our crazy life...

Make A Statement!

2011-04-23T23:31:00.003-06:00

My rings are famous! KSL's Studio 5 did a segment on the show Friday on Statement Rings. They featured some of my bead rings. Click here to see the clip. It is pretty exciting for me to have others excited about my rings. Of course, I was totally nervous through out the entire segment...and I wasn't even there. I was sitting on my bed watching. Anyway, it was pretty cool.

This is my newest style...The Bouquet Ring.

Check out my Bead Queen Blog to see my other styles.

Trunk Show Tonight

2011-04-20T11:38:00.004-06:00

I am now selling my rings at a cute boutique in Centerville called Madeleine L'Amour. There are some new designs that I am selling exclusively through them. Check them out on their blog: http://madeleinelamour.blogspot.com/

Check out their trunk show tonight from 6-8pm. The details are on their blog.

Margo

My New Adventure...

2011-03-03T09:56:00.003-07:00

I finally got my little side business up and running.

Click here to check out my new blog.

2010 at a Glance....

2010-12-18T11:21:00.019-07:00

Well, we're all another year older...and hopefully wiser, too. Here are some of the events that stick out in our minds from this past year...

Sassy turned 6

Sassy performed in the ballet, Swan Lake

little dude turned 3

big daddy turned 40

Went to Boston to visit family.

Had some family visit from Indiana.

big daddy had an accident and had his first, and hopefully last, operation.

We mourned the loss of big daddy's younger brother, Jeff! We miss him!

Girls started school

sassy pants is in 1st grade

sister tsu is in kindergarten

Carved pumpkins for Halloween

little dude officially became big dude when he became completely potty trained!!!

YEAH!!

Click on these links to see a few videos.

little dude's acting debut at ward talent night

sassy pants' snowflake dance

sister tsu's beam routine at gymnastics show

tsu's trampoline tricks

Kids with favorite gymnastics coach!!

We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas season!

(check back next year. I promise to post regularly)

Once there was a snowman...

2010-01-18T11:21:00.004-07:00

About 4 weeks ago we had a great, big snowstorm. People got stuck on the way to and from church. The snowplow drivers were working overtime, etc, etc, etc...you get the picture. As soon as we got home from church, the kids put on their snow clothes and headed outside to enjoy the cold, white mess. With some help from their dad, they built a wonderful snowman, complete with long branches for arms. This snowman was a little crooked from the start...in fact, it was leaning over almost at a 45 degree angle. And there it stayed for the last 4 weeks.

Every day as I pull in and out of the driveway, I see this crooked snowman. Neighbors comment that they are surprised it is still standing. But, there it stands! "big daddy likes to tell people that it's a representation of our mental status...completely off balance!

Yesterday, while I was in the shower getting ready for church, I was thinking about that silly snowman. I started drawing a parallel between this lopsided snowman and my life. Against all odds, this snowman has stood in the yard for the last month. The wind blows, the sun comes out and melts part of the head away, one of the stick arms falls out...everything, not the least of which is gravity, was working against this snowman...trying to knock it down. Life feels like that so often. We keep trying to live right...helping kids with homework, cooking, doing laundry, trying to magnify our church callings, doing visiting teaching, trying to be a good neighbor and friend, being involved in the community...trying to find time and energy to be involved in our own families...all the while trying to develop a better relationship with Christ...and yet we feel like we just aren't measuring up...that we are not really getting anywhere...or that we are just not feeling "balanced"...yet, through all of the trials, we hang on...just like our silly snowman.

Well, after thinking about all of this while trying to get ready for church, I decided that I needed to go out and take another picture of the snowman...just to show that it was still standing after all of this time, and through all the struggles. I thought it would be a good testament to what we, as human beings in this world, are trying to do! So I got out of the shower and went downstairs to get the camera...and this is what I found...

Draw your own parallel :)

Princess "sassy pants" Turns 6...

2010-01-14T18:32:00.011-07:00

So this was the year for "sassy pants" to have her first friend birthday party. Since most of her friends have already had big birthday parties...and most of them had princess parties...I knew I was going to have to come up with some original ideas! So, we decided to have a Princess Tea Party. I made some invitations on the computer and we set out to deliver them.

I wanted "big daddy" to get on his tights and tunic and deliver the invites on a pink pillow, but for some strange reason, he said, "NO"! So "sassy pants" and "tsu" delivered them by going to each door, with the invite on a little pillow, and delivering it to Princess So-and-so. I think they thought it was cute.

We decided to have the Tea Party at the Queen's Castle (my mom's house) because ours is still a construction zone and not very princessy. She was in charge of decorations and I was in charge of the food, activities and the cake. I wanted to do a fun menu so we had peanut butter sandwiches on pink bread cut out in the shape of flowers, fruit kabobs, baby carrots, and pink lemonade with ice cubes frozen with raspberry lemonade, raspberries and lemon wedges. I wish I had taken better pictures of the food because I think the lunch was really cute. My mom had pink salad plates with flowers on them so it all turned out great!

For the activities I had wanted to decorate sugar cookies with the girls but I didn't want them to get frosting on their princess dresses so I decided to make little aprons for each girl as a party favor. So I spent 5 days sewing aprons out of hot pink fabric with green polka dots and green ribbon ties. I also made little gift bags out of coordinating fabric and ribbon in which to put the aprons and other princess accessories. I ordered sugar cookies from the local bakery and asked them to frost the flower cookies with hot pink buttercream and the butterflies with lime green buttercream so we could just decorate with candy and not worry about frosting them. But when I went to pick them up, they had already decorated the cookies. I was very frustrated but decided to get them anyway. So, I guess the aprons were no longer necessary, but they sure were cute! I wish I had a picture of them. Oh well.

I decided, with a little encouragement from "the queen", to make another princess castle cake for the party. After all, what a better occassion for a castle cake than a princess tea party. Luckily, since this was my 6th one, I was able to make this one in a fraction of the time it took me do the first one a year ago. "the queen" is better a piping than I am, so I baked and frosted the cake, and assembled the castle, and she did the piping and added the silk flowers. I think it turned out really pretty.

"sassy pants" got a personalized cd mix of princess songs for a gift so we turned on the music and did a little Princess Fashion Show/Dance. We had each of the girls walk down the catwalk (through the pink curtain) and pose for the photographer. Then, when everyone had gone down the catwalk, we turned up the music and danced. I think the girls had fun dancing.

The highlight, of course, had to be the surpise appearance of our celebrity princess, Cinderella. One of my best childhood friends has a little sister who was the perfect princess. The girls were so surprised. Most of them just sat silently as she told them of her story...all, that is, except "tsu". She was dressed up as Cinderella, too, and wouldn't stop talking about her dress, and the prince, and the castle, and the mice, and the horse, and the pumpkin...it was so funny! She talks a million miles a minute and doesn't stop to breathe in case someone else might be waiting to talk. I finally had to ask her to let the "real" Cinderella finish telling the story. We took pictures of all the little princesses with Cinderella and I got copies made for each of the girls to put in their little princess picture book that they got in their little bag of goodies.

All in all, I think everyone had a great time, including my little princess"sassy pants". I, of course, was exhausted after the event, but I felt pretty proud of myself for pulling it off without too much drama!! But I couldn't have done it without "the queen" and my good friend, Lisa. Thank you so much!!! Now, I hope that "tsu" doesn't want a princess tea party for her first friend birthday party. I don't know if I have the energy to do this again! Luckily, I have 18 months to think of another idea for her...one that is a lot less work!!

Bah Humbug...

2009-12-10T23:19:00.002-07:00

I have lost my Christmas spirit. In the midst of all the present shopping and crowd fighting and Christmas card writing and snow shoveling and kids whining and mom yelling...I've lost my Christmas spirit. I'm not exactly sure where I was when I lost it. I guess if I knew that I could find it. Anyway, it's gone and the chance of it coming back is partly cloudy with a 50% chance of "not likely"!

Yesterday, while shopping with the kids, I was standing at the 1 Hour Photo counter waiting for someone to help me. All three kids were in the shopping cart behind me and I was leaning on the counter as if I could no longer stand without assistance. This was only the 3rd stop on our long "TO DO" list. Behind me, "tsu" and "little dude" were playing a rousing game of "MOM, HE HIT ME" and "STOP COPYING ME" while "sassy" moaned in the back as if she were literally going to die RIGHT THERE! I turned to the ladies that were in line next to me and said, "I will pay you to take them right now!" They, of course, gave each other that knowing look...you know the one your mom gives you when inside she is laughing because it's you, not her, that has to take that child home. Anyway, they both said that they'd "been there" and "done that" and I realized that I would have to take the three terrors home with me after all.

When we got to the car, after threatening to leave them at Costco, I yelled and told them that if they didn't buckle their seat belts right away, WITHOUT MAKING A SOUND, I was going to cancel Christmas!! "tsu"piped up and asked if I could really do that. Of course, I answered "yes"! And we drove home in silence, with half of my "TO Do" list still not done.

So, as you are driving down the street, if you happen to find some Christmas spirit laying lifeless in the gutter, please return it to me.

"tsu" the artist...

2009-12-02T19:57:00.003-07:00

I'm not quite sure where she got the "artist gene" but I think I'd like her to give it back until she learns to do her art on paper and not on her face...

She started small...just a few lines on her face. Then she took crayons to my carpet and blinds. Then it escalated to coloring her entire face and down her arms with markers. She finished it off with a lovely watercolored face. The craziest part is...three of these pictures were taken three different days of the same week! I'm about ready to cover the entire house and child with butcher paper. Maybe then she could sell her art and pay to have the carpets and blinds cleaned!

Thankful...

2009-11-28T09:41:00.007-07:00

These are a few of the things I'm thankful for...
(not necessarily listed in order of importance)

1. a "mostly warm enough" home
2. a good book
3. rum vics from Mrs Cavanaugh's
4. slippers
5. health
6. sunsets
7. the Book of Mormon
8. extended family
9. the heater in my car
10. my car...that runs most of the time!
11. awesome friends
12. my magic bullet blender:)
13. my new deck
14. the sound of my children's laughter
15. mooches and loves from "little dude"
16. q-tips
17. hot chocolate
18. wonderful neighbors
19. great music
20. csi
21. staying home on black friday
22. raspberry concretes from Nielsen's
23. watching "sassy pants" as she is learning to read
24. off-roading with my family
25. playing at the park with my kids
26. band-aids and kisses
27. my laptop computer
28. reconnecting with dear friends
29. laughing until I cry
30. scotch tape
31. good examples all around me
32. my 91 year old grandma
33. easter candy
34. a long shower...with hot water the entire time
35. driving around with my family to see all the Christmas lights
36. the beautiful mountains behind my house
37. jumping on the trampoline with my children
38. watching my children learn to say, "I'm sorry"
39. repentance
40. my piano
41. my church calling
42. chocolate
43. fond memories
44. a really good dream
45. ear plugs
46. the smell of rain
47. date night
48. my honey ("big daddy")
49. 3 beautiful children
50. Christ and the Atonement

What are YOU thankful for?

"sassy" goes to school...

2009-08-26T11:22:00.004-06:00

This week "sassy pants" started kindergarten. She will be attending the same school where I attended MANY years ago. She will actually be in the same classroom that I was in for kindergarten! I think that is pretty cool.

Her teacher's name is Mrs. Holbrook. I have heard from several people that she is the all time best kindergarten teacher ever! I am excited for my first child to be in her class. I think this is going to be a great year! "sassy" is also excited because she has 2 really good friends that will be in her class this year. I hope they are more focused than I was when I was in class with good friends. My guess is that she will be a lot like her mother...

Big "D" Comes Home...

2009-07-17T10:43:00.003-06:00

I can't believe my baby brother is finally home from his mission. It's been all the kids have talked about for the past 2 months. I know the girls remember him but "little dude" was only a month old when he left 2 years ago. But he has learned his Uncle "D"s name and I think he's taken quite a liking to him.

We made a countdown chain when there was about a month left and the kids have taken turns taking a link off the chain each day. They were so excited about it that's what they wanted to do first thing in the morning each day. When we got down to the last link they could hardly contain themselves. So they put on their flag shirts and got the little flags to wave and off we went to the airport. Here are a few of the MANY pictures taken of the occasion...

We are all excited that he is home. It's been fun to hear him talk about his many wonderful missionary experiences. He is a great example to our children. I'm excited to get to know him all over again.

"tsu" FINALLY turns 4...

2009-07-17T10:02:00.010-06:00

She has only been talking about this day since she turned 3!! She was so excited to have a birthday. And since the big day, she has been telling EVERYONE that she is 4!!

I actually can't believe she made it to 4!! She's definitely given us a run for our money. She showed up almost 6 weeks early, and she's been keeping us on our toes ever since. Here's a little trip down memory lane...

She really wanted to have a princess party. We were going to keep it really small, but at the last minute, we invited some good friends to share it with us...and it's not like we didn't have A LOT of cake to share! Here are some of my favorite pictures of the special day...

Outing to Kangaroo Zoo

My Li'l Princess

A few uninvited guests

It was an exciting and fun-filled day...one that she will not soon forget! It was a little crazy, but I think she enjoyed it. I don't know if you've ever read the book about the little pig that wears everybody out...well, at the end of the book, the little pig's mother says, "You wear me out, but I love you anyway"! That's how I feel EVERY night! "tsu" has endless amounts of energy and curiosity, but she also has endless amounts of sweetness and goodness. We sure feel lucky to have her in our family!

It's Back To Work...

2009-06-16T23:29:00.008-06:00

We have made the decision to put the house projects on hold for awhile so we can focus our efforts on the backyard. We just felt that the kids really need to have a safe place to go play outside. So...a week or so ago we had some workers come to help us install a retaining wall and level our backyard. I am so happy with the results. It was a messy project...and we are in no way finished...but we've got a good start. Here are some pics...

I'm so excited to have the backyard finished. Now...all we have to do is install sprinklers, sod and build a deck (with a great big emphasis on "ALL"). No big woop! If you want to catch up on all our home improvement projects Click here.

And, if you really want a GREAT experience, you can come on over...don't forget your shovel!

Happy Birthday To My Boys...

2009-06-11T11:55:00.010-06:00

This week, my 2 main men celebrated birthdays..."little dude" turned 2 and "big daddy" turned 39. I love my guys and it was fun to focus on them a little bit. Here are a few pics of the big celebration.

I hope my boys had a very Happy Birthday!!

Hair...

2009-06-01T13:31:00.008-06:00

Yesterday we went to Ogden to see an aunt and uncle recently home from a mission in Mexico. It was a lot of fun to see them as well as many cousins I hadn't seen for at least 18 months. Once cousin that was there is a cancer survivor and was wearing a beautiful wig. I few of the kids wanted to try it on...and soon a few of the adults wanted a turn. Here are a few of my favorite pics of the event...

Little Laini Loo

Cool Dude Paulo

Daddy Osborne

Big Daddy-o...Oops! Not a wig!!

I Remember...

2009-05-26T09:06:00.005-06:00

Grandpa: July 1976

Grandma: April 1984

...Grandpa's orange chair

...Grandma's yummy "refreshments"

Grandpa: October 1990

Grandma: February 2006

...Grandpa singing "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling"
...Grandma's great stories...over and over again

Grandpa: January 2007 ...Grandpa's family histories

Mark: July 2008

...Mark's great laugh!

Who do YOU remember???

Happy Easter...

2009-04-16T18:22:00.006-06:00

Happy Easter to Everyone!!

I hope there was an abundance of chocolate, colored Easter eggs, marshmallow peeps, love, and especially thoughts of the Saviour and His great gifts to us..His death and His resurrection!!

The Bink Has Gotta Go...

2009-04-15T23:53:00.005-06:00

None has ever loved a bink like "little dude" loves his bink! Our daily conversation goes like this...

Me: "You are such a big boy. You don't need a bink anymore. Please give mommy the bink."

"dude": "No!"

Me: "Come on...don't you want to be a big boy? Why don't you go throw the bink in the trash?"

"dude": "No!"

Then he grabs the bink and runs!

The other day he had 2 binkies in hand when we had this conversation. At first he just looked at them...one in each hand...as I asked if mommy could have the binks.

And this was his response...

He may be stubborn, but so am I. I'll just have to keep trying until I wear him down...or the binks mysteriously disappear!!

Ballerina Girl...

2009-04-07T20:52:00.004-06:00

"sassy pants" danced in her first ballet recital recently. She dances with the Creative Arts Academy and they put on a great production of "Sleeping Beauty". She had a lot of fun dancing in it and we really enjoyed watching it! A big thanks to 3 grandmas, 1 grandpa and 1 friend for coming to support our little "sassy pants"!

Happy Birthday, Mom...

2009-02-04T23:06:00.003-07:00

Today is my mom's birthday! If you ask my kids how old she is they would say she's young and beautiful! I would have to agree! My mom is an amazing person and I hope that I can be just like her when I grow up!

We had the chance to go to my parent's house for dinner on Sunday so we decided to surprise my mom with a little birthday party. The girls helped me make a special cake for a special grandma. They were so excited to "surprise" her!

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

In time out...FOREVER!

2009-01-29T19:52:00.009-07:00

Days like to today make me question what the "...." was I thinking! I don't know if it's the strange mix of genes, or just my total inability as a parent, but today about killed me!

It all started last night. I finally gave in to the brownie mix that had been calling to me for weeks. I mixed up a batch of cookies and cream brownies complete with butter cream frosting. I had one brownie before going to bed and was prepared to share them with my family today.

After breakfast I sat down at the computer, with Dell tech support on the phone, to finally fix some of those computer problems that had been bothering me for months. "big daddy" had taken "sassy pants" to preschool and "tsu" and "little dude" were playing in the front room near me. I gently reminded "tsu" to go put her cereal bowl in the sink before "little dude" dumped it out on the floor. I soon found out that soggy granola on the floor would be the least of my worries.

"big daddy" soon came home and walked into the kitchen. All I heard was "OH MY GOSH!!!!" He came into the from room and told me that I need to come see. I walked into the kitchen and saw bits of brownie ALL OVER THE KITCHEN!! "tsu" had climbed up on a chair and and scooped out ALL of the brownies from the pan. Now, when I say "ALL OVER" I really mean "ALL OVER". There was brownie everywhere...including all over "tsu" and "little dude". "big daddy took a picture , but...believe me...it doesn't even show a fraction of the total mess.

"big daddy" is a good sport because he scooped up the kids out of the mess and sent "tsu" to her room to "time out" for two days!! I could hear her screaming for quite sometime since she was locked in her room. "little dude" was even upset because he was put in his crib while "big daddy" cleaned and mopped the kitchen...all the while I was still on the phone trying to fix the computer.

When "time out" was finally over and I was FINALLY off the phone, I went upstairs to talk to "tsu" and this is what I found. She was so upset that she completely destroyed her bedroom!

Things finally settled down for a little while until "big daddy" left to take "sassy pants" to ballet and run a few errands. I sent "tsu" up to the bathroom because we are still trying to potty train her...without much success, I might add. Well, after about 5 minutes she still hadn't come out so I decided that I'd better go check on her. When I got to the top of the stairs I was scared because I smelled a very familiar smell...fingernail polish. I threw open the bathroom door and "tsu" and the sink were totally covered in pink nail polish. She had opened a new bottle of polish, dumped it all out in the sink and then tried to use the brush to apply it to her lips...like lip gloss!

After scrubbing her lips until they were raw, I send her to "time out" for life while I tried to clean up the mess. "big daddy" walked in as I was trying to clean up semi-dried nail polish from the sink and counter. When I was finished, and the entire house smelled like polish and remover, I went to talk to "tsu" about what she had done when I found another mess. She had found some leftover chocolate kisses and had eaten the entire bunch while leaving a mess of foil on my bed.

By the time dinner came tonight I was ready to quit...everything! I did settle down a bit when "tsu" complimented me on dinner. She said, "Mom, thank you so much for making this nice dinner for us. It looks DELICIOUS!" Those of you that know "tsu" know how expressive she is when she talks. So you can just imagine how this sounded. Of course, that just melted my frustration away until she decided to throw her entire "delicious dinner" all over the floor!

When all was said and done and I was sure that my yelling and screaming and totally ruined my little "tsunami" for life, she walked up to me and said, "Mom, it's been a BEAUTIFUL day!"

Through this experience I've wondered...I am being punished for something I did...or is God trying to teach me something...or is this just a big joke and He's up there getting a good laugh! I know that I lack the parenting skills required to help this little "tsunami" grow up to be the beautiful and responsible adult that I know she can be. But until I figure out how to do that I'll just have to leave it up to God...and lots and lots of luck!

Sassy Pants Turns 5...

2009-01-11T17:12:00.008-07:00

After everything I've done to stop this from happening, it happend anyway..."sassy pants" turned 5. OK...so I haven't actually done anyting to stop it. It's just that I sometimes feel like she is growing up TOO fast. And then there are the days that I wish she'd grow up faster. It's the never-ending dilema. I guess I just need to enjoy every stage. Well...here are a few photos from the big event ...

She wanted to go ice skating for her birthday. I guess "big daddy" and I should have gone once or twice in the last 20 years so we could have helped her a little better.

As you will see, it was a very pink and very girly princess party.

A big "Thanks" to Grandma "B" for helping do the cake. It took us about 5-6 hours total to make it (and that doesn't include the actually baking of the cakes). But I think my mom would agree with me that it was totally worth the effort when we saw the look our little princess' face!

All in all I think my little "sassy pants" had a wonderful 5th Birthday!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T19:35:00.022-07:00

Happy New Year, everyone! Here are some highlights from our busy and fun holiday...

Making gingerbread house with my girls

Preschool Christmas Program at Care Center

Gymnastics Show

Christmas PJs from Adela

Lights on Temple Square

Christmas morning with the kiddies

Annual Christmas Nativity with all the little cousins

Sleighriding with the family

It seems like every year gets busier and busier. I'm glad we can take a little time out during the holidays to focus on family. These memories are priceless. We hope everyone has their best year yet! Happy 2009!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year...

2008-12-13T17:48:00.005-07:00

As we are all rushing around to get ready for the quickly approaching holiday, we just wanted to wish everyone a very happy holiday season from our family to yours.

See you next year!

Halloween at Our House...

2008-11-15T15:05:00.010-07:00

October was a crazy and exciting month with all the costume parties and the cooler, autumn weather. The girls were especially excited this year because they got to choose their own costume and help carve pumpkins. Here are some pictures from our exciting month...

Pumpkin Patch with Grandma "B" and

cousins, Elizabeth and Henry

Carving Pumpkins and getting ready for Trick-or-Treating

Well, all good things must come to an end.

Have you noticed that celebrating holidays is so much more exciting when you can celebrate with little children, whether they are your own, nieces or nephews, or friends. I'm glad we don't have to wait too long before the next fun and exciting holiday.

Chad...

2008-10-19T21:13:00.003-06:00

Our friend, Chad, recently asked me why there were no pictures of him on our blog. So I decided to dedicate this post to Chad.

November 1994

Are you happy now, Chad?

Maybe They Really Are Mine...

2008-10-04T19:19:00.006-06:00

Do you ever wonder if you kids look like you? I do! Others seem to see it. I can see the family resemblance in their kids but I just can't seem to see myself in my own. I can see that "sassy pants" has her Grandma Carol's mouth, especially when she pouts, "tsu" has her daddy's eyes and "little dude" has a round head that could only have come from my side of the family. My mom brought this picture of me over the other day. She says that it reminds her of one of my kids. What do you think?

me at 18 months

"sassy pants" at 15 months

"sister tsu" at 12 months

"little dude" at 15 months

Well, I was there when they were born so I'm pretty sure they are all mine, even if I don't see the resemblance. And I wouldn't trade them for anything!!

Silly Face Contest...

2008-09-30T22:18:00.024-06:00

The other night the girls were sitting at the dinner table making funny faces at each other. They thought they were being pretty funny (so did "little dude") so they asked me to go get the camera and take their picture. Here are a few...

House Project Update...

The roof is finally done! Yeah!

The door and windows are in now and we are working on the siding. I think it's actually starting to look like a real house. I wasn't sure we could pull it off;)

Well, we might not be the most exciting family on the block, but things are PLENTY exciting for us.

She's Spreading Her Wings...

2008-09-07T22:13:00.008-06:00

This past week was quite exciting for "sassy pants". On Tuesday we took her to her preschool open house so she could meet her new teacher, Mrs. Butters. She has been so excited to start preschool.

"sassy pants" and Mrs. Butters

Preschool started on Thursday and there was so much excitement that she barely made it through breakfast. She couldn't wait to get her backpack on and head out the door. When we finally got there, she gave me a kiss and a hug and was gone. She didn't even want me to walk her to the door. She is SO grown-up!

After preschool, "sassy pants" came home long enough for lunch then she was off to her first day of ballet class. I'm not sure which was more exciting...preschool or ballet! I decided stayed to watch her first class. Her teacher, Miss Cami, was really cute with the girls. She had them flitting around the room in no time at all. "sassy pants" had the sweetest little smile on her face throughout the entire 45 minute class. It was definitely one of those moments that makes a mom proud.

Miss Cami and "sassy pants"

Well, it was a busy week full of exciting "Firsts". I hope the enthusiasm continues long after the novelty wears off.

Little Girl Lost...

2008-09-02T07:03:00.005-06:00

And I thought Sunday was a day of rest...well that was not to be the case this week.

We came from from church as usual. "little dude", "big daddy" and "tsu" decided to take a little nappy (nap to our kids). I put 'little dude" in his crib and "tsu" decided she wanted to take her nappy with her daddy so I put her on my side of the bed and went downstairs. "sassy pants" was watching a show on TV and I soon received a call from work so I was busy for the next 40 minutes or so on the computer.

When I finished with my work, I decided to go check on the sleepy heads upstairs. I knew "little dude" was still asleep so I continued on to my bedroom to check on the others. "big daddy" was snoring away but I noticed he was alone. I figured "tsu" had given up because of the snoring and had gotten in her own bed. Well, she wasn't there. I ran back to my room and went to the far side of the bed to see if she had fallen asleep on the floor. When she wasn't there I checked under the bed, in the closet, in the bathrooms, etc. I rushed downstairs to ask "sassy pants" if she had seen here sister. She was completely oblivious and wouldn't have noticed if her sister was sitting on top of her head.

I rushed around the entire house looking in all of the usual hiding places. I even checked all of the unusual hiding places I could think of. I noticed that the front door was unlocked so I went outside calling her name, but to no avail. I ran back inside and called out, quite hysterically I might add, to "big daddy" who was still asleep. He came downstairs still half asleep as I was trying to tell him our middle child was missing.

As an overwhelming panic, unlike anything I had ever experience before, stared working it's way from the pit of my stomach up to my throat, I happened to glance in the kitchen and saw that the back door was still locked. If it had been unlocked I would have guessed that "tsu" was in the new addition getting into her daddy's tools. I decided to unlock the door and look anyway and this is what I found....

The moral of the story is...don't ever assume a "tsu"nami is sleeping, not even for a second!

Rub-A-Dub-Dub...

2008-08-30T21:33:00.007-06:00

...three dirty little kiddies in a tub!

"little dude" finally joined the ranks of the "big kid tubby timers". I have always bathed him after the girls because I was worried that I couldn't keep three kids afloat at the same time. But his balance is getting better so he can "tubby" with the big kids. The girls were so excited. They each took turns holding on to him so he wouldn't lay back in the water and get his face wet. "sassy pants" is especially concerned that no one get water in their faces...or hers! I think "little dude" could really get used to this new attention he is getting.

Do you love the tub color...the country blue tub with the black tile? The black tile surrounds the entire bath area. I think it looks like a giant bruise. But that's another project for another time...hint...hint...hint:)

Now that the three dirty little kiddies are three clean and sleeping little kiddies, mom can finally get to the really important stuff she's been putting off....scrap booking, blogging and Law & Order:)

Ode To "little dude"...

2008-08-29T17:00:00.008-06:00

I just realized that I haven't posted much about "little dude". So here are a few of my favorite pictures of this little guy...

He is such a little sweetheart. No matter what else happens in my day, he always seems to make me smile.

Tagged, Again...

2008-08-29T16:41:00.004-06:00

This one's a little different from the last one....

Six words to describe my life...
(disclaimer: Life is a little crazy right now...so ask me again next summer and I'm sure the words will be quite different!)

1. Chaotic : We are, after all, in the middle of a major construction project...and we are living in the middle of it!
2. Exhausting: I have 3 small children..need I say more?!
3. Loud: Hammers, Drills, Saws, Kids:)
4. Never-ending: The days all seem so long right now.
5. Crazy: Have you ever met my kids?
6. Perfect: When it really comes down to it, I wouldn't change a thing!!

Tagged: Lucy, Amy, Brittany, Aleath, Becky

Our Own Olympic Team...

2008-08-29T15:51:00.009-06:00

We signed the girls up for gymnastics last January and they have really enjoyed it. Last week, in honor of the Olympics, they had their own Olympic Games. They even gave all of the kids a gold medal. The girls were so excited that they wanted to wear their medals to church. Thank you to G'ma "B" for coming to watch!

The Cheering Section!

Alas, even though "sassy pants" enjoyed gymnastics, she has decided that she's ready to move on to other things. So we signed her up for ballet lessons. She is so excited. We went out and got her a leotard, tights, ballet slippers and a little skirt. The spring recital is going to be "Sleeping Beauty". She is especially excited for that. Since "sassy pants" got a new "costume" for ballet, "tsu" decided that she needed a "costume" for gymnastics. She really likes gymnastics and is quite good at it so I hope she sticks with it...at least for awhile.

I guess my babies are growing up and finding their own way...or at least their own interests. It's a little hard as a mom to realize that your children have their own minds, opinions and ideas. I guess that's why they call it growing pains!

I've Been Tagged...

2008-08-21T17:19:00.015-06:00

I've never been tagged before. My sister-in-law, Lucy, tagged me so here it goes...

26 Things You Never Knew You Always Wanted To Know About Me!

A- Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friend: "big daddy"
C-Cake or Pie: It depends...how about BOTH!
D-Day: Tuesday - It's our Saturday!
E-Essential Item: Magic Bullet. Don't laugh! I used to use it for everything! Then, when it broke, I found out it was counterfeit. I'm still saving up to buy a real one:)
F- Favorite Color: Purple
G-Gummy Bears or Worms: Gummy Bears - the REAL ones!
H-Home town: Bountiful, UT
I- Indulgences: Orange Soda...it used to be an addiction...but now I save it for special occasions....like....getting out of bed in the morning:)
J- January or July: July all the way!
K-Kids: "sassy pants", "sister tsu(nami)", "little dude"
L-Life is incomplete without: Law & Order (is that bad?:)
M- Marriage Date: December 26, 2001 (exactly 8 years after "big daddy" proposed...the first time)
N- Number of Siblings: 6 - 5 brothers and 1 sister
O-Obsession: Val Kilmer
P- Phobias or Fears: Heights. Actually, my fear is not of heights...it's falling from them that scares me!
Q- Quote: "The Definition of Insanity...doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result." -Mission President-
R- Reason to Smile: Hearing "big daddy" say, "You were right!"
S- Season: Spring...the flowers, the warm sun and cool breeze and even the rain.
T- Tag Three: Barb, Kristin, and Hannah
U- Unknown fact about me: I'm a lot more organized in my head than I am in my house!
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: I LOVE STEAK! Does that sufficiently answer that one?
W- Worst Habit: Correcting my husband's grammar. I think we both hate it when I do that!
X- X-rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds
Y- Your Favorite Food: Any food in a sit-down restaurant that I can eat all by myself and not have to share with 3 screaming kids! It's been awhile...is it that obvious?
Z- Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

In Other News...

I promised you something a little bit more exciting in my next post so here it goes...

Many of you may know that I work for Missionary Travel for the LDS Church. I am a stay-at-home travel agent that handles after-hours travel emergencies for our church's 50,000+ missionaries all around the world. There are four of us that share the responsibilities of booking travel for sick, stranded, or naughty missionaries when the regular travel office is closed. We each have our regular shift when we have to be home or near our computer in case there is some sort of travel emergency. I take a shift on Sunday afternoons. Sundays are usually REALLY slow and I rarely get any calls during my 6 hour shift.

Anyway, this past Sunday I was not feeling well so I skipped church and stayed in bed most of the day. About 1:30pm that afternoon, I was sitting in bed flipping through the channels when one of the operators at the office called and told me that Elder Scott was on the phone and needed to talk to me. Well, being zoned out as I was and being used to referring to most of the callers as Elder or Sister So 'n' So, I didn't think much of it until I heard that all too familiar voice of Elder Richard G. Scott. Of course, I jumped out of bed so fast that all of the blood rushed from my head and I nearly tripped over the bed post as I ran down the stairs to my computer...and my computer wasn't even on...of course...because I NEVER get calls on Sundays..... Needless to say, I was a little nervous because there are others that normally take calls from the General Authorities and I haven't really been trained on policies and protocols, etc. Thankfully, he was very kind and patient as I booted up my computer and got the information that he was looking for.

After the call was over, I called the operators back and told them that a little "heads-up" might be helpful next time. Just then, they got a call from an Elder Cook and asked if I would mind taking that call. I said I would and they connected me to Elder Quentin L. Cook, also a General Authority. His call was a little more complicated, but I did the best I could. He called back about an hour later and asked to speak to me since he had already worked with me...even though the agent that handles GA phone calls was available by this time. I helped him the best I could, but I didn't know how to do everything that he wanted. But I was polite and told him to "consider it done". Then I called the GA agent and let her finish it up.

Anyway, that might not seem like such a big deal, but it was pretty significant for me. Not only do I not usually have the opportunity to speak to General Authorities, I am still trying to learn the new computer reservation system that we just switched to. I don't feel very confident with this program yet, so I was very nervous trying to help such high profile clients. Also, working from home has it's own unique challenges. It's really hard to concentrate on a phone call when my kids are screaming in the background. I was very grateful that they weren't trying to kill eachother this particular time. They have in the past:) Anway, they (Elder Scott and Elder Cook) were both very sweet and understanding and that helped to calm my nerves...a little. But, alas, I did survive the experience and felt pretty lucky to have had it!

I hope that's as exciting as it gets for awhile. To much more excitement like that and I may not make it next time:)

I'm Back...

2008-08-21T16:45:00.008-06:00

I just realized that it's been 3 weeks since my last post (it almost feels like I'm at confession...).
It's not that nothing has been going on...it's that everything has been going on! The construction project is still the top priority right now. The shingles are being delivered this evening and then it's on to the roofing! I think "big daddy" is excited for things to keep moving right along. He wants to get the new addition "dried in" before the rain and snow come. Then we can slow down and take our time. Here are a few of the current pictures.

I promise that I will have some sort of exciting experience to share in my next post otherwise I will have to rename the blog "My Crazy Construction Project".

Help Or Hinder...

2008-07-30T21:18:00.010-06:00

The girls are so interested in helping with the house project that I hate to dissuade them, but sometimes they are just a little TOO helpful!

I just hope this helpful attitude carries through to their teen years!

Yeah, right!

On Another Note...
We are getting a little stir crazy this summer not being able to play in the backyard. The kids have found their own ways of staying busy...

"sassy pants" came in the kitchen the other night and announced that she was a cactus! Notice the fingers...they are the "sharp things". I guess I'm not the only one feeling the effects of the heat!

Even though we weren't going out in the sun, "tsu" felt the need to completely cover herself in sunscreen...and the couch, and the wall, etc.

"little dude" wanted his turn showing off for the camera. Unfortunately, the goggles squished the fat around his eyes and he had a hard time seeing where he was going as he was walking around the family room. Thankfully, he was laughing and not crying!

As you can see, there is still much fun to be had at our house even when it is too hot to play outside!

When It Rains....It Pours

2008-07-23T10:35:00.017-06:00

Yesterday started out to be a typical August day. 'big daddy" was up and out working on the house by 9:30am. It got hot quickly and he still had a long way to go. A few days previously, I had asked a few friends and neighbors to come over last night to help install the roof trusses. Up to this point, "big daddy" had been working mostly solo. He has a hard time asking for help so I knew that I would have to do the asking. No sooner had I asked than we found out that the entire men's group at church had been asked to come and help. "big daddy" would need to work furiously Monday and Tuesday to be ready for them.

Well, when Tuesday morning came there was still a long way to go. A few neighbors that are home during the day came over early and were extremely helpful getting things going. There was a nasty dark cloud that seemed to be directly over our house. We had a few light sprinkles around lunch time, but then it seemed to clear up completely.

4-5 guys came over later that evening and they were able to start getting the trusses up. At about 8:30 or 9:00pm our trusted friend, neighbor, and carpenter came and things started moving quickly. "big daddy" and "trusted friend" worked until 11:00pm and got all of the trusses up.

By this time there was a little lightning in the sky and "big daddy" decided that he'd better put up a few tarps on the area of the existing roof that had been cut back to accommodate the new trusses. I climbed up on the ladder to hold the flashlight so that he could spread out the tarps. Then we went in the house. I went to take a shower and "big daddy" went out to get himself some food (he hadn't eaten anything since breakfast).

No sooner had I finished my shower when I heard a frightening sound....a great downpour! I ran out of the bathroom as "big daddy" opened the door out onto the new addition. The water was really coming down. I grabbed the huge toolbox and dragged it into the kitchen. Just then I noticed that water was dripping from the ceiling onto the kitchen floor in about 4 places. Then the light fixture started filling up with water.

"big daddy" was running around the house trying to find his raincoat so he could go up on the roof. When he got up there he noticed that the tarp wasn't draining, but was in fact filling up like a great lake and then draining into the ceiling.

I went back upstairs to get dressed and when I came back out one of our neighbors that had been here earlier in the day had come back, dressed in full rain gear, to help. They were able to throw the water from the "lake" off the roof so that it would stop draining into the ceiling.

By 2:00am the rain had stopped and the ceiling stopped leaking. At that point, "big daddy" and I finally went to bed!

When I went outside this morning, the sun had come back out and all was well...and the new roof looks awesome!

Thanks to great friends who offered their time yesterday. We would never have survived it without you all!

And He's Off...

2008-07-20T21:21:00.002-06:00

"little dude" is walking! He took his first steps a few weeks ago when we were all in Park City together. But today he made it clear across the room without falling. We were all SO proud! Enjoy this video clip of the momentous occasion.

I'm sure the walking will last about a day...and then he'll learn to run...and he won't ever stop! Wish me luck!

And The Walls Came Tumbling....Up?

2008-07-18T16:31:00.010-06:00

"big daddy" and I decided several months ago that we either had to add on to our house or move! We chose to add just under 800 square feet to the back of the house. The addition will include an extension of our kitchen, a family room, a bedroom and a laundry room. Although I am excited for the extra space, most days I think it would have been easier to just move!

click here to see all of our construction photos

"big daddy" has been working hard on this project since he started this past Spring. He is working with a crew of one...himself! His Dad does come over a few days a week to heckle and harass...and sometimes he even helps! Ha Ha! This week he helped "big daddy" get the walls up. That was a big success. It is finally starting to look like a house. Of course, I never had any doubts!

We even had a professional carpenter come over this week to check things out. He gave Ray a big "thumbs up". I think that's pretty good since Ray had no previous construction experience. He just reads a lot and asks a lot of questions. I think that says a great deal about what kind of person he is. He just works hard and doesn't let anyone tell him he can't do it...not even his wife! Maybe staying here won't be so bad after all!

It's Hard To Say Goodbye...

2008-07-09T17:48:00.001-06:00

My dear cousin, Mark Benson, passed away today after fighting a courageous battle with Leukemia. I always hate it when they say that someone "lost" their battle with cancer. Mark won in every sense of the word. He was strong, courageous and dignified throughout his entire struggle with this horrible disease.

Mark was diagnosed early this year with ALL (Acute lymphoblastic leukemia ) which is a cancer of the blood. He has spent the several months since then in the hospital fighting for his life. I was lucky enough to be able to visit him in the hospital 3-4 times and was continually amazed that he seemed more interested in making sure that I was doing well, or that I was comfortable....That's just the kind of person that Mark is.

Ever since I was a young child I knew there was something truly special about Mark. I always felt drawn to him. The remarkable thing is, I was convinced that he felt exactly the same way about me! As I have gotten a little older and wiser I have discovered that many others in the family feel the same way..I think we all believed that we were Mark's favorite. I still believe that we all are, too! That's just the way Mark makes you feel..that you are special and important. I will always appreciate that.

Well, there will be a lot of tears shed and a lot of memories shared in the coming days, weeks and months. I just felt the need to try and honor him in some small way for what he has given me. I just feel really lucky to have known him and to have had him in my life!

If you want to read a little more about Mark or his illness, check out this link to his blog. http://helpmarkfight.blogspot.com

Sister Tsu Turns 3

2008-07-07T17:51:00.000-06:00

Yesterday we celebrated "sister tsu's" 3rd Birthday. She has been talking of little else for weeks! We went to Grandma and Grandpa's house to have dinner, cake and open presents. "tsu" was so excited the whole night she could hardly contain herself. You would've thought that every gift she opened was just the most wonderful thing ever. Here are a few of my favorite pictures...

She requested a blue cake. How could I say no?!

She was so excited about every present...even a box of fruit snacks!

After our swimming adventure last week I decided that she had earned the goggles.

"tsu's" Uncle Woody called during the gift opening extravaganza. She didn't even miss a beat! She just put the phone under her chin and continued to open her gifts while talking to Woody.

Pretty Princess

This picture describes "tsu" the very best...Extreme Princess!!

A big "Thanks" to Grandma and Grandpa for letting us invade their house for the party. Also, we were especially lucky to have Grandma Marie and Cousin Sarah attend the party. From a mother's perspective, it was a roaring success!!

Happy Birthday, America!

2008-07-05T16:49:00.000-06:00

Well, we just arrived home from Park City, UT where we celebrated the 4th of July at our Un-Family Reunion. I'm still not sure how this un-reunion differed from our regular reunions that we have every other year...the people were the same, the activities were the same....and the chaos was definitely the same! There were 12 adults and 14 children between 6 mos. and 7 years old staying in 2 condos about 10 miles apart. We even had my Grandma Marie there for a few days! There was swimming, eating, art projects, eating, nature walks, eating, parade watching, eating, making cookies, eating, more swimming and fireworks watching with our traditional root beer floats. I think everyone had a great time. We did miss the 4 family members that couldn't be there this year, but they will be with us for sure next time. Here are some of my favorite pictures of our fun-filled week... (it was really hard to narrow it down.)

"sassy pants", "sister tsu" and "little dude" having fun

We managed to get the cousins to settle down for a minute for a group shot...or maybe it was just half a minute!

The kids loved swimming this trip. It was our first time swimming since last fall and it was "little dude's" first time swimming...ever! It took a good 30 minutes the first day for the them to get used to the water. But after that, it was difficult to get them out of the pool!

Even "big daddy" had fun in the water!

We sat on the lawn at the Park City Mountain Resort to watch the fireworks. I was usually taking the pictures, but I managed to hand the camera off for a few moments to get a family shot.

My camera has a "Fireworks" setting so I decided to try it out. I don't think the pictures turned out half bad...even with "sister tsu" kicking my arm the entire time!

Well, this weekend was all about fun, food, family and freedom. It was great to be together to celebrate it all, especially the freedom that we enjoy living in this amazing country!

Well...Here Goes Nothin'

2008-06-25T21:38:00.000-06:00

This is a blog about my crazy life....and this is my crazy family. I can only take partial credit for the crazy, although I am glad that offspring only get half of their genes from the mother. Otherwise this blog would be titled "Our Totally, Completely, and Utterly Crazy Life!"

You may think that we look quite normal and completely....uncrazy. But, you ain't seen nothin' yet!