Headache and the Flu....

Been silent for a while, I had a very bad week last week.  Bad migraine for 3 days and slid right into the flu.  I am finally better and upright.  Do you know how long it takes to get your house back in order when Mom is on the fritz?

I wanted to share our (Brenn and I) new obsession.  This is the kind of art I can create (sorry Jenny).

This is for my cousin Andi - it is 2 ft X 2ft, with a frame.  The picture is taped to the glass so you can change it out as your kid grows.  It just so happens she had some pictures taken that matched the colors perfectly.  I have to give props to my SIL Kirsten because she helped me put this together.  We love our Cricut!!  We have made 4 of these and have the wood for 4 more.  I am going to teach a class (with Kirsten, Please?) for the Christmas in June enrichment. 

This is the one Brenn and I made for Heidi and Sam.  Such fun!!  I am always

up for a fun craft.  Whoops, I mean art!!

This is my next project.  I can copy anything.  Not great at the original stuff, but I can copy anything.

Wednesday we are starting our roof.  Yes, we are dedicated do-it-yourself 'ers (read this cheap) and we had a bunch of the boys who come to cinnamon roll Tuesday offer to help us strip the roof soooo....

Here comes the fun!  It ought to be an interesting week.

Dallin's Senior Pictures and Announcement

Dallin's Graduation Announcement - Taahdaa!!


This took me way too long to do but I am really pleased with how it turned out (kinda like the kid, ya know?!).

Now I figured out the process on Photoshop and will be faster in the future.  Now my mailbox is full of out going mail and I have a few stragglers to track down addresses (darn those missionaries) and I am finished with this part.  I am so proud of this young man!

Isn't he handsome?

Brenn took the pictures and did a great job!  Check out her other photos at her blog.

Happy Mothers Day?

I have been wrestling with posting something this week.  Up until a couple of years ago I loved Mothers day and figured all mothers did too.  I was enlightened by a wonderful talk in Sacrament Meeting.

 Really, I did like a day where all of my children tried to be really nice, Ken cooked dinner and he badgered the kids to do the dishes.  I could take a nap and not have to explain it to anyone.  Best of all I could go and buy whatever I wanted for Mothers day (within reason, of course) and give it to Ken to wrap up.  What's not to like?

Now I am supposed to feel guilty.  I am supposed to feel like I am not good enough to be a mom.  I yell at my children and sometimes I don't cook dinner (OK I only cook dinner about half the time).  I am supposed to feel ......(insert inadequacy here).

I have a hard time with self analysis.  I am hardly ever too hard on myself.  I usually give myself the benefit of the doubt, well if I even think about it at all.  I am not a real deep thinker.  If I hear it and it sounds right to me I am good with that.

Plus, I have great role models.  Women who have lived interesting, ground breaking lives and are confident in who they are.  My Grandma (or Grammy as we have taken to calling her) was a busy soul.  She served those around her with an ease that I am still reaching for.  She was deeply involved in whatever her kids volunteered her for and then some.  My Moms high school boyfriend still calls her and comes to see her.  My Mom is a force of nature.  She is the poster child for 'git 'er done!'  She loves her children and grandchildren and leaves no doubt that she would help in anyway possible.  She is not a huge worrier, something I inherited.  She stands firm on gospel sod and is the picture in my head when I hear about standing firm and immovable.  My aunt Jan is the first person I knew who went thru a divorce.  She handled it with grace and dignity (I was 15 and watching) she then rebuilt her life, found a great husband and I still have my kids 'take a swig' to measure liquid medicine.  My aunt Linda had a career and a family.  She was up close and personal with the glass ceiling.  I always loved to hear my Uncle Jerry (her husband) extol how proud he is of her and her accomplishments.  Then there are the Ladies in the family I married into.  Ken's Grandmothers were women to admire, to emulate, and to love.  My MIL Kathy is the kindest person I have ever met.  She is a gracious hostess (almost every single Sunday) and a very loving mom and grandmother. His aunts are the best!  I can sit a chat with any of them (an often do) for hours at a time.

Last but not least are the girlfriends I have got to know over my mothering years.  Sonya - wanted to be a mom first and foremost.  Jenny - we learned to deal with kids together, experimenting with alarm clocks and blackout curtains, movies passes and park day, scrapbook Fridays and weddings.  My great SILs (who are more friends than just family) all of who have talents and I enjoy immensely at Lake Powell or when ever we can all get together (Kirsten is my neighbor so it is easier with her).

With all of these fab women who love me and like me too, how can I feel bad?

I choose to spend Mothers day celebrating.  All women, regardless of how they view themselves, deserve this one day to feel GOOD!  So....

Happy Mothers Day!!!

Risque` Post - read at your own risk

Disclaimer:  This is not the most uplifting of topics and I apologize if it is offensive but this is suppose to chronicle my family and this is just to good to pass up.

At the Junior high yesterday they ran a bus drill.  Making sure each student knows how to exit a bus in an emergency situation, it is important, even if lost on a bunch of 14-15 year olds.  During this drill one of the children in Logan's class made a smart, inappropriate remark and the rest of the class laughed.  One of the vice principals reprimanded them harshly.  Telling these children they were not living up to the integrity of Poston Junior High, etc.

In light of the trouble caused the teacher gave homework relating to the incident, a letter of apology to the  vice principal.

Logan felt this was undeserved, as was the reprimand.  According to him they have practiced since first grade and it was hard to take it seriously, plus all they really did was laugh. 

His apology letter confiscated by his mother:

Dear Ms. ____________

I apologize for the way some of my classmates acted.  Especially for the one kid who said 69.  People should not have been laughing when he said 69.  It is not something to laugh about, 69 that is.  The way you disciplined us was good in my opinion.  I am so glad that we have someone like you as vice principal not some wimpy person.  But someone who keeps Poston's reputation going!  I still feel bad about the 69 thing.  69 should not be said around campus.  It is not even that funny.  I mean I don't get it it is only two numbers put together 6 and 9.  I am sorry for that.

When he would not let me read it I became really suspicious.  So I finally wrangled it out of his hands and read it.  First off I should get the Academy Award for not laughing until I cried (that came later), but told him it was wrong and he would get in way more trouble.  He pointed out he did not sign it, but really I am sure they would have recognized his handwriting. 

Then I looked him in the eye and asked if he knew what it meant.  He assured me he did.  I quizzed him further and asked where he learned such a thing and he told me an 8th grader explained it to him.  HHhhmmmm.

I made him write a proper letter and took him to school. 

I am recording this, with his permission, for posterity and so when he is 40 and his teenager is giving him fits I can read it back to him!

Family Project

Since Dallin is getting ready to graduate and preparing for a mission we as a family decided to try to read the whole Book of Mormon, during family scripture study, before he leaves.

I figured it out and there are 238 chapters.  244 days until the end of the year (hopefully he will have his call by then).  We are trying to be really dedicated to reading every morning (sometimes hard when you wake-up with a headache) at 7am. 

I notice such peace in our house when we are obedient to this counsel.  It sounds like it should be easy peasy but we struggle sometimes.  Luckily all five of us are old enough to get up (and wake everyone else if they sleep through the alarm), it really helps if I am not the only one pushing for this to get done.

I am so grateful for the tools we have to bring us closer to our Heavenly Father.  Great scripture to testify of Christ, to show us how to live and what we should focus our time and talents.  I am always amazed at how fast we can go from obedience to wickedness in such a short amount of time.  Straight is the way and narrow is the gate - I am trying to aim my family towards.

I am so proud of Dallin and his decision and excitement to serve a mission. He is such a great man.

Glee and Madonna!

I am a huge Glee fan! I think the Madonna episode is the best one yet!

It's all in the details.

I love Sue Sylvester - and her quip about desperately seeking Susan. I felt bad for my kids because they did not get all of the references or the costumes.

CLEVER, CLEVER!!

The last number was so good. I have been singing Madonna ever since (yes, even in the shower).

How I wish I could sing well - I do sing but....no one would call it pretty.

Tonight is Kristen Chenoweth - she is amazingly talented.  Besides singing and dancing her comedic timing is spot on.

Can't wait until tonight!

Prom 2010

Prom as a Senior!  Dallin and Tate both looked so handsome!

Dallin and Kyleigh - isn't she cute!  Her dress was lovely.

Tate and Kim.

Because it's all about the shoes!!

 

 

 

 

We hosted the dinner in our backyard.  I figured out how to seat all 16 at the same table and still get to chat and have fun together.

It turned out beautiful.  I borrowed some stuff from my friend Jen (wedding and all) and the other mothers helped by each bringing one thing.  Tate's mom Kim helped me serve and clean up.  What a fun day.  I really love to have them at our house, I get to see all the girls in their beautiful dresses and the boys in their tuxes - so much fun!!!

Twenty-six

I really wanted to preserve the day I had on Wednesday for my posterity. I would like to say it was the very best day ever but really not so much.

After itching most of the night I was dragging myself out of bed (nothing like 2 benadryl to drug you to sleep) when I realized Logan had an ortho appointment in 20 minutes. Oh, and it takes at least 10 minutes to get there. Can you say "throw on clothes, put hair in a ponytail (it doesn't matter that it is too short) and brush your teeth. The Orthodontist is a type of dentist you know.

After an hour, I ran home took care of Grandma and started to run my errands.



First stop JoAnns, then Target, then on to Home Depot.

Are you riveted yet?

While at Home Depot ordering a new window for the broken one in Brenn's room (thanks Dakota) I was trying to find the cheapest option and still match the window we already replaced. As I was trying to figure out the 30% tax credit, whether to try to put LowE glass in my basement and things like that the gentleman who works at the other desk was helping by asking questions. While answering and chatting I mentioned that my daughter was going to be 20 and she didn't need tempered glass in her room. He looked me in the eye and said,

"There is no way you have a 20 year old daughter, you only look 26!"

I assured him I was old enough and had a good laugh. I told him I was going to buy the window and he did not need to lay it on so thick. I just laughed, especially when I went to my truck and looked at the mirror!




On to my next errands - Costco. Who by the way was having a special on Cricut cartridges - 3 for $95.00. Hello Mothers day present. As I am trying to decide which 3 the consultant tried to sell me a princess one, I told her my princess was almost 19 and I didn't need that one. She looked and me and said,

"No way!! You look like you are 26!"

This time I was just like "RIGHT!" (sarcastic and all).





Deciding that maybe my SIL Kirsten would like to split this with me I walked away and called her. After chatting and getting the okay I walked back to the table and was dealing with another consultant. Meanwhile, consultant #1 was helping this lady who wanted to cut out something specific and they were having trouble getting it to turn out. Consultant #1 asked me if I could figure it out and I showed them how I would do it.





I picked my cartridges and did a little more shopping and then went to check out. The lady I helped was in front of me and did not have the machine with her. I commented that she decided against it. She told me she just wasn't sure it was in the budget for her business and asked what I do with mine. I showed her the picture of Brenn's present to Heidi and Sam and told her I would look on ebay or craigslist for those people upgrading to the bigger Cricut or maybe she could just find someone to cut it out for her. As she looked at the picture she said,





"Your daughter has a friend who is married?"





I replied, "They are 19."

And she said,

"You don't look old enough to have a daughter that age, you look like you are 26!"

No lie! I came home and snapped a picture with my Blackberry.




Maybe its the pink jacket?

BRILLIANT!!!

Brenn and I just watched Glee from last night (because we were busy last night, wedding and all) and at the end was this video.

Brilliant

is the only word I can think of.

If you are not a teen when MTV actually played videos watch this first





If you are not a big Glee fan you may not find this as great as I did but I was laughing so hard I cried!

Sorry for the advertisement at the beginning - that is the price you pay to embed I guess.

Just a sneak peek - the wedding of my friend Jen's daughter (my daughter in heart) went wonderfully! The Bride was beautiful. The Groom handsome. Everything went well. I will post some pictures later after Jenny has time to get hers up and running. She should be resting today!

I am really not a huge fan of SNL but Tina Fey does such a great job with Sarah Palin. I saw this morning and just had to share.

Radio and the Commercials

I spent all of Friday driving around shopping, going to lunch with my husband, not going to lunch with my husband after all, shopping, going to a baseball game and then driving home. I think I drove over 75 miles.


All that time I had the radio on. Now I am a flipper, if there are too many commercials I will flip the station until I find music. As I flipped from one station to another I kept hearing the same commercial. The more it played the more annoyed I got.

It starts sounding like a government commercial. Like the stimulus package will kick in and "help" you reduce your CREDIT CARD debt. If you owe more than $10,000 dollars they will 'help' you reduce your debt to do their part in helping to stimulate the economy. It repeatedly stated it was not your fault if you are in over your head.

WHAT??!!

Did you or did you not swipe that card for things you said you would pay for?

First, this commercial is fraudulent by implying that the stimulus package is free money that will get you out all of that stuff you couldn't afford without paying for any of it. Then they tell you it is not your fault you overspend.

Secondly, how will the credit card companies stay in business if everyone who owed them only payed a small percentage of what is owed? Isn't that part of the current problem with foreclosures? That the banks are losing so much on mortgages that they need government money? (Okay, I admit the banks are probably still making some profit but still.)

Lastly, what about honesty? I understand that sometimes things happen out of our control and you can't squeeze money from a rock. But I am really talking, and believe the commercial is aimed at, the irresponsible. Those who spend recklessly, with no viable way to afford it.

Really, by the time I got home it was about 6:30 pm I was so steamed. This is part of why we are in so much trouble as a country. Big debt and no conscience.

I normally try really hard not to judge from the surface but what are these people thinking? Why do we feel so entitled to spend more than we make on things we really do not need.

Okay, off of my soapbox.

Rhetoric

I am saddened by the amount of slanderous talk that surrounds politics in this day. I am not an Obama fan but fail to see how he has horns and a tail. I am constantly bombarded with emails and pop-up of the evils of his administration. How all of his advisers are just right of Communist. These scare tactics are ridiculous and serve to divide our country. The news is no better, they are mostly quoting some anonymous source close to the administration or whatever.



I know that health care needs to be addressed. I am not sure if the sweeping changes will be good or bad, mostly because no one can or has with out prejudice broken down the bill. The Right says it will bankrupt our country (some truth to that I am sure). The Left says it will save us from ourselves and the greedy health care companies. I wonder if common sense will ever return. If there will be anyway to compromise and do what is good and right.



We, Maricopa County, have the devil or not as our county sheriff. He is a no nonsense guy who LOVES the press, whether it be good or bad. He has made prison not fun. He does crime suppression sweeps that anger lots of people because he is looking for illegal aliens. He is not very popular with Hispanics or other liberal groups who feel he should look the other way. The newspapers rarely print something positive about him but he keeps getting re-elected anyway.



I don't listen to very much talk radio or television because I cannot stand the outright scare tactics. How anyone who disagrees is a raging crazy person. I wonder if this contributes to the lack of compassion that is prevalent in our society.



People who react out of fear instead of reason worry me. I am afraid for the future. I will do my part by becoming informed, discussing the issues rationally and voting.

I wish I could express my thoughts better but for now this is as confused as I feel. Where is the sanity??!

Oh yeah, centered in the gospel and listening to a Prophet.....okay I'm good.

Logan and the Throw up Kid

I am not one for to post wrestling video for your enjoyment, but this weekend brought a funny moment in Logan's tournament.

First he wrestled his 3rd cousin Steven Mason. It was a hard won match and both boys were toast afterwards. Logan did win, but just barely. After the match Steven was not feeling to good, I think he drank too much water. Steven had to wrestle another member of our team, Ryan, next and he told him to just get it over with because he wanted to hurl. Well, Ryan pinned Steven in about 10 seconds and then Steven puked all over. As I am commiserating with Stevens Mom, Deanna, Logan is preparing to wrestle again.

All of a sudden Logan lets the other kid up and off that kid goes to the same trash can to puke. Logan said the kid told him he needed the trash can and Logan decided winning was not worth getting puked on. I love Logan's face in the video!! Pictures are really worth a thousand words! If you watch all the people in the background they are all watching the poor kid. Logan said the kid smelled awful when he came back to finish the match. At least Logan won.

Apparently it was just that kind of day!

Post Edit - finally got the video to load!

General Conference

I love General Conference. I really should say I have grown to love General Conference.

As a kid my Mother always made us watch at least Sunday. I know it was a strain for her because we were so awful about it.

When I went off to College it was a big deal to drive to Conference and watch or sit outside the Tabernacle and listen. I think that is the first time I really listened and was touched.

When my kids were really little we mostly snoozed on the couch while trying to watch. As they grew, they loved General Conference. And in doing so helped me to appreciate it more. To listen carefully and study the Conference Ensign as scripture.

I remember when Brenn was about 8 or so, she came in our room and woke us up to watch. Because of the DST it was on earlier than we thought. She wanted us to share as a family. As the years have gone by each of my children have made it a point to be there both days, the whole conference time without the strain my poor Mother had to go through.

A few years ago Ken and I were trying to fix a mower and one thing led to another and by the time we got home Conference was about 1/2 over. I will never forget the testimony of my children all gathered around the television watching and listening. No one was there to make them, remind them or even to encourage them, they knew what was right and they did it.

Now only one session has been on today, but I felt so uplifted. Logan is wrestling today (his thumb is finally better) and I am so grateful for TIVO. I was especially moved by President Monson talking about his dear wife. Couldn't you see the love? That kind of love, lasting those many years has been a goal of Ken and I. We could see it in his grandparents. Elder Eyring was also a stand out to me. He is so powerful.

Just a my small testimony of the importance of watching Conference. I am grateful when it falls on Easter. Somehow it makes me reflect better on my Savior and his willingness to be obedient to His Father. What a testament of love.

Do you make your bed?

This is for my future posterity.

Do you make your bed everyday?

When I was a kid my mean, mean mother required us to make our beds every single day. I know the horror, right? I remember swearing a binding oath that I would never make my kids do this cruel and inhumane practice.

When I moved out I felt like I finally had freedom. I did not make my bed once in college.

YES,

I did wash the sheets regularly and then the bed was freshly made but every morning?

NOPE.

So I meet this pretty great guy and get married and all and well, I had been to his apartment once or twice and he alway had his bed nicely made. So I gave in and for the first few months I dutifully made the bed or conned him in to doing it when he got up last. Then slowly I poisoned him into not caring.

Then I had kids. When we were staying with the Andersons in California while Brenn was being treated for Cancer (another story) I did make my bed for six whole weeks. I was a guest, and I wanted to be a good guest. While staying with Sandy, (Anderson, her daughter is married to Ken's older Brother Mike, and her Brother is married to Ed's (FIL) Sister Elaine) she gave me some wisdom. She told me that if you get all of the beds made every moring then if nothing else gets done at least you feel like you accomplished something.

So I changed my tune for a little while. I taught my kids to make a bed and every morning and tried to be strict. Of course MY bed was the one slacking. Then one of my sweet children pointed that out, dang smart kids. And I relented.

The only bed in our house that is made everyday is Grandmas. She is strict about that.

I pull up the covers in a half hearted attempt on my bed and really I feel no guilt. I suppose I should apologize to the future spouses of my children, sorry I did not teach them. But I did take an oath, ya' know and I was an example of how to stick to it.

So future generations, you have my (Grandma's) permission to not make you bed everyday!

Post Spring Break Blahhs!

We just experienced the most boring Spring Break EVER! No one at the pool, no big party in the basement, only one day of a few kids hanging out.

Why? you say?

Spencer was out of town, Morgan and her crew were gone, almost all of Smileys and Logans friends were somewhere else.

So we did some yard work. Cut down our favorite tree that died. And Logan kerswakered his thumb.

BORING!!

Well on the the count down of Jens wedding and doing what I can to help. Dallin is graduating. And lots of wrestling for Logan. Just the usual.

I have a few thought provoking posts rolling around in my head, we will see if I can get them out in a timely manner.

The saga of the Thumb

On Tuesday my boys were given the opportunity to make some bank by helping a neighbor break up a concrete (not cement, that is the powder stuff and I live with an civil engineer). As they got up early to start working I could see visions of money dancing in their heads.

About 5pm they come home and Logan is holding his thumb and some what dancing around. He had hit his thumb with a hammer. Not a love tap either. Immediately Brenn jumped up and took him to the Dentist in our ward (a must to have in your ward, along with a really generous Doctor) but alas it was after 5 and no respecting Dentist is still in his office.

Yesterday Brenn offered and he turned her down. If I had known I would have made him go. So this morning I made him go.

I am sure you are asking why in the world would you go to a Dentist if you smash your thumb? Well if you have pressure building up behind a finger or toenail and you drill a hole in it to drain the blood from underneath you are a lot happier! The drill a Dentist uses is the perfect tool. So now he is squeezing and draining his thumb. Hopefully he will be a lot happier.

I cannot begin to hold a candle to my friend Cindy but we have enough injuries for me.

Wednesday

What did I do today?

I sat around and played with paper and envelopes. Really I started to put together Heidi's invitations. Pretty easy process. Really I love to do this, sit at my desk, play with my computer, TV on in the background and do some paper shuffling. They look so pretty. And the satisfaction of seeing them all done in a row.

I should finish tomorrow.

At least we have kids running around playing hide and seek in the dark at my house tonight.

Really????

I have several blogs I enjoy reading on a semi-daily basis. Most are mommy bloggers, some make great money (or so I hear), some for the prose and some are in it for the effect. Have you read Seriously So Blessed? Or Mormon Bachelor Pad? I feel I have made some really good friends and found some of them have touched my heart.

But some I am not so sure about. I followed a link to this blog and felt sad that the object was to get away from your kids. Now I am all for some mommy time, and I remember pulling my hair out over things my kids put me through on Sundays but I wanted to enjoy my kids, so I found some things that both the kids and I enjoyed. Maybe I am taking this to seriously or personally but I truly feel sorry that this lady (and apparently lots of others) feel this way about not only theirs kids but also Sunday, which is supposed to be a good day. It's all about attitude.

Anywhoo....on the an update. Ken and I had a record weekend! Clean minds people! We actually went out to dinner with friends both Friday and Saturday night! That is some kind of record for us. We are not good daters. But since there was a wedding reception on Friday and I was too lazy to cook something we just thought we would eat out after (usually means Taco Bell or some such classy restaurant) but low and behold some friends we were talking to had the same thought and so I was inspired to invite them to go with us. We had a lot of fun. And on Saturday we got to meet Wade's fiance, so we went to dinner with them too! WOW~!!

I have to say I really liked Wade's Heather. She even found my blog and comment on my stalking post before I had a chance to hide it!! What a great sport. I thought they went well together and loved when she helped him remember niece and nephews names. I do that with Ken all the time and it made me feel like they were really good for each other. I also want to note that Ken clicked on her blog and read before I did! She also friended me on facebook - like I said Classy Chick!!

I am so ready for my Botox! Don't judge me. My headaches have been really ramping up and alot more frequently so come Monday (or a week later) my eyebrows will not move and my head will be a lot more happy! I forgot how little I got done when I had more frequent headaches. I feel really behind.

As far as Spring Break - all of the kids friends seem to be out of town so we have a quiet backyard. I feel really lonely. I really do love to have all of the action at our house. These kids are so great and a lot of fun.

I am not going to apologize for the lame post because I noticed I keep doing that. I want have a record of what our life is really about. So here it is.

Changes

Look I actually changed my blog almost by myself. Really, I feel I am very computer savvy but this seems like a lot of time and frustration to do very often. Brenn, on the other hand, will probably hack her way in and change it just for fun.

Do you cyber-stalk? Our good friend Wade - okay really Kens good friend from high school and college - but we all dated and married and went to BYU at the same time so I count him as MY friend too. Unfortunately he and his wife got divorced a few years ago and as sad as that is I still think he is one great guy.

Anywhoo, he called a couple of weeks ago and told us he was engaged and wanted to know if we would go to dinner on March 13th. The answer was YES!! Tell me more about her! Unfortunately he spoke to Ken who did not think it was vital to get ALL the information on this woman, except that she told the whole story on her blog.

So off to facebook - I looked at all of the women I did not know on his friend list and tried to cross check with his kids, but since his kids are not MY facebook friends it was hard. I then tried to narrow it down from the one who were married on their profiles or had pictures with other men. Finally, I made Ken call Wade for more details and got her name.

Anyone know a Heather Arnett who lives in Gilbert? I tried to google her blog, who knew there were so many famous people with that name? To no avail could I stalk this lady, except what she allows other non-friends on facebook to see. Her profile picture is awesome. She rearranged the letters in LIVE to be EVIL and that is her picture. I am sure she is just wonderful, since Wade is nothing less than wonderful but I am dying of curiosity.

I just hope I don't put my foot in my mouth to many times! Or scare her off with my excitement. Guess I will delete this post if she makes me give her my blog address for hers. Because stalking should be a secret, Right?!

Reporting....

The wrestling banquet went off with out a hitch. Not one hitch but several! Actually besides the rain outside and the cold temperatures and switching to the small gym - then to the large gym, no helium allowed in either gyms.....

The food was great. The coach gave lots of awards, he even gave me one. The DVD was fantastic and the great big screen in the big gym was really fun. David, the great man who put together the DVD does such a great job, each wrestler gets a copy to remember the season.

I had arranged for a sound system from one of the moms and she had it all loaded and ready so I felt bad that she did all that for nothing but I did not know until about 2 hours before it all started. The school does not allow helium balloons because if one gets let loose it triggers some alarm and they get in trouble, so the decorations were lacking for a while but we got it all solved and it looked good.

Luckily I had a whole passel of moms to help me pull it all off. Thank Heaven for great women!

On to American Idol. I finally got to watch, since last night I was a little busy I had to wait until today. Krystal is awesome, my pick for winning the whole thing if she can stay healthy. Although I liked Lacey and Lily really well too. We will see how the boys do tonight - Lee DeWyze is awesome but I like Big Mike too.

On to helping Jenny with the wedding, although her countdown is freaking me out!

Spring Break starts on Friday, I am expecting lots of Chill and Grills. We will see what the week brings.

Watch the Pugde!

I found this at Sprouts yesterday....you learn something new everyday. Yesterday I learned about No Pudge Fudge brownies. Oh, and that Sprouts does not carry Chow Mien noodles for Hawaiian Haystacks.

Just add yogurt. Brenn was all up for trying until she saw the yogurt. She really doesn't like yogurt and adding it to brownies just seems wrong. I think I scarred my kids for life with the fudge made with Velveeta.

Really. I used to watch the food network to try to make me like cooking. To see that it was no big deal to prepare food. Paula Dean was one of my favorites. Her recipes are full of fat and carbs, whats not to like? She demonstrated a fudge recipe that she said was great. The main ingrediant is Velveeta cheese, but she promised it you couldn't tell and it made it really easy and smooth. I usually make fudge with the marshmallow creme recipe and it is pretty fool proof but I thought I might branch out a little.

Disaster!!!

The fudge tasted awful! Really awful - as bad as it sounds, it was worse!! So we left the No Pudge Fudge Brownies on the shelf.

AAHHHHHH!!!!!

I am in mourning for the Olympics. I had planned this really great post about all of the best moments. Matt Lauer beat me to it. I still was going to construct an impressive post but the **** has hit the fan over the wrestling banquet and I am not only in the middle and in hot water but it will probably rain us out!

Really??!

This is Arizona and it is a desert. Last year we officially received less than 3 inches of rain. So far this year....3.79 inches of rain and that is the last straw in an already drama filled banquet.

How do I get myself into these things?

I told my Grandma I blame her. I learned by the example she set.

Do I post the dirty details? I have refrained from gossiping too much so far (except to Kim, because she already knows the whole story) but last night the angry mother hijacked one of my emails (I need to learn how to hide the addresses in the sent email) and sent a really passive aggressive email to my list - without deleting the message from me at the bottom kindly asking for tables and chairs.

AAAAHHHHHHH!!!

Now I really don't blame the parents for being upset because you are supposed to be upset when your child feels he has been wronged. But the Coach is the Coach and it is his job to decide what happens with the team. I stand firmly behind the Coach but can see the other side and know how emotional we get about our kids (like confronting a strange neighbor at 10pm for roughing up your son).

SIGH.....

It should be over by next Tuesday and I will hopefully pull off a nice banquet, at least I know the food will be good because I am NOT cooking it!

I do have to put a plug for Lee DeWyze on American Idol. He is distantly related. But really I love Big Mike! As for the girls I really like the dreadlocks girl - can't think of her name but hope she is feeling better for tonight!

And as for Dancing with the Stars......ARE YOU KIDDING ME???!! Pam Anderson and Kate Gosling? Really?? Really?! I am not sure I can watch.

Ok - lame post but I promise to do better.

sorry......Busy

Anyone else riveted by the curling today? I wish I knew the rules but it looks fun.

I know I am lamesauce but can't seem to help myself.

:)

Fast Trip and the Olympics

Nothing like driving up to Utah, spending one day, and driving back. For some reason it took us 12 hours to get to Heber on Friday. We did drop Brenn off in Provo with her Cousin Lauren, but still. We spent too long in Flagstaff trying to download our audio book we wanted to listen to, I guess.

Why did we go to Utah? Well Ken's Cousin David Ashby was getting married and we have really tried to attend weddings if at all possible and our Houseboat meeting was the same day. So Friday morning we got in Dallin's car (nothing like 39 mpg) with Brenn and headed to the cold country.

What audio book was worth the wait? Percy Jackson and the Olympians - The Lightning Thief. Great book. We wanted to listen again before we saw the movie. Well, if we ever see the movie. If you are looking for a great series for a kid (or adult, i enjoyed it) then check them out. There are 5 books in the series and they are a fun adventure.

Was it cold? Well, not really, but cold for us. Heber was chillier and it snowed most of Saturday, even if it was just lightly. But I still caught a cold! I hope I did not infect the Bride and Groom!

It was a such a lovely wedding. They held it in an old school in Payson. We went a little early to see if they needed any help and it was fun to meet Rachel's family and interact a little with them All of the Ashby and DeWyze cousins were there, and we got to see Sera and Ryan Allen. I am so lucky to love all of Ken's extended family. They are a great bunch.

Then we went to dinner(?) at 3;30 with Ken's parents and Mike and Shelly (Ken's Brother and wife) at an Peruvian Restaurant in Provo - it was really good food and great fun.

Then off to the houseboat meeting at Sizzler. This meeting is always fun. The man who runs the co-op does such a good job (Wrights are you reading this?). I appreciate that he and his wife take the time to keep track of all the business pertaining to the houseboat. We all choose numbers from 1 to 10 and that is the order to choose your dates for the summer. I ALWAYS get one number less than Aunt Pat! The year I thought I was golden with the number 2, she got 1. We are always trying to get the same dates. Someone mentioned they heard about a helicopter rescue at Lake Powell and I had to fess up it was us! Still what a great bunch of people to be co-owners with.

By the time we started back to Provo to pick up Brenn and head up to Heber I was sneezing and coughing and had a head filled up with snot! I caught a nasty cold! I hoped it was just allergies but really everything is frozen in Utah right now, so what is the chance? So here I sit in my Bed watching the Olympics and resting. It was a hard weekend to be on the road so much, this is my first chance to OD on the Olympics. We LOVE the Olympics. I am just glad we have TIVO.

Boring post, sorry.

I am worlds ahead of Dallin!

I know its strange that I play video games. Really it only happens every now and then I find a game I like.

Yesterday, somehow, I warped to the world

AHEAD

of Dallin. I, of course am over my head. Lots of Lava and things that kill me (or Mario) but Dallin is kinda bugged that I am ahead of him.

HEE!! HEE!!

Tennis anyone? And don't mess with the Momma!!

Logan wrestled on Wednesday against Mesa and Red Mountain high schools. He did a great job and went 2-0 (one was a forfeit). He wrestled JV instead of Varsity, less pressure. He went through practice all week and last night Coach called to tell me that his Junior High did not get the certification to him in time, so Logan cannot help out at the state tournament. That is too bad. I know that Boyer (112 lber) could use some rest. If it is an easy match they would have Logan take it.

So today Logan went to tennis. He is going to be able to warm up for a few days and then the Coach will try him out. I hope he makes it.

Good story for tonight. Our house is the gathering place for all of Dallin and Logan's friends. They usually all meet here and then go off to do what ever they do. Tonight is no different except Logan and Ken are on a camp out.

Loads of kids - maybe 15-20 are heading out to play a game they call 007. Mostly it is hide and seek. They drop off most of the kids at the park and they have to make their way to the Church or here with out being caught by those driving around in the car. It is still early, like 9:15 or so and I hear someone come in the back door (this is not odd, everyone comes in the back door. That way the dogs don't bark and I don't have to answer the front door) and I see it is Jake P., he is getting a drink. I ask him if he is alone and he says no everyone is in the front yard. Then he tells me he has tried to teach Dallin but has failed.

I ask, "Teach him what?"

Jake answers, "When some one is chasing you and they yell STOP, run away faster."

"What?"

"Oh yeah, Dallin has been caught by this angry homeowner who has called the police."

By this time all of the kids are in the house.

I ask, "Does he at least have his pants on this time? Last time you got him in trouble with the Police his pants (click for the story) were undone."

Jake just smiles.

I ask if I need to go rescue him. Jake says, "Nah! Spencer went to get him."

Dallin comes home. His shirt is stretched out to the max. The neck looks like a scoop neck shirt and you can see fingers in the front and back. I ask for the whole story and this is what he says.

They were running across this driveway when the man comes out of the garage and goes ballistic. He yells for everyone to stop. The kids scatter, except for Dallin, and the chase car takes off. The homeowner grabs Dallin and puts him in a choke hold up against the garage wall while his wife calls the Police. She is trying to keep him calm. Dallin is not resisting and even offers to lay on the floor if they guy will just let him breathe. The Police come and look at Dallin's ID, talk to the homeowner of the dangers of confronting suspects, and told him he was too rough on Dallin. He wasn't doing anything. He should have just told him to get off of the property. Then lets Dallin go home.

Really, this did not seem to take very long because the kids left about 9 and Dallin came home about 9:30.

I was seeing red however. This man attacked my son. A kid. Someone who obeyed his command to stop. Why didn't he ask some questions? These were obviously kids. Its not like it is midnight. It is still 9 o'clock for cryin' out loud.

So I get the directions to the house, stop by my brothers to see if he will go with me so I will not lose my temper completely but he was not home.

So off to defend I go.

I ring the bell and the man that answers is maybe 55 - in good shape., short - about my height or a little taller - broad in the chest and pretty muscular. I explain, not too kindly, that it is my son that he manhandled and I was NOT OKAY with that! I told him it was within his rights to call the police. It was within his rights to defend his property. But my son was MY property and it was wrong to choke him.

He tried to defend saying he was afraid of what Dallin would do to him. I told him that was a bunch of crap, Dallin only weighs 135 lbs. I weigh more than that and was he scared of me?

Secretly, I think he was!

Then he said - well he was a lot taller - Yeah, but when you grabbed him you could tell he is a stick. Why did he feel it was necessary to hurt him? To shove him up against a wall and choke him until the Police arrived? Did he threaten you in anyway?

GRRRR!!

This went on for about 20 minutes and I made him feel really small about what he did and he apologized. Profusely.

I told him I would talk to the kids about where it is appropriate to hide.

Had to play Mario for a while the let the mad and adrenaline work it way out of my system.



Now I need to go to sleep. I need to be top of my game to surive Parenthood!

19 and Counting....

Do you watch this show? I mostly watch the reruns while paying bills or sewing or making cinnamon rolls. I am strangely fascinated by this family. I love the values. That the kids are not ashamed of who they are and what they stand for. I love that the Mom truly likes being a Mom.

I like that the Dad's projects are always over the top. He likes to think big!

I like that they are frugal. No big changes in the way they live.

Today they were in Tn., helping family friends, the Bates, enlarge their house. It started off as a new laundry room. This family only has 16 kids and the Bates Mom is expecting her 17th. They live in a 1,000 sq. ft. home with one bathroom. By the time Jim Bob (the Duggars Dad) is done they have added 3000 sq. ft. and a 1000 sq. ft. front porch. He also added 3 bathrooms to the existing 1 bathroom. He got all but $400 of the labor donated, plus the Duggars provided alot of labor in themselves.

Tonight I will watch American Idol and then the Duggars - what does that say about me?! One extreme to the other.

2nd is not so bad!

Logan started out great! He wrestled awesome! He had a first round bye - that is the perks of being seeded.

In the second round he dominated his dude. He won 9-2. This kid has wrestled all year for the varsity at Red Mountain High School. His Jr. High record was 1-1, well until Logan mopped the mat with him.

In the third round he turned that kid into a pretzel. He won 11-2. he wrestled this kid before and it was no problem.

The third round for him was the Championship round. He was wrestling for first or second.

Here he is preparing to wrestle the Mesa Jr. High kid. This kid had a 16-0 record. He wrestled in a varsity tournament and got pinned once. Ken and Bob (the high school coach) were shooting the breeze with the Mesa Jr coach to get the skinny on this kid. Apparently, all of his matches last less than 30 seconds, except one. the coach asked him to let the kid out each time so the coach could watch his wrestling style. This kid teched him in the first period (for those who are not wrestling fans, a tech is when you have 15 more personal points than your opponent.

Scoring goes - 2 pts take down (you get him to the mat and are in control or on top)

- 1 pt escape (when you get away from the other guys control)

- 2-3 pts back points (when you expose your opponents back to the mat for 3 to 5 seconds but don't pin him) a period is 2 minutes).

In other words, this guy is a STUD!

He was super short compared to Logan - he only came up to his shoulder. Look at how much bigger his arms are than Logan!

Too bad the ref was not on the other side - looks like a pin to me (both shoulders must touch the mat for a few seconds.)

Pretty close here too!

Chatting after it is over. This was a nice kid. He told Logan that this was the toughest match of his season! Logan told him 'likewise.' They chatted a little while waiting to be presented with their awards.

Logan was still very proud and so are we! He was really the one to beat and all of the kids in his weight class were worried about wrestling him!

I was a mess starting on Thursday. Friday night I tried to distract myself with Mario and made my thumb so very sore by pushing too hard on the controller. I have never been so nervous before a match! Luckily, Tracy, one of the other mothers, was just as bad as me. The nice thing is she is as loud as me too!!

Yesterday was a much more relaxing day! Logan was soooo sore. But we went to a farewell and all was great. Then just before I went to pick him up to drop him off at tennis try-outs I got a text from the High school coach. He wants Logan to practice with the varsity for state!! Nervous in the pit of my stomach again. The high school only has one 112lber and during state they can wrestle up to 16 matches in a week. It is good to have a back up. Logan was not too happy to put off tennis, but kinda jacked to get to wrestle varsity.

Wednesday is the biggest match of the season - Red Mountain, Mesa High and Mountain View. It is always a big match. We will see what happens.

Logan is seeded 2nd

Saturday is the city tournament for the freshman. Logan is seeded 2nd in his weight class. Some newbie from Mesa Jr. is seeded 1st. We are not scared of him!!

UUmmm...... I mean Logan is not afraid of him!

We have so many people who are rooting for him. A dad from Dallin's team called first last night to tell us his seed, then the coach, then someone else. So much fun. Ken has been asked to help Coach. he loves that.








So tomorrow I will be sitting in my really cool, long researched stadium chair. I could sing its praises for a long time (well, maybe not sing).

All day, with fun friends, rooting for our boys!

Go Poston Jr. High

Update

Brenn was sick of looking at my old blog and told me she was going to change my background.

What do you think?

I wondered if most would think they had the wrong blog! Well it's the right one, I am, apparently to lazy to change backgrounds but Brenn is not.

Next comes my latest project. I am the mom who does all the stuff for the wrestling coach at the high school. I cannot seem to resist volunteering. I blame my Grandma, she was like that too. Even when I was in high school she was still doing things for the wrestling coach.

Anyway, the last home match is Senior night (this Wednesday). They honor all of the seniors and their parents. Coach asked me to get the flowers for the mothers. You know, the ones that are dead at the end of the match? Yes, those. Since I am a take charge type of person and I am the one in charge I decided I did not want a dead flower. I love it when my kids give me flowers but by the time the match is over, the concession stand put away and all, that flower would be dead as a doornail.

So I started thinking about what I would like instead. Since it is within my power to change it instead of complain about it. I changed it and instituted a new tradition (at least until Logan graduates).

This is what I came up with (for the same price of flowers, mind you):

On the Front is MVT - for Mountain View Toros and the date. On the back is the name of your wrestler.

I had 2 ladies help me with the design and what beads to hang on the front but I think they turned out super cute and now I have all of the supplies for the next 3 years. Plus Brenn thinks its a great gift idea for her friends.

Sometimes I am amazed things turn out like what is in my head, because a a lot of the time what is in my head is WWAAAYYYYY better than it turns out in reality. Darn that reality!

What??!! How can he be 18?

*Warning Photo Overload*

Yesterday my Dallin turned 18. I am in shock. I know I already have a child over the age of 18 (she's 19) but I really feel like Dallin should stay 17 for a while longer. Unfortunately, I do not control aging (since I am marching upward myself.)

I started going through some pictures and had to pick out some of my favorites....

Dallin and his first bike wreck, at Jenny's no less.

I am pretty sure this is his 2nd birthday. He is the child who had to push every button and look through every home.

My Mother-in-law always makes the best birthday cakes - isn't the Panda cute?

Look how young Roy and Scott are!