It's official!

I have finally done the one thing

GUARANTEED

to change my status:

I wrapped 2 pieces of chicken fingers in a napkin and put it in my purse to bring home!!

I guess this is not far behind!!

Dallin graduated from Seminary last night and will walk for the high school tonight!!  Pictures to follow.

Last Cinnamon Roll Tuesday!

Today was the last Cinnamon Roll Tuesday.  Although the kids offered to still come all summer long!

It has been a fun tradition.  These kids, who are on the edge of adulthood, making decision that will impact the rest of their lives yet are so kind and grateful for a few cinnamon rolls.  Today it was signing of yearbooks and talking of where they will go to college.  Missions were also a major topic. 

When I was in my youth, the adults were afraid for the future.  My generation was going to drop the ball (maybe we have) but I have no fear for the future.  These children (for at least 2 more days) are looking ahead.  They are kind, polite, smart, caring, strong, true and willing to help each other.  I did not know kids like this existed when I was their age.  I am proud to help mother them, after all, that is what Cinnamon Roll Tuesday has been about for me.  Mothering while I can.

I see my future coming really fast.  My last child will turn 15 this next Sunday.  He starts High School in the fall.  My oldest is almost 20 and Dallin only has about 6 more months until a mission for our church.  My mothering days are somewhat numbered so I have chosen to spread that duty to whomever comes in our door or within my vicinity.

I got to spend the day with my friend Jen yesterday.  We laughed, gabbed and pretty much had a nice visit.  I got to cuddle her sweet, beautiful Eve, giggle over Hyrums big sigh when he made the potty on time and shock all of the teenagers who came for lunch.  They could not believe that Moms could just hang out!!  She has good mothering years left.  I will always be a 2nd mother to her children (whether Hyrum likes me or not!) I am blessed to call that family mine too. But it called to my attention that my life will change soon, faster than I am sure I can be ready. 

But mostly, when I think about it I think - CRAP!!  I am getting old!!  And then my body confirms it!

Roofing is dangerous!!

We are so thankful for all of the help we received!! We ended up having to replace all of the plywood under the shingles (that's why so many holes in the ceiling) we got quite a bit done and hope to finish off the job before the first of June. Nothing like having to double your budget. YUCK!!  

Here is where Dallin straddled a beam.  He thought he was stepping on a board and went thru the siding on the back porch.  Poor guy.

Here is the hole Brad made in my den.  Luckily he caught himself before free falling.

Here is a hole caused by Tuckers foot!

I think this picture looks like an artist rendering of a big job!  !!

Also, Logan got his braces off!!  He is so excited. His teeth look fabulous!!

Roof Rats

Look who showed up to help us demo our roof...

Looks like cinnamon roll Tuesday did pay off!!

My Charming Son showing his love for his mom (you can tell because he didn't go full moon!)

So Brenn has Syphilis.......

Poor Brenn, she has been diagnosed by a leading expert......

Logan

Who had to write 5 page paper on Syphilis for Biology last week and considers himself an expert.

Therefore he has diagnosed Brenn with this dreaded disease all because she has some nasty sores on her tongue.

Poor, poor Brenn........

I wonder if I should be worried??

I think we will probably be safe waiting for the sores to heal, but I promise to keep an eye on her level of crazy!

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.