"Eclipse"

Woah!!! I don't know what else to say! Those guys are CRAZY, Bella's crazy! Woah!

"New Moon"

Did you cry??? I cried. (More than I thought I could over a silly book, I cried)!

My friend let me borrow the last three books (now I don't feel left out) but I'm not looking forward to the "after-series-depression".

"Twilight"

Got it for Christmas. Read it. Loved it.
Now I'm having a hard time getting my hands on "New Moon".
Very frustrated....
GRRR! (No. I'm not a vampire. But I'm sure I can growl like one.)

"White Christmas" movie

I was wrong, the movie was in color. I'm not positive, but I think it used to be black and white, at least that's the way I remembered it (am I wrong?).

Merry Christmas To All...

My hands are half-frozen
As I sit here and type.
The kids bounce around
But I don't know the hype.

The dog wanders 'round
Bored as could be
And hubby's downstairs
Buried in books to his knee.

I want to say something
Exciting and new
But nothings coming out
So this will have to do.

The wind is whistling
And there's a BIG chill.
Do I dare wish for snow
And the wind to be still?

We'll soon head downstairs
To watch "White Christmas", the movie
And snuggle under blankets
To get warm and be cuddly.

The movie is old
Black and white (mostly gray)
And full of good music
That makes you feel gay! (The old fashioned "gay", silly.)

So off we go
To spend time as a family
Make it feel more like Christmas
And less like insanity!

Hustle and bustle
That's not where it's at.
The heart and the home
It's supposed to be THAT!

The kids dream of presents
And all that lay within
But Christ is the meaning
That's where it begins.

So I hope against hope
They really understand
Knowing it won't happen
'Til they give their hand.

Weird how that works
You feel best when you give
When you get, you just get,
When you give, then, you LIVE!

I'm grateful this year
For feeling truly blessed
And wish the same for you
And all of the rest!

Merry Christmas!!!

Just to Blog

One down, one to go! Eric took a final last night and I almost don't care how well he did (almost), I am just SO happy that it's over with!!! He'll take another tonight, then studying for the Pat Bar.
There are some things that just HAVE TO END, school is one of them and I cannot wait!!!
I'm sure some day I will wish to have these trials back instead of the ones I'll be facing but, for now I would have to say good riddance!!! Eleven out of nearly 13 years of marriage is too long for someone to be going to school. I'm done! (Well, in May (or July)).
Tayler and Haley will be 12 and there will certainly be more challenges to face.
I'm hoping for more of a partnership instead of a support system arrangement. It should be very interesting and possibly shocking. (Cue "Twilight Zone" music). Yah, who knows what's to come?
I just need something different, and hopefully a NICE, different.

Monday

Today Eric is home studying for finals. The kids and I will go to the extension office to pay for Tayler and Haley's sewing class (that they get to do in Jan. and Feb.), then we will go to the Library to return a book and probably pick up a few, then we will be off to Kroger to get some groceries and then home.
The kids have already finished Spelling, English, and Math and Tayler's done with History as well. (They really want to go to the Library). I love that they LOVE to read!!!
Guess I'm off. WYL!!! (Write you later!!!)

What I've Done!!!

I saw this on Juliann's Blog, and thought it was fun!

Bold or highlight (I've highlighted in Yellow) what you have done!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables-well, at least Eric has in our yard does that count?
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise- it is wonderful!
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community -No, but I've been to one of their stores!
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied- I'm trying to be honest, here, I'm content but not satisfied.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling- snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain- maybe I don't remember
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar- it's not all it's cracked up to be, at least the stuff we ate on the cruise!
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House- the outside
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life- though it didn't seem like some "life-saving" event, she thanked me for "saving" her.
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous- I got to hug Pres. Faust once and that was awesome!
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Wise Men Seek Him

This new background of the Three Kings seeking out our Savior to give Him their gifts just made me think that "wise men seek Him". I'm asking myself, now, am I wise? As I'm already getting stressed about finding and buying all the gifts for this Christmas, I believe I'm failing at the "finding Him" part of my gift-giving. There are so many things I would love to give and so many things I would love to have but I'm missing something. While shopping with Eric last night I was talking to him about something like how fun and exciting it would be to be able to randomly hand out hundred dollar bills to people or pay for the person's groceries that are in front of or behind us. You know, random acts of unexpected kindness, the kind that is truly a gift because it's NOT expected...I love the idea of that. I also wonder if ever I had that kind of money would I really have the heart to DO such things for people. I would like to think that I do. In this thought process I think that I would finally enjoy helping at a soup kitchen. Giving my hands and heart (something that I AM blessed with) to help others. I've never been to a soup kitchen before, never put myself "out there" before. I'm sure it's time for me to stop wondering if I have the heart and just HAVE the heart and DO it! I wonder how to volunteer for that sort of thing anyway. I want to be more than Santa Claus this year, I want to give a real gift. Any ideas?

Funny Little Girl...Absent-minded Mommy

Emily's so funny. I was giving her a bath and I told her to pull the plug (you know, to drain the water) and she told me "Just a minute, I'm making hand-princes". I thought "What...". So I looked to see what she what she was doing and she had both of her little hands on the water like she was making hand-prints. (Oh my memory is HORRIBLE. This was just a few hours ago! You'd think I could remember!) Anyway. She said something about "hand-princes" and "hand-princesses" and I thought it was REALLY cute. If only I could remember better...oh well, she can't remember either.

Who Knew Adults Play Tag?!?!

I am...

I was tagged by Juliann for this. I think it's fun and she's amazing.

I am: A woman, a wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend, an aunt, a niece, a sister, a sister-in-law, indecisive, a bargain hunter, a computer-addict, impatient, not very ambitious...

I know: That I want to be with my family for ETERNITY, AND that it IS possible!

I want: To be smarter. (Is that even a word?). To be patient. To be peaceful.

I have: Much to be grateful for.

I dislike: Losing my temper. (It happens too often).

I miss: The cute things my children said when they were little(r). Quieter days. Less stress (different stress).

I feel: Unsorted.

I hear: Nocturne Op.9 No. 2 in E, all of my girls, now Emily begging to do art, now different music than that aforementioned, and the keyboard.

I smell: Almond Poppy Seed Muffins that Tayler and Haley made (from a box that grandma brought us).

I crave: More time being and communicating with my hubby. Mofongo at Mojito's in Old San Juan (SO YUMMY!). More vacations like our cruise!!! Peace at Home!

I cry: When I'm sad. Sometimes when I bare my testimony or pray. Whenever I feel like it. Not so often anymore, but I used to blubber a LOT!

I search: for reassurance, acceptance, a thinner body, new recipes, the meaning of scriptures, curriculum, things I'm willing to throw away, ways to organize this house!

I wonder: If I will ever be happy with myself. If I'll ever discipline myself enough to get smart(er). If I'll ever be patient.

I regret: Not being more patient with my mom and children, not having more friends, not being smarter (I hope that's a word), not having more self-confidence.

I love: Family, friends, the gospel, getting more fit, understanding scriptures, my hubby and kids (I know they're "family" but they are more than family), music, food, warmth, sunshine, that everybody's different but we're all loved the same by God.

I worry: About my kids, my hubby, my marriage, the future (esp. of this nation), my health, my sanity, my family, what's for dinner (every night except Saturdays), about enduring to the end, what other's think about me...a lot.

I remember: Lots of things I've done wrong. Some things I've done right. To read my scriptures every day, to pray every night, to eat, many things I'd like to forget, not enough of what I'd like to remember.

I dance: At dances, with my kids in the privacy of my own living room, horribly.

I don't: Watch rated R movies. Do enough.

I argue: About money, about food storage, about what Christmas should be like.

I write: Poems. In my journal. To let out my frustrations (it IS therapeutic).

I win: Or at least I LOVE it when I do. Not often enough. The love and devotion of my hubby. When I have a good attitude.

I lose: My mind every day. (I WOULD forget it if it wasn't stuck to my body or would it be my body I would forget to bring along? Whichever.) I'm forgetful. My temper (like I said before).

I wish: For complete food storage, CLEAN HOUSE, time to myself with no regrets (ie. not feeling guilty that the kids need or want something from me or that I should be doing something for them/with them), I were smarter (there's that word again, if it's not a word it is now!), I weren't so lazy!

I listen: To my hubby, to my iPod, to my children (when I don't tune them out), to the crazy thoughts in my head, to the Holy Ghost (at least I try to).

I can usually be found: In this chair on this OLD laptop "searching" for "stuff" (or doing this and reading yours!)

I am scared: Of sharks, being alone, not making it to the Celestial Kingdom, tumbling down a cliff...it goes on.

I need: To get out of this chair, get off this computer, clean my house, make a menu for Thanksgiving, spend more QUALITY time with my children (they're around me all day, every day, but the quality is key), to exercise, take a shower, get dressed, have my prayer read my scriptures, ORGANIZE, to be calm, to be nice, to be patient, to go Visiting Teaching, to clean out my fridge and freezer and use some of that food, to correct kids' work, hug and kiss them more, gripe at them less...etc.

I forget: Things I want to remember, to be patient, where I put things, well...I forgot the rest but I KNOW there's more! Oh, I know! I forget to send Birthday wishes on time (I'm always late). There's still more...somewhere.

I tag you, and you, and you, and you, and you, and you, and you and... oh yeah, YOU!

(Just so I don't forget anyone!)

Tagged

Me! Quirky??? Riiight....
1. Link the Person who Tagged you.

2. Mention rules on your blog.

3. Tell about 6 quirks of yours.

4. Tag 6 fellow bloggers to do the same.

5. Comment on their blog to let them know or leave a list of names at the bottom of the post

1. I cannot cook in a dirty kitchen. (It makes me mad.)
   
2. I LOVE my feet rubbed!!! (I even let my dog lick them. It feels so good.)
3. I color-code my clothes on hangers in my closet.
4. I count when I'm jogging. (Not steps or breaths, just counting. I think it's a rhythm thing).
5. I don't make my bed often but I make my kids make theirs before school (hypocritical, I know).
6. Peanut butter is put on the right piece of bread, jam/jelly on the left and the piece with the jam/jelly goes on top of the peanut butter. It just HAS to be that way. I know, because I make Eric at least 4 PB&J's/week! That's just the way it HAS to be.
   

I'm supposed to TAG 6 people but I hate obligating people to things (that's why I'm never "President") so if you want to, tell me your QUIRKS!!!

Food Storage

Food Storage is always on my mind and the church has some great deals. Some things you can find cheaper elsewhere but almost everything the church sells is the best deal (especially when it's stored properly and can last for SO many years!).

So...while the price of wheat went up, the price of powdered milk went down drastically! This tells me I need to make a trip to Columbus to the cannery to get more food (especially milk as the price may not last)! I'm talking, it used to be $7?.?? for 25lbs and now it's $4?.??. That's a BIG difference. Just look at the price list here .

Fortunately, for me, Eric bought his new gun and I, therefore, get the same amount of money to use for food storage! Now...how do I want do divvy out the money?

I do know one thing, I want to can it there and not at home (which does increase the price a little, not to mention it's time-consuming). I've heard iffy stories about the success of storing the food in 5 gallon buckets (I LOVE buckets), but I NEED the food to last as long as it can and I'm not sure about those buckets that I used dry ice with. I pray over my food storage. Do you?

With the way the economy is, and SO many people losing their jobs, I KNOW that this is truly important and am SO grateful for prophets who have made us aware of its importance for SO many years. Who doesn't feel better when they are prepared!?! Besides, natural disasters can happen anywhere at any time and is no respecter of persons. Who doesn't need to be prepared? Just this summer we lost power from a hurricane! Mind you, we live near Cincinnati, Ohio (nowhere NEAR the gulf) and the wind was so strong it knocked out the power. For some people up here, the power was out for a week. We were fortunate to only be out for about 6-8 hours (in our newer neighborhood). Someone in our ward that lives less than a mile away (by road, not by areal distance) had power out for 4 days!

I read on the church website that they wanted people to show pictures and share experience with food storage so here's my "mite". (The pictures will add the much needed thousand words to describe).

Want to learn more about the church I refer to? Go here.

Yes, I will have pictures but they may come a little later. (I know you hate it. Sorry).

WARNING!!! Ranting...without the Rave

FYI
Rant: "In blogs, a rant is a written personal complaint."
Rave: "praise enthusiastically"

I reserve the right to edit my blog and have decided to do so by deleting my ranting post. I have experienced the relief of letting my thoughts and feelings escape me and now feel it best to follow Juliann's example by saying nothing. So a "rave" to Juliann's good example even though I'm sure I would LOVE to read what is actually stirring in her mind and heart. Thanks, Juliann.

Promised Pictures from our Childless Night and Morning.

What we look like after we jog.














What we did at "Shooters"













With...

Law School and Halloween

So guess what... Eric got a letter that states that he IS eligible to take the Patent BAR so he will hereby be spending some serious $$$$ to spend some serious time studying for the exam that it is recommended 6 months preparation, crammed into two months (for some reason there is a deadline or he'd have to reapply. We did not know this.)!

SO.....goodbye baby, I love you. I'll lend you to some ridiculously expensive test prep. material, but you'd better come HOME as soon as your through, your family needs you! P.S. Study hard baby, we've got your back.

It should be illegal to charge that much money for study material for a test. Don't those lawyers know ANYTHING about money? It doesn't grow on trees!!! (I think they figure that if you take it and pass you'll make the money back quickly enough to not be a problem. I think they are just a rip-off.) And people wonder why lawyers are so expensive, they have HEAFTY school loans to pay off!!!

Meanwhile...we're still figuring out Halloween costumes (I know it's tomorrow!). Eric has the day off work tomorrow and we'll probably carve pumpkins then. I bought some candy to put in a bowl to work on the "honor system" so our whole family can go trick-or-treating together. Our neighborhood is so big it's not even possible to hit all the houses in 2 hours. Yeah, trick-or-treating has rules I NEVER knew about when I was a kid. The rules where we live are that trick-or-treating starts at 6pm and ends at 8pm. And so it goes that, promptly at 6pm the streets are swimming with goblins and ghouls and princesses and everything in between and at 8pm they vanish into thin air (or so it would seem). I'm thinking of putting the video camera on the bowl just to see how honest people are. Am I too curious? It's just that when I was a kid someone did that and I took "one" and my brother suggested that we get more or the whole bowl (I don't remember exactly what he said but was shocked at him.) The idea never occurred to me that they wouldn't know and when he explained I still wouldn't do it but that idea never left me.
I don't know about you but have you noticed that not that many kids say "thank you" when you give them a treat? I know some little ones are scared and tired, but I mean the ones that know better. What are these kids learning now-days? (There is one particular group of middle-school kids that came by last year and almost all of them said "thank you" and I wanted to give them extra candy for being polite. Is it just me, or shouldn't politeness be expected?

Okay enough of that.

What are you doing for Halloween?!?

I don't know what this means exactly. I haven't read any of the books but...


Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

Our Camping Trip

We went camping in Hocking Hills, OH Friday night. It was shivery cold and we forgot the air mattress so it was a pretty looong night but we had fun. We went on a hike to some non-existent "falls". I say "non-existent because they were all dried up. Everybody was walking around in the riverbed. There was hardly any water at all. We got to see "Old Man's Cave" where an old hermit used to live back in the 1800's. It was pretty cool. After a hard night and about 5 miles of "hiking", (basically walking with a little ups and downs till the end where it went up a LOT of stairs) I was pretty tired and not very excited about the 3 hour drive home (or however long it took).
I was happy to see Mary Jane in my yard when we arrived home and get to here her laugh and giggle and give her some hugs. She stopped by to pick up the last of her belongings from their move. Sadly, now she's ALL gone. At least she blogs.
We turned the heater on when we got home, had nice hot showers, (I blow-dried my hair so I wouldn't get cold again), and went to bed in our nice, warm, comfortable beds. What a relief.
I'm learning things about being prepared. It seems that no matter how many times you "learn" something, until it is excercised and becomes habit you do not perfect it. Case in point, forgetting air mattress, extra blankets, butter, ketchup... Butter, by-the-way is $3.69 when you're desperate (ie. camping), Heinz is $2 for a little bottle in the same situation. Sleep is sporadic and your body tricks you into thinking it's warm when you get cold enough (I find this VERY strange and unnerving). When you are 31 it hurts to sleep on the hard ground however when you are 12 and under you have no problem with it. When you remember the fuel and not the lantern you still don't get light. Batteries are hard to find (even at the rip-off shops for desperados). I'm so glad it did not rain. Freshly chopped wood smokes a lot and doesn't burn wonderfully. Old phone books make pretty good kindling (there's plenty of paper to get a fire going). Matches are wonderful tools (don't leave home without them). A nice, smooth, good-sized rock would be a good idea to put in your freezing cold sleeping bag (after being warmed in the fire. We didn't have one). Long tongs would be good for the rock. Pot holders are a good idea. Paper towels or napkins would have been helpful. Germ-x is great. Pillows are soft but somehow very cold. Hats would be a great idea. Tissues would be nice.
I loved being with my family, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, making Smores, poking sticks in the fire...ahhh...it was great. The kids were great on the hike, too. Most of the pain came later and a hot shower and a good soak of the feet did the trick. We're all back to normal including school, tantrums, and all. I love my family.

My Childfree Night with the Hubby (hubba bubba)

Before I forget the details I want to say that when we left Ikea and got past the "Now what?" "I don' know. What do you wanna do?'s" Eric suggested we go to Wal Mart and pick up a treat, go home, run, eat treat while watching Iron Man. So basically, we did. Got TP, butter, tortilla chips, ground chuck (we keep that around for making chili. YUM!), cereal, pizza (Eric was hungry. He didn't get enough to eat at Ikea), and a sleeping bag for Emily's birthday from her grandparents (hopefully she'll get to use it this coming Friday when Eric is taking a vacation day YAY!), and a Symphony bar (for our treat). I think that was all that we got. Anyway, got home heated oven, let Lilly (our papillon) out, cooked the pizza, let dog in, went for jog, showered, Started the movie, Eric ate pizza, I ate Symphony, Eric ate Symphony, I ate pizza, Eric massaged my back (all of that was YUMMY!). Got ready for bed (brush teeth, floss, use bathroom, have prayer (together), read scriptures, have prayer (personal), in bed at 1:ooam on the minute. 7:??am open eyes, dread that eyes are open so early, brain rushes that I should get up and make the chili for our ward party, I tell brain "not yet", close eyes for more zzzzzz. 7:16am eyes open. "Thank you (thee) Heavenly Father, I know I need to start the chili." I roll out of bed, down stairs, let dog out (and in, and out and in again while doing next task), made chili (seriously, the details of that are too long). 8:16am lie back in bed, thinking "I need to make the seating chart for the Primary Program. I forgot to get that drink of water (I was thirsting for) while I was down stairs. I need to work on that talk-thingy for Young Women's thing tomorrow. I'm thirsty." Dog barks. "What is her problem?" I roll out of bed again, let dog out, work on aforementioned things, Eric gets up (around 9:40am). He gets breakfast (cereal) and on his computer. I eat breakfast (cereal) while finishing seating chart. We shower get dressed and go to Shooters where we shot many rounds of bullets from three different guns with lots of "BANG!!!" and a bit of "KICK". I learn (again) that I don't like "my" gun (.38 special). It makes me flinch because the trigger is so hard to pull that the anticipation is too great. Eric's Kimber .45 is SWEET and his newest "nug" is surprisingly LOUD and powerful (it looks like an old toy gun and it's very light and small. It likes to jam. That stinks.) It was horrible to realize that I'm not as good at shooting as I used to be but now that I have a Shooters club card I can change that (as long as we can afford the ammo). Why is it that we can litterally "blow" (get it? You can smile.) through that much "dough" on ammo, but I can't get that $ for extra food? Conundrum... Guess entertainment is pretty important, too. I like it.
Anyway... We got home, ate lunch, packed up the chili, drove to Ikea (worked on a crossword puzzle), picked up kids.
The end.

Their aunt is SO nice to them! I wonder what they were like to her. She looked tired (though she denied. Maybe she's just missing her Superman. I don't blame her.) THANK YOU!!!

(you know me and pictures. I took some but they'll have to come later.)

Child Free!!??

Are those the faces of parents on vacation or what?!?
My sweet SIL (siter in law) is going to take all of my kids overnight tonight. Now what? What to do with my main squeeze with no kids around on a Friday night...I hope I remember the camera to document how adventurous (or not) we are. Knowing us we'll probably just come home and watch TV...the end. but who knows, maybe we'll think of something out of the box. I'll keep you posted (most likely). We're meeting at Ikea to let go of the kids and eat dinner; I'm sure we could find something to do while we're out.
I do need to get some groceries, but that is lame. I don''wanna. Guess we'd better get some cereal, though.
How do I feel about sleepovers? Weelllllll...I think we'll keep it to the family. While I know they can be a LOT of fun I also know there's the possibility for a LOT of mischief. I don't want the kids to beg and plead to stay with one friend or another and cry about why one can and not the other so we're keeping it to family (or emergencies). So...we all know the rules. The big question is, do I trust my children? Uh...uh-huh, I think so. But they'd better behave or there will be no more (except for aforementioned "emergencies").
So...what are you doing tonight?

Presents and Misc.

My "A" button just popped off of my laptop. It's interesting to see how they put the little buttons on the keypad. Before I worked at FPI on an assembly line, I thought everything was magical. (Well, except that I learned that a plane was put together with screws and panels when my dad took me to Hill Air Force Base). I never thought about the way things are actually put together. I like to solve puzzles but I'm not the type of person that wants to take things apart to put them together again. If it ain't broke, don't fix it; if it is broke, have at it!!! (but don't make it worse, if you can help it). Then there was the time that Chase got himself stuck in a chair. I tried to get him out (forward and backward) to no avail. I thought about calling the Fire Department and about what tools they might use to cut the chair to get him out and I thought about the price tag of that "service" and about how embarrassed I would be and how scared Chase would be etc. etc. Then I came back to reality and thought, "how did someONE assemble this chair?" I found the screwdriver and... VIOLA! Chase was once again a free-to-roam-the-house little boy. (And I had to give myself a mental high-five for figuring it out on my own.)
I've been wanting a new laptop for a little while now. My screen keeps blacking out and I have to press the little button that gets pushed when you close the laptop to get the screen to turn back on. It's annoying and very sporadic. But hey, at least I have a laptop.
Now I'm going to see how many times the "A" button gets pressed while I try to fix the thing, here goes:
aaaaazaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
well that wasn't too long of a fall. I dunno...a few seconds maybe? Still I wouldn't want to fall that long. 50 a's and one z. I didn't actually press "A" that many times butit took that long getting the button set in it's hooks.
I've discovered that I'm grateful for these button covers because it would be annoying to have to hit each tiny button "right on" to get the desired letter.
Am I boring or what?
What else can I write about? It's a cool, rainy day.
Her grandparents would be happy to know that they got Emily a "Snip It" book that lets her cut and stick colored paper on pictures, she got a pencil box for all of her "stuff", "Go Paint" with pad (like the magic markers), and a Magic Marker pad to use her markers on and more to come later (I'm thinking a sleeping bag but we'll see)... They would also be happy to know that they got me a pair of capri's, a skirt and two shirts and more to come later. They helped Eric get his gun, and (although the desire was to get some snorkling gear, which will have to wait til that sort of thing becomes available again) they got Chase a Lilkinz Webkinz that he named "Edmund" (You made him very happy with this). We all thank you SO very much.
I know that pictures are worth a thousand words but my laptop is so old that it won't work with our new camera so I have to wait til photos are downloaded to the PC so I can get to them and put them on here. I'm just not that motivated in that department. Maybe someday.

For Mary Jane

This is for my friend Mary Jane who used to be "the girl-next-door".
Hi Mary Jane! I miss you. I miss you laughing at yourself and being funny! I love how ALIVE you are. I miss the smell of your house and clothes (I think I found the type of detergent you use, is it the Lillies kind of Purex? If not it smells good anyway.) I want you to tell me how you cook your beans and cornbread (you know I can never remember anything).
Did you have a good day?
I actually made dinner after coming home from piano lessons today. (It's so hard to stay motivated. Why??!!) I let the kids put together a puzzle of the United States today for Geography. The more they see and do that puzzle the better they'll learn it (where the states are and the puzzle itself).
I got Eric off to work and then went back to bed til 8:00 then I was in and out of sleep and had that horrible froggy-groggy head most of the day (I hate that). I was determined to do something so I'm glad I made dinner.
I haven't seen the new owners, though the kids have caught a peep or two through our port-hole. I still can't believe you're not here!
When we got home from piano lessons Emily said "the wind blew it over!" (talking about your basketball hoop that's laying by our house. She thought it had been windy... I think she's hitting the 4-year-old defiance (boundary-testing) head-on! I have got to learn to be calm and quiet, my throat is going to get sore!!! (She really wants to be her own boss). She is still so cute.
I just can't think of anything funny right now.
I would love to soak in a hot-tub (in the cool night air, with my hubby, in the dark). Doesn't that sound wonderful?! Oooh, I would love that. You don't have a hot-tub, do you? If so, you are SO lucky.

Tidbits.

It's been a little while since I wrote anything so I'm trying to come up with something to say. I guess I'll give tidbits of life lately.
Eric got to see President Bush in person yesterday! I thought that was kinda cool.
Chase earned himself TWO stamps yesterday! That was WAY cool.
I got to watch General Conference on my TV! That was totally cool! (We have satellite now).
Eric got the gun he's been wanting for months! That's cool. (I get the same amount of $$$ that he spent on his gun-out of our account, not b-day money- for food storage!!! That is super cool!)
I wrote a recommendation letter for Eric for the Navy JAG and writing all that good stuff about my hubby is VERY cool!
I got some new jeans that fit my curves and that's cool! (Levi 529 curvy jeans).
They are size 8 and that's way cool! (I haven't fit in that size for YEARS)!
This is Eric's last year of school (it had better be) and that is SO WAY MORE than cool!
We are healthy and safe and that is ALWAYS SO cool!
I am LEARNING from the scriptures and I love it. That IS cool!
I AM grateful for SO many things. And THAT is cool!

Emily's 4 Years Old!!!

Yesterday Emily turned 4 years old! Eric made her a birthday banner (his tradition for all of the kids) before he left for work. I made smoothies and the kids were outside eating them and the bees or wasps smelled the good fruit and started bothering the kids. Emily got stung on her right thumb. (What a stinky birthday present). I gave her a big bubble bath to clean her up and help get the stinger out (if there was one). She wanted a quesadilla so we went to Taco Bell for dinner. She got a Lilkins Webkins monkey and she says she wants to name it "Millie" (last night it was "Nemie"). We had cupcakes and ice cream (chocolate cake, chocolate icing, oreo cookie ice cream).
On Sunday Ian, Margarite, Neina, and Simon came down for dinner and we had cupcakes and ice cream then, too. They brought Emily a cute tiara with a wand (she loves to dress-up and be princess).
"I love my Webkins." "I'm so lucky for two codes". (Haley told her she has two codes on the toy).

Chase got a STAMP

We have an award system where the kids can earn stamps to trade for things. In order to get a stamp you have to be on time for school. (I know, your thinking "But how could they be 'late' when you're homeschooling? Isn't that part of the reason TO homeschool?"). Well.......no. Not in my house.
The kids need to have their room clean, job done, be dressed, teeth brushed, and hair done by 9am.
(This proves very hard for them so I made the award system) (I think they must think what I thought you first thought) Did you get that? Well, I think they must think that they shouldn't ever be "late" because it's at home and it should be a 'fringe benefit'. I disagree completely. I like beginnings and ends (mostly).
Another way to earn a stamp is to be EXTRA helpful and happily do school/house work.
Can I just say I am SO proud of that bubba-wubba-boy! He missed his morning stamp (though he tried) and did a tremendous job earning a stamp (it was VERY hard for him but I saw and awarded his efforts)! It made him feel so proud of himself and I'm glad for that.
That was yesterday. That was a VERY good day.

"NONE-YA"

Emily: "I know what 'none-ya' means..."
Me: "You do huh? What?"
Emily: "It means, 'none of your business'."
Me: "Yep!"

She LOVES to know what things mean and I LOVE to know that she's figuring things out!
She brings me smiles.

Oh yeah...We're homeschooling!

I didn't mention (after my ranting and raving about what to do about homeschool) that all my praying came full circle and I AM homeschooling this year. (YIKES!!!)
We still have our tantrums mine is "Get it done! NOW!!!" or "If you were in public school....." Chase's is "Why do I have to...?" Haley's is (moping) "kay..." Tayler's problem is not school-work but house-work. "AGAIN?!!" is what I hear after telling her to "do" her job (meaning get it ALL DONE, and not just mostly done).
So why do I do this? I am not 100% sure. I just know that it must be better for our family than what's out there (at least locally). Maybe it's because I really want to be a patient person and this is my ultimate adventure in patience-making! Oooh...I love a challenge! (Excepting the fact that my poor children's childhoods are at stake!)
This is what I know about homeschooling:
It is HARD (for me) in every concievable way.
It is not cheap!
It is not always "rainbows and butterflies" or even mudpies and skinned elbows.
It is time-consuming.
It is life-changing.
It is lots of learning how to press eachother's buttons. Or not.
It is lots of reading.
It is trying how to do "life" and school at the same time. (It's best if you can incorporate the two)
It is spending LOTS of time together.
Sometimes it's a little fun!
Sometimes we get opportunities to serve others.
Sometimes we play together.
We grocery shop together.
We do 4H club (ours is a crafty club)
We go to the library.
There's more, you know, but I'm done with listing...
I know that there are many who would scrutinize homeschooling families and try to find all the faults (I am that type of person). What is sad is those who do this but don't scrutinize public schools (I've done that). The government doesn't have to choose what's best for my child(ren), I get to decide that. That is an overwhelming responsibility but, as a mother, it's what I've always wanted. I never wanted to have children for someone else to raise. So we have our tantrums together and at the end of the day we still say "I love you. Nigh-night. Sleepy good." and mean it, even if we wake up tomorrow and throw a similar tantrum as we did today. I love stories of peaceful families where there are no sassing, yelling, hitting, threatening, etc. maybe someday we'll achieve that (I can hope, or at least wish), today is not that day, but I'm glad for this day.
So if we do a little better tomorrow (assuming it's not one of those really "bad days") then that's where I want to be. Progress is what we are working for; who knows what the end result will be?!
P.S. My kids LOVE to read and I LOVE that about them.

WIND!!!

Yesterday the power went out at church. When we got home, our power was out and stayed out 'til around 8:23pm. We are the fortunate ones. School was canceled today (even the University!), and even businesses are STILL without power! It gave me a bit of a chance to think about what it would be like not to have electricity, HOT water at the turn of a handle, cold food. What would I cook in? What would I cook with? What would I cook, period? A few days without electricity would probably send me over the edge (and except for wind, the weather was really nice)! I have always been aware of and grateful for conveniences (including electricity) and I just had to -what is the word or phrase?- um.... I don't know. I just am SO grateful that we had power before we went to bed. Also, I have received 2 specific and 3 other phone calls asking if we are okay and have power. My ward is GREAT (and very small)!
I would like to think that we would be fine without power but I won't lie to myself anymore, I LOVE ELECTRICITY!!!
I learned that I don't have enough candles, probably too few matches (to last days), not near enough batteries, not enough fuel for the camping stove, not enough patience (for days), not enough pots (to warm water for baths, etc. or for cooking), probably not enough games (that don't need batteries or electricity). I also found out that time does not go as fast when the power is out. I think that is fact and not a figment of my imagination (or lack thereof).
We had branches blown down all over our little backyard. No damage to the house. We're very blessed.
We've been taking care of our friends' goats and chickens while they went on a road trip for a week. They have lots of branches down in their backyard but their animals are doing well and all the fences are intact. Their power is still out, though. They live just less than a mile (on winding roads) from us.
Yeah, I milked a goat and the kids collected chicken eggs and even watched the hens lay eggs as well as watched them mate ('what are they doing?' 'that rooster's mean!'). Ahhhh, life experiences. You don't learn that in a classroom!

My baby growin' up!!!

Emily says "yogret" for yogurt and "Krogret" for Kroger but Friday we came home from Kroger and I said something about Kroger and she said "Kroger!" I said, "No! Krogret!" and she said "but you said 'Kroger'!" Oh no! She said "Kroger". Now watch, she'll start saying banana instead of "bamana". Then I'll have a baby, no more! Boo-hoo-hoo.
Meanwhile, my Haley (11) is reverting to baby-talk by using adding "ed" instead of using a different word. (I can't remember what words she's done this with lately but let me tell you it doesn't make me feel good since I'M HER TEACHER!!!) I don't know what's going through that head of hers! She said something like "maked" (like Emily says), and she wasn't teasing. Oh that hurts; my pride is bleeding! Oh well, she can either learn or sound ridicoulous, that's her choice! I'm not teaching her to speak like that.

Progress

Eric took his MPRE (ethics portion of the BAR) and he got a great score! He can take the BAR in any state he chooses. I'm so proud of him. He doesn't think it's that big of a deal because it wasn't really hard to pass, but he did talk to a woman from summer courses and she could take the BAR in Kentucky but not in Ohio (which means she didn't score high enough to be able to take the BAR in Ohio). His score went well beyond the needed score to take the BAR in any state. He's so modest but he's excited. Me too!!! Another step in the right direction WOO HOO!!!

"Tag" 6 Random Things About Me

I don't know how the "tags" work but I'll just do this for Kristin since she wanted to "tag" me.
6 Random things about me.

1-I lllove to sing and would like voice lessons.
2-I lllove the sound of the violin (played by a professional) and would love to be able to play.
3-I am generally overwhelmed and I guess I pretty much choose to be. (Since I CHOOSE to homeschool).
4-I am very impatient (I know it, I'm trying to do better).
5-I would love to have clear skin.
6-I am grateful for my beautiful, healthy, happy children (and hubby, for that matter), that drive me to the place of carnival sounds and blurry fields of daisies (aka "crazy"). I wouldn't want to know life without them. They're the best.

More funny things kids say.

Emily says "linch-a-lotta casserole" for enchilada casserole.
Emily says some funny things (as all kids do) but today my nephew Simon gave us a whopper!
We were in downtown Cincinnati and we saw a bride with all her bride's maids outside a church all dressed up and Chase asked why they were all dressed like that.
Me: "They're bride's maids. See the bride?"
Simon: "Yeah. It's time for 'maiding'."
Eric (to me): "Well...tonight will be..."
It was a good laugh. Oh the innocence of youth!!! I love it!

More from Emily

Last night I was giving Emily a bath and when I poured the water over her head she said "Ow! That hurts!" It was kinda hot on her head and back. So I got some warm water from the faucet and poured that on her head and she said "That hurts!" I called her a "silly bagoo" and she said "I'm not a 'silly bagoo', I'm a smart-alec!" That's right, folks, a self-proclaimed "smart-alec" from a nearly four year-old. Then she said "But I don't want to be a smart-alec." I told her that I didn't want her to either but that I do want her to be smart! She's a fun kid.
Something funny that she does lately is laugh when she doesn't want to do something or doesn't like something. Instead of crying or having a fit she'll start laughing but it's pretty pitiful. I love it. I'll take laughing over a tantrum any day!

Emily Words I don't want to lose.

Just have to get down a few things that Emily says that are so cute but will change before I know it.
"bamana" for banana
"mirra" for mirror (I have corrected her because she gets that lazy southern twang going)
when she says her prayers she says "today-a-day" and when she was younger it was "today-a-day-a-day".
I'm sure she still get's some words with the "f" sound instead of "th" but it's cute.

Chase's Baptism

Chase was baptized 08/09/08. We are so proud of him.
I only forgot towels! Luckily Colin and Austin had some in their trunk!!!
Mac spoke about Baptism and Colin spoke about the Holy Ghost and it was awesome! I asked Mac and Colin to be witnesses but Bro. Tipton didn't know that and asked Mac and Bishop to do it so they did.
My mom and her best friend drove from Nauvoo to be here. Eric's parents and Colin and Austin and their two munchkins, Alexander and Anderson came from TN. We had a full house and it was great.
We went to Izzy's for lunch afterward. Chase got a new pair of Croc's (though not name brand) at TJMax because he forgot to bring different shoes to change into after the baptism. We went to Carew Tower and saw as far as we could see from the tallest building in Cincinnati. It was a beautiful day.
I'll try to name everybody at the baptism.
Bro. Jason Moore and his son Ryan that's in Chase's Primary class.
Bro. and Sis. Bill and Kathy Tipton. Bro. Tipton conducted.
Bishop Swainhart and his wife Nancy. Nancy played the piano. (She's also the kids' piano teacher).
Sis. Stephanie Merling with her kids Colin, Scott, Brianna, Adam, and Katie
Sylvia Piggott (my mom)
Vivian Wright (my mom's best friend)
Mac and Kim Chesley (Eric's parents)
Colin, Austin, Alexander, & Anderson Chesley (Eric's youngest bro. and his wife and kids).
Sis. Paula Hamm (used to teach Chase's Primary class)
Bro. and Sis. Andy and Emily Webster. Emily conducted for us.
Eric, myself, Tayler, Haley, Emily and Chase, of course.
I think I saw Sister Ella Barnes there.
I think that was it. It's been a couple of weeks so I may have missed someone.
It was a good day.

A whole post about my hiny!

Emily just told me "When I get big I hope I have a big bottom just like yours." Isn't that lovely? Even though my bottom is getting smaller I think I will ever be known as having plenty of "junk in the trunk". I would feel pretty bad about this except that we are watching the Olympics and a little Chinese girl was on the trampoline and Emily said she had a big bottom. I think it's just that that is close to her eye level and it's not easy to see around. I have had years of experience in this. Starting when I was 13 my older sister's guy friend said "You have what every black man loves." I had no idea what he was talking about and my sister laughed and said "You have a bubble-butt!". Well, when Chase was about 3 he was getting out of the van behind me and he said "Mommy, you have a big bum!" I was in shock and said, "What?!" He sucked in and said "Sorry. I mean, bottom." So it continues. I just have to say I'd rather have a big one than not have one. Besides, I was at a friend's house for a playgroup thing and I happened to be in her way and she told me that my butt "looks perfect" (in the pants I was wearing). I guess I never really thought about all the attention my derriere would get, and so unprovoked!!!
I just had to get down what Emily said because she says some of the funniest things. I just happened to be online when she said this. She's great for a laugh (or some serious thinking).

Had a Birthday

Saturday Chase turned 8 and will be baptized on Aug. 9 2008 (hey, too bad it couldn't have been the 8th, huh?). We'll have a full house once family gets in! We're really looking forward to it.
We went bowling for our birthday and I won. I really like bowling and I really like winning so I guess I had a pretty good time; I wish we could have done more than one game. I think I will have to keep that in my memory bank as something I would like to do for a hobby and hopefully something Eric would like to do with me, too. He likes golfing (he's only been about twice that I know of) and I told him I'd be his caddy. Who knows maybe I'll think I could actually do well and I'd take up golfing, too. Anything so that we can do something TOGETHER that we both enjoy.
Currently I'm stressing about homeschool (or to not). I don't know what I'm going to do. I don't know if I can stay sane (if I still am) for another year of this stress. I AM wound too tight, I know, but my insides cringe at the thought of another year of homeschooling. And yet, I worry about sending them to school. I do not want to try to run faster than I am able to run and homeschooling seems to take me over that edge. However, I am wondering if I homeschool Tayler and Haley and sent Chase, would I be okay with that. Oh the dilemma!!! How I hate it! Less than two weeks to decide what to do and I am getting much closer to my grave!!! How I wish I had some peace and chocolate!!!

My Emily, and then some...

"You are the bestest, best, best one ever!" That's the love I get from my 3 1/2 year-old. I love it when she looks me in the eyes and tells me that and then gives me a great bear hug (really, she wraps her arms AND legs tightly around me) and , oh, I can feel the love and I eat it up. She has done that a few times this week and I sure needed it. She is such a doll-baby. But, you know, 3 year-olds don't always say the nicest things.
Yesterday she was "really mad" that her helmet would "not let her put it together" so she started saying "STUPID, stupid helmet" and grumbling (which is kind of funny to hear a 3 year-old do). I was sad that she was so upset and using a word that I don't like my kids to use (especially at 3 years of age). So I helped her get her helmet on. Well later she was getting herself a drink of water from the fridge door (I LOVE that feature) and in a really annoyed, exhausted voice said "GoD" with a REALLY pronounced "d". In shock I said (rather loudly) "What?!!!" (not that I wanted her to repeat it, which fear did cross my mind after a second). And I told her that we don't talk like that. I sense that she knew that she was doing something wrong (although she doesn't understand how wrong) but she was trying to express herself and that's what came out. Isn't TV (and quite frankly, public) wonderful? When I told Eric about it he said "Where did she get that?" then we watched a movie and evidence is all over the place. Where would she NOT get it? That's the question.
Which brings me to another annoyance. Has anyone else noticed that the new PG is like PG-13 and the new PG-13 is like the old R? Case in point: I was watching "Becoming Jane" (rated PG) with all four of my children when we saw two bare bottoms we had not planned on seeing! What a shock! Then, we rented "Fool's Gold" (rated PG-13) we were watching when we were shocked by being flashed in our own family room!!! Oh the outrage that went through my body. After entering through my eyes to my mind, then to my heart and stomach I swelled with rage at the people who rate these movies now!!! They need a new WARNING label or something saying "PG is not what it used to be" and "PG-13 is not what you thought it was"!!! Who in their right mind thinks it's okay for a 13 year-old to see that?!!! Can you tell I'm disgusted?!!! I'm 30 and it's not okay for me to see that! Okay, I'll back away from the rage, now.
Back to my sweet Emily...I think she's great and I love that she thinks I'm "...the best, best , best one ever!" And I love that she grabs my face in her little hands to turn my head so she can kiss me on the cheek (she won't kiss my lips. I think it's cute). Life's hardly dull or too mean when you've got a little one around.

Just a quick note to say "hi" to everybody out there.
We went to TN for the 4th of July weekend and saw some of Eric's family. His sister, Angie, and her family were visiting from AZ. We had a lot of fun. I think the kids got good and spoiled and it was nice to have a fun time together. We saw "Wall-E", they got a sno-cone to eat while watching fireworks, we went to a civic center's pool where there was a small pool, a kiddie pool, and a small waterslide (compared to things found in UT), and went to Ci-Ci's Pizza. Like I said, we had a lot of fun.
The pool was not crowded at all so it was a VERY pleasant experience!
Anybody that knows how to get a 7 year-old boy, that's prone to tantrums, to get his schoolwork and housework done without a fight (or at least serious grumbling), please let me know your secret!!!

Last night I ditched making dinner and actually watched my kids learn to roller-blade outside. It was nice and calm and good to see the kids having fun! (Even though in the back of my head I was stressed out about not having something for Eric to take for lunch today). He didn't take it too bad (just called me a slacker, jokingly). While I still feel bad that he didn't have left-over dinner to have for lunch today, it felt so good to relax and be a tiny part of the kids' fun. (We did eat eventually. Mac-n-Cheese).
For those of you who don't know Eric is in law school and he works full-time so on the days that he has class he leaves at 6:40am and I don't see him 'til around 9:30pm, (which for this summer semester is twice a week but fall and spring are three days a week). Any kids that aren't up in time to see him leave don't see him at all that day (which is usually the four of them, except to possibly wave goodbye out the window to him as he's driving away).
The dinner situation is sticky because he takes two PB&J sandwiches for dinner on the days that he goes to school (so two days a week) and that's every-other-day, so he doesn't want sandwiches for lunch that's why it's important to have dinner leftovers and mac-n-cheese doesn't cut it. He was a very good sport (as long as I don't make it a habit it will be fine).

It seems like so many people who blog are just so happy. I don't know if that's because all they post is the good stuff or what! If I waited to blog 'til I felt that way you might get something new every few months. Even others' bad days are fun to see and learn from. They still end up looking/sounding genuinely happy.
I want to find that happiness.
Maybe I should name this blog The 30 Year-old Whine Spot. I'm such a boob!!!

I got home not long ago from a friends house that I tried to share the gospel with. Not sure how it went. It all felt pretty awkward. She's moving next week so I had to make my move. I care about her so much that I couldn't let her move away without giving her "something". Anyway I probably gave her meat before milk and I'm feeling pretty bummed.
I can't help but think about how blessed I am to have the fullness of the gospel because I know how stubborn I am and I wonder if I'd ever be able to leave what I was taught to live in a manner I have not heard much about.
I hoped for the Spirit to be there but I didn't feel anything significant and she seemed distracted.
So now I'm left feeling bummed out, let down, unsuccessful and a little sad. Is this a "normal" feeling?
Anyway, I don't have anybody to talk to so...(Eric's at school and my closest friend here just had a baby, my mom is busy and I don't feel like calling anybody else to whine to).
Just feelin' a little down and out. I hope I'm over it soon (and without chocolate).

Today is our 12th anniversary! YAY us!

Blessings

Did obtain a small miracle in the middle of the night last night when our loving Heavenly Father made Emily's tummy better IMMEDIATELY!!! He's just amazing. Even with faith I was surprised at the speed of which she was made better.
She went to bed with a sore tummy (that's been on and off for a few weeks now) but she woke at 12:30 am with it hurting and she woke me up. I went in and rubbed her tummy as she turned this way and that trying to get comfortable. After she lay still just a little while and I thought she was settled I got up to go back to bed. She said something like "Don't go yet. Stay just a little bit longer." So I sat beside her bed and rubbed her tummy some more and since she's been having a sore tummy so often (and it was the middle of the night and I LOVE my sleep) I prayed for Him to heal her tummy, intestines, kidneys, whatever the problem was. I mushed on her tummy some more and it started to make noises (before I had put my ear to it and it was silent) that I could hear without getting close! Just after that she said "You can go now."
I was AMAZED! I probably shouldn't be because I know that Heavenly Father can heal us but, nevertheless I was amazed at how fast and well He had done it for me!!! I love Him! I'm so glad that He knows me and loves me and helps me!

Yesterday Tayler got her Bluegrass Appliance put in (to correct her tongue thrust). On the way home we stopped at my friend's house to buy some eggs so I left the kids in the van for a few minutes. I got the eggs and my friend (who was "due" yesterday but still hadn't had the baby) seemed fine with visiting so we started talking. Her son came in the room and I asked him to tell my kids they could get out of the van and he said they already had. Well, my friend, Stephanie, said that she worried about Emily playing near the road (and I agreed) and Colin said that Emily was still strapped in her carseat. I asked him if he would tell my girls to get her (Emily) out and play in the backyard (as Stephanie suggested). He happily went on this errand (he's a VERY good kid) and I guess in all the excitement of getting to play with each other they ALL forgot little Emily in her carseat. I went on visiting, thinking everyone was playing nicely together when about 1/2 hour later I heard the kids getting into the van (the window in the house was open) and I heard them say something like "Poor baby!" so I went running outside to get Emily (whom they were just pulling out of the van) soaked with sweat. Can I just say I felt sick!!! I always wondered how in the world kids got left in vehicles and died. I normally do NOT leave my kids in the van but I figured that if they were all in there the older ones would figure a way to get everybody comfortable, I never dreamed they would leave their sister in there! I am relieved that she is fine but HOLY COW that was scary!!!

Okay, for those of you who don't know, Kristin has been my best friend since we were 13. She was born the day before I was and whenever possible we were inseparable. Kristin's mom always encouraged our friendship and was always a great source of comfort and strength. Her words of wisdom were never belittling, but encouraging and helpful. She would always smile our frustrations away. I love that about her. When the air was thick all it would take was a few words and her big smile and I felt at ease. How I love that woman. I don't have one bad memory about her. She's just awesome and I'm happy that she can rest from the cares of this world, though I know she is missed. The sadness of the death of someone so wonderful is only left for those of us left behind who will miss her. I am relieved to know that she's not in pain anymore, that her loved ones here were able to let her go, and that she has loved ones on the other side of the veil that welcomed her with loving, happy, arms and hearts. She is not gone, she has just moved one step further than we are now and someday we'll meet again.
My heart aches for Kristin and her family. I love them and am so sorry that they have to experience this at this time in their lives. It is sad to not have her here now; there is pain in our hearts and minds for the things we wish we could experience with her here.
How grateful I am to know that it is not the end; that their family will all be together again and that they will not be separated again. What a wonderful plan our Father in Heaven has made for us. How grateful I am that it's not a secret or a surprise, but something that we can look forward to and work toward.

In Memory of PaulaKae Moss Clayville
For now, the wound is fresh
The sting is hot and painful
It all seems dark and dreary
The feeling is disdainful

I wish for peace and joy
But all I feel is pain
I'm searching for the sunshine
But all I find is rain

Will it ever go away
This ache that overwhelms me
Won't something drown it out
This pain's not meant to be

Paradise is beautiful
Her family's there to greet her
Peace is what we long for
Her peace is there to meet her

Why should I cry and feel despair
When I know things there are better
Still I will cry to find relief
When I am sad without her

The sun will shine and it will warm me
But that won't be today
I will smile and feel just fine
But it's not yet come my way

Soon it will come and when it does
I will gladly soak it in
My heart does swell and want relief
I'll let Christ make peace within.
-Minetta Chesley 06/09/08

Sad to have learned today that Kristin's mom passed away last night.

Okay, I'm in!!!
Well my friend Kristin started this blog for me and now I guess I'd better use it. I'm sure I'm beginning the addiction already (oh no)!
I need a graduation countdown calendar thing for Eric's law school. Is there such a thing?
I don't really know what to say.
I'm trying to find the curriculum I want for my kids next year so I'm spending too much time on the www searching and wanting and wishing and waiting.
Guess I'll go for now, gotta see if I won the auction!
luv,
Me