My Mud Pies

Just FYI...

2011-08-02T07:42:00.000-07:00

OK, I know I haven't posted in a while, however, I wanted to let you know that Anthropologie is having a sale. I love these...

It Starts!

2011-02-01T05:25:00.000-08:00

We are supposed to have a blizzard today. Yep a true honest to goodness blizzard. The first in recorded history of my state. And since I have nowhere that I HAVE to be, I am pretty stoked! I will keep you posted.

Today's Update

2010-11-10T12:35:00.000-08:00

So, yesterday I woke up with a plan. Do you want to know what it was? OF COURSE YOU DO!

1. Get up 5am - read scriptures
2. 5:30am - study for online exam until 6:30 when I wake kids up
3. 6:30 make breakfast for aformentioned children
4. 7:15 hustle children out of door to bus after family prayer and kisses (picture June Cleaver?)
5. Continue to study and then take exam @ about 9am
6. Leave at 10:30am to go pick up my patient's information for tomorrow's clinical day
7. Get home from Hospital with paperwork information in hand and finish paperwork before children get off bus.
8. Make yummy dinner and then watch "Dancing With the Stars"after putting children to bed.

Now, lets all let out a wonderfully, relaxing, refreshing, "ahh..." Right?

OK now do you want to know how it actually went? Do you really? :)

1. 5:15am I am crawling out of bed - HOWEVER, JP is up...
2. 5:30am I have R's landscape plan spread out over the bed going over what plants need to be gotten today so that we can finish R's house this week - BEAUTIFUL WEATHER!
3. 6am - it's decided, I am going to leave as soon as the children get on the bus to head to our plant supplier 1.25 hours away to pick up plants for the R's job. JP is supposed to go to the R's town to pick up a concrete mixer and bring it back for another job he is doing in this beautiful week. As well as go to another two suppliers to get irrigation supplies that he needs for two other jobs he has.
6:45am - 7:15am kids are crying because they cannot find shoes, shirts (I am sure someone hid it mom! I know I put it in my drawer! - later found in the clean laundry basket), homework, etc...Cannot shove them out the door fast enough, the bus driver is waiting but not happy about it!
7:20 I am leaving for supply land to pick up all sorts of materials - I think it ended up to be three stops on that trip.
10:25am pull back into home...run inside, change into clinical scrubs, print my paperwork, grab a sandwich for "breakfast" and leave again back to the town I just came from.
11am - stop to pick up the irrigation supplies JP needs - he's probably not going to make it this direction today.
12:15-1:20pm gets patient information
1:30 pick up another plant for job and stop by Sam's for some milk.
2:00 Target to get a shirt for Ralphie for pictures today - oh and Audry really would like to try on some skinny jeans...
3:00pm - rushing home to get there in time to get kids ready for already mentioned pictures.
5pm pictures completed - now what for dinner?
7pm - sit down to take exam that I have not sufficiently studied for.
9pm - finished exam 83% :(
9-11:40pm preplanning paperwork...interesting read but so very tired!
12AM bed - just to get up at 5 again...

I think I am exhausted just thinking about it!

I know somehow this can work...I WILL BE ORGANIZED... I think I am going to have to make that my new mantra!

Today...

2010-11-08T20:09:00.001-08:00

Do you know what day it is? It's Monday, November 8, 2010. NOVEMBER 8th! Do you know what that means? That means, in four weeks I am done with another semester of school! BUT, that also means that IN ONLY FOUR WEEKS, I have two more quizes, two more exams, two finals, a 15 minute presentation, a Funeral Paper, a "Reflective Journal" and two "HESI" exams...oh, and did I mention....those two little things called Thanksgiving and Christmas?

Now, any sane woman would be bonkers at this point, right? However, if you know me, I am not sane, and so while washing dishes tonight, listening to my Ella Fitzgerald Station on Pandora, I decided...I am going to be organized. That's it. I am done being the crazy lady mom that my children know and love. I AM GOING TO BE ORGANIZED!!!

Last year, I was so busy with school that I didn't decorate until the 18th of December, and I have some awesome christmas decorations! This year? I never even broke out the Halloween Decorations. Who has time?

Magically, I do now - right?

I am making a plan...I will let you know when it is done...there is no time for that now.

Step One: Go to bed on time...wake up early and figure out step two...

Pretty Good Day

2010-08-05T22:10:00.001-07:00

It is 11:20pm where I live...right now.

JP and I just got home from a very long day working...

I get the mail and find a letter from my college of nursing - another bill?? :(

NO!!! :)

I got notice of a FAT scholarship that I was awarded for the coming school year that will enable me to NOT have to take extra classes to be full time and NOT have to get student loan money!!!

YEAH ME!!!

Thank you TT for your FANTASTIC letter of reference! You are my FAVORITE person for tomorrow.

Sorry but today it is reserved for the person who saw so wonderfully to award me that money.

TODAY, was a good day.

I feel so blessed!

On a side note...I LOVE THIS PICTURE OF JP and the Kids!

The View From Daddy's Truck

2010-07-16T06:28:00.000-07:00

This is the view from the driver's seat of JP's truck - to the backseat.

Can you even tell that they were wearing their seatbelts?

Family Shots...

2010-07-13T11:14:00.001-07:00

A few weeks (month?) ago was my mother's birthday and so we gathered at our childhood home from all over the country....heat, humidity, bugs and all! We had great fun...

The Sisters: M, H, ME!!! and C

The siblings...(L to R) baby sister H; little sister M; ME!!!; little brother S, baby brother D and older sister C.

Isn't this amazing...we were only missing three people, my JP, my sister M's hubby S, and my nephew C. who belongs to my older sister...

My Children

2010-07-11T11:53:00.000-07:00

Have I ever told you how much I love my children?
I do.
I am sure you already know that.
Have I ever told you how sometimes I get to remind myself how much I love them?
Usually with the mantra, "I love my children, I love my children, I love my children..."
You get the idea right?
Today I found this and it made me feel really good.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Ever Hear This From Your Five Year Old?

2010-07-10T13:22:00.001-07:00

"I AM SWEATING LIKE A SINNER IN CHURCH!"

Overheard from the back seat of the van on a hot day...
Thank you Princess and the Frog!

Have You Ever Had A Day...

2010-07-08T13:47:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a day when you found yourself making pancakes at 10:30 pm for dinner...

Then only to find that instead of batter being on the perfectly warmed skillet...

It is in your hair...
All down the front of your clothes...
Dripping from the ceiling (equaling new painting project~YEAH!?!)...

And on the floor in the kitchen...
And the floor in the dining room...
AND THE FLOOR IN THE LIVING ROOM?

Yep, that was me...

Sorry, no pictures - I couldn't see through my glasses which were covered in batter...

Sunshine OUT!

Simple Abundance

2010-07-02T09:13:00.000-07:00

I was so excited...

After last year's disaster with the field rats and my garden, I was so tickled to see that some of my plants from last year were growing.

I have a roma and some other kind of tomatoes growing from the seeds of fruit that I tossed to the side after the stupid rats ate half of it.

And I have the greatest crop of basil EVER. It grew back from last year....right?

SO...

Then I called a friend to ask what kind of herb I had and did she want some because my harvest was huge!!!

R. came over and said, "Uh, thats a weed..."

Can you hear my heart break?

I was so very excited - only to have it dashed....

Time to go pull some weeds.

On a more positive note...she did say that I looked different somehow...did I lose some weight? So, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE HER FOREVER - espicially since the weight is all still there! :) OH, and apparently Basil doesn't grow back - go figure! :)

Sunshine Out!

A Lesson in Economics (At Least Inflation!)

2010-04-29T19:41:00.000-07:00

Audry: "Ralphie, what would it take for you to give me your hamburger?"

Ralphie: "Um, $100.00"

Audry: "But I don't have $100.00"

Ralphie: "Then I guess you don't have a hamburger..."

Happy Spring!

2010-03-20T17:15:00.001-07:00

This is the first day of spring from my front porch...how is YOUR day?

You Just have to watch it...

2010-03-05T12:52:00.000-08:00

You just have to watch this...
Ralphie summed it up...
"That would DEFINATELY hurt if I tried that! And that...and that...and that...but the end was funny!"

He spent the rest of the day singing the beginning of the song!

Here's something you don't hear everyday....

2010-01-31T15:29:00.000-08:00

Ralphie: Dad, where are you going? Poopy pants world?

Daddy was going out to the trucks...

Hope you have a great week!

The "Some of the Family" Curse

2010-01-30T16:34:00.001-08:00

Can you tell me what happens when you have a family lineage of French and Italian? Besides the fun obvious, you have a HUGE chance of being just a little more hairy then other women... NOT ME OF COURSE, but I am sure there is someone out there...
Anyway, when my little Audry was born, she was so very hairy, I knew she was taking after my side of the family. She even had this sweet little patch on her lower back that a friend mistook for "an explosion" in Sacrament when she saw her dress up.
But why do I tell you this...will Audry hate me later?
Probably, but she is so beautiful she will let it slide right?
Goodness, I am digressing. This is my conversation with sweet 8 1/2 year old Audry...

Audry: "Mom, I really need to get these fixed"

Mom: "What fixed?"

Audry: "My unibrow"

Mom: "Who told you that you have a unibrow?" (Mom getting a little miffed at the kids at school...HOW DARE THEY!?)

Audry: "Can you not see it? I told my self I have one!"

Mom: "Where did you learn about unibrow's?"

Audry: "On TV, when can I get it fixed?"

So what do you think? Should I. I want to. I always swore that when she noticed her unibrow that I would help her get rid of it. NOT THAT IT BOTHERS ME...SHE IS GEORGEOUS and I tell her all the time. But I don't want her feeling self conscious. But then, where does it stop? I don't want my 8 1/2 year old shaving her legs...Oh the humanity!

New Background

2010-01-29T19:52:00.000-08:00

I know that this background is a little too...not quite me, but this is Audry down to the very last swirl and since I am already tired of the winter scene...to a degree, I thought that I would honour Audry. Did you know that she sits in the front of the bus each day just so she can help the "little kids" from the Primary School (Early elementary) get to their seats ok with no problems? I didn't, but I am not suprized by it. Matilda was telling me about it today in passing while telling me how empty their bus was with all the snow...She is a very thoughtful little girl when she doesn't think about it.
Don't you just LOVE HER!

I know I do.

Grandma

2010-01-13T22:56:00.000-08:00

When I was about 7 or 8 years old, my family took a trip to California to see my Grandma Lasard. She was my dad's mom and she was so cool! She had an ice cream shop of some sort out there somethere - I think it was called something like "Frostys." Two days into the trip, I got sick...really sick. I can remember just coughing and coughing and coughing (something I am sure I inherited from my wonderful mother). I also remember my Grandma making me the most wonderful concoction to stop my horrible, raw throat coughing. It had the most wonderful smell! It was made of honey (1/2 cup I think), the juice of one lemon, and a tsp (or TBSP?) of glycerine. She would warm up the honey to a wonderfully runny consistency then add in the lemon and glycerine. It was HEAVEN! All of a sudden, I didn't mind being sick on my trip, I was drinking of the most wonderful medicine known to man! As I sipped the liquid gold, it's warmth would glide down my throat, soothing the soreness. Pure bliss....

Tonight, I noticed that my extra large bottle of honey was no longer squeezable and decided to warm it up so that I could transfer some to my little bottle of honey that the kids love to put on just about everything. I put it in a small pan of water and allowed it to warm itself through on low heat.

Then something happened...as I was pouring the honey into the small bear shaped bottle, I remembered my grandma, my trip to California, and her cough suppressing liquid heaven. Then all of my other memories all of a sudden came rushing back.

She passed away back in 1993. I love my Grandma dearly and am so very glad to know that families can be together forever and that she is just on the other side of the veil, waiting to see me. I cannot describe the peace that that knowledge gives me.

Don't you just love those little memories that bring such joy rushing back to your mind?

Happy New 2010!

2010-01-01T10:50:00.000-08:00

"And now let us welcome the New Year

Full of things that have never been."

-Rainer Maria Rilke

***

This morning my little Audry said, "What's the big deal about New Years Day? It's kind of boring."

I tried to explain that it was cool. A new year, new opportunities, new goals...but she is eight, her life is cool already.

So, with that in mind, I have been spending a little time trying to figure out how I am going to make this a special year.

What am I going to do with 2010 to make it stand out? What are you going to do to make it stand out? How can we make this a special time for our children? Set goals, make resolutions...hmmm

Let's think on it and I will get back to you. How about that?

Warm Fuzzies

2009-12-27T20:03:00.000-08:00

I was shopping in Sam's the other day and ran into President J - a counselor in the Stake Presidency...

We visited for a little while about how the families were doing, school, vacations, etc. You know, the normal stuff but, as we were parting ways do you know what he said to me?!?

"I am so glad that I ran into you, seeing you always makes me smile."

It gave me the warm fuzzies. Hope someone says that to you today!

"Give" - Little Stream

2009-12-27T19:42:00.001-08:00

At church today Brother Smith gave a wonderful talk about the importance of giving and not just during the Christmas Season. It truely touched my heart and made me want to do better. So, just as in the words of a well loved Primary Song,

"Give said the little stream,

Give oh give,give oh give.

Give said the little stream,

as it hurried down the hill.

I'm small I know but wherever I go

The fields grow greener still.

Give said the little rain,

Give oh give, Give oh give.

Give said the little rain,

as it fell upon the flow'rs

I'll raise their drooping heads again

As it fell upon the flow'rs.

Give then as Jesus gives

Give oh give, give oh give.

Give then as Jesus gives;

There is something all can give.

Do as the streams and blossoms do

For God and others live.

Singing, singing all the day,

Give away oh give away.

Singing, singing all the day

Give oh give away!"

Remember, no matter who you are, you have the ability to give of yourself to others. And others will love you for it. I know that I do.

A TRUE Vacation

2009-12-27T18:54:00.001-08:00

When JP and I got married, we moved into a new city. The church ward that we moved into was fairly large and we were enjoying getting to know some new people. One day about six months into our residence there, Bishop Peterson came up to us in the hallway and said, "Are you guys new? I have not seen you here before..." We had a good laugh and introduced ourselves and went on our ways...The next week we were both called into his office and were given our first callings as a married couple - Ward Missionaries if I remember correctly...

And thus began the very long stint of different callings. Everything from missionaries to primary presidencies (Sunshine) and the Bishopric (JP) plus just about everything you can imagine in between.

My most current calling was that of the Primary Presidency in which I was first counselor. Before that I enjoyed teaching Sunday School to the 14 and 15 year old youth in our ward. A calling I had for the better part of three years. Well, the week before General Conference, I was released from my Sunday School calling and placed into Primary.

Now keep in mind, with my Sunday School calling, I was able to go to Relief Society for three years straight. If you are not familiar with the church, that is the class with the women. A wonderfuly spiritually feasting hour without the children. THREE YEARS PEOPLE - can we say HEAVEN? So when the Bishop asked me to go to Primary (two hours with ALL THE CHILDREN) I felt that it was my "time" and was happy to go after THREE YEARS of Adult lessons.

That was the last weekend in September when I was given this new calling. January is my month to teach Sharing Time...UNTIL TODAY! Yes, ladies and gentleman, I was released and only two months into my time! And, for the first time in the twelve years that I have been married, I DON'T HAVE A CALLING!

And no, there is nothing that I need to repent of that would have precipitated this release ( you know you were thinking it and shame on you for that!).

The Primary President was called to be a Seminary teacher and when they release the President, they release the counselors as well.

NO CALLING! :) Did you hear me? I am truly on vacation! No school, no lessons to prepare. And if JP is anything to believe, there is nothing in the works as of today...

Too bad I am married to the first counselor in the Bishopric, otherwise, I think that my favorite game would become "Dodge the Bishop" at least for a little while!

Post note: If you are not familiar with the church, we are a lay church which means that the members of the church are given "callings" in which we teach each other. Everyone from the Prophet all the way down the line are not paid for our time or services (unless you count blessings, then I would be a MILLIONAIRE!) I myself have had the opportunity to teach in every aspect of the ward (local congregration) and have thourghly enjoyed each of the different callings and was sad when I was released. There is a saying that I have heard before that states that the Lord calls those who need the growth most to teach, and I have found that to be true in every calling I have had. I learn so much from those that I serve and feel that each calling helped me to become a better person, if I let it. If you would like to know more, go here.

Memories...

2009-12-20T12:06:00.001-08:00

On December 18, twelve years ago, JP took me to the St. Louis Temple where we were married for Time and All Eternity.

Sorry, no picture of the happy married couple on their day...

my scanner isn't compatible with the new computer and all the pictures are "old school" -

Three years ago this past week, we brought home the cutest little puppies "for the kids" (JP?)

Hannah Montana and Harley Davison

December 2006

On December 18th this year, our puppies were called home. They loved to chase rabbits, mice, whatever ventured into our yard, out. They loved to play catch with us and with each other and were always up for a really good belly rub.

We loved them, we miss them, and we will never forget them.

Finals Week...Christmas List

2009-12-17T09:27:00.000-08:00

OK, so if you didn't know...THIS IS FINALS WEEK.
(Can you hear the angels singing too?!)
Monday, I was studying in my room.
Ralphie is watching a movie in the Living Room .
(Yes, that is how we spent that day...WAY MORE THEN THE RECOMMENDED 2 Hours of TV)Jake comes home from school -"Hey sweet guy! Mommy is studying go ahead and make your self some popcorn and finish the movie with Ralphie."
(Girl's are still at school)

10 minutes later...

My house is filled with smoke...
Not just smoke.
Smoke so thick it is only three feet off the ground and burning my eyes and throat.
WHAT IS GOING ON???
Seriously, I thought the kitchen was on fire....
After we got all the windows open (30 degrees NOT counting the wind chill) I get the story.
Ralphie cooked popcorn...
Jake cooked popcorn....
Ralphie cooked popcorn...
The problem???
They cooked the same bag...THREE TIMES!
Apparently, Ralphie cooked it. Jake thought that he didn't start it so he went in there and without checking it cooked it again...then Ralphie thought that Jake put a new bag in and WITHOUT looking AGAIN...cooked the popcorn....

Funny story right? Are your toes curling from the thought of popcorn so very burnt that it doesn't even smell like burnt popcorn anymore? Can you imagine what my microwave looked like? (Yes you are going to have to imagine because I forgot to get the picture of my mess).

Fast forward...now I get to clean the microwave. It was awful...The smoke was so very sticky and yucky.
Now, I thought,"The best way to clean this is to steam a little water in a cup and then wipe it out"
Sounds good - RIGHT?

OK, so that is what I did. I put about 1 to 1 1/2 cup water in a glass cup in the microwave, set it for 3 min and walked away to let it do its magic...

And magic it did! I hear JP call from the Living Room..."Um, Sunshine, you better get in here your microwave just did something!"

I go in there, there is water POURING out of the bottom of the microwave...I swear it was growing!
What happened?
Mystery to this day...
I asked JP about it and all he said that there was a gurgling sound then a bang then a sizzle...I told you it worked magic!

So, as I am pondering on this occurance, I pick up the microwave to move it to clean up the expanding puddle underneath (and yes the cup was fine and there is still water in it - truely a mystery!) and water just comes pouring out from some hole in the bottom and JP says,
"Um, I don't know much about microwaves, but I am pretty sure it isn't supposed to pee."

LOVE HIM!

So, what does this have to do with christmas lists???
All I want for christmas is this and three new kitchen outlets to replace the three that got FRIED!

Friendly Celebrity

2009-09-30T08:28:00.000-07:00

This is a fun commercial that someone dear to me got make for their grocery store! This is a rough draft, when I it in the mail, I will put a clear copy on! Enjoy!

CHOCK IT UP TO OLD(ER) AGE

2009-09-22T21:23:00.000-07:00

So this evening as I was getting in the shower I decided that I wouldn't wash my hair because I am going to exercise in the morning.

(OK probably not but a girl can pretend! )

So I get in the shower and realize that the girl's have taken my shampoo and conditioner so:

I get out of the shower

Run to the other bathroom

Grab my stuff

Run back to my bathroom

Put it back where it belongs in the shower

Only to realize...

I don't need it - I'm not washing my hair tonight.

OLDTIMERS AT IT'S BEST! :)

Have a great day!

Great Escapes...

2009-09-17T14:36:00.000-07:00

OK, so if you have ever used a Cricut? If you have, you know why I am trying to win one. Great Escape Meme is a contest from TodaysMama and Cricut in which you (I hopefully) can win a Cricut machine...AND I REALLY WANT ONE OF MY OWN. So, I am sharing the love and if you decide to enter too, and you win instead of me...I would hope that you would share the love and donate it to me (hehehe). Just putting that out there...:)

1. If you could escape to anywhere in the world where would it be? Hawaii…little hut on a private beach with all the amenities..
2. What song do you play when you are by yourself in the car? By myself, what is that? I do love that Rock Star song from Pink
3. If you had a night to yourself, and money was no object, what would you do? Go Shopping…in Paris
4. What is your guilty pleasure? Blue Bunny Ice Cream…Bunny Tracks
5. What is the farthest place you have traveled away from your home? Oregon
6. Last book that you couldn't put down? Harry Potter 7
7. When you want to escape into another time, what movie do you watch? Pride and Prejudice
8. What is your favorite local escape? The Nature Center
9. How do you escape on a budget? Pop in a movie
10.Best food you've ever had while on vacation. Seafood at Papadeau’s (spelling?) while in Galveston, TX.

Conversation with Matilda

2009-07-05T11:55:00.000-07:00

Mom:
I think that I am a little biased with how pretty you are because you are starting to look like I did when I was younger. I will have to show you a picture when I dig it out...

Matilda:

Was it in color?

Conversation with the water guy

2009-06-18T07:12:00.001-07:00

OK so we have gotten A LOT of rain over the past few days and while I was walking out to my awsome van yesterday I noticed that there was a lot of water around my water meter pit so I lifted up the HEAVY lid (can you see my muscles?) and found that the whole pit was filled with water and there was this ssssssssssss sound. So I call the water dept and they say it is probably from the rain but to call back tomorrow (today) if it is still full because it should drain out.

Fast forward to this morning...I am taking the kids to the last day of summer school (good bye freedom!) and I step in soggy grass again. I lift up the lid again and it is still full and ssssssssssssssing. Call them back and this is the conversation:

Lady: City hall how can I direct your call?
Me: Water dept.
Guy in Water dept: Hello City Water dept.
Me: Hi, my name is Sunshine and I live on Wonderland street and I called yesterday because the water pit was full of water and today it is just as full.
Guy in Water Dept: OK, well let me get MY CLOTHES ON ( ok...what did he just say?) and I will come on out and check it.
Me: (Laughing hard)
Guy in Water Dept: I mean, let me get out of my street clothes and get my WORK CLOTHES on and THEN I will come out and check.

I don't know about you...but I am beginning to wonder what my tax dollars are going to here at city hall...ha, ha

It's all for Caty

2009-04-09T10:35:00.000-07:00

OK Caty...new post coming soon!

Do you know what kind of whirlwind my life is right now??? Even now, I am taking time away from my beloved homework to post this for you! I hope you feel guilty...(HA, HA)

Here's something to tie you over!

Really Good Giggle...

2009-03-01T21:19:00.000-08:00

I was searching through a blog this evening and found this...click on the news story link and be sure to read the comments after the story, it gave me a giggle! Thanks Crazy Times!

TRAVELING...Through Time

2009-02-21T21:12:00.001-08:00

Oh my goodness! Matilda got to sing the National Anthem with her school choir tonight at a local college basketball game so we got to go watch the games. We made it a girl's night and left Dad home with the boys (they are still sick). OMG we had so very much fun. I forgot how exhillarating basketball games are (when they are live)!!!

It made me think of the old days - do you girls remember that? Practing two hours a day and then playing in the games? The home coach got mad at a call tonight and started stamping his foot on the ground...Do you remember when Coach Eddie did that and the heel of his shoe went flying across the floor?

Why can't old women have pick up games like the guys? Except you K.M. - I will forgive you for the next 6(?) months or so...I miss it so bad tonight...What great memories...

The girl's and I had alot of fun...sorry, no pictures I forgot the camera (yes, I know that was pretty loserish but hey!...it will remain in my memories - right?)

To all my girlfriends from long ago...I really miss you all...Hope you have a great week!

Late night thoughts...

2009-02-20T21:34:00.000-08:00

The house is quiet. It is 11:30pm and I am able to think on the goings on of the past few days. What did I learn? LISTEN TO THE SPIRIT. Sammie has been sick for about two weeks and yesterday I had the thought that I should make an appt with the Dr to make sure that he is ok. I put it off…last night at 7pm, Sammie starts complaining about his ear hurting…by the time I get him to the doctor this morning at 9am, his left ear is so bad that the doctor fully expects it to burst in the next couple of days. Yes, I know I could not have prevented his ear getting infected, but if I would have listened to the promptings, he wouldn’t have had to go thru so much pain. Lesson Learned.
I have made it a goal to read the Ensign every day along with my scriptures. I am really enjoying it. There is such a wealth of peace and knowledge in reading it. What a blessing for me.

Blogging Fiend

2009-01-13T20:57:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know that I have blogged more in the last few days then in a while but you know how mommyhood happens!
Anyway, I was on a friends blog and she always has the coolest buttons on the side. Tonight I (am supposed to be doing homework - shhhh) and found this one and I really like it. It has alot of products that are helpful, handy, or just plain cool! If you have time check it out (especially the OnTray thing...it is really cool!)

A Convo With A Four Year Old...

2009-01-13T12:14:00.000-08:00

Ralphie with Grandma B on his birthday...

With all the conversations with friends that I have posted as of late...
(And yes I still call them friends because they laugh with me not at me right?)
I thought I would add a little blip that Ralphie had with me .

R:"So, where are we headed now Mom?"

M:"Home"

R:"And home is where the heart is..."

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

What's Up With The Friends?!

2009-01-12T16:01:00.000-08:00

OK, so I have another friend that called today laughing about my blog about my friend who told me I could never be perfect...She was worried all of my readers (all three of you - hee, hee) would think it was her - silly her. I told her it wasn't...
Anyway, later in the conversation the topic of moving as children came up. Her MIL (Mother in Law) or someone who shouldn't have said it told her that she did not think that it was healthy for kids to move around alot growing up...that they would never get settled or turn out right or something silly like that. So I (trying to reassure her that it was ok) told her, my dad was in the military and we moved about every three years and I turned out ok - right?

DO YOU KNOW WHAT SHE DID?

SHE WAS QUIET

THEN I HEARD HER TAKE IN A SHORT BREATH...

AND THEN SHE LAUGHED...

AND LAUGHED...

AND LAUGHED!

What is up with that?! What kind of friends of do I have???

Ohhhh The Things They Will Say...

2009-01-09T06:01:00.001-08:00

The other evening, JP was watching watching TV with the kids and an infomercial came on. Apparently, it was about some exercise or diet thing.

ANYWAY, on the show there was a woman talking about how she wanted to lose weight for years.
So Audry says, "Dad, I think she needs to get in shape..."
At which Jake promply replies..."She is a shape, she is round..."
JP couldn't speak for a few minutes.

Just Random...

2009-01-08T14:23:00.001-08:00

The Paraphrasing of a Conversation with a friend on the phone:

ME: "I REALLY REALLY want to be one of those women with perfectly clean homes and no clutter."

Friend: "That is a really hard thing...I can't see you being one of those. "

ME: I am sure I can do this, it will just take determination..."

Friend: "OK"

10 MINUTES LATER IN THE CONVERSATION...

ME: "Sure Ralphie, you can have an orange, here I cut it for you. But mommy is cleaning the kitchen and dining room so go eat your orange in the Living Room..."

Friend: "You will never have one of THOSE houses (as she is laughing hystarically at me)"

ONE DAY...

CHECK OUT THIS LINK IF YOU ARE CRAFTY...

2008-12-18T07:55:00.001-08:00

I found this article on a blog that I like to read...it is for all of my wonderful friends who love handmade things...if we don't get involved me may all lose out. Merry Christmas everyone!

A NIGHT OF QUOTES!

2008-11-21T19:45:00.000-08:00

So these are just a couple of quotes from listening while my family plays John Madden Football 1993...

"Good Job Ralphie - no, no run the other way!!!" - Dad

"Oh Dad! You are evil! SO VERY EVIL!" - Jake
(Daddy scored on Jake)

"Look! He went down on his nipples, but now he is back up!!!" - Audry
(Knuckles is what she meant)

"Shoot, shoot, shoot- score!" - Audry

(Did I mention this is football?)

"I win, I win, I win, I beat your dad! I beat your dad!" - Mom

First time ever I might add!

Can you see me doing a victory dance?

I did one all the way to the kitchen!

"Jake, you did a good job...our team just stinks!" - Matilda

"Cha, cha, cha, cha...Ralphie you rock!" - Audry

"Audry be quiet!!!" - Jake

Can you tell who was winning?

Audry and Ralphie were partners and Jake and Matilda were together.

"OK, I am ready for VSMILE" - Ralphie
(9:00pm is about his limit)

"Jake, just go with the flow..." - Matilda

Backstory:
Back when JP and I were first married J picked me up from work one day and very happily declares that he found a Joe Madden Football 1993! Isn't that great??? Apparently he was at a pawn shop and the sight of this game (with the Sega game system included) brought back a rush of memories of days gone past with "the guys" and he just had to buy it!

I guess I should admit at this point that I am TERRIBLE at playing video games...I am the sad little girl who cannot get past the third level of the ORIGIONAL Super Mario Brothers. I mean, when they came out with whatever took that Nintendo's place, I couldn't even get Donkey Kong into the castle. I just had to run around the outside until I got mad and gave up! Anyway, needless to say I was not as tickled but I tried, and tried, and tried and got spanked EVERY TIME!!! Thankfully he had a few highschool buddies that came over and gave me a reprieve...
So... the coolness of it wears out after awhile and it ends up in the attic in a box for something like 9 years...did I miss it? No.
Now to the present time...JP stays home with the kids on Thursday who are sick, while I am at school. By the time I am home, the tv that hasn't worked for something like 2 years is now working again and the kids meet me at the door, "Mom, mom can you go in the attic and get out Daddy's video game? Can you? Daddy said that if you got it down (since you know where it is) then we can play the video games when we get our rooms clean! Can you PLEASE!?"

So, here it is...Friday night and what I would like to call a family game night is JOE MADDEN FOOTBALL 1993. We have had a lot of fun with it...Dad finally gave up and disappeared to the bedroom for some peace and quiet... But not until after I wiped the field with him! Thankfully he didn't remember at the time exactly how to play - so my "just push the buttons until something happens" strategy worked! YEAH ME!

Thankful Day 17

2008-11-17T07:53:00.000-08:00

So, I was just folding clothes thinking about a conversation that J and I had this morning and it made me realize what I am thankful for today...

Today I am thankful for those little moments in life where we are put at a crossroad and we have two choices to make. Those small choices that are seemingly inconsequential at the time but means so much in the long run. Those type of moments over time slowly define who I am and I am espicially thankful when I listen to the prompting of the Holy Ghost and choose the right path. I am finding as I really try to become a better person, that those defining moments are becoming more frequent and I am profoundly aware that as time goes on, I will experience even more.
So here is to those little moments...each and every one.

Thanksgiving Day ???

2008-11-15T22:09:00.000-08:00

Ok , so I know that I have already done him, but today I am really grateful for J again...Do you remember when you first starting dating your other half? The butterfly feelings and moments that you just look at them an let out a faint sigh? That has totally been me for like four months! Anyway, I was sitting next to him during Stake Conference this evening and I just felt like I was just glowing with pride for him. I guess it is great that after 11 years of marriage he can still unconsiously make me giddy! I sure love him!!!

THANKSGIVING UPDATE...

2008-11-14T20:11:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know...what's today's date? I am a few day's behind on my thankful days but I have an excuse - really, I will come up with it...OH, SCHOOL!!! Have you taken college classes and had young children at the same time? Oh, and was self employed with all the joy and involvement that requires? That was me this week. I only go two days a week for two classes and between two classes in two days I had two exams, two quizzes and a 4 page paper about the projection of a job after I finally graduate from college. Needless to say I am a little sleepy. Matilda asked me a little while ago, "Mom, how do they expect you to keep up with all this homework and tests with four kids?" My answer? "Honey, they don't care..."
Anyway, I did take note of what I am thankful for each day - some are more trivial than others but who cares right? It's my blog...At the start of this project I had plans for great story telling and beautiful pictures to cover days but really now I just want to go to bed so...I promise I will up date - tomorrow.
In the meantime I wanted to share with you something I am thankful for today...I am thankful that J has a job and can support us with said job but that is not it (because he was last Saturday). My dearest friend in the world has a wonderful husband that is wonderfully talented and honest and great and ...jobless. They have struggled with this off and on for about three years and they are in that position again today. ANYWAY, she inspires me everytime I talk to her. The average person probably would have thrown up her hands and cried "WHY, WHY, WHY!" and I am certain that the thought does cross her mind but do you know what she said to me? "I am certain that the Lord has a better plan for us...we just have to be patient." She is able to see the blessings in this whole thing and the Lord's hand in each step of her life. I love this woman. She inspires me to be better and do better. She is such in inspiration to me. And I can honestly say that my life is richer because I know her. You rock Tinkerbell! AND because I love her I will not put her picture up on the blog because I know how much she doesn't like her pictures up anywhere...

ThanksGIVING day EIGHT

2008-11-09T18:41:00.000-08:00

OK, OK, so it is a day late...but I was so busy enjoying what I was thankful for yesterday that I forgot to tell you what I was thankful for (pretty good save right?).

Yesterday I went to work with my GUY...it's kind of hard to go work with him because I have a hard time keeping my mind on work when I am with him. He just just so dang sexy while he is working...well, you know. :)

ANYWAY, as I was working yesterday with Jason in VERY COLD midwest weather I realized just how thankful for J and all that he does to support us.

I mean, this past summer I got to help him out some and it was awsome, warm weather, nice days and did I mention the KILLER tan that I got? I don't think J has ever been so tickled to see me in shorts. :)

So remembering how much I enjoyed this summer, I volunteered to help him yesterday and OH MY GOODNESS!!! I think it was about the time that he was LAYING ON THE COLD WET GROUND, STICKING HIS ARM INTO FRIGID WATER IN A WATER METER HOLE TO TURN OFF SOME IRRIGATION that I realized just what he goes thru to support his family and I just wanted to kiss him...after he got up and away from the cold ground and colder water...

I think my friend LC said it best when I told her what I was doing yesterday..."OH, Sunshine! He really loves you!"

I know he does...

So here is to J and A&E Landscaping (that's for you Jenn) and all that you do to take care of your little family. I am so thankful for you!

We love you!

PS - the name of our company isn't really A&E Landscaping but you know how I am with real names! :)

Thanksgiving Day Seven

2008-11-07T21:06:00.000-08:00

OK, so Hannah is off the adoption list - she is doing much better today so I am thankful for that however, I guess that doesn't count so...

Today I am thankful for the time of 7:10am to 3:43pm each week day...

Why? Do you ask?

Because between those times I get to give and recieve all the attentions of this sweet guy all to my self while his siblings are at school...

Ralphie and Jake are the best of friends. So great is their bond that over the summer I was a bit nervous that perhaps Ralphie would be out of his mind bored with his mother (who in her opinion is chop suy of a playmate when compared to his partner in crime...). "What am I going to do to keep him happy?" I pondered. What will we do?

Three months later....he is still best buddies with Jake. However, he is also my little buddy! I cannot believe the bond that we have now. I do not think that I have had this type of bond with any of my other three children. Not that we do not have really good relationships, but holy cow - he is MY BUDDY...

He has this little thing that he does.. he walks up to me and says, "Mom, I love you.." and I usually respond with something like, "Oh, my goodness! Guess what! I love you too!" and then he smiles his great smile and gives me a 'big pop my head off' kind of hug and a kiss...

Well, the other day when he did this I said, "Thank you!" and he stopped, looked at me and said,"Hey!" So I asked him what was wrong and he told me, "YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO TELL ME YOU LOVE ME TOO!" So I said, "I am sorry, is that why you do that all the time?" To which he responded, "Yep."

Needless to say, I have a daily goal now to beat him to the punch - as often as I can...

Did you know he also insists on holding my hand in the car? We drive a little truck in which he sits next to me and so he always wants to hold my hand (although he won't let me kiss his hand without wiping it off - giggling of course!

What do you expect from my FAVORITE YOUNGEST SON!!! (Who's favorite color is ORANGE)

I LOVE YOU RALPHIE!

Love, MOM

PS What do you think of our FIRST EVER self portraits? I think they came out pretty good, considering what we are working with...:)

Pictures as Promised

2008-11-07T12:00:00.000-08:00

Aren't Matilda, Audry and Ralphie a hoot?

Ok, FINALLY I have my camera recharged...here are the promised pictures of our beautiful week of spring weather...

There's nothing like a good old fashioned Teeter Totter!

My FAVORITE GIRLS IN THE WHOLD WORLD!!!!

What great looking boys!!!

Just in time I might add because the next day it was 65degrees and today if feels like 40 - 50 degrees...

Thanksgiving Day SIX

2008-11-06T19:31:00.000-08:00

HANNAH AND HARLEY WITH AUDRY

So, today was REALLY, REALLY long and mostly really really hard...I got a great new haircut - shorter for winter... you know. Was really feeling good by the time we got home from the Salon (Ralphie and I) and then I got home to a REALLY, REALLY, REALLY sick dog...Thankfully, she was in the garage when she got sick but all I can say is...

I AM SO VERY THANKFUL FOR PAPER TOWELS, BLEACH, AND PLASTIC BAGS.

UGH!

I couldn't imagine life without those things - OH, and a small carpet cleaner for when she doesn't make it to a hard surface where I can use the above said items...AGAIN I SAY - UGH!

Anyone interested in a really cute (oh, and sick) Miniature Dachshund? You can have her - cheap! HA, HA (I think)

Thanksgiving Day Five

2008-11-05T19:38:00.000-08:00

Today I am grateful for two things...
One - the elections are over - no more robocalls! (Did you know that I got one five minutes before the polls CLOSED?! I just wanted to yell -this was the third call that day- "I VOTED THIS MORNING - LEAVE ME ALONE!) Although the election did not end as I hoped, they ended as I subconsiously expected...Onward and upward I say...Let's see what good we can do together as a Nation. We can pray often (DAILY) that our new leaders will take this country in a direction that the Lord wants it to go. Whether we voted for President Elect Obama or not, we are in a democracy by choice and he is our President...ONE NATION INDIVISIBLE - right?

Two - I am so grateful for the 75 degree weather that we are having in NOVEMBER!!! I have some pictures of our great day today, but alas my camera's battery is gone so I will try to add pictures later...but HOLY COW! 75 degrees for the past week! I am in heaven (and no, I am not is AZ). We got to ride our bikes, walk at the park and climb a really cool rock - how is that for "winter." All I have to say is YIPEE!!!

Thanksgiving Day FOUR...

2008-11-04T15:46:00.001-08:00

NOVEMBER 4th...

ELECTION DAY!!!!!!!

Today I am thankful that I live in a country that allows me to speak my mind, vote my values and worship my God in any way that I choose...

I am thankful that the Lord dedicated this country to all that is good and righteous and I Pray Fervently that we as a country will realize what path we seem to be on and will correct it...

I am thankful that even if I disagree with someone else's political views we can still be friends...

I am thankful for our beautiful flag and all that it represents - life, liberty, peace...

I am thankful for the rousing music and anthems that we have that represent what our Founding Fathers experienced and wanted for us...

I am thankful that I live in the United States of America!!!

So here is to today...GO VOTE, no wait...Pray for direction - then go vote and then pray for all of us as Americans that we can be guided by the Spirit to make our country what our Heavenly Father and our Founding Fathers had in mind for us...

ThANKsGivinG DaY ThrEE

2008-11-03T18:15:00.000-08:00

Today, I am thankful for THIS KID...

This, my first born...

My FAVORITE OLDEST DAUGHTER...(whose favorite color is Green)

A
N
D

Did you know that this crazy kid stayed up with her mom until MIDNIGHT to help her clean the house because I didn't want to wake up to a messy house? Without mom asking I might add...

A
N
D

Then on Sunday, she loaded the dishwasher when I just couldn't bring myself to do it without me asking her to do it? And then begged me to let her finish when I tried to tell her not to worry about it...

A
N
D

She volunteers to read to her brothers for me when I am busy and can be a really great big sister when she wants to be...

A
N
D

She loves to help others and loves to read - she just got hooked on Nancy Drew because she loves mysteries...

A
N
D
She joined her schools choir this year and really loves to sing - and she is really, really good...

A
N
D

She is growing everyday into the wonderful Daughter of God that Heavenly Father wants her to be and loves discovering what her potential is....

So today is dedicated to Matilda, what a great kid!!!

I love you so much - my sweet, sweet Matilda...

Thanksgiving Day Two

2008-11-02T18:32:00.001-08:00

OK, so today I am really thankful for two things...I know pace myself but they both fit! :)

First, I am really thankful for Daylight Savings Time. Anytime I can get an extra hour of sleep is a bonus for me! Although the down side is this evening I had a planned on taking the kids for a walk after dinner and all of a sudden (?) it was getting dark. The thought actually occured to me - "Man, it seems like it got darker alot earlier over night!"

(Didn't I say I need more sleep?)

Second, I am thankful for the Sabbath day... Last month (October) I was sick, out sick with children or enjoying General Conference - three out of four Sundays. That ment three weeks of not taking the Sacrament...that was really tough for me. Sundays are my mini breaks. I am extremely busy all week long with school, children, children's school, work, callings, etc and being able to sit in church and partake of the Spirit is better than an hour long massage for me. So today, I was in heaven sitting down, listing to other's testimony of our Saviour Jesus Christ and partaking of the holy sacrament...

So here is to Sunday - the absolute best day of the week for a harried mom.

And Daylight Savings Time for the sleepy mom.

If you would like more information on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - click here.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-01T20:21:00.001-07:00

Happy November 1st! I was thinking today (no comments from the peanut gallery) that with this being the month of Thanksgiving that perhaps I will try to find something (just one?) each day that I am thankful for...So today, I am thankful for my dad...Grandpa B..

Why do you ask?

Well, this morning I woke up at 6:15 am to change the oil in our three trucks because I really feel that those who do this for a living charge too much to do it ($42.00 for an S10 that takes 4 qts of oil.) I save about $100.00 month doing it myself since we change the oil EVERY MONTH with our business...WHERE DO YOU ASK DID I LEARN THAT??? MY DAD.

Then I walked into my bathroom and remembered that the children's toilet was still not working right and that I had bought the thingy to replace the leaky thingy in the tank about a week ago and my cute guy STILL hasn't gotten around to it - SELF EMPLOYED - Do I need to say more?

(SIDEBAR... I looked at his work calendar and did you know that he has worked EVERY DAY for the entire month of October except for the 4th? Oh, and Sundays but J is in the bishopric and we know that that means that Sunday is not a day off - meetings and such...)

Anyway, I thought to my self...you should go ahead and get it done for him since he just doesn't have enough time in the day...so I did (see later blog on THAT). And not only did I fix the kids toilet, the seat on mine was moving because a plastic screw that held it in place broke in two...WHERE DID I LEARN TO DO THAT? My Dad (and the instructions for the new fangled thingys)

He also taught me how to strip and stain furniture, change the shocks in a BRONCO (which came in handy when my little bro needed to do his...), use power tools, remodel the basement so that I could have my own room, work a rototiller, use a hammer as well as an ax, change a tire, jump a battery. The list goes on and on.

Were we always close? NOOOO. But I know that he loves me. And I love him.

Thanks Dad for all that you have taught me! I LOVE YOU!

Happy November 1st!

ps - the only downfall to having this knowledge? Now that my husband knows I CAN do it, he tends to LET ME do it... ;)

IT HAS ARRIVED!

2008-10-28T20:21:00.000-07:00

Are you a parent of a "tween"? I am...

Have you ever heard of...HSM3?

Seriously...

Last Friday this much anticipated movie "arrived." My Audry was invited by a friend to go see it on Saturday (the day after)...This is how my morning went...

7am...I am sleeping in...

Audry: MOM! What time is she coming to get me?

Sleepy Mom: Not until 10am...please don't ask me all morning - love you...

Audry: How long is that?

Sleepy Mom: Three hours.

Audry: OK

Sleepy Mom hears for the next THREE HOURS...

HSM1 and HSM2 soundtracks blaring from Audry's room.

DO YOU KNOW ALL THE WORDS? I DO.

DO I MIND? Not at all...how often does she get this excited...

9:15am

This is what I see at the back door...

She then moves to her bedroom window because she realized that her friend is going to pull into the driveway to pick her up...Imagine that!

5pm: Audry arrives home

Mom: How was the movie?

Audry: It was FABULOUS!

Does the story end there?

DID I MENTION I AM THE MOTHER OF TWO GIRLS...

Tuesday - Matilda and I have a daughter/mom outing to see the movie. We liked it (I think number two was better but I digress...). I tell Matilda that we should stay thru the credits to see if there is anything more to the show...AND THERE WAS!

After the theater was "empty" and the music was still going some teenage(?) girls stood up in aisle and started dancing...REALLY DANCING...then they make their way to the front of the theater where they continue to dance and do CARTWHEELS in front of the screen! It was awsome!!! I was laughing (quietly) to myself. (I kept trying to take pictures with my phone but it was too dark). Finally, another girl that was with them noticed me and Matilda watching them and she says "I hope you know that this was all getting recorded! (she must have seen my phone sticking up in their direction)...They just stopped and dropped behind some seats - I think they were a little embarrassed....

They were kind enough afterward to pose for a picture in the lobby...grainy picture but those girls were AWSOME!!!

Matilda's take on the three amigos?

"I thought they were pretty cool...oh, and I loved the movie..."

GOOD TIMES!!!

OH! And this is Dad's idea of "getting the kids to bed early..."

Aren't they the most awsome group ever?!

Changes...

2008-10-13T14:37:00.000-07:00

Audry before the visit to Aunt Flo's salon...

Audry has been begging to get her hair cut recently and we found out that she could donate 8" to some foundation to help with wigs for those who need them so we did it! She is really excited about sharing her great hair with others. She even let them cut a little extra off to meet the requirements. That's my girl...

Audry after her cut...Isn't she cute?

AND SASSY!....

Update on Lessons Learned

2008-10-12T16:35:00.000-07:00

OK, so Matilda read the posting on Audry's mishap and said - "MY DANGEROUS GAME?! The origional name was....."RUN"
RUN...how aptly named, perhaps it should have been -

RUN, FAST... ;)

Lesson Learned From A Game

2008-10-11T08:56:00.001-07:00

*Jake and Matilda were kind enough to reinact
the great new game on Monday - THANKS GUYS!

The new name of their game?
"Matilda's Dangerous Game"

Handbag Giveaway!

2008-10-09T16:04:00.000-07:00

I signed up to win a really cute bag and I thought, who wouldn't love a free bag! So if you would like you can follow this link: www.handbagplanet.com and check them out! :) Happy looking!

TIME FOR A PARTY!

2008-10-08T15:36:00.000-07:00

So, my midterm grades are in and (drum roll please....) I have a 97% in Anatomy and a 94% in Chemistry. YEAH ME!!! If you knew what my grades were the first time I took them fifteen years ago, YOU TOO, would be celebrating for me. Again I say - YEAH ME!

Little Bits of Fun

2008-10-02T21:59:00.001-07:00

So Ralphie and I were on our way home from a friend's house today and he says -

"MOM, I forgot to tell Howie I will see him tomorrow!"

Mom- "That's ok, you aren't going to see him until Tuesday"

Ralphie - "I could see him on Sixday can't I?"

Audry is SO COOL!

2008-10-01T16:12:00.000-07:00

I always knew that Audry beats to a different drum. I got some of her math work today and where the teacher marked it wrong I wanted to celebrate her awsomeness!

Question: Maple Leaf Park is shaped like a rectangle. It has a perimeter of 26 miles.

A. Could two of the sides be 13 miles and 2 miles?

Answer: NO

B. Why do you think so?

Answer: Because I listen to my brain.

Look at her, she even sleeps cool!

ROCK ON IN YOUR AWSOMENESS SWEET AUDRY!!!

Personal epiphany...

2008-10-01T11:07:00.000-07:00

I stumbled onto a blog site through a friend of mine's. It is the stories of a mother in AZ. It is called NieNie Dialogues. I have really enjoyed reading reposts of her blog and just enjoying with her everyday life. Anyway, her and her husband were in a terrible accident and the response to the accident and the families need for help afterward have been so overwhelming that the NY Times (I think that was the name of the mag) did a story on the whole blogosphere's response. The point is there is a quote in there "Ms. Kendrick said. “Her relationship with her husband wasn’t perfect. But she chose to focus on the beauty." “And the more she focused on it, the more she had.” Isn't that what it is about? Shouldn't we focus on the beauty of it all? I was joking with a friend about how we should all be "Polyanna's" (Disney movie - 1960's?). But think about it, shouldn't we look for the good in everything? We have so much to celebrate! We are children of a loving Heavenly Father who is aware of each of our needs and the trials that we are going through are things that will make us -or someone touched by us - stronger and better. There may be dark clouds but lets look for the beauty in the skies. I want to challange YOU, where ever you are - who ever you are...spend one day, week, whatever looking for the beauty around you! Do not focus on the negative, too many people already do that. Find the beauty and celebrate it! See how much better life gets when we focus on the beautiful. Happy hunting!

Nantucket Weekend GIVEAWAY!!!!

2008-08-28T20:28:00.000-07:00

Nantucket Weekend GIVEAWAY!!!!

Just for Laughs

2008-08-28T20:02:00.001-07:00

Check ups at the Dr. Office!!!

Tomato Garden
An old man lived alone in New Jersey. He wanted to plant his annual tomato garden, but it was very difficult work, as the ground was hard.
His only son, Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament.

Dear Vincent,
I am feeling pretty sad, because it looks like I won't be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot.
I know if you were here my troubles would be over. I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me, like in the old days.
Love,
Papa

A few days later he received a letter from his son:

Dear Pop,
Don't dig up that garden. That's where the bodies are buried.
Love,
Vinnie

At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left.
That same day the old man received another letter from his son:

Dear Pop,
Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That's the best I could do under the circumstances.
Love you, Vinnie

:) Have a great weekend!

FIRE!!

2008-08-10T20:59:00.000-07:00

We wanted to roast smores on our own campfire. Now if you know where we live you know that in the middle of town they do not smile upon "non permited" fires but we were hoping that they would not mind. :) Why a fire did you ask? Well we were given this really cool book from our Aunt in Cali where it teaches the girls how to build fires and alot of other cool things. We will start taking pictures as we do the activities just so our cool Aunt in Cali to see our success...ANYWHO! Thankfully we weren't ticketed and enjoyed some really good smores. We even invited a little boy that we knew over to enjoy our sweet desserts. Oh, and if you were wondering - the name of the book is "THE POCKETED BOOK FOR DARING GIRLS: THINGS TO DO". The back of the book says "Rediscover old favorites and set out on new adventures. The perfect pocket book for every girl with an independant spirit and a nose for trouble." Does that sound like my girls? :)

IHOP, YOUHOP, WE ALL HOP TO IHOP!

2008-08-08T20:52:00.000-07:00

J has a friend from his mission that married a guy from a nearby town. Once a year they come to our neck of the woods and we get together for lunch or breakfast...this year we went to IHOP. Our family has never been there and let's just give a shout out for IHOP. It was dang good! This is the first year that I remembered to bring my camera though. It was Lyon's 5th birthday today so IHOP even sang to us for breakfast! GO IHOP!

L to R: Lily, Matilda, Jake, Ralph and Audry

L to R: Lily, Jane, Tulip, Dick and Lyon Butkus (Lyon didn't want to be in pictures today)

The Reason Why...

2008-08-08T20:36:00.000-07:00

I love to watch my boys play in the mud. This is the reason why we named the site 'My Mud Pies'. I love watching mud pies be made. There is something cleansing about running your fingers thru mud and feeling it squish between your fingers and toes. Why do we ever feel like we get to old to get our fingers dirty? Doesn't it always wash off with the hose? I wish you all a lifetime of mud pies and childhood...

Summer School Programs

2008-08-08T17:46:00.000-07:00

Our school district has great summer school programs and at the end of summer school they each put on a play. Audry was in a Hannah Montana musical and Matilda as the Big Bad Wolf in her musical. Audry dressed as Miley Cyrus was really fun. She got to be at the front of the group of girls because she knows her songs really well and picked up the choreography pretty quickly. She was really cute.

Matilda was one of the main characters in her play and was really cute!

Matilda's Awards

2008-08-08T17:31:00.000-07:00

Matilda did so great this pass school year and at the end of the year the Principal had a great big awards ceremony. Matilda recieved a gold medal for straight A's both semesters! Yeah Matilda!

Ralphie keeping himself busy until the program starts.

Update on the house...

2008-08-08T17:06:00.000-07:00

After I posted the pictures of the walls, I got a GREAT IDEA to TEXTURE THE WALLS IN THE HOUSE. I mean, it is almost addicting! I first decided to do the LivingRoom, hallway, Kitchen and Dining Room and then after really liking how that looked, I thought "I have enough plaster, why don't I use the rest and do the kids bedrooms. I wanted to trade the rooms around and then paint them anyway..." Two weeks later every room in the house except my bedroom was painted and textured and looking pretty good. It sure hides dinks!!! :) The boys even helped me texture the walls. They are quite the handy men!

The picture of the door shows how great I did on patching the hole in the wall that I put in it...on accident of course and not even in a fit of anger! :) Ten points to the person who can tell where the hole was!

Oh, and just so you know, I will not be painting my room any time soon! :)

This is for Caty...

2008-08-08T16:57:00.001-07:00

OK, so I know that I am lacking in the current blogs but....I have no excuse! :) I have finally downloaded the pictures that I have taken (unfortunately not that many) and will begin putting all of them online. So Caty, this is for you!

THEY'RE HERE!!!

2008-08-07T21:39:00.000-07:00

For all you people out there (and you know who you are) that keep asking me when we are going to have another baby...here you go! We are - did. Hannah gave birth to six very beautiful - albeit origional looking - babies. Momma and kids are doing great! There are three girls and three boys. The kids are very excited! And they went to bed before she had the last two. Talk about a Christmas morning! :)

New Pictures!

2008-05-23T21:48:00.001-07:00

Peeking around the corner!
Ralphie loves to slide!
We are Pirates! ARRGH!
Jake sure loves the cannon!

I took the boys to the local park today and got some pictures of them. These are my favorites!

Idle Hands...

2008-05-13T21:31:00.000-07:00

Last night I was studying for my last final for the semester and I decided to look at my grades and see what I needed to get on the final and I discovered it didn't matter. I could get a 0% or a 100% and I would still end up with a 'B' in the class so I emailed the Professor, asked him if my estimates were correct and he emailed back and said that it was true - so I don't have to take the final. I found that out this morning.PHEW!!! What a break right? So, what do I do? I decided to look at my house in a way of "what would I do if I had lots of free time" (HA, HA right?) I decided I wanted to PAINT MY HOUSE! Am I crazy? Do I know what kind of work that will be - with TWO LITTLE BOYS AT HOME? OK, yes apparently I am certifiable. So, my husband isn't totally on board yet so I thought - what better way to convince him that we need to paint the walls of the Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Entryway, and Hallway than to patch all the holes and knicks in the walls. Surely once he saw my spots he would decide we need to paint....

Does anyone else see a pattern to my spots? Am I crazy or are my children all under the height of 4 feet? With their arms stretched up? :) My whole LR, DR, Kitchen, Entryway, and hallway looks like a...well, a giraffe - a 4' tall giraffe. In defense, the BIG hole by the door was my fault - but that was it I am sure! My friend - Mrs Peutershmidt - walks in and laughs "You have got to get a picture of this"...my brother walks in "What the heck?"...my husband walks in.....NOTHING...Ralphie and Audry walk in "When are you doing our rooms?" Do I know what I have gotten into? Oh, and J still hasn't committed to painting...Our friends won't judge us by our house right? :)...

Mother's Day 2008

2008-05-12T06:54:00.000-07:00

Let me just tell you...I had the best mother's day EVER. Saturday night our family went to Chili's to eat dinner (I figured what is a mother's day dinner without the kids? OR did I just neglect to get a babysitter - you decided because I will never tell! ) Anyway, we had the best time!

When we arrived it went something like this:

Hostess: How many?

Me: Six

Hostess: Six, wow! Are they all yours?

Me: Yep.

J: (To me) Like we would borrow someone else's kids to come here with. Do we really seem that insane?

I ordered baby back ribs and the kids about died. "How could you eat baby's ribs?!" They were horrified. I had to explain to them that they were beef ribs and not human baby's, then I also had to explain that they weren't baby calf ribs and that that was just their name. Then Matilda pipes up - "Well it's a good thing that we aren't vegetarians!"

Ralphie was trying to sleep in the booth by the end of the night but the kids were really good. We had alot of fun.

Generation 1 Generation 2

Generation Three

Then on Sunday my sister and her family from Hawaii stopped by on their way to Mom's house and we got to play with them for awhile. After they went on then the kids and I just hung out together watching a movie. Around 7:30 J's parents and grandmom came over to visit for Mother's Day as well. They are so fun. We took pictures of the three generations of mothers in the family. I wasn't ready for pictures but who cares right?

The coolest thing for me yesterday though is that my siblings and I went together and commissioned a portrait of my oldest brother who died when he was 18 months old. The last picture that they had of him was taken a few days before he died and time has not been kind. I first tried to get that picture restored but it was really far gone. Then I had an artist that I know do a pencil portrait of him and she did a beautiful job! My mom called and told us (my sister was still here) that the portrait was amazing. That the expression on his face wasn't in the picture but that she captured him exactly. It was a beautiful miracle for her. I just cried. My older sister called later and told me how it affected her as well and helped her to realize how important each moment is and to not take advantage of one second. It was such a beautiful growing moment for all of us.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE SPECIAL WOMEN WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVERYDAY BY LOVING YOUR CHILDREN!

Father -Son Fishing!

2008-05-10T16:31:00.001-07:00

A few weeks ago J took the boys on a father/son campout with a bunch of other dads from our Stake and they had a great time. After camping all night they got up and went fishing. Jake caught this fish all by himself - including reeling it in. They were so very proud! Jake named him "Filler." They brought him home for mommy to clean (where is the justice in that?) but they kept him alive. The girls were so very excited they started discussing how to kill a fish without torturing him too much and got Jake so upset that he and I went for a drive back to the lake to let Filler go free to "grow" a little more so we can catch him again.

2008-05-10T16:19:00.000-07:00

When Matilda was in the cab the nice fireman asked her if she would like to honk the horn, so she started pounding and pounding on the center of the steering wheel. He finally got her attention to point out the rope used to blow the horn. When she did the boys jumped so very high! It was awsome :)

2008-05-10T16:13:00.000-07:00

We went grocery shopping today and the firemen had their firetruck up at the store letting people see the truck, have tours around it and for little kids - they got to sit in it and blow the horn or set off the sirens. The kids thought that it was really cool!

UPDATE!

2008-04-15T21:58:00.000-07:00

Audry went to the Dr. today and got a clean bill of health! YEAH!!! I had Dr. GermiesBeGone check everyone else's lungs to make sure no one else had this "no symptom except a backache pneumonia" and we are all healthy! Thank goodness.

PSS

2008-04-11T17:51:00.001-07:00

OH Yeah! And Matilda's wrist is just really sprained! :)

NO SHOTS!

2008-04-11T14:43:00.000-07:00

We always say that Audry is our drama queen. Case in point - Wednesday when we were at Dr. GermiesBeGone, she gave Audry two shots - one in each leg. She was such a brave little girl during the shots (mom said that if she did not cry too much she would get a sucker). AFTER the shots, HOLY COW! Audry started crying and crying and saying how much her legs hurt. The nurse told us that we could go sit in the waiting room and wait for 15min to make sure the antibiotics did not cause an allergic reaction. On the way out, Audry drops to the floor like a sack of potatoes! She is walking and crying and then she is flat on her face on the floor - crying. At first we were all worried until we realized that she was just having one of her drama moments to let me know how bad her legs hurt. I have pondered many times what she was thinking taking a header to the floor and have wondered once or twice if she briefly passed out but...Anywho, she was fine - just sore legs.

Onto today...Dr. GermiesBeGone wanted her to come back today to make sure that she was getting better. And I thougth that she was. Wednesday she was lying around looking sickly, Thursday her daddy cannot get her to settle down. NIGHT AND DAY. Dr. GermiesBeGone takes one listen to her chest and looks worried - her lungs are not clearing up. "Hospital bad" is what she said. But still no symptoms. Then Dr. GermiesBeGone says - "Let's try a breathing treatment so see if it helps break up the crummies in her chest" and then she explains what she is going to do to Audry. After the Dr. left to get the nebulizer, Audry looks at me and says, "At least it's not another shot!"

PS The treatment did work and she is on them three times a day until Tuesday when we go back - again....

MURPHYS LAW SAYS...

2008-04-09T19:24:00.000-07:00

OK, so I am always thinking how very nice it is that my children are not the sickly type. Doesn't that always come back to bite you somewhere? Just like two years ago, I made the comment that my children have never been to the ER - ever. What a month later Audry, Jake, and Ralphie were in the ER every other weekend. Audry stuck a bead in her ear on a Saturday night. Two weeks later J and I go out with friends and Jake jumps from the couch to the GLASS coffee table and goes thru the glass...stitches in his neck (good thing grandma was the babysitter) and two weeks later Ralphie is climbing in the garage and slices open just under his lip and has to go in for those liquid stitches. CRAZY!
Anyway, so two weeks ago I was counting my blessings out loud and the next day Jake cannot get out of bed - literally! His dad carried him to the couch and about the time that I had to carry him to the bathroom I knew something was wrong. So last Monday (March 31) we went to the DR where they ran a battery of tests including xrays to find out that he has a cold and that they called "Transient Displasia" aka Growing Pains. Then Audry was having some issues which I will not put out on the WWW but lets just say I was worried she had a UTI, anyway, off to the DR on Friday to find out that she did have some issues and a little Milk of Magnesia could take care of and she says "Mom, I don't have a problem going, I just don't go" Hum, I think we found the problem. Oh, and I had her look at Ralphie's ear because he mentioned it was sore - ear ache WITHOUT SYMPTOMS. Lucky me. So the weekend was uneventful then Matilda crashes and burns in PE and twists her wrist (no problem, lets just wrap it). Tuesday, Audry complains about back aches right around her kidneys and she spikes a temp, off to the DR again on Wed (today) and her kidneys are fine but she has pneumonia. Without a cough or anything. Oh, and the DR looks at Matilda's wrist and orders xrays because it is "really, really swollen" We will hear from the radiologist in a few days to know if it is cracked. Phew!
Now for the blessings part...J and I were talking today about how blessed we are that here we have two kids who are really sick - with no symptoms and that we were able to get them diagnosed before the pain and temps for Ralphie and the horrible coughing and temps started for Audry. How many parents can say that? AND I have school tomorrow, my friend who watches the boys has kids who are throwing up and ITS GOING TO RAIN - so J has to stay home and I don't "have" to skip school. What a blessing!

WE ARE IN THE NEWS!!!

2008-04-01T20:06:00.001-07:00

We went to a local Nursing Home's Easter Egg Hunt. Our group won three of the five extra prizes that the bunny left for them. Our little Ralph won an Easter Bunny. When the nice lady handed him his prize, he looked at it and very nicely said, "Thank You!". He then turned and handed it to me. They then asked to get the children together to take a picture and he looks at me and says,"NO" very quietly to me. She asked again and he said no so I leaned over and said very quietly to him, "You have the count of five; five, four, three, two..."Fine" he says, grabs the bunny and smiles from ear to ear. I was so proud of him! After they took the picture he turns to me, hands me the bunny and says, "Let's go mom..." and started walking out the door. When we got to Grandma's house, he gave the "girly bunny" to his grandma because she likes bunnies.

Top Picture: Our kids with the Peuterschmidts! Can you tell who is who? :)

Newspaper Clipping: Pictured from Left to Right: Little boy; Ralph; Our Friend Parker; Little girl; Our Friend Ashley. Oh, and do you see Mom smiling with pride from the background? :)

Chicken Pox!

2008-03-29T14:40:00.000-07:00

Today Audry, Jake and Ralph all came down with Chicken Pox! I tried to tell them that now they were going to have to go to church tomorrow with red chicken pox all over them and Ralphie says "Nuh Uh Mom, these are washable poxes! We just need a bath and we will be all better!" :) Audry did a very convincing job didn't she? She did not miss one detail.

Official Easter Picture 2008

2008-03-29T14:29:00.000-07:00

Official Easter Pictures

2008-03-29T14:25:00.000-07:00

I completely forgot to get a picture of the kids before we went off to church Easter Morning so after church, the kids all went straight to their rooms to change and I told them to come back so we could get a nice picture...this is what we got. It turned out to be pretty good but it was a hurry up and take it mom! sort of thing. Just for your gain my advice is...pictures first, the rest of the day second.

2008-03-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

HAPPY SPRING!!!
I am totally jumping with two wet feet into the blogging world. I used to be really good at emailing everyone but as you know, I have become very lacking. So here we go! Hopefully, you will once again become acquainted with my little mud pies.

I will start by introducing myself and my family. Although, the names have been changed because I am way to paranoid. Those of you who know us will know who is who, those who don't let me know and I will try to fill you in. Our oldest - Matilda is about to turn 9yrs old ; Audry is 7; Jake is 5 (and ready to start school) and Ralph is 3 (and just recently potty trained I might add). They are just a pure bundle of fun 95% of the time and the other 5% of the time I just repeat to my self over and over...I DO LOVE MY CHILDREN; I DO LOVE MY CHILDREN. It seems to work. :)

J and I have been married for 10 years 3 months and 11 days - but who is counting when we are together FOREVER (I must add that everytime I say that I think of the part in "THE SANDLOT" where the boys keep saying over and over 'FOREVER...FOREVER...FOREVER') You will come to know that I seem to reference music or movies in my thoughts alot so enjoy! JP is doing really well in his business and scored some pretty good contracts this week. I have been able to enjoy two weeks of breaks from school but am dreading going back to school next week. There is an end in sight though - we are scheduled to graduate in Fall of 2009 so that keeps me going.

Last year JP convinced me that we need dogs - YIKES. They are really cute - we call them Hannah (Montana) and Harley (Davidson) can you guess who named who? I am not really a dog person so it has taken some getting used to but in the quiet hours of the day when they are asleep I enjoy them in their beds- wait does that sound familiar? :) Anyway! I will see how this looks and get back at it later. Until then....