Tagged, Twice

I got tagged twice. The first one was from my SIL Amanda. And the second from a good friend Mikelene, who thanks to the blogging world I was able to get back in touch with!!

Tag #1:

How to play this game of tag: Post these rules on your blog. List: 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names.

3 joys: My kids, my hubby, and my family

3 fears: Losing a loved one, something horrible happening to one of the kids or DH, the dark.

3 goals: lose weight (duh), become debt free, go back to school

3 current obsessions: Edward, blogging, decorating my house

3 surprising facts about myself: I have a very low self-esteem. I try not to show it and I try to get over it, but for some reason I can't. I think I'm a little OCD with my house. I love for it to be clean. Sometimes I don't sleep well if the house is dirty because I'm too busy making mental lists of what I need to get done the next day. I love to dance. I wish there were more opportunities for adults to take dance class around here.

I know this isn't 5 people, but I tag anyone who wants to play along.

Tag #2:

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Not that I know of.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? About an hour ago. I read a story that someone emailed me, and I got teary eyed. I'm a big cry baby.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Somedays yes, others no.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? I don't really have one.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes! 2 daughters & 2 sons.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I would hope so!!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM? Me? Never! hahaha

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yep:)

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I'd like to say I would, but I might chicken out once I got up there. But, if I were on the Amazing Race, I would totally do it!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? That's a tough one. I really like Cracklin' Oat Bran, but don't get it that much. I'm not a huge cereal eater.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Only if I can't slip them off.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically: I'm not too bad. But I know I could be stronger. Hubby says I'm wimpy. But, I did give birth to 4 kids without drugs! Spiritually: It's a work-in-progress for me. I think I'm strong, but there is always room for improvement. Emotionally: Depends on the day, but mostly yes. Mentally: I would like to think so!

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Probably Half-Baked by Ben & Jerry's. But, if you put a bowl of ice cream in front of me, I'll probably eat it. I also love Mint 'n Chip. Yummy!!

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Not sure teeth or maybe hair? I don't know.

15. RED OR PINK? I love to wear pink, but I have a lot of red decorations in my house. I really like both!

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My weight.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Lots of people: family and friends from all over.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Sure, if they want to. It's always fun to read answers!

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS & SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Pink pajama pants with white polka dots and no shoes.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Peanut Butter Striped Delight dessert that my friend made. It was fabulous!

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Hubby is watching the UCLA vs. Tenn. game right now while I'm blogging.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Maybe turquoise, that was always my favorite crayon to use for some reason.

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Laundry, anything baking (bread, brownies, cookies), babies right when they get out of the bath, my hubby's cologne.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My sister Anna!

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Love her, even though I haven't talked to her for years.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Probably gymnastics, swimming, and diving during the summer Olympics. During the winter Olympics I like to watch ice skating. Other than that I like to watch my kids play sports, and I watch whatever sport the hubby is watching at the time.

27. HAIR COLOR? Dark brown with red highlights.

28. EYE COLOR? Very dark brown.

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yes. I totally wish I could get Lasik. Maybe one day.

30. FAVORITE FOOD? This is a hard question. I love food. I love to cook it, and I love to eat it. Mostly I like everything, there are only a few things I don't like

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? I like a good suspense, but nothing too scary. I get all freaked out and then can't sleep. I mostly like happy endings, I'm a typical chick flick movie girl.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? I can't even remember.

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Gray. It's one of my hubby's old softball shirts. I love to sleep in his shirts because they are so baggy!

34. FAVORITE SEASON? Don't know. I love summer for many reasons. But, I also like fall!!

35. HUGS OR KISSES? Depends on who they're from. I love both!

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Do I have to pick just one?

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? ???

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? ???

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? A Marriage in December

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I don't have one.

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? A rerun of Friends, cooking network, and sports.

42. FAVORITE SOUND? My kids playing nicely together.

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles.

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? France, although I was only 14 months, so I don't remember it at all.

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I love to decorate, do crafts, scrapbook, and cook. But, whether I'm good at it or not, is up for debate.

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? California.

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Anyone who wants to play along!

...so if you want to play let me know and I'll come check out your answers!

My Hubby!

We went out ot dinner last night for J's birthday.

This is just a fun picture of me and my sexy hubby!

Boy do I love him!

My Baby is 6

I can't believe that my baby is 6. I know she isn't a "baby", but she will always be my baby. J has been waiting and waiting for her birthday. I was looking back to her previous birthday posts to link her birth story and realized that I never posted one for her. Probably because right around her birthday school is starting, or we were moving, or sick, or something. So, here goes.

We were living in California with my parents, and I was dying in the heat. I remember that day we were just kind of hanging out around the house while DH was at work. Nothing out of the ordinary. I can't remember if I had gone to the doctor that morning or the morning before. Anyways, they checked me and I was at like a 3. Yeah! I was so glad. The end was in sight.



At around 3 or 4 I started to feel uncomfortable. I had a few contractions here and there but never paid much attention to them since they weren't constant. Plus I had contractions off and on for the last month. When DH got home I needed a break from the kids. So, I went in the room to lay down in the quiet. He came in a little while longer to let me know dinner was ready. So, I went out to eat. I couldn't eat (not a common thing for me). So, I laid back down. I started to get a little anxious and irritated and needed to get away. Hubby needed to run an errand, so we left the kiddos with my parents. For some reason I told DH that I thought he should grab our bag just in case.



Well, it was a good thing because maybe half an hour later, I told him that I thought we should probably go to the hospital. He asked me if I was sure, and I definitly was. By that point my contractions were constant, strong and hard and only 1-2 minutes apart. We got to the hospital and I swear it took me 10 minutes to walk across the parking lot. Then, of course I had to pee. I almost peed my pants.



So, we walked up to labor and delivery and they told me that they check everyone into triage first to make sure that it really is labor. Fine, whatever. So, we check in there, get in the room and the nurse does all the prep stuff she's supposed to do and then checks me. I'm at a 7. I'm thinking hooray, let's do this. She then tells me that she wants to keep me there for a little bit to see if I progress so she can tell if I'm really in labor. What? I'm at a 7! I was thinking how crazy this was. But again, whatever. Maybe 20 minutes later I tell DH that I think I have to push. So, he goes to get the nurse. She walks in practically rolling her eyes, telling me I couldn't be going that fast. She checks me and I'm at a 9 1/2. Stupid nurse. Then, she tells me yep, you can go and walk to labor and delivery again. I'm thinking are you kidding me? I can't even stand up. If I walk the baby will be born in the hall. The nurse leaves the room and does NOTHING. DH had to walk the halls to find me a wheelchair to take me to labor and delivery. I was ticked.



So, we get in there and the nurses are getting the room and bed ready for me. They were SO nice, completely opposite of my lame-o triage nurses. We told them what was up and even they were mad. We get in there and I have to pee again. The nurse was nervous for me to go to the bathroom because she didn't want the baby to be delivered in the toilet. But, I was somehow able to pee, get up, and make it to my bed. I did need a lot of help. Like 2 people helping me.



When I got on the table, the nurse checked me and I was at a 10, but there was a small lip around the head. At this point, my water still hadn't broken. She told me that legally she wasn't allowed to break my water, but if her fingernail happened to break it, would I be mad? Of course not. So, my water broke and she told me to do a little practice push to see if that lip would go away. I did a little half push and she immediately told me to stop. She practically jumped up on the table and was holding J's head in, while telling the nurse to hurry and get the baby, and telling me not to push. How I didn't push I don't know.



So, in comes the doctor and he barely manages to get gloves on and slip into his gown. He didn't even have time to do his gown up when I said "uh oh", or "oh no". Luckily I said that because he had just enough time to turn around and literally catch her as she was coming out. I didn't even push her out, but out she came. He later told us that that was the closest he had ever come to dropping a baby. He's darn lucky he didn't drop her.



She was a hefty 9lbs. 2oz. Big girl! She was so cute and so alert right away. I was so happy to finally have her here and to have her join our family. Her brothers and sister were also so excited. They all wanted to have their turn holding her when they came to visit.



J is such a beautiful, fun-loving girl. She has a very contagious smile. She is eager to learn and try new things. She loves to dance and I'm sure will love dance team this year. She plays the shy card when you first meet her, but after that she's very talkative and won't give you a break. She is a big helper when she wants to be. She can be a little stinker if she doesn't get her way, but we love her all the same. I'm grateful everyday that she was sent to our family. I love her with all my heart. She is such an amazing little girl. I love you J! Happy 6th Birthday

Caterpillar or Worm?

We were at my SIL's house the other day and the kids were all outside playing. Then several of them came running in telling us about the cool caterpillar they found. They told us it was green and huge and fat and squishy and.... We then told them that it was probably a tomato worm and not a caterpillar. They didn't believe us for a while. Finally we convinced them, and then added that they shouldn't play with it.

When I went to download pictures onto my computer I found this lovely picture. So my instructions to not play with it were obviously ignored. What is it with kids and gross, creepy- crawly things? They all want to touch it and hold it. Gross. I on the other hand prefer to stay far away from such creatures.

Safety Fair

On Saturday, our community had a safety fair that we went to. The kids got to check out the inside of a cop car, fire engine, and ambulance. They each got to honk the horn in the fire engine which I think was one of the highlights. They also got to lie down on the stretcher inside the ambulance. We got a lot of coloring books and pamphlets all about safety. I thought the information was very good and was presented in a way that was interesting and fun for the kids. We took a mini "Rad Kids" class that taught the kids a little about protecting themselves. There was popsicles, snow cones, scones, sandwiches, drinks, treats, a bounce house, and so much more. I think we were there for about an hour. It was a good way to burn some time on a Saturday.

Sup?

Sunday morning the kids were having a great time playing together. I don't know what made them think to do this, but they thought they were hilarious. They got into their dad's clothes and were running all over the house throwing signs and asking "Sup?" to everyone.

"Yo Baby Sup?"

School Is Here

I can hardly believe that school is here. It seems like summer went by so fast. I'm not sure if I'm ready for school, but ready or not here it is. The kids are excited so that's good. I'm ready for them to be on a better schedule (we've been so super lazy this summer), but I'm not ready for the homework battle and bedtime battle. Maybe we'll have a great year and my worries will be for nothing. I can only hope.

My big 5th grader! Not quite sure how that happened. Time sure goes by so fast. He is excited for this year. I hope it's a good one for him. He is a smart boy and very athletic.

M is in 4th grade this year. She is so eager to learn. She loves school, loves socializing, loves learning.

I can't believe S is in 2nd grade. He is also excited for this new school year. He is always full of energy. Hopefully he'll use that energy in a positive way!!

And, my little J is in 1st grade. This I really can't believe. I can't believe my "baby" is in school all day now. She was a little nervous, but also very excited.

I hope that they each have a successful school year.

That they will all learn and grow and enjoy doing it.

Ward Swim Party

We went to our annual ward swim party a few weeks ago. Like always, we had a great time. We had a BBQ at the park first, and then headed over to the pool for some late night swimming.

We had hamburgers and hot dogs and corn on the cob which was provided by the ward. The rest was potluck: salads, fruit, veggies, chips, desserts, the works!! It was good eats!

The kids had a blast in the water. DH and I got in as well, but didn't last too long. The water was freezing. How is it, that the kids don't seem to mind the cold water when we are freezing? They enjoyed playing with their friends, jumping off the diving board, going down the slide, playing in the spray park, and all that fun stuff.

Sadly our night was cut short because of some major thunder and lightning. But, the kids definitly had fun while it lasted! It was another successful ward party:)

School Haircuts, Soccer Camp, Dance Tryouts

Wow, we have been super busy. I can't believe that the end of summer is here. I'm not sure if I'm ready for school, but here it comes.

These two beauties both had tryouts for dance team, and we got the letter a few days ago saying they both made it! M will be on the Pre Company and J will be on the Minis. They were both thrilled and I'm excited for them and this new adventure. Crazy times here we come!
They also both got haircuts. J was supposed to just get a trim, but "really, really, really wanted a haircut", so she got one too.

These guys have been just as busy. They had soccer camp last week and practice this week in preparation for the season that starts next week. They also had haircuts. T just got his cut around his ears because he wants the "shaggy" look. S got his famous mohawk. Watch out girls!

Homemade Pico

We went and got some fresh veggies from our friends' garden. He had SO much and said for us to take what we need. I got tomatoes, onions, green peppers, sweet peppers, zuchinni, cucumbers, lemon cucumbers, carrots, and turnips. He has an amazing garden and it was so nice of him to share. I offered to pay him, but he wouldn't accept. When I got home I made some yummy fresh pico de gallo. Tomorrow I need to make zuchinni bread, lots of zuchinni bread! I love fresh veggies right from the garden. So delicious!

A Fun Project

I've been wanting to refinish my bookshelf for a long time and finally got around to it. It took a little bit longer than I thought, but it turned out just the way I wanted!!

BEFORE

AFTER!

Cold Stone & Blogging Friends!

Today I got a call from Gina saying that her and Yvonne were going to meet up for ice cream and could I join them?! I was thrilled at the opportunity to be able to meet Yvonne and to see Gina again. We met at Cold Stone and enjoyed some delicious ice cream, but even better than that I got to spend some time with two wonderful women. I really enjoyed myself and was so glad that I was able to make it. I've been wanting to meet Yvonne, and am grateful that I had that opportunity. Also, I really enjoy spending time with Gina. If you ever have the chance to meet either of these two women you are in for a real treat. Thanks for a great evening!!

A Fun Tag

My cute cousin Allison tagged me, so here goes. I read what to do this morning and hurried to take all my pictures, just to find out that blogger wouldn't post my pictures. So, I'm finally getting to it.

1. Favorite Shoes: Well, if anyone knows me, they know that I love shoes! I've got shoes in many assorted colors and styles. These are just a few of my faves! And of course the flip flops. I love flip flops. I could wear them all year long, if it weren't for the darn snow. And, you gotta have flip flops in every color, right?

2. Your Closet: Our closet is so tiny, in fact it's not our closet, it's my closet. It barely fits my clothes. We had to buy an armoire for DH so that he could have a place to put his clothes. I've heard that older houses have no storage, closet space included. So, being that my house was built in the 1800's, I feel lucky to have any closet at all.

3. Your Fridge: Nothing fancy here. I've got some artwork, my menu, pictures, dance notes, invtations, my "to do" list, you know typical fridge stuff.

4. Your Laundry Room: My laundry room is small and has a slanted ceiling. When we first moved into this house, I hit my head on the stupid ceiling every time I did laundry, and I do laundry A LOT. Like every day, several loads a day. Such fun:)

5. Your Bathroom: This is our master bathroom. The kids have "their" bathroom, but mostly use ours. I think T is the only one who regularly showers in the other bathroom, everyone else uses this one. They even take their toothbrush out of their bathroom to come brush in ours. Crazy kids!

6. Your Favorite Place: This was a tricky one for me. I picked our bedroom for several reasons. This is the place we usually have family prayer. All the kids come here in the morning to say hi, or watch t.v., or climb in bed with us. This is the place I get to spend time with my sweet hubby. It's a good room!

7. Dream Vacation: I dream of going on lots of vacations. Probably the one I want to do the most right now is take a cruise. DH and I have wanted to do this for a long time and it just hasn't worked out yet. But it will, and when it does it will be a blast! I can't wait!!

8. Self Portrait: Sorry to all of you who have to see this scary picture. I had just barely gotten out of the shower and got dressed. So there you have me with no make-up, my hair is all scrappy, and I've got some crazy expression going on. Aren't I hawt?

9. What the kids are doing: They had just started eating breakfast, and we had 3 extras eating with us. Fun morning times.

10. Your Kitchen Sink: I try to keep the dishes done. I hate when they pile up all over the counter, which they often do. But, I feel that when I have a clean kitchen I'm happier. When the kitchen is messy, it seems like the entire house is a mess.

OK, so Tori, Chel, Gina, Lauren, Kelsi, and Mel it's your turn. Let us see into your life a little!

Owlz Game

Last Friday we went to an Owlz game with some of our friends. First we went out to dinner, then we headed over for the game.


The kids were very excited to see Hoots the Owl and wanted to get a picture with him. S found him several times throughout the night and each time had to run over and give him a huge hug. After about the 2nd inning most of the kids were getting a little restless. So, the moms took them over to play on the playground. T and his friend Zach stayed with the dads for a while and then went over to try and catch fly balls.


After a little playing we went back to our seats and of course everyone needed some treats. Holy cow those treats are spendy. But, they sure were yummy. I got some delicious huckleberry ice cream that came in a cute baseball hat bowl.


Dinner, a game, friends, playing, and treats made for a very enjoyable evening!

Bike Crash

S was outside riding bikes with some friends the other day, having a great time. But the fun soon ended when he crashed. He got these huge gashes in his back. It looks like someone dug their nails into his skin, I think he must have landed on the pedal or something. Poor S, he was so sad, but some medicine and a huge bandaid later he was feeling better and was ready to play again.