The Glad Game

Kaitlyn has been reading Pollyanna and she and I decided we need to be more positive every day. So, I dedicate this uplifting, happy post to her.

Reasons today was great!!!

We slept until 8:00 a.m.
Zach was successfully registered at the new high school
We met K12 friends at a cool park
My friend Tami has an adorable dog that I got to hold but not take home
I held a baby and it didn't spit up on me
We went to Baskin Robbins for lunch and I had a banana split
We found Zach uniforms for 50% off
We had delicious enchilladas for dinner
We went swimming for a couple of hours and Jacob was thrilled with his wrinkly feet
Zach teased his sisters the entire time and seemed to be truly channeling his Uncle Shad'O
I figured out why my computer has a blank screen when it "wakes up"
I couldn't decide between popcicles or popcorn for dessert so I had both.
The red drink came out of my favorite white shirt.

This is a Great Insight

My Dear Childhood friend Jennifer had this on her blog and I stole it. I'm not sure if it is really stealing since I'm admitting to it or not but nonetheless, it was fun. Take your Ipod/mp3 player and hit shuffle. Answer the questions based on the title that comes up. I will admit it was pretty on target. I obviously listen to a lot of different genres and haven't updated my list since Kaitlyn had it in the hospital and I used it to entertain her and for spirtual enlightenment.

1. What would describe your personality? : Follow Through: Gavin DeGraw

2. What do you like in a guy/girl? Book of Mormon Mosiah 1:8

3. How do you feel, today?: We're Gonna Catch a Heffalump: Winnie the Pooh

4. What’s your life’s purpose?: I've Got to Make it to Summer, Billy Gillman (I would have thought that was my husbands purpose.

5. What is your motto? : Book of Mormon 2 Nephi ch 14

6. What do your friends think of you?: Dream :Voicemail

7. What do you think of your parents?: You've Got a Friend in Me (Toy Story)

8. What do you think about very often?: Love Gets me Every time :Shania Twain

9. What do you think of your best friend? :Cruella De Vil ( I'm so sorry, I considered cheating on this one but it was too funny not to be put the random answer on)

10. What do you think of the person you like?: Opening Race (soundtrack to Cars)

11. What is your life story?: When: Shania Twain

12. What do you want to be when you grow up?: Horse on the Merry Go Round (Mark Beckwith)

13. What do you think when you see the person you like?: Move Along The All American Rejects

14. What do your parents think of you? : Rock This Country: Shaina Twain

15. What will be played at your funeral? Lucky Star: Madonna

16.What is your hobby/interest?: Wild Blue Yonder: Joe Diffie


17. What is your biggest secret? : Out of this World Michael W. Smith

18. What do you think of your friends?: All the World Needs to Help Families Succeed (scripture Scouts)

19. What should you post this as? :Truly Madly Deeply: Savage Garden

If you complete this quiz please put your best answer in the comment box, it is fun to read

Decisions Made, at Least for Now

After much soul searching and lots of prayer I've decided to say goodbye to my angel boy and send him to the charter high. I feel good about it since I know the administration and I'm happy with the uniforms and such (except at the checkout stand today, boy stuff is pricey). They don't make pants long and skinny enough for him though. He needs a 28x33.

big decision

Zach has been accepted into a charter high school and now we need to decide if we send him. I am bit concerned about the uniforms, are the kids normal? Will he be able to do the work, will I survive driving to seminary, home,seminary, school, home, school, home and still home school the other kids and find time to decompress every day? Will I be able to get him there in the snow and cold. Will he like any of the kids and will he participate in their activities? Will he be getting a better education there or with me. I have been really stressed out about trying to teach him the high school courses. This school focuses on leadership and he won't have the social interaction he craves simply because there are only 250 kids accepted. Those of you who are familiar with Paradigm High or anyone who attends I really want the nitty gritty.

Pity Party, Table for One

Today is one of those days that you know you're being completely ridiculous but you just can't help but get out of your funky mood. After church I had great ambitions to help Kaitlyn practice her cake entry for the fair in August but everything I tried fell short. I made a huge mess, kept dropping things and losing feeling in my hands so after an hour of listening to the drama my husband decided to make a huge sacrifice and watch 27 Dresses with me. Unfortunately that didn't get me out of my funk and I have continued to feel completely overwhelmed and inadequate through out the day. I have decided that I am spreading myself a bit too thin. I have 100's of interests but all of them are distracting me somewhat from my eternal goals. I need to take a couple of days to sit down and really prioritize what is important to me. I took a class a couple of years ago in my real estate training that made me write a mission statement about my goals and I was the biggest disappointment to the instructor because not one of them was work related. All of my goals had to do with being a better mom and a wife. While it may have disappointed him it clarified a lot for me. Time to center myself again.

What Lies Beneath

I am not a person who likes change. I analyze every decision I make to the point of a compulsive disorder. It took me three years to buy a new comforter for my bed even though the old one was beginning to unravel and the shams were less than pretty. I took special trips to specialty stores and browsed the internet looking for the best combo of femininity and "butch" to please both my husband and I. I had told him I'd be looking for something with blue or brown so that he could finally feel as though he wasn't sleeping in a Barbie dream room and he was very pleased with the prospect of having stripes. Imagine his surprise when I came home a few months ago with the quilt of my dreams. I don't know where my pillows have disappeared to so it isn't as pretty in this photo as it is in my head. There is a bit of red in it. and I didn't put the pretty pink fluffy blanket on it that I watch tv with so I figure it was a great compromise.
But now I am faced with a dilemma. I love my sheets! I find nothing more satisfying at the end of a hectic day than to slide into my bed and surround myself with the luxurious feel of these cream colored sheets spun by some mystical creature in a far of land. Here's the problem. They have now ripped in too many places to even call them sheets. They've been like this for a month or so but I can't bring myself to get rid of them. I place them carefully in a laundry bag and wash them on the gentle cycle in the attempt to get one more washing out of them. I've tried to replace them. I've gone to the stores and have yet to find anyone that carries California King in this town and then the choices are so overwhelming. I don't know if I want sateen, satin, cotton, Egyptian cotton, 200 count, 400 count, or sheets made out of t-shirts. I need your input. I am going to have to order of the internet so I won't have the option of rolling around on them prior to by them. I want them to be silky without falling out of bed when I were my silk pj's. My husband has always thought that was a fun game to play so it is the most important requirement. So please, HELP me part with my threadbare sheets!!!

Smith's Loves Me

It is kind of sad when I walk in to Smiths and the manager goes out of his way to greet me. He has gotten to know me as the "crazy sale lady" who buys him out of all his cereal when it is on sale. Today was even better because I had coupons for the cereal too. He told the checker to let him handle checking me out. He also asked if I had any jalapenos I needed to return and if the butcher was accommodating getting my 50 lbs. of hamburger freezer wrapped. Boy, talk about customer service! I'm glad there was a sale, I was down to about 30 boxes so this brings me back up to a comfortable 130!!!

I'm So Happy

I came home from a play group to find the best message ever on my machine. One of the Stake Presidency members was at camp last night and his wife was talking with the girls and Bailey searched her out and asked her to bring me a note home. I was so thrilled. She wanted me to know she was doing great. She said that she has seen deer and chipmunks and that she asked the camp director how often they change the ropes on the rock climbing rope (every 800 hours, just like they should, boy I have her trained well!) She misses me but is having a great time. Isn't that great!!! She misses me!!!!! I love being a mom!!!!!

AND as if that isn't enough, Smiths is having a great sale on cereal!

Memory Lane

My friend had this on her blog and it was fun to read the memories other people had of her. I of course, only have a couple of readers that have known me very long at all and 90% of my readers never comment, just email me.

Directions. 1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together.
It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

The moral of the story (Tami, you may not want to read this)

A turkey was chatting with a bull.
>
> 'I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree' sighed the
> turkey, 'but I haven't got the energy.'
> 'Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?' replied the bull.
> 'They're packed with nutrients.'
>
> The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him
> enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree. The next day,
> after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after
> a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.
>
> He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.
>
> Moral of the story:
> Bull Crap might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there..
>

Big Buddah

Jacob loves the morning guy Big Buddah because he thinks he is funny. We ran into him today and so he had to say "hi". Zach wasn't too thrilled but Buddah said, "You're not too cool to be in the photo- get over here. The kids thought the Days of 47 parade preview was great. Lots of cool floats!!

I'm not normally a preachy person

I usually try to keep my religious side a bit sheltered from the world but today I can't help but share my testimony of the Spirit and of eternal families. Bailey left this morning for girls camp, even though in an attempt to save his wife from misery, my husband offered her $1000 to stay home. I could be considered a bit of a protective mother. I check my children each night after they fall asleep, I hide knives and have windows and doors alarmed. I don't let them open the door, or even walk across the street to the Stake Center without me (or Zach) watching. Maybe it is because my children are all medical marvels and I know how blessed I am to have them, or maybe it is because my mom loved her children above all else, but whatever the reason my entire being aches at the thought of them not being with me. Zach has never gone on a scouting trip because I was the cub master for a time and I know just how "well" the boys listen to rules and how "attentive" the leaders can be. I don't let them drive with other people (there are the rare exceptions) and I HATE buses. At least I know where that one comes from. My good friend in elementary school was called out of class to find out that his little sister had tried to catch a paper that flew under the bus and was crushed to death. I am the mom that researches accidents before letting her kids go on a waterpark ride and makes them play games like "Worse Case Scenario" just in case they ever find themselves in a sand storm on a camel they'll know what to do. (You hunker down low on the camel and pull the reins to the right, the camel will guide you back to where you came from). Each leader knows of my deep concern and several girls came up to me prior to loading the bus to tell me that they would watch over her. I grilled the leaders about what to do in case of lightening, bears, snakes, and flash flooding. I grilled them on where helicopters can land and how far away from camp that is. I made sure they knew of her heart condition and how mine would break instantly if someone was mean to her. I confirmed the daily bear patrol and fire safety rules.

Bailey is an amazing girl. I know EVERYONE thinks that of their kid but she truly is. She has a strong testimony of the gospel and turns to her Heavenly Father every decision. She has prayed a lot about whether or not she should go and she felt a strong confirmation that it was important and that her mom would be looked after. I was so freaked out about the idea of her being away that I never even tried to get confirmation. I just prayed for safety. Last night I finally took them time to earnestly ask. There was an overwhelming burning in my chest, a confirmation that Girls Camp, while on the surface may appear to be a "fun activity" is truly an inspired program meant to strengthen testimonies and girls as well. I was intensely grateful for the Temple and the fact that my family has been sealed together FOREVER and that regardless of what happens on this Earth, that I will be with them for eternity. I know that I need to turn my worries over to my Father in Heaven and live my life in such a way to be worthy of that honor. I did still sob on the sidewalk and haven't cried quite so hard since my mom died, but at least after two hours I was able to compose myself enough to utter a "thank you" for the gospel in my life.

I survived

I promise this is the last post about the birthday, (for a couple of weeks then I can be sad about Zach's). Bailey made Jacob this crown for for his big celebration. Speaking of Bailey, she leaves tomorrow for girls camp. I have tried bribing, I have tried to ground her but she just can't seem to do anything wrong! I have even tried to guilt her, which I know is a bad mothering technique but you can't blame me for trying. At all the pre camp hikes she was a billy goat, the leaders thought we must be a family that hikes a lot. Apparently they don't know us well. I am not worried about her making bad decisions. She is just as paranoid as me and has been trained well. But can't help but think that my heart will break without her here to tell me she loves me 20 times before bed.

A bit disappointed

I am almost embarassed to put this photo up but Jacob loves it so I will sacrifice ego and let you all see how novice I am at making pirate ships. It isn't that its bad, its that it isn't perfect. The sails are misshaped, the flag isn't wavy and the wood paneling isn't staggered correctly. I am sure that my next one will be much better. Practice makes perfect so I think that Zach and Glen will both get ships next month for their birthdays. Kaitlyn will dodge a bullet however and get something much more fem. Unless of course a pink pirate ship sounds good.

The last day my baby will be 4

Jacob wanted a picture of him on the last day he was four. I just know he'll be even cuter at 5.

We celebrated early yesterday by going to Seven Peaks. As we got to the top of the tall rides I could hear over the speakers "if you have any of the following health problems you should not ride this attraction : high blood pressure, heart problems, neck and back problems, are prone to motion sickness or experience migraines." I had to laugh, I fit each category yet thought these were the most benign rides I'd ever been on. I got more motion sick on the way home (my husband drove because I was temporarily blinded by my contacts).

Jacob and Glen went down a ride on a double tube and for some reason when they came out of the bottom of the ride they flipped. I had come out before them with Kaitlyn and the other two kids were standing next to me. I watched in horror as my baby went under the water and was smashed under the inner tube, I disobeyed written warnings and ran back to the pool at full speed yelling "save my baby!!" Of course people from all over the park turned to look for what must have been a tragic accident or a near drowning. My husband had his hands on Jacob within 1.2 seconds and the life guard was a close second. Jacob WAS wearing a life jacket (big surprise). I think he is under the water longer when he takes a shower. We didn't want him to be scared of the water so we laughed it off as a great adventure, after all, that is part of the water park adventure.

He went on the ride again with his dad and once again the tube flipped. This time the tube seemed to be going in slow motion and I could see from the side that as the tube turned vertical in the air little Jacob was running on air to get to the top. The life guard knew from our earlier display that this was a tube to watch and was prepared for anything. Needless to say the next time he went on the ride he was with his mommy who somehow was able to not only keep from flipping the tube but managed to keep him from getting wet at all.

Zach, Bailey and Kaitlyn enjoyed themselves just as much as Jacob, especially since their overly paranoid mom even let them go on a couple death defying rides without a parent. I figure if anyone tries anything with my girls that if they can't handle it Zach is there for back up. In fact there was a boy about 9 that was hitting Kaitlyn in an attempt to get her off of the large serpent (notice I said serpent and not snake) and she used her brawn to muscle him off and into the water. No one can accuse my daughters of being wimps.

The Miracle Suit

I told you that my husband took me on a little date this weekend and bought me a few things I didn't need. One of those things was a new swimsuit. Some of you might think that sounds nice, that means you are one of two types of people 1) a stick figure or 2) a masochist . I didn't think I needed one but he made reference to the broken hook on the back of my suit and the lack of elastic at the buttocks as his reason for this trip. He thought that perhaps since we will be going to the water park this week for Jacob's birthday (sob, sob) that I should have something that will not fall off me on the first ride. Boy time have changed, years ago he would have found that idea amusing. He made me go to Macy's, not because he knows anything about swim wear but because it was the closest store to TGIF's and walking isn't high on our priority list. We started in the Juniors section where swimsuits are the equivalent of dental floss and band aids so we made our way to the grown up suits and were thrilled to find that they were having a huge sale. Everything was 50% off (the price, not the suit) and we had an offer for 20% off on top of that. Cha Ching!! At least that is what I thought until I saw the prices on the suits. Even with that huge 70% discount I would be sacrificing a tank of gas or even worse an entire month of coke. I am of the opinion that the less fabric used in an article of clothing the less it should cost. I was baffled as to why these tiny weeny suits should cost more than our tent that sleeps 8.

(gag, spit spit, gag) sorry, I took a small break to throw laundry in the washer and just licked my finger only to realize I had spilled a bit of Tide on my hand and now i am foaming at the mouth, but I'll be okay.

We found a row of promising swim suits called "the Miracle Suit" "Look ten pounds younger in ten minutes" is the claim emblazoned upon the tag. "Wow, that sounds great" my husband says while guarding his more sensitive areas. We've been married 15 years and he still doesn't realize that kind of comment will deserve a kick or two? He picked out three and sent me to the dressing room. The "10 pound" comment was promising but the "10 minutes" one concerned me, why would it take 10 minutes to make me look thinner. I've been putting suits on for years, I was a competitive swimmer after all so I have the process streamlined. I seriously underestimated the power of lycra. This suit was so elastic that it could double as a sling shot/catapult for Shrek in his next movie. It soon became apparent that the writer of the tag was a serious optimist. It took 10 minute just to pry it open wide enough to get my ankles in the leg holes. It took another 5 of hopping and jumping up and down while practicing my ballet moves to get it on my fanny. Then I needed a rest. I haven't had that much exercise or heavy breathing since I was in labor with my youngest child. Once I recovered I took a deep breath and pulled with all my might to get the self shaping top half up over my shoulders. I must admit, the first thought I had was, "wow, I look good", I was admiring my newly shaped top half in the mirror when I noticed that my face was becoming the same shade of blue as the suit I was wearing. I was so stricken with pride at the image in the mirror that I failed to realize that I was unable to breath. It was just like a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean in which the beautiful damsel is gasping for breath because her corset was too tight. I found my knees becoming weak and I took the last bit of energy to pull the suit from my body and I collapsed on the tiny little dressing room seat meant only to hold your purse, and not your body. In the end I decided that the only thing "miraculous" about this suit was that I was able to get it on at all. I did however buy the suit. I have since decided that breathing is a bit overrated and that as long as 1) don't drink anything for a day prior to wearing it 2) where an oxygen mask 3) only where it in 5 minutes increments that it will be perfect. So if you see someone walking around my pool with a beautiful stride it is simply me trying to keep the suit from propelling me forward.

Disclosure: I just looked at the tag and it says "10 seconds". I should change my post but instead I will put this correction in little tiny type at the bottom of this so that I am like a real journalist! "10 seconds" who are they kidding!!!!!

Messy Messy

Who says I wasted money on a new machine! I never made as big a mess with my old kitchenaid, this one rocks!!!!

Brace Face

We survived 3 hour at the orthodontist today, Bailey lost a bracket within an hour because she had too much spit in her mouth. We only have 1095 days or so left on our journey to beautiful teeth!

should I install a fireman's pole?

I keep thinking about putting in a fireman's pole in my living room. This is the view from the upstairs loft and I can't help but think how much more fun it would be if we a shiny pole to slide down. What do you think?

Am I Truly Scary?

We are having a problem with our sprinkler system and I have a patch of grass that is just refusing to grow. I called our builder who knows that I am not a woman to be messed with and he sent the landscaper out to take a look today. He brought with him 5 Hispanic workers and his business partner. (This was not the first time I've called them). He was giving me the run around on why the grass was struggling and after listening to him scramble for excuse after excuse I finally explained to him that either the system he installed was crap or the grass was and I will in no uncertain terms accept an "hmmm, I don't know" as an answer. I suggested, in typical Summer fashion, that he find a solution or I will stick a sign in my yard that says "landscaping by . . . ". I also suggested that instead of trying to put it back on the builder who no doubt provides the majority of his business, that he takes care of it before I have to let the builder know how dissatisfied I am with his customer service. I found it amusing that the more I discussed this with him that his workers continually stood further and further away from me. Before our 15 minute conversation was completed they were actually on the other side of my house looking for weeds to pull. He assured me that if the changes he made didn't work he would take care of things.

A big night

Today is the last day of free eating for my girls. Tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. Bailey gets braces and Kaitlyn gets her expander for a couple of months before she gets her braces. In order to make it special I have let them pick them menu for dinner tonight. Apparently they are eating everything that they like that is sticky.

The Power Color

I have a confession. I know this is going to come as a shock to many of you but I feel it important to disclose this information. When I took the Color Code test as a teen I scored 99% red. (power hungry control freak, for those of you who aren't familiar with the test). The last time I took the test I had a bit more blue in me, a direct result of having children I'm sure. But once in a while I can't help but return to my roots and I search for ways to express my inner red. Yesterday my husband treated me to a day of pampering and lots of new stuff I don't need but among them was this beautiful red professional series Kitchenaid (to replace my eight year old white one). He wanted a black one that would match our kitchen but I was DRAWN to this red one. I knew it would clash with my cabinets but I just couldn't help it. It is my little big of personality in my otherwise sophisticated kitchen.

Sad News

Some of you who have had the unfortunate opportunity to speak to me this week after my grocery store trip will already know that I am teetering on the verge of a breakdown. I purchased milk and looked at the expiration date only to realize that the milk would be "good" longer than my baby will be four! That's right, my sweet baby will be five next week and we are anticipating his upcoming marriage to an imaginary girl named Flower. We will be celebrating at "Seven Peaks" where hopefully the water will hide my tears as I embark on being the mother of all school age/teenagers. He promises me he will still be my baby and that he will still love me more than anyone.

Walmart Shoppers Beware

I should never watch the tonight show - first off, he's not nearly as funny or as knowlegable as Steven Colbert, and secondly, he tells scary stories. Apparently a guy in in Florida was shopping in the garden center of a Walmart when he was bitten by a rattle snake!!!!!! Where were the greeters? Where were the amazing customer service people that were helpful when the checker dropped a jar of pickles on my foot?(that's right, they were missing when that happened too). From what I understand they had to shut down the garden section while they looked for a possible second snake. They aren't sure if the snake came into the store after the plants were brought in or if they were shipped with the plants. I guess that means that I now need to have someone do my shopping!!!!!!!

3 hours to go 30 miles

I would like to say it is because we're enviromentally conscious, but in reality it is because the cost of gas is so out of control that we have no choice (ok, we have a choice but we really like to eat). My husband has decided to ride the public transportaiton system. He bought a month pass and was thrilled to learn that his office will actually pay for it. He left this morning at 5:45 to catch the bus at the local church. He wasn't thrilled about leaving the car in the parking lot all day but I was less thrilled at the thought of getting up that early. He got to work with only three phone calls to me to say, "now what". He was lucky enough to run into a half naked man who said, "hey dude, you know where you're going?" and than politely pointed him in the right direction. He left work early just to make sure he could make the bus that comes out to our fair city only 3 times a day. He took the wrong train and ended up going in what he thought was completely the wrong direction so he did what any sensible man would do, he paniced and jumped from the train and called his wife to say, "now what". I pulled six kids from the pool and ran to the house to look at the less than well designed transportation website. I had to call customer service who told me that he needed to walk three blocks, cross the street and sit in front of the cafe. There he would find the right transfer. While he sat there a gentleman came up to him and said, "man, you got a cigarette?" He answered in the negative and the guy looks at him with disguist and said "Man, I go to jail and I come out and everyone's stopped smoking!" He watched the guy walk away and turned in time to see his bus going in the opposite direction.
I made another call. We only had one more chance to get it right or I would be making way into down town to try to rescue my directionally challenged husband. I love him, he has many wonderful qualities but finding his way around is not one of them. He actually delivered pizzas for a while when we were first married and spent the entire time on the phone with my mom who gave him turn by turn directions. He walked another couple of blocks and found the right spot. When he finally got on his bus there was only one empty seat next to a guy that had filthy dreedlocks, clothes that hadn't been washed in weeks and a smell that would make long shoreman turn his nose in disguist. By the time he made it home it had been three hours. He was hot, sweaty, tired, thristy, and not too thrilled to do it again tomorrow; but he will because he knows how much I really like to eat.

Why Heavenly Father Created Take Out

We have an extra kid this week and as such I decided to gourmet dinner up a bit today. You know, give people the illusion I am more cool than I am. After all, you know what picky eaters teenage boys are!!! I wanted to make bacon wrapped bbq chicken smothered in cheese and green onions, corn on the cob, potato salad and watermelon. That sounds wonderful, doesn't it? Just one problem, the BBQ is outside, in the yard, where the snake was last week. So, I decided to make oven bbq chicken, great in theory but without an indoor grill you just don't get the pretty little lines I wanted. As I was cooking my bacon the doorbell rang, as I chatted with my neighbor she commented on the wonderful smell, that was the indication that the beautifully peppered bacon was getting a bit more than crispy. I was able to salvage the majority of the bacon. I decided to move the chicken from the oven to the range to make "grill marks", or at least the illusion of marks. The burner wasn't starting so in my stupidity I leaned over to see what the problem was right as it ignited, narrowly missing my right eyebrow with the resulting flame. Then I spilled the bbq/chicken juice all down the front of me because I forgot why we have hot pads and decided that after dirtying four pans that I might as well just go turn on the BBQ. I called Zach to inspect the yard, including under every large rock and the empty lot next door. I left strict instructions with Jacob that if he heard screaming he was to grab Zach and call 911. The actual cooking outside was delightful. I jumped at every bird that flew over and only screamed once when the stick 3 yards away somehow spooked me.
The chicken was delicious, covered in just the right amount of cheddar cheese and bacon. The leftover cheese I left on the counter however somehow ended up all over the tile and when I questioned people Jacob looked at me with his precious eyes and said, "yup, that was me". It took 45 minutes to clean up the mess created in my attempt to avoid the outside. I reached for my half empty can of Coke which I most certainly deserved only to remember part way into my first sip that I had used the can to hold the bacon drippings!!!! Needless to say, tomorrow will be pizza!!!!

Accomplishments Galore

Usually the day after a holiday I am so sleepy that I don't accomplish anything but Bailey had her cake decorating class today at 9:00 so there was not rest for the weary. We grabbed pizza on the way home, went swimming, cleaned the house, mowed the lawn, got Jacob a haircut, went grocery shopping, made emergency kits to supplement our 72 hour kits, made a pillow for girls camp, cleaned the bunny cage, fixed Jacob's pillow, Kaitlyn's pj's, made dinner, cleaned out the fridge (thank goodness, something smelled funky), did the laundry, ironed Sunday clothes and still had time to shave my legs. I am feeling very proud of myself!!

Independence Day

I am perhaps more outspoken about the founding of this country than any other subject. The best movie ever written about our country is "1776". I may like this simply because my father played one of the characters in a play year ago. If you haven't watched it it is a must, right up there with Kung Fu Panda. So many times when I hear people criticize our Founding Fathers for things that are missing from the Constitution I just want to scream "Watch the movie, you'll understand why!!!!"The following are some of the most poignant lines from the movie.

Dr Lyman Hall: Mr. President, Georgia seems to be split right down the middle on this issue - the people are against it, and I'm for it.

Dr. Lyman Hall: However, I'm afraid I'm not quite certain whether representing the people means relying on their judgment or on my own. In all fairness, until I can figure that out, I'd better lean a little on their side. Georgia says nay.

Dr. Benjamin Franklin: We've no choice, John. The slavery clause has got to go.

John Adams: Franklin, what are you saying?

Dr. Benjamin Franklin: It's a luxury we can't afford.

John Adams: 'Luxury?' A half million souls in chains... and Dr. Franklin calls it a 'luxury!' Maybe you should have walked out with the South!

Dr. Benjamin Franklin: [dangerous] You forget yourself sir. I founded the FIRST anti-slavery society on this continent.

John Adams: Oh, don't wave your credentials at me! Maybe it's time you had them renewed!

Dr. Benjamin Franklin: John, the issue here is independence! Maybe you have forgotten that fact, but I have not! These men, no matter how much we may disagree with them, they are not ribbon clerks to be ordered about - they are proud, accomplished men, the cream of their colonies. And whether you like them or not, they and the people they represent will be part of this new nation that YOU hope to create. Now, either learn how to live with them, or pack up and go home! In any case, stop acting like a Boston fishwife.

The Snake Won't Go Away

We had a huge wind storm that lasted only long enough for our garbage and recycling to fly all over the neighborhood. Zach, Bailey and I went out to clean up and out of the blue I started screaming and running for the house. I had realized that the dead snake was probably somewhere on the grass. My kids thought I was nuts and then Zach started to laugh. He realized what my sudden melt down was about and calmly told Bailey to go check on me so she wouldn't freak out too!!! I was thrilled that tomorrow is garbage day so we can be done with this whole snake thing and then I was so rudely reminded that tomorrow is a holiday.

Statue of Iwo Jima

Long ago, long before I had children and my brain still functioned, I served as a Congressional Scholar in Washington DC. This honor was reserved for the top 200 students in the US based on civic involvement and academics. (toot, toot. . .my own little horn)When I returned I was asked to give speeches to various organizations in the community. I found this excerpt from one of them.

I visited all the near by monuments and historical sights but perhaps the most touching was the Statue of Iwo Jima. My advisor was very knowledgeable about DC trivia and was constantly giving out interesting tid bits of information. I was staring at the great detail in the statue when he told me to count the hands on the statue. After 15 minutes of counting again and again, I concluded that there were 13 hands instead of the 12 one would expect. I pondered the incongruity for a moment until my advisor whispered to me and my companion that the 13^th hand was the hand of God. A chill went up my spine as he said that and a tear fell down my cheek. It is so hard to believe that the country that once recognized the hand of God in it’s victories is the same one we live in today. A country whose citizen’s take part in immoral acts and kill for the thrill of the sport. Through out the history of the United States, courageous men and women have labored and sacrificed to uphold the principles enshrined in our Constitution: freedom, equality, and justice, if we are to keep faith with them, if we are to preserve the blessings of liberty, then we too must recognize the importance of our Constitution and faithfully exercise our rights and responsibilities as citizens.

Miss Utah

Bailey and Kaitlyn really admire Miss Utah this year. When they saw her at the store Bailey ran up to her and said "thank you for being an example to us "normal" girls. I don't like all the hair and make up on the other girls and I really like that you're so modest". Miss Utah gave her a great big hug and told her that she was so glad that she told her that. She said that is the reason she wanted to be in the pageant.

Boredom results in creativity

We had a family wedding today and Jacob was tired of making a mess with the chocolate fountain so he decided to experiment with the cup. It is amazing how cool it is to suck in really hard and have it stick to your face!! Fortunately for me Zach had his cell phone to capture the magic. When I showed Jacob the picture he said, "That is NOT me".