TMI but.......

So tonight I am getting my grandmother ready for bed.  We walk across the hall in to the bathroom.  Now we have this routine where she turns away from me and I rip her depends off and tell her she can now sit (on the toilet).  And tonight she chants,

"I'm sitting not shitting.   I'm sitting not shitting."

Then she looks up at me and says,

"Aren't I witty?"

Sorry for the delicate nature of this post but really - it's to funny!!!  I am lucky to have her in my home where I get to enjoy her sense of humor.

Thank You

My friend Jenny challenged us to write a thank You letter to someone who made a difference in your life.  I have been pondering this all week and the same name kept coming up. 

Sister George.

She was my first seminary teacher.  The George family had not lived in our ward for very long when she was called to be our teacher.  She seemed really unhip the first few days, after the first week we all loved her.  Well, most of us anyway.  She worked so hard to help us with our scripture mastery and to prepare for the Seminary bowl.  In the olden days, at the end of the school year, we had S day.  This was a day dedicated to Seminary.  Each class in our stake were in competition in 3 areas, scripture chase, seminary bowl and attendance then a dinner and a big dance.  We cleaned up that year even though we were only freshman.  I found her to be quiet and humble, she taught her children to take care of each other and I admired how nice they were to each other.  The oldest 4 were girls, starting a year younger than me.  I got to know the girls as well as Sister George.  After seminary was over for that year she became my Young Women's leader.  She remained my Young Women's leader for the remainder of my youth in some capacity or other.  I learned some of  the most important lessons from her.  She was very kind and always had a big smile for you.  She had gone on a mission, something I didn't know girls could do.  When I think of her I always get a warm fuzzy feeling.  She was not into big productions but small and effective teachings.  I always thought she was the most Christ like person I knew.

So I messaged her on Facebook - which I find really funny.  She and her husband have been mission presidents twice and are now temple presidents.  I say it like she is the president and her husband helps even though I know it is the other way around.  One interesting note is her sister was in my ward in Provo, on the first Sunday I couldn't place this lady but she looked so familiar.  Actually she is a semi famous LDS author and the sister of my Sister George. 

I know my testimony of the church was influenced by this great lady.  I have been blessed to have her and others in my life to teach me, including goodly parents who made sure I was there for these teachings.

Thanks for the prompt Jen.

DWTS Recap

I have to confess I only watched the last 5 minutes of the results show tonight because I cannot stand the results show but I did watch the whole thing last night and truly believe that

David Hasseloff needed to go home!!!!!

The host said he did not expect it and was surprised but I think he was by far the worst and showed no class or ability.  I did feel sorry for his partner Kim because she is great.

I always wonder when the pros get their assignments I wonder if they ever get mad.  I mean the pro who got Macy Gray had his work cut out for him and I believe he lucked out to go home so soon!!

I was surprised by Kyle Massey - he was fabulous.

I actually voted for Bristol Palin so she at least wouldn't go home first.  I felt really sorry for her since she is the only one who has never preformed in front of people.  Yes she was stiff and looked uncomfortable but she gave it a good try and I think once she gets used to it may surprise us.

Jennifer Gray was good of course and she lucked out with Derek, I wonder who she bribed. Also I wouldn't recognize her from her youth - got her nose fixed and a little other stuff I think.

Kurt Warner was passable (*snicker*)and I thought did a good job.

Rick Fox is sooo tall - I think that will be trouble for them

Lastly, I am a little ashamed to admit that The Situation has charm.  He started at least a week behind everyone else and was a little nervous and actually did a decent job.  I am interested to see if I continue to find him OK.

I am a lot more excited to watch this season.  Last season I was not too happy with the cast.

Still love GLEE!!!!

She has the forehead of a 20 yr old!!

My Brenn is 20!!!

How does this happen?  When did she grow up?  Where have I been?  It seems like the last 5 years have flown by at hyperspeed!!

I could not be more pleased with the person she is.  When people compliment her to me I just say,

"she came that way." 

And she did.  She has always show grace under duress, kindness in the most basic way and a loyality that cannot be faulted.  I have always felt priviledged to be her mom and wondered how in the worrld I was chosen to be the one to guide her in this life.

I love her and hope she has a great day today!! 

You have WHAT!!??

Yep - that strep we thought Dallin got when his wisdom teeth were yanked is really MONO!!

Hopefully he hasn't shared with the rest of us but I wonder......

On the bright side it will cut down on the opportunity to gain a girlfriend before the mission!!

Tah-Dah!!!! (with rising music in the background)

My word

Willing

I thank you for your comments (and emails) and compliments, for sending me to the drawing board yet again.  I have thought about it quite a lot and I decided on willing.  It is an action word because I am usually in action somewhere. As I pondered this word and rolled it around in my head I thought:

I am willing to:

help with anything

follow God's plan for me

talk

listen

obey

play

serve

read

teach

read my scriptures

take care of

have company

do what I want, not what your want

babysit

pray

Sometimes I force my willingness on people because, of course, I know best!! 

I can see both sides of this the good and the bad.  It seems like there wouldn't be a bad but sometimes I take on to much, or force myself on someone because I  can clearly see they need something they don't see (roll your eyes now).  I am sometimes only listening to MY will instead of the will of my Father or have a hard time taking direction from others who are more wise. 

So that's it!

Just one word???!!!

My bestie Jen has posted a challenge to come up with one word that describes you, as I read the blogs that have taken up her challenge I am awed, humbled and, well, entertained!  Since she is my bestie (aren't you glad I didn't misspell it as beastie?) I have been really pondering on what word I would choose.

My friend Sue used her post to write it out and peel back the layers to come up with a great post and a wonderful word.

My friend Jamie also rocked her word.

I am still blank.

I keep thinking of these words but they are not very flattering or require deep thought:

immature

flighty

(I did attend 4 different colleges)

talkative

insensitive

(sorry for prolonging the conversation for your birthday lunch, you should have kicked me under the table)

lazy

(I am blogging instead of cleaning)

What do you think?

Where is Smiley going?

In our ward they are starting a tradition with a world map and guesses as to where the missionary might serve.  Last week we were given the map and a charge to display it and when we are done to hand it to the next missionary going!  Dallin is planning on turning in his papers on the 24th of Sept so if you would like to guess either comment and I will put up your sticky arrow or come on over and do it yourself.  I am thinking the correct guess gets you cinnamon rolls!

WOW!!  Big things happening at our house!

Been a little busy...isn't that always my excuse?

I have had a very busy August.  My Brother Ryan Graduated From Purdue with His PhD in June (yes it requires the capitals because it is a big deal).  He got a job teaching at Ohio University in Athens Ohio.  He and his family (Risa, his wonderful wife, and 4 of the cutest kids ever - Makenna (11), Garrison(9), Alyson (8), and Abbey(almost 2)) have spent the summer here in AZ with the families, waiting patiently for a teaching position.  Here it is August and finally Ryan is offered a good job....in Ohio.  Luckily they left all of their stuff in storage in Indiana.  But have no place to live in Ohio.  So a plan hatches.  Mom, Risa and the baby flew to Indiana, picked up Ryan's car and drove to Ohio to find a house in 2 days.  Ryan, Dad, Karen and 3 kids loaded in the mini van and DROVE 30 hours to Indiana. 

Actually it was a really fun trip.  Fun to spend time with Ryan and his kids and my Dad.  We drove lots of miles, listened to the Lightning Thief and Sea of Monsters on the way.  Ryan has the best kids!  3 days in the car and not one fight.  I would say 'stepford' but they are just really great kids!

We get to Indiana and Ryan has some great friends who hosted us for dinner for 2 nights and Ry and the girls stayed with them.  Dad and I stayed in a hotel so he could get some good rest.  We helped another of his friends pack for their move to Oregon and loaded the Penske truck.  Seriously, I am a great packer the front of the truck was tight and organized, but then the humidity got to me and I had to rest.  Really, I can take 110 degrees easier than the 85% humidity!!  I looked like I had just gotten out of the swimming pool!

We go up the next morning and Dad and I drove the big truck (which is only slightly bigger than the one I drive normally), Ryan drove the van and we drove 6 hours to Athens Ohio.

Mom and Risa found a nice house (one of only 3 they could even find to rent at this late date)

Front

Back

We are blessed to belong to a church dedicated to helping people move!  The Elders quorum showed up in Indiana and again in Athens to help us unload the truck! 

We spent the next few days putting away and putting together furniture.

See this bed...Risa and I put it together.  It took forever!!  I can't believe how many pieces were involved.  It took us a good 3 hours.  It does have shelves in the headboard and drawers underneath!

Makenna's room

Abbey Ann - she loves shoes!

My cutie girl!!

I was not expecting to go on this trip, it was kind of a spur of the moment thing.  I also thought Brenn would be here to take care of Grandma but Brenn moved out while I was gone.  So a big

THANKS

To my SIL Kirsten and My Aunt Linda for helping out with Grandma so I could go.

I was gone for a little more than a week and while I was gone Logan started High School.  I did check with him before I agreed to go to make sure he didn't need his mom and he just looked at me funny and said.

"Why would I need you to be here?"

So I don't really think they missed me at all.  I called and texted several times and was rarely answered by my boys.  Ken and I had nice talks though they were short due to the

VERY HARD WORK!!!

But I did get a few 1st day of school pictures!

So far 10th grade has been good!

And just to catch up.....Brenn and Dallin both started school this week too.  Both are at MCC.  I signed them up for the same institute class.  Yes, I am sneeky.  Hopefully all will go well this semester (meaning Brenn will attend 98% of her classes and Dallin will do ALL of his homework and get good grades)

A mother can hope!

Dallin's first day of College!!

Math is DONE!!

WE are done with Algebra II!!!  YEAH!!!  I have really enjoyed the time spent with Logan but will not miss how much time it has eaten up this summer.  On the High School, College, and Mission Papers!!

Oh and Zara and Kobus got together again and well........I am pretty sure she is preggers!!

Puppies ready for Christmas. 

The Price of Hot Water

You would think that getting a new hot water heater would be pretty straight forward.  Unfortunately we do not roll that way!!  In order to install a tankless system it is required to have a 3/4 inch cold pipe and a 3/4 inch gas line.  We had neither in the spot of the old water heater and so our Handy Dandy Plumber (Dirt Dog Plumbing) Bret and I started hunting for the needed pipes.

Here....

and here.....

and here....

and here....

and here - oops that is left over from this!!  But was very helpful, I knew there must be a reason

we hadn't fixed it besides laziness.

Here is the new Hot water heater.  No tank to flood my house again!!  All the hot water you need without having to heat the tank the whole time.  The literature says it will pay for itself in 3 yrs, it lasts at least 2 times as long as a regular tank and the federal government has a 30% tax credit - all in all it was still a little more than a tank but I think it was worth it!!

Behind again!

I am catching up so here is the scoop in a nutshell:

Algebra II is taking up all of my life. Actually I am teaching it to my son Logan.  I can teach math.  Don't ask me about English, you only have to read my blog to find out I am crummy at English.  Really, I think it's that I don't care so much, in about 5th grade we did an English packet that taught me to combine sentences with the words 'and', 'or', and 'but', I liked the idea that I could do such a good job on the packet.  Then we went on to the next packet that involved chopping up long sentences into smaller ones.  What??!!  I did so badly because I thought they were supposed to be long.  I never got over it, English became my least favorite subject and loved Math.  It is always the same, the rules always apply, no i before e except after c and sometimes y!! (Sorry Sue and Jenny.) 

ANYWHO, on to what is taking up my life.  4-6 hours a day with Logan learning the finer points of Algebra II.  We are almost done.  Not to shabby to do 1 full semester in about 2 weeks.

Saturday our last hot water heater went (cold showers are bad even when it is 105 outside), so we are trying to get it replaced with a tank less system.  This requires holes all over in my basement ceiling and the wall in the hall.  What is a little more drywall work, we still haven't patched the holes from re roofing.

Really this post was entertaining and funny in my head while taking my cold shower, somehow it lost its zing in the translation.

My Brother Ryan and his family are here from Indiana.  They are waiting to find out where Ryan will find a teaching job, so we get to enjoy them.  They come over most days to swim.  I am usually doing math, but still manage to spend some time with all of them.  They really have the cutest kids ever!

Brenn is back from her trip to Australia and New Zealand, she has  been full of stories and fun things they did including skydiving and horseback riding.  They encountered a few problems but were able to figure it out.  I am envious of her travels but excited for her to have the opportunity.  Check out her blog if you want to know more.

School starts in about a week and I am not ready, I like my kids home!! 

Well that is about it - wish me a warm shower soon. 

Dallin's Habit

Dallin started his official training at his brand new job today.  He said it went really well today except when he passed out.  Then he said,

"We did a lot of standing around today."

I asked if he knew NOT to lock his knees and he assured me he tried not to but....

I also asked if it freaked them out a little, and he said they took a break right after so he could get some water.  He did point out that at least he hit the floor and nothing on the way down, so I guess he is improving.  Next I guess he ought to figure out the warning signs and SIT DOWN.  I did learn this when I was around his age, so I guess he does inherit it from me.

On another note, he did get his password to start his mission papers.  The Bishop thinks he might have a call by Halloween.  Iam both proud and terrified!!

I did get to skype with Brenn in New Zealand tonight (well tonight for me, its tomorrow afternoon for her).  She is doing really well and she and Lauren are having alot of fun..

Lake Powell July 2010

Lake Powell is awesome!!  On July 8th at 3am we headed for our favorite vacation.  We had to leave so early because the alternator went out on the ski boat and the only one we could find was here in Phoenix.  Since we invited my brother Dean and his family and Ken's sister Sonja and her family we wanted to get there first and switch the parts out so we didn't have to roast waiting around for the fix.  We convinced Ken's Parents (who stayed with the boat waiting for us) to stay a few days with us on the houseboat.  They left on Saturday, I am so glad they stayed.

Ken brought a pop up shade and it worked really well.  By 2pm when Dean arrived the boat was working and we just had to wait for the houseboat to motor over from Bullfrog.  As we finished loading the boat I thought to myself "it would be great if Sonja came right now"  and over the hill she drove. 

I have never had such luck with the timing and the fixing of the boat.  Usually it takes lots of patience and work to make it run like clockwork but this trip was starting out so smoothly I was so grateful!

We went and camped at our favorite spot, or close to it because the water was so high our fav spot was under water!!  We camped right next to it and enjoyed 7 days of peace and fun.  Did I mention it was all boys?  11 boys not counting the Dads. 

Dallin, Kai and Logan

Kai's Spectacular Fall!!!  Don't you love high speed settings on your camera?

Logan ripping it up!

Dallin jumped so high he is out of my frame!

Kai in better form.

Sonja and her family had to get to another family reunion so we took them in on Monday, the water was really rough and it rain a little but Hunter (Hargrave, Treven's friend) slept the entire 45 minute bumpy boat ride in to the marina.

We did climb a little.  I KNOW what happened last time but was sure we could do it!  This is a slot canyon found about buoy 106.  It was awesome!

We did not get stuck and everyone enjoyed the adventure!

Teaching my nephew William (age 6) to wakeboard.  He was a trooper, he tried and tried.  I am sure next time we will have success.  And we won't leave it until the last day in the very late afternoon!!

All in all, we had a blast.  It was slow, with lots of books, naps and wind.  I love the togetherness of a houseboat with no TV, computer or phones.  Even though the ski boat had a few abnormalities, like only starting if Ken was touching it and the throttle giving us a little trouble both boats ran really well and we had battery power the whole week.  This was really one of the smoothest trips considering we came up having to install a new part.

The only down side the this trip was that Brenn left for Australia and New Zealand while we were gone!  Her first big international travel and I am on vacation.  My Mom stayed with Grandma for the last half of the week and helped her get off.  If you want to check out her adventures Down Under this is her blog.

We actually had the houseboat back to the buoy and ready to go on time for once.  What a great trip and I am glad we can mix our families and really enjoy each other.

Quick update

Wow its been a little while but we have been super busy!  Ken and I and our boys, along with several others have been lounging at Lake Powell for the last week - I will post more about that later. 

While we were gone my Darling Brenn went on her first solo big trip to Australia and New Zealand!!  She left on Tuesday and is updating her adventures on her new blog.  So enjoy her updates I am excited for her and the adventures she will have!!

Buzz and Woody

In 1995 I loaded a 4 year old, 3 year old and a baby in my car and went with friends to see Toy Story.  I think when the video came out it was one of the most played videos at our house!  Even today I know for a fact it gets more play than any other video (except maybe Hot Rod, all I can say is teenage boys).  When we put it on for which ever kid is with us for the day, most if not all of my kids are watching by the first 10 minutes!  I wonder how many times both Toy Story movies have played at our house?  We have about wore out the videos but I did replace both of them on DVD.

Ken and I went on an actual date last weekend and went to see Toy Story 3.  Ken was a little embarrassed to be there with no kids but it was 9pm and we were not the only adults with no kids!

Christmas 1995 brought a promotion at Burger King, I picked up Buzz, Woody and RC for $2.79 each with the purchase of a Whopper.  I threw out the Whopper but bought 2 sets of toys.  Today they are still the most played with toys at our house and most little boys beg to be able to take them home.  But I am firm that they stay here and after seeing Toy Story 3 I will never be able to throw them out!!  Buzz's helmet is a little beat up and this Woody is missing a boot (but still has his hat!) but they are well loved and played with often!

  I never quite realized how maniacal the smiles are on these toys!!

I imagine when the DVD comes out for movie #3 I will buy it and it will get lots of play time too!!

Because Buzz and Woody have a friend in me!!

Homemaking.......

Last night Kirsten and I taught a class at Relief Society.  It was Christmas in July.  Just like an old fashioned Homemaking meeting! 

It started with a display and a sign up sheet.  Minimal cost but cutie things! 

Monday, Kirsten and I spent the afternoon doing our Visiting Teaching and shopping (in 111 degree heat I might add). 
Tuesday we went early to set up and prepared for our class. 

A lite dinner was served, we chatted and giggled.  A short cooking demo was hosted by the lovely Taina, she taught us how to make truffles (I call them bon bons) and they are wickedly good!!

Then we all started our classes.  We taught our cute boards, made with scrapbook paper, Elmer's glue, and a picture frame (see here).  Women flitted back and forth because they signed up for multiple classes, we talked, created, met and got to know new people, and had a lot of fun!

I miss homemaking meetings.  I know we are all really busy, but it was such fun to talk with women in the ward who are in Primary, or are not within the circle of ladies I work with or know.  I felt like I made several new friends, caught up on some old friends, and played with my SIL Kirsten.  Brenn got to come too, it has been a while since we did a mother/daughter homemaking.

The only thing missing was a quilt to tie for homecraft.

*sigh*

Haircut

So last Sunday we went to my cousin Andi's Sacrament meeting because her new baby was being blessed.  It was honestly a lovely baby blessing and the most boring Sacrament talks I believe I have ever heard.  And it went long. While trying to listen and failing my boys and I were discovering new and interesting things about ourselves:

Logan can touch his nose with his tongue

So can Dallin

Logan can roll his tongue

Dallin can't

Dallin can turn his tongue over without the help of his teeth

Logan can't

Logan can make his tongue look like a clover

Dallin can't

I know, riveting stuff but really.  After investigating all of the above Dallin proceeded to talk Logan into letting Dallin shave his head.  Did I mention it was a long meeting.  Dallin succeeded.  So between the first Sacrament meeting and the time ours started this is what happened:

Moral of the story:  Pay attention in Sacrament meeting no matter how boring or bad!!