Jo Jo's Circus

{5-28} MofM X is for Xtra Fun Hobby

2010-05-29T09:44:00.000-07:00

I realize our Relief Society can't spell. But how many words really start with X?

I think that all hobbies are fun - but most people are a tad surprised to find out that I own and ride my very own dirt bike. In fact, I really want a bigger more powerful one. I think people are even more surprised that my conservative, sharp dressing husband is a maniac on a dirt bike, as are all of our children.

{5-27} MofM W is for Worst Habit

2010-05-27T21:16:00.000-07:00

I think my worst habit is procrastination. I have procrastinated writing this post all day. Mostly because I procrastinated cleaning my house before my mother-in-law arrives tonight.

I procrastinate most things. Paying bills, making appointments, grocery shopping, preparing lessons, going to the gym - all on my list - all not done. I tend to believe this quote from Dennis Waitley: “Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the “someday I’ll” philosophy.” I just know that my actions will be SO successful that it scares me.

Just kidding - I'm pretty sure I'm just lazy.

{5-26} MofM V is for Veggie You Hate

2010-05-26T22:44:00.000-07:00

I like all vegetables. Even beets.

I hate Macaroni and Cheese.

{5-25} MofM U is for Unique Talent

2010-05-25T08:57:00.000-07:00

I honestly can't think of an unique talent that I have. Except maybe my double jointed thumbs. I can really make them dance.

{5-24} MofM T is for Traffic Tickets

2010-05-24T15:01:00.000-07:00

I am going to plead the 5th on this one - on the grounds that my answer could incriminate me.

And it's too early to talk about it.

{5-23} MofM S is for Scripture I Love

2010-05-23T08:47:00.000-07:00

I always have favorites that seem to help with whatever I am going through at the time. We have a scripture written on an index card and stuck to the fridge that we have the kids read whenever the contention gets a little thick. It is Mosiah 4:14-15 and it says:

"And ye will not suffer your children... that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the master of sin... but ye will teach them... to love one another, and to serve one another."

A couple of weeks ago, Alan and I spoke in Stake Conference on parenting. I can't even tell you how scary that was - I didn't sleep well from the time the Stake President called until the day we gave our talks. It is a daunting subject to stand up in front of hundreds of people and talk about. The scripture that I kind of centered my talk around is found in 2 Nephi 25:26

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

I will share one more. Mosiah 12:21 has been a favorite of mine since my mission. At my mission farewell in church, my dad told the story of how I was born with a womb deformity. My right foot was turned up so that my toes were touching my leg. He told how he was so concerned that I would be handicapped throughout my life even though the Doctors told him that it would stretch and heal naturally (it did). A few days later when the Stake President came over to set me apart for my mission he said how that story had touched him and he shared this scripture:

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings; that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good; that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth."

How beautiful all of our feet are when we are using them to go about doing good. Think about it next time you are running around picking up your house, walking your child to a friends house or doing your visiting teaching. Your feet are beautiful in His eyes.

{5-22} MofM My Anniversary

2010-05-22T08:22:00.000-07:00

Seventeen years ago I married the man of my dreams.

My dreams keep getting better and better and so does he.

{5-21} MofM R is for Right or Left Handed

2010-05-21T08:46:00.000-07:00

Right!

Like 80% of the world's population (according to Wikipedia) I am right handed. Although I eat with my left hand - I pretty much do everything else right.

Some interesting things I learned on Wikipedia: (“Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world, can write anything they want about any subject. So you know you are getting the best possible information.” – Michael Scott)

- Right handed people are rarely found to be left footed. (I didn't even know you could be right or left footed)

- In Hinduism, the right hand must be used for all auspicious and respectful activity, including eating, giving, receiving, and worshipful offering. (oh, like taking the sacrament!)

- In Arab cultures, one prefers using the left hand for tasks such as wiping oneself after using the bathroom and the right hand for eating so they can keep their level of hygiene high. (gross! haven't they heard of soap and water?)

- Military rifles designed to be shot only from the right shoulder have resulted in injuries from spent cartridge casings hitting left-handed users in the eye and head.

{5-20} MofM Q is for Quote I Love

2010-05-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier"

-Mother Theresa

{5-19} MofM P is for Phobias

2010-05-19T10:06:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty scared of something happening to one of my kids. (see K post) I'm not just afraid that one of them will die, I'm afraid they will be maimed or kidnapped or chased home from school by bullies. I'm afraid of them dating, driving, going on missions and getting married. I'm afraid I will be a lousy mother-in-law. I'm afraid they will be bitten by a snake, a spider or a scorpion. I'm afraid they will fall away from the church or decide they don't need our family. I'm afraid they will have low self esteem or no desire to further their education. The truth is, God sent them to me so good and perfect and lovely that I am afraid I will mess them up.

And, I'm afraid of walking down stairs and not being able to see my feet.

{5-18} MofM O is for Ordered on the Internet

2010-05-18T11:41:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty sure the last thing I ordered on the internet was a book or two. I love my books. But I covered that in the letter B post way back on May 4th.

Lately, I have been ordering all kinds of free stuff like product samples, photo cards and magnets. The Frugal Girls have seriously filled my life with coupons, free samples and good deals. I read their blog and am friends on facebook. I don't participate in everything but sometimes it is just too good to pass up. You gotta check it out!

{5-17} MofM N is for Nicknames

2010-05-17T15:08:00.000-07:00

The other day my Dear Husband asked me why I would want to put so much information about my life out in the world via my blog and facebook. I have no good answer for that. I'm pretty sure I like to blog and use facebook because I like to communicate. I don't think I am getting joy out of putting my business out there - but his comment has really been making me think ...

While I am thinking, I will tell you that I have had a few nicknames. Mostly derivatives of my first name - like, Jo Jo and Jolie Bean. One of my brothers just calls me Bean and some of my other brothers call me Leney. My kids call me mom - is that a nickname?

{5-16} MofM M is for my Favorite Month

2010-05-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

We are right smack dab in the middle of my favorite month. May is always so busy - but I love it. Mother's Day is one of my favorite days of the year. Alan and I were married in May (celebrating 17 years this month) and the weather is so nice. Throw in Nicole's birthday, my Mom's birthday, school ending, and all kinds of awards ceremonies and you get four weeks of fun!

{5-15} MofM L is for the Last Movie you Watched (and a giveaway)

2010-05-16T07:20:00.000-07:00

Hmmmm. The last movie I saw in the theatre was Date Night and I am not even linking to it because I am not recommending it. Steve Carrel and Tina Fey are so very funny but the movie was not very good.

The last movie I watched was actually today while folding clothes, it was a straight to video one called According to Greta with Hilary Duff. Just that introduction alone should be all you need to know about this one. Courtney had a sleep over Friday night and I took them to the Red Box to get a movie and that is what they ended up with. Thank goodness they all fell asleep 15 minutes in to it. Alan and I watched it this morning and we were amazed at how bad and predictable it was. We kept wondering to ourselves why we were still watching it.

I have got a Sonic gift card right here with your name on it if you can tell me in the comments what my favorite movie is.

{5-14} MofM K is for Kids

2010-05-15T08:28:00.000-07:00

Could I brag anymore about how wonderful my kids are? They are seriously the best kids around.

{5-13} MofM J is for Job Title

2010-05-11T11:27:00.000-07:00

I am a wife, a mom, a cook, a maid, a driver and dispute solver. Mostly I'm the one who is supposed to know everything and know where everything is.

When I was in High School I worked at Taco Bell. Good Times. It was before value menus - but I taught lessons to all of my high school friends on what to order to get a bang for a buck. Does anyone remember Taco Light or the meals that came on divided paper, cafeteria-like trays?

After high school but still back in the day - I was a corporate meeting planner. It was so long ago that we didn't have the internet. I worked with a travel agent and planned sales meetings and conventions for all of the salesmen and executives of a large chemical manufacturer. I traveled to great places like Atlanta, Hilton Head Island and Chicago to work out hotel accommodations, display places etc... I loved that job. I did it before and after my mission for the same company. They were great to me. I received lovely wedding gifts from many of the executives and the company even payed for our hotel near the airport the night we were married so we could catch our early flight to Mexico.

Then I found out I was having twins and wondered if I would ever work again. What was I thinking? I have not worked out of my home since - but boy, have I worked. Above my front door is sign quoting the Prophet Harold B. Lee that says - "The most important work we will ever do is within the walls of our own home." This thing that I am doing now is the most rewarding job I have ever had.

{5-12} MofM I is for Instruments You Play

2010-05-11T11:08:00.000-07:00

You can understand why we put this on the Relief Society getting to know you paper. We are always looking for piano players! Actually, we have some very talented pianists in our ward - I used to be one of them - but it really is true what your mamma told you. "If you don't use it, you will lose it". I am losing it. I can still play Hymns and songs from Les Miserables (because I pretty much have that book memorized) but plop something new in front of me and I will just embarrass myself.

{5-11} MofM H is for Have to Have

2010-05-11T09:31:00.000-07:00

My FAITH

You can learn more about it here.

My FAMILY

Both those that live with me and those that don't. I think I have the coolest family in the world. If you want to meet awesome people in Utah, California, Arizona, New Mexico or Texas I can hook you up!

My FRIENDS

I am girl who likes to socialize! I love the friends I see all the time, the ones that I see only occasionally and I love that I have friends that I hardly see but when we do get together it is as if no time has passed.

My SONIC ICE

No explanation needed.

{5-9} Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T22:56:00.000-07:00

I am skipping my ABC today to say Happy Mother's Day. Mine has been great. We made it to church on time - even with the kids making breakfast (cinnamon french toast with cinnamon syrup). They made my lunch and dinner too - and I had a nap. I also got some great gifts and cards. I love my kids so much. They are good - but, all of this working together all day was hard on them. There were a few minor spats and a few bouts of tears - just so I wouldn't forget what mothering is all about. I always think it is funny that on Mother's Day I never do the mothering things. Someone else fixes dinner and does the dishes, I took a nap instead of keeping the kids busy with Sunday appropriate activities and I even got a foot rub. Really, I got to be the dad on Mother's Day.

{5-10} MofM - G is for the Greatest Vacation

2010-05-03T11:14:00.001-07:00

Back to my ABCs!! If I wasn't so lazy I would go dig up some old pictures and scan them in for this post. I always think that the greatest vacation is the one we just got home from or the one you are planning. I think that planning the vacation is almost as fun as taking it. I love doing all of the research and making the arrangements - trying to find new and interesting things to do in whatever city we are visiting. I am doing that right now - Alan and I are going to Southern California next week for a few days to celebrate our anniversary.

Alan and I have been able to take some great trips together. We honeymooned in Cancun and we loved it but since then, we have tried to visit cities in the US that we wanted to explore and/or learn more about. We have been to San Francisco, Washington DC and Boston. Six or seven years ago we read the Prelude to Glory books and wanted to see all of the sights that are talked about in those books so we flew to Vermont and drove all over New England, staying in Bed and Breakfasts and enjoying the area that is so different from this desert that we live in.

With our kids, we mainly vacation in Utah with our family there. We have been to Disneyland a few times and Knott's Berry Farm and all of that -but when given a choice, our kids always choose to go to Salt Lake to see their cousins. For the past four or five years, we have been able to vacation in Duck Creek, UT for a week around the 4th of July with Alan's dad, his wife and Alan's siblings. This has become our favorite vacation of the whole year - Cousins, motorcycles and cool weather - there is nothing better!

{5-8} MofM - F is for My Favorite Music

2010-05-03T11:12:00.002-07:00

A long time ago, when I didn't have my own ipod, I did a post on what itunes says about me. There were a lot of weird songs on there because we were new to the whole itunes thing and we only had one ipod in the house. Now we all have ipods and we have learned how to manage the songs that are uploaded. Welcome to the 21st Century Ridd Family! It took us long enough!

I just recently (like in the last few months) figured out how to listen to my ipod in the car. I'm a technical genius! This discovery however has changed what gets listened to most in the car - it depends on who is in the car with me. When I am driving Devon or Courtney to school it can vary from Aerosmith to Kanye to the soundtrack from Les Miserables. When I have the elementary school kids in the car they will want to listen to Ke$ha or Inside Out's primary songs.

When I am by myself I listen to conference talks or Josh Grobin or Michael Buble. I enjoy what little time I have in the car alone by listening to what I like.

{5-7} MofM - E is for the Essential Start of My Day

2010-05-03T11:12:00.001-07:00

I would like to say that I jump right out of bed and land on my knees. But then I would be lying and in a post about Prayer I should probably be more truthful than that. I typically go straight to the privy and then grumble a little but then start my day with the most important thing - Prayer.

I need the inspiration that can only come through prayer. I need the open communication with my Heavenly Father. I read a story several years ago about a naturalist and banker who was walking through New Your City's Central Park with some of his colleagues. Above the sounds of New York City life, he heard the song of a bird. He stopped and listened. No one else had heard it. It really bothered him that they could miss something so beautiful so he pulled a coin from his pocket and let it drop on the sidewalk. The coin hit with a ring no louder than the bird song yet all of the men in his group stopped to look for the coin.

It is difficult to separate the sounds of the city traffic from the song of a bird but you can hear it plainly if you train yourself to listen. That is why prayer is the essential start of my day. I need help in being able to hear the quiet whisperings of the spirit among the constant noise that is my life.

{5-6} MofM - D is for Desserts

2010-05-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

I love dessert! Usually anything with chocolate - although I thoroughly enjoy my fruit pies, coconut creams, and sugar cookies. I especially love flourless chocolate cake topped with dark chocolate ganache and some raspberry sauce. Sounds heavenly doesn't it? I think the most decadent, elegant and delicious dessert is also simple to make: Chocolate Mousse. I love it served in a beautiful crystal goblet with chocolate curls or a simple cookie. Here is a great, fool-proof recipe for it:

ingredients:

1 cup heavy cream

6 ounces semisweet chocolate (the better the chocolate, the better the final result)

1/3 cup milk

2 egg yolks from large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla (or you could use an extract of your choice but only use 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon)

1 egg white from a large egg

2 tablespoons sugar

directions:

In a mixing bowl, whip the cup of cream until it holds soft peaks. Meanwhile, put the chocolate and the milk in a saucepan, and cook over medium heat until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is warm and smooth. Add the egg yolks and vanilla, and mix with a whisk until incorporated. The chocolate will thicken slightly. in another bowl, beat the egg white until firm, then add the sugar all at once and keep beating until firm and smooth.

Pour the chocolate mixture into the beaten egg white and stir with a whisk just enough to incorporate. Add the whipped cream, and fold in gently, just until blended. Pour the mousse into your serving container(s) and cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

{5-5} MofM - C is for Chores

2010-05-03T11:10:00.000-07:00

I hate them. My house is a mess. Sometimes I am a good housekeeper but most of the time I am not. For a while I was using the card system that is outlined in the S.H.E. (Sidetracked Home Executive) book. It worked great the whole time I used it. In fact, the whole time I was using it my house was so clean it made me nervous to take my shoes off in the wrong place. I stopped doing it after about a year because it was hard. I need to remember that I can do hard things.

I do like to iron though. I'll trade someone who likes to clean bathrooms.

{5-4} MofM - B is for Books

2010-05-03T10:55:00.000-07:00

(Happy Birthday Nicole!)

I love to read. I read all of the time. I'm not really a discriminate reader - I like everything. I read my scriptures daily, I read trashy magazines in the Dentist's office, I read romance, mystery, biography, fact, fiction and the backs of the cereal boxes. I just love to do it. I almost always have a book I am reading, I take it everywhere - in the car, in the bathroom - I read while I am cooking or watching TV. I belong to a book club - we are meeting on Thursday - we just read Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns. I loved it. I recommend it. It takes place in 1906 in a small town called Cold Sassy, Georgia and the story is told by a fourteen year old boy. I loved his perspective. I know there is a sequel and I am going to try and get my hands on it.

So far this year we have read The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti - an odd but interesting story about a young boy who lives a hard life and sees things that you would never want your kid to see (a presumed dead body that comes to life but is covered in worms etc...) but becomes a tender caring boy who just wants a family. We read A Lantern in Her Hand by Bess Streeter Aldrich in February - a wonderful pioneer story. I didn't read the March book - The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Just couldn't get in to it. Then in April we read The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. I had actually read it last year when it first came out. It was so exciting. One of the great things about that is that one of the ladies from the Book Club went to Washington DC right before we met and she brought pictures of many of the things that Dan Brown talked about in the book.

Maybe if I can really start blogging again I will be able to post up some reviews of the books we read for the rest of the year. Maybe.

{5-3} MofM - ABC's of Me - A

2010-05-03T10:44:00.000-07:00

Since this is supposed to be the Month of Me - I decided that the easiest way to come up with a post each day of the month would be to use a little getting to know you activity that we have been using in our Relief Society. It is called the ABC's of Me and it is going to get me through the Next 26 days! That is almost the whole month!! Feel free to participate in the comments!

A - age: Like I mentioned in the previous post - I had my big birthday last year. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I think I will love life in my 40s. I am hoping to do some really great things in my 40s, take some nice vacations, maybe finally get my house clean, read lots of books, go to the temple at least twice a month and get fit and strong. In this decade of my life I will see all of my kids graduate from High School, have at least one missionary, maybe a wedding, hopefully a college graduation or two in there. I can't imagine having a grandbaby but, before I am 50, Devon and Courtney will be 25 and I had them at that age. Morgan will be 23 and could very well have one too! I don't like to think about it.

So I'm going to stop.

{5-2} MofM- An Update

2010-05-02T07:08:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in almost a year and I thought I would try and do an update, but this is supposed to be the Month of Me - so, Grandmas you are not getting the goods on the kids.

Last May, Nicole turned 8 and was baptized. When it was all over I realized that all of my children were accountable for their own actions. I question whether I have taught them all they need to know to accept the responsibility.

June - I had my big birthday. Life in my 40s is good.

July - we vacationed at the cabin - the best vacation of the year. We all love it so much. I became much more confident in my riding and even rode Alan's 450. Good times.

August - School started, I had a week or two of peace and then I got a new calling. I am the Relief Society president in my ward now - and that is why I haven't blogged. I've got a lot going on.

September until the present is mostly full of me driving the kids to their various activities, lessons and commitments. I still participate in my weekly dinner exchange, I try and keep my house picked up (it hasn't been CLEAN in months) and most of the rest of the time is spent changing Visiting Teaching assignments, talking to the lovely women of my ward and all of the other stuff that comes with this kind of calling.

Not the best update - but it is what I can do. I tell myself that a lot lately.

{5-1} The Challenge - A Month of Me

2010-05-02T07:02:00.000-07:00

My friend Julie has issued a challenge to all of her blogging challenged friends. She has challenged me to write something about myself everyday for the month of May. May is my favorite month - Mother's Day, anniversary, school is out, Memorial Day Weekend etc... And this May is going to be particularly busy so this will be a challenge - but I am up to it! As per usual, I am a day behind! Now you know a couple of things about me!

I Think I am Going to Start Blogging Again

2010-01-20T20:16:00.000-08:00

But I'm not sure. After a stressed induced bout of dermatagraphism I am trying to chill-ax. Sometimes (but not recently) I would get stressed about the blog, BUT, my skin is fine now and I am missing writing here. I will try again tomorrow.

Women's Conference

2009-08-13T13:41:00.001-07:00

BYU Women's Conference is pretty much my favorite time of the year. This time it was awesome. Pam and I flew up together to Hotel H to be with our BFF Nicole. We have so much fun, staying up all night - relaxing on Black Beauty (her basement couch), giggling, crafting, watching movies, shopping, eating out and being silly that it almost eclipses the actual conference. But not really, the conference is always awesome. If I had blogged about it four months ago, I would have had much more to say I'm sure. But I will say that poor Nicole ended up getting really sick and having her gall bladder out right after we left. Every year - we must match. It is required. This year we got some hoodies at Old Navy. Every year we have a hard time leaving the Marriot Center after the last session. We never want it to end. This year Elder L. Tom Perry was the closing session speaker. Elder Nelson came along for moral support. We were so close to the stage - it was great being so close to two apostles like that.

The most amazing thing to me every year is just being in the general sessions and looking around at 20,000 other Mormon women who are all there for the same reason. We go because we want to be better people, better wives, better mothers, better leaders and better Followers of Christ.

Every year we end up running into someone we know. This year we saw Kelly B. from our ward there with her mom and sister. We also found my BFF from way back - Susie.

She and I have been friends for 25 years! We live in different states, we haven't lived near each other for many years but whenever we get a chance to be together it is like old times. We are not cruising Mill Avenue anymore but we are living the life!

Looking at these pictures is making me weep all over again that I didn't get a BYU brownie the whole time we were there. But, speaking of good food, in honor of my good friend Heather who recently took a job as a lunch lady - I will post a video for all to enjoy.

Going on Four Months

2009-08-12T11:52:00.000-07:00

It is true that I haven't blogged in nearly four months. And I really hate posts about why someone hasn't blogged. It is my blog and I'll post when I want! I just can't decide if I want to go back to the end of April and try and catch up or start fresh with some filling in when needed. I'll probably do a little of both.

Today was Nicole's first day of 3rd grade. Devon, Courtney and Morgan all started on Monday. I will post some pictures as soon as Courtney gets time to load them on to the computer. That is totally her job - I'm not even sure I know how to do it - but she does.

In April I did participate in the Pat's Run. I ran with my good friend Shannon. Our goal was to make it in less than an hour and to walk and run an equal amount of time. We did both of those things. We crossed the finish line together with a time of 56 minutes. There were over 15,000 runners - we came in in the low 10 thousands but I like to remind myself that I came in 62nd place in my age division. It was one of the most remarkable things I have ever done in my life. Not because I ran an amazing race or anything (I'm pretty sure the only people behind me were the elderly and the handicapped) but because I did it. Because I loved the feeling of entering that stadium knowing I had done something new. Words can not express the swelling in my chest and the lump in my throat that I feel even now thinking about that day.

Closing In On 200 Posts

2009-04-24T16:28:00.001-07:00

I guess I will finish this post that I started on April 20th. Then I will have to try and do some catch up with pictures.

Our two 8th graders were awarded medals at the Gilbert School District's Academic Awards night for students who have maintained a 3.8 or above all year. Courtney actually ended the year with a cumulative GPA of 4.4 and Devon with a 4.2 - seriously, I have no idea where these smart ones came from.

Easter weekend, my dear BFF - Nic came down from Utah to enjoy the sunshine and a Diamondbacks game (her husband is a superfan). Unfortunately it rained and the D-backs lost BUT we did some awesome shopping and got some of the girls together for lunch. It is always a hoot and a half to be with Nicole, I really want her to move back to AZ.

l to r - Pammie, me, Shannon, Nic and Juliet

Continuing with the randomness - one day my Nicole (the 7 year old) decided to build a podium so that she could play primary. My favorite is that she taped a conducting sheet from FHE and a pen to the hanger so she could mark things off as she went.
She invited all of the neighborhood kids in and before you knew it, they were giving talks, reading scriptures and singing primary songs right in the living room. It was pretty awesome.

Nicole the Primary President

Mileage

2009-04-15T16:27:00.001-07:00

As I am approaching a big birthday I am thinking about the mileage. I wonder how many miles I have traversed on foot walking through grocery stores, before my marriage I walked through countless airports for my job and then through the streets of France during my mission. I walked to elementary school every single day, rain or shine. I walked to and from Jr. High almost everyday - it was a little over a mile away from our home. For the last 10 years I have woken up early almost every week day to walk 2 - 3 miles. My walking partners have changed but I have loved the walking.

I've never been a runner. I bet I haven't run 1/100th of the miles I have walked but this weekend I will participate in a 4.2 mile charity run. I don't think that I will be able to run the whole thing but I am going to run as much as I can. I did a trial run on Monday and I still can't walk well - I am very sore. But those 4.2 miles will be mileage I will add to my belt with pride.

I know I accrue a lot of mileage in the car. I make countless trips to schools, games, orthodontist/pediatrician/dentist/optometrist's offices, scouts, grocery stores each month. Miles, miles, miles. My suburban recently turned over an impressive number of miles and I took a picture

How are you racking up miles?

When Life Gives You Lemons...

2009-04-09T20:20:00.000-07:00

Or more accurately, when your mature, well fertilized lemon tree gives you tons of lemons... You pick and pick and pick. And then you juice and juice and juice. Alan and I juiced 40 quarts of lemon juice. We gave away at least 100 lemons to our neighbors and family and made several pitchers of lemonade for the girls to sell on the street.Courtney and Morgan starting on the low branches. Nicole with one basket of lemons.
Morgan

CourtneyNicole and her friend Andrea made eight dollars in about 20 minutes. Then I got tired of making the lemonade and made them shut their stand down. But they were so cute selling it.

Got any really good lemon recipes?

Santa Rita Senoritas! Ole!

2009-04-08T10:22:00.001-07:00

Relief Society Softball is the best! I could write an entire post about why ladies of a certain age should not be out there doing it but I won't. I could tell you about all of the injuries and how with even the biggest hits we could only get to 1st with our "Santa Rita Shuffle" but I won't. I could write about how the Stake Sports Specialist enforced the mercy ruling on last night's games because of how soundly our team trounced the two teams the week before but I won't. I will, however, tell you that I am having the best time ever playing with these ladies. I will tell you that we fill our bleachers with our own families and also families from our ward who just want to come cheer us on. I will also tell you that we bought the bright orange shirts at Walgreens for two dollars a piece - even if we weren't good, we would be intimidating!

UPDATE: go to Julies blog http://wrightmylifeaway.blogspot.com/ for her much more clever post about the team.

Love For Grandpa Mackay

2009-04-06T10:30:00.000-07:00

I didn't post at all last week because just as we were getting our lives put back together after our Spring Break extravaganza in Utah, Alan and I got the call and flew back up for his Grandpa's funeral. The trip was fast and furious and freezing but I am so glad we made it. All of the grand kids were there except for one of Alan's young cousins who is on his mission. Alan had a very special relationship with his Grandpa - they shared the same birthday and Alan was the first grandson to go on a mission, to get married and have kids.

The day after Alan and I were engaged - my last grandparent, my Grandma Goodman, died unexpectedly in our home. It was weird for me to be grandparent-less. A few weeks later, Alan and I went to Salt Lake where his parents were throwing us an engagement party. That night, Grandma and Grandpa Mackay took me aside and told me that they had heard about my Grandma and that they were going to be my grandparents so I wouldn't be grandparent-less anymore. In the last 16 years, I can not think of a time that they did not treat me as one of their own.

The funeral was beautiful. Grandpa loved a male chorus and he loved the song Ye Elders of Israel so all of the grandsons and grandsons-in-law sang that. There were bagpipes at the cemetery as well as a military honor guard. We were all freezing but it was so beautiful with all of the trees dusted in snow. The morning of the funeral - Alan had to go out and scrape all of the ice and snow off of his mom's car that we were using. That is my favorite thing to say about living in Arizona - we never have to scrape the sunshine off of our windshields or shovel it off of our walk. It is hard to believe that this is the same backyard and trampoline that the kids were playing on just a week prior. I guess it is harder for us to believe that the weather was so nice the whole time we were there for Spring Break.

Thanks again to Jen and Mike for letting us crash in their basement. It feels like that bedroom down there is ours and we should consider leaving a toothbrush and other essentials down there.

Random Sampler

2009-03-27T08:15:00.000-07:00

Here are 20 random photos from our glorious vacation over Spring Break. The weather was beautiful while we were there and then we heard it started to snow right after we left. We are glad we could bring the Salt Lake Valley a week of sunshine! (Utah family - I promise I will send all of the pictures today!) Uncle Mike giving Courtney a tow back to the lift after her first (ever) run down the mountain!
All of the skiers on the first day of skiing: L to R Courtney, Alan, Luc (in front), Mike, Morgan, Devon and Haylee

I am constantly trying to get a cool picture of the cousins.

Courtney, Sydnee and Haylee making pouty faces.

The cat (Alan's new best friend) came along skiing. It really is a funny story of the cat jumping in the car during loading and everyone thinking she had jumped out.

Another attempt at cute cousin picture - lighting all wrong.

Right before we got to SLC, Alan's grandpa had another stroke. We were so glad to be able to spend some time with him and hope it is not the last time we get to do it. He is very incapacitated after this last stroke but still himself in many ways. Grandma was pointing out to him how much our kids had grown up and he said "Did you expect them to grow down?"

I was a tad obsessed with the cousins picture.
I thought this was so cute - they were doing that without being prompted - but as soon as I tried to get a better angle - right behind.....

Nicole turned around to look at us.

Morgan and Whitnee

Finally, a cute cousins picture with everyone: L to R - Front Row - Whitnee, Nash and Sydnee

Back Row - Tanner (in Devon's lap), Devon, Haylee, Morgan, Courtney, Nicole and Luc

We made really good time on the way there - partly due to several test sections with a new speed limit.

Courtney, Morgan and Nicole with Aunt Suzanne. They had so much fun with her the first day we went up to Grandma and Grandpas.

Alan's family with his mom: All of the grandkids in front - and Michelle sitting next to Syd and Nicole (she is so little she fits right in) - standing next to her is Will, Alan's brother and Michelle's husband. They just moved back to UT after living in Santa Barbara for the last few years - they have two dogs, Molly and Dexter - Michelle blogs here. On the left in front is Matt, Alan's youngest brother - he is preparing to go on a mission. Bart (Alan's brother) and Bryn (wearing yellow) are Nash and Tanner's parents. On the way home from this trip Nicole told us that Uncle Bart is her best friend. Next to them is Mike and Jen (Alan's only sister) - this is their house, whenever we go to UT we stay there. Their home is haven for all who step across the threshold - they make everyone feel welcome and loved. Mike and Jen are two of my most favorite people in the world - I wish we lived closer (by that I mean, I wish they lived in Arizona). Next to us is Alan's mom, Nancy. She is looking for a rich, single, nice Mormon man. Know any?

The Best Vacation EVER!!!

2009-03-21T19:32:00.000-07:00

That is what my kids are saying.

We didn't go to Hawaii or to Disneyworld or anything. We went to Utah to visit family. It is how we spent our October Break as well. When faced with vacation decisions, our kids will always choose the cousins in Utah. We gave them the choice of a new trampoline, California/Knott's Berry Farm or Utah and they chose the latter.

We had a great time seeing so many that we love - lots of family and my True Blue. I have a ton of pictures to post of the trip and the skiing - definitely the highlight for the kids. We are all already missing everyone that we left behind. I cried big old salty tears watching my kids hug their cousins good-bye at 5:30 this morning.

Good Times.

The Johnsies!!

2009-03-09T14:56:00.000-07:00

Our dear, dear friends the Johnsons returned home from their mission to Cyprus last week. We are so glad they took time out of their first few days home to come see us. All of the kids put on their Cyprus t-shirts to greet them.

The Johnsons used to live across the street from us. Seven years ago when we built this home they started the adoption process. Our kids were so little and they loved to go over to the Johnsons (Nicole started calling them the Johnsies and it stuck) and get treats. Sister Johnson had a "treasure box" full of little toys and goodies and each day she would let the kids answer a gospel question and then pick a prize.

So they started with the kids and then Alan and I wanted to be part of the action. R. Wayne and Leslie became our fast friends. They had dinner with us, shared Family Home Evenings and they attended all of the ball games and concerts that they could. Even this last week while they were trying to see all of their family - they made it to Courtney's first school basketball game.

Leslie was an Arizona State Representative and R. Wayne was a judge. They are civic minded and love giving service to the community, the church and their friends. One thing we really missed while they were gone was the help they gave us filling out our ballots at election times. They are the only people I know who research each one of the judges and keep track of the ones that make bad decisions and vote against them.

I have never met anyone who has as much love to give as the Johnsons do. Everyone that comes in contact with them can feel it. Every e-mail they sent us from Cyprus was all about how much they loved the people they were working with. There are several people that they met and taught in Cyprus that have plans to come to the U.S. soon.

Whenever Alan and I talk about our future, we consistently say that we will model our future after the Johnsons. If we can be half as spiritual, loving, generous and kind as they are then we will be all right. While we are sad that they no longer have a home in Mesa (they will live in their cabin outside of Show Low) we are so glad that they have returned safe and sound.

If you live in the area - we will be hosting an open house for the Johnsons at our home sometime after Spring Break. I will let you all know when it is going to be. If you read this and think that I won't remember to invite you - please send me an e-mail and I will let you know as soon as we iron out the details.

A Few More Things (this time with some pictures)

2009-03-03T15:25:00.001-08:00

My life is not really my own right now. Well, that is a little dramatic. What I mean is that I feel super busy - Devon is on the track team, Courtney on the basketball team - combine those with all of our everyday afternoon/evening commitments and I feel swamped. I'm having some stress about signing up to do Pat's Run. I'm really going to do it. I would love it if you would do it too. I'm not really sure why I decided to do it. I've never run in my life - I don't think I really like to run. I just felt like it was something that I could work towards. Pat's story has always moved me and I think that is part of it. I started a training program that eases the running in - yesterday was the first day - I ran 60 seconds and then walked 90 seconds, I did it seven times - 60 seconds has never seemed so long. But, I did it and I will do it again tomorrow.

My other stress is my new camp calling. I was called to be in charge of the "spiritual night" - if you are not familiar with girl's camp or maybe more specifically, girl's camp in this stake - the spiritual night is a really big deal. I am not a big deal. I'm not sure how to pull off a big deal.

For the promised pictures. Courtney took my Morgan out in the back yard for a photo shoot the other day. I don't have a fancy camera - it is really just a point and shoot digital thing but the pictures she took are so amazing. I love these girls!

One last picture: I can't think of anything sexier than a husband doing housework. Alan pulled out the ladder and dusted and cleaned all of the things in my front room that are way too high for me to do. It was awesome.

A Few Things

2009-02-25T16:03:00.000-08:00

So, my last post was my "homemade" give-away. Nine people commented and wanted something homemade from me - but, as far as I can tell, no one did the "pay it forward" part. So I am just going to send everyone who commented a little something. If you live close and I can hand-deliver it then you will get something better. I love my neighbors. If you live farther away - I'm thinking of sending you a homemade Mother's Day card. Be looking out for it.

I'm pretty sure I have written about my dinner group so many times that you all wish you were in one too. I really love it - I can't imagine life without it honestly. Several times we have talked about putting together a cook book or at least writing down all of our dinner recipes each week. Then I started thinking that someday it will have to end and what if I never get Cami's recipe for Salisbury Steak that my family loves, or Sara's chicken enchiladas or Laura's spaghetti pie? My family would be so sad. Luckily - Sara got smart and ambitious and started a blog where we can all post the recipe we are making for food group each week. Now I have every one's recipes at my fingertips and you can too! Sara so cleverly named it the Saucy Apron and you can find it here. You can thank me later.

Like Homemade?

2009-02-11T14:47:00.001-08:00

Jam? Crafts? Lemonade?

Almost everything is better homemade! So I am joining the homemade giveaway bandwagon! The first three comments/ers to this post will receive something homemade from moi. Something gooooood. BUT (don't say anything about my big but) you have to do the same thing on your blog. You have to post this "pay it forward" saying you will send out some homemade prizes and then come back and comment saying you did it. Sound good? Hop to it! I'm in the mood to make some stuff!

WHDUP G

2009-02-09T07:04:00.001-08:00

I saw a car with that license plate this morning and I LOVE it! I wish I had it! I am coveting my neighbors license plate. Speaking of my neighbors license plates. Apparently there is a family from Wales living down the street from me - how do I know this? The man's car has a plate that says WLSHMAN and his wife's car says RAREBIT. I don't know if rarebit is a Welsh endearment but I have eaten Welsh Rarebit and it is gross. I'm okay with rabbit - we ate it a lot in France but not with cheese and eaten over toast with questionable gravy. Ewww. You can tell a lot about a person from their vanity plate.

I love personalized license plates. I have always wanted one but I think I am not clever enough to pick one that will last or define me in some way. I feel like my suburban is indeed a taxi but how many times have you seen plates like MOMSTXI or MOMOF4 or whatever. BORING! There is always the motocross mom MXMOM or IRIDE2. I could celebrate the fact that I lived in France for a while with OUI OUI or CESTMOI.

My favorite plates are the ones that you can't really figure out what they are trying to say so you make a game of thinking up all of the crazy things it could say. One of the best ever used to be on a truck owned by our good friend who lives down the street. I know this man to be a huge fan of comic book heroes - namely Bat Man. So when he got a big black truck - he got a vanity plate to go along with it. Now this man is also an IT type guy - his previous truck had a plate confessing CMPTRGK (computer geek) - so while I understood his new plate for his new truck - DRKNITE to be an homage to the masked one - my husband came home asking "why would Lee get a plate that says Dork Nite?"

I still want one. Help me think up a good one.

I Should Stop Talking About the Gym So Much

2009-02-06T10:06:00.001-08:00

But when every muscle I have is screaming at me - it is all I can think about.

I will keep going. Quitting is not an option but the thought comes to me every. single. day. I feel good about myself when I am done with a work out. This week was particularly good - yesterday one of the teachers said I was young. Now, most of the women in his class were a good 15 or 20 years older than me but it sill felt good to be called that.

After taking a crazy "combat" class (lots of kicking, punching and running around) the teacher - who knew I was new - came up to me and told me that I did a great job and that I was very coordinated. No one has EVER called me that before - quite the opposite in fact. I regularly trip over nothing, fall UP the stairs and walk into walls and doors. It makes me smile just to think about it - maybe they get paid by the number of return visitors and they know what to say to keep me coming.

A Month Off

2009-02-04T13:45:00.000-08:00

WARNING - VERY LONG POST

I have started so many posts in the last four weeks. I have 8 semi-finished posts in draft form. They all suck. This post will probably suck too - but too bad. Lots happened in January that kept my mind off of my blog, a new calling, sickness, taking care of my mom and recently realizing that I put apostrophes in totally inappropriate places.

January was exciting. Devon and Courtney turned 14. They have yet to attend a Saturday night dance. Probably because they are afraid I am going to follow them and embarrass them in front of their friends. I will be really tempted. I will want to see if they are keeping the only rule I gave them - that they only dance with each other. They think I'm weird.

I have a new calling as the Primary Chorister. I think I mentioned it a while ago. It is going well. I really like it. I received no instruction or materials from anyone so I am just going about it in my own way. We learned "I Lived in Heaven" in January. I am teaching "How Firm a Foundation" in February - not easy to teach to three year olds.

We have taken the motorcycles out a few times lately. The desert is so pretty and green right now. The weather is amazing - I even got a little sunburned on my nose last Saturday watching Devon and Alan ride at a new track in our area. This time of year we are all about the motorcycles and camping and being out side. Come July and August every year we discuss selling our motorcycles and trailer because they aren't getting used. We suffer from short term weather memory.

I am making plans to go to Women's Conference again this year. I can't wait. I am such a nicer, better, happier person when I get home.

I just read something very disturbing today on the internets. You know how at the beginning of the season on The Bachelor (you know you watch it) they kept showing a clip of DeAnna coming and telling Jason that she made a mistake and should have picked him? Well, it was all set up by the producers as a teaser for this season. She doesn't really come back. She has a boyfriend. They were just tricking us to make sure we watched every week. I feel duped. But I'm still watching. I choose Molly or Melissa.

I've gone back to the gym. Right now it is kicking my rear-end. Every time a teacher gives out instructions I know they are seeing my bad form and correcting me - every time they shout out an option for the elderly or disabled - I know they are really giving it to me. But - I'm going. I will keep going and hopefully get some more of this weight off.

I still haven't completely put my front room back together since moving everything for Christmas. I need a change - I just haven't figured out what yet. I wish I could afford to re-paint and buy new furniture. I'm wishing for a beachy cottage-y look. Painted wood floors, white slip covered furniture and gauzy windy coverings. Maybe I just need a vacation.

Speaking of vacations. Alan and I were this close to booking a trip to France a few weeks ago. We do this every couple of years. Deals are abounding when the weather is questionable. A wonderful family I know in France recently moved just outside of Paris... if we were just a little bit more secure in Alans job - I think we would do it.

Alans employer has had LOTS of lay-offs as of late. We feel so blessed to still have a job. This blasted recession. I hate that everyone is always talking about it.

Last week I made 16 Mothers Day cards for my card group. Number one, I can't believe I made them last week - typically I am still making them the day we meet. Number two, they are so cute I can't even believe I made them. Number three, I think I made up a technique that I used - but I probably saw it in a magazine or on a blog or something - but I like thinking to myself that I am a paper crafting genius.

I read a cute book on Saturday while at the track. It is called the Secret Journal of Bret Colton. It is Courtney's book - very LDS teenager-y but I liked it. I cried a lot. Probably because I love my brothers so much. I never get to see my brothers. Three live here in town - I rarely see them. I think that it has been over year since I have seen two brothers that live out of town.

I kind of hate facebook. It is overwhelming. But I love that I am keeping track of my nieces and nephews on it. My dad was the great connector. I always knew what was going on with my brothers and sisters and their families while he was alive. There is no one to keep us all updated. For a while we had a family blog - but everyone kind of pooped out on that. Maybe facebook can take its place.

Anyway, kids are home from school. We are heading out for a bike ride or walk to the park to enjoy this beautiful 78 degree day.

The Last Post of the Year

2008-12-31T15:43:00.000-08:00

Really, what is a Mormon Mommy's Blog without an end of the year wrap up? Here we go!!

The Top 10 Things That I Blogged About and That Made 2008 Special (not like Special Olympics) with some links (not hot ones)

1. I found a note on my desk and it could be the funniest thing I ever see in my lifetime.

2. My oldest become teenagers.

3. I found my first gray hairs (see above).

4. I started a quest to lose weight, I went to the gym for the first time in my life and I lost 40 pounds! I am trying to lose 30 more in 2009.

5. Women's Conference was awesome and it is all I posted about the entire month of May.

6. I got a new bra.

7. We had our 15 year wedding anniversary.

8. We had a great vacation at the cabin.

9. We visited some of our favorite people.

10. I failed the National Blog Posting Month - it was just too hard. I did post 23 times in November, so, I have that going for me.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Joyeaux Noel

2008-12-24T13:51:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone has a great Christmas.

Much Love -

Jolene

File Under: Maybe Not the Best Idea

2008-12-20T22:36:00.000-08:00

Giving a Talk in Sacrament Meeting Written Under the Influence of Nyquil.

We will see what happens tomorrow as I deliver my "Sunday Before Christmas Talk" in my Katherine Turner voice. I am fighting a nasty cold.

Tomorrow I will attempt to sing with the ward choir for our special program. I will also give, at the conclusion of the program, the previously mentioned, poorly prepared talk. Then, I will serve my first two hours in my new calling as primary chorister.

I am afraid that my low voice will scare the Sunbeams.

This is My Mom

2008-12-18T06:04:00.001-08:00

She stayed with me for three days this week while having cataract surgery. Normally she lives with one of my brothers. We had a grand old time while she was here - especially while she was recovering from the anesthesia. Or at least I am going to blame it all on the anesthesia.

My mom is almost 80 years old. She has lived an amazingly healthy life. This cataract surgery is the first time she has had surgery or anesthetic of any kind since she had her appendix out in 1947. I am not kidding - 1947!! She had six babies with no anesthetic and then never really got sick. Every time I take her to an appointment where we have to fill out new paper work - the Dr. is always amazed that she takes no medications.

Before the eye surgery, the put my mom out for about 15 minutes so that they can completely numb the eye. The stick needles directly in to the eye-ball and it is better for patients to be unconscious during that part of the procedure. She woke up fine and then they took her in for the 15 minute procedure. She never went back to sleep - hence, my doubts about blaming the craziness on the drugs.

My mom is typically a little loopy. I think it comes with her age and the fact that she really can't hear anything and now we know that she really wasn't seeing much either. But while she was here she saw tomato plants growing in my living room. She wondered how I watered them without getting the carpet wet and how I got the rows so straight around the furniture. She also feared she grabbed someones purse since her plain black purse had suddenly turned tan with big red flowers. She had a few more doozies - she was convinced the Christmas lights on our neighbors house were turning from plain white bulbs into little colorful trees and she misunderstood one conversation about someone riding a motorcycle to someone wearing adult diapers.

Since my dad died there has been no one to make fun of her when she says and does crazy stuff. My kids encourage it, they think it is hilarious and say things like "yeah, those lights are so cool how they are changing like that" and then they laugh and laugh. Later when I made them be honest with her about the lights she thought it was funny that they were going along with her. I just feel like they are so lucky they get to have her around a lot. She will live a long time yet, all of her sisters are still alive and some of them are well in to their 90s. None of them have had serious medical issues and are all still as active as my mom is. Growing up during the great depression was good for them.

A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words

2008-12-14T20:23:00.000-08:00

I'm hoping - because this post is kind of word light and picture heavy. But some fun things happened in the last few days and I actually remembered to take pictures! This is Devon sitting on Spencer W. Kimball's lap. There is a statue in a local park that commemorates President Kimball's growing up in Arizona and his love of the desert. I love that it looks like President Kimball has is hand on Devon's shoulder.

While we were at the same park - Alan gave Courtney a piggy back ride. It cracked me up because her feet were almost dragging the ground.

We had our ward Christmas party and a special guest came. It was obvious to Nicole that he was one of Santa's helpers because his eyebrows were brown. But she saw that I have Santa on my cell phone and she is hooked in for at least another year.

My girls are so lucky to have great friends in our ward - Devon has good friends here too - he just wont pose for pictures with them. This is Morgan and her adorable friend Saedra.

Courtney and Sarah.

Nicole and Kristen.

Alan and baby Kate. Kate is the most adorable baby! Every time we see her at church or some ward function - we crawl over each other to get to hold her! She reminds us so much of Morgan when she was a baby. Those of you who didn't know us back then - it is true - little tiny Morgan was the fattest baby!

I wonder who lines their m&m's up by color before she eats them?

Devon - wishing it was his picture on the cover of Golf Digest. Or Devon wishing Tiger Woods was in our living room.

Nicole saw a play called the Snow Queen a couple of weeks ago. The Snow Queen wore a white dress and she had white hair - so Nicole decided to dress up like her. It cracked me up how creative she was with her hair - that is a tank top of Morgans bobby pinned to her hair.

Nicole gave an oral report on France in her class last week. We also served a Buche de Noel. She was adorable in her beret and she did a great job talking about France. She was only a little embarrassed when she was talking about French Artists and held up a book of Renoir paintings and it opened a little to reveal a painting of a nekkid lady. Then she sang all afternoon "There is a place in France where the naked ladies dance but the men don't care because they wear no underwear." She is the youngest - I don't know where she learns these things.

The Weeks Between Thanksgiving and Christmas

2008-12-10T09:08:00.000-08:00

I have been struggling with my blog. I totally failed the National Blog Posting Month challenge of a post a day for the month of November. I was discussing this with a fellow blogger and came to the conclusion that no one really cares. Why do I even blog? Who is even reading this and cares about the minutiae of my life. I am getting over the guilt that I feel for not blogging and the incredible blogging block that follows it. I keep getting great ideas for random posts but feel like I can't do it until I get this thing caught up. So here it goes.

Thanksgiving was nice. The food was eh... but the company was wonderful. We went to one of my brother's homes in North Scottsdale, the weather was chilly/rainy but it was great to visit with the family that was able to make it. My brothers and sisters are all so spread out (in age and by miles) and busy with their own families that we have not all been together since my Dads funeral in July of 2006. To all be together for an occasion soon (other than a funeral) is on the top of my grown-up Christmas list.

Black Friday was great. I am a die-hard Black Friday shopper. I went through the ads Thursday night, made a plan and tried to get a few hours of sleep. I left my house at 3:45 a.m., shopped in 8 stores and I was home at 7:45 a.m. with everything on my list. I went back to bed and got a nap - it was great. We got the Christmas tree up later in the morning.

Devon took this picture while we were getting the tree up. I am the double-wide in the white sweater.

We went out riding and also went to an old friend's house to reminisce. I grew up with a great group of friends. We all lived there and went to church and school together from kindergarten to graduation. A few of us visited and told stories that some of our spouses were surprised to hear. I was really the only girl on the block - and I was definitely a tom-girl - there were always shenanigans involving fire, dumpster diving and long distance bike rides. It was great fun to see them again.

That weekend we went out to dinner and to a Phoenix Coyotes game with some good friends. We kind of happened upon a newer fro-yo place called Ocean Blue. It is great - I can't wait to go there again.

During these last few weeks I have cleaned and decorated. The honest truth is that Courtney did almost all of the decorating - she was in a better mood than me in the week after Thanksgiving.
This entire bag of trash came out of the cushions in our chair and a half. It is mostly candy wrappers from Halloween. Gross!

I have shopped (almost done!) and crafted. I have hand addressed 65 Christmas cards and written a personal note on each one of them. We have attended orchestra and choir concerts and a wonderful Enrichment meeting. There are three three parties this week to attend! We had a very nice visit with Alan's dad and his wife DeAnn. They were here for DeAnn's daughter's son's blessing. Is that confusing enough? We love all of them. DeAnn's daughter Kelly and her husband Travis are special people and we enjoy having them in our extended family. During their short weekend visit we made a trip over to see the temple lights. It was gorgeous as always - visit that linked web site and get excited about taking your family and friends to go see them. It was pretty cold - but you would have thought it was a lot colder by looking at how we were dressed!

That is my update. I feel a weight lifted off of my shoulders just by putting this out there. Now, I feel I can return to my regularly scheduled blogging.

This is Coco!

2008-11-26T21:07:00.000-08:00

This is Courtney he he....I'm writing for my mom because she thinks her life is boring and has nothing to write about...blah,blah,blah. I don't think she has a boring life. She has it good! While I am at school she can just be on the computer all day while I have to sit through the boringness of junior high; but of course she doesn't!!! He he. I would just like to say, as I am hacking into my mom's blogger account..jk.. what a wonderful person she is. Tonight she let me do her hair and make-up and I was only the second person to do her make-up for her. Plus, she is always willing to help others first. I love you Mommy!!( can I have $20 please? JK!)

Finally, Some Wedding Pictures!

2008-11-24T14:31:00.000-08:00

Last week, my niece got married. Have I mentioned that before? The whining and griping about the cake - you forgot that right?

Well, here are some pictures - you know you are curious:

My niece and I sharing a moment. She is 10 years younger than me and is a riot! We have had a lot of fun over the years, mostly making fun of her Mom - my sister.

The tall flower girl is mine - they were spreading fall leaves down the aisle.

Deidra had her son Alex walk her down the aisle. It was adorable.Deidra and Garen Bagdasarian. How's that for a last name? He is a special guy and I totally approve of him. My beautiful daughters with Tracy (the tall one) who stayed at our house with her husband Aaron.

A family picture that I was hoping would be Christmas card worthy - but no, it's too dark and we were too tired and worn out.

Only look at the next picture if you are not easily offended. The women in my family are blessed with certain assets (ahem).... some of us choose not to show them off - Deidra's wedding dress did just the opposite. Hers were out there for everyone to see. I was making fun and someone snapped a picture (really, I didn't pose for this or anything... I promise)

We Came, We Saw, We Were Not Disappointed

2008-11-22T14:17:00.000-08:00

Courtney and I saw the movie this morning with our friends Shannon and Samantha. We saw another Mom and daughter duo from our ward. I can't say that I loved it. I went with pretty low expectations but I will admit that right as the title sequence started, I grabbed Courtney's hand. The anticipation was killing me!

I love how blood thirsty Shannon and Samantha look with their red eyes!

During the movie, there was so much laughter - but I'm not sure that the movie makers were going for a comedy. It was pretty campy, a little melodramatic - just like the books I guess. Just like teenagers.

The movie ended just perfectly for the next installment and I am sure that when that comes around in a couple of years, I will be holding Courtney's hand in anticipation once again.

Holiday Cards 2008

2008-11-21T20:11:00.000-08:00

No, I'm not posting one - I will admit to using an old picture on it though. It is one of the wonderful pictures that our dear friends took of our kids this summer. I wanted to do a new family picture this year - but it wasn't in the cards (ha! Christmas cards) for us. Hopefully, next year when I've lost a few more lbs. and maybe have a few more dollars in my pocket.

But, I have a story to tell. Did you all make a free digital scrapbook on Snapfish last week? I got about 15 e-mails telling me to get my cyber booty over there and take advantage of Oprah Winfrey's goodness and I am nothing if not obedient. Courtney went to work arranging and placing pictures of last summer's trip to the cabin for an awesome memory book. She spent a few hours last Saturday getting it together and we paid $4.99 or something ridiculously low for shipping and that was it - the book came on Wednesday and it is all that it was cracked up to be. We love it.

Along with the book came all kinds of generous e-mail offers from Snapfish to do more books, make prints and order our Christmas Cards. The Christmas card offer sounded good - the first 20 cards for $.01 a piece. I typically send out 60-80 cards so I thought I would go for it. Their selection was okay and I put one together, while checking out I put in the e-mailed promo code and went to the grand total. $348.00!!! For 60 cards! That is like SIX DOLLARS a piece! Then they were going to charge $19.99 for shipping! Wha?? They were cute but not that cute.

I promptly went on to Costco's photo page and ordered much cuter cards - a bigger size and quality that I trust for $20.28 for 75. Just to be clear - I get more cards at a savings of over $300.00 and I can pick them all up tomorrow morning at 10:30 ... Hmmm. What would you have done?

Just when I think that I won't renew my Costco card - to save a little extra cash - I fall in love all over again!

Pale Is The New Tan

2008-11-20T16:00:00.000-08:00

So many people are preparing, napping, gearing up before the big midnight showing of THE MOVIE tonight. Not me, I'm putting it off just a little. I don't want to be deafened by hundreds of screaming teenage girls. I found out that a friend of mine got to go see it LAST NIGHT at 7:00 for a special fundraising preview. It only cost her $15. I totally would have done that.

Courtney made herself a Twilight t-shirt to wear to school today. She is always looking at them online but decided she could make herself one. Hers said:

Half vampire

+ Half Jonas

__________

= perfect boyfriend

We had so much fun looking at t-shirts online that I wanted to share some of our favorites:

I'd rather have a dog than a pet rock

Team Jacob / Because who doesn't want a personal sun?

I wish I could run with vampires but they run too fast

I need Jasper - I'm in a bad mood

Rosalie is my mechanic

Team Mike / Just kidding

Blood - it's whats for dinner

If you listen closely you can hear the sound of thousands of teenage girls moving to Forks, WA

Towns named after utensils are all the rage

(for the husbands) If I agree to bite you will you put down that #$^&*% book?

Team Jacob / Once you go PACK you never go back

My new favorite font is Edwardian Script

Nothing ever happens in Spoons

Cutest Turkey Treats Ever!

2008-11-20T07:49:00.001-08:00

Go HERE and see how to make them - so much fun for the kid's table, or your kid's classroom - or your visiting teachers...

Tuesday Tag, Wednesday Edition

2008-11-19T08:39:00.000-08:00

I am going to do this tag that Alan's adorable cousin Danielle sent me. I love her! I am thinking that doing this will help me catch up while I upload the pictures I want to post.

CraZy EigHTs

8 Shows I Watch:
1. Amazing Race
2. The Office
3. 30 Rock
4. E.R.
5. Survivor
6. Pushing Daisies
7. Top Chef
8. Anything on Food Network

8 Things That Happened Yesterday
1. went walking at 5:30 a.m.
2. got 8 kids ready for school and out the door at 7:20 a.m.
3. watched Amazing Race that Shannon tivo'd
4. made lots of Chicken Cream Cheese soup for my food group
5. watched Return to Me while folding clothes
6. afternoon carpool (5 elementary school kids and 5 junior high kids)
7. had dinner, family scriptures and did homework
8. made a last minute trip to W*#-M&%t with Alan for lunch meat and shoe laces

8 Places I Like to Eat
1. P. F. Changs
2. Carrabas
3. Jamba Juice (it's like a meal)
4. Pete's Fish and Chips
5. In n Out
6. Brio
7. Flemmings
8. California Pizza Kitchen

8 Things I am Looking Forward to:
1. Getting caught up on my blogging!
2. Salisbury Steak for dinner tonight (thanks Food Group)
3. visiting with my sister later today
4. a nice lunch out this afternoon
5. making pecan pie at Thanksgiving and thinking about my dad
6. Singing Christmas songs in church
7. Black Friday shopping
8. going out riding in this beautiful weather soon!

8 Things on My Wish List:
1. Someone else coming over and uploading my pictures for me so I can get caught up on my blogging!
2. A cleaning lady
3. seeing all of my brothers and sisters during the holidays
4. a pressure canner
5. these last 25 pounds to just melt off in my sleep
6. a new camera
7. a sick-free winter
8. WORLD PEACE!

I am supposed to tag 8 people - but I won't do it! But, I would love it if you would do it on your blog and then leave me a comment telling me so I can come read your crazy eights!!

Monday Post, Tuesday Edition

2008-11-18T16:11:00.000-08:00

I will get caught up because I want to share some pictures from the wedding yesterday. Will you all be offended if I post a slightly off-color picture of my cleavage? (I was trying to be like my niece wearing her very revealing wedding dress) I need to know before I post the pictures.

Today for my Food Group dinner I made Chicken Cream Cheese Soup. It is delicious and easy to make. I gave everyone this bread mix to make and eat with the soup. This Hawaiian bread is so yummy - I don't have a bread machine so I just make it in the oven - it is more work but so worth it!

Here is the recipe for the soup for one family:

Ingredients:
2 Chicken breasts, diced
1/2 onion, diced
2 Tbs. butter

2 - 3 potatoes, diced
2 - 3 carrots, sliced
3 cups chicken broth
salt, pepper and garlic to taste

1 cup milk
1 8oz package of cream cheese (cubed if you use the brick, I use a tub of chive and onion spreadable cream cheese = more tasty goodness)

Directions:

Cook chicken and onion in butter until onion is completely clear and chicken is cooked through. Add vegetables, broth and seasoning - simmer until veggies are done.
Add milk, cream cheese and cook until cheese is melted.

Sunday Post, Monday Morning Edition

2008-11-17T05:48:00.001-08:00

I am FAILING at this posting everyday thing. I am going to try and keep up - but we will see. We have out of town guests here for the wedding, my niece's friend Tracy and her husband Aaron. They were total strangers to us when they showed up at our front door to sleep in our "junk room" - but now, we are proud to call them our friends. I can't even begin to describe how beautiful Tracy is - on the inside as well as the outside. She is so pretty that you want to not like her but she is so kind and sweet that you have to. Tracy is from Zimbabwe but met her husband while studying at BYU. They have amazing stories of Africa that have kept us all wanting more.

Today (Sunday) was our Primary Program at church. I cried during the whole thing. From the moment they began with I Am A Child of God until the closing song there were tears streaming down my face. The closing song was "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" - that song should be in the Hymn Books. Everyone needs to sing that song! So, I was bawling the whole time and Alan was giggling. He loves seeing all of the kids waving to their parents and fidgeting, giving their teachers a hard time. He especially loves when they come up to the microphone and talk real loud or exhale into the mic - his favorite this time was the little boy that kept saying "what?" to the Primary President who was trying to feed him his line.

This morning (Monday) I will take the kids to school and then I am off to the wedding site to start cooking. Happy Monday everyone!

Seriously, Don't Comment

2008-11-15T20:39:00.000-08:00

Because I don't want you tell me that it looks good when it really doesn't.

No, I changed my mind - I do want you to comment and tell me it looks good, even if it doesn't because then I won't try and re-do it before Monday morning and possibly break the Sabbath tomorrow.

Here are the promised pictures:

What there aren't are any pictures of me yelling or pulling my hair out. There are also are no pictures of Shannon helping me roll out and put on all of the fondant. That stuff is not as easy to work with as they make it look like on Ace of Cakes.

That is a picture of my niece and her fiancee on the top. That is what she wanted. I really hope to never do this again. I really hope it is going to be dark wherever it is displayed!

No Time to Blog

2008-11-14T13:58:00.000-08:00

I am trying to decorate a WEDDING CAKE!!!! Didn't know I decorated cakes? I DON'T!! I am doing this as a favor for my niece. She asked three "influential women from her life" to decorate a cake for display at her wedding. No one will be eating it. If I get desperate - I will take it out back and spray paint it. I will post a picture tomorrow.

10 Movies I can Watch Over and Over

2008-11-13T12:32:00.000-08:00

I decided not to quit on the post-a-day thing. I hope nobody's sorry.

I love to watch movies while I fold mounds and mounds of laundry each week. Sometimes I go to the Redbox and find something new or I pull out one of my old standards. Here is my list of my top ten movies to re-watch while folding laundry. You will see that I have a very shallow, escapist pattern to my movie watching. In no particular order:

1. The Holiday - I watched this one today. I really love how cute Jude Law is in this movie. In fact I love, love, love Jack Black and Kate Winslet in it as well. Cameron Diaz is truly awful - but she is in every movie she is in - so she is easy to ignore. She is easy to ignore especially when you are caught up in Jude Law's beautiful blue eyes.

2. Ever After - Truly a classic. My husband can not stand Drew Barrymore and he will watch this with me - living through her terrible fake accent. I just love it - I love to say Danielle de Barbarac and Nicole de Loncrae over and over in best French accent. Every time Danielle asks her evil stepmother if there was ever a time when she loved her in even the smallest way and Anjelica Houston says, "how can one love a pebble in one's shoe?" it makes my heart hurt.

3. Nacho Libre - To sum up how we feel about this movie at our house I will tell you a true story. Our little Nicole found out that her Grandma and Grandpa had never seen Nacho Libre and she told them "you can't even know what our family is about if you don't watch Nacho!"

4. The Princess Bride - Is there any woman who dated in the 80s who doesn't love this movie? Who didn't have a crush on Wesley? Who can't say "no more rhymes and I mean it" without saying "any body want a peanut"?

5. Return to Me - I love this sappy romance. I love David Duchovny and Minnie Driver - but I love Bonnie Hunt and Jim Belushi even more. It is such a feel good movie with very good advice "don't shave your legs on the first date".

6. Signs - Yes, the M. Night Shyamalan movie. I really do love all of his movies (haven't seen the new rated R one) but this is my favorite. I love how it all comes together at the end. I love the Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix as brothers relationship.

7. Hope Floats - I love anything with Harry Connick Jr. Even when he played that killer in that Copycat movie - he is so cute!

8. Radio - Cuba Gooding Jr. is so great as the mentally challenged boy in this show. I do enjoy a lot of sports movies like Glory Road and Remember the Titans but this is my favorite of all.

9. Oh Brother, Where Are Thou? - Every time I watch this I catch something new. George Clooney is classic in this movie and no other movie has inspired me to listen to Blue Grass or any other "country" music. I love the Soggy Bottom Boys! I really want to buy the soundtrack so I can learn the words to the lullaby that the naked ladies sing down by the river "Don't Leave Nobody But the Baby".

10. Memoirs of A Geisha - Of course I loved the book so much more than the movie - but the movie is so beautiful. I just can't get enough of the beautiful colors of the kimonos and the vivid imagery of Japan during this time.

Honorable Mentions: 27 Dresses - during one Women's Conference weekend, we watched this movie 4 or 5 times. Mamma Mia - I only saw it the one time in the theater but I am sure that when it comes out on DVD it will be one that shares my laundry days. Enchanted, Penelope and Aladdin are the movies that my kids watch that will draw me in to the Family Room to see a little part or to sing along.

What are some of your movies to watch over and over? Do you hate mine?

What The? or The Case of The Missing Post

2008-11-12T18:20:00.000-08:00

I really am trying hard to do this post everyday thing. It is difficult. I couldn't think of anything important to say. I have a read a few good books lately - I might do a review soon. I took the kids to the pediatric dentist today - no cavities! Yeah! Really, nothing exciting.

So I decided to go through the Edit Posts tool and find something that was still a draft and fix it up and post it - there are several in there. Instead, I was trying to be all smug and show one of my children that I really have posted every day so far this month, and then I saw that I did not post on Wednesday, November 5th. Why didn't I? November 4th - Sarah Palin. November 6th - Mayonnaise. I can't think of a single reason that I would have failed so early in the month and not even realized it!

So, this is what I am wondering - do I just give up on the whole every day in November thing? Or go on as if nothing happened and no one noticed? I'm really torn. On the one hand, if I was not posting everyday - maybe the posts would be more interesting. On the other hand, no one called me out on it and I don't like to be a quitter. (except when it comes to the treadmill, I'm totally okay with quitting in the middle of that. Or smoking - I'm okay with people quitting that nasty habit. And maybe really hard college chemistry classes that don't have that much to do with your major anyway - you were just taking it because you wanted a dumb boy to think you were smart - it's okay to quit that stupid class)

What should I do?

Happy Armistice Day!

2008-11-11T10:54:00.000-08:00

Did you know that that is what Veteran's Day was originally called? To celebrate the end of World War One - the name was changed sometime in the 1950s to honor all veterans. At 11:00 this morning on this 11th day of the 11th month, I will talk to my kids about some veterans. We have several in our family including three of my brothers - one of whom was killed in Viet Nam. My kids have a veteran Grandpa, several veteran Great Grandpas and even a couple of cousins who have served in the military. I am sad that we will not be able to go downtown and watch the parade (we are helping a young man in our ward with his Eagle Project) but we will fly our flag and we will be proud Americans today.

I am pasting here a post that I wrote in July of 2007 when my blog was just a couple of weeks old. It explains some of my extreme sense of Patriotism:

Patriotism

I love the 4th of July - Because I love the United States of America. We are going to be out of town and away from the computer for the next 10 days so I wanted to get this all out there now.

I love America!! I know my love of country comes from my Dad. I never heard him say a prayer that he didn't thank our Heavenly Father that we live in this great country full of freedoms, liberty and justice. He would get very emotional whenever patriotic things would come up - when the Boy Scouts had a flag ceremony, when the military would march by in a parade and whenever the Star Spangled Banner would be played. I get my heavy emotions from him too.

I remember one time when I was at a Phoenix Suns game - before the game started a woman came out to sing the National Anthem. She sang the first couple of notes and then her microphone went dead. She kept singing, and then the most amazing thing happened, the people close to the floor of the arena started singing with her and it just rose up the arena until the whole place was singing along. Chills ran up my spine and of course the tears started flowing - it was such an amazing thing to be part of.

While I was on my mission in the South of France, the first gulf war broke out. There are a lot of Arabs there, the South of France is only a couple hundred miles of ocean away from North Africa. Those North Africans did not really love the United States, so as a safety precaution my mission president told us to lie. If anyone came up and asked us if we were American we were supposed to tell them that we were Canadians. All of the Canadian missionaries loved that. It was a happy day when I could put my American flag pin back on my back pack.

After those 18 months of living away from home in a foreign country, I will never forget the way I felt when I came home. I had a layover in Detroit, MI. It was very odd to be there and to still be a missionary and to be able to hear English all around me. When we touched down in Phoenix, of course I loved seeing my family waiting for me at the gate (pre - 9/11 obviously), I loved the feeling of the warm, dry air hitting me, and I loved all of the American flags I could see. I never felt so much pride in country as I did on that 25 minute drive home from the airport. There were flags flying everywhere! I could see them over car dealerships and storage facilities - we started counting them and there were more than 25 flags visible from the freeway. I loved it!! I know they had always been there and I had traveled that freeway countless times, but they had never meant so much to me as they did that night.

Just one more quick story - I know this is getting long. Alan and I were so blessed to be able to travel back East a couple of years ago. We had read this series of books - A Prelude to Glory - about the American Revolution. They were amazing historical fiction books about a family during that time in our history. Although the church was not yet organized, these colonists were being moved by the Spirit to establish this great country. Alan and I walked the Freedom Trail, we visited the Old North Church, Paul Revere's home, Bunker Hill and the State House. We boarded the USS Constitution sitting in Boston Harbor and witnessed the cannons being shot. It was an amazing trip and it made me even more proud to be an American (yes, I cry whenever I hear that Lee Greenwood song).

I wish everyone a happy Independence Day!! I hope you will go and see the fireworks and hear the National Anthem being played. I hope you will fly a flag that day and teach your kids what it means to you. We will say the Pledge of Allegiance and pray for the soldiers who are defending this great country. We will also thank our Heavenly Father for allowing us to live in this great nation with all of it's freedoms, liberties and justice.

Speaking of Funny...

2008-11-10T07:02:00.000-08:00

Saturday night, Alan and I went to the Super Saver movies after a delicious dinner. We saw the funniest movie. I seriously was laughing so hard that it hurt. Seriously, go watch the trailer.

I love me some Ricky Gervais. He was in the original British version of The Office. My kids know him as the funny boss on Night at the Museum.

The whole movie was great (a little too many curses for my taste) but I especially enjoyed the little part played by Kristen Wiig. For a good laugh - go here and watch her in one of my favorite SNL skits.

Sunday Funnies

2008-11-09T07:40:00.000-08:00

I totally stole that title from my friend Nic who posts a Sunday funny every week. Her kids are always up to some kind of shenanigan and she reports on them every week. I'm not nearly as funny as her - I just have some funny pictures to post.

I have been having a bit of a hair crisis as of late. I want something different but I am too scared to do it and I don't really know what I want. My kids (the girls) are always telling me that I should dye my hair darker - but I am way too big of a chicken to do that.

My daughter Courtney has luxurious long brown-ish locks. She was willing to share that hair for a few pictures:Here I am with Courtney's flowing hair - it kind of matches my eyebrows. Forgive the lack of make-up.

Here is Alan with it - he looks very White Snake to me.

ASU Volleyball

2008-11-08T09:38:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the last 8th grade volleyball game (record 0 and 11) and the getting of our lives back, I took Courtney to an ASU volleyball game last night. It was great. We met a few of her team mates and their parents there. The games are not very well attended so we had great seats. What a different experience when you are used to watching 8th grade volleyball to witness the action of a college game. We are going to try and go again soon before their season is over.

After the game we were able to go down on the court and meet the players. Courtney brought her volleyball from home and had some of the players sign it. It was interesting to see how tall they really are. Courtney is about 5'7" and she is expected to grow another inch or inch and half according to our pediatrician. On the ASU team there are two girls shorter than Courtney (5'1" and 5'5") and then all of the rest are 5'11" or taller. I think it kind of smashed Courtney's dreams of playing college volleyball but the ASU players were so kind and encouraged her to keep playing as much as she could.

After the game, we drove around the campus area a little bit. I think Courtney will stay home until she is married, she said "I don't want to go away to college, it is scary". Want to keep your kids home under your own roof and away from the scary world? Drive them through the bar lined streets of a notorious college party town - it will work every time.

this player was crouching down to get her picture with Courtney - she is 6'1"

I'm Going To The Store Right Now

2008-11-07T09:57:00.000-08:00

Remember how I said that I was trying to avoid making little trips to the store? And that we had run out of dishwasher detergent and that we were going to wash dishes by hand for a few days? Well I really wanted to post a picture of my kitchen and show how that is working out for me. But, I can't find my camera - I think it is on one of the kitchen counters - but they are so piled up with dirty dishes that I can't find it! There is only so much a pioneer can do.

Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do or Do Without.

2008-11-06T05:56:00.000-08:00

My mom used to say that all of the time. It really was the mantra of a good part of my childhood and I hated hearing it. Then, several years ago I heard it over the pulpit during General Conference (Pres. Packer maybe?) and I figured my mom was pretty smart. Now, as we are living on a lower income than before, I am doing my best to live up to my mom's mantra again.

When we decided that we were going to have to crack down on our spending - I knew that it was the little trips to the grocery store (almost every day) that were killing us. Every time I ran in to the store to "just get milk" or "just get bread" it was costing us $30 or $40 in extra things. So, this pay period, I made a list of things to feed us for two weeks and I haven't gone back. We are doing it! We have been fine. Tuesday we ran out of dishwasher soap, so we have been washing our dishes by hand. It's not like we don't have the money to run to the store and get the stuff, we are learning a lesson over here.

So yesterday morning as I am making the sack lunches, I realize that we are out of mayonnaise. So I MADE some! Yes, I MADE mayonnaise - and it is good. It tastes just like the stuff you buy in the store only it has no preservatives and it tastes a little lighter and fresher. Some of you may make mayonnaise all the time and not be as impressed with me as I was with myself, but, seriously, I was so impressed with myself! I made everyone taste it and tell me how good it was at 7:00 in the morning. They were all gagging and running to brush their teeth - but I could tell they were impressed! The best thing was that it was really easy to do, so I will probably do it again!

Here is the recipe - just in case you want to impress your family too. If they are not falling over themselves in love with you, just call me and I will give you the props!

Ingredients:

2 egg yolks
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon powdered mustard
1/8 teaspoon sugar
pinch cayenne pepper
4 to 5 teaspoons lemon juice or white vinegar
1-1/2 cups vegetable oil or olive oil
4 teaspoons hot water

Preparation:

(I mixed it in the bowl or my Kitchen-Aid, but you can do it as easily in a food processor or blender) Beat yolks, salt, mustard, sugar, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of the lemon juice in a small bowl until very thick and pale yellow. Add 1/4 cup oil, drop by drop, beating vigorously all the while. Add another teaspoon of lemon juice and 1/2 cup oil in a light stream. Then repeat (1 tsp lemon juice - 1/4 cup oil in a fine, steady stream) twice. (total oil in so far - 1-1/4 cups) After beating in the last 1/4 cup oil - add the warm water little by little until it reaches the consistency you like (I used the full 4 teaspoons and think I will add more next time)

Can't We Just All Get Along?

2008-11-04T07:24:00.001-08:00

I voted early this year. During the Presidential Primaries - my husband and I waited in line for an hour and a half to cast our votes. We didn't want to do that again so we got early ballots. I'm sure that who and what I voted for are really no secret. I am a conservative gal with a conservative background. While I really wished Mitt would have won the primary in Arizona just to show the country that not all Arizonans love John McCain, I support McCain for president.

I also support Sarah Palin for Vice President, I think she is a rock star. She has consistently stood up for what she believes even when she had to cross her own party to do it. I don't really think the argument of her (lack of) experience holds water, she has all kinds of life experience and leadership experience. I do believe that 24 hours from now or a week, a month or a year from now, whether she is Vice President or not- we have not seen the last of her.

This election has been a great learning experience for my children. They have had the chance to "vote" in their schools and we have taken the opportunity to talk to our kids about the propositions that are on the ballot. On Halloween, however, Morgan learned about politics in a different way. As mentioned yesterday, Morgan dressed as Sarah Palin. At some doors she was greeted warmly with "I'm voting for you" and "I think you are great". At other doors people took her picture or told her how much she really does resemble Sarah Palin. Sadly, at some doors she was not greeted very kindly, including one group of people sitting on their driveway handing out candy who said "Republicans are not welcome here" and then didn't give her any treats. She is a child for heaven's sakes! She is not a politician! When that happened I was wishing that Kelly B's husband Jake was still walking with me so that I could have sicked him on them for breaking a girl's heart.

I really will be glad when all of this over and there can be some peace restored. I read this quote today on the Millennial Star blog. "I’m not an Obama fan, particularly, but a lot of people I like and respect are. To treat Obama as something evil or subhuman would not only be disrespectful toward Obama, but toward them. Instead, I hope that if Obama is elected, their assessment of his strengths will turn out to be right, and mine will turn out to be wrong. Likewise, those who don’t like John McCain or Sarah Palin might reflect that by treating Palin and McCain as obviously evil and stupid, they’re disrespecting tens of millions of their fellow Americans who feel otherwise."

Truer words...

Halloween

2008-11-03T12:14:00.000-08:00

I have four kids. Only two of them went trick-or-treating. That has seriously cut down my candy consumption this year. I saw plenty of teenagers out doing the deed on Halloween (including a group of teenage girls who dressed up as "unwed mothers" with the pillow in their teeny-tiny tank tops) - why did my kids all of a sudden decide they were too big? Thank goodness for the younger two!

May I present Sarah Palin:

People tell Morgan all of the time that she looks like Sarah Palin, all we did was put her hair up in a clip, amp up the make up a little bit and print out a campaign sticker.

Nicole was a Corpse Bride:

Courtney made Nicole's costume, did her make-up, did her hair and took her outside for a Halloween photo shoot. That definitely is an advantage to having teenagers! I did not spend one red cent on costumes this year!

Stake Conference

2008-11-02T17:33:00.000-08:00

Some of you may have been getting worried that I was going to fail on my pledge to blog everyday on this, only the 2nd day! But I am here.

Today we attended our Stake Conference. It was being broadcast from Salt Lake to 88 stakes in Arizona. It was pretty amazing that this broadcast that has been scheduled for 18 months as a trial thing turned out to be two days before an election that is crucial here in Arizona. Long before any of us had heard about proposition 102, the Lord knew that we would need to hear from some General Authorities that we need to do all that is in our power to save the sanctity of marriage.

Elder Bruce C. Hafen, Sister Margaret Lifferth, Elder Jay Jensen and President Boyd K. Packer all spoke to us. They all kind of had stuff to say about Arizona. Not all of it was complimentary - mostly in the form of pioneer stories of those that came to the dried out desert and thought it impossible to actually live here. Elder Hafen quoted someone saying something to the effect of the United States had gone to war with Mexico and gotten Arizona and they were just waiting to go to war with them again so they could give it back.

There were wonderful stories about Pres. Spencer W. Kimball who lived in Arizona until he was called to be an apostle. I was especially touched when Sister Lifferth (a member of the General Primary Presidency) asked all of the primary children to stand and repeat the 1st Article of Faith. She said "are you standing in Mesa? Are you standing in Show Low? Are you standing in Holbrook?" and all of a sudden I could just imagine the children standing all over Arizona repeating that Article of Faith together.

The best part about Stake Conference is sitting together as a family and seeing so many friends from other wards all together to be edified and built up. The worst part is arriving 35 minutes early, hoping to secure some soft seats only to land in the hard ones and sit there for an extra 35 minutes!

NaBloPoMo

2008-11-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

I'm going to do it! To help me overcome my strange feelings about blogging (you know, how it feels like homework sometimes, how you feel guilty when you haven't posted in a while, how I totally love it and totally hate it at the same time) I have joined the National Blog Posting Month movement and I will post EVERYDAY in November. I will. It may not be pretty but I will do it.
I invite all of you to share in my misery and do it too!

Today, November 1st, is the birthday of three of my favorite people! First, my sister Susan. She doesn't blog - and even when I e-mail her and tell her that I wrote about her on my blog, she may not ever see this. But I am going to tell you about her anyway. Susan is 14 years older than me, she left home when I was young and got married when I was 7. I spent a lot of my growing up years at her apartment, helping her wash dishes, watching her decorate cakes and just hanging out. She was a good mom to me, when I felt like my own mom didn't understand me, Susan always did. She excused my absences (sluffs) from school, let me bring my friends over to her place and didn't care if I ate entire cans of black olives from her pantry.

When I was 10, Susan gave birth to my niece Deidra on November 1st. It has always been so fun to celebrate with Susan and Deidra on their special day. They have made the most of their shared day, going to all of the places that give you free stuff on your birthday. They see movies for free on this day, get donuts and free lunches. Deidra is getting married in a few weeks and I have loved being able to share time with her as she is preparing for her big day. Deidra was always my little buddy, just like I was to her mom - I hauled her around with me everywhere. I dressed her up, took her pictures and carried her around like she was my baby doll.

The third person who shares this day is my friend Shannon. She never updates that blog by the way! Shannon and I met seven years ago in the mother's lounge at the church when we were both nursing our babies. We got to talking about our kids and realized that we had older girls the same age - those two girls have become best friends, as well as the two girls we were nursing that day. We both had kids in Montessori elementary schools and shared a lot of the same views on schooling. We became fast friends. Shannon sees me at 5:30 every morning in my bad moods, bad hair and bad pajamas as we take our morning walks - but those 2 miles every morning are an important part of my day and I really miss them when we don't go.

I hope all three of you lovely ladies have a great day today!!

All of My Excuses...

2008-10-27T15:35:00.000-07:00

This is so lame that I haven't blogged in so long. First, the keyboard wasn't working and I didn't have time to go get a new one. I was packing and cleaning like a mad woman - because - Second, we decided kind of last minute to go to Utah during the kid's fall break. I had to clean because while I was gone, my niece had her bridal shower at my house.

I have to post a few pictures of the trip, then I will feel caught up and then I can get back to my non-relevant blogging. The weather was so great, it wasn't too cold. We got to see all of Alan's grandparents and Aunts, Uncles and cousins. And I got to spend some time with my BFF Nicole.

For your viewing pleasure:

Cousins
Silverlake (?) at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Whitnee, we just love this little girl.

Sydnee and Haylee, Whitnee's big sisters - we love them too!

Nicole asleep in the back seat on the way home.

Winner! and Conference...

2008-10-07T10:06:00.000-07:00

Last night for our Family Home Evening Activity - after Root Beer Floats - I put the names of the commenters from the last post in to a Tupperware bowl and Nicole picked out:

jt - Jane from This is Us

Jane, I'm pretty sure you already get Family Fun Magazine, since I WON MY SUBSCRIPTION FROM YOU! So, if you want to get Paper Crafts Magazine or maybe a Sonic gift card - just let me know.

Thanks to everyone for your money saving advice. I especially loved Nicole's advice to only shop at Wal-Mart where you can buy lots of fun things like craft supplies, underwear etc... and it will all look like groceries in the check register. We are in a major financial crack down over here and I was going to post about how I am trying to support my husband and be frugal and all that but it is too depressing to think about/write about so I changed my mind. I'm not going to do it. I mean I'm not going to write about it - I still have to do it. Budgeting sucks.

So, lets talk about conference instead. I loved it. I needed it. I'm so glad I watched all of it. It was much better than Cats, I'm going to see it again and again. [painfully old SNL sketch] Saturday morning, my Mission President, Neil L. Anderson, spoke. His address really spoke to me and lifted me up. His voice is so familiar to me [and I have been home for a really long time] that as soon as he started talking - I felt the spirit.

He said that we don't need to know everything - we know enough. I really do feel like I know enough. I know that God lives and I know that he loves me. That is enough. I know that God wants me to succeed. That is enough. I know that when I do all that I can do, our Heavenly Father will take over. That is enough.

President Anderson also told us that faith is not just a feeling, it is a choice. I tell my kids all of the time that happiness is a choice - but I really needed to be reminded that faith is a choice as well. I can choose to have faith or I can do it on my own. President Hinckley described it like an airplane - it can run on one engine but it is much more efficient with two. We can do things by ourselves, but we can be more effective if we let the Lord help us.

I also loved when Pres. Anderson told us that as we have moments of "spiritual power", moments of revelation that we should store them up like food storage to be used when we need them. I am storing up all of the feelings I had during conference while listening to the prophet of God speak, while being moved by the beautiful music and by the inspiring words of all of the General Authorities so that I can draw on them when I need to.

Which talks are you storing up? What was your favorite?

Give Oh Giveaway... Sans Exclamation Points

2008-10-01T08:55:00.000-07:00

The top row of my keyboard is on the Fritz... Only 5,6,- and = work. I can't type out my e-mail address or use exclamation points. I didn't realize how much I use that little key. I think I use exclamation points more than I use periods. So this post might be a little bit of a downer. Just plain old periods at the end of each sentence. Maybe I will throw in a question mark now and then to spice things up.

About a year ago, I was checking out all of the blogs on Kelly B's sidebar. Kelly B is an uber cool blogger in my ward. One of the blogs I started stalking was her sister-in-law Jane. Jane is fantastic as well - and last year she had a little give away. She gave away a subscription to Family Fun magazine and I won. I used to subscribe to Family Fun back when my kids were younger - we have loved having it again so much this year. My teenagers have been all over the experiments and fun things in the magazine. Here are some pictures that they took using a tip they found in the magazine. You just put a colored post-it note over the flash. It is awesome. Devon in Green [the instructions said a dark room works best - so that is why all of these are in the downstairs bathroom]Scary Nicole in Hot Pink.Morgan in Orange.Courtney during her Blue Period.

Devon and Courtney thought they were going to be tricky and put a pink post-it on half of the flash and a blue one on the other half - thinking that it would turn out half pink and half blue. Instead it is a little bit purple.

Anyway, my subscription is running out and I am going to renew it as well as gift one to one of you. That is right - I am giving you the opportunity to have these same good times. Just leave me a comment before Monday morning [10/5] with some money-saving advice for my next post and I will have a drawing for the winner sometime on Monday. Do it. [Please, don't put "stop giving away magazine subscriptions" as your money-saving advice]

News Flash: I got another great offer in the mail today - if you don't want Family Fun magazine I will send you my other favorite magazine {after the Ensign of course} Paper Crafts. When I draw a winner, you can let me know which one you prefer.

The afore-mentioned Kelly B is also having a give away on her blog for this fabulous t-shirt. Go leave her a comment for your chance to win. Do it.

I love the green jello mold detail.

There is one more give away I want to tell you about. A new website is giving away 24 great handbags in a couple of weeks. One bag every hour to celebrate the opening of their on-line store. You can choose the bag that you want to be drawn for. I chose this one:

Go sign up but pick a different bag so that my chances to win this one will be better. Do it.

Continuing Education From Blog Reading

2008-09-27T07:13:00.000-07:00

Today while I was reading my blogs I had to Google two things. First while reading this blog, I had to find out what was going on with Kirby Heyborne. Turns out he was in a Miller Lite commercial and people recognized him from his R.M. and Sons of Provo days and made a big stink. I got all involved in reading the comments from one Mormon forum to another. Some people were really fired up about it, others remember Gordon Jump from WKRP playing a drunk and remember that it is just acting.

The most valuable bit of education I got was while reading this post about bras. As has been established here on my blog, I believe in good support for the sisters. So, when this word Wacoal popped up I had to find out what it was. Hallelujah! I am so glad I did. I've got one coming my way via UPS next week! I can't wait.

The internets are full of information people!

Shadow A Student Day

2008-09-24T14:47:00.000-07:00

Today I lived through a (half) day of Junior High. It was the annual Shadow a Student Day at the Middle School where three fourths of my children attend. I spent most of the day with the youngest of the three, attending 7th grade Social Studies, Science, Girl's Choir and Language Arts and Gym. Then I went to Student Council with Courtney. Devon didn't really want me around. Can't say that I blame him.

I did learn a few things:

I don't think I could make it through a whole day of Junior High again. 30 minute class times on this special schedule were just about all I could take. I came home and took a nap.
Junior High gives me a headache.
There is a huge range of boys in the 7th grade; those who wear too much cologne, those who don't shower, those who look like they should be in 2nd grade and those who look like they should be in 12th grade.
Some Junior High boys are not afraid to say sexist remarks to girls right in front of their moms.
When did the teachers get so young? When I was in Junior High, all of my teachers were ancient.

At least I did not have a repeat of last year. Junior High is embarrassing enough!

Young At Heart

2008-09-22T13:33:00.001-07:00

This is not another blog post of me moaning about how old I am. Although, I could totally write one right now. Yesterday at choir practice a friend was complaining about being old, her 2nd daughter is getting married in two months, then she told me she just turned 41. Like I was supposed to feel sorry for her for being "so old". Whatev.

This Young at Heart post is about the most awesome movie that I watched over the weekend. I loved it.

It is a documentary about a choir of senior citizens (the average age is 80) from Massachusetts. They have traveled the world doing shows. They sing rock songs from The Talking Heads, The Clash and James Brown to name a few.

I laughed and I cried. My favorite part was when a former choir member who left after having a heart attack, returned and sang "Fix You" from Coldplay at one of their shows. I bawled my eyes out. He reminded me a lot of my dad.

Do yourself a favor and rent it.

I can't get the trailer to load here on the blog, but you can go here and watch it.

Heard In My Car Today...

2008-09-15T09:23:00.000-07:00

During carpool, while listening to the ABBA Gold CD. My daughter sang her version of Take A Chance On Me...

"If you change your mind,
I'm the first in line,
Ally Oxen Free-
Take a chance on me..."

Too much hide and seek going on in our house.

Remembering...

2008-09-11T09:17:00.000-07:00

I know there will be lots of September 11th posts today. I just want to put my little one up. Our flag is flying in front of our house right now. Our house that we have lived in for exactly seven years today.

We closed on this house in the evening of September 10th, 2001. We slept here that night on new beds we had delivered on that date. We woke up early on September 11th, 2001 so that we could enroll the three older kids in their new school and then get busy unpacking our moving truck.

While I was in the school office, parents were coming in hysterical and pulling their kids out of school. I had no idea what was going on. My kids teachers had already taken my kids to their classes but other teachers were coming up to the office asking the principal if they should tell the kids what had happened. I kept asking myself "what has happened?" but I had a nursing baby that I needed to get back to so I left. While I was driving home, my sister called me and told me that our country was being attacked and that I needed to get to a TV right away.

I called home and told Alan to unload one of our TVs and get it plugged in. When I got home we sat on the stairs (no furniture) and watched the news with tears streaming down our faces. We didn't unpack anything that day and when I had to go pick up the kids from school I tried to explain to them what had happened. I think that seven years later they are finally understanding what really happened that day.

That day I talked to everyone in my extended family and told them that I loved them. That day I prayed and prayed and prayed. That day I really understood what "terrorists" were and why they are called that. That day as I watched my husband play with our kids I cried for all of the kids whose daddies wouldn't come home. That day I realized that in the eternal scheme of things, a brand new home isn't all that important.

Rick Rolling

2008-09-10T15:57:00.001-07:00

You have probably heard of the Rick rolling phenomenon. You can read about it here.

I think it is hilarious but I don't work in a cubicle. I think that is the aim of most of these kinds of things. I am a stay at home Mom so when funny things pop up on my computer it is okay. No one is going to look at me and wonder why I am playing 80s music really loud at my desk. Good thing, because I do that all of the time.

Someone with a lot of time on their hands made this video in the Rick Rolling spirit. I had to share.

Back on the Wagon

2008-09-09T08:41:00.000-07:00

I have been off of the blogging wagon for a little while. There have been so many important things happening in the world that I have felt like I didn't really have anything important to say. I've been so moved by so many things going on that I have felt like blogging about birthdays and trips and recipes is so insignificant. But I am back at it.

First a word about the Nielsons. I have known the extended Nielson family since Jr. High. I went to school with Christian's older brother Peter and his sister Alice. Their oldest sister, Debbie, is in my ward now. My younger brother dated their sister Helena. They are an amazing family that has already endured the loss of one sister, Charity, to a brain tumor. My heart goes out to their entire family. I wish I could afford to do more for their recovery, I am keeping all of them in my prayers.

I have read the Nie Nie Dialogues for a while and at times have felt so insecure but have decided that one thing I can do is try to be more like her. I will cherish motherhood moments more. I will let my kids use my good scrapbook things for their projects. I will relish my time with Mr. Ridd. I will make my home a haven for my family and those who come to visit. I will probably not wear red lipstick but I will try harder to be more presentable.

Second, a word about politics. I've never been a John McCain fan - Never - and he's from Arizona - but I am becoming a Sarah Palin fan. The more I hear about what she has done with and for the state of Alaska, the more I like her. I read Scribbit, a motherhood, craft, recipe blog written by Michelle who lives in Alaska. She has shared her insight here and here. I think I like what I see and I think that my Morgan looks a little bit like her.

Another word about politics, if you live in Arizona, check out this website about proposition 102. It has so much information. If you live somewhere else and your state is taking on same sex marriage, I encourage you to read this document put out by my church and join the coalition to preserve the sanctity of marriage.

These are the things that have been occupying my mind and limiting my desire to blog. These things - and my husband's birthday. I have been loathe to post about Alan's day and include his picture because when you see this picture you will undoubtedly see the candles on the cake. If you have been reading my blog for a while or if you know me and know how old I am, you will see the candles on the cake and know that I married a younger man. I am a cradle robber. At our wedding dinner my dad told everyone that I met Alan while I was babysitting him. That is not true. He is my younger brother's best friend and I met him when I had to drive him home because he wasn't old enough to drive. That is a lot different.

Alan hates birthday partys. He never wants me to invite anyone over, he never wants to go out to eat for fear I will have the waiters bring over a cake or something. So we had a quiet dinner at home - creamy chicken piccata pasta and an ice cream cake for dessert. I feel like every year on Alan's birthday I should send his mom flowers to thank her for raising such a good boy that turned in to the incredible man that I married. I couldn't be more thankful to her or FOR him.

Brace Face

2008-08-19T17:17:00.000-07:00

Dr. Glauser is an awesome orthodontist. My kids love him. His office is fun - he has video games in the waiting rooms and PSP's for the kids to play while in the chairs in the back. He is funny, rides dirtbikes and has cool cars. Every time we go, we take special note of what car is parked in Dr. Glauser's spot. He has a few different ones.

I'm pretty sure I have made several of his car payments and maybe a few mortgage payments as well. We are on our third set of braces over here - I think I deserve a parking place with my name on it. As soon as we get one out of braces another one goes on.

Courtney's beautiful smile was revealed in June.

Nicole's two front teeth came in really crazy. She now sports two little brackets that will straighten them out in preparation for more braces later on.

The Greatest Camping Trip That Wasn't or All of The Work and None of The Fun

2008-08-18T10:30:00.000-07:00

I'm okay with camping...now. See, we have this really great trailer that hauls all of our stuff, it has two queen sized beds, two twin beds, a bathroom with a toilet and shower and a full on kitchen with fridge, freezer and convection oven. Camping is not as much work as it used to be.

But it is still a lot of work. Most of the work is before the trip; hooking up the trailer in the front yard so that the fridge can cool down, filling the water tanks and packing up all of the stuff that we will need.

(The trailer, sitting in front of our house, where it sat long enough I'm pretty sure we will be getting a letter from our HOA)

Then you have the unloading after the trip is over. Most of the food is eaten so there is less to carry back in to the house, but the clothes are filthy and usually stink like camp fire.

Camping is all about what comes in between those two chores - all of the fun is after you get to the mountains. Food tastes better eaten outside, the kids are having a blast and I can usually get some really good reading done in between short jaunts on the motorcycles. I love this part of camping vacations.

Last weekend we decided we needed to get away from this blasting heat and hit the high country. Alan was recently released from his Bishopric calling and so we felt like we could rebel a little and take an entire weekend. We haven't done much camping in the last year or so because it is really too much work to do for only one day.

Last Thursday we picked up our trailer and made all of the preparations. I packed everything up on Friday, Alan got home early and loaded the motorcycles and all of the heavy equipment. We were on the road less than 30 minutes after the kids got home from school.

And we were back home about an hour later.

About 20 miles out of town, we noticed smoke coming from the rear wheels of the Suburban. One of the brakes engaged and wouldn't release. We pulled in to the parking lot at the river to let it cool down. The kids walked down and put their feet in the water. Yippee! That was their fun for the weekend.

All of that work preparing and we had to come home and unload everything. The kids cried a few tears. And let's be honest - I did too. We are hoping to give it another go here soon.

Back to School!

2008-08-15T08:51:00.000-07:00

I know I am a little bit late posting this, but I was having a hard time uploading my pictures, and what is a 'back to school' post without pictures?

Boring.

(I know it is weird that our Welcome sign is hanging on the inside of the house, but it has been really windy at night and the sound of that banging on the front door scares me)

This year was momentous for Morgan. She started Junior High! She is a big 7th grader! She was nervous and there were all kinds of shenanigans getting her registered so she didn't get her schedule until the night before school started. She didn't get her first choice for an elective, she wanted Drama (surprised?) but ended up with Girl's Choir and she is happy with that. She only has one teacher that one of the older kids had. I'm kind of glad, I would like for her to just be Morgan and not Devon or Courtney's little sister. She is such a special girl, watching her walk to the gates of the Jr. High made LOTS of salty tears spring up. I just want her to be happy.

Courtney is in 8th grade. She is taking all of the Honors courses available, orchestra and Student Council. It is funny to me how much Courtney has blossomed. When she started kindergarten, I never thought she would make it, I was sure we would have to home school her because she was so painfully shy. I'm so proud of the young woman she is becoming.

Devon is also in 8th grade and also taking all Honors courses. His two electives this year are Spanish 2 and Introduction to Business. He has had more homework from his electives than from his regular classes. That is the kind of boy he is, he takes school very seriously and works hard. He is also hoping to make the basketball team and do well in football and track.
What are the chances of having three kids in a 2 year middle school? I wish that they were all best friends but I know that they keep pretty far away from each other at school. They all have loads of friends. I know it won't be long until Devon is dating his sister's friends and vice-versa.

These two pictures make me laugh, they were taken in the car by my friend Shannon - her daughter, Samantha, is on the left in the back seat and is in 8th grade as well.
Morgan looks so happy to be going to school and the other 3 look bored, mad, tired and NOT excited to be going to school!

The Junior High kids started school on August 6th. Nicole didn't start until Monday, August 11th. She really enjoyed those few days of just being with Mom. Nicole is in 2nd grade and has a new teacher, Miss O'Grady. She has her two best girlfriends in her class, Andrea and McKenzie. I don't know if that is good or not, I guess time will tell!

On the 2nd day, Nicole wanted to get her picture taken in front of the door again. In fact, we have done it every day since school started. I'm getting quite a collection.

I Want to Move to Greece

2008-08-07T11:16:00.000-07:00

Look at this beach!
I want to live here and swim in the ocean every day.
I would eat olives and feta cheese and pita bread.
I would yell OPA! Whenever I broke something.
I would jog in the sand and think of the Chariots of Fire music.

I went and saw Mamma Mia last night with my friends Pam, Deana, Heather and Shannon.

I know everyone else saw it two weeks ago but we were busy.

It was worth the wait.

I already knew I like the music.

Who doesn't love ABBA?

Those songs brought back so many memories.

I remember being in Oklahoma at my Grandma's ranch, sitting

in my cousin's station wagon. They were from Dallas and they were the only

girl cousins I really had.

We would sit in their station wagon and listen to their ABBA eight tracks.

(please don't with the old lady jokes)

They were older than me and I thought they were so cool with their Texas accents and their deodorant.

Not just any deodorant but the awesome Tickle deodorant with the colorful lids.

That deodorant was the perfect microphone.

I loved the song I Have a Dream.

It was sung in the movie by Sophie played by this darling girl, Amanda Seyfried.

But let's be honest.

The whole move was all about Pierce Brosnin for me.

He is so handsome.

James Bond, Thomas Crown, Remington Steele. Hello? He is beautiful.

He wasn't the greatest singer.

But looking at him made it all okay.

I really loved the movie. All of it.

He may have been my favorite part.

Let's see another picture.

Okay, back to the music.

If I can't get Alan and another couple to dress up like Abba for Halloween, then I am going to force two of my friends to dress up like Donna and the Dynamos with me.

I couldn't find any pictures of them from the movie but I found this awesome shot of them from the play.

At the end of the movie, Donna and the Dynamos bust out with Dancing Queen.

That was all the cue we needed.

Led by Deana, a true dancing queen, we stood and danced for everyone in the theater.

People laughed but then some stood and joined us.

It was awesome.

Speaking of awesome.

While looking for pictures for this post. I ran across several from the movie premiere.

Colin Firth is in the movie as well.

His wife wore a yellow smiley face dress to the premiere.

Just in case you were looking for a Halloween costume too.

Tagged!

2008-08-05T16:10:00.000-07:00

My friend Gina tagged me for this meme. Gina is a great person and an amazing photographer. If you have never checked out her blog you should!

Three JOYS: (I'm skipping the family, faith route - you already know I love them and they bring me more joy than I deserve!)

1. Hearing babies laugh. Nothing is better or more contagious than little tyke laughter.

2. Clean sheets! I love slipping into the bed when the sheets smell like the dryer.

3. Finding a bargain. The thrill of the markdown. My kids are so well trained that when we enter a store in the mall, they walk right to the back where they know the clearance is set up.

Three FEARS:

1. Something traumatic happening to one of my kids and I won't have the where with all to do something like call 911 or apply pressure to the bleeding. I wasn't home when Devon shattered his leg into 17 pieces - I think if I had been (well, he wouldn't have been jumping down the entire flight of stairs if I had been) I would have fainted or maybe just died of heart failure.

2. The world having too much influence on my children. All of this back to school stuff makes my stomach hurt. (And not because I spent almost $150 on school supplies yesterday)

3. Disappointing someone I love.

Three GOALS:

1. Lose 25 more pounds.

2. Do my visiting teaching every month - and do it right.

3. Fix my kids a decent breakfast before school.

Three current OBSESSIONS or COLLECTIONS:

1. Scrapbook paper. I hardly ever scrapbook anymore but I can't stop buying the paper!

2. This terrible series of YA fiction books that I am too embarrassed to even say the name of. I am so caught up that when the next one in the series was not available at the library - I went to THREE bookstores to find it.

3. Diet Rite Zero. Zero calories, zero sugar, zero sodium and zero caffeine. I am adding a warning however, if you are thinking of picking some up. There is something in the make up of either the soda or the can that makes it prone to exploding in the fridge. I have to be careful that the cans don't get pushed to the back.

Three RANDOM FACTS: (like you don't already know everything about me)

1. I served a mission in the South of France and I teach French at the elementary school that my kids attend. I have been home more years than I care to admit and my French is pretty elementary at this point.

2. I have a pretty impressive collection of Eiffel Towers chez moi.

3. I love French cheeses - but I prefer Belgian chocolates. Go to a Leonidas (San Tan Mall for locals) and try it out - you will never darken the door of Sees again. Leonidas used to be available only in Europe. I brought a huge box home from France. It was summer time and I was scared that the chocolates wouldn't make it- even in my carry on. The nice owners of the little Leonidas in San Tropez carefully wrapped my jumbo box in plastic and wet newspapers to keep the candy cool. It worked!

Breaking Dawn

2008-08-05T06:33:00.000-07:00

Surprise! I'm doing a Breaking Dawn post!

Friday night, my friend Shannon and I took our daughters to Borders Books to participate in the festivities surrounding the release of the book.

We watched some of the shenanigans and then found a nice quiet place to sit and wait for it to be midnight.

Courtney's other BFF, Rachel showed up with her mom and joined our crew in the corner. We had all gone to the bookstore earlier in the day to pick up wristbands that would allow us to buy the book. We had numbers in the low 100's so we were pretty confident that we would get our book by a decent time and get out of there.

Super excited teenage girls

I was oh so wrong.

Around 11:30 they announced that the 300+ people who had come in to the store before July 25th to reserve a book would be getting their books first.

We watched as the books were wheeled out of the back room at a few minutes before midnight and then sat down to wait for them to start calling out the wrist band numbers. We waited and waited some more.

The nice moms. We are so nice that the pregnant one is sitting on the floor while the other two get footstools.

By 1:00 we were ready to pack it in. We surveyed the proceedings and determined that it would be at least another hour before we were allowed to purchase our books so we did what a SMART person would have done all along and what we wished we would have done an hour earlier.

We went to Wal-Mart. We walked right in, picked up the books and checked out. It took 2.5 minutes from leaving our car to swiping the card.The girls with their books in Wal-Mart (nice photo op in front of the men's restroom)

We were home by 1:15 a.m. Courtney and I read off and on Saturday. We tried not to read on Sunday. I finished the book early yesterday morning.

It was good.

Part of me is just glad the whole thing is over. I'm glad I read them. I have all four books. I may even read them all again at some point. Honestly, I think I lost the will to love them when my daughter and all of her teenage friends started to love them so much.

You have to check out this post Courtney made on her blog. When I told her that I thought that she could do something more appropriate on her Sabbath Day then sit in her room and read, she took pictures of her younger sister as a vampire. She colored her eyes in the appropriate colors etc...

My 15 Minutes

2008-07-31T15:46:00.000-07:00

If I were searching for blogging fame (which I totally am by the way hee hee) then I would consider doing a guest post on a really big famous blog to be the pinnacle of success.

I wrote up a review of my favorite show and it is posted at Mormon Mommy Wars here. Please leave lots of adoring comments.

What We've Been Doing

2008-07-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

These last few days have been Crazy - in a good way. We are winding down our summer and getting geared up for school. Every year around this time we spend a day back to school shopping at Arizona Mills Mall in Tempe. The mall itself is like a race track - one very large oval. If you just walk the oval in a straight line it is exactly a one mile loop. I wore my pedometer and we actually walked four and a half miles in that mall! I try and get everything done and bought in one fell swoop. We were not as successful as in years past - but we did okay. Devon didn't want to go with us so it was girls only shopping. I took Devon out yesterday to get him what he wanted/needed.

tired girls at the mall

Alan was in Los Angeles this week during the earthquake. He e-mailed me a very cryptic message knowing that I would freak out before he called and let me know that everything was fine. On a related note, when he is out of town - we are complete slobs. We don't clean, we don't eat regular meals - it is bad news. I'm glad he doesn't travel that often.

Last weekend our ward had an awesome water party / barbecue. Everyone got soaked and soggy. The firemen came and let the kids spray the hose at each other - they loved that. Alan was completely dry until the very end. I was talking to a family that just moved in to our ward and he asked how Alan had managed to stay dry. I explained that Alan was using his position in the Bishopric as his weapon - he was threatening all of the youth with promises of talking in church every Sunday for a month if they got him wet. This wonderful new brother in our ward went and got a hose and told Alan that since they were new they expected to have to speak in church anyway and then turned the hose full on Alan! I laughed really hard.

I lifted this picture from Valerie's blog. The water coming from that young man's hands in a green soda bottle is about to land right in my lap.

We have been having amazing summer monsoon storms. Over the weekend we sat on our back porch and watched an endless show of lightening. We never got the rain but we enjoyed the show.

My daughter Courtney and I are preparing for the release of Breaking Dawn tomorrow night. We have both re-read the series and are planning to nap Friday afternoon so we can attend the release party at Borders and then stay up all night reading the book. I told her she has to buy her own copy or wait until I'm done. She opted for her own copy. Will anyone be blogging on Saturday or will everyone be reading?

My Wii Age

2008-07-26T09:08:00.000-07:00

Last night I aged 10 years! For real! We went to my brother's house for a fun game night. He has every video game imaginable and his kids have amazing hand - eye coordination. For the record, I don't.

He has this game/workout thing called Wii Fit. When you are creating your little Wii person you stand on this board and put in your vital information. It weighs you and then compiles the data that you have entered - your height, age, etc... and gives you some random balance tests. I found out that my balance is way off target and that I lean completely to the left and backwards. I lean so far to the left that I may be changing my vote come November. hee hee

Alan did it and of course his balance was perfect, his age was only 2 years off and he immediately became the 'Yoga Master'. My age came back 10 years older than I am and I really couldn't do any of the challenges. I even sucked at the hula hooping challenge and I am good at hula hoops!

If you play it a lot and your balance improves - your Wii age will improve - as will the looks of your avatar. Mine started out pretty round but she got a little bit of a waist before I gave up. I don't even like video games and I have never wanted my kids to get too involved in them - but now I totally want a Wii and Wii Fit. I think I would like that hunky virtual trainer to whip me into shape!

Mosaic Meme

2008-07-21T12:20:00.000-07:00

Questions and Answers:

1. What is your first name? Jolene

2. What is your favorite food? Sushi

3. Where did you go to High School? Mesa High

4. What is your favorite color? Red

5. Who is your celebrity crush? Harry Connick Jr.

6. What is your favorite drink? Diet Rite Zero

7. What is your dream vacation? Tahitian Islands

8. What is your favorite dessert? Chocolate Mouse Cake

9. What do you want to be when you grow up? A Senior Missionary

10. What is one word to describe you? Progress

11. What do you love most in life? My husband and children

12. What is one of your hobbies? Reading

Your turn to jump on the bandwagon! Go ahead and make one of your own. Here's how:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions above into Flickr Search.

b. Using only the first page, pick an image.

c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

d. Save image to hard drive and post to blogger.

I'm Not Shear Genius

2008-07-18T11:18:00.000-07:00

I just recently (in the last 4 or 5 years)learned how to use a round brush and blow dryer efficiently. I was probably the last girl on my block to buy a flat iron and learn how to use it. I don't know much about hair products, nor do I use many of them. Usually when I go for my bi-annual cut and color (I know I need it after three months but then it typically takes me three more months to actually go and do it) the stylist will recommend a few things to help manage the mane. Sometimes I buy her recommendations, most of the time I don't.

This last time I got my haircut - I fell for it hook, line and sinker. And I'm glad I did. Dear Treslee the magician/stylist did wonders with my hair using this amazing spray wax. I have used wax products before but always felt like they were pulling my hair down or making it look greasy. And, I have never really been a fan of Paul Mitchell products - but this stuff is fabulous. A little spray of this stuff on the crown of my head and I can keep body and bounce where I need for two (sometimes three) days! Not two hours but two days! You absolutely can not see it in the hair, it is not stiff - I can comb through it - but I can feel it in there holding my hair where I want it. I love it.

May daughters and I have wasting a LOT of time at this website looking at hair cuts and hair styles. They all want a new look for school this year. This is the one I am shooting for sometime in the next year - after I am done losing all of my weight:

He's Home!

2008-07-14T21:45:00.000-07:00

I am such a wimp when my kids are away. Devon has been having the time of his life with his Uncle Will and Aunt Michelle but I am really glad he is home. After a week of riding his new dirt bike every day on our family vacation, he got to spend a little over a week in Santa Barbara golfing and surfing every day. They wrote a really nice post on their blog about him here. All of those things are true about our eldest - but I will say that they are true BECAUSE he didn't have any of his sisters there to fight with. He is a wonderful boy and a great brother, but he knows how to push those girl's buttons.

Devon is a pretty natural athlete. He does well in every sport he tries - but golf really is his love. He wants to play when ever he can. He especially loves his week in Santa Barbara receiving golf tips from his PGA Professional of an uncle. He also loves all of the swag he gets from Will. This year he got a new Taylormade Burner Driver, Taylormade rescue club, 52 degree wedge, and a putter. (He made me include the brand names - none of those things mean a thing to me.) He got two golf shirts, a windbreaker, new golf shoes, and a hat. All hand me downs from his uncle. He also got to work at the pro shop of the fancy schmancy country club where Will is the pro.

As his Mom, what I think Devon got out of his trip was an amazing bonding time with family, a sense of confidence in his abilities and an all around build up in self esteem. Michelle sent me a cd of pictures and videos that she took during the week and after every golf hit, you can hear Will or Michelle in the back ground saying, "good hit", "that was a nice one" or some other little piece of encouragement. Those kind of things go a long way and I can never thank Will or Michelle enough for that.

Here are some pictures and videos of our boy doing what he loves.

Devon told us the most hilarious story about a surfing adventure. Uncle Mike in Utah will be able to commiserate with Devon on this one. The art of changing into a wet suit on the side of the highway is learned by experience. It involves tying a towel around your waist and then stripping underneath the towel and putting the wet suit on. Devon was having a hard time keeping the towel up so his Uncle Will offered to hold the towel up to block the drivers from seeing anything while Devon got nekkid behind it. As soon as Devon was undressed, Will walked away.

Dinner and a Movie

2008-07-12T22:32:00.000-07:00

This weekend Alan and I saw the movie Hancock. I DO NOT recommend it. I was looking forward to it and I went in to it thinking it was going to be a cute, funny movie. Typically, I do some homework before I go see a movie in the theatre but I felt safe with a Will Smith movie for some reason. It was bad. The story was dumb, it was slow and there was so much CUSSING! I am not a prude or anything - I think a little swearing here and there is normal and can be therapeutic. Ask my kids. I just couldn't get over the non-stop profanity in this movie. It was too much. We did have a great dinner however and Alan told me that I looked foxy twice so the night was not a total loss.

This last week was almost a total loss however. I read all of the Twilight books again. I was such a sucker to think that I could just read the one and then stop. I had to finish. I was so disgusted with myself by the end though that I prepared my whole Relief Society lesson for next week. Did you know that Edward has a cold, hard body, or that his eyes are like topaz (or opals when he is hungry), or that Bella's heart beats irregularly when she is around him? Just checking, because it is only mentioned a few times in those books.

I did read two really good books in the last few days as well. I read Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe for our book club this week. The plot is a little slow, but the descriptions of life in the Igbo tribe in Africa are amazing. I enjoyed it.

I also read Sundays at Tiffanys by James Patterson this morning. It was so fast that I read the entire book in just a few hours. It was cute - about a woman who realizes that the love of her life is really the imaginary friend she had as a child.

I also recommend the movie New York Doll. Alan and I watched this documentary about former New York Doll's bassist Arthur "Killer" Kane who joined the church in 1989. It was so interesting and bizarre and touching at the same time.

The next book on my summer reading schedule is a totally saccharine novel by Jennifer Weiner called Certain Girls. I am balancing out my serious reads with some trash. Does anyone have any recommendations in either category?

Vacation Run Down

2008-07-10T16:53:00.000-07:00

I have put off doing a vacation run down because I have been totally run down since we returned from vacation. Our family trips each 4th of July to the cabin are the perfect vacation. We are not out trying to see everything or visit everyone like we do on other vacations. We are sleeping in, playing games, reading, relaxing and thoroughly enjoying ourselves. The only sad part about this year's trip was that there weren't very many of us. We were missing two of Alan's brothers and their families. I am not going to bore you dear reader with all of the details, instead, I am going to bore you with all of the glorious pictures!

The cabin. It is officially known as "Leavitt's Red Roof Inn" - that is one of my favorite things to do while we are there - is ride around and look at all the cabin names. There is one called "More Altitude, Less Attitude" (love that one) and then my favorite has two big stones at either side of the driveway - one says "Rock" and the other says "Hard Place".

My kids with their cousins at the creek. L to R - back row; Morgan, Courtney, Devon and Luc - front row; Whitnee, Nicole, Haylee and Sydnee. (you can click on the pictures to get a look at the kids up close - you know you want to!)
All of the cousins with Grandma and Grandpa after a ride down to the meadow.
The cousins on the 4th of July. Sydnee (on Courtney's lap) has a handful of flowers. She always did, she picked flowers everywhere we went. Nicole has every one's dead glow bracelets from the night before chained to her belt loop.
Our good friends Michael and Becci came up from Cedar City to ride with us one day.
The lake.

A typical afternoon, me reading a book, Grandma with some of the kids drawing and painting. This would be right before we all took naps.
He-man Devon holding the fallen trees up so all of the girls could pass under them.
Looking up the creek to the area that my kids call the "Sacred Grove".
Looking down the creek to the trail bridge. Maybe because I live in the low Arizona desert - I just can't get enough of the green or the trees! I love it!
My sister-in-law Jen with Whitnee, Nicole and Morgan. I need to do a whole post on how much I love Jen. She is Alan's only sister and she has been my sister for over 15 years now and I think she is fabulous! I wish we lived closer so that we could do more things together - she is fun and funny, a great mom and friend.

This is her husband Mike giving my youngest a pep talk before she takes off for a solo ride.

He did such a good job that she started riding with her feet.

Just keeping it real here - that is Alan with a REALLY dirty face after a long, dusty ride.

Lastly, I had to post this picture of Mike and Jen's youngest - Whitnee. Don't you think she looks like Shiloh Jolie-Pitt?

They're Here!

2008-07-07T22:09:00.001-07:00

Actually, we are back - no one is here. Just us! But we are home and I am up to my ears in laundry and messy house. I am also in a post-vacation funk. Why can't everyday be a day where the biggest decision is if we are going to get an ice cream cone or a shaved ice when we ride down to the village?

I will post some pictures and details of our awesome family vacation later. Right now I just want to brag that I have read (skimmed) almost 275 e-mails and checked (mostly) over 300 blog posts that came while I was gone. Some of you were very prolific over the last 10 days.

Blogging will be a priority this week, but I must tend to the afore-mentioned laundry and the fact that we have no food in the house. I am down one slave (he is in California with his Uncle and Aunt) and the remaining three think that the school clothes shopping has to start right now. I need to schedule more eye dr. appointments, register the middle child in Junior High, prepare a RS lesson, make new dentist appointment for the one we forgot about two weeks ago, schedule orthodontist appointment, go to the post office to pick up all of our held mail and make dinner for our neighbors. And, my 13 year old daughter convinced me to start reading the Twilight series again before the 4th book comes out next month. I don't know why those stupid books suck me in but they are doing it again and I may not get anything done this week.

Lets Talk About Support

2008-06-27T12:18:00.001-07:00

Not the kind of support you get from your husband or girlfriends. The kind of support that you need under your clothes. This is going to get a tiny bit personal so if you suffer type 2 embarrassment with these kinds of subjects you might not want to read on.

I got a wonderful new bra and I just want to bear testimony of the truthfulness of the bra fitters at Dillards. Yes, it was a little embarrassing and awkward to have someone measure my breasts. Yes, she saw my special Mormon underwear but yes, she had seen it before. I told her my desires in a bra, support on the sides as well as underneath, slightly padded so nothing embarrassing shows when I wear t-shirts and comfy straps. She took all of this information and left the dressing room and then came back with one bra for me try on.

It's true - she only brought me one bra and it was a perfect fit. It was a different size than I had been wearing but it was perfect. I told the nice bra fitting lady that she was a genius and shelled out the forty bucks! Now that I have worn it for a few days I am going back to get some more - my boobs are where they are supposed to be at last!

If that is too embarrassing for you - I have another option. http://www.zafu.com/ is an amazing resource for finding the perfect bra. It is how I found my last few bras. It tells you how to measure yourself, asks you what you want or need in a bra and then shows you where you can buy the perfect one for you. They do jeans too! It is a great place.

I have one more unnecessary detail of my life that I am going to share for the sake of full disclosure. I wear SPANX. I love them. When you have a soft tummy like mine, SPANX is the answer. It is not just an ordinary girdle but a slimmer that completely eliminates the "muffin top" you get when have a soft tummy and your jeans are a little tight in the waist.

Feel like you know me too well? Be careful, I have been known to lift up my shirt and show my friends when I get a new bra. Need to know more? E-mail me and I will tell you the brand name and the name of the nice lady at Superstition Springs Dillards.