music, teach them to like yours! Brenn knows more 80's music than she does modern music. IF your children are a hard sell just buy Guitar Hero - all of our rock music and they want to know more. Dallin came home saying he heard this "new" group AC/DC and wanted to download (my Jr high self wished it had been so easy) some of their music - Ken and I obliged and introduced him to "Big Balls". They need to learn the important things at home with the correct supervision, Right?! I am sure my Grandma who sleeps next to our den was wondering why at midnight we were laughing hysterically and playing music really loud but...teaching is important.

The bonus to music in the shower and as I get ready, is I count the time I dance and move as my 30 minutes of exercise for the day! (sorry Jenny) And nobody gets to see it and make fun (Ken is usually at work, and he likes it anyway).

As I post Brenn got in the shower...with music!! Sounds like Taylor Swift.

A note to my posterity: Yes your grandma was a little nuts, but she inherited it from her grandma...more on that later...and you get some of the DNA too!

Cloudy Day

There is just something about a cloudy day. First, this is Arizona, not too many cloudy days. Second, rarely do cloudy days last all day. Well today is cloudy and I love soup for dinner, specifically potato soup. A little cheese, a little bacon, some really good bread and

YUMMY!!

Of course I do not like to cook so my soup comes from Costco, my family would not eat well without pre-made food from Costco. But you can only find this soup at the business Costco in downtown Phoenix (27th ave. & Indian School). The soup comes frozen, if you eat soup at a restaurant most liking it is the frozen soup from Costco. Dump it in a crock pot add 2 qts water and let to cook for a few hours - what could be easier or tastier.

Now don't get me started on how fun the business Costco is...I love to wander in it. All kinds of kitchen gadgets, restaurant equipment, vending food, Gatorade in cases of just one kind (instead of having to make your kids drink the one color they don't like), and many more things. It used to be really scary to visit the business Costco because it was in the rear of a closed down shopping center, lots of pan handlers and creepy guys, but now there is the biggest Mexican grocery store and several shops have opened up, so its not so bad now.

Still Cloudy!! Maybe it will last until dinner.

Random Post

Random post today - probably not 25 things tho - that's too much pressure.





First - is it really bad to turn on your A/C in February? I know this may be hard for those of you in the colder climes but... really it was too hot to sleep (82) so I got up and flipped the switch from heat to cool - Its still THERE!! It was 87 yesterday. I love this weather - not too hot and not to cold.





Next - I found these at Costco - 120 calories for 9 crackers - I can't seem to stop at 9 but...

I have been sick to my stomach for 3 weeks - anything that sounds good I try because food is not too attractive right now - so I tried these (I am soooo tired of saltines) they are FABULOUS!!!!

If you meet me and I smell like garlic....

Next - I should comment on this blog http://snarky-belle.blogspot.com/ because she is the one that started me thinking but I am not sure I could add anything she or her commenter's haven't said and I don't want to repeat. I will just bore you and my posterity.

Headaches

are my mountain - not even my headaches (which are bad enough) but the headaches of my beloved daughter. They are squishing her. Keeping her from meeting her potential. Hurting her, hurting her Dad and I. She is the most amazing thing - she has always been that way. When she was little and people would compliment her to me I would just say "she came that way!" And she did - she was a complete "arrow" from the get go. And I can't launch her into the world because she is unable to manage it. Now on one hand, I like that she still needs me at 18 - but on the other, she is such a capable person, so together, she would do well on her own and find all the fun, painful, lessons I learned on my own. So how do we get past this "mountain"?

I don't know!

Ok - on to better thoughts!! Logan - he is an animal!! He wrestling intramurals for his Jr High, and doing the freestyle club. This means that on Mon and Tues he stays after school until 5 pm or so to practice wrestling with his Jr High team - he then rides his bike to the High school and helps teach the grade school kids wrestling. Then he has freestyle practice from 6:30 - 8:00 and then he rides home, has dinner, does homework and goes to bed. On Wed he has piano lessons and scouts. On Thursday he has intramural matches and on Saturday he has freestyle tournaments. Not to mention keeping his room clean and mowing the front yard. How is that for a 13 yr old?! He is loving every minute. Luckily intramurals only lasts a month so he should not get too tired.

Guess I should brag on Dallin a little too - We got the pictures of the wrestling team...only he was allowed to smile. His nickname is Smiley - most of the kids don't even know his name is Dallin. The parent ask who my child is - when I say "Dallin" they look at me funny, because there is another Dallin on the team and we look nothing alike (I guess) - then I say "Smiley" and they all go "OOHH!!" we love him! So he is the only one allowed to smile - every one else looks tough. Poor Dallin - Jethro is still giving him fits - but he is learning a good skill (auto mechanics). I think he is tired of it - I know I am!!

I did get an email from Dallins English teacher telling me how much she likes Dallin, how smart he is and that she enjoys him in her class. That is such a nice thing to hear, even when they are 17!!

I think that is it!! My random post. I would like to post more - I seem to have a hard time coming up with something (until I start anyway). I will get better.

Kobus and Zara sitting in a tree....

This is Zara - our Rhodesian Ridgeback

This is Kobus - her new boyfriend

Yes, they look really similar. He spent Friday night at our house romancing Zara, although unsuccessfully. He is such a nice dog and was really sweet to our Zara (not sweet enough) so tonight she is staying at his house. We thought maybe he would be more dominant at his house. We want puppies. All the stories I have heard about male dogs jumping the fence and impregnating females seems a little far fetched right now - these two have no clue what they are doing. Of course it is their first time (ours too, for that matter) so a little bit of which end is which is in order. Hopefully nature will take its course.

Brenn and I keep dreaming about puppies - we are a little excited. Ridgebacks tend to have 12-14 puppies (holy cow!!) so if you want one let us know.

Other than that excited news we are all SICK!!! Dallin stayed home all week, Brenn is iffy, and Ken and I have colds. I am ready to be well - its been about 2 weeks - I have stayed in so I don't spread my germs, but I am bored!!

Also my Sister in Law Lisa Cole is doing some hair at my house on the 28th if you are interested, she does great cuts and really great color, just email me and I will get you in touch with her.

Lurking

Is that a word?

Do you lurk?

I do.

I love to peek into peoples lives. See the kids of my cousins, friends and even people I don't know but have been touched by their writing. Does that make me equal to a peeping Tom?

NO! Please no!

I figure its like a year round Christmas letter, I love those.

So I confess - I am a lurker. I look at blogs everyday. I get a little frustrated when my favorites do not post for a month (of course that doesn't apply to my posting because I think maybe 3 people look at my blog and one is not even my mother!). I like pictures! Seeing how much the kids have changed/grown, what is important for the moment and I really like pictures of food. It makes it seem possible that I can continue to cook for my family for the next 30 or 40 years (YIKES!!) without going insane. Mostly I think in this day with my busy schedule, my friends busy schedules, my family's busy schedule, and the distance between us, I can keep up with what is going on without the hours on the phone, or the writing of letters (which I am really bad at, ask my brother who got maybe 2 letters on his mission).

Although I think I creeped out a lady I know when I mentioned something that she posted on her blog...she looked a little uncomfortable and then her blog went private....hmmm. On a side note, how do you ask someone to invite you to their blog? IF it is a good friend usually I get an excited email, kinda like a birth announcement, inviting me to look. But if it is someone who I know is cool, or heard about this great blog and it is private what is the etiquette of asking? When is is considered creepy to ask? Where is Emily Post when I need her?

Just a few thoughts while I have been laying in bed with the flu and had to pull my self up today to catch up on my daily blog reading!!

Here's hoping for better next week.

What kind of driver are you?

When you see this up ahead how do you feel?
Brenn and I were driving to EVIT (more about that later) and we drove thru the cones...she asked how it made me feel...I love it and usually speed up as I go thru (safely, of course) because I love the feel of having the barricades whiz by my head!!! She said it made her feel tense and she did not like it - me I love it - that is the only time I wish my truck was closer to the ground, something about the speed which they go by my peripheral vision which gives me the buzz. So which are you? Brenn made the comment that is why I love roller coaster, I think she is right.

Here is Brenn being honored at EVIT for being the east rotary student of the month, actually I am not sure I would document this here if not for what happened only moments before...

We entered an empty room at the school board meeting and sat in the back (why is that?) as the room began to fill with people and I was sitting next to Miss O'Connor (Brenn's teacher) the marketing lady for EVIT came in and came over to meet us - she looked at me and without even pausing said "Are you Brenn?"

I said, with a big smile on my face, (my 42 yr old face) "No, but Thank You!!"

Then later in the meeting as they recognized Brenn and had her say a few words, they mentioned it again - I really wanted to ask if this was going on the meeting minutes and could I get a copy, but I thought that my be pushing it a little! Of course when I got in the car I had to look in a mirror - yep still flat hair from the day and no make up - maybe the lady needs glasses.

Anywho, Brenn was honored and the Vice Chairwoman came out of the meeting and shook her hand and thanked us for letting Brenn attend EVIT. Really it is such a good program with a wide range of classes - I wonder if I would have done better earning money for college if I had some kind of training. Luckily Brenn has the opportunity to be a licensed massage therapist...so much better than selling fries!!

Winter Formal 2009

Both Brenn and Dallin went to Winter Formal. It is a girl ask guy dance. So Dallin got asked and Brenn had to do the asking. Both went with different groups (Brenn thinks it would be weird to be in a group with Dallin.)

Dallin went will a cute girl named Taylor:

She was really nice and they had a great time.

Dallin was a little nervous getting "pinned."

Looks like it turned out okay.

Brenn asked a boy named Jack, they were not in her usual group and it was kinda fun to meet some of her other friends.

Brenn and Becca - they had so much fun planning the date. Becca's dress looked like Cinderellas dress!

This is Becca's date Josh. They were really fun. After dinner (they tried escargot) they actually danced at the dance for about 2 hours, and then came to our house for a rousing game of Mad Gab....did I mention LOUD?! It was actually fun to lay in bed and hear the laughter.

Zara was helping Brenn put on her shoes!

I don't think the camera did Brenn's dress justice - it was so sparkly and such a great color on her, Lisa came and did her hair - she looked so pretty. On Sunday at church the little girl in front of us just stared at Brenn all during Sacrament meeting, I know it was the sparkles!

Ruined a good, righteous anger!!

Ok it's only been about 2.5 hours since we left the Doctor's office.....and they called. Can you believe the nerve?!!

All kidding aside - it's a no go...Brenn's heart is normal, no PFO, no cure for the headache.

RATS!!! and DOUBLE RATS!!

I am glad not to have to wait one whole week, but I cannot help but feel a little disappointed. Strange I know, but I would really like to have a concrete cause for Brenn's migraines, and then be able to do something proactive. Instead I have to sit and watch....yes it stinks!

Well on to the next great Idea, what ever that will be.

Do they not understand???

I know Doctors are busy, I know that there are more patients and problems than can possibly be addressed, but 1 whole week to find out if Brenn has a hole in her heart or if she has other problems. Really the echo cardiogram took all of 20 minutes, I know they record it and print some pictures - how long does it take to view? The nurse asked how long we knew Brenn had a heart murmur....does she know something we don't? or did she just assume that was why we were there? I tried to get a peak at the notes on her chart but the nurse lady was to savvy. The technician seemed to know something, she got awful quiet, was she just concentrating or keeping a secret?

Boy do I sound paranoid!! I have been worried all week, didn't sleep last night (cold medicine is supposed to help you sleep, right?) and now another week to see if we can finally get my daughter out of the dark world of migraines and back into her real life.

Now I sound dramatic! I guess I want a reason for the headaches - something they can fix without to much trouble, but a definite "House" ending, with everybody recovering for a normal life.

Now is that too much to ask?

Dallin is 17...Whoa!!!!

Dallin is 17...it is really hard to believe how fast the time goes. He was such a good baby, really easy going, just hated to be left alone in a room (except his bed). He always loved to push the buttons on any appliance (dishwasher, stove, etc), really liked to play on the computer.

As a kid he was really easy going and well liked by his classmates. He couldn't sit still and think at the same time but had some really good teachers who understood (except for 4th grade, we did not really like her.) He played baseball for a number of years and grew to hate it. I guess the last year we shouldn't have pushed him to play. He was a great swimmer though, he was on the swim team for a few years.

When he hit Jr high, he found out what homework was all about and that not all teachers are nice. But played in the band (cornet) and when he got braces switched to the baritone, which he really liked, too bad the band teacher that year was so mean. He did change the world in 8th grade, he never practiced his instrument (who wants to lug a baritone home?) but had to turn in practice sheets signed by his parents, the year before piano practice counted but the new band teacher did not accept that (I think she hated he was the best one she had and he really didn't need to practice to keep up.) Well he turned in fictitious practice sheets for a little while until his mom (yes, I caught him) figured it out and made him confess and apologize to the teacher. From that day on as long as you turned in a signed practice sheet you got credit, even if it had 0 minutes. I hope that taught him to be honest.

He also discovered wrestling in Jr high, he lost most of his matches in 7th grade but really improved in 8th grade. He was doing well in 9th when he got the shingles. Yes you can get the shingles even when you are young. That made him sit out the rest of the year (ouch!).

In high school he continued to wrestle and must still really like it because he wrestled a tournament all day on his birthday. He went 3-1, they did not finish out the consolation matches because it was getting so late.

See his muscles? He has really gotten strong this year. Isn't he cute?!!

Does Dean look jealous or what?

Dallin has a new strategy for blowing out his candles...really slow, steady air.


Still blowing....did it all in one breath.

Here he is pinning his guy. He did really well on Saturday. It is hard to wrestle that much in one day, he was pretty tired. Logan also had a tournament that day and we sat in the stands for about 12 hours. I would like to think I was as tired as they were but....

It is a good thing I really like to watch wrestling, we have spent a lot of time the last few months watching. On Wed (1/28) Mesa and Red Mountain will be at Mountain View - It should be a really good match to watch. Mesa and Red Mtn will start at 4, then Mtn View will start at 5:30 or so...You should come and watch, these are the most dedicated athletes around.

Happy Birthday Dallin, I sure love you! Mom

Lost and Found!

At my house I seem to be the only one who can find anything. Even Ken will ask for help in finding things he lost, of course he claims I "moved" them so that he needs me..... !RIGHT!

Sunday morning getting ready for church (at 11, YEAH) Brenn was speaking so we were trying to get there early and Dallin could not find his belt.

"Celcee must have put it somewhere, because I had it on the floor." Typical Dallin. That darn Celcee cleaning his room and all.

So everyone else leaves and we are looking and what do you know, right on his shelf.

Then last week Brenn lost her retainer, she really thought it was in her bed because she put it in and when she woke up it was gone. So she figured Celcee (magical person she is) would find it. No such luck. Once again yesterday it is up to me to find it, we looked and looked... finally Logan comes in and starts suggesting looking in other rooms, as Brenn disdainfully (is that a word?) informs him she never leaves it out like the boys, she is careful, she is OCD, I pick up her retainer case and open it...Yep there it is, caught on the side so it doesn't shake.

That's me....SUPER FINDER!!!


PS. I do not know how to post this video on my blog but check it out on my friends... I am still laughing. http://thebuckleyfam.blogspot.com/

Trying to be a better blogger - but BUGGED

I am inspired by some of my counterparts who blog almost daily, and since this is supposed to chronicle my life (or my families) for future generations (yeah, right) I am trying to post more often. I am a little intimated by not posting pictures, what do I say? Actually talking is never a problem for me, I can talk to a wall, so I am trying to get over it (we'll see.) But I figure if Nie apologized for missing a day (plane crash recovery and all) I could probably step up my posts.

So here goes.... The last few weeks we have had the construction workers outside our house digging up part of our street - it is noisy (trucks, my dogs bark, digging, etc) they keep blocking my driveway, and there are lots of truck, tractors and trailers parked up and down the street which makes it hard to navigate, and strange men watching me take out the trash or get the mail. ITS BUGGING ME!!! I know they are replacing the lines for SRP but still - I am bugged.

Other than that we are getting ready for Dallin to turn 17 on Sat with lots of wrestling in between. Unfortunately, we did not get to go to Page with the Varsity team so Dallin will be wrestling at Mesquite High School (Mesa Dr/Elliot) instead. Logan is at Marcos all day too. I think it will be hard to celebrate a birthday so maybe Sunday will be better. Brenn is doing her Day date that afternoon so maybe we will have some great pictures.

I guess the best news is we went to the cardiologist yesterday for Brenn to see if he would look for a PFO (a whole between the upper chambers of her heart that might cause migraines) and I was prepared to argue, convince, plead, you name it to get the test she needs and he was the nicest, most caring Doctor we have seen in a while. Her test is scheduled for next Thursday and he said he would be happy to help her if it turns out she has a PFO.

Now this must be my Epiphany #2 - Sometimes you pray for the strangest things!

Should you really pray that your daughter has a hole in her heart?!!

Well, apparently, yes you do.

Patient and Careful....yep that's me!!

Okay - if you know me personally you know better right? Well apparently Jenny and her sweet husband Brad were talking about how long we have been friends, and Brad commented that he thought I was Careful and Patient....When Jenny got off the floor from laughing her guts out, she asked him if he really believed that.

Well I have known them for a little more that 12 years, in fact the first time I invited them over it was to watch the Super Bowl. So either Brad is dumb as dirt (no, I don't think that) or somehow that is what he sees when we are together (lost at Lake Powell for 6 hours). How great is that! I like that someone sees me as I would like to be but probably won't be until after I die. Long after.

This made me laugh hysterically when Jenny told me but then to really think about perception. We think we present ourselves to the world, but who speaks the same language? Surely my husband and I sometime seem to be confused with each other, or the kids, or what about the ward member who I think I know her name but have never really had a chance to talk to her. Do I choose to think the best of those I think I know? Do they think the best of me? Or is it somewhere in the middle?

Anywho... this has been on my mind of late and I thought maybe it would help to put it on paper, of course no one may understand the ramblings but....

I figure if Jenny is having Epiphanies so can I. So I guess I will list this as #1
See here http://http://www.bjdentonfamily.blogspot.com/ If you want to see hers.


Except I am not the deep thinker she is so maybe I will only have one.

I Cheated!

Ok - you see I have blogged this year I just figured out how to pre-date the entry so it could go in the published book for 2008. So really I am only a slight slacker! (and a little cheating)

As far this year goes we are still having a little trouble with our house - the upstairs bathtub faucet refused (well I do have teenagers) to turn off. So Ken came home and tried to fix it and made it worse. To be honest I think this is the only time he has ever done that, I mean even Jethro turned over the first time and is running well, and that was a whole engine replacement. So I called the plumber and the whole faucet had to be replaced, see the whole in my tile? So now we get to re tile the shower.

But I cannot decide which tile - I was thinking white with a few black ones or a black border because this would be so neutral (we have painted that bath at least 5 times in 5 years so think flexible).

But Ken is not too keen on white so I picked up some travertine to see if I liked it - eventually we will have to replace the counter top and I want it to be easy to pick out.

So what do you all think?

Christmas at the Cole House

Christmas morning we wake up - not to early this year (all teenagers!) and line up, Dad goes in and turns on all the lights, then lets the kids in. They line up according to age, that means Gma is last this year.Grandma was a good girl her stocking was full of good stuff.

My kids and Ken always give me a hard time because my stocking is the biggest. I just tell them my mom made it and she knew what kind of kid I was and I was always really GOOD!

Ken got a new shirt he loves. The Grinch is part of our Christmas traditions. We always string popcorn for the tree and watch the original Grinch movie.

Logan was excited to get the Inkdeath book and a new MP3 player.

Brenn got a kickn' new coat. BYU here she comes.

Dallin got the season 1 dvd of Psych - if you don't watch (Friday nights on USA) you should, it is one of our family favs.

Also some sun glasses for when we get Jethro fixed!!

Ok this is my attempt at photography - it rained so much on Christmas that my poinsettias (which I kept alive for more that 3 weeks) had the most beautiful rain drops and I wanted to get a cool picture. I am not sure I succeeded but....


Okay - Brenn will not be happy with this but they were so cute! Arms hooked same expression, aren't they cute?!



I just wanted to end the year with a little about my testimony of Christ. I am so grateful to have a knowledge of the true gospel and to know my Savior. I want my kids to know that I am SURE in the knowledge of the Atonement and that we do have a living prophet and he leads us. I know the key to living a gospel centered life is to do the little things read your scriptures and pray EVERY day, keep the commandment as best you can, and attend church regularly. If you keep up with these things the rest goes much easier. Repentance is set up so we WILL use it, not can, but will, we all have to repent, that is the beauty of it, no one can lead a perfect life except Christ, but each of us can start again and again. I have a SURE testimony of tithing, the best way to receive blessings is to pay your tithing. I believe in eternal families, I know I will see my family again and rejoice in the goodness of our Heavenly Father with them. I am glad Christmas gives us time to reflect on the life of Christ and to once again dedicate ourselves to following his example.

Happy New Year!!

I have been slow to document our Christmas this year - things have been really busy at the Cole house. I will post the pictures and a little about it probably a little later.

Ken and Dallin have been working on Jethro...they tried to start it tonight and the battery was almost dead! Whoops!

My brother Ryan and his family have been visiting and boy are they fun! The new baby Abbey is such a good baby and we have enjoyed having them hangout at our house for a few days. Tonight Garrison got baptized and Abbey was blessed. It was sure nice for them to do it here where both families can be a part of it.

Then last night Ken's mom offered us a hotel in Las Vegas for the rest of the week. We said yes, no, yes, no... trying to figure if we could swing it time wise and money wise too. But it was to fun to pass and so we are leaving in the morning and coming back on Friday. The kids are being left alone and in charge of Grandma, I am not sure if she thinks she is the boss but really Brenn is the boss. I can't help but wonder if it is a good idea to leave 3 teenagers alone for New Years Eve but...... I am sure they will be fine. Dallin is wrestling on Sat and I am in charge of the snack bar and the door, guess I should be there. Anyway I think Las Vegas should be really fun for New Years and since it coincides with Ken's birthday I am sure we will have a good time.

Ken said he would have my blog bound in a book for Christmas so I need to finish the year and then find a place... Does anyone know of a good place? This will be my first official journal! I am kinda excited.

I wish you and yours a Happy New Year!!! See you in 2009!

Merry Christmas!!

A couple of years ago I had what I consider one of my best ideas! After years of composing the Christmas letter (yes I am one of those people) and running low on steam I asked my darling daughter if she would like to write our family letter - she being a great writer complied. The result was the best letter ever! I loved it from her point of view.

The next year thinking I would go down the line I asked Dallin if he would draft the Christmas letter. He looked at me like I was an alien. "Why would I want to do that?! It's like homework!" So I went on the the youngest and made it sound more like a privilege and he did a great job.

So this year is Brenn's last year at home full time so I asked her again and she delivered beautifully:

Merry Christmas from the Coles!

Here is the year’s happenings according to Brenn…

Ken: is still working for DMJM Harris, but the name has changed to AEcom. Same job, new name; does that justify as a new job? I don’t really know…He has been working lots of crazy hours on some pretty cool projects this year, including AEcom’s space port project in New Mexico. He finally graduated from primary, and is now a Teacher’s quorum adviser. Somehow I don’t think it was coincidence that he was the last one in that family to get out of primary. He’s keeping all those boys in line, and loving every minute of it.

Karen: has been pulling her hair out at all the calamities at our house this year. She’s currently going through what Dad calls her “dark period” – she’s painting things black left and right. When our washer freaked out and flooded our house, we needed new flooring; but Mom knew we couldn’t stop there. We painted, and painted, and painted some more, then we scraped ceilings, and painted a little bit more. Mom and I painted our kitchen table black –it looks fabulous if I do say so myself. She is still over the MiaMaids at church, and keeps our house running smoothly. She has joined the blogging world, and has a really cute blog; you can visit it and be amazed at k2cole.blogspot.com.

Brenn: I have been enjoying the benefits of officially being an adult! I turned 18 last September, and am so excited to finally graduate this year. I’m taking massage therapy at EVIT this year, which I absolutely love. I graduate from Mountain View in May, (senior-itis has already hit hard) as well as get my massage certificate so I can become a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) this summer. I’m trying to figure out where in the world (or maybe just the States) I’m going to go to college -- Dad’s hair gets grayer every time he sees a tuition price. I’m still driving “my” Jimmy truck, and am heartbroken at the thought of leaving it when I go to college.

Dallin: has learned a very important lesson about his truck: if you don’t put oil in it, it breaks. He ran his truck out of oil this year, and has been working very hard to get it fixed. He turned 16 this year, and loves driving “his” big Bronco (it’s a sweet old ’77). He’s working hard to secure a spot on the Varsity wresting team this year, and is a Junior at Mountain View. He is still playing piano, and sounds beautiful. He loves to play guitar, and can mimic almost any song that comes on the radio – he’s awesome. We love his big smile, which earned him the nickname “Smiley” at wrestling camp one summer.

Logan: is in 8th grade, and will be 14 in May. He loves going to Poston with his cousin, Jake, and has all the girls swooning. He is still playing the piano, cello, and harp, all with some considerable skills. He loves to get his friends together to play “judge,” a hide-and-seek-in-the-dark game they made up. It’s a rare weekend we don’t have his friends running all over the backyard in the pitch dark. He is by far the biggest texter in our family, and thinks he is pretty hott stuff with his cool slider phone. He is also wrestling this year on a club team, and just finished playing (insert position here) on his Pop Warner football team.

Grandma Young: is still living with us, and we love every minute. She loves to sit in her chair and watch all the birds in her beautiful, big window. Zara has claimed her, and is almost always in her room, or by her chair in the kitchen, hoping for a bite. We have really enjoyed having her live with us, and the opportunity it has given us to get to know her better.

We hope this Holiday Season finds you all thankful for our Savior, healthy, happy, and full of love. We love you all, and wish you a Merry Christmas!

Love,
Ken, Karen, Brenn, Dallin, Logan, Grandma, Fritz, and Zara

I love the Christmas letters I receive in the mail (that's why I send one, I guess). I am always glad to see the way the kids are growing and have a little window in to the lives of those I love, that must be what fuels my blogging addiction (reading, not so much writing).

I wish you and yours the Merriest of Christmases and a Happy New Year!!!

Aren't they CUTE!!! Go Suns!

My Mom made be a scrapbook of pictures she had - some were of my early years (the olden day by my kids own words!!) and some were of their early years. I really liked the gift and had to share these fans.

It is hard to believe how much they have grown in what seems like a short time. What great kids I have.

Thanks Brenn for the hijacking post. Isn't she so sweet! Love ya Girl!

Hey Mom...I love you!

So my mom doesn't know I've secretly hacked into her blog to write her a super secret Happy Birthday blog.  I won't tell you how old she is (that would get me in trouble)  but I just want to let anyone and everyone who reads my mom's fabulous blog that my mom is awesome.  

Mom, I love you so much, and am so grateful that I don't only get to have you be my mom, but also my best friend.  Thank you so much for all you do -- you're the best.  Ever.  I hope you had a great birthday, and I want you to know that I feel like the luckiest girl in the world all because I get to hang out with you everyday.

Love,

Brenn

Can't get a break - Or maybe we can.....

Has 2008 ended yet??!!! This is my stove... Dallin was cooking and the jar with the oil fell out of the upper cupboard and crack, my stove is now broken.


Now in Karen world this means both good and bad. Bad is the money to fix or replace, right before Christmas, right after an engine for Jethro, a garage door, a new retainer, etc.

Good is no cooking!! Now those of you who know and hopefully love me know I do not really like to cook. I think it stems from the fact that I really don't like to eat all that much (of course I still have 15 lbs of fat from things going into my mouth but...). I like to snack, I love Pepsi, and most chocolate, but big meals are just ok...better if someone else cooks it, and so-so if I have to do the cooking. Somehow that should translate in to me being a size 2 right? Well maybe if my stove stays in this condition we will see..... The other purpose of this post (besides hoping you will feel sorry for me), is to warn you. If you have a ceramic top stove be careful of what you store above it. I can't believe the stove broke and not the jar of oil. Also, in talking to the repair people, having a pan go dry will weld it to your stove top. I have had a flat stove for about 10 years and this is the first problem I have had. Guess you live and learn!