Welcome to Texas!!

New Year New Me

2012-01-05T18:26:00.000-08:00

Today I did something really good for me and my family. I finished signing up for school and I am ready. I turned 35 yesterday and I feel like this will be my year! It has to be. Last year sucked. Too much crap went wrong this year has to go right. I have a big plan. I wrote out our Christmas letter on how 2012 went and how it will be going!!!! So hopefully as a family we can pull it together and make it all happen.

I was feeling pretty down since I was seeing all these posts on Facebook where my friends and family getting their bachelors and here I am working for very little pay. blah blah blah. Anyway here I was feeling sorry for myself and my brother helped me out by finding the college that I will be attending. I didn't want to do the typical University of Phoenix thing and then have it cost 3x as much and some places around here don't really view it as a real degree. So I will be able to take all my courses online at home after work. Scary but neat how we can do almost everything online.

Thank heaven for the crappy year last year though so I can appreciate how wonderful this year will be. I already want to sign up for my summer courses but I have to wait until I'm a Texas resident. In exactly 6 weeks I get to go down with our power bill and prove we have lived here for a year. I can't believe we have been here for a year almost. It really is starting to grow on me. I love the immediate people I work with and our ward is amazing.

Oh and I have started working out with a friend so hopefully I really will have a good time doing this and get my fat booty in shape this time.

Thanksgiving

2011-12-04T12:25:00.000-08:00

Every year for Thanksgiving we go over to the in-law's house so that we can have pie and then the sister-in-laws and plot our siege on the stores for Black Friday. I miss the time with them. We plot out which stores we need to get what we want, what time they open, what departments we need to be at. Cell phones in hand and we head out around 10p.m. Thanksgiving eve. After shopping all night we hit a fast food place to revamp for the morning assault and go until 8 for me and the rest of them sometimes until 10 or 11. Then I sleep the rest of the day while the boys go do something with their dad.
This year however with us being so very far away it was just our family of 4. I love spending the day cooking and making my house smell like the holidays! This year because we dont have family around I kind of went overboard. For breakfast I usually make pancakes and bacon but this year I made these amazing biscuits from Allrecipes.com J.P.'s Big Daddy Biscuits with sausage gravy!

Then after watching the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade (which every year gets more and more strange) the boys sat down to watch football games. Since I was going overboard already, I made the men-folk chicken wings, motzorella sticks, veggie sticks with ranch, little smokies, deviled eggs, and of course stuffed mushrooms just for me. ;)

After we had our fill of snacks we then of course had dinner. A lovely array of different traditional treats. A few of my friends here in the south said they have some different treats like maccaroni and cheese but we prefer the more traditional northern route of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, candied yams, cranberry sauce and jello salad.

The kids said it was the best T-day ever and that's what matters. I'm a little weepy about not having family near but we seem to be getting in our groove of being without family.

All and all it was a good day and I didn't even mind that I had to go to work the next day and not shopping with the fun girls. Well I did mind, but it didn't ruin my day. At least I had fun with some people at work and got to leave early to go home and spend time with the kids.

Sometimes I swear

2011-11-01T04:23:00.000-07:00

Jarod came home, ate dinner, went to bed around 7:30. I couldn't take the snoring anymore by 2:30 and was up. Then just as his snoring went to a tolerable level Colby got up around 4:15 and wanted to talk, off to bed kid. Just as I thought I would get back to sleep Chloe found the new pop bottle we gave her and started chewing it. Got up and took that. A little before 5 I caught Cam trying to get the laptop in his room to take notes. What kind of notes and on what at 5 in the morning?! Back to bed kid. A little after 5 Colby was trying to make something with Jarod's tools. Back to bed again kid. Then promptly at 6 Chloe threw up the pop bottle lid that she was chewing earlier. And of course with the unnatural ability to sleep through anything; Jarod did. Now I'm off to get ready for work.

Halloween traditions

2011-10-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday would be the day where I would have the cousins over and we would make a mess of my kitchen making cookies. So here in good ole' Texas we did our part to maintain. Made cookies..... too many cookies. But thank heaven we had the trunk-or-treat and promised some to some people. We gave some to my new friend who is awesome and some to the missionaries. They of course loved them and my friend got the recipe for her cookie exchange.

I'm really trying to throw myself into being part of the community here. Going to church, going to church events, school events and joining organizations. I tried to join the Decatur Women's Junior League but they don't have nominations until March and the gal told me to call her then so I could be nominated. Also the Wise Women's Republican club will be getting back to me soon. PTO and other such things should keep us busy and feeling like we're doing something. ;) Next weekend we have a ward part where there will be a turkey shoot, bbq, horseshoe competition and some other stuff. I signed up to make my rolls so that way I can't just say "eh, I don't feel like going".

My club meetings are on 1 Monday a month, Wednesday is my calling night so we have scouts, once a month I go to ladies night Karaoke on Thursdays and church on Sundays. Basketball will be starting up for Colby. Cam decided not to do anything except football, soccer & baseball when it's the season. He literally threw a fit not to do basketball. Weird cuz he's tall for his friends.

Anyway, Jarod might be home soon so I'm off to clean up the house and do all the fun stuff. Hope you all are good!

Fun in the sun!

2011-07-10T11:22:00.000-07:00

I took the kids to the Lake Bridgeport yesterday because we just had to get out of the house and go somewhere. Without family around to entertain my kids while I work this summer they have been getting too much time on the computer and Wii! So away we went. Took me 3 tries to get out of the house; I forgot to put on a shirt over my swimsuit so I could go into Walmart and not feel stupid, and then after driving away from the house a second time I realized I forgot my purse! So after we were 1/2 way to town I realized we forgot towels and said FORGET IT! It was 106 so we would dry off easy anyway right? We went to Walmart and got some snacks since I haven't gone grocery shopping in a while we had nothing in the house but canned food. Cameron also wanted to spend his birthday money so we got that accomplished. We then headed to the lake!

After getting to the lake I just parked wherever and headed down to the beach. Little did I know that you have to reserve the day spots that have the grills and were were parked in a huge families spot. They were nice and only leaned on my truck so I think we're even. We found that out when we were leaving. The kids and I were swimming along when something was nipping at my hand. Figuring it was just a small fish we left it alone. About an hour later I was relaxing in the shallower end when something bit my thigh and drew blood! Screaming like a little girl I evacuated the area and went to go read my book. Apparently I know just how to find all the biting creature. I laid my head own on the blanket and right into a pile of red ants that we had laid the blanket over. I swear they weren't there when we put the blanket down, I checked! So I only got bit on my ear and forehead so it wasn't too bad.

After we got home we let out the dog which we didn't take because last time we were told she couldn't go in the water and since she's black, it was 106 out and she's covered in fur we thought it best to leave her in the a/c house. Anyway, so we let her out and then I called Jarod while I was refilling her pool and I got bit by something. I assume it was a spider but after I got done squishing it on my ankle it was just a black smudge. Hurt like the dickens though. Then later on it looked like one of those bruises you get from softball and my foot went all numb. Now it hurts to move and I can't feel my pinkie toe. Bruise is gone no swelling just can't really move my foot. ER anyone? Nope! just gonna put some windex on it! LOL

While we were there we saw some funny stuff! This HUGELY fat guy popping his zits that were in his armpit. Ga-ross!! People drinking their beer in the swim area while making out then sinking their beer cans. Someone brought their enormous pitbull and he got loose and the kids were laughing because the dog hadn't been fixed so his big testies were swinging. That had to hurt. There were 3 different groups playing 3 different kinds of music but they all kinda went together so it worked.

The kids had a great time and didn't want to leave but after 4 hours in the sun, getting bit 2x and parking in someones spot, i was done. All in all I thing Lake Bridgeport is one of my favorite spots to hang out. And it's free!!!

Food! Glorious Food!!

2011-04-28T11:18:00.001-07:00

Food! Glorious food!!! http://www.kalynskitchen.com/ If you have ever been on the South Beach Diet or in need of a great recipe for any kind of yummy food this is the site for you!! I have been a fan of hers for over 3 years. I discovered her site when I was on the South Beach diet and I was amazed!! She has a way with food and the taste of her food is spot on.

The first recipe I tried was this amazing Shrimp Avocado salad. I had never had an avocado in anything other than guacamole and now I use them any chance I get. I would have never thought to put shrimp with mayo and season them the way she did. It's by far one of my staples of weekly life
The other is this other amazing pinto bean salad. I've never had anything like it. Honestly this woman had opened up my mind and mouth to new experiences. So my suggestion is to find her site. (Hint: Kalynskitchen.com) it's amazing! If you don't have something planned for dinner you should go there and see what she's got. You can plan a healthy amazing dinner for cheap. And no, she doesn't even know that I have suggested this. Kalyn has many followers and I'm sure that I'm not the only one singing her praises.

Now here I go off to the grocery store to pick up more avocados for dinner tonight.

We got a puppy!!!

2011-04-17T20:02:00.000-07:00

Jarod left town and I had to take Colby to the ER because the Urgent care here is crazy expensive because I thought he had strep yet again (this would have been the 4th time in a year) turns out he has a virus and being the scaring kid he is, he gave it to me last night. When we went to the ER Colby got really quiet. 3x in the ER about 18 months ago is enough to scare any kid for a while but he's really freaked by the ER. Anyway! We finish with the test and he's good but because he's been thirsty and that leads to him drinking more water which leads to him going to the bathroom more. Being the good mom, I mentioned this to the DR who then turns it into juvenile diabetes. Well La-T-DAH! I told him, "This has only been 2 days" DR "Well it can start at anytime if you don't have the proper diet" I told him "uh he has ADHD and we don't do much sugar and we really try to watch his diet because he has to eat certain things so he can gain weight properly because of his pills and he tends to not gain weight on them. So I think it's gonna be ok." Dr. says "Well if you lots of potatoes, rice and simple carbs then his pancreas can not do what it needs to." I know that I'm fat but honestly we only have sugars maybe once a week on movie night and Colby's fav snack is an apple or an orange. So I felt like this guy just took a seminar and wants to project his new wisdom on me. Anyway!!!

So Colby was freaked out because that's one think he doesn't do well is hearing a DR say he has one more thing "wrong" with him. He wasn't doing so good and it was now 1PM. We were right by the animal shelter so I said hey, "WE ARE NOT, NOT, NOT!!! Going to get a dog. We are just going to look so when we are ready we can know what we are looking for." OK mom, says Colby. I just wanted to pick his spirits up. So we go in and he of course fell in love with the 2 puppies. We went and got info on adoption from the front desk. Colby was just in love and she was so cute. So we called Jarod, who was busy and said "Do whatever the hell you want" So after tears from Colby and some discussion with Jarod we got the puppy. She's a lab mix and just so cute and cuddly. Potty training has been interesting. Cam got to name her since he wasn't there when we got her. (yes I know, bad mommy) He has let me know over and over and over how rotten it was of me. She has some of the same markings as the cat. Black with white on the paws and a white patch from the corner of her mouth to the upper part of her chest. Cam is really upset by the piddle that happens because of the clean up and the going out over and over and over again. It sucks but it's worth it! One day she will know "outside" and "potty" and "DON'T SCARE THE KITTY!!"

Speaking of Kitty, He was not happy! But he's doing ok. Cloe, which is the dogs name; was sniffing Kitty's behind and he did NOT like it. once, ok, twice you get the hiss, three times you get the paw with claws out! She stayed away from Kitty for the rest of the day and some of the next. Her first night was AWFUL. She whined and whined and then she pooped in her box. I hadn't gotten a kennel yet but that was rectified the next morning ASAP. Thank heaven for kennels! The next night was amazing! She whined once and then went to sleep and better yet, NO POOP in the morning! She was so cute in her bath and she was such a great little girl. Right now she is sleeping under the kitchen table. and doing that puppy snoring thing. I need some rest! I have to get up in a few hours and take her to the bathroom.

Out and about!

2011-04-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

This is where my garden is going to go when we get the tractor over here. Under the grass is hard pack clay so it will be fun to see Jarod on the big green tractor (country song reference). My dad says I have to put manure on it and a ton of topsoil. Since Dad grew up on a farm, I'm gonna listen.

It was so hot out 90! with 30% humidity so out the kids went with Fun-Pops!! They went through a bag of the pops in 2 weeks and are begging for more. However the weather changed and it's getting cold for the next few weeks so we're on a break from the fun pops much to their dismay.

Outside the fenced part of the yard is a culvert tube that we are going to put in the gully in the front yard so we can have a 2nd driveway entrance. However! as of now the kids love to play on it. What do you play on a huge heavy tube? Well Ninja Star Wars of course! Their pretty cute and Cam said I couldn't put these pics on my Facebook, but he never said I couldn't put it on my blog!! Waaaa haa haa haaa (evil laugh ;)

Coyotes, wasps, and spiders. OH MY!!

2011-04-02T11:10:00.000-07:00

Living out side the city or even the suburbs can have its perks but it can also have its issues! On the first week we moved in we discovered our house looked like Arachnophobia the movie outside. Then I discovered the reason. The Daring Jumping Spider. They are really pretty as far as spiders go but I still don't want them in the house. I found about 100 of them including their nasty HUGE nests outside. We took out half of them but some of them escaped the battle and lived to see another day. When they come in the house I bump them off but when they are outside I tell the kids to leave them alone. DJS's are good killers of other insects. They aren't aggressive and are very smart according to their publicist. They do get kind of big, about the size of a quarter. When the kids find them, they always call good old mom to come destroy the invader! The husband just looks at them and studies them to see how they work and what they look like and drive me nuts. I on the other hand beat the trash out of them and squish them until their almost obliterated. So they can live... just not in the house.

Next came the wasps! The husband is allergic and one of the kids thinks he's allergic but he's never been stung so we don't know for sure. Wasps are fine in theory. They pollinate the flowers and other crap like that but I don't like the stingers. So we bought two 2 liters of pop and proceed to chug them down. You know for the bottles not for the yummy deliciousness of Coke but for science. Then we made wasp catchers and caught 2! wasps. That's it! and then the little buggers disappeared. That part was nice but it still would have been more satisfying to catch more than 2. Then my husband brought in the desk that was on the porch. I hadn't been feeling very well, the husband left that morning to go work a race out of town and I had dropped the kids off at the bus so I went back to bed. I was loving woken up by my cat "Kitty" chattering at a wasp on the ceiling. I thought to myself "well that's odd." Then after squishing that one there was another one in the living room buzzing around. "Odd", I thought to myself; squishing it. When the third and forth one came zooming out from a smoke detector on the ceiling I freaked. I tried to call the husband to tell him and get advice but alas he was still flying. So I squished them too. Later that day I found two more one in the starter strawberries in the kitchen and one that must have sensed the demise of the others and was trying desperately to get out the closed sliding door. He didn't make it. He too was annihilated without remorse. By then the husband had landed and was on the phone with me trying to figure out how the evil doers got into the house. Together we decided it best not to tell the kids. When the kids came home my youngest went to the desk and found the 8th and hopefully final one in the desk. We haven't seen any since so I'm thinking they came in on the desk.

I will say that hearing the coyotes howl at night is pretty cool. The other morning though I thought I saw 2 of them over by where the kids school bus stops so that freaked me out. However the husband saw them later and told me they had collars and they are indeed dogs not to worry. Whew! Sigh of relief. It has been really interesting to hear them. The youngest child gets a little freaked out when he's about to fall asleep and he can hear them so I just crank the CD player filled with church music to brainwash him and it's fine.

All in all it's been really interesting living here for the little while we've been here.

Welcome to TEXAS!

2011-04-01T10:07:00.000-07:00

So after packing up the entire house throwing it on a truck, having trailer behind truck break, having back-up trailer break and then finally renting another one and having the husband driving the truck & trailer make it down to the house 17 hours after the kids and I got here was quite the adventure! Thank heaven one of the brother-in-laws (Daniel: thank you, thank you, thank you!!) drove down with me. I normally don't let anyone drive my car but I'm such a baby when doing long hauls I totally let him drive most of the way.

So when we pulled up to Motel8 at midnight and the kids saw 2 big guys talking loudly outside they were scared out of their minds. After coaxing them to come inside and sleep they woke up and were excited by how cool the room was. They even jumped on the bed and had the complementary breakfast while talking to the gentlemen that were scaring them before. Funny how kids view things at midnight!

We went on with the rest of our trip and arrived to our new home around 11PM. We unloaded the blankets and pillows and crashed on the floor. The rest of our stuff was on the truck with the husband. No beds with us so we just cranked the heat and crashed!! The next day I got my first dose of going to the DFW airport. That place is HUGE! Dropped off the B.I.L and then got lost, cried, and then found my way home. After that the husband came home and we unloaded the truck. That went 1000% faster than loading did. Beds made and we had a great first night.

Then the husband went back to work within a few moments of unloading the truck. Here I was putting everything away. We left the stove, sectional and dryer back in Utah so we have to find and buy that. Unfortunately the modem that the company down here said should work, didn't work. So then we had to wait for the new modem to come. When it came it didn't work! Frustrated with microwave cooking, handwashing laundry and not being able to use the web I had a complete come-apart! Hyperventilation and everything. I scared the kids but I felt much better. My brother asked if we were moving back to Utah. Nope just needed to freak out. It's a big change and with the husband working from sun up to sun down I just felt very alone. So the husband will be coming home next week and then we will buy the stuff we need.

When we got here the kids had 2 days left of the school week so we kept them home. Then the school was on spring break. Now the kids are driving me nuts! Too much to do and too many kid underfoot ready to "help". After we could get the kids in school we found out that they have to catch the bus at 6:30 to be at school by the start time at 7:45! Their old school started at 9 and they were out at 3. Now they have an extra hour of school, their are no early out days EVERY Friday, no 3-4 day weekends every month and no 20 minute bus ride. They aren't too thrilled but they are getting more education and they are doing really well.

They take the TAKS test next week so we'll see if they pass to the next grade. I'm no too worried. My oldest being all of 10 and 1/2 is having a bit of a drama but my youngest is really loving the fresh start. Anyway we'll post more with pictures in a bit. Miss all the family and hope to see them soon.

Thankful for so many things

2010-11-28T12:34:00.000-08:00

This Thanksgiving I had the great joy of being with my husbands entire family. All 7 brothers and sisters came together to celebrate and enjoy each others company. It was truly amazing and fun. Every year my husband and I get into a little tiff around the holidays. Nothing too crazy but just stress of getting a meal together and trying to make it fun for the kids just seems to get us snipping at each other. However it only lasts a few hours and then we are right back to normal. This Thanksgiving was special because as we plan on our move we were glad to be able to have all the cousins together one last time for a few years.

The sister-in-laws and I kind of have a tradition that after T-day dinner we plot and plan our strategy for the Black Friday attack!!! We lay out all the adds, see what time everything opens and what we want where. Since there are so many of us we hit a store like a military assault. We each get a section with everything that everyone needs from that list and then we stand there with our cell phones in hand ready to get what we want. It's all very thought out. Not to bad for people who don't like to shop. This year I was on a very tight budget so I got the kids their jeans, jammies, and a few board games. The rest of the night was spent helping get everyone what they were after. Since we started at 10:00 P.M. Thanksgiving night and went until 8:00A.M. that Friday is spent sleeping for me. I usually get to sleep while my husband takes the kids out and does something super fun like shooting or riding the 4-wheelers. However the husband happened to be outside raking leaves when the youngest son went out to the truck where I had stashed everything and then comes in at 12:23 to say to is brother "You wont believe the toys that are in the truck!!". I woke up crying. I had spent all night trying to get some cute things for the kids because we are on such a tight budget and then to wake up to all of it ruined because the truck wasn't locked was just heartbreaking.

I told the kids that it all has to go back now. To which the response was "But mom, we're already in trouble can't we play with the stuff and keep it?" No son, no. It's not really going back but hey it will keep them surprised when they open up the games on Christmas morning. I was so thankful to have the husband home and enjoying the time we get to spend with his family. We also were thankful for my nephew to be of age to be baptized and we were able to have the whole family there for him. My husband's grandma is just an amazing person and always so bright and cheerful but she is getting older and we were so thankful to have her close and with us for the holiday.

This year we had so much to be thankful for and so much we had learned this year. Thank goodness for cheerful spirits. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!!!!

Cousin day!

2009-12-17T07:19:00.000-08:00

So as we all know I like to have the kids get together about once a month for cousin day. It gives them a time to bond and play. I must say that all the kids got along great and were really good with each other. We made cards for Grandma Hurley, decorated cookies and practiced our play. Oh and we made pizza. The kids had a blast! You can see pictures on my facebook page. I'm too lazy to upload them here. ;)

Soo soo tired still

2009-11-28T13:37:00.000-08:00

On Friday morning at midnight the sister-in-laws and I left the in-laws house and went to scout everything. Um yeah bad idea. LOL We had so much fun and we just had a blast hanging out with each other. I'm so glad that Annie got to join us for the scouting trip. Next year she'll have to plan on the whole night. Angela, Katherine and I were out until almost 9 in the morning. Since I had up since 7 the morning before I was soo beat! I'm still beat, my throat hurts and I wonder if I'll ever be able to get enough rest again. BUT! On the great side of it we all got some amazing deals and we all had a blast. I couldn't believe the prices of GIRLS clothes. Why can't they make cute cheap boys clothes? It was great to see the cheap stuff though and all the kids will be having a great Christmas.

Jarod was super sweet and let me sleep while he took the kids 4-wheeling. I didn't sleep but it was nice to just relax and rest. The kids had fun with that and enjoyed playing with their cousins. I'm hoping we get our Christmas bonus this year and we can get a Wii! I want one soo bad. The kids are getting one more thing for sure and it's going to be fun riding boots and protection gear. Then their gear can stay in the box and they wont be tracking sand through the house. Love that they had fun though. Now we are all just pooped and enjoying the rest of the weekend. Hope you all have a great weekend.

Holiday Plans!

2009-11-16T08:48:00.000-08:00

I know I sent some of you out this letter but for those of you who didn't get I wanted to let you know our plans. (and even if you didn't) I can't wait until the holidays! I love getting the family together. I'm really excited because my brother and his wife will be coming down right before Christmas!! It's always awesome to see them.

I wanted to let you know our plans for this winter in case any of you wanted to join us. Every year Jarod and I are trying to make memories with the kids. Some traditions that they will remember and love to live out with their kids later.

To start things off we will be going to the Jubilee of Trees November 23rd in the evening. (it's free!!)

Also there is rumor that there will be a tree lighting on Main Street at the day after Thanksgiving. I heard that they will also have one in Washington if you would rather go to that one.

We are also going to try to hit the Dickens Festival that runs December 2-5th 10 am - 9 pm at the convention center. They have mini-plays and some great shops to get you in the spirit. Also to give you great ideas that would be fun to make or do for Christmas. It's $5 adults $3 kids and under 5 is free.

If you all want to join us on December 5th we are going up to Cedar for sledding. If you want to come with us it would be a ton of fun. We'll bring coco and Christmas carols for the way up! It might change to Pine Valley depending on what we plan on doing.

The Heritage Choir is singing at the Tabernacle on December 11th @ 7:30 and it is such a pretty thing to hear and see. The tabernacle is decorated to fit the season beautifully. (best thing? It's free!!!) You have to be a early thought because they fill up fast... really fast. Last year we got there almost an hour ahead because Cameron was singing and it was almost packed.

Speaking of the Tabernacle, we aren't going to forget to visit the Temple lights. It's so pretty and if you stop by the visitor center it is more than likely the best way to REALLY remember what the season is all about. I think it would be fun and a nice event to go through with the whole family this season.

For those of you with kids, last year we did a Carpenter Cousin Christmas Celebration. We really had a blast last year. More to come on that later in an email to the parents. But it will be on December 19th @ 3:30PM. This will give all you parents with last minute shopping to do time without your kids. We'll feed the kids so don't worry about that. Some of Aunt Milissa's marvoulous pizza and making cookies and a little craft!

Afterwards on the 19th we would love it if you would all join us and go to the Live Nativity at Tuachan. The tickets are $2 each or $10 per family. (no we all don't count as a family LOL) I promise that this year I will wear earplugs and that way I will be able to hear afterwards and then I'll wont be yelling. That starts @ 7 so if we could all meet there at 6:30 then we can get the kids to see Santa then get seats together. After we can ride the Holiday train for $1.

Don't forget getting together @ Mom & Dad's house for our family get togther Christmas eve! Dad said that he has a Nativity skit planned for the kids too. This should be great to see them all together having such a great time.

So we break it down like this. ;)

November 23rd (Monday night): Jubilee of Trees FREE!
December 5th (SaturdayAM then leave for sledding): Dickens Festival & sledding $5 adults $3 kids
December 11th ( Friday 7pm): Heritage Choir FREE!
December 14th (Monday @7?): FHE? Temple lights & Visitor center FREE!
December 19th (Saturday3:30 & 6:30): Cousin party, live nativity, & look @ lights & coco at our house $2 per person, $1 train ride, Santa Free
December 24th (Thursday): Christmas eve @ mom & dad's

I know it sounds like a lot so if you don't want to come or have a bunch of plans too... no worries! I just wanted to let you know what we have planned this year. If it gives you ideas aweseome! If you can join us even better! I know the kids love hanging with the family so much. Honestly, I'm really not trying to be bossy, just love the holidays!

Love you guys Happy Holidays!

Milissa

awesome but weird

2009-07-11T16:41:00.000-07:00

For 8 days we got to go see our friends who we consider family out at the lake over the 4th. We love this trip! Don't get me wrong with this title but being back home was a little different this time. Let me just say I know who I am and it's funny when 1 person keeps trying to change that. Not happening but funny. Pushers are hysterical to have around. Just because you leave your home doesn't mean you forget who you are. Other than 2 small hic-ups it was the best week possible.

Volleyball, badmitton, kickball, waterballon toss, the threelegged race, potato sack races, arts and crafts, the skiers getting up, going to Riverfront Park and so much more. Sitting around the campfire and sharing stories, eating till I just about popped and having the kids and my husband for almost all the days around me. It was just about heaven.

You can check my pictures on my facebook site. It's been amamzing.

You have to understand this is a once in a year thing where we get a bunch of us together that have know each other since..... well most of them since birth but some of us just for the past 15 or so years. Living far awa is really amazing to see everyone come together and have so much fun. On the 4th there were games, fun, fashion show, 6-7 skiers behind the boats and so much more.

This year I decided to do an arts and crafts project that was amazing. The kids loved it and it was a ton of fun. I was kind of stressed because the under 5 age scares the crap out of me to do a project with. But the moms & dads came and helped out a ton. Thanks guys!!

I forgot to get pictures of the pinata and a few other things but there is so much going on there that it's hard to catch everything. Which is why it's awesome that we all have cameras there! Yea!!! Sitting around the campfire at night is the best. Surprisingly there was no interuption of the kids. they just went and laid down or hung out with their friends. It was a ton of fun. Jared was really respectful about having our kids not watching a movie that he brought because it wasn't what I thought appropriate for our kids. Thanks Jared!

Cooking was really easy this year, next year I only have to do one meal so I'm so thankful for that. Although my breakfast was easy it was more stressful than the dinner. Oh the dinner! I love Hawaiian food (I blame Angela for making me addicted to it, why does it have to be soooo sooo sooo sooo yummy?) The mochi didn't turn out but it as still amamzing. So many meals were so fabulous it was hard to pick a winner. I got Penny's potato salad so I was in heaven. Oh! And Jenna's pasta salad. Note to self get the recipes for some stuff out there.

Anyway there is so much to list but so little time it's really fun there. The kids were only bored once and they had a really good time. Our kids are amamzing travelers now. Easy because I made them each a book of stuff for them to do. (props to me) They were only bored once on the way up and asleep for most of the time on the way home.

Tears were shed on the way out so next year it wont be so hard..... well maybe. ;) I might add on to this later becaue there was so much going on and I just have no brain activity to do that right now. Focused on something else. ;)

Fireproof

2009-06-11T23:18:00.000-07:00

It's very late as I write this so bare with me. I am a horrible speller and when I get tired my typing really takes off. For a very long time I have spentmany hours boasting about my marriage and how great it is. I watched that movie Fireproof and cried and cried. Might be because I'm a little hormonal, but mostly I think it was because I realized that even though I think I have a strong faith, I sometimes don't.

Sometimes, ok mostly I put my needs above what our Heavenly Father has sent us to do here. Raise happy righteous children in a home that is safe and filled with love. Now any one who knows me knows that my home growing up wasn't filled wiht love but with power struggles and contemptment. So learning how to incorporate that into our lives is sometimes a struggle for me. yes "I'm doing a good job" Yes, "I'm an amazing mother" but I know I can do better and each day I try. Some days I fall flat on my face, but at least I'm trying. One day I might acheive perfection, but I'm guessing it wont be while my kids are in the house.

I highly recomend this movie. It was amazing. Not only does it put your marriage back into focus but also Heavenly Father.

I do not share the same faith as Kirk Cameron, but we do share the belife that the Lord should come first and then everything else will fall into place. In a world where I feel like I'm constantly trying to go go go and make make make I need reminders of this wonderful lesson. To put it in main stream like that is so awesome. I loved it.

working on my tan the hard way

2009-04-22T04:27:00.000-07:00

Jarod bought me a bike this weekend. I didn't realize that there was a bike trail that goes from our house to work and it's only 1.3 miles! So I took it yesterday. It was great not having to worry about getting the truck going. It also makes me plan more. I had forgotten my sunscreen and my lip balm at home. By the time my fat but got home in the 90 degree weather I was tired and this mornng my arms fell a little burnt. Still not hurting today but man I was tired. I have to remember that it is 90 and I need water along the way home. It's a really pretty ride. I get to go over 2 bridges and meet hardly anyone along the way. hmmmm shouldn't say that just incase a serial killer reads this and desides to off me. (yes I know too many lifetime movies) Anyways..... Still like that I have a choice to ride.

2009-04-13T07:02:00.001-07:00

Thanks Joanne for sharing this with our family.

Jarod won again!

2009-04-04T10:45:00.000-07:00

Jarod won his race again! I think he realy has a shot this year but I don't want to jinx it too much. Go J-Rod Go!!!

Our newest addition

2009-03-31T17:31:00.000-07:00

Our newest addition to our family. A one room sleeper for when we go camping. It's not so bad for $300! Jarod can fix the leaky part and he said I did a good job of finding it. It even has a toilet! Yea!! Now we don't have to stop every 10 minutes for me to go to the bathroom. The boys already love it. We plan on taking it out on Easter weekend and it should be a ton of fun. The fridge is a propane fridge so thats nice. Buying dry ice for our old icechest was very expensive and very not cold. It has an oven that has never been used. Love that. So we (as in I except the outside parts) will be tricking it out. I'm thinking chrome and checkered flag theme. I'm hoping to have it done by the time we go up north for 4th. I'm thinking the first thing I will do is bug spray though and a good bleach down. These are before shots and I'll do afters when its all done. Oh and it's going on my spiffy new-ish truck.

Jarod's race!

2009-03-22T13:43:00.000-07:00

If you want to see Jarod race this year and can't make it then just turn on your computer. if you go to www.sportstv4u.com then they will broadcasting it.

The races will be seen in 160 countries on www.SportsTV4U.com, as well as on TVS Sports via broadcast and cable TV syndication. The Bullring races also will be seen on www.LocalsLoveVegas.com,

So now it should be easy if you are out of town or out of country. ;)

oh and on his first race at Las Vegas this year he came in 1st!!! totally awesome!!

and 3 makes us done!

2009-03-18T17:18:00.000-07:00

Colby broke his arm 1 month and 4 days ago. He finally got his cast off yesterday and received a very long bath. On the 3rd he almost died because of a overdose of his medication. Then on Friday he was riding his bike and fell and scratched his right arm from elbow to wrist. and about just as wide.

And NOW!!! he broke his arm again! Thanks to a trip to Jump-in-jacks the indoor bounce house and an employee flipping him, Colby has a fracture that is a hairline right under his ball joint on his left arm. Oh and yes that is the same arm he just got his cast off of. Yes life is good.

Funny thing is Grandma Kim said that he has the Chad curse and that he will be breaking stuff a lot. So that's funny that he started to this month. So within a month and 4 days he has broken 3 bones and almost died. I've decided that he will be put into a padded room as of tomorrow.

Thus we all may suffer!

2009-03-04T19:25:00.001-08:00

Anyone who s addicted to the Twilights knows She is writing a companion book through Edwards point of view. Well since some idiot decided to post her new book sofar online she is not continuing the rest of the book. You can read what she wrote thus far (if you want to) on her official site. Personally, I'm hoping that no one will read it and that she will finish the book. Some of us do like opening presents before Christmas, but not when the rest of you would suffer. So to whomever posted it Bite me. You have done ticked me off by taking a great story and making sure it doens't see the light of day. That and if you were an employee I'm sure you were fired. (serves you right) Thems my thoughts.

LOCO MOCO!!!

2009-02-23T13:19:00.000-08:00

I love Loco Moco! Yummy if you have never had the chance to have this then you should. Angela got me hooked on it from the grill and now I make it at home as often as the kids will eat it. so like once every other month LOL

Recipe
Rice
brown gravy
sunny side up egg
onions saute'
and hamburger pattie

yummy!! The picture doen't do it justice but it's awesome.

So so so good, I have left overs and I can't wait to get home to eat it!

Colby won

2009-02-15T12:04:00.000-08:00

It's been kind of a running gag that we were waiting for one of the boys to break something because of how active they are. So Colby won. Being the mean mommy I am I told Colby he couldn't practice karate in the family room. Colby went to his room to practice. After starting dinner I went to sit down and watch a little tv. All of a sudden I hear Colby screaming "I broke my arm, I BROKE MY ARM, I BROKE MY ARM!!!" Normally I would not feak out, but I really did. Running down the hall to Colby's room little did Iexpect that I was going to find his arm in a Z. Yes a Z. Thank heaven it wasn't a compound fracture or I would have really freaked out. So I threw him in the truck, told the neighbor girl to watch Cameron (while I was freaking out and putting Colby in the truck Cam ran over and got her), and then called Jarod while driving down the street. If Colby had waited 1 more minute then Jarod would have been home. We passed each other at the end of the block while I was in hysterics. He got the neighbor situated with Cam and came down like 2 minutes later.

I have seen many many broken bones and really bad things and never freaked out. I have given CPR for over 20 minutes until the EMT showed up and told me the guy (with no teeth EWWW) was gone. Still just continued taking care of the rest of my patients.

But when it came to seeing my son's arm twisted into that form I have never had to repent for using the Lord's name in vain so many times. (like the OMG at least 100 times) Colby on the other hand was calm and collected. Urging me to not drive like I was in a bumper car race. The entire time the little guy didnt cry once! Not once! He was very quiet and thought he was going to be in trouble for doing what he wasn't suppose to be in his closet. Jarod's parents come to give support and Colby a blessing. I am so thankfull they were there.

He did crack a laugh when one of the nurses came in and asked him which girl beat him up. Then he laughed. So the dr came in and he was the same one that did work on Grandma so he was really good. Colby like Jarod can deal with pain really well. Once they gave him the grugs he was kind of out. I stepped out in the hall and went down a ways. Jarod stayed there and Grandma watched the whole thing. About half way through he woke up and said owww and they all stopped and gave him more meds. Jarod is the same way it takes twice as much stuff to knock him out too. Once out they worked and finished quickly.

His recovery was hysterical! He was waking up and saying how I had 4 eyes and 4 lips. The best part was he turned into the bud man. "I looooove you mom" "your my mom, I love you mom" "Did you know that I broke my arm" Very funny. So once he was up and running we went home. Jarod's parents had picked up Cam from the neighbors and brought him home. I went to the store to get his meds and his ice cream. You know the important stuff.

When I got back the kid was all smiles. It's so weird. He just was upset about not being able to ride his 4-wheeler for a while. Jarod told me later that he's going to try to help him ride it once he gets his cast on. I swear Dads! I think the mom will have something to say about that. Anyway, he's fine, no tears, no complaining, just the best any kid could have been through out the entire process. He's amazing. I'm so glad that he will be ok. No real surgery just some x-ray's to make sure he's on track for healing properly.

Ahh fun

2009-02-05T16:38:00.000-08:00

Ok so since I have been missed by my many followers I shall enchant you with my presence. Ok so I have been looking for a good new book to read and I have found a really good new series. The Movie Inkheart is coming out and so I told the boys after we read the book we would see the movie. Well that isn't going to happen. It's one thing to read Harry Potter to your kids but to read Inkheart is quite a different story. I really enjoyed this read. You don't pour through it like HP or Twilights but rather you savor every word. Each word has a meaning that needs to be thought out and enjoyed. I'm now on the second book and enjoying every minute in the bathroom with it. It's been translated from German so some of the phrasing doesn't quite make sense until you read the entire paragraph. These books are like stepping back in time. I kind of like them. ;)

Other than that not much going on. Stressing out as usuaal trying to do it all. I swear it's cush a lie. No one can do it all....right?

I've enjoyed a day out with Todd, Angela, and the monkeys. That was tons of fun riding. I am still finding sand every where!!! I can't wait until Jarod gets his 4-wheeler done and we can go out together as a family. Then poor Uncle Todd wont have to spend most of his time fixing the boys rides.

t-ball season is starting soon and I can't wait to get the boys going with that. They love it.

Next weekend all the cousins are coming over to bake cookies for valentines day. That will be so much fun. I love making cookies with the kids. Too much fun!

So now that i have finished messing around I'm going to pull it together and finish cleaning the house.

Perfection

2009-01-13T20:05:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was perfect! No fighting, no yelling, no kids asking to stay up till all hours, we even had time for FHE and a game!!! (Uno spin rocks!) Monday was amazing!! So then comes Tuesday. It wasn't bad per-say (sp?) but it wasn't as bad as the last month, so we're all good. So we didn't have time for scrabble, but we did have cub scouts and Jarod & Colby were cleaning the garage. Tomorrow we have promised the boys we would play scabble. Should be fun. Our big resolution this year is no tv during the week and so far we have held true forthe kids. Maybe that's the big difference. We'll see. Anyway the mouthyness is finally calming down and thank heaven for DVR!!!

something new to read

2009-01-12T14:32:00.000-08:00

Ok I have read and reread and re re read all the twilights and now I need something else to read. any suggestions?

Christmas 2008

2008-12-27T11:23:00.000-08:00

We were lucky enough to have my brother and his soon to be fiance' down this year. We had a ton of fun. We got the kids games this year and not the video kind. We thought they had enough and that we need to spend more time together as a family. Of course we spent Christmas Eve with Mom & Dad. It was so much fun seeing the whole family together. Mom & Dad got us all this wonderful reminder of wht Christmas is really about. They were beautiful crystal squares with the Christ statue in the middle. I don't know how they do that, but it's cool. The christmas story was ready by Dad and mom with a presentation. All the kids got to be involved. I think grandma and I agree that next year Colby gets his present before the party starts. Why? Oh because he was so hyped up bouncing everywhere and then when he got his present he sat in a corner and just put it together..... QUIETLY. Ha'a is really coming along on the piano and I have never seen Mana so excited about PJ's it was adorable! Sammy and Cameron have a realy connection that is so cute. I'm so glad that they are in daycare together. Kendall was really funny predending to be a dog licking Cameron. 3 is such a fun age. Oh I almost forgot. Santa brought the kids a real tool set. Colby was in heaven. Cameron is excited to learn about how to fix stuff and get his next belt loop. Jarod finally got his telescope and said that he would help Cam also earn his astormomy belt loop too. Cameron's favorite present has to be the lazer tag game that the boys got. Very cool. Thank you to Uncle Tony who let the kids wake him up around 5 so that they could wait for us until 6 while watching tv. Oh yeah that's my kids waking up early. What's my present? oh yeah! We are getting new countertops!!! Marble countertops!!!! That will be boasted.... I mean posted in another post. ;) So here are some pictures for you to love. ;) Very fun.

Live Nativity

2008-12-20T15:16:00.000-08:00

Last night was fun with everyone at the live nativity. It was nice to have just about the whole family together. The music was really pretty but a little loud, so I apologize to anyone who thought I was yelling at them. It wasn't you, it was my slight cold and the fact that I have to be louder then anyone/anything else. :) Anywho The kids all had fun riding the train and running around.... oh wait that was just my little bugger. I really wish there was no such thing as sugar but that is another blog. Needless to say Colby went to bed early and thank heaven he wasn't too late on his pill. OY!

Back to the good stuff. We got there early enough to see Santa and to see the lights. They are amazing. It was so funny rushing the kids through having our brood there was a big job for Santa. Next year would be fun if we could get the whole family together and I start out not so rushed. LOL (not like that will ever happen)

The Nativity was beautiful. The cast did a really good job. Very nice narrative. Wonderful music and not too cold.

Here are the pictures and I have a new found admiration for Angela and all the photo work she does for our family. I never knew how many red eyes we have in the family. Sorry if you end up with one, but I'm not as skilled as Angela.

Lot of fun with everyone. Todd and the boys even had a snowball fight for a few seconds. Merry Christmas everyone!

Yes it does snow in the desert

2008-12-20T14:48:00.000-08:00

Snow on our house. love it. the whole wopping 3" that shut the school district down.

Carpenter Cousin Christmas Party!!

2008-12-13T16:45:00.000-08:00

I've had this thought about a cousin Christmas party for the kids for a while, but now they are really in the right age to enjoy it. So we had everyone over that lives down here, and it was so much fun. We decorated cookies, opened presents, and as you can see the real reason I love having the kids over CHORES!! The kids love to play around in the yard and they have been wanting to rake the leaves and jump in them for a long time. I had games planned but the kids showed me that they don't need me to have fun. Just them, some garden tools, and their cousins and they are set. Lots of fun! Hopefully next year we can have all the kids around. That would be great.

trickery is afoot

2008-12-10T18:37:00.000-08:00

So if you know me or Jarod very well, then you know that Jarod will put anything off until I start it. Much to Jarod's surprise he came home tonight to me putting up Christmas lights. I didn't know where Jarod's ladder was so I went and asked our neighbors. ;) They gladly gave me theirs and off I went. I am deathly afraid of heights by the way. So there I stand halfway up the ladder shaking. Thank heaven Jarod came home when I was getting to the peaks. Jarod finished up for me. Of course he used the clips the right way, and took down my tape that was holding up some of it. Yes, I know..... a woman's work. LOL Enjoy the pictures!

Oh Tannenbaum

2008-12-09T18:07:00.000-08:00

Here is our finished and tweaked tree with pictures of my little menz. AWWWWW

Changed my mind

2008-12-06T10:03:00.000-08:00

So I saw Twilight the whole way through, and low and behold, I loved it. Once I got past the fact that the Bella the director wants will be skittish, I really enjoyed it. Since New Moon will be coming out in 2010, should be interesting on how that one plays out. Maybe too much time will have passed from the books to the movie productions. With Harry Potter they will have finished the movies 4 years after the last book was run. But with 7 books, they were able to start before the series ended. I wonder if we will ever see Eclipse or Breaking Dawn on film. If they are going to do it, they will have to work fast.

ornaments done!

2008-12-04T08:05:00.000-08:00

So I was doing Katherine's ornaments, and they turned out so good that Jarod actually asked me to make one for us! He never cares about that kind of thing, so it was really nice to hear him say how much he liked them. Maybe I'll sell ebay ones. Money would be nice right? LOL Ok, but seriously, is it something in the air that is making my kids be weird? Colby and Cam have been nuts lately. Just crazy kids doing crazy things. One has been acting wonderful at school finally, while the other one "forgets" his homeowrk and then blames me. Uh last time I checked, I wasn't your secretary. Kylene's blog reminded me of the fun stuff 3 year olds do. For the longest time Colby was facinated with eggs. Have you ever had to clean up 2 dozen eggs off the floor and your child? Yes eggs are fun. If memory serves Cameron loved butter and would smear it everywhere before eating it all. You have to love boys. I think boys stands for

Bringing
Ordinary
Youth to
Startelingness

Thats my thoughts love you guys.

Twilight

2008-11-26T12:20:00.001-08:00

Ok, so saw the movie, or rather 1/2 of the movie, and really not impressed. I had to stop 1/2 way through, I couldn't watch anymore, it was not all I had hoped it would be. Maybe I expected too much because of they hype, but the Bella they had was too fidgetty, and whiney. So unsure of herself and not in the same way that the books are. Edward seemed so hard and cocky compaired to the vision in my head. I think the movie was good if you never read the books, and never expected them a certain way. Maybe oneday I can enjoy the movie, but not until much later I think.

it's up !!! it's up , it's up!!!!!!

2008-11-25T12:17:00.001-08:00

so just a quick howdy dooty, twilight is up!!! on movietvonline (dot) com!!~

Curses foiled again!!! it wont load. When will these people understand that I can't go to the movie and need!!! to watch it online. Come on put it up already.

FYI

2008-11-23T18:43:00.000-08:00

So I have really been planning Christmas this year, and I have some really fun stuff planned for this year. One of which is that they will of course get a letter from Santa himself. For the last two years the boys have gotten them from him, and they love it. They take them around to show their friends, and really get a kick out of them. Anyway, you can get these awesome letters at freelettersfromsantaclaus.com very cool. They personalize them with their names, and different things, very cute.

Oh for those of you following, the boys both finished 3rd in their league for football. So very cute. Now they have their flags, and they are enjoying the back yard. Love it.

Kim's tree was beautifuly cute. So wonderful, and nothing like it. It was fun to see it tonight and have the kids have their first visit with Santa.

So far, that's all that's going on now.
TTFN

once a fool......

2008-11-17T13:49:00.000-08:00

As most of you know because you read my blog so often, that I applied for a position with a reputable online site for a second job. Turns out that if it sounds too good to be true, it must be too good to be true. After spending weeks wishing and hoping, and filling out the information that they asked for. A small blurb came across my email. "Said position is a fake, and was used to promote site." OH burn! So after wanting this position with a reputable writer, who by the way is in Elle magazine (ask E. Jean) (scam) I find out I was too hopeful. Oh why can't my dreams of being totally on point about writing be there? Why can't people just say, "hey, my site isn't doing so good, but it's a cute site, so check it out" ? Truly it is a very cute site, and really nicely put together, needs a little tweaking, but really not too bad. (www.askejean.com) Here's my problem. I really thought maybe this wouldn't be a scam, but when I got that little email, it really confirmed I will always believe in the good of people. I believe that when you tell me you want help, you really do, I believe that when you say hey, I'll help you for helping me you will. I hate being so hopeful that I get plowed in the side when they turn out false. But at least I can say that I still hope, and try. I feel bad for that person using someone's good name and making it into a scam. Oh well, I'm no stranger to hard work, so off I go to job #3 in hopes of becoming debt free by the end of this century!

Holiday Begins

2008-11-15T08:55:00.000-08:00

Today is the start of my Holiday plan. This weekend I get to finish my Christmas cards, and start my neighbor gifts! I love the holiday season. It reminds me to take some time out, and really focus on what important. Jarod has laid down the law with me, and has told me I am no longer "allowed" to work 3 jobs. To which I laughed, but it's kind of an interesting approach. I have been working a bunch, but it will be paying off sooner or later. Colby got to help me with the Christmas cards, and we're almost done with them. Then we will be moving on to the neighbor gifts. Have you ever tried to make small really cute, really cheap, gifts for about 15 people? I read the funniest blog, that totally sums up our ward, and how it works for neighbor gifts for us in our little cul-de-sac. www.josikilpack.blogspot.com/2007/12/neighbor-gifts-via-utah-mormons. It works really well if you stick to the rules, but leaving anyone out is really hard. I'm hoping to finish them today. I'll post a picture when I'm all done. I can't wait to do the family things we have planned this season. Fixing dinner on Thanksgiving, the family football game that I hope will become a tradition, watching the parade, and the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Christmas this season will be so fun, delivering neighbor gifts, going to the Tuacahn Live Nativity making cookies for Santa, reading the story from the Bible, finding a tree as a family, decorating it, making more decorations, and so much more. I really want to have a good Christmas this year. I get to have my brother and his girlfriend down, and I really can't wait for that. They are giving the best present and staying in hotel rooms! I love to have family around, but it's hard when you don't have a big huge house. We can't wait to have all the fun, and spirit of the season.

our night

2008-11-07T12:13:00.000-08:00

Colby was having such a hard time with going to football because he's younger and not as proficient as Cam is now. So he was feeling bad, but yesterday he got a touchdown!! and he almost got another one. I was really proud of him for not killing the kid who pulled his flag. You could see it in his eyes that he really wanted to just go after the kid for ruining his moment. (not sure where he gets that from. LOL)
Anyway, and then we went to the Storytelling Festival at their school last night. Really fun! Colby's room was up first, and he was practicing for about 3 weeks on this piece. During the part where everyone was getting seated, he was running up to the stage, and taking bows, smiling, and being a show off. Then they started and 4 kids did their pieces, then it was Colby's turn. The other kids you could barely hear, but not my son, loud and proud he struts up to the stage, says loud enough for the room to hear, "My name is Colby Carpenter and I am telling
about..................................................................." and then he says "I'm done", promptly walks off stage and buries his head in my stomach and starts crying. Poor kid got stage fright and couldn't even start his story. So we leave and head down to where Cam was going to tell his. Along the way Colby was crying, and upset because he was mad at himself for getting scared and so he was embarrassed. He didn't even want to talk about it. When we walked the 20 yards down to Cam's he was fine by the time we got there.
Cam's was really good too. He told a story about a cat and a dog that he made up. Very cute. In his group, I don't think I have ever heard the story of the 3 little pigs so many times in so many different ways. I was so glad that he didn't tell that one. He's unique! Yea! Anyway that was our night, and it was really fun. I am so glad it's Friday!

so cute

2008-11-02T21:42:00.000-08:00

I have a new calling as the CTR 5 teacher, which is amazing. I was so scared, but those kids really do make you feel amazing. The spirit is so strong in that age. I really wish I had gone to church with the kids every sunday for their whole lives. I really think that this will be a really good calling for me. teaching me to be more in touch with my sweeter side of the spirit. This one little girl was crying at the begining of sunday school, and then by the end she was laughing and being so cute. Everyone is fully aware of my 3' boundry, but these kids don't have these boundries, they don't have this issue, and I wonder if it will change my thoughts on this. Doubt it! I like my 3' to keep the crazy's away. ;) Anywho.

This week Colby had a game against a team that was cheating, and they lost. On this team is a child that Colby doesn't like from daycare. That is not the point of this. My little man was in the huddle and was looking at the other team when he looks at this kid, and he looks back at Colby, Colby then points at the kid and then puts his fingers in the "L" shape and puts it to his forehead! First off, I didn't know that 6 year olds knew about the "loser" sign, and secondly, how do you dicepline a kid where you are laughing so hard you can't see straight? Then came the ending Hi 5, where Colby put his hand down when it came to that kid. Now this normally would have sent me into full on "I can't believe how you behaved" mode, but they were cheating, and tripping, and tackeling!!!! Tackeling in flag football! And you have to understand that I am the mom on the side screaming for my kids to get the flag even when they are not the ones suppose to pull the flag. So Of course I asked my kids coach if our kids could "accidentally" tackle too. He must be a better person then I because he said his kids don't play that way. So coodoos for him, but for me, I really wanted to beat that other coach.

Cam got another touchdown, and Colby pulled 3 flags, so they are doing so good. I can't wait until our family football game. The kids will be having so much fun!! And that is really what is all about.

really? maybe? hopefully

2008-10-29T22:02:00.000-07:00

I don't want to jinx it, but I am up for a very big gig. If I get this then that would mean that my working and mommy dreams would come true. I was one of about 2000 people to apply for this, and I was one of a very few (50) to be asked to give more information. So Fingers crossed! I would know in about two weeks, so hopfully I will make it, and be able to keep my dream. Oh I think I have just gotten the fates attention. Darn Greek mythology class. Nothing will ever be the same. ;)

Boyd K. Packer

2008-10-21T15:25:00.000-07:00

President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles
Speaking at the Forest Bend Ward, Salt Lake City UT Sunday, October
12, 2008

"Even though I regularly have the opportunity to attend Fast and
Testimony meeting, I don't usually stand to speak. But today, I feel
moved upon by the Spirit to share a message…
Last weekend's General Conference was different than any before. We
felt that down at Church Headquarters and have been talking about it
all week. We live in troubled times. There is great financial crisis
and we've seen something that hasn't happened in the last 60 years:
the world's financial markets are collapsing. I was six years old
when the Great Depression began: the 10th of 11 children. My father
was a mechanic and times were difficult for all of us. Many families
were suddenly out of work all at once. There were large public
projects to try and provide employment – like the great ditch or
canal I remember being dug here in our city. It was at least six feet
deep and dug by hand, with pick and ax. Nowadays, we'd use a piece of
machinery to do it. But in those days, people worked with what we
had. They were desperate times for many. There were things as a child
that I didn't understand and was afraid of. I didn't like to go
into the basement of our home. I thought the Boogeyman lived there.
But as I grew older and we got some lights down there, I realized
that the great dark space underneath the stairs was a large pile of
old shoes. As a pair of shoes we were wearing would wear out or break
down, we didn't throw them out. We would use a shoe from that old
pile as spare parts to repair our shoes or make new ones. It was just
the way you did things in those times.
There's a scripture that says "Yet learn we obedience by the same
things we suffer." It seems sometimes that we don't learn until we
need to turn and rely upon the Lord. In the Book of Mormon, well, if
you looked in my copy, in the Book of Helaman about chapter 12 or 13,
you'd see that I've written-in a swirling chain of circles across the
top of the page. It might look like old cursive, but that's not what
it's meant to be. It's meant to remind me of the cycles of the
people. In times when they were blessed with great prosperity and
wealth, they forgot the Lord.
Then when they fell to bad habits which led some to wickedness and
placed many in peril, the righteous would turn/return to the Lord in
their humbler circumstances. It's a cycle of prosperity and
wickedness we see repeated over and over again in the scriptures and
now again in our day.
I remember once I went deer hunting with Brother Tuttle and some
others. We were up in the mountains, riding on horseback. He went up
one side of the canyon, and I went up the other. As I was riding, I
bent over and just nearly kissed the saddle horn as we passed a low
cedar tree that was right by the path. Well as we passed the cedar
tree, there was no more path on the other side of it and the way
before us was just a dropping hillside covered with loose shaley
rock. I kicked my feet clear of the stirrups, just in case the horse
reacted badly, and it was a good thing I did. She reared up and I was
thrown back. I hit my head on some rocks and got a cut right
above my eyebrow that was bleeding heavily. I'd been holding my rifle
in my hand and as my hand flew back and hit heavily against a rock,
it broke as well. So I was laying there hurt and
shaken. My companions on the other side of the canyon had seen what
happened and I heard Brother Tuttle call out "Are you hurt?" I
replied "Yes, I'm bleeding!" He called out again "Are you hurt?" I
called again "Yes, I'm bleeding!", but the wind was blowing the wrong
way and they couldn't hear me. The fourth time this happened, I
yelled in response "No!" And they called back "Okay!" and continued
to ride on up the mountain. That's lesson one!

I finally got myself up, caught my horse down the mountain where she
had gotten caught in some branches, and managed to get into town
where I was bandaged up and my hand was tended to.
Shortly after that, I was traveling on business and was at the
airport. A fellow traveler, an older man not of our faith, saw my
bandaged hand and asked if I was all right. I replied rather
offhandedly. And he responded that it was something I would remember
all the rest of my days. He then told me that he had once worked at
digging a canal – now that caught my attention because I remembered
the canal I have mentioned. He said that he was out of work at the
time [the Great Depression] and couldn't find employment. He saw the
canal being dug and knew that if he asked the foreman for a job, he
would be turned away. He saw a spare pick laying there, so he picked
it up and started working. A short while later, the foreman walked by
and, not recognizing him, asked him what he was doing. He explained
to me that he told the foreman he was out of work and stated "I need
to work. You don't have to pay me, but I need to work."
Well, as you might expect, they worked things out and he was paid for
his labors. We then proceeded to talk, this older fellow and I, and I
have remembered his counsel. Now I am the old man giving counsel to
you. In the Great Depression, people were frightened and growing
more so. They began to be very resourceful. They had to be. Looking
forward, we're all going to learn that lesson, one way or another.
The Church is in excellent condition. You don't need to worry about
that. But as individuals we will face difficulty. Some will come to
the Bishop seeking financial aid and counsel. And as judges in
Israel, the Bishop will respond. The time for financial largess in
our ward activities is over." [President Packer then turned directly
to our Bishop and counseled him that last year's youth trip to
Nauvoo, which was, President Packer said, a great opportunity for
testimonybuilding and missionary work, will not happen again. Times
of/for that sort of expense in the Church are past.]

President Packer then shared experiences of providing aid and service
after the great Tsunami devastated Indonesia. He recalled... "I was
speaking on the phone with a government minister who said "I'm
standing in Banda Aceh and you cannot imagine what I am seeing. A
city of a million people has been swept away and there is nothing." A
week later, I was standing in area of Banda Aceh and the need was
immense.
"What do you need?" I asked. "Body bags" was the reply. So we found
20,000 body bags in China and had them on a plane the next day.
A call came, "we need 30 [thousand] more." We found them and they
were sent. The next call "do you have any motorcycles? We need to
get back into the mountain villages with aid and medical supplies,
but the roads are gone. Trucks can't get through and elephants
are too slow. If we had motorcycles, we could get through."
"Are they to be found in Asia" I asked. "Yes," he said. So we found
the motorcycles and had them on their way the next day.
The Church is sound and is able to provide these types of aid as a
back-up where there is need. We [as members and in our individual
wards] are the back-up position of the Church. Learn to
apply the old Pioneer adage – "Eat [use] it up. Wear it out. Make do,
or do without." We're going to have to learn to do without.
Again, "Eat it up. Wear it out. Make do, or do without."
Even if we have the resources, we need to do more to be thrifty.
Others will rely on us. The Church will rely on us. It is our
responsibility and duty to be caring for ourselves, our family,
and those around us. Be watching for need. Set something by that we
can be of help to others when the time comes. Trust in the counsel of
our wise elders/older people.

There are nearly 60,000 missionaries serving throughout the world
today. The cost to support a missionary is right about $400 a month
today. That's $4,800 a year. Consider if we have the resources that
there may be others who don't and who have a need. When Brother
Tuttle was a young man, he had a strong desire to serve a mission.
But he didn't have the money to pay for it, and his family didn't
have the money for it. So Brother Tuttle thought of who was the
richest man in his town and, after saying a prayer, he approached
him. A loan was made, a mission served, and the loan repaid. Those
who need our help may not always ask us.
It's about time the Lord taught us a lesson. A great catastrophe is
coming. Now I probably shouldn't say that because then it will
happen. But it is going to happen. That's what it will take
to turn our hearts to the Lord. And we will learn from it.
Our prayers will be different, less selfish. The scripture says "If
ye are prepared, ye need not fear." Renew your prayers. You can
[also] think a prayer. Carry a prayer in your heart
throughout the day. Learn to pray for that which is of worth. Another
scripture says "…do not spend money for that which is of no worth,
nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy." (2 Nephi 9:51) That
can be applied both spiritually [to prayer] and physically. Use what
we have. If something is broken, fix it. Our young people are going
to see different times than what they are used to. To you teenagers,
your life will be different. Things are changing. You will have to
do without some of the things you are used to expecting. Don't be
afraid. Change your life to do without the extravagances and luxuries
that you've expected.
Learn to pray. There's a difference between `saying prayers' and
praying. A wonderful time is coming – it's not going to be easy, and
it's not going to be short. But don't be afraid.
Brother Tuttle was one of the Seventy when there were just seven of
them. Now there are eight quorums of the Seventy called to go
throughout all the world. It's an apostolic calling to teach
the gospel to every nation, people and tongue. They'll know what to
do and will lead and counsel where they are called.
Take care of what we've got. Begin to save. The rainy day is coming –
in fact, the snowy day is already here [in reference to today's first
winter snow]. Reset our expectations. Give up selfishness. Wickedness
is all around us. In today's world, it's not safe for children to be
outside alone. We need to be ever watchful. We need to protect
ourselves from the wickedness, avarice, and greed in the world.
Read the scriptures and the revelations. The guidance and counsel are
there. Read with new eyes, and the scriptures, the Book of Mormon,
will take on new meaning.

As President Bush and world leaders gather in the coming week and the
weeks ahead, there will be no easy answers or solutions. Hard times
are ahead and it's difficult for them to see what to do. It's
important to listen to the Sprit. We are led by prophets and
apostles. We can see ahead. We can be and are prepared.
I pronounce upon you an Apostolic blessing. Comfort our children.
Little children can be afraid of things we might not think of.
Comfort them and strengthen our families. Turn off the television and
focus on family. Pay your tithing. The promise is there – pay your
tithing and you'll be watched over. You'll be alright. None of us is
exempt from trials. If hard times come upon you and your income
dwindles, remember that tithing is equitable for everyone: 10%. If
you have nothing, then it's 10% of practically nothing. Pay your
tithing, do what you're supposed to do. You'll be comforted.
Sure trials will come. Because of them, faith will increase.
Happiness will increase. Security will increase. You'll be glad to be
alive at this time. It's a good time to be living. To be raising
children. I leave this testimony, counsel, and blessing with you in
the holy name of Jesus Christ.
Amen."

Les Miserables

2008-10-17T16:52:00.000-07:00

As you can see I changed my music. Kim was kind enough to take me to see Les Miserables. I have heard the music before, but I have never experienced anything like that. It was amazing. No, it was mroe then amazing. The crew for it was great, and the music was moving. So much fun. Now I have a birthday wish, that I will be making fulfilled myself. I'm going with a friend to Phantom of the Opera! Vegas has it play all year, and the tickets are ok, for vegas. But that means thats all I get for my birthday.... and maybe Christmas. LOL I think that I might buy tickets for next years broadway series. For only $75 you can see 3 broadway plays at Tuachan. Oh, and Tuachan is amazing!! Surrounded by rocks and hills, you get the sense that you are one with nature, and it enhances the feeling you get from the musical you are watching. The only thing that would be better is if they had Kareoke night, and everyone got to sing along! That would be so awesome!

First Game of the year!

2008-10-03T10:04:00.000-07:00

Cam had his first game yesterday, and they won. They got 3 touchdowns and
the other team only got one. Really cute! Cam scored the first touchdown!!!! He really held onto the ball and just ran and ran. He is really a natural athlete. Must be from Jarod's side. Cam played just about the whole game, and is the wide receiver (that's the one that catches the ball from the quarterback right?) Anyway, Colby's first game is next week. His team is so funny, they are all looking down at their shoes, and messing around. You can't even tell their all 5 & 6 ;) I have to charge my camera, but by next game we'll have pictures. Too bad Jarod missed it, but Cam gave him a play by play over the phone.

ser--i--ous---lyy?????????

2008-09-25T21:16:00.000-07:00

Ok, so loved loved loved the new grey's anatomy, but what the crap!! 2 weeks until the new one? SERIOUSLY???!!!! OK, SO I guess we're back to normal with the stinking ABC making it hard for me to get my drama fix. (not that I need any LOL ) Any way. Jarod is just about ready to go to nationals, and he will be gone next week. should be good. I can't believe that he might actually be so close to really living his dream. The kids are in flag football, and Colby is really shining. Cameron is of couse a natural athlete, and you know he didn't get that from my side, so thanks Carpenters!!! We did miss Colby's practice today, he was so tired, he was crying, and just wanting to relax. With Colby, he really knows his limits, and he really just couldn't see him going. I'm loving that they are so great with their skills. I can't wait until their first game. Should be tons of fun!!! I'll post pictures when I get them. So the fun begins with sports! Yea! I really can't wait unil end of the season for real. Jarod has been working so much, and we don't get to see him very often, so I really can't wait until the end. Oh, and did I mention the I kind of got a promotion with my writing?! I now can take bigger clients, and get paid more!!! Oh yeah. One day I might get to be at home and make as much..... doubt it, but maybe. ;) I don't know if now that the kids are in school if I really even could quit. There is only so clean your house can get. Anyway there is a short little bit of what is up with our lives. Got to get to bed so I can call more clients tomorrow!!!

Pink

2008-09-17T22:39:00.000-07:00

Pink is my inner "B" that brings me up on my elliptical..... or while cleaning. LOL Mostly cleaning, especially when I'm behind the toilet cursing in forien languges so the kids don't hear me. I should be working right now, but I would rather be pealing potatoes. Thank heaven House Hunders will be on in a few minutes, and I can zone out while working. I can't wait until Feburary when my car is paid off, and my bills diminish by 30%!!!! Oh how I can't wait for the day to be debt free, and fancy free. Oh did I mention that I finally have seen The Women (the origional)? Thank you youtube! If the new one is anything like the first, it will be so great. And, didn't get my hair cut, I was asked to do the Cub Scout camp that day, so I rescheduled, and low and behold.... asked again. But it will be so much fun. They boys are starting flag football this week, and I can't wait to see them running around somewhere other then my house! LOL

Jarod's last race

2008-09-14T09:38:00.000-07:00

last night was Jarod's last race. It was really fun Ange, Todd & the kids were all there, and that was fun. I love that the kids can really entertain each other no matter where they are at. Our friends Jeanette & Mitch were in town for a different reason, and they really enjoyed the race. I never knew that Mitch like racing. It was so fun seeing them, it gets me excited for Thanksgiving. They have been kind enough to invite us down for Thanksgiving. Since we got the 4 wheelers that would be a ton of fun. I'm kind of nervous about sand in my turkey, but since tey do it every year, should be ok. ;) Either we're going down to their house, or to we get to go to the dunes with them. It would be so much fun. Either way, I haven't been out of the southern Utah area in over a year (vegas track doesn't count) so it will be a ton of fun to see our friends for a while.

Oh, back to Jarod's race. He started out in really good with 1st, and then there was a guy who ran into the wall, and then dropped down to second, and that was quite the race until I think the last 7 laps, then he dropped down to 3rd. But the really fun part was that the anouncer said his name like 50 times! LOL So he has been a consistant 3rd throughout the year, and his trophy this year will be HUGE!

Colby my little sleeping toothless wonder won a skateboard, but was too sleepy to get up and get going to get it. Fast asleep on the bench..... that's my little man. Once dad's race is over, then he's done, and wants to sleep. very sweet.

hair cut!!!

2008-09-11T07:56:00.000-07:00

So I'm finally getting my hair cut! yea! I made the appointment, and she loves my kids, so I can bring them if Jarod is working late like he did last night. There will be no picture because, mine is just going to be a trim. Finally an hour to get my hair trimmed. I didn't realize how much it was bugging me until this week. I hate fly aways, and when I get my hair cut, it looks so much better, and takes so much of those little irritations away. ahhhh.... sweet little victories.

needs a friend

2008-09-09T16:45:00.000-07:00

So my wonderful best friend informed me yesterday that I need a friend. To which I replied "really, and you are?" She and I have decided that I have no friends here in St. George. I never do anything, I never go anywhere. Now by she and I, I mean her. She doesn't get that I like being home, I like being with my kids. I like having no life. ;) Well most of the time. Sure there are times when I would like to run away, but that's called going shopping to wal-mart. And since said friend bailed on me for our trip to Las Vegas, she should shut it. LOL I really only need one night every two weeks where I can get out and do what I want to. That is my bi-weekly trip to walmart. Yes walmart. I love walmart. although lately it has been where I have to rush in and rush out and hurry hurry hurry. As Daniel mentioned, we all secretly, or not so scretly keep a tally of all the time we get to do the stuff we want to do. I personally because of race season, Jarod fun vacations, Jarod visiting friends, Jarod being out of town, and just alaround mommy stuff, have about 3 months worth of personal me time stored up. Jarod knows this, and it's a running gag, but right as of today, I would really just like about an hour to get my hair cut. Oh well, my once every two years hair cut should do in about 15 months! LOL

Camerons's Day

2008-09-08T20:27:00.000-07:00

Cameron was baptized on Saturday. It was so great to see all the family that could make it down here. Everyone came over afterwards, and we got to spend some time together. Cam was glad to have Grandpa Craig here, and baptizing him. Here's a picture of the most perfect person in the room at the time.

"We went and found your real kids Mom"

2008-09-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

The other morning the kids were driving me nuts with the whole wrestleing thing, and yes, I know their boys, but come on! Every morning do they have to postpone the getting of the shoes and brushing of the teeth with playing karate and jumping around crazily? I don't get it. So I was just done, and on the way to the bus stop, I told the kids that I don't where they put my kids, but my kids don't act like this (the constant mouthyness and fighting) and they need to find out where thy put my kids, and bring them home tonight.

So then cut to picking them up and them being angles that night. I said to them how sweet they were, and how well behaved they were being, to which Colby (my silver lining and quick whitted little man) says, "That's because we went out and found your real kids mom, aren't you glad" I just died laughing. Those little moments make the whole day worth it all.

Ky was right this IS fun

2008-08-20T08:55:00.000-07:00

I saw this on a Ky's blog and had to copy it because it was really cute and I want to see everyone else's answers!

1. Where did you meet? Ok, long story, first time we met, we actally only saw each other, we think it was at Temple night were the kids from Spokane's bus broke down, and us kids from Seattle had to wait for them to finally come through before we could go. The next real time was when Jarod's mom tricked him into going and seeing me, I was at my then boyfriends house outside, when they drove by.

2. How long did you date before you were married? 6 years

3. How long have you been married for? 9 years 1 month 7 days and counting. ;)

4. What does he do that surprises you? hmmm..... suprises, not sure, mainly when he helps me out in any way, he's really good about that.

5. What's your favorite feature about him? his deep pearcing blue eyes, that or his but, it's really cute.

6. Whats your favorite quality about him? His ability to see me like I was in high school. Maybe I should get his brain checked for dillusions

7. Does he have a nickname for you? he used to call me MY Lissa, but now it's just Hon

8. What is his favorite color? color blind people really don't have favorite colors, but his is what he thinks is blue.

9. Whats his favorite food? Steak, or pizza

10. What is his favorite sport? racing

11. Who said I love you first? He did, and then I said "what?" so he had to repeat it. very cute.

12. When and Where was your first kiss? our first kiss was 1 week after our first date in the pickle! I loved that truck ;)

13. Whats your favorite thing to do as a couple? our date night is watching Burn Notice, or Grey's Anatomy on Thursday nights.

14. Do you have kids? How many? 2 kids! 2 boys

15. What is a hidden talent that he has? he can sew

16. How old is he? 33

17. What's is favorite type of music? Just about anything depends on his mood

18. What do you admire most about him? his kindness and willing to give.

19. Whats his favorite past time? racing, and working on his mustang that maybe one day will actually leave the garage for more then an hour. LOL

20. Do you think he is going to read this? doubt it, he just found out I have a blog the other day. and he doesn't read them.

4-wheelin fun!

2008-08-16T16:19:00.000-07:00

ok, so we sold Jarod's motorcycle. and we go 2 kids 4-wheelers! The kids (of course) have been on them non stop, and they are cracking me up. I didn't have the camera, but they were both throwing the horns, and lifting legs off when they weren't going. after we let them start going, they found the throttle really quick. ow we just have to have pants for them, and they're set! They couldn't wait to go over the rock. I moved a few today though. Now we just have to get the trailer. ;) Ahhh it's nice having rolling stock! (if anyone ever tells Jar I said that I will kill you.)

and even more!

2008-08-09T14:11:00.001-07:00

more!

2008-08-09T14:07:00.000-07:00

Don't worry we made them wear the helmet when they started using the powerband! That's the first thing Cam did! What you don't see is Colby's face with the big Holy Crap on it.

4-wheelin' more or less

2008-08-09T13:57:00.000-07:00

So since T&A got their 4-wheelers & buggy, Jarod finally (after 2 1/2 years) fixed the 3 wheeler. Here are my little guys and my big guy riding their fun toys. Maybe after they get the other ones, I'll ride the 3 wheeler. Can't do too much dammage at 4 miles an hour, right? RIGHT??!!!

And so it begins

2008-08-07T16:42:00.000-07:00

So this is Jarod's new bike, and so it begins. I'm glad Todd & ange have stuff to make sure they can drag his lifeless body back at least. ;)

Colby's day

2008-08-06T17:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Colby's birthday, and here are a few shots of him. The day before his birthday, his first tooth came out too! He was so excited that at 4 in the morning (on his birhtday) he came in to show me that the tooth fairy left him 3 quarters. hmmm..... could have thought she said she was leaving 4, but he'll find it later under his bed. ;)

Really? You want that?

2008-08-06T07:25:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I get a knock at our door. Not much of a shock, it was our neighbor girl asking what was in our pool. Now you have to understand, I was in the process of taking down our pool, and it was green. Not just green, but gamma-ray, swamp thing, thick, gross, throwing the pool away green. I guess her dog went into our back yard (which explains the dog poo ever other day back there) and drank out of it. She was worried that it was making him sick. I asked if he was eating grass, and she said yes, so I told her he would be fine. If drinking out of the pond wouldn't kill him, neither would this. ;) So then I go out and get Jarod in the garage (where else) and have him help me to get the pool tipped so it will drain all the way. Here's the best part of this story.
Now my crazy neighbor is in her back yard, and asking what we are doing with the pool. I tell her we're draining it, and then we're going to toss it, since there are holes in the bottom I can't find. So of course she asks if they can have it. I told her you don't want this pool. It's got so much algee in there, it should be tossed. But because they are moochers..... duh. So I tell them that it's about $15 a week for upkeep, and the water bill is a lot more too. Nope, still wanted it. So Jarod just looks at me like "well at least it wont be in our garbage for a week." In the end we let them have it, and she was trying to get us to bring it over there! I told her, no, you want it you come get it. So she sent her husband over, and he and Jarod got it over the wall.
Oh, and during this time, I was asking her daughter if she was excited for school. She said no. LOL I told my neighbor I was because our daycare bill will be about half. To which she asks how expensive it is. I tell her, and she says "wow, you guys must have some money." What?!! no, but we just work our areses off, and don't abuse the system! Seriously, people who are jealous of other peoples's monitary means are dumb. They don't know what is really going on in their bank account. I almost said to her, you must be too, to take a trip for 6 down to Disneyland for a week. But I figured that wasn't the nicest thing to say to someone who will be taking our pool. Oh did I mention that her kids are really tiny, and they wont be able to touch the ground in that pool and keep their heads above water?
Does it end there? Uh, no. So about dark-ish ;) we get a door bell, thinking it was Todd & Ange, coming over to weld, Jarod went and got it. Then calls me over. Low and behold it was crazy once again. She asked me if I knew what happened to the other neighbor. And I didn't, so she said how the nice neighbor was at the gas station, and got gas on her face and it caught fire, and she was in the hospital. So I asked if she talked to our other neighbors who is the 2nd bishopric, and she said they weren't home, then I asked if she called the bishop, who is down the street, and she said she tried, but he wasn't home. So I said we should call the RS, they would know her HT's and get them over for a blessing. She says ok, and goes down to the next house to tell them. I go in, and call the RS prez, and she says how she already knew about it, and is on her way down to the hosptial. (that would have been nice to know that she already called the RS!!!!!!) I swear my crazy neighbor is going to drive me to drinking, good thing Utah alcohol is really low. So I thank the RS, and go back to what I was doing.
Is that the end of my night with crazy neighbor? NO. So Todd & Ange show up, and I go to look at Ange's new 4-wheeler. (ps very cool!!!) and we're oug there talking, and here she comes. She then tells me that there was no fire, but just some gas on her face. And then, she's asking if the 4-wheelers and dune buggie are ours. I say no, their T&A's, to which she says wow, those must be nice. And I say yes it is, and turned back to the conversation I was having with Ange. Crazy neighbor just stood there like she wanted to join, but hello, maybe she should be putting her kids to bed. Even Ha'a & Mana were laying on the couch for Pete's sake. I swear I'm so close to calling the landlord and telling them to get them out. We don't hardly go in our back yard any more. it sucks to pay for your house, and not be able to use what you paid for. Where did my awesomly quiet poligamist neighbors go?

And I'm done!

2008-08-04T15:13:00.000-07:00

So just to brag a little!!! I finished the Breaking Dawn on Sunday morning around 8:30. it was by far really good, I'm going to put it in the bathroom for re-reading. It was really really good, and until other people.....Mom & Ange finally finish it, I will not say more then that. ;) Although, Jacob's part in the beginning was a little drawn out, but other then that it's go go go, and didn't see the whole other twist coming. nice! very nice

bellies!!

2008-08-03T21:09:00.000-07:00

So the boys were toally cracking me up! Colby started it with his great belly impersonation of an old man. Seriously, it was the funniest thing! Then Cam wanted to show me that he could suck his belly button all the way to his back! I was dying laughing, so I thought I would share.

ways to make your nosy neighbor shut up

2008-07-30T08:34:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, we woke up to our doorbell ringing. I jumped out of bed, thinking it was one of the kids friends. As I opened the door, my hair half in a ponytail, wearing my enormous grey shirt, and holy sleep shorts, I got a big suprise.
There stood a Sherrif. "Mam, is Jarod Carpenter home?"
Me: "Yes, can I tell him what it's in regaurds to?"
Sherrif: "Don't worry, he's not in trouble." So I go get Jarod (who is still sleeping)
Me: "hey hon, there is a sheriff at the door for you, he says don't worry you're not in trouble."
Jarod eyes still closed putting on anything he can find while spraying saline in his eyes : "what would I do run?"
So Jarod talks to the guy, and it's about a crime jarod found. He got supeaned (sp?)
This is where it gets fun. Later we're working in the yard on Monday, and my lovely crazy neighbor starts talking to me. By this point I honestly had forgotten the sheriff part, and just was thinking about Jar making the court date. We do the small talk, where she gripes about her kids and askes me if I want more. (I hate that question) And then!!!! she says (this is a quote from her) "I saw the sheriff at your house the other day, are you guys ok?" To which I tell her the story, and then say to her, "Yeah, I saw the police at your house on Thanksgiving and Christmas, are you guys ok? So that shut her up. I never asked her about the different times the police came to her house, why would anyone think it appropriate to ask why they were at your house? And on top of that, have you ever heard us yelling at each other all through the night, and our kids? Nope, so in case anyone was wondering, we're fine. I really wish they would move.

new paint

2008-07-25T21:11:00.000-07:00

I've decided that I will paint our house..... after an hour of cleaning the hand marks off the walls....... the color of grease little boy grey. I wonder if Lowes can match that? It's either that, or husband grease black.

Super Mom....

2008-07-11T08:35:00.000-07:00

Ever wish you were super mom? yeah I guess we all do, but with some of my friends I thought they were until I read this msn article, and realised.... they think I am too! As moms, we all tend to only tell half the story about what we do as moms. We all have our "dirty little secrets" about being moms. Some of the ones in the article were that moms feed their kids mac & cheese for dinner all week, or gave them suckers, and parked them in front of the tv for a few hours. The funny part is, my own sisters think I'm super mom.
Why? Because I tell them all the stuff I'm doing, right when they call me, they don't get to see all the stuff I'm NOT doing when they aren't talking to me!! There are days when I put the kids in the pool, and say I'm going to start dinner, knowing full on that it will be a sandwich night! But do I tell my sisters that? Heck no! Then that would prove I'm human. LOL One day they might learn that my house is only clean on Wed & Saturday (unless I have someone coming over, AND they give me at least a half hours notice), my kids can fend for themselves on weekend mornings for breakfast, and then we barley make it out the door, and are always late for church. However! During school, we do get out on time, and the kids have a full hot breakfast, that is one thing I'm really good at..... during school months, but I'm on hiatus during the summer! I don't match socks, so good luck finding matching ones when you're in a hurry, I almost always have dirty dishes in my sink, and right now I don't have just a junk drawer, I have a junk closet. So super mom, I'm not, but I am her alter ego "Just-barley-getting-by-mom". But I'm glad I can pull off the facade and have people think every once in a while I am "SUPER MOM". (ps, thanks to the sister who gave me that compliment, Love you tons!!!)

4th of July

2008-07-10T14:40:00.000-07:00

We had fun, but next year we CAMP!!! Usually we go to Long Lake in Nine Mile Falls, WA with about 60 of our closest friends.... no really, we are all really close.... and camp, but with gas, our house, and daycare doubling (yes that sucks) we didn't go. The least of which was that Jar was going to be out of town until the 2nd. So I decided that my kids wouldn't miss out on some of the stuff we don on the 4th. Thank heaven that Mom & Dad C said we could use their back yard, because ours is a wreck right now. So we all go over there, each bringing something.... except our cameras! But we had fun. I brought a cake for the kids to decorate, but only Sammie, Naomi, and Colby had any interest in it. Turned out very cute though! a white cake with red & white stripes, and a blue flag area! let me just say, that I'm glad I threw out some of the frosting that wasn't used, because that was almost 2 jars of frosting on that cake! The other kids were playing wii, and loving it. My children have since been begging me constantly for one, I in return have told them they can earn the money towards one by doing yard work.;)
Then they hit the slip & slide, and then chilled out while they waited for dinner. Dinner was BBQ of course, and it was great....(still waiting for that awesome potato salad recipe) LOL Then we got the kids together for the pinata, and then the wonderful waterballoon fight. That was great, and I think the adults had more fun then the kids. Seriously, I'm sure they did. Later that night after settleing my stomach, we went and saw the fireworks with the 3 older Mortensen kids, and D & A. We were lucky enough to have my brother down too, and we went home to get the kids some water. The fireworks were great, and Colby actually made it through the first 6 minutes, and then crashed. The most amazing thing about him, is he knows when he's done, and he tells you. He just says to me "mom, isn't it bedtime yet?!" I love it. Anyway, we had a great time with Tony, and the kids were sad to see him go. I'm so glad we got to spend it with family, and really have some fun with the kids!

My first hang time

2008-06-15T16:22:00.001-07:00

So this is the last day of school for Colby when he had his program, and wanted to show me he could hang like daddy! He climbed up there all by himself, and it was so cute. Only 5' up, but really high mom!

Don't touch me!

2008-06-15T16:16:00.000-07:00

So the boys have "late night" on Friday, and Saturday, and each time they tell eacho other not to touch each other. But this is how hey end up every time! Have to love kids. So darn cute!

Apples, Acid, and Sankes oh my

2008-06-14T09:02:00.000-07:00

I swear with out Colby my life would be dull. You know how they say you get it twice as bad as you gave it? Well Jarod & I must have really tortured our parents. ;) So my little man who wants to know how EVERYTHING works thought it would be educational? to see what would happen when he put a half eaten apple down our toilet. So 3 days later, with an augger, acid, a snake, and much plunging and toilet paper on Jarods part, we can use our bathroom again. Now we weren't really mad at what happened, because he's well, 5, but it was really really not fun to share 1 bathroom with 4 people. To put this in perspective, when I was 5 I flooded a basement. How you may ask, well take a pair of scissors and a king size waterbed and boom, you have a large flood. The bad part was it wasn't my house, so I guess I'm lucky that he has only done his experiments at our house.

DAM!

2008-06-13T12:20:00.000-07:00

So my little angel was picking out socks the other day, and I hear "DAM!" I whip around, "WHAT!!!" With a coy little smile not missing a beat, "Beaver Dam, mommy. See I didn't say a bad word." I swear this kid better be an attorney or something, because he can find the loophole in anything!

Planning ahead!

2008-06-12T08:54:00.000-07:00

In case you can't read the picture, here's what it says:

On the 4th of July there will be a Carpenter family get together!!!
Mom & Dad have graciously offered up their backyard and we will be having a BBQ, games and swimming! It will be a ton of fun, and I hope anyone who wants to join us will.
The games will start at noon-ish, to give us enough time to hit the pool afterward, and make it back for BBQ around 5:30.
Dont forget your towels, sunscreen, change of clothes, and most importantly your camera!
See you all there!

Oh, and don't forget your swimsuit, some of the games will be water games, so be prepared to get wet!

My kids are really excited, and if the rest of you can't come, oh well, we're going to make the most of the 4th this year being home. I can't wait. Oh, and when it gets close to dark, we're heading into town to see the fireworks. There will be white elephant prizes for the kids doing the games, so it should be fun! Hope to see you there.

bzzzzzz.....

2008-06-05T21:07:00.000-07:00

So I don't have a picture, but I really should have gotten one. So last night right as I'm making dinner Colby comes from the back, and has his hand on the right side of his head..... giggling... so I asked"what's with your head?"
Colby: "Nothing" more giggling
me: "move your hand"
Colby: "No"
Me: "let me see what's wrong with your head!"
Colby: "ok"
Me: "are..... you..... kidding....me!!!!!!!"

Mister man had taken a HUGE chunk of his hair out of the side of his head with Jarod's beard trimmer. So I calmly took him to the bathroom, and shaved his head telling him I wish he had waited until after family pictures, and how I had told him earlier that day how his hair was getting really long, and we needed to go see his favorite hair stylest Tiffany, and now he couldn't.
Tears.
Mission acomplished he will never......ever....ever... do that again.
I hope.

ONE OR THE OTHER

2008-06-04T13:22:00.000-07:00

I've decided that my kids can't have a good day at daycare, and at home. Yesterday morning the kids were such angels that I just thought they would have a horrible day with daycare... well not only were they really good, but they had a wonderful day and were awesome! So then starts my belief that they might actually be awesome for the rest of the day....

I walked them down the walk, and put them in the car dreaming of being able to go swimming with them, and playing a game of checkers. OH no, that was a dream.

Then came the brawl to end them all. So as I'm getting in my seat, Colby did something to Cameron's seat belt while buckleing, in turn Cameron then turned and punched him square in the nose! Seriously????? then They are full on rolling around punching kicking and wersteling in the back seat. Thank heaven I hadn't gotten going yet. So I seperate them, and talk to them, and tell them they are so spending 20 min each in their rooms when we get home. Then we start driving, and they are saying to eachother how it's the other ones fault, and they are "soo dead" , when they start at it again in the back seat. I wasn't even 3 blocks from daycare. So I pull over and pull out the phone...... du du duuujmmmmm

"NO MOMMY NO! DON'T TELL DAD... HE'LL KILL US!"

So I call Jarod and in a low voice tell him to bring home bread & milk, because his (yes his) children would be spending the night in their rooms. Jarod hardly ever spanks them, but look out, because if dad's involved... you are so dead. So how did this story end? My 2 little monster.... I mean angels hugging and telling eachother how much they love each other, and would never do that again. So then they cam out for aobut 15 min, and then went to bed. Funny, I really miss them when they aren't around, and you would have though I would get a lot more done that night. Not so Joe!

twilight series

2008-05-31T14:54:00.001-07:00

ok, so I'm new to the series, but it's pretty good! The library however..... DOESN'T HAVE ANY COPIES I'M 18TH ON THE STINKING LIST! Ok, so then with the wonder of the internet ta da! here are the links so you can read book 2 & book 3. ;) I know Annie is waiting for them too, so this might get her by until then. Also book 4 will be released in August. So that will be really cool.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/3135845/Stephenie-Meyer-Eclipse
http://www.scribd.com/doc/2960671/Stephenie-Meyer-New-Moon

Mother's day

2008-05-11T21:02:00.000-07:00

Things I didn't get for mother's day:

I didn't get any rest-
The kids were laughing too much durring the pillow fight.
I didn't get any breakfast in bed-
The morning was spend cuddeling on the couch.
I didn't get any roses-
The smell would have been drowned out by maple syrup sausage.
I didn't get to bed early-
we had to get a truck for Jarod, which the kids played with the shop dog pretty late.

What I did get on Mother's day:

A reason to remember why I love being a mom.

And Jarod was home for a whole 26 hours! ;) LOL

Hope yours was good too.

Family, Isn't it about time?

2008-05-09T09:29:00.000-07:00

So this week has gone by so fast! I have been just a big old baby too. Thanks to Todd & Angela, (mainly as Angela pointed out Mighty Uncle Todd!) I got my grocery shopping done. I swear I love my kids, but there has to be something about Wal-Mart that turns all kids into iwantit beasts. I'm really excited to have Jarod home. He keeps asking me what I want for Mother's day, but honestly, I have never gotten anything (no not a pitty Milissa moment I like it that way). I don't like stupid gifts, I like things that function, like my roasting pan from Jarod's parents which has been put to good use, or my vacuum, or the rice cooker that we got from T&A (sorry if I forgot anyone). Other then that, I really don't know what to tell him. I really would like the rock to be here so we can finish the front.

Anyway, I digress. This week has been interesting. I've been doing my farmout stuff again, where I put cell phone accessories together @ home, and get paid for it which rocks! So that means that I now have 3 jobs; Mom, (duh insert here) real work, and my farmout stuff. So my house is a disaster, but farmout is going to be only 2 days a week now, and that will be good. An extra $100 a week can go a long way to get you where you want to be right? I personally think so. Oh, and if you noticed there are now ads on my blog. If you like something.. hint hint, and you click on it, I get paid. Sure it's only a little, but hey never know I could become one of those huge bloggers and make millions! (insert maniacal laugh here)

My neighbors have been so kind as to mow my lawn! How amazing that they would care enough to do that while my husband is gone. I'm sure they figure with Jarod gone, and me losing my mind in the mornings trying to get those little buggers out the door on time, I could use the help. I swear they know that I will spank them, and yet.... still buggers.

Funny thing happened on Wednesday though. Colby was all upset that morning because he had to wear his nice clothes and I wouldn't let him. Why you may ask did he have wear his nice clothes? Well I will let him tell you; "Chrissy is picking who she is going to marry, and it's between me and Doug, so I HAVE to look nice or she wont choose me!" Ok, so now my little one is getting married? NOPE! he and his "girlfriend" broke up. ;) too funny. Have to love kids.

He deserved it?

2008-05-07T08:16:00.000-07:00

So yesterday there was a discussion in work about how someone we know from work had his wife cheat on him. 99% of us were saying that it was wrong, and horrible, and how she was so wrong. Then comes this gal who works with us, ans P.S. she's always a downer, and she says that he deserved it because he was gone all the time. My first thought to this was what kind of crack does she smoke that someone deserves to be cheated on? My second was what a sad sad woman that would think that anyone deserved to be cheated on. I'm really mad about this, because quite frankly, this is so stupid that someone would think it's ok to say something like that about something that is so hurtful to someone else. To me that's like saying you can crush your family, you just have to have an excuse. Not a good one, just any excuse will do. I personaly have lost all respect for this woman. Yet another reason not to have downer girl around. It's going to be lovely @ work for a while. ;)

Money makes the world go nuts

2008-05-02T08:51:00.000-07:00

So we decided that the kids are old enough for chores, but they want to have certain things that we don't want to buy for them (heelies, & skateboards). So my thought on this was pay them to do the extra chores. So last night we started this, and while I was outside the boys decided to take it upon themselves to do the dishes ($.50 each) Too funny! I came back in with a huge water mess all over the floor. Cool, they can mop now and earn another $.10! Ok, so this is where it takes a turn, Cameron decides to take a "break" while Colby is asking what he can do to earn more money. So I give him some stuff to do, and he does it. Then when it's time to get paid, Cameron is all kinds of upset because he didn't get as much as Colby did. Well duh! So then I let him finish his chores to get paid. Here's where it gets a bit "Jewish". Colby then starts asking me with a pychotic look in his eyes what else he could do to earn money, like how much he gets for clearing his plate or brushing his teeth! So then I had to explain to them that is is money for extra things they do around the house. I swear Colby would try to get me to pay him per pea he ate!

Was I really that ugly?

2008-04-30T13:41:00.000-07:00

So this week, I bought new makeup. Not just any makeup, but mineral stuff. But guess who makes it? Wet-n-wild!!! No kidding. So I've been wearing it, and it surprises me how many people say "wow Milissa, You look really good" Now I know that we have all said that to someone, but was I really that horrible before? No, but now there is a certain glow about me that people realise. The nice thing is that you can't really tell it's on. My eyeshadow is a little sparklier, but other then that nothing really to notice, but people do. Weird. Even my husband who is color blind, and has only really said I look good about a dozen times (don't worry, he says he loves me like 20 times a day) noticed, and said it looked nice. Wow for me! Anyway thought I would tell you that I am not prettier, and you can now gaze & comment upon my ever loveliness without retribution. ;)

Life......

2008-04-25T11:34:00.001-07:00

This is the extended version of what is on Kylene's blog. It's about 76 min long, but it's really good. Remember people will not always remember what you said, but how you made them feel while saying it.

Signs your co-workers are too comfortable

2008-04-22T09:14:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it recently came to my attention that my co-workers may have become too comfortable with me. When you might ask did this happen, I'm thinking within the last month. I have heard the conversations of strip clubs, vasectomy's, how their testicles hurt, and other such joys. Now, I don't mind about most of it, but really, do I need to hear about your testicles? Yes, yes I know I work in construction, but come on, really, your balls hurt? Well get over it, my boobs don't feel too good, and I have a slight pain in my ovary most of the time, does that mean I should share? Not really, but I did say when they were talking about the big V how I know just how they feel because this one time I pushed a whole body out of me. ;) That stopped their complaining.

Top 10 things I don't need to hear about...

10. you and your spouse intimicy or lack of
9. how you are hurt in your groin
8. how you are losing your hair except on certain spots
7. how you got this really bad rash
6. your first time
5. all the stupid cars you talk about constantly
4. your last trip to the strip club
3. the porn you watch
2. how your wife is driving you nuts (hello! I talk to them)
1. You "balls"

Working mom

2008-04-21T08:25:00.000-07:00

Being in Southern Utah I live in a smaller community, and it's so funny how people think that just because I'm the mom, married, and we have a house I shouldn't work.

First off Not really your business.
Second, if you knew the situation, you would shut your mouth.
Thirdly, just because I'm LDS does not confine me to the house, or a calling, or anything.

Yes I miss my kids, but no I do not feel like the daycare is raising them. We are raising them. If you don't think so, then remember who they are afraid will spank them. Not the gal from daycare. Who do they call Mom & Dad, that's us. I think that some people just say things to be mean. Take my brother for example. He asked me once if I thought the day care was raising my child, and how he would never let his kids be in daycare. Now mind you, he is not in a relationship, and he doesn't have kids. This is my older brother. My sister who is still in college, and newly married also asked me the same question and said the when she has kids she is going to stay at home, because she doesn't want any one else raising her kids.

So here's my thought; what? You who have never been in the same situation as I am think you know what you would do? Do I like my kids in daycare? No, but they are in the best one down here. The people there really care, and have really helped my sons. You can plan all you want to stay at home, but if your family has a need, trust me you will be more then ok to help fill that need. We all have to do things that we really don't like to do, but we make the best of it. We all have to make decisions that meet our family needs. Anyone who doesn't think about if someone will be hurt by your comment should really try to check your self. You never know what will break the camels back.

I don't get where people get off saying "oh, you work?" Really, and I suppose you just sit on your bum all day? All mom's work, some of us just work outside our home. So here's my thing, you who stay at home have no right saying I'm wrong. Those of us who work outside the home have no right to say you should work. It's not up to us to determine someone else's life. If you are really happy in yours then you will leave mine alone. If not, I'll tell you what you can do with your opinion.

We made it!

2008-04-20T20:53:00.000-07:00

So after a month of not making it to church, we finaly made it. We didn't make but the last 5 min of sacrement, but hey, we still got there. So hey, I'm happy with that. I even got a nap in today. So today, in RS, the Stake RS was there, and they issued a challenge to not say anyting negative about the people who bug us in our lives. So this week, that's what I'm shooting for. We'll see how long I can keep my sarcasm in check. ;)

Just when you think......

2008-04-17T08:31:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I get the LDS daily gems, and I love them! They almost always pertain to what I have going on in my life. Take todays.
"True, enduring happiness, with the accompanying strength, courage,and capacity to overcome the greatest difficulties, will come as you centeryour life in Jesus Christ. Obedience to His teachings provides a secureascent in the journey of life. That takes effort. While there is noguarantee of overnight results, there is the assurance that, in theLord's time, solutions will come, peace will prevail, and happinesswill be yours." Richard G. Scott, "The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 41

Just today I was thinking how I would love to have results on something that I have been struggling with right away. It's funny how in good times, sometimes we forget to remember Christ, and our Heavenly Father, and how they have given us these good times. Where would we be without the good times? How would we know the good from the bad? My son actually asked me that the other day. "Mom, why do we have bad things happen?" I gave him the version of "well, without the bad, how would we know what was good?" Even at his young age, he totally got it. Why does it take some of us so long to figure that out? The other day there was a talk on BYU Radio (I didn't catch who it was) about how some people blame Heavenly Father when things don't go their way. I don't understand that. If you believe in God, then how can you believe that he would intentionaly harm you, and make it hard on you?

My sister and I have had several conversations about if the Church is true. I told her that even if she didn't believe, it brings me peace. I forget that sometimes, and get lazy about going. How stupid is that? I get down, and feel like maybe I can miss one Sunday, then that leeds to another, and soon you're looking at a month! I feel like this is Satan's great plan. Easy slipping. One 1/2 step leads to many more. I once had a teacher that said if you miss calculate going a distance by only .0001% then you will still end up many miles off course. I'm trying to stay the course. The one thing that I really struggle with, is being lazy. I could do it, but why not, not do it. If I would really work, then I could do more spiritually. I'm the queen of excuse making. If/ when I kick that, then I will be so much better off.

Anyway, this is such a big thing for me, I get really going in church, and then I slack. My goal for the next 3 months is to make it to church every Sunday.