Frosty.

I don't think I have ever gone so long between bloggings. Really, I am sure I have, but I don't recall.

I have missed it. Kind of. Part of the reason is my disdain for sitting in front of my computer and wanting to soak up as much time as I can before I start working again in January. I have loved leaving my computer off for the last week. Seriously, I haven't even warmed up that baby since I can't remember.

Joy.

Christmas was wonderful and magical and all things incredibly yummy. I did, however spend a great deal of time kneeling to the porcelain gods. Oh how I hate them, and of course being sick like that wouldn't be complete without my kids and I getting a cold. YUCK. We were sick on Christmas, but thankfully no vomit was involved that day. Praises.

Our anniversary was last Tuesday, December 23. My heart aches that I didn't even make a special post for Hubbs. Since I was seriously, freakishly sick that day, we didn't do much. We did get a sitter and went out to dinner to of all places Sizzler. I do love me a good Malibu Chicken Platter. (Really, nothing should EVER be referred to as a "platter".) Afterwards, we had some yummo ice cream from the BR. It was only like -13 below zero (not really) but we saw some peeps eating ice cream and had to join in. Love to follow the crowd. My husband gave me the sweetest present ever. I will have to make a special post all about it, even saying that, the gift is almost too precious to share with anyone else (but I will because that is how I roll...). Let's just say it had me bawling like a freaking baby in the middle of Sizzler. He done good. I love you Hubbs. Thank you for making the last 8 years some of the best of my life. I couldn't imagine going through the trials and heartache, and laughter and smiles with anyone but you. Eternity is going to be the bomb diggity.

What was your favorite gift this year?

Be back soon!

Enjoying a little Christmas Vacation.

Hope your holiday was the best. Ours sure was!

I am off to wrap presents...

A feat that has never before been done in this house before December 24. I may faint.

What are you doing to prepare for the holiday?

Seven Days

And oh so giddy about it. I love this time of year.

The Christmas Conundrum

To "Ho Ho" or not to "Ho"?

That is the question. And it has nothing to do with the economy.

For years I have struggled alongside Hubbs for the answer to said question.

What does this all mean you ask? Where am I going with this? Well, for us, it is whether or not our children believe in a large man in a red suit. Whether or not a Santa Claus person comes to our house to deliver presents or not.

See, Hubbs grew up in the country of Brazil. Where he claims and I tend to believe him, that they don't techinically believe in Papai Noel. So, for him it has always been, "A fat man who I don't even know does not get credit for the presents "I" bought for my kids." Amen and amen.

While I understand his point and logic, this really, and I mean REALLY takes away all of the fun and magic. Somehow we have skittered around the issue the past few years. We don't "take" the kids to see Santa, if he is around then they will see him, but a special trip? Unheard of. Do I like it? No I don't. Does it make me scroogie? Of course it has over the years. Ug.

Then I got a call from my sweet friend Wendy, having the same dilemma of not wanting her child to be the one to break the news to all the Kindergartners that Santa isn't a real being...so knowing my family, she called me up to ask me what to do. And people...people, I have the answer...which I will now share.

Upon reading in "A Christmas Treasury" a book by Lloyd and Karmel Newell, the answer came on the first day of December of the two thousand and ninth year of our Lord, in the form of these words:

"I want to emphasize that I have no quarrel with that well fed gentleman with
the red suit and white whiskers. He was very generous to me when I was a
boy, and we are looking forward with great anticipation to his visit at our
home. All of those things with reference to Christmas are appropriate and
good and all of them are for children, except, I suppose, the
mistletoe."

--Elder Boyd K. Packer

So you see, without taking Elder Packer's words out of direct context, I will just say, that if he believes in a "well fed man in a red suit" well by all means so can my children. Point given to Hubbs and he has been informed not another word will be spoken about it.

As for the other problem when your kids get almost nothing and the neighbor kid gets a new iPod and game system...what do you tell your kids?

Thanks to Nakia, she gave me THE PERFECT ANSWER, the one she gives her kids:

"Jesus only got three gifts, what makes you better than Jesus?"

Again, I say...amen and amen.

Merry Christmas

Oh so super cool!

Thanks Vanessa!

So, I was jumping around and saw this site...and she has ME...yes ME on her favorite link list, I am on this super cool list with a bunch of other super cool people. People I love and admire.

Totally and utterly made my day!

Secretly...

Or not so secretly anymore I guess, I freaking love this show. If I could get my butt out of bed a half hour earlier to watch it each day I would...just to watch it. Secretly, I kind of get excited when my kids wake up that half hour earlier so we can. Tee hee.

Why do I like it so? Well, I think it is just a smart show. I really think the writers do a great job at making it "smart". For me, as an adult, I love it, but my kids love it too.

One of the funniest things is the titles and words they use and manipulate to title the show etc. For instance, Memms and I were watching this week and the title of one such show was, "Vomitrocious". Hilarious no? Reminds me of how this lady talks. So we began watching and I laughed seriously out loud. It was about puking in school (everyone's worst nightmare no?!) and teasing the kid who always got a bloody nose (I don't recall that...but seriously funny stuff.) After the little show was over they had real kids talking about puking, complete with drawings and animation.

Anyway, I am laughing right now just thinking about it. I highly recommend. Shhh, don't tell you heard it from me, I might deny it.

"Nobody likes me, everybody hates me..."

September 2008



We went fishing in Midway. This was my kids' first ever encounter with worms. It was freaking hilarious. I wish I could remember where we went, but kids could fish for free without a license and I *think* the worms were free! So so so so so gross. I'll admit I am 100% girl in the regard when it comes to bugs and spiders and ants, anything creepy or crawly. I try really hard to hide that fact from my kids and encourage them to explore. Even if I wanted to throw up a little.



J-Man thought it was THE coolest thing ever. He wanted to keep them. He was super bummed when I told him we couldn't. He was so fascinated, we taught him all about what happens when you cut them in half, how they make "two worms". (I remember learning that...do you?) So, like good parents we cut some in half and showed him. He loved it, then was eager to share the love:



With sissy. She did quite well. Not too enthralled as brother was, but she held it nonetheless. (Gag...ew...that's my girl! Actually she told me today that she doesn't like ants, she only likes "rolly pollies". I get that.)



So we fished and didn't catch a single thing. :( But it was SO relaxing and fun to teach our kids something new.



My favorite grin. Love that nose. Love that space.



Divalicious as always.

The best things in life, belong to me!

Remember that one trip? You don't? That is cuz I never really blogged about it. So so sad that all of my personal pics get put on the back burner until the year's end. :( By the time I do get to edit them, I am a little burned out. Anyway, back to the trip.

One day we took a super, hecka long bike ride. It was the best. This trip was about a month after the half marathon. All I could think of the entire ride was how much funner and easier it was to bike that long than it was to run that far!

We stopped to rest at the little park. My kids are truly the best. Part one of the park pics:







Truly, these gems are delightful. Love them hanging and their wide eyed smiles!



And these might possibly be some of my favorite photos of my little family. These are rarities in this house, all of us together, in one photo. Thanks to Amber (who I really hope becomes my sister in law one day...I doubt she or my brother in law read this. Everytime I see poor Amber I am one ornery person. This particular weekend was one of the worst emotionally of my life. I bawled and screamed and cried quite a bit...and poor Amber, she saw the worst of me. I hope she still loves me, and one day she can really see I am a sweet person! Love you Amber) anyway, Amber took these of my family. They are gorgeous aren't they? I get all teary, probably because my kids look forty! My step-mom told me the other day, "Gee, Memms looks like a big girl! She lost her baby look." Weep, weep, tear. She has hasn't she. That look on her face below is tdf. And that Mr. J man. He is my delight and a half. I loved spending a whole week with nothing to do but love and kiss on these beauties. Even that handsome man there...he went the whole week without shaving. Totally uber creepy honey, but loved spending the week with that scratchy face too!



I just want to eat this photograph. We look like rainbow sherbet. Yumm.

The best things in life, are mine.

Busily Crafting, craftily busy.

We already know she is going to cause a lot of boys a lot of heartache. We wouldn't have it any other way.

This week is always one of the busiest of the year for me as a photographer. The week has been full of print orders and last minute cards, phone calls and a few last minute sessions this weekend. I love my job. It has been a really fulfilling year.

I am really looking forward to a few weeks off to breathe and be with my family and enjoy this Christmas season. I have been very crafty this last weekend, since I had a few moments to breathe. I made Memms a Christmas dress. I can't wait to take her and Jobs downtown and shoot a few quick photos of them in their duds. They are just too fun.

Also, I have made a few other goodies, some for Christmas and some for fun. I am currently sewing a patchwork quilt, just because I can and I am excited to finish it so, as Jobby says, "The whole family can cuddle with it!" Indeed. My goal this coming week is to edit all of our family pictures from the year for a special Christmas yumminess for my family. :)

We finally got our tree up tonight. I let the kids do it all by themselves and I really don't care to rearrange the ornaments like I do every other year. Who cares? Let them enjoy the fruits of their little labors.

Last but not least I saw that commercial for Toys for Tots...you know the one with the little boy who walks up to the Marine and asks him if he is Santa Claus? Ya, I totally started bawling. Christmas is officially in the air, and I hope it doesn't come too quickly. Love basking in the glow, the magic, the lights. Christmas is my favorite time of year.

T'was the night before Thanksgiving...

...and what else do you do but paint the pumpkins that have been sitting on your porch since mid-October. The same pumpkins your children have begged and asked and begged some more to carve into "Jack o Lanterns". No exaggerations here, we painted our pumpkins on Thanksgiving Eve. I just couldn't talk myself into scraping out pumpkin goo...especially pumpkins that have been sitting on the porch for a month and a half.













As for Thanksgiving? It was the bomb dot com. I am not sure how fond my step-mom (I hate the term step-mom...but for clarification sake) would be about me talking about her innards on my blog...but I have to say how Thankful I am that she is okay. She had a cancer scare last week and had to have an emergency hysterectomy because they found a tumor...the size of a baseball! Hello! Poor thing. We all went up to see her last Saturday after her surgery, and just hugged her and was so thankful that she was okay and that it was NOT cancerous! Thankful indeed. Lorraine is an amazing woman. I put my arms around her and cried and realized how much I am not ready to lose any of my parents. On the bright side, Lorraine and I are certain she lost AT LEAST a pound. She is amazing.

With the events that transpired...my little brothers and Lorraine needed a Thanksgiving feast, since she couldn't do it...I did it for her! I have never made Thanksgiving dinner.

I woke at 4 a.m. to roast the turkey. In my sleep deprived state, I was unprepared for what awaited me inside the turkey carcass. Have you ever? Seriously? The neck? The "giblets". As if calling them "giblets" makes it all better? I started dry heaving and had to breathe through my mouth just to make it through the rinsing. Then there was the whole, "massaging of the butter into the turkey" and the "removing of the quills". I just sent an e-mail to my aunt, whose home I have invaded every Thanksgiving since my birth...and thanked her abundantly for making me dinner all of my life...how I have taken the last 25+ years for granted. Anyway, I have decided that rolls, and turkey, and gravy, and deviled eggs made by ones own hand taste much worse than those made by auntie and mom. I am forever grateful to the people in my life who cook for me.

Dinner was a hit. Thanks to my brother for hooking us up with the turkey to roast, and to his beautiful wife for her pumpkin roll. Have you ever had pumpkin roll? It is TDF. My SIL is the bomb diggs too, she made 9...NINE pumpkin rolls for Thanksgiving. Her family is big...and she said my brother needed 3 for himself. Hopefully if she loves all of us she will post the recipe on her blog.

Anyway, thankful dinner is over...thankful my step-mom does not have cancer, thankful she is recovering well. I am thankful for my family, for the sweetness this year has brought us, and for the continued and renewed appreciation of all that we have been given!

Recollection.

So, the past month I was given a new Visiting Teaching companion. She is seriously an answer to prayer and just what I needed. I have done my VT'ing for TWO months straight. That hasn't happend since Kayleen was my partner YEARS ago. Hi Kayleen! Miss you.

Anyway, she and I were talking and laughing in the car tonight and she reminded me of one of the most hilarious moments of all time. Our entire ward still talks about it. I wish oh wish I had a picture to go along, but alas cameras are frowned upon in the chapel.

So, in our church, the Primary children put on a Primary Program every year in the fall. They practice the songs all year long and their little parts for weeks to get it just right. Last year J-Dawg was 4. It was his first program. All the kids were sitting up in the stand, J-Man and all of the other little Sunbeams on the front row. Right where everyone can see them. Cuz they are small you know? Gotta see the little ones of course. During each song, they have the children stand up to sing. Well, little Jobby is front and center, and throughout each and every song he is seen either playing the drums or doing a wicked air guitar solo. I kid you not. My kid. Only my kid. Hilarious right?

I don't know why I never blogged about this, but my sweet companion reminded me of it tonight, so this year when the program rolled around, everyone (teenagers especially) were waiting for Jobby to break out in another round of air guitar. Alas this year he did not do it. There was disappointment all around. Oh how I freaking love him.

Such a typical day for us. Usually can be found in our jammies, all day. What is the point if we have no where to go?

A month late, but never a dollar short.

Um, remember that thing called Halloween? I recall this same thing happening last year. At least this year I found them before December! :)

The last few months have been very rough for our little family financially speaking (like it isn't for anyone else?!) So, when it came time for the costume shopping, I was feeling a little...I dunno frightened. I have a very strict budget, and everything for myself and the kids has to come out of that small amount of allotted moolah. Imagine my surprise when I suggested to Hubbs that we go to Savers.

Have I mentioned how much I. Heart. Savers.?

We found Memmy's costume. She had been wanting to be Hello Kitty for WEEKS...if you asked her that is what she wanted to be. I was dying. I had an idea of what I wanted to do for her costume but JUST TRY to find WHITE kitty ears anywhere. So, upon looking through the racks of costumes, we came across this one. Perfect for a little almost three year old. She was in heaven.


Then J-Man, we found a "Power Ranger" costume for him at the Saver's, but they wanted an OUTRAGEOUS price for it...it was apparently "new" missing the mask and all. We left it and I promised to take him to KMart and he could pick out a Power Ranger costume there. Well, he saw this one and HAD to have it.

Here is where I get all teary. J-Man had spent the day with Hubb's parents. He "worked" at the salon all day, sweeping up the floor (Before you get all child labor law on me...my kids do it willingly, and because they want to), and he helped "the ball lady" count her money and put new balls in the ball machine. She paid him $5 for his help. Then lucky lad, he lost his tooth, and his grandpa gave him a few dollars. (Grandparents are great.) Anyway, he saw this costume and he wanted to buy it with "his own money". Tears. I got a little choked up when he handed over his $8.50 earnings (minus tithing) to the clerk. Secretly though, it was a blessing for us. It was a good learning experience for him. He is becoming quite the little accountant.

Is it funny that the Care Bear is all poised for action?

Optimus Prime!

He is the cutest thing ever.

Does anyone else's kid draw ON. THEIR. FACE? With permanent Marker? Mine does.

Holy crap she is freaking cute.

Anyway, Happy Halloween...er uh...Happy Thanksgiving.

Twins Anyone?

Been on my mind all day. Thanks for posting this mrs. r.

I want all of them.

If you do too, go forth and read.

Tender Mercies

One of my all time favorite talks.

My apologies for no post yesterday. I hit the sack early. WAY early...because I have been getting to bed SUPER late. Or super early, depending on where on earth you live. Ha!

The last few days, my mind has been focusing a lot on what I am thankful for. Thanksgiving is such a wonderful time of year. I wish it were in June or something though, because it gets the shaft in the shadow of Christmas. Nonetheless, feeling overly grateful for the things I have. We so easily get distracted by the seemingly grand things in life. The bills that pile up, the laundry that needs to be washed, dishes cleaned, car repairs, etc. How often do we take time to realize the blessings all around us and truly give thanks for them.

This year, especially today, I am thankful for the small and tender mercies that I have been blessed with. To share, I will name a few.

Thankful for exactly two manilla envelopes left. For without them, I would have to ship in a box and it would cost a lot more and drain our already dwindling bank account.

Thankful that as I was running LATE that I found an open parking spot that was CLOSE to the building I was headed into.

Thankful that during these trying economic times that I found the perfect Christmas present for one of my kids. $3 vs. $50. I heart Savers.

Thankful for aunt flow coming four days early instead of four days late.

Thankful for a medical bill of $8,000 instead of a funeral bill.

Thankful my children have a mother.

Thankful for friends who care so much about me. Especially the ones who came and packed away all that baby stuff. Did I ever tell you how much that meant to me?

Thankful to have kissed on these chubby cheeks. Thankful he is safe now.

Thankful for Adoption. That is has blessed my life and the lives of countless people who I love.

Thankful I can run.

Thankful for a talent that blesses my life in more ways than I can count.

Thankful for these munchies.




Thankful for him.


Just oh so very, utterly thankful.

Hoping to Adopt

See there? Over there, on the left hand side of the blog...I have a link list. Cool right?

Well, if you, or your friends are hoping to adopt and would like to be added to this list, leave me your link in the comments.

Sound good?

Happy day all!

"It's a Farm."

Remember the death of the horse?

She has attached herself to a new friend, named him "Pink Piggy."

Meet Pink Piggy. In the farm.

Oh the farm? Well, it is this patch of warm light streaming through the bathroom window. You couldn't tell? Shame on you!

As I was scrubbing toilet, she was talking to me.

Memms: "I feed da piggy mone."

Me: "What?"

Memms: "Mone."

Me: "What?"

Memms: "Mone...Mone...MON--EEEEY!"

Me: "Oh! MONEY!" Gotcha.

Then she proceeds to pick up any crumb she can find to feed to the pig.

Memms: "But he doesn't have a mouth."

Improvision.






I have THE best job.





THE. BEST. JOB.

Article: Adopted

Originally posted at the r house.

Adopted
by Jana Jones Steed

"We had to wait a long time for our turn to get a baby. I can’t understand how Heavenly Father decides when people should get a baby. My best friend has lots and lots of kids in her family. Her mommy had two babies while we were waiting to adopt Joey. When I told Mommy that it wasn’t fair, she just said that we needed to be patient. Heavenly Father has different plans for different people, and He knows best."

FRIENDS!

Remember when I told you about my broth'a from anoth'a moth'a? (and fath'a...but who cares about those deets?)

Anyway, I NEED YOUR HELP!

He is in a contest and he has asked me to ask you for your votes!

Please go here.

Click "Showcase" (off lefthand side).

Create a quick account...

Log in.

Click Showcase again(will be on right hand side along top)...and vote for B Flo...Brandon Flores! He is amazing people. I love him with all of my heart.

Good Luck Brandon!

"What do you live for?"

"...Who would you die for?"

Also, if you haven't, you must. It isn't so much about "adoption" as it is to choose or not to choose life. If these two don't go hand in hand, I don't know what does.

For a really neat post on such a thing, read here.

I love this movie. I own it, so if you want to borrow it you can.

I'll throw in a box of tissue.

"That little pink plus sign is so unholy."

"That ain't no etch a sketch this is one doodle that can't be un-did home skillet."

If you haven't seen it yet, you should. At least, I loved it!

National Adoption Month

A few days ago, I was reading this blog and came across the fact that this year's presidential theme for National Adoption month was:

Adopting Children from Foster Care

This was the proclamation he gave on October 31, 2008

National Adoption Month, 2008

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

During National Adoption Month, we recognize the compassion of adoptive and foster families as we seek to raise awareness of the need for every child in America to have a safe, loving, and permanent home.

Adopting a child is a great joy and also a great responsibility. Parents are a child's first teachers, and adoptive families can help children learn character and values, the importance of giving back to their community and country, and the courage to realize their potential. On November 15, caring parents across our Nation will celebrate National Adoption Day by finalizing their adoptions and bringing home children in need of a hopeful life.

My Administration is committed to helping young people find the love, stability, and support that a family can provide. We have joined with community and faith-based organizations to raise public awareness of foster children awaiting adoption. With the help of the Congress, we are assisting families in overcoming the financial barriers to adopting children through programs such as the Adoption Incentives Program. In addition, the Collaboration to AdoptUsKids project, which can be found at www.adoptuskids.org, provides guidance and resources for parents exploring adoption.

During National Adoption Month, we honor adoptive and foster parents who have shown America the depth and kindness of the human heart. Their love and dedication inspire the next generation of Americans to achieve their dreams and demonstrate the true spirit of our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2008 as National Adoption Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities to honor adoptive families and to participate in efforts to find permanent homes for waiting children.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Cool right? You've been participating in something Mr. President thinks is uber important, and you didn't even realize it. (Heck neither did I, does that make me a bad American?)

Either way, having been a foster parent, I know it is a hard job. A job that does not come without it's rewards and heartaches.

I will just leave you to two blogs of other foster mother's that have touched my heart and made me realize what an amazing calling it is to be a foster parent. I look up to these women. They are so strong and such good examples of what we can all be if we only try.

http://ourfamilygardenwherewildthingsgrow.blogspot.com/

http://anothersmalladventure.blogspot.com/

Happy National Adoption Day!

Mine TV is Kaput!

Taken by my four year old...back in June. Nice eh?

AS IF!

Dood, had a rough morning with the five year old. He woke with a fever...(correction he woke EARLY with a fever).

So, I couldn't send him to school, and I had no other caretaker for him. Had to nix the plans with my friend Hollywood. (Sorry Holls.)

So, what do you do when your kid awakens so freaking early in the morning? Well, if you are anything like me, we head downstairs and I let them watch all sorts of PBS until I am ready to face the day...or at least open my eyes whichever comes first.

So, we get all comfy cozy on the couch. We watch five minutes of Arthur and three minutes of George...and "pizoooooooo". Death to the television. Gone...whammo, kaput.

So, I did what any other sleep deprived desperate mother would do. I put them in front of the little 7" television in the kitchen, and I slept on the family room rug.

Notes to self: Couch is much more comfy than floor. Buy new TV (ha ha...that last part is a joke, I think I shall permanently borrow one from my inlaws).

GTU Recap

Remember this?

You can read about it here.

It made me cry.

I love my friends Myra and mrs r. I am thankful for their segment. Beautifully done.

Enjoy some photos from the day. Compliments of Leisha Kelsey Photography.



ABC 4

Me, well part of me anyway. (Scary.)

mrs. r's finely manicured hand (by moi) and Myra. I love this pic of her. Everyone else is so staunch...she is just kickin' it...a la Myra.

The gals during the segment.

Josh. NOT to be confused with mr. r.

My ladies with the GTU ladies.

mrs. r

Leisha bo Beisha

The Crafties

Hott.

Myra

Such amazing friends I have.

My chunky boots. I am certain they are out of fashion.

I have to say THE highlight of my day was when Reagan told me how "beautiful" my hair was. Wow, really? That made me feel so good. Thanks Reagan.