More Music...

Here are a couple of beautiful sisters singing, "Si Volvieras a mi." I always get chills when I hear them sing. They are also our nieces. I just love them. I also love music. It can be so powerful.

Performing 101

Here's a cover of Jason Mraz's, "I'm Yours."

Belated Boo's

This is a little late but I wanted to get to it at some point. Every October we make a Scarecrow. This is a tradition I started, thinking that the kids would really enjoy. Well, the younger ones do but, the older ones think of it as more of a chore. However, they humor me anyway and end up helping out. I always tell them that even the "crazy" or "boring" traditions I come up with will be a memory for them that they will laugh about later. It will go under "remember when mom made us do this...."


It was headless at first, as well as gloveless and bootless but we took pictures anyway. Don't our "pumpkins" look great?

Midnight Munchies!

I have been lingering around the kitchen, at first I was cleaning up a little and munching a little. Then it turned into a full, blown-out munch fest, ugh! I can't help it. I LOVE left overs and can't seem to put any distance between me and the refrigerator. Cold chicken is awesome! Let's see, what else do I like cold? I like cold Pizza, cold cuts, cold pasta salad, cold cereal (lucky charms), dang it, I'm out of milk, cold Reeces Peanut Butter cups, cold chocolate chips and cold doggie bags from ANY restaurant, no luck there either. Oh well, I should get to bed.

Choir Concert

Last night was Austin's first choir concert. He has always been in band so, I didn't ever expect to be going to see him in the choir. Everyone did a great job. Here he is in a tux!! He looks way too old to me, AAwww!


Austin is in the back row with the microphone right in front of his face.

Word of Wizzum

I just wanted to share an experience we had Sunday morning. My thirteen year old, Alex was assigned to give a talk on Sunday and we forgot all about it until Sunday morning at 6:00 a.m. I had a meeting at 7:00 so, I quickly woke her up and tried to get her some material. After giving her a couple topics to choose from, she looked at me and blirted out a completely different topic, prayer. I thought it was a great choice. I ran down to the computer and started looking up references for prayer. Well, she didn't come down for awhile. I ran back up the stairs to hurry her along and she met me with a "don't take over my assignment" look. We then proceeded to the computer where there were too many topics on prayer to her liking. By this time, I realized that she did not want my help and I was going to be late for my meeting if I continued prepping her. Both of our teenagers do not like our help when preparing for a talk, which completely baffles me because when I was their age, I very much wanted my parents help! However, Troy and I also think it's great because they are showing initiative, right? We also can focus on other things, like getting the other kids ready or going to a meeting.

I left the house for my meeting confident that Alex would be prepared. She always is.

After my meeting, I sat in a pew waiting for my family to arrive. Go Troy!!! I also knew that Alex does not like to be late, especially when giving a talk, like I said, no attention drawn to her. During the opening song, I quietly smiled when I looked up and saw Alex slipping through the door closest to the pulpit. She looked lovely, I thought. Soon after, the rest of them trickled in. Ellie even had her hair back in a great looking pony tail, Wooo Hoooo Troy!

Now it was time for the talk. She talked plainly and clearly, which I am always greatful for, coming from a teenager. But I was a little surprised when she proceeded to tell the congregation that her topic was the Word of Wisdom. Hmmmm, not what we had talked about but that's okay, another great topic. She touched on what we should stay away from and then starts to mention a popular, spoof movie, Sons of Provo. It's about a Mormon Boy Band that sings about gospel topics in a very modern, funky way. Now, when it's not my own children, I love when kids break from the norm and catch you off guard about what they relate to. However, when she started to recite the following lyrics from one of the Sons of Provo songs, Word of Wizzum, I was a little leary, just a little! IT's a RAPPING Song!! This is what she recited in a very monotone, serious manner:

Don't, don't drink. No, don't even think about it
Drinkin' stinks Stinky drink no doubt about it
O-val-tine better for you don't you doubt it
Keep yo body clean Let's shout it!

Go! Go! Go! Go! Stop!

Meats okay. Yeah, but only twice a day
Coffee? No Way! Pero, Postum, yes you may
Mount-tain Dew Tasty but no good for you
Too Too true at least I'm not sniffin glue!

Oh yes, it was the sniffin glue part that made me burst into outward laughter! I don't know which was funnier though, the fact that it was a completely different topic when I left home, that she recited a rapping song over the pulpit, or the serious manner in which she did it. The girl kept a straight face the WhOLE time! One lady next to me asked me who the Sons of Provo were, ha ha! I quickly told her that our children won't allow us to help them with their talks.

I love my kids, they keep life so interesting and fun!

Here's a clip of the song up above.

9 Lives?

Well, Genie Industries, my husbands employer just finished implementing another round of lay-offs this week. We feel very fortunate to have made it through another round, Whew! Troy counted up how many times he has been through this and it is 6, Six times! I can't tell you how blessed and lucky we feel. We really thought that this would be IT! I was mentally preparing myself for a lifestyle change, etc. We are hoping for at least three more lives. Troy has been with Genie for 14 years and has been curious at times to try other things but Genie has been so good to us. We have known others who have quit and moved on and it has worked out wonderfully for them, Yay! However, when you're a creature of habit and things are going well, it sounds difficult, maybe more to me than him. I do have to say though, I felt somewhat prepared for what seemed like the inevitable and yet here we are. That's not to say that we are out of the woods, if there is one thing we have learned during our married life is that NOTHING is set in stone and the most important thing is: Things can ALWAYS be WORSE! I want to thank all of you who were so kind to us and worried about us. We had several friends and family pray and fast for us and we are so grateful. So, regardless of how many lives we end up getting, we know that things will work out.

Hang In There!!

Chaperoned a Stake Dance tonight and worried about all the girls that didn't get asked to dance. You just want to give them a big hug and tell them to "Hang in there."

Mi Escuela

Ellie and I started Preschool yesterday. Ellie as a student and myself as an aide. After teaching out of my home for several years and then going through a hiatus, I have to say, it was a lot of fun! It's good to be back in a classroom setting watching young children learn. There are always the ones that push the envelope and test you everyday but once they get used to the routine it gets a whole lot better. Everything is a process. I am having to learn to go to bed earlier and get up earlier! Ugh!! In fact, I should go to bed now. I am exhausted! I forgot how tiring it can be to chase a bunch of little ones around.

OH, I almost forgot, we are also learning some spanish along with our day! All that I can think of now is escuela and bano!

Bottle It Up

The older I get, the more precious my TIME means to me. Wouldn't it be nice if we could bottle it up and use it whenever we needed some extra? Whenever my husband and I plan a home project he always mentions our TIME and figures that into the cost. I always tell him that we're just free labor. When we lived in Carnation, WA we lived in our first home and changed a lot of things in it over TIME. When it came TIME to move, I found myself a little reluctant to leave because of all the elbow grease we put into it over the years. There was a lot of TIME and good memories immersed in the walls, molding, cupboards, yard, etc.

I find myself trying to allocate my TIME in my mind during the day. I am trying to get to know a couple ladies a little better and by the TIME I can reach the phone, it is too late to call them. Yet there are others that are clearly busier than I am making the rounds and visiting and serving us. Sometimes, I am very amazed that with how much TIME can cost, what others are willing to give to me and my family. I feel I am surrounded by great givers of TIME who know how to bottle it up and let it out when needed!

"We Are Family"

I Can't Drive FIFTY FIVE! Remember that song by Sammy Hagar? That's all I could think about when I saw this sign, ha ha! I love it!


We went down to Hurricane, Utah to celebrate my parents 50th wedding anniversary. We had a great time.


My siblings and parents.


The Grandkids!


Troy and Ellie (spitting image of her father)!


We had a short program for our parents. The younger ones did a non-rehearsed dance and were so cute!!


The older grandkids lip-synced to the Jackson 5's, "I Want You Back!" We ran out of afro's so Luke decided to be an Ozzie Osbourne, Michael Jackson. Where did he come up with that one? It was VERY entertaining!

Each of us also compiled a few memories of our parents that we shared and put in a binder to give to them at the end of the program. It was so much fun to hear everyone's different memories and experiences with our parents. What a great couple they are. We felt very blessed to have such wonderful parents.

Thrillin Rides and Dirty Reunions

At the end of July we took the kids to Silverwood theme park. Our middle and elementary schools give you free tickets when you read for so many minutes during a specific time frame and three of our kids got one. We had a lot of fun.


Since we are a roller coaster riding family we had to try just about every one UNTIL... Troy, Austin and Alexis got stuck on the biggest one there. I was waiting for them with the younger kids and could actually see Troy's white shirt when they came down the free fall section. Then, when they were ready to take another corner the coaster just started to rock and roll. They were suspended for about 25 minutes while the crew members got it worked out. When they finished working on it, the ride resumed and the rest of us decided that we didn't need to ride it.



We also tried out the water park for about...45 minutes! As soon as we got changed, paid for a locker, sent the older kids away to the slides and were comfortably floating in the lazy river we heard over the loud speaker that the water park would be closing in about 15 minutes.... it was just enough time to get soaking wet, lose Troy's sunglasses, realize there is a very cool wave pool further down that we couldn't touch and find the older kids. Next year, it will be a two-day trip!



...waiting for the coaster hostages.



We also got to go camping in Cle Elum last weekend with some close friends from our old ward, the Candlands. We got dirty, carved walking sticks, thought about chocolate covered roasted crickets, told a few bear stories, sang songs, played games, cooked, captured bees, hiked and got serenaded by a great new acoustic group, "Boys Don't Cry," ha ha. Go Adam and Jordan! We had a great time!


Luke's Big fashion statement.

...like a granny

Alex and I were able to hang out with our good friends Marcy and Shaini last week and see the David Archuleta/Demi Lovato Concert! We had so much fun with those girls! Marcy was afraid that her daughter, Shaini would act like a granny but, as soon as David came on stage that girl shot right out of her seat, (along with Alex) and didn't stop screaming and dancing until he left. However, when Demi came out they didn't budge from their seats. We tried to keep them going but it was no use, they insisted on acting like granny's, ha ha!


Marcy and I, on the other hand, didn't stop moving! Good Times!! Next year, Kris Allen!!

Going To The Chapel

Recently, I had a conversation with a friend about going to church. She did not share the same feelings I did about it, which is fine because I don't share the same beliefs with many of my friends. It did however, make me think, Bottom line- why do I go.

First - I know and believe that the Sacrament is a very important ordinance to be a part of each and every week. We are renewing our covenants to our Heavenly Father and Remembering the Savior and his Sacrifice for us. I am so grateful for this ordinance and that it is something that I can partake of every week.

Second - I need it. I need to re-focus at the beginning of the week and remember that my priorities should be in check and going to church services helps me do that.

Third - I have a calling or responsibility that lets me serve others and it makes me feel good to do so. I am not as happy when I am not serving others.

Fourth - You never know when you are going to feel the spirit and I would hate to miss out on that opportunity. The Sunday I miss could have been the one meeting where questions were answered or motivation and emotion change my life for the better.

Fifth - I want my children to make it a habit so that they can have that added knowledge, focus, encouragement, growth and strength in their lives.

Sixth - Fellowship. I enjoy greeting friends and getting to know new ones.

Yes, going to church is a physical act but getting something out of it is totally up to you.

Mommy "DayCare" Day

Music and Me

This is my favorite Michael Jackson song. I listen to music all the time, it is my guilty pleasure. People close to me would say that I might be a little obsessed. My siblings and I laughed, sang and danced to the radio all the time. So, naturally, songs bring back a lot of memories. My husband constantly asks me how I know the words to so many songs.

I was a big fan of the Jackson 5 and of course the "Thriller" days. I remember trying to do the moonwalk or robot or some kind of cool move that Michael Jackson did. This is where the laughing took place. The man could dance. And while his later years were tragic and CRAZY, I will never forget the memories I have because of his music.

"Hit Me With Your Best Shot"

This weekend we had a yard sale at our house. It was a hectic weekend but the neighborhood was doing it as well so we figured it would be the best timing for it. We stayed up late Friday night preparing and labeling. We got up early the next day to do more of the same and we continually re-arranged items for better sale spots. It's always amazing to me what sells and what doesn't. We borrowed these great clothes racks from a friend to use but we had so many clothes that we had to lay clothes out on blankets as well. The clothes on the ground sold a lot faster while the clothes on the racks were hardly touched. I had two clothing items that still had tags on them and I was asking a dollar for those items but this man wanted to only pay $.25. I was very proud of myself for sticking to my price and watching him wield to my assertiveness, ha ha. However, as the day wore on, I started to give in to the customers.

Two ladies who were speaking a different language started asking me for prices and grabbing 2-3 more items to include in the price, I quickly decided that it was better that they were bought than kept here for disposing of later, so I gave them the deal. Then, one of the ladies grabbed a few more things, sits down in my chair that I had been using and starts calling to me with a noise she is making with her mouth, a noise you would make to call a horse, click, click, che, che, che, che. I couldn't help but laugh! I couldn't believe it. Well, I think that they thought I understood them when I started to laugh so, they started laughing! I did manage to hear the other lady call her friend, "Crazy." I then said to her with a big smile on my face, "I hope you ladies have a GREAT day!"

We didn't have much longer to go when a friend of mine came by and I started chatting with her. We were standing out on the lawn by one of my flower beds when another lady came up to me and asked if I was the owner of the house. I quickly responded by saying yes and she points her finger at the one, big weed that I haven't gotten around to and says loudly enough for people to turn around and take notice, "THIS IS A WEED!" At first, I felt a little defensive and my friend and I looked at each other like, "Did she just say that?" Then, I felt the need to explain to her why it was still there because of course there is a good explanation for it and then I thought of several Sunday School lessons that I could tie into all of this, ha ha. Needless to say, that darn weed will be gone... tomorrow.

You Say It's Your Birthday....

Today is Troy's 41st birthday! The years just keep going by faster and faster. Here he is at nine months. He is so Cute...pinch! I decided to put this picture on his cake to remind him just how cute he is.


Earlier in the day the little girls and I delivered some helium balloons to his work. However, we didn't go inside, we tied them to his motorcycle instead. Several people walking by wanted to know who they were for and later they found him and told him that he left his lights on to get him outside. All in all, the little girls were thrilled and Troy even said that upon looking at them, they made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside, ha ha. He has learned what words to use with me.


Ellie decided to help dad blow the candles out and the usually, attentive Uncle Rory was very enthralled with the whole ordeal. You ROCK uncle Rory!


I had to add this picture because I wanted to show off my husband's carpentry skills. He will kill me for saying that but, he built me this bed for mothers day. I had made the headboard years ago and he finished it for me last week. I LOVE IT! It is just my style and he was ever so thoughtful for completing it. Thank you Troy!

By Chance...

Last month I was on Facebook and an old college roommate of mine found me. The next day, another one did as well and so on and so on. Well, last weekend I was able to meet up with two of them in Utah. It was so great to catch up with them. We hadn't seen each other in over 14 years! I just can't believe it's been that long. Here is a picture of three out of the five of us that shared an apartment my first year at Ricks. I can still remember talking with my dad about which apartment to choose and choosing one. Then he told me that I could pick a little better one if I wanted and lo and behold I got the perfect group of girls for me. It wasn't my first year out of High School and I didn't know anyone so the "Chances" of finding roommates that I would naturally click with that were my age, I felt, were slim. But, I soon found out that we were all the same age and that we were all very compatible. It was such a blessing! In fact, three of them had known each other the year prior. It didn't take long to become close friends. As far as the single life goes, those days are some of my most cherished:

- The crazy NoDoze nights, studying for finals,
- Seeing snow fall for the first time
- Walking to school layered up in scarves and coats in 25 degree or less weather,
- Checking the couches for loose change to purchase a bag of potatoes because we spent our money on a concert
- Finding a ride to Salt Lake City on the message boards and making conversation with a stranger for four hours just to get to the concert
- Watching TV on a 13 inch screen and inviting the whole building because it is the only one around
- Stacking empty pop bottles on our living room ledge just for decoration
- Hitting the library to study of course
- Going on an occasional date smitten and minutes later realizing you have nothing in common
- Going on an occasional date smitten and THEY realize you have nothing in common
- Going to the Midnight Movie and waiting in the BIG line outside, FREEZING!
- Taking Social Dance
- Being answered to Preference in my "Dating and Marriage" class with over 200 students
- Using lots of hair spray on our BIG HAIR
- Getting a phone call from the family
- Watching Linda open up her countless care packages
- The Spori Building
- Getting an education
- Stitches (don't ask)
- Games - Mexican Horse Race - Statue
- Being Independent and living on my own
- Burnt French Bread/Tofu/Twinkies
- Taking Private Voice lessons and realizing you have to sing once a month in front of the other students who happen to be music majors
- Dances/Plays/Devotionals
- Laughing
- Walking...Walking...Walking
- Becoming Lifelong friends
- Meeting my future husband through our roommates
- Graduating

Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock....

Will be getting up in about five hours but feel compelled to blog. Crazy, Stupid, Ridiculous, Tiring, Determined are just a few words that come to mind. Had an old high school friend call me today. It was a lot of fun to catch up. Then, before she got off, she got emotional and told me that she was worried about her finances. At that moment, my mind starting racing of what I might say to comfort her. However, she continued to talk herself out of her state of mind by saying, "Every time I worry about my finances, I think about how you and your husband have five children to provide for." Once again, my mind started racing because we are in no way the model of a stress free financial family. We always get by though. She continued to talk herself out of her anxiety and feel better. I got four words in, "I Pray A LOT." Of course, there's more to it than that and if you were to talk to our kids they would say that we are poor, ha ha. However, we have minimal debt. I have to say though, that, sometimes, we can do all we can and still go through a certain trial for one reason or another. I don't always know why but, I see people go through extremely hard trials and still stay positive and hopeful. This is so inspiring to me. I couldn't help but be moved by my friend for talking herself out of her mood and ending on a gracious, cheerful note. Today was definitely a great day!

I think the clock is starting to grow a little louder now... good night!

"Yadda, Yadda, Yadda"

...some things that made me smile this week...

1. Little Boys creativity with rope!! (Gotta love my nephews face as well, ha ha!)


2. It being warm enough to play in the water, well, at least warm enough for the little girls!!


3. Painting my table. It is more red than it looks here but need to do the benches as well.


4. Seeing my flowers come up!!!

5. My oldest son paid me a compliment out of the blue! He made my day! I didn't think he noticed.

6. My oldest daughter had a great time during Family Home Evening this week even though she was getting slaughtered by her older brother. She's SO much fun!! (And of course, if you win a game in our house, it means that you have to get tickled.) That cheared the younger ones up too, ha ha.)

7. Came across this awesome quote on the internet: "Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice, it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved." William Jennings Bryan