Nothin' But Love ( and boogers.. and dog hair..)

Vegas..(all together now) BABY!!!

2011-04-27T13:47:00.000-07:00

So even though I've "Facebooked" the whole album..
(muffled grumble from the ever-jealous Blog)
for the sake of easy-browsing in a more cozy environment in the future,
thought I'd nestle a few shots from our Vegas
(BABY! I can't not say it after. It's like an involuntary reaction.)
Spring Break trip, here into my
"trusty-even-when-abandoned" blog.
It just seems like the right thing to do.

Let me start by saying I'm a
"I love Vegas!"-er..
as opposed to the "I hate Vegas!"-ers.
I know that within Vegas, of course there exists,
the raw,
the raunchy,
and vomit-laden,
if that's what you're after.
BUT, how WE do Vegas..
which is pool by day,
and lit-up-like-a-firecracker with oh-so-much to see Strip by night..
we have found it the perfect, exciting, 6-hour by car,
sun-shiney get-away.
I mean what's NOT fun about THAT??

Nothin.
That's what.
I guess it wouldn't be fun if our kids didn't think it was JUST as cool to hoof it around all night discovering treasures like this:

but they do!

We ate M&M's..

Sampled 16 flavors of unusually nasty Coca-cola..

(and 6 flavors of NOT nasty, gelato!)

We mocked statues..

..mocked weddings...

..made dorky faces..

..and posed in front of anything and everything we found even slightly novel...

And then, there was the SUNSHINE!! The blessed, lovely.. long-missed, SUNSHINE.

Did I mention the SUNSHINE?

Yeah..
I love Vegas.

It's Not You.. It's Facebook.

2011-03-18T17:04:00.000-07:00

I think I've figured it out..
(No.. not world peace.. sillies..
something MUCH more pressing..)
WHY I can't get my blogging groove on.
Ya see.. while blogging IS superior in it's ability to really tell a story or share an event, with photos to enhance the viewers experience even..
I found, during my extended time without access to a computer,
that while my iphone was too tiny to enjoy really writing anything of worth on..
it was UNUSUALLY easy to not only post a quick Facebook status on,
(For example..
"There's a live BIRD, flapping around my ROOM!"
See? That usually would of merited a blog post, I mean.. it POO'D on my wall, and ran into my WINDOWS.
The horror.
THAT made Facebook, immediately.)
..but also, adding pictures I could take instantly WITH my iphone, was WAAAAAY slicker than the camera download rig-a-ma-roll I was used to with blogging.
So.... I'm LAZY, basically.
And feel a little silly repeating my highly unimportant goings ons.. twice into cyber world, on a usual basis.
For instance..
I soon may very well may post to FB that Sophie just called from the bathroom,
"MOM! I know why that poop was so hard to get out..
Cause it was SO, big."
But then do I repeat the ever urgent news here??
However will I decide.
I told you this was pressing.

In the meantime..
I plan on supporting you dedicated,
and oh so entertaining die-hards,
with the respect, and comments you deserve.

Blog on people.
Blog ON.

The Latest...

2011-03-12T23:23:00.001-08:00

Not sure WHY , even with a shiny new computer, I can't seem to get in the blog groove again!
For so long the old computer was down.. we were moving.. the holidays.. getting ready for the Florida getaway.. got a boob job.. (see how I just slipped that in there real non-chalant like??) yadda-yadda.. and I'm all behind again!
Soooo...
In a nutshell:
(Let's say, pistachio.. cause their tastiest.. and easy to pry open..)
1. Florida, with just Jasen and I, was LOVELY.
Warm.
Relaxing.
And indulgent.
We began a trend we shamelessly coined "Double-dinner-ing"..
where after lolly-gagging around the pool til' 3,
you clean up, eat at 5..
and then after nice trip to the movies or factory outlets..
you eat again at midnight.
Disgusting, and delightful.
2. Sophie has decided she'd like to grow-up to be a girl on the Bachelor.
We're so proud.
3. Bo is begging to do karate.
It's $1,000.00 a year, and twice a week.. that whole year.
We're not sure.
That's a whole lotta money, and a whole lotta karate.
4. Sam suddenly has a posse of 12 friends that hang here from dusk til dawn.
Darling kids-- but they can put down some milk, chips, and pizza.
I may need to get a job to support their snacking habits.
5. Jesse wants nothing more than to play electric guitar in a band.
If you know anyone in the area looking for a cute kid who's really good.. do tell.
6. And for real. I got augmented.
Wish it wasn't inappropriate to post my "before" shot,
just so you could fully understand how necessary I found it to be,
and be as very pleased as I am that it is complete!
Rough first week-- but now feeling good, and oh-so-female.
HIghly reccommend it, and my doctor.

Did I miss anything??

No.
I think that covers it.

It's The Little Jabs That Mean The Most..

2011-02-25T20:28:00.000-08:00

Why one would THINK I might take this opportunity to document Jasen and I's DEE-lightful, first-time-in-in-15-years without kids get-away (pause for gasping.)
to the balmy and breezy Florida sunshine..
I'm a little too distracted and tired and lazy to walk all the way to my purse to get my iphone to download the photos from it..
so instead, want to simply report that just now Sophie,
from the couch,
where she is flipping through old photos on the ipad.. stated:
"Oh Mom! Here is a picture of you pregnant..
and you are NOT lookin' good."
Got it Soph.
Thanks for the reminder.

Soooo... Where was I....

2011-02-12T08:47:00.000-08:00

Oh! THAT's right..
I last left you when my husband had just landed his latest promotion.
Hope no one has been offended by my lack of blogger-browsing, posting, or commenting since.
Really.. it's not you.. it's me.. and the fact that until now we thought our computer was busted in the move. (Apparantly, it was not.. and my 3 months of only-iphone internet access.. was all in vain.. sigh.)
But don't think for a moment I did not pathetically attempt to capture the last few months events in annoyingly dark and slightly grainy photos, on that very same iphone.. cause I did, cause who can find their real cameras and cords in a move?? Not I.
So now.. for your I'm SURE, long-awaited viewing pleasure..
I present to you, our family highlights as of late..
(I know.. the excitement must be KILLING you!)

We moved in to our new digs in Saratoga Springs on my birthday! (Happy Birthday! Start unpacking the 4,000 boxes in your living space!) The next week or so was a bit of a blur.. I just see alot of packing paper and box cutters in my memories..
and outta nowhere.. it was CHRISTMAS!
(Notice my ability to move past the crushing emotion of leaving all of our very best friends, our cozy home, grand yard, darling community, and chickens. That's how I roll.)
SO. We did Christmas.
Santa was obviously alerted of our new address..

We drove through the new and improved "3-D" light display here in the big city..

Santas sleigh was loaded..

..and delivered...

..followed by something even better than snowboards and bikes..
FRIENDS!!

..darling, darling..

..comfy, cozy..

..familiar, lovey..

FRIENDS.
Nothin' like em.

Then Sam turned 12!

(I really like him..)
And aside from his half-eaten "S" cake..

(Mamma was just in a REAL cake kinda mood that day.. and figured, "What's a smaller tail on an S gonna hurt?? We won't talk about the fact that Mamma made the cake into an S shape in the first place.. JUST to get the scraps it provided that morning. No. We won't.)
Overall the boy had a great day, complete with new snowboard boots, new shoes.. and X-box points.. so who's gonna notice the tiny cake??

NEXT on the agenda..

Sophie turned 5!

(Anyone else getting aggitated at the quality and overall lack of light in every photo so far?? Come on.. let's plug through.. it's almost over.. we can do this..)

I really like her too.
With her little 5 year old freshly pierced ears..

(She was so big, so brave, and SO delighted over it..)
She spent a day at Build-A-Bear with one of her very bestest girlies, Ms. Liv..

..and this was one happy, birthday girl.
Have I mentioned how pleased I am all of my kids were born??
I am.
Oh.
Almost forgot.
And Jasen took a tub in our new jacuzzi tub.

THERE.
Now, you're all caught up.
That felt good.
Now go ahead.
Comment.
I've missed you so.

Callin' 'Em Like She Sees 'Em..

2010-11-19T06:46:00.000-08:00

So.. to switch things up from my usual
"jeans with something" look,
the other day I threw on some dark gray cargo pants, with a white long sleeve thermal.
I'm not saying it was my best get-up ever.. but comfy.
Sophie walked into my room, gave me a once over,
and stated very clearly:
"Those pants are ugly."
Pause.
"But I like your shirt."

Ummm....
thanks??

Big News. HUGE.

2010-11-16T07:26:00.000-08:00

So WHAT does Jasen resemble in this here photo folks??

Utahs newest Kohls DISTRICT MANAGER you say??
You are CORRECT!! Nice guess.
(Insert The Jeffersons "Movin' On Up" jingle..)
My oh my has the man arrived!
After a whirlwind of the last D.M. suddenly resigning, and 4 high-stress interviews with the Kohls big-wig bad boys in Wisconsin.. he WOW'd them so hard they called him 4 hours later.. on his lay-over home, to offer him the gig!
We're so proud. (Of him.. obviously-- but I personally just plan on becoming more 'proud' in general, as in, stuck up. I'm a D.M.'s wife. Prepare yourselves.)
We are actually quite humbled by the whole event.
For all kinds of reasons, the timing was literally, divine.
Jasen has worked his tight little tail off for over 7 years with Kohls, and I think has earned every bit of his latest recognition. There was not a better man for the job! Both his peers and superiors at work have been so supportive and siked for him.
We are excited about so much of what it means..
(like finally putting the loyal, yet oh-so-trashed KIA's,
to rest..) but our hearts are breakin' just a little bit every time we remember it means leaving our precious little Cache Valley, and the people here we have come to simply ADORE.
The promotion demands we move more "central" to the Salt Lake City area..
so this is where y'all come in..
any suggestions??
We are leaning towards South Jordan.. Daybreak in particular (not only is it darling.. but my cousin and her husband who already live there.. are even MORE darling..) and Jasens equally darling sister and family are in Herriman.
So.
Talk to me kids.
Thoughts?
Recommendations?
We may just rent for awhile being that we aren't sure (along with our credit being TOAST from having to short sale our St. Louis home..)
so let me know what ya got for me.
I'll be waiting.

And Now.. Why I Didn't Heart Halloween..

2010-11-01T23:13:00.000-07:00

Cause I usually DO heart Halloween.
Everything about it: wigs, candy, pumpkin patches..
sassin' up the typical witch costume..
ALL of it.
But THIS year.. it kinda.. um.. BLEW.
I'd bother explaining, but it's sorta LAME.
No, wait.. I have to.
But since it's after midnight.. and we all know I should be in bed.. I'll keep it short, and quickly list just WHAT factors contributed to the "suckiness", if you will:
1. The cold.
2. The rain.
3. The cold and rain, together.
4. Running too many grown-up, necessary, but not at all festive, errands that day.. leading to a late start in the nights event.. therefore leading to..
5. Jesse getting to his posse late (along with misplacing his mustache adhesive.)
6. Sam not knowing what to be.. or even if he felt like going anymore.. and then deciding.. no, he did not feel like going anymore.
7. Bo not being able to find any of his friends that had all started trick-or-treating at NOON, and finding he was suddenly embarrassed to dress up at all.
8. Sophie.. demanding that no matter what her brothers were doing.. she wanted to go.. and she wanted to go NOW.
9. And ME.. scrambling in a mad panic to go.. anywhere.. just go.. cause somehow the freakin' Halloween Queen herself, had forgotten to buy CANDY-- and kids were approaching.
(Yup. I was the lady handing out stale doughnuts. Where have my priorities gone?)
10. Finally getting to a neighborhood to do the deed.. and having two boys sit pouting in the car, in the rain..
while Sophie pranced joyfully through the horribleness chanting:
"Trick-or-treat! Thank you! Happy Halloween!"
Okay.. the Sophie part made me happy.
A holiday can't be a total bust with THIS Pirate Princess around:

When I apologized to the car-full of ticked kids for the night not exactly panning out as we'd hoped..
her reply was precisely:
"It's O.K. Mom. I'm not mad. I still love you."

So.. maybe it didn't BITE it that hard after all.

We hit some townhouses later to make Sophies little tiny pirate legs get more for their efforts (the doors are so conveniently close together!)and followed her in the dry car as she fearlessly marched onward,
alone,
from door..
to door..
to door.

We ended the night digging for the last decent reject pumpkins to carve at Wal-mart..

..because, of course.. somehow we'd missed getting around to the carving, of the pumpkins.. (busy week folks.. busy week.) and made everything better with a Twizzleberry Yogurt stop on the way home.. cause after all.. who doesn't need more sugar on Halloween night?

Sophie made sure she didn't miss out on even one last melted drop.. which made us laugh out loud.
She didn't appreciate the laughter,
therefore said she was sad, and mad..
to which Bo replied:
"Wow. THAT'S a rough combo."
Which made us all laugh out loud, again.

So we had our moments.. but over all.. not going down as one of our best.

We'll aim higher next year.

Why I Heart Payday.

2010-10-29T06:35:00.000-07:00

Because when you only have $1.49 left in the bank.. you're out of milk.. and gas..and you're pretty sure another overdue Redbox fee is pending out there somewhere-- it gets stressful.
Maybe it's time we started that crazy concept called,
"Budgeting."
To those of you who are payed, as we are, every other Friday..
and today is that day..
Happy-Happy Payday, to you.

Well THAT Was Fun..

2010-10-17T18:36:00.000-07:00

So the fam and I just went up to Park City for my
PINK Half Marathon..
Fun plan? Check.
Good family bonding time? Check.
Tight quarters riding up?? Check.
Here's a sample of what a family of six looks like in a car for barely, 5..
cause their minivan for 7..
"don't run good".
COZY.
Needless to say.. we were short a seat belt or two..
but obviously getting to my race trumped child safety.
(Don't tell the authorities.)
Sophie kept busy doing this..
and was quite content most of the two hour drive.. til' she did this..
upon being told we would be stopping by the outlets before getting to the hotel hot tub.
After a delightful stop at the Nike store..
the girl did get her hot tub time in..
(Have I mentioned the pleasure I find in orange and pink stripes.. on her belly??)
Happy kids, are so much cuter than angry ones.. NO?

Moving on..
The hotel was quite shmancy..
I appreciate a little shmancy now and then.
I mean.. fire on rocks?
What's not groovy about that??
Right under our place was a cool little gathering place..
(that if you're observant, and hungry.. you will notice housed the oh-so-tasty Kneaders.) We enjoyed eating it, out on the patio, in the perfect temperature, in our gorgeous surroundings, multiple times.
When it got too late to eat anymore there..
we got some to go.
Indulging, is fun.
So are complimentary robes.
The next day was the big race!
I got me some pink on.. ate my usual banana.. and got ready to RUN!I then continued to run for exactly 1 hour, and 36 minutes (and maybe 9 seconds?? Don't recall. Should I know that??) and rounded the last bend to see my little family-o-peeps cheering me on!That would be me reaching out to love on them.
They make me happy.
Maybe I coulda shaved that last nine seconds off if I hadn't stopped for thier sweet little high fives.. but it was totally worth it.It's nice to be greeted by tiny legs in striped leggings.
(Oh. And pink Converse with ruffle socks.)
My Fan Club Pres. was very supportive..
and I never could have handled having all the kids there to be apart of it without him.
We sat in the mountain sunshine waiting to receive my "1st in age group 35-39" award!

(Are we surprised Sophie wanted in on the spotlight??)I ended up 6th overall out of the 400 runners.. and left feeling KINDA thrilled about the whole thing.

Just Some Stuff..

2010-10-11T11:51:00.001-07:00

Sophie, smelling a perfume sample at Kohls:
"Oh my gosh.. this smells like a dream."

Bo, while looking at a collage of baby pictures of himself, sings to himself with a silly grin..
"Oh Bo, what a cute baby.. you're just so much cuter than your big brothers.."

Sam, who has suddenly become interested in 'watching his weight', when taking a piece of bread from the sacrament tray at church, turned and whispered..
"How many calories in that?"

Jesse, trying to explain why he just didn't click with some kids, asks..
"Ya know the kind of kids that try to use logic, to be funny?? Or like, scientific observations? It's just not that funny."

In other news:

We're missing a chicken. Hmmm.
Anyone seen Princess Girl? She's the white one.
Guess we should of put a collar on her.
Last night Sophie saw a chicken in Africa on the Amazing Race,
and asked if that might be ours.
I doubt it.

We finally got our butts in the back yard and picked up the 200 peaches that had fallen off our very heavy laden peach tree branches.
I made cobbler, and ate half the pan, in under an hour.

I ran in the rain on my favorite trail today.
It felt so good..even if I had 15 gnats on my shirt and 2 in my EYEBALLS afterward.
EW.
I'm running a half marathon in Park City this weekend.
Wonder if there's a gnat problem up there.

My KIA broke down on me again.. and then started again.
Ya just never know if you're gonna make it where you're going or not.
I like livin' on the edge.

That's all for now.

Just A Swangin'.. (And A "Swor-in"..)

2010-10-06T20:50:00.001-07:00

Sophie loves to swing.
LOVES it.
She will run to the yellow swing that Grandma bought,
that hangs from our huge front tree.. 10 times a day.
Just to swing.
It's just, so, fun.
She used to need pushing..
but has now mastered the art of pumping..
so is free to swing whenever she darn well feels the urge--
but still prefers, as young princesses will, to be pushed.
Delights, in being pushed.
DEE-lights I tell ya.
Jasen has started to take her on little later night sneaks over to the school playground for a good night swing on the big school swings.
It's dark.. and they go even higher.
She laughs like it's the most fun she could ever know..
and never, ever, tires of it.
She comes in giddy.
Elated.
Her cheeks cold and flushed from the night air.
I love how simple the pleasure of it is to her.

I also love.. that while takin' a little poop yesterday,
(Sophie still. I know-- you were thinking it was ME.)
she stuck up her middle finger and said,
"Is this a swore? My friend said this was a swore."
I laughed out loud.. and then replied..
"Yeah. Kind of. That's a way people swear using their hands."
"Oh." She answered. "Why do people do swears?"
"Well.." I continued..
"I guess some people think it's cool. Don't you think that's kind of dumb?"
"Mom." she says, in this kind of tender, but reprehending sort of tone..
"Everybody makes mistakes."

Grow Up Already...

2010-09-23T10:05:00.001-07:00

So just when I think I MIGHT be becoming more like those "grown-ups" I've heard talk of..
(ya know the ones: they watch the news and prepare budgets.. they keep receipts and take vitamins.. and I'm pretty sure they know how many countries there are in the world.)
So although I do not do any of the above mentioned items..
I do show glimpses of a grown-up here and there.
I mean, after all:
I recycle.
I keep my kids clean.. pretty clean.. and fed.
I can do basic math. Very, basic, math.
And there's a BUNCH of wrinkles on my face.

So as I was saying.. I think I'm legit in a few facets..
if only a very, rare, few.
But the other day-- in the bathroom of a frozen yogurt place called "Spoon Me"--
I seriously started doubting my maturity in general.
In those ever-so-popular vinyl letters, they had decorated the walls with phrases like:

"You.. Me... Spoon?"

or

"Feel like spooning?"

I know. Cute. A play on words with the places name.
But what turned it from cute..
to freakin' hilarious, for me, personally..
was the way in which other customers..
much likely a bit younger than myself,
had cleverly peeled all the S's and N's off every "spoon".. turning it into.. um.. "poo."
Therefore.. the phrases had become..

"You... Me... poo?"

or

"Feel like poo ing?"

Or my very favorite..

"Shhh. Just poo."

I laughed out loud.
Like a 5th grader.
For a good while.

I mean what's not funny about THAT?
(Don't answer if you're in a real grown-up kinda mood.)

Losing the "Cool" In "Cool Mom"

2010-09-20T13:41:00.000-07:00

Soooo... Sophie started a new dance class on Thursday.
Of course she was excited.
Of Course.
Of course she wore her best multi-colored tu-tu and matching bow.
Of course.
Of course on the ride there,
I started singing some made-up ditty that went a little something like this,

"Very first day of dance class!
Very first day ofdance class!"

Of course.

To which my 4-year-old..
who in the past has always seemed to find me quite enjoyable and witty..
replied:

"Could you please not do that.
It makes me feel embarrassed."

Of course.

A Small Request...

2010-09-16T07:33:00.000-07:00

So.. I REALLY enjoy the white New York Cheesecake flavor of soft serve yogurt at the Maverick.
REALLY, enjoy it.
And when they have it.. it usually stays around for awhile-- until they switch out the flavor to something I find disgusting.. like cookies and cream.
(Cookies and cream YOGURT... really?)
So here we are in September, with hot weather coming to an end, and I'm panicking just a smidge because last I checked.. it's still cookies and crud.. and I want me some white New York cheesecake, before it SNOWS.
My request?? That any of you frequenting the Maverick.. comment that you'd love to see the return of the white New York Cheesecake flavor (there is power in numbers..)and inform me immediately if you see the switch has been made. I'm not joking around here folks.

I know. Pretty important stuff.

Hey-ster There-ster

2010-09-11T21:02:00.000-07:00

Um.. my Bo that I've spoken recently and oh-so-fondly of..
has outta no where-- began his own little Bo language.
It goes a little something like this.

"Hi-ster Mom-ster. I'm-ster hungry-ster."

No big thing.
I'm guessing it won't catch on like pig latin.
I just find it hilarious.

Birthdays and Races and SOUP! Oh MY!

2010-09-08T14:51:00.000-07:00

See this little weirdo??

I adore him.
My Bo turned 8 back in August-- and chose to make the exact same goofy drinking soda face at this years party.. as he did at last years.

He also, just like last year, received a last minute "wrapped" (in t.p.) gift from Sophie, and was very sweet to act grateful for the stale Starburst she surprised him with..

..and again, had a darling group of wet, hyper 2nd graders run around our yard to celebrate!
I could share all 20 pictures of them making wet, hyper 2nd grader faces.. but I'm behind in my bloggable bits.. SO.. moving on..
Bo's birthday is always the preface to summers end.. and school beginning!

So here you have my token "First Day of School" shot. Again.. the Bo.
(I really did take some of the big boys..just can't find them in my files-- my "files" would make your head spin.. file savvy, I am not.. but I promise Jess and Sam were dressed and smiling. I swear.)
NEXT!
My first half marathon.
What can I say...I DIG, the running.
Here's me eating my pre-race banana.. in kinda stupid warm-up pants.

And here's me 13.1 miles later!

I posted some of the professional pics they take along the course of me on FB.. but props to Jasen for catching this one near the finish line.
I loved it. I had no idea if I could run that far or not.. so was excited to finish in 1:41and am hoping to beat my time at another Half going on up in Park City in October!
(Come with me! Anyone? Anyone??)
Of course having some darling "athletic supporters" cheering me on made it even BETTER.

In other news.. the tortilla soup I made for dinner last night, and lunch today.. was so tasty I had to photograph it.

Big enough bowl for ya?
I heart avacados.
Oh. And there's a mouse in my house. SICK.
Kay. I think I'm all caught up for the moment.

Chicks In Tennies...

2010-08-18T19:23:00.000-07:00

LOOK! I ran another race! Get a friggin' load-o-me.

ACTUALLY-- get a friggin' load of ALL those adorable little runner girls.
Precious, are we not??
All fresh-faced and eager to begin our adventure!
The Cache-Teton EPIC Relay to Jackson Hole!
We each had 3 legs to run over a 2-day continuous race-- and we were ready to get THAT party started.

Sally was up first in all her smiley-grinned glory,
and we only lost her once..
for a couple minutes.
Here we are a couple legs in-- STILL feelin' perky..

Quarters WERE tight.
7 chicks,
7 sleeping bags,
7 bags,
and 7 POUNDS OF SNACKS..
a snug lil' SUV does make.
But on we rolled!
My first leg was a 7-mile stretch through the always po-dunk-yet-loveable Preston Idaho. I booked it as hard as I could-- and though SIKED about my 7 1/2 minute miles (I've never timed myself!).. enjoyed a crazy bout-o-nausea almost immediately upon finishing. YUMMY.
Shortly after.. I proceeded to poop like a dog, behind a barn, in the weeds.. but we don't really need to talk about that.
MOVING ON..
After completing the first 6 legs, we met up with our second van of even MORE darling Lightening Ladies..

I mean seriously... DARLING.
(What's not fun about HER??)

And then proceeded to our next "rest stop".

I use the term "rest", loosely. Don't know 'bout you.. but nodding off in a sleeping bag, in broad daylight, on a High School lawn.. does not come easy for me.
Besides.. I had all these cute people to talk to..

and we all know.. the talking DOES come easy to me.. so why bother??
No real rest was had.
My next leg was a 3-miler through.. um.. who the hell KNOWS where..
where much to my surprise, and I spanked it with 7 minute miles! Who knew?
Of course every leg began and ended with me using one of these beauties..

which always makes a girl feel glam.. but is better than, ya know.. weeds behind a barn.
We stopped for the night while the other brave van trucked on with their next set-o-legs.. where, long-story short.. I ended up shivering under my $2.50 Wal-Mart towel praying for daylight..

til' we got the call at 3 am that the first team was done and we were back in action under the oh-so-chilly Wyoming stars!
Now I'm just boring you all.. so I'll wrap it up.. but gotta say I loved my last 7.5-er through the gorgeous canyon in the BRISK mornin' air.. and somehow pulled out 7 minute miles again, making me feel like a supa-star for just a quick moment in life.
GOOD, STUFF.
Every one ran their little exhausted guts out-- so proud of all of em'..
and woo-EEE did it feel good to hit Teton Village at the finish line.. fill our achin' bellies.. and lay in the mountain sun awaiting the 2nd van.
TA-DA.

We even got medals. And random male competitors hanging out in our picture.

Loved every second of it.
Let's do this again real soon.

Things That Make me REALLY Happy..

2010-07-04T21:48:00.001-07:00

Her..

at her first ever day at dance.

Them..

goin' fishin'.

And ME..

running my first 15K, and LOVIN' it.

Even if the race shirt was very, very, unattractive.

I'm A Survivor..

2010-06-27T22:57:00.000-07:00

Just puttin' out there that since purchasing our cozy little red house built circa 1965.. I have lived, and and somehow survived, for 2 1/2 years NOT having a dishwasher, or air-conditioning. I'm a regular pioneer.
I'm not saying my hand-washed dishes are spotless. (My boys LOVE to point out, and gross out, when they find a little peanut butter or cream cheese dried on a fork. GET OVER IT dudes. You guys think showering once a week is sufficient.. but a dried Rice Krispy stuck in your bowl is gonna put ya over the edge?)
And I'm not saying that sittin' here at midnight after an 85 degree day.. that I'm not a little moist on my upper lip.
I'm just saying, I've made it this far.
That's all.

Kay.. That's NOT that Funny.. I Don't Care Who Ya Are..

2010-06-18T13:47:00.000-07:00

Last night, just about midnight.. on our way home from a Bees game in Salt Lake..
Sophie-- obviously, and understandably tired..
chose to repeat,
in THE whiniest,
moaniest,
possibly MOST irritating tone EVER..
"Just TELL me we're HOME!
Just TELL me, we're HOME..
Just TELL me we're HOME!"
for exactly one, half, of an hour.

I of course attempted, more than 5 times, to just comply and say,
"O.K. We're home."
Even though, obviously, we were not.
To which she would continue..
"Just TELL me, we're HOME."

I'd like to believe holding back the urge to shove my hoodie in her mouth,
somehow built my character, and proved what a patient, loving sorta Mom I am.
But truth be told, looking back,
I think I was just way too tired,
and it was WAY too much effort to crawl into the back,
and do anything about it.

Now THAT'S Funny.. I Don't Care Who Ya Are..

2010-06-13T00:49:00.000-07:00

Sophie, today..
carrying over a box of Frosted Mini-Wheats.. declared:
"I'd like some of these bad boys."

Pathetic Much??

2010-05-19T18:03:00.000-07:00

SOOOOO.. nothin' really.
It's just that I just finished preparing, and eating, a pretty mediocre, yet filling (and isn't that the real point?)dinner.. and am so dreading the clean-up
that I thought maybe if I sat here mustering up something to blog about,
I could put it off for just a minute longer.
But alas... I got nothin'.
I COULD go on about how much it pleases me that my dog was groomed today leaving him smelling much less "dog" than before.. and how much it DISpleases me that Sophie has been LOSING it over pretty much anything that happens in an average day..
and that I found a pair of jamma pants at Old Navy..
and that upon reading the nutritional info at Panda Express today--
I could simply not, finish, my meal.
But none of that is all that interesting.
So I guess I'll do the dishes..
cause I can already see the pasta starting to harden to the sides of the bowls.

On A Lighter Note..

2010-05-11T11:34:00.000-07:00

So though very "cleansing" and somewhat theraputic.. I've been feeling bad my last post was kind of a drag.. (though I do appreciate all your sweet comments-- and promise you, as presumed would be.. it was better in, the morning..)so thought I'd lighten the mood here on "Nothin' But Love", and share a quick story that made me giggle.
My cute sister-in-law called to say that among other family news, her daughter, my neice, was in the middle of her final senior project, which involved having to serve in the community for a certain amount of hours.
(Kay.. that just made it sound like she was graduating from prison.. it's actually a private Catholic school.. just to clear things up.)
Moving on.
So the service they were assigned was volunteering in a Nursing Home.
Simple enough.
They were assigned a small group in the dementia ward.. which I'm sure get's tricky, but in all their festive, young girl spirit-- last week decided that for their activity, a Cinco Di Mayo party is JUST what the group needed.

Fast forward to the pinata.
I know. A pinata in the dementia ward. It's already a little bit funny.

But what gets funnier.. is that when the girls noticed the old folks weren't really getting the hang of it.. my darling niece decided to step forward and demonstrate how it's done.
So apparently a young, healthy girl, swinging a plastic bat,
came across as threatening to a little lady in the group..
who suddenly began beating my niece, with her cane..
like a pinata.

(Insert chuckle.)

I'll leave off that the woman, in her defensive fury..
fell and broke her hip.
Cause that would just bring ya all down again.

A Sad Sorta Bubbling...

2010-05-09T23:35:00.000-07:00

I'm kinda sad.
It's 12:35 a.m.-- which means two things:

ONE: I've already missed the "in bed in time to NOT feel nauseaus" when I arise at 6 a.m. gym time in the morning..

And TWO: My Mothers Day 2010 is officially over.
It was a lovely, relaxing, bright sunny-shiney day filled with my darling, cheery bouqet (in a cute vase even).. my hands and feet shimmering in utter perfection from yesterdays mani-pedi (Why does having someone else file and paint your toes NEVER get old?) new "Viva La Juicy" perfume (I've never owned any "true" Juicy item. Suddenly I feel hipper.) a tasty trip to the local Sizzler (Mmmm. So good. So Sizzler.)and some precious alone time on a really nice jog through town, with no promises about when I'd be back. (For as social a creature I tend to be.. HOW I love me some alone time.)
Yes. A very good day. And now it's OVER. Boo, hoo.
Guess we'll always have next year.

Wait. I'm sad about one more thing.

THREE: I miss my own Mom.
My adorable, adoring, loved my guts out, Mom.
I really, really, liked having her here.
I get so used to not, having her, here, anymore.. that sometimes when I remember-- realize, and let myself really go there.. I can't believe she's gone all over again.
Today I had friends with plans to get together with their Moms.. and visited with a friend that had her Mom over, etc. etc... but I've been able to somehow, the last few years.. just focus on the sweet gestures of my own kids and husband, towards me, on Mothers Day.
It's easier-- lighter that way. In fact I find myself not really thinking about, or dwelling on my Mom, all she was-- and all I miss-- for any real period of time, ever, lately.
I'll mention something that reminds me of her to my kids here and there.. point out that she loved a certain candy or repeated a certain phrase.. and then I move on. Function.
Deal.
Carry on.
I don't want to feel the sad.. don't want to bring the low-laying void in my heart.. my longing to hear her on the phone.. or feel her own cheek on mine--
to the surface.
But it bubbled up today.
A sweet friend of mine remembered me saying that my Mom had always got me a certain kind of face lotion for special occassions.. and after she recently got a small sample of it with a purchase.. my friend gave it to me with a little card to wish me a Happy Mothers Day.
Just looking at the font on the container..
just smelling it when I screwed off the cap.
It bubbled up in me.
A melonchaly kinda swell of emotion.
A surge of unexpected tears.. nostalgia.
Longing.
I pulled it together. Appreciated the reminder.
And went on with my day.
But tonight.. in the quiet.. it's bubbling up again.
And while I hate to be a downer on my own lovely day.. and feel like maybe I should just go get in bed like every other Sunday night.. a part of me needs to somehow validate her.
Recognize her.
Honor her.
Even if it's just in typed words on my silly blog.

My Mom was nice.
She was so, so nice.
When I asked my two big boys what they remember about sweet Bee-Bee..
they just repeat, "She was just, so, nice."
She loved us.
OH.. how she loved us.
She would literally clap when we entered her home.
Hold her cheeks in pleasure that we were there.
She would hug me like only a Mom hugs you.
Like no matter where you've been.. or what you've been up to..
you are hers-- and she is proud..
and you are truly, deeply, treasured.
She was fun.. and funny.
Upbeat, and creative, and always, always, doing.
She kept a beautiful, tidy home.
She loved bright, cheerful colors.. and crisp, clean dress and decor.
She loved gatherings. Parties. Celebrations.
Everything from the first day of school, to a return home from college,
demanded a hand-penned poster and decorations.
She had class, but was never snooty.
Had taste, and a knack for decorating anything from a house to a wedding..
and would help anyone do either.
She played piano and wrote lyrics and poetry..
skits and plays.
She was great to be around.
I adored her.
And felt adored by her.

I miss her.

Tonight, I could use her reassuring voice and genuine concern.
Her unconditional love.. her willingness to listen.
Her silent promise to always be on my side.
I remember she was in her 50's when her own Mom died.. and I remember there being days in later years, when she would express
"Even when your a grown-up, everyone needs thier Mom sometimes."
I do. Tonight.
I need my Mom.
I'm ever grateful for the 32 years I got to have her.. and I know all would say she's still with me-- and I get that.
But it's not the same.
Not even close.
Tonight I just want to lay in her lap.
Have her stroke my hair.
Talk about everything that's important.. and stuff that's not.
I can imagine the color her nails are painted.
The bracelets she's wearing.
Everything about her.
And I miss it all.

Tomorrow will come..
and as she always promised,
"It's always better in the morning."
And I'm sure it will be.
But tonight.. I'm gonna let myself miss her bad.
I'm gonna let my eyes stay blurry from tears just a little longer.
Let snot run down my lips and not care so much.
I might just sob in a pillow.

Cause she was my Mom.
And I feel like I don't have one any more.
And I really, really, miss having one.
Miss having her, as mine.

I love you my Mom.
Happy Mothers Day.
Thank you for everything you were to me, everyday you were here.

I'm going to bubble over now.

Me Read Good One Day..

2010-05-02T19:06:00.000-07:00

So... to put it bluntly (which I'm known to do on occasion..) I don't, read, much.
I mean-- don't get me wrong.. I'm first to grab a shampoo bottle if I have a minute in the "lou" (that was the classiest word I could think of for it. Oddly,"the crapper" came to mind first, but seemed offensive, and not very lady-like..) and I thoroughly enjoy a NOT outdated People magazine now and then at a doctors office (where I have learned to take it IN to the actual examination room, cause we all know once in,that's gonna be another good 15 minutes of alone time. I just realized why I look forward to such appointments..)
BACK to my point.
Reading.
On my "what to do with ALL that free time" list.. somehow working out, sitting around talking to girlfriends, and watching mindless t.v. shows in the quiet dark of my house.. ALL seem to trump, the reading.
SO, when a friend suggested I join her book club, I stiffened.. declined.. and then cautiously, and with great hesitation, thought about attempting to do something that MIGHT just use my brain cells for something other than 5th grade math homework..
and decided I was IN.
Just walking into Borders, I already felt slightly more intelligent as a person.
Look at me. I'M buying a book. I've heard about people that do this kinda thing.. and now I'm right here with 'em.
I was doing something I'd never done before. I was going to attend a Book club. I was committed to reading a whole book.. by a certain date.. and it was gonna be rad.
Then I saw the cover.
Manhunt: The twelve day chase for Lincolns killer.
A historic novel.
I shuddered.
No hot vampires? No make-out scenes? Not even a chance at relateable female banter about skinny jeans and no-fat yogurt?? Seriously?
The cover was a dark red, and had a vintage sketch of a guy with a gun pointed at a creepy-looking rendition of Lincolns head.
Ew.
And it was thick. Over 300 pages thick.
And cost like, $18.00 dollars.
It took everything in me to heavy-heartedly drag it to the cashier and PAY for it.
But I was DOING this. If it KILLED me. (Can you imagine if it did?? Kill me? Everyone was like, "She seemed so healthy and full of life.. and then she got into this reading thing.. and she just really went down hill from there. She was bored I tell you. And in the end.. bored, to DEATH.")
No. It would not kill me. I was GOING to have more to discuss with people other than who hooked up on Greys Anatomy, but I wasn't gonna like it.
Let's just say the first few pages had me doubting my ability to stay strong.
I suddenly had ADD and Restless Leg Syndrome.
I could NOT focus.
All kinds of dates and historic hoo-ha being laid out for the story.
I panicked.
I had to read sentences two and three times to absorb them.
COULD I read a real book?
I wondered.
I stuck with it. Plowed through.
(O.K. I'm only on Chapter 3.)
But what do ya know if I haven't learned more about Lincoln in 40 pages, than I've ever learned about all the other Presidents combined. (Which modestly, I will acknowledge, isn't much. Try to contain your surprise.)
It is almost, dare I say, a bit fascinating even??
I may.
I'm not saying it's gotten much easier to pick up.
My early morning gym time and late night t.v. recordings still win out most days.. but I am determined to ride it out.. get r' done.. and finish an educated, sophisticated, "well-read" woman.

Maybe that's pushin' it.

I'll just try to finish it.

Still Not Over It.. (Refer To Previous Post)

2010-04-27T07:59:00.000-07:00

As Bo was downing his morning bowl of Pops..
(WHAT? Don't judge me. They claim to now have fiber.)
I was going over his new list of vocab words with him.
This is always entertaining because he often chooses a facial expression , instead of words, to express the words meaning. Today the word "stare", was displayed in a precise, and unusually piercing, bug-eyed, stare.
Check.
Next word.. "regret".
He sighed, and explained..
"Like, when you do something, and then you wish you hadn't of."
Check.
Then he quietly added..
"Like the Panda Fun Run."

Chuckle-chuckle.

Taking The "FUN", Out of the Run..

2010-04-24T07:47:00.000-07:00

So every year our little elementary school has a fundraiser: The Panda Fun Run.
$16.00 will get ya a polyester t-shirt involving some kind of Panda in the graphic-- and a chance to run a mile at 8 a.m., in the frigid early morning air.. on a Saturday. Needless to say, I have never been against, yet never aggressively encouraged, participation. The flyer comes home.. I set it on the counter.. wait for someone to mention it.. and when they don't.. dispose of it properly.
I have always been quite pleased on past mornings of this very run.. when I dreamily awake at my own pace.. and peer out the window to see the balloons and orange cones littered around the school-- proving that there was indeed an event of some sort occurring, while I slept.
So you can imagine my inner resistance when my Bo came home, adamant on being apart of this years run. Hmmmm. Do I fake a scheduling conflict and assume we'll all sleep through the morning anyhow?? Or give the infamous "We'll see.." and never, really, "see"?
No. If you've been blessed enough to be taken by Bo's deep double dimples and swirly curly cowlick bangs.. you would know that obviously I could not form my lips into saying anything other than,
"Yeah! That would be SO fun."
And I did it. I paid the $30.00 I'd rather spend at T.J. Maxx for the two of us to enter, marked the calendar.. and every so often would build up just WHAT fun we would indeed, have together.
Fast forward to this morning. For some background-- never actually having Bo try to run a mile, coupled with staying up til' midnight as a family watching Avatar the night before, MIGHT not have been the best move in our pre-race planning.. but it is, only, a mile.. and Bo has popped awake after a mere 6 hours of sleep just to be first to get computer time on more than a few occasions.. SO.. when I found him wrapped up snuggly in his cozy covers this morning, I wasn't too worried about rousing him. As I whispered..
"It's the Fun Run today Bo.."
he lay there perfectly still.. and then whispered back..
"I don't think I can do it."
Mom: Sure you can bud.. let's go.
Bo: It's cold.
Mom: I know.. but running will warm us up.
Bo: Can we quit?
Mom: Um.. sure.. I guess.. (not my best Mothering moment..)
Bo: I'm tired.
Mom: I know buddy. But you get a t-shirt.
Bo: O.K. (Long, contemplative pause..)Can you carry me upstairs?
I complied.. carried him upstairs, dressed him, socked and shoed him.. gave him a piece of gum for his morning breath.. and we were off. Off to the first corner in the race that is.. when he suddenly bent over in anguish and cried in pain--
"My belly!!"
That went on for some time. We slowed to a toddlers walking pace.. and spent the next 3/4 of a mile with Bo blurting out comments to the tune of,
"I cannot, do this. Can we just go back to the house? I think I'm seriously gonna short-cut through the playground.."
We came in right at 14 minutes.

Next year.. the flyer doesn't even get counter time.

JUST So Ya Know..

2010-04-16T09:04:00.000-07:00

I wasn't REALLY done rambling on and posting pictures about, our Vegas trip, that you will find below..
but my AWESOME computer stopped letting me add photos (as if to say, "That will be enough of that. You don't want to bore the people..") so it was cut short..
but when I regain my energies-- perhaps I will add more. Whether ya want em' or not.

VEGAS, Baby.

2010-04-16T07:39:00.000-07:00

So just about the time we'd resigned ourselves to the fact that Spring Break 2010 would be an exciting week of frequenting mediocre local restaurants, and having the kids play violent video games for HOURS on end...
it started to SNOW, a lot, in April. We're talking blizzardy, accumulating, snowfall.
We snapped. And by snapped I mean: got on line, booked a hotel, changed the oil in the finny-fan, woke the kids up at 6 am to the tune of "Viva Las Vegas" by Elvis.. and by Tuesday at 3:00 were rolling onto the sunny, palm-tree'd, neon-lit glory of THE strip!! SO much better than going for burgers at home.
Jasen had never, ever been in all his 37 years.. and I'd been there one night, at age 15. NEEDLESS to say-- so fun to see-- so much to take in-- (and not NEARLY as many boobies as I'd feared!)As we stopped in traffic right smack dab in front of the famous Bellagio fountains.. they suddenly sprang to life to the tune of no other than the "Viva Las Vegas" we had continued to blast every hour, on the hour.. of our 8 hour trip down.. as if Vegas itself was calling, "Nice choice! Glad to have ya!"
We had warned our virgin, innocent boys.. of the images we might happen upon.. (but assured them that being somewhere fun, and WARM, was worth whatever permanent damage it may have on them..) and were pleasantly surprised at the lack of nakedness.. the down-right cleanliness of the streets themselves. I don't know.. maybe I was blinded by the bright sunshine on my skin and warm breeze in my hair.. but I found it delightful. We wandered the strip for hours.. taking in everything from the fountains

to the Venetian..

(The boys wanted a boat ride.. and although fun in theory.. I felt having an American dressed in stripes, singing right to us-- might be more awkward, then authentic.)
..to New York, New York..

waited patiently for the Mirage volcano..

and found the only hard drug offered to us was a new form of "crack"..

that we of course accepted.. and enjoyed.
As Sophie twirled back down the street into the lobby of hotel at 10:00 P.M..
she let out a pleased sigh and declared..
"THAT, was great."
We stayed in the MGM Signature Suites which are LOVELY, and perfect, because unlike pretty much EVERY other hotel-- there is no casino, no smoking,

and a walkway to the MGM Grand with the best pool EVER.

Why did I not realize there would be palm trees?? PALM TREES folks. I should REALLY get out more. Oh. And frozen drinks.

Along with a relaxed husband.. not at work.

Us.. not eating at local joints.

And happy kids.. NOT playing violent video games.

She Thinks She's SO Sneaky..

2010-03-29T08:30:00.000-07:00

The other day Sophie was trying to apply lip gloss to pretty much any surface she could get it to stick to (this explains why our minivans side window has been a tad bit "cloudy" lately..) and when I explained that if she didn't stop I was going to have to take the lip gloss away (the horror!) she quite snippily replied..
"Well, I don't want you to take it, so I'm going to go hide it.
DON'T follow me.. and DON'T look in my jewelry box."
I hope she's always this easy to figure out.

Well LOOKY There!

2010-03-25T08:45:00.000-07:00

I hesitate to even state that my computer might actually be fixed for good this time.. in fear I just may jinx it.. but I'm gutsy like that.. and going to share that it has now been up and running for almost 4 days straight. I'm a little giddy.
It's like having a new baby in the house-- minus the diapers. Everyone wants to sit by it and play with it.. marveling at the miracle it truly is. I'm not proud I've now been sitting at it a full hour this morning.. the hour I'm usually making beds and starting laundry.. but again.. baby analogy.. and we all know those things can't always get done for the first little while. I just want to bask in the pleasure of it functioning a little longer before getting on with my day. Who knows.. maybe I'll jaunt on over to Facebook, check the weather report, download pictures from the last SIX months, or just look up cute shoes and bathing suits. The possibilities are endless. Ahhh. Being unproductive is SO relaxing.

SIKE.

2010-03-19T15:13:00.000-07:00

Whadda' ya know.. crashed again.
Those guys at the repair shop have hardly earned their computer geek status. Bad glasses alone, apparantley do not a skilled- techy make. (Kiddin' nerdy dudes. Don't go erasing my identity now..)
I actually think it's a bung-computer issue, more than a they're not-nerdy enough issue.. but I find mocking others somehow eases my frusteration.
So it's back in the shop.
With the nerdy dudes.
We can only hope for the best.
If it never runs again.. it was sure fun while it lasted.

Well HELLO There!

2010-03-07T10:45:00.000-08:00

No really. It's ME! KATY!!
(Did you wet yourselves just a teeny bit??)
And I'm not even at the public library! I'm in my very own house.. on my very own chair.. in front of my very own.. wait for it.. PROFESSIONALLY REPAIRED, no-joke, computer!
I've never felt so high.
It has been OVER 3 months.. as in.. maybe even 100 days, since I have had any real kind of consistant cyber-world access, and I kinda feel like the 5th grader that moved away for her Dads job that didn't work out so has moved into Grandmas house back in her home town, showing up at middle school hoping her old friends let her sit at the lunch table! Do you even REMEMBER me?? Does my family look VAGUELY familiar?? Take a minute.
It'll come to you.
Oh the moments I have missed!! The posts that have past me by!! Is blogging even still a THING?? Are there new trends and fonts I'm behind on?? Am I allowed back in??
I feel, so, BEHIND. But I'm a fighter..and determined to forge ahead.. not dwelling on the past (or even really making a fervent effort to catch up on yours, or mine.. cause that's just overwhelming-- and a given that children would miss feedings, and underwear would not get washed.) SO! I'm startin' fresh!
Join me.. won't you??
(Unless ofcourse, a newer, even cooler girl moved in on my side bar slot on your own blog, ya know, while I was away.. and you must choose to leave me behind. Understandable. Hurtful.. but understandable.)
But being that it has been, winter.. and it is still, COLD.. ya really haven't missed out on much from me. Lots of driving Jesse to school.. searching for the perfect work-out pant, watering the chickens, and singing Taylor Swift songs really, really loud.
WOW. Maybe it's an O.K thing I haven't been here to bore you to falling tears.
So for now.. I will just delight in the fact that I will have access to all of YOUR adventures.. and leave you with some of the things that have come out of my kids mouths lately that entertain me WAY more than the Redbox rentals I've been checking out.. (Example: 2012. Really? Honestly if that limo, or plane, barely missed one more falling building or piece of flying schrapnel, I was gonna lose it.)
So here's just a few of my latest favorites:
(Note.. I'm not forgetting that I have a son Jesse.. it's just that being 13 and all, he prefer I don't quote him so much.)

Sam, while lacing up his shoes for school, casually asked,
"Mom, do you know what a 'pimp-slap' is?"

Bo, when asked by his brother why he felt he should be allowed to play such mature games on the X-BOX, responded:
"I don't know. I just like them. Don't judge me."

And Sophie, when questioned about her possible need for a fresh pair of undies, replied,
"I don't know Mom. Smell if they smell JUICY."

On that note..
real glad to be back.

FYI

2010-01-02T23:26:00.000-08:00

Driving home through our festive little town the other night..
Sophie informed me that.. and I quote:
"Children that make bad decisions go to juvie."
Just so you know.

And Like THAT.. It Was Gone.

2009-12-13T01:14:00.000-08:00

So my computer was up and running, for roughly 3 hours.
Don't get me wrong-- it was a great 3 hours.. but a short 3 hours.. and now it is over.
I think it's trying to mess with my head.
So here I sit.. once again bitterly typing out words with one cramping finger.. once again getting behind on life events.. and once again feeling disconnected from my ever-so-entertaining blogworld family!
But alas.. at this juncture (I don't believe I've ever actually written out the word, juncture. It is a word, right??)
we're finding cash for Christmas gifts trumps cash for computer tech.. so if ya all could just hang in there with me and keep the computer faith til' January.. I can promise you less bitterness, more posts.
So for tonight.. Instead of blogging late into the night-- I may comfort myself by indulging in an old habit and watch "Cougartown".
(Afterall.. I am now 38, and striving for Cougar status at all costs..)
For now I will just leave ya with Sophies latest life observation:
While pointing out that she did indeed have the hiccups, she asked,
"Mom, remember when Sam had the hiccups?"
To which, although uncertain of what specific case she was referring to, assumed he had at some point in his 10 years in fact had them,
I ofcourse answered,
"Yup."
"Yeah," she continued.. " I think I caught them from him."

WHERE To Begin??

2009-12-04T19:18:00.000-08:00

If "absence makes the heart grow fonder",
you all are LOVING me by now.. RIGHT?
In reference to my recent blog-hiatus.. let me just say this:
We all have trials in life.. (I have personally dealt with a slightly over-weight childhood, divorce, death,and varicose veins.. to name a few..) but I do declare that being without decent, full-size screen, internet access, for roughly a month.. has been one of my toughest.
Okay. Divorce and death were tougher.. but you get the idea.
After living like pioneers with two crashed computers for the last month, who knew disconnecting the battery from the laptop would make it all better??
(Well, apparently my darling out-of-town guest, did. Hala-ler-ya!)
So although our main computer (ya know, the one with all the photos of my 4 kids childhoods, and everything I've ever written on it..) still sits, crashed..
our laptop is here in front of me, fully functioning, all lit up like my Christmas tree!
(So in the holiday spirit of things.. can I get a
"HARK! The Blogworld starts to sing..
GLORY! Katy can write more THINGS!" )
I know. I'm much more giddy than you.. but it IS, exciting.
So.. again.. where to begin?
I'm guessing with my trip to Chicago for my dads 70th birthday, that included not only ME.. traveling all by myself for hours-- (loving every magazine-and-novel-reading-filled minute I might add. Ahhhh. Me time. Getcha some.)and not only getting a free ticket for letting them bump me to another flight (cause why NOT get bumped.. when it equals simply MORE, ME, TIME..) but taking a train into Chicago like a savvy and unafraid suburban-ite, meeting a new BFF while doing so.. and then walking through the buzzing night life of the Chicago streets(with my lip gloss I'm SURE shimmering in the street lights like your regular Sex and the City star..) to the fab hotel where I found my profoundly adorable family awaiting my arrival just as the elevator doors opened. And while that WAS a lovely beginning to a fun-filled evening of fancy food and great company.. I should move on to the real news maker of the weekend. Would it startle you if I mentioned that I ended up in ambulance??
I thought so.
Would it startle you MORE if I was in the ambulance, because while walking along Lake Michigan the next morning with my precious sister.. just a chattin' and a walkin' and a walkin' and a chattin'.. my same precious sister went to walk down closer to the lake.. and didn't see a cyclist coming straight for her at 30 miles an hour? He hit her really, really, REALLY, really, hard.
Watching the bike hit her square on, the cyclist flying into her body, and her body go down so fast, and so hard onto the cement.. and blood start to pour from her head.. sorry-- getting gory-- but it was just terribly, awfully, horrible.
So one broken thumb, four staples in the head, and a super sore existence still today.. I'm one grateful sista' that she is, in fact o.k. She doesn't feel good.. (and we kinda had to make just a little fun of the way she walked thereafter)
but she is, o.k.
Not the weekend report you were expecting now WAS it??
So. In other news: I am on the very CUSP of turning 38!!! (WHAT? Two years from 40 you say?? OH. I hadn't noticed.) At least I have my sweet St. Louis friend and her family here to celebrate with us! Par-TAY. So I will go back to being a hostess.. (instead of an over-eager Blogger who can't kill the need to play catch-up with the newly functioning computer and my world of cyber friends I've missed so dearly!)but I will leave you with Sophies latest words as she jumped onto a blanket I had spread out for her on the couch for her morning ritual of eating a little cup of dry cereal (don't judge me.. she does oatmeal, occasionally.) and watching a good Dora or two..
she literally squealed in delight at the anticipation of the coziness ahead and exclaimed:
"It's so much fun being ME!"
May you all have fun being you tonight!

Who AM I??

2009-11-22T16:14:00.000-08:00

So get this:
I started working out at a real live gym about a year ago.
Not that crazy.
But I recently began waking up at 6 am to go.
(Ya know, when it's creepy dark, and stupid cold out. Like, roosters aren't even ca-cawing yet.. THAT'S, the first bit-o-the crazy.)
I now not only do cardio, but lift weights. (It's kinda hard, and sorta burns, and I think I hate it-- but I just, keep, doing it.)
I do real guy push-ups.
I'm usually showered by 9:30-ish.. and then gather the hens eggs for my 11:00 omelet.
I still don't have a computer that runs, so for now, no longer sit and scroll through blogs and Facebook comments for hours on end..
and find that because of my early rising.. can barely stay awake for any trashy t.v. at all.
Freaked out yet??
Anyone who truly claims to know me at all, maybe should be.
Cause the Katy I know personally.. loves to sleep, only jogs, keeps showering to a tri-weekly event at best.. doesn't raise poultry, and certainly never goes to bed before 2am, especially not with a recorded Greys, unwatched.
So I repeat.. "Who, am I??
Anyone?

Of all the things I've lost.. I miss my blog the most..

2009-11-07T12:11:00.000-08:00

Still no real computer.. still angry about typing with one finger on an iPhone.. and now so behind on random life's events I will most likely never document my boys first real football season, first day of school pics, our chickens first eggs (mmm.. omelets!) frolicking in the fall leaves, OR Halloween 2009.. (I know-- you're all DEVESTATED. We'll work through this together..)
But in the meantime, while I continue to with hold-- is that one word or two?--the greater part of my life from you all.. I still relish in all of your perfectly-functioning-computer generated posts, with joy... and will keep holding this tiny little phone in my numb left hand JUST long enough to share Sophies latest thought process with you all:
On the way home from Bo's basketball game this morning-- while I was discussing the way people here using the phrase "..clear over there" somehow really tickles my son Sam.. Sophie pipes in with this oh-so-important-at-age-3, question on life:
"Mom, if I don't even have a crush on anybody, who am I supposed to even marry?"

So help me.....

2009-10-19T18:44:00.000-07:00

.. If my computer was my spouse -- I would leave it. And I'd take the leather couches.
It has chosen to crash itself into oblivion, again. Like, won't even turn on really. I think it's just messing with me now.
In the meantime I'm trying to type this on my sons itouch, and it's making me cranky.
Anybody know any good computer guys?? Cause until I find one.. I refuse to blog with 2 fingers on a five inch screen, and will miss you all dearly.

And I'm BACK...(Now New And Improved, With Oats!)

2009-10-10T20:02:00.000-07:00

Miracles really do happen.
I turned on my computer tonight.. completely prepared to find it slow as ever and ready to be irked.
And then.. WA-LA. Look at me!! I'm hitting buttons and clickin' left and right.. only to have it RESPOND! AND QUICKLY!
Let's just all take a moment to give thanks.
So obviously.. after quite a dry spell.. I need to post like a ho-bo needs a drink.
(Sorry. That was judgemental. Not all ho-bo's drink. And ho-bo is probably politically incorrect. My apologies to all the ho-bo's reading my blog tonight, sober.)
For starters.. I feel a need to share my "Facebook Moment". Though more committed to the blogworld.. I do tend to dabble in the Facebook universe sporadically.. and recently found a darling friend that I hadn't had contact with since maybe 8th grade.
We somehow realized we both had a thing for really good oatmeal. (I know.. the first thing most people discuss after 23 years.. IS oatmeal.) She told me about these great steel-cut oats from Trader Joes, with organic brown sugar and fancy dried fruit that I must try.. (which of course I replied that I'd love to.. but not ONLY do we not have a Trader Joes-- could she believe I also survive without Target??)
Yadda-yadda..
long story long.. a few days later.. THIS shows up on my doorstep:

With THIS, inside..

which contained.. THESE:

(By the way.. Sophie was my photographer. She's a rookie, but I was kinda impressed she even got my face.)
I then, joyfully, made THIS:

It was delicious.
All hail cyber friendships.
It's good to be back.

THIS Could Get Annoying...

2009-10-08T12:49:00.000-07:00

So my computer has taken a turn for the worse.. and out of the clear old open blue, for no apparent reason-- it's taking at least 30 seconds to respond to EVERY click I attempt.
Grumble-grumble.
(That was my frustrated mumblings.. along with my empty stomach.)
So I'm here, not with a clever antidote or good picture or ANYTHING interesting.. but to ask for your understanding in my temporary "comment break" here in blog world. (It's like a cigarette break.. without the smell. Or nicotine.)
I do love ya all.. just don't have the time or patience to respond appropriately to all your adorable posts.
Great.
NOW what am I supposed to do?

Just A Few Things I'd Rather Be Doing...

2009-09-30T14:01:00.000-07:00

I'm "processing" homemade spaghetti sauce that I whipped up with the 489 tomatoes we needed to deal with from our garden. Though secretly a bit tickled with myself for maybe being successful at something so organic and old-fashioned-y..
I also find it tedious, and messy.. and really, really, time consuming.
So as I sit.. watching boiling water splatter over the edges and onto the floor..
I feel the need to make a list of all the things I'd rather be doing.
Here we go.
1. Stepping off a plane into a tropical paradise.
2. Getting a pedicure. (And I'm not even due for one.)
3. Shopping for a bunch of really great clothes, with some random credit card I was gifted for no apparent reason.. (from a pink unicorn that showed up at my door?)
4. Watching a really good episode of anything really good.
5. Eating pie.
6. Sitting with a bunch of girls talking about how droopy we look naked, and what procedures we would have done if cash, and staff infection, weren't issues.
7. Out to lunch at Le Nonne with my husband talking about our next dream vacation to the paradise I spoke of earlier.
8. Watching a maid scrub every living inch of my house.
9. Getting a 2 hour massage. Make it 3. I hate worrying that it's gonna end too soon.
10. Poking my EYES out...

To Sum Things Up...

2009-09-23T21:19:00.000-07:00

Our weekdays.. and especially weeknights-- have been a lil', BUSY.
Lately we spend lots of our lives piling in and out of the mini-van. From about 4-8, we are usually shuttling around town hitting practices, games, and an occassional haircut when possible. Sophie kinda summed up our life in a van last night. While attempting to stuff her little face with a veggie-loaded Subway sandwich, in her carseat, waiting for Jesses practice to END already.. she calmly pointed out,
"Mom. A tomato just landed on my foot."

Is It Innapropriate, If It's Hilarious?

2009-09-22T22:11:00.000-07:00

I failed to notice.. until it was pointed out to me.. that the zucchini in the picture below.. is placed just so-- that it looks like Jasens big, green, weiner.
My apologies.

What WE Did Last Night..

2009-09-22T15:19:00.000-07:00

While they did this...

I, did this..

(Yeah. It IS an edible map of the U.S. Regions.. for Jesse's 8th grade history class.I enjoy such projects-- and have a tendency to take them over whether asked to, or not. And yes.. those ARE Sophies pudgy little fingers lookin' to snag a marshmallow or two.)
How was YOUR Monday night?

Nachos And Nighties..

2009-09-15T08:10:00.000-07:00

So this last Friday was my annual "Get Outta Dodge Free" weekend! Every year my sisters husbands side of the family has this great "STARS" (Sisters Time And Retreat) weekend, that Sophie and I more often refer to as "The Girl Party". I've been lucky to get to know and love all of my sisters sister-in-laws, and their daughters, and daughter-in-laws, and THEIR daughters, over the years.. and once I had my own daughter.. we were invited to join in the the ultimate all-girl slumber party! SO, FUN.
There were nieces..

Big friends..

Little friends..

Darling friends..

And always, talent. (Here you would be witnessing the latest remake of Beyonces "Single Ladies", obviously.)

Of course.. with such remarkable acts.. there must always follow.. a very formal awards show..

With a captivated audience.. (you have to know my hilarious niece to fully appreciate her in this get-up..)

And no big event is complete without tipsy stars in gorgeous gowns..

Breath-taking, are we not??
(My sister morphed into THE most hilarious stoned Tammy-Faye-esque character ever.)

We laughed so hard applying our lipstick I think I might have just peed my pants a tiny bit.. and isn't that what it's all about??
Good food.. good friends..
and just a little bit of pee in your pants???
Thanks ladies! Loved every minute.

Suffering From High Self-Esteem..

2009-09-09T15:32:00.000-07:00

So I've always been a bit of a "praiser" if you will.
I compliment freely. I point out things I find unique or outstanding in human beings in general. Strangers even.
The checker at the grocery store-- the cable guy.
I enjoy letting people know they are admired for anything from a real-life skill.. to a good pair of earrings.
So yeah... I praise.
Especially my kids. I just like em. I think they're great. I think they are funny and interesting and kind and good.
Whether or not they actually are.. dunno.
I just know I think they are.. can't help it..and let them know it.
Now I have heard the argument against "too much" praise.. but those imaginary people trying to make us follow their life rules, aren't the boss of me.. and I decided a long time ago I wasn't ever going to NOT say something positive, or hold back on any form of approval, for anyone. Especially, my kids.
Having said that.. I can admit when there might be, a bit of a glitch in the system.
Case in point: If ya haven't noticed, I find much to adore in my one and only daughter. Not only is she my youngest.. and last child-- she is a GIRL.
Therefore.. much like my kids before her.. I am constantly pointing out her adorable-ness, to pretty much anyone who will listen, but most often.. to her personally.
In my defense.. she IS darling. She IS hilarious and ridiculously fun. I mean, do I really have a choice in the matter?
I hadn't realized how much MORE she obviously hears the compliments aimed at her, as opposed to her brothers.. until yesterday when she casually asked,
"Mom.. am I really, really, really, really, really, really.. special?"
"Yes".. I answered.. "you are really, really, really, really, really, REALLY special."
To which she concluded..
"And the boys are just.. plain, special?"

Bring On The 'Nanners!

2009-09-07T10:15:00.000-07:00

So it's Labor Day.. which means-- Labor Day sales..
at the grocery store.
I know.. THRILLING.
One of the better deals to catch my ever-wandering-and-so-unsure-WHAT-to-purchase-and-prepare eyes, was the 20 cent/per pound, bananas.
Wow. 20 cents. Better buy LOTS.
So I did.. bout 20, to be exact.. and since, have been anxiously engaged in adding them to anything I can, before they (you know the drill..)
1. brown
2. sit on your counter cause you're sure you'll make banana bread, and then..
3. end up in the composte pile.
They have been eaten straight, in SlimFast shakes, and sliced-- with peanut butter.
I have always enjoyed the banana and peanut butter combo.. and in recent months have often even added a single chocolate chip on TOP of the banana slice, nestled into the peanut butter..
BUT, it wasn't until this morning.. that I added the final, and in my opinion.. PERFECT, final touch.
Imagine if you will.. a slice of perfectly ripened nanner..
a swirl of creamy, albeit generic, peanut butter..
a delicately placed chocolate chip..
and finally..
a piece of nutty pecan.
Go ahead.. try it.
Unless you have a nut allergy..
or are maybe grossed out by bananas..
you're GONNA like it.
I know I did.

Well What's Not Cute About That??

2009-09-03T08:52:00.000-07:00

Sophie turned 3 this year.. which means a few different things.
1. She is getting, bigger. And that's sad. Included in that fact-- is that she is growing out of some of my favorite outfits and shoes of hers, which is also, sad.
(May I mention, however.. that the latter has caused justification in purchasing new, fun, fall get-ups.. and that is not sad.
THAT, is fun.)
2. She has grown even fonder of eyeshadow, lip gloss, and anything with a "heel".
3. She still thinks boys kissing girls, is gross.. and that the boys on underwear packages WEARING underwear.. is even grosser.
4. She has learned to walk a fierce, imaginary catwalk.. and refers to herself as Emily pretty often, for no apparent reason.
(Oh.. and USES that phrase "for no apparent reason" on occasion.
Like the other night.. I hear a clunk.. and then there she was, running to me with tears streaming down her cheeks exclaiming,
"I just fell on the floor for NO APPARENT REASON!")
5. And really, the most important part.. and point of this particular entry..
the girl is finally old enough, to play KICKBALL.

Seriously.. I repeat.. WHAT is not cute about that??
She has been waiting all summer for this.
She loves her shirt, loves her hat, loves her coach.. and loves finally being the one to rake in the prized "after-snack."
She also highly enjoys being asked by her coach, "Where are ya gonna run to?"
So she can point really hard, at first base.

Here she is "digging in" with those versatile pink, flip-flops.
On the beach, or at a.. um.. kickball game-- where CAN'T you sport pink flip-flops?
I really did get her a pair of tennies after the first game.

Pink, "sparkly" tennies.. of course.

Why It's A Good Thing I Went To The Gym This Morning...

2009-08-27T06:54:00.000-07:00

'Cause.. well, when I got in my car to go.. the steering wheel was still greasy from the cheese-filled Pizza Plus breadsticks I just COULDN'T wait to get home to eat last night-- so snarfed down at least 3, while driving.

Multi-tasking. It's A Gift.

2009-08-19T21:01:00.000-07:00

Tonight, between approximately 9:00 and 9:15.. I:
1. Bathed a child.
2. Boiled, prepared, and served, pasta.
(I know.. late dinner. But dinner none the less.)
3. Threw in some laundry.
4. Changed the sheets on Sophies bed.
and
5. Fixed a shelf full of toys that collapsed in the process.

Impressed?

Mr. Bo Jangles...

2009-08-18T20:55:00.000-07:00

or as he's often referred to round these parts.. simply-- "Jangles" turned SEVEN today!
Seriously? Seven?? That's so not 5, or 6. It's SEVEN. Something about it's harsh odd number character and threatening sharp shape.. just makes it seem so much bigger, older.. so, SEVEN.
So of course, in perfect Katy's-A-Spaze fashion, amidst school registration, dentist appointments, and out of town visitors, --
I kinda missed this birthdays sudden approach.. and on Sunday night, roughly 48 hours before the big day, when Bo asked,
"So when's my party?" I answered, completely unprepared, yet unfazed.. "Well on your birthday of course."
Hey! Nothin' a few apologetic last-minute'phone call invites' and trip to Wal-Mart can't make happen! The day arrived-- and,
WA,LA..

Seven seven-year-olds at a seven-year-old, party.
(Complete with a pinata for a, um.. 3-year-old.. that was "cleverly".. I use the word lightly.. presto-changoed into an obvious B. Ya know.. for Bo.)
A scavenger hunt and few water balloons later.. and a party had been had.
Oh.. and inner tube races..

'Cause what's a party without inner tube races?

I really enjoyed the hard-cold-cash look in his eyes here..(I mean.. what's a party without hard, cold, CASH?)

So many fun friends, so many fun gifts..

SOOOOO many weird faces..

and so many happy birthday wishes from me.. to my darling, hilarious, seven-year-old, Jangles.

I love every bit of your double-dimple-faced little self. Happy birthday my boy.

Missed Me--Missed Me.. Do Ya Wanna Kiss Me??

2009-08-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

I know. You've been on the edge of your computer chair seat.. awaiting my return.
Well.. I'm BACK! Back from a really RADICAL trip (can you tell I was chillin' with my very much younger, and oh-so-much cooler nephews and nieces while ON that trip?? I have now committed myself to using both the words "radical", and "rad" on a regular basis. Hope you enjoy it.)
Back from 12 days of getting to look at, and talk to, and laugh at.. my brothers and sister..

and their darling families.
I'm back from morning jogs to the boardwalk and circuit training on the pool deck overlooking the ocean.
Back from days lounging on the beach next to my hubby..

while my kids roll in the huge, crashing waves.. and dig in the brown-sugar sand.
Back from nights strolling each towns fry-filled boardwalks..
and eating more Grottos pizza and Cream of Crab soup than any 37-year-old with a mediocre metabolism should ever indulge in.

Back from sister time..
..girl time..
and a highlight.. "spa" time!
Back from midnight rounds of 'Celebrity' and 'Charades'..
Candy Kitchen treats out the wa-zoo...
and cousins.

Lots and lots.. of darling.. entertaining.. fun, fun, cousins.
Infact.. RAD cousins.

(they don't actually MAKE these faces in real life.)
Trust me when I say there are at least another 50 shots of those very fun cousins.. but this downloading is gettin' a little tedious-- and my kids would appreciate my attention at SOME point today.. so I'll stop. But ya get the idea.
So for now.. though I loved every minute of it.. I'll just be back. Back to ortho appointments.. football practice taxi.. and watering our dying lawn. Back to laundry, and bills, and our busted bumper. (Oh yeah. Did I mention Jasens fender bender before leaving?? No injuries.. other than.. um.. the bumper.) So even though I would go BACK.. in an INSTANT even.. it's always good to BE back. Back to our town, and streets, and friends, and home. Back to our own pillows and blankets. Back to bed before 3am (well.. for the most part..) and eating fruit on a regular basis.

And back to hearing about all of your own summer adventures through the beautiful world of blog.
Happy sporadic summer posting to all.

Why I Don't LOVE The Pool..

2009-07-15T16:24:00.000-07:00

So we've frequented the local pool a few times this week. 3 times to be exact.. which is 3 more times then we attended last summer. (Something about the random rash-infusing virus that was plaguing pools in our general area.. turned us off.. a tad.)
But in general, I've been a fan of pools most of my life. They represent summer and tan lines, and a good virgin pina colada when there's a fancy "pool bar". We had neighborhood pools for the first 8 years of marriage and our kids have grown up with pink cheeks and pruny skinned fingertips and toes. So I'm not sure why, just recently.. when I focus on what a public pool is (a huge cesspool of bathwater, essentially..) I have a hard time not throwing up in my throat a little.
MAYBE it's because when I do think too hard about it.. I come up with a mental list of all the things I know to be somewhere IN that clear sparkling, oh-so-inviting, TUB of humans.
Namely:
Sweat. Lots of it.
Spit. Even more of that.
Boogers. Seriously.
Dandruff. Think about it.
Scabs. Soggy, soggy, disintegrating, scabs.
And hair. BOTH kinds.
I know.
There's chlorine too.
I get it.
But I don't believe in it.
Don't trust it.
And don't accept that it's capable of doing what would be necessary to kill,dissolve and destroy the items above--
without killing us all in the process.
So there.
Sorry to poop on your summer fun.
(Oh yeah.. POOP. And PEE. Add those to the list.)
But it's not all bad. I will admit, though truly disgusting.. there is an upside to turning the kids loose for hours to frolic in others mucus and secretions.

This is how you find them way before bedtime.
May all your little ones avoid various types of disease.. and get tuckered out too.
Happy tan lines to all.

You Say Television Is Having An Effect On Our Children?

2009-07-10T21:02:00.000-07:00

Today Sophie said..
"Mom, there's an iron.. (referring to a flat iron for hair, of course..)
that's on T.V., that is better than our pink one."
(She was referring to our new 'pink dazzle' CHI. I bought it drug-deal style on the side of the road in downtown Salt Lake from a parked black car, for $35.00. I do live on the edge.)
"Oh, it's better?" I responded.. "How come?"
"Because," she continued,
"it looks like you walked out of a salon everyday."

One Lucky Mama.

2009-07-05T22:12:00.000-07:00

It happened 13 years ago TODAY.
A tiny little sweet-faced boy, with blue eyes, and dark hair, with a tiny cowlick right at the top of his forehead..
was layed in my arms--
and I became a Mom, for the very first time ever.
I have now been proud to be his Mom, for 13 years..
(making not only myself, OBVIOUSLY very old..) but more importantly, HIM, a "teenager."
How lucky I am to have had him sent to me. How grateful I am that the Lord trusted me with such a dear little spirit. A little person who I would love beyond my ability to comprehend, and who would love me back, every single day. A little boy that would say things to melt my heart.. and at his PRECIOUS age of 3, would sing "Livin' The Vida Loca" into his stand up microphone, as many times as I asked him to.
He has always been my buddy.. my respectful, thoughtful, son.
He is now my funny, mature, loyal and responsible oldest sibling,
and smart, talented "young man".
He is his little brothers really cool hero..

and little sisters first choice of a shoulder to lean on.

He LOVES his cousins..

LOVES roller coasters..

LOVES snowboarding..

and LOVES the guitar.

I LOVE that he is mine.
Happy birthday my very first teenager. I love you forever.

Tagged By Abby..

2009-07-02T21:47:00.000-07:00

1. What is your current obsession?
Getting "shredded". I know. Not gonna happen. But on my new "30-Day Shred" DVD, Jillian says if I do it 30 days.. I'll have a six-pack. I'm thinking all I'm really gonna end up with is an even stronger bitterness for Jillian than I already hold..

2. What do you hate the most that everyone else seems to love?
Soda.

3. What are you wearing today?
Right now.. sweaty jogging clothes that I'm pretty sure stink a little.
Today I had on a kelly green v-neck t-shirt that all day I wished I'd had bright yellow flip-flops to wear with.. but didn't.

4. What's for dinner?
It was meatball and mozzarella sandwich on that good chewy Wal-Mart loaf bread.
Mmmmm. Tasty, AND heavy.(Hence the reason I had to go jogging at 9 o'clock at night.)

5. What would you eat for your last meal?
Japanese. With a double order of fried rice. Maybe even an extra white rice to pour some ginger dressing over. And I'm dying.. so I'm not even jogging after.

6. What is the last thing you bought?
4th of July hoo-ha at Joann Fabrics cause I thought I had a 40% off coupon, that was of course, expired.

7. What are you listening to right now?
My kids playing and laughing from the basement. (Ya think they'll get to bed before midnight ONCE this summer??) Oh.. and the hum of my portable A/C. It's music to my ears.

8. What do you think of the person that tagged you?
Abby. My adorable in every sense of the word, cousin. She could easily be one of my very favorite humans ever. She is funny and stylish and humble. Like her ALOT.

9. If you could have a house--fully paid for and totally furnished--anywhere in the world, where would it be?
That is way too stressful to choose right this moment. Wherever it would be.. it would involve lots of trees.. lakes.. a shiny new Target.. and family. MORE, FAMILY.

10. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would it be?
Am I allowed to go to heaven and hang out with my cute Mom a minute?

11. What is one of your hobbies?
(Does "shredding" count? Hee-hee.) I'm gonna go with writing.

12. What is the next thing in life you are looking forward to?
Vacation at the beach with my FAMILY. It does not get any better. Seriously.
(We actually have a slight belief that the next life will just be all of us, on the boardwalk, eating Thrasher fries with vinegar, in Bethany Beach.)

13. What is your favorite color?
I like pinks. Pale ones.. and bright ones. But no mauve thank you very much.
I'm big on greens too. (Just not "hunter". In fact I'd like to add that hunter green, is my least favorite color. Not that anyone asked.)

14. What is your favorite piece of clothing in your wardrobe?
My Levis are a good staple.. but I have a white blouse with a few ruffles down the front that I enjoy tremendously.

15. What is your dream job?
Writing movies. And actually getting them made. Can you imagine??

16. Describe your personal style.
How do you answer that? My husband has mentioned I may want to meander OUT of the "misses" section, and into the "grown-up" clothes.. which I will do on occasion.. but for the most part just find the prints and cuts I like somewhere between Express and the "Candies" section at Kohls. (Is that embarrassing?)
I like silver, and simple clean color combos.. along with bright flowy patterned junk.. so who KNOWS what my style would be described as. In fact.. will someone else try? I'd be interested to hear what other people think my style IS..

17. What is your favorite tree?
Bradford pear. Cute shape.

18. What are you going to do after this?
Shower my stink off, maybe?

19. What is your favorite fruit?
So depends on my mood.. but raspberries are way up there.

20. What inspires you?
Peoples abilities. Their individual strengths and talents. I get all awe-struck when people excel at unique little pieces of life. From decorating a home, to cooking really well.. artistic skill, or athletic ability.. I admire it all.

21. Who was the last person that you kissed?
My boyfriend. Jasen. Before he left for work.

22. What are you currently reading?
Do blogs, count?

23. Go to your bookshelf, take down the first book that you see with a red binding, turn to page 26 and type out the first line.
"Nickie gave Otis one more pat and hurried back downstairs."
(The Prophet of Yonwood. Jesse read it for school, and I have no idea who Nickie, or Otis are.. and why she would "pat" him.)

24. What delighted you the most today?
Jesse and Sophie playing and laughing really hard while he dangled her from his shoulders..

25. By what criteria do you judge a person?
How comfortable they are with themselves. (Not they they have to be for them to be enjoyable.. I just notice.) Their honesty.. openness. Oh.. and the way they talk to their kids.

26. If you bought a wiener dog today, what would you name it?
Oscar? (As in.. Meyer.. weiner?)

27. And for my own question.. hmmm. O.K. If you were to be someone else for a day, who would it be?
Me?? Faith Hill. Obviously. She's gorgeous, she can sing.. and oh yeah.. she's married to TIM McGRAW.

The rules:
1. Respond and rework; answer the questions on your blog, replace one question you dislike with a question of your invention, add one more question of your own. (I didn't replace any. Oops!)
2. Tag eight other people.
I tag anyone willing to do this! GO.

Bear Lake Buns...

2009-07-01T22:12:00.001-07:00

Really loved this moment.
Thought you might too.

Batta-UP!!

2009-06-30T01:51:00.000-07:00

(Did you say the post title with the right voice inflection??
I'm hoping so.)
We just finished Bo's T-ball season.. and what can I say?? Not only can the boy hit a ball.. but he looks dang cute in Converse tennis shoes.

I know.. Converse are more of a 'basketball' shoe.. and actually, aren't even worn for that much anymore. But their his favorite, and they matched, and come on folks.. it's not the major leagues- it's T-ball.
Ya gotta love a sport where everyone gets a home run.. a bag of cookies and a Capri Sun are mandatory reward after each game..

and chattin' with your buddy at first base is way more interesting than actually focusing on getting to second, base..

and playing with the dirt is always an acceptable way to pass the time on third.
I pretty much enjoy watching Bo do anything..

but him running it home, in his Converse.. has to be one of my favorites.
Nice season my boy!

MY Cousins Are Cuter Than YOUR Cousins!

2009-06-27T16:05:00.000-07:00

I love cousins. I like just being with them. Feeling connected, knowing that we all came from the same roots.. and that we've all eaten at the same fancy, meticulously set dining room table at Memas.. snuck gingersnaps from her pantry.. and played games on Papas beautiful acre of land. I love that we all know what real figgy pudding taste like.. and that we were all privy to closed-captioned T.V. at a young age. Oh.. and our Moms and Dads are brother and sister. I like that part too. As different as we all are.. and as little as we're able to get together.. as soon as we do-- it's homey. Cozy. Easy. I really do want to know what they're doing.. I really am interested in what their spouses are like.. and I really do like their chic and unique fashion flair. Yesterday I got the chance to meet up with them AND my sister (BONUS week! She's been here this week too..)at the Gateway in SaltLake.
I'm a spaze.. and know the streets of Salt Lake City about as well as I'd know the streets of Brooklyn-- so it took me awhile to actually ARRIVE at the Gateway.. but once I did.. was so worth the drive to find my sister and kids, cute Aunt, and 3 of my fun girly-girl cousins all ready to swap Old Navy deals and potty-training talk. I was of course too busy chattin' it up to take alot of pictures of my actual cousins.. but loved watching my own kids play in the fountains not only with their own cousins.. but my cousins kids. Yeah. I love cousins.

Cousins from American Fork.. Wisconsin, and Vegas...

(Does this count as water ballet??)
Can't wait til' next time.

Seriously, People....

2009-06-22T23:40:00.000-07:00

So is this how it's gonna be? No new posts for weeks on end cause it's summer.. and you people have.. LIVES?? Come on now.
I know I haven't been an over-achiever myself in the blogger department.. but at least I give a valiant effort every so often. Truth be told.. if you do not supply me with a few more clever antidotes, and engaging pictures, a little more often-- I might have to actually GET SOMETHING DONE!
So please.. please.. whatever ya got.
I'm not picky.
Just give me somethin'.

I Have A Confession To Make...

2009-06-16T21:15:00.000-07:00

So, something I've ended up loving about our quirky old house.. is that the kitchen is in the front of the house. There is a big open window over the sink (which being that I STILL have no dishwasher, comes in handy for watching the exciting front lawn and exhilerating street events while I do dishes MOST of my life.) I usually leave the blinds open in that window, all day-- and into the evening, til bedtime. That is.. unless.. I happen to be cooking something tasty.. or baking something even tastier. Almost nightly.. standing there in that front window, I often find myself shoving my face.. with, oh, maybe a bite of the kids fresh hot mac n' cheese (that I would never indulge in a whole carb-filled bowl of, but will easily down 8 forkfuls of in no time flat, straight from the pan) or a couple spoonfuls of taco meat.. just to test it. But it's the finger full of cake batter I catch myself skimming from the emptied bowl, draping to my mouth, often leaving an unflattering drip on my chin.. that usually causes me to realize the blinds are indeed still open, and the outer darkness, and inner track lighting, make the vision of my gluttony like a perfectly framed piece of revolting art for all those passing by. It's at any of these moments, (but especially the baked goods batter moment) that I grapple in a mad, chocolate-covered finger panic, for the blind cord-- and quickly slap them closed.. shutting out the world from the upsetting image, that is me.
So if ya drive by anytime before midnight, and see the blinds closed.. you can pretty much bet that at some point that evening I have been licking a knife covered in icing.. or seeing how big a piece of cake I can manuever into my mouth in one bite.
Yeah. It's true. Nightly.
And I just thought it would feel good to get it out there.

All "Cooped" Up.. Got DIRT?.. And, What the HAIL??

2009-06-13T17:46:00.000-07:00

So.. my boyfriend's been on vacation all week.. which became a trendy "Stay-Cation" so many recessioners are inventing these days. We're big on gettin' on out of town when we can.. and had plans for Yellowstone-- before we remembered:
1. There were still 4 chickens living in our bathroom, that something needed to be done about. (A coop, to be specific.)
2. We needed about 2 dump trucks full-o-mulch to fill in miles and miles (I know.. I'm an exaggerator by nature..) of landscape and retaining walls.. and
3. It was basically gonna be raining all week in the whole world.. AND Jasen's sister planned a last minute trip with her family all the way from St. Louie-Lou..
WOO-HOO! So why go anywhere?
So here ya have the photo tour of our happenin' week..
First off.. the completed coop. My husband is a handy one if I do say so myself.

He turned the back half of our shed (that was THE creepiest little nook of the world you ever did see..) into this perfectly cheery and chicken filled coop-o-fun.

And there's nothin' better than a coop.. than a coop-a-COUSINS. We had so much fun with Jasens family..

and as you can see..
the kids have taken to the farm-life we have forced upon them, with little resistance.

(And look! There's even real-life "nesting boxes"!
Makes ya wanna cozy right in, no?)

Sophie likes just "cuddling" the poultry.. and saying things like,
"There-there now.." to her little chicken baby dolls.

Oh.. and then came..
THE DIRT.

I mean.. come on.. doesn't this LOOK like vacation??
(Kay.. the kids would argue otherwise.. but it DOES look mighty nice..)

And lastly.. just wanted to share another piece of our JUNE vacation.. with those who may not live close by.
Just a little hailstorm.. outta NOWHERE.

Yes that, my friends.. is just a little bit of summer in Logan.

Oh! And Jasen turned 37-- which I promise we really did celebrate.. I just failed to document it in photo form.
It was a perfect Jasen day.. starting out with a romantic little morning trip to Borders.. just the two of us.. followed by a 2-hour-mission to find THE perfect sunglasses. After trying on at lEAST 60 pairs (all at our teeny tiny Cache Valley Mall.. which, without kids being SO bored and SO wanting to go home.. was a good time..) he found THE pair.. some classy little black Oakley's with whatever the important kinda shmancy lens is called. We ended the night at the much-recommended Maddox restaurant in Brigham City.. that I can't believe it's taken us 2 years to try out. Totally worth the drive (through may I mention the GORGEOUS Sardine Canyon this time of year?? Can you say Lush-alicious?? Highly recommend a drive through there soon. Breathtakingly beautiful. Kinda stuff ya see on posters and in travel books. I repeat.. ridiculously, gorgeous.) and the raspberry butter and rolls at Maddox's? I'm tellin' ya..
perhaps man CAN live on bread alone. VERY tasty.
And there ya have it. Happy-happy Staycation to us.

So That's What Grown-Ups Do..

2009-06-05T22:47:00.000-07:00

Tonight we went on a "double date" with our friends from Nibley. Whenever we get together, we usually meet up with all our kids at one of our houses.. cook dinner and dessert together-- and have great but often interrupted conversation.. interspersed with a diaper or two, and always one minor, but emotional, child injury.
So tonight we decided to go out all by ourselves.
I put on my 'fancy' pants, and actually "did" my hair.
We chose a restaurant that WE grown-ups felt like.. and got seated immediately on a Friday night , cause there were only 4 of us-- (instead of the 12 we would of been with the kids.)
I didn't have to tell one person to NOT crawl under the table, cause it's bad manners, and really gross.
We talked, and laughed about stuff 8 year olds wouldn't get.
We didn't have to take anyone to the bathroom, or wipe up any spilled drinks.
I only had to cut my own food.
It was lovely.

Chick Magnet..

2009-05-28T10:20:00.000-07:00

Roscoe has slowly come around to not shaking uncontrollably when the chicks approach him.
If he's secretly thinking "Mmmmm.. bet they taste like, chicken.."
he's doing a good job of hiding it.

Ya Know You're Tired When...

2009-05-23T21:13:00.000-07:00

Kay.. remember how we went to Disney?? Did I mention how fun it was? And oh yeah.. how EXHAUSTING it was? Uh-huh. It was. It started at 4 am on a Monday-- and ended at midnight.. on a Monday-- and in between was 8 days of straight go-go-do-do. It was fabulous.. and a good exhausting, but exhausting the same. And I'd like to prove that exhaustion, with a little tid-bit of our 8-hour journey back to Utah, that I found really hilarious. (I know.. it's so over and done a month ago.. but I've been meaning to share ever since.) So we're hanging at our 4 hour layover (yeah, I said FOUR) in Dallas, and finally get on our last plane home. Jasen had run into a little shop to get us some magazines (cause I get SO much down time on a plane with four kids and their perfectly timed demands.. but ya gotta dream) and upon settling in, I asked what magazine Jasen had gotten for me. Seemingly quite pleased with himself he answered, "I got you TWO." Now I found that interesting, being that I'm pretty much strictly a PEOPLE fan, and was curious to know what other choice he thought I might enjoy. He then proudly presented me with not one, but TWO, People magazines. Some extra special edition he'd guessed it was, when he had seen the two familiar People titles, and lovingly snatched them both up for me.
It wasn't until I pointed out that the special edition.. was um..

in Spanish.. that he even kinda noticed something was off.
Yeah. He was just tired.

Well Now THAT'S Cute...

2009-05-15T07:39:00.000-07:00

So I came home the other night from a hot night out with my husband of 14.. yeah, count em', FOURTEEN years. (Okay.. so we were home by 6:30, cause it was a school night-- so maybe it wasn't THAT hot.. but still fun.. and at least marked our 14 year anniversary with something other than doing dishes! PAR-TAY.)
So AS I was saying.. we return home to our kids, and are told that Sam has taken Sophie over to the school playground. I walk over to the park to see how they're doing-- and let em' know it's time to come home..
"Kay Mom.." Sam says. "I just have to get the backpack."
"Backpack?" I asked.
"Yeah. I packed it in case Sophie wet her pants."
I was so proud. My little "I-forgot-my-folder-at-school" boy.. did not forget his potty-training sisters needs.
I came home, unzipped the backpack.. and found this.

Not only were there wet wipes, a clean pair of undies, and fresh pair of pants (that matched the shirt she was presently wearing. Luck? Or is he really THAT good?)
but he had even remembered to bring a plastic bag, to put the wet pants in.. along with an ice cold water bottle for each of them.
Who knew my Sammy was such a cute little Dad?
It made me smile really hard.

So... I Guess This Is NOT, My Forte.

2009-05-14T07:59:00.000-07:00

Some of you may have noticed Janas blog, where per my request-- she posted her latest Maceys receipt. I believe she spent around $80.00, for 3 weeks of food.
Amazing, right?
So here's mine.

Amazing.. right?
Now granted.. I took out $20.00 cash, and needed a few batteries.
But for the other $250.00 bucks, I'm pretty sure I came home with maybe 3 full meals.. and some fruit snacks. (Oh. And Red Hot Blue Chips. Always grab a bag of those-- on sale or not-- and usually have half the bag gone by check-out.)
I have either gotta get my "budget-face" back on.. or should get a REALLY good job.

All This Fuss.. For Lil' Old Me?

2009-05-13T06:41:00.000-07:00

THIS Mothers Day.. after church, I actually lounged in bed, READING of all things.. while my busy little party planners hustled their hineys creating this:

Pretty cute. The fresh flowers from our yard were my favorite.. and LOOK!

I got my own "lobsta"!
AND sweet potato with brown sugar-- and asparagus.. two of my all-time favorites. Mmmmmm. Kinda want it again.
I even had my very own cake.

You'll notice that because it was mine, and it WAS Mothers Day.. I permitted myself to just stick a fork right in the corner and do some taste-testing.. before the meal even started. I mean.. I AM the Mom.
After all the tastiness.. melted butter and all.. I went BACK to lounging, and reading.. while the "help" finished up the dishes. (I only heard one blast of shattered glass-- and it took everything I had to NOT rush to the scene. They handled it. No blood that I know of.)
All in all.. just LOVELY. How I love being a Mom. How grateful I am for a Mom that loved being one too. It was a darling day.. with all kinds of love and acts of kindness from my little family. (Maybe deep down they were just doing it to thank me for giving in to the "chick" idea.. and for the 20 times I've cleaned up chick-poop-papers in the last 72 hours. If so.. you're welcome guys.)
And a happy belated Mothers Day to all you selfless ladies out there that I love. (May today be one of those "good" Mom days!)

"Hot Chicks" In The House!

2009-05-11T12:39:00.000-07:00

Um.. yeah. We bought chicks.
Four of them. Rocky, Nuggets, Oreo, and Princess-girl-- to be specific. (Take a guess which one Sophie named.)
I decided to give in to my husbands desire to add "organic" eggs to his mini-farm, and my children's desire to have more pets that I will surely end up feeding and cleaning up after.
It just kinda sounded fun..
and they are, really, cute. For now.

However, I'm not sure they will be AS cute.. all grown and "ca-caw-ing" and red ooey-gooey gobbler-like hangy-downer-thing-ish. But for the moment.. they are quite enjoyable.

They are 'hot'.. due to the large 250 watt bulb that must toasty them up 24/7.. and no so much for their actual, sex-appeal.

So far, they poop.. alot, but only cheep, a little..
and are a constant form of pretty 'cheep entertainment' (I'm SO clever.)for the enamoured eyes of my little ones.

And they seem pretty comfortable with us too..

(Is it creepy that I've taken to photographing small birds?)
So that's the party that is our life THIS week.
Ya'll come back now, hear?

Poops And Hoops

2009-05-08T09:55:00.000-07:00

Yeah. I said 'poops'.
I apologize for two posts in a row featuring my terrible, horrible, no-good very bad 1965 yet-to-be-redone, bathroom... but this was too entertaining to miss.
In a house with 4 males.. the bathroom is a spot USUALLY being used for stinky, long, drawn out visits. While a Sports Illustrated or good book is a more common form of 'toilet entertainment' if you will.. I walked in the other day to find one of my boys had gotten a tad more creative.

What your witnessing here.. (along with my ugly bathroom..)
is a make-shift basketball hoop.. out of obviously durable cardboard.. attached to the tub with electrical tape no less.. just in reach of dunking shot from the local toilet.
Who need s a rec center when ya got this?
The fun never stops.

Big news. HUGE.

2009-05-02T11:06:00.000-07:00

At 3 years and 3 months almost to the day....
SOMEONE has decided to use the potty.
Halalooya.
We knew we were in for a challenge, when by age 3, all bribes, including a life size DORA for heavens sake, JUST for tinkle ..
were met with a simple, "I don't really need that."
We were convinced she'd be going to Prom in Depends.
Needless to say.. we're very excited.

Just A Little Teaser..

2009-04-30T10:58:00.001-07:00

It started like THIS...

And ended.. like.. THIS.

And there are roughly 250 pictures depicting everything in between, that if I didn't feel responsible for washing every item of clothes we own.. restocking our bare cupboards.. making 2 doctors appointments (eyes, and ortho.. no swine flu here people!).. and working out my big fat ate-lots-at-Disney bottom... I just MIGHT post.
But.. I'll spare ya about 230 of them.. and direct you to my Facebook album to check out all the good times had!
In a word... "MAGICAL."

What Easter Is To Me..

2009-04-13T20:35:00.001-07:00

Coordinated outfits.. check.

One eager-egg preparer.. check, check.

One very enthusiatic bunny. (Do you like the way her silky nighty accentuates her belly?)

Two pre-feast naps.

Cute paper goods and centerpiece. All must-haves.

Hot buns in the oven. (Almost as important as the ham. And hey.. stop looking at my dirty oven already. I'll get around to it.)

One post-feast egg hunt.

The egg-hiders..

The egg-seekers.

And best of all.. hearing Sophie attempt to say the word 'Ressurection'--
and then recite the story of that very ressurection, to her brothers.
To me.. that's Easter. Hope yours was a happy one.

Here Comes Santa Clause, Here Comes Santa Clau-- I Mean, GRANDMA!

2009-04-08T06:53:00.000-07:00

So.. we don't get "out" much. By out.. I mean-- outta the valley.
Oh sure.. we hit Kohls (I heart purchasing things) or Petsmart (it smells), I go to the grocery store (Ew.) and birthdays always demand a visit to our local sizzler (Mmm.) but as far as real, so-called "outings", I'm a little shocked and appalled and how NOT often we go anywhere MORE than 10 miles away.. and how much I don't mind.
But I gotta admit.. darling as our little town is.. now and then ya get a case of the 'gotta-get-me-outta-here's'-- so HOW much funner (I know, not a word.. but I like it) could it get.. than gettin' on outta here, to go to DisneyWorld??
Not much!
Jasens sweet Mom, (who mind you.. lost Jasens darling Dad only months ago..) has had "A wish upon a star" to take all of her kids, and grandkids-- to Disney.
And now she is. This cute lady, who could be only sad, and bitter, and stash her little widows mite under her matress-- isn't. She is sad. Terribly so. But is finding so much joy in giving, it is something to be amazed by.
If I wasn't an idiot.. I could download the video of our kids with their cousins last week, opening up the suprise invitations to the big vacation. SO fun. But I am an idiot.. and can't figure out HOW to download that video.. so just trust me-- it was fun. My kids have never been-- and are giddy with excitement.
I'M giddy with excitement.
As if that in itself wasn't enough.. yesterday we recieved this humungous (I like that word too..) box from Grandma.. with just about everything 4 kids need for a trip to Florida. WHAT a party.

Swimsuits for all!

Happenin' little athletic get-ups.. and wallets! Kids, love wallets.

Fresh t-shirts (Moms, love fresh t-shirts.) And stylin' shades for the sunshine state! (Can you FEEL Bo's coolness?)

And ofcourse.. what trip to Disney and all it's princesses therein.. is complete without a mini princess's new pink and poofy princess dress..

(Cinderella ain't got nothin' on her..)
Oh.. and monogrammed pool bag.. cause what 3 year old doesn't, have a monogrammed flamingo pool bag?

It really, truly, is.. Christmas in April.
Grandma is everything Christmas is. Loving. Cozy. Giving.
Thank you Grams. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Happiness is...

2009-04-04T19:24:00.000-07:00

My husband.
I like him in his Ray-bans.. with a fresh haircut.. looking business-like on the phone. I looked out one night to see him pull up, and then linger in the driveway with a call from work.. and he looked cute. So I took his picture.
I don't think he knows I did.

Next:

How proud Bo was of his tiny snowman. Everytime I see this picture.. I'm pretty much as happy as he was with himself, at that moment.

And then.. Sophie.

In her rag-a-muff princess get-up.. again. And everyday.

Just some stuff that makes me happy.

Why Neighbors Are Fun..

2009-04-01T20:43:00.000-07:00

THAT'S why.

Why I'm A SUCKA!

2009-03-31T06:54:00.001-07:00

Here's my two youngest kids the other night. Just an average weeknight.
Aren't they cute? All snuggled in, popcorn and pretzels in hand, movie in Sophies little 1980 VHS/TV combo..

..at 11:30 PM.
Yeah. How did THAT happen? Oh. It happened cause Sophie had slept in that day and "wasn't tired", and Bo snuck up out of his own bed to talk about a random thought on the alphabet.. or to point out some week old scab.. and happened upon Sophie, still awake and being entertained by some form of Disney.. and just crawled up there with his little sister, all precious-like. They were so giddy and pleased to be up, together, so late.. what was I to do?
Offer snacks, ofcourse.
Sneaky little adorable faces that know how to work it, plus one sucker-of-a-mother.. equals party in bed.. til' midnight.

I, Have A Problem.

2009-03-26T07:46:00.000-07:00

For some.. it's chocolate. Others.. alcohol. For ME? It's made-up theme parties for no apparent reason. Yes.. me likes the parties.
I like to get enthused about an idea.. invite people to it.. and decorate the crap out of it. I like people to come and be together-- on an average night, say, a Wednesday in March for instance-- and chat and eat and laugh. Preferably in bizarre get-ups with bad make-up and dumb hair.
Like.. THIS:
If THAT'S not a perty wedding group.. don't know what is.
The most hilarious part.. is that dear Kaly, to the very left (the one with the awesome bangs) weighs maybe 90 pounds soakin' wet. That dress is SO flattering.
It was my very own "Wedding Party".. complete with brides, bridesmaids, and wedding albums to pass around, and mock, for hours.
There were out of date brides.. like myself. (Seriously. WHAT was I thinking 14 years ago? That one day there might be a run on bad sequined lace.. so I better get it ALL on one dress? Don't get me started on my headpiece..)
There were 'hat' brides..
(Complete with original green feather guest book pen. GORGEOUS.)
There were minimal brides..

and.. drunk.. brides..

Isn't she a vision??
The velour bridesmaids (or as I like to refer to them,
"Young Compound Brides")were a big hit..

And the discolored sweat ring velour.. even bigger.. hit.

So as you can see.. about 15 friends that are game.. and a few dollar store touches..

And ya got yourself a party.
My name is Katy. And I have a problem.

This Is What FUN Looks Like!

2009-03-24T10:31:00.000-07:00

There's nothing NOT fun about Chuck E. Cheese's..
except ofcourse.. Chuck E. Cheese, himself.
This was Sophies reaction on our way out, when the huge hairy mouse caught her off guard.
Luckily the larger-than-life turn-your-poop-green popsicle she's waving.. was enough of a distraction to get her happy and back to licking before long.
Chuck E. Cheese.. "Where a Kid Can be a Terrified, Kid."

Seriously, Roscoe?

2009-03-22T00:29:00.000-07:00

He really is, usually.. a great dog.

jUsT A TAD biT oVerWhELmeD..

2009-03-19T21:04:00.000-07:00

I'm happy.. alot. I find joy in gorgeous weather and cute clothes.. good frozen yogurt-- and great reality T.V. I like going overboard on holidays.. and laughing at inappropriate things on occasion. I love sitting in the sunshine.. jogging.. talking to human beings-- and raising the ones that are my own.
In fact.. I often think that I enjoy motherhood in particular, more than most people.. and consider that a blessing. I find so much more fun and satisfaction, than stress, in being the Mom. I'm grateful I'm not very easily overwhelmed.. and secretly find a lot of pride in what a fine job I do at loving those I love.
But tonight.. just at the present moment.. I'm feeling just a little, um, stressed.
First off. My Jesse. My oldest.. my responsible, good, boy. He works his tail off to get excellent grades, and is a great brother to every last one of his little siblings. He is also in middle-school..and therefore must deal with middle-school crap. He fights his insecurities daily.. and has no idea what an amazing kid he is..no matter how many times we remind him.
My Sam. He is enthusiastic and loving and goofy. He cannot seem to comprehend anything mathematical no matter how hard I try to help, and is falling behind. He needs constant prodding.. pushing.. 'nagging' if you will.. to get anything done. Anything.
My Bo is eager and cuddly and sweet. He will also, not wear half the clothes he owns, and has severe growing pains on an hourly basis-- that he feels it necessary to moan VERY loudly about.. for quite some time.
Sophie is hilarious and ridiculously enjoyable..
but will not pee on the potty to save my life.
Oh.. and did I mention I need to keep these little beings clean, their teeth brushed, their hair cut, their clothes laundered, their shoes the right size,and all of them nourished with all 5 food groups? And in bed before midnight.
I'm up to my bum in flash cards, socks without matches, and dishes.
In the scheme-o-things.. I am blessed beyond belief.
Tomorrow I will wake up refreshed, in love with my life, and confident I can handle it all.
The strengths will outweigh the weaknesses.
The love will overshadow the worry.
My boys laughter and the joy in seeing Sophies crazy morning hair, will overcome me.
So not sure why.. but tonight.. the challenge to successfully help them all develop mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually .. it's just a little much.
Ya think?

Does It Get Any Better?

2009-03-14T21:38:00.000-07:00

Sophie playing house... in her 3 inch wedges.

Check Out My RACK!

2009-03-08T13:56:00.000-07:00

Not THAT rack.. ya pervs.
The rack you may have already caught a view of in my huge, front window. It's actually Jasens rack. The rack that holds what he holds most dear in life. Tiny, buried, tomato seeds.
He is one committed little gardener.. and after a long cold winter (that if you've still noticed, isn't even kinda over..) of sitting in his easy chair with his Gardeners Bible in hand.. he just could not wait another minute.

We spent his last day off at Anderson Seed-- looking through a catalog.. a CATALOG.. of SEEDS. Didn't know there was such a thing. Thought catalogs were for shoes and pretty underwear.. and toys to circle for Christmas. But there it was.. and there we stood-- for a really, really, long, time.. choosing just the right 'breeds' (wait.. that's not the right word..) of everything from peas to turnips.. and left with $40.00 of 'bulk' seeds, and one enthusiastic husband.
So about the rack. He claims the front window is THE best spot for his precious seedlings to thrive.. and has now added a space heater to 'fake summer' temperatures..
(it's a very deceitful process.)
There was a time I would of refused. Couldn't of taken the clutter in our already tight kitchen table quarters.. and balked at the look of a red, metal RACK in my front window 24/7.
But he loves it. And I love him. And I love that he loves it.
So go ahead. Do a drive by. Check out my rack.

Can I Get A "Yee-Haw"???

2009-02-23T18:32:00.001-08:00

Yeah. That's me and Trace Adkins.. case you were wonderin'!
(Sidenote: Trace Atkins is a country STAR.. for those of you not blessed with the gift of country music in your sad little lives!)
He wasn't NEAR as enthusastic about our meeting as I was.. but he was a gentlemen, and avoided getting that permanant marker in his hand, on my cute shirt.
Last weekend I had my big trip to Kansas City
with my Rees Ladies! (Jasens 3 sisters and Mom.)

One of his sisters (The one to the very left that lives in Nashville.. who usually has her eyes OPEN!)used to be Trace Adkins wife's personal assistant.
So 5 free tickets and 5 backstage passes later.. we were THERE!

And WOO-EE-shut-my MOUTH did we have a good time!
(I also enjoyed the hotel..)

Not only did the lobby have a REALLY cool floor..
(do you think there's many germs on a hotel/casino floor??)

But cigarettes in the casino were only six bucks a pack! Bonus!

It was a honky-tonk-ba-donk-a-tonk-time. Thanks girls.

What Kids REALLY Want..

2009-02-19T08:52:00.000-08:00

As I sat looking at Sophie and Bo's darling little beings playing around in the tub this morning.. I had a "Oh they can't EVER grow up!" moment, and asked out loud..
"What will I do when you two aren't my little kids any more?"
Without missing a beat, and quite matter of factly Bo stated,
"Um, get a job so we can have more money."
Oh.. O.K.

Tonight..

2009-02-17T23:43:00.000-08:00

Tonight, Jesse went snowboarding with a friend on this huge hill up the block they've discovered, that I'm pretty sure belongs to someone.. but so far that someone, doesn't seem to mind.
Sam claimed he had no homework (and was pretty convincing, so I didn't even check..) and proceeded to find great enthusiasm out of blowing air into paper lunch sacks, and popping them. (Kinda wasteful, but again, made him REALLY happy.)
Bo became obsessed with learning how to tell time, and sat with me for an hour on the couch, our big wall clock, off the wall, and in hand.. concentrating so hard I thought his little dimpled face might burst.
Sophie helped me make chicken roll-ups, and while licking the cream cheese wrapper clean (is that weird?) let me know I was the best Mom in the world, for no apparent reason.
(Perhaps because I was letting her lick the cream cheese wrapper?)
Oh. And earlier, I walked Roscoe in the white deep snow, while it was snowing, and he loved it. It was crisp and refreshing and blustery out. It felt good.
I made the kids eat all their broccoli at dinner.
We then all settled in for some American Idol, and cookie dough ice cream.
Jasen, after working 3, 16-hour days, was happy to be home, and on the couch too.
We randomly had to pause American Idol for Sophies impromptu 'live' performances on the ottoman, where she sings words like "I was crying on the staircase.. in polyester.." into her microphone made of a magnetic stick and ball, while shaking her little hips like crazy.
(When she finishes a song, she waits for our comments and then asks, "Am I going to Hollywood??")
She later became frustrated when she couldn't wrap herself in a blanket like a burrito like Bo was doing.. so resorted to tackling Dad with a hug.
I tucked my boys in.. brought up some laundry.. read books and laid with Sophie til' she was breathing her 'sleeping breathing'.. and snuck out.
The night ended with a date with my boyfriend (Jasen. You've probably met him.) watching 24, and eating a handful of nacho chips that weren't at all necessary to my physical nutrition, but just kinda sounded good.
After the show.. we talked awhile.. and then climbed in bed.
I layed there thinking about my night. Nothing outrageous or unusual about it. No big plans played out, just the ordinary stuff. But it was a great night. Just great. So I just crawled out of bed to write about it. And I think one day, reading about it, will make me happy and nostalgic for nights just like this one.
What did you do tonight?

P.S. On The P.P.P

2009-02-13T21:21:00.000-08:00

Just a side note on the Poofy Pink Party Day, (see two posts down) that I forgot to mention-- but will want to remember. After the pink poofiness was winding down.. in birthday tradition, we always let the birthday person pick a restaurant to 'party on' at that night. Sizzler is usually the hot spot of choice.. oh how we love that Sizzlin' Sizzla'..but Sophie was dead set on McDonald's. Something about a mouth full-a-fried meat wasn't turnin' us on.. so she was delicately "swayed" by her parents to consider Olive Garden, cause after all.. they SING to you.
The mere thought of a tad more attention coupled with singing in any form.. and she was on board. It wasn't until we were seated at the restaurant, and she observed a number of male waiters, that she stated, "I only want girls to sing. No boys."
Hey.. it's HER birthday.. so we requested an all-chick chorus. Throughout the meal she must of reminded me at least 5 times.. "I don't want boys to sing Mom. Just girls." Sure enough.. 4 women show up and give her the strictly female performance she had requested. She sat pleased as they sang.. and when they left, I turned to ask her if she liked it. She replied beaming,
"I didn't see any boys!"
We'll get back with ya in ten years and see if she's minding boys participating in her birthday THEN.

Ever Have An "Ugly Day??"

2009-02-12T11:29:00.000-08:00

Well welcome to our Ugly Night!

Need I say more?

The Poofiest Pinkest Party Ever..

2009-02-12T11:06:00.000-08:00

It was poofy.. it was pink.. it was perfect.
The poofy due to the tooling overlay on the table and chairs--
the pink because, well..

You get the idea.
And perfect, cause, obviously..

This is Sophie as the breathtakingly blue Cinderella..
And the following is Sophie in her self-created alter-ego that we lovingly refer to as, "The Crazy Princess."

She spent the better part of her birthday dressed as either one, or the other.
We love em' both.
Her and six other little decked out 'princess' friends celebrated her 3rd birthday in all of their furry, sparkly, tiara'd elegance!

She couldn't have been more pleased with the decor and events. She wandered out that morning to her 'Tea Party Wonderland' if you will.. and quietly just stared around in awe, before stating in a whisper.. "It's beautiful."

Anything for my girly girl. Anything.

That Sam-I-Am, That Sam-I-Am.. How We Love That Sam-I-Am.

2009-02-06T07:03:00.000-08:00

Look who hit the double digits! Our sweet Sam turned 10 on February 4th.. with some rad new snowboard goggles, a new DS game.. and very large bag of Sour Patch Kids, to prove it!

I have been wanting to post a blog dedicated to our Sammy Lamb for some time.. so now is as perfect time as ever to celebrate the hilarious and unique being that is our Sammy boy.
This picture sums up alot.

The best part about Sam.. is that his mind is always somewhere you've probably never been.. and he's constantly imagining, day-dreaming, and creating out of the ordinary moments.. and um.. sticking pencils through apples-- cause, why not??

So to record a few tidbits about our Sam-a-lamb-a-ding-dong:
Almost since birth.. he has had a skill for getting way more food AROUND his plate, than in his actual, mouth.

He will spend all day in the tub just hanging out.. and ya know.. shoving stuff down the drain..

He is go-with-the-flow-er. A takin' his timer.
And never, ever, a hurrier.

He is a dresser-upper..

An observer..

And a dreamer..

And one of my personal favorite traits of our Lamb.. is that through his big-kid cool.. he is still an excitable, ever-enthusiastic, believing, kid.

Our boy is a skater, a snowboarder.. and lover of all holidays and celebrations. He is a giver of love and affection to his little sister and big dog.. and hugger, snuggler and affection giver to his Mom. He loves his family. He likes when everyone is home together.. just us.. and his deep laughter is silly and contagious.
He loves sushi, and snow, and getting under a blanket after he eats.
Since he was a baby.. I have often said I feel sorry for everyone who doesn't get to raise Sam.. how we love him. How lucky I am to be his Mom. Happy birthday wonderful boy.

Let's Even Things Out Girls..

2009-01-31T16:51:00.000-08:00

So I've thoroughly enjoyed everyones bugged list.. but while eating my really tasty salad with avocados on it (they're on sale at Maceys!) I was thinking about just HOW much I love avocados.. and decided to balance my 'bugs' out, I'm listing some things I absolutely LOVE.

1. Avocados. Nuf' said.
2. Birthdays. I like to celebrate the lives of people I like. I'm really glad they were BORN.
3. The way Sam tells me he loves me at least 3 times before he leaves to go anywhere.
4. Fun, big jewelry.
5. Tan feet.
6. Warm sourdough bread with butter.
7. Laughing so hard I get a cramp in my belly.
8. The feeling of being done with a really good work-out.
9. A shower so hot it ALMOST hurts.
10. My husband.
11. My bed. (Sheets fresh out of the dryer make it even BETTER.)
12. The Bachelor/ Bachelorette. Sorry. I do.
13. My kids laughing together. My kids in general.
14. Being at the beach with my siblings.
15. True friends.
16. Buying things for other people.
17. My childhood.
18. New pajamas.
19. Tim McGraw.
20. Picking zits.

Mmmm. Happy just thinking about em all. Go to it girls.. you're all tagged.

I've Been Bug Tagged.. (THIS Is New!)

2009-01-27T12:23:00.000-08:00

I've been invited to list 10 things that bug me. Kinda fun to get to be annoyed by request.. so here goes-- I'll try to keep it to 10!

1. Spit gathering in the corners of peoples mouths. I know, they can't help it..
2. Wet towels being left on the end of my bed!
3. How cold my car is at 7 am.
4. Those stringy mens tank tops that a guy wears at the gym. Ya know.. that look like a loose shirt that's been cut into stringy thin straps. Ew.
5. The fact that my dog, who I adore.. sheds.
6. No Target in this town. (It hurts every,single,day.)
7. Mean people.
8. The word "Shut-up." Especially when used on kids, by adults. Every time I hear it happen I wanna call social services.
9. People assuming things.
10.Toys that aren't fun, and don't work right.

Ooh-- I'm having kinda a good time-- just a couple more..

11. Clutter.
12. My boobs after nursing 4 babies.
13. Cooking.
14. How many fat grams a Fish Fillet has in it.
15. Chinzy portions at fancy restaurants.
16. When I wear the wrong underwear jogging and it slides down as I run.
17. When there's not a good country song on my satellite radio.
18. How fast my house gets dusty.
19. The crack in my windshield.
20. The price of nuts. Seriously.

Kay..got kinda carried away there! (I feel refreshed gettin' all that out!)
I tag Brynne, Heidi, Emily, and Abby.. GO! (As long as I already broke thre rules.. I also tag anyone who feels like doing it.)

Why, Now?

2009-01-25T16:53:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: I know.. it's almost Febuary.. and I'm posting my 'Christmas Letter'. I actually sent this out, on time even (gasp!) to our out-of-towner friends and family- but just wanted to post it here for journal purposes (cause when it comes to me 'journaling'.. this is it folks.) So feel free to pass on reading the old news. I just trust my words lasting longer here then on my unreliable whacked-out computer that could crash at any moment. That said:

To All Who Make Our Lives Merry And Bright..
Look! We did it! We lived without a dishwasher OR disposal for one whole year! Yes. We have now been livin’ the dream here in Providence, for 12 months, and 10 days.. (roughly.) And if I do say so myself, “We’ve come a long way, BABY!” Our carpeted kitchen, is now tiled. Our mauve drapes, are now blinds. And our flooded basement, is now dry. We have painted, molded, and caulked our way into a lovely liveable-ness we quite enjoy! If nothing else, this home has given us all kinds of FIRST-time ever “opportunities”. Since we have lived here, we have:
*Flood-irrigated in the dead of night. It involves things like galoshes, and headlamps.(And is not related to the INDOOR flooding. Flood-irrigation is actually intentional.)
*Grown a full on garden (O.K. That’s not a “we”, that was all Jasen..)
*Started a COMPOST pile (Ew. Jasen keeps reminding me, it‘s not gross, it‘s organic.)
*Flushed lots and lots of bloated cereal, down the toilet.
So as you can see.. it’s been a big year.
In other FIRSTS.. last season we entered the world of snowboarding (causing myself, to experience another FIRST: My first formal trip to the chiropractor.) We splurged on seasons passes this year and are excited to get back at it with as soon as our local resort gets enough snow. I joined my FIRST gym, am participating in PTA for the FIRST time (kinda over-rated.), and had my FIRST vein stripped. (Exciting stuff!) Jasen put in his FIRST water softener, FIRST toilet, and FIRST wiring. He grew our FIRST pumpkins, corn, beans, carrots, cucumbers, and real life, home-grown tomatoes. (The man’s got skills.) We then tried canning our gorgeous tomatoes, and learned we’d done it wrong, and created our FIRST batch of botulism! Jesse got his FIRST electric guitar, and is totally rockin’ it. Sam was on his FIRST football team and loved it. Bo lost his FIRST (and second, and third, and fourth) tooth, and was equally dramatic, about each and every one. Sophie moved into her FIRST big-girl bed (but has yet to move into her FIRST big-girl panties!) She tried her FIRST sushi, and asked for more. She has also enjoyed her FIRST purse, lipstick, nail polish, tiara, etc., etc…….
And then there’s of course, Roscoe. Our huge, wonderful, adopted dog. He had his FIRST full year of life with a family! (When he’s not rolling in other dogs poop, he is so very good. We do love him.)
As a family, we hiked Zions, and Bryce Canyon for the FIRST time ever, and loved it. We also camped for real, the FIRST (and I’m guessing LAST) time ever, and didn’t love it. (Can you say, bats?)
We also had our FIRST vacation back to the East Coast in 3 years, with all of my darling family. So much fun. It was just perfect, other than me wiping out on a bike for the FIRST time ever. (What is THAT all about?)
We recently took our FIRST trip back home to St. Louis since moving here. Unfortunately, it was under terribly sad circumstances. Jasens sweet Dad, who had just been out to visit us weeks before, passed away very suddenly of a heart attack. So while it was wonderfully cozy and homey to be back with family.. we are sad to the core-- and will miss Grandpa every day.
So there ya have it. Our FIRST full Utah year, and a few of our FIRSTS therein.
For all of our other up-to-date, ever-exciting adventures (I mean honestly, caulk and compost piles.. who can wait for our next big news??) you can find us at www.justjogging.blogspot.com. I gave in to peer pressure and started my FIRST blog.. and have become a full-blown blogging machine. There you can read on about how I’ve started my FIRST budget, made my FIRST decent dinner, and fallen in love with my FIRST vampire. (Try to contain yourselves.)
May your new year be blessed with all kinds of fun FIRSTS! (And when it’s tasty… seconds!)
Lots of love and merry wishes,
The Rees’s

Mini-Me And Her Morning Breath

2009-01-21T21:52:00.000-08:00

This morning, which came MUCH too soon (poor Sam-a-lamb-a-ding-dong--he'll love that I shared that nick name with the blogging world-- had the barfs all the live long night.. and hearing, and assisting in, his every half hour erping, did NOT a restful night make..)Sophie came trotting in my room bright and early, and bounced up on top of me in all her halariously matted hair and stinky breathed glory. In efforts to rouse me..she started giving me wet little stinky kisses all over my sleeping face.
As I opened my eyes and smiled at her little morning face three inches from my own.. she clasped my cheeks in her hands, and in perfect imitation of me, exclaimed,
"I love this little face."

Can Man Survive On Cold Cereal Alone?

2009-01-17T11:53:00.000-08:00

So Bo doesn't enjoy alot of foods not involving sugar. In efforts to balance out his intake of left over Christmas stocking candy and "fruit" snacks-- and perhaps even add a few vitamins, I've found he does like a good bowl of rice krispies or corn flakes. I've also found cereal to be possibly the fastest to prepare, and easiest to clean up, of all afternoon snacks as well. In addition.. I've discovered last minute before-bed-time hunger pains are ALSO most efficiently dealt with, with a hearty bowl of wheat chex (and hey! Fiber to boot.) So my question to you.. the blogging world-- is this: If on occasion, (and by occasion, I mean at LEAST 3 times a week)the boy eats nothing but cereal.. with a banana or grapefruit tossed in now and again.. will he be developing any deficiencies or bizarre behavior patterns I should be aware of??

Jealous???

2009-01-12T11:47:00.000-08:00

Here it is.. in all it's kelly green glory. THE snowboard coat.
(Oh, and my cute husband.)

Were you expecting something more?? I'm not sure why I'm so very pleased with it..
I realize it's just a green coat-- but it's the PERFECT green coat. Warm, and puffy and water-proof and comfy. And green.

A Is For Apple (And Freaking "Adorable")

2009-01-11T09:24:00.000-08:00

Sorry. Can't help it. I just really, really, REALLY enjoy this little human..
and really, really, REALLY think it's fun when Grandma sends fresh Gymboree get-ups to adorn her in. (As you can see by her expression and willingness to pose.. Sophie also really, really, REALLY enjoys it herself.) Hooray for Grandmas.

Nothin' Like A Tantrum To Start Things Off..

2009-01-01T22:05:00.000-08:00

Hey! It's 2009! What do ya know?? That is ONE more year farther away from the one I was born in. (This has GOT to stop.) I'm wrinkly.. I enjoy bread pudding.. and almost all my kids can now make thier own cereal. How does time just KEEP rolling?? But can't complain.. the New Year started with good friends, good food-- and one VERY upset Sophie. My usually very pleasant and always ready for a party girl.. was NOT entertained by the unexpected shot of silly string aimed at her at midnight by her well-meaning-party-starting Dad. The following was her startled and offended reaction.

And so began the New Year!
(Maybe she was just upset her usual bow was not in place.)
Luckily.. she was quick to accept an apology, with her "It's O.K. Dad." reply.. and the night ended with sparkling cider and hot brownies. Doesn't get any better than that! Oh wait.. it DID..
The next day we hauled the troops up to Beaver for some good times and a great little snow storm!
Here's the radical crew..

(Next time I'll get my very cute new snowboard coat on film for ya. I'm not the best boarder out there, but I may very well have the cutest coat.)
Bo looks so rockin' in his get-up I couldn't resist gettin' a few shots of his dude-esque-ness.

Or Jasens.

Sophie was geared up and ready for me to pull her around in a sled like a snow princess.

(Next on the endless shopping list of snowboarding junk that's fun to buy, little girls PINK goggles.)
We're headin' back tomorrow. Hope to see ya there!
(I'm the one in the cute coat.)

P.S.Can someone PLEASE tell me how to rotate my pictures on here??