Gratitude Trees

The month of November we wrote down something we were grateful for on a "leaf" each day. It was a great experience for the kids. At first, they didn't think they would have enough things to write down but by the end they couldn't stop. It's amazing how much we have and how much we take it for granted.

Piano Time

December 2009 Piano Recital

December 2008 Piano Recital

Tonight was an interesting night. I listened to my "beginner" children play the piano and so badly wanted them to be better. Now, don't get me wrong, they both did a great job tonight. I was extremely proud. But you know, they were still, "beginners". As I listened to the older student I so badly wanted my children to be at that stage already.

After the recital, I was talking with the mom of our piano teacher. My jaw dropped to the ground as we discussed "Miss Michelle's" piano routine when she was younger. I have my children practice around 15-20 minutes each day and sometimes we miss a day or two. Well, "Miss Michelle" would practice 1-2 HOURS!!!! per day. As she got older, memorized 35 pages of music. Can you imagine??? I was in awe of this mother who stuck with it.

It was a funny moment in time for me. I always feel like I am such a mean mom when I enforce certain rules or have expectations that seem unreasonable to my children. Every time I have my children play the piano rather than do something "fun", somehow I feel like I'm cheating them. They are sure to let me know how I am ruining their young lives. But tonight as I watched the amazing Miss Michelle play the piano I realized it was not without a major price. Everything we do in life comes with a price. If we want to be amazing then we have to really work at it. I was so grateful for the the moments I had to talk with Miss Michelle's mom and remind myself that part of my job is to push my children, to be mean. I can't expect them to push themselves. What child is going to choose practicing the piano over playing with a friend or watching TV, not too many.

As I watched the mother-daughter interaction I didn't see any anger between the two because "Mom didn't let me play with my friends when I was a kid". Let me tell you what I did see. A mother who was extremely proud of her daughter and a daughter who was full of confidence. I will tell you what, I don't care how many hours you spend playing with friends or watching TV, you will never get those results.

Tonight was a success. I left the recital extremely proud of how my children performed and I was reminded not to waste the days away doing nothing or feeling guilty because I'm too hard on my children, they will appreciate it later. Plus, I could remind them about practicing for 2 HOURS!!!

Family Pictures

We did family pictures last week. This is so typical of our family, Mr T has to look the wrong direction!! Emilie kept telling him, look my direction and do you think he would?? Of course not!!! Oh well, at least we have family pictures for 2009!!

The licked house

We put together our "licked" gingerbread house last night. This year the boys were more interested in eating the candy than putting it on the house. I think every time I turned around someone had picked up the frosting bag and was sucking it down plain!!! Notice the picture of Mr C, I'm stealing the bag away after he has tried numerous times to empty the entire contents of the bag onto his finger. Please take note of his finger positioning, ready for licking!!

By the end of our decorating session, our house was barely standing. Miss P tried her best to get that thing to look nice but with two brothers in the picture, it was not easy. I think it was a success because by the end Mr C couldn't even finish eating a gingerbread man that he had loaded with frosting and candy, it was just tooooooo much for him!!

So if you are in the mood to eat some gingerbread house, don't come to my house, unless you want one that has been licked in some way by every child in my house!!

Life

Tonight I about lost my head. I don't know why, but every time we sit down to dinner the kids decide it's time to be the best of friends. I always emphasize the importance of "family first" but they take it to the extreme at the dinner table. It doesn't matter if they have been at each others throats all afternoon, when Mom wants to have a deep conversation it is officially time to be crazy: laugh your heads off at absolutely nothing, roll on the ground laughing hysterically, tell dumb jokes and laugh till you almost wet your pants and the list could go on. There are days I want to scream but I have to bite my tongue and just let them enjoy each other.

Today was one of those days. I am not complaining, no, just documenting the day. I think Miss P jumped off her chair 4 times just so she could roll around on the ground while laughing hysterically. Ted asked Mr. C something and his reply was "I'm delirious" and then both of them jumped up and down, literally, laughing at the reply. I think this happened at least 3 times, as if it was the funniest thing they had ever heard, even though they heard the same remark 3 minutes earlier. I thought for sure one of them was going to pee their pants.

I know I should be grateful, and I am deep down inside but on the surface I just want to sit down and have a conversation. I guess here's to crazy brothers and sisters who love each other!!!

On another note, here are a few pictures of the ward Christmas party. The costumes turned out great and everyone had a great time. The Nativity Narration we put together turned out amazing, if I don't say so myself!!

The day of the party Miss P says to me, "I sure hope my costume isn't going to look like a sheet from my bed". "OOOOPS, it sure does!" is all I could think. So, I frantically worked on making it a little more "exciting". By the end of the project she was happy and I was glad to be done! Here's to creativity and the cold sores that came with it!!

The Festival of Trees

If you live local and you have not been then you still have three days to make it. We went tonight and it was great. We have been for the last several years and it is always worth it. I will put a plug in and say that all, and I mean A.L.L. proceeds go directly to the children. Every penny you spend there, even the food, goes directly to helping the children. A family pass is $14.00!!

Tonight was the first time my children asked if we could decorate something the following year. I just might have to do that in honor of Jose, my younger brother, next year. I think decorating a 6 ft. tree is a little much for my first time around but I could handle a wreath or gingerbread house, maybe. I may not have a choice since my children were so crazy, ready-to-do-it-right-now when I showed a slight interest in the idea.

Soooooo, go have fun and help someone else out!!

Family

We had a crazy party over the Thanksgiving weekend.
My older brother came into town and we all had a great time together.

We rode the train to SLC.

Checked out Krispy Kreme donuts.

Signed the BYU Football sign.Had a party at the BYU Bookstore

Enjoyed the lights at Temple Square.

And of course, ate lots and lots of turkey!!

Tuesday in Time

Last year at this time we were building a gingerbread house. I don't even have one of these beauties purchased, let alone built!!! I think I'm still in shock that it's December 1st. I better get with the program or my children are going to start reporting me. I hope you all enjoyed the first day of December. If you didn't, you better start because before you know it the month will be over and the new year here.

I will tell you what I did do today, made costumes for the ward Christmas party. Ted and I are in charge of the Nativity story. I hope they aren't expecting too much because I don't know that I have too much to give!! I thought I had announced to E.V.E.R.Y.O.N.E in the ward that I am the most uncreative person alive but I guess they wanted proof. So today was dedicated to creativity or at least the attempts at it!!!

Grill it!!

I love this picture. It reminds me of the time Ted and I were on a plane headed to the Bahamas. We were lucky enough to get bumped to first class when this guy sits down across the aisle from us. I told Ted he seemed like the Hollywood type but Ted didn't seem convinced. Before too long his entourage was following him onto the plane. I found out later at the resort in the Bahamas that he was a "popular" rap artist. Anyway, back to my story, the best part came when he pulled out a little "gold" box from his pocket. I didn't think too much of it until he opened it up and pulled out some gold "retainers". Mind you, at this point in my life I had never heard of or seen a "grill". I about died when he opened up his mouth popped the retainers onto his teeth and then gave the biggest smile I have ever seen, just like Mr C is doing in the above picture. It's too bad I didn't realize at the time who I was sitting next to or I might have gotten a picture of him with his cool grills!! Oh well, for now I will have to be happy with Mr C's grill and next time I will be better prepared.

Full Circle

Tye and I were out on Saturday and I about dropped my jaw when I saw an entire spinning rack of these lovely numbers. There was every bright color you could imagine!! Now, don't get me wrong, I loved these in the 80's and I wanted a pair of these sweet numbers. I may have even had a pair, I just don't remember. But for some reason, when I saw them on the rack I thought, "HOW UGLY!!!". Let's hope my children don't decide that these are sweet, just like I did. I guess if they do, I will have to chalk it up to "running in the family"!!

I guess here's to the 80's!

Tastiness

I was downloading some pictures off my camera this morning and found this picture. I'm sure Tye took it, any type of random photo I can thank him. He is famous for taking the camera and doing his own photo shoots. I have to admit I probably would have taken a picture too. This bread was unbelievably tasty!! My visiting teachers brought this to me and I think the kids and I had it eaten in about 5 minutes. Conner took a bite and wished for some chocolate chips but that was the only "complaint". I might have to google pumpkin bread and make my own batch(but that won't happen until after my cupboards are back in place, maybe next year!!!).

Today

Today was my first official day of painting the cabinets. I didn't realize how labor intensive this process was going to be. I think now that I have started the process, I am ready to not be a part of the process. This is a bad situation to be in considering all my cupboard doors are off and half of them are primed with white paint. I think my life is over for the next week or maybe two for that matter. If you need me, I will be outside priming the rest of the cupboards!!

Pictures of the disaster coming soon.

2,000 Fliers

Just take this from me, if someone asks you to deliver 2,000 fliers turn around immediately and run away as fast as you can!!! Our wonderful Pampered Chef neighbor, Summer, asked the kids if they wanted a little job delivering fliers. I thought it was a great idea until I saw the box of 2,000 fliers!!! Everyday we deliver a million but when we get back in the car the box still seems packed with orange fliers. I had to laugh today because the kids were starting to get discouraged. They thought for sure there were more fliers in the box at the end of the run than there were at the beginning.

I know I said you should run away but really, I must admit, this has been a great experience. I have actually enjoyed the driving around, the dropping off, the non-stop taping of fliers and most importantly, the sprinting from house to house. I wasn't sure how the kids were going to re-act to such a big job but no complaints so far. Today, they did ask me, "Are we close to being done?". I think the thing that keeps them going is the dollar signs they see at the end. Whatever it is, I hope it carries until the last orange flier is gone!!!

I have lost my mind

Sooooo, now that my house is almost put back together from flooring and base boarding, I think I might have to paint my cupboards. I'm not sure at what point I lost my mind in all of this but it sounds like a good thing to do. After ten years in the same house, what else does a person do!!??

If Ted would buy me this house on the Greek islands none of this would be necessary!

Since that's not happening, I guess I'm off to paint.

Learning all the time

Today, I finally learned something. For the last thirteen years, I have drooled over a bed set in the Restoration Hardware Catalog. I first saw it shortly after Ted and I got married and I have loved it ever since. Initially, I told myself it was too expensive. Year after year I would see this particular set and just stare at it. I started pulling the picture out of the catalog thinking I could make the set myself, that never happened. I don't know how many times I told myself, "just buy it already!!!" but I never did.

Well, since Ted and I have been married I have bought three different bed sets!!! Yes, I did just type the number THREE!!!! If you haven't bought a bed set recently then let's just say, it's not cheap. I could have bought my Restoration Hardware bed set that I loved thirteen years ago and still love today and saved money. I could have been so happy for the last thirteen years jumping in and out of my bed. I could have laughed when I saw the near identical set today in the store. But no, instead, today I sat and stared at the near identical set in the store and said, "you should have bought it thirteen years ago!!!!".

Unfortunately, the near identical set was $200 and I just couldn't justify buying another set when I just purchased one. I know I will regret this move but what does a person do. I guess if you are me, you just sit and stare at the picture. But if you are you, learn from me and spend the extra money and get what you really want, you won't regret it!!!

But next time, Restoration Hardware here I come!!!

Happy Halloween

The football fairy, dracula and the football player.

This year costumes were easy and i loved it!!

Transformation

Today is my first official day of painting. I always love the finished product but the actual process of painting is so tedious to me. I am tired of our current color but I can't justify hiring someone to do what I can do myself. There are enough "things" that I can't do on my own I better take advantage of this simple project.

I may as well mention that my house has been un-finished for a month now. We had the floors started the beginning of October and we are still not put together from that. I didn't realize how hard it was to get someone to come finish a job. I decided that if the baseboards were going to be off, I may as well paint.

Does anyone need something to do for the next couple of days???

I'm just askin', just askin'!!

Bryce Canyon

If you haven't been, it's worth going. The lookout points were unbelievable and the hiking was unreal. I still wonder how nature can create such a sight. I will confess by the last hike the kids were ready to be done. Thank goodness we didn't have plans to stay another 3 days.

I'm a winner....

Mr. T says so.

Conversation in the car today.

Me:(to Ted, while kids are playing in the backseat) I didn't get anything done today. I totally failed. I'm a failure.

Mr. T:(with great enthusiasm) Mom, you vacuumed this morning. You're a winner!

Me: Oh yeah, you're right. I am a winner.

You never know when they are listening. Thank goodness someone was listening today because now I'm not a failure for the day. PHEEWW!!!

The changing of the colors!!

Today we went up the canyon to check out the changing of the colors. We were not disappointed, but I never understand why I don't go up there more often.

Of course we had to get a family photo. I knew I should have washed my greasy hair but what is a family photo if you aren't really you, right??? Ted didn't do his hair either so I don't look half as bad.

On Saturday morning I ran on Tibblefork Trail head. If you live close by you MUST do this before the weather turns bad.
On this particular part of the trail, I ran face to face with a moose last year. It was pretty scary but thank goodness he was intent on eating so he didn't decide to make a chase out of the

whole experience. This year there were a few squirrels and that's about it.

So, call me and we can go running!

Good-bye carpets

We are re-doing our floors after 10 1/2 years. I know, it was long over due but thank goodness I didn't do it any sooner. This has been a dusty, long mess. We are almost done. I can't wait. I had to empty out the pantry and stick it all over the counter tops. Needless to say, I didn't cook all last week(I didn't feel too bad about that). I will love the new floors once we get our house back together.

RED ROCK RELAY!

Once again, I was not disappointed in my relay adventure. I was part of a great team. I think we laughed non-stop, except when it was 4 a.m. and we were getting ready to start our third leg, there was nothing funny about that.

Here we are at Brian Head Ski Resort getting ready for the party to begin.

This is not such a great pic of me, but the scenery was amazing!
Here we are all sorts of happy because we're all done! There is never a better feeling on a relay.
We had to show off our marks to prove we actually ran all three legs.

I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again. If you haven't done a relay race-DO IT!! You won't regret it, I promise.

TUTUS

Right now, none of my children would be caught dead in these, so I am forced to make them and give them away. Thank goodness I still have a niece that will wear such silly things as tutus!!

Football!

I am not a football fan. I'm not one of those people who hates it but I'm not one of those people that loves it either. With that said, Conner played a football game on Saturday and he made a touchdown!!! I couldn't believe it. It was so exciting. I actually enjoyed the game. Now, don't get me wrong, I won't be joining Ted for any Monday Night Football, but for one small moment in time, I loved football!!

For the love of science

I'm not sure what it is but at our house we like to perform "science" experiments. Now these aren't your average experiments, no, no, no. We like to see what happens when we throw things together like vinegar, baking soda, sprinkles, ketchup, sugar, pepper and anything else our mom lets us into a bowl. We've decided it doesn't do much besides make a bubbly mess.

Sooooooo, we decided to make........Lava lamps!!

My girls

I had the chance to spend an afternoon with these amazing "girls". We all roomed together while at BYU. Do you have friends that after you have been around them you walk away wanting to be a better person?? Well, these girls do exactly that for me. One moment I will be laughing my head off, the next moment I will be contemplating life's deepest meanings.

Thanks for a great afternoon girls!!!

Splash Dogs!!

You thought I was kidding but I'm really serious about the dog splashing. The best part about the whole thing is my children wanted to be in the "splash" section. You know at Sea World there's a "splash section", well, Splash Dogs has a "splash" section too. All you have to do is stand right next to the pool where the water is brown, dirty, smelly and loaded with dog hairs. BOOM, you are set for some serious splashing.

It was actually a lot of fun to see all the different dogs try their luck at jumping in. The ones that you thought were going to launch out would only go a few feet or sometimes not even jump in. And I will say, Sea World doesn't let you put your hands in the water but Splash Dogs, you could probably jump in the pool and the dogs would love it!!

We also saw some sheep herding. I was baffled by how they would blow a whistle and the dogs would take off running, blow it again and the dog would stop. These dogs were amazing at following commands through this whistle. I'm wondering if I could get my children to work with a whistle like that. Blow the whistle they run do their chores, blow the whistle again they come eat dinner, blow it one more time and off to bed they run.

hhhmmm, something to think about.