"Tootin My Horn"

I don't toot my horn very often. There are so many things that I need to work on but every once in awhile I have a little moment that makes me feel like I can conquer the world, well, maybe just the day!

After school, Luke, Austin and Troy went on a winter camp-out and since Austin has a paper route, there was a little debate over how it was going to get done. This was due partially to only being a one car family right now. However, I said that I would do it on Austin's bike if he would just pack them all up in the sack. Then, after much deliberation, I thought, "Who am I kidding?" If I get on that bike with 50 pounds of weight on me I will surely be falling all over. I could just see the papers flying. So, I resorted to the stroller, something that can tote, is on wheels and is much more familiar to me.

I must admit that at first I was not thrilled about it, one paper, two papers, etc., etc., but, once I put my ipod on and got my pace going it wasn't bad. In fact, once Pat Benetar came on with "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," I was running, pushing my stroller, throwing three pointers, thinking about Rocky Balboa training for the big fight. I think I may have even thrown a few punches, ha ha, no, just kidding but, I thought about it. I also started thinking about how I never would have done this as a kid. Okay, maybe on a bike, but not on foot or with a STROLLER.

As I came down the home stretch, empty bag and empty stroller, it felt good to round the corner and cross the imaginary finish line! Woot! Woot!

I know this is pretty trivial for some women out there and to you I say, "Tally Ho and Hang Tough" and for those of you who are like me and consider this a Wonder Woman moment, I say, "We are Women, Hear Us Roar!"

Now for the Christmas lights...

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.